Bloodhound’s Regression Instinct

Chapter 189

Ifrit.

A millennium ago, when the empire was first founded, the only sacred relic of the Fire Sect, known as the Divine Sword, vanished into the mists of history.

It is recorded that Hestia, the avatar of fire, bestowed it upon the first human created to commemorate the genesis.

The power of Ifrit lies in ignition and extinguishment.

It can create or quench any flame in the world.

Be it magic, divine energy, martial prowess, or natural combustion…

In essence, ‘With this alone, one could possess a universal tool for all things fire.’

Yan would have remained ignorant of this fact had not the Emperor himself murmured it in passing.

For all records of Ifrit and the Fire Sect had long since disappeared.

But now, ‘Why is it there?’

Ifrit was one of three swords hanging behind the Emperor’s throne.

A sword never drawn, the Dragon Sword Nailing, and lastly, Ifrit itself.

Had it passed through his hands to the Emperor, Yan would vaguely remember the time.

But this sword was brought by the Emperor alone, leaving its history a mystery.

‘No, on second thought, it’s possible because he is the Sun Duke.’

The Sun Duke, though frugal, harbored an infinite affection for collecting peculiar and extraordinary items.

Hence, even the elusive elixir was part of his collection.

As Yan glared at Ifrit, a sudden realization widened his eyes.

‘Wait…!’

There was once a chance for the Emperor to acquire it.

A secret duel between the Emperor and the Count of Four Rivers, with the Sun Duke present.

Yan’s gaze sank deep in thought.

‘Could it be that the Emperor seized the weapon used by the Sun Duke?’

He swallowed hard.

It was a plausible hypothesis.

In a past life, there was an unseen struggle for power between the Sun Duke and the Emperor.

And since the secret duel, the Sun Duke ceased to emerge from the south.

If his beloved sword was taken during that duel, the pieces of the puzzle would fall into place.

Yan shook his head vigorously after pondering the matter.

What’s the use in contemplating a future that will never come?

His eyes, filled with greed, fixed on Ifrit at the Sun Duke’s feet.

With the newly created Mars, he could absorb it without significant backlash.

If asked how he could be so sure,

‘The Mars within my chest will make you believe.’

The energy passed down from his father was potent enough to transform his body.

‘Besides, it’s better for me to wield it well than for it to fall into the Emperor’s hands.’

He had publicly declared Ifrit as an item for trade.

It was clear that the Sun Duke would not object to him taking it.

With a sly grin stretching across his face,

“…Hey, you look incredibly wicked.”

Kasa shuddered beside him.

* * *

Five minutes had passed.

The commotion within the banquet hall began to subside.

As the surroundings quieted down, the Sun Duke finally spoke.

“Who will be the first to challenge?”

The one who responded was his closest confidant, known as the Knight of Scorching Heat, Merriott.

“I shall entertain our lord with a challenge.”

The atmosphere, previously heated by the appearance of a formidable challenger, cooled instantly.

With Merriott stepping forward, the others knew they had no chance.

Confusion spread as the mood dampened, but the Sun Duke smiled amusedly.

“Had strength alone been sufficient, we wouldn’t have bothered with such an event.”

His words reignited the spirits of the nobles.

Perhaps it was the effect of the situation.

A brave young noble raised his hand high.

The Sun Duke pointed at him.

“Speak.”

“Doesn’t ‘not by strength alone’ mean that ordinary nobles have even less of a chance?”

The Sun Duke smiled faintly.

“No, this sword chooses its master. Anyone with the qualities of a true owner could take it.”

The sword selects not the strongest, but the one with the qualities of a master!

At this, the nobles’ excitement surged.

“Long live the Sun Duke!”

Merriott, energized by the revived atmosphere, stepped forward with a smirk.

The Sun Duke looked down at Merriott with satisfaction.

“Considering you’re a swordsman who wields flames, you might just have a chance.”

Encouraged by his lord, Merriott’s face lit up with a bright smile.

He gripped the hilt of Ifrit tightly, his face tense.

“Haah!”

With a shout, he exerted all his strength.

But…

“You’re not joking, are you?”

“Look at Sir Merriott’s face. Does that look like a joke?”

“Indeed, the Sun Duke must have had his reasons to say so.”

Despite Merriott’s loud shout and flushed face, Ifrit did not budge an inch.

Merriott’s eyes narrowed, and a wave of intense heat emanated from him.

The hall heated up with the energy he released, but Ifrit remained unmoved.

Struggling to lift Ifrit, Merriott eventually…

“Sigh.”

With a deep exhale, he released the hilt.

He shook his head.

“Truly a treasure worthy of our lord. It doesn’t budge even with all my might.”

The Sun Duke chuckled at Merriott’s words.

“A pity.”

“It’s alright. I already possess the Scorching Sword bestowed by you, my lord.”

Merriott laughed heartily, patting the red scabbard at his waist.

As he stepped down, the Sun Duke’s knights took their turn.

Though none were as strong as Merriott, several veteran knights were close.

Despite their age, the instinct to crave a fine sword was inherent in every knight.

But…

“Ugh.”

“The Sun Duke was confident for a reason. It was a valuable experience.”

The veteran knights who had tried to lift the sword had no choice but to admit defeat.

They realized it would not move, no matter their effort.

As they shook their heads and stepped back, other nobles began to come forward.

Among them were nobles of knightly origin who had mastered mana, and those who had learned magic.

“The Sun Duke’s words were true.”

“Only someone with the temperament of a master can lift it… What a mysterious blade.”

“It doesn’t even react, so there’s no sense of disappointment.”

The nobles who had attempted laughed off their failure and descended from the stage.

Curious nobles without mana also took their turns to try.

Just as it seemed that no one would be able to lift the sword…

“I would like to attempt, Your Grace, the Sun Duke.”

Viscount Morris stepped forward, his face flushed with excitement.

“Who is that?”

“Ah, Viscount Morris is here.”

“If it’s him, the rising star of the south, perhaps it will be different?”

Viscount Morris, buoyed by the expectations of the nobles, ascended the stage.

Unlike the others, he did not rush to try but looked straight at the Sun Duke and said,

“Your Grace! If I lift this sword, please accept me as a knight under your command!”

The crowd froze at his words, aware of the ripple effect they might cause.

A mere Viscount had made a bold proposal to one of the pillars of the empire.

‘He’s mad.’

‘Even if he’s gaining attention, how dare such a man propose to the Sun Duke?’

‘It’s not my concern, but it sure is entertaining to watch.’

The nobles looked at the Sun Duke with a mix of tension and anticipation, curious about his response.

The Sun Duke stared intently at the impudent Viscount Morris.

As a minute passed, Morris’s back was drenched in cold sweat.

‘Damn it, I just wanted to make an impression, but this isn’t going well.’

It felt like a minute stretched into a decade.

Just as he was about to apologize profusely…

“Let’s do that.”

Contrary to everyone’s expectation of a reprimand, the Sun Duke accepted Morris’s proposal.

“Yes! Thank you!”

Morris’s face brightened. He then looked down at the sword with intense focus.

‘I am the protagonist of this world. Having reached the realm of superhumans at this young age, you should willingly accept me as your master.’

Visions of a bright future flashed before Morris’s eyes.

Himself, stylishly wielding the priceless magic sword, standing right beside the Sun Duke.

It was a perfect fit.

With a vision of a rosy future, Viscount Morris let out a battle cry.

“Haap!”

Strength surged into his hands.

The nobles gasped in awe.

“Such vigor at his young age!”

“If he lifts that sword, it’ll be nothing short of a sensation.”

“Are we witnessing the rise of a new star?”

But the moment stretched on.

His body trembled, his eyes bloodshot and red.

The initial excitement of the nobles turned cold.

Viscount Morris’s challenge continued for over ten minutes.

Compared to the others who lasted only a minute, it was an eternity.

Inside, Morris was screaming as he stared at the unmoving red sword.

If he couldn’t lift it after such a bold challenge to the Sun Duke…

‘I’ll be buried alive!’

Had he succeeded, he would have risen as a confident knight of the south.

But if he failed…

He would become a fool who couldn’t keep his word, likely shunned from social gatherings and banquets.

Sweat dripped down Morris’s cheeks as he poured out all his strength.

Just then…

“Perhaps it’s time to stop? It’s becoming rather tedious.”

The Sun Duke’s voice, unlike his epithet, was as cold as a northern wind.

It meant displeasure.

Morris closed his eyes tightly and let go of the sword.

‘It’s all over…’

A future outside the mainstream unfolded before him.

Morris descended the stage with a dejected face.

“Tsk, tsk, to show such an unsightly display, doesn’t he know it’s better to quit while ahead?”

“It seems the time for hot-bloodedness has passed… My eyes must have been mistaken. To think such a man was a promising figure of the south.”

The once-friendly nobles now looked at him with disdain.

Morris returned to his place, silent as a mute.

The Sun Duke shook his head.

“Regrettably, no one has succeeded. It seems there are no more challengers. So now…”

Just then.

“I would like to try as well.”

Yan, who had been quiet until now, stepped forward.

The problem was…

‘The young nobles attending this banquet all seem to have issues.’

‘To have the audacity to interrupt the Sun Duke.’

‘I’ve heard he’s trusted by the Crown Prince and Duke Beowulf.’

‘Is he looking down on the south?’

This time, a mere baron had dared to cut off the Sun Duke’s words.