"Welcome to the mansion, Kanishi." Ram greeted the newcomer. "What's the issue you have?"
"May I speak to the head of this household?" asked Kanishi. "This is a matter that I must speak to your master in private."
"Lord Roswaal is currently not home to take the request," apologized Ram. "He should be back in about an hour for dinner."
Kanishi rubbed his chin. "I see that I came here at the wrong time. Sorry to impose at this hour."
"Would you like to wait in the guest area until Lord Roswaal returns?" asked Ram. "If not, you can tell me the culprit who caused the problems, and I will relay it to Lord Roswaal. We recently gained a new butler, so it will be understandable if he caused issues for his lack of experience."
"I can stay in the guest area for the time being, but this issue is for the lord's ears only."
Ram nodded her head. "Come with me." Ram pointed her finger at Kanishi's sword and pouch. "I will have to confiscate them due to safety reasons."
Kanishi handed the equipment to Ram. "I understand."
Ram grabbed the items. "Follow me to the guest area." Ram lead the way while Kanishi followed. "Sister! Barusu! We have a guest! Come to the guest area!"
After spying on the exchange, Subaru was confused by Kanishi's actions. Kanishi willingly gave up his weapons for an audience for Roswaal. However, Subaru was for sure that Kanishi was still after him under his excuse of an issue.
As Subaru entered the guest area, Ram gave a quick elbow poke on Subaru. "Barusu," Ram whispered. "I hope you did not do anything stupid to gain this man's attention."
"I didn't do anything," Subaru complained. "Never met him before."
"As if that makes your case any better."
Ram and Kanishi sat across from each other while Rem and Subaru stood by Ram's side.
"As you can see, we three are the only ones working in the mansion." Ram pointed to Rem and Subaru. "At a minimum, you could point out the culprit so I can handle the punishment accordingly." Ram points to Subaru. "Barusu is a new butler I was talking about, so don't be harsh on him if it is him."
Kanishi studied Subaru. "He is the one."
Subaru became a bit nervous.
Ram shook her head. "Not even a month and Barusu is causing issues. What's the reason?"
"Sorry," Kanishi apologized and shook his head. "This is a serious matter for Roswaal only. Barusu should be spared from the punishment until I confine with Roswaal." Kanishi narrows his eyes. "Besides the Barusu incident, I have other information I need to discuss."
Ram stood up. "I'll leave Barusu to watch you as sister and I prepare for Roswaal."
"Wait, what?" Subaru asked with a slightly panicked voice. "Why me?" Subaru dislikes the idea of being in the same room as his killer, unarmed or not.
"If Kanishi has issues with you, there's nothing wrong in sending you to entertain him until Roswaal arrives," Ram smirked. "Also, this would give Barusu time to make up for the silly wrongs that you committed on our guest."
"Fine," grumbled Subaru.
Both Ram and Rem left the guest room, leaving Subaru and Kanishi to themselves.
"I assume your name is Barusu," asked Kanishi as Subaru took a seat.
"It's actually Subaru," replied Subaru. "Let's talk about the real reason why you are here."
Kanishi raised an eyebrow. "You knew all along?"
"If you are talking about this scent I have on me, I have no connection to the witch cult, nor I made any contact with them." Subaru spread out his arms to emphasize his butler uniform. "Just a normal butler working here."
"Interesting." Kanishi rubbed his chin. "For a scent this strong, you no doubt be a high-ranking member of the witch cult. Suited for elimination."
"Why haven't you eliminated me yet?" Subaru questioned.
"Unlike witch cultists, I have some manners. If my equipment did not get confiscated and I wasn't a guest of this mansion, I would gladly cut you down." Kanishi gave a slight smirk. "Given the chance, we get to talk like this; how about convincing me why I shouldn't kill you later?"
"This smell is a curse. I don't know when or how I received it, but it gets stronger over time,' explained Subaru.
"That makes it more of a case to eliminate you before the witch cult captures you for one of your own!" Kanishi pounded the table. "Those who high in favor with the witch are bound to cause chaos and destruction!"
"Wait! No!" Subaru tried to refute Kanishi's claims. "I am not even capable of that! I can hardly use magic and barely can swing a sword!"
"How does this curse function then? Kanishi glared at Subaru. "Given the strength of the smell, the witch has some control over you."
Damn it! This is my only choice. Subaru took a deep breath. "I re-." Suddenly, something squeezed Subaru's heart, causing him to stop and gasp.
Kanishi looked at him with disgust. "I can simply see that your cruse artificially increases the stench while bringing you in great pain."
"I just stink," boasted Subaru. "I make a great mabeast bait."
"After your curse in action, I only simply perceive you less of a threat." Kanishi stared at Subaru's eyes. "It does not help that your base scent rivals the high-ranking people of the witch cult."
The sound of the door opened to reveal Rem entering with a tea set.
"Rem is here to bring some refreshments for the gues," said Rem as she placed the tea set on the table and poured tea.
"Thank you," said Kanishi as he received his tea.
"Did something bad happen?" asked Rem.
"No, nothing much," replied Kanishi. "We simply were discussing the problems we had with each other." Kanishi started to cool down his tea.
Rem came close to Subaru and started to whisper. "Subaru, why did Subaru's scent became much stronger? Rem is worried."
"Kanishi knows," Subaru whispered back.
Rem's face became wide-eyed upon hearing the statement.
"Can you testify about me to Kanishi?" pleaded Subaru. "He suspects me of being a cultist."
Rem nodded her head. "Kanishi."
"Yes?" replied Kanishi as he places his cup on the table.
"Kanishi can smell Subaru's scent as well?" asked Rem.
"I simply see that you also know his scent as well, but why you willingly kept Subaru here?" asked Kanishi as he rubbed his chin. "He simply is a danger."
"Rem was suspicious of Subaru at the start, but Subaru had gained the trust of everyone in the mansion despite his flaws," proclaimed Rem. "Roswaal would have him eliminated at the start."
"May I talk to Rem alone?" asked Kanishi. "I simply have a few questions."
"Subaru, go help sister with the cooking," ordered Rem. "Rem will be fine."
Subaru left the room and headed towards the kitchen. I'm so glad Rem can clear things up for me. My diplomatic skills need work. Subaru opened the door to the kitchen. "Hey Ram, Rem told me to help you in her stead while she deals with the guest."
"What a huge downgrade in quality," said Ram as she stopped working. Ram pointed out to various locations of the kitchen. "I need you to start cutting vegetables and bring them to the bowl over there. By now, you shouldn't cut your fingers."
"It is not that bad." Subaru went to his station to slice vegetables. "Ram?"
"What, Barusu?"
"How much do you trust me?" asked Subaru.
"I have zero trust in your cooking," bluntly said Ram. "However, I do have trust in you as a butler of the mansion."
Subaru grinned slightly.
"Without Barusu, my workload would be much higher." Ram continued.
Subaru gave a confused look at Ram.
"However, you are a valuable asset to the mansion and Roswaal." Ram finished her reply and went back to cooking.
The two worked in the kitchen for a while until Ram sent Subaru to switch places with Rem.
Subaru entered the guest room to find a blushing Rem and a smirking Kanishi.
"Rem sees Subaru is back, so Rem will return to sister," proclaimed Rem as she quickly left the room.
"I simply see that you have a knack for luck," said Kanishi as he sipped his tea.
"What do you mean by that?" asked Subaru.
"If you ever to live to 40 like me, you pick up stuff that you don't see when you were younger," chuckled Kanishi. "After Rem's explanation, I decided that I will not kill you yet. Her reasoning was much better than you, Subaru."
"I figured that," snorted Subaru.
"I simply still need to talk to Roswaal, as she could not guarantee your origins," reasoned Kanishi. "You may not be a witch cultist, but you are a prime candidate to become one."
"I won't," assured Subaru.
"Through resistance, maybe, but eventually, you will break from their persistence." Kanishi narrowed his eyes. "The wrongs they committed and how far they would take it would bring you to the brink of insanity."
The door opened again to reveal both Ram and Roswaal.
"I see we have a guest in my absence~," mused Roswaal.
Kanishi stood up and bowed. "I simply assume you are Lord Roswaal. My name is simply Kanishi."
"What is the matter you have with me?" asked Roswaal.
"I have concerns with Subaru."
"Subaru~?" Roswaal signals Kanishi to follow. "Come with me to my office."
Kanishi and Roswaal left at once, leaving Ram and Subaru behind.
"Barusu!" exclaimed Ram. "What did you do to my sister? She came back blushing mad."
"Wait, it was not me," rebutted Subaru. "It was Kanishi that did it."
"I hope your punishment from Roswaal would be tenfold," said Ram as she begins to leave the room. "Come to the kitchen to help finish preparations."
Meanwhile, in Roswaal's office, Kanishi and Roswaal faced one another concerning the issue of Subaru.
"What's the issue concerning Subaru~?" asked Roswaal.
"He has the scent of the witch," proclaimed Kanishi.
"And?" mused Roswaal.
"What?" Kanishi looked at Roswaal in confusion.
"I see no problem with it."
"No problem?" grunted Kanishi. "He has the witch's scent, and you have no concerns? His existence is dangerous. What if the witch-cult gets to him?"
"He won't."
"What makes you believe in him so much?" Kanishi became agitated by Roswaal's stubborn stance.
"I have faith in Subaru. Strong enough faith that he will help me with my goals," said Roswaal.
"Faith? As if that is enough. The last time I had faith in something, everything turned against me. Everyone is a two-face with hidden motives." Kanishi points towards himself and Roswaal. "Even you and me."
"Regardless, Subaru is a valuable asset to have. He may have ties with the witch, but Subaru is an emotional person who can be easily controlled with a driving force." Roswaal placed his elbows on his desk with his hands under his cheek. "With his devotion to a certain girl, he will only take options to benefit her. The witch-cult has no place between them."
"So Subaru is already under your thumb and control like a pawn." Kanishi sighed. "Certainly love is one of the stronger driving forces there is." Kanishi stood up. "Since the master is so inclined that his servant will not falter to the likes of the witch-cult, I will take my leave."
"Farewell, Kanishi~." Roswaal waves goodbye.
"If that boy ever converts to the witch cult, I won't hesitate to end his life," said Kanishi as he opened to door. "Give my regards to the boy and his crush. Goodbye." Kanishi left the room.
"As if I could hand over Subaru without anything to achieve my goals. Subaru's devotion to Emilia is his saving grace." Roswaal stood up from his chair to leave for dinner.
Upon leaving the mansion, Rem greeted Kanishi, who returned his equipment to Kanishi.
"Thank you for the hospitality, Rem." Kanishi bowed. "Take care of Subaru and keep him in check. If misfortune falls upon him, you will be the one to help guide him out from it."
"Rem will make sure of that." Rem bowed back.
"One more thing, be sure to help testify for him if anyone accuses him of being a witch cultist," warned Kanishi. "There might be more like me."
"Rem will keep Subaru safe," responded Rem. "Subaru had helped me dearly.
"I simply can tell that from your story of him," chuckled Kanishi. "Farewell, Rem." Kanishi left the mansion as Rem closed the door behind him.
As Kanishi walked away from the mansion, he gave a big sigh. "Oh, how love can be a strong motivator, but it wasn't enough for an ex-cultist like me to save my companions. I may have abandoned the cult, but if you are listening, Satella, please guide Subaru on a path different from mine. This is simply my only wish of you."
Back in the mansion, both Subaru and Ram were questioning Roswaal. For Ram, she wanted to know the kind of punishment Subaru might receive, while Subaru wanted to learn what became of the talk between Roswaal and Kanishi.
"There's nothing to worry concerning Subaru~," said Roswaal. "Kanishi was understanding and left without any concerns~."
"I see," replied Ram, disappointed. "Dinner will be served in a moment." Ram left the two alone.
Roswaal placed his hand on Subaru's shoulder. "You still have many trials to face, and Kanishi may not be the last. Be careful." Roswaal promptly left for the dining room.
Subaru gave a big sigh of relief. He managed to handle Kanishi diplomatically without any losses on either side. Subaru did not expect Kanishi to act docile in the mansion, but Ram's hospitality, Rem's testimony, and whatever Roswaal did helped him reach this route. However, Subaru couldn't help but notice that he did not do much to sway Kanishi as he bought time to prompt others to convince him.
"Rem, Ram!" proclaimed Subaru as he found the twins carrying the plates to the dining room. "Let's have the picnic tomorrow. I will cook up a special dish from my hometown!"
"Rem can't wait," giggled Rem.
"What's the occasion?" asked Ram. "I hope it is better than what you make currently."
"It is my gratitude for dealing with Kanishi for me," explained Subaru. "I am sure if you two didn't act the way you did that I would have faced a worse fate."
"Fine, I will go," said Ram. "Sister?"
"Of course." Rem smiled. "Rem was planning to convince sister beforehand."
"Once again," said Subaru. "Thanks for the help."
The day of the trio's picnic went well without any mishaps on the way. Subaru's dish did not go well, but it was edible, Rem made most of the meals with a bunch of mayo made for Subaru, and Ram brought her usual steamed potatoes for everyone. The picnic was a relaxing event for everyone to rest, especially for Subaru, who was full of stress on the previous day. A day of peace for the hellish future that awaits them.
A/N: Thank you everyone for reading and following this fanfic. The story may have come to a close, but the misfortune of Subaru has yet to end. Happy reading everyone!