Bloodhound’s Regression Instinct

Chapter 221

As the nobles and knights of the highest rank gathered, Yan began to explain the plan immediately.

“From now on, we will advance towards the territory occupied by the revolutionary army.”

“Weren’t we supposed to advance to the Wind Valley today?”

“We haven’t properly scouted the enemy’s movements yet. Leading all our troops into an unknown situation with potential traps is too risky.”

“That’s right! If we exhaust all our forces in this advance, the entire southern empire could be in danger.”

“Please reconsider!”

The nobles reacted strongly to Yan’s statement.

Yan knew well that their opposition wasn’t for their own safety.

As the nobles said, risking everything on one battle was indeed dangerous.

However, Yan remained unfazed by their strong opposition.

“No, we will advance today.”

“Baron Yan!”

“The knights of Armenia will neutralize or destroy any traps.”

The Armenian knights were all trainees from the Dragon Soldier Project.

Though they now held the title of knights, they excelled as special agents.

“The Blazing Knights will handle any barriers or skilled enemies.”

The Blazing Knights were the strongest in the south and among the top five in the empire.

With them, they could handle any skilled enemy unless the enemy leader appeared from the start.

The nobles’ faces turned serious at Yan’s words.

If they could deal with traps and ambushes, it was worth trying.

“If you can do that…”

“Then what is our role?”

At a noble’s question, Yan turned to look in the direction of the revolutionary army.

“Prevent the enemy from tying down me and Sir Merriott with sheer numbers.”

“Ah!”

“Then you plan to take down the enemy leader directly?”

“Yes, once the leader is dealt with, the rest will collapse.”

Everyone’s roles were clearly defined.

This increased focus on their tasks but also meant that if one part failed, the whole plan could crumble like a sandcastle.

Some nobles realized this and asked for contingency plans.

Yan smiled and raised his hand.

The nobles tilted their heads at his inexplicable action.

But soon, their eyes widened.

They saw hundreds of people approaching from behind.

Unlike the pale-skinned Caballan Empire citizens, these people had darker skin and slightly exotic features.

Merriott’s eyes widened as he saw the woman leading them.

“That, that person is!”

She was one of the enemy commanders they had seen in the first battle against the revolutionary army.

But he couldn’t say this in front of the other nobles.

Instead, Merriott glared sharply at Yan, demanding an explanation.

“These are Aisha von Lipenhagen, the third corps commander of the revolutionary army, and her followers.”

Yan’s explanation caused an uproar among the nobles.

“What do you mean? Are you telling us to trust and rely on former enemy leaders?!”

“This is absurd! They should be executed immediately!”

The one who spoke up against their fierce opposition was none other than Aisha.

“Fools.”

Though her voice was low, it was imbued with mana, so everyone heard it.

Her overwhelming presence was completely neutralized by Merriott stepping forward.

“Tsk.”

Aisha clicked her tongue in displeasure and turned her head.

Though brief, her intimidation made the nobles’ pupils tremble.

Seeing this, Aisha spoke.

“I joined the revolutionary army for one reason. The leader promised to help us rebuild the Lipenhagen Kingdom.”

“Do you think we care about that?”

“But I realized that promise was meaningless, if not a lie.”

Her words silenced the nobles.

“The revolutionary army was initially formed to fight back against oppressors. But over time, its purpose changed, leaving only revenge against the empire.”

Merriott stepped forward on behalf of the nobles.

“So now you want to follow justice?”

“Justice? Hah!”

“…”

“I aim to defeat the revolutionary army for one reason only.”

“Reason?”

“It’s better to be with someone who keeps their word than with those who don’t.”

Aisha pointed at Yan, and Merriott sighed.

“What did he promise you?”

“Territory to establish Lipenhagen.”

“What? There’s no such land in the empire! Baron Yan, explain yourself. Is there land in the empire where Lipenhagen can be established?”

Yan nodded at Merriott’s question.

“There is.”

“There is?”

“There’s unused land in the east.”

Merriott’s eyes widened as he realized where it was.

“The Plateau of the Dead.”

“With that area, we can establish a small kingdom. Besides, it’s not even imperial territory, so the empire won’t lose anything.”

The Plateau of the Dead was a border area with the Holy Kingdom.

Even if the Lipenhagen Kingdom was established there, nothing would change.

In fact, trade might replace the regular undead invasions, which could be beneficial.

‘Of course, Duke Zion will cause a fuss, but what can we do?’

First, they had to deal with the leader.

Merriott and the nobles nodded heavily at Yan’s explanation.

“That makes sense.”

“Then I consider the matter settled.”

Yan looked around as he spoke.

The nobles showed dissatisfied expressions but did not oppose.

Yan smiled and began to soothe their discontent.

“You may not be satisfied now, but you’ll feel reassured once the war starts. Superhumans and skilled warriors will protect you and maintain the battlefront.”

With these words, the nobles had no choice but to agree.

Having settled everything, Yan turned around.

His eyes gleamed.

“Then let’s advance now.”

The sound of a horn signaling the start of the war echoed through the Wind Valley.

* * *

After the initial clash, a tense calm settled over the area.

The Southern Imperial Army launched a full-scale surprise attack.
The sudden news of the Imperial Army’s ambush caused a flurry of activity.

“Set up traps everywhere!”

“Build barriers to prevent those Imperial scum from getting in!”

The revolutionary army officers encouraged their soldiers to prepare for battle, while the first corps commander, Craig, and the staff gathered in the leader’s tent to devise a strategy.

“Leader, I’ll buy us some time. You must escape in the meantime.”

“Commander, if you do that, we’ll lose all our forces.”

“After this, the Empire will hunt down every last revolutionary. Gathering forces again will be nearly impossible.”

“The only solution is for you to personally take down Merriott and the other superhumans.”

A debate began between the factions on whether to retreat or fight, but no conclusion was reached easily.

The leader, who had been listening quietly, closed his eyes.

“Why do these annoying things keep happening?”

Using the White Flame Jade, he had injured the Sun Duke, the strongest in the southern empire.

That left only the third-rate knight Merriott, whom his commanders could handle.

With a few other superhumans on their side, defeating the southern imperial army, which lacked any significant strongmen, seemed certain.

He genuinely believed that.

But then…

Bang!

“Why are we being pushed back like this?”

As the leader smashed the table, his aura spread, causing the faces of those gathered to turn pale.

“Does no one have an answer?”

The leader, Aquinas, clenched his fist as he looked around at the gasping officers.

‘It’s all because of that Yan.’

At first, he thought Yan was just a laughable fool.

But Yan kept causing more and more annoying problems.

Ultimately, he was the one who brought the situation to this point.

“Those useless Electus and Gilliam.”

Electus, who wanted to gain credit through a troublesome act, and Gilliam Waterford, who stepped forward with overflowing confidence.

Both had gone missing a day after taking on their mission.

A few days later, it was confirmed that they were dead.

If not for the mana-infused dolls, their fate would have remained unknown.

Losing two superhumans so easily was a significant blow.

And to top it off, Aisha had betrayed them.

After that, the enemy gathered their forces and advanced here.

Despite setting traps and defensive spells along the way, none of them activated for some reason.

Thus, the imperial army’s forces had reached the doorstep of Regen, which they occupied.

The revolutionary army now had to fight an unprepared war.

The leader gritted his teeth.

‘Just when the White Flame Jade is almost complete. How could this happen?’

He had already used the incomplete White Flame Jade to drive away the Sun Duke.

Using it again in its current state would lead to irreversible consequences.

The White Flame Jade, which he had devoted decades to, could be destroyed!

Having made up his mind, Aquinas stood up.

His imposing presence caused the other staff and officers to rise from their seats.

“We will fight.”

At Aquinas’s words, the first corps commander, Craig, looked at him in surprise.

“Leader!”

“If we retreat now, we’ll only save our lives but lose our chance forever.”

Aquinas’s firm words made Craig bite his lip and bow his head.

“I’ll handle Merriott, Yan, and the sneaky Theo. You take care of the rest, Craig.”

It meant that he would deal with the enemy superhumans, while Craig would use grand magic to disrupt the enemy forces.

Craig obediently accepted the order.

“Understood.”

“If everyone understands, leave.”

With a cold tone, Craig and the others hurriedly left the tent.

Left alone, Aquinas took out the White Flame Jade from his bosom.

It was almost complete.

“Once the ‘castle’ is finished, no matter what you do, everything will go my way.”

But first, he needed to gather souls to fill the White Flame Jade.

Aquinas put the White Flame Jade back into his bosom and left the tent.