In the early morning, within the courtyard of Crusch's residence in the Royal Capital, the green-haired Duchess had already changed out of her armor and into a man's military uniform.
The morning light fell upon her tall figure, outlining her innate noble temperament with a soft golden glow.
Behind her stood rows of neatly lined soldiers, all elites who had participated in the subjugation of the White Whale, now awaiting the return of their heroes.
Crusch calmly watched the direction of the gate.
Her expression remained as composed as ever, betraying no emotion, yet her heart was far from as calm as it appeared.
According to the agreed schedule, this was when Carlisle and Subaru should be returning to the Royal Capital.
At last, in the distance, two Dragon Carriages slowly approached, followed by two figures riding Earth Dragons.
As the distance closed, Crusch immediately recognized Wilhelm and Felix leading the group.
Seeing that both of them were safe and unharmed, the tension in her shoulders eased slightly.
However, her gaze continued past them, searching the Dragon Carriages behind for the other key figures.
The procession gradually came to a halt before Crusch.
Felix and Wilhelm dismounted from their Dragons with practiced ease, stepped forward in unison, and knelt on one knee before her.
"Lady Crusch," Felix spoke in an unusually serious tone, "we have not failed our mission. We successfully repelled the attacking Archbishop of Sin."
Wilhelm's deep voice followed.
"Though the process had its complications, we ultimately fulfilled our duty."
At that moment, the curtains of the Dragon Carriage behind them were drawn open, and the three members of Emilia's faction stepped out one after another.
Crusch's gaze swept across the group, and after confirming that everyone was safe, the tension in her shoulders finally dissipated.
"Hm. Well done, Felix, Old Man Will."
Carlisle and Julius walked forward side by side, both knights bowing slightly to Crusch in salute.
Subaru followed behind them, rubbing her sleepy eyes, while Rem carefully adjusted her slightly disheveled collar.
Otto lingered at the very back, looking somewhat awkward.
After Felix and Wilhelm rose to their feet, Crusch addressed the group.
"Subaru, Sir Carlisle, Miss Rem, Sir Julius, welcome back safely.
It is thanks to your bravery that we were able to successfully repel the Archbishop of Sin this time.
I offer you all my most sincere respect."
She then turned toward the assembled soldiers, straightened her posture, and raised her voice.
"Soldiers!
Today!
After successfully subjugating the Mist Beast, the White Whale, and defeating the Sloth Archbishop of Sin—"
She paused, lifting her right hand high.
"The Kingdom's Perfect Knight, Carlisle Eltheran, has once again created a miracle!"
"He led the team and successfully repelled two Archbishops of Sin who had been wreaking havoc across the world: the Greed Archbishop of Sin and the Gluttony Archbishop of Sin!"
Crusch's voice grew more impassioned.
"This battle marks our complete victory in the war against the Witch Cult!
The Kingdom will remember this day forever!"
As her words fell, deafening cheers erupted.
The clashing of armor rang out crisply as wave after wave of celebration surged through the ranks.
Amidst the jubilation, no one noticed that, after hearing that exaggerated title, Carlisle, standing at the back, clenched her fists tightly beneath a forced, polite smile.
---
The room's luxury far surpassed any bedroom in the Roswaal Mansion.
The bed, large enough to accommodate several people, was layered with bedding as soft as clouds.
A faint, elegant fragrance lingered in the air, and even the decorative vase beside the bed carried the aura of an antique.
This was the temporary lodging Crusch had prepared for them.
The subjugation of the White Whale was complete, and now it was time to enjoy the fruits of victory.
News of the White Whale's death would soon spread throughout Lugunica.
And tonight, Crusch would host a grand banquet, attended by the Kingdom's most prominent noble families.
According to her, Subaru, as the one who lured the White Whale, had made an indispensable contribution.
Her name would soon become known across the Kingdom.
"Alright~ This is the room Lady Crusch prepared for Subaru!"
Felix pushed open the door, his cat ears twitching happily.
"This is the best guest room in the Karsten residence! Carlisle's and the maid's rooms are right next door, so Subaru can rest well here before tonight's banquet begins, nya~"
Subaru looked at the unusually enthusiastic Felix.
He had been acting like a normal friend before, so she couldn't understand why he had suddenly become so warm and attentive.
"…Lady Crusch really went to a lot of trouble."
Her gaze was unconsciously drawn to the large bed in the center of the room.
If only she could stay here with her…
The moment the thought surfaced, Subaru's face flushed slightly.
Last night, during the return journey in the Dragon Carriage, she had slept the entire time nestled in Carlisle's arms.
Although she had been too embarrassed to lift her head at the time, recalling it now, that sense of warmth and security made her want to experience it again.
"Subaru, why is your face so red?
Could it be a fever?"
A mischievous glint flickered in Felix's amber eyes.
"Do you need me to call Carlisle over to take a look?"
"No, no need!"
Subaru waved her hands in panic.
"I'm just… just a little tired!"
Felix's lips curled into a sly smile.
"Is that so~"
He deliberately stretched out the last syllable, his fluffy tail swaying happily behind him.
"Then Subaru should get some proper rest~ A maid will bring your banquet dress later, so make sure to try it on.
I'll come to call you before dinner, nya~"
As the door gently closed, Subaru let out a long sigh and collapsed onto the edge of the bed.
What she didn't notice was Felix, standing in the corridor, wearing a satisfied "plan successful" smile.
As expected, Carlisle's weakness is Subaru…
At the same time, in the reception room at the other end of the mansion, Carlisle was carefully reporting the details of the subjugation to Emilia, completely unaware that her allegiance as a knight was on the verge of being "poached."
Felix hummed cheerfully as he walked down the long corridor.
Crusch had indeed strictly forbidden causing trouble for Carlisle, but that restriction didn't apply to Subaru. And besides, how could this be considered trouble?
This was clearly guiding a lost kitten toward a more luxurious cat tree.
As long as Subaru could be persuaded to join them, that overly devoted knight would naturally follow, nya~
Subaru was the perfect point of entry.
Now, all that remained was…
"Sir Felix?
Are you alright?"
A maid carrying refreshments looked at the cat-eared knight with suspicion as he suddenly clenched his fist and chuckled to himself.
"Cough, cough, it's nothing~"
He quickly returned to his usual elegant demeanor.
"Go inform the tailoring team that Subaru's dress should be the one that best highlights her figure."
After all, if you want to win over a knight, you start by making her princess happy.
...
Re@d adv@nce ch@pters on p@t
guilt_free_daoist
Jo!n d!sc0rd I!nk in synops!s.
GIVE ME YOU POWER STONES.