"So, Felt, if you don't mind, I'd like for you to become my little sister. I promise, I will absolutely protect and care for you." Seeing the emotions were about right, Takeru approached her again, took her hand, and spoke sincerely.
"Really... really? Someone like me..." Hearing Takeru say this, Felt's tears fell again, turning into sobs.
"Of course. Felt is the best." Hearing her words, Takeru gently embraced her.
Having retrieved the insignia, Emilia, out of gratitude, didn't leave immediately but stood waiting for Takeru.
"Let go of Felt!" After a while, a huge figure quickly approached through the night. Seeing Takeru holding Felt, he directly swung a spiked club.
"Wait, Rom!" Hearing the voice, Felt turned back in a panic and called out.
However, Rom couldn't stop his swing and the club went straight for Takeru's head. Yet, at the critical moment, Takeru merely extended his hand slightly and easily blocked the attack.
"Felt, are you alright?!" Seeing Takeru block the attack, Rom was also somewhat shocked, but he was more worried about Felt's safety at the moment.
"Rom, I'm fine. It was Takeru-nii and that woman who saved me." Hearing Rom's worried words, Felt quickly spoke. She was worried Takeru might see Rom as a bad guy too and breathe fire on him… that would be terrifying.
"Rude. My name is Emilia." Hearing Felt's address, Emilia said somewhat annoyed.
"You being safe is what matters. But, you just called him 'nii'?" Seeing Felt was fine, Rom sighed in relief, but then realized Felt's address for Takeru was off.
"Mm-hmm. Starting today, Felt is my little sister. I'll protect her well." Hearing Rom's doubt, Takeru directly spoke.
"This... Felt, is what he says true?" Hearing Takeru, Rom frowned deeply.
Having been with Felt for so many years, he had long considered her family. So, when she didn't show up for the planned trade after so long, he rushed over out of worry.
"Mm-hmm. What Nii-san says is true." Hearing Rom's concern, Felt nodded seriously.
Seeing Felt didn't seem threatened, and Takeru appeared extraordinary, inspiring goodwill, plus his earlier block, Rom understood Takeru was no ordinary person.
"Is that so? If it's your choice, I understand. Kid, I hope you keep your promise. Otherwise, I won't let you off." Thinking this, Rom sighed and said seriously to Takeru.
"Of course." Hearing him, Takeru directly nodded.
"Rom..." Seeing Rom's care for her even at parting, Felt's eyes shimmered with tears.
Seeing this, Takeru gently ruffled her hair. "I can see how much you care for Felt. I'll be taking Felt from you now. As compensation, please accept this."
Takeru spoke softly, directly taking the bag of holy gold coins from his inventory.
"Kid, what do you mean by this? Are you looking down on me?!" Hearing Takeru's words, Rom said somewhat angrily.
"No. I can tell you're not in a legitimate line of work right now. While I won't interfere with personal career choices, that kind of work isn't safe. So, I hope you can use these holy gold coins to live well or perhaps open another shop."
"After all, I don't want Felt to hear bad news about you when she visits next time." Looking at Rom, Takeru spoke seriously.
"Mm-hmm, Rom. Since Nii-san says so, please accept it." Hearing Takeru's words, Felt directly urged.
"I understand. Since you both say so, I'll accept. But if I find out you treat Felt poorly, I'll take her back." Hearing both Takeru and Felt, Rom spoke softly.
"Mm-hmm." Hearing his words, Takeru nodded lightly.
With matters settled, Takeru, with Felt and Emilia, bid farewell to Rom and left the slums.
"Thank you so much today. If it weren't for you, I'd probably be in danger." At parting, Emilia looked seriously at Takeru.
"No. I should thank you. After all, you helped me gain a sister. But, Felt, you need to properly apologize to Lia." Hearing her words, Takeru lightly shook his head, then looked at Felt beside him.
"I know. I'm sorry. But if it's something precious, you should keep it safe. Don't let it get stolen next time." Hearing Takeru, Felt, understanding the situation, obediently apologized, though she couldn't help adding a quip.
"Hearing you advise me to beware of thieves feels quite peculiar." Hearing Felt, Emilia couldn't help but laugh.
"Oh no! I forgot to keep some holy gold coins!" Suddenly, Takeru slapped his forehead.
"Eh? Takeru, you're out of money?" Hearing Takeru, Emilia asked in surprise.
"Mm-hmm. I gave all the money to Rom earlier. I was originally planning to use that money to buy a place to stay." Hearing her, Takeru said regretfully.
"This..." Hearing Takeru, both Felt and Emilia were stunned.
"I'm really sorry, Felt. I just promised to take good care of you, and on the very first night, I might make you sleep on the streets." Takeru apologized to the still dazed Felt.
"Eh?! Um... if you don't mind, you could stay at my place for now!" Hearing Takeru, Emilia quickly spoke up.
"Is that really okay?" Hearing Emilia, Takeru asked hesitantly.
"Of course! Not only did you help me get back the insignia, you saved my life. Please don't be shy about something this small." Hearing Takeru, Emilia quickly added.
"In that case, I understand. Then I'll trouble you. Thank you so much, Lia." Hearing her, Takeru spoke seriously.
From the start, giving the money to Felt or Rom was part of Takeru's plan.
Knowing he had nowhere to go, given Emilia's nature, she naturally wouldn't let Takeru, who helped her, end up on the streets. So, staying at the Roswaal Mansion was a logical step.
Takeru naturally had plans. Whether it was Ram, Rem, or Beatrice, he had many ideas.
Also, there would be encounters with the Witch Cult there. If handled well, achieving an S+ or even higher EX rating wasn't impossible.
With everything settled, Takeru, with Felt, followed Emilia directly towards the Roswaal Mansion.
The journey was somewhat long, and by the time they arrived, it was around 9 p.m.
Passing through the courtyard, which is more like a field, Takeru and the others entered the enormous mansion.
Looking at the scene inside, Takeru felt some emotion. If his own home had such a large courtyard, it would be more than enough for Miu and the others to train normally.
Felt, entering such a luxurious place for the first time, was also somewhat dazed.
"Eh? Takeru, Felt, is something wrong?" Seeing Takeru and Felt's somewhat off expressions, Emilia asked nervously.
"No, Emilia. This is the mansion of the Margrave of the Kingdom of Lugnica's borderlands, Roswaal L. Mathers, right?" Hearing her, Takeru directly spoke.
Given Takeru's earlier displays of knowledge, he naturally couldn't pretend to be ignorant now.
"Yes. I'm sorry, Takeru. I didn't mean to hide my identity. Actually, I have another status. I am one of the 42nd generation candidates for the throne of the Kingdom of Lugnica. And Roswaal is my supporter." Hearing Takeru, Emilia apologized.
"No need to apologize. I was just curious." Hearing her, Takeru lightly shook his head.
"Mm-hmm." Seeing Takeru didn't mind, Emilia sighed in relief and showed a smile again.