Ch.239239. A Person Higher Than That.

“How is His Majesty the Emperor?”

“There seems to be some improvement, but we should monitor his condition for a few more days.”

That was at least some good news.

I smiled gently at Saint Claudia sitting across from me in the reception room.

“We would have been in serious trouble without you, Saint Claudia.”

“It’s nothing. This is also for the Eastern Continent’s sake.”

“Even so, will your holy power be alright?”

“Hmm, after treating His Majesty, I’ll need to return to the temple and focus on gathering more holy power.”

“His Majesty will surely not forget your kindness.”

This time, Saint Claudia displayed a gentle smile.

“By the way, Lord Selden Alphonse seems extremely busy.”

“Rumors have spread that His Majesty has fallen deathly ill. I’m working to manage that situation.”

“I-I see… I was wondering why you weren’t in the palace…”

“Fortunately, thanks to you, we should be able to resolve this easily. All these problems arose because His Majesty was critically ill.”

“Still, as I mentioned earlier, we need to monitor his condition for several days. Absolute rest is the priority.”

I leaned back against the sofa and smiled softly.

“Just knowing there’s improvement is comforting. But what exactly is his illness?”

“I’m not entirely sure myself. What I do know is that infusing holy power into his body definitely improves his condition.”

Even in the original story, there were no details about what illness Emperor Malius died from.

This isn’t a situation where we can completely relax.

If the infusion of holy power stops, his condition could worsen at any time.

“…I see.”

“Still, His Majesty has a strong will to recover. If he perseveres, he can certainly make a full recovery.”

“You’re going through so much trouble.”

Saint Claudia, her face flushed, extended her hand toward me.

“The skin on the back of my hand is slightly cracked.”

“…Pardon?”

“Because I’ve been channeling holy power through my hands to treat His Majesty, my skin has…”

Understanding her intention immediately, I took Saint Claudia’s hand.

“I can’t see anything wrong. Your hands are so delicate, Saint Claudia.”

“My… Lord Selden Alphonse, you certainly know how to make someone feel good with your compliments.”

“It’s not a compliment. Who could find fault with Saint Claudia’s beautiful hands?”

After doing this a few times, it starts to feel as natural as a snake gliding over a wall.

Was Selden Alphonse always this type of character?

Or did I have some hidden talent I wasn’t aware of?

At least I don’t feel like I’ll starve to death because of my mouth.

Saint Claudia covered her reddened face with both palms and shook her head as if trying to regain her composure.

“Lord Selden Alphonse, where is Balthasar?”

“I believe I should take care of Balthasar while you’re treating His Majesty.”

“Does he need more training?”

In the future, it will be important to strengthen Balthasar to counter Lionel, the Holy Knight Captain.

Though it’s not certain, Saint Claudia may need to continuously provide holy power to Emperor Malius.

Right now, we’ve brought her here in a manner resembling abduction, but later she’ll need permission from the temple to leave.

When that time comes, Lionel, the Holy Knight Captain, will actively oppose it.

Isn’t he a man who shows obsessive devotion to Saint Claudia, more than to Emperor Malius or the Eastern Continent?

Therefore.

It’s important to consistently train Balthasar while Jawill Wilson is guarding Saint Claudia.

And if he can also serve as my hands and feet, all the better.

“Yes, since things have turned out this way, I want to give him proper training.”

“Why are you so concerned about Balthasar?”

“Isn’t he the holy knight who will protect you in the future? I should naturally care about such matters.”

Saint Claudia’s face reddened again at my smooth talk.

She lowered her head and suddenly stood up.

“I-I should go now. It’s time for His Majesty’s treatment.”

I also slowly rose and bowed to Saint Claudia with a slightly affected smile.

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

*

“Lord Selden Alphonse!”

“Oh, sit down.”

Shortly after seeing off Saint Claudia, Reagan Strom entered the palace.

After bowing to me in greeting, he looked around the imperial reception room with tension-filled eyes.

He must be bewildered.

The imperial reception room is literally reserved for His Majesty and the Princess.

It must be shocking to see me here, looking as comfortable as if I were in my own home.

“Ah, may I sit?”

“Make yourself comfortable.”

Of course, I had permission from His Majesty to use this place freely, but I deliberately adopted an even more relaxed posture in front of Reagan Strom.

He must be surprised.

Until coming to the palace, he probably wasn’t sure whose side to take, but now he should be certain.

Whose line he should follow.

I held a teacup and flashed my eyes.

“About what I asked you to do?”

“I-I spread the rumor as you instructed, that His Majesty’s critical condition was false.”

“Well done. How are people reacting?”

“The response is mixed. People are skeptical because His Majesty still hasn’t appeared in public.”

“What did you tell your father?”

Reagan Strom straightened his back and continued.

“I told him I confirmed with my own eyes that His Majesty is healthy.”

“His reaction?”

“He asked several times, and I insisted it was true, but he still seems doubtful.”

“It seems you don’t have much credibility with your father. Well, that’s not necessarily bad.”

Reagan Strom sighed briefly and raised his head.

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, Lord Selden Alphonse, but is this really the right approach?”

“Why?”

“If Emperor Malius is actually critically ill, wouldn’t that make me a liar? And the same goes for my father who believes me.”

“It doesn’t matter if that happens.”

“…Pardon?”

I leaned my head slightly toward Reagan Strom.

“Do you think people will readily believe you when they ask, ‘Is His Majesty really not critically ill?’ Even your father has doubts, right?”

“But you told me to spread the rumor that His Majesty isn’t critically ill, didn’t you?”

“That’s correct, but I never said they should believe it.”

“…Pardon?”

“Some people, like your father, will have doubts, and others will still think the Emperor is ill.”

Reagan Strom fidgeted, apparently still not fully grasping my intention.

“So… what then?”

“Since they can’t see Emperor Malius, they might pressure Princess Etherian or…”

“Or…?”

I smiled at Reagan Strom as he nervously swallowed.

“They might try to verify it themselves.”

“By ‘verify themselves,’ do you mean they would enter His Majesty’s chambers without permission?”

“If they’re desperate enough, wouldn’t they?”

“As someone close to Princess Etherian, is that really necessary?”

“That’s what happens when people are blinded by power. They might think this is their best opportunity.”

Reagan Strom’s fingers trembled.

In short, I was talking about purging those among Princess Etherian’s close associates who are hostile to Emperor Malius.

After remaining silent while shifting his gaze around in confusion, Reagan Strom seemed to regain some composure and his eyes flashed.

“If I hadn’t known you, Lord Selden Alphonse, my father and I would have been among those purged.”

“Perhaps. That’s why I told you that meeting me was your good fortune.”

“Then from now on, I must desperately dissuade my father.”

“However, you must not tell your father about our conversations. If you do, you and your father will be the first to be purged.”

“…Did Princess Etherian agree to this?”

I leaned back on the reception room sofa and smiled leisurely again.

“No, I didn’t get Princess Etherian’s permission.”

“…Pardon?”

I pointed to the ceiling of the reception room with my thumb.

“Someone even higher than her.”

“H-higher than her?”

Just then, there was movement at the reception room door.

Creeeeak-!

As the door opened, tension began to fill the air.

With an imposing physique, a red cape flowing over silver armor emphasized his authority.

Add to that his healthy complexion and wide strides.

And so.

Emperor Malius entered the reception room with dignity.