Chapter 215: Westphalia 5

“I wish you well today.”

“We shall be in your care as well.”

Just before the conference began, countless people exchanged greetings and courtesies. Among them, I felt a bit excited, unable to take my eyes off the ‘big names’ gathered here.

‘Oh… there is Lord Chancellor Richelieu. He looks quite dashing, more than I had imagined. And there is the Duke of Buckingham… Well, he does indeed have the look of a schemer as described in the original… Honestly, I didn’t expect him to represent his side at this conference.’

As an original reader, seeing these characters in the flesh was quite a touching experience.

Of course, I had already seen many others, including my father Count Turen, but separate from that, seeing these new faces filled me with considerable excitement.

As I exchanged greetings with those around me, I felt somewhat like meeting celebrities.

‘Oh… could those people be…’

The next moment, the people entering through the conference hall doors.

Although I had never seen them before, I immediately recognized who they were.

A middle-aged man striding forward confidently.

And on his left flank, a Holy Knight and a witch in pure white robes guarding him.

The moment I spotted them, I began to feel as if meeting long-admired celebrities.

Then… those three approached me.

I was momentarily gripped by intense tension…

And when the one in front courteously greeted me, I began to feel a sense of awe.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, are you Lord Santana Andreas?”

“Y…yes! That is correct. Then you must be General Wallenstein?”

“Indeed, I am Wallenstein. I am well acquainted with your reputation, Lord Santana. I look forward to your participation in today’s conference.”

“Yes! I am in your care.”

Wallenstein, greeting me as an equal… As the leader of the original main cast, his demeanor filled me with considerable joy.

Of course, he had nearly become the final boss I would have to face, but separate from that, meeting a beloved character like this was undoubtedly delightful.

Then, Wallenstein proceeded to introduce the two behind him.

“This is Hestia Flamer, in charge of my security, and this is Holy Knight Otto Kaiser, my aide.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Hestia.”

“I am Otto. I look forward to today’s conference.”

Hestia, another comrade of the protagonist…

And Otto, the original protagonist whom I had intended to save before his excommunication.

Seeing them, I sincerely showed a joyful smile and said:

“It is a great pleasure to meet you both. I have long heard tales of your exploits on the battlefield. It is an honor to meet such heroes in this way.”

“The honor is ours to meet Lord Santana.”

The two courteously returned my greeting.

Seeing their pristine demeanor as they greeted me…

At this moment, I could not help but feel like a father-in-law meeting his soon-to-be married children.

As an original reader, I already knew what Wallenstein did not at this point.

That within those two burned a genuine, passionate feeling for each other.

Although Otto’s status as a Holy Knight prevented them from officially declaring it, they had already confirmed each other’s feelings.

However… despite these feelings, in the original work they ultimately failed to be together after enduring countless hardships.

Later in the original, Wallenstein’s assassination and the Emperor’s subsequent pursuit order plunged them into a life-or-death crisis.

As a result, Hestia died protecting the wounded Otto in battle.

Alone in despair, Otto wandered as a vagabond before ultimately attempting the Emperor’s assassination in a suicidal act of revenge.

That attempt narrowly failed.

In the end, Otto cursed the God he had so devoutly served before being beheaded.

Knowing that situation, seeing these three who had deposed the Emperor instead of being used and utterly ruined by him filled me with joy.

‘I hope many good things await them from now on. If nothing else, I wish they could receive compensation in this way for the original work…’

As I gazed at the three with a doting expression, I suddenly realized I should introduce my own aides as a matter of courtesy.

“Ah…um… And this is my secretary and maid, Polena.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Polena.”

At my introduction, Polena stepped forward and courteously greeted them.

As always, a warm smile graced her lips, revealing the radiant beauty I had come to expect from her.

And then…

“Hnngh!…”

The next moment, a sudden, small groan was heard.

I automatically turned my head toward the sound.

What I saw then…

Was a sight that could only raise questions from my perspective.

‘Huh? Why is Hestia’s expression…’

Her expression was like someone coming face-to-face with an unwanted presence.

I could not help but feel puzzled by that fact.

Not just puzzled that she had made such a face in this setting, but a more specific puzzlement from my knowledge of the situation.

‘Is there any reason for Hestia to make that expression right now? Nothing comes to mind…!’

Then, as I recalled Hestia’s background, one fact reflexively came to mind.

Of course, this was merely a possibility, but… at this point where the story was essentially concluding, I could not help but think it might become an unexpectedly important variable.

‘Could it be… Honestly, in the original it was just a loose end with the culprit dying, so it wasn’t considered very important. But with Hestia alive and present at the Westphalian Congress now, perhaps…’

With those thoughts, I first finished exchanging greetings with Wallenstein, then began moving with Polena to a secluded corner of the conference hall.

“…? What is it, my lord?”

“Umm…”

Puzzled by my sudden action, Polena questioned me.

In a cautious voice, I told her:

“…Polena, I have a request. Go outside right now and have Baiken and Freddie stand by near the conference hall. And bring as many other forces as you can, too.”

“Huh? Suddenly, what is this about…?”

Automatically showing puzzlement and consternation at my words, Polena replied.

In a serious tone, I said to her:

“Just trust me and do as I say for now, all right? Please.”

“Ah…y…yes. Understood, my lord.”

Polena responded with an awkward tone to my words.

She then promptly left the conference hall following my instructions, and as I watched her go, I felt a sense of unease as I took my seat for the time being.

‘…Hestia Flamer. According to the original setting, she had committed a great sin against someone unspecified and was being hunted by assassins, which was the reason she joined under Wallenstein’s protection.’

The original work never directly depicted that danger.

However, because of it, Hestia often showed signs of anxiety and was always mindful of the possibility of encountering that unidentified enemy.

And now, Hestia was shooting an anxious glance somewhere.

There was no one special in her line of sight except Polena, but I could easily deduce the reason for it.

‘An enemy… There is an enemy here to assassinate Hestia, inside this place. Likely using some kind of invisibility magic that only she can detect. I don’t know when they’ll make their move, but I need to be prepared for any contingency.’