With a powerful and dazzling〘Sword Light Slash〙, he drove back the massive Wolgarm. Adam descended gracefully from the sky.
His heroic entrance, worthy of a savior, had but a single witness.
Though somewhat dejected by this, he had expected as much.
Keeping his eyes on the Witchbeast, he asked, "Are you alright, Subaru?"
"Well, how should I put it... at least I'm alive." Natsuki struggled to stand.
But at the sight of Adam, his strength failed him, and he collapsed to the ground.
"My organs feel displaced, breathing hurts, and my brain's getting foggy from lack of oxygen. If Carter hadn't shown up when he did, I'd probably be dead." He gave a self-deprecating smile, "Sorry, I've become a burden again."
"Hehe, indeed." Adam kicked back the lunging Wolgarm, "But your desperate resistance protected Rem and Emilia until I could arrive, didn't it?"
"Remember this feeling of powerlessness, recognize your weakness! Then, grow stronger, Subaru!"
"Ah! I swear I'll become stronger!" Natsuki called out, "But for now, I'm counting on you, Carter!"
"Yeah, leave it to me!"
◈ Thunder Breathing, Slayer Mode ⫸ Demon Slayer Mark ◈
Adam adjusted his Breathing Technique, his Magical Power surging as he activated the Demon Slayer Mark.
◈ Thunder Breathing, First Form ⫸ Thunderclap and Flash ◈
He transformed into a bolt of lightning, rushing forward in an instant.
A bright electric flash crossed Natsuki's vision, and in the next moment, the Witchbeast's head separated from its body, blood spraying from its neck.
The Wolgarm was dead!
"So strong, truly so strong..."
Without comparison, there would be no sense of inadequacy.
Watching Adam dispatch the magical beast so effortlessly, Natsuki felt a sharp pain in his heart — the bitter sting of jealousy.
We're both otherworlders, so how come you're so exceptional?
"Phew." Adam exhaled softly and deactivated his Slayer Mode.
Though it was just one strike, he had used his full power. The display might have been excessive, but it was necessary to ignite Natsuki's desire for strength and drive him to pursue it relentlessly.
Adam had chosen the Thunder Breathing Technique specifically because he thought it would suit the young man.
He walked to Natsuki's side and used his〘Heal〙skill to treat his injuries.
"Want to learn?" He asked.
"Yes!" The kid came the immediate reply.
"When we get back, you'll face hell-level training. Can you handle it?"
"I'll definitely persevere!"
"Good, that's the spirit!"
Adam nodded with satisfaction at the determination in Natsuki's eyes.
"I appreciate your resolve, but let's put the sword training aside for now. We need to focus on getting Rem and Emilia to safety."
"Oh right, Rem and Emilia!" At these words, Natsuki struggled to his feet and staggered toward the two women.
His anxious heart finally settled when he saw the black mist had dissipated around them. The Curse was lifted — both Rem and Emilia were safe.
This outcome was inevitable. Adam, anticipating potential complications, had instructed Meili to imprint only one Wolgarm Curse on the women. When the Wolgarm died, the Curse naturally dispersed.
He then turned to heal the women.
Rem and Emilia were unconscious but merely weakened from the Curse's effects.
Soon after, they opened their eyes.
Emilia gently shook her head, furrowing her brow, "What happened to me? Where am I? What's going on... eh, why is Carter here?"
As her mind cleared and the day's events came back to her, she noticed Adam treating them.
Rem remained silent as she recovered her strength. Though her expression stayed cold, she didn't refuse his treatment.
"You're awake?" Adam asked as he finished healing them, "Do you remember what happened?"
"Hmm... mostly. There was a missing little girl, and I went searching with Rem and Subaru. After finding her, we had Subaru take her away quickly..." Emilia's eyes suddenly widened as she turned to Natsuki, "That's right! Subaru, what about the little girl?"
He flashed a wide grin, "Don't worry, I got her safely out of the forest!"
"Mm, that's a relief." Emilia patted her chest, visibly relaxing.
"Well, since everyone's okay now, let's get out of here quickly." While they were talking, Adam had been preparing〘Spatial Transfer〙magic, and said to them, "The Beast Forest is too dangerous at night, and none of you can move properly. For safety's sake, I've prepared a transfer spell."
"Mm, thank you, Carter."
Though their responses varied, all three wore relieved expressions.
"Shall we go?" Adam asked as his magic circle reached completion, its coordinates set to the Earl's mansion courtyard.
A deep purple light enveloped them as they shot skyward, vanishing instantly from the Beast Forest.
They materialized in the Earl's mansion courtyard.
As the magic circle faded, they found Ram in a combat stance, magic concentrated in her hands, ready to counter any threat.
"Ram?" Emilia tilted her head, "Why do you look so serious?"
"Rem, Lady Emilia...?"
Ram had just received a distress signal from the villagers and was preparing to help.
Crossing the courtyard, she'd spotted light descending from above. Suspecting an attack, she'd readied herself for battle.
But as the light dissipated, it revealed the very people she'd been about to search for.
"Rem, Lady Emilia, are you alright?!" She rushed to her sister's side, completely ignoring the collapsed Natsuki nearby.
"Hey, Senior Ram, I'm injured too!" He called out, hoping for some sympathy.
Instead of comfort, he received a sharp scolding.
"Barusu, you let Lady Emilia and Rem get injured. As a butler, you're utterly worthless. Perhaps you should die a hundred times?"
"..." Natsuki fell silent, unable to form an apology.
Ram pressed on, "No response? Are you already dead? Shall I prepare your gravestone?"
"Let's make it two gravestones for Barusu."
"Don't fret — though your unpaid wages won't cover both stones, I'll offer the second at half price. Go on, thank me for my generosity."
A two-for-one deal on gravestones?
Her biting remarks finally pushed Natsuki to his limit, "Hey! Couldn't you show a little compassion?"
"Hmph, seeing you this lively, you clearly don't need any." Ram understood that what he truly needed now was someone to scold him — it would ease his conscience. So she willingly assumed that role.
Despite her sharp tongue, Ram's unusual form of kindness helped lift Natsuki from his self-blame.
Yet their master Roswaal might not be as forgiving toward Rem and Natsuki.
As expected, when he arrived at dawn, he immediately moved to discipline them for neglecting their duties.
However, Emilia stepped forward, taking full responsibility by claiming it was her own willfulness that caused the situation. Thanks to her intervention, both servants were spared punishment.
In the end, both Natsuki and Emilia showed signs of growth from this experience.
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