Chapter 71: Visitors from the Royal Capital
"Barusu really is popular."
Walking along a forest path, Ram glanced back at Subaru, who was carrying a large barrel filled with plenty of food.
A few days ago, following Subaru's idea, they had organized a winter festival.
The banquet held that night had already used up all the food in the manor ahead of schedule.
So today, Ram and Subaru went together to the village to buy more food.
As soon as they entered the village, Subaru was immediately surrounded by the village children.
When buying food later, the villagers tended to give extra goods.
Although Ram had long anticipated this would happen, actually seeing it still surprised her a little.
After all, she had lived in the manor for a long time and had visited the village more than once or twice, but she had never seen it like this before.
They called a man who had only visited the village once or twice "sama" and in their words and actions, they showed strong trust in Subaru.
It was certain that if Subaru asked them to follow him, few would oppose.
"Well, I just helped a little. It's more like the villagers are too enthusiastic."
Subaru shrugged, not thinking he was that popular; this was just the villagers' way of expressing gratitude.
If none of those things had happened, Subaru figured he'd just be a familiar face in the village, at most not disliked.
"I see, so that means the villagers' attitude toward you is really about saving face for you, Barusu."
Hearing this, Subaru turned to look at Ram, not fully understanding what she meant. Then he heard Ram's explanation:
"To be honest, Barusu, you haven't really done anything useful. It was Rem who saved the children. While everyone fought all night to resist the beasts, you were fast asleep in bed.
When you woke, you ran alone into the forest, and if it weren't for Lord Puck, you'd have been eaten by the beasts long ago. So the villagers are really just saving face for you."
"Though it sounds like I didn't do anything useful, and maybe they're really saving face for me, as long as the outcome is good, it doesn't matter what their attitude is. Rather than those harsh words, you should just hurry up and go back."
Ram paused, then smiled and said teasingly as she quickened her pace:
"Barusu's angry now."
"I'm not!"
"Don't pretend, Barusu. You clearly are."
Subaru slowed down, glanced at Ram, sighed helplessly, and turned his head to avoid her gaze, muttering somewhat grudgingly:
"Alright, I am a little angry. I've been trying so hard, but you ignored my efforts.
That's a bit upsetting. It doesn't matter how the villagers treat me, but I do have a dream of being a hero, you know? I admit their attitude really makes me enjoy it.
But don't say such harsh things—it does make me a little unhappy."
Ram smiled and said,
"Barusu, you really are a big idiot."
Watching Ram walk ahead, Subaru hurried to catch up.
"Senpai! Why are you calling me a big idiot?"
"That's for you to figure out yourself. Ram doesn't have the mood to explain something so simple."
Ram ignored Subaru's chatter as they walked toward the manor, unwilling to explain what she meant.
Because it really was simple: why the villagers called Subaru "sama" Even if it was to save face, they wouldn't have come to the manor just because Subaru casually said, "Let's all play together," and held the winter festival there.
The fact that one sentence gathered everyone in the village clearly showed that they truly appreciated and trusted Subaru from their hearts.
Subaru, unaware of Ram's teasing, was truly a big idiot.
After some time, Subaru and Ram returned to the manor and entered the courtyard, where a dragon carriage was parked by the roadside.
An old man with white hair, dressed in a black butler's outfit and showing signs of age on his face, stood beside the earth dragon.
When Subaru and Ram saw the old man, the man also saw them.
He nodded in greeting, and Ram and Subaru nodded back.
"Senpai, who is he?"
Ram asked quietly, noticing Subaru's body stiffening.
After spending time with Subaru, she found it strange—he seemed to be on guard around the old man by the dragon.
"He's someone from the royal capital. Don't ask too much now; you'll know in time. Come on, let's put the food in the kitchen."
"Oh."
Relaxing, Subaru looked the old man over once more, then withdrew his gaze and followed Ram away.
After putting the food away in the kitchen, Subaru didn't do what he was supposed to but instead boiled water, made a cup of tea, and left the kitchen.
Ram watched Subaru leave and didn't stop him.
She already knew what was going on and didn't plan to reveal it.
Besides, Subaru bringing tea to that old man was the right thing—it showed Lord Roswaal's hospitality.
Unaware of anything else, Subaru walked into the courtyard and saw the old man standing far off.
He slowly approached, adjusting his breathing as he went.
From the first moment Subaru saw the old man, he sensed the man's power. His aura was like a drawn sword. Even standing still, the man seemed like a blade reflecting cold light.
"Hello, would you like some tea?"
At about ten meters away, Subaru called out early. The old man turned to look, then nodded and said,
"Thank you for the trouble."
"No problem, a guest is a guest."
Subaru walked to the old man's side.
The brief exchange earlier eased Subaru's tension; he felt the old man's aura had subdued, and looking at him now, Subaru no longer felt threatened.
"Hmm, good tea. But what do you intend to get from me?"
Subaru looked at the old man, puzzled. He didn't even know what he intended to get—why would the old man say such a thing?