Kiyotaka followed Rem and Ram back into the mansion as he noticed Rem's gaze of suspicion and hatred.
Kiyotaka: (She's emanating pure hatred.)
Kiyotaka sighed at this as the double door opened to a dining area, when he noticed Betty had already arrived.
Kiyotaka: (It seems like she's not restricted to just the library.)
Betty: [Betty was watching from upstairs, and you have some talent in magic for a human, I suppose.]
Kiyotaka: [Well, I find those words very encouraging to hear from a spirit.]
Kiyotaka bowed slightly in respect.
Betty: [You understand, I suppose, but don't think you can butter Betty up so easily, in fact.]
Kiyotaka: [I wouldn't dream of it.]
Kiyotaka: (After all, I'm always alert, so I can't go into a deep enough sleep to dream.)
Emilia walked in with Puck on her shoulder as Betty's attention turned to Puck.
Puck: [Hey, Betty. Haven't seen you in four days. Have you been doing well and staying ladylike?]
Betty's eyes sparkled as her expression was filled with joy.
Betty: [Bubby!]
She rushed over, her hands outstretched for Puck to land on.
Betty: [I've been waiting for you to come home! Will you stay with Betty today, do you suppose?]
Puck floated away from Emilia and into Betty's hands.
Puck: [Sure, no problem. Let's relax together today.]
Betty: [Yay.]
She started twirling around with Puck in her hands.
Emilia: [I imagine you're a bit bewildered.]
Kiyotaka: [No. Not particularly. It makes sense that she'd have someone she's open with.]
Kiyotaka's ears sharpened as he heard a chain and footsteps as he turned to see a tall man with heterochromatic eyes, blue hair in a clown outfit, stand before him.
???: [My, my! How unusual to see you here, Beatrice! I'm so happy you've decided to dine with me.]
His voice was laced with a rhythm that intrigued Kiyotaka.
Betty: [Betty has had enough aggravation from another man similar to you, I suppose. Betty was only waiting for Bubby, in fact.]
Kiyotaka sighed internally.
Kiyotaka: (I'd rather not be compared to a man I have no idea about. I have no idea what kind of reputation that would entail. Whether it's a bad or good reputation, it might still end up being bad for me.)
Kiyotaka: [I suppose that you are this "Roswaal-Sama" that the twin maids were referring to?]
???: [Oh my, how very perceptive. I am indeed the lord of this manor, Roswaal L. Mathers...]
He turned to face Kiyotaka head-on. His face was quite close.
Roswaal: [...Ayanokoji Kiyotaka-Kun.]
Kiyotaka: (Something about this man... his eyes hold the same experience as the spirit Beatrice. Something about him is... unnatural.)
Kiyotaka shook off that feeling.
Kiyotaka: (Also, the way he looks to me... as if he's wary of me. Not just as a stranger, but it feels like he knows more about me than what should be possible.)
Kiyotaka bowed his head slightly.
Kiyotaka: (It is necessary to show respect.)
Kiyotaka: [I thank you for allowing me to stay in this mansion.]
Roswaal: [My, my, that's enough of thaaaat formality, don't you think? We are all heeere to enjoy a meaaal.]
Kiyotaka nodded, sitting down next to Emilia as the maids set out plates for them and they began eating.
Kiyotaka: [This food is quite good. Well. It's a step below Horikita's, but I haven't eaten her food so often for my taste buds to become spoiled of other's cooking.]
Roswaal: [You are quite a strange young man. You come to the mansion of Margrave Mathers, in the Kingdom of Lugunica, after saving Emilia-Sama from the『Bowel Hunter』 and ask for such a small favour such as a safe place to stay.]
Kiyotaka: [I suppose my situation is strange, and I think I've gathered that Emilia is likely a Royal Candidate. Am I correct?]
Emilia: [Eh!? You knew?]
Kiyotaka: [Well, hearing the Margrave Mathers refer to you with "-sama" is strange if he's the lord of this manor. From your clothes and the insignia, I'd already deduced that you had some sort of important standing. I just connected the dots.]
Emilia looked at Kiyotaka apologetically.
Emilia: [I'm sorry for not saying anything. I reaaally wasn't trying to hide it.]
Kiyotaka: [It's fine. After all, it really isn't any of my business, so I didn't expect you to say anything to me.]
Emilia: [Oh.]
Kiyotaka: [I'm here at the mansion for a few reasons. The first reason is to gain my bearings since I'm lost.]
Roswaal: [Oh my, what a teeeerible situaaation.]
Kiyotaka: [Of course, if you feel it would be better for me to leave. I find it acceptable since you allowed me to stay for a day and healed my wounds.]
Emilia: [Eh? No way. It's alright. You can stay longer.]
Kiyotaka: [While your authority is higher, I would personally like to hear from the man whose land this place belongs to.]
Emilia nodded as Roswal smiled.
Roswaal: [Weeell, I think that it's fiiiine.]
Kiyotaka: [There is one egregious issue I have that I hope you can help me with. I will, of course, repay you accordingly if you agree.]
Roswaal: [Oh? And just whaaat might that be?]
Kiyotaka: [This country's language. I can't read or write it.]
They looked surprised as Roswaal nodded.
Roswaal: [Might you help our guest, Ram?]
Ram nodded, bowing.
Ram: [Of course, Roswal-Sama.]
Kiyotaka: [I thank you for your generosity.]
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka sat in his seat as Ram stood beside him.
Ram: [We'll start with this collection of children's fairy tales. Starting tonight, Ram will help you study every evening.]
Kiyotaka: [I thank you for the effort you're putting into this.]
Ram: [It's only natural since Roswal-Sama asked me to.]
Kiyotaka: [Hm... he must be quite satisfied with a maid like you.]
Ram couldn't help but smile a little.
Ram: [Well, of course. Ram is quite charming after all.]
Kiyotaka: (As I thought. She's quite smitten with that man.)
Kiyotaka picked up the quill.
Ram: [We'll start with the basic i-glyphs. After you master them, we'll move to ro-glyphs and ha-glyphs. Now let's get started.]
Ram began instructing Kiyotaka, who then noticed the patterns and began being able to decipher the texts without Ram's help. This caused Ram to look at him with suspicion.
Ram: [You sure pick up things quickly. Did you really not know how to read or write?]
Kiyotaka: [What point would there be in lying about that? I'm just a fast learner. It also helps that I have a good teacher.]
Ram smiled for a second.
Ram: [Well, of course I am Ayanotaka.]
Kiyotaka: [What's with mixing my first and last name in order to address me?]
Ram smiled proudly, ignoring his words as she took a step back.
Kiyotaka: (Honestly...)
Kiyotaka was diligently studying when he heard Ram's breath slow and sighed.
Kiyotaka: (She's asleep? I guess I'll just sleep on the floor when I'm done.)
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka woke up the next day as he met with Emilia outside.
Kiyotaka: [Good morning, Emilia.]
Emilia: [Good morning, Kiyotaka.]
Puck flew out of Emilia's hair.
Puck: [Ready for another training session?]
Kiyotaka: [Much appreciated, Puck, but let me stretch first.]
Kiyotaka began stretching as he was doing more intense exercises, doing a handstand and then slowly moving to put all his weight on one hand.
Emilia: [Oh, woah!]
Kiyotaka: (My body feels lighter than before. Like some limit has been broken past since coming to this world. What was beyond the abilities of human biology seems possible for me now.)
Kiyotaka then put all his weight onto his fingers.
Kiyotaka: (It all feels too easy at this point.)
Kiyotaka slowly lowered himself, not even sweating, as he finished his stretches.
Kiyotaka: [Alright. I'm ready to learn Puck.]
Puck: [Then let's get started!]
Kiyotaka began training with Puck as his proficiency increased a lot.
Kiyotaka: [Dona!]
Kiyotaka fired a stone shard at a target, at it stuck in the wooden target.
Kiyotaka: [Looks like I've improved a lot thanks to you, Puck.]
Puck: [Don't mention it. It's the least I could do after you saved Lia.]
Kiyotaka: [Frankly, I would especially appreciate it if you told Roswal and the maids that I was telling the truth back then, since it doesn't seem like they trust me entirely.]
Emilia: [Eh? Why not?]
Kiyotaka: [Well, my arrival is a bit suspicious.]
Emilia: [I'm sorry we um...]
Kiyotaka: [I take no offence, but since Puck can tell my intentions at a glance, I was hoping he could convince them.]
Puck: [I can do that if you want, Kiyotaka.]
Kiyotaka: [Thank you, Puck.]
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Evening approached as Kiyotaka was in his room practising when he heard a knock on his door. He walked over, opening it to see Emilia in looser clothing.
Kiyotaka: (Well, this is something. That loose dress is showing off her figure a lot. Well, I guess it's a bit hot to be wearing anything thicker.... those thighs though...)
Emilia: [Kiyotaka?]
Kiyotaka: [Oh, right, sorry. You came here to help me with my studies?]
Emilia nodded.
Emilia: [That's right. Both Ram and Rem said they wouldn't be coming to see you tonight, so I agreed to help with your studies instead. I'm afraid I can't do much though.]
Kiyotaka: [Thank you for your help. Ram's assistance has benefited me a lot. I've already started tackling more advanced literature, so I hope you can clear up any minor misunderstandings I might have.]
Emilia looked through Kiyotaka's notes.
Emilia: [Eh? I knew you were a hard worker, but wow, you've got it all figured out already.]
Kiyotaka: (I've learnt a lot. About fairy tales and... history. Like the fact that there were 7 witches. The 『Jealous Witch』or more accurately the『Witch Of Envy』devoured the other 6 witches and half of the world in a great calamity that was stopped by the efforts of the Divine Dragon Volcanica. Hm... I feel there is more to that story.)
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka woke up the next day, taking a step outside as Emilia had a troubled look on her face.
Kiyotaka: (Hm? That look on her face... as if someone died.)
Emilia: [Kiyotaka. Please come with me.]
Kiyotaka: [Hm? Where to?]
Emilia: Please just come with me.]
Kiyotaka: (It seems important.)
Kiyotaka: [Alright. Very well.]
She had a dark expression on her face as Kiyotaka followed her when he heard a scream.
Ram: [No!!!!!]
Kiyotaka: (The sister, huh? But why? And what caused her death? Is Emilia's life in danger? And what about my life?
Kiyotaka paused for a second.
Kiyotaka: (Hm? Why did I consider her safety before mine? How strange.)
Ram's wails could be heard as they came across the room, with Ram crying over Rem's cold body.
Kiyotaka: [What happened here?]
Roswaal: [She died of weakness. It was as if she just fell asleep. The method was more of a curse than a spell.]
Kiyotaka contemplated it.
Kiyotaka: [A curse... how exactly are curses transferred?]
Roswaal: [Normally through direct contact. My dear guest, have you aaaaany idea what might have happened?]
Kiyotaka: (What exactly is he trying to imply? That I had something to do with this? Even though he himself can tell that that isn't true? What's his game?)
Roswaal: [After this has happened to a dear member of my staff, I seem to be a tiny bit angry.]
Emilia: [Kiyotaka... If you know anything, tell us.]
Kiyotaka: [I have no clue. I...]
A slash of wind hit the lantern in the hall, slicing it in two as a cut appeared on Kiyotaka's cheek.
Ram: [If you know something, spill it all!]
She sent a wave of slashes as Kiyotaka ducked, dodging the attack.
Kiyotaka: (If she hadn't sent that first attack, I wouldn't have known to listen for the attack instead of looking for it.)
Kiyotaka: [If you want information, it's best not to kill the person you're interrogating. But none of this really should be aimed at me. I have nothing to do with this after all.]
Emilia looked at Ram in shock.
Emilia: [Ram, stop this! You can trust Kiyotaka.]
Ram: [He has the witch's scent all over him! And look at his face! He's not shocked at all.]
Kiyotaka: [Witch's scent?]
Ram: [It's covering you from head to toe. It's not strong, but it's there.]
Kiyotaka: [I don't really know what that entails, but probably nothing good. I can't really do anything about that, though. About my reaction to this situation... I'm truly sorry for your loss, but I'm not the kind of person who is very expressive. I don't mean to be rude, but I've only known you two for a few days, so I don't have an attachment to either of...]
Ram: [Shut your mouth!]
Emilia remembered the smile he showed her in the capital.
Emilia: [Ram, he's telling the truth. I've only seen him change his expression once and...]
Ram: [That only makes it more suspicious!]
Roswaal then sighed.
Roswaal: [I believe there is no further need to emphasise the situation at hand.]
Roswaal summoned multiple balls of light in his hands, four in each hand, one blue, one red, one yellow and one green as he turned to face Kiyotaka.
Kiyotaka: (I see now. You organised all of this. Trying to test what I'm capable of, are you? But then why? Why do you have such high expectations of me? Why would you want to test me?)
Ram: [None of that matters! Let me through, Emilia-Sama. So I can avenge Rem.
Ram looked to Kiyotaka desperately.
Ram: [If you know something. Say something. Help me. Help Rem!]
Kiyotaka: [She went to the village, right? To pick up supplies? Whoever cursed her is probably there.]
Ram: [Why wouldn't you say that before!?]
Kiyotaka: [Because you're not in the right state of mind. Anything I say will be twisted to fit what you desire. Right now, that's revenge, and since I have no idea about you, you might...]
Ram: [Shut up! I know you have something to do with this. I tried to treat you with kindness, and I thought... that maybe we could get along, but... I won't be tricked any further.]
Kiyotaka: [Emilia. I'll be leaving. She'll chase after me, but don't get in her way. You'll only end up getting hurt.]
Emilia: [What?]
Kiyotaka: [There's no reasoning with her, so I'll leave.]
Ram: [Don't even think about it.]
Kiyotaka: [If you can catch me, then it's fair game, but if I can leave the estate, then let me go.]
Ram: [I'll hunt you down to the ends of the earth.]
Kiyotaka: [I don't really think your relationship with the Margrave Mathers would allow for that.]
Ram gritted her teeth, feeling hopeless.
Kiyotaka: (It's time to get out of here.)
Kiyotaka bowed to them.
Kiyotaka: [I thank you for your hospitality these past three days. I'm sorry for your...]
As he was about to finish, he dodged another wind attack and then dashed down he halls as an explosion hit the area behind him.
Emilia: [Kiyotaka!]
Emilia blocked Ram's path.
Emilia: [Don't do this. Please!]
Emilia then remembered.
Emilia: [Puck! Puck, convince her.]
Puck appeared.
Puck: [He really doesn't mean any harm.]
Ram: [Move out of the way!]
Ram made her way past them, rushing through the halls as Emilia chased after her, trying to stop her, but she lost track of Ram.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka ran through the forest as fast as he could.
Kiyotaka: (What kind of luck do I even have?)
Kiyotaka came across a cliff.
Kiyotaka: (Wrong way. Damn it. Turning around will only get me caught... This was my mistake for falling asleep in the carriage. If I hadn't... I would have had a better knowledge of the estate's size and exits.)
Kiyotaka sat down.
Kiyotaka: (Do I really have no escape now? No. If I can kill her, then my escape is guaranteed.)
Kiyotaka hid in a tree, waiting, when he saw Ram approaching, and she turned to see him.
Kiyotaka: (Wait... how does she know where I...)
A gust of wind cut the branch as he fell to the floor.
Kiyotaka: [Dona!]
A stone shard flew at Ram, who dodged the attack with ease.
Kiyotaka: (Not even a chance, huh? Then I guess I have no choice but the hope that I have the ability to come back to life after I die.)
Kiyotaka: [You caught me.]
Ram: [I'll avenge my sister now.]
Kiyotaka: [Before that, can I ask you about some things?]
Ram: [What?]
Kiyotaka: [A final request so I can be content with death despite being innocent.]
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To Be Continued
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Rating Out Of 10 For This Part:
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