The days fell into a comfortable routine.
Every morning, Ram would wake him up and help him dress in his knight's attire.
Then they would part ways — she would assist Rem with breakfast preparations while he trained with Natsuki, focusing on proper form and breathing techniques.
Their morning would continue with greeting Emilia and Puck during their exercises before sharing breakfast together.
After the meal, he would visit the Forbidden Library to spend time with Beatrice.
Having broken free from 400 years of solitude, Beatrice had grown more receptive to Adam's friendly gestures. She would often unconsciously seek his company, showing a newfound attachment.
At Adam's persistent urging, Beatrice now joined everyone punctually for dinner conversations. Though she maintained her tsundere attitude, she eagerly participated in discussions.
The day she would fully open her heart seemed near.
As in the original timeline, Puck entered his mana release period. However, this posed no difficulties.
Adam simply used his〘Drain Touch〙skill to collect Puck's excess mana and transfer it to Beatrice.
Such valuable magical energy couldn't go to waste.
This intervention did alter the timeline, preventing the "Roswaal Manor ChikiChiki Snow Festival, 1st Edition" from taking place.
"Now then... one last time, raise your hands to the sky and shout: victory!!!"
Natsuki squatted down and leaped up, throwing his hands skyward while shouting. The children before him followed suit with enthusiasm.
The watching adults smiled warmly at their children's joy. The scene radiated happiness and laughter.
These recent visits to the village served two purposes: easing the villagers' concerns and completing Adam's assigned task.
Natsuki remained determined!
This time, he arrived better prepared — accompanied not only by Rem but by Adam as well.
He wanted to witness firsthand how Emilia was progressing with the villagers.
The reality proved disappointing. Emilia hadn't taken any action — only Natsuki had been working to win the villagers' trust.
"Are you content to merely observe, Emilia?" Adam asked her as she stood nearby in her concealing cloak, "You won't pass the test at this rate."
"...Yes." She adjusted her hood, speaking quietly, "The Royal Selection approaches, yet I hesitate..."
As a Royal Candidate, Emilia possessed information unknown to Natsuki and Adam.
Specifically: news of a suspected fifth Royal Candidate's emergence and the imminent start of the Selection Ceremony.
Yet Adam somehow knew all the details, informed by Elsa through Meili's controlled flying Witchbeast.
Despite the count's mansion's barrier, messages still reached him easily.
"So, what do you plan to do?"
"..." Faced with his question, Emilia lowered her head.
After a moment, she walked with determined steps toward Natsuki, who was
playing with the children, and joined them.
Emilia had made up her mind to gain the villagers' approval — and it had nothing to do with whether Adam would become her knight!
She was doing this for her own aspirations!
Seeing her determination, Adam nodded with satisfaction.
Puck floated beside him, adopting a mature tone despite his childish voice, "Hey, Adam, haven't you noticed how much my daughter has grown?"
"Ahem, indeed." He replied, playfully affecting an elderly manner with a few coughs, "She's growing bit by bit — this old man is most pleased."
"Yes, we must thank you greatly for this, Adam."
Though Puck was a Great Spirit, his presence had actually hindered Emilia's growth.
After contracting with him, Emilia's immense magical power had diminished to that of an ordinary magician.
Moreover, his brief manifestation periods meant he couldn't always protect his daughter when danger struck.
This was especially concerning now, with the Royal Selection approaching. The Royal Capital seethed with intrigue as various factions moved in the shadows, triggering one dangerous incident after another.
Puck expressed sincere gratitude to Adam for nurturing his daughter and helping her survive numerous life-threatening situations.
"I'm really not a competent father." He said self-mockingly, "I can't even protect my own daughter properly."
Adam nodded firmly, "Indeed, you really aren't a competent father."
"Huh?" Puck blinked, "Shouldn't you comfort me and say I've done well?"
"How could I possibly?!" Adam replied bluntly, "Have your actions reflected any real parental responsibility?!"
Parents don't just protect their children — more importantly, they must nurture them, helping them develop proper values, moral standards, and a meaningful outlook on life!
It's no exaggeration to say that parents are their children's guides — everything about parents will be inherited by their children!
However, while Puck appeared to act in Emilia's best interests by always going along with her decisions, this actually caused her awkward psychology — rejecting others' goodwill while being unable to refuse their requests!
— Emilia had no self-direction!
"You truly are an incompetent father!"
"..." Hearing this harsh evaluation, Puck was angry but knew it was the truth.
Because he was bound! Because he was bound by the Witch!
He could only protect Emilia from harm — he couldn't influence her or interfere with her decisions!
'What would you know, kid!' Though he wanted to say this, he remained silent, his form curling up.
But the next moment, he was cradled in Adam's palm.
"Sorry for being so harsh." After a pause, he continued, "You're her father, I can feel your love for her. Not interfering with Emilia isn't just some hands-off parenting style — it involves pain that can't be spoken of, doesn't it?"
"Adam..." Puck was slightly moved, "You're quite perceptive, kid."
"A father who would destroy the world for his daughter — I don't think that comes from a lack of love. On the contrary, it's excessive love, isn't it? After all, the world hasn't done anything wrong."
Whether Puck or Natsuki, both had chosen to end the world for Emilia's sake — though Puck was stopped by Reinhard, while Natsuki's method of world destruction was different.
But clearly, this Great Spirit didn't understand Adam's words. It tilted its small head, looking completely confused.
"So I'm saying, stop thinking about destroying the world!" Adam shouted angrily, "Consider the world's feelings, you idiot Puck!"
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