Chapter 6-2: His Own Kind of Welcome

It may be belated, but the Roswaal domain mansion—the base of Emilia's camp—had moved from the old estate that burned down to the main estate in the Mathers domain.

That said, the layout of the mansion was unchanged from before, with the main building at the center flanked by the West Building and East Building on either side—a familiar arrangement. Since the size of the mansion itself was nearly identical, Subaru rarely felt lost wandering its halls.

The problem was that it was just a little too similar, making it easy to forget that the village of Arlam was nowhere nearby. On more than one occasion, Subaru had set off in a half-asleep daze to do radio calisthenics in the village, only to realize midway down the long highway and slump in despair.

Each time, Beatrice came chasing after him in a huff, and he'd catch an earful.

In any case, they returned to the Roswaal mansion, received the unchanging welcome of Petra and Ram, and stepped into the sitting room where Roswaal, the master of the house, was waiting—only to be greeted by— "Oh my, welcome hoooome. Nothing matters more than your safe return, riiight?"

Roswaal sat on the sitting room sofa, clapping his hands to welcome them back. His beaming, overjoyed reception left Subaru and Emilia thoroughly dumbfounded.

Looking at that excessively friendly smile, the two exchanged glances.

"...Emilia-tan, did you write something weird in your letter?"

"I-I don't know what you're talking about! Besides, didn't you give Roswaal some strange gift, Subaru? I mean, you and Roswaal are always whispering to each other behind people's backs..."

"That's ridiculous! If I was going to go out of my way to give Roswaal a gift, I'd spend that time and money figuring out how to put it back into Emilia-tan, Beako, Petra, Frederica, Patrasche, and I guess Ram as a gesture of my gratitude!"

"That was an awful lot of women's names."

"Giving a gift to someone like Otto or Garfiel would be embarrassing, wouldn't it? Guy stuff!"

Subaru deflected Emilia's flat stare with an awkward laugh in response to Beatrice's displeasure. For the record, he left Rem off the list deliberately, so as not to worry anyone around them. In any case, Roswaal watched this exchange and shrugged.

"What a heartless reacoooootion. What's so strange about me worrying about your safety and being happy you're all right? Isn't that just common courtesy?"

"Well, that's true, but... Roswaal, you've never really shown that side of yourself to us before..."

"I've had various changes in perspective over this past year, you knoooow. Wouldn't it be cause for rejoicing if I became more cooperative, Emilia-sama?"

"Hmm, you're right."

Emilia accepted Roswaal's transformation with her characteristic magnanimity, taking his words at face value. Watching her nod along and wave her hand lightly, Subaru couldn't quite bring himself to trust the situation—but— "Trying to understand how that one thinks is pointless—it's so far beyond normal people that it's impossible to comprehend. And Subaru... Subaru is a bit 'that way' himself, but Roswaal's 'that way' is on a whole other level."

"You used way too many pronouns in that last sentence."

Subaru patted the head of Beatrice, whose pronoun-laden speech was starting to sound like senile rambling, and followed Emilia into the sitting room.

In high spirits, Roswaal—Subaru was suspicious, but he had a pretty good idea what Roswaal was after.

In truth, Roswaal's intentions were exactly what he himself had just stated.

Roswaal was genuinely happy that Subaru and Emilia had returned safely.

Now that the Book of Wisdom was gone, Subaru's ability to overcome the obstacles in his path—his actions alone—were Roswaal's best move toward achieving his still-unspoken goal.

"If you're going to think that way, at least be a little more cooperative about it. It'd really help."

"Whether or not I lend a hand, you'll achieve your objective anyway. I believe that to be true, which is why I'm cooperating in the areas beyond your reach. We're truly equals, aaaaaren't we?"

"It feels like one of those RPG tropes where the overpowered guest character only shows up for a guest appearance."

Having a guest character who's too strong for the main party only participate in spot appearances was practically a rule. Roswaal's non-participation in battle was along those lines. For him, the more cornered Subaru became, the stronger the proof that Return by Death's fate-altering power worked, so he'd just keep watching with delight as Subaru resorted to desperate measures.

Subaru wanted to click his tongue at the sheer unshakability of the man.

"—Can we maybe get our introductions done too, already?"

"S-Sorry to keep you waiting. Roswaal, we've got guests. Scoot over and sit tight."

"I know. And what an interesting lineup it is."

A young woman called out from the doorway, where she'd been kept waiting during their exchange. Subaru apologized to her casually, then gestured for Roswaal to move to the other end of the sofa.

Roswaal rose, settled deep into the seat of honor, then gestured for the two guests to take the visiting sofa. Subaru and the others slowly took seats across from them.

"Welcome, all the way from such a distant place. This is the first time we've had a proper face-to-face conversation since the ceremony of merit, isn't it?"

"That's right, it is. And even then, we didn't really get to talk properly... So in a sense, this is really our first time, I'd say."

The ceremony of merit referred to was the joint evaluation of Emilia's camp, Crusch's camp, and Anastasia's camp held when the subjugation of the White Whale was officially recognized.

It was a small-scale ceremony at the royal castle in the capital, but naturally, the representatives of each camp assembled there, so every member who had been involved in resolving the Sanctuary was present.

Otto's blue-faced nervousness and Garfiel's eyes sparkling at the castle were vivid in Subaru's memory, but Roswaal having the nerve to show up casually after all that had transpired was something else entirely.

Well, when it came to nervousness, Emilia had been just as flustered, so there wasn't much room to talk. For her, being praised for a feat she had no memory of performing was a mixed blessing at best.

In any case, it was their first reunion since then, and they exchanged the appropriate pleasantries.

The discussion quickly moved to the main topic—the report on the city of Pristella— "—And so, as mentioned in the letter, Otto and Garfiel were injured and had to withdraw. I see, I understand. A truly commendable achievement indeed."

Roswaal exhaled with admiration upon hearing the report. Emilia raised an eyebrow at his words and spoke in a slightly firmer tone: "They were seriously hurt—so badly they couldn't even come back. And you call that commendable? What do you mean by that?"

"I wouldn't jump to conclusions if I were you. Their injuries are certainly regrettable, and being forced to withdraw for a time is no doubt a blow. However, on the other hand, no one in our camp suffered fatal harm. Despite encountering multiple Archbishops of Sin—along with the other camps—this outcome... is nothing short of a miraculous turn of events."

"—"

"Of course, the damage left by the Archbishops of Sin must be addressed urgently. But Emilia-sama and the others who defended the city took the best possible action to minimize the harm. I think they deserve to recognize that much in themselves."

"...Right. Thank you."

Emilia thanked Roswaal with a less-than-convinced expression. In truth, his words carried a strong ring of reason, but the impression of the speaker mattered. Even Subaru found it unconvincing, so everyone probably did.

"Well, regardless of what everyone thinks of me at this point, shall we move the conversation forward?—Incidentally, it was Anastasia-sama who invited Emilia-sama's camp to the city of Pristella where this commotion occurred... What do you make of that?"

"I do feel bad about dragging you into the middle of the mess. If you tell me to apologize, I'll apologize—I'm prepared for that."

"And if one bows sincerely enough, one doesn't have to pay a single coin... Ah, but no need to apologize to me. I expect Emilia-sama has already declined?"

"Because if the Witch Cult did something wrong, the one at fault is the Witch Cult, right? Anastasia didn't do anything but invite us, so she shouldn't be held responsible. Besides, we achieved the purpose of being invited to Pristella..."

Under Roswaal's sidelong glance, Emilia touched the pendant at her neck.

A new Great Spirit Stone was set in it, within which the Great Spirit who still slumbered deeply was quietly waiting for the moment of revival. Obtaining the high-purity crystal that would serve as Puck's vessel—that was the objective, and it had undeniably been accomplished.

"And besides, it might be that the Witch Cult retreated because we happened to be there. If you think about it, that would actually be Anastasia's doing, wouldn't it..."

"I think you're being a bit too generous to another camp if you take it that far."

Roswaal's prodding somehow ended up rescuing Anastasia, thanks to Emilia's optimism.

That said, Roswaal's questioning was merely a feint—he was just saying it to gauge reactions. In truth, a significant portion of the Witch Cult's objective may have been something Subaru's group brought to Pristella. If that were pointed out, it would leave a sour taste regardless of whether the Cult was truly at fault.

So it was best to maintain the united front that the Witch Cult was the worst.

"On that point, the other three camps have already accepted it. One Archbishop of Sin was killed and another captured... The Witch Cult must be in shambles by now."

"There may be room for doubt about their organizational capacity, though. They're a band of outlaws with no concept of coordination or solidarity. Even if every last ally disappeared, the madness of a fanatic doesn't fade just because they're the last one standing."

"...I'll concede that point."

Roswaal's assessment was the same as Subaru's, and it was probably correct.

The Witch Cult was less an organization and more a gathering of lunatics. Without that, they had no sense of self-restraint to speak of.

The rampages of the remaining "Gluttony" and "Lust" would surely never cease.

"That's precisely why we need a countermeasure. This meeting is for that purpose."

"...Contacting the 'Sage' Shaula, you mean."

"I know it sounds difficult, but if there's no other option, we have to try what can be tried. If there really is an all-knowing... well, not all-knowing, but supposedly all-knowing sage out there, it's worth paying a visit just to hear them out."

"Oooone might end up paying with their life, though—quite a few people in the past several centuries have made that exact mistake, you knoooow."

Hearing that stated as common sense, Subaru had to admit it was a fair point. But he had a trump card for this.

When Subaru gave a knowing glance, Anastasia lifted her chin regally and spoke: "That's where we come in. Fortunately, we have a way to reach that 'Sage's' watchtower without getting lost. So there's no need to worry about losing your way. Rest easy, all right?"

"It's hard to believe on words alone, and beyond that—if such a method existed, there would be plenty of people willing to pay a fortune for it. Why should you alone have it?"

"I'm a merchant, so of course money matters to me. —But there are things that money can't buy. This is one of those things."

Anastasia—no, Eridna—placed a hand on her flat chest and declared that boldly.

Despite wearing Anastasia's guise, there was something strangely powerful in those words. Even Subaru, who knew she wasn't truly Anastasia, felt the force behind them.

Roswaal met that gaze and closed one eye, studying her with his yellow-hued stare for a moment.

"My, my. That's what makes people who've weathered battlefields and crisis so difficult to handle. And besides, Emilia-sama has already made up her mind, hasn't she?"

"I do feel bad about deciding on my own, for the record."

"But you have no intention of stopping either. That's fine. You're the kind of person who deliberately chooses the thorny path—and he will follow you there, no matter what."

Despite his reluctant demeanor, Roswaal's interest ultimately came back to the same place.

The more difficult a path Emilia chose, the higher the hurdle Subaru had to clear. For Roswaal, that was now the hope that had replaced the Book of Wisdom.

"So anyway, we'll be crossing that whatever-it's-called desert with Anastasia as our guide. Looks like it'll take a good chunk of days again."

"It's not a 'whatever-it's-called' desert—it's the Augria Sand Dunes. I've corrected you enough times, so couldn't you at least bother to remember?"

Julius interjected with a sigh at Subaru's vague recollection. Seated on the sofa beside Anastasia, he had been silently observing the discussion until now. He directed his keen gaze toward Roswaal.

"I imagine this must be a painful request for you, Lord Roswaal. However, the people of Pristella are still suffering under the Witch Cult's violence, wounded in both body and spirit. If our actions can help ease their hearts, I would ask that you permit it here and now."

"What an elegantly phrased appeal. You seem to be a person of extraordinary ability, yet... I don't recall you from memory. Which tells me everything I need to knoooow, yes?"

"—"

At the mere fact that Julius didn't exist in his memory, Roswaal understood the situation. Julius lowered his eyes slightly, and Roswaal rested his elbow on the armrest and propped his chin on his hand.

Then, with a vaguely amused curl of his lips: "The frustration of being forgotten by people due to Gluttony's authority, of being left behind by the world—you're heading to the Sage Shaula in search of a sliver of hope to break free from the situation you've been placed in. You really don't need to make excuses about it being for someone else's sake, you knoooow?"

"—! I would never act out of such selfish motives!"

"I'm not criticizing you. If anything, it's natural, and I find it preferable. People are generally more desperate when acting for themselves than for others. Whether others are saved as a result or not, there's no need to deny the part of you that finds satisfaction, achievement, or even superiority in that process."

Roswaal continued with flowing ease as Julius's cheeks stiffened.

Behind the jester's makeup, his smile deepened.

"Besides, given the current situation, if you're saved, others are highly likely to be saved as well. There shouldn't be a shred of guilt in acting under such a noble pretext, riight?"

"I am—"

"—Lord Margrave Mathers, perhaps that's enough?"

Anastasia stopped the faltering Julius with a gesture and took his place facing Roswaal. She smiled sweetly, tilting her head adorably.

Then: "We don't exactly have you in our memories either, to be honest... But this one is our knight, through and through. It's not right to pick on him for something he can't help—it doesn't feel good to watch."

"You're saying that even though the memory is gone, the bond between lord and knight still lives on?"

"Who knows, really—we don't understand all the details either. But Julius looked out for us on the journey, and it felt natural and wasn't unpleasant at all... Besides—"

Anastasia gently pointed a raised finger at the sofa across from her.

"If we kept this up and your camp fell apart, we'd be trying to prevent that, you know."

"Oh my."

Roswaal shrugged at Anastasia's remark—upon seeing Subaru on the verge of eruption. Subaru being on the verge of shouting meant that Emilia and Beatrice were the same.

Seeing this, Roswaal raised his hand as if to concede.

"All right, all right, my baaaad. I was only pointing out that such a dynamic exists, you know."

"Nobody asked for that. Seriously, cut it out."

"Oh? Whether it benefits a few or many, people who harbor such prejudice will inevitably appear. Suspicious minds, gossips who run their mouths—that kind. I thought I'd offer a preemptive warning since you didn't seem to be aware."

Not for someone else's sake, but for his own.

The accusation of acting for selfish reasons left a painful scar inside Subaru too. Back at the royal castle, Emilia had once told him that what he framed as actions for her sake were really for himself. That sting was hard to forget, and it was probably true.

But regardless of whether it was true, there would always be those who said it with the intent to wound. Even so— "That doesn't mean fewer people will understand the meaning of what he did. This guy—what kind of person do you think I am? Get real."

"What can I doooo? Unlike you, I don't know the man personally. ...Though from what I can see, your relationship doesn't look like just a few days of traveling together."

Roswaal lowered his eyes as Subaru bristled. Beneath his long lashes, for just a moment, his eyes were shadowed with genuine melancholy.

"There you go, being the only one who remembers again. Just like with Rem."

"Coincidence, I guess."

"That's proof of how special you are. Hold it precious—treasure it. —Because so many people would give anything for what you have, but can't have it."

The latter part of his words were too quiet for anyone but Subaru to catch clearly.

Subaru decided to cut his losses—he knew Roswaal would never break no matter how he pressed. In any case, the message had been delivered.

Now— "Just as I said in the letter. The zashiki cell, and—"

"'Sleeping Beauty'—you want to bring her out, right? That's quite a bold move. You hated being near that girl more than anything, yet here you are."

"There might be a way to wake her. I'm going to try it. Obviously."

"What surprised me was that you'd try that method on her first. You like to pretend to be a terrible egotist, but in practice you're punishing yourself. Somewhere in the back of your mind—in a corner of your thoughts—don't you believe that you shouldn't be the first one saved?"

"—"

Pinned by the bull's-eye, Subaru fell silent.

In preparation for heading to the Pleiades Watchtower, Subaru had wrestled with the decision of whether to bring Rem along as a case study for Gluttony's victims right up until the moment before arriving at the mansion.

It wasn't avoidance of waking Rem itself—there was none of that. If there was even a possibility Rem could wake up, he wanted her to open her eyes as soon as possible, one day sooner, one second sooner.

But whether Natsuki Subaru would be saved in the process—that was another matter entirely.

So many people in Pristella had suffered the same fate as Rem. Their families didn't even know they'd been robbed of their loved ones, and those who slept had been denied even the right to be worried about.

The more Subaru thought about it, the more a strange wedge drove itself into his heart.

The guilt of being saved before all those people.

That was why, right up until the very end, Subaru had hesitated to bring Rem along— "I was the one who convinced Subaru to go through with it. So there's no problem."

"...That's even more unexpected."

It was Emilia who spoke in Subaru's place.

Roswaal looked intrigued, and Emilia puffed out her chest.

"I hate to say it, but her awakening might not be the most convenient thing for you, Emilia-sama. Isn't it obvious that Subaru has strong feelings for that girl? In fact, those feelings could rival his feelings for—"

"You're right, I think so too. If Rem wakes up, Subaru would probably be wrapped up in her for a while, and he might not care about me anymore either."

"No, that's a bit much—"

He wouldn't. Subaru's feelings for Emilia had never wavered, and he could swear they never would.

But it was equally true that he harbored strong feelings for Rem in an entirely separate part of his heart. And as Emilia said, if Rem woke up, it was a certainty that Subaru would be consumed.

But Emilia looked at the conflicted Subaru and said, "It's okay," and— "If that means Subaru turns away from me, then I'll just have to work harder to make him look back this way. I can't imagine being without Subaru now. So no matter how enamored he gets with Rem, he's coming back to me."

"Em-Emilia-tan!?"

"That's my resolve. That's what I've decided. Besides, no one's going to complain that Subaru was saved. —So it's fine. Let's wake Rem up."

With those firm words, Emilia bolstered Subaru's resolve.

The almost confession-like quality of her words left Subaru stunned, his knees trembling. There had been several times before when Emilia seemed to express something like romantic feelings, but every time, it stayed within the bounds of affection— "To me, to Rem, to Beatrice, to Petra and Patrasche, to Otto and Garfiel! Subaru gets to be really, truly, wonderfully happy, and that's perfectly fine."

"There was an earth dragon and a guy mixed into the last part of that."

Also, a little loli was in the middle.

In any case, at those words, Beatrice, seated beside Subaru, poked him in the side. When Subaru looked over with a startled "Hyah!", Beatrice wore her usual disgruntled expression and said: "I'm not going to complain about your wandering eye at this point. ...But I suppose I'll always keep one hand free. That's a privilege only for Beako."

"...You're unbearably cute, you know that?"

"Of course. Beako's cuteness reverberates through all the gods of heaven and earth."

Subaru didn't know what the gods of heaven and earth thought about that, but it reverberated through his heart.

Encouraged by both Emilia and Beatrice, Subaru resolved himself to do everything he could to wake Rem.

—There was no more hesitation.

"So there you have it, Roswaal. Sorry to be so popular. I'm taking Rem with me."

"Both Emilia-sama and Beatrice have quite surprised me with their decisions. Veeery well, do as you like. I never intended to stop you."

"Then what was the whole back and forth just now?"

"I was simply confirming—in a grandfatherly sort of way—whether you understood the meaning of your actions. I suppose I was unfair to that nameless knight of yours as well."

"Not at all."

In the end, even Julius deflected Roswaal's goading with a small breath and a steady gaze, glancing between Subaru and Anastasia.

"I am Julius Juukulius. I exist now only in his memory, but I am a Knight of the Kingdom of Lugunica. I am not so immature that a matter like this would shake me."

With that, he knocked aside the evil sorcerer's evil harassment with impressive poise.

"...He wobbled a bit though."

"Whose side are you on exactly? I feel like I've been stabbed in the back."

—and so, to add quietly, that was how their exchange concluded.

※※※※※※※※※※ Once the discussion ended, Subaru and the others left the sitting room.

In preparation for heading to the Augria Sand Dunes, they made their way to the "zashiki cell" in the East Building of the mansion—to meet with someone who could hold the key to contacting the figure they sought.

There, bound and confined since about a year ago—brought in at the same time the residents transferred from the burned-down old mansion—an existence had been waiting.

In theory, this was not someone you'd recommend contacting, nor was it safe— "What sort of result will they bring back? Having my expectations raised like this... does that mean I've been influenced too?"

Leaning back into the sofa, sinking his hips deep, Roswaal murmured that to himself.

Left alone in the sitting room, letting the aftertaste of their discussion settle, the magician's mind conjured someone—letting out a small, clicking laugh.

"So, does this mean I'm joining the ranks of those favorable toward him? What do you think?"

"...I think you're about to say something unsettling, is what I think. In your case, there's nothing you wouldn't do if you were serious about it, so all I can say is it's scary."

"I promise you, I have no intention of making a move with this body. Have some decency."

"You were a woman once, too. That's reason enough for vigilance."

Roswaal laughed with even greater delight, and the girl who responded—Beatrice—pulled at one of her vertical ringlets with her nose in the air.

It was a habit of hers when she was restless or irritated.

"Subaru and the others are heading to the zashiki cell, aren't they? Isn't it dangerous for you not to stay by his side?"

"A tamed dog with its teeth sharpened is more troublesome than a stray dog with its teeth pulled. So I thought I'd make sure to drive the point home."

"A tamed dog—how awful. If that's a reference to sensei, then I'll take it."

"You're a hopeless pervert. ...Roswaal, don't push Subaru too far. Beako won't allow any unnecessary provocations."

Roswaal's vaguely lewd smile prompted Beatrice to blurt that out with a grim expression. Roswaal retracted his grin and, as always, closed one eye—his blue eye—looking back at Beatrice with only his yellow gaze.

"You and I are in different positions. Unlike you, who's fickle, I am devoted."

"And yet, you haven't even so much as brushed against mother, so I'd say Beako, who can hold Subaru's hand, is hundreds of times better—and it doesn't even bother me."

"You've become quite outspoken. For a self-proclaimed Keeper of the Forbidden Library, I hope you find happineeeeess."

"I intend to. And that's exactly why I'll make sure to protect that happiness."

Roswaal remained seated on the sofa while Beatrice stood before him, and the two exchanged sparks at eye level. The girl with her round eyes—as if peering into her thoughts—Roswaal narrowed his own.

"You defeated one Archbishop of Sin. That should make two now, with the one inside Subaru."

"...There are candidates other than Subaru, surely."

"But none who are closer or more deeply intertwined. It's a matter of self-evidence—between someone you merely brush past and someone you overlap with entirely, which one will be chosen? Enough with the pointless flattery."

"—I won't let this go any further."

Beatrice answered Roswaal with a voice heavy with resolve. She gripped the sleeve of her own arm tightly, glaring at him.

"Beako belongs to Subaru. So Subaru will remain Subaru."

"I have no intention of interfering with your efforts. For my part, the fewer candidates there are, the easier it is for me. That's all there is to it."

"—"

With one final, sharp glare, Beatrice turned and headed for the door.

Their lingering conversation was now over.

"Beatrice."

As the girl walked away, Roswaal called out to her back.

Beatrice stopped. She did not turn around.

"You know, I—at least compared to the nameless crowd—I want you to be happy, far more than you realize. You see... you're like a sister to me."

"...That gives me chills. And I don't love you as much as mother."

"That's what love is, isn't it?"

There was no reply.

Only the sound of the door opening and closing echoed quietly through the sitting room.

After that, no sound reached the sitting room again.