Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 294

294

Lies with Sincerity, Theater with Ridiculousness

“We must improve relations with Hispania immediately.

Even now…”

“Nonsense!

They have already crossed the border and begun their march.

This is an attempt to swallow us whole, we who fought to drive out the demon followers!

We must fight back!

We cannot negotiate with those who are unclear whether they follow the light or are consumed by the shadows!”

“The 1st Army was annihilated, and the main force barely returned with heavy damage.

Even if we can gather troops, we can never match their strength.

Didn’t we send out the elite soldiers after careful selection?”

“Our Nudia is a nation that upholds and follows the teachings of light.

It is different from Hispania, where the royal family recklessly disregards the teachings of light, so we cannot associate with those filthy people!”

Ive felt a wave of nausea at those words.

Why is Nudia, which isn’t even the Holy Prussen, chanting about the will and teachings of light?

Moreover, they weren’t even using it for good intentions, but only as a justification for their actions, and then immediately changing their stance when things became unfavorable. It was truly unsightly.

He wanted to shout at them to stop talking nonsense and think about the true path for this country.

However, he was currently in a precarious situation, having been captured as a prisoner and then released by Hispania.

If he rashly brought up the negotiation discussion, he might be accused by those crazy people of ‘making a deal with Hispania!’

And to tarnish the name of his father, Ethelmord, the prime minister of this country, who no longer held the same status as before, other nobles would likely seize the opportunity to tear him apart.

‘Fortunately, many have come to their senses after this defeat.’

It would be better if they only had to deal with Zion alone.

Thanks to the man who suddenly appeared and fought the army alongside a woman, everyone was greatly shocked, and some began to break away from the will and teachings of light.

“Absolutely impossible.

Not only is Zion Clausel of Hispania a problem, but didn’t the other swordsman who appeared recently demonstrate his power?

He faced an army single-handedly.

The main force was defeated by a single person, someone who wasn’t even a knight. How can we handle this?”

“That’s because the army was caught in a sudden surprise attack and was quite exhausted.

Moreover, the mages were busy with the siege and couldn’t cast magic attacks, which made it possible.”

“What nonsense…”

“Exactly!

In the end, we were defeated by Clausel again.

While we were focused on the siege, the enemy’s suicide squad broke through the flank, and the soldiers were frightened, causing the formation to collapse. Our high-ranking knights couldn’t even step forward and had to retreat!”

“…”

Most of them had expressions that said, ‘What the hell are you talking about?’

If that unidentified man was someone they could fight, why would their own knights have retreated?

Of course, they retreated because he was a monster beyond their capabilities.

And those who didn’t seem to know, even the highest-ranking knight would only be able to swing his sword a few times before being surrounded and worn down in a war of attrition, eventually tiring and dying in front of a well-formed phalanx [a rectangular mass military formation, usually composed entirely of heavy infantry armed with spears or similar polearms].

But that man broke through the phalanx and completely shattered it.

That alone meant he was a skilled person far surpassing high-ranking knights, a monster in the truest sense of the word.

‘Those who know nothing about fighting, nothing about war, are just full of hot air!’

That was probably the common thought that arose in the minds of Ive, those who had experienced this war, and the nobles who harbored skeptical thoughts about the teachings of light.

It would be best to draw their swords, kill all those empty-headed people, and seek a way for Nudia to survive, but the damn king of Nudia appeared and gave them justification by saying, ‘Find a way to fight.’

It was a frustrating situation for Ive and his supporters, but conversely, it was a very good situation for the nobles who were being manipulated by the fairies.

“This won’t do, Ive.”

“It’s not like I like them either.

But what can we do?

After all, we are the ones who returned in defeat, so calling for negotiations is a perfect way to be called cowards.”

“With Ethelmord fallen, you, Ive, are the only one who can hold the center of this side.

Everyone in Nudia knows your skills, so if you speak properly to the king, wouldn’t he change his mind?”

At those words, Ive shook his head, indicating that it was impossible.

If he was someone who would listen to his words, his father would have stopped him long ago.

Even though he had some control, that king eventually went completely insane at some point and became a slave who moved something other than what was good for Nudia.

Ethelmord, feeling an indescribable frustration with the current situation, also collapsed from anger.

Ive clutched his head and wondered how to overcome this situation.

‘Could it be that they sent me back alive just to die in this ridiculous situation?’

He even had such thoughts.

But Ive soon shook his head and gathered his thoughts.

There was a reason why Zion Clausel went out of his way to ignore the opposing opinions and send him back.

By giving him information that only Hispania needed to know, he was expecting something from him, and he was hoping that she would move in that way.

‘Surely not, right?

You’re telling me to do such a crazy thing?’

The decisive thought was only one.

Before these crazy people completely ruin the country, he had to wipe them out and change the country, then negotiate with Hispania.

But in the current situation, the king wanted to fight, so in the end, that path was rebellion and treason.

‘Aims to divide Nudia and swallow it?

…No.

If that were the purpose, they would have relentlessly attacked Nudia without giving us a break, persistently exploiting our weaknesses.’

Ive thought that the man named Zion, and the army of Hispania, were not to be underestimated to the point of deliberately giving time to regroup the defeated soldiers.

If the Hispania side was showing slow movements, it meant that they definitely wanted something from Nudia.

It’s driving me crazy, my head is about to split.

Ive muttered and gritted his teeth, repeatedly agonizing over the situation.

In a situation where he had to make rational judgments and decisions, crazy people were inserting ridiculous justifications, stubbornly insisting on the will of light and uttering nonsense.

The final decision-maker was not in his right mind from the start, and the only person who could restrain them with words was lying ill from anger, unable to get up.

‘It’s against the rules to follow the way the enemy wants…’

From Ive’s perspective, Zion Clausel was, at best, a rival, or even an eternal enemy.

If he moved as he wanted, it would ultimately benefit that man and Hispania, but if he didn’t move that way, the country of Nudia would collapse entirely, so he had no choice but to follow.

And in fact, when you think about it, the ones who were preaching the teachings and will of light at the noble council were, in Ive’s opinion, even more hateful enemies than Zion Clausel.

It wasn’t even the Holy Prussen, so why did they keep saying such things? He even suspected that they had been taken over by the fairies, as Zion had said, and were only thinking about that ridiculous light instead of the country and its people.

‘Rights are worthless to those who have forgotten their duties.’

After much deliberation, Ive finally made a decision.

Even if the work failed, the end would be so miserable that it could not be put into words.

Even if it succeeded, it would ultimately bring the greatest benefit to Hispania and Zion Clausel.

But at least he had to save this country, so she had no other choice.

“Come here for a moment.”

Ive summoned the nobles who supported the Restion family and followed the prime minister.

Realizing that most of them had participated in this war and were completely defeated by Zion Clausel’s strategy and Kim Yoo-hyun’s force, Ive thought that persuasion might be a little easier.

“What’s going on, Ive?”

“…I’m going to tell you something really important from now on.

If there is anyone who cannot follow whatever comes out of my mouth, even now, I would like you to leave.”

“Yes…?”

“We don’t quite understand what you mean…”

“Because just listening to it could lead to being dragged away for treason and suffering severe torture.”

The poison that Zion had released was being unleashed as it was by foolish fanatics.

―

Sabhak, Sabhak―.

A vast forest located in the northwest of the Kingdom of Hispania.

It was a place where many fairies resided, so the kingdom deliberately avoided it, but unexpected guests were finding their way there.

“Is this really the right place, Hound?”

“Say that one more time, just three more times.

Then I’ll make it 100 times.

You damn bastard.”

“No, I’m just saying that because it looks like we’re lost, isn’t it?”

“Please shut your mouth.

If you just keep your mouth shut, you’ll really be called a great king.”

Beastmen were said to be among the races with the worst relationship with fairies.

King Gus, the leader of the beastmen, Hound, the tribal chief, and Paulga, the great matriarch, were appearing in this forest without any guards.

“You two are really close.

Why don’t you remarry each other while you’re at it?

You two, I mean.”

“Matriarch, please, I beg you, don’t say such terrible things.”

“That’s right, Paulga.

I really don’t think the Wolang tribe is a good match either.”

Whether they didn’t know they had entered the fairies’ territory, or whether they were doing it on purpose.

The three beastmen were noisily wandering through the forest.

Sasa삭!―

And naturally, the fairies, who were faster, quieter, and more secretly able to kill enemies than any other race in the forest, had surrounded them at some point.

“…Ah, I almost missed it because I was talking too much again.”

“Are you just noticing now?

Honestly, those Wolang tribesmen.

Tsk.”

“This damn old cat, you really…!”

“Both of you be quiet.

Unless you really want to become hedgehogs and die.”

At Paulga’s words, King Gus and Chief Hound shut their mouths, straightened their posture, and looked around.

The fact that they couldn’t hear the sound of birds, insects, or even the wind meant that the area was completely filled with them.

“I came to talk to your elders, but what’s going on?

I can feel that everyone is more on edge than necessary.”

“…”

“You don’t have to answer, but at least show your faces.

Even so, to save your face, all the key figures of the beastmen have come.”

Seukeok―!

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, and the tree right next to Paulga was cleanly cut from the base and fell to the side.

Paulga, lightly flicking her hand and hiding her nails inside, continued to speak.

“If the lower ones don’t know manners and try to treat us rudely like this, the elders might say they have no manners and personally give them etiquette lessons.”

As if to prove that even old and aged, a beast was still a beast, Paulga’s momentum was fierce.

King Gus and Hound muttered, ‘She’s still a scary old woman,’ at the matriarch’s appearance, and took a stance as if they would retaliate if they attacked them.

“…We need to know why you want to see the elders.

Great Matriarch of the Hobi Tribe, Paulga.”

A voice flowed out from somewhere, like the flowing wind, with no source.

At that, Paulga perked up her ears and said.

“Didn’t I clearly say it?”

“That it’s not something to say to the lower ones.”

“…You are demanding an answer that you should have heard from those who came to the fairies’ territory and caused a disturbance.

We cannot ignore it like that, Matriarch.”

“Hmph.”

At those words, Paulga glanced back.

It meant that it seemed like it was your turn to step up, and the one who took the baton was, of course, King Gus.

“On behalf of the beastmen, I came to convey our concerns and worries to the elders representing the fairies.

Is that an answer?”

“…”

The answer did not come back immediately, as if in thought.

At that, Hound slightly showed an uncomfortable expression and opened his mouth.

“Are you deaf?

Even so, to treat you fairies well, those representing each tribe of the beastmen came here in person without guards.

Then, even if the relationship isn’t good, you should at least show minimal courtesy, but are you just going to keep sending out killing intent with mere guards?”

Saying that, a black wolf growled lowly.

In a posture as if he would immediately jump to where the fairies’ energy was felt and bite their necks, King Gus and Paulga didn’t particularly stop him, and the situation instantly entered a touch-and-go moment.

“…”

Shashak, Sasak―.

Suddenly, the energy around them changed little by little, and the sharp momentum that had been directed towards them decreased significantly.

It meant that Hound’s warning had worked, and that they would soon show a different reaction.

And after a while, with the sound of leaves rustling, a fairy fell in front of them with a thud.

“Please understand if you were offended.

Recently, due to unfortunate events, the hearts of each tribe and the elders have been very twisted.”

“If there were circumstances, you should have said so in advance and asked for understanding.

Above all, we are not in a good mood either, so I would like you to quickly guide us to the elders.”

“I understand.”

The fairy with the bow slung over his shoulder gestured as if to follow.

At the same time, feeling that the momentum that had been focused on this side had almost completely disappeared and was spreading back to all directions of the forest, Hound slightly opened his mouth.

“It seems that they suspected us of being the ones who attacked the village, which is why they were wary of us.

I don’t know whether to like this or not.”

Then, King Gus scolded him to stop talking nonsense.

It was not wise for anyone to mention that incident in the fairies’ territory, of all places.

Meanwhile, the fairy guiding the three beastmen walked through the middle of the forest without hesitation, sometimes disarming magic circles and skillfully passing through trap magic, leading them.

He remembered that even when they had an emergency meeting due to past disputes between the fairies and the beastmen, they had not prepared for defense this firmly, so King Gus was curious as to what kind of existence had completely broken these proud fairies and made them so nervous.

“Please wait a moment.”

The fairy said that and drew an arrow, muttering a spell.

Then, he poked it forward, and a barrier that had not been visible until now was torn, creating a hole to enter.

“You can go in.

However, this is the land of the fairies, so please refrain from rude words and actions.”

“I know at least the minimum of manners even if you don’t nag, you guys.”

Hound, not shrinking back at all, growled again.

King Gus, who secretly raised his thumb at that reaction, clicked his tongue and followed Paulga, who was entering first, to the place where the fairy elders were waiting.

―――――――Afterword―――――――

I have to upload one more chapter before begging for recommendations…