ARC Two: The Roswaal Mansion

Chapter Eight: The Three Lies

It had just been a few hours since Subaru and Batman became employees for the Roswaal manor. Batman was able to get a good view of the scenery from atop of the mansion. He noticed that in the far distance there seemed to be a small village.

Using his binocular eyes, he zoomed in to clarify that, indeed, it was a small village.

Though he was interested to investigate it, he instead wanted to check up on Subaru.

Walking through the halls, he noticed no one was around.

"Hmmmm...where is everyone?"

He looked around for awhile before he ran into Ram giving Subaru a tour of the mansion.

"Oh Subaru. Ram."

"Hey Batman-san. Whatcha you up to?"

"Got a little restless surveying the forest. Taking a tour are we?"

"Yeah, Ram was nice enough to do so."

Subaru glanced at Ram who gave an annoyed look.

"Humph. I am only doing this because Roswaal-sama has ordered me to do so, do not take my duties and spin them to your delusions, Barusu."

"Geez onee-sama, try not be so violent about this."

Batman sighed as he heard this exchange.

"Well, mind if I join along? It would be best if I knew the interior of the mansion as much as the exterior."

Ram gave a short glance before she turned back to face the hall.

"Do as you wish."

The tour continued, both Subaru and Batman were able to view most of the wings of the mansion. Batman made an offhand comment about his place of residence.

"My mansion was a little smaller than this place, very impressive."

Ram turned to face him with a dubious look.

"You had your own mansion?"

"Of course, how else do you think I can afford this suit and the metia outside?"

"Hmmm...I see. Is it now for a fact that you are penniless?"

Subaru quickly interjected.

"Oi! Ram, that's not something nice to say to-."

"Subaru it's alright."

Batman lightly tapped his shoulder. With Subaru calm, Batman placed his hands on his waist as he spoke again.

"Some things occurred and I'm in this situation. I have to take this job to survive and that's that. I hope to work well with everyone here."

"...I understand. Now let's get a move on."

The tour soon concluded outside of some of the servant quarters. Subaru and Batman were asked to pick their quarters. Batman chose one that was four doors across from Subaru's choice.

However as soon as Subaru opened his door,

"Fuwaaah, you're so wonderful, nii-chan! Your fur is the best in the-!"

Beatrice was playing with Puck in her library. Batman and Subaru had witnessed it.

"Don't worry, I won't say a thing. That feeling turns all of us into blithering idiots…"

"Cut short your idiotic statement and get out, I suppose!"

"Gyaha!"

Beatrice unleashed some invisible force towards the doorway. While Batman simply moved aside, Subaru took a full hit and flew hard into the corridor wall.

Batman and Ram looked at the fallen child and simply shrugged their shoulders.

Later, Batman and Subaru learned that Beatrice used an ability that teleported the Forbidden Archives around. The only way to find it, was to open as many doors as possible before finding it.

But for some reason, Subaru was able to find it almost every time. Even Ram was curious about it. Batman shrugged it off as some sort of dumb luck, though Subaru didn't like it being described as that.

Later, Subaru was taken to Rem for his outfit fitting. He went to go see how things were going, hopefully Subaru wasn't doing anything too-

"None of your business. What is wrong with my being the same as Nee-Sama?"

He heard Rem's voice, sharp and forceful coming from the outfit room.

Rem walked out, only to notice Batman standing in the hallway.

"Batman-san."

"Rem, is everything alright?"

"...yes. Now if you'll excuse me, I must return to Nee-sama."

Subaru came out of the room not far along. Batman crossing his arms at him.

"She really was harsh to you."

"Yeah, I know she loves her sister. But this is a little much."

A bit later, the two were able to learn about how time was measured:

Solartime, or in that case, A.M., was measured from six hour intervals of Wind Time, and then Fire Time.

Lunartime, or P.M., was measured from six hour intervals of Water Time to Earth time.

Though Batman quickly caught on, Subaru of course didn't.

Batman watched over Subaru trying to cut potatoes with the sister in the kitchen. Only to fail miserably.

He constantly cut his fingers on the knife he was using. With there being no such thing as a peeler in this world, they had to do this old fashioned.

He was impressed with Ram's cutting skills, while noticing Rem. Every few seconds, she gave a glance at Subaru. It was something he tried putting off as simply supervising a new employee.

But.

The way her eyes were fixated on him, was something Batman did not feel comfortable with. They were eyes with light shades of hostility.

In an effort to quell this, Batman did the only thing he could.

He glanced back. Almost as if giving her a warning.

Rem immediately saw this and turned back to her work.

However, Ram also noticed this.

"Batman-san. Is there anything you need from Rem?"

"No. Nothing at all."

The cutting went on, but soon Subaru became frustrated with his progress. He became more frustrated when Rem praised her sister for her own work. He turned to Rem.

"Can't I get some sort of comment for the work I'm doing?!"

"I feel sorry for the farmer who grew those vegetables."

"Stop, you're wounding me more than the cuts!"

Batman let out a small chuckle, which surprised Rem and Ram. Neither of them had ever heard him chuckle, it was rare, like seeing a shooting star.

Subaru than acted accordingly.

"Just you wait you guys! With my beloved blade Shooting Star I will put you all in your place!"

But before he was able to cut, Subaru noticed Rem was staring at him.

"..Yes? If you stare at me like that I'm gonna start blushing."

Rem was taken aback at his comment and seem to try and counter, but Ram interupted.

"She was staring at how pathetic you hair looks Barusu. It gets a failing grade for being a servant, right Rem?"

"...Ah, yes, I suppose so. It does seem a bit lacking."

Subaru scratched his head at this.

"Well, I guess I should trim it."

"Well, Barusu. How about letting Rem here trim it for you? She can help make it presentable. She does my hair a well, as well as helps dress me in the morning."

"I don't know if I feel comfortable letting a girl touch my hair. It'll completely throw me off balance."

Ram then turned to Rem.

"How about it Rem? Mind giving Barusu's hair a little trim?"

"Nee-sama..?

"...You were looking at Barusu because of his hair, yes?"

"...Yes that is correct. It bothered me slightly, very slightly, just a little."

Subaru just nodded at the idea his very hair was bothersome, losing more confidence.

To add insult to injury, Shooting Star slipped from the potato and sliced into Subaru's finger.

All four people sounded off as one.

"-AH."

Subaru yelled out in pain, as Batman placed a hand on his mouth, trying to hold something back.

But…

"AHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

The three turned around in utter shock at the sight of Batman, laughing at Subaru's misfortune.

Later in the night, Ram and Roswaal were having a conversation in his private study. They conversed about Subaru and the possibility of him being a spy or detriment against them. Then, the focus shifted to Batman.

"Weeeell Ram? How does he seem?"

"Unlike Barusu, he seems to be the most mysterious one. Not once, have I or Rem seen him take off that costume he wears. He also seems quite...intimidating."

"Hmmmmmm, what do you mean."

"As I said Roswaal-sama, there is an air to him. A feeling that is almost unseen. Whenever he looks into my eyes, it almost seems like he is threatening me."

"And whaaaat is he threatening you for?"

"...For Barusu."

The two seemed to agree that Subaru was protected by Batman. Anything coming close to Subaru or Emilia for that matter, would be swiftly dealt with.

"He's similar to how we are to you Roswaal-sama."

"Hmmmm. Well, he did saaaaaay that he would be Subaru-kun and Emilia-sama's bodyguard. Sooooo we can safely assume he is only doing his job well."

Roswaal grasped Ram tightly, she closed her eyes in relaxation.

"Buuuuut, no matter who it is, I will not let them stand in my way."

Unbeknownst to them, a small microphone hidden on the doorframe of the room was listening in on their conversation.

Batman was listening, while looking out at Subaru and Emilia standing in the garden surrounded by lesser spirits. The moon illuminating the both of them.

Four days passed without incident.

Though Batman tried to get Roswaal to help him with his "parallel world" situation, he was always too busy and had to make due with waiting a little longer.

Batman and Subaru took lessons from Ram about this world's alphabet. Though Subaru was still stuck in the beginner's course, reading children's stories.

Batman learned the entire language in two days.

"Barusu should really take example from Batman. You really are a useless one are you not?"

Day by day went by smoothly. Subaru continuously learned how to be a better manservant and Batman took steps to know his surroundings better. He even tagged along with Subaru to the small village that was overlooked by the mansion.

Irlham Village was a place filled with 300 people and was quite tranquil. The children seemed to like Subaru and were at first scared, but later curious of Batman.

Eventually, Batman was able to acquire a suit for leisure.

A black suit with a yellow tie, was made for him.

When he finally took off his mask, everyone was mesmerized by him.

He had black slicked back hair, dark blue eyes and handsome facial features.

But he also had small scars on his jaw and on his eye areas.

A face of a warrior.

That night, Subaru was almost dancing down the halls when he noticed Batman in his casual clothes.

"Ah Bru-I mean Batman-san."

"It's alright Subaru. I'd like more time to tell everyone else my real name, but when we're alone you can use it."

"Well...um..Bruce-san. Getting ready to read a bit more?"

"Yes, I borrowed some books from Beatrice about Magic and Lugnica's history. It helps to keep my mind exercised as well as my body."

"Geez, I'd like to be as productive as you Bruce-san."

Subaru was giving a bright smile to Bruce. He picked up on this.

"You seem to be really happy."

"Heck yeah I am! I asked Emilia-tan...for a...date. And she said yes! She said YES! I am so excited I don't even think I can sleep at all!"

"Well, good for you. I suggest you get some sleep, don't want to look worse on your date than you already do."

"Well duh-HEY!"

Bruce chuckled a bit and gave a huge pat on the back.

"Well goodnight Subaru."

"Okay…'night!"

"Hey, Subaru."

"Yeah..?"

"...Good luck tomorrow."

"Hehe, you bet!"

Subaru strolled away as Bruce headed to his room to begin his nightly patrol outside.

And so the night ended.

Bruce had woken up from a two hour sleep early in the morning. He put on his Batman suit and headed down the hall. He went to check the kitchen on the servants.

"REM! REM! COME HERE QUICK!"

Batman heard Ram's voice scream from across the hall. He ran down to the origin of the scream.

He saw it came from Subaru's room.

"Ram?! What's wrong?!"

When he entered he saw the two maids looking at the bed. They were standing in a way that blocked the view from him.

He approached and looked over their shoulders.

He saw Natsuki Subaru asleep with a smile on his face.

A silence filled the air.

Batman could only stare in disbelief at the sight.

"...He's dead…?"

A few minutes later, the entirety of the manor was in Subaru's room.

Ram and Rem stood next to Roswaal, who was sitting on a chair overlooking the bed.

Beatrice stood next to the bed leaning a wall adjacent to it.

Puck was floating next to the bed.

Batman was near the doorway.

Emilia was kneeling next to the bed, her head and arms on the sheets, crying.

"Lia, please calm down. I know it's sad, but sometimes people die."

"But why him? He was good boy! He was nice, he risked his life for me. He treated me fairly even though I'm a half-elf. And this was the reward given to him? An early death?!"

"Lia.."

"No. He said he wanted spend the day with me today. I was looking forward to it...He looked so excited and happy, to hang out with me. Me! A silver haired half elf! So why…?"

Emilia sobbed loudly at the loss of her new friend.

Puck was trying his best to comfort her.

Beatrice looked at the situation with emotionless eyes.

Ram and Rem had their eyes closed the entire time.

Roswaal had a slight sad look on his face.

But a whisper, a cold soft one was heard.

"...How did this happen?"

Batman looked around at everyone in the room.

"How did this happen?"

Roswaal took a small breath.

"It seems that this was the work of a curse. A dastardly form of spell that steals vitality and mana once activated. Subaru-kun was fortunate enough that he was asleep when it happened."

Roswaal gave a glance at Subaru. His body covered in a clean white sheet.

Batman looked at Emilia who was still crying. His own white eyes, making a slight sad shape at the sight of it.

But they returned to normal.

"I have three questions for everyone here."

Everyone turned to look at him, including a a still crying Emilia.

Batman surveyed the room to see if he got everyone's attention.

"One. Did anyone know about the curse beforehand?"

Everyone went silent. Everyone simply shook their heads.

"I'm soooory. But I'm not so good with detecting these kind of things."

"Rem is not skilled in detecting curses."

"Me nor my sister are able to detect curses."

"Lia and I aren't able to do that either."

"Hmph. Trying to grasp at straws to blame someone. I would think someone as intelligent would try gathering evidence, I suppose."

Batman then furrowed his eyes a bit.

"Two. Would anyone here or outside of the mansion be after Subaru's life?"

Everyone shook their heads again.

"It's possible sooooomeone from his past would have a grudge against him?"

"...Rem had no such intentions."

"I had no such ill will towards Barusu."

"Lia and I would never to do something like that to Subaru!"

"Betty was annoyed by him, but I would never go as far as to wish death upon him, I suppose."

Batman closed his eyes, he crossed his arms and then opened his eyes again.

"Three. Are you saddened by his death?"

A silence fell in the air. The air became heavy. Roswaal then raised his hand, with a sad look on his face.

"IIIII can say with a clear heart and mind that I came toooooo like the boy over these past few days. And that IIIIII am deeply saddened by his cruel demise."

"Rem is saddened as well, Subaru-kun did not deserve this."

"I agree with my sister. This was very unfortunate."

"Well me and Li-!"

Before Puck could finish, Emilia stood straight up and stomped her way to Batman with furious eyes.

"How can you ask these kind of questions?! Everyone is saddened by his this! A good friend is gone. He didn't deserve this, of course he didn't, but for you to be so callous like this! Why?! Why are you asking these questions?!"

Emilia stared up at Batman with a sad yet angered look on her face.

Batman only looked down at her, then turned to Beatrice.

"And you?"

"...It is tragic, I suppose."

Batman turned to Subaru's corpse. He then moved around Emilia to walk to the bed.

He stood there while giving a slightly pained expression.

He calmed his face as tenderly retrieved the wrapped up body. Emilia wiping her tears got closer to him.

"...Batman-san?"

Batman looked around the room and then to the window.

"Effective immediately, I am leaving this mansion."

Almost everyone gasped at this.

"I'll take Natsuki Subaru's body and give it a proper burial in the nearby village. After that, I'll head west from here to Katagari."

He gave a stern look to everyone in view.

"And I'm never coming back."

Roswaal stood from his chair and gave a look to Batman with his yellow eye.

"Wellllll Batman, I cannot believe you would be so childish about this. I understand youuuuuuu are upset by Subaru-kun's death...but is this really-?"

"Any and all expenses I have attributed by staying here, deduct them from whatever it was you were going to pay me and keep the rest."

"-!"

"It's been an honor, all of you."

Batman then began walking away from the wide eyed Roswaal.

He reached the door when he felt someone grab his cloak.

He turned to see Emilia, with tears once again fallig from her face.

"...Why?"

Batman then turned back around to face everyone.

"Because in every one of my questions, somebody lied to me."

Emilia's eyes widened.

"Huh?"

She was clearly lost for words, she even began to shake. One word, a word she hated, was right there in what he just said.

LIED.

"First, I asked if anyone knew about the curse being in Subaru...one of you lied to my face."

Batman looked down at the body he was carrying with an agered look.

"And you know who you are."

"Secondly, I asked if anyone had malicious intent here against Subaru. Again...someone here lied."

He then looked back at Emilia, her eyes still flooded with tears.

"And finally, I asked if any of you were saddened by his death."

Batman made an enraged look, one no outside of Emilia or Subaru had seen before.

"Except for Emilia. EVERYONE HERE LIED TO ME."

Batman turned back around to head out from the door, but before he left,

"Goodbye Emilia...and I'm sorry."

Emilia let go of his cape, but asked in a quiet voice something…

"...Who knew?"

"-."

"...Tell me."

"...Ask Puck. He knows who it was."

Batman walked out of the room with the corpse of his young friend.

The room was quiet. Dreadfully quiet. No one moved or made a sound.

It was just then, a voice was heard.

"Puck."

"Lia…?"

"Who was it?"

"Lia, listen, he's just upset. He didn't know-!"

"Don't lie to me! Please Dad! Tell me right now! Who knew?!"

"Lia! Listen to me! It's not-!"

"That's enough don't you think nii-chan?"

Emilia and Puck turned to face the voice.

It was…

"I felt the curse in him last night, I suppose. I ignored it, so here we are. Are you satisfied?"

Beatrice looked at the two with a cold emotionless stare.

"Betty?"

"I'm sorry nii-chan, but I could not stand her speaking to you in such a morose manner. She would have found out eventually, I suppose. So, will this do?"

Emilia marched over to Beatrice with a pained expression.

"H-How could you? He had fun with you and everything!"

"Those things do not amuse Betty. And I did not know the boy well enough to care, I suppose."

Emilia furrowed her eyes at the response. Then, she remembered the other two…

"PUCK."

"Yes?"

"Can you tell me who it was?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Who here wished ill-will toward Subaru?"

Once again the room became quiet.

"Emilia-sama. It was I who felt this way."

Ram stepped forward with an emotionless stare.

Ram continued.

"I felt that he was a nuisance and eyesore for Roswaal-sama to have around. So I felt he was not needed anymore."

Before Emilia could scream something.

"Liar."

"-!"

Ram looked above her to see Puck floating above her.

"I made a mistake trying to lie to my daughter. I will make sure to NEVER do it again. And thus, I will not allow others to lie to her as well."

His tail aimed down, pointing towards the true culprit. Rem.

Emilia began to change her face to a sad one, filled with utter devastation.

"Why Rem?"

"...Emilia-sama…"

"How could you think like that to him?"

"I…."

"Answer me please!"

"...I didn't trust him."

"...why..?"

"Forgive Rem for saying this, but Emilia-sama is too trusting of people. He was a person Rem could tell was nothing but trouble."

"-."

"It's actually fortunate he died, he would have done something to us eventu-!"

Ram stood in front of her.

"Rem! That's enough!"

"...Nee-sama?"

The others then noticed Emilia began slowly walking out the door.

"Emilia-sama?"

"Emilia-sama!"

Emilia turned back to them,

"And not a single one of you cared that Subaru died?"

Nothing but silence.

Emilia walked out the door and down the hall, with Puck not far behind.

As everyone chased after her. Puck stood in their way.

"I have seen inside my daughter's heart. Her heart is in pieces and her mind is made up. She is leaving this mansion and none of you will stop her."

Roswaal tried to plead with Puck. The spirit's eyes glowing eerily bright.

"Come on nooooow. Can't we sort this out-?"

"I knew it was a mistake coming here. I should have known something like this would have happened. If any of you attempt to follow us, I will freeze you alive."

Puck floated away and caught up with Emilia.

Rem and Ram could only stare in utter shock.

Roswaal raised his hand reaching out to Emilia with a pained expression.

Beatrice turned away with a regretful look in her eyes as she opened a door and disappeared back into her Forbidden Archive.

"I'm sorry Nii-Chan. Betty was such a fool."

As Emilia exited the mansion she saw Batman was returning and preparing to leave in his Batwing.

"Batman-san."

"Emilia?"

She walked over to him, with a downcast look.

"How did it go?"

"...The village was uncooperative. I'll bury him once I get to Katagari. Apparently, last night some creatures called Ma-Beasts attacked the village."

"...but the barrier."

"They said the barrier was broken, thus these monsters attacked and destroyed half the village."

"That's terrible...we should go-!"

"No, the moment they saw me, they screamed that they didn't want someone like me around."

"...huh?"

"They called me a "Roswaal Dog".

"So...they blame Roswaal."

"And if they see you...it'll only make matters worse."

Emilia couldn't help but feel useless. Unable to save Subaru, unable to see the liars in the mansion for who they really were and now the village was gone.

And so…

"Batman-san!"

"Yes?"

"Can you take me and Puck with you?"

Puck interjected.

"Lia are you sure about this?"

"Yes. I-I may have you with me. But I'd like to have another companion to travel with."

Batman walked over to Emilia.

"Do you have anywhere else to go?"

"I have Elior Forest, but I don't know if I want to go back there just yet…but there are things I need also accomplished...and I'd also like to see if you could help."

"...Alright, hop on."

"...Thank you."

As she was helped on she was amazed at the amazing lights and buttons around her.

But…

"Where is Subaru?"

"He's in the bottom part of the jet. The compartment hold. I'd...like to bury him as soon as possible."

"...yeah."

The Batwing took off. It ascended above the clouds as it continued moving westward.

"Anywhere you'd like to stop by first?"

"No. I just…"

"I understand."

Emilia and Puck looked out the windows with gloomy eyes. Emilia whispered quietly...

"I'm sorry.."

Batman looked dead ahead while driving, whispering.

"Me too."

The Batwing trailed forward disappearing from view, leaving the Roswaal Mansion behind.

And so, the First Loop at the Roswaal Mansion came to an end.