Bloodhound’s Regression Instinct

Chapter 215

Yan entered the tent marked “Armenia.”

Inside, two familiar faces awaited him.

“Finally, you’re here.”

“I was bored to death.”

If others knew their identities, they would have been shocked. They were the commanders of the revolutionary army currently at war: Aisha and Erectus.

Following Yan’s recent instructions, they had arrived here.

“Please come to the location I mentioned. I’ll arrive there in about three days, so find me then.”
The place Yan had indicated was this forward base. Upon arrival, the two had hidden their troops and spent time closely observing the situation here. Only when Yan arrived did they reveal themselves.

“How is it?”

In response to Yan’s question, the two gave their respective answers.

“It’s terrible.”

“Just so-so.”

The conclusion was that it would be tough to face the revolutionary army.

Yan nodded.

“This is practically the entire southern army, but while the soldiers are manageable, the quality of the knights is too low.”

Aisha scoffed.

“Hmph, if it’s just this, two of our commanders could wipe them all out.”

She was right. They had numbers but lacked quality. Especially with only twenty 5th-grade knights? Even Armenia, which was smaller in scale, had nearly ten 5th-grade knights.

This meant…

“They’re deliberately holding back their strength.”

“I thought so too.”

Yan turned to Erectus.

“Why did you say it’s just so-so?”

“Do you think the number of 5th-grade knights will affect this war?”

“Well, that’s true.”

Erectus had a point. The key was how quickly they could defeat the leaders of the revolutionary army. Knights who hadn’t reached the superhuman level could be helpful but wouldn’t significantly impact the war.

“In that sense, having the Blazing Knight isn’t bad.”

“The revolutionary army only has one superhuman at the 3rd-grade level, the chief of staff.”

“You know well.”

Erectus nodded. Now, there were three 4th-grade superhumans and the leader, who was considered a duke-level opponent. Four people in total.

“Even if the Blazing Knight takes the chief of staff, how will we handle the leader?”

“I have a plan for that.”

“So, what is it?”

Yan stared at him. Erectus frowned at Yan’s gaze, which irritated him.

Then, unexpectedly, Yan spoke.

“It’s not information you need.”

“…What?”

“Erectus, just take on one of the commanders as we discussed.”

Yan’s firm line made Erectus’s face harden.

“So you’re saying I don’t need to know, just shut up and do my job?”

Yan nodded.

“Yes, exactly.”

“Hah!”

Erectus chuckled bitterly, glaring at Yan.

Crackle.

Sparks began to fly from his body, his white sword aura reacting to his emotions. Yan stopped Aisha, who was about to step forward, with his hand.

Then, smiling, he asked Erectus.

“Are you thinking of attacking me with that?”

“Hmph.”

Seeing Yan unfazed, Erectus glared at him before turning and leaving the tent.

After he left, Aisha frowned and asked.

“Provoking him won’t do any good.”

“I did it on purpose, to make him act out.”

Aisha made a puzzled face. She couldn’t understand why Yan would incite internal conflict before a war.

Ignoring her confusion, Yan changed the subject.

“Are the troops all hidden?”

“Yes. Using the kingdom’s techniques, they won’t be found unless Merriott himself searches.”

“Good. Then let’s stop here for today and meet again in four days.”

“Got it. Should I inform Erectus?”

“No need. He’ll come on his own.”

Aisha tilted her head at Yan’s confident words but turned to leave.

“See you in four days.”

“Yes, take care.”

After Aisha left, the tent felt empty. Yan sat at the table inside and reached into his pocket.

Swoosh.

He pulled out a communication device and skillfully connected it.

Ring, ring.

After a few rings…

Click!

[Hello, is this Yan?]

It was Roman’s voice.

[Hey, let me take it.]

[You can’t even go out, what are you taking it for? Just rest.]

[Give it here, you bear!]

Yan chuckled at the commotion on the other end and got straight to the point.

“Time to stop playing and get to work.”

The noise on the other end ceased.

Roman asked in a controlled voice.

[So, it’s time…?]

“Yes, the war is about to begin. Come to Riley Plains as soon as possible.”

* * *

The Next Day

At Yan’s summons, all the nobles gathered in the command center of the forward base.

Marquis Daniel, who had seemed ready to cause trouble the previous day, surprisingly attended the meeting with a compliant attitude.

Once all the nobles were seated, Yan stood up and bowed deeply.

“Thank you for coming on such short notice.”

The nobles looked at him with satisfaction at his display of courtesy.

“Hoho, should the one leading us be bowing so lightly?”

“We’re here to ensure victory in the war, so of course, we should attend. Enough with the formalities, let’s hear why you called us.”

Merriott observed the meeting’s atmosphere quietly. He watched Yan sit down with a generous smile and thought to himself.

‘He’s certainly skilled at leading others.’

Despite being the lowest-ranked noble here, no one dared to treat Yan lightly. He had powerful backers. Even if someone else were in his place, the nobles would have followed their lead, but the atmosphere would have been more oppressive rather than this smooth.

‘Is he a hero who can lower himself to seize opportunities?’

Merriott continued to watch Yan closely. The meeting proceeded smoothly during this time.

Yan pointed to a map on the wall and called on someone.

“Viscount Riley, please lead the soldiers and knights to scout this area.”

“Me? You want me to move with the troops?”

Viscount Riley frowned at the idea of moving with the troops. He had planned to stay safe in the command tent, leaving the troops he brought to other commanders. He intended to gain merit just by participating in the battle with the supplies and troops he brought.

But to move personally?

“Yes, this will prevent any disputes when I distribute the merits later. You wouldn’t want any unnecessary trouble, would you, Viscount Riley?”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

Despite Yan’s reasoning to prevent future issues, Viscount Riley’s response was lukewarm. Yan knew exactly why.

“It’s a safe operation, not fitting for a brave man like you, Viscount Riley, but I’d appreciate it if you could handle it.”

As soon as he heard “safe operation,” Viscount Riley’s expression softened. Yan inwardly sneered.

‘Greedy pig.’

But he kept a gentle smile on his face. Yan continued to systematically assign scouting and defense tasks to each noble. His coherent speech made the nobles nod unconsciously.

Merriott, watching this, couldn’t help but be impressed.

‘Amazing!’

He had managed to get the nobles, who knew little about war, out of the command tent. This left Yan as the sole person in the command center. Normally, the nobles would do anything to preserve their troops, but with them absent, their troops had to follow Yan’s orders.

By assigning small groups of troops to the nobles and sending them out, he had effectively taken control of all the remaining troops.

‘No wonder so many influential people, including the Crown Prince, want to bring him in.’

The Crown Prince was said to favor him greatly. Yan was certainly deserving of such favor. Merriott watched the meeting unfold with a satisfied smile.

However, someone else had also noticed Yan’s intentions.

“Yes, speak, Marquis Daniel.”

“If we follow your plan, there will inevitably be problems. You’re saying you’ll handle all these troops alone.”

It was Marquis Daniel. Merriott clicked his tongue at Daniel’s words.

‘Annoying fox.’

Marquis Daniel stood up and looked around at the other nobles.

“You admitted yourself that you lack experience. Handling all these troops alone seems wrong.”

It was a valid point. The nobles turned their gazes to Yan, as if looking at a thief trying to steal their food.

But Yan wasn’t flustered. In fact, he had been waiting for Marquis Daniel to speak up.

Yan smiled broadly.

“You’re absolutely right. Handling all the troops alone would be difficult.”

Marquis Daniel smirked slyly.

“Then let me, with my experience…”

Yan cut him off.

“That’s why someone experienced will assist me. Sir Merriott, the Blazing Knight, will help.”

The nobles looked at Merriott in surprise. They had expected him to only deal with the revolutionary army’s leaders.

Marquis Daniel was equally shocked. If Merriott helped Yan, his own role would diminish.

And…

“Hmm?”

Merriott was also surprised. Yan’s words made it seem like they had already discussed this.

‘I hadn’t heard anything about this…’

He was hearing it for the first time right there.