Indeed, the Blessing of the Saint, combined with the god-like resurrection ability and invisible attacks, was an unsolvable combination for the average person. If it weren't for his own ability to see through Petelgeuse's Authority, coupled with Wilhelm and the others clearing out the "Fingers," it would have been very difficult to eliminate Petelgeuse in one go.
"Speaking of which, the changes to my status panel are huge," Natsuki Subaru thought to himself, looking at the character interface before him. "I remember at level 1, my Strength was only 7 and my Agility was 6... Now my Strength has reached an astonishing 212. The rate of improvement is like a rocket."
"But the strangest thing is this... my mana." Natsuki Subaru's gaze lingered on the mana value—the 20,000-point figure was particularly striking on the panel. A single skill only cost 100 mana... This value felt abnormally high. There must be some other use for all this mana, right?
"Mr. Natsuki, we're almost at the village... but something doesn't seem right."
"Huh?"
Otto's sudden warning made Natsuki Subaru, Emilia, and Rem exchange vigilant glances before following his gaze down the road.
Ahead should have been their destination, Arlam Village. However, what appeared before them was a scene completely different from their memories. The once-vibrant village was now shrouded in an eerie silence, identical to the situation when they had first organized the villagers to evacuate. Empty houses, deserted streets—a deathly stillness enveloped the entire settlement.
After a quick survey of the village, they came to a single conclusion.
"Does this mean... Ram and the others who went to the Sanctuary haven't returned to the village yet?" Emilia asked, her voice laced with worry. "I remember Ram said it takes a few hours to get to the Sanctuary from here. We've already returned, but they're still not back. Did something happen?"
"Lady Emilia, please don't jump to conclusions," Rem tried to soothe her. "Perhaps they are just being cautious, holding back until they can confirm the village is completely safe."
However, Emilia's worry was shared by the villagers who had returned with them. They had expected to be reunited with their families upon returning to the village, but now they were faced with unease.
"Even if Roswaal didn't come himself, Ram, with her clairvoyance, should have sent back a message," Emilia reasoned. "The news of Sloth's defeat should have reached the Sanctuary long ago, yet no one has returned. It's too strange." She and Rem exchanged a worried look. "Could it be... they're trapped in the Sanctuary?"
"Ah, sorry, my bad..." Natsuki Subaru snapped out of his thoughts and said half-jokingly, "I was just thinking, maybe that guy Roswaal is pulling some noble-style posturing again, insisting on waiting for us to come to him before he shows his face."
"Lord Roswaal... he wouldn't joke about the safety of the villagers, would he?" Emilia asked, biting her lip.
"Roswaal and Ram might have been delayed by something in the Sanctuary, or maybe the news of our victory hasn't reached them yet." Looking at the setting sun, Subaru said in a deliberately relaxed tone, "Look, it's getting dark already. Even if they wanted to come back, it would be too late. Anyway, let's head back to the mansion for the night. We'll set off for the Sanctuary first thing in the morning, and everything will become clear!"
Although he said that, Natsuki Subaru knew the truth in his heart. That bastard Roswaal is at it again, following the original plan. When they fought the Sin Archbishop, the villagers were split into two groups. Wilhelm's party took one, while Ram led the other half to the Sanctuary to seek refuge with Roswaal.
The problem was the Sanctuary's special restriction: anyone with more than half demi-human blood could not leave.
Among the villagers Ram led, there were such mixed-blood individuals. This meant those people were now physically unable to return from the Sanctuary.
On the surface, it was all to evade the Witch Cult's attack. In reality, it was a trap meticulously designed by Roswaal.
He had deliberately let Ram lead those specific villagers into the Sanctuary to lure Subaru and Emilia there, all to enact his own shady plans. That damn clown, always hiding in the shadows and pulling these kinds of dirty tricks. He's a master of internal conflict.
"Emilia-tan, do you know the exact location of the Sanctuary?" Subaru asked.
"Huh? Subaru... you don't know?" Emilia's amethyst eyes widened in surprise.
"Yeah." Subaru then turned his gaze to Rem. "What about you, Rem?"
"I'm not sure either. I only heard Lord Roswaal say it's like a secret base, and only he and my sister Ram know the exact location." Rem shook her head lightly, hesitating. "And... also..."
"Also what?"
"No, it's nothing. I'm sorry, Rem should have asked for more details."
Subaru smiled and gently stroked Rem's hair, while cursing internally. So it's another one of Roswaal's damn backup plans. The simple question of location had now become their biggest obstacle.
"In that case, let's go back to the mansion and figure it out from there..." Natsuki Subaru turned to Otto. "Otto, you're coming with us. You can stay at the mansion tonight."
"W-Wha?! Stay... at the Margrave's mansion?" Otto waved his hands in a panic. "No way, Mr. Natsuki! I-I'm more comfortable staying in the dragon carriage!"
"Less nonsense!" Subaru slung an arm around Otto's shoulders. "You're an important accomplice, don't even think about running away!"
"An accom-what?! That sounds terrifying!"
Looking at Otto's mournful face, Subaru turned to the villagers with a wicked grin. The previously somber crowd actually let out a few chuckles at the interaction. The hero in their eyes was still the same approachable young man who liked to joke around.
"Everyone, don't worry!" Subaru puffed out his chest. "Tomorrow, we will definitely go to the Sanctuary and bring everyone back!"
Although such a promise couldn't completely erase the villagers' anxiety, they chose to believe in the young hero before them. After all, this was the boy who had slain the White Whale and eliminated the Sin Archbishop of Sloth—feats unimaginable to ordinary people.
"Thank you, Lord Subaru."
"We believe in you, Lord Subaru."
Under the hopeful gazes of the villagers, the dragon carriage started moving again. About ten minutes later, the familiar, stately mansion appeared at the end of the road, its silhouette growing clearer.
"It looked huge from a distance, but it's even bigger up close..." Otto's voice trembled as he gazed up at the magnificent building.
"We're here? The really scary guy isn't even back yet," Subaru said, patting Otto's shoulder with a grin. Even though Roswaal isn't here, his portraits with their creepy clown aesthetic are enough to make any kid cry.
The dragon carriage slowly passed through the main gate and into the courtyard, finally stopping in front of the entrance. Staring at the familiar mansion, a complex, indescribable emotion welled up in Subaru's heart.
"I was only in the capital for a month, but coming back feels like coming home..." Subaru sighed softly. Have I actually developed a sense of belonging to this clown's tacky mansion? Don't tell me I've caught the hikikomori-gene from Beako?! But thinking about it, this really was his home in this other world. It was his first residence after being isekai'd, and a luxurious one at that.
"Take the dragon carriage around back," Subaru said to Otto. "We'll go inside and get ready."
"Right, right, Mr. Natsuki, don't mind me!" Otto waved his hands and drove the carriage toward the back of the mansion, looking as if he'd fully accepted his fate.
After Otto left, Subaru, Emilia, and Rem walked toward the entrance.
"By the way... I don't remember locking the door when we left. You don't think a thief slipped in, do you?" Subaru suddenly wondered.
"Lord Roswaal's mansion never needs to be locked, and no thief would dare to visit," Rem stated.
"While Ram isn't here, if Beako is, we don't have to worry," Emilia added. "But even if we knock, she probably won't come out to greet us."
Subaru nodded in agreement. He found it hard to imagine the little drill-loli who was always cooped up in the Forbidden Library would come out to welcome them with open arms.
"It would be hilarious if she did, though," Subaru said jokingly to Emilia as he lightly knocked on the grand doors. The crisp sound echoed in the empty hallway, but the expected response never came—
Or so it should have been.
"Who is it?"
A strange woman's voice suddenly came from inside the door. This unexpected response made Emilia and Rem freeze simultaneously. Ram isn't at the mansion. It should be empty right now... Whose voice is that?
Subaru narrowed his eyes slightly. Before they could react, the heavy double doors slowly swung open.
"—Welcome back, Lady Emilia. I have been eagerly awaiting your return."
Appearing behind the door was a maid with perfect posture. She elegantly lifted her skirt in a curtsy, her long golden hair cascading down like a waterfall. Her emerald-green eyes were clear and bright. A well-tailored, classic maid outfit outlined her slender figure, and she exuded the charm of a mature woman. She looked to be in her early twenties, a flawless maid from every angle. However, as she slowly raised her head, her friendly smile was made somewhat startling by a mouthful of prominent, sharp teeth.
Is this... the Frederica from the original story? As he thought this, Subaru's gaze unconsciously lingered for a moment on the golden-haired maid's impressive chest.
As if on cue, Rem's voice confirmed his suspicion. "Frederica-senpai... you've returned."
"Yes." The golden-haired maid, Frederica, smiled and straightened up, letting go of her skirt. Her emerald eyes looked gently at the group. "After the vacation granted to me by Lord Roswaal, I—Frederica Baumann—officially return to my post today."
Her words trailed off as her gaze suddenly shifted to Natsuki Subaru. "This must be Sir Knight, Natsuki Subaru?"
"Huh...? You know me?" Subaru asked, a bit surprised.
"Subaru recently eliminated one of the three Great Mabeasts, the White Whale, and also defeated the Sin Archbishop of Greed..."
"You're wrong, Frederica-senpai," Rem suddenly interjected, puffing out her ample chest with unconcealed pride. "Subaru eliminated the Sin Archbishop of Sloth."
"Th-That is... truly astonishing, Lord Subaru." Frederica stared at Natsuki Subaru in shock, her sharp teeth showing unconsciously.
"It was nothing, really. It was all thanks to everyone's cooperation that we were able to eliminate the Sin Archbishop of Sloth," Subaru said, waving his hand dismissively as he sized up the tall, golden-haired maid. If you ignored her conspicuous fangs, she was, without a doubt, a beauty. So this is the head maid of the mansion.
_____
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