Ch.7777. Going Back Is Probably the Right Thing to Do.

“Hey, I’m sorry!!”

“Stop it!!!”

A man with long black hair tied back was teaching some rough-looking men a lesson.

I was certain he was Serion Lycus, the protagonist from the original work.

Especially since the ornate flame-patterned scabbard at his waist stood out prominently.

Moreover.

Come to think of it, this was around the time when Serion Lycus had left his master and come to Lumestia.

And here he would eventually encounter both Princess Sirin and Princess Etherian.

By the way.

Considering that the original work never mentioned Princess Etherian’s birthday, I thought Serion Lycus would have visited this place much later…

To think it was precisely during this time.

Had he been here for quite a while?

Serion punched the men a few more times, then dusted off his palms with an awkward smile.

“Don’t act up again.”

I slapped my knee with my palm.

While ‘Selden Alphonse’ had looks that wouldn’t lose to anyone, seeing Serion smile like that made me understand why all the female characters clung to the protagonist.

‘Luna would absolutely lose her mind if she saw this.’

Actually, seeing his appearance made me a bit less worried?

Of course, I’d only know for sure after meeting him, but his appearance was far more impressive than I had imagined, and I couldn’t help but let out a sound of admiration.

The women who had been watching the fight felt the same way.

-Kyaa!! Look at that handsome face and those muscles!

-How can his face be so small when his shoulders are so broad?

-Should I go talk to him?

The male onlookers were just pointing at the rough-looking men on the ground saying “serves them right” repeatedly, but the women had hearts popping in their eyes.

I wanted to go over and say something too, but I just stood there with a faint smile.

Though I had only known him through text, it was truly amazing and surreal to see someone I had once admired and been immersed in standing right in front of me.

I didn’t want to interfere with even the short steps the protagonist needed to take.

Besides.

He would soon be coming to Lake Territory.

I would need to hand over Rio and Luna, so I could greet him then.

‘I should head back.’

I bowed my head slightly, exchanged brief greetings with the protagonist, and turned away.

Though it was a chance encounter, I was incredibly excited.

Before my possession, I had once luckily run into a famous sports star known for soccer while walking down the street, and it felt just like that.

‘It feels a bit disappointing to just leave like this.’

I had planned to just wander the streets before returning to the palace, but after seeing Serion, I suddenly felt like having a drink.

Chuckling to myself, I searched for a tavern.

“Oh, quite fancy?”

Still with an excited expression, I entered the tavern and immediately headed to the second floor.

The second floor was designed with an open space at the back to allow for viewing the scenery. While the entrance of the tavern had the atmosphere of a vibrant city, behind it was a serene small lake.

It was quite the contrast to the bustling tavern.

“Whew!”

I sat down in a chair, admiring the scenery.

It felt like I could become an immortal just by having a drink.

I was in a good mood for various reasons.

“Would you like to order?”

“The most expensive bottle of alcohol you have and one of each dish.”

“Thank you!!”

Looking at the moonlight reflecting on the blue lake, I felt almost ethereal.

Leaning back in my chair, I was endlessly admiring the scenery when—

“…Excuse me.”

I reflexively turned my head at the voice calling me.

There was a woman standing there, twisting her body shyly.

I instinctively realized that I was being “hunted” in the parlance of this world.

‘Hmm…’

She wasn’t my type appearance-wise, and today I just wanted to drink alone.

I stood up to politely decline.

“I’m sorr—”

“We really wanted to come here, but it’s completely full, and you’re the only one sitting alone… if it’s alright, could we join you?”

Suddenly, I felt my face getting hot.

See, this is why I try not to make assumptions.

I quickly looked around.

It had been crowded when I entered, but now it was completely full.

And I was the only one sitting at a large table.

Seeing my confused expression, the woman spoke again.

“Is that not okay?”

“…It’s fine. Please, sit down.”

“Ah!! Thank you!! We’ll pay for everything in return.”

The woman looked somewhere and quickly waved her hand.

Just as I slumped back into my chair, feeling a bit foolish about my misunderstanding, a man approached the table with a cheerful voice.

“Oh! What an honor to share a table with such a handsome gentleman! Hahaha!! One more person will be joining us later, is that alright?”

My gaze immediately turned to the slightly goofy-looking man.

He clearly had the air of a nobleman.

His face exuded nobility, and the gold buttons on his attire caught my eye.

I half-rose from my chair and extended my hand toward the man who was reaching out to me.

“Of course, please sit down.”

“Thank you!”

Soon, abundant food and bottles of alcohol were placed on the table.

The man opened his mouth wide and laughed.

“Wow! Not only is the scenery beautiful, but the food is also excellent! As expected of Lumestia!!”

“I’ve only passed through here before, this is my first real visit… haha!”

“Come to think of it, we haven’t introduced ourselves. I’m Rohan Brix. The woman next to me is my close friend, Lina Covet.”

Rohan Brix and Lina Covet…

These were names I’d never heard before.

They probably didn’t appear in the original work, or were just minor extras, which actually made me feel less pressured.

I looked back and forth between Rohan and Lina with a gentle smile.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Selden Alphonse.”

At that, Lina’s eyes widened as she asked.

“Oh!? I know the Alphonse family!! Baron Byron!!”

“Yes, that’s right. He’s my father.”

“Then, which son are you? The eldest? Or maybe the second since you look young?”

“I’m the youngest.”

“…The youngest?”

If she knows about the Alphonse family, does she also know that the youngest is a good-for-nothing?

When I nodded, Lina Covet gave a faint smile that didn’t match her eyes.

Rohan, seemingly unaware of the rumors, laughed heartily.

“Well, we’re not complete strangers then! By the way, how old are you?”

“Nineteen.”

“What a coincidence!! We’re all the same age! Should we speak more casually with each other?”

Though I was concerned about Lina Covet’s uncomfortable expression after hearing I was the youngest, I slowly nodded at Rohan’s friendliness.

“Let’s do that.”

“This is no ordinary fate! So, what brings you to Lumestia?”

“I have some business at the palace.”

“You, are you also invited to Princess Etherian’s birthday celebration?”

Judging by their expressions, it seems Lina and Rohan were also invited to the birthday celebration.

I didn’t want to lie and end up in an awkward situation, so I spoke honestly.

“Yeah, somehow I got connected.”

“Really? But why do I feel like I’m seeing you for the first time at this birthday celebration?”

“Good observation. This is actually my first time.”

“Oh!! We were destined to meet anyway!!”

“I guess so.”

Lina seemed to be constantly trying to hint that I was the good-for-nothing of the Alphonse family, but Rohan, either oblivious or dense, maintained his cheerful expression.

“I’ve been invited to the birthday celebrations since I was young because of my father’s connection with the Princess.”

If he were someone full of pretense, I might have frowned, but Rohan gave off the opposite impression—a sense of purity.

Despite being a stranger, there was a familiar feeling about him.

By the way.

How should I explain my connection to Princess Etherian?

I can’t exactly say that we became acquainted after she tried to kill me.

After pondering for a moment, I carefully spoke.

“I haven’t been friends with the Princess since childhood; I got to know her through a chance encounter.”

“A chance encounter?”

“Well, it’s nothing special.”

Not wanting to lie to the innocent Rohan, I gave a vague answer mixed with truth, to which Lina pouted and sneered.

“…I’m sure that’s the case.”

Strangely, I didn’t feel offended.

After all, once an image is formed, it’s not easily erased, and even if I got upset, people would just think, “That’s typical.”

Instead, Rohan looked at Lina with a disbelieving expression.

“Lina, what’s with that attitude?”

“Nothing, I was just talking to myself.”

“Even if we’re the same age and agreed to speak casually, your tone just now was too disrespectful.”

Well, look at that?

I thought he was just pure and would only smile broadly, but he knows how to scold his friend too?

As expected of a nobleman, he seemed to have basic manners.

With a smile on my face, I was about to intervene when another woman’s voice came from behind.

“What’s this, why are you two fighting again?”