Emilia watched You Te · Balk's retreating figure until he was out of sight.
The two had already agreed to return to the border together tomorrow.
Although she had a cooperative relationship with Roswaal, she still had the right to bring a friend back.
Most importantly, You Te · Balk had not followed Kuerxiu; the two families simply had a long-standing friendship, and he was only visiting the Royal Capital, temporarily staying at the Karsten Dukedom.
Emilia stood at the hotel entrance, the sunlight spilling over her, making her look like a High Elf descended to the human world.
The corners of her mouth couldn't help but curve upwards, that arc as enchanting as a freshly bloomed flower.
She gently pressed down the corners of her mouth, but how could such overflowing joy be easily suppressed?
Her upturned lips blossomed again.
"Liya, you look very happy, oh~" Puck circled Emilia twice, then settled on her shoulder and teased.
"Not at all, Puck, don't talk nonsense."
Emilia hummed softly, with a hint of playful reproach.
Then, she turned and walked upstairs, her steps light and graceful like a dancing butterfly, heading towards her reserved room, her gait undeniably sprightly.
She skipped and hopped the entire way, a simple child unable to hide her emotions.
Puck, watching Emilia's adorable appearance from the side, couldn't help but cover his mouth and snicker, his heart full of doting affection; her pure and innocent look made the High Elf's heart melt.
"Puck, what are you laughing at?" Emilia's perception was sharp, and she noticed it immediately.
"No... *cough cough*, nothing."
Puck reined in his smile, blinking his innocent large eyes.
Emilia returned to her room, eagerly and comfortably lying on the large white bed, the soft bedding like a gentle embrace.
Then, like an innocent child, she began to roll around on the bed, her silver hair fanning out on the white sheets like blooming flowers.
Recalling everything that happened today, her mind was filled with You Te · Balk's smile and his gentle words.
Unconsciously, the tips of Emilia's ears were tinged with crimson again, that faint red like the evening glow in the sky, beautiful and shy.
She didn't know why she felt this way.
It must be because she was too happy to make her first friend, right?
Yes, that's right, it must be so.
Puck sat on the pillow, watching the lovesick young girl roll around on the large bed, his big eyes unblinking.
Liya has grown up.
He couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
From the first time he met Emilia until now, Puck had never seen her this happy.
While relieved, he also felt a pang of heartache.
You Te · Balk... the bloodline of the Balk Family.
As expected of a descendant of that first divine sword.
Puck could still recall seeing on a mural a hundred years ago, that divine sword wielding the divine sword, invincible, a legendary existence, truly invincible in every sense of the word.
"Liya, what do you think about what that Macrotov said?" Puck shook his fluffy little head, no longer reminiscing, and suddenly asked Emilia.
Emilia, who was rolling around, immediately stopped.
She knew what Puck meant—the recruitment of You Te · Balk.
Indeed, their faction currently lacked a knight.
Roswaal would disappear at the drop of a hat and was a bit perverted, an unreliable ally.
And besides him, there were only maids left in the Earl's Mansion.
Emilia could currently only rely on herself.
Even coming to the Royal Capital, she came herself; no one followed or protected her.
Of course, with Puck present, at least before five in the afternoon, she didn't need protection.
But, it was still very lonely.
Emilia sat up, staring blankly at the ceiling at a forty-five-degree angle.
She initially agreed to become a Royal Selection Candidate for Roswaal because he promised to help her unseal her frozen kin if she became king.
But gradually, Emilia witnessed too much injustice.
On the bustling streets, the weak were ruthlessly bullied, yet no one offered a helping hand; in dark corners, the pleas and cries of the poor were coldly ignored.
Too many cold stares and discriminations followed her like shadows, like a biting cold wind, stinging every innocent soul.
Of course, this also included her own situation.
Emilia had always endured the strange gazes around her, those suspicious or disgusted looks, like thorns in her back.
She suddenly truly wanted to become king, that lofty position.
Then, she would eradicate injustice in the kingdom, ensure everyone was treated fairly, and let sunlight spread to every corner of the kingdom.
You Te · Balk was her friend now.
If she asked, he would most likely agree.
But...
Emilia rubbed her eyes and softly said to Puck beside her, "Puck, I... I only have that one friend."
"I just want to be friends with You Te · Balk."
"Liya..." Puck flew over and rubbed her small head, gently comforting her, "I understand, Liya, just follow your own thoughts. You've worked very hard."
"I'll always be with you."
"Puck, thank you." Emilia hugged Puck tightly.
"Liya is not alone now. I can feel that You Te · Balk genuinely cares for Liya." Puck looked up and smiled, "In the future, when I fall into slumber, Liya can rely more on You Te · Balk. I have already formed a pact with him to protect Liya together."
As a High Elf, Puck's perception of human emotions was stronger.
That's why he immediately pounced on You Te · Balk the first time they met.
He just wanted to find a reliable support for Emilia.
To gain more warmth.
"Mhm, don't worry, Puck." Emilia nodded gently.
"Then, Liya, you rest well. I'm a bit sleepy. If you encounter danger, call me immediately, okay?" Puck hugged her tightly, then transformed into a streak of light and returned to the magic stone on Emilia's chest.
Emilia caressed the magic stone; its warm touch continuously gave her strength.
She slowly stood up, her steps light yet firm.
She walked step by step towards the balcony, each step like embarking on a new journey.
Her gaze fell out the window.
The people of the Royal Capital were busy with their own affairs, their figures like dancing notes, playing the symphony of life.
dragon carriages sped through the streets, raising a gentle breeze, speaking of the city's vitality and prosperity.
If all went well, they would all be her subjects in the future.
She must make them happier.
Emilia thought, yearning for everyone to find their own happiness in this kingdom.
Even though she had just been discriminated against.
Just then, a knock suddenly came from outside the door.
Emilia snapped back to reality, instinctively thinking it was You Te · Balk, and without much thought, she scurried to open the door.
However, the person was not You Te · Balk, but a playful and cute girl with short golden hair tied into a side ponytail.
Her dress style was very unique; she wore a brown cloak over a white shirt and black shorts, with a black ribbon tied around her waist.
"May I ask who you are?" Emilia asked, puzzled; it was her first time seeing this girl.
"Hehe." The golden-haired girl chuckled, then 'accidentally' bumped into Emilia's arms.
"Are you alright?" Emilia instinctively supported her.
"Thank you." The golden-haired girl softly thanked her, then turned and left.
Her steps were quick, and eventually, she even started running.
Emilia stood rooted to the spot, still unable to grasp the situation.
But suddenly, her expression changed.
She frantically fumbled on her person; the Royal Selection Candidate's emblem was indeed gone.
"Wait!"
Without thinking, Emilia immediately chased after the golden-haired girl.
... ... At this moment.
On a certain street in the Royal Capital.
You Te · Balk was leisurely walking when he suddenly heard a particularly chuunibyou-like shout.
"Is this what they call being summoned to another world?!"
You Te · Balk's mouth twitched; he thought, no way? No way?
I just started conquering the heroine, and the protagonist is already here?
Following the sound, he saw a young man dressed in modern-style clothes from his previous life standing in front of a fountain, completely out of place with the people around him, and sporting a slicked-back hairstyle.
It was none other than the protagonist—Natsuki Subaru (dog head).
You Te · Balk remembered he used to think his name was Raizuki Subaru.
What to do?
Should I just bag him and sink him in the sea?
Natsuki Subaru was currently in a state of shock and bewilderment.
The people around, seeing someone shouting loudly, all cast disdainful glances at him.
Natsuki Subaru ignored these gazes and began to curiously look around.
"Oi."
Natsuki Subaru instinctively turned his head.
You Te · Balk had already walked up to him.
The two met eyes, staring at each other.
"Are you the one who summoned me to another world to be a hero's guide?!" Natsuki Subaru suddenly bent over, sticking out his butt, and asked excitedly.
You Te · Balk: "...."
What a chuunibyou young man.
Oh right, this protagonist's Authority seems to be—Magic Witchcraft.
Then there really was no way to sink him in the sea; if he wanted to deal with him, he could only capture him and prevent him from dying.
You Te · Balk was immersed in his thoughts when suddenly, as if an invisible hand pressed the pause button.
The entire world instantly fell into an eerie silence.
The water in the fountain, which had been sparkling, now looked like a solidified mirror, without a single ripple; the birds flying in the sky, with outstretched wings, were frozen in mid-air, as if under a stasis spell.
Immediately after, black mist surged, like a demon emerging from the depths of darkness.
The black mist, thick and mysterious, slowly spread, devouring all surrounding light.
It rolled and surged, bringing a suffocating aura, as if to drag the entire world into endless darkness.
Under the shroud of this silence and darkness, fear crept quietly into his heart.
You Te · Balk's divine sword at his waist automatically unsheathed itself, standing proudly, its blade emitting a five-colored divine light, dazzling and brilliant, like the most splendid fireworks in the night sky.
The five-colored divine light intertwined, forming an indestructible barrier, shielding You Te · Balk from the erosion of the black mist.
The black mist surged like a raging tide, constantly attacking, but upon touching the five-colored divine light, it hissed, as if scorched by fire, and retreated helplessly.
You Te · Balk's chest heaved violently, gasping for air; he was the only one who could still move in the entire world.
Just then, a familiar female voice came from afar.
"I love you."
"I love you."
"I love you."
"I love you."
"I love you."
"..."