The Regressor Only Protects Me [EN]: Chapter 74

#74. Human Hunter (2)

Sion had overlooked an important fact.

He had assumed that ‘politics’ no longer existed in this world, and that there would be no trade, let alone a normal balance of power between factions.

But the reality was different.

The system had planned for all political phenomena, such as alliances, wars, and treaties, to occur within this league [a structured competition or system].

The gods were enjoying watching how each faction maintained its balance and how they annihilated enemy forces, observing the political landscape between them.

Just forbidding the contamination of the ‘river’ water source was enough to understand their intentions.

This is a story from five months ago.

Sion’s forces had undergone countless developments and grown to the point where they could no longer find rivals within Manan.

This was possible thanks to Kang Sion’s existence, the boiler [likely referring to Sion’s strategic role or a specific technology he controls], and his capable assistants.

And the lord of the smallest force in Manan, the Third Force, came to Sion and bowed his head.

He volunteered to become a vassal [a subordinate or dependent] himself.

The Manan Third Force was a force that occupied a small area extending towards the Gunpo area.

Thus, that place became a colony of Mangyeong.

“We greet the Lord.”

The core personnel of the Manan Third Force came out to greet him and bowed their heads.

They were bowing and trembling before Sion.

“Have you been well?”

“Yes… Lord.”

Sion took the hands of the man who bowed to him.

However, the lord of the Third Force could not lift his head.

Because two giant ogres were pulling a catapult seized from the Manan Second Force and looking down at them.

-Kueeeeeh…

-Krrrrrrrr…

Thud, thud.

Saliva dripped from between the ogres’ huge, grotesque lips.

Bringing the ogres was Sion’s intention to show off his power and make the difference in strength between the two forces clear.

Of course, it was also for ‘operation’.

And as Sion intended, they were feeling deeply afraid.

Of Kang Sion, the lord of the Manan First Force, who possessed overwhelming power.

“…The meal is ready. Let’s go.”

The man bowed and led Sion.

Sion looked around the interior of the Third Force and followed him.

Compared to the forces directly ruled by Sion, their living environment was extremely poor.

* * *

“We have prepared to the best of our ability. Please enjoy.”

A man with one broken eyeglass lens politely poured wine into Sion’s glass.

Then, he poured it for Jaehee next to him.

Despite having extremely poor national power, the Manan Third Force’s meal for Sion was truly luxurious.

Grilled chicken, wine, stir-fried dishes, canned seafood, etc.

They had prepared only the best of the items harvested over the past month in preparation for Sion’s arrival.

The reason was simple.

They had no power.

Sion was the only lord who could protect them, so they had to win his favor.

“…Does the food suit your taste?”

“Yes.”

“That’s a relief. Please tell me if you need anything.”

The man bowed politely and stepped back.

Sion didn’t care and picked up the dishes with a fork and ate.

He had never been treated this well even within his own forces.

The food Sion ate was no different from that of ordinary workers.

Sion picked up a piece of mackerel from the canned mackerel and bit into it.

Seafood was an expensive ingredient both before and after the apocalypse.

Even canned fish was expensive to him before the apocalypse.

Sion slowly chewed the mackerel in his mouth.

It was savory.

There wasn’t much to enjoy in his life, but if he had to pick one thing, it would be eating.

He always carefully considered when choosing a type of ramen.

And Sion’s favorite food in the world was Jajangmyeon [Korean-Chinese noodle dish with black bean sauce].

Five-thousand-won Jajangmyeon and pickled radish.

Sion loved it so much.

Because he had a strong memory of eating Jajangmyeon with his parents when he was young.

It had become a food he couldn’t eat since the world ended.

“By the way, Lord of the Third Force. This time’s tribute is a bit short.”

While Sion was eating, Sion’s Chief of Order quickly finished his meal and spoke to the Lord of the Third Force.

At the Chief of Order’s words, the Lord of the Third Force put down his spoon and carefully opened his mouth.

“…I’m sorry. The ongoing war between Dongan and Uiwang has been prolonged, so our force has also suffered quite a bit. But Chief. When will the promised agreement be implemented? If that happens, our force will also…”

“The implementation of the agreement is a story for when we can trust each other. Stabilizing the force is also the part that our Lord emphasizes the most. If we rashly integrate the Third Force now, there will be problems with defense.”

The Chief drank a sip of water from the glass.

As he said, the distance between the Third Force and Mangyeong was quite far.

The reason why Mangyeong was able to integrate the Second Force without burden was because the Second Force’s area was adjacent to the area ruled by Mangyeong.

However, if Sion’s force were to recklessly expand to the Third Force now, problems could arise.

Because the supply route becomes excessively long.

The Chief was concerned about this and had consistently refused to rashly integrate the Third Force.

But Sion did not integrate the Third Force for another reason.

It was worthless.

“Lord.”

A low but dignified voice echoed through the room.

Sion finished his meal and spoke to the Lord of the Third Force.

“Yes, yes…! Please speak.”

The Lord of the Third Force bowed again and expressed his loyalty to him.

The reason Sion came here was simple.

It was because he calculated that he could use the Third Force to catch the human hunters.

The Third Force is a worthless area.

It is not adjacent to the river, does not have a defensive fortress, and does not have a large population.

But if they are nurtured and developed, then the Third Force can be integrated.

Moreover, their existence could be used politically.

Just like now.

“What is the total number of troops in the force?”

“…If we’re talking about people who can fight, it’s roughly… fifty-six people.”

56 people.

Compared to Sion’s force, which has more than 2,000 regular troops, it was an absurdly small number.

But that didn’t matter.

Because Sion will start remodeling the Third Force from now on.

Sion asked again.

“Currently, the Third Force and our Man-gyeong [Sion’s faction] have no formal relationship, correct?”

“…Yes, that’s correct.”

The Third Force’s lord’s voice was barely audible when addressing Sion, shrinking under his overwhelming power.

Sion immediately got to the point, as he had much to discuss.

“From now on, I will dissolve the tribute relationship between our forces.”

“Yes, yes…?!!”

*Thump-*

The lord of the Third Force was so surprised that he shot up from his seat. This meant Man-gyeong was completely cutting ties with them.

It wasn’t just the lord who was shocked; Sion’s lieutenants were also taken aback. This decision hadn’t been discussed beforehand.

“Lord…! What does this mean?”

“Lord, if you cut off relations with the Third Force, what about our plan to monitor Dong-an through them?”

But the lord of the Third Force was the most desperate.

*Rumble-!*

He rushed towards Sion. Jaehee, startled, tried to rise, but the lord’s actions weren’t threatening.

*Thud-!*

He knelt before Sion, pleading, almost sobbing.

“Lord…! Lord…! Please reconsider…! Those Dong-an bastards…! They loot and murder whenever they get the chance! If it weren’t for your Lordship’s protection, our people would have been dead long ago…! Please… just one more time…!”

He firmly grabbed Sion’s shoes.

“Please save us… please save us!!! Kill me instead, but save our residents… We will meet the tribute requirements, no matter what! Please… Please…!”

The lord pleaded, but Sion didn’t look at him. The relationship between Man-gyeong and the Third Force was simple: protector and protected. In return for protection, the Third Force provided weekly tributes, which prevented Dong-an from harassing them.

“Fuhuhuhu…! Noooo…!”

That’s why the lord of the Third Force screamed. If Sion cut ties now, Dong-an’s warriors would ravage them.

Sion sighed deeply, and the lord looked up at him, tears in his eyes.

“…Don’t you know the saying, ‘Listen to the end’?”

“Yes…?”

“Go and sit down. We have a lot to talk about today.”

“Ah…”

Sion pointed to the empty seat opposite him. Only then did the lord slowly rise.

* * *

The Third Force is also an important strategic point for me. Even if the land itself is worthless, their presence is a nuisance to Dong-an.

I have no intention of abandoning the Third Force. Rather, I will use them to devour Dong-an.

“Come in.”

I called out.

*Clunk-!*

Choi Myung-joon entered. His aura was overwhelming. Even after the world ended, he hadn’t stopped exercising, making his body a threatening weapon.

And I will make good use of Choi Myung-joon’s strength in this operation.

I spoke to the lord of the Third Force, who still had bloodshot eyes.

“This is the dispatched commander. As you can see, you can trust his combat power. In addition, I’m sending 100 of our best elite troops. Choi Myung-joon and the elite squad will stay here in the Third Force. They will be affiliated with the Third Force.”

Everyone looked at me in surprise.

“L, Lord…! Dispatching Choi Myung-joon to another force… it will significantly weaken our national defense.”

“That’s right! A deputy commander would be one thing, but Choi Myung-joon is out of the question!”

“Y, yes…!”

The lieutenants and aides protested immediately. I ignored them.

“I told you to listen to the end, didn’t I?”

“…Ah.”

“…”

At my words, they fell silent. I understood their reaction; Choi Myung-joon was a valuable asset. Moreover, 100 troops was a significant contribution to the Third Force.

But this is just an operation. I wasn’t actually handing Choi Myung-joon over to them permanently.

“In addition, we will provide food, boilers, and two catapults.”

The lord’s face lit up. I looked around; everyone was focused on my words.

“However, it’s not free. Everything I do is for the prosperity of my force. If the Third Force can be saved along the way, there’s no reason not to help. Lord, what do you think? Would you like to hear my plan?”

“Of course! Of course…! Thank you…!”

I plan operations for the benefit of my force. If the Third Force benefits as well, the lord has no reason to refuse.

I will thoroughly exploit them. But first, a major premise is needed.

“Good. Lord, then.”

I summoned the lord’s status window and opened the political page between the Third Forces. The status window between lords lists all systems related to politics.

And I ‘declared war’ on him.

[War has been declared between the First Force and the Third Force of Man-an!]

Due to my unilateral decision, war was declared between Man-gyeong and the Third Force.

Everyone looked at me in disbelief.

“…?!”

“…Lord.”

“B, Brother?!?!???!”

(To be continued in the next episode)