Natsuki Subaru's Journey to Strategically Capture Reinhild

R6. The Clown Who Came to Steal a Man

"Lord Roswaal is already here!?"

Reinhild asked in surprise, glancing at the clock beside her.

Because she had gotten a good nap the previous afternoon, she woke up earlier than usual today.

Even though she had almost finished all her work, it was still only just 8:30 a.m.

"Don't worry, the scheduled appointment was for around 10. This time, he simply arrived early. It's a big deal after all, so he's probably very anxious. I believe he's having tea in the reception room right now."

Otto spoke up after noticing Reinhild's reaction.

"What about Subaru?"

"He woke up at 8. I've already sent someone to help him get ready.

Oh, and by the way, he seems to be very familiar with many details about the mansion.

He also seems to understand written language—not perfectly, but not illiterate either.

He even knows about some secret passages.

Moreover, he's asking questions about Lord Heinkel, the incident in the mansion 30 years ago, and about Lady Louanna... all matters related to the Astrea family. Are we really going to let him move around so freely?"

"As long as he doesn't pose any threat to others, let him be. Those topics are already pretty much public knowledge. There's no need to offer him information, but no need to hide it either."

"Understood."

Otto stopped walking. Reinhild stood before the door of the reception room and took a deep breath before knocking.

A few seconds later, she opened the door and stepped inside, greeting Roswaal with an apologetic smile.

"Welcome to our humble home. Subaru will need a bit more time. I explained the situation to him yesterday."

"No problem, no problem. I was just being a bit impatient, since this is such a serious matter. But the fact that our benefactor is safe and sound—that's more important than anything."

Roswaal gestured grandly while speaking.

Though he appeared friendly on the surface, Reinhild sharply sensed the many masks that veiled Roswaal's true face.

That unreadable feeling was one of the reasons she found it difficult to deal with him.

"By the way, what sort of reward did he ask from you? I'd like to use it as a reference."

Roswaal asked curiously from across the room.

"To work as a servant at the mansion."

"Ara ara, now that really is unexpected."

Roswaal exclaimed with exaggerated surprise, though his eyes clearly showed genuine shock and agitation.

Seeing this reaction was from the heart, Reinhild bowed her head in embarrassment.

"Well, that complicates things. I was hoping to bring Subaru back to the manor to rest as a way of repaying him for helping Lady Emilia. She also really wants to see his condition with her own eyes. What do you think?"

"Please ask Subaru yourself. If he agrees, then I have no reason to stop it.

But, Lord Roswaal, Subaru is my benefactor—no matter when or where."

"Of course. I only wish to repay him."

Reinhild spoke slowly and firmly. Roswaal, having understood what the young girl meant, answered with determination.

"Now then, have there been any updates on the Bowel Hunter?"

"Not yet. What about your side?"

"None at all. Seems like they're hiding even more deeply than we thought."

Reinhild looked seriously at Roswaal, but she couldn't tell if he was being honest.

In truth, she had received information just yesterday that someone matching the Bowel Hunter's description had entered Roswaal's territory.

No matter how prestigious a lineage spanning 400 years may be, hiring an assassin to kill a royal candidate would be a capital crime—especially since the target was the very Lady Emilia Roswaal himself supported.

It made no logical sense.

Ten minutes later, after deciding they would travel to the royal capital together to wrap up the Emilia matter, the reception room door was knocked on again.

Otto entered, leading in Subaru dressed in a formal suit.

...(A familiar conversation followed)...

"Could you help me measure my magical affinity? I want to learn magic."

After a round of introductions and feeling each other out, Subaru finally made his request in response to Roswaal's generous offer.

Hearing such a reasonable request—and remembering the simplicity of Subaru's earlier "compensation" response—Reinhild couldn't help but feel a small pang of dissatisfaction.

"Well then, excuse me. Mew mew myow myow~"

"Alright—I understand."

"Your attribute is 'Yin'. Your connection to the other four elements is extremely weak, but on the flip side, your affinity to Yin is very specialized. That's quite rare. Judging from your expression, though, it seems like you already knew."

After the brief ceremony, Roswaal withdrew his hand from Subaru's head and revealed his attribute.

"Yeah, someone tested me before. But if I'm Yin-type... Reinhild, I think Berni is the strongest Shadow magic user, right? So, can I ask him to be my teacher? Then Roswaal can convert my reward into tuition for Berni."

Subaru's words threw the entire room into silence.

"Ahahahaha! Reinhild, what do you think?"

"If Lord Roswaal agrees, I'll have Berni take Subaru as his apprentice."

Reinhild and Otto exchanged glances—both suddenly beginning to understand Subaru's strange behavior.

Though they didn't know why he didn't bring it up yesterday, Reinhild resolved to accept his terms.

"Then it's happily settled. Everyone wins."

Subaru's comment became the final word of the meeting.

.

.

.

"Berni is just like that. If you need anything, just let me or Lord Roswaal know. And I hope you'll teach Subaru with your full dedication."

"Yes."

"Winston, I'm leaving the education of both Subaru and Felt in your hands. Take it slow, don't pressure them too much."

"Yes."

"Otto, if anything urgent happens, use the [Conversation Mirror] to contact me directly."

"Yes."

"Lastly, Lady Felt and I have an agreement... So if any of them try to flee, try not to hurt them if possible. But prioritize your own safety first."

"Yes," echoed multiple times.

After confirming he hadn't overlooked anything, Reinhild slowly walked toward the small convoy headed for the royal capital.

Roswaal and Subaru were still talking.

"Subaru, if you ever regret your decision, come find me. What I just said will always be valid."

"I won't regret it."

"Is that so—?"

It lasted only a moment, but Reinhild fell silent.

She had seen that familiar gaze before—the gaze her grandfather had 14 years ago after losing his beloved.

In those golden eyes, there was an astonishing possessiveness.

"Subaru, be careful around Lord Roswaal."

Reinhild whispered as she passed by Subaru and climbed into the central dragon carriage of the convoy.

The group began its journey, with Reinhild and Roswaal heading to the royal capital to handle the final matters surrounding Lady Emilia.