Bloodhound’s Regression Instinct

Chapter 213

After some casual chatter, the meeting began.

“Before Baron Yan, who came with Sir Merriott, arrives, we have summarized the forces we can mobilize.”

“Twenty 5th-grade knights, one hundred 6th-grade knights, five hundred 7th-grade knights, and forty thousand soldiers who have completed basic training.”

“With this scale, I believe we can face the revolution army head-on without being overwhelmed.”

“We would appreciate it if Sir Merriott could take charge of the revolution army’s leader. I heard the Sun Duke has already injured him, so it should be possible!”

It was more of a notification than a meeting.

Their intention to hand over the biggest target to Merriott and divide the rest of the credit among themselves was blatantly obvious.

It was understandable.

To them, he was just an outsider.

Could they share this war, an event that could elevate their ranks, which had been fixed for hundreds of years?

‘Considering the endless greed of the nobles, there’s no way they would.’

So, they were undoubtedly planning to isolate him first and then divide the credit among themselves.

“…”

But Yan said nothing and just watched the meeting unfold.

They were eager to push him aside now, but such an attitude wouldn’t last long.

There was no need to bow his head and extend his hand first.

However, it was necessary to make things clear.

“What should I do?”

He needed to show that he was willing to step forward.

The nobles, who had been chattering, fell silent as if on cue.

Then, except for Merriott, the most influential person in the room, Marquis Daniel, spoke up.

“Hahaha, Baron Yan, since you haven’t been a noble for long, watch and learn from what we do. If there’s nothing else, you can take charge of guarding this outpost.”

“Yes, I understand. I’m grateful for the opportunity to gain such experience.”

Yan replied politely while mocking them inwardly.

‘Experience? Ridiculous.’

They probably wanted to send him out as the vanguard to gauge the revolution army’s strength.

But doing so would undermine the honor, recognition, and connections he had built up.

If he went out as the vanguard and faced backlash for sending the empire’s top prospect to his death, they would have no excuse.

So, they thought it best to keep him tied to this outpost while they enjoyed the glory.

Then he thought of something odd.

“But will you engage in a head-on battle without knowing the enemy’s strength?”

“We already know their strength well. We’ve conducted several reconnaissance missions using trained scouts.”

Yan chuckled at Marquis Daniel’s calm words.

Were they really trusting information gathered by mere soldiers, not knights?

“Ah, yes. Your experience is indeed deep.”

“Haha, did you put honey on your tongue?”

“Hahaha.”

“Uhuhuhu.”

Yan lowered his gaze while engaging in the pointless conversation with Marquis Daniel.

He was convinced.

‘We will definitely lose.’

The nobles gathered here were projecting the empire’s undefeated record against other nations and forces onto themselves.

They believed that as noblemen of the empire, they couldn’t possibly lose to the revolution army.

He wondered how such foolish minds could maintain their noble titles, but then he shook his head.

How many of such people had he seen in his past life?

People who, without realizing they were just born lucky, acted as if they had truly earned their noble status.

If they lacked ability, they should be weeded out, but the nature of noble society allowed them to maintain their positions.

Yan glanced sideways.

Merriott, too, seemed to share his thoughts, shaking his head with a tired expression.

“Let’s take a break and then finalize the details,” Marquis Daniel said, laughing heartily as he stood up.

He seemed to think he had gained a lot from this meeting, his face beaming with a broad smile.

His pig-like cheeks quivered, making him look quite unsightly.

Yan stepped outside to get some fresh air.

The cold wind brushed against his nose and cheeks, infusing his body with a chill.

Yan didn’t seem to mind the wind, just standing there and taking it.

At that moment, Merriott approached and asked, “What do you think of that meeting?”

Yan smirked.

“A gathering of fools.”

“A gathering of fools?”

“Did you have a different impression, Sir Merriott?”

“I felt like I was watching frogs in a well, unaware of the world.”

“It seems we thought similarly.”

“Indeed.”

Merriott chuckled and looked ahead.

In front of them, the troops led by some nobles were setting up tents and fences.

The soldiers, exhausted from the march, had faces etched with fatigue, while the knights encouraged them and organized the war supplies.

“It’s quite embarrassing. Most of those out there could come up with better plans than those fools,” Merriott said, looking at them with regret.

He was thinking about the hardships they would face due to the ignorance and foolishness of their lords.

Yan looked at Merriott and said, “Then why didn’t you step forward? Even if Marquis Daniel claims to be their leader, considering your influence, you could have pushed through.”

In the south and north, the influence of the Sa family was so strong that it could be said to be absolute compared to the east and west.

In such a situation, could Merriott, the second-in-command of the Sa family, really not overpower Marquis Daniel?

Yan didn’t think so.

If Merriott wanted, he could easily make a fool of Marquis Daniel.

But why didn’t he step forward?

Merriott smiled bitterly and began to speak.

“I’m not as smart as you, Yan. I’m good at focusing on one thing, but leading others? The best I can do is command the Order of the Blazing Sun.”

In other words, to remove Marquis Daniel, he would need the leadership to guide the other nobles, and he didn’t have that confidence.

Yan chuckled at the unexpected excuse.

“Are you serious?”

“Do I look like I’m lying?”

Merriott looked at Yan calmly.

In his gaze, Yan saw that Merriott was telling the truth.

He genuinely believed he couldn’t lead other nobles like Marquis Daniel, whether for better or worse.

“You lack confidence more than I thought.”

“I just see myself objectively.”

“Alright, I’ve heard enough of your modesty. Now, let’s get to the point.”

Merriott’s eyes sparkled at Yan’s words.

“I need you to step up.”

“What?”

“If I were the type to lead others like you, I would have stepped up myself. But I’m not that kind of person. So, I need you to lead those foolish nobles.”

Yan frowned.

Merriott’s request was the opposite of what he had planned.

Yan chuckled and asked, “Why should I?”

“A debt.”

“A debt? All debts between us were settled, weren’t they?”

“Considering the debt from the train station and aligning with Yorden’s will, isn’t it about right?”

“Why do you keep…?”

Yan, who was about to speak with a frown, suddenly stopped.

Then he let out a laugh of disbelief.

“Ah, so that’s what it was?”

“…”

“You had already decided to entrust this task to me, which is why you repaid the debt excessively. You need me alive to achieve what you want.”

Merriott smiled bitterly at Yan’s words.

“I won’t deny it.”

He raised his head and met Yan’s eyes. His gaze was filled with a righteous light.

“Help me.”

He pointed to the troops joining the plain even at this moment.

“Help them not to die in vain.”

Yan looked at Merriott and thought.

This man is a good person.

It was almost puzzling how someone like him could become the second-in-command of the South.

‘He’s different from me.’

Yan always moved with his own gain in mind.

Earlier, he was thinking about taking control if the nobles were defeated by the revolution army.

Now, he was considering what he could gain from helping Merriott save the troops.

He didn’t think this was bad.

‘Every deal comes with a price.’

So, if he could gain more, he could always change his plans.

Especially in a situation like this.

Merriott was someone who could offer him enough in return.

Let’s make a deal that benefits both of us.

This was the conclusion Yan reached.

“Alright, I agree. But I have conditions.”

“I’ll do anything I can.”

“I thought you’d say that. Sir Merriott, you…”

As Yan laid out his conditions, Merriott’s face hardened.

But Yan believed Merriott would accept his proposal.

As he said earlier, it was a proposal that benefited both of them.

Merriott wouldn’t have to witness meaningless sacrifices.

And Yan…

* * *

A Short While Later, in the Nobles’ Tent

“Hoho, did you have a good rest?”

Marquis Daniel smiled broadly as Merriott and Yan entered the tent.

During the break, he had spoken with most of the southern nobles and received their support for his cause.

With so many nobles backing him, he felt as if he had an army of a thousand at his command.

At that moment, Marquis Daniel noticed the expressions on Merriott and Yan’s faces.

Merriott’s expression was quite stern.

Daniel inwardly sneered at this.

‘No matter how recognized you are for your strength in the empire, it’s well known that you can’t handle political battles. Without the Sun Duke’s presence, dealing with you is easier than handling a child.’

Then he turned to look at Yan.

‘Huh?’

Marquis Daniel frowned at Yan’s expression.

Yan’s lips were curved into a smile.

Why was he smiling when he was about to lose control and waste time in this tent?

It was incomprehensible.

Just then, Merriott spoke shocking words.

“I, Merriott, have decided to support Baron Yan. And I believe you all understand what this means.”

The nobles’ eyes widened at his words.

This statement was tantamount to saying that the Sun Duke was backing Yan.