Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 421

421

I Am Different From You

It was a given, but it wasn’t something I immediately understood just because Zion told me to.

From leaving Nudia, crossing the Holy Prussen, to reaching the Sanctuary, Zion had been persuading those close to him for quite a long time.

“Commander, I…”

“Of course, I know they are the ones who caused Marquis Volkov to die in battle.

Just thinking about that makes me furious.

I knew he was a truly great person, having been on the battlefield with him.”

Ludwig, who had now become Zion’s helper, was also one of the targets of persuasion.

To forgive and show mercy to the enemies who killed his father, Zion thought there was no way Ludwig, the son, would just let it go.

“But you need to know this, Ludwig.

Even now, there are countless people everywhere who unknowingly follow the teachings of light.

They just didn’t follow the logic of defining anyone who doesn’t follow as an enemy, like those we fought.

If we massacre the followers of light when their eyes and ears are open, even though there are fanatical aspects, if we stain the Sanctuary with blood, what kind of actions will they take afterward?”

“…”

“You, I, and we are soldiers and nobles at the same time.

You must be able to judge and decide what is the best path for my country and my kingdom’s people.

That’s why I took Nudia’s hand, and I’m even thinking of extending a hand to them.

If there is anyone who takes this hand, I will not be able to smile brightly, but I will at least greet them with a welcome and help them up.”

It was not an easy path.

Besides Ludwig, other commanders also expressed their opposition to Zion’s opinion for the first time in a long time, saying it would be better to kill them all without exception.

Pushing through with authority is absolutely not the way to go in situations like this.

While the opinions of others are important, their support is also very important to Zion.

Even if not now, they are people who will definitely be helpful someday, so there is no point in making enemies.

“We have declared ourselves as the light and set out on this path.

If we show the same *modus operandi* as them, we are ultimately proving that we are no different from them.

Are we not the same as those who persecute those who do not believe, who burn those who do not follow the light?

Let’s not do that.

Even if we hate them, even if hatred rises and we want to kill them, let’s be patient and show mercy.

Let’s learn from the reason why they failed and not do the same.”

In fact, the reason why the Celestial Race [천족] failed was entirely because of Zion and Kim Yu-hyun, but Zion subtly changed the reason and cited their extreme and cruel nature, which was unbelievable as the light.

There is also a saying that those who rise by the sword will perish by the sword, and there is also a saying in this world that those who cause pain to others will writhe in even greater pain until they die.

Zion persuaded the commanders of Hispania, Nudia, the Beastmen, the Elves, and the Northern Warriors in that way.

“Killing them all will not bring the dead back to life.

The living must continue their lives, and that life must be lived in a better world.

That is the best way to pay tribute to those who have left us.

Let’s not make the world they created for us through their deaths a savage and blood-filled place by doing the same things as the enemies.”

With those heartfelt words, starting with Ludwig, all those who could be said to be Zion’s forces from the beginning accepted his will.

They didn’t believe in the Celestial Race [천족] and their cronies, but in Zion.

Of course, there were still many who found it difficult to follow.

Some clueless commanders from Hispania, and high-ranking officials from Nudia.

Zion thought that he now needed sharp threats rather than gentle persuasion for those people.

“In any case, the Sanctuary is a fortress.

It’s not just a piece of land, but a fortress made of solid walls and strong gates.

You know very well how tiring and difficult siege warfare is, even more so than a large-scale battle, and how much damage it causes, right?

If you are confident in bearing all the sacrifices that come from that, then do as you please.

Ah, and the enemies will never surrender, so please take care of killing them all, and please endure the glares for that cruelty at your discretion.”

One of the reasons why they follow Zion is because he is a good shield.

They can share the credit if they achieve something, and they can blame the commander-in-chief if problems arise.

They can say, ‘I received an order, and I had no choice but to carry it out.’

But if they set up a confrontation with Zion in this way, all of that will be in vain.

Furthermore, if word spreads that they have directly opposed the will of Zion Clausen, a hero recognized not only in Hispania but also by the northern tribes, the Beastmen, the Elves, and even Nudia, even the dumbest idiot would know that they can never gain a favorable position in politics.

“Then I’ll assume that a decision has been made.”

In the end, Zion was able to achieve what he wanted shortly before arriving at the Sanctuary.

Of course, he was worried about the soldiers, but he had persuaded all the commanders, and above all, the achievement of winning and reclaiming the Sanctuary without a battle was sweeter than anything else to the soldiers, so there would not be much dissatisfaction.

‘The soldiers will accept it, unable to win against the *bunuigi* [prevailing atmosphere], because there’s nothing worse than dealing with guys who are going to die in a siege, saying they’re going to die.

There won’t be any problems.’

After arriving at the Sanctuary, Zion sent Kim Yu-hyun to break the enemies’ will to fight to the point of completely destroying it, and then he made his proposal.

Of course, blowing up the walls was also for the purpose of securing an entrance that could be easily cleared by pushing in our experts if they refused.

“Zion Clausen.”

Fortunately, it was not Luga, who had completely lost his mind thanks to Kim Yu-hyun, but Shya, a candidate Zion himself had been *eungeunhi jjiggo* [secretly eyeing], who revealed herself.

She was a Celestial Race [천족] who was experiencing confusion to the point of not appearing in the most important battle.

She was also the one who held all the decision-making power in a situation where Luga could not come to his senses.

Therefore, Zion shook her up by making a proposal that she could never refuse.

“Why…”

What do you mean why, *ya* [hey, you].

Of course, it’s much better for me to do this.

Is this such a good land that we must drive them all out and occupy it?

Absolutely not.

It is a place with symbolic meaning, but it is not important enough to risk our allies’ damage.

Above all, they are crazy bastards who will kill dozens of enemies and die themselves, so there is no need to clash with them and take losses.

If we deploy Kim Yu-hyun, we can just drop a tactical nuke, right?

We have to take care of that tactical nuke too.

If I treat her too carelessly now that she is completely on my side, I am likely to be backstabbed.

Only by showing that you care for and take care of them even more when they are judged to be yours can you trust them and leave your back to them in the most important and difficult moments, instead of being backstabbed.

‘Above all, the influence of being a war hero and a compassionate person is unimaginably powerful.’

Zion Clausen, a nobleman from Hispania who shows mercy even to the enemy and truly wants to follow the light.

Can’t you see the cheers and applause pouring out from all directions right now!

Zion had no intention of taking the difficult path when there was a clear way to receive praise from those who had experienced war and those who had not.

And if he took this approach, he could perfectly capture the top-ranking Celestial Race [천족] who were *galdeunghago* [conflicted], keep them here, and use them as a trophy to glorify his achievements for a very long time.

“Hear ye.”

After sending Shya back, Zion stood before the allied forces.

He used the amplification magic prepared by Lucia to raise his voice so that everyone could hear.

“Some may question my decision, and some may be angry.

They are the enemies who killed my comrades and disturbed my country, so why forgive them?

Let me make it clear.

It’s not forgiveness, but simply us showing mercy to the pitiful.

It is merely us, the true descendants of light, showing the *moseup* [image] that we should show as those who want to follow the light to those who are extremely pitiful and pathetic, who are only outwardly flashy and think that only their own things are right.”

Zion paused for a moment and looked around widely.

Then he raised his hand and pointed to the Sanctuary.

And inside it.

“Let’s not follow the *jeoncheo* [example] of those who are trapped inside and still wailing without knowing their mistakes.

They fell because they claimed to be light but could not become light.

Let’s strive to become light as light.

It’s not about forgetting what they did.

It’s not about forgiving them either.

It’s just about having pity on them and showing mercy this one time.

If they reject our mercy and come back someday to do the same things as today again, then…”

There was no need to say it.

Zion simply turned his head and looked at Kim Yu-hyun to show what would happen.

“That is the moment when we can judge them in the name of light.

So now, put it down and fill your dark hearts with light again.

And let’s go back to those who are waiting.”

At the words ‘Let’s go home,’ the soldiers forgot their hostility and nodded.

For the soldiers, the news that they would go home alive and victorious was better than anything else.

They smiled and chattered with *gamgyeokseureoun* [moved] expressions, and soon they raised their spears and swords and let out a huge shout.

“Uwaaaaaaa!”

“It’s over!

It’s over!

Waaaaa!”

Yes, as they said, the war was over.

But the world Zion wanted was just beginning.

He came into this novel’s world knowing everything, and they put rice and side dishes on a spoon for him to eat, so if he couldn’t eat it, there would be no more *byeongsin* [idiotic] case than that.

Yes, if you receive *teukjeon* [special treatment], isn’t it *maeneo* [manners] to use it with all your might?

“Lishi.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Helen is probably on her way here carrying the necessary supplies to distribute to them.

There may be groups trying to *yakttal* [plunder] it, so tell the Northern Warriors to strengthen security.

Of course, try to avoid bloodshed as much as possible.”

“Yes, I understand.

Master!

Ah, and…”

Lishi, who was about to head to the Northern Warriors, hesitated and approached again.

Zion stared at her, wondering if she had something to say, and she twisted her body and muttered in a voice as small as an ant, pointing her finger at herself.

“Oh, today… I, I…”

“Huh?

Ah, ah.

Aaaaa! I know, don’t worry.”

“Yes, *nep* [yes]!

Th, then I’ll be going!”

She is still like a puppy.

Zion wanted to *kkaemureo* [bite] Lishi every time he saw her, but he didn’t know about other women.

In fact, he also enjoyed lightly biting the knight’s body on the bed.

“Now, then…”

Now, all we have to do is take out all the *sseuregi* [trash] from the Sanctuary and go inside.

He wasn’t particularly interested in that Sanctuary or whatever it was, but people in the world know and believe that that place is the starting point of light.

Zion knew very well that the best picture was to obtain that Sanctuary peacefully without any fighting, in a situation where they claimed to be the descendants of light, rather than staining it with blood.

For that reason, he made such a proposal, and eventually, he came to hold the Sanctuary in his hands.

And decisively, the disposition of this *seongji* [holy ground] was in the hands of Zion, the commander of this allied force, himself.

‘It would be perfect to return the Sanctuary to the descendants of light now that it has been liberated.’

It shouldn’t end with just compassion.

He brought this war, those countless people, into the war for light, so to avoid damaging the *myeongbun* [cause], he must show that he faithfully upholds the will of that light.

This is, after all, a war to judge the *wiseonjadeul* [hypocrites], those who call themselves descendants of light and defile the light.

It’s not that Hispania, Nudia, the Beastmen, and the Elves denied the light itself and tried to establish something else instead.

“Zion Clausen.”

Turning his head, he saw Raido looking at Zion with his arms crossed and a sullen expression.

Zion himself was not the successor of the old, stupid Clausen, but the hero of Hispania, the savior of Nudia, the trusted friend of the *ijongjok* [different races], and held all sorts of honors, but it was still the same that he would be half-dead if Raido properly swung his fist and kicked him.

Furthermore, he had to treat him as his father-in-law since he was Lucia’s father.

“Raido-nim.”

“I really didn’t think you would do this.

If I tell this news to Her Majesty the Queen, she will laugh as if she is amazed, but then she will nod her head as if she knew it.”

After perfectly reinforcing the magic circle of the royal castle, he had joined the battlefield to awaken the *mutuga* [martial artist] within him who had been sleeping until now.

He was planning to beat up all the Celestial Race [천족] and Elves and ask them how it felt to be beaten to a pulp by a human they had ignored so much.

‘ *Yeombyeong, manghal nom!* [Damn it, you ruined it!]

I thought he was welcoming me so much that he didn’t have enough hands, but he’s using me like this!’

Of course, the first field in which he showed exceptional talent in magic was none other than healing magic.

If he swung his fist once, he would literally kill half of the opponent, so it was better to beat them up *silkeot* [to his heart’s content] and quickly heal them to prevent things from getting bigger.

But he didn’t want to use his talent in that way.

He wanted to smash the heads of the enemies, or at least show the skills of the former court magician of Hispania with flashy magic, but all he did was exclusively use healing magic for some *yonginjok* [dragonkin] woman.

‘This is not what I wanted!’

Regardless of what kind of rumors he had in the past, he is still a person.

A person who definitely feels that his body is heavier than before and is slowly getting older.

Perhaps he thought that this battlefield was his last *hwaryeohan* [glorious] stage, but Zion only used him as a dedicated healing magician, so Raido was *hwanjanghal* [going crazy].

“Are you disappointed?”

“…”

“I heard that silence means affirmation.”

“If you know, don’t ask.

I’m still not in a good mood.”

“Cheer up, Raido-nim.”

“Do you know why I left the royal castle even though Her Majesty the Queen held me back so much?

I was going to see how hard the heads of those so-called descendants of light were.

I wanted to know how rotten this body was.

But you didn’t even give me that chance, you’re really something.”

There was no way this smart man didn’t know what Raido wanted.

Furthermore, he probably knew what kind of *jjajeung* [annoyance] would come back if he didn’t grant that wish.

But the fact that he still assigned him such a role meant that there was a reason to endure that *jjajeung* [annoyance].

“How can I face Lucia if you get hurt?”

“What?”

“What kind of *jasik* [child] likes someone who puts their parents in a dangerous place, that’s what I mean.”

“You, you *saekki* [son of a…]”

It’s not wrong, so there’s nothing to *banbak* [refute].

If Raido was put on the front lines, there was no way Lucia could be comfortable with that.

And as Zion, who could be said to be her lover, pushed Raido back for the sake of his woman.

“Hey, you! Then what about Lucia!

What kind of parents can stand by and watch their *jasik* [child] fight in front of them!”

Raido *banbak* [retorted] like that, but he became *kkul meogeun beongeori* [speechless] at the answer that soon flew back.

“Lucia is stronger than Raido-nim.”

“What?”

“It’s not the old Lucia.

So you don’t have to worry.”

Just as he was about to retort with some nonsense, Raido looked into Zion’s eyes and *jikgam* [intuitively knew].

This man had no intention of lying right now.

He was telling the truth, that Lucia had surpassed Raido a long time ago, that’s what he was saying.

‘ *Ha…* ‘

It’s absurd and *heoteol* [empty], but strangely, he suddenly feels good inside.

The man that even the Queen *injeong* [acknowledges] is praising his daughter, so there’s no way he can’t feel good as that daughter’s father.