Shortly after, Rem and Ram, the only ones left on the lawn, also received new instructions. After a brief explanation to Subaru and Tsukasa, the two left the garden together to help in the mansion's conference hall.
In the blink of an eye, the garden that had been quite lively just a moment ago was left with only Subaru and Tsukasa.
Looking at the empty surroundings, Subaru felt a strange sense of being left out.
She looked somewhat uneasily at Tsukasa, who was still sitting on the ground, and asked, "Hey... Tsukasa, if we just stay here, won't we miss something important?"
However, at this moment, Tsukasa was a completely different person from the lazy, enjoying-himself figure he had been just now. He had already stood up, his posture straight and tall. His blue eyes were fixed intently on the direction of the mansion's main gate, as if he could see through the layers of walls.
The corners of his lips curled into a highly intrigued arc, and he spoke with clear excitement in his voice, "Forget about that for now. Subaru, I can feel it. Right at the mansion's main gate, a very interesting fellow has arrived."
"A very interesting person?" Tsukasa's cryptic words left Subaru even more confused.
"What kind of person could make you think they're interesting?"
Tsukasa's gaze still didn't shift as he gave a brief assessment, "Someone whose level of strength is only a bit short of that 'Sword Saint' Reinhard."
"?!"
Hearing this, Subaru immediately sucked in a breath of cold air.
Only now did she understand that the "interesting" Tsukasa spoke of referred entirely to the opponent's level of strength.
Yet, even someone like Roswaal, who was hailed as the kingdom's strongest Magic Caster, had never received such an evaluation from Tsukasa.
Just what kind of existence was it that could make him take them so seriously, to the point where his tone even revealed a sense of joy at finding a worthy prey?
Intense curiosity clawed at Subaru's heart like a cat's paws. Then, unable to restrain herself, she proposed, "Since we're just staying here anyway, and waiting around is boring, why don't we sneak over to the gate and check out the situation?"
This proposal was exactly what Tsukasa wanted.
The smile on his face widened further, and fire seemed to dance in his eyes. A long-dormant fighting spirit surged in his heart, a feeling that instantly put his whole body into a state of extreme excitement.
He responded almost impatiently, "Just what I had in mind."
The words had barely left his mouth, and before Subaru could even urge him to "be calm" or "don't be impulsive," Tsukasa was already striding forward and heading straight for the mansion's main gate.
"Hey! Wait for me! Honestly..."
Seeing this, Subaru had no choice but to quickly trot after him.
Her heart was in her throat, and she couldn't help but start worrying.
If these two "interesting" people met and didn't hit it off, starting a fight right away, would this magnificent Roswaal Mansion still be left standing?
One after another, they quickly passed through the long corridors inside the mansion and went past the neat flower beds that had been meticulously trimmed by gardeners like works of art.
Soon, they approached the front courtyard area of the mansion.
"Tsukasa, look over there. The one parked in front of the mansion must be the 'dragon carriage' Ram mentioned before, right?" Subaru pointed at a vehicle parked on the open ground ahead.
It was indeed a vehicle very similar to a carriage, but the reason it was described as "similar" was that it had a decisive difference from the carriages in Subaru's knowledge—the creature pulling the vehicle
was not a horse, but a creature similar in size to a horse, yet covered in scales and closer in appearance to a lizard. This created a significant gap from Subaru's original world's perception of "dragons" having massive bodies.
While Subaru was surprised by this unique creation of the other world, Tsukasa was already walking toward the dragon carriage, speaking in an analytical tone, "From the looks of it, it's likely a mixed-blood sub-species with dragon lineage, calling it a 'dragon carriage' is fitting enough. However..."
His voice suddenly became low and full of anticipation. "The closer I get, the more obvious that blood-pumping feeling becomes. It seems my perception was not wrong."
"Is that so. Then it seems the owner of this dragon carriage is indeed extraordinary." Subaru murmured, her nervousness increasing by a few more degrees.
Following the brief conversation, the two had already crossed the front courtyard and finally stood beside that dragon carriage pulled by a ground dragon.
As Tsukasa and Subaru approached the dragon carriage, a steady, aged voice sounded from above.
"Oh my, it is rude of me to speak with you while sitting up here."
Before the voice had even finished, the person sitting on the dragon carriage's driver's seat had lightly leaped down. His movement was smooth and silent, like a feather landing on the ground.
This elderly man, with his white hair meticulously combed and wearing a black suit, had a flash of undisguised surprise in his eyes the moment he saw Tsukasa clearly. He then bowed, performing an impeccable gesture of etiquette.
"May I ask who you two are?"
The old man spoke, his gaze sweeping over Tsukasa and Subaru beside him, his posture like that of a true old-fashioned gentleman.
This made Subaru hold her breath. Although the height of the driver's seat was only slightly higher than her, landing so silently was by no means an easy feat.
She immediately concluded in her heart, 'This old man is an expert.'
And when she noticed that he was merely an attendant or a driver, she couldn't help but guess that the person inside the carriage must be someone of great importance.
While Subaru was secretly pondering, Tsukasa spoke up, his voice carrying an undisguised longing, "Old gentleman, could you have a fight with me?"
This sudden request startled the old man slightly and also gave Subaru, who was observing the dragon carriage, a fright.
"Tsukasa!"
Subaru hurriedly grabbed Tsukasa's sleeve. "This is a guest, don't be rude."
The old man recovered from his brief surprise. He looked Tsukasa over carefully and said, "Although your presence is well-hidden, I can feel that you are extremely powerful. Among the opponents I have encountered in the past, you are definitely one of the best."
Tsukasa's tone carried a sense of urgency. "Then what are we waiting for? I'm already impatient."
The old man shook his head with a hint of regret. "It would be a blessing to spar with you, but I'm afraid today won't do. The envoy is currently having a meeting inside the mansion. If we are destined to meet another day, we can discuss it then."
Feeling Subaru pulling even harder behind him, Tsukasa stuffed his hands into his pockets and leaned against the dragon carriage, somewhat disappointed. "Alright then, as you wish."
Watching Tsukasa's reaction, the old man thought to himself, 'A pure powerhouse... To think there is such a person in Emilia-sama's camp. I must report this to the Head of the House.'