9
In the end, eight people would be departing on this journey.
Of course, they were all necessary for one reason or another, and they all had their roles to fill, but Subaru had never been on a long journey with such a large group.
“Is this really gonna be okay…?”
“What is it, Subaru? Is there something bothering you?”
Seeing Subaru twisting his head and worrying about the future, Emilia came to check up on him. She was wearing light clothes for the trip.
“Hmm. That outfit is really cute on you, Emilia-tan… And I have a lot of things I’m worried about. I mean, to start with, where we’re going is dangerous, right? So with such a large group, will we really be able to protect everyone?”
“Mm, that’s a good point. Ram and Rem are coming with us this time, plus Meili. We’re going to have to be sure to protect them and Anastasia and you, too.”
“What?! Did you just throw me onto the ‘needs protection’ side of the equation?!”
When it came to fighting ability, Subaru and Beatrice together were on about even ground with Ram. If it came to a serious fight, Emilia and Julius would be the ones doing the heavy lifting. As an adolescent boy, it hurt Subaru’s pride to simply rely on either of them for protection.
At present, there was a carriage parked in front of Roswaal Manor, and they were preparing to depart. The large carriage they had gotten for the journey had more than enough space to hold ten people without being too crowded. Visually, it looked almost like a camper car, though it relied on land dragons for propulsion like most other carriages. And one of the dragons pulling it was Subaru’s trusty companion, Patlash.
I’d love to say there’s nothing to worry about as long as I have Patlash with me, but—
“Your whole schtick is getting along with demon beasts, so why can’t you get along with a land dragon?”
“Don’t be so mean, mister.”
Meili’s cheeks puffed out indignantly.
She had changed out of her detention clothes, but she didn’t have much baggage. As she tried to load that little bit of luggage onto the carriage, she had gotten into a bit of a quarrel with Patlash.
She was unconditionally loved by demon beasts, but apparently land dragons took an exception to her. It wasn’t just Patlash. Even the other land dragons were growling at her.
“They all seem to hate the smell of the demon beasts on me. That’s why they’re angry.”
“Ah, I see, that’s why… Patlash, she’s okay.”
Hearing that, Subaru brushed Patlash’s neck and explained the situation. The proud dragon buried her nose in Subaru’s neck and blatantly sniffed him. If he had to guess, he’d say she was trying to overwrite Meili’s smell with his.
“Patlash is usually so considerate. For her to be this obviously hostile… You two really don’t get along…”
“The others aside, it’s definitely impossible for me to make nice with that dragon. She’s too attached to you. Don’t leave me alone with her. She might eat me.”
“As if that would ever happen! My Patlash is a vegetarian!”
Soothing his trusty dragon, who had gotten a little bit excited, Subaru pushed Meili onto the carriage.
And just when he was wiping the sweat from his brow at one job done…
“I know you’re busy currying favor with girls, but could I borrow you for a moooment?”
“Please can you stop with the scandalous-sounding descriptions? You’re making me sound like I’m stupidly predictable or something.”
Responding to that malicious question, Subaru turned to see Roswaal smiling and waving.
Emilia and Julius were standing next to the marquis in his jester-like outfit. Subaru headed over while thinking to himself what a strange pairing the three of them were. When he arrived, Roswaal winked at the three of them.
“Now then, regarding this trip, it’s going to be quite the journey and will likely be quiiite difficult. So there is one favor I wanted to ask you for duuuring the travels—regarding Ram.”
“…Marquis Mathers, is it appropriate for me to be here for this conversation?”
Subaru and Emilia fell silent, but Julius furrowed his narrow brow. He was going to be joining them on the journey, but he was technically an outsider and not a part of Emilia’s faction, so he naturally wondered why he was being included in this conversation.
“I am not idly making trouble. After watching the way you carry yourself here at the manor and the way you have interacted with Subaru and the others, I’ve judged that you can be trusted. And because of that, I have a request. What do you saaay, Julius?”
“That’s the shadiest thing you’ve said in a while, Roswaal.”
“Sorry, but I was thinking the same thing…”
Roswaal’s response instead caused Subaru and Emilia to start being suspicious.
Even setting aside past experiences, that was a statement that was strange coming from Roswaal. He seemed to realize that himself because he smiled wryly.
“Sorry. It’s understandable if it sounds unconviiincing. But nonetheless, there is something I would like to ask Julius, since it is a matter of life and death.”
“Life and… Is it related to Ms. Ram’s constitution?”
“Deeear me. To think you noticed… You are even more skilled than I had thooought.”
Roswaal was impressed that Julius had grasped the crux of the problem before he even explained it. The marquis nodded and traced a picture of sorts in the air with his finger.
“If you’ve noticed, then that makes things simpler. Ram’s body cannot fully contain her overflowing talent. Because of that, her body is always straining under the weight of it. Languor and pain are her constant companions…though she does not show it because she is by nature a brave and stout-hearted giiirl.”
“What? There’s no way…”
“It is not surprising you would be surprised, Lady Emilia. Because that girl is far too strong.”
Emilia gasped as Roswaal slowly shook his head.
Subaru was just as surprised as Emilia. He had heard that Ram had lost her horn and her previous strength. Rem had said that Ram’s strength was unheard of even among the Oni tribe.
But he hadn’t known that losing her horn was still tormenting her to this day.
“—I see; I understand what you had in mind then.”
Julius nodded as if he understood everything just from hearing that. Roswaal raised an eyebrow while Subaru and Emilia looked at each other.
We just got confirmation about what’s happening to Ram’s body. What could you possibly figure out from just that?
“The poor condition of her body is clear. If a defective gate is undermining her health, then something needs to serve as its replacement. Most likely you have been personally handling that so far, have you not, Marquis Mathers?”
“Correct, Julius. It really is a shame that I cannot remember yooou.”
“…Ohh! So that’s what it is.”
While Roswaal admired Julius’s insight, Emilia put her fist in her palm, finally understanding as well.
While the three of them were all getting on the same page, Subaru still couldn’t keep up with his basic level of knowledge and started to look irritated.
“Hey, don’t go finding enlightenment all at once and then stop there. So what is it?”
“It’s simple, Subaru. Ms. Ram’s body is suffering from a similar sort of deficiency as you are. Just as Lady Beatrice does for you, Ms. Ram needs someone to regulate her mana.”
“Every night, I secretly regulate it fooor her.”
“Oh, every night… Ah!”
From their explanation, something clicked in the back of Subaru’s head.
He remembered the image of Ram going to Roswaal every night. To be honest, at first, he had assumed it was a secret tryst between master and maid and averted his eyes from the graphic images that thought evoked. Now he realized it was in a certain sense a type of treatment for Ram.
“My deepest apologies, Marquis Mathers. I’m afraid I will be unable to meet your expectations.”
While Subaru’s face was getting hot as he realized he had been misunderstanding things for over a year now, Julius shared his thoughts on the matter. Roswaal’s eyes narrowed at the unexpected response.
“It does not appear you are merely being humble nor are you simply trying to avoid rendering aid to a rival faction. Managing Ram’s Odo demands an aptitude at manipulating multiple colors of magic. On that point, I thought that you would be the best fit…”
“I suspect your hope is due to the children around me.”
Julius’s lips softened, like he had been caught in a moment of weakness.
For a brief moment, several faint, warm lights floated around him. Six colors shimmered in the air. These were the spirits Julius had contracted with. That he used to be contracted with.
“My sprouts… However, our connection is no more. If I had retained my previous status, I wouldn’t have hesitated to accept your request, but…”
“Your contract with the spirits ended when your name was stolen, yes? And yet, despite having lost that connection, they still don’t seem to want to leave your siiide.”
“I suspect it’s due to the remnants of the bond we once had. Otherwise, the connection is still there even if they cannot perceive it. Either way, though, it is merely their mercy that keeps them by my side. I’m afraid I cannot be of much help with my strength alone.”
Looking at the quasi-spirits, Julius sighed listlessly.
“Right now, I can do no more than serve as a simple knight. My apologies.”
“I seeee. That is unfortunate. Disappointing that it turned out like this, but…”
“It’s okay. I’ll do my best to cover for what Julius can’t do.”
Emilia stepped forward and put her hand firmly against her chest as Julius fell silent. Her purple eyes were welling with determination, if not exactly self-confidence. That willingness to step forward and do whatever she could was one of her greatest weapons.
“Roswaal, leave it to me. I’ll do my best if it’s for Ram’s sake.”
“Yes, of course. If I can’t borrow Julius’s strength, then there is no choice but to entrust Ram’s fate to you, Lady Emilia. You can speak with Ram herself and Beatrice about the details.”
“Ram aside, what do you mean, Beako?”
“When it comes to the theory and practical application of magic, Beatrice is quiiite skilled. It’s a waste of her talents to be contracted with you, but in terms of knowledge, she is comparable even to meee.”
“Sorry to be wasting her talent, but at least I make up for it with love.”
It wasn’t really a counterargument, but Subaru still emphasized his love for Beatrice. He’d make her his background on his phone and his PC without hesitation. Of course, that analogy wouldn’t make much sense in this world.
Either way, Roswaal’s request turned out to be surprisingly straightforward and genuine.
If it was for Ram’s sake, then Emilia would do everything she could, and Subaru would talk to Beatrice about it, too.
“Still, I’m shocked you made such a heartfelt request. You feeling okay?”
“It’s quite admirable. This is the first time Ram has ever said she would leave my side.”
“ ”
Roswaal didn’t rise to Subaru’s flippant response, answering with a serious tone that left Subaru at a loss for words.
“Ram can feel something herself, even if she can’t remember, I’m sure. It was quite terrifying to see her rebel against me so emotionally. That is why I wanted to ask this of you.”
“…Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind.”
Subaru felt like something had changed in Roswaal’s heart due to Ram’s carefully considered decision. Even after the incident in the sanctuary a year ago, Ram still devoted herself to Roswaal.
Maybe even Roswaal had been moved by Ram’s devotion despite prioritizing his greatest desire above all else.
Him being a human being who struggled to deal with emotions he couldn’t contain was far better than him being some incomprehensible monster.
“—It looks like it’s about time.”
Before Subaru could say anything else, Roswaal turned around.
Behind him, the door of the mansion opened, and four girls appeared from inside. They were all maids of Roswaal Manor, and the sight of the four of them together was quite grand.
Of course, one of them was still sleeping, and her twin was wearing travel clothes, so the picture was not quite complete.
“Master, the preparations for the two of them to leave have been made.”
“Well done. Be careful on the road, Ram.”
After he received Frederica’s quiet report, Roswaal turned to Ram, who was dressed for the trip. Ram bowed.
“Thank you for granting me this selfish request. I shall return with a result that lives up to your expectations.”
“I have high expectations for you. But dooon’t push yourself recklessly. And watch out for Lady Emilia and Subaru’s recklessness as well. Supervising them is aaalso your role.”
“Yes, Master.”
Subaru was about to say something snarky, but he was silenced by Ram’s razor-sharp gaze. After buckling, Subaru turned his attention to the person next to Ram.
Rem was dressed in clothes for going out and was being pushed by Petra in a wheelchair—something that Subaru had re-created using his memories from his original world.
The Roswaal Manor was quite near Castour, the famed industrial hub of Lugunica. Using the skills of their craftsmen, Subaru was able to create yet another product of his otherworldly knowledge.
“The maintenance is gonna be tricky on such a long journey, but I’ll take care of it.”
“You are quite handy, Master Subaru, and the craftsmen indicated it should be sturdy so long as it is not handled recklessly. However, take care in sand.”
“Please be careful, Su…Master Subaru. Please take care of Rem.”
With Frederica’s seal of approval, Petra let Subaru take control of the wheelchair. Moving around behind Rem, he confirmed there was no problem moving over flat ground.
“Okay, feels fine. Frederica, Petra, you two hold down the fort while we’re gone.”
“Leave the master to us.”
“Mr. Otto and Mr. Garf, too.”
Frederica and Petra nodded as Subaru double-checked the wheelchair.
This time, the trip was estimated to take about two months at a minimum, so most likely Otto would recover in Pristella and make his way back to the manor before they returned.
Trusting the two of them to hold down the fort until then, Subaru pushed the wheelchair toward the carriage.
“All right. I’m reluctant to go, but I guess it’s about time.”
“—Barusu.”
Suddenly, Ram’s voice hit Subaru in the back of the head.
“Huh? What is it? Something bothering you?”
“No, not that… Figure it out.”
“Figure it out…?”
He furrowed his brow at that, and then he realized that her gaze was focused on his hands. In other words, at Rem’s wheelchair.
“If you want to switch with me, then just say so.”
“Considering what it means that I’m coming with you and what that means about my goal, it should be obvious that you should yield that to me… Though you figured it out without needing me to say it, which I guess should be considered a small mark in your favor.”
Subaru reluctantly let Ram take his place, and she pushed the wheelchair in his stead. She moved slowly toward the carriage as if nursing her sister, who was sleeping in the chair.
Watching the two of them, he suddenly felt someone grasp his newly freed hand.
“Beako?”
“You don’t have to look so pathetic. It’s not as if your feelings lose out to how her older sister feels. I suppose you should just do what you can in your own way.”
“I’m not depressed about th… No, I guess maybe I am.”
Subaru had not expected that it would feel like his role had been stripped away, but he couldn’t help it. Subaru pinched his cheek and pulled hard with his free hand.
After he did that, his free hand was stolen by another pale hand.
“If that’s what you’re doing with your other hand, then I’ll be taking it.”
“Urgh. Emilia-tan…”
“Betty wonders what you’ll do when she wakes up, since you run out of hands so easily already.”
“Ah, I’m curious about that, too.”
With Beatrice and Emilia on either side, Subaru looked at the two of them, no idea how he should respond. But a little bit of a glare and a pleasant glance were all that he got from the two of them.
And to top it off, he could feel Petra’s eyes staring holes in his back and Ram’s icy, disdainful gaze when she turned around after reaching the carriage.
Forsaken and surrounded on all sides, Subaru’s expression tensed. And of all things, Julius was nodding to himself while watching.
“What’s with that reaction? If you’ve got something to say, then say it!”
“I see. In that case, allow me one comment—surrounded by such beautiful women, you are truly blessed. But I cannot help but wonder whether your two hands are enough to satisfy all these beauties.”
“What?! Is everyone just out to get me?! Did I do something wrong?!”
Julius shrugged with a sorrowful countenance as Subaru’s pathetic shout echoed in the air. Unfortunately, there was no war councilor or internal counsel there to back Subaru up.
For the next two months on the road, he would just have to do his best fighting on his own.
Realizing the hopelessness of his situation, affection and trust welled up inside Subaru as he felt the warmth filling his two hands, which was only matched by a swelling unease.
And that was how the morning of departure passed.
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