Ch.227227. This is the final gateway to living a life of pure bliss.

“T-The Serion Lykus?”

“Why are you so surprised? Is that a name you know?”

When did Serion Lykus ever meet Princess Sirin?

It was a moment of such shock that my mouth fell open involuntarily.

In the original story, the character who causes the death of the Etherian Princess is none other than the protagonist, Serion Lykus.

His chance acquaintance with Princess Sirin played a significant role in that.

‘So, is everything flowing according to the original plot after all?’

I had been somewhat complacent, assuming Serion Lykus would be focused on hunting monsters for now…

When did things progress this far?

Moreover.

I thought the Etherian Princess had shed her cold-blooded image after meeting me.

Originally, Serion Lykus decided to side with Princess Sirin precisely because of the Etherian Princess’s merciless cruelty.

Therefore.

I had been somewhat at ease, but to think they had already met, Serion Lykus and Princess Sirin.

It truly feels like climbing one mountain only to find another.

Throb-!

A headache surged through my mind.

However, sitting across from me was none other than the Etherian Princess.

Barely concealing my expression, I opened my mouth.

“Yes, he is someone I know.”

“W-What did you say?”

This time, the Etherian Princess seemed surprised as well, her body flinching.

What was the point in lying?

If I did and caused a misunderstanding, it might be irreversible.

In times like these, a direct approach was necessary.

“He’s someone who hunts monsters with the knights I used to lead.”

“Knights you used to lead?”

“He should be with Leo Sergang, Luna Brillhart, and a girl named Linadiel.”

“Then you knew that this Serion Lykus has connections with Princess Sirin?”

“This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

“…I see.”

The atmosphere grew strangely heavy.

I sighed briefly before speaking.

“I don’t think Princess Sirin meeting Serion Lykus has any hidden agenda.”

“How would you know that?”

“Because Serion Lykus is someone completely uninvolved with imperial politics.”

“If a succession dispute were to break out, what do you think are the chances he would side with Princess Sirin?”

Honestly, I don’t know.

The imperial succession dispute could result in the death of any princess who fails to secure the heir position.

It’s not tradition, but history has always played out that way.

Even if the Etherian Princess has become less cruel, would Serion Lykus just stand by?

If he doesn’t intervene, Princess Sirin, with whom he’s formed a bond, could lose her life.

Despite priding myself on knowing everything about Serion Lykus, the truth is I can’t gauge what actions he might take.

I carefully continued.

“I’m not certain, but I’ll speak with Serion Lykus separately.”

“Didn’t you say you didn’t want to get involved in the succession dispute?”

“But there are people connected to me involved, aren’t there?”

“So are you worried about me? Or about Serion Lykus?”

I was planning to prevent the Etherian Princess’s death anyway, so what was there to hide?

Without hesitation, I raised my head.

“I’m worried about you, Princess Etherian.”

“…You speak as if you’re prepared to oppose Serion Lykus for my sake.”

Initially, I had no such intention.

But as I grew closer to the Etherian Princess, my desire to save her increased.

Besides.

Me opposing Serion Lykus would be impossible unless the situation became extremely dire.

There were still ways to resolve this.

“Princess Etherian, do you want to become the queen of the Eastern Continent?”

“…”

“Or are you entering the succession battle because you have no choice if you want to survive?”

The Etherian Princess’s expression changed as if I’d hit the mark.

That must be it.

As someone who directly witnessed her uncle being killed by her father, how many fears must she have harbored since childhood?

The Etherian Princess carefully wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand.

“You’re being particularly direct today.”

Is a world where everyone can live comfortably so difficult to achieve?

Despite my strong individualism, I wanted to look after those I cared about.

After all, as a reader of the novel, I had a special attachment to this world.

“I’ll step in myself.”

“What…? You personally?”

“Yes.”

“You’d personally intervene even though your life might be in danger?”

“It’s fine. Just as you care for me, I should repay your kindness.”

“…Perhaps your choice now might prevent you from living in that small house in the forest?”

Of course, if misfortunes pile up, that might be the case.

But who am I?

I’m the only person here who knows the future.

Moreover, I’ve built connections with Serion Lykus in preparation for unforeseen circumstances.

So.

Now is the time to reap what I’ve sown.

This is the final hurdle to living that sweet, easy life.

Slam-!

I slammed my palm on the table and curled my lips into a wicked smile.

“Don’t worry and leave this matter to me!”

*

“Padericks.”

“Yes, my lord?”

“When did the coming-of-age ceremony end?”

Sitting in the study chair, I sighed deeply, and Padericks sighed along with me.

“How many times are you going to ask? Huff! It’s been a week since the coming-of-age ceremony ended.”

“Then why are the attendees still staying at my mansion!?”

“A coming-of-age ceremony isn’t an event that ends in a day or two. And when else would we promote Lake Territory?”

“Promote Lake Territory?”

“All the notable nobles from the Eastern Continent attended. Think about it. If we just drive them out, imagine how damaging their gossip could be.”

Haaaa…

I thought I’d have some peace after the ceremony ended, but while my tasks have piled up like mountains, why are these leech-like attendees still lingering?

Most of my acquaintances, like Elina Parseche and the Etherian Princess, left Lake Territory after the ceremony.

However, some nobles whom I had never met before the ceremony show no signs of leaving.

I sighed again, lamenting my situation.

“What are these people still hanging around for?”

“Obviously for a connection with you, young master. That’s why I’ve repeatedly told you, even if it’s troublesome, to engage in personal conversations with the nobles.”

“…I’ve been forcing smiles and chatting with them for the past two days.”

“Then why haven’t you spoken with Lady Kasia Spier?”

Kasia Spier.

Elina Parseche’s friend who’s been spreading rumors about having feelings for me.

I acknowledge her courage.

And I know her feelings are genuine.

After all, she had feelings for both ‘Levan,’ who wore the shapeshifting leather, and Selden Alphonse simultaneously.

But.

Kasia Spier seems to have always gotten everything she wanted since childhood.

So, the more I reject her, the more she clings.

And I dislike that selfish aspect of her character.

‘Hmm…’

What if I pretend to like Kasia Spier, like Levan did?

But what if she then promptly asks about marriage?

Levan was a fictional character I created, so I could back out later, but Selden is different.

I cleared my throat and spoke.

“…Is she still not gone?”

“Yes, she seems determined to stay forever if you don’t meet her.”

“Haa… Why is she being so petulant?”

“I believe Lady Elina Parseche spoke with Lady Kasia Spier before leaving the mansion.”

“What conversation?”

“It’s obvious. Lady Elina Parseche must have told Lady Kasia Spier that she had a private meeting with you.”

I leaned away from the chair with an incredulous expression.

“B-But that private meeting was for business!”

“Would Lady Kasia Spier care about that? What matters to her is that you had a private meeting.”

“…This is maddening.”

“That’s why you should have been more discreet.”

I tilted my head at Padericks’ words.

“Are you suggesting I deliberately tried to charm Kasia Spier?”

“N-No, that’s not what I meant. I’m saying that since you’re so charming, you should be careful.”

Padericks wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Yet, thinking he had safely navigated the conversation, a smile played on his lips.

“…I’ll let it slide this time.”

“Thank you.”

Anyway.

I need to send the attendees back to their territories quickly so I can tackle the mountain of work.

Reluctantly, it seemed I needed to meet with Kasia Spier as well.

Creeeeak-!

I rose from the chair.

Perhaps because I had no desire to meet her, my body felt heavier than usual.

Sighing deeply, I beckoned to Padericks.

“Tell Kasia Spier I want to see her right away.”