The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

Chapter 275: Devil Dragon (2)

“So, you came here empty-handed?”

“Didn’t you already know? Even with me and my knights, we’re outmatched to kill Xian…”

Eshel did not deny it.

“Xian didn’t want to kill me either. Perhaps he even realized that it was you who desired it.”

The duke’s words provoked a very unpleasant reaction from Eshel, who jutted her chin up in anger.

“What a hardship. It seems I overestimated my father’s ability. I was foolish to think I could at least cause a minor wound.”

Despite his child’s scornful mockery, Duke Bertrand maintained an indifferent expression.

“However, I was able to confirm the son’s feelings towards his father, and in that, I believe there was some meaning. Next time we meet, I’ll stir up those feelings further…”

“Don’t you think it’s time to stop, Eshel?”

Suddenly, Eshel’s face stiffened like stone.

“I realized it for sure when our swords clashed. You can’t beat Xian. No matter how much strategy and cunning you devise, it won’t work against him.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I don’t want you to continue with something meaningless.”

The duke spoke calmly yet assertively.

“My heart is still wholly dedicated to you. If you tell me to go kill Xian again, I can do it without a second thought. However, that wouldn’t change anything.”

“…”

“Awaken to reality, Eshel.”

The duke advised her to recognize reality now and to put an end to everything.

But,

“Kihahahaha!”

Eshel suddenly burst into laughter, looking up at the sky.

“You tell me to awaken to reality?”

To him, it was an absurd statement.

“I’ve never asked you to make me realize the reality. Your role as my father is to change reality for me! If you say I cannot beat Xian, then do whatever it takes to make me able to beat him! That’s what you must do! Do you understand?”

The order of this world should move only in accordance with him.

As Eshel still firmly held onto that conviction, he wouldn’t give up his desire to surpass Xian.

“I’m Eshel, the eldest son of the Bertrand duke’s family, and the man who has the duty to carry on the will of Willius Bertrand, the guardian of the continent, to protect this world! In order to fulfill that duty well, you, Father, must assist me, even if it means sacrificing your soul!”

“…”

“Do you now understand what you must do?”

“You… I will do as you wish.”

Only then did Eshel show a satisfied and vile smile.

Taking the duke’s hands gently, he pleaded as if beseeching him.

“Never forget. Only I can correct the disordered world caused by my youngest sibling. I am the sole savior of this world!”

His laughter, filled with delusional ecstasy, echoed across the red sky and spread in all directions.

* * *

The charade of a fake leader wrapped up, and the throne’s true owner took his seat. The atmosphere began to emit its rightful aura.

He rested his chin on his hand and crossed his long legs, looking down at me with narrowing eyes.

The dragon sat on the chair, looking oddly natural in his posture.

Could it be he prefers to spend his time in human form?

“When did you partake of dragon’s blood?”

His first question concerned the scent emanating from my body.

“Hard to say? It’s been over 7 years, so I don’t remember clearly.”

I responded evasively.

“At least I’ve never consumed a Devil Dragon.”

“I know. If you had, you would’ve been in my belly by now.”

It was immediately clear he was serious, not joking.

“So, why bring me into your space with such a poor charade?”

“I find your term ‘poor charade’ a bit irritating. It was my way of verifying the rumors that you stood on equal grounds with the Demon King. But it appears the rumors weren’t baseless.”

He then uncrossed his legs and leaned forward towards me.

“I’ll be direct. What’s the reason you’ve come to the Demon World?”

“You brought me all the way here just to ask that?”

“I’m quite familiar with the levels of humanity. Although I doubt the Demon King has given it his all, still, the mere fact that you’ve matched the pinnacle of the Demon World allows us to estimate your standing in the Human World. Undoubtedly, you must be at the apex among humans.”

Since it wasn’t a false statement, I didn’t deny it.

“A supreme figure of the Human World facing the Demon King directly is no small matter. It inevitably signifies that a significant event will occur, or perhaps it has already…”

“That sounds like a story from experience. Am I wrong?”

He did not make an effort to deny it.

“I came after a foolish human who caused a stir in the Human World and fled to the Demon World. As soon as I capture the human, I will return to my world, never to set foot in this land again.”

“So, you’ve come chasing after your prey that’s taken flight.”

He glanced away from me, his gaze wandering to something or someone else.

“Fine. Then, I will help you in finding this quarry of yours.”

“Did I mishear something just now?”

“Quit jabbering.”

As if he wouldn’t repeat himself, Nagel expelled a heavy tone.

“The humans you saw in the swamp earlier, they must be the group associated with the prey you’re seeking. I’ve memorized their scent already. They’re located not too far from here.”

While I couldn’t yet trust what he said, intuitively, I didn’t think he was lying.

“Why would you help me?”

“Don’t ask. While it’s not out of kindness, it certainly isn’t borne of ill will either.”

A vague answer like that only stoked my suspicions.

“Have you already forgotten what I said earlier? You’re not in a position to refuse right now. As an outsider, resolve your matters and quickly disappear back to your own lands.”

Was that it? His only aim seemed to be to get rid of me from the Demon World as soon as possible.

Though I felt a bad smell about this deal, since it was nonetheless beneficial for me, I decided to go along for now.

“Let’s consider it accepted and proceed.”

It seems my opinion wasn’t of concern to him anymore.

He casually lifted a finger and gestured behind me.

-Woong

A round gate leading outside was created.

“I’ve informed one of my kin outside about the location of your prey. He will guide you; just follow him.”

Direct guidance was out of the equation, it seemed?

It wasn’t particularly to my liking, for various reasons, but as there was no harm to me, I opted to follow and see where it leads.

“Hope we haven’t any reason to see each other again.”

“We’ll see about that.”

Leaving each other with some mutual discomfort, I stepped outside.

“……”

Pausing for a moment, I gazed down upon the extraordinary sight beneath the steep rock mountain.

Dozens of Devil Dragons lined up on each side as though waiting for my exit, stretched out long as if in a guard of honor.

Without approaching or speaking to me, he didn’t make the situation any more pleasant for me.

Intent on ignoring and passing by them, one of the dragons, about midway, blocked my path.

I could tell right away that this was the dragon meant to guide me.

Judging by its size, it didn’t seem to be a full adult yet, perhaps just past its growth stage.

Like the others, it stared at me with discontent before polymorphing into a human form.

“Follow me.”

It commanded without further ado, expecting me to follow.

[Oh?]

From within, Kayram voiced its amused laughter.

I chose not to respond as I had no intention of inquiring further…

But this Devil Dragon.

For some reason, it felt strikingly familiar to me.

Keeping my thoughts to myself, I quietly followed.

* * *

As Xian left with the guide across the rock mountain,

Nagel, sitting in his throne wrapped in contemplation, is approached by Kelian, who had pretended to be the leader for a while.

“That human has just left with the guide to the location you mentioned. We’ve also sent a few watchers after them as you instructed.”

“……”

Nagel didn’t even open his eyes to respond.

“Nagel, if it’s not too much, may I ask why you’re showing kindness to that human?”

The space quivered like rippling water as magic energy spread into the surroundings.

“My apologies, Lord Nagel!”

Kelian hastily bowed, asking for forgiveness.

“Have I not already said it? I’m not helping him out of kindness.”

It was not out of goodwill, but rather for some benefit.

“After seeing him, I realized. The power that human wields far exceeds my expectations. I cannot allow him to confront the Demon King again.”

“That… it’s that serious?”

Kelian was taken aback by this unexpected assessment.

“Moreover, there was a strange smell coming from him.”

“What kind of smell are you talking about?”

“I’m not sure. An odd scent that’s hard to put into words, it’s almost recognizable yet elusive.”

It wasn’t simply because the human had partaken of dragon’s blood.

“It’s a smell with the half-cocked energy of something smeared all over…”

Nagel was struck by how familiar that scent felt, almost as if it was emanating from his own body.

* * *

A table fully laid so that the legs may snap from the weight. Despite the array of delectable dishes, Nana couldn’t bring herself to eat.

“Why aren’t you eating, Nana?”

“I’m… not hungry.”

Arin instantly knew that was a lie.

Nana clutched her hands together as if never letting go, restraining her appetite, but the distress showed clearly on her face.

“It’s okay, you can eat. I won’t ask about Emilia.”

“Really?”

After a brief hesitation, Nana finally gave in and began to inhale the food in front of her.

Arin smiled nonchalantly while watching her genuine behavior.

“I heard from Brian. You took everyone to Belias by transforming into a dragon, Nana.”

“……!”

Nana’s fork came to a sudden halt mid-air.

“It’s fine! Everyone knows you’re a dragon!”

Seeing Nana unexpectedly distressed, Arin beckoned with her hand in reassurance.

“Tell me about it sometime, okay? I’m really curious to see you in dragon form. It must be quite a sight, right?”

“Arin, have you ever seen a dragon?”

“Just once. It’s been more than 10 years ago now. When I saw one, I was so startled. Xian was clinging to a dragon above Lemea Gorge. I was so worried something had gone wrong…”

“……”

“That was a Devil Dragon, wasn’t it?”

“Would you do anything for Papa?”

“Huh?”

The light in Nana’s innocent eyes dimmed suddenly.

“Answer me. Are you like Emilia, someone who would do anything for Papa?”

Arin found herself flitting through a multitude of thoughts. Technically, she had prepared this food to get Nana speaking.

According to Brian, Emilia had told both Nana and Hastia everything before she vanished.

Yet for some reason, Hastia was silently tight-lipped and would not respond to psychic communication, and Nana refused to speak about Emilia.

But the recent question helped Arin intuitively realize that based on her answer, there might be something she could do.

Arin was a princess.

With the heavy responsibility of a nation upon her shoulders, the question of whether she could do anything for someone was a dangerously loaded one.

Yet,

“Yes. I would do anything for Xian.”

Without hesitation, Arin expressed a dangerous response unworthy of a princess.

It was an honest answer, filled with sincerity.

In response, Nana returned to her genuine smile.

“Arin, will you come with me to find Papa?”

(To be continued in the next chapter)