The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

Chapter 264: In Search of a Witch (3)

“So, what’s the conclusion?”

“We’re unable to lift the curse on this pendant with our power. I’m truly sorry that we’re unable to help.”

Uttering pitiful excuses seemed a meaningless act.

Lunabru, acknowledging the current situation, bowed respectfully to the Demon King.

Sian silently observed from the side.

“Ha, can’t be helped. Honestly, it’s not really your fault, is it? You came here wanting to help, so I’m not in the position to blame you.”

Contrary to expectations, the Demon King coolly responded, comforting Lunabru.

“Still, there might be a way. Perhaps we might come across a clue about the witch. If that happens…”

“Enough.”

The word ‘enough’ halted Lunabru’s speech mid-air.

“Don’t drag on with feeble words.”

Though the Demon King was smiling, a distinct aura of lethal intent poured towards her.

Her heart pounded with tension and fear, leaving her unable to utter another word.

“Hey, Sian.”

Belkaryon looked past Lunabru and turned his gaze to Sian.

“Come outside for a moment.” Without any retort, Sian obediently followed him out.

Once the two men left, Lunabru, holding back her breath until now, shook uncontrollably with both hands.

“I never expected that you could solve the pendant’s mystery.”

Suddenly, Rogers approached and handed her a cup of water.

“I hope you understand that I did try my best.”

After receiving the cup, Lunabru gulped down the water voraciously.

“You said your name is Lunabru? I’d advise you to find a way to lift the curse on that pendant as soon as you can.”

“What do you mean?”

“If you want to return in one piece with the person you came with.”

Realizing what he meant, Lunabru understood that the middle-aged demon nobleman wasn’t giving her advice, but a warning.

* * *

Suddenly, I recalled the last conversation I had with the former Demon King.

It took place after the Demon King’s Death Sword and my spirit had expended all their energy against each other, resulting in our annihilation.

It was, in essence, our first complete two-way conversation.

“You don’t know? Why I had to cross that forbidden line to join that vexing, chaotic party with you all?”)

“Do I need to know now?”

“You’re surprisingly unfazed. Weren’t there people who were sacrificed because of me? Like your family or friends?”

I was genuinely shocked back then.

Who could have expected such cruel words like family and friends from the ruthless Demon King?

For a fleeting moment, I thought that perhaps he was not so different from a human.

“You committed an atrocious slaughter that we humans can never forgive. Even if there was a reason for that massacre, we would not see you any differently.”

“(Heh! Indeed! What’s the point of talking about it now? You just crossed a line you shouldn’t have, and I just wanted to repay you all with the same agony I felt so bitterly.”

It would be a lie to say I wasn’t curious.

What was that ‘untouchable thing’ the Demon King mentioned? What had we done to trigger such a horrific war?

I hesitated for a few moments, pondering whether or not to ask for the reason.

In the end, I didn’t.

“Forget it, just kill me. At least I had some fun in the end. Dying by your hand wouldn’t be so miserable.)

The Demon King peacefully extended his neck, having tossed aside his Death Sword.

It seemed like he was, in a way, asking me to take responsibility for his end.

I stood up from the ground, grabbing the broken Keiram, and slowly approached the Demon King.

(Good work, Sian!)

An unyielding voice halted me in my tracks.

(There’s no need for you to dirty your hands anymore! I will take on the judgment against this wicked demon!)

At that moment, my body ceased to move further.

Though exhausted from the battle against the Demon King, I still had enough strength to deliver the final blow. But not even a protest came out.

Instead, I was robbed of the Demon King’s last moments, taken by the owner of the holy sword, helplessly standing like a living corpse.

(Where the light leads, you shall find the truth…!)

The sword of salvation meant to judge the Demon King’s crimes finally descended from the demonic realm’s sky.

During that last moment, as I stared dumbfounded at the sword, I locked eyes with the Demon King.

Pitiful.

It was a profoundly pitiful look, suggesting that I was no different from him.

I still remember that vivid emotion, even after crossing the boundaries of life.

The demonic realm’s sky was deeply painted in blood-red.

Just in front of the castle, on the wide-open field, the Demon King spoke to me.

“I asked you the first time we met, remember? If you had seen me before.”

I had answered that I hadn’t.

“It struck me as odd. Those eyes, posture, and even your aura seemed guarded. As if you had seen me somewhere before.”

“It’s a misunderstanding.”

“Is it?”

The Demon King brushed his hair away with a carefree laugh.

“Maybe in the past, I would have crossed your barricades without a thought. Negotiations? They’re nonsense.”

His voice grew heavier as he continued to speak, and the atmosphere around us became significantly more somber.

“You’ve figured it out by now, haven’t you? The reason I had no choice but to seek you out—it’s because of what you saw earlier, Besti. I had to find that Ashei to save her from being seduced by that pendant.”

It was just as I expected.

“You should always prioritize rationality over your nature. That way, you can do much for others, not just for yourself. Nice words, aren’t they? Besti told me so. And I took her words to heart and worked to temper my nature with rationality.”

Now, that same person lies close to death, unaware and uncertain.

In other words, things could take a drastic turn for the worse from here.

“But right now, it seems a bit difficult. I can’t hold back my nature.”

His murderous intent crept stealthily, indicating he was on the verge of losing control.

He resembled an active volcano that could erupt anytime.

“So you’re going to need to hold back. If I don’t suppress this now, I might do something uncontrollable. To our demon world, and your human realm!”

It was a frustrating situation.

One choice, no right of refusal—it was inevitable.

[Didn’t I tell you? There’s no need to haste?]

Keiram reappeared, whispering seductively in my ear with a mischievous smile.

There wasn’t much else to say.

All I had to do was what I needed to do.

– Swoosh.

As I drew Keiram, a dark mist surged from its tip.

Absorbing the mist with my entire being, I gazed steadily into the Demon King’s eyes and murmured softly.

“Shadow Technique Ninth Form: Demon Sword Manifestation.”

* * *

“It’s been seven years since I returned to Velias.”

“It must be nostalgic for you?”

“More for you than for me, Brian. I’ve been gone for seven years, but you haven’t been back in nearly ten. Your parents probably won’t even recognize you.”

“That—that’s true. I did send letters occasionally, but I don’t know if this unfilial son will still be remembered.”

Brian scratched his head, honestly expressing his thoughts.

In the carriage transferring Emily, a handmaiden from the Bert household, on orders from the princess to Velias, emotions were mixed.

Despite the long-awaited return, Emily’s expression was far from joyous.

“The young master is there, isn’t he?”

“I suppose so?”

“Why would you go on a tour without saying anything? Why leave without a word?”

Brian gave an awkward cough.

“Do you have parents in Velias too, Miss Emily?”

“No, I don’t. To begin, I’m an orphan who doesn’t even know what my parents looked like.”

Startled, Brian’s eyes widened in shock and he stiffened where he sat.

“What’s so surprising now?”

“I—I had no idea, Miss Emily! I never imagined you had such circumstances…”

Having observed her interactions with Sian, Brian might have imagined she was a lady from another noble family, which made the revelation even more shocking.

“So how did you end up with the Bert family?”

“It was a coincidence, I guess. It just happened that way?”

Emily dismissed the heavy atmosphere and refocused on the distant mountains outside.

Despite the time spent together, there remained much they didn’t know about one another, making Brian feel somewhat uncomfortable.

‘Could Miss Emily be a witch?’

A sudden thought crossed his mind.

The question once asked by Hastia lingered in his head.

Witch—though not entirely clear what it entailed, the term didn’t carry a positive connotation.

Did the White Elf see something that human eyes could not?

Curiosity, once a small spark inside, now kindled a growing flame.

“Miss Emily?”

“What is it?”

“Do you happen to know anything about witches?”

The question had accidentally slipped out.

His heart pounded as a drop of cold sweat trickled down his cheek.

“…”

Was she taken aback or just indifferent?

Emily looked at Brian with an unreadable expression for a moment.

“A witch? I wonder? I’ve never heard of such a thing. Why do you ask? Is someone looking for a witch?”

“No, it’s nothing! Just forget I mentioned it.”

“Oh? And leave it at that?”

Emily turned her gaze back to the window.

Regretting his unwarranted question, Brian sighed deeply.

He thought to himself just to focus on opening the way for her instead of other thoughts but…

“But, Brian.”

“Yes?”

“Where did you hear about witches?”

A chill ran down his spine, and the air grew thick with a strange unease.

Emily’s gaze was still pointed out the window, and from this angle, there was a distinctly unfamiliar vibe, a forcefulness about her that hadn’t been apparent before.

It was as if he was looking at someone else, not Emily.

“Well, that is…”

Unable to make sense of his own words, Brian stumbled verbally, but then—

-Thud!

The carriage jolted suddenly and violently.

“Kyaa!”

As Emily lost her balance and lurched, Brian quickly caught her.

“Are you alright?”

“Where do you think you’re touching me right now!?”

Caught between confusion and panic, Brian could only blink bewilderingly, uttering in haste,

“I—I’m sorry!”

Startled, Brian quickly released her.

Hastily catching her to keep her from falling, his hand had inadvertently touched Emily’s behind.

Embarrassed, Emily glared murderously at Brian from the corner of the carriage.

“Just sit down! I’ll check what’s happening!”

Brian hurriedly exited the carriage.

“What’s going on?”

“My apologies for startling you. It’ll be resolved shortly, please stay inside!”

But at a glance, it didn’t seem like the situation inside was one where they could comfortably wait.

Exactly 20 meters ahead of the carriage.

A group of unknown, armed mercenaries blatantly blocked the carriage’s path.

(To be continued in the next issue.)