Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 385

385―――――

Not yet!

“Hispania’s Zion Klausen is entering.”

The allied command tent where the commanders of Hispania and Nudia were gathered.

Knowing well that neither country would ever tolerate a noble from another country commanding them, the Marquis of Volko of Hispania and Ive Gie Restion of Nudia had been leading the allied forces’ meetings on equal footing.

Although Marquis Volko had been killed in action, Hispania’s position had not diminished, nor had Nudia’s influence waned despite the heavy losses suffered by the Nudia army.

“···.”

Step, step―.

However, at the mention of Zion’s arrival, not only the Hispanian commanders but also Ive and all the Nudian personnel stood up, confirming that Hispania was now clearly above Nudia.

The reason is simple.

It’s a very simple matter.

Kim Yu-hyun of Hispania appeared at the moment when the allied forces were on the verge of annihilation.

And soon, he displayed overwhelming martial prowess that no one could have imagined, wiping out the soldiers of the Holy Prussen, as well as the fairies and even the Celestials, all with a single sword.

Nudia, which had already benefited greatly from Hispania’s reinforcements, watched as Hispania’s sword slaughtered the enemies just before they fell into the abyss of despair, realizing that the balance of power had completely collapsed.

The soldiers of Hispania, as well as most of the soldiers of Nudia, cheered at the appearance of Kim Yu-hyun, gaining firm hope and will that they could now truly win.

Furthermore, Kim Yu-hyun openly showed a respectful attitude towards Zion, demonstrating that Zion Klausen of Hispania could treat an overwhelmingly formidable being with ease, which sealed the deal, so it was only natural for those gathered to pay their respects to Zion.

“Why is everyone standing like this?

Please, sit down.

Sit.”

Even while saying that, Zion was the first to take his seat, subtly emphasizing that the one with the most power in the current situation was none other than Hispania, and Zion Klausen himself.

“The battlefield cleanup is complete, Ludwig.”

“Yes, sir.

The casualties have been tallied, and the wounded are currently receiving treatment in the rear, with the vacant positions soon to be filled by reserves.”

“You all worked very hard in today’s battle.

In particular, the Nudian forces’ valiant efforts were very impressive.

If the Nudian side had not held out, we would have all been swept away by the enemy’s attack before Sir Kim Yu-hyun even arrived.”

In today’s battle, Nudia was responsible for the left side of the formation to part of the center.

Although not quite a ragtag group, they were more war-weary than Hispania, and more skilled soldiers had been killed and wounded than Hispania, so they focused on defense rather than offense.

Originally, he would have mentioned Hispania first, subtly emphasizing Hispania’s greater contribution, but he did not do so this time.

Zion mentioned Nudia first to save their face and pride, making it clear that even though Hispania was overwhelmingly more advantageous than Nudia, he would not create unnecessary conflict.

“Thank you, Zion Klausen.

We in Nudia were also able to witness the bravery of the Hispanian soldiers in today’s battle once again.

All the Nudian commanders gathered here saw them pushing back the enemies even amidst their fierce attacks.”

At Ive’s words, the Nudian commanders nodded, expressing their agreement.

They had considered it fortunate just to hold the line, but they had even seen the right flank breaking through the enemy lines, so the Hispanian soldiers seemed truly remarkable to them.

“Um, but.

Zion Klausen.

Perhaps that person is not attending···.”

Ive, who rarely reveals her true feelings, asked such a question.

It was obvious who she was referring to.

Zion smiled with relief and a hint of regret and replied.

“He was very tired from fighting the Celestials [divine beings in this world].

He was also injured.”

“Injured?”

“It’s not a serious injury.

Just a light wound with a little bleeding.

However, I sent him back to the camp to rest in case it might hinder him in future battles, but did you have something to say to Sir Kim Yu-hyun?”

“I wanted to express my gratitude.

Not only me but everyone gathered here.”

He swept away the enemies with a single swing, accomplishing something that the allied forces could not even imagine doing on their own.

In particular, his killing of the Celestial woman who was slaughtering their allies in a close battle was a decisive feat that made him seem almost like a savior to those gathered here.

“He says he has already heard a lot of gratitude and cheers until a little while ago.

He doesn’t particularly enjoy being fussed over or unnecessarily praised, so he seems to have deliberately avoided the gathering.

I hope those gathered here will understand.”

He was saying it nicely, but what Zion was saying was clear.

Don’t bother Kim Yu-hyun unnecessarily and cause mutual displeasure.

“Ludwig.

When will a counterattack be possible in the current situation?”

“The Hispanian army has completed more than half of its reorganization.

A messenger has arrived with news that the reserves that departed from Hispania will arrive here soon, so we can deploy in three days at the latest.”

“What about Nudia?”

“I would like to pursue the enemies immediately, but the damage is significant.

I think we will need about three to four days, is that okay?”

Zion nodded at Ive’s question.

Three to four days at the latest was enough time, within his expected range.

During that time, he just needed to prepare for what would happen afterward.

“The enemies have clearly suffered great damage.

But they still see us as sinners, as fallen ones, so no one knows how they will come out.

The vacant positions can be filled with fanatics volunteering from all over Nudia, and if they think of something even worse, they might use innocent commoners as shields.”

“Would the Holy Prussen, who supposedly follow the light, do such a thing?

They are supposed to be following the light···.”

“When the situation becomes urgent, humans become very narrow-minded and prone to self-justification.

They might say it’s all for the light, and forcibly tell those who don’t believe in the light that they will show them the way to die for the light.

Everything is possible in the current war.

Don’t forget.”

The Hispanian and Nudian personnel fell silent at Zion’s cold warning.

In a situation where the Celestials had appeared and were literally turning their soldiers into mincemeat, they could no longer know what the cornered enemies would do.

“Everyone must be tired after today’s fierce battle.

Please ensure that the soldiers have adequate rest.

However, you must be even more thorough in your vigilance than usual, as there may be surprise attacks taking advantage of the gaps.

If you are not careful, it could be a shortcut to throwing away the victory we barely achieved today.”

“Understood, Zion Klausen.”

“Let’s call it a day for us too.

Everyone must be tired from today’s battle.

Thank you for your hard work, and let’s continue to do our best in the future.

We will continue to move forward together until we drive out the false ones, the hypocrites, from this land.”

The commander’s death, the Hispanian soldiers’ valiant fight, and, decisively, Kim Yu-hyun’s appearance. Everything naturally narrowed Nudia’s position and widened Hispania’s position, so Zion could now order Nudia without any hesitation.

Of course, most of the Nudians also nodded at Zion’s words without much resistance, unconsciously acknowledging Hispania’s superiority.

“···.”

The commanders’ fatigue was at its peak due to the battle that had almost led to complete annihilation.

After Zion’s words, most of the Hispanian and Nudian personnel left the command tent to rest, leaving only Zion, Rishikida, Ludwig, and Ive in their places.

“Zion Klausen.

There is something I would like to ask.”

“Why don’t you attack immediately and give them time, why don’t you exploit the gap when the strong belief of those who believed they would win has been shattered—I think you will ask such a question.

Am I right?”

“···Yes.”

He already knew everything; he was expecting such a question and waiting for it.

Ive hated that point, and at the same time, she was very scared.

Expecting the question meant that he had already prepared the answer.

Dealing with someone who is already prepared and ready to come in, whether they are an enemy or an ally, is a very daunting task.

“Didn’t I already tell you?

Sir Kim Yu-hyun is injured, and the soldiers are extremely fatigued due to the enormous casualties in today’s fierce battle.”

“···.”

But this time, Zion did not give Ive what she wanted.

He just gave an obvious answer, an answer that was fully expected.

Ive looked at Zion with a look that said, ‘Is that all?’, but he just blinked his eyes as if that was really all and stared back at her.

“Hoo.”

Eventually, Ive sighed and stood up.

If this man in front of her doesn’t speak, there must be a good reason for it.

Even if she doesn’t know what that reason is, she thinks it’s not something that will harm them at least.

“···Wasn’t it too obvious to announce Sir Kim Yu-hyun’s injury?

It’s a sensitive matter.”

After seeing Ive step forward, Ludwig muttered worriedly.

No one can be sure that there are no spies in this huge group providing information to the enemies.

In such a time, even though it was a minor injury, the news that Kim Yu-hyun, the best sword in the allied forces, was injured would be bad news for this side and good news for them.

“Of course, it could be, Ludwig.

But important information will eventually be released someday.

Also, if it’s not something that can be solved by hiding it, we should rather disclose it like this to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.

If we had hidden Kim Yu-hyun’s injury, the opinion that we should put him at the forefront right now and recover Nudia’s land would have prevailed.

If that had happened, the risk that this side would have to bear would have doubled.”

Ludwig nodded at Zion’s answer as if he understood.

Afterward, he said that he would deploy the reserves that would arrive soon in preparation for the counterattack in a few days and left the command tent first.

Since Marquis Volko’s death, the commander’s position has been officially vacant, but Zion has been in charge of all practical matters, and Ludwig, who was his adjutant, has naturally taken over Zion’s position.

Since he was not from another family but the son of the late Marquis Volko of Redenen, no noble or commander of Hispania questioned his position as deputy commander.

Afterward, Zion left the command tent and returned to his camp.

Rishikida, who had followed him there, carefully looked around and opened her mouth.

“Master.

I can understand Ive Gie Restion and the Nudian personnel, but why are you deceiving the Hispanian commanders, even Duke Ludwig?

Sir Kim Yu-hyun is not injured.”

If Ludwig, Ive, and all the commanders of the two countries had heard Rishikida’s words, they would have been very embarrassed.

If Kim Yu-hyun is unharmed, it would be okay to attack the Celestials as they are, so why are you giving them time—why are you hesitating when you have been the most vocal critic of the descendants of light until now?

“Rishi.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Do you know what is the most important thing to be careful about in such a huge war?”

“···I don’t know what answer you want, Master.

Can’t you just explain it to me?”

Rishikida, blinking her eyes, looked like a puppy waiting for her master’s command.

Zion smiled at his bodyguard’s appearance and decided to answer.

“It’s people’s uncontrollable madness.”

“Madness?”

“Yes.

It’s the madness they have when they have the conviction that the justice they believe in can prevail.

It spreads to both allies and enemies and eventually becomes a huge flame that devours everything.

I’m just trying to be wary of that.”

“But you have already made the people of the Kingdom of Hispania burn with animosity towards the teachings of light.

I don’t understand.”

“Yes, I burned their animosity, as you said.

I shouted that we must not be deceived by their tricks and that we must protect our land, our pride, and our things.

I ignited the will to fight.

But if it goes beyond that and reaches madness, that blade will surely be wielded in all directions.”

If he wanted to create a more serious situation, he could have done so.

He would have found the followers of the light hidden in Hispania, killed them directly, and hanged them.

But Zion did not do so, and he made a special request to Queen Vanessa as he left for the battlefield.

He said that while they should have animosity towards the teachings of light and the Celestials, they must prevent it from spreading to uncontrollable madness.

The same is true now; they will think that they have won and that they have a weapon that can wipe out the enemies.

They will want to avenge their dead and injured comrades, and they will want to kill those who invaded their country.

The enemies are the same.

They will want to severely punish the sinners and fallen ones who dared to break their forces and kill the top-ranking Celestial.

Madness and madness—if the two collide, the damage will be beyond imagination.

Even if one force is destroyed, that madness will spread to innocent places and cause countless innocent victims.

‘I can make that madness a much colder and more rational reason and belief for the allies, and make the enemies have suspicion beyond belief.

The gift that Kim Yu-hyun brought me.

Using that Celestial.’

Shaiella is also a good card, of course.

But something much more attractive and powerful has come into his hands.

Just as a sparrow cannot pass by a mill [an idiom meaning someone cannot resist something], Zion was planning to use that card very properly.

Just like the Celestials did, in the same way they did to achieve their tasks.

Zion was going to give it back in the same way.

And, instead of the madness for them overflowing with blood, he was planning to make only ridicule and mockery overflow for them.

‘It’s not difficult.

The Celestials and the teachings of light in this novel are ultimately similar to the religions of Earth.’

The Celestials have their own verses.

Such verses that they never teach to humans, beastkins, or even fairies.

Of course, those were not created by the author himself but were quoted from religious verses.

The reason Zion remembers them is because of some readers who appeared in the comment section every time such a verse came out and had an untimely religious debate.

‘Ms. Sha is one of the few relatively moderate people among the top-ranking Celestials.

The Celestials are indifferent to humans, even if they are followers of the light, but she even pities those humans.

Of course, it doesn’t mean that she is weak-hearted.’

Shaiella’s explanation became a decisive hint for Zion.

If she can prove that the Celestials don’t just act as they please and that they are not beings who represent the light, Sha will become a new Celestial who represents that the light may be elsewhere.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

For a moment, a gap was revealed in the face of the Celestial woman who was openly wary of Zion.

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

And when he said the verse that was a little difficult and vague afterward, Sha became flustered.

Seeing that, Zion was convinced that his idea was correct.

That this woman will be the center of the new teachings of light.

―――――――Author’s Note―――――――

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