Ch.234234. Ah, that’s just spitting while lying down.

“I-I’ll help you.”

The Saint Claudia’s face turned bright red just from having her hand held.

Indeed.

She suffered from a kind of “illness” where she lost her mind at the sight of handsome men.

In the original story, Claudia had been forced to live as a saint since childhood, strictly forbidden from any contact with men.

After enduring harsh training, she finally began her official duties as a saint and met the Holy Knights.

Contrary to her expectations, most of them had bulky builds and rough appearances.

And so.

After living among these beast-like men, when someone like “Selden Alphonse” with his sharp jawline and doe-like eyes made a request, Saint Claudia couldn’t help but lose her composure.

“Saint, are you certain?”

“Y-Yes. I’ll do whatever I can to save His Imperial Majesty.”

When I gently stroked the hand I was holding, Saint Claudia responded immediately without thinking, as expected.

Well, in truth, this was merely a charming quirk compared to her flaws that would appear later.

“When can we depart?”

“Please give me about a day. I’ll need time to convince the people at the temple.”

“Then we’ll wait at a nearby inn.”

“Yes!!”

Leaving behind Saint Claudia, who was clenching her fists with a flushed face, I exited the temple to find Jawill Wilson glancing at me silently.

“What?”

“…Nothing.”

“Just say it, will you?”

Jawill Wilson looked around to make sure no one was eavesdropping before speaking.

“It just reminded me of the past.”

“The past?”

“Don’t you remember when you were known as the scoundrel from the eastern edge of the continent before coming to Lake Territory?”

“Rather than being known, I… Well, anyway, what about it?”

Jawill Wilson tilted his head up, reminiscing about the past.

“After arriving at the Lake Territory mansion, you changed completely in no time.”

That was because I had possessed “Selden Alphonse,” but from Jawill Wilson’s perspective, it would indeed seem like I had changed.

“True. In Alphonse Territory, I was nothing but a scoundrel chasing after women.”

“And do you know what rumors spread among the knights after you changed?”

“That I was deliberately acting like a scoundrel in Alphonse Territory and now slowly revealing my true claws?”

“Yes, exactly. When I realized your ambitious plan back then, my heart burned with such passion…”

Even if I confessed the truth about being possessed, no one would believe me.

That’s why I never made excuses.

Everyone else would think, just like Jawill Wilson and the knights, that I had hidden my claws for the sake of the successor position.

“Enough about that. Why bring up the past suddenly?”

“Seeing you hold the Saint’s hand with that artificial smile just brought back those feelings I had then.”

This bastard…

I wondered if his perception had improved while I wasn’t looking.

I stopped walking and tilted my head.

“Why would you think that? I could genuinely be desperate out of concern for His Imperial Majesty’s health.”

“Even so, there was a disconnect from the young master I’ve known.”

“A disconnect?”

“You’ve always kept women at a distance, haven’t you?”

I put my hands on my hips and stared at Jawill Wilson with an incredulous expression.

“W-What?!”

“Honestly, how many unbelievably beautiful women surround you? Yet, you’ve never given any of them a proper glance, isn’t that true?”

Right.

I admit it.

It’s true that I’ve kept women at a distance to live a sweet, trouble-free life.

Why?

Because I figured it wouldn’t be too late to meet women after settling into a stable life.

But.

To receive relationship advice from Jawill Wilson?

From this love-inept fool?

With a dumbfounded expression, I continued:

“So, stroking Saint Claudia’s hand was fake?”

“…Well, that’s what I think.”

“Then why would I put on such an act?”

“Hmm, wasn’t it like using your handsome looks as a tactic? The Saint was absolutely delighted when you held her hand.”

Jawill Wilson shrugged his shoulders.

I felt annoyed enough to want to resume wooden sword training.

I took a deep breath to calm myself.

“But ultimately, it’s for His Imperial Majesty’s sake.”

“You should approach her sincerely. She’s a holy being who serves the gods. What if the gods punish you for this…”

“I’m already being punished enough, don’t you think?”

“…Pardon?”

“Living as Selden Alphonse is punishment enough, isn’t it? Besides, I doubt there could be a worse punishment than this.”

Jawill Wilson narrowed his eyes and looked at me with disdain.

“Do you know how many people in the world live difficult lives? You’re speaking from a place of privilege.”

“Hah… Since I haven’t told you, has a woman ever drugged you to take advantage of you?”

“…What?”

“Or has a woman ever schemed to lure you into her bedroom?”

“Um, no?”

“Or even come to your room every night asking you to whip her… Ah, this is like spitting while lying down. Anyway! How is this speaking from privilege?!”

Jawill Wilson stared at me with a bewildered expression.

Then, gradually tilting his head, he uttered:

“Young master, you’re not just privileged, you’re bursting with it.”

*

“Good day to you. I am Balthasar.”

After arriving at a nearby inn with Jawill Wilson and unpacking, we were resting when this man appeared.

He was the Holy Knight who had been standing behind Saint Claudia earlier.

“What brings you here, Sir Knight?”

“May I come in for a moment?”

“Ah, yes. Please enter.”

The room was cramped for two men.

Moreover, the Holy Knight named Balthasar was as large as Jawill Wilson.

Looking at Balthasar standing awkwardly, I spoke:

“Why don’t you sit on that chair?”

“Th-Thank you.”

Sitting across from each other at the wooden round table, I continued:

“As you can see, this is just a temporary lodging, so I don’t have much to offer. Would you prefer to go downstairs for a drink instead?”

“It’s fine. I came because I have something urgent to discuss.”

“Urgent?”

Balthasar, who had seemed somewhat rushed when entering the room, took a short deep breath.

“I heard you’re leaving somewhere with Saint Claudia.”

It seems Claudia didn’t tell the temple people our exact destination, since just going to Lumestia Territory would suggest imperial business.

Well, it doesn’t hurt to be cautious.

“…That’s correct, but?”

“Can you tell me where you’re going and why?”

“It seems Saint Claudia hasn’t told you either, Balthasar. Wouldn’t there be a reason for that?”

I asked, raising my head, causing Balthasar to hesitate and sigh.

“The truth is, there’s a lot of talk at the temple right now.”

“What kind of talk?”

“About Saint Claudia leaving for another territory.”

“…I see.”

“Did you anticipate this?”

There could be many reasons for opposition.

However, the biggest issue would be the Saint’s safety.

Even with Holy Knights accompanying her, protecting her in an unfamiliar environment would be quite a burden.

I adjusted my posture and nodded.

“I certainly expected it.”

“Especially Sir Lionel, who oversees the Holy Knights, is strongly opposed.”

“Lionel…?”

“Do you know Sir Lionel, Selden Alphonse?”

Lionel.

I had forgotten, but it’s indeed a name I know.

In the original story, he was the one who most strongly opposed Saint Claudia accompanying Serion Lycus.

Safety concerns?

No, Lionel’s opposition stemmed from “jealousy” toward Serion Lycus and Saint Claudia.

Beyond mere affection, it bordered on madness.

He was a character who eventually “turned dark” and was killed by Serion Lycus.

‘I don’t want to clash unnecessarily…’

In the original story, Lionel was a character who could “turn dark” at any moment, and he would oppose us even if we truthfully explained the Emperor’s illness.

Moreover, the Holy Knights currently hold significant power.

‘Hah…’

I had completely forgotten about Lionel’s existence because I was so focused on the possibility of Emperor Malius dying.

Was I too fixated on one thing?

Given Lionel’s personality, convincing him would be extremely time-consuming.

If Emperor Malius dies in the meantime, we’d be in an impossible situation.

I rose from my chair.

Then, without a word, I began repacking the luggage I had just unpacked.

“S-Selden Alphonse, why are you suddenly getting up and packing…”

I turned my head to look at Balthasar, who had also stood up.

“Since we don’t have time, I’m going to kidnap Saint Claudia.”