74) Subaru's ambitious plans part 1
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{3rd Pov}
"Umm, Father…" Gloria mumbled shyly as she nestled herself closer to Subaru, her voice muffled as she snuggled up against him. Beatrice, sitting nearby, practically radiated envy, glaring daggers at Gloria while trying to maintain her usual pouty composure.
Gloria rubbed her cheek against Subaru's chest like a pampered child desperate for affection, clearly savoring the warmth and comfort he gave her.
Meanwhile, the maids had quietly begun to clear the dining table, taking the soiled dishes to the kitchen. After finishing their own meals in the servant quarters, they returned and began the process of cleaning the dishes.
However, Subaru had requested some small assistance for a matter that couldn't wait, and so Frederica decided to handle the dishwashing herself to free up Rem and Ram to help Subaru directly.
As the others busied themselves, Subaru turned to Rem and asked her to retrieve a map. He had made up his mind to hold an important discussion right there in the dining room, seeing as everyone was already gathered. It was convenient, and the matter at hand couldn't be postponed.
Subaru also brought out a collection of his personal notes, intricate designs, and detailed plans that he had been working on for some time.
Then Rem was sent to summon Roswaal, and not long after, the eccentric noble entered the room with hollow eyes.
Ram was sent to fetch Otto and Sylphy, who were still in the village at the time. Once they arrived and everyone had taken their seats, Subaru stood at the head of the table and began the meeting in earnest.
"Very well, I've come to a decision regarding our next course of action," Subaru announced in a serious tone, his voice firm and calm. "This is something that is crucial not only for Emilia's royal candidacy, but also for myself and for every single person who lives under our governance."
He paused for a moment, scanning the room and making eye contact with each of them before continuing. "The plan I've devised is divided into two key phases. The first concerns a venture I'm going to launch—a company that will provide us with a stable and robust financial foundation, while also giving us access to numerous useful connections throughout the kingdom and beyond."
He pulled out a scroll and unrolled it onto the table, revealing a logo and an outline of the business plan. "I've named it the Seven Sisters' Company," Subaru said with a smile.
"Zero, does that name have any special meaning?" Emilia asked curiously, tilting her head slightly. "I mean… do you actually have seven sisters or something?"
Subaru chuckled softly at her innocent question, clearly amused. "It does have a hidden meaning," he replied, his voice taking on a more solemn tone. "But more importantly… I want to reveal something to all of you today. And I ask—no, I insist—that you never speak of this to anyone else, no matter what happens. Even if I'm dead… you must never reveal it."
The room fell silent in an instant. The seriousness in Subaru's voice sent chills down everyone's spine. Even Otto, who had just taken a seat, winced at the heavy atmosphere and thought to himself, Damn it, why did I walk in at such a serious moment?
Subaru continued, his expression grave. "Up until now, I've had relatively little difficulty taking down members of the Witch Cult. But the reality is… they still have leaders who are on an entirely different level. The Sin Archbishops of Wrath and Gluttony are still out there. And Gluttony—he has the horrifying power to erase someone's entire existence, just by knowing their name."
"What?!" gasped Emilia, Rem, Ram, Otto, and Sylphy, their faces frozen in horror.
The rest of the group, those already familiar with the Witch Cult and the sinister power of the Sin Archbishops, remained silent, their expressions reflecting solemn understanding.
"That is precisely why I've been so secretive about my true identity," Subaru said. "I've kept my real name hidden for that exact reason. My actual name is Natsuki Subaru. I come from a place far beyond the Great Waterfall. And for those of you who haven't yet heard… I am the new Great Sage."
Gasps echoed around the table. Several mouths dropped open in shock.
"W-Wait, you're the Great Sage? I'm working for the new Great Sage?!" Otto blurted out, looking as though he couldn't believe what he was hearing. Sylphy, sitting beside him, also appeared shocked. However, recalling how Subaru had defeated the supposedly invincible Regulus, she found that it did make a strange sort of sense.
"Indeed! My contractor is none other than the new Great Sage himself!" Beatrice said proudly, puffing out her chest with an adorable huff. "How else do you think he's the strongest man in the entire world?"
"Correction—second strongest," Subaru interjected gently with a small smile, and Beatrice let out an annoyed pout.
"My Liege possesses abilities far beyond my own," Reina spoke up, gazing at Subaru with admiration in her eyes. "Although I may surpass him in sheer combat strength, his wisdom and potential earn him the right to be called the strongest of all. He deserves that title more than anyone."
Otto sat back, utterly overwhelmed. He couldn't help but notice, once again, the sheer number of beautiful women surrounding Subaru—each of them clearly devoted to him. Even in casual conversation, he could feel how deeply Sylphy and the others admired Subaru. Some of them had openly declared that they would either become his wives or remain single for the rest of their lives.
For many of them—especially those who had endured the trauma of being Regulus's wives—the very thought of entering a new relationship had become difficult, even painful. It would likely take them years to fully heal, and until that time came, the only man they could see themselves being close to… was Zero.
"In any case, the main point I wanted to make is this," Subaru said, drawing the meeting back on track. "In order to prevent Gluttony from ever learning my real name and erasing me from existence, I've kept it hidden all this time. That's why I've used the alias Zero."
Emilia was undeniably surprised—though not primarily by the revelation that Subaru was the Great Sage. That fact, while shocking in itself, wasn't what unsettled her most. What truly caught her off guard was the revelation that Subaru came from beyond the Great Waterfall—a realm shrouded in mystery—and, more importantly, that he had hidden his real name from her all this time.
As she glanced around the room, Emilia observed the expressions of everyone present. To her astonishment, most of them didn't look as shocked as she was. In fact, some of them appeared completely unaffected by the revelation.
"D-Did anyone… Did anyone else already know?" Emilia asked hesitantly, her voice tinged with disbelief and vulnerability. "Did you all know about his real name?"
Echidna smirked mischievously, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh, I knew from the very beginning," she said with a confident grin, clearly enjoying the attention.
"My contractor told me when he first formed a contract with me," Beatrice declared proudly, crossing her arms with a self-assured nod.
"My liege had already revealed his true name to me long ago," Reina added nonchalantly, as if it were common knowledge.
"Hmph! This concubine has known my father's true name ever since I became one with him!" Gloria huffed, her expression both smug and defiant.
"I kneeeew it from my book of wisdom," Roswaal drawled in his usual half-dead, theatrical tone, his words dragging like an old ghost whispering secrets.
"Ah… Echidna told me about it," Geuse muttered sheepishly, scratching the back of his head in mild embarrassment.
A wave of betrayal crashed over Emilia, her heart stinging as she processed how many had known Subaru's true name long before she did. Her eyes swept the room again, searching for some form of solidarity.
Ram noticed the look and gently spoke up. "Neither I nor my sister knew the truth," she said calmly. "And I doubt Frederica was aware either."
"Unfortunately… I didn't know my savior's true name either," Sylphy added respectfully, then smiled inwardly with a touch of pride. She felt a subtle satisfaction knowing that, out of all of Regulus' former wives, she alone had been trusted with such a precious secret. "Still, I have resolved to keep it secret, just as he intended."
"I only joined recently, so I knew nothing about him at all," Otto admitted openly, raising his hands. "In fact, this is all news to me."
"So… I wasn't the only one kept in the dark, huh?" Emilia whispered to herself with a faint smile. The revelation still stung, but hearing that others had also not known made her feel a bit better. Yet, a sense of inadequacy lingered.
Am I really that undependable? she wondered inwardly. Then, with a quiet chuckle, she answered herself, Of course, the old me was just a foolish, naive girl. But I've promised to change—to become better. If Subaru had revealed his real name to me back then, I would have only put him in more danger. And besides… he did warn me at the beginning that he couldn't share his name... I almost forgot about it.
That thought gave her a sense of closure. The hurt gave way to understanding.
Subaru continued, his tone firm yet warm. "Yes, now that I'm much stronger than I used to be, I've decided it's finally time to reveal my true name. I trust you… all of you. But the threat isn't gone. The Witch Cult is still out there, and I won't be eliminating them anytime soon. So, until that day comes, please continue to refer to me using the alias you've all grown familiar with—'Zero.'"
"You don't have to worry, Zero," Reina said gently, stepping forward. "Even if my own life is placed in peril, I will never allow those insects to harm you. This is a vow I make not only as your loyal knight… but also as your woman." Her voice grew softer as she finished, her cheeks tinged with a visible blush.
"You do remember that I'm supposed to be the one you rely on for strength, right?" Subaru sighed with mock exasperation.
Reina laughed, her smile gentle yet unwavering. "But I'm stronger now. And more importantly… I don't want to fail you again. Please, let me be your shield—your first line of defense. Just once… let me protect you."
Her eyes glimmered with resolve. The image of the Great Rabbit swarm in the Sanctuary—where she had once failed him—still haunted her. But not anymore. She had moved forward, and she would no longer falter. Even if it meant drawing her sword without hesitation, even if it meant destroying the sheath meant to contain it, she would fight for him.
Reid, deep within Subaru's spiritual core, shivered as he sensed the sheer intensity of Reina's emotions.
Destroying her sword's own sheath? This woman is insane. She has zero chill! he thought with a mental tremble.
"…Okay. Fine," Subaru relented at last.
Gloria scoffed and stepped forward. "Under this concubine's personal protection, no enemy shall touch a single strand of my father's hair! Any who dare try will have to face me—and the five servants I've handpicked—first!"
Beatrice's eyebrow twitched violently upon hearing herself referred to as a servant. She clenched her fists, clearly restraining the urge to retort.
The other spirits dwelling inside Subaru, wisely, chose to exercise their right to remain silent, having no desire to fuel Gloria's antics any further.
"Alright, then. Let's return to the matter at hand," Subaru said, clearing his throat. "The first phase of my plan revolves around building a solid financial foundation. Otto, I need you to instruct the women who'll be working under the Seven Sisters' Company on the fundamentals of being a merchant. They will form the core of the enterprise—my most trusted employees."
Otto straightened, nodding with professional seriousness. "Of course, Lord Zero. I've already met with them. They've received basic education and training. With consistent lessons, I estimate that they'll be fully ready within a month. They're extremely hard-working—honestly, working like their very lives depend on it."
He paused, recalling their behavior. 'They don't complain, they're focused, and they've ignored every distraction. When a villager tried to flirt with them, they warned him—with chilling calm—that if he touched them, they'd strip him and chop off his dick. They all said they belong solely to Lord Zero.'
Otto swallowed hard, a shiver running down his spine.
Dear gods, I just hope they don't cut off my dick… he thought grimly, imagining all the trouble that lay ahead.
"Good. Now, as for who will serve as the Vice-Heads of the company…" Subaru said, turning to the group. "Echidna, would you be willing to take up the role?"
Echidna smiled politely, then shook her head. "I'll have to decline. That job isn't for me. I'd much rather learn by your side than be tied down with titles and responsibilities. I want to witness everything firsthand."
Subaru simply nodded, respecting her decision.
"Very well, then. I've made my choice. Otto and Sylphy—you will serve as the Vice-Heads of my company."
"Eh?! Really?" Otto exclaimed, his eyes wide. "B-But I've been nothing more than an outsider up until now!"
"I trust you," Subaru said plainly. "Besides, it's not like you'd dare betray me. After all, I am the Great Sage, and I have the Sword Saint herself at my side, right?"
"Of course not!" Otto replied quickly, nodding with panicked enthusiasm.
"M'Lord, while I am deeply honored, I must admit… I fear my skills may not be adequate for the responsibilities you've placed upon me," Sylphy said humbly, her tone filled with hesitation.
"You don't have to worry about that, Sylphy," Subaru said reassuringly. "What I value most is trust, not talent. Skills can be developed. Experience can be gained. But trust… trust is something rare and priceless. Even if you stumble or fail, I'll be here to help you overcome it."
Sylphy's eyes welled up with emotion. He trusts me… Zero-sama really trusts me! she thought, her heart brimming with gratitude and joy.
"As for the headquarters and primary workshop of the company," Subaru continued, pointing to a location on the map, "it will be built here."
"Umm… I hope I'm not overstepping," Otto said cautiously, "but wouldn't it make more sense to construct something like this in a major city? There would be more accessible supply routes and trading opportunities."
"You're absolutely right," Subaru acknowledged. "However, my concern isn't about accessibility—it's about security. I plan to invent many new things—technologies, designs, formulas—and I want to ensure that none of it leaks to the outside world. I need full control, even if it means increasing costs."
Otto nodded thoughtfully. "That… makes a lot of sense."
To be continued...
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