"Damn, Puck really hammed it up."
Natsuki Subaru glanced sideways at Puck floating in mid-air, unable to resist a silent retort.
Normally, he's just a cat-shaped space heater clinging to Emilia and acting spoiled, but now he's fully embracing the persona of the Beast of the End.
This acting, if it were in the modern world, he'd definitely win an Oscar for Best Actor.
Thinking this, Natsuki Subaru stepped forward and announced loudly to the crowd, "That's right! This is indeed the legendary ancient being—the Beast of the End of the Eternal Frost! And now, he is Emilia's contracted spirit!"
Although I really wanted to add that this guy Puck loves having his belly rubbed by Emilia, for now, it's best to maintain his intimidating image...
The scene instantly exploded.
"What?! Is it really the legendary Great Spirit?!"
"Too incredible..."
"Impossible! One of the Four Great Spirits being subservient to someone?!"
The way everyone looked at Emilia completely changed.
Those previously contemptuous gazes were now all filled with awe and trepidation.
To be able to command such a powerful spirit was, in itself, proof of strength.
And this was precisely the effect Natsuki Subaru wanted.
Puck's presence not only awed the entire assembly but also significantly boosted Emilia's chances in the Royal Selection.
"It should have been like this from the start. But then again, Puck is really useful, a true master of making an entrance. Now let's see who dares to look down on Emilia." Natsuki Subaru thought to himself, observing the shocked expressions of the crowd.
"You unpleasant fellows, not being turned into popsicles on the spot—" As Puck spoke, his voice suddenly turned cold, and the surrounding temperature plummeted. "You all have Lia to thank. It's because of my cute daughter Lia's plea that I've become so docile. If this kind child hadn't stopped me, this place would have long since become a hall of ice sculptures."
Puck's words seemed to carry a tangible chill, making everyone present feel a bone-deep coldness.
However, no one dared to doubt the truthfulness of this threat.
The frigid magical energy permeating the air said it all.
"Gulp—"
The entire hall was terrifyingly silent; the sound of someone swallowing saliva was particularly jarring.
"Even when he's making threats, he can't go three sentences without mentioning his cute daughter Emilia. Puck, your daughter-complex is beyond saving, hey." Although he was retorting wildly in his mind, Natsuki Subaru had to admit that Puck, at this moment, truly lived up to the title of "Beast of the End."
"Oh my, it seems I've said a bit too much~" Puck suddenly reverted to his usual lighthearted tone, turning his small head towards Natsuki Subaru and winking playfully. "It's all Subaru's fault for making me get too into character."
Hey, hey, you're deflecting blame way too quickly!
You were clearly having a blast acting, weren't you...
Natsuki Subaru couldn't stop himself from rolling his eyes and retorting silently, then shrugged and replied to Puck, "Don't say that, wasn't the effect super awesome? And with you, the Beast of the End of the Eternal Frost, making a personal appearance, the deterrent effect is simply off the charts!"
Actually, this whole drama was meticulously designed by him.
To help the naive and kind Emilia gain more say and advantage in the Royal Selection, he had racked his brains to come up with this script for the Beast of the End's stunning debut.
Although, initially, he had considered having Puck recite some more chuuni lines, like, "Tremble beneath my ice, you ants!" or something similar.
But considering Puck's usual lazy demeanor, he'd probably burst out laughing, so in the end, he decided against it.
"But then again, who would have thought that this little furball, who usually only knows how to act cute and spoiled, is actually the Beast of the End of the Eternal Frost, dozens of meters tall... Hmm, this must be the legendary gap moe." Natsuki Subaru gazed at Puck floating in mid-air, feeling a little emotional.
"Well then, my job here is done."
As Puck's words fell, the bone-chilling cold that had enveloped the entire hall dissipated in an instant, as if it had been an illusion.
Natsuki Subaru could feel the surrounding temperature rapidly rising.
The nobles, who had been tense with nervousness, finally breathed a sigh of relief, some even furtively wiping cold sweat from their foreheads.
"This effect is truly outstanding. No one should dare to trouble Emilia now, right?" Watching everyone's reaction, Natsuki Subaru muttered to himself.
"I have only one request—fairness." Emilia stepped forward at the right moment, her silver-bell-like voice flowing out, engraving itself equally onto everyone's hearts.
Then, she continued to solemnly declare, "Fairness is invaluable to me. I will never rely on the power of my contracted spirit to gain an advantage; that would violate my principles."
"That's Emilia for you..." Natsuki Subaru gazed at the silver-haired girl's determined profile, thinking to himself.
She could easily use Puck's power to intimidate everyone, yet she deliberately chose the most difficult path.
On this stage of the Royal Selection, full of schemes and deceit, she still insists on her pure ideals.
"If it were someone else... they would surely be eager to flaunt such power." Natsuki Subaru scanned the nobles, their expressions varied.
But Emilia is Emilia.
She would rather suffer more grievances herself than violate her inner principles.
This almost stubborn kindness is also what moves him the most.
Thinking this, Natsuki Subaru looked at the silver-haired girl before him and secretly clenched his fists: "But it doesn't matter. Since you're unwilling to use this power, then I'll help you clear away the obstacles!"
In the center of the hall.
"Compared to the other candidates, I have many shortcomings; I am an immature existence."
"There are too many things I don't know, and the things I must learn are as numerous as mountains. Despite this, because I know my goal lies at the summit, I have never thought of slacking off." Emilia gently placed her hand on her chest, her silver-bell-like voice echoing in the hall.
Her voice wasn't loud, yet it possessed an incredible penetrating power, compelling everyone to listen with bated breath.
Natsuki Subaru gazed at the silver-haired girl's profile; he knew Emilia's words were true.
He had seen Emilia diligently studying in Roswaal's mansion, earnestly absorbing everything.
"I dare not say whether my efforts are worthy of the throne..." Emilia lifted her head, her gaze sweeping over everyone present. "But this determination to continuously improve is absolutely second to none. So, please look at me with fair eyes—not as a witch, not as a silver-haired half-elf, but as Emilia, a candidate for the Royal Selection."
Her voice trembled slightly at the end, almost pleading, yet carrying an undeniable firmness.
This conflicting emotion moved many present.
The hall fell into a brief silence.
This wasn't an awkward silence of having nothing to say, but a solemn quiet, as everyone needed time to digest the weight of this declaration.
"Lady Emilia, your speech is thought-provoking. I look forward to seeing your performance hereafter."
As Emilia finished her speech, Miklotov slowly rose, his scepter striking the ground with a steady sound.
He gazed at the silver-haired girl before him, his aged voice carrying a hint of warmth.
"Thank you to the Sage Council for giving me this opportunity." Emilia curtsied slightly, her silver hair swaying gently with the movement.
Miklotov nodded gently, his long white beard trembling with the motion.
His gaze swept over the five candidates present, a judgment already forming in his mind.
That golden-haired girl from the slums, Felt, her declaration just now was practically a call to uproot the entire aristocracy.
Although such courage to challenge authority is commendable, such a radical reform proposal would likely bring unpredictable turmoil to the kingdom.
And Priscilla is arrogant to an infuriating degree, as if the entire world should revolve around her.
How could such a personality govern a country?
Anastasia, in her speech, reeked of a merchant's calculation; the kingdom needs a monarch, not a shrewd businesswoman.
Crusch's ideals were indeed refreshing, but to abolish the covenant with the Divine Dragon...
"That would shake the kingdom's foundation of four hundred years." Miklotov couldn't help but shake his head; such a reform was too risky.
"In comparison..." Miklotov's gaze returned to Emilia.
This half-elf girl is, ironically, the most normal one among the five candidates.
Her ideals are pure and noble, her attitude humble yet firm.
It's just a pity... that silver hair, those amethyst eyes, are too similar to the legendary Witch of Envy.
Such an appearance is destined to make it difficult to gain the people's acceptance.
But her ideal is to build a fair country where everyone can coexist equally.
Such a vision moved even an old man like Miklotov, who had seen much of the world.
Five candidates, one future king.
But who can say for sure what the future holds?
As Emilia's declaration ended, the entire meeting hall fell into a brief silence.
A moment later, a rising murmur of discussion gradually filled the air, signaling that the meeting had entered the routine question-and-answer session.
"Looks like Puck's grand entrance worked." Natsuki Subaru crossed his arms, observing the change in the hall's atmosphere with satisfaction. "This should at least buy Emilia some leverage."
After Puck, the Beast of the End, made his shocking appearance, the mood in the hall had clearly shifted.
When those nobles exchanged whispers, their eyes no longer held contempt but were instead filled with caution and awe.
"Strength really is the only hard truth. What noble dignity, what bloodline theories—in the face of absolute power, they're all just paper tigers!" Natsuki Subaru thought to himself.
"Ara, ara~ Such an~ unexpected performance~"
Just then, Roswaal's unique, lilting voice suddenly sounded by his ear.
"Hey!" Natsuki Subaru turned to glare at the suddenly appearing Roswaal, his mouth twitching slightly. "Can you not pop up out of nowhere and scare people like that?"
Honestly, with Roswaal's clown makeup, he'd definitely scare children to tears if he went out at night.
"My apologies~ I didn't expect~ Subaru-kun's performance in the hall just now to reach such a level~ Even I was surprised~" A fervent glint flickered in Roswaal's mismatched eyes, making Natsuki Subaru feel a wave of discomfort.
"Haha... this is all Emilia's doing, I didn't really do anything..." Natsuki Subaru chuckled dryly, but his heart was secretly on guard.
What devious plan is this guy Roswaal cooking up now?
No, it should be said, this guy has been scheming against me from the very beginning.
As someone familiar with the original story's plot, Natsuki Subaru was well aware of the various arrangements Roswaal had made for the Subaru in the original work.
The Subaru of the early original work's several death loops were inextricably linked to the clown before him.
"Having someone constantly scheming against you by your side is truly a pain in the ass." Natsuki Subaru's gaze unconsciously drifted towards Emilia, seeing her seriously answering the nobles' questions.
This innocent girl probably never imagines what a dangerous fellow her most trusted supporter actually is.
"But this time is different. I'm no longer the ignorant Natsuki Subaru. This game has only just begun..." Natsuki Subaru's gaze sharpened.
Roswaal, at his side, seemed to sense his stare and turned to give him a meaningful smile.
Natsuki Subaru didn't look away but met those mismatched eyes directly, secretly making a vow in his heart:
This time, I will definitely protect Emilia.
I will absolutely not repeat the mistakes of the original work, and I will never let Roswaal's conspiracies succeed.
As the Royal Selection assembly concluded, people began to disperse in twos and threes.
Just as Natsuki Subaru's group was preparing to leave, an upright figure slowly walked out from the ranks of the Knightly Order.
"Please wait a moment."
"Julius?" Emilia tilted her head slightly, a hint of confusion in her amethyst eyes. "Is something the matter?"
"Please forgive my impertinence, Lady Emilia." Julius first bowed respectfully to Emilia, then turned his gaze to Natsuki Subaru beside her. "I have some words I wish to say to your knight."
"To me?" Natsuki Subaru raised an eyebrow, meeting Julius's amber eyes.
Julius performed a flawless, standard knight's salute.
When he straightened up, his eyes shone with a sharp light. "Knight Natsuki Subaru! As a knight belonging to the Royal Guard Knights of the Kingdom of Lugnica, I, Julius Juukulius, formally issue you a request for a duel!"
"...?" Natsuki Subaru's eyes widened; for a moment, he suspected he had misheard.
This development is a bit off!
If I remember correctly, in the original work, the reason Julius challenged Natsuki Subaru to a duel was because the Subaru of that time had neither noble status nor knightly etiquette, yet arrogantly called himself Emilia's knight, and even openly provoked the entire Knightly Order at the Royal Selection meeting.
But the current me is completely different.
I obtained knighthood through proper channels, have shown no disrespect to the Knightly Order, and today is the first time I've formally met Julius.
Why has the same plot point still been triggered?!
Could it be that there's some kind of coercive corrective force in this world?
Or perhaps...
Thinking this, Natsuki Subaru's gaze involuntarily fell on "The Finest Knight" Julius's face, secretly speculating: Is this guy deliberately trying to pick a fight?
___
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