Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 253

253

Our protagonist has changed!

“…What is this?”

Vanesa, who greeted Zion, took the rather thick report he handed her and looked at him with a questioning expression.

Skimming through the contents, words like ‘preemptive strike’ and ‘surprise attack’ suggested a serious situation.

“You are well aware that the atmosphere in Nudia is unusual.”

“Of course.

I felt it firsthand on my way back to Hispania.”

“There have been no official mentions or movements yet, but if more time passes, they are very likely to exploit the negative public sentiment towards Hispania and do something foolish again.”

“…So, you’re saying we should attack first this time?”

Zion nodded at Vanesa’s question.

If they were attacked again, they would have to fight not only against external enemies but also against those who would try to create internal chaos, waiting for the opportune moment.

And those enemies would surely stir things up further by claiming, with their doctrine of light or whatever, that Hispania was full of demon followers, even involving the Holy Prussen.

‘Hispania has to choose.

Either they filter out the demon followers who supposedly exist within the kingdom, as they say, and furthermore, start another holy war to eliminate the source of those who have thrown the kingdom into chaos.

Swearing that they won’t back down this time.’

If not, they would simply use Nudia and the Holy Prussen to attack Hispania, and if the power of humans weakened as a result, things would flow as they wished.

The issue of demons would then become a noose for those who attacked Hispania under the pretext of attacking demon followers, pushing them into the Mortal Realm.

“I need to think about it.”

Vanesa, who seemed like she would agree immediately, hesitated for some reason.

When Zion looked at her, wondering why, the Queen tapped the table and replied.

“The atmosphere within the kingdom isn’t very good either.

Even now, fires of unknown cause keep occurring, and Nudia, who already caused trouble, says that these things are happening because the descendants of light are angry that Hispania withdrew from the holy war.

If not, they say it’s a warning because there are demon followers.”

“If that were really the case, the Heir of Light would have appeared and punished them directly.”

“The followers of light don’t just think of themselves as mere followers.

They see themselves as followers of the doctrine of light and as judges who punish those who defile the light and follow the shadows.”

That damn doctrine of light, doctrine of light, I’m so sick of it.

They write all sorts of beautiful words and euphemisms, but what they actually do is all garbage.

Furthermore, they dream of a rather terrible and perverse future where they burn everything to death and build a new kingdom on the ashes.

They were crazy bastards, but unfortunately, they were so skilled in politics and had built up such a good reputation and image as doves that they couldn’t be easily confronted.

“I am well aware of that.

The previous king was wary of the light order’s power becoming too extensive, like in Nudia, so he gave me various tasks.”

“Nudia follows the doctrine of light as much as the Holy Prussen, no. Even more so. To put it bluntly, ‘fanatically’. If we antagonize them, it’s obvious what the Holy Prussen or their own light order will think.”

Even if the Hispania royal family claimed to be launching a preemptive strike because they had something to hide, it would be understandable.

A kingdom that withdrew from the holy war first, and the princess who was in that position.

The current queen.

The ominous fires and rumors of demon followers mixed in with the Hispania kingdom that occurred immediately after.

If a picture is drawn of them suddenly launching a preemptive strike against Nudia, it is naturally disadvantageous to this side.

War needs justification, and if there isn’t any, even allies will tilt their heads and hesitate to step forward.

If the justification is insufficient or completely wrong, all the enemies who have been holding their breath will rise up and bite like crazy.

“Let’s examine this matter slowly.

I don’t want to talk about such heavy things with you right now.

At least for the next few days.”

Vanesa’s face was even worse than before.

She looked like she hadn’t slept properly, and her face was full of anxiety.

Looking at the Queen, Zion instinctively realized that a man’s life was truly on the verge of ending and lowered his head slightly.

“…I’m sorry.”

“No.

I’m the one who’s incompetent for putting aside the important affairs of the country even for a moment.

But my head is so heavy right now that I don’t think I can make a wise decision, so that’s why.

Don’t worry.

I’ll clear my head in the next few days and talk in detail.”

“Understood.”

It’s not like there’s a fire on their feet yet, so there’s still some leeway.

Zion decided that he wouldn’t gain anything by pushing Vanesa, so he decided to take a break and free the already very tired woman from other worries, so he decided not to push her any further.

“Then I’ll take my leave, Your Majesty.”

“Let’s see each other again next time.”

Zion, who stepped back from the Queen, left the palace under the afternoon sun.

Today, Rishikida, who was riding in the carriage with him, looked at Zion with a slightly worried expression and opened his mouth.

“Master.

You don’t look good.”

“It seems like something sad will happen to the country soon.”

“…The former king doesn’t seem to be doing well.”

“The situation wasn’t good in the first place, so it can’t be helped.”

The reason was not assassination or anything else, but simply accumulated fatigue from overwork.

Above all, his physical condition had not been good for several years, so even if Zion tried now, he would only be able to extend his life by a few months, and he would not be able to bring about good results.

You can’t hold on to everything, and you have to let go of what has to leave.

If you try to grab everything, you will lose everything in reverse.

With that in mind, Zion gave up his attachment to the leucoderma [a skin condition] this time and decided to focus on other things.

“More than that, how was the sparring earlier?”

“It was chaotic.

We were looking for each other’s weaknesses, and I was sweating from the sharp attacks that flew in.

We almost seriously injured each other.”

“I said it’s okay to get hurt, but don’t get too seriously injured.

Do you remember?”

“Of course.

I would never disobey Master’s orders.”

The outcome is usually decided within a minute of being paired with Kim Yoo-hyun.

Kim Yoo-hyun, who is armed with seriousness, just smashes them without holding back, so he was a good opponent and a bad opponent at the same time from the other person’s point of view.

Therefore, the women were trying to make up for their shortcomings by engaging in endless sparring with each other in order to endure even a little longer against Kim Yoo-hyun.

However, since they are both skilled, even a slight excess or deviation could lead to serious injuries.

“Speaking of which, did you get any help from what you learned from Kim Yoo-hyun?”

“At first, I was really scared to even hold a sword.

It may sound funny to say this as a knight, but it was the first time I had such a scary opponent.”

“…I understand.”

I also thought, ‘Ah, I’m dead,’ when I first saw that guy.

If I were to name someone who could kill people with just their eyes, Zion would pick Kim Yoo-hyun without a second thought.

“But as time went by, I gradually adapted, and I saw something I hadn’t seen before.

As I learned about it and applied it to myself little by little, I was able to cross swords with Kim Yoo-hyun for a short time.

Only then did I understand why he treated me so harshly.”

“…I told him to take it easy.”

“If he had, I probably wouldn’t have gained that much teaching during that time.”

Rishikida has definitely grown more than before.

Looking at Kim Yoo-hyun’s appearance, he seems to be unknowingly thinking of her as a disciple and paying attention to many aspects of her swordsmanship, it seemed like she was walking the path to reaching a higher level than a high-ranking knight.

“…Master.

Above.”

As Rishikida, who had been subtly reaching for the sword hilt, opened his mouth, Zion sighed.

He should have learned enough from Gian last time, but in the end, it was because of the cat who had taken over the carriage again.

“Ria.

Stop it and come down.”

At Zion’s words, a slight movement was felt, and suddenly the cat woman’s face popped in through the window!

Her expression was full of ‘How did you notice?’ energy.

“Rishi told me.”

“Nyaang.

I thought Zion had noticed.

I was even going to praise you for being so perceptive!”

“…What is it this time? I’m begging you, I told you to use the door when you come into the room and not to climb on the carriage.”

“Kim Yoo-hyun is back.”

Kim Yoo-hyun is already here?

It hadn’t been long since he had given him the task, and since the map showed that there were more than one or two fairy villages, he thought it would take at least a week or more?

As Zion made an expression that he couldn’t understand at all, Ria suddenly made a strange expression.

Then, as if telling him to prepare himself, she began to pat Zion’s shoulder.

“…What is it?”

“It doesn’t seem like he’s back after finishing the job, nyaang.”

“What does that mean?

It doesn’t seem like he’s back after finishing the job?”

“He came back with luggage.

Quite damaged luggage.”

What is this all of a sudden?

If it’s luggage, it’s luggage, but what is quite damaged luggage?

While Zion was tilting his head, the carriage arrived at the mansion.

As soon as Rishikida opened the door, Zion quickly got out of the carriage and headed to the first floor entrance.

There, a woman with a rather unpleasant expression was standing, and Zion, who confirmed that it was Trisha who had left with Kim Yoo-hyun before, immediately approached her.

“Trisha?

You’re already back?”

“Yes, yes.

Ugh… I came too quickly, so my stomach still doesn’t feel good.”

Zion also knows why Trisha is like that.

Since she doesn’t have anything special other than the power of the stigmata [marks resembling Christ’s crucifixion wounds], Kim Yoo-hyun carried her around in his side like a mat.

“Things got a little twisted.

I should say an uninvited guest came…”

“…Uninvited guest?”

At the word uninvited guest, Zion made a ‘Could it be?’ expression.

At that, Trisha scratched her cheek and said.

“Suddenly, some crazy woman ran at me and Kim Yoo-hyun as soon as she saw us.

Thanks to that, I was thrown far away, and immediately after that, I heard a huge roar from that spot.”

“So?”

“…Actually, that’s all I can tell you.

All the flames and lightning inside me told me not to go near, that I would get caught up if I went there.

What’s certain is that I’m back and Kim Yoo-hyun is back with me.

And that there’s another luggage besides me.”

Uh?

Wait a minute.

Then could it be that our protagonist?

Could it be?

Could it be?

Zion hurriedly ran to the place where Kim Yoo-hyun was waiting for him, filled with anticipation.

He hadn’t imagined this would happen, could it be that the protagonist, no, the protagonist ‘nim’ understood his telepathy and brought him back alive!

“Kim Yoo-hyun!”

“…Young Master Zion.”

Zion, who was about to say the next word happily, stopped abruptly in his tracks.

For the first time, really for the first time, he saw Kim Yoo-hyun’s whole body covered in wounds.

He had a rather large wound in his stomach, and a huge amount of blood was covering him.

The man who had never even been scratched while facing anyone was now waiting for him covered in blood.

“…What. Your condition.”

“Don’t worry.

I’ve been treated.

More than that, please take a look at this first.

I thought I should check it.”

At those words, Zion turned his gaze to something Kim Yoo-hyun was covering.

There, a blood clot was wriggling, so terrible that it gave him goosebumps.

“…Kim Yoo-hyun.

What on earth is this…”

“I was interfered with while carrying out the work that the young master mentioned, and I engaged in combat.

And I captured it and brought it here.

For now.”

“…”

This is capture?

This?

Zion couldn’t figure out what to say.

The obstacle that Kim Yoo-hyun had captured alive was a real blood clot that had all its limbs cut off and only its face attached to its torso.

“It’s not dead.

I’ve kept it breathing.”

Is he saying that as a boast?

Zion didn’t know, he really didn’t know.

“And there won’t be anything for the young master to worry about.

Take a look.”

“…It looks like a dead corpse to me?”

“I can say with certainty that it’s not.

I know because I’ve been attached to it.”

No, who on earth would think that there’s nothing to worry about after seeing a blood clot with all its limbs cut off?

You damn protagonist.

He wanted to say that while grabbing his face, but Zion calmed himself down and slowly approached what ‘used to be’ a dragon.

―――――――Author’s Note―――――――

Eek…

I’m late!