Bloodhound’s Regression Instinct

Chapter 87

The banquet hall, a beacon of nobility, was easily found thanks to Lorena and Cruel, scions of prestigious noble houses.

“Lady Lorena Beowulf?!”

At Lorena’s arrival, the guardians and nobles barring the entrance gaped in awe.

“I shall enter.”

With familiar grace, Lorena ignored their stares and strode into the hall.

Cruel, too, known by face, entered without hindrance; their lineage always welcomed at such gatherings, the guards well aware.

The trouble began thereafter.

For Kasa, the fallen noble, Charl the orphan, Roman the foreigner, and Yan.

Unlike Lorena and Cruel, they faced the guards’ obstruction before even crossing the threshold.

“Do you have an invitation?”

“If not, please turn back. This place is reserved for invited nobility only.”

The guards, unyielding, blocked the door outright.

Cruel, spotting his halted companions, smirked from afar.

Only now did he truly feel his noble birth.

Cruel approached the barring guards with a lifted corner of his mouth.

“They are with me. Let them in.”

One guard frowned at Cruel’s words.

Though of noble descent, Cruel’s lack of title irked him.

“You hold no title, Mr. Cruel Dwight.”

“What?”

Cruel’s brows shot up.

Yet, the guards remained unmoved.

“To vouch for them, at least an earl’s request is needed. It’s imperial protocol.”

Cruel’s face hardened.

Then Lorena stepped forward.

With a deep sigh, she approached the guards.

“Would my guarantee be so troublesome?”

The guards showed their discomfort.

Cruel might be from the central noble Dwight family, but he was merely the third son.

Lorena was different.

The sole heir to the Beowulf duchy that ruled the empire’s north, destined to become its head.

“…Well, that is.”

As the guards pondered Lorena’s request, Yan, silent till then, chuckled and introduced himself.

“We are trainees of the Dragon Knight Project, invited by His Imperial Majesty himself.”

At this, the guards’ faces brightened instantly.

They hurriedly searched the guest list.

Sssst. Sssst.

Quickly flipping through the list, a guard scrutinized Yan and his companions.

“Yan, Roman, Charl, Kasar Ifrain, correct?”

“Yes.”

The guards withdrew their spears, blocking the door no more.

With a slight bow, they gestured for understanding.

Yan, smiling, nodded and passed through the banquet hall doors, his companions following.

Cruel, at the door, grumbled at Yan.

“If you could pass, why not say so sooner?”

Yan laughed heartily.

“I would have, but you rushed ahead. Wasn’t that what you wanted?”

Struck to the core, Cruel fell silent.

He had intended to impress, but instead, he had lost face.

Cruel snorted and turned away.

Inside, the hall was a collection of opulence.

Small fountains converged into a grand display, and luxurious food and drink adorned the space.

The royal orchestra played soul-stirring melodies, while the nobles, champagne in hand, mingled and conversed.

“Wow… Is all that for eating?”

“Sssip.”

Unlike Lorena and Cruel, accustomed to such events, Roman and Charl were captivated by the feast.

The food at the training center was decent, but paled in comparison to the banquet’s offerings.

As the group entered the hall…

‘It begins.’

Saaaaaa.

The ripe atmosphere of the banquet hall seemed to settle.

The nobles’ eyes began to follow Yan and his companions.

* * *

Most believe nobility leads a life of leisure, free from worry. This is half-true, half-false.

Nobles are like swans on a lake: graceful above water, but paddling furiously beneath.

In noble society, those slow on information are quickly left behind.

And now, the nobles began to tense at the sight of the new trainees.

Though it was known the Emperor had invited them, the well-informed knew it was the Crown Prince’s doing.

This could signal the rise of a new power, prompting varied reactions among the nobility.

Some sought to connect with Yan’s group, while others watched from a distance.

Lorena and Cruel roamed the banquet hall as if it were their own home.

Roman, ignoring the approaching nobles, made his way to a table laden with food.

Only Charl and Kasa remained by Yan’s side.

Charl seemed frozen, unaccustomed to the atmosphere.

“Relax and mingle. Why so tense?” Yan chided.

“I feel… ominous stares. Don’t you, Yan?”

Yan scoffed and turned away. “Scary? They’re just a nuisance.”

He whispered to Charl as nobles approached, “Watch this.”

Greeting the nobles with a bright smile, Yan shook their hands.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Baron Fabian from the East.”

“And I’m Baron Sornen, also from the East.”

Yan bowed slightly. “An honor to meet you. I’m Yan.”

“No surname? A commoner, then?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Haha, His Majesty has opened many paths for commoners to rise… You must seize this chance.”

The Eastern nobles’ eyes shone, though they knew of Yan’s connection to the Crown Prince and avoided spoiling relations with careless words.

More nobles approached Yan, from the East, North, and even unfamiliar faces from the South, West, and Central regions.

Yan deftly exchanged pleasantries, giving Charl a knowing look.

‘See, just like that.’

Charl nodded heavily, understanding the cue.

Yan then turned to Kasa, who stood silently, likely due to the stigma of being a fallen noble.

The other nobles ignored Kasa, and Yan clicked his tongue.

But it wasn’t his concern; Kasa had to resolve his own issues.

Then, someone approached Yan and his group.

“Ah, what a presence!”

Yan greeted the newcomer warmly. “Inspector Wigor!”

It was Wigor, the inspector he had met during the train terror incident.

After a brief exchange, Wigor addressed the quiet Kasa.

“Ah, Ifrain! You’ve joined the Dragon Knight Project too?”

“It’s been a while, Inspector.”

Kasa smiled for the first time.

Wigor looked pained. “So you’ve decided to join the project?”

“Ha, it just turned out that way.”

“If you were my apprentice, you could revive your house more easily.”

Kasa shook his head. “That wouldn’t be by my own strength. I already owe you too much, Inspector.”

Wigor laughed bitterly, recalling how he had petitioned the Emperor to save Kasa and provided conveniences to prevent his house’s total ruin.

‘If only he’d let go of some burdens, he could achieve so much more.’

Wigor respected Kasa’s wishes, despite feeling regret.

Suddenly, disparaging remarks about Kasa were heard.

“Why does the Inspector treat such a wretch so kindly?”

“He’s just the scion of a fallen house. Still looks worthless.”

“Why coddle the child of a traitor?”

Wigor’s eyebrows shot up, and he turned, shouting angrily.

“Who dares speak such nonsense?!”

“Inspector, please!”

Kasa hurriedly grabbed Wigor’s sleeve to calm him.

But Wigor continued, “Who dares bring up disproven crimes?!”

The gossipers left, taken aback by Wigor’s rebuke.

“Hmph! Born of good lineage but lacking in substance!”

Wigor snorted, then resumed his warm conversation with Kasa.

Yan smiled at their amiable exchange.

‘He may seem odd, but he’s a good man.’

Charl, quick to learn, was already adept at exchanging pleasantries with the nobles.

“Hey! Long time no see!”

Yan turned to see a familiar face smiling at him.

“It’s been a while, Sir Kyle.”

It was Kyle, one of the Royal Knights he had met during the train incident.

The other Royal Knights looked at Yan with curiosity.

“Is this boy really the hero who stopped the train incident?”

Yan’s eyes widened at the sight of the person standing behind Kyle.

‘Vice-Captain Clavan?’

The second-in-command of the Empire’s strongest knights, the Royal Knights.

In the Empire, only the Archduke and the Knight Commander could rival him.

Kyle put an arm around Yan and pushed him forward.

“Have you ever seen me boast?”

“You do tend to downplay your achievements, don’t you?”

“This time it’s true. Trust me once and consider recruiting him. You won’t regret it.”

Clavan frowned at Kyle’s recommendation, which was not the first of its kind.

After resolving the train incident, Kyle had repeatedly insisted on recruiting Yan.

“How about it? Joining the Royal Knights as a squire? Then you needn’t stay in the dangerous Dragon Knight Project.”

Yan smirked.

The Royal Knights’ position was indeed honorable and powerful in the Empire, but it didn’t align with Yan’s goals.

For instance, the rule that, without special orders, one must not leave the palace.

“Thank you, but I’ll have to decline. I can’t leave my comrades behind.”

Yan declined Clavan’s offer, citing camaraderie.

Clavan laughed heartily, slapping Yan’s back.

“Ha! I like you, kid. If you change your mind, just let me know. I’ll give you a chance. I do like someone like you.”

“Thank you.”

“Ah! I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Clavan, Vice-Captain of the Royal Knights.”

“I’m Yan.”

“Alright, Yan. See you next time. We have things to do.”

Clavan, Kyle, and the Royal Knights left with hearty laughter.

Yan was pleased with the new connections he had made when suddenly…

A loud noise echoed from afar.

Crash─!

Yan turned his head and immediately grimaced at the sight.

Cruel, his face and clothes soaked, stood opposite a sneering young man.

“Brother, could you please shut up?”

“You swine. Why would I be your brother?”

Cruel was on the verge of fighting his own brother.