Ch.232232. Because there might be someone there who could save the Eastern Continent.

“Young master, you’re being too harsh.”

“Why?”

“Since we’ve come to the Imperial Palace, couldn’t we at least have a meal and rest a bit before departing?”

Javier Wilson, who’s riding in the carriage with me, makes a pouty face.

Why does he keep trying to act cute when it doesn’t suit him at all?

“I have things I need to do.”

“I was hoping we could rest for at least a day…”

“In exchange, I’ll let you skip wooden sword training until we return to Lake Territory.”

Javier Wilson’s gloomy expression changes instantly.

“R-really? You mean I don’t have to do that dreadful wooden sword training anymore?”

“That’s right. You’ve been training hard lately, so you deserve a break. How about it? Isn’t that a much better deal than staying at the Imperial Palace for a day?”

“Haha!! Of course!! I’m finally saved. Those unbreakable wooden swords were really killing me.”

Despite our journey being short, it must have been quite difficult for him as Javier Wilson’s eyes become moist with emotion.

Seeing this, I cross my arms and snicker.

“It’s quite amusing to see a knight who hates training.”

At this, Javier Wilson becomes serious and continues.

“Young master, that’s not training. It’s simply… hell.”

“Even if it’s hell, you can clearly feel how much you’ve changed after going through it, right?”

“…That’s true, but the problem is that the ‘hell’ really feels like ‘hell.'”

“Anyway, just do it properly during practice time. That ‘hell’ you speak of will ultimately save your life.”

Javier Wilson hangs his head again before quickly lifting it.

“By the way, where are we going now? It doesn’t seem like we’re heading to Lake Territory?”

“Lucius Territory.”

“L-Lucius Territory?!”

“Do you know where that is?”

“…No, I don’t?”

“Then why are you surprised?”

“The fact that I don’t know means it’s not a nearby territory.”

I nod with a short sigh.

“You have a point.”

“Why are we going to Lucius Territory?”

“To save the Eastern Continent.”

“…Pardon?”

“There might be someone there who can save the Eastern Continent.”

“What do you mean by that?”

In the original story, Rebecca once suffered from an unknown illness.

As I later learned, it was a disease caused by “mana amplification.”

Before discovering this fact, Serion Lycus and his companions searched desperately for physicians.

And not just physicians.

They mobilized mages specialized in healing magic, pouring all their efforts into saving Rebecca.

But.

As time passed, Rebecca’s condition worsened.

Her skin began to blacken, and she struggled even to breathe.

Then, a woman appeared out of nowhere like the wind and healed Rebecca in an instant.

That was Claudia.

It was the appearance of Saint Claudia, the protagonist’s final companion in the original novel.

Claudia was supposed to appear years later.

That is, after Emperor Malius Silonia’s death.

I had concerns about tampering with the original story again, but what could I do?

Many settings had already changed, so I might as well change things according to my wishes.

‘…The problem is.’

Whether Claudia can save Emperor Malius Silonia.

I boldly left the Imperial Palace, but nothing was certain.

As I said, Saint Claudia was supposed to appear years later.

I can’t gauge how skilled she is at healing currently.

Moreover.

Emperor Malius Silonia’s symptoms differed from the “mana amplification” Rebecca experienced, so it must be an entirely different illness.

I was going there clutching at straws, not with 100% confidence.

“I’m going to meet the Saint.”

“Th-the Saint?!”

“Yes.”

“Why are you suddenly going to meet the Saint?”

“I told you, to save the Eastern Continent.”

Javier Wilson wears an expression of incomprehension.

Then he sighs repeatedly.

“First you saved Lake Territory, and now you’re trying to save the Eastern Continent?”

“It can’t be helped. That’s the path for us to live peacefully in the future.”

“…I feel a bit disappointed.”

“Why?”

“Because you never tell me things properly, young master.”

I thought it was like reading scripture to a cow’s ear.

It seemed pointless to explain, just wasting breath and emotional energy.

But I couldn’t bear this burden alone forever.

Javier Wilson is now my companion, isn’t he?

“The Emperor is ill.”

“I see… Wait, what?! Th-the Emperor is ill?!”

I put a finger to my lips, gesturing for him to be quiet.

What would happen if rumors spread that Emperor Malius was sick?

Those close to Princess Etherian and Princess Sirin would rush to prepare for war.

It means the tension that could snap at any moment would begin.

That’s probably why Emperor Malius himself is trying to hide his poor health.

“Keep it down. If rumors spread, war will break out.”

“Is it a fatal illness?”

“Almost. What do you think would happen if rumors spread that the Emperor has a fatal illness?”

“…I don’t know.”

“It means war could break out in the Imperial Palace over succession rights even while Emperor Malius is still alive.”

“Th-they would wage war even while the Emperor is alive?”

I twitched my eyebrows while leaning back against the carriage sofa.

“Why would they be afraid? The Emperor will die soon anyway. Getting their princess to become queen as quickly as possible is more important to them.”

“…I suppose so.”

“How about it? Do you feel less disappointed now?”

Javier Wilson gazes blankly out the carriage window.

After staring for a while, he turns his head toward me.

“…I think from now on, I’d rather not know these things at all, young master.”

*

“You wish to see Saint Claudia?”

A man in silver armor blocks the path in front of the temple.

His armor was decorated with intricately crafted patterns and gleamed in the light.

He was a holy knight tasked with protecting and guarding the Saint’s sacred power.

“Yes, I came hoping to meet the Saint.”

The knight’s eyebrows twisted strangely.

Understandable.

A Saint isn’t someone you can meet whenever you want.

But.

The knight concealed his expression and slowly looked me up and down.

The high-quality fabric of my clothes and the ornate decorations on both shoulders were evident at a glance.

No matter how much of a holy knight he was, he couldn’t outright refuse.

“…May I ask why you wish to see Saint Claudia?”

“I have urgent matters to discuss with her.”

“Are you already acquainted with Saint Claudia?”

“No, I am not.”

The knight briefly made a face that said “What’s with this guy?” before nodding.

“I understand. I’ll inform the Saint. Who shall I say is calling?”

If I mentioned this was related to the Emperor, the situation would proceed more smoothly.

However, I needed to discuss this matter privately, so the words wouldn’t come easily.

“…Please tell her it’s Selden Alphonse.”

“Mr. Selden Alphonse? Very well. Please wait a moment.”

The knight nodded and turned around.

His retreating figure exuded annoyance.

“Just a moment.”

“…Yes?”

I grabbed the retreating knight and continued.

“I’m the one who stopped the monster wave in Lake Territory.”

“Monster… wave?”

“Yes, it’s embarrassing to say, but I was the first to stop a monster wave in the Eastern Continent. I’ve come to discuss this and several other matters with the Saint, so I’d appreciate your help.”

The knight’s narrowed eyes widened.

“Y-you’re the one who stopped the monster wave?”

“That’s correct.”

“Selden Alphonse… Selden Alphonse…”

After repeating my name several times, the knight seemed to recall something and continued with a start.

“Y-you’re the hero who first stopped a monster wave in the Eastern Continent?! No wonder… your name sounded familiar…”

“…Haha, you flatter me.”

“Not at all. Our Lucius Territory recently built defenses using the blueprints you created. It’s truly an honor to meet you.”

Since it didn’t seem like he would relay my message to Saint Claudia, I embarrassingly boasted about myself.

Fortunately, it seemed to work on the knight.

“To think that Lucius Territory implemented my defensive formation… I’m the one who’s honored.”

“I’ll go inform Saint Claudia right away.”

“Thank you.”

The knight enters the temple with footsteps clearly different from before.

Javier Wilson, standing beside me, glances at me.

“Young master.”

“What?”

“This is the first time I’ve seen you boast about yourself.”

“You know how urgent this is, don’t you?”

“I’m just saying.”

“Judging by your loose tongue, it seems you want to resume training?”

“…I apologize.”

Creeeeak-!

While chatting lightly with Javier Wilson, the temple door opens again after a short while.

The knight I saw earlier bows deeply to me.

“Mr. Selden Alphonse, please come in.”