"Shendu and her servant know nothing about the kingdom's actual situation. Logically speaking, even foreigners should at least understand the general circumstances. Yet they seem completely disconnected from the world, utterly ignorant of the kingdom."
Ram spoke word by word, confusion visible on her face. Under normal circumstances, such a situation should never occur.
"So you think they weren't telling the truth?"
Roswaal did not seem surprised at all. As if he had already considered a possibility, a faint smile curved his lips.
"Yes. Most likely they are spies sent from another country. But there are contradictions. Their strength is formidable—strong enough to serve as a trump card in any nation. There would be no need to use someone like that as a mere pawn."
That was precisely what puzzled Ram. It was simply too strange.
Someone who could clearly be treated as a trump card was instead being used like a disposable underling. The more she thought about it, the less plausible it seemed. That was why she had been unable to determine Shendu's true identity.
"Oh? I, on the other hand, don't think they're foreign spies. They might have some other identity entirely."
Roswaal spoke casually, shifting his posture as he leaned back in his chair and continued looking at Ram.
The information he had obtained from her this time was quite useful. It deepened the faint speculation already forming in his mind.
"Whatever they are, their arrival in the kingdom is terribly ill-timed. The Royal Selection is about to begin. Even suspicion alone is reason enough to act."
Ram looked at Roswaal solemnly. Then she turned her head toward the doorway, a trace of killing intent flickering across her body as she said, "Lord Roswaal, shall I eliminate that eyesore directly?"
"The timing is indeed unfortunate."
Roswaal shook his head before replying, "There's no need. You wouldn't be able to defeat that woman. Besides, I'm willing to believe she bears no ill intent."
Roswaal spoke frankly, and a hint of embarrassment flashed across Ram's eyes. She knew she had just spoken boldly, but there was no helping it.
As long as it was her master's command, Ram would carry it out with all her strength—even at the cost of her life.
"My apologies, Lord Roswaal. Even if I cannot resolve it cleanly, I would do everything in my power to drag her down with me."
Thinking of Roswaal always stirred complicated emotions within Ram. She knew he had cooperated with the Witch Cult to destroy her village, yet he had also given her and her sister a place to belong.
At that thought, Ram decided she would consider revenge later. For now, she would devote herself to serving this man.
"Haha, Ram, you're still the same as ever."
Roswaal glanced at her. After a brief moment of contemplation, he raised his head and said, "Keep a close watch on that woman called Shendu. Report her every move to me promptly. You need not concern yourself with anything else."
In the end, after careful consideration, Roswaal issued only an order of surveillance. He was rather looking forward to seeing what would happen next.
"Yes!"
Hearing Roswaal's decision, Ram bowed respectfully before closing the door and leaving.
For a moment, the room was left with only him.
Once he confirmed no one was around, Roswaal walked to the door, locked it from the inside, and opened one of the drawers in the room.
Instantly, what came into view was a black book. It looked plain and unremarkable, yet faint strands of dark magic emanated from its surface.
"What exactly are you? I shall wait and see."
Filled with anticipation, Roswaal opened the Gospel. A single line of text entered his sight.
"The one who will change the world!"
Seeing new words appear in the Gospel—something that had not changed in a long time—joy surfaced on Roswaal's face.
After waiting for so long, the Gospel had finally shown a change. It seemed that the woman called Shendu was certainly no ordinary person.
Unfortunately, the Gospel in his possession was merely a degraded version. It could only provide a few brief words of guidance. Its effect was somewhat similar to Nia Honjo's Angel, though regrettably its level was at least ten tiers lower.
...
As evening approached, Shendu brought Felt to the dining hall. Unexpectedly, neither Roswaal nor the half-elf Emilia appeared.
With nothing to occupy her, she decided to thoroughly explore the entire mansion. When passing several rooms, Shendu could sense a subtle disturbance nearby.
After some thought, she guessed it might be the place where the drill-haired girl from earlier was living.
Having wandered around the mansion once, Shendu had not discovered where that girl resided. Combined with the magical power she had sensed from her, Shendu easily deduced that the girl was likely staying in an invisible space.
To use an analogy, if the other rooms were like pieces of a Rubik's Cube, then that unseen space could connect effortlessly to every doorway, allowing its occupant to step out at will.
Shendu could accomplish such a feat with ease as well. It seemed that the girl's identity was far from simple. Taking advantage of the moment to pay her a visit did not sound like a bad idea.
"Guest, it's time for dinner."
While Shendu was looking around at the surrounding doors, a blue-haired maid spoke softly from behind her.
"Oh? Where is everyone else?"
Shendu looked puzzled. Emilia was nowhere to be seen, and Roswaal was absent as well. The situation felt somewhat odd.
"Lord Roswaal has his own matters to attend to. Lady Emilia is studying diligently, so she does not have time to dine outside. I will bring her meal in later."
Rem considered briefly before explaining calmly.
"I see."
After understanding the situation, Shendu said nothing more. She walked to the dining table and found Felt and Natsuki Subaru already eating heartily.
Seeing five or six plates laid out in front of Natsuki Subaru, Shendu was slightly surprised. It seemed that fellow truly knew how to appreciate the cuisine of another world.
"Natsuki Subaru, I didn't see you all day. What were you doing in your room?"
After taking her seat, Shendu asked curiously.
"I was running around all day yesterday, so I slept most of today. Just woke up to eat. But the food here is really good."
Natsuki Subaru finished one plate after another, still looking unsatisfied.
"Oh? Then don't hold back. Eat as much as you like."
Shendu's crimson eyes lingered on him briefly before she picked up her knife and fork and began eating as well.
After dinner, Shendu went to the bath for a wash, changed into clean sleepwear, and played around with Felt for a while before drifting into deep sleep.
However, later that night, she should pay a visit to that drill-haired girl. She was still quite curious about the girl's identity.