The legend of the Crimson Demon clan started from Suqing

#217 - We agreed to be canaries together, but you left first

I finally understand what the Great Emperor meant when he mocked his own handwriting, saying it looked like chicken scratches. Subaru Natsuki's handwriting might not even be as good as chicken scratches, but I can still feel his sincerity.

The letter detailed his experiences over the past few days.

After parting ways with everyone, Subaru Natsuki was invited by Emilia to stay at the mansion of the Border Count, Roswaal.

He then asked Roswaal to let him become a servant in the mansion. After a week of hard work, he got along very well with the two senior maids, Rem and Ram, as well as the blonde, drill-haired loli who liked to stay in her room.

Twin maids?

Actually, Zun Zun also has twin maids serving him.

(Flam and Grassis, the two little girls who followed Felt when she participated in the Royal Selection)

In the letter, Subaru Natsuki even jokingly said that he was possessed by a demon.

However, the word 'demon' was crossed out several times, and then written back in for some reason... Combining that with the somewhat wrinkled letter, Zun Zun seemed to 'see' the scene of Subaru Natsuki arguing with Ram.

He then said that he was attacked by monsters, but fortunately Roswaal saved the day. If Roswaal wasn't a man, he would have fallen for him.

Even though he wrote the letter in a joking tone, Zun Zun knew how hard Subaru Natsuki's week had been.

"That kid is doing pretty well!"

Felt waved the letter, her lips curving upward as she said this in a carefree manner.

One is a servant, and the other is a candidate for the Royal Selection. They both have bright futures.

"Honestly, I didn't expect Subaru to choose to become Count Roswaal's servant," Reinhard scratched his head, saying helplessly, "I thought..."

"Yes."

Zun Zun chuckled.

Only those standing in God's perspective would know how reckless Subaru Natsuki's choice was.

At a time when the Royal Selection was starting and the kingdom was in turmoil, he assisted the silver-haired half-elf, one of the Royal Selection candidates, in retrieving her insignia with an unknown identity. After that, he not only didn't ask for a reward, but instead hoped to become a servant in the Count's mansion.

Anyone would think he had ulterior motives, even a 'demon' wouldn't believe otherwise. In fact, Subaru Natsuki had died at the hands of the twin maids quite a few times.

Of course, all of this is based on God's perspective.

"Alright, Felt, aren't you going to write back?"

"Huh? T-That won't be necessary, right...?"

"What, could it be that Felt is afraid that her handwriting is even worse than Subaru's, so she doesn't dare to? Ah, I've really misjudged you. I didn't expect you to be inferior to even Subaru, really..."

"Enough! I'll write, I'll write!"

Felt shouted angrily, provoked by Zun Zun, and left with the younger of the twin maids.

"Felt, don't let Grassis write it for you."

"I know!"

She was ashamed and angry at being seen through.

Felt is what people call a tomboy. At the age of 14, she is in a rebellious period. The more you tell her not to do something, the more she wants to do it. Because of this, Reinhard has no way to get her to accept his kindness.

Reinhard is not good at dealing with her, so he can only treat her like a little ancestor. However, Zun Zun, with his rich experience, can easily handle her, making the Sword Saint exclaim that he's been a great help.

"Lady Felt is indeed naturally lively."

"Reinhard's words are quite euphemistic, not quite like the upright knight I imagined."

"Hahaha, Lord Zun Zun, please don't make fun of me."

"I told you not to call me 'Lord'."

Zun Zun felt helpless at Reinhard's politeness, then turned to the older maid standing beside him and said, "Flam, please go help."

"Yes, Lord Zun Zun."

The maid with the peach-colored bangs nodded and quickened her pace to catch up.

Reinhard's plan to befriend someone of the same age was very successful. With Flam and Grassis' care, Felt has obviously become more relaxed and no longer acts like a hedgehog who pricks everyone she sees.

Zun Zun looked up at the blue sky.

"Reinhard, I plan to visit Border Count Roswaal."

"...Huh?"

Hearing Zun Zun say this out of the blue, Reinhard was clearly stunned for a moment.

"Do you want to see Subaru?"

"A good excuse, but that's not it. Reinhard, when do you think the Royal Selection started?"

"Well..."

The Sword Saint fell into deep thought.

Zun Zun's words were strange. Under normal circumstances, the Royal Selection shouldn't have started yet. After all, Felt's identity has not yet been recognized by the Council, and the start of the Royal Selection has not been announced. But Zun Zun's meaning is clearly that the Royal Selection has already started.

"The Royal Selection started the moment the first person... Duchess Crusch Karsten, became a Royal Selection candidate."

"I see."

Reinhard is not an idiot, he understands what Zun Zun is trying to say.

When Crusch became a Royal Selection candidate, her identity, family background, and abilities were already being assessed by the kingdom. In fact, she is currently the most powerful contender for the next king.

"Becoming a Royal Selection candidate first will have a time advantage, and will inevitably accumulate a lot of resources and talent. This is unavoidable. And now, before the Royal Selection is officially started, even if there is only a little time, we must do our best to accumulate resources and talent, and not sit still and wait for death."

"...Sneaking a head start?"

"That's a terrible way to put it. If we're talking about sneaking a head start, the other four have already done so."

"Indeed."

Reinhard nodded.

If it were a race, those on the outer lane would stand closer to the finish line than those on the inner lane to show fairness. However, reality is not so fair. In other words, the Council doesn't want everyone to stand on the same starting line.

"Then your target is Lady Emilia?"

"This is called the weak banding together for warmth."

Zun Zun did not deny it.

If the Royal Selection officially starts and the next king is directly selected, then that person will definitely be Crusch Karsten. Whether it is her identity or talent, she is the most outstanding one.

Only the other Royal Selection candidates...

Priscilla Barielle is arrogant and doesn't bother to form alliances with others; Anastasia Hoshin is a thorough merchant and won't agree to an alliance without benefits.

And finally, Emilia...

Although she has the Inner War Illusion God, the Explosion Boy, the Scheming Count, and the Autistic Great Spirit, she is currently the most valuable partner.

Of course, provided she is qualified.

Reinhard bowed slightly, "Lord Zun Zun, you are indeed very thoughtful."

"It's just my duty."

Zun Zun waved his hand.

He's not doing it for himself.

Overall, it's still about currying favor. Everything is a prelude. Although Zun Zun can't arrange everything, he can give Felt a better starting point after the Royal Selection begins. This way, it will be easier to ask Reinhard to open a space tunnel.

Although Reinhard would help even if he didn't do this, Zun Zun doesn't want to owe favors, especially favors that can't be repaid.

"Hey! I'm done writing!"

"W-Wait, wait... Lady Felt!"

"Please watch your step!"

Felt ran over in a flurry, her skirt raised, followed by the twin maids who were chasing after her in a panic.

Like the wind, she came to the two of them.

"Look, I'm done writing!"

"So fast. Can I see it?"

"No! ... Wait, didn't I say no!?"

Felt bared her fangs and pounced on Zun Zun, who had already opened the letter, but her attempt to snatch the letter from Zun Zun was undoubtedly wishful thinking.

The opened letter...

Instead of being filled with messy chicken-scratch writing, it was a very strange four-panel stick figure drawing.

Zun Zun flipped it up and down, then left and right. After looking at it for a long time, he said strangely, "Felt, where's your letter? Did you grab the wrong one? It's just a doodle."

"This is the letter I wrote!"

"...You call this writing?"

"Do you have a problem with that!?"

Felt bared her small tiger teeth.

Should I call her a genius or an idiot? In order not to expose her ugly handwriting, she actually chose to use stick figures instead.

But doesn't this also prove that her handwriting is ugly? And the drawings are also ugly, obscure and difficult to understand, and it's impossible to guess what she's trying to express.

"It seems that Lady Felt still needs to study harder."

"Same here."

"Hmph, I don't need you two to tell me that!"

Felt roared angrily.

If it weren't for the two maids behind her stopping her, she would have bitten them already.

"Then that's about it. Reinhard, please prepare the carriage."

"As you wish."

Their conversation made Felt feel that something was wrong.

"Wait! Carriage? Zun Zun, you want to leave?"

"Yes. Thanks to someone's scribbles, as the messenger, I can only go and answer Subaru in person."

"Hey! What are you talking about!? In that case, just let me go and talk to the kid myself!"

"Unfortunately, I won't take a tomboy who can't even write or doesn't have manners or education out. If you want to go out with me, then study the relevant etiquette properly."

Zun Zun rejected her ruthlessly.

We agreed to be canaries together, but you left first?

Felt bit her teeth unwillingly. After all, Zun Zun was a guy who completely learned to read in three days and learned etiquette in seven days, which made people wonder if he had some kind of blessing in this regard.

"I say, Reinhard, is it really okay to let him leave?"

"What?"

"He might just run away and never come back."

"Haha, I believe Lord Zun Zun wouldn't do that."

Reinhard smiled heartily.

He's right. Until he can find another way to go home, Zun Zun doesn't plan to run away.

"Tch."

Felt clicked her tongue unwillingly.

Seeing this, Zun Zun quickly tempted her, "Felt, if you can study hard and get the teacher's approval during the time I'm away, I'll take you out to play when I come back, how about that?"

"Really!?"

"Really. Is that okay, Reinhard?"

Felt looked at the Sword Saint with hopeful eyes, and he nodded after thinking for a moment.

"Alright, since Lord Zun Zun said so."

"It's a deal, don't you dare lie to me! Okay, I'm going to class now!"

Having received the promise, Felt ran to the classroom again in a flurry, and the twin maids chased after her in a panic once more.

The two who were left behind looked at each other, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.