The Regressed Magic Swordsman Devours the North - Chapter 32

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 32. Acquiring People (1)
—September 4th, 2 PM
Given the departure at dawn on September 7th, roughly three days remained until we left.
Perfect timing.
Travis’s situation wasn’t something that had sprung up yesterday or today, so there was no need to rush. In fact, the wiser choice was to depart after thorough preparation. A knight remained crucial to our strength now, but would be even more so going forward. Better to prepare properly than to charge in unprepared and meet a dog’s death.
I made efficient use of every hour. I had to move methodically to finish our preparations on schedule.
—September 4th, 3 PM
After conquering the first floor of the Flaming Ice Dragon’s dungeon, I’d been steadily selling Sun Stones to Seed.
My funds were growing like a spring that never ran dry.
But now that I’d nearly exhausted the Sun Stones from that dungeon, it was time to identify our next source of income.
Creak—
I pushed open the door to Seed’s external office.
“Ugh.”
A stale smell hit me. Half-eaten snack bags littered the floor, and a surprisingly tall tower of paper cups from finished coffee sat stacked in the corner.
Once a spacious, pleasant space, this place had become a garbage dump.
I brushed aside trash scattered across one of the sofas and sat down.
“Did you get the permit?”
When I asked Seed, he blinked awake as if only now noticing my arrival.
“Ahhh… yeah. Yeah, you came. I’ve been pulling all-nighters for days handling the paperwork.”
Ah, that explained it.
No wonder his eyes looked hollow.
Well, you have to stake a claim on business rights early. Otherwise vultures flock in once they catch the scent.
“What’s the scope?”
“I registered exclusive Mining Rights for Mining Districts 1 through 5 in the Kroem Mountain Range.”
Seed handed me a stack of documents. Flipping through them calmly, I could see the toll of his labor clear as day.
He’d managed to secure this much based on the roughly two hectares of Kroem Mountain Range land registry I’d prepared in advance.
“You really did exhausting work.”
Mining operations came with endless tasks.
Mining rights, business plans, safety regulations, transport protocols, road maintenance.
If things went well, we’d eventually receive support from the Northern Business Division and the Land Management Bureau. But that was a concern for later.
“You’ve done well. I heard the temporary camp’s already been built?”
Roman answered this time.
“We manufactured the barracks components here in advance, then transported them to the site and assembled them. The temporary camp is already quite sizable, and we’ve begun surveying for ore veins.”
“Hm…”
Roman’s face also looked rather exhausted. I felt a little sorry for him. But they really were capable people, all the same.
The northern Kroem Mountain Range presented challenges beyond just its rugged terrain; the greatest trial was the cold itself.
‘Precisely why that treasure trove remains undeveloped even now.’
In any case, the less time spent on-site meant better efficiency, so manufacturing in the city and assembling at the location was the optimal approach.
‘This construction method is fairly advanced knowledge, yet they’re handling it smoothly.’
“Have you found any ore veins yet?”
“Not yet. But… you really are certain there’s an ore vein there?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“It’s just the way you asked—like you’d seen the ore vein already, then wondered, ‘Why haven’t you found it yet?'”
“I’m telling you it’s definitely there.”
“…Fine, fine. Whatever. All that matters is results turn out good. Seems like it will, just like you said.”
“What’s the evidence?”
“We used the Mana Seismograph, and detected wavelengths deep underground that differ from ordinary ore. You know that distinctive frequency that Mana Stones give off.”
Of course I knew.
The device sent fine ripples of mana through the earth, analyzed the reflected waves, and determined the depth and purity of ore veins.
A Mana Seismograph.
This was a device Doctor Crombell had invented more than three years prior. People simply weren’t aware of it yet, but before my Regression, it had become commonplace and widely used.
‘Thinking about it that way, Doctor Crombell was truly a genius.’
Anyway.
“Remarkable. Quite a bit has progressed in my absence.”
“Hey. This is what we’ve been suffering through.”
His complaint drew a chuckle from me. Fair enough. I never imagined we’d advance this quickly.
And the reason we could move forward so rapidly was, of course—
“Still, young master, it’s thanks to the Sun Stones you provided that the temporary camp stays warm.”

Roman stepped forward to highlight my contributions, and my brother acknowledged them with a look of displeasure.
“……Well, I suppose. Fine then. That’s fair enough.”
It’s quite the amusing combination, really. Roman’s on my side, and my brother looks at me as though I’m some irritation he can’t quite shake.
Still, brother. If you’d seen the hell I went through in that underground dungeon, you wouldn’t say such things.
“It’s true the Sun Stone made it possible to start, but you, Roman, and the staff all did your share of the work. Besides—when we finally begin mining the ore veins, we’ll need much more land than this.”
“We’re already preparing to purchase it. About 190,000 pyeong.”
“What?”
“Why?”
“Never mind…….”
My brother, Seed.
Just how wealthy is he, anyway?
I have knowledge from before the Regression, but why is he so rich? Is this some kind of talent?
‘……It’s illogical.’
“I’ll ask Doctor Crombell to handle the necessary technology and equipment.”
“Is that person really a magitech engineer?”
“Yes, they are.”
In any case, thanks to capable people, work was progressing smoothly even without my direct involvement.
At this rate, we’d soon discover the ore vein and begin mining.
If that happens……
I won’t have to worry about money anymore.
“Is there anything else you need?”
My brother added something to my question.
“We need skilled people to protect the temporary camp from Magical Beasts and vagrants. I’ve hired mercenaries, but…….”
“They have their limits.”
“Right. So find me someone with Aura User-level strength. It won’t be easy, but.”
It was certainly necessary.
The Karsen Family and the Inspection Bureau aren’t without Knight-rank forces, but using them for private matters would be an abuse of power.
And I couldn’t simply post a notice and hire just anyone either—that would be like announcing to everyone, “I found an ore vein here!”
Trust and security were everything. Finding a reliable Aura User to hire on short notice wasn’t simple. But.
I smiled and answered.
“Leave it to me.”
***
-September 4th, 7 PM
Seireen, the northern capital.
A VIP room in the hospital run by the Karsen Family.
The fading glow of sunset streamed through the window, illuminating the ward with warm light.
Premium bedding was neatly arranged; the sharp, herbal scent of medicine hung in the air; the proper humidity mingled with the smell of disinfectant.
It was, in every sense, a textbook recovery room.
A man sat on the hospital bed with his back perfectly straight, regarding the other figure seated across from him.
Brilliant golden hair. Eyes that seemed to contain the abyss itself. Noble bearing. Sion Karsen, champion of the Geumseong Tournament.
Gulp.
The man swallowed hard.
Sion opened his mouth to speak.
“Are you managing well?”
“……Yes. Thanks to your careful attention, I was able to recover completely. Thank you again, truly. And—I’m sorry.”
The man was none other than Sian, the spear fighter.
Right after his defeat at the Geumseong Tournament, he’d been transported to the hospital and underwent surgery from the north’s finest physician.
Premium medicinal herbs.
Arnica.
Comfrey.
Calendula.
All were provided.
On the first day of hospitalization, Sian was moved by the fact that he’d survived, and overwhelmed by the reality of receiving hospital care.
And.
When the doctor told him he could continue his mercenary work without lasting complications, he wept—tears streaming freely.
Gratitude and guilt tangled together.
‘No matter how desperate I was for money, what was I thinking…….’
Once his mind cleared, something felt off. While he’d been preoccupied with recovery, he hadn’t noticed. But now that healing was complete, questions bloomed naturally.
-Why would he go this far for me?
Simply because a young nobleman wounded a tournament participant?
But he knew that Guseto had put him up to it. So then, why?
As doubts began to consume his thoughts,
Sion arrived.
“Do you know why I let you live back then, when I could have killed you?”
“I……”
Sian couldn’t answer easily. He didn’t know. He could only bow his head low.
Then.
“While working as a mercenary in the Delgard Region, you’ve been sending most of your earnings to your mother and younger siblings back home.”
“……!”
Sian felt as though lightning had struck him. His entire body erupted in goosebumps.
He knew about his mother and his younger siblings?
That meant he’d had him investigated. But why? Was he going to punish him?
The moment that thought took hold, Sian threw himself flat on the hospital floor.
“Sir, I’ve committed a sin worthy of death! Please! Please! Just spare my mother and siblings……!”
“Enough.”
When Sion cut him off with an expressionless voice, Sian felt as though he’d plunged into hell itself.
If he were to kill the knight before him now and flee with his mother and siblings?
It was impossible. He hadn’t been a match for him even when fully armed. How could he kill him now?
And.
How could he dare to do such a thing?
Then.
The expressionless voice rang out again.
“Do you still covet the 3 billion Jennys?”
Thud.
It felt as if a boulder had crashed down on his head.
3 billion Jennys.
Enough for his ailing mother’s medical bills and to feed his siblings well.
Tempted by that figure, he’d made a lapse in judgment and crossed a line he should never have crossed.
Not knowing that crossing that line meant a harsh punishment awaited.
“I’m sorry……. I’m truly sorry. I’ll accept any punishment. Please. Just spare my mother and siblings…….”
Tears streamed down Sian’s face. Dark stains slowly spread across the hospital floor.
Sion regarded the weeping Sian with an icy gaze. His tears looked like tears of blood.
“Get up.”
“……I’m sorry. I’ll do whatever it takes…….”
“Stand.”
Sian sprang to his feet.
“Sit.”
Snap.
He was seated at once.
Sian felt his body responding to each word that left Sion’s mouth. He wasn’t trying to do it consciously. It simply happened on its own.
“If you had accepted the contract to kill, your head would already have parted ways with your body. It wasn’t I who spared you. It was your conscience.”
Sian had nothing to say. No matter how much he might deny accepting the contract, the fact remained that he had plotted against one of the North’s greatest noble families.
Yet.
“I will forgive you this once.”
Forgiveness. At that word, something surged up from deep within his chest. The young knight before him appeared in a new light.
Brilliant golden hair.
Eyes that seemed to hold an abyss.
A boundless capacity.
The very bearing of a great noble.
He asked.
“How much were you earning per month during your time as a mercenary?”
“W-when work was plentiful, I could earn up to 10 million Jennys, but when there was little work, even 1 million Jennys was difficult.”
“What about annually?”
“About 30 million Jennys.”
In other words, mercenary work was seasonal labor.
The work itself put one’s life at risk, and the income was far from stable; it would be difficult to call it a good profession even in jest.
Sion nodded once, then made an offer.
“Would you like to work under me?”
“……Yes. I will devote my life to serving you.”
Sian accepted Sion’s offer without hesitation. In truth, he believed he had no choice in the matter.
To be honest, what could they do to him now, even if they locked him away in a cell?
Yet there was one thing.
His ailing mother and younger siblings weighed on his mind. How would he manage the living expenses he sent them each month?
Then.
“Why decide without even hearing the conditions?”
“Pardon? ……What do you mean?”
“Read it through first, then decide. I’m not forcing you.”
Sion handed a contract to Sian, who steadied his trembling nerves and began to read.
『[Employment and Confidentiality Agreement]
Employer (Party A): Sion Karsen
Employee (Party B): Sian
Article 1 (Purpose)
This agreement is entered into to establish the mutual rights and obligations between Party A and Party B in the employment relationship.
……(omitted)
Base Salary: 5,000,000 Denarii per month.
Payment Date: First of each month, deposited to the account designated by Party B.』
“F-five million Denarii?”
Sian was absolutely flabbergasted. It wasn’t just the amount that astounded him—the contract itself was remarkably fair. Apart from the confidentiality clause, it read like any ordinary employment agreement.
But there was one difference.
At the very bottom, in the special provisions.
『[Special Provisions]
Party A shall bear all costs for relocating Party B’s mother and younger siblings to a safe area within Karsen Territory.
Party A shall provide full support for all medical and educational expenses incurred by Party B’s family.
Should Party B die in the line of duty or suffer permanent disability, Party A shall guarantee a lifetime pension to ensure Party B’s family can sustain themselves.』
“M-my lord…… this is.”
As Sian trembled, Sion pointed with his finger to the end of the contract.
『Article 6 (Contract Duration)
This agreement takes effect from the date of execution and operates on the principle of lifetime employment. It may be terminated by mutual consent.』
“Think it over. Once you sign, you become my subordinate. And if you do, you’ll need to keep growing stronger.”
Though Sion told him to consider it, Sian had already made his decision in his heart. He simply struggled to comprehend what kind of situation this truly was.
The Returned Sword Master Devours the North
Author
: Bang Sim
Date of Production
: June 16, 2026
Publisher
: ACIS Media Co., Ltd.
Editor
: ACIS Media Editorial Team
Address
: 10F Urban Bench Building, 325 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Email
: [email protected]
※ This work is published by ACIS Media Co., Ltd. under contract with the copyright holder.
No part of this content may be used in any form or by any means without permission from the publisher and author.
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UCI
: G720:N+A129-20260615032

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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