Ch.160160. I Am the Protagonist of a Romance Novel.

“I hate it!!”

Rebecca’s voice echoed throughout the reception room.

Ignoring her, I opened my mouth while looking at Serion Lykus.

“Will you accept my proposal?”

The situation was that I, Serion Lykus, and Rebecca had just entered the reception room together after finishing a simple hunt in the Forest of Death.

Serion Lykus showed a somewhat bewildered expression.

“Are you asking me to take Lord Rio and Lady Luna along when I go monster hunting in other territories?”

“Yes, and there’s one more. I haven’t shown you yet, but she’s a girl named Linadiel who has elven blood.”

“What’s the reason?”

“As I mentioned in the Forest of Death earlier, their skills are impeccable, but they still lack practical experience. I thought I could trust you with them, Serion Lykus.”

“…This is certainly a good offer for me, but…”

He seemed concerned about Rebecca’s fierce opposition and was trying to read the situation.

I leaned back on the reception room sofa and continued speaking casually.

“If you don’t accept the proposal, I have no intention of forgiving Rebecca either.”

At that, Rebecca jumped to her feet and raised her voice.

“I don’t need your forgiveness!”

“Then go to the prison here.”

“…Just try to catch me if you can.”

“You think I can’t? Did Luna and Rio’s skills look easy to deal with when you saw them?”

The profession of a mage is impressive, but Rebecca must know.

The numerous knights and mercenaries she encountered when entering this mansion.

She must have already judged their level of skill.

That’s right.

Rebecca herself knows better than anyone that she’s just being defiant right now.

Serion Lykus spreads his arms with an urgent expression.

“C-calm down, Rebecca.”

“…Tch!”

As the atmosphere calmed a bit, Serion Lykus adjusted his posture to focus on the conversation.

“Most of the monster hunting grounds we visit are life-threatening, dangerous places.”

“Did the Forest of Death not seem dangerous to you, Serion Lykus?”

“That’s not it, but we might go to hunting grounds that are perhaps even more dangerous than the Forest of Death.”

“Rio and Luna are hungry for improvement. They would actually prefer hunting grounds more dangerous than the Forest of Death.”

“I would like to journey with strong individuals like Lord Rio and Lady Luna. However, since Rebecca is my companion, I need time to discuss this with her.”

I crossed my arms firmly and smiled slyly.

“Let’s discuss it now.”

“…Pardon?”

“Having been hit by magic myself, I’m not willing to compromise. I don’t distrust you, Serion Lykus, but frankly speaking, couldn’t Rebecca escape?”

“I understand why you would think that way, Lord Selden Alphonse, but…”

Serion Lykus trailed off, finding himself in an awkward situation.

Rebecca flared up again.

“I’ve heard enough. Let’s just go!”

“Rebecca, calm down. This happened because you recklessly cast magic!”

“I really aimed the ‘Ice Arrow’ somewhere else…”

“Are you saying Lord Selden Alphonse deliberately got hit by the spell?”

“…That’s how I felt.”

“…Really now.”

If someone else had cast the spell, he might have doubted me, but Serion Lykus knows how hot-tempered Rebecca is, so he doesn’t seem to believe her.

Still with my arms crossed, I continued with an “I told you so” expression.

“How can I trust her when she’s acting like this?”

“Ah, Rebecca isn’t usually a liar, but why does she keep going off track…”

It would be best to make a definite decision now, but pushing too hard might raise suspicions, so I pretended to contemplate for a while before speaking.

“Then, how about you entrust me with your sword, Serion Lykus?”

“M-my sword?”

I pointed at his sword with my finger, and Serion Lykus made a very troubled expression.

“This is a precious gift my master gave me when I left the mountain…”

“I’m not saying I’ll keep it. I’m saying I’ll hold onto it while you consider your decision.”

Serion Lykus had no choice.

If he didn’t accompany Rio, Luna, and Linadiel, Rebecca, who cast magic at me, wouldn’t be able to leave Lake Territory, and if she tried to escape, he would worry about his “Flame Sword.”

Serion Lykus pondered for a long time, holding his head.

Soon, as if he had finished thinking, he let out a deep sigh.

“…Alright. I’ll entrust you with my Flame Sword.”

*

“Y-you want me to go with those mercenaries from before?”

Luna Brillhart stammered, seemingly very flustered.

Hiding my excited expression, I put on an artificial smile.

“Didn’t you say you wanted to become stronger?”

“That’s true, but… I don’t want to be separated from you, Young Master.”

“It’s not like you’re leaving forever. You’re just going to another territory briefly to hunt monsters for experience.”

“I can become strong enough in Lake Territory too…”

Her pursed lips seemed to show her firm resolve.

However, I had anticipated this.

I knew that Luna, clingy as she is, wouldn’t agree right away.

Adjusting my posture, I spoke with a serious expression.

“Luna Brillhart.”

“I’m listening.”

“You know we all nearly died during the recent monster wave, right?”

“…Yes.”

“There’s no law saying a monster wave won’t occur twice in the same place. And with the recent war between Cardrian and Parseche… our House Alphonse could also go to war with other houses.”

Luna stood there awkwardly before clenching her fists.

“T-that’s true, but… do I really need to go to another territory?”

“We’re not going to stay in Lake Territory forever. You need to experience monsters from other territories too. Especially in your case.”

“…In my case?”

“Unlike others, you would follow me wherever I go, wouldn’t you?”

At that, Luna Brillhart nodded slowly with a reddened face.

“I will follow you, Young Master!!”

“Then you need to become strong enough to protect me.”

“But I still want to stay here…”

“Luna, do you know why I haven’t been taking you with me when I visit other territories lately?”

“Is it because I’m weak and lack training?”

At Luna’s question, I trembled my neck delicately with sorrowful eyes.

“No, because I’m afraid of losing you.”

“What!?”

*Ding* ♪

━Luna’s Affection Deficiency

= 30 → 05 Changed [↓25 decrease]

Luna’s face turned so red it looked like it might burst.

Even if my toes curl from embarrassment, I must endure it.

This is my chance to put down the heaviest burden since my possession, and I can’t miss it.

For this moment only, I hypnotized myself with “I am the protagonist of a romance novel” and continued.

“I was afraid of losing you before my eyes, so I couldn’t take you to other territories.”

“I didn’t know you cared for me so much, Young Master…”

“Soon my exile will be lifted, and I won’t stay in Lake Territory forever. Will you wait for me here then too?”

“I-I want to be with you, Young Master.”

“Then you should take this opportunity to gain experience and improve your skills by hunting monsters in other territories.”

Luna nodded with a tearful expression.

“I understand! I’ll train properly so you can take me to other territories without worry!”

My heart started pounding like when I received a confession from a girl in middle school.

If I can just get Serion Lykus’s permission, I can escape this suffocating burden, even if temporarily.

Of course, it might be temporary under the pretext of “experience,” but if they get entangled with each other, things will flow in the right direction, just like in the novel “The Youngest Son of a Brilliant Family.”

Just like how Serion Lykus gained Rebecca as a companion due to the butterfly effect of missing Linadiel…

Like that.

As they hunt monsters together, comradeship will bloom as seen in the original work, and my existence will gradually be forgotten.

This is the moment to put a period on this long, long plan.

Pretending to be regretful until the end, I reddened my eyes.

“Luna, I believe you can do it.”

“Young Master…”

“Once the schedule is set, I’ll let you know for sure, so prepare your heart to leave this place.”

Luna Brillhart stared at me intently before bowing her head.

“I understand.”

Creeeeak-! Thud!

As soon as Luna went outside, Padericks entered the study.

Having seen Luna’s expression on his way in, he tilted his head curiously.

“Luna was going out in tears. Did you scold her, Young Master?”

At Padericks’s question, I slapped my palm on the desk and raised the corners of my mouth.

“Padericks, prepare for a party soon!”