Vol 3. Ch. 3: Planning a trip to the capital

“You’re going to the capital right? Me! I want to go too!!”

After the guests left, those in the parlor room all let out a collective sigh, the room slowly settling into a relaxed mood―――― with a single statement it was brilliantly smashed to pieces by Subaru.

Bursting through the door without notice, carrying a tray with tea on it over to the table. As they stared at him, mouths open, he handed the two main actors each a cup. “Hoi, Hoi”

“Everyone remember to bring some food, and don’t stay up late even if you’re excited to leave.”

「おやつは三百円までで、出発が楽しみだからって夜更かししたらダメだぞ」

TL: Cliché phrases you’d hear from an elementary school teacher before a school trip.

Assuming his fellow travelers were that excited, that is. Receiving a cup, Emilia and Roswaal met each other’s gaze.

“See?”

“… It appears so.”

Roswaal raising one eyebrow in a self-satisfied manner, his remark piled onto the already worn-out looking Emilia’s expression. Not pleased with only those two being in on something, “what are you two talking about?” Subaru twisted each syllable expressing his displeasure.

“Stop seeing eye to eye with each other, Jealousy!  Please mix me in, we can sing a lullaby together”

“In the first place, about going to the capital who even told yo… it was me wasn’t it…”

As if she was embarrassed by her own words, Emilia hid her face with her palms shaking her head back and forth. Facing Subaru again, she started off lecturing with a “listen you know”,

“We’re not going there for fun. We were called out on very important business… really, very important”

“I already know that. King-selection right? I already know that it’s a big event that’ll shake the country. Howeeever, even so please. Please take me.”

Subaru wrung his hands, on the carpet begging on his knees. Emilia had no idea how to respond to this kind of plea, her eyes scanned the room looking for help.

“What’s wrong? A-a, please take no miiind of meee, it is fine if you chooose as your heart wills.”

Declaring his status as a spectator Roswaal looked on with a smiling face,

“This tea’s fragrance… could it be Ram’s treasured…. No, even for him that’s too…. but, for Barusu that’s something he might just….”

It couldn’t be helped, this was the state they were in after realizing what type of tea had just been carried in by a certain someone. Especially so for the last person,

“It’s fine isn’t it, he’s so reared up to go that he made it and brought it up here. One of Subaru-kun’s acquaintances is in the capital too it seems, in the first place we only carried him here because of his injuries. We should bring him along to give him some peace of mind.”

This, if it’s this… it was the most ordinary response you could expect, but from Subaru’s perspective it was the perfect follow-up.

“Yessss, Nice assist. Rem, Rem, Remmm, come here Rem.”

「うし、ナイスアシスト。レム、レム、レーム、こっちゃこい」

TL: he uses language like he’s calling over a pet dog

“Yes!”

Responding to Subaru’s beckoning with a smile she slid over next to where Subaru was sitting on the carpet, acting as if it was completely natural she presented her head, careful not mess up her blue hair he pet her head while showering her in praise.

Seeing Rem’s elated reaction and demeanor Emilia’s interest was piqued, “Aa, that might be kind of nice…” lifting her head a little bit in curiosity,

“Wait, in the first place Subaru if you come with us what are you even going to do? It’s true that this has to do with the King-selection, this isn’t really something that you have any connection with…”

“If going to cry from loneliness over here if you say something like it doesn’t involve me.  Emilia-tan becoming a king…. queen. I’m fine if it’s only a minor role, this is a critical moment that I want to be involved in. That’s why I’ll do anything in my capabilities to help.”

“It’s precisely because of that that I’m telling you, you can’t come.”

Scrunching her eyebrows together Emilia responded to Subaru, whose eyes were now filled to the brim with motivation. She was happy that he felt this way, but he had already done so much to help her. On top of saving her life, he had just nearly died a few days ago trying to saving a many number of people. Subaru had no idea how much gratitude she felt towards him. To ask anything further from him would be beyond spoiled.

“If I bring you along I already know you’re going to do something unreasonable again. I don’t want that, understand?”

“Emilia-tan’s the one that doesn’t understand. I hate doing unreasonable, impossible, and reckless things more than anything else, that’s why I’ll never do anything more than what I can handle.”

Sitting on his knees, Subaru crossed his arms and puffed out his chest, suddenly taking on a much bolder attitude. “But,”

“If it’s something within reach, that’s a different story. Especially so when it comes to things related to Emilia. So, please understand.”

“That’s… I don’t know.”

Emilia didn’t know why he was being so stubborn. Emilia wanted to let Subaru rest since he’d been through so many painful and difficult episodes recently. Why is he still pushing his body when he’s not even recovered yet, doing something so unreasonable like this isn’t funny. He always joking around he couldn’t actually be serious about this could he?

Her thoughts sank into a sea of confusion as he looked at her with puppy-dog eyes. The parlor room falling into silence,

“Ooooookay, let’s stop heeeeeere”

Clapping his hands together Roswaal shattered the mood in the room. Looking at the two’s back-and-forth with some emotion,

“Siiiince you can’t seem to an agreement, how about you leave settling this matter to meeeeee. Subaru-kun you’re coming with us to the capital. This is an order as your employer.”

“Roswaal?!”

“Yesss! You sure know how to talk, Ros-chi!”

Roswaal ignored the reluctant Emilia’s objections. While Emilia wore her surprise on her face, Subaru energetically responded with a thumbs up.

However, Roswaal seeing their reactions he continued, “Tsk Tsk Tsk” he waved his finger,

“Oooooon the contrary, Subaru-kun coming with us to the capital is oooonly for his medical treatment. And so forth, the king-selection is a completely different matter. Are we at an agreement?”

“Medical treatment….?”

Hearing Roswaal’s words he tilted his head in skepticism. Not getting his meaning, with his head still crooked he tried to stand― sitting on his legs too long they’d become numb, causing him to fall forward in a magnificent manner. Acting swiftly the nearby Rem stopped his fall, yanking him by his shirt’s collar like a cat by the neck.

“Gueee! …. Nice assist, Rem. But do it a little bit softer next time.”

“Mmu, does this mean we’re done with the petting…”

Disheartened, Rem returned to her spot behind Subaru while he rubbed his aching throat. Turning once more towards Roswaal he questioned his last statement.

“What do you mean by ‘medical treatment’ purposes? I’m just gonna say this, but other than some leftover scars I’m completely fine you know? I’ll admit there are probably a few areas I could use some rehabilitation on though.”

Swinging his arms ‘round in a circle Subaru emphasized his body’s good health. However Emilia and everyone from the mansion knew apart from what claimed, his body was far from healed. On top of witnessing him struggle with just daily life there were a number of other points that popped up, his job, and the morning radio-calisthenics for instance. The fact that they knew the person in question was trying to hide it dug in like a spur, making them pity him even more.

Like this everyone had an unspoken agreement on the subject regarding the poor condition of Subaru’s body. Towards the totally oblivious Subaru, Roswaal shook his head. “Iya Iya”,

“Hiding it is nooo good. Everyone already aware that you still have after-effects. You were beat up to such an extent. Getting bitten by Juggernaut’s fangs, having a curse carved into your body — this has all caused the circulation of mana in your body to become abnormally bad. It’s completely muddled.”

“Even if you say my condition’s bad because of some invisible thing…”

“Subaru. The mana that fills your body is your very life itself. For it to stagnate means the circulation of your life energy is being impeded. I’m begging you, listen to this properly.”

Becoming obstinate after having his poor health seen through, Emilia scolded him for not taking this seriously. Her feeling conveyed, Subaru gave a small apology.

“I know my body’s in a pinch right now. But, how is going to the capital connected with getting treatment?”

“Treatment for your body requires an expert on liquid mana. Subaru-kun, did you perhaps meet with the envoy earlier?”

“The tall cat-eared girl? To be honest I’m not good with those types.”

“That person is regarded in the capital as quite an excellent user of liquid mana.”

Subaru’s face plainly formed into a scowl at Roswaal’s words. Silently, Emilia was also in agreement that she was a tough person to deal with. How that person could see through him and had a personality like she was speaking in riddles was something he couldn’t handle well at all.

Using the pretext of passing along the invitation to the capital, he was forced into a lot of other things that he’d rather not talk about.  Most of all,

“Emilia went out of her way to put her in our debt, all for the purpose of creating an opportunity for you to be healed. You should accept Emilia’s goodwill, don’t you think so?”

“Wha…?”

“Hey, Roswaal! That’s…”

Clearly displeased at Roswaal’s careless, or more-likely premeditated slip-of-the tongue, Emilia drew closer. Brushing off her angry voice Roswaal continued on with a calm face,

“Those two don’t alooong the best. Hooowever, there was still the issue with Subaru-kun’s body. Gallantly she plead, and soooomehow or another was able to draw out an agreement for your treatment. Such a loveable person right?”

“R O―S― W A―AL!”

Having these hidden circumstances exposed, she emphasized every syllable through gritted teeth. Her silver hair swaying with anger, the blood rising to her face in anger and embarrassment. Losing herself in rage mana gathered furiously around her, thinking she’d smash it right into his blue-haired head.

“Emilia-tan, is that really true?”

Disrupting the mood. Subaru interjected, trying to ascertain whether this was true or not. Emilia looked at him with a sorry expression.

“Because… it’s my fault your body can’t recover. And the reason you came to this mansion in the first place was because you tried to protect me, and with the majuu forest incident too, if I had acted then none of this would have happened to you. That is… this is a bit of repayment for all that you’ve done, it’s proper compensation for what happened to you.”

“Emilia-tan, your way of talking is too stiff. It feels like you’re trying to run a business or something.”

Subaru threw in a retort at Emilia’s quick-talking self-excuse.  “Anyways!” Emilia said strongly.

“You try really hard, that’s why you deserve something back for it. Otherwise, how would I be able to meet you on equal ground? Every morning, whenever I look at you I feel this weird sense of guilt, if you think about it that way then this is for my sake too.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen this pattern, you were thinking about me every morning!?”

“I wasn’t! I’m still thankful though!”

This was already getting out of hand. No matter what she did, she was bad at expressing her personal thoughts to others.  Subaru was probably surprised too. Nervously, she looked at his face. Sure enough a bitter smile was floating to his face.

However, crossing his arms.

“Haha, so you were in favor of me going to the capital all along. Why didn’t you just say so in the first place?”

“Because when you think you’ve gotten everything you wanted like this, you get so full of yourself. I know you’re like a naughty brat.”

“Naughty brat… that’s not a phrase you hear much nowadays”

TL: やんちゃ小僧

Subaru murmured softly, Emilia sticking her tongue out in kind. Subaru was entranced by it, even if it was done as a form of retaliation. With that exchange, any enmity there might have been was now in the past.

“Well then, let’s wrap up this conversation shaaaaaall we? Subaru will accompany us to the capital. Tomorrow we attend to the various preparations needed, depart the morning after. Is thiiis fine?”

“I understand”

“No objections.”

“”Affirmative, Roswaal-sama””

Everyone in the room consented to Roswaal’s closing words. And like this, the plans for the trip to the capital were settled.

※ ※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

Planning for Subaru to accompany them to the capital, departure was decided as the day after tomorrow. Even though they had such a hurried schedule, the servants still had to go about performing the daily chores around the manor. Of course that included Subaru too, who as a servant-apprentice still in rehabilitation was assigned to simple jobs like tidying up the parlor room.

“When it comes down to it, is Ram going to be the one left to take care of the mansion?”

While straightening out his shirt Subaru addressed Ram behind him. Ram gave a nod as if it were annoying. Under the pretext of supervising Subaru’s work she was currently doing nothing.

“Yes. We can’t leave the mansion completely vacant. Normally Rem would stay behind, but this time she said she wanted to go, so I allowed it.”

Faced with her younger sister’s request she wavered slightly. I’m starting to get a grasp of Ram as someone who’s sweet to her sister. Even though she’s going to be away from her dear Roswaal, she didn’t seem too phased.

“Somehow, you look kind of happy about it.”

“Happy… that may be so. She always tries her best to fulfill requests given to her by others, I’m just happy that she has something that she wants for herself.”

The one thinking regretfully of Rem’s personality wasn’t just Subaru, her twin sister Ram who was with her since birth was the same. ‘I want to do something about it her personality’ was something Subaru had thought many times about. In that way, Ram and Subaru were of the same mind regarding Rem.

With those thoughts in mind Ram faced Subaru with a sharp look,

“That the catalyst had to be this man of all people… is the only part that bothers me.”

“I’m tired of hearing that, the fact that I’m the one that moved Rem’s heart won’t disappear! Hahaha, be vexed by it!”

“fwwwra”

“uwaou!?”

With a single incantation a sudden gust encompassed him, pressed by wind Subaru’s body was flung to the bed. Like that the shirt he had just finished straightening out was disheveled with the landing, covered in white cloth he enjoyed the soft sensation of the bed as if he was floating.

“You! Magic is off-limits! You lose with words so you retaliate with magic, your personality is really bad.”

“That wasn’t retaliation. I was only venting the negative emotions that were building up in my stomach at Barusu.”

“That’s called retaliating against someone!  An outburst of anger!”

Saying this to the shifty eyed Ram, Subaru quickly got off the bed and started tidying the sheets back up.

Even though my body’s not back to its regular condition, the nimbleness of my fingers was without change. The tidy white sheets were beautiful enough to captivate even me.

“In any case, Rem’s really multi-talented… in addition to being the coachman, handling the belongings, guard-duty, guide…… I don’t even have words to describe it.”

“You’re missing ‘Subaru-kun’ duty, Rem named it that herself recently.”

“I don’t recognize that one by the way.”

Well, I sort have been getting taken care of a lot so I won’t deny that one too strongly. In any case, now is the all-important time for departure for four inhabitants of the Roswaal mansion. There was the main-involved party Emilia and her patron Roswaal. There was Subaru who plucked his ticket by throwing a tantrum. And the one in charge of taking care of these three was the final person, Rem.

Then there were the leftovers, Ram and Beatrice.

“Thinking about this again… those two were an extremely worrying group to be left alone house-sitting. Is this really going to be all right?”

“Relax. Oni won’t die even without food and water for three days.”

“You’re not even planning to cook for yourself?!”

Subaru was floored by the shamelessly pronounced abandonment of all cooking duties.

“Well you aside, what are you planning to do about Bea-ko? I can already imagine her coming out of her room and making a fuss like ‘what is the meaning of this-ukiiii!’ when she sees that dinners not made.”

“I can already imagine her reaction, without a doubt she’d send me flying. If only Beatrice-sama went along with you guys…”

“You’re the caretaker, don’t suddenly expose that doing your job is a pain! At least make her a steamed potato or something! If you switch it up between salt and mayonnaise you’d be able to hold for three days at least. Probably. In the worst case scenario you could just resort to eating the mayonnaise directly.”

Looking as if he actually thought this was a better proposal, Subaru’s abnormal love for mayonnaise was clearly felt. Ram raising no particular objections, made a face like she was actually going to go through with this idea.

Unbeknownst to Beatrice, a tragic meal plan had been decided for her.

Subaru waived his hand, ‘nonono’

“If we’re having these many issues with just food, what are we going to do about the other stuff? Can you really clean the mansion properly?”

“What a foolish question Barusu. Rather than cooking, cleaning is my specialty.”

“Even with your specialty you’re worse than Rem! You really are only an older sister!”

“Oh well. Then, that’s all.”

Even though nothing in particular had been decided, Ram looked at Subaru with a face full of accomplishment. Seeing this troubling attitude, Subaru scratched his face

“So, in the end what are you going to do about work?”

“In exchange for indulging Rem’s wish to go to the capital, I laid out some conditions.”

“Let’s hear ‘em”

“They’re quite simple. Once she returns I’ll have her work for a single day for as much time as she can spare.”

Hearing Ram’s words Subaru was completely at a loss, looking at Ram with suspicious eyes. Ram responded with a shameless expression,

“They’ll all learn, this is what it means to leave the mansion in my care.”

Far beyond his expectations, such a bold abandonment of job duties was new even to Subaru.

This good-for-nothing’s refreshing declaration had forced even the hikikomori-disposed Subaru to resolve himself to help Rem out with this one.

Vol 3. Ch. 2: A servant’s tea-time conversation

 

Sent off by the Coachman, the two were greeted as they entered the mansions entrance lobby,

“Welcome back Emilia-sama”

Said Rem with a composed face lacking in expression, the temperature in the room dropping from her voice alone as she gave a bow.

Raising her head, that emotionless face was something he hadn’t seen in a quite a while. Recently inside the mansion, or at least wholly in front of Subaru, he often saw her going around smiling, he wondered if she was acting like this on purpose. Taking into account that the two had returned together but she had only called out to Emilia, this seemed likely.

“I’m back. I’m sorry for being out― it seems like a visitor came?”

“An envoy came from the capital to see you. Right now Roswaal-sama is receiving them, would you care to join them?”

“Of course. It’s originally something that’s my problem so I can’t very well be left out of it.”

Exchanging nods with Rem, Emilia began walking up the stairs, looking back at the bewildered Subaru.”

“Aa…. Um, Subaru what are you going to do? Can you return to your room on your own?”

“What am I, a child? In the first place, it’s not like you can’t bring me with y…”

Feeling her nervousness fade a little, Emilia tilted her head towards Subaru’s proposition. But the one who interrupted those words wasn’t Emilia with the troubled expression,

“Elder sister is already present. There is no need for another servant. You understand, yes? Subaru-kun.”

“mmu…”

Refusing to say yes or no to Rem’s words, his reply got garbled in throat. Responding to Subaru who was still struggling to find an objection Emilia motioned lightly with her hands,

“Since it’s like that, sorry. Rem, could you guide me there?”

“Yes. Suburu-kun, please return to your room.”

Throwing out those words of apology, Emilia had already turned away from Suburu. For the Subaru who had nothing else to do Rem came in to deliver the finishing blow, Rem leading the way Emilia’s silver hair swayed as she climbed the stairs and disappeared.

“Aaa, damn, this isn’t fun at all”

Seeing the figures of those two disappear, abusive words mixed with a sigh escaped out of his mouth.

I’m getting left behind. ――Physically and mentally.

“Well, I guess it’s true that even if I was there I wouldn’t be of much use with my shabby understanding of this world”

Even though it’s been two weeks since he first came to the mansion (1 ½ months from his mental perspective), when you talk about what he’s learned it’s limited to various basic house-chores and the reading of letters. So to speak, he’s on the same level as one of the village children helping out around their homes. With that level of ability getting involved with not just some meeting of aristocrats, but the decisions of a country’s very top, this was beyond ambitious. Know your place.

With that, he accepted being left behind. Not that he wasn’t still unhappy about it.

“And so, I guess I’ll head back to my room and begrudgingly go to sleep – or not, I’m not that obedient.”

If he was to follow Emilia’s and Rem’s viewpoint, they probably wanted him to go back to his room, sleep, and do tonight’s practice of writing down characters. Or, going with plan B, opening up one of the doors and go complaining to the mansion’s resident hikikomori-girl, not a bad option.

Not a bad option, but… he should be able to do better.

“If this is my plan, first I’ll need to go to kitchen-kitchen.”

※ ※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

“Don’t you get tired waiting out here the whole time? How about taking a short rest?”

Hearing this the old man sitting on the driver’s platform opened his eyes in surprise, looking at Subaru and then again at the tray in Subaru’s hands.

The location is once again outside the mansion, up next to the dragon-carriage parked in front of main gate. As usual he wasn’t used to the lizard’s large size, shivering a few times, he poured tea for the old man who was looking at him with a surprised and half-smiling face.

“Thank you for the trouble. This is quite unexpected, pardon me for being situated up high here.”

No sooner than he recovered from the initial shock, the old man nimbly dropped down from the coachman’s stand. With his movements there was almost no sound as he landed, Subaru faintly held his breath. The coachman’s stand was high up enough that using the phrase “jumped off” would have been appropriate. It was even higher than Subaru’s eye-level, it didn’t seem possible to jump without support unless you we’re prepared for a little numbness in your legs.

However, flipping Subaru’s assumptions on their head the old man calmly walked on, coming up to the presented tray he gave a short bow.

“I’ll avail myself to your kind offer. My throat was indeed getting a bit dry, you see.”

“Ah, no problem. I didn’t know your preference so I just brought out the most expensive tea.”

Presented with the tray, a gentle smile carved its way onto the old man’s face. Subaru watched with particular interest as the wrinkles around his mouth rose and seemingly met halfway.

His stature was taller than Subaru, his head was dyed pure white with abundant hair that showed no sign of thinning. His attire was that of a coachman, that is a formal, extremely expensive looking, black uniform. His back was straight, the muscles under his clothes showed no sign of age and one could tell at a glance they were finely toned. In summary, the person standing in front of him was one who could make others nervous whether they intended to or not.

“My ranking of this other-world’s old people has been completely repainted. Farewell Rom-jii. But seriously, there hasn’t been a scene where you were ever of much help.”

For the Giant tribe with seemingly excellent settings there was relatively little to show for it. Subaru wasn’t able to confirm what had happened afterwards, Rom-jii didn’t hit his head or something and forget everything right? That was something he was a little bit afraid of.

“I’m just an old bag of bones. There’s no reason to be on edge”

For Subaru who was absentmindedly thinking that, he was abruptly called out to by a gentle voice.  Taking up the cup, the old man brought it to up to his mouth before offering some words. Noticing the indiscrete stares he was receiving, the old man smiled at the hard to punish Subaru.

“This is a good flavor. This is perhaps too good a thing…”

“It’s not an over-exaggeration, this is really our most expensive tea. If a certain pink-haired maid found out I was drinking this she’d get seriously angry.”

Looking at it broadly, Ram had an unexpectedly delicate tongue and was well versed in things like tea. If she knew he had taken out one of the “absolutely forbidden” highest grade tea leaves to use on his own, that in itself would was setting himself up for quite the sermon. But then in a very Subaru-like manner,

“Without the tea leaves ever leaving the kitchen, I properly prepared the tea there and brought it out… that’s one of my ‘ikkyusan’ reasonings, I wonder if she’ll buy that”

TL: ikkyusan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikky%C5%AB-san

“Hmm, quite the schemer I see”

“It’s unfortunate, but I’ll have to leave it completely to fate whether she’ll buy this kind of sophistic reasoning”

Moreover, the betting odds were set at 7 to 1 against. Challenging that was stupid in the first place. The fact that it had so much risk was what made it worth it though, this chat over tea. The old man tilted the cup back once more and let out a sigh filled with emotions,

“So, now that you’ve sprinkled out this tea as bait, what did you want from these old bones?”

With one eye closed, the old man began asking with a measuring look. Shrugging his shoulders towards this sharp attitude Subaru replied,

“Well. From all the people I’ve ever met, you’re the toughest to try this on after Roswaal”

“To be treated the same as the count, it’s an honor”

“That’s being put in the same rank as that pervert you know? That remark is one that I’m quite willing to yell out.”

His refreshing expression quickly drained from him, Subaru once more felt on the defensive.  A veteran, is what he should be rightfully called, that person’s life experience was much deeper and thicker than the thin Subaru, this wasn’t an opponent he could cross with. This wasn’t a certain giant balding old man from somewhere. Thus, all Subaru could do was to raise the white flag,

“I give up. My name is Natsuki Subaru. I’m currently apprenticing as a servant at Roswaal’s mansion. At least could I request your name?”

An inexperienced person should accept they are inexperienced, and try their best to cling to the benevolence of their elders. Towards the Subaru obediently lowering his head, the old man’s expression softened,

“My how polite. I am called “Wilhem. I am currently serving under the Crusch house, devoting myself to the job.”

In front of the old man calling himself Wilhem, Subaru tried rolling the name once off his tongue,

“Thank you very much for telling me your name. In addition to this thanks, could you tell me the reason for today’s visit… err, is it acceptable for me to tread into such matters?”

“In regards to your question, the envoy is currently inside discussing just that”

“Yes that is correct, but to be honest I’ve been told not to participate in that you see. And having an event proceed without me being involved at all isn’t very interesting, that’s to say my approach is to…”

Getting this opponent to crack his lips was no easy task, from his first impression to the conversation up till now he could understand this. But, getting quickly into the hearts of others was Subaru’s specialty. His ample experience being friendless due to ignoring other people’s emotions wasn’t just for show.

Towards Subaru’s greedy attitude Wilhem was temporarily lost for words,

“Having you expectations go awry don’t become angry, and don’t celebrate before you’ve succeeded is it? After being seen through, far from becoming timid you’ve gotten bolder. If your opponent this time was actually an opponent though your personality would be inviting loss.”

At a glance they were sharp words. However, Wilhem’s expression as he spoke them was soft. From the contents of those words, he didn’t appear to care much for Subaru’s attitude, but it also eluded to the tolerance he had as his elder.

If that’s the case, Subaru raised his head,

“Is it still no good if you only give me an outline?”

“For me who has no idea what kind of status you hold in this mansion, I can’t afford to carelessly let my words slip. Please understand.”

Even towards the comparatively rude, no-boundaries Subaru, Wilhem responded with courteousness. As for a negotiation-trick to bend such an obstinate person, Subaru had no such thing on hand.

At this pace, all he’s done is take out an expensive tea and fulfilled all the conditions to make Ram angry, Subaru’s outlook was getting darker.

“However, I have seen earlier that you have quite a close relationship with the king-candidate Emilia-sama.”

“Oh, oh, oh, did you see? Me and Emilia-tan having our intimate, pleasant, embarrassing, red-faced talk, did you really see?”

“ ’tan’……?”

Frowning at this strange way of address, Wilhem smiled bitterly at this Subaru’s self-interest attitude.

“You’re walking down a severe path. She might very well be the next Queen of Lugnica you realize?”

“The current state is just an extremely lovely girl, and an unskilled servant. Because the future is limitless, if we only talk about probability then you end up not being able to move when the time counts you know? Wilhem-san when you got married, didn’t you think of your wife as the most beautiful person in the world?”

“My wife――”

Wilhem faltered for a moment at Subaru’s extreme argument. But, quickly returned to watching Subaru intently, his pupils flashing with an emotion that could probably be called admiration.

“I see, it is exactly as you say. I too thought my wife was the most beautiful in the world. I had the feeling like everyone was looking at her. Such that I felt miserable that I maybe wasn’t worthy of her.”

“Right? If it’s something that everyone has to deal with, then even if they think I’m unfit to be her partner I’ll make her mine. I’ll somehow or another work to get a social position, then I’ll steadily progress towards becoming suited for her, it’s a win-win, or at least that’s my dream.”

Lately with those kinds of feelings, Subaru had been imagining the future possibilities of his love. Even now he couldn’t get his true feelings across to her, he knew this wasn’t something he could accomplish through hard-work alone.  So I’ll do it through any means possible, is what he was thinking.

“That’s why when it comes to Emilia-tan’s circumstances, I want to avoid ending up in a situation where I’m not involved. Even though she’s walked a long ways ahead, and before you know it a jog turns into a run — in order to catch up to her of course I have to go full sprint, and if there’s a shortcut or anything else my personality’s one where I’ll want to use.”

“You have quite an amusing way of thinking there. Truly interesting. However, even if you come to me with more requests it’s a little bit troubling.”

As if to turn him down Wilhem put out his palm towards Subaru, shaking his head. To the end he hadn’t crumbled against that sincere attitude, but as if humoring Subaru,

“In the end I am but a mere coachman, when it comes to these affairs I am not well versed. It doesn’t seem like I can be of much help to you.”

“Is that right. You at least already realized who the hood-wearing Emilia-tan was, don’t you think using the excuse that you’re a ‘simple coachman’ is a little bit too extreme?”

“……..”

Wilhem looked blankly and said nothing towards Subaru’s objection of disbelief. While giving a sidelong look, Subaru raised one finger,

“Well, for someone heading towards the mansion you might be able to roughly guess who they were, but to say with 100% conviction? Wilhem-san you knew who Emilia-tan was instantly”

“I could very well have met Emilia-sama in the past you know?”

“If that was true Emilia-tan would have greeted you at least. It’s hard to imagine that the ‘eager-to-teach’ Emilia-tan wouldn’t introduce an acquaintance to the person standing next to her―― in the first place, starting from the point you recognized the hood covered Emilia as Emilia your setting as a simple coachman has been a bit forced.”

Eyes searching for an explanation, he looked at Subaru silently. “Nonono” Subaru waved his hands,

“It seems there were some very complicated spell formulas sown onto the robe Emilia was wearing, supposedly ones that had an effect of blocking recognition you know? You’ve either received Emilia’s approval, or you are a person capable of breaking through the effects, otherwise you wouldn’t have been able to perceive her as Emilia”

From the time he first met her till now she had always worn that robe. This was to avoid inviting unnecessary trouble related to her blood-line, or more accurately from being a half-elf, this was something that Subaru had grasped more-or-less. For her having the appearance of a silver haired half-elf, on the surface he could tell just how much of a harsh thing that was to bear in this world.

Unexpectedly, Wilhem shrugged his shoulders as if he was familiar with Subaru’s explanation,

“Measuring me from the first time we met… you’ve got a bad personality”

“I’m not calculating to that extent. When I was in the mansion making tea, I just started thinking “huh, isn’t this strange?” It was purely accidently.”

Nonetheless, it was still thanks to Subaru’s mental fortitude that he was able to capitalize on it. All to make sure no danger ever befell Emilia. Adding in the demon-beast incident, Subaru knew painfully well just how much danger this world held. In order to keep those fangs as far away from her as possible, Subaru was trying with all his might, even if it was like trying to cool a hot stone with little drops of water. That’s why he’ll take everything he can get, and learn everything he can find out.

Laughing frivolously and superficially, Subaru had no intention of letting Wilhem get away. Starting from the point he accepted his invitation for tea, this gentlemanly old man had already been dragged into Subaru’s dimension.

In addition to ignoring his opponent’s position and circumstances, this dimension existed only to push outcomes favorable to Subaru.

“A simple coachman, I suppose that excuse isn’t going to work. ….. It’s exactly as you’ve guessed, I am indeed someone related to the king-selection―― No, I suppose it is more accurate to say someone related to someone related.”

“Someone related to someone related…..”

It appeared Wilhem had lost the debate. As the loser he was fulfilling his duty, choosing his words he slowly began to speak.

Chewing the contents, Subaru digested the meaning of the words in his head,

“In short, you’re basically in the same position as me?”

“I don’t see your reasoning there, the difference between you and me huh”

“Since you’ve got your most beautiful wife in the world then you would never think of cheating right. Well, Emilia-tan is a bit cuter in my opinion though.”

“No, my wife is surely the cutest.”

He meant it as a joke but received a firm reply, Subaru unintentionally winced. He gave a sharp look as the fake smile he had been making was slapped down by Wilhem’s declaration,

“Unexpectedly, you get stuck on some weird things, Wilhelm-san…..You’re more playful than I thought.”

“I’d be happy if you thought of me as a young spirit in an old body.”

It was an utterance that sounded unusually seriously, but if he wanted to stick his nose any further he’d have to have patience. Subaru made his head spin trying to delve into deeper topics. In some way or another he could use this, if he could play off of his human emotions he had a feeling he could make this work somehow――

――”It seems we’re out of time”

“Huh?”

Subaru let out a stupid sounding voice. Responding to him, Wilhem pursed his lips silently, motioning towards the direction of the mansion with his hand. Subaru turned his head looking in the direction indicated, off in the distance the entrance door of the mansion began to open,

“The person who came out is Rem…. and who?”

Beyond the opened doors he could see two figures, the ever familiar blue-haired maid and an unknown person accompanying her. From the attitude of Wilhem took this person was probably the so-called envoy that had been the topic-piece for their conversation.

“How to say it, this really is a fantasy setting”

Without thinking he blurted out his impression, probably because that person’s appearance exuded an aura that was anything but appropriate for the term ‘envoy’. The envoy, noticing Subaru had been staring at them, a mischievous smile floated to their face as they rapidly approached the dragon-carriage.

“Hey! Even if I’m a beauty staring that much at me is still rude you know.”

No sooner than the moment they stood before Subaru, a white fingertip pointed straight at him. One eye closed as they made their declaration.

I’m afraid this person is likely the envoy. A cute girl with a charming face and flaxen hair evenly cut to shoulder length. Her height was rather tall for a girl, almost the same as Subaru’s. However her figure was naturally much more delicate, one-by-one her features revealed her gorgeous femininity or would it be more accurate to say girlishness. Her flaxen hair was decorated with a white ribbon, her big eyes shone with curiosity and had an almost cat-like charm to them, and currently on her head…

“It’s finally here, a non-minor character with nekomimi”

“Nya nya?”

The same color as her hair, a pair of animal ears claiming the top of her head trembled as if responding to his murmurs. In this world sub-species were completely natural, aside from seeing them in the capital there hadn’t been any other opportunities to interact with them, seeing the real thing up close like this was a real treat.

After all,

“I’m an appreciator of all things fluffy, there’s no way that I can’t pursue this existence in front of my eyes… dammit, quite down, my right arm…!”

Looking at it as a spectator he could imagine the sensation of the fluffy fur covered ears, just by standing in front of him her mere existence was a deadly poison for Subaru.  With a desperate look he suppressed his trembling right arm, somehow managing to pull away from the girl and create some distance. She stared blankly at Subaru’s suspicious behavior.

“Arere, am I hated? Feri-chan, failed”

‘Tehehe’, showing off her tongue, she bonked her head with a fist. Subaru’s throat froze over in fright, this was a completely different kind of horror than before.

―Not only a head bonk, but sticking out her tongue + winking!?

This was a classic rarely seen even in his own former world, the overly done legendary ‘cutesy-girl’ routine. He wanted to beat up anyone who dared attempt this overly cheeky routine in person, however―

“Now that I’m in front of the real thing the destructive energy of it… it’s too much, I can’t do a thing…!”

Faced with this overwhelming cheekiness all of his willpower was taken from him, is what that meant. Also, since the one doing it was wrapped up in it they were too cute to lay a hand against, is the second meaning that layered on top of the first. The result was that Subaru had choice other than to let this pass.

Towards the location Subaru stood shivering in a very wrong way, she gave a curtesy and turned to face Wilhem.

“I’m back Wil-jii, sorry for making you wait outside. Were you bored?”

“No, no. This young man over here was kind enough to keep my old bones company, it was an unexpectedly fun way to pass the time.”

“Fumyuu?”

Hearing the dressed up description Wilhem had given of our back-and-forth argument, the girl had a perked up expression. Eyes like a cat, her pupils narrowed, and her mouth warped giving off a feeling somehow like a ω shape.

“Aaaaaaa, now I get itー. I see I see, you’re the boy Emilia was talking about. I understand I understand.”

From top to bottom she looked at Subaru as if tasting him, finally clapping her hands together as if giving approval. Feeling the gaze Subaru subconsciously moved to cover himself with his hands, twisting his body as if trying to escape.

“No, stop it~. Just because I’m a boy, if you stare at me like that I’ll get embarrassed you know”

“Don’t say that, honey. You’ve got a pretty good body there, no needless meat. So much so if you weren’t already somebody’s property I’d have a taste myself.”

Going along with Subaru’s over-the-top reaction, she hit back with an equally absurd response. Normally girls would respond with a ‘kyaa’ or a giggle, having someone play along like this was a first for Subaru.

“Somehow I’ve got a strange amount of energy. I wonder if this feeling is a physiological reaction?”

Rather than feeling disgusted, Subaru’s instincts were screaming out louder now. In front of his eyes stood a teasing-eyed girl, clearly the natural enemy of the person named Natsuki Subaru. A snake against a slug. A slug against a frog. A frog against a snake. Subaru’s compatibility with this girl, he was on the weak side and she was on the strong side – this was something he could tell instinctively.

Subaru’s usual inappropriate behavior wasn’t coming out. Facing the Subaru had by now completely lost his nerve, the girl hit the accelerator to max and stepped it up even further.

Throwing her arms out She wrapped around Subaru’s neck and snuggled up next to him.

“uh, eh, eeeh!?”

“Don’t move. I’m checking something out right now.”

Since they were about the same height, her face was now right next to Subaru’s. Her voice whispering directly into Subaru’s ear, his whole body felt like it was being tickled. His face turned red from the sensation. He looked to his surroundings for help, finding Rem loitering near the mansion’s entrance he instantly turned pale.

She had on a blank face, one could see from afar she was unconcerned with what was happening. Towards the now gasping Subaru, Rem gestured her hands in a small mincing motion. It wasn’t like this gesture had any meaning in particular, but the intent was clearly conveyed to Subaru.

“I’m going to tell Emilia”

“Nooooooo”

Making a snap judgement he moved his body, somehow managing to peel away from the clinging girl. It wasn’t like he violently flung her away, more like pushing her shoulders away. Unsteady on his feet, Subaru ended up falling on his butt. In the ten or so seconds that this all happened, various emotions processed through Subaru’s head. Sitting with his feet collapsed under him and his shirt disheveled, he cried sorrowfully

“I didn’t want to, why did you… even though I only love Emilia-tan”

While feigning big crocodile tears secretly he was disappointed. With a kind touch a hand firmly grasped his shoulder. Looking up reflexively, the one behind him was Wilhem.

“Please take this.”

Held softly in his hand was a white handkerchief. Taking it from his hands, Subaru thanked him as he struggled to his feet. This was the compassion of an adult, experiencing it in person he fought the urge to bury himself in Wilhem’s arms.

“Because, this person already has a wife they love more than anyone else―Subaru did a dramatic reenactment of his feelings. So, can I ask you something about what just happened?” Returning the handkerchief unused to Wilhem, Subaru looked to the girl for an explanation for her previous behavior. Hearing these words, she bent her lips in thought.

“It was just as I had heard, inside your body it’s like the flow of water is completely stagnant. I’d do something about it, but there’s no time right now.”

Leaving behind these words, the girl ended the conversation. Not knowing the meaning of these words, Subaru threw his arms to the sky.

“Now then, let’s hurry back to our lovely Crusch-sama, Wil-jii. If we’re away for too long there’s no knowing what she’ll do.”

“It is as you say.”

Agreeing with her proposal, Wilhem abided with few words. Offering Subaru one last bow, he picked up a now empty cup on the ground and returned it to the tray.

“Thank you for the treat. Subaru-dono, may you be in good health.”

Climbing up to the coachman’s stand in a flash, Wilhem held the lizard’s reigns in his hand. Towards Subaru, who was staring speechlessly at this feat, the girl held her hands together as if praying.

“So then, we haven’t really time for introductions but we’re busy so sorry.”

Leaving behind a wink, she turned her body towards the dragon-carriage. Reaching his hand out towards her back, he put a voice to the numerous unresolved questions racing through his head.

“Please wait. I have so many questions to ask you…”

“I think it’s fine if you go ask Emilia honestly. Well then, may our fates meet again. Byyye.”

Cutting down his question in a single chop, she disappeared into the carriage with a smile. Understanding he’d been completely swept up by their pace, Subaru’s hand dropped in frustration. Wilhem said his goodbyes and the carriage set off along with the lizard’s neigh.

The frame creaked as the wheels began to turn. Every time the lizard stepped forward powerful marks remained in the ground, gaining speed quickly.

With the wheels moving forward, the frame began to move. The carriage picked up speed quickly as it traveled over the road, kicking up a cloud of dust it faded into the distance.

In the end all that was left was the completely defeated Subaru, and the lingering scent of the high-class tea.

※ ※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

Off in the distance, in the carriage heading out from the Roswaal mansion.

“We’re you able to fulfill your duty as an envoy?”

“Of course. It was something that Crusch-sama asked Feri-chan to do, it’s impossible that I’d fail. Wil-jii you’re such a worry-wart.”

The two exchanged conversation between the carriage and coachman’s stand. Sitting on the stand, Wilhem handled the Lizard easily. Behind him, the flaxen-haired girl hung her head out from the private room’s window. Although they were going very fast, having the divine protection of wind there was not even a hint of wind and they could continue their conversation like this without interruption. In a certain sense there was no better situation than this to hold a private conversation.

Wilhem smiled bitterly at her reply, “an unnecessary concern is it?”

“Leaving that aside”, she added.

“I’m was sure surprised to see you talking with that boy when I came out, you hate talking with others right?”

“That’s a horrible misunderstanding.”

Having her words denied immediately, “aaa, that’s not what I meant” she waived her hands.

“That’s right, sorry sorry. It wasn’t that you didn’t like talking, it was that you liked killing more.”

“…. That’s another horrible misunderstanding.”

Towards the girls banter, Wilhem used the same words. Seeing such a flat response to her provocations, the girl’s mouth tapered into a displeased expression.

“Soo boring. Is talking with Feri-chan so much more boring than with that boy? Did he catch your eye?”

Her voice was like a child pouting when their parent won’t give them attention.  Trying to draw out something more than muddled reaction from Wilhem, she climbed further out the window towards him.

“I didn’t feel anything special about him, did something about him resonate with Wil-jii? Like maybe unlike his looks he’s actually incredibly strong, or maybe he’s got some incredible talent?”

“No. My evaluation of him is not so different from yours. He’s an amateur, an amateur who hasn’t even starting to grow hair yet. He has no special talents either. It’s undeniable that he is an average existence.”

“Then why? Trash like that, wasn’t that what you hated the most in this world?”

The girl dressed Subaru up as an unredeemable person. Without even making a frown, Wilhelm quietly lifted his hand and pointed to his eye.

“His eyes”

“―eyes?”

Hearing her voice he sat in a pondering looking, pulling on his chin.

“That boy’s eyes, they caught my interest is all. They were the eyes of someone who’s faced near-death many times. There are many who have returned from the brink of death. However…”

Cutting off his words, Wilhem closed his eyes.

“Coming back from the brink of death, not just once, but multiple times. I don’t know of any existence like that. It’s for that reason, that he’s caught my attention.”

“Hmmmph, I don’t get it”

Wilhelm’s words mixed with admiration were easily cut in half. Wilhem was frowning for real this time as she continued on.

“Aside from what you just said Wil-jii, that boy won’t be walking an easy road.”

Her eyes narrowed as if she had thought of something again, staring at the broad back sitting on the coachman’s stand.

“Catching the interest of the ‘Sword-Devil’ Wilhem Van Astrea, that’s as misfortunate as being obsessed over by the witch.”

 

 

Vol. 3 Ch. 1: Quiet Early Morning

“Here, over here! If you don’t hurry they’ll catch us.”

“I know, I’m saying I know already, wait– timeou…!”

Pulled by the arm, the two ran through the alley with poor footing.

It’s a small back alley. Even though it’s past noon the sunlight has yet to reach this area, the dimly lit dark alleys formed a complex maze as if to reject to two.

For Subaru who had no familiarity with this area this wasn’t a very amiable situation. If only the one leading knew the way, was all he wished for.

“We sure came down a dark path, do you know where you’re going?”

“No clue!”

After a refreshing amount of back-and-forth chatter, Subaru let out a defeated sigh as he brought a hand to his brow.

It was a response to be expected, after all the person pulling Subaru by the hand was dressed in a showy manner that one couldn’t help but think unfamiliar with the hidden back alleys.

A fluttering red dress made with expensive looking materials. A glittering necklace catching the light. The skin that peaked out was an elegant white, it was impossible to think her upbringing would have been any different.

Most of all, the coloring of her vivid orange-colored hair. The nobility of it claimed her presence as being laughably far-removed from this place in the slums.

Looking at this appearance once more, Subaru was once again convinced he had picked up a troublemaker.

Hearing the the multiple footsteps following behind them, this wasn’t exactly the time to stop and catch his breath.

How did things come to this… this question filled Subaru’s mind. Running out of breath, he grimaced as aching filled his lungs.

Subaru’s current trouble all started around two days ago.

 

※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※  ※　※　※

 

―― For Natsuki Subaru, morning was a time for sleeping, at the very least not a time for vigorous activity.

Even if it’s too much of a stretch to say that he’d melt from showering in the morning’s bright light, for the DNA making up Natsuki Subaru’s body it certainly felt like dying. For this Subaru to be bathing in the early morning sunlight doing radio calisthenics before a crowd, a mere month ago such a thing would have been unthinkable.

―― Speaking of which, getting summoned to another world is pretty unthinkable in itself.

It’s such a big transformation one would think they’ve hit their head or something. In fact, he did have memories of a rather strong impact to his head, such that it wouldn’t be surprising if his way of thinking had changed a little. However, even taking that into account it wasn’t like this was a situation he was all that opposed to.

“Ai, and for the last part stretch your arms to sky, Finishhh-! Victory-!!”

“”Victory――!!””

A chorus of voices followed Subaru’s instructions, stretching their arms to sky; radio-calisthenics complete. Hearing shouts of joy rise up from the crowd, Subaru lightly wiped the drops of sweat from his brow. In front, as if to surround him, was a crowd of inhabitants from the village bordering the Roswaal mansion. From the looks of it, I’d say roughly half of the villagers were gathered.

The radio-calisthenics he had started light-heartedly seemed to have unexpectedly caught the heart-strings of this world’s inhabitants. In this village he had given rise to a great movement, one that had driven the non-committal Subaru into a situation where he couldn’t quit even if he tried.

“Subaru―, we finished the exercises!” “Give us a stamp, give us a stamp!” “Sweet potato, sweet potato!”

TL: It sounds weird, but you’ll see

“Daaaa! Stop it, stop crowding around me so early in the morning, and settle down! You guys are seriously too energetic, it must be nice to be young! You don’t have to be so rushed, the stamps aren’t going to run away. Line up, line up.”

After coming in contact with the overly-familiar gang of children Subaru’s expression carved into a bitter smile. Showing no hints of defiance, the children followed his instructions and formed a straight line in front of him. Seeing this Subaru gave a satisfied nod and turned his head.

“Well then, Emilia-tan, if you’ll do the honors.”

“Yes- here you go”

Emilia stood directly behind him, gripping a small sack before handing it over, her lips wavering between a bitter and happy smile. Opening the received bundle, inside were long thinly shaven raw sweet potatoes. Seeing the sweet potatoes appear the children raised excited voices, as if responding to the shrill voices Subaru took up a sweet potato.

TL: It’s like a wood-block print except instead of being a wood-block print it’s now a potato-block print

“Alright I’m going to press it down now, take out your paper”

Taking out the container of ink from the same bag Subaru dipped the end of the sweet potato in, pressing down the inked-potato onto the paper presented by the first child. Emilia watches the children’s faces turn to joy as a picture emerges onto the surface.

“Carving the flat side of a potato to make a potato-stamp. Subaru, you always come up with weird things.”

“If you cut off the inked part then you can use it as emergency rations, and this picture has more sense than you’d think. By the way, I name today’s masterpiece ‘Monday’s Puck’.

What appeared on the paper was a distorted print of a cat, bringing out a feeling of languor. It captured the key characteristics fairly well, anyone looking at it could guess the model at a glance. Well, the title itself is a dead giveaway.

“I’m really surprised, it looks just like Puck. Subaru, you’re really good at art”

“Well, I’ve had ample time that I’ve wasted away practicing to draw like this. I only know the basics though, since I gave up half-way.

If you’re a true Otaku then you’ll have traveled down the path of drawing at least once. From there it’s about establishing your own drawing style, whether you make a name for yourself is mostly up to luck. By the way, for Subaru this ended up being impossible.

“This is all I can do, carving images of cats onto potatoes in a world that doesn’t even have potato-stamps; it’s only good for spoiling innocent little kids.”

“That’s a pretty unpleasant way to phrase it… and doesn’t this picture of puck somehow look like it lacks energy?”

“I told you it’s called ‘Monday’s Puck’, I wanted to try and capture that hidden negative feeling where you know that there’s an entire week ahead of you. Those poorly drawn ears were on purpose.

Hearing Emilia’s impression, Subaru tried to emphasize his artistic intent. All-the-while being pestered by children holding out papers to be stamped, on which the number of radio-calisthenics participation stamps was steadily accumulating. It’s like I’m re-creating one of those summer vacation stamp-rallies, Subaru thought with a bit of playfulness. Every day before sleeping Subaru carved out a new stamp, there were always a lot of kids looking forward to what kind of stamp they’d get. Entertaining children, Subaru demonstrated the nimbleness of his fingers in a rather odd way.

Subaru enjoyed chatting with the children for a while as they clamored around him, finally exchanging promises for tomorrow’s radio-calisthenics exercise and bidding farewell with a wave of his hand. Subaru talked with each of the group of adult participants before accompanying Emilia back to the mansion.

Lately this had become Subaru’s daily routine, leaving in the early hours to spend time in the village. This setting came about because his body hadn’t quite recovered so he wasn’t able to participate in the mansion’s morning work, the pitifulness of this state was added onto by the fact he was also using up Emilia’s relaxation time, something that bothered Subaru quite a lot.

“Aahhh, I’m worn out. Emilia-tan, I feel bad taking up your time like this every morning.”

“It’s fine, it’s not like your conditions back to normal yet, and Ram and Rem both have their work at the mansion. And it’s not like I dislike this anyway…”

“When you say you don’t dislike it… could that possibly be spending time with me!?”

“Wrongー. I meant getting to know the villagers who I hadn’t been involved with in the past. You know how it’s been… because it was like I thought I had drawn up a line around myself.

She coldly shot down Subaru’s words who was now wildly inhaling through his nose; Emilia gave a shy laugh. From under her hood, her face’s white profile was interrupted by a glimpse of lovely-red lips, Subaru felt the blood rise unintentionally to his cheeks from the charmingness of it.

Emilia’s current appearance is closest to what she wore when they first met in the capital. A lightweight short skirt, over the top of which was a white robe with falcon shaped embroidery, her beautiful silver hair entirely concealed under her hood. Subaru stood next to her in clear contrast, wearing a slightly dirty cheap-looking grey jersey. After coming to this world it had taken quite the beating, it was only due to Rem’s handiwork that it was able to recover to this extent. The areas most frayed were the parts Subaru had attempted to mend by himself.

Comparing my clothes, appearance, and various other specs to Emilia’s, in my heart I couldn’t help but let out a sigh. I’m desperate over here trying to even things out. From the start our positions aren’t even in the same arena.

“Anyways…”

The one to break the silence was Emilia, as Subaru was still brooding in deep thought. She was bent over in front of Subaru, looking down at him from an angle with both arms crossed.

“You’ve become quite familiar with the villagers haven’t you, could it be that you’re more of a celebrity now than Ram and Rem?”

“Well, in a certain way I’m like a hero that saves children! Kind of like a hero that goes around saving people, so maybe that’s being talked about somewhat?”

Even though he dressed it up as a joke, in reality Subaru had done enough that it didn’t sound entirely ridiculous, it ended up not being much of a joke.

Towards Subaru’s playful words Emilia kept silent with a finger on her lips, tilting her head at Subaru.

“It’s probably something a little different from a hero”

“Ah, yeah I guess they wouldn’t be talking about it… but if it wasn’t the forest incident then I wonder what else it’d be”

「あ、やっぱ噂になってることはなってんのね。……でも、森の一件じゃなかったら他になんかあったかな」

Being praised for his role in the rescue-business wasn’t something that was needed or expected by Subaru. However, outside his expectations, Emilia’s words continued on in this direction. Smiling with her peach-colored lips as she let out a small laugh.

“It’s true that the current impression of you by the village children is a bit like a hero, but more than that the rumors are leaning more towards you being a (shikisha) scholar you know?”

“(Shikisha) musical director…? I can’t lead an orchestra you know. My musical sense is zero.”

I was a proud living legend back in elementary school band class, getting the opportunity to play the big taiko drums once. Someone with zero musical sense on a big taiko drum is quite the scene. Why they had to change people midway through is still a mystery to me.

At the previous boke Emilia shakes her head sideways, “that’s not it.”

“(Shikisha) scholar as in an intellectual. A foolish sage himself, is what the old men in the village are saying.”

“That really doesn’t sound like praise… like someone who can study but is still an idiot. In the first place, what have I ever done that’s intellectual-like…”

“Mayonnaise”

TL: he created mayonnaise earlier in volume 2.

Stabbing her finger out, Emilia blurts out a straight-forward single word. From her words Subaru could only agree. Ever since the incident a few days ago, the adoption rate for this new technology was progressing smoothly. Because it was deemed too much of a waste (mostly by Emilia) to keep such a treat to themselves, they had been spreading the production method out to the nearby villages. It’s only been a few days but it seems like it’s caused quite a stir.

As a mayonnaise lover, bringing mayonnaise to another world was truly a step to be celebrated. May mayonnaise be eternal.

However,

“It’s great that those who recognize the magnificence of mayonnaise are spreading, but for my death-defying heroics to be deemed less than a brand of mayonnaise…”

It seems rather than a hero, I’m becoming famous as a mayonnaise evangelist, in the end this is my so called value to society. With quite an overwhelmed feeling Subaru drooped his shoulders.

Seeing this reaction Emilia acted in a panic, massaging his shoulders,

“A, um, you know, I’m sure the children are thankful for you saving them? But the one who brought them back from the forest was Rem after all, and the rumors going around are saying that the one who finished off the demon-beast in the forest was Roswaal…”

 

It hurt to receive such sympathy, but he couldn’t deny anything she had said. Looking back at it again, Subaru was shocked.

When it came to rescuing the children, all Subaru managed to accomplish was to get bitten all over his body and become terribly injured. And with defeating the demon beast, other than restoring Rem’s sanity he had left everything else to Roswaal, ran out of energy and lied down to rest. He was surprised with himself.

“I didn’t actually contribute anything did I?!”

I was just flailing around the whole time. Subaru feeling like all his hard work was just denied from him, he felt increasingly like shrinking.

Seeing Subaru like this Emilia found it more and more difficult to find the words to call out to him, stumbling and ending with phrases like, “um,” and “you know,” “it’s not like that…”

“Mou, stop being like that, getting all caught up on small things”

“B-but, Emilia-tan…”

“The people that understand that you worked hard already know it. Roswaal, and Ram, and especially Rem are all like that.”

Emilia said with a playful tone, as she poked Subaru’s face with her finger. Feeling the pointy sensation Subaru shifted his eyes to her with a pitiful look, she let out a grumble as she trotted out in front of him. Turning around, she removed her hood with vigor, her long silver hair glistening in the morning sun as it ran down her back. Seeing such a magical figure Subaru stopped in his tracks. Standing in front of Subaru she placed her hands on her hips, with an attitude almost like scolding a younger brother,

“I know it too, you know.”

“Eeeeh?”

“That you tried hard, that’s something that I really understand. That’s why you can’t get depressed like this. Understand?”

Emilia tilted her head, “Your reply?” she asked. Hearing those words the dazed Subaru woke up in scramble, vigorously shaking his head up and down. Seeing this reaction Emilia burst into a smile.

“Mou, what is it this time? You’re moving like a broken toy. You’re always like this.”

“No, this time it wasn’t like I was doing it on purpose… and anyway Emilia-tan who does these things without trying is 100x more unfair! No matter how I struggle I fall in love again.”

“Yes, yes. And stop trying to play it up like that, I think that’s a bad― habit. “

We’re having a heart-to-heart talk here, but the smiling Emilia won’t lend her ear. As she catches her flowing hair with one hand and combs it to the back, Subaru thought once more that she was completely out of his league.

Even though walking together like this was something that they had done so countless times before, each time, every time, he felt like it was a brand new experience.

None of the Emilia’s were the same. If he let today’s get away, the chance to meet today’s Emilia would never come around again. Treating this time as precious and looking forward to tomorrow, it was unexpected that he’d be spending his daily life like this.

“Working energetically, deepening my relationship with my sweetheart―― what a wholesome lifestyle. Noone can call me a shut-in anymore!”

“Even if it can’t be helped that you act tough like this because you’re a boy, you need to properly take care of your body you know. There’s no good reason to push yourself right now you know. Just be obedient and let Rem and Ram… well mostly just Rem, take care of you.”

From Subaru’s energetic yell and eccentric pose, Emilia seems to have garnered quite a few misunderstandings and offered up some candid advice.

It seems in her mind Subaru had taken up a position as a well-mannered upstanding young man. One that would work themselves to death through labor and hard work. Of course, in reality Subaru was far from hardworking, his personality was one where he’d like to live his whole life eating and sleeping if he didn’t have to work.

Of course he also wasn’t honest enough to go out of his way to correct such a favorable misunderstanding like this though.

Meanwhile, during their extended talk you could begin to see the top of the Roswaal mansion peak out over the horizon. Like this they continued on, spending the few minutes in a pleasant morning conversation, the time of which one could see would soon end.

“We started talking and the time just flew b… hey, what’s with you going so slow all of sudden?”

“This is my reluctance to part ways, behold my snail’s pace tactics. Don’t you just want to enjoy this refreshing morning air some more? With who? With me!”

“If we go too slow people would get upset you know… I did say that you shouldn’t push yourself, but keeping promises is important. I have my contracts with the spirits I have to keep too.”

“I’m weak to that kind of reasoning. …Puck’s about to wake up now too, it seems like I missed my timing to have some nuisance-free love talk with Emilia.”

The contract of a spirit user, he was weak to that being brought up. He hid his innermost thoughts behind his facial expression while holding back tears of blood in his heart,

“I know… let’s go back. …shit, I could have done some even better things…!”

“I don’t know what’s gotten you so vexed, but if I have some extra time I’ll hear you out so stop pouting, mou.”

Emilia who had gradually come to act more intimate towards Subaru gave a troubled smile while putting a finger to her lips. Subaru watched as she muttered softly under her breath “what’s this?”

“There’s a carriage… stopped in front of the mansion.”

“Hmm?”

Piqued by her murmurs he aligned his vision to where she was looking, narrowing his eyes he confirmed its existence.

In front of the Roswaal mansion’s main gate there was a single ‘horse’-drawn carriage approaching. At a glance Subaru could tell this ‘horse’-drawn carriage was different from the horse-drawn carriages he was familiar with.

After all, the animal pulling the frame wasn’t a horse but a horse-sized lizard. In that case it couldn’t truly be called a horse-drawn carriage, so he had no choice other than to refer to it as a ‘horse’-drawn carriage.

“I sort of remember these things darting around everywhere in the capital”

On the first day he was summoned, he remembered looking out from the marketplace onto the road the figure of these things running past kicking up a great amount of dust, it would be difficult to forget such a scene. From the fact that the word ‘horse-drawn’ was understood he could ascertain that there were indeed horses in this world, but from the fact that I’m observing a lizard pulling the carriage here I guess that this animal is the standard in this world’s society.

“If I’m not mistaken they were calling that a dragon-carriage?”

“…..? Yeah. Because the one pulling the frame is an earth dragon, calling it a dragon-carriage is only natural right? Ee, it’s a lie, could it be my common sense is wrong? Does it have a proper name?”

Responding to the zero-knowledge Subaru’s question was Emilia, whose own breadth of knowledge was now increasingly suspect. For the girl reading way too much into his words, Subaru shook his hands in denial,

“It’s just that I’m lacking in knowledge. Emilia-tan is right about this, probably, so have some confidence.”

“Really? You’re not teasing me? Don’t start any embarrassing rumors about me ok. If you lie I’ll whack you, you know.”

“Whack, that’s not a word you hear nowadays….”

Like this, they came up to the carriage while talking. Looking the lizard up close it was shocking how big it really was. On the carriage it was pulling there was a stand built to seat a coachman, sitting on which was a person who fit the bill, spotting the two approaching he began to climb down to the ground.

“Welcome back. I beg your pardon for parking our vehicle in front of your gate.”

With conduct fitting for an old-gentleman he greeted us while offering a bow. If the one escorting this carriage was like this then the passenger was surely a distinguished person in their own respect. Peeking inside from the coach’s window there wasn’t even a trace of a shadow inside carriage’s room. In other words,

“The envoy is already inside the mansion holding an audience with the count.”

“My, how polite. How should I put it, I’m embarrassed to be stealing looks like this. Anway, I’m not used to things like this so I’d hope if you could overlook it.”

Subaru blew it by responding in an overly honest manner, trying to cover with polite sounding language was too much to ask for. Standing next to him Emilia made a look like “you know how to speak properly” right? Subaru felt the difference in social standing between him and her keenly.

Covering for the now silent Subaru, Emilia stepped in front to face the coachman.

“You said envoy… by chance could it be?”

Facing the subjectless question the coachman gave a quick bow and demonstrated he was well informed,

“It’s exactly has Emilia-sama has guessed, this matter is related to the selection of the next king.”

Hearing the words ‘king-selection’ Subaru raised his face. Even just hearing it now, this was a far-off phrase for him.

Emilia’s face spontaneously stiffened, and Subaru frowned at this turn of events. Seeing their reactions the old gentleman held his bow and continued.

“I imagine you’ll hear this officially from the envoy. Please, if you would return to the mansion.”

“I wonder if it’s a summons?”

“For anything further I would request that you hear out the envoys message”

Facing the coachman who clearly knew his role, bowing her head Emilia replied “very well” with hardened face.

“―Let’s go”

Giving a short declaration, without turning to face Subaru she began walking. Heading towards the entrance to the mansion.

Flustered, Subaru ran off chasing her back. Turning his head once more for another look.

The coachman stood facing them with his head still lowered, seeing them off in silence.