Ch.289289. I am Selden Alphonse, a resident of the Eastern Continent.

“Young master, where are we being dragged off to…?”

I let out a short sigh at Clara’s question as she trembled in fear, bound by ropes.

“How am I supposed to answer that when I’ve been captured alongside you?”

“Ah… I should have resisted. I gave in too easily…”

“Didn’t you hear them say they’re the Imperial Knights? If we had resisted, we’d never be able to leave the Western Continent peacefully.”

“…But with your skills, couldn’t you have escaped from that situation earlier?”

I looked at Clara with an exasperated expression as she tilted her head in confusion.

“Then would we be able to safely escape to the Eastern Continent? Even if we did escape, it would still be a problem. What if relations between the Western and Eastern Continents deteriorated because of us?”

“Ah… I see.”

Clara seemed naive about most things except magic, probably because she had lived her entire life in the Pandera territory.

Looking at her now, she did seem like a good match for Jawill Wilson.

Anyway.

To think I’d end up in this situation—bound by ropes, following the Western Continent’s Imperial Knights without knowing our exact destination…

This was a humiliation I had never experienced since my possession.

As we conversed, I noticed the Imperial Knights increasing the distance between Clara and me.

Ignoring them, I carefully addressed Kablra, who was also bound and walking silently.

“Sir Kablra.”

“…I apologize. I’ve put you in a difficult position, Lord Selden Alphonse.”

“Could you please explain what’s happening in detail?”

Kablra glanced cautiously at the Imperial Knights before continuing.

“In the Western Continent, one needs imperial permission to research magical beasts.”

“Permission to research magical beasts?”

“Yes, because some researchers end up taking their work in dangerous directions.”

“Is it because of zombies, by any chance?”

“…You know about zombies despite being from the Eastern Continent, Lord Selden Alphonse?”

“I’ve heard about them from an acquaintance. I’m quite interested in magical beasts myself.”

After my smooth excuse, Kablra nodded slowly.

“In truth, we suspect zombies were created by mages, but the imperial court thinks differently.”

“…Pardon?”

“The mages shifted blame to researchers like us to protect their image. The imperial court completely believes the mages’ version.”

Zombies should have been created by dark mages, but perhaps the imperial court hasn’t found concrete evidence yet?

Even I, as a reader of the original work, had conviction but no physical proof.

It was just frustrating.

“Then why didn’t you obtain permission from the imperial court, Sir Kablra?”

“I was once an imperial researcher with permission to study magical beasts. Not anymore, though.”

“You were an imperial researcher?”

“Yes. When researching magical beasts, one must regularly report findings to the imperial court. However, dragons are beings that shouldn’t be revealed to the world, so I chose not to report.”

“Ah… so that’s why you lost your qualification to research magical beasts.”

Kablra smiled bitterly.

“I anticipated this situation and secretly preserved my dragon research materials.”

“That’s fortunate.”

“…How can you say it’s fortunate when you’ve suffered because of me, Lord Selden Alphonse?”

“As someone who also appreciates dragons, I think it’s fortunate that their true nature remains hidden.”

“…Lord Selden Alphonse, don’t worry. If I go to the imperial court, I’ll sacrifice myself to clear your name.”

Clara was trembling behind us, and though Kablra maintained a composed expression, I could see him swallowing nervously.

Unlike them, however, I felt at peace.

Perhaps it was confidence that I could escape anytime?

Of course, there were two reasons I hadn’t fled yet.

First, I wanted to prevent discord between the Eastern and Western Continents because of me, and second, I wanted to save Kablra from this crisis.

That way, I could continue to satisfy my curiosity about dragons.

As we all contemplated ways to survive, the Imperial Knights’ pace slowed.

Looking up, I saw the Western Continent’s imperial palace.

While the Eastern Continent’s palace emphasized dignity and antiquity, the Western one was full of splendor and sophistication.

By the way.

The original novel mostly covered the Eastern Continent’s imperial court, with little about the Western one. How should I overcome this situation?

I could escape somehow, but Kablra, who had broken the law, was the real issue.

Upon arriving at the palace, we were led somewhere, still bound by ropes.

When we reached our destination, a man sat regally on a golden throne, wearing a crown to emphasize his status as emperor.

He was surprisingly young—mid-twenties at most.

Yet his imperial presence was undeniable; even his slightest gesture commanded respect.

“…Kablra.”

“Yes, this criminal Kablra greets His Imperial Majesty Callian Lumiere, the Star of the Western Continent.”

“I clearly warned you, yet you’re still researching magical beasts?”

Perhaps due to his youth, his tone conveyed sharpness rather than dignity.

Kablra bowed deeply and continued.

“…It is my duty.”

“I still don’t see why reporting on magical beast research is so difficult.”

“There were circumstances.”

“So what exactly were these circumstances?”

Emperor Callian Lumiere clicked his tongue, displeased with Kablra’s attitude.

Yet Kablra remained firm in his conviction.

“Everything I’ve done is for the Western Continent. Your Imperial Majesty may not understand now, but someday you will grasp my intentions.”

“…You suggest there’s something in the Western Continent that I don’t know?”

“The issue isn’t with Your Imperial Majesty, but with my humble inability to explain properly.”

As expected of Headmaster Rupert’s friend, Kablra articulated his views clearly despite the pressure, causing Emperor Callian Lumiere to furrow his brow.

“This is already the third time… While I acknowledge your contributions during the previous emperor’s reign, my patience has limits.”

“…I will accept whatever punishment you deem fit. However…”

Kablra trailed off, looking between Clara and me.

“These individuals have nothing to do with me. I hope Your wise Imperial Majesty will clear the innocent of false accusations.”

Emperor Callian Lumiere looked at me, tilting his head.

“What is your relationship with Kablra?”

Rather than overthinking and risking complications, I decided on a straightforward approach, adjusting my posture despite being bound.

“I am Selden Alphonse from the Eastern Continent.”

“Selden Alphonse? What brings someone from the Eastern Continent to the Western Continent?”

“I established an academy in the Eastern Continent to nurture future talent, and its headmaster is a close friend of Sir Kablra.”

“…So you came to take Kablra to the Eastern Continent?”

Emperor Callian’s head tilted even more askew.

Wiping cold sweat from my forehead, I continued.

“No, I was interested in magical beast research, and Headmaster Rupert recommended I meet Sir Kablra.”

“…Were you unaware that while the Eastern Continent allows magical beast research without imperial permission, the Western Continent does not?”

“Yes, Sir Kablra explained this to me after the Imperial Knights arrived.”

Emperor Callian Lumiere’s eyebrow twitched.

“I don’t know about the Eastern Continent, but in the Western Continent, ignorance doesn’t absolve one of guilt.”

Ignoring the anxious Kablra behind me, I straightened my back nonchalantly.

“Then I too will accept whatever punishment is given.”

“Even if it’s execution?”

“That is for Your Imperial Majesty to decide.”

Emperor Callian Lumiere stared at me intently before laughing heartily.

“Haha! Do you think I would hesitate because you’re from the Eastern Continent? Is that why you’re acting so boldly?”

“Not at all. Even as someone from the Eastern Continent, I’m currently in the Western Continent. It’s only right that I abide by Western Continent law.”

My response caused Kablra to kneel in panic.

“Your Imperial Majesty! These people are innocent! Punish me instead!”

Emperor Callian Lumiere gritted his teeth.

“Selden Alphonse, do you have any final words?”

I had taken a strong approach, thinking groveling wouldn’t help, but perhaps that was a mistake?

I had no choice but to request help from Emperor Mallius.

BOOM!

Just as I was about to mention sending a letter, a tremendous noise erupted from behind, and Imperial Knights rushed toward Emperor Callian.

One of them, wiping away cold sweat, raised his voice.

“Y-Your Imperial Majesty!! Rebels are storming the palace!!”