Stop Hypnotizing Me, Antagonist Princess!

Plot deviation degree... decreased?

When Lynn heard the system prompt ringing in his ears, he stood rooted to the spot in astonishment.

This was an unprecedented situation since he had transmigrated.

That is to say, the strings of fate that had originally deviated were pulled back to their predetermined trajectory by the world will or some other unseen factor.

Lynn suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

If the plot deviation degree could decrease, then did everything he was doing at the moment lack meaning?

Was it possible that the world will had not descended its dimensional suppression-style punishment when he changed Ivyst's fate or even raised Tiya's plot deviation degree because it held a mocking sentiment towards him, this "impurity"?

No, the world will is like a program and should not possess personified emotions.

Stay calm, stay calm.

I am too anxious right now.

Lynn took a deep breath and then reached out to hold Ivyst's delicate and icy hand.

It seemed that the plot deviation degree changed just when Ivyst was about to make a move on those substitute punishers.

Although the principle was unknown, he at least had to calm Her Highness down first.

Thinking this, Lynn intertwined his fingers with hers tightly, like intimate lovers.

In an instant, the aura of the Sixth Rank Demigod crumbled like a teetering skyscraper, and the rampaging red aura of Extraordinary Power vanished, along with the terrifying killing intent that had everyone shivering.

A blush appeared on Ivyst's face, and though she remained silent, she gently clasped Lynn's hand in response.

As if to say, don't be afraid, Master is right here.

Seeing Ivyst regain her reason, the squad of substitute punishers also stood still, tense and unwilling to approach, which made Lynn breathe a sigh of relief.

At the same time, he began to brainstorm.

The reduction in plot deviation must be due to corrections made by the world will.

Was it because he had intervened with the original female protagonist, which triggered a reflexive reaction from it?

Or perhaps, Ivyst's original 12.07% plot deviation was high enough to affect the main storyline, possibly impacting the following developments in the Imperial Capital chapter, leading to a complete collapse?

Upon reflection, the latter seemed more likely.

Keep in mind that the Imperial Capital chapter is only in the early to mid-point of the novel, and the strength is mainly revolving around those below the Fifth Rank.

Besides the semi-god relics hidden away by the major Churches and the few Seventh Rank Saints lurking beneath the iceberg who never surfaced in the world, Fifth Rank Legends were already the pinnacle of power.

And in the original plot of this segment, Ivyst was even forced offline due to a version supermodel.

Ultimately, the world will's intervention to lower the plot deviation degree was to compensate for her current wakefulness, fixing this loophole.

A Sixth Rank Demigod was just too much of a bug—how could anyone play without cutting it down?

Hence, based on the changes in the plot deviation degree, it could be deduced that if Ivyst were to kill all of the substitute punishers here, it would definitely trigger a series of chain reactions.

And the end result of these chain reactions was what the world will wanted to see.

Perhaps forcing her offline again, giving the original male and female protagonists time to grow.

Or maybe... through some method to weaken her power, making her no longer a threat.

No matter which outcome, it was something Lynn did not wish to see.

He must prevent her from taking impulsive actions.

With that in mind, Lynn took a deep breath.

Returning to the Imperial Capital from Orn City just the second day, he felt the pure malice from Glostit.

But so what?

He had never regarded these fools with any importance.

Not in the past, nor would he in the future.

"It's okay, I'll go with you."

Lynn gently squeezed Ivyst's hand and then walked forward, extending his wrist to the substitute punisher who held the shackles.

"No, you can't!"

Ivyst stepped forward in her high heels, grabbing Lynn's wrist in an attempt to stop his action.

Once captured by the substitute punishers, he would inevitably be taken to that pitch-dark prison from where it would be impossible to say when he might emerge again.

Moreover, Lynn could not possibly be the "Amputator," which was something a simple investigation could reveal.

Even considering the timeline, he had just returned to the Imperial Capital and wouldn't match many of the murder cases.

Therefore, Ivyst believed there was absolutely no need for him to risk himself.

She feared that these people would fabricate some charge to ensure he could never free himself.

However, Lynn had already made up his mind.

To protect Ivyst from danger and to maintain the plot deviation degree so as not to affect the Witch Lady a hundred thousand years later, he had to do this.

Realizing that Ivyst was extremely anxious, as if she lacked a sense of security, Lynn gave her a slight smile, leaned into her ear, and whispered soothingly.

"Don't worry, Your Highness; I never do anything without certainty."

"All you need to do is trust me, support me, and anticipate my return as you have done before."

"However, one thing to remember, after I go in there, if anyone presents requests to you, trying to exchange my freedom for something else... no matter what it is, do not agree."

"Remember, remember."

"Who exactly is it?!"

The next morning at dawn, Marquis Mosgla's roar echoed throughout Mosgla Manor.

At this moment, all family members were solemnly gathered in the council room.

The floor around them was already littered with the fragments of various antiques, a clear testament to just how furious the Family Head was.

Because of this, everyone was silent as the grave, not daring to provoke him further.

Clearly, after simmering overnight, the serial murder incident that had taken place at the Great Imperial Princess's residence had swept through all of Glostit in an unstoppable tide.

The Mosgla family was even among the last to learn of this affair.

Had it not been for someone jokingly saying to him, "Your Excellency the Marquis is too impatient," while he was heading to the Council Hall early in the morning to hand over the duties of the Military Affairs Minister, he would have remained in the dark.

After all, upon receiving Irina's letter, he had toned down the family's usually arrogant demeanor in the Imperial Capital as if completely immersed in the grief of his heir's death.

But now, having learned the full scope of the situation, he was out of sorts.

An assassination attempt on Lynn?

What kind of fool would commit such an act?!

It was just the day before yesterday that the grudge was formed in the Council Hall, especially in front of so many witnesses.

And now, retaliation had come so promptly.

Was it a disregard for the Emperor's special pardon? Or a dismissal of the Empire's laws?

One must understand that the dealings of the nobility go through various considerations and compromises.

Someone like Lynn, quick to confrontation and action, was definitely in the minority.

And what awaited him would surely be the penultimate fate of a madman.

Marquis Mosgla was well aware of this, so even at the height of his rage, he had no thoughts of immediate revenge.

On the surface, it appeared that the situation hadn't escalated to a complete breakdown, and with the Emperor intervening, there was a need to remain rational and restrained.

But everything that had happened now thoroughly disrupted his original plans.

Marquis Mosgla could confirm with absolute certainty that such a foolishly blatant assassination plot, where the instigator could be identified at a glance, was undoubtedly the work of the incompetent lot in his household.

What enraged him even more was that if they must kill, why couldn't they hire a reliable assassin? Why get involved with the Demon Clan?!

More than a year ago, before Lynn Bartleion's exile, he had accused Irina of conspiring with the Demon Clan, leading to the decimation of his squad.

This affair had caused quite a stir in the Imperial Capital at the time.

In the end, it was Judge Nidro who made the final decision, declaring Irina not guilty.

Nevertheless, traces of such accusations still lingered on the Mosgla family.

It was a stain that Marquis Mosgla had always wanted to wash away.

He thought it had been forgotten, but now it had been brought up again, thanks to the actions of some idiots.

How could he not be furious?

Among the family members, Eunice's mother's eyes flashed with a hint of guilt, and she subtly bowed her head.

At the same time, her eyes swelled with an indescribable grief.

Why, why was that little beast so hard to kill?

When could she finally avenge her daughter?!

The lady in mourning garments clenched her fists tightly, her features twisted; she remained silent, bowing her head.

Just as she believed her thirst for revenge would go unquenched, an unexpected voice reached her ears, causing her to inadvertently look up.

"Father... what do we do next? Do we need to clarify that this matter has nothing to do with our family?"

In the crowd, a middle-aged man hesitated for a long time before breaking the silence with his question.

"Idiot!" Marquis Mosgla slammed his fist on the table, "When were the nobles and the public ever foolish enough to believe such statements?"

In their minds, sometimes the very act of denying could be seen as an outright confirmation of the affair.

Hearing this, the middle-aged man's expression showed embarrassment, and he no longer spoke out.

And as Marquis Mosgla paced back and forth in the council room, the atmosphere gradually quieted down again.

After an indeterminate amount of time had passed,

He suddenly raised his head, his gaze sharp and intense, a ruthless glint flickering in his eyes.

"This black mark has unavoidably been placed upon us, the Mosgla family."

"If that's the case, then we shall bring things to a bitter end."

"I intend to see to it that the little beast... truly dies within prison walls."

...

"Tiya, did you know? That murderer, 'Amputator Burshman,' who killed Sister Trina, has finally been apprehended!"

"The suspect is a young-looking fellow, found standing at the crime scene with his chest stained with a lot of blood and sporting a wound likely inflicted by the victim's last struggle."

"They say... his name seems to be Lynn Bartleion?"

"Clatter!"

"Oh dear, what's wrong with our Holy Lady today? She's always so preoccupied, she can't even hold onto a book... giggle, could it be she's longing for a man?"

"Y-you just said, what was that person's name?"

"Lynn Bartleion, you know, the guy who was dubbed the 'Disgrace of Nobility' and banished to the frontier just over a year ago."

"Tiya, why do you look so pale? You seem so odd?"

(ps: Slept in again, hee hee hee.)