Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Devoted Reader's Reformation Life
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“The guest from the Claussen Margrave Territory has just passed through the royal castle gates.”
King Edgar IV of Hispanya tilted his teacup as he spoke those words.
Word was that the Lichten Claussen Margrave had two sons under his wing.
One was a late-born youngest son, a full fifteen years younger than his firstborn, who had lost his mother.
‘Depending on how those two get along, they could become staunch allies... or bitter enemies.’
In the heart of power and politics, blood ties were little more than a faint prick of conscience—nothing more.
Sometimes, family bonds had to be severed more ruthlessly than any other connection.
‘In that sense...’
King Edgar IV glanced at his daughter, who sat beside him silently sipping her tea.
Vanessa Ringkle Hispanya, the kingdom’s First Princess.
She was just a year younger than the First Prince, Erader Ragon Hispanya—siblings born of the same father and mother, yet polar opposites in every way.
It was a blessing that Vanessa was the younger one; otherwise, the royal house would have been thrown into utter chaos, or so Edgar IV was certain.
‘The throne is all but Erader’s by right, with no glaring flaws to his name...
Still, it’s a shame to waste this child’s talents.’
Masking his bitterness, Edgar IV kept drinking his tea when he suddenly noticed his daughter’s expression had subtly hardened.
She was a girl who rarely showed her emotions, yet the news of Sion Claussen crossing into the capital had stirred a flicker of displeasure on her face.
‘That boy... he must still remember what happened back then.’
It had been when they were mere children, so surely she could let it go by now.
Muttering that to himself, Edgar IV spoke in a casual tone, as if it were an offhand remark.
“I hear the Claussen Margrave Territory claimed victory in the war against Nudia.
A decisive win in less than a fortnight, followed by a flawless defense.
Quite the feat.”
“I’ve heard as much, Father.”
“The guest has come to discuss the reports on that front and the postwar arrangements.”
“...”
Vanessa said nothing.
She merely sat there with a rigidly displeased expression, as if something deeply offended her.
Finally, unable to stand it, Edgar IV lightly tapped his teacup with a teaspoon twice, snapping the princess back to her senses.
“My apologies, Father.
I was lost in thought...”
“According to the reports, the greatest hero of that war was none other than Sion Claussen himself.
Mentioned directly by the Lichten Margrave, no less.”
“...”
“A few years ago, that same reckless boy made a grave mistake with you, but it seems he’s matured in the interim and grown by leaps and bounds.”
Vanessa couldn’t bring herself to affirm or deny her father’s words.
She wasn’t judging him on rumors alone—she had experienced it firsthand.
At that royal banquet years ago, hadn’t Sion eyed her with that creepy gaze?
Enraged by the nauseating look, she had snapped at him, and in the end, the Lichten Margrave had stepped in to apologize on his behalf.
The culprit himself, Sion Claussen, hadn’t shown his face, hiding behind his father instead.
‘For a wretch like that to one day become the Claussen Margrave, the shield defending this kingdom!
The very thought is utterly lamentable!’
The Lichten Margrave was still hale and hearty, but no one outran time forever.
Sooner or later, he would step down, and that pathetic man would take his place as margrave—an idea that filled Vanessa with dread just to imagine.
And yet, just recently, an unbelievable report had arrived.
The Claussen Margrave Territory had won a great victory against Nudia.
In the ensuing defense, they hadn’t even clashed once before forcing the enemy to retreat on their own.
All in a matter of days, orchestrated by one man.
‘When I heard that report, I doubted my own ears.’
Sion Claussen.
It was him.
The one who fawned over women and bullied the weak while cowering before the strong.
He had suddenly transformed: rallying the troops with a speech, charging at the forefront of battle, outsmarting the enemy in defense to make them withdraw voluntarily, and even poaching one of Nudia’s elite knights.
‘Impossible!’
People don’t change.
That’s why it’s called one’s nature.
The unchanging, hard-to-alter color unique to each person.
And yet, Sion Claussen had mocked her beliefs by changing utterly—beyond recognition.
“Father.”
“Hm?”
“...Might the reports be exaggerated...?”
No sooner had the princess said it than she clamped her mouth shut, realizing how absurd it sounded.
Would the Lichten Margrave tolerate such fabrications?
For that matter, how could Sion Claussen himself come to the capital with falsified reports in hand?
If exposed, they’d face severe punishment for royal defamation and a litany of other charges.
“Who knows.
What do you think?”
“...”
“Erader quipped, ‘Maybe he’s putting in the effort for someone he fancies?’—a bizarre yet utterly manly response.”
“I... I’m not sure.
It’s hard to judge based solely on reports and rumors...”
“I see.
That’s fortunate.
The star of this upcoming banquet has just arrived at the palace, saying he has matters to discuss.”
He’d come to the palace for ‘consultations’ before the banquet even began.
Vanessa knew full well what that implied.
Finding mutual benefits: one as the banquet’s honoree, the other as its host.
“Your Highness, Young Lord Sion Claussen has arrived.”
“Show him in.”
The chamberlain announced, and Edgar IV replied thus. Moments later, the door opened.
From beyond it strode a tall, handsome young man with unwavering confidence, not a hint of hesitation.
No trace of doubt, fear, or even tension.
“Sion Claussen of the Claussen Margrave Territory.
I come before Edgar Astarus Hispanya, lawful ruler of Hispanya and head of the royal house.”
Border nobles often fumbled central protocols, and the king usually overlooked such slips.
But this young man greeted him with flawless etiquette, without a single misstep, announcing his debut.
“Raise your head.
This isn’t a formal audience; no need for stiff formality.”
Only after Edgar IV spoke did Sion Claussen slowly lift his gaze.
In that instant, his eyes locked with Vanessa’s in midair!
“...?”
Sion blinked in surprise, and the princess did the same.
‘What the hell?
Why’s the princess here?
Wasn’t it the prince?’
Erader lacked brilliance but had no major flaws, making him the frontrunner for the throne.
Sion had assumed he’d be here with Edgar IV, but an unexpected woman sat in his place.
After staring at her briefly, Sion realized his slip and bowed his head again.
“I greet First Princess Vanessa Ringkle Hispanya, Your Highness.”
“...”
The princess remained silent.
Even Edgar IV, watching quietly from the side, had to tap his teacup again to get her attention.
Ting ting—
“Ah, forgive me.
Young Lord Sion.
Welcome to the palace.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
With that, Sion turned his gaze to Edgar IV.
The princess felt an odd twinge of neglect at his indifference.
‘A few years ago, it was the complete opposite...’
Back at their first meeting, Sion had stared at her so strangely.
She still remembered the raw desire gleaming in his eyes, churning her stomach.
Even later, chatting with other nobles, he’d kept stealing glances at her.
But now, years on, the youth returned as a war hero...
He had changed—truly, profoundly.
His eyes sparkled with resolve, a faint smile played on his lips, and above all, his voice carried strength.
“Very well.
You wished to speak with me.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.
First, allow me to report on the war’s progress and postwar negotiations.
If that’s acceptable?”
“I’ve read your father’s detailed accounts, but hearing it from you directly has its merits.
Sit.
A hero’s tale is best savored straight from the source.”
For the king to offer a seat—and beside him, no less—was an extraordinary honor.
Most nobles would balk or hesitate, but Sion showed no such qualms.
As if it were merely a command to obey, he sat boldly yet courteously opposite Vanessa—right beside the king.
“Nudia issued the declaration of war, and we of Claussen...”
The words flowed from Sion’s lips, mirroring the reports.
Yet woven in were his own feelings and decisions at key moments.
Edgar IV raised a hand, halting him.
“I hear this was your first time in battle.”
“That’s correct.”
“And yet your father says you stood at the vanguard—not from the rear.”
“True.”
“And that to honor a promise, you charged right up to the enemy lines to rescue a soldier.”
Huh?
What’s that supposed to mean?
The princess glanced at Edgar IV in confusion.
She’d known nothing of this.
Rushing to the enemy’s doorstep for a promise—to save a soldier?
“The report from the Lichten Margrave only noted that you gave a speech, without details.
It seems tied to this promise you made to the troops.”
“Indeed.
He likely omitted it as unimportant...”
“I’m not blaming your father.
Mere curiosity.”
Edgar IV leaned in slightly, fixing Sion with his gaze.
“Care to share?
That pre-battle speech of yours.
And the promise to your soldiers.”
Sion pondered briefly before speaking slowly.
“I told them I couldn’t promise anything.”
“Hm?”
“...?”
“No victory, no divine blessings—not even safe return.
But I promised something else.
That when we advanced, I’d lead the way; when we retreated, I’d be last.
And that in that hellish battlefield, I’d leave no one behind.
Win or lose.
Dead, wounded, or alive—we’d all return home together.
That promise kept me at the front, at the rear, and unwilling to abandon any straggler.”
Silence followed Sion’s words—from Edgar IV and Vanessa alike.
Sion Claussen wasn’t some common soldier or knight.
He was the heir to a house rivaling a marquisate in influence.
He needn’t make such speeches, acts, or promises.
Just fight well and come back; slip away early if things soured.
“...I see.
Continue with the rest.”
What followed was even more shocking.
Nudia’s forces, alongside reinforcements, had besieged Claussen Castle.
Yet Sion hadn’t barred the gates—he’d flung them wide open.
A silent taunt: Come in if you dare. And Nudia had backed off.
Even assuming a trap, breaching the walls would end any siege.
‘H-How is this even possible?’
Was this truly the same loose screw of a noble from years ago—the loathsome one?
Fawning over ladies, dodging influential heirs, lording over rural lords.
With nothing to his name but a pretty face—that ‘Sion Claussen.’
Vanessa couldn’t comprehend it.
“...When the royal banquet convenes, many nobles’ attention will turn to me.”
“Natural for a war hero; they’ll welcome you.”
“Precisely.
So I plan to stoke their patriotism—their loyalty to the crown.”
“What?”
Edgar IV’s composure cracked at the unexpected declaration.
Caught off guard, he didn’t mask his doubt: Could it even be done?
“Simple, Your Majesty.”
Yes, exceedingly so.
Riling people up was child’s play.
Just tug at their heartstrings.
‘The wastrel son of Claussen, that notorious playboy, preaching patriotism right before their eyes? So-called honorable nobles can’t very well sit it out.’
Ah, what a banquet to anticipate!
Sion chuckled inwardly.
[Author's Note]
Two days of four-chapter bursts...
Ugh...
I’m dying...
But if the recommendations pile up, I might pull it off again someday...