Chapter 170 You Just Need to Trust Me - Stop Hypnotizing Me, Villainous Princess!

Has the deviation of the plot decreased? When Lynn heard the system notification ring in his ears, he was momentarily stunned. This was a situation he had never encountered since crossing into this world. In other words, the string of fate, previously deviated, had been plucked back to its established trajectory by the influence of the world's will or some other invisible force. A chill ran down Lynn's spine. If the plot deviation could decrease, did that render everything he was doing meaningless? Was it possible that the world's will refrained from punishing him when he altered Ivis's fate or when he increased Tia's plot deviation, as a means to mock him, the "impurity"? No, the world's will was like a program, devoid of those anthropomorphic emotions. Calm down, calm down. I'm getting too agitated now. Lynn took a deep breath, then reached out to hold Ivis's soft and cold hand. It seemed the plot deviation changed when Ivis was about to act against these agents of punishment. Though he couldn't understand the principle behind it, at least he needed to calm Her Highness down first. As he thought this, Lynn interlocked his fingers with hers, intimately like lovers. In an instant, the terrifying might of the six-tier demigod, which loomed like a towering edifice on the verge of collapse, crumbled away. The rampaging crimson extraordinary power vanished, along with the terrifying murderous intent that had frightened everyone. A hint of blush appeared on Ivis's profile. Although she said nothing, she gently squeezed his hand in return, as if to say, don't be afraid, I'm here with you. Seeing Ivis regain her composure, the entourage of agents remained standing in solemn silence, not daring to advance. Lynn let out a subtle sigh of relief. Simultaneously, he began a mental brainstorming session. The reduction in plot deviation must be the result of the world's will making corrections. Was it because he intervened with the original female protagonist, provoking a reflexive response? Or perhaps, Ivis's exceptionally high plot deviation of 12.07% was already sufficient to affect the main storyline, potentially derailing the upcoming arc in the imperial capital, leading to a collapse? Upon reflection, the latter is more plausible. It's crucial to understand that the imperial capital arc is merely around the early-middle stages in the grand scheme, with power dynamics primarily revolving below the fifth tier. Aside from the secretive, ancient demigod relics of various churches and the few unseen seventh-tier saints, a fifth-tier legend is already considered pinnacle strength. In the original narrative, this segment saw Ivis forcibly removed due to being overly potent. Ultimately, the world's will intervened to lower the plot deviation, aiming to patch the vulnerability of her being currently active. A sixth-tier demigod is too overpowered. Unrestrained, how can the game be played? Thus, understanding the plot deviation's fluctuation indicates that should Ivis kill all those punishment agents here, it must trigger some chain reactions. The ultimate result from such a chain reaction is what the world’s will desires. For instance, forcing her offline again, allowing the original protagonists time to grow. Or perhaps, weaken her powers somehow, making her no longer a threat. None of these outcomes were what Lynn desired. He must prevent her from acting rashly. With this thought, Lynn took another deep breath. Having just returned to the imperial capital for only two days from Orne Town, he could already feel the pure malice emanating from Glausstine. But so what? He had never taken those fools seriously. He didn’t in the past and won’t in the future either. “It’s alright. I’ll go with you.” Lynn gently squeezed Ivis's delicate hand, then stepped forward, extending his wrist toward the punishment agent wielding shackles. “No, you can’t!” Ivis clicked her heels forward a few steps, grabbing Lynn's wrist in an attempt to stop this. Once captured, he'd inevitably be taken to that sunless prison. From there, who knows when he'd ever emerge. Besides, Lynn could never be the "Limb Taker", an accusation easily disproven. Even by timeline standards, having just returned to the imperial capital, many recent murders couldn’t align with him. Therefore, Ivis believed there was no need for him to take such risks. She feared they would fabricate charges, trapping him indefinitely. However, Lynn had already made his decision. To keep Ivis out of danger and maintain the plot deviation—to avoid affecting the Witch of Ten Millennia later—he had to proceed. Noticing Ivis’s intense anxiety, seemingly lacking a sense of security, Lynn smiled faintly. Leaning close to her ear, he softly reassured: "Rest assured, Your Highness, I never do things without certainty." "You just need to trust me, support me like before, and anticipate me." "However, remember, after I enter, should anyone demand something in exchange for my freedom—whatever it may be—don’t agree." "Remember, remember." "Who was it?!" The next morning, shouts of rage echoed within the Mosgra Manor. At that moment, all family members solemnly gathered in the council chamber. The floor was littered with shattered antiques, clearly showing just how furious the master was. Everyone trembled in fear, not daring to provoke his ire. Clearly, after a night of brewing, the string of murders at the Grand Princess’s residence had swept through Glausstine uncontrollably. The Mosgra family was among the last to hear of it. Had it not been for someone jokingly mentioning “The Marquis seems eager,” during his morning journey to the council hall, he might have remained in the dark. You see, since receiving Irina's letter, he had tempered the family’s otherwise arrogant and extravagant demeanor in the capital, appearing immersed in mourning the heir's death. But now, upon understanding the full scope of events, his plans unraveled completely. Assassinate Lynn? What kind of fool would act so rashly?! Days ago, animosity sprang in the council hall, in plain sight for all. How swiftly they sought revenge thereafter! Were they disregarding His Majesty’s clemency? Or mocking the empire’s laws? Recognize that every transaction in noble affairs involves calculation and compromise. Someone like Lynn, sharp and confrontational, is a rare exception. His future appeared doomed to the reckless end. The Marquis of Mosgra had long been aware of this, so despite seething anger, he hadn’t sought immediate vengeance. The appearance of not burning bridges, combined with His Majesty’s mediation, called for reason and restraint. But now, everything was in disarray. The Marquis of Mosgra was completely certain. This obviously amateurish assassination plan, implicating the family as reckless and foolish, was undoubtedly orchestrated by his inept kin. Worse, they somehow managed to entangle themselves with the demons! A year before, Lynn Bartleon’s failed mission charges brought against Irina for collusion with demons, led to his team’s destruction. The incident caused quite the uproar in the capital then. It took Chief Justice Nedro’s final judgment to clear Irina’s name. Yet even so, the Mosgra family remained tainted. This stain the Marquis desperately sought to cleanse. Assuming it was forgotten, only to find it resurfacing due to some fool's action enraged him thoroughly. Eunice’s mother's eyes fleetingly revealed guilt, quickly lowering her head without a trace. Meanwhile, her eyes brimmed with an indescribable grief. Why, why is that wretched brat so hard to kill? When will my daughter's death be avenged?! The veiled noblewoman clenched her fists tightly, her features contorted as she silently bowed her head. Just when she thought vengeance was beyond reach, unexpected words pierced her ears, causing her to look up instinctively. "Father... what should we do next? Do we need to clarify that this matter has nothing to do with our family?" Within the crowd, a middle-aged man, after much hesitation, broke the silence. "Fool!" Marquis Mosgra slammed the table, "When did nobles and the populace become gullible enough to believe such things?" Instead, in their minds, such denials often serve only to affirm the suspicion completely. The middle-aged man's expression became troubled as he fell silent once more. As the Marquis paced back and forth in the council chamber, the atmosphere grew tense with silence. After what felt like an eternity, he suddenly lifted his head, his gaze fierce and resolute, a hint of ruthlessness flickering in his eyes. "Right now, this accusation has inevitably been pinned on our Mosgra family." "In that case, we should see this through to the end." "I want that brat... to truly die in prison." "Tia, did you hear? The maniac who killed Sister Trina, 'Limb Taker Berchuman', has finally been caught!" "The suspect is a young-looking fellow, found at the crime scene with a bloodstained chest and a wound that suggests the victim resisted." "They said... his name is Lynn Bartleon or something." "Clatter!" "Oh my, what's with our dear Saintess today? Always so absent-minded, can't even hold a book properly. Haha, is she thinking about a man?" "Wh-what did you say his name was?" "Lynn Bartleon, the guy plagued with the 'Shame of Nobility' title over a year ago, exiled to the frontier." "Tia, why do you look so pale? You seem all uneasy?"