Ferris smells really good...
"Wait... this isn't right, this is absolutely, 120% not right."
Natsuki Subaru suddenly came back to his senses, roaring frantically in his mind:
Why, why does a grown man smell so good?!
Get a grip, this cat-eared pretty boy is genuinely male!
Male! Male! Male!
Important things must be said three times!
Damn... how is this guy cuter than a real girl?
"Meow~?" Ferris let out a sweet call, her cat ears twitching playfully again, golden pupils sparkling with a sly light. "Subaru-dear's scent is very special... it gives off a very reassuring feeling, meow~"
"Eh? Subaru... dear?"
Natsuki Subaru was clearly stunned, caught off guard by this sudden affectionate address, and subconsciously took half a step back.
"This is Ferris's special, exclusive nickname for Subaru-dear." As she spoke, a faint blush appeared on Ferris's fair cheeks, her fluffy cat tail happily tracing a graceful arc behind her, and she even deliberately blinked those large, watery eyes. "Because Subaru-dear is much more interesting than I imagined, meow~"
"Er... thanks for the compliment."
Natsuki Subaru managed a stiff smile, the corners of his mouth twitching unnaturally, while inwardly he was complaining frantically:
Hey, hey... You're a grown man, why are you blushing like a teapot! And this acting is too over the top! Also, what on earth is with this nickname!
"I feel like Subaru-dear is badmouthing me in his head right now, meow~"
Ferris tilted her head, her large golden eyes sparkling with a mischievous light. Those fluffy cat ears twitched nimbly, and combined with that unbelievably delicate face, her whole being exuded an irresistible cute charm.
"Wh-What are you talking about!"
Although he tried his best to deny it, Natsuki Subaru clearly felt his own guilt; his heart had indeed uncharacteristically skipped a beat. Looking at Ferris's pretty face at such close range, he felt all the blood in his body begin to boil uncontrollably again. Her warm breath brushed against his face, that faint, elusive fragrance mixed with a light lavender scent, making the surrounding air ambiguous.
Seriously, bro, you smell amazing!
Calm down, me! This guy is a boy!
But why... is he so damn cute...
Natsuki Subaru's internal theater was staging a fierce battle between heaven and man, all sorts of strange wordplays flashing through his mind: A man-ly obstacle, man-handling worries, a dile-man, man-fronting solutions, knowing the man and pressing on, man on top of man, re-man-ctantly mounted, a strong man's lock-man, self-preser-man-tion is hard, surrounded by men, spilled water is un-re-man-able... in short, it's un-man-tionable.
No, no... Stop this dangerous line of thought!
Natsuki Subaru complained frantically in his heart.
Keenly sensing Natsuki Subaru's wavering, the mischief in Ferris's eyes intensified, a sly arc playing on her lips, and she deliberately glanced towards Emilia:
"Meow meow, Subaru-dear, if you fall for Ferris, Lady Emilia will be heartbroken, meow."
"Hey, hey! Who- Who would fall for you!"
Natsuki Subaru waved his hands in panic, roaring frantically in his mind:
What a joke! How could I fall for a male catboy? Impossible, this is impossible, absolutely impossible! Even if he's that cute... Wait, what am I thinking...
"Subaru-dear, don't be shy..." Ferris covered her mouth with her sleeve and chuckled, her cat ears twitching happily, the tip of her tail even playfully curling into a small loop. "Ferris can see it all, meow~"
"I told you no! Stop talking nonsense!"
Natsuki Subaru glared at Ferris.
This damn male catboy... He's definitely doing it on purpose.
"Ahem, well..." Emilia coughed lightly at the right moment, a somewhat helpless smile in her amethyst eyes, rescuing the embarrassed Natsuki Subaru. "Ferris, did you come here for something important?"
"Ah, that's right, meow~" Ferris immediately sat up straight, her cat ears perking up alertly, her tail neatly curling behind her. The playful expression on her face instantly vanished, replaced by a professional demeanor completely different from before. Her golden cat eyes met Emilia's, and her voice became much more composed.
"Because the fifth royal candidate has been decided, Lady Crusch specially sent me to invite Lady Emilia to the capital to discuss election matters."
"The fifth candidate, huh..."
Natsuki Subaru, standing to the side, unconsciously stroked his chin, a knowing look in his eyes. He immediately remembered the golden-haired girl, Felt, whom he had met in the slums.
Speaking of which, he had indirectly created the opportunity for Felt to become a candidate. If he hadn't brought Reinhard to deal with the Bowel Hunter Elsa, the Royal Selection insignia wouldn't have lit up in front of Felt.
Natsuki Subaru clearly remembered the scene. The moment Felt touched the insignia, that token symbolizing the qualification for the Royal Selection suddenly burst with a dazzling red light.
As the royal treasure of the Kingdom of Lugnica, the Royal Selection insignia was not only the core item for confirming a candidate's qualification but also the tangible manifestation of the Dragon Stone's prophecy. Only those recognized by the Divine Dragon Volcanica could make the insignia glow red and obtain the legitimate right to participate in the Royal Selection.
Ultimately, that insignia was essentially a vessel for the Dragon's power. It represented the continuation of the contract with the Divine Dragon, ensuring that the new king could inherit the ancient alliance between the royal family and the dragon.
According to the rules of this world, since Felt could make the insignia glow, she was destined to become the fifth Royal Selection candidate.
It seems the real battle for the Royal Selection is about to begin...
"The specific time is set for next Tuesday morning." Ferris added, then her slender fingers retrieved a gold-stamped invitation from her bosom, respectfully handing it to Emilia with both hands. The pair of gray cat ears atop her head twitched gently with the rhythm of her speech.
"Lady Crusch has already prepared a meeting place in the Royal Capital. The Council of Sages has also formally summoned all royal candidates. At that time, all five candidates will gather in the Royal Grand Hall to attend this important meeting, meow."
"I understand." Emilia accepted the invitation, her fingertips lightly brushing the exquisite coat of arms on it. She looked at Ferris, her voice still gentle but with an added seriousness. "Please tell Lady Crusch that I will be there on time. I'm grateful for her care some time ago, and I also look forward to thanking her in person."
"Lady Crusch will surely be delighted, meow~" Ferris's cat ears twitched happily, but quickly returned to a serious demeanor. "Additionally, regarding Lady Emilia's security detail..."
"Please rest assured on that point." Natsuki Subaru suddenly straightened his back, his right fist against his chest, revealing a confident smile. "As Emilia's exclusive knight, I will definitely ensure her safety. Roswaal has also made thorough preparations."
After all, the situation during the Royal Selection was complex, with various factions moving in the shadows. Furthermore, Emilia's status as a half-elf, and her resemblance to the legendary Witch of Envy, meant many people harbored deep-seated animosity towards her. Compared to the other candidates, Emilia faced a much higher degree of danger.
"Speaking of which..." Ferris slightly narrowed her golden eyes, looking Natsuki Subaru up and down with a hint of curiosity. "Subaru-dear, I don't sense any strong mana fluctuations from you. Are you purely a combat type, meow?"
You know, as a knight of a Royal Selection candidate, one should logically be exceptionally strong. Just like the knight of the fifth candidate, Sword Saint Reinhard, or another candidate's knight, the kingdom's finest knight, Julius. Logically, Lady Emilia's knight shouldn't be too far behind.
However, the current situation puzzled Ferris somewhat. As the kingdom's top healing magic user, her perception of mana was extraordinarily acute. From his mana fluctuations, Natsuki Subaru's magic power was almost identical to that of an ordinary person. And from a warrior's perspective, he didn't have Wilhelm's oppressive physique or aura. This seemingly ordinary black-haired young man was difficult to associate with the word "strong."
That's why I couldn't help but tease this black-haired young man just now, meow...
"You could say that, I guess." Natsuki Subaru shrugged, while thinking to himself.
Although I don't know any magic, with my system-enhanced physical attributes, I definitely count as a top-tier warrior.
"He is very strong," Emilia interjected from the side.
"Actually, I'm not that strong..." Natsuki Subaru scratched the back of his head, then showed a confident smile. "But protecting Emilia is no problem."
With my current level 18 strength, I should be more than capable of handling most crises. After all, the Natsuki Subaru from the original work, who was an ordinary person, managed to navigate through it. I'm much stronger than him now. This strength was his confidence in protecting those important to him.
"Heehee, what a reassuring statement, meow~" Ferris covered her mouth with her sleeve and chuckled, her cat ears twitching happily. Then she added seriously, "However, Subaru-dear, you must be careful. There are quite a few people in the Royal Capital staring at the candidates lately."
"I'm already prepared for that." Natsuki Subaru's eyes suddenly sharpened like a blade, his voice deepening slightly. "No matter who it is, as long as I'm here, no one will harm a single hair on Emilia's head."
Thanks to his understanding of the original plot, he was more aware than Ferris of the crises they might face in the future. The tragedies he had witnessed in those loops were vivid in his memory, making his determination even stronger.
This time, I absolutely will not repeat the same mistakes.
To protect Emilia's smile, even if it's a god... I'll kill it for you!
"...Mm, a very spirited declaration, meow!" Ferris's golden eyes widened in surprise. Just in that instant, she clearly sensed an unusually dangerous aura emanating from Natsuki Subaru, like the oppressive feeling of facing a giant dragon alone. But when she looked closely, that feeling vanished without a trace, as if it were just an illusion.
Strange... Was that...? How could he have such a terrifying aura? Was it an illusion?
Ferris twitched her ears in confusion, unable to figure it out for a moment, but quickly resumed her smile.
"I believe Subaru." Emilia's amethyst-like eyes were full of confidence in Natsuki Subaru.
"Although I'd love to spend more time with Lady Emilia and Subaru-dear, meow~" Ferris stood up lightly, her skirt fluttering gently with the movement, her cat tail tracing a graceful arc behind her. "But if I don't go back soon, Lady Crusch will worry and won't be able to sleep at night."
Natsuki Subaru looked at Ferris with a speechless expression, inwardly complaining:
Just go already! If you stay any longer, my sexual orientation will be in serious trouble!
"To be stared at by Subaru-dear with such an intense gaze, I feel my face gradually heating up, meow~"
Ferris deliberately tilted her head, making the fluffy cat ears atop her head twitch lightly, her whole being exuding an irresistible cute charm. She even lightly tapped her reddening cheek with a slender finger, feigning shyness.
Natsuki Subaru was completely speechless, a prominent vein throbbing on his forehead.
Intense, my foot! This guy is definitely doing it on purpose, and why can he even fake blushing so convincingly?
Outside the mansion.
The evening glow coated the luxurious earth dragon carriage in a warm golden light.
Ferris leaped lightly onto the driver's platform, her movements as graceful as a real cat, her skirt tracing a beautiful arc in the air.
"Alright, if fate allows, see you in the Royal Capital." Ferris waved playfully at Natsuki Subaru and Emilia, her cat ears twitching happily with the movement. "Subaru-dear, you have to remember to think of Ferris, meow~"
"Err..." Natsuki Subaru's mouth twitched uncontrollably, and he couldn't help but complain frantically in his mind:
Who would think of you, a male catboy! I'm a man of steel, I like Emilia and Rem! Unless this guy was a real catgirl, that might be different... Wait, wait, what am I thinking!
Natsuki Subaru quickly shook his head, trying to drive these messy thoughts out of his mind.
"Lord Subaru." Wilhelm's steady voice came. He held the reins controlling the earth dragon, his sharp gaze directed at Natsuki Subaru.
"Mr. Wilhelm." Natsuki Subaru replied seriously, bowing slightly.
"Farewell." Wilhelm said briefly, then flicked the reins.
With a clear neigh, the earth dragon powerfully pawed the ground, and the wheels began to turn slowly. After a few powerful pushes, the dragon carriage suddenly accelerated, reaching an astonishing speed in moments. The carriage kicked up a light dust on the stone path and soon became a distant black dot.
"Safe travels." Emilia waved goodbye gently, her silver hair fluttering softly in the evening breeze.
"That Ferris fellow is finally gone..." Natsuki Subaru let out a long sigh of relief, his tense shoulders finally relaxing. He raised his hand to wipe the non-existent cold sweat from his forehead, looking relieved as the carriage gradually disappeared down the road.
"Finally, I don't have to deal with that troublesome male catboy anymore..."
But then, Natsuki Subaru's expression turned grave again. In the evening glow, he looked towards the distant road leading to the Royal Capital, his eyes gradually becoming firm.
The Royal Selection is finally about to officially begin...
According to the original plot, those troublesome things will follow one after another.
The Mabeast White Whale, the Witch Cult, the Sin Archbishops...
"But this time, I will definitely protect everyone, and I absolutely won't let anyone die again!"
Natsuki Subaru stood at the mansion gate, his figure stretched long by the setting sun, an unprecedented fire of determination burning in his black eyes.
On the earth dragon carriage, far from Roswaal Manor, the evening glow coated the carriage in gold.
Wilhelm sat steadily on the driver's platform, easily guiding the earth dragon forward.
From the carriage window behind him, a head with flaxen hair poked out, cat ears twitching gently in the evening breeze.
"—How did the mission go?" Wilhelm asked without turning his head.
"Of course, it went well." Ferris leaned against the window, her cat tail wagging happily. "When has Ferris ever failed a task entrusted by Lady Crusch? Wilhelm, you just worry too much."
This kind of environment, in a way, is indeed the most suitable for secret talks.
"More importantly, meow~" Ferris suddenly leaned closer, her cat eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Ferris is quite surprised that Wilhelm would actually chat with that young man. Doesn't Wilhelm hate talking to people the most?"
"That is a very absurd misunderstanding." Wilhelm's voice remained steady.
"Oh, is it? I'm sorry..." Ferris drawled, her cat ears twitching slyly. "Compared to talking, Wilhelm just prefers cutting people down, meow~"
"...That is also a serious misunderstanding." Wilhelm's reply was short and forceful.
Faced with such teasing, Wilhelm's flat reaction made Ferris pout her lips in dissatisfaction: "Wilhelm is so——boring, meow~"
"Was talking to Ferris more unpleasant for you than talking to that young man just now?" Ferris looked at Wilhelm ahead, her small pink tongue sticking out playfully. "Although I can't see anything special about him, you admire him that much?"
Wilhelm slowly looked up, his deep gaze directed towards the distance: "His potential... is immeasurable."
"Eh?" Ferris's cat ears twitched, and she tilted her head with an incredulous expression. "Wilhelm actually gives such a high evaluation, meow?"
Wilhelm didn't answer immediately, merely gazing at the gradually disappearing silhouette of the mansion in the distance: "That young man's eyes... hold something special."
"What is it, meow?" Ferris asked curiously.
"It's determination." Wilhelm's voice was as heavy as steel. "The kind of determination to protect something at all costs. I've seen too many eyes like that on the battlefield."
"Wilhelm," Ferris suddenly narrowed her eyes mischievously, "You're not going to say something like 'He may not look like much, but he's actually very strong,' are you? Like seeing your younger self?"
"Precisely." Wilhelm, driving the earth dragon, suddenly lowered his voice. "He has the scent of blood and fire on him... That's a quality only those who have truly crossed life and death can possess."
"Eh?!" Ferris's golden eyes widened in surprise. "Wilhelm is actually actively evaluating someone? But that Subaru-dear clearly looks very ordinary, meow~"
"Appearances are often the most deceptive. He seems full of openings, yet he gives me an unusually dangerous feeling." Saying this, Wilhelm's gaze turned to the distance.
"Hmm—I really don't understand, meow~" Ferris tilted her head, a look of confusion on her face.
"That young man is no ordinary person; he's a true warrior." Wilhelm's voice was steady and powerful, his hand holding the reins unconsciously tightening. "His stance looks casual, but in reality, he can erupt with full force at any moment. Deep within his eyes lies the sharpness honed through life-and-death struggles. Most importantly..."
Wilhelm paused slightly, the setting sun plating his profile with a dark golden hue. "He carries a strong scent of blood, not the kind one gets from ordinary battles..."
"Scent of blood?" Ferris's cat ears perked up alertly. "How come Ferris didn't smell it? I only felt that his scent was very comfortable, meow~"
"That's why you don't understand." Wilhelm shook his head. "That's the scent left only after slaying powerful Mabeasts. I saw similar things on the battlefield in my youth... Only those who have crawled out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood would be like that."
"Wow!" Ferris's mouth opened wide in exaggeration. "Is Wilhelm actually praising someone? Is that ordinary-looking Subaru-dear really that amazing?"
"Not amazing..." Wilhelm chose his words carefully, a rare occurrence. "Dangerous! Like... a sharp sword hidden in its scabbard. It looks harmless, but once unsheathed, it will surely draw blood."
"But Ferris sensed with healing magic that although his body is strong, he doesn't have particularly strong mana fluctuations..." Ferris said, stroking her chin thoughtfully to Wilhelm, who was driving the earth dragon carriage ahead.
"That's why you magic users rely too much on mana perception." Wilhelm said faintly, his gaze still fixed on the road ahead.
"Hmm... Then according to Wilhelm's standards," Ferris's golden eyes darted around, then she asked again, "Compared to Wilhelm, who is stronger, Subaru-dear or you, meow?"
"Although we haven't formally crossed swords, he should be above me!" Wilhelm replied decisively, his voice carrying an unquestionable certainty.
This answer made Ferris's cat ears instantly stand on end, her eyes widening, her voice slightly raised in surprise: "Meow?! Wilhelm, you say that... Subaru-dear's strength is even greater than yours?!"
You know, Wilhelm was a legendary figure known as the Sword Demon, a powerhouse who had once defeated the previous Sword Saint. Even if he was no longer in his prime and his strength had declined, for Natsuki Subaru to receive such a high evaluation from him was truly unbelievable.
Ferris narrowed her eyes, her gaze burning as she stared at the broad back on the driver's platform: "To be evaluated so highly by the Sword Demon Wilhelm van Astrea, it's truly unbelievable, meow..."
The earth dragon carriage gradually receded under the setting sun, the sound of its wheels on the stone path particularly clear in the quiet dusk.
Ferris thoughtfully withdrew her gaze, her cat ears twitching gently. Although she still found this unexpected evaluation incredible.
"Honestly..." Ferris suddenly broke into a sly smile, her cat tail wagging happily. "Wilhelm made him sound so incredible, Ferris must properly examine Subaru-dear next time, meow~"
The setting sun stretched the shadow of the earth dragon carriage long, casting a lengthy silhouette on the stone path.
Inside the carriage, the two were lost in their own thoughts, only the sound of the wheels echoing in the dusk.
___
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