Alright before you begin I should clarify one thing. Nan is a dude and his voice sounds masculine but is also reminiscent of Echidna. Think of it like this he doesn't have her exact voice, but the way he speaks reminds Subaru of Echidna. Don't worry random internet commenter I got you. With that out of the way enjoy the chapter.
"On your right." Minor spirits screamed into Subaru's mind. He listened instinctively, dodging the attack coming from his right. A wave of air slammed into where he had been. If Subaru had moved a few milliseconds later it would have been over.
Subaru tried to track his opponent, but they were moving around faster than he could register. Damn. I can't win like this.
"Nan." Subaru shoved the thought through his mental connection to the spirit. "We need to slow them down-"
"Behind!" Minor spirits screamed into his mind, once more prompting Subaru to evade.
"I need to know where they're gonna be." Subaru continued speaking to Nan.
"They're too fast for me as well. You need to slow them down."
Subaru tried to keep track of the blur that represented his opponent. Minor spirits continued feeding him warnings. Nan is right I need to- Subaru avoided a blast of magic. I need to slow them down and control the fight. Subaru switched his mind to his gate. He pulled mana from the spirits that surrounded him.
"El Shamac."
A cloud of black smoke burst out around Subaru. His opponent froze. His spell had disabled their body. With their body not responding Subaru finally got a good look at his opponent. It was a woman.
"She'll break out of that in a few seconds." Nan's voice resounded in Subaru's mind.
Subaru reached into his gate once more. I have to keep them slowed down.
"El Vita!" He used shadow magic to manipulate gravity and increase the weight of his opponent. Just in time as well because right after this his opponent broke through his El Shamac.
"Can you track her now?" Subaru asked Nan.
Subaru's enemy rocketed to his right. He was able to avoid her without the help of spirits. The woman he fought was still able to move at high speeds but her vision was obstructed by Shamac and she weighed a hundred kilograms more than she should. Alright, she should be slow enough now.
Subaru reached towards his right hip. He gripped the leather handle that lay there. Then he threw his right arm towards the woman. A snap resonated across the battlefield as a whip uncoiled from Subaru's hand.
The woman expertly jumped back distancing herself so that the whip couldn't reach her. Damn. Subaru thought. Once she got her footing she jumped forward straight for Subaru. He tried to bring his whip down to lash the woman, but she had already ducked beneath his arm. Her arm coiled. She readied herself to strike Subaru's torso. Shit.
"EL MINYA!" Subaru pushed his mana into forty shards of crystal that surrounded him like armor. The woman's eyes widened. She tried to distance herself. Unfortunately for her, the shards jettisoned away from Subaru many coming straight for her.
The stakes of shadow magic were right next to her. A second more and it would be over. The woman whispered to herself. Subaru couldn't hear it but he was able to read her lips well enough to make out the meaning. "Al Fula."
Wind magic exploded outwards. Subaru's magic was stopped by an expanding dome of wind. His eyes narrowed. This is what Subaru had expected to happen. He'd fought this woman many times before. He knew her strategies. And it was this repetition that had given Subaru a plan.
"Last phase." Subaru pushed the thought to Nan and the other lesser spirits that were gathered around the battlefield. "The timing is in your hands now Nan."
"I don't have hands." The spirit retorted. His voice was completely serious. Subaru had never heard the spirit actually make a joke.
Subaru yanked the full length of his whip back into his hand. He shifted to his gate. "Spirits!" He drew all the mana he could from the spirits surrounding him. This is the last of their mana. Subaru observed.
"El Minya! El Minya!" Subaru pushed eighty magical stakes towards the dome of wind magic. He watched it expand. The woman inside was trying to give herself room to breathe.
Wait for it. Subaru watched the storm of wind grow. He saw the woman inside. Blood was dripping from her forehead. There was now enough space in the dome for two people.
"NOW!" Nan saw this and gave the signal.
Subaru reached into his mind. He grabbed all the mana that he had left. Here goes. Subaru folded the mana in on himself.
The air behind the woman began to twist. Twisting, convulsing, folding, and finally, the air ripped apart. Subaru emerged in the space behind the woman. He had teleported inside her dome of air.
Subaru slammed his arm forward snapping his whip towards her neck. She's on the edge of exhaustion. Maybe I finally managed it. Subaru thought with relief.
"AHHHHH!" A defiant shout resounded from the woman. She turned and caught Subaru's whip. Blood dripped from her forehead. Her face was twisted into a scowl. FUCK! Subaru screamed to himself. It took me a month to get this plan together.
The woman launched herself towards Subaru. But this time, Subaru didn't have any mana left to repel her with. The spirits around him were useless. They whispered to him sluggishly. Their minds slow now that all their mana was gone.
She had reached Subaru. He couldn't move. His mind was moving faster than his body. He watched her slam her fist into his chest.
Subaru dropped to the floor wheezing. He tried forcing breath into his lung. The woman stood above Subaru panting heavily. Her face showed that she was in pain. Damn. I lost, again. Her pink hair drifted in the breeze.
"If we run out of mana we're dead." Nan advised, "If that happens on an actual battlefield you can turn me into mana as a last resort."
"Turn you into mana? What would happen to you if I did that?" Subaru asked.
"I would die."
I'm never doing that. Subaru resolved.
Once Subaru had finally gotten breath into his lungs the woman reached out her hand. The scowl disappeared from her face. It was replaced by a mostly neutral expression. There was a slight hint of pride in the maid's eyes.
"C'mon get up, lazy Barusu." Ram's voice drifted down to him.
Subaru took Ram's outstretched hand. She lifted him with ease.
"You've made a meager amount of progress this past month." It's quite impressive how far he's come. Ram kept the observation to herself. "Make sure never to let people get too close to you though. For all you spirit magic you are still physically pathetic." Aside from that if he has someone to back him up he'd be useful on the battlefield. Ram assessed the boy's fighting strength.
"Alright, thanks for the training. I'll see you later. Hah." Subaru sighed. He was not excited about this conversation. "I need to go talk to Roswal." Subaru began walking towards the doors of the mansion. It wasn't that far he and Ram been fighting just outside the mansion. As he walked memories filled his mind. The memories of a burned village. Charred bodies. Petra's eyes gouged out. Petelguese standing over him. I will take on their suffering.
It wasn't until Subaru had nearly arrived at Roswal's office that he realized Ram was following him. He turned his head back to look at her. "What are you doing, Ram?" He asked.
Ram looked at him her eyes had their usual glare. "It's nothing." Ram turned to walk in the other direction. "Scum." She left Subaru alone at the door to Roswal's office.
"What was that about?" Subaru asked Nan.
"Not telling." Nan's voice sounded smug. "It is very interesting as well." Nan's curiosity shone through. I wonder how much of that is his normal personality and how much is Echidna. Subaru thought to himself. Nan had matured greatly in the month since their contract had been formed. Unfortunately in some aspects, he'd grown to remind Subaru of the greedy witch.
Nan had explained that this was due to the residue of Echidna's contract, which had remained on Subaru's soul. The spirit partners had also theorized that the contract between him and Echidna was likely what had given Subaru a lot of the incredible spiritual aptitude he had today.
"I'm stalling," Subaru whispered. No matter how many loops Subaru had gone through trying to understand Roswal was still difficult for him. "Well, no use delaying." Subaru pushed the doors open.
"Oh, if it isn't my deeeeeeeeear Subaru-kuuuuuun." Roswal smiled. The lord was sitting at his desk. Subaru sat down in the chair across from him.
"Roswal. I need to know why you're having Ram train me to fight." Subaru got straight to the point. Over the past month, Subaru had noticed that Roswal's actions were noticeably different than last time.
"Weeeeell it is what I haaad to doooo." Roswal offered cryptically.
"Did your book tell you to?" Subaru asked. If that's the case why didn't he do that last time? He was perfectly content with me being a butler in that loop.
Roswal's smile grew. "I doooon't think that weeee've had an honest conveeeersation this whole month. Haaave we." Roswal's eyes narrowed. "How far in the future have you looped back from?" The clown's speech pattern disappeared.
Do I give him this information? He remembered sitting in a restaurant. He was speaking to a young-looking girl. Her hair a light purple. If I give him this then I need to get something out of it.
"I'll offer you a deal. You answer two of my questions honestly. And I'll give you this answer." Subaru's cold eyes stared into Roswal's bright eyes. His expressionless face meeting Roswal's smiling face.
"Fine. If, you give me an extra question." Roswal countered.
"I agree to that," Subaru stated with a cold voice.
"Then I'll ask again how far in the future have you lived?"
"Two years." Roswal's eyes widened. His jaw dropped slightly. That ability is powerful. But I never imagined that powerful. Roswal gazed into Subaru's cold eyes. The clown came upon a realization. Roswal was staring into eyes older than his. Roswal felt a slight worry rise in his chest. Subtle manipulation is off the table then. Brute force should be my main negotiating tool. The sorcerer reached his conclusion.
"Now," Subaru began, "Have the events following my meeting Emilia in the capital followed the gospel's writ?
Roswal nodded slowly. A look of confusion in his eyes. "Yes."
"Alright-" Subaru started to ask his second question.
"Subaru-kun." The clown interrupted. "I still have another to ask. Let me ask it and then you get yours."
Subaru stared into the margrave's eyes.
"How old are you? Subaru-kun." Roswal asked. His lips turned into a smile.
Subaru's eyebrows lifted. He pulled back into his mind. How old am I? Physically I'm seventeen. But that is definitely not what he's asking. He searched his memories trying to calculate an answer.
"Two, no maybe three-hundred…" Roswal's smile grew. If he's that young then maybe I can still manipulate him. "Thousand years." Roswal's eyes widened. His jaw dropped. Never mind I don't think manipulation is too much of an option here.
Subaru tried racking his brain. "Then again maybe it's closer to six-hundred thousand." Roswal was stunned at how casual Subaru's tone was.
"Well anyway, time for my question." Subaru started. Roswal's mouth moved as if he wanted to say something, but no sound came. "Does the gospel self-correct?" He asked.
Roswal's eyes re-focused. Does it? It didn't back in the demi-human war when I saved Carol and transferred consciousness from J to K earlier than expected. That error was never corrected.
"No. If the gospel deviates it doesn't correct."
Subaru pushed his focus into his mind. If it doesn't self-correct than how is it still on course?
"Roswal. I think your gospel is self-correcting. The current present should be noticeably different from that gospel's text." Subaru explained. His eyes remained cold.
"I have no memory of that." Roswal's eyes narrowed. Is this a ploy to make me lose faith in the gospel?
Roswal's felt fear rising in his chest. Or is that also a ploy. To lure me into thinking I have all of his plans figured out. I need to think about this further. Subaru-kun could derail my plans otherwise. Roswal didn't want to try and outthink someone who had hundreds of thousands of years on him.
"I believe this conversation is over. You should begin preparing for our trip to the capital. I will be assigning you as Emilia-sama's bodyguard." This caused Subaru's eyes to widen. Roswal looked at him. Confidence filled Roswal's eyes. "Oh, and Subaru there are other matters that we will need to speak about tomorrow. For now, though, you're free to go."
Subaru nodded before leaving.
When Subaru had left the room Roswal let out a massive sigh as if he'd just lifted a thousand pounds. Now that I know how old he is… Roswal remembered the depth that hid in Subaru's eyes. Those eyes feel different.
"Most importantly he said my gospel was self-correcting." He whispered to himself. Is he right? If he isn't then it's no problem. But if he is, then someone is altering the text. Roswal had a realization. But I don't remember it. Could someone be tampering with my memories?
The wizard pulled a book with a black cover out of a secret compartment in his desk.
For hours Roswal sat there staring at the book. He searched his memories obsessively. Eventually, he stumbled upon something. Deep in his mind, there was a dark spot. He couldn't remember what hid behind it. Though he felt that he should remember it.
"My memories are-"
Soft fingers seductively grazed along his neck. "Deceiving you." A quiet voice whispered into his ear.
Roswal stared down at the gospel that he held in his hands. "What was I doing?"
"It doesn't matter." A faint voice.
"Never mind." Roswal looked to the clock on the wall. It was four hours later than he had expected. My how the time passes quickly at my age. I wonder how fast it passes for Subaru-kun. Roswal strode towards the door ignoring the glaring gaps in his memories.
Bodyguard? Is that why he's been having Ram train me? Subaru was staring into a book thinking about his conversation, with Roswal, instead of actually reading. It was fifteen minutes after his conversation with Roswal. Sitting next to him was Beatrice. The spirit had her own book. However, unlike Subaru, she was actually reading hers.
Over the past month, this had become a common pass-time for the two. Beatrice would read and occasionally glance over at Subaru. Her eyes a mix of dependence, hope, and a dash of depression. Which had been slowly slipping in over the past month. Does he even still care about Betty's answer? She asked herself that question each day he didn't find it.
An hour and a half later Subaru decided it was time for him to fulfill his other duties at the mansion. "Alright, Beako I need to go cook dinner." Rem and Ram had both agreed that Subaru should continue to cook all of the meals at the mansion. Neither of the maids could truly deny that Subaru's skill in cooking far surpassed their own.
Subaru stretched his hand out to her. "You wanna come with?"
"No. I'm happy staying in the library I suppose." Why hasn't he found my answer yet? Does he still care? Why?
Subaru nodded, "That's fine, Beako." He turned and left the library.
Beatrice stared at the door. "Have you already forgotten Betty?" Tears welled up in her eyes.
"And, it's done." Subaru proclaimed as he finished cooking.
"Rem and I will serve this." Ram gestured to her sister who was standing a meter away. "You are free to eat with Emilia-sama and Roswal-sama if you want to Barusu. Though your presence would undoubtedly ruin the meal." Ram insulted, though any outside observer would notice that her insults held no bite.
"No, I'm probably going to go to sleep pretty early tonight." I need to be well-rested if Roswal throws anything else at me.
"Well then, good night Barusu." Ram's tone was highlighted by familiarity.
"Yes, good night Subaru." Rem offered in a neutral tone.
Over the past month, Subaru and Rem's hate for each other had disappeared. Though neither of them had tried to bridge the gap that existed between them. This wasn't for lack of trying. Rem had tried, but every time she did guilt paralyzed her. Subaru had also attempted it. But each time he spoke to her he was forced to remember his Rem. Then he had to think about the fact that he would never see her again.
Back in the present, Subaru waved to the twins before walking back to his room.
On the way there he contemplated his connection to this Rem. Subaru and Rem's current relationship was much the same as Subaru and Frederica's relationship had been.
Should I speak to Rem more? But she's normally busy working. And I need to spend as much time as I can with Beako. I need to find Beako's answer. He hated it but he didn't have the time to worry about Rem. He would take on her suffering, but bridging that gap wasn't worth Subaru's time.
Subaru arrived at the door to his room before he could think further on it. He pushed himself towards his bed. Eventually collapsing onto it. He pressed his mind into sleep.
That night Subaru slept a dreamless peaceful sleep thanks to Ram. Who still held Subaru's hand each night to make sure he slept well.
Subaru's eyes lifted. It felt like no time had passed at all. Yet as he looked at the clock it showed that it was 4:25 in the morning. I should start in the morning.
As Subaru was walking back towards the mansion, after his visit to Arlam, when he noticed a dragon carriage in the front yard of the mansion.
"Who is that?" Nan asked, curious.
"Wilhelm and Felix." Subaru replied, "Probably."
Memories flash through Subaru's mind. A man stood over a chained up Subaru. Every fiber of the man's being screamed insanity. Petelguese. Faces appeared in his mind. The faces of every member of Arlam village. I will take on their suffering.
As Subaru drew closer to the dragon carriage he saw a man standing before it. The man radiated an imposing presence. His hair was a soft light grey. His eyes a piercing blue. Subaru recognized him as the Sword Demon, Wilhelm van Astrea.
"Hello," Subaru called to the aged man. Wilhelm's blue eyes turned to him.
"Hello…" Wilhelm greeted him he had meant to continue but he realized he didn't know who the boy was.
"Natsuki Subaru." Subaru gave his name. "And you are?"
"Wilhelm." The old man's sharp eyes met Subaru's cold eyes. Those eyes. Wilhelm noticed something in his eyes. He noticed a depth, an age. This man has seen more death than anyone else I've ever met. He thought back to his old friend Roswal J. Mathers and her eyes. He's seen even more death than her.
"Subaru, may I ask you a question."
"Go ahead."
"What brought you to this mansion?" Wilhelm asked. That look. He tried to fully analyze the expression on Subaru's face. He doesn't smile. Having seen that much death, can he even truly smile?
"Just random chance." He's lying. Wilhelm decided. Though he hadn't noticed any tells from the boy. Someone with eyes like that, if they have the option, doesn't leave anything up to chance. He reasoned to himself. Though he was still unsure of his judgment. He realized that Crusch was the only person who could reliably detect Subaru's lies.
Wilhelm didn't press the boy for the truth. He turned his attention back to Subaru who was staring at the ground dragon that was tied to Wilhelm's carriage. A black ground dragon. She belonged to one of the proudest species. Subaru's eyes showed a tiny hint of warmth as he looked at her. The boy began walking towards the dragon.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Wilhelm warned. That species doesn't take kindly to most, if not all, people. The swordsman remembered most of his interactions with her. She even tries to bite me most days. The dragon was proud to the point that she wouldn't even let anyone name her.
Subaru didn't heed Wilhelm's warning in the slightest. As he walked towards the dragon he stretched out his hand. She moved her head towards his hand as if she wanted him to pet her. She's allowing him? Wilhelm was surprised.
Subaru's hand met the dragon's lower jaw. He began to pet her. His lips parted to speak. Wilhelm barely caught the whisper that he let out.
"Long time no see, eh, Patrasche."
Wilhelm's eyebrows rose when Subaru's lips turned upwards just slightly. It was nowhere near a true smile, but it was closer than the boy had been in a long time.
"Hey, old man Will!" A high voice called.
Subaru turned his eyes to see Felix walking towards him and Wilhelm.
"Nyow who's this?" Felix asked gesturing towards Subaru.
"Just an interesting young man." Wilhelm gave a vague answer.
"Anyway, the negotiations are over. We can go nyow."
"And the result?" Wilhelm asked.
Felix looked over to Subaru.
"Let's talk about that later." Felix postponed.
"Well, it looks like we'll be leaving now." Wilhelm reached over to shake Subaru's hand. "Take care, Subaru."
A few minutes later Subaru watched as the dragon carriage faded into the distance. I will return, Patrasche. He remembered the countless times that the ground dragon had been there at Subaru's side. She'd died for him so many times at the Sanctuary. This time you won't have to die for me. But you're still going to be with me. He resolved.
Meanwhile, Wilhelm and Felix were discussing their negotiations. "So L. Mathers wanted an alliance between our two camps." Wilhelm's voice was stern. He had always disliked J. Mather's descendants. Both K. and L. reminded him too much of the woman. The resemblance in personality was, unsettling to the swordsman.
"That's what he said," Felix confirmed. "Though he only offered mining rights in the Elior forest. So I told him a deal like that had to be negotiated with Crusch-sama directly."
Mining rights aren't good enough compensation against the downsides of the alliance. Wilhelm decided to himself.
"How did he respond?" Wilhelm asked.
"He said he would be sending someone to negotiate with Crusch-sama directly," Felix answered.
"So who was that boy you were talking to?" Felix wondered.
"I don't entirely know. Though he was quite intriguing." Wilhelm responded.
"Why intriguing?"
"That man has seen untold horrors. It was a look even greater than those who have survived an encounter with the great rabbit." Wilhelm explained, "And he has been at the edge of death many times himself."
The rest of the trip passed in solemn silence.
Back at the mansion Roswal and Subaru were having a conversation about the details of the trip to the capital.
"You're still going to drag Emilia-tan back to the mansion with you," Subaru asked. His voice was sharp.
"Yes and I'll be leaving you in the capital with Ram." Roswal's speech pattern was gone.
"Why?"
"You have the alliance to negotiate. Don't you?"
"If you didn't bring Emilia with you then we wouldn't have that problem. Emilia, Rem, Ram, and I could handle the threat without being dragged down by the subjugation of the whale." Subaru yelled.
"Subaru-kun." Roswal's mana radiated outward. The room shook. "The trip will follow the gospel's writ."
"Then why is Ram staying in the capital with me?" Subaru pointed out.
"That follows the gospel," Roswal confirmed.
Subaru stared at the clown his eyebrows raised slightly.
"Oh, and one more thing. Can you transfer your mana into another person?"
"Can we?" Subaru pushed the question through his mental link to Nan.
"If he demonstrates it then I could figure it out," Nan answered.
"You need to show us how to do it," Subaru answered Roswal's question. His eyes possessed a questioning glint.
"Us?" Roswal asked. A smile grew on his face.
Nan manifested above Subaru's shoulder as a small black marble.
Ah, so this the spirit Ram has told me about. A smile grew on Roswal's face.
Roswal reached out to Subaru. His finger glowed with magic. He touched Subaru's forehead. A pillar of mana drove into Subaru's gate.
"I figured it out," Nan confirmed.
"We can do it now," Subaru told Roswal.
"Good. Now we'll speak again in the capital." Roswal dismissed Subaru.
What? Subaru thought to himself. Why did he teach me that?
Subaru walked out of Roswal's office towards where a dragon carriage waited for him.
As he walked towards the doors to leave the mansion Nan pushed a question into his mind.
"Why does he follow the gospel so heavily?" Nan asked.
"He wants to revive his teacher. The gospel tells him how to do that." Subaru responded.
"How do you know about his teacher?" Nan's asked, his voice curious.
"She was the woman who I was contracted to before you."
"Was her name Echidna?" Nan questioned.
Subaru froze. His eyes went wide.
"Yes." That was all Subaru could respond with.
With that answer, Nan's curiosity was sated, and Subaru wasn't in the talking mood anymore. ECHIDNA. Subaru's hatred had only grown over the past month.
Before Subaru left the mansion he turned to the nearest door. He pushed it open to reveal the forbidden library.
"Hey, Beako!" Subaru called out to the keeper of the library.
"Hello, I suppose," Beatrice responded. "Why are you visiting Betty?"
"Just to tell you that I'm going to be in the capital for a few days." The hope in Beatrice's eyes dimmed.
Subaru looked down at her. I will find your answer. I will take on your suffering Beako.
"I'll see you then Beako." He turned to walk towards the door of the library.
As he reached for the door he heard a whisper. "Have you forgotten about finding Betty's answer?"
Subaru turned back to the girl. His eyes narrowed. He reached his hand out to her. "I will never forget about finding your answer."
His eyes glowed with that resolve of his. The hope in Beatrice's heart reignited when she saw it.
She took his outstretched hand. "Promise Betty that you won't forget."
"I promise. I will never forget." A hint of warmth pierced Subaru's eyes, and a new promise was forged.
Hours later, two people walked next to each other. They strode on the stone tiles of Lugunica's streets. One of them was a young-looking boy his hair was black, a quite uncommon feature in the country, and he wore a formal looking suit. It was similar to the one he normally wore two years in the future.
Walking to his right was a young-looking woman. She shared a common feature with the boy, in that she was actually far older than she appeared. Her hair was a glowing silver. Her eyes a deep amethyst. The woman's ears were pointed. Not as pointed as a true elf, but they were still significant. These features were what had given her so much trouble in life.
Emilia and Subaru walked together while the sunset behind them. The two were next to each other, they were close enough to hold hands, though neither attempted to do so. The black-haired boy turned to the girl and parted his lips.
"Where are we going Emilia-tan?" Subaru asked.
"I wanted to see what the capital was like at night. And I didn't get the chance the last time I was here." Emilia answered. "Oh and thanks for coming Subaru." Her face was painted with a light smile. After Subaru had opened up to her about his struggles Emilia had grown much more comfortable talking to the boy.
"No problem Emilia-tan," Subaru said in his usual flat tone. Emilia had learned to not get sad about his voice. That was how he talked to everyone. She had gotten very good at reading his emotions through his eyes. Most of the time when she looked into his eyes she saw a calm gaze. But sometimes, when he was with her, or Ram, his eyes showed a minuscule hint of warmth.
"Hey, guys sorry to butt into the conversation, but it's five. Haaah." Puck yawned.
"It's fine, I'll see you in the morning, Puck." Emilia gave the spirit a reassuring smile.
"Yeah-haaaah-take care of Lia for me, Subaru," Puck asked Subaru. His form began to fade back into his crystal.
"I will," Subaru responded. As Puck faded further the massive knot of fear in the back of Subaru's mind began to fade.
"Are you ok, Nan?" Subaru questioned the quasi-spirit. It wasn't Subaru's fear that permeated in his mind. It was Nan's. The spirit could barely function whenever Puck was nearby.
"…" Subaru received silence from Nan.
Emilia started walking further into the city.
"Emilia-tan." Subaru called out to her, "Can you give me a second?" She looked back at him and tilted her head.
"Nan?"
"I should be fine now." Nan finally responded. His fear had faded mostly.
"Good," Subaru responded. "You wanna come out now?"
The spirit made himself visible. He appeared above Subaru's right shoulder. Nan began to emit a soft glow.
Emilia, who was watching Subaru, had a curious look in her eyes. "Is that your spirit, Subaru?" She asked him.
"Yeah," Subaru responded.
"What's their name?" Emilia asked. It was only now that Subaru remembered she had never actually seen Nan. The spirit was usually too afraid of Puck to come out at all when Emilia was around.
"His name is Nan," Subaru answered.
Nan began to flicker and pulse. He was speaking.
"Nice to meet you." Nan broadcasted to the two spiritualists.
To Emilia, it was like the spirit was speaking through impressions and emotions. To Subaru, it sounded like normal words.
"He's saying nice to meet you, right?" Emilia interpreted. Her lips turned down into a confused frown.
"Yeah, that's exactly what he's saying," Subaru confirmed. A slight note of confusion had entered into his voice.
"I'm sorry Nan, but I haven't talked to you very much so it's difficult to interpret the signals you send out."
"Emilia-tan, what are you talking about?" The confusion in Subaru's voice had grown.
Emilia looked over at Subaru her eyes wide. "I'm talking about the signals that minor and quasi spirits send out. They don't actually speak so you have to interpret what they say." Emilia explained in what sounded like an explanation parroted from Puck.
Subaru looked back at the small orb that made up Nan's body. "Do you know what she's talking about?"
"Kind of." Nan answered, "Most spirits can't speak to everyone like Puck and Beatrice. We still speak, but you have to be a spiritualist to hear us. Almost all spiritualists can't fully make out our words. They just get impressions. You on the other hand are an incredible spiritualist and can actually understand us fully." The long explanation reminded him of something Echidna would say.
"Do you think it's the past contract?" Subaru theorized.
"Yes, it likely boosted your spirit affinity from above average to amazing," Nan commented his explanation was cold and precise. It was like someone else was speaking through Nan.
The sound of Echidna drinking tea echoed through Subaru's mind. Echidna. A feeling of hatred rose in Subaru's mind.
"Is the past contract still influencing you?"
"No. It stopped. From now on I won't get closer and closer to being that woman." The spirit's voice took on a tone of disgust when he said "That woman."
"It seems we both dislike Echidna," Subaru observed.
"She tried to turn me into her. The more I think about it the more I think it was intentional." Nan's tone was one of utter distaste.
"Subaru?" Emilia's voice brought Subaru back to reality.
"What is it Emilia-tan?"
"Why does Nan," She gestured to the spirit, "Never come out when I'm around."
What do I tell her? It's because he's afraid of Puck, but that explanation might cause Emilia-tan to suffer.
"I don't really like coming out in the daytime." Nan had read Subaru's emotions and gave him an excuse.
"Nan doesn't really like the daytime…"
"I am a shadow spirit after all."
"He is a shadow spirit after all," Subaru explained.
Emilia tilted her head. That makes sense right?
"Alright, then I just have to talk to you more at night then." Emilia resolved, "Well come on Subaru we still have the whole city to explore."
For the rest of the night, the two spiritualists walked along the city streets. Most people who saw them would guess that they were close friends.
The following morning Subaru and Emilia were walking to one of Emilia's meetings leading up to the royal selection. The silver-haired candidate needed to use some conference mirrors, so they were headed to the guard station. When they arrived a purple-haired man was waiting for them.
"Emilia-sama. It is nice to meet see you again." Julius spoke in his gentlemanly tone. He got down on one knee to kiss Emilia's hand.
Subaru, who was standing behind Emilia, looked at the scene with his usual calm gaze. The only thing different about the conversation was Nan's reaction to Julius.
"He is, interesting," Nan commented. The spirit's emotions were being tugged by the man's blessing.
The knight turned towards Subaru. His eye flicked to where Nan hovered. The spirit always had a physical form though he chose to keep himself invisible most of the time. He was Subaru's secret trump card after all.
Julius, due to his divine protection, immediately broke the quasi-spirit's invisibility. And Subaru, due to his immense spiritual ability, was able to do the same to Julius's spirits which were hovering above his head like a halo.
"Nice to meet you. I am the knight Julius Juukulius." Julius stretched out his hand.
"I'm Natsuki Subaru." He reached out and shook the knight's hand.
After that, the two men exchanged a few pleasantries until Julius looked over to Emilia.
"Emilia-sama I will lead you to the conference mirrors now," Julius said.
"Thank you, Julius. Now I need you to wait out here Subaru."
"Alright, Emilia-tan."
Julius led Emilia into the building. He could see my buds. Julius thought to himself. Could he take them? An insecure part of Julius whispered.
As Subaru watched Emilia and Julius walk into the building Nan spoke into his mind.
"I think I like him. Wait… why I just met him?" As Julius left his divine protection's influence faded.
"His divine protection." Subaru offered an answer.
"The divine protection of gathering spirits huh. That's definitely it." Nan commented.
Without any further words between the two Subaru sat down and waited for Emilia to return.
"Hey, how are you so good at just waiting?" Nan asked.
"When you've been alive for as long as I have 15 minutes isn't even remotely close to a long time," Subaru explained.
"So you're an old man?" Nan thought for a second, "In a seventeen-year-olds body. Huh. That's pretty interesting."
"Is this the time? Are you gonna make a joke out of that?" The corners of his mouth twitched up ever so slightly.
"No." The spirit responded stubbornly.
"Why not?" Subaru asked. All the people around Subaru made jokes all the time. Ram and Rem joked with each other. And Emilia tried to joke around with Subaru all the time. Subaru considered Roswal a living joke. Beako was Beako. The village kids were kids so they lived on jokes. But when he thought about Nan he could never remember anyone making a joke.
"I know you won't laugh at them." The spirit admitted. Jokes can't help you. I need to find some other way to do it. Nan thought to himself.
"…" Subaru left his mind and got back to waiting in silence. Do I cause him pain? The very thought of Nan being in pain drove guilt into Subaru. He'd never heard the spirit's sadness. He was always supernaturally, or spiritually, upbeat. He didn't know what he'd do if he heard Nan sad.
The two returned to silence.
After a few minutes of waiting Subaru watched a woman get pulled into an alleyway. The woman wore an elegant red dress. Her hair was a flaming orange. Oh, it's Priscilla. He thought back to Priestella where the orange-haired candidate had helped capture Sirius. Then he remembered the three thieves, Tonchinkan. She'll be fine. Subaru felt a slight desire to help the woman and take on her suffering, but he knew that she wouldn't suffer from this encounter.
Subaru chose to keep waiting for Emilia. Thirty seconds later he was interrupted again. This time the interruption came from a helmeted man. His body was muscular in comparison to most people. His left arm was missing. Al. Subaru identified the man.
"Hey bro can you help me find someone?" Al asked. His face was blocked by his helmet.
"Who are you looking for?" Subaru responded. Should I let him know that I'm from earth?
"She's a princess. She has orange hair and she wears a red dress." I should probably let him know I'm from earth. Maybe if he knows he isn't alone he won't suffer as much. Only I should suffer after all. Subaru's eyes tried to find Al's eyes, but they were hidden by the helmet.
"What kind of princess. Like a royal princess, or more Disney princess." Subaru slipped in a word that only someone from earth would know. He could see Al's body stiffen.
"Um…" Al could barely form words. "Any way have you seen her?"
"Yeah, I saw her go into that alleyway." Subaru pointed to the alleyway he meant.
"Thanks, bro." Al offered his gratitude and flashed a thumbs-up before walking towards the alleyway.
Subaru watched the helmeted man walk away. Now he knows he isn't alone. Subaru heard footsteps to his right. Turning his head he saw a girl standing next to him. She wore a hood over her head. It was a hood laced with spells. Their purpose to prevent recognition. She looks familiar. Nan reached into Subaru's mind and began using his mana to try and release Subaru from the effects of the spell.
"Subaru, it's me, Emilia." The hooded girl spoke. Nan stopped working. We're good. He commented to himself as he retreated from Subaru's mind.
"Oh," Subaru recognized her, "Hey Emilia-tan."
"Subaru why were you talking to that man?" She asked. Her eyes possessed a look of concern.
"He was looking for someone, so I gave him some directions." He answered. A relieved smile grew on Emilia's face. Is it because she knows who Al is?
"Well, alright Subaru we can go back to Roswal's temporary residence." Her ancient vocabulary appeared as the two began to walk back through the capital.
Once they'd arrived Emilia spoke to Subaru, "You can remain here and relax for the rest of the night, Subaru. I have some more things I need to take care of for the royal selection tomorrow."
"Ok, have a good night Emilia-tan." She suffered so much last time when I didn't do what she asked.
Subaru walked into the large house that the Emilia camp was staying in. He was greeted by Ram. "Hello Barusu, I would like to let you know that I am disappointed that Emilia-sama did not abandon you on a random street corner." Her words would've sounded odd to most people. This oddity could be explained by the knowledge that Ram was saying the opposite of what she actually meant.
"Anyway," Subaru ignored her antics, "I'm going to bed. See you tomorrow, Ram." He looked back at Ram. His eyes showed a tiny ember of warmth at the closeness in Ram's insults.
"Good night, lazy Barusu," Ram responded. Her eyes were filled with familiarity, trust, and something Subaru could not recognize. Maybe because he didn't understand it or didn't let himself believe it was there.
Several minutes later Ram sat in a chair next to Subaru's bed. She held his hand to ward off the nightmares that plagued his sleep. He breathed in and out rhythmically, peacefully. "Pervert Barusu." She whispered. As she whispered this a small black orb appeared where Subaru and Ram's hands were interlocked. It let out a soft glow to allow Ram to see it.
"Hello, Nan." Soft words left Ram's mouth when she caught sight of the familiar spirit. He almost always allowed Ram to see him. So she wasn't surprised by him.
Nan playfully flew around Ram's arm. Whenever Subaru was asleep or busy Nan spent his time with the pink-haired maid. Ram smiled softly at his behavior. She was more open with the spirit than she was with most others. Nan pulsed in his normal pattern, but now he also emitted a low humming noise. It sounded very upbeat to Ram.
Emilia walked through the hallways of the camp's temporary residence. Is Subaru asleep? He normally goes to bed early. She softly opened the door to Subaru's room.
"Subaru?" She whispered. Emilia was surprised when she saw Ram sitting next to Subaru's sleeping form. "Ram what are you doing in Subaru's room?"
Ram turned to the silver-haired woman. "Oh, Emilia-sama, Barusu is so incompetent he can't sleep without having horrible nightmares. So I normally stay here with him to stop them." She quietly explained.
Emilia's eyes widened. He has horrible nightmares. He told me about a lot of things but he never told me about that. Her eyes misted with tears as she thought about all the things Subaru dealt with. It made her happy that she could listen to him, but she was hated that he never seemed to want help.
"Well then, good night Ram." Emilia walked into her room without waiting for Ram's response. Of course, Ram would be so much better at helping. She would see all of his problems right away, unlike me.
What was that? Ram thought to herself. Emilia? She stood up, letting go of Subaru's hand, walking towards the door. By the time she reached the door, Nan was already there. He floated in the doorway. His pulses of light had grown faster. Nan? They increased in speed. She got the impression that the spirit was growing more and more frantic. The oni ignored him for a second and looked down the hallway. Her eyes searching for Emilia.
The noises coming from Nan blasted into Ram's ear. The spirit had moved into her eardrum. He vibrated her skull. Out of her other ear, she heard Subaru whispering. "Reinhardt? I'm sorry, Reinhardt. It was necessary, it had to be."
"Barusu!" Ram abandoned her search for Emilia. Rushing back to Subaru's side. She gripped his hand in hers. His body relaxed. In the time Ram had left Subaru alone his body had stiffened to the point that it looked like he was fighting a mabeast. So I'm not getting rid of his nightmares. Only holding them at bay. Subaru's breathing returned to normal. After a moment he grew peaceful once more.
Ram breathed heavily. Hearing Subaru's whispers always made her tired. Nan returned to his peaceful state. His vibrations took on a calming rhythm. It was what could be called white noise. Ram's eyes felt heavy. Sleep was overtaking her. She thought of a question for the boy that slept in front of her. The question escaped her lips as her eyes drifted closed.
"Do you have good dreams, Barusu?"
Subaru's eyelids pulled back to reveal cold eyes. He looked around to search for any changes to his environment. It only took him a few seconds to see Ram sitting next to him. Her eyes were closed. She was breathing softly. Ram? After a few more seconds he realized that she was holding his hand.
"Ram?"
The maid's eyes snapped open. When they saw Subaru they widened.
"Barusu."
"What are you doing?" Subaru's voice held a tone of confusion.
"Your nightmares got annoying. Holding your disgusting hand stops them." Ram explained. Subaru could see the concern in her eyes when she mentioned them.
"You don't have to do that, Ram." She shouldn't have to deal with that.
"I do it because it's annoying." Ram proclaimed. Only I have to deal with my nightmares.
"You don't have to listen to it," Subaru stated. Only I should have to suffer. Only, me.
"It's difficult to ignore." Ram's eyes narrowed. You don't have to suffer.
"Only I have to deal with my nightmares." Subaru claimed, "You don't have to." Only I have to suffer.
"Like I said Barusu, it's difficult to ignore." Ram's lips turned down into a frown. Only. Me.
"You don't have to!" Subaru shouted at the maid.
"No, I don't." Ram's hands balled into fists. Only I should suffer.
"Then just ignore me," Subaru whispered.
"…" Ram didn't respond to him. Only. Me.
"Just leave me to my nightmares. It's fine if you ignore me." Ram's face twisted with anger. It's ok to ignore my suffering. As long as you know about it that's fine. He remembered the words he said in the forest. As long as someone knows about these burdens then I can keep going. But, no one actually has to deal with my suffering.
"…" Ram still didn't respond.
"Stop holding off my nightmares. It's fine, Ram."
"Again I know that I don't have to, but-"
"Exactly you don't have to you can just ignore me!" Ram's face grew even angrier.
"I want to!" Ram shouted at him. Subaru froze. He could hear, see, and feel her honesty.
"Why?" He whispered.
"Be-" Ram was interrupted before she could say it.
"Why? Why? Why? Why?" Subaru continued to whisper. Ram looked at the boy she knew that if she tried to speak to him but she was ignored.
"Subaru?" Nan asked him.
"Why? Why? Why?" That was the only word the spirit received back.
On the outside of Subaru's mind, Ram gazed down at the boy. The scowl had melted from her face as he kept going. Barusu?
"Barusu, I'm sorry." She wasn't sorry for holding off his nightmares but she was sorry for the state her words had reduced him to. Does he not think people want to help him? Ram looked into Subaru's eyes. The stability that had been there over the past month had melted away. The boy's eyes had returned to a corpse-like state.
In Subaru's head, the little piece of rationality that remained whispered. Must sleep. Otherwise, my mind will go off the rails and it won't get back on them for a while. That rationality forced him into sleep.
Subaru fell back onto the bed. His eyes were closed. Is he asleep? Ram checked the boy's pulse. His heart was beating normally. He's asleep. She quickly reached over to take the boy's hand. She remembered the boy telling her not to. I want to. Idiot Barusu.
"Subaru?" A soft voice, which sounded like silver bells, woke him.
His eyes snapped open. Standing next to him was Emilia. Ram was at the edge of the room.
"Oh hey, Emilia-tan," Subaru whispered. Why? Emilia looked into his eyes. She noticed that his calm look had disappeared. Emilia had to fight to keep her smile from fading.
"Subaru, Roswal, and I are going to the royal selection announcement. You need to stay here with Ram." She explained.
Memories flashed in Subaru's mind. His hand held above his head. He was proclaiming himself a knight. Julius stood before him a wooden sword in hand. The look on Emilia's face as she yelled at him.
"Alright, Emilia-tan," Subaru responded. Why? Why does Ram hold my hand at night? Why does she want to? "I'll see you when you get back."
"See you later, Subaru." Emilia waved as she walked towards the door.
"Why?" Subaru whispered.
"Subaru?" Nan's voice held concern.
"Why?" Subaru asked again.
"I don't know what you're asking, Subaru." Nan hated that he couldn't understand his contractor.
"Barusu." Ram walked up to Subaru's bed. "I'm going to continue stopping your nightmares." She asserted. Ram… Why?
"I'm-" Subaru began to speak. But a voice rang out in his head interrupting him.
"It's more satisfying to hear a single thank you rather than a million sorrys." It was Emilia's voice.
"Thank you, Ram." Tears formed at the corners of Subaru's eyes. Why? Subaru wasn't able to see the corners of Ram's mouth tilt upwards. A slight smile forming on her face.
"Nan?"
"Yes?"
"Does Ram suffer when she stops me from having nightmares?"
"No." The spirit's voice was firm. "She would suffer more if she knew that they were happening and she didn't stop it."
"Why?" Subaru asked.
"Because-" Nan began, but he was cut off when Subaru forced their mental link closed. He rejected whatever answer Nan was going to give.
"Hey, Ram. I'm going to go to sleep again." The conversation he'd just had left Subaru feeling drained.
"Lazy, Barusu." Ram insulted. Though the slight smile on her face made the insult fall flat. That thank you was difficult wasn't it Barusu. What have you been through?
Subaru's mind faded as he forced himself asleep once more.
Subaru's eyes fluttered open. Standing above him was a tall man. Most people when they saw him would assume that he was a clown.
"Roswal." Subaru identified the man.
"Emilia and I will be leaving the capital now. Your job is to negotiate an alliance with the Crusch camp." Roswal explained. His speech pattern missing. He didn't use it when he and Subaru were alone.
"Wait-" Subaru reached up to Roswal. I need to try and avoid having to evacuate the villagers. They'll suffer.
"Ul Vita," Roswal whispered. Force will be the best tool in this relationship. The sorcerer thought to himself. Subaru's hand suddenly felt like a mountain. It dropped back onto the bed. The bed itself began to creak. Subaru's weight had skyrocketed.
"I can't have you messing with the gospel's writ." Roswal spoke, "It's been so perfectly on track so far, and I will keep it that way."
"What about my duel with Julius. That was supposed to happen today." Subaru's mouth felt heavy. But he still forced the words out.
"What are you talking about Subaru-kun?" Roswal smiled, "The events of today have gone exactly as predicted."
"Your gospel is wrong." Roswal's smile disappeared. His eyes narrowed.
"Natsuki Subaru." The room began to shake.
"Subaru, this is very bad." Nan's voice was quivering with fear. Both of them were powerless. I can call the minor spirits if need be. Subaru flashed back to all of his fights with Ram. One month and he had never won a single fight. His lack of physical strength always held him back. And even here Roswal outclassed him physically.
"We will be leaving now." Roswal's voice was sharp. "You and Ram will live in the Karsten mansion for the next four days. I will speak to you again at Sanctuary. And that trick of transferring mana to someone else. You better still remember how to do to that. Ram is counting on you. Goodbye."
"Roswal, Roswal!" Subaru's voice sounded angry. I could stop their suffering. I could kill Petelguese before he attacked the village. Subaru pushed his tongue through his teeth. His tongue barely lifted. The spell cast by Roswal was still affecting him. I can't get past Roswal. Not with the resources I have. He let his tongue rest in its normal position.
Roswal left the room without responding to Subaru.
Dying now would be useless. I can't beat Roswal, not with what I have now. Subaru went back through what Roswal had told him. Particularly focusing on Roswal saying that Ram was counting on him.
"What does he mean by that?" Subaru pushed to the spirit.
"She can't gather mana on her own, so Roswal gives her mana. If he didn't she'd die." Nan explained.
"How do you know that?"
"You asked me to keep an eye on the mansion." Nan's tone grew defensive.
Subaru thought back to a conversation he'd had three days after they formed their contract. Right, I did do that. Anyway. He focused back on the situation at hand. So he left me in charge of Ram's mana injections. Why?
As Subaru lay on his bed in a daze Roswal was outside the room giving Ram her orders.
"Ram you will remaaaaaaain here with our dear Subaru-kun. I have arranged fooooooor you both to staaaay at the Karsten mansion. You both don't have to do anything, althouuuuuuuuuugh if Subaru-kun requests it then he has the fuuuull authority to negotiate an alliaaaaaaance with Crusch-sama." Roswal explained.
"What about my mana, Roswal-sama?" Ram asked.
"Subaru-kun knows hoooooow to doooo it," Roswal answered. Ram's cheeks colored. He assumed it was from embarrassment.
"Whose orders do I follow in your stead?"
"Subaru-kun's," Roswal responded. "Well Emilia and I need to gooooo now. I wiiiiiiiiiiill see you at the Sanctuary."
"Goodbye Roswal-sama." Ram bowed.
Roswal reached out to Ram pressing his finger to her forehead.
"One laaaaaaaaast time before I goooooo." He pushed a pillar of mana into the scar where her horn once was.
"Mmm." Ram moaned lightly. Her cheeks colored. Her lips parted slightly.
"Goodbye, Raaaaam," Roswal spoke as he left the residence to walk towards a carriage. Emilia was waiting inside.
"Where is Subaru?" Emilia asked when Roswal entered.
"There is sooooooomething he neeeeded to take care of here in the capital." A reassuring smile grew on Roswal's face. "He'll be back in a few days."
Emilia nodded. Is it because of me? Does he have nightmares because of me? Emilia continued to ask herself the same question over and over again as the dragon carriage began to move towards the exit of the city.
Subaru held his whip in his right hand. His opponent stood opposite him. The grizzled swordsman readied himself.
"No magic, Subaru. This is a purely physical practice." Wilhelm's grizzled voice called out across the yard.
"Keep an eye on his movements for me." Subaru tasked Nan.
"Got it." The spirit accepted his task.
"Ready, and…" Wilhelm readied his body. Subaru asked me to help him get better physically. He looked into Subaru's eyes. He saw the resolve that lay there. It was the same resolve Wilhelm had possessed when he practiced each day in that field of flowers. A red-haired woman watched him, her eyes filled with boredom.
Subaru readied himself. Go for the neck. Even if I go for the kill he'll be fine.
Wilhelm's eyes flicked to the back of the practice yard. A pink-haired girl watched. Her expression showed boredom.
Wilhelm inhaled. He parted his lips. "BEGIN!" He shouted. He rocketed forwards. He can't defend himself well with that whip, at least not without magic.
"Jump back and to the right."
Subaru obeyed the spirit immediately. He forced his body out of the way of Wilhelm. As the old swordsman's momentum carried him past Subaru his whip struck. It went right towards Wilhelm. Reaching for his neck.
But Wilhelm's free hand snapped up and grabbed Subaru's whip. He landed on his feet and yanked the whip out of Subaru's grasp.
He sped forward once more right for Subaru. Wilhelm stopped his sword the point pricking Subaru's neck. "You are mostly useless without magic." Wilhelm judged. "We will work on that for the rest of the day."
Why is Wilhelm so inclined to help me? He didn't care this much last time. Subaru wondered to himself.
Wilhelm looked into the boy's eyes as they fought again and again. The more Wilhelm fought the boy the more he felt Subaru's intense determination. He realized that it was less like his resolve in that field of flowers. It was more like the resolve he'd possessed during the two years of training to take away Theresia's sword.
A few hours later Subaru sat at a small table. The table rested on a balcony. On the other side was Crusch Karsten.
"This is our first time meeting. So I will introduce myself. I am Crusch Karsten, though you probably already know that." Crusch gazed into the young man's eyes. She saw a depth, a coldness in those eyes. She had an unsettled feeling in the pit of her stomach.
"I'm Natsuki Subaru."
As the conversation continued Crusch grew more and more uncomfortable with the boy's eyes. And by the fact that with most of her questions a wind of untruth blew around the boy. Almost every part of his introduction was a lie, but she couldn't see any malice in the boy's eyes. After a few more minutes of this, the royal candidate spoke up,
"Subaru, forgive me but I have some business to attend to. We can talk more about Roswal's negotiations tomorrow." Crusch offered an excuse.
Subaru nodded. What happened? Why?
"Good night Crusch." Subaru offered before standing up and walking back to his room.
It didn't take him long to find his room. He already knew the layout of this mansion. It had taken him a while but he'd recovered these memories. Although he had never understood why his memory was so good at containing thousands of years of information.
"Hey is there anything in that old contract that keeps my memories intact?" Subaru asked Nan.
"Yes. There is something here that acts as an archive for memories. I can't access it though. Only you and the witch of greed." Nan responded.
Good thing he can't see those memories. Subaru commented to himself as he arrived at the door to his room.
Subaru opened the door. He saw Ram waiting for him.
"Barusu." Ram's voice. It sounded guarded to Subaru. Like she was about to do something embarrassing.
"Why are you here Ram? Is this about my dreams?" Subaru asked.
"Her mana." Nan guessed.
"You need to restore my mana. As much as I doubt your competence I doubt the people of this mansion even more." Ram explained.
"Do you remember how to do that?" Subaru asked his contracted spirit.
"Yes. Just let me control the flow of mana. Oh, and you'll need more mana than we have now."
Upon hearing this Subaru shifted his focus, "Spirits." He forced the call out of his mind.
"Alright, how do you want to do this?" Subaru asked the maid who stood in front of him.
Ram sat down on Subaru's bed and grabbed his hand. She placed it on her forehead where her horn used to be. "Let's get this over with, Barusu."
Subaru felt mana pour into his gate from the minor spirits that now filled the room.
"Nan." Subaru prompted the spirit to begin.
Mana began flowing through Subaru. It arranged itself in a pillar concentrated on his fingertip. Ram blushed as she felt mana leaking into her horn. After a few seconds like this Nan readied his pillar of mana and sent it into Ram's horn.
Ram bit her lip to stop the noises that threatened to escape her mouth. Her blush grew greater until her skin was the same color as her hair.
Once the process was complete Subaru yawned, "Haaaah. That took a lot out of me I'm gonna go to sleep now." Ram just nodded. There was a real possibility that if she spoke it would come out as a moan instead. The minor spirits faded from the room. It grew dark once more.
Subaru lay down on the bed and forced himself into sleep. But before his mind fully disappeared he had a single thought. Tomorrow I need to start laying the groundwork for the negotiations. His mind retreated into sleep.
Ram stared down at the boy. Her hand was interlocked with his own. There was a slight blush on her face as she looked down on the boy. Though it wasn't from embarrassment. "Pervert, Barusu." She whispered to herself.
After a few more minutes of observing his sleeping form, Ram fell asleep.
The two slept hand in hand, peacefully. It was one of the last nights of peaceful sleep they would have for a while.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter. See you all in a little while.