Night fell, and the magnificent Karsten ducal mansion was ablaze with brilliant lights. Nobles in lavish attire gathered in small groups, their glasses clinking amidst joyous laughter. Following the successful subjugation of the Mabeast White Whale and the repelling of the Witch Cult's Sin Archbishop of Greed, the House of Karsten was hosting a grand victory banquet. As one of the main heroes, Natsuki Subaru had naturally been invited.
"What a pain. I knew I should have changed into something more formal..." Natsuki Subaru grumbled, looking down at his out-of-place tracksuit as he stood awkwardly in a corner.
Originally, his plan was to return to Roswaal's mansion immediately after dealing with the White Whale and repelling Regulus to prepare for the threat of the Sin Archbishop of Sloth. But on one hand, he had been "recuperating" at Crusch's mansion until now. On the other, Crusch had insisted on holding this victory banquet, and as a guest of honor, he couldn't possibly refuse.
Still, showing up to a high-class event like this dressed like this... aren't I being a little too sloppy...?
Just as Natsuki Subaru was thinking this, Rem's voice came from behind him. "Subaru-kun."
"Huh?" The moment Subaru turned around, he froze. "Rem?!"
The Rem before him looked like a completely different person. Her usually neat blue bob had been meticulously styled, the slightly curled ends held in place by an exquisite hair clip. A light blue, off-the-shoulder gown outlined Rem's slender figure, the sequins on the hem sparkling with a fine light. A simple silver chain adorned her fair neck, further accentuating her snow-white skin.
What could he say? Rem was cute enough in her usual maid outfit, but Rem in an evening gown like this... was absolutely breathtaking.
"Subaru-kun." Rem lowered her head slightly, her fingers nervously playing with the decorations on her dress hem. "So this is where you were. Rem was looking for you."
"Wait, wait, wait!" Natsuki Subaru said, staring at the radiant Rem before him. "What's with this outfit? This is the first time I've ever seen you dressed like this!" This was indeed the first time he had seen Rem in a gorgeous evening gown, a stark contrast to her usual, capable maid uniform. But honestly, the magnificent dress suited Rem perfectly.
"Because I was requested to attend in formal wear, Rem had this dress specially prepared..." Rem's cheeks flushed red as she couldn't help but ask Subaru, "Is it... is it strange? Subaru-kun."
"Strange? Are you kidding me?!" Natsuki Subaru stroked his chin, sizing up the beautiful and moving Rem before him. "It's absolutely perfect! The number one super cutest in the world... no, I should say you're stunning enough to amaze the world!"
Such words might sound exaggerated coming from Natsuki Subaru, but if he didn't say them, he felt he would be doing a disservice to Rem's meticulous effort in dressing up.
"Subaru-kun..." Rem lowered her head shyly, her blue bangs falling to hide her blushing face. "Please don't tease Rem like that..."
"I'm serious!" Natsuki Subaru gave a thumbs-up, praising Rem. "Although the Rem in a maid outfit is very cute, today's Rem is also super amazing!"
Rem looked up, her watery-blue eyes sparkling with surprise. "Really?"
"Absolutely!" Natsuki Subaru grinned, then tugged at his own tracksuit. "But compared to you, my outfit looks so shabby."
"Why is Subaru-kun wearing your usual clothes...?" Halfway through her sentence, Rem suddenly realized what she had said and hastily corrected herself. "Ah, sorry... Rem means, Subaru-kun looks good in whatever you wear."
"Don't worry about it, I was just saying," Natsuki Subaru waved his hand, though his eyes couldn't help but linger on Rem. "But seriously, your dress is still the best, Rem. You look just like a princess from a fairy tale."
"Thank you very much." Rem gave a slight curtsy, her blue hair swaying gently with the movement. "As Nee-sama's younger sister, Rem specially prepared an outfit that wouldn't bring shame to Ram."
"Haha..." Natsuki Subaru laughed and shook his head. "What kind of reason is that?"
"If it's alright..." Rem said, lifting her watery-blue eyes. "Please praise Nee-sama's beauty some more. Ram would surely look even more beautiful in a dress than Rem does."
Rem is already this cute, yet she's always thinking of her sister, Ram. As expected of Rem, their sisterly bond is deep. Thinking this, Natsuki Subaru pouted in mock dissatisfaction. "Can't you let me praise you directly, Miss Rem?"
Rem's face flushed slightly as she changed the subject. "Actually... it would have been nice if Nee-sama could have come, too."
"Well, we can't just leave the mansion empty," Natsuki Subaru sighed. "And it seems Roswaal hasn't returned yet either."
It was worth mentioning that Subaru had previously received a letter from Ram saying that Roswaal had gone to the Sanctuary and had not yet returned. Therefore, including Subaru, only a meager three members of Emilia's camp were in attendance at this victory banquet.
Speaking of which, in the original story, Roswaal also took off in advance when the Witch Cult and the Sin Archbishop of Sloth attacked. Could he be up to something again this time? Thinking of that ever-mysterious clownish lord, Natsuki Subaru couldn't help but grumble internally: What an unreliable schemer...
"I really wish Nee-sama and Lord Roswaal could have attended..." Rem said, looking at the lively banquet hall with a hint of regret in her voice.
"I know, right?" Natsuki Subaru glanced around the bustling scene and shrugged helplessly. "The problem is, there are so few people in our Emilia camp that even finding a place to stand in a setting like this feels empty."
"N-No, that's not it..." Rem shook her head gently, her blue bob swaying with the movement. "Because today is the victory banquet to celebrate the subjugation of the White Whale and the repelling of the Sin Archbishop of Greed, Subaru-kun will surely be the center of attention. Subaru-kun is the kingdom's great hero."
Saying this, Rem clasped her hands in front of her chest, her watery-blue eyes shining with sincerity. "I really wish Nee-sama and Lord Roswaal could have been here. If they heard of your heroic deeds, they would surely see you in a new light."
"Oh, well..." Being praised so directly by Rem, Natsuki Subaru scratched his head in embarrassment. "I mean, I certainly tried my best, but it was mainly thanks to everyone's help. A hero... let's not go that far."
In reality, everything I did was just to avoid the tragedies of the original story from repeating. I'm a bit unworthy of the title 'hero', Natsuki Subaru silently added in his heart.
"That's not true at all!" Rem suddenly raised her voice, causing nearby guests to glance over. Realizing her slip, she hastily lowered her voice, but the determination in her eyes did not waver. "Whether it's Rem, or everyone else here, we all know very well of your accomplishments. You are, without a doubt, a hero!"
In the few short days since the White Whale Subjugation Force's triumphant return to the capital, the shocking news had spread like wildfire throughout the entire kingdom. The Calamity Mabeast, the White Whale, which had rampaged for four hundred years, had been subjugated. The Witch Cult's Sin Archbishop of Greed had been repelled. These disasters that had threatened the safety of the kingdom had been resolved by a previously unknown black-haired knight. This level of shock made anyone who heard the news think it was a joke.
However, with the testimony of the Sword Saint Reinhard and Duchess Crusch, and before the mountain-like corpse of the White Whale, no one could deny this fact any longer.
"Well, that can only be said to be Rem's wish, right?" Natsuki Subaru looked at Rem, whose face was flushed with excitement, a warm feeling welling up in his heart. Seeing Rem safe and sound is already the greatest comfort for me. In the original story, the rampage of the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony had caused Rem to fall into a deep sleep and Crusch to lose her memories. Now, all of that had been changed. The world's trajectory had already deviated from its predetermined path.
"Perhaps... there is some of Rem's personal bias in it," Rem said, lowering her head slightly, her blue bob swaying with the movement. But she quickly looked up again, her watery-blue eyes filled with incomparable confidence. "But Rem believes that Subaru-kun will surely surpass all expectations and become an even greater hero. Rem believes this with all her heart!"
"Whoa..." Natsuki Subaru wiped away non-existent cold sweat and said to Rem with a feigned troubled look, "Now that you say that, the pressure is on. But since you've put it that way, I guess I'll try a little harder to meet your expectations."
"Yes!" A smile as bright as the sun bloomed on Rem's face, her hands unconsciously clasped in front of her chest. "Rem will also always be by your side, Subaru-kun, doing everything she can to help!"
They smiled at each other, the brilliant lights of the banquet hall casting a warm glow upon them. On this night full of glory, this tacit understanding was more reassuring than any praise.
"Subaru-kyun~ Rem~ Over here, over here!" Felix waved vigorously from a short distance away, his cat ears twitching with the movement.
"Oh, it's Felix." Natsuki Subaru took Rem's hand and walked over.
"Bwahaha!" The moment Felix saw Natsuki Subaru's tracksuit, he couldn't help but burst out laughing. "Your outfit is way too casual, isn't it? Wearing a tracksuit to an event like this, Subaru-kyun, you're just too funny~"
"Is it that exaggerated?" Natsuki Subaru scratched his head, only then noticing the strange looks the surrounding guests were giving him. "Uh... I guess it does stand out a bit."
"It is indeed quite eye-catching, Natsuki Subaru," a gallant voice said from the side.
Crusch, dressed in a magnificent evening gown, was walking towards them gracefully, the well-tailored dress perfectly accentuating her tall and slender figure.
"Uhh..." Seeing Crusch's exquisite attire, Natsuki Subaru was slightly taken aback.
"What is it?" Crusch tilted her head slightly, her emerald eyes filled with confusion.
"It's nothing..." Natsuki Subaru said, looking at Crusch. "It's just, Miss Crusch, your outfit is so stunning, I thought a princess from somewhere had arrived. Although, you are a member of the royal family, I suppose."
"My time as a duke's daughter is in the past. Now I am the head of the House of Karsten. It is not appropriate to call me a princess," Crusch shook her head, then looked at Subaru's attire with a hint of apology. "My apologies, it was inconsiderate of me. I should have prepared a suitable formal suit for you in advance."
"Lady Crusch, you don't need to apologize at all~" Felix flicked his cat ears and winked playfully. "After all, the one who came to a banquet so inappropriately dressed was Subaru-kyun himself."
This guy Felix, he knows I'm not used to this kind of occasion and he's still deliberately teasing me. Hearing this, Natsuki Subaru couldn't help but roll his eyes internally.
"It's Rem's fault. If Rem had been more attentive..." Rem lowered her head guiltily, her fingers anxiously twisting the hem of her dress.
"It's not your fault, Rem," Natsuki Subaru quickly waved his hand. "I just forgot myself. I thought it was just a small victory party among acquaintances, I didn't expect it to be so formal. It was a bit of a surprise."
"The subjugation of the Mabeast White Whale and the repelling of the Witch Cult's Sin Archbishop are deeds worthy of being recorded in the annals of the kingdom's history. The nobles of the kingdom have gathered here precisely to witness this glory," Crusch said, standing up straight and looking directly at Natsuki Subaru, her emerald eyes shining with a serious light. "In other words, the achievements you have accomplished are just that extraordinary."
"A great deed... you think?" Natsuki Subaru subconsciously avoided Crusch's burning gaze and rubbed his nose awkwardly. "I-It's not that exaggerated..."
"The gazes gathered on you now," Crusch paused for a moment and continued to explain, "are not just because of your attire. More importantly, everyone is watching you, the person—and the miracle you have created."
"Beating the White Whale was mainly thanks to the combined efforts of the subjugation team," Natsuki Subaru said modestly. "Old man Wilhelm's swordsmanship, Felix's healing magic, Miss Crusch's command..."
"While it is true that everyone worked together, the main force was undoubtedly you," Crusch nodded slightly and continued. "It was you who provided the key information about the White Whale, it was you who accomplished the feat of slaying the White Whale, and it was you who single-handedly repelled the Sin Archbishop of Greed."
Then, Crusch looked thoughtfully at Natsuki Subaru's out-of-place tracksuit, a look of understanding flashing in her emerald eyes. "I see. Is your casual attire also a result of this unpretentious attitude?"
That's not it at all! I just simply forgot that I had to wear a formal suit, okay...? Besides, I didn't think a victory banquet would be this formal. In my previous world, this kind of occasion would have just been everyone grabbing some skewers and a beer and calling it a day, Natsuki Subaru screamed internally, but on his face, he could only maintain a polite but awkward smile.
"In the future, the opportunities for you to attend such formal occasions will surely become more frequent," Crusch said, looking at Subaru with a serious expression. "Please be sure to remember to prepare a matching formal suit."
"Hey, hey, what do you mean 'more and more frequent'? I have no intention of attending these troublesome noble gatherings all the time..." Natsuki Subaru's mouth twitched slightly.
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