The Hunted Regressor: My Heretic Saint System-Chapter 5: May The Gods Help

Runethera’s acting government, the Temple of Gods, instituted what became known as the Rune-Leash Decree.

This decree was a Divine Law binding all Runebearers to their Stratum and their families, noble Houses or not, even beyond death.

Meaning that if Ignotus died, by law, his body, and most importantly, his Runes, would be given back to his family to do with as they pleased.

On the surface, it was justified as an act of piety: ensuring no Runebearer’s body was left to rot, that their Runes were returned to the sanctity of their family, and that their kin could mourn with proper rites.

But beneath this veil of sanctity was both a leash and a noose.

Naturally, most, whether in Ignotus’s position or not, would never even entertain such a wild thought, never mind using its existence in such a way, never, but that was exactly why it was so beneficial to him.

With it, he could calm Genus, reminding him that he had complete control.

That, in turn, would delay his father’s wrath, as whenever Genus lowered his hand and sent for him to be locked up, it’d only be at an opportune moment, a moment that could be anticipated, giving Ignotus much more time to prepare for its arrival.

Of course, Genus might not go after him, but Ignotus didn’t work like that.

If the possibility was there, he would be sure to ready himself for it.

’Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.’

He knew that law by heart.

...

"Hmm-hmm..."

Half an hour or so later, a young man got out of the bath, all freshened up.

It was Ignotus, and he was in a familiar room, beneath a familiar ceiling...

"Hmmmm~."

It was home, one that he hadn’t seen in so long.

His demeanor made the scene almost look picturesque.

"Hm-hm-hm!"

Quite cozy, and not at all unusual... yes.

Especially not with the young man’s humming.

Nothing about this was unusual.

’Hm.’

Looking forward, his eyes met a mirror, and he gave himself a look-over.

’Yeah... I’m really back.’

He looked no older than sixteen...

His once magnificent beard was gone, making him feel naked without it...

And his long hair was no longer a grayish white, returning to its true color. It was a pure white, ridiculously so, to the point that it almost seemed to be permanently highlighted.

His face was pretty decent, with a sharpish jawline, clear skin, and eyes the same gray they’d always been.

Oh, also, he was thin as Hell.

And if it wasn’t stated enough, he was tall as Hell too.

’Six foot seven inches, maybe...’

All in all, his young self wasn’t too bad.

Click...

Just as he was done admiring himself, somebody opened the door, not bothering to even knock.

It was a young woman wearing the classic black-and-white uniform.

Indeed, it was a maid.

"Ignotus."

She looked at him dismissively.

"Please..."

Her voice held obvious hate for him.

"Your parents request you to quicken your pace and be present at the meeting table."

Ignotus raised his brows.

"...only Ignotus, huh?"

The maid tilted her head, appearing exhausted already.

"Yes? Obviously. What else do you want me to call you? Gods, how useless can you be? Try to act less like a halfwit for once, would you? The entire House already pities your existence."

Not listening to a word she said, Ignotus nodded, a satisfied smile gracing his face.

’Well, I could give her the benefit of the doubt...’

’Maybe she’s a northerner... they use Von over there.’

’Right, Von this, Von that; instead of honorifics, she probably got confused.’

’There’s no way a maid could treat her son’s employer like that, right?’

’Yeah, yeah, no way. Nobody is that arrogant and stupid.’

"Are you deaf as well as stupid?"

The maid snapped and stepped closer.

"Get moving. Don’t make the rest of us get in trouble because you’re too busy gawking at your own reflection!"

Ignotus flicked his head back at her, and his eyes widened.

’Oh.’

He had truly forgotten how he was treated in this ’time...’ it almost felt novel.

’Still, that doesn’t change what needs to happen.’

Ever so casually, he walked up to her and stopped right in front of her, towering over her.

"Are you going to throw another tantrum?"

Instead of flinching from the sheer difference in stature, she smirked, lifting her chin, staring right at him with open disgust.

"That’s all you’re good for, after all. A pathetic, spoiled coward—"

Smack!

Her smirk exploded into shock as his hand cracked across her face, snapping her head to the side.

"—Uggh!"

Clutching her reddened cheek, she staggered, fury flashing in her eyes.

"You... you dare—!"

Smack!

He struck her again before she could finish, harder this time, sending her stumbling into the wall.

Her trembling eyes widened, more in disbelief than pain, and she nearly choked on the sob that tried to escape her throat.

’Hm... was that too hard?’

Stunned, the poor maid continued to stare at Ignotus, terrified and bewildered in equal measure.

They locked eyes in silence, predator and very, very confused prey.

Neither made a move, or that was the case until Ignotus lowered his hands, coughed lightly, and straightened up.

’That shut her down quick...’

Chuckling to himself at how simple the... solution to his past’s problem was, he flicked his hand at her dismissively.

Shoo.

That, she certainly did, not wanting to be before him for even a second longer.

If it wasn’t obvious by now, this man was quite unhinged, as he, still without a change in expression, walked over to a nearby cupboard and dressed up in entirely dark clothes.

Insane or not, he had manners and something of a fixation on being clean and wearing nice clothes.

’Good enough.’

Stepping back into the hall, he took his home sweet home all in.

The place was huge, with thick red carpets running along the floor, wooden walls hung with old oil paintings, and the occasional mounted sword or shield.

On his left, light streamed in from tall windows, casting everything in a morning glow.

It was beautiful.

If Ignotus wasn’t so, well, himself, he would’ve stopped and admired the view for a second.

But because Ignotus was Ignotus, he continued on his way... even passing a family portrait... his own.

Five people stood proudly in it: his father, Genus, behind a graceful woman with matching green eyes and a kind smile; a cocky-looking young man, similar to his father in appearance, only shorter; a beautiful young woman with a reserved expression... and finally, a slightly younger version of him.

Except, of course, his eyes were gray.

Everyone else had royal, vibrant green.

Ignotus shook his head, caring not for it.

’We share nothing but blood.’

Of course, he thought of them as family, but that was all it was. A word, a title of what they had. They were strangers wearing the mask of kinship; never had they acted like family.

’I wonder if it’ll be any different now...’

Thinking that, he passed maid after maid, who all looked away, acting as if they didn’t see him, something that he did as well, though not on purpose, as his attention was taken by the views outside.

Below and far out on the green and the marble, he saw people celebrating, waving large flags that held... Runes, seemingly screaming the same thing over and over.

They, of course, were celebrating the Day of Runes.

After all, the Ascension of mortals into Runebears was a big deal.

In most Lower Houses, Ignotus would’ve been celebrated, no matter what his Rune was, but...

Main Houses were different; they had reputation, expectations, and certain positions to maintain. If you, a child of that House, failed to meet such things, you’d forever be treated as worse than a mortal.

Well, none of that mattered to Ignotus, as he wasn’t planning on staying.

But for now, he wasn’t thinking about that. His only focus was on surviving what was coming next...

He stood on the precipice of what was most difficult.

The awkward and dramatic scene of him reuniting with his family!

...May the Gods help him.