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*****
"Sport and exercise is healthy." Alex said with a lecturing look "Shouting out loud also raises your spirit. Even if you're old but that doesn't change the fact you still more than capable of taking care of yourself!"
"True, true. Very wise words from someone at your age Alex-kun." The old man praised with a smile.
"Wise, good looking, charming, gentle and good with children. Ahh, if only I were thirty years younger." The old woman let out dreamy sigh while holding her cheek "I wouldn't mind one or two rides with you."
The obvious flirting caused the blond cringe, however outside he showed a different reaction. His lips twitched a bit, a small smile marred his face. "You flatter me Pomona-baasan." He replied smoothly, perhaps too smoothly. But in his defense, the mental image conjured by his mind is not pretty, very far away from it "I'm sure if you were thirty years younger you would be a sight to behold."
He was not lying about that part, even if she was old, the frame of her face still looked smooth and young. For an old woman already over seventy she looked very healthy
'Perhaps the mana filling this world has some influence on their bodies.'
Everyone can be a magician if they wish, even if they won't be good at it. Thanks to the Gate residing in everyone's body, they would at least be able to cast some kind of spells. It was similar to Magic Circuits in a way.
'This may not be the Age of Gods, but it is close to one. The reason it is not called that way is perhaps because of a lack of Gods.'
Though that doesn't change this old woman's personality. Alex will never be able to look at any innocent old granny the same way anymore.
The children and teenagers admire look up to him, while the elders respect and consider him as someone with a bright future. In only forty minutes, these people that were basically strangers to him, now seemed as if he had known them for a long time.
Rem must admit... Alex Pendragon was truly a person with charisma... had she not smelt the Witch scent on him, she could have imagined herself to be part of these people...
More proof that he was dangerous. Charming, sharp and smart. Rem was sure, if Alex Pendragon wanted to, he could easily take this place over and have himself placed as the unofficial head of this village.
Such a terrifying though, and it was already unfolding in front of her right at this moment.
And yet... Rem found herself doubting Alex Pendragon would do something like that...
Not with the way he was smiling and talking to everyone. His face was genuine, pure, the air of curiosity emitting from him was also real. Rem knew that this could all be an act he put up, a facade.
And she would have been sure of it, had she not only two days ago seen how painful it was for him to be separated from his little sister...
Every idiot would be able to see just how he wished to see her again. How he loved her... and how vulnerable he was in that state...
Alex Pendragon may not be a saint, not as good a person as he looked to be... but he is undoubtedly not a bad person.
Looking at him now, laughing with the elderly and playing with children... she won't doubt her judgement about him.
"Oh you're done Rem?" He asked as he finally noticed her presence.
"Yes, sorry for making you wait for Alex-sama." She apologized.
"Not really, it is fine." Alex replied kindly "I did enjoy the free time I had while you were shopping."
"Rem can see that." Rem's gaze was drawn to the group of children gathering behind him.
"Ah, it is Rem-sama!" Luka chirped happily.
"Hello Rem-sama!" Petra greeted too.
"Hello to you all." Rem greeted all of them with a kind voice.
"Well, I guess since Rem is here now, I will take my leave." Alex said with a small smile.
"Ehhh? Are you leaving so soon?" Petra looked very disappointed judging by her sad face.
"Alex-niisama should stay longer!" Luka said with a pout.
"Sorry, sorry, as much as I want to stay longer, I can't." Alex replied sounding quite regretful "I am here to accompany Rem in her shopping and I also have my own schedule to attend." He explained to the whining children "Besides, it's already close to night, how about I visit tomorrow again?" He offered, he turned to Rem after saying that "That is fine right?"
"Roswaal-sama said Alex is a guest and resident of the manor. Alex-sama is free to do however he likes." Rem informed, making the young man's smile brighten.
"Hear that? I will come back tomorrow."
"Promise?" Petra asked with large and shimmering eyes.
"Yes, yes, I promise." Alex promised while raising one hand as a gesture "A Knight's promise is absolute, I will visit again tomorrow."
With that the duo parted from the children. Alex said goodbye to the elders and others he chatted with before leaving. Rem was waiting for him, carrying a barrel and some bags.
"Those are quite the supplies you bought." Alex commented as he saw them "How long does this last?"
"Two weeks."
"I see, let me help you then." Alex picked up the barrel and tossed it onto his shoulder as if it weighed nothing.
"That's not necessary Alex-sama, Rem can handle it on her own." Rem said as she glanced at the barrel.
"I know, lugging around this amount of stuff by yourself must be troublesome." Alex replied, patting the barrel. Judging by how it felt when he lifted the thing, it must be packed full. And yet for him it was just like lifting a plastic bag. This Heroic Spirit's strength never ceases to amaze him and to say he could hardly use his full strength! such a shame. "It's okay if I want to help right?"
"Of course Alex-sama." Rem nodded in acceptance, she could see the logic behind his words.
The maid oni and the pseudo Saber walked together in silence, only the sounds of the breezing wind and forest animals to accompany them. The distance between the village and the manor was not too far, roughly around twenty to thirty minutes by foot.
'I didn't see that girl with the braids, Meili.' Alex frowned inwardly. How could this be? As far he recalled, that girl approached Subaru and then got him bitten by the demon beast. She insisted on showing the puppy to him, even when Subaru refused.
So why? Why was she nowhere to be seen?
Did he visit the village earlier than supposed?
Highly possible, that is why he made the promise to come back tomorrow after all. He intended to check the village for the beast tamer once more, and come up with a plan to deal with her.
"Did Alex-sama enjoy the trip?" Rem asked.
The silence between suddenly got broken by the maid.
Alex glanced at Rem, surprised that she started a conversation. Nonetheless he answered her "I did, while there were a few... troubling fellows." His mind drifted to a group of people that adored Rem and Ram, then back to the flirting old woman "But meeting the children and people there was quite refreshing."
The village itself is a sight to behold actually. From the design, to the landscape, the structure of the buildings, and the way they put everything together...
It was interesting and unique. He had seen some villages and similar small places when he visited Indonesia, but the pattern and the designs were vastly different. Alex prefers the villages in this World over those on his own.
"Rem sees." Rem nodded in confirmation.
"How about you?" Alex asked back "You and Ram seem quite popular in the village, but you barely said a word to them."
"It's because Rem and Nee-sama usually visit the village to buy supplies for the manor. But other than that Rem and Nee-sama have no business with the village."
In other words, they only know them because Rem and Ram are working as maids in Roswaal's Manor, the one who is responsible for the area and land around here. The relationship is strictly business, they are mere acquaintances.
Alex concluded this as he nodded.
"I see... so did anything interesting happen?" He asked
Rem tilted her head in slight confusion "What does Alex-sama mean?"
"I mean, are there any news or interesting events? In the last few days I pretty much isolated myself in the manor. I'm blind to the World, it's all getting a bit boring so..."
Makes sense, Rem thought "Nothing special happened."
"I see... what a shame." Alex sighed in disappointment. Rem was sure the man was sulking.
***
"Welcome back, Rem, Alex-sama." Ram greeted the duo.
"Rem is back Nee-sama."
"Hello to you too Ram."
Both of them greeted the pink haired maid, Rem bowed slightly while Alex grinned and waved his hand.
"Ram sees Alex-sama behaved in a proper manner." Ram said as she took note of the barrel on his shoulder.
"Of course, I am a gentleman. I will gladly help a lady like Rem." Alex replied in a smug tone.
"Hmmm. So Alex-sama indeed can be trained."
"Of course I can, I am someone who can learn and adapt easily." Alex smoothly blocked the insult "Unlike a certain someone who keeps acting improper and making mistakes." He sniffed disdainfully. "What a brutish barbarian this person is."
The twitch in Ram's eye was not missed by Alex. The blond had to hold back the grin that threatened to split his face.
"Rem believes that a person does not need to work on her manners because she is already too great." Rem chimed in "Why would she behave in front of those who can't understand her greatness?"
"Rem speaks truly." Ram agreed in an instant "Why should she show proper demeanour to someone improper? Isn't it only going to waste her time?"
"So if a King stands in front of a beggar he should behave like a brute?" Alex shoots back quickly with a smirk "Hmph, regardless of how it is, someone who is proper should behave like one when in front of anyone. It doesn't waste time since it would show anyone who is better." He tilted his head and gave a victorious grin "Like me, I suppose."
The man gladly accepted the twin glares. Pink and blue joined together and clashed against forest green, invisible sparks dancing between them.
The glaring contest was broken by Ram who turned to her sister "By the way Rem, Roswaal-sama said he had business to attend to, so he left the manor in our care." She informed them as she took some bags from Rem.
"Rem understands." Rem nodded "Then, Rem shall be preparing dinner." She turned to Alex "Alex-sama should prepare for dinner as well. Please allow Rem to take that to the kitchen." She said, gesturing to the barrel he still held.
"Sure, here." Alex handed the barrel to Rem who easily took it. As their distance closed, the blond's sharp eyes caught something amiss with Rem's sleeve. He grabbed her wrist, gently raising it "Excuse me for a moment."
"Alex-sama?" Rem was surprised by the sudden movement.
"Alex-sama, please unhand my sister." Ram commented with a dirty look.
However the pseudo Saber did not reply, intently checking the fabric of Rem's sleeve. His eyes caught a brown spot located on the black fabric "You're bleeding."
Ram perked up in an instant, her lax demeanour gone. She also took a step forward, checking her sister who appeared to be troubled at the sudden attention.
"Ah? This came from a small dog that bit Rem in the village." Rem said and she folded her sleeve up, revealing only smooth and clean skin "Around here, but Rem already healed it with magic."
Ram looked relieved, her shoulder sagging slightly "Hmph, it must be because you smell like Alex-sama, you clearly are spending too much time with him." She said, sending a look to Alex, waiting for his response.
To her surprise, instead of sending back a snide remark, the knight was uncommonly serious.
"Rem... did the puppy have a bald spot on its head?" He asked, voice solemn and serious.
Rem blinked in surprise "Yes, how did Alex-sama know?"
Alex's eyes narrowed further. There was no trace of his usually gentle expression. It reminded them that this person in front of them was someone even their master was wary of.
"Rem, come with me, we're going to visit Beatrice-san." He said, no, ordered. He ordered the maid before turning toward the stairs.
Rem didn't know why she found herself obeying. Maybe part of her was still afraid of him?
Ram follows close by, feeling similar to her little sister.
"Alex-sama, Beatrice-sama currently doesn't want to be disturbed." Ram said in a formal voice "You won't be able to find her unless you open every door in the manor."
"Do not worry, Beatrice-san approves of my presence." Alex sounded sure of himself, And truly, the first door he opened revealed the library and its surprised caretaker.
"How did you cross the barrier again?" Beatrice found herself quickly becoming irritated by the man's presence.
"Truthfully, I still don't know about that." Alex answered with a small smile, ignoring the shocked look the maids were giving him. His face turned serious "Beatrice-san, I have a request, could you check Rem's arm?"
Beatrice's eyes narrowed, her face still scrunched up in irritation. What an odd request, however she could easily read the tense atmosphere around them "I could, I suppose." She said as she turned to the oni "Show me your arm, I suppose." She demanded.
Rem tentatively extends her hand to the blonde spirit.
"Hoh? You're cursed."
""What?!"" Ram and Rem chorused with shocked faces.
Alex in the meanwhile only stared at Rem with a grim face. He already expects that from the beginning.
"This curse... Hmm, this is a bit complex. Not too hard for me to break, I suppose. But it's still troublesome." Beatrice commented as she observed the curse "You already healed the wound by yourself, I suppose?"
"Yes." Rem gave a shaky nod to the librarian "Rem already healed the wound but..." She bit her lip "Rem did not detect a curse at all."
"Of course you didn't, you're not that proficient." Beatrice scoffed "This Curse, while easy enough break is hard to detect. It was created to be as unnoticeable as possible, only those who delve into the healing arts seriously can detect this curse, I suppose." She explained.
'This explains why Rem still died in one of the loops. She was unable to even detect the curse!' Alex realized as he recalled the episode where Rem died and Subaru got blamed for it.
That was clearly one of the worst things Subaru had experienced, especially when he looked so hopeful after seeing the sunrise of the fifth day.
Beatrice was still observing the oni's arm, when she suddenly grunted and placed her hand over the spot where Rem was bitten.
When she pulled her hand back, she was holding a wispy orb, as dark as the abyss. It seemed to be made up mostly of smoke, but the librarian still had a solid grasp on it. "What a nasty piece of work, I suppose." She grumbled.
"That curse..." Ram finally found her voice again "What would it have done to Rem, Beatrice-sama?"
Beatrice spared her a small look before she turned her attention back to the foulness in her grip "This curse severely weakens the victims body. Once it activates it causes their organs to shut down, until they cease functioning" She explained "It's lethal, from the moment it activates it will work very fast. I doubt she would survive long enough to bring her to me if it did, I suppose." With a flick of her wrist she crushed the curse out of existence.
Rem and Ram paled upon hearing that. Ram looked especially horrified with how close she came to losing her sibling.
"I'm surprised you were able to detect it, I suppose." Beatrice commented as she gazed at Alex "You brought her directly to me to get checked."
"... Truthfully I didn't know." Alex already had his answers ready. This was one of the scenarios he prepared for. "I did not know Rem got cursed, but I did have my suspicions." He turned to Rem "When you mentioned the bald puppy." He informed
"While you were gone, I had a talk with some of the village elders. They mentioned they rarely had pets, other than livestock and guard dogs at least. However one day one of the girls turned up with a bald puppy no one had ever seen before." He crossed his arms and made a face.
"Then you, some from Rose's Manor, someone who hosts a royal candidate get bitten by just that puppy, during your only trip to the village in weeks. Coincidence? I don't think so."
The expressions on the others' faces showed they believed him. Their faces were thoughtful and resigned.
"Well, you do have a good head on your shoulders after all, I suppose."
"Thank you Beatrice-san, now..." Alex straightened himself and turned around, walking towards the exit.
"Where is Alex-sama going?" Ram asked of the blond.
The pseudo Saber paused, only one step out the door "Where else?" He asked rhetorically as he turned around, the trio could see his stony expression. His green eyes seemed to glow with power "The village."
"You're going to kill that beast, I suppose." Beatrice stated aloud.
"I am." Alex answered "Can't have that thing wandering around the children." He said firmly.
While it would have been troubling if some of the adults died, Alex was sure he would have gotten over it fairly quickly. The children on the other hand...
That was something else.
"It is dangerous." Rem found herself saying not even realizing how concerned face looked. "If the beast can cast a curse like that it's not an ordinary mabeast, it probably has a pack with it too."
"So?" Alex queried an eyebrow "I have faced much larger threats in the past. I'm not going to be scared by some mutts." He declared "Besides, I can't have Petra and the others get caught up in this mess. Especially after it tried to kill you."
"Eh?" Rem blinked in surprise at the last part. Ram found herself mimicking her sister.
"You're my friend. I won't let someone hurt you without giving them a refund." Alex said with a serious look "I will be going now."
"Ram will come with you." Ram said aloud while stepping forward.
"Nee-sama?!" Rem shot her a shocked look.
"Ram can't let someone who almost took Rem away from her go unpunished." Ram declared coldly "She wants to see that beast die in front of her."
Normally she would choose to stay in the mentioned area. However, the moment this thing dared targeting her sister, things got personal. There was no way she would let an attempt on Rem's life go unpunished.
"Are you sure?" Alex asked "Didn't Rose leave you in charge of the mansion?"
"Rem can handle this place better than Ram." Ram answered with a determined face.
"Nee-sama! You can't!" Rem was horrified "Nee-sama, Rem knows Nee-sama can handle herself but isn't it better if Rem is the one to go with Alex-sama?" She wanted to say more, but couldn't find it in her.
Ram turned to her, the pink haired oni could see the fear and worry on her sister's face "I will be fine Rem. Like you said, I can handle myself just fine." She declared with a reassuring voice, despite her face showing none of it. "Besides..." She turned to Alex "Alex-sama is there, despite his sharp tongue and improper behavior, Alex-sama is a competent person."
"Hello pot, this is a kettle, you are black." Alex deadpanned, making the pink haired girl glare at him. He chuckled to lighten the tense atmosphere "Ram is right, don't worry Rem. I will protect her in case things get out of control." He declared.
Rem stared at the man she secretly hated for the last few days. Her eyes were filled with uncertainty as she glanced at her sister at his side.
"Trust me."
"!?"
Rem's eyes were drawn to the armored knight. His eyes were glowing with power, his handsome face set into a serious expression. He stood tall and proud, like a... King.
There was no hesitation in his voice, only determination.
"Rem..." Rem felt her lips dry at the picture he gave. She closed her eyes, took a steadying breath, and opened them again, giving them the most radiant smile she could muster "Rem will keep Nee-sama's and Alex-sama's dinner warm. She will do her best, so please return safely."
Alex's lips twitched, a smile crossed his face and he nodded "Alex will expect no less from Rem." He declared before he turned to Ram "Let's go, Ram."
Ram gave him a firm nod, face also set to a determined expression "Yes, Alex-sama."
*****
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