The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

Why is the ancient era called the ancient era?

It’s simple.

It’s because it’s an era that people living in the present cannot understand.

When and where things happened, what was where, who did what, and so on.

Unless there are records to support it, people living now cannot know any of those things.

Who would have known that there was such a huge underground ruin near Gaul?

The ruins, buried underground for hundreds of years, were in an unbelievably clean state.

Although it’s still unknown for what purpose these ruins were built,

As if influenced by the civilization of the ancient era, the members of the society were all astonished and couldn’t close their mouths.

Except for one person,

Except for Luna.

“…….”

Since entering the ruins, her gaze never wavered from the front.

She realized that something unusual was happening not far from where she was looking.

The faint, fishy smell of blood was the evidence.

“……!”

She, who had been walking forward absentmindedly, suddenly stopped in her tracks.

Then she slightly pushed her head forward, and suddenly began to sniff.

Had she smelled something familiar?

Her eyes, surrounded by doubt, soon widened, and without anyone stopping her, she rushed forward.

No one could stop her in the blink of an eye.

“Luna! It’s dangerous to go alone!”

Despite the objections of the members of the society, she paid no attention.

Like someone who had longed for something, she ran confidently along the path with determined eyes.

Finally arriving at a large door.

-Creak!

As she forcefully pushed open the slightly ajar door, a bright light flooded into a huge square.

“…….”

Even to the elves standing chubby on one side of the square,

To the white-haired Saintess lying beneath the altar,

To the cruelly spread-out corpse on the altar,

Luna didn’t even spare a glance.

Her restless pupils were focused on only one thing.

A man in a black hood who was staring at her with a sidelong glance not far in front of her.

“Haa, haa….”

It wasn’t even that far of a distance.

Maybe about 50 meters at most.

Yet for some reason, her breath became shorter and shorter as if suffocating.

It wasn’t just a physical reaction due to exhaustion.

It was triggered by a vague memory engraved in her body and mind.

Even if it wasn’t a physical reaction, it didn’t matter.

The smell that vividly stimulated her nose.

The scent of human blood like perfume made from it.

The smell that could only be smelled from one person in the world,

It was wafting from the man in front of her.

“…!”

Schurz, who had been following her, also noticed the man in front of him and opened his mouth wide, startled.

Wasn’t there a saying that if someone is too surprised, they just stand there dumbfounded?

His head turned white, his entire body stiffened, unsure of what to do in this ambiguous situation.

“Tell me.”

Luna asked abruptly to Schurz.

“W-what do you mean?”

“Is that man, the one Schurz saw in Uito, the black-haired demon… Is he that man?”

It was a blunt question without any room for evasion.

To which Schurz, without hesitation, promptly replied.

“If my eyes and memory aren’t mistaken, then there’s no doubt about it!”

The impression, the feeling.

Everything was the same.

The man in front of him right now was definitely the same man he saw in the Uito mine.

Was it the answer she had hoped for?

-Heh heh

A strange smile, the meaning of which could not be discerned, appeared on Luna’s lips.

Including Schurz, whom she recently met, and the members of the society who had been with her for a long time.

They all, without exception, shared the same thought.

Right now, Luna wasn’t in her right mind.

Indeed, she wasn’t.

Luna was not in her right mind at the moment.

If she had maintained her usual sanity,

As soon as she entered the space, she would have created a high-intensity restrictive barrier, preventing anyone from escaping.

But she didn’t.

She didn’t use any means of coping, not even magic.

Just silently,

Approaching the man in front of her.

To the onlookers, her demeanor felt profound and pitiful.

As the distance between them gradually narrowed,

The black-haired man who had been silent suddenly rushed to Luna’s side.

Startled, Luna blinked her eyes unknowingly, but,

“…!”

Nothing happened.

The man passed her swiftly without a word or action, and only her sky-blue hair fluttered sadly in the strong wind that followed.

“Hah.”

Was it disappointment that crept into her heart?

Luna let out a short, bitter laugh.

“It’s not like I’m trying to eat you, but does it matter if I say hello?”

Then she muttered softly with a strange voice, unsure whether it was laughter or tears.

“You’re still the same, senior…”

Towards someone who passed her by indifferently.

* * *

The headquarters of the magic society located in the center of Gaul, the capital of the Garam Kingdom.

In front of Hastia and her companions, who were unable to even smile and wore pitiful expressions, there was Garnian with his head bowed to the ground.

“It’s all my fault. My ignorance has committed unforgivable sins against everyone, including Lady Hastia.”

Garnian soon confessed everything without leaving out any details.

Three years ago, the Saintess who came to find Pruina proposed to him to hand over the power of the key held by Hastia.

She claimed that in addition to freeing her from the long-standing desire of the White Elf tribe, which had to protect the secret of the gods, it would also resolve the crisis of Pruina.

Therefore, he persuaded some members of the tribe and devised a false plan to seek help from the tribe enchanted into guardianship.

Eventually, luring Hastia here was the whole story of this incident.

However, contrary to the promise of Hastia’s safety, the Saintess did not keep her promise.

If the unknown black-haired assassin hadn’t appeared, the tribe didn’t even want to imagine what would have happened to her by now.

“In fact, looking back, I think my desire to break free from the long-standing restraint of guarding the key, rather than for the sake of the tribe, was even stronger. That would be just a pitiful excuse. When I return to Pruina, I will accept any punishment that comes my way.”

Hastia knew his heart well.

It’s been nearly 300 years.

During that long time, Garnian had faithfully fulfilled his role as the guardian of the key, protecting not only himself but also other tribal members of the predecessors.

Elves, in general, have a lifespan several times longer than humans.

However, perhaps due to the side effects of containing the secret of the gods, the lifespan of most key holders was less than a hundred years, and most of them died early.

Garnian had witnessed the deaths of several of those key holders.

The emotions he felt each time these individuals, whom he had personally protected, died in vain…

There was no need to mention it.

However, she still had questions.

For what reason did that Saintess covet the power of the key she possessed?

Even if she transferred the power of the key, it was practically useless without someone to unlock it.

Although she didn’t know if there was someone who could make it possible…

(You should keep this in mind. The current situation is purely the result of your actions…)

Hastia couldn’t forget the Saintess’s words she heard in the misty space.

What could Cyan have to do with uncovering the secret of the gods?

Although they hadn’t spent a long time together, the fact that she knew nothing about him made Hastia feel uneasy.

“Is the time for apology over?”

“…”

Luna, who had entered the room at some point, asked with a nonchalant look.

“Since it seems like you’ve finished talking, it’s my turn now. Except for you sitting there, everyone else, please leave.”

Luna’s finger pointed directly at Hastia.

Except for Luna, who just spoke, everyone else, including Hastia, wore bewildered expressions.

“Unfortunately, Lady Hastia cannot speak…”

“Isn’t telepathy possible? Since we can communicate sufficiently, don’t worry and just leave.”

For the elves, there was no other way.

This was strictly a human refuge.

To continue to ensure the safety they somewhat enjoyed, they had to follow their lead.

Hastia directed a subtle smile towards the reluctant elven tribe members rising to leave, as if reassuring them not to worry.

Gradually, as all the elves departed, only Luna and Hastia remained in the room.

“…”

Despite the opportunity, Luna simply stared intently at Hastia without saying a word.

Perhaps it was just a mood, but there was an inexplicable discomfort in her gaze.

Uncertain whether to initiate the conversation herself, Hastia hesitated repeatedly.

‘Why, does your face look like you have no clue what’s going on right now?’

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Hastia shivered involuntarily.

“I didn’t come here to give a kind explanation. I’ll just state my business.”

Hastia simply nodded without saying a word.

From her gaze and demeanor, it seemed like she was about to ask something very important about her own tribe.

With a firm resolve, she attempted to confront her question confidently, but…

“What’s your relationship with Senior Cyan?”

Her heart faltered before even a second passed.

‘What?’

“I mean, you can’t speak, but you can still hear, right? Shall I repeat it?”

‘Well, the question was just so unexpected…’

It was odd not to be surprised by suddenly being asked about her relationship with Cyan in such a serious atmosphere.

“It’s not difficult. Just tell me everything you know: when and where you met, what happened, and what you think. Just everything you know. Moreover…”

Luna’s gaze quickly sharpened like a blade.

“Why is Cyan’s scent coming from your body…”

There was a hint of chill in her voice, defying even Pruina’s coldness.

Though bewildering and awkward, Hastia soon regained her composure.

In truth, she didn’t know anything substantial about Cyan.

But spreading rumors about the savior of her life certainly wasn’t proper conduct.

At least, Hastia thought she needed to know why this woman was probing about Cyan.

‘You’re called Luna, right?’

“Yes.”

‘I know it’s shameless, but I also want to ask. What’s your relationship with Cyan, whom you’re asking me about…’

There was no other intention.

She simply wanted to know whether Luna’s interest in Cyan was genuine or malicious.

If it was the latter, Hastia had nothing to say.

Luna remained indifferent, looking at Hastia with an unchanged expression.

Hastia, as if refusing to back down, glared back fiercely, waiting for her answer.

“He’s my man.”

‘…?’

At this seemingly mocking remark, Hastia’s eyes widened once again, dumbfounded.