Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 161

161

I’m back, but what is this?

The Holy Pruessen Kingdom?

That name shouldn’t be appearing yet, should it?

The moment Princess Vanessa uttered the name of that country, which was more like a haven for fanatics, Zion wore the same expression he had when he almost died at Kim Yoo-hyun’s hands for the first time.

‘Something’s wrong.

It’s gone wrong.

It’s gone very, very wrong!’

In the novel’s timeline, the Holy Pruessen Kingdom wasn’t supposed to make contact with Hispania until at least two months from now.

Not long after Kim Yoo-hyun subdued Zhan with force and left the North, feeling sorry for Eos, the southern port cities responsible for Hispania’s entire maritime transport route were attacked by pirates.

It took over a month to suppress these pirates, who had built fortresses on each island and held the sea lanes tightly. Even Kim Yoo-hyun couldn’t travel that vast sea without a single ship.

‘We managed to capture the pirates, but the damage was immense.

At the same time, there was a heated debate about why pirates, who had been quiet for years, suddenly reappeared like this. It was around then that an envoy from the Holy Pruessen Kingdom arrived.’

The envoy claimed to be there to announce and warn about the ‘truth’ they had recently discovered.

They emphasized that ominous events were continuously occurring throughout the continent.

The war between Hispania and Nudia, the attack on the royal castle, the rebellion of the northern nobles, the constant attacks by different races, and even the recent resurgence of pirates.

They spoke so grandly, as if they had witnessed all these events firsthand, that most nobles seemed to regard the envoy as a prophet who had received divine revelation.

‘And that bastard etched the image they most desired into Hispania at the very end.’

The envoy spoke to Prince Erader, who had stepped in for Edgard IV, who was absent due to poor health.

All of this was the work of the demons living in the distant Mortal Lands.

A scheme to plunge the world into chaos and mold it into the form they desired.

Frankly, judging rationally, it was nothing more than utter nonsense.

There was no evidence that demons were behind it; they were just running their mouths. Who would believe that?

However, Hispania needed something to soothe the public sentiment, which was 불안하던 [uneasy] due to the ongoing chaos.

Someone had to take the arrows of suspicion and anxiety that were being fired at each other.

The envoy from the Holy Pruessen Kingdom had scratched their itch.

‘After that, Hispania, like Nudia, selected elite troops and advanced into the Mortal Lands, where quite a few of the kingdom’s named figures were killed or injured.’

This was the rough outline of what would happen in the next few months.

Zion was working his ass off to prevent those very things, to prevent the fear and suspicion that the Hispanian royal family, nobles, and common people would feel from accumulating.

But suddenly, at this timing, an envoy arrived.

“…A person from the Holy Pruessen Kingdom? Aren’t they the ones who hardly interact with other countries and only preach about the Celestial Race and the light of justice they will bestow?”

“That’s right.

So, it seems the Margrave Lichten brought them directly to the royal castle. If those reclusive people have left their holy land to say something, it must be a very serious and important matter.”

“…”

Absolutely not.

I know exactly what those crazy cultist bastards are going to say!

Zion gritted his teeth and cursed at those damn pseudo-religious bastards who had suddenly intervened.

The timing is a bit early, but the only thing those bastards will eventually come to say is this.

Let’s eradicate the demons, let’s purify the evil forces trying to bring mortality to this land by uniting various countries and races!

That’s the kind of nonsense they’ll spout.

“Originally, we were going to hear the story right away, but His Majesty heard that you were almost here and said that we should hear the story when Zion Claussen, you, arrive.”

“His Majesty the King said that?”

“Yes.

He hasn’t been feeling well lately, but he said he wanted to see and welcome you in person, as you have done an excellent job, even more than he had hoped for.”

Fortunately, it seemed that Edgard IV, who showed a highly calculated demeanor for the sake of the country, rather than Prince Erader, who had gone crazy for the holy war, was present in the audience hall.

“So, let’s go inside for now.

How long are you going to stand here?”

“Ah, yes.

Your Highness.”

“And there are quite a few people inside the royal castle who are subtly waiting for you.”

Waiting people?

Zion tilted his head at Princess Vanessa’s words.

He was a war hero, but he hadn’t gone to the battlefield to achieve another feat.

Rather, it could be seen as a journey to slaughter the nobles and soldiers of the same kingdom.

‘…Surely that must be the case.’

However, upon entering the royal castle, Zion was finally able to understand.

What the princess had said to him was not just empty words, but the truth.

“He’s coming!

There, there!”

“It’s Count Claussen’s Zion!”

“Waaaaah!”

As soon as he entered the royal castle, Zion was greeted by a huge crowd and cheers.

It was definitely an overwhelming reception, as if a triumphant general who had won a war had finally returned to the capital.

“Waaaaah!”

“Claussen, the kingdom’s strongest shield!”

“A hero who becomes the sharpest spear and sword and flies towards the kingdom’s enemies!”

Riding side by side with Princess Vanessa, Zion was momentarily overwhelmed by the atmosphere.

The welcomers were so enthusiastic that Rishiki, Riah, Trisha, Lilith, and even Kim Yoo-hyun slightly flinched and constantly scanned their surroundings, wary of the tremendous welcome.

“You look quite surprised.”

Vanessa seemed to have noticed Zion’s change and giggled as she spoke.

“…It’s only natural.

I just went to the North…”

“To subdue the barbarians, negotiate peace with them again, and mercilessly execute the nobles who were only doing things that harmed this kingdom.

And it was Claussen’s war hero who did it.

Then, wouldn’t it be obvious what kind of reaction the people of the kingdom would have, even if the nobles didn’t?”

Zion judged that the situation had become too big, even though that was the case.

It would never be a welcome thing for the royal family to have another noble’s name echoing in the royal castle.

Princess Vanessa seemed to be enjoying this…

‘Ah.’

In an instant, Zion realized why they were chanting his name like this.

The minds of the welcoming crowd did not simply contain the ‘facts’ of what he had done.

Someone had added flesh to it, writing a more dramatic and magnificent story.

Those residing in the royal castle repeatedly shouted the hero’s name, making them focus on the hero who was overcoming the kingdom’s hardships rather than the kingdom’s adversity.

So, no one thought of it as a crisis for the kingdom, but only as the emergence of a new hero, a brilliant genius.

When a country is struggling, and when the people living in it are struggling.

They all want a ‘hero’ who can overcome that hardship and show them hope.

“…I understand now why His Majesty the King is waiting for me.”

“You’ve noticed.”

Vanessa winked playfully and continued forward.

“I apologize for not giving you a word in advance.

I didn’t exactly welcome it with open arms either, but His Majesty’s will was quite firm.

He said it would be quite interesting to make you a real hero.”

“So, even though the people of the royal castle were cheering and calling out the name of someone other than Hispania or the royal family, Your Highness couldn’t hide your smile.”

“Oh, have I been found out?

I tried to hide it.”

Zion shrugged at Vanessa’s joke.

Looking back, Edgard IV’s judgment was definitely not bad.

In the current situation, where ominous movements were continuing in all directions, a noble jumped into each of those places to calm the situation or resolve it completely.

The king, who was convinced that the name Zion Claussen could act as a kind of tranquilizer to dispel the anxiety and fear of the kingdom’s people, directly permitted the title of ‘hero,’ which was very good for the country to use but could also be the biggest threat to the royal family.

‘If this is the case, it’s a welcome thing, at least in the current situation.

Even if that cultist bastard tries to stir up anxiety and whispers to bring in the demons, the nobles and the people of the kingdom won’t blindly insist on attacking the evil forces because there’s something else to believe in besides the holy war.’

Unfortunately, in the original novel, Kim Yoo-hyun did not play such a role at this time.

He was far from the political world, not a noble, and above all, he showed a sharp side, so he was treated more like a well-honed sword than a hero.

But Zion is different.

He has the title of successor to the Margrave Claussen, the title of war hero, and achievements that anyone would nod their head in agreement with.

On top of that, he has a handsome appearance that anyone can’t help but like!

‘…Good.

I can somehow muddle through with this.’

It would be tiring to be suspected of being a demon’s accomplice for refusing the holy war.

If I hear that I’m refusing justice and light, it would give other nobles a reason to pick a fight, so I should avoid such a result as much as possible.

Leaving the cheers of the people behind, Zion took steps to have his party rest at the villa in preparation for any possible situation before entering the palace.

‘If Lilith-nim [term of respect] is caught, it won’t end with words like, “It’s a misunderstanding!”

There might be a Celestial Race member next to those cultist bastards.’

Zion had everyone except Rishiki and Kim Yoo-hyun go to the villa.

Naturally, Lilith, Trisha, and Riah protested, but Zion lightly ignored all those complaints and warned that they would all be ruined if they didn’t wait quietly!

Trisha agreed because of Zion’s angry face, Riah because of the threat that he wouldn’t play with her, and Lilith because of the mention that there might be a Celestial Race member present. They got into the carriage and headed to the Claussen family’s villa.

Immediately after, Zion followed Vanessa and Vice-Captain Schumacher into the royal palace.

Several knights greeted them with courtesy, expressing their welcome for the return of those who had gone to the North.

Just before entering the audience hall, the chamberlain bowed and announced the arrival of an important figure from the kingdom.

“Hispania’s First Princess!

Princess Vanessa Ringle Hispania is entering! And Zion Claussen of the Margrave Claussen, who has returned from the North after successfully completing his mission, is entering!”

The commotion coming from inside was so loud that it could be heard through the door.

The chamberlain did not open the door immediately, but slowly opened it after the shaking felt inside had subsided, and Zion followed Vanessa into the audience hall.

“Welcome, Princess Vanessa.

Young Master Zion Claussen.”

The first to greet them was, of course, Edgard IV, sitting on the throne.

His complexion had definitely changed for the worse in just over a month, proving that his physical condition was not good.

And next to him was Prince Erader.

Originally, he should have been designated as a strong successor to the throne by now, but due to Zion’s mischief and Vanessa’s full-scale competition, he currently had no special weapon other than being the ‘eldest son.’

Of course, being the firstborn was the best merit, but Edgard IV was a king who could overturn that merit in an instant, so Erader could not necessarily become king.

“…”

He was wearing a rather wary look, and that wary gaze was directed at both Princess Vanessa and Zion.

‘As expected, suspicious and jealous, just an average person.

This country is doomed the moment that kind of guy becomes king.’

It doesn’t show when he’s a prince, but it becomes clear when he becomes king.

Zion was patting himself on the back, saying that the work he had done and the smoke screen he had created to push Vanessa as the next queen had been a divine move.

He was a person who made anyone feel that he was not very good when it came to the title of ‘next king,’ even though he showed a decent side when he was a prince.

Turning his head, Zion confirmed that Margrave Lichten was looking at him.

Looking at him, who still looked solid unlike Edgard IV, who looked quite old, Zion inwardly let out a sigh of relief.

Margrave Lichten had brought all the other nobles around the Margrave Claussen, and there were also nobles from nearby territories whom he had seen once or twice.

In addition, most of the influential nobles around the royal castle had gathered.

The Honner Marquis family had not attended because the head of the family was not in good condition, but nevertheless, almost all the surrounding nobles were present.

‘Despite the rather sudden gathering, many nobles have gathered.

That’s proof that the name of the Holy Pruessen Kingdom, and the Celestial Race they believe in, has power in the kingdom as well.’

I can’t let my guard down.

The moment I say something wrong here, I could become a demon follower.

If that happens, the aftermath would be unbearable, just like being excommunicated from the Christian world.

I had to be wary of those cultists and pseudo-religious people who came to Hispania, but I had to adjust the pace appropriately so that it wouldn’t show.

“Edgard IV, the rightful ruler of Hispania.

Now that everyone we’ve been waiting for has gathered, may we begin the story?”

As Princess Vanessa stood on the opposite side of Prince Erader, and Zion also took his place, a man in a pure white robe stood up from his seat.

At that moment, Zion knew that that bastard was the cultist who had dared to come to his home to spout nonsense.

‘…Dumbass morons!

They don’t even know what kind of sinister thoughts those Celestial Race or doves they believe in so much have, and they’re just chattering away happily.’

Zion was inwardly sighing with anger.

Originally, one of his life goals was to not listen to nonsense, but in this situation, he had no choice but to take a step back.

Only by taking this step back can I take two steps forward next time and chase those uninvited guests out of the house.