"You..." Subaru's tone became serious. "How much do you know about Roswaal's true intentions? I heard he told you all his plans."
"Who said that..." Beatrice first looked confused, then realized. "Oh, you've already met that demi-human maid." She held up a slender finger. "That girl's guess is indeed correct, but"
"Betty's relationship with Roswaal has nothing to do with this matter."
Subaru immediately pressed, "Then why are you staying alone in the Mansion? This Mansion where Roswaal has made no defensive preparations at all?"
"Because Betty can protect herself!" Beatrice suddenly raised her voice, then quickly calmed down. "That's why Betty chose to stay. It has nothing to do with that disgusting fellow."
"...However, Betty doesn't think Roswaal would have completely failed to consider such a situation."
"...It seems Lady Beatrice doesn't intend to tell me Roswaal's true intentions? I understand. Then I'll just have to trouble Frederica sama again."
Subaru couldn't help but sigh, rubbing her forehead. "Sigh... Could it be that everyone trusts Roswaal too much? What exactly is that fellow's 'countermeasure'? What is he really planning?"
Just as she turned to leave, an accident occurred. Due to the impractical design of her school uniform pocket, a black book slipped out and dropped to the Forbidden Library floor with a "thud."
"Ah, darn it..." Subaru muttered, bending down to pick up this trophy she had obtained from the Sloth Archbishop. Just as her fingers were about to touch the cover, a voice, clearly trembling, suddenly rang out.
"Go... Gospel?!". Beatrice's voice had lost its usual composure. "You! Where did you get this from?!"
Subaru slowly looked up at the source of the voice, only to see that the arrogance had vanished from Beatrice's small face. Her eyes were wide, and her whole body was trembling slightly.
Subaru, surprisingly composed, answered truthfully. "This is my trophy. I found it on the Sloth Archbishop of Sin after defeating him when he was about to attack the Mansion."
Beatrice's small hands unconsciously clutched her skirt. "...Archbishop of Sin... Did you kill him?"
Whether it was her imagination or not, Subaru felt a barely perceptible tremor in her voice, almost as if she was pleading for something.
Subaru shook her head. "No. Some unexpected things happened after we defeated him. Now he's locked up in the Mansion's dungeon." She paused, then added, "And that guy refused to acknowledge his name as Archbishop of Sin, calling himself Geuse."
"What?!"
Beatrice's reaction startled Subaru. The usually elegant Great Spirit suddenly leaped from her chair, her small face barely containing her excitement. This was the first time Subaru had seen Beatrice so flustered of course, Subaru wasn't present when Carlisle burned the od.
"Geuse... He's back..." Beatrice murmured to herself.
Before Subaru could react, Beatrice had already hurried past her and headed straight for the main door. Subaru had intended to ask about the black book, but Beatrice's urgency made her swallow her question.
The moment Beatrice pushed open the Forbidden Library door, she suddenly stopped and said without turning her head: "Roswaal... he's in the Sanctuary. Go there." Her voice regained its calm. "That demi-human maid will tell you the exact location of the Sanctuary."
Subaru's eyes widened in surprise. "Why... did you suddenly decide to tell me this?"
But Beatrice didn't answer. As the door closed with a "bang," Subaru was left alone in the Forbidden Library, clutching the mysterious black book, her mind full of questions.
— — — — — —
"Subaru, have you finished talking with Lady Beatrice?"
After Carlisle confirmed Emilia's safety and Puck's condition, he returned to the living room to find Subaru and Frederica engaged in an enthusiastic conversation. The black-haired girl's passionate demeanor seemed particularly excited.
"Yes! I've got important news!" Subaru turned around, her eyes sparkling. "Not only are the villagers there, but Roswaal is currently in the Sanctuary. It seems we have to go to the Sanctuary." She clasped her hands together and gave a bright smile. "Then I'll trouble you, let's go together!"
"Eh, together? Actually, I can go alone." Carlisle's gaze held concern. "Doesn't Subaru need a few more days of rest? After all, you just returned from such an intense battle..."
"Don't worry~" Subaru waved her hand, her tone light. "Of course, we need to prepare well for two days before going to the Sanctuary. These two days can be considered rare leisure time... Mainly... there are some things I absolutely must ask Roswaal face-to-face."
"I see... That's true." Frederica nodded thoughtfully, then showed a relieved smile. "Since Carlisle is accompanying you, I can certainly rest assured about safety."
Subaru immediately chimed in, her tone full of pride. "Right! You know, from the first day I met Carlisle, he has always protected me. Whether facing demon beasts or the Archbishop of Sin, he always stands at the very front..." Her voice unconsciously softened. "I'm so lucky to have met him."
"Is that so..." Frederica chuckled softly, a mischievous glint in her emerald eyes. "Carlisle is truly gentle, no wonder he is always praised by Rem and Subaru."
"Praised?"
Frederica nodded, with a somewhat helpless and amused expression. "Yes... Just now, when I was talking to Subaru about you, her praises for you didn't stop for a moment. From combat ability to interpersonal skills, she almost made you out to be the most perfect knight in the entire world."
Carlisle's face immediately turned red at her words, and Subaru's cheeks also flushed. But she quickly looked up again, her tone unusually serious. "That's not praise at all!"
Carlisle felt his face getting even hotter, because he probably guessed what Subaru was going to say next, he was quite sure that Subaru's personality didn't have the "tsundere" attribute, at least she was always straightforward with him.
"Everything I said is true!"
Subaru's eyes sparkled. "Because Carlisle is just such an excessively excellent person! Not only is he incredibly strong, but his personality is unbelievably gentle. Even when he's injured, he always thinks about comforting others. He's so patient and considerate to everyone, and being handsome is just the most insignificant bonus point for him!"
She grew more and more excited. "And, even though he's so strong, he's never arrogant, always silently taking on the most dangerous tasks. When he smiles, he's so radiant he can dispel all gloom, and in battle, he's so reliable that you can't help but want to depend on him..."
"Subaru, Subaru!" Carlisle finally couldn't help but interrupt, his entire face red down to his neck. "Th-that's enough..."
Frederica couldn't help but smile by the side. "It seems Subaru's evaluation of Carlisle is so high"
Only then did Subaru realize what embarrassing things she had said, and immediately shrank back like a cooked shrimp: "I-I was just stating the facts..."
Looking at this familiar scene, a hint of helplessness flashed in Frederica's eyes. This was the second time such a scene had played out today. Just now, when Subaru went to find Beatrice and Carlisle went to confirm Emilia's safety, she had a similar conversation with Rem.
The usually gentle and humble blue-haired maid seemed like a different person when talking about Carlisle. Her normally calm blue eyes would suddenly light up, her voice soft but full of enthusiasm, and her praises for that knight were even more gushy than what Subaru had just said.
Frederica realized that it seemed Rem's heart, the first place that originally belonged to Ram, was probably under threat... Or perhaps, that position had already quietly changed hands?
...
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