Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 39

The Rebirth Life of a Dedicated Reader – Episode 39 (39/439)

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“Euh-heung-heung!”

Lilith hummed as she admired Count Klausen’s villa.

It felt like they had put a lot of care into managing it, though not as much as the main estate.

Even though he was a frontier count who rarely visited the royal palace, it seemed he was determined not to let his family be seen as weak.

“Not bad.

Hmm… Sion will stay in the room where the head of the family stays… so I guess I’ll be in the next room?”

“Lilith-nim.”

At the sound of a woman calling her, Lilith turned her head slightly.

There, Rishikida was waiting for her in a respectful posture.

“The preparations are complete.

You may go out now.”

“Is that so?

Hmm…

Shall I go do what Sion asked me to do?”

Lilith pulled up her hood and left the villa.

Rishikida, dressed in light clothing, followed behind her.

“How is it?”

“Pardon?”

“The fact that the woman next to you is not a human, but a demon, and a high-ranking one at that.”

Sion had told Rishikida that Lilith was a demon, not a human.

The reason was that if the knight guarding his side didn’t know about this, troublesome things might happen later.

“…I’m not sure.”

“You’re not sure?”

“I just follow my master.

So, I only follow the young master’s will.

I don’t think it’s my place to interfere with who is next to him.”

“Hmm…

You’re no fun.”

After looking at Rishikida for a moment, Lilith wore a playful smile and suddenly stuck close to her side.

“You like him, don’t you?”

“E-excuse me?”

“Sion, I mean.

The way you look at him is so affectionate that I feel all fluttery.”

“What are you saying!

I am merely a servant serving my master!

I cannot have such feelings!”

“Or not.

Why are you so agitated?”

Only then did Rishikida realize that she had been played by Lilith’s prank, and she blushed, trying to act as if nothing had happened, and hurried her pace.

Of course, she couldn’t fool a succubus who was more sensitive than anyone to emotions desiring a man.

‘Hoo.

It’s true that women flock to capable men.

It’s already starting.’

Whether she didn’t know yet, or couldn’t admit it even if she did.

The knight named Rishikida was trying to distance herself, pretending to be indifferent.

Lilith scratched her cheek for a moment and thought, ‘Ugh! Why am I worrying about this?’ and caught up with her.

After all, the man should take care of women’s problems and rack his brains over them.

There was nothing she could do to solve it by meddling.

‘More than that, he wants me to find those guys lurking near the royal palace walls.

Isn’t this too much, Sion?’

It was clear that she had offered to stay, but Lilith wanted to decline taking on this task.

There were nearly a hundred thousand people living in this royal city alone.

And the royal palace was naturally inside the royal city, and the residential areas of the people and the living spaces of the royal family members were thoroughly separated by walls, but in the end, many people had no choice but to live around the royal palace.

In that situation, to find those lurking near the walls?

This was like finding someone in a swimsuit on the beach.

‘I can’t figure out what he’s thinking at all.’

He was strange from the first meeting, and she couldn’t shake that thought ever since.

At first glance, he seemed like a naive young man just turned twenty, but at times he showed a worldliness that knew the ways of the world, and at other times he spoke and acted as if he knew everything.

Lilith shook her head, wondering what the real face of the man named Sion Klausen was.

Anyway, she had a contract with him, so she would be with him until the end, whether she liked it or not.

“Hey, Rishi!

Let’s go together!”

“It’s Rishikida.

The nickname Rishi can only be used by the master, the young master.”

“Hey, that’s too much.

If you let me, I can tell you some stories about Sion.”

“…I’ll consider it.”

―

A royal party held after a long time.

Nobles from all over Hispania flocked to the royal palace, eager not to miss such an important event.

It wasn’t just a place to exchange pleasantries, offer congratulations, and enjoy food and drink.

Numerous nobles gathered to discuss the state of the continent, consolidate their own power, and showcase the talents of their children, as well as those of the royal family.

It was more than just a simple party or drinking session.

It was a battlefield without swords and spears.

“The Marquis of Guchen…!”

“From the Count of Isik…!”

Every time influential nobles entered the party hall, their family names echoed throughout the hall.

The royal party, attended by all three marquis families and five count families, representing the great nobles of Hispania, was about to begin in splendid fashion.

“His Majesty Edgar Astarius Hispania, the rightful ruler of Hispania, the head of the royal family, and the host of this party, is now entering!”

At the chamberlain’s cry, all the nobles gathered in the hall ceased their conversations and movements.

Edgar IV, followed by Prince Erader and Princess Vanessa, appeared in the party hall.

“Hmm?”

However, there was one more person following behind them.

Edgar IV had only two children, Erader and Vanessa.

Then who was that handsome young man walking behind the members of the royal family?

“It’s been quite a while since I’ve arranged such a gathering.

As you know, our Hispania and Nudia have fought wars whenever we forget, and we have always suffered a lot of damage, repeating advances and retreats.

But this war was different.

It ended with Hispania’s complete victory!

The Klausen Frontier Territory has certainly played the role of shield and spear!”

The nobles, who already knew the news of the victory, responded to Edgar IV’s words with applause.

The king paused the applause for a moment and continued.

“Today, this place is for you, who still pledge allegiance to the royal family and support this country, and at the same time, it will be a place to celebrate the newly emerged hero in Hispania.

Young Master Sion Klausen!

Step forward!”

At those words, the handsome young man standing far behind stepped forward.

Then, a slight murmur arose among the many nobles gathered.

Some admired his appearance, some mentioned his past actions and cast suspicious glances, and some carefully watched the young master of the Klausen County, who had suddenly changed.

“Although it is truly regrettable that Frontier Count Lichten Klausen is not here, even your father and I acknowledge that you have made decisive contributions in this war.

Do not forget that the main character of today’s party is everyone and also you, and enjoy it.”

“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”

“It is a pleasant day.

Everyone, please enjoy it, but within the bounds of not deviating from ‘duty’ and ‘etiquette.’”

As Edgar IV sat down in his pre-designated seat and gestured, music flowed and the party began.

‘…There are too many.’

Sion was overwhelmed by the commotion.

He had expected the party hosted by the Hispanian royal family to be large, both from the novel and from what he had heard from those around him.

But he never expected it to be this crowded, with over a hundred nobles at a glance enjoying the free atmosphere in the huge hall.

“Young Master Sion Klausen.”

The first to approach was, of course, Marquis Volko, whom he had met in the morning.

He had treated him informally in the Redenen Marquis family’s castle, but here he was showing respect.

“First of all, congratulations on the victory of the Klausen Frontier Territory.”

“Thank you once again, Marquis.”

With those words, Sion glanced around.

There were several people watching him with strange eyes, though they weren’t approaching yet.

In particular, most of them were young male and female nobles.

“Be careful.”

Marquis Volko quietly approached Sion’s side and said.

“I’ve experienced it several times, but I still can’t get used to it.

Those who don’t even know the ‘w’ in war always try to belittle the achievements of heroes in such places.

It’s disgusting just listening to it, and I want to break their necks.”

“Isn’t it inevitable?

That’s what politics is all about.”

“I don’t know.

I’d rather fight the enemies.”

Marquis Volko picked up two glasses from a passing servant and handed one to him.

Then, he lightly clinked glasses and drank the alcohol.

“Anyway, do well.

For reference, Frontier Count Lichten is not here today, so it’s better to be careful.”

He meant not to cause an incident like last time.

But Sion, who couldn’t quite grasp that far, just thought it was a simple warning and nodded.

As Marquis Volko moved away, several nobles swarmed Sion’s side as if the opportunity had come.

“Young Master Sion.

How have you been?

I am…”

“Ahaha!

Meryl, long time no see.

How have you been?”

“I’ve been well, so could you step aside for a moment?

I have something to talk about with Young Master Sion.”

“Oh my, I’m sorry to hear that.

But it seems Young Master Sion doesn’t particularly want to talk to you, what do you think?”

As expected, the competition among the noble young ladies drawn to his appearance was fierce.

It was like stray cats competing for a delicious piece of food.

Sion wanted to leave the place quickly, as it seemed like countless cat punches would be flying around if left unchecked.

“Sion Klausen.”

The title of Young Master was omitted.

That meant that he was at least equal to or above him in social standing.

Sion immediately turned his head to check the source of the voice.

“Long time no see.”

Yeah, it’s been a while, but I don’t know who you are.

Thinking that, Sion waited.

After all, even if it wasn’t him, the noble young ladies next to him would tell him who that man was.

“Y-Young Master Bereklik!”

“Everyone, please step aside?

I have something to say to that friend.”

Bereklik, right.

He was the second son of the Marquis of Guchen.

Originally, his older brother should have been active, but unfortunately, he had been in poor mental condition since childhood, so the family itself blocked all external activities.

Therefore, Bereklik, the second son, was expected to be the next successor to the Marquis of Guchen.

‘It was said that the family rose to the ranks of the Three Marquis through wealth and diplomacy from commerce, unlike the Redenen Marquis family or the Klausen Frontier Territory.

According to the novel, they looked down on those who used swords and spears.’

He wasn’t a particularly welcome opponent from Sion’s point of view.

The Klausen Frontier Territory was called the shield of Hispania and was in charge of one axis of military power.

It would be a reliable military force for some, but it was certain that it would be an object that others would want to keep in check.

From that point of view, it was obvious that Sion himself and the young man named Bereklik would be in conflict politically and in other areas.

“Young Master Bereklik.”

“Is it the first time since the royal party last time?”

“Probably… it is.”

Probably my ass, I don’t know anything.

Of course, such things were not mentioned in the novel.

Even the character Bereklik was just someone who got into a fight with Kim Yu-hyun and was humiliated at the royal party that was held this time in the early part of the novel.

Then he was briefly mentioned in the middle, and then death!

That was the end of his record.

‘In other words, he’s an extra who doesn’t need any attention or need.’

It would be different if the Marquis of Guchen was a friendly place.

It was a place that didn’t even have a smooth relationship with the Klausen Frontier Territory.

As his thoughts reached that point, Sion quickly organized his thoughts.

“I heard that you made a contribution in the recent war with Nudia.”

“That’s right.”

“Considering the old you, I think it’s a bit strange… but since His Majesty said it himself, there’s no room for doubt.”

Why does that sound like, ‘I can’t believe a word you say, but since the king is saying that, I have no choice but to believe it for now.’

Sion cursed inwardly and waited for his next words.

“If I have the opportunity, I would like to hear your heroic story in this place.”

“If you’re talking about a heroic story?”

“The war you watched with your own eyes.

I want to hear it from your mouth.”

It was an obvious trick.

To make him speak himself and find a loophole?

Or to create a corner to forcibly tear him apart?

It was a prank from the start, as expected of nobles who openly played politics.

If he refused, they would say nonsense like, ‘Why is that? As if he didn’t participate in the war,’ and if there was even a slight gap or something strange in what he said, they would shout, ‘Wait a minute.

Something is a little strange,’ and nitpick.

‘That’s why he was publicly humiliated by Kim Yu-hyun in the novel.’

At Bereklik’s obnoxious words, Kim Yu-hyun smiled as if he was amused and tripped him, taking advantage of a gap that no one could see.

Thanks to that, Bereklik, who had fallen with a ‘thud!’ blushed and got angry, but he was shot down by Kim Yu-hyun’s muttering that he was venting his anger on others after falling alone.

“What are you two doing?”

This time, the appearance of a guy who was also acquainted with him. It was Ludwig Redenen.

He was looking back and forth between Bereklik and Sion with a sullen face.

He didn’t like either of them, and he was wondering which one was the more annoying of the two future knights.

“We were just talking for a while, Ludwig.

I’ve never experienced war.

I wanted to hear from Sion Klausen, who ‘directly’ experienced the war and ‘directly’ led it to victory.”

That bastard keeps mentioning specific words excessively.

This was a situation where he was openly provoking a fight, but Sion kept his mouth shut.

After all, he wasn’t stupid enough to fall for such a light trick, and even if he did, he had no intention of showing a gap according to that bastard’s will.

“Everyone’s here.

I guess you want to be close to today’s main character?”

A woman who had not yet shed her girlishness approached the three men.

Again, he had no way of knowing who she was just by her appearance, but Sion quickly turned his head.

‘Bereklik and Ludwig, who are gathered now, are the children of the Marquis family.

The fact that she can confidently join them means that she is at least a young lady from the same Marquis family.’

His thoughts were fast, and his actions were even faster.

As he mentioned ‘Young Lady Estia’ and slightly bowed his head, Estia of the Honer Marquis family smiled lightly, looked around for a moment, and opened her mouth.

“I’m also curious.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m also curious about Young Master Sion’s story.

How about it?

As someone who has directly experienced the war, do you have any great stories to tell us?”

Is war stories the only thing they can talk about?

Why are they so eager?

If not, it means they’re trying to find his gap somehow, but do they really have to go this far?

Sion grumbled inwardly, but outwardly he didn’t show any expression at all.

No, in the first place, he was going to open his mouth even if they didn’t tell him to.

Because he was about to enter the ‘play’ that he had prepared with Edgar IV from now on.