Ch.291291. Hard Work, My Ass.

“Now that we’ve crossed over to the Eastern Continent, let’s get down and rest for a bit.”

“….Alright.”

Though I had been holding the reins firmly, fatigue was gradually building up.

Perhaps it was because I had ridden vigorously, making as much noise as possible to ensure those in the carriage could escape safely.

After supporting my body on horseback for such a long time, I rubbed my stiff lower back as I spoke.

“Are you okay?”

At that, the female attendant shook her head with a flushed face.

“….No. Actually, my bottom hurts too.”

I’m sure it does.

Even for me, who has ridden horses while hunting magical beasts, it was grueling—how much worse must it have been for the female attendant?

By the way.

Though she covered her hair and face with a cloak typically used by mages, she was clearly remarkably beautiful even at a glance.

A face with distinct features.

I cleared my throat before continuing.

“Come to think of it, we haven’t properly introduced ourselves. I’m Selden Alphonse. What’s your name?”

“….I’m Joanna.”

“By the way, I’m curious about something. May I ask?”

“Go ahead.”

“I understand escaping to protect the imperial treasure, but shouldn’t knights have been deployed for something like this?”

“I don’t know about that either. I just followed Butler Darian’s instructions.”

“Ah, I see.”

As I leaned against a tree, Joanna peered up at me.

“I’m curious about something too. May I ask?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“Selden Alphonse, you’re not from the imperial family, so how did you end up at the imperial palace?”

“Oh, didn’t I mention that?”

“You vaguely said you happened to be at the palace when the incident occurred. Besides, you’re from the Eastern Continent, not the Western Continent.”

“I didn’t come to the palace of my own accord; I was captured.”

“….What?”

“I was captured and brought there by the imperial knights.”

Joanna pulls back her body, giving me a wary look.

“W-why were you captured by the imperial knights?”

“I think it was for illegal magical beast research? I heard it’s illegal in the Western Continent?”

“….You researched magical beasts illegally? That’s practically a serious crime in the Western Continent.”

“No, but I’ve never researched magical beasts in the Western Continent. When we first met, one of my colleagues was unconscious, right?”

“Y-yes?”

“He’s the one who did the illegal research. I was just with him and got caught up in it.”

Hearing my words, Joanna lets out a sigh of relief.

“….That’s good. So you’re not a bad person….”

“My colleague isn’t a bad person either.”

“I don’t know about the Eastern Continent, but in the Western Continent, if you research magical beasts without imperial permission, punishment is unavoidable.”

At Joanna’s words, I snickered and pointed to the ground with my finger.

“Where are we right now?”

“In a forest….?”

“No, I mean, is this the Western Continent?”

“….The Eastern Continent.”

“Then at least in the Eastern Continent, I can defend him, right?”

At that, Joanna gives a bitter smile.

“You’re quite good with words, Selden Alphonse.”

“I’m just frustrated.”

“What’s frustrating?”

“The real criminals are elsewhere, yet they’re accusing innocent people.”

“The real criminals?”

“I heard the reason you need imperial permission is because of the zombies appearing in the Western Continent?”

“….That’s probably right.”

“From what I’ve heard, the Western imperial court has been rounding up illegal magical beast researchers for quite some time…. So have the zombies in the Western Continent decreased?”

Joanna seems to ponder for a moment before startling.

“They haven’t decreased. If anything, they’ve increased.”

“Which means those researching magical beasts might not be creating the zombies.”

“Z-zombies are a species that’s a mix of humans and magical beasts. Unlike other magical beasts, they don’t occur naturally; they’re created by someone.”

“So the people researching magical beasts are the culprits?”

“While it’s not definitively established, it’s the most likely possibility.”

I crossed my arms heavily as I looked at Joanna.

“Then why do zombies only exist in the Western Continent? Especially when researching magical beasts isn’t even illegal in the Eastern Continent?”

“T-that’s….”

“If what you’re saying is true, shouldn’t there be more zombies in the Eastern Continent?”

Judging by Joanna’s reaction, it seems like the Western imperial court is indeed being politically manipulated by mages, as Kabla said.

The mages’ strong unity probably makes them easy targets.

Joanna nervously bites her fingernail with her lips before speaking.

“Something is indeed wrong.”

“Looking at the imperial situation, I understand. With Prince Leonis still alive, they’re probably too preoccupied with potential rebellion to thoroughly investigate the zombie incidents.”

Joanna looks up at me once more.

“But, Selden Alphonse, if you’re so strong, why did you escape through the back door of the palace?”

“Are you suggesting that someone from the Eastern Continent should get involved in the Western Continent’s imperial succession dispute?”

“N-no, but… I thought you could have helped. If you had, Emperor Callian would have remembered your effor—”

“Effort, my ass.”

“….What?”

“If I had meddled and died, it would have been a pointless death, wouldn’t it?”

Joanna looks startled before calmly continuing.

“W-with your skills, you surely wouldn’t have died.”

“Human life is unpredictable; how can you be so certain?”

Joanna, seemingly at a loss for words, hangs her head low.

“I’m sorry. I overstepped.”

“As long as you understand.”

I dusted off my backside and stood up.

Then, nodding toward the horse, I continued.

“Now that we’ve rested, shall we get going?”

*

“In the Western Continent, Prince Leonis’s army and Emperor Callian’s forces are still in a standoff.”

As soon as I arrived at Lake Estate, I summoned Padericks to the study.

Since I had already conveyed the situation via letter, our conversation flowed smoothly.

“It’s been three days since the succession dispute began, and the war still hasn’t ended?”

“It seems suppression is not as easy as expected. As a result, casualties continue to rise.”

“Indeed, it’s fortunate we didn’t get involved.”

Padericks straightened his back as he spoke.

“By the way, why did you come separately?”

“Ah, didn’t I mention that in the letter? Clara will come with the others by carriage.”

“And who is the woman who came with you?”

“She’s an attendant from the Western imperial court. We ended up coming together.”

At that, Padericks raises his voice in surprise.

“….Then are the people coming with Clara also from the Western imperial court?”

“Yes, a butler and attendant who serve Emperor Callian?”

“Y-young master!! Have you lost your mind?”

“Why?”

“If Prince Leonis wins the succession dispute, we could face repercussions!!”

I wasn’t without concerns, as Padericks pointed out.

However, I was more focused on my relationship with Kabla.

Even if we become targets of the Western imperial court, the dragon research materials related to Lucien are more important to me.

I waved my hand in the air with a calm smile.

“It’s fine. No one knows that I smuggled out imperial people and treasures.”

“T-treasures?”

“Yes, the imperial butler mentioned it.”

“Surely…. it’s not something like the seal symbolizing the Emperor’s authority, is it?”

“I don’t know. There wasn’t time to ask what kind of treasure it was in the chaos.”

Padericks presses his temples as if getting a headache.

“Hah…. I feel like problems keep piling up.”

“By the way, how was it for you?”

“….Pardon?”

“You met with a woman at Alphonse Estate. How was it?”

As I tilted my head, Padericks clears his throat with a reddened face.

“W-why are you asking about that?”

“I’m just curious, and if you don’t like her, I’ll have to find another woman.”

“….Why are you so sincere about my marriage, young master?”

“We help each other. You can’t stay alone forever, can you? Anyway, don’t you like her?”

Padericks, still red-faced, slightly averts his gaze.

“How can one determine the direction of a relationship after just one meeting?”

“Oh, so you’re saying you want to meet her a few more times?”

“….Yes, that’s right.”

Judging by his expression, he definitely doesn’t dislike her.

Having observed Padericks for years, I could tell.

“Good. Since human affairs are unpredictable, have a proper conversation with her. Try to set up an appointment within a week.”

“T-that soon?”

“Strike while the iron is hot. If time passes, the mood might cool.”

“….For someone who knows so much, why haven’t you ever…?”

“Do you want to train with me?”

“….I’ll try to set up an appointment as soon as possible.”

“Good. I’ll rest until Clara arrives, so go about your business.”

“Understood. But….”

Padericks trails off.

He tilts his head several times as if something is odd, then speaks.

“….You keep mentioning Clara, but where did you leave Jawill Wilson this time?”