You didn't expect this, did you? I've time-traveled again!

"Thank you, Ram."

Suoh Takeshi said softly, expressing his gratitude.

Ram bowed slightly and said matter-of-factly, "It's what I should do."

Respectful yet distant, with a hint of wariness and vigilance.

Right.

This is the most important period for the royal selection.

During this special period, the sudden appearance of two outsiders, Suoh Takeshi and Natsuki Subaru, makes them suspicious individuals who need to be monitored at all times. It is only right that they be kept at a distance and treated with caution.

As is human nature, Suoh Takeshi did not get angry.

Given more time, they should realize they are harmless visitors.

While she was changing, Ram waited outside the door.

The clean clothes have a light fragrance and feel very soft and comfortable to wear, making people feel inexplicably relaxed.

The lacerations on his clothes from the fight with Elsa were carefully stitched up, so they are barely noticeable unless you look closely.

I have a heart.

Donning a clean and tidy robe and tidying one's appearance is not only a sign of respect for others, but also a sign of respect for oneself.

After finishing tidying up, Suoh Takeshi said to her, "Let's go."

"Please follow me, this way."

Ram led him to the restaurant.

That's why she's waiting here.

After navigating the long corridor, we arrived at the restaurant, led by Ram.

When he arrived at the restaurant, he found that almost everyone he knew had already gathered.

Emilia, Subaru, Puck, the twin maids, and the blonde drill-headed loli—Betty.

Betty has long, light blonde hair that is almost creamy, braided into double ponytails and tied on both sides with pink bow hair accessories.

She has a round face, a wide forehead, and large blue eyes with pink butterfly-shaped patterns in them.

Wearing a pink, gorgeous ruffled dress, with her legs encased in black and white fishnet stockings, and a small hat as an accessory, she gave off a very endearing impression.

Although she was a 400-year-old great elf, she still appeared as a young girl.

She was playing and frolicking with Parker, looking very happy.

Seeing that Betty was ignoring Suoh Takeshi, Emilia didn't want the atmosphere to become awkward, so she spoke up to introduce her.

"Beatles, let me introduce you. He is one of my benefactors. His name is Suoh Takeshi."

"Humph."

Hearing Emilia's words, perhaps out of consideration for Puck's contractor, Betty gave a light snort, which was considered a greeting to Suoh Takeshi.

After hearing Betty's soft humming greeting, Emilia introduced Betty to Suoh Takeshi.

"Wu, she's Beatrice, who manages the library. You two should get along well."

"Hello, Beatrice."

Suoh Takeshi stepped forward, greeted her, and then sincerely apologized to her.

"I sincerely apologize for Natsuki-kun's rudeness and hope you can forgive that impolite child."

Then he turned to Natsuki Subaru beside him and called out, "Natsuki-kun, you should apologize too."

"I... Oh!"

He wanted to argue a bit more, but seeing Suoh Takeo's menacing gaze, he immediately shut up.

He strode over stiffly, straightened his back, then bent over at a 90-degree angle, saying, "I'm sorry, I was wrong!"

"Humph."

When Natsuki Subaru came to apologize, Betty turned her head and snorted softly.

Does this mean... forgiveness?

Although Betty is depicted as a young girl, she has lived for 400 years and shouldn't hold a grudge over such a trivial matter. Besides, Subaru Natsuki has already suffered her painful punishment...

Everyone was looking at Betty, wanting to hear her answer, but Betty made no further comment.

That haughty yet unsure-to-say look suggests she's forgiven him, right?

So, arrogance can ruin your life!

"Oh my god—? What are you all doing—?"

A strange tone came from behind them; the deliberately exaggerated intonation was truly repulsive.

To hide her arrogance, Betty said to the newcomer with dissatisfaction, "Isn't this what you asked for? Betty wouldn't be here if it weren't for her brother being here."

"Really? If that's the case, I'm very sad."

"Hmph, one person with a problem is enough, so why don't you just be a little more normal?"

Betty mocked him.

But the visitor wasn't angry; instead, he slowly walked into the restaurant.

【clown】

This single word is enough to describe him completely.

He was tall and well-built, yet dressed in a clown costume; his handsome face was adorned with clown makeup; his strange words and unusual voice made it seem as if he was deliberately playing the role of the clown.

He is the owner of this mansion of Count Jane of the Border, Roswaal L. Mezas!

Natsuki Subaru wanted to ease the tension by patting him on the shoulder, but after seeing Suoh Takeshi's "death stare," he quickly withdrew his hand and placed it on the crease of his trousers, straightening his body ramrod straight.

It seems he took Suoh Takeshi's advice to "be polite" to heart.

Roswaal introduced himself to the crowd:

"Let me introduce myself, I am Roswal L. Mezas of this mansion!"

Please take good care of me—thank you, Subaru Natsuki and Takeshi Suo!

Chapter 078 I Want to Have a Duel with Roswaal

When the host arrived, everyone took their seats.

As the master of the mansion, Roswaal naturally sat in the main seat, with two maids standing behind him to serve him.

Emilia's apparent status was higher than his, so she sat in the first seat on the right, while Subaru Natsuki sat next to her.

Betty sat in the first seat on the left, holding Parker, while Suoh Takeshi sat next to her.

"Enjoy—don't be shy—have your fill!"

As the host, Roswaal could only allow others to pick up their utensils after he spoke.

This is basic etiquette that Subaru Natsuki already knows, so there's no need to specifically remind him.

However, a table laden with delicious food can indeed stimulate one's appetite.

It wasn't just because he only ate a little apple yesterday, but also because Suoh Takeru had never eaten anything this good since he transmigrated.

During the time of Susanoo, none of the team members knew how to cook, including Suoh Takeshi.

Therefore, the team's meals were mostly taken care of by the Adventurers' Guild.

The Adventurers' Guild's food is all fast food, so you can imagine how greasy and generic the taste is.

Although it tasted novel and delicious at first, it became difficult to swallow after a while.

"good to eat."

Suoh Takeshi sincerely praised, "This food is delicious and suits my taste perfectly."

"It really is delicious."

Natsuki Subaru praised her without any affectation, swallowing his food in large gulps.

While this wolfing down of food might be a bit impolite, isn't it also a way of acknowledging the cook's skill?

"Right—! These—were all made by Rem."

Roswaal looked very proud and pointed to Rem behind his right hand, saying, "Of all the servants in the manor, Rem's cooking skills are the best."

"You flatter me."

Rem is humble and polite, with a maid-like demeanor.

But then she added, "Compared to my elder sister, I'm still far inferior."

"Hmm~"

Roswaal chuckled softly and said nothing more.

"Hey, Rem, if it's alright, could you teach me how to cook?"

Suoh Takeshi asked Rem to teach him how to cook.

Although [Analysis and Imitation] is crying, he really doesn't want to go to the guild to eat greasy fast food anymore!

"If Lord Roswaal agrees."

Rem did not agree or refuse on the spot, but instead consulted her master.

“Sure—if you want to, Rem will teach you.”

Roswaal's gaze toward Suoh Takeshi was somewhat intense, though he hid it well, Suoh Takeshi, who was sensitive to stares, still noticed it.

I'm not quite used to it yet.

To an outsider, that look makes him look like a gay man.

But Suoh Takeshi knew that Roswaal was definitely plotting something.