Subaru Natsuki, who returned from the new Three Kingdoms

Natsuki Subaru stood up.

"I have heard that Lord Roswaal is generous and kind to people, and is a key figure in Emilia's camp. I have come from afar today, hoping to meet a wise and capable advisor who is respectful to his subordinates and generous with his resources."

"I never expected that a dignified border lord would resort to a sword to force someone to bow down and submit."

Emilia hurriedly spoke up:

"Subaru, that's not how it is. I didn't mean to force you to join..."

Subaru Natsuki glanced at her.

His tone softened somewhat towards Emilia.

"I know you are kind."

Emilia was stunned by these words.

Subaru Natsuki looked at Roswaal again.

"It is a pity that benevolent rulers often have their reputations tarnished by their subordinates. Yuan Shao was one such example."

For the first time, Roswaal's smile faltered.

He didn't understand who Yuan Benchu ​​was.

But he understood what Subaru Natsuki meant.

This is not a simple rejection.

This is a lower rating.

Subaru Natsuki's gaze towards him now carried a clear hint of disdain.

"Never mind."

Natsuki Subaru fluttered his sleeves.

"Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together. It's better to leave such a camp behind."

"There is no need for further investigation. I will return to the capital today."

Emilia's expression changed instantly.

Roswaal's heart sank.

Such a resolute decision?

Doesn't the book say that he's quite infatuated with Emilia?

No.

If we let Subaru Natsuki leave like this, things will only deviate further from the course of the book!

Subaru-kun~

Roswaal immediately spoke, his voice even softer than before.

"It seems I wasn't clear enough just now, and you misunderstood."

Natsuki Subaru stopped, but did not turn around.

Roswaal bowed slightly.

"Subaru-kun is Emilia-sama's benefactor, and naturally, he's my benefactor too~"

"My benefactor asked for my sword, how could I be stingy?"

Natsuki Subaru then turned his head to the side.

"really?"

"Naturally true~"

Roswaal said with a smile:

"However, that sword isn't here. It's being maintained by a craftsman, and once it's finished, I'll personally have it delivered to Subaru-kun."

Natsuki Subaru stared at him for a few seconds.

"Is the border governor perhaps using delaying tactics?"

"Even a thatched cottage is visited only three times; how can you expect me to wait here in vain until the sun rises in the west?"

"Seven days!"

Roswaal blinked.

Natsuki Subaru made the gesture of seven, his tone very serious.

"I can stay here for a maximum of seven days."

"I will return to the capital in seven days, whether the sword arrives or not."

Roswaal was silent for a moment.

Only seven days.

It's too short.

It was much shorter than he had expected.

But if we continue to haggle now, Subaru Natsuki might really turn around and leave.

Roswaal laughed again.

"Seven days is fine too~"

"That's enough for me to fulfill my 'hostly hospitality'~"

Subaru Natsuki nodded in satisfaction.

"If Lord Roswaal can keep his word, he is indeed a kind and honest man."

Emilia breathed a sigh of relief.

But that sigh of relief turned into a slight disappointment.

Only seven days.

Subaru is only willing to stay here for seven days.

Even though they had only known each other for two days, she already felt lonely because of that number.

But then she remembered what Subaru Natsuki had just said.

He said she was kind and benevolent.

He doesn't completely disapprove of her.

It's just that a decision hasn't been made yet.

Emilia clenched her fists.

Since Subaru is willing to stay for seven days, she will have to work even harder during those seven days.

Maybe in the end, he really will choose her.

It wasn't because of the sword.

It's not because of Roswaal either.

It was because of herself.

……

That night.

The Roswaal mansion was quieter than during the day.

There was no extra human voice in the wide corridor.

Natsuki Subaru has been assigned to sleep in a room.

The lights were kept very low.

The night outside the window settled on the glass like a layer of silent water.

Roswaal sat in a chair, with Ram lying in his arms. She lowered her head slightly, her short pink hair obscuring one eye.

Roswaal extended his finger and gently touched the spot on Ram's broken horn.

The magic slowly flowed into Ram's body.

Ram's expression remained unchanged.

My breathing was just a little lighter than usual.

After replenishing the mana, Roswaal withdrew his hand.

"Thank you for your hard work, Ram~"

“This is what Ram should do.”

Ram straightened his clothes and stood up straight again.

Roswaal looked at her.

"Having been in close contact with Subaru these past two days, what kind of person do you think he is?"

Ram did not answer immediately.

She recalled Subaru Natsuki's words and actions at the Astrea residence.

I recall that he readily accepted the gift of gratitude.

I recall the instant his eyes lit up when he heard the word "sword".

She also recalled how, upon learning she was a maid, he immediately snatched her luggage, acting as if preventing her from exerting even the slightest effort was to safeguard the fate of the nation.

Finally, Ram said:

"That's strange."

"Just strange~?"

“Very strange.”

Ram spoke calmly.

"Judging from his language alone, he seems to have experienced a lot—he often claims to be a general of a country called Great Wei. Ram had never heard of such a country."

Judging solely by their actions, they weren't entirely without logic. They were remarkably astute in assessing danger, and would unhesitatingly refuse anything that crossed their bottom line... Their attitude towards the Sword Saint and Felt was also quite natural.

She paused.

"He seems to care a lot about Lady Emilia, yet he also seems to be deliberately keeping his distance. And towards Ram and Rem..."

Roswaal looked up.

"How about you and Rem~?"

Ram was silent for a moment.

"Exceptionally enthusiastic."

Roswaal's expression shifted slightly.

"Enthusiasm~?"

"To be precise, it was extraordinary respect."

Ram continued.

"Lord Subaru seems to regard maids as something rare and of high status. He doesn't let Ram carry his luggage. He treats Rem with more formality than he would Lord Roswaal."

Roswaal fell silent.

This sounds absurd.

But absurdity does not mean meaninglessness.

After Natsuki Subaru arrived at the mansion, he did indeed reconnect with Ram and Rem.

It's just that the method has changed in a very absurd direction.

It should have been natural contact.

Now, however, it has become a situation where Natsuki Subaru unilaterally treats the maid as some kind of key figure who cannot be taken lightly.