Bloodhound’s Regression Instinct

Chapter 206

The knights were in an uproar at the words that burst from Merriott’s mouth.

“What nonsense is this!”

“Yan, a revolutionary? Impossible!”

Their disbelief was palpable, but as the Knights of Scorching Heat advanced with a menacing aura, it became clear Merriott was not jesting.

The knights who had followed Yan paled, their faces ashen as they cried out.

“Yan, say something!”

“You can’t be one of the revolutionaries!”

“Could it be… that what they’re saying is true?”

Amidst the clamor, one man moved decisively.

Thud!

“Stay back. We need to understand what’s happening here.”

It was Cruel, his eyes usually bright, now darkened with seriousness as he faced the approaching Knights of Scorching Heat.

The knights of Armenia fell silent, their mouths shut tight at the sight of Cruel standing alone against the overwhelming presence.

It was an unexpected move from someone they hadn’t thought capable of such action.

Some knights whispered that Cruel’s actions were foolish, but others felt a spark of inspiration from his bravery.

Thump, thump.

“I can’t believe you’re showing such courage.”

“Ha! The big coward has some nerve after all.”

“What…?”

In the midst of these exchanges, another voice joined in.

“Hehe, good to see you again, Mr. Cruel.”

It was Charles, her smile blooming between the two men.

Roman, annoyed by the murmuring knights behind him, glanced back and spoke.

“A knight who just stands by when his lord is slandered, even under a three-year contract. What’s the point of being knighted? Even this rascal steps forward when needed.”

His words ignited a fire in the knights’ hearts.

The suppressed spirit under the famed name of the Knights of Scorching Heat began to surge.

Though individually they might not match the Knights of Scorching Heat, they were many, and they had crossed countless battle lines.

“That guy’s right.”

“Damn it! Do I look like the trembling trainee I used to be?!”

“If you can’t convince us, you won’t take Yan!”

“No matter how mighty the Knights of Scorching Heat claim to be!”

The knights of Armenia rolled up their sleeves and lined up in front of Yan, like a breakwater against an oncoming tide.

It was the moment they embraced the ‘heart of a knight’—true knights loyal to their lord and the knightly code.

Merriott, who had been silently observing their spiritual growth, looked at Yan with a cold gaze.

These were the same fledglings who had barely shed their training feathers a year ago, now grown so much.

But to think their loyalty was to Yan of all people.

Unable to hold back any longer, Merriott spoke.

“Do you intend to remain silent?”

Cruel was the one who responded.

“I don’t know if you’re a Knight of Scorching Heat or what, but if you’re arresting a noble, shouldn’t you at least show some evidence?”

“Evidence?” Merriott scoffed.

The audacity of someone younger than his own son talking back was incredulous.

Yet, he wasn’t wrong.

To arrest a noble, irrefutable evidence was necessary.

But Merriott didn’t care for such things.

Evidence? He had no need for it.

He began to walk forward slowly, even as the newly awakened knights of Armenia stood in his way.

“Why… am I feeling dizzy…”

“My head… it’s throbbing.”

Thud! Thud!

To stop a superhuman known as a Knight of Scorching Heat was an impossible task.

The intense heat emanating from him caused the knights of Armenia to faint, their heads overheated.

Without laying a hand on them, they fell like leaves in the wind, and those standing behind shuddered.

They felt the painful reality of opposing the renowned Knights of Scorching Heat, whose fame spread beyond the empire and across the continent.

Yet, even amidst their fear, the knights did not think of turning back or fleeing.

They were determined to fight if approached any further.

That’s when it happened.

“That’s enough.”

Yan’s voice poured cold water on the knights’ fiery resolve.

Cruel and Roman frowned and turned to Yan.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re going to let them take you without a fight?”

“It’s okay, stop now.”

Yan dismissed their protests with an inscrutable expression and extended his arms.

“I will comply with the arrest, so please release my knights.”

“That’s impossible, and you know it better than anyone.”

“Why don’t you settle your debt with me now? You know well that these knights have done no wrong.”

Merriott closed his eyes at Yan’s words.

Whether they had intended to join the revolutionaries or not, he couldn’t tell.

He wasn’t a mind reader, nor did he have the extensive information networks of the Inspection Bureau or Special Task Forces.

But still.

“Yorden.”

“Yes, Captain.”

“Escort them to a nearby hotel. Make sure they don’t leave and keep a close watch. Assign some members to them.”

Merriott decided to honor Yan’s request.

Yorden, the vice-captain, was taken aback by the decision, which was tantamount to sparing the lives of the beasts who had sought to harm their lord, the Sun Duke.

“Captain!”

“It’s an order.”

Yorden called out for reconsideration, but Merriott was resolute.

Once he made up his mind, not even the heavens splitting in two could sway him.

So Yorden reluctantly complied.

“Understood, Captain.”

“I’ll take full responsibility, so there’s no need to worry.”

“That’s not what I meant… Ah, never mind. Understood.”

Yorden then selected five members from the Knights of Scorching Heat.

He escorted Cruel, Charles, Roman, and all the knights of Armenia to a nearby hotel.

Yan felt their gazes on him but did not look back at his knights.

Click!

Mana shackles were placed on his wrists.

“Returning to base!”

Surrounded by Merriott and the Knights of Scorching Heat, Yan boarded the prisoner transport carriage.

* * *

In the luxurious hotel of the Cavalier domain, where only the highest nobles would stay, the condition of the rooms was incomparable to any inn. Plush beds, an array of magical artifacts, a pristine bathtub, and carpets spread across the floor.

Yet, the knights of Armenia staying inside bore no joy on their faces.

“Could it be… we’re heading to the gallows?” one muttered in despair.

“What are you blabbering about? Execution, really?” another snapped back.

“You heard it too! Yan admitted it!” the first insisted.

The knights, on edge, quickly descended into squabbles and despair. If evidence emerged confirming Yan’s collusion with the revolutionaries, their lives as his knights—contract or not—would be as good as over. They’d be suspected as counter-revolutionaries wherever they went.

It was then Roman, who had been silent and deep in thought, stood up. His sudden movement halted the others’ chatter, and all eyes turned to him.

Thump, thump.

He walked towards Cruel, who lay sprawled on a sofa, blowing into a bottle like a bugle.

“Hey,” Roman called out, standing right in front of him.

Cruel, however, continued to gulp down his drink, ignoring Roman’s call.

“Are you just going to keep your mouth shut and nurse that bottle?” Roman challenged, and Cruel’s cheek twitched in response.

Clunk!

Cruel slammed the bottle on the table and lifted his head defiantly.

“What? What am I nursing?”

Roman smirked. “Thought you’d gone deaf, but guess not.”

Charles, watching from afar, intervened with a glare. “What are you doing? Have you lost your mind? We should be figuring out what to do next, not fighting!”

She turned to Cruel with a stern voice. “You’ve made us wait long enough. Tell us, what did Yan instruct?”

Though unexpected, the question hit a nerve.

Flinch!

Cruel shuddered as if struck at his core.

Roman, displeased with the sight, blurted out, “You don’t think we’re fools, do you? We who’ve followed Yan know him well, don’t we?”

To them, Yan had always been someone who overcame every obstacle, turning the impossible into the possible, carving out his place amidst all the unfairness.

“And you think he’d just let himself be taken away like a fool? Only an idiot would believe that, knowing him.”

Cruel sneered at Roman’s unwavering faith. “You’re like a zealot.”

“Do you not remember your usual self?”

“What, you brat?”

“Cruel!”

Charles shouted, and Cruel, with a disgruntled face, fell silent.

After a while, he spoke with resignation. “He said to stay put. Don’t cause any trouble.”

“What?” Roman asked, incredulous.

Cruel explained with frustration. “Before he left, he sent a message through telepathy. He has a plan, so stay put and don’t get hurt by acting rashly.”

Silence fell upon the room.

“Madman,” Roman finally broke the silence.

Charles scowled, her face contorted with displeasure. It was the first time since joining the academy that she had shown such an expression.

“He tells us to stay put because we might get hurt?”

“Wouldn’t it make more sense if he said his plan might go awry? To just sit here after hearing that?”

“I’d feel better after giving Yan a good thrashing today.”

“Are we that contemptible to him?”

The knights scoffed and began to rise, one by one, as if on cue, each grabbing their black iron armor.

Cruel frowned and shouted at them. “Didn’t you hear what he said? Stay put!”

Roman, who had been heading towards the door, turned back. “Would you stay put after hearing that?”

“…What?”

At Roman’s words, Cruel’s expression momentarily blanked, but then his lips curled into a grin, uncharacteristic of someone who had been feeling defeated.

Cruel laughed fiercely. “Of course not.”

That evening.

Boom!

One of the hotel rooms in the Cavalier domain was utterly destroyed.