With an accident like this occurring, continuing the visit was naturally impossible—or rather, the visit was already complete.
The approachable Her Highness Princess Sophia personally conveyed the royal family's apologies to the hillmen's High Priest and several representatives. For the sake of Lande's interests, they had been forced to leave the deep mountains where their families had lived for generations. On behalf of the entire nation, she expressed deep gratitude for their sacrifice, promising that the state would fully support them after their relocation to a new home so they could integrate into their new lives as quickly as possible.
In short, everyone was satisfied.
After offering words of encouragement to the workers sweating for Lande's future at the engineering camp, and chatting warmly with a few actual workers to fire up everyone's morale, Her Highness the Princess's entourage finally departed the camp.
Her exit was prompt. Having said there was no need for an immediate answer, she didn't utter a single redundant word. She simply stared deeply at Lynch for a few seconds before turning to leave.
Before leaving, however, she exchanged glances with the other two ladies, and in the end, three meaningful stares converged upon Lynch at the exact same time.
???
Why are you looking at me? I already hid over here, so why am I still involved?
Having already hidden inside the Valente family's carriage ahead of time, Sir Lynch broke into a cold sweat under their gazes. The look the old man on the driver's seat gave him made him feel as though the man was already fast-forwarding to choosing a spot to dump his corpse.
Thankfully, Princess Sophia departed shortly after, and the two ladies boarded the carriage. Elder Nikolai thoughtfully moved up front to sit beside the old steward. Basking in the setting sun, the group drove toward the city center.
Lynch let out a long breath, staring off into space. He was actually quite hesitant about Her Highness the Princess's invitation.
A struggle for royal power, a fight for political rule, open hostility and covert strikes, conspiracies and schemes.
The danger was exceptionally high.
A random assassin dispatched by the other side had required several of them teaming up to defeat, and that was likely just Prince William's private soldier. If he truly went to Norin, even for just a few days, every step would likely be fraught with peril.
By contrast, Rhine's environment was as lovely as a greenhouse.
Yet Lynch was still tempted.
A soul from another world had no desire to be confined to little Rhine like the locals. He yearned for a broader horizon and refused to hide away in Rhine's comfort zone for the rest of his life.
Wouldn't that be a total waste of a transmigrator's opportunity? If the shut-ins back home who spent every day reading transmigration web novels and daydreaming saw this, they'd definitely form a mob to come beat me to death.
Besides, the tree wants to be quiet, but the wind won't stop blowing. Judging by current developments, even if he wanted to lie flat and slack off, all kinds of trouble would still find its way to his door. In that case, he might as well face the difficulty head-on. He couldn't seriously think that having the Neighbor's favor meant he could just stop striving and muddle along. The effort that needed to be made still had to be made. After all, his Neighbor's wishes weren't so easy to fulfill; the more chips he accumulated in advance, the better he could hold the initiative when the time came.
【Mm, the road ahead is arduous. It is good that you possess such resolve.】
For this very reason, Lynch was still seriously considering Her Highness Sophia's request. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that, aside from the increased risk, the benefits definitely outweighed the drawbacks.
Although Her Highness was pale and sweet, she was anything but dumb. Her political instinct was even sharper than Diana's, and her emotional intelligence was by no means low. After only a few interactions, she had grasped Lynch's character, actively lowering her posture and placing herself in a vulnerable position. Even knowing she was currying favor, one wouldn't feel any resentment toward her.
The people of Lande didn't mind a queen taking the throne to begin with, and given Lande's current situation, Sophia's future was undoubtedly bright.
The strategy of betting on a rising star was more than just a fable. Since his side had already offended Prince William to the point of no return, they might as well firmly align with her. Once she ascended the throne in the future, Lande would become his most stable rear base.
It was a rare opportunity, but this chick was a bit... Lynch subconsciously touched his lips and glanced guiltily to both sides, only to lock eyes with two pairs of eyes.
One pair was narrowed into slits, gaze razor-sharp, squinting at his hand touching his lips.
The other pair was like pools of water, displaying a half-smile as they stared meaningfully at his lips.
Hiss...
Instantly alerted, Lynch quickly averted his gaze. The weather today is truly bizarre. It's already July, so why is it still so cold?
“Alright, stop staring. I admit I'm tempted—wait, wait, wait, what's with those attitudes? Why are you looking at me like I'm scum? I meant I'm tempted by the Princess's proposal!”
“Is that so?”
“Only tempted by the proposal?”
“Do you dare claim that nothing happened just now?”
“If you say so, we will certainly believe you. Is that what you wish to say?”
“Um, listen to my cover-up, I'm about to make it up...” Wait, were women really this sensitive about this kind of thing? As the two ladies fired off sentence after sentence, Lynch broke out into a profuse cold sweat. He gestured a few times in the air before lowering his head with a crestfallen, bitter face, saying glumly, “Alright, a minor accident did happen just now, but it really has nothing to do with my decision. I was actually hesitating too.”
“Hesitating over what? What is there to hesitate about? I've wanted to take a trip to the capital for a long time; I've never been to Norin before. Although I've used up all my vacation time for the past few years, someone always has to go to headquarters to report on their duties anyway, so it won't affect anything.” Officer Natalie spoke with a straight face and deadpan tone, but upon seeing Lynch's wide-mouthed, stunned expression, her gaze turned dangerous again. “What? Sir Lynch, do you have any objections to us going together?”
“No, no, how could I... Huh? You guys?”
Lynch stared at the two ladies in surprise, looking rather dim-witted.
Of course he wanted them to! Setting aside their combat support and strength, going alone meant he would be isolated and helpless, able to accomplish very little. But having both ladies go along was a completely different story.
Having Natalie along meant having a connection with the Watchers. While it was impossible for the Watchers to change their stance just because of Natalie, having this relationship meant they would lean in his favor on matters unrelated to stance. As a newcomer and an outsider, that kind of leaning was precisely what he lacked.
As for Diana coming along, she was not only a bridge to the count's family, but she could also help establish ties with the Church of Suffering in Norin. She had originally been dispatched to Rhine from the Church of Suffering in the capital to render assistance, so she was far more familiar with the area. Furthermore, with someone like her who knew high society in Norin around to offer advice at any time, he would definitely avoid taking many detours.
Yet asking the two ladies to risk their lives with him just for his sake—and especially taking risks to help another woman—felt to Lynch like something no decent human being would do. He hadn't expected them to bring it up on their own initiative.
But why both of you? You two really were in league with each other!
“Otherwise, Mr. Lynch, were you planning to solve another multiple-choice question to decide who gets to accompany you?”
Then my brain must have been corrupted by filth.
“You forgot what I told you before: you would definitely have to visit Norin sooner or later. This is the reason—Sophia won't let you off the hook. As for us... a mere prince who hasn't even been invested as Crown Prince is already trying to strike at our family. If we don't repay his 'kindness,' how could we face the honor of our ancestors? So feel free to make your decision with peace of mind. No matter what, we will always support you.”
Lynch stared at the two beautiful faces, dazed for a moment, his heart swelling with emotion—until Officer Natalie's voice rang out in his ears once more.
“Before that, however... wouldn't you mind explaining what that so-called 'minor accident' was all about, Sir Knight of the Princess?”
At that moment, Lynch saw doomsday fall upon him.
Rate on N.U.
