The Hunted Regressor: My Heretic Saint System-Chapter 109: Forgive Me

Mer was fine with it.

"I can just have my guards walk over."

The clerk immediately raised a reassuring hand.

"You needn’t trouble them, Lady Merlin. Your horses and carriages will be handled by our transport staff and be sent to your chosen destination."

"Oh."

She smiled faintly.

"Then that’s fine, I suppose."

Lykos crossed his arms.

"Same. Send mine to my manor."

The clerk paused mid-step, visibly hesitating.

His eyes flicked toward Lykos, though still a little lowered.

"Lord Lykos... forgive me, but... are you certain?"

Lykos’s fluffy ears twitched.

"Certain about what?"

The clerk swallowed.

"About your manor, my Lord. I’ve heard... you haven’t visited since the day your—"

"Since the day my father died? The day my mother all but abandoned me?"

Lykos cut in with a scoff, silencing him.

His words made the air awkward enough to chew on.

Something that was news to Ignotus, who looked at the wolf-boy with pity. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The clerk lowered his gaze even further, only a few inches more from bowing.

"My apologies, I spoke out of turn."

Lykos’s jaw tightened, but he quickly shook his head.

"Ugh, whatever. Just send them there."

"Of course."

The clerk bowed again, motioning to another attendant.

"This man will lead you to the wall room for teleportation."

His eyes then shifted toward Ignotus.

"Lord Ignotus, if you would please stay behind a moment. You still have some business with us."

Ulv patted Ignotus’s back on his way out.

"Don’t get robbed."

"I’ll kill them if they do~."

And he wasn’t at all joking about that.

Something that everyone around him fully understood.

Once the others followed the attendant out, he turned back to the clerk.

"So... how much did it sell for?"

The clerk raised a brow.

"Have you left before the second tier ended?"

"No."

Ignotus gestured for him to move.

"I just... zoned out."

"Ah."

The clerk chuckled softly and began leading him down a side hallway lined with office doors.

"Fortunately for both you and us, there were two Blood Runebearers present. Which was why we moved your Rune up to tier two."

"I know that much."

"As I believed you would. It fetched a total of nineteen gold, nearly three times its estimated worth."

Ignotus’s smile stretched wide.

’Lady Luck has returned to me~!’

’Just don’t cheat on me with her too much.’

Chuckling at Eris’s threa... joke, Ignotus asked:

"And my share of the remaining three gold?"

The clerk gestured toward a door ahead.

"All of it, my Lord. We’ve waived the usual transaction fee. Consider it a gesture of goodwill."

"Trying to hook me in, huh?"

"Of course."

The clerk revealed without shame.

"We know who to invest in, Lord Ignotus of House Calamity."

He unlocked the door and pushed it open.

"Please..."

Inside, a small circular table sat under a soft white light, and right in the center, gleaming atop the polished surface, were three gold coins and his new Divine Relic.

Ignotus raised a brow.

"A bit dramatic, no?"

The clerk chuckled.

"It’s how we... roll, my Lord."

"Fair enough."

Appreciating that answer, Ignotus picked up the gloves.

—

[Hands of Lethe]

[Description: Gloves woven for thieves of Fate. When attacked by a foe, the bearer may, through Luck alone, steal the attack and seal it within the glove, each knuckle holding one stolen blow. At will, the bearer may return the captured strike in full, turning the enemy’s own power against them. Failure to grasp fortune, however, means losing a charge for nothing at all. Such is the wager of Lethe’s touch.]

—

’It’s really perfect for me...’

He didn’t know if he’d ever find a weapon better than this.

Well, there was one, but that was only an... accessory; this would be what he’d most rely on.

’Great job getting it.’

Thanking Eris with a nod, he scooped up the coins, flipping one between his fingers before slipping them and the gloves away into his inventory.

’With this much gold... I can finally do that.’

But ’that’ plan could wait; for now, there was something else he had to attend to.

Ignotus glanced back at the clerk.

"You’ve got a tailor here, right?"

He bowed a little...

"Indeed."

And Ignotus gestured forth.

"Lead the way then."

...

The manor loomed high, torches burning on each corner, gray banners of a staff with the head of a crescent moon fluttering lazily under the night air. It was a place built like one would expect out of old nobility, with dark stone walls and open terraces.

It was not an unfamiliar place.

What wasn’t familiar was Ignotus himself.

Alone, he stood at the entrance, adjusting the lapel of his black coat.

Indeed, a black ’coat.’ He’d made himself a new outfit, comprising a black suit, white shirt, tie, and trench coat. All was done surprisingly quickly by that tailor, somehow understanding and applying Ignotus’s demands all within the hour.

This was what he always wore in his past life in the Second Stratum.

It felt comfortable and somewhat nostalgic.

It also helped that it had come for free.

’Those guys want me badly, huh?’

He chuckled to himself and stepped inside.

The hall was warm and buzzing, a sea of color, tunics, cloaks, and flowing dresses.

Though they were merely guards, one mustn’t forget that most of them were nobles themselves. But they sure as Hell didn’t mingle as nobles did, standing near tables heavy with food and actually eating it.

He, in contrast to them, was a walking void.

Pure black among gold and silk, making heads turn.

One head in particular was Mer, near the center, and damn, she was stunning.

Her hair, usually wild, was brushed and tied back, glowing red-violet under the chandeliers.

Her deep purple gown shimmered faintly with every move, highlighting her beauty.

"Ah, Ignotus!"

She waved before practically sprinting across the hall, completely shattering the graceful image.

"Hey, Mer."

He smiled.

"Sorry for being late. I had to wait on this suit."

She slowed, giving him a long, curious look.

"It’s been a... while since I’ve ever seen someone wear something like that... but it suits you!"

’It really does.’

"Thanks, but where is..."

That first word was directed to both Mer and Eris.

"Lykos—?"

"Lord Lykos, son of Remus, of House Death, has arrived!"

A butler’s booming voice cut him off.

"Please welcome the host of this banquet, my Lords and my Ladies."

Every head turned to the door as it swung open dramatically.

Lykos stood there, a fancy blue cloak draped over his shoulders, his blue hair tied neatly.

Beyond deadpan, Ignotus stared at the entering Lykos, in all his fluffy glory.

’And this is how he enters a ’private’ banquet.’

The bastard would never not show off.

Ulv, who trailed behind him, looked quite dapper as well.

When their eyes met, he mouthed:

’He’s only doing it to annoy you.’

"Keh—"

Ignotus barely contained his laugh, making Mer look at him weirdly.

Thankfully, she didn’t say anything and watched the showman take his stage.

Indeed, for Lykos unhurriedly took his place at the front of the hall and cleared his throat.

"Thank you for coming, everyone."

After looking around a bit, he started speaking, trying his best to sound... composed.

"Though we are Lords, a Lady, and guards gathered here tonight, I do..."

He hesitated, the words fighting to come out, much to the delight of his guards and Mer’s.

"...I do consider you... m-more than that."

The guards immediately exploded into laughter and teasing.

"You’re the best, boss!"

"We love you too, my Lord!"

"You look so handsome tonight!"

They were having the time of their lives, trying to tease Lykos into his usual fits.

And they looked like they were succeeding as Lykos’s tail twitched violently, but somehow, he kept a straight face and managed to hold it in. Perhaps it was in dignity, as Mer’s guards, beautiful cat-folk, were smiling at him as well, a few of them giggling behind their goblets.

They’d all known each other for years; it was clear in how comfortable they were.

Everyone had someone to talk to... except Ignotus.

He stood out both in dress and relationship.

"...Stranger."

Mer tilted her head at him.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing."

He glanced at the passing butlers.

One offered him a drink, but he shook his head.

"I stopped drinking."

Mer raised a brow, taking a goblet for herself.

"Stopped? Not that you don’t drink?"

He clicked his tongue at her.

"Why are you so dumb most of the time but sharp now?"

She gasped in mock offense and smacked his back a couple of times.

"I’m always smart!"

"Sure."

Eris snickered faintly in his mind.

’She’s cute, this one.’

Ignotus nodded, agreeing with her.

’And not smart enough to notice how I deflected her away so easily~.’

His eyes flicked back to Lykos, who lifted his goblet high.

"Now! Enough talk. May this banquet begin!"

Cheers erupted, everyone raising their goblets to drink.

Everyone, of course, except Ignotus.

He stood there, still, watching Ulv.

Laughter echoed around him, yet he didn’t seem to notice.

No, he didn’t; his attention was currently only on Ulv.

Because he noticed something extremely unusual.

The wolf-man was turning pale.

Incredibly pale, until suddenly...

"Kugh!"

He doubled over, coughing violently.

Lykos dropped his goblet almost immediately after.

Next to Ignotus, Mer’s hand went limp, the cup shattering against the floor as she fell to her knees.

In moments, the sound of joy turned into absolute chaos.

Guards convulsed, gasped, and collapsed one by one.

Wine spilled like blood across the tablecloth.

Now, only dreadful silence had remained.

And only Ignotus ’remained’ standing.

He was the only one alive.

Everyone else was poisoned... dead.

Unable to believe it, he stared at them wide-eyed.

What happened? How did they... no, who... why?

That was the story his face told.

"...forgive me."