Shiro remained at Roswaal Mansion for several more days.
During that time, he read countless grimoires in Betty's Forbidden Library.
His progress could not exactly be called slow.
It would be more accurate to say he had gained almost nothing.
Of this world's magic, the only attributes that seemed potentially useful to him were Yang and Yin.
Yet books describing those two attributes made up only a small fraction of the Forbidden Library.
Finding something genuinely useful among those few grimoires was even harder.
Fortunately, if there was one thing Shiro had plenty of, it was time.
Having been a Desperado since birth, he had long since surpassed the normal limitations of lifespan.
Even if he made absolutely no further progress from now on, living another two or three centuries would hardly be difficult.
So after completely adjusting his mindset, Shiro stopped rushing.
If he found something useful, great.
If not—He could simply enjoy the scenery and lifestyle of another world.
And honestly—Living like this was practically heaven when two maids handled his daily needs.
It made Shiro privately condemn just how decadent Roswaal's previous lifestyle must have been.
Although, as the older sister, Ram was nearly useless at anything besides cleaning.
Most of the actual work still fell to Rem.
One day, while following Rem toward the dining room, Shiro happened to glance through a corridor window.
A luxurious dragon carriage was slowly approaching from the distance.
At first, Shiro wondered whether Roswaal had hired another maid.
Then he noticed the elderly man driving the carriage and immediately discarded that idea.
The man's white hair was meticulously combed backward.
A black suit resembling a butler's uniform stretched across his powerful frame.
Even the wrinkles covering his face could not conceal the depth of his gaze as he stared straight ahead.
From this old man—Shiro sensed something similar to what he felt from Kurogane Ikki.
Will.
The kind of will possessed only by a swordsman who clearly understood that he lacked natural talent—Yet continued practicing the sword day after day regardless.
This elderly gentleman was undoubtedly an extraordinary swordsman.
While Shiro observed him, the man apparently noticed his gaze as well.
He raised his head, looked directly toward Shiro, and gave a slight nod in greeting.
The old man stopped the dragon carriage in front of Roswaal Mansion.
Then the carriage door opened—And an adorable young girl hopped out.
She was slightly taller than an average girl and had a slender figure.
Her medium-length flaxen hair was neatly trimmed and decorated with a white ribbon.
Large eyes glittered with catlike curiosity.
In fact—A pair of things resembling cat ears actually protruded from the top of her head.
People in this world generally did not wear cat-ear accessories for fashion.
Meaning—
Just like Ram and Rem, she was a demi-human.
At that moment, Ram, who had apparently grown bored enough to help trim the plants in the courtyard, also noticed the carriage.
She walked toward the mansion entrance and respectfully welcomed the girl inside.
"Those two are supporters of Lady Crusch."
Rem, walking half a step behind Shiro, noticed his curiosity and explained their identities.
"Crusch?"
"Her full name is Crusch Karsten."
"She is the current head of House Karsten, a ducal family, and one of the Royal Selection candidates alongside Lady Emilia."
"The two gentlemen below are her supporters."
"One is her current butler, Wilhelm."
"The other is Felix Argyle, who bears the title [Blue], representing the pinnacle of Water magic."
"Wait."
Shiro abruptly turned toward her.
"You said two... gentlemen?"
"What do you mean, gentlemen?"
"That cat-eared demi-human is a man?!"
"Yes."
"Although Felix looks and dresses like a beautiful young woman, and specializes in healing magic, which is more commonly practiced by women..."
"He is unquestionably male."
"He is also Lady Crusch's knight."
It was rare to see Shiro genuinely shocked.
Rem covered her mouth and quietly giggled while explaining.
Shiro stared down at the cat-eared figure happily bouncing along behind Ram.
His eyes were filled with disbelief.
'You're telling me that demi-human, whose expressions and movements are completely indistinguishable from an energetic girl's... is actually a man???'
Fortunately—The shock did not last long.
Shiro took a deep breath.
When he looked at Felix again, his eyes had already returned to their usual calm clarity.
It was as though the cute cross-dressing boy skipping around below were no different from Subaru wandering aimlessly around the mansion.
The correct use of Twin-Wings Sword Style.
Perfectly control every part of your body in battle, allowing you to keep fighting even if your heart stops. (×)
Perfectly control your emotions when encountering a cross-dresser, allowing you to treat him like any other man no matter how feminine he looks. (✔)
"So their purpose for coming here is to inform Emilia that the Royal Selection is about to begin, right?"
"Eh?"
Rem blinked.
"How does Shiro-sama know?"
Although she was surprised that Shiro had recovered so quickly from learning Felix was male—She was even more curious about how he knew why they had come.
"Hmm?"
"Roswaal never told you?"
Shiro looked at Rem in surprise.
The fact that Roswaal allowed him to remain here meant Emilia had obviously mentioned Shiro to him.
And something as important as the final Royal Selection candidate being found was not something Emilia would neglect to tell her sponsor.
Yet Roswaal had not told even his own maids?
What exactly was that man guarding against?
With that thought, Shiro shifted his gaze back toward Wilhelm, who remained seated in the driver's position below.
At the same moment—Wilhelm raised his head again.
Their gazes met.
"The final candidate for the Royal Selection has already been found."
...
"Hey, Gramps Wil! I'm back, nya!"
"Sorry for making you wait outside alone. You must've been bored!"
Felix emerged from the mansion entrance and spotted Wilhelm staring upward at something.
Mistaking his silence for boredom after waiting too long, Felix raised his right hand and apologized.
"Not at all."
"These old bones still have some strength left in them."
"I can wait this long without trouble."
"Besides, while waiting, I discovered someone rather interesting."
"Fumya? Someone?"
Felix moved beside Wilhelm and narrowed his catlike eyes, following the older man's gaze into the mansion.
He immediately spotted Shiro standing beside Rem at the window.
"Ooh!"
"That's quite a handsome young man, nya."
"What about him?"
"He is an exceptionally formidable warrior."
"If we are speaking purely of martial ability..."
"I cannot say with certainty that I would defeat him."
Felix sharply sucked in a breath.
His catlike pupils contracted into thin needles as he carefully reevaluated Shiro.
"Could he be one of Lady Emilia's people?"
"We do not know yet."
"There remains a possibility that we may eventually become enemies."
"No way, nya!"
"Ferri-chan already promised Lady Crusch that I'd become a knight who protects her without using a sword!"
"Even if I had to face Reinhard, Ferri-chan would..."
Felix suddenly stopped.
Remembering the relationship between Wilhelm and Reinhard, he hurriedly apologized.
"Ah... sorry."
"That wasn't what I meant, nya."
"There is no need to concern yourself."
"I severed my ties with that family long ago."
Wilhelm withdrew his gaze from Shiro and shook his head.
"Either way, we should return and inform Lady Crusch, nya."
"Would this count as an unexpected bonus from today's trip?"
Wilhelm gave a faint nod.
After Felix returned to the carriage, the old swordsman flicked the reins and drove away from Roswaal Mansion.
Watching the estate gradually disappear into the distance, Felix could not help sighing.
"One after another, people nobody's ever even heard of keep suddenly appearing."
"Haa..."
"Things really have been getting troublesome lately, nya."
…