Subaru looked at Meili, who held her puppy closer to her chest.
"Yes, I am okay. Sorry for startling you."
From the last two loops, Subaru concluded that he needed to bring up some actual evidence. He stretched out his hand to pet the dog on the head as he readied himself for the incoming pain. Just like the last time, the animal bit him. Suppressing his scream, Subaru acted the same way he had done in the previous loop. His spirit closed the wound, and after saying goodbye to the children, they were on their way.
"What do you want from Betty, I suppose?"
Subaru felt saddened by the fact that Beako stopped treating him in her usual way. He liked her smugness far more than the forced act of friendliness.
"Beako, I have two questions." Subaru gave his famous victory pose and showed Beatrice his two outstretched fingers. "First things first, is there another way to control mabeasts than breaking their horns? And secondly, what are those crystals?"
Subaru searched his pockets and showed Beatrice his three stones from the cave.
Beatrice walked up to him and took the black crystal into her tiny hands. After looking at it, she gave it back to him.
"Those are mana crystals, I suppose. They should be strong enough to let you cast a Ul-level spell. I have never seen them restricted to a spell group. The black one is for yin magic, the yellow one for earth spells, and the white one for the yang spell group."
Beatrice took out one of the countless books from the library. Suddenly, she stopped and began inching closer to Subaru. She took his hand in hers as she inspected it.
"You are cursed, I suppose. Right now, the caster can kill you, in fact. Betty will remove this curse now."
The spirit took his hand in hers. A black mist irrupted from his wound as Beatrice destroyed the curse.
"So you were saying that a shaman cursed me? But only a small dog bit me in my hand here."
"That does mean the dog is probably a Wolgram. They can implant curses on their prey's body to drain them of mana when they are hungry, in fact."
"So that means the village kids are in danger. Beako, are you the only one who can remove curses?"
"Only Betty and Bubby are capable of doing so. Not even Roswaal can." Beatrice pressed her chest outwards and smiled with pride.
"Could you please come and help save the village kids, Beako."
"Betty will help you, I suppose."
"I will do anything... wait, what?"
"Betty will help you if you want, I suppose."
"Really, Beako? You are the best."
Subaru took the small girl in his arm and began to spin around in circles. Maybe, just maybe, she could get used to this.
Ram was currently dusting off one of the vases in the hallway of the mansion. On top of her usual work, she also had to make sure that Rem wouldn't kill Subaru. Her sister told her that he smelled like a witch's cultist, but that alone wasn't enough of a reason to throw him out of the mansion. Letting out a sigh, she moved to the next vase. Since she lost her horn, even doing mundane tasks was tiring for her. Turning around, she saw something that she never thought to be possible. Beatrice, the spirit of the library, walked outside her room. None other than Subaru was at her side, as both of them were happily talking. Every time she began to think about Subaru, she would inevitably end with more questions than answers. After witnessing Subaru taking Beatrice out of her library, she stopped trying to make sense of him. Ram made her way to the office to report to her master.
Beatrice and Subaru made their way to the village. If someone watched them from afar, they would mistake them for brother and sister. Berehynia swirled around them, happy to meet her favorite spirit again. Though, that might only be the case since she solely knew both Beatrice and Puck. When they crossed the village boundary, it was already night. The whole town was quiet, except for the village tavern.
"Beako, you sure you shouldn't be asleep by now?"
"If Subaru makes another dumb comment about Betty, Betty will leave, in fact." "Hmmph." She turned away with an adorable pout.
They continued to walk down the street, arriving at the village tavern. As soon as Subaru opened the door, the duo walked in on a heated discussion.
"The margrave should send down a knight to help our village. It can't go on like this." A young man with dirty blond hair screamed.
"There was a guard down here who helped us with the barrier earlier." An old lady with grey hair exclaimed.
"Well, a kid just disappeared! What are we going to do now?" A middle-aged man with black hair shouted.
Beatrice, disinterested in the exchange, stepped into the middle of the bar. Clapping her hands, she gained the attention of everybody.
"Betty came here because this human begged her too. The dog from one of the brats is a mabeast, in fact. Betty is here to remove the curses on the children. Did you understand Betty, I wonder."
The whole room remained silent, watching Beako with wide eyes.
"They won't listen to Betty, I suppose."
The mayor of the village turned to the young girl, having already spotted Subaru.
"And how would you know this, young lady. We are, of course, grateful for your help."
"Betty is a great spirit, in fact. The same demon dog cursed this fool."
After overcoming their initial shock, the villagers got their children to the spirit, who expelled the curses. Berehynia just hovered above her shoulder, interested in the work of the girl. She was a healing spirit of water, so naturally, she showed great curiosity in it. After finishing their procedure, the group listened to the complaints of the villagers. Apparently, Meili had escaped. Nobody had seen her, following Subaru's inspection of the gemstones. Although Subaru was annoyed, there was nothing he could do about it. It was the middle of the night, yet the village was quite lively.
Subaru, Beako, and Berehynia were waiting outside the tavern. It had been a long time since Beatrice had left the library, so she savored every moment of it. One of the village girls, called Petra, made their way over to them.
"You are Beatrice-sama? Please take this."
Petra gave the spirit a piece of candy as a token of gratitude.
"Beako, that was probably expensive, so be nice to her," Subaru whispered.
Although Subaru knew little about the medieval period, he knew more about economics than a small shut-in.
"Betty doesn't need help from a self-proclaimed expert, I suppose."
"Betty will accept your tribute, I suppose. In return, Betty will do you a favor, in fact. Give me your hand."
Petra laid her hand into Beatrice's, a strange sound audible. Petra gave Beatrice a weird stare before she began to speak again.
"You have an affinity for an attribute. It's water, I suppose."
"So, I can become a hero? Just like the [Sage] or the [Sword Saint]?"
"No, your connection to your attribute is weak. It's nothing unusual, I suppose. You are just ordinary, in fact."
Berehynia flew next to Petra, happily hovering near her ear.
"If my contractor wants, I could teach you some basic water magic."
Petra's eyes began to glow in excitement as she looked to Subaru with pleading puppy eyes.
"Fine, when I come down here and can spare the time. Berehynia will teach you."
After a while, they left to head back to the mansion. Parting ways Subaru and Beatrice went to their respective rooms.
The next four days were spend with repetitive training and preparations. Subaru understood that Meili could push the mabeasts beyond the barrier, so combining everything he learned in the past days and loops, he got ready to face a mabeast invasion. In exchange for his black gemstone, he secured Beatrice's help. Additionally, Subaru talked with Roswaal about the topic, the margrave appearing pleased with his new guard's efforts. Since he had to leave on the fourth day, he put the matter in Subaru's hands but promised him that Ram would help if he would need any assistance. The young guard also spoke with Puck, convincing the latter to protect Emilia. As the night of the fifth day came closer, Subaru readied himself. He skipped the magic training with Beatrice today, saving his mana for the fight. Impatiently, Subaru walked in circles in the mansion's garden. He sent his spirit of water to the village, tasking her to scout around.
"Sir Subaru, I am only here on Roswaal-sama orders. Are you sure that the mabeasts will attack today?"
"Betty is also tired of waiting. If nothing happens, Betty will go back to the library, I suppose."
"Have some patience, I am sure of it."
After waiting for an additional fifteen minutes, his blue spirit appeared.
"Mabeast appeared around the village boundary."
When the three arrived at the village, they found it in a state of utter chaos. The inhabitants ran around in a panicked state, screaming conflicting commands at each other. Some of them armed themselves with swords or other makeshift weapons. Both Beatrice and Ram appeared far too calm, at least in Subaru's opinion. He rushed forward's leading the group towards the former breach in the barrier. As soon as they reached the beginning of the forest, mabeast surrounded them.
"Minya."
The guardian of the library yelled as stakes of crystalized mana appeared above her head. She sent them flying, turning the demon dogs into a black matter. With a loud crack, they broke apart into thousands of pieces. The maid of the Roswaal mansion began her attack. Raising her palms towards a demon dog, she shouted her incantation.
"Fula."
A dual blade of wind snapped through the neck of the dog, killing it instantly. The spirit of water flew towards an approaching enemy and readied its offensive.
"Unda."
The young guard was falling behind, taking care of the enemies on their rear, who fell victim to his mace.
*Thumb* *Thumb* *Thumb*
Effortlessly the group cut through the waves of dogs that rushed towards them. Soon there were soaked in blood, pieces of organs covered Subaru's uniform. The attacks were brutal and short. Slaying beast after beast, they continued to run towards an opening.
"Minya. Minya. Minya."
"Fula. Fula."
"Unda. Unda. Unda."
"Filar. Dona. Filar."
The voices echoed in the woods. However, most of the group was running out of mana. Ram could barely stand anymore, the continued casting of magic taking its toll on her body. Subaru was holding his chest in pain. He already used up three of his spells, which made itself noticed. His blue spirit had retracted into its crystal earlier, saving its mana to heal wounds. The only one unaffected by the battle was Beatrice. The young guard was currently carrying her underneath his arm as she continued to throw her yin magic shards.
Finally, they arrived at the clearing where a little girl with blue hair stood. Next to her was an enormous Wolgarm, which roared at the group. Additionally, there was a large beast that even but the Wolgarm to shame. It had the head of a lion, a torso of a goat, and a snake-like tail.
"Oh, you are here? I hate it when my plans fall apart." Meili spoke to the group without a hint of maliciousness.
"My condolences, I suppose."
"It's no big deal. I have my pets kill you. Don't worry! Unlike Elsa, I hate people suffering. I will make sure that it is over in one bite." At the end of her speech, she put her hands together. Almost like she wanted to apologize for taking their lives.
Beatrice spoke to the rest of the group without even turning around.
"Betty will end the Guilitylowe, I suppose. Take care of the overgrown dog."
Beatrice, the [Great Spirit of Yin], stood opposed to the monstrous beast. The [Jet Black King of the Forest] towered over the fearless girl, letting out a massive roar. The small girl, however, didn't even flinch. Taking one step closer, she reached for the raven black mana crystal.
"Ul Minya."
Beatrice, who reached the pinnacle of shadow magic, cast her spell. The mana of the crystal moved into her tiny body, breaking the crystal in the process. A purple ring of light appeared around the demon beast. It tried to move, but the light held it in place. The purple light shrunk further as the mabeast attempted to break its containment. A small blue light appeared above the Gulitylowe. Instantly the blue light exploded downward, illuminating the entire forest. The sheer brightness stripped everyone of their sight. Seconds later, the light evaporated. Beatrice Enemy had turned into a purple color, slowly breaking apart.
Even Meili stared in disbelief at the small girl that took out her pet and most powerful ally in one shot.
"You must be very strong. Stronger than even Elsa."
Meanwhile, the rest of the team was busy fighting the dog.
"Shamak."
A black cloud overflowed the beast's head, covering it in shadows and robbing it of its ability to see. Subaru overused his gate and fell forward into the mud.
"El Fula."
Taking her remeaning strength, Ram aimed her shot at the opponent's torso. A pair of wind blades rushed from her palms, shredding open the belly of the beast. She collapsed as well, having pushed her body beyond the limit. The demon beast let out a painted scream, blood pouring out its wounds, inflicted by Ram's wind magic. A blue light left the crystal, Berehynia readied her last mana.
"El Unda."
Two waterblades flew towards the shaman's head. The beast avoided the first blade, turning away to evade the second one. Yet, the blade decapitated the dog. The enormous head fell to the ground.
*Thud*
Blood spilled from the served limb, soaking the floor beneath it.
"You managed to kill both of my precious peds? I should turn myself in now."
Beako, who raised her hand to ready her next attack, slowly lowered her palm and answered her.
"If you give up, I won't kill you, I suppose."
Meili raised her hands in defeat, not resisting Beatrice, who teleported the group back to the forbidden library.
AN:
Thanks for reading this chapter.
This concludes Arc 2.
The next one will be an Interlude.