…
{3rd Pov}
After Natsuki Subaru and his spirits abruptly teleported away from the world, Echidna spiraled into genuine panic.
Her expression twisted with shock, frustration, and a rapidly growing sense of regret for letting her guard down even for a moment.
She instantly realized she had failed to foresee this simple outcome, and the consequences of her carelessness were now hitting her all at once.
The massive disturbance left behind—an intense mana vacuum so powerful it shook the surroundings—naturally attracted attention from everyone nearby.
Fragments of mana were being violently pulled in, and even magic stones scattered within the mansion were drained dry in an instant.
Emilia had just returned to the mansion after delivering another one of her frequent speeches to the public.
She was exhausted but still cheerful, until both she and Puck stiffened simultaneously.
The overwhelming mana disturbance ripped through the environment with such force that it practically screamed danger.
"What in the world was that?!" Geuse shouted as he bolted out of Subaru's command room, clearly shaken.
He ran straight into the hallway and nearly collided with Emilia, who was rushing toward the source of the disturbance at the same time.
"Papa Geuse… I sensed a very strong and terrifying disturbance inside the surrounding mana," Emilia said, her face filled with worry as she tried to process the unstable fluctuations.
Puck floated beside her with an equally serious expression, confirming that something extremely unnatural had just occurred nearby.
Puck floated in the air, narrowing his eyes at Geuse, who glared right back at him without flinching. There was no shock or hesitation between the two.
After Subaru had helped Emilia restore Puck—largely thanks to her impressive performance with political speeches, public appearances, and the massive popularity boost from promoting Subaru's company—Puck had immediately returned to her side.
And the moment he did, he instantly labeled Geuse as a full-fledged threat.
To be more precise, both of them had silently decided they were competing for the position of who truly deserved to be called Emilia's father.
That ridiculous rivalry had never died down even once.
Of course, neither dared to start an argument or reveal their hostility when Subaru or Emilia were present, so all their clashes so far had been limited to petty jabs, subtle insults, or exaggerated attempts to prove who was the "better father figure."
Every time Emilia left the room, the temperature dropped between them like they were natural enemies.
Now, after staring into each other's eyes for several tense seconds, the two finally gave stiff nods.
Even though they still hated each other's guts and neither intended to back down in their stupid fatherhood competition, both understood the situation.
The mana disturbance was serious, something that could endanger Emilia directly.
And despite everything, there was one thing they absolutely agreed on: when it came to Emilia's safety, neither of them would compromise, hesitate, or let the other take full responsibility.
They were rivals, but protecting her was something they would stand together on without a single complaint.
"Lia, I think we should check on what's happening," Puck said, his small cat form floating beside her, tail flicking with agitation.
"Yes, we should. And since Lord Zero is currently in the castle, I don't think anything will happen that they can't handle," Geuse added, his voice steady but tense.
He clearly trusted Subaru—whom he practically viewed as Flugel—far more than Puck ever did.
Unlike Puck, who only had memories tied to Beatrice and Echidna, Geuse had known Beatrice, Echidna, Flugel, and the rest of their strange group in the past.
In his eyes, Subaru fit perfectly into that legacy.
Geuse even believed Subaru was the ideal husband candidate for Emilia, something he openly supported.
Puck, on the other hand, completely disagreed.
His first choice was for Emilia to marry someone who didn't have multiple partners—or better yet, for her to never marry at all.
They both hurried down the stairs, still following the waves of lingering mana distortion spreading through the mansion.
Along the way, they ran into Rem and Ram, who were already on alert and also trying to locate the source of the disturbance.
It didn't take long before all of them realized that the chaotic mana originated from Echidna's workshop.
When they finally pushed open the workshop door, they were met with a sight that immediately put everyone on edge.
Echidna stood in the center of the room, surrounded by overturned equipment, scattered parchments, and unstable flickers of magical energy.
Her movements were erratic—almost frantic—as if she was desperately searching for something or trying to confirm the impossible.
"Echidna, what happened?" Geuse asked sharply, only for Echidna to completely break down in front of them, tears spilling down her cheeks in a way none of them had ever seen.
"I messed up! I messed up real bad!" she cried, voice cracking.
"S-Subaru and the others—they've been teleported somewhere outside this world!"
Her words hit everyone like a hammer.
"What?!" Rem, Ram, and Emilia all exclaimed at once, disbelief and panic mixing together.
"What exactly happened?" Ram demanded, frowning deeply.
Even she, who usually carried herself with unwavering composure, looked shaken.
Echidna tried to speak but her legs trembled heavily.
Now that everyone saw her up close, they finally noticed the dark circles under her eyes—clear evidence that she hadn't slept for days.
And now, with Subaru's disappearance weighing on her, her already fragile state had shattered completely.
"I—I…" Echidna choked, losing her balance as her body gave out.
"Echidna!"
Among everyone present, Geuse was the first to react.
He dashed forward without hesitation, catching her before she hit the floor, followed closely by Ram, Rem, and Emilia who rushed in behind him.
He knelt down having caught Echidna's collapsing body, realizing instantly that she had fallen completely unconscious.
Ram hurried forward, lowering herself beside them as she checked Echidna's pulse, then gently lifted her eyelids to inspect her condition.
"Lady Echidna hasn't slept for weeks," Ram said bluntly, her tone more serious than usual.
"I think the shock of Lord Zero's disappearance finally pushed her beyond her limit."
She spoke from first-hand experience—she was the one who regularly brought Echidna food whenever she locked herself in her workshop, using the excuse of chores just to keep an eye on her.
Ram knew exactly how terrible Echidna's condition had been.
Echidna had been skipping sleep endlessly, barely resting even once when her body practically shut down on her a few days after going through her work, this has happened repeatedly.
But nearly a week ago she'd claimed she was extremely close to finishing her spellwork and had discovered something 'interesting,' so she stubbornly refused to sleep at all until today—when everything finally snapped.
"Damn it! Then how are we supposed to find out what happened to Lord Zero?!" Geuse shouted in pure frustration, clenching his teeth as he looked down at the unconscious Witch.
The idea of Subaru being teleported outside the world—beyond any known realm—was enough to make even someone like him feel fear crawling up his spine.
"W-Will Zero be fine?" Emilia asked, even though the moment the words left her mouth she realized how naïve the question sounded.
Someone getting forcefully transported out of the world entirely—how could anyone realistically be 'fine' after that?
"W-We shouldn't panic, right? Lord Zero already came from another world once, and he managed to survive and adapt here. He should be alright… probably?" Rem said, trying her best to stay calm as she voiced her thought.
Ram let out a slow sigh, but she nodded.
"You're correct, sister. Lord Zero is more than capable of looking after himself, even if he got thrown into another world. That much isn't in question."
Then her expression shifted slightly as she glanced around.
"But… I just noticed Lady Reina is missing as well."
The logic was simple, Zero had went missing and Reina didn't took notice of it?
Impossible!
Everyone knew how much Reina adored Zero and loved him, she particularly had a dozen Divine Protections just related to him!
"Maybe she was teleported too? Echidna did mention Subaru and the 'others' being transported," Puck added, floating nervously in the air.
Hearing that only made everyone's worry deepen, the scope of the situation suddenly feeling much larger than they originally thought.
Although no one could claim that the current Emilia camp was weak in any way, their overall structure had a very clear issue.
In terms of combat strength, they were stacked. Alongside Puck—one of the Four Great Spirits—they had Geuse, who was not only the Great Spirit of Earth but also retained the majority of his Sin Archbishop abilities.
Roswaal was still the strongest magician in the entire Kingdom, Ram remained an extremely capable frontline fighter, Garfiel's raw power was unmatched among demi-humans, and on top of all that they had the entire assassin unit working under their banner.
However, despite all that overwhelming strength, the Emilia camp shared one major flaw: they were heavily dependent on Subaru when it came to leadership.
While Emilia had been working hard recently, taking more responsibilities and stepping forward to lead, the bulk of the major decisions—be it for the Seven Sisters Company or the overall political direction of her campaign—still came from Subaru.
His influence and strategic guidance held the entire camp together in a unified direction.
"Sigh First, let's take Lady Echidna to her bed. We'll have to wait until she wakes up before we can find out exactly what happened," Ram said, her tone firm yet troubled.
She then looked at Emilia, who was standing completely still, her expression tight with worry, deep in thought about what losing Subaru even temporarily meant for all of them.
"Lady Emilia," Ram called out, but Emilia didn't respond at first.
She was too absorbed in her spiraling thoughts, replaying the situation again and again in her mind.
"Lia, Ram is talking to you," Puck said, nudging her gently.
Emilia finally snapped out of her daze and looked at Ram with an apologetic, slightly embarrassed expression.
"Yes, Ram? What is it?" Emilia asked.
Ram didn't waste a second.
"Lady Emilia, in Lord Zero's absence, you—as the Royal Candidate—will have to take over the leadership of the entire camp."
Emilia froze.
The weight behind those words hit her slowly but heavily.
And as everyone else processed Ram's statement, they, too, realized how accurate it was.
After Subaru, Emilia held the highest authority within the faction.
Roswaal, due to his past actions and the lingering distrust around him, was no longer considered a viable leader.
That left only Emilia to shoulder everything: leading the camp, managing Subaru's territories, maintaining the Seven Sisters Company, and ensuring their political momentum didn't collapse.
Emilia inhaled deeply.
'Zero has prepared me for this… In his absence, I cannot afford to fail. I have to prove to him that I can stand beside him as his equal,' she told herself, gathering all the determination she could muster.
"I see… then," Emilia murmured, thinking quickly before straightening her posture.
"First, take Echidna to her room and let her rest. We'll wait for her to recover so she can explain everything herself. Secondly—Rem."
Emilia turned toward the blue-haired oni with a firm and focused gaze.
"Call Frederica and have her summon Otto. And Ram, you call Roswaal. We need everyone informed about what happened and figure out how we'll handle everything from this point onward."
Her sudden decisiveness caught the entire group off guard.
The commands were logical, perfectly reasonable given the situation—but hearing Emilia issue them so confidently was still surprising.
Everyone's eyes shifted toward Ram.
She let out a quiet sigh.
Truthfully, she would have preferred giving herself the less emotionally complicated task while Rem handled Roswaal herself.
But openly rearranging Emilia's orders would undermine Emilia's authority at a crucial moment.
So Ram swallowed her personal feelings and nodded, hoping that next time Emilia might be a little more considerate.
"It will be done, Emilia-sama," Rem and Ram said in sync, bowing respectfully as maids trained to obey—even if their hearts and thoughts were more complicated than their polite words showed.
Emilia took a deep breath as she steadied herself, thinking, 'So this is what it actually feels like to act as a leader?'
Even though she had given instructions to many people before—including Rem and Ram—things had always felt different when Subaru was present.
Back then, it seemed more like she was borrowing the authority Subaru entrusted to her, rather than exercising her own strength and leadership.
But now, with him gone and the situation spiraling in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable direction, the weight of every decision felt heavier.
Before long, everyone had been summoned to the meeting room.
Frederica had already located Otto and brought him over, while Garfiel had followed them as usual, clearly sensing something was wrong.
Roswaal, meanwhile, had taken his seat as well, though his confident and amused demeanor was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, his eyes appeared empty and hollow, still recovering from the trauma of being cucked.
When Geuse finally settled into a chair, the entire group immediately noticed one detail that made the atmosphere even more tense—Zero was nowhere to be seen.
Adding to their unease, Emilia was sitting in the seat that Zero normally occupied, which only confirmed that something unusual was going on.
The moment everyone had arrived and the room had gone quiet, Emilia slowly rose from her seat.
Her expression was firm, yet faintly hesitant, as she scanned each face present.
"Thank you for coming on such short notice," she began, her voice steady even though she felt the pressure growing in her chest.
"There is an important announcement that everyone here needs to hear, and I want all of you to listen carefully."
Emilia paused for a second, making sure she had their full attention, then continued with a serious tone, "Also, I must warn everyone that this information cannot be allowed to spread outside this room. If even a part of it leaks out, the consequences for our entire camp could be extremely severe."
At that statement, several people tensed visibly.
The atmosphere in the room sank further, becoming thick with anxiety.
Otto, who had been quiet up until now, stiffened immediately.
He was already moments away from asking where Zero was, and Emilia's ominous warning only made his worry grow even more.
"Zero and Reina have been involved in an accident," Emilia announced after taking a steadying breath, immediately drawing everyone's undivided attention to her words.
She continued, her tone careful but firm, "Echidna had been conducting research on a completely new type of magic. However, during one of her experiments, the magic spiraled out of her control. As a result, Zero, along with all of his contracted spirits—including Gloria, Beatrice—and Reina, were suddenly and forcibly teleported to another world."
"What?!" Otto exploded, shooting up from his chair so quickly it scraped against the floor.
He slammed both palms onto the table in disbelief, eyes wide and unfocused.
"Yer sayin' the Capt'n got yeeted to another world?!" Garfiel burst out, unable to process the situation properly.
His expression twisted between shock and frustration.
Even Frederica, who usually kept herself composed, could only stare with widened eyes, visibly stunned by the information.
Roswaal, who had been unnervingly silent until now, finally reacted.
His eyebrow twitched, and he slowly shifted his gaze toward Emilia with an expression that mixed intrigue and something else—perhaps calculation, perhaps concern.
It was hard to tell with him.
Emilia nodded gravely, making sure everyone understood the seriousness of the matter.
"Yes. Zero has been… unfortunately displaced. He is now somewhere far beyond our world, beyond anything we can reach or influence at the moment. We currently have no method of communicating with him or confirming his exact situation. And to make matters worse, Echidna lost consciousness shortly after the incident. The shock, combined with the fact that she had apparently not slept for nearly an entire week due to her research, overwhelmed her completely."
Otto, hearing the full explanation, inhaled sharply and forced himself to calm down, though worry still lingered heavily on his face.
Emilia raised her hands slightly, attempting to offer some reassurance.
"However, I don't want anyone to panic. We don't need to assume the worst. I genuinely believe Zero will eventually find a way to return to us. There is also a possibility that he wasn't sent to a completely strange world, but instead returned to his original one. That's only speculation on my part, but considering everything we know about him, it isn't impossible."
Her reasoning, even if uncertain, eased some of the tension in the room.
A few shoulders relaxed, and the atmosphere became slightly less suffocating, as everyone tried to process both the danger and the small spark of hope her words carried.
"Meanwhile, in Lord Zero's absence, Lady Emilia will be taking over the leadership of the entire Emilia Camp," Geuse announced, his voice steady as he addressed the room.
"Sir Otto, you were summoned not only to be informed about Lord Zero and Lady Reina's sudden disappearance, but also to discuss how we will handle the problems that have surfaced because of it."
Otto straightened himself, preparing for what was clearly going to be a long discussion.
Ram added immediately, her tone blunt but sincere, "At the moment, without Lord Zero's direct guidance, Emilia-sama's royal campaign, the operations of Lord Zero's company, and his authority over the Assassin group are effectively in a fragile state. We must evaluate every factor carefully before moving forward."
Her support made Emilia nod with even more focus, and the half-elf finally spoke with resolute eyes.
"Zero has spent a long time teaching me how to properly lead my camp. He showed me how to make decisions on my own and how to become independent rather than relying on him for everything. Now that he isn't here, I have to stand up and prove that I can handle the responsibility he entrusted to me. I must show that I deserve his trust and his guidance."
Otto exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples before responding.
"Lady Emilia, I do believe in your ability, and I trust that you can manage the camp. However, without Sir Zero's presence, the expansion of his company cannot continue at the same pace. In fact, we may have to pause any major projects or new branches until we are certain of our stability."
Emilia turned to him and asked with seriousness, "Then may I know what the current state of Zero's company is? I need to understand every detail if I'm going to manage things properly."
Otto immediately shifted into a businesslike tone, laying out the situation.
"As of now, we've successfully secured a dominant position in both the pen market and the literary market. Thanks to Lord Zero's innovations, our pens and printing technology have placed us far ahead of every competitor. None of them have the machinery or knowledge necessary to manufacture similar modern pens, nor do they have access to anything close to our printing devices. Those two sectors are firmly under our control."
He paused, then continued with a more cautious expression, "However, we're still facing serious competition in the transportation industry and the food business. In those fields, our rivals are well-established, and Lord Zero's strategies and special abilities were crucial in dealing with them. Without him, we need to reconsider how we operate moving forward."
"I see… Are there any other issues we need to address, Otto?" Emilia asked, her tone calm but carrying a subtle firmness that demanded attention.
Otto thought for a moment, organizing the information in his mind before responding carefully.
"There is one major concern regarding production, Lady Emilia. We were planning to begin manufacturing a new product called the oven. We already have the complete designs, the prototype has been successfully tested, and the concept is sound. However, the infrastructure necessary for mass production does not exist. Only Lord Zero, with his unique combination of magical expertise and extraordinary abilities, could have constructed the factory and operational systems to produce it at scale."
He paused for a moment before continuing, "Additionally, there is the matter of the newspaper project. This would have been a major boost to our political campaign and could have served as an additional source of income. The idea is entirely new and revolutionary, and while it would also require advanced printing machinery, we are fortunately in a slightly better position. Lord Zero had already produced several extra printing machines, so we do have a few units available that can be applied to this project immediately, at least to start small-scale production."
Emilia listened attentively, then nodded with measured authority.
"Very well, Otto. For now, focus on ensuring that our technological advantages in pen production and the literary market are not leaked to any competitors. Maintain the current production levels and quality. As for the transportation and food sectors, halt any expansion plans for the time being. Concentrate entirely on protecting and retaining the market share we have already secured. Nothing more, nothing less."
Hearing her commands, everyone present in the room exchanged glances, a mixture of surprise and awe evident on their faces.
Just a year ago, they could never have imagined that Emilia-sama would be capable of issuing instructions with such precision, strategic foresight, and efficiency.
While her commands appeared simple on the surface, they were thoroughly effective, ensuring that the progress and achievements of Zero's company would not be squandered during his absence.
Yet, despite having given such clear and practical directives, Emilia was far from finished.
Her mind was already moving to the next steps, considering additional measures to secure the camp's stability and maintain the momentum that Zero had painstakingly built.
"Since we cannot construct the Oven factory without Lord Zero, it would be pointless to focus on it for now," Emilia said thoughtfully, her gaze fixed on Otto as she weighed the options.
"For the time being, keep the prototype and all the related designs secure in a safe location, and ensure that everything remains a secret. Additionally, I have a question regarding the newspaper project. Considering we already possess the printers necessary for production, what else do we require to get this off the ground?" she asked, leaning forward slightly, her tone reflecting both curiosity and the seriousness of the matter.
Otto adjusted his posture and replied, "Well, for a newspaper to function effectively, we will need a team of individuals called reporters. Their role will be to travel from place to place, covering significant events and gathering information that will then be compiled, written, and published in the newspaper. Once printed, these newspapers will be distributed to the population at an affordable price. The current model, as planned by Lord Zero, is designed to be cost-effective. Each newspaper will be composed of a single page made from low-quality but durable paper produced in our own factory. This approach ensures that the newspapers remain affordable enough for daily purchase by the general populace, allowing us to reach a wide audience consistently."
Emilia nodded as she processed this, then asked with a hint of determination, "And we will also use the newspaper to further my political campaign, correct?"
Otto nodded in confirmation, his expression serious.
"Yes, Lady Emilia. A designated portion of each newspaper will be reserved for promoting your campaign, highlighting your candidacy, and disseminating information about the products and initiatives we have already released. This will allow the newspaper to serve a dual purpose: providing news to the public while simultaneously supporting your campaign efforts and reinforcing the presence of our company in the market."
"Very well, then. Begin preparations for this product immediately," Emilia said firmly, her voice calm but carrying authority.
"Considering that we only require manpower for the newspaper, it will also serve as an excellent tool for our campaign against the other competing camps," she added, her gaze sharp as she considered every detail.
She paused for a moment, then continued, "Not to mention, I will not be able to give public speeches for the time being until Lord Zero returns. I must personally oversee his territories and ensure the smooth operation of his businesses. If I were to disappear from the public eye for an extended period, people might begin to suspect that something is wrong. However, by strategically releasing the newspaper, we can divert their attention effectively and maintain the public perception that everything is running as it should."
She sighed lightly, a trace of genuine sadness crossing her face.
"Of course, it would be best if Lord Zero returned quickly," she admitted quietly, her eyes reflecting her longing. Emilia genuinely missed hearing Zero's praise, and she deeply wished to be by his side once more.
Meanwhile, the others in the room stared at her in stunned silence, completely gobsmacked. Emilia's planning and foresight were far beyond what they had expected.
Her previous orders had already ensured that Lord Zero's company would not suffer any decline in his absence.
Now, with her new directives, she had guaranteed that the company's growth would not halt, the Emilia Camp's publicity efforts would continue unabated, and the public would remain unaware of Zero's absence.
Her careful orchestration meant that the lack of her own public appearances could be seamlessly redirected through the newspapers, maintaining the illusion of normalcy and stability, while simultaneously strengthening both the company and the camp's position.
The room was filled with a sense of awe as everyone realized the full scope of Emilia's capabilities and her strategic brilliance.
"Emilia-sama, I must say I am genuinely impressed," Ram said, her voice filled with admiration as she looked at Emilia.
"It seems that Lord Zero's influence has truly shaped you, and he has guided you into becoming a fully qualified and capable leader."
Emilia's lips curved into a small, appreciative smile, a hint of pride in her eyes as she acknowledged the compliment.
"Very well, Emilia-sama. I will follow your orders to the letter," Otto said firmly, rising from his seat.
"I will make sure that the trust which both Lord Zero and you have placed in me is not misplaced, and that all your faith in me is honored."
His tone carried both seriousness and loyalty, making it clear that he understood the gravity of Emilia's decisions and the responsibility that now rested on all their shoulders.
"Yeah! Princess, is there anything else I can do to help?" Garfiel asked, his voice filled with energy and determination, as he had been silently observing the conversation up to this point.
His fists clenched instinctively, fueled by the desire to prove his worth.
He also thought to himself that if he performed well now, then when Lord Zero eventually returned and heard about his accomplishments, he would surely praise him.
Garfiel had carried a heavy burden of guilt since the events in Sanctuary, and ever since then he had been striving to atone for his past mistakes.
Whether it was guarding the village, assisting with Subaru's shops, or fulfilling other responsibilities, he had dedicated himself to making amends.
Now, with the camp under Emilia's leadership, he believed that this was his chance to finally prove himself, to make up for his past failures, and to show that he was capable of being a reliable and dependable warrior.
His eyes glimmered with determination as he awaited Emilia's response, ready to take on any task she assigned.
"Garfiel, I don't have any specific tasks for you at this moment," Emilia said, her voice calm but firm, her gaze scanning him to emphasize the importance of what she was about to say.
"However, if you could take responsibility for protecting both Arlam Village and the mansion, it would be greatly appreciated. I don't want any intruders or potential threats to harm anyone or disrupt the peace we've fought so hard to achieve."
Garfiel's eyes lit up with determination as he cracked his knuckles, the sound echoing slightly in the room.
"Don't you worry, Princess! I've got this completely covered! No one's going to touch a hair on your head or the villagers'!" he declared with absolute confidence.
Hearing this, Frederica couldn't help but nod contentedly, a small smile of relief spreading across her face.
Finally, her brother wasn't acting like a reckless fool.
For the first time in a long while, he was taking his responsibilities seriously, considering the safety of those he cared about.
Emilia then shifted her gaze to the rest of the group, her tone growing more serious.
"This leaves us with our final concern… the Assassins under Lord Zero's command," she said, and immediately, the expressions in the room darkened, a collective unease settling over everyone present.
This was, without a doubt, the most sensitive matter they had to deal with.
While the Assassins under Zero's contract were loyal and would not harm them or any innocent people directly, their unpredictable nature could become a problem now that their master was absent.
Subaru, in his wisdom, had always given them a certain degree of freedom, trusting that no Assassin would ever create unnecessary trouble in his presence.
But now, with Zero gone and no clear indication of when he might return, there was a looming possibility that the Assassins could become unruly.
Even a minor misunderstanding or perception of neglect could lead to significant complications, and Emilia understood that they needed to prepare carefully to manage this delicate situation.
"Lady Emilia, you don't need to worry about that at all. I will take full responsibility for handling the Assassins," Ram stepped forward confidently, immediately drawing the attention of everyone in the room.
Her presence commanded respect, and her tone left no room for doubt.
"I am the one who usually manages their surveillance," Ram continued, her eyes scanning the room to ensure that everyone understood the weight of her words.
"All commands from Lord Zero are routed through me, and even the details of their missions are passed down directly to me. They rarely, if ever, interact with Lord Zero in person. Because of this, I can maintain complete oversight and control."
Hearing her explanation, the group's expressions shifted from concern to relief, their eyes lighting up with renewed confidence.
Ram's gaze hardened as she added, "Not to mention, after Lord Zero healed my horn, I doubt even the combined strength of their entire group could pose any real threat to me. If they remain under my supervision and receive consistent orders, there will be no reason for them to suspect anything unusual. And should any of them attempt to act outside the bounds of their instructions… I have the means to neutralize them swiftly and efficiently."
Emilia nodded firmly, relief washing over her.
"Thank you, Ram. With you handling this, I believe we can resolve nearly all of our problems. This ensures that we can manage and adapt to Zero's absence without any major setbacks."
Then, turning to face the entire room, Emilia's voice rose with determination and authority.
"Everyone, I expect you to stand strong and not falter. Even though Zero is not here with us at the moment, we have the capability and the resources to manage every challenge that comes our way. I want to ensure that we prove to him that he made the right choice in trusting us with these responsibilities. We will honor his faith in us by performing our duties correctly, diligently, and without fail."
A wave of nods spread throughout the room, everyone unified in purpose and resolve.
With this, the impromptu meeting regarding the sudden disappearance of Zero and Reina came to a close, leaving the Emilia Camp ready to face the challenges of the present with determination, unity, and confidence in their abilities.
To be continued...
(A/N: My new laptop remains broken, also the 4tb SSD I brought for 550 US dollars here online(WHich is yet to arrive), just shot through 1400 US dollars in price here. Man I just hope the amazon give my ssd without any hitch, because fck man I will be mad if they mess it up.
Btw it would mean I will have 9tb of NVME Storage I have.
It means I have Lenovo, Crucial, Samsung, WD Black SSD's, I will also have peak 4th Gen SSD. I wanna buy 5th gen but it seems less interesting than to buy another company's ssd. Which ssd do you think I should get next? Or Perhaps at all?)