"Lie detector?"
Crusch froze for a moment when she heard this term.
"That's right. We have some things to ask Roswaal later, but we're not sure if that guy will lie, so we might need to trouble you, Crusch, to come with us."
Satou Kazuma explained.
Judging from Roswaal's personality, he probably wouldn't say anything even if we questioned him directly.
The matter between Roswaal and Emilia originally had nothing to do with Satou Kazuma, and he didn't want to get involved in these troublesome things.
But clearly, the Witch Cult seemed to have its eye on them.
Back when Geuse was still Petelgeuse, he seemed to be targeting Aqua, and the White Whale's attack on them also seemed to be related to the Witch Cult.
Roswaal was likely plotting something.
To prevent that guy from suddenly causing trouble in the future, Satou Kazuma also planned to make a move first.
"I understand. I will do my best to help in any way that I can."
Crusch's face showed a smile. She sincerely hoped that she could help Satou Kazuma.
"Crusch-sama, Aqua-sama, and Kazuma-sama, we welcome your triumphant return!"
Just then, a familiar figure appeared before them.
Russel, with members of his merchant group, joined up with Satou Kazuma.
"I've already heard of your heroic performance on the battlefield, especially Kazuma-sama."
Russel's face showed a meaningful expression. In his heart, he couldn't help but admire Satou Kazuma.
Satou Kazuma not only knew about the White Whale in advance, but he had even managed to bring together all five candidates.
Previously, the five candidates had only appeared together for the first time during the Royal Selection ceremony.
Even Priscilla, who had an incredibly proud personality, had agreed to participate in this operation under Satou Kazuma's persuasion.
Satou Kazuma truly possessed an ability to act and persuade that surpassed everyone else's imagination.
Aqua and Satou Kazuma, who was the one with the power?
Russel could only be sure of one thing: this world was very likely to undergo drastic changes because of these two people.
"The White Whale, which roamed the world for over four hundred years, has been successfully defeated, and two archbishops of the Witch Cult have also been defeated. This has never happened before. Just like four hundred years ago, the entire world will undergo earth-shattering changes."
Russel said to Satou Kazuma with a smile, and then immediately had his subordinates put shackles made of mana-sealing stone on the unconscious Regulus and Ley.
"Can this kind of ore seal magic and authorities?"
Satou Kazuma asked curiously.
"That's right. Even someone like the Witch of Envy is sealed away by a shrine made from the same material."
"I see. Do you have any extras? Can I borrow one?"
Satou Kazuma seemed to have thought of something and asked.
"This..."
Mana-sealing stones were priceless and not something that ordinary people could obtain.
But Russel clearly knew that the person in front of him was far more important than a mana-sealing stone, so he still maintained a smile on his face.
"Of course! I'm just wondering what you plan to use it for, Kazuma-sama?"
"To do an experiment."
Satou Kazuma took a set of mana-sealing handcuffs from the other party's hands. He could feel their weight just by holding them.
In any case, Satou Kazuma didn't know what the effects of his authority were, so it wouldn't have any impact.
His test subject was Aqua.
"Do you have any alcohol on you? No, not alcohol. Do you have tea leaves and hot water? Coffee is fine too."
"Huh??"
A puzzled expression appeared on Russel's face, but he still had his subordinates get hot water and tea leaves as quickly as possible.
He had no idea what Satou Kazuma was trying to do.
"Hey, Aqua, let's try this out."
As he spoke, Satou Kazuma directly put the handcuffs on Aqua.
"Ah?"
Russel and the others next to them were completely confused.
What's going on?
"Useless goddess, try making some tea."
"You're so boring, Kazuma! Does it have to be now?"
Although Aqua said that, she still cooperated with his actions and made a cup of tea.
Satou Kazuma took a small sip.
As expected, it was just plain water.
"Okay, that's it. Here you go."
Satou Kazuma shook his head and returned the mana-sealing stone to the other party.
The confusion in Russel's eyes didn't fade. He completely didn't understand what Satou Kazuma was trying to do.
"Russel, come to the celebration tonight too! We can discuss the redevelopment of the slums later!"
Satou Kazuma patted Russel's shoulder.
"We have some things to take care of now."
...
After briefly giving some instructions, Satou Kazuma led Crusch, Natsuki Subaru, Emilia, and the others into the city gates.
Upon returning to the royal capital, Satou Kazuma could clearly feel the admiring and respectful gazes that the passersby cast upon him.
Awesome! So awesome!
This finally felt like being a hero.
As he walked along the road, Satou Kazuma couldn't help but raise his chin slightly.
Before long, Satou Kazuma and the others arrived at Roswaal's mansion in the royal capital.
As they pushed open the door, Roswaal was already standing at the entrance.
"Welcome back, Emilia-sama and Aqua-sama!"
Roswaal's face wore a surprised smile.
He hadn't expected that Satou Kazuma and the others had actually managed to defeat the White Whale.
This made him realize even more how powerful the prophesied child's ability to correct the world was.
But he was also a bit curious about how the Witch Cult matter had been handled.
After all, Emilia and the others had only left the royal capital for two or three days, and they shouldn't have had time to deal with the Witch Cult.
Could it be that he missed something?
"Ram, why are you here too? Shouldn't you be staying at the mansion?"
Roswaal's gaze locked onto Ram.
"Because Aqua-sama helped Ram restore her horn, I think it's better for Ram and Rem to stay by Aqua-sama's side for now."
Emilia replied.
"Horn, restored?"
Roswaal's eyebrows twitched slightly.
This, this was impossible, right?
Could Aqua do something like that?
Even Felix couldn't do that?
But Roswaal quickly adjusted his emotions. To him, Ram and Rem weren't very important in the first place.
It was still worthwhile to verify Aqua's abilities and build a closer relationship with them.
"Then Ram, Rem said that you detected some serious fluctuations in your emotions earlier. Did something happen?"
Roswaal asked with a smile.
He was very clear that Ram must have sensed the presence of the Witch Cult.
Since Ram was able to appear here safe and sound, it meant that the Witch Cult must have been dealt with.
Although it was a bit early, overall, it was exactly the same as what was written in the Gospel.
"It was just a magical beast attack. Aqua-sama and the others have already dealt with it."
Ram respectfully replied.
"Magical beast?"
A trace of doubt flashed through Roswaal's eyes again.
Why a magical beast? Shouldn't it have been a Witch Cult invasion?
Could it be that the Witch Cult invasion didn't happen?
This was completely different from what was written in the Book of Wisdom.
Just as Roswaal was stunned, Satou Kazuma suddenly spoke up:
"Roswaal, do you know him?"
"Him?"
Roswaal's gaze followed Satou Kazuma's finger.
Geuse.
"Who?"
Roswaal asked with some confusion.
"Because of the change in body, his appearance is very different from before. This is Geuse, who used to be Betty's etiquette teacher—"
The moment he heard that name, Roswaal's body trembled slightly.
Even though his greatest skill was hiding his emotions, he still wavered at this moment.
Because Roswaal knew Geuse. The other person was someone related to his teacher.
He also knew that Geuse was an etiquette teacher that Echidna had invited to teach Betty in the past.
Roswaal had never expected that Satou Kazuma would say the name Geuse.
But...
Roswaal had also heard about Geuse's fate.
He was tormented by Witch Factors and fell into madness.
Why was Geuse here?
Was Geuse, mentioned in the Book of Wisdom, part of the current Witch Cult?
But Geuse shouldn't... already be that maddened?
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, this absolutely couldn't be Geuse.
This might be a test from Satou Kazuma.
Did he sense something?
He shouldn't have any flaws!
Roswaal's mind spun rapidly, trying his best to understand what was happening.
"Sorry, I've never heard of that name. Betty, do you know him?"
Roswaal immediately adjusted his expression and asked with a smile. He wanted to test Beatrice's attitude.
"Betty knew him four hundred years ago!"
Beatrice replied.
Looking at Beatrice's appearance, Roswaal couldn't help but feel a bit shaken.
"Wait a minute, Roswaal."
Just then, Satou Kazuma waved his hand and pointed outside.
"Crusch-sama, I'll leave the rest to you!"
"Okay."
Just then, Crusch walked in.
"Crusch-sama, why are you here?"
At that moment, Roswaal completely didn't understand what was going on.
He had lived for four hundred years, but had never been so confused as he was today.
"Answer again. Do you know Geuse?"
"I don't."
"That's the wind of lies."
"Maybe we're not talking about the same person. Just two people with the same name."
"That's the wind of lies."
"Perhaps I've heard of him, but I've never met him."
"That's the wind of lies."
"..."
Crusch spoke almost simultaneously.
Roswaal's expression changed instantly. Now he finally understood why Crusch was here.
Satou Kazuma had discovered his secrets.
"How could this be... Is it as I thought?"
Beatrice narrowed her eyes slightly, staring intently at Roswaal.
"You really are Roswaal... You've always been Roswaal!"
"Great job, Lie Detector-sama!"
Satou Kazuma said to Crusch with a smile.
"Lie Detector-sama?"
Crusch was a bit confused, but it sounded like she was being praised.
"Roswaal, what's going on?"
Emilia was also a bit confused. She originally wanted to ask about Sanctuary and her past, but Satou Kazuma and Beatrice's words also left her puzzled.
Roswaal pursed his lips, the muscles on his face trembling slightly. After hesitating for a moment, a smile appeared on his face instead.
"That's right, Betty. I am Roswaal. I always have been."
Since the other party had said things to this extent, they probably knew everything already.
Then there was no need for him to pretend.
"So it really was you!"
Beatrice's expression also became a bit complicated.
She had always thought that the people who were once by her side had left one after another, but she never thought that the Roswaal she knew was actually right next to her all along.
"Roswaal, what exactly is going on?"
Natsuki Subaru looked at Roswaal with a serious expression and asked.
"Now that things have come to this, there's no need for me to hide anything. But I'm sorry, Crusch-sama. I'm not comfortable saying the following words in front of you. If possible, please excuse yourself for a moment."
"Lie Detector-sama!"
"Roswaal isn't lying."
Crusch seemed to have accepted her role as a lie detector.
"In that case, I'll excuse myself first."
After speaking, Crusch left.
Since Roswaal wasn't planning to hide anything, Satou Kazuma was also curious about what he was trying to do.
"What exactly are you trying to do, you bastard?"
"You want to revive Mother, don't you?"
Beatrice looked at Roswaal with a serious expression.
"That's right. I want to revive my teacher."
Roswaal gave his answer without the slightest hesitation.
"If I remember correctly, it's been four hundred years, right? How are you planning to do that? And what does this have to do with Emilia?"
Natsuki Subaru pressed.
"Do you know Divine Dragon?"
Roswaal's gaze fell on Emilia.
"When a new king ascends to the throne, the Divine Dragon will appear and sign a contract with the new king – and it's said that the Divine Dragon's heart blood has the ability to bring people back to life! Everything I want to do is to help Emilia-sama ascend to the throne. There is no doubt about that!"
His goal was to slay the dragon!
To revive Echidna, Roswaal was willing to pay any price.
"Roswaal... you've really gone mad..."
Beatrice said with a frown.
"In order to achieve this, I won't hesitate..."
"Wait a minute, I have a question."
Satou Kazuma suddenly noticed a blind spot.
"You said that you're helping Emilia ascend to the throne for the sake of the Divine Dragon, right?"
"That's right."
"But if someone else ascends to the throne, won't the Divine Dragon still appear?"
"This... I... hiss..."
Roswaal reached out his hand, wanting to say something, but found that he couldn't say anything at all.
----
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