"I am the owner of this mansion, the Margrave of the Kingdom of Lugunica, Roswaal L. Mathers."
Roswaal sat down on the chair up front. Liliana stiffened, unable to speak in front of the man who introduced himself.
"I didn't think we'd meet a pervert painted in white clown make-up," Subaru said.
"Barusu. I will not forgive disrespecting Roswaal-sama. I'll twist and cut your thing off," Ram responded coldly.
Okay, But why did she have to directly go to cutting that part! Kaeya thought, Any male would wince just imaging that, even if the one being threatened wasn't them.
"You've also made the same offense of noticing Ros-chi's current look, and what exactly are you going to cut off?" Subaru asked.
"Hm, I wonder what…" Ram muttered.
The girl glaring at Subaru to her side had entirely dropped her previous politeness.
Roswaal held Ram back with a gesture and calmly crossed his legs on the leather couch. His distinguished status and title, mixed with strange habits and bizarre clothing, destroyed any initial impressions in small pieces.
Despite his appearance, people still thought highly of him as a feudal lord, causing many to suffer from the gap between the reputation he carried and the reality they witnessed.
"Juuuust as expected, seeing this new person's surprised face is the greeeatest joy. I like Subaru-kun's kind of reaction too, but this sort of reaction really is the best. Riiiight, Subaru-kun?"
"Can you not imply that I'm an accomplice in toying with people's hearts while enjoying it? I only have a little bit of those types of poor characteristics."
Liliana finally spoke up, her voice shaky.
"I am extremely humbled and delighted that you've granted me an audience. I—I am the bard, Liliana. I am honored to meet you, Margrave-sama."
"Hmmm, splendid, splendid. If you're going to speak in this situation while shaking that much, then there's reason in meeeting with you. I am famous for being tolerant, soooo relax."
Though boasting, Roswaal's words weren't false. If he were a villainous noble from a tale, someone like Subaru would've been dismissed on the first day.
"I heard that a bard was coming, and then I met Liliana," Emilia said. "This girl says that she's looking for tons of rare stories, so I was thinking that maybe Roswaal would be able to help."
"I seeee. If Emilia-sama has that much expectation in me, then I have no choice but to show what I have up my sleeeeve."
Roswaal smiled faintly, creaked the back of the chair, and crossed his arms. He closed his eyes as if diving into thought, then opened one—his yellow eye—and looked at Liliana. Under that unsettling gaze, she sat beside Emilia and began to tremble.
"You don't have to be frightened like thaaaat. I am on your side. Seeing that Emilia-sama has decided to be on your side, I'm also putting in efforts to do the same."
"Y—yes. Th—th-th… thank you."
Kaeya could pity her a little bit, He knew how anxious a person would be in a position like that. But she was definitely handling it worse then he would.
"However, Bard. Bard, right. Geeeez, this is wonderful timing."
Roswaal deepened his smile at Liliana, who shrank back under his stare.
"You said your name was Liliana, riiight? This is Emilia-sama's request. I care about satisfying your wish. This is when I'd like to hear a little mooore details."
"W—when you say details, what should I talk about…"
"Let's see. ――How about the goal of your journey? Frankly tell us about the goal itself."
Liliana's expression shifted in response to Roswaal's voice lowering. The change in her demeanor was unlike anything seen before. She closed her eyes once and, upon opening them, looked straight at Roswaal.
"――I am on a journey to seek newer legends in this world."
Even under the gaze of the most powerful man in the kingdom, there was unwavering determination in her eyes.
"Newer legends…" Emilia repeated.
"Yes, that's right. I am looking for those, and I'm on a journey to sing them."
Liliana's voice carried a devilishness—one that struck directly into the hearts of listeners.
Kaeya, however, remained completely unaffected. He couldn't quite grasp why she was so passionate about singing.
Maybe it was because, unlike him, it was her livelihood—or perhaps she had been doing it since she was a child. He didn't know, and frankly, he didn't care.
Music had never been something he was particularly passionate about, so he brushed the thought aside and turned his attention back to the ongoing conversation.
"We… bards are beings who live and turn stories into songs. The songs permeate into the audience's hearts, and they etch into the soul of the one listening about a certain past… about history. The song that passes down for a long time, so long, has power. This means that the poet who made the song still has his or her remnants remaining in the world, even after death."
Nobody interrupted her as she continued in a bright tone.
"We can't leave something tangible behind. Our instincts won't even let us settle down while not making things, not knowing letters. We wander the world with these feet, sing songs at the places we arrive at, and if we're able to pass the song into someone's heart, we search for another place and begin walking again. And if at some point we arrive at empty wilderness, our instrument decays as a pillow―― That's the type of people we are."
There was power in her voice, her eyes, her every gesture—just like when she sang.
"Since we are beings that can only leave things in people's hearts, not being able to leave something of form, we want to create something that will continue to remain in everyone's hearts. We want proof that we certainly lived, a proof that has our souls carved into history. That is the only honor we wish for, if we were to want something out of this."
"I seeee… So that's why you want new legeeends."
Roswaal's voice broke the silence. Among everyone present, he was the most experienced in encountering unwavering resolve. He nodded at her, and Liliana sat upright in admiration.
"Vivid legends―― History that continues to remain in everyone's hearts strongly for a long time. Passing down existing songs already is a prideful way of life as a bard. However… If I could, I would like to be the first singer that sings a song that remains in everyone's hearts. I want to sing and pass down the newest, freshest history in this world with my throat…with my tongue. ――That is my wish."
"Ah."
Roswaal acknowledged her with a single syllable.
"That enthusiasm is spleeendid. However, what kind of legends are you looking for? Chasing things without form is the same as grabbing onto the clouds, after aaall. You might even miss the things you desire, unless you have a definite form inside yourself."
"If possible, I want a heroic tale."
"A heroic tale…"
Roswaal questioned. Liliana answered. Emilia looked on in admiration.
"Then Liliana wants to know new stories of heroes?" Emilia asked.
"…Well, it's not that simple coming up with new heroes in this current age. There may have been a place for development of a hero several hundred years earlier when Witches were rampant and the world was full of threats… In this world with peace, even if it's only apparent peace, a new hero would be very…"
There was no room for a hero to be born in an age without need. Liliana seemed to understand that—but even so, she stifled her emotions and murmured.
"――Interesting."
It was quiet, but it reached everyone. Subaru furrowed his brows in confusion. Roswaal opened his differently colored eyes wide and laughed.
"A bard has come here like this, seeking a not yet known heroic tale. How should I describe this flow of events that is like fate, other than saying it's amusing? Wait wait I caaan't, this is amusing!"
"Wait, Roswaal. What are you saying? Everyone… is bothered, including Liliana… along with myself. Don't just have understanding by yourself, give a proper explanation."
"Easy to do, Emilia-sama. I will fulfill Miss Liliana's wiiiish."
"Eh!? Then does Roswaal have an idea of a new heroic tale?"
"Of course I do. ――Also, it's related to Emilia-sama toooo."
"I'm related to it…?"
Roswaal's smile deepened. Subaru, watching across from Emilia, caught the intent behind it.
"You know a new hero? If so, then please let me hear about it…!"
"Ah, I wiiiiiilll noooot."
"Moohin!"
Roswaal crushed Liliana's hope with one line. Emilia, startled by Liliana's frog-like shriek, glared at him.
"Roswaaaaaaaal―"
"Don't make such a frightening look. It ruins your beautiful face. Aaalso, nothing about this is me being maliciooous. Do I seem like that kind of a bad guy to you?"
Yes, you do.
"I'm doubting if it'd actually be weird for you and Subaru to do things like that."
"That's an impassioned harmful rumor!" Subaru shot back.
"Ah, is it not like that?" Emilia followed up, flustered.
Liliana, still sprawled, looked up with hopeful eyes.
"Th―then… What can I do… to have you tell me about it?"
"This new 'legend'… It's not something we can rashly talk about eitheeer. Thuuus, we must make sure that you are a person we can truuust."
"Wh―what do I have to do? Y―you can't have my hands, but if it's just my toes, then I can offer them as an oath!"
"Calm down. Also, take more care of your own body, young woman."
Subaru tried to reel in Liliana, who had started listing off acceptable muscle groups. He sighed.
Liliana slumped her shoulders.
"So, thaaaat is why we first need time for ascertainment. Let's see what we could do. How about we allow you to stay at the mansion for a few daaays. If we're able to see you as a trustable person during that time, then I'll reveal what I know about heroic tales."
"――!"
Perhaps she had reached the light at the end of the tunnel. That's what Kaeya thought, watching the hope bloom in her eyes.
"O―okay! I'm also a woman! If you'll compromise that much, what kind of bard would I be if I wasn't on board with it! Come at me with what you got! Come at me!"
.
.
While Subaru and Rem went with Liliana to get her luggage from the village—which was mostly an excuse to hide that they were there to keep an eye on her—Emilia went to her room to study, And Kaeya finally went to train his nullification ability.
After reaching the forest he always trained at, Kaeya took a deep breath. The sounds of rustling leaves and distant birds faded as he closed his eyes and extended a hand.
Alright… let's see if I can still do this. He thought.
He focused. Tried to feel for the strange, invisible tension he'd once been able to wipe away without thinking. The same ability he used so naturally when nullifying Subaru's Shamac.
Nothing.
He furrowed his brow and tried again, more forcefully this time. A faint flicker of pressure coiled around his chest, but it didn't release.
Tch… He clicked his tongue, stepping back.
Why's this harder now? Back then it just… happened. He thought, exhaling.
He ran a hand through his hair, eyes narrowing. Maybe it's because I haven't used it in a while... or maybe it only really works when I've got a clear purpose… like when I had to break through that fog…
But now, it felt sluggish, almost resistant.
He looked at his hand again, opening and closing his palm. If I'm gonna keep relying on this, it needs a name.
He paused, thought for a moment, then muttered to himself. I guess, absolute nullification will do for now... Though, I will give it a better name in the future if i come up with something.
He continued on with training his ability, even if he wasn't sure it would be helpful.