Before leaving for the Capital, they had packed their bags and were sitting on the bed.
"Subaru, what's up, I suppose?"
"I'm fine. What about you?" He asked cheerfully.
"Betty's fine too-" She got swayed away by Subaru's hyperactivity. "Not that. What is happening with you, I suppose?"
"Nothing and everything is fine." Subaru said flatly.
"How do you know about such advanced techniques of magic?"
"I didn't, I thought deep and hard about what Yin magic is useful for and tried to understand the base of the magic and tried to feel it. It didn't happen overnight, you know. " Subaru tried to explain his side without giving away too much of his inner turmoil. He anticipated a questioning session.
"Fine, I suppose. What about the black shadows?"
"Like the thousandth time, I Don't Know. And if you are trying to join that event with my magic creation. Then remember that you were the one who said that it was high level Shamak. I just tried to remember the feeling and recreate what I felt." Subaru explained to the best of his abilities and was a bit relaxed on watching Beatrice's face of satisfaction.
This answer was a bit satisfactory to Beatrice. Onto the next question -
"Did you sign the contract with the Witch of Envy? The miasma on you is increasing."
"It was a joke, you know. Even if you guys pressurize me, I can't tell you the answer which I don't know." He would just avoid outright lying.
"What about the mabeasts then? They had holes blown through their bodies."
Subaru began sweating bullets.
"Ah! The holes right!? The holes in their bodies? But mabeasts don't have any holes in their bodies, if they had wouldn't they be dead?" Subaru facepalmed inwardly at the stupidity of his own answer. Satella began laughing inside his head.
'Inde- hahaha - Indeed, my beloved. They would be - haha - dead. You're so - hahaha - smart.'
"I am talking about the dead mabeasts."
"Garfiel can easily tear them apart after all. I'm proud of my brother."
"There were holes in their bodies before Garfiel came and why you didn't feel any pain when the maid spilled tea on you?" Beatrice was getting impatient.
'She's worried about you, Subaru. Maybe I should extend my contract to her and talk with her?'
'She's still a child, if she told the others, they would freak out. I would be in a bad situation, overall.'
'Sorry! I'm causing trouble for you.'
'The contract has benefitted me more. Never ever speak such nonsense. I'll find some way to explain those things.'
"Beako, do you remember the Crowd Excitation thingy you said, I was screaming at the top of my lungs attacking them, using all of my power, it might be that, maybe. As for the tea, it wasn't hot, I panicked and screamed because of Petra."
Beatrice had enough of lies.
"Are you hiding something from me, I wonder?" She asked with tears in her eyes and shaky voice.
"I have nothing to hide from my little sister. Believe me, Beako. Vollachia was a bit hard on me without you guys, is it wrong of me to avoid talking about hard times?" He spoke in a heartbroken voice.
He pulled her to sit on his lap and hugged her.
"Fine, I suppose. Lets be off to the Capital."
It took one day to reach the Capital.
- The Inn -
They reached at the inn, their camp always stayed at, in the evening of the next day. He approached the inn reception.
A beautiful cat girl receptionist was at the counter. She seemed like a new recruit.
"Hello sir, I am Rena, how can I help you?" The receptionist asked.
"I would like to book a room and did you receive some letters for 'Subaru Natsuki'?"
He had already requested for Reinhard's help in training by a letter in advance. He had also sent a letter to Anastasia for a business proposal. Since, he already decided to go to Capital last week he informed in the letter for them to send it to the inn.
"Yes, we did receive two letters, yesterday evening."
"Good. I am Subaru Natsuki." Handing over identity card.
"Ah!" Rena gasped. "The hero 'Subaru Natsuki' oh yes, black hair and black eyes. P-p-please forgive m-me for not recognising you sooner, sir." She bowed.
Subaru was surprised. Why the hell do people begin to act like this with him. It's very annoying.
"No, it's fine. Please drop those hero parts. No need to act so stiff like that." Subaru said with a gentle smile.
Watching his expression, she relaxed a little.
"Your little sister is very cute." She said looking at Beatrice.
"Betty's not a little sister. She is a 400 year old great spirit and the best older sister he could have, young catgirl." Beatrice said huffing her cheeks. Not liking being treated as a young girl.
"Forgive my impudence O' great spirit. I had no idea." She thought she insulted a great spirit and worried for her life.
"I forgive you, I suppose."Beatrice looked proud.
"Don't tease others like that. You use your age and status way too much." Subaru pulled her cheeks. "No need to worry like that, she's so cute that nobody can stay quiet after witnessing her cuteness." Beatrice pouted.
The receptionist was astonished at the way a great spirit was treated.
"I will book a room for you right away. Until then we have new sweets, if it would suit your tastes, please indulge yourself and miss great spirit." The receptionist said flustered.
"Please enjoy your stay, Subaru-sama." She handed over the keys and letters.
- Inn Room -
Subaru and Beatrice entered their room.
He saw that the room was well furnished and high class. The room had a bed, a study table and some furnitures here and there.
"I hate when people begin to behave so strangely like that. I am a normal person too." He sighed.
Beatrice on the other hand was already jumping on the springy bed.
"That's your, what's the word you used right- fame tax. You being involved in elimination of so many threats will have these well deserved consequences, I suppose."
"And I don't need that."
Subaru moved toward the study table and sat on the chair. He began to open the sealed letters to read them.
"Anastasia has called me tomorrow morning. She says that she can arrange for everything I will need for my inventions."
"Reinhard's really crazy, he has the Divine Protection of Teaching, so he 'can' teach me using sword and some other skills. He said he's free today the whole afternoon as his presence is required tonight for protecting the nobles. Then he might be free until 7 PM. It's now 11 AM. We'll go to the Astrea's after having lunch."
"You were training for a year, I suppose. Is there anything left to learn, I wonder?" She asked confused.
"Reinhard's blessing will help me learn new techniques faster. The sword isn't the only thing I can have him teach me. The noble etiquette can become more refined too. My overall movement can be better." Subaru moved toward the bed and began jumping with her.
"Good thinking, I suppose."
They played pillow fight until there was a knock on the door.
"Who's that, I wonder?"
"There might be a complaint against us because you were acting like a child and kept making loud noises." Subaru pointed a finger at Beatrice and began walking towards the door.
"L-Like Betty was the only one acting like a child. Betty is 400 year old, in fact." She stomped her feet.
"Yes yes, but we should apologise." Subaru opened the door.
Louis jumped on him and began hugging him. The sin archbishop was now a child with amnesia, it seemed. She was taught how to speak in the last few weeks. Subaru has to extract Gluttony from her somehow.
"Subawu!" Louis exclaimed. Behind her was Ram with a tray of tea.
"Are you not a man of your words? Or are you not a man at all, Barusu?" Ram questioned.
"Don't question my manliness, nee-sama."
Ram sighed.
"You were told to rest, for what reason you sully the Capital with your visit?"
"Don't you mean grace the Capital? And I needed help for some of my experiments and maybe a few new books too." He explained.
Subaru put Louis down and invited them inside. Before they could talk -
"Why are you here, nee-sama? Didn't you go to the party?"
"I fulfilled my duty of dropping them at the venue, I can rest for the day until it's time to pick them up."
"Did Rem go with them?"
"No, Rem's in the Capital to gather some sweets for Louis. It's not even 2 hours from breakfast and she-" Ram was interrupted.
"I am hungwy, nee-sama." Louis said.
"She's really Gluttony." Ram said exasperated.
Subaru burst out laughing.
"The receptionist said that there were new type of sweets. You and Beatrice should go check them out, I'll finish the tea Ram brought and join you guys."
"You want Betty to go with that child!?" Beatrice was irritated.
"Yes, go act like the older sister you are."
"Now you get it, I suppose." Beatrice was smug but was dragged by her hands by Louis.
"So what did you want to talk about, Barusu?"
"How are things going with Rem?" Subaru asked seriously.
"Everyone is interacting with Rem and like her a lot, it seems. I knew that my little sister is the best. She's mixing in with the camp quite well."
"I see, that's good." He looked a bit out of it.
"What's wrong with you? Making that face, are you not happy?"
"Ahh! Do you think that it's better for everyone to not remember her and her not remembering her past?"
"Ram would like to know her sister and for her to remember her memories. You said that Rem liked you before losing memories so, why would a pervert like you avoid the opportunity to be hounded by my cute sister?"
"She talked about your lost horn in great pain and had always gone to great lengths to be the horn you lost. Do you think it would have been a blessing if I forgot her too?"
"Don't say stupid things, Barusu. If you had forgotten then I wouldn't even know about her. Or is it that you don't love her anymore?" Ram narrowed her eyes.
"Nothing like that. She has no obligation to love me, after all. She can choose anyone she likes." Subaru took a deep breath. "I just see the old Rem when talking to her and it hurts, sometimes. I think it's a blessing for you guys that even if you have forgotten about her, you can remake your relationship from zero. She would also not feel burdened with making up for your lost horn." Ram stayed silent.
"Barusu, I'll say this only once, and if you speak of this to anyone else I'll wrap your tongue around your throat."
"Ok!" Subaru shuddered at the thought and furrowed his brows to listen attentively.
"You remembered and cherished Rem when everyone forgot her. You talked to Rem every night without fail. You protected her in an unknown land and brought her back to me. Ram is grateful, not to you of course but to Rem who put up with your presence." Subaru's eyes widened in surprise. He never expected the proud Ram to say something like that.
"Welcome, nee-sama. We should go to the cafeteria, I have to go meet someone." Subaru grinned.
Ram would not agree but her eyes softened after seeing him relaxed.
- Cafeteria -
They had gone to the cafeteria and noticed that Rem hadn't returned yet. Subaru requested Beatrice to go with Ram and bring her back. Now, he was alone with Louis.
'I have to think of a way to get the authority. Authorities are based on desires but one authority can only be manifested once. No, that's not right. My Cor Leonis upgraded. How to get the remaining Gluttony?'
On the other hand, Louis kept eating different types of confectionery like the sin, she represents.
'Looking at her now, she's just a normal kid.'
"How's it going, Louis?" She was in the middle of chewing. She gulped down the food and spoke.
"It's wonderful, I get to eat many sweets and I like it here with mom very much, Subawu. I like everyone too." Her expression became downcast. "But sometimes, some people look at me with a strange look in their eyes, I don't like it."
'Of course! They can't just forget that she's an Archbishop. But she still looks like a child. I want to take her authority and negative emotions.' He felt strongly.
He patted her head.
"It's not something you should worry about. Just focus on enjoying yourself." She was feeling a bit sad but when he patted her head her expression lightened up. He felt like something entered his heart.
The food he ordered was served and he began eating.
"Thank you, Subawu." She began to focus on eating but was eating with less interest.
'Subaru, you absorbed another part of Gluttony authority.'
'Huh!? That's good and all. But why!?'
'I think her glutton desire and emotions were consumed due to your Gluttony Authority.'
'And the authority is sticked to the desire, is it?'
'Since you are capable of housing multiple authorities, it might be possible that it flowed to you because of your compatibility and to complete itself. We don't know for sure but it's good that we know that you can take others authorities without killing them.'
'Yeah, you're right! I will absorb the others, Gluttony and Wrath too. If they escape prison, they will cause a lot of trouble. I can ask Reinhard to set up a meeting. Let's get the ball rolling.'
Beatrice returned.
"The maids had gone to buy something for Roswaal. We should be leaving for Astrea too, I suppose."
"Alright, Beatrice. Let's go."
- Astrea Mansion -
Subaru and Beatrice reached the gates of Astrea Mansion and were welcomed inside by an old maid named Carol.
They were led to a large meeting room which had chairs and tables.
"Please wait here Subaru-sama, I will inform our lord of your visit." She said bowing.
"Yes, please. Thank you, Carol-san." He smiled gently. She left to get Reinhard.
"Betty will state again that she will simply be an adorable little girl in the presence of Reinhard."
"Ok, we will not be using magic after all. I want a physical training session."
Before Reinhard came, a loud voice was heard-
"I'm saying that big bro is here and I have to meet him. I can study later."
"Yo Felt, looks like you're having fun."
"Yeah, yeah. I'm just trying to sneak out to avoid studying."
"Don't worry about your studies Felt-sama I will wake you up early morning to complete your studies." Reinhard stated seriously not trying to understand the sarcasm.
"You got ahead of yourself, Hero of Priestella and became War Hero of Vollachia too, big bro?" Felt asked snickering knowingly.
Subaru understood the teasing undertone.
"For you to act like that, wait were there new strange rumours going around that I don't know about?" He half-shouted.
"You punched a Guiltylowe to death, defeated every Gladiator at Gladiator Island making them submit and swear their loyalty to you and wiped out a bastion alone. Also, you are a Vollachian nobility who left because you didn't like their way." Felt laughed out loud.
"That is getting out of hand and I don't have the strength to refute anymore." He said in defeat.
"So you came here for training help from this dumb knight?" Pointing at Reinhard.
"Sorry for being late in greetings. Hello Subaru Beatrice-sama." Reinhard performed a knightly salute.
Subaru returned the salute. Felt looked amazed and grinned.
"You got your act together."
"Hey Reinhard, I actually needed help for some physical training, if I am not bothering you." Subaru asked unsure of Reinhard.
"Of course not, big bro. But you getting even more stronger will make the higher ups piss their pants. Also, it will keep me away from this pestering idiot during your training time."
"You don't have to worry about being away from me Felt-sama, I will reach you in 5 seconds when you call me." She smacked him on the back.
"Arghhh" Felt groaned.
"Reinhard has no sarcastic sense." Subaru commented laughing.
"Please forgive me for that I am lacking." Felt groaned again and Subaru was having stomachache laughing.
"We're friends, aren't we? You don't have to be so formal." Subaru putting his hands on Reinhard's shoulder and shot him a grin. "I said I will make up for what you lack, I will drill the way of sarcasm inside you." Reinhard smiled a little.
"Please do big bro so atleast he would know when I am trying to insult him. And what do you want to learn?" Felt tilted her head.
"Sword arts, using a few weapons that I can make using my magic and I would like my noble and knightly etiquette to be more refined. And dance too." Subaru explained his syllabus.
He needed to know which weapons would be useful in what kind of situations and he wanted to better his manners. Also, since he is doing so much he will ask for dance too.
He wants to dance properly as Emilia's knight. Last time at the Knighting ceremony they danced very clumsily. But all the people were the villagers so, they were not ashamed. He wanted to be perfect for her in all aspect of the word.
Subaru learnt dance in his previous life too and has a good flexible body which can easily memorize and learn the dance steps.
"That's a lot of things. Did big sis confess her love for you?" Felt was excited at the idea of them being together.
"Not yet. But the day will not be far away." Subaru got a little sad but bounced back with his words. Felt noticed the sad undertone.
"Sure, big bro you've been so awesome for her. I think she must be thinking how to confess to you. Let's go train. I will watch how good you have become." Felt assured him.