Life at the Mansion (Part 2)
In the blink of an eye, several days had passed since Subaru and the others began living at Roswaal's mansion.
During these days, Subaru would go to Arlam village with the mercenaries in the morning.
Bored mercenaries would go to the forest inhabited by the Wolgarm to hunt demonic beasts, and Subaru would also take time to do aerobic exercises with the villagers, then, with Patrasche's help, bring food back to the mansion.
"Good work, Subaru-kun."
Rem, who had already completed who-knows-how-much work, greeted Subaru at the gate as usual.
After speaking, she easily lifted two sacks of food and returned to the mansion. Subaru loosened the rope tied around Patrasche to let her move freely, then walked alone toward the center of the courtyard.
"Please take care of me again today, Mr. Brian."
"Hmm."
Subaru caught the wooden sword thrown by Brian and used it to block a surprise attack. He then used his arm to block Brian's kick, and after being knocked to the ground, rolled away quickly to dodge the follow-up strike.
Grabbing a handful of sand to throw at Brian, Subaru gave up on the idea when he saw Brian's incoming kick and defended against it with his sword.
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"Subaru-kun, breakfast is ready."
Coming to his senses, Subaru staggered to his feet.
As usual, his injuries had completely vanished, and Brian had once again disappeared without a trace. Subaru thanked Rem and returned to his room while reflecting on the flaws in his recent combat.
After washing up and finishing breakfast, Subaru didn't immediately dive into his research.
He spent the rest of his morning helping Rem lighten her workload. Occasionally, he would run into Emilia communicating with spirits or Otto deep in thought.
After lunch, Subaru carried some food and sweets into Beatrice's Forbidden Library.
"Hey, mealtime, little loli. If you keep skipping meals, you'll get malnourished and stay tiny even when you grow up."
"Are you stupid? I've said it how many times—spirits don't need to eat."
"Only eating sweets will rot your teeth. But this time I brought my special mayonnaise. Try it."
Though she sat deep in the library on a wooden ladder glaring fiercely at Subaru, he wasn't afraid.
After days of interacting with her, Subaru had come to understand that the great spirit before him was someone who valued promises and was gentle at heart.
"...You really opened the 'Door of Chance' so casually!"
Beatrice muttered softly as she looked at the food placed before her.
"It wasn't that easy. Took me four tries before I succeeded."
"Are you mocking Betty?"
Beatrice, looking tired, tugged at her drill-like curls.
Her hair bounced up and down from the recoil after slipping from her fingers. Watching the scene, Subaru couldn't help but feel a spark of childlike wonder.
"Can I touch it too?"
"The only one allowed to touch me is my brother. ...Now put down the tray and go read your books."
"Sorry. Say, Beatrice, can't you help me look for it? You probably know which book I'm after—just tell me where it is."
Subaru looked at the densely packed bookshelves and pleaded with a troubled face.
"Beatrice has no obligation to help you. Don't get the wrong idea, human. Letting you search for materials here is already Beatrice's magnanimity."
"Then how about I give you a cat plushie as payment? Super soft and cuddly. Or wait—don't tell me you're lonely and want us to stay longer, that's why—Ahh, speaking of which, Beatrice really likes that hairstyle. Didn't think it could bounce back just like in anime."
"This appearance was decided by Mother. No matter how I try to change it, it always returns to these twin drills, a hairstyle that combines elegance and practicality."
"Putting elegance aside, there's definitely no practicality in that!"
Subaru reflexively retorted.
"Ah, didn't expect Beatrice to have a mother. So your hair was 'set' by her? Then what about that outfit?"
"Of course. Beatrice treasures it dearly and has worn it all this time."
"Beatrice, you're about 400 years old, right?"
"Yes."
"You've worn the same clothes for 400 years!?—Ah, I mean, how were these clothes even made?"
"Enough. Take this."
"Hey hey, is it really okay for a librarian to treat books like this? Can't you hear the books crying? Wait, what's this?"
Subaru caught the book Beatrice threw over and looked at her with a confused expression.
He then noticed the great spirit had opened her arms toward him, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
"The material you wanted. The Forbidden Library is closed today. Get out."
An invisible force slammed into Subaru's body, launching him out of the room and hard into the wall.
"Did I go too far? Let's see... Sage's Records, History of Hoshin's Rise, and Witch Research Report? I'll bring her cake next time."
Muttering to himself, Subaru carried the three books back to his room.
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"As expected, it's not here."
Subaru set down the last book and sighed, a thoughtful expression forming on his face.
It was now the sixth day since arriving at the mansion.
With Beatrice's help, Subaru's investigation had made a breakthrough. He had confirmed that Hoshin and the Sage from 400 years ago were true isekai travelers, and had learned the names and partial histories of the Witches.
However, the two fundamental questions Subaru had when he came to the mansion remained unanswered.
"Beatrice, are these really the only materials?"
"Don't call me that. But regarding the people beyond the waterfall and the Witches, this is indeed all there is."
Beatrice, hugging the Puck plushie Subaru had given her, replied as Subaru continued to ponder.
"Is there another secret place in the Mathers domain? Something like this Forbidden Library, hidden from the public."
"East of the mansion there is a sanctuary built by Mother."
"A sanctuary built by the Witch of Knowledge, Echidna? What is it for?"
Subaru asked instinctively, and then noticed Beatrice showing a sorrowful expression.
"Today's closing time has come."
Beatrice suddenly said with irritation, then raised her hand.
An unseen force slammed into Subaru's body once more, sending him flying out of the Forbidden Library and crashing into the wall again.
"That damn brat. If you don't want to talk, then don't. But… 'Sanctuary,' huh?"
Subaru fell into deep thought. If Roswaal wasn't lying to him, then the answers he sought might just lie within that mysterious sanctuary.
"The Witch of Greed has been dead for 400 years already. Probably not dangerous. I'll go ask Rem and let Otto know."
Subaru finally made his decision.