Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 286

286―――――

Stepping Forward

To borrow Zion’s words, all the fairies on the continent suffered from a severe mental delusion: each believed, without a shred of doubt, that they were the Celestial Race’s most beloved.

Reason?

There was none.

They simply considered themselves nobler and more excellent than any other race.

Since the Celestial Race was called light itself, the fairies reasoned they were the next in line because they were the next cleanest.

Ordinarily, other races would have protested, asking what kind of nonsense this was.

But why were fairies called ‘fairies’ [a term often associated with beauty and grace]?

Their temper was notoriously awful, but their appearance was so dazzling that one might genuinely believe they were beautiful enough to be the Celestial Race’s successors.

It was true that they looked presentable enough when they kept their mouths shut, even if their crazy personalities were a problem. Thus, fairies were generally viewed quite positively across the continent.

This contrasted sharply with the Dragonkin, who fought to the death, or the Demon race, who dwelled in desolate lands, both often labeled as ‘evil.’ It was a prime example of how appearances and reputation shaped perceptions.

‘But, such a fairy has fallen?

Betrayed the light?

Ha!

This is perfect fodder for tearing them apart and a great topic for gossip.’

The key here was to avoid unnecessarily fostering animosity towards all fairies.

Turning the entire fairy population of the continent into enemies would only make things more difficult.

Zion was targeting the radical fairies who used Nudia as a base to alienate humans, continuously sowing chaos and anxiety, ultimately pushing everyone to cling more tightly to the will of light while remaining extremely wary of the Demon race.

‘Thanks to the little stunt Kim Yu-hyun pulled, the fairies are currently in a state of considerable division.

We need to capitalize on this and make the other fairies realize that the radical fairies are the real enemy.’

Once a single, united, and enormous race, the fairies had endured a terrible civil war over the seemingly trivial matter of whether to spread jam on bread or not, eventually splitting apart.

After that, they started fighting again over what kind of jam or bread to use. Since then, each tribe constantly bickered with each other over all sorts of petty things whenever they could.

Naturally, each tribe held different opinions about the Celestial Race.

Some tribes, mostly radical fairies, believed that the Celestial Race was the true light guiding the fairies and that only by following them could the fairies prosper.

In contrast, other tribes acknowledged that the Celestial Race were descendants of light, but they felt that viewing them favorably was different from worshiping and adoring them as absolute beings.

They acknowledged that the Celestial Race was superior to the fairies, but factions were further divided on whether to treat them as sacred beings or merely as a slightly more advanced race.

“I have received intelligence that the fairy society has been rapidly fluctuating recently.

It seems there’s some conflict between tribes with opposing intentions, and it’s speculated that some of them have secretly infiltrated Nudia’s political circles to achieve their goals.”

“How did you know that…?”

“It’s information I learned from Aive, who was captured as a prisoner.”

Of course, it was all a lie.

You might ask what he would do if he got caught, but what Zion needed right now wasn’t accurate and solid evidence, but just a plausible reason that could be brushed aside with a casual ‘Ah.’

It wasn’t like Aive could come running and say she never said that right now.

Anyway, if he persuaded them, it would all pass and be forgotten, so there was nothing to worry about.

“If their goal is?”

At Marquis Volko’s sharp question, Zion hardened his expression to match and answered.

“I believe they are trying to maintain the tense relationship between Hispania and Nudia as it is now and prevent the two countries from ever harmonizing or joining hands.”

“…Hmm.”

“What nonsense…”

“Shouldn’t we immediately turn the army around, put pressure on the fairies in our country first, and hold them accountable for the situation?”

He knew those words would come out, damn it!

Why would anyone want to give the bickering factions a reason to unite, betray them, and harass Hispania!

Instead, they should throw them suitable bait and give the other side an even better reason to attack them.

“Don’t be foolish, you frustrating person.

Do you not know where the fairies live?”

Of course, Marquis Volko’s disapproving voice immediately cut in.

Fairies, like other heterogenous races, or even more so, formed their own villages deep in the forest and lived there.

The army had trouble moving even if the road was just a little rough, but no matter how many troops you sent into such a dense forest, they would only be whittled away by guerrilla warfare.

Moreover, they were skilled in handling mana at a high level, not to mention archery, and they were also excellent in close combat. If Hispania seriously considered armed conflict, they would have to be prepared to suffer much greater damage.

“You said a little while ago that there seems to be some problem among the fairies, Zion.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Are you thinking of using that?”

“That’s right.

Fairies are a race full of pride in themselves.

To them, you can say, ‘Your fellow tribesmen are colluding with humans, using dirty tricks, and doing all sorts of suspicious things. If you want evidence, we already have captured fairies and have taken all the testimonies, so I’ll show you everything.’ I wonder what kind of reaction they will show internally?”

“Hmm.”

“Advancing to Nudia is only to clearly inform both countries of our justification.

We shake Nudia by saying that they are related to fairies who pretend to follow the light on the outside but do all sorts of suspicious things, and on the inside, we hurt the fairies’ pride so that they themselves quickly weed out those related to Nudia.”

The fastest and most effective way to open a tightly closed gate is to simply have them open it themselves from the inside.

Nudia was badly defeated in a war they started themselves.

They even put forward the ridiculous justification that there were Demon race followers in Hispania.

Meanwhile, the Demon races who attacked the Holy Prussen were driven out and were even being counterattacked.

Nudia themselves were agonizing over how to fight against Hispania’s counterattack, and their leaders were at their wit’s end.

At such a time, if Hispania led its army and approached, saying, ‘There are strange people hiding within Nudia.

They are said to be related to those who have been doing all sorts of suspicious things in Hispania while pretending to be seeds of light.

We have witnesses and evidence.

We want a quick explanation for this matter.

If you don’t answer, we will attack the entire Nudia, knowing that it is under the control of those treacherous fairies,’ how would they react?

‘Nudia has its pride.

If they are told that they have been played by fairies and have come to this point, nobles like Aive will be furious inside.’

Among those who had fallen under the sway of the radical fairies was the King of Nudia.

A foolish man who was completely manipulated by the fairies because of his lustful desires.

Still, he never relinquished his position as king, which was beneficial for Zion.

A king who would cling to that position until he ruined the country, and nobles who were furious that this country was about to be handed over to Hispania by the fairies.

‘Can you roughly picture it?’

In addition, Hispania would use other fairies to harass the radical fairies, and in Nudia, which could be considered their second base, they would relentlessly stir up animosity towards them, making it impossible for them to even operate in the future.

Without stopping there, they could simultaneously spread rumors like, ‘If those who are called seeds of light are like that, will the teachings of light and the descendants of light be okay?’

Anyway, those who had fallen and betrayed would become radical fairies, so Hispania, as well as Nudia, would enthusiastically criticize them without end.

Having been badly defeated in the war and being on the verge of another war with Hispania, if that Hispania said, ‘Let’s settle things between us and instead target another group to manage public sentiment together, will you take my hand?’ what sane person would refuse that offer?

Of course, they would gladly take his hand and redirect the chaos and anger caused by the defeat towards the fairies.

“…Certainly, Hispania has a much smaller risk of defeat compared to Nudia.”

Marquis Volko, currently the commander of the Hispania main force, spoke.

He was looking at Zion with a rather intrigued expression, but he wasn’t yet saying that he would move the army right now.

It would be ideal if it played out as Zion said, but if it didn’t…

On the contrary, if the fairies united within Hispania and became hostile towards Hispania, and Nudia, seeing Hispania’s military power, didn’t engage in internal strife but united to show that they would definitely stop it and wage war…

‘It could be quite difficult then.’

That’s why Marquis Volko was hesitating to push towards Nudia as it was.

In addition, there was also the matter of Edgar IV, who could die at any moment.

“Marquis Volko.”

“Hmm?”

At the voice suddenly calling him, Marquis Volko looked over.

There, he saw Zion standing with a quiet smile.

“Before leaving, I heard these words from the Queen.

She told me to keep the promise to make sure she wouldn’t be lonely on her way.”

“…”

“With this much merit, can you say that you have completely relieved her of her worries on her way?”

Those words were the final blow to Marquis Volko.

If Vanessa said that, if the Queen, whom he must now serve, said that.

And if someone asked whether they had done their best for the person who was leaving.

Marquis Volko was a man who would immediately draw his sword without hesitation.

“Listen, commanders of each unit.

From now on, prepare to reorganize the army as quickly as possible and advance.

The deadline is exactly three days.

We will discuss the future direction again in this place three days from now, so I hope you will be fully prepared by then.”

“Yes, Marquis Volko.”

Not a single member of the command showed any dissenting opinion.

Since Nudia was badly defeated and retreated, it was right to see the counterattack as an opportunity, not a crisis.

The one advocating for that counterattack was Zion, the hero of the kingdom and the successor of Count Klausen.

The one who agreed with that was Marquis Volko, one of the three current marquises of Hispania.

If anyone were to express a dissenting opinion, Count Lichten, who could gain the most support, seemed to agree with Zion and Marquis Volko’s decision.

‘Above all…’

Above all, the corruption and betrayal that Zion mentioned.

The splendid justification that the word provided would have ignited the embers in their hearts.

‘Those friends are feeling that sense of justice or whatever that Nudia felt this time.’

People are so cunning that if they are given a title and an atmosphere that pushes them as if they are doing something great and wonderful, even those who have a hard time stepping forward suddenly become warriors and show a very passionate appearance.

If someone expects them and they have become someone great and have that much duty, a sense of responsibility and mission suddenly kicks in, making them forget the danger and step forward.

‘If we delay, Nudia and the radical fairies will try to cut off their tails and run away.

Before that, we need to put pressure on them to make Nudia bite and fight each other, and make the fairies suspect each other even more and tear each other apart.’

Suspicion of fairies is a signal flare.

Starting from that, the atmosphere that you can’t trust everything that has ‘light’ in it is spread not only in Hispania but also in Nudia.

By doing so, the final war is made to take place not in Hispania but in Nudia.

The reason why Zion specifically chooses Nudia is to make Nudia, which was an even more ardent supporter of light than the Holy Prussen, turn around in an instant and grow into an ardent anti-light force.

In that way, the first meeting ended.

Anyway, it was almost certain that they would advance to Nudia, and in addition, there was one more thing that Zion was aiming for.

‘There must be another mole hiding somewhere.

The guys who are telling the news that Hispania is not satisfied here and will invade Nudia.

Hurry up and move.

So that you become more urgent and make mistakes.’

It is not possible to create a clear crack by just putting pressure on Nudia.

Therefore, it would be even better to have guys who make the situation more urgent by saying that the current situation is extremely bad and that something will happen, amplifying the anxiety in the hearts of those who have contact with the fairies by dozens or hundreds of times.

If you get impatient, you make mistakes and make unreasonable moves.

They will surely incite the inside of Nudia, spreading rumors that Hispania is trying to offer this country to the Demon race while armed with lies, and ignite the will to fight to the death.

‘That’s why I saved Aive and sent her back.

The eldest daughter of the Minister, who is rational, thinks about the future of Nudia more than anyone else, and especially saw the true nature of the fairies, is a diamond spoon [someone born into wealth and privilege].

I saved her and sent her back.’

Someday, the forces of Nudia, including Aive, will also realize.

Whether the enemy that threatens the safety of Nudia is Hispania, or those who wear the masks of the king and nobles and shake the country while being played by other races.

And how they should treat them!

Hoping that the true people of Nudia, who have a sound mind, will choose a wise path.

Zion headed to Aden, who was talking about this and that with Rishikida.

“Do you like your brother that much, Sir Rishikida?”

“Because he is my master.”

“I like my brother too!

He used to treat me very scary when I was young, but now it’s different!”

“Because he is more radiant than anyone else.

Maybe the reason why he kept Aden away was because he himself didn’t think he was fully prepared yet?”

No, that’s not it.

I just completely overturned the fact that the owner of this body was a beast.

Zion thought so and gently tapped Aden’s head.

“Brother!

Ah, brother!

Bro!”

“What story do you want to hear this time?”

“The people who came from the north!

It was written in the book that they were barbarians, but this time, the woman who is their leader was invited to the Queen’s coronation ceremony, what happened?”

“Ah… that woman who was invited is in Klausen Castle, do you want to see her once?”

“Huh?

Really?

Wow, is that person really here?”

Yes, and someday you may have to call her sister-in-law.

Muttering so, Zion had various conversations with Aden and felt that he had returned to ‘home’ for the first time in a long time.

―――――――Author’s Note―――――――

Recommendations are always welcome!