Ch.250250. Deep Connection, My Ass.

“Do you want to die?”

“….Excuse me?”

“I asked if you want to die.”

In the library of Lake Estate.

I had every right to be angry.

After all the trouble I went through to return, who do I find waiting for me but Balthasar and Saint Claudia?

I rushed back without even taking a break, yet somehow they arrived before me?

Since Saint Claudia had consumed a lot of her holy power, I immediately guided her to a bedroom.

As I pressed my throbbing temple, Balthasar made an aggrieved expression.

“It was unavoidable because Saint Claudia insisted.”

“What did she insist on?”

“She kept saying we should go to Lake Estate. Claiming she had received divine revelation.”

Divine revelation my ass….

It’s obvious she just didn’t want to leave.

After finally getting to go out, there’s no way Saint Claudia would quietly return to Lucius Estate.

‘Sigh….’

It feels like I tried to remove one lump only to grow another.

Did I show too much of my charm?

If she gets too attached, it’s going to be a headache.

I let out a short sigh and looked at Balthasar.

“Are the other Holy Knights complaining?”

“No, I think they all wanted to leave Lumestia Estate anyway.”

“I’m sure they did, after nearly dying miserable deaths there.”

“….We’ll be imposing on you for a few days.”

“What did you tell the temple?”

“They had already sent a letter saying I should do as I see fit.”

Seems they’ve already assessed the situation.

Well, I directly mentioned that His Imperial Majesty had intended to reduce Lucius Estate to ruins, so they’d have to be dense not to understand the gravity of the situation.

But still.

This guy is going to be a problem.

Balthasar has a personality completely opposite to Lionel’s.

If he keeps getting dragged around by Saint Claudia, won’t that eventually cause problems for me too?

Sitting in the library chair, I stared at Balthasar and spoke.

“Do you know what made Lionel so impressive?”

“His swordsmanship.”

“Besides that.”

“Is there something else?”

“He had the charisma to control the temple. That’s why even Saint Claudia couldn’t easily come to Lumestia Estate.”

“Ah….”

“The temple and even the saints couldn’t move freely. Lionel’s influence was that strong.”

Balthasar sighed deeply at my words.

“I haven’t even been officially appointed as the Holy Knight Captain yet. What power could I possibly have?”

“That’s why expecting that much from you now would be greedy, but keep it in mind.”

“….I’ll remember that.”

“Have all the Holy Knights gone to bed?”

“Yes, Butler Federicks kindly showed them to their rooms.”

“Then you should go to bed too.”

I waved my finger in the air, and Balthasar hesitated before speaking.

“Lord Selden Alphonse….”

“What now?”

“Since we’ve arrived at Lake Estate, may I shamelessly ask for training?”

To get beaten up like that and still ask for training….

Does he have a desire for strength?

That seemed fortunate.

In the original story, no Holy Knight besides Lionel came to mind.

Regardless, I chose Balthasar and worked to make him the Holy Knight Captain.

But.

What if Balthasar has no desire for strength?

It might not be noticeable at first.

Whether he likes it or not, I’ll help with his training.

However, without his own will, his limitations will eventually show.

Why does that matter?

It’s extremely important.

In the original story, after Lionel turned to darkness because of Saint Claudia, he was killed by Serion Rykus.

And then.

The Holy Knights, like puppies who lost their master, lost their strength and scattered.

That’s when Saint Claudia broke all her chains and fully embraced her “crazy woman” character like a fish in water.

‘If Balthasar can keep her in check, things might turn out differently from the original.’

I folded my arms heavily and nodded.

“Training is always welcome.”

“R-really?”

“You seem to enjoy getting hit by me too much?”

“….That’s not it. It’s because I get stronger when I train with you, Lord Selden Alphonse.”

“Your attitude is good, but you should develop your own training method soon. I won’t be able to supervise your training forever.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, definitely.”

I dusted off my palms decisively and stood up.

“Let’s go.”

“….But it’s evening?”

“It’s fine. I’m under a lot of stress today because you brought Saint Claudia and the Holy Knights to Lake Estate.”

“M-maybe you should calm down a bit and we can do this tomorrow….”

I picked up the wooden sword I had placed on the desk and jerked my chin.

“Nope, shut up and come out.”

*

“Young master, good morning.”

When I went to the library first thing in the morning, Federicks was already waiting with a stack of reports on the desk.

After quickly eyeing the pile of reports, I sat down in the chair.

“At least you let me rest for a day.”

“I wanted to give you a day off after your visit to the Imperial Palace, but I heard strange noises from the training ground last night?”

“Ah, that? Someone asked me to help with their training.”

“To ask you for training help…. that person must be quite determined.”

Having supervised Balthasar’s training while doing my own, my body felt quite exhausted.

I massaged one shoulder with my fingers while checking the reports one by one.

“Oh, the Miracle Forest is already scheduled for completion?”

“Yes, construction will be finished within a week.”

“That’s incredibly fast?”

“It’s thanks to you not sparing any expense on labor costs. Also, the women you brought have completed their relocation to the northern region.”

He was talking about Levarin and the other succubi.

I paused while looking at the report and raised my head.

“The n-northern region is already completed?”

“Not completely, but we finished building the houses for them to move in. The academy is still under construction.”

“Was there a need to proceed so quickly?”

“The sooner they relocate, the better. The inn costs for their daily accommodation were quite substantial.”

Spend generously when needed but save where possible?

I nodded with a somewhat satisfied expression.

“You handled it excellently.”

At my praise, Federicks raised his shoulders proudly and spoke.

“We plan to create jobs for the women as soon as the Miracle Forest is completed.”

“Wow…. At first you weren’t keen on giving them jobs, but now everything’s moving smoothly?”

“I realized you were right. No tourist would dislike having beautiful women around.”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I meant.”

“But I’m concerned that they might attract troublemakers and end up in difficult situations.”

“You don’t need to worry about that. None of them are weak.”

Federicks straightened his back, seemingly relieved.

“By the way, how did you end up bringing the Saint here?”

“Sigh…. Do you think I would have brought her to Lake Estate willingly?”

“From what I heard, you two formed a connection at the Imperial Palace? Quite a deep one….”

“Deep connection my ass.”

“….Pardon?”

“Never mind. I’ll send Claudia away in a few days somehow, so don’t worry about it.”

“But she’s a Saint. How could I not be concerned? While she’s here, I’ll make sure she receives the utmost hospitality.”

Sigh….

Federicks is right, but what if she grows attached to Lake Estate and starts visiting frequently?

I’d prefer if this visit were her last.

I sighed deeply and reluctantly nodded.

“Do as you wish.”

“Yes, understood. Also, a letter arrived from the Imperial Palace.”

“A letter?”

“But strangely, it contains nothing special—just asking if you arrived safely at Lake Estate.”

“Ah…. I see.”

Federicks took out the letter and placed it on the desk.

“It’s a letter directly from His Imperial Majesty. He must truly favor you, sending a letter as soon as you arrive.”

A letter asking if I arrived safely at Lake Estate.

It was indeed a simple letter, but to me, it felt like an unspoken pressure saying, “Don’t get any funny ideas and stay put.”

Is he worried I might try to run away?

What madman living in the Eastern Continent could escape the eyes of Emperor Malius?

Unless you leave for another continent, it’s impossible.

I checked the letter and put it in the drawer, shaking my head.

“Sigh…. Anyway, is that all you have to report?”

“Ah! Also, Denis requests to see you.”

“Denis?”

“He said if I mentioned his wife, you would understand?”

If it’s about Enna, Denis must be quite anxious.

Of course, he must be living in constant tension, fearing his wife might turn into a zombie.

However.

The protagonist, Serion Rykus, won’t meet the dark mage in the Western Continent until some time has passed.

Just as I was about to conclude there was nothing to be done, something flashed in my mind.

BANG-!

I slammed both palms on the desk as I stood up and raised my voice toward Federicks.

“T-tell Saint Claudia I wish to see her immediately.”