Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 248

248―――――

The Protagonist Suffers, the Antagonist…

After the question of whether to break off the engagement was posed.

Zane stared at Sion for a moment before slowly opening her mouth.

“Just one thing, let me ask just one thing.

Sion.

What do you mean by using me?”

“Just as I said.

I’m asking to borrow the strength of the woman who leads the northern warriors.”

“…Borrow the strength of our warriors?”

Sion nodded, and Zane reacted as if she couldn’t understand.

The northern warriors ride horses well, and their skills are truly outstanding.

Zane isn’t just thinking this way because she’s from the north; the kingdom also acknowledges the strength of the northern warriors.

However, it’s not like the kingdom lacks people with sufficient skill, talent, and experience to rival the warriors; rather, they have plenty.

There’s Clausen and his soldiers and knights, who are stationed adjacent to Nudia and can enter a state of war at any time, and there are many in the south who have been trained in battles with pirates.

The west of the kingdom is filled with people who are seasoned in frequent small-scale skirmishes with other races.

“I don’t understand.

Why is the kingdom, why are you borrowing the strength of our warriors?”

“Unfortunately, the kingdom is largely focused on defense.

Maybe during the kingdom’s expansion period it was different, but now it’s enough just to protect this territory.”

“I understand.”

“But now it’s different.

If we remain silent, we’ll only be seen as pushovers, so we must take preemptive action.”

Zane looks very flustered.

It’s only natural to be flustered when Sion suddenly mentions a preemptive strike.

Where on earth is the kingdom, and where is Sion, planning to attack?

“You don’t know, but I’ve been hit quite a bit relatively.”

“…Besides the attack on you, there was something else?”

“The meteor incident that happened just a few days ago seems to be related as well.

But for now, let’s move on since there’s no concrete evidence.

I’m planning to attack Nudia in a big way soon.”

“What?

Are you saying you’re going to start a war?”

“It’s a bit different from war.

Anyway, I’m thinking of borrowing the strength of you northern warriors.”

Zane couldn’t hide her embarrassment at Sion’s overly honest answer.

If that statement is true, it’s a matter that should be treated as a national secret, but why is he telling that to someone from the distant north who isn’t even a citizen of the kingdom?

“I can’t keep owing you favors forever, can I?

And trade could be suddenly disrupted and cut off like last time.

But I don’t think it suits the northern people to put down their weapons and cultivate the land.”

“…There’s hardly any land for that anyway.”

“So, I need to make things a little more certain this time.

For example, make the kingdom owe you a debt and allow you to make ‘requests’ within a reasonable range.”

“You’re saying you want us to participate in the kingdom’s war.”

“I told you, it’s not a war.

Anyway, under the condition that you receive fair compensation.”

The borders of Hispania were established more than a hundred years ago.

Further expansion could destabilize the country, so after that, the kingdom focused more on defense than offense.

In that sense, Sion judged that the kingdom’s tactics and strategies were not suitable for the swift and precise attack he wanted.

Those who mainly charge are heavily armed, like knights, and there are light cavalry to protect the flanks of friendly forces, with the rest being infantry-centered.

It was a perfect composition for meeting enemies and fighting large-scale battles or conducting defensive operations, but it was difficult to proceed in the direction Sion wanted.

‘What I want is not a picture of armies meeting at one point and fighting a battle.’

That would also mean considerable losses on this side.

Even though the royal family of Nudia is corrupt, most of the nobles still hold power.

Moreover, most of them are deeply devoted to the Doctrine of Light, so they will probably fight to the death. Sion, whose purpose is not to conquer the other side and take their land, should not proceed with the work while consuming a huge amount of the kingdom’s army.

Especially considering the upcoming battles with the Holy Prussian Empire and the Sky Race.

“You guys must be good at something that benefits the kingdom, right?

We call our thing luring and annihilation.

What about you guys…?”

“Are you talking about Mangudai [A Mongol military tactic involving feigned retreats to lure enemies into ambushes]?”

At Zane’s answer, Sion nodded, muttering, “Correct.”

Then, he explained in detail to Zane the thoughts he had shared with Lilith, Kim Yoo-hyun, Rishikida, Ria, Lucia, and Trisha.

After listening to Sion’s story, Zane wore a strange expression and looked at Sion with questioning eyes for a moment.

“Do you really think that’s possible?”

“I’ve prepared a lot to make it possible.

The relationship with the northern tribes is also part of the preparation for this moment.”

“…Are you saying you’ve been systematically moving to manipulate our tribes according to your will?”

“Correct.”

Zane’s expression hardens coldly.

If it were a lie, it would be one thing, but to say such things that could wound this side’s pride without any change in emotion was simply dumbfounding.

To approach her in order to use her and her tribe, what a foolishly honest answer.

“I’m speechless.

To say so confidently that you’re going to use me and my tribesmen.”

“I won’t just use you and throw you away.

I’ll give you appropriate compensation, so I’m saying this confidently.

I couldn’t say this if I had anything to hide.”

“…”

If someone else had said those words, she would have immediately cut their throat with the knife that was lying next to her.

While shouting that they were trying to deceive them by spouting nonsense.

But Sion kept all the promises he had made in the north.

After he left, the items that the tribesmen needed really arrived by a merchant group, and after a while, monsters reappeared, finally opening up the blocked trade.

Afterwards, Zane, who was able to come to the royal capital thanks to Sion, was even able to attend the coronation ceremony of the King of Hispania, changing the perception of those who ridiculed the people of the north as barbarians.

Looking at it this far, there was nothing to lose by following Sion’s words.

“I said earlier.

Zane, I want you.

I don’t want to give you to another man.

This is sincere.

So, I have no intention of being on bad terms with you.”

“…”

“Honestly, isn’t it a tempting offer for you and your tribes?

Those brave warriors can’t just live as hunters, catching monsters forever.

Warriors should roam the battlefield, achieve merits, and spread their names throughout the world, shouldn’t they?”

“That’s right.

But…”

“And it would be nice if that name spread not only among the northern tribes but also to Hispania.

Without being called barbarians, the northern tribes will be treated differently from now on, even if they are reluctant.”

The north is desolate.

A land where it is very difficult for people to live.

Nevertheless, the tribes live on, saying they cannot turn their backs on their homeland.

Not affluent, but still with the pride that they are warriors of this vast land.

Just when they were worried that no more honorable warriors could emerge because war with Hispania was now impossible, he was offering to provide a new battlefield?

Even the kingdom would compensate them if they fought?

‘It’s worth considering enough.’

If only the kingdom would accept, the tribesmen would welcome it.

They would laugh cheerfully, saying, “How bad is Hispania at fighting that they are asking for help from us, whom they looked down on as barbarians?” and they would unleash their talents without any regrets.

“Isn’t an alliance originally forged more tightly when you fight together once?

The relationship that is built by wielding spears and swords on the same battlefield, rolling around, getting hurt, and eating together is the most certain.”

“…You’re saying that I should take this opportunity to make the kingdom think of us as a group.”

“That’s right.

Achieve merits on your own, find your own rights.

And get rid of that barbarian name on your own.

Then, even the well-off nobles of the kingdom will be surprised by your warriors and will not be able to treat you carelessly.”

It is natural to worry that you may be used and then abandoned.

Therefore, you must show that if you only use them, you may face a backlash and the kingdom may be in considerable trouble.

At the same time, even if the word spread that Sion, the hero of the kingdom, had an engagement with a woman from the northern tribe, you had to make the reaction ‘That’s understandable’ rather than ‘No, why on earth?’

“That’s all I can tell you.”

“…”

“I haven’t hidden anything, even if it’s not everything, and I’ve told you everything very honestly.

Thinking of you not just as an external guest, but as a woman who will share the future with me someday.”

It could be heard as sweet words, but conversely, if you answer that you are not a woman who will share the future with him, it was also a threat that he could antagonize you and the northern tribes at any time to protect secrets.

So, Zane finally realized that she meant to think carefully and answer the next question.

“…Haha.

There’s such a scary man.

I thought you were asking me a favor, but it turns out you were threatening me.

I was careless, I was careless.”

“It’s one person’s fault.

So, what’s your answer?

Are you really going to keep saying let’s break off the engagement?”

Zane knew very well that saying to break off the engagement after hearing this far was the same as ruining the picture Sion was drawing.

She thought he was simply a person who was working to harmonize the kingdom and the northern tribes, but within that, he harbored dangerous and quite interesting things that ordinary people could never think of.

“Can I ask just one more thing?”

At Zane’s question, Sion slightly raised one index finger.

Meaning that this question is really the last one, there is no more, so you must answer.

Zane nodded in agreement and opened her mouth.

“That battlefield that you speak of that will unfold in the future. Will it be so splendid that I and our tribes can say that we have achieved glorious battles and victories there?”

As expected, a question worthy of those who are skilled in fighting and raiding rather than monster hunting or trade.

Sion slightly raised the corners of his mouth, implying that he considered it obvious.

“…I’m looking forward to it.”

“Does that mean?”

“I’ll pretend I didn’t say let’s break off the engagement.

What can I do when you need me so much?

This merciful body must grant your request.

Hehehe.”

Oh my, what mercy.

A woman who would break your back with the slightest displeasure?

Still, Sion thought that she had definitely become more gentle than what he had seen in the novel these days.

“Then I’ll assume the engagement will continue.”

“Yes, I’ll assume the engagement will continue…”

Zane, who was about to say that it would be good to return to your room now, slightly pulled her body back while stopping him as Sion, who was already sitting close, came closer and closer to her.

“…?”

“Why do you keep coming closer?

It’s burdensome, don’t come too close.”

“You said you’d keep the engagement going.

Then we need to go through the confirmation process before that.”

“Confirmation process…?”

“Yeah.

Leaving a mark that we belong to each other.”

“I don’t understand what that means at all.”

Sion wondered why this woman was pretending not to know again.

‘ …No way, is it?’

Yeah, it can’t be.

She’s just pretending like that because she’s shy.

Otherwise, how could she not know what it means to enter an engagement until that age…

“Zane.

What happens when a man and a woman make a connection and live in the same house?”

“They sleep together.”

“…Do you know how children are born?”

“Weren’t eagles leaving them while the husband and wife were asleep?

That’s what I know?”

“…”

This is really legendary.

I can’t think of anything else besides this.

Rishikida, Lucia, Ria, and even Trisha knew everything.

But Zane, this woman who exudes an older sister aura, is really an innocent person who doesn’t know anything?

‘It would be more convincing if it turned out that she was a pervert who was incredibly horny!

No, damn it.

Author, are you really sane?

What is this setting!’

Then, are you saying that she discussed a marriage alliance without knowing what men and women do when they get married and how children are born?

How can this make any sense!

This was about 100 times more absurd than someone who had never eaten meat saying that pork belly is better than ribs.

“Hey, Zane.

Are you really thinking that way, not joking?

Your parents told you that…”

“Ah, my father and mother passed away when I was young.

It was so long ago that I don’t remember it well.”

If you’re going to do a Talulah [A reference to a character known for tragic backstories], turn on the blinker.

Sion, who sighed, was troubled about what to do with this.

The atmosphere was right, the timing was good, and most of the women who were heavily guarding the surroundings had disappeared, so this was the right time, but Zane herself was not ready, let alone knowing anything.

“Am I misunderstanding something, Sion?

Unfortunately, since I was young, I have only learned how to ride horses, wield spears and swords, lead people, and fight and win against opponents.

I don’t know much about the relationship between men and women, about the relationship between husband and wife.”

“You proposed a marriage alliance while saying that?”

“I judged that Sion, you would take care of it.

And, and!

Well, if you’re a nobleman of the kingdom, you’ll know better than our ignorant and barbaric tribes!”

What are you so loud about, sister?

Sion was about to say that.

He wanted to shout, “Is that something to be proud of?” but if that was the reason for the current state due to such a sad situation, he couldn’t say anything else.

What can he do?

She was too busy to survive, so she didn’t have a chance to receive sex education.

If a husband and wife just sleep together and eagles bring babies, what more can he say?

‘ …Yeah, it’s better this way.

I’ll take this opportunity to educate her to suit me here.’

Thinking so, as Sion approached, Zane became more embarrassed and tried to get up from her seat.

However, Sion forcibly sat Zane down and pressed her thigh strongly, causing the woman to panic and struggle, asking why he was doing this.

“You said you thought I would take care of it.

But why do you keep running away, Zane Temujin?”

“Ah, no!

What does that have to do with now!

If you keep coming closer like this…”

“You said you wouldn’t break the engagement.

Wasn’t there no objection to this part where you become mine and I become yours?”

“That’s right, but…”

That’s right, but… is not it, woman.

Sion grabbed Zane’s legs and arms so that she couldn’t run away anymore, and reached the distance where their breaths intertwined, and slowly parted his lips.

“You said that if you were a nobleman of the kingdom, you would know a little more, right?”

“The, they keep calling us barbarians…”

“Okay.

Then, following the kingdom’s etiquette education that I did last time, let’s go to the next education.”

“Again?

Is there any etiquette that I haven’t learned yet?”

Yes.

The problem is that it’s called etiquette on the bed, not life etiquette.

“First of all.

From now on, no matter what happens, do not use force to suppress it.

Bending your back is even more forbidden.

Relax your body and be able to sit still.”

“…Like this?”

The woman who was originally called Khan [A title of leadership among nomadic groups in Central Asia] now has an innocent expression that knows nothing and looks at the other person in a completely defenseless state.

Zane Temujin, not any other woman, is in that state, so the enthusiasm for education to teach her properly is burning brightly.

Of course, it wasn’t just the enthusiasm for education that was burning, but Sion could confidently shout that he was only fulfilling his duty as an educator, and with that mindset, Sion hugged Zane.

“Ah, ah?”

“I said no force.

You decided to stay still.

There’s no bending your back either.”

A possible unfortunate situation.

To be precise, Sion Clausen, a faithful educator who did not forget to repeat the warnings in order to prevent the second Prince Erader incident in advance.

―――――――Afterword―――――――

Have a good holiday!

Recommendations are always welcome!