The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

After the horrific bloodbath ended, only bleakness remained in the imperial palace.

As the dreadful night passed, dawn broke, and the morning sun rose.

Although her body was very tired, she couldn’t bring herself to sleep, so Alice just looked out the window aimlessly.

-Knock Knock

“Come in.”

Her servant, Cecilia, entered.

“What happened?”

“All the people from the Garam Academy, including Luna, were taken away by the knights of the imperial palace. It seems that a thorough investigation will take place over the next few days.”

It was an expected event, so she wasn’t greatly surprised.

Given that Luna Rainriver was found with the Daze Stone, they had to be considered the prime suspects in this incident.

Alice sighed with a heavy heart.

“Are you worried about something?”

After Cecilia’s question, she hesitated for a moment.

“Cecilia.”

“Yes.”

“Do you remember the first gift I received from brother Aschel when I was nine?”

“Of course. Lord Aschel gifted you a magic scroll because you were so interested in magic. I remember you were very happy about it.”

Magic scroll.

A kind of one-time use magical artifact.

It could be used without any specific spell or complicated formula, needing only mana, so it was often used as educational material for apprentice magicians or freshmen just entering the academy.

“Even though I was often called a prodigy, that scroll was of a grade that was difficult for me to activate at the time. But when he gave it to me, Aschel brother said.”

Alice could still not forget those words.

“If you grow to be able to use this scroll, then something incredible will happen. Perhaps all the people in the world will turn their eyes towards you. I really hope to see that before you enter the academy……”

At first glance, it was warm advice that touched one’s heart.

However, if Aschel really meant it that way, she wouldn’t be making such a stern face now.

“But you know what? I still have that scroll.”

Alice took out an old scroll from a small dimension box on the desk.

As if intending to show it directly to Cecilia, she unrolled the scroll to reveal its contents.

“This can still be used. It’s in perfect condition, not torn or damaged at all. However……”

“……!”

Cecilia doubted her eyes.

“Alice, that scroll, could it possibly be……?”

From her perspective, it was definitely not a magic scroll.

“Yes. It’s not a magic scroll, but a summoning scroll. One that can summon a demonic beast……”

On the blue parchment, a red magic circle was engraved in the center.

It was unmistakably a summoning scroll capable of summoning a low-grade demon beast that could inhabit the frontlines.

“Since when did you know?”

“Was it around when I was fourteen? I was focused on my studies and had forgotten about it for a while, but then I suddenly remembered and took it out again. My rank was about 4 stars at the time, so I thought I could use it without any problem. I was really shocked. What I hadn’t realized as a naive child was that this scroll was actually a summoning scroll…….”

The only requirement to activate the scroll was mana that met the conditions.

Since it could be activated without any specific spells, merely reacting to the caster’s magical power, one could use it even without knowing the scroll’s true identity.

“I got goosebumps then. If I had actually activated the scroll at that time, I would have faced a demon beast without any chance to escape.”

As if recalling that day, Alice placed her hand on her chest.

“And then I thought? Did brother really think I could activate this scroll? What if I really had activated it? What would have become of me? Maybe brother Aschel actually wanted something to happen to me after I activated it.”

Alice continued steadfastly, with an indifferent face.

“Didn’t Aschel lord say anything?”

On the other hand, Cecilia’s face grew more serious.

“I did ask him once. If he still had the scroll he gave me. So, I lied. That I had lost it…….”

“Why did you do that?”

“It just felt like I had to. Maybe brother didn’t know what it was either? Then, Aschel brother seemed really regretful. But…….”

As if overwhelmed by emotion, Alice clenched her fist.

“That face wasn’t one of ignorance. He knew everything from the beginning and looked genuinely regretful that I couldn’t activate the scroll. As if he really wanted misfortune to befall me…….”

Why? For what reason? Why did her brother, her blood and family, commit such a dreadful act towards her? Alice still didn’t understand his motives.

“But it seems like brother has sent another gift recently. This time not to me, but to Cyan…….”

“To the youngest lord?”

“Yes. It seemed to be a butterfly tie, but the maid who was supposed to deliver it to Cyan ended up losing it. So, he never received it…….”

The situation was still fresh in her memory from just a few hours ago.

The regret and negative energy in his eyes were too similar to the emotions she had encountered in the past.

Alice thought that this gift couldn’t possibly be a good one for Cyan.

‘Maybe your brother is much more remarkable than you think.’

She recalled the words of the Duke of Vellias from the past.

It was a fleeting moment, but Alice could clearly feel from Cyan’s gaze,

As if he knew everything about him and was trying to deny it.

“Does Cyan know something?”

Alice wondered.

She hoped, as the Duke said, that Cyan would grow into a truly remarkable being.

Surpassing herself and even Aschel, becoming the new heir of the family.

* * *

Three days have already passed since that chaotic night at the banquet.

All the nobles who had attended the banquet were released after a series of investigations, and most of them fled the imperial city as if running away.

The empire has yet to determine the culprit of the incident.

However, since a prime suspect has been identified as being from the Garam Academy, it seems that the investigation is continuing with them being detained at the imperial palace.

For the record, my sister and I were not subjected to any investigation.

It’s not because our alibis were established.

It’s probably because someone’s influence was at play, asking to exclude us from the list of subjects to be investigated.

Not for our sake, but entirely for their own.

Because the words that could come out of my mouth would never be good for them.

“Who would have thought that my first dining out experience in the imperial city would be in such an ordinary pub. My life is indeed strange…”

Brian comforted Emily, who was despairing with her nose buried in the table.

“Well, there’s nothing we can do, is there? Given the state of affairs, all the fancy restaurants have closed down…”

Following the rumors of assailants appearing in the imperial palace, all the restaurants with a bit of atmosphere have shut down their operations.

This pub was also a place we barely found after searching through alleys.

“Such pubs are dime a dozen in Vellias! Do you even know how to drink?”

“Well, not really, but a little…”

“I can drink! I’m not picky about food at all!”

“What are you trying to do, drinking while you have your master with you? Where on earth did you receive your maid training?”

Suddenly, I felt the urge to throw those words right back at her.

“…”

Feeling a familiar presence, I turned my gaze and stood up from my seat.

“Are you going out, young master?”

Emily asked if I was going out, even before I could ask.

Always quick on the uptake.

“Yeah. Just eat whatever you want.”

I immediately left the restaurant and headed towards the alley where I felt the presence.

There, the leader of the Mist, Silica, was waiting for me, leaning against the wall, wrapped in a black long coat with a hood.

Without any small talk, we got straight to the point.

“What do you plan to do with that maid?”

Naturally, she was referring to Emily.

“I have no intention of sending her back. There’s no good in sending her back. As long as she keeps her mouth shut, I suppose you wouldn’t have any reason to bother her, right?”

“That’s a good idea. Just recently, a maid who was supposed to deliver a pendant to the princess bit her tongue and committed suicide. They probably intervened from that side in advance.”

It was a scapegoating.

They were trying to prove that they had nothing to do with it from the start.

Had I not destroyed the butterfly tie that Emily gave me and kept it with me, she might have suffered the same fate.

“What about the Garam Academy?”

“It seems the academy has already identified the person who brought the Daze Stone. They must be trying to cut ties as well. Regens, the head of the academy, wouldn’t have concocted such a plan, especially after sending his granddaughter.”

Even if they were not directly involved, the fact that the culprit is related to the Garam Academy cannot be denied.

Regardless of how this matter is resolved, it was bound to lead to sensitive frictions between the Ushif Empire and the Garam Kingdom in the future.

I guess it’s going to be noisy around here for a while.

“By the way, Cyan, how did you know?”

The leader stepped forward and suddenly asked with a bright smile.

“What do you mean?”

“About me getting engaged to Drenian. It was a secret engagement within the family, and certainly, not many people knew about it, so how did our successor come to know?”

Her hand moved towards the back of my neck, naturally pulling me into an embrace so I couldn’t escape.

I awkwardly smiled and avoided her gaze.

“As I mentioned before, it’s not right for a disciple not to know about their master’s future…”

-Crack

“Speak clearly…!”

As if to say not to brush it off lightly, I felt a strong force in her grip.

At that awkward moment, as I was just sweating,

-Swish

Black smoke rose from within my arms.

This made the leader’s face stiffen.

[What did our leader think of my warning?]

Emerging from the mist, Kaeram gently removed the hand of the leader that was gripping my neck, all the while wearing a chillingly cold smile.

[You should be thankful that you weren’t sent to marry an old toad. Should you really be tormenting such an innocent and good-hearted master?]

The leader, not wanting to back down, also wore an awkward smile as she spoke.

“It seems Kaeram is quite mischievous. I heard that even though you already knew the plan, you didn’t properly inform Cyan… I’m not unaware of the nature of a demonic sword, but I wonder if you’re not just indulging in your own desires too much.”

[Oh? It seems a bit rich for someone who tried to kill their betrothed under the guise of a mission to say that. Why didn’t you tell your members from the start that he was your fiancé? Were you too embarrassed to reveal it?]

“Who knows? I think it’s better than living for hundreds of years without a man…”

It seemed like leaving them be would only lead to another commotion, so it was probably best to intervene at this point.

I controlled Kaeram’s movements and then bowed to the leader.

“Then, I’ll see you at the academy, leader.”

Kaeram, of course, made a fuss.

[You’re not letting this go? I never liked that damn woman from the start! Who cares what anyone says?]

It’s strange that I’m the one who ends up dealing with the aftermath when they’re the ones making a scene.

Kaeram, having barely contained her anger, then said to me,

[Don’t you start turning on me now, okay? Honestly, I didn’t even have that much fun. What’s the fun in just about 100 people?]

As if our demonic sword lady had anything to worry about.

I had no intention of reprimanding her.

In fact, I was grateful for her presence, as it allowed us to thwart their plans like this.

“I have nothing to say to you. If anything, I’m grateful.”

[…….]

Perhaps surprised by my response, she didn’t continue.

[Well, good! You should be thankful that someone as sharp as me was there! Where else are you going to find a demonic sword like me?]

I had no intention of denying it.

Just as she says, she is my one and only beloved sword in this world.

However, it seems I need to work on controlling her a bit better in the future…

Having finished my meeting with the leader, I headed back to the pub where Emily and the others were.

Thinking that some time had passed and considering Nana’s appetite, I wondered if they had already cleared a table by the time I returned.

“……?”

For a moment, I thought I saw wrong and frowned.

Emily and Brian, who were also seemingly unable to hide their surprise.

Nana, who seemed to be focusing on her meal without any particular concern.

And then…

“Welcome back, senior Cyan.”

Another face greeted me with a perfectly natural expression.

(To be continued)