The Regressor Plays the Game Too Well - Chapter 74

—————

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

—————

Episode 74
Episode 74
I settled into the plush sofa and gazed out the carriage window.
The ride was so smooth it barely registered any movement at all.
Despite being a carriage, it cradled me in the same comfort as lounging in a living room sofa.
So this is what a nobleman’s carriage feels like.
It’s absolutely incredible.
I’d ridden in a carriage to the Mayor’s Mansion before.
But traveling this long distance really made me appreciate the difference.
Ordinary cheap carriages must be unbearable by comparison.
What’s more, I had this spacious carriage entirely to myself.
The comfort is simply unmatched.
‘If Baron Philip had come along, I’d have talked his ear off. Thank goodness he didn’t.’
That wouldn’t have been comfortable at all.
Apparently he has too many administrative duties, and since other cities can’t participate in territorial wars, he couldn’t join me.
In any case, I’m traveling alone.
It’s wonderfully peaceful.
I never thought I’d actually participate in a territorial war.
And in the form of an urgent Quest, no less.
[Baron Philip’s Letter of Introduction]
【Urgent Quest】
*Description: A territorial war between Garn Territory and Millia Territory. Baron Philip is cousins with Amellia, the lord of Garn Territory.
Unable to ignore her crisis, he earnestly requests your assistance.
Travel to Lord’s Castle in Garn Territory with Baron Philip’s letter of introduction.
*Objective: Use Baron Philip’s letter of introduction to meet Countess Amelia de Decan.
*Reward: Random Skill Book (Hero Grade)
*Reward has already been distributed.
*Abandoning the quest without completion will worsen your relationship with Baron Philip, Mayor of Margantia.
I’m actually participating in a territorial war now.
In truth, it’s absurd.
Normally, this content only appears when the Pantheon’s average level reaches 100.
Moreover, the territorial war between Garn and Millia was something I only knew about from the story.
But I can actually participate?
My gamer’s blood is absolutely pumping.
Above all, the reward is magnificent.
‘They’re giving it upfront.’
Honestly, I can’t complain.
It’s a Hero Grade random skill book, after all.
I never even dreamed of obtaining a higher grade.
Normally, Hero Grade rewards only yield Hero Grade skills.
Should I open it since I’m curious?
I wonder what will actually come out?
There are so many skills I can test right away, so increasing my skill count isn’t really a burden!
With that thought, Jin-woo immediately used the skill book.
‘I’ll use it.’
I ignored all the messages and used it right away.
What if a Hero-grade skill comes out?
Besides what I obtained from Wirun’s Library recently, the last skill I got was Howling Gale.
I’d love it if a magic-type skill appeared this time too.
I wonder what will actually come out.
Papapababa~.
Huh?
Wait?
The sound of a heavenly trumpet?
Followed by a brilliant golden radiance that emerged.
This… this is?
[Congratulations! You have acquired the Unique+ skill ‘Black Heart’!]
“What, what is this?”
It’s really Unique+?
Well, since the effect of being a unique existence raised it by 5%, I did think it was possible.
I thought there was a chance.
And here it is.
No, if something was going to come out, I’d expect Epic or Legendary.
But Unique?
I had another shameless thought today.
But I liked the name Black Heart from the start.
I wonder what kind of skill it is.
There’s no way I can’t check this right away.
『Black Heart』
*Grade: Unique+
*Level: 1
→You can store MP in Black Heart equal to +50% of your maximum MP separately.
→Stored MP can be used at any time.
→When using summoning-type skills with MP stored in Black Heart, the number and abilities of summoned creatures increase.
‘Oh!’
MP storage and summoned creature enhancement?
This is insane.
And since there’s no MP consumption when storing, it’s essentially the same as having +50% maximum MP.
Of course, storing does require time.
But still.
That said, it’s not an immediate maximum MP boost of +50%.
Still, it’s quite useful.
‘Incredibly useful, really!’
Most importantly, the skill enhancement for summoning-type abilities applies to Necromancer skills as well.
It’s a truly coveted skill.
When I think of Draconic Heart and other MP-related skills.
My weaknesses have essentially vanished.
You could call it a state of absolute perfection.
The problem is that even I can’t fully grasp how powerful I’ve become.
Why is that a problem?
If you don’t know your maximum strength, you can’t deploy your power at the right moment.
It would be ideal if using excessive force solved everything, but what if it doesn’t?
Then I simply die.
‘Objectively understanding one’s own power is truly important.’
It’s a critical aspect of combat.
Part of my reason for this territorial war was to verify exactly that.
I couldn’t help but anticipate this territorial war.
The anticipation was real.
I chuckled softly and gazed out the carriage window.
The Lord’s Castle, now drawing closer, began to come into view.
The Lord’s Castle of Garn Territory.
‘Territories really are different, aren’t they.’
Multiple cities clustered together rather than just one, with the largest city and the lord’s castle at their center.
A territory truly gave me the feeling of experiencing a real fantasy world.
Seeing the massive Lord’s Castle, my heart naturally quickened.
I never thought I’d directly meet the lord of Garn Territory.
And in a situation where they might even become my benefactor.
I quite liked this turn of events.
‘I’m curious how this will unfold.’
With anticipation filling my heart, my carriage headed toward the Lord’s Castle.
* * *
Countess Amelia de Decan.
A countess of the venerable Deron Kingdom and lord of Garn Territory.
She was also beloved by the people of Garn Territory.
Yet her face was filled entirely with worry.
War.
Though it was called a war between territories rather than between nations.
War was war.
Casualties were inevitable, deaths were unavoidable.
This reality caused Countess Amelia immense anguish.
‘Ah, why must such a calamity befall us….’
Amellia—what had she done?
Nothing but govern her territory in peace.
Yet why did tragedy strike regardless?
War was never even a consideration.
Thus, I maintained only the Guard Corps for public order and a minimal contingent of the Knight Order.
The remaining funds were devoted to the welfare of my subjects.
As a result, I had no choice but to conscript levies from among them.
How could I have failed to foresee this?
Regret consumed me, yet what was done could not be undone.
I sought mercenaries where I could, but the resources I’d invested in my territory and my people’s welfare left my coffers depleted—insufficient to hire the numbers we needed.
The shortfall in troops created a vicious cycle, forcing me to rely ever more heavily on conscripted levies.
What blessed fortune remained was that none of the conscripts harbored resentment; their morale soared instead.
They were willing—eager, even—to fight for their lord, Amellia.
Yet still, my heart ached.
‘My cousin Baron Philip assured me he would send a capable mercenary….’
But how much difference could one truly make?
Honestly, I dared not hope.
Though they say he is a hero who slew the Demon Sword itself.
Even such a hero would struggle to bear the weight of war alone.
My anxieties deepened with each passing moment.
What was to be done?
It was as I sank into these troubled thoughts that—
“My lord, the individual bearing Baron Philip’s letter of introduction has arrived.”
“Ah, I see. He arrived sooner than expected.”
“Yes, shall I show him in?”
“….”
I paused briefly before nodding my assent.
“Yes, please do so.”
“Very well, my lord.”
Upon hearing my loyal Butler’s words, I swept the worry from my countenance.
In solitude, such vulnerability was permissible.
But before those I governed, I could never reveal such weakness.
They were kind souls who would only fret over my troubles.
It fell to me alone to bear this burden.
Such was the duty and obligation of a lord.
As I composed myself—
The Butler’s voice rang out.
“Adventurer Jin-woo, bearing the letter of introduction from Baron Philip, Mayor of Margantia, seeks audience with Countess Amelia de Decan, the true master of Garn Territory, whose authority is both stern and benevolent!”
With that proclamation, the great doors swung open, and a man stepped into the Audience Chamber.
A man of rigid, upright bearing.
His appearance was that of a handsome young man with striking features.
Was this person the adventurer from the rumors?
That’s what Amellia thought.
Certainly, I could sense a powerful aura that seemed stronger than his visible level suggested.
Yet even so, a single person alone could not easily turn the tide of an unfavorable war.
Especially when his level wasn’t particularly high.
While he did display the qualities of a hero, he was still an incomplete one.
Without being Gruen, the protector of the Deron Kingdom, or Wirun, the aged sage, one could not reverse the course of battle alone.
If that were truly possible….
‘He would deserve to be called not merely a hero in appearance, but a true hero.’
With that thought, Amellia gazed upon Jin-woo.
An adventurer kneeling on one knee with his head bowed.
His name was Jin-woo, wasn’t it?
I thought he would be unfamiliar with etiquette, having come from another world.
But that was not the case.
“A humble adventurer, introduced by the esteemed Baron Philip of Margantia, pays respects to Countess Amelia de Decan, the true master of Garn Territory.”
“I have heard much of your reputation, Jin-woo. Please, do not lower yourself—raise your head.”
Truly, Amellia lived up to her reputation for compassion.
Hearing Amellia’s words, Jin-woo nodded and rose from his position with ease.
The powerful bearing I felt from a distance.
Certainly.
“Now I understand why both Protector Gruen and Sage Wirun were so pleased. You truly do possess the qualities of a hero.”
“I am grateful for such words.”
Jin-woo’s demeanor was more formal than ever.
Well, of course it was.
She wasn’t just any noble—she was a countess!
And the master of her own territory at that.
No matter how compassionate she was, there was nothing to gain from making a poor impression.
But there was certainly something to gain from making a good one.
Besides, I already knew well enough what kind of person Amellia was.
There’s no special trick to looking good.
‘I need to score some points here.’
Amellia had no idea of Jin-woo’s dark, murky inner thoughts.
Jin-woo bowed to her and spoke loudly.
“Though I cannot compare to the renown of Wirun and Gruen, I too have gained a modest power! I have come here hoping to be of service to Countess Amellia.”
Grateful words indeed.
Just as Amellia was about to express her thanks.
Jin-woo continued.
“A single person like myself will not change the course of war. War is a burden far too heavy for one to bear alone, after all.”
“….”
Words that struck the heart of the matter.
Amellia couldn’t respond.
To be coldly honest, it was an admission of her own helplessness.
Yet Amellia listened to Jin-woo’s words until the very end.
As if anticipating such an attitude from her, Jin-woo continued speaking.
“However, I am confident in possessing strength equivalent to a hundred men. I humbly beseech you, Countess Amelia de Decan, the true master of Garn Territory, to look favorably upon my resolve and grant this humble servant the opportunity to minimize the bloodshed of the territory’s people.”
“….”
“I earnestly implore you.”
Amellia closed her eyes at those words.
To be honest, it was hardly reassuring.
It was essentially saying the people’s blood couldn’t be completely prevented from spilling.
Surely that was the case.
Yet why did it bring such peace to her heart?
Rather, I found myself believing in him.
Not some irresponsible plea to trust only him.
But a promise to exert every ounce of strength.
It was precisely what I needed to hear.
‘Perhaps this man might be different.’
A glimmer of hope kindled within me.
Unlike before, when I dwelled only on despair, afraid of disappointment.
I wanted to trust him, just once.
Though how many enemies could one person truly face alone?
Yet in war, a single hero like that could transform the morale of an entire force.
If morale rose, perhaps the tide of battle could truly shift.
One person’s strength alone could accomplish nothing.
But if that were hope itself, the story changed entirely.
“Your words alone are gratitude enough, and yet you’ve come all this way—how can I thank you sufficiently? Rather, it is I who must ask. Please, raise your head.”
At Amellia’s words, Jin-woo lifted his gaze and beheld her smiling face.
A smile where worry had truly begun to fade.
Of course, I smiled in return.
Because of Amellia’s smile?
Hardly.
[You have cleared the Urgent Quest ‘Baron Philip’s Letter of Introduction’.]
[It continues to the Urgent Quest ‘Outpost of Garn Territory’.]
[The Quest target, Countess Amelia de Decan, is extremely satisfied.]
[Rewards based on your achievements have been maximized.]
[Additional rewards will be generated when the territorial war concludes.]
‘This is it.’
I remained consistent as always.

—————

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

—————