Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 278

278

Seven Times Is Too Much

“Just, just kill me instead.”

As expected, I knew she would say something like that.

Sion rested his chin on his hand, unfazed by Ibe’s predictable reaction, and waited for her next words.

“On a battlefield where countless Nudia soldiers and knights lost their lives, I can’t return, not having escaped, nor having been released by the enemy.

That’s…”

“You find it insulting?”

“…Yes.”

At Ibe’s answer, Sion stared at her for a moment.

Honestly, the character of Ibe had never been detailed in the novel.

All that was mentioned in passing was that the Nudia Chancellor had a very talented daughter, and Sion never expected that this Chess King would be that Ibe.

‘One of the few intelligent characters in the novel.

Especially on the Nudia side, not Hispaña.’

Unlike Rishikeeda, she has no intention or reason to betray Nudia.

If she were sent back alive like this, she would be an enemy again unless Nudia itself changed.

And if she was thinking of quickly moving to counterattack on the very day they suffered a major defeat, the enemy was highly likely to be quite troublesome.

‘Killing her here wouldn’t be a problem.

But…’

However, considering future plans, Sion thought that the character of Ibe would be more useful than expected.

If he was only planning to operate within Hispaña, it would be right to eliminate Ibe, who was likely to become an enemy, but if he was thinking of expanding his activities to Nudia, it would be much better to have a reliable friend.

In particular, Ibe was talented, and there were no rough edges in her personality or past behavior.

Above all, she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth as the Chancellor’s only daughter, so she was a woman who could have a significant impact on Nudia in the future.

“Ibe Gi Lestion.”

“Yes, Young Master Sion Claussen.”

“You lost this battle and were captured by me, and I won and captured you.

Do you have any objection to this explanation?”

“No.

That’s the truth.”

“Good.

Then accept the victor’s rights like a loser.

Have you ever seen a loser demand anything from a victor?

What you want can only be done by the victor.

If I let you live, you go back alive, and if I say I’ll kill you, you’ll die even if the heavens try to save you.”

“…”

“So, go back alive.

That’s the weight of defeat you have to bear.”

Ibe immediately understood Sion’s words, that she couldn’t argue with the rights that the victor exercised over her, who had lost the battle and been captured as a prisoner.

“Then tell me the reason.

Why are you sending me back?”

“Warning.”

Isn’t it obvious?

The reason for sending back a key figure from the losing side.

It was to send someone who wouldn’t be easily dismissed, someone they wouldn’t release easily even if an ordinary person was sent, and to directly and clearly convey their intentions.

“A warning, you say?”

“Yes.

You probably saw the state of our army while being dragged here.

Right?”

“…Are you saying you deliberately called me to the center of the formation for that purpose?”

“Then what, did you think I brought you here so you could see the Hispaña army before you die?”

Sion, having lightened the mood with a brief laugh, continued slowly.

“How was it?

Tell me honestly.

Your impressions.”

“…They didn’t seem to be here just for defense.

If that were the case, they would have finished preparing and come to the border much sooner.”

“And?”

“The northern barbarians.

All of them are cavalry.

I thought about it.

If it’s just to defend the country, why would they call them?

Why call such powerful cavalry for a defensive battle, even though the risk is high?

I wondered.”

“Good.

So, what’s the conclusion?”

Then Ibe swallowed hard.

Sion couldn’t help but smile as he saw her struggling, wondering if what she was about to say was real, if it was really going to happen.

“It’s not just for defense.

Right?

It’s not just to support Claussen and drive out the Nudia army.

Hispaña, and you, Sion Claussen…”

“This isn’t enough to be a requiem [a song or service for the dead].

Yes, Ibe.

As you think, our Hispaña is planning to attack Nudia across the border.

And very comprehensively.”

Ibe felt goosebumps all over her body at Sion’s chilling voice.

If someone else had said those words, she might have just been a little nervous, but when Sion Claussen said them, it felt like a death sentence had been handed down to both her and Nudia.

‘Can we win?

No, can we even hold out?’

The first thought that came to mind was whether the defense would succeed.

Currently, Nudia had gathered almost all of its soldiers who were said to be able to fight, and had pushed down to the border of Hispaña.

However, the 1st Army was annihilated, and a significant portion of the forces literally ‘disappeared,’ and the remaining forces were tired from fighting a siege, blocked by Claussen.

In other words, one arm is cut off, the remaining arm is injured and difficult to use, and the legs are weak and trembling, while the opponent is fresh and punches.

What will happen?

“Already worried?

Nudia couldn’t even push back Claussen.

Moreover, quite a few of them disappeared in this battle, so can they really stop Hispaña’s attack?”

“…Nudia’s defense will not be easy either.

The defender is always more advantageous than the attacker.”

“Of course.

I admit that.

Claussen and I have benefited greatly from that.

But, Ibe.

There’s one difference between Nudia and Hispaña here.

What is it?”

A difference?

What difference?

What on earth is it?

Why is he saying it so confidently, even with a smile?

Ibe blinked and racked her brain at an incredible speed.

Is there something she’s missing?

Did she overlook something?

Was there something she thought was nothing, so she dismissed it as not the answer?

Then Ibe exclaimed, ‘Ah!’

She remembered what Nudia had been obsessed with, what she had to protect at all costs, and what had made even her feel rushed.

“Could it be…”

“That’s right.

The Holy Prussen was attacked by the demons but eventually defeated them and launched a counterattack.

I heard they crossed the Land of the Mortal [the mortal realm].

Back then, Nudia attacked Hispaña, but Hispaña defended against it.

And they’re launching a counterattack.

Just like the Holy Prussen and the demons did.”

“Ah, ah…”

“You had the justification that you came to save Hispaña from the forces of the demon followers.

It was a decent justification, but thanks to that, you also gained the weakness that you shouldn’t do anything carelessly in Hispaña.

The proof is that you forbade looting even though you ignored Claussen and entered.

Am I wrong?”

Ibe couldn’t answer Sion’s question.

In fact, they strictly forbade looting and tried not to touch the people of the Kingdom of Hispaña as much as possible, fearing that the people of the Kingdom of Hispaña would misunderstand Nudia’s intentions.

“But our Hispaña is different.

They’re saying that the guys who mobilized all their national power, claiming to be demon followers, turned out to be guys who were in league with the demons!

With this, everyone will just assume that we can do whatever we want in Nudia.”

“Th, that…”

“Think about it.

Does Hispaña need to be mindful of the people of the Kingdom of Nudia?

They can just assume everyone is an enemy and push them away?

Think again.

Do you think I brought in the northern barbarians for nothing?

You saw their actions.

If I release them into Nudia’s territory with the words that they are allowed to do anything, what will happen?”

“Oh, no!

Absolutely not!”

Now realizing Sion’s intentions, Ibe crawled on her knees and looked up at Sion.

She continued speaking with a very urgent expression.

“Pl, please.

They are innocent.

You know that!

In the end, all the things between countries…”

“Are things that a few people in power do?”

“Yes, yes!”

“That’s true, the higher-ups start things.

But?

Who nurtures it?

Who likes it and nurtures it to the point where they can’t even handle it?”

“That’s…”

“There are no innocents in war.

Ibe Gi Lestion.

If you thought your kingdom’s people were pitiful, you should have stopped the war somehow.

In the end, you came to this battlefield and now you’re asking the victim, Hispaña, for mercy?

Don’t you think it’s a little funny even if you think about it?”

Her eyes were smiling, and there was a slight smile in her voice, but Ibe didn’t think he was genuinely smiling from any corner of Sion.

Rather, she was so scared, terrified, and creeped out.

She had never seen anyone so confidently declare that they would make everyone they considered hostile their clear enemy, and that they would do anything to that enemy.

“Think about it.

What kind of picture will those so-called northern barbarians draw when they enter Nudia?

I think the paint used there will be the bright red blood of your kingdom’s people.”

“Young Master Sion Claussen!

Sir Sion Claussen!

Sir Sion!

Ple, please think again.

It doesn’t have to be that far!

We will compensate.

Somehow!

We will give you even Nudia’s territory if you ask for it.

So please don’t do that!”

“With what authority?

Who are you to make such promises?”

At that cold voice, Ibe could only sigh and trembled.

No matter how she thought about it, no matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t see a hopeful future where Nudia could stop that monster called Sion Claussen.

She had already lost everything she could lose in this war, so how could she fight any further?

‘Father.

What should I do now?

I, I really can’t do anything anymore…’

It was at that moment that Ibe was about to fall into the abyss of despair.

“So, live.

Live and go back to your country.”

Sion, who got off the wagon, put his hand on Ibe’s head.

Then, he smoothed her hair, matted with blood and dust, and continued in a gentle voice.

“I told you.

I’m sending you back for a warning.

Live, so go back and tell them.

If you cooperate without resisting, there will be no armed conflict.”

“What do you mean…”

“We’re different from you, but in the end, we’re the same as you.

Should I say that the goal isn’t to occupy the country, but to sort out something inside it?”

Ibe still didn’t understand what he was saying.

“When our main force crossed the river before, you attacked us.

That wasn’t something you did solely with your own strength, right?”

“…!”

“There must be a helper.

Someone who knows the geography of the kingdom well, is faster than we can even figure out, but acts like they’re unlucky and noble.”

Sion was asking even though he already knew.

Ibe also wondered what the intention was of asking such a question when she already knew what answer he wanted from her mouth.

“You said your justification was to pressure Hispaña, where demon followers are hiding, to drive them out themselves.”

“…Yes.”

“Are you sure that demon followers are really hiding in Hispaña?”

“…No.”

Ibe could say no to that part.

If there were really demon followers, they would have been crushed by the man in front of her long ago.

Ibe thought so and waited for Sion’s next words.

“I’m sure.

There is a force in Nudia that shouts the will of light but is actually plotting something strange.

And that force not only drove a wedge between our Hispaña and your Nudia, but also committed all sorts of atrocities in Hispaña.”

“…?”

“And, those are the very guys who helped you this time and tried to hit Hispaña again.”

“Yo, you’re saying the fairies did that?”

Ibe said that and quickly covered her mouth with her hand, startled.

Sion chuckled at her appearance, as if she had leaked important information by mistake.

It was obvious that the fairies had intervened, and that they would intervene.

It would have been more suspicious if those pointy-eared guys hadn’t taken advantage of this opportunity and were just spacing out.

“You don’t believe me?

Every time they say or do something, they shout that it’s for the sake of light!

So you don’t believe that they’re actually doing something strange?”

“It’s, it’s not that, but…”

“Rishi.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Go and bring him.”

Then Rishikeeda bowed her head and disappeared somewhere.

Meanwhile, Sion handed Ibe something he had received from a royal knight.

“Take a look.

It’s the final report on the investigation into the Hispaña royal family attack that happened before.”

“Why are you giving this to me…”

“I just feel like you and I are being completely played by those annoying races.

So let’s just say I’m showing it to you because I feel a sense of kinship.”

Ibe looked up at him as if she couldn’t understand Sion’s true intentions, but eventually accepted the report he handed her and began to skim through the contents.

“…Uh, uh?”

And after a while, she exclaimed with a very embarrassed look, and then stared at the man in front of her with a rather blank expression, as if asking if this was true.

Sion laughed and replied, ‘Do you think I would even manipulate a report related to the royal family?’ and she became even more confused.

“Master, I’ve brought him.”

“Good job, Rishi.

Bring him here and kneel him down.”

Rishikeeda roughly knelt a disheveled man right in front of Ibe.

It wasn’t just his clothes that were a mess.

His eyes were hollow, as if he were looking at a corpse, and there was no life in his eyes.

Above all, his fingernails were all gone and his flesh was gone, leaving only skin, as if he would die at any moment, as if he had grabbed everything he could to endure the pain.

But Rishikeeda didn’t seem to feel any sympathy for such a man and treated him harshly.

And she grabbed the man’s head and lifted it up so that Ibe could clearly see his identity.

“Think about it, Ibe.

What being in the world would willingly engage in a fight that has no benefit?

Wouldn’t it be because they all want something?

Those annoying and pretentious people who gave you information and promised to help you.

Where did those pointy-eared guys run off to now?”