Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 426

426

The Stairway to Tomorrow

“You’re going to refuse?”

“Yes.

Klausen has no intention of persuading them to go to Nudia.”

“…”

If it were another official from Nudia, they would have been dumbfounded or said it was asking too much.

Although Klausen had provided generous support, these were, after all, people of Nudia residing within Nudia’s territory.

Instead of helping them return to Nudia, encouraging them to remain close to Klausen would damage the relationship with Nudia.

“I see.”

Aybe nodded, as if she had expected this response.

She seemed to have anticipated Zion’s refusal.

“Refusing to persuade the people near the border suggests you intend to exert influence beyond Hispania’s original borders.

Am I wrong?”

“You are correct.”

“Until recently, Nudia focused all its resources on the front lines.

Support for refugees was insufficient.

Especially in western Nudia, still recovering from the previous war, the influx of refugees, nobles, and even the royal family only increased the strain.

In those times, Klausen’s support was a beacon of hope.”

“Hispania, a friend, and Klausen did what Nudia could not.”

“…Thanks to that, we were able to calm their anxieties.

I’m grateful for that.

Without Klausen, I don’t know how they would have reacted or what they would have done.”

Sighing, Aybe fidgeted with her fingers.

Looking at the table as if it were a chessboard, she said slowly, “You’re planning to expand Hispania’s territory, or rather, Klausen’s domain, using this opportunity, aren’t you?”

“…”

“At first, I thought it was just humanitarian aid, but the scale and preparation suggested you’d been planning this since the war with the Holy Prussen broke out.

Later, I was concerned about your request to cultivate all the land near the border.”

“If you knew all this, why didn’t you intervene sooner?”

“I thought I could stop it, persuade you.

Because they are still people of Nudia, temporarily displaced, I believed they could be sent back at any time.

But Count Lichten Klausen was too effective, and Commander Zion Klausen’s arrangements were too comprehensive.

I miscalculated.

They won’t want to leave.”

“Hmm.”

“Klausen stepped in when the people of Nudia were disillusioned with their own kingdom.

He proved that under Klausen’s banner, they could enjoy greater peace and prosperity.

Commander Zion Klausen, renowned beyond Hispania, even reaching Nudia and the Holy Prussen, will become the next head of the family.

Living under him promises a more comfortable life than they could find elsewhere.

It’s not mere incitement; it’s a fact, making it all the more believable.”

“Tell me more.”

“You knew occupying land alone is pointless.

That’s why you refused Nudia’s offer to cede the western part of the kingdom as a negotiation point.

Even taking land amidst public discontent would require significant time and effort to stabilize.

But this is different.

You brought in people instead of just claiming land.

These people cultivated the land and built villages with their own hands.

Their efforts and time are invested.

They have a reason to stay.

And you instilled in them the belief that Klausen, not Nudia, is their benefactor.”

Pausing, Aybe asked, “Could I have some water?”

Zion signaled for a water bottle.

She nodded gratefully and drank several glasses.

After quenching her thirst and sighing, Aybe stared at Zion and continued, “I’m really scared of you.”

“…”

“Honestly, this is too much.

No matter how brilliant you are, you can’t foresee the future to this extent, make such accurate predictions, and prepare so confidently.

The money, time, and manpower involved are staggering.

If things go wrong, you’d lose even more than you’ve invested, yet you proceed as if it’s inevitable.

But it all falls into place, everything goes as you want.

It’s as if God is watching over you.”

*If you call the Writer God, that might be true.*

*In addition, knowing everything is mostly true.*

*Anyway, women are truly terrifying beings with too much intuition.*

Muttering to himself, Zion smiled and said, “Don’t worry.

I have no intention of antagonizing Nudia.

I don’t know what the future holds, but for the foreseeable future, I hope we can maintain a friendly relationship where we can sit together and talk.”

“That’s a relief.

I wouldn’t want to fight you while you’re in Hispania.”

Nodding, Aybe stared intently at Zion, as if to say, “I know your intentions, so get to the point.”

“Does Nudia still insist on maintaining the current border and returning all its people to their original homes?”

“The nobles would prefer that.

But their position isn’t strong.

The territories of nobles who betrayed the east and south will be confiscated, and few can claim rights over those under them.

As Commander Zion Klausen knows, most of those near the border are from the east and south.

Even if they return, they’ll find only war-torn land.

They’d rather start anew in a place where they’ve settled than return to suffering.

Forcing them back will meet strong resistance.”

“And Nudia is sensitive to even minor rebellions, forcing a choice: suppress them harshly or appear benevolent.”

Aybe nodded at Zion’s words.

Everyone in Nudia knows the people and villages near the border receive significant support and are settling under Klausen’s influence, led by Margrave Zion.

Considering Zion Klausen’s achievements, honor, and social standing, he’s destined for the heart of Hispania.

Extending a hand is better than conflict.

So, they decided to concede what they must and gain what they can, sending Aybe to negotiate.

“Now that we understand each other, I’ll be direct.

I want to readjust the current border between Hispania and Nudia.”

“How far do you want to go?”

“To the east, including Barusura County, up to the former second defense line.

And I want you to cede the southern territories and ports.

Especially the part that juts into the southern sea.”

“…”

Aybe considered Zion’s words, calculating.

The area he described encompasses almost all the choice land in western Nudia.

Barusura County is strategically important, located between central and western Nudia, preventing Hispanian invasion.

The north is less valuable, so they won’t take it.

Giving up the southern protrusion means ceding all of Nudia’s southern territories.

*Anyway, the south had the most noble defections after the east, so there are not many who will resist.*

*It’s land that can be given if Zion Klausen continues to demand it.*

*However, as it is an incredibly large land equivalent to almost 1/7 of the current Nudia, internal resistance is also expected enough.’*

Giving up most of Nudia’s western territory and all of the south is like a humiliating surrender, trading land for survival.

But this isn’t surrender, it’s a trade.

Zion must offer something in return for that vast territory.

“In exchange, I’ll hand over all the territories of the Holy Prussen to Nudia.

Hispania will not claim any rights to any land in the Holy Prussen.”

“…!”

A spark flashed in Aybe’s eyes.

This deal benefits Nudia many times over.

Territorially, the land of the Holy Prussen is almost six times larger than what Nudia would cede to Klausen.

Hispania’s role in destroying the Holy Prussen was far greater than Nudia’s, so Nudia, hesitant to claim rights to the collapsed territory, would be pleased.

Giving up the southern port cities is offset by the Holy Prussen’s developed port facilities.

If Nudia gives up the south and receives the entire Holy Prussen, it’s a clear profit.

*…Why are you offering such generous terms?*

The terms are so favorable that Aybe was suspicious.

She wondered if she had missed something.

But even if there was a catch, legitimately owning all the land of the Holy Prussen by giving up the western and southern territories was an offer Nudia couldn’t refuse.

“Will the Hispania royal family allow this deal?”

Aybe’s concern was natural.

Although Nudia suffered the most damage, Hispania contributed the most to the war effort.

Even the King of Nudia would admit this, giving Hispania the upper hand in post-war negotiations.

Giving up the entire Holy Prussen in exchange for the western and southern territories seemed unlikely to be accepted by the Hispania royal family.

*Of course, there will be a lot of talk among the nobles.*

*Zion Klausen has become too arrogant and dared to offer trade terms without consulting the Queen.*

*How much blood has Hispania shed, and how can it be said that it cannot occupy even an inch of the Holy Prussen territory?*

*Like this.*

If a noble said such a thing, Zion would tear that bastard’s mouth apart.

Even with minimal thought, Hispania claiming the territory of the former Holy Prussen offered no benefit.

It would require a force to defend that land.

But if that force came from Hispania, located on the opposite side of the former Holy Prussen, their arrival, duration of stay, and eventual return would be problematic.

Using locals would be risky due to their unverified loyalty.

Moreover, the west and south of Hispania that Zion demanded already benefited from Klausen’s support, and the Hispanian army had fought alongside Nudia, so the people of Nudia there would accept Klausen with a ‘it’ll be okay’ rather than hostility towards Hispania.

However, most of those who stayed in the former Holy Prussen had lost family or friends in the battle with the Allied forces.

The difference in managing public sentiment is huge, so what’s the point of occupying that place?

*War is ultimately a business in the long run.*

*You start and proceed because there are more gains than losses.*

*If there are few gains and only many losses, it is right to stop quickly.*

If the army extends itself any further, Hispania’s burden will become too severe.

The army spends money lavishly even when simply mobilized.

It’s unproductive, consuming resources and burdening the country.

Therefore, the best course of action was to call the soldiers back home and have them put down their swords and spears.

*And lastly, Aybe doesn’t seem to know…*

*Were the crazy Celestials, fairies, and fanatics of the Holy Prussen going to leave anything properly for you to eat nicely as they fled?*

Of course, they destroyed or burned anything the enemies could use as they retreated to the sanctuary, which is the current state of the former Holy Prussen.

Zion had been scouting all of this through the northern warriors and receiving reports, but Nudia would naturally be much later in hearing the news, so there was no way they could know this.

“Master!

I’ve brought Shaa!”

Just in time, Rishikida brought Shaa as Zion ordered.

Zion told Rishikida to let Shaa in, and after a while, Shaa appeared in a calm state with pure white wings neatly folded behind her back.

“You were looking for me.”

“That’s right.

First, come here and sit down.

Ah, and this is Aybe Gi Restion from Nudia.

Aybe, this is Shaa, the highest-ranking Celestial who has decided to stay here this time.”

“I’ve heard the news.

She is a descendant of light in the true sense of the word, unlike those who do not acknowledge and repent for their past mistakes.”

When Aybe greeted her politely, Shaa also put her hand on her chest and bowed her head.

After the two women finished greeting each other, Aybe glanced at Zion, asking why he suddenly called this Celestial to this place.

“As I said, I will leave everything in the Holy Prussen to Nudia.

But.”

*Yes, I thought the terms of the deal were too generous.*

Aybe, naturally expecting Hispania, Zion Klausen, to want something, waited patiently to see what conditions would come out of his mouth.

“I want the sanctuary to remain as the sanctuary itself.”

“…Yes?”

“Not under the influence of Nudia or Hispania, but as a place for those who are here, Shaa, to manage in the name of light and for those who want to repent and atone.

I hope it will be maintained forever as a place to offer prayers to walk a better, brighter path.

Even though it has been called a sanctuary until now, it has not properly fulfilled its role, so I hope that it will now live up to the name of that sanctuary.

I hope it will be known to the world as a new starting point of light.

What do you think of my proposal?”

Aybe and Shaa could only blink at Zion’s words.

The best mercy a winner can show, and a decision that perfectly justifies the fight for light.

At Zion’s words, the woman from Nudia admired him, but inwardly, her fear of this man increased.

Conversely, the Celestial woman repeatedly admired him and couldn’t help but think that Klausen, where this man is, and Hispania, to which that man is loyal, must truly love light.

*If I do this, my influence will remain as it is, even if Hispania’s influence is gone.*

*The justification is all taken care of, and the external appearance is the hero himself, Zion Klausen.*

*Kiya, isn’t this the title that the owner of the Duchy of the Hispania Empire will have in the future!*’

…As expected, Zion was not pure at all.

―――――――Author’s Note―――――――

The main story has a little more left…!

Not much though…!