Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 88

88

Your base is under attack!

“This is the current situation in Klausen.”

Margrave Lichten showed Sion and his party a map during a meeting with his vassals and knights.

Klausen was in the center, with Nudia’s territory to the east, a massive mountain range to the north, and fields, plains, and hills to the south.

“The monsters are coming down from the mountains and constantly battering this territory.

Initially, the soldiers were caught off guard, resulting in 5 deaths and dozens of serious injuries.”

“That’s a significant loss.”

“Indeed.

Since then, we’ve been building palisades [defensive walls made of pointed stakes] to defend against the monsters, but their numbers and types keep increasing.

Eventually, we decided to defend in a location where it’s easier to receive support from the castle.”

“Father,

I have a question.

We didn’t see any monsters until we returned to the territory.”

Margrave Lichten fell silent at Sion’s words.

“That’s why my vassals and I are on edge.

Monsters usually prefer to attack small groups of people who are separated from the main force.”

“Because it’s safer and more certain.”

“Exactly.

But these guys are different.

They just charge straight at the lord’s castle without looking back.

They don’t care how many of their own kind die.”

It was an answer that felt quite suspicious.

Sion and Margrave Lichten weren’t the only ones who felt that way.

“That sounds pretty fishy.

Are you saying the monsters are just ramming into this sturdy castle?”

Margrave Lichten confirmed to Lilith’s question that it was true.

Then, Rishikeeda and Lucia also expressed their doubts.

No matter how strong the monsters are, these walls are an ultimate fortress that can withstand most magical attacks.

Monsters instinctively avoid such sturdy defensive structures and target vulnerable spots, but the monsters targeting the territory were all showing strange behavior.

“There are too many strange things.”

“Indeed.

But we have suspicions without evidence.”

“How about sending troops to the mountains where the monsters keep coming from…?”

“That’s impossible.

Even though Nudia is adhering to the ceasefire agreement, relations could sour, and the situation could suddenly worsen at any time.

We must maintain a full force capable of stopping them if Nudia starts another war like last time.”

As Margrave Lichten said, it had only been two months since the war with Nudia ended.

The wounded soldiers were only now able to return to their daily lives, and more than half of the remaining soldiers were engaged in combat with monsters.

In this situation, sending able-bodied troops to the mountains would leave the territory with only those exhausted from continuous battles with monsters.

If Nudia were to stab them in the back at that moment, they might have to consider the worst-case scenario.

‘Besides, we don’t know what might happen in the mountains, so we can’t take a small force.

Cutting the troops in half in a border region where we always have to be vigilant is something we should never do.’

This common sense was basic knowledge, something Sion, who had achieved the great feat of being honorably discharged as a sergeant from the army, naturally knew.

“So, there’s no real solution other than sitting here and fending off the monsters.”

“That’s right.

If this were just an ordinary territory, I would send the Tobal unit, but we have a more threatening enemy right in front of us, the powerful Nudia.”

The current well-maintained agreement could turn into a scrap of paper in an instant.

Margrave Lichten was wary of that point and couldn’t easily dispatch the territory’s soldiers.

“Hmm.”

Sion looked at the map and pondered for a moment.

In fact, the knights and soldiers of the Klausen Margraviate were strong enough to be called elite.

Therefore, with the right troops, they could not only stop the monsters coming down from the mountains but also push up and burn the entire mountain range.

However, the problem was still Nudia.

Although Count Basura was there, they were well aware that humans tend to break promises, and Nudia could deploy the central army directly without ordering Count Basura to attack.

‘Regular troops can’t be deployed.

Then there’s only one option left.’

Sion tapped the table lightly as if he had made a decision.

Then, he stood up and addressed Margrave Lichten.

“Father,

I’ll take care of the monsters.”

“What are you talking about, Sion?”

“I’ll take charge of everything related to the monster attacks, so you can just focus on Klausen’s defenses as usual.”

Margrave Lichten was about to say, ‘What does that mean? How can you do that…?’ when Sion spread his hands wide and introduced his companions once again.

The highest-ranking demon, the Succubus Queen.

Next to her was a high-ranking knight.

On the other side was a mage with incredible skills, and the man guarding her was a powerhouse with unbelievable martial prowess that even surpassed high-ranking knights.

“Meow!”

And a seemingly cute cat woman.

“…Do you have some kind of plan?”

“Of course.

Have you ever seen me act without thinking?”

“Well…

Alright.

I’m sure you have a plan.

Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Just keep blocking the monsters heading towards Klausen as usual.

I’m planning to move separately with my group here.”

“Is there really nothing else I can do?”

“Ah, if there is one thing, I would appreciate it if you could strengthen the security of the roads so that the Hines Merchant Guild, which will be coming from the royal capital soon, doesn’t get attacked by monsters on their way.”

Only then did Margrave Lichten’s face brighten up a bit.

At the same time, he felt sorry, as a father would.

His son had been caught up in the rebellion in the royal capital, and after going through several incidents, he was attacked on his way back and discovered the slave market, earning merit.

It was only natural to feel sorry that he was being swamped with work again as soon as he arrived.

Hoping that someone else might step in and stop his son, Margrave Lichten cautiously opened his mouth.

“Sion.

Shouldn’t you at least seek the opinions of others?

Deciding such a thing alone might be a bit much…”

At Margrave Lichten’s words, Sion exclaimed, ‘Ah, that’s true!’ and looked around, asking a question.

It was a question where the answer was already obvious, and the next situation was easily predictable.

“That’s true.

So, is there anyone who wants to drop out?”

“Where would I go without you?”

“It is my duty to serve you wherever you go, Master!”

“Should we just change clothes and leave right away?”

“Meooow!”

“Hmph.”

“So, that’s that, Father.”

The women didn’t hesitate for even a second, and Kim Yoo-hyun didn’t object, crossing his arms.

It would have been nice if someone next to his son had suggested he rest, but everyone was clearly being careful not to incur Sion’s displeasure.

‘Hehe…

Should I be happy about this or worried?’

Margrave Lichten smiled inwardly but deliberately sighed as if he was worried.

When Sion looked at him with a slightly nervous expression, as if there was a problem, he thought, ‘The plan worked,’ and put on a stern face before opening his mouth.

“Still, it’s not very pleasant to be swamped with work again as soon as you return, Sion Klausen.”

“Father, I’m really fine.”

“Quiet, you.

After going through so many things and returning home, you must be exhausted.

Rest well today and start moving in earnest from tomorrow.”

“Isn’t this a situation where every day counts?

First of all…”

“Ahem.

Those around you might be struggling.

Don’t say anything and rest today.

If Klausen was going to collapse because you took a day off, it would have collapsed a long time ago.”

With those words, Margrave Lichten stood up from his seat with a ‘Ahem!’

When Sion reflexively stood up as well, he told him to stay and explain the plan to the group from ‘tomorrow’ and left the conference room.

“Ah, Sion.”

Before leaving the conference room, Margrave Lichten suddenly called out to his son.

When Sion approached the margrave, he carefully placed his hand on his son’s shoulder and whispered.

“It might be a bit early, but this father welcomes it.”

“Pardon?”

“Becoming a grandfather, that is.

Strangely, these days I want to hear the word ‘grandfather’ more than ‘father.’

Maybe I’m just getting old and foolish…

Anyway, this father will approve of any woman you like, so feel free to bring home a daughter-in-law.

Don’t even think about suggestions like Raido’s coercion.

Do you understand what I mean?”

“Uh… yes, I think I understand.”

When Sion nodded, Margrave Lichten said he would see him again in the conference room tomorrow morning, told him to rest well today without thinking about anything else, and left the room first.

‘What is that all about?’

Originally, humans showed quite a bit of aversion to other races, let alone demons, didn’t they?

But how could Margrave Lichten, his father, not care about Winnie, let alone Lilith?

‘Well, it’s not a bad reaction, so I’ll put it off until later.’

Sion returned to his seat and sat down.

Then, Lilith, who was sitting next to him, opened her mouth.

“So, what are you planning to do?

Do you really have a plan?”

“Of course, I do.

Do you think I would just start something without thinking?”

That’s a complete lie.

He doesn’t have a plan.

It’s not a lie; Sion really didn’t have a specific plan.

How to subjugate the monsters, how to investigate the mountain range, or any such detailed thoughts were not in his head from the start.

Why?

‘Why make a plan?

A plan you make in front of the enemy is something you make when you and your opponent have a certain balance of power, and the battle situation may become advantageous or disadvantageous depending on that.’

When the opponent is charging at you with swords, spears, bows, and arrows, shouting ‘Uwaaa!’

If you are armed with machine guns, tanks, and tactical nukes, what madman would make a plan against such an enemy?

‘Even if there are traps, we have the power to overcome them from the start.

According to the logic of the power-hiding-geeks, there’s no need to use a butcher knife to catch a chicken, but that’s all bullshit.

Why be a coward when I have Exodia [an incredibly powerful and rare card in the Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card game] in my hand?

Just say, “Let’s open it and eat it,” and push through.’

Unless using power turns the whole world against you, not using it when you have it is just being a stupid idiot.

Here I am, wanting to use some power but unable to because I’m mana-crippled.

“It’s simple.

You guys just go out and hunt monsters tomorrow.

The next day, the day after that, and the day after that.

Kill them all before they reach the castle.

That’s all you have to do.”

Sion’s answer was too simple.

Just go out and overwhelm them with power; that was the gist of what he was saying.

Rishikeeda would follow any order, so she nodded immediately, but Lilith and Lucia looked slightly embarrassed.

They thought Sion, whom they knew, would have a more specific, certain, and excellent plan.

“Are you sure that’s all we have to do?

Like, not go into the mountains to find the cause, or…?”

“Why bother with such tiring things?

We just have to wait while receiving what comes our way.

Then the mastermind will come out on their own.”

“Ehh?

Really?”

Sion doesn’t know anything else, but he knows one thing for sure.

Sion Klausen killed his father and did all sorts of digging, but.

In the end, it wasn’t the monsters that destroyed Klausen, but the forces of Nudia.

The monster attacks may have had some influence on the fall of Klausen, but the most important main attack was Nudia.

‘Perhaps there is a very high probability that strange movements will occur in Nudia soon.

Not Count Basura, but beyond him.

In the royal family of Nudia.

If the Nudian army rushes into Klausen.

The mastermind’s plan is obvious.

Rear disturbance and weakening of Klausen’s forces.’

The monster attacks they caused were not to destroy Klausen but to scratch at our nerves and prevent us from taking a mental and physical rest.

A smokescreen operation to prevent us from focusing solely on Nudia’s offensive.

But if a few of the territory’s powerhouses suddenly appear and are dealing with monsters in a secluded place, wouldn’t it be an opportunity for them to quietly eliminate a few troublesome thorns?

‘It’s obvious that it’s a trap?

They’re not idiots, so there’s no way they’ll fall for our bait?’

Then we have nothing to lose either.

No, it’s even more welcome.

Since there is a limit to the number of monsters they can send anyway, if we block them a little more, they will stop on their own, and if the monsters are crushed, the morale of the Klausen territory will rise again.

In addition, the soldiers who were fighting the monsters will be able to rest, and if that happens, their plan to disturb the rear will be seriously disrupted.

‘It’s a choice between two.

Either go all-in on the Nudia card.

Or come in knowing it’s a trap and eliminate our powerhouses, or at least injure them.’

Personally, the former was a bit more appealing to Sion.

But Sion predicted that the opponents would definitely choose the latter.

Whether they are celestials or fairies, they all think they are great, but in the end, they are stupid bastards who can’t abandon their nature.

Arrogant and looking down on humans, they were really just one-dimensional villains.

‘Author, no, thank you, author.

You’ve set the racial characteristics of the celestials and fairies so strongly that I can see clearly what decisions these guys will make.

Is this as certain as seeing the next tragedy that will happen in the bottom lane that never gives up even after a Mia ping [a warning signal in the game League of Legends] even after a Mia ping?

Thanks to that, there was no tension in the novel, but thanks to that, I’m going to get a double kill!

Mid difference is so sweet!’

―――――――Author’s Notes―――――――

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