On the third day, in the morning, at the Sanctuary's exit.
Morning light streamed onto the neatly arranged dragon carriages. Over a hundred villagers from Arlam Village were orderly boarding the vehicles.
Ten dragon carriages, with the assistance of accompanying traveling merchants, formed a temporary mobile family.
Natsuki Subaru and Otto Suwen stood at the front of the convoy, making final preparations for departure.
"Still, Natsuki-san, I didn't expect you could actually convince Garfiel," Otto Suwen said with a sigh, while checking Patrasche's connection to the dragon carriage. "To be honest, yesterday I was still worried you two might have another fight."
"Otto Suwen, this isn't my credit," Natsuki Subaru shook his head, crossing his arms and leaning against the dragon carriage.
"I heard you've been taking care of the evacuated villagers these past few days."
This was indeed true; though Garfiel Tinsel seemed rough on the surface, he had secretly been looking after these outsiders.
"Ah~? Can't be helped," Garfiel Tinsel scratched his golden hair, showing an impatient expression. "Can't force the old folks to work, and besides... the locals don't really welcome outsiders."
"For that, I really have to thank you," Natsuki Subaru said to Garfiel Tinsel.
"Yes, Natsuki-san, Garfiel Tinsel took very good care of them; even the children especially liked him." Otto Suwen couldn't help but interject.
"Shut up! Who told you to butt in!"
Garfiel Tinsel's face instantly flushed a hint of red, bristling like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, glaring fiercely at Otto Suwen.
Otto Suwen was startled by this sudden outburst, trembling, and immediately shrank his neck, not daring to speak another word.
Even though Garfiel Tinsel appeared menacing, he was actually very kind and gentle deep down.
Natsuki Subaru took all of this in, the corners of his mouth unconsciously curling into a knowing smile: "So, letting the villagers leave the Sanctuary actually suits your wishes, doesn't it?"
One must know, the more outsiders the Sanctuary housed, the more resources it consumed. Although Arlam Village had its own fields, and Roswaal L. Mathers regularly transported supplies in, during this extraordinary period, the longer it dragged on, the more detrimental it would be to the residents of both sides.
Precisely because of this, Natsuki Subaru had Roswaal L. Mathers consult with Garfiel Tinsel on the matter, asking him to act as a bridge of communication with Ryuzu Bilma and the other residents. It was with Garfiel Tinsel's assistance that the release of the 'hostages' could proceed so smoothly.
"Hmph, stop acting so smart. But..." Garfiel Tinsel snorted, his gaze sweeping over the villagers boarding the carriages, "This great me certainly saved a lot of trouble."
A clear, bell-like voice suddenly came.
The three of them turned around simultaneously, only to see Emilia walking towards them, waving, her long silver hair shimmering in the morning light.
"Yo, our Princess has arrived," Garfiel Tinsel whistled. "I won't bother you two anymore."
He turned to leave, but after a few steps, he stopped, glanced at Natsuki Subaru, and revealed his fangs with a grin:
"Oh, and Natsuki Subaru, when you get back, let's have another match. This time, I'm definitely going to beat you."
"Anytime," Natsuki Subaru calmly replied.
It seemed Garfiel Tinsel was still holding a grudge about his last defeat. Although with his powerful strength as the Shadow Monarch, Garfiel Tinsel had almost no chance of winning, this spirit of never giving up was admirable. Next time they fought, perhaps he should go a little easier.
"That guy truly is a battle maniac," Otto Suwen muttered quietly, wiping non-existent cold sweat from his forehead as he watched Garfiel Tinsel walk away.
"Good morning, Otto-san."
After Emilia approached, she politely greeted Otto Suwen.
"Ah, Good morning, Lady Emilia!" Otto Suwen hastily bowed, then, as if suddenly remembering an important task, abruptly turned to Natsuki Subaru and said, "Uh... Natsuki-san, I'll go check on the convoy's preparations right away!"
Saying this, he quickly walked away, even deliberately taking a wide detour to avoid the two of them.
Natsuki Subaru watched Otto Suwen's retreating back, then looked at the two-person space deliberately left open, and couldn't help but rub his forehead and shake his head:
"That Otto Suwen, he really has good discernment."
"Um..." Emilia tilted her head slightly, her silver hair sliding from her shoulder. "Did I interrupt your conversation?"
"Not at all!" Natsuki Subaru immediately put on a bright smile and said to Emilia, "Don't worry, we weren't discussing anything important. Of course, Emilia-sama is the top priority!"
"In that case, I'm very happy..." Emilia said, but her eyebrows unconsciously drooped, revealing a troubled, gentle smile.
"But for now, the villagers should still be the top priority."
Her gaze unconsciously drifted towards the villagers who were boarding, her purple eyes filled with complex emotions.
During this period, she had constantly worried about these villagers forced from their homes. Now, even if she could send them back, the guilt in her heart would likely not easily dissipate.
Natsuki Subaru understood this heavy feeling all too well.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't help."
Emilia hung her head low, her long silver hair covering most of her face, her voice filled with self-blame. Her slender fingers tightly clutched the hem of her clothes, and her teeth gently bit her lower lip, seemingly feeling immensely vexed by her helplessness.
Over these past two days, as the trials were repeatedly challenged, the mechanism of the tomb gradually became clearer.
Just as Natsuki Subaru had said, the trial could be challenged an infinite number of times, but only once each night.
However, Emilia's challenges for two consecutive days had ended in failure.
Natsuki Subaru silently stood by every night, watching Emilia's painful struggles as she faced her past traumas, watching her weeping figure, her spirit crushed by past hardships.
Time and again, she relived painful memories; time and again, she endured the blow of failure.
"I had originally hoped to wave goodbye to everyone once the barrier was lifted..." Emilia said softly, her voice carrying a faint trace of regret, "But I ended up not being able to pass the trial..."
Her gaze turned to the villagers boarding the carriages, and she forced a faint smile, "But it's a good thing Subaru is here. Being able to let everyone from Arlam Village reunite with their families is already great."
It was Roswaal L. Mathers who came forward to mediate; after all, he is still nominally the lord here.
"It was Lord Roswaal L. Mathers?" Otto Suwen looked at Natsuki Subaru meaningfully.
Indeed, their initial purpose in coming to the Sanctuary was to ensure the villagers' safe return home.
Now that the villagers could return early, Emilia felt truly relieved. Although she still had to remain in the Sanctuary to continue challenging the trial, this was already the best outcome.
"In any case, don't be impatient, and don't force yourself," Natsuki Subaru said, looking earnestly at Emilia. "From ancient times, those who harbored these two feelings have never successfully achieved their goals. After I send the villagers back, the earliest I can return is tomorrow... So, don't challenge the trial tonight, okay?"
Thinking of Emilia having to face the trial alone, Natsuki Subaru had suggested postponing the challenge multiple times, but each time, Emilia firmly shook her head and refused.
"It's fine. Although I am a bit anxious, this is my own decision," Emilia looked up at Natsuki Subaru, her purple eyes shimmering with determined light. "I don't want to disappoint the villagers and everyone in the Sanctuary."
He understood Emilia's personality too well; this seemingly delicate half-elf girl was, at her core, stronger than anyone.
The movements of his hands, adjusting and strengthening, did not stop.
"But I always feel that Natsuki-san's contribution is greater. You know, someone who has struggled and gained experience in a merchant caravan..."
"After so many years in business, my judgment of people is quite accurate."
"Oh?" Natsuki Subaru raised an eyebrow, showing an interested expression. "How so?"
"Based on my understanding of Garfiel Tinsel, he's not the type to easily follow outsiders' advice," Otto Suwen stopped what he was doing and analyzed seriously. "But ever since Natsuki-san defeated him with overwhelming strength and convinced him, his attitude has clearly changed a lot. I think that must be the key."
"Is that so...?"
"But now that you mention it, it does seem like his gaze towards me hasn't been as hostile lately."
"Right?" Otto Suwen chuckled triumphantly, then revealed a worried expression. "But speaking of which, is it really alright to just let the villagers go back? I mean, the Sanctuary's barrier..."
Just as Otto Suwen was about to say something else, a familiar voice interrupted their conversation:
There, Garfiel Tinsel, arms crossed, slowly walked over, sunlight dancing on his short golden hair.
"Lady Emilia, from the moment you entered the barrier, the only option to leave is to lift the barrier."
"So, letting these old, weak, women, and children who have lost their value as hostages return to the village... is not a bad arrangement."
Once he escorted the villagers safely back to the village, he would resolve Elsa Granhiert's attack at the mansion as quickly as possible, then immediately rush back to the Sanctuary. There should be enough time.
That Roswaal L. Mathers must have already arranged everything. The mansion side would dispatch Elsa Granhiert, the Gut Hunter, while the Sanctuary side would draw out the Great Rabbit Mabeast. Both sides would launch attacks simultaneously.
Thinking of this, Natsuki Subaru's lips curved into a cold smirk.
Roswaal L. Mathers attempted to create a 'choose one or the other' dilemma to force him to abandon his naive idea of saving everyone. That madman believed that only by experiencing the resolve to abandon everything could one fully unleash the power of Return by Death and become someone like him, who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
"You miscalculated this time, Roswaal L. Mathers. I already have a contingency."
Natsuki Subaru's gaze unconsciously drifted to Emilia's shadow. Shadow Soldiers were lurking there.
At the critical moment, he could use the ability of Shadow Exchange to instantly return to Emilia's side.
A cool female voice suddenly interjected.
The two turned to look, only to see Ram walking towards them through the busy line of dragon carriages, her pink short hair particularly striking in the morning light.
"Oh, it's Ram," Natsuki Subaru's gaze shifted to Ram, and he deliberately joked, "What, did you come all this way just to see me off? You're not going to tell me you'll miss me, are you?"
Although Natsuki Subaru was very surprised by Ram's keenness, he showed no expression,
"And..." Ram's voice suddenly lowered, her wine-red eyes looking directly at Natsuki Subaru as she said, "Lord Roswaal L. Mathers wants to send a message to Subaru, who is about to return to the mansion..."
His face remaining as usual: "Of course not! What could I possibly be hiding? Do I look like the kind of person who keeps secrets?"
"What message?" Natsuki Subaru slightly frowned.
"Nothing at all," Ram narrowed her slender eyes and continued expressionlessly, "Ram is merely delivering a message on Lord Roswaal L. Mathers's behalf. His Lordship said he feels terribly sorry that he couldn't be present personally when his people are departing."
"Hah! That Roswaal L. Mathers..."
"Lord Roswaal L. Mathers is injured, so it's inconvenient for him to come," Ram coldly retorted, then her tone shifted, "More importantly... I just feel like you're hiding something from us?"
"You look exactly like it," Ram looked at Natsuki Subaru and nodded without hesitation, "Especially in your current half-idiotic state."
"Hey, hey, isn't that a bit hurtful?" Natsuki Subaru clutched his chest, feigning injury, but quickly regained his seriousness, looking at Ram and saying, "Seriously, did you just come here to say all that?"
"When you go back, tell Rem..." Ram paused, her gaze shifting to the villagers boarding the carriages in the distance, her voice softening slightly, "Tell her that I need to take care of Lord Roswaal L. Mathers here, and the mansion's matters are entrusted to her."
"No problem!" Natsuki Subaru patted his chest and guaranteed, "I'll make sure to convey Ram-nee's words exactly!"
"Lord Roswaal L. Mathers said that Subaru can ask Lady Beatrice for help," Ram relayed expressionlessly. "After returning to the mansion, just say this: 'Roswaal is finished. Ask away.'"
"Ask away, what does that mean?"
Natsuki Subaru pretended not to understand, but in fact, he knew.
"Ram doesn't know the details either," Ram coldly turned her face away and continued, "However, when Lady Beatrice hears that phrase, her situation should change. Lord Roswaal L. Mathers said so, and Ram is merely relaying it."
With no intention of clarifying Natsuki Subaru's confusion, Ram, with an indifferent expression, dropped these words.
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