C13 - 14
The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin Chapter 13
Episode 13: Limeah Valley (3)
“Kiiiek…”
With a bizarre cry, the Death Worm retreated back into the ground.
It wasn’t because it had become satiated and returned out of contentment.
Vibrations continued to be felt below the surface.
“……”
The Death Worm circled around me as if drawing a circle.
It was waiting for the perfect angle to capture me once again.
Being flustered was already enough the first time.
I had no intention of being easily caught, nor did I plan to show any vulnerability.
The speed of the creature, chillingly striking from behind, rose intensely.
The moment I sensed its direction, I quickly spun my body and leapt high into the air.
– Bang!
The gaping maw of the Death Worm burst up from the ground.
Inside it, numerous projections resembling tongues writhed grotesquely.
Ugh, it’s even more revolting than I remember.
If I kept looking, I’d feel nauseated.
It looked like it needed a bit of trimming.
– Ssswack!
I adjusted my grip on the sword and delivered two slashes while airborne.
The crossed paths of my swordplay materialized as sword energy and plunged into the creature’s open mouth.
“Kueek!”
The Death Worm’s tongue was helplessly severed, unable to avoid the strike.
It writhed in pain and soon retreated back into the ground.
The ongoing vibrations suggested it had not fled.
Having encountered it is one thing, but why did it appear here?
This place is still near the entrance of Limeah Valley, close to the stronghold of the knights.
It’s strange to see a beast that dislikes sunlight and refuses to move in the shadow present here.
[Do you know you’re the reason it’s here?]
Ceyram pointedly indicated it was because of me.
Unsure of the reason, I immediately turned to her and asked.
“Why? What have I done?”
[Done? Have you forgotten about the blood of all the creatures you’ve been sucking around here? That worm has a knack for smelling things from miles away…]
Smells? Out of nowhere?
Is she implying I smell like roasting meat or something?
[That clueless expression on your face! Shall I describe your current state? You’re like a special treat, a mix of vile demon blood and pure human blood. A delicacy that can’t be found anywhere else, shall we say?]
“……?”
I quickly snapped out of my momentary stupor and organized my thoughts.
By consuming the blood of demons, I’ve turned into a well-mixed specialty for them?
In other words, the more I take their blood, the more I evolve into a better prey for them?
“Are you saying it came all the way here to eat me?”
[Not only that, but before long, you can expect the most notable demons from the Demon World to rush in on you! Why? Wouldn’t it be nice to save you the trouble of going out to find them?]
She was smirking as if this was a good thing.
Thinking back on my past life, it seemed eating the flesh of demons indeed made them more drawn to me.
Just as it isn’t strange for beasts to hunt each other, demons also see each other as mere prey.
Having recently consumed the blood of demons, their essence spread throughout my body, and it seems I was recognized as their prey as well.
It’s no wonder the Hellhounds were acting strange…
“You’ve managed to stay silent about this until now.”
[Hmph! Why should I matter?]
After all, if she was kind enough to inform me, then she wouldn’t be my beloved sword.
– Koo-goo-goo-gung
The movement of the Death Worm continued.
I had no choice but to kill the creature here, as running away would only lead it straight to the encampment.
[Let’s make it easy, Master. You know your swordplay won’t work on that thing, right?]
She was tempting me.
The epidermis of demons typically has the toughness of metal.
I could pierce through mid-level demons like ogres with sheer strength, but high-ranking demons like worms are impervious to human attack.
Though their tentacles could be easily sliced, I would have to encase my sword in sufficient mana to penetrate their exterior body.
The problem is that the required level of power has to be at least at the level of seven stars.
Not that I’m saying I can’t do it.
After all, I possess a divine demonic sword unlike any other in the world…
“Honestly, I don’t want to, but I’ll go along with you this time since I’m cornered.”
[Oh? Cooler than I thought? Right, a man needs to be decisive so that a woman will follow easily~]
“If you can’t even understand that…”
The reason I first summoned Ceyram was simple.
It was to use her power.
But until now, I hadn’t been properly using her strength as a demonic sword.
Not that I was incapable.
Swordplay? Magic? The occasional secret techniques?
Honestly, even a twig could accomplish the same tasks.
A mere swing and those worthless creatures would die in an instant.
Hence, Ceyram too must have been unsatisfied.
No matter how much I loathed the twisted demonic sword, Ceyram was undoubtedly a divine weapon beyond human comprehension.
Why else would they call it divine?
Because it represents a difference that humans cannot possibly breach.
A boundary so vast that a human, even with a scant hundred years of life, could not reach in a lifetime.
This demonic sword could cross that boundary of humanity.
Of course, there are conditions and costs attached…
“Dark Mist 9th Form: Manifestation of the demonic Sword!”
With the spell, Ceyram, who had been smiling, dissipated into a form of mist.
Her physical form quickly faded and was soon absorbed into my body.
[Phew! How long has it been since I’ve felt this? How does it feel, Master?]
Ceyram disappeared, but her voice rang clearly in my head.
My heartbeat quickened, my blood flow hastened, and heat surged throughout my body.
How does it feel?
“It feels so good I could die!”
Demonic Sword Manifestation.
By handing over my body to her, I had drawn out Ceyram’s true power.
Now, my body was overrun by her spirit.
A moment’s carelessness could result in my consciousness being seized by this perverted demonic sword.
[Don’t overdo it, Master! Let it all go and relax~]
Did you think I wouldn’t know your scheme?
If I let my guard down even a little, she would immediately replace my soul.
Just to deal with a demon, I’m resorting to quite the extremes.
“Sigh…”
Looking up at the sky, I let out a long sigh.
But not everything was bleak.
Overwhelming fury surged within, a feeling I hadn’t experienced in a long time!
At this moment, not even a god in my presence could invoke fear!
Yes, with the power of these exalted beings, it should be like this!
“Let’s have a bit of fun, Ceyram!”
Ceyram’s excited battle cry resonated hotly in my mind.
– Koo-goo-gung!
The sound of the Death Worm moving drew near once again.
Unlike before, when I was on high alert, I now felt an infinite ease.
As the worm approached, my pose remained still.
Exactly ten meters below my feet.
The Death Worm’s wide-open mouth shot upwards in pursuit.
When was it?
It brings to mind something someone said in a fleeting moment of life.
If you feel so futile that you want to die, pluck a single flower and reflect on your life.
Every petal you remove, think of it as casting aside worries and concerns attached to you, until nothing else remains but a barren stem.
Even if it appears desolate, there’s no need to look beautiful carrying all your worries just for the sake of appearances.
And once you let go of all negative feelings associated with those petals, only a complete and hopeful self remains…
Do you think it’s all nonsense?
Those lofty words can inspire someone profoundly.
That’s right, that memory led me to create one of my secret techniques.
I discard all the trivial matters of the world, remaining a lonely, upright stem…
“Mist Sword: Eight Fluttering Petals.”
As I executed the sword technique, darkness surged from Ceyram.
The sword lifted slowly but at an incredibly rapid pace to the rest of the world,
made a total of eight cuts, cleaving through space and lingering.
– Bang!
Finally, the Death Worm emerged from the ground.
But it was met not by my physical form but by the eight lines of swordplay suspended in the air.
– Crackling
The flesh of the Death Worm split like an apple as it came into contact with the sword lines.
No matter how hard its skin was, even harder than top-grade steel, it couldn’t withstand the might of the supreme demonic sword.
Cut precisely into eight pieces.
Like petals scattered by the wind, the Death Worm’s body fluttered in eight different directions.
– Plop, plop
With the petals gone, a red downpour followed.
A beautiful sight that stained the dark night sky vividly.
The blood within my body boiled like an ocean torrent.
While I longed to indulge in this sensation for much longer, regrettably, it seemed I didn’t have the luxury of time.
In the distance, I heard the urgent footsteps of the knights…
* * *
– Thump! Thump!
A loud, unidentifiable noise was heard not too far away.
From the direction, it was near the entrance of Limeah Valley.
The knights immediately headed towards the location upon realizing the situation.
The closer they got, the clearer the vibration and its growing effect could be felt.
Some of the higher-ranking knights could guess the identity of the demon based solely on the vibration’s impact.
Of course, they would need to see it with their own eyes to confirm, but at least they could be sure of one thing.
It wasn’t a demon of mid or low level…
Moreover, there was a smell that seemed like something had been burnt.
Similar to the odor produced when burning creatures from the Demon World, but it wasn’t a pressing concern now as most sensed it but moved on.
The forest path ended, and a barren valley appeared.
Not a glimmer of light entered the dark cavity, yet the strewn bodies of demons and the blood marks were clearly visible.
“……!”
The knights could not hide their shock.
The demon corpses were slaughtered so gruesomely that it was hard to believe it was the work of humans.
Had they fought among themselves?
That suspicion was brief,
as the form of an unknown figure flickered before the knights.
It wasn’t far, but the dim visibility made clear identification impossible.
Then, one of the knights cast a spell.
“Light of Guidance!”
The valley, once shrouded in darkness, lit up brightly.
“……?”
The ambiguous figure began to take shape.
But there was nothing there to see.
The surroundings were brilliantly lit up, but nobody could fully perceive the presence before them.
The figure, enveloped in black mist, perfectly concealed itself, giving the knights a sense of unfamiliarity they had never encountered.
An unsettling feeling made it nearly impossible to approach.
As everyone hesitated, Duke Vert, informed of the situation, joined in later.
“……!”
The duke’s eyes were different from the knights’.
While the knights saw something new and foreign, the Duke Vert seemed to recognize something from an old memory, something he shouldn’t have encountered again…
Those beings that shouldn’t exist, that defy the very nature of what it means to be human…
“Mist…”
The doubtful duke shook his head to regain focus and looked straight ahead once more.
However, the unidentifiable figure had already vanished from sight.
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The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin Chapter 14
Chapter 14. The Emperor’s Tour (1)
Morning dawned.
The sky was a deep, blood-red hue, unusual for the early hours, yet there was no other term to describe it.
Something felt off today, as if waking up with a hangover from the previous night’s indulgences.
Well, I did indeed have quite the evening.
I checked the state of Keyram, which I had hidden under my pillow.
[…….]
He was fast asleep.
It seems both he and I, after last night’s tumult, managed to sleep with our legs stretched out in relief.
I must have been out of my mind.
To use ‘Demonic Sword Manifestation’ just to catch a mere demon beast, and even deployed the Mist Sword secret technique on top of that.
It’s fortunate I had consumed some of the mana from those beasts; a month earlier, my organs and blood vessels might have burst from exertion.
I had completely succumbed to the temptation of the perverse demon sword.
– Murmurs and noise
Outside was noisy, probably due to last night’s events.
In my hasty retreat, I had discarded the Death Worm’s carcass, unintentionally creating quite a mess.
Ah, now that I think about it, what a waste?
To have caught such a valuable high-class demon beast and not taste its blood even once.
By now, it must have turned into indistinguishable ashes.
“Oh? Are you awake, young master?”
Emily entered the tent, carrying a bundle of ingredients.
“Did you exercise a lot yesterday? You were sleeping soundly, almost snoring.”
“Never mind that. It’s quite loud outside; what happened?”
Emily, as if waiting for this, burst out with an exclamation.
“You wouldn’t believe it! Last night, near the entrance to the Limea Valley, a corpse of a high-class demon beast was discovered! It’s been quite a while since a high-class demon beast appeared near the garrison, so now all the knights are busy double-checking the defense installations.”
“Anything else?”
“What do you mean?”
“Anything else, apart from the high-class demon beast?”
Caught off guard by my nonchalant demeanor, Emily stumbled over her words.
“Well, that is… I didn’t hear anything else. Just the discovery of the high-class demon beast.…”
“So you’re saying all you know is about the corpse of the high-class demon beast?”
“…Yes.”
“Alright then.”
It seems like that’s the only news that had spread among the knights.
Although some knights, including the duke, had seen me, I managed to conceal my true appearance using the secret technique (Dark Mist 1st Form: Camouflage), so no one should know it was me.
The issue was whether others who recognized the technique knew it was me. For now, I would have to wait and monitor the situation.
“Is young master Sian here? It’s Knight Yulken.”
Yulken’s voice came from outside the tent.
“Come in.”
Yulken entered, and by the sound of it, several other knights were with him.
They’re not here for regular inspection, then what’s the matter?
“What is it?”
“The duke commanded me to escort you to him. Would you accompany us?”
“May I know the reason?”
“It’s regarding the visit from the royal family scheduled for the afternoon. His Grace seems to have matters to discuss with you regarding that.”
So it’s about the emperor’s tour.
Well, as his son, I suppose I have to play my part.
“Understood. I’ll come now.”
After discreetly tucking Keyram under the pillow, I followed Yulken out.
The garrison was as big as a village, and the duke’s residence was located right at the center.
It is a strategic position for rapid communication, and my father rarely leaves his quarters unless it is necessary.
After passing through the rigidly guarded knights, I entered the tent where my father was working.
He saw me and gestured for me to sit down.
“How is life on the frontlines?”
“Every day, I am learning much. I resolve to become someone useful to this place.”
“Good, I’m proud that you are holding up better than expected. If you ever want to return, feel free to say so.”
I bowed slightly, showing gratitude towards his kindness.
Of course, I had no intention of leaving early.
At the very least, I plan to continue living on the frontlines until I’m eleven years old and ready to enter the Royal Academy.
“Let’s end this topic here. Do you know who will be visiting today?”
“I’ve vaguely heard about the emperor’s and the royal family’s visit being scheduled.”
“Yes. The sovereign of the great Ushif Empire, ‘Emperor Dione’, is scheduled to tour the frontline today. Accordingly, there’s a favor I’d like to ask of you today.”
“A favor, you say?”
My father seemed more relaxed today, which was unusual for him. I had a rough idea what it might be.
As his son, I should present myself well. I heard that I’ve become quite a celebrity among the nobility of the empire.
They’re talking about the fifth son of the Vert household, how he’s already on the frontlines, and hunting down demon beasts with knights – pointless rumors swirling among the nobility. Frankly, these talks aren’t to my benefit.
Isn’t it obvious?
In a world where nobles thrive on envy and jealousy, I’m just fodder for their gossip.
The rumors about how the family will be inherited by a different child, or how a child of questionable lineage desperate to look good… Tiring to even think about.
For my father, having no other sons around, I will be kept by his side today to assist with the emperor’s tour.
“Do you know about the empire’s fifth princess?”
“…?”
Why is he bringing up the fifth princess out of the blue?
“The fifth princess… you mean?”
Hmm… Speaking of the fifth princess of the empire at this time… She’s the ill-fated princess, isn’t she? Her name was, if I remember correctly…
“Are you referring to ‘Arin Severus’, Your grace?”
“That’s right. She’s of the same age as you, the youngest in the royal family. She too will be joining the scheduled tour today.”
It’s interesting but not concerning. Whether the emperor comes or his daughter, it’s not my business. However, since the duke mentioned her without a reason, it meant something was off—I felt a premonition.
“Will you take care of young Arin today?”
“Pardon?”
Take care of what? Escort? Serve?
To be honest, neither appeals to me.
“There’s no need to be surprised. Just keep each other company and socialize. You will meet again when you enter the academy next year, won’t you? It’s beneficial to nurture a relationship with the royal family. It won’t be for long, but I hope you two develop a good rapport.”
Even more bothersome.
It’s practically an escort service.
Why should I play such a role for some arrogant young girl?
Especially the ill-fated princess?
I could understand my father’s intention for connecting with the royal family members.
But choosing her as the contact was a mistake.
Arin Severus is not someone I should get close to but rather someone I must distance myself from.
Currently, no one knows.
That princess is destined to become a scapegoat in a few years during the empire’s civil war!
“Your Grace, I will try my best to fulfill your request, as inadequate as I may be.”
What use is it to lament a future only I know?
For now, I’ll just agree to do it.
“Thank you. We’ll meet again when the royal family arrives. You may leave now.”
I bowed once more and turned around.
Until I left the tent, my father watched my back with a scrutinizing gaze.
It was as if he was comparing some unknown variable, with a glint of suspicion in his eyes.
Indeed, should I say “father”?
Everything and everyone is a suspect to him.
Even if it’s his own son…
I stepped outside with an inscrutable smile on my face.
* * *
The massive stone wall that borders Belias and the frontlines.
What seems to be simple rock is actually imbued with a high-level magic barrier.
At the heart of it lies a single gate, the sole entry point to the frontlines for the entire continent.
Inside the gate, the Duke of Vert and several guardian knights were standing by.
Their solemn expressions and strict postures were clear as they awaited the arrival of dignitaries.
-Bwoo-woo!
“His Majesty the Emperor arrives!”
With a resounding horn and a knight’s shout, the group appeared.
The Emperor of the Ushif Empire, ‘Dione Severus’, revealed his dignified presence.
For an occasion such as this, he was armed and ready for immediate combat.
As the emperor dismounted at the gate, the waiting Duke Vert knelt on one knee.
“I am Willius Vert, Lord of Belias. It is an honor to see Your Majesty!”
“Always working hard, Willius! There’s no need for formality between us.”
Regardless of their titles, the relation between the emperor and the duke was deep.
Since their time at the Royal Academy, their friendship was well known, with the emperor even openly declaring Duke Vert as the most trusted noble.
As the two exchanged pleasantries, the emperor’s gaze turned to me.
“Ah, to think that such a bright sprout lies within this dark and despairing place.”
Recognizing he was referring to me, I composedly stepped forward and bowed.
“An honor to meet Your Majesty! I am Sian Vert, youngest of the Duke Vert’s household.”
The emperor seemed fascinated, as if admiring something extraordinary.
“The rumors hold true. Such a young lad enduring these harsh conditions. Your offspring truly are distinct, Willius.”
“Your praise is too kind, Your Majesty. As a father, I am simply ashamed.”
“I also have someone I wish to introduce to you.”
The emperor glanced back, and as expected, someone alighted from the carriage.
A girl of similar age with deep silver hair and pale skin stepped out. No need for introductions; I knew who she was.
“This is the fifth princess of the Ushif Empire, Arin Severus.”
It was the same Arin princess from before, scheduled to join us today.
In my previous life, I couldn’t care less about the emperor’s visit as I was cooped up in the manor, but it was odd that she was here instead of the crown prince who usually would accompany.
Had the entire royal family fallen ill?
As I pondered carelessly, our eyes met.
Why do people consider a child childish?
It’s because even with attempts to the contrary, their feelings are transparent. The same applies to a princess.
Even in passing, I sensed her thoughts.
“…?”
Is she… feeling envious of me?
(To be continued)