Wait, what? Did he just said a Witch cult? This worlds has cults? Are they worshiping the witches or something like that? In Subaru's world cults existed as well, but it was minorities and it was hard to get into one. Do they sacrifice animals and humans as well? Subaru was having conflicting thoughts about the cult. Several men seemed to be coming up the staircase
"Flugel-sama, unfortunately, while we were on our way to the watchtower we were attacked by the group of malicious mabeasts. We managed to fight them back but we lost a good amount of our supplies. Thus why I'm planning to visit a town on our way to the Elior Forest."
"I don't mind. However don't take too long, Subaru has planned lessons about practicing the magic."
"As you wish Flugel-sama, we are planning to stay in the town for a few days, the expedition to the Elior Forest will take 2 days. I will try to bring back Subaru-sama by the end of this week."
"And one more thing. I am sorry for troubling you, Geuse, but can you look over Subaru? He doesn't have any experience in travelling. And i am not saying that he can't properly defend himself."
"It doesn't concern me in slightest, Flugel-sama."
As Flugel and Geuse were conversing about the Expedition, Shaula was sneaking behind Subaru before jumping at him and embracing him in a bone-crushing hug.
"Ow, ow, ow! What the hell, Shaula!? Get off of me!" Subaru desperately tried to restrain Shaula from himself. but to no avail.
"Awww, big bro, you are already leaving? But you've spent so little time here!"
"It's not like I am leaving permanetly, i will be back soon. Now get off of me!" Shaula reluctantly released him from her embrace. Subaru painfully sighed. "I feel like i have a few broken ribs now..."
Subaru saw Flugel and Geuse approaching with something in Flugel's hands. It seemed to be a type of clothing. "Subaru, you have to wear this during the travelling. Your foreigh clothing might catch unnecessary attention." Subaru realised that since the time he got summoned to this world, he hadn't changed his clothes since. The clothing was similar to the ones the cultists are wearing, but instead it as dark-orange robe, matching to his old outfit. "And Subaru, just in case something happends, you are allowed to use my name." Subaru simply nodded before grabbing the robe. "Uhhh, where do i exactly change my clothes?"
Before anyone could reply, several men returned with a stack of books in their hands. "Bishop Romanée-Conti, we are ready to leave"
"You will able to change the clothing in the carriege, Subaru-sama" Geuse replied. "Now excuse us, Flugel-sama, we will be departing now."
"Bye big bro! I will take care of your things!" Shaula waved.
"Take care Subaru, be careful!" Flugel waved his hand as well.
"I will!" Subaru replied before following after Geuse.
***After Subaru's departure, Flugel's smile wavered.
"Master? Is something the matter? Are you sad because big bro left us?" Shaula worriedly asked. "No, it's not that, Shaula. I am going to back to my work now." Flugel hastily rushed to his operate room while leaving Shaula behind.
Flugel pulled out a notebook from his drawer and started scratching new notes.
"Entry log number 176: It's been two weeks since Subaru became my second apprentice. I was really happy for Shaula that she got a brother figure. I've been teaching Subaru about the importance of the constellations, and of course, he wasn't too enthuastic about it. He had desperatly been asking me to teach him some powerful magic, so I told him that i will teach him after the expedition. During that day, i decided to check his gate's condition. And i was right, his gate was similar to the born one. But something else caught my attention. He was compatible with the witch factor of Envy. I decided to recheck a few times to confirm my suspicion. He was indeed compatible. After all this time i finally found a second candidate to absord the witch factor of Envy. A half-elf girl named Satella was the first candidate. But there was more to Subaru witch factor's compatibility. He was compatible with multiple witch factors. But not in a way like any others. It was a bit hard to explain. I was in some way compatible with witch factors as well, but they would corrupt my mind if i decided to absorb them at once. But Subaru was different, his mind wouldn't get corrupted. I haven't told him yet of the existence of the witch factors. At first i thought to give him the witch factor of Envy, so he would help with my plan and he would become the Warlock of Envy, but now... He might become the next Great Sage with such power. I am still trying to figure out how's that possible... Today he departed with one of my trusted men for the expedition to the Elior Forest. He will return by the end of the week, so i have plenty time to research and think. End of the log"
Flugel tiredly sighed. "What a hard week it will be..."
***"So Geuse, what did Flugel exactly told you about me?" Subaru asked, while looking out of the window of the carriage. It's been a few hours since the departure. He was already in his new outfit which surprisingly, fit him well. They were closing distance to the town.
"Flugel-sama told me that you were from an isolated village and got lost in a forest filled with mabeasts. After helping your out, he saw useful qualities in you and decided to take you in" Geuse replied
Oh? So Flugel decided to drop the the thing that I am from another world? Alright then, maybe that's some sort of taboo. Subaru looked at Geuse "What is Witch Cult exactly? What do you do?"
"I am sorry Subaru-sama, but i can't tell you the exact purpose of the Witch Cult, i am simply one of the co-fonders. However we don't mean any harm towards anyone." Geuse said
"I see, I see. And can you drop that sama thing? I am feeling slight uncomfortable."
"That would be disrespectful to you, Subaru-sama, you are higher position than myself, i should give you a proper respect." Geuse quickly denied.
"Alright, Jeez. Maybe at least call just Subaru when we are alone?" Subaru insisted.
"I am sorry, but that's impossible" Geuse denied yet again.
"Ugh..." Subaru reverted his eyes back to the outside world. The carriage stopped, they seemed to be in some sort of blockpost. He saw some of Geuse's men, which he referred as his fingers, talking with the first guard while second guard was coming towards the carriage.
"Alright, I'd like you to step out of the carriage so I could check that you are not transporting something illegal." The guard said. He was in his late 30's, with a beard and the sword on his waist. He was a bit taller than Subaru and a lot more musculine.
They did as he asked and stepped out of the carriage. Shorly after he went it and started shuffling. After some time he stepped out of the carriage and walked over to the first guard. "It's clear, you can let them in."
The first guard inspected them, main attention was kept on Subaru and after some time he replied. "Welcome to our town, please enjoy your stay."
Subaru returned back to the carriage and it began moving again. Right now they were inside the city and comparing to the first one, which was neardy the watchtower, it definetely was a lot of lively and richer.
By judging the reactions of guards, the witch cult is actually not that bad as I thought. At least i am not associated with the psychopaths. Subaru thought while passing by multiple other carriages.
Right now, they were in market place. A lot of merchants were selling their goods. Food, clothing, medicine and weapons. Subaru also noticed a market filled with some sort of magic crystals. He didn't notice when carriage stopped.
"Subaru-sama, we arrived." Geuse tried to took Subaru's attention.
"Oh? Alright. Where are we exactly?" Subaru asked as he got off the carriage.
"One of my fingers has rented an inn for us to live in. We will stay in this town for a few days gathering the supplies." Geuse said while several of his men entered the inn.
"Oh, a hotel, i see." Subaru said.
"A hotel? What does it mean, Subaru-sama?"
"Ah, nevermind it. Just a place where people rent rooms to stay in." Subaru answered "One of those existed in my village."
Subaru entered the inn, it consisted of the large dinning hall, a kitchen and a several rooms which seemed to be a living quarters. According to the world standarts, the inn for considered for elites and not everyone could afford it. One of the fingers walked up to Subaru and handled him a key with a number "6" on it. "Your room is down to the left, Subaru-sama"
Subaru took the key and nodded. "Understood, thank you."
Subaru walked down the hallway until he met a door with a number "6" on it. He inserted the key into the door knob and turned it a few times, before he heard a click.
That was smooth. Subaru thought.
He opened the door and entered the room. Inside of the room was a king-sized bed, two empty bookshelfs, an own small kitchen, two drawers near the bed and a door which led to the bathroom. The interior was to his liking, he unpacked his things... He would do, but he had nothing with him besides his cellphone. So after examing the room, he returned to the dinning hall where Geuse and his fingers were chatting.
"We are running shortly at food, so it's now number one priority" Geuse said, while the man in the robe nodded.
"Hey Geuse, mind if i explore a town a bit? It's still the middle of the day and i've got nothing to do." Subaru interruped them.
Geuse took a short pause before replying. "Of course Subaru-sama, but i would ask you to return before the evening."
"Alright, great! The deal is sealed!" Subaru said as he went outside.
Geuse turned to one of the fingers and the last one nodded before following Subaru.
***An appa for 3 silver coins?! That's daylight robbery! Subaru thought as he was passing by a merchant. Right now he was in the middle of the town, unknown to him, one of the fingers was following Subaru to make sure he won't cause a mess. Some of the merchants tried to sell off their goods to Subaru with overpriced prices, thinking that he was a foreigner judging by his hair color. Subaru noted that black hair is more common in Gusteko than in Lugunica.
While walking down the lively street, something caught his attention.
Library of Greed? What an ominous name. Don't mind if i check it out! Subaru entered the library.
"Oh wow..." Subaru's jaw dropped, in front of him was an endless amount of bookshels filled with books. In his past life, Subaru enjoyed reading the books... He's not sure if manga can be called a book, but he read a lot of them. But this is nothing compared to anything he has even seen. He stepped closer to one of the bookshels to examine it. He saw a lot of genres. The stories, the instructions, fairytales and more. He grabbed one of the books. "Mana circulation and how to properly do it..."
He tried to put it back but dropped it on the floor in process. "Damn it! I hope no one saw this..." But as he picked it up he heared a voice coming from his back.
"What a loud man you are, i suppose"
Subaru yelped and barely managed not to drop a book again. Subaru looked back at the source of the voice and saw a young girl at the age of twelve. She had large sky-blue eyes with pink butterfly patterns. She had pale cream blonde hair whic were worn long and tied into frilly vertical drill-shaped twin tails. Her clothes were pink frilly ornate dress with white trimmings and purple vertically-striped tights. On her head was a petite crown.
"You shouldn't sneak up behind like that, little girl. You scared me! And what are you doing here alone? Where are you parents? They will be very mad for scaring a stranger like that." Subaru was scolding her, while the young girl furrowed.
"How dare you assume Betty being just a little girl? That's outrageous in fact! In front of you is standing a caretaker of this library, The Great Spitit Beatrice."
So the little girl's name is Beatrice? And wait? Did he just call herself a Great Spirit? Flugel told me about the position of the Great Spirits and they must be treated with respect.
"Ohohoh, Are you that type of kids who pretend to be some sort of important people? Nuh uh! Nice try!"
"Hmph! What a stubborn human you are, i suppose." Beatrice just simply turned her head away.
Subaru walked away while examing more bookshelf and heard the footsteps behind him whenever he went.
"Hey little girl, i am not in a mood to play with you right now."
"Ha~? Who said that Betty wants to play with you? Betty is simply watching you so you won't do something reckless"
"In that case, can you show me the books about the magic and its history? If you are really a caretaker of this library"
"Why would Betty help you?" Beatrice annoyedly replied.
"Now, now Beatrice. This is not how you are supposed to treat the guests of the library." Another mysterious female voice appeared.
"I-i am sorry, Mother" Beatrice weekly replied.
Subaru turned his gaze to another source of the voice. Her figure was wrapped in black clothing. Her skin was pure white. She had long straight hair which reached down to her back and was as white as her skin. Her black eyes shone with intellect. She had a very striking beauty.
"Where are my manners? My name is Echidna, Witch of Greed." Echidna simply smiled.
A Witch of Greed? Flugel told me that the witches were roaming across the whole world. But i didn't expect encountering one so soon. He said that he was in a good relationship with the witches. Subaru thought
Subaru sighed before striking a pose and thrusting a finger to the air. "My name is Natsuki Subaru, current second apprentice of the Great Sage."
While Beatrice was trying to understand that did Subaru just do, Echidna's smile only widened. "Oh? I didn't know Flugel had a second apprentice. If that's the case, you are allowed to use this library as long as you want."
"Oh? Is that so? Thanks!" Subaru then asked "I remember Beatrice calling you a mother, is that true?"
"In a way, yes. She's so called my daughter" Echidna replied
"I am literally your daughter in fact!" Beatrice cutely pouted.
"She is an artificial spirit which i created. So you could call her my daugther."
Oh. So she wasn't lying while calling herself a Great Spirit.
"Alright Echidna, i might as well take your offer and use this library."
Echidna just simply nodded before retreating back to what it seems a reception table. Meanwhile Beatrice was simply staring at Subaru.
"Is something on my face?" Subaru innocently asked.
"Nothing is wrong, Betty will accompany you, i suppose"
"Awww, my little Beako is going to keep me a company, how cute!"
"Don't get your hopes up too high, i am merely just accompaying you so you won't cause a mess- What did you just call Betty?" Beatrice asked.
"Oh? Beako. A nickname. A sign of the start of our friendship. Do you like it?" Subaru replied
Beatrice made a long pause before replying. "Hmph! Betty will allow this once, I suppose."
"Eh?" That was the only sound Subare made. He stared at Beatrice surprised, he didn't expect her to accept that.
"What? Why are you staring at me like that? Just move on and get a book or two, i suppose!" Beatrice's cheeks were reddened, while she was pushing Subaru with her arms.
***It's been a few hours since then. Despite being cold outside, Beatrice was actually kind and was eager to help Subaru if he asked to.
"Be thankful that Betty is willing to help you" Beatrice smirked before explaining the danger of mana poisining. Meanwhile Echinda was smilling and genuiely happy that Beatrice was communicating with people and possibly making a new friend.
Subaru looked out of the window and realised it was evening. "Oh shoot, i am sorry Beako, but i have to leave now. I promise i will come back tomorrow."
Beatrice smile quickly wavered before she put back on a neutral expression. "Hmph! Don't make Betty wait tomorrow, I suppose."
Subaru quickly stood up and embraced Beatrice and started spinning her around. "Oh my god, Beako! How can you be this cuteeee!"
Meanwhile Beatrice couldn't keep up her neutral expression, her face turned red and she started yelping. "P-put Betty d-down, I suppose!"
Subaru chuckled before putting her down. Beatrice brushed her clothes off before walking towards Echidna. "Alright, Echidna, I'm leaving now. I will probably return tomorrow, I hope you don't mind it!"
Echidna just simply smiled before replying. "I am eager to see you again, Natsuki Subaru."
"Bye Beako! Don't eat too many sweets tonight!" Subaru waved as he was exiting the library.
"Stop treating Betty like a child, i suppose!" Beatrice huffed her cheeks before turning away.
Now he was standing in the middle of the street and realisation hit him. He didn't know how to get back to the inn. But that was quickly solved when he saw one of the Geuse's fingers approaching him. "Subaru-sama, please follow me, i'll take you back to the inn"
"Alright, i gotcha! Lead the way" Subaru nodded and followed the finger.
Shortly after, they arrived to their inn where Geuse greeted Subaru. "Good evening Subaru-sama, I hope you enjoyed your day here, the dinner is ready for you."
"Yo, Geuse. You won't believe who i met today, A witch. A Witch of Greed, Echidna and her so called daugther Beatrice. We got along surpsingly well."
Geuse eyes slightly widened. "You met a witch of Greed? I am quite surprised, usually she stays in her palace of the Witch. And is Beatrice-sama in a good health?"
"Beako? You know her personally?" Subaru asked.
"Indeed I do, i used to bring her a couple of books sometime." Geuse replied.
Subaru nodded before replying. "Alright then, what's for the dinner? I haven't eaten anything since the morning."
***The next day Subaru returned to the Library. And that's how the remaining days went by. Subaru would hangout in the library with Beatrice while learning new things. But the day of departure was finally reached. Right now Subaru was in the Library with Beatrice reading a history book. In one hour he would have to leave this town. So he had to inform Beatrice and Echidna about it.
"Oh well, how fast time flies. I have to leave in a hour." Subaru said while looking out of the window.
"Indeed the time flies fast when you are enjoying your time, I suppose." Beatrice replied. "I've found another interesting book to read, so don't make Betty wait too long tomorrow."
"Uhm, Beako. I am sorry to say, but i am leaving from this town entirely." Subaru sadly replied.
"W-what are you saying?" Beatrice voice slightly trembled.
"I only stayed in this town temporary, so I have to leave now."
"B-but you will come back to visit me, right? When you are done with your important things, r-right?"
Subaru hesistated. He wasn't sure if he would be able to come back to this town. After all it was a few hours from the watchtower by using a carriage. But maybe If he could talk with Flugel about it.
"Yeah Beako, i will definetely visit you again, I promise."
It took a while before Beatrice turned back to being usual herself. "Hmph! Don't take too long, we have a lot of books to read, I suppose"
"And I promise that I would bring a lot of sweets with me when i am back here." Subaru added.
"How many times Betty has to tell you not to treat Betty like a child, in fact!"
Another voice interrupted us. "Oh? Already departuring from this town, Natsuki Subaru?"
"Yeah, we have to get back to the watchtower by the end of this week." Subaru replied.
"I see, then can you do me a favor? Can you deliver this letter to Flugel? It's about the Sanctuary project, he will understand." Echidna handed out the letter.
Subaru nodded his head. "Alright, will do." Subaru stepped to the exit. "Thanks for hospitality, Echidna! And I'll see you later, Beako!" Subaru waved his hand before leaving.
Subaru then rushed immediatly to the inn, where he saw a carriage ready. He walked up to Geuse. "Subaru-sama, did you say goodbye to Beatrice-sama and Echidna-sama?"
"Yeah, I did. I am ready" Subaru sighed
"Alright then, we are ready to leave now." Geuse and Subaru got in the carriage and began their movement to their destination. To the Elior Forest.