Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 304

304

Who’s the villain now?

“Welcome, Winnie… no, Princess Lia.”

“It’s been a while.

I think I saw you briefly when I was very young?”

“Indeed.

It was when I briefly crossed the border to my hometown at the invitation of the Great King [King Geuss].”

The Beastmen originated from the western end of the continent, Hispania, but over time, many have left their homeland and spread throughout the continent.

The Myo Clan was one of them, with a similar number active in Nudia as in Hispania.

Formally, King Geuss is called ‘Great King’ and acts as the leader of the Myo Clan, but he couldn’t possibly take care of the distant Nudia’s brethren. Thus, another leader, Nabi (male), who newly emerged from that region, was taking care of the Myo Clan in Nudia.

“More importantly, you came to me secretly like this, which means you have a favor to ask, right?”

“That’s right, Nabi.

You know that the humans from Hispania attacked Nudia this time, right?”

“Roughly.

I’ve been on alert to avoid getting unnecessarily involved in human wars.”

“Then, do you know that some fairies messed around and got caught, thoroughly ruining their reputation?”

“Of course, I know.

I heard they were utterly crushed by a human man.”

At Nabi’s words, Lia smiled.

Hearing her mate praised by someone else made her shoulders lift involuntarily.

“Of course.

Whose mate is he, whose man is he!”

“…So, the human that those who returned from the homeland spoke of was that nobleman, Sion Claussens.

And he’s even the princess’s partner.”

“Not only the Myo Clan but also the Wolang and Hobi clans seem to like him in the end.”

“The Wolang Clan, I can understand, but even the Hobi Clan?”

At Lia’s words, Nabi thought that this man, Sion Claussens, had quite the skill.

Even the Beastmen knew that the Hobi Clan was wary of humans and tried to distance themselves from their world.

Yet, the fact that he didn’t incur their animosity and was instead liked by them meant that he was more capable than they had expected.

‘A human man like that is the partner of a Myo Clan princess, and one chosen by lightning, no less.

Not bad.’

Nabi knew well that humans were no longer the weak and foolish race of the past but had become a formidable presence that even pressured the Demon race with their vast nation.

In such times, a relationship that could bring them closer to humans would certainly be advantageous for the Myo Clan.

“Here’s what I’d like to ask.

In a few days, the Hispanian army will return to their homeland. During that time, I want you to watch out for suspicious individuals doing strange things in the rear.”

“Suspicious individuals?

Strange things?”

“You know that fires kept breaking out in Nudia’s land on the way back from participating in the Holy War, right?”

“Yes, I do.

However, I thought it was due to human carelessness or because they didn’t bother to put out the fires since it wasn’t their land.”

Lia shook her head at those words.

Then, she conveyed her opinion that the fairies who had caused trouble this time seemed to be involved in that incident as well.

“…The pointy-ears might have done such a thing.”

Like all Beastmen, Nabi didn’t have good feelings toward the fairies.

Moreover, the fact that the fairies had almost plunged Nudia’s land into the flames of war meant that the Myo Clan here couldn’t possibly think well of them.

“They were abandoned even by their own kind, and they even tried to falsely blame the Beastmen for their crimes.

We can’t just stand by and watch, can we?”

“Of course not.”

“It might seem like we’re helping the humans, but more than that, we need to show our animosity toward the fairies who tried to trouble us Beastmen.”

“We welcome that.

Even now, our brethren are forcibly unable to leave their homes because of the human war.”

After saying that, Nabi trusted only his brethren and cried out, ‘Nyaang!’

With this, Hispania was relieved of a pointless fire hazard, and Lia started running back to where the Hispanian main force was with light steps, woot-da-da-da!

‘Has it been about a day?

Sion said the humans would leave in four days, no, three days, so there’s plenty of time.

Should I look around somewhere else while I’m here?’

It was the moment Lia was thinking that while still hurrying her steps.

Suddenly, she realized that a very familiar energy was approaching her, so she immediately stopped and crouched down, surveying her surroundings.

She had also learned from that human not to let her guard down, even if it was an acquaintance.

Therefore, Lia prepared to pounce and sink her fangs and claws in if she saw an opening.

Thump!—

“Nyaaaang!”

However, the opponent was a much bigger monster than Lia thought.

Lia could only blankly stare at the man who had suddenly grabbed the back of her neck and lifted her up without giving her a chance to resist, wondering how he had caught her from behind.

“…”

“…Monster.”

Those words couldn’t help but come out of Lia’s mouth.

She had clearly confirmed that he was approaching from the front and immediately suppressed her presence and hid, but the opponent had reversed the situation and caught her from behind in that fleeting moment.

It was as if proving that his speed until now had only been a stroll.

“Where have you been to go so far alone?”

Kim Yoo-hyun muttered in a monotone voice.

Lia felt her mood sour as his demeanor made it seem like he was suspecting her, and she puffed up her cheeks and hissed.

“What!

Just because I get beaten by you every day doesn’t mean you can look down on me so much, does it?”

“I haven’t looked down on you.”

“Do you think I would betray Sion?”

“I didn’t say that either.”

“You’re looking at me like that!

And let go of me!

Don’t, don’t grab the back of my neck!”

Kim Yoo-hyun watched Lia struggling in the air for a moment before letting out a short ‘pfft’ of laughter.

Then, he exclaimed ‘Ah’ and repeated laughing again.

“…What.

Are you crazy or something?”

“I couldn’t have endured this far without being crazy.

Anyway, I wasn’t laughing at you.

I’m just amazed at myself for laughing so foolishly.”

“What nonsense are you spouting?

You’re putting on a strange act?

Anyone would think you’re looking at a fairy who’s lived for hundreds of years.”

Kim Yoo-hyun muttered inwardly that it was similar.

It wasn’t hundreds of years, but from a human perspective, he was at an age where he should be constantly making faces at his grandchildren.

“We need to return quickly.

The schedule has been moved up.”

“Nyaang?”

“Something seems to have happened.”

At Kim Yoo-hyun’s words, Lia narrowed her eyes and looked at him.

He immediately shook his head, understanding her unspoken question of whether something had happened to Sion.

“Nothing has happened to Young Master [Sion].

But it seems something has happened to someone around Young Master.”

“…Nyaang.

I understand.

Let’s go back right away.”

“Don’t fall behind.”

Immediately after saying that, Kim Yoo-hyun turned around and started walking lightly, as if taking a stroll.

However, it only looked like he was walking; his speed was by no means that of a stroll.

‘Seriously… how is that even human?

He’s a monster who can take on fairies, Beastmen, and even Lilith, the highest-ranking demon.’

Lia started running like crazy, worrying rather foolishly if all humans would become monsters like that in the future.

She couldn’t beat that man no matter what she did, but she was at least good enough to not lose sight of his back and catch up.

Of course, that would be impossible if Kim Yoo-hyun really put his mind to running.

‘Nyaaaaang!

Mo, monster!’

Thus began an absurd race.

The winner was predetermined, but Lia really did her best, and as a result, she achieved the insane feat of covering a distance that would normally take more than half a day in just a few hours.

“Gasp!”

As a natural result, Lia let out a cute scream and collapsed as soon as she reached Sion’s camp.

Then, someone pushed aside the entrance and came out, but it wasn’t the owner of the camp that Lia had expected but someone else.

“Lia?”

“…Lucia?

Weren’t you going somewhere?”

“I was trying to find materials to further improve the magic cloak I gave Sion before.

There’s a magical material that’s abundant in Nudia and perfect for blocking swords, spears, and arrows.

But suddenly, Yoo-hyun appeared and said we had to go back right away…”

“Lucia, you don’t know the reason either?”

“Yes.

Sion is away.

Lishikida isn’t here either, so it seems he went to Marquis Volko, but we’re waiting for now.”

At Lucia’s words, Lia muttered, ‘What’s going on?’ and immediately looked for water.

Then, after a while, Lilith and Trisha slipped into the camp at the same time.

“What’s going on?

Lucia and Lia said it would take at least two days, but they’re back in less than a day.”

“Yoo-hyun came to pick us up.”

“Hmm?

You seem to know what’s going on?”

“…”

Of course, Kim Yoo-hyun didn’t say anything.

He was just sitting in his seat, closing his eyes and fiddling with his sword, as if he wouldn’t answer any questions directed at him.

“What is it?

Sion has been constantly moving busily since yesterday.

The soldiers are fine, but only the command staff is in chaos itself?

I was even considering grabbing one of them and trying to get some information out of them.”

“Nyaang.

Sister, you’ll get scolded by Sion if you do that.”

“That’s right.

Even though you’re a mage from the Claussens family, you seem to be getting some flak for not doing much, so you really shouldn’t cause trouble here, okay?”

“…Who are you two lecturing?”

Even though she said that, Lilith seemed inwardly grateful to the women who were looking after her.

She had a strangely proud expression, as if saying, ‘I’m glad I have such good younger sisters!’

“Sion Claussens!”

Lilith muttered, ‘I was wondering when this woman would come,’ and turned her head toward the entrance of the camp.

There, Zhan, a warrior and a sword herself, was entering, not even bothering to fix her hair that was flying wildly in the wind.

“That man isn’t here.

Is he at the command staff’s camp again?”

“…Is that so?”

“That’s strange.

Unlike us, weren’t you allowed to enter the command staff’s camp?”

When Trisha said that, Zhan shook her head.

“Even I was denied entry.

I was just told to lead the warriors back to Hispania and have everyone except for the necessary personnel return north.

It seems something has happened.”

“…Is it something bad, Zhan?”

“Well.

It definitely seems like something has happened, but it doesn’t seem as dangerous as a war.

I really don’t know either.”

After saying that, Zhan reflexively looked at Kim Yoo-hyun.

He was perhaps closer to Sion than even they were, so she was hoping he might know something, but soon, the other women shook their heads, as if saying, ‘Give up,’ and she let out a groan before changing the subject.

“Kim Yoo-hyun.”

“…?”

“The warriors will return first, led by my subordinates.

Eos and I will move with the Hispanian army and then go to the royal capital.”

“…Why are you telling me this?”

“You should be grateful.

Honestly, I was worried I’d see you fidgeting again because you were separated from my sister since you didn’t say anything.”

“…”

Kim Yoo-hyun was caught off guard by Zhan.

His face turned slightly red, and he turned his head, not hiding his discomfort.

Of course, it was a good spectacle for the women gathered in the camp, who could laugh at his appearance, which was the opposite of Sion’s.

“…What are you all doing here?”

As they were spending time like that, Sion, the owner of the camp, finally appeared.

Looking a bit tired, Sion sat down in a chair and let out a sigh.

His appearance seemed serious for some reason, and all the other women were just watching him.

Even Lilith was seeing Sion like that for the first time, so she couldn’t ask the reason.

“…”

Then, suddenly, the women subtly turned their gazes toward Kim Yoo-hyun.

It was a sign that they wanted him, who had no problems, to open his mouth since they were a bit hesitant.

Kim Yoo-hyun pointed at himself with a dumbfounded expression, as if saying, ‘Me?

Me?

Why me?’ but the women just nodded and silently urged him to ask the reason.

“…Young Master Sion.”

Kim Yoo-hyun, who eventually opened his mouth, only said that much.

Since Sion, who was far superior to him, would immediately understand why he had called him.

“Ah.

That’s right.

I didn’t explain it.

Everyone, quickly prepare to return home.”

“Yes?”

“Nyaang?”

“Sion?

We weren’t supposed to leave in three days?”

“That was the original plan, but it will be moved up.

Something happened inside Hispania.”

At those words, everyone gathered in the room’s faces hardened.

Sion waved his hand, as if saying that wasn’t the case, at their reaction, which was worried that something else might have happened.

“It’s not that kind of thing.

It’s just a bit… how should I put it, a very bitter thing.”

“A bitter thing?”

“Yes.

Because of that, the command staff adjusted the schedule a bit, and we informed Nudia about it, so we’ll be urgently welcoming a delegation to Hispania with us tomorrow.”

“The delegation said they would come separately later, right?”

“Something came up that they need to prepare for and go right away.

Nudia seems to think this is an opportunity to make a good impression on Hispania, even if just a little.”

He was confident that he could handle things in any way, even if things progressed according to the contents of the novel.

And he had actually done so until now, but this time, Sion was in a rather difficult situation.

‘It’s the same here or outside when someone close to you goes through something like that.

That person is having a hard time, and so am I.

Ah, damn it.

I suddenly want to find the fairies I let go and smash their heads.’

Sion leaned back deeply into his chair, muttering such playful words inwardly.

A great star of the Kingdom of Hispania has finally fallen.

―――――――Author’s Note―――――――