The Regressed Blood Knight’s Strategy

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Lucky]

Chapter 106

“How could you mention the Blood Mana Stone Mine? That's preposterous. I don't own such a mine,” Gillip stammered, visibly flustered.

Sweat trickled down his forehead as he hurriedly wiped it away with a handkerchief, unable to meet Kane's gaze. His heart pounded in his chest.

'How the hell did he find out about the Blood mana stone mine? Does he have better intelligence than us? Damn it! I kept that mine hidden to pass down to my descendants, and now it's exposed!'

The Blood Mana stone mine was extremely rare, almost to the point of being a legend on the continent. It was hardly something you could find, much less bargain over.

Giving up the mine was unthinkable. He had to deny everything. Even if he had to give up other things, the Blood Mana stone mine was off-limits.

Then, Kane’s voice broke through his thoughts again.

“I can sell the gemstones I've crafted without your help. You know exactly why, don't you? You're the one who spread the word about KaraShi through the Black Crow exchange. If I take this away, it’ll be a huge loss for you.”

Kane’s blunt words caused Gillip’s face to harden. He could no longer maintain his smile. Right now, Kane held all the power. He was the kind of person who could tear up their deal without hesitation.

‘How did I end up getting cornered in this deal?’

Gillip was aware of Kane’s reputation, particularly his prowess. But when it came to business, Gillip had always believed he was far more skilled than Kane. Yet, he found himself in an inescapable situation.

Everything had played out exactly as Kane intended.

‘If I don’t give up the Blood Mana Stone Mine, I’ll lose both the distribution rights for KaraShi and the mine itself.’

An elemental stone mine could be owned only by the emperor and the four great noble families. As a merchant, it was impossible for Gillip to possess one. But Kane had the authority to forcibly take the Blood mana stone Mine if he chose to.

‘If I must hand over the Blood mana stone Mine… I need to secure the best possible terms in return.’

That was the only way to avoid a total loss. Gillip’s jaw tightened as he gritted his teeth, clearly furious. But what could he do? Ultimately, he would lose the mine. It was wiser to make the best deal possible.

“I concede.”

“Good. It's better for both of us if we settle this amicably.”

Kane's words only made Gillip curse inwardly.

‘You're the only one who benefits from this, you damn scoundrel!’

Gillip was tempted to say it aloud but restrained himself.

“Did you just curse me in your mind?”

“Yup! He definitely cursed you, Kane,” Blata chimed in.

Gillip stammered, denying the accusation.

“N-no, I didn’t.”

“My feelings are starting to get hurt.”

“I said I didn’t!”

Gillip shouted in frustration and then quickly continued with the terms he had been considering.

“If I hand over the Blood mana stone Mine, extend the exclusive distribution rights to five years!”

“That’s a pity. I was planning to significantly increase the royalties once the period ended.”

Kane’s expression was sincere, making Gillip recoil.

‘What a devilish man. I’ve never met someone as ruthless as him!’

Gillip wanted to escape Kane’s grasp, but the Black Crow exchange headquarters had already relocated to Rehinar. Now, he was bound to this place, with no choice but to fight to the end.

He needed to negotiate a deal that would favor the Black Crow exchange.

“Fine. I'll accept a 10-year exclusive distribution deal with a 30% fixed royalty.”

A 30% royalty meant that with control over both sales and distribution, 70% of the profit would go directly to the Black Crow exchange. It wasn’t a bad deal. As KaraShi’s value increased, the Black Crow exchange would become one of the richest entities on the continent.

"Additionally, I ask for the rights to develop in western territory and for protection of the Black Crow exchange's existence in Rehinar."

"Are you hoping for protection in Rehinar if you face any danger?"

"Yes, that’s correct."

"Hmm..."

"Remember, I’m offering the Blood mana stone Mine—the only one of its kind on the continent."

Gillip proposed his offer to Kane with a life-or-death determination. At that moment, Blata, with a displeased expression, chimed in.

"Kane, this sounds like a bad deal. That guy thinks you're an easy target."

Gillip, sensing the tension, quickly pulled out a carrot and offered it to Blata.

"Here, here, be a good boy. Want some carrot?"

Blata’s face twisted with anger.

"Should I just kill him?"

Blata’s pronunciation suddenly became sharp, a sign that his emotions were truly riled up.

"Hissss!"

"Eek!"

Gillip recoiled in fear as Blata bared his fangs and hissed. Offering a carrot to such a fearsome creature was a grave mistake. Blata was furious. In a hurry, Gillip pulled out some dried meat.

"Alright, I’ll let it slide this time."

Blata’s tail swayed from side to side, looking cute but with a hint of mischief that made people want to give him a good smack.

"So, will you accept my terms?" Gillip asked.

"I will."

"Let’s revise the contract immediately."

Gillip successfully secured the deal with Kane.

"Let’s maintain a good relationship moving forward."

"Of course."

Despite his words, Gillip cursed Kane repeatedly in his mind.

'You damn devil! I’ll make sure to rise to the rank of count—no, marquis—through you!'

---

Kane was walking down the main road after leaving the Black Crow exchange’s headquarters.

"Kane, why did you agree to that man’s conditions? I bet you could’ve ripped him off for at least half of it."

"What do you take me for?"

"A devil in human disguise?"

"You're the devil here."

"Ugh, don’t compare me to such a lowly species," Blata responded haughtily.

Blata belonged to the highest rank among the ferocious species. As he said, he couldn’t be compared to a lower demon.

"And yet you got swayed by a piece of jerky… How adorable."

"Nooo! But seriously, why did you agree to his demands?"

"The Black Crow exchange will ultimately belong to me. Accepting his conditions doesn’t hurt my plans."

"Hehe, you really are a wicked one, Kane."

"Was that an insult?"

"It was a compliment!"

Blata grinned brightly. Kane and Blata continued to bicker as they made their way back to the estate.

"Blata."

"Yes?"

"Doesn't it seem like there are a lot of rats around?"

"Mhm! I think they’re spying on you, Kane."

"We need to round them all up."

Although they were constantly recruiting soldiers, it wasn’t enough to patrol such a vast territory. Yet, if the Guardian knight were deployed to manage the land, the security of the estate would be compromised. Rehinar had grown larger, but it still had many unresolved issues.

"As Rehinar develops rapidly, it seems to have attracted a lot of curious onlookers."

Kane could sense faint flows of mana throughout the territory, indicating the use of magical communication devices.

"It looks like I'll need to ask for Yoshua's help."

"He’ll work diligently."

Kane paused his return to the estate and instead turned towards the temple. His appearance there caused a stir among the followers.

"Oh! His Highness has graced us with his presence!"

"It’s an honor to see you in person, Lord Kane. I’m so overwhelmed, I could cry!"

Some of the followers even shed tears at the sight of him. Everyone regarded Kane with the utmost reverence.

"Your praise is too much."

His voice alone moved the followers to tears.

"He’s so humble!"

"Blata has blessed us with a divine being, sisters!"

"Glory to Blata!"

The atmosphere was almost cult-like.

Shortly after, Yoshua appeared with the blood priests.

"What brings you here, causing you to make such a heavy journey?"

"There are a lot of rats infesting Rehinar."

"They’re likely spies sent by other territories."

"I need the temple to take care of them."

"Since it’s an order from you, we’ll make sure to catch every last one."

The Blata Temple had a large number of followers.

[3★ Blata Temple (Lv.MAX)]

The building was already at its maximum level. To accommodate more followers, it needed to be upgraded to the next tier.

[Daniel Lindemann is currently managing the territory.]

[You can upgrade the 3★ Blata Temple (Lv.MAX). Do you want to upgrade it? (Y/N)]

Kane checked his funds.

[Funds: 95 million gold]

He had spent a fortune turning Rehinar into a city of water, leaving him with 90 million gold. In just fifteen days, his wealth had increased by 5 million gold.

'Looks like I’ve got the funds. Approve.'

[You have spent 50 million gold.]

[The Blata Temple Headquarters (Lv.MAX) has been upgraded to the Blood Grand Temple (Lv.1). (Construction Time: 60 days)]

[Do you want to complete the construction of the Blood Grand Temple (Lv.1) immediately? (Y/N)]

[Immediate completion cost – 25 million gold]

‘Complete it immediately.’

[The Blood Grand Temple (Lv.1) has been completed.]

[Security has decreased by -20.]

[Guild Influence has increased by +160.]

[The guild has reached Level 4.]

[New guild buildings have been unlocked.]

- Unlocked Buildings -

4★ Mercenary Guild

5★ Blood Summoning Hall

‘It’s great that the Blata Cult can upgrade without following the usual hassle of quests and levels.’

Most other buildings required the territory to reach a certain level before they could be upgraded. But the Blood Cult had no such restrictions. As long as the cult itself reached max level, that was enough. Even though the guild level was only 3, he could upgrade to a 4-star building.

‘The drop in security is inevitable. Considering the cult’s sudden increase in followers, only losing 20 points of security is not bad at all.’

This was possible because Kane had complete control over the Blata Cult. If Blata weren’t by his side, establishing the Demon Cult would have been an act of suicide. Controlling fanatics was extremely dangerous, but with Blata, the cult’s symbol, under his control, it was manageable. Yoshua and the other followers even regarded him as a deity.

‘And my first 4-star building, that feels pretty good.’

[Blood Grand Temple (Lv.1)]

Rating: ★★★★☆

Description: The Shining Star (Blata) Cult has grown once more! Though its symbol might seem cute, don't be deceived. It can reveal its true form at any time and devour you whole.

*Note: “Shining Star” refers to the demon worshiped by the cult.

Effects: Blata’s abilities +300%, Faith +500%, Follower Capacity +500%, Skills granted upon ordination of blood priests - Blood Regeneration, Blood Magic (basic acquisition).

[You have completed your first 4-star building.]

[As a reward, 100 million gold has been granted.]

[Your reputation has increased by +50,000.]

A crimson light descended upon the cult, a blessing. The illnesses of the sick followers were miraculously healed, and some even gained mana.

[A devout follower has requested to be promoted to ‘Blood Priest Apprentice.’ Will you accept? (Y/N)]

‘Accept.’

[Promotion accepted.]

[The devout follower has been promoted to ‘Blood Priest Apprentice.’]

Many followers became blood priests, elite units capable of both healing and combat. This was the effect of the 4-star building. As Yoshua bowed his head in reverence towards Blata, nestled in Kane’s arms, Kane decided to make good use of Blata.

“This one says he trusts High Priest Yoshua,” Kane remarked.

“Oh! Great Guardian Spirit of the Demons,” Yoshua whispered, overwhelmed with emotion, his eyes filling with tears. To him, Blata’s will was his very life.

“I will capture all who appear to be spies and offer them to you as blood sacrifices,” Yoshua declared, true to his role as the leader of the fanatics.

Kane shook his head. “Do not kill them; just capture them all.”

“If that is your command, so be it.” Yoshua placed his hand over his heart and bowed deeply. His actions were so solemn that no one would suspect him to be a fanatic leader; he bore the dignity of an archbishop.

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Lucky]