"Even so, I wonder if a plan like that will work..."
"Really? I thought it was a really good plan. But Garfiel and Frederica were fooled by Anne and Lewes's acting, too."
"I guess so. I was just shocked by how badly Ryuzu acted and how little courage Annerose showed on stage at the last minute."
"You're too noisy, Subaru."
While waiting for the results of the operation in the dining hall, Subaru was reminiscing about the past when Annerose cut him in. Her cheeks were hot and red, and Subaru somehow thought that she looked like a girl her age, seeing her blushing with embarrassment.
The outline of the plan Annerose proposed to repair the relationship between the siblings was simple.
The problem that Emilia had proposed and that had Subaru scratching his head was the problem of giving Garfiel and Frederica a common goal and throwing them into the same place.
Annerose easily overcomes this problem by using the shared "memories" between Frederica and Garfiel.
Apparently the meat pies that Frederica made on occasion were her specialty since her time in the Sanctuary. However, it was unknown whether even Garfiel would be able to make them.
"Frederica would often spill it. She learned how to make it from Grandma and it was a memorable dish that her mother used to make for her. Naturally, not only Frederica but also her younger brother Garfiel would have grown up eating it, so I figured there was a good chance he inherited it from Lewes. From what I've seen, Garfiel was quite the mama's boy."
"There's no denying the fact that you were able to see through that. What I want to question is something other than your insight."
"Mmhmm."
Annerose sulked, but that didn't erase the shame of her mistake.
He had successfully caught Frederica and given an excuse to send her to the kitchen, so everything was going well. The problem was his motivation and how to shake off Frederica's suspicions.
"What kind of strange disease is that that will kill you instantly if you don't eat meat pie? Apologize to the meat pie."
"I just said something wrong. So why should I need to apologize…"
"That's definitely a bit much. Well, come on, I'll apologize to you too."
「I, I guess there's no other way. If Emily says so, then there's no other way!」
Annerose, her face bright red, wholeheartedly accepts Emilia's invitation.
Subaru tore his gaze away from the lovely, lily-lovely scene and looked towards Lewes, who was sitting small at the edge of the table.
"Lewes, you look like you feel guilty about setting a trap for Garfiel and letting him do what he wants."
"That's not true... no, no, no, wait! What's with that? You're inflating my petty feelings of guilt and poking me with needles. Stop it, it's making my heart ache."
Subaru's malicious words caused Lewes to regain a bit of her normal self.
Then, he realized that Subaru's words had been intended to draw out his strength,
"It's a little late now, but I'm still a little unsure as to whether this is the right thing to do. Of course, it's a good thing that those two are reconciling, but..."
"In that case, there's no need to worry. I'm sure those two would have gone back to normal even if we had just left them alone. In that case, the result wouldn't have changed. We just brought about the same result a little earlier...But I think that if it's sooner, it's better."
"Why not?"
"Time spent hesitating is a waste and a waste of fun. Humans will eventually die, so it's better to act when there's still a lot of sand left in the hourglass."
"――――"
Lewes' eyes widened at Subaru's words, then she sighed weakly.
"That's Su-bo, you see. He seems to live life without any hesitation."
"That's not true. I don't think there are many people who get hung up on small things and get confused like me, right? But I don't think I've ever worried about things that I don't need to worry about, and I don't want to be like that in the future."
"There's no need to worry, it's a good thing"
"Yes. If there are two people you want to make up, and everyone is happier if they do, then don't worry about it, just make them reconcile. If there is someone you want to be with, put the worries aside and just approach them and call out, 'EMT!' That's what I've been thinking lately."
Of course, this isn't possible for everything.
As he told Lewes, Subaru is a weak person who worries a lot over small things. And yet, his time is limited, and the options he can choose from are narrow and few.
So, at the very least, I want to be confident in the options I choose.
To Subaru's answer, Lewes replied, "That's right."
"At this age, there are so many things to learn and be taught. If I had ended up just in the 'Sanctuary', I probably wouldn't have felt this way."
"If you live a normal life, it's not often that you get bored of living. I think everyone knows that much without my assurances, you know?"
"In that case, I'll enjoy my time as much as I can. For now, I'll look forward to my two adorable grandchildren making up and becoming dependent on me."
"I can't imagine those two being so honest about how they would act spoiled."
The earnest Frederica and the contrarian Garfiel.
Neither of them are the type to easily depend on their grandmother. In reality, they are two people - no, three people - who desire the love of their family more than anything else, which is quite amusing.
"Everyone, please excuse me for interrupting your conversation. My apologies."
But as Subaru's mouth relaxed at this thought, the butler's voice silently struck his ear as he silently entered the room.
Subaru widened his eyes in shock, and Clind stood beside Annerose,
"What's wrong, Clindo? Right now, I'm living happily with Emily."
"I am sorry to have intruded into your time. I am heartbroken. However, Lord Roswaal has returned, and I must inform your Lady. My dear lady. Thank you."
"Uncle...? It seems he has found the perfect opportunity to return again."
Annerose frowned and muttered in dissatisfaction at Clindo's words.
Annerose felt saddened at Roswaal's everyday behavior, wondering if he was even held in such high regard by his relatives, and she stood up.
"It seems that Uncle has returned, so I will go and greet him. Emily, Subaru, and Lewes-san, please wait patiently here for the siblings to return. ...Emily and the others will be especially busy."
"Huh? Okay. I'll wait here."
Emilia nodded obediently, and Annerose gave her a smile and a gentle look. Then the girl turned to Subaru, directing a piercing gaze and negative aura at him.
While Subaru frowned at the difference in treatment, Annerose took Clind and left the room. At that moment, the tea that had been brewed was placed in front of the remaining three, and Subaru nearly let out a strange shriek.
"Did anyone see when Clind put the tea down?"
"No, I didn't notice. As always, Clind-san's work is incredible."
"Yes, the skill of a master. It's cooled just right to suit my taste."
"Mine is just the right temperature for someone with a sensitive tongue…but what about Emilia-tan?"
"I like it hot, so I made it super hot."
"What is it, Clindo?"
Annerose tells him to just accept it as it is, but Subaru seems to have a hard time accepting it. Perhaps this is the fundamental difference between those who live in another world and those who were born and raised there.
Thinking this, I glanced over at Emilia and Lewes, and it seemed that they too felt that Clind was a threat in their own way. He really was out of the ordinary.
"Well, all the people who plotted this are here now."
A few minutes after Annerose and the others left, the door opened and a blonde tiger man appeared.
He had already realized the obvious reason behind the trap that Subaru and the others had set, and his expression was one of deep confusion.
"From the looks of it, it seems we've been discovered to be villains."
"You got fooled right away, what a pain."
"So then? Did you have a proper conversation?"
Emilia looked at Garfiel with a curious expression as he approached, clicking his fangs. Lewes was uncomfortably beside him, hunched over, her ears focused on what Garfiel was saying.
Seeing the attitude of the women, Garfiel sighed,
"Thank you for your big, unnecessary help. I was able to talk to my sister properly. So, I'm not worried anymore."
"Really? But then why didn't you hold hands with me?"
"How dare you do something so embarrassing! Even if you make up, it's not like an older sister and younger brother can just hold hands so easily. Don't make me laugh."
"I guess so. There's no need to be embarrassed about it, it's a wonderful thing."
Garfiel didn't say anything more to Emilia, who was not teasing him, but looked genuinely disappointed. Instead, he looked at Lewes, who still seemed unsure of what to say,
"Old hag."
"...What is it, Garbo?"
"Sorry for making you worry. I'm fine now, and so is my sister. There's nothing to be worried about."
As Garfiel said this and rubbed the tip of his nose with his fingers, Lewes was silent for a moment. Then he relaxed his lips and revealed a mature smile that didn't suit his young appearance.
"I see. In that case, I can say I am relieved. It's not good to put too much strain on the mind and body of the elderly. It would just bring their funeral sooner."
"When an old hag says that, it's no joke, so be careful."
Garfiel snorted at Lewes's casual attitude.
"And also, General. And Emilia-sama, I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble."
"Don't worry about it. Emilia and I were just killing time and trying to improve the relationships in the mansion. We haven't done anything to deserve your thanks, okay?"
"Subaru, was that just a way to kill time? This is an important issue between the two of you, so you need to think about it more seriously. Ugh."
「Huh!? Is this a case of someone being humble to hide their embarrassment backfire?!」
This is the pattern where Emilia doesn't notice Subaru's indirect consideration. But then, suddenly, a smile forms on her face,
"Fufu, I was just kidding, kidding. I know exactly what you're saying. Subaru, you're not that honest."
"Oh my goodness... EMK (Emilia-tan, serious, little devil), you're getting more and more attractive... are you trying to kill me..."
"I wonder what happened to my words of thanks, hey?"
Subaru and Emilia exchanged glances at Garfiel, who had a sullen look on his face.
Then they all turned to Garfiel,
"--you're welcome"
He replied to the expression of gratitude.
Garfiel curled his lips in a dissatisfied expression, while Lewes shrugged in exasperation. Subaru gave a thumbs up to Emilia, who was looking at the two with a smile,
"That's right, Garfiel. Not only did they make up, but what happened to the meat pie that was supposed to be the catalyst for that? I was actually quite looking forward to it."
"It's not that easy to bake a pie. The secret to its deliciousness is to bake it slowly and carefully in the oven. It's a wise saying that 'the longer Baum Baum sits, the tastier it becomes.'"
"What's Baum Baem? Is it something like Baumkuchen? But I think if you leave Baumkuchen out for a while it will go bad before it tastes good."
According to Garfiel, the pie will be ready in about two hours.
If that happens, it might clash with dinner time, and become that dish.
"---If that's the case, then isn't that a good thing?"
With no way to disguise his hunger, Subaru turned his attention to killing time until two hours later.
The four people in the room turned to face the familiar voice and all turned to face the voice with sour looks on their faces.
"Oh my goodness. That's a pretty harsh greeting for someone who's been working away from the mansion for a while."
"It's not that I don't appreciate it, but I wish you'd accept that it's your own fault for acting like this reflexively. Besides, we're better than that. Garfiel's got veins popping out of his head."
Blue veins appear on Garfiel's forehead and his eyes begin to become bloodshot.
Even under his piercing gaze, the man who kept a cool expression - as was clear from his distinctive way of speaking, was the man who appeared: Roswaal L. Mathers.
Roswaal is the mastermind behind the turmoil that has taken place in Sanctuary and the likeability of most of those involved has plummeted. Garfiel in particular is still burning with rage, and there is no telling when it will burst into flames.
Naturally, Subaru also harbors mixed feelings towards Roswaal, but after hearing the rest of his confession, his feelings become extremely confused.
The fact is that he wasn't behind all of the turmoil at Sanctuary and the mansion.
It seemed that Roswaal had only revealed this fact to Subaru. There was no way of knowing why, but Subaru hadn't thought of telling anyone about it.
The entire incident was Roswaal's fault - at least, 90% of it. The remaining 10% had to be made up by factors other than Roswaal.
For the time being, Subaru thinks it would be better not to cause unnecessary anxiety.
"Subaru, are you okay? You look really strange."
"Seriously? What did he look like?"
"Well, you looked so mean when you squeezed me like this."
"Seriously? Did I look that cute?"
"It wasn't cute!"
Pulling up the corners of her own eyes with her fingers, Emilia imitates Subaru's face. Even though she tries her best to portray a ferocious look, her cuteness outweighs it, which is her charm.
Emilia pursed her lips, and Garfiel sat down in his seat looking displeased. As Subaru watched Lewes brew tea for Garfiel, he spoke to Roswaal, who was left standing there all alone.
"Anyway, welcome back. So, did you accomplish your purpose in going out?"
"Ahhh, Subaru-kun's kindness really touches my heart. And there's no problem with that. We went to a few towns and villages in the territory and our new home."
"Anyway, where are you moving to, have you been touring the territory? Do you have any particular purpose?"
"Well, there was a commotion when the lord's mansion burned down after all. If I don't let the people around know that I'm alive and well, there's no guarantee that there won't be people plotting something bad. I make it a rule not to cut corners when it comes to maintaining peace in the territories around there."
"About the lord's most wicked plans."
"That's harsh. There have been no harm done to the citizens of the territory, and you even hid the truth from the residents of Aram Village. Won't continuing to take such a harsh attitude be a hindrance in the future?"
"Gghhh."
If you say this, he will say that.
Despite the constant prying and criticism, Roswaal has become defiant and has regained his former composure. In fact, revealing that it was Roswaal who was pulling the strings behind the scenes would only have disadvantages in terms of the royal selection and management of the territory. Therefore, even among the villagers of Arlam Village, Roswaal is still seen as a "good lord" just like before.
Petra, who knows the situation, is the only one who has a different opinion, but she also knows the position she is in and that the only thing she will gain from telling the truth is self-satisfaction. Therefore, she will not take any extreme action. Being too smart can sometimes force you to make cruel choices.
"But that doesn't mean you can take advantage of it as you know it. If you forget that, you'll end up in the guillotine after Emilia-tan becomes king."
"That's scary. But at that time, there's a chance that my goal will be accomplished."
Subaru: "It's not enough to just achieve your goal. If you have such pointless thinking, Ram will seriously cry, you bastard."
Roswaal continues to be provocative, but Garfiel unexpectedly steps in and stops him. Roswaal also raises his eyebrows in surprise at this reaction, then lightly raises both hands.
"Oh dear, I'm sorry. I don't want to fight with you guys. I just explained to you that I came back, so I don't know why we started arguing like this. This is so pointless."
"That's because Roswaal says things that anger Subaru and Garfiel. Even I can tell that he's doing it on purpose. Stop trying to attract other people's attention like that. You're not a child."
"――――"
Roswaal tried to settle things from above, but Emilia put her hands on his hips and held him down even further. Roswaal looked shocked, and Emilia continued.
"You don't have to look so anxious all the time. None of us will forget what Roswaal did or promised you. There's no point in acting tough and causing trouble for everyone. It really can't be helped."
Emilia's words sounded like she was scolding a troublesome child.
However, Roswaal remains silent and doesn't argue with Emilia's words, which could easily be dismissed as a misunderstanding. Instead, he narrows his eyes and looks uncomfortable, as if he's been hit right on the mark.
I don't think Roswaal was seriously acting on such childish sentimentality, though.
Subaru: "The poison has certainly been taken out of your system. As expected of Emilia-tan."
"...? Yes, thanks. Also, that's not the only reason you came to patrol the territory, is it? Roswaal, what else have you been doing?"
"Haha, you've become a lot more observant than before. As I said before, the purpose of this patrol is to report back on my safety... and also to prepare for the relocation of the residents of the 'Sanctuary'."
"Preparing to emigrate...!"
Garfiel, who was resting his chin on his hand, couldn't keep quiet after hearing those words. As Ryuzu hurried back, Garfiel slammed the table,
"So, you mean a place to accept them?"
"Exactly. Considering their ties as refugees, it would certainly be best to accept them in Arlam Village. There is a limit to how much a village can accept. Especially if the number of residents increases by more than half of the original population, it would be difficult to do so at that scale. Of course, we could expand the village, but there's also the issue of the barrier there."
"A barrier? You bastard, you've put something like that in other places too..."
"Wait a minute, Garfiel. That barrier is something different from the one in the Sanctuary. There are quite a few magical beasts swarming around in the mountains around there. To avoid them, barriers are set up all around the village. That's what Roswaal was talking about."
It was this barrier that was the cause of the magical beast incident that engulfed the village of Arlam and the mansion.
It's hard to say that they can coexist and prosper with the magical beasts, but since they are able to live in separate habitats and get by as they should, it seems that it would be difficult to expand the village of Aram.
"Just as Subaru just explained, that's how it is. That's why we need to have the residents of Sanctuary split off into a part of Arlam Village, and then a few more for the other candidate locations. No matter where they are welcomed, it would be troublesome if they were to remain with only Sanctuary faces forever. It is with a heavy heart that I watch over them as they leave the nest."
"How dare you say that, so insincere..."
As Roswaal pretends to cry, Lewes can no longer contain himself and blurts out nasty words.
Roswaal smiled at those words and continued, "That's why..."
"I made a quick inspection of the territory. Due to distance and time constraints, I only went around the nearby areas. I sent messengers to other towns, and there are a lot of matters that need to be dealt with."
"Yes, that's for sure. If we don't get him back to his office quickly, I think Otto will probably die from overwork. He'll be crushed to death by the tornado between hard work and his sense of responsibility."
"That's an unusual way to die. Interesting."
Subaru thought the same, but he left that aside.
With Roswaal back, Ram's spirits would surely return as well. But just as he was thinking this, Subaru tilted his head in discomfort.
"Now that I think about it, I thought Anne went to welcome Roswaal... but wasn't she with him?"
It seemed that Emilia had come across the same question as Subaru. In response to Emilia's words, Roswaal raised one finger,
"In that case, I have a favor to ask of you, Annerose. That's right, I wanted to take care of one of the cases that needs to be dealt with."
"Any business that needs to be dealt with?"
"It's about using the great hall. I thought Lady Emilia had already prepared it."
"--!"
Emilia's shoulders jump in surprise at Roswaal's words.
However, her shock was only momentary, as Emilia's expression quickly turned serious, and her amethyst eyes took on a determined look as she glanced at Subaru.
Subaru felt as if his gaze was tracing his spine, and tilted his head to one side, wondering what was going on.
However, Subaru was not given a clear answer to his question.
"Yes. But are we starting right away?"
"If you are ready, Lady Emilia, then we can do it right away. Besides, there is still some time until the meat pies are done baking. It would be just right if you wanted to."
"Even though it's an important matter, aren't you being extremely careless about that sort of thing?"
"It's difficult to set aside a chunk of time at the moment. Considering that Emilia-sama will be busy from tomorrow onwards, I think it's fair to say that this is an opportunity that has been given to us."
"Right... I get it. I'll give you a ride."
Emilia nodded, and Roswaal nodded in satisfaction.
Despite their polarized expressions, the two of them seem to have come to an agreement, but Subaru can't keep up with the conversation at all. Naturally, Garfiel and Lewes are left behind.
"Hey, don't just accept it between the two of you. What are you talking about? You're not going to make Emilia do something weird again, are you?"
Subaru: "That's a terrible misunderstanding. And don't worry. This isn't just a problem for Lady Emilia; it's a problem that has a lot to do with you, too."
"It's an issue that concerns me too..."
Before he could say anything, Roswaal leaned closer to Subaru, causing Subaru to instinctively step back, hitting his back against the wall, and pointing a finger at his nose.
and,
"This is the knighting ceremony you've been waiting for."
※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※
「Normally! It's impossible to keep the details of such an important event a secret from the people involved until the last minute! Would you hold a surprise wedding for the bride and groom? Would you set up a surprise funeral for someone being sent off to a funeral? You wouldn't do that, right?」
In the room where he was taken to change, Subaru continued to complain as he took off his tracksuit.
What Roswaal had told him in the dining hall came as a complete surprise to Subaru.
--Knighting.
It is a ceremony in which the monarch himself recognizes the person who will serve the monarch as a knight and informs those around him that the person has become a knight.
The formats and methods are diverse, and will naturally differ from country to country and from worldview to worldview. Subaru has seen it many times in manga and anime, but there's no way he could have remembered the commonalities and differences.
Moreover, there was no way he could have knowledge of the etiquette for knighting in the Kingdom of Lugnica.
"And yet the preparations are proceeding as if it's the most natural thing in the world. Surely Annerose isn't jealous of how I'm usually so clingy towards Emilia-tan and is out to embarrass me…!"
"That can't be true. Naturally the main players in a knighting ceremony are the knights who are being awarded the medal, but the sovereign who issues the award also has a responsibility. If Lady Annerose is being stubborn in such a pointless way, it's not just Natsuki who will be humiliated, but Lady Emilia as well. Do you really think that such a wise person would do something like that?"
As Subaru sulked in the changing room, Otto shook his head. He was in the same room helping him get changed. What he was helping him with was, of course, how to put on formal attire and so on. Naturally, Subaru had neither the time nor the reason to know about it.
"Natsuki-sama. First, please change into this undergarment, and then put on your underwear. That's the correct way to wear it. A word of advice."
"Oh, that's a relief. I mean, the clothes are so tightly fitted to my body that it's almost unsightly. Did you prepare for this ritual quite some time in advance?"
"At the very least, this was something that was proposed to you all as soon as you all arrived at our home. This time, it was agreed that the ceremony would be carried out upon Roswaal-sama's return... and Emilia-sama has been thoroughly studying and practicing the ritual. I have nothing to report."
「Isn't this report a bit late?! I wonder why Emilia-tan kept it a secret?!」
"Maybe he was just embarrassed? Or more importantly, do you honestly have no idea how to behave? If so, that's a problem in itself."
Subaru was confused as he put on the clothes that Clind handed him. Otto could sense his genuine impatience from his expression and seemed to be beginning to think that this was indeed going to hinder their progress.
"Right? It's bad, isn't it? I'm happy about Emilia-tan's feelings, and I'm incredibly honored to be appointed as a knight, but it would be bad for this precious ceremony to be ruined, right? I guess I'd be better off just getting down on my knees and postponing it..."
Subaru: "When you are called, step forward and kneel in front of Lady Emilia. Then, you will unsheathe your sword and hand it to Lady Emilia. Lady Emilia will then place the sword against the general's neck and recite the words of the oath… and then you will have to take the oath. That's it."
"... Eh, seriously?"
I couldn't help but let out a cry of surprise.
Garfiel, drawing the attention of everyone in the room, crossed his arms and replied in an unpleasant voice, "It's me."
"You mean trust me?"
"No, I'm surprised you know that. It's not like you're familiar with this kind of etiquette or anything, it's out of character..."
"No, general. It's not like I'm an expert on etiquette."
Garfiel waves his hand in a surprised tone, but the conversation about the etiquette of knighting doesn't disappear. Subaru frowns, wondering what that means, and
"About the knighting. I remembered it because it was super cool."
"Oh, I see. I understand."
The reason was so simple that it immediately made sense to me.
The great spirit of the junior high school students lends itself well even in situations like this. It was so convincing that it was only natural that Garfiel would know about the knighthood.
"So, based on your knowledge, Clind-san, was what I just said correct?"
"Though I am not knowledgeable, I believe it coincides with what I know. I am in awe of your erudition, Garfiel-sama. Clever."
"But from what you just said, it sounded like you knew too, Clind... No, it's nothing after all. Don't worry about it."
Otto's way of life is to try and bring out the worst in a bad situation.
No one could blame Otto for retracting his opinion when he saw the mysterious glint in Klind's eye behind his monocle.
In any case, Subaru carefully smoothed out the wrinkles in his clothes, put on his jacket, and attached the necessary decorations one by one.
"Formal attire is amazing. It took me a while to get used to wearing butler uniforms, but I don't think I'll ever be able to pull these off."
"When it comes to formal wear, you don't often get the chance to wear it enough times to be able to call it stylish. It would be different if you were in a high-ranking position… well, you never know what the future holds for you, Natsuki."
"What do you mean?"
"Emilia-sama's position is what it is. As long as you follow her around, I'm sure you'll encounter such situations quite often. I even had those formal attire specially made for you."
While impressed by Otto's story, he feels depressed thinking about the future.
I pictured a formal scene and my heart, which has difficulty staying still, shivered. But those worries were only to be put aside if I could safely get through the ceremony at hand.
"That bastard Roswaal, you didn't hide it on purpose to make a fool of me, did you?"
"There's no point in sulking forever, boss. Instead, make sure you remember the steps I just told you."
"Kneel, unsheathe your sword and hand it over, that's what you swear to do, right? I've been through the graduation ceremony twice myself, so I wouldn't forget that simple procedure."
Of course, there's no denying that those performances were the result of thorough practice.
"Even so, I know it's a little late to say this, but does being knighted mean that all the Royal Guard knights are doing this too?"
"That's true not just for the Royal Guard, but for all those who call themselves knights. That being said, I think it's rare for someone to skip all the other requirements and go straight to their lord. Normally, you'd swear loyalty to your country before choosing your lord."
"The difference is whether to serve one's country or to serve oneself. In that case, you're right about me serving oneself."
Still, the idea of being a knight doesn't feel real.
Subaru had repeatedly called himself Emilia's knight.
Even though he's been told that this tentative title will finally become a reality, he still feels a subtle sense of uncertainty. He also has doubts about how much things will change from before, even if he is recognized as a knight.
"I've even had the pleasure of wearing this proper formal attire. It really fits me perfectly, when did you get your size measured?"
「I measured Natsuki-sama every day when she was not conscious. I made sure to match it properly, but I am happy that you were able to actually try it on.」
"I wasn't surprised until you measured me, but when did you adjust it? When did I end up wearing this?"
Clind smiled but didn't reply, instead leading Subaru, who had finished getting changed, to the mirror.
Standing in front of the full-body mirror, Subaru gasped slightly at the sight of his own appearance.
The black formal attire was decorated without being excessive, and it had a distinctly elegant look. No matter what pose Subaru took, it seemed appropriate, almost like an enchanting outfit. If he behaved solemnly, it certainly did have the feel of ceremonial attire.
However, it cannot be denied that Subaru, who is wearing it, feels inferior in terms of the power of the clothes.
In other words, it felt strange, like Shichi-Go-San or something.
And yet――,
"Yeah. Wow, it fits better than I thought it would."
"Well, it does feel like I'm being worn down by my clothes, but I haven't lost completely. Don't worry, boss."
"Yes, it suits you well. I'm sure Emilia-sama's impression of you will be overwritten with an even better one. Your liking for me will increase."
"Do you really think that? Hey, do you guys really mean that and say it from your heart?"
Adjusting his collar over and over again, Subaru casts suspicious looks at Otto and the others, who, although not completely letting go, make no fun of his outfit.
But still, they looked at Subaru with a sense of pride, without moving a muscle on their face. Even Subaru could not help but keep his mouth shut.
"Here you go, take it, General."
No matter how much you tweak it, there won't be any dramatic changes.
Subaru sighed and turned around, and Garfiel handed him the knight sword, as if pushing it towards him. Subaru took it without thinking, and gasped at the slender shape of it.
"Normally, it would be best to bring something that you yourself use, but as you stated that you do not have one, Natsuki-sama, our household has prepared one for you this time. If you like it, you are free to keep it. It's a gift."
"Knight's sword...huh? Of course, you're serious, right?"
"There's no way that a fine wooden sword with such a fitting exists. Only a child would be happy to receive something like that… hmm? Do you think this could be a new business opportunity…?"
As he witnessed what seemed to be the start of wooden swords being placed in souvenir shops in another world, Subaru felt the weight of the knight's sword he had received in both his hands.
I have held a sword in my hands before.
It was when he and Ram had gone into the mountains together to search for Rem during the monster incident in Aram Village. Subaru had borrowed a sword from the village youth group and had barely thought about it when he grabbed it.
In fact, the sword broke before the battle with the demonic beast and it didn't prove to be decisive, but it was the first time he had ever stabbed a living thing with a blade, and he hasn't done so since.
And this knight sword should be somewhat slimmer and lighter than the previous one.
And yet the weight I feel in my arms now is nothing like it was back then.
"――――"
His throat cleared without him realizing it, and Subaru felt as if someone was grabbing his chest tightly.
The weight of the sword I held at that time and the weight of the knight's sword in my hand are completely different.
And this realization, Subaru realized, was the meaning of this ritual.
"--Natsuki-san. I will call you before it starts. I will check your costume one last time then, so please make sure it is neat and tidy."
"...Understood"
Subaru's expression changed, and he must have sensed that he was beginning to face the ritual properly.
With those words from Otto, they all left the room.
"――――"
Left alone in the room, Subaru pulled over a nearby chair and sat down in front of the mirror, looking at himself in the mirror with his knight sword in hand and becoming lost in thought.
Knight――The weight of that title was now weighing down on Subaru's shoulders.
Had Subaru ever seriously considered the meaning of the word he had so carelessly referred to himself so many times?
Of course, Subaru was always serious in every situation. When he called himself Emilia's knight, he never used it as armor to hide his frivolity.
but,
"Julius, Reinhard."
The two who came to Subaru's mind were the two top knights of this country.
On the one hand, he is the "Knight of Knights." On the other hand, he is the "Best Knight."
They are the pride of knights and the symbol of what it means to be a knight.
Subaru, who called himself a knight without understanding this, was met with harsh reality by Julius.
"What a knight needs is loyalty and power..."
If those two are essential, Subaru is aware that he still lacks something to be a knight.
Unfortunately, Subaru's feelings for Emilia are far from something as lofty as loyalty.
When it comes to strength, his natural talent is lacking, and even with Beatrice's help he is still only half-baked.
Both loyalty and power are still lacking.
But now he has the determination that was previously lacking.
It's not loyalty, but I have a feeling that is just as strong as loyalty.
Although he lacks strength, he has the determination and determination to rush around to make up for what he lacks.
It was hard to shake the feeling that calling himself a knight was unbecoming, but that was exactly what made him Subaru.
Did the glittering ways of chivalry really suit Natsuki Subaru?
"What? I guess there was no need for me to come."
That was when Subaru saw a conclusion in the reflection of himself in the mirror.
As he leaned forward, he noticed a small figure standing next to him. Reflected next to him in the mirror was a girl with long hair in luxurious vertical curls - Beatrice.
"I'm getting changed. You're one naughty loli."
Subaru: "I hope he's finished getting changed properly. Besides, he asked me to do something about Subaru's unresolved expression. So I guess I came here reluctantly, intending to give him a pat on the back. --Well, it turns out that wasn't necessary."
"Those guys..."
Who was it that had said such meddling? Otto, Garfiel, or perhaps Clind? Perhaps it was all three. Subaru chuckled at the high possibility.
Indeed, there was no one more suitable than Beatrice to motivate Subaru here and now. She was the best choice. In that case, I would take her kindly.
It was also to save face for Beatrice, who looked frustrated at being bored.
"back"
"...?"
"If you're going to hit me, then please do. It's true, I've been thinking about a lot of things and I feel like I've come to a conclusion, but… I just wanted that one last push, that final push."
Beatrice's eyes widened in surprise at Subaru's words.
Subaru found that expression extremely adorable, and tried to hold back the urge to burst out,
"So, I'm counting on you."
"I don't really mind that much though... I wonder if Betty will mind."
"I'm not saying this out of consideration. No matter who slaps me on the back, I think it will be the final push. And if I could choose someone, it would be you."
"――――"
Subaru: "I want you to give me the final strength to become Emilia's knight. Then I'll feel like I'm finally being myself."
It may just be a comforting thought, but comfort is fine, what's wrong with that?
It may be a matter of feeling, but if that's the case, it's definitely better to do it in a comfortable manner.
When it comes to expressing your feelings, a simpler way of doing things will always get the message across.
"I-I can't help it. I guess he can't do anything without Betty."
"Yeah, that's right. The truth is, I'm useless without you. I only become useless when you're around."
"I'm not completely useless yet! Excuse me!"
"And so, that useless guy becomes Emilia's knight and is no longer so useless. So whenever I'm on the verge of becoming useless, I'll have high hopes for you."
Subaru reluctantly got up from his chair and stroked Beatrice's head.
Beatrice looked dissatisfied with the rough touch, but she made no attempt to move his hand away, nor did she utter a single complaint.
"――――"
After thoroughly enjoying the feel of Beatrice's caresses, Subaru turns his back.
Beatrice must have understood the meaning behind his back being turned towards her.
Beatrice took a deep breath and seemed to prepare herself.
"--Hmph, that's it!"
"----!"
Cute shouts and the sound of dry slaps echoed through the room.
The impact that was conveyed from the small palm sent a sharper numbness through Subaru than he had imagined, and he felt an even greater shock run down his back and throughout his entire body.
"You have unexpected power."
"I guess he was carrying a big, heavy book around with him every day for no reason."
Beatrice's proud words made the girl recall her days spent at the Forbidden Library.
Indeed, Beatrice always had books open, large enough to hide her small body. The results of enduring that weight day after day were now finally apparent.
Although I don't know if strength training is effective for spirits.
"So it turns out you're actually a surprisingly physical magician. Massive Bearko."
"I feel like I'm being called something I really don't like."
"It was just my imagination. But I'm motivated now. Thanks."
"...I guess it's only natural since we're contract holders."
With a slight blush on her cheeks, Beatrice averted her gaze from Subaru.
It was a reaction that made him want to stroke his head once more. However, before Subaru could reach out his hand,
"--Natsuki-sama, it's almost time. Please get ready."
There was a knock on the door and Clinton showed up to call for me.
Subaru gasped in tension as the moment finally approached.
However, her limbs and face were not as tense as she had imagined. The tenseness in her movements was released in a good way, and she secretly praised the effect of Beatrice's slap, which was better than she had imagined.
"Lady Beatrice is also preparing to attend. We will also be taking the rear seats, so we would appreciate your understanding, Natsuki-sama. Thank you for your understanding."
"Oh, I get it. Please don't laugh if I make a mistake."
"As you wish. Seriously."
As Clind stood outside the door, ready to guide them in, Subaru sighed and cracked his neck.
Then he turned to Beatrice, unsure of what to say,
"Well, I'm off."
"That's a good idea."
It was a simple exchange of words, but that should be enough.
I've received more than enough in words and actions.
"ーーSubaru."
And yet, at the very last moment, Beatrice called out to Subaru one more time.
Just before leaving the room, Beatrice turned around to look at Subaru, her face reddening.
"Do you think that outfit suits me?"
And with that, Subaru regained the last of his confidence.