Inside the mansion, the first thing to strike the eye was the vaulted ceiling, soaring nearly ten meters high. Along with it was a crystal chandelier—exquisite and translucent—shimmering with dazzling brilliance under the glow of the lights. The entire hall, bathed in refracted light, felt as though it were submerged in a sea of stars.
At the center stood a gilded staircase, its every detail exuding opulence. The treads were marble parquetry, the edges inlaid with brass strips, and the handrails were entwined with silver acanthus patterns. Beside every step stood a miniature bronze candelabra...
Setting aside the surrounding decor for a moment, the chandelier and the staircase alone showcased aristocratic luxury to its absolute limit.
While Felt and Natsuki Subaru were still immersed in the slight "shock" brought about by this display of wealth, Gojo Satoru's gaze was fixed on the landing of the stairs.
The sound of light, slow footsteps echoed, and a tall figure emerged from the corner, appearing before everyone.
The newcomer was dressed eccentrically.
He wore a purple tailcoat paired with a deep purple cape. The high, upright collar featured layers of ruffled lace. It was a tailcoat crafted for elegance, yet on this individual, not a trace of that elegance could be found.
This was because the makeup on his face was far more jarring than the purple tailcoat. His entire face was deathly pale. Drooping blue hair partially obscured one eye, while the eyeshadow on the other was smudged into an exaggerated lavender. His lips were painted with a matching lavender gloss, pulled into a smile with a bizarre curvature. Against that pallid complexion, he looked like a clown who had leaped out of a circus, yet he radiated an indescribable coldness—even now, as a faint smile played across his lips.
"A special performance?"
Natsuki Subaru twisted his head left and right, seemingly looking for where the other performers might be.
Gojo Satoru, however, was much more direct.
Ignoring the shocked reactions of Ram and Rem, he stepped forward to observe the man seriously. After even reaching out to pinch the makeup-covered face, Gojo returned to Subaru's side and spoke with gravity.
"According to my observations, this shouldn't be a performing clown."
"Judging by his mannerisms, their reactions, and his strength... he should be the master of this mansion, Margrave Roswaal."
"You idiot!"
"If you knew he was an Earl, how could you be so bold!"
Felt quickly yanked Gojo away. After glancing at Roswaal warily, she lowered her voice and hissed.
"If I didn't go verify it, how would I know he's the Margrave?" Gojo shrugged, speaking with perfect self-justification.
"Even so, you can't act like that! This isn't some Elsa the Bowel Hunter; this is the Kingdom's strongest magic user..."
Ordinary nobles possessed only wealth and power. But the man before them possessed formidable strength as well. If he truly intended to take offense at Gojo's behavior just now, they would be in trouble. Even if Gojo was equally powerful, regardless of whether they won or lost the fight, the best outcome waiting for them would be forced exile to another country. There would be no other possibility; such was the weight of power.
"It is quiiiite alright."
Just as Felt was warning Gojo, a voice with a long, drawn-out cadence rang out.
The eccentric man on the stairs—whom Gojo had identified as Roswaal—rested his hand on the railing and slowly descended. Rem and Ram stepped toward the base of the stairs, lightly clutching their skirts in a curtsy.
"Allow me to introduce myseeeeelf."
"I am Roswaal L. Mathers, the Margrave of Lugnica, and the master of Rem and Ram."
"Welcome to the brave warriors who rescued Lady Emilia."
"Ram has prepared a dinner to entertain you all; I hope you find it to your liiiking."
Ram straightened up, looked toward Gojo and the others, and extended a hand to guide them.
"This way, please."
They had spent the afternoon on the ground dragon carriage, so they had only been able to fill their stomachs with a simple snack. Hearing that a grand dinner had been prepared made them feel a sense of anticipation.
Seeing that Roswaal did not seem to blame Gojo for his rudeness, Felt couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"See, no big deal."
"You're too tense," Gojo said with a chuckle, reaching out to ruffle Felt's hair.
"Cut it out!"
"If you keep acting like this, you're going to get us killed sooner or later." Felt swatted Gojo's hand away, speaking with dissatisfaction.
"If I die, then I won't have to pay back my debt. Hmm, that's what Subaru told me."
"Don't even think about it!"
"If you die, Old Man Rom will be responsible for collecting the debt!"
Listening to the chirping bickering coming from behind him, Roswaal, walking in front, slowed his pace slightly. He glanced sideways, a faint smile surfacing on his face.
After walking through the spacious, red-carpeted corridors for several minutes, the group finally arrived at a vast dining hall. A rectangular dining table, roughly seven or eight meters long, was positioned in the center of the room. The table, covered in a pristine white cloth, was currently laden with various exquisite dishes.
Ram and Rem moved to the head of the table, pulled out the chair, and let Roswaal take his seat. They then stood behind him, one on his left and one on his right.
"It really is quite a feast."
Felt, who had remained vigilant since entering the manor, couldn't help but mutter as she looked at the table full of delicacies. The others also took their seats.
"It is already getting late today, and after your long journey, you must be quite exhaaaausted."
"After dinner, I shall have Ram and Rem show you around and arrange rooms for you to rest."
"As for other matters, we shall discuss them tomorrow once you are well-rested. What do you thiiiiink?"
As soon as Roswaal finished speaking, Natsuki Subaru and Felt both looked directly at Gojo to exchange opinions.
"No problem for me."
Gojo, who had already begun grappling with a piece of caramel pudding, raised his hand decisively in response to their gaze. Having said his piece, he returned to "battling" the dessert with single-minded focus. It made one wonder if the guy had done any serious thinking at all.
Felt let out a helpless sigh. But for now, this was the only way; since they came together, they had to stand together.
"No problem for me either."
"Me too."
"Thank you for your understaaaaanding," Roswaal said politely in his peculiar cadence.
"Please, enjoy Ram's coooooking."
"While Rem usually does the cooking, Ram's skills are also quite exceeeellent," Roswaal said with a smile, praising his maid.
And just as he said, the red-haired maid's skills were indeed quite good. Though, for some reason, many of the dishes seemed to be related to steamed sweet potatoes.