I Alone Regress in a Hero Party That Was Annihilated - Chapter 68

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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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#68. Declaration of War (2)

 

Featherback immediately convened a retainer council.

 

In the past, this would have been unimaginable.

 

That immature troublemaker who used to hole up in his room reciting poetry and drawing paintings was now gathering the family’s executives in one place.

 

But looking at Featherback now, no one had such thoughts.

 

Ever since he had climbed the snow mountain alone and returned with the heads of hundreds of orcs, all the knights of the family had deeply acknowledged Featherback in their hearts.

 

Featherback spoke.

 

“Purosange has raised a rebellion. We will subjugate them.”

 

“I object.”

 

The old knight Sir Dvorak spoke up.

 

“Purosange is nominally our ally. Furthermore, there is no evidence that they killed our soldier.”

 

“The sword marks left on the corpse were clearly traces of Purosange.”

 

“Didn’t you burn and cremate that corpse? The evidence disappeared before we could even question them about it.”

 

“There’s no need to question them.”

 

“…?”

 

Dvorak tilted his head.

 

Featherback said.

 

“I’m just going to go and crush them.”

 

“Young Master, that is…”

 

“Don’t worry. The justification lies elsewhere.”

 

When Featherback turned his head, Rorschach brought over some documents.

 

She continued in a calm tone.

 

“The Purosange Family’s situation is similar to that of the Levarb Family, which recently caused trouble. Their tribute payments stopped long ago, and they’ve even been skipping courtesy visits. They’re not fulfilling any of their duties as a vassal family. It wouldn’t be strange for us as the lord family to hold them accountable for their crimes.”

 

“But they will think the treatment is excessive. They might also resist, asking why we’re making such a big deal over the death of just one Boy Soldier.”

 

Featherback nodded at Dvorak’s words mixed with concern.

 

“Such thinking will eventually strangle them. One of my soldiers is more precious than thousands, tens of thousands of their Knights.”

 

“I still have many concerns…”

 

The old Knight Dvorak raised his head after a long sigh.

 

His eyes were burning hotly from some point onward.

 

“Hearing Young Master’s words, even this worried old man feels his blood boiling.”

 

“Will you join me?”

 

“There’s no need to ask. I am already Young Master’s Sword.”

 

Led by Sir Dvorak, all the Knights nodded their heads.

 

Swoosh—!

 

Quinbits spread her hand.

 

Tree Bark and leaves began sprouting on the wooden round table.

 

The bumpy bark and sprouts soon formed the shape of a Map.

 

It was the area adjacent to Purosange’s Territory border.

 

Everyone let out short exclamations at Quinbits’ Magic that reproduced the Map directly on the wooden table’s surface.

 

Soon, Featherback pointed at the Map with his finger.

 

“The place where the attack occurred is also the Border Region between the Purosange Family and Levarb Family. Foreign tribes and exiles often wander around here. The Purosange bastards will probably use them as an excuse.”

 

The place called the Joint Security Zone of each family doesn’t receive much attention.

 

Criminals exiled from the Empire or savage tribes that had drifted in from afar often made their lairs there.

 

“I don’t need to worry about the rabble. I plan to go straight into the Purosange Family, get only what I want, and withdraw.”

 

Legal disputes, peaceful dialogue.

 

All of these paths require a great deal of time.

 

However, Featherback had no intention of investing that much time in something like Purosange.

 

“War will surely break out.”

 

Knots that cannot be untied through law or dialogue must be cut through with a sword in one stroke.

 

When the word war was mentioned, the old knights of Mörsolt snorted with vigor.

 

“Finally found a place to sell burial plots.”

 

“Why be so serious about dealing with something like Purosange? Just go and cut them down with one stroke.”

 

“Not my burial plot. Those bastards’ burial plots. Heh heh heh—”

 

“I’ve been getting fat around the thighs lately with nothing to do, so I should lose some weight with this opportunity.”

 

All of these men were large-framed, hot-blooded northerners.

 

Even if you searched from the sword training ground to the kitchen, it would be hard to find anyone who feared war.

 

* * *

 

Featherback assembled an investigation team immediately upon leaving the conference room.

 

Thirty-three knights including Lieutenant Colonel Hounded attached themselves to Featherback’s side in full armor.

 

In less than five minutes, Featherback mounted his horse and left through the castle gate.

 

Without any special preparation, carrying only a sword and shield on his back.

 

Clatter— Clatter— Clatter— Clatter—

 

A total of thirty-four horses cross the snowy field.

 

Sir Hounded looked at the map and spoke.

 

“The direction the attackers fled is also the border region between Purosange and Levarb. Could the Levarb Family also be involved?”

 

“It’s possible. They would want revenge against Mörsolt.”

 

Featherback answered indifferently.

 

Not long ago, the Levarb Family had been utterly destroyed.

 

Vargo Viscount, who had been boldly asserting himself, was beaten by Featherback to within an inch of his life before being confined to the Remote Tower, and the eldest son who became the new Family Head of the Levarb Family is nothing but a puppet.

 

Featherback said.

 

“They’re sinister bastards, so there’s a high possibility they were scheming something behind the scenes. Since they have a history of getting crushed in direct confrontations, they might have hidden behind Purosange and provided support.”

 

That might not be all there is to it.

 

Purosange, Levarb, Modificata, Portofino, Daytona.

 

These bastards were once called ‘Mörsolt’s Five Fingers’ in the past, and now they call themselves ‘The Five Pillars of the Northern Region.’

 

Since they’re constantly looking down on Mörsolt, their liege family, and waiting for opportunities to commit insubordination, they need to be thoroughly dealt with while there’s a chance.

 

‘The Purosange Family.’

 

Featherback recalled information about Purosange.

 

Though they are a knight family, they use daggers and bows as their main weapons.

 

In fact, they’re closer to rangers than knights.

 

Before the regression, they consistently rebelled against Mörsolt.

 

Then, as soon as Mörsolt’s fortunes declined, they brazenly betrayed them and tried to climb to the top.

 

Due to their obstruction and audacity, Mörsolt had to struggle with securing supply routes during the war, and sometimes suffered from Purosange’s raids when they disguised themselves as bandits and attacked directly.

 

‘A leopard can’t change its spots.’

 

Featherback rode his horse toward the edge of the snowy field.

 

Then.

 

“!”

 

Something can be seen up ahead.

 

A man on horseback is coming this way.

 

Dressed in black clothes with a bow strapped to his back.

 

“!”

 

They spotted Featherback from over there as well.

 

Then he quickly turned his horse around and fled.

 

Featherback drew the sword from his waist.

 

Tssssss…

 

Mana was transmitted to the sword handle made of mithril.

 

That mana was cooled by the Ice Dragon’s Breath as it traveled up the blade.

 

And soon cold frost burst forth from the sword tip.

 

Flash―!

 

A liquid that contained extreme cold energy yet did not freeze flew through the air.

 

The liquefied mana curved in a crescent moon shape and swept horizontally.

 

…Slice!

 

It severed one of the running horse’s hind legs.

 

Crash―

 

The horse with its leg cut off rolled across the ground.

 

The black-clothed man who had been riding on top was also thrown onto the ice sheet.

 

Blood poured from his face, scraped against the rough and uneven ice surface.

 

Featherback rode his horse toward him.

 

“What were you doing here?”

 

“What are you people?”

 

The black-clothed man lifted his broken forehead.

 

He gritted his teeth and continued speaking.

 

“I am a Purosange Search Member. Since you attacked me, know that you will never get away unharmed…”

 

“This one belongs to Mörsolt. I’ll ask again. What were you doing here?”

 

“….”

 

When Featherback revealed his identity, the black-clothed man’s mouth gaped open for a moment.

 

Soon after, he spoke.

 

“I apologize for not recognizing you. I am a Purosange Knight…”

 

But he couldn’t reveal his name.

 

Because Featherback’s sword had sliced off his ear.

 

“!?”

 

The man collapsed while clutching his ear.

 

The blade was so cold that the severed area froze, preventing blood from flowing.

 

The cold aura boring into his skull was more agonizing than losing his ear.

 

While the man was groaning, Featherback spoke.

 

“I didn’t ask for your identity. I asked what you were doing here.”

 

“Is, is it acceptable for the Mörsolt Delegation to act like this?”

 

“Delegation? Who’s a delegation?”

 

“…?”

 

At Featherback’s counter-question, the man’s eyes widened.

 

Then the Mörsolt Knights beside him sneered.

 

“We’re on our way to war with you lot?”

 

“We’re going to kill all of you and rip out your tongues.”

 

“We’ll burn down the entire territory so not even a single ant can survive.”

 

The ear-severed man’s complexion began to grow increasingly pale.

 

* * *

 

Ranger.

 

Literally translated, it means ‘a person who does not stay in one place but travels around a wide range of land.’

 

They are Knights, yet they do not arm themselves with the Heavy Armor or Great Swords characteristic of Knights.

 

Wearing Light Armor and carrying light equipment like Bows and Daggers, they primarily perform missions to Search and conduct Reconnaissance in Military Zones where borders meet or areas where Monsters appear.

 

Among them, the Purosange Rangers were renowned for their exceptional skills.

 

The Mörsolt Knights interrogated the captured Ranger.

 

Despite harsh beatings and brutal Torture that followed, he never revealed information about the Purosange family to the very end.

 

“Kekeke— It’s useless. Just hurry up and kill me.”

 

The Purosange Ranger laughed with his blood-covered face.

 

Veins bulged on Sir Hounded’s forehead.

 

“We’ve pulled out all your fingernails and toenails, yet you still laugh well. Next will be your Teeth. After that, your eyes.”

 

“Impressive. Do the Mörsolt Knights have no mercy or morals? Don’t you know about Chivalry or anything like that?”

 

“I’ve set aside my Knight title before coming here. Right now I’m just a beast that catches and kills prey.”

 

“Kikiki— Do as you please. I won’t confess anything.”

 

The Ranger turned his head away with an expression full of mockery.

 

Just then.

 

“Let me try.”

 

Featherback, who had been silently watching until now, stepped forward.

 

Sir Hounded whispered quietly into Featherback’s ear.

 

“Young Master. The Purosange Rangers are famous for their strong will. There are none as tight-lipped as they are. As you’ve seen, despite the severe Torture we’ve inflicted so far, he hasn’t opened his mouth at all…”

 

“That is.”

 

Featherback raised his hand to cut off Hounded’s words.

 

“It’s because you all are too kind.”

 

“?”

 

The eyes of the Knights including Hounded widened in surprise.

 

Featherback continued speaking.

 

“I learned some torture methods somewhere… Anyway, let me give it a try.”

 

Soon after, Featherback grabbed the Ranger by the back of his neck and dragged him into the coniferous forest.

 

Hounded and the other Knights tilted their heads in confusion.

 

“Does the Young Master know how to torture?”

 

“His swordsmanship is incredible, but torture is a completely different skill…”

 

“Hmm— I’m worried he’ll just ruin his mood for nothing.”

 

“Right. Those Purosange bastards are so vicious, there’s no way he’ll open his mouth. It would be better to just kill him.”

 

About 5 minutes passed like that.

 

Then.

 

Step— Step— Step— Step—

 

Featherback emerged from inside the forest.

 

The Ranger was still being held by the back of his neck in Featherback’s hand.

 

However.

 

“Please… Please… Please let me speak. I’ll tell you everything.”

 

The Ranger was streaming tears, snot, and saliva while desperately begging.

 

Featherback pushed the Pusangae Ranger onto the snow field.

 

He rolled across the cold ice sheet while pleading desperately.

 

“I’ll tell you everything! Please! I can even tell you the color of my wife’s underwear! So please don’t do that thing! Please just kill me instead, sob sob sob sob—”

 

The Pusangae Ranger sobbing like a child.

 

In that appearance, not a trace of his earlier venom could be found no matter how hard you looked.

 

Featherback spoke with his characteristic expressionless face.

 

“I’ve asked everything I wanted to ask, so why don’t you ask something if you’re curious about anything?”

 

“Uh… really?”

 

Hounded’s mouth fell open as if he couldn’t believe it.

 

Eventually, he asked the Ranger.

 

“Is, is it true that the Purosange Family attacked the Mörsolt Trading Company?”

 

“That’s right! As I mentioned earlier, it was thoroughly planned! It was directly ordered by the Family Head and the Grand Prince, and though the command order was read and burned so no evidence remains, the twenty-nine comrades who were mobilized at that time are still alive and well, so there’s more than enough evidence…”

 

“The Young Master already asked about that, so never mind. What color is it?”

 

“Until yesterday it was black!”

 

“…”

 

The Ranger spilled everything out almost as if wailing.

 

The number and deployment of troops, terrain, climate, and even the fortress’s weaknesses – all of it.

 

Meanwhile, watching this scene, Featherback was recalling the time before his regression.

 

‘As expected, human methods are inefficient. When it comes to torture, demons are the best.’

 

Featherback had also been tortured when he was captured as a prisoner by the Demon Army.

 

Compared to the torture done by demons, torture between humans was nothing more than child’s play.

 

The demonic method of inflicting direct pain on the human soul was terrifying, grinding down both pride and self-esteem to their limits until ultimately causing even the ego to collapse.

 

Even Featherback had nearly broken several times before that cruel torture that lasted for two months.

 

As a result of lightly trying a few of the torture methods that had been hardest for him to endure on the Ranger, he spilled out everything he knew in just 2 minutes.

 

Eventually Featherback mounted his horse.

 

“According to what that bastard said, we just need to go north for about an hour. If we’re lucky, we might even meet the Family Head of Purosange.”

 

“…!”

 

The eyes of all the knights, including Hounded, flashed open wide.

 

This was an opportunity to meet the enemy’s leader before the war.

 

The excited knights eagerly mounted their horses one after another.

 

Soon after, Featherback drew his sword.

 

Only then did peace finally settle on Ranger’s expression.

 

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for killing me…!”

 

Ranger’s neck was severed and rolled across the floor after he shouted his heartfelt gratitude three times.

 

Even after losing his body and only his head remained, he kept his eyes closed with a moved expression.

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

Hounded and the other knights gazed at the back of Featherback as he rode his horse ahead of them.

 

It felt as if an entire massive White Mountain was moving.

 

Who would dare think that back belonged to a fifteen-year-old boy.

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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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