I stood in the garden with Beatrice and Subaru. We watched the Crusch camp's dragon carriage slowly move away, shrinking on the horizon. Subaru, still reeling from the fight he had just witnessed, stared at me with almost childlike curiosity.
Subaru: But... how did you manage to fight like that? Since when have you known how to handle a sword? You look like you had a mystic revelation!
I looked at him, amused by his naivety. A cynical thought crossed my mind " I wonder when Subaru will be humiliated at the Royal Selection..." I shook my head to chase that idea away.
Me (with a smile, rubbing the back of my neck): I train a lot, relying on my instinct. Especially since my fight against Elsa... I understood we had to be ready to protect ourselves from future dangers.
Subaru lowered his eyes, a look of sadness painting his face.
Subaru: Hearing you talk, I feel so weak and pathetic. I'm the only one here with no combat skills!
I placed my hand on his shoulder, offering him a look I wanted to be sincere.
Me: Subaru, in this team, I'm the muscle and you're the brain. We need you. And don't forget the swordsman's vengeance is satisfied, now go ask Emilia the reason for the visit!
A radiant smile lit up Subaru's face.
Subaru: Thanks, man! You're right about the visit, I'll go ask Emilia and Roswaal!
He started to walk away, hurried, to enter the mansion. Beatrice, on the other hand, was still staring at me, as if she were waiting for an explanation about what had just happened. Her look was both perplexed and slightly disapproving.
Beatrice: Why did you give that idiot false hope? Don't you think it would be much fairer to tell him the truth, I suppose? Your lies are as stinky as that dried blood on your clothes!
I scratched my cheek, a little embarrassed.
Me: You have a point, Beatrice. But don't you think sometimes it's better to avoid telling the truth so you don't hurt the person in front of you? It's... an act of charity!
Beatrice rolled her eyes, impatient, and stood up with exaggerated dignity.
Beatrice: An act of charity, or simple cowardice to avoid a long explanation! In any case, the time for talking is over. You smell of dried blood and effort, you're a disgrace to Betty with your appearance! You should rather take a bath of purification, I suppose!
Me: Alright, alright! I get it! I'm going to take a shower for my "sin."
I walked away from her and entered the mansion. Going up the stairs, I heard voices rise. That meant Subaru was already in an animated conversation. So I started looking for the bathroom. After several minutes of walking, I finally found the right door.
Time Skip
After I finished my bath, I wrapped a towel around my waist and headed for the exit. To my great surprise, a woman with pink hair and red eyes was waiting for me outside, holding clothes in her hand. It was Ram.
I jumped in fear, backing up, my face showing a mix of fright and confusion.
Me: Do you all want to give me a heart attack or what? Between Beatrice who appears out of nowhere and you staking out the bathroom!
Ram looked at me with an indifferent air, a cold stare, matched with a sigh of exasperation that spoke volumes.
Ram: Roswaal-sama desires to see you. Here, these are your clothes. Ram doesn't have time to wait for you to dry.
I was shocked and perplexed." What? Why did Roswaal want to see me? Maybe just to inform me about the trip... No, knowing Roswaal, I think there's something else behind the masquerade."
Me: I'll go see Roswaal after I put on these clothes... But where is he?
Ram: In his study.
She looked me up and down and gave a smile, a real smile, which was very rare for her.
Ram: Ram congratulates you. At least you are developing and taking care of your body. Unlike Barusu who looks like a sack of potatoes. Ram also much prefers the smell of fresh blood over the idiot's sweat.
I was surprised by her compliment," but I quickly remembered that Ram doesn't compliment anyone without a hidden reason. Roswaal must have asked her to compliment me to manipulate me."
Me (with a smile): Thanks, Ram, and goodbye.
I headed to my room, put on my new clothes-a black top and black pants-then went to Roswaal's study. I knocked on the door. A deep, theatrical voice invited me in.
Roswaal, sitting behind his desk, seemed happy to see me. His smile was strangely bright, like an over-powered flashlight.
Roswaal: Good day, Trizz-kuuuunnn! I saw your little duel. Impressive! The swordsman is a bit rusty, but your resilience is fascinating!
I was really annoyed by this "frightening clown" who wore the false mask of a good person.
Me: Hello, Roswaal... Why did you have me come here?
I walked toward the chair in front of the desk. Roswaal closed one of his blue eyes, staring at me with his small smile.
Roswaal: You don't waste time, Trizz-kun. It seems your "tight schedule" is bothering you.
Me (with a forced smile, a hint of sarcasm): Let's just say I have more witch beast corpses to pile up, Roswaal. The work won't do itself.
Roswaal's smile disappeared, and the atmosphere became heavy. It was the first time I had seen that expression on his face. I knew things were about to get complicated.
Roswaal: I desire for you to sign a soul contract, my dear Trizz-kuunn.
A cold sweat ran down my forehead.
Me: Why are you asking me that if you already know my answer?
Roswaal: I want you to help me achieve my goal and make Emilia-sama the new ruler of Lugnica.
He paused before continuing, his voice becoming lower and more dangerous:
Roswaal: Your role is to resume your old attitude and make her dependent on you. I know it will be child's play thanks to your new personality.
"Why did he want me to do that? What did he have to gain from it? How did he know I was wary of her?"
I frowned, my gaze hardening.
Me: And what do I have to gain? It's not your legendary charity that's pushing me to accept.
Roswaal's smile was amused by my question. It widened, becoming a mask of pleasure.
Roswaal: If you accept, I will give you everything you need for your future plans and projects. I will give you books on Yin and Yang magic that are very rare. I'm sure you noticed that those works were missing from my library.
It was too good to be true. A trap was inevitably hidden behind this tempting offer. I replied with a smirk, testing the limits of his goodwill.
Me: And what if I refused? That sounds more like an ultimatum than a reward, Roswaal. You don't look like the type to give gifts without leaving a limb behind.
Roswaal closed his yellow eye and stared at me with a smile. His piercing gaze seemed to see right through me.
Roswaal: If you refuse, I will simply destroy your reputation by framing you as the Archbishop of Pride. You will be neither at peace nor safe to join another camp. Your Authority will be your downfall, Trizz-kun.
I knew he had a trick up his sleeve, but how did he know about my Authority? The name he had spoken, Pride, confirmed my fears and explained my crimson eyes. I was truly angry and annoyed by this situation. I had no choice but to accept his contract, even if it didn't give me a great advantage.
Me: So, what is my real role in your plan? Be precise, if you want my soul.
Roswaal showed a satisfied smile, a smile of victory.
Roswaal: Your role is to manipulate everyone in this mansion, even your friend Subaru-kun, and I will give you other orders without you asking any questions.
This meant that if I didn't follow his orders, my soul risked being destroyed. It was risky, but I was in a stalemate. If I refused, the consequences would be much worse. I could only accept. My mind was on fire, furious about this situation.
Me: I know you sent Ram to spy on me every time I trained or was in the mansion. But all these details and the information you've said about me... is it thanks to your Gospel?
Roswaal smiled, delighted by my perceptiveness.
Roswaal: I see you know of my book's existence. You are far too unpredictable. The Gospel doesn't give me clear information about you, so I want you to sign this contract to keep an eye on you, my dear Trizz-kuunn.
"I'm far too unpredictable for the Gospel... That would give me opportunities to cancel this contract. But how?"
Me: ...Or to control me in a certain way. So, I have to accompany Subaru, Rem, and Emilia to the capital?
Roswaal: I see you understand quickly. That doesn't surprise me. To get you into the hall where the Royal Selection takes place, you must...
Time Skip...
Roswaal and I headed to another room. Inside, there was Emilia, Rem, Subaru, Ram, and... Beatrice.
"In the anime, Beatrice shouldn't be here. Why is she here?"
Everyone stared at Roswaal and me.
Roswaal (with a grim reaper's smile): Our dear Trizz-kuunn will accompany us to the capital.
"What a dog! How can you say that in front of Beatrice? How will she react to my absence from the mansion?"
Subaru and the others seemed happy and surprised, but Beatrice had an inexpressive face, glaring at me.
Me (with a forced smile): Don't worry, Beatrice. I'll be back in a few days with new recipes for sweets that Rem will never be able to make.
Beatrice, who had been staring at me since I entered the room, began to approach me slowly.
Beatrice (with a confused and sulky face): Why on earth do you want to go to the capital? With the others? Your place is here, by my side, to serve me, I suppose!
Me (with a gentle smile): I'm going to go thank the people who helped me and let them know that I'm still alive and well. I also need to do some shopping... for you.
I knelt down to be at her level.
Me: When I come back, I'll only stay with you. You'll be the center of my world for several days, with no one bothering us. You can even order me to call you "Betty" that whole time.
Beatrice's eyes softened slightly, and a shy smile appeared on her lips. She took my hand, her little knuckles clutching my palm.
Beatrice: I'll be the center of your world... Do you promise Betty? You won't go chasing after the idiot Emilia or that incompetent Barusu, I suppose?
Me (with an even softer smile): Yes, I promise you. When I come back, you'll be the center of my world for several days. But in exchange, give me a sincere smile and not your sad frog look.
Beatrice stared at me directly in the eyes. I hugged her. I felt her warmth and her body trembling, as if she wanted to stop me from leaving.
"Maybe I'm the one, not Subaru? If I agree to be this person, I will make her forget all this suffering when I return, after defeating the White Whale and the Witch Cult. I will tell her that I am the person she has been waiting for for centuries. I no longer want to see her suffer, no one deserves such a burden."
The others, who had remained silent during our exchange, were watching. Subaru, perplexed, was smiling.
Subaru: I knew you were a tamer of...
Before Subaru could finish his sentence, Beatrice shot her magic at him, launching him through the window.
The others and I were speechless. Emilia stared at Beatrice and me, with a look of bliss.
Emilia: It's so cute, your relationship looks like Puck's and mine. I'm happy for you.
Ram (without changing expression, but with a dry tone): At least Barusu won't have to bathe. Ram hopes his fall will have made him slightly smarter. A pipe dream, no doubt.
"What a shame. I have to go to the capital with them, completely changing my personality..."
I got up and fixed Emilia with an artificial smile.
Me: On one hand, you're right, but the relationship between Beatrice and me is much more complex. Anyway, Ram, have you already prepared the dragon carriage?
Ram, with her usual face, explained to us that Rem had finished preparing the dragon carriage and the clothes.
Subaru came back, covered in grass and a new butler outfit. I followed the group. I understood that Roswaal was going to fly and would not get into the carriage with us. Subaru sat with Emilia, Rem drove the carriage, and I... was sitting all alone on the bench.
I saw Beatrice watching us leave through the mansion window. Her face was a canvas of emotions that I couldn't quite decipher. My heart ached, but I couldn't afford to be emotional right now.
The carriage started moving, and after a moment of silence, Emilia broke the calm, her voice soft and curious.
Emilia: Trizz, why are your eyes blood red? I never noticed that before.
I almost sighed in frustration. The same question every day. I was going crazy. I wondered why I had agreed to get in the carriage with them. I put on another artificial smile, a grimace my face knew so well.
Me: To be honest, I don't even know why my eyes started to change color. It might be the sign of a rare disease or simply the result of too many sleepless nights.
Emilia seemed at least satisfied with my answer. Her smile became even softer.
Emilia: I think they look much better on you. They're more beautiful. It gives you a little mysterious air.
"A glimmer of hope crossed my mind. So, I'm not uglier? Thank God! Maybe I'll have a chance with girls in this world after all! I won't be a virgin anymore! "I was both happy and relieved that someone complimented me on these eyes that I considered a curse.
Rem (with an unusual gentleness): Emilia-sama is right. Trizz-sa... Trizz, they make you more attractive to certain women. They reflect a determination that I admire.
Subaru (jealous, with a dark look): I'm the one who should be getting compliments! Not him! Rem, didn't you say I was the most handsome in my butler outfit?
I looked at Subaru with a sarcastic smile on my lips.
Me: Subaru, don't be jealous. You already have Emilia and Rem all to yourself. I'm sure you'll have the chance to show them your hidden talents in the capital.
Everyone in the carriage blushed with embarrassment except me. The atmosphere instantly became warmer and more tense.
Subaru: Man, you're way too direct in your words. You need a little finesse!
Emilia (her voice trembling): Trizz, stop saying... saying those kinds of things! It's very rude and... and embarrassing!
I saw Rem's ears, behind me, turning bright red.
Rem: Please, Trizz... Subaru and I are just friends, nothing more. Your insinuations are totally inappropriate.
"So, it's Subaru who gets all the glory after everything I've done?! If I hadn't saved Rem from the curse, this loop would have been a failure! I'm the real hero here, not Subaru, who was calmly in Beatrice's library doing nothing! I sacrificed myself to save everyone, but that's how I'm seen today? When we get to the capital, I'll take back everything you've taken from me, Subaru."
Subaru kept calling my name, but I was lost in thought. I jumped in fear, brought back to reality.
Subaru: Are you okay, man? You were staring into space for several minutes. You look like you're plotting some diabolical revenge.
I looked at Subaru, putting on a reassuring artificial smile.
Me: Don't worry about me. I was just thinking. Felt... where is she now? After the fight against Elsa, I passed out.
Subaru: Felt joined Reinhard. I don't know why, but he wanted her to follow him. It seems like she has some royal destiny or something.
Me: I see. Rem, are we almost at the capital?
Rem: Yes, only three or four minutes of driving to get to the capital, Trizz-sa... Trizz.
I was quite annoyed by her hesitation to add "sama" to my name.
Me: Rem, I see it bothers you, but if you want to, you can add "sama" to my name. I'm not Barusu. And can I know why you call me that? Is it a new technique of manipulation?
I could feel, behind me, that she was satisfied with what I had just said.
Rem (with pride): It's because thanks to you, Emilia-sama and the village were saved. Besides, without you, I would have died because of the curse. Even though you sensed my anger toward you, you saved me. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are a true knight at heart, Trizz-sama.
Me: I didn't know I was a hero, but thank you, Rem. I appreciate the title.
Subaru, annoyed by Rem's comment, spoke up.
Subaru: I also participated in saving Emilia and the village! I'm the one who figured out the nature of the curse!
Rem: Subaru-kun, you are my hero too. The brave and foolish hero.
I noticed his ears starting to turn red. I then looked out the window.
Well, never mind. We've arrived at the capital. At least it will allow me to buy some traps and rent a dragon carriage.