The Regressed Blood Knight’s Strategy

Chapter 141

If the plan succeeds, the Meyer Family will gain the power of immortality and punish humans with divine retribution, as if they were gods.

“No, they likely believe they’re gods already,” Isaac muttered, outraged at the absurdity of it all. How else could they plan such a reckless scheme? The very idea of sacrificing humans to ascend to divinity is corrupt to the core.

“Aren’t they just insane humans? These are the true demons,” he said.

The term “demon” referred to those who had forsaken their humanity. Yet, how could those who claimed to serve the gods entertain such twisted ideas? It was impossible to comprehend.

“Just think of them as people who have no sense of common decency,” Kane commented, stepping towards a box. It contained the authentic robe of Temu, resonating with a deep, intense power as he opened it.

“That’s some chilling energy,” Isaac remarked. Most people couldn’t sense it, but those with strong magical abilities recognized the value of the Magical Robes of Temu. Isaac couldn’t take his eyes off it.

“Does it tempt you?” Kane asked.

“N-No, I was just briefly mesmerized by its power,” Isaac stammered, caught between desire and greed. The robe seemed to seduce him, stirring his emotions beyond control.

“It seems the robe has chosen you,” Kane observed.

“Huh?” Isaac looked at him in surprise.

“Objects are said to choose their rightful owners, are they not? What did you think, Mikhail, when you looked at this robe?” Kane asked.

“It struck me as a powerful artifact,” Mikhail replied.

“And?”

“That’s all.”

“No desire to own it?”

“Not particularly. In fact, it felt repellent.”

“You see? Even Mikhail felt some repulsion, as did I,” Kane said. the Magical Robes of Temu had chosen Isaac, signaling that he should claim it.

“If you need it, take it,” Kane offered unexpectedly, startling Isaac.

“M-Me?”

“Do you refuse?”

“It’s not that, but… accepting it just like that… Besides, if I wear it, everyone will know it's the Magical Robes of Temu.”

Isaac seemed reluctant yet intrigued, clearly wanting it but hesitant to act on his desire.

“The Magical Robes of Temu is also known as a fashion item,” Kane explained.

“A… fashion item?” Isaac looked confused.

“One of its functions is that it changes form depending on the wearer. Right now, it’s in the form when Mage Temu wore it, but when you wear it, it will transform.”

“Are you sure I can wear it?” Isaac asked.

“Is anyone objecting?” Kane looked around, noting only the presence of himself, Mikhail, and BLata.

“Isaac, when Kane offers something, just take it—but don’t think it’s free. Kane will definitely find a way to get some money out of you,” Blata remarked knowingly.

Blata’s guess was spot on.

Kane planned to give the Magical Robes of Temu to Isaac but intended to ask for gold in return.

“Just a mere 1 billion gold,” Kane suggested.

One billion gold—a colossal amount, equivalent to the entire empire’s operating expenses for six months. Yet, for something as valuable as the Magical Robes of Temu, it was a modest price. After all, this artifact held priceless power.

The robe could elevate an average person to an 8th-class mage.

And if a 7th Class Knight like Isaac wore it? His strength would effectively double. Kane knew from experience that paying even 10 billion gold would be worth it for the robe’s power. A billion gold was practically a gift.

Isaac felt touched, he assumed Kane was demanding payment only to ease his burden and not make him feel obligated.

“Thank you, Kane! I didn’t know you were this generous.”

“It’s the least I could do after you saved my life,” Kane replied.

Isaac no longer heard the murmurs around him. He eagerly cast aside his old black robe and donned Temu’s Robe. As he put it on, the robe’s gray color gradually transformed into a unique mix of black and white, resembling his previous robe. Even the symbol of the royal family, the crescent moon, appeared embroidered on the sleeves.

“How do I look?” Isaac asked.

“It’s hard to say yet,” Kane replied. “But soon, you’ll feel it.”

“Feel what?”

“The pain,” Kane said, with a hint of mischief.

“Huh?”

Crack!

In that instant, the sound of bones twisting filled the air.

* * *

The Magical Robes of Temu completely transformed the wearer’s body, reshaping it for the optimal mana flow.

Knights and mages had different mana pathways, so an additional channel was being opened to allow magical mana to flow. This drastic change entirely reconstructed Isaac’s body.

Isaac swallowed his pain, choking back his groans.

They were in enemy territory,

Fearing he might be discovered, Isaac clenched his teeth to avoid making any noise.

Thankfully, Kane had already erected a soundproof mana barrier. Even if Isaac screamed, no one outside would hear it.

“Are you alright?” Kane asked.

“…D-Does… this look… alright?” Isaac gasped.

“It’ll be over soon. Bear with the final wave of pain,” Kane warned.

Then, the agony surged through Isaac again, like a hellish storm. The intensity was dizzying, to the point he feared he might die. His bones shattered and reformed; even his internal organs seemed to be rearranged.

Just as he felt his sanity slipping, the pain vanished, and his mind cleared.

“Haah… haah… is it… finally over?” Isaac panted, wary of another onslaught of pain.

“Congratulations on gaining a Mage’s strength,” Kane said.

Isaac had changed.

The immense power he once struggled to suppress now lay completely hidden, as if cloaked.

While the Magical Robes of Temu certainly played a role, Isaac had also reached a level where he could now control his own mana.

“Phew, I thought I was going to die. Did you know this would happen when I put on your robe?” Isaac asked.

“It was just a hunch. Whenever one gains a sacred artifact, there’s always a trial,” Kane replied with a hint of a smile. Isaac sensed that Kane might’ve known more than he let on, as if he’d hidden this trial on purpose.

But, having survived the ordeal, Isaac’s attention shifted to the new power coursing through him. Raising his hand, he summoned mana.

Whoosh!

A white magic orb gathered in his palm, infused with the powerful Breath of the moon. It radiated a destructive force.

“This… is Temu’s power?” Isaac marveled.

He had already reached the rank of a 7th-class knight, but Temu’s magic surpassed his expectations. His mind brimmed with Temu’s spells, each one a powerful area spell. It was no wonder Temu was once called a one-man army.

With this vast mana and devastating spells, one truly could sweep across an entire continent alone.

“Enough admiring your power; let’s withdraw,” Kane urged.

“Kane, this robe is incredible,” Isaac said, his eyes shining with excitement.

Kane led the still-astonished crown prince out of the warehouse.

* * *

“Th-this is bad!” The warehouse manager at T&co looked pale with worry.

One of Elder Manuel's close aides scowled and shouted, “Do you realize who you’re speaking to? Show some respect!”

“I-I’m sorry! But it’s really urgent.”

In a secluded forest away from Medi Island, Elder Manuel’s quarters were nestled within the dense trees. He stepped out of his tent.

“What’s the matter?”

“The T-Temu’s enchanted robe stored in the warehouse... it’s gone!”

“Was that the only thing missing?”

“…Yes.”

“Only someone in the eighth class and above would be able to tell it’s genuine from a fake,” Elder Manuel remarked with a serious expression. He had deliberately placed the genuine Magical Robes of Temu among decoys in the warehouse to see if a skilled intruder would notice. But the worst had happened—an unidentified expert had shown up.

“Wh-what should we do?”

“The grand plan is already in motion. If the Magical Robes of Temu has been stolen, we’ll need to inform everyone.” Despite his grave expression, Elder Manuel’s voice was calm, almost as if he had anticipated this.

“Thankfully, I planted the Eye of the Sun inside the robe,” he chuckled.

The Eye of the Sun was a type of surveillance magic that could show certain scenes when mana touched the enchanted item. Only eighth-class or higher mages could use such an advanced spell.

“Now, let’s see which rat snuck in,” Manuel muttered, casting the Eye of the Sun.

In mid-air, an ethereal eye formed, its lid gradually lifting to reveal a scene.

“Kane Rehinar and Isaac von Fresia!” The very ones the head of the Meyer Family had ordered to be eliminated. They had stolen the Magical Robes of Temu.

“Well, well, they’re just the ones I was hoping for,” Manuel chuckled. Notably, one of them must be an eighth-class warrior to have discerned the robe’s authenticity.

Manuel suspected that Isaac von Fresia had been hiding his strength all this time. While Kane Rehinar, the executioner-slayer, was formidable, Manuel considered Isaac even stronger.

“Spread the word around Medi Island that the Magical Robes of Temu has fallen into the hands of the crown prince of Fresia,” he ordered.

“Moths to a flame—they’ll come running for the Magical Robes of Temu.”

“Driven by blind greed for a sacred artifact, their fervor will border on madness,” Manuel laughed.

The madness of humanity was a powerful fuel for the grand plan. Once the news spread, Medi Island would erupt in chaos, and the grand plan would begin—the festival of blood.

“Elder, if they’ve identified the Magical Robes of Temu, shouldn’t we request reinforcements from the Meyer Family?” his aide cautiously suggested.

Manuel nodded, already aware. Though he was a proud man, he put the mission first. For the grand plan’s success, he was willing to set aside his pride.

“They’ve already assigned new executioners since the previous ones died. From what I’ve heard, these replacements are either at the same level or even slightly stronger,” the aide added.

“Whether they’re useful or not, I’ll see for myself. Summon them and inform the family of the current situation.”

“Understood.” The aide disappeared.

The warehouse manager, still trembling, spoke up, “S-sir, what should I do?”

“Didn’t I already tell you what to do? This is why working with idiots is exhausting.” Elder Manuel turned and entered his tent.

Another aide came out in his place. “The Elder told you to spread the news, didn’t he? It’s your job to inflate the rumors. Surely, even you can manage that?”

“Y-yes, of course. I’ll spread the word as best I can,” the warehouse manager replied, bowing deeply.

He had feared he’d be executed for losing the Magical robe of Temu, but fortunately, he was spared.

Breathing a sigh of relief, he resolved to carry out his task with everything he had.

To satisfy Elder Manuel, he figured he’d have to blow things up as much as possible. The bigger the uproar, the more likely the Elder would be pleased.