After leaving the bedroom, Adam parted ways with Ram — one leisurely headed for morning exercise while the other hurriedly rushed off to prepare breakfast.
In retrospect, it seemed Ram had come specifically to help him change clothes.
Despite her harsh and merciless words, she actually had a kind heart, didn't she?
Upon reaching the courtyard, he found Natsuki and Emilia doing radio calisthenics together, chatting and laughing in a pleasant atmosphere.
Though Natsuki tried his best to entertain, his words came out as nonsensical babbling, making for awkward conversation.
Fortunately, Emilia was kindhearted and pure — even though she couldn't understand what he was saying, she kept him company through the awkward chat.
Surprisingly, her patience made their interaction quite harmonious.
After some thought, Adam decided not to disturb them, not wanting to be tactless.
He turned to walk another way, but before reaching the corner, he spotted someone hiding there, watching.
He had assumed she went to prepare breakfast with Ram, but instead found her here, observing Emilia and Natsuki.
No, surveillance would be a more appropriate term.
Carefully considering his approach, he slowed his pace and quietly moved toward her.
Whether because Rem was too focused or because Adam's secretly learned assassination skills proved effective, she didn't notice his silent approach from behind.
His soft words startled Rem.
"Concerned about what? Rem doesn't understand what the guest is saying." But she quickly composed herself and bowed, saying, "I apologize, guest, but Rem needs to prepare breakfast. Please excuse me."
After speaking, she turned to leave.
Adam softly said behind her, "Not Emilia, but Subaru-kun, right?"
He had originally wanted to tease her, but seeing her turn to leave so quickly, he decided to get straight to the point.
Rem continued walking forward without responding, not looking back.
With each word from his mouth, she slowed her pace until she stopped completely.
Like someone who had their unbearable past exposed.
Rem suddenly turned around, looking at Adam with embarrassed anger, growling, "What do you mean? How do you know these things? Did Roswaal-sama tell you, or was it Emilia-sama?"
It seemed she trusted her sister completely, not even considering Ram as a possibility.
It made him want to play a mean trick on her.
But when Adam saw her fierce expression filled with regret, self-blame, and pain, he gave up on such malicious behavior.
The deep bond between sisters shouldn't be so easily provoked. If it left an irreparable rift, then he would truly be the villain.
"Well, how did I know?" He gave an ambiguous response and changed the subject to Natsuki, asking, "Let's not talk about that. Rem, what do you think of Subaru-kun?"
"Barusu? Barusu is the new butler hired by Roswaal-sama. I believe we can get along well."
"That's not what I meant!" Adam exposed her false pretense and her barely hidden killing intent, saying directly, "What do you think about the witch's miasma — no, the witch's scent on Subaru-kun?"
"What do I think? Hehe, that bastard is clearly a Witch Cult member — the miasma on him is disgusting!" Knowing there was no point in hiding anymore, Rem revealed her intense killing intent toward Natsuki, cursing under her breath, "Those Witch Cult people should all die. I must kill him!"
"Is that so?" Adam hadn't expected her to confide in him so quickly, even openly declaring her intention to kill the idiotic boy.
It seemed she had been holding back with great difficulty these past two days.
However, how could he let Rem harm Natsuki? He surely didn't want to be locked in another loop.
"Although I arrived here with Subaru-kun and we're companions, I'm not here to defend him." Adam clarified before continuing gently, "Rem, you're being too one-sided."
"One-sided? Me?!" She glared at him.
"That guy is suffering more than you realize." He gestured toward Natsuki, who stood with Emilia, "Look at his face — can't you see his pain?"
Though Natsuki laughed and chatted with Emilia, his brows remained furrowed.
Even in the presence of his beloved Emilia, his face betrayed confusion and anguish, as if he were fighting against something unseen.
"Suffering? How could he possibly suffer as much as Rem? If it weren't for these vile people, the village would still stand, and sister wouldn't have..."
Having suppressed her rage for years, how could Rem easily accept a stranger's words now that she finally had an outlet?
"I see. You too, then." Adam's voice softened with sympathy, "You're also a victim of the Witch Cult."
"Also?" Her angry expression froze, that single word catching her attention.
"Natsuki is like you — a victim of the Witch Cult. No, more accurately, he's a plaything of the Witch!"
His words left Rem stunned.
"The — the Witch you mean..."
"Yes, exactly who you're thinking of."
"That's impossible!" Rem shot back, "How could that Witch possibly..."
"Why not?" Adam cut in, "We're talking about the Witch — who can fathom her thoughts?"
"That guy is suffering more than you realize."
His repeated words now held greater weight.
"He suffers because he doesn't know why the Witch chose him. He pushes forward because he can't understand his purpose. He stands paralyzed because he doesn't know his next step..."
"This is just my perspective, of course. I don't expect you to believe me easily — or at all — but please try to understand him before you decide. Yes, he's arrogant, overbearing, disrespectful, and proud, but at heart, he's just an immature boy. Spend time with him, and you'll see who he truly is."
"I'm not forcing you to accept him — even ignoring him is fine. Just please be patient a while longer."
After a moment of silence, he added.
"And please don't make your sister worry too much about you."
To prevent Natsuki from looping, Adam knew he had to deal with Rem first. Even with his presence, she would surely find an opportunity to kill Natsuki if she truly wished to.
So he tackled the problem at its root, trying to get Rem to temporarily set aside her murderous intentions. He believed that after spending time with Natsuki, she would understand his true character and naturally abandon her desire to kill him.
Of course, he worried this might not be enough.
He had deliberately mentioned Ram at the end as a restraint on Rem, knowing she would consider her sister's position before acting rashly.
After listening, Rem said nothing. She merely bowed slightly and turned to leave.
Whether she had taken his words to heart remained unclear.
Sigh! This is really beyond me!
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