Reader’S Regeneration Life [EN]: Chapter 432

432―――――

Again, it’s Zion Klausen.

‘Zion Klausen.

What are you planning to do now?’

‘I’m not sure what you mean.’

‘Don’t play dumb.

Because all sorts of things have been happening non-stop, the most important distribution of rewards has been postponed.

It’s only natural, but among those who have made great and small contributions, you are by far the best.

The achievements you have made are so great that even a triumphal ceremony like the one during the late king’s reign would not satisfy me.’

‘You flatter me.’

‘Enough with the modesty.

Zion Klausen.

Any more modesty would be disrespectful to me, so please tell me what you truly desire.’

Even before Zion and Vanessa met, they had already coordinated everything.

From the beginning, they suppressed the momentum and prevented any words from escaping.

On the way to the Empire, they didn’t even consider subtly interfering with the transformation of the royal family into an imperial family. They deliberately offered bait that would shake up the mid-tier nobles, and when they excitedly muddied the waters, they raised the net, leaving them stranded like fish out of water.

To do that, they had to let their guard down, and to make them think that way, Vanessa and Zion had to show some conflict, even if only a little.

There is already a very tempting bait for that.

The abandonment of the former Holy Prussian territory, which is incomprehensible in terms of land area alone.

Although Hispania receives land from Nudia, it is small compared to the territory of Holy Prussia, and above all, that land is adjacent to Klausen, so the nobles were very likely to mistakenly believe that Zion cared more about Klausen than Hispania.

Therefore, it was natural for Vanessa to show such a 모습 [appearance] to Zion, and as was usually the case after a major war, a conflict would flow between those who had made achievements and those who had watched from behind, so they should carefully observe the situation and judge which side would be more beneficial.

The majority of mid-tier nobles kept testing the waters with that thought in mind.

‘If we do as you say, even if the great nobles don’t waver, the others will be shaken enough.

Even without that, if the current royal family’s power is strong and they try to rise to the level of an empire, they will surely think that the nobles’ power will be weakened, and among those nobles, the mid-tier nobles themselves will be the first to lose power.’

‘But we must avoid cutting them all off.

Once we start shedding blood, we will have to shed even more blood afterward.

If we show less than before, it will rather cause resentment, so we have no choice but to do so to instill fear.’

That is the limit of fear politics.

What initially started with a drop of blood turns into two drops, three drops, and at some point, a bowl full, and in the end, even dyeing the river red with blood is not enough.

What if we reduce the shedding of blood?

If we do that, we will be immediately driven out by those who don’t know when their own blood will flow.

‘Zion Klausen, how much do you think we should 정리 [settle/deal with]?’

The Queen of Hispania had never even dreamed of fear politics.

In response to Vanessa’s question, Zion paused for a moment before opening his mouth.

‘It would be good if there were many symbolic parts.

Also, it would be even better if we handled it with 명분 [justification/pretense].’

‘Seeing you answer so quickly, it seems you’ve prepared something again.

What could that be?’

‘Your Majesty.

Are you aware that the 독점 [monopoly] problem with magic materials is getting worse?’

‘Hmm, I did receive a report or two about that, but I thought it would be resolved soon, so I put it on hold for a while.

But if it’s coming from your mouth now, it must be more serious than I expected.

Is it really that bad?’

‘The current situation is not good, but the bigger problem is that the issue will become increasingly serious.

The war is over, and we are about to enter an era of prosperous development, but such 독점 [monopoly] could provide one of the reasons hindering Hispania’s growth in the future.’

Then Vanessa coldly muttered, ‘That’s not a pleasant content,’ and wore an expression that made even those who were just watching feel a chill down their spines.

Some were risking their lives on the battlefield, shedding blood and sweat, while others were taking care of their own interests, and she was openly expressing her animosity, saying that it would harm Hispania later.

‘The road to the Empire is much more difficult than we think.

The monarch’s authority becomes much stronger, and even if the nobles are great noble families, they have to face the imperial family that they cannot 함부로 [rashly/carelessly], so they will inevitably 반발 [rebel/resist] and try to secure their rights in any way possible.’

‘Rights are something that only you, the Redenen margrave family, and the nobles who participated in the war can enjoy.

Those who only want rights without 의무 [duty/obligation] are not needed in this country.’

‘I feel the same way.

In the early days of Hispania, all the nobles fought for the country with 의무 [duty/obligation], but now that atmosphere has changed a lot.

If we can’t go back to that time, we will have to 압박 [pressure/coerce] them.

If they don’t 충성 [loyalty], they won’t even be able to protect those rights.’

Afterward, Zion revealed that he was targeting the Ketlitz baronet family.

At that, Vanessa tilted her head and 반문 [asked back], ‘The Ketlitz baronet family?’

If even she, the monarch of Hispania, couldn’t immediately recall them, they were far from being a great noble family, and they couldn’t even be considered a somewhat powerful noble family.

The only reason Vanessa could recall the Ketlitz baronet family was because the Taiga count family, one of the great noble families, had some 친분 [friendship/acquaintance] with that baronet family.

‘The Ketlitz baronet family is 독점 [monopolizing] some of the magic materials.’

‘···So that’s what happened.

Neither I nor the late king knew.’

‘It was happening very 은밀하게 [secretly/covertly], and above all, the work was interrupted once in the middle, and it was only recently that it was resumed with the resumption of 교류 [exchange/interaction] with the northern tribes, so it hasn’t been that long.

Anyway, it seems to be the main route, but no matter how I think about it, there are many strange parts.’

‘Yes, it’s strange.

It’s not just strange.

The baronet family doesn’t have the 자금력 [financial power] to 독점 [monopolize] even some of the expensive magic materials.’

‘They must be 거래 [trading] with other places and receiving funds.’

Vanessa accurately understood what Zion was trying to say.

She waved her hand as if she didn’t need to hear any more.

‘You were the one who said not to make things bigger, so there’s no need to hear any more.

Whether the Taiga count family is involved in that or not, eventually going there will naturally lead to the Gutchen margrave family.’

Zion had no evidence that the Gutchen margrave family was involved, and neither did Rido.

But in this political arena, such evidence is not needed.

Even a simple 심증 [suspicion], a single 추측 [guess/conjecture], can lead to 실각 [loss of power] and being pushed off the ring.

That is the reality of the power 판 [game/situation] that Zion is standing on right now.

‘The Redenen margrave family will 함께 [together] with me.

The Honneur margrave family was 중립 [neutral] between the Redenen margrave family, which formed the core of the royal family, and the Gutchen margrave family, which supported the noble faction, but if Hispania transforms into an empire, they will realize that the 중립 [neutrality] no longer has meaning.

I have decided to 설득 [persuade] them about that part.’

‘The Gutchen margrave family won’t want the nobles’ power to be 축소 [reduced], but they won’t 괜스레 두각을 드러내지 [unnecessarily stand out], 신경 쓰느라 [worrying about] the Ketlitz baronet family, the Taiga count family, and even themselves connected to them.’

Although the Gutchen margrave family is more focused on the noble faction than the royal family, it is 절대 사실이 아니다 [absolutely not true] that they are completely at odds with the royal family.

Rather, they were playing a role in 조율 [coordinating] and 균형 [balancing] between the nobles and the royal family, but if the Gutchen margrave family closes their mouth and bows their head, that 균형 [balance] will be completely 무너지고 [collapse], and now the path to establishing absolute 황권 [imperial power] will be opened.

‘Not bad, not bad.

If the late king were alive, he would have been very happy.’

Vanessa, who had muttered that, suddenly began to stare at Zion.

Wondering if she had something to say, Zion waited, and she tilted her head slightly and 투덜거렸다 [grumbled] as if complaining.

‘That’s the only problem.

Don’t even think about 회피 [evading] answering any more.

You’ve said a lot of things so far, but in the end, you still haven’t answered my question.

My question about what you want.’

‘Wouldn’t it be a bit much to say that directly from my mouth?’

‘What are you talking about?’

‘It is the 필수 소양 [essential quality] of a 군주 [monarch] to 살피는 [look after/care for] the hearts of 신하 [subjects/retainers].

And since you are the one who will ascend to the position of 황제 [emperor], who is at the very top of that 군주 [monarch], I think it is right to find out what the 신하 [subject/retainer] you want to 잡고자 [hold/capture] is thinking and what they want.’

Zion, who had been a 열렬한 지지자 [ardent supporter] of Vanessa until now, suddenly 물러나는 [backed down] at this moment.

Vanessa couldn’t hide her 황당하다는 기색 [dumbfounded expression] thanks to that, but Zion only smiled.

Demanding to be given what you want and saying that you will be given what you want are completely different.

From the simple feeling of giving to who is more 우위에 [superior], you can know.

There, Zion 절대 [absolutely] had no intention of 점할 [occupying] the top 대놓고 [openly/blatantly].

Rather than being the 최고 권력자 [highest authority] who might fall at any moment, he wanted to receive unwavering 신임 [trust] in a 딱 적당한 [just right] position and gain unwavering 신망 [reputation/esteem] from those below him.

That was the position Zion wanted most, the future 모습 [appearance/figure] of Klausen.

‘I plan to 터트릴 [reveal/unleash] this at a gathering where all the nobles will 전부 [all] in a few days.

I will be 기대하고 [expecting] what 포상 [reward] the Queen will 내려주실 [bestow] me until then.’

‘Are you 내어주는 [giving] me 숙제 [homework]?

To find out your heart, something like that?’

‘I gave the Queen the 선물 [gift] that she wanted most.

I think she can 충분히 [sufficiently] do that much.’

At Zion’s words, Vanessa laughed as if she was 어이가 없다는 [speechless/dumbfounded].

Even so, she was 결국 [eventually] nodding, showing that she would 아주 제대로 [very properly] finish the 숙제 [homework] that Zion had 내어준 [given].

“Zion Klausen.”

And a few days later, at the 현장 [scene] where Zion 짜고 [orchestrated] the 판 [situation/game] and Vanessa showed 아주 출중한 연기 실력 [very excellent acting skills], and the mid-tier nobles were 휘말렸다가 [getting caught up] there and 맞은 [hit by] a 제대로 폭탄 [real bomb]. Right there, Vanessa 집어치운 [stopped/quit] the 연기 [acting] she had been doing for days and called Zion’s name.

“Come closer.”

At the words of the Queen, no, the woman who would now become the Emperor, Zion carefully 옮겼다 [moved] his 발걸음 [footsteps].

And when he 다다랐다 [arrived] in front of her, Zion 재빠르게 털썩 [quickly plopped down] before the 시종장 [chamberlain] next to Vanessa could even 주문 [order]!

And 무릎을 꿇었다 [knelt down].

“Ah···!”

Some of the nobles who were 바라보던 [looking at] the 모습 [scene] 내뱉는다 [let out] a 짧은 탄식 [short sigh].

The 가문 [family/house] that has more 강력한 힘 [powerful force] in the current situation than the 3 margrave families is the Klausen count family.

For those who thought that if they 설득 [persuade] Klausen well, they could 막으면서 [preventing] the 군주’s [monarch’s] 독주 [one-man rule] and 챙길 [take care of] the nobles’ 권위 [authority] to some extent, the 모습 [sight] of Zion 무릎을 꿇는 [kneeling] in front of Vanessa made them 확신 [convinced] that even that 희망 [hope] had 전부 [completely] become 헛된 [futile].

“The fact that you have 헌신한 [dedicated] for Hispania is known by 하늘, 땅, and 빛 [heaven, earth, and light], so I, as the one who 대변하는 [representing] everything in Hispania, will 내어주려 [give] you something that 걸맞은 [suitable] to that.”

“···.”

“I will 하사하겠다 [bestow] to you the western territory of Nudia, which is 맞닿은 [adjacent] with Klausen among the new land to be received from Nudia, the place that will now become the 동쪽 [east] of Hispania.

All 권리 [rights] there belongs to Klausen, and this is what I directly 보장하는 [guarantee], so if there is anyone who 가지는 의문 [has doubts] about that part, that will be 간주 [regarded] as a 뜻 [intention] to 도전 [challenge] me and will also be 적대시 [hostile].”

“Your, Your Majesty!”

They 예상 [expected] that Klausen’s 영지 [territory] would be 넓혀줄 [expanded].

They said that Klausen’s 영향력 [influence] was expanding greatly near the 국경 [border] right now.

But the 영토 [territory] that Nudia is 떼어주는 [giving away] is 대신하는 [replacing] the 영토 [territory] of the former Holy Prussia that they will 차지할 [occupy] 대신 [instead].

In other words, it was no 과언 [exaggeration] to say that Hispania’s 영토 [territory] was 전부 [all] of what they 얻은 [gained] in this war.

But to 내어준다 [give] 전부 [all] of the 서쪽 [west] to Klausen.

Klausen’s 영지 [territory] is not small right now, but if they receive 전부 [all] of that 영토 [territory], Klausen’s 영지 [territory] would be almost 3 times larger than it is now.

“Also.”

Despite the nobles’ 외침 [shouts], Vanessa continued to 이어나갔다 [continue] in a 평온한 목소리 [calm voice], only 내려다보며 [looking down at] Zion, who was 무릎 꿇고 [kneeling] in front of her.

“I will 편입시킬 [incorporate] some of the 남쪽 영토 [southern territory] to be received from Nudia into Klausen.

Klausen must 다 해야 할 [must do] the 의무 [duty] of 막아내는 [defending] the 서쪽 [west] of this Hispania from any 세력 [force], as it has been 여태까지 [until now].”

“As it has been 여태까지 [until now], Klausen will 영원히 남을 [forever remain] as Hispania’s 방패이자 창 [shield and spear].”

“There may be those who 품는 의문 [harbor doubts] about my decision right now.

If it is as I say now, Klausen will 가지게 되는 [have] an 엄청난 영지 [huge territory] that is almost 십분의 일 [one-tenth] of the entire 영토 [territory] of Hispania.

Putting aside everything else, they will 걱정 [worry] that it is too 큰 성장 [big growth] even if it is a 변경백령 [border count territory].”

Then some of the nobles look at Vanessa’s 눈치 [mood/expression] while nodding as if that is the case.

Since 전원 [everyone] who are 모인 [gathered] in the 자리에 [place] have already 인정 [recognized] Vanessa as the Emperor, no one can 거스를 [oppose] the 뜻 [will] of the 황실 [imperial family], and even if that 여인 [woman] 격노 [enraged] because they showed a 모습 [sight] of 반대하는 [opposing] her 말 [words], the nobles have no 힘 [power] right now.

“It will 확실히 [certainly] be 버거울 [burdensome] to 지탱 [sustain] all of that with the 작위 [title] of a count.”

Vanessa 슬쩍 내민다 [slightly extends] her 손 [hand] to the side.

Then the 시종장 [chamberlain], who was 머무르고 [staying] like a 그림자 [shadow] next to her, 올려주었다 [handed] the 여왕’s 홀 [queen’s scepter], which 증명하는 [proving] that she is the 군주 [monarch] of Hispania, onto her 손 [hand] with a 아주 공손한 기색 [very polite manner].

“I will be the last 왕 [king/queen] of the Hispania 왕국 [kingdom] and the first 황제 [emperor] of the Hispania 제국 [empire].

I will be the 자 [one] who 알리는 [announcing] the 위대함 [greatness] of Hispania in all places on this 대륙 [continent], and I will be the 이 [one] who 나아가는 [advancing] first towards the 빛 [light].

And Zion Klausen.”

척―.

The 홀 [scepter] that 상징하는 [symbolizing] the 권위 [authority] of the 군주 [monarch], made of 황금 [gold] and 순은 [pure silver] and 화려하게 치장된 [ornately decorated] with 보석 [jewels] that 어지간한 귀족들도 [even ordinary nobles] find 힘들다는 [difficult].

The 실질적인 무게 [actual weight] is not much, but the 자 [one] who 쥐는 [holds] it and the 자 [one] who 얻는 명성 [gains fame] with it all 느껴지는 [feeling] how 무거운 [heavy] the 무게 담긴 [weight contained] in that 권위 [authority] is 가볍게 와 닿는다 [lightly touches] on Zion’s 어깨 [shoulder].

“According to the 권리 [rights] that 그대는 응당 받아야 할 [you should receive] and the 의무 [duty] that 짊어져야 할 [you must bear], become the last 변경백 [border count] of the Klausen 변경백령 [border count territory] that 지키는 [protecting] this Hispania 왕국 [kingdom].

And···.”

The 여인 [woman], who should now be called 황제 [emperor], 옮기며 [moving] the 홀 [scepter] to the 반대편 어깨 [opposite shoulder] and 이었다 [continued] with a 은은한 미소 [subtle smile] on her 입가 [lips].

“From now on, become the first 공작 [duke] of the Klausen 공작령 [dukedom] that will 헌신할 [dedicate] for the Hispania 제국 [empire].”

―――――――작품 후기―――――――

I will 힘차게 가보겠습니다 [go powerfully] to the end···!