Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 184

184―――――

No response!

We need to move the carrier!

Crash!―

Prince Erader, after reviewing the report submitted to him, couldn’t hide his fierce temper.

He crumpled the report haphazardly, threw it to the floor, and slammed his fist on the table, unable to conceal his displeasure.

Still seething, Prince Erader recalled the concise yet far from simple situation described in the report.

―Seven pirate ships completely destroyed, no losses on our side.

―The Griffin unit under the command of Lord Zion Klausen is wiping out pirate ships without any damage—however, they plan to return to port within a few days for resupply.

―

“···Damn it!”

The kingdom hasn’t suffered a single defeat; the pirates plaguing the south are being completely eradicated.

Up to this point, it was the best-case scenario for Prince Erader.

Zion Klausen’s victory was also his victory, his achievement as his superior.

He trusted Zion Klausen and sent him to the battlefield. He deserves credit for wiping out the pirates, but the commander-in-chief’s insight in trusting the field commander is also commendable!

Such things were common in the battlefield, so others in the south or the royal capital would never deny Prince Erader’s contribution.

So, from this perspective, Prince Erader has nothing to lose.

‘···But, but why am I so furious!’

Prince Erader soon realized the reason.

The commander-in-chief who properly appointed the field commander and firmly supported him to achieve success would naturally be applauded by others.

However, if he subtly kept him in check, didn’t offer full support, and showed a lukewarm attitude, the opposite situation might occur.

People might cheer in front of him but whisper behind his back, accusing him of stealing the credit, and as a result, sympathy and favor for the field commander might increase even more.

Prince Erader clenched his fist, unsure of what to do.

Any discerning nobleman in the south would notice the uncomfortable relationship between Zion Klausen and himself.

The fact that Zion Klausen is close to Princess Vanessa is already known to the influential nobles of Hispania.

And Prince Erader himself, wary of Princess Vanessa’s supporters gaining power, subtly removed him from the front lines, placing him where he could achieve merit but also where even minor flaws could appear significant.

Was that all?

When the atmosphere was not good after his defeat, he sent Zion Klausen to war as if saying, “Let’s see if you can do well,” to refresh the mood.

Nobles are more gossipy than merchants in the marketplace.

Prince Erader knew very well how such things would be exaggerated and distorted, and how easily people would believe those rumors.

‘More than anything, what on earth is this Griffin unit?

Was Klausen Fief [Klausen’s territory] preparing something like this?

Where did he get the enormous funds to operate flying monsters that even most great noble families are reluctant to handle?

Moreover, to think of using them at sea, of all places.’

Even the most capable flying monsters eventually need to land and rest.

Although there are many islands in the southern sea of Hispania, they are mostly near the land or centered around a certain base, and ultimately, it is just a vast and deep ocean.

But Zion Klausen solved that problem very simply.

‘Just load the Griffins onto ships and fly them off.

Why didn’t anyone think of this simple idea!’

Prince Erader gritted his teeth in frustration.

If he had thought of it first, if he had realized and used this extremely simple idea first, he could have been active as the savior of the south by now!

Furthermore, he could have returned to the royal capital in triumph, backed by the strong support and immense wealth of the south, waved his hand grandly, and immediately participated in the Holy War!

“Your Highness.”

The voice from beyond the door belonged to Count Bremen Isik.

When Prince Erader allowed him to enter, the door cautiously opened, and a handsome middle-aged nobleman slipped into the room.

“I heard the news.

A victory report.”

“···It seems the Count has heard as well.”

“Indeed.

I heard that Lord Zion and my son have already sunk seven pirate ships.”

At those words, Prince Erader nodded with dissatisfaction.

In fact, he himself had attacked several pirate ships during his voyage before his defeat.

He had even captured and completely destroyed two ships during a little over a week of sailing.

‘At that time, they were cheering and celebrating wildly.

Even for capturing just two ships!

But if Zion Klausen, who has only been actively suppressing pirates for just two days, has captured as many as seven ships, how will the nobles of the south react!’

Pirates are certainly difficult to catch, but it is a group where the damage visibly decreases with each one captured.

In that sense, Zion Klausen, who has already hunted down seven pirate ships, was worthy of being called a true ‘hero’.

“···The Count seems to be in quite a good mood.”

Prince Erader involuntarily spoke, seeing Count Bremen’s bright face.

He felt like he was about to explode with frustration, but this man, who was supposed to be his strong supporter, seemed to be subtly pleased rather than empathizing with his feelings, which made him feel terrible.

“Is it perhaps because of the Count’s son being next to Lord Zion Klausen?”

“I am ashamed to say that is the case.

As a father, I couldn’t help but react this way upon hearing the news that my son is doing well and achieving great merit.

I apologize, Your Highness.”

“···How fortunate you are.

Lord Heman is achieving merit and is close to Zion Klausen, so the Count can choose whichever path he wishes with such a son.”

At those words, Count Bremen Isik’s expression instantly turned cold.

Prince Erader’s words were a kind of taunt and provocation, implying that he might betray him and side with Princess Vanessa if things went wrong.

Seeing Count Bremen’s ominous expression, Prince Erader finally realized that he had made a big mistake in his excitement.

No matter how angry he was, no matter how out of control his emotions were, he should never have shown such behavior in front of his supporters, negating their enthusiasm.

“···I am sorry, Count.

I apologize if my words offended you.”

“It is nothing, Your Highness.

I was too absorbed in thinking about my son, unaware of Your Highness’s feelings.

It is my fault, so please take back your apology.”

At Count Bremen’s words, Prince Erader waved his hand, saying there was no need.

Then, he asked the Count to leave, saying he wanted to be alone for a while.

“Then I will visit you again shortly.”

After saying those words, Count Bremen left the room and began walking down the hallway.

The expression on the Count’s face was frighteningly cold.

‘This is not good.’

When do vassals feel the most uneasy when serving their lord?

It is the very moment when the lord begins to doubt his vassals.

Even if it is a moment of doubt or a slip of the tongue for him, it is directly related to the vassal’s life in the future.

The lord’s suspicion meant the death of the vassal who followed him.

‘Fortunately, Heman is working alongside Lord Zion Klausen, so the reputation of the Isik family will only rise, not fall.

On the other hand, Prince Erader is constantly losing points.’

Count Bremen clicked his tongue.

Prince Erader had been very sincere in ensuring that he would not regret his choice when he first came to the south.

But after one defeat, he suddenly changed.

The prudence that a king should have was replaced by unnecessary suspicion, and his vigilance was turning into strange jealousy.

‘Guarding against capable vassals is a virtue that a ruler should naturally possess, but at the same time, using those capable vassals wisely is also a virtue.’

Count Bremen sighed.

Prince Erader, the ‘eldest son’ of the current King Edgar IV, Hispania.

Unless it was a heinous crime such as treason against the king or collusion with the enemy, the legitimacy of being the eldest son was a justification that could cover and block everything, raising Prince Erader to the next King of Hispania.

Wasn’t that why Count Bremen Isik, as the one who held the real wealth of the south, had publicly expressed his support for Prince Erader because of that justification?

But if he continued to disappoint in this way, even Count Bremen would have to consider his options.

Who would be a sailor willing to board a ship that is clearly sinking!

‘···Let’s watch a little longer for now.

Perhaps, just perhaps.

Lord Zion Klausen is still human, so he might make a mistake, right?

For example···.’

For example, treating the pirates like prisoners of war and getting betrayed.

Since the people of the south never forgive pirates and always execute them or punish them with that level of severity, if he treats the pirates with great generosity and mercy, wouldn’t that cause some resistance? That’s what Count Bremen Isik was thinking.

Of course, it was a foolish expectation that was not even worth half a penny.

“Gentlemen.”

After making all the captured pirates kneel on the deck, Zion put his hands behind his back and walked back and forth with Heman, opening his mouth.

“I won’t say much.

I’ll give you exactly five minutes to live from now on.

Your base, the point, the island where you hide your ships, rest, and prepare for the next attack.

Where is it?

Tell me quickly before I get disappointed.”

“···.”

Of course, there was no immediate answer.

Zion looked at the pirates one by one and approached the relatively young man who had the most uneasy expression.

“If you tell the truth, and if it helps me to achieve merit even a little, you can avoid punishment.

Not only will you not have to die, but you might even be forgiven.

This kind of opportunity is rare.

Seize it when it comes.”

“···.”

He threw out a bait, but this fish didn’t bite.

No, to be precise, it wasn’t that he didn’t bite, but rather that he couldn’t bite.

Zion realized that this pirate was subtly watching the other pirates.

Clap, clap―.

When Zion clapped lightly, the crew members struggled to bring something in front of him.

It was a trade item recovered from another pirate ship that had become impossible to navigate, and it was a fairly large sculpture that was expected to be quite valuable.

“You.”

Zion pointed at a man and nodded.

Then, the combat personnel quickly picked him up, chained his ankle, and began to wrap the heavy sculpture around the other end.

“Judging from the way you’re looking at your friends here, you don’t seem like an ordinary crew member.

Are you the captain?”

“···I’m the boatswain [officer in charge of the ship’s hull and equipment].”

He was a boatswain who didn’t flinch at all, even in front of the man who held his lifeline.

At that sight, not only the combat personnel but even Heman frowned and tried to step forward, but Zion smiled and stopped them all.

He was going to die anyway, so he thought it would be okay to let him flick his tongue one last time.

“Hmm, I see.

Boatswain. Anyway, you’re in a higher position than the other friends.

Right?”

“···That’s right.”

At that, Zion suddenly started clapping as if he was impressed.

“Amazing!

You’re a friend in a high position!

If you’re in such a high position, you get to handle more money and get treated better by others.

Cool, very cool.

So, my high-ranking friend?”

Zion pointed to the sea to the combat personnel.

Then, they nodded, drew their swords, and began to drive the pirate ship’s boatswain to the edge of the deck above the ship.

“Do you know why those in high positions earn more money and get treated better by others?”

“···.”

“If you don’t know, I’ll tell you, and if you do know, I’ll tell you again.

High-ranking friend.

It’s because you have to die before anyone else at times like this, when everything is completely ruined.”

As soon as Zion finished speaking, the ship’s combat personnel kicked the pirate ship’s boatswain off the deck and into the sea without a moment’s hesitation.

Then, as a matter of course, the chain tied to his ankle fell, and the sculpture tied to the end also fell with a splash!

And then it began to sink.

“Ugh!”

With a final scream, one pirate quickly disappeared into the deep sea.

The faces of all the pirates were filled with fear at the clean and ruthless disposal without a moment’s hesitation.

Zion, who had been staring at the scene silently, opened his mouth with a cold face.

“How nice.

Wow, I’m so jealous!

You’re dying with the thing you wanted so much.

I’m jealous, I’m jealous.

People are supposed to go empty-handed when they die.”

Zion swept his hair back and approached the young man again.

As if saying, ‘I killed the guy who looked like he was going to give you a look for you.

So hurry up and tell me.’

“Isn’t that too much!”

Huh?

Zion wondered if he had misheard.

Even the soldiers of Hispania were silent, but a pirate, of all people, was spouting such nonsense.

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“E, even if we are pirates, how can you kill a person alive like that···.”

“In the first place, I bothered to pull you out when you were about to drown, and what’s wrong with returning you to the sea because you didn’t give me the information I wanted after saving your life once?”

“Th, that’s···.”

“And it’s just amazing that you pirates, who have done all sorts of heinous things, are saying such things, my friends.

I wonder how many of the kingdom’s people have died or been injured by your hands, don’t you wonder?”

“We, we are literally heinous pirates, so we did such things, but th, the noble lord believes in God and believes in the teachings of light, so he can be generous once, can’t he···!”

He seemed to want to avoid becoming the same as the boatswain by making up a reason somehow.

At that, Zion burst out laughing, holding his stomach.

It was disgusting, absurd, and he could only laugh in amazement.

People become ugly when they are about to die, but if you are going to be ugly, it is better to beg for your life like a dog or do whatever you are told to save your life.

If you spread such literally ‘shitty’ logic, it will only strengthen the desire to kill you even more.

“Hey.

Pirate friends?

Forgiving you and being generous to you is what God above will do.”

And.

“And what I have to do is send you guys to God’s side.”

―――――――Author’s Afterword―――――――

God, here’s another one going.

If you give a recommendation, all pirates get a free pass···!