Master Assassin of the Ronan

Chapter 3 The Hundred-Day Cradle (2)

Assassin Blade Family’s “Dusklight Hall” in the Ronan estate.

In this secretive banquet hall, the members of the Ronan family had gathered together.

A variety of lavish dishes adorned the wide table.

However, when summoned to this place, the family members had to abandon any hope of a leisurely meal.

According to long-standing tradition, this place was typically where the head of the family’s wrath would be unleashed.

Knowing this, First and Second couldn’t easily pick up their forks and knives.

Eldest brother Dorian and younger brother Maphis also couldn’t enjoy the luxurious meal, oppressed by the overwhelming atmosphere.

All of them were too busy shifting their gazes rather than savoring their food.

But that was their issue.

I was salivating.

Roast chicken dripping with grease, steak tinged with blood—

It was truly food only for the eyes.

Ever since my regression, I hadn’t had the chance to taste real food like this.

And it would be the same going forward.

As a member of the Assassin Blade Family, I had to follow a meticulously calculated diet during my training.

This kind of feast would only be possible after I reached nineteen, when my growth was fully complete.

Clink, clank.

For these reasons, the sound of utensils clashing in Dusklight Hall right now came solely from the head of the family.

Mother continued eating in silence.

Only the food in front of her gradually diminished, while the rest of us just kept gauging each other’s reactions.

“I debated whether I should kill the nanny.”

Suddenly, the silence shattered.

I was nestled in the arms of Nanny Fyure, sitting next to Mother.

At Mother’s single statement, Fyure began to tremble all over.

In the Assassin Blade Family, “death” was an everyday word.

For Mother, saying such a thing and acting on it wasn’t difficult at all.

“Or, I debated whether to kill one of either First or Second.”

Ah, how exhilaratingly straightforward.

Seeing the faces of my half-brothers’ fathers turn ashen, just like the food in front of them, was quite a sight.

Mother’s gaze shifted toward her husbands.

The chilly eyes of the head of the Assassin Blade Family.

It was only natural for them to feel the killer intent, even if they were her husbands.

“However, the head of the Ronan family is an assassin, not a mass murderer. But, that doesn’t mean I’m endlessly lenient.”

Mother’s gaze met mine. Yet there was still no warmth in those eyes.

“According to our family tradition, this child is only to be revealed after coming out of the ‘Cradle of 100 Days’. Yet, thanks to what you dared to do, that tradition has been tarnished.”

Then she continued.

“Dorian, Maphis. How does it feel to see your younger sibling for the second time?”

Eldest brother Dorian understood the meaning of the question, while younger brother Maphis burst into tears, overwhelmed by the oppressive atmosphere.

In the end, the fathers of the two children knelt before the head of the family.

“Head of the family!”

“Please forgive me! It is my fault.”

I laughed like a baby, bursting into giggles.

To think that the contempt I tasted last night could be transformed into such an enjoyable scene.

The resentment I had accumulated melted away like snow.

“There will be no second warning. If you threaten Rubin’s nanny again or attempt any tricks, there will be an amusing addition to the family history.”

“Thank you.”

“We will remember.”

Mother gave a slight nod of her chin.

It was a signal for them to leave.

The two men, having received her mercy, left the banquet hall with awkward steps.

Now, only Dorian and Maphis were left at the table.

Both of them were terrified, looking as if they might wet themselves at any moment.

Then—

Clang.

At the sudden noise, everyone flinched.

What the head of the family had tossed onto the table was a metal button that Maphis had lost from the cradle.

Maphis picked up the button with trembling hands.

Fool.

He’d never guess that I was the one who tore it off.

Mother’s sharp voice fell upon Maphis.

“Maphis. Look at me.”

“…Y-Yes, head of the family!”

“You made a fatal mistake. If this had been a mission assigned to you, you wouldn’t have survived. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

The terrified child couldn’t even utter a reply of denial.

The head of the family turned her gaze to the seat next to him.

“Dorian.”

“…I-It’s because he dropped a button.”

Then he glanced up at the head of the family.

Thirteen years old.

Still young.

Dorian couldn’t hide his expression.

His face openly showed his expectation to be acknowledged, thinking he had answered correctly.

Encouraged by the head of the family’s silence, Dorian continued.

“The Assassin Blade Family leaves no trace under any circumstances. That’s my younger brother’s mistake.”

It was a correct answer.

Quite a logical response for an idiot.

However.

“That is wrong.”

While that might have been the answer Mother wanted, it was not what the head of the Ronan family wanted.

At least, the Seiren Ronan I remembered would have desired a different answer in this situation.

“Dorian Ronan.”

“…Yes, Mother?”

More ruthless and raw.

An answer befitting the greatest assassin on the continent.

“If you truly bear Ronan’s blood—”

A reply most worthy of Ronan, who never once missed a target.

“—you should have killed this child then.”

Goosebumps spread across Fyure’s skin as she held me.

Seeing Dorian’s trousers dampening, it seemed that the two brothers were no different.

Seiren Ronan calmly resumed her meal after that statement.

No one moved.

Today’s banquet seemed solely for her.

“Leave.”

Yes.

This was the way of the Ronan Assassin Blade Family.

Only with the support of the servants were the two children finally able to leave the banquet hall. For a moment, silence filled the hall.

After finishing her meal, Mother spoke to the air.

“You may come out and talk.”

At the head of the family’s command, two men emerged from the shadows behind the seats where Dorian and Maphis had been sitting.

‘Dorian and Maphis’s Ronan-sirs.’

Ronan-sir.

The surrogate fathers and teachers of the Ronan family’s children.

Children of the Assassin Blade Family had to leave the family estate at the age of eleven and live elsewhere.

In a disguised annex, they would live under a different identity and grow as the Assassin Blade Family’s hidden blades.

These children could only visit the estate during family summons or events.

The men who took on the role of Ronan-sirs were also part of the Assassin Blade Family.

They were both guardians and teachers who protected and trained the Ronan children.

Only those among the family’s agents who were exceptionally skilled and experienced could become Ronan-sirs.

“It’s been a while. I’d like to hear how the children have been.”

At the head of the family’s words, the Ronan-sirs unfolded the reports they had prepared.

Maphis’s Ronan-sir stepped forward first.

“Young Master Maphis is currently disguised as a blacksmith’s son. His education is focused mainly on acting and weapon theory, with no signs of ‘Dark Ripple’ awakening yet. The estimated awakening is around fourteen years old.”

“Dismal. Anything notable?”

“He has more flaws than strengths. He’s fearful, follows his elder brother Dorian, and is somewhat authoritarian.”

The head of the family frowned slightly.

But she was not too disappointed.

She had expected as much.

After all, children of geniuses often seemed particularly lacking.

Looking at the history of the Assassin Blade Family, one could see that if the head of the family was outstanding, the next head was often considered average or deficient.

“How is Dorian?”

“Last spring, he awakened his Dark Ripple at twelve years and sixty days. His training currently focuses on mastering the control of Dark Ripple. A twelve-year, sixty-day awakening is slightly below the average for Ronan descendants.”

“So he’s doing better than Maphis.”

I continued to giggle like a baby, all the while focusing on the Ronan-sir’s report.

The Ronan family’s training process was meticulously recorded.

Dorian and Maphis would go down in Ronan family history with records below the average.

“I don’t expect any good news from hearing more.”

At Seiren’s disappointed reaction, the Ronan-sirs folded their reports.

After hearing such harsh words from the head of the family, they would likely face grueling training starting tomorrow.

With a wave of her hand, Mother dismissed the Ronan-sirs as well.

Now the banquet hall was completely empty.

Mother slowly looked around the quiet banquet hall.

What was Mother feeling right now?

Responsibility as the head of the family? Disappointment in her sons? Frustration at not being able to fully care for her children?

Mother’s gaze turned to me. Though she didn’t say anything, I liked the way she looked at me.

“……”

Then, a ripple disturbed Mother’s calm expression.

Mother clutched her left forearm, suppressing pain.

Through the slight gap, I glimpsed a scar.

It must be from the duel she fought last night.

I had anticipated a challenging opponent, but to think it would leave the master of the Ronan Assassin Blade Family injured.

‘So this is when that scar came to be.’

The long scar on her left forearm. A scar she had even before my regression. Knowing it had appeared around this time was new to me.

Who could the opponent have been?

Who was it that left a lifelong scar?

I didn’t know, but two things were certain.

That the person was at least a 7-star master, comparable to Mother’s skill.

And that whoever it was, they definitely did not survive.