Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 215

215―――――

Thou Shalt Not Judge

The news of the Hispana expeditionary force returning was spreading.

It hadn’t been long since they raised the banner of the Holy War and confidently mustered their forces to advance, so the sudden retreat left many unable to hide their bewilderment, especially the Disciples of Light.

As soon as they heard the news, as if they had planned it, they began to loudly question why Hispana was turning back its expeditionary force.

It seemed they intended to seize this opportunity to emphasize the importance of the Holy War and claim that things had gone awry because of those within Hispana who did not believe in the Doctrine of Light.

However, news soon followed that the armies of the Holy Prussen and Nudia had also turned back and were returning to their respective countries. At this, they immediately shut their mouths as if nothing had happened.

Adding insult to injury, they even went so far as to say that it must have been the descendants of Light who, through revelation, stopped the expeditionary force because humanity was not prepared.

‘Damn those bastards.

There’s a limit to how much bullshit you can spew.’

Sion wanted to throw them into a pit of fire right away.

As if they weren’t annoying enough, those who had been formally granted bishoprics by the Holy Prussen immediately distanced themselves, saying that they and the Order of Light had nothing to do with each other.

Yet, seeing them not arresting or punishing them but simply standing by, it was as if they were playing the roles of good cop and bad cop.

“The whole country has been in turmoil lately.”

Prince Erader hasn’t come out of his room since returning from the south, Princess Vanessa hasn’t returned yet, and Marquis Joaquin Gutchen is too calculating.

Estia, who recently became the new Marquis Oner, hasn’t proven herself to be outstanding yet, and Marquis Volko, like Princess Vanessa, was in a pre-return situation.

There was no one around whom one could call a significant figure.

Amidst all this, Edgard IV found it fortunate that Sion Claussen was around, and he called him in almost every day to share various stories.

Ah, to be precise, only Edgard IV spoke, and Sion just listened.

Of course, he was thoroughly managing his facial expressions, but inside, he was screaming, ‘Damn it, I’m so sick of this.’

‘It was good at first.

Listening to the various stories of the kingdom, I could hear through the King’s mouth the parts I hadn’t been able to confirm or had missed.

But as time goes by, it’s just becoming a rant.’

It is said that when people get old, they have an instinct to grab someone and talk until they feel relieved. Sion seemed to be the perfect person for Edgard IV.

The truth was, Sion was seen among the nobles as a strong supporter of Princess Vanessa, and he himself had achieved merits that no one in the kingdom could easily dismiss.

Sion couldn’t possibly not know that Edgard IV was talking to him because he judged that there was no risk of Sion having other intentions.

‘It could be a calculation to give more strength to the next king’s ally.

The rumor that I’m entering the palace almost every day is spreading quickly.

So, I’m enduring and persevering like this.’

It got to the point where nobles secretly came to Claussen’s mansion in the middle of the night.

Saying, ‘Please take care of me in the future,’ and bringing gifts with both hands.

Of course, Sion sent them all back.

Because it would damage the honor of the nobles?

Or because he was worried that rumors would spread and have a negative impact?

‘It’s too little.

Damn it, if you’re going to show respect, you should give up at least half of what you have.’

Who are they trying to appease with such meager gifts and silly smiles?

Sion sincerely wanted to slap those bastards in the face.

He was enjoying the current king’s favor, was a strong supporter of the next king, and had already earned the title of hero, yet the gifts they brought were all pathetic.

‘There’s not enough sincerity, you bastards.

If you want to get on the bandwagon, you should be prepared to give up almost half of what you have.’

Thinking that, Sion once again listened to Edgard IV’s words.

Today, unlike yesterday, quite nutritious stories were flowing out.

“The Disciples of Light are making a fuss.

I am quite disappointed.

Hispana sent an expeditionary force to participate in the Holy War, unable to focus on the affairs of the south.”

“What can we do?

To the Disciples, it must have seemed that the royal family was more concerned with immediate money than with Light or anything else.”

“They seem to have forgotten that everything they eat, wear, and sleep in ultimately comes from that money.”

Sion appropriately chimed in with Edgard IV’s words.

At the same time, he waited for the King’s next words, hoping that some weakness of the Disciples of Light that he could bite into would come out.

“I was originally going to say this when my daughter returned.”

And as Sion expected, a rather interesting story flowed from Edgard IV’s mouth.

As Sion’s eyes flashed and he leaned forward slightly, Edgard IV chuckled as if he knew this would happen and continued.

“It has been quite a long time since the Doctrine of Light came to Hispana.

It came during the reign of my grandfather.

For a while, it played its role very well, so my predecessor kings didn’t have any particular issues, but as I came to power, I gradually received disturbing news.”

“…What do you mean?”

“You probably already know roughly, don’t you?

The fact that the Disciples of Light are secretly colluding with power and making life difficult for innocent citizens of the kingdom.”

Indeed, there’s no way this old man wouldn’t know that.

Sion thought so and felt once again that the overturning of the Holy War had been the best move.

If the Holy War had proceeded as planned, provoking the Disciples of Light would have only led to strong backlash, with them questioning why they were being provoked at such an important time, preventing them from offering prayers for victory, and accusing them of being followers of the Demon race.

But now the situation is completely different.

All the expeditionary forces suddenly turned back, and that was proof that there was something more important than the danger of the Demon race, so even the most extreme Disciples of Light would not be able to open their mouths carelessly.

‘Moreover, if we subtly spread the rumor that there was a revelation that some Disciples of Light were causing chaos and that they should be dealt with first, they would take care of it themselves.’

Thinking that, Sion focused on Edgard IV’s next words.

“If the Holy War had eventually started, the Disciples of Light would have become even stronger.

Those who follow the will of Light are fighting in enemy territory, so there should be no one inside who defiles their noble sacrifices.

Rather, they would have tried to further expand their influence on this occasion.”

“Your Majesty, then…”

“I also respect the Disciples of Light.

I think the doctrine they believe in is quite good.

But I can never tolerate them making my people suffer while talking about the will of Light.”

His energy was clearly weakened by illness, but Edgard IV’s eyes were still shining as brightly as in his prime.

Sion couldn’t help but clear his throat, feeling the King’s determination to eliminate even the slightest speck of any force that could harm the security of the nation of Hispana and hinder Vanessa, who would succeed to the throne.

“If God is really watching us from above, He would not look kindly on those who call His name but harass others.

Isn’t that so?

If a god condones treating others arbitrarily just because they don’t believe in Him, who would truly call and follow that person as God?”

Sion almost applauded at Edgard IV’s words.

He was so impressed with how well he spoke and how well his intentions aligned with his own.

Such a king should live longer and personally mince those who talk about Light and God for a longer time, but it was a pity that he had harmed his body by being such a workaholic.

‘It’s not a big deal because there’s a great alternative card called Princess Vanessa, but it’s still a shame.

It would be good for me and the Princess if he lived just a little longer.’

Unfortunately, Edgard IV’s limit was here.

Sion himself couldn’t do anything about the body that was weakening and collapsing overall.

If he were to lose his life through assassination or something else, he might be able to change that, but in Edgard IV’s case, it was simply that he had been so passionately taking care of state affairs that he had neglected his body, which was a death flag [a sign of impending doom].

“Sir Sion Claussen, what do you think about the Doctrine of Light?

About the Disciples who believe in it?

And about the Order that protects those Disciples and subtly opposes the royal family?”

“This is not the Holy Prussen.”

Sion answered without a moment’s hesitation in a confident voice.

It was a very concise answer, but at the same time, it contained an enormous amount of meaning.

Edgard IV, as if he immediately understood Sion’s inner thoughts, smiled broadly and opened his mouth with an interesting expression.

“Yes, this is not the Holy Prussen.

You are not branded as a heretic for speaking disrespectfully to the descendants of Light, and you are not put on trial for not following the Doctrine of Light.

But the Doctrine of Light has clearly penetrated deeper into the people of the kingdom than you might think.

Even some nobles are deeply immersed in the Doctrine of Light.”

“But it doesn’t seem like those nobles are actually practicing the Doctrine of Light.”

At Sion’s mumbling, Edgard IV chuckled, nodded as if to agree with him, picked up the teacup in front of him, and brought it to his lips.

“Your Majesty seems concerned that the Disciples of Light will become even stronger during Princess Vanessa’s reign and might disrespect the royal family.”

“Would they only disrespect the royal family?

The nobles are the same.

No, rather, you nobles are more of a problem.

They will find fault with everything, saying it’s not in line with the Doctrine of Light.”

After saying that, Sion realized that the picture he and Edgard IV wanted was the same.

They both thought that the momentum of these ‘Light’ enthusiasts, who were expanding their power too much, needed to be curbed.

“That doesn’t mean we need to be too aggressive.”

“But it needs to be an appropriate warning.”

“To give the people of the kingdom a sense of awareness that they should not blindly believe in the Disciples of Light or the Doctrine of Light.”

“To let the nobles know that they should not join hands with the Doctrine of Light and cross the line.”

They were a perfect match, a truly fantastic ‘duo’.

One was the owner of the kingdom, whom no one could easily dismiss, and the other was the kingdom’s rising star, or rather, a young noble who had already become a brilliant star and was called a hero.

With this much, they were the perfect players to beat down the Light enthusiasts who were overdoing it, rather than attacking the Holy Prussen itself.

“Sir Sion Claussen.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I want my daughter and all the members of the expeditionary force to be welcomed home when they return.

I want them to hear that they have returned safely, not to die in a distant land according to the will of Light, because the Doctrine of Light is not always bright and pure.”

“…”

“You are smart, so you must understand what I mean.

Some foolish people think of you as just a warrior who excels in war, but I know you well.

Rather than the battlefield, you would prefer this kind of muddy water.

Am I wrong?”

At that, Sion smiled and slowly shook his head.

Certainly, as Edgard IV said, he was much more suited to this muddy fight, where neither the enemy nor the ally was clear, than to the honorable battlefield.

“Then there’s nothing to worry about.

I will allow you to have some fun.

But don’t make too much of a mess so that I can cover it up appropriately.”

The private audience with the King ended like that.

Sion bowed to Edgard IV, left the palace, and was lost in thought as he returned to Claussen’s mansion.

‘He’s telling me to detonate something that will change the people of the kingdom’s perception of the Disciples of Light at this time when the Holy War has been overturned.

I’d like to touch the bishop if I could, but then the Holy Prussen would whine, and the nobles would likely see it as an opportunity to bite me.

The King told me to do things within a limit that he can fully cover…’

Above all, judging from the fact that he gave this secret order, the King seemed to have noticed that Sion was already casting sharp eyes on the Disciples of Light without him knowing.

In fact, Sion had left room for that possibility from the start by openly opposing the Holy War.

‘Honestly, I was going to do it even if the King told me not to, but if he tells me to do it, it’s a bit ambiguous to just detonate things recklessly.’

He needs to target someone who has a big influence on the people of the kingdom but can be quickly covered up by the King.

Then, first of all, exclude the Disciples who have come from the Holy Prussen and are active.

The kingdom’s ordinary Disciples are also out.

He can’t make a big deal out of them.

A prey who has some name in society, is considered reasonably good by the Order of Light, and at the same time, everyone can understand and move on even if he brings down the hammer.

Sion pondered and pondered, then opened his eyes as if he had thought of something.

“There’s someone I can moderately mess with.

I was just about to go and say thank you.”

With a bright smile on his face, Sion opened the window and told the guards who were in charge of escorting him to go somewhere other than Claussen’s mansion.

“Young master?

Then where are you going…?”

“The headquarters of the Haines Merchant Guild.”

After he went down to the south, Helen also went down to the south for some reason.

And she had been supplying the materials needed when Raido was making the scrolls, but as the pirates were all being wiped out, she said she would go up to the royal capital first and wait.

‘There’s a lot of debt.

You have to pay back the money quickly.’

If debt accumulates, it becomes difficult to discuss future matters.

Sion was thinking of repaying the funds Helen had provided in a slightly different way.

―――――――Author’s Note―――――――

Recommendations are always a great source of strength…

Eup, eup….