A/N: Hey, here's the author after so long; I hope you're liking the fanfic so far. I haven't had much time to write lately.
Here I leave you the Prelude (11K Words), see you another time.
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Kaoru was sound asleep in the hallway of the Roswaal mansion, his back leaning against one of the doors. The night before had been exhausting; carrying Subaru, Emilia, Rem, and the others to their rooms while the alcohol continued to cloud his judgment had ended up taking its toll on him. Exhaustion and drunkenness got the better of him, leaving him lying there like a sack of potatoes.
The hallway was silent, bathed in the dim light of dawn coming through the windows. Only the sound of the wind broke the stillness of the mansion.
"Tsk."
A click of tongue cut through the air, echoing in his ears. But Kaoru did not move. His breathing was still heavy, sunk in a deep, unperturbed sleep.
Someone's footsteps began to slowly drift away, leaving the hallway eerily silent again. Until suddenly:
"Wake the hell up!" exclaimed a female voice, laden with irritation.
A bucket of ice water poured over him. Coldness ran through his entire body, but Kaoru remained motionless, as if his body refused to react.
...
Ram sighed deeply, closing her eyes for a moment, clearly losing her patience. Without a second thought, she lifted the metal bucket with both hands and dropped it hard on Kaoru's head.
CLANG!
The impact was brutal. The blow hollowed out the metal bucket and Kaoru's face crashed to the ground with a thud.
"My head! Are you going to kill me?" complained Kaoru, bringing a hand to the area of the blow, where blood was beginning to gush. His tone was a mixture of pain and frustration.
"I tried to wake you up for almost an hour," Ram replied, crossing her arms as she scowled at him. "You already had me worried."
"If you were that worried, I guess popping my brain wasn't the best idea for waking me up," Kaoru said, struggling to his feet as the pain pulsed in his head. His sarcastic tone barely covered his annoyance.
Ram let out a slight sigh and looked away. "...I'm sorry. I guess I overdid it. I'm just... I'm feeling a little anxious today." Her tone was neutral, but there was a certain sincerity behind her words.
"Don't worry about it," Kaoru replied, placing his hand over the wound. He closed his eyes and began to use his low-level healing magic, letting a gentle repairing light close the wound bit by bit. "Don't you feel hungover or something?" he asked as he finished healing.
"No. It's hard for alcohol to give us oni symptoms of weakness," Ram replied, her tone bordering on indifference. "Though I must say that you, on the other hand, seem unable to handle it."
"That must be great," Kaoru sighed, bringing a hand to his hip as he tried to steady himself. "I feel incredibly dizzy. I don't know if it's from the blow or the alcohol, tho."
Ram raised an eyebrow, though she said nothing. She simply watched him, as if assessing whether it was worth responding.
"Anyway, Ram," Kaoru continued, trying to change the subject. "We're going to Lunara tomorrow, aren't we? What are we doing today?"
"Roswaal will tell us today at lunchtime," Ram explained, crossing her arms with her typical confident posture. "But in the meantime, as usual, we'll do the housework until then."
"I understand... And by the way, what time is it?" asked Kaoru, trying to get his bearings a bit.
"It's 10, Brightsun," Ram replied, her tone indicating that she was preparing for an inevitable lesson.
"¿10... Brightsun?" Kaoru frowned, intrigued. "What's that supposed to be?"
Ram put a hand to her forehead, clearly exasperated. "You seriously don't know something as basic as the time system?"
Kaoru smiled nonchalantly. "Nope. I don't know anything at all."
"And you say that so nonchalantly..." muttered Ram, her tone laden with disbelief. "What a mess."
"Come on, come on, I'm a fast learner. If you explain it to me once, you won't have to remind me anymore, hehe," Kaoru said, with a carefree smile.
Ram looked at him silently for a moment, as if evaluating whether it was worth spending her time. Finally, she let out a slight sigh.
"Ugh... Okay, Kaoru. Listen." Her voice was firm, but there was a slight tone of patience. "The clock and time in general are divided into two phases: Brightsun and Darksun. I don't think I need to explain to you why they're called that, do I?"
Kaoru shook his head, paying attention.
"The Brightsun comprises the Wind Time and the Fire Time, which run from 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Darksun, on the other hand, is the Time of Water and the Time of Earth, which run from 6:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M."
"So that's it. Yes, I understood that. Thank you for your explanation, Ram. You're very good at explaining," Kaoru said, smiling slightly.
"You don't have to force flattery," Ram replied, her expression remaining neutral. Despite this, her eyes seemed to sparkle slightly with pride.
"Come on, Ram. Your smile is my miracle drug," Kaoru said, leaning in a little closer as he lifted her chin gently. "One flirtatious look and all my dizziness disappears."
Ram didn't pull away but stared at him, her expression unchanged. "Are you going to start your pervert nonsense this early already? I don't think I can put up with you all day."
"I know you'll fall for it sooner or later, but why wait?" replied Kaoru playfully, with a smirk.
"You're a idiot," Ram said, maintaining her usual neutral attitude. She showed no signs of annoyance or interest, but she didn't push him away either.
"Your favorite idiot," Kaoru said, closing the distance and pressing his lips against hers in a soft kiss. His hand cupped Ram's hip, while the other remained on her chin.
Ram blinked, surprised. She didn't push Kaoru away, but she didn't overtly respond to the kiss either. She simply closed her eyes and let it pass, as if it were a minor annoyance she had to tolerate.
After a few seconds, Kaoru broke away, a trickle of saliva connecting their lips.
"I feel in a good mood... and I think it's your fault, Ram. Your smile is addictive, just like your lips," Kaoru said, with a confident smile.
"If you're in a good mood, then you should go change and start working. You'll be more useful doing that than wasting time kissing me," Ram replied, in a cold but practical tone, as she turned to start her day.
"Yes, I will do that," Kaoru replied, smiling as he watched her walk away.
[Time Skip]
After changing and putting on his servant's clothes, Kaoru, as if it were a daily routine, decided to visit the petite tsundere librarian of the mansion to say good morning to her.
As he walked through the endless and silent corridors, he stopped in front of a seemingly ordinary door. One door among hundreds.
"This is it."
Kaoru exhaled deeply, letting the air escape with some tiredness, though his expression remained relaxed.
Really, I haven't the slightest idea how I know exactly which door leads to Beatrice's archive among the hundred or so doors in the mansion. But, hey, I'm not complaining, hehe He thought with a slight smile.
With a quiet movement, Kaoru turned the knob and opened the door without hesitation. The scent of old books enveloped him almost instantly.
"Good morning, Beako. I woke up looking forward to seeing you," Kaoru greeted as he entered the archive, his tone warm and a slightly playful smile gracing his face.
Beatrice, sitting in her usual armchair with a huge book in her hands, barely moved her eyes towards him. "Really, every time you come in like this, so nonchalant as if it's no challenge to get here, it makes me question my magic, seriously, Kashira," she said in her trademark, if somewhat annoyed, tone.
Kaoru closed the door behind him and walked towards her calmly. "You shouldn't question yourself. You're very strong, and I know it. Spirits in physical form are incredibly powerful. Puck has proven that to me more than once. I guess I'm just a special guy"
Beatrice let out a slight snort, though she didn't look away from her book. "A special guy, you say? Please tell someone else, Kashira." Her words were laced with apparent disdain, but her expression changed slightly. There was something about her, a glimmer of melancholy that did not go unnoticed by Kaoru.
Kaoru watched her carefully, trying to read beyond her words. That expression... he thought, though he decided not to press. Instead, he opted to change the subject.
"By the way, Beatrice," Kaoru began, "Will you be going to Lunara as well?"
"I was planning to stay here," she replied without looking up from her book.
"Why?" asked Kaoru, cocking his head to one side.
"Because it's my duty as protector of the Roswaal Manor's hidden archive. I must not let anyone keep this knowledge, kashira," Beatrice said earnestly, hugging her book tighter.
Kaoru frowned and crossed his arms. "I don't think anyone would dare attack the mansion of the most powerful mage in Lugunica, do you?"
"What you believe is irrelevant, Kaoru," Beatrice replied, lifting her chin with some pride. "In Lunara, they invited many important members of the kingdom. It's common sense that their houses will be more unprotected during that time, Kashira."
Kaoru nodded slowly. "You're right, but... is that really a good enough reason to stay cooped up here? I may not fully understand what the fuck those books are, nor if they're from Roswaal's lineage or someone else's, but... wouldn't you like, if only for once, to get out and enjoy yourself?"
Beatrice didn't answer right away. Her small fingers tightened their grip on the edge of her book. The silence between the two lengthened, but Kaoru did not look away from her.
"I don't know," Beatrice finally murmured, her tone lower than usual.
Kaoru took a step toward her, his gaze softening. "I promise you, when we're there, we'll do lots of fun things. I'll take you to as many places as I can, and we'll enjoy the festival together. We all will."
Beatrice was still silent, though her gaze lowered to the book she was holding. She didn't seem to want to give in, but something in the warmth of Kaoru's words seemed to weaken her resolve.
"Please, Beatrice," Kaoru insisted, his voice softer but firm.
"I... I must stay in the archi-" she began, but Kaoru interrupted her, taking a step closer.
"Don't make me beg you, please," Kaoru said, leaning a little closer to her. His gaze was fixed on Beatrice's, sincere and full of determination.
"Why...?" Beatrice's voice trembled slightly. "Why do you want me to go? Why do you insist so much?" She asked, hugging her book tightly, as if this was her only refuge.
Kaoru smiled, bowing his head slightly. "Because I love you. And I don't want to leave you here alone."
Beatrice looked up suddenly, her butterfly-pupiled blue eyes full of surprise. "You... love me?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"I love you so much. So very much," Kaoru replied, with a goofy, carefree smile, but one laden with truth.
Beatrice's face turned bright red. She hastily covered herself with her book, hiding her expression behind the pages. "¡¿Why are you saying it like that like it's a normal thing, Kashira!?!"
Kaoru let out a small laugh, amused but gentle. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," he said, reaching over to pet her blonde hair gently.
"You're treating me like a child now, Kashira," Beatrice murmured, sinking her face even deeper into the book.
"Sorry," Kaoru said, still not stopping petting her. "So... will you go?"
Beatrice remained silent for a few seconds that seemed eternal. Finally, she nodded slightly, without taking the book away from her face. "Yeah, I guess I'll go."
"Really?" Kaoru smiled, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "You won't regret it. You'll find it'll be fun."
"Yeah... I hope so, Kashira," Beatrice murmured, still covered by her book.
Kaoru took a step back, withdrawing his hand from her hair. "Well, I guess I'll see you later then," he said with a smile as he prepared to leave the archive.
"I'll... see you," Beatrice replied, barely looking up from the book a bit, though the blush on her cheeks was still present.
Kaoru closed the door behind him, leaving Beatrice alone in the archive. She slowly lowered the book, looking back to where he had been moments before. A small smile appeared on her lips, though she quickly went back to hiding behind her book.
"Well, I already said good morning to Beatrice. I suppose I should visit Subaru now," Kaoru said with a pleased sigh, stretching his arms slightly as he walked down one of the long corridors of the mansion.
A small smile crept across his face as his thoughts drifted back to the archive. "I managed to convince her..." he thought to himself, remembering Beatrice's expression when she finally agreed to go to Lunara.
Kaoru continued on his way, passing identical doors one after another. "Now... which room did I leave him in last night?" he muttered, pausing for a second with a hand on his chin. After a few moments of pondering, his memory finally clicked. "Oh, right. This is it."
He stopped in front of a door, the one he remembered choosing for Subaru the night before. He turned the knob and opened it slightly, peeking inside.
"Are you awake, sleepyhead?" said Kaoru as he stepped inside, closing the door behind him gently.
The inside of the room was dimly lit, with the curtains still closed. Subaru was still lying on the bed, exactly as Kaoru had left him last night: face down, sheets in disarray, one arm dangling lazily over the edge.
"I guess not," Kaoru muttered to himself, shrugging as he approached the bed.
With a quiet gesture, Kaoru leaned over and grabbed Subaru's shoulder, shaking him lightly. "Come on, Subaru, wake up. It's time to get up"
Nothing.
Subaru didn't move an inch. His breathing was still heavy and deep, clearly slumped over from the previous night's drunkenness.
Kaoru frowned and shook him a little harder. "Hey, Subaru. Get up already or I'll be forced to do something drastic," he warned, though his tone was still more playful than serious.
Still nothing.
Kaoru sighed, bringing a hand to his chin as he watched the young man sound asleep. "Really, if it weren't for you having the Return by Death, I'd think you were dead," he commented sarcastically as he examined him.
Finally, Kaoru smiled mischievously as an idea began to form in his mind. "I guess I'll have to try something more creative...?"
He cleared his throat slightly, leaning towards Subaru's ear with a smirk. "I'm not that good at imitating voices, but I think I can do this," he muttered to himself, starting to really thin his tone.
He then whispered in a voice that mimicked Emilia surprisingly well, "Subaru-kun, wake up, sleepyhead. You don't want to leave all the burden to Rem and Ram, do you?"
The effect was immediate.
Subaru opened his eyes slowly, turning his head to the side as he whispered, "Emili-"
The image that greeted him completely froze him. Instead of Emilia, he saw Kaoru's face inches from his, with a smirk and eyes full of mischief.
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"
Subaru's scream echoed throughout the room as he sat up with a jolt, nearly stumbling over the sheets. "Y-You! YOU! Was it you all this time?!" he exclaimed, pointing an accusing finger at Kaoru as he staggered onto the bed.
Kaoru, without losing his calm, stood up and sighed. "I tried to wake you up, but you wouldn't react. So I came up with this. How was my voice imitation?" Kaoru's voice deepened back to his normal tone.
"How was it?! It was perfect! But that's not the point. I almost had a heart attack!" shouted Subaru, still red-faced from a mixture of embarrassment and anger.
Kaoru put a hand to his chest, feigning tenderness. "Next time I'll dye my hair silver, just for you," he said, hugging himself with a dreamy expression.
"Don't do it!" cried Subaru, horrified.
"It was sarcasm," Kaoru replied, laughing as he backed away a bit. "Anyway, since you're awake, how about you get dressed and start helping us with the mansion chores?"
Subaru looked at him, noticing that Kaoru was already wearing his servant's uniform. "Is it almost noon already?" he asked, stretching.
"Yes, and Roswaal has something to tell us about Lunara," Kaoru added, adjusting the collar of his shirt. "So you'd better not be late."
"Lunara... I almost forgot. Yeah, tomorrow, right?" muttered Subaru as he ran a hand through his messy hair.
"Exactly. See you later," Kaoru said, waving his hand as he walked out of the room.
"Yeah, yeah... See ya," Subaru replied, still processing what had just happened.
[Time Skip]
Hours later, it was already noon. Kaoru had spent the morning watering and trimming the garden lawn, while Subaru cleaned the rooms with an enthusiasm that waned with every minute due to the effects of the hangover. Rem and Ram, as always, took charge of preparing the day's feast with their characteristic efficiency. Now, everyone was gathered around the large dining room table.
"Well, well, we're all gathered together. That's good~," Roswaal said in his typical theatrical tone, holding out his hands as if he were presenting a play.
"Well, you know we'll be leaving for Lunara tomorrow morning. I have secured a contact who will provide us with a carriage and land dragoons. They will be here early so we can leave smoothly," Roswaal added, sketching a quiet smile.
"Roswaal, have you ever been to Lunara?" asked Emilia, who was sitting with Puck comfortably leaning on her shoulder.
"Of course, Miss Emilia. It's a wonderful place, and I'm sure when you see it you'll love it at first sight~" Roswaal replied, holding a hand to his chest with his usual elegance.
"We will be staying at a hotel with an excellent reputation, so you need not worry. The accommodations will be the same or even better than what you have here," he added, looking at those present with a confident smile.
"That's great, Roschi!" exclaimed Subaru, clearly excited, already picturing the festival in his head. "I can't wait to see what it's like over there!"
Roswaal's expression changed slightly, however, showing a more serious tinge. "However..." he began, leaving a small silence that caught everyone's attention.
"I wanted to ask if you all plan to go. Although Lunara will be a lovely experience, there is the small detail that we would be leaving the mansion completely empty for several days..."
"I'll stay," Rem said calmly, interrupting the silence that had formed. "Someone needs to keep the mansion nice and presentable for when they return."
"Rem?! You're staying?" exclaimed Subaru, clearly disappointed. "You shouldn't stay! Don't you want to see the festival too?"
Rem smiled sweetly, that smile that seemed to light up any room. "I'd love to, Subaru-kun. But someone has to watch the mansion while you're away. Besides, I'll be more than eager to hear everything you'll tell me when you get back."
"Rem..." Subaru sighed, though he couldn't help but return a faint smile. "I guess that's just the way it is."
There was a brief silence before Subaru, as if he'd just had a brilliant idea, exclaimed, "In that case, I'll bring you a present!"
"A present?" Rem blinked, surprised, as she looked at him curiously.
"Yes! I'll bring you something very nice as a souvenir. After all, just telling you what happened wouldn't be enough, would it? Hehe," Subaru said, with a wide and confident smile.
"Subaru-kun is always very kind," Rem replied with a soft tone, his dazzling smile causing Subaru to look away a little, evidently somewhat embarrassed.
"Then Rem will stay behind to look after the mansion while we're gone," Roswaal resumed, turning his attention to someone else. "But, Miss Beatrice, what about you? It's rare to see you at gatherings like this."
Beatrice, who had been sitting in a corner with her trademark book in her hands, looked up at the sound of her name. "I...I'll go," she murmured, her tone low and somewhat timid, in contrast to her usual proud attitude.
"You'll go?" exclaimed Subaru, visibly surprised. "I wasn't expecting that!"
Beatrice nodded slightly, with a slight blush on her cheeks. "Yes, I'll go to Lunara with you," she said, still with a more reserved tone.
"That's excellent, Betty! You decided to come for me?" asked Puck, smiling as he settled better on Emilia's shoulder.
"I wouldn't leave my Nii-cha behind," Beatrice replied, trying to regain her usual attitude, though the way she avoided eye contact betrayed her nervousness.
"I'm glad you want to come with us, Beatrice," Emilia said with a warm smile, looking at the little librarian with genuine gratitude.
Kaoru, sitting in his place, said nothing, but his slight smile showed his happiness. pleased that Beatrice had decided to accompany them.
"And you, Ram, will you go too?" asked Subaru, now turning his attention to the other maid, clearly interested to know what she would say.
"Of course I will go, if that is what Roswaal-sama wishes," Ram replied in a calm, professional voice, although there was a slight glint of pride in her eyes at the mention of her master.
"Looks like it was a good meeting," Roswaal concluded, standing up with his usual theatrical movements. "I'm glad we can almost all go. For my part, I'm retiring. I hope you'll all be ready tomorrow morning to leave."
Roswaal began walking towards the exit, taking a few slow steps before turning his head slightly towards them. "End of the meeting~" he added in his characteristic singsong tone, disappearing from the dining hall with the same theatricality as always.
[Time Skip]
Hours later, the sun was at its highest point. Inside the mansion, Subaru watched with disdain as Kaoru set the mop aside and straightened up with a sigh.
"Hey, Kaoru, where are you going?" asked Subaru, leaning on the handle of the mop he was holding.
"I'm done with my part-time work," Kaoru replied calmly, adjusting his clothes. "I'm going into the village. I need to look for something with the tailor."
"Ah, right, leave all the burden to Subaru," Subaru commented sarcastically, waving a hand in the air.
"I already did," Kaoru replied without even turning around as he headed for his room.
Subaru watched him until he disappeared down the hallway.
"Now I have to clean the basement too... shit."
Kaoru, for his part, took his time bathing and changing. Leaving the servant's outfit behind, he changed into his usual clothes, more comfortable for the journey. Now ready, he left the mansion and took the path leading to Arlam village.
The path through the forest was quiet, with the gentle rustle of leaves beneath his feet and the occasional chirping of birds. The calm surroundings allowed Kaoru to organize his thoughts, those that constantly haunted him.
I still haven't figured out how to break the vow I forcibly made with Roswaal, he thought, frowning. It will be a headache to deal with that later. I know he doesn't mean well, and just thinking about it makes me anxious....
Kaoru kicked a stone in the road, watching it roll. His gaze was lost for a moment. "I still don't fully understand why he's acting the way he is. Is he still distrustful of me and Subaru? Or is there something else? I can only stay out of it until he reveals his true intentions."
He brought a hand to the back of his neck, massaging it in frustration. "And on top of that, not being able to tell Subaru anything sucks. I thought maybe his plans were related to him... It makes sense, considering we both came together and, according to our fake history, we're brothers. Maybe that's why he doesn't want me to say anything to someone I trust. And, being honest, he's right."
Kaoru sighed, looking up at the clear sky. "Would telling Rem, Ram, or Emilia do any good? Probably not. If I say anything to Ram, she'll surely try to kill me for trying to frame his beloved master."
"To Rem... I'm not sure if she'd believe me, but it would most likely just cause trouble between us. And about Emilia... well, I could tell her, but I'm not sure she won't try to tell Subaru something, even if I warn her what's at stake. After all, my damned soul is in danger here."
"It's no use," Kaoru muttered, letting out a heavy sigh. "No option favors me. I can only wait and stay out of it."
Kaoru put that problem aside and focused his mind on other matters. "Raigor... that enigmatic old man is even worse than Roswaal. Mixing a pretentious old man with reality-altering powers was one of the worst ideas in the universe."
A wry smile crept across his face. "A riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma," he muttered sarcastically, before letting out another tired sigh.
"If mentioning his name alters the reality on your face, who knows how far it reaches? And, on the other hand, the grimoire he gave me..." Kaoru thought of the large book he had been diligently studying. "It's very useful, I tried to read it to see if I could find any anomaly or something that could make my way easier, but I only found that damned hidden message: "Find me". Nothing else."
Kaoru frowned, kicking another stone. "The only solution I see is to try to go back to the market district in the Royal Capital of Lugunica when I get the chance. Maybe I'll find something there. And then there's the gem hole in the grimoire... it's still a mystery."
His thoughts shifted to Lunara. "The moonlight gem. I may not have proof or hypothesis to connect the two, but I have to start somewhere. I don't have much choice now."
The town was beginning to loom in the distance, but Kaoru couldn't help but let his thoughts drift once again. This time, to something much darker.
"And then there's her. The damn creepy witch who calls me an imposter and is considered the greatest calamity in the world. For some reason, she's related to me and Subaru. Given by the miasma we emitted."
Kaoru gritted his teeth. "She looks like Emilia... or Emilia looks like her. And as icing on the cake, she has a cult of perverts who are probably up to something I don't even want to imagine."
"No fucking idea what to do about it," he muttered as he surveyed the road in front of him. "Find a solution? Fight her in that fucking garden of shadows after I get killed? Good joke. She tore me to pieces effortlessly. That's a clear 'no'."
Kaoru let out a bitter laugh. "For now, at least, she's sealed up or asleep somewhere. That's... something, I suppose."
His thoughts turned to the only idea that had occurred to him so far. "The only solution I see is to look for the three who managed to seal it 400 years ago. For sure, that's gonna be super easy, right? All I have to do is find a damn ancestral dragon, the hero and the sage from 4 centuries ago and tell them to do their fucking job right. Easy job." The irony in his thought was palpable.
Finally, Kaoru shook his head, deciding to stop overthinking everything. "No use overthinking this now," he muttered, focusing on the present. His footsteps led him to the village, which was now fully in sight.
"I guess I'd better focus on what I can do now," he said to himself, adjusting his posture as he continued walking towards the streets of Arlam village.
After arriving in town, Kaoru wasted no time and headed straight for the tailor's store. As he opened the door, a small bell tinkled, announcing his arrival. The place, made of sturdy wood, had that characteristic aroma of new fabrics and well-worked materials.
"Mr. Kaoru, you're back," the elderly tailor said with a small smile, setting aside a roll of fabric he was checking.
"Do you have what I asked for?" asked Kaoru bluntly, walking over to the counter.
"Of course. Just as you ordered. A desert brown hooded cloak," the tailor replied, pulling out the garment and spreading it out so Kaoru could get a better look at it. "And as compensation for all you've done for the village, I decided to make it longer, ankle-length. I also made it cut and stab resistant thanks to the material I used. We tested it on the village warrior, and he couldn't hurt it. Of course, I can't guarantee it will hold up against someone much stronger, but it should serve you well."
Kaoru took the cloak, running it through his hands to feel the texture. "Thank you very much," he said as he adjusted the black scarf he wore around his neck and put the cloak on. He moved his arms a little to try it on. "It's quite comfortable. I can feel that the material is thick, but it's still light."
"I'm glad you like it. I put a lot of effort into making it," the tailor said proudly. "If you need any more garments, you can always look for me here. I'll do my best to help you in any way I can."
Kaoru nodded, assessing the quality of the cloak once more. "In that case... I think I have another order for you. Can you make me a pair of black shirts out of the same sturdy material?"
The tailor put a hand to his chin, thoughtfully. "I'm currently short of material, but I'll have more coming in a week. Then I'll be able to make the garments without a problem."
"Understood," Kaoru replied.
"And are you by any chance a shoemaker as well?" asked Kaoru, looking at the boots he brought with him, somewhat worn from use.
"Yes, so am I. Do you need anything specific?"
"I want some boots. The material I'll leave to your choice, as long as they're sturdy, it works for me."
"I'll take care of both requests for you, Mr. Kaoru," the tailor said with conviction.
Kaoru smiled slightly and held out his hand. "By the way, what is your name?"
"Inahoshi," the old man replied as he shook his hand firmly.
"I hope to continue counting on you, Inahoshi."
"And I'll be glad to always help," Inahoshi said with a smile as Kaoru withdrew.
---
Leaving the tailor's store, Kaoru prepared to return, but first he decided to stop by to see the village boys. He didn't have to look far for them; the children were playing nearby and, upon seeing him, ran excitedly toward him.
"Kaoru!" exclaimed Lucas, being the first to catch up with him. His eyes sparkled at the sight of the new mantle. "How about that cloak? It looks cool, you look like an adventurer!" Lucas started to circle around Kaoru, touching the cloak curiously.
"You look really cute like that," Petra commented with a shy smile.
"Thank you, Petra," Kaoru replied with a faint smile, tilting his head at her.
"Do you know how to use a sword, Kaoru?" asked Cain admiringly. "If you knew, you'd look even cooler! Although my dad always says that spears are better because they're practical and blabla... but to me, they're boring."
Kaoru let out a small laugh. "I don't know how to use a sword," he admitted calmly. "I can use daggers, but it's not like I'm very good with them either. I see them more as an adjunct, something to help if you have to fight. Better than just using my fists, at least."
The children looked at him in fascination, but Kaoru changed the subject before the questions continued. "Anyway, I wanted to tell you guys something. I'm going on a trip."
"On a trip!?" exclaimed Petra, her eyes full of curiosity. "Where are you going, Kaoru-kun?"
"Are you going to New York?" asked Lucas, causing Kaoru to sigh deeply.
"No, Lucas. I'm not going to New York," Kaoru said with a tired tone. "I'm going to a better place—Lunara."
"Lunara... what's that?" Asked Mild, frowning as he tilted his head.
"You don't know it?" Kaoru raised an eyebrow in surprise. The children shook their heads in unison. "It is an ethereal place where the moon never hides. When night falls, it's said you can see the entire cosmos. Every year they have a big festival, and people from all over Od Laguna attend."
"That sounds great!" exclaimed Dine enthusiastically. "Can you bring us presents?"
The question took Kaoru by surprise. Before he could answer, the other children began to join in.
"Can you bring me a HUGE axe, Kaoru?" Asked Lucas, his eyes lighting up with excitement.
"And me a wreath," Mild asked with a smile.
Kaoru held up his hands, stopping them. "Wait! There's no joke if you guys tell me what to bring you." He sighed, giving up. "I guess I'll bring you presents, shall I?"
"YES! KAORU IS THE BEST!" the children shouted, jumping up and down in excitement.
Kaoru smiled slightly as he thought, Having a small group of kids who look up to you isn't so bad. Sometimes you need some praise, and if it comes from kids, at least you know it's sincere.
Petra, somewhat more shy than the others, approached Kaoru and took his wrist gently. Carefully, she tied a white tissue around it. Kaoru looked at her with a bit of surprise but then smiled and stroked her head gently.
"You care for me, don't you?" He said in a soft tone, which made Petra blush intensely and hide her face to avoid the others' stares.
"I'll take care of the tissue," Kaoru added, still stroking her hair.
Petra sketched a small smile at hearing that. "Please take care of yourself, Kaoru," she said softly.
"Take this, Kaoru," Dine said, handing her a small bracelet made of beads.
"And this too!" exclaimed Lucas, handing Kaoru a white grub that looked pretty gross. Kaoru tried not to grimace.
"I got some too," Meina said, handing him a fresh flower.
"And me," Mild added, placing a shiny stone in her hand.
Kaoru looked at the children's gifts and couldn't help but smile. "Thank you guys so much. Really."
"See you, Kaoru!" the children shouted as he began to walk away. They waved their hands enthusiastically, some shouting goodbyes while others just looked at him in admiration.
---
"I guess I should think about presents now too..." Kaoru thought as he walked down the path back to the mansion. Despite the worries roaming around in his mind, he couldn't stop a faint smile from appearing on his face. Even with all these troubles, these quiet moments are... quite comforting.
However, his relaxed expression quickly faded as his thoughts returned to his goals. "Perhaps I can train my mana control a bit tonight. All the wound stuff and the festival distracted me from the main thing: getting stronger. Once I manage to master my mana control, I'll be able to apply the hypothesis about merging mana with od. [1]That's still a long way off, but the thought of it is... interesting."
As he moved forward, Kaoru adjusted the black scarf around his neck. "If Raigor said so, it must be true. Although... maybe I should try to learn swordsmanship. Not that what Cain said affected me, but it might be useful, right?"
A few minutes later, Kaoru arrived at the mansion, entering through one of the garden gates. Without wasting any time, he headed to his room to look for the grimoire, but on the way he crossed paths with Subaru.
"Kaoru, what about that cloak? Was that what you were looking for in the village?" asked Subaru, pointing to the garment curiously.
"Yes, I asked the tailor a few days ago to make me a sturdy one," Kaoru replied calmly. "By the way, are you done with your work?"
"I have a little bit left, but ah, yes. I've finished my day. I was thinking of going to see Emili-"
"Perfect, because you're coming with me," Kaoru interrupted, grabbing his arm and starting to walk.
"Wait, what! Hey, where are we going?" exclaimed Subaru, trying to resist.
"To train. A lot," Kaoru replied with a confident smile.
"Really? I just finished working! Can't I rest a little first?" protested Subaru, dragged away by Kaoru.
"No. Come," Kaoru said firmly, ignoring his companion's complaints.
---
After collecting the grimoire and going through the basement to get a couple of wooden swords, Kaoru and Subaru arrived in the garden. The place was quiet, with the evening light bathing the lawn.
Kaoru lifted one of the swords, turning it in his hand to get used to the weight. "It's my first time using a sword, but I think it grips like this," she commented as she adjusted her grip.
"So what do you plan to do with this?" asked Subaru, cocking his head to the side as he eyed Kaoru suspiciously.
"A spar," Kaoru replied matter-of-factly, as if it were a no-brainer.
"Really?" Subaru blinked, somewhat surprised.
"Are you scared?" said Kaoru with a mocking tone, raising an eyebrow.
"Not a chance!" replied Subaru, gripping his sword tightly.
Kaoru wasted no time. Without warning, he activated the flow method, increasing his speed, and lunged towards Subaru. He swung the sword in a diagonal slash, seeking to force a reaction.
Subaru barely had time to raise his sword to block the attack. The impact was solid, and although he managed to parry it, the force behind the blow knocked him back several steps.
Kaoru gave him no respite. He thrust forward, shifting his stance in midair and swinging the sword one-handed. He feinted a horizontal slash toward Subaru's ribs.
Subaru, seeing the attack coming, reacted by raising his sword to protect himself. But Kaoru pivoted with his foot at the last second, turning his body and launching a high roundhouse kick that connected directly with Subaru's face. The blow was forceful, sending him to the ground as a trickle of blood began to trickle out of his nose.
"That was dirty! A feint? Really?" Growled Subaru as he wiped his nose with the back of his hand.
Kaoru shrugged, sketching a smile. "I'm just winging it."
Without waiting, Subaru quickly stood up and lunged forward. From a low position, he directed a lunge towards Kaoru's throat, cocking the sword slightly to increase the accuracy of the strike.
Kaoru reacted instinctively. He took a step backward, deflecting the sword's trajectory with his own. But Subaru did not stop. He turned his body and threw a hook straight into the side of Kaoru's face.
The blow connected squarely, causing Kaoru to spit saliva as he staggered. Before Subaru could attack further, Kaoru grabbed his wrist tightly. In one swift movement, Kaoru turned his body and put his leg between Subaru's legs, destabilizing him. Then, with a precise wrench, he knocked him to the grass with a thud.
"Ah!" groaned Subaru as he fell, the air escaping his lungs.
Kaoru, gasping, straightened up and let out a sigh. "I think I won..." he said, holding out a hand to help him up.
Subaru took Kaoru's hand, grunting a little as he stood up. "We both suck," Subaru admitted, dusting himself off. "But I guess the more we practice, the better we'll get."
"I hope so," Kaoru replied, settling his cloak. Then he smiled sideways. "Though, honestly, I don't understand why you're complaining so much. The enemy won't warn you when they attack you."
"How convenient for you!" retorted Subaru, pointing his sword at him. "You attacked without saying anything! You could have waited until I was ready."
Kaoru shrugged with a smirk. "And lose the advantage? No, thanks."
Subaru glared at him but eventually relaxed and let out a laugh. "You're crazy, you know that, right?"
"Just a little," Kaoru admitted, resting the sword on his shoulder. "By the way, did you really see me as a decent swordsman at some point?"
"Decent? More like a lunatic with a sword," Subaru replied sarcastically.
They both laughed, putting aside the tension of combat.
"I guess this wasn't so bad," Subaru finally said, looking at the wooden sword in his hands. "Although... don't kick me in the face again. That was unnecessary."
Kaoru smiled. "I'll keep that in mind." I won't. "Well, at least you know I'm not that bad at improvising."
"Yeah, right. Next time, I'll make sure I take you down," Subaru said, raising his sword to point it at Kaoru. "This doesn't stay like this."
"Since you're so animated, why don't we continue?" Asked Kaoru, twirling the wooden sword in his hand, a slight smirk on his lips.
"Go ahead," Subaru replied, trying to maintain his composure as he adjusted his stance. He held the sword in two hands, mimicking what he had seen in anime or in the fights of others, but with no one to correct him, it looked more like a clumsy attempt than a true guard. Still, his eyes were full of determination.
Kaoru, meanwhile, opened his grimoire in hopes of finding something useful. However, after quickly flipping through the pages, he let out a sigh. "Nothing practical about swordsmanship. Just the basics... I guess I'll have to study in the archive later. But in the meantime..."
He closed the grimoire with a snap and fixed his gaze on Subaru. "Are you ready? I'm serious this time," Kaoru warned, his tone calm but with a hint of seriousness that made Subaru gulp.
"I am," Subaru replied, gripping the sword tightly, though it was clear his nerves were on edge.
"I'm going to teach you to control the flow method consciously, like I do," Kaoru explained, keeping his gaze fixed on him as he began to concentrate.
Kaoru closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the mana flow from his od, passing through his mana gate and coursing through his body. The flow was slow but steady, enough to increase his physical capabilities by like 25%. Kaoru smiled slightly as he felt his body synchronize with the mana.
"Good. Let's go," Kaoru said as he took a fighting stance with the sword in one hand. He propelled himself forward with a strong step, closing the distance between the two in the blink of an eye.
"Hah!"
With a swift movement, Kaoru launched a diagonal slash towards Subaru.
Clang!
The sound of wood clashing echoed as Subaru managed to block it, though the force of the impact knocked him back several meters.
Kaoru did not let Subaru regain his balance. He continued with a series of quick slashes.
Thwack!
Thwack!
Subaru blocked most of them, his arms shaking from the effort, but one of the blows managed to connect in his side.
Thwack!
Subaru let out a groan of pain as he backed up a step, bringing a hand to his side where a bruise was already forming.
Subaru took a deep breath, forcing himself to concentrate. I have to stabilize the flow... he thought as he tried to mimic what Kaoru had explained to him earlier. But keeping control of the mana while Kaoru was attacking him was proving extremely difficult.
Desperate to gain some distance, Subaru launched a high kick towards Kaoru.
Wham!
The kick was effective, forcing Kaoru back a few steps as Subaru used the momentum to reposition himself with clumsy footwork.
"Nice try," Kaoru commented, though his tone showed he wasn't impressed. He decided to increase the pace, speeding up the flow of mana in his body. His speed and strenght increased a little more, and before Subaru could react, Kaoru launched a lunge straight to the stomach.
Thud!
Subaru shot backwards, falling to the ground with a thud.
"Can you go on?" asked Kaoru, lowering the sword slightly as he watched Subaru.
Subaru, panting, slowly got up from the ground. "Yes... I can," he said, though his movements were slower. He gripped the sword again, this time with a more focused gaze, trying to read Kaoru's movements.
Without giving him time to think too much, Kaoru charged again. He propelled himself forward with impressive speed, spinning his body in the air and launching a tornado kick towards Subaru's ribs. Bam! The impact was forceful, sending Subaru rolling across the grass. However, Subaru managed to stabilize himself at the end of the fall, staying in a low position.
"Not bad," Kaoru commented as he blocked a lunge that Subaru launched from that position.
Clang!
The wooden swords clashed loudly.
Subaru, far from giving up, began to take the offensive, launching a series of slashes towards Kaoru. Although they were clumsy and uncoordinated, their effort was evident. Kaoru blocked each attack with ease.
Clack!
Clack!
Clack!
Clack!
"Your cuts are clumsy, Subaru," Kaoru said calmly, deflecting an attack before launching a knee straight at Subaru's chin.
Crack!
The impact made Subaru spit out spittle as he staggered back. Kaoru didn't miss the opportunity and followed up with a hook straight to the face.
Thud!
Subaru fell to the ground, his lip bleeding from the blow.
Despite the pain, Subaru didn't give up. He got up, wiping his face with the back of his hand. "You won't say that when I punch you in the face," he said with a defiant tone.
"Try me," Kaoru replied with a smirk.
Subaru lunged towards Kaoru, this time using a feint to confuse him. Kaoru fell into the trap, and Subaru managed to connect a side kick that hit him squarely in the side.
Wham! Kaoru fell back a couple of steps but quickly recovered.
Kaoru countered with a punch straight to Subaru's chest. Thud! Subaru fell to the ground once again but got up almost immediately, throwing frantic slashes towards Kaoru.
Clack!
Clack!
Kaoru blocked most of the attacks, but the effort was beginning to show on both of them.
"Come on, Subaru. Don't stop," Kaoru said, breathing heavily as he held his stance.
Subaru managed to finally stabilize his mana flow. Although the change was subtle, his speed and strength increased slightly. His attacks became more precise, less desperate.
"You finally made it," Kaoru commented as he noticed the change in Subaru. "But you still have a long way to go."
An hour passed as the two continued to train at the limit, stopping every 20 minutes to catch their breath. Kaoru, using his healing magic, healed the more serious wounds on both of them before resuming combat.
---
They were both lying on the grass, panting and covered in sweat. Subaru was looking up at the sky, the wooden sword still in his hand.
"This... was hell," Subaru muttered, turning his head towards Kaoru.
Kaoru let out a small laugh. "If you want to become stronger, you need to get used to this."
"Were you born to be a sadist or something?" joked Subaru.
Kaoru turned slightly to look at him. "If that serves to make you better, then I guess so."
Subaru let out a weak laugh, closing his eyes. "I guess that wasn't so bad. Though you could have started with something less... extreme."
"The enemy will not be kind to you, Subaru. You'd better learn that now," Kaoru replied, standing up with some effort. He extended a hand towards Subaru to help him up.
"Yeah, yeah. I got it," Subaru said as he accepted Kaoru's hand.
They both headed back to the mansion, with Subaru limping slightly and Kaoru adjusting his cloak. Despite their tiredness, they both had a slight smile on their faces.
"I'm going to take a shower. I need to calm down a bit," Kaoru said with a sigh as he ran a hand over his face, visibly exhausted.
"I guess I'm the same way... My whole body still hurts, though," added Subaru, who was walking beside him with somewhat wobbly steps, covered in bumps and bruises.
Kaoru glanced sideways at him, observing Subaru's face, which looked like it had been through a blender. He had bruises around his eyes and a slightly swollen nose. Did I go a little overboard? Kaoru thought as he averted his gaze forward. For most of the fight, Subaru couldn't control his mana flow, while I could. Maybe I should look for a more practical way to train, something other than beating each other senseless and improvising all the time?
The silence between the two lasted for a few seconds until Kaoru, still pondering, decided to break it. "Hey, Subaru, what kind of weapon do you like?" he asked as they walked towards the showers.
Subaru looked up, somewhat confused by the question. "What kind of weapon do I like? Why are you asking me that all of a sudden?" He replied with a shrug.
"I mean... why settle for a sword? There are a variety of weapons that might be more suitable for you," Kaoru explained, keeping his tone calm.
"You mean I should look for another type of weapon other than a sword?" asked Subaru, frowning slightly.
"It's just a suggestion. It's all up to you. I'm not forcing anything on you," Kaoru replied, shrugging.
Subaru looked down, thoughtfully. "I don't know... I really don't know what weapon would fit me best."
"You don't have to decide now," Kaoru said. "But maybe on Lunara you could try out some weapons you find around and see which one suits you best. It might be interesting."
"I understand," Subaru said, nodding as he pondered what Kaoru had just suggested. Although the conversation seemed to be over, Subaru was still mulling it over.
A few moments later, Subaru broke the silence again. "Hey, Kaoru, have you ever played Castlevania?"
Kaoru raised an eyebrow, averting his gaze to him. "Sure. Do you want to be Richter Belmont[2] now or something?"
"No! And I don't think there's such a thing as Dracula in this world, anyway. I meant the whip," Subaru replied, waving his hands to emphasize his point.
Kaoru looked at him in disbelief. "And I'm the sadist here?" he commented, clearly scoffing at the idea.
"Come on, think about it. A whip has a good range, it's fast, and it shouldn't be that hard to use, right?" Said Subaru, trying to justify his idea.
Kaoru shook his head, though a small smile tugged at his lips. "Yes, a whip may hurt, but it lacks lethality. It's not exactly a weapon for killing."
"Perhaps in our previous world it was, but this world is different. You saw how supernatural everything here is compared to ours; who knows? Maybe there are magic whips or something," Subaru replied, crossing his arms with a confident smile.
"You're right about that," Kaoru admitted, though he didn't seem entirely convinced.
---
Finally, they both reached the shower, which turned out to be a large circular pool with steam in the air. The soothing scent of hot water filled the place, and there stood Roswaal, submerged up to his neck, with his usual smile on his face.
"Oh, looks like I have company. I was already lonely here~," Roswaal said, stretching out the words as he tilted his head slightly towards the newcomers.
Kaoru and Subaru exchanged glances before shrugging and beginning to undress. Once ready, they stepped into the pool, letting the warm water soothe their aching muscles.
"I feel like I can just forget everything when I dive in here," Kaoru commented, closing his eyes as he tilted his head back.
"Yes, this pool is definitely the best the mansion has to offer," Subaru added, sinking a little deeper into the water with a sigh of relief.
Roswaal looked at them, clearly noticing the state they were in. "I'm very glad to hear that, but... on the other hand, why are they so beat up? Did something happen to them?" he asked curiously, though his smile didn't disappear.
"We were practicing with swords," Kaoru replied, opening one eye to look at Roswaal.
"I see. So that was it..." said Roswaal, taking a closer look at the bruises and cuts on both of them. "Though I must say, even for a training session, it looks like they... overdid it a bit, don't you think?"
Kaoru sighed, admitting his guilt. "It was a dumb fight. I should have thought better of how to train in a more practical way."
Roswaal let out a light chuckle. "It's good to accept your mistakes, Kaoru-kun. After all, no one is perfect. Not even me."
Subaru looked at him skeptically, arching an eyebrow. "You say that like you're one step away from being one," he remarked sarcastically.
Roswaal held up his hands, feigning apology. "Perhaps I sounded a bit smug. My apologies," he said, though his smile made it hard to believe he really meant it. "By the way, moving on to a more interesting topic... you should be ready at 6, Brightsun, to depart in the carriage."
"How far is the place?" asked Kaoru, turning to Roswaal.
"If we take the fast route, we'll arrive by nightfall the same day. But if we take the long route, it could take up to two days to get there," explained Roswaal, his tone casual.
"Two days?" asked Subaru, his eyes widening as he lifted his head slightly from the water.
"Yes, even if it's a city not too far away, that would be the estimated time," Roswaal clarified, keeping his smile. "But don't worry, we'll take the fast route. We wouldn't want you to miss the excitement of the festival, would we?"
"I guess not," Kaoru replied, sinking a little deeper into the water, letting the warmth relax his muscles. Subaru, for his part, simply let out a sigh.
[Time Skip]
Kaoru was lying on his bed, the grimoire open over his face. The day had been long, and he knew the next would be no different. All day they would be in the carriage. Instead of resting, however, he had spent hours reading about mana flow and other magical concepts, looking for ways to make his trainings more efficient.
As he read, he came across something that caught his attention: the possibility of passing mana through bodily fluids, something that was possible thanks to his affinity for water magic.
"Passing mana through fluids, huh? Could be interesting in many ways," Kaoru commented to himself, removing the grimoire from his face and sitting down on the bed.
The flow method he normally used consisted of circulating pure, elementless mana through his body. But what if he added his affinity for water to that flow? The idea intrigued him. "It's quite versatile. The more I think about it, the more possibilities come to mind," he mused.
Driven by curiosity, Kaoru decided to try it out. He bit his thumb with his fang, causing it to bleed a little, and began using the same basics as the flux method, but this time trying to add the water element to the mana coursing through his body.
The hours passed. It was already early morning, and Kaoru kept trying relentlessly. Each time the wound on his thumb clotted, he would bite it again to keep the blood flowing. Again and again he repeated the process, concentrating on perfecting the technique.
Finally, after 8 hours of uninterrupted practice, something changed. For a few moments, Kaoru managed to make the pure mana flowing out of his door and through his body take on properties of the water element. The wound on his thumb began to slowly close, and his mind entered a state of calm similar to the one he experienced when he was healed with healing magic.
"I... made it," Kaoru muttered with a tired smile. His body was completely exhausted, both physically and magically. She could barely stand, but she knew she had no time to waste. "Shit, I have to get out... The others must be getting ready to leave."
Kaoru tried to move, but his legs wobbled from extreme wear and tear. He took a deep breath, adjusted his black scarf and hooded cloak, and stowed the grimoire inside the cloak before leaving his room.
---
Kaoru arrived in the foyer, where Subaru, Rem, Ram, and Emilia were already waiting for Roswaal. They all turned as they saw him enter.
"Good morning, Kaoru-kun!" said Emilia with a friendly smile.
"You don't look well, Kaoru-sama," Rem commented, with a worried expression evident.
"I couldn't sleep well," sighed Kaoru, holding a hand to the back of his neck. "Anyway, don't worry. It's nothing serious."
"Nothing serious? Your dark circles under your eyes tripled," Subaru joked, crossing his arms with a sarcastic smile.
Kaoru was about to respond when he felt a slight tug on his cloak. Turning, he saw Beatrice, who was looking at him with folded arms and a serious expression.
"Beako?" asked Kaoru, leaning slightly towards her.
"You have obvious signs of mana exhaustion, Kashira. What did you do last night?" asked Beatrice, squinting her eyes.
"Well..." Kaoru averted his gaze, scratching the back of his neck. "I spent it practicing some hypotheses I had about mana flow. That's about it, hehe."
Beatrice sighed, clearly frustrated. "You shouldn't be trying so hard or trying to use magic like that. Mana exhaustion isn't something to be taken lightly, Kashira."
Kaoru smiled slightly. "I'll keep that in mind. I'd hate to worry my cutie Beako."
Beatrice blushed slightly and clicked her tongue. "Why do you always have to say things like that, Kashira?" she muttered, averting her gaze.
It was then that Roswaal arrived in the foyer, wearing fancier attire but keeping his distinctive clown makeup. "Well, since we're all here, it's time to go," he announced in his theatrical tone. "I will lead the land dragons on the journey. The carriage is spacious and has all the necessary comforts so that the trip won't be tedious for them." His smile was as wide as ever.
"I appreciate the consideration, but... the festival starts tomorrow, right?" asked Subaru, raising an eyebrow.
"Exactly," Roswaal replied, nodding. "After all, Miss Emilia must give the opening speech for the festival, as must the other candidates for the throne."
---
They all started out into the garden, where Roswaal's carriage was waiting for them. However, Subaru stopped next to Rem, who would stay at the mansion to keep it neat and tidy.
"Hey, Rem," Subaru said, turning to her. His tone was softer, almost wistful. "It hurts me that you can't come with us, but I promise I'll bring you something great when I get back."
Rem, with her typical sweet smile, replied, "I'll be looking forward to that, Subaru-kun. I look forward to hearing all about what happened at the festival."
Subaru nodded, a slight smile on his face. "I'll bring you something amazing; you'll see. Something that will make you feel like you were there too."
"That would make me very happy," Rem said, bowing her head slightly. "Take good care of yourself, Subaru-kun. And you too, Kaoru-sama."
Kaoru, who was watching the interaction from the side, nodded. "You take care of yourself too, Rem. We'll be sure to bring you something special."
Subaru raised a hand in farewell as Rem watched them depart with a calm, warm gaze.
The carriage Roswaal got looked quite comfortable. Two imposing earth dragons were hitched to the vehicle, which was large and had an elegant design, with gold and purple accents on the exterior.
"Wow, this really is luxury," Subaru commented upon seeing the carriage.
Kaoru wordlessly inspected the vehicle and nodded slightly, impressed. When they all climbed in, they were even more amazed by the comforts of the interior.
The carriage was equipped with large cushioned armchairs, covered in soft velvet, wide enough for each passenger to relax comfortably. There was a small magical refrigerator stocked with food and drink, from fresh fruit to bottles of wine. On one side of the carriage, there was a folding table with a set of cards and a chessboard for entertainment during the trip. In addition, small magic lamps hung from the ceiling to provide warm, pleasant lighting.
"This is amazing," Subaru said as he plopped down in one of the armchairs. "Roswaal, you never cease to amaze me."
Emilia smiled softly as she sat down next to Subaru. Beatrice, meanwhile, took a seat next to Kaoru, who settled himself next to one of the windows. Ram, ever the professional, sat near the door, ready to attend to any need.
"This looks more like a luxury room than a carriage," Kaoru commented, noting the details of the interior.
"It's Roswaal, what did you expect?" Said Subaru with a smile,"
As the carriage began to move, Subaru looked at Emilia. "Hey, Emilia-tan, what do you plan to say in your speech tomorrow?"
"Well..." Emilia thought for a moment, bringing a finger to her chin. "I want to convey a message of hope. It's a festival, after all. Something to make people feel good."
"That sounds perfect," Subaru commented, smiling.
Emilia smiled and looked at Subaru. "What are you planning to bring Rem, Subaru-kun?"
"Something that will make her smile even more than usual," Subaru replied with a wide grin.
Beatrice, meanwhile, gave Kaoru a sidelong glance. "You're still exhausted, Kashira," she said quietly.
"I'm fine," Kaoru replied, though he let out a small yawn.
"Kaoru-sama, if you need rest, I can prepare something to help you," Ram offered from her seat.
"Thank you," Kaoru said, bowing his head to her.
[1] This is mentioned in chapter 5.
[2] “DIE, MONSTER! YOU DON’T BELONG IN THIS WORLD!”