The Regressed Blood Knight’s Strategy

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Lucky]

Chapter 186

Kane Rehinar was considered a dullard until he was twenty.

This was a fact known to everyone in the Rehinar family.

Yet, no one dared to speak of it.

They had all heard how unhappy Kane had been during that period of his life.

Bringing it up would have been an insult to their lord.

Kane gazed steadily at the middle-aged man before him and said:

“That’s why I’m suggesting to find Blata. He’d be able to predict precisely who the next head of Rehinar will be.”

“To entrust the future of the family to a mere creature? Surely, you must be out of your mind—”

The man stopped mid-sentence, covering his mouth.

He had just referred to Blata as a “mere creature.”

This was the second time he had violated a family taboo.

“When did Rehinar become such a disgrace?”

Kane was incredulous.

Even if he were to die of old age...

The idea that the family’s discipline had crumbled to this extent was a calamity.

Rehinar’s survival through its decline had been due to one reason alone.

The unwavering loyalty of its vassals.

And yet, this middle-aged man wasn’t showing loyalty but hostility instead.

“Someone, answer me.”

Kane rose from his seat.

The strongest man on the continent stood up.

At the brink of death.

A fierce storm swept through the audience hall.

It wasn’t due to magic.

Nor was it an overt display of power meant to intimidate his vassals.

He had simply stood up.

And yet, the hall quaked as if it might collapse.

“Calm yourself,” Desdemona pleaded.

But Kane took a step forward.

“I don’t know how someone like you managed to cause such disorder in this family, but speak one more word out of turn. Even if you claim royal blood, I won’t let it slide. I’m curious to see whether the emperor would abandon you or a dying man like me.”

The middle-aged man felt humiliated.

But his opponent was Kane Rehinar.

Even the emperor feared Kane’s words.

Knowing this, he had no choice but to remain silent.

“You have one week. Within that time, find Blata and bring him to me. Can you do that?”

Kane’s gaze fell on Vlad Rehinar.

His grandson, who resembled him.

Though he lacked confidence, his eyes still burned with resolve.

“I’ll do my best.”

“I’ll be counting on you.”

Kane turned away.

As the order to leave was given, everyone exited the hall.

“Hmm, I’m feeling drowsy.”

The sudden wave of sleepiness washed over him.

It was the lethargy that followed after exerting himself.

It didn’t feel like he was dying.

“You’ve pushed yourself too hard,” Desdemona said.

“I never expected the family’s hierarchy to crumble like this.”

“Aren’t you tired of all this?”

“Tired of what?”

"Tired of your devotion to the Family"

Kane Rehinar carried the weight of a lifetime's worth of memories for the family.

He had devoted his entire existence to Rehinar.

Even at an age when others would retire, he fought on the frontlines whenever mutant monsters ran rampant.

Desdemona had been by his side all his life, so she asked the question thoughtfully:

“Don’t you ever get tired of dedicating yourself to the family?”

“You’re just as concerned about the descendants, aren’t you?” Kane replied.

“I only worry because you do,” Desdemona admitted.

“Who do you think will find Blata?” Kane asked.

“It’s more likely to be Irel Rehinar, don’t you think?”

“You think so too?”

“Yes. In terms of skill and influence, Irel surpasses Vlad in every way.”

“I disagree. Blata is someone you’ve revered, isn’t he? Finding him isn’t about skill alone—it requires a stroke of luck.”

Kane was the only one who truly understood Blata’s personality.

Even Desdemona thought of Blata as a dignified being.

But in truth, Blata was a boastful, attention-seeking show-off.

Finding him had nothing to do with skill.

If anything, showering him with flattery and treating him like royalty would make him more likely to appear.

“I believe Blata is more likely to show himself to Vlad,” Kane said.

“You sound confident,” Desdemona noted.

“I know his personality better than anyone else,” Kane replied.

Blata’s full name was Vladimir Bu Pavil Legilere.

He took immense pride in the name “Vladimir.”

If he heard someone bearing the name Vlad Rehinar, he’d likely show up just to see if they were worthy of sharing such a “great” name.

Outside the Audience Hall…

Vlad Rehinar trudged out of the hall, his steps heavy and his face clouded with worry.

“Can I really find Lord Blata?” he murmured.

The vassals accompanying him tried to bolster his confidence.

“The Duke stood and spoke your name. That alone is a miracle. And he specifically entrusted you with this task—it’s his way of saying he believes in you.”

“I have to live up to his expectations,” Vlad replied, his voice trembling.

“The Duke’s judgment has never been wrong. Believe in yourself,” one of the vassals, Sir Erin, encouraged.

“Th-thank you, Sir Erin.”n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Vlad Rehinar was gentle to a fault—almost too kind for his own good.

Perhaps that was why his half-siblings always looked down on him.

Even now, one of them mocked him.

“For the sake of peace in the family, why don’t you give up your title as the Young Duke?”

“Th-the title of Young Duke isn’t something you can just give up,” Vlad stammered in reply.

“So, you’re saying you’re going to keep fighting me? Even if the vampires are strong, their numbers aren’t enough to defeat me.”

It was a taunt from his half-brother, five years his junior.

Vlad had every reason to be angry, but instead, he tried to placate Irel.

"Fighting among brothers goes against our family laws. We mustn’t do this."

“Brotherly advice, huh? How noble of you,” Irel sneered, his contempt unrelenting.

Irel’s continued disregard finally provoked a response from Vlad’s vassals.

“Second Prince, mind your words. Such behavior tarnishes the honor of Lady Charlotte von Presia.”

“How dare a mere servant speak of my grandmother!”

Enraged, Irel drew his sword, pointing it at the vassal’s neck.

But at that moment—

The doors of the audience hall, which had just closed, swung open once again.

A faint breeze passed by Irel Rehinar.

Thud.

It was just wind.

And yet, Irel’s entire body began to tremble.

The voice that followed explained why.

[This will be the one and only time you break the family laws.]

It was Kane’s warning.

Not even his grandson was exempt from his discipline.

How had the Rehinar family risen to prominence?

It was because they avoided sibling rivalry, standing united instead.

Kane had not intervened to protect Vlad but to reprimand Irel for disregarding the family laws.

Irel’s behavior was unacceptable—he acted as though he was above everyone else.

Born with royal blood, he believed his status was the most noble of all.

This arrogance had led him astray.

Being born into the Rehinar family meant adhering to its laws.

But Irel constantly perceived himself as fundamentally different from Vlad.

His flawed character was the result of poor influences from those around him.

[Next time, it’ll be your neck. Control yourself.]

As the words reverberated, Irel’s close attendants collapsed—lifeless, their bodies drained of every drop of moisture.

The vassals gasped in horror.

Murmurs spread among them.

“The Duke has returned… with his terrifying old power.”

Even Vlad Rehinar flinched, goosebumps rising across his skin.

It was the first time he had witnessed such a scene—his grandfather’s power draining the moisture from bodies with absolute precision.

“So this is the strength of Grandfather.”

He couldn’t fathom it.

To use the Blood Void technique, one needed at least a second-tier mastery of blood mana, the Blood Mark.

And that was the bare minimum.

Executing it so flawlessly? Only a fifth-tier blood pact could achieve that.

“Young Duke, there’s no time to be lost in thought. You have only one week to find Blata, as decreed by the Duke.”

“Y-Yes, I understand.”

With that, Vlad Rehinar left the hall.

Irel, meanwhile, was in shock.

He had always been treated like royalty.

Yet now, his grandfather had executed his attendants without hesitation.

He turned to his father, seeking support, but found only silence.

He had forgotten an essential truth.

In the Rehinar family, grandfather’s word was law.

No one dared question him.

There was only one way for Irel to secure the successor’s position—

Finding Blata was his best option.

Otherwise, he would have to wait for his monstrous grandfather to pass away.

Snapping back to reality, Irel hastily left the audience hall.

Four days of the allotted week had passed.

Neither Vlad nor Irel had any news of Blata.

Both were growing desperate.

Only three days remained.

If Blata wasn’t found by then, the matter of succession would become a tangled mess.

Vlad, frustrated, stepped out of the manor.

“Zero, where could Lord Blata have gone?”

Zero Pervartz, Vlad’s closest friend and a vassal of the Rehinar family, stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“I suspect there’s a trick to this.”

“A trick? What do you mean?”

“Think about it. Lord Blata has been absent from the Duke’s side for over sixty years.”

“Has it really been that long?”

“Yes, Young Duke. You really must read the family’s history. Otherwise, you’ll keep being underestimated.”

“I know, I know. But every time I read it, I forget the details. I’d need to read it over a hundred times to memorize even the first chapter.”

“Sigh. Don’t worry too much—it’s just because your mind hasn’t fully matured yet.”

“Thanks, Zero.”

“Actually, I only know about Lord Blata’s part in the Rehinar family history. Hehe.”

They really were like a pair of dimwits.

Neither seemed to mind pointing out their own ignorance.

Luckily, there was no one else around.

Had Irel’s attendants been present, they would have seized the chance to mock this display.

“So, what’s the trick?”

“Maybe Lord Blata is waiting for someone worthy to inherit the Duke’s legacy? I mean, the trick might involve some method to summon him.”

“Really? How would we do that?”

“That part, I don’t know. Which is why I suggested we visit the Blood Grand Temple.”

“Do you think they’ll let us in if I ask?”

“Not sure about that.”

The Blood Grand Temple’s doors had been shut for decades.

The once-influential ‘cult’ had diminished significantly under Kane’s persecution, eventually leading to its closure.

Still, even behind closed doors, the Blood Priests continued to operate.

The cathedral was a sacred place, one that only Kane was permitted to enter.

No other member of the bloodline had ever been allowed inside.

Now, the two stood before the imposing doors of the cathedral.

Knock, knock.

"Is anyone inside?"

There was no response.

But then—

Creaaak!

The sound of rusty hinges echoed as the door slowly opened.

“The door... it opened!”

“Please go in, Your Grace,” Zero urged.

“You’re coming in with me, right?”

“Of course! As your personal guard and blacksmith, I wouldn’t dream of letting you go in alone.”

“There’s no one like you, Zero.”

The two stepped into the cathedral.

The atmosphere was chilling.

It seemed entirely deserted.

“This place feels like a ghost could pop out any second,” Zero muttered.

“Light it up,” Bladi ordered.

Obliging, Zero summoned fire mana.

Fwoosh!

The cathedral was instantly illuminated.

Its grand interior was revealed, contrasting sharply with the eerie atmosphere moments before.

“Wooooow!”

“I can’t believe a place like this was sealed away!”

“It’s the perfect place to honor Lord Blata.”

“Exactly. I don’t understand why they closed such an incredible place.”

“It’s breathtaking. Absolutely incredible.”

The two couldn’t stop marveling, their voices filled with awe.

It felt as if they were exploring ancient ruins.

They gave enthusiastic thumbs-ups as they admired the cathedral.

Meanwhile, in the shadows, a pair of eyes watched their every move.

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Lucky]