Chapter 177 – The Situation
"Since everyone is here now, Ram, can you finally tell us what this is all about?"
It was already night. The living room, which felt somewhat cramped, only seemed that way because Subaru had grown used to the more spacious mansion.
The room carried the atmosphere of ordinary life—filled with all sorts of furnishings—and the large wooden table in the middle made it feel even more confined.
Sitting before the table, Natsuki Subaru looked at Ram, who stood silently at its side. Irritation surfaced on his face. He knew his emotions weren't quite right, but he couldn't properly control them anymore.
"Subaru?"
That soft call pulled his gaze away from Ram and onto Emilia—or more precisely, to the green jewel that hung at her chest.
Inside that stone should have been a powerful ally. But ever since that night, after leaving behind his cryptic words, Puck had not appeared again.
Though Emilia seemed no different outwardly, not worried at all about Puck's disappearance, her disguise wasn't convincing. Compared to before, she lowered her eyes to the jewel more often. When she was uneasy or afraid, her hand would clutch it tightly.
'I can't let her become too anxious.'
Thinking that, Subaru tried to calm himself and spoke.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing… it just felt like you were acting a little strange, Subaru. Is it because I've been troubling you?"
"Eh… If you think like that, then you really are troubling me. I've already told you something like this plenty of times. But since you're saying it again, I'll repeat myself too."
Drawing in a deep breath, Subaru locked eyes with Emilia and said slowly:
"Emilia, you're not a burden. Don't go thinking you're giving trouble to others and then blaming yourself, sinking into gloom.
If you really think you've troubled others, then first think of exactly what you did to trouble them, and then just make sure you don't do it again. That's all."
"Ah… Mm… I understand."
Seeing Emilia's expression turn serious, Subaru felt a bit relieved. But his inner exhaustion only grew heavier.
From the moment Ram had led him here, roused Emilia, gathered Otto, she had not spoken another word.
Combined with what she had said before, Subaru could only wonder—when she finally spoke, what truths would come out? What new difficulties would tomorrow bring? And how was he supposed to overcome them?
He knew thinking about it now was useless, but he couldn't stop his mind from running.
"Um… so, what exactly is the situation? It feels like you're about to discuss something really serious. Is it really okay for an outsider like me to sit here?"
Otto's words snapped Subaru out of his thoughts. Only then did he realize the silence had weighed down the mood. Otto, noticing it too, had spoken up to ease the atmosphere.
"Indeed. For just a trial-period coachman, daring to sit here and eavesdrop on our secret meeting… It seems we can't employ someone so blind. Kill him."
"Ehh!!! Why does it always come to this! I haven't even heard anything yet! And I'm a merchant, I came here for business—why does my role keep changing along the way!"
"Ram, Otto has been a great help to us."
"…If that is Lady Emilia's order."
"No, no! It's not an order, just friendly advice!" Emilia waved her hands.
"You jest, Lady Emilia. Aside from a certain foolish servant who knows only how to rush headlong into things, every servant in the mansion acts strictly by a servant's code. Otherwise, we would disgrace Lord Roswaal."
Listening to their exchanges, Subaru wanted to retort, but the words he had prepared stuck in his throat. Looking at Ram reminded him of the sleeping beauty lying in bed. Looking at Emilia reminded him of Puck's last words, like a father entrusting a child.
Looking at Otto made him feel guilty for dragging someone unrelated into this mess.
Looking out the window reminded him of the villagers waiting anxiously for news of their families, and the "puppets" living here in the Sanctuary.
It felt like there was no one he could rely on. Negative emotions gathered like hungry wolves, ready to tear Natsuki Subaru apart.
"…Finally."
Just then, the door burst open violently. Garfield strode in, his impatience plain, and flopped into a seat beside Ram.
"So, Ram, what did you call us here for! When are you going to drive those outsiders out of here already?"
"Garf."
"Tch, fine, I get it, Granny, I'll shut up."
His abrupt entry freed Subaru from that suffocating spiral of thoughts. He looked at Garfiel with unexpected gratitude, drawing in a deep breath, as if fresh air was finally flowing again.
"Tch, don't tell me you got punched stupid by me. Don't look at me with that gross expression."
"Uh… sorry."
"Hah? You really are an annoying guy."
With that, Garfiel ignored him. Subaru awkwardly turned away, his eyes landing on a woman who was slowly entering the room.
But when he saw who it was, he froze.
The one Garfiel had just called "Granny" looked to Subaru like nothing more than a loli wearing an ill-fitting black robe.
Yes—there was really no other word but loli.
But remembering the blonde loli back at the mansion, and the fact that this was another world, Subaru decided not to dwell on it.
Besides, it seemed Ram had summoned these two. Which meant—the real discussion was about to begin.
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