I Alone Regress in a Hero Party That Was Annihilated - Chapter 74

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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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#74. Change of Hands (2)

 

Purosange’s Main Castle.

 

The Castle Walls were several times higher and steeper than ordinary Castle Walls.

 

These Castle Walls, carved directly from natural Bedrock, were solid enough to withstand even invasions from the Giant Tribe.

 

The slope was too steep and the surface too rough for Soldiers to climb, and sharp Iron spikes were attached to the Battlements on top of the Castle Walls.

 

These Castle Walls that stood tall as if declaring separation from the world, and the steel Castle Gate that nothing could penetrate, made Purosange Castle an impregnable Fortress.

 

And there.

 

“If you don’t want to get lost, I’ll feed you Arrows until you’re full.”

 

Featherback stood holding Mörsolt’s flag.

 

Whizz!

 

An Arrow shot by Hounded flew and pierced through another Ranger’s throat.

 

“Kheuk!?”

 

The Ranger collapsed, spraying blood.

 

Then the Mörsolt Knights immediately appeared on the Battlements and began shooting Arrows.

 

“Come on, whoever wants to earn merit, step forward!”

 

“Kill many and you’ll be treated accordingly later!”

 

“You’ve heard the rumors, right? About our Young Lord’s way! He’s certain about rewards and punishments!”

 

That wasn’t all.

 

“We’re ending our mercenary life and starting fresh as Knights of the Mörsolt Family!”

 

“Well, we just side with whoever pays better.”

 

“Let’s go!”

 

Familiar faces kept popping up on the Castle Walls.

 

They were Mercenaries who had been temporarily hired by Purosange, or Barbarian-born Soldiers.

 

For some reason, they were taking Mörsolt’s side.

 

“Wh, what the…!”

 

Thoroughbred staggered backward step by step.

 

Shedyoldis also couldn’t hide her bewilderment.

 

Finally, Thoroughbred made his decision.

 

“Re, retreat! We retreat for now!”

 

The Purosange Rangers began to withdraw, avoiding the arrow rain.

 

Even during this time, the arrow rain continued to pour down, piercing the heads and backs of the Rangers.

 

“…”

 

Featherback looked down with an indifferent expression at the Rangers who were losing their lives in confusion below the castle walls.

 

“Things have been wrapped up well.”

 

The events of last night came flooding back to him.

 

It was just a few hours ago when he had captured Purosange Castle with only 33 knights, as easily as roasting beans over lightning.

 

* * *

 

A few hours earlier.

 

Hasadin, a soldier of Purosange, was standing guard with swollen eyes.

 

Whether he closed his eyes or opened them, the scenery visible in front remained unchanged.

 

The vast snowy field, white horizon, drifting snow flurries, gray sky.

 

And there was one more thing that remained the same.

 

The way his comrades looked at him.

 

“Hey— idiot Hasadin.”

 

“Stand guard properly. Unless you want another beating.”

 

“Kekeke— stupid fool. Last time you couldn’t even recognize the Family Head, right?”

 

“It’s because he’s from those filthy barbarians. Blood can’t lie.”

 

Unlike the other soldiers, Hasadin had bronze-colored skin and red curly hair.

 

This was the result of mixed blood from Barbarians who lived much further north, not Pure-blood Northerners.

 

Because of this, Hasadin had always been treated as a Stranger despite living in Purosange Territory for three whole generations.

 

So the Soldiers called Hasadin an Outsider and subtly ostracized him, then when the Family Head of Purosange returned last time, they used the excuse that Hasadin didn’t recognize him at first glance to openly torment him.

 

‘Damn bastards. My Grandfather moved here and we’ve lived here for three generations, yet they still treat me like an Outsider.’

 

Hasadin had endured it all this time.

 

When the Village Chief blocked the Road in front of his House and demanded a Toll, when he had to pay for Well Water that everyone else drew for free, when he had to pay an annual village development fund that others didn’t pay a single penny for—he endured it all just as his Grandfather and Father had.

 

But.

 

Thwack!

 

The unreasonable violence, mockery, and ostracism from his Comrades was truly unbearable.

 

‘Endure it. If I can’t endure, there’ll be no way to feed my Family Members.’

 

Hasadin squeezed shut his eyes that were swollen from the beating.

 

The other Soldiers found Hasadin boring and walked away to another place.

 

“Kekeke— What a pathetic bastard.”

 

“Look how he can’t even make a peep when beaten—definitely not a Northerner.”

 

“Hey, stand Guard properly. We’re going to smoke some Tobacco and come back.”

 

They went around the protruding Bastion and hid in a sunken area where they couldn’t be seen.

 

It seemed they planned to hole up there and smoke Tobacco.

 

“….”

 

Hasadin leaned against the Wall and hung his head.

 

He could take pride in having lived ordinarily, if not extraordinarily, over the years.

 

He couldn’t say he had never dozed off or been momentarily distracted while on Guard Duty.

 

But he had worked faithfully without missing a single day and had never pushed his work onto his Comrades.

 

When the Drainage clogged with filth, he scooped it out with his own hands, he arrived 10 minutes early before every shift, and he treated those passing through the Castle Gate with kindness and sincerity.

 

But the gazes that returned were always filled with nothing but contempt and mockery.

 

Barbarian, outsider, stranger, untrustworthy bastard—everyone treated Hasadin carelessly.

 

For the first time, Hasadin thought he wanted to leave this land.

 

This place where he had lived for three generations.

 

…Perhaps that was why.

 

Hasadin allowed the man in strange clothes approaching the castle gate to get closer than necessary.

 

“Stop. Raise your hands. There will be a brief body search. Please state your identity…”

 

But Hasadin, like a skilled soldier, gripped his spear short to block the strange man’s approach.

 

Just as he was about to reach his hand toward the stranger’s chest.

 

…Crack!

 

The strange man grabbed Hasadin’s throat with his hand.

 

A youthful face was visible beneath the black robe.

 

Snow-white hair, ruby-red eyes, and features so delicate one might mistake him for a woman at first glance.

 

“Kugh! Guk!? Who are you…?”

 

When Hasadin asked, the stranger answered.

 

“I am Featherback Mörsolt.”

 

“…!”

 

Hasadin knew that name.

 

The ringleader that Purosange’s Family Head was desperate to kill.

 

The madman who had recently cut off Grand Prince Pinin’s wrist.

 

Was that terrifying evil enemy really such a young boy?

 

But the strength emanating from the boy’s hand was real.

 

The boy who revealed his name as Featherback spoke.

 

“Open the gate.”

 

“I, I can’t open it by myself!”

 

“Then die.”

 

Featherback drew a short awl from his waist.

 

At that moment, Hasadin quickly continued speaking.

 

“Don’t kill me! I’m trying to help you!”

 

“…?”

 

“I won’t interfere with your business! I can actually help you!”

 

Featherback tilted his head.

 

He asked without putting away the awl.

 

“If you’re lying to save your life, you’ll suffer even more terrible pain…”

 

“If you move that rock over there to the side right now, a side gate will appear! You can only get halfway up the castle walls through there though! And if you go a little further to the side, there’s a dog hole. The underground foundation is soft so water sometimes leaks out through there. Of course it’s too narrow for an adult man to enter, but with your build, it might be possible! But your clothes will get pretty dirty! You might get a few earthworms in your mouth too!”

 

Hasadin’s words poured out in a stream.

 

Featherback’s eyes narrowed.

 

“For a soldier of Purosange, you have no backbone.”

 

“Look at my appearance.”

 

“?”

 

“Because of this appearance, I’m always treated like a barbarian. Even though I’ve lived in this land for 70 years across three generations, I’m still called an outsider, a stranger, and even told to get lost. How could someone like that have any backbone?”

 

Quick-witted Featherback immediately responded to Hasadin’s words.

 

“There is no discrimination in Mörsolt. All people live together in harmony.”

 

“Even if their skin color or hair shape is different?”

 

“That doesn’t matter at all. Anyone who doesn’t severely break the law can live equally and peacefully together.”

 

“I’ve never broken the law in my life. Oh, well there was that. Except for a few times when I jaywalked or threw trash on the street…”

 

“Then you’re qualified. Migrate to Mörsolt Territory.”

 

“I… have quite a lot of family members.”

 

“As long as it doesn’t exceed five digits, it’s fine. These days we even provide settlement support funds. The salary will be at least double what Purosange offers.”

 

“I want to go right away.”

 

“While you’re at it, it wouldn’t be bad to earn some merit on your way. The rewards are quite generous too.”

 

“For instance, helping you—no, helping my Lord get over Purosange’s castle walls and take control of the castle?”

 

“Good, the conversation is moving quickly.”

 

“But as I mentioned earlier, I can’t open the castle gate. It requires three or more people to open it. Instead, I’ll tell you about a side gate on a castle wall that’s a bit less steep. Actually, it’s not even a side gate—it’s a hole that wasn’t properly repaired during castle wall maintenance work. Since it’s in the middle of the castle wall, if you just position a ladder properly…”

 

Hasadin pointed with his finger toward a corner of a distant bastion.

 

Featherback turned his head following his finger.

 

In a corner that would be absolutely impossible to discover unless someone pointed it out by hand, there was a small hole.

 

Featherback nodded.

 

“No need for a ladder. I can climb up with my bare hands.”

 

“What? But it’s quite high…”

 

“It’s fine. But where does that hole lead to?”

 

“It leads to the hay storage attached behind the castle walls. It’s packed with hay for supplying the war horses, and it’s a very dry place, so even one match would cause a huge fire.”

 

“If a fire breaks out, how long would it take for the firefighters to come running?”

 

“They’d come running within about 5 minutes. When that happens, the main castle’s security will become very lax. No, it’s already incredibly lax right now. All the troops that were originally guarding that place went out to catch the Young Lord.”

 

“Excellent information. There’s no lie in it, right?”

 

“What loyalty do I owe to bastards who call me a freak and beat me up?”

 

“That’s right. A person should stay close to those who recognize their worth. What is your name?”

 

“It’s Hasadin.”

 

“I won’t forget that name. Are you interested in knighthood?”

 

“Very much interested.”

 

“Bring your family and move to Mörsolt Territory. Then come find me. Of course, you’ll have to undergo some intense training.”

 

“I’m confident.”

 

At those words, Featherback gestured with his chin toward the back.

 

Hounded, who had been hiding behind the snow-covered hill, was now standing behind Featherback.

 

He grinned and placed his hand on Hasadin’s shoulder.

 

“Nice to meet you, rookie.”

 

“Nice to meet you too!”

 

Around Hounded and Hasadin, 32 Mörsolt Knights were smiling, showing their white teeth.

 

Their skin colors and hair shapes were all different, but their expressions were all the same.

 

* * *

 

Hasadin was a more capable man than expected.

 

He recruited several mercenary groups that were filled with resentment for not yet receiving payment from the Purosange Family.

 

And he gathered up all the soldiers who had been discriminated against due to their origins and brought them to Featherback.

 

Featherback, who had crossed through the hole in the castle walls with 33 knights, easily occupied the main castle with Hasadin’s guidance and then made contact with fifty allies.

 

Wandering mercenaries with no sense of belonging and discriminated mixed-blood soldiers joined Featherback.

 

What followed was all too easy.

 

Featherback massacred fifty soldiers inside the castle walls in just one hour.

 

Then he propped up the corpses against the castle walls and froze them by pouring water over them.

 

When the fifty men who came to follow Featherback and the fifty dead lined up on the castle walls, the number appeared quite substantial.

 

Because of this, Baron Thoroughbred, who returned to the main castle belatedly, had no choice but to believe that all the soldiers in the castle had betrayed him.

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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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