Ch.293293. Not Really a Big Deal, I Think?

“Young master, how could you forget about me…?”

After hurriedly sending Kabla to Headmaster Rupert, I cleared my throat while looking at Jawil Wilson.

“Ahem!! There were circumstances.”

“No matter what circumstances, how could you abandon me without sending even a single letter?”

“Abandon…? Why use such hurtful words?”

“I’m the one who’s truly hurt!!”

Truthfully, I had no excuse even if I had ten mouths to speak with.

After arriving at Lake Territory, I had completely forgotten about Jawil Wilson’s existence until Padericks asked about him.

And on top of that.

His clothes were torn in several places, and his face was covered with dirt and dust from whatever had happened on his journey from Grey Territory’s inn to here.

“I’m sorry.”

“…Pardon?”

“I said I’m sorry.”

Jawil Wilson makes a bewildered expression at my sudden apology.

“Young master, I think it would be better if you were just shameless as usual.”

“When I’m sorry, I say I’m sorry. What else should I say?”

“When you apologize, young master, it strangely makes me feel like I’m the one who did something wrong.”

I smirked at Jawil Wilson.

“You haven’t been briefed on the situation yet, have you?”

“Yes, I came to see you as soon as I arrived at Lake Territory.”

After explaining everything that had happened, Jawil Wilson’s mouth fell open.

“D-did Clara arrive safely?”

“Yeah, she should be resting now.”

“Suddenly being taken to the Western Continent’s Imperial Palace… and even a succession dispute breaking out… No wonder you didn’t have time to contact me.”

“By the way, why do you look so disheveled?”

At that, Jawil Wilson’s eyes welled up with tears as if he was about to burst.

“A riot suddenly broke out in Grey Territory.”

“A riot?”

“Yes, I don’t know why, but bandits were swarming all over Grey Territory.”

They must have thought it was the perfect opportunity with the succession dispute happening in the Imperial Palace.

They probably came down to the territory to plunder, taking advantage of the loosened security.

I nodded at Jawil Wilson’s words.

“That makes sense. Control always breaks down during wars. Especially when it’s a war within the Imperial Palace.”

“Since I didn’t know about the succession dispute in the Imperial Palace, I thought the Western Continent was just naturally infested with bandits.”

“So you engaged in battle with the bandits?”

“Even if they were people from another territory, shouldn’t I save them if I could?”

“What if you had lost your life in the process?”

Jawil Wilson sighs briefly and raises his head.

“Despite appearances, I’ve improved my skills by training with you, young master. I wouldn’t lose to mere bandits.”

“For someone who says that, you look quite miserable.”

“Ahem! There were just more of them than I expected.”

“Well, I’m glad you made it here safely.”

Jawil Wilson’s eyes suddenly light up as if he remembered something.

“Then you must have been talking about Lady Kabla and Lucien earlier.”

“That’s right.”

“Did you have many conversations with her?”

“Yeah, I think it was worth going there despite the hardship. I learned so much about dragons that I didn’t know before.”

“I’m somewhat relieved to hear that your trip to the Western Continent was meaningful. It would have been too disappointing if you had gone through all that trouble for nothing.”

I adjusted my posture as I watched Jawil Wilson sigh with relief.

“About the training I promised, I have a lot to sort out right now, so let’s start after I get things in order.”

“I understand. Until then, I’ll help with Clara’s training while continuing my own personal training.”

“Good, that’s settled.”

After sending Jawil Wilson away, I was left in the empty reception room.

I held the cold teacup in my hand and let out a deep sigh.

Currently, the most important matter was related to Lucien.

It would be fine if there were a dragon willing to marry her right away, but that possibility was unlikely.

Therefore, I needed to prevent her rampage during her heat period.

*Screech-*

I rose from my chair.

I felt that my current abilities would be insufficient to stop Lucien’s rampage.

I too needed to pour my efforts into training like mad.

I straightened my back and stretched vigorously.

“Ughyaya!! Shall we experience a proper hell once?”

*

“The news is that Emperor Kallian has won the war against Prince Leonis.”

It had already been a week since I returned to Lake Territory.

After finishing my training, I went to the study to review the dragon materials I received from Kabla, and Padericks brought me the news I had been waiting for.

I wiped the sweat from my training with the back of my hand as I sat down in the chair.

“Hmm, Kabla must be pleased that Emperor Kallian won the war.”

At that, Padericks adopts a rather serious expression.

“But he didn’t completely secure victory in the war.”

“…I suppose Prince Leonis survived.”

“Yes. Therefore, I believe war could break out again at any time.”

“Since the Western Continent isn’t safe right now, I wonder if we could use that as an excuse to keep Kabla here a bit longer?”

“That seems impossible. It appears that Kabla is preparing to leave after hearing the news of Emperor Kallian’s victory.”

I tilted my head at Padericks’ words.

“But she hasn’t even met Lucien yet?”

“I suppose she plans to leave right after meeting Lucien.”

Haaa…

This is troubling.

If I pass on the information about the necromancer who created zombies to Serion Lykaris and have him captured, Emperor Kallian might overlook Kabla’s illegal magical beast research to some extent.

However.

If Kabla moves too early, before Serion Lykaris captures the necromancer, she would end up being punished by Emperor Kallian.

It was truly a troubling situation.

“Padericks.”

“Yes, young master?”

“You spent a lot of time with the people from the Western Imperial Palace, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“Did you overhear any conversations related to imperial treasures?”

“They didn’t discuss imperial treasures at all. But why do you ask?”

I stroked my chin as I continued.

“If Kabla returns to the Western Continent now, she’ll be treated as a criminal.”

“Didn’t Darian the butler say he would resolve that to some extent?”

“No, what he said he would resolve was clearing my name. Even Darian the butler couldn’t cover up for someone who broke imperial law.”

“…Then Kabla could be punished as soon as she arrives in the Western Continent?”

I nodded firmly while crossing my arms.

“That’s why I’m thinking of using the fact that we protected the imperial treasure as leverage to ask Emperor Kallian to pardon Kabla.”

“…With the Emperor already on edge from the damage caused by the succession war, do you think he’ll grant your request?”

“It’s better than doing nothing, isn’t it?”

Padericks takes a short breath and steps forward.

“I’m worried this might actually cause harm to you, young master.”

“Harm?”

“There’s a high possibility that there are spies planted by Prince Leonis among Emperor Kallian’s close associates.”

“That’s likely true. War is a battle of intelligence, after all.”

“As I mentioned earlier, Prince Leonis is still alive. Therefore, it might be better to quietly hand over the imperial treasure.”

“You’re worried that if we make a big deal about me protecting the imperial treasure, the news might reach Prince Leonis’s ears?”

Padericks continued with a still-stern face.

“Yes. We could become targets for protecting the imperial treasure.”

“I don’t think it matters much.”

“…Pardon?”

“I’m saying I’m not at all afraid even if Prince Leonis invades Lake Territory.”

Padericks leans his head forward as if he thinks he misheard my indifferent response.

“…Pardon?”

“Why do you keep asking? I’m saying I don’t care even if Prince Leonis invades Lake Territory.”

“W-why wouldn’t you care?”

“Emperor Kallian won the war, so it doesn’t matter.”

“…I don’t understand at all.”

I smirked at the confused Padericks.

“Prince Leonis is a traitor even in the Western Continent. There would obviously be problems if he tried to bring his large army to the Eastern Continent.”

“Ah…”

“What I was worried about was Prince Leonis winning the war and ascending to the throne.”

“If he found out that the imperial treasure was in Lake Territory, Emperor Leonis might formally request your extradition from Emperor Mallius?”

“That’s right.”

“But you’re engaged to the princess, so wouldn’t Emperor Mallius refuse the extradition request?”

“If that happened, relations between the Western and Eastern Continents would deteriorate because of me.”

Padericks nods as if he finally understands.

“It’s complicated.”

“Imperial politics are always complicated once you get involved.”

Just as Padericks and I sighed simultaneously, Jawil Wilson rushed into the study.

“Y-young master.”

“What is it?”

“Emperor Kallian from the Western Continent has come in person!”

“E-Emperor Kallian has come here?”

He must not have even finished dealing with the aftermath of the war yet. Is the imperial treasure that important?

I thought this was fortunate, though.

It would be better to discuss Kabla’s situation in person rather than through a letter.

As I was about to stand up, Jawil Wilson tilted his head and spoke.

“But I heard something strange.”

“What is it?”

“They say there’s a princess from the Western Continent here in Lake Territory?”