It was a beautiful day outside.
Birds were singing.
Flowers were blooming.
On days like these, people like Xeno...
...were having the best sleep of their lives.
There was nothing better than lying on a large, comfortable bed after a hard day of work—drowning out the stress and letting your imagination run wild.
That was exactly what the protagonist was doing. If nothing else, he probably never wanted to wake up from his blissful sleep—to forever rest in comfort, forgetting all hardships of life.
It was unfortunate that life would disappoint him once again by denying his wish, as he slowly awakened from his slumber.
All he saw was darkness, his face stuffed into a soft pillow. His head was foggy, but nonetheless, he covered his eyes with his hand, then flipped onto his back.
He lay there for a solid ten minutes before deciding to uncover his eyes. The world faded from black to white.
Staring at an unfamiliar white ceiling, he half-hoped this whole isekai ordeal had just been a really weird dream. But his surroundings proved this was his new reality.
Sitting up with a yawn, he glanced at the state of his bed. It was fine—the only thing of note was the blanket, which was in a messy heap. Xeno had a habit of snuggling with something, unable to comfortably sleep without doing so.
His reasoning? A man could only find proper sleep when he was cuddling with someone... or something.
Getting up from the bed, he stretched his back, then scratched his chest as he walked toward the door. Instead of his normal clothes, he was wearing a simple white nightgown.
Opening the door, it led to a spacious hallway, with doors dotted along the way.
Xeno: "Well, doesn't this just scream fancy," he mused.
Having no idea where to go, he left it to chance and walked left.
Xeno: "Man, what a cozy mansion this is. You can just feel the comfort from this place."
Walking past a painting and a nice-looking flower vase, he continued voicing his thoughts to himself.
Xeno: "Man, gotta say, I'm grateful Emilia's letting me stay here for the time being."
He walked past another painting and a nice-looking flower vase.
Xeno: "Speaking of her, where is she? Or anyone, for that matter? You'd expect a mansion like this to be crawling with servants."
Confusion struck him as he passed another painting and... a nice-looking flower vase.
Xeno: "Well, I could just scream at the top of my lungs to alert them—if I can deal with the embarrassment after that."
He walked past... you get the idea.
Xeno: "That being said, why is this hallway so darn long? And am I imagining things, or do these paintings and vases look the same?"
...
Moments later, the same painting and vase appeared again. This time, there was no mistaking it.
Xeno: "I'm stuck in a looping hallway?" he concluded. He recognized it from watching videos about this same concept—in a Minecraft mod, of all things.
Unlike others who would be in the same situation, Xeno didn't panic. At best, he felt mildly inconvenienced.
This was obviously magic, so it would either run out...
...or he just had to wait for someone to find him. Simple as that.
Neither option was appealing, so he thought of trying to escape on his own first.
Xeno: 'Would my powers even help in this situation? Gluttony, maybe? I doubt Envy would do me any good here.'
With nothing to lose, he activated Gluttony, spamming it on random objects and the doors. Even if it didn't work, it would help him kill time at least.
[Door to the forbidden library]
Gluttony told him about a seemingly normal door that looked the same as the rest.
Xeno: 'A door to a forbidden library? Hehe, with a name like that, it's just begging to be explored, isn't it?'
Having found a new way to kill time while being stuck, he went and opened the door.
And behold, a library it was—a large one at that, filled with bookshelves. There were so many books Xeno couldn't even count them.
???: "What an extremely irritable person you are. Peering at other people's bookshelves, I suppose."
He was brought out of his disbelief by an annoyed young voice. Looking forward, the person who said that was revealed.
A young girl—she looked 12 to 13 years old, her blond hair tied into long vertical drills. Her large sky-blue eyes had pink butterfly patterns as their irises.
She wore a pink, frilly, ornate dress with white trimmings, her legs visible and covered by pink and purple vertical-striped thigh-highs. The little girl sat on a wooden stool.
Wearing an annoyed look, she stared at Xeno, which shifted into slight curiosity and surprise.
Xeno: "Whoa, what's a kid doing here?"
???: "Betty is not a child, I suppose." She seemed irritated by the remark.
Betty: 'What interesting eyes he has, and this feeling... is he... that person?'
Xeno: "Sorry, I guess?" He narrowed his left eye in confusion.
Xeno: "Anyway, my name's Xenophanes, but call me Xeno. Who might you be, and what is this place?"
Glancing around, he was curious—mostly about the little girl, then the library itself. He wasn't an attentive reader; even if he did know how to read the script, he wouldn't bother.
Betty: "..."
She didn't respond, instead being deep in thought, contemplating something.
Xeno: "Umm, hello? Betty to lu... whatever the name of the kingdom was."
Betty: "...You may call Betty Beatrice, human. As for where you are, you're in Betty's library, I suppose," she replied with a huff.
It was at that moment Xeno decided to use Gluttony on her.
Why this moment, you ask?
He grew even more curious.
[Name: Beatrice (Nickname: Betty)
Race: Spirit (Artificial)
Age: 400+
Relation: Trusts you (doesn't understand why)
Title: Caretaker of the Forbidden Library
An artificial spirit created by the Witch of Greed, Echidna.]
Xeno: 'My goodness... she's a loli!'
Xeno: "Nice to meet you then. So, Beatrice, I'm kinda stuck in a looping hallway and have no idea how to get out. Can you help me?"
Beatrice: "Betty was the one who trapped you. Betty has to say, you're truly an infuriating individual, I suppose."
Xeno: "W-What? Why?"
Beatrice: "I don't have to explain anything to you. In fact—"
She huffed once again, which just made her look positively adorable. But afterward, she adopted a look Xeno couldn't understand.
Beatrice: "But... since Betty wants you... to leave... I'll take you to the half-elf."
Xeno: 'Why did she hesitate?'
Xeno: "Thank you, Beatrice."
After a couple of seconds of silence, the girl spoke up again.
Beatrice: "There, you can... leave now."
Xeno: "What... did you do exactly?"
From his perspective, she did nothing but close her eyes for a few seconds.
Beatrice: "Just leave. You'll understand once you do, I suppose."
Xeno had no idea what the girl did—he just went with it. Maybe she removed her spell.
Xeno: "Well, see you later then." He turned to leave.
But just before he could open the door—
Beatrice: "A-are you... 'that person'?" she whispered softly, with Xeno barely managing to hear it.
Xeno: "Umm, what? What do you mean by that?" He genuinely had no idea what her extremely vague statement meant.
Beatrice: "Forget Betty said anything, I suppose." Masking her sadness, she shooed him away.
Xeno, sensing some emotional baggage, reluctantly complied, opening the door. The same hallway came into sight. Beatrice watched as he left, clutching a book tightly against her chest.
Beatrice: 'How foolish Betty was, thinking he could be that person.'
Now fully out of the library, he intended to search for someone again. But it seemed he didn't need to—Beatrice really had brought him to Emilia.
The half-elf in question was walking in front of him.
And oh boy—the outfit she was wearing was astounding. A pink robe-like nightgown that left her shoulders bare, with knee socks that reached the tops of her thighs. It made her even more stunning.
But it wasn't the time to admire.
Xeno quickly walked toward her.
Xeno: "Emilia! Wait."
Hearing the familiar voice, Emilia turned around, surprised.
Emilia: "Xeno? What are you doing here?" she asked, puzzled about what he was doing on the opposite side of the mansion from where his room was.
Xeno: "That's a funny story, but putting it aside for now—how are you doing? Yesterday was a tough battle."
Emilia: 'Why is he showing so much concern for me?' But hearing the question did make her smile.
Emilia: "I'm alright, Xeno. You don't have to worry too much. Also, shouldn't I be the one asking you that?"
Xeno appreciated the question, even if it was unnecessary, because during the battle he was the least tired and injured. Turns out shielding yourself in a glass dome that someone can't break easily and being constantly attacked was a great—yet scummy—strategy.
Xeno: "Feeling great. I had the best sleep of my life. Bruh, I wish I could sleep like this in the future."
Emilia: "Berah? What a strange word you're using, Xeno." She tilted her head curiously.
Xeno: "Don't worry about it. But I have a question to ask you. It's about the mansion."
Emilia: "Of course, what did you want to know?"
Xeno: "Why does this place feel so... empty? Aside from the lord and the two maids, I haven't seen anyone else. Everything is just so... quiet around here."
Hearing the question, Emilia's smile dropped, lowering her gaze to the ground. Xeno quickly realized he may have asked something sensitive.
Xeno: "Oh, umm, I'm sorry if I said something wrong."
Emilia: "No, it's alright. You didn't mean it." She looked Xeno in the eyes, continuing.
Emilia: "As for why, it's because... of my resemblance to the Witch of Envy."
Xeno: 'Right, I knew she was infamous, but not to this extent.'
Xeno: "...That's dumb."
She was suprised by this words.
Xeno: "I'm sorry you have to deal with this. Honestly, people can be so dumb. Hating a kind soul like you—can't they see just how amazing of a person you are?–"
His brows narrowed in frustration.
Xeno: "Seriously, it looks like someone needs to knock some sense into their heads."
She gasped, hearing his words full of conviction—he truly believed every word he said. Her eyes softened as she smiled once again.
Emilia: "You reeeeally are a strange man, Xeno."
In response, he waved it off, and from there, the two moved through the mansion, lightly conversing with each other.
Skipping ahead, the two went back to the room Xeno was staying in. The reason being two maids were supposed to check up on him. But now that he's with Emilia, it could lead to some misunderstanding.
And besides, Xeno wanted his clothes back after being sent to be cleaned.
Entering inside, the two saw the room being kept by twin young maids.
Both had medium-length hair that covered one of their eyes. The only difference between the two was their hair color—one had blue, the other pink.
Though for some reason, the pink one had smaller breasts than the blue one. How does that even work?
The two turned their attention to them.
???: "Greetings, Lady Emilia and guest-sama," they said politely, bowing perfectly in sync.
Xeno: "Good morning to you two, too."
What a horrifying sentence.
This poor choice of wording was truly
criminal—Xeno was rightfully ashamed of it.
Xeno: 'Off to a great start already.'
Good thing for Xeno, the two maids showed no reaction to this, remaining perfectly stoic.
Xeno: 'I want to ask them about my clothes... but I don't remember their names. Time to use Gluttony to save myself the embarrassment.'
His red pupil burned bright as he looked at the sisters.
[Name: Rem
Race: Oni
Age: 17
Relation: loathes you
Ram but blue]
[Name: Ram
Race: Oni
Age: 17
Relation: Suspicious of you
Title: Reincarnation of the Oni God
Rem but pink (and flat)]
Xeno: 'What the heck. I get the pink one, but why does the blue one hate me?'
Emilia: "Xeno, is something the matter?"
She noticed that while the three women were lightly conversing, he was being unusually quiet.
Xeno: "Nothing... hey, Ram, was it? Where are my clothes? Are they cleaned yet?"
Ram lightly bowed.
Ram: "Yes, Ram has taken the liberty of cleaning your filthy and frankly poorly kept clothes."
Xeno: 'Did she just insult me?'
Xeno: "Umm, right... bring them here, if you will."
She nodded, leaving the room.
Now it was just him and Rem, who was cleaning the room even though it didn't need it. This gave Emilia, who was kind of just awkwardly standing there, the chance to talk to Xeno.
Emilia: "That reminds me, Xeno, would you like to accompany me for my morning routine?"
Xeno: "What routine?"
Emilia: "I'm borrowing the garden so I can talk to the spirits for a bit. It's a part of the pact I made with various spirits."
Xeno: 'Spirits, huh? This could be a chance to learn more about this world.'
Xeno: "Sure, you go ahead. I'll join you once I'm changed."
And thus, Emilia also left the room.
Now it was just Xeno and Rem.
Xeno sat on the couch next to the bed while the blue maid cleaned a window that didn't need cleaning.
Neither spoke. Though Xeno expected the silence to be awkward, it didn't feel like it.
In fact, it seemed the girl was "cleaning the room" as an excuse solely to keep an eye on him.
He felt like he was being glared at constantly ever since he entered the room.
Xeno, looking up at the ceiling, closed his eyes. He was trying to relax despite the suspicion he was receiving.
Xeno: 'What's with her?'
He pondered, but couldn't think of anything
.
Xeno: 'My memory of last night is kind of hazy. It was late at night, and I wanted nothing more than to sleep. Maybe in my drowsy state of mind, I accidentally offended them?'
Rem: "Guest-sama, did you sleep well last night?"
She suddenly asked, watching him through the mirror's reflection.
Xeno: "Huh? Oh yeah, it was the best sleep of my life."
She narrowed her eyes.
Rem: "Is that really so…? You didn't experience any sort of discomfort… that would have disrupted you?"
Xeno: "Nope, the bed was super comfy. In fact, I almost wish I never woke up and just slept there forever."
She flinched, stopping her cleaning for a moment.
Then she turned to him, bowing lightly.
Rem: "Rem appreciates that you find your stay comfortable. It is our job that you
suffer… no inconvenience during your stay."
Xeno: "Well then, you've been doing great. I hope it stays that way going forward as well."
She straightened, then turned away, her expression unreadable.
The conversation was cut off as Ram entered the room, carrying his clothes. She put them on a nearby table.
Ram: "Here, guest-sama—your strange clothes. Try not to smudge them again."
Xeno: 'Was that detail really necessary?'
Xeno: "Right… you two can go now. I'm going to change."
They both bowed, then left the room.
Xeno: 'Sigh… let's hope my day with Emilia goes well.'
...
Stepping into the garden—though that was a massive understatement. The thing was larger than a football stadium. It even had gazebos here.
Xeno: 'Maintaining this must be a nightmare for just two people… or maybe it's easy because of magic?'
He spotted Emilia, eyes closed, seemingly communicating with what looked to be small balls of light surrounding her.
Coming closer to the scene, he was intrigued by these balls of light.
As if sensing his presence, one of the light balls hopped—beelining straight for him.
Xeno: "What the—?"
It collided with his head. It felt like a feather hitting him. It began floating around his head, excited?
This action caught the attention of the others as well, and they repeated what the first one did.
Emilia opened her eyes in complete surprise, watching as the lesser spirits quickly rushed Xeno.
Puck: "Well, isn't that something?" said a familiar voice.
Coming out of his green crystal, Puck commented on the sight of a confused Xeno while the lesser spirits excitedly ran laps around his head.
Xeno: "Puck, what's happening? What are these balls of light doing?"
Both of them approached Xeno, Puck floating in front of him, amused.
Puck: "Aren't you a popular guy? I've never seen lesser spirits cuddle up to a stranger before."
Xeno: "Really funny, but seriously—why are they doing this?"
Puck: "Hmm, I guess your spirit affinity must be off the charts." He shrugged casually.
Emilia: "Gasp, really, Puck?"
That was some really big news—to have a spirit affinity so great that even contracted lesser spirits would just throw themselves at someone.
Puck: "Absolutely sure, Lia." He gave a thumbs up.
Even though the news was wild, even for him, Puck strangely didn't feel all that surprised. Hell, it felt natural that this would be the case.
Xeno: "Hehe, hey guys, look."
Coming out of his confusion, Xeno made the lesser spirits orbit above his head. It looked like he had a halo.
Emilia giggled at Xeno's childish actions, while Puck shook his head.
Though as fun as this was, they still had to get back to Emilia continuing her pact with the spirits, leaving only Puck and Xeno to the side so as not to disrupt her.
Puck: "With that out of the way—"
The cat turned to him.
Puck: "Xeno, I'd like to thank you for protecting my daughter, so if there's something you want me to do, just let me know."
Xeno: "Teach me magic." He blurted it out without a second thought.
Puck: "Magic? Really? I thought you knew how to use mana?" He was genuinely surprised.
Xeno: "Nope, never used it in my life."
Puck: "Is that so?"
Puck: 'Then what are those purple chains he made, and the other stuff Lia told me about? Does he have an Authority?'
Puck: "Alright then, let's go through a quick explanation. To tap into your mana, you have to use your gate. A gate is something within your body that controls the flow of mana and inevitably allows you to use magic. The gate both draws in and expels mana."
Xeno nodded.
Xeno: "Cool, so is there any way to figure out what affinity I have?"
Xeno: 'Going by standard fantasy settings, they're probably the four elements and maybe some additional ones.'
Puck: "Yep, there is—which was my next step. Figuring out your affinity. Magic users are divided into one of six elements: fire, water, wind, and earth, with the last two being yin and yang—but those are rare."
Puck extended his tail, touching Xeno's head with its tip.
Puck: "Well, isn't that something? You appear to have a high affinity for water magic."
Xeno: "Really? Honestly, I imagined myself more of an earth mage, but hey, I'm not complaining. So what can I do? Drown people? Use water pulse? Is it drinkable? Oh, oh—can I use water spears to stab someone—"
Xeno's red pupils turned into stars while he started rambling excitedly, already imagining the possibilities.
Puck: "Nope, you can do none of those things." The cat cheerfully shattered Xeno's hopes and threw them into the ocean.
Xeno: "Eh? The frick do you mean I can't?"
Puck: "You really don't know a thing about magic, do you? Water magic is the manipulation of life. With it, you can heal people. While you can use water magic offensively, you pretty much have zero talent for that—"
Xeno was dejected, but he couldn't be too disappointed. He still had Envy. Puck, seeing this, continued.
Puck: "But hey, cheer up. Your talent for healing is the best I've ever seen."
Xeno: "Right... you're right. I should cheer up. Thanks, Puck."
Xeno: 'Fighting someone who can attack at all ranges, defend, know everything about you easily, and heal sounds like a nightmare.'
At this rate, Xeno might just become a jack of all trades.
Putting that aside, the blue maid approached the two.
She politely bowed.
Rem: "Lord Roswaal has returned and has requested your presence. Please come into the mansion."
Puck looked over and saw Ram was presumably saying the same thing to Emilia.
Puck: "Isn't that a shame. We can continue this another time." He floated over to Emilia.
Xeno: "In that case, lead the way, Rem."
...
Following behind the two maids, they all reached the dining room. It was grand like everything else in this place, with a familiar loli present. The girl in question had the look of someone who would rather be anywhere else right now.
Xeno: "Heya, Beatrice. How's it going?"
Beatrice: "Betty was watching you, and concluded you're as dumb as you appear, I suppose."
Normally that would have emotionally impacted him, but he couldn't bring himself to get angry at a child.
Xeno: "You know, you really should smile more. Otherwise, your face will get stuck that way," Xeno gently advised.
She looked even more annoyed.
Beatrice: "Betty doesn't need advice from you. In fact—"
Xeno looked to the right with a shrug.
Xeno: "Sigh. Children, am I right?" he commented to... the air?
Beatrice: "Betty is not a child. And who are you even speaking to, I suppose?" She looked at him weirdly.
Emilia had entered the dining room as well, with the spirit sitting on her shoulder. Puck waved his paw at the annoyed loli.
Puck: "Ah, Betty! Hello! It's been a few days since I saw you. Have you been well and acting ladylike?"
The loli's entire demeanor shifted 180. Her eyes widened in pure joy, smiling her heart out.
Beatrice: "Hello, Bubby!"
Puck jumped off Emilia's shoulder and onto Beatrice's outstretched palms.
Beatrice: "I have been eagerly waiting for you to return home, Bubby! Will you stay with me for the entire day, I suppose?"
Puck: "Sounds great! Let's relax for the entire day."
Beatrice: "Oh, how wonderful."
She swirled around in joy, approaching her seat.
Xeno blinked, watching the entire thing.
Xeno: "Bruh."
Emilia approached, smiling.
Emilia: "Bewildered, aren't you? Puck and Beatrice are suuuuuper close."
Xeno: "That's good? I guess. I don't know how I'm supposed to react to... this."
Xeno: "And she says not to treat her like a child, heh."
Emilia: "Um, Xeno? Who are you talking to?" All she saw was him talking to thin air.
The sound of the door opening temporarily silenced the room.
???: "Myyy, myyy, it is quite the rare sight to see Beatrice here. It is indeed
woooounderful that you decided to dine with me after some time."
Beatrice: "Betty didn't come to dine with you, but because she wanted to share a meal with Bubby, I suppose."
Walking in was a tall man with different-colored eyes—one yellow, the other blue—wearing white makeup. His attire made him look like a jester of sorts. The man wore a smile on his face.
Emilia: "Oh! Welcome back, Roswaal, and good morning."
Roswaal: "And gooood morning to you as well, Lady Emilia. And I see you've brought our deeear guest as well."
Xeno: "Sup, hi, hello, and good morning, Roswaal." He raised a hand and casually greeted him, completely throwing etiquette aside.
Roswaal: "Oh myyyy! Such an enthusiastic greeting. Gooood morning to you too, Xenophanes. Such a wonderful-sounding name you have."
Xeno: "Why, thank you."
Xeno: 'Such a nice and quirky guy.'
Roswaal: "Nooow that everyone is here, shall we continue with breakfast?" he clapped his hands together cheerfully.
...
Everyone was seated at the large table in the center. The two maids entered the room, pushing trolleys with them carrying the food.
The one Rem was pushing had quite delicious-looking food, while Ram had cutlery on it. The two expertly set everything up for everyone. Once they were done, they stood on either side of their lord.
Roswaal: "Well then, let us eat— To the trees, the wind, the stars, and to the earth."
Palms together, he closed his eyes and muttered. The rest quickly followed the prayer.
Everyone except for Xeno, that is. This was quite the surprise—he hadn't expected them to pray. But then again, religion was a pretty common trope in fantasy worlds as well.
While they were praying, Xeno used this chance to use Gluttony on Roswaal. He didn't quite remember if he had done that yesterday.
[Name: Roswaal L. Mathers
Age: 29 (body), 400+ (soul)
Relation: Has high expectations of you
Titles: Echidna's student, Head Court Mage, Chief of Royal Magic Research Institute
You need over 50 insulting adjectives just to describe him]
Xeno: 'Wow, that's a lot. Though now that I think about it... I don't remember Gluttony saying that about him. Does the description change every time I use it on someone?'
Testing his theory, he used Gluttony on Beatrice.
[Puts every Reddit mod to shame! Hasn't touched grass in 400 years.]
Xeno: "Pffff."
Beatrice: "What's so funny, I suppose?" She finished her prayer, noticed Xeno's reaction, and became annoyed.
Xeno: "Nothing, nothing at all. I just remembered something funny."
Since everyone was done with their prayer, they started to eat this oddly Western-styled breakfast.
Xeno: "Hmmm, this is quite delicious, kudos to the chef."
Roswaal: "Weeell, Rem may not look like it, but her cooking is quuuuuite something, is it nooot?"
Xeno: "Rem made this, huh? Well then, Rem, thanks for the great food."
Rem: "Thank you, Guest-sama."
Xeno: "So are you the only one who cooks, or do you guys alternate?"
He mostly asked out of curiosity, wondering if they had a weird twin gimmick.
Rem shook her head.
Rem: "Rem is the only one who handles cooking in this household. Sister is not really good at it."
Xeno: "So do you both excel in different things then? Like you cook and the other cleans?"
Rem: "Yes, that is correct. Sister is especially good at cleaning, doing laundry, and other domestic chores."
Xeno: "Then you're bad at domestic chores then?"
Rem: "No, Rem excels at all of the domestic chores, including cleaning and doing laundry. Even better than Sister."
Xeno: "Bruh."
Life had once again crushed his fantasies, truly saddening. He really did want the sisters to have a gimmick like the others in this room. Unless you count one sucking at everything while the other is amazing at everything.
Ram, standing next to Rem, showed no reaction to her absolute inferiority. In fact, she looked like she didn't care at all.
Roswaal: "You truuuuly are mysterious. Having come to the residence of Roswaal L. Mathers in the Kingdom of Lugunica, yet not knowing the circumstances?"
Xeno: 'Well, that came out of left field.'
Xeno: "If you're talking about politics, then yeah. I, Xeno, really don't like politics. It's nothing but corruption, depressing, or exhausting. I like to live a stress-free life, so I keep myself as far as humanly possible from them."
Roswaal: "Is that soooooo? Then I assume you know nothing about the current situation of the Kingdom of Lugunica?"
Xeno: "Nope."
Roswaal: "It's refreshing to hear you say that without any hesitation to that extent. The way you've been acting until now has done nothing but surprise me, Xenophanes. Stuff like that was reaaally making me worried about you."
Meanwhile, Emilia looked at him worried about his admission.
Xeno: "So how bad is it? Since you brought it up, I doubt things are going well."
Roswaal: "Indeeeed, things are going poorly. Martial law is being enacted, and the kingdom currently lacks a king."
Xeno: "That... sucks? Who's running the coun— I mean kingdom then."
Roswaal: "It quite dooes. As for your question, the kingdom's affairs are currently being managed by the Council of Wise Men."
Xeno: "Wise men? Why not the king's children? Are they too young or something?"
Roswaal: "It's rather complicated. Something happened half a year ago. It has been said that at the same time His Majesty passed away, a disease ran rampant within the castle…"
Xeno: "Wait, so there's no king? Then is the kingdom currently in the process of selecting a new one?"
Roswaal: "You catch on quickly. It is true that the kingdom is in the process of selecting a new ruler that everyone seems fair."
Xeno: "Wait a minute... no ruler, currently in the process of a royal selection, then a complete stranger shows up, and bam—suddenly Roswaal owns him a massive favor. Uggggh—"
He slid down in his chair until half his face was almost below the table in annoyance.
Xeno: "I look suspicious, don't I? See, this is why I dislike politics. Can't even help people without others thinking I'm some spy or something."
Roswaal: "Fuuurthermore, you came connected to my household via Lady Emilia."
Xeno raised his brow in confusion.
Xeno: "What does Emilia have to do with this? And why are you calling her with honorifics?"
Roswaal: "Is it not naturaaaal to address someone of higher rank than I with reeespect?" Resting his hands on the table, he spoke with glee.
Xeno's pupils faded hearing that. Slowly turning to Emilia.
Xeno: "What? You're—"
Emilia: "Umm, Xeno, currently... my title is Royal Candidate, one of those seeking to become the 42nd ruler of the Kingdom of Lugunica... with the backing of Margrave Roswaal, that is."
Her words confirmed and went way above his suspicions.
Xeno: "You're a princess?" He looked at her with complete surprise.
Roswaal: "One of the five Draaaagon priestesses, to be exact."
Emilia: "Please don't misunderstand, I wasn't trying to hide it from you."
Xeno: "Well, it's not really my business to ask, so it's fine." He quickly disspelled her worries.
Emilia: "Oh."
Xeno: "So how does this candidacy thing even work? How did Emilia even get chosen?"
Roswaal: "Excellent question. Lady Emilia, if you would?"
She nodded. She pulled out the insignia from her pocket, presenting it in her hand, its center red gem glowing.
Emilia: "This insignia is what qualifies me as a candidate for the throne."
Xeno: "...And you lost it."
Emilia: "W-What? I didn't lose it. It was stolen from me by a thief!" She exclaimed, embarrassed.
Xeno: "That's even worse... though that begs the question—what would have happened if she didn't get it back?"
He turned to Roswaal, asking that.
Roswaal: "If she permanently lost it, then all doubt would be cleaared. If someone who cannot even protect a tiny insignia is unfit to rule an entire kingdom."
Xeno: "Huh, I inadvertently just saved her entire career then."
Roswaal: "Indeeeed you have. Such actions are quite reward-worthy, wouldn't you agreeee? So just say the word."
He spread his arms, looking at Xeno expectantly.
Xeno: "A reward, huh? Don't mind if I do. Let's see... hmmmm... ummm, g-give me a moment."
Xeno rested one leg over the other, cupping his chin, staring at the ceiling, slowly sliding down his chair.
Xeno: 'Alright, Xeno, time to do the most difficult thing in life: making a choice—'
His brow squinted in concentration.
Xeno: 'What do I want? Let's go through my current problems. Firstly, I don't know how to read or write this world's language, but using my reward for that seems underwhelming. Then there's the fact I kinda need a nice and easy job somewhere. While I have zero problems freeloading off Roswaal, being broke is just inconvenient. Then there's the fact I need a safe environment to use my abilities as well to master them, then there's my water magic as well. Sigh.'
Xeno: 'Wait a minute... I think I'm overthinking things.'
Xeno: "Hey, Ros, my reward could be anything, right?"
The clown nodded.
Roswaal: "As long as it's within my power."
Xeno: "Well then, that settles it. I know what I want."
He straightened in his seat, then confidently requested:
Xeno: "I wish to work as a butler here."