——Subaru’s “idea” to Emilia is beginning to bear fruit
"No matter what, I was able to convince Jaffier."
Otto, who was confirming whether his love dragon and Patrasio were firmly connected to the dragon chariot, said
Hearing the voice facing away from him, Subaru first started with "Oh"
“It took a little time, but understanding people’s words helped a lot.”
"From what I've seen, he doesn't look like the kind of person who would listen to us."
"...He's obviously a businessman but he doesn't look at people."
"That's right! I'm forced to accompany you to this point, repeatedly doing thankless but unprofitable things. Even I don't trust my own vision!"
Otto spoke louder and louder, and repeated sarcasm in his words.
His mood is understandable. After all, he accompanied him to the "Sacred Realm" mainly to connect with Roswaal, but he was inexplicably involved in a trouble.
"But it's been three days, no, four days! I haven't seen each other once, and I have to go back to that village..."
"I'm sorry, but I can't talk to Roswaal until the situation calms down. If you want to be introduced in a solemn atmosphere, I can give it a try..."
"No, no, no! Please don't do that! I hate being involved in strange atmospheres!"
The reason why the introduction was delayed for so long was partly because Otto was so hesitant.
Gathered at the entrance of the "Sacred Area", several evacuation dragon carriages from Alam Village, with a total of fifty villagers, plus seven traveling businessmen and seven dragon carriages who helped, became a big mobile family
——The next step is to prepare to lead them back to Alam Village
But in order to return to the village, the barrier surrounding the "sacred area" must be lifted, and this has not yet been achieved.
"From the moment Emilia-sama enters the barrier, the only option left is to break the barrier to leave. So, let your friends who have lost their value as hostages return to the village... How wonderful~"
"——Jia Feier"
While looking at the villagers preparing to evacuate, a ferocious blond figure approached Subaru. His eyes were usually as scary as Subaru's, and he glanced at Otto.
"Ugh!"
Otto, who was in sight, screamed softly and retreated listlessly to the other side of the dragon carriage. Although the first impression had a great impact, he still implanted a strong feeling of being difficult to deal with in Otto's heart.
"Don't bully him too much. That guy is very precious... precious to what?"
"You don't even know. How could I possibly know? He was the one who wanted to be scared like that."
Wrinkling his nose, Jaffier crossed his arms unhappily. However, although he seemed to have a lot of rude behavior, it actually highlighted that he was a person who unexpectedly paid attention to small things.
After getting along with each other for quite some time, I realized this
"Could it be that you have been taking care of the evacuated villagers during this period?" Yuexing looked at where the villagers were gathering.
"Ah~? There's no way, we can't force the old lady and the others, and many people don't want to get close to outsiders...it has turned into a troublesome and insensitive situation——"
"So, Subaru's proposal is exactly what you want."
"Fortunately, it's the so-called "Exile of Malinga""
This time the rescue of the villagers would not have been possible without the assistance of Jaffier.
In response, Subaru bowed deeply to Javier
"That's enough, it's so ugly, and I didn't ask you to bow."
"No, no matter what, you should still say thank you. Although I think you also have a lot of inside information. You will accept them because of actual benefits, but..."
If the "sacred domain" takes in outsiders, the more it takes in, the more resources it will consume.
Although the tribe also has fields and Roswaal regularly arranges supplies to be shipped in, the longer this extraordinary period drags on, the worse it will be for the residents on both sides.
Therefore, Subaru brought up the matter with Gafiel and asked him to serve as a bridge of communication with Ryuse and other residents. This is how the matter of releasing the hostages came to an early dawn.
"So, thank you. Although the villagers feel a little complicated, they are very happy - and the most important thing is that they can give Roswaal some color."
"Oh~ I feel very happy too, so I'll just accept your thanks."
Subaru smiled heartily with his evil face, and Gafir clicked his teeth and smiled happily.
This proposal was conceived and promoted by Subaru, and he would report it to Roswaal later. Since he skipped Ram and interacted directly with Jaffier, Roswaal would definitely regret it.
Since the night conversation a few days ago, Subaru has completely adopted a stubborn attitude of not cooperating with Roswaal. At least until he formally apologizes, Subaru has no intention of forgiving him.
As a result, the innocent Otto was implicated——
"--Pleiades!"
The conversation stopped for a moment when a silver bell voice suddenly called Subaru. When he turned around, Emilia was walking over, waving her hand.
"...Let's talk about it later, on the road."
Sensing her approach, Javier just whispered these words and left. He strode away and replaced Emilia to occupy the space next to Subaru. He tilted his head and said:
"Um, did I disturb you from talking to Jaffier?"
"No, don't worry. We're not talking about anything important. Of course, Emilia-chan is the first priority."
"I'd be very happy about that, but right now, the villagers should be our top priority."
Emilia, with her eyebrows drooping and a troubled smile, asked for help. Subaru nodded. During this period, she was still worried about the dragon carriage that the villagers who were going home were going to take.
"Originally, I wanted to wait until the barrier was lifted and everyone waved goodbye and left..."
"...I'm sorry, it's all my fault that I haven't been able to overcome the "trial" after so many days, but I can't let everyone be unable to reunite with their families because of this."
There was self-blame in her voice. Emilia seemed to be regretting her inability to do what she wanted, biting her lip.
——Challenge the "Trial" for three days, but the seal situation is still not easy to pretend
Just like what Echidna said, the "trial" can be challenged countless times, but it can only be challenged once every night, while Emilia challenges it every day - and then fails again and again.
Of course, Emilia and Subaru accepted the challenge.
…
"I'm surprised to see Rem again, but why is there such a dangerous existence as a "witch" here?"
In the system space, Subaru looked at the silver-white haired figure in front of him and screamed.
In the simple living room, Echidna was sitting on the sofa, gently tasting the black tea in her hand. Rem on the side was skillfully changing the tea leaves in the cup.
"Is this the person who wants to be "qualified"? There is nothing special about him other than exuding a nasty smell."
Echidna looked Subaru up and down and frowned slightly.
Rem, who was holding the tea set, twitched his nose slightly, then nodded calmly.
"I'm being disliked again - it has nothing to do with me at all, okay, I don't want to have such a thing as "the lingering fragrance of a witch""
Subaru, who was inexplicably verbally attacked, sat on the sofa depressedly and drank the tea in front of him in one gulp.
“Hiss—it’s so hot!”
"Well, it should be easy for you to give me a "qualification", right?"
Yuexing gently shook the tea cup in his hand, looked at Echidna and said
"Yes, in exchange, he must pass the trial~"
…
Subaru's past love Chidona is also very interested in her, so the "qualification" is given to her just like that.
Fortunately, Subaru's condition was pretty good after he entered the trial, and he passed it in one try. The story is also very exciting - I'll talk about this later when I have time.
Subaru, who has gone through the "trial", can finally understand how difficult it is to face the "past", and he also witnesses Emilia facing the past in the grave every night, frustrated by the suffering that has passed, accumulating tears and haggard.
Repeating the painful past, as well as accumulating setbacks and failures, I can only imagine how much damage her soul has suffered.
"No matter what, impatience and reluctance are prohibited. People with these two moods have been unable to act smoothly since ancient times. I will turn back immediately after I send the villagers back... But it will be tomorrow when I come back. I will start tonight.
Stop challenging?"
Emilia, who stayed in the "Sanctuary", did not have Subaru with her tonight. For this reason, Subaru proposed to postpone the "trial" challenge several times, but Emilia shook her head firmly.
"It's okay, although I'm a little anxious...but it's just what I said I would do. I don't want to disappoint the villagers and the residents of the "Sanctuary""
"...Really, then I understand, and I won't say any more."
"Thank you, and... we need to care about the villagers and pay attention to Frandelica."
After reconfirming what each other should do, Emilia finally added this uneasily.
Her worry - Frandelika's thoughts are still unclear. If Ram's advice is followed, Frandelika is a person who opposes the liberation of the sanctuary, so it is unpredictable how she will return to the mansion.
What attitude did Subaru and the others take?
"——If Frandelica is hostile to Emilia-sama, the mansion will be empty now."
"...It's Ram, what are you doing here?"
The person who intervened in the conversation was Ram who came over after crossing the dragon chariot queue.
Ram narrowed his slender eyes and said:
"Hello, Ram is just here to see off Lord Roswaal. The lord is about to leave but can't be there in person. The lord is extremely sorry to go."
"You actually have the nerve to say that kind of thing..."
"Also, I need to send a message to Barus who is going back to the mansion. Since he cares about Frandelica, he should ask first."
"Since you care about Frandelica, what should you do?"
"Lady Emilia is so honest, Barus should learn from her."
Emilia, who had nothing to do with unnecessary reserve, urged, and Ram was sarcastic at first, then paused, and then said in a calm tone to the two people who were holding their breath:
"If you feel uneasy about dealing with Frandelica, please ask Beatrice-sama."
"Please Beatrice? Let me tell you, did you listen carefully to what others were saying? I should have said that the difficulty is too high. According to the current situation, it is not that easy to meet her..."
"——Indeed, it is difficult to talk to Lady Beatrice, so I have to use Lady Roswaal's message."
The serious tone made Subaru swallow her words and urged her to continue. Ram licked his lips under his gaze and said:
"Go back to the mansion and say this: "Rozwaal said, ask questions."
"Ask a question...?"
"Ram doesn't know the details, but if Beatrice-sama hears it... the situation will change. That's what Roswaal-sama said, Ram is just conveying it."
She had no intention of accepting the question, so Ram threw these words with a nonchalant attitude. Faced with this attitude, Subaru had no choice but to regurgitate her words, but he still didn’t understand the meaning, so he frowned.
"After hearing this, Beatrice will listen to me...is that right?"
"Who knows? It's because of Barus... The villagers have to send him back safely."
In the end, with only this reminder, Ram turned around and left, expressing that his work was done.
This attitude was shocking, and at the same time Subaru scratched his head roughly
"Ram...no, Roswaal is hiding something."
"————"
"Emilia?"
"Huh? Ah, um, it's nothing, I'm fine."
Instantly switching away from her sad expression, Emilia straightened her spine and faced Subaru again, then smiled at him again.
"I don't know how much I can trust Roswaal's advice conveyed by Ram...but don't force it - may the elves bless you."
Accepting the elf magician’s important farewell words, Subaru responded with a serious nod.
"Even if I say this now, it's not very convincing."
"That's not the case - let's go first, Emilia also needs to work hard."
"——Yeah, so is Subaru."
Emilia nodded and accepted, almost at the same time as preparations for departure were completed.