Facing the little girl with a brown ponytail, Subaru showed a warm smile. "What's the matter? Do you have some secrets you want to tell big sister?"
She considerately crouched down to meet the girl's eyes.
The little girl timidly pulled on the corner of Subaru's clothes. "Come... come this way."
Feeling that gentle tug, Subaru looked back to get a nod of approval from Ram and Rem before being ushered forward by the children. Along the way, praise constantly echoed in Subaru's ears.
"Subaru-nee is so good at dancing."
"She's so pretty and gentle."
The children's chatter and praise made Subaru chuckle.
They passed through the village and came to a corner where the sunlight was sparse. Only then did Subaru see clearly that the little girl was holding a puppy in her arms—it had large, misty gray eyes and soft, fluffy fur that would make anyone feel affection for it.
However, as Subaru approached, the puppy suddenly bristled its fur and let out a threatening low growl.
"Hiss!"
"Eh? It's usually very gentle. It's only mean to Subaru-nee."
"Did you pinch it secretly?"
Faced with the children's innocent questioning, Subaru spread her hands helplessly. "I'm not that mean. Maybe our vibes just don't match?"
Before she could finish her sentence, the puppy suddenly broke free from the little girl's arms and lunged at Subaru.
Having let her guard down, Subaru didn't have time to react before a sharp pain shot through the back of her hand.
Ram and Rem, who had hurried over upon hearing the noise, witnessed this scene.
Looking at the bleeding bite marks on the back of her hand, Subaru endured the pain to comfort the girl, who was on the verge of tears, "It's okay, it's just a small wound."
But internally, she was secretly surprised. Even the combined attacks of Emilia and Puck could only cause slight scratches, how could this puppy easily bite through her skin?
Just as she was about to call Tsukasa in her Consciousness Space, Rem had already stepped forward quickly.
"Let Rem handle it."
Healing magic gently enveloped the wound, and the bloodstains quickly disappeared.
Afterward, under the guilty gazes of the children, the three set off on their way back.
Subaru looked at the brilliant sunset on the horizon, a smile appearing on her face. "Even though there was a little accident, today was really fun."
Bathed in the innocent laughter of the children, a trace of envy grew in her heart—those carefree childhood days were so distant for her.
As the setting sun stretched their shadows long, the three chatted along the road and finally returned to the front of the mansion.
Subaru easily shouldered most of the purchased supplies, and just as she was about to enter, an exaggerated voice rang out.
"Oh my! The sight of three beautiful ladies standing together is truly pleasing to the eye~ Is this the perfect combination of a knight and maids?"
Roswaal, dressed in casual clothes, stood at the door. Although he had removed his clown makeup, his blue hair and heterochromatic eyes were still striking.
After the maids bowed, Subaru was the first to ask, "Are you going out?"
Roswaal replied, "Your insight is very keen~ That's right, some troublesome news came in, so I have to make a trip over to Garfiel's side."
This unfamiliar name caught Subaru's attention, and she was about to follow up.
"Yo, Roswaal is heading out? Then won't the mansion be ours tonight?" Tsukasa's lazy voice suddenly cut in, interrupting Subaru's chance to ask.
"Well then... I'll leave the mansion to all of you." Roswaal scanned the three with a serious expression.
"As you command."
"Yes, Roswaal-sama."
Feeling the gaze of those heterochromatic eyes, Subaru tilted her head and softly promised him, "I will protect Lia."
Roswaal showed a satisfied smile upon hearing this and lightly patted Subaru's shoulder. Then, under Subaru's surprised gaze, he leaped into the air, soaring straight into the sky like a bird and quickly disappearing into the clouds.
While Subaru was staring at the sky in a daze, Tsukasa's fingertips quietly brushed across the back of her hand. The faint light of Reverse Cursed Technique flashed and vanished, and a wisp of indistinct black aura was annihilated the moment it touched the positive energy.
The entire process happened in an instant without Subaru noticing at all.
'What was that thing?"
Tsukasa withdrew his hand nonchalantly, stretched, and followed the others into the mansion.
The afterglow of the sunset pulled a long shadow behind him, as if nothing had ever happened.
Once all the supplies were organized, everyone began preparing dinner.
Candlelight flickered in the dining room, and the silver tableware gleamed warmly under the light.
Unexpectedly, Beatrice, who hadn't shown her face for a long time, also appeared at the dinner table.
Subaru looked at the petite figure with cream-colored long curly hair and unconsciously whispered to herself, "It seems I've never found a chance to get along well with her."
Beatrice noticed Subaru's gaze, only gave her a cold glance, let out a dissatisfied huff, and then sat down.
Just then, Rem and Ram pushed in the dining cart, with silver plates holding carefully prepared dishes.
Dinner began in a warm atmosphere, with relaxed conversation echoing around the table.
Emilia blinked, her tone carrying a hint of envy. "I heard Subaru was very popular with the children in the village today? Did you secretly use some magic potion to attract children?"
Subaru smiled at the words. "Next time, come to the village with me. I'll teach you how to get along with children."
Emilia lowered her eyes slightly at this. The looks of fear and avoidance from the villagers when they saw her in the past were still vivid in her mind.
Sensing her hesitation, Subaru softly added, "Just consider it as granting a request of mine, okay? Lia."
Emilia finally showed a smile and nodded in agreement. "Then... I'll count on you."
At the other end of the table, Beatrice was holding a dessert in one hand while feeding Puck on her shoulder with the other. Although she seemed indifferent to the conversation, her occasional glances revealed a bit of interest.
Rem and Ram looked at each other and smiled—since Subaru arrived at the mansion, Emilia had become much more cheerful.
Just at this harmonious moment—
Boom! Boom! Boom...
The urgent knocking on the door exploded like a thunderclap, accompanied by a desperate shout.
"This is bad! Everyone! Something huge has happened!"
The voice came from the distant mansion gate, yet it could be heard so clearly in the dining room, showing just how urgent the situation was.
Emilia reacted the fastest, her silver hair flying as she already rushed out of the dining room.
Subaru and the twin maids followed closely behind, their footsteps echoing in the corridor.
In front of the gate, two guards leaned on their longswords, panting heavily, their faces full of sweat and panic.
Emilia was talking to them urgently, and when Subaru approached, she turned around abruptly, her face solemn.
"The situation is very bad. The barriers on the north and south sides of the village have been destroyed, and a large number of mabeasts are rampaging..."
She took a deep breath and said, "And eight children are missing."