I Alone Regress in a Hero Party That Was Annihilated - Chapter 53

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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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#53. Lack of Communication (1)

 

— — —

 

All the banquets had ended.

 

Featherback, unusually for him, had mingled in conversation with the noble men and women of his age.

 

Countless noble ladies had wanted to talk with Featherback, and just as many young men felt the same way.

 

On the way home after the banquet ended

 

People spoke in unison.

 

“Within Mörsolt Territory, there’s no one of his age who can match Prince Featherback.”

 

“Just his age? Even if you searched through the generation above, and the generation above that, you wouldn’t find anyone.”

 

“Featherback, that friend seemed like a decent person? I thought he was someone with skill but a bad temper, but he wasn’t.”

 

“Today I saw the prince of the Mörsolt Family in a completely new light. I dare say, that person is qualified to be my friend!”

 

Whether woman or man, young or old, everyone praised Featherback.

 

Throughout their journey home, they exchanged stories about Featherback until their mouths went dry from talking.

 

And there was someone watching this scene from a high window above.

 

“It’s all talk about you.”

 

Soleil.

 

He smiled as if pleased and drew the window curtains closed.

 

In the Family Head’s office located high up in the fortress, there were only Soleil and Featherback, just the two of them.

 

“….”

 

Featherback stood in this place having been summoned by Soleil.

 

Soon, Soleil spoke.

 

“I still can’t believe it. A mithril mine.”

 

“It’s the truth.”

 

“Of course it is. It’s not that I don’t trust your words. It’s just that this reality feels a bit surreal.”

 

Soleil reviewed once more the contents that Featherback had investigated.

 

“It’s been decades since a proper mithril vein was discovered. The entire Empire is suffering from an extreme mithril shortage.”

 

“Just the reserves I confirmed with my own eyes at the Beauvoir Mining District would be enough to solve the mithril crisis in one stroke.”

 

“Truly… truly amazing. To think such mystery was hidden in the land where our Ancestors are buried.”

 

Mithril is an ultra-rare mineral that holds the highest rank among all resources.

 

Besides being used to make weapons for war, it’s also a necessary material for magic used in construction work like roads and buildings, and is essential for the medical industry.

 

Simply having a mithril mine could completely reverse the rise and fall of a territory.

 

Featherback continued speaking.

 

“Even if you combined the mining output of all mithril mines discovered so far, it wouldn’t match the Beauvoir Mine. There were even some existing in high-purity states.”

 

Having finished speaking, Featherback placed several chunks of purple iron on Soleil’s desk.

 

Those things emitting a subtle purple glow were unmistakably pure mithril ingots.

 

Soleil picked them up with trembling hands.

 

“Things like these… were there really things like these lined up throughout the mine?”

 

“There were so many that I couldn’t fit them all in my field of vision. We need to send miners to extract them as soon as possible.”

 

“The mana concentration in the atmosphere of Meursault Mountain is exceptionally high. That’s why minerals with such high mana compatibility are exposed in the open air like this.”

 

Soleil pushed the mithril ore on the desk toward Featherback.

 

“Use these for yourself. If you need anything else, just tell the Administrative Office. I’ll have them give you whatever you need.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“You’re planning to make a sword and shield with those, aren’t you?”

 

“….”

 

Featherback nodded at Soleil’s words.

 

He was planning to make a proper sword and shield using the teeth and scales obtained from killing Ice Dragon Adara.

 

Using mithril as well would make them even better.

 

Soleil nodded.

 

“Anyway, assemble a mining team as quickly as possible. No, we should select personnel to build an entire mining village.”

 

“Rorschach is probably already getting started on the work early.”

 

“That child… I see. No wonder he’s seemed particularly busy these past few days. You two work really well together.”

 

Soleil grinned after hearing Featherback’s words.

 

Then he asked in a low voice.

 

“This father is in favor for now.”

 

“?”

 

“Your opinion is what matters most. Do well.”

 

“….”

 

Featherback didn’t say anything in response and just nodded.

 

* * *

 

Step— Step— Step— Step—

 

Featherback left the Family Head’s Room at the top of the Main Castle and headed toward the corridor leading to the Outer Castle.

 

Whoooosh…

 

The wind blowing from beyond the cold stone walls swayed the conifers in the garden.

 

Featherback stopped in front of a corridor window.

 

“Older Sister.”

 

Cardona was standing on the other side of the corridor.

 

She, who was always expressionless, was standing there today with an awkward smile for some reason.

 

“Want to walk together for a bit?”

 

“….”

 

As Featherback continued walking, Cardona moved to match his pace.

 

Cardona’s shadow stretched long across the lanterns hanging in the corridor.

 

Featherback was the first to speak.

 

“I’m sorry about the sword.”

 

“Huh? What sword?”

 

“White Phosphorus.”

 

Before the expedition, Cardona had lent Featherback her beloved sword ‘White Phosphorus.’

 

And White Phosphorus had fulfilled its role as a famous sword admirably before disappearing.

 

“The culprit that made the Beauvoir Mining District uninhabitable was an Ice Dragon.”

 

“….”

 

“And with the sword Older Sister gave me, I was able to pierce the Ice Dragon’s heart.”

 

“….”

 

“If it hadn’t been for that, I wouldn’t have been able to kill the Ice Dragon. Although White Phosphorus melted in the process of piercing the dragon’s heart, at least thanks to it, I was able to save my life.”

 

“….”

 

While listening to Featherback’s words, Cardona’s expression changed several times.

 

But among those expressions, there wasn’t a trace of regret about the sword.

 

Finally, she spoke.

 

“The sword isn’t important. I’m glad you came back alive.”

 

Her tone, which had always been stiff, became a little softer than before.

 

But as if nothing had happened, her tone froze stiff again in the cold wind that entered through the window.

 

“More importantly, I came today because I have something to ask.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“It’s about the family.”

 

Cardona turned to look at Featherback and stopped walking.

 

Finally, she asked under the pouring moonlight.

 

“The five fingers of the Northern Region are moving.”

 

“….”

 

Featherback nodded.

 

The five fingers of the Northern Region, or the five fingers of Mörsolt.

 

They referred to the Portofino, Purosange, Modificata, Daytona, and Levarb families.

 

Since the Levarb Family, which had switched to being a merchant family, was on the verge of complete dissolution thanks to Featherback, perhaps they should now be called the four fingers.

 

Cardona said.

 

“Those who were once retainers of the Mörsolt Family are showing ominous movements.”

 

“That would be the Portofino, Purosange, and Modificata families.”

 

“…Did you know?”

 

Featherback nodded at Cardona’s words.

 

“A considerable number of the prisoners I took on the expedition were guys who had connections to those families. Thanks to that, I was able to obtain all sorts of information.”

 

“Right. The Levarb Family that you stepped on once before is quiet. And the Daytona Family as well. The remaining three families are currently engaged in vigorous military operations. They’re even arranging political marriages with each other.”

 

“I received a report from Rorschach that each family is increasing their military forces. It was expected.”

 

“I moved as soon as I grasped the situation. I increased our military forces and multiplied the surveillance of the border regions several times over. I’ve managed to prevent them from expanding their forces any further for now… but I don’t think those bastards will comply quietly.”

 

“Naturally.”

 

Featherback nodded.

 

Humans are, after all, black-haired beasts.

 

They don’t come to their senses unless a blade directly touches their neck.

 

No, in some cases, not even until the moment the blade cuts through their neck.

 

While Featherback was lost in such thoughts, Cardona spoke.

 

“The reason I’m telling you this… is to burden you.”

 

“Burden?”

 

“I’m thinking of transferring the reconnaissance and containment missions for the three families I mentioned earlier to you.”

 

“…?”

 

Featherback tilted his head.

 

For the diligent Cardona to pass off work she had been performing to someone else was something even the Returner found hard to imagine.

 

Especially when it was her own specialized work that she had strong dedication and expertise in.

 

However, Cardona’s following words were even more unexpected.

 

“You’ll be able to contain the Portofino, Purosange, and Modificata families. The work I’ve been doing until now is something I can only entrust to you with confidence. No, ‘rely on’ would be a more accurate expression.”

 

“This is the first time I’ve seen Older Sister trust and rely on someone.”

 

“Indeed.”

 

Cardona lowered her head.

 

Her figure illuminated by moonlight was like a well-forged blade, and the faint smile hanging at the corner of her mouth reminded him of a tassel ornament attached to a sword handle.

 

Eventually, she asked.

 

“You’re not asking why I’m passing this mission on.”

 

“Older Sister must have her reasons.”

 

“…”

 

Cardona nodded at Featherback’s words as he nodded his head.

 

“Right. I’m planning to go to Meursault Mountain, to the Beauvoir Abandoned Mine Zone. To lead the miners and their families and build a mining village.”

 

“!”

 

Featherback’s eyes widened slightly.

 

Meursault Mountain is a dangerous place.

 

Although they had subjugated Ice Dragon Adara, they hadn’t conquered all the various types of monsters living there.

 

Moreover, with Adara gone, dangerous creatures like Yate, Sasquatch, and Frozen Horror would roam the snowy fields even more actively.

 

Cardona said.

 

“I plan to cut down monsters again and again until Beauvoir becomes a peaceful land where the territory residents can live in safety.”

 

“Your sword will never be dry of blood.”

 

“It shouldn’t dry. Every drop of blood I shed will become the life of one child.”

 

“It’s a barren place, so you’ll need to prepare a lot before going. You’ll need things like fox tail sleeping bags too.”

 

“The words of someone experienced are very helpful. I plan to go there and do sword training until I’m sick of it. Next time we meet, I’ll be completely different.”

 

Cardona caught her breath for a moment.

 

Then she continued in a serious tone.

 

“Featherback.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Don’t let them take it away.”

 

Featherback and Cardona’s gazes met.

 

Cardona said.

 

“Don’t let them take away anything you’ve built, nothing at all.”

 

“….”

 

At those words, Featherback couldn’t help but recall the past.

 

The Hero, Mage, Saint, and all expedition team members who had sent him back to the past and sacrificed the present.

 

They too had said the same thing.

 

‘…You know when you regress, right? Don’t act so frustratingly like before.’

 

‘…Take everything, sweep it all away. You monopolize it all.’

 

‘…Remember how you studied history with Older Sister every night on the way here? Never forget it.’

 

Featherback smiled faintly.

 

“I’m tired of having things taken away now. For a while, taking things away seems like it’ll be more fun.”

 

“That’s a relief.”

 

Cardona firmly placed her hand on Featherback’s shoulder.

 

At this point when the expedition to Meursault Mountain had ended, Featherback’s height had grown just a little taller than Cardona’s.

 

* * *

 

Featherback returned to his room.

 

After a long time, he washed his body with hot water and applied fragrant oil to his skin.

 

‘…She’s changed a lot from the Elder Sister I saw before regression.’

 

In the past, Featherback wasn’t particularly close to Cardona.

 

The Featherback before regression was afflicted with artist’s disease, busy squandering the family fortune on things like paintings and musical instruments, and did nothing for the family.

 

And Cardona lived a very busy life, taking care of all the family’s major and minor affairs in Featherback’s place.

 

That’s why Featherback had found Cardona extremely uncomfortable.

 

Because he both envied and feared his older sister who efficiently handled all the tasks he should have done but couldn’t.

 

But after his regression, his impression of Cardona was different.

 

A person carrying far too much for her young age.

 

A tragic genius who lived so tenaciously, so diligently, so faithfully, yet died as a warrior in less than a few months when the Demon Slaying War broke out.

 

‘I must ensure this fate doesn’t flow the same way.’

 

Featherback thought as he lay on his bed.

 

He had given Cardona the family’s secret swordsmanship manual and significantly reduced her pointless duties.

 

So now she could have time dedicated solely to her own growth.

 

Through the process of subjugating the abandoned mine zone of Meursault Mountain, Cardona’s sword would be honed incomparably sharper than before.

 

‘I hope this becomes a good opportunity for both of us.’

 

Featherback closed his eyes.

 

Just then.

 

Knock knock knock—

 

Someone knocked on the door.

 

Featherback answered without even opening his eyes.

 

“…What business do you have at this late hour?”

 

“Since when does work have time constraints?”

 

The knock was merely a formality, as the door opened without waiting for an answer.

 

Rorschach stood leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, looking at Featherback.

 

“You received reports well when you were out on expedition, but how is it that I haven’t been able to meet with you even once since you returned?”

 

His expression seemed thoroughly sulky about something.

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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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