Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 264

264―――――

Requiem

Everyone knew that Vanessa going to the battlefield without a suitable successor was very dangerous.

Therefore, Volko Redenen, a marquis who could be called a veteran, was appointed as the commander-in-chief to lead the Hispaña army.

Marquis Joaquin Gutchen was in charge of logistics, and Estia was assigned to lead the reserve forces and provide support when the war situation became urgent.

And Sion.

“Honestly, I thought Her Majesty would put you in the position of commander-in-chief.”

“That would have been too much of an appointment.

More than anything, Marquis Volko is already here. Putting a greenhorn like me in the top spot could disrupt the established hierarchy.”

“You’re unusually diplomatic for a Clausen.

Well, I’d welcome someone like you as my aide any time.”

Officially, he became the commander-in-chief’s aide.

Although he had achieved many impressive feats, he was still only a successor, and more importantly, Marquis Volko was a veteran with a distinguished record in numerous wars.

The position of commander-in-chief isn’t just about ability; it’s also about commanding respect and ensuring obedience from subordinates, making hierarchy a crucial factor.

‘Of course, he’s not just a simple aide.’

As he said, although ‘officially’ he might be Marquis Volko’s aide, the privileges granted to him were immense, far exceeding those of a typical aide.

Most notably, ‘independent military activities.’

Moving the army on the battlefield without the commander-in-chief’s orders could be seen not only as simple disobedience but also as treason.

However, Sion was recognized for his special status, allowing him to move the army based on his own judgment, without needing to report and receive permission when time was of the essence.

‘Even that army isn’t just made up of ordinary soldiers, but a detachment of the Royal Guard, and even Royal Knights!’

As the situation grew dire, even the Royal Knights, who usually remained within the palace, were mobilized.

In the future, the defense of the palace would be taken over by the Royal Secret Guard Knights, where Sebastian, formerly the butler of the Clausen March, had served.

The authority to independently command the kingdom’s elite troops, even though their numbers were small.

With this authority alone, Sion was far from being a simple aide.

“Marquis.

A magical communication has arrived for the Clausen March.”

“Connect it.

Ah, Sion Clausen.

Don’t leave; stay with me.

I need you to greet March Lichten briefly and discuss the situation directly afterward.”

At Marquis Volko’s words, Sion nodded silently and watched as the mages diligently wrote and drew magical formulas, working to establish the magical communication with the Clausen side.

And after a moment, the face of his ‘father,’ whom he hadn’t seen in a long time, appeared within the projection.

“March Lichten.

What are the movements on the Nudia side?”

Marquis Volko usually spoke his mind freely.

However, he understood that public and private matters had to be strictly separated. He worried that treating each other too casually, even in this setting, might cause the people below to lose respect for March Lichten.

―It’s completely different from usual.

Military actions that were previously confined to the Basura County are now occurring across the entire border.

It seems this won’t end with just a few thousand men.

At the very least, tens of thousands, and at most, Nudia’s entire force could be deployed.

―

“Father.

What are the griffins and riders who returned from the south doing?”

―We’re keeping them grounded for now, fearing exposure, but―

“They probably already know about the pirate suppression anyway.

They know everything about how the griffins performed.

They must have prepared for it, unless they’re fools.”

―Yes, so…

―

“So expose them.

Have them openly patrol the skies and gather detailed intelligence on Nudia’s movements; that’s what I’m saying.”

At Sion’s words, both March Lichten and Marquis Volko wore slightly bewildered expressions.

Just a moment ago, Sion himself said that Nudia would be prepared for the griffins’ activities, but now he was telling them to act openly in that situation?

Then Sion, as if understanding the two nobles’ thoughts, immediately continued.

“At best, they’ll strengthen aerial defenses and try to prevent our forces from approaching by using the power of mages and archers.

They also know that we don’t have many griffins, so they’re confident that we can’t replicate what we did to the pirates against Nudia.”

―That’s right.

―

“Then we simply don’t use that method and employ other tactics instead.

Knowing the battlefield situation in a timely manner is more important than anything.

Even if magic and arrows can’t effectively reach them, simply observing the approximate movements of the Nudia army from a safe distance provides us with a significant advantage.”

―Hmm.

―

March Lichten on the other side of the magical communication groaned as if in 고민 [agonizing thought], and Marquis Volko also pondered something, turning over Sion’s method in his head.

The reason they were 고민 [agonizing] was, somewhat 웃기게도 [humorously], because of Sion’s achievements in the south.

The tremendous feat of crushing the pirates in just one month, made possible by the griffin unit under Sion’s command.

Using magic scrolls to carry out unavoidable bombings from the air.

That’s how they inflicted devastating damage and demoralization on the enemies below.

If that could be used not only against pirates but also against the enemy’s regular army…

If they could drop those bombs not only on ships but also on formations where soldiers are concentrated, that would be a tremendous achievement.

‘It’s difficult.’

Of course, that’s almost impossible.

When attacking the pirates, they were completely unaware of the existence of griffins, and, more importantly, there were likely no archers or mages with exceptional skills among them.

But Nudia’s regular army is different.

The skills of their archers are a given, and the skills of their mages are comparable to those of Hispaña.

Furthermore, they already know about the existence of griffins.

If they monitor the sky and notice something descending upon them, they can immediately attack to intercept the griffins or, if they’re lucky, even shoot them down.

“It’s no use expecting a repeat of past achievements.

The reason I was able to achieve results using griffins in the south was because the enemies ‘didn’t know.’

But it’s different now.

Even if the Nudia side hasn’t specifically prepared for the griffins, it’s certain that they’ve taken measures to counter them.”

“That’s right.

Moreover, the number of griffins is still only five.”

“Marquis Volko is right.

We’re the same, but the enemies are different, so it’s unlikely the griffins will perform as they did against the pirates.”

―…That’s certainly true.

If they’re harmed or captured by the enemies, we’ll only suffer a loss.

―

March Lichten’s voice was filled with regret.

Every time the griffins and their riders returned and excitedly recounted their achievements, March Lichten admired the fact that his son, Sion, had demonstrated the kingdom’s anger by dropping fireballs on the heads of the pirates who roamed the vast sea in such an ingenious way.

At the same time, he thought it would be wonderful if he could similarly punish the enemies threatening Hispaña and Clausen.

However, Sion, who had conceived that ingenious idea, opposed it, explaining why it was impossible, leaving March Lichten no choice but to abandon his expectations.

A griffin isn’t like a common bird; it’s very difficult to capture young ones that aren’t fully grown for proper training.

In a situation where we can’t even fill existing vacancies, let alone increase the number, all the hard work we’ve invested for nearly a year could be for nothing if something happens in a dangerous situation.

“Rather, this approach might be better, Father.

There’s nothing more reliable and effective than monitoring the enemy’s movements from above.”

Although the people here don’t yet realize it, observing the enemy’s movements from the side and observing them from above are on completely different levels.

Even if it’s difficult to carry out dive-bombing missions like in the south, reconnaissance alone is more than enough.

‘And later on, I can harass them in other ways besides just dive bombing.’

If I were only thinking of using them for dive bombing, I wouldn’t have given them that name.

What Sion wants is an all-weather air support unit that can be deployed in any way possible whenever needed.

Until the 천족 [Celestial Race] occupy the sky, it will definitely be a necessary force.

―And Marquis Volko.

How about we launch a preemptive strike like last time?

If we break the enemy’s spearhead, I think it will definitely have a significant impact on them.

―

“Like Sion Clausen did before.”

Marquis Volko said, looking at Sion.

This time, he thought it was definitely 괜찮은 [a good idea], and he seemed to be asking what his aide thought.

‘If it were the old me, I would have said it was a 괜찮은 [good] idea, but…’

This time is different.

This time, we must never attack first.

“Father.

I think it would be best to focus on defense this time.”

―Hmm?

Are you saying we shouldn’t even launch a preemptive strike?

―

“Yes.

This time, a large-scale army from Nudia has been mobilized.

If a separate unit moves and gets caught from behind, there’s a high probability that it will be a scene of slaughter rather than a battle.”

―…That’s not wrong.

The enemy’s numbers are at least ten times greater than before.

―

“But Sion Clausen.

It seems that what your father is saying isn’t entirely wrong.

You should know how important it is to break the enemy’s spearhead, right?”

“Of course, Marquis Volko.

I don’t feel good about constantly disagreeing with you.

But we must always assume the worst-case scenario and act accordingly.

We have a reason why we can’t show even an inch of weakness in this war, don’t we?”

It was a requiem for Edgar IV, and at the same time, to prove to those guys who talk about the will of light that ‘you are wrong,’ we had to overturn everything the enemies had planned.

If we were pushed back or defeated, the light followers inside the kingdom who had been watching would also secretly rise up and revolt against the royal family.

“Marquis Volko.

The whole world must clearly see that Nudia ‘attacked’ first in this war.

That way, we’ll have much more to gain in the future when we try to take action.”

“…What are you talking about?

The whole world has to witness Nudia attacking our Hispaña?”

At that, Sion gave a very confident smile and replied.

“If the timing isn’t right, things that could work won’t work, and strangely, if the timing overlaps, intentions are easily distorted and conveyed.”

―

Until now, Nudia and Hispaña had fought wars with nobles near the border skirmishing with each other.

Of course, there were cases where the central army was dispatched, like last time, but the act of gathering soldiers from the whole country and pushing down at once had rarely occurred since the Great War period in the past.

But this time is different.

Nudia, as if betting everything, or as if truly receiving the will of light, gathered the strength of the whole country and pushed into the vicinity of the Hispaña border.

“If we advance any further, it’s really war.”

“Hmm.”

“Are you really okay with this?”

The people on the Nudia side who actually went to the battlefield didn’t have pleasant expressions either.

Suddenly, the nobles gathered and declared that they had to guide those living in Hispaña to the path of light by mobilizing the entire national power before opposing opinions could surface, claiming that the will of light and the descendants of light were angered.

But what’s 웃긴 [funny] is that they entrusted the task of leading the soldiers and invading Hispaña to the nobles who had been showing lukewarm attitudes towards the Order of Light.

On the surface, it was to show that they were trying to work for the descendants of light even now, but they couldn’t have known that the hidden meaning was that if they did something that could be criticized, they would immediately be targeted.

However, since the pressure from the light followers was so great, they had to achieve merit in this war that would be recognized by everyone in order to survive.

“I’m glad that Ive is here with us.”

The high-ranking officials on the Nudia side glanced back and looked at the young woman there.

As the situation was what it was, Ive also participated in the war.

She had been concealing her identity until now, but she realized that she couldn’t do that anymore and returned to her position.

The Nudia side was busy boosting their country’s morale by saying that if Hispaña had Sion Clausen, they had Ive.

As the fact that Ive had achieved several merits was finally revealed, the soldiers of Nudia no longer wavered when they were told that a person who could stand against Sion had appeared.

“If we waste time here, we’ll only be scolded by the well-known light followers of the main force.

Send the signal.

We’re crossing the border.”

As the order was given, the Nudia forces waiting near the border began to advance all at once.

A large-scale war with a scale that was different from a simple territorial dispute.

Watching that scene, Ive felt a bitter taste in her mouth.

‘I wanted this, but at the same time, I didn’t want this.’

She wanted to prove her abilities in war, achieve merit, and make her existence known.

But she didn’t want to make her name known in such a shameful war.

In this ridiculous war that made her nauseous and made her face burn.

‘Surely Sion Clausen, that man will also participate in this war.

He will surely appear on this battlefield where I feel ashamed, with anger in his eyes.’

The reason itself was ridiculous.

The will of light?

The noble beings were angry, so we had to fight because it was their will?

It’s all nonsense, no, it’s just 개소리 [dogshit].

It’s just a trick to hide their greed behind that light.

There’s no way Sion Clausen, that ordinary yet extraordinary man, doesn’t know that fact.

He surely knows it and is surely angry.

And surely, he has prepared something to overturn this situation at once.

‘Although it’s not the place I wanted, it wouldn’t be bad to compete with you like this.’

Ive was thinking that, staring blankly at the Nudia army crossing the border.

“Ive, Ive!”

The aide who was assisting her ran up with a desperate look.

Ive blinked for a moment, wondering why this person, who usually didn’t get surprised easily, was acting like this, but she couldn’t help but exclaim ‘Ha!’ when she heard the news from his mouth.

Wasn’t it said that coincidences that are too perfect are not coincidences?

Ive was already worried about how she should fight against Sion Clausen.

―――――――Author’s Note―――――――

Recommendations are always a great help!