Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 180

180―――――

We need to move the carrier!

“Prince Erader.”

Sion, Hayman, and several nobles who had been staying at the Port of Sardena bowed their heads to greet Prince Erader, who had just disembarked.

Normally, a response like, ‘Why are you all here?’ or ‘Thank you for your hard work,’ would have been returned.

But this time, a completely different situation unfolded.

Thump, thump―.

Clump, clump―

Prince Erader, stepping down the wooden planks laid out as makeshift stairs with a more agitated manner than usual, passed everyone without a word and began to walk ahead.

Following behind him were Count Bremen and several nobles and captains, all keenly aware of the Prince’s mood.

This left those who had come to greet the Prince in a difficult position.

“…He seems to be in a very troubled state of mind.”

“Victory and defeat are always two sides of the same coin, but the Prince seems a bit on edge.”

The nobles’ words were true.

No one who goes to the battlefield can avoid defeat.

Unless they are so incredibly outstanding that their strategies obscure the sky, their immense power overturns the earth, and they are even blessed with incredible luck.

Everyone knew that Prince Erader was not such a divinely gifted being.

Therefore, no one even considered blaming the Prince.

Nevertheless, Prince Erader could not hide his anxiousness.

“…Young Lord Sion.

The shock the Prince received must have been quite significant.”

“He must be worried that the expectations he has received until now will collapse in an instant.”

“It’s not an irreversible defeat, and defeat is always a part of war, isn’t it? Moreover, no one will view the Prince differently because of this defeat.”

“That’s how it seems to us, but the Prince himself may see it differently.”

Pressure and burden are like poison that gnaws at oneself.

It would be good to be free from it, but unfortunately, Prince Erader was not such a person.

Furthermore, his characteristic suspicious nature and unwillingness to take responsibility overlapped, so such uneasy appearances were being revealed without filter.

Afterward, Prince Erader, along with Sion, Hayman, and most of the nobles from the south, gathered again in the conference room.

The nobles, who thought they had gathered to celebrate the successful pirate subjugation, were suddenly met with cold water and soon realized that was not the case.

“I am deeply concerned that everyone’s minds seem to have loosened due to the continued victories over the past few weeks.”

Prince Erader’s first words, looking around the room, were a warning full of vigilance.

He bit his lip and continued in a low, subdued voice.

“The truth is, I haven’t worried separately because I have been leading and resolving things well until now. I hoped that others would see and learn from that and continue this atmosphere, but it seems that was impossible.”

“…”

In other words, to summarize, he was saying that he had done well, but as soon as he trusted them, things went wrong.

If there had been a captain who had questioned Prince Erader’s position, he might have felt deeply wronged, but unfortunately, this was a place where at least the head or successor of a noble family had to be present to participate.

‘The captain definitely asked for the Prince’s intentions…’

Count Bremen Ischke thought as he looked at Prince Erader.

Since the ship Prince Erader was on at the time also belonged to the Ischke family, there was no way this news would not have reached his ears.

Of course, from hearing the general story, it seemed that the captain was the one who made the choice and decision, and Prince Erader seemed to have stepped back to watch.

If one were to pick the biggest culprit of the defeat, it would be the captain, but he did not make the decision independently and seemed to have followed Prince Erader’s intentions to some extent.

‘Does he mean that he doesn’t want to be caught lacking by the nobles?’

For now, Count Bremen decided to let this matter pass.

In fact, his conclusion was that Prince Erader would never welcome flaws being exposed at a time like this when he was inevitably sensitive about the heir issue.

“From now on, do not move lightly and think and act carefully.

One defeat today is enough.

I trust that everyone understands me well.”

“…”

“Everyone answer. No more defeats can be tolerated.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Those who were not well aware of the situation only knew that the captain, who had been overly enthusiastic, had made a mistake and disturbed Prince Erader’s mood.

Thanks to this, Prince Erader was able to quickly cover up his own shortcomings, but it also contributed to dulling the blade of Hispania that had been sharpened so far.

He merely presumed that the defeat he had experienced was a defeat for the kingdom and issued such a warning in the name of the Prince, so anyone could only be cautious.

Afterward, Prince Erader began to stay in Sardena instead of setting sail directly, making what he called command, but was actually meddling, his main task.

Thanks to this, the actions of the captains and nobles became overly cautious, because Prince Erader would get furious and scold them if reports came in that they were even slightly pushed back by the pirates.

The navy, which had been actively attacking the pirates, had no choice but to become passive due to this change in Prince Erader, because if the damage was significant, an immediate reprimand would be issued.

Conversely, when news of victory was reported, Prince Erader always added at the end, ‘If you move according to my will, you can continue to achieve victory.’

It was truly the beginning of a typical ‘success is my merit, failure is your fault’ situation.

It would have been better if Prince Erader had shown such a [true] 모습 [appearance] from the beginning.

Since they wouldn’t have expected anything, there would have been no betrayal.

However, it was a natural result that soldiers and ordinary people could only feel disappointed or betrayed when he suddenly changed after showing a good 모습 [appearance] until now.

‘The Prince is afraid of the pirates!’

It was no wonder that such rumors began to circulate within a few days.

In any case, the crew members and soldiers were ordinary people of the kingdom, and it was natural for them to secretly spread the fact that Prince Erader no longer boarded the ship after being taught a lesson by the pirates.

“How dare anyone spread such nonsense!”

Enraged, Prince Erader tried to show himself again by boarding a ship and defeating the pirates.

However, the captains, who did not know what kind of punishment they would receive from the Prince if they were pushed back by the pirates again, deliberately reduced their sailing speed or set sail in the wrong direction.

Prince Erader, who had been helpful in boosting morale until now, was now sitting in the back seat and issuing orders without considering the 현장 [actual] situation or environment at all, so naturally the trust he had gained was steadily falling.

‘Showing only a good 모습 [appearance] until now and then suddenly showing the exact opposite 모습 [appearance], the sense of betrayal for expectations increases rapidly.

This time, it would have been better to coolly admit his mistake and act like he was consumed by revenge, Prince Erader.’

A ruler cannot always embrace everything himself.

Sometimes, he can blame others or put the blame on his subordinates.

If anyone were to say anything about that, Sion could say no firmly.

The reason Sion evaluates Prince Erader lowly is not that, but another part.

If he blamed someone, he should have shown the opposite 모습 [appearance] himself and turned the public sentiment that had turned away even more to his side than before, but he was unnecessarily cautious and suspicious, constantly meddling and not showing himself directly.

So, only disappointment 쌓이고 [piles up], only betrayal 들고 [arises], and only suspicious glances 짙어지게 된다 [deepen].

The positive image that had been built up until now was enough to collapse in just three days.

‘One flashy show is much more important than a hundred words.’

Since the Prince, who can be said to be the commander-in-chief, showed that he was very 신경을 쓰고 [concerned] and 연연하는 [attached] about defeat, it was natural that the people under him would pay attention to that part.

It became a situation where they were worried about defeat before even fighting, so it was obvious that nothing could be done.

In the meantime, when news spread that the expeditionary force organization was more than half completed and the first unit in charge of the vanguard could depart first, Prince Erader’s anxiety reached its peak.

Forgetting who had caused this situation, he merely blamed the situation for not improving and continued to 압박하는 [pressuring] others, which was truly a ‘spectacle.’

“News has come in that another merchant ship has been plundered. Why couldn’t you stop it!”

“We, we apologize, Your Highness.”

It was natural for merchant ships to be robbed because the pirates had not been 소탕된 [suppressed] and were still 활개를 치고 [rampant].

Thanks to Prince Erader, who even 나서서 걸고넘어지는 [nitpicked] such parts, the nobles were scheduled to have a very 괴로워질 [difficult] day today.

Looking at the nobles who were being 대차게 까이고 [severely criticized] today, Sion 직감했다 [sensed] that it was time for him to 나서야 할 [step forward], that the time had come to 메어야 할 [shoulder] the so-called 총대 [responsibility].

Of course, 메는 총대 [shouldering responsibility] like this also requires 가려서 때 [choosing the right time] to receive 환호 [cheers] and 고맙다는 [grateful] glances.

If you 메었다가는 [shoulder it] at any time, you will only receive ‘병신 새끼 [idiot]’ or ‘why 나대 [are you meddling]?’ glances in reverse.

In that sense, the moment when Count Bremen Ischke is currently 짓고 있는 [making] a 곤란하다는 표정 [troubled expression], the ‘war hero’ and ‘kingdom’s 신성 [sacred figure]’ that had been 잠시 잊혀졌던 [temporarily forgotten] by Prince Erader was the moment to 나서다 [step forward].

“Prince Erader.”

When Hispania’s war hero, Sion, who had been 입을 다물고 [silent] until now, opened his mouth, everyone’s attention 집중된다 [focused].

In particular, some of the nobles who were being 대차게 까이고 [severely criticized] by Prince Erader reacted as if they had seen a 구원자 [savior], and Sion 속으로 쾌재를 내질렀다 [secretly cheered].

“What is it, Young Lord Sion.”

“It seems that I will have to 나서야 할 [step forward] to overcome the current situation.”

At Sion’s words, Prince Erader 눈살을 찌푸리더니 [frowned] opened his mouth.

“Would you have any 별 다른 수가 [special measures]?”

“I do. That 별 다른 수가 [special measure], that is.”

When the person who had been 침묵하고 [silent] until now suddenly said so in a very 자신만만한 어조 [confident tone], everyone 바라본다 [looked at] Sion while 숨기지 않으며 [not hiding] their 놀란 기색 [surprised expression].

At the same time, they send 호감 어린 눈길 [favorable glances] at the 태도 당당한 [confident attitude] even in front of the Prince and 궁금증 [curiosity] about what 자신감 [confidence] the war hero and kingdom’s 신성 [sacred figure] is 내놓는지 [putting out] that answer.

“…”

Prince Erader also 알아차렸다 [realized] that Sion 나서는 것으로 인해 [stepping forward] his 설 자리가 [position] could be 줄어들 [reduced] again.

If Sion Klausen were to 큰 활약을 [play a big role] this time, he could 가져갈 [take] the hearts of all the southern people who were 실망한 [disappointed] by the pirate’s 분탕질 [disturbance] and Prince Erader’s 언행 [words and actions].

“Young Lord Sion Klausen. Your 자신감 있는 태도 [confident attitude] is good, but what if there is no 진척 [progress]?”

It was a question of what punishment he would receive if he 나대놓고 [meddled] and ultimately failed to 반전에 분위기 [reverse the atmosphere].

Sion 직시하며 [stared at] the 속마음을 훤히 다 들여다보이는 [transparent inner thoughts] of Prince Erader and 답했다 [answered].

“I should also 따끔한 질책 [sharp rebuke] from the Prince. Wouldn’t I?”

It was a chance to 돌릴 [turn] the complaints of the nobles and people to Sion.

The Prince’s defeat was a defeat, but the war hero’s defeat would be an even bigger 이야깃거리 [talking point], so it was an opportunity for Prince Erader to 조금은 풀어질 [loosen] the 숨통 [breath] that was 조여지고 [tightening] in his 입장 [position].

“…Good, Young Lord Sion Klausen. Try to do as you wish.”

He 바라본다 [looked at] Sion with the meaning that 너라고 [you] would have a 뾰족한 수가 [special solution], fighting on land is completely different from fighting at sea.

Prince Erader 여기고 있었다 [thought] that it was 그나마 다행이라고 [somewhat fortunate] because it seemed that he would be a 희생양이 [scapegoat] who would be 물어뜯길 [torn apart] by the people 대신해 [instead of] Prince Erader 본인을 [himself] without anyone 시키지도 [ordering him to].

‘It seems like he’s 풀가동한 [fully operating] a 행복 회로 [delusional fantasy], don’t 헛짓거리 [do anything useless].’

Of course, Sion had already 마쳐둔 [finished] all the 준비 [preparations].

From the moment Prince Erader was 나대고 [meddling] to take the credit while 자리를 비우고 [vacating his position], that is.

―

When all eyes were on the preparations for Prince Erader’s first voyage.

A small to medium-sized port city somewhat away from Sardena.

“We greet Young Lord Sion Klausen.”

Two men bowed deeply to Sion.

That was because they were neither nobles nor knights, but just ordinary people of Hispania, while the young man they were greeting was a figure called a hero.

“I’ve come all the way here because I have something to 부탁할 [ask].”

“There must be many 선박 기술자 [ship technicians] as good as us in Sardena.”

“Because I’m going to ask for an important 부탁 [favor] from now on. There are so many 훔쳐보는 [prying] eyes in Sardena.”

“What do you mean…”

“First, take this.”

What Sion handed over were dozens of sheets of paper with a lot of things written and drawn on them.

As the two men received it with a 공손한 기색 [polite manner], Sion continued.

“There’s no time, so pick a suitable guy and 개조 [modify] it accordingly.”

“…Young Lord?”

“What kind of 배랍니까 [ship] is this?”

The two men opened their mouths almost simultaneously.

That was because it was a 그림 [drawing] of a warship that should have a 매끈한 [sleek] body, but its side was 툭 튀어 나와 [protruding], and almost most of the 갑판 [deck] including that part was made of 평평한 판자 [flat planks].

“Young Lord. If you do this, it will be much more affected by the wind and the speed will drop a lot.”

“The 위치 활대 [boom position] is also 불안정하고 [unstable], it will be difficult to 조정하는 [adjust] the 돛 [sail]. Why are you 넓히시는 [widening] the 갑판 [deck] in this 이상한 형태로 [strange form]?”

“First of all, I don’t want you to ask the reason, I just want you to answer whether it’s 가능한가 [possible] or 불가능 한가 [impossible].”

At Sion’s words, the two men 잠시 바라보다 [looked at] each other, 고민을 잠시 [hesitated for a moment], and opened their mouths.

“It’s not 불가능 [impossible]. In the first place, it’s a matter of 새로 갑판을 깔면 [laying a new deck] on Gion’s 배 [ship], and the expansion of the internal space can be done by simply 치워내면 [removing] the walls.”

“The 위치 활대 [boom position] and 돛 [sail] is a bit 걱정이긴 [worrying], but… it won’t be so 심각 [serious] that 항행 is 안 될 [navigation is impossible]. In the first place, it’s a part that can be 개조하면 [modified] by a 대형 교역선 [large trading ship]. 교역선 [Trading ships] has a lot of 공간 남으니 [space left] between 활대 [boom] and 활대 [boom], so it will be 충분할 [sufficient].”

At that, Sion 끄덕였다 [nodded] his head in a 만족스럽다는 듯 [satisfied manner].

“How long will it take? 말이야 [I mean] the 작업이 완료되는 [work is completed] without 끌지 [attracting] the 이목 [attention] of others as much as possible.”

“If you just say it’s a 교역선 수리 [trading ship repair], the people around will just 그러려니 [think nothing of it].”

“If the people 작업하는 [working] are 쥐어준 임금 properly [given wages properly], they will 알아서 입을 다물 [keep their mouths shut].”

“We think it’s probably…”

“Maybe it will take about 2 weeks?”

“Yes, 2 weeks. I think it will be about that.”

2 weeks was just the right time.

Sion immediately 내밀었다 [held out] the 주머니 [pouch] that was 가득 들어간 [filled] with 금화 [gold coins], which he had 미리 들고 [brought in advance].

At that, the two men were 놀랐다 [surprised] that the 값 [price] was too 과한 [excessive], but Sion 부드럽게 넘겼다 [smoothly brushed] that part by saying with a 웃으면서 [smiling] ‘Isn’t it just a matter of working harder as much as you received?’

“Work hard for 2 weeks.”

“We will do our best!”

“We won’t 실망시켜드리지 [disappoint you]!”

“Good, good. …Ah, come to think of it.”

Sion 뱉고 탄성을 [exclaimed] ‘Ah ha’ as if he had 잊고 [forgotten] something and opened his mouth.

The 기술자 [technicians] that Raido 모아서 [gathered] 전해준 [conveyed] the words of various people to Sion, who asked if there were any other 괜찮은 선박 기술자 [decent ship technicians] besides those 머무는 [staying] in Sardena 항구 [port], were the men right in front of him, but he had only heard the 위치 [location] they were in and had not heard their names.

“I’ve come to ask for an important 부탁 [favor], but I don’t even know your names.”

Then the two men said ‘Ah ah! That’s right!’ and quickly 정리하곤 [arranged] their 복장을 [attire] and opened their mouths.

“We are late to 소개 [introduce]. My name is Gerald! And the 동생 놈 [younger brother] next to me is…”

“My name is Ford!”

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