Note: The Novel Will Be Corrected Until Chapter 96, After That Chapter It Will Be All MTL
Chapter 1 - 2
Chapter 1. Betrayal and Regression
Father always used to say,
“Live a comfortable life without doing anything, simply accepting the life you’re given.”
“The well-being of our family will be taken care of by your siblings, so don’t give it a second thought.”
“That’s how you can best contribute to our family.”
Those were the words he spoke when he had no expectations of me.
However, human words often change with the times, and after I gained strength, his words to me changed as well.
“Live for the family.”
“Your brother Aschel is everything to our family.”
“Lead a life for Aschel.”
A life not for myself, but for the lord of our family.
A life for Aschel Vert, the eldest son and my older brother.
Without wishing for anything, merely following like a shadow and supporting him in succeeding in everything he did—that was the expectation.
Someone once said,
“There is nothing more foolish than living one’s life for another,”
Yet, I did so.
Thus, I helped him accomplish everything he started.
Empire succession disputes.
The subjugation of the Demon King’s army.
The war to unify the continent and so on.
Sometimes as a hero, sometimes as a savior, and ultimately as the unique guardian of the continent.
To me, my brother was everything, my all.
Foolish, you say?
Others said so too.
Do you need to live your life for someone else to that extent?
I answered,
My life for my brother is a life for me.
Aschel’s success is Sian’s success.
Riches and power are mere luxuries to me.
Even if I am scorned and called a shadow, if it can bring even a little peace to this harsh world, that to me is the highest aspiration.
But someone once said,
Desires are not something easily achieved, even small ones.
I did not believe in those words.
I thought my desire was being fulfilled even now, by my brother’s side, and I tried to deny it.
That’s right. That’s how it used to be.
But why, why have I found myself facing this wretched situation now?
* * *
“Cough!”
Dark red blood spurted from my mouth.
It seemed my heart had taken a blow.
My vision was getting blurrier.
I could still see more than twenty enemies wielding swords at me.
The capital, Suje, had skillful assassins that well exceeded ordinary ones.
Given that Empire’s renowned swordsmen, knights, and mages from across the continent were all revealing their murderous intent towards me, it was a truly magnificent sight.
“What a spectacle, one you couldn’t even buy. A knight who stands alone against the greatest masters of the continent… Even Lord Aschel would have found it impossible.”
Although I couldn’t see clearly through the blood, I could tell by his voice who it was.
“Bo… Boris…”
Boris Lehelm, the head of the Ushif Empire Magic Academy.
One of the key forces of the Empire, along with the Knights of Light.
Although I disapproved of his actions, because he had reigned as my brother’s right hand, I had excluded him from the list of threats.
But to think he would backstab me like this.
“It is quite interesting. Indeed, you are the brother whom Aschel trusted.”
His face was already irritating to me, and watching him laugh in this situation was very upsetting.
Should I just use my secret technique to escape, regardless of my surroundings?
“If you’re thinking of using a secret technique to escape, think again. There is a ninth-degree magic barrier in place here. Even if you use it, it will only reduce what little life force you have left.”
Ha, it seems like he’s really prepared.
“Is this the Emperor’s command?”
“The Emperor knows nothing. To him, Sir Sian’s death will be attributed to an unknown assault by assassins.”
Assassins?
Ridiculous.
Who are they to mention assassination before me?
Now the barrier doesn’t matter.
I’ll draw out all the power I have to escape this situation.
Black mist emanated from the dagger in my hand.
–Whoosh!
The rising mist enveloped me, seeping through my body, enhancing my overall physical abilities and gradually healing my wounds.
“As I heard, you’re an assassin affiliated with Mist. Now that it’s come to this, I must report to His Imperial Majesty that we have disposed of a heretic disrupting the order.”
“Go ahead and report if you survive. But I’ll bet not even a single tooth of yours will remain, let alone your mouth.”
Suppressed murderous intent was bursting out.
When had I ever released such fury?
I would eliminate all the traitors around me and then go to my brother.
I need to report the current situation and discuss future actions…
“That’s enough, Sian.”
A familiar voice tied up my heightened nerves.
I knew the owner of this voice.
But why should it be here, now?
Even through my blood-stained vision, that man was clearly visible.
“Aschel, brother?”
My superior, the commander of the Knights of Light, the guardian of the continent, and bearer of the holy sword.
Aschel Vert. Why was he here?
Holding the divine sword flooded with a holy aura, he walked steadily towards me.
The knights surrounding me parted ways for him, and I was unable to take any action as he approached.
The fury that had swelled up inside me was quickly turning into despair.
“You seem to have no idea why I’m here.”
How could I know?
“What does this mean?”
My angry stare fell squarely on him.
“Don’t be angry, Sian. You’ve done your duty very well, for the family, for the people, for the country, and for me… You’ve worked tirelessly for years, and now I just want to unburden you of that weight.”
What is this nonsense?
Unburden me by killing me?
Why? What did I do wrong?
I’ve been running for twenty years without a break!
I have always been by your side like a shadow, accomplishing everything!
And now you want me dead?
When Boris appeared, I did not feel this way.
The moment I truly realized I had been betrayed, indescribable rage boiled up within me.
“Have I done something wrong?”
“Wrong? Do you not know your own mistakes? A person can kill over a hidden piece of bread due to mistrust. But you, haven’t you entangled yourself in a place you shouldn’t have and managed to conceal it from everyone? Surely, you are not ignorant of your crimes?”
My teeth were gritting.
Enveloped in rage and injustice, blood trickled from my bitten lip.
Concealed?
Have I ever harmed you?
After thoroughly using me and profiting, now you’re saying this?
Ah, I understand.
It doesn’t matter what I did; that’s not the point.
They were afraid.
Afraid of the existence of an assassin beyond the knowledge of the world.
Afraid that the peace of this world, completed by me, and the secrets related to it would become exposed.
“There’s nothing more dangerous than ignorant trust.”
That foolish god’s words came to mind.
At the time, I dismissed it as nonsense, but I never imagined that it would come back today and pierce me like a dagger.
“Heh heh…”
I began to laugh inexplicably.
After devoting myself to a man I believed was everything, my brother, how pitiful was this?
Even the dead in hell would scoff at this.
“Why do you laugh?”
“The mightiest hero in the world, now trying to kill his own brother out of fear. How can this not be amusing?”
Compassion flickered in his eyes.
“How pitiful. You are merely a repulsive murderer, not human. In all the time we were together, I never fully trusted you, not even once.”
The golden strike of the holy sword penetrated my heart.
“Aagh!”
The mist that had seeped into my body began to dissipate.
My weakened legs collapsed, breaking the balance of my body.
“Rest in peace, Sian. Let’s hope we never meet again in the next life.”
Never meet again?
Without me, you would not have lived to be a hero, dying in a civil war within the Empire, and now you say this?
The regret that gripped me momentarily turned into anger.
I steadied my trembling hands, picked up the fallen sword, and prepared to fight back.
I didn’t care if my body exploded.
I would gather every bit of mana from my body and cast the secret technique.
Just once.
Just one shot at a vital spot that ensured no possibility of recovery…
–Schlick!
With a cruel sound, I saw Aschel’s holy sword through the haze.
Beneath it was my dagger, wrapped in a black aura, falling pitifully,
along with my two hands still gripping its handle…
“Truly a dangerous man to the very end.”
Not even a scream, I couldn’t even feel the pain.
At the end of my path with nowhere else to go, all the futility and void of the world came rushing in.
As my face was buried into the rough dirt, tears of blood fell.
A desolate feeling of being left alone in the world.
With each fading breath, I felt the shadow of death approaching.
What a foolish life it has been.
If only.
If I were given another chance at life,
I would live a different life.
A life focused solely on me, where I could achieve everything by myself,
a life without serving anyone…
“…”
My breath stopped, my senses dulled.
The cold shadow of death was enveloping my body.
I accepted this embrace without any resistance.
* * *
“…Sir.”
Huh? What’s that?
Sensation returned amid the pitch-black darkness.
“…Young Master!”
Though I couldn’t see, I felt someone shaking my body.
What is this odd and uncomfortable feeling?
As if a maid was scolding me like they did when I overslept as a child…
“Sian, Young Master!”
I jolted awake as a loud voice hit my eardrums.
As I came to my senses, I was faced with a woman whose face was not unfamiliar.
“Emily?”
The maid, eight years my senior, who had taken care of me while living in the territory.
It had been nearly 20 years since we last met, yet she looked exactly the same, not aged a day.
“Why are you here?”
I asked her thoughtlessly.
“What are you talking about, Young Master? Were you dreaming?”
Dreaming? A dream?
What absurdity are you—
Instinctively, I touched my face and was dumbstruck for a whole three seconds.
Skin smooth without a scar, hands delicate like fiddleheads.
No muscles, just skin and bones, legs too short to even reach the end of the bed.
This was certainly not an adult’s body.
At best, a 10-year-old boy’s, not yet even enrolled in the academy.
“This isn’t quite what I’d expect hell to be like.”
I pinched my cheek absent-mindedly while looking at my reflection in the mirror beside my bed.
This was indeed a younger version of myself during the worst time of my life, that face was unmistakable.
“Pull yourself together and get ready. You have a duel with your fourth brother today.”
“A duel?”
“The same household swordsmanship you always do. And you’d better prepare yourself well today because it’s not just anyone you’re facing – it’s the infamous fourth Brother Krantz…”
Not just my body had regressed.
The swordsmanship dueling taking place in the territory, a daily occurrence.
Everything I had experienced was happening all over again.
Is this really just a dream?
Were all those things I went through, all just an illusion?
It felt as if even my brain had shrunk to the size of a pea, so overwhelmed was I.
Sighing, I caught Emily’s eye as I held my forehead.
“What…?”
Above where she was tidying up, a decorative item was swaying precariously, about to fall directly onto her.
“Look out…!”
Acting on instinct, I bolted from my seat and rushed toward her.
-Thud!
“Look at this mess. Can you believe this is the room of a noble… Eek!”
“What…?”
As she turned her head after bending down to clean, I was nearly upon her, our eyes meeting.
Startled by our sudden closeness, it made me feel slightly uncomfortable.
“What is it, Young Master?”
“Uh… well, that is…”
Above in my outstretched arms, the decorative item was propped up.
Just moments away from falling, it would have taken a split second to hit the ground.
It was impossible for a 10-year-old boy to react and catch it.
That’s when I realized.
This situation was no mere dream.
I had returned.
With all the memories and sensations of my past life…
“…?”
Emily’s confused face made the moment all the more intriguing.
-----------------
The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin Chapter 2
Episode 2: The Incompetent Son of a Duke (1)
Creation Year 985, March 1st.
Currently, I am 10 years old.
I have returned exactly 27 years to the past, from the moment I was betrayed and faced the blade meant for me.
I’ve assumed that I’ve returned to the past, but everything still feels incredibly confusing.
To think that I traveled back in time…
I’ve never heard of such magic in my life, nor did I think it was possible.
In typical novels, they call this ‘regression’…
But to be frank, there’s a chance I’m just a lunatic, lost in delusion, right?
Still, to better understand my current situation, there are a few things that need to be confirmed.
Absentmindedly chewing on meat, I reached for the vase on the table.
…It’s heavy.
Even with both hands, it’s a struggle to keep it steady—a sure sign of the frail ten-year-old body I once inhabited.
Next, I plucked a single flower from the vase.
Aiming the knife, previously used for slicing meat, at the petals, I struck it in mid-air.
-Tock tock tock
Six petals fall without any deviation—an indication that my abilities of focus and reflex seem to have remained intact, much like when I caught the sculpture before.
These skills certainly didn’t belong to my 10-year-old self.
“……Emily?”
“What is it, young master?”
Emily, who had been brewing tea for dessert, replied with an indifferent expression.
“What do you think about me in this house?”
“What kind of question is that? You’re the incompetent one who can’t do anything.”
Her blunt response came without a second’s hesitation.
But that was the confirmation I needed—almost 99% sure now.
I’ve returned to the past with all the memories and senses from my previous life.
You might wonder how the words ‘an incompetent who can’t do anything’ could provide such certainty, but it’s an entirely fitting description of my situation.
I was the powerless, inept son of the Duke, ridiculed even by my personal maid and never once capable of angering her.
Siân Vert in his tenth year—that was exactly who I used to be.
A time when nobody turned their eyes to me, when expectations were non-existent—the most miserable era of my life.
How is this even possible?
Even transcendent mages couldn’t defy the natural course of time with regression—so this was certainly inexplicable.
Is it some kind of prank by the god of time?
“You finished your meal faster than expected, young master.”
Emily commented, noticing my empty plate.
“What’s wrong with finishing my food?”
“Well, it’s just that today you are supposed to attend the fencing duel, right? Yesterday you were lamenting how you wished the day wouldn’t come……”
Memories from thirty years ago flashed through my mind.
The first day of every month, a fencing duel is conducted in the domain.
Today was March 1st, exactly one year before my enrollment at the Royal Academy—a crucial event observed by Duke Vert himself.
Fencing and the Duke…
At the time, those were the two things I dreaded the most.
* * *
Under the blue sky, a white dueling ground unfolded.
The ground was already packed with soldiers from the domain.
In terms of size, it was equivalent to a company of troops or more.
It was not just soldiers in attendance; servants from the house and related personnel of the Duke were also present.
There was only one reason they were all there—to witness the fencing duel between the Duke’s heirs.
Well, what can I say? It’s a strange feeling.
The nostalgic sensation you get when you return home, perhaps?
Although back then, I would have rather died than come here, now it just looks like indifferent stone paving.
“Aren’t you nervous? You seem rather calm?”
Surprised by my usual impassivity, Emily asked with a hint of curiosity.
“Well, there doesn’t seem to be any reason to be nervous……”
From the way she cocked her head, it was clear she found my behavior unfamiliar.
That’s not unreasonable.
As she’d said before, in the past, I was the incompetent fool of this household.
Even if I stood in the dueling ground, instead of swinging a sword, I’d just tremble ridiculously until I was beaten.
Because of this, nobody ever had any expectations or interest in me…
Only the strong and capable are valued—a meritocracy at its core.
And that was the ethos of Duke Vert’s household, charged with the duty to defend the continent.
“The Duke has arrived!”
Following the robust call of a knight, those bustling about began to settle into their places.
Moments later, Duke Vert unveiled himself at the entrance of the dueling ground, and the senior knights executed their salutes with swords.
“……”
With a serene smile, the Duke swept past them gracefully.
Following him were the Duchess and the Duke’s fourth son, Kranz Vert.
-Swish
The Duke, with a refined motion, discarded his cloak and took his seat with no hint of his age nearing fifty, his sturdy physique and comeliness still evident.
“Let’s begin without delay.”
There was no need for wasteful ceremonies before the meal.
Upon the Duke’s command, a blond-haired boy who was following him stepped towards the center of the dueling ground.
The fourth son of the Duke, Kranz Vert, a boy of the same age as myself, although a half-brother from a different mother.
As Kranz made his move, I too rose from my seat.
“Your sword, young master.”
Emily handed me a sword as I stood to proceed to the duel.
It was a slender rapier, embedded with a blue gem.
All the heirs of the Vert family receive swords from the Duke upon reaching the age of seven.
Presented with the meaning to cultivate the power to protect themselves and the world, it was a rite of passage.
However, I had never utilized this sword appropriately thus far.
“Why not just surrender and come down?”
Rather than encouragement, she greeted me with a sarcastic remark; what an invaluable maid indeed.
“Surrender? All I have to do is win and come back.”
“Just come back uninjured, please……”
She gave me a concerned look, to which I responded with a quiet smile.
With preparations complete, I stepped into the center of the dueling ground to face Kranz.
When we reached a distance of three steps from each other, the dueling officer instructed us to bow to one another.
While I bowed without issue, an irritating voice caught my attention.
“You actually showed up instead of running away?”
I looked up to meet Kranz’s face directly.
His sneer bore contempt, dripping with malice that implied I was nothing more than a stepping stone to elevate him.
As I beheld that smile, my mind flooded with thoughts.
The legitimate son of the Duke versus the bastard whose mother’s identity was unknown.
The comparison essentially ended there.
From birth, Kranz had enjoyed tremendous support from his maternal side, indulging in food of a quality that was worlds apart from mine.
I never envied him for that; I simply accepted it as the natural order.
Only later did I realize how foolish that was…
Although it’s nothing more than two ten-year-old boys clashing swords, the fencing duel holds tremendous significance within the Vert household.
Boys of 10, soon leaving the family to head for the Royal Academy.
At that pivotal moment, this fencing duel is a trial set by the family head.
Meaning, failure to impress today equates to slipping completely from the Duke’s regard.
No heir of the Verts would be unaware of what that entails.
In a past life, I was defeated in this vital duel.
And to be more precise, I was horribly beaten.
It’s hard to even describe it as a duel, considering how miserably I was bested.
But that didn’t change anything.
No one ever expected me to win in the first place.
Sian Vert, the useless child of the family, wasn’t expected to subdue Kranz, an adept who’d completed professional training—truthfully, not even I entertained that thought.
Wasn’t it obvious?
For an incompetent who never puts in the effort to defeat a talented person was impossible from the start.
Since my defeat was the routinely expected outcome, no one was surprised.
However, after the duel, father summoned me and said these words,
“Don’t do anything.”
What did that imply?
He meant since I had fallen out of his favor, I should cease all effort.
How could a parent make such a heartless statement about their child?
Yet, this is Vert, the Duke’s residence.
Here, the concept of noble dignity and parental warmth is nothing but superficial etiquette.
Only strong children who can carry on the Vert mission survive.
Casually, I lifted my head and surveyed the entire dueling ground.
Easily more than a hundred spectators were looking at Kranz and me.
None of them were expecting my victory.
“……”
Suddenly, as I was shifting my gaze, I locked eyes with the Duke for a brief moment.
I quickly looked away, but even in that short instant, I caught it clearly.
Expectation.
In contrast to everyone’s assumptions of my defeat, the Duke harbored some anticipation that I would show something remarkable.
In a previous life, I utterly shattered that expectation.
But what about today?
An undefinable smile spread across my lips.
-Boom boom boom!
With the pounding of drums signaling the start of the duel, Kranz unsheathed his sword and pointed it at me.
I too drew my sword calmly.
The blade reflected the sunlight and emitted a bewitching blue light.
Unlike the heaviness I felt in the past, my sword now felt almost weightless.
-Thud
Without giving me time to gauge, Kranz immediately charged.
In his view, I wasn’t even worth considering—was that it?
I watched him silently as he closed the gap with rapid strides.
His confidence at my seemingly defenseless stance must have amused him.
Yet despite his smile, he was prepared to deflect my sword.
I could clearly trace the trajectory of his sword.
Using the momentum of his charge, he went to strike with full force.
At that moment, I thought,
Is he moving or is this just a snail?
There was no need to block. I merely stepped aside and avoided his blow.
“…!”
Our eyes met as a surprised Kranz stumbled, losing his balance from a missed strike—and I didn’t waste the opportunity.
I raised my sword and slashed down at his.
-Clang!
Kranz’s sword went tumbling to the ground.
Stunned, he watched as his sword fell, making no attempt to retrieve it as he clutched at his ankle, wincing in pain.
For all intents and purposes, the duel was already over.
Had I pointed my sword at Kranz’s throat, victory would have been mine.
“……”
But somehow, that didn’t feel satisfying.
A feeling of emptiness lingered at the back of my mind.
Insufficiency.
Ending it like this felt sorely lacking.
There was a desire to further crush him, to stand assertively above him—and that desire surged from within.
The will quickly transformed into action.
-Thump
My foot shot forward and struck Kranz’s head.
Compensating the lack of strength with precision, my blow landed perfectly on his temple.
The impact was more than Kranz could bear, and down he fell, lifeless.
-Thunk
The fallen heir of the Verts, now a pitiful sight dribbling all manner of saliva.
Standing over him was I, Sian Vert, the one scorned as the useless member of the family.
Without concern, I aimed my sword at his throat.
“……”
Silence ensued.
Caught off guard by the unexpected, were they all momentarily paralyzed?
Not long after, amidst the rugged drumbeats, the duel officer announced with a booming voice,
“The duel is concluded! The victor is Sian Vert!”
