"My answer?" Adam tugged at the corner of his mouth, "Sorry, but I still refuse."
He remained firm in his decision.
Roswaal had assumed that after witnessing Emilia's recent efforts, Adam would acknowledge her and willingly become her knight.
But Adam wouldn't yield so easily, nor would he allow himself to be manipulated by this clown's schemes.
"Until Emilia completes her trial, I won't become her Knight." Adam declared firmly, "This is my condition, my bottom line."
"Why, Carter?! Is it because the task isn't finished?!" Natsuki burst out angrily, his voice filled with confusion, "Emilia is about to gain the villagers' acceptance — she'll definitely complete the trial! What difference does it make whether you become her Knight now or later?!"
"Subaru! It's YOU who's earning the villagers' acceptance, not Emilia! She's merely inheriting your achievements, accepting your goodwill! What has she contributed to this? What role has she actually played?"
Everything had been through Natsuki's mediation, while she simply reaped the benefits of his efforts.
"Emilia needs to learn to stand on her own, not just rely on others!"
His words plunged the conference room into an icy silence.
Roswaal maintained his unconcerned smile, Ram and Rem faded into the background, while Emilia quietly bowed her head in contemplation.
Natsuki's gaze reflected a mixture of confusion, anger, and disappointment.
Puck wanted to comfort her, but Adam had previously discussed this with it.
He had explained that if Puck couldn't contribute to Emilia's growth, he should minimize his presence and avoid asserting himself at crucial moments.
And this was precisely such a moment.
"I'm sorry." Emilia whispered.
"No, you haven't wronged me, and you don't need to apologize to me." Adam replied firmly, "If you want to apologize to anyone, apologize to Subaru who has worked tirelessly for you, and to yourself for not striving to improve."
These sharp, challenging words only emphasized Natsuki's dedication.
He had done so much for Emilia, yet she lacked the courage to face it. Even recently, she had only shown slight improvement after Adam confronted her about her true feelings.
The criticism extended to Natsuki as well — his constant help, though well-intentioned, had stunted Emilia's growth. It was a classic case of too much kindness becoming harmful.
However, everything unfolded according to Adam's plan.
Emilia needed criticism and reprimands to grow, a role that fell to him.
Meanwhile, Natsuki's role was to provide comfort and encouragement.
"Emilia-tan..." Natsuki understood Adam's reasoning — that Emilia needed to earn the villagers' acceptance on her own to truly grow.
He simply couldn't stand seeing someone he cared for struggle, and his instinct was to help!
But Adam's explanation made him realize that his constant intervention had backfired. All his efforts had actually hindered her progress!
The words of comfort he wanted to offer Emilia died in his throat.
A heavy silence fell over the conference room.
"What are you all doing?"
A sweet, childish voice pierced the silence, drawing everyone's attention.
"Ah, it's Beatrice." Roswaal greeted her with his peculiar way of speaking, "How rare~ indeed~, why~ have you come~ out of the Forbidden Library~?"
"Hmph, Betty didn't come to see you." Beatrice snorted haughtily.
Though Adam had recently required her to join them for dinner, her tsundere princess attitude remained unchanged.
"Beatrice, what's wrong?" In the midst of the silence, Adam spoke up, "It's not dinner time yet — this isn't like you to leave the Forbidden Library."
"It's all your fault! Betty has been waiting for you in the Forbidden Library for ages, why haven't you come!"
Usually at this hour, he would be with Beatrice in the Forbidden Library, teaching her about knowledge from other worlds.
But today's unexpected events had kept him away, and she'd grown tired of waiting.
Though she claimed impatience, her true motive was concern — she'd noticed the mansion's residents' growing displeasure with Adam and had come to provide him an escape.
"Sorry, I forgot." Adam, understanding her intentions and ready to leave anyway, accepted her gesture, "Let's go, Betty."
Walking out of the conference room with Beatrice, he turned back to look at Emilia.
"You need to learn to grow — there won't always be someone to help you. What's important isn't the result, but what you gain from the process and how it helps you grow."
Though his words had been harsh, he believed she would understand their meaning.
In the Forbidden Library, Adam took out a book. Before he could begin teaching, Beatrice spoke.
"Is this really okay?"
"That half-elf girl — Roswaal and the others value her greatly." Beatrice said, concern in her voice, "Aren't you afraid of offending the mansion's residents by saying those things?"
"It doesn't matter." Adam said with a smile, "They don't acknowledge me because I could be Emilia's Knight — they want me to be her Knight because they acknowledge me."
"Is that so..." Beatrice murmured softly, then added in her characteristic way, "Well, that's your business. It has nothing to do with Betty."
She was acting like someone who had offered help, been rejected, and was now sulking about it.
Adam seized this moment to ask her a question.
"What about you, Beatrice? Do you stay close to me because of who I am, or is there some other reason?"
"..." At his question, Beatrice fell silent, her small hands gripping the book until they turned white.
The silence stretched on, with no answer forthcoming.
"I see... I understand now." The realization finally dawned on Adam.
Beatrice hadn't accepted him or let him into her heart. Instead, her subconscious had merely cast him in the role specified by her contract. Their closeness wasn't her choice — it was the contract's influence controlling her.
This wasn't the result he wanted!
"I'm sorry, Beatrice, I'm not the person you're waiting for." Adam sighed. Closing the book and rising to his feet, he added, "I think it's best if I don't come here for a while."
Beatrice remained alone in the large chair, staring blankly at the empty pages before her.
Her tiny figure, set against the vast emptiness of the library, painted a portrait of profound loneliness.
"Mother..." She whispered softly.
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