Surprise! I've Transmigrated Again

How could an inexperienced elf maiden be a match for a battle-hardened military leader? She was completely outmaneuvered.

Just as Adam had predicted, Emilia suffered a thorough defeat.

The two spent the entire day in discussion, emerging only in the evening. One look at Emilia told him she hadn't gained any ground.

While Crusch maintained her usual composed leadership demeanor, Emilia's awkward and apologetic glance toward Adam revealed everything.

Though the outcome was clear to all present, her reaction was unbefitting of a qualified leader. Such behavior would only breed anxiety and disorder among her subjects.

As the saying goes:

[Remain unmoved when Mount Tai crumbles before you, keep your gaze steady when deer spring up at your side - only then can you control advantage and disadvantage, and be ready to face the enemy.]

Leadership begins with mastering one's heart — this art of the mind is essential for any ruler.

Emilia still has much to learn.

However, like Crusch, she must learn to treat victory and defeat with equal composure.

Well, let's leave that task to Adam for now.

He turned to the cat-eared man nearby, "Ahem, Felix, is Subaru-kun's treatment finished?"

"Nyaa... just today's session is done—nyaa." Felix wore a cute expression as he patted Subaru's head.

"Ouch!" Subaru yelped, then asked in confusion, "Wait, what do you mean today's session? Shouldn't I be fully healed?"

Felix scolded with a playful smile, "How could that be possible, silly Subaru! Your injuries are severe—the Gate isn't just a surface wound, it's very difficult to heal!"

"Are the injuries really that serious? I only feel heaviness in my limbs, nothing else." Subaru said with a bitter expression, clearly unwilling.

"Come now, Subaru, stop being childish. Your injuries are serious and you need plenty of rest."

"Yes, Emilia-tan is right!"

Subaru, who had been sulking just moments ago, immediately transformed into an obedient child at Emilia's gentle scolding.

"Well, since today's treatment is finished, shall we take our leave and return tomorrow?" As Emilia's Knight, Adam stepped in diplomatically to help her exit the awkward situation.

"Yes, then we'll take our leave, Head of House Karsten."

Emilia shot Adam a grateful look before addressing Crusch with her farewell.

"Please wait a moment." Crusch said, halting the group, "There's something I'd like to ask Sir Adam Carter, if I may?"

"If it's about recruitment, please withdraw the offer. I won't serve another lord." Adam said lightheartedly.

He knew Crusch wouldn't make such an awkward move, and said this to prevent any misunderstandings from Emilia and Subaru about their upcoming conversation.

"No, although I would like to recruit you, I know you would certainly refuse, so I won't waste words on that." Though Adam had meant it as a jest, Crusch answered with complete seriousness.

She was rather rigid, too by-the-book — a qualified leader and ruler, but not a very good friend.

"Then what would Lady Crusch like to ask of me?"

"About what you said at the Royal Selection ceremony... those words, I could sense no falsehood in them. Perhaps... do you have some plan, or reason to be so confident that Lady Emilia will absolutely become king no matter what?"

After saying this in one breath, she fixed her gaze on him while activating the〘Divine Protection of Wind Reading〙. She was reading his surface consciousness to determine if his next words would be lies.

However! I'll take that Divine Protection, thank you very much!

〘Divine Protection of Wind Reading〙, here we go!

"Hmm, regarding this question... to put it plainly, Emilia becoming King is inevitable, because it is [Fate's] arrangement, an undeniable outcome." Adam spoke with words that seemed both reckless and arrogant.

But Crusch could 'hear' that the man before her wasn't lying!

"I've never believed in fate. If possible, could you tell me what your plan is?"

"Well, in half a month — at most a month — Lady Crusch will know our plan." Adam said mysteriously, "At that time, not just Lady Crusch, but all Royal Selection Candidates will understand our plan."

He had hoped to pique Crusch's interest with this deliberately mysterious answer, but she wasn't an ordinary young girl.

Even if curious, she wouldn't pursue the question. Her years of negotiation experience had taught her that pressing for answers would give others the initiative, allowing them to lead her by the nose. This self-preservation instinct had served her well.

"Is that so? I look forward to seeing your plan that day." Crusch nodded and said solemnly, "I hope we won't have to cross swords too early."

"Please rest assured on that point, Lady Crusch. Not only will you not become our enemy, you'll actually be grateful to us."

Adam's words only deepened the mystery.

But Crusch maintained her reserve and turned to Wilhelm, "Wilhelm, please escort Lady Emilia and her knight."

"As you command, Lady Crusch." Wilhelm responded quietly, then bowed and guided Emilia, "Lady Emilia, Sir Knight Adam Carter, this way please."

"Well then, Subaru, we'll be going now." Emilia bid farewell to Subaru.

Because he needed treatment, he had to stay at Crusch's mansion for constant observation.

Originally Adam was also asked to stay, but he refused, explaining that it would be negligent of his knightly duties to let Emilia move about alone.

However, he agreed to come here every day to teach Felix the〘Heal〙skill.

Both sides reached an agreement on this point.

While walking towards the mansion's gate, Adam chatted with Wilhelm who was leading the way.

"Old Will, today's tea exchange was delightful, your tea was truly excellent."

"Not at all, Sir Adam's tea had a special flavor that opened this old one's eyes."

The two weren't merely exchanging pleasantries — they shared a genuine appreciation for each other's craft.

Unlike Ram's style of drawing out pure deliciousness from the tea leaves, Wilhelm's tea carried sweetness within its bitterness, much like his life story — the more one savored it, the more its rhythmic and lasting flavor revealed itself.

"By the way, Old Will, since we have such good chemistry with tea, shall we have a swordsmanship exchange tomorrow to see if we share the same rapport there?"

"Hahaha, I see Sir Adam simply wishes to cross swords with this old one."

"Oh my, was I that transparent? Well then, will you agree, Old Will?"

Wilhelm had seen through the youth's hidden intention, but Adam showed no embarrassment as he pressed for an answer.

"Could it be that your duel with the Sword Saint left you unsatisfied?"

"How to put it... Reinhard is very strong, but I couldn't sense his sword spirit. He's like an empty doll, merely swinging his sword."

"Merely swinging the sword... is it. You're not an arrogant person, Sir. It seems you have a special feeling for the sword." Wilhelm studied him carefully, then nodded, "Very well, I'll accept your request."

"Excellent! Then it's settled for tomorrow — you absolutely can't back out."

"Rest assured, once this old one gives his word, he won't evade it," Wilhelm replied firmly.

As he spoke, they arrived at the mansion's gate.

"Well then, Lady Emilia, Sir Knight Adam Carter, this old one will see you off here."

"Yes, please return. Thank you for escorting us, Butler Wilhelm."

"Please have a safe journey." Wilhelm said.

With that respectful farewell, Adam and Emilia departed for their hotel.

✧✧✧

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