The silence that inhabited that room was so reassuring for her after having lived with him for a long time. A silence that she herself created with no regrets. The smell of old pages and books that never seemed to fade or rot became the scent of flowers for her. It seemed that she would never forget it. And it would continue like this until the end of time.
But did she feel comfortable with all of that?
Never.
It had been many decades since she fell into that state of absolute sadness. The freedom that was taken from her was something she did not know whether to regret or be grateful. The world worked on promises. The oldest trust union ever released.
She was the way she was. She would never change, and even if she worked out his freedom to get out of that cage, she would hate herself.
Looking down, she turned her attention to the Umachi flower, whose image was very detailed on the page of the book she is reading. That morning she was not very inspired to indulge in a passionate reading or self-class that would prove useless to her.
So, vaguely searching the shelves, he came across the purple cover of that book. It took her a bit to get there due to her short stature. She always kept a small hope that her body would be able to grow a little more, she only needed some inches more. That was enough for her.
But at the same time, she always chided herself for having a mind that created such illogical illusions, especially if she believed them. She was born with that stature and never, due to the circumstances that led to her creation, could she aspire to be more than she was.
So she always ended up insulting herself out loud for being so delusional so many times after having lived so long and not getting satisfactory changes.
Not wanting to think more about the subject, it would be best to refocus his attention on the book.
She turned the page, causing the Umachi flower to disappear from sight to find a new type of flower. A very unique plant of its kind and with properties that managed to create a haven of peace and comfort. It was said that being in the center of a field full of those special flowers would bring you so much inner peace that all the regrets that could come to mind would vanish, as if they had never existed.
Even with just one of them it was able to ease the environment in which it found you and let you think calmly. She thought about trying to decorate her room on a few occasions, but she didn't feel at all comfortable leaving her "sanctuary" of safety and was too proud to ask others to carry out that errand.
They would end up taking all the tiny merit that all this entailed and it was not there for them to feel compassion for her because of her mental inability to do it for herself.
Words like "It was nothing", "Don't thank me" or "You just had to ask me" didn't want them to be directed at her. She simply felt inferior to others and seemed to sympathize as if she were a little girl, one who cannot take care of herself.
"Definitely, that is not the impression others must have of me, I suppose"
The flower pattern was a bit peculiar, and at the same time, it was very pretty. It even looked good on the bedroom door. It won't be much, but something with a different personality or color than usual there will change the mood in the morning a bit. Maybe.
?: But that will be for another time. Now ... I have to deal with that limpet, I suppose.
She preferred to face her annoying fate rather than challenge it. Because she knew she couldn't escape that boy's persistence. Snorting deeply as he closed the book, all she could do was wait for the noisy entrance that characterized him. And he didn't keep her waiting.
Subaru: Beako! Where are you, you demon loli?! Don't hide, I can smell your fear…
Beatrice: Shut up for once ! Don't be so loud, it's still too early for me to have a headache ! But, whatever. You were going to do it anyway ...
The little girl who lived in the library, the guardian of the Roswaal mansion's Forbidden Library, was not happy at all to hear Subaru's voice. The adorable librarian who wore her extensive corkscrew-shaped tails almost looked like two huge drills and that dress so elegant that it increased her cuteness to unattainable levels.
It was as well as the greatest torment that Beatrice could suffer in a day had made an appearance by her door without worrying about him being so noisy.
Beatrice: Look, I've told you thousands of times not to call me that ... But you never listen! Besides, I would never bother to hide from you. Since you would not be able to instill even a hint of fear in me.
Beatrice covered her ears at first to highlight her anger as she looked annoyed at the boy who just invaded her space. Although she was not so surprised since she always detected first if someone was about to enter the library.
That way, she was more than prepared in case she had to receive him in a good way ... or in a bad way.
Subaru: Come on, come on. You know how ours works. Even if we end up arguing among ourselves or yelling at each other, the next day we are fresh to do it again. That's what makes us special, don't you think?
Beatrice: If you really believe that a relationship is stable with that kind of thing happening within it, it seems to me that the only "special" is you. And I don't mean it in the good way.
Subaru tried to calm the aggressive librarian, although she already seemed to ease his annoyance by criticizing Subaru's point of view on their relationship. The girl no longer cared about his presence, and as she did in previous times, she decided to ignore him while she opened her book again to the page where she had left it.
Subaru: Hey, what are you reading today? It seems somewhat more cheerful than usual.
Subaru, trying to pretend that he hadn't noticed that refusal of attention from Beatrice, stopped staring with bitter eyes as he approached her with a curious aura and stood by her side.
Looking at the book that Beatrice was holding, Subaru saw a white flower, but with a hue that gave the impression that it seemed to be made of glass. Its stigma was crimson red and could be fully analyzed by the clarity of its petals. And its peduncle was a mixture of black and white spots.
It even gave the impression of being a poisonous plant, with such a different color palette. The typical one that was too colorful to lure its victims into that death trap. As if it were a carnivorous plant or a new type of plant that Subaru did not know and that belonged to that world.
Beatrice: You are assuming that I am only interested in subjects that are depressing or bitter for the mind, I suppose ... Leaving that aside, what I have in my hands is a prestigious encyclopedia on plants, flowers, etc. In general, very detailed knowledge about the flora of the Four Kingdoms.
Subaru listened carefully to Beatrice as she illustrated the obvious to him and he nodded saying "I see".
Seeing that the boy was showing a bit of interest in her explanation, Beatrice continued without showing any kind of awkwardness at her presence, unlike when she entered.
Focusing momentarily on the boy's eyes, she could see that the trajectory of her eyes ends at the "crystal flower". Reading his mind, she answered his questions before they were asked.
Beatrice: This flower that you see here is known as Flower Imoura. That name came after being discovered in a grotto on the border fence that divided the Kingdom of Kararagi and Pristella, the Water Gate City, I suppose. It was found by an explorer named Imoura Muse. That's where the name came from, in fact. Even so, it is a typical flower of the Kingdom of Kararagi.
Subaru: Well, it seems to be one of those endangered species! After all, that beauty it conveys seems to have the power to attract even the least greedy of people.
Beatrice: Well, there you are wrong, in fact. La Imoura is very well protected and there are several laws that help keep it safe. It seems to have a healthy attraction to the flowing water in Pristella, I suppose
"Then there is nothing to worry about ..."
Subaru's notorious concern for the crystalline flower ended up being unnecessary. Beatrice raised her index finger to correct Subaru. In the end, Subaru was able to breathe easy again.
And, again, curiosity took hold of the boy once more at the new word that the librarian said a few moments ago.
Subaru: And it's the place you've been mentioning ... Pristella, right?
Beatrice: Exactly. By the tone you are using, you are showing me that you are totally unaware of the existence of this city, I suppose. Either you have never been educated, which I see more likely, or you are one of those "weirdos" who assume to have come into the world after having crossed the Great Waterfall.
Subaru didn't fully understand what she meant. He had heard the name "Great Waterfall" before, but what he did understand was that Beatrice had called him uneducated.
Even though it was an insult, it had no negative effect on him. But, from a different perspective, he was making fun of his parents. People who had fulfilled that role as awesome parents. That irritated him a little more.
Beatrice, who seemed to smell Subaru's disgust, shook her head to imply that she did not want any more arguments and pointed her finger up while saying "On top of you you will find everything clearer, I suppose"
Subaru obeyed the little girl without thinking and looked up at the top of the library. He did not know that there could be something there that would help him know about Pristella.
However, he surprised himself when he saw what was on the ceiling.
Subaru: Wow! I can't believe it! But I had never noticed!
Beatrice: Ghm. That's because humans always tend to pay attention to what is in front of you, and not to what is around you. What an unconscious habit, in fact.
At least that was something Subaru could agree on with Beatrice. Although that was a habit already forgotten for him, because since he arrived in that world and suffered all those painful deaths, it had become a habit for him to inspect a place thoroughly before ensuring that it was not a danger.
When Subaru looked up at the ceiling, he found a huge drawing.
Looking at it more closely, it was a huge drawing divided into four parts. Two lines created a division: one going from the upper left side to the lower right side and the other doing the same in the opposite direction. A few words were written on the four identical triangles. Incomprehensible words that could not be read by Subaru, since they were written in a more advanced alphabet that Subaru had not yet studied. The rest that stood out in that painting were the drawings of a dragon, a man, a hooded person and seven women who were on the outskirts of the drawing. That was clearly a map.
Beatrice glanced at the boy and poked there open-mouthed and gawking at the map. Beatrice smirked on her face when she saw the boy's reaction plastered on her face. She herself would admit that she too stayed that way when she first entered the library and silently stared at that map.
To keep up with Subaru, Beatrice climbed on top of her stool and raised her small and delicate arm towards the map to point out the educational journey they were going to travel on the geography of the world that surrounded them.
Beatrice: First things first, I suppose. This world is divided into the four main Kingdoms. To the north; the Kingdom of Gusteko, to the south; the Kingdom of the Vollachia Empire, to the west; the Kingdom of Kararagi and to the east; the Kingdom of Lugunica. In the center, you see that blue circle? That is the Water Gate City, Pristella. The place we've been talking about, in fact.
Beatrice waited a few seconds before hearing Subaru's confirmation to continue. It takes a few seconds, but she hears a "Understood" come out of his mouth.
Letting his eyes guide him, Beatrice decided it was time to talk about all that cast of characters that were expected across the map. Some gave him a more special feeling than others, but now was not the time to make personal grudges intervene.
Beatrice: Although it's more than obvious, that dragon over there is the Volcanic Dragon. The dragon that guards the Kingdom of Lugunica and that has always maintained a contract with the royal family of the kingdom.
A dragon that rested at the top of the map maintained a kind of gaze that made him look wise and threatening at the same time. Even so, it was difficult to be completely sure as the representation of the immense mythological reptile was blurred and lacking in detail in some parts. And the same thing happened with the other figures. Everything should be due to the time that had passed since its creation.
Beatrice: That long-haired man, almost like a savage, is Reid Van Astrea. The named "Legendary Swordsman". A man who possessed inhuman strength and a prowess with the sword that none of his descendants has managed to imitate.
To the left of the dragon, you could see a man with long hair and who seemed to be wearing a kimono, with the right part hanging from his waist. That surprised Subaru, as the design was almost identical to the kimonos from Japan. In his face there seemed to be something else, but it was not very clear from the ground.
Beatrice: And on the opposite side are two of the smartest beings that have inhabited the Four Realms: The Sages.
Subaru: The Sages? That sounds like a great, very honorable title to receive.
Beatrice: That is a very correct assumption, in fact. The Sages are people who have been endowed with a superior and unmatched ability to gather knowledge and they are considered to be the wisest individuals that have ever existed. Even they surpass me in knowledge. I am not a worthy adversary against them. In wisdom or power, I suppose.
Subaru looked at Beatrice with an incredulous face as he exclaimed "Ohhh!". It is true that he did not know even 20% of the world around him, but the idea that there was someone with a deeper knowledge than Beatrice scared the boy a little.
What secrets would those Sages know about the world that no one knew? And could they radically change the world if they were revealed?
Beatrice: The woman who can be seen most clearly is Shaula, The Sage. And next to her is the mysterious Flugel, the other Sage, and possibly his teacher, in fact.
Those two "Sages" were close to each other. The woman named Shaula stood in front of the couple, sporting a captivating smile. She wore a cape along with a bikini that highlighted her conspicuous breasts and shorts. Her hair ends in a peculiar ponytail.
Even so, the one who stood out the most was the person who did not want to attract attention. Next to Shaula, there was a person. The other Sage, Subaru quickly deduced. It appeared to have the shape of a man and ... there was nothing else. His entire body was being covered by a hooded cloak that made it impossible to see anything beyond him. He gave the impression of being shy or not wanting to be in that painting and escaped from being seen by hiding behind Shaula.
Although it achieved the opposite.
Beatrice: And together with Volcanica and Reid, the four individuals became the key pieces to seal the Witch of Envy, Satella, in Auguria Sand Dunes. In a prison that is currently being guarded and protected by the Sages from the Pleiades Watchtower.
Beatrice stood still for a few seconds while she remembered everything she had said and ended the explanation by sitting back on her stool. He picked up the book again, made a yawn and thus showed Subaru that he would no longer show interest in the map.
Beatrice: That would be it, I suppose.
After all that, Subaru's head was fuming and it seemed like it would only take a few more sentences to reach its limit and explode.
Much information was given to her in a short time and several questions began to form in his head.
Where were the dragon or Reid?
Were they dead or alive?
If Reid bore the same last name as Reinhard, does it mean that Reid is the progenitor of the Van Astrea's lineage?
Satella was sealed and not dead?
What surprises awaited in the other realms that Subaru had not yet managed to explore?
As much as he remembered everything he learned, only theories were formed in her head. Perhaps in the future he will be able to unveil these mysteries.
Subaru, who had now sat down on the floor and leaned against one of the shelves, looked up at the map one last time to observe the "Four Heroes".
The towering dragon Volcanica, the intimidating Reid Van Astrea, and the mysterious Shaula and Flugel. Those "Four Heroes" who had the guts to face the diabolical calamity of that world.
The Witch of Envy.
Satella.
But ... What would happen if Satella someday managed to rise again and sow chaos in the world to finish off the catastrophe that began 400 years ago?
Would that be four individuals capable of again performing such a feat against the witch? Or worse, who would face the witch if she resurfaces from the shadows when those heroes no longer exist?
The inevitable destruction of the world. That is the obvious solution to the question.
Subaru: Damn ... it's a shame I can't get one of those flowers for Emilia-tan. That frustrates me.
Beatrice: After everything I've taught you, that's the only thing you have to say?! Be more considerate and show me more gratitude for my wasted time, I suppose!
Subaru: Sorry, sorry, sorry! I didn't want to express it like that ! It's just that ... You've always helped me when I was in trouble or lit my way thanks to your wisdom. That's why sometimes I don't want to highlight it because I know how you are and feel about it.
Subaru got up off the ground to stand in front of Beatrice. The librarian maintained eye contact with him with a cold gaze. An annoyed look that said "Don't you dare think you know me."
Even so, Subaru was not intimidated by that old ruse that he had seen in many animes or mangas when he lived in his old world.
Subaru: In the end, you are just a girl who needs company but you are too proud to ask for it. In short: you are a loli tsundere! And one with a very bad temper and excess of pride!
Beatrice: Just when I thought you could say something meaningful ... How deluded I am sometimes- Hey, get your dirty hands off my beautiful hair.!
Subaru's childish and teasing words made the tension in the library disappear, contrary to Beatrice's expectations. She let out a sigh to indicate how burdensome Subaru's attitude was for her and hastened to shake off Subaru's hand, which was gently stroking her head.
Subaru couldn't help but laugh gracefully at Beatrice's repulsive attitude that would never change, at least not with him. Apparently the visit to the Forbidden Library of the Roswaal mansion was coming to an end.
Subaru felt very bad not to have reunited with the little girl when he returned to the mansion with the others. That's why that morning he decided that the best thing would be to tease his favorite loli again for good luck. It was absurd nonsense, but it satisfied Subaru's heart.
Completing everything he was thinking of saying, Subaru clapped himself to end the conversation and turned his back on Beatrice as he headed for the door. Which led to the boy not seeing how the librarian took her tongue out childishly.
However, Subaru could admit out loud that there was something that was bothering him. An unsettling chill appeared on his spine, haunting him after it took a complete run through his entire body. There was one last question that appeared at the last minute before Subaru left the library.
There was no way Beatrice had said it without thinking. She was a very meticulous person and always used the right words at the right time. Whether it was to defend herself and show how wrong her opponent was or to express to the bottom the pride of that person who had had the misfortune to be the target of her arrogance.
It's true that she could say nonsensical things at times that seemed illogical or incomprehensible to Subaru. After all, who was the incompetent Subaru against the almighty Beatrice? There was almost nothing in which the boy managed to stand out compared to her.
But he knew that he would not forget that detail. And it seems that he was not willing to get out of there until he received a reply.
Subaru: Ahhh, one last thing, Beako ...
Beatrice: And I thought I had already saved myself from your nonsense and persistence, I suppose ... What's the problem now?
Subaru could notice the bitter tone in his words. Hee definitely didn't feel like bothering her anymore. After all, everyone had their right to privacy and time alone. But Subaru promised himself that he would make her speak.
Keeping his back to her, Subaru asked Beatrice without even looking her in the eye. Only his words were necessary at the time. He gulped for a second and then released it.
Subaru: Beatrice ... When you talked to me about the map before and you mentioned everything about those "heroes" and that stuff... you said that there were a total of SEVEN women on the map.
Beatrice realized instantly what was the last remaining doubt that intrigued the boy. At least he was listening during her explanation.
Subaru: The only woman you mentioned to me was Shaula... Won't you tell me about the other six? It's just that I found it strange that you don't mention them and-
Beatrice: Witches of Sin.
The room went silent as Beatrice rudely interrupted the boy. Even so, that rudeness is not what created that inability to speak. Rather, it was her answer.
Simple words that anyone would understand. The problem was that those simple words were enough to create a major impact on Subaru's mind to shut him up. Maybe that wasn't the intention, but they ended up hitting Subaru like that.
Sin witches?
He has heard that name before. And that just meant ...
Beatrice: To be honest, I'm not one of those people who goes around talking about this topic. It is not a topic of conversation that encourages much. That's why I'll be quick, in fact. The Sin Witches are a group of seven women who have been remembered, mostly, for their acts that strongly impacted society. Those seven "maidens" have been the most powerful beings to ever walk the earth. But don't start shaking like a lost child, I suppose. They're all dead and only the most dangerous of the seven is still alive, but trapped. That's all you need to know.
Subaru: I understand it... So, I won't bother you anymore. Sorry for the inconvenience.
And as quickly as the boy finished speaking, he added nothing more to the conversation and opened the door to finally exit the Forbidden Library.
Kararagi. Vollachia Empire. Gusteko. Pristella. Shaula. Flugel. Volcanic. Reid Van Astrea ... More Sin Witches.
All those words were piling up in his head as he unconsciously went over all the information Beatrice gave him for free. Now that he thought about it, the conversation went completely lost when they started talking about the map while forgetting about the flower Imoura.
Still, it wasn't all nonsense to him.
The connection between the Legendary Swordsman, Reid, and the Saint Sword, Reinhard, was lighter than Roswaal's white skin. He tried to find out if that surprised him, but coming from the perfect Van Astrea family, those surprises failed to awaken any feelings in him.
The Kingdom of Kararagi was not an unknown place to him. At least, not in having been there. But, he remembered how one of the candidates to become the next monarch of Lugunica, Anastasia Hoshin, came from that place. Although he did not know anything about that place, the only thing that came to mind was that Kararagi was a place where commerce was the means of life that was most used to prosper.
And ... the other witches. If the name is not at all reassuring in itself, the word "Sin" was also found in their names. Subaru was not passionate about religion, but he did have a knowledge of all the different sins. Although Envy was the scariest of all, she didn't want to know about the others either.
Knowing the infamous reputation Satella had for how cruel and inhuman she was, who knows if Wrath would be able to slaughter you mercilessly if you managed to annoy her a bit or if Gluttony would devour you without a second thought. Those images gave him a chill that chilled his spine a bit.
Remembering the map again, Subaru saw six women below the drawing. But he couldn't quite remember their characteristics. It was as if that part gave off an aura that managed to eliminate its presence from the minds of those who dared to look at them for more than five seconds.
Subaru went over that while keeping his gaze fixed on the drawer of his bedroom table. That would not be unusual for external eyes. However, Subaru wasn't focusing on the drawer. He was focusing in his inside.
In the black book.
The Gospel of the Witch Cult.
A cursed book that all members of the sect possessed and that in its pages described the future of its owner. Although that volume I do not take away from someone "normal".
Its owner was the Archbishop of Laziness, Betelgeuse Romanee-Conti, that insane worshiper and psychopath who became the most hateful man in Subaru's life. But he no longer existed in that world.
The evil spirit no longer haunted him in his nightmares, knowing that he would never again sow death in his wake.
The Gospel rested inside the drawer while giving off a dark and even disgusting aura. Subaru put the book away after Emilia left her room two nights ago.
Subaru thought he could have brought it with him so Beatrice could see it, but the mysterious revulsion he felt every time he thought of the book was enough to show him that that book could not be touched or read by anyone other than Betelgeuse.
Subaru raised his hand to touch the cover of the Gospel. The touch of it was assimilated to leather, although Subaru baptized it as "Cursed Leather".
In the room, they were just enjoying the silence Subaru with her "new" Gospel.
?: If you ask for the help of others, it is very rude to make them wait like you are doing me, Natsuki-san !
A sharp voice interrupted Subaru's thoughts and he reacted by turning abruptly as he managed to close the drawer miraculously.
Standing in the doorway of his room, there was a young man with gray hair and wearing his typical green hat and hood with a feather giving a different touch to the boy. Although he usually seemed friendly, his arms crossed over his chest next to the annoyed face he put on gave another impression of him.
Subaru didn't expect Otto to appear at that time. In truth, it was true that he had called him, but that he arrived together at that moment was not at all ideal.
Subaru hid the drawer from view of Otto by standing in the middle, although it was very evident that he was hiding something.
Subaru: Ahh, Otto, I'm so glad you came. You know, I thought you would decline my request to join me today.
Otto: What made you think about that? I'm not repellent at all, just so you know
Subaru: Well ... I was telling you that because ... because I thought you don't like ... being very exposed to the sun.
Subaru knew that the only way to distract his attention from whatever he had seen was to talk to him a bit. At the moment, teasing him a little would not be the smartest move in that situation where Subaru's nerves were crushing him.
Otto looked at Subaru as if he was dealing with a blind or mentally disabled person, an idiot. How could he ask such a silly question whose answer was obvious?
"This is already taking longer than necessary"
Subaru: Well, sorry for making you wait, Otto. Please accept my apologies by accompanying me. Quick, time is short!
Otto: Hey, since when are apologies accepted like this? It's a very strange- Ayy, don't stretch me like that! You'ill tear off my arm !
Subaru: Come on man, you're not made out of paper. Don't start whining like a baby.
Otto: That's not-! Look, forget it. Just tell me where we are going.
Subaru: Simple. I need you to help me get a "certain" item for a "certain" silver-haired girl.
Subaru rushed to get Otto out of the room by grabbing him by the arm and stretching him with a very energetic force. Otto tried to complain about the treatment he was receiving, but Subaru was indifferent to his comments.
With Otto away from the evil book, Subaru already had the right man to accomplish his goal. "Let's go on an adventure for Emilia-tan !" was what Subaru shouted happily as he left the mansion with his faithful Otto at his side.
Get ready ...
The days of joy and rest for Subaru and the others are about to come to an end.