As he pushed down the huge pile of documents, Otto listened to Subaru and the others as they sat on the sofa in the reception area.
He took out the necessary documents from the archives and occasionally wrote on them with his quill.
He draws out the formula on a piece of paper, does some calculations, writes it down on a document, and stamps it while referring to the description on a nearby document.
His smooth movements and busy eye movements made me wonder if he was paying attention to me, but judging from the interjections he inserted here and there, he didn't seem to be ignoring me.
As Emilia watched Otto work with an impressed look on her face, Subaru explained in detail what they had done up until that point and their true intentions. And at almost the exact same time that Subaru finished telling the whole story, Otto clattered his quill back into its holder.
"What, you want to improve the relationship between siblings? ...If that's the case, you should have come to me for advice."
"What do you mean?"
"Basically, you wanted advice tailored to your situation from someone with siblings, right? In that case, I think I, who has siblings both older and younger than you, would be better able to give you advice than all of you only children, you know."
Subaru couldn't help but scoff at Otto's confident attitude.
He had never questioned Otto about his family situation before, but if he believed what he said, it seemed he was the middle child with an older brother and a younger brother. If that was the case, then he was definitely the advisor Subaru and the others were desperate to get their hands on right now.
However, Subaru has some concerns:
"But you were kicked out of your house because you were a poor performer, right? If you had a happy family relationship, it would be one thing, but hearing the story of someone who ended up being estranged from their family isn't going to be very helpful."
"Who do you think was disowned because they were disappointed with their performance?! I've never said anything like that before! My older brother took over the family business, so as the second son, I took up peddling as a matter of freedom! Even so, I think I'm quicker thinking than my older brothers and younger brothers."
"You're the only one who thinks that way, and your family is just relieved that they got rid of that nuisance."
"Are you unhappy about me being here?"
As Otto slammed his head on the desk and turned red in the face, Subaru shook his head and said, "Not at all."
Just thinking about what would happen if Otto wasn't there was terrifying. However, before expressing gratitude, I would just blurt out some nasty remark.
This is perhaps one of the unique virtues that Otto Suen possessed.
"But for some reason, Otto doesn't give off the vibe of being someone I can rely on. I wonder why… even though he's helped me so much."
"Eh, even Emilia-sama..."
Emilia, who had her hand on her chin and was deep in thought, spoke for Subaru. It seemed that she, like Subaru, had been a victim of Otto's virtue.
In inverse proportion to his abilities, he is a man whose reliability fades away.
"What a sinful bastard you are, causing Emilia-tan so much trouble."
"That's an excessive accusation! What did I do?"
"So, Otto-kun. If possible, I'd be grateful if you could tell me what you think we should do about those two."
"You've cut straight to the point! What's with you two acting like master and servant!"
After a moment of over-reaction, Otto's face turned to one of realization that there was no point in making a fuss. He slammed the back of his chair, ran a hand through his grey hair, and
"Well, I think the most important thing is how you feel about each other. From what I can see, there's no problem with Garfiel. His stubbornness is typical of a child, and deep down he loves his family, so I can see him wanting to make up."
"Yeah, I think so too. I think Garfiel wants to make amends. It seems Frederica is the one who can't seem to come to an agreement."
"Frederica is in a slightly difficult position. As the older sister, I think that in order to make amends, she, as the elder sister, will need to give in. However, from what I have heard, Frederica is not at fault. Can she simply demonstrate her capacity as an older sister? The extent to which she can tolerate the tantrums of her younger sister will be the focal point of this situation... What happened?"
Subaru stared at Otto as he explained his reasons in a logical order.
"The opinions were a lot more serious than I expected, so I was wondering where I should put in some humor..."
"This is a serious matter, so you should follow a serious process and reach a serious conclusion!"
"Sorry. Due to my lack of ability, I wasn't able to deal with your complicated introduction..."
"Do you want to solve this problem or stir it up?!"
Of course I want to clean up, but it's hard to go against this basic desire.
Putting aside the usual exchange between Subaru and Otto, Emilia nodded, impressed by Otto's words.
Then Emilia continued, "Well then..."
"The thing we need to resolve first is Frederica's feelings, right?"
"Well, I think that's likely. Frederica doesn't seem to be so upset that she can't forgive Garfiel, after all. In reality, I don't think it'll be that complicated. It's the kind of thing that only time will solve..."
"I don't want to let it end like that, so I want to do something about it as soon as possible, isn't that your goal? What on earth were you listening to from start to finish, seriously?"
"You have no right to say that!"
Seeing that this was going to end in exactly the same way as before, Subaru snorted in contempt. Otto was indignant, but Subaru continued, "In that case," as if to provoke him further,
"In what situations would you show the magnanimity that an older man should show? If you had a younger brother, there must have been times when you fought and showed your big brother's generosity. I want to see those experiences, I want to hear them, I want to sing them."
"Please spare me the part about wanting to see and sing, but let me tell you, it's an experience story. In truth, despite how it may seem, I had a fairly harmonious relationship with my family. There were other brothers besides me, and my parents were kind… well, I remember we had a fight…"
"It's useless!!"
"Wh, what are you saying! Isn't it fine for a family to have a happy relationship? You think a relationship that has never had a fight can't be genuine? That's not true! What do you have to say about a happy relationship without any major issues!"
"At least I drew the worst card in this situation!"
One would think that Otto would be able to pull out some very insightful words, but he had absolutely nothing left.
Normally, he was able to handle Subaru's unreasonable demands to a certain extent, so his relationships with his family probably never reached a boiling point where insults were flying around.
Or perhaps everyone in the Suen family is just as prone to being toyed with as Otto. It may be peaceful, but it is only a temporary paradise because there are no oppressors.
"A young master raised in a hothouse..."
"I feel like I was cursed at really badly, but was it just my imagination?!"
"...n/a"
Otto shouted at Subaru, who was letting his imagination take flight and cursing him. Emilia, who had been watching the exchange, suddenly put her hand over her mouth and let out an uncontrollable smile.
Emilia, who had attracted their attention with a smile, shook her head slightly, and,
"No, I'm sorry. Somehow, the exchange between the two of you just now seemed like a really friendly exchange… isn't it exactly like they're brothers?"
"I think my older and younger brothers treated me better..."
"Don't say that, big brother. I hadn't noticed, but that's just how you were treated at home. Look at the reality, big brother."
"Shut up!"
Otto no longer had the energy to even try and answer back. Subaru pouted at his attitude and kept repeating "Big Brother, Big Brother, Big Brother, Big Brother, Big Brother-sama, Big Brother-sama." Emilia, who was watching, suddenly clapped her hands.
"Oh, then how do you two always make up? I think Otto-kun is always the one giving in, so if we could find out that, we might be a little closer to the answer."
"Otto is always the one giving in so naturally."
"So, Subaru will give it to you first?"
"Even if I were to succumb to anyone else in this world… I cannot succumb to Otto, only to Otto…!"
"Shut up!"
Otto blew the monkey joke away with a quick, angry yell, and scratched his temples in thought. He seemed to be seriously examining Emilia's words, trying to come up with an answer.
"Umm, what do you do when I get into an argument with Natsuki-san...?"
"Well, it's mostly just a case of just letting it go!"
"I got such an unexpected answer that I didn't even know what to do!"
Emilia stood up and stroked Otto, who was holding his head on the desk, as if to comfort him. Subaru was jealous of Emilia's kindness, but it didn't seem like he was gaining anything from this situation, so he brushed her off and stood up.
"Well, it was helpful. For now, let's try contacting Frederica, and depending on the results, we'll move towards carrying out Emilia-tan's plan."
"You know, if you're just being a busybody, it might end up being a waste of your time like that?"
"I think that's much better than actually breaking any bones. Would you agree?"
"--Haa."
Hearing Subaru's answer, Otto sighed in resignation.
The corners of Otto's mouth slackened, which seemed to be an answer to the question.
Emilia must have sensed the same thing Subaru had in Otto's expression, as she stretched lightly on the spot and smiled at Otto.
"Well then, Subaru and I will be off. I'm sorry to disturb you at work, Otto-kun, even though you're busy."
"No, no, I was the one who invited you. Besides, I'm surrounded by mountains of paperwork that are suffocating. Taking a break every once in a while would make me feel a little better..."
Responding to Emilia's concern, Otto's expression suddenly changed.
"But anyway, why should I go through all this trouble and work so hard on the paperwork for Margrave Mathers's territory…? Before I knew it, I was helping with some incomprehensible domestic affairs, and even getting permission to view the records of the territory's management… I was only supposed to be trying to submit an estimate for the purchase price of the oil…"
"Oops, Emilia-tan. If we continue this much, it will be a hindrance to Otto's work. Let's all hold hands and leave the room together!"
"Eh? Ah, okay, I understand."
Placing his hand on his forehead, Otto began to have doubts about his current situation, so Subaru left him behind. Taking advantage of the confusion, Subaru took Emilia's hand and headed out of Otto's office. As he put his hand on the door and was about to leave, Otto was standing behind him.
"Ah, Natsuki-san――"
"Huh? What is it? Don't worry. It's not a mistake that you're sitting there, or hypnotism, or advanced suggestion or anything like that. I was simply led astray by a skillful conversationalist..."
Subaru turned around and his words were cut off mid-sentence.
This was because the way Otto was looking at Subaru seemed a little too serious to continue with the lighthearted chat. As if he was about to talk about something serious.
Subaru kept his mouth shut, and next to him Emilia tilted her head. With the two of them in his field of vision, Otto wavered for just a moment, hesitating.
However, that memory dissipated in the brief moment that Emilia looked back.
"--No, it's nothing."
"What is it? I'm curious. If you were going to say something, then say it."
"That's something I would like to do, but… well, at the moment it's like grasping at straws. I'll talk about it once things start looking a little more hopeful. There are still many aspects of this that I don't know whether it will be helpful or a cause for concern."
Scratching his head, Otto concluded the reason for his hesitation.
Subaru looked at Otto silently for a moment, hoping that he would change his mind, but then he sat down in his chair, picked up his quill,
"I'm going back to work, so I'll leave Garfiel to you. If the military officers can't do their jobs well, the civil servants can't work in peace in the rear."
"--I understand. But, when you're able to say it, please say it, Interior Minister."
"Yes, of course... Uh, a civil official? An internal affairs official...?"
"Let's go, Emilia-tan. If we stay any longer, we'll just get in the way!"
Leaving Otto, who was once again beginning to worry about his own misunderstanding of his position, Subaru hurriedly left the room, pulling Emilia's hand.
Emilia's eyes widened, but just before the door closed, she turned to Otto,
"Ah, well, well, Otto-kun, take good care of yourself!"
He left the room, making a noise that was hard to tell if it was a sign of concern or a kick to the butt.
※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※
Leaving "Otto's Office", Subaru and Emilia's course of action was finally solidifying. Or rather, what had already been solidified was mixed with the impurity of Otto's opinion, and somehow it was about to be put into action in that solidified state.
"Now that I think about it, it was a waste of time..."
"Don't say that. What Otto-kun said, erm, well, you see…yeah, you see, um, you see…wasn't it helpful?"
"The way she ends it with a question mark shows Emilia-tan's honesty that she can't hide, it's so cute."
While praising Emilia for her desperate attempts to follow up, Subaru continued to search for Frederica following the directions outlined above.
For now, if there is a problem between the siblings, it is the older sister. Garfiel has already made up his mind. All that remains is Frederica's resolve, and the trigger for that decision――
"Oh, this isn't Subaru, Emily. What are you doing?"
"cormorant"
"a"
Subaru held his breath uncomfortably at the voice that came from behind him as he walked, while Emilia turned around with a look of genuine surprise on her face.
Standing before their eyes was a girl in a dress with braided dark indigo hair.
She is under ten years old, even younger than Petra and Beatrice. She is wearing the same extravagant dress as Beatrice, but the decorative elements are simpler than those of the girl with the vertical rolls. Her eyes are stern and her face is dignified, which doesn't match her young age.
The girl's name is Annerose Millord.
She is the eldest child of the Milord family, who are taking care of Subaru and his friends, and is in a position to welcome Subaru and his friends in place of the head of the family, who is currently absent from the mansion.
Of course, the various arrangements were handled by Clind and other capable members of the household, but Annerose's direction was imposing.
As a leader, he had the determination to lead others - that was something he had formed at a young age.
The Milord family is a branch of a magical family that originated from Roswaal's birthplace, the Mathers family. Annerose already has the mettle to one day inherit that family.
Subaru doesn't like Annerose very much, as this seems to be the reason why she lacks any element of childlike cuteness. However, when he meets her as a person, the girl, who is nearly ten years younger than him, seems far more accomplished than him.
However, on the other hand, Emilia's reaction next to Subaru was very clear,
"Oh come on, Anne. I've told you many times that I'm not Emily, I'm Emilia."
「Oh, I'm sorry Emily. But, if you say that, then it's your fault for hesitating when introducing yourself in the beginning. Besides, I think it's easier to call you Emily than Emilia, and it's cuter.」
"Really? I don't really mind, but... it can't be helped."
With that, he allowed Annerose to call him that.
As we saw, Emilia has been strangely close with Annerose ever since they first met. When I asked her why, she replied that they just got along so well.
Apparently Annerose has similar feelings towards Emilia, and does not show any negative feelings towards her, even when she is in front of the half-elf. Or perhaps they are mentally well-balanced, but this in itself can be said to be a problematic reason when considering Emilia's age.
"By the way, what were you doing with Subaru, Emily? Were you having a rendezvous?"
"Oh, does it seem that way? Did you see it? Oh my, so it must have seemed that way because you're so close. You get all embarrassed when you're embarrassed, Emilia-tan."
"No, it's not like that at all. We were just plotting something together."
"You know my feelings, but you're just going to cut me off!"
Annerose looked curious, perhaps because she was old enough to have heard of it, but Emilia simply shook her head. Annerose also didn't seem to have any particular expectations, and sighed, looking down on Subaru and saying, "That's right."
The look in her eyes now was completely mocking Subaru's timidity. But she didn't think it was Subaru's fault. Subaru was making sure to make his point. It was just that Emilia's way of deflecting it had gotten a little better than before.
"I will hear about your evil plan later, but have you two seen Clind? I have business with him and he is nowhere to be found."
"If you're wondering, Clind-san was watching over Petra and Beatrice earlier."
"...Emily, that's how you put it."
That alone seemed to have revealed the situation, as Annerose's face showed a sour look.
Having known Clind for a long time, she would be well aware of his nature. After all, his uncontrollable "Lolita Spirit" is usually directed only at his master, Annerose. There's no need to explain its strength, sharpness, and helplessness.
"She said she bought some delicious sweets and wants to share them with the two of them. I wonder if she has some for us too. I'm really curious."
"...I don't think that Clind would be so rude, so I think so. I even brought some to my place along with some tea."
"Oh, I see. I'm looking forward to it."
Emilia clasps her hands in joy, while Annerose looks on with a smile.
Their positions in terms of height and age were completely reversed. Though it was a heartwarming scene, Subaru couldn't help but tilt his head slightly.
Then, noticing Subaru tilting his head in this way, Annerose's blue eyes narrowed.
「At this point, it won't be a problem for Emily and Subaru who seem to be bored. I have a small favor to ask of you, would you mind accompanying me?」
"Hey, hey. We may look like we have a lot of free time, but that's not actually the case. We may look like we have a lot of free time, but in reality, we're just planning a proactive plan to use this free time to eliminate any future worries…"
"What is it that you would like to ask? I'd be happy to help you if I could..."
Subaru was spinning long and drawn-out excuses, but Emilia was simply accepting the situation. Annerose smiled at Emilia and looked at the two of them with eyes that were too mature for a nine-year-old,
"I wanted to surprise my uncle, and it was also a little consideration for my maid, who I've known for many years."
________________________________________
Without realizing it, the moat around him has been filled and Otto has nowhere to run.
Which one will it be tomorrow?