Chapter 40: Disguise, Roswaal's Scheme
Inside the mansion, within a private room.
Roswaal sat in his chair, his fingers lightly brushing over the black cover of a book on the desk.
"Natsuki Subaru... could he be the one from the prophecy~?"
Roswaal muttered to himself in that characteristic, sing-song voice of his, a meaningful smile playing on his face.
Everything Emilia and Natsuki Subaru had experienced in the Royal Capital had been orchestrated by Roswaal.
the book before him was the Book of Wisdom, a creation left behind by the existence once known as the Witch of Greed—Roswaal's former teacher, Echidna.
This book could predict future events, and Roswaal intended to use its power to resurrect Echidna.
Lugnica was a nation that had signed a Contract with the Divine Dragon. Legend had it that whenever a new king ascended the throne, the Divine Dragon would appear.
According to legend, Dragon's Blood could bring the dead back to life.
This was why Roswaal chose to support Emilia; only if she ascended the throne would he have the possibility of killing the Divine Dragon.
However, no one knew his true goal, not even Emilia.
He had seen a prophecy in the Book of Wisdom stating that a Child of Prophecy with the power to correct the world would appear in the Royal Capital and meet Emilia.
Thus, Roswaal had hired Elsa Granhiert, the Bowel Hunter, to steal Emilia's Insignia in order to draw that Child of Prophecy out.
And that boy named Natsuki Subaru had indeed been brought back to the mansion by Emilia.
However, Roswaal could not be entirely certain that Natsuki Subaru was the Child of Prophecy.
He had previously heard another name from Emilia—the person who had actually resolved the crisis with the Bowel Hunter.
Yuji Itadori.
But Yuji Itadori had not returned to the mansion with Emilia and the others, so Roswaal had no way to further verify his identity.
"The prophecy says a severe disaster will occur within my territory soon. I'll find an excuse to leave the mansion then~"
Roswaal narrowed his eyes slightly, murmuring to himself.
If he left the mansion and the crisis was successfully resolved or never occurred at all, it would prove one thing—
Natsuki Subaru was the Child of Prophecy.
Everything would be revealed shortly...
As Roswaal was deep in thought, a knock came at the door.
"Lord Roswaal."
"Ram, is something the matter~?"
"There are visitors."
"Visitors?"
Roswaal was somewhat surprised; there shouldn't have been any appointments for visitors today.
"Are they from the village?"
"One of them is."
"And what does 'one of them' mean?"
"The other says he wishes to visit Lady Emilia and Lord Roswaal. He appears to be a friend of Barusu."
The moment he heard Ram's words, Roswaal's expression changed.
"Did he give his name?"
"He is called Yuji Itadori."
"I will go meet him at once!"
...
Meanwhile, on the other side of the mansion.
Rem ushered Yuji Itadori and Meili into the drawing room and brewed tea for them.
"Please wait a moment. My sister has gone to inform Lady Emilia and Lord Roswaal; they will be here shortly."
Rem spoke respectfully to Yuji Itadori and then stepped back to wait by the side.
"Senior Itadori!"
Natsuki Subaru's voice rang out from nearby.
With a warm smile on his face, he rushed toward Yuji Itadori.
According to yesterday's plan, Yuji Itadori was pretending to visit Natsuki Subaru and happened to pass through the forest, where he eliminated the Witchbeasts and captured the culprit, Meili.
However, the moment he saw Yuji Itadori and Meili, Natsuki Subaru froze for a second.
Meili didn't look like a prisoner at all; instead, she sat beside him like a well-behaved little girl.
Natsuki Subaru hurriedly opened the Chat Group, only then noticing that Yuji Itadori had already left a message. Since he was a servant at the mansion, he had been busy all morning and hadn't had time to check the group chat.
[Unsurrounded One: I plan to let Meili stay at the mansion as a maid for now.]
Recalling Meili's previously savage appearance, Natsuki Subaru couldn't help but feel a bit afraid.
But he also knew that Meili was just a child after all, and it certainly wasn't her fault that she had become like this.
Natsuki Subaru also trusted Yuji Itadori unconditionally.
"Subaru."
Yuji Itadori nodded to Natsuki Subaru.
Meili stole a glance at Natsuki Subaru and then quickly looked away, feeling a bit guilty.
"Sir Yuji!"
Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps came from nearby as Emilia and Roswaal entered the drawing room with smiles on their faces.
"Sir Yuji, I hope you have been well!"
Emilia's smile was full of warmth. Thanks to Yuji Itadori last time, she had been able to recover her Insignia, and she felt a deep sense of gratitude, wondering when she could repay the favor.
"Long time no see, Emilia."
Yuji Itadori gave Emilia a slight nod.
"You must be Sir Yuji~ I have heard Lady Emilia and Subaru speak of you many times, and I have quite been looking forward to meeting you myself~"
The strange, sing-song tone came from that equally bizarre clown-like face.
Roswaal's gaze was fixed intently on Yuji Itadori.
This person looked to be roughly the same age as Natsuki Subaru.
But for some reason, Roswaal could sense a peculiar aura from Yuji Itadori.
It was as if he had fought his way out of purgatory.
As if noticing Roswaal's gaze, Yuji Itadori met his eyes.
"Nice to meet you. I assume you are Roswaal."
"It is truly an honor to have my name remembered~"
A hint of something deeper hid behind the upward curve of Roswaal's mouth.
"I heard about Sir Yuji's deeds in the Royal Capital. To be able to defeat the notorious Bowel Hunter... people with such strength are likely few and far between in all of Lugnica. Lady Emilia mentioned that she invited you to visit the mansion before, but it seems you declined, Sir Yuji?"
"Yeah, I was delayed by some matters at the time. After I finished handling them, I came over."
Yuji Itadori said slowly.
"On the way here, I encountered a pack of Witchbeasts trying to attack this little girl, so I stepped in. She appears to be an orphan, so I wanted to ask if you would be willing to take her in."
"Yes, of course, no problem at all!"
Emilia nodded with a smile.
"What about you, Lord Roswaal?"
"I... of course, I have no problem with it."
Though Roswaal maintained his smile, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.