Beatrice wore a grave expression.
"I don't know! It looked like sudden death... but it's more like his soul was erased."
"Whoever could do this is incredibly dangerous."
"It might have been the Witch Cult!!"
Beatrice's face remained grim. Someone had infiltrated silently and killed Roswaal. It was horrifying.
If they could eliminate Roswaal, they could surely kill anyone. That much was clear.
Beatrice hadn't detected any residual presence. She had even used time magic to reverse the scene. Still, there were no traces. Just a sudden contraction of the pupiland then nothing.
She couldn't tell who had done it. It was insane.
"The Witch Cult!"
Everyone's heart sank upon hearing the name. Emilia and the others knew full well what that meant. Now, no one could stay calm.
The Witch Cult had infiltrated the kingdomand killed the Margrave. This was serious.
Ram and Rem's expressions darkened.
"What do we do now?"
Although Kaguya knew who had done it, she couldn't say anything at the moment. So what now?
"Notify the council in the capital. Let the Knights take over here."
Ram took a deep breath and quickly made a decision. That was all they could do for now.
Everyone nodded. No one objected.
Emilia immediately used magic to contact the capital.
When news broke, many people were stunned. The Margrave was dead?
The capital erupted.
Roswaal was one of the kingdom's few elite magic users. Now he had been killed at home?
This was no trivial matter. Some people even began to suspect Emilia. But there was no evidence. And she had no motive.
After all, Roswaal was one of her main supporters. Why would she kill him?
Besides, Emilia had been in the capital earlier. Reinhard could confirm that.
In fact, upon hearing the news, Reinhard was the first to arrive. Even though it was late, he rushed to the estate.
Upon seeing the condition of the corpse, Reinhard frowned deeply. What was going on here?
He examined the scene, then looked toward Emilia, who was visibly upset.
"Did anyone touch the scene?"
Emilia shook her head.
"No. We've been using magic to try and determine the cause of death, but found nothing."
As she spoke, she glanced around. She had been too overwhelmed with grief to notice earlier. But nowwas there something else?
Emilia froze.
Reinhard nodded, then continued examining the area. Soon, they discovered a pile of incriminating documents.
As they read through the evidence, Emilia's expression changed drastically. Ram and Rem were even more shocked.
Roswaal's crimes were laid bare.
Everyone was unsettled. They hadn't expected this.
Kaguya, however, was giddy inside. She hadn't thought Takumi would go that far!
"Don't touch anything yet! The Knights will be here soon. For now, go get some rest. I'll take over from here."
Reinhard's expression darkened slightly. He didn't like what he was seeing.
He hadn't imagined Roswaal would be guilty of such evil. But this could wait until the rest arrived.
Emilia nodded. She said nothing more. Her mind was adrift.
The Bowel Hunter was hired by Roswaal? And Ram and Rem's sufferingalso his doing?
She was at a loss for words. Rem, especially, felt Roswaal deserved to die a thousand times over.
"Miss Kaguya, please come with me. I'll take you to your room."
Ram took a deep breath and didn't overthink it. She needed to settle Kaguya first.
Reinhard would handle the rest. There were far too many complications now. They weren't suited to continue getting involved.
Once Reinhard finished, he would brief them anyway.
Kaguya, of course, had no objections. Though she wanted to keep watching the drama, she let it go.
The group left Roswaal's study, leaving Reinhard behind to manage the situation.
After everyone washed up, the other knights began to arrive. They locked down the estate. Under Reinhard's command, operations commenced.
As for the lords and councilmen, they wouldn't arrive until tomorrow.
No one would be sleeping tonight.
Kaguya was arranged in a luxurious room. Given the favor she had done them, her treatment was exceptional. They regarded her as their most honored guest.
Chapter 422: A Whole New Way to Die
After Kaguya settled down, she quietly began chatting with Takumi via telepathy.
"Nice job! They're all in shock now." "They can't quite accept that Roswaal would do something like that."
Takumi, who was still roaming Subaru's world, heard Kaguya's voice in his head and replied:
"Once they fully understand the truth, they'll believe it." "Then we can just take them with us."
As he spoke, the corners of Takumi's lips curved slightly.
Exposing Roswaal was necessary. Emilia had no real chance of winning the royal selection. So why not just leave with him instead?
Now that Roswaalthe mastermindwas dead, Emilia had no reason to stay in this world. She barely had any supporters left.
You could say Takumi's actions had effectively cleared away all of Emilia's burdens.
As for Ram and Rem? That was obvious. Now that Rem's horn had been restored by Kaguya, if they were invited to leave, they'd likely accept.
Their circle was small, after all.
"You're so sneaky!"
Kaguya scoffed after realizing Takumi's plan. This guy really was a schemer.
If that's the case, then Emilia might really leave with him.
"I came all this way, so I might as well bring back some souvenirs." "Emilia's great. And Ram and Rem too."
Takumi didn't mind the criticism. Say what you want.
Kaguya was speechless. Takumi always said the same thing no matter which world he visited: "Since I came, might as well bring something back."
"LSP!! You bring them back but don't do anything!!"
That was what annoyed her. Takumi knew tons of girls. But barely any actual relationships.
She, such a stunning beauty, often got ignored by him. Tsk. Why bring back so many then?
"None of your business! And if I did do anything, you'd be the first to fall."
Takumi was baffled. What was wrong with this girl?
"Hah! As if you'd dare." "Hurry up and finish what you're doingtomorrow's going to be fun."
After throwing a sharp jab at Takumi, Kaguya pulled out her device and started gaming.
Who knew how long Takumi would be busy?
Takumi, feeling insulted, grumbled silently.
Later, I'll chew her up! Let's see what recovers fasterher HP or my energy.
With that, Takumi disappeared, continuing his exploration of the world.
As for Kaguya, whether she slept or not didn't matter. Dying suddenly was like a game to her.
Death might be terrifying to others. But Kaguya had experienced it all suicide, murderyou name it.
She was already used to it.
But that night, she encountered a new way to die.
Takumi came back. Silently set up a soundproof barrier one that blocked internal noise from escaping.
What happened next goes without saying.
Having not slept for who knows how long, Kaguya suddenly died and revived again.
The room was splattered with blood.
No one knew what Takumi did to her. Kaguya didn't treat him kindly afterward.
She wanted to strangle him.
If anyone found out about this, it would be the end.
She'd already died a social death once. But she didn't want anyone else to know.
"If you dare tell anyone, you're dead!!"
Kaguya glared viciously at Takumi.
"I won't. No one will ever know."
Takumi grinned happily at her.
Why would he ever tell anyone?
Whatgo around saying, "Kaguya's death repertoire has a new addition"?
She would literally kill him.
When the two of them walked out of the room, Ram and Rem were coming to wake Kaguya. They froze.
Why was there suddenly another person?
"This is Takumi! He arrived last night." "A spatial mage."
Before they could ask, Kaguya introduced Takumi and gave him the title of a spatial mage.
Hearing that, Ram and Rem paused. Then they remembered.
Kaguya and Emilia had talked about Takumi before. The ability to travel between worlds must be his.
Now everything made sense.
"Greetings, Lord Takumi!" *2
Ram and Rem bowed immediately.
"Nice to meet you both."
Seeing the respectful maids, Takumi smiled warmly.
"Lady Kaguya, Lady Emilia requests your presence. Please follow us."
Ram and Rem had a favorable impression of Takumi.
They weren't suspicious.
This was helped by what Kaguya had said yesterdaythat if Takumi were here, he'd help heal Ram. That had left a positive mark.
Still, they didn't forget their duty. They quickly invited the two to the main hall.
The investigation results were ready. Emilia had asked them to fetch Kaguya.
Seeing that, Kaguya grabbed Takumi and followed the two maids to Emilia.
When they reached the hall, Emilia was already there. So was Reinhardand several elderly officials.
These were the people who had arrived from the capital that morning.
Seeing Kaguya enter with a man, the others were surprised. Who else was here?
Emilia was just as shocked.
"Mr. Takumi? You're back already?"
Reinhard frowned. When had he entered?
He had been awake all night investigating Roswaal's death. He hadn't noticed anyone arriving.
"Yes. I have a connection with her, so I can appear by her side anytime." "It was very late, so I didn't want to disturb anyone."
Takumi explained casually.
Emilia immediately understood. Reinhard studied Takumi carefully but said nothing.
This wasn't the time to question things.
He began sharing his investigation results.
Truthfully, the findings weren't that important anymore. Roswaal's crimes alone warranted death many times over.
His death had officially been pinned on the Witch Cult.
Only they could pull off something like this.
As for the suspicious Kaguya and Takumi? No one questioned them. Not even a bit.
After all, they had no motive to act.
Upon hearing the report, everyone grew alert.
The Witch Cult!
The kingdom would now start cleansing operations against them.
A Margrave had diedthey would have to pay for it!
Chapter 423: The Four Heavenly Kings Number Five, and the Seven Deadly Sins Number Nine
Reinhard and the council members soon left. After explaining the cause of death and discussing the royal selection, they departed.
Takumi could see it clearly in the eyes of those councilors: They had already written off Emilia as a loser.
With Roswaal gone, Emilia's strongest backer was no more. She never had much of a chance to begin with. Now, with no support, her odds were even worse.
At this point, only four royal candidates remained. Emilia had essentially been eliminated.
But now, the fifth royal candidate had been foundand her supporter was none other than the Sword Saint Reinhard. Suddenly, the royal selection became even more unpredictable.
Who would become king? No one could say. But it certainly wouldn't be Emilia.
After seeing them off, Emilia appeared completely dejected. What the councilors suspected, she had already thought of herself. She realized that she might no longer have any reason to continue in the royal selection.
"Lady Emilia!"
Seeing her in this state, Rem grew worried.
"I'm fine, Rem. I'm just... a little lost."
Emilia looked up blankly at everyone. She genuinely didn't know what to do.
"Are you worried about the royal selection?"
Kaguya looked at her and hit the nail on the head.
Emilia nodded.
"Yes. Without Roswaal, I don't know what to do."
Should she continue? What was even the point? It would likely be useless.
The thought frustrated her. But if she didn't participate... then what? Live out her days in obscurity?
"Then just don't participate!" "It's just the crown of a tiny kingdom." "Why not come with us?"
"If you want to be queen, Takumi can make you one." "He's got so much land, making a country dozens of times larger than this one would be easy."
"In fact, if you wanted, you could just go to his world and be crowned on the spot."
Kaguya said this with a big grin.
What's the point of being queen in a place like this? Go rule in a different world instead.
If Takumi felt like it, he could even give you a whole planet.
Everyone hearing Kaguya's words was stunned.
Huh? Crowned on the spot?
Ram, Rem, and Emilia all turned to look at Takumi.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?" "Didn't she tell you?"
Takumi looked at Kaguya, surprised. He thought she had explained everything already.
Kaguya shook her head.
"Not really. I just gave them a brief introduction to your world."
She had only talked about the basicsnothing more.
"Alright then. Let me introduce myself." "I'm the ruler of an entire world." "Yes, the whole world is my domain."
"And my world has far more land than this one." "Plus, we welcome people from other worlds."
"If you feel like you have nowhere to go, why not give up on the royal selection and come with us?"
Takumi extended his invitation directly.
Everyone froze.
"You're not joking, are you?"
Just then, Puck appearedit was his usual active time.
He hadn't met Takumi yesterday, but hearing this now shocked him.
Beatrice was equally stunned.
Was he serious? The ruler of an entire world?
"Of course I'm not joking." "And you know it, don't you?" "You all don't stand a chance in the royal selection." "So let's be honestjust give it up." "Leave this world behind."
"As far as I know, you've had a hard time here." "Everyone treats you like a witch."
"But in my world, no one will see you that way." "There are lots of elves there."
As he spoke, Takumi pulled out registry data of elves from his world.
Seeing what he displayed, everyone was bewildered.
"There are also many oni clans."
Kaguya added.
Let's not forget the oni.
Besides those in Gensokyo, the worlds Takumi merged also included other oni tribes.
Ram and Rem's eyes lit up. Oni?
The oni race in this world was extinct. But in othersthey still existed.
Seeing their interest, Kaguya even brought out photos of those oni.
Ram and Rem were able to see clearly: they really were the same kind of oni as them.
The realization excited them.
"Is... is this real?"
Emilia's eyes widened. Takumi's world really had that many elves?
"Of course it's real." "Why would I lie to you?" "And you'll see for yourself once you go there."
"You're all welcome to come with us."
"Miss Beatrice, you too." "My world has plenty of grimoires."
As he spoke, Takumi showed her some of his magic books.
