Chapter 23: The Promise
"What are you doing, looking at Betty with that kind of expression?"
A familiar voice, a familiar scene, a familiar scent.
Perhaps because he had glimpsed a bright future, the previously gloomy world suddenly seemed beautiful again.
Subaru had come back to life—and with that, he regained hope.
Instinctively, Subaru approached the flustered Beatrice.
He placed the tray he was holding onto the table, then slid his hands under Beatrice's armpits and gently lifted her up.
Holding her above his head, he spun her around like an airplane.
Even though she was wrapped in an elaborate dress, the girl's body felt as light as a feather.
In high spirits, Subaru increased the speed of the spin, prompting Beatrice to let out a series of surprised cries.
"I'm saved! Thanks to you, I've seen the light! I love you so much, Beako!"
"Put me down—now!"
"Hahaha! At this rate, I feel like I could fly in the sky. No! Let's fly together, Beako! I can fly! You can fly!"
"What nonsense are you spouting! Betty is not a child!"
A magic shot was fired from directly above.
It hit Subaru head-on and knocked him to the floor.
However, he had long become immune to the dizzying effect of her magic shots, so he quickly scrambled up to catch Beatrice, whom he had accidentally thrown.
Meanwhile, Beatrice, now freed from Subaru's grasp, was trying to stop herself mid-air. But when she saw Subaru frantically rushing to protect her, she hesitated.
Thud~
"Are you trying to test me, human?"
Even though she struck a graceful pose, Subaru—who had basically maxed out his ability to read Beatrice's expressions—could easily tell from her swollen forehead and teary eyes that the great spirit was not in a good mood.
"I just remembered you could fly, Lady Beatrice, so I figured I was getting in your way by trying to catch you. My deepest apologies."
"You speak like that really happened. But Betty isn't so petty. I'll let it go this time."
Seeing Beatrice's changing expression, Subaru relaxed.
He really didn't want to end up crashing into the same pitfalls he had with Rem.
"Even though I think it's pointless, let me just ask: are you ready to leave? If you stay in the mansion, you'll be in troubl—"
"Betty won't go. I won't leave this Forbidden Library, much less this mansion. Remember that, and leave."
Beatrice, as usual, hugged a book and returned to sit on her step stool, opening it across her lap and starting to read.
Everything seemed just like always.
"Got it. I give up. Just like you said."
"Huh? Oh…oh…"
Beatrice, for the first time, showed a look of confusion—then lowered her head, looking disappointed.
"I thought you'd argue for a bit. But I'm glad you understand."
"I believe in your strength, Beatrice. And I know how stubborn you are. But one day, I will take you out of this place."
Beatrice shut her eyes as if to bear some pain, and reached a trembling hand toward the Book of Wisdom.
From her movements, Subaru could tell—she didn't actually want to read that book. Understanding her feelings, Subaru reflexively moved to stop her.
In that instant, a dangerous aura erupted from Beatrice.
Subaru felt a chill on his back, as if a cold hand had brushed against it. It was the magical backlash of Beatrice's immense power—a surge so vast that even Subaru's untrained eyes could recognize it.
—Greater than Emilia and even Roswaal.
Subaru made a rough comparison with all the magic users he knew.
—So, you were holding back during that battle after all.
Swallowing hard, Subaru thought that to himself, but still didn't stop.
Seizing the moment as the kind-hearted spirit instinctively restrained her power, Subaru took Beatrice's hand.
"Beatrice, decide for yourself. A person's future is theirs to choose. Don't let yourself be bound by some book. Even after Roswaal's book was burned, he's still alive."
"Tch…"
Beatrice withdrew her magic and furrowed her brow—a sign that she was thinking.
"What do you even understand about me?"
Then, with a somber expression, she asked him.
Her lips moved as if she wanted to say something—but…
"…"
She ended up turning her face away without saying anything. Seeing that unnatural posture, Subaru knew something was off, but he decided not to pry for now.
"In any case, next time we meet, it'll be the day I take you out of here."
Subaru smiled confidently as he said this.
"Setting lofty goals isn't a bad thing! If you want my approval, show me some drive. I'm not really the type to dislike hard work. It's just—no one's ever earned my approval before!"
Beatrice placed the Book of Wisdom beside her. Subaru, elated, gave her a thumbs-up, then turned and waved goodbye.
Suddenly, he felt warmth on his back—small, slender arms wrapped around his waist.
"What's with you, Beako? That startled me. Don't do that so suddenly."
"Your reaction is annoyingly calm. But… this is enough."
The library door swung open.
And in that moment—
"Goodbye, forever."
"Hey! Don't make it sound like I'm going off to die!"
As the arms around his waist released him, Subaru felt a familiar and powerful force at his back.
He was pushed out of the room. Thanks to all his past experiences being thrown out of the Forbidden Library, and his toughened body, he barely managed to keep his balance.
"Beatrice!!"
Fighting against the force, Subaru turned back—his body still being pushed away—and looked toward the girl in the center of the room, her eyes full of tears.
"It's not 'forever goodbye.' It should be 'see you again.' But even if I said it wrong, that's fine. Because that way, a spiky-haired black hero will come rescue a tsundere like you."
"Who are you calling a tsundere iron plank!?"
The power pushing him multiplied.
Even with his experience, Subaru's body wasn't strong enough to withstand it.
He was blasted out, the door closing behind him. Once the space was sealed with magic, even sound couldn't pass through. The Forbidden Library returned to silence.
"Still spouting nonsense even at the very end…"
Beatrice murmured.
Large teardrops fell from her eyes onto the black Book of Wisdom.
She hugged it tightly to her chest like a helpless child.
Her sobs echoed through the Forbidden Library. Her hands moved again and again to open the book—but each time, she stopped herself.
"You… are you really… the one… Beatrice… has been waiting for…?"
No one knows how much time passed.
Eventually, Beatrice placed the book down beside the tray of food.