"BOOM..."
Amidst the resounding roll of wheels, the luxurious Dragon Carriage gradually came to a stop in front of the mansion, steadying itself.
Upon seeing this Dragon Carriage, Rem immediately noticed a crest on the carriage.
With a glimmer in her eyes, Rem spoke softly.
"The emblem of the Karsten family..."
With just this emblem, Rem understood who the newcomer was.
Shortly afterward, someone descended from the Dragon Carriage.
The person who stepped down from the carriage was a cute girl with shoulder-length, smooth chestnut hair.
Although she appeared to be a girl at first glance, her stature was taller than usual, and her figure was slightly slender, more tall and thin than delicate.
Although she exuded a feminine aura in her every movement, with her chestnut hair adorned with a white ribbon, her appearance was no different from that of an ordinary girl. Yet, Fang Li knew that she was not female, but male.
Moreover, he was a male Demi-Human.
After all, he had a pair of cat ears on his head, indicating to others that he was not human.
However, Fang Li's gaze only lingered on this male Demi-Human's body for a moment before being drawn to the person following behind him.
He was an elderly gentleman, at least fifty years old, with carefully groomed white hair swept back and wearing a well-fitted black tailcoat.
The elderly gentleman followed behind the former, appearing like a butler or a retainer, seemingly not worthy of attention.
However, both Fang Li and Rem could feel it—
(The sharp sword aura...)
Yes.
It was a sharp sword aura that even Fang Li couldn't ignore.
Just from this aura alone, even without reference to the original work, Fang Li could clearly understand that this person was not an ordinary character.
And these two individuals descended from the Dragon Carriage and moved towards the mansion one after the other.
Rem immediately went to greet them, bowing to the two of them.
"Welcome to Roswaal Mansion."
Upon hearing this, the cat Demi-Human and the elderly gentleman stopped in their tracks.
Especially the cat Demi-Human, who tilted his head and spoke with a playful tone.
"Are you the servant of Margrave Roswaal?"
He was clearly a male, yet not only did he look like a cute female on the outside, but even his tone was so girlish.
If someone who didn't know the situation saw him, they would definitely mistake him for a cute catgirl, right?
But for those who knew the truth, they would feel goosebumps all over.
It was unknown whether Rem knew this fact or not, but she still wore her usual meticulous expression on her face, closing her eyes and speaking to the two.
"Margrave Roswaal is in the study on the top floor. If possible, I would like to ask the two of you to let Rem report first."
"No problem, meow." The cat Demi-Human chuckled, then added, "Oh, by the way, remember to tell the Margrave that we are here for the Royal Selection, and we kindly request Lady Emilia to attend as well."
"...Understood." Rem bowed slightly, and her gaze subtly glanced at Fang Li beside her.
Rem believed that with Fang Li's wit, he should be able to easily figure out the situation and voluntarily step aside.
This way, in front of such esteemed guests, Rem could perfectly carry out her duties without any embarrassing moments.
However, what surprised Rem was that Fang Li didn't seem to notice the atmosphere at all.
No.
It should be said that Fang Li was being drawn into another atmosphere entirely.
"..."
Under an indescribable sense of oppression, Fang Li locked eyes with the elderly gentleman.
In each other's eyes, there was a radiance that others couldn't comprehend.
"Fang Li-Sama?" Rem couldn't help but speak up.
"Mew?" The cat Demi-Human seemed somewhat surprised as he looked at the elderly gentleman beside him, calling out in confusion, "Old Man Wil, what happened?"
The voices of the two seemed to awaken Fang Li and the elderly gentleman, who were staring at each other.
"I apologize for the rudeness." The elderly gentleman spoke with the demeanor of a butler, addressing the entire group, "Please don't mind me, I was just surprised to see such an exceptional individual here."
"An exceptional individual?" Fang Li suddenly smiled and replied, "Likewise, can I return the compliment to you?"
"No, compared to you, I am still too inexperienced." The elderly gentleman looked at Fang Li again, his eyes deep and direct, exuding a charisma that everyone could clearly perceive. He continued, "At least, I haven't met anyone who could sound the alarm for this decaying body for a long time."
Hearing the words of the elderly gentleman, the reactions of those present varied.
Rem remained silent.
Because Rem knew that Fang Li was indeed a character worthy of such evaluation.
The cat Demi-Human was genuinely surprised, then turned to Fang Li with interest, biting his finger playfully.
"Old Man Wil rarely says things like that, Nii-chan, it seems you're truly remarkable."
"Old man was just exaggerating," Fang Li shrugged dismissively. "You all should focus on more important matters than someone like me."
Leaving behind these words, Fang Li turned around and, under everyone's gaze, entered the mansion.
The elderly gentleman had been observing Fang Li all along. Only after Fang Li's figure disappeared from sight did he speak in a low voice as if talking to himself.
"I didn't expect that Roswaal Margrave's subordinate would have such a character. Truly not to be underestimated."
It wasn't the catgirl Demi-Human who responded to the elderly gentleman's words, but Rem.
"You've misunderstood," Rem said calmly. "Fang Li-sama doesn't belong to Margrave Roswaal's retinue. He's a distinguished guest of Lady Emilia and Margrave Roswaal, temporarily staying at the mansion."
"Is that so?" The elderly gentleman nodded in realization.
As for the catgirl Demi-Human, she smiled and said, "Well, although what Old Man Wil said is indeed intriguing, as Nii-chan mentioned, let's focus on more important matters, meow?"
"Yes," Rem bowed again. "I'll go inform Margrave Roswaal."
Both of them nodded in agreement.
...
"And then?"
In the forbidden book library, Beatrice sat on her ladder chair, looking at Fang Li with her usual unhappy tone.
"What are you doing barging into Betty's room?"
Ignoring Beatrice's unhappy tone as always, Fang Li gazed directly at her and spoke with a serious tone.
"I might be leaving here soon."
"So, there's something I'd like to ask of you."
...
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