ARC Two: The Roswaal Mansion

Chapter Seven: Advantages and Unison

It was the next morning after the royal capital battle. Subaru and Batman had fully recovered from their battle against Elsa.

Batman was busy observing the interior of the mansion. He couldn't help but be reminded of his own home. Though he admitted his own mansion seemed more dreary as of late...especially with his old friend Alfred gone.

Batman looked out the window to see Emilia standing in the grass, conversing with orbs of light surrounding her. He concluded that they were spirits similar to the one called Puck.

He was continuing down the hall when he suddenly heard wailing.

Earlier, Subaru had awoken from his sleep.

He wandered the halls, only to realize it was looping. He grabbed a door that he thought would get him out and opened it.

Inside was a blonde haired little girl with an exuberant red dress.

"First NPC found!"

"You're nonsense irritates Betty. You should learn to have better manners, I suppose."

Subaru continued to goof off with the girl using the word loli constantly. The young girl was not a fan.

"Loli! Loli! LOLI! I have never heard that word before, but it irritates me to no end, I suppose!"

"It means you're too young for my route. Sorry about that. But I think a loli like you should-"

"Betty has had enough."

The girl stood up from her stool and walked over to the boy, putting her hand on his abdomen.

"Hey what's the…"

"Don't move."

"Eek."

"Any last words?"

"I don't like pain?"

After he said this, a jolt of pain rushed over his entire body. He felt as if his nerves were about to explode.

Subaru collapsed on the ground, tears in his eye and unable to lift himself.

"What did you do, you damn loli?"

"Betty has merely pilfered the mana from your body. Do not worry though, I left some so that you would not die, I suppose."

"Are you even human…? No I don't think you are…"

"Good observation, I suppose. A noble being like me, would surely stand above someone like you, human."

As she finished, Subaru passed out.

Batman rushed to the room finding Subaru on the floor.

"Subaru? Hey Subaru!"

He checked his pulse, looked at his eye and placed his palm in his chest. All to see that he was okay.

Batman noticed the little girl sitting on the stool.

"I can assume you did this?"

"It's rude to accuse someone of a misdeed without any evidence of such, I suppose. But I will not lie, yes I did."

"...He won't die..?

"Of course not. Betty is not so cruel as to kill someone just because she was annoyed. Besides killing him here would be bothersome, his husk would just be too much trouble to move, I suppose.."

"Well, as long as he's okay."

Batman did believe that she was the one who knocked out Subaru. In a world filled with magic, it wouldn't be unheard of if even a child could become more than troublesome.

Batman slumped him over his shoulders as he carried him out.

"It was really difficult finding this place. Some sort of dimensional alteration?"

"Hmph. You seem to have some intelligence, unlike that annoyance on your shoulders."

"Just a guess. I'll be heading out. Ah! I'm Batman and I see you've met Subaru. And you are?"

"...I am the librarian of these Forbidden Archives, I suppose. Beatrice."

"Well, until we see eachother again."

Batman kept Subaru safe over his shoulders as he closed the door behind him. Beatrice looked back at her book.

"I doubt we will."

Batman carried him back to his room and laid him back down his bed. Emilia was there, she came over after being spotted by Batman in the hallway. Emilia looked over Subaru with a worried expression.

"Geez, Beatrice should've been a little nicer to him."

"Well, it seems as though Subaru is almost attracted by the negative forces of this world. I'm just glad a meteor hasn't hit him yet."

"W-w-what are you saying? Don't say scary things like that Batman-san!"

"Relax. Even I don't think Subaru is that unlucky."

"Neither do I. I think?"

"You're about to hit a new level of hypocrisy there Emilia."

Emilia got to work healing him of his pilfered mana. Just then two new figures emerged from the doorway.

It was the pink haired maid from last night, and alongside her was another maid who looked exactly like her. The only difference was her hair color and eye color, both of which were bright blue.

And...her chest was more...voluptuous.

They both bowed and turned to Emilia.

"Emilia-sama. Are you quite alright, we thought we heard a commotion."

"Emilia-sama. Is anything the matter, do you need us to take care of anything?"

Emilia was busy healing Subaru, so she had to look over her shoulder.

"Oh! Ram, Rem. No everything is fine. Subaru here had a bad run-in with Beatrice is all."

The two maids bowed and turned their attention to Batman.

"Dear guest, do you require anything to indulge yourself with?"

"Dear guest, do you have any need for some entertainment?"

Batman could only put out his hand.

"No no. I'm fine. Also, you don't have to call me that. It makes me feel too entitled. Batman is just fine."

The maids looked at each other for a moment, before turning back and bowing again.

"Very well, Batman-sama."

"We understand, Batman-sama."

Batman sighed as he realized his request would be reached only halfway.

"Well, what are your names?"

"I am Rem, it is good to meet you."

"I am Ram, it is a pleasure to introduce myself."

With introductions out of the way Ram had a question for him.

"Batman-sama, I do not wish to seem rude, but are you sure need nothing?"

"Hmm?"

"I noticed you were up all night. Save for the few hours we took to get here, you have had no sleep."

Emilia was surprised to hear this.

"Batman-san! You shouldn't do that to yourself! A person needs sleep and after all you went through yesterday, you deserve some rest."

Emilia gave a worried expression as she said this.

Batman only shook his head.

"Relax guys, believe it or not, I've trained my body to only require two hours of sleep."

The three girls were stunned by his declaration. None more so than Emilia.

"Are you serious? You're not lying to me are you?"

"No, I rigorously trained my body to do so. So I'm fully rested."

"Aright...if you so. But if I see you fall asleep, I'll give an earful of a scolding."

"Uh...sure."

With the healing done, Batman and Emilia left Subaru with Rem and Ram.

"Well Batman-san, I think the person you've been meaning to meet will be here today."

"Should makes things go a little faster. Although…"

"Although?"

They stopped moving as Batman looked out one of the large windows. He gazed at the clouds in the sky as his mind tried to collect itself.

"I am worried about Subaru. I feel like I can't take my eyes off of him. Or the next time he'll just stumble into danger."

"Yeah, he seems to be a bit of a handful."

"True but…"

Batman closed his eyes. He saw images of how Subaru played around with Felt, how he fought Elsa with little fighting experience and how he defended Emilia from a deadly blow.

He smiled.

This boy reminded him of another from long ago. A boy, who he considered one of his first true allies.

"...Subaru is a good kid."

Emilia simply nodded at this.

"Yes. He really is."

Emilia left him to take care of some unfinished business as he headed outside. He looked at the courtyard and the countless rows of trees outside of the gates. He hopped over the gates as he decided to get some exercise.

Batman jumped from tree to tree while carrying two large rocks on his shoulders. He hopped around for awhile before he caught a glimpse of Subaru and Emilia in the gardens. He saw that they were doing some exercises together. They seemed to be having fun together.

He decided to let them be, for a few moments longer.

After returning from his light exercise, Batman found Subaru sitting in the grass with the little spirit Puck floating near him. He also noticed Emilia a little farther ahead with more 'spirits' floating around her.

"So what's going on there?"

"Puck says she has contracts with those lesser spirits. Pretty much it's a daily thing for them."

"Oh. They just require her attention for a while."

"Yeah, it seems lesser spirit conditions are easy to take care of, like a beginner class."

"Hm. And you Puck, you seem to be different than a Lesser Spirit."

Puck floated over between the both of them with a blushy smile.

"Yeah, I'm actually a Great Spirit. My conditions on Lia are a bit more strict than a lesser or minor spirit."

Subaru looked at Puck and sharpened his eyes. Batman noticed this as well.

"It's been on my mind since earlier...but Lia, that's a cute nickname!"

"Your Emilia-tan's even cuter though!"

"...you guys are such a handful."

Batman facepalmed a bit, as Emilia returned from her Spirit Talk. They discussed things that were not so important, such as Subaru's and Batman's favorite foods, Batman's training regiment and Subaru's own silly mannerisms.

Puck then asked Batman something.

He floated around Batman before landing on his shoulder.

"You also helped to protect my darling daughter. Subaru already got his reward from me, so how about you?"

"...nothing comes to mind."

"I can make you rich or even shower you with pleasantries beyond-."

"Alright, I'd like for you to teach me magic."

"Wait?! That's it?"

"Well you are a 'Great Spirit', so I would think this would not be too hard for you. It'd be beneficial to me to know how it works, or if I can use it at all."

Batman pointed a finger out.

"That's all I need."

Batman simply thought that any advantage would be a good one. Even if this great sorcerer could help find a way back home, there was no knowing how long he'd be here. He had no real use for his tech savvy knowledge in a world that still used drawn carriages.

And so with some reluctance the Dark Knight thought it was finally time to learn some magic.

"But let's not do it now, let's just relax for a moment."

"Alright! I'll help in that department in any way I can. Hehe."

Puck soon motioned to Emilia as he gave a bashful smile.

"Don't worry Lia, I checked their minds. They're good guys. They have no malicious or hostile intent to do harm to any of us. Subaru and Batman are still a little weird though."

"Ah! Puck. Saying those things in front of them is rather rude don't you think?"

Batman and Subaru only nodded at this.

"Emilia-tan, you shouldn't worry about it, you brought us here without knowing anything about us. So of course Puck would be a little cautious."

"Puck is only doing it with the best of intentions. We're not hurt...Subaru might be, but not me."

"Your witty dialogue is going to hurt me more Batman-san! Isn't this out of character?!"

The group had a good laugh about it. Just then the twin maids arrived, to inform them in near perfect unison.

"Emilia-sama. Roswaal-sama has returned."

The group started to head back to the mansion, with Ram and Rem not far behind.

Staring at them.

Something Batman could see clearly.

Now in the dining room, everyone began to take their seats. However…

"Myyyyyyyy, isn't this is a wondrous sight? Everyone is heeeeeeere, even Beatrice is here!"

A man came in with clown-like makeup and an odd purple suit waltzed into the dining room. He had long blue hair and different colored eyes. One yellow, the other blue.

He had a long smile on his face.

Batman raised himself from his chair in an extreme manner, as he stared at the man.

The maids were the first to notice this and turned sharply at Batman.

Batman breathed a sigh of relief when he took a longer look at him.

"I'm sorry. It's just, you slightly reminded me of someone I don't have good standings with. No...terrible standings with."

"Ahhhhh...no worries. Do not trouble yourself with that. Some people are just sooooooo amazed by my figure, that they lose themselves."

The tension eased as the clown turned to the person next to him.

"IIII am the lord of this manor, Roswaal L. Mathers. It is gooooood to finally meet both of you, Natsuki Subaru. Batman."

Everyone took their seats as they began to eat.

Subaru and Batman had learned a few things during the meal:

Beatrice was only ever nice to Puck, who she referred to as a brother.

Rem was basically the one taking care of nearly all of the tasks of the mansion.

Ram was haughty.

Roswaal was a Magrave, a sorcerer who was well versed in all six magics.

And that The Kingdom of Lugnica was in trouble, the entire royal family had all died of a mysterious disease, leaving them without any real leadership. However…

"...Emilia-tan…"

"Yes, um, I'm a royal candidate. It means I'm in the running to become the 42nd ruler of Kingdom of Lugnica...with backing from the Roswaal Estate."

Subaru's jaw dropped as he couldn't believe it. The girl he met was actually royalty. Losing his life three times, might not have been to pay for this encounter.

Roswaal then glanced at Batman.

"Youuuuuu don't seem at all surprised by this at all, doooooo you?"

"No worries, I've encountered royalty in my past before."

It was not a lie. Wonder Woman, Black Adam and even Aquaman were all royal rulers of their respective kingdoms.

The discussion turned to the pendant that Emilia had stolen by Felt. Roswaal explained to them, that the pendant was a symbol of one's qualification and they must have it in order to ascend to the throne. Subaru and Batman couldn't believe it.

"Emilia-tan! You lost your qualification that easily?"

"I-I didn't lose it! It was stolen!"

"That's almost the same thing!"

Subaru stood from his chair in utter shock, while Batman merely crossed his arms and shook his head.

"Wellllll, to lose such an important pendant such as this, who would trust a person like that, to rule a country? Hmmmmmm?"

Subaru realized the direness of the situation, but Batman was the first to speak it.

"So in other words, if word got out that Emilia lost her badge, her chances for the throne go from 1 to absolutely nothing in a matter of moments?"

"Yessss. That is exactly it."

Subaru stood from his chair as he looked to Emilia.

"As far as I can see it, we totally did a great job! Hehe, that makes me want to be rewarded even more."

"Of course Subaru, you and Batman, are people I am greatly indebted to. You saved my reputation and my life. That's why I want you two to ask me anything. I will give it my all, anything of equivalent value for what you two have done for me."

Batman and Subaru looked at each other.

They soon asked how Emilia ended up alone in the capital without a bodyguard. They learned that Ram was with her in the capital, but the busyness of the city got her separated.

Ram changed her hairstyle to Rem's.

Much to the annoyance of Subaru and Batman.

And almost in unison,

"Changing your hairstyle to your sisters won't save you, Ram."

Roswaal agreed that Ram had failed her task, and thus it was also his own. He was still wondering where Subaru was going with this.

"Simply put, to take your eyes off someone as important as Emilia was your mistake. And I'm a horrible opportunist. And it's my policy to milk something for all it's worth, especially when I find an opportunity to take advantage of."

Subaru gave a wicked smile as he sat in a oppressive manner.

Emilia and Batman were shocked.

Rem and Ram narrowed their eyes.

Puck and Beatrice were playing and were unconcerned.

"IIIIIII see, it would be best to ask the patron forrrrrrrr a reward, wouldn't it?

"Hehe, as expected of nobility, you guys understand everything very easily. With regards to my reward, me and Batman most likely want the same thing. And as a man you cannot refuse! A man does not go back on his word."

"Veeeeery well. I understand. I can't make any excuses. Soooooo what do you desire?"

"I have one desire."

Subaru stood up and turned his wicked smile into a soft one.

"Employ me at this mansion."

Everyone gave off a surprised look at Subaru. Although Beatrice was more disgusted than anything.

Batman also rose up, with a slight grin on his face.

"Roswaal L. Mathers, I would like to become a bodyguard for Emilia and Subaru. And to live here as part of my employment, however long that might be. To me, they are the only ones I can see fit for my services and so, that's my request from you."

Emilia stood up.

"You guys! Your requests are..!"

"Emilia-tan, are you that opposed to our requests?"

She lightly grabbed Subaru's collar as tears streamed from her face.

"YOU BOTH ARE ASKING FOR TOO LITTLE. Subaru what you asked from Puck, what you asked just now and for my name at the capital!"

She turned to look at Batman with tears forming ever harder.

"And Batman-san! All you asked for was an audience with Roswaal, and then to learn magic and to be employed here?! I don't understand."

She looked down as tears fell from her eyes.

"My gratitude for the both of you, you risked your lives to save me and beyond that."

Batman and Subaru looked at each other with concerned eyes. They never realized how indebted she must have felt towards them.

Subaru held her shoulders tenderly.

"Emilia, listen to me. What I wanted at those moments is what I truly wanted you know? Being in a strange land, I wanted to feel at ease so I asked for your name. I wanted to feel comfortable as well, so I asked Puck what I did. And now I have gained access to a continual means of living by working here."

"If continuous means of living was an issue, why didn't ask to be treated as a guest?"

"Ah crap! I didn't think that option was available! But a man doesn't go back on their word...so I'm employed I guess."

Subaru gave a joyous smile to Emilia who was also able to relax. She turned to Batman.

"Almost the same reason Emilia. I'm trying to see if Roswaal knows about a solution to my predicament and if not, if he knows someone who can. And of course, I'd rather not resort to homelessness if I can. Plus!"

He then pointed to Subaru.

"I have to keep an eye on this guy, so he doesn't let himself get hurt again."

"Couldn't you show some confidence in me at all?!"

Subaru roared at Batman as he simply crossed his arms.

In reality, Batman considered the fact that Roswaal may not be able to help at all. If that were the case, if the greatest magic user in this kingdom couldn't help, his chances were slim. So he in the end, he could find some solace in staying out of the wilderness and keeping the troublesome Subaru safe.

Also…

[Subaru. Protect him.]

He needed to keep close to him, just in case.

Batman and Subaru looked over at the maids. Subaru gave almost a salute to them.

"Ram, Rem, I look forward to working with you both, as a manservant."

"Ram, Rem, please take good care of this young enigma."

"OI! OI! Stop giving me complicated nicknames!"

"Right right."

The Roswaal Mansion now had two new members as part of their party.

A young brash man named Natsuki Subaru, who would be a manservant.

A tall imposing figure called Batman, who would be a bodyguard.

"Oh right it should be arriving."

"Hmm? What's tha-?"

A loud booming sound could be heard over in the distance. Ram ran over to Roswaal and Rem ran to Emilia.

Batman simply walked over to the window and pointed outside.

"You don't mind if I park it near the courtyard right?"

A large black contraption slowly descended from the skies and landed safely on the grass.

Subaru ran over and saw it for himself.

"No way...NO WAY! The Batwing! It's the Batwing! This is incredible! This is amazing! This is unbelievable!"

The patrons all looked out the window as they saw the Batwing parked near the courtyard.

Rem was the first to ask Batman.

"What is it?"

"The Batwing."

"Bat...w..wing?"

"It's...a metia that I was given long ago. Very impressive right?"

The patrons looked on in astonishment at the sight. Subaru being the most ecstatic.

While everyone was enjoying the view, Rem glanced at the young man who was just hired, and furrowed her eyebrows at the sight of him.

Thus their lives of tragedy and death would begin here. From Zero.