The Regressed Blood Knight’s Strategy

Chapter 78

At that time, in a certain grand temple far away.

Six priests sat in a row at a large table.

The unusual thing was that they were all wearing masks.

Bird.

Tiger.

Wolf.

Fox.

Dragon.

Scorpion—animal masks, indeed.

You might wonder why these priests were wearing masks, because they were all thoroughly hiding their true identities.

Of course, they only hid their real faces.

Everyone knew the status of each other.

After a long silence, the one wearing the red bird mask spoke.

"The Seventh Seat of Judgment is dead."

[TL/N: They mean Executioner Seven. Seat of Judgements is their official name.]

The one with the fox mask didn't hide his sneer as he spoke.

"Heh, I knew that guy would die eventually. He was the weakest among us, always eager to reveal his identity. It finally happened. Good riddance."

"Who killed him?"

The red bird mask replied.

"The successor of the Moon Fox."

"Did he awaken as a Blood Knight?"

"I heard the Seventh Seat of Judgment was holding his own. Were we lied to all this time?"

With a voice full of distrust, the bird mask shook his head.

"It seems the successor of the Moon Fox did not awaken as a Blood Knight."

"Killed the Seventh Seat of Judgment without even awakening? Impressive guy."

"He must have already surpassed the level of the Twelve Star Lords."

"If we’re not careful, we could be next."

Playful tones. Their voices weren't fearful at all.

Their attitudes were full of confidence.

"Someone needs to clean up the situation in Fresia."

At the words of the bird mask, everyone fell silent.

"No one?"

The fox mask pointed at the bird mask and said.

"You're the one handling Hatzfeld... Why should we get involved? Just do it yourself."

"Do you not know what I'm doing in Hatzfeld?"

"We all hold positions in various countries, kingdoms and empires. If we suddenly disappear, it would raise suspicion."

Everyone agreed with the fox mask’s words.

"Unless the Guardian Lord dies... I don't want to go to the Fresia Empire."

"That guy is a disaster. If we encounter him, our identities might be exposed."

"Even the shapeshifting master, the Seventh Seat of Judgment, almost got caught by the Guardian Lord. We definitely would be in his mercy."

This was the real reason they all avoided the Fresia Empire.

It was because of the Guardian Lord, Carl Rehinar.

Even if he was fed the deadly Mana Crystal Herb, they couldn't be assured until he was dead.

The Twelve Star Lords of the continent were disasters in themselves.

They couldn't handle them.

Only the main elders of the Meyer Family could confront them.

That’s how monstrous the Twelve Star Lords of the continent were.

That's why they were hiding behind the scenes, plotting to overthrow nations.

If they could subdue the Twelve Star Lords by force, they would have done so long ago.

"Cowards."

"Can't we just send Hatzfeld?"

"Yeah, Hatzfeld is planning the overthrow of Fresia, so why drag us into it?"

"Hmm, sounds suspicious. What's the catch?"

"Be honest. Is there a problem in Hatzfeld?"

The fox mask seemed to hit the mark.

The bird mask's voice grew firm.

"Ab-so-lute-ly not."

"There is, isn't there. Heh."

"I said, there isn't!"

The bird mask finally snapped, shouting. His reaction was unusually sensitive.

"Dirk Hatzfeld follows you well, so there's no problem there... Then it's the illegitimate son, Ray Hatzfeld, who doesn't listen to you?"

"....."

The bird mask remained silent.

Silence was affirmation. Everyone had something to say to the bird mask.

"When someone thinks they're exceptional, they tend not to listen to those around them."

"What a headache. But how exactly is he not listening to you?"

"Is he trying to act independently?"

In response to their words, the bird mask spoke self-mockingly.

"To think I'm listening to this kind of talk from you guys... it's really damaging my pride."

"You are the first Executioner, the first seat of judgment. Consider it to be one of life's growing pains. What's the point of having exceptional martial power if you can't show your true strength while concealing your identity? Accept it, even if it is frustrating."

The fox mask offered a mild consolation while making sure to draw a line.

"Of course, I have no intention of helping you, though. Heh."

A woman's voice cut through the fox mask's laughter.

"Why not cause internal conflict now? According to my investigation, there's plenty of justification. The Marquis of Tegelo is said to be gnashing his teeth at Rehinar."

"Or you could just move your line and frame the illegitimate son."

"All those associated with Ray Hatzfeld have withdrawn from the Fresia Empire."

"So what? Evidence can be fabricated. If you stir up the demonic forces as well, the chaos will be overwhelming."

The bird mask reacted to the woman's words, who wore a scorpion mask.

"So you're saying I should take this opportunity to eliminate all the troublesome ones."

The bird mask had the greatest martial power among those present. However, in terms of experience, he was far behind the other masks. This caused him to struggle with unexpected situations. This was often the case when one lacked practical experience.

Of course, the other masks didn't see it that way.

They simply regarded him as a birdbrain.

* * *

Rehinar's Garden.

Kane was working on gemstone crafting again today.

[Persistent 'Gemstone Crafting (Lv.3)' has increased your stamina to C+.]

[Agile 'Gemstone Crafting (Lv.3)' has increased your agility to C+.]

[Excellent 'Gemstone Crafting (Lv.3)' has increased your strength to C+.]

['Crafting' skill has increased to Lv.4.]

"My stats aren't improving as much as before. I need other elemental mana stones besides normal ones."

He had been using 2-star and 3-star mana stones for gemstone crafting continuously. The result of carving hundreds of them was his 'Crafting' skill reaching Lv.4. All his basic stats had also risen to C+.

Although he had become an High-tier 4th class, his growth was slower than he expected.

Despite having SSR+ grade 'Five Element Blood Extreme Body', UR grade trait 'Pure Blooded', and the top-tier UR grade item 'Bloodstar', his growth was slow to him.

He pinpointed mana stones as the reason.

"If I craft with fire mana stones or wood mana stones, my experience will increase faster than it does now."

Handling a variety of items would steadily increase his crafting experience. This, in turn, would simultaneously raise his stats.

"I need to enter the hidden territory after a long time."

As Kane was about to stop gemstone crafting and stand up, a voice interrupted.

"Oh, my lord, it’s been a long time since I visited."

Gillip of Black Crow Exchange, guided by Camilla, entered the room.

"What brings you here?"

"Thanks to your consideration in Philaec, we suffered no major losses. We are truly grateful."

Gillip bowed his head at a 90-degree angle.

"I heard you achieved a great victory against Dyer. Congratulations, or rather, I commend you!"

"What brings you to see me? It doesn't look like you came just to say hello."

Under Kane's gaze, Gillip began to sweat nervously.

'Damn, was the young duke always this intimidating? Why can't I get my voice out?'

It felt like the words he wanted to say were stuck in his throat.

'His aura changes every time I meet him. I've never encountered anyone like this before.'

As if reading Gillip's thoughts, Kane chuckled and spoke.

"I'll let it slide because it's you, but if you look me up and down one more time, I'll gouge out those eyes of yours."

"Gasp!"

Gillip covered his mouth with his hand.

There was no mana emanating from Kane, nor was there any intent to kill.

It was just a threatening tone.

Yet, it felt like harpoons were piercing his entire body.

He trembled all over.

His back was already drenched in sweat.

Kane spoke to the pale-faced Gillip.

"Just kidding."

"Please, don't make such dangerous jokes. You'll give me a heart attack."

Gillip took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his face.

Only then did he finally take a breath.

At the same time, he organized his thoughts about Kane.

'As soon as he said it was a joke, the atmosphere completely changed. They say he crushed Count Dyer—what a monster.'

Gillip swallowed hard.

"So, what do you want?"

"Well, it's..."

"Speak clearly. I don't have time."

"Please allow our Black Crow group to settle in Rehinar."

Kane had anticipated this as well.

Gillip was a calculating man, particularly skilled at knowing which side to take to ensure survival.

He had an uncanny sense for detecting danger, a trait honed from spending a long time in the underworld.

"What will you do for me in return?"

"I'll bring you top-tier information."

Kane looked indifferent.

"Aren't I already your benefactor? I saved your lives in Philaec. Oh, and there's more. When I brought Mikhail, I could have killed you all but didn't."

Gillip's eyebrow twitched.

'You attacked first! Haven't you heard of self-defense? And what? You spared us in Philaec? You left us alone because you needed our information!'

He mentally countered each of Kane's statements but couldn't voice them.

It wouldn't do any good to ruin their relationship.

"Do you have any specific conditions?"

Kane smiled broadly.

It was an incredibly bright smile, charming enough to make even a man fall for him.

'Ah...'

Gillip momentarily lost himself in the sight, then quickly cursed himself.

'Damn it! What are you doing, admiring a man, you idiot? Don't get confused!'

Gillip, whose sense of identity had briefly wavered, focused his gaze. But Kane's next words left him speechless.

"For one year, provide top-tier information, assist in developing trade routes and the territory, pay taxes at three times the normal rate, and..."

"And? Is there more?"

"In Rehinar, illegal activities are prohibited, and the base in Philaec must be maintained as it is. Those are my conditions. Not bad, right?"

Gillip was speechless.

Kane clearly intended to drain Black Crow exchange dry.

Top-tier information alone cost 50 million gold each. And they were supposed to provide it unlimitedly for a whole year.

He could understand this part; Kane Rehinar was the boss.

But to charge three times the usual taxes and keep the base in Philaec intact?

‘He’s trying to take Philaec for free through us!’

Gillip couldn't take Philaec himself. He wasn't a noble.

If he had a title, he would have bribed his way to become the lord of Philaec. But he was just a merchant.

‘Damn it, it's awkward to either refuse or accept.’

"Think about it. Rehinar will become the second imperial capital in the future. The loss now will be insignificant then."

‘He says the second imperial capital. Who knows when that will happen?’

He wanted to refuse outright but felt uneasy. Somehow, it seemed like it might indeed become the second imperial capital someday.

"If you lower the taxes a bit, I'll consider it positively."

"Then 2.5 times, no, I'll be generous and make it 1.5 times."

‘This bastard… Was he planning to offer 1.5 times from the start?’

Gillip was furious inside.

He felt tricked, like Kane considered him a pushover.

Kane seemed to sense Gillip’s inner turmoil and suddenly stood up.

"If you don’t like it, forget it."

"No, no. I accept your proposal."

Gillip reluctantly accepted Kane's terms.

Kane took out a prepared paper and pen. The contract was swift.

After Gillip signed, Kane grabbed his hand firmly.

"Congratulations on joining forces with me."

"It's nothing..."

"What's with that gloomy face?"

Gillip forced a smile.

"Of course not."

"Good. To commemorate our contract, let me ask you something. Do you have any elemental mana stones in Black Crow exchange? Like fire stones or wood stones?"

"We have a few, but..."

"Thanks. I'll make good use of them."

Gillip was still reeling.

He had never lost in any deal with a noble.

Not even in dealings with the notorious Count Dyer.

But with Kane, it was a complete bust.

Gillip felt utterly defeated, and Blata pitied him.

"Kane is a ruthless demon! Run while you can, stupid sucker!"