I woke up and saw a ceiling I hadn't seen before.

This means I didn't die, so then what happened?

I hear two voices arguing.

"What are you doing, Emilia?" the voice sounded like Puck's

"I'm not going to torture him" that voice sounds like Emilia.

"I understand, but I don't understand why you decided to heal and bring him into your room."

I'm in her room? I still have my eyes closed, so I can only assume I'm on a couch or something.

"Puck, just go away. You're not helping"

Her voice sounded broken like she was crying earlier. My legs feel fine, however.

"Emilia, your going to let your guard down and be killed. I can't read that, man. He could be plotting to kill you."

This annoyed me.

I sighed, getting up and realizing I was on a bed and the two were arguing on a chair.

"Yes, flying cat, I'm totally going to kill Emilia. It's funny how you require the ability to read people because your terrible at doing it without that power" I said to the cat with a calm tone to not instigate any violence.

Puck seemed annoyed, however, "You didn't even answer any question Emilia had planned to ask you, and you think I'll just believe your word?"

I laugh. This spirit is an idiot, "Puck, do you understand the concept of morality and what is right and wrong?"

The spirit looked angry at me, "Yes, why?"

I grin, "Then you're an idiot for not seeing the bigger picture. Anyways if you actually think I'm plotting to kill Emilia, then kill me if you don't then shut up"

Puck grew silent, then returned into a crystal held by a necklace around Emilia's neck.

Emilia frowned and stared at me, "Listen… I only healed you because everything would've been pointless if you died."

I smiled. She is spot on, but not in the way she might think. I wonder how I should play these circumstances. I don't want to return to that fucking dungeon, nor do I want to deal with any more murder attempts. But I have a feeling being weak in this world is terrible.

"Well, Emilia, now that we're in a better setting than me being tied up and you stabbing me with icicles, we can have a conversation."

Emilia looked like she felt guilty. I still don't understand how she flipped her personality so quickly. Something I said made her view everything differently, and I have no idea what it was. The only good thing is she views things differently…

Emilia stared at me before realizing I was observing, "Listen, Subaru, I had questions I wanted to ask but don't find relevant anymore. If you agree to help me with the Royal Selection, you can be a guest here. I've seen your talents myself."

Wonder where this is going? Well, let me think. As far as I'm concerned, at this point, the only safe person within this mansion is Emilia. I don't know my last checkpoint, so I should try not to die for the next few days and hope the reset point updates. So more than likely, staying around Emilia would be my best option in terms of survival… How ironic.

"Hmm, Emilia, I have a slight problem with that idea. I don't trust anybody in this mansion except you. We must share a room until I get a read on everybody here."

Emilia just looked at me like I was crazy. I should explain more.

"Emilia, this is just what my mentor taught me. If you're in an unfamiliar environment, if you find someone you know for certain won't harm you, then your best chance of survival is staying as close to said a person as"

Emilia looked like she was thinking.

"First, who is your mentor? Second, your logic makes sense, but I'm unsure if I'm even in control of what room you would be staying in."

So someone else has more authority than Emilia. Odd, she should have the most, considering what Reinhard stated about Royal Selection candidates. I need to learn more about this person.

"My mentor never told me his name, but he was an intelligent and wise man. Regardless of who has control, I'll have to meet them to see for myself.

Emilia still looked at me like I was crazy.

"Subaru, can you explain why you think the person who tortured you is the safest person to be around now?"

Oh, that was what she was thinking about. That would make sense for anyone to wonder.

"Simple, you know my 'ability' which, in truth, anybody can do. It's simply reading people's emotions. But at this point, I find it very hard to imagine that my basis for believing you won't try to harm me is wrong."

Emilia nodded.

"But more importantly, you never answered one question I had. Who hurt you?"

She froze at me, asking, I need her to talk about it to someone, or else she will not be able to get over her vengeance.

"Why does it even matter? You wouldn't know them."

"Just tell me."

"No"

"I told you a lot about my life, yet I know nothing about you."

She paused. That must've been a valid argument to her. Her value system is based on exchange. If you give something of any value, then you owe that person. A poor way to view things, however.

"Well, the person's name is Pandora. Happy?"

Pandora? Like Pandora's box? Wait, I forgot this world would not know the meaning of that. Well, asking for anything more would be asking for too much. This is fine for now.

"Alright, Emilia, from now on, let's pretend none of the bad things happened. I don't hold grudges if not necessary. At this point, you're my best and only surviving option."

A knock came on the door. Great.

The person knocked, then opened the door. It was a tall man that was dressed like a clown.

"Lord Roswaal," Emilia mumbled before being interrupted.

Roswaal's eye's we're beaming toward me. I can already tell something is off with this man. At the very least, I shouldn't trust him.

"Myyyy~ my. What an odd change of events… Miss Emilia wasn't this person being held in the dungeon as a suspected spyyyy~" Roswaal said with a grin.

Emilia frowned, "I determined he wasn't a spy."

Roswaal smiled again, "Did you figure that out ~ by torturing him ~?"

Emilia gulped. I don't think she likes the idea of what she did in the first place.

"So, you're the authority above Emilia, correct?" I asked respectfully and adjusted my body language to be passive.

"Corectttt~ Subaru, I am the owner of this mansion," Roswaal confirmed.

Wonder if Emilia or Puck told him my name…

"Well, if you're the authority, I suppose it would be correct for Emilia to ask you my request."

If I ask, it could be considered rude or introduce a dynamic power issue. Best for Emilia to request it. Well, that is if she does.

Emilia coughed, "Subaru requested to stay in my room until he felt that nobody within the mansion was a threat."

I was paying close attention to Roswaal this entire time. Seeing reactions to any particular words or sentences. But he acts the same with everything. How annoying.

Roswaal grins even more, "Subaru, I assureee~ you that none of my staff will harm you."

The very fact I couldn't get a good read on Roswaal meant he was a threat. But now, I should refrain from countering his statement even though it would be straightforward. My only option is to hope the checkpoint is updated to this point.

"So what do you have planned for me, Roswaal?"

He changed his look at me the moment I said that. That was the first time he had this entire conversation he did. What could that mean? The simplest explanation is he is planning something for me, but I feel that's off.

Roswaal smiled, "From my understanding, you're going to help Emiliaaa~ win the Royal Selection."

I simply nodded.

"Then you will be treated as a guest and part of Emilia's camp. I assuuuree~ you that no harm will come to you now. I hope you can understand our suspensionnnn~ early."

"Sounds good," I replied

Roswaal, before leaving, smiled, "If you feel lonelllyyy~ you can simply state that for your reasoning, and I wouldn't have minded at allll~."

He's taunting me? Whatever it may be, this clown is annoying. But for what reason. Unless he seriously thinks I was lying about my logic…

The door shut, and I felt a bit calmer. I looked toward Emilia, and she seemed overwhelmed.

When I looked at the window, it appeared to be dark.

"Emilia, what time is it?"

She sighed, "10:00PM."

Odd, my sense of time needs to be fixed and location. I need to learn more about this new world quickly.

"Ok, since Roswaal didn't give me any room, I'm crashing here. Goodnight"

Emilia frowned, "In my bed? Sleep on the floor!"

I just laughed, "Sure."

The ground was solid, so not the most comfortable, but nothing I hadn't done before.

I opened my eyes and saw Rem staring at Subaru with bloodlust. What happened?

"Emilia, this man… is a Witch cultist!" she stated, preparing her morning star.

"No, he's not. Rem, if you attack him, I will kill you," Emilia said, staring at Rem.

I watched Rem slowly back away, leave the room, and stare at a confused Subaru.

"Ok, Emilia, what the hell is the Witch cult?" Subaru asked

He doesn't know? How? He was brilliant, but something is missing here.

"The Witch cult is a group of people that slaughter and terrorize people," I explained briefly.

Subaru nodded, "Oh, just like terrorists, and she thinks I'm one?"

I nodded, "Yes, I don't know why…."

Subaru begins laughing for some reason. Does he think almost dying is funny?

"Remember when I said the safest place would be sharing a room with you? Looks like I was spot on," Subaru says like he accomplished something

Well, he is right. His intuition is insane. Now that I think about it, if he didn't do this same action, he would be dead…

"Also, that empty threat you gave Rem worked well. But you need to work on your ability to conceal your intentions if you want to stand a chance against enemies that can read people well," Subaru told me.

Subaru is strange, Puck can't read him, but I can. He can see through any bluff or lie I say and sometimes can see further. But it feels like I can only read him if he lets me. Is he giving me advice?

"Well, that girl Rem? Need to convince her I'm not a Witch cultist… Any advice on how to do that, Emilia?"

I simply shrugged. I don't know why, but I like this feeling. Right now, he's dependent on me entirely. However, when I glanced back at him, it looked like he knew how I felt. I don't get it?

"Emilia, you're an open book. It's funny" Subaru laughed at me but not in a rude way.

I couldn't tell, but it seemed like he was happy that I acted whatever he thought of me. But what does he think of me? He knows I'm protecting him, but is that all? Am I being used by him?

"Subaru, I'm going to ask you something, and I'll have no way to know if you're telling the truth, so please just be honest… Am I just a tool to you for your survival or-"

"Emilia, no, you're not a tool. You have no power or any information and can die easily by countless possibilities. Think of it this way, imagine you got sent to a random place where all your knowledge is useless. Then you find someone that can keep you alive. How would you view them?"

A friend? I've never had a friend before…

"Emilia, not only are you, my friend, you are my only friend in this world. Not to mention you passed a test."

What? What test?

"What do you mean by that?"

Subaru went silent.

Is he seriously not going to tell me?

"Emilia, you're not dead or locked in a prison cell, unlike everyone else I've ever cared about"

What does he mean by that? Wait, he just said he considers me a friend and cares about me. Nobody has ever cared about me other than Puck. I'm a tool for Roswaal, and the world views me as a monster. I don't even know how to respond to something like this.

Judging from her reaction, she has never had friends or people that cared about her, or she doesn't understand what I meant by what I said. I should learn the times for the Royal Selection and the other events to take place. Oh, wait…

"Emilia, can you call Puck out?"

Emilia looked confused, "Sure?"

Ah, my favorite floating cat.

"What do you want, Subaru?"

Subaru grinned, "Did you or Emilia tell Roswaal my name before I first met him."

"No, why?" Emilia said, and Puck confirmed he didn't either.

God, is she dumb? How would he know my name if we never met? It would be possible if I existed in this world, but I didn't before coming here. Perhaps I'll keep this a secret.

"Never mind"

So based on that, either Roswaal has been spying on me this entire time or knows something about me or how I got here. Interesting.

Well, I have a few things I need to do: confront Roswaal and ask him a few things and help Emilia understand how to be a proper leader. And third is dealing with Rem. Great.

"Emilia, can you escort me to wherever Roswaal is?"

Emilia questioned why I asked, "Subaru, just remember to be respectful. You'll probably get killed if you act like how you acted around me before or Reinhard."

No shit.

"Alright"

Emilia guided me down the hall and opened a door. But the door wasn't where Roswaal was, and I got sucked into the room.

"Who are you, I suppose?"

What the hell? I got up and noticed a small child in a library.

"Subaru, Subaru Nakamura."

She stared at me momentarily, asking, "What are you doing in Betty's library?"

Betty is her nickname, referring to herself in the third person. She's not human. That much is obvious. More than likely, she's a spirit like Puck. Interesting.

"You're a spirit, right?"

"You are intruding on the Forbidden Library. My name is Beatrice, and correct, I am a spirit."

How do I get a spirit? That would be good for protection, but I doubt she would. I should test her morality.

"My apologies for intruding here. But may I ask you a single question?"

The spirit nods her head in confirmation.

"So far, everybody I've first met here has tried to kill or torture me. You have been the first to not try to do either of those things when first meeting me. Why is that?"

The spirit looked shocked at the question. Perhaps this spirit is not evil or annoying like Puck.

Beatrice stands up, "I don't take any pleasure in killing or torturing people, I suppose."

Well, that makes sense. Now how can I get her help with dealing with Rem…

"Beatrice, Rem thinks I'm a Witch cultist. I don't know why, but I'm certain she would've killed me if Emilia didn't stop her. Any idea how to prove that I am not this Witch cultist person to her?"

The spirit went up and smelled me, "You do smell of the witch, but I can confirm you're not a witch cultist. From what Bubby has told me, you are unique, however. You were able to earn Emilia's trust and prevent Bubby from sensing your intentions."

Huh? Who's Bubby? Oh, it must be a nickname for Puck judging by the context. Well, I have no idea how mind-reading abilities work in this world, but I have a guess on why Bubby can't sense mine.

However, that does not do anything to prove I'm not a witch cultist unless there's something I'm missing.

"So how does that relate to being a witch cultist?"

Beatrice huffs, "Well, for one, you're the only person Bubby has been unable to sense intent with. For a spirit that has lived for hundreds of years, a person that can do that is special. You're not a witch cultist because you have no Gospel."

What the hell is a Gospel? Regardless I should exchange information with her to make a deal.

"Beatrice, if I give you my best guess on why Puck can't read my intentions, will you do me a favor and tell Rem I am not a witch cultist? I don't think she'd believe the person she already assumes is one."

Beatrice looked fascinated. If what she stated was true, it would make sense. I defied a power that nobody has been able to for centuries.

"Betty can do that, I suppose."

"Alright, my best guess is that I'm not from here. I haven't told anyone, so keep it a secret for now, as I thI'dconsidered more of a threat if it was known. I am not from this world. I'm from a world called earth. I got sent here randomly, and that's how I met Emilia."

Beatrice's eyes widened. She looked utterly shocked. It would make sense, but then again, I assumed I would've had to prove it to her first since it's a big claim.

"That is not the reason. Even if you were from beyond the great waterfall, that wouldn't interfere with Bubby's ability to sense intent. Now leave. This conversation has become boring"

What the hell? Beyond the great waterfall? What the fuck does that mean? Either she didn't believe me or not being from this world has another meaning here?

I got pushed out and was next to Emilia again. Great. I wonder if she's even going to inform Rem…

"Subaru, that's normally where Roswaal would be. You entered the forbidden library."

Huh? Is that good or bad?

"So Emilia, if we open this door now, will Roswaal be here or Beatrice?"

"Honestly, Subaru, I have no idea where Roswaal is."

Huh? Why the fuck did she make me go all the way here, then?

"Why did we walk down this giant hallway then?"

"Because I wanted some fresh air. Let's go outside for a walk or something. Being in my room is boring."

She has a point. Why the hell am I the most determined one to get things done? I have no real responsibilities…

"Alright"

"Subaru, you said you would help and cared about me, and I just don't get why?"

This again?

"Emilia, didn't we go over this before?"

For somebody that has never had anyone care for them. This would be new and very nice. It's nice for me since she isn't dying because I also care about her.

"Subaru, listen, I just can't understand why… Looking back, I'm not a good person. I even tortured you, and I feel happy because of you? After what I did, I don't deserve it."

I could talk to her for hours or solve this whole thing with one action.

"Emilia, I'm a monster. I don't deserve anything. You've also given me something, so in a way, we both are being selfish."

"But-"

I kissed Emilia. Honestly, it's been so long since I've been able to let my guard down like this. It's kind of nice.

I break the kiss and look at Emilia. She was bright red.

"Emilia, relax. Accept positive emotions. Nothing wrong with doing so."

Why is he kissing me? Why do I deserve any of this? I'm not a good person, and Subaru showed that to me, so why kiss me? I just don't get him. I don't understand why he can understand what I did. I tortured him, chained him up, and a day later, he kissed me? My torture was nothing to what he experienced in the past. Judging on those scars he has experienced worse things. But to forgive me that quickly?

We walked back up to my room, Subaru wanted to ask me questions related to the Royal Selection and other things.

"So what did you want to know?"

Subaru stared at the ceiling for a moment and responded, "How many days until the Royal Selection, can you teach me how to read and write this language, and how does the process work after the Royal Selection?"

That was a lot of questions…

"The Royal Selection is in five days. I go to the Capital the other four candidates show and we give speeches on why the people should vote for us. Then in two years they vote based on our achievements and which candidate they prefer. I can teach you how to read and write but I assumed you already knew how…"

Subaru looked annoyed at the last thing, but for someone as cunning as him I don't understand how he can't read or write.

"We have FIVE DAYS to prepare?" Subaru asked.

I simply nodded in confirmation. I already had a speech planned and everything.

"Ok, read me your speech" Subaru said the moment I thought of my speech.

Oh no, he's going to think it's terrible… This is bad. Now that I think about it, it is awful.

I gulped, looking at my paper before reading it just to see what he thought, "My name is Emilia. This country needs strength and power to thrive. Once I'm the King of Lugina, I will not tolerate weakness or foolishness. We will be a Kingdom of the wise and strong. That much I can guarantee."

Subaru just stared at me. He didn't say a word. Then he started laughing.

"I knew you were going to think it was bad"

Subaru shrugged, "Honestly, I thought it would be worst."

Wait really? Is that good or bad? Either way, he will scrap the whole thing and tell me to do something else.

"Emilia, your speech is fine, but let's say you're asked a question like, If strength is justice, then is powerlessness a crime?"

If strength is justice, then is powerlessness a crime? Wait, if the majority of people aren't substantial, then I'm not appealing to the majority of voters in the first place… A single question like that would've destroyed me if I was speaking at the Royal Selection…

"I don't know the answer to that"

Subaru nodded, "Your speech is yours to make I won't tell you how to do it. I'm just going to throw questions like that at all the other candidates and ruin their speeches."

Subaru begins laughing. Was he really this excited about politics?

"By the way, how are you going to become the King of Lugina if you're a woman? Wouldn't that make you Queen of Lugina?"

"Here it works differently. King is a gender-neutral term"

Subaru laughed again, "I can't believe this Kingdom is less sexist than most countries from my homeland. That's honestly mind-blowing."

I still need to figure out what Subaru's goal is. He seems ambitious, so I'm guessing he has some goal or achievement he's striving for.

"Subaru, let's say I win the Royal Selection. What would you do after that?"

Subaru stared me in the eyes. His black eyes revealed nothing about him, like a soul that was guarded by a shield.

"Hmmm, good question. If nothing goes wrong in that timespan, I'll have nothing to worry about. Well, my plan is fairly simple, we will destroy all threats and solve all problems Lugina has in the two years we have to show achievements we can accomplish. So after all threats are gone, I'm not sure."

Wait what? Does he even know what he just said? Solve all problems and destroy all threats? He doesn't even know what said problems or threats even are…

"Subaru, do you have any idea what you just said? Do you know what threats we have or the problems that this Kingdom is suffering from?"

Subaru shrugged, "List them out. In your speech, state you will solve them. I know one of them is the Witch Cult, so we're dealing with that. Economic and Political issues are fairly simple issues to solve."

What? The way he speaks, it's like he is so confident he doesn't even consider failure a possibility… I don't get it. How can one be so optimistic without any raw strength?

"Subaru how are you so confident? You lack strength yet are more confident than me?"

"Emilia, I've yet to be put into a challenge that required me to go all out. In terms of raw strength, I won't deny your claim. But my mentor taught me how to win even if I am weak. I have a skill that allows me to do so that I developed due to weakness."

What? I wonder what this mentor of his was like… But now that I think about it, he's navigated everything without being physically strong or without any influence. He used his words, and that alone. And he says he's yet to be put in a real challenge?

"Subaru, let me first teach you how to read and write. That's important. Then we can go over the rest."

Subaru nods, and I hear a knock on the door.

Roswaal again?

"Subaru I haveee~ a proposition for youuu" Roswaal asks Subaru.

"Yes?"

Subaru changed his posture and the tone of his voice? Why?

Roswaal grinned, "I wouldd~ like youuu~ to make a contract with Beatrice."