Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 430

430

Once Again, It’s Zion Clauzen

There are no eternal enemies, nor eternal allies.

On the board of power, family and friends all lose their meaning.

That is the natural order, and the best path for survival.

When Zion Clauzen achieved victory against Nudia, when he led the peace talks with the northern tribes and quelled the unrest among the northern nobles in one fell swoop, when he eradicated the pirates in the south.

Until then, the nobles had not shown extreme wariness towards the Clauzen March.

Everyone wanted to preemptively block threats from the outside and prevent internal chaos, so it was essential for the nobles who wished for the current situation to continue.

They thought of it as the duty for the Clauzen March to have rights almost equivalent to a Marquisate, despite being only a County.

However, the moment Zion Clauzen formed an alliance and fought a decisive battle against the Holy Prussen, winning that battle, the nobles within Hispania realized that things were not going as they had expected.

Suddenly, Hispania’s national power grew enormously, and the northern tribes, beastmen, fairies, Nudia, and even some remaining Celestials came to acknowledge Hispania.

With this, tremendous power and strength would be concentrated in the royal family, and it was obvious what the royal family, possessing such strong authority, would do next.

‘In the midst of all this, a subtle current is flowing between Queen Vanessa and Zion Clauzen.’

At first, they must have thought of each other as very reliable allies.

One as a subject devoted to the country, the other as a monarch who trusted that subject.

But as time passed, it seems they realized that power dictates that one side will inevitably be wary of the other if one becomes too strong.

Initially, they embraced each other with favor and trust, but perhaps something grew too large within that embrace.

They might now be thinking, ‘Did I do my best because I thought they were trustworthy, only to be used and then checked as soon as I returned?’

At times like this, the mid-tier nobles racked their brains, wondering which side to align with.

Queen Vanessa and Zion Clauzen, both are rising young stars of Hispania.

One is the monarch of a country, and the other is a great noble called a hero.

The three Marquis families and other Count families are relatively free from the current problem, so they have leeway, but the nobles beneath them had to anticipate which direction this power game would flow as Hispania grew rapidly, and decide on their future course of action.

So, they first tried to win over the seemingly easiest target to learn even a little about the current situation.

“Lady Trisha, doesn’t the title of knight not really mean much to you anyway?

I heard that you are staying as a trainee knight in the Clauzen March to repay the favor you received from them.”

“···Because my brother is also a trainee knight in Clauzen.”

“If you officially receive the title of knight, shouldn’t you leave Clauzen and see a bigger world?

If you have the opportunity, it would be nice to visit our territory once.”

The reason why nobles could subtly cling to Trisha was that she had left Zion’s side and was wandering around the party hall alone.

Moreover, since Zion didn’t seem to be looking for her even when she was away, the nobles guessed that something was going on between the two and immediately tried to exploit this gap.

‘A skilled person with a different kind of power than knights or mages.

But Zion Clauzen has so many outstanding people by his side that he can’t treat everyone equally.

And there must be those who think that they have done their part and should now get out of Clauzen’s shadow!’

The mid-tier nobles worked hard on Trisha with such thoughts.

Simply put, they could form a connection with someone who defended the royal castle, and more broadly, they could get closer to Zion Clauzen or to the royal family through her, who seemed quite close to the Queen thanks to defending the royal castle, so Trisha was quite an appetizing prey.

While some nobles courted Trisha, others approached Zion.

Then, they acted as if they were comforting Zion, saying that Queen Vanessa’s actions seemed too disappointing, and showed that they would 맞춰주겠다 [cater to] his mood.

“Don’t worry too much, Lord Zion Clauzen.

If Her Majesty praises Lord Zion Clauzen too much, it might not look good to other nobles, so she must have considered that.”

Not everyone approached with only their own interests in mind.

Some nobles sincerely said so, hoping that the relationship between Vanessa and Zion would not become estranged like the previous monarch and subject.

However, among all those who gathered around Zion, there were more people with ulterior motives than those with genuine intentions.

“I was disappointed just watching.

Even so, to say such things to the Lord who returned victorious, it seems that Her Majesty is still young and has not seen far enough.”

“Only Lord Zion has become regrettable.

When he won the previous battle against Nudia, she showed a very welcoming appearance.”

“It seems that Her Majesty envisions a situation where Hispania controls the order of the continent by completely silencing Nudia rather than cooperating with them.”

After the incident of trying to put Erader back on the throne, the nobles were even more cautious.

Even now, they did not openly say negative things about the royal family, but only spoke in a tone that Zion was pitiful, subtly trying to gauge his 속 [inner thoughts].

“No matter what noble or subject, they must not disturb the heart of their master, the monarch.

What can I do?

If that person is disappointed, I can only offer my apologies.”

Zion answered that way, but inwardly revealed a hint of 서운함 [resentment].

Watching that 모습 [appearance], the nobles smiled inwardly.

As the power of the royal family grew, even the three Marquis families were crouching down, and the situation was so bad that even if Queen Vanessa issued a policy to 압박 [suppress] the nobles, they could not 함부로 [rashly] open their mouths.

At such a time, if Zion Clauzen, who was called a hero but was treated 서운하게 [resentfully] by the Queen, prioritized his family as other nobles did, a 거두 [leader] of the noble faction might appear.

In any case, Zion Clauzen was also a noble, so they thought that he would not want a picture where the power of the royal family became too great and 압박 [oppress] the nobles.

Being 밀려나다 [pushed out] from the arena of power is not just a matter of falling off that ring.

If you become weak, you will be 무시 [ignored], and if you are 무시 [ignored], you will naturally be seen only as appetizing prey.

There are countless cases where those who were loyal to the country cannot 헤어 나오지 못하다 [escape] from the importance of power once they realize it, so it was by no means a welcome thing for Zion Clauzen, who was originally from a great noble family, to be 견제 [checked] like this despite having made great achievements.

“Your Highness, I’m still worried.”

“That’s right.

The fact that Lord Zion Clauzen specifically gave such tremendous advantages to Nudia, and that the territory Nudia received was in a place where Clauzen’s influence reaches the most.

All of that is acting as a reason to 계속만 [constantly] make the nobles worry.”

As much as the nobles were by Zion’s side, those who chose the royal family and wanted to rely on it naturally flocked to Vanessa and added a word of concern.

For them, the west and south of Nudia were close to Clauzen, and the fact that they could develop near the border and exercise the most influence was a good target for attack.

They wanted the royal family and Clauzen to 견제 [check] each other and not pay attention to other places, and in the meantime, the nobles would solidify their position without 흔들림 [shaking].

This was the picture they wanted the most right now.

“···I’m also a little worried about giving all of the Holy Prussen territory to Nudia.”

A monarch would not 막 던질 [carelessly throw out] such words unless they were crazy.

Nevertheless, the fact that Vanessa 굳이 [insistently] says those words could be seen as her realizing that Clauzen’s power has become too strong and intending to reduce their power even a little from now on.

The nobles who noticed Vanessa’s 마음 [intentions] carefully 돌려서 [indirectly] said stories about Clauzen, showing the 모습 [appearance] of 충신 [loyal subjects] whose only concern was for the royal family, so as not to give the 느낌 [impression] of openly 의심 [doubting] Clauzen or 조장 분란 [stirring up discord].

Eventually, Queen Vanessa said that she would discuss that part again at the 대회의 [grand assembly] that would be held in a few days, so they nodded and thought that things were going roughly well.

And on the day the 축하 파티 [celebration party] that had lasted for several days ended.

Queen Vanessa finally summoned all the nobles who had gathered in the royal castle to the 대회의실 [grand assembly hall] and had them all 착석 [seated].

“Zion Clauzen.”

And the person who was 지목 [designated] by the Queen in that place was 역시나 [as expected] Zion Clauzen.

Zion, who rose from his seat at the Queen’s 부름 [call], waited quietly for her words to fall.

“The territory that Hispania will receive from Nudia is most of the west and all of the south.

It’s not as much as the land of the former Holy Prussen, but it’s quite 넓고 [wide], and above all, one side is quite 비옥한 토지 [fertile land], and the other side is 끼고 있는 [embracing] a well-organized 항구 도시 [port city].”

“Your Majesty’s words are 옳습니다 [correct].”

“If I were to ask who has made the greatest contribution to Hispania right now, 열에 열 모두가 [everyone] would pick you.

So I’m asking you first.

Zion Clauzen.

Does the Clauzen March not want the land that will be newly established right in front of them?

I heard that Clauzen is already exercising its influence around the border, and isn’t that what you wanted and 실행한 바가 [put into action], this 소리다 [what I’m saying]?”

“It’s just that Clauzen was the closest and had the most 여유 [capacity], so we did it.”

“Then can I 받아들여도 [accept] that Clauzen doesn’t want even an 뼘 [inch] of that land, 이런 말로 [with these words]?”

“I am only 기다릴 뿐 [waiting] for Your Majesty’s 뜻 [will].”

At Zion’s words, the mid-tier nobles who had 찾아갔다 [visited] Vanessa smiled, and those who had 찾아갔다 [visited] Zion could not 감추지 못하다 [hide] their 아쉽다 [disappointed] expression.

Even though she had 해주었음 [made it so] so that they could 이해할 수 [understand], did he 결국 [eventually] choose 충성 [loyalty] to Hispania rather than his 가문 [family]?

Even though he was 말했음 [told] that what comes back is the royal family’s most 강력한 견제 [powerful check].

“That land is the land that those who 잃은 목숨 [lost their lives] in the war 지켜낸 [protected] with 피땀 [blood and sweat] and 선물한 [gifted] to Hispania.

So I have 추호도 no intention of 내어줄 [giving out] that land 허투루 [carelessly].

I’ll ask again, Zion Clauzen.

Do you really have 하고자 하는 말 [something to say] to me?”

“···I hope that you will 해주시기 [grant] 걸맞은 포상 [fitting reward], since I have 세웠으니 공 [established merit].”

The answer that the mid-tier nobles who had 찾아갔다 [visited] him wanted finally came from Zion’s 입 [mouth].

A 충신 [loyal subject] for the country and the royal family is good, but shouldn’t you 챙기는 [take care of] the 가문 [family] that you were born and raised in and that has been a 든든한 뒷배 [reliable backing] for you first?

If such words come from the 입 [mouth] of Zion Clauzen, a war 영웅 [hero], it means that a 약간이나마 대립각 [slight angle of confrontation] is being 세워지는 [established] again between the royal family and the nobles, so it was a 호재 [good thing] for them that they could 막을 수 [prevent] the royal family’s 독주 [one-man rule].

On the other hand, did the nobles by Vanessa’s side 인상을 찡그렸나 [frown]?

That’s not it either.

If Zion Clauzen, who is said to be Queen Vanessa’s most 강력한 우군 [powerful ally], 세운다 [establishes] a 대립각 [confrontation] even a 약간 [little], then the 확률 [probability] that they will 채갈 [snatch] the title of the royal family’s 믿을 수 있는 우군 [reliable ally] is 높아지기 마련 [bound to increase].

Whether Zion 답을 저런 [answers like that], or not, it was not a 손해 보는 장사 [losing business] from their 입장 [perspective].

“걸맞은 포상이라 [fitting reward],”

Meanwhile, Vanessa 중얼거렸다 그리 [muttered so] at Zion’s words, 지은 채 [wearing] a 표정을 도저히 속내를 알 수 없는 [expression that cannot be read at all].

Even the nobles who were 모인 [gathered] in the 자리 [place] could not 쉽사리 예측을 할 수 없을 정도 [easily predict] whether that 모습 [appearance] was because she did not 마음에 들지 [like] Zion’s 대답 [answer], or for other 이유 [reasons].

In the 찰나 [moment] that some were 안도를 [relieved] at the 모습 [appearance] of 휘어잡는 [controlling] the nobles just like the 선왕 [late king], Edgar IV, and some were 걱정을 [worried], Vanessa 잇는다 말을 [continues speaking].

“So I’m telling you to 말해보라는 [tell me].

What you 원하는 [want], the 포상 [reward] you want to 받다 [receive].

It’s not that I don’t know the 공 [merit] you 세운 [established], and it’s not that Hispania doesn’t know it either.

So 말하라 [tell me].

What do you 원하는 [want]?

Do you 바라나 [hope] 영지를 넓혀주기를 [to expand the territory]?

Or do you 원하는 [want] 올려주기를 [to raise] the 작위를 [title] 클라우젠 가문의 [of the Clauzen family] that you will 곧 받다 [soon receive].

You have to 말을 [speak] to 알 수 [know], and you can at least 고민이라도 [at least consider].

Lord Zion Clauzen.”

The Queen’s 재촉 [urging], a 선언 [declaration] by the 군주 [monarch] that she will 주겠다는 [give] the 상 [reward] that the 일등 공신 [top contributor] 원하는 [wants].

No one could 알 수 [know] if that would 정말 [really] end with just 내려주는 [giving down] the 상 [reward], or if it would be a 시발점 [starting point] that 이어지는 [continues] to another 길 [path], except for Queen Vanessa, so everyone was 유지하고 침묵을 [maintaining silence].

“여왕이시여 [Your Majesty].”

At that 때 바로 [very moment], Zion, who had been 침묵하고 [silent], 천천히 입을 열었다 [slowly opened his mouth].

“There is 하나 원하는 것이 [one thing I want].”

“그러한가 [Is that so]?

Then 말하라 [speak] in front of 내 [me], your 주인 [master], in front of 이 [this], the 군주 [monarch] of Hispania.

You have 충분히 자격 [enough qualification] to 그럴 [do so], so 말해보란 당당히 마음 놓고 말이다 [speak confidently and without hesitation].

Do you 원하는 [want] 땅을 [land]?

Do you 원하나 [want] 작위를 [title]?

Or 재물 [wealth] that도 아니면 [or]?

명예 [Honor]?

What is it, Zion Clauzen.”

The 관객들이 [audience] 전부 모였다 [all gathered].

The 조연들이 [supporting actors] 준비도 끝났다 [finished preparing] to 빠져들 [fall] in this 연극 [play] by 하여 [by] the 연기를 신호탄 [signal flare of acting] of the 주연들 [main actors].

Now all that’s 남은 [left] is to 낼 [bring out] the 끝 [end] of all the 길고 길었던 연극 [long and long play], this.

“I have 세웠습니다 공 [established merit] that no one can 비교할 수 with [compare with], even if you 뒤져보아도 [search through] the entire 대륙 역사 [continental history], 아니 [no], 히스파냐 역사상 [Hispanian history].

I have become a 영웅 [hero] such that 결코 뒤지지 않는 [never falling behind], even if you 비교해도 with any 영웅 그 어떤 [hero whatsoever].”

Those who were 은근히 견제하던 [subtly checking] Zion 슬쩍 눈살을 찌푸린다 [slightly frown].

The 모습 [appearance] was 상당히 아니꼬웠던 모양 [quite displeasing] because he was saying 저런 말을 [such words] in front of the 여왕 [queen], not 다른 이도 [anyone else].

But at the 말에 이어진 다음 [next words that followed], everyone, including them, 나가고 넋이 말았다 [lost their minds and were speechless].

“It’s just 안타깝고 또 안타까울 뿐 [just regrettable and regrettable] that this Hispania that I’m 몸담고 있는 [involved in] is a 왕국 [kingdom], and that the 분 [person] who I, such a 영웅 [hero], 떠받드는 [venerate] as 주인 [master] is 머물고 in the 호칭 [title] of 왕 [king/queen].

So 여왕이시여 [Your Majesty].

I 간청 드립니다 [implore] to 나아가주시길 [move forward] to a 더 높은 곳으로 [higher place], a 더 위대한 곳으로 [greater place].

Since 세상 그 어떤 이도 못 할 것이니 반대하지 [no one in the world can oppose it], I hope you will 가시길 [go] to the 더 찬란한 자리 위의 저 [that more brilliant seat above], not the 지금의 왕좌 [current throne].

This will be the 포상 [reward] that I 부탁드리고자 [ask] to 전하 [Your Highness], the 유일한 것이 [only thing] I 원하는 [want] to 폐하 [Your Majesty]!

오르소서 자리에 황제의 [Ascend to the seat of Emperor]!

히스파냐의 주인이시여 [Master of Hispania]!”

Zion’s 말 [words], the 내용 담긴 속에 그 [content contained within], 폐하 [Your Majesty], 황제 [Emperor].

At that, all of the 귀족들 내로라 하는 [renowned nobles] who were 모여 있던 [gathered] in the 자리에 [place] 껌뻑였다 눈만 두 [only blinked their eyes].

It’s a 단어 [word] that even Hispania, Nudia, and the Holy Prussen, which 품고 있던 [harbored] the 천족 [celestials], could not 언급하지 [mention] 여태껏 [until now].

No one had 함부로 말하지 [rashly spoken] because they could become 공공의 적 [public enemy] due to this 선포 [declaration] 자칫 [easily], and 적들이 사방에서 몰려들 수도 [enemies could flock from all directions] because they would 무너트리겠다 오만함을 [destroy arrogance].

Even when Hispania was at its 전성기 [peak], they could not 꿈도 꾸지 [dream] the 자리를 황제의 [seat of Emperor], and the 사정이 같았다 [situation was the same] 구 신성 프러센도 마찬가지였으며 [for the old Holy Prussen as well] that was the same for Nudia도 [also for Nudia].

As much as the 타이틀 [title] of 제국이라는 지니는 [possessing the empire], the 호칭 가지는 황제라는 [title of having emperor] is completely 궤를 달리하는 with the 전과는 [different from before].

“선포하소서 제국임을 [Declare the empire]!

폐하 황제 [Your Majesty Emperor]!”

The 순간 [moment] 말이 나오는 [words coming out] 제국을 선포하라는 [to declare the empire] 다시금 입에서 Zion’s [again from Zion’s mouth], 루드비히가 바로 무릎을 꿇으며 [Ludwig immediately knelt] 향해 바네사를 [towards Vanessa] 칭했다 황제라 [called Emperor] 옆에 서있던 가장 먼저 [first one standing next to her].

Following behind him, the 지휘관들 [commanders] and 귀족들이 [nobles] who had 고생을 with Zion and 루드비히 in the 전장에서 [suffered with Zion and Ludwig on the battlefield] 역시나 [as expected], 취하고 예를 극상의 [took the utmost courtesy], and 외친다 달라 [shouted differently] 선포해 이름을 제국의 [declare the name of the empire], 오르라고 자리에 황제의 [ascend to the seat of Emperor].

‘바네사 속이 아주 끓어오르겠군 [Vanessa’s insides must be boiling], 있었으니 자들이 챙기려던 잇속을 해서 가르기를 편 어떻게든 [there were those who were trying to take care of their own interests and somehow divide sides] 모르고 그것도 마당에 끝낸 이야기 다 해서 샤바샤바 이미 둘이 [not knowing that the two of them had already finished the story and were already working together].’

보내며 박수를 바네사에게 [sending applause to Vanessa] 보이던 소질을 연기레 꽤나 자신만큼이나 to [showing quite a talent for acting as much as himself].

미소를 떠올리며 [recalling a smile] 살생부’ 일명 [death note, also known as], 장부 [ledger], 보내준 라이도가 끝낸 조사를 어제 바로 Zion은 지었다 [Raido sent the completed investigation yesterday, and Zion smiled].

아니다 결코 빼앗는 건 목숨을 실제로 [It’s not actually taking lives].

없으니 다름과 죽음 그들에게 있어 빼앗기는 건 그것을 역으로 자들이 발버둥치는 위해서 쥐기 더라도 권력 톨 한 [There is no difference from death, for them, what is taken away is power, even if they struggle to hold it].

하지만, 말일 것이다 부르는 살생부라 [However, it will be called the death note].

‘봅시다 털어 신나게 [Let’s shake it off with excitement].’

일 [Work]? 재미있는 가장 세상에서 [The most interesting in the world]

때다 탈탈 털 때 거꾸로 자를 못 깨끗하지 역시나 자신을 못 깨끗하지 들고 [It’s time to shake it off, those who can’t be clean can’t hold themselves clean].

있으니까 꿰고 정확히 생각을 어떤 하는지 [Because I know exactly what they are thinking], 숨겨두었는지 무엇을 어디다가 [what they have hidden and where].

말이다 써먹을 수 어디든 는’ 역시사지’ 진리의 [Words that can be used anywhere are the truth]!

―――――――작품 후기―――――――

킹지사지.