Regressor Instruction Manual

Chapter 1485. Backstage (6)

[I sincerely hope this letter reaches you. If it doesn’t, then Rahel may already have vanished from the map. Furthermore, if it’s indeed true that you, the Blue Guild Master, have received this letter, I earnestly ask that you set aside any prejudices or doubts, at least for the duration of reading this.

This letter wasn't written to harm or insult you, nor does it serve any purpose other than to speak about the situation Rahel currently faces on the continent.

I’m one of the foreigners presently residing in Rahel, a resident who has made this place my home. As you are already aware, I’m among the foreigners within Rahel, where a blockade is underway. I understand that the Imperial Army is moving toward Rahel for an as-yet-unannounced military operation.

I understand that this is to contain the plague that is believed to have broken out in Rahel. I say this with a resolute heart, but there are those who seek to cut off Rahel so that a terrible epidemic doesn’t spread across the continent.

However, contrary to the concerns of Her Majesty Charlotte and the heroes who guide the continent, I must inform you that Rahel isn’t suffering from a plague at this time.

The oracle that the Vatican had received, and how such rumors began to circulate, remains elusive to me, but upon hearing them, Rahel’s leaders performed emergency measures and have been exerting every effort to prepare for any possible outbreak.

While I can’t claim that the city’s administrative infrastructure is flawless, we have begun isolating and managing anyone who shows even the slightest signs of symptoms, and we’re committing all available resources to studying those who display fever or any other abnormalities.

The few mages and priests within the city have already been mobilized, and the entire city has been moving nonstop.

However, the Imperial forces around Rahel fear the plague. They’re extremely reluctant to make contact with Rahel’s leaders. While it’s entirely understandable and justified to fear that Rahel’s residents may be infected, it’s deeply regrettable that we have been unable to convey that Rahel is effectively controlling and responding to the situation.

Esteemed and Respected Blue Guild Master, I don’t claim to know much about you, but I have heard that you are rational, just, and unhesitating in the pursuit of what’s right. I ask for little. I earnestly request that you contact the Imperial Army enforcing the blockade and order an inspection of Rahel’s interior.

Please confirm that Rahel, a part of the Great Empire, is capable of responding to this supposed plague through its own efforts, and withdraw the blade turned toward your own allies.

Rahel’s leadership awaits your reply. Should you wish to contact me, I ask that you leave your letter in the supply depot before you depart again. I humbly ask that you make a rational choice, one that doesn’t spill blood. With that, I conclude this letter.

— From Rahel]

[It doesn’t appear to have been tampered with. — Blue Guild Master, Kim Hyun-Sung.]

[Blue Guild Master, before addressing the many doubts you must surely hold, I would first like to thank you for reading my letter and for making contact with me. I understand that it’s difficult for you to trust me completely.

I also understand what you may think of Rahel. And I’m aware that those stories aren’t entirely unfounded. Unfortunately, it can’t be denied that Rahel has been a diseased city.

It’s true that many things not permitted under Imperial law have taken place here, and as you already know, black markets have been operating here in secret. However, none of that justifies denying Rahel what it’s entitled to receive.

Rahel is undeniably a city within Imperial territory and subject to Imperial governance. If a plague has truly broken out, then it’s only right that the Empire take the proper measures required.

I’m not asking that the crimes committed by those who live in Rahel be forgiven. I’m asking only that the same measures applied to great cities such as Lindel, Celia, Dawan, the Capital, or Castle Rock in times of plague be applied here as well.

Despite the rumors of an outbreak spreading, no investigator or inspector has ever visited Rahel.

At the very least, Rahel deserves the lawful procedure of having its current condition confirmed and determining what situation it truly faces as well as whether a plague is in fact present. Once again, I earnestly ask you, Blue Guild Master, before arriving at Rahel, please issue an order to personally visit and inspect it.

— From Rahel]

[It doesn’t appear to have been tampered with. — Blue Guild Master, Kim Hyun-Sung.]

[There haven't been any visits from an investigator so far, but you have said that you will come personally, and so, I’ll trust your word and wait. If circumstances make it impossible for Imperial investigators to reach us, I humbly ask whether it might be possible to dispatch priests from the Vatican instead. I know this is no small request, but I earnestly implore you, Blue Guild Master.

— From Rahel]

[It doesn’t appear to have been tampered with. — Blue Guild Master, Kim Hyun-Sung.]

[So far, there have been no investigators. For now, I’ll send the report Rahel has compiled regarding the alleged plague. Would it be possible to slow the advance of the Imperial Army? In these difficult circumstances, the presence of the Blue Guild Master has been a great source of strength. Rahel stands united in gratitude for the compassion you have shown us.

— From Rahel]

[It doesn’t appear to have been tampered with. — Blue Guild Master, Kim Hyun-Sung.]

[You know that this isn't because of a plague, right? — From Rahel]

[It doesn’t appear to have been tampered with. — Blue Guild Master, Kim Hyun-Sung.]

[Are you telling me to believe that? That the inspector who suddenly appeared and cut down a resident of Rahel wasn’t acting under your orders? He was an old man. A mage, yes, but he was senile, old man.

He even thinks I was his granddaughter. That old man was infected with the plague? He was spreading it? What kind of #### absurd nonsense is that? Because of you ####, Rahel has lost one of the few mages it had left.

There was no plague to begin with. Is it normal to behead someone under the pretext of a plague that doesn’t even exist? Let's say you knew this wasn’t about a plague. Then, why did you send those damned inspectors? Were you toying with me?

Yes, I was the one who first brought up the plague, but it was to delay your advance as much as possible. To buy time and secure even the smallest chance to negotiate. The inspectors have returned. If what you told me is true, then withdraw them first. I will end this letter here.

— From Rahel]

[It doesn’t appear to have been tampered with. — Blue Guild Master, Kim Hyun-Sung.]

[Are you saying that because the Empire had reported it as a plague, it was only right to investigate a plague? Are you seriously telling me that? Do you truly not understand why this chaos is unfolding right now? Or do you know but have simply decided that carrying out the Empire’s order takes precedence?

I understand that there are procedures. I understand that believing and following the official directive from the Empire is part of your duty and role. But from where I stand, it feels as though you aren’t fully committed to working with me.

It almost seems as though you would prefer it to be true that there is a plague. In exchange for handling this matter, what did the Empire promise you?

— From Rahel]

[It doesn’t appear to have been tampered with. — Blue Guild Master, Kim Hyun-Sung.]

[Thank you. The words you have given me are a source of strength, and I understand the honesty in what you said as well. I understand your position and your circumstances. Though I’m uneasy, I’ll choose to trust you. At present, there’s no other answer. To be frank, it reassures me. If you already know this isn’t about a plague... then it will be easier for us to speak openly.

I believe you’re at least somewhat aware that this purge is, in truth, meant to eliminate Celia’s war criminals and nobles. In fact, Rahel has already been making efforts to secure the Imperial nobles of Celia.

I can’t say we have secured them all, but the leadership estimates that we have about seventy percent in custody. I would like to know whether you can pursue direct negotiations with the Empire. I look forward to a reply sooner than usual.

— From Rahel]

[It doesn’t appear to have been tampered with. — Blue Guild Master, Kim Hyun-Sung.]

[As always, thank you, Blue Guild Master. If this matter is resolved favorably, I will not forget all that you have done. Today, however, I must deliver troubling news. There are signs of unrest within Rahel.

Before anything else, I must inform you that the residents of Rahel are gripped by extreme anxiety. Since the investigators and inquisitors' departure, there has been growing sentiment within the city that we must enter a state of war before the main force arrives.

The moderates are doing their utmost to restrain them, but it’s likely that before long, some of the foreigners will attempt to ambush the forces blockading Rahel.

We’re trying to determine the exact timing, but I believe such an assault won't inflict any meaningful damage. I earnestly ask that you consider pulling your troops back just a little further.

It would be best if no clash were to occur at all, but should fighting break out, I ask that you show them a measure of mercy. They’re uneducated, desperate people simply struggling to survive. They don't deserve to suffer a meaningless death here. I beg you.

— From Rahel]

[It doesn’t appear to have been tampered with. — Blue Guild Master, Kim Hyun-Sung.]

[Tensions between the Imperial Army and Rahel have intensified due to the recent clash. It feels as though anything could happen at any moment, so I must ask whether you might be able to arrive a little sooner.

And if possible, once you arrive, I would like to invite you to Rahel. I hope we meet face to face, speak of the matters left unsaid, and discuss our plans moving forward.

— From Rahel]

[It doesn’t appear to have been tampered with. — Blue Guild Master, Kim Hyun-Sung.]

[Are you on your way? From here, I can see the subjugation force advancing. I’ll be waiting in Rahel.

— From Rahel]

***

[A letter that was never delivered.]

[I really hope this letter reaches you, you cursed bastard. You never intended to spare us from the beginning, did you? You. Kim Hyun-Sung. You son of a bitch. I don’t know where you are or what you’re doing, but there’s no need to send a reply.

No, it wouldn’t matter anyway. You’ll burn every one of my letters, and even if this letter somehow reaches you, everyone here will already be dead. Funny, isn’t it?

While you were on your way here, I was riding the highs and lows while reading every single letter you sent, but in the end, this is how it turned out. You disgusting hypocrite.

What the hell was the problem? What was the problem, you bastard? There was no plague to begin with, and we already handed over most of the people you wanted.

Why did you have to go this far? What offended you so much? Because Rahel was a slum? Or because we didn’t fit your standards? Did the things we did to survive irritate you? Did you grow greedy for power? Do you need the title "War Hero Who Wiped out the Remnants?

Is that why you changed your mind at the end? Or did you never intend to negotiate with us from the start? There were children here, you miserable bastard. There were old people too, and fools who had nothing to do with the black market. Many of them came here just to survive.

Maybe none of that matters to you, but congratulations. Your future must be bright now. You'll soon become a count, right? The first foreigner in the Empire to receive a title. You must be thrilled, you damned murderer. You’ll accept a title built on blood and call yourself a hero.

You, no, all of you, gained so much from this, didn’t you? Every single one of you who agreed to the purge. Yes, all of you who took part under the Empire's banner. I’ll remember every last one of you until the end, Hyun-Sung.

Of course, I don’t expect you to remember me. I guarantee you won’t. You’ve killed so many that someone like me will just be another body in the pile you've made, but I’ll remember you, even in death. I promise you, Hyun-Sung.

Even after I die, I’ll remember you and curse you forever.

If I end up getting reborn, I’ll curse you. I will curse you in hell. No matter where I am or what I’m doing, I’ll curse you. I’ll tear out your heart, rip open your guts, gnaw at your brain, and gouge out your eyes with needles.

I’ll die imagining you burning in the fires of hell. I’ll die praying that someone strips you of everything precious to you and that someone reduces all you have to ashes.

You took even the smallest things I had, and for that, I’ll remember you forever. Forever. You vile, loathsome piece of filth. I’ll go ahead and wait for you. I’ll see you in hell.

— From Rahel]

[It seems there has been some kind of misunderstanding. We have been unable to establish contact, but just in case, I’ll leave a letter at the usual place and wait. From the subjugation force... ███████... If you’re still alive... then all of this is my... ███████... It doesn’t appear to have been tampered with.

— Blue Guild Master, Kim Hyun-Sung]

[It’s been a long time. Hero Who Saved the Empire, First Foreigner to Be Granted the Title of Count, Champion Who Protected the Continent, and Hope of All Adventurers. It’s truly been a long time. Now...]

[It’s time to keep your promise, Hyun-Sung.]