Asuna's answer immediately made Emilia's eyes light up. *So that's how it is? People from other worlds won't hate me...* At that moment, she felt a sudden sense of relief. If she moved to a different world, could she perhaps live a better life?
The thought suddenly flashed through Emilia's mind, startling her. Yet, she had to admit she was genuinely tempted.
The only reason she was participating in the Royal Selection was to obtain the Dragon Blood and save her frozen clansmen. Now, the appearance of another world offered her even more hope.
There was no absolute necessity for Emilia to participate in the upcoming Royal Selection. Perhaps she could find a solution in another world instead? If Ren Isana and the others could travel between worlds, it likely wasn't a difficult feat for their side, right?
The more she thought about it, the more moved Emilia became. She realized that asking Ren Isana and the others for help might be simpler than becoming the King. However, since she wasn't familiar with Ren Isana and his group yet, she refrained from speaking up for the time being.
Along the way, Emilia's attitude while chatting with Ren Isana and Asuna became much more relaxed. During the return journey, Ram also came back, but no one pressed her on where she had settled that Subaru Natsuki fellow.
Under Emilia's guidance, Ren Isana and Asuna arrived at the Count's mansion on the kingdom's border, which was where she currently resided.
As the three stepped off the dragon carriage, a fair-skinned, middle-aged man with blue hair, heterochromatic eyes, and a theatrical, effeminate air walked out from the house. He looked at Ren Isana and Asuna with a burning gaze and said, "Welcome, two distinguished guests."
This man was the owner of the mansion, Roswaal—the Chief Court Mage of the kingdom. He was also effectively the Orochimaru of the Re:Zero world, considering he truly rivaled that man in certain aspects.
A flicker of surprise crossed Ren Isana's eyes as he looked at the man, but he felt relieved once he thought of Ram. Unsurprisingly, Ram must have notified this fellow.
"Lord Roswaal!" Emilia was somewhat surprised to see Roswaal at home. Hadn't he gone out?
"Hello, Count," Ren Isana said with a nod, offering a greeting. At the same time, he was slightly suspicious about why this man had rushed back. Was it for the matters concerning their world?
"Guests, please come in!" Roswaal gestured, leading the way and inviting the two into the mansion to rest.
Under Roswaal's lead, Ren Isana and Asuna soon arrived at a massive reception hall. As soon as the group sat down, other maids brought in tea and snacks, placing them before the duo.
"I have already been informed of your identities. It is truly unimaginable that such a bizarre event would occur," Roswaal couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
It wasn't the world behind the waterfall, but a higher-tier world altogether. If this news got out, the entire world would be in an uproar. Even the Witches would likely be unable to sit still.
Beyond that, Roswaal thought of many things. When he heard the news from Ram, his heart burned with passion. He had been plotting for the Dragon God's blood for a long time; now, it seemed there might be a better channel?
He wondered if those higher-tier worlds possessed other dragons. Would obtaining blood be easier there? Things that were extremely difficult in this world might be quite simple in another.
Roswaal couldn't help but speculate in his mind, which was why he was so excited. As long as there was even a sliver of opportunity, he wouldn't miss it. An extra channel meant an extra path.
"We didn't expect it either. We were actually on a date at the time when our world interfaced with yours. Ultimately, our teacher sent us over to investigate the situation here," Ren Isana shrugged.
*You think you're surprised? I'm just as surprised. I was sent here by Natsuki right in the middle of a date. Can you even imagine that?*
"If you two wish to investigate this world, I can cooperate. I wonder what you would like to know?" Roswaal was extremely enthusiastic, showing no sense that he was betraying his world.
Faced with this guide—or rather, this new 'good friend' who had delivered himself to the door—Ren Isana naturally didn't act polite. He put on an act and began to learn about the state of this world.
In truth, Ren Isana knew this world very well, but he had to maintain his cover. He chatted with the man, occasionally revealing some information about their own world.
For instance, he mentioned that their world was connected to many others, acting as a grand stage where any dream could come true. He also mentioned that many precious items could be obtained there, specifically citing Dragon Blood and Divine Blood as examples.
Asuna listened to Ren Isana from the side without interrupting. At a time like this, she only needed to trust Ren Isana.
"Oh? Does Ren Isana's side actually possess things like Dragon Blood?" Roswaal's interest spiked the moment he heard the mention of Dragon Blood. Emilia was equally intrigued.
After all, dragons held a very special status in this world. To resurrect his teacher, the Witch of Greed, Roswaal had been plotting to take down the Dragon God. Now, a better method seemed to have appeared.
When Ram told him about these two, he had checked his Gospel. It seemed that with the appearance of these two people, the information within his Gospel had become a total mess.
He could no longer see the future, which was exactly why he had rushed back to understand the situation and search for a more stable path.
"That stuff isn't particularly precious. If you want it, you can even go on an adventure in our world. From what I know, there are dragons in the depths of the newly discovered Dungeon. There are quite a lot of them, and they can be killed repeatedly because they respawn," Ren Isana stated with a straight face.
Hearing this, Roswaal's gaze became incredibly fiery. That was wonderful news! To resurrect his teacher, he had been extending his own life while waiting for an opportunity.
Furthermore, he had been following the prophecies of the Gospel, which included the future plan to assassinate the Dragon God for its blood to complete the Witch's resurrection ritual. It had become his obsession.
However, the hurdle of obtaining Dragon Blood alone had stopped him. The dragon of their world was no simple creature; with his current strength, he truly couldn't achieve it. But now, a surprise had fallen from the sky.
"I must see that for myself if the opportunity arises!" Though Roswaal was excited, he didn't rush. Instead, he forced himself to calm down. After all, being anxious now was useless.
Ren Isana found the man's reaction somewhat amusing. The Orochimaru of Re:Zero was truly interesting. After a brief chat, Roswaal spoke up, "If you two don't mind, you may stay here for a while. We can take our time with whatever you wish to learn, can't we?"
Ren Isana didn't refuse the invitation, agreeing immediately. "Then we shall trouble you. We happened to be in need of a place to stay."
Seeing Ren Isana agree, Roswaal was delighted. He quickly added, "Please treat this place as your own home. Ram, Rem, please ensure our distinguished guests are well settled."
The two maids responded with serious expressions, promising to host them well.
Once these arrangements were made, Roswaal looked at Ren Isana with an apologetic expression. "I have some matters that require my attention, so I cannot accompany you for the time being. Once I am finished, I shall return to have a proper chat with you both!"
Certain plans needed to change. For example, some of the events he had arranged no longer needed to proceed. Additionally, the members of the Witch Cult within the kingdom needed to be dealt with.
From now on, everything would be geared toward preparing for diplomatic relations with the other world. Building a good relationship with Ren Isana was more important than any other plan. After all, those who could be in the first wave to reach another world were either cannon-fodder or extremely important personnel.
And these two were clearly not cannon-fodder. Roswaal could sense a thick aura of threat from Ren Isana. That side wouldn't use such a person as a disposable pawn.
"It's fine, go ahead with your business. Lady Emilia is here, and we can also make use of your library to learn more about this world," Ren Isana replied nonchalantly. He didn't care; staying with beautiful girls was much more comfortable, and he was practically wishing for the man to leave sooner.
Unaware of Ren Isana's thoughts, Roswaal smiled, said his goodbyes, and left. Ren Isana didn't care where he went; he only knew the man had departed from the mansion.
Once he was gone, Emilia couldn't help but speak up, "I'll take you on a tour of the mansion. Ram and Rem will arrange your rooms in a bit."
The two didn't refuse. The three of them began touring the mansion, while Puck, being quite curious, started chatting with Ren Isana about magic.
"Wow, young man, your magical knowledge is quite vast! To think magic in your world operates like that? If Beatrice were here, she would surely get along with you!" Puck was amazed by the magic Ren Isana described.
"Well, I have studied quite a lot. By the way, I'm curious about something. Emilia's magic isn't actually ice-attribute, is it?" Ren Isana suddenly asked. The ice magic in this world was essentially magic that manipulated temperature.
Furthermore, Emilia's setting was quite absurd. She possessed a near-infinite amount of Magic Power. When her Magic Power went on a rampage as a child, she had directly changed the climate, an effect that hadn't faded even after hundreds of years.
Even her [Close Combat] was ridiculous. Although she was currently in a state of recovery, her raw strength was terrifying. She might look delicate and weak, but she was a natural-born warrior.
Faced with Ren Isana's question, Puck nodded and said with great pride, "That's right! My precious daughter's magic is [Temperature Control Magic], though she's just used to using ice magic to fight."
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