Re Zero The Sage and The Crow
All rights belong to the original Series Creator, Tappei Nagatsuki
Underlined Text: Represents English
Normal Text: Represents Japanese
Chapter 13 As Above So Below
"Subaru, it's this way I suppose!"
"What do you mean? I most definitely remember the it being this way!"
Amongst the halls and cavernous rooms of the palace, Subaru and Beatrice bickered like a married couple. They wandered to and fro, from high chandelier decorated rooms to lowly servant quarters. Subaru threw open door after door, peeking his head in before pulling it out in disappointment. He constantly was on the lookout, much to the annoyance of Beatrice.
"The guard said go left at the kitchen in fact! Not right!" She lamented.
Subaru shot her a peeved look. "That would have put us in the bakery, you sly spirit! You just want to see if you can snag sweets from the pastry chefs!"
"No." She shook her head unconvincingly. "Betty is following her gut in fact!"
As if on cue, Beatrice's stomach rumbled. It was loud enough to startle Subaru, and he shook his head as he was taken aback by the sheer power of that rumble. Beatrice's face turned a lovely crimson as embarrassment flushed her face.
Subaru's mouth was agape. "Uhhh."
"Shut up in fact!" Beatrice stomped her foot and pointed an accusing finger at him. "I'm hungry because you made me skip breakfast I suppose! What's the harm in curbing our quest for a delicious pastry I suppose?"
Subaru's shoulders slumped. "Well, since you're gonna be cheeky about it. I guess a small snack couldn't hurt. But…" He held up his finger. "You're gonna have to work twice as hard when you're done."
"Deal in fact." Beatrice smiled. The thought of food was making Subaru hungry as well, and it's promise was enough to curtail her grumpiness for a while.
They had made their way to the kitchens, and now snacked on a much needed respite. Beatrice elegantly nibbled on the flaky pastry. The nearby chefs watched her eat with great interest. One of them was even sweating more bullets than Otto when he got on Ram's bad side.
There was no sound other than her methodical chewing of the pastry. The tension was building so much that even Subaru felt uneasy for the chefs. She took one more bite before setting the pastry down and dabbing at her cheeks with a white cloth.
"It is… acceptable I suppose." She said after much deliberation.
The chefs all breathed a collective sigh of relief. The tense atmosphere melted as the chef who made the treat was given complementary pats on the back by the others. Subaru guessed that they didn't get out much considering the way they were treating Beatrice like a famous idol. Still, neither he or Beatrice were complaining. If it got him information and her food then he was all for it. Not that she wouldn't be all for it as long there was food anyway.
He took a small sip of the water he had asked for before taking a bite out of his own sweet delicacy.
"Subaru-sama." One chef approached his seat. "It is an honor."
"It's fine really." Subaru casually dismissed the man with his pastry. "My partner was getting hangry, so I decided to stop by."
"No, you have no idea what this means to us." The chef gave a small bow, and all of the other chefs nodded in agreement. "We very rarely get to entertain guests of your… status. So this is providing an excellent opportunity for us."
Subaru took note of the chefs. All slightly overweight with jowls and smile lines around their eyes. They must've laughed a lot.
"We're simply passing through, but we're glad we could make your day better." Subaru smiled whole heartedly. "There's someone I know that can make my day better just by gracing me with her smile." Subaru squirmed in his chair as the thought of Emilia crossed his mind. Long, slender legs, silver hair, beautiful and completely innocent; all the things a man could want.
The chefs passed each other confused looks as he fidgeted in his seat and caressed his cheeks. To them it probably looked really weird and definitely not what they were expecting when they heard the name Natsuki Subaru.
"Uhh… yes." One chef said. "Quite better actually."
"Indubitably better." Another piped up.
"Abysmally better." A third called out.
"So what are you doing in this part of the castle?" The one who originally spoke to him said. "Can't be much over here. Unless you just came for the sweets?" He asked hopefully.
Subaru took on a more serious atmosphere as he answered. "Uh, no sorry. We're just passing through. We were actually looking for the library but we got lost."
"Because someone wanted to go right and not left I suppose." Beatrice grumbled with a full mouth.
"It's bad manners to speak with food in your mouth." Subaru pointed at her. "Swallow first and then speak."
Beatrice pouted, but did as she was told.
"Pwah." She exhaled before regarding the chefs. "We need to reach the library in fact. You all wouldn't know where it is I suppose?" She inclined her head to Subaru. "This man is hopeless at following directions in fact."
"Rude." Subaru muttered.
One of the chefs pointed in the direction they had just come from. "Yeah, it's actually pretty famous around here. Well, at least in the palace. You just go back the way you guys came–."
"See?" Subaru made a pointed look towards Beatrice.
"Hmmph in fact!"
"-and then you take the stairs to the lower level." The chef continued. "It should be down there."
"Wait. So it wasn't left or right, but down?" Subaru asked.
"Yep."
"Ugh!" Subaru rubbed his face.
This was indeed turning into a hassle to deal with. First, Damian told him some information about game theory of which he still had very little idea how it pertained to this. Second, there was a mass murderer running around making everyone crazy and turning off the lights like it was time to tell scary stories, thirdly; Beatrice was hungry. Truly the end of days if he ever saw them.
Although, perhaps if they could get Garfiel here, maybe even Reinhardt. Then these problems would be exponentially less annoying. Subaru thought he could divide their forces to make the best use of them, but that strategy was really working against him right now.
Subaru stood up. He pushed in his chair after nodding to the chefs in thanks.
"Thanks for the meal guys! Seriously!" He grinned and clapped the bigger one on the back. "I don't know how I would've survived if you guys weren't here."
"Betty is not some savage I suppose!" Beatrice pouted as she flailed her legs in her chair. "Quit acting like I would've blasted you in fact!"
"Yeah, we should probably get going too be honest." Subaru ignored her with as much effort as he could muster. He nodded his head enthusiastically as the chefs bowed and scraped their huge hats on the floor.
It was an interesting experience to be sure, but ultimately it was a small stop that they had. Now they needed to get back to work and hopefully, they could solve the many problems that were being flung their way starting with this damn library.
They bid their farewells before heading off again. This time, they were ready to find what need be found.
"This is it in fact." Beatrice said. "The library in the palace."
They had finally reached their intended destination. A grand library nestled deep within the palace walls lay before them. Knowledge and history awaited for any aspiring scholar, but Subaru's reason for being here was a bit more commutative, or so he thought.
The doors that led inside were embroidered with a fantastical dragon. Not the crest of the kingdom like on the throne room doors, this one was more detailed. A book was cradled in its claws. It wasn't the most original design, but it served its purpose well. The inside reminded Subaru of the Forbidden Library back in the old Roswaal's Mansion. Shelves of books lined… shelves of books. It was honestly pretty daunting to Subaru, but he took comfort in the familiarity that this library brought him.
Even Beatrice was impressed. In fact, she looked wistfully from shelf to shelf, basking in the pleasure that being back in such a place brought. It was honestly hard to forget that, despite her subsequent imprisonment there, the Forbidden Library was Beatrice's home. She loved it as a home and nothing would ever replace that feeling to her.
Subaru squeezed her delicate hand as she got a depressed look on her face. She offered him a reassuring smile that she was alright. Places like these had so much meaning to her, both good and bad. He would do the best he could when it came to giving her his support.
"So many books I suppose…" She said in awe.
Subaru chuckled softly. "I should've brought a bag with me. We could have stuffed some and taken them home."
Beatrice smiled in response, but there was also an underlying disappointment there.
"I don't need to have Emilia around to tell you that stealing is bad I suppose…" She scolded playfully. "But." She hastily added. "Betty would appreciate a few books. Mainly tomes about advanced magics, some history books, maybe a few cooking books and some on architecture in fact. Oh! And there's this one where–."
"Ok, ok. I get it." Subaru ruffled her twin drills. "You may have to wait until Christmas to get any specifics."
"Christmas I suppose?"
Beatrice looked up at him with childish, innocent eyes that belied her age. They were just so adorable that they made him want to scoop her up and hug her to death.
He settled for lightly pinching her cheek instead. "It's a holiday at my hometown. A man called Santa Claus comes and delivers presents to all of the goods boys and girls."
"Sounds like a pervert in fact." She said.
Subaru nodded his head in a "that's fair" gesture. "Well, he's definitely not as bad as he seems. Just make sure you're good for the year and he may deliver you presents."
Keeping alive the dream of getting new reading materials, Beatrice's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. Eventually, they passed all of the shelves and came upon a secluded niche in the far corner of the library. This was unlike the many neat rows of new volumes. Instead, it was a messy pile of old, dust covered parchments and tomes. Cobwebs spread their roots all over the place, making Subaru's skin crawl. The only place to sit was an old, rickety chair with a missing leg. It was, quite frankly, the perfect place for someone to place hidden information.
"How filthy I suppose." Beatrice said.
"Ehh, it's not that ba–."
His words were cut short as a rat scurried from the heap of books into the library proper. It could still be heard scampering away from the people who startled it even so far away.
"Nevermind." Subaru sighed. "This place is gross."
"See in fact?" Beatrice wore a smug, if not slightly disgusted, expression. It was something she took no pleasure in.
"I do…" Subaru said. "Unfortunately." He took in the sight of all the loose information around them. "Well, looks like it's time to get to work."
Time passed. The pile of books were moved into somewhat neat stacks for them to scour through. The pile shrunk as the hours passed. Subaru found the books that Otto had shown him in the previous loop. Those bloodstained, ancient looking tomes offered little more knowledge than they did last time. But they did offer some much needed clarity on the matter.
Most of the stuff was repeated from last time and, more depressingly, there was still no mention of the star chapel that Damian had so mysteriously mentioned twice now. There were a few questions he still had, like why the hell was there secret history in the corner of a library? He supposed Julius might have the answer. At least, he hoped he did.
Subaru picked up a book and flipped through its many pages. Most of it was illegible. He looked at Beatrice, she was dutifully skimming the books, setting them down when she figured there wasn't anything worth learning in it. It was a skill that only someone who spent lifetimes reading could master, or so he thought.
"Anything?" He asked.
"Only the stuff you've already mentioned in fact." She confirmed.
He sighed. This was becoming really redundant. He remembered really early on during his many first weeks in the mansion. He was cursed and he had spent the day with Beatrice. He spent all day in the library with her, learning about the world, trying to find a counter to the shaman. This reminded him of that, except this seemed to irk him for some reason. Why? Why was this?
Annoyed, he grabbed a book from one of the dusty shelves and pulled it from its perch. At least, he was trying. The book remained stubbornly in place, refusing to budge. This only served to increase his bullishness further. He placed both hands on the book and yanked. It still mocked his efforts by remaining in place.
"Something wrong I suppose?" Beatrice raised an eyebrow.
"No." He grit his teeth and invoked his strength. "Just… trying…"
There was a snap of metal. The book didn't quite come off of the shelf, but the top was dislocated from whatever substance had locked it in place. Subaru's arms wind-milled as he lost his balance and toppled on to the pile of books that Beatrice had spruced up with her methodical system. It only served to earn him a snappy scolding from the old spirit.
"Now look what you did in fact!" She pouted, steam seemed to flush her face and puff up her cheeks. "All my hard work is ruined I suppose! Take responsibility and clean this–!"
She was interrupted by the sound of grinding stone. Their attentions were captured by a sudden movement of one of the shelves. Clockwork gears turned, dust fell, and the shelf edged ever so slightly out of place. Subaru stood up and quickly dusted himself off before approaching the hidden door he had just discovered.
"Wait." Beatrice hopped off her chair. "Let Betty hide behind something before you do that I suppose."
Subaru shot her a disbelieving look. "What if something comes through that door?"
"That's why I want to be as far away as possible I suppose."
"Too late." Subaru shoved the door open. It was a lot lighter than it looked. A large portion of the wall swung forward as he heaved at it, making scraping noises as mechanisms that hadn't moved in a long time were roused from rest. The scent of mildew and must rushed out of the opening, wrinkling Subaru's nose. The inside was pitch black darkness. He couldn't even see five feet in front of him. Only the recognizable gray of stone steps leading down gave any clue what lay beyond.
Beatrice appeared next to him. She peered into the depths, clutching his hand for support.
"I don't believe that this was mentioned by Otto I suppose?" She asked hesitantly.
Subaru pursed his lips together, frowning at the lack of knowledge of this part. "Nope. No he did not."
Subaru figured he just didn't find it. It wasn't as if it was in plain sight, and even if someone found the book, they weren't likely to keep tugging at it until it bushes like he would. Some people just weren't as stubborn as him. Even less were able to turn it into an art form as he did.
"It stinks in fact." Beatrice covered her nose. "It smells ancient I suppose."
"Well." Subaru peered into the darkness. "I really don't wanna go down there? You?"
"No I suppose. I don't really see how exploring that would help us in any way in fact."
Subaru nodded his head in agreement. "Me neither. I–."
He paused. An indescribable sound softly rose up from behind them. It was quiet, so quiet in fact that Subaru thought he didn't hear it at first. Turning around to where he thought the source of the sound was, he narrowed his eyes before glancing back at the secret passage.
"Subaru…?" Beatrice's uncertain voice called out to him.
Bang…
There it was again. Subaru's head jerked from a dazed stupor into an alert state. He hadn't imagined that then?
His stomach churned as he looked around. It was… quiet, too quiet.
Bang…
Soft and subtle, yet the lights flickered dangerously as if terrified of that noise. Subaru's heart roared in his ears, a terrible thumping of his quickening heart beat. If he paid close attention, it seemed to be getting a little darker. Everything was being extinguished quicker than he could say "what the hell".
Subaru heard a crash from the aisle next to him. It was like something fell, unable to bear the noise. This was followed by a constant thumping sound. Not Subaru's heart, but something else, like flesh against wood or stone.
He and Beatrice shared a look of dread. He inclined his head and she took up a position next to him. He peeked his head around the corner, searching for the source of the crash. Squinting eyes landed on a noble, dressed in fine, scholarly robes. His whole body was trembling silently. His back turned and his head cradled, the noble shook back and forth, his head banging repeatedly into the wooden shelf. Subaru clutched his own head in sympathy as the sound of bone cracking against wood echoed in his ears. The lone mana lamp above him danced and waned, flickering with each impact.
"You… Ok?" Subaru called out after much hesitation.
The smacking ceased. The light flickered faster and more erratically. Subaru backed against the shelf behind him. How was this possible? It was too soon. Subaru's thoughts raced to Beatrice. Looking at her showed that she had prepared a minya bolt and was ready to fire.
The noble slowly stood up, revealing a bloodied corpse next to where he had been kneeling. He hadn't been banging his head against the wall… but he had been bashing another poor soul's face open. Subaru clenched the handle of his whip, but his hands quaked from the fear.
"Beatrice…" He murmured shakily, he brushed his hand against her. Just finding her touch comforted him greatly, acting as an antidote to the shaking.
"I'm here Subaru." With one hand she steadied him in a warm grasp.
The noble turned around. Bloodstained hands, bloodshot eyeballs that stared blankly as if in a trance. Subaru felt sick. His legs quaked.
The light lost its voice, snapping out as it succumbed to fear.
"Beatrice!" Subaru cried out. All thoughts left except their survival.
"Minya!"
A streak of purple light penetrated the darkness, only stopping for the impact of the shelf it hit.
"Missed in fact." She warned.
Subaru swiveled his head. He couldn't see anything, but he heard the rabid cries of several people scampering through the library. Based on what he could hear, Subaru guessed they were on their way, attracted by the sound of a spell being fired. A crash sounded off to his right.
"Move Beako!" He scooped her up and jumped out of the way.
The shelf they had been standing by toppled over where they were just a second ago. Scurrying footsteps fast approached form his left. Subaru had no time to uncoil his whip, and he couldn't see to boot. He lashed out with a powerful kick, a figure grunted as it hit home before disappearing back into the dark.
Wailing sounded from all around Subaru. Countless individuals all afflicted by madness heeding the call of battle. Why were they coming after him only? The last time this happened they fought each other without rhyme or reason. Now it seemed like everyone and their mother was coming after them. It was like they were zombies. The way they screeched, the way the ran, it all reminded him of those old corny movies he saw as a kid. He had always laughed at those movies even though the people that made them tried to make them scary, now he was stuck in one. And that was infinitely more terrifying.
"Run!" He hissed to himself primarily to egg himself on. "Run! Run! Run!"
"Subaru!" Beatrice warned. She fired spell after spell at unknown attackers, but every single one missed. Violet shards flew through the air and demolished shelves, but there was no cry of pain nor sound of mana embedding in to flesh.
Subaru felt an impact slam into his side. Beatrice was wrenched from his grasp by the sudden jolt. Subaru tumbled down, his back and head slamming repeatedly into the ground. Based on the uneven fall and how he felt his body land, he was falling down a flight of stairs. Clawing for any kind of hold, he latched on to one of the steps. He clamped his mouth shut in agony as one of his nails was torn off. The wet feeling of blood made his right hand slick, but it wasn't as bad as he initially thought. The telltale smell of mildew and mold told him he must've fallen down the secret passage.
Blinking away tears and hazy vision, he shot his attentions up the stairs. He saw the faint outline of the entrance above, along with Beatrice. His heart dropped as he saw her crumpled form laying there.
"Beako?" He called out.
Her lack of an answer incited panic. He could hear the wails of the mad getting ever closer. He quickened his pace up the steps.
Grating stone thundered as the door ominously swung closed. Subaru's blood ran cold, his legs burned as he worked them into overtime.
"Beako! Beatrice!" He yelled. Pebbles and shards of worn rock jammed into his palms as he scampered up the stairs, but he disregarded all of that. His cries fell on deaf ears, she remained motionless.
Still the door closed. Separating him from her, he would be lost to the darkness of this place. That thought made him work all the harder, yet for every step he took the door mocked his efforts by closing faster. It was like a nightmare. No, this was a nightmare. The nightmare where no matter how far Subaru ran he never seemed to gain any ground.
Still he pushed on, he could see the distance decreasing. He was making progress, yet only a little bit more space remained between the door and its objective.
So close… So close…
He reached his arm out.
He was going to make it! He was going to make it! He–!
He froze right when he was about to burst through. His fingers, his legs his panting, all of it stopped. Confusion swam through his head. Why couldn't he move? Why couldn't he move? It was like time had stopped but for him only. The door continued to close, the last sliver of faint light disappearing.
Subaru's first thought was the Witch, but nobody knew, and the world still went on. It was like a sleep paralysis dream. No, it wasn't her. It wasn't her power; this was terror. Blasphemous, infernal terror paralyzed him, and he could feel its source right behind him.
Two soft pale white arms glided around him, embracing him from behind. He felt the touch of supple lips kiss him gently on the neck. It was a warm gesture, and yet everything was so cold. There was no love, no humanity in it. It was something erotic, and yet it only caused his throat to tighten in disgust. He remembered sharing a kiss with Emilia once, he had felt a burning passion and love back then. Now, he had never felt so violated in his life. Not when Betelguese had tortured him, not when Garfiel had captured him, not when Roswaal stomped all over his face and spat at his ideals, nothing could come close to this.
A kiss… Such a simple thing, and yet…
"No good." A seductive female voice whispered in his ear.
He couldn't move at all. His hand was still frozen reaching for Beatrice, but that hope was dwindling away.
"Telling others is against the rules, you know…" She crooned. "I'm going to have to p-u-n-i-s-h you."
His body wouldn't obey, and yet he could manage to squeeze out a single tear. A single tear that contained all of his sorrow and fear. As the door shut and Subaru was lost to the darkness forever, Subaru could only tremble as he was embraced by this cold being.
"Now let the fun begin." She murmured in the dark. "Crow knows well enough, I have such fun breaking heroes."