Ch.292292. ····Are you asking me for certainty?

“Oh, you’re here?”

Looking at Selden Alphonse, who was sitting comfortably on the reception room sofa, Butler Darian couldn’t help but grind his molars.

Who was this man?

He was someone who had followed an elite path that others would envy, and had sacrificed everything to make Prince Callian, whom he served, into His Imperial Majesty.

And yet.

Even though he was from another continent, he was merely a nobleman, yet he spoke so casually to an imperial butler…

What was even more unbearable was…

“Haha, thanks to you, young master, I arrived very safely.”

“Have a seat.”

“Yes, I’ll take the liberty then.”

Whenever he was in front of Selden Alphonse, he strangely became submissive.

Of course, it was partly because he had seen him directly deal with traitors, but more than that, it was because of some inexplicable sense of discomfort.

“Have you eaten?”

“Butler Federicks took good care of me.”

Selden Alphonse held a teacup and spoke.

“You probably already know from Federicks, but it seems the war is dragging on longer than expected.”

“…Indeed. Prince Leonis had many followers.”

“By the way, though this shouldn’t happen, if His Imperial Majesty Callian were to be defeated, what would you do?”

“C-Callian His Imperial Majesty will not be defeated!”

As Butler Darian raised his voice, Selden Alphonse calmly continued.

“Let’s be realistic. You can’t be indebted to me forever, can you?”

It was humiliating.

Even if he had gone to any family in the Western Continent, he might not have received a warm welcome, but it wouldn’t have felt this harsh.

But.

He had no choice but to endure.

Even if he were to head to the Western Continent right now, as Selden Alphonse said, if Prince Leonis won the succession dispute, it would mean certain death.

Even if he wasn’t afraid of dying, he couldn’t let the treasure cherished by His Imperial Majesty Callian be taken away.

“I know it’s shameless, but may I ask for one favor?”

“Let me hear it first, then I’ll decide.”

“…If His Imperial Majesty Callian is defeated, please take care of the others. They’ve all worked as butlers and servants in the imperial palace, so they’ll earn their keep.”

“What about you?”

“I will point my sword at the imperial palace, even if I’m alone.”

No matter how skilled an imperial butler might be, a butler is still a butler.

While he had basic swordsmanship skills, he couldn’t even compare to a knight’s abilities.

He let out a short sigh.

“You’re choosing to die like a dog?”

“It’s not dying like a dog. It’s a glorious death.”

“Then I should root for His Imperial Majesty Callian.”

“…Pardon?”

“Although I’ve only met him twice, I wouldn’t want to see a butler as loyal as you die.”

Butler Darian swallowed hard.

Hearing Selden Alphonse’s words made him feel even stranger.

He wondered where such composure came from.

Just because he was strong?

‘That’s definitely not it.’

Throughout his service at the imperial palace, he had seen many knights with excellent swordsmanship and mages with outstanding magical talent.

Yet none of them had been this composed.

The stronger they were, the more enemies they naturally had, so they always appeared tense.

But.

Selden Alphonse was incredibly relaxed.

Normally, he should be worried about the harm that might come to him if His Imperial Majesty Callian were defeated.

‘But this person is worried about me…?’

Unable to contain his curiosity, Butler Darian spoke up.

“I heard you were unjustly brought to the imperial palace because of Master Kabla.”

“That’s right. Is Kabla alright?”

“Yes, he wanted to see you, but I told him I would meet you first.”

“Oh, and then?”

“If this matter goes well, I will personally put in a good word for you with His Imperial Majesty.”

At Butler Darian’s words, Selden Alphonse made an indifferent expression.

“By the way, what exactly is this treasure?”

“…Pardon?”

“Is it really the imperial seal or something?”

“N-No, it’s not that.”

“Is it difficult to talk about?”

“I’m sorry. I will make sure to tell you later.”

“Alright.”

Butler Darian, still not having resolved all his curiosity, adjusted his posture.

“Young master, if Prince Leonis were to win the succession dispute and demand the imperial treasure, what would you do?”

“He wouldn’t know there’s an imperial treasure here, would he?”

“That’s why I said ‘if’ as a hypothetical.”

As Selden Alphonse was about to dismiss it casually, he paused upon seeing Butler Darian’s serious expression.

It was a look that demanded a definitive answer.

“…You want assurance from me?”

“Shameless as it may be, yes.”

Selden Alphonse stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Then, crossing his legs comfortably, he let out a gentle laugh.

“Don’t worry. The treasure will never be taken away.”

*

“Master Selden Alphonse, thank you so much.”

It was the day after the conversation with Butler Darian.

I had expected him to express some dissatisfaction about being knocked unconscious, but instead, Kabla was bowing deeply and expressing his gratitude.

Even though I had just received information via letter that the army led by Emperor Callian was prevailing, this was still puzzling.

“I thought I had made a mistake, but receiving such thanks makes me feel embarrassed.”

“N-No, not at all. I will never forget this debt to Master Selden Alphonse.”

What’s going on?

Why is he reacting like this?

Does Kabla perhaps know about the imperial treasure?

I tilted my head repeatedly as I continued.

“By the way… do you know what the imperial treasure is, Master Kabla?”

At that, Kabla’s eyes widened in shock, and he shook his head vigorously.

“H-How would I know what the imperial treasure is? I’m simply thanking Master Selden Alphonse for bringing back the treasure cherished by His Imperial Majesty.”

His expression was clearly that of someone caught off guard.

When I checked with my Evil Eye, he was indeed lying.

Why won’t they tell me what the treasure is, yet Kabla seems to know?

Haah…

With Kabla acting like this, I’m actually more curious now.

Though I doubt he’d tell me even if I asked.

I let out a short sigh.

“Regardless of the situation, now that you’re in Lake Territory, you’ll be able to meet Headmaster Rupert.”

“Yes, that too is thanks to Master Selden Alphonse.”

The continuous expressions of gratitude were becoming burdensome.

I cleared my throat and continued.

“Since things have turned out this way, would you be able to see our Lucien as well?”

“Of course. When would you like to meet?”

“Let’s set up an appointment after you meet with Headmaster Rupert.”

“Sounds good!”

“By the way, what are your plans now, Master Kabla?”

“…Pardon? I don’t understand what you mean.”

“Even if His Imperial Majesty Callian’s army successfully defends the succession rights from Prince Leonis, aren’t you still considered a criminal in the Western Continent?”

It would be ideal if Kabla came to Lake Territory.

It would be convenient to ask him about dragons whenever I was curious, and he could help when Lucien’s heat period began.

However.

Kabla turned out to be a person with more resolve than I had thought.

“If His Imperial Majesty Callian wins the succession dispute and the Western Continent stabilizes, I intend to accept my punishment willingly.”

“Is there really a need for you to go to the Western Continent?”

“I must pay for my crimes.”

He was a frustrating person.

But knowing that I couldn’t break the will of someone with such a determined expression, I sighed deeply.

“Haah… if you’re set on paying for your crimes, I won’t stop you.”

“I won’t forget your kindness. And Butler Darian will resolve the false accusations against Master Selden Alphonse as soon as he returns.”

While I had backed down because I couldn’t break his stubbornness, I couldn’t let Kabla be punished.

If the situation I anticipated unfolded, it wouldn’t be a bad choice to inform Serion Lykaris about the necromancer creating zombies a bit earlier.

After all, in the original story, the necromancer was destined to die at the protagonist’s hands anyway.

“By the way, was it Joanna?”

“…Pardon?”

“As you mentioned, Master Kabla, it seems Joanna also assumes that someone researching magical beasts is creating zombies…”

“J-Joanna?”

Kabla was sweating nervously to the point of panic.

Seeing his unexpected flustered expression, I tilted my head in confusion.

“Did I say something wrong?”

Suddenly, Kabla quickly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand and laughed heartily.

“Haha!! Not at all!! As I told Master Selden Alphonse before, I am absolutely not related to zombies. Rather, it’s suspected to be related to mages.”

“On what basis?”

“If you look at past magical research materials, there were several attempts by mages to inject new life forms into human bodies. Of course, it’s difficult to conclusively say that mages are the culprits behind the creation of zombies.”

Screech-! Thud-!

While I was having a serious conversation with Kabla, there was a commotion outside the reception room, and the door opened.

A man who looked like he was cosplaying as a beggar entered with an aggrieved expression and raised his voice.

“Y-Young master!! How could you do this to me!!”