Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 106

106

Somewhere Between a Black Flame Dragon and Blackening

After finishing his conversation with Lilith, Zion re-entered the house.

He had already finished thinking, so it was time to act and test the waters first.

Zion briefly looked at the knights still filling the house and ordered all but Rishikida to wait outside.

Once the knights were convinced that there was no more danger, they entrusted Rishikida with close protection, exited the building, and some guarded the entrance, while the rest returned to the carriage to wait, judging that they might cause anxiety in the village.

Now, all that remained in the siblings’ house were Zion, Lilith, Rishikida, and Kim Yu-hyun, who was leaning against the wall.

Oh, and of course, Ria was perched on the roof.

“Sending all the knights away.

What are you plotting?

Do, do you intend to hunt this body down?!”

“···.”

Hold back, damn it.

Hold back!

If he could use Saik [Trisha’s blackened state], it would be almost like getting Kim Yu-hyun MK.2.

Until they could easily repel the Celestials and guarantee perfect safety and peace, it was not enough to gather SSR-level cards [Superior Super Rare, referring to powerful individuals], no matter how many they collected.

“Ha.”

Kim Yu-hyun covered his forehead as if he couldn’t bear to listen, and Rishikida glared at Trisha with fierce eyes.

Ria, who was watching the surroundings from the ceiling and pricking up her ears at the conversation inside, let out a bewildered ‘Nyaang?’, and Lilith chuckled!

“T, Trisha!

I told you to be reasonable!

Is this body going to be hunted down!”

What was even more flustered to the point of fainting was poor Jimmy.

In the end, he stumbled and placed what seemed like a rather painful flick on the forehead of Trisha.

“Ouch!

Why, why did you hit me!”

“Be polite, Trisha!

That person is the next Count of our territory!”

“Hmph!”

“Is that all?

He’s the one who saved me.

He risked his life to save this brother who was about to die on the battlefield!

If you keep bothering me, I’ll really get angry!”

Originally, that scene should have been an adult older brother scolding a childish single-digit-aged younger sister.

But what Zion was seeing now was a scene where a grown woman who would be an adult the day after tomorrow was acting like a *chuunibyou* [a Japanese term for someone who acts like they have special powers or knowledge] and being scolded by an older brother who wasn’t much older than her.

‘I can’t get used to it.

Real siblings are never like that.

It’s a novel, but it’s still ridiculous.’

With that self-hypnosis, Zion waited for Trisha to calm down a bit.

Fortunately, she was not the Dark Dragon Trisha to her brother, but the younger sister Trisha, so she pouted but didn’t say, ‘How dare you hit this body!’

“···I know.

That he’s the one who saved you, Oppa [older brother in Korean].”

“Then behave politely.

Your words and actions are too far from the proper woman I’ve been teaching you.

Hurry!”

It was like a four-year-old little lady who is hated no matter what she does and a young father strictly teaching such a daughter.

Kim Yu-hyun still had a dumbfounded reaction, and Rishikida had a dumbfounded face.

Only Lilith and Zion were positively welcoming Trisha’s slightly more docile reaction.

“Thank you.

···Yo.

For saving Oppa.

···Yo.”

Trisha reluctantly added ‘Yo’ when Jimmy glared at her.

It was meticulous, and if it were the son of any noble family, it would be an unforgivable act, but Zion decided to let it go.

Yes, the woman in front of him would later become a crazy bitch when she was properly blackened, ‘Saik’, and if he could use that woman as his weapon, there was nothing he couldn’t do and nothing he couldn’t accept.

“Even a Dark Dragon who seems so dangerous knows how to say thank you.

Originally, a great being should bow and greet when they need to.”

“Eh?”

Trisha, who was slightly flustered by Zion’s smile and acceptance of his Black Flame Dragon cosplay.

She looked at Jimmy next to her and slowly opened her mouth.

“Of course, yo.

I am the one who carries on the great will, yo.”

Could it be that this woman already knows that the Stigma is located in her body?

Considering that the time when the Stigma actively awakens is after the Advent of the Celestials, the possibility was very low, but Zion was still troubled because he couldn’t completely rule it out.

“···Thank you for bringing my brother back safely, yo.”

“Don’t mention it.

I just did what I had to do.”

“You’re a very gentle noble, yo.”

“You’re an extremely ordinary territory resident, but you’re not afraid of me.”

In fact, it wasn’t that she wasn’t afraid, but that she had no intention of treating him with respect at all.

‘There’s only one way to make this *chuunibyou* character into a usable card.’

To blacken her and make her awaken.

Instead, he had to turn the tip of that spear towards the other side, not this side.

“Jimmy.”

“Yes, yep!

Young Master.”

“Actually, there’s a reason why I followed you all the way here.”

“A reason?”

“Rishikida has newly joined my command, but he doesn’t have a Squire yet.

I haven’t found the right people yet, but you seem to be the right fit.”

For reference, the Squire here is someone who assists the knight and is also in a social position where they can receive apprentice knight training.

In other words, it was as if pumpkins had fallen from the sky for Jimmy.

“M, me as a Squire?

Ah, no, how could I handle such an important task···.”

“I saw you fighting on the battlefield, and more than anything, you were a guy who had a clear reason to fight and win.

In my opinion, that kind of talent was just right.

What do you think, Rishi?

Isn’t he good as a Squire?”

This was a part that had not been agreed upon with Rishikida at all.

However, she nodded without showing even an inch of dissatisfaction.

“Good.

Rishi also agrees.

Then we need to hear from the person in question, right?

What do you think, Jimmy?

You can work as a Squire and get the qualifications of an apprentice knight, don’t you want to?”

“W, well, of course, I’d be honored if you’d let me, but what kind of Squire would I be with no talent···.”

It’s okay.

Being good at having a younger sister is also a talent.

Originally, luck is also a talent, and connections are also a talent.

If he still lacked confidence, he decided to aim for the other side this time.

“Hmm.

Jimmy says so.

Trisha?

Is your brother such an untalented person?”

“What are you talking about!

Although he’s a foolish and kind brother, I recognize his ability! Yo!

He can do anything as a knight’s attendant with his eyes closed!”

“That’s what she says.

Jimmy Faker.”

“B, but still···.”

“Of course, Klauzen will take care of the accommodation issue.

We’ll prepare a house inside the castle and you’ll live there.

If you’re worried about Trisha, you can be a Squire together.”

“Are you serious?”

“L, Lord?”

Unlike Jimmy, who showed a bright expression, Rishikida was instantly horrified.

Even for her, a high-ranking knight, that Black Flame Dragon-obsessed Trisha was too much to handle.

But Zion was sorry to say that he was willing to endure that much sacrifice.

‘Sorry, Rishi.’

He apologized to his escort knight in his heart and continued.

“I’ve conveyed my intentions.

The rest is your decision.

You can do it right now, or I can give you some time.

But I don’t like wasting time.

Maybe I’ll pick another Squire while you’re procrastinating.”

“T, that’s right.”

“If you’re worried about luggage or moving, I’ll take care of that, not you, so don’t worry.”

With those words, Zion got up from his seat and headed out of the house.

Following him were Lilith, Rishikida, Kim Yu-hyun, and finally Ria, who jumped down from the roof and followed Zion.

“Master.

Are you really going to put both of those siblings as your Squires?”

“If possible.

Why, Rishi?

Is there a problem?”

“···I’m not questioning my master’s decision.

But to be honest, I’m worried when I see those two.”

“Both of them are far from being knights?”

“That’s right.

Maybe I’m wrong about people, but···.”

No, it’s accurate.

As Rishikida thinks, neither Jimmy nor Trisha are fit to be knights.

‘But there’s no other way to quickly bring those siblings to my side.’

Fortunately, Rishikida still doesn’t have a Squire, so there’s no room for anyone to object or suspect.

He had to quickly bring those two to his side, watch them, and prepare to use that scary woman in the future.

‘If this doesn’t work, the next step is an operation with coercion.

Please just come over, Jimmy.’

Zion was sitting in the carriage, looking at the knights who were slowly preparing to leave.

As almost 30 minutes passed, he heard a cautious knock on the carriage door.

“Master.

Jimmy Faker has arrived.”

At Rishikida’s words, Zion opened the carriage door and looked outside.

There he saw Jimmy standing with a determined expression, as if he had made a decision after much deliberation.

“Answer.”

“I will.

I want to.”

Yes, he expected that kind of answer.

Zion smiled and told him to pack the necessary luggage and get in the carriage.

Of course, with his younger sister Trisha.

He also didn’t forget to tell them not to worry because he would send workers from the castle to send all the remaining luggage, even a speck of dust, to the new house.

“···.”

Rishikida was watching Jimmy, who was running to the house to pack his luggage and his younger sister, with half worry and half expectation.

Certainly, having a Squire was convenient for the knight, but once he became a knight’s attendant, he would have a much more difficult and demanding schedule than a regular soldier.

Because the qualification of ‘Apprentice Knight’ was not so easily obtained.

“Rishi.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Come closer.”

At Zion’s words, Rishikida carefully approached him.

“If you’re in charge of both of them, treat Jimmy moderately and roll Trisha like crazy.”

“···Excuse me?”

“Train her so harshly that she says, ‘It’s too hard, I can’t do it anymore.’

You can torment her with personal feelings.

Completely trample on her so that she can’t even have poison or anything.”

“M, Master.

What on earth are you saying···.”

“Instead, show Jimmy that you’re being very nice to him.

Completely opposite to what you do to Trisha.

Of course, when the two of them are together, show Trisha that you’re being nice to her too.”

Rishikida didn’t know what Zion’s true intentions were.

So Zion raised his hand and slowly caressed Rishikida’s lips.

“Rishi, Rishi.

My loyal knight.”

“Y, yes.

Master.”

“I know everything you’re wondering about.

But I can’t explain everything right now.

Later, I’ll definitely give you the answer to your questions, so please follow me silently.”

Looking at her intently while saying that was an essential element.

Rishikida, who let out a sigh, nodded blankly.

Regardless of rational reasons, she strongly felt the will to do whatever Zion told her to do.

“Good.

If it’s Rishi, you’ll definitely be able to meet my expectations.

Right?”

“Of course.

Just leave it to me, my master.”

Zion put the finishing touch by gently stroking her cheek in response to Rishikida’s answer.

Then he went into the carriage and sat comfortably on the chair.

‘Hoo.

With this, the bait has been thrown.

Now, all that’s left is for the Black Flame Dragon to bite it.’

There is only one way to control Trisha, who is pushing the Black Flame Dragon character at the end of her *chuunibyou*, as he pleases.

That was to take away the relationship that she solely relied on and followed from Jimmy and sit in that place himself.

‘As you can see from Rishi’s case, the despair and betrayal you get when someone you rely on and follow suddenly starts to distance themselves is really enormous.

Rishi is still a high-ranking knight and a very mature woman, so she just thought she was bad, but Trisha will be different.’

She was a woman who burned Hispania while spouting ‘Ahaha!’ until right before she died.

He wondered if she could maintain her fantasy about her brother if she suddenly saw her brother laughing and joking with a strange woman.

‘That’s when I step in when the relationship between Jimmy and Trisha breaks down.

And I gradually encroach and confirm.

The one who can protect and embrace you is not your brother, but me.

Zion Klauzen, that is.’

Perhaps, judging from the structure of the character and the antics she did in the novel.

Trisha is unlikely to be an easy subordinate like Rishi.

Nevertheless, the reason why Zion wants to use this method was simple.

‘Originally, shouldn’t there be at least one obsessively devoted character next to the villain as a minimum of manners?’

He was a little worried that he seemed to be walking into hell himself.

But the reality was that if he decided to catch the Black Flame Dragon, he couldn’t do it with just any relationship.

He had to make her obsessed, make her unable to live without him, and, to put it a little extremely, instill in her the mindset that if he couldn’t have her, he would destroy her.

Only when they had such an extremely desirable relationship would she become a useful card to use when catching the remaining Seven Wings in the future.

‘···Thinking about it, it ended up being about saving a woman again.

I went to the trouble of setting the mood that it wasn’t.

How am I going to explain this to Lilith-nim?

Damn.’

The debt he had to repay to Lilith was only increasing as the days went by.

Zion was wondering if he should start eating foods that are good for stamina from now on to survive.

―――――――Author’s Afterword―――――――

The ultimate skill cooldown is charging again.

I think there are not enough recommendations!

The cooldown reduction is too slow!

Recommendation···.

Recommendations are needed!