I Alone Regress in a Hero Party That Was Annihilated - Chapter 33

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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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#33. War Clouds (2)

 

It was decided.

 

The Mörsolt Family would maintain an army befitting a count house.

 

The first thing that changed was the soldiers’ pay.

 

The amount doubled, but so did the training intensity.

 

Those who were already elite soldiers transformed into even stronger warriors through rigorous training.

 

And with pay doubled, naturally more military applicants came forward.

 

Mörsolt’s army doubled in size in less than a month.

 

Originally, talented individuals disgusted by Mörsolt Territory’s impoverished and rotten environment would have all left to become mercenaries… but that no longer happened.

 

From the Mörsolt Family’s training ground, the sounds of clashing swords and battle cries echoed day after day.

 

It was a scene unimaginable in the old days.

 

* * *

 

On a moonless night, at the late hour when scops owls cry.

 

Featherback summoned Rorschach to his bedchamber.

 

Rorschach, wearing clothes so thin her skin showed through, approached Featherback’s bed.

 

“So this moment has finally come. Young woman has already received thorough education from her parents. For pleasing the master she serves…”

 

After pausing briefly, Rorschach spread numerous documents across Featherback’s bed.

 

“These are 3,021 reform proposals regarding administrative supply management and logistics transport. Based on these, you can create an even more prosperous and powerful territory…”

 

“Something’s missing.”

 

Featherback sat up, half-naked.

 

Rorschach’s ear tips instantly turned red, but Featherback paid no attention.

 

“One more thing. I wish to propose an additional reform plan.”

 

“You summoned a grown young woman to your bedchamber at this late hour for that?”

 

“I didn’t particularly say to come right away. If you didn’t like it, you could have come tomorrow morning.”

 

“…”

 

At Featherback’s indifferent response, Rorschach’s lips jutted out in a pout.

 

Being summoned here at this late hour, it would be a lie to say she felt no fear or slight expectation…

 

‘But this is too much.’

 

She pouted without even knowing what she was feeling disappointed about.

 

Regardless, Featherback brought up the main reason he had called Rorschach.

 

“We need mages.”

 

“…!”

 

Rorschach’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

 

This was something she had been thinking about as well.

 

“For repairing castle walls, subjugating monsters, transporting supplies—magic is essential for all of it. Especially in such a harsh northern region.”

 

“But they belong to an organization called the Magic Tower.”

 

“Send donations to the Magic Tower. Then borrow personnel under the pretext of public support.”

 

“We can’t be sure they’ll comply readily. They’re quite eccentric, after all.”

 

When the word “eccentric” came from Rorschach’s mouth, Featherback couldn’t help but smile wryly.

 

“Mages are temperamental. That’s why some who can’t belong to the Magic Tower live as wanderers.”

 

“They’re weak to money.”

 

“Right. Fortunately, we have some spare money.”

 

Rorschach nodded at Featherback’s words.

 

Mages.

 

They were those who absorbed nature’s energy to twist the laws of causality.

 

Being such people, many had temperamental and single-minded personalities.

 

Their cultivation methods were equally bizarre beyond measure.

 

Standing in swamps all day to meditate, lying on fire-heated pebbles while chanting spells, or dancing while being bitten by insects after covering their entire body with honey.

 

They were eccentric scholars who engaged in acts that ordinary people could never understand.

 

Rorschach asked.

 

“What is the reason you suddenly need mages? The fields you mentioned are things I could handle if you just gave me a little time.”

 

She straightened her chest as if hoping Featherback would need her a little more.

 

But Featherback shook his head.

 

“There’s no time. I’m going to create a merchant group.”

 

“A merchant group?”

 

“I need a merchant group that can encompass the entire distribution network of the Northern Region.”

 

“Are you referring to a merchant group operated by the Mörsolt Family?”

 

“Why are you asking something so obvious.”

 

Featherback nodded.

 

A merchant group was essential to handle the assets they had confiscated so far.

 

And one more thing.

 

‘I also need a means to handle the treasures from the secret vault.’

 

Featherback needed the existence of a merchant group for various reasons.

 

Rorschach diligently reviewed the documents.

 

“Manpower should be sufficient. After all, our forces were greatly expanded this time.”

 

“The newly hired administrators are also experienced professionals who worked at commercial guilds.”

 

“Understood. But what will we specialize in handling?”

 

Rorschach asked with curiosity.

 

And Featherback answered decisively.

 

“Military supplies.”

 

“!”

 

Rorschach’s eyes widened.

 

Featherback interlaced his fingers and spoke.

 

“Soon wars will break out in various places. Very many of them.”

 

“….”

 

“We make money by selling weapons to them.”

 

Lord of War.

 

Featherback lowered his gaze with a leisurely tone.

 

There, a map of the Northern Region was spread out.

 

“I will make wars break out in the places I sign.”

 

“You intend to become a Merchant of Death.”

 

“I don’t like peddlers who sell everything in bulk as long as it makes money. I’ll invest massive capital and become the pinnacle of one thing through selection and focus.”

 

Featherback looked at Rorschach and continued speaking.

 

“I will buy up all the deaths in the Northern Region.”

 

At those words, Rorschach let out a small laugh.

 

“Without Lord Featherback’s permission, they won’t even be able to die.”

 

“….”

 

Featherback gave no particular response to this.

 

But even Rorschach, who had just spoken those words, didn’t know.

 

That the line she had just said was exactly what Featherback truly wanted.

 

* * *

 

The next morning at dawn.

 

Featherback was preparing for his morning training.

 

Just as he was about to take his sword and shield and head to the training hall.

 

“Featherback.”

 

Another visitor opened Featherback’s door.

 

For some reason, Cardona had come to find Featherback first.

 

“What brings you here, Elder Sister.”

 

“Your speech has become formal again while I wasn’t looking.”

 

“What’s the matter, Older Sister.”

 

Featherback thought that speaking formally just didn’t sit right with him.

 

But Cardona found something amusing about Featherback’s awkward demeanor and smiled faintly.

 

“Going to the Training Hall?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Instead of that, how about a match with your Older Sister after so long?”

 

“?”

 

Featherback furrowed his brow.

 

Cardona tapped her two swords hanging diagonally across her hips in succession.

 

“If it won’t interfere with your training, that is.”

 

“Fine.”

 

He had been planning to test the effects of the Secret Sword Manual she had given him last time anyway.

 

Featherback immediately followed Cardona out to the Training Ground.

 

The dark blue sky where the sun had not yet risen.

 

Cardona struck a match and lit the Torch Stand.

 

Torches that could be either too late or too early illuminated the Training Ground.

 

“Shall we use wooden swords? Or would you prefer real swords?”

 

“Whatever you’re comfortable with.”

 

When Featherback shrugged his shoulders, Cardona laughed once more.

 

“Let’s use real swords.”

 

She threw one of the two swords from her waist toward Featherback.

 

Featherback caught the sword.

 

“Good. I just happened to leave my usual sword at the Blacksmith Shop.”

 

“Why?”

 

“I killed too many people and the blade got dull.”

 

“Cutting through bone does chip the edge quite a bit. The human fat that sticks when cutting skin isn’t negligible either.”

 

The topic was rather grotesque for what should be an affectionate conversation between siblings.

 

But neither Featherback nor Cardona minded it.

 

“Come to think of it, it’s been quite a while since we both stood in the Training Ground like this.”

 

“Hmm. The last time we faced off was about a year ago. We fought with wooden swords then.”

 

“Do you remember crying and running away after taking three hits?”

 

“I was much younger then.”

 

“That was just a year ago.”

 

Cardona chuckled and took her stance.

 

Perfect Mörsolt Sword Style.

 

To reach that level without the Secret Sword Manual meant truly exceptional talent.

 

Featherback felt inwardly regretful.

 

‘If Older Sister had inherited just a bit more of Mörsolt’s blood, history would have changed.’

 

But regret was just regret – with more effort than others, one could overcome the limitations of bloodline.

 

Cardona would surely be able to accomplish that.

 

“Now then, let me see your skills, My Little Brother.”

 

A rarely used affectionate term.

 

But the aura rising was anything but affectionate.

 

Sharp Sword Aura began emanating from Cardona’s sword tip.

 

Under the crushing pressure like a mountain bearing down, Featherback’s eyebrow twitched slightly.

 

‘Indeed. A genius is a genius.’

 

Cardona was in her early twenties.

 

Could such a Swordsman be created when natural talent combined with the harsh environment of the Northern Region?

 

‘But she still has a long way to go.’

 

Featherback didn’t dodge and directly faced Cardona’s Sword Technique.

 

Soon.

 

Shaaaak―

 

Cardona’s sword struck down from above toward Featherback.

 

It was an honest sword path, but with no wasted movement and very fast speed, making it difficult to dodge.

 

Clang―!

 

Featherback raised the shield in his left hand to block Cardona’s blade.

 

Cardona opened her mouth as if surprised.

 

“You blocked that? Impressive…”

 

But her praise couldn’t continue to the end.

 

Swish―

 

Because Featherback’s sword thrust in from below to above, winding like a snake.

 

“!?”

 

Cardona hastily jerked her head to the side.

 

However, that was Featherback’s aim.

 

…Whoosh!

 

Featherback swept Cardona’s leg to shake her center of gravity, then immediately pushed forward with his shield.

 

“Huh.”

 

Cardona leaped back and retreated.

 

Featherback immediately pursued the retreating Cardona.

 

Clang―claaang―clang―kakakakakakak!

 

In the blink of an eye, dozens of exchanges of offense and defense passed.

 

“…! …! …!”

 

Featherback extended his sword tip toward Cardona, who had her eyes wide open.

 

‘Sometimes losing to a novice can be good stimulation too.’

 

Cardona is a genius.

 

Thanks to the harsh environment of the Northern Region, despite being a noble’s daughter, she has quite a lot of real combat experience.

 

…But she’s just a youngster in her early twenties at most.

 

Compared to Featherback, who had experienced all kinds of hardships in the Demon Realm War, it was like comparing a dragon to an earthworm.

 

Featherback’s real combat experience overwhelmed Cardona.

 

Movement that transcended the abundance or scarcity of mana.

 

Against Featherback’s sword tip moving in all directions—front, back, left, right, north, south, east, west—Cardona was helplessly pushed back.

 

Moreover, the shield edges that Featherback occasionally swung and the sand kicked up by the tips of his military boots were also major threats that obscured her vision.

 

Just as Cardona was about to counterattack.

 

…Thud!

 

She felt something hot touch her back.

 

‘Oh no!’

 

When she turned her head, she saw a torch stand.

 

The torch lit to illuminate the training ground blocked her rear escape route.

 

And without fail.

 

Crash―!

 

Featherback charged forward with his shield leading.

 

Cardona was pushed by Featherback’s body slam and had to roll across the floor.

 

The bonfire shattered.

 

And when she raised her head.

 

“…End.”

 

Featherback’s sword tip was already positioned under Cardona’s chin.

 

She opened her mouth halfway as if dumbfounded.

 

“My goodness.”

 

To this, Featherback responded with a bright smile uncharacteristic of him.

 

“These things happen sometimes.”

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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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