The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

Sages in blue robes sat around a rainbow-colored magic stone the size of a small shield.

Among them, hardly any were maintaining a normal expression.

There were more people standing than sitting.

Most of them, with their eyes and mouths wide open, could only look at the face of the informant who had come to deliver the news.

“What- what do you mean? That Lucion and Cadelina have gone missing…?”

“Just as I have told you. After last manifesting their powers near Luwen, their presence has completely vanished.”

The informant continued in a calm tone, as if expecting the sages’ reaction, but he himself could not comprehend the current situation.

The disappearance of the dragons, the highest race on earth.

It was not just a disappearance but almost akin to extinction, for there was nothing on this land that could feel their trace anymore.

These two artifacts, now devoid of light, were the proof.

“As you can see, these two ‘Dragon Stones’ have both lost their light. When they first handed these artifacts to us, they clearly stated that the moment the light from these stones disappears, they would be gone from this world…”

Of course, they said it would never happen, merely instructing us to follow their orders without question.

Neither the dragons who spoke those words nor the sages who heard them could have ever anticipated such an event.

“Did you say near Luwen? Have you visited the last place where their presence was manifested?”

“Investigators have used detection magic and searched everywhere, but they only found traces of a battle, nothing else. Not even a drop of blood or a single scale…”

The more they heard, the more absurd it seemed.

While everyone was struggling to accept reality with a dazed look, a middle-aged man sitting closest to the rainbow-colored magic stone was observing the situation with a gravely serious expression.

He was ‘Regens Rainriver,’ the head of the Garam Kingdom’s Magic Society and one of the few great sages on the continent.

“Hmm…”

With a short sigh accompanied by a snort, all eyes turned to him.

Regens’s gaze was fixed on the faded Dragon Stones.

“If there were traces of a battle, then it would mean Lucion and Cadelina… both lost their lives in that battle, wouldn’t it?”

“Yes, that’s correct! But Lucion and Cadelina… in essence, they were beings possessing powers beyond 8-star strength…”

“What’s the use of attaching titles to those who are already dead? There’s no need to refer to them with such reverence anymore.”

Regens raised his hand, signaling to stop showing respect towards the dragons.

“However, we need to think more carefully about that battle. If not a single drop of blood was found, could it be possible that the one who killed those two dragons erased all traces with magic?”

“But Lord Regens! As you know, the magic level of our investigators is not low. Most of them are at least 7-star practitioners, and their detection magic couldn’t find anything. That would mean, it must be the work of someone with at least 8-star level or higher…”

“It would have to be someone with dark attributes.”

Not an attribute focused on combat or lethal magic, but specialized in stealth and camouflage.

If someone really did erase all traces at the scene with magic, the caster’s magic level would have to be significantly higher than that of the investigators who used detection magic.

“To have killed dragons, no less. If that’s really what happened, the investigators wouldn’t stand a chance.”

Regens spoke as if it wasn’t surprising.

“Even so, someone with dark attributes…”

Among the high-ranking magicians known to the public, those who possess dark attributes are extremely rare.

In fact, reaching a high level with dark attributes was considered very unlikely.

Yet, Regens seemed fixated on the dark attribute, tapping his fingers on the table and repeating the word “darkness” to himself.

“If it’s Luwen, that’s where the Royal Academy is located, right?”

He mentioned the academy when he spoke again.

“Yes. But there, the only person capable of killing Lucion… I mean, Lucion and Cadelina, would be the chancellor, Kundel Quisel. However, as far as we know, his attribute isn’t darkness…”

“It doesn’t have to be the chancellor. The specialty of the dark attribute is also hiding, so perhaps a high-ranking dark attribute practitioner hiding their power could be lurking there. It’s worth investigating. Let’s extend our investigation to include the academy.”

“Yes, Lord Regens!”

After the investigator left upon receiving the orders, Regens closed his eyes.

Everyone in the council room silently watched him.

No one spoke until he, lost in thought, reopened his eyes and began to speak.

“Sometimes in life, it’s said that things are touched by a curse. From my perspective, it seems we’re exactly in such a situation now.”

His tone was calm, yet filled with an indescribable discomfort.

“What about the attempt to broker a new dealer?”

“We are thoroughly searching across the continent, but it seems it will take more time to find a dealer with the capabilities and resources of Zickerman Albas.”

“And the task of finding an alternative source for the demon’s blood?”

“We are looking in every direction for that as well, but it seems unlikely to secure an additional supply unless we infiltrate new suppliers into the frontline areas. Most of the blood that some irresponsible suppliers had diverted to the black market has already been mostly reclaimed.”

Regens sighed deeply once more.

“Do you all really think that all these events happening to us are merely coincidental?”

Everyone in the council room swallowed dryly.

“Leonard Crimson, who had been supplying us with the blood of demons, was assassinated by someone on the frontlines, and Zickerman Albas, who had been providing us with research materials and human subjects for years, was also unexpectedly assassinated. On top of that, Lucion and Cadelina, the two dragons who had been of great support to our Magic Society’s existence, have vanished. Are all these things truly just coincidental occurrences?”

A mix of anger and doubt seemed to flicker in Regens’ eyes.

“I absolutely cannot think that way. There surely is a link connecting these misfortunes happening to us. Unless we identify and resolve this link, there will be no progress for our Magic Society.”

It was all conjecture rather than evidence.

However, the other sages could not help but think that these series of events were not coincidental but connected in some way.

Yet, without knowing exactly what it was, the situation was frustrating.

Rising from his seat, Regens warned the seated sages.

“So, everyone must be prepared. It seems that some unknown changes are stirring in this continent. Only by overcoming this can we move towards a brighter future!”

After finishing his words, Regens turned and disappeared into a space where no light penetrated.

Behind him, the golden seal of the academy on his robe emitted a clear light.

* * *

“How is it? Tasty?”

“Yes! It’s really delicious! The snacks from sister Airen are the best!”

Nana, was wearing a blissful expression as if she needed nothing more from heaven.

Her cheeks were stuffed with snacks brought by Princess Airen.

They seem to be having a good time.

It was like watching close younger sisters.

Since I was the one who allowed Airen to come visit, I couldn’t really say anything about it.

Now that I think about it, isn’t this a first?

Bringing an outsider into my room.

Not that there’s a pile of bodies hidden away, and there’s no particular reason they couldn’t come in, but, The fact that a stranger, not one of my own, had entered, didn’t exactly please me.

-Clank

Still, recognizing the importance of the guest, Brian had somehow managed to make tea and quietly placed it on the table in front of the sofa.

His face was tense, sweat pouring down as if it were raining.

He really does things well when not asked.

Putting the tea aside, upon seeing Brian, Airen turned to me and asked.

“Does Cyan really not have any knights other than Brian?”

“As you see, that’s the case.”

Technically, he wasn’t even supposed to be here in the first place.

“That’s unexpected? I thought you would bring that maid from the mansion. Emily was her name, right?”

She remembered the name quite well.

Well, for a maid with such a presence, it’s not surprising.

“I didn’t want to bring her, who is not a guardian knight, to the academy. I certainly had no intention of using any tricks.”

I thought it would be better for her to stay in Vellias than to follow me to the academy.

“Lady Airen. It’s time to go to your classical literature class.”

“Oh, is it that time already?”

Resimus, checking the clock, informed that the class time was approaching.

Upon this, Princess Airen hurriedly gathered her things, preparing to leave.

Good, it’ll be quiet now.

I’m feeling a bit stiff, once they leave, I can comfortably exercise…

“…?”

Princess Airen, who had stood up, was staring straight at my face.

“Do you have something to say?”

“Why are you sitting there?”

Her unexpected question left me momentarily speechless.

“We have to go to class, don’t we? We’re in the same class.”

Sigh…

I let out a deep sigh in my heart.

This princess, could she have planned this from the start?

“Nana! Your sisters will go to class with papa! Play well with Brian until we return!”

“Okay! Have a good time, sister Airen!”

My opinion was already irrelevant.

With Nana waving her hand cheerfully, my body was already outside the dormitory.

“You weren’t planning to skip again, were you? It’s good to take care of Nana, but a student’s primary duty is to attend classes! If you keep skipping and fail, it’s going to be troublesome, right Cyan?!”

Her considerate heart left me not knowing how to react.

Just as I was considering slipping away while diverting her attention, I saw a familiar figure approaching from ahead.

It was Cranz.

“……!”

Upon seeing me, he didn’t hesitate for a moment before turning around and running away.

There’s no misunderstanding; I had instructed him to do so.

I had simply told him to disappear as soon as he saw me, if possible.

“That was your brother just now, right?”

“Yes, we’re not very close.”

I quickly cut off any further questions to prevent any other conversation from arising.

Moving again, upon arriving in front of the main building, I encountered another familiar face at the end of the corridor.

It was Barrett Luymil, hobbling on one leg with the support of knights.

His face was as arrogantly unbearable as ever.

“Gasp!”

The moment he saw me, he let out a shriek and commanded the knights to carry him away, fleeing immediately.

His speed was almost comparable to that of assassins disappearing after accomplishing their mission.

“What’s wrong, Cyan? Is there something there?”

“Nothing at all.”

I entered the classroom without showing any reaction, climbing the stairs.

“…….”

The chatter of dozens of students silenced, their gazes all turning towards me.

Faces filled with curiosity as to why I was there.

Uninterested in their shallow gazes, I went straight to my seat and sat down.

It’s been two months since I joined the academy.

As I’ve said before, this place is merely a fence to protect my current identity.

Although there have been quite interesting events, I need to blend in as much as possible, continuing my life quietly.

And gradually make corrections.

All the things I had to do but couldn’t.

I must continue the vague connections I have now.

Then, eventually, it will all collapse on its own.

Some cunning and twisted devil’s worthless plan.

Thinking of that moment, a smile unknowingly formed on my lips.

(To be continued)