The Mansion of Roswaal L. Mathers.
Emilia comes to a sudden stop, her expression shifting from joy to confusion in the blink of an eye. Her eyes gaze at me with bewilderment, as if my words were a personal affront.
After all we've been through together, mentioning the existence of another world must seem utterly unreal to her. She might think I'm trying to hide something from her or simply inventing a far-fetched story.
However, that's not the most important thing for me right now. What's crucial is that Satella, the witch, didn't steal my heart when I uttered those words. If this works, I can prove to Emilia, and later to Roswaal, the truth of my words.
Once Puck awakens, I'll have additional confirmation, along with my cellphone. And though I hadn't noticed, my earphones are at the bottom of my pocket.
"It's not a lie what I'm saying," I unlock my phone and show her the photo. "Look, here you can see what she did."
Emilia says nothing, but looks at the photo, which shows herself. My phone's quality is quite high, so it looked incredibly good.
"This...," Emilia doesn't look at me, instead she continues to gaze at her photo, "This could be done by a metia; it doesn't mean anything."
"A metia? What's that?" I start to get annoyed. "How can you prove if it's a metia or not?"
Emilia's gaze locks onto my eyes; the glint fades, replaced by a shadow of disappointment. It's clear she suspects I'm avoiding the truth or trying to deceive her in some way. Her thoughts seem filled with distrust.
"If I infuse it with mana, and it reacts," she mutters quietly while starting to channel mana through her hands. A small bluish light emerges, illuminating her expectant expression.
I can't deny that I'm also curious about my cellphone's reaction, even though the fear of damaging it gnaws at me inside.
"Wait, it's not rea...," Emilia interrupts her sentence, her face filled with surprise as she notices the lack of response. "It's not reacting?"
Emilia continues to infuse mana into the device repeatedly, but there's no sign of life. Seeing her effort go in vain, I decide to touch her shoulder to get her attention.
"Emilia, it's not going to react. This device doesn't belong to this world either," I inform her seriously, hoping she can accept the truth.
"That's impossible!" Emilia exclaims, her voice filled with disbelief and frustration. Her eyes bore into me intensely, as if every revelation pained her and accused me of hiding something.
I'm well aware of Emilia's sensitivity to lies, and every word I utter seems to increase her unease.
At that moment, Ram opens the front window and sticks her head out, observing the scene with an angry expression. The gentle breeze seems to form at her will, creating an aura of tension in the air.
"Is something wrong?" Ram extends her hand and begins to generate a whirlwind of wind. "Is this despicable man bothering you?"
Without wasting time, I raise my hands in a gesture of surrender. I don't know how Ram will react to this situation, so it's better not to take unnecessary risks.
I look at Emilia, hoping she will come to my defense and clarify the misunderstanding.
"No, it's not that," Emilia responds, trying to calm her expression. "It's just that... Oh yes! Marco just made a very funny joke, hahaha."
Emilia attempts, rather unsuccessfully, to lighten the tension in the air. Although her forced smile still reflects her disappointment, it also shows great confusion.
Understanding and accepting something as extraordinary as this situation is not an easy task, no matter how much evidence is presented.
Ram slams the window shut, and silence quickly fills the carriage, leaving an atmosphere laden with uncertainty.
"I'm not lying to you. I don't even know how to read or write. Is it impossible for someone like me to obtain a device like that, right?"
"That's..."
"Look, I have more evidence."
I try to take the phone, but Emilia gently stops me. She hands it back to me and moves to the other seat in the carriage.
"We'd better talk when Puck is awake. I understand that you're being honest, but to be honest, I'm also exhausted. Puck has the ability to detect lies, so he'll help us clarify everything, okay?"
Emilia looks at me with a mix of disappointment and fatigue. Perhaps she's tired of dealing with everything that has happened, and I chose a bad time to reveal the truth.
However, I don't feel sad about it. On the contrary, now that I have that introduction, I can start implementing my real plan.
I settle into the seat as I bid goodnight to Emilia. While I gaze at the carriage's ceiling, I can't help but think about what I'm going to do with Roswaal.
So far, the most significant thing in my favor is the fact that I saved Emilia. However, that's not the real issue at play.
I recall that in this arc of the story, Rem will try to kill me due to my scent. Since it's been a long time since I read this part, I'll need to reread it, although unfortunately, I can't do it in the carriage due to the constant movement.
I don't want to unnecessarily drain the phone's battery. After all, I still have ninety-six percent of charge left.
Should I follow the same path as the protagonist of the novel? It's not a bad idea. As an initial mediation, it could be perfect.
No…
I must transform this world, not settle for what's already here.
After all, I aspire to be more than just a servant.
Now that I find myself here, I have many goals in mind. To achieve them, I'll need to make use of the resources from my own world. I suppose I'll have to leverage my request to my advantage.
Instead of simply becoming a servant, I wish to ask Roswaal to...
Sleep envelops me, and my body, exhausted from recent events, succumbs to the fatigue inside the carriage.
The carriage comes to a slow stop. My body, which previously felt heavy, now feels as light as a feather. I don't feel unwell; instead, I feel like I have many possibilities. I feel capable now that I don't have to fear being pursued all over the planet.
Honestly, it's the best night I've had in years.
I open my eyes and am greeted by the carriage's tapestry, a pattern in shades of red with delicate golden stripes.
It's a tapestry of exquisite elegance that I couldn't fully appreciate before, probably due to the late hour and the exhaustion that overwhelmed me.
I stretch my body, feeling how each of my limbs relaxes and awakens. I realize that I am whole and healthy, and a wave of gratitude washes over me as I think about the danger I left behind on Earth.
I turn my gaze to Emilia, who is still sleeping peacefully on her back. Despite the cramped space inside the carriage, her face doesn't seem to reflect any discomfort.
I get up and approach her. I'd like her to sleep a little longer so I can think things through, but I need her help. I gently touch her shoulder and start giving her little nudges.
"Emilia, Emilia," I whisper softly. "We've arrived, wake up."
I try not to shout and startle her awake.
Emilia slowly starts to stir. First, she grumbles in a strange way and then rubs her eyes.
"Have we arrived?" Emilia slowly rubs her eyes. She changes her position slowly, sitting up and stretching her body.
"I'm not sure, but the carriage has been stopped for a few minutes."
The carriage opens wide, allowing the sunlight to pour in without asking for permission. For a moment, I close my eyes to shield them from the intensity, but I quickly adapt to its brilliance.
When I can finally see clearly, that's when I have my first encounter with that person.
It's Rem, peering through the carriage door. Her presence radiates a delicacy that seems taken from a fairy tale.
Like a porcelain doll bathed in a beam of radiant light, her figure stands out amidst the luminosity. Her pale, smooth skin contrasts elegantly with the black maid's dress she wears.
Her hair, as intense as the clear sky, gracefully waves in the wind, and her blue eyes, as bright as sapphires, capture the very essence of purity and depth.
Despite the discomfort of the situation, we find ourselves in, her beauty is absolutely captivating, making my heart race just by looking at her.
"It's a pleasure to welcome you, Miss Emilia, guest," Rem bows to us politely.
"Good morning, Rem," Emilia still half-asleep, looks towards Rem.
She reaches out and helps Emilia get down. I, on the other hand, get down behind Emilia.
I descend from the carriage. The fresh, fragrant air caresses my face as I stand in front of Roswaal L. Mathers' majestic mansion.
The lush, green grass stretches as far as the eye can see, caressed by a gentle breeze that seems to dance among the tree leaves.
The countryside surrounding the mansion is a true delight for the senses, an impeccable display of love and dedication to the land.
However, my attention is quickly captured by the imposing presence of the mansion rising before me.
Her beauty is almost hypnotic, from the towers reaching towards the sky, to the windows with pointed arches, and the intricately carved wooden doors. Every detail of the construction seems to have been designed with unmatched precision and elegance.
The size of the mansion is impressive, a demonstration of the owner's grandeur and opulence. The magnificence of the building extends far and wide across the property, enveloping me in an atmosphere of charm and mystery.
The sunlight further highlights the mansion's details, allowing me to appreciate every shadow and relief of the structure. It's a breathtaking sight that makes it clear that Roswaal L. Mathers' mansion is not just a simple house but a masterpiece of art and architecture.
This must have taken a lot of effort and time. I'm impressed; it's very different when you're witnessing something like this. As I gaze at the mansion with my mouth almost agape, an impulse brings me back to reality.
Emilia and Rem were staring at me, seemingly surprised by my reaction.
I quickly clear my throat; I've been staring for too long.
"I'm sorry; it's the first time I've seen something like this," I give a slightly awkward smile. "I apologize for my rudeness."
Emilia doesn't seem to react much; her gaze is mostly fixed on the very essence of the dream. But Rem...
The air becomes tense as Rem's sharp eyes pierce through me, as if she could read my true nature with just one look.
That confirms it; I also have the witch's miasma.
But I don't let her cold demeanor intimidate me, and I maintain a respectful posture as I introduce myself. With a slight bow, I break the silence and state my name clearly and firmly.
"Pleased to meet you; I'm Marco Luz," I continue with my bow. "Thank you for receiving us today."
Rem, on her part, responds with a formal bow, displaying her mastery of etiquette and her ability to conceal any trace of emotion on her face.
Her impeccable posture and controlled gesture reveal the discipline and rigidity that characterize her role as a servant in the mansion.
"Rem, I am a servant in the mansion of Master Roswaal L. Mathers."
Although her expression doesn't reveal much, I can sense a palpable tension in the air. The presence of my witch's miasma does not escape Rem's notice, and I can feel that our interaction will be fraught with mistrust and caution.
However, I am determined to always remain polite and respectful, seeking to establish a relationship of trust and cooperation in this new environment.
Immediately after Rem makes her greeting, Puck emerges from Emilia's hair with a small and drowsy appearance. His eyes blink slowly as he rubs his eyes with his tiny hands.
"Good morning," Puck says with his characteristic playful yet sleepy tone.
I approach Puck with curiosity and pose a question that has intrigued me for some time.
"Good morning... Excuse me, now that I think about it," I move closer to him, seeking to understand his mysterious nature, "how do you appear and exit Emilia's body? If you are inside the gem, how is it that you always appear from her hair? That doesn't make sense."
"Oh, well, I can materialize from anywhere, see," Puck explains as he moves to Emilia's back, "it's like a trick."
In the blink of an eye, Puck disappears from Emilia's back and reappears instantly on her stomach. At first glance, it would seem like he's passing through her, but that would be incorrect.
Curious about the effect this has on Emilia, I turn my gaze to her, who remains in her drowsy state. However, her gaze transcends beyond reality, as if she's glimpsing something on a higher plane.
"Does it feel like anything when he does that?" I ask Emilia, even though I know she's not looking at me or paying attention.
Suddenly, Emilia wakes up from her reverie and utters a sleepy morning greeting.
"Eh? Ahhh, good morning!" she exclaims as she yawns.
Puck and I exchange glances, acknowledging the fatigue Emilia must be feeling after using so much mana and participating in a battle. However, it's unavoidable in our circumstances.
A burst of genuine laughter fills the air as Puck, and I laugh without restraint or worries.
Seeing us, Emilia starts to wake up. Soon, she understands what just happened, and her expression of annoyance changes to one of embarrassment.
"Don't make fun of me!" Emilia says, waving her arms. "You cheeky fellows!"
We can't stop laughing, making her more and more annoyed, but we stop when we see that it's enough.
"That was fun," I raise my fist to Puck.
"We should do it again," Puck says, bumping his fist with mine.
Emilia then smiles, and although we try to tease her again, she smiles genuinely, as if she's grateful to see both of us getting along.
"It's good to see you both getting along," Emilia says with a smile. "Good morning to both of you."
Puck and I exchange glances, capturing in our gazes the mutual uncertainty that lingers between us. Despite the camaraderie and teamwork, there's a lingering sense that neither of us fully reveals our true nature.
I know that Puck is more than he appears, with his powerful presence and great power. And Puck, in turn, senses that behind my facade of cordiality and courtesy, there's something more, hidden secrets and motivations.
But this truce is for Emilia. As long as I don't cross the line, neither will he.
"Well, when it comes to teasing you, we certainly make a good team," Puck says. "Good morning, Lia, I like your smile."
Emilia smiles again at Puck, who moves to her side and then looks at me.
"Thank you, Marco, for looking after her when I wasn't here. I appreciate it," Puck says, smiling at me. "If there's anything I can do for you, just let me know."
I can't let these words go to waste. Right now, I don't have anything useful to ask for, so I better wait until something comes to mind.
"Let me think about it. Spirits don't owe you a favor all the time. In fact, it's the first time I've interacted with a spirit," I wink at him.
Puck looks at me satisfied, as if he sees another aura in me, even if he can't fully trust me.
"Alright, when you know what you want, you can tell me," Puck retreats into Emilia's hair.
Rem had been silently observing us the whole time and finally decides to intervene.
"Lord Roswaal is waiting for everyone to have breakfast," Rem tells Emilia.
"Yes, let's go to Roswaal," Emilia changes her expression and looks at me. "Are you ready...?"
Emilia looks directly at me, but my attention is fully focused on my destiny. As I contemplate the majesty of the mansion, I can feel a powerful determination growing within me.
I'm consumed by an unbreakable urge to conquer this world, to survive and transform everything around me. I don't feel distrust, but an unwavering confidence in my ability to face what's to come.
My eyes shine with determination as I respond to Emilia.
"I'm more than ready. Nothing can stop me now."
My voice resonates with a firmness that reflects my determination and resolve to face any challenge that comes my way. I walk alongside Emilia towards the mansion, leaving behind uncertainty and embracing the promise of a future full of adventures and profound changes.
Come at me with everything you've got.
I, Marco Luz, will show you what I'm made of.