Re:Zero - Reincarnated on a Co-op Route

[General Pov]

"Kaoru-sama, Subaru-sama, our master, Mr. Roswaal, is back. Please come with us," Rem and Ram said in perfect synchronization.

"So he's here... I'm curious to see him," Kaoru admitted as he looked at Subaru. He nodded, somewhat more serious than usual, as we started walking down the halls.

In no time we arrived at the large dining room. There, was Beatrice, sitting with her usually serious, yet slightly relaxed expression.

"Is that Loli?" muttered Subaru, leaning toward Beatrice. "I thought she wouldn't come out of the library."

Beatrice grumbled and turned her head with a haughty air. "I'm here to see Puck, not socialize with you two, I guess."

Subaru let out a sigh, but before he could say anything out of place, Kaoru grabbed his shoulder and pulled him towards him. "Remember the plan: no fooling around. Low profile. We're two simple guys from a village outside Lugunica, remember? We came here looking for a better life. Our language is the same, but we use a different writing system. Record that."

Subaru nodded earnestly, repeating under his breath what he had just told him. Although, honestly, he couldn't entirely trust her to remember it verbatim if someone started asking her questions.

At that moment, Emilia entered the dining room with Puck resting comfortably on her shoulder.

"Hello, Betty. I haven't seen you in four days. Have you been doing well acting like a lady?" said Puck with a smile, cocking his head to one side with a playful gesture.

Beatrice's eyes lit up at once. "Packy!" she exclaimed, raising her hands toward the cat with an expression that couldn't hide her joy. "I was hoping you'd come back! You'll stay with me, won't you?" she said, gesturing impatiently for Puck to jump into her arms.

"Yes, of course. We can finally relax a bit," Puck replied in a relaxed tone, letting himself fall into her small hands.

Suddenly, a tall figure with long blue hair, extravagant attire that looked like a hybrid between nobility and circus, and makeup that bordered on theatrical made her entrance into the room with an unmistakable air.

"Oh, Beatrice~. How nice to see you here! Glad you decided to join us for dinner~" the man said, stretching out the words with a melodious tone.

Beatrice, petting Puck without even looking at him, replied in her usual aloof manner, "I'm only here for Packy, not you, I guess. I've had enough dealing with these two knuckleheads."

"I was just waiting for my Packy!" he added, squeezing the spirit cat a little in his arms.

Meanwhile, Subaru and Kaoru watched the newcomer with obvious curiosity mixed with wariness.

"They brought a buffoon? I'll never understand rich people," Subaru whispered, leaning toward Kaoru.

"He has all the appearance of being one, if I'm being honest," Kaoru replied quietly, stifling a smile. "Although... I think it's Mr. Roswaal."

"You really think so?" Subaru arched an eyebrow, glancing sideways at the flamboyant character.

Before he could respond, Roswaal turned to us, his smile widening as if he had heard every word. "Why, if it isn't my two dear guests~!" he exclaimed in a tone that seemed to dance between cordial and theatrical.

"Rem and Ram have told me a little bit about what they did for Miss Emilia~. Subaru-kun, Kaoru-kun."

We both swallowed saliva as we heard our names come out of their lips with such familiarity.

"I forgot to introduce myself, how careless of me~. I'm Roswaal L. Mathers, the lord of this mansion~."

Subaru and I quickly looked at each other, exchanging a glance of silent determination.

"I would love for you to sit with me. There are some things I'd like to talk about~", Roswaal continued, his tone sweet, yet with a slightly unsettling undertone.

With nothing more to add, we nodded in unison, following him into the dining room with a mixture of curiosity and caution.

___________________________________________

Ram and Rem had prepared a banquet worthy of high nobility. The table was full of dishes that exuded a delicious aroma, from perfectly seasoned meats to side dishes that shone like culinary masterpieces.

Kaoru and Subaru couldn't contain themselves and eagerly devoured their dishes, savoring each bite as if it were the best they'd had in years.

"God, this tastes excellent," Kaoru commented with a smile, taking another piece of meat into his mouth. His happy expression made it clear how much he was enjoying the meal.

The last thing I ate before I came to this world was a bag of stale potato chips, Kaoru thought as he felt his soul finally find peace in a decent meal.

Subaru seemed to be in the same tune, devouring shamelessly. They both ate like there was no tomorrow, drawing disapproving looks from Ram, who maintained a dignified posture as he watched from the background.

"Was it the blue-haired one who did it?" asked Subaru suddenly, pointing to an empty plate as he wiped his lips.

Roswaal, who was elegantly leaning back in his chair, let out a slight chuckle. "Despite her looks~," he commented, looking at Rem, "she's an exceptional cook."

"And I suppose the pink-haired one is good at... cleaning, isn't she?" added Subaru, with a knowing grimace.

Rem, ever polite, nodded as he replied in his calm tone, "That's right. My sister excels at housework, especially cleaning."

Kaoru, noticing how Ram narrowed his eyes at Subaru, decided to interrupt before things got out of hand. "So, cooking, cleaning... does that mean you two basically run the mansion? If that's the case, we owe you guys a lot."

Rem's small smile seemed to widen at Kaoru's comment, while Ram simply turned his head, muttering something inaudible.

Subaru, as always, couldn't keep quiet. "Well, if it weren't for you guys, this place would surely be a mess. My respects. Although... it's still a bit intimidating having the police twins behind me."

"Police twins?" asked Kaoru, arching an eyebrow.

"Yeah, you know, I feel like a criminal every time they look at me. It's like they're silently judging me."

"Not silently, in my case," Ram replied immediately, eliciting a laugh from Roswaal that echoed throughout the room.

Roswaal leaned forward slightly in his seat, folding his hands in a gesture that combined elegance and a certain theatricality. "So, Subaru-kun, Kaoru-kun... I heard that they come from a small village outside of Lugunica, and they set out on a journey to the capital in search of better opportunities. Also, they have a different writing system, so they can't read or write. How interestingee~".

Kaoru kept his expression neutral, though inside he was already on high alert. Subaru, for his part, simply nodded with a somewhat nervous smile.

Roswaal tilted his head with an inquisitive glint in his eyes. "Do you even know the current situation in the kingdom?" his tone, while still friendly, became noticeably more serious.

Kaoru and Subaru exchanged a brief glance before nodding in unison.

"Yes," Kaoru replied, taking control of the conversation. "We know that Lugunica doesn't have a king at the moment and that there are five candidates for the throne. That was told to me by an old sage in the capital."

Roswaal raised his eyebrows, feigning surprise. "Oh, really? Then they should know that Emilia is one of the candidates, shouldn't they?"

Kaoru immediately detected the intent behind that question. This idiot is testing me, he thought, but his face remained relaxed. "We didn't know. Miss Emilia mentioned it to me last night after I saved her. Until then, neither Subaru nor I had any idea that she was a candidate for the throne. We are practically ignorant about the kingdom, sir."

Subaru, aware of how delicate the situation was, decided to remain silent, something Kaoru was deeply grateful for.

Roswaal smiled with an ambiguous expression, watching them carefully before leaning back in his chair. "Oh, of course~. How inconsiderate of me. Living on the outskirts of Lugunica, it's clear you hardly know things about the kingdom. My apologies."

Kaoru breathed internally with relief as Roswaal continued:

"Emilia-sama told me that you saved her from a ruthless assassin. Surely, that is a feat that deserves to be rewarded." Roswaal interlaced his fingers, leaning forward slightly with a broad smile. "So, tell me, what is it you wish? You may ask for anything, and yours truly, Roswaal L. Mathers, will fulfill it."

Subaru and Kaoru looked at each other.

Subaru leaned forward energetically, resting both hands on the table as he exclaimed.

"Let me work here as your servant! But I also want free time to train. Besides, I want to learn to read and write—oh, and a salary!"

Kaoru couldn't help but smile slightly at Subaru's vehemence. At least the fool had the sense to ask for time to train and a salary. I'd be sorry to see him exploited by his own impulsiveness, he thought.

"Oh, I understand, Subaru-kun~," Roswaal replied, his tone musical as he nodded. "I will fulfill all those wishes. Work, home, education, free hours..."

"And a salary!" Subaru added, interrupting excitedly.

"Ah, yes... a teeny tiny salary," Roswaal completed with a smile.

The eccentric lord of the manor then turned his attention to Kaoru, whose eyes sparkled with a mixture of caution and planning.

"And you, dear Kaoru-kun, what do you wish to ask in return for your great act? I am very, very interested in hearing your wishes~".

"I want to stay here as a guest as long as I want. Eat as much as I want, sleep as much as I want, have access to the mansion's library, and also learn to write and read. Oh, and I would also like some accessories: wooden swords and training weights for arms and legs for me and Subaru."

Subaru stood in shock, staring at Kaoru with his mouth open. How could I not have thought of something like that, he thought, feeling stupid, but glad that Kaoru had taken his idiocy into consideration.

Roswaal cocked his head, clearly intrigued. "Oh, how greedy, Kaoru-kun~. But alright, alright... I'll fulfill your requests as soon as possible."

At that moment, a long, lazy yawn was heard from the end of the table. Everyone turned to look at Ram, who was simply watching them with a bored expression while covering her mouth.