Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 241

241

Falling Everything

The new King, the beginning of a new world.

If a party were missing from such an occasion, could it even be called a power circle?

In this very place where the order of all power is newly defined, one had to take what could be taken and discard what should be discarded.

“Young Lord Zion Klausen.”

Vanessa sought out Zion first and foremost.

He was the one who told her that what she had previously thought should rightfully belong to her brother, Prince Erader, did not have to be so, and he ignited a fire in her, urging her to have ambition.

For her, who started relatively late and lacked a solid support base, Zion’s joining, as the kingdom’s hero, was like a godsend.

Since then, Zion had been active in various places, enhancing his reputation and, at the same time, greatly contributing to engraving Vanessa’s name in the minds of the nobles.

Vanessa, as a princess, also took on various tasks of the kingdom and achieved minor accomplishments, but these were merely minimal measures, and she had never made remarkable achievements like Prince Erader.

Prince Erader had even participated in the first pirate suppression alongside Marquis Volko.

Naturally, she was being forgotten by the nobles, and it seemed that Prince Erader would be the next king.

Then, Zion Klausen appeared and revealed to the nobles that the one he supported was Princess Vanessa.

The nobles, hearing this from the handsome young man known as the kingdom’s sacred hero, once again placed their hopes on Princess Vanessa, whom they had forgotten, and eventually, she rose to the throne.

“Your Majesty.”

“···It feels strange to hear such words from you.”

“Are you uncomfortable?

But it can’t be helped.

You must get used to it.”

Zion maintained a pleasant atmosphere as much as possible without overstepping the bounds of courtesy.

He wasn’t oblivious; he had already figured out what parts Vanessa would feel resentful about once she became queen.

“If it weren’t for Zion, I wouldn’t be in this position.”

“That’s an exaggerated interpretation.

Your Majesty had enough ability and qualifications to do so.”

“You’re right.

But I lacked the most important thing: the will.

The firewood was piled up like a mountain, but the most important spark was missing.”

You, you provided that spark.

I have become a fire that burns so brightly, finally showing off a brief flame, not a wildfire that disappears.

A fire that can illuminate the whole world, shining as brilliantly as the sunlight.

Vanessa was a queen, not a princess, so she couldn’t reveal all her emotions in this place where there were many listening ears.

Fearing that her heart would only become more disturbed, Vanessa called out to Zann, who was quietly watching her from the side.

“Zann Temujin.”

The kingdom’s nobles, hearing the name of the leader of the northern barbarian tribes from the queen’s mouth, looked at Vanessa and Zann with tense faces.

In fact, many were dissatisfied with Zann’s participation not only in the coronation ceremony but also in this party.

The representative of a place openly called a ‘barbarian tribe’ and disregarded by the kingdom was taking a seat at the most important time and standing on equal footing with them, which was quite uncomfortable.

Above all, the main drawback was that she seemed to have completely disregarded etiquette and spoke carelessly, and if they had to listen to the nonsense of the barbarian tribe again at this time when a new king was ascending, the atmosphere could be ruined.

“···.”

“···.”

Therefore, the nobles unknowingly focused their eyes and ears on Vanessa and Zann.

If that barbaric woman made another mistake, and if the new king was not treated with due respect in this space where even the sacred Prussian people were present…

“Zann pays her respects to the Queen of Hispania.”

…Huh?

Eh?

It seemed as if the nobles’ sighs of disbelief could be heard.

Zion glanced at the nobles and could finally feel the reward for teaching Zann for two weeks, going through all sorts of troubles.

The reactions they showed were all like, ‘Did I hear something wrong?’

It was a natural reaction, as someone who had shown very rude behavior in front of the King and nobles of Hispania until recently had suddenly changed and was saying such things.

“I sincerely congratulate you on your coronation.”

“Thank you, Zann Temujin.”

“Also, this will be the will of all the northern tribes, not just myself, so the Queen need not doubt the hearts of the northern tribes.”

Zann Temujin finished speaking without a single flaw and even bowed her head.

Vanessa, looking at her, turned her head towards Zion and smiled as if she knew this would happen.

It was very clear that the story would be different if Zion stepped in, even though she wouldn’t listen to herself or others.

“I hope we can maintain a long-term cooperative relationship with Hispania in the future, Zann Temujin.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

Not just words, but the energy and atmosphere felt in her face and expression.

And the feeling that she was paying attention to every single gesture was evident.

He wondered what kind of reaction the warriors of the north, or Eos, would have if they saw this.

“···You’ve really become a different person.”

After finishing the simple greetings and making it clear to the nobles that being called a barbarian tribe doesn’t always mean being barbaric, Zann returned to her seat.

Vanessa, watching Zann’s appearance, had a slightly dumbfounded reaction.

“If a person could change so much in less than a month, how good would it have been if she had done that sooner?

I wouldn’t have had to hear unpleasant things about inviting that woman to the coronation ceremony.”

Even the chamberlain had opposed inviting Zann to the coronation ceremony.

It was only possible because Vanessa’s will was so firm and Edgar IV had little to say.

If Zann had shown decent behavior before, that wouldn’t have happened, so Vanessa’s complaint was quite reasonable.

“Your Majesty wouldn’t know how much I suffered.”

“Was there anything to call suffering?

She’s an excellent woman in the first place, so I think she would have been a good student.”

No, this princess.

No, this queen doesn’t know anything.

You don’t know how much that woman tormented me and drove me crazy!

Zion muttered inwardly and shook his head as if to say absolutely not.

“There is a sad legend that cannot be heard without tears, Your Majesty.”

“···?”

When Zion spoke in a very serious voice and with earnest eyes, Vanessa blinked at Zion as if to say, ‘Is it real?’

“It’s not a joke.

You don’t know how much I suffered···.”

Afterwards, Zion gave a detailed explanation with a little exaggeration.

For the sake of the king of a country who should not laugh or reveal emotions carelessly from now on, it meant that she could laugh to her heart’s content, at least in this place.

“Hehehe.”

And Vanessa smiled as if she understood that meaning.

Originally, if a monarch reveals emotions, there would be an overflow of those who flatter and cling to them, but Vanessa was not such an easy woman, and Zion had no intention of seeing Hispania, which he had to go with for the rest of his life, being swayed by strange sycophants and collapsing without lasting long.

After laughing out loud for a while, Vanessa stopped smiling and opened her mouth.

“Should I give you some kind of praise for your hard work?”

“I just need the Queen to keep a close eye on things so that the work I started doesn’t falter.

And to make sure they don’t cause trouble.”

“Don’t worry.

I’ve already heard the report that trading with the northern tribes is quite profitable.”

“That’s a relief,” Zion said, and began to time his retreat.

It was good that Vanessa approached him first, but if they were too close to each other, the picture would become very ambiguous again.

Before the nobles started imagining strange things, it was time to leave and hand over this place to other nobles.

“Queen of Hispania.

I sincerely congratulate you on your coronation.”

But Zion frowned slightly when he saw the face of the person who approached him immediately afterwards.

There are many other nobles in his country, but why did this guy approach him first?

“Also, the Holy Prussian and all the followers of light, and the descendants of light who protect us, will bless Your Majesty.”

“···Thank you.

I sincerely hope that light will also dwell in the Holy Prussian side.”

“It’s an honor, Your Majesty.”

Liman of the Holy Prussian, who had been dispatched to Hispania as a special envoy for the Holy War, had come this time to celebrate the ascension of the new king.

Looking at Liman, Zion wondered if the Holy Prussian guys had deliberately sent this guy again to provoke Princess Vanessa, who had withdrawn from the Holy War.

Of course, it could also be that Liman, who had already met with the Hispania side once, was sent because it was judged that he was someone who could be welcomed without burden on the Hispania side.

“I heard the stories of our kingdom’s soldiers who said that the sight of you leading the expeditionary force and marching according to the will of light was like a saint.

Now that such a sacred person has ascended to the throne, the Holy Prussian seems to have gained a strong ally, so we are very pleased.”

“I’m glad that I gave such a good impression, even though it was a short meeting.

I had to step back due to the circumstances of my country.”

She was speaking with a gentle smile and a soft tone, but there was a blade hidden inside.

Now, Vanessa was subtly emphasizing to the Holy Prussian side that she had withdrawn from the Holy War, asking what they thought about that part, and whether they were feeling bitter.

Liman made a gesture as if to say, “What are you talking about?” and opened his mouth.

“Hispania and Your Majesty’s position are fully understood.

Immediately, the Holy Prussian also urgently returned to its home country to find those who dared to go against the will of light and tried to do absurd things blinded by wealth, based on the evidence presented by the Hispania side.”

No, no.

You fools.

That’s all fake evidence I presented.

Pirates did receive your support, but since it was led by pigeons and pointy-ears, finding evidence will be impossible.

Of course, there may be high-ranking officials in the Holy Prussian who really had contact with pirates.

“The descendants of light will also know that preventing the country from being filled with shadows is the Holy War.

Your Majesty need not worry about what happened at that time.”

“···.”

Like Vanessa with a vague expression, Zion also had a face that said, “What is this bastard saying?”

He expected that they would show some subtle tone of blaming Hispania for suddenly withdrawing from the Holy War, even if not openly, but he did not expect them to come out so humbly.

‘Nudia is openly growling, but the Holy Prussian behind it is laughing and joking.

It’s not like a good cop and a bad cop game, what is this doing.’

While Zion was thinking that, Liman added various flowery words to congratulate Vanessa on her coronation, and then slipped the Holy Prussian’s request out of his mouth.

“Wishing that only light will fill Hispania in the future, we, the Holy Prussian, sincerely hope that the new king will continue to take good care of the followers of light, as before.”

“The followers.”

At first glance, it was just a formal request.

Edgar IV, the former king, also had the person from the Holy Prussian side who came to the coronation ceremony offer grand congratulations and wish that the kingdom would be filled with the will of light.

“Where in the world is there a place to reject light?

Of course, it’s welcome, but···.”

But Vanessa, the new king of Hispania, had no intention of accepting it easily.

“If shadows are created by that light, and evil people hide inside, then it will be a little difficult.

Isn’t that so, Liman of the Holy Prussian?”

“Ah, that’s···.”

“Light must shine fairly on the poor and the rich alike.

It must warmly illuminate those who believe in it and those who do not, without discrimination, to be called true light.

That is what you call the true meaning of light.”

Vanessa was directly discussing the alliance between the followers of light and the corrupt that Hispania had recently brought to the surface, so Liman had a quite embarrassed expression.

The Holy Prussian was also aware that such a thing was happening, but if it was made public, it would be like openly cursing the Order of Light, so they were trying to keep it quiet, but the monarch of another country had no intention of doing so.

“If you give light selectively to people, can that be called ‘light’?

Rather, it creates the ‘shadows’ that the teachings of light speak of.

So, I intend to punish those who create those shadows in my era.

No matter who the opponent is, very strongly.”

“Your Majesty.”

“The light I think of is everything that brings peace to this Hispania, and the shadow is everything that tries to confuse this Hispania, so I will fight as you say.

With those who harm the light and try to spread the shadows.”

If there were pointy-ears or pigeons in this place, they might have flinched.

The words that they would turn those who were trying to cause confusion in Hispania by talking about light into enemies, no matter how much they were followers of light, were no different from a royal order to mercilessly cut them off if they were judged to be harmful to the kingdom.

“Please be sure to convey it well to the Holy Prussian.

Hispania will follow the light, so any shadow that tries to harm that light will be treated as hostile.”

“Ye, yes, of course.”

Zion looked at the special envoy Liman from the side and was convinced that this guy was just trash.

The fact that he was showing such a nervous appearance, or the gesture of questioning Vanessa’s expression of inexplicable hostility, were all not the appearances that someone who knew the truth would show.

‘Then the guys who waited for the Queen’s answer in a place not far away will hear that answer and decide when to start their activities in earnest.

What means will they use this time to make things difficult for us?’

Unfortunately, even Zion himself cannot predict beyond this range.

From now on, instead of knowing in advance and preparing, they must counterattack when the other side attacks first.

If the counterattack is late, it is better not to do it, and even if you do, if you cannot stab strongly, it will not even make a dent.

And at the end of the banquet that had been going on for several days.

The enemy’s first attack finally began.

―――――――Author’s Note―――――――

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