Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 428

428

The Stairway to Tomorrow

The Allied Forces’ return finally commenced.

After a brief farewell to Shawa at the Holy Site, they quickened their pace, traversing the territory of the former Holy Prussen and entering the land of Nudia.

While the former Holy Prussen possessed numerous ships, allowing some to travel by sea, Zion insisted on returning by land.

When those eager to return home questioned his decision, Zion responded with a tone that implied the reason was self-evident.

“In the land of Nudia, there are comrades, true heroes, who sacrificed their lives for us.

Before returning home, we should at least pay our respects to those who ensured our safe passage back.”

An unbelievable victory, a glory unmatched in history.

It seemed everyone was momentarily swept up in the euphoria.

Where there are survivors, there are always those who have died and been left behind, but they had momentarily forgotten that.

“Zion-nim.”

Trisha, still officially Zion’s apprentice knight, subtly approached and addressed Zion.

“I have a question.”

“If you ask something strange, you’ll be in trouble.”

“N-No, it’s nothing like that.

It’s a perfectly normal question, so don’t worry.”

Trisha’s behavior had been too unpredictable to trust her words.

Had she concluded that, having defeated all the enemies, she now had to compete using her charm?

From inquiring about her preferred underwear color to her preferred position, most of her questions were enough to make Lilith exclaim, ‘What a brazen girl!’

Just days ago, she subtly inquired about chest size and, upon hearing Zion’s preference for larger sizes, abruptly grabbed him, asking if there was a way to enlarge her breasts, causing Zion considerable embarrassment.

“Um, why were those people buried in Nudia?”

“Hmm?”

“Those who died fighting while our army, including Marquis Volkov, was moving to the second defense line, and those who continued to lose their lives fighting the enemies afterward.

Except for the people of Nudia, they are people from Hispania, beastmen, and fairies, right?

People whose original home is not Nudia.”

“That’s right.”

“But I’m curious why they are buried here, not in their hometowns, and why we are visiting them.”

Zion never expected Trisha, of all people, to pose such a question.

Could she be changing her strategy?

Perhaps she was shifting her tactics from a headstrong girl to someone who displayed intelligence like Lilith or Lucia.

Zion wanted to applaud Trisha, who often seemed like a black dragon [a metaphor for someone unpredictable and destructive], for showing signs of gradual development, as if the other women had unknowingly spurred her on.

Zion always welcomed such healthy competition.

“It’s to not forget.”

“To not forget… are you talking to the Allied Forces?”

“Of course, that’s part of it, but the biggest reason is Nudia.

I’m talking to them.

So many people perished here, in your land, to help you.

So don’t entertain any foolish thoughts or actions.

If you have a conscience, let’s get along without thinking of anything else.”

“Ah…”

“Of course, I will suggest to the Queen that a separate space be created to pray for the souls of the Hispanian soldiers.

But their graves will remain here.

Here, in the heart of Nudia’s land.

And every year on their anniversary, Hispania will always dispatch a certain number of troops to hold events to ensure they are never forgotten.”

Right now, Nudia is expressing their gratitude and vowing never to forget the favor, but that sentiment will fade and become vague in just a few years.

To prevent that, Zion deliberately established the cemetery for the fallen in Nudia and decided to hold events to commemorate them every year in both Hispania and Nudia.

If Hispania comes to Nudia for the purpose of commemorating them, Nudia has no justification to stop them.

Also, if they continue to come and go, the people of Nudia will remember for a long time that the country of Nudia would have been completely destroyed without the alliance with Hispania, so even if someone intentionally tries to ruin the relationship with Hispania like before, it will be difficult.

‘They are beings who firmly stand for peace, even in death.’

To be honest, he felt a little guilty for using their deaths to some extent.

However, if he didn’t prepare such a mechanism, their sacrifice would become like a sandcastle on the beach that wouldn’t last even a few years, so it couldn’t be helped.

“Trisha.

When we return, a slightly different life awaits you than now.”

“I’m not interested.”

“Even if you’re not interested, other people are different.

Anyway, you are one of the three heroes who saved the royal castle from the hands of the enemies.”

“That’s right.

I don’t care what they say.

There’s also Lucia and Lia, right?

Tell them to mind their own business.”

It’s not that easy, Zion muttered inwardly.

Trisha suggests diverting attention to Lucia and Lia, but in reality, the most tempting prey for the nobles right now is none other than Trisha.

Lucia is originally Raido’s daughter, so you need at least a count title to properly approach her, and Lia is a beastman, so she won’t submit to anyone.

But Trisha is only an apprentice knight, even though she is under Zion.

Since her official position is like that, there is a very high possibility that nobles will flock to her and tempt her with more attractive offers, hoping she will turn away.

Of course, Trisha is by no means someone who will turn away from Zion.

What Zion is really worried about is that Trisha, who has almost zero sense in political matters, will endure their behind-the-scenes contacts and eventually explode and cause some kind of accident.

“There will definitely be those who tell you to turn away.

They will say they will give you everything you want.”

“I told you I’m not interested?”

“That’s what you say.

Instead, don’t refuse stubbornly, but show a slightly wavering appearance as time goes by.”

“…Yes?”

“Some guys will try to persuade you that there are so many formidable people next to me, so you won’t have many opportunities to spread your wings.

I’m telling you to get caught up in that little by little.”

“Why?

That’s like betraying Zion-nim?”

“I’m going to use that to get rid of some annoying guys.”

Zion said that and gently hugged Trisha.

“Of course, I know you’re a woman who won’t betray me.

Of course, I know.

Other women know that too.

But other people don’t.

You’ve been trying not to reveal yourself as much as possible, so even though you’ve been by my side, not many people have actually seen you.

To those people, the relationship between Trisha and me will just seem like someone who’s watching my back, that’s all.”

“…Could you tell me a little more about what you’re thinking?”

“Since you’re going to be my woman anyway, wouldn’t it be better to be the woman of a duke’s family than a count’s family?”

“Yes?”

What is he talking about again? Trisha looked at Zion with her eyes wide open.

It was quite amazing because it wasn’t her usual unreadable expression, and her face was also subtly cute.

Zion grabbed Trisha’s cheek as if teasing, saying, ‘You can make that kind of expression too?’

“Ah, it hurts!”

“It’s because you’re cute, because you’re cute.”

“Ugh! Even if you say that, it still hurts!”

She’s grumbling, but seeing her lips slightly rising, it seems she’s fallen for the word ‘cute’ again.

If he stops pulling her cheeks, Trisha will probably be grinning.

“Trisha, in this war.

No, everyone in Hispania, even the little kids, knows that my contribution to all the things that have happened so far is enormous.”

“Of course.

What kind of person is Zion-nim? If they don’t know that, I’ll break their heads right away to make them know…”

“Whoa, whoa, calm down.

Anyway, when we return to Hispania this time, rewards commensurate with their contributions will be given to those who have been active, including you and me.

Giving appropriate rewards to those who have made great contributions.

That’s also a pretty good way to establish the authority of the royal family.

But there’s too little that the ‘kingdom’ can give to the person who has made the greatest contribution?

Then an ordinary guy would ask for the best thing the kingdom can give, but I’m not going to do that.”

“If so…”

“Now that Hispania has become much more prosperous, I’m going to reorganize the inside and change it to an empire altogether.”

Even Trisha, who knows nothing about politics or power, seemed to know the difference between a kingdom and an empire, and she exclaimed in surprise again.

Originally, the question should have been whether other countries would just stand by and watch, but when you think about it, there was no country that would do that in the current situation.

“Holy Prussen has completely disappeared, and Nudia is so busy absorbing the territory of the former Holy Prussen that they can’t pay attention to Hispania.

On the other hand, Hispania continues to interact with the beastmen and fairies, and has built an almost perfect cooperation system by fighting together this time.

The same goes for the northern tribes.

What’s more?

They have even been recognized by the remaining Celestials on this land as the most faithful descendants of light, so they have gained all the external justification and honor.

Now there’s only one thing left to do.”

“If you say one thing…”

“If there are too many fish, even the biggest and clearest lake will be ruined, so you have to catch them and throw them away appropriately.

Or should I say it’s like pruning?”

At Zion’s words, Trisha nodded as if she understood roughly.

With that analogy, she knows that pruning branches that have grown too much for the sake of the tree and thinking about the future.

“So, Trisha.

I have a favor to ask.”

“Just tell me.

I’ll do anything.”

“When you enter Hispania and reach the royal castle, show others that you are subtly distancing yourself from me.

But not too openly, just a subtle feeling of avoiding me.

I’ll explain it enough to the other women, so don’t worry about anything else.”

“…It’s a very difficult thing.

It’s a really, really difficult thing for me.

Even if it’s for Zion-nim, that’s…”

“Instead, two days.”

“Yes?”

“On the day your turn comes, I’ll be with you for two consecutive days, including the next day.

Lilith-nim has already agreed to it, so there’s nothing to explain.

Wouldn’t this be enough as a deal?”

“…”

Trisha, who was calculating something diligently for a while, finally nodded and showed her agreement.

It was difficult enough to pretend to distance herself from Zion’s side, but she thought she could try it once if the reward was worth it.

“Okay, then I’ll assume you’ve accepted.”

Zion’s pruning began.

―

After the Allied Forces entered the territory of Nudia, they first looked for the cemetery of the fallen.

While they were praying for the souls of the dead on the Allied side, King Saradin of Nudia himself came to greet them.

Then, as the king, he bowed directly in front of the cemetery and mourned their deaths, clearly conveying the gratitude of Nudia, who had received the greatest favor.

The people of the Kingdom of Nudia watched the scene and sent out a more positive atmosphere than ever before towards the Allied side, especially Hispania.

If it weren’t for them, the entire country of Nudia would have been burned to ashes by now, and they wouldn’t be able to return to their places and be devoted to restoring like this.

Zion thought that it would be better to meet the king again and make a deal directly, as he originally intended to return to Hispania and convey the message, but he had reunited with the king like this.

So, he asked for permission to send some troops and those who would commemorate them to Nudia every year on their anniversary, and King Saradin naturally nodded.

Putting aside the gratitude for the Allied Forces for now, the comrades of the fallen were listening to the conversation between him and Zion right next to him, so he didn’t know what kind of backlash he would face if he refused.

“Since they are the heroes who saved Nudia, our Nudia will not object to commemorating them, Commander Zion Claussen.

However, it would be just right if the scale is such that the people of our country are not too surprised.”

“Of course.”

With this, he had perfectly obtained permission from the Nudia side.

Later on, the memorial service may not be entirely a good thing for Nudia, but it was a natural result as it was something they had no choice but to accept right now.

“I will not forget your contributions either.

I am truly grateful.

May the warmth of light be with you.”

“May you be well, King of Nudia.”

The commander of the Allied Forces and the King of Nudia exchanged greetings and turned their steps to where they had to go.

Perhaps they will now return and give the territory they requested to the Hispania side, and instead devote all their efforts to absorbing the territory of the former Holy Prussen.

‘Try hard.

With the demons stirring and the tension that enemies across the sea may attack at any time, you have to pay attention to that again.’

If it’s something that’s a little ambiguous for me to take and I have no choice but to give it to someone else, make that someone more tired than before because of it.

But make it so precious that you can’t throw it away.

Zion recalled the lessons of life once again and led the Allied Forces, from which the Nudia army had withdrawn, and hurried his steps again.

And after about a month, he finally reached the Claussen Margraviate [territory ruled by a Margrave].

“Zion!”

The person who should have greeted Zion with the most welcoming face, Margrave Lichten.

But now he greeted his son with a rather worried expression.

“You’ve worked hard, you’ve really worked hard.

You’ve done something that no one in the world can easily achieve in just a few years.

You’re really amazing, amazing.”

“Whose son am I? Whose family’s blood is it? Shouldn’t I do this much?

But, Father’s face doesn’t look so good.

Is something wrong?”

At Zion’s question, Margrave Lichten glanced around and let out a sigh.

Then, he hesitated for a while, just touching Zion’s shoulders, and opened his mouth.

“I heard the news.”

“What news are you talking about?”

“That you decided to give all the territory of the former Holy Prussen to the Nudia side.

The news that was delivered to the royal castle has reached Claussen.”

“Is there any problem with that?”

“…Quite a few nobles are congratulating you on your victory, but they are also subtly telling Her Majesty the Queen that it was a bit too much.

Hispania has made several times more contributions than Nudia, but they are saying why you gave so many benefits to the Nudia side, who have done nothing.

They are deliberately not saying it, but there are even claims that you have secretly traded with the Nudia side.”

Well, I was wondering how to start and how to catch the wind [idiom for stirring up trouble].

At this point, he dug his own grave, prepared a tombstone, and lay down in it.

‘I don’t not understand their position.

They must be anxious.

They must be crazy anxious.’

It is already a publicly known fact in noble society that Vanessa has quite a lot of interest in the noble named Zion Claussen.

But if that Zion Claussen achieves even the achievements that no one else could achieve and triumphantly returns, it would mean that another powerful force that nobles can never resist is created in addition to the royal family.

What they are most wary of is the emergence of a powerful being who can pour out more direct words about their rights than anyone else.

They will judge that their position will be narrowed if Claussen grows to an unmanageable level while the royal family alone is already overwhelming.

“It’s going well.”

“…What?”

“I’m saying that it’s going very well as I thought.”

Zion wanted to return to the royal castle of Hispania as soon as possible.

The battlefield wasn’t too bad either, but the most enjoyable and exciting place for him was the political arena, where all kinds of schemes and power struggles were rampant.

―――――――Author’s Note―――――――

The ending is getting closer and closer…!

I will probably finish all of the main story within this year, and the side stories will be uploaded with the new work in early January next year!

Thank you for your support until the end!