I Alone Regress in a Hero Party That Was Annihilated - Chapter 32

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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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#32. War Clouds (1)

 

— — —

 

Rorschach was strong and clever.

 

A cat as skilled at catching rats as her probably couldn’t be found even if you searched all of Mörsolt Territory, or even if you combed through the entire Empire.

 

Countless criminals were caught on the hooks of the laws Rorschach established.

 

And they were sliced up by Featherback.

 

The guillotine blade had to be sharpened every few days, and so much dew of the execution ground accumulated that it flowed down in streams.

 

The lilies in the plaza were stained red with the blood of death row prisoners, so people now called them red lilies, or blood lilies.

 

Ironically, despite all this, public opinion among the territory residents toward Featherback was extremely favorable.

 

“Public safety has really improved since Prince Featherback started exercising real power.”

 

“Just the fact that Northern Orcs aren’t invading anymore has my infinite support.”

 

“Now that we don’t have to pay those damn protection fees anymore, I finally feel like I can live.”

 

“This is all thanks to Prince Featherback sweeping away the monsters and criminals.”

 

Only criminals had their heads cut off at the execution ground.

 

And since those criminals used to look at common people like they were insects, no matter how many died, there was no room for sympathy.

 

The more executions were carried out, the more firmly the territory residents solidified their support for Featherback.

 

And thanks to that, Mörsolt Territory was gradually becoming prosperous.

 

* * *

 

Featherback was sitting in meditation in the center of the room.

 

Tsssssss…

 

Cold aura swirled through the room.

 

The frigid mana of the Northern Region was circling around Featherback’s body, inside and out.

 

‘I have a long way to go.’

 

He had just refined a handful of mana.

 

An utterly meager amount compared to before his regression.

 

But that didn’t mean it should be taken lightly.

 

Being able to command atmospheric mana meant he could now gather and accumulate external energy.

 

It meant the foundation for leaping to the next stage was perfectly in place.

 

When he extended his hand, highly refined mana blazed at his fingertips.

 

A mana refining method newly discovered during the Demon Realm War period.

 

The mana accumulation methods of this era boasted yields incomparably superior to those of previous eras.

 

Even when wielding the same amount, the power was like heaven and earth in difference.

 

‘Before advancing to the next stage, I’ll completely burn away the impurities in my body.’

 

Featherback was concentrating on accumulating mana and refining it.

 

Just then.

 

Knock knock knock―

 

Someone knocked on the door.

 

“Come in.”

 

Featherback stopped his meditation and spoke.

 

Soon, the door opened and a person entered the room.

 

“Hello.”

 

Rorschach.

 

She had now completely filled out and transformed into the appearance of a beautiful woman.

 

Featherback nodded his head.

 

“You seem to be eating well these days.”

 

“Have I gained weight?”

 

“Yes. It looks good.”

 

“Aha. Is that Young Lord’s preference?”

 

“?”

 

When Featherback frowned, Rorschach grinned broadly.

 

“Just kidding.”

 

“Don’t do that anymore. We don’t have time, so give your report.”

 

“As you command.”

 

Rorschach bowed her head with a respectful attitude.

 

Then she continued speaking.

 

“The criminal extermination is in its final stages.”

 

“I know.”

 

“The Family Head said something. Isn’t it time to return the Prison Warden position now?”

 

“I was thinking the same.”

 

Featherback nodded his head.

 

Since he had made the future rebellion that would have occurred in Narok into something that never happened, there was no more business in the underground prison.

 

Rorschach said.

 

“What kind of work are you thinking of taking on after returning the Prison Warden position?”

 

“I have something in mind.”

 

“Could you share it with me as well?”

 

“Why should I tell you?”

 

“Well…”

 

Rorschach hesitated for a moment.

 

Then she glanced around cautiously and said.

 

“Because I want to serve Lord Featherback from close by.”

 

“Aren’t you already serving me?”

 

“From a closer position.”

 

“….”

 

Featherback stroked his chin.

 

Rorschach is a useful sword.

 

There would be nothing bad about keeping him close by.

 

“Understood. I’ll speak to the Family Head. When I transfer departments, you can finish your work and follow me.”

 

“I will do so.”

 

“Until then, do your best as Legal Officer and Administrator.”

 

“That goes without saying.”

 

Rorschach bowed his head toward Featherback once more.

 

At this, Featherback nodded.

 

“I’ll go see the Family Head right now. Prepare yourself.”

 

“Yes.”

 

As always, Rorschach simply obeyed.

 

* * *

 

The Inner Quarters of Mörsolt Castle, the Family Head’s Office where Soleil stays.

 

“….”

 

Soleil was absorbed in shock while looking at the ledgers.

 

【Confiscation List】

 

―Real estate including residential and commercial buildings in the Commercial District: 10,000 pyeong.

 

―Gold ingots: 34 tons.

 

―Silver ingots: 99 tons.

 

―Precious metals worth 120,000 gold.

 

―Cash: 420,000 gold.

 

―Rice fields and forest land in the countryside: 84,000 pyeong plus numerous infrastructure.

 

―Illegally traded slaves: 523 people.

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

— — —

 

“So all this time, those criminal bastards were living much better than me. They had more money than the lord, so how severe must the common people’s sense of deprivation have been.”

 

Featherback answered.

 

“We killed quite a few of the worst offenders and those who resisted during confiscation. What remains are only the less guilty ones or cowards who meekly bowed their heads and surrendered.”

 

“Can we consider them completely rooted out?”

 

“You may view it that way.”

 

At Featherback’s words, Soleil let out a sigh of relief as if feeling refreshed.

 

“As a lord, as a father, I’m ashamed. To think I didn’t know those rat bastards were running so rampant. I’m unfit to be a lord.”

 

The past days of worrying over the 30,000 gold borrowed from the Levarb Family growing to 100,000 gold now seemed like a dream.

 

Soleil felt that his son before him was incredibly capable and precious beyond measure.

 

But despite these achievements, Featherback remained indifferent as always.

 

“You must value Legal Officer and Administrator Rorschach highly. That friend will be of great help to the family.”

 

“Hmm. I’ve heard enough about that child’s family circumstances. I’ve apologized several times, but he still won’t open his heart.”

 

“…?”

 

Featherback felt puzzled.

 

Rorschach was certainly extremely friendly toward him.

 

But Soleil shook his head.

 

“That child serves you, not the Mörsolt Family. And what face would I have to order around that child when I’m the one who drove his parents to their deaths.”

 

“Then regarding Rorschach’s treatment…?”

 

“You handle it entirely as you see fit. I’ll give you complete authority over personnel matters.”

 

For the Family Head to hand over personnel authority was an extremely radical move.

 

But that wasn’t all.

 

“I’ll also entrust you with the funds we confiscated this time.”

 

“May I do what I want with them?”

 

“Yes. You can’t use them for personal gain, but if there’s any business you’ve wanted to try, go ahead. You won’t bear any obligations regarding investment recovery or dividends. If you succeed, all the glory is yours; if you fail, I’ll take all the responsibility.”

 

This too was a radical declaration of support.

 

Then Featherback immediately brought up his main point.

 

“There’s something I want to spend the money we earned this time on.”

 

“Hmm. What is it.”

 

Soleil had somewhat anticipated Featherback’s answer.

 

Relief for the poor, defensive line construction.

 

Looking at Featherback’s past actions, he would probably mention such proposals.

 

Sure enough.

 

“I want to provide relief for the city’s poor people and construct defensive lines to prevent monster invasions.”

 

Featherback spoke exactly as Soleil had expected, without the slightest deviation.

 

Just as Soleil was about to nod his head.

 

“And one more thing.”

 

Featherback’s completely unexpected third proposal followed.

 

“I’d like to wage some war.”

 

“…!”

 

Featherback declaring war as if discussing business.

 

Soleil asked in bewilderment.

 

“Son. What are you talking about?”

 

“Currently, the Mörsolt Family’s forces number about five hundred, excluding knights.”

 

Featherback counted on his fingers.

 

“Each one is a battle-hardened elite soldier forged by the Northern Region’s cold and battles against monsters.”

 

“Right. Among them, one hundred are cavalry, and one hundred are artillery deployed to the front lines for monster defense. If we combine the standing army, reserve forces, and vigilantes, it would total about a thousand men.”

 

“Good.”

 

Featherback turned his head and pointed to the wall.

 

There hung a Northern Region map.

 

Featherback said.

 

“I will redirect all the confiscated money to military expenses. And I will recruit soldiers on a large scale and train the knights.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

Soleil stroked his chin.

 

Soon, he continued with a worried tone.

 

“Son. I understand your thinking, but military forces cannot be increased immediately just because you have money. You need to establish justification so as not to provoke neighboring families, then gradually recruit and train them over time…”

 

“I have neither justification nor time.”

 

Featherback cut through Soleil’s concerns like a sword.

 

“When I say I’ll do it, I’ll do it. If Mörsolt, the leader of the Northern Region, decides to increase military forces, we don’t need consent from the surrounding rabble.”

 

“What if they pressure us?”

 

“What’s there to worry about when we’ve increased our military forces?”

 

“!”

 

At Featherback’s words, Soleil’s mouth fell open.

 

That’s right.

 

Though it had now fallen to mere hollow honor, Mörsolt was still the leader of the Northern Region.

 

For such a family to have fewer than a thousand troops was realistically absurd.

 

Featherback spoke clearly.

 

“I will increase our military forces. If any family tries to find fault with that, I’ll crush them as an example. Just like the Levarb Family.”

 

“…”

 

At those words, Soleil’s gaze turned to the map.

 

There, he could see the five families that had divided Mörsolt Territory’s surroundings into five pieces.

 

The Portofino Family, Purosange Family, Modificata Family, Daytona Family, and the now virtually destroyed Levarb Family.

 

The world commonly called them the ‘Northern Five Families’ or ‘Mörsolt’s Five Fingers.’

 

Featherback looked at the map with his hand resting on his sword handle.

 

“Since we’ve broken Levarb, only four fingers remain now.”

 

“Son. The Levarb Family may have been a merchant family, but… the remaining four are different. Their military power is stronger than Mörsolt’s. Especially Purosange’s Rangers are in no way inferior to Mörsolt Knights.”

 

“That’s exactly why I told you. That I will build up our army.”

 

“Heh heh—”

 

Soleil smiled.

 

Whatever answer Featherback gave would become the correct answer at any moment.

 

Since he had already said he would trust him, there was no doubt.

 

Soleil nodded his head refreshingly.

 

“Understood. I’ll take full responsibility, so give it a try.”

 

“Leave it to me.”

 

Featherback bowed his head.

 

Who would bend and who would break.

 

You only know which is longer or shorter when you compare them.

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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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