Uploading date: 7/26/2019 [M/D/Y]

Re: Life in a fantasy world ~ Arc 4: Beginning of the End

Chapter 6: The spark that lights the fire

"..."

"..."

It was early in the morning, Emilia-san and Roswaal had already left back to the mansion a few days ago, which left the three of us, me, Ram, and Beatrice to ourselves in the Karsten estate. The three of us sat around a coffee table, looking at each other, truly this is the most has become the most fearful outcome of all that's possible.

"To think that outside the doors of the library would be this uneventful, I suppose…"

"Please don't take this as an example, the outside is a much better place usually, Beatrice"

"No, for a person like Beatrice-sama, wherever you'd go, it would be the same as it is here… I don't mean this us an insult but you have the appearance of a small child, yet your age prevents you from going and partaking in activities with other youths, and even then, your body isn't fit for any work that is meant for adults, in a way, you've reached a stalemate where you're doomed for boredom wherever you go…"

"True, who knew being a lolified spirit could be this troublesome…"

"Saying it in such irritates Betty, I suppose, please word it differently next time..."

"Sorry but you're feelings of irritation is no match for my boredom, anyway, this is gonna take forever… you guys want to ditch this place and make a round through the capital?"

The two glanced at me for a second before turning their heads back to the coffee table, sighing as they do so "Okay now you guys are just plain lazy… guess I'll drag you guys out..." And with that Ram shoots her head up to me and says, "Touching a lady is off-limits Barusu, just how much more vulgar can you get?"

"Beatrice is my contracted spirit so I can do anything I want to her, and you're a maid, you're supposed to let me touch you"

"I'm being defiled in your mind as we speak, I feel my dignity being stripped away from me, please forgive me, Rem, I am no longer a-"

"Now you're just taking it too far, I suppose. Enough joking around, Betty demands you to take her outside I suppose"

Well look who's enthusiastic all of a sudden, "Okay then, let's go, got a store owner I wanna say hi to" I got up and walked over to the door, Ram as well, but before we proceed any further we heard a huff from behind us, "Uhh, aren't you coming?" Beatrice was still on her seat, looking towards us with a fed-up sort of look.

"Betty is tired, I suppose, you'll have to carry me"

"Do I look like Riger to you?"

"Hm? What's a Riger, I suppose?" So she hasn't heard of those before? Well, it's a Kararagian native so I should be surprised if she does know about it, "Hah, whatever, let me carry you then…" I say as I walk towards her couch, she raises her hands up, expecting me to bring my arms in to clutch her, though I stop midway and looked at her, "...?" "She looks a lot like a cat right now…"

"Barusu, you're creepy indecent thoughts are spilling out, please keep them to yourself"

"Eh really? Sorry about that… anyway, come on"

"On second thought, Betty shall walk on her own, I suppose"

With that, she got off the couch and ran towards the door, keeping her distance from me, "Eh, well that makes things easier for me I guess" Me and Ram follow her closely behind as we exit through the same door.

.

We go out and take in a deep breath of fresh air, or at least I did, the others just looked around lazily, "Come on you guys…" Looking at them like this, makes me a little sad, I did kinda wrap them up in this sort of situation, so I can't blame them for acting bored and all. "Ah, you know what, let's go and check on how the whole cities doing"

"What? Do you think Betty cares about the current state affairs, I suppose? Besides, what am I supposed to draw from that, I've only been out for a month, and you expect me to do all these things"

"Don't worry about it, it's not something big like that, it's much more simple…"

"Barusu is proposing that we see what effect Emilia-sama's revelation has done to the mentality of the capital, to beat your enemy is to know them, or is it knowing is half the battle?"

"It's both of them, Nee-san. And if we look close enough, we may even be able to peek in and see if they're any people trying stuff" Scouting them from the shadows, like a crocodile in swampy water, that's how we're gonna play it, "I suppose… but Bubby showed himself during the whole ordeal, so wouldn't it be highly unlikely that we'd find anyone like that, I suppose?"

"True, true, but we're not looking for those guys, we're looking for bigger fish to fry"

"And what might that be, Barusu?"

"Witch cult…"

Yes, the witch-cult, the only people crazy enough to go for us, given that Emilia has a great spirit at her disposal, they'll go through any lengths to do the deeds they do, and so with that, right now is the perfect time to go and get them, those bastards will come running out like a swarm of flies to rotten meat.

"It seems that you've already thought about everything through, I suppose"

"Not really, just thought about it on the spot"

"Something like that isn't something you think on the spot, I suppose!"

"Well there's no use waiting around here then, the longer we idle around, the lesser of a chance we'll get at nabbing out any from the crowd…" Ram told us, and I completely agree with her, "So, lead the way, Nee-san" And with that, she took off towards the direction of the gate, big and sturdy it has always been, but…

"Subaru…"

"Oho, surprise seeing you here, Reinhard"

I see that fiery red hair flowing by, seriously, I couldn't miss it even if I tried, though, I did miss it once during the gathering at the palace, "What brings you over?" He walks through the gate to come inside, and brought his hand out for a greeting, "It's just I was a little worried about the matters that happened a few days ago, I wasn't able to really find out what was happening since Felt-sama had requested for my aid, but I'd like to know, is everything okay between Julius and you?"

"Ah yes, that did happen didn't it?"

I do recall Ferris telling me about Reinhard being dragged out by Felt and whatever, must be something to do with Rom, I did tell him that, so he wouldn't have known the truth to our battle, a little bad but such a small thing wouldn't hurt. "Is it really something you should forget so easily, I suppose?"

"Quiet Beatrice, I'm was trying to do my monologue"

"Trying to do a what now?"

"Nevermind, not in the mood anymore…" I look back to Reinhard and gave him a smile, "It's alright, it didn't escalate into anything serious and we were not 'that' badly injured, we're basically back to buddies now, actually, I hope we are? It'd be real bad if he still holds a grudge on that, okay, should I be worrying now…"

"If you've already reconciled, then all should be well, Julius isn't the kind to keep grudges, I've known him well enough for that…"

Really now? Well, that's good to know.

"Hmm, that's all I was really about, so without further ado, I have urgent business to attend to with Felt-sama, I do hope you all have a good day, and may the best candidate win the election"

"Right back at 'cha sword saint, thanks for the concern, even though you were busy and all"

We waved him off as he turned back and disappeared in the blink of an eye, ah, it didn't really matter whether he was busy or not did it? He could've just zoomed past everything and be where he needed to be in an instant, "Haah… well then, guys, let's go prepare ourselves for a hunt!"

Though I said we'd be on the look out for some aggressive activity, the whole place really is just one barn filled with noisy animals. All we heard was chit chat and whatnot, there's the occasional insult and some worrisome comments, but other than that, nothing of the extreme, where's that damned cult when you need them, "Oh, Nii-chan, been wondering when you'd show up"

"Ahh, if it isn't the sweet sound of Kadomon the Appa man, what's up, been a long- wait no, it's only been a few days, hasn't it?"

The hunky man with green hair had shown himself from the crowd, a little girl holding his hands, "Ah, hello to you too Plum-chan" the little one smiled as we both waved together as a greeting, "So, you were expecting me?" "Of course I was, with all the uproar you've caused, it's surprising if I didn't… also, you've brought another friend?"

"Her name's Ram, she's my colleague, Ram, this is Kadomon, friend of mine"

"Pleasure to meet you…"

She bows down respectfully with her greeting, "Ah, nice to meet you too" After their done with their introductions, we go back to just the two of us, "So, care to explain why I've been left out of the blue here? Took me by surprise hearing you're a big shot all of a sudden you know?" He said in a surprised tone while grabbing my shoulder, "Sorry, was meaning to tell you in person but some things happened ya know?"

"I see… But you sure you gonna be fine…?"

He glanced at me, with a face of worry, "You're a real cautious guy so it felt weird for you to side with that one, you do know what you're putting yourself into right?" I brush it off with a chuckle and replied, "It's alright, I know better than anyone else that I'll be throwing myself into hell, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do right?"

"Heh, guess so, well then, why not bring her over for a bit, help a guy out ya?"

He says while flashing me a mischievous grin, "I'll try but I can't promise anything you hear?" This guy, all he thinks about is his business, well, he wouldn't be able to sustain his family if he didn't, it's a noble deed, if it weren't for the fact that his wife makes more money than him, now I just feel like he's trying to protect his pride as a husband, I still respect that…

"I'll be rootin for ya, so go get em"

"Alright, see you round Kadomon, let's go Beatrice, Ram…"

"Ji-chan, bye-bye!"

"See you round too Plum-chan"

And with that we move out, plunging straight into the crowd, "Wouldn't it have been better to bring that girl along, I suppose. Wouldn't hearing something like that serve as a boost to her confidence or something?" True as that is, what's gone is now gone, Emilia's already back at the mansion so there's nothing we can do about it, "The past is the past and the present is now, Emilia-san is not here so we'll just have to pass on that"

I had the urge to make that rhyme, but I knew these guys would hate me for it, I just know it, "So, is there any other people you have to meet Barusu?" That's a good question indeed, but sadly, my answer would have to be, "Nope, haven't met anyone of significance that I have to see right now, so we'll have some time to do whatever we want"

"I see, then, Ram shall be going on her own for a bit…"

"Oi, don't be like that Nee-san"

She hastily leaves us behind just like that, no wonder she sucks at babysitting so much, "Nee-san, wait up!" As she hurries out on her own, the two of us try our best to follow her.

We went here and there and everywhere, but nothing of interest as usual, at times like these, I wish someone would be out to kill me, but I'm not gonna go and test out my luck like that, "So Nee-san, where we going to eat?" "Preferably somewhere cheap enough for you to treat me" You do realise you're the one with more money right?

"Then, Beatrice, please do the honors and pick a restaurant for us to dine in"

"Absolutely not, I suppose, such things are meant to be left to the ones familiar with the area"

"So, you're afraid we'd judge you're tastes, I understand, then I'll pick"

"Gh- I could care less about what the two of you think, I suppose!"

With the spirit wailing out a response like that, I scanned the area, there doesn't seem to be much around that I know of from Kararagi, then again, I doubt they'd branch all the way over to Lugnica, our cuisine isn't very popular with the people here, contrary to what Emilia and the others think, "Oh, that looks pretty good don't you guys think?"

A point over to a pretty average looking place, decently filled but not so much that it'd be crowded, "Such a bland store, but if Barusu is paying then I guess it shall do" Again, you're the one with all the money Nee-san! Please don't cling onto me for your economical needs! But anyway, with all that said and done, we enter into the not so shabby store.

"Hey, this place isn't half bad, they even have air conditioning…"

"To have such level of technology, perhaps we should switch stores for the sake of your wallet, Barusu"

"Nee-san, just so you know, I left my wallet back in my room so the foods on you"

"Then, let's go back and get it"

"As if! Why can't you just pay for your former kouhai!"

"That's enough bickering, I suppose"

With me and Ram stopping with our shenanigans, we take to a seat near the center of the store and waited for someone to get us some sort of menu, and so we waited. "..." Oh, and while we were doing that, I got a very weird feeling, like someones watching me, "Hey, do you guys feel like there are people gazing at you?"

I whispered over to the two, but they simply shook their heads, am I crazy, "Perhaps a person has sworn vengeance on you and has come to finally take your head" "Impossible, I've already dealt with everyone like that, it'd be just nonsense if one of them decided to just come back to life and haunt me" Saying that, Beatrice looked at me with a shocked expression and replied, "Are you secretly some kind of Mafia boss or something, I suppose!?"

A mafia boss huh? That'd be a pretty cool idea, but we have no time for such stuff, speaking of stuff, everyone around really is looking at me and it's creeping me out! "Could your head be thicker than it already is? Haven't we already established your popularity with Emilia-sama's revelation?"

"I get that… but the kinda stares I'm getting give me a different vibe…"

Now that I'm noticing it, everyone's wearing the same clothes aren't they? White cloaks with orange accents, their obviously part of some group, "Did we perhaps, barge into their reservation…?" I really don't wanna do something like that, it'd be annoying and could get us into trouble, "A reservation is the first thing that comes to mind, I suppose? Wouldn't something like an assassination be more appropriate?"

"It would be if it weren't for the fact that we came in after them, Beatrice…"

"If anything happens, I'm pinning the blame on you Barusu, also, prepare yourself as a meat shield"

"Me? Why me?"

"Who else chose this store?"

"But you asked me to choose!"

As our shenanigans start to resurface once more, I heard a sigh coming from behind me, a familiar sigh, well not the sigh but the voice was familiar, "You seem rather lax for the current happenings, I'm rather surprised, Subaru…" "Ah! Never thought I'd see you here of all places, Julius!" The purple haired man beauty stood behind me, with what I can only can an off duty knight uniform, then that'd mean.

"Oh, and there's Anastasia-san over there too, hello there. So all these guys must be yours, got me worried there for a second"

A look of confliction arose on her face as she replies to me, "Repeatin what Julius said, ain'tcha a bit lax round here?" Perhaps I was but after finding out it was Anastasia who was the cause of all the worry, kinda dispelled it all, "Even if all of these guys were your henchmen, it's not like you could do anything to me after what happened at the royal palace, I guess I have some sort of grace period you can say…"

By making it seem like she's targeting the Emilia camp by unfairly setting things up, she's basically on a playing field where anything that happens to Emilia can be indirectly linked to her, making it in her favor if nothing were to happen to us, mind games like these, they twist and turn the tides of the battle to our side, "Pretty sinister you are, ya know?"

"I was going to use it on someone like Priscilla but you came in and took the bait so there was no choice for me now was there? Ah but I'm pretty curious, we tried our best to keep everything in the shadows, how did you manage to sniff something out like that all of a sudden?"

"Maybe if ya knew who you were fightin, then you'd understand how simple it was. A man who's pretty big in the merchant world suddenly went missing, so I tried ta dig into to it and found out about your whole affair at Fareille…"

"So that's how they hide themselves in plain sight… anyway, who was he? I wonder if I know him"

"Pretty demandin ain'tcha? Well wouldn't hurt telling ya, Tau Epsilon was the gentleman's name"

"Tau… wait, isn't he the guy under Menkalin? What was he again, his lackey? No, no, I think it was more like a personal assistant or something… anyway, that guy's the big shot? Could've sworn he was like a hired servant of sorts…"

"He takes on many jobs, Natsuki-kun, do you happen to know what had become of him?"

"As far as I know, didn't really see him past that nig-"

"That man's already long dead, I suppose"

"Dead… you say?"

"Dead as in not alive anymore, gone from the world, passed away, phrase it any way you want, in fact"

Beatrice said that with a face of indifference, a cold hearted person you are, Beatrice-san, "Taking away someones life away, Beatrice do you have anything to say for yourself? For all we know, you could have completely destroyed the whole merchant hierarchy you know?" I say while tapping the table impatiently waiting for the menu to arrive, "Though what you say is true, it's still rude to assume it was me, I suppose… and all I'd like to say is that he was very tasty…"

"Tasty? Wait, what are you, some kind of murdering cannibalizing beast or something?!"

"Barusu, a spirit eating a man is not cannibalism, get your facts right"

"That's not the point here! Aren't you going to comment on the 'tasty' part!?"

"Whether I comment or not on that doesn't change the fact that you spread misinformation, Barusu" Ugh, this woman's getting me sidetracked! Back on the topic at hand here, "What do you mean when you say he's tasty? Don't tell me you actually ate him now, a new fear would grow in me and I'd rather not like that happen…"

There is no room for misunderstanding, only two ways to eat for a spirit, literally consume your target or steal their mana, she can't do either of those so why? "Betty simply ripped out his Od while he was pinned down, I suppose" Scary! My partner is seriously scary! And cruel to add, weren't you supposed to be a young girl!?

"So the conclusion is, he's dead… I see, good to know"

Anastasia says as she takes a nib on her snack, looking to the corner of my eye, finally, the waiter took notice of me, took you a hell of a while don't you think? "My apologies sir, madam, miss, may I have your orders?" "I'll just have what she's having…" I say while pointing towards Anastasia, eating something that I haven't seen before.

"And for you madam, and miss?"

With me being done, he went on to ask Ram and Beatrice for their orders, they took some time to look into the menu before ordering, I guess they're pretty picky with what they eat, "Ya haven't seen a burger before?" "Nope, I usually snack on the cheap stuff, never been one to go to restaurants and the like"

"Really now? I was sure you'd be the type ta enjoy stuff like these, and if you're eating cheap stuff, are ya some sort of traveler or what?"

"A traveler, yep that's what I was, raised in Kararagi and walked my way here on foot in search for new ideals, that's me alright"

"Kararagi? Then, as I expected, ya must be that guy who's been pretty popular a few years ago, 'Some lone wanderer, black haired and with eyes that pierce through yer soul' heard ya survived multiple near-death experiences, this true?"

Wait, I was popular?! I've not been notified of this at all, then again, what she said was true, "To be honest, near-death is an understatement, burning house, explosives, terrorist attack, and there were many more, I guess I'm just pretty darn stubborn when it comes to living" "A man of wonders you are, Subaru…" And a man of good looks you are Julius.

After a while, the waiter had returned to our table with our order and we decided to eat up, and oh was it good, I can see why Anastasia likes this, but it doesn't seem like Julius likes eat, he's eating a salad, I guess he doesn't like stuff made for the common folk, still, it tastes amazing.

"Subaru, I heard from Ferris that you're staying in the Karsten estate so he could monitor your near-crumbled gate, should you really be taking it easy?"

Near-crumbled? I know my gate was damaged but it's at a state where it could crumble! Damn that man cat, tell me the whole story would you! If I used magic at all, i'd have lost my ability to use it all together! "It should be alright, I have Beatrice after all, though, I don't exactly know how it works…"

"Betty can act as your gate, so you don't have to strain it any further you already have, I suppose, that's how it works…"

"Don't talk with food in your mouth, Beatrice" I say while shutting her mouth closed, "Hmph" And so, the day went on...

After a while we left the store and went on with our day, though regrettably nothing else had happened while we were going around, so we headed back to the estate with empty hands and full stomachs. And we did nothing for the most part of the afternoon, and when evening soon came, "A drink?" Crusch Karsten had called me while I was drying out my hair, having done a quick dip.

"Yes, Ferris doesn't drink and Wilhelm is busy, so if it isn't too much to ask, I'd like for you to be my drinking partner tonight"

"Well if it's Crusch-san herself asking, then I have no reason to refuse now do I?"

To get to experience something like this may be a one time thing so I'll have to take up her offer. "Ah, I've been wondering for a while now, seeing someone as young as you being the head is quite new to me, is it just a Lugnican thing to do or is something else at play here?" "Hmm, it is true that the head of a household would usually be given their title when they've aged a little more than I have but my father saw that I am more fit for the role than he had been recently been and hastened the process"

"I see… so basically he retired early, am I right?"

"Phrasing it like that may not be the best way to say it, even after handing over the title to me, he still helps every way he can, advising me and watching me from a far sometimes, when I'd make mistakes, he'd be quick to resolve them and tell me how to avoid them next time. Perhaps he's just giving me the spotlight?"

"How nice, a child and her parent working together"

She brings me over to a balcony, a table and two chairs had already been set, I see some expensive stuff on that table, is it really okay to be treating me to this? "Have a seat now" And so I do, the chairs were fancy, and the view was amazing, man, living in the city really is something else, a sight you don't get to see in the mansion.

"So, is there anything you'd like to discuss at the moment? I was told that Roswaal has given you the lead for the negotiations on part of the Emilia camp"

"Yeah, we still got nothing yet, damn that Rossy, leaving me out of the meetings and then suddenly putting all the load on me, I'll be sure to get him back for this…"

Replying to my comment with a light chuckle, Crusch takes a sip from her glass and asks me, "Your relationship with the Mathers and Emilia is rather… 'chill' as Ferris would say. How long have you known each other?" How long huh, it's been a while that I forgot to count, "Probably around a month or so, me and Emilia first met right here in the Capital when she ran into trouble"

"Only that long? I would've thought you were life long friends were it not for your differing standings"

"Emilia-san and Roschi are pretty easy to get along with, I guess people just blindly assume they aren't because of their status, seriously, people need to be more open minded sometimes…"

"I understand and agree with every bit of what you said, status and fame and sometimes blind people to what's really inside, for example, I've been getting quite a lot of marriage proposals since the start of the royal election, it seems their all of greed so it's rather tedious and troublesome to shoot each of them down, sometimes, I even have Ferris do it for me when I'm busy"

She gets that much? Wow, they must really want to be beside the king then, well, it sounds a bit like a certain someone I know, "So here you were, I suppose…" Speaking of the devil, "Yo, Beatrice, yes I'm here, want a drink?" I say while waving my drinking glass towards her, she frowns heavily and replies, "Are you seriously asking a young girl to drink, I wonder?"

"Nope, just testing you is all, heh"

"A wretched man is what you are, I suppose!"

She moved over towards us, it seemed she wanted to join in on the conversation, "Oh my apologies, I'll have a servant bring in one more" "That's not necessary, I suppose" She replies to her in quick succession as to not let her waste her energy, "Oh, what's this? You wanna sit on my lap Beatrice-chan?"

"Never in a million years, I suppose"

"Ouch…"

Ignoring me, she walks over to the edge of the balcony and looks outside, a sparkle can be seen in her eyes, "Whatever could be looking at, it's quite an uneventful night no?" Crusch asked Beatrice, who didn't seem to hear at first, but replies shortly after, "Nothing in particular, I suppose, it's just a surprisingly nice view from up here"

"I know right? Ros-chi's place really is kinda lonely when you're comparing it to something like these"

"Lonely you say? How many of there are you in the Mather's mansion?"

There are as many of us that I can count the number with my two hands, "Ros-chi, Emilia-san, Ram Nee-san, her sister Rem Nee, Beatrice, and me… oh, and Puck too, can't forget about that fluffy gray cat, so it totals up to seven of us…" Yes, just seven, it may not be a lot, wait no, now that I'm counting it, seven is a pretty big number isn't it?

"Just seven of you in the whole mansion? If there's only that many of you, then I feel bad for the maid and her sister, must be difficult to handle the mansion with just the two of them"

"Oh no, you don't need to show any sympathy for Ram, it's Rem that's doing all the work"

'I can hear you Barusu…'

"N-Nee-san!?"

"...?"

Crusch looks at me weirdly, was that all in my mind, is there an imaginary Nee-san in my head that's talking to me? "Something wrong, Natsuki Subaru?" No, it's most likely her Clairvoyance, yes, perhaps she's transmitting her thoughts or something like that, I'm not going crazy at all, "No, it's nothing, thought I heard Ram scoff at me from a distance"

"Really now? You must have good ears then" Sorry, I don't have such a superpower.

.

As the night went on, we kept on drinking and talking, I think I may have lost track of time, I also realize that Beatrice was starting to get tired, her eyes flickering, trying their best to stay open, "Beatrice, here, have a seat…" I stood up and dragged the chair for her, letting her sit down finally after standing for such a lengthy period of time.

"Nh…"

And in the next few moments, her head slides down to the railings and she's fast asleep, times like these, she really does look like an ordinary girl, "So, Crusch-san… I'm assuming you want to get down to the real business now?" Once I've said this, she narrowed down her eyes and stops drinking. She slowly settles down her glass on the table and crosses her arms, looking towards me seriously.

"Let's get straight to the point… how much do you know already?"

And straight to the point you went, darn her, I knew she'd somehow smooth it in, but I didn't think she'd just straight up as about it, I've got nothing prepared for such a direct approach, "Ah, I wonder how much I know myself…" "What have you seen?" To know and to see are different things, and as such, I'll answer it appropriately.

"I haven't seen anything that is any concern to you, but as for what I know, I've basically figured out your whole plot, there's no hiding it from me, Crusch-san…"

She gave me a look of careful deduction, is she doing something? Trying to see if I'm bluffing or not perhaps, "To gain as much standing within the alliance we're about to form, you plan on doing something big am I right? And this whole thing about you needing a 'little push' was just something to postpone it for a little longer isn't it?"

"I would have never thought you'd dig so deep, perhaps wisdom doesn't come with age but with experience"

"That is usually how it goes now doesn't it? Anyway, if you're thinking that I'll be backing off you're mistaken"

Giving me a look of surprise, she questions me on that remark, "Only a fool would dare to continue after knowing all of this, yet you still insist on the alliance?" Of course, she may not know this but I'm pretty darn good when it comes to negotiations, "I like a challenge when I see one, I'll make sure that this alliance is formed, and by then, you won't be able to stand up where you'd like, so I'd be careful if i were you, heh"

Shooting her a slightly mocking smile, I went over to pick up Beatrice from her sleep, I could feel myself getting lightheaded by the minute, "Ugh, I think the alcohol is starting to kick in… well if you'd excuse us Crusch-san, I'll be tucking Beatrice into bed now, goodnight"

"A good night to you too… Natsuki Subaru…"

And with just a simple nod, I left her there, to contemplate on what had just occurred, a declaration of war perhaps? An invitation to battle? However she interprets it, she has to make her move soon or else she suffers the consequences, "Even after saying all that, you still have nothing to over her don't you, Barusu? If it were Ram, I'd have ended it then and there"

"So you were listening, Nee-san… Well, I knew you'd be watching from somewhere. To be honest, she caught me off guard there, and though it's true I don't have anything to offer yet, the time will come for it. If we can't do it now, we can just postpone alliance ourselves and prepare something, I'm sure she wouldn't want to give up the good deal we've given her with"

"Whatever you say, though if it all goes downhill, I'll be the one taking your head"

"Nee-san sure is scary, isn't she? Well, it'll all work out in the end, I'll see to it…"

We split up after that, I princess carried Beatrice over to her bed and after pulling the sheets over her, I left for my own room, and after a few minutes of thinking, I fall asleep into the darkness of the night...

But then two days after…

Something happened...

"BARUSU!"

A/N

The past week, I've spent it rereading this story, and holy damn, I'm glad I made it the way I did. May sound self-centered but my goodness this story is a good read, never thought I'd actually get lost in reading something I made, I'm becoming a fan of my own writing now… is it really going to happen?! I remember the days when I wrote a chapter, I'd be nervous just before I upload the chapter, now I see myself in an ever so slightly better light. Is it a good sign? I don't know…

Haven't proofed this chapter properly, I hope you guys don't mind... also, I wanna give you a heads up, Pandora, Hector, those guys don't exist here for the sake of the plot and world I've built, also, some characters and their motivaions have been completely reworked, you'll notice it when we enter the next arc. (You can probably tell who it's gonna be already)

AMR-MNR

Eeh, yeah, I'm here bud. As for Re: Shorts! It was a 'Knight' thing that I never really got to do. If I don't lump it in with the (oh god, it's been on Hiatus for over a year now?!) King, or Sword Saint (when I finally make a freaking chapter for THAT,) then I'd say go for it.

Ah, 'Knight' it was a great story that I loved dearly, hope I'll be able to see it again one day, it went in so deep into the whole story and everyone got fleshed out extraordinarily…

KingsJ10

Hmm, he goes from prodigy in yin magic to useless and in return, he gets one-trick pony spells... worst trade deal in history

Perhaps it's the worst, but sometimes, you gotta just survive with you got, stay strong, Subaru...