Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 425

425

Stairs to Tomorrow

For the past month, Sion hadn’t solely focused on expelling those driven mad by the light.

Among his most diligent efforts was initiating the expansion of the port near the Sanctuary into a larger, more versatile facility.

This construction served several purposes. Firstly, sea routes were much faster and safer than land routes for exchanges between Hispania and this location.

Although the relationship between Nudia and Hispania was better than ever, alliances can shift into rivalries in just a few years, depending on the benefits at stake.

So, preparing for the unexpected while things are going well is the best approach.

Another reason was to gauge the cooperativeness of those who gave up on leaving the continent and remained.

The capital of Holy Prussen, for instance, was a large coastal city with a port, and the Sanctuary also had a port nearby.

This meant that the people of Holy Prussen were very familiar with maritime affairs, whereas beastmen, elves, and northern warriors knew nothing about the sea.

Even most of Hispania’s soldiers came from the eastern and northern regions, with no connection to the sea. Therefore, expanding the port would inevitably require the involvement of the former Holy Prussen people who lived there.

‘If you plan to stay here, cooperate.’

‘It’s not that you were driven mad by the light and spouting nonsense of your own volition, but that you were forcibly manipulated by the Blind Ones [a mysterious, malevolent entity].’

‘So, prove that you intend to operate under the new order now that you’ve escaped from them.’

If these people didn’t cooperate, Sion even harbored the terrifying thought of eliminating them by any means necessary.

In Sion’s view, those who left of their own accord were much better.

They were clear enemies, so there was no need to be cautious, and there was no confusion about whether they were allies.

However, those who remained were, in any case, people of an enemy nation, so it was hard to trust them immediately. Yet, they said they would stay, so it seemed like they were coming under his protection.

In such times, failing to take a clear stance and act accordingly would naturally invite suspicion from the person in power.

And Sion, the ‘person in power,’ wasn’t kind enough to take on unnecessary risks.

Unless the risk was on the level of Kim Yu-hyun—no, that seemed too much—at least Trishia’s level, he would consider taking it on. But he certainly wasn’t in a situation to take on all the people of an enemy nation.

“Holy Prussen has completely collapsed.

Many members of the royal family are dead or have abandoned you and left this place.

You will now have to live as new residents of a new land.

Due to the aftermath of the war, many things are difficult, and port development is essential to send external support here.

I would like to ask for your cooperation.”

First, he offers a carrot before wielding the stick.

If they listen, Sion would be grateful; if not, he would simply discard the carrot and wield the stick.

‘Three days, it’s three days.’

‘If there’s no movement within that time, then I’ll have to show a ruthless side.’

The port is essential to maintain the connection between Hispania and this Sanctuary in the future.

For that reason, Sion tested the people, and fortunately, they decided not to do anything that would offend the person in power.

From the next day, people gathered at the port to lend a hand.

Rumors spread that those who believed they were the only truth had been utterly defeated and were fleeing the continent, and that one of the highest-ranking Celestials, disappointed by this, had led his followers to remain and volunteer for the arduous path for the sake of true light.

People also grasped the general facts from such rumors.

And they realized what situation they were in.

That the order had completely changed, that what they believed was right was actually wrong, and what they believed was wrong was actually right.

Therefore, if they didn’t follow the new order, the future awaiting them, having missed the boat, would not be pleasant at all.

Thus, the people of the Holy Prussen kingdom, and those who were devout followers of the teachings of light, accepted that the world had changed and acknowledged that everything they had followed was wrong.

Furthermore, they no longer viewed those who were called invaders, sinners, and the fallen with such eyes, but simply accepted them as the victors, those who had newly become light.

“Commander, the port development work is almost complete.”

Finally, after the fanatics had all boarded ships and left for an island far across the sea.

The port expansion that Sion had so desired was nearing its end.

Looking at the much larger port facility than before, Sion nodded in satisfaction.

Then, Lilith, who had been quietly watching her lover from the side, cautiously opened her mouth.

“…Why did you put so much effort into expanding the port?”

“Because it’s necessary.”

“I know it’s necessary.

I’m curious why it’s necessary.”

“This place is located on the opposite side of Hispania.

Conversely, although they fled far away by ship, they can return at any time, and the first place they’ll reach if they do is here.”

“So?”

“I’ve been thinking about how to leave this place in a way that it remains the most solid and important location.

And I’ve come to only one conclusion.”

“One?”

At Lilith’s question, Sion smiled and replied.

“To continue to keep it as a Sanctuary.

However, that Sanctuary should not be for those who once caused chaos on the continent, but a new Sanctuary of light that embraces and illuminates all who wish to walk the path of light.”

“Keep it as a Sanctuary?

Here?”

Lilith glanced at the Sanctuary for a moment at Sion’s words, then tilted her head.

They had driven out the Celestials, who were said to be descendants of light, chased away the radical elves who had devoted themselves to those Celestials, and sent the fanatics who shouted that they should burn to ashes anyone who didn’t go to the light out of the continent.

The teachings of light still remained, the Allied Forces didn’t deny the light, and above all, Charles and the Celestials who remained were presenting a new direction for the light and leading new changes on the continent.

Looking at it that way, it would be more beneficial to keep the Sanctuary than to eliminate it.

From the start, Sion’s justification for raising an army in Hispania was not to oppose the light, but to prove that they were the light and those others were false light and hypocrites.

“You’re fine with it.

But Hispania is too far away.

Nudia grinds its teeth at the mention of the ‘teachings of light.’

It’s ambiguous to leave troops here, isn’t it?”

Lilith’s words were absolutely correct.

Hispania, the northern tribes, beastmen, elves.

All of them came from the exact opposite side of this Sanctuary.

No matter how honorable and important this war was, they had ultimately won, so now they had to return home.

That’s how they could boast and brag about this wonderful and splendid achievement to others and receive rewards, right?

They needed to have dreams and hopes, but if they had to spend time here again.

Moreover, if that time was spent staying to protect this Sanctuary, there would be nothing more hellish and annoying for them.

“So, we need to recruit volunteers.”

“Will there be any?

In the current situation, the situation is so bad that even if those who hate the light of Nudia flock here and destroy the Sanctuary, there’s nothing we can say, right?”

“It’s simple.

We just need to make it clear to them that Nudia will be the only one to lose if a riot breaks out here.”

“Them?

Who?”

“Nudia.”

At Sion’s words, just as Lilith was about to ask, “Nudia?”

Lilith reflexively tried to look like a mage protecting the next head of the family when she felt someone running up urgently from behind, but recognizing the familiar presence of a woman, she opened her mouth instead of Sion.

“What’s wrong, Lishi?”

“Ah, yes!

Just now, Aive Gi Lestion from Nudia has arrived.”

“Sion, Aive is…”

“The most influential person in Nudia, excluding the king.

More than that, it’s strange.

She must have been incredibly busy reclaiming the royal castle, cleaning it up, and escorting the king, who had taken refuge in the Basura County [a region within Nudia], back, so seeing her take the time to rush all the way here…”

“…It means something very important and urgent has happened.

Something so urgent that she needs to talk to you directly.”

‘Am I right?’ Lilith seemed to be asking with a smile.

It was said that even a dog at a village school could recite poetry after three years, and Lilith, with her good head, had certainly developed an eye for seeing situations far ahead, similar to Sion, rather than just reciting poetry.

‘Could it be that I have too outstanding of an older sister?’

Well, thanks to her, I’ve received help in many areas, so it doesn’t matter.

Sion muttered to himself and decided to go meet Aive, who had come all the way from afar and was waiting to see him, saying it was urgent.

“Ah, Lishi.”

“Yes!

Master.”

“Go and bring Sha.

Bring her to the barracks where Aive and I will be.”

“Understood!”

Lishi saluted and hurried away again.

Lilith stared at the departing figure of the knight and made a rather tempting suggestion.

“Once everything is done, how about making her a head maid instead of a knight?

I think she’d be quite good at it.

More than anything, if she gets hurt, Sion, not only you but my heart would also hurt quite a bit.”

“…You’re not really seeing her as a puppy, are you?”

“You think so too, don’t you?

Of course, she’s a cute woman in bed, though.”

Suddenly, Lilith grabbed Sion’s precious little buddy and growled threateningly.

It seemed that the incident where Sion and Lishi had been having fun without the other women knowing and had been caught by her eyes was still lingering as resentment.

“You were about to die from pleasure, weren’t you?

Ah! I like it!

More, bite me more!

Ah!

Aaaah!”

Lilith even imitated Lishi’s voice, continuously moaning as if to tease Sion.

Thanks to that, Sion, who had become a sinner with ten mouths [idiom for being caught red-handed and having no excuse], had nothing to say and made the absurd excuse that Lishi’s cuteness was too much, and moved to the barracks where Aive was eagerly waiting for him.

“Commander Sion Claussen.”

“I heard you were busy, but I didn’t expect you to come all the way to this remote place.”

Aive was literally going through tremendous hardships after reclaiming the royal castle.

To restore the national prestige that had fallen to the ground, she had to quickly rebuild the royal palace, which was partly burned and partly collapsed, refill the desolate place that was unbelievable as the capital of a country with people, and widely publicize that Nudia was intact.

She had to bring the king and the royal family, who had been in the Basura County, back to the royal castle, dispatch people to the completely collapsed eastern and southern regions to restore the shattered order, and ferret out and execute all those who had thoroughly cooperated with the enemies while living in Nudia’s territory.

Unless there were many trustworthy people by her side, the current Nudia was in such chaos that it was unclear who was the enemy and who was the ally.

Above all, it was difficult to easily trust others again in a situation where a traitor had emerged.

In the end, the current Aive was literally so busy that even if she had twelve bodies, it wouldn’t be enough.

‘If such a woman has come all the way here, then there’s only one reason.’

‘That it’s something so important and urgent for Nudia.’

If that’s the case, then Sion’s guess is just one thing.

That is Hispania’s cooperation regarding those who need to return to their positions.

And the words that came out of Aive’s mouth were, as expected, the same as Sion’s prediction.

“Actually, there’s a problem that requires the cooperation of Hispania, specifically the Claussen side.”

“A problem that requires Claussen’s cooperation.”

“You remember the issue of urgently sending the people of Nudia to the Hispania side due to the battle with Holy Prussen, right?”

“Yes.

We agreed to return them to Nudia as soon as the situation calmed down, and the Hispania side accepted them for humanitarian reasons.

But is there any problem there?”

“Most of the kingdom’s people who went into Hispania are returning to Nudia.

However, there’s a situation where those near the border are refusing to return…”

Those who had entered Hispania were returning to Nudia one after another at the news that they could return to their hometowns.

However, those who had only thought of having a temporary place to stay within Nudia’s territory were refusing orders and hoping to settle down there, which made Aive very embarrassed.

Even when Nudia’s soldiers showed a slightly coercive attitude, they immediately protested and even requested help from the Claussen side, and the Claussen side in charge of security intervened, causing both countries to be troubled, according to her.

‘From Nudia’s perspective, from Aive’s perspective, it must be a frustrating situation.’

Even those who had entered other countries were returning to Nudia at the news that they could return, but those who had only thought of having a temporary place to stay were refusing orders and hoping to settle down there.

She didn’t fail to understand that the Claussen side had taken such good care of them, but if they showed a closer appearance to Claussen, that is, the Hispania side, than to Nudia, there was a very high probability that problems would arise in the future regarding the territory.

“Aive, if you’re asking me directly like this, the situation must have escalated quite a bit.”

“The border area as well as the vicinity of the Basura County are shaking.

It seems like a really big problem will erupt if this continues, so I came to request the help of Commander Sion Claussen.”

“What kind of help do you want me to give?”

“I want you to contact the Claussen side and help persuade them.

Margrave Lichten Claussen has now replaced all parts with Commander Sion Claussen, so he sent a reply that such a decision should be asked to the person in charge.

That’s why I came all the way here.”

Margrave Lichten had avoided it very correctly.

During the month it took for Aive to come all the way here, he had been working and working to create a pro-Claussen atmosphere among the people, rather than persuading the people of Nudia.

“In short, to summarize, because Claussen’s influence has become stronger, if only Nudia comes forward, the people there may rebel head-on, so you want Claussen to come forward and persuade them, is that correct?”

“That’s right.

If you would just do that…”

“I refuse, Aive Gi Lestion.”

Aive’s expression momentarily hardened slightly at Sion’s answer.

‘Look at this woman?’

She had been openly rejected to her face.

She had run for a month to come here, but she had been clearly rejected after just bringing up the topic.

However, instead of her expression twisting into a mess, she reacted as if she had expected it.

As if she knew this would happen and had prepared another deal.

‘She expected me to give this answer.

This will definitely speed up the conversation.’

As expected, those with good heads have something in common.