I Need Rest

Novas Etier, Seventh Floor, Private Study.

Higashino Makoto leaned back in his armchair, his magic not yet fully restored.

Its golden eyes were half-open, and its fingers tapped lightly on the armrest, much slower than usual.

Reisen stood behind him, holding a teapot in her hands, her crimson eyes looking at him, her rabbit ears trembling slightly, wanting to say something but not daring to.

Elsa Granhiert sat on the windowsill, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders, her dark red eyes half-closed, a lazy smile playing on her lips, her fingers gently stroking the hilt of her short sword.

Meili sat on the ground, hugging her teddy bear, her emerald green eyes fixed on Higashino Makoto's face, her small brows furrowed together.

"Big brother, your face is so pale."

"Just finished a fight, that's normal."

Are you injured?

"No."

"Then why is your face so pale?"

"You've used too much magic, a day of rest will do the trick."

Meili looked at him, her emerald green eyes still filled with worry.

She got up, walked up to Higashino Makoto, and looked up at him.

"Big brother, bend down."

Higashino Makoto looked down at her.

"Do what?"

"Bend down."

Higashino Makoto bent down. Meili stood on tiptoe, reached out, and gently patted his head.

"Big brother, you need to get better soon."

Higashino Makoto looked at her, a gentle light flashing in his eyes.

"Good."

Meili smiled, withdrew her hand, turned around, and ran back to Elsa Granhiert's side.

"Sister, big brother said he'll get better!"

"Yes, sister, I heard you."

"Can I go play in the Garden?"

Go ahead, but don't go too far.

"Good!"

Meili hugged her teddy bear and ran out of the room. Her footsteps faded into the distance down the hallway.

Higashino Makoto leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto."

It was Ram's voice, coming from the doorway, calm and indifferent.

"Um."

"Your black tea."

Higashino Makoto opened his eyes and looked at the doorway.

Ram walked in carrying a tray, her pink eyes half-closed, her expression indifferent, but her pace was a little faster than usual.

She walked up to him, placed the tray on the table, and saw steam rising from the teacups, the black tea a deep and clear color.

"This is the last jar in Lord Roswaal's collection. Ram originally intended to keep it for himself and savor it."

Higashino Makoto picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"Not bad, you're becoming more and more aware of your role as my personal maid. When are you planning to warm my bed for me?"

"Thank you for the compliment. Also, even if it's your master, I can't pretend I didn't hear such words. Ram's ears are a little dirty and I need to wash them, so I'll take my leave now."

"Ah, I grant permission. But remember, Rem has to come and take over."

Ram stepped back and stood beside him, looking at him.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto, did you kill the Witch of Vainglory?"

"Right."

Your complexion is very pale.

"It's normal to use too much magic; it will get better in a while."

Ram was silent for a moment.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto."

"Um."

"You can take Ram with you next time you go out."

Higashino Makoto looked up at her.

"Why?"

"Because Ram has gained horns, he has become much stronger and can help you."

Higashino Makoto looked at her, his golden eyes devoid of any emotion.

"I appreciate your kindness, but although your horns have grown back, they still need to grow. Hmm... your potential is very high, keep it up, maybe one day I'll take you along with me."

Ram's lips curled up slightly.

"Ram got it. I'll go get Rem."

She bowed slightly, then turned and walked out of the room.

The footsteps faded into the distance. Higashino Makoto watched her retreating figure, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Reisen.

"Exist."

"The Tome of Wisdom."

Reisen took the Tome of Wisdom from the bookshelf and presented it with both hands. Higashino Makoto took the book and opened it.

The pages turned automatically, making a soft rustling sound.

His gaze swept over the flowing words, his brow furrowing slightly, then relaxing, then furrowing again.

"The melancholic Witch Factor... is in the hands of the dragonman Clind."

Reisen's rabbit ears stood up.

"Clind? He seems to be Lord Roswaal's butler?"

"Right."

"Is he also a member of the Witch Cult?"

"No. He's not Sin Archbishops; he just has melancholic tendencies. And I looked into his life; he's actually a good person. He hasn't harmed the innocent, hasn't killed indiscriminately, and doesn't have any twisted desires. He just lived, just did what he was supposed to do."

Reisen's brows furrowed slightly.

"Master, would you like to take it?"

Higashino Makoto thought for a moment, then shook his head.

"Forget it, Melancholy isn't one of the Seven Deadly Sins. He's not a member of the Witch Cult, nor is he a target I need to collect. Besides, he's a good person, he didn't bother me, so I can't be bothered with him."

In fact, the melancholic and pretentious Witch Factor can be gifted, but they both have side effects, so he's not very interested.

He turned to the last page of the Tome of Wisdom.

The words stopped flowing there, as if blocked by something.

"The Witch of Envy Satella, is sealed deep within the Augria Sand Dunes, at the Seal Stone Shrine."

"Ninety percent of my magic power has been used up. Once it's fully restored, I'll take Reinhard van Astrea with me to deal with the last thing."

He closed the book and placed the Tome of Wisdom on the table.

The Witch Factor that have been collected are pride, sloth, greed, gluttony, lust, and wrath.

Depression made me give up.

All that's left is jealousy.

The next step is to restore magic power, and then take the swordsman Reinhard van Astrea to the sealed land to deal with the Witch of Envy Satella.

The head maid stood by the flowerbed, pruning the branches with shears in her hand.

Her long, golden hair shimmered softly in the sunlight, and her emerald green eyes were intently focused on the flowers.

Rem crouched on the other side, her blue eyes fixed on the watering can in her hand, watering the flowers.

Her movements were very gentle and careful, watering each flower just right.

Ram stood behind her, her pink eyes looking at her sister, a faint smile on her lips.

Higashino Makoto asked her to have Rem take over, but this incompetent maid had already chosen to forget about it... mainly to protect Rem from being harassed.

Perhaps.

"Elder sister."

"Um."

When will Mr. Higashino Makoto be better?

"I don't know, but he looked a little better than yesterday."

Rem is worried about him.

"Me too."

"Then I'll go make something delicious for my master."

Rem put down the kettle, turned around, and walked towards the mansion.

Ram watched her retreating figure, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Rem."

"Um?"

You've changed.

What has changed?

"You used to only worry about me, but now you're starting to worry about others. I'm getting jealous."

Rem paused for a moment, then laughed.

"Sister, Mr. Higashino Makoto is different."

What's different?

"He healed his sister's horn, he killed the Witch Cult, he made Rem feel that the world is still a beautiful place."

Ram looked at her, tugged at Rem's cheek, and then sat down on a chair nearby.

"Go ahead then, remember to save some of what you make for me."

"Good."

Rem turned around and continued walking towards the mansion.

Ram stood there, watching her sister's retreating figure, a smile playing on her lips.

The head maid put down the scissors, her emerald green eyes fixed on the window.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto."

She said in a low voice.

Get well soon.

That night, in Higashino Makoto's bedroom.

Moonlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains, bathing the room in a silvery glow.

Higashino Makoto lay on the bed, his golden eyes staring at the ceiling.

Reisen lay beside him, her long, pale purple hair scattered on the pillow, her rabbit ears trembling slightly.

Elsa Granhiert lay on his chest, her long black hair cascading over his arms, her dark red eyes half-closed.

Higashino Makoto.

"Um."

Are you taking tomorrow off?

"Rest, my magic hasn't recovered yet."

He lied; even if he used up all his magic power and did nothing, it would be fully restored in just over ten hours.

Not to mention the Sin Silver Coin, the Holy Grail, and magic potions.

However, taking advantage of the fact that his magic was exhausted, and seeing the maids' worried expressions, was indeed more pleasant.

"And the day after tomorrow?"

"We'll see how things go the day after tomorrow. Hmm... speaking of which, you actually still have energy. Let's do it again."

"Hehe... okay."