Ch.229229. Indeed, Has the Novel’s Content Changed Because of Me?

“It’s been a while, Lord Selden Alphonse.”

“Haha, have you been well?”

Upon arriving in Lumestia, since it was evening, I stopped by a quiet tavern-inn with Serion Lykus.

One fortunate thing was that Luna Brillhart was currently hunting monsters in another territory with Rio and Rinadiel.

For me, this was truly a stroke of luck.

Well, it is a shame not to see Rio and Rinadiel though.

Serion Lykus, who had exchanged brief greetings with me, glances at Jawil Wilson sitting beside me.

“But why is Jawil Wilson’s face…”

“I helped him train on the way here.”

“Ah! As expected, Lord Selden Alphonse is truly dedicated to training his subordinates. No wonder everyone under you is so skilled.”

“You flatter me.”

I quietly subdued Jawil Wilson with my gaze as he tried to utter something in protest, then turned my attention back to Serion Lykus.

“How is the monster hunting going?”

“Thanks to you, it’s going very smoothly. Especially with Rio and Luna’s exceptional skills, I hardly feel like I’m hunting monsters at all.”

“Come now, you still need a mage, don’t you?”

Serion Lykus widened his eyes slightly.

“Are you referring to Rebecca?”

“Yes, Rebecca must be an essential companion for you, Lord Serion Lykus, if only to prepare for injuries during monster hunts.”

“…Seeing how eager you are to take her away, you must be having quite a hard time with her.”

In truth, it wasn’t difficult at all.

Was it because of the power she displayed at the Succubus Sanctuary last time?

Rebecca was more docile than I expected.

She had devoted herself solely to magic training while at Lake Territory, just as she had said she would.

However.

Rebecca is originally Serion Lykus’s companion.

Specializing in magic and healing.

In the original story, the protagonist and the other companions were able to survive numerous life-threatening situations because Rebecca was there to heal them when they were injured.

Therefore.

For Rio, Rinadiel, and even Luna Brillhart, whom I’m not particularly close to…

Without Rebecca joining them, they could die at any moment.

That’s why I’m so insistent on her joining them.

I held my wine glass and gave a bitter smile.

“Rebecca isn’t that bad.”

“Really? She must be behaving at Lake Territory? Well, after experiencing how strong Lord Selden Alphonse is at the Succubus Sanctuary, she wouldn’t dare act up.”

“It’s not that. She’s been focusing on her magic training.”

“Hmm, that must also be because she was inspired by you, Lord Selden Alphonse.”

“You think so?”

“That’s Rebecca’s nature. She’s more passionate about strength than anyone else.”

After sending Jawil Wilson to his room after dinner, now it was just Serion Lykus and me.

Having had some drinks, we continued our conversation in earnest.

“Lord Serion Lykus, may I ask why you suddenly came to Lumestia?”

“Ah… I had someone I needed to meet personally.”

Serion Lykus makes a slightly ambiguous expression.

Ignoring it, I pressed on.

“Someone you needed to meet?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Is it someone you find difficult to discuss with me?”

After taking a few deep breaths, Serion Lykus spoke.

“It’s because of Princess Sairine.”

“Ah, because of Princess Sairine?”

“You don’t seem surprised. Did you expect this to some extent?”

What would be the point of hiding it when I came all this way?

Since Serion Lykus spoke honestly, I adjusted my posture to speak candidly as well.

“I have a personal connection with Princess Etherian.”

Serion Lykus nods as if he already knew, emptying his glass.

“Yes, Princess Sairine told me that. That Lord Selden Alphonse has a connection with Princess Etherian.”

“Princess Etherian likewise knows that you have a connection with Princess Sairine.”

“I see. Then the reason Lord Selden Alphonse came to Lumestia to meet me directly is…?”

“I wanted to know the exact details.”

Serion Lykus silently drains several glasses in succession.

Then, he raised his head toward me.

“What exactly are you curious about, Lord Selden Alphonse?”

“Since we’ve come this far, let me ask you frankly. Have you already met Princess Sairine?”

“Yes, I have.”

“May I ask what you discussed?”

Once again, silence fell over the tavern, and after hesitating for a while, Serion Lykus gave a gentle smile.

“Lord Selden Alphonse, you’re quite direct.”

“There’s no reason to waste time.”

“…Princess Sairine asked if I could protect the lives of her followers if a succession dispute were to break out.”

I silently drained my glass and tilted my head.

“And how did you respond, Lord Serion Lykus?”

“…I told her I needed time to consider.”

In the original story, Serion Lykus immediately accepted Sairine’s proposal due to Princess Etherian’s cruelty and tyranny.

But now he’s considering it…

Has the story changed because of me?

“Consider?”

“If I get involved in the succession dispute, Rio, Luna, and even Rinadiel could be harmed.”

“Ah…”

“And since they are all reinforcements sent by you, Lord Selden Alphonse, I couldn’t make a hasty decision.”

In the original novel, Serion Lykus gathered his companions himself.

And he was the actual “leader” of the formed group.

However, now because of my existence, Rio, Luna, and even Rinadiel are hunting monsters together.

Of course, while he remains the leader of the group, the way they came together is different.

So he has to be more careful with his decisions.

“…Then you want to know my thoughts on this matter?”

“Yes, because I obtained these reliable companions all thanks to you, Lord Selden Alphonse.”

This makes the conversation easier.

Serion Lykus’s heart will change depending on what choice I make.

“Before we continue, let me ask you, Lord Serion Lykus. Does Princess Sairine simply want the successor position?”

“I don’t think it’s that simple. But not becoming the successor would mean death for Princess Sairine and those who follow her, wouldn’t it?”

If that’s the case.

They might covet the unwanted successor position under the dark shadow of death.

It seems I need to meet both Princess Etherian and Princess Sairine.

“…Princess Etherian seems to be in a similar situation.”

“…Pardon?”

“Princess Etherian witnessed her uncle being killed by her father, Emperor Malius, when she was young.”

“Oh my…”

“She was probably terrified. She must have wanted the successor position to ensure her survival.”

Serion Lykus sets his glass down on the table.

“So that’s why Princess Etherian was so wary of her younger sister, Princess Sairine.”

“The rumors circulating that Princess Etherian is cruel and cold-hearted all stem from her attempts to protect herself.”

“…Then what is Princess Etherian like in person, from what you’ve seen?”

“Though the childhood trauma hasn’t completely healed, she’s a kind and good person.”

Having said this much, Serion Lykus is unlikely to get involved in Princess Sairine’s succession dispute.

Now all that remains is to devise a plan for the two princesses to coexist.

‘This won’t be easy.’

Even if the two of us communicate well, this isn’t a problem that can be solved simply.

Even if I convince Princess Etherian and Princess Sairine, would their close aides remain idle?

They would whisper in the princesses’ ears not to trust any promises of non-violence.

Moreover.

The aides would employ all sorts of schemes.

After all, they stand to gain the most if the princess they serve ascends to the successor position.

Serion Lykus, his face slightly flushed from alcohol, spoke.

“…Since Princess Etherian currently holds the key, do you think you can resolve this, Lord Selden Alphonse?”

“It’s difficult, but for the sake of Princess Sairine and Princess Etherian, I’ll try my best.”

“Even if you meet them both and negotiate a smooth resolution, their aides won’t sit idle. There are surely some among them corrupted by the desire for power.”

“You’re right. Once power is in hand, it’s hard to let go.”

“…But you’re different, Lord Selden Alphonse. That’s why I believe you can resolve this.”

Yes.

A way to silence Princess Etherian, Princess Sairine, and their aides at once.

Is that the only option?

I set my glass down on the table with a ‘thud’ and my eyes flashed.

“It seems I need to meet His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor.”