Chapter 175 ⤞ On the Sustainable Development of the Sanctuary

Seven days after liberating the Sanctuary.

After the snow melted, everything here remained unchanged, just like always. Although the Sanctuary as a whole was quite dilapidated, the hall remained serviceable.

Roswaal had renovated it and added some simple decorations, immediately giving it the elegant atmosphere of a noble's banquet.

This was a victory celebration to commemorate their defeat of the White Whale, the Sin Archbishop of Sloth, and the Great Rabbit.

It was also a knighting ceremony — Emilia's Royal Knight appointment ceremony.

"Hey, hey, hey, what's going on here?! Isn't this supposed to be Adam's knighting ceremony? Why am I wearing a Knight's uniform? Isn't this strange?!" Subaru pulled at the white uniform that made him uncomfortable, his face full of confusion.

Unlike his usual butler attire, this was a Knight's uniform that required status and royal approval to wear.

"What are you saying, Subaru-kun! Do you really want to be a butler for the rest of your life?"

The speaker was Adam, standing beside him.

He wore the same Knight's uniform as the kid, except he had an additional purple mantle with the kingdom's crest. This was the only difference in their attire.

Adam patted his shoulder, "Subaru-kun, stand tall. You're a Knight now. You need to always follow the Knight's code so you won't embarrass Emilia."

"That's right, Barusu." Ram fixed Subaru's collar while delivering her sharp-tongued remarks, "Don't act like a monkey... no, actually, you look like a monkey wearing a Knight's uniform right now."

"That's harsh! You're too strict, Sister!" Subaru complained loudly, feeling extremely wronged, "This is my first time wearing this. Can't you be more understanding?"

"Barusu should be thanking Ram. If you hadn't been shouting about being Emilia-sama's Knight all this time, Ram wouldn't have stayed up all night making this Knight's uniform for you."

"...Oh, oh. Thank you very much, Sister." Seeing the faint dark circles under her eyes, Subaru thanked her awkwardly, only to have her tap his head in response.

Just like a sister showing affection and blessing to her hopeless brother.

During this time, Subaru had not only won over Emilia but also grown closer to his workplace colleagues — the twin maids.

Ram was sharp-tongued and strict with him, but it was her unique way of showing protection and care. Subaru could at least recognize this much after growing through the Sanctuary's Trials.

"By the way, boss, you really don't match that outfit at all."

Since being impressed by Subaru's unyielding will, Garfiel had been calling him "boss". Though they never came to blows, they had clashed verbally, and Garfiel had come to acknowledge Subaru's way of thinking!

"Hey, you've got some nerve saying that about me, aren't you the same?!"

"Hahaha! But I'm still a bit better than you, boss!"

After being mocked by his junior, Subaru couldn't maintain his composure and disparaged himself quietly, "I know, I know! I just don't have Adam's presence. I've known that all along!"

Hearing him say this, Beatrice immediately became displeased.

She mockingly said, "Hey, although you've shown some self-awareness, you can't compare yourself to Adam like that."

The implication was that the gap between Subaru's self-acknowledged shortcomings and his comparison target was too vast to even make a meaningful comparison.

In other words, she was mocking the kid.

With one cutting remark after another, even Subaru, who prided himself on having "thick skin", was immediately devastated.

He quickly begged for mercy, saying rapidly in a low voice: "I was wrong, I was really wrong, please stop, spare me!"

"Hmph. You really don't... eh— Adam?!" Beatrice clearly wanted to mock him more but was suddenly lifted up by her master. The tsundere great Spirit was immediately embarrassed, letting out a startled squeal and asking him, "Adam, what are you doing?!"

"Nothing, I just wanted to hug Beatrice."

"Umm..." This intimate gesture caused her to bury her head in his chest, too embarrassed to face anyone.

Battleship Beako has been sunk!

'Saved!' Subaru looked gratefully at Adam, receiving a teasing wink in response. Understanding his meaning, he said with firm resolve, "I know I still have much to improve, but as Emilia's Knight, I'm serious! Even if it costs me my life, I'll protect Emilia!"

"Well said, Subaru~. As fellow servants of Lady Emilia, let's all~work hard together." Roswaal, finally free from greeting guests, approached the group.

"Roswaal, thanks for your hard work."

"Lord Roswaal." x2

"Yo, Roswaal."

"Hmph."

Everyone greeted him, each in their own way.

Adam had thought that the clown would become less obsessive after meeting the woman he'd been longing for, but surprisingly, being nourished by her love had made him even more fixated.

He wanted to resurrect Echidna — a teacher of flesh and blood, with a soul and breath, alive! This was his lifelong wish!

Although he no longer used extreme methods, his attitude clearly showed he still intended to cause trouble. Adam suspected that Roswaal might be acting this way under Echidna's instructions.

But there was also some good news. The clown was now sincerely helping Subaru, rarely refusing any of his requests — as long as it didn't obstruct his determination to resurrect Echidna.

"So, have you finished entertaining those guests?" Adam raised his wine glass and took a sip with him.

"Carter is so mean~. Those people all came for you, yet you used me as a shield~" Roswaal complained in his strange tone, but somehow failed to elicit any sympathy.

"Well, maybe they didn't come for me, but for 'Emilia's Knight'."

"Ah, that's certainly possible~"

The two shared a knowing smile.

This blatant conspiracy made Subaru very uncomfortable; he sensed it had a lot to do with him. He immediately asked, "Hey, what are you two plotting? Something feels off."

"Well, who knows~"

"Hey!"

"Anyway, it's about time. We'll talk about the rest later." Ignoring the kid's dissatisfaction, Roswaal checked the guests and the time before heading toward the stage.

As the ceremony's host and the banquet's organizer, he needed to make an opening speech.

Clap, clap, clap!

"Quiet please, quiet please!" Roswaal suddenly called out, attracting everyone's attention and reducing the noise in the hall to maintain silence, "Thank you all for taking time from your busy schedules to attend..."

He used very formal and courteous social etiquette to welcome each noble who had come to the banquet, making a standard opening speech.

Meanwhile, Adam was talking to Subaru below.

"Subaru-kun, do you remember when I promised you a reward if you could help Emilia pass the Trials?"

"Ah, of course I remember! I've been really looking forward to Adam's reward!"

"Hehe, then you should really look forward to it." Seeing his sparkling eyes, Adam laughed softly, then mysteriously told him, "For you, this might be the best and most unexpected reward."

"Hmm? What is it..." Subaru asked curiously.

But before he could finish, he heard Roswaal calling his name loudly from the stage.

"Now, the knighting ceremony officially begins! Please welcome Lady Emilia and her Knight... Subaru Natsuki! Please come forward!"

"Eh?" Subaru was startled.

In the next second, he felt a cape being placed over his shoulders.

This garment was the purple cape that Adam had been wearing since early this morning!

"Eh—?!" Subaru was even more shocked!

He opened his mouth wide, looking at everyone with an expression of disbelief.

"Go on, Subaru-kun! Today, you are the protagonist." Adam said to him, "Congratulations on taking the position of Emilia's Knight from my hands!"

Only then did Subaru realize that everyone wore expressions suggesting this was perfectly natural — he was the only one who hadn't been informed.

"What... was I the only one kept in the dark?"

"Natsuki-kun, you can do it!"

"You better do your best, kid."

"Captain, you look really cool right now!"

"Subaru, good luck."

"Barusu, Lady Emilia is waiting for you. Don't embarrass her."

Everyone's well-wishes followed, and Subaru finally calmed his shocked feelings, swinging the cape around his shoulders.

His voice filled with determination and resolve, he declared, "Oh! Just watch me!"

With everyone's expectations behind him, he strode with confident steps to the center of the stage.

Looking at the Royal Candidate for whom he would give his life, looking at the silver-haired half-elf whose feelings now matched his own, Subaru's face wore a satisfied smile.

Having watched Adam rehearse the knighting ceremony dozens of times, this simple procedure was no challenge for him to imitate.

Subaru knelt on one knee, then drew his Knight's sword and presented it with both hands.

Emilia raised the Knight's sword high and proclaimed loudly:

"To the sun that gazes upon this brilliant world;

To the stars that watch over the sleeping world;

To the wind, water, earth, light, and spirits that fill all things;

To the vast world that accepts you, nurtures you, and sends you forth;

To the glory that supports you, protects you, and brings you accomplishment;

To all that guards you, to the world that nurtures you, to the glory that supports you;

May your path in life bring no dishonor to yourself!

May you be without fear, without trepidation, without confusion!

May you always follow your heart!

You shall remain unwavering until death.

From this moment on, will you swear to protect me as the world embraces all that you are?"

This was the oath that Emilia had racked her brains to create. For this oath, she had locked herself in her room for three whole days, then consulted with Roswaal and Wu Fangwu before finalizing it. This showed how seriously she took this matter.

No! Rather, it showed how much she valued Subaru.

And in response to her question, Subaru boldly replied, "I swear by the sun, by the stars, by the spirits, by the world, by glory... and by my parents, I will protect you, I will fulfill your wishes! I am Subaru Natsuki! Emilia, I am your knight and yours alone!"

In this moment, the two expressed their love for each other.

But it was clearly not the appropriate setting. Emilia proceeded with the rest of the ceremony, lightly placing the sword on Subaru's shoulders, tapping twice before returning the Knight's sword.

This was the ceremony's procedure, and also a display of mutual trust and submission.

At this moment, Subaru was promoted from butler to Knight! A Knight belonging solely to Emilia!

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"Adam, are you really leaving? Surely we can find a way to deal with the Witch..."

Emilia's motherly concern, as always, gave him a headache.

Since he had expressed his intention to leave after the banquet ended last night, this girl had been trying to persuade him to stay nonstop.

Really now. He thought she had matured after passing the Trials, but it seems she still needed more tempering.

"Emilia, we are currently in the Sanctuary, but that doesn't mean the Witch of Vainglory wouldn't dare come here. I don't know what impact my staying would have, but I do know I can't remain here forever."

Adam had his suspicions. He had never received an invitation from the Witch, which might be signaling something to him.

—A signal called Rejection.

Though the Witches hadn't explicitly stated it, he had this feeling. While they detested the Witch of Vainglory, they also detested Adam, who was her Archbishop.

This was also why he had relinquished the position of 'Emilia's Knight' to Subaru. If Pandora reached a consensus with the other Witches and decided to disregard their group, everyone would be in danger.

That being the case, he might as well leave. This would ensure the safety of others while allowing them to continue developing here.

He had already instructed Elsa to protect Subaru and Emilia.

"Then proceed as I've instructed: Take root in the Sanctuary and develop steadily. First, spread the news of the White Whale's defeat throughout every corner of the kingdom, then falsely claim that there was unrest at the Witch's burial ground in the Sanctuary, and during the suppression of the Witch, you also defeated the Archbishop of Sloth and the Great Rabbit... Oh, and also report that the Archbishop of Greed has been eliminated."

But these announcements must be spaced out over time! If reported all at once, they will easily arouse suspicion and hostility from other Royal Candidates! So they absolutely must be spaced out! Understand?"

"Yes! I understand!" Emilia hurriedly replied.

This was the strategy Adam left behind.

Suppressing the chaotic Witch's burial ground was Emilia's official explanation, but in reality, it was to escape the Witch of Vainglory's pursuit.

However, the Sanctuary was indeed a great place for sustainable development. With abundant demi-human talent, extensive territory, and rich resources, it was very suitable as a base for future development.

Most importantly, Emilia could gain another wave of prestige from this! How magnificent it sounds!

If they subsequently released news about defeating Sloth, subjugating the Great Rabbit, and eliminating Greed at regular intervals, with Roswaal's management, Emilia's reputation would surely far exceed that of other Royal Candidates!

Killing three birds with one stone! A perfect plan!

But Adam's departure left one person dissatisfied — our tsundere Great Spirit, Beatrice.

She had contracted with him less than a month ago, and now he was saying he would abandon her and leave alone.

What's with this "You're the most important one, Emilia needs you right now"? Who cares about that half-elf girl's well-being?

She wanted to leave with Adam, but he told her it wasn't possible. To be able to take Beatrice away from this world, he planned to seek a solution in other worlds.

Although she really didn't want him to leave, she also knew that with the Witch targeting him, it was dangerous, and even their combined strength couldn't handle that other loli. She had no choice but to nod and agree.

But! Understanding was one thing, being angry was another!

Even though Adam agreed to visit her every month, she was still displeased.

"Come on, Betty. Didn't I promise that I would come see you every month?"

"Mmm. You promised, so you must come back! Spirits take contracts very seriously!"

"Of course, my Only One." Saying this, Adam lightly kissed her collagen-filled cheek, and seeing her shy appearance, he whispered, "I will definitely take you away! Wait for me, Betty."

The two linked pinkies, making a promise.

"Mmm! Betty will wait for you here!"

"Don't worry, I value my own life very much. I'll run away if I encounter danger." Then, Adam said to everyone, "Well then, I'll be taking my leave."

"Have a safe journey." x N

"I'm off!"

With farewells, Adam left the Sanctuary.

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