Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 203

203

I apologize.

Something came up at home, so I must leave!

With Erader, the prince, defeated and even the royal knights guarding him being escorted away as prisoners, Zion naturally seized all the real power during this journey.

Thanks to this, even considering the prince’s poor condition, Zion subtly applied pressure, arriving at the royal castle in almost the same number of days as when they had departed.

As before, after settling the remaining personnel into Klausen’s mansion, Zion entered the royal palace with Prince Erader.

“Your Highness, Prince Erader, and Lord Zion Klausen.”

The chamberlain bowed his head, greeting the two.

Prince Erader, who had forced himself out of bed to meet the king, couldn’t lie down and groan in the king’s presence, but he still seemed to be in considerable discomfort.

“…I have already heard the news. You were injured.”

The chamberlain apparently hadn’t received accurate information yet.

At that, Prince Erader gave an awkward smile and simply nodded.

“His Majesty the King wishes to speak with Prince Erader alone, Lord Zion. Would you please wait with me for a moment?”

At the chamberlain’s words, Zion readily nodded as if it were obvious.

Unlike the chamberlain, who didn’t know the full situation, Edgar IV already knew that his son could no longer produce an heir.

In other words, he had become a ‘eunuch’.

The reason he wanted to speak with Prince Erader at length was probably for that very reason.

“This way, please.”

The chamberlain led Zion Klausen to a garden inside the royal castle.

It was a place that the queen, who had died more than ten years ago, had personally cultivated, and after her death, the king had been secretly maintaining it.

It was also a very precious space for Prince Erader and Princess Vanessa, so much so that only those who received special trust from the royal family were allowed to enter this garden.

‘I thought I would be waiting in a reception room, but to be waiting in this garden. Certainly, the royal family’s treatment of me has changed completely.’

He had firmly established his name in almost all regions except the west, starting from the east, then the kingdom’s center where the royal castle was located, followed by the north, and finally the south, so it was a natural result.

While Zion was sitting on a chair in the garden, enjoying the drowsy sunlight, the chamberlain cautiously opened his mouth.

“Lord Zion Klausen.”

“Yes, Chamberlain. Is there something you wish to say?”

At Zion’s question, the chamberlain hesitated, looking around.

As if he didn’t know whether to say it or not.

‘…He wants to ask something but is hesitant to open his mouth.’

However, judging from the fact that he didn’t immediately back down with an ‘It’s nothing,’ he seemed quite eager to hear an answer from Zion to a certain question.

What could the chamberlain be trying to ask me? Zion thought.

He was a person who had assisted Edgar IV, Prince Erader, and Princess Vanessa for quite a long time.

He didn’t have outstanding abilities, but he always thought of the royal family and did his best in everything.

‘Why is such a person asking me a question, why?’

As Zion thought, he suddenly realized that Edgar IV and Prince Erader were having a private conversation and opened his mouth, thinking, ‘Could it be?’

“Chamberlain, which side are you on?”

“…Pardon?”

The chamberlain was visibly flustered by Zion’s sudden question.

At that, Zion sipped the tea he had been served and continued.

“I know this question is very rude, but I’m asking because you’ve been watching Prince Erader and Princess Vanessa closely.”

“…”

It seemed that Zion’s guess was correct.

The chamberlain hesitated, moving his lips as if he couldn’t bring himself to speak, but eventually, he spoke.

“…Actually, His Majesty the King suddenly issued an order to summon Princess Vanessa to the royal castle immediately some time ago. I didn’t know the reason. However, I remember that His Majesty the King was quite displeased.”

“I see.”

“Everyone didn’t know the reason, but I have a rough idea. A piece of news was delivered from the south, and immediately after that, Princess Vanessa was summoned to the royal castle. To cut to the chase, what happened to Prince Erader?”

So, that’s what he wanted to ask.

Zion took another sip of his tea and paused.

Then, he fiddled with the cup, creating an atmosphere of whether he should say it or not, and even added a deep sigh.

“…Perhaps, Prince Erader made a mistake that greatly harmed the kingdom…”

No, was that what he was worried about?

Zion was slightly dumbfounded and embarrassed.

How little trust did he inspire in the people around him for such words to come out of the chamberlain’s mouth?

‘Ah, well… Prince Erader’s flaws are only visible when you get closer and know him better.’

At first glance, he seems moderately benevolent, not unintelligent, and a suitable successor.

But after seeing him twice, you start to notice his shortcomings; after seeing him three times, flaws that a king should avoid become apparent; and after seeing him four times, his ‘narrow mind,’ which is an even bigger problem, becomes clear.

The chamberlain was one of the few people who knew about Prince Erader’s flaws.

So, he was worried that he might have been greedy in the south and messed things up.

“Chamberlain.”

Zion decided to calm him down first.

“Prince Erader did not do anything that would harm this kingdom. Although he suffered a defeat in the middle, it was only because he fought with all his might in an overwhelming situation and was pushed back.”

Of course, that was a lie.

He was the one who sprinkled red pepper powder and chili powder on the well-going pirate suppression, almost ruining it.

Fortunately, Zion had prepared the Griffin squad in advance and literally crushed the pirates through air superiority, but if he hadn’t, the sluggish battle might still be going on in the south.

“Then that’s a relief. I’m really relieved, but… then why did His Majesty…”

“Summon Princess Vanessa back to the country urgently?”

I can’t give you an exact answer, but haven’t you already guessed it, Chamberlain?

The reason for calling the two of them to the royal castle.”

At Zion’s words, the chamberlain muttered, “In the end…” and sighed.

Then, he opened his mouth in a rather gloomy voice.

“In the end, you’re going to summon Princess Vanessa and take back all her authority.”

“…?”

“The situation in the south ended much faster than expected. Perhaps this has also settled His Majesty the King’s mind. If we delay the selection of a successor any longer, the country may really be torn apart by internal strife.”

What is this guy saying?

Did he have a drink in broad daylight, or is he sleep-talking?

Zion became wary, wondering if this was a test secretly given to him by the king.

Depending on what he said here, would he be given wings, or would he be judged as a force that could threaten the royal authority and be crushed in advance?

Edgar IV was by no means an easy man, a cunning figure who had always suppressed the nobles and emerged as the winner in this dog-eat-dog fight.

If Zion were to let his guard down for a moment and be eliminated, it could be a success in its own way.

“Lord Zion is close to Princess Vanessa, so I thought His Majesty the King might be trying to give her strength, but conversely, Prince Erader cleared up the pirates so quickly, so naturally His Majesty the King also…”

But as he continued to listen, something was definitely strange.

If Edgar IV wanted to eliminate him, he would use a different method.

He wouldn’t be crazy enough to have the chamberlain poison him in the royal castle.

Then this was completely unrelated to the king; it was truly a personal question from the chamberlain.

And currently, that chamberlain was making a huge blunder.

‘That’s not it, Chamberlain.’

The reason why Edgar IV urgently summoned Princess Vanessa, who had gone out as the commander of the expeditionary force?

It was simply because Prince Erader’s body was so damaged that there was no reason to delay the designation of a successor.

In addition, it was a good reason to bring the expeditionary force, which had not yet fully entered the holy war, back to the kingdom.

“Chamberlain.”

“…Ah. I, I was being presumptuous. I’m sorry, Lord Zion.”

“You still haven’t answered my question about which one you support, Prince Erader or Princess Vanessa.”

“That’s a question I can’t answer. Unlike others, I, as a chamberlain who must maintain strict neutrality…”

“But one of those two will succeed the current King and become the King. Rather than serving the future King with a neutral attitude, it might be better to just step down.”

The voice was soft, but the words were sharp.

The chamberlain couldn’t have failed to notice that, so he groaned.

“…To be honest, I’ve often thought about what it would have been like if Princess Vanessa had been born as the eldest child of His Majesty the King.”

It was a sudden statement from the chamberlain.

As Zion made a very interested expression, he continued as if he had given up everything.

“The Prince is also a very good person. He tries to live up to his position as a prince, tries to show an appropriate image, and does his best within his means. But he often makes mistakes at crucial moments. As a result, he was often scolded by His Majesty the King.”

“…”

“On the other hand, Princess Vanessa doesn’t try to reveal herself as much as possible, so others often don’t know her true nature well. But I’ve worked in the palace for a long time and have seen both of them a lot, so I know well which of the two is suitable for the position of ‘King’.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

At that question, the chamberlain looked around.

“This place is a space that the late Queen personally cultivated. After that, others besides the royal family are not allowed to enter, except for a few loyal subjects who have made great contributions to the kingdom.”

“Are you saying that I am that loyal subject?”

“At least that’s how it looks to me.”

Well, rather than a loyal subject, I should be called a sycophant wearing the mask of a loyal subject, to put it coldly?

Zion muttered inwardly and only fiddled with the now empty teacup.

“Although Lord Zion supported Princess Vanessa, once she returns, she will be married to a noble and leave the royal castle. And Prince Erader will become the successor and soon ascend to the throne.”

“…”

“I saw his appearance in the south, so I would like to ask you. He is lacking and has rough edges, but he is not inherently evil. Please assist him with all your might and lead Hispania to an even stronger path than before.”

It was a completely different appearance from the chamberlain’s previous words and actions.

It was a kind of courtesy shown to Zion, who had now become a huge figure.

‘If Princess Vanessa is really pushed out and Prince Erader becomes the next king, then the chamberlain’s request is correct. But…’

But you’re really barking up the wrong tree, you know?

Prince Erader as the next king?

There’s no such thing as such a novel nonsense.

What good is a guy who can’t even have children to be king?

Ah, there’s a possibility of adopting an heir, so it’s not entirely impossible?

‘Who would support that guy?’

Zion had already turned the forces of the south to Vanessa’s side without anyone knowing.

From now on, Prince Erader will live as if he were dead, holding only the title of the current king’s son and the next king’s brother.

And when needed, he will become a delicious bait that Zion wants and will be thrown in front of the pigeons.

That’s all.

Rustle―.

At this time, a presence was felt in the distance.

At that, the chamberlain immediately stepped back, and Zion got up from his seat and bowed his head.

“What interesting story were you two having?”

Edgar IV, who had become a little weaker in the past two months.

However, the sharp light gleaming in his eyes still held a chilling aura.

Should I say that he still looks like Princess Vanessa’s father?

“The chamberlain seemed curious about what happened in the south, so I was telling him about it.”

“…Is that so?”

Edgar IV didn’t seem to care whether Zion’s words were true or false.

He saw that Zion’s teacup was empty and ordered the chamberlain to go and bring some better tea.

As the chamberlain bowed his head and replied that he would be right back and disappeared from the garden, only Zion and Edgar IV were left in this quiet, beautiful, and warm space.

“The chamberlain is capable and doesn’t get involved in politics. But his weakness is that he has a soft heart.”

Edgar IV clicked his tongue and said that first.

It was a reaction as if he already knew everything that he had said to Zion.

“That’s why he’s even more of a necessary person by the Prince and Princess’s side, isn’t he?”

At that, Zion subtly informed the King that there was no need to dismiss him.

At Zion’s answer, Edgar IV exclaimed, “Hmm?” and suddenly smiled.

“You really change every time I see you.”

“Is that so?”

“It’s really amazing. When you first came to the royal palace a long time ago, you were an immature brat, like watching a spoiled colt, but who would have known that that guy would become a thoroughbred horse that runs through the whole country and makes contributions without rest.”

“That’s how the world works.”

Edgar IV let out a short laugh.

Then, he looked at Zion for a moment and said with a smile still on his face.

“Yes, that’s how the world works. For example, who would have known that my son, who looked so confident when he went down to the south, would come back to me unable to show me a grandchild.”

“…”

“It’s really funny. Haven’t all the nobles who were secretly lining up with my son gone bankrupt as they are? The biggest weakness for a successor is not ability or personality, but whether or not they can have the next heir.”

Edgar IV laughed for a while.

He kept laughing like that, but at some point, he suddenly stopped laughing and stared straight at Zion.

“Tell me. Can I trust you? If I designate my daughter as the successor instead of my son, I can’t help but think that it would be most beneficial to you. There’s a saying that you should be wary of those who benefit the most from the past. So tell me, can I continue to trust you? Can I continue to keep someone named Zion Klausen by the side of the child who will become queen as a subject?”

It was a question with quite a few daggers hidden in it.

Do you have other intentions, or will Vanessa, who has grown so much that she can ignore the royal family, and the other subjects around her, just let you go?

“…”

Zion stared at Edgar IV for a moment and slowly opened his mouth.

Honestly, it was an answer that was neither difficult nor something to worry about.

“Yes. You will have to trust me completely.”

Otherwise, we’ll all hold hands and dive into hell together.

―――――――Author’s Note―――――――

Recommendations are always a great help!