Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 169

169―――――

Is this really the South?

Lord Lichten, accompanied by Special Envoy Lehmann, returned to Klausen.

His mission was clear: defend the defense line at all costs. Consequently, Lord Lichten was excluded from the Holy War, as he couldn’t abandon his territory.

Sion had preemptively requested a favor from his father, who was returning home.

He asked that the griffins and their riders be dispatched to a specific location with utmost speed, emphasizing that even though they were only five in number, they would constitute his most valuable asset.

“I, Volko Ledenen, will join the expeditionary force with the Princess.”

As anticipated, Marquis Volko ultimately prioritized the Holy War over remaining in the South.

Prince Erader couldn’t conceal his disappointment, while Princess Vanessa, though outwardly composed, seemed reassured by Marquis Volko’s decision.

‘Marquis Volko is a force to be reckoned with, and he’s not one to sheathe his sword due to political considerations. His presence is a definite advantage.’

Marquis Gutchen, Count Taiga, and Count Ischke were already stationed in the South.

They all benefited significantly from maritime trade in the southern sea, compelling them to offer unwavering support to Prince Erader. From the outset, Prince Erader enjoyed the backing of three prominent noble families.

Notably, unlike the other two great noble families in the South, Count Ischke’s territory was a port city directly adjacent to the sea.

With someone possessing unparalleled knowledge of the sea routes supporting Prince Erader, Marquis Volko’s decision to join Princess Vanessa in the Holy War was strategically sound.

“Several territories and cities in the South have already initiated preparations to quell the pirates.

Prince Erader, you may proceed south as soon as your preparations are complete.”

“Is that so?”

Upon hearing the nobleman’s words, Prince Erader glanced to his side.

There, Sion was engrossed in studying a nautical chart of the southern sea of Hispania, his brow furrowed in contemplation.

‘War hero, the kingdom’s revered figure, the successor of the Klausen Margraviate who has brought order to both the northern barbarians and the troublesome nobles.’

Initially, he had dismissed Sion as a childhood troublemaker who had finally come to his senses.

Sion had caused a stir at a royal party in the past with his disrespectful behavior towards Princess Vanessa, and had since retreated to his territory, living in relative obscurity.

He had distinguished himself in the war against Nudia, earning the title of war hero, but Prince Erader had attributed it to a minor skirmish and suspected Sion had received undue credit.

But he was mistaken.

It wasn’t a simple skirmish; Sion had been at the forefront of a major battle, even risking his life to save soldiers, according to widespread reports.

Moreover?

When he heard the account of Sion repelling the Nudian forces with a lute, he thought he was watching a play.

What kind of madman would neutralize the most important moat, lower the drawbridge, open the gate, and essentially shout, “Welcome!” to the advancing enemy?

‘Could I have done that?’

Prince Erader shook his head at the thought.

Even with an ambush prepared inside, lowering the drawbridge and opening the gate meant willingly sacrificing everything, including one’s own life.

If the plan failed, the castle would be captured, and everyone would perish.

‘I can’t fathom what goes on in his head.’

Whenever he was in Princess Vanessa’s presence, Prince Erader felt an inexplicable pressure.

When the King designates his successor, he can decide according to his will without looking at the other nobles.

However, it was beneficial for the future king to consider the atmosphere of the great nobles to some extent, because if he failed to gain the cooperation of the nobles, the political situation could quickly fall into chaos.

For that reason, most kings would decide on a successor and then give that successor a reason why other nobles had no choice but to follow him.

The best reason for that was, of course, achievements for Hispania.

“Sion Klausen.”

Prince Erader’s voice snapped Sion out of his thoughts.

“Yes, Prince Erader.”

“What has you so preoccupied?”

“I was contemplating the most efficient and expeditious means of suppressing the southern pirates.”

The response was immediate, without a moment’s hesitation.

For some reason, Prince Erader felt a surge of annoyance.

Sion’s passionate dedication, especially after appearing to be on the verge of an alliance with Princess Vanessa, stirred a strange resentment within him.

“Is that so?

But it’s peculiar.

Wouldn’t a prolonged campaign in the South be more advantageous for Princess Vanessa?

I recall you being quite close to my sister.”

“…”

At Prince Erader’s veiled accusation, Sion felt a vein throbbing in his forehead.

He wanted to retort, ‘So what? Should I sabotage your efforts at every turn?’ and unleash a torrent of curses.

Frankly, successfully suppressing the pirates in the South would be a significant achievement.

Furthermore, their cooperation was essential to expedite the process and join the expeditionary force as a rearguard.

Instead of collaborating to accelerate their progress, Prince Erader was already sowing division with unnecessary suspicion and jealousy.

‘Damn it.

I’m already infuriated.

Should I just resign?’

The thought was tempting, but Sion gritted his teeth and suppressed it.

‘Yes, say what you want, think what you want, and doubt me.’

The more you do that, the more those who remain by your side will judge that they might suffer the same thing as Sion and start cutting ties one by one.

Very sharply.

Besides, Sion had no intention of interfering with Prince Erader’s plans.

Since he’s going to fail on his own anyway, why should he take the risk and do what he wants?

He just needs to clean up the mess that the prince made, looking like, ‘You moron. Can’t you even do this properly?’ when that prince makes a mess and hides in fear.

Originally, isn’t a ‘hero’ someone who brilliantly solves a situation that trash has ruined?

“I won’t deny that my relationship with Princess Vanessa is amicable, Prince Erader.

However, I have no intention of jeopardizing the suppression of pirates in the South because of it, nor do I intend to harm the kingdom.

If I were such a person, His Majesty the King would not have considered entrusting me with the authority of the King’s representative.”

“Hmm…”

Sion delivered his words with a strained smile, implying that such a scenario was unthinkable.

But beneath the surface, there was a clear warning to Prince Erader.

‘If you continue to question my motives, aren’t you questioning the judgment of the current King, your father, Edgar IV, who trusted me and entrusted me with the work in the North?’

You have to be careful with every word and every action.

In particular, doing something that could be suspected of loyalty to the King and Hispania is the worst of the worst.

Prince Erader let out a groan and stared at Sion with fierce eyes.

Sion also faced the prince’s gaze head-on without backing down.

‘I may not have mana, but do you think I don’t have pride?’

As the atmosphere in the room, intended for discussing future strategies, rapidly deteriorated, the surrounding nobles intervened, attempting to mediate between Prince Erader and Sion.

They needed to cooperate to stabilize the southern sea and suppress the pirates as quickly as possible, but everyone was on edge because the person who would decide on all parts of the work and the war hero who should help such a person to bring out the best results were growling from the beginning.

‘Hoo.

Damn it.

I have to be patient.

I may be a gold spoon [born into wealth], but that bastard is a diamond spoon with gold trim and jewels [born into extreme wealth].

Damn it!

Originally, I was going to cleanly catch even the pirates in the South and stand in a position where even a prince or princess couldn’t treat me carelessly, and then go out to the Holy War!’

Sion wanted to break the necks of the pigeon bastards [those who caused the trouble] who couldn’t stand it and caused the trouble.

Anyway, now that things have turned out this way, it was necessary to weaken the wary eyes of Prince Erader, who had accompanied him, a little.

That way, that bastard will focus only on moving forward without doubting the back.

“Hemon.”

Sion shifted his gaze from Prince Erader and addressed Hemon Ischke, the successor of Count Ischke, who was a few years older and standing across from him.

“Yes, Sion.

Is there anything you want to say?”

“Count Ischke’s family has extensive experience fighting pirates.”

“That’s right.

It’s a territory right next to the sea, and there are five ports.”

“Then you likely have a good understanding of the pirates’ potential movements, correct?”

He intended to diffuse the tense atmosphere and initiate a discussion about future plans.

Hemon smiled, welcoming the change, and replied.

“Of course.

Our Count Ischke, along with several other coastal territories, cities, and ports, possess intimate knowledge of the sea and the pirates’ activities.”

“How many maritime trade routes have the pirates attacked thus far?”

“According to the reports, there have been two attacks.

However, those two routes are the primary arteries for large trading ships carrying the most valuable goods.”

“Meaning they immediately targeted the most lucrative opportunities.”

“Precisely.”

Even though Sion had no particular thoughts, he deliberately narrowed his eyes and stroked his chin as if deep in thought, putting on an act.

As a result, not only the surrounding nobles but also Prince Erader seemed to be awaiting Sion’s next words.

“The fact that the pirates, who were nearly eradicated a few years ago, have resurfaced with such speed suggests they possess a hidden advantage.”

Sion muttered, as if to himself.

Of course, they are the guys who think it’s worth trying and shout that they have confidence.

Because the fairies are secretly providing funds, and even diverted a few ships from Nudia’s front line to provide them to the pirate remnants.

Of course, Nudia’s officials who know about that would have been persuaded, threatened, or secretly eliminated.

“Sion.

First, we need to travel south and assess the situation firsthand.”

“That’s a sound idea, Hemon.”

This is still the capital city.

It’s at least a week’s journey from the southern port.

No matter how many words are exchanged here, it doesn’t mean anything.

‘Of course, I shouldn’t let my guard down too much, so should I increase the tension?’

Prince Erader had to fall on his own, stumble, bleed from his nose, and break the back of his head.

And the only way to make a healthy person move quickly is to create an urgent atmosphere so that they can’t stand not moving quickly.

“I have some concerns.”

“Yes?”

“Sion, what were you saying just now…”

“The pirates’ resurgence and their rapid recovery are alarming.

It’s as if they concealed a significant portion of their forces during the previous suppression.”

Whether it’s a ship or the people who move that ship, it’s incredibly difficult to create and nurture it from the beginning.

Even in this era where you have to cross the ocean with the power of the wind rather than an engine, once a ship or sailor is broken, it’s not easy to recover.

“…Certainly, it does seem unusually fast.”

Hemon’s timely response heightened the tension, and both the nobles and Prince Erader eagerly awaited Sion’s next statement.

“Perhaps their objective extends beyond mere plunder of maritime trade.”

“Then…”

“Based on past patterns, they may be targeting something more substantial than trading ships at sea.

For instance, a port city or a coastal territory.”

“Is, is that possible?”

“No matter how ruthless the pirates are, they can’t stand against the kingdom’s regular army…”

Sion slowly shook his head in response to the nobles’ doubts.

Then, he lightly tapped the sea route and said.

“After attracting scary sharks with delicious bait, the plunderers may be aiming for other places in the meantime.

Anyway, if they succeed in plundering, they will have achieved their goal.

If the territory is attacked and the port is burned, it becomes difficult for the kingdom’s navy to move.

Let me ask you in reverse, Hemon.

Have you identified the pirates’ base of operations?”

“Ah, not yet.

There are so many uninhabited islands in the southern sea…”

Yes, that’s why Kim Yoo-hyun had a hard time suppressing the pirates.

In the first place, they were not familiar with the sea, but the enemies were hiding everywhere, waiting for a gap to appear, and when the kingdom got tired or headed in the wrong direction, they immediately ran out and attacked the rear or empty ports.

“Their weapon is the element of surprise, and the kingdom’s vulnerability lies in the fear of being attacked at any moment.

If the people become fearful, it will cause problems in all areas, no matter how safe it is.

If that happens…”

“The stabilization efforts will be significantly prolonged.”

As expected, Prince Erader delivered the concluding statement.

Sion nodded, thinking, ‘Yes, take it all in.’

“…We can’t allow that to happen.

If that happens, it will take too long.

They must not be allowed to operate like that.

We must devise a strategy to drive them all into a confined area and capture them simultaneously.

Yes, like trapping a school of fish in a net and catching them all at once.”

At Prince Erader’s suggestion, several nobles nodded in agreement.

Sion also feigned agreement, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

‘Drive the fish into the net and catch them all at once.

Good.

That’s the standard approach.

But what if those fish already know that and, as if they know it all, if they get caught in the net, they all give strength at once and pull those who are holding the net?’

Then, the fisherman will fall into the sea and become fish food as it is.

Of course, it’s normal to come up with some kind of method in preparation for such a case, but Sion was planning to secretly pull out that alternative.

‘Prince Erader―!

Fall down!’

Someone else’s misfortune is my happiness, and the enemy’s misfortune is my even greater happiness.

Sion’s grand plan was not to help the enemy while at the same time having no intention of helping the annoying ally.

After making them fight to their heart’s content, he would grab the tired enemy as it was, and push the tired rival into the sea as it was.

Ah, what a perfect plan!

―――――――Author’s Note―――――――

Thank you to the readers who always read it!