Bloodhound’s Regression Instinct

Chapter 170

Yan stepped out of the mansion, leaving the Pirate Empress behind, shaking his head in disbelief. Who would have thought that Roman, his old training buddy, was the sole kin of the Pirate Empress? Life was indeed unpredictable.

With a wry smile, Yan began to tackle the backlog of tasks he had neglected. First on the list was the finalization of the artificial elixir created during his absence.

He received various grievances and petitions from the villagers. The trainees, now proud knights, reported their progress, and Yan witnessed their growth with his own eyes.

After handling urgent matters for three hours, Yan summoned Kasa last. Kasa appeared somewhat refreshed from a brief rest, though his face still looked worn.

“Why is there so much elixir left?” Yan inquired, recalling the stockpile he saw at Neville’s general store where the artificial elixir was being mana-activated.

Kasa scratched his head, beginning his tale, “I considered selling it all, but then I thought it might be more profitable in the long run to control the sales.”

“Really?” Yan asked, intrigued.

Kasa nodded, explaining that as soon as Yan transferred the supply rights of the artificial elixir, he sought out a trading company to handle the sales.

Many reputable traders and substantial trading companies came and went, but, “Without exception, they all demanded a commission of at least 20%. So, I decided to make it ourselves.”

Yan’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, “So, you’ve been controlling the sales volume to grow the trading company?”

Supplying as much as the demand wasn’t an issue, but it would diminish the elixir’s rarity. However, by drastically reducing the supply, those desiring the artificial elixir would go to great lengths to purchase it.

Consequently, the powerful would offer various privileges in exchange for sales, which would undoubtedly aid in expanding the trading company.

Kasa chuckled as Yan quickly grasped the underlying strategy. He had racked his brain for days, yet Yan had seen through it so easily.

Kasa shook his head, “There’s another reason.”

“Another reason?” Yan probed.

“To create the perception that making artificial elixir isn’t easy.”

Yan tilted his head, “To sell it at a higher price?”

“It’s not about that. If it seems too easy to make, forces will emerge trying to unravel the recipe. Well… spies have already started to infiltrate from several places.”

Yan clicked his tongue. He had used the names of Duke Beowulf and the Crown Prince to recruit trainees previously to prevent this.

‘It’s less effective than I thought.’

After all, if one could uncover the recipe, it could explosively grow not just a life but an entire lineage.

“And just yesterday, another spy came in for investigation.”

“Is that so?” Yan let out a chuckle.

“Then let’s have a look at this spy’s face.”

* * *

Yan followed Kasa to a log cabin on the outskirts, repurposed as a makeshift jail.

“Come in,” Kasa gestured as he opened the door.

Yan entered and surveyed the interior. Behind the iron bars, a man with curly hair sat with a defeated look.

“Is that him?”

“Yes, the kids brought him in yesterday. They thought he was suspicious, watching the village so intently. He doesn’t even carry an identification badge, seems like he came here with a purpose. But he’s been denying it all night, so now I’m not so sure.”

“What do you mean, not sure? Would a spy admit to being one?”

“Fair point.”

Yan approached the bars and gazed down at the curly-haired man. The face seemed familiar yet strange.

‘Have I seen him before?’

He wasn’t sure which faction had sent him, but a quick interrogation would yield results.

Yan moved towards a corner filled with menacing tools, touching each one before speaking.

“By the way, what’s this man’s name?”

“What was it again?”

Kasa pondered, then soon remembered.

“Ah, right. He said his name was Isaac.”

“…!”

Yan whipped his head around to look at Kasa.

Startled by Yan’s sudden change of expression, Kasa flinched.

“…Is there a problem?”

“No, it’s not that. What did you say his name was?”

“He claimed to be Isaac.”

“Ha, haha! Indeed.”

It clicked. The man was Isaac, whom Yan had encountered several times in the past alongside the Emperor. However, the youthful appearance made him almost unrecognizable.

“Life is truly unpredictable,” Yan chuckled in disbelief.

He never would have guessed that he’d be facing Isaac, the future renowned dark mage, in such a manner.

* * *

Isaac, the Sorcerer-Scholar

His moniker might conjure images of a mad scientist flouting taboos, but in truth, it was a name earned from his many eccentric deeds.

His fame wasn’t solely due to his quirks, though.

Each paper he published was filled with groundbreaking and practical findings.

Yan, in this life, had utilized several of Isaac’s studies, a testament to their proven utility.

When Isaac matured to forty, he became a scholar so esteemed he won the Emperor’s favor.

Yan, too, had leveraged the papers Isaac published in this life, seizing various dangers and opportunities.

From the clue that created the Dragon’s Breath to the artificial elixir that would revive his domain.

He owed much to Isaac.

Yan looked at the disheveled, downcast curly-haired man, Isaac, with a mix of gratitude and a rising urge to entice him.

How could he not be tempted?

With this man, his domain could develop at an incredible pace.

Yan’s lips curled into a smile.

“Pleased to meet you, Isaac. I am Yan, the lord of this domain.”

Upon introducing himself, Isaac lifted his head.

“Uuuugh, my lord. I swear, I’m not a strange person.”

Yan nodded.

Why would he be strange?

He had researched Isaac’s future self extensively; there was no need for suspicion.

As Yan nodded with a benevolent face, Isaac’s eyes sparkled.

“Do you, do you believe me?”

“Of course. Someone with such a kind face couldn’t be strange. But what brings you here?”

“Well, that’s…”

Isaac scratched his head, chuckled sheepishly, and began.

“I heard that artificial elixirs are being made here, and I wanted to speak with the person researching them. Ah, I’m a scholar with a keen interest in such matters…”

To come searching without even verifying the rumors.

Indeed, the execution befitting a Sorcerer-Scholar.

Yan smiled broadly and said,

“It seems you were looking for me. This isn’t the place for a proper conversation, let’s go somewhere more suitable to talk.”

Kasa, standing by, furrowed his brows slightly.

“Are you sure about this? He seems like trouble…”

“Shh. For now, I need to have a talk with this man, so you go handle other matters.”

* * *

Yan escorted Isaac to a nearby teahouse, a smile seemingly glued to his face.

“…?”

As Yan tilted his head inquisitively, Isaac chuckled and said, “I’m finally meeting a lord who understands me. All the lords I’ve worked for before despised me.”

Isaac’s notorious past, filled with mishaps and subsequent banishments from domains, was a well-known tale.

For instance, under a benevolent lord, he attempted to create a weapon using magical beasts, only to blow up a forge and get himself expelled…

It was almost natural for the lords to reject him.

‘Well, even with such incidents, he’s worth the investment for the future.’

Isaac’s future inventions and theories would undoubtedly bring prosperity to the domain.

“You said you’re a scholar?”

“Yes, yes! I’m still learning. And actually, I prefer to be called an inventor or scientist. Hehe.”

“Interesting. So, you came here because you’re interested in the method of making artificial elixirs.”

“Ah! Of course, I wouldn’t shamelessly demand the recipe. It’s just… the artificial elixir being produced here seems to align with my hypothesis.”

Yan looked surprised.

Isaac’s paper on using magic stones was due to be published five years from now.

Could it be that he’s already formulating similar theories at this time?

‘This could be more promising than I thought.’

As Yan stared intently, Isaac bowed his head deeply.

“I know it’s presumptuous, but may I ask you a few questions? Ah! And I will keep this information strictly confidential.”

Any other lord might have dismissed such an absurd request, but Yan was different.

The recipe was important, but gaining Isaac’s allegiance was worth far more.

“Please, go ahead.”

“Th-thank you!”

Isaac then began to inquire about his curiosities, and Yan answered earnestly.

After about an hour of conversation, Isaac stood up, his face flushed with excitement.

“Just as I thought! My hypothesis was correct. Like humans who don’t practice mana still carry a certain amount within them, so do magical beasts!”

“I’m glad I didn’t disappoint you.”

At Yan’s words, Isaac sprang up and bowed deeply to him.

“Thank you, my lord! Most of my questions have been resolved! I will keep this knowledge to myself and not divulge it to anyone!”

Yan grinned at Isaac’s determined declaration.

“So, would you consider working here? I can provide ample funding. You could start by managing the artificial elixirs, and in your free time, pursue any research you desire. We have an abundance of magical beasts in Armenia.”

Isaac’s eyes widened at the staggering offer.

Moreover, he had been wandering from place to place after being expelled from his last domain.

A chance to settle down and continue his research?

And to manage the very artificial elixirs he was deeply interested in, while also having the freedom to conduct his own studies?

Isaac swallowed hard.

Then, he knelt on the dirty floor and looked up at Yan, exclaiming,

“If you grant me this, I will serve loyally for life.”

Yan looked at Isaac and smiled gently.

Fate had delivered an opportunity right into his hands.