Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 319

319―――――

Investiture Ceremony

“Young Lord Zion.”

With three days left until the scheduled investiture ceremony.

Kim Yu-hyun, returning from the royal palace, didn’t head to his room or the training ground. Instead, he followed Zion, his expression suggesting he had something important to say.

“Is there something you want to say?”

“…Why me, of all people?”

“Are you talking about the investiture ceremony?”

“Yes.”

Instead of answering immediately, Zion walked towards the garden.

He sat down and looked at Kim Yu-hyun, who followed and sat across from him.

‘He’s not completely hopeless like before, but he still has a long way to go.’

It was true he was much improved, even better than in the original novel.

Kim Yu-hyun had never opened up to anyone so quickly, nor had he followed anyone like this since losing his master and senior brothers in the Murim [martial arts world].

In that light, it was quite positive, but the rest was still a mess.

His understanding of social dynamics and political insight was particularly lacking.

No matter how skilled someone is, if they don’t win people’s hearts, they’ll only make enemies. Unfortunately, Kim Yu-hyun, who only grew stronger through lucky encounters, struggled with this aspect.

“What are you unhappy about?”

“I’m not unhappy.

I’m just worried.”

Kim Yu-hyun, of all people, using the word ‘worried’ was quite refreshing.

Zion silently observed Kim Yu-hyun as he sat and continued.

“I’m a foreigner.

Jaan and Eos aren’t from Hispania; they’re from a northern tribe.”

“So?”

“Don’t you know, Young Lord Zion?

People can change in strange ways and try to create divisions, especially in moments like these.”

“…You’re saying the people of Hispania will find it unpleasant to see a foreigner like you stepping into the forefront, or to see two people from so-called barbarian tribes on stage at the investiture ceremony?”

Kim Yu-hyun nodded, serious and grave.

Zion wondered at this sudden reaction, then sighed inwardly.

‘This guy suffered a lot in Murim for not being from the Central Plains.’

Whenever he achieved something and received recognition, the same criticisms arose.

He wasn’t from the Central Plains but an eastern barbarian, ignorant of Murim etiquette.

Initially, Kim Yu-hyun saw these reactions as absurd, the nonsense of petty people.

But he was still human, and couldn’t ignore the voices of others.

And when those voices were mostly negative, he couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable.

‘If he were an overpowered protagonist who did whatever he wanted, it might be different, but he can’t shake off that 21st-century sensibility and is easily swayed.’

Perhaps that was why he had quietly stayed by Raido’s side for over a year since arriving in this world.

He wanted to escape envious gazes and cold voices.

He thought going out into the world would only lead to ostracization as a foreigner, so he wanted to live comfortably.

“Humans envy those in high places, but then plot to bring them down.

That’s an unavoidable survival instinct.

If they can’t overcome someone stronger with force, they use the tongues of many to do so.”

“…”

“I think you know this better than I do, Young Lord.”

Of course, he knew it well.

Zion had been using both enemies and allies that way all along.

He had dealt with those who showed their fangs by manipulating them with words.

“In a situation where confidence has increased after the war, there will be complaints if foreigners are placed in such great positions. You’re worried about that, is what you’re saying.”

“That’s right.”

“…”

“Wouldn’t it be better if Young Lord Zion stepped forward instead?”

“I’m also attending the investiture ceremony.”

“It’s a problem because you’re entrusting the most important position to me.

If you stay in the background and some strange man stands at the forefront, wouldn’t the people of Hispania naturally feel uncomfortable?”

Kim Yu-hyun’s words made perfect sense.

Ideally, the people would want someone from their own nation in the most honorable position, someone they admired.

But if that were the case, Zion would also feel burdened.

Zion Clausen had been politically connected to the royal family since the late king’s reign, even having personal meetings with the king.

If he stepped forward again in this honorable position, even after shortening the mourning period, he might gain the people’s trust, but also face scrutiny from the nobles.

While many nobles liked and followed Zion, others were wary of him due to resentment or feelings of inferiority.

Whether they were believers in the Doctrine of Light [a religious belief system], royalists who thought no one could shine brighter than the royal family, or simply those consumed by jealousy.

‘I should be more careful this time, Yu-hyun.

Even if I’m a hero, acting out too much could backfire.’

Hispania also suffered considerable damage in this war, though less than Nudia.

Unlike the previous conflict, where damage was limited to Clausen or the south, this was a large-scale war fought by the regular army, resulting in casualties and injuries nationwide.

They fought a war where they could only trust each other as comrades, despite their different territories and regions.

Young and talented soldiers drafted from all over the kingdom fought, shedding their blood and the blood of their comrades.

Even if Zion devised excellent strategies, he hadn’t directly participated in the battle, and would receive all the attention and praise, whether he liked it or not.

“They feel a greater sense of camaraderie with those who shed blood together and are covered in the blood of the enemy.”

“Yes?”

“Although I tried to stay in the front, I didn’t wield a sword and fight on the front lines like in the previous battle with Nudia.

I devised strategies and trapped the enemies, but ultimately, it was the knights and soldiers of Hispania who made it possible.”

“…”

“Unlike them, you wielded a sword and fought against the enemies, covered in blood, overcoming near-death experiences… Ah, is this a bit much?

Anyway, it wasn’t me who performed such feats, but Kim Yu-hyun, you.”

“But…”

“Above all, the investiture ceremony isn’t about giving practical rewards like titles or wealth, but about the royal family expressing gratitude for service to the nation by awarding medals.

It’s a place to commend the kingdom’s heroes and promote Hispania’s national prestige.

It’s where the royal family directly commends those who have worked for the country, regardless of their origin.”

Queen Vanessa wasn’t holding the investiture ceremony after the victory parade, even shortening the mourning period, for nothing.

It was to unite the kingdom’s will, create solidarity, and ensure that even if storms came, they would unite more strongly to overcome them.

“In that sense, Kim Yu-hyun, you are the perfect person in my opinion.”

“…”

“I’m a little sorry to say this, but I nominated you not purely for your sake.

I thought about myself, the royal family, and Hispania before I brought it up.

You might feel hurt, but as you said, people’s tongues are sharper and more deadly than you think.

To turn those tongues away, you have no choice but to step forward.”

At Zion’s words, Kim Yu-hyun closed his mouth and stared intently at Zion.

Was he resentful of Zion for openly saying he would use him?

Or was he feeling anger or disappointment?

Whatever Kim Yu-hyun said, Zion was prepared to listen calmly and answer.

If he was angry, he would apologize; if he was disappointed, he would ask him to understand, and then explain his reasoning.

“I feel a little relieved instead.”

But instead of disappointment or anger, Kim Yu-hyun said something unexpected.

Zion wondered if he meant something else, but he was smiling gently, as if relieved.

“I think it’s better to be openly asked to be used a little.

I’m sick of those who plot to stab you in the back while trying to hide their use of you, doing obvious tricks with a straight face.”

“That’s what amateurs do.

I think at least a deal is needed, and there should be something that goes back and forth.”

“I hear you’re saying I’ll get something by stepping forward this time.”

He’s learned something while living with Zion.

At his proactive question, Zion clapped and answered.

“I’m going to provoke the hidden enemies.”

“Provoke the enemies?”

“The sight of you, who smashed those who came in proudly saying it was the will of light, becoming the kingdom’s new hero or guardian and receiving praise, will be unpleasant for those guys.

Conversely, they’ll think removing you will cause even greater chaos.

I’m urging the enemies who are dragging their feet and trying to calm the situation to cause trouble.

I’m saying that if things go on like this, people might not believe in that so-called light anymore.”

Kim Yu-hyun nodded, understanding.

Currently, the status of the fairies, considered the seeds of the descendants of light, was at rock bottom, and the credibility of the Doctrine of Light was also plummeting thanks to those with ‘what if?’ thoughts.

But this would naturally resolve over time.

In the meantime, they could secretly turn public sentiment back with their tricks.

‘Time is poison.’

The current situation was one where time was not medicine but poison.

It would be best if they came into the trap when people’s suspicions were at their peak.

“And one more thing.”

“There’s one more thing?”

“Honestly, it feels good, right?”

“Yes?”

“Eos, I mean.

If you enjoy great honor in that great position, I think she’ll keep smiling because she’s happy.

Am I wrong?”

“…Uh, E… Uh uh?”

Kim Yu-hyun was completely flustered and couldn’t even speak properly.

Even though Zion knew about his relationship with Eos, he was so actively pushing him that he didn’t know how to answer.

Zion chuckled and continued.

“You can confidently say to Eos:

‘I’m a man of this caliber.’

And you can show it to the warriors of the north:

‘I’m a being of a different level than you.

You have to be this good to be a man who can take Verler!’

Like that.”

“Ahem.”

Kim Yu-hyun cleared his throat and avoided Zion’s gaze.

Seeing that monstrous man acting so shy was strange and funny, and Zion realized he was no different from him after all.

“Ahem, ahem!

…The idea of drawing out the hidden enemies sounds pretty good.”

“Honestly, you like the second reason more, right?”

“…”

“Don’t you?”

“I didn’t say I didn’t.”

You little rascal, you’re a man after all!

Yeah!

Being that honest is a good thing!

Zion chuckled inwardly and decided to properly start the preparation work.

There were three days left until the investiture ceremony, and he had to transform Kim Yu-hyun from a skilled person receiving a medal into the kingdom’s new hero.

‘To do that, it’s important to use his mouth.’

The reason why Queen Vanessa and Kim Yu-hyun kept questioning Zion.

If Kim Yu-hyun were to step forward at the investiture ceremony as the representative of everyone, he would have to say something in front of the kingdom’s people, knights, and soldiers.

If he had excellent speaking skills, he could raise the kingdom’s morale to the extreme, but if he stammered and made a mess, it would be a major accident.

Knowing this, they had wondered if Zion would step forward, but since he was nominating Kim Yu-hyun, they had accepted it, but preparation was necessary.

“Kim Yu-hyun.

We’re going to practice properly for two days.”

“What do you mean by practice?”

“What else could it be?

It’s for you to shine as the kingdom’s new hero, not just some ordinary foreigner, at the investiture ceremony.”

“…That’s not very pleasant news.”

“It should be fun, shouldn’t it?

First of all, Eos seems to like that side of you a lot.”

“… …”

When Eos came up, he cleared his throat again and avoided his gaze.

He was usually a man of iron who never revealed his true feelings, but once he got caught up in a pink atmosphere, he showed such a side. In Murim, betrayers or enemies would have taken those precious people hostage and used him, leading to a tragic ending.

‘You should be really grateful to me, you rascal!’

After muttering that without a shred of conscience, he handed Kim Yu-hyun a few sheets of paper.

When Kim Yu-hyun blinked as if asking what this was, Zion said in an obvious voice.

“These are the things you need to prepare and practice from now on.”

“…All of this here?”

“What’s there is very basic.

The rest can be added depending on my judgment.

I’m sorry to say this, but there are quite a few places you need to fix right now.”

“…”

Since it was quite true, he couldn’t refute it.

Kim Yu-hyun scratched his head and began to read all sorts of things written inside once again.

―――――――Author’s Afterword―――――――