I Alone Regress in a Hero Party That Was Annihilated - Chapter 2

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#2. The Outsider (2)

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Featherback recalled his family.

House Mörsolt (Meursault ).

A renowned swordsmanship family that commanded the snowy mountain territory of the Northern Region.

The Northern Wall that protected the Empire from monsters pouring in from the harsh snow mountains and Ice Sea.

A family that was called the strongest among all the margrave houses of the Empire.

‘…Of course, all of that has become a story of the past now.’

Featherback thought as he walked through the corridor that leaked water in various places.

The current world is called an age of peace.

Now that the footsteps of monsters crossing the border have ceased, those who wielded swords have lost their place.

A world where military officials are looked down upon and civil officials are favored.

The margrave family Mörsolt, once famous as a renowned house of swordsmanship, also had no choice but to have its prestige broken.

No, it was broken so much that they were suffering from financial difficulties.

‘The family has continued to decline since the death of our ancestor, Sword Saint Camus Mörsolt. Meanwhile, I was absorbed in artistic pursuits.’

Of course, this decline wasn’t just a problem of the current generation.

About a hundred years ago, the family’s Elite Swordsmen went out for Monster Subjugation beyond the Northern Wall’s border.

When they all went missing in a terrible accident, the family’s Bloodline Factor Awakening Method and Advanced Sword Techniques were lost in an instant.

Since then, the Mörsolt Family had been rapidly losing its reputation as a renowned house of swordsmanship.

Naturally, there were more wolves and jackals circling around as well.

While Featherback was having these various thoughts.

“We have arrived.”

Yudi Administrator opened the door in front of them.

Inside the Conference Room.

Step— Step— Step—

Featherback raised his head with an expressionless face and entered the room.

At the head seat of the Conference Room where numerous people had gathered, a middle-aged man with sharp eyes turned his gaze toward Featherback.

“The youngest has arrived.”

Soleil, the Family Head of the Mörsolt Family.

His sharp eyes softened very slightly upon seeing Featherback.

“Sit down.”

“…”

Featherback bowed his head slightly and then sat down.

Then.

“What is that outfit, Featherback.”

A sharp voice could be heard.

Where Featherback raised his head, there was a woman with a cold impression.

A one-eyed beauty with snow-white hair tightly pulled back and a black eyepatch beneath it.

It was Cardona, the eldest daughter of the Mörsolt Family and Featherback’s elder sister.

She spoke to Featherback in a cold tone.

“This is a formal meeting. You should attend in proper attire. What use is it if you come here with paint smeared all over you like a child?”

“…”

“Be careful from now on.”

Cardona clicked her tongue once and turned her head.

She seemed to have mistaken the ash powder on Featherback’s body for black paint.

Meanwhile, Featherback looked back and forth between Soleil and Cardona.

‘Father, who was assassinated by an assassin. And elder sister, who died fighting the Demon King’s army. Everyone is healthy now.’

All the other branch family members were familiar to his eyes as well.

They were all family and relatives who had to die miserably, trampled by the Demon King’s army.

Soon, the meeting began.

Family Head Soleil looked at the map on the table with a serious expression.

“The number of monsters crossing over the Frost Mountain Range in the north has increased rapidly over the past few weeks?”

“Over thirty villages have already suffered damage. The number of territory residents who have died is difficult to count.”

Eldest daughter Cardona bowed her head and continued speaking.

“Twelve outposts on the northern mountain ridge have already been destroyed by monsters. We can no longer send sentries in that direction.”

“What types of monsters?”

“There are various types mixed together, but the most numerous are Orcs.”

Cardona, who excelled in everything whether it be intellect or swordsmanship, already had a perfect grasp of the damage situation.

Looking at her, the old saying that one capable daughter is worth ten sons seemed to fit perfectly.

Cardona pointed to the cross marks on the map and continued speaking.

“The Orcs that came over the northern mountain peak are not ordinary Orcs. They are specimens adapted to harsh blizzards and the thin air characteristic of highland regions. Their subjugation difficulty is much higher compared to those inhabiting the grasslands.”

Tension appeared on the faces of the Mörsolts gathered in the conference room.

Orc.

A human-like species similar in appearance to humans but much larger in build and ferocious in nature.

Their average height reaches two meters and their bone and muscle weight alone approaches one hundred kilograms.

The fact that these creatures had begun appearing at the northern border was a clear omen of misfortune.

Soleil groaned softly and stroked his beard.

“If they come down below the mountain foothills, this will become a major problem. We must subjugate them before they cross the fifth ridge. Select three hundred excellent soldiers with snow warfare experience. I will command them directly.”

“What about the armaments?”

“Of course we must make thorough preparations. First, let’s plan for two weeks’ worth of military rations…”

Just then.

“Family Head.”

A gentle voice interrupted Soleil’s words.

Judas. The administrator of the Mörsolt Family interjected with a smile in his eyes.

“If I may be so bold, might I offer a word?”

“We’re still in the middle of a strategy meeting.”

“I’m speaking because I believe my opinion must be reflected in that strategy.”

“…?”

At Judas’s words, one of Soleil’s eyebrows twitched.

Soon after, Judas continued speaking.

“It seems the Orcs occasionally invade the Territory Outskirts, but in my view, they don’t seem likely to bother with the Inner Territory. Don’t Orcs naturally fear and avoid humans?”

“What are you saying? The Territory Residents in the outskirts are suffering damage.”

“So what I’m saying is… it’s just my concern whether the majority needs to sacrifice themselves to save the few in the outskirts.”

“What?”

Soleil’s expression was colored with bewilderment.

But Judas continued speaking without concern.

“For Orc Subjugation, defense costs would increase, and that would inevitably reduce the Main Mansion’s finances considerably. As you know, this year’s budget is a bit tight.”

“If it’s tight, then we should tighten our belts. Isn’t that the administrator’s job?”

“We can’t tighten our belts any further than this. The budget is already at its limit. Are you planning to burden the Territory Residents of the Central Region, who faithfully pay their taxes, to save the Territory Residents of the Outer Zone who barely pay any taxes?”

At Judas’s words, several Administrators also began nodding their heads.

Soleil’s gaze became sharp.

“Administrator.”

“Yes, Family Head.”

“Let us speak plainly.”

He pointed to Judas and several Administrators in succession.

“Do you think I don’t know that you’ve been secretly siphoning off Mörsolt’s assets to line your own pockets?”

“…”

“Isn’t this because if the Main Mansion’s budget is reduced, there’ll be less for you to embezzle?”

Soleil asked directly.

But Judas skillfully evaded.

“I don’t understand what you mean, Family Head. Please refrain from excessive speculation.”

“Don’t cross the line. In any other ordinary Noble House, you would have no excuse even if your head were cut off.”

“But isn’t this place not just ‘any ordinary noble family’?”

“….”

Soleil closed his mouth.

Judas’s defiance had its own justification.

Judas was a retainer who had served the family continuously from the previous family head, Camus Mörsolt, until now.

Over the long years, he had united all the local notables in this region under his influence and held all the butlers, administrators, and even the servants within the mansion in his grasp.

Without Judas, taxes would not be collected properly and the loyalty of the local notables would surely scatter.

That was why Judas was acting so boldly right now.

Just then.

…Bang!

Someone slammed the table.

“Administrator Judas. Have you lost your mind?”

Cardona. She was glaring at Judas with her single eye opened fiercely.

Judas spoke as if he were genuinely sad.

“Miss Cardona, your words are too harsh.”

“What’s harsh is your attitude. How dare you show such insolent words and behavior toward the family head…”

“I have been assisting Lord Soleil since he was still a boy. I practically raised Miss Cardona as well. How can you treat me like this?”

Cardona flinched at Judas’s words.

“I have devoted my entire life to serving the Mörsolt Family, yet you misinterpret my sincerity, which makes me endlessly sorrowful.”

Eventually, Soleil let out a sigh.

“Fine. I’ll take into consideration your opinion, having devoted so much time to Mörsolt. Then, how much budget can you allocate for the subjugation operation?”

“It’s difficult, but if we absolutely must split our meager resources again and again….”

Judas worked his abacus for a while.

Then he soon bowed his head.

“Armaments for fifty soldiers. And about three days’ worth of military rations would be the limit.”

“You crazy bastard!”

Cardona slammed the table once again.

“Fifty soldiers? Three days’ worth of provisions? Are you telling our father to go out and die!? How dare you!?”

“That’s why I suggested not going out in the first place, Miss.”

Judas shook his head with a sigh.

“I am speaking of a reality colder than the northern snow mountains. Reducing the main family’s finances means a loss of dignity. The territory residents will look down on the family, and then will taxes be collected properly? The territory will become even more difficult.”

Silence fell over the conference room.

Even though a retainer was openly defying the family head, no one stepped forward.

That’s how powerful Judas’s influence was within the family house.

As the saying goes, if Judas pointed to a deer and called it a horse, more than half the people in this conference room would agree with him.

Judas declared firmly.

“Armaments for fifty soldiers and three days’ worth of provisions. I cannot provide more than that. If you refuse to listen to me, I will submit my resignation along with my people.”

“….”

Soleil’s eyes trembled slightly.

If Judas, who handled all administration including the family’s finances, were to disappear, the void would be indescribable.

Moreover, the number of people connected to Judas within the mansion was already countless.

The moment his resignation was accepted, even the maids who cooked, washed dishes, and swept with brooms would quit all at once.

And what came after would also be problematic.

If the local notables who had been faithfully paying taxes until now started tax resistance or evasion, things would become troublesome.

Soleil asked while suppressing his anger.

“Fifty soldiers. Three days’ provisions. Is that really the maximum military supplies the main mansion can mobilize?”

“Hasn’t this winter been particularly harsh? At least until next spring, I would say so.”

“For a unit that the Family Head will personally lead, that’s far too meager Administrative Supply Management.”

“It can’t be helped. In winter, everyone goes hungry, don’t they?”

Judas remained calm as ever.

Just as Soleil was about to let out a sigh.

“Father.”

Someone spoke up from the back of the conference room.

Everyone’s gaze converged on one spot.

“?”

Soleil looked up.

There stood a short boy who had turned fifteen this year.

“I’ll go and take a look.”

Featherback.

The immature Young Master who was attending a military meeting for the first time.

Soleil blinked his eyes.

Cardona’s mouth fell half open with an expression that said ‘Has he lost his mind?’

Everyone around couldn’t hide their bewilderment.

Even Yudi Administrator, who always maintained a poker face, was stammering.

“Young… Young Master? We’re not talking about a drawing contest or music recital right now. The place we’re discussing is a battlefield with Orcs….”

“I know.”

Featherback waved his hand dismissively as he continued speaking.

“I don’t need fifty soldiers or three days’ worth of provisions. I’ll go up the mountain alone and…”

As if he were just going for a stroll to the back mountain.

“I’ll cut off all the orcs’ heads and bring them back.”

His demeanor was truly calm and composed.

Alone I regressed from the annihilated Hero Party

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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