The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

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Chapter 169: The Fog That Drives Away the Light (3)

The Mental Breakdown spell is a terrifying magic that infiltrates the target’s mind with immense power, completely subjugating them.

However, if the target retaliates with equivalent force, it can be easily overcome.

Despite exceeding expectations, Regens succeeded in using this magic to penetrate Luna’s mind and extract confessions regarding Cyan.

Although she believed there were no issues during the process, the excruciating pain now tormenting Regens contradicted that notion.

“You seem to be struggling more than expected. I suppose age catches up with us all. If you were your former self, Grandfather, this wouldn’t have been such a big deal…”

As a familiar voice reached his ears, Regens’ face contorted even more with agony when he turned his head.

“Lu-Luna, how did you…?”

It was his granddaughter, Luna.

“How I got here doesn’t matter. What matters is why I’m here. Grandfather, if you’ve always prioritized results over the process, shouldn’t you understand the situation well enough?”

Despite Regens’ angrily laden question, Luna continued in her usual indifferent tone.

Behind her, Lamella and other members of the society were deeply engrossed in pondering their responsibilities in this situation.

“What have you done to me?”

“While Grandfather infiltrated my mind with magic, I also cast a Mental Breakdown spell in his mind. It’s not about coaxing confessions like with Cyan, but inducing strong side effects when something is recalled.”

The magic Luna described was unheard of even by Regens on this continent.

“The principle is simple. It’s adding a touch of the Oath’s spell to the existing Mental Breakdown magic. It was prepared in anticipation of Grandfather’s visit. Did you like it?”

There was no room to debate whether she liked it or not.

Ultimately, Regens realized that Luna knew from the beginning how this situation would unfold.

Regens’ teeth gritted as he finally got to see the true face of his granddaughter.

“You asked if I could use my power for the society, didn’t you? Be glad. I’ve decided to dedicate all my power to the society from today onwards. So, even for our Garam Magic Society…”

Luna’s gaze subtly shifted towards Cyan.

“Please let go of the senior.”

Cyan looked at her with a gaze that wasn’t particularly pleased or displeased, but rather ambiguous.

“Don’t speak nonsense, Luna! That boy is more than capable of leading our society’s future with you! If you truly care for the society, help me save that boy…”

“I thought you’d say that. I did ask once for formality’s sake, after all.”

Without hesitation, Luna immediately manifested mana from her hand.

Upon doing so, bright light emanated from beneath Regens’ feet, and soon, a blue magic circle formed around her.

“This alone, do you think you can confine me with this?”

“Of course not. I’m just delaying you for a while. You’ll probably have to rack your brains quite a bit to break free.”

Although it wouldn’t last more than a few minutes, it was enough for Luna.

It was time for her last conversation with Cyan.

“Why did you come?”

Cyan asked her first.

“Do I need to explain? I’ve already said it several times. Senior is the one who saved my life. So, it’s only natural for me to come and help the senior in danger. Not just now, but in the future too…”

A consistent response from their first meeting.

Upon hearing this, Cyan’s expression was peculiar, neither smiling nor angry.

“It seems you don’t entirely dislike it, do you? You seem quite different from the feeling of annoyance that was quite prominent at first.”

“……”

“My feelings remain unchanged. Regardless of who the senior is or what they’ve done, it doesn’t matter to me at all. The senior is simply the one who rescued me from the depths of despair. That alone is enough for me.”

With an unwavering heart, Luna gently took Cyan’s hand.

“When you first embraced me, you felt so cold, but now, I can feel some warmth.”

As if caressing Cyan’s hand gently, she suddenly pulled him into a tight embrace.

Perhaps accustomed to her bold displays of affection, Cyan did not react.

“I don’t know when the next time will be, but it won’t end like this.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“If you accept it in a more atmospheric manner, perhaps.”

Would time freeze in its tracks now?

If only they could stay together, whether lightning struck or a blizzard froze everything.

However, for Cyan’s sake, for her own sake, she had to let go of the hands she was holding onto tightly.

“Goodbye, Senior.”

With those words, Luna released Cyan’s body.

As if not wanting to harbor any regrets, she turned away first, and Cyan also passed her by without any lingering sentiments.

“Thank you.”

“……!”

Even though he was too embarrassed to turn his head after saying that, for Luna, that alone was enough.

Suppressing her pounding heart as if going mad, her gaze turned back to Regens.

“You are truly foolish, Luna.”

It endured quite well if it lasted this long.

Nevertheless, she endured much longer than expected.

“Do you really think your actions now are for the sake of the Garam Magic Society? You are doing something you will deeply regret!”

Despite Regens’ outburst, Luna didn’t even twitch an eyebrow.

“You might not be wrong. In fact, I’m still quite conflicted. Whether to go after the senior again…”

However, Cyan had already left with his attendants.

Since she had no intention of letting Regens go just because the seal was broken, Luna once again drew all the mana within her body.

“It seems the world is full of surprises. I never dreamed of a day like this.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Please keep your eyes on how far the future of the society, which Grandfather longed for and desired so much, has grown from now on.”

Behind her, the five elements of different colors were emitting a brilliant glow.

* * *

“Why are you babbling about that now in front of me?”

Unable to contain his anger any longer, Louisnel suddenly grabbed the knight by the collar and shouted.

“You’re not facing a million-strong army, just a mere kid! And what? All of the emperor’s knights have been defeated? Are you trying to joke with me right now? Even if your pathetic neck was split in two and hung in front of the gate, would that sober you up?”

As he had already lost his composure, there was no trace of princely dignity left in him.

Sending a vanguard just to capture a fourteen-year-old boy and having them all annihilated— who would believe such a story?

Perhaps maintaining composure itself was impossible.

“Prince, please calm down! You need to see the reality! Not only us, but the leader of the Garam Magic Society, Regens Rainriver, has also come here, aiming for that boy!”

“The Garam Magic Society?”

It was the first time the prince had heard of it.

“Why are those bastards here? No, maybe this could be a good opportunity. Not satisfied with just coming to the empire, now they’re using magic without permission? If we play our cards right, we could really catch them by the tail from the Garam Kingdom.”

Louisnel’s expression changed drastically.

“Immediately, mobilize all nearby forces and send them to where he is! I take full responsibility for everything! Not only Cyan Vert, but all the mages from the Garam Magic Society too…!”

“Enough, Louisnel!”

Everyone, including Louisnel, turned their heads at the thunderous reprimand.

With sharp eyes, the Chancellor of the academy, Kundel Quazel, was glaring at him.

Behind him were several academy knights as well.

“Even if you can’t grasp the situation, there should be a limit! Are you planning to annihilate all the forces we brought along just to catch that boy?”

Despite being in an official position to execute the mission, Kundel continued his unabashed verbal onslaught against the prince.

However, no one dared to intervene against such a storm-like momentum.

Louisnel, too, sweated profusely in his bewildered state.

“Capturing criminals who tarnish the country as the prince of the empire, what’s the problem with that? Even if it’s just to catch the Garam Magic Society members who appeared out of nowhere…!”

As he retorted, his gaze suddenly turned behind Kundel.

He discovered a familiar face and immediately frowned.

“Why is she here?”

It was Arin, his younger sister and Cyan’s former fiancée.

“Are you asking his former fiancée to indulge in sentimentality? It’s too disappointing, considering it came from the plans of our great grandfather’s head.”

“It’s better than your bowl, which can’t even catch a mouse with a cow’s feet.”

Kundel showed no sign of wavering and calmly took out a letter from his arms.

“……!”

It was another imperial decree stamped with the emperor’s seal.

“As of now, our academy is participating in the capture of Cyan Vert. As I am here on behalf of His Majesty just like you, if you have any intention of opposing my orders, you should reconsider. Louisnel.”

Facing something unexpected, Louisnel couldn’t say anything.

“If you truly think of the royal family and the empire, throw away all the petty thoughts in your head right now. That’s the best course of action you can take in this situation….”

With a final warning rather than advice, Kundel passed by him without any regrets.

After him, Arin and the members of the academy followed suit, leaving Louisnel alone, who stared blankly into the air and let out a bitter laugh.

“Ha! Haha! Hahaha!”

“….”

Watching from a not-so-far distance, Aschel, with a meaningful smile, silently left the scene.

* * *

“Why are you doing all this?”

Arin, who had been silently following behind, suddenly spoke up.

“What do you mean?”

“The imperial decree you showed to Louisnel… It wasn’t sent by His Majesty, was it?”

“You have a keen eye.”

Manipulating an imperial decree was nothing short of a grave crime, tantamount to impersonating the emperor.

Even if he was the former father-in-law highly respected by the emperor, once the truth was revealed, punishment would be inevitable.

However, Kundel smiled lightly as if it didn’t matter.

“People tend to feel both the ephemerality and restlessness of life as they grow older. Everything around them may seem trivial, but when they become attached to something, they become extremely anxious.”

As Arin stood on the threshold of life, she found it difficult to understand.

“Having lived a considerable life and met many people, I can confidently say that no one has made me as uneasy as him. So, I just want to confirm a little faster. Before the moment of death comes unexpectedly…”

In his formidable yet wistful gaze, Arin felt an indescribable sense of heaviness.

Having reached a point where there was no turning back, what was she here for?

As her heart began to swell with complicated emotions, Arin hurriedly lowered her head.

In the end, all of this was her choice.

So she should stand confidently and face the consequences.

To be confident not in others, but in herself.

As the last gust of the chilly wind blew, the owner of the commotion they had long awaited began to appear.

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