Chapter 130: Puck, You Big Idiot! Fine, Just Be Happy Every Day, Puck!

[Faced with a familiar face of the manor, even Puck was reluctant to strike so readily.

Calmly, he explained just how unreliable Roswaal had become as a backer, and made clear his own resolve to end it all.

Unfortunately, Frederica's determination to protect this manor full of memories was equally unshakable.

And so, even without the slightest chance of victory, she put up one final resistance.

However—

As a wave of cold, frigid wind swept through, in but an instant Frederica was turned into an ice sculpture, sealed away in frost.

And this was precisely the beginning of Roswaal Manor's collapse——]

"You little cat spirit, just what have you done to my big sis!"

Away from the screen, Garfiel's face twisted as he whirled around and bellowed at Puck, who was seated in Emilia's lap.

"Isn't that manor the home base of that half-elf daughter of yours? Why go and destroy it for no reason at all?"

As he spoke, Garfiel's expression darkened, as if something had suddenly occurred to him. He narrowed his eyes slightly, sizing Puck up with a thoughtful, suspicious look.

"Oi! Emilia's cat-daddy, don't tell me you're actually some mole who specializes in stirring up civil war? I've had my doubts about you for a long time now!"

"The moment anything happens, you're nowhere to be found, and when your daughter's in danger you're off sleeping like a log—in the end it's always the big general who has to turn the tide!"

Seated close to Garfiel, Otto sensed the atmosphere edging toward a standoff and hurriedly put on a placating smile to smooth things over.

"Garfiel, calm down now!"

"This is just a story that happened in another world of possibility—it doesn't mean Mr. Puck would actually do such a thing! After all, in reality Mr. Natsuki is perfectly fine, isn't he!"

"I'm terribly sorry, Lord Puck. My little brother is just too worked up for the moment. Please don't take it to heart."

From the side, Frederica added, both apologetic and worried. She didn't want this matter to strain everyone's relationship either—after all, these were things that had yet to come to pass.

"It's fine, it's fine. As everyone knows, my heart is a very broad one."

Puck struck an easygoing pose, and deliberately patted the tuft of pure-white, scarf-like fur at his chest as he spoke.

"And what's more——"

Puck's tone shifted, and his face abruptly took on the chiseled, hard-cut look of a rugged tough guy. Raising one eyebrow, he fixed the crowd with a thunderous expression and declared:

"In front of me, Garfiel here is nothing more than a little kitty~"

The instant those words left his mouth, the whole room fell silent, and nearly everyone sank into an eerie hush.

Some were struck dumb with shock, while others were still savoring it.

"Eugh, why do I suddenly feel a chill run through me?"

Felt rubbed her arms, as though Puck's ridiculous expression just now had given her goosebumps all over.

And in truth she wasn't the only one—even Julius and the old Sword Demon felt the same.

That petite little body of Puck's paired with such a bewitching expression—no matter how you looked at it, it was downright bizarre.

Poor old Wilhelm, advanced in years as he was, had to muster all his strength to hold it together for the sake of etiquette—at least on the surface, his face betrayed nothing.

Yet, contrary to everyone else's reaction, Emilia adorably clutched her belly and burst out laughing.

"Pfft… pffbahaha, Puck, that face of yours… hahaha! I can't take it, it's really too funny!"

Emilia lightly wiped away a tear with her finger, a sweet smile still lingering on her face.

Easily amused as she already was, even though she had just clashed with Ram a moment ago—

under the influence of her naturally innocent nature, together with that mysterious line just now urging everyone to stay calm, she found herself laughing quite naturally.

In this moment, she seemed to have briefly turned back into that carefree Emilia.

"Lia, you laughed! Wonderful!"

Puck exclaimed, his face lighting up with delight.

It was then that Emilia gradually came to her senses—so the ridiculous face Puck had deliberately pulled just now had been to cheer her up?

"Puck, were you worried about me?"

"Mm, Lia, your state just now was really off. It bothered me."

Puck floated directly in front of Emilia, arms crossed over his chest.

As he spoke, a smug grin suddenly spread across his face.

"Besides, there's a bit of selfishness on my part in this too."

Puck gave a cutesy wink, then stuck out his tender pink tongue and said:

"As an old father, it's been so long since I received a smile from my daughter—that's a grave dereliction of duty, you know!"

"Honestly, Puck's saying those strange things again."

Emilia gave a helpless smile, reaching out both hands to gently cradle Puck, meeting his gaze.

"Thank you, Puck. I know you'll always stay by my side, right?"

Emilia held her smile as she softly asked.

"But of course! After all, I love Lia most of all!"

Puck planted his hands on his hips and declared it with proud, matter-of-fact confidence.

But in a place he failed to notice, Emilia slowly lowered her head, a flicker of irritable, blood-red color flashing through her eyes.

Liar! He tricked me! Liar—he deceived me!—

If that were true, then why, back in the Sanctuary, did he take the initiative to dissolve his contract with her and abandon her all alone?

If it hadn't been for Subaru… if it hadn't been for Subaru, she truly had no idea what she would have become!—

She'd probably have gone straight mad amid trial after trial, wouldn't she?

So it's Puck who's at fault—it's Puck who didn't keep his promise properly...!—

With her head bowed, Emilia was once again enveloped in a gloomy, obsessive, low-pressure aura.

But just then, Puck suddenly leapt up from Emilia's palm and pressed his forehead against hers, closing his eyes contentedly as he said:

"Lia, please believe me. No matter what happens, I will always stay by your side."

Emilia felt the warmth between their brows, and the feelings conveyed through it, and her rigid body relaxed bit by bit.

Indeed, no matter what, Puck loved her—of that there was no doubt.

Though Emilia still felt wronged that Puck had abandoned her back in the Sanctuary, and thought Puck was a great big fool!—

But… never mind. Puck should be happy every single day.

Emilia raised her head, gazing at Puck with a tender yet helpless look, silently telling herself so in her heart.

"Subaru, believe me. No matter what happens, I'll stay by your side... mm-hmm, good, I don't think I got it wrong!"

Off to the side, Betty was staring intently at every bit of interaction between Emilia and Puck.

At the same time, her hands never stopped, jotting down every last detail of it into her little notebook.

Learned it… I've truly learned it, I suppose!

Big brother came in person to teach the method of nurturing affection with one's contractor—how utterly precious!

Come next time, this can surely be put to good use on Subaru, I suppose!

At this moment Betty's little face was flushed red with excitement—partly out of shyness.

But more than that, it was from imagining just how much devastating impact it would have when she said such words to Subaru someday!

"Hmph hmph, who told Subaru to always spout those sappy, ticklish lines at me before—this time it's Betty's turn, I suppose!"

In a place no one else noticed, Betty proudly planted her hands on her hips, thoroughly pleased.

And soon enough the little interlude came to an end, and everyone's attention returned once more to viewing the screen.

____

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