The matter ended with Aqua apologizing.
When Kazuma tried to tease her further, she threatened him with the "Stable Incident", and he quickly found himself apologizing instead.
This role reversal was quite amusing.
Adam was pleased to see them communicating in their usual spirited way — this was exactly like Aqua.
The peaceful days would end today.
He had a goal now, and with it ca motivation.
To defeat the Devil King, he needed to beco stronger. Only with sufficient power would he stand a chance.
Unfortunately, the ans to increase his strength weren't available in this Parallel World. The thods here were too slow and unsuitable for him.
"Aqua, I'm counting on you."
"Yes! Leave it to !" Aqua shouted enthusiastically before casting her blessing magic.
◈ Powered ◈
◈ Haste ◈
◈ Protection ◈
◈ Resistance ◈
◈ Blessing ◈
◈ Art Boost ◈
"What's even the point of Art Boost?!" Kazuma quipped with his usual sarcasm.
The〘Art Boost〙always gave him an odd feeling, and he couldn't resist comnting on it.
"Hmph." Aqua, used to his remarks by now, simply ignored him.
"By the way, Kazuma-kun."
"Yes, Carter-senpai!"
"About those rare experience-boosting ingredients — buy them quickly. Don't worry about the cost; get as many as you can and level up fast."
"Oh! Leave it to !"
This Parallel World had unique ingredients that could increase experience, like that special cabbage and premium beef from before.
These items were incredibly rare and expensive — far beyond what regular adventurers could afford!
Most adventurers who found such ingredients would rather sell them for a hefty profit than consu them.
No wonder they called the Dustiness nobles extravagant. That large box of premium beef had cost a fortune!
But for a 『Hero』, money was no object! With ξ500,000,000 in savings, they could afford anything!
With enough effort, they could get everyone in the party beyond Level 30!
"By the way, use our previous excuse with gumin — tell her we're training and gaining experience while Darkness is away, okay?"
"Got it. We'll tell Darkness the sa thing if she returns."
"Yeah, I'm counting on you, Kazuma-kun."
He would eventually tell the two girls about his ability to travel between worlds, but now wasn't the ti.
"After I leave, no more quarreling, understood?"
"Don't worry, Adam! I'm the Goddess of Water — how could I possibly quarrel with that useless Kazuma? That's impossible!"
"Hey—! Are you picking a fight?!"
"Hmph, like I'm scared of you!"
Oh great, they were already fighting before he'd even left.
"Aqua, Kazuma-kun!"
"Yes! We're sorry!" they said in unison.
Having been through this scenario countless tis before, they apologized automatically at the sound of their nas.
"Sigh~ You two..." He started to scold them but found himself at a loss for words.
On second thought, he decided to let it go. Their bickering was so characteristic of them that peace would feel unnatural.
"Well then, I'm off."
"Have a safe trip!"
"Take care."
After their farewells, Adam focused on the coordinates in his mind, and his form flickered before vanishing from the inn.
Once he was gone, the two exchanged glances, let out simultaneous huffs of indignation, and turned away from each other.
Kazuma then stood up and left the inn to seek out Taylor and Chris.
✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧
anwhile.
Adam had decided to head to the " Re:Zero " world this ti!
Yes — the dangerous and troubleso world of " Re:Zero Starting Life in Another World "!
It truly embodied the saying: Fortune favors the bold!
Though reluctant to return, he had no choice with no new worlds available.
While the " Demon Slayer " world held little appeal, the diverse Divine Protections of this realm drew him in.
More pressing was his expired one-month agreent with Roswaal. Concerned about potential sches, Adam felt it prudent to arrive on schedule.
With a flicker, he materialized in a deep forest.
He activated his 〔Perception〕 skill to scan the area. Finding no human presence, he relaxed, recognizing the forest near Roswaal's domain.
〚Analyze and Copy〛activated, loading the〘Divine Protection of Magic〙plugin!
"Ugh... so full."
A surge of hot, powerful Magic force rushed into his body, bringing an intense sensation of fullness. His magic recovery speed and total capacity increased!
The〘Divine Protection of Magic〙was truly formidable!
The initial discomfort gave way to a pleasant sensation.
"Alright, ti to go." Preparations complete, Adam set his sights on Roswaal's mansion.
He hoped to catch Emilia and Natsuki before they departed — perhaps he could join them.
Shifting gears, he accelerated toward the mansion.
✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧
There were no Witchbeast attacks along the way, and an hour later, he arrived safely.
Walking to the front door, he knocked gently.
Knock Knock Knock!
"Yes, please wait a mont." A mont later, the maid from inside ca to open the door.
—It was Rem.
"Ah, long ti no see, Rem." Adam greeted her with a smile.
"Yes, it's been a while, guest. Welco back to Margrave Roswaal's mansion." Rem perford a perfect maid's curtsy, offering him the most respectful greeting.
Very formal!
This respectful attitude made Adam a bit uncomfortable.
"Say, Rem, I'm a regular guest at the mansion, and we're quite familiar with each other, so there's no need to be so formal, right?"
"Indeed, since Adam insists, I won't stand on ceremony." Rem didn't hold back — she turned and walked into the house, calling to the guest behind her, "Co on in, Adam."
"Ah—eh? Isn't this relationship progressing a bit too fast?" Her dramatic change in attitude made him even more uncomfortable.
However, after not seeing each other for a month, her attitude toward Adam hadn't beco distant at all, but rather more friendly. The usual awkwardness of a long absence disappeared after just a few words.
Walking into the hall, he found that everything was exactly as he'd left it, with no changes whatsoever.
The Count's mansion was still as luxurious as ever, kept ticulously in order by Rem.
As for Ram? It would be good enough if she just didn't make things worse.
As soon as he sat down on the sofa, Rem brought over a steaming cup of tea.
"Please help yourself."
"Thank you, Rem."
"This is what Rem should do."
Then, she sat down across from Adam, casually raising her teacup for a sip.
Huh?
This behavior from her surprised him even more.
He carefully examined the color of the girl's hair before him.
It was blue, no mistake!
In his mory, there was only one person who acted this casually without regard for her maid status: Ram.
But now, why had Rem beco like this too?
"What's wrong? Why is the guest staring at Rem so intently? Is there sothing on Rem's face?" As she spoke, she gently wiped her smooth, delicate cheeks.
"No, there's nothing there." Adam shook his head and asked, "I'm just curious — Rem, you've always been so diligent with your work, so why are you sitting here so casually now? Weren't you always busy before?"
"Because there's no one in the mansion now, and Lord Roswaal isn't here either. No matter how hard Rem works, she won't receive the master's praise."
"Hey hey hey, aren't you being a bit too calculating? Is it really okay to be this scheming?" He lightly criticized.
How could she start showing signs of becoming like her sister after just one month?
"It's fine, no one will bla Rem. Besides, Rem has already finished all the mansion work, so now it's ti for a break. I'm just keeping Adam company instead of returning to my room."
"When you put it that way, it sounds like it's my fault for disturbing your rest."
"Not at all. Entertaining guests is also part of a maid's duties, and besides, I'm resting now too, aren't I?"
"Well, if you say so." Adam nodded and began to enjoy the tea she had prepared.
Though the taste wasn't as good as Ram's, it was much better than that good-for-nothing Natsuki's.
The two sat quietly for a while.
"By the way, you ntioned earlier that you're alone in the mansion now. Where did Roswaal, Emilia, Subaru, and Ram go? Did they go to the village again?"
"Lord Roswaal, Lady Emilia, my sister, and Subaru — all four of them were summoned by the kingdom and went to the capital."
"Oh, so they went to the capital... Wait, they went to the capital?!" Adam, who had been relaxed until now, suddenly sat up straight in surprise.
They went to the capital! But why was Rem still here?!
Had the worldline changed? Had the future been altered?!
Furrowing his brows, he imdiately asked, "Rem, why didn't you go with them?"
"What do you an 'why'? The mansion needs soone to look after it, so Rem stayed behind. Besides, my sister has always been the one to go to the capital before, so of course it's the sa this ti," she explained calmly.
Not understanding his agitation, she was simply following her usual routine.
"Don't you want to go with Subaru?"
"Why would I?"
"Uh..."
"Though Subaru is rather unreliable as a butler and causes concern, my sister will keep him in line."
"..." Adam was montarily speechless.
Perhaps due to his interference, no feelings had developed between them. Since Natsuki hadn't experienced countless loops in the mansion, he remained unaware of the "Oni Twin" history, hadn't helped resolve Rem's inner conflicts, or freed her from her spiral of self-bla and twisted emotions.
Though he had risked his life to save her in the Witchbeast Forest, Rem had been unconscious and hadn't witnessed it — leaving her with re gratitude for his efforts.
Now, they were simply friends.
This was trouble! The worldline had changed!
Without Rem's constant encouragent and support, would the weak and incompetent Natsuki still find the strength to "Start from Zero" as before?
Could he have already died multiple tis, with the world repeating itself again and again?!
The more Adam pondered this, the more uncertain he beca — though perhaps he was just being paranoid.
"Guest, you don't look well. Are you ill?" Rem asked with concern, "If so, why don't you rest in your room? My sister has kept it clean."
"Ram, huh... I'm grateful to her. But I'm fine, just unsettled." He paused, then asked, "Rem, when did Roswaal and the others leave?"
"They left this morning."
"Is that so... Please prepare a dragon carriage imdiately — I need to catch up with them!"
Rem blinked and nodded.
"Very well. Also, Lord Roswaal left a ssage for you: 'Tell him to co to the capital quickly, we'll be waiting for him there'."
Roswaal? Is it you, trying to keep in check...
If that's the case, you're dead!
In less than half an hour, Rem brought over a dragon carriage.
Adam got into the carriage and said to her, "Rem, be careful while alone in the mansion. If you encounter any danger, you must seek refuge with Beatrice, understand!"
"No, you shouldn't underestimate Rem. Rem has the ability to protect herself."
"Listen! Consider this an order from as Emilia's Knight Protector, do you understand?"
"...Yes, Rem will do as you say." Though initially resistant, she yielded upon seeing his serious yet concerned expression, nodding in agreent.
Still worried, Adam left a marker outside the mansion's courtyard for the〘El Shamak〙magic. If anything happened, he could return instantly from the capital to help.
Just as he was about to bid farewell to Rem, he sensed soone watching.
Who?
He turned to look — it was the blonde drill-haired loli.
Betty?
The magical marker he'd left must have alerted her, drawing her out to investigate.
Her cute face bore that familiar pained expression, and she seed even lonelier than before.
Ah! The sight made his heart ache.
She stood leaning by the window, watching him silently.
He raised his right hand to wave, but she turned away and disappeared back into the Forbidden Library.
Was that her being tsundere? He desperately wanted to go after her!
But he decided against it. The current Beatrice wouldn't be won over with re words — resolving her inner conflicts would have to wait.
Wait for , Betty! I will rescue you from your "false prison"!
Then he took the reins of the dragon carriage and bid farewell to Rem.
"Well then, I'm off!"
"Have a safe journey."
With Rem seeing him off respectfully, Adam departed from the mansion.
✧✧✧
T/N: If you want more chapters like this, check out my Patreon! Take a look at my other translations too, you might like them!
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That's it and happy reading! /mrblackwing
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