Ch.254Chapter 254 – The Princess’s Interest in the Mechanic

It was no exaggeration to say that in Aurelius, the capital of the Empire, at least one banquet was held every week.

As the capital of the Gelebrio Empire, the largest country in the Western Continent, the people residing here were closest to money and power.

Those who possessed money and power naturally wanted to flaunt what they had.

In such circumstances, hosting a banquet was the legitimate means to show off one’s wealth and power.

Providing a social venue where many people could be invited to eat food and engage in pleasant conversation was not an easy task for ordinary people.

Moreover, the quality of attendees varied depending on who hosted the banquet.

For example, if a moderately wealthy person living in the capital held a banquet, invitations would be sent to those with whom they were acquainted.

But even with acquaintances, an ordinary rich person would typically meet people of similar standing.

Therefore, it was only natural that banquets hosted by ordinary wealthy individuals didn’t receive much attention.

This was because the attendees were considered just as important as the host of the banquet.

That’s why the Empire’s numerous nobles were particularly focused on a certain upcoming banquet in the capital.

The host of this banquet was none other than the ‘Imperial Princess.’

And not just any princess, but the ‘First Imperial Princess.’

While many nobles would attend a banquet hosted by any imperial princess, the host of this particular event was the First Imperial Princess, who was regarded as the potential next emperor.

Moreover, her stated purpose for hosting this banquet was as follows:

To honor young talents who had shown outstanding achievements in their positions and elevated the name of the Empire.

As soon as rumors spread that Karen was hosting a banquet, it became the focus of every noble’s attention.

If the capable princess who was predicted to be the next emperor sent out invitations, it would certainly identify those who would lead the Empire’s future.

That’s why many nobles expressed their intention to attend the princess’s banquet.

While they were curious about whom she had invited, many were more interested in making themselves known to the princess.

And simultaneously with the princess’s announcement of the banquet, a rumor began circulating among the capital’s nobility:

‘Count Pathos Severio will attend this banquet.’

When rumors spread that Pathos would participate in Princess Karen’s banquet, people were skeptical.

Some said, “Count Severio is attending the banquet? Didn’t he decline? Perhaps the princess’s side intentionally spread this rumor?”

While others argued, “Count Severio certainly meets all the conditions to attend the banquet. Even if his attendance is just a rumor, the banquet is still worth attending.”

Either way, Princess Karen, the host of the banquet, had said nothing on the matter.

Who would have the courage to approach the princess and ask, “Will Count Severio attend this banquet or not?”

One would be fortunate not to be executed for accusing a royal of being a liar.

But soon people’s doubts were resolved…

[Count Pathos Severio has sent a letter confirming his attendance at the banquet.]

Princess Karen’s side officially announced that Pathos had sent a letter confirming his attendance.

They also announced that many other talented individuals had been invited, but they were all overshadowed by Pathos’s influence.

No matter how exceptional the other young talents invited by the princess might be, how could they compare to someone who had given hope to countless balding people by curing hair loss?

Moreover, he had cured the incurable Prezmerine disease and generously provided ingredients for medicine to treat the epidemic spreading through the Empire.

The name Pathos had already become unforgettable to the people of the Empire.

So as soon as Pathos’s attendance was officially announced, numerous people conveyed their intention to attend the banquet to the princess’s side.

Those who had been skeptical suddenly changed their attitude.

Karen didn’t particularly care about people’s sudden change in attitude.

For her, inviting Pathos to this banquet was the most important thing.

Even if others came, the banquet would be a failure if Pathos didn’t attend.

The Empire had many talented individuals.

But none had achieved such remarkable feats as Pathos.

Especially from the perspective of Karen, a regressor, Pathos was someone who had helped maintain the Empire’s current stability.

Even if unintentional, his actions had stabilized the Empire, and the Demon Cult had lost almost all momentum toward reviving the Demon God.

The loss of momentum toward the Demon God’s revival meant the Empire had become much safer.

So Pathos was an extremely valuable person to Karen.

However, Karen still had questions about Pathos’s existence.

‘Why has someone who didn’t stand out in other timelines appeared in this one?’

In the many timelines she had returned to, she hadn’t heard Pathos’s name that often.

The clearest memory she had was of him dying as a mercenary fighting demons in the previous timeline.

In other words, except for this timeline, there had never been someone with the ability to fix everything.

So Karen could conclude that Pathos was the ‘central axis’ of this timeline.

According to the history of previous timelines, the Gelebrio Empire should have been so severely damaged that it was on the verge of collapse.

But what about the Empire in this timeline?

It had achieved the complete expulsion of the Demon Cult, something never accomplished in any other timeline.

Additionally, with the destruction of the demon sword, there was no incomplete revival of the Demon God, and thus no heroes had perished in vain.

For some reason, the sealing magic circles in various locations had suddenly become stronger, causing some demonic beasts to be completely annihilated rather than breaking free from their seals.

Of all the timelines Karen had experienced, this current one had the most diverse changes and unpredictable events.

And this was what made Karen show more interest in Pathos.

‘How strange. That I would become so interested in a man.’

Karen was surprised to find herself thinking about Pathos in her room at the imperial palace.

She, who had never even thought about meeting a man in previous timelines, was now thinking so much about one man.

Moreover, this man already had two individuals who could be considered his partners.

One was the former Archmage and Academy Director.

The other was the Heavenly Demon, considered the strongest in the Eastern Continent.

An invincible combination of the strongest from this continent and the strongest from the Eastern Continent.

Karen had also learned that Eterna, the Saint of the Sun Order, had shown great interest in Pathos.

‘What does that man have that attracts women like this?’

In Karen’s view, Pathos wasn’t exceptionally handsome.

He had received some appearance enhancement with Epitrina’s help when he came to this world, but he wasn’t a flower boy who would captivate at first sight.

Yet, strangely, the more she looked at him, the more interested she became.

This was because he was the only one who had created an inflection point in a life that had otherwise continued without change, repeating endlessly.

What Karen wished for was the complete prevention of the Demon God’s revival, so that this world would never again suffer damage from the Demon God.

That would be good for the people living in this country and for everyone living on this land.

This was why Karen had been able to endure until now.

The hope that someday a good world, a peaceful world would come.

She had worked tirelessly to hold onto that hope, but the world she had been hoping for was gradually being created starting with the appearance of another man.

‘Perhaps… with that man…’

Karen was unknowingly gradually falling for Pathos.

He had changed this world that had been moving toward a predetermined future without any change.

He had shown hope that a new future would open for her and this world.

In a way, it was only natural that Karen was drawn to this man.

Perhaps… could spring come for Karen, who had to bear everything alone for such a long time?

That was something no one knew.