The Hunted Regressor: My Heretic Saint System-Chapter 137: New Home

"Don’t you think you were a little TOO risky, boy?"

A familiar man, similar in height to Ignotus, complained from his desk.

The voice came before the door to his office had even closed.

"Awww... are you worried about me, Father~?"

And indeed, that man was his father, Genus.

Ignotus had come here straight after hearing about the Colosseum Trial.

He had a few things to talk about and a few things to confirm.

"I’m worried about the House name."

Genus straightened his robes, which were neat as ever, and steepled his hands.

He wore the same expression as last time, a tired disapproval that made him look like he’d been scolding Ignotus since birth, which... wasn’t entirely wrong.

A ’look’ that had Ignotus lean on the doorway with a grin.

"Hm, really?"

"Yes."

Genus sighed and looked down.

"You seem to be working very hard to erase it."

"Well..."

Ignotus stepped in, his boots dirtying the polished floor.

"You’ll be happy to hear that I’ve already started on that."

He took a seat without asking and crossed his legs, the smell of ink and burning incense filling his nostrils.

It was an unfamiliar office, as this wasn’t in their manor, yet it had that same oppressive aura.

Somehow, however, Ignotus felt oddly comfortable here. Much like he did when he was facing the headmaster himself, probably because annoying his father had become a new personal hobby.

"I take it you saw me jump into Hell?"

Genus finally glanced up, unimpressed by his son’s deduction.

"It’s hard to miss your stupidity when you don’t bother to hide it."

Ignotus laughed.

"So you were watching."

That explained a lot. The reason the House of Gods or any of the other Houses hadn’t swooped in on that hole? They’d been kept away, probably by Genus’s unseen hands.

"Thanks for the help."

"It wasn’t me."

Genus waved his ’hand.’

"Thank the two rogues that I thought were dead. Otherwise, I might’ve... looked away."

"Hm. That’s the same as helping."

"Not legally."

Ignotus shrugged.

"Then let’s keep it illegal."

Genus gave him that parental ’look’ once more, but Ignotus ignored it, already moving on:

"Anyways, I’ve registered the name. Did you send the land and manor deed?"

Without a word, Genus pointed at a few neatly stacked documents on his desk.

Ignotus grabbed them and flipped through the contents.

"Hm."

His brows twitched.

"This isn’t the land you told me about."

Ignoring him completely, Genus gestured at another document.

"The Parish already sent one of theirs over to that location. Gaia received them."

Ignotus blinked.

"...Ah."

So that was how it was.

The old man was planning something.

"Hm, so she’s there already?"

"Yes. And she’s waiting for you."

Of course, she was. Of course.

Genus leaned forward slightly.

"Let it be known..."

The movement was small, but it led to something important:

"From this day onward, Ignotus shall no longer bear the name of Plant."

Ignotus stared at him blankly while Genus continued, ignoring his reaction:

"He shall be denounced as of Plant and announced henceforth as of Calamity."

Ignotus tilted his head.

"You practiced that, didn’t you?"

"I’m giving you your freedom."

Genus’s voice was flat.

"At least pretend it’s ceremonial."

"Fine, fine..."

Ignotus stood and bowed his head a little too dramatically.

"I, Ignotus of Calamity, humbly thank you for this act of exile."

Genus’s lips twitched, and before Ignotus could turn the moment into another sarcastic jab, he quickly added:

"However, I’ll extend one final offer. House Calamity may, if it wishes, become one of our vassal Houses."

Ignotus paused.

He rubbed his eyes a few times.

He did the same to his ears a moment later.

Then he tapped his head and shook it a few times.

"Hm."

Finally accepting what he heard, he took a deep breath and...

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!"

Laughed very loudly.

"I left for ’freedom,’ and your first idea is to chain me again?"

Ignotus couldn’t believe the balls on his father.

Well, he came from there, so it was to be expected.

"I guess that’s one thing I can be thankful for... hm.’

Ignotus shrugged off that thought while Genus did the same to his laughter.

"It was worth a try."

"Yeah, sure."

Ignotus’s grin widened.

"Keep trying; you might even trick me one day."

That earned a small exhale from his father.

What was a laugh? He didn’t know.

Anyhow, the tension eased for a moment, and the talk shifted.

"The Trial. What’s the theme this time?"

Genus didn’t ignore his son’s question for once.

"To cleanse Corrupted land and to push back Hell. All participants are required to wear a Divine Mask."

His gaze flicked to Ignotus’s face.

"Though it seems you already have one."

Ignotus rolled his eyes.

"I get it, I get it; you’ve been watching me."

Genus continued:

"The Corrupted zone borders your newly granted land. It encompasses four regions, so four victors will be declared."

Ignotus didn’t immediately respond.

Instead, he glanced down at the documents again.

Right, the location of his new "manor" wasn’t a coincidence.

It sat right in the middle of highly Corruptible ground.

A risky, cursed, probably half-sinking piece of terrain.

He clicked his tongue.

"Ah. So that’s what this is."

Genus looked at him with mild curiosity.

"What?"

"You really don’t like me, do you?"

"I tolerate you."

Genus corrected.

"For now."

"Touching."

The man ignored that too, calmly rearranging the papers on his desk.

"You should visit soon. Leaving a wife waiting too long tends to ruin a marriage."

"I’m sure those were words of experience..."

Ignotus flipped him off.

"Bastard."

...

...

...

Indeed, it was Gaia.

Ignotus found her waiting outside the manor gates as he approached, sunlight scattering across her blonde hair. Perhaps she’d been notified of his arrival, or maybe she just knew he’d show up.

Either way, she stood there in a formal white-and-green dress, surrounded by her people.

And yes, there were many of them, dozens of her attendants and guards, all kneeling behind her, with Nora standing at the front, her head lowered in respect.

It was a picturesque sight with lush hills rolling behind them, vines climbing along stone walls, and the new manor itself glowing under the midday sun, having been recently cleaned.

Someone had clearly gone overboard trying to make this place look special.

’That "bastard" really moved fast.’

The entire estate had been moved here, furnished even, in just a few days.

Many a Runebearers’ work, no doubt.

’They have my regards~.’

Ignotus approached them with an easy smile, raising a hand.

"Thanks for the grand welcome."

Gaia, who had been trying to look composed, went a little red when he took her hand in his.

"I—it’s only right, my Lord—I mean, Ignotus."

"Yes, there’s no need for that. Ignotus is fine."

He squeezed her hand lightly before letting go.

"Otherwise I’ll feel like a Stranger."

Her face turned an even deeper shade of pink.

Nora coughed softly to hide a laugh while the rest of the guards tried very hard to look at anything except their lady’s expression.

Meanwhile, Ignotus, acting like he didn’t see or hear them, glanced around.

"You’ve outdone yourself. This place looks incredible."

"W-we had help."

Gaia replied quickly.

"Your father sent builders... His people did most of the work, actually."

"Of course he did."

After a few moments of polite introductions and formalities to the rest of her—now also his—people, Ignotus looked at her again.

"Do you mind giving me a tour?"