I love time travel the most!

I've seen it several times in the capital, but this is the first time I've seen it up close with my own eyes like this.

How should I put it? It's an incredibly large volume, far exceeding reality.

—Earth dragon.

The lizard Emilia called was about the size of a horse, but it looked much thinner and lighter. In these respects, it seemed capable of outrunning a horse.

"Don't touch it casually, it's very rude."

Kobayashi grabbed Natsuki Subaru by the collar.

His injury is secondary; the important thing is that it will likely upset the people on the dragon train.

Yes, after they discovered the carriage, Kobayashi's [farsightedness] allowed him to see who was sitting inside.

"That's really rude of me."

The old man in the driver's seat of the dragon carriage spoke to the four people who approached. Then he rolled over, barely making a sound as he landed.

Subaru Natsuki swallowed hard.

The driver's seat of the dragon vehicle was almost at eye level with him, not a height that could be jumped down so easily.

He is a master.

"Welcome back. I apologize for my rudeness at the door just now."

The old man spoke while bowing with great gentlemanly manners.

She meticulously combed her white-dyed hair back and smoothed the sleeves of her well-made black dress, revealing a physique that, despite her advanced age, was still full of vitality and exercise.

Faced with such an elder, Natsuki Subaru unconsciously straightened his back.

Butler, or perhaps servant.

This is how everyone described the elderly man they had just met.

If that's the case, then the person who can bring someone of this caliber must be of high status.

With these thoughts in mind, Natsuki Subaru peered into the dragon carriage.

Kobayashi patted him on the shoulder and stopped him.

This is an incredibly abrupt and annoying move; it's very bad to do this from the start.

The old gentleman understood the intention behind this and said, "The envoy's message has already been delivered to the mansion, and he is currently meeting with the border Count of Mezas."

"An envoy? Could it be..."

"Just as Lady Emilia thought, it's something related to the royal selection."

Upon hearing the word "Wang Xuan," all four people present looked up.

“Formally, I think the messenger would say, ‘Please return to the mansion.’”

"Pager, huh?"

"For more information, please inquire with the messenger."

"...let's go."

Seeing that she couldn't get any more information out of the old gentleman, Emilia said a few words and, without even saying goodbye to Kobayashi, turned and strode toward the mansion.

Natsuki Subaru and Kobayashi followed behind.

"Rem, please entertain the guests."

Naturally, Kobayashi was placed in a guest room, along with Natsuki Subaru.

"How strange, how strange, Kobayashi!"

He had barely sat down when Natsuki Subaru couldn't help but shout, "Why am I entertaining you here? Shouldn't I be around Emilia, who's more shady and scheming? Shouldn't I be here to rebuke the bad guys who are making things difficult for Emilia and win everyone's favor?"

"Where did you get this wish-fulfillment novel from? Besides, I'm a guest, so at least treat me well, okay?"

Kobayashi rolled her eyes at the delusional idiot.

It's understandable that he doesn't want to see Emilia suffer, but Natsuki Subaru, who knows nothing about the other world, is still no match for Emilia, the candidate for the royal selection, in this respect.

Besides, Roswaal is there too, so why would he need to worry?

"What I mean is, Rem and Ram are there entertaining guests, why can't I?"

"Do you think you can compare to them? In cleaning, cooking, tidying up, or even in terms of physical strength when conflicts arise?"

"Well..."

Natsuki Subaru couldn't say a word.

Despite the various events that occurred during his time at the mansion, he harbored an arrogance that allowed him to improve the fates of those connected to him, which led to his dissatisfaction at not being present in the most important situations.

They were left behind.

Whether it's mental or physical.

Seeing that he gave up, Kobayashi said, "Very good. You have such self-awareness that you can accept the fact that you are excluded from the competition because of your own lack of ability."

"However, accepting and giving up are different things."

"What do you want to do?"

"Just doing what I can."

Natsuki Subaru's lips curled up in a wicked smile.

He's going to do something stupid again.

Even without using her eyes to read his thoughts, Kobayashi knew what this idiot wanted to do.

However, there was no intention to stop him.

Besides the fact that one must bear the consequences of one's own actions, Kobayashi was also very interested in the old man—Reinhard's grandfather.

------

"Isn't it boring waiting outside all the time? How about a cup of tea?"

The old man, sitting in the driver's seat, looked down at Subaru Natsuki, who had returned with tea, and opened his eyes slightly in surprise.

He clearly didn't expect the other person to strike up a conversation with him.

At the same time, he looked at Kobayashi who was following behind him, his eyes revealing doubt.

It wasn't about blaming or anything like that; it was just a question about why Kobayashi hadn't stopped Natsuki Subaru. After all, unlike the triangular-eyed boy in front of him who was clearly smiling with ulterior motives, Kobayashi, who was following behind, appeared much more composed and mature.

Kobayashi could only sigh helplessly at this.

The other party had no idea how stubborn this guy was; once he made up his mind, he wouldn't change it until he died.

The eye contact between the two was both swift and subtle.

"That's really rude of me, because it was a bit of a surprise."

Having guessed why, the old gentleman, just like before, leaped down from his vehicle in front of the three of them, and without rejecting Natsuki Subaru's kindness, said, "As you said, my throat is indeed 'slightly' dry."

"Please enjoy. Since I don't know your preferences, I'll start with the most expensive tea."

Natsuki Subaru quickly handed over some tea.

His attentive manner aroused the dissatisfaction of a certain sharp-tongued maid.

"Lord Natsuki, serving guests the finest tea is indeed the highest form of etiquette, but with your appalling tea-making skills, it will only be an insult to them. Please remember this."

"I know, I know! Thank you for making the tea, Miss Liu Zi. I didn't mean to take credit for it!"

Natsuki Subaru's quirky plea for mercy.

Liu Zi snorted and accepted his apology.

The old gentleman watched this scene without saying anything, but drank the warm tea and a gentle smile immediately appeared on his face.

"It tastes good; it's something that excites people."

He sighed in admiration.

High-end tea can be delicious even when brewed using simple methods, but to bring out its full aroma and flavor requires even greater skill. The sweetness in this tea is clearly beyond the reach of most people, at least not Subaru Natsuki's.

"So, what do you want from this old man like me by using this tea as bait?"

The old gentleman, with one eye closed and an expression suggesting he was observing the situation, asked the question.

Whether it's sensing someone's intentions or their words and actions, there's a constant flow of tension.

Realizing that even if he used all his strength, the chances of winning were extremely slim, Natsuki Subaru simply raised his hands and gave a military salute to a certain country.

"—We surrender, we surrender."

Young people should acknowledge their youth and rely on the compassion of elders to the fullest extent possible.

"My name is Natsuki Subaru, and I currently work as a maid at the mansion. May I ask your name, sir?"

"That's too kind of you."

The old gentleman softened his expression slightly as he looked at Natsuki Subaru, who was obediently bowing his head, and introduced himself: "I am Wilhelm, currently working for the Karlsten family, and I am employed under their job."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Wilhelm. I am Kobayashi, and this is Ryuzu."

Kobayashi and Ryuko also gave their names.

After a brief inquiry about his name, Natsuki Subaru couldn't wait to get straight to the point: "Thank you so much for telling me your name. By the way, if you could tell me the reason for my visit today... no, I mean the inside story, would you be able to reveal a little bit?"

"The envoys are discussing this matter inside."

"Even so, can't Mr. Wilhelm show some mercy considering the unfair treatment I've received, since I've been suddenly banned from participating?"

He knew the other person wasn't one to speak easily, but Natsuki Subaru's signature move was to blurt out the key points without understanding the atmosphere.

Wilhelm was momentarily speechless at Natsuki Subaru's greedy attitude.

"If your plans fall through, you won't act impulsively; if your thoughts are seen through, you won't back down but will instead lay them bare. Depending on your opponent, this is a very unpleasant and disadvantageous personality."

"...I can't even just want to know?"

"As I don't know your position in the mansion, I can't just casually bring this up. Please understand."

"What a pity. I give up, I give up. It seems that I can't do it on my own."

Subaru Natsuki couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.