"It's alright now, Natsuki Subaru, I'm here."
Carlisle's voice was as reassuring as ever, but if one listened closely, they would detect a slight tremor in his words. He knelt on the ground, his hands gently steadying Natsuki Subaru's shoulders, his gaze filled with worry.
The girl slumped to the ground, seemingly not yet recovered from the recent danger. Tears streamed down her face, dripping onto the ground, but she was oblivious. Her eyes were unfocused until Carlisle's voice reached her ears, and only then did she seem to awaken, slowly lifting her head to look at him.
In that moment, fear, relief, dependence, and infatuation, all emotions intertwined, assailing her heart incessantly, transforming into an uncontrollable impulse. Then, like a young swallow returning to its nest, she suddenly threw herself into Carlisle's embrace, her arms wrapped tightly around his waist, as if afraid he would suddenly disappear.
Her face was buried in his chest, her tears soaking his clothes. Her body trembled continuously, emitting faint sobs, sobs filled with heartbreaking grievance.
"I'm so scared… Carlisle…"
Carlisle was momentarily stunned by her action but quickly reacted. His hands gently embraced her back, his movements soft yet firm. "It's alright, Natsuki Subaru. I'll always be here; I won't let anyone hurt you."
His palm gently stroked her back, as if dispelling all her fear and unease.
The others present, even Felt, did not disturb them. She stood to the side, silently watching the scene with a complex gaze.
Emilia stood nearby, filled with self-reproach. Her gaze fell on Natsuki Subaru; she had pushed her away with her body, blocking that fatal attack. If Natsuki Subaru hadn't had that layer of defensive magic, what would the consequences have been? The moment this thought appeared, Emilia Felt a chill run from her spine to the top of her head, making her afraid to continue thinking.
Her fingers clenched tightly, "Natsuki Subaru… I'm sorry, it's all because of me…"
An indescribable guilt surged in her heart, feeling a heavy stone pressing on her chest, making it hard to breathe. How could such a great debt of gratitude ever be repaid?
"Thank you… Carlisle…"
Natsuki Subaru slowly released her hands, with a hint of reluctance, then gently wiped her tear-stained face. Perhaps because she hadn't fully recovered from the recent danger and emotion, her movements were a bit clumsy, but her gaze never left Carlisle's face.
Carlisle looked at her expression and softly said, "Alright, please don't cry anymore. If you cry any more, your cute face will be all messed up."
Natsuki Subaru couldn't help but let out a small laugh at his words. Her tears had not yet dried, but a smile had already bloomed on her face. Understanding that he wanted to lighten her mood, she softly replied, "You… you're usually so serious, but now you're saying things like this."
"As long as it makes you smile."
"Haha… that's too cunning… if I didn't know your personality, I would definitely think you were a frivolous man."
Natsuki Subaru's eyes flickered slightly, and she couldn't help but stare at Carlisle's face, her eyes filled with an indescribable happiness.
Carlisle noticed her gaze. He looked at the happiness in her eyes and silently thought, "Did I make her happy? That's good… Is this… the happiness of being able to live?"
Was this the happiness of being able to "live"? Carlisle didn't know, but this answer was only half right in the girl's heart.
Seeing the two separate, Felt walked forward and asked, "So what now? I didn't expect her to still be alive. You froze her into a big block of ice, what are you going to do with her?"
"I didn't expect The Bowel Hunter to have a power similar to immortality…"
Carlisle Felt that Natsuki Subaru's emotions had stabilized, so he turned to Felt and replied, "Since we've captured The Bowel Hunter alive, we must find a way to find out who her employer is."
"That's true. So the person behind her wants the emblem that represents a Royal Selection Candidate, right?"
"Possibly. It's a good opportunity to deal with your problem at the same time. Let's bring Old Man Rom along too."
Felt pouted, a hint of dissatisfaction in her tone, "It seems no matter how much I object, it's useless? It's true that nothing good happens when I meet you."
"I'm sorry, but I promise you, I will protect you."
With that, he raised his index finger and gently touched Felt's forehead, softly chanting, "May the spirit of magic shelter you."
Felt's body trembled slightly, feeling a warm power spread from her forehead throughout her body. She looked at Carlisle, who was emitting a faint glow, suppressed her shyness, snorted, and turned her head away: "That protection magic… and it's designed to only activate by touching the forehead… the inventor of this magic must be a pervert."
Carlisle was momentarily stunned, then chuckled helplessly, "Why does touching the forehead make one a pervert…? I'm truly sorry, I created this magic."
Felt's face flushed slightly, but her tone remained strong, "Hmph, I won't apologize."
Carlisle shook his head. "It's alright, after all, I dragged you into this."
Felt glared at him, saying with dissatisfaction, "You, don't you ever get angry?"
"I do, but I won't get angry at you all."
Felt's face turned even redder. "Ugh… next time you go out, the helmet you wear had better have the mouth sewn shut."
Just then, Carlisle Felt someone gently tugging at his clothes. He looked down and saw Natsuki Subaru looking up, exposing her forehead, her face full of anticipation.
Carlisle was momentarily stunned, then couldn't help but chuckle softly. Then he raised his index finger again, gently touched Natsuki Subaru's forehead, and softly chanted, "May the spirit of magic shelter you."
Seeing Natsuki Subaru's happy and contented expression, Carlisle turned to the remaining two.
"Oh, and let's add Old Man Rom and Lady Emilia too."
Hearing this, Old Man Rom frowned, a hint of discomfort on his face. He scratched his head. "Do these old bones of mine still need this kind of protection?"
"Regardless of age, safety is always paramount. Please rest assured, this magic will not cause you any burden."
"Old Man Rom, why are you being so coy? Let this guy pay back some favors first." This was Felt's voice.
Carlisle then added the protection magic to the two as well. Afterward, Old Man Rom awkwardly shifted his body, muttering softly, "This kind of magic really takes some getting used to."
Emilia, however, had no special reaction, simply looking as if she had noted the favor.
"Alright, then let's go."
"Now? Where to?"
"To a friend of mine. She should be the strongest in the world right now."
...
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