At dinner ti, Roswaal was absent. Only Adam and Emilia sat at the spacious long table, creating a sowhat awkward atmosphere.
After exchanging a few words, however, their relationship eased, and the stiff atmosphere lted away.
This was thanks to Emilia's unpretentious nature. Had it been Priscilla Barielle, that incredibly arrogant Blood Bride, she would have ordered soone to kick his head around like a ball — and no one could have stopped her!
Though Adam's words rang true, he knew that not everyone readily accepts others' opinions. He wasn't certain whether Emilia had truly understood or taken his words to heart.
Still, she now showed determination to gain the village's acceptance — a decision born from her own judgnt and will.
It was truly praiseworthy!
So might have expected Puck to be angry, since Adam's attitude could have seed deliberately difficult to others.
Yet he never ca to confront him.
Father Puck, while deeply loving his daughter and worrying about her being bullied or hurt, valued Emilia's growth more, and thus tacitly approved of Adam's actions.
This worked in Adam's favor. Without Puck's interference, Emilia's growth plan would proceed more smoothly.
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Night fell.
Emilia stood in the courtyard, communing with the Lesser Spirits.
Just as Adam practiced his Breathing Techniques each morning, Emilia's daily ritual was communicating with the Lesser Spirits.
Natsuki watched from afar as she glowed in the dim light, his admiration evident in his gaze.
Indeed, Emilia was captivating in this state — few young n could resist such an ethereal sight.
But his stare was becoming rather intense.
Tone it down, Natsuki-kun! You're looking like a stalker!
Once Emilia finished her ritual, he bounded over with enthusiasm to discuss their plans for tomorrow.
Following Adam's proposed test, they had decided to visit the village to gather information. Natsuki suggested they begin with the children, building relationships with these more open-minded souls.
Though the approach might seem opportunistic, it was their best path to integration. Once the children accepted them, their parents' views would naturally begin to shift.
This strategy held deeper aning beyond re convenience.
When Emilia gained acceptance from the children — who were naturally more welcoming — she would build crucial confidence.
This confidence would multiply with each small victory.
As she won over more villagers, her growing self-assurance would help her face the broader citizenry in the future.
Natsuki's plan seed flawless.
Yet he failed to notice that Emilia was rely following along passively.
"Carter, what do you think of my plan?" Natsuki asked Adam.
Adam, distracted by the adventurer card in his hand, replied absently, "Mm, it's good, I support you."
His mind was elsewhere.
He had spent days analyzing Emilia's Spirit Arts User qualifications, and today he'd finally completed his assessnt!
He now possessed the qualifications to beco a Spirit Arts User!
All that remained was to contract with a Lesser Spirit — then he would be a true Spirit Arts User!
Co to think of it, it didn't have to be a Lesser Spirit! Perhaps he could try contracting with that tsundere Great Artificial Spirit instead?
His mind raced with possibilities.
Just then, Ram appeared, announcing she needed to teach Natsuki the continent's three common writing systems. She promptly dragged him from the courtyard back to his room for the lesson.
Adam, having already mastered these through〚Analyze and Copy〛, hadn't needed such instruction.
He'd learned it all in a single day!
Yet he couldn't shake the feeling he'd overlooked sothing important because of this.
✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧
The next day.
Natsuki and Emilia stood ready as Puck materialized from the crystal to begin his daily nine-to-five shift.
Following yesterday's plan, they would test the waters in the village.
Rem accompanied them, both as protection and to purchase supplies for the mansion's pantry.
"Rem, I leave Lady Emilia and Barusu in your care." Ram instructed her sister, "You must protect Lady Emilia's safety at all costs, and if necessary, you may use Barusu as a shield."
"Yes, Sister. I will protect Lady Emilia." Rem replied expressionlessly, "And should danger arise, I will throw Subaru out."
Notably, Rem had begun using "Subaru" instead of "Barusu" — her sister's preferred mockery — suggesting she might be starting to accept Natsuki's presence.
Hearing them disregard his life so casually, Natsuki protested, "Hey, isn't my life worth anything? Show so concern for !"
"Hmph, Barusu needs only to be a good at shield — nothing else about Barusu matters." Ram sniffed, adding venomously, "Sotis the gap between people is greater than that between humans and animals."
"Hey, senior, I feel like you're hinting at sothing!"
"You misunderstand, Barusu."
"What do I misunderstand?"
"I wasn't hinting at anything — I stated it outright, okay?" Ram's sharp tongue proved too much even for the outgoing Natsuki, who could only beg for rcy.
Adam stepped forward and patted his shoulder, "Natsuki-kun, make sure to protect Emilia well."
"Oh, I will!" Natsuki nodded firmly, then added, "So Carter is worried about Emilia's safety after all, right?"
"No, not really."
"Eh?"
"I'm not particularly concerned about her." He repeated, looking at Natsuki with so strange eyes, "After all, I don't need to worry much about her. My concern is with you. Don't die."
In his final words, he placed his hand on his shoulder and squeezed with slight force — Just enough to almost make his shoulder crack.
This was inevitable. If he died, all of Adam's recently mimicked abilities —〘Divine Protection of Magic〙,〘Spatial Transfer〙,〘Spirit Arts User〙, and more — would be lost!
"Eh?!" Natsuki stared in complete surprise, feeling that sothing was wrong.
Just then, Puck delivered a precise finishing blow, "I can sense it, Carter is telling the truth - he's not concerned about Emilia but is genuinely worried about your safety. And he will kill you if you don't co back alive."
"Ehhhh?!" Natsuki hugged himself and backpedaled, shouting, "So I was Carter's target all along?! I'm sorry, but I must decline! You're a nice person, but we're really not compatible! I like girls!"
"..."
This guy — is he trying to get revenge on ? I have half a mind to cut him down where he stands!
"Get going already, you little bas—Barusu-kun..."
With Adam's sharp rebuke, the trio — Natsuki and his companions — set off toward the distant village.
✧✧✧
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