"Carter, can I go tell Emilia this news now?" Natsuki asked, his voice filled with both excitement and anxiety.
He had seen Emilia looking downcast earlier and didn't want her falling back into self-doubt and confusion. That's why he had come to persuade Adam.
"Yes, go ahead." Adam nodded, "Oh, and please tell Emilia I'm sorry. My tone was a bit harsh earlier — tell her not to take it to heart."
With that, he turned and ran out.
Watching Natsuki rush off to tell Emilia the news, Adam's eyes narrowed.
This guy helping Emilia was not a good thing!
His refusal to be Emilia's knight wasn't just because she only talked without taking action. It was because she was nothing more than a puppet in someone else's hands.
No matter who it was, as long as they stood behind her and gently pulled the strings, Emilia would respond accordingly.
In other words, the half-elf had no will of her own. Without her own will, she would forever be at the mercy of others!
This was unacceptable! What she needed wasn't a caretaker, but a guide!
This was Adam's bottom line!
Yet Natsuki's impulsive behavior made him realize something — not only did Emilia need guidance, but this foolish high school boy was just as immature. In fact, Natsuki was even more hopeless than Emilia!
That's why Adam agreed to let him assist her.
He wanted Natsuki to discover both Emilia's weaknesses and his own shortcomings, so they could Enjoy reading on NovelHub - your free online novel platform.
Still, he wondered if that eccentric clown would meddle unexpectedly.
Should he reveal some information to keep him in check?
Just as Adam pondered this, that detestable, peculiar voice came from behind.
"Oh my~ If it isn't Carter? What are you doing here~?"
It was the eccentric clown Roswaal.
Following behind him was Ram, carrying an elegant tea set on a high-end tray with exquisite utensils — a standard tea service set.
I'm over here with a splitting headache, and you're here to enjoy afternoon tea, you jerk?!
"Roswaal, drop this coincidental meeting act. It's quite annoying."
"Oh my~ Was I found out?"
"Obviously! Besides, you didn't even try to hide it — your Magic Power is leaking out." Adam bluntly exposed his false pretenses, "You've been eavesdropping for ages, yet you're pretending you just arrived — the tea must be ice cold by now."
Roswaal didn't get angry, but instead invited, "If possible, shall we chat over there and enjoy some afternoon tea? What do you think?"
Though he was asking Adam's opinion, it was clear he would keep pestering until he got his way.
The three went to the gazebo in the center of the courtyard.
Roswaal used〘Fire Magic〙to reheat the tea, confirming his earlier eavesdropping. As the temperature rose, a fragrant aroma filled the air.
"Please, enjoy Ram's brewed tea." He said, placing a steaming cup before Adam, "Though I may sound boastful, Ram's tea is truly exceptional."
Adam took a thoughtful sip from the teacup.
"Mm, it really is good!"
Indeed, Ram's tea was exquisite, each flavor perfectly balanced.
"Isn't it?" Roswaal savored his own cup, clearly relishing the taste.
They fell into companionable silence as Ram stood nearby, dutifully refilling their cups.
After three rounds, Roswaal broke the peaceful atmosphere with his peculiar tone.
"Ah, I concede. Carter has more patience than I anticipated."
"You think so? I was about to speak myself." Despite Adam's words, his serene demeanor betrayed them as mere pleasantries, "Now then, Roswaal, after your lengthy eavesdropping session, why have you sought me out?"
Having seized the initiative, he cut straight to the heart of the matter.
"Eavesdropping is such a harsh word — I merely happened to pass by." Roswaal demurred, then smiled, "Though I did overhear your conversation with Subaru. Is it true you'll become Lady Emilia's knight if she wins the villagers' favor?"
"Of course, I keep my word."
Indeed, everything aligned with the Book of Wisdom's instructions!
A smile of satisfaction spread across Roswaal's face.
However, Adam's next words erased that smile instantly.
"That's assuming the Count doesn't provide secret assistance."
"But you won't help Emilia, will you? In fact, you'll sabotage her, won't you?" Adam's casual delivery made these accusations all the more cutting.
Roswaal understood the implication perfectly.
"What are you suggesting, Carter?" He replied, his voice dropping dangerously low, "I am Lady Emilia's vassal — naturally, I will Enjoy reading on NovelHub - your free online novel platform."
His eyes turned cold and menacing, his usual affected tone giving way to icy steel. The weight in his voice seemed to challenge the very notion that he, a vassal, could ever harm Emilia.
"Is that so?" Adam shrugged noncommittally. He drained his teacup in one gulp and stood up, "Roswaal, right now Emilia is a puppet in your hands, but aren't you yourself just a puppet in someone else's hands?"
The pointed words struck home, instantly making Roswaal think of the Book of Wisdom.
He knows?! He knows about the Book?!
Only a handful of people know of its existence — how did he discover it? What does he know?
Could he be bluffing? No, impossible!
I must eliminate him immediately!
No — the Book of Wisdom hasn't instructed me to. I can't kill him!
For a moment, Roswaal was caught in an internal struggle.
But Adam had already risen from his seat.
Turning to Ram, who stood nearby, he said, "Ram, your tea is delicious, though still slightly inferior to mine. We should exchange brewing techniques sometime."
Without waiting for her response, he turned and left, showing no concern for the cold-eyed, fierce-looking Roswaal behind him.
He knew he wouldn't dare act now.
After all, the Book of Wisdom hadn't given him instructions.
Such is the tragedy of being a puppet — without instructions, you can't even act on your own will. You believe your thoughts are yours, but in the end, they're merely the result of unseen hands pulling your strings.
I'm talking about you, Roswaal!
T/N: If you want more chapters , check out my Enjoy reading on NovelHub - your free online novel platform.Enjoy reading on NovelHub - your free online novel platform.com/mrblackwing