Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 300

Lies cloaked in sincerity, actions bordering on the absurd.

What was the fairy’s true intention behind those words?

Was the call to not lie simply a way of implying that none of this was real?

Such considerations seemed almost irrelevant now.

The external image they so carefully cultivated…

To exploit the widespread belief that fairies are inherently trustworthy, beings of light who abhor evil and injustice, they chose to speak here, in front of a large audience, rather than in a private setting.

However, their carefully constructed image was not just shattered by Zion’s preparations; it was utterly annihilated, a complete self-destruction.

“What on earth is going on here?”

“Are these fairies not truly followers of the light, but driven by some strange, hidden agenda? What are they even doing? Who did we come all this way to support?”

The uproar among the Nudians was even more intense than among the Hispanians.

The primary reason they had stood against the powerful Hispanians was their belief in the nobles’ assurances that races aligned with the light were on their side.

Especially in the eastern part of Nudia, their homeland, where a significant portion of the population adhered to the teachings of light.

To them, the fairies, revered as descendants of light, were practically representatives of the Celestial Race and guides leading them toward righteousness.

‘But what if that guide turned out to be a master manipulator?

No, what if they were heinous criminals far beyond mere con artists? How would they react?’

It was proving difficult to exert sufficient pressure on them with Novassi alone, or solely through the attack on the Hispanians royal palace.

So, Zion had strategically scattered bait, seeking leverage to further pressure them. Finally, the fairies, predictably, took the bait, sending Sirien without any prompting.

‘What do fanatical fairies fear most, besides being abandoned by the Celestial Race?

Of course, it’s the complete reversal of their carefully cultivated public image.’

They had extensively exploited their fairy status to manipulate both Nudia and Hispania.

Especially Nudia, who would feel a far greater sense of betrayal than Hispania.

Those who were considered more special, purer, and superior were, in fact, no different from themselves.

They were beings capable of wavering, falling, betraying, and exploiting others.

These were the same beings who, until recently, had claimed to be guided by the descendants of light, urging them to stand against the Hispanians army. The revelation was simply dumbfounding.

If the soldiers felt betrayed, the nobles of Nudia were utterly bewildered.

If this situation continued, the fairies’ role in instigating Nudia’s invasion of Hispania would be exposed.

On the surface, it appeared that Nudia was acting in accordance with the will of light, lending its strength to drive out the followers of the Demon race from Hispania. But what was the actual outcome?

Didn’t Nudia ultimately suffer defeat?

That meant it was ultimately the fairies’ defeat, the defeat of the will of light, and the defeat of the Celestial Race.

Yet, Holy Prussen had clearly received reports of their successful defense against the Demon race, fueled by the will of light.

They had not only defended but even launched a counterattack.

As the situation unfolded, a fundamental question inevitably arose in their minds.

Are these fairies truly acting in accordance with the will of light?

Is it right to trust these people and fight to the end alongside Hispania?

‘Human’s strength and weakness.

They are full of doubt.

And once doubt arises, they become restless.’

Zion recognized this and subtly began to exploit the situation.

With a relaxed demeanor and tone, he nudged Novassi and spoke, “Why did you suddenly fall silent?

Do even noble fairies clam up when things become unfavorable?”

“…”

“How interesting.

In that case, there are only two possible conclusions.

Either you are so corrupt that you betrayed the light, masquerading as followers of the descendants of light while pursuing your own agenda.”

“That’s nonsense…”

“Ah, that’s right.

If it’s truly nonsense and you are following the will of light.

Then there’s only one possibility left, isn’t there?

A rather unsettling and disturbing possibility.”

Then, Zion voiced a sentiment he had never dared to express publicly.

Even as a jest, it was a statement that could provoke outrage from fanatical followers of the light.

“Perhaps, the will of light…

Perhaps the descendants of light are not what we thought they were.”

“…!”

“What utter nonsense!”

“Sir Zion Clauzen?”

Not only the radical fairies but even Sirien was taken aback.

Suspecting a fellow who was engaging in suspicious activities was one thing, but suddenly shifting the focus to target the race of light was a completely different matter.

The Nudians also seemed to find doubting the will of light itself far more significant than doubting the fairies, and Zion noticed them stirring with a rather sharp intensity.

‘Ha, these guys.

They still haven’t come to their senses and are gaping like pigeons.’

Hispania was also reacting with considerable confusion, though not as intensely as Nudia.

Zion, once again realizing how deeply the teachings of light had permeated every corner of the continent, sighed and decided it was best to retreat for the day.

He never intended to force the issue immediately anyway.

A person’s heart, suspicion, and doubt do not crumble all at once!

They gradually become saturated, absorbing water, growing heavier, until finally, they decide they can no longer bear the weight and must shake it off.

Wasn’t he working tirelessly to achieve that very moment?

“Of course, the will of light couldn’t be like that.

Doesn’t this make you even more suspicious?”

“…”

“It won’t be resolved by simply keeping your mouth shut like that.

Sirien?”

“The elders instructed me to convey these words.

If they are truly those who harm our fellow fairies, our forest race will no longer consider you our kin, our fairies.”

“…Even though the one who carries on the will of the forest is right here?”

“What you must protect is the forest and your kin, not the divergent will of other races.

Pintz Moahen.”

As expected of a woman who had remained somewhat as a heroine candidate, Sirien was very articulate.

Thinking that it would be advantageous to use her as a bridge to the fairies who lived closely together in the forest and never considered venturing out, Zion glanced at Kim Yoo-hyun.

‘Hey, honestly, she has a face that any man would turn around to look at at least once.

Eos is beautiful enough, but isn’t a charismatic older sister different from a pure woman?

You’re the protagonist, so a harem is okay, Yoo-hyun.

So please, seduce that woman to our side.’

That’s what he meant.

“…”

However, Kim Yoo-hyun didn’t seem to have any interest in Sirien.

He was currently directing such a terrifying gaze at some of the fairies who were particularly hostile to Zion that it seemed like a beam of light would emanate from his eyes, and he was ready to draw his sword and stage a spectacle where heads would roll.

‘Yeah, I didn’t expect it.’

It was almost a miracle that he had progressed that far with Eos.

Zion decided to postpone considering Sirien’s matter and, after finishing his internal musings, looked at Pintz, who remained expressionless, unlike the radical fairies who were panting.

“…”

She was only looking at Zion, not paying attention to anyone else.

She watched him carefully, as if observing something peculiar, and when she realized that the attention of those around her was focused on her, she let out a small sigh.

“So you’re going to brand us as followers of the Demon race, not just anyone else, is that it?”

“It’s not branding, just a vague suspicion.

And if you provide clear evidence that you’re not, we’ll naturally apologize and move on.”

“You’re presenting nonsense so eloquently.

It’s obvious that you’ve already concluded that we’re followers of the Demon race, and no matter what we say, you’ll find fault and cling to it.

Am I wrong?”

Still, as a fairy, she certainly possessed keen insight.

Zion merely shrugged his shoulders a couple of times at Pintz’s sharp criticism, implying ‘maybe?’

“How absurd.

I never imagined that those who came to stop the fighting would rush to fight and brand us as followers of the Demon race.”

“If you ask who initiated that first, the Nudian friends behind you would be very embarrassed.

Don’t you think about them?”

“Nudia had its reasons.

Did you forget?

The Hispanians army abandoned the holy war and retreated, and as soon as you passed by, an inexplicable, ominous red flame soared up.

Every day, everywhere.”

Zion had not yet uncovered the exact details of that aspect, so he couldn’t speak rashly.

As the opponent, who had been so articulate, remained silent this time, the atmosphere shifted slightly in favor of the fairies, and Pintz seized the opportunity.

“Even now, each of these evil deeds you commit will accumulate and become karma [the principle of cause and effect].

Foolish and foolish ones.

You are once again showing the way to survive to the group who were chased out by the descendants of light from above and are barely clinging to life.”

“…”

“We were going to demonstrate the true meaning of apology by ceding a portion of Nudia’s western territory to Hispania, urging you to stop fighting now, but since we have discovered your evil intentions, we will not relinquish even a sliver of this land soaked with the energy of light.”

Upon hearing the news that the enemies were attempting to end the war by giving up the western territory of Nudia, not only the command staff but also Marquis Volko displayed a slightly embarrassed expression.

Compensation, that is, money, can be sent continuously and earned again.

But territory, land, is a completely different matter.

Once relinquished, it is difficult to reclaim, and it must be held onto until the very end.

In that respect, if Nudia truly ceded that land and expressed their apology, seeking to end the war, the Hispanians side, their command staff, had made a choice that they would deeply regret.

‘Look at these bastards?’

And the one who completely disrupted the atmosphere and reignited the flames of war was none other than Zion.

Pintz was conveying to the Nudian and Hispanians armies, respectively, that Zion was the reason for the continuation of this war.

To the general soldiers who longed to end the war as soon as possible and return home alive, she was implying that if they died, the culprit was the ‘hero’ Zion Clauzen, who was obsessed with merit and war.

“You can look forward to it.

Since you dared to insult the fairies in front of their faces, all of my kin who share my will will treat you and Hispania as enemies without exception.

Also, since you doubted the will of light, to those who believe in that path, you and everyone around you will be seen as evil, shadow, and injustice.”

“…”

“This war, you chose it.

Zion Clauzen.”

With those words, Pintz Moahen turned her horse’s head.

And before returning to Nudia, she glared at Sirien.

“You know nothing; you’re a fool who’s fallen for harmony with other races or something.

It’s because of weaklings like you that our kin are suffering.

You and the elders are the same, wagging your tongues without knowing what we’re doing for the glory of our kin.

If I meet you again later, I’ll grab you, cut off your limbs, and throw you to the monsters as food.

Since I said I’m no longer the same fairy as you, you’re not my kin either.”

As expected of the ‘one who carries on the will of the forest,’ her voice was filled with power.

When Sirien unknowingly swallowed hard, Pintz smiled mockingly and retraced her steps.

Zion watched her for a moment, then gestured to the Hispanians officials to return, as if there was nothing more to be done, and the debate that both armies were listening to was concluded for the time being.

“Are you really okay?”

After returning to the barracks and dismissing all the command staff, Marquis Volko, alone with Zion, spoke with a slightly worried tone.

It wasn’t simply that he was burdened by the continuation of this war, but that the soldiers’ complaints were entirely directed at Zion, so he was asking if he was alright with having to bear that burden.

Zion found it quite novel to see the always indifferent man expressing such concern.

“I’m fine.

There’s no need for the Marquis to worry about the enemy’s loose talk.”

“I’m not worried.

But I’m worried about some thoughtless people, soldiers, and certain factions within the royal palace who are only looking for our mistakes.”

“I’m really okay.

Honestly, I anticipated that this much would surface.”

It wasn’t to reassure Marquis Volko, but it was the truth.

If the other side possessed eloquent speakers and retreated after being defeated until the very end, it would not bode well for their reputation.

Above all, Zion had expected that he would inevitably create a hostile atmosphere in a situation where he needed to further divide Nudia and Hispania.

If they had quietly listened to Zion’s words and not even counterattacked, that would have been even more suspicious and nerve-wracking, potentially driving him to madness.

“Are you really okay?”

“Yes.

Didn’t I tell you before?”

Zion smiled and continued.

“The one who ends this war will not be us, but the new Nudia.”

―

“They dared to insult the will of light.

There’s nothing more to discuss with them.

People of Nudia.

We will assist you, so drive those defiled people out of your sacred land and complete your holy war.”

At Pintz’s words, the Nudian commanders and nobles exclaimed, “Ooh.”

Until recently, they had harbored suspicions, but upon facing the fairies again, Hispania appeared as filthy enemies rather than the notion that they were followers of the Demon race.

Furthermore, they were all drawn from the southern and eastern parts of Nudia, where everyone strongly believed in the teachings of light.

At the words that they had insulted the will of light, they suddenly felt a sense of justice burning within them without even realizing it.

On top of that, they even pledged to protect their country and land, adding to the magnificent atmosphere as if they had embarked on a truly honorable holy war.

Therefore, it was the moment when the commander of the Nudian army nodded as if he understood and was about to order the soldiers to form a formation and prepare for battle.

“Commander!

Commander!

Urgent news.

It seems like you have to withdraw the army right now!”

The messenger, who had just arrived at the army in a very urgent atmosphere, jumped off his horse and shouted.

As the Nudian command staff was about to ask what was going on, the messenger took a rough breath and hurriedly continued.

“In the royal palace, in the royal palace, an accident happened!”

―――――――Author’s Note―――――――

3 !

3 consecutive chapters!

300th episode!

I have worked hard and reached 300 episodes!