According to Reinhard:
The place where Margrave Roswaal currently resided was near the Cremaldy Lost Forest on the frontier. His family had inherited the title of Margrave for generations, shoulder the heavy responsibility of guarding the border, preventing enemies from other nations, or the mabeasts within the Lost Forest, from causing chaos.
To travel there from the Royal Capital:
By dragon carriage, it would take two to three days if they didn't rush. If they went on foot without a carriage, it would be quite a time-consuming ordeal. However, they didn't need to worry about any of that. The yet-unmet Lord Roswaal had already arranged everything.
"They've even arranged the dragon carriage? Should I call that 'meticulous thoughtfulness,' or should I say he's already banking on the fact that we definitely won't refuse?"
Gojo Satoru was still musing as they followed Reinhard out of the slums.
"Stupid, who in their right mind would refuse an offer like this?"
Felt spoke with her arms crossed, her tone world-weary and sophisticated, looking very much like a veteran giving pointers to a junior. "Even if we didn't get any money, just having someone like that look after us for a bit would be a hundred times better than how we're living now."
"Yes, yes, Lady Felt is absolutely right."
The group followed Reinhard from the slums through the residential district, then the commercial district, and finally stopped before a luxurious manor once they entered the noble district.
"We've arrived," Reinhard introduced the group. "This is the Mathers family's residence in the Royal Capital. You will board the dragon carriage here to head to the mansion on the frontier."
As he spoke, Subaru Natsuki's eyes suddenly glazed over, as if drawn by something he couldn't look away from. Gojo Satoru keenly noticed the change and followed his gaze, spotting a familiar figure standing by a flowerbed.
Silver hair, purple eyes, and a face that was youthful yet strikingly beautiful. Who else could it be but the girl they had met in the alleyway? More accurately, it was the candidate Margrave Roswaal supported: Emilia.
"Stop staring, you're about to start drooling," Gojo teased, looking at Subaru.
"D-don't talk nonsense! I am not!" Subaru subconsciously wiped his mouth and then spoke with a hint of annoyance.
"Are you happy to have the chance to see her again? Last time you were regretting not knowing her name, and now..." Gojo prattled on.
Felt looked at him with a face full of disdain. "How childish."
"Yeah, exactly!" Subaru agreed wholeheartedly, though he quickly turned excited. "This must be the arrangement of fate. This time, I'll definitely be able to..."
Gojo shrugged at Felt with a "See what I mean?" expression.
"Reinhard."
Emilia had noticed the group at the gate by now, especially Reinhard at the front.
"Lady Emilia, these are the guests invited by Lord Roswaal. I have brought them here to depart with you for the mansion."
Emilia looked at Gojo and the others. A flash of hesitation crossed her youthful face, but she didn't dwell on it for long before nodding politely. "I understand. Thank you for your trouble, Reinhard."
That said, she turned her gaze toward Gojo's group, specifically the petite Felt. "About what happened last time..."
"Last time was all thanks to us! we drew all the attention away to ensure your safety. If we really wanted to steal that insignia, we never would have given it back to you," Felt interrupted before Emilia could finish, her mouth chirping away.
She took her role as an insignia-thief and spun it into a deliberate act of self-sacrifice to protect her benefactor. It was a pure, bold-faced lie.
"Satoru, are we really just going to let Felt talk nonsense like that?"
"Are you already abandoning your comrade for a woman after only meeting her twice?"
"Huh?"
As the two bickered, the small blue cat they had seen last time flew out from Emilia's hair. The cat let out a yawn, stretching lazily.
"Yo, it's a bunch of familiar faces."
Puck circled in the air and then landed in front of Gojo Satoru. "Well, though I don't know exactly what happened afterward, judging by the result, I really should thank you guys, meow."
"Don't mention it, don't mention it," Gojo said with a beaming smile. "Just tell the Margrave to give us a few thousand Holy Gold coins as a reward later, and we'll call it even."
"I don't have the final say on that. Bleh!" Puck stuck out his tongue and spread his paws in a helpless gesture.
"Everyone, tea and snacks have been prepared. If you don't mind, please come inside to rest for a while."
A girl dressed in a black-and-white maid uniform with short blue hair walked over. After a simple curtsy while holding her skirt, she spoke with polite grace.
"Hey, you guys hurry up! Don't dawdle!"
The moment the girl finished speaking, Gojo Satoru was already standing at the manor's front door, waving and urging the rest of them along.
"He's hopeless."
"Even if those sweets were laced with poison, this guy would probably eat them with a happy face, wouldn't he?" Felt rolled her eyes and muttered.
"I agree," Subaru nodded with total sincerity.
A noble's residence was, naturally, incredibly luxurious. Compared to everywhere else Gojo had stayed since arriving in this world, it was in a league of its own.
Under the midday sun, in the elegantly decorated dining room, the light streamed through the windows onto the table, making the intricately patterned tea set and uniquely shaped pastries look translucent and exquisite.
Gojo Satoru savored the long-missed sweets, his expression one of pure happiness.
"This is wonderful. After tasting Miss Rem's handiwork, I'm already starting to envy the Margrave's life."
"You flatter me."
The blue-haired girl, whose bangs slightly covered one eye, blinked and thanked Gojo calmly. Upon learning that these exquisite pastries were the girl's own handiwork, Gojo became intensely interested in her. He kept her busy with questions: her name, her specialty sweets...
By contrast, Subaru Natsuki—who was quite excited to see Emilia again—wasn't making much progress. He simply couldn't find a topic to bridge the gap.
"Miss Rem, since you're so talented, have you ever thought about opening a pastry shop? I'd definitely be a regular—the kind who spends their last cent there."
Rem lowered her eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips, her voice remaining gentle. "Rem is merely a maid of this household. Being able to serve sweets to my master, Lady Emilia, and our guests is already quite fulfilling."