Listening to Emilia's demand, Rem conduces us to the demi-human district. , Along the way, since our speed was low I ask her to show me the ropes in coaching which she seemed happy with
The demi-human district was as lively as I remembered. Of course, when I first got there I had no idea of it being called that way, nor of the actual rules put in place, like some places being demi-human only, or not being able to read the signs and ending up in the woman's bathroom, or causing some misunderstanding and getting thrown into a river...
My embarrassing memories aside it is quite a nice place all things considered. From what I could gather from my 1-month life in this world, Lugunica is a human supremacy...to be honest, the concept sounds very weird for a person like me who has always lived in a world where only the human race had civilization standing at the top... Not that it stopped us from having our own brand of discrimination. But at any rate, despite that, the demi-human district is less barren than you would think in such a country. It certainly is not as inhospitable as the slum parts(which had demi-humans of course but lots of humans as well)
-Why did we come here Emilia-tan?Tourism?
-Well yes... Of sorts. It's the second time I went to the capital but for the reasons you know I wasn't able to come here the first time around, and it wasn't possible yesterday...
-Right. By the way, what took you so long? Not that I counted or anything but you told me that you came back late at night?
-Well...After we finished all the necessary formalities we were granted leave but I stayed a little bit to try and talk to some of Roswaal's acquaintances. Also, I went to the knights 'barrack;
The knights...Where that blue-haired bastard was...I so much hate it
-Was it for something official?
-You could say that...I was trying to see if any of them were willing to be my knight.
Her...Knight
Right she did say she has to get one under 2 years to continue. Nothing romantic at all. Just work relationships. That's all there is to it.
-...
Her look told me it didn't go so well. A scummy part of me is glad. I could try to deny it's exhistence but it would be pointless. The best I can do is to not let it show.
-Did it go that bad?..
-...It did but I wasn't surprised. After all, I can act bubbly all I want, but I am still a silver-haired half-elf, with no experience. Few are those who want to even approach me, and though most followed etiquette towards me, and some were even friendly, it would probably be bad for them to ally with me. I was also explained that some knights have duties they absolutely can't get rid of, so even out of the few who would take the risk, they may not be able to do so
So unfair
I wish I could just go there to scream at those idiots and blame them for leaving such a girl if any of them didn't "follow the etiquette"
But even if I could I wouldn't. They are fools. They are incapable to see a diamond when it's in front of them.
-But don't worry about me! Roswaal said that though it may be like that right now I may be able to win over some of those who were at least inclined to hear me out if I get some achievement on my side. I can also recruit knights from all over the country, maybe from Roswaal land. I won't give up so easily!"She says, full of bravado, even if surely she must feel down inside
I don't want to put all knights under the same basket. Reinhart is definitely not one of the people I wanna scream at, he just has his own lady to take care of. Even that blue-haired bastard Julius...He pisses me off but he doesn't disrespect her at all. He shows her too much attention in fact...
But still. Just hearing this makes me hate them.
Still, I force a smile. If she stands strong it's not my place to bring her down by not even being able to follow her flow.
-You're right you'll show them!
-Yeah! As for our tourism, it's just that I don't really know how demi-humans live in cities. I was living alone with Puck you see, and since I want to help them too, it's best to get at least a feel
Makes sense to me(Though it's surprising to hear she lived such an hermit-like life before). Emilia is the only demi-human in the race, in a sense, you could say she represents them...
Although right now she is wearing her identity hiding cloak so assuming that role will have to wait. Well, at least I get to watch Emilia with cat ears. That's a privilege you don't get often
Rem, who was beside us was also looking at the district with quite the curious eye, even if of course her professionalism won out. From some of our conversation in the mansion rem and ram didn't get many opportunities to visit a big town before so despite her staying quiet about it I imagine she is a little excited
As we are we continue our touring, chit-chatting about what we saw or off the previous event. The district for the most part was normal: you had lots of bars, entertainment places, restaurants, guilds of all sorts of jobs. There was nothing in this town you couldn't find here
Conversely, you could say the district was a sort of mini-city inside the bigger one. It did encourage traffic and it did have some humans living there but...You could also say it made it all too convenient to never leave. As demi-humans could live their whole life here with no issue, they could easily stay out of more human-oriented districts. Although it's hard to say if it's a negative or not
Another thing that even though it wasn't purely devoid of humans, you could see the tensions between the few humans that were there and the rest of the inhabitants: Nothing like huge fights although we did see some around bars, but while most interactions went smoothly you would see some interaction rapidly escalating into bitter cold stare contest, or verbal disputes.
In general Lugunica as a whole gave me that impression: not that I traveled a lot, but what looks peaceful and happy so often hides conflict and pain beneath...Let s stop those dark thoughts
We then headed back to our inn, slept for the day, and took our ground dragon carriage to come back to the Matters domain. Roswaal didn't come back with us, as he had things to do, but he said he would be back for the night(with his flying speed it's most likely not an exaggeration). With us was "Blue" or rather Felix...now that I remember it was Ferris...Oh well
As we came back to the mansion, ram did welcome us back
-Welcome Back, Emilia-sama, sister, guest-sama, and the pathetic excuse of a butler. As for me dear guest, my name is Ram
-Yes Yes nee sama I love you as well.
-Disgusting
Some things never change
-I missed you nee-sama, Rem hope it wasn't too hard in our absence"Rem beams breaking her mask a little bit to hug her
-Hello Ram. Aren't you a bit too hard on your junior" Emilia asked a bit embarrassed;
Despite having lived with Ram longer than I did she is a bit unused to her violent bully...I mean her banter
-Barusu needs to be properly worked hard or he will become rotten. This is just my gift to this lost child really"
I'll remember that one
-Oh uhm. alright...
-Hello Miss Maid. My Nyame is Ferris, Crush-sama's knight, and I came here to heal Subaru-kyun. Please take care of me.
-Understood. It's fitting that Barusu's doctor is also excentric
Unbelievable this one. Does her politeness last only as long as one greeting? Not that Ferris seemed taken aback by this.
After this, we unloaded our belongings as well as Ferris's luggage(it was only one big case, holding enough for his short stay), and Rem and I resumed our work in the mansion. As I dreaded Ram work efficiency was severally inefficient, so we had to make up for the lost time but thankfully the fact she was the only mansion resident for this short while(except Beatrice, who is self-sufficient anyway) also reduced her workload, so the mansion was not a complete disaster: the most used rooms are in a good state, and dust had been mostly dealt with...Just that it was mostly sloppy in some areas...
As for Ferris's work: it was decided we would have 2 healing sessions per day, one in the morning and one at night. As the morning one was done in the carriage, I headed to his assigned guest room for the night session
As expected of a proper knight, his belongings, principally articles of clothing but also some papers were all neatly put out of his luggage, not one thing perturbing the order. There were some books as well
-Good evening sorry to trouble you.
-It s my job to be troubled. If you really feel sorry about it do take this injury as a lesson to not injure yourself anyiimore" he said with a playful tone...Though the last part was no wonder he gets Ram instantly: he is the same underneath
He then began to heal me. More intensely than usual the healing magic made me feel warmth which spreads to my entire being. I could feel the flow of magic cursing through my body, with the difference that it felt even more subtle than when Emilia, Rem, or Beatrice would do it. His expert title really isn't for show.
We spent about 10 minutes silent, with Ferris focused on his task. It wasn't unpleasant but I felt I might as well try to break the ice
-You brought lots of papers...Is that work?
-Yes. Although Crush Sama wasn't lying when she said my help was not vital at the moment, I would feel bad to not do anything...So I took some long-term work that can wait for when we are reunited...No peeping though!
Of course, I wouldn't do that(and I have the feeling even if I did I would not understand much). There s also a black box with locks and what looks like a magic rune so I'm guessing if I tried to I would have more problems than my guilty conscience
-Oh come on...But you sure are an hard worker
-Nyot at all...Even if I do all this little escapade is more of a vacation for with Lady Crush or with the royal knight I m way busier in the anything, you are one to talk...How did you even mess up your gate that much anyway? The last time I saw one in that state was with a veteran that pretty much saw the whole civil war through!
-Although it flatters me you see it like that...The truth is way less glorious. I m a complete noob at magic and used way too much of it because of my inexperience as well as to stay alive in an ulgarm attack
-Ulgarm...that's a whole other can of worms. How did you even survive that? And what's a noob" he asked incredulously
-I m still wondering and I try not to think about it too much thank you!
Being bitten unconscious is definitely one of the worst experiences in my life. I want to avoid having that happen in the future. Plus those dogs are worse than that as they kill you even at distance. Truly a blight.
-In any case, you REALLY need to not get caught up in such a situation anymore. You're lucky to have gotten only this as an injury, and if you did strain your gate again it will collapse when you most need it
This boy...I guess Whil-jii wasn't wrong when he said he faced death many times. Speaking of ulgarm as if it was some bad jokes, his carefree attitude...Honestly, it pisses me off
He is the exact sort of patient I hate; the kind I would see regularly because they are too careless to take care of themselves.
-Really? But I'd really like to do it again though. My magic career can end on such a pathetic note! Do you know of anything I could do to not break it again
-Don't push your luck and don't use your gate again, that s my advice. You're a butler no? I m sure you don't use magic on a daily basis anyway
Technically it's not a lie. If he never does it again he will not strain his gate: I don't expect someone like him to be careful or to learn how to properly use it so it's probably the best so he doesn't do something stupid and break it
That being said he looked sullen at my words...then he took an unreadable expression for a short while before cracking a smile and resuming his usual banter. I absent-mindedly nod along, before letting him go once I was finished
His state isn't beyond repair, but the extent of his gate strain is such that it would probably take me 2 weeks or more to get it back to a pristine shape. Hopefully, he defies what I think of him and takes more care of himself
I took a book I brought alongside me and began to try to read myself to sleep...But I was awoken by some blue light, coming from the garden. There I saw Subaru as well as " Just Emilia" in the garden: She was invoking lesser spirits, as I saw Julius do from time to time, and it seemed the boy was admiring the spectacle...Well even from a distance it was clear his attention was mainly on the girl, not the calming lights she was calling upon.
A simple man, with simple desires through and through.
As we returned from the capital, Everybody returned from the capital and we resumed our daily lives: Subaru and the twins to their works, I to my studies, and Roswaal returned flying as if it was the most natural thing in the world. The only difference was Ferris-san, who will be staying with us for a little while. I'm a bit nervous to not make a bad impression on my rival's main man, but I hope we get along well. Maybe I should make some time in my break to speak with him a little. Or try to just make use of dinner time to chat...Yes, that might be best; If I go speak to him out of the blue it might be awkward.
At any rate, I feel a bit motivated. The other royal candidates are all determined but so am I so I can't fall behind more than I already am. Before going to the capital I did memorize pretty much everything that pertains to the common sense of Lugunica's capital and of the big players, but now I should focus more on learning other essential lugunican facts, like the big players of its businesses, the principal resources of the countries and how they are traded, diplomatic, facts about other countries, how to negotiate... When I list all that I lack it makes it sound unreachable but at least I know I am not alone.
Tonight as usual I started my daily conversing with the spirits. It s part of my contract with them, but it's also something that helps calm my mind after a long day. The lesser spirits are like little kids, so while sometimes they might be a bit naughty they are mostly easy to talk to. Of course, Puck is my main support most of the time but the lesser spirits are important as to support myself without him, especially in case of something happening at night...I don't want to think something like the loot house incident might happen again but better safe than sorry
-Oh Emilia-tan are you finished? Geez, I'm jealous of them, requesting to talk to you every day and getting their way" says another little ki-right I need to remind myself Subaru is actually older.
It's not that he is immature...well I guess he is sometimes but I mostly thought he was younger because of how upbeat he is all the time. The only people older or around my age that I interacted with on a daily basis before were the villagers of Ellior(though they were not very willing to talk with me at all) and the people of the mansion who are way calmer than he is so...
-If you think that is such a treat maybe I should restrict the times you see me, let's see how about once a week? I'll ask Ram to help with...
-Ah I beg of you I was joking!" he shouts with a grin,
-Still thanks for always taking the time to see me. I know it's not exactly a group activity"
He did tell me before that it didn't bother him and that the spectacle was great in itself but still it doesn't diminish that he doesn't have to, so I'm grateful for that
-No-Problemo-Emilia-tan! I know I interfered with your communion the first time I did this but it was just that I didn't know it would have that effect.
-Eh? Did that happen? Although it seems like something you would do" I stuck my tongue out
He has quite a few of these moments where he talks about events that never happened. He also speaks of them as if they were the most natural thing in the world, so if he is joking he is definitely a way better liar than I thought he is. Does he have memory problems? Or maybe his dreams are so real he mixes them up with real events? He reaally is mysterious at times, although I know he means well. Too much at times
"Ah ah you must be right, I might have thought about it and predicted it would have been bad " He says with his usual embarrassed face and hyper activeness he has when called out in such cases "But I will admit I do wish I could join in. If lesser spirits are like kids as you say, at least they would give me less of a hard time than the village kids
-You think so? They really like you though? It's just that they are too shy to speak to more than one person
Ooops.
-Uh...Earth to Emilia tan? Did you really mean the children here? Are you saying spirits like me?
-Ah, No they don't like you. Uhm...They hate you, that's right when I was talking with them one of them, you know the one that hovers above my head, he told me he doesn't like your hair, like he wants to ruffle it and then rest on it, but you know it's not that your hair is bad, it's just that this one is whimsical, he just has mean wish all the time, but he is not a bad fellow, he just wants to play some pranks from time to time you would know if you talked to him-" I get cut-of as I rapid-fire an excuse
-When you deny it so hard it makes me feel guilty to point it out but I believe you lied just there, Emilia-tan.
Why can't I keep a secret?
-Uhm...Yes, you're right. You have a high affinity with spirits. Don't you see how good you get along with Puck and Beatrice
-While you're right about Puck, with Beatrice, how to say it...It s just fun to tease her you know" he smirks
-Yes, yes...But anyway I can't really say I know why since I never met another spiritualist aside from Julius, but spirits in generals like your presence, and your body seem to accept them as well.
-I didn't expect such a revelation. Could it be that my lucky star finally shone on me" As he is jumping about he seems pretty excited at the news
-Hey do you think I could become like you? A spiritualist?
And that s the question I didn't want to get asked.
It s not that I want him not to grow in any way. He can really work hard when he is motivated. In fact, that's the problem. He broke his gate in the first place because he pushed himself through fatigue to do his job and then warned us and helped deal with the ulgarm incident.
Of course, I know that sometimes it can't be helped to push yourself but...I can't help but think Subaru would one day do it foolishly...I don't want to give him a way to extend himself where the consequences might be fatal
-Do you...really want to do it? Spirits are a handful you know
-I m sure they are stubborn but I m more boneheaded than they are
-Are you sure people say this anymore? I think you got you and I confused
-Don't change the subject Emilia tan" he shouts in mock indignation" You seem hesitant...Why is that? Oh, I know what you're thinking: "he is interested today but in 1 week he will get bored and slack off".I can try hard for as long as it takes you know?
-It s not like that..." I fidget around
-Then what is it? Would it...take you too much time;?If that s the case I'm sorry for asking" he ponders, eyes downcast
-No, No no! It wouldn't take me more time than my spirit session, it's not that inconvenient. It s just...I fear you might hurt yourself"
Now I have done it. I m not getting out of this one
-Dangerous? You said it yourself spirits are at most pranksters… Oh, you fear I will misuse my powers.
As he says this he looks pensive. I hope I didn't hurt his feelings
-It s not that I think you are bad or will do bad things with it, I just worry about-
-If that's the case how about a promise?" he says, cutting me off
-uh?
-I promise I will listen to everything Emilia-sensei's will tell me about spirit arts, and I'll promise I will tell you if I do anything reckless. I only ask you don't hide anything from me
-That you plan to do reckless things is the problem! That s exactly why I didn't want to talk about this with you!
-But the last time I did something dangerous it could not be helped! I did it for the villagers and rem! I don't do it for fun!
-…
That may be true but...I just can't trust that. But the last time he hurt himself...He was in such bad shape. He always comes out on top but...I don't want him to push his luck. I don't want to look at his mangled body another time
-Look I m sorry Emilia-tan. If you don't want to you don't want to. I'd never force anything out of you. If you really want to..let's just not talk about this again. It s not that I don't want to learn anymore...but if it causes you so much pain I don't want it to happen" He says, with a dejected face, his right hand on his head
-...I see. Well..alright
After this, we begin walking back in silence to the inside of the mansion. The chilly air of the knight is replaced by the warm still air of the immense manor. As we begin walking the stairs I begin daydreaming about how I would have never imagined living in such a place back in the forest. While in comparison you could say the forest was a bigger place than the mansion, my actual house was just a shack carved inside a tree.
Back then my only contact with people were the villagers who avoided me as much as they could, and wanderers that ended up in the forest, whether they were lost or were trying to smuggle things. I used to only have 1-word conversation with them, If we talked at all and we weren't battling as I tried to get everyone away from the forrest
I was doing it to keep them from danger too...Demon beast were not rare and most aside from the rough-looking kind were not prepared at all for it. Puck also told me I did well but...
-Well Emilia-tan have a good night."Subaru takes me out of my reminiscence and begins talking the turn towards his room. As he waves to me I look at his back walking, before going upstairs, where my room is.
On my bed, as I try to drift asleep I remembered another reason why I was keeping everyone out: I still can't figure why but I just didn't want my home to be walked on by others. Even if they could handle themselves even if they were only passing I wanted the forest to stay mine alone...
But …
As a new day rose in the Matters domain its residents began to go about their usual occupations. The villagers at their fields or specialty, the children at their games and chores, the maid and butler at their cleaning and cooking, the lord himself to his administrating and scheming,...Everything had taken back its rightful course.
As per usual as well, the mansion resident began their mid-day meal. The dish was a bit more pompous than usual, as it was the first formal lunch between the land's master and its guest, so it included the specialties of all 3 of the maid and butler staff: mayonnaise and hamburger from Subaru, Steamed potatoes from ram and Roasted vegetables and chicken from rem.
-I belieeeve that I'm quite late at doing this but I roswaal L Matters welcome you to my mansion. I Hoooope that you enjoy your stay" the colorful nobleman starts, opening his hand, a smirk on his face, trying his best to be welcoming
-Me, Felix Argyle, in the name of my master Crush Karsten thank you for your hospitality. I will have to borrow your goodwill for a while" the knights answer those formalities, slightly bowing his head
After this, the meal began in earnest. Since this was a formal meal, the servant staff simply watched as Emilia, Roswaal, and Felix engaged in polite small talk, in contrast to the more relaxed meals where they would all eat together. For the black-haired boy, it was slightly uncomfortable to do but he endured his lot, by copying the maid sisters.
Their conversation, which started by innocent nothings slowly drifted towards the subject of magic, being that all 3 of the high-status meal enjoyers were quite proficient in it
As he finished his last dish, the owner of the mansion then spoke up
-" to have Blue here under my home, I am indeed blessed by the dragons...I do hope that healing my staff doesn't feel like an insult to your talent
-Not at all, my healing skills were honed to help no matter the task. As a matter of fact, his gate wound is on the higher end of difficulty, so it is not a boring task in the least. Besides we received proper compensation for it" the cat-eared knight deflected the polite praise
-My situation is a bit different since I rely on the spirits for my magic..; but water mana is particularly hard for me to handle so I m very impressed to see you do so masterfully Ferris-san" the half-elf added in earnest
-It s true. Despite how much I would like to, the ways of water escape me, so I could never go further than using it superfiiiiicialy, never managing to fine-tune it as to manipulate it in the human body. My grandfather would be disappointed" the clown shrugged in self-derision
-Your grandfather..pardon my rudeness but is it true that he was Master?
-Your question is not rude at all and yes he was the previous blue. I didn't get to interact with him as many times as I would have liked, but the tales my grandmother taught me painted a great man
-Yes he was..." Melancholic, the healers eye briefly shift towards the lands of memories" the days of my formation were hardeous and back then I thought that I could never emulate him but thanks to his guidance I managed to develop those powers, for Lady Crush's sake."
-I think it's wonderful to have had a mentor. Puck has been one for me as well and I'm forever grateful for it
-The...The great spirit of fire? I do wish I could hear how the two of you met but that would probably intrude on your privacy so it's not necessary" Reading her expression Ferris know that it would be wiser not to insist, attention the half-elf is silently grateful for
-You could say that...But it's just that it's a long story. I wouldn't want to jam your ears with it"
After this, the meal ended and each got back to their daily work. However before she left for her room, Emilia stopped the butler, who was stacking the used plates for their washing
-" You know about what we discussed last night..." she begins in a murmur
The boy, who didn't expect a change of heart is taken aback, and simply stares in anticipation, only causing her to dwindle around even more. Despite this talk having been intended as a discrete, between the two short convos, her unmissable embarrassment made it so that both of the maids, while still pretending to have noticed nothing wouldn't miss any of their other misstress fumbling
-" You will listen to what I say, won't try to burn the steps, and won't try to use it recklessly as soon as my back is turned. Can you promise that?" she finally lets out
-" I admit I want to be reckless but if that's your expectation, I promise to become such a good student nothing will stay reckless anymore" he flashes a smile with a thumbs up