The five people entered the mansion through the gate, walked through a long corridor, and entered a spacious hall.
In the center of the hall stood a man.
Long blue hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her purple eyes gleamed eerily in the candlelight.
His face was painted with strange clown makeup.
White foundation, red lip gloss, and blue eyeshadow.
A strange smile played on his lips.
Roswaal L. Mezas.
"Oh dear, oh dear..."
His voice was soft and sweet, with a chilling rhythm.
"Distinguished guests have arrived; I have failed to greet you properly."
He walked up to Emilia and bowed slightly.
"Emilia you for your hard work."
"It's not hard work."
Emilia shook her head.
"Roswaal, who are these people—"
I know!
Roswaal straightened up, his purple eyes sweeping over Higashino Makoto, Reisen, Elsa Granhiert, and finally settling on Subaru Natsuki.
"Mr. Higashino Makoto, Ms. Reisen, Ms. Elsa Granhiert, and Mr. Subaru Natsuki."
The corners of his mouth turned up in a smile.
Welcome to the Roswaal Mansion.
Higashino Makoto looked at him, his golden eyes devoid of any emotion.
As expected, as Elsa Granhiert's employer, he naturally knew everything that was happening in the Royal Capital.
Therefore, they didn't ask how the other party knew their names.
More importantly--
Roswaal can be used.
He reincarnated countless times in the bodies of his descendants, with only one purpose: to resurrect the Witch of Echidna.
And he himself happens to possess the ability to resurrect.
Higashino Makoto looked at Roswaal with a smile in his eyes.
"Excuse me, Lord Roswaal. I think we have a lot to talk about."
"Oh my, oh my, that's truly an honor, Mr. Higashino!"
Roswaal turned and walked deeper into the hall.
"Let's go, let's have dinner first."
Subaru Natsuki followed behind him, a complex light flickering in his dark eyes.
The food was plentiful.
The long table was laden with food.
Bread, butter, jam, honey, fried eggs, bacon, sausage, roasted mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, fresh fruit, warm milk, and a pot of steaming black tea.
Roswaal sat in the main seat, holding a folding fan in his hand, fanning himself gently.
Higashino Makoto sat opposite him, Reisen sat to his right, Elsa Granhiert sat to his left.
Subaru Natsuki sat next to Reisen, Emilia sat next to Elsa Granhiert.
Puck perched on Emilia's shoulder, his blue eyes fixed on Higashino Makoto.
"Junior."
"Um."
"The aura emanating from you is really strange."
What's strange about it?
"I can't quite put my finger on it, maybe it's because Yang elemental Elf Kingdom are so rare."
Higashino Makoto looked at him.
"And then, is something wrong?"
"Take good care of Emilia."
Puck's voice became serious.
Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment.
I'll try my best.
Puck's lips curled into a slight smile.
"That's good."
He shrank Emilia's shoulder and closed his eyes.
Emilia looked at Higashino Makoto, her purple eyes flashing with a complex light.
"Mr. Higashino Makoto."
"Um."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Higashino Makoto picked up his teacup and took a sip.
The black tea was at the perfect temperature, with a subtle hint of sweetness.
"Mr. Higashino Makoto."
Subaru Natsuki's voice came from the side.
What are your plans next?
Higashino Makoto put down his teacup.
"Settle in first, then wait."
"Wait for what?"
"Wait for the Sin Archbishops to come looking for us."
Subaru Natsuki's brows furrowed slightly.
"They'll come?"
"Meeting."
Higashino Makoto's tone was flat.
"Because their target is Emilia. As long as Emilia is here, they will come."
He paused.
"So, all I have to do is wait."
Subaru Natsuki nodded and didn't ask any more questions.
Outside the window, sunlight streamed into the Garden of the Roswaal Mansion, turning the blooming flowers golden.
In the distance, the forest stood silently in the morning light, like a sleeping giant.
And further away, in that unseen darkness, the Sin Archbishops are also waiting.
--The prey enters the den.
But who exactly is the prey?
Higashino Makoto was awakened by birdsong outside his window on his first morning at the Roswaal Mansion.
It wasn't that he didn't want to continue sleeping, but those birds were just chirping too loudly.
He opened his eyes, stared at the crystal chandelier on the ceiling for a few seconds, and then sat up.
Reisen lay beside him, her long, pale purple hair scattered on the pillow, her rabbit ears standing up from her hair and trembling slightly.
She was still asleep, breathing evenly, with a faint smile on her lips, as if she were having a sweet dream.
Higashino Makoto did not wake her.
He threw back the covers, stepped barefoot onto the carpet, walked to the window, and opened it.
A morning breeze swept in, carrying the scent of earth and grass from the Garden.
In the distance, the forest stands quietly in the morning light, its canopy tinged gold by the sunlight.
He took a deep breath, then got dressed and left the room.
"Mr. Higashino Makoto, you're up very early."
The voice came from the open space outside the window, tired but full of enthusiasm.
Higashino Makoto responded.
You're not too late either.
Subaru Natsuki stood in the open space, wearing his tracksuit.
His black hair stood up in a messy, unruly manner, and he had heavy dark circles under his eyes.
"Mr. Higashino Makoto."
"Um."
"You said the Sin Archbishops of the Witch Cult is looking for Emilia. When will they arrive? Is there anything I can do to help?"
"I don't know, I don't need it, it won't be long."
Higashino Makoto turned around and leaned against the window frame.
Subaru Natsuki looked somewhat distressed, after all, it seemed he couldn't help in any way.
"Is it possible for us to find them in advance?"
"Yes, I've had people look for it, but it's quite troublesome."
"Why?"
"Most members of the Witch Cult operate very discreetly, and—"
They seem to possess a state similar to "World Protection," making it difficult even for Huginn and Muninn to find them.
Of course, he didn't say that.
Higashino Makoto walked back to the bedside, picked up his outer robe, and put it on.
"In short, I need to understand this world first."
"What do you need to know?"
"Learn its history, especially the parts related to witches."
Subaru Natsuki's brows furrowed slightly.
"A witch? The Witch of Envy?"
"Right."
Higashino Makoto straightened his collar.
"Everything in this world is connected to her. The Witch Cult, the Sin Archbishops, the Witch Factor —witches are an unavoidable part of this world."
Subaru Natsuki stopped pointing and scratched his head.
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
Higashino Makoto recalled the information from his past life, combined with the history book he had previously encountered, he felt an increasing sense of complexity.
Fortunately, I'm good at simplifying complex problems.
All we need to do is kill those witches.
Just as Subaru Natsuki was about to say something more, Ram's voice came through.
"Subaru, it's time to get to work, don't slack off."
"Ah, yes—I'm sorry, Higashino- san, I have to go now."
Looking at Subaru Natsuki were clasped together, Higashino Makoto casually waved his hand.
"Go."