Bloodhound’s Regression Instinct

Chapter 171

A month had passed since Yan’s return. In that time, neither too long nor too short, Armenia had undergone many changes.

With the Pirate Empress’s consent, the pirate fleet could now be used like merchant ships. Isaac, who had begun his research, categorized artificial elixirs by the amount of magic stone they contained and assigned colors to each grade.

Purple for low-grade, green for mid-grade, blue for high-grade, and white for the highest grade. The low-grade was what had been produced so far, and the highest grade could be considered on par with natural elixirs.

As the maritime distribution network and grading system were established, Kasa expanded the trading company using these innovations. Releasing a thousand low-grade elixirs would lead to the release of a hundred mid-grade and about ten high-grade elixirs, inciting the nobles’ desire to possess them.

This caused another stir in the empire. Although the prices skyrocketed with higher grades, the ability to acquire them was crucial for the nobles who could afford it, especially since high-grade elixirs were often not available for purchase.

Thus, the lords exempted Kasa’s Armenian trading company from all taxes or granted it exclusive rights. The Armenian trading company, seemingly a new establishment, generated unbelievable sales, rivaling the combined revenue of several established mid-sized companies.

“…You’re telling me this month’s net profit is ninety million gold?” Yan exclaimed, unable to hide his astonishment as he reviewed the performance report handed to him by Kasa.

Ninety million gold. Even for the bold-hearted Yan, it was an amount that made his heart race. A single gold could support a four-person peasant family for a year…

Ninety million gold could feed the entire empire’s peasant population for a year. It was about thirty percent of the ‘Imperial Trading Company’s’ net profit, the largest in the empire. Although the sales didn’t compare, the significant margin meant it was a positive outcome.

Kasa, too, was visibly excited as he declared, “This amount could fund a fairly large earldom’s budget for five years.”

“Hah, haha,” Yan chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief.

Enough with the surprises.

“Spread all this money across the territory.”

Kasa’s eyes widened in shock. “Spread it across the territory?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but that would mean a million gold for each villager…”

At Kasa’s absurd suggestion, Yan laughed softly.

“It’s not for the people. We need to grow the territory with that money. Are we going to be satisfied with just this?”

“…Ah!”

“How long will we be content with just ninety villagers? We need at least a hundred times that number to create a bustling feeling.”

Yan’s words left Kasa’s eyes wide with realization.

The size of the Armenian territory was smaller than an average barony.

But.

‘…If we don’t need to farm, just build living facilities!’

Without the need for farmland, organizing the interior of the territory could increase the population density to rival that of a count’s or even an earl’s domain.

With a clear task ahead, Kasa immediately began pondering, stroking his chin.

“First, we’ll develop the territory and increase the convenience facilities to attract more people. But there’s a problem.”

“A problem?”

“It’s not a natural increase through birth; inevitably, we’ll clash with the neighboring territories…”

Yan instantly understood what Kasa meant. Absorbing the population from neighboring territories would inevitably lead to conflict.

Yan tilted his head.

“Then we’ll clash.”

“Huh?”

“If people are leaving their original homes to come here, it means life there is tough. Isn’t that the previous territory’s loss?”

“…Will they accept that?”

Yan smirked.

“We’ll make them accept it by force if necessary. Do you think our knights are inferior to those from other territories? We’ll resolve it through dialogue if possible, but if not, we’ll have to press down with power.”

Kasa nodded gravely.

“Indeed.”

The nobles around were mostly barons and knights. The strength of their knight orders was at best around level seven.

In contrast, the knights of the Armenian territory were all level six, with the order leaders at level five.

If a clash occurred, Armenia’s overwhelming victory was certain.

Yan stood up.

“Nothing more to discuss? I’ll take my leave first.”

“Okay, sure.”

Kasa remained seated, still with much to ponder, scribbling away.

Yan patted Kasa’s shoulder and left the mansion.

Stepping outside, Yan headed straight for Isaac’s workshop, which he had recently set up.

“Lord!”

Isaac sprang up from his seat and approached with open arms as he saw Yan.

Yan deftly avoided Isaac’s embrace and clicked his tongue.

“Tsk, enough with that.”

Perhaps because he had provided an environment free of worries for Isaac to immerse himself in research, Isaac always rushed to him like this.

“Hehe, it’s just my way of showing gratitude.”

Yan shook his head.

Then he turned his gaze to the skull, Momon, sitting squarely on the table.

“How about you? Doing alright?”

[Deal with that lunatic yourself. I get chills every day from those bizarre eyes staring at me.]

Isaac looked hurt by the harsh words.

“Mo, Momon, how could you say something so cruel…!”

Yan watched the two with a wry smile.

They seemed to be getting along better than expected.

The reason he had entrusted Momon to Isaac was clear.

Combining Momon’s theories and knowledge with Isaac’s research would create tremendous synergy.

And unlike others, Isaac, free of prejudice, treated Momon like an ordinary mage(?).

Although Momon complained, if he truly disliked it, he would have destroyed Isaac himself.

That meant Momon was also interested in Isaac’s research.

Yan asked with a gleam in his eye.

“How far along is the task I assigned?”

“You mean ‘that thing’ you secretly instructed, aside from the artificial elixir?”

Isaac whispered as if discussing a covert mission.

Yan replied nonchalantly.

“Yeah, that.”

“I think I’ll have some good news for you soon. Hehe.”

Isaac’s confident assertion brought a smile to Yan’s lips.

The research happening in Isaac’s workshop was a secret weapon that would be of great help in the future.

* * *

Upon Yan’s return to the mansion, two unfamiliar envelopes lay atop the table.

One envelope bore a clean, yet antique design, while the other was lavishly adorned against a purple backdrop.

Yan surveyed the letters with a subdued gaze, his expression hardening slightly.

They were from individuals he hadn’t anticipated.

“Why would Hwanyo and Taeyanggong…?”

He withdrew the letters from their envelopes, his eyes dimming as he read. Different words, yet the message was the same.

An invitation to their domains.

Under normal circumstances, this would be a splendid opportunity to forge ties with the Sangongjak…

“…Of all dates, it had to be the same.”

Both dukes had chosen the exact same date for their invitations.

One week from now.

Inevitably, he could only visit one, leaving the other duke feeling ignored—a high likelihood given both individuals’ prideful nature.

Yan clenched the invitations, eyes closed in contemplation.

Weighing who would be more beneficial between Taeyanggong and Hwanyo, he pondered.

Taeyanggong, with his absolute influence in the south, seemed unlikely to offer anything due to his indifferent nature.

On the other hand, Hwanyo was unpredictable, capricious.

Skillful maneuvering might yield unexpected treasures, or conversely, burdensome woes.

“Perhaps Hwanyo then…”

It seemed wiser to accept Hwanyo’s invitation, where a favorable outcome was more assured than with the stoic Taeyanggong.

Moreover, having recently enticed the Pirate Empress, inadvertently offending the southern ducal navy, it was best not to court unnecessary danger.

With his decision made, Yan tucked Hwanyo’s invitation into his pocket.

That’s when it happened.

Whoosh!

Yan, who had been eyeing the invitations intently, suddenly whipped his head around.

A tremendous surge of energy emanated from the village entrance.

A being of extraordinary power was summoning him.

This distinct, alien sensation.

A smirk curled on Yan’s lips.

‘Caught in the act.’

The seeds of discord he had sown among the revolutionaries were beginning to sprout.

* * *

At the village’s threshold, a man and a woman emerged, encircled by a knightly order whose faces were etched with vigilance.

Leading the knights were Lorena, Cruel, and Roman, standing tall, their formidable presence undisguised.

Among them, Cruel’s eyes shone as he regarded the man.

“You are… Karam, was it?”

He was the one who had recently boarded the pirate ship, whose lieutenant had lost his life to Yan.

Karam bit his lip upon seeing Cruel.

‘What is this place…’

All those resembling a knightly order appeared to be of his age.

Yet, not one seemed an easy opponent.

They were all formidable, having reached at least the sixth rank.

Especially Cruel and the diminutive woman beside him…

‘They are stronger than me.’

He, once considered a promising youth among the revolutionaries, felt inevitably outmatched here.

Karam shook his head, dispelling the distracting thoughts.

“Cruel, clear the way and guide us to Yan. Aisha herself has come to seek him.”

“Do you think we’ll just comply because you say so? This place isn’t so easily swayed.”

Cruel licked his lips, eyeing the woman with the tanned skin standing behind Karam.

She was adorned with golden accessories and wore distinctive makeup—a woman of stature.

Aisha, the commander of the third legion, spoke up.

“Foolish boy, are you provoking me now?”

Grrrrr.

Cruel’s face paled under the sudden onslaught of her aura.

But he, too, had gained experience from many battles alongside Yan.

Clutch.

Despite his pallor, his grip on the sword tightened.

He exchanged glances with Lorena and Roman beside him.

It was a silent agreement to launch a joint attack.

Aisha scoffed at their readiness, as if they were beneath her.

As she stepped forward, Lorena and Roman’s faces turned ashen.

It was as if a web of energy had ensnared them.

Not just them, but the knights behind were also immobilized by the force emanating from Aisha.

“Do you think grouping together like insects will make a difference?”

Aisha taunted as she approached the rigid Roman.

She reached out and caressed his chin.

“However, your physique is quite desirable.”

Her greedy eyes roamed over Roman’s body.

Roman gritted his teeth, feeling as if a serpent slithered over his skin.

Aisha, unsatisfied with just looking, reached for Roman’s chest.

“Have you no desire to become my consort…?”

Her hand, reaching out to caress Roman with a smirk, suddenly froze in mid-air.

As if hitting an invisible barrier, her hand could go no further.

Aisha’s eyes darted to the side.

“Ha! What brings a beach-scavenging wench here?”

The Pirate Empress had appeared out of nowhere, her face cold as she gripped Aisha’s wrist.

Everyone except Aisha gasped at the sudden appearance of the Pirate Empress.

Clearly, they hadn’t noticed her approach from within the village.

The Pirate Empress glanced once at Roman’s pale complexion before turning back to Aisha.

Then she asked,

“Do you wish for death?”