7,

"Ah, sorry I ran off Rem...!" Natsumi apologizes to her friend, once we finally found her of course. "But I managed to stumble upon help one way or another!" By getting robbed in a alleyway, a method most people wouldn't be quite okay with it...

Rem nods. "It's fine Su-" And then she gets cut off by a blushing Natsumi, who has put her hand atop of Rem's mouth. I'm jealous, I wish I could do that to a cute maid with blue hair... Ah, this is the first hot maid I have seen so far! No offense to Carol, but she's old, and the rest of the staff can't compete against people such as Priscilla.

The black haired girls continues with a smile. "Please call me Natsumi for a while... I have a deal with a certain someone." I appreciate that... I don't know if I should just be telling my real name to strangers after all. What if Natsumi babbles about my existence and then suddenly I have assassins after me? Or worse, what if Rein gets mad!?

Suddenly Natsumi pulls her hand back with a shout. "Ah, the heck Rem!?" Her face is also bright red for some reason.

The maid smiles. "Sorry, but it's only natural that I will lick your hand if you give me the opportunity!" No it isn't! It really isn't! "Anyways, I don't mind calling you Natsumi for a while, even if your real name is much, much, much, much cuter." Is this maid... gay? And thirsty for my new acquaintance? I ship it, Natsumi needs some love in her depressing life.

The black haired girls gasps. "Aren't there too many muchs in that sentence!?" She then sighs. "Also I appreciate the comment, but we all know my name isn't that great, it sounds like a guy's name..." In a way, that's... sort of cute? Kinda? I would need to hear the name I guess.

But in the end Natsumi has clearly put a barrier between us, since she didn't say her real name just now. I'll respect that barrier of course, even if I hope she eventually breaks it... Then again, until I know whether I should go around telling her I'm the Child of Prophecy or not, I should stay silent. Hell, I don't even know if my name is public knowledge.

Rem tilts her head while looking at me. "And who is this...?" She then notices the emblem on my shoulder. "Ah, an Astrea huh." I can see that she's now holding back a glare. I don't blame her to be honest, her last interaction was with Heink-Chi of all people, I'm actually surprised she hasn't come at me trying to punch my face.

Natsumi grins. "This guy here... is our golden ticket! Musashi!" She chuckles. "I did it Rem! He can get us inside of the Astrea manor to talk with Reinhard, than all our problems will be solved in a flash!" She clenches her fists. "Let's see what those creeps can do against the Sword Saint...!" I don't know who these creeps are, but probably nothing.

Rem smiles, even as she mutters. "I still don't know who these creeps are, but I'm glad you're happy Natsumi..." So she's going along with her suggestions without even knowing the full situation? Well, I guess she is a maid.

I wave at the maid. "Yo, as Natsumi over here just said... My name is Musashi, it's fake one though. I can easily get you guys into the Astrea manor... Convincing Rein is gonna be up to you two though." It shouldn't be too hard.

The maid bows. "It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Rem, a maid employed by Lord Roswaal L. Matters." Ah, the clown guy huh? This means she's part of Emilia's faction, and of course, that means the same things applies to Natsumi... All the more reason to help them, I don't want to fuck my future girlfriend over.

Still, this is strange. Didn't Natsumi piss off Crusch by leaving or whatever? Just what is happening there...? Well, I should probably not try to get involved in the inner politics of the selection, my prophecy is separate from their prophecy after all.

After introducing herself, Rem sends me a suspicious look. "Why use a fake name however? Actually I don't get why Natsumi is using one too..." I also don't understand why she's using one, but in my case... Please forgive me! I have zero political experience...!

Actually now that I think about it even more, would it even be okay for me to help Emilia? Or for Reinhard to do the same? Would that count as us backing her up in the selection? Hopefully not, but if that is the case... It can't be helped, I'm a hero now, I can't abandon someone in need. I can only hope Reinhard thinks the same thing.

Natsumi interjects. "About the fake name thing... It's embarassing to think about, so please don't look too much into it Rem." She suddenly blushes. "I'll tell Musashi my real name after I've done something cool... I want to look cool in front of him." W-wow, don't say embarassing stuff like that! I'm right here, you know!?

Rem immediately glares at me. "An enemy huh?" Wait a minute, I'm no one's enemy here! I actually support you and your love conquest Miss Rem, so please work hard! "Anyways... how can we be so sure that you're actually capable of getting us into the manor?" She sighs. "You could be just a faker trying to get us into trouble, even if that's unlikely..." I guess something like an emblem could be faked huh?

She continues. "And even if you're a well meaning servant, and in that case thank you... You still shouldn't bother with us, we got stopped by Heinkel Astrea himself. Only someone such as Reinhard Van Astrea or Wilhelm Van Astrea could go against his decisions." Ah, a simple butler couldn't do it...? That's fine of course, but it's gonna make me look suspicious.

Natsumi fakes a cough. "That's all true my beautiful Rem!" The maid blushes immediately, even though I'm half convinced the black haired girl wasn't even trying to flirt. "But, as a servant he could try to sneak us in! If we get an audience with Reinhard... I'm sure he will listen and forgive any troubles!" The last part better be true, or me and Felt are screwed.

Rem shakes her head. "That sounds... troublesome. And if we get caught, it could lead to all of us, including your friend Musashi, getting executed. Entering the house of a high ranking noble without permission is dangerous you know? And specially since we are member of Lady Emilia's faction, while Lord Heinkel hasn't declared support to any of the candidates yet, Lady Emilia would still get into trouble." Natsumi flinches through all that.

I however, am just surprised that Heink-Chi is considered to be neutral in the selection. Surely Reinhard's support for Felt is public knowledge? I mean the guy announced it to the whole throne room... Oh, I get it. Heinkel is the actual lord of the Astreas, his son cannot speak for him.

Still I wave Rem off. "It's fine guys, I have no intention of sneaking us in. I'm taking us through the front gate, so nobody will think of us as thieves or anything of the sort." I don't exactly outrank Heinkel, but I'm sure he can't deny me this.

Rem squints her eyes in my direction. "A servant shouldn't be able to go against the orders of their master..." And now Rem is understandably suspicious of me, I have no idea of what theories are running through her head.

Natsumi gasps. "N-no way! You're secretly Reinhard's brother!?" Immediately Rem groans in pain. Probably mental pain at that

I immediately send her a look of disbelief. "I look nothing like Reinhard." I look Guestekian for fuck's sake! Like a person from your country!

The black haired girl steps back in shock. "A half-brother!?" Please stop arriving at such stupid conclusions, you are starting to make me look good, and that's how someone knows that there is no saving you.

Rem sighs in pain, but considering that she never stops giving Natsumi loving eyes... She might be a M! Ah, a smart maid falling in love with a dumb, fish out of water run away noble... Yuri truly is amazing.

"You're back... without Lady Felt... Did you know I had to stop Lord Reinhard from scouring the country looking for you?" Ah, Carol is glaring at me. Ah, Carol might kill me! "Just where have you been Lord Io-!" I cut her off before she can say anything.

"We have guests, are you sure it's okay to say my name?" I point back at a nervous Natsumi and Rem. "So please call me Musashi for now..." I then bow. "And sorry for causing so much trouble!" In my defense it was Felt's idea! She's younger than me though... but it's a one year difference, so give me a break!

Carol's eye twitches. "So you brought some strangers into the manor, and now you want to play using a fake name...?" Yes? "That's... I suppose giving a fake name might be wiser in this time of political unrest." Rem's eyebrows raise at that. I'm probably becoming more suspicious with each and every second.

The head maid continues. "However, before anything... where is Lady Felt?" I have no clue, probably still looking for Old Man Rom. Alternatively she found him and is now looking for me, that could be a thing.

I awkwardly smile. "Well, she... is looking for a friend of hers, a guy names Rom. She should be fine though, I think... Actually she's probably worried about me right now, but she will be returning to the mansion eventually." I have trust that she knows how to handle herself, she quite literally grew up in these streets.

Carol sighs. "Knowing her she might not be coming back anytime soon." Eh!? That sounds ominous as hell. "This isn't the first time she has tried escaping her duties as the possible future king of Lugunica, Lord Reinhard normally has to go out and find her... I was hoping her attitude had changed considering her newfound motivation, but it seems I was wrong." Wait, Rein goes out to drag her back!?

My eyes widen in shock. "Hey, wait a second. Can't Felt just leave the selection? Is this a thing were the only way to give up is dying!?" That sounds strange from the country who didn't force me to marry any of my prophesied waifus.

Carol shakes her head. "It is nothing so... dark. Lady Felt could officially announce her withdrawal from the selection at any moment." Oh, so she's just weird. "At first I had actually thought she was delaying it, because she simply wanted to live in comfort for a little while longer..." That's understandable, I would do the same.

She continues. "But that isn't the case, I truly believe Lady Felt wishes to be king. She is simply a free spirit, and as such she must wander around sometimes... And so it falls onto Lord Reinhard's lap to catch that spirit." She's a tsundere king, basically.

That's well and good, but now I'm kind of pissed. Didn't Felt promise she would come back for me...!? Actually, now that I think about it, she knows my past, so she probably just assumed I could handle myself. Besides, I did manage to come back to the mansion more or less safe...

Carol sneaks a look at Rem and Natsumi. "Anyways... Who are these 'guests' anyways? I don't recognize them, but..." She takes a look at their uniform. "A falcon huh? Got it, servants of the Margrave." She recognized them from a symbol?

I make a questioning face. "I knew they were servants of the guy, but I didn't recognize the falcon... Is that the emblem of his family?" I still don't know how to recognize every single family, though there are a few I recognize.

The Karsten's are lions for example, though that's a title that used to belong to the royal family, before it was given as a symbol of friendship. The royal family symbol has become a dragon ever since the Dragon Covenant was made four hundred years ago...

It's strange really, how little involvement the church of the Divine Dragon seem to have with politics... But then again, I suppose the next king is literally being chosen by what these people consider to be a god.

Carol nods. "Indeed, make sure to remember it Musashi. The Matters family has existed since the three heroes themselves, some even say the founding member of it was taught magic by the Sage herself. If the Astreas are the sword of Lugunica, the Matters are it's gate, specializing in magic. They are extremely influential... So influential that because of Lord Roswaal, Lady Emilia managed to gather some chances of winning the selection, even if rather low." I see, I will keep that in mind.

She then turns around and looks at Rem. "I must say however, I'm confused why you two would seek Musashi of all people to bring you here... Normally one would use more standard methods to get into contact with us." The maid takes a moment to respond.

Mostly because she's looking at me as if I'm an alien, and the reason is clear. I goofed up, and let my curiosity get the better of me, asking about the emblem of the Matters. However obviously a servant of the Astreas should know how to identify one of the most important people in the kingdom.

And that isn't it all either, Carol addressed me as lord first, and she also brought Felt into the same conversation, who's name is probably very well known at this point. Hopefully Rem decides is none of her business. Natsumi looks clueless by the way.

The maid bows. "My apologies, but this is a rather sudden urgent matter. We actually asked Lord Heinkel for permission to enter the manor and discuss with Sir Reinhard, but we were rejected..." Don't tell her that! Seriously, sometimes a person needs to stay quiet if they actually wanna succeed.

Natsumi gasps at what Rem just did. "Um...! I mean...!" She clearly has no excuse to give. Which is bad, because neither do I. I'm only hoping that Natsumi is telling the truth about this whole attack thing, because otherwise I'm gonna be a very embarrassed hero, very soon.

I send Carol a look of desperation. "Hey, I know how this looks...! And sounds...! But trust me, it's-" And then I get cut off.

Carol smiles. "It's fine, I will allow them to enter, it's not like Lord Reinhard is particularly busy right now either... A rarity to be sure, but he was in his room worrying whether he needed to act like a cat and bring you by the scruff or not." She gets closer and whispers on my ear. "Besides... fuck Heinkel, I know how he is." You are the definition of based, if you weren't married to Grimm, I would propose on the spot.

She pulls her head back. "Very well, I will be guiding you two to Reinhard. Please be aware that the time of the Sword Saint should not be wasted carelessly, and that... The house of Astrea does not endorse the half-elf, do not make ludicrous requests." They are definitely gonna do that!

Rem bows. "Of course, thank you for your very generous kindness." Maid to maid communication! Actually Carol is very obviously the superior here, it wouldn't be strange to call her the peak of Rem's career.

Natsumi makes a strange pose, putting her index finger up and puffing her chest. "I did it! I managed to do it eventually...!" I want to make fun of her pose, but she looks like she's about to cry, so I won't comment on it. That doesn't stop Carol from giving her a judgemental stare however.

I can hear the maid muttering. "I better not regret this..." She then looks at me. "And Musashi... I know you didn't mean anything bad by it, but please apologize to Reinhard." Ah, I guess he must have been really worried.

I make a fake salute. "Of course!" I'm not a man so arrogant that I can't even admit when I'm wrong. Even when I'm the protagonist!

Passionate love. Hot love. Beautiful love. Love. "Bishop Romanée-Conti?" Love dies out, thought of love die out. Respect, one must respect her, adress her with utmost respect. It is heresy, but one must address her with respect...!

I bow, my head hits the floor, it bleeds. It does not hurt enough. "Yes, Lady Pandora!?" I raise my head, I bow again, it bleeds. It does not hurt enough. I raise my head, I bow, it bleeds. The process repeats over and over again, respect must outweigh love. Forgive me for my blasphemy.

I cannot look at her face to see her expression, I am not worthy, the world is not worthy. "You are planning to sacrifice the half-elf are you not? Is everything going smoothly from your side?" Love. Love. Love. Love. Love.

I'm crying tears of love. "Yes! Even someone as lazy as I am has not yet failed, even someone as weak as I am has not yet been abandoned...! Love!" Soon, soon, soon. Oh, it must hurt her to hear the word soon, it should be now. Forgive me.

I bow.

My head hits the floor.

It bleeds.

Why doesn't it hurt enough?

A sigh of sadness. "Ah, as always you are a hard worker. Please keep working hard everyday from now on." I will. I will slothfully work until these bones break, then until these bones break, then until these bones break...! "That said, I would like to hear about the exact details of this operation." It's over.

Even Lady Pandora doesn't trust my work anymore, even though I'm the only one worshipping Satella, even though I'm the only one lovingly crafting her a dress of blood...! This worthless man I am cannot be rewarded with love.

My brain trembles. "Of course! Of course! Forgive me! It was love, it was love, it was love!" My unseen hands crush her body, it was love. Forgive me.

She is still in front of me. "All is forgiven. Now explain your plan Bishop Romanée-Conti." I have been forgiven, beautiful thank you everyone! Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, now I feel bad. It's easy to forgive a sloppy child.

I give her a salute, it is done completely seriously. "Yes Lady Pandora...!" Then I slowly scoot over. "Why though!?"

She smiles. "It's... what's that saying again...?" A found smile, a loving smile. I sinned and saw something that doesn't belong to me, I will crush my bones later. "Ah, I remembered... Let me cook." Oh, I will make sure to remember that.