The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

Humans are weak yet remarkably adaptable creatures.

Everything might be difficult at first, but once they start adapting, it becomes as natural as anything they’ve ever done.

I was like that too.

When I first grasped the assassin’s sword after overcoming trials, my insides were filled with unnecessary hesitation.

Who was the one to first thrust the sword into someone?

It was me.

Not the me I faced through trials, but the me holding the sword.

Only after piercing through my inherent weakness with the sword and shedding blood could I properly wield the assassin’s sword.

After that, it became natural.

Whether it was related to me or even if blood was involved, I killed everyone I had to without any hesitation.

Not because it was me, but because that’s what an assassin had to do.

But what is this?

You say it might happen?

Does the leader really think I would hesitate even a bit to assassinate Princess Arin?

Not anyone else, but me?

“Are you serious? Do you really think I wouldn’t be able to kill that shell-like princess?”

“You could probably kill her with a 99% chance.”

I don’t like it.

99 instead of 100 makes a clear difference.

She’s thinking there’s a 1% chance I wouldn’t kill Princess Arin.

I admit it.

What I have with Princess Arin, isn’t just an ordinary relationship for me.

I was the one who first suggested she become an empress, and I was the one who saved her from almost being assassinated at the palace.

Is that all?

Even when Fabian and Nerobian sent assassins after me, I helped her build swords and shields to protect herself, and in the end…

I told her to make sure a man like me never appears in this world again.

Yeah, I admit it! I admit it!

The woman who made me act out of character multiple times, and the one who keeps appearing in my dreams and begs me for a word, making me confused.

So what does that matter?

Even with that, the moment I recognize her as someone I have to kill,

I have the certainty to kill without mercy.

I’ve been like this so far, and I’ll continue to be.

“On what basis do you think that way? Haven’t I shown you during the purification process that I’ve never hesitated or faltered in front of anything?”

“That’s right. You’ve performed your duty as an assassin better than anyone else.”

I barely suppressed a surge of anger for a moment.

Why don’t you believe me, when you know it better than anyone else?

“Then let me ask you one thing.”

The leader asked, narrowing her eyes.

“Why didn’t you kill your brother in Brenu seven years ago?”

I was speechless for a moment.

It wasn’t because I couldn’t answer.

I just didn’t expect those words to come from the leader at this time.

“You said it was to give the greatest pain to your revenge target, right? You did everything you could to eventually bring him down, didn’t you?”

Even without explaining, she already knew the answer.

“You probably thought that back then too. That you could handle everything. No matter what they planned or what terrible things they did, regardless of the consequences, you probably thought you could handle it all by yourself. I bet it’s the same now.”

That’s right.

Back then and now, I always think I should take responsibility and bear the consequences for everything I do.

For myself, and for everyone in my circle.

“Do you realize how selfish that is… You need to know now.”

It feels like being hit hard on the back of the head with a huge hammer.

Selfish? Selfish, you say?

Well, it’s not entirely wrong.

A grand ambition of the powerless?

That’s just useless stubbornness and arrogance.

But I’m not like that.

I have the power to protect myself and everyone else.

Even if the one standing in my way is a god, I’ve come this far with the determination to kill even that god.

And yet you call me selfish?

Among all the lectures I’ve heard from the leader, that was the most incomprehensible.

“You probably think that the life you’re living now, to avoid repeating the mistakes of your past life, is entirely made by your own strength. But that’s a big misconception, Cyan. The current you is just a human being formed through the hands of many people.”

For some reason, the words “just a human being” echoed in my mind like an echo.

Didn’t I clearly engrave that in that devil’s mind seven years ago?

That I was just an ordinary human who knew his essence…

“Isn’t that right, Cyan? Humans are such foolish beings that they can ruin righteousness for a small kindness. As long as you claim to be human yourself, you too will inevitably make the same mistake. Otherwise, you can hardly be called human…”

It feels disgusting.

In such a serious situation, the image of Arin, the princess, crying suddenly flashed before my eyes.

As if representing the leader’s expectations.

“Just as you made us all bystanders for yourself and your people, this time you’ll be a bystander for us.”

My closed mouth, filled with complex emotions, didn’t open easily.

I didn’t even feel like opening it.

Because no matter what I say now, I feel like I’ll just end up looking pathetic.

“If your body is itching for a fight, go and entertain yourself with a walk. But try to stay away from the palace as much as possible.”

With that, the leader got up and left.

Until her footsteps, growing farther and farther away, finally faded into the distance, I didn’t move.

Normally, by now, Kaeram would have popped up and mocked me for my current pathetic situation,

[…]

But now, even she didn’t appear before me.

“Kek!”

For some reason, laughter burst out of my mouth, without my knowing.

It’s not a situation to laugh about, but the laughter just came out.

That’s how abnormal my current state is.

* * *

[…Therefore, the palace has decided to disband and reorganize the Order of the Light Knights. Any further decisions will be communicated through official documents to each territory.]

[From: Arin Sevellerus.]

A royal decree was received just before arriving at the palace.

While others couldn’t hide their astonishment, Jereon’s face remained indifferent.

As if he had anticipated such an event from the beginning.

“Why are you all making such faces? What’s so surprising about the Order disbanding, when we’re not even knights of the light anymore?”

“Are you really so indifferent, Jereon?”

“If something becomes unnecessary, it’s discarded. Isn’t that the way of the world? Do I have to explain even this to you? Seems like everyone here has grown senile.”

Though not of a similar age as Jereon, they too were in their twilight years, with white hair and deep wrinkles.

“After all, it’s not a complete disbandment but rather a restructuring, isn’t it written here? Roles naturally change with the times. The Order of the Light Knights is just going through such a process.”

His subordinates remained silent, gazing into the distance.

“You who never trembled even before superior mages are barely able to control your ridiculous expressions over a few words.”

Jereon surveyed them with a look of disdain.

“Will you still go to the palace?”

“I must. Though I won’t receive the treatment I once did…”

Instead of the treatment from the past, he could face the exact opposite.

“Usually, asking such a question would imply discouragement, as there might not be a pleasant sight to see, but…”

A smile formed on Jereon’s lips as he observed each of his subordinates’ expressions.

“It looks like you all want to go to the imperial castle. A feeling that you want to see things through.”

His subordinates did not deny it.

“How can I go to the palace alone when you all are like this? We haven’t done anything wrong, have we? They won’t throw us in prison as soon as we get there.”

Their serious expressions began to loosen.

“Go and see with your own eyes, then come back. Let’s see if the path we’ve walked is indeed the right one.”

“We will follow your command, Commander!”

Although it had been a long time since he had been called Commander, the title now sounded awkward, yet the eyes of Jereon and his subordinates, including him, shone brightly as if they had returned to the moment when they stood proudly on the battlefield wearing their pristine armor decades ago.

At that moment, it seemed their bond would last forever, but it was shattered exactly 8 hours later.

When Mark, feeling puzzled by Jereon’s absence despite the morning sun rising, entered his room,

“J-Jereon?”

Mark doubted his eyes.

Jereon, who had promised to go to the palace with his subordinates, had disappeared without a trace.

[I’ll be back.]

Leaving behind just one indifferent word in a letter.

* * *

“Ah! We were about to invite you soon, we are especially grateful for your visit.”

Violet, with a smile on her lips, handed him a cup of tea.

Jereon glanced at the tea offered by the princess before reluctantly sipping it.

“I didn’t expect Princess Violet to personally welcome me.”

“Am I inconveniencing you by coming here?”

“How could that be? I actually thought Princess Arin would come, so I mentioned it.”

Violet smiled gracefully, covering her mouth with her hand.

“She’s been quite busy. Putting in effort every day to become a worthy member of the royal family. As her sister, I’m truly grateful in many ways.”

With that, a brief silence fell between them.

“It’s something I never imagined.”

“Is it about the disbandment of the Order of the Light Knights?”

“Princess Arin is attending to the affairs of the palace. When I was about to retire, the atmosphere at the palace was on the verge of a storm, but I never expected her to grow so dignified and fulfill the role of a princess.”

“What importance does such lineage hold? Anyone can receive recognition based on their abilities. Just like the former Commander Jereon…”

Jereon brushed off Violet’s meaningful words casually as he sipped his tea.

“Until I passed through the gates, I was considering two scenarios.”

“What scenarios?”

“One was being arrested by the knights as soon as I entered the gates, and the other… is the current situation.”

“Arrested? How could you entertain such a dreadful thought?”

Violet looked genuinely sympathetic.

“I’d prefer the former scenario. It would make clear the palace’s intentions regarding the current situation. But the current situation is different.”

“Why do you think that?”

“The former Commander of the Order of the Light Knights suddenly appearing at the palace after the declaration of the disbandment. What good could there be for the palace? Yet, despite that, being treated so kindly…”

Jereon’s gaze sharpened for a moment.

“There must be something you want from me. Isn’t that right, Princess Violet?”

Even with his blunt question, Violet’s face remained remarkably serene.

In fact, she seemed quite satisfied, smiling pleasantly.

“As expected of Commander Jereon. You’re quite astute! Well then, I won’t beat around the bush.”

Rising from her seat, Violet took Jereon’s hands in hers and said,

“Will you be our savior?”