The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

Just as the ruins, trembling as if they were about to collapse, had all visitors depart, they ceased their vibrations as if it were all a lie.

“Really now…”

The black-haired man, standing dazed in the middle of the passageway, snorted at the now-calm appearance of the ruins.

[What is this all about?]

That moment of contemplation was soon interrupted by a piercing gaze and a chilling voice from behind.

The man turned his head with an indifferent expression.

“Why not ease up on those glaring eyes? I haven’t done anything to deserve such a look from you.”

[I clearly warned you not to get involved, didn’t I? Have you lost your will to live?]

“Exactly! I did as you said, didn’t interfere and stayed out of it. Did I obstruct the two of you from fighting? I merely gave a little help to the young lady I had saved before! Does that involve you in any way? I don’t think so.”

[…]

Suddenly at a loss for words, the opponent did not respond.

“You yourself said it. Whether I save a worthless human or not is none of your business. So why come questioning me now? I find this quite absurd.”

[As always, your kind never changes…]

“Though it’s a bit ambiguous, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

The man smirked bitterly, smoothly bypassing a potentially sensitive remark.

-Wooong

A short burst of light emanated from the man’s body, and he gradually began to fade into transparency.

“Now that the beast I summoned is dead and my piece has been moved outside, it seems there’s no reason for me to stay here any longer. It wasn’t entirely pleasant, but I’ve had my fun!”

With that, the man waved his hand cheerily as if leaving a last greeting.

The other, with an unchanged expression, spoke softly.

[Do whatever you will, but make sure the repercussions do not spill over to this land. Remember my words, Lemiharam.]

“How many times are you going to repeat the same thing? If you have time to advise me, better spend it on your followers. Saw that big guy earlier; looks like he won’t live long, would be a shame if he died of some disease, right?”

With those words, the man disappeared as if fading away like smoke.

* * *

“Do you not remember?”

“Yes. I don’t know what I did, but I owe you all an apology. Once in a while, this happens. Some unidentified person enters my mind, starts talking nonsense, and then suddenly, my consciousness cuts off…”

Set, still clutching his head, which was throbbing with pain, repeatedly apologized.

While it varies from person to person, those who fall into a ‘comatose state’ generally cannot recall what happened during that time.

It wouldn’t be any different for this guy, I suppose.

I think it’s better not to remember such things.

“The ruins have calmed down.”

The ruins, which seemed like they might collapse at any moment, became tranquil the moment we left.

It seems that the aura of the sand deity lingering in the ruins couldn’t extend outside,

That deity must have been quite startled.

He probably had no idea that the little magician behind me could use Spatial Transition.

Spatial Transition is a magic spell that moves people within a certain range to a different space.

It’s a high-level spell that requires at least a 7-star level to mimic, but it’s not just the grade of the magic that makes it possible to use.

It’s an extremely complex spell that requires understanding and calculating the distance between the spaces to be moved, the flow of mana, the surroundings of the target location, and other complex factors in your mind and then visualizing them with magical power to actualize.

Considering the sheer distance between the ruins and their entrance, it wasn’t a short distance at all, and she was originally out of mana, wasn’t she?

Without someone infusing a large amount of mana, this situation would have been impossible.

“By the way, are you okay, junior? I heard that those scrawny academy guys were targeting you?”

“I’m fine. I received help from some special people.”

The word ‘people’ bothered me quite a bit, but I didn’t show it.

“I’m sorry. Unintentionally, I also caused harm to the seniors on my end.”

“No need to apologize. If anything, I’ve only added to the trouble, not lessened it.”

With a vigorous voice, Set got up and stretched his body.

“But setting us aside, what happened to those academy guys? They don’t seem to have escaped first?”

“That is…”

Luna’s gaze naturally turned towards me.

“I’ll go check the entrance just in case! You guys rest for a bit!”

Without giving anyone a chance to respond, he rushed towards the entrance.

Unintentionally, I was left alone with Luna once again.

“…”

It’s awkward.

It wasn’t like this just a moment ago.

I have no clue what expression to wear or what to say.

Just as the uncertain feeling of how long to maintain silence was overwhelming,

She finally broke the silence.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“No.”

“Are you feeling uncomfortable or in pain anywhere?”

“I don’t think that’s something you should be asking.”

“Wow, even worrying about you seems to cause a fuss…”

Slightly offended, she pouted her lips with a ‘hmpf’.

“What about Caron and the others from the academy?”

“I killed them.”

Thinking there was no point in hiding it now, I confirmed it with a short answer.

“Are you going to kill me too?”

I couldn’t immediately answer that question.

“As I said before, I have no intention of telling anyone about you. It has always been that way. Whatever your identity is, whatever power you possess, that’s your business. I don’t think I have the right to talk about it.”

I know.

Even if a deity were to come searching, she wouldn’t utter a single word about me.

I know better than anyone that she is the most tight-lipped.

“I owe my life to you. It might sound extreme, but if you tell me to live, I’ll live, and if you tell me to die, I’ll die. That’s how much you mean to me.”

That’s not just a little extreme; it’s quite a lot.

To live if I say live, and die if I say die?

At that moment, I’m reminded of a fool who died a dog’s death in a previous life because of such a worthless mentality.

“…How did you know?”

“Know what?”

“That I saved you. How did you find out?”

It couldn’t just be a good hunch.

At that time, Luna was in a perfectly unconscious state, unable to perceive her surroundings.

Even while removing the Heart Curve, I made sure not to leave a single trace, thinking it impossible to be discovered,

What made her so sure that I was the one who saved her?

“I just felt it.”

That was an utterly disheartening answer.

“When I was kidnapped by Auram Academy, I was unconscious. Cast aside carelessly in darkness where I couldn’t see anything. And then, suddenly appearing before me was mist.”

“Mist?”

“Yes. It was a peculiar mist, eerie yet not repulsive, that comforted me when I was left alone. I was so enthralled by its warmth that when I opened my eyes, my body had noticeably changed. I still can’t forget that feeling. And the same feeling I had…”

“From me just now?”

Luna nodded with the most nonchalant face in the world.

So, the seed I sowed is now being reaped by me?

Her intuition is exceptional, but it seems the fundamental cause is my own worthless sympathy.

“How did you manage the Spatial Transition? You weren’t in any condition to use that spell, were you?”

“Oh, that’s a mystery to me too. While I was gathering mana, suddenly, a strange energy from behind me…”

She trailed off, seemingly lost in thought, then started nodding as if she had come to a realization.

“It seems like you won’t be able to kill me after all.”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“I met Lord Lemiharam.”

I was so shocked that I grabbed her shoulders and asked.

“Who did you meet?!”

“Lemiharam! Le- Mi- Ha- Ram!”

She emphasized each syllable as if etching it into my brain, bringing her lips close to my ear and shouting.

What? She’s not one to lie about such things.

Thinking back, she did mention ‘special people’ to Set, so did she really receive help from a wizard or something?

What exactly happened with Lemiharam…

“Curious, aren’t you?”

Luna looked at me with a triumphant expression, as if she had gained the upper hand.

“But what should I do? I don’t feel like telling you.”

“…”

“Even if just to satisfy your curiosity, it seems I can’t die yet.”

My face, flustered by the unexpected situation, contrasted sharply with hers, wearing a newly satisfied smile.

“Then, I’ll go to Senior Set for a bit. Who knows if he’ll suddenly cause another accident.”

I couldn’t bring myself to stop her as she turned to leave confidently, so I just watched her back.

“Ah, right.”

Then, suddenly turning back around,

“!”

She hugged me without any warning.

After being stunned for about 3 seconds,

I pushed her away faster than the speed of light.

“What are you doing?”

“I just felt a bit regretful. I wondered if it would have been better to end up under the cold, hard ground in this state…”

With those incomprehensible words, Luna once again moved towards where Set was.

The situation had become complicated in many ways, leaving my mind in utter turmoil.

However, there was no time to calm the confusion swirling in my head.

As soon as she left, mist began to rise from within me.

[How can you wear such a silly expression?]

Kaeram, with a mischievously smirking eye-smile, poked my cheeks repeatedly.

“Is what she said true?”

[What is?]

“About meeting Lemiharam. Is it true? Does that wizard just appear out of nowhere to any human without any warning?”

[How would I know? Given that fickle guy’s personality, it wouldn’t be surprising… Ah, forget it! Don’t bring up that jerk in front of me!]

She refused to continue the conversation, getting even more irritated.

[It’s nothing but meddling…]

“What?”

[Forget it! I was talking to myself!]

She seemed to know something but didn’t appear willing to open up about it.

In the end, all I gained was this fragment, supposedly a part of the wizard.

It seemed like a meaningful achievement, but rather than feeling pleased, I was left with an uneasy feeling.

“Hey, you guys!”

In the midst of this, a desperate call came from behind, accompanied by the sound of someone approaching.

Set, Luna, and I, who were near the entrance of the ruins, all turned our heads towards the back.

“It’s good to see everyone is safe! What a relief!”

It was one of the villagers we had seen earlier, sweating profusely, seemingly having rushed here in urgency.

“Huh? What brings you all the way here?”

Set asked with a puzzled look.

“I-I don’t even know what’s happening! Some of the people who went into the ruins with you have returned and started attacking the members of their group who stayed in the village! It seems like some conflict has erupted…”

Set was the first to react.

“The villagers, are they safe?”

“People are safe! But we couldn’t possibly intervene! If this continues, the village will…”

Without needing to hear more, Set immediately ran towards the village.

“It seems Auram Academy has finally shown its true colors…”

Luna didn’t hesitate and quickly followed behind Set.

It seemed the situation was far from over.

(E/n I declare luna best girl)

(To be continued)