Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 132

132

Not Your Average Sisters

I was taken aback.

No, beyond being taken aback, I was speechless with disbelief.

I had heard rumors that they were extraordinary, and meeting them in person only confirmed it.

Sion Claussen, the great noble of Hispania, the young war hero.

He told me to trust him completely, so I expected him to come up with some grand solution.

‘But all he says is wait?’

Eos glanced at Zyan, who was sitting next to her.

She was deeply worried that her sister, who already harbored animosity towards the kingdom, would be able to maintain her composure after hearing such words.

“Is he trying to joke around with our northern tribes right now?”

And as she feared, the voice that came from Zyan’s mouth was filled with anger.

Yet, strangely, her gaze still avoided Sion.

Was Zyan always a woman who avoided eye contact when talking?

No, absolutely not.

In the first place, among the northern warriors, avoiding eye contact is taken as a sign of not being sincere, which can be considered quite rude.

‘I don’t know why she’s acting like this, but…’

What’s important now is not figuring out the reason for Zyan’s behavior, but the words of this man, Sion Claussen, who offered the short solution of ‘wait.’

“Sion Claussen.

What exactly does that mean?

Just wait.”

“It means exactly what it says.

If you just wait a little, the monsters that have infiltrated will eventually pour out relentlessly, so if you just hold out until then, the depletion of trade goods will be resolved.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Let’s just say it’s a hunch.”

At Sion’s answer, Eos sighed as if she was dumbfounded, and Zyan glared at Sion, but turned her head again when he looked back at her.

Meanwhile, Vice Commander Schumacher wore a questioning expression at Sion’s words of ‘a hunch,’ then recalled various events that had occurred in the kingdom.

Certainly, this man, the noble Sion Claussen, had something special about him.

From the slave market incident to solving the monster attack on Claussen, he couldn’t help but wonder if there was something different about him compared to others, and if that was ‘a hunch,’ then it might be possible.

“···.”

Kim Yu-hyun had experienced so much with Sion that he just stood quietly by his side, thinking that he would take care of things on his own.

“That’s ridiculous.

Do you believe that the warriors of Karta, who say it’s the same whether they starve to death or die fighting, will listen to that?”

“They won’t listen empty-handed.

So, I’m thinking of showing at least a little sincerity.”

“···Sincerity?”

In fact, although this wasn’t the reason for making the deal, it would be a great shame to turn the two sisters and the barbarian warriors, who could protect the north of the kingdom that had nothing to rely on, into enemies.

In order to resolve the upcoming events in the south with peace of mind, they needed the stability of the north, as well as a force that could be used at any time in case of emergency.

‘Above all, there’s one of the barbarian tribes’ laws: any favor received must be repaid unconditionally.’

Despite being a barbarian tribe whose main industry is plunder, they stubbornly adhere to laws and are greedy for honor.

For them, who live in constant battles, the reason why their leader can lead the warriors is not only because they are ‘strong,’ but also because they need another reason for dominance.

“The most urgent thing is food.

I will take care of that.”

“···What?”

“Is the kingdom going to provide food?”

“Ah.

Not the kingdom, but Sion Claussen, I will take care of it.”

Only about half of the payment that the Haines Merchant Guild had to pay him had been made.

However, before leaving the Claussen Margraviate [territory governed by a Margrave], Sion was troubled by the thought that it would be difficult to receive all of it.

If the food, which is much more difficult to store than it seems, rots or is attacked by rats, it could lead to a situation where they would just sit and lose money.

Above all, if food keeps coming in, Nudia might mistakenly believe that Claussen is preparing for war, and if that happens, the fairies would be thrilled!

It was obvious that they would try to shake Nudia again.

‘It’s good to be abundant, but there’s no need to make it so abundant that it rots.

It’s a matter of reallocating it to where it’s needed and receiving appropriate compensation in return.’

Of course, the number of barbarian tribes in the north is much larger than that of the Claussen territory.

Therefore, they wouldn’t be able to share the food abundantly, but that was the picture Sion wanted.

If you show too much kindness, they’ll think it’s their right.

Just enough, so they don’t starve, and to let them know that if they hold out a little longer, they can return to their former abundant, well-fed, and warm lives.

“Is that possible?

Even if you are a great noble of the kingdom, our northern tribes are very numerous.

There are far more than tens of thousands of tribesmen…”

“We won’t be able to share it abundantly.

But wouldn’t it be enough to give them a spark to wait a little longer?”

“I think the kingdom might be using that to cover our eyes and ears, gather soldiers, and strike the north.

Am I wrong?”

Zyan’s question was quite sharp.

Throw a suitable bait, buy time, induce carelessness, and then the kingdom’s regular army pushes in and wipes out the tribesmen.

So far, it was a highly feasible plan.

“Zyan Temujin.

You’re misunderstanding something.”

However, to Sion, it was nonsense.

“If I was planning to wipe out you northern tribes, I wouldn’t have come here myself as the kingdom’s final decision-maker.

I would have just led the army and wiped you and your subordinates out by now.”

“···.”

Zyan stared at Sion for a moment at his cold voice, then groaned and turned her face away.

Certainly, if the kingdom was planning a war, they wouldn’t have sent someone like him, but an army.

The north was so insignificant that it wasn’t worth the effort to send a great noble of the kingdom all the way to the north, and the tribes were so insignificant that even she thought so.

“I’ve heard your situation well.

The peace, fullness, and warmth you’ve gained through trade for the past three years.

But those trade goods are quickly running out, and now you don’t even have a way to maintain peace.

In the end, you’re going back to the old ways of plunder, or rather.

You’re trying to build a country that can create its own wealth.”

Sion tapped the table with interest and continued.

“But the moment you establish a nation, the kingdom will push you in a completely different way than it has been treating you.

The level at which a nation is wary of a tribe is completely different from the level at which a nation is wary of another nation.”

“That’s right.”

“···.”

“To Temujin, who says there’s no way, and to Buyler, who asks for a way, I say: Trust me and wait a little longer.

This is the best and most optimal answer I can give you.”

“···.”

“Hispania does not want war.

But if you come at us, we have no intention of avoiding it.

Until now, we knew that was the only way for you to survive, so we let it go, but if you insist on being stubborn even after we show you the way to live, the kingdom will no longer be able to accept you with a smile.

Whether you establish a kingdom made up of northern tribes, or the kingdom’s army spreads across the north and burns all your tents.

It’ll be one of the two.”

At those words, neither Eos nor Zyan said anything.

They weren’t saying it, but they both knew exactly that if the kingdom’s large-scale army invaded, they would eventually be defeated.

Guerrilla warfare and feigned retreat tactics can only be used if you have a home to return to.

In a field that is all vast plains, there is not a single place to hide.

If the kingdom’s massive forces pushed in, the tribes would eventually be pushed back and enter the Blade Mountains, where they would all freeze to death.

‘Don’t push them to the brink, but don’t put them in a dead end.

You have to leave a hole to escape so they can submit and crawl into it, or create deserters even if they resist.’

Sion waited for Eos and Zyan’s answers.

But both of them only showed signs of embarrassment and couldn’t easily answer.

With the tribesmen’s dissatisfaction already at its peak, the word ‘wait’ was the most they wanted to avoid as leaders.

‘But you can only call them true leaders if they take care of those tribesmen.

Show it to me.

Your sisters’ abilities are even more important than they are now to stabilize this north.’

It seemed like the time for deliberation was getting longer, so Sion decided to use some shock therapy.

Since the atmosphere of this table was flowing in his favor, it seemed like there would be no problem if he entrusted himself to it.

“Since it seems like you’re still too worried even after all this, shall I say it in another way?”

With those words, Sion turned to the side and drew the sword of Kim Yu-hyun, who was standing there.

And before the two women could react, he deliberately placed the sword, which emitted a cold flash, on the table with a sound.

Clang!―.

“You know that it’s a waste of time for each other to worry.

I’ll help you.

If you still don’t know what to do, just cut my throat with that sword and go to war with the kingdom.

That’ll be the quickest and cleanest way.”

“Sion, Young Master Sion!”

Vice Commander Schumacher was horrified, but Sion raised his hand to stop him.

It was certain that they had no intention of killing him now.

If they had intended to kill him, they would have killed him long ago, why would they try to end it in this place?

‘If you hesitate when you have to jump, it’s best to just push them in the back.’

No matter how much you persuade them, it’s useless.

One push in the back and everything is over, how clean is that?

“I’m also a person who doesn’t want to waste time.

Rather than waiting here for months for an answer, I’d rather just end it here.”

“Sion Claussen.

Calm down first…”

“To be honest.

If you say that, I want to believe you too.

As a leader, I never want to see the scene of tribesmen dying.”

Oh, finally from Zyan Temujin’s mouth.

A positive answer came from the ‘Khan’ [title for a ruler or chief]!

Yu-hyun, are you watching!

The woman who wouldn’t listen to anything you said is listening to me!

It seemed that the carrot and stick method had worked properly.

“But, even if I believe, many tribesmen included in Karta cannot trust the kingdom.

If I can’t persuade them, I have no way.”

“Isn’t persuading them your job, Temujin?”

“That’s why I’m asking for it.

Your help.”

…No, if you’re going to ask for help, damn it.

Let’s talk while looking at each other’s faces.

She’s been turning her face away since earlier, so all Sion can see is Zyan’s profile, or rather, just her ear.

“Help me.

What do you mean?”

“I want you to show your sincerity so that I can persuade the various tribesmen of Karta.

It’s not difficult.

Just, just create an atmosphere that the great noble of the kingdom understands our various northern tribes.

That would make it easier for me to persuade the various tribal chiefs.”

“I told you before that I hate wasting time.”

“A week will be enough.

It just so happens that tomorrow is when the tribes gather their gers [nomadic tents] and move to another place.”

“Exactly.”

At Sion’s urging, Zyan sighed and finally turned to face Sion.

She was certainly an attractive woman, probably because she looked similar to Eos.

However, the scar on her cheek was a bit unsightly.

“…I want you to become a ‘perfectly ordinary guest’ who has visited our north and mingle with us.

With the escorts reduced to a minimum.

If you do that for just about a week, a current will flow among the northern warriors to trust the kingdom once.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

The one who revealed the meaning that it was impossible right away was Vice Commander Schumacher as expected.

He glared at Zyan, raising his eyes fiercely.

“Young Master Sion Claussen is the King’s proxy and the one who has been entrusted with the final decision-making power of the kingdom.

From treating such a person as an ‘ordinary guest,’ to even requesting to accompany them when they gather their tents and move?

Isn’t that an action comparable to quasi-military action?”

“That’s why I’m asking you to accompany me.

Because you might be misunderstood as deceiving the kingdom’s negotiating team and secretly moving the warriors.

If the final decision-maker is looking at the main force from within, there will be no such suspicion.”

“But…”

“I don’t want much.

Just create the atmosphere.

That feeling that the kingdom is absolutely not treating our north carelessly.

If we have that, the warriors can put down their unreasonable hostility towards the kingdom even a little and listen to peace.”

Honestly, it’s not a very tempting thing, but.

Sion muttered inwardly and crossed his arms as if he was worried.

If it’s something that ends within a week, then the time problem is okay to some extent.

Above all, it would take quite a while just to contact the Haines Merchant Guild and have them bring the food here, so he needed a reason to buy some time.

‘And if Karta still wants to fight the kingdom after that week, then that’s money saved.’

If they end up shouting for war, then there’s no food aid that he promised.

The kingdom’s army will just have to rush in and clean up the north.

That’s the only way to prevent the kingdom’s north from being completely plundered by the monsters that will rush in later, this vast plain with no place to hide was the perfect place to find and destroy the invading monsters.

‘Losing a verified named is just doing the Celestials a favor.’

If it’s just accompanying them, then he thought he could do it.

All that was left was the escort that had to prepare for the worst.

‘If I take Lilith out, there’s no one to stop Trisha, and if I take Trisha, it seems like this kid will only be a hindrance.

Kim Yu-hyun is…’

Sion shook his head after confirming Kim Yu-hyun, who was looking at Eos.

Yeah, you have your beloved here, why would you want to go somewhere else?

“Vice Commander Schumacher.”

“Yes, Young Master Sion Claussen.”

“Go and bring Sir Rishikida Amschel.”

“…You don’t mean to tell me that you’re accepting their request…”

“I have to do it.

If that can sustain the peace between the kingdom and those northern tribes.”

Of course, Sion didn’t forget to say the next words either.

“But keep in mind.

If a positive answer doesn’t come back even after I give you this opportunity, then it will be very interesting.

There’s nothing more unpleasant than being betrayed by expectations.”

“…If you try, I will try too.”

Sion nodded as if he liked it when Zyan answered that way.

“…?”

Meanwhile, Eos had been tilting her head since earlier.

She didn’t know at first, but now that she looked, Zyan’s ears were turning red.

‘…Is that bitch really crazy?’