"Lynn Young Master, Her Highness calls for you."
The next day at noon, a knock sounded at Lynn's door.
His expression was one of impatience as he opened the door with dark circles under his eyes, finding the elderly housekeeper Kasha standing at the entrance.
She remained expressionless as ever, like a robot carrying out its duties.
Yawning, Lynn followed her.
He hadn't slept a wink since returning from the Pantheon last night, pondering how to solve the situation he had encountered.
The crux of the problem was that the Witch didn't seem to want him to become an End Believer.
But if that were true, why did she bother to drag his consciousness across a hundred thousand years?
Simply out of boredom?
Or could it be that when a woman says no, she means yes?
Should he have been more assertive last time?
Amidst the chaotic thoughts, Lynn's face darkened.
He was in quite a foul mood.
It wasn't solely because he hadn't succeeded in igniting his Divine-given factor; mainly, it was that woman's tone that was infuriating.
The most pressing issue at the moment was that he needed to become a Transcendent as soon as possible.
To become a Transcendent, he had to gain the recognition of the Doomsday Witch—that is, to make a deep impression on her about "Lynn Bartleion."
There was only one way to do that.
To start from the current timeline.
Based on Lynn's previous speculations, he could only cause a deviation in the storyline at present to have a chain reaction that would affect a hundred thousand years later.
Of course, it could not be like the first time he uncovered Ivyst's mask, altering just 0.01%.
It had to be a significant deviation this time.
Only then could the ripples of fate reach a hundred thousand years later and truly change the Doomsday Witch.
But what exactly could he do to increase the deviation significantly and make a deep impression on her as "Lynn Bartleion"?
Perhaps... Carry out execution on the spot and be the first and last man in her life?
The reason he sought help from the Doomsday Witch was to escape Ivyst's clutches.
If he really did that, it would be a classic case of confusing cause and effect.
And most importantly,
He couldn't beat her.
Just then, the housekeeper Kasha stopped in her tracks and led him to the entrance of Princess Her Highness' study.
After knocking on the door and receiving permission, Lynn walked in at a measured pace.
He bow properly, his face betraying no emotion.
Hearing this, Ivyst, who was reviewing documents, looked up.
Initially, she only glanced casually, but then she noticed the thick dark circles under his eyes and couldn't help feeling a bit odd.
There wasn't much work in the estate on a daily basis that would require his attention; why did he look so haggard?
However, remembering the scene from the night before last, a light of realization dawned in Ivyst's heart.
Then a strange look appeared in her eyes.
Although Ivyst had no interest in managing her subordinates' private lives, it seemed that this had started because of her.
It was because she had given him that so-called "Holy Relic" that the fellow had been so unrestrained.
At least, that's what Ivyst thought.
But... was that thing really so attractive to men?
It was merely a piece of cloth, at best only lightly imbued with her scent; what was good about it?
Ivyst was quite puzzled.
Therefore, she coughed softly, her expression cool as she hinted, "You are young, you should take care of your body."
Hearing this, Lynn, who was about to close the door, stumbled.
Why did it always feel woman was giving him advice with the tone of a "mother who discovers dried-up tissues on her son's bedside table that haven't been thrown away"?
One day, he vowed, he would shove those tissues into her mouth!
Lynn made this grand vow.
"Is there something you need me for, Your Highness?"
"You seem to have performed some sort of ritual in your room yesterday?" Returning to the matter at hand, Ivyst frowned slightly, "I think I felt a strange spatial fluctuation."
Hearing this, Lynn, who had already prepared his response, answered, "I was trying various methods of communicating with the deities to see if there was a chance to become a Transcendent again."
This reason was compelling.
After all, for Lynn, his purpose indeed was just that, and it wasn't a lie.
So Ivyst believed this reason and warned lightly, "Don't do anything so dangerous again, and be careful of connecting with some indescribable beings."
Do you count as an indescribable being?
Lynn commented in his mind.
"As for the matter of becoming a Transcendent again... you should go visit Milani later, I've had her prepare something for you, and you can also get checked."
Ivyst made a decision on the matter quickly and in just a few words.
Lynn had no chance to refuse and could only respond in silence.
This topic was quickly glossed over.
"There's one more thing." Ivyst's manner of speaking was brisk and decisive, "Duke Tierus seems to have had some free time lately, he's sent over two invitations to the manor, there will be a charity gala tomorrow evening, and you are to accompany me."
Lynn was somewhat surprised.
"By the way, the Mosgla family also seems to have sent someone from the Imperial Capital to Orn City." Ivyst continued without regard for his expression, "Obviously, they are here to help the Second Prince rally Duke Tierus to his side."
At the mention of that surname, Lynn's eyes narrowed slightly.
That was a surname he would never forget.
The bitch Irina, who framed him as the "disgrace of the nobility," is the eldest daughter of the Mosgla family.
In the more than a year since he had seen them, this family seemed to have grown rampantly within the Saint Laurent Empire, climbing all the way up by consuming the various resources left by the collapse of the Bartleion family.
Of course, the shadow of that prince could not be separated from this as well.
It was time to see them.
Lynn thought silently to himself.
Seeing him remain silent, Ivyst knew he was digesting the information and so she began to speak of other matters, "The main purposes for my visit to Orn City this time are twofold."
"One is to deal with matters related to the Creationist School, this has been mostly settled, except for an Ancient Curse they left behind that has yet to be found."
"As for the second, it is to establish friendly relations with the Tierus family."
"This, you should be aware of."
"The King's election ceremony and the elector, I know."
Ivyst nodded slightly, watching his expression intently, "For the second matter, do you have any clues?"
Lynn tried to appear deeply contemplative, then answered somewhat dejectedly.
Ivyst inwardly sneered.
This guy's acting was just too fake.
With this thought, she was ready to use hypnosis to see what kind of tricks he really had.
Only when hypnotized did this guy become more obedient and honestly reveal his thoughts.
But then Ivyst reconsidered, it was still daytime, and it might look bad if discovered, so she suppressed the impulse for the moment.
She pretended to be indifferent and nodded, "In that case, you may go ahead."
"However, remember to come to my bedroom tonight if you're free."
After Lynn left, Ivyst's expression returned to its usual cool detachment.
She stood up, squinting slightly as she looked out the window.
She hadn't lied just now.
Although the cause of the matter was a dispute between the Great Imperial Princess Hillena and herself that had angered Saint Laurent VI, she had indeed come to Orn City on a mission.
According to the intelligence, the Creationist School seemed to have in their possession an Ancient Curse of no low order and planned to commit a heinous crime with it.
And her mission was to retrieve that Ancient Curse.
But it was not until now that Ivyst discovered, even after completely eradicating them, no trace of that object had been found.
To be honest, Ivyst had been somewhat restless these past few days.
The biggest issue was not the Tierus family, but the lost Ancient Curse.
It just felt... like things wouldn't end so simply.
Ivyst looked at the bright sunlight outside the window and quietly thought to herself.