C43 - 44
The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin Chapter 43
Chapter 43: Purification Work (1)
As the new semester began at the Royal Academy, the first-year curriculum was foundational, setting the stage for the educational journey of the next six years. It focused predominantly on theoretical knowledge such as:
– The Basics of Mana Utilization,
– Introductory Magic Theories,
– Swordsmanship Textbook Style 1, etc.
These were followed by continental history, mathematics, geography, literature, and an array of tediously conventional classes.
Sigh, the mere thought of it brings a yawn.
Indeed, theory is crucial when starting anything new.
Does that mean I’m well-versed in these elementary theories?
Hardly possible, right?
It’s been over 30 years since I last delved into theoretical studies.
Would I remember all those meticulous details if I were a scholar instead of an assassin?
Theory is significant, true, but ultimately it’s about how to apply those learned theories to one’s self that matters most.
For someone like me, who has mastered the application, learning theories again would be utterly meaningless.
In my current situation, it’s not the tiny-print theoretical books that matter, but this single piece of paper.
Rare to see, the black paper is densely filled with red script.
This is an order of command.
A missive from the head, Silica, distributed to other members within the academy.
Passing it around means the organization’s next target for purification has been determined.
Normally, the rank of the purification operation divides which members are selected to execute it, but this time they have decided to involve me in a high-ranking operation from the start?
It’s so overwhelming; I hardly know what to do with myself.
The target is the empire’s beneficiary, and one of the three richest magnates on the continent, “Zickerman Albas.”
A baron by position, he’s a bigwig who currently holds sway over all commercial rights within the Ushif Empire.
To my knowledge, he’s known to be a benevolent merchant who cares little for his rank and donates most of his earnings to the poor…
Turns out it’s quite the opposite.
The decree lists all the unrighteous sins committed by Zickerman Albas.
Most notably, he’s been operating a slave market.
In the empire, where human trading is strictly forbidden under the teachings of the Light God Lumen Del…
He’s quite the audacious one.
It seems impossible that other figures within the empire are unaware of this; there must be a protective force shielding him from scrutiny.
-Clomp! Clomp!
While I was examining the order, heavy footsteps echoed from the stairs below.
Of course, I wasn’t in a classroom.
Worldwide, skipping classes on the rooftop may be a common retreat, but here at the academy, since the rooftop is occupied by the magic dueling arena, it would be a bit of a stretch.
So, where am I?
On the terrace atop Royal Hall.
A neatly arranged garden with a refreshing breeze made it an ideal place to spend time alone.
-Thud! Thud!
The footsteps that began as methodical clomps were intensifying.
Even ironclad knights wouldn’t make such a din. What were these – the footsteps of trolls or monstrous behemoths?
I hid the order and remained silent to see who was ascending the stairs.
-Bang!
The terrace door burst open from a kick.
Instinctively, my body twitched.
“…”
The intruder, seemingly startled to find someone there, was staring straight at me.
“You are…?”
The tall man approaching had a dusky complexion and shoulders sculpted like a statue’s.
I’d wager no one would mistake him for a student.
I assumed naturally he was a Royal Guard.
“Sian Vert?”
He knew my name?
Lately, it feels like too many people know who I am.
Unless they have a death wish, a Royal Guard wouldn’t dare address a noble’s child so casually, which means he must be either an academy instructor or a fellow student…
No, wait.
With that physique, if he’s a student, there must be something seriously amiss…
“…!”
The crest on his chest caught my eye.
A golden emblem resembling the scorching sun.
I’m acquainted with that symbol.
“Spanian royal family…?”
A nation in the eastern deserts of the continent, an oasis amid endless sands, under the blessing of the Sand God, Sabulon. Here, the Shahar Khan clan, who alone wield the magical attribute of ‘Sand’, govern the country.
Only one person at this Royal Academy would carry that emblem.
The Sand Prince, Seth Shahar Khan.
He was the firstborn prince of the Spania Kingdom and a leading heir to the throne.
From what I recall, even in my previous life, he hardly attended classes. Did he actually skip classes too?
Seeing him eyeing me intently hinted he wasn’t about to leave without a word…
“Do you know me?”
He readily began speaking as though waiting for permission.
“Of course. Sian Vert, the youngest son of the Vert family, the Guardians of the Continent. I’ve heard much about your exploits from the outside. Rumor has it you’ve been slaying demons on the front lines?”
What? Who said that?
True, I did… but except for the trials my father set, there should be no official record of me fighting monsters.
The rumor seems to have grown a bit out of hand.
Shaking my head, I clarified.
“I merely observed knights in battle from a distance. I’ve never faced a demon directly.”
His skeptical eyes implied he found my denial unconvincing.
Ah, this is quite uncomfortable…
“Then what brings you here?”
“Why? Perhaps for the same reason you are?”
Set smirked at the idea we were there for the same purpose.
“The same reason, huh… Interesting. So you share my sentiment?”
Without hesitation, he rolled up his sleeves and started warming up.
“I was honestly surprised. I must admit, I thought there could be no one at this Royal Academy who could surpass my physical prowess…”
That seems quite plausible, given your beast of a frame.
Now that I’m up close, you appear even more formidable than from afar.
If you applied to the Knights of Light right now, I bet they’d welcome you without question.
“Physical rating S… Even I haven’t attained such a rating, but you, Sian Vert, you did?”
Um…
Yes, I guess I’ve eaten well over the past year, earning a good rating.
While people usually emphasized magical grades or attribute levels, this fellow seemed particularly focused on my physical rating, likely very proud of his own physique.
“At this Royal Academy, most only care about a student’s magic and attribute levels. Foolish, really. True human strength arises from a strong body, honed through conditioning.”
With that, he promptly began performing push-ups on the ground, surpassing thirty reps in under ten seconds.
The more I saw, the more alien he seemed.
“You probably think the same way, don’t you? Instead of enduring boring lectures on theory and magic, you’d rather invest time strengthening your body! Unconventionally manly for sure, Sian Vert!”
No, I mean, it’s true I don’t want to attend classes, hence I’m here, but I didn’t come for intense exercise like you.
Body conditioning? Without question, it’s important.
However, if you knew how you died in your past life, you might want to hide in shame.
There was the Great Sword of the Garan Kingdom, and the Sand Prince in the Spanian Kingdom.
The Shahar Khan clan, blessed with the power of Sand attributed directly from the Sand God Sabulon, could wield the vast desert at their will.
Seth Shahar Khan perfectly inherited such power, to the point where some conjectured he was the direct chosen of the Sand God.
Especially for Spania, a country not just geographically but climatically opposed to the Empire, their unity was already strong – and with the Sand Prince, conquering the kingdom was a great challenge for the Empire.
But there’s a saying, isn’t there?
“The genius lives short lives.”
The formidable Sand Prince died in a ridiculously foolish manner.
Death by illness, due to a cold.
Obsessing over physical strength, he neglected his interior health.
His death was a loss to the kingdom’s backbone.
Shocked citizens believed the gods had forsaken Spania, and ultimately, its once unbreakable unity crumbled, leading to its demise at the hands of the Empire.
In fairness, dying from a cold does seem rather absurd.
But unaware of this, the enthusiastic prince energetically challenged me.
“Alright! I, Seth Shahar Khan, eldest prince of the mighty Spanian Kingdom, hereby challenge you, Sian Vert, to an official duel!”
A fierce wind whipped around as if his challenge were something grand.
Maintaining a calm façade, I replied.
“When?”
“Right now!”
“Then no.”
“Why not?!”
He yelled in confusion.
“Not permitted duels without the academy’s consent. If you want a duel, go to the main building’s administrative office and apply formally.”
His incredulous expression suggested he was unaware of such protocols.
“Then if I apply, whatever that is, we can duel?”
“That would seem likely.”
Assuming the academy gives permission, anyway.
“Great! Then where do I go to apply?”
“I told you. The administration office. It’s on the third floor of the main building.”
“Understood!”
Like a bear tracking prey, he dashed off towards the office.
With each hefty step, the terrace floor echoed, leaving me worried about the construction quality of this rooftop.
A duel with the Sand Prince…
It seemed like another pesky situation was unfolding.
* * *
In Brenu, a city in the southern part of the Ushif Empire, amidst the large tents lay a bizarre space filled with grimy cages.
Having finished sorting, a man urgently headed to the merchant’s quarters.
“Master Zickerman! The merchandise is ready!”
Zickerman didn’t even glance at the man.
Something wrapped in colorful cloth within a golden chest, which he fondled as if it contained the world’s most precious jewel.
“Coordinate the time and place with the clients and send the message. Especially ensure tight security this time! And do not inform those higher up in the empire!”
“Yes, understood!”
With the report concluded, the man scurried out.
Left alone, Zickerman carefully inspected the item from the chest.
“This is the finest item of my forty-year career! Surely it deserves the best, wouldn’t you say?”
Receiving no reply was expected; after all, inanimate objects can’t talk. Regardless, Zickerman laughed heartily, holding the item.
“Proper preparation is needed for the greatest show. Rest easy within the chest for now.”
He returned the item to the chest and sealed it cautiously to prevent any harm.
-Squirm
For a moment, there was a rustling movement inside the chest.
Following the initial stir, there were a few more movements, but Zickerman was too preoccupied with laughter to notice.
-Swish
Simultaneously, an invisible colorless energy began to rise from the chest like smoke.
------------------
The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin 44. Purification Work (2)
As the sun set and the sky darkened, it was time for all creatures to return to their nests. However, this place was an exception. As time passed, more and more people kept flocking in, many of whom seemed to be wealthy, their pockets likely filled with money. As if by some arrangement, they gathered in droves, entering the building in front of them.
“Despite it being the first purification operation, you don’t seem nervous at all?” The leader asked with a smile, noticing my utterly nonchalant demeanor.
“How could I be otherwise? Who else would start their first mission with a task meant for higher-ups?” I retorted.
“Who knows? I think it’s the perfect stage to test your abilities. After all, I am the leader of the Mist, not foolish enough to send my men into a mission I believe is doomed from the start.” The leader confidently gave a thumbs up as if there were no issues at all.
This place was Brenu, a southern city of the Ushif Empire notorious for operating a slave market. Our mission was to assassinate Zickerman Albas, a vile merchant of the empire. Including the leader Silica and myself, a total of five members were dispatched for what seemed too small a team for a high-ranking task. Naturally, assassination should be conducted quietly, in the most secluded places, leaving no trace behind, quick and majestic. But what was this? Assassinating someone who drew so much attention in such a bustling place was not something the Mist typically engaged in, almost uncharacteristically so.
Reading my thoughts, the leader smiled, “Today’s purification operation involves not just the assassination of Zickerman Albas, but also something else we need to check.”
“And what would that be?”
“According to the lead members’ information, there’s an auction being held by Zickerman today. Given his history of running a slave market, it’s likely related to humans.”
I nodded, unsurprised.
“This auction, however, seems to be offering something special this time, something that even the empire’s officials haven’t been informed about to prevent leaks. Could it be something as extraordinary as a hero from another world?”
“Is securing that ‘item’ our objective?”
“Not exactly. But it’s worth checking out what the item is, especially since Aer Knight himself has mentioned something special is going to be present. It must be worth investigating.”
Ah, so even that dimwitted deity mentioned it; definitely something out of the ordinary then.
[…]
Silent more than usual, Ceyram seemed very focused on something inside the building.
“Feeling something?”
[Hmm… It’s a complex aura. It’s as if two familiar auras have merged, creating an entirely new and foreign one. Whatever it is, it’s certainly unusual.]
From her furrowed brows, it was apparent she was disturbed. Was it odd that I felt nothing? Nonetheless, I quickly infiltrated the building under the leader’s orders.
* * *
The party hall was reminiscent of a noble’s gala, ostensibly a social event by the Empire’s Merchants Guild but that was merely a facade. Not all those people would participate in the auction; information had been selectively shared, likely only with top-tier clients considering that even the empire’s officials were kept in the dark. Disguised among the party-goers, four members, including leader Silica, had already infiltrated the crowd. With my small stature, disguising as an adult was out of the question, so I stayed hidden, observing from the sidelines. For now, Zickerman Albas was nowhere in sight. I expected him to reveal himself once the auction or whatever it was began, but so far, nothing had caught my attention.
Suddenly, I caught the leader’s eye from across the hall. Through a brief but clear movement of her eyes, she signaled me to head downstairs, sensing something beneath. Indeed, assassinating Zickerman himself wasn’t the real challenge.It wasn’t as if we had announced our intention to kill, so there was no reason to assume they’d taken any special precautions. However, all of that would be meaningless if we couldn’t secure the target’s location. I had no choice but to comb through the entire building to find Ziker Albas. Upon receiving the order, I promptly left the banquet hall. Contrary to its external appearance, the building was smaller than I had anticipated, with hardly any space beyond the crowded banquet hall. Anyone would think it shoddy that a slave auction was to be held in such an insignificant space. That left two possibilities: either the auction was held elsewhere, or there was a hidden space unseen to us. If it was the latter, there was a good chance this hidden space was situated right beneath our feet. Since no stairs leading downward were in sight, I decided to employ a bit of magic.
“Black Mist 2nd Form: Spatial Transference.”
With the incantation, the mist that rose enveloped my entire body. Merged with the mist, my body naturally sank through the floor, descending downwards. After dropping about 2 meters, I entered a new space filled with stale air that irritated my throat.
-Click-
The moment I landed, the mist dissipated instantly. In the pitch darkness where not a single ray of light penetrated, I manifested mana at my fingertips and applied it to my eyes.
“Darkness Adaptation.”
Gently closing and reopening my eyes, my vision, previously swallowed by darkness, cleared up instantly. I got to my feet and began surveying my surroundings. The underground area was eerily silent. Rust-covered steel frames interspersed with large canvas covers resembled cages for beasts. Curiosity led me to peer inside one of the tents.
“……”
Manacles lay carelessly within the empty cages, still retaining a hint of warmth. This indicated that people had been here just hours before. Out of caution, I inspected another.
“Ugh!”
The moment I lifted the tent, I was assaulted by the foul stench of decay; bodies that had long since started to rot hit me with a wave of revulsion, and I averted my gaze immediately. There was nothing more to see. This was a prison for slaves, likely all moved elsewhere in preparation for the auction. The bodies, deemed to have lost their value, were left to rot. Was it because it had been so long since I last undertook such work? I thought I had grown numb to these feelings, yet an unspeakable disgust surged within me.
[You seem to have mixed feelings?]
Ceyram seemed to pick up on my mood and asked with a sly smile.
“I still have a long way to go.”
I resolved to focus on the task at hand.
-Clank!
Just as I was about to move, the sound of a cage door opening abruptly made me hide.
-Creak-
From the darkness, a frail woman with long hair struggled to crawl out of the cage, a heavy shackle impeding her movement on one leg. Somehow, she had managed to open the jail cell.
“Ah, ah……”
Even from a glance, I could see she was in dire condition, barely able to mutter groans of pain. Given her state, she wouldn’t last long before being captured.
“My child… my child…”
It was more of a whimper than a whisper, but I heard it distinctly.A desperate call from a mother longing to reach out to her child.
In a bizarre space, the anguished cry of a ghost whispered and echoed like an echo.
-Thud!
At that moment, with a loud sound, a ray of light leaked from one side of the space.
Struggling to her feet, the woman, as if she had found a path to salvation, moved toward that place.
Of course, it was obvious that those who would appear from within that beam of light were not going to be her saviors.
“What, what is this?”
“Catch that woman!”
Sure enough, a group of men who had appeared from within the light crazily rushed out to capture her.
“Ah!”
Men mercilessly beat the woman’s arm, which hardly had any strength left.
Tears of pain streamed down from her eyes.
“How on earth did she escape?”
“Is that really important right now? Zickerman himself will be coming soon!”
“Anyway, she’s not going to be sold as a product, is she? Just dispose of her now!”
They put the woman back into the prison, and without a second thought, they drew out their clubs from their belts.
Dispose…
One might think they were talking about taking out the trash. But then again, it’s not exactly an inaccurate description for people.
Maybe what I’m doing now is disposing of filth like them.
-Swish
With a resolved mind, I unsheathed Ceyram instantly.
With one step, the distance was halved,
With two steps, I had reached the front of the cage,
And with three steps, I was close enough to hear their heartbeats.
Three steps taken in the span of one second.
Feeling something was amiss, they naturally turned around, and at that moment,
-Slice
The neck of the man in the lead was cleanly cut.
“Eek…!”
She did not give them a chance to scream.
In the cell, whooshing through the air, five severed heads tumbled to the ground.
“Who, who…?”
The moment I gently raised her head and their eyes met, an involuntary smirk appeared on my face.
What a sight…
Swollen eyes, a crushed nose, teeth shattered into pieces.
One could wonder if she could even see with such a horribly disfigured face.
But to me, it was a familiar sight.
After all, I had turned all the garbage I dealt with into something like this.
“My child… my child…”
Even in the midst of this, her call for her child continued.
Granted, I had prolonged her life for now, but it didn’t seem like it would last much longer.
If the exterior looked like that, the interior would be worse.
She was probably suffering from multiple incurable diseases already.
It wouldn’t be surprising if she were to breathe her last at any moment.
-Clump, clump
In the midst of this, the sound of footsteps came from beyond the beam of light again.
This time, it was just one person.
Judging by the simplicity of the steps, he didn’t seem like much of a threat.
“Ah…”
At the sound of another presence, the woman attempted to stand up again.
[Did she leave a gold mine with her child or something?]
Such was the great obsession that even the kerambit would be taken aback.
However, before she could even make her way out of the cage, the owner of the footsteps had already reached it.
“What is this?”
Shocked by the gruesome scene before him, the man immediately collapsed.
-Clunk
“…!”
At the same time, a golden box he was holding clattered loudly as it hit the floor.
“Aaaah!”
At that moment, the woman, who had been lying like a corpse, let out an inexplicable scream.
With a madness-filled gaze never seen before, she ran out as if possessed.
(To be continued)
