Re:Zero -Starting Life in Zero

"Emilia, when are we leaving for the capital?"

Hearing her knight's voice, the half-elf girl snapped out of her reverie, her fingertips unconsciously twirling the lace trim of her skirt.

"We can probably set off the day after tomorrow morning. The Wang Xuan meeting is scheduled for five days from now. Considering the three-day drive, we can make it in time."

"It's going to take this long?" Green frowned, his tone tinged with surprise.

Roswaal explained at the opportune moment, "What bad luck, Green. The beluga whales have been very active lately, and Freguerre Avenue is closed. Taking the long way around and getting there in three days is already a good result."

Green nodded in realization: "I see, that big guy really knows how to cause trouble."

Emilia comforted her, her voice as soft as cotton candy.

"It's alright, Green. Although it takes longer, the scenery along the way is beautiful."

Upon hearing this, Green suddenly stretched out his hands, making a viewfinder gesture, enclosing the girl in the center of that virtual frame, his eyes filled with undisguised laughter: "She is indeed very beautiful..."

"Seriously... Green's playing tricks on me again."

Emilia said, embarrassed and annoyed, turning her head away and pretending to be angry.

"Autumn beans, sack of potatoes!"

The conference room door was slammed open.

Natsuki Subaru stormed in, seething with anger.

"You guys didn't even invite me to discuss something this big! Grin, you actually took advantage of Emilia while I was away, how childish!"

"Subaru, don't talk nonsense!" Emilia hurriedly waved her hands, her cheeks flushing crimson. "Using words like 'hit' is too harsh..."

"No, if this continues, I'll be out of the game. I want to go to the royal capital with Emilia too!" Natsuki Subaru said matter-of-factly.

Emilia was somewhat embarrassed upon hearing this.

"Um... we're not going there for fun, we have a very important summons."

Natsuki Subaru shrugged and said earnestly, "Since it's so important, I have to go. It's related to the royal selection, right? I also want to help Emilia-tan, please!"

Emilia was least adept at dealing with shameless guys like Subaru Natsuki, and for a moment she didn't know how to answer.

Subaru has a very eccentric personality; if we go to the capital together, he'll definitely cause trouble.

Left with no other option, she had to seek help from her newly recruited knight.

Green nodded knowingly, walked up to Subaru Natsuki, and solemnly patted him on the shoulder.

"Subaru, it's not that we don't want to take you, but we have a more important task for you!"

Unbeknownst to anyone, the magic mirror hidden in Green's sleeve was releasing a semi-transparent hypnotic agent.

Natsuki Subaru felt that Green's voice was very convincing, making people unconsciously want to believe it.

"What mission could be more important than protecting Emilia-tan closely?"

Green said earnestly, "Of course, the safety of this mansion is more important! This is Emilia's stronghold. If our backyard catches fire, we'll be homeless."

"Really...really? I'm not very educated, so don't try to fool me."

"Don't worry, I'm well-read, I would never lie to you. Besides, I have a secret mission for you. If you can complete it, I'll definitely give you a chance to prove yourself. Come closer..."

Green pulled Subaru Natsuki close and whispered a few words in his ear.

Natsuki Subaru's eyes grew brighter as he listened, and he even clenched his fists, looking eager to try.

After Green finished speaking, he nodded to Subaru Natsuki.

"Hmm, now you should know what to do, Subaru?"

Natsuki Subaru stood at attention and said firmly, "First, protect the mansion well; second, secretly train myself! I'll go and drag the entire mansion through the cracks right now!"

Green put his hands on Subaru Natsuki's shoulders with a sense of relief.

"Well said! You fucking genius, Subaru! Your IQ is definitely over 160! Now, clean this damn mansion spotless!"

"yes!"

Natsuki Subaru gave Green an awkward salute, and then weakly added a sentence.

"You promised to help me achieve something, don't forget that, Green."

After saying that, he hurriedly left the conference hall.

"Haha, Green, you and Subaru are like you're acting in a play, it's so funny."

Emilia smiled happily and then said.

"In that case, I'll go pack my things beforehand so I don't forget them later. See you later."

The half-elf girl waved a brief farewell to Grimm, then skipped away joyfully, her high heels clicking on the floor.

"Well then, let's adjourn the meeting. Green-kun, I'm really looking forward to your performance!"

After saying that, Roswaal stood up and walked towards the door.

As the crowd walked further and further away, the lively conference hall gradually quieted down.

After a moment of silence, Green added some tea to his cup, sipping it while glancing at the peach-haired maid standing beside the sofa.

"Lamu, everyone's gone, what are you still doing here?"

Squeak—bang.

Ram did not answer, but slowly closed the door to the conference room.

Then, she walked seriously to Green and stood very close to him.

A faint fragrance of a young girl wafted through the air, like a blend of dried mint and white plum blossoms.

Even Green, a seasoned driver, was a little embarrassed by Lahm's sudden action.

"Ram...you're not thinking of taking advantage of me, are you?"

Faced with these outrageous words, Ram paused, then rolled her eyes in a very faint, speechless manner.

"Shut up, Ram has something to say."

Ram placed her left hand on the armrest of the sofa and slumped down.

Then she lifted the hair from her forehead, revealing the diamond-shaped cut between her eyebrows.

"Green, take a close look at Ram and see if there's been any change."

Green turned his head to the side, looking slightly timid. Ram smelled too good; being so close made him feel a little hot.

This is the first time I've been so passive. Oh dear, I'm so shy.

Should we play hard to get?

"Ram...you've really changed a lot..."

"Hmm, you noticed it too?"

"Yes, you've become more proactive..."

"Shameless bastard..." Ram's eyes twitched, and a nameless anger rose within her.

"Ram was referring to the changes at the broken corner!"

"Oh, oh, let me see, let me see."

Sensing the murderous aura emanating from Ram, Green quickly sat up straight.

As he observed the broken corner of Ram's nose, Green's expression gradually became serious.

He reached out and gently ran his hand across Ram's smooth forehead. The originally flat cut now felt slightly protruding to the touch.

"Have your horns grown a little...?"

"Yes, Ram was also surprised."

The peach-haired maid nodded, a hint of suppressed joy in her eyes.

Green's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. If he remembered correctly, Ram with horns was ranked fifth among the existing strongmen.

"That's outrageous, Ram! How did you do that?"

Ram met Green's gaze with hopeful eyes and slowly said, "I think it's your blood that's working. Ever since I came into contact with your blood, the cut has been tingling from time to time."

Green's pupils dilated slightly, his gaze fixed on Ram, filled with unexpected surprise.

But the look of surprise came quickly and went even faster.

In the blink of an eye, Green put on a sly, mischievous grin.

"Haha, Ram, why don't you hurry up and beg me?"