Three days had passed since the thrilling Mabeast attack in the forest, and daily life at Roswaal Manor was gradually returning to normal.
Rem had fully recovered, and Natsuki Subaru had experienced a significant change in his status.
From an ordinary servant, he was promoted to Emilia's exclusive knight.
That's right, the current Natsuki Subaru was a recognized knight.
"According to the way of putting things in my previous life, this should be considered a promotion and a raise."
Natsuki Subaru thought to himself.
In his mind, the scene from that night's dinner couldn't help but surface.
Roswaal sat in the main seat, his heterochromatic eyes narrowed, speaking in his uniquely peculiar tone:
"Natsuki-kun——saved the children of Arlam Village, and also saved Rem, you see——If I don't give a suitable reward——it would truly be unbecoming of a lord, da~yo～"
"Yes, Subaru, thanks to you this time." Emilia gently put down her silver fork, her silver-bell-like voice chiming in, "You can ask for any reward you want."
"This... I really don't need anything." Natsuki Subaru scratched the back of his head, troubled, "Just consider me an enthusiastic citizen doing good deeds without seeking recognition."
"Oh my, oh my——Our hero, being so modest won't do, you know～" Roswaal looked at Natsuki Subaru, his drawn-out last syllable carrying a hint of teasing,
"You know, if one achieves great merit but doesn't receive a corresponding reward——how would the other nobles view the Mathers House～you see?"
"Roswaal is right. Subaru, this doesn't just concern you personally, it also relates to the dignity of the domain." Emilia frowned slightly upon hearing this, looking at Natsuki Subaru and saying,
"And... I also really want to thank you properly."
"As Lord Roswaal said." Ram, standing to the side, couldn't help but speak up,
"Subaru eliminated so many Mabeasts, protected Arlam Village, and saved the children. If such great merit goes unrewarded, people will think Lord Roswaal mistreats his meritorious retainers."
"Uh..." Natsuki Subaru was rendered speechless, his gaze shifting back and forth between everyone's faces, finally sighing helplessly, "Alright, alright, I understand..."
"Natsuki-kun, state your wish?" Roswaal's heterochromatic eyes looked directly at Natsuki Subaru.
"Then..." Natsuki Subaru pondered for a moment, looking at Emilia's gentle gaze, and suddenly his eyes lit up, "Please allow me to become Emilia-tan's knight!"
Because in the upcoming Royal Selection, the status of a knight would be greatly beneficial to Emilia.
The dining room instantly fell silent.
"Lady Emilia's knight, is it... What an unexpected decision, you see～" Roswaal thoughtfully tapped his chin with his finger, looking at Natsuki Subaru and continuing,
"However, Natsuki-kun was able to annihilate hundreds of Mabeasts alone, his strength is unquestionable, you see——and he risked his life to protect the villagers, his character is also commendable——As Lady Emilia's knight, he is indeed most suitable, da~yo~"
"Kn-knight?" And Emilia, beside him, widened her amethyst-like eyes in surprise, her slender fingers unconsciously twisting together,
"Why would Subaru suddenly want to be my knight? You clearly could have better choices..."
"Well, as for that——" Natsuki Subaru looked at Emilia's confused expression, then gave a hearty laugh, "Of course, it's because Emilia-chan deserves the best protection."
"B-but..." Facing Natsuki Subaru's direct statement, Emilia's cheeks flushed slightly, "A knight is a very important position, you have to make an oath, bear many responsibilities..."
"It's just what I want!" Natsuki Subaru straightened his back, placed his right hand on his chest in an exaggerated knightly salute, "I, Natsuki Subaru, swear to protect Emilia-chan's smile with my life!"
"Pfft..." Emilia was amused by Natsuki Subaru's actions, then became serious again, "But Subaru, you could clearly ask for more money or a house, why..."
"How can those things compare to the importance of staying by Emilia-chan's side!"
Natsuki Subaru blurted out without thinking, then, realizing his slip of the tongue, quickly added, "Ah, I mean, as a knight, I can better help Emilia, prepare to win the Royal Selection and such..."
"Oh my, oh my——Young people are truly passionate, you see～"
Roswaal watched Natsuki Subaru and Emilia, a meaningful smile in his heterochromatic eyes.
"Could Subaru have ulterior motives?"
Ram's eyes, beneath her pink bangs, narrowed slightly, her tone laced with obvious suspicion.
"Ram, what are you saying? I, Natsuki Subaru, have always acted with integrity." Natsuki Subaru spread his hands innocently, a composed smile on his lips,
"As Lady Emilia's knight, protecting her safety and honor is naturally my most important mission."
I just want to give Emilia a warm home, what's wrong with that?
Besides, isn't it natural for a knight to protect a princess?
So, no problem.
And Emilia, beside him, watched Natsuki Subaru, a complex emotion flickering in her purple-blue eyes:
"Subaru… why are you willing to do so much for me? We haven't known each other for very long…"
"How should I put it." Natsuki Subaru's expression became incredibly serious, looking directly into Emilia's clear, amethyst-like eyes, his voice unusually firm,
"Because that day in the alley, when Emilia-chan saved me, I had already decided… to become someone who can protect your dream."
Actually, back then, his reason for choosing to stay here was simple: firstly, to repay Emilia's help, and secondly, in this unfamiliar other world, he truly had nowhere else to go.
Furthermore, Emilia had once risked her life force to save him, and this life-saving grace made Natsuki Subaru even more determined.
He had to protect this pure and kind-hearted girl and help her achieve her heart's desire.
"Then, in the name of Roswaal L. Mathers, I formally bestow upon Natsuki Subaru the status of knight."
Roswaal slowly rose, his heterochromatic eyes shining with a majestic light in the candlelight, his solemn tone a world apart from his previous frivolity.
"Wait!" Emilia stood up flustered, her long silver hair swaying gently with her movement, "Such an important matter..."
"Oh my——" Roswaal narrowed his eyes, a meaningful smile playing on his lips, "What is Lady Emilia worried about? Could it be——you feel Natsuki-kun is not worthy of this position?"
"No! I just..."
Emilia's slender fingers unconsciously twirled a strand of silver hair, hesitating to speak, a complex emotion flickering in her amethyst-like eyes.
Seeing this, Natsuki Subaru took a step forward, knelt on one knee before Emilia, and solemnly extended his right hand:
"Emilia, please allow me to become your knight."
"Subaru…" Emilia gazed at the black-haired young man before her who had once saved her. After a moment's hesitation, she finally extended her slender hand, gently placing it in Natsuki Subaru's palm,
"Thank you."
"However…" Roswaal suddenly reverted to his usual lighthearted tone,
"The formal investiture ceremony will still require some preparation, da~yo～ After all, a knighting ceremony is a very grand affair, you see～"
"That's not urgent." Natsuki Subaru then slightly tilted his head up, feeling the soft touch of Emilia's hand in his palm. He gently closed his fingers, firmly grasping this warmth, his gaze fixed resolutely on Emilia,
"What's important is, from this moment on, I am Emilia-chan's knight."
.........
End of reminiscence.
"Speaking of which, I'm a knight now. This should also count as gaining noble status, right?"
Natsuki Subaru rested his chin on his hand and muttered to himself.
After all, Roswaal, as a margrave of the kingdom, indeed possessed the authority to grant knighthoods.
In the Kingdom of Lugunica, a knight was not only a symbol of honor but also represented a lofty social status.
Usually, only children of nobility or those with outstanding merit could receive this honor and enjoy numerous privileges.
Just like the contemporary Sword Saint Reinhard, who was not only Felt's First Knight but also enjoyed extremely high prestige and respect in the kingdom.
Honestly, knightly status and such weren't very important to Natsuki Subaru.
Initially, he stayed only to establish good relations with Rem and the others, increase their favorability, and avoid repeating Natsuki Subaru's death loops from the original work.
But after spending this time together day and night, Natsuki Subaru found that he had genuinely come to regard Emilia, Rem, and the others as important companions.
Precisely because of this, when he sensed that Rem might be in danger.
He would rush into the Mabeast-infested forest without a second thought, fighting to the end even if covered in wounds.
"Really… I've unknowingly come to consider this place my home."
Natsuki Subaru shook his head with a light laugh and reached out to push open the door.
Just as his fingertips touched the doorknob, a familiar magical fluctuation suddenly came.
He had once again, stumbled into Beatrice's Door Crossing.
In the space within Roswaal Manor known as the room that doesn't exist anywhere, here lies the Forbidden Library, housing countless precious magical tomes and forbidden knowledge.
And its guardian was that Great Spirit who rarely showed herself, Beatrice.
She seldom came out, and even the people of the mansion barely ever met her.
Furthermore, without her permission, no one could set foot in the Forbidden Library, not even the master of this mansion, Roswaal, could easily enter.
However, Natsuki Subaru was an exception.
Unsure since when, he could always rely on some inexplicable intuition to barge into the Forbidden Library.
Initially, Beatrice would coldly kick him out, but gradually, she seemed to acquiesce to his frequent visits.
So much so that now, Natsuki Subaru could practically push open that Door Crossing every day and stroll right in.
"Yo, little Betty, I'm here to visit again!"
Natsuki Subaru familiarly stepped into the Forbidden Library, his tone as relaxed as if returning to his own room.
"Barging in without knocking again, it seems you want a taste of hardship."
Beatrice, suddenly disturbed, was sitting on a wooden stool. Her golden twin-tails swayed gently as she lifted her head. Closing the book in her hands, her emerald-like eyes narrowed slightly, looking very displeased.
"Oh, don't be so cold." Natsuki Subaru approached with a grin, not at all frightened by her threatening tone, "I came specially to keep you company, you know?"
"Hmph, barging into someone else's domain without permission, and you dare say such things." Beatrice snorted coldly, her fingertips gently tapping the book cover, "If this continues, next time I'll throw you into a spatial rift to reflect properly."
"I know, I know, you're reading again, Betty." Facing Beatrice's tsundere-like threat, the smile on Natsuki Subaru's face didn't falter in the slightest,
"But it's not good to always be so serious. Come on, smile a little, you can be a bit happier, you know… I don't have any troublesome matters to ask of you this time."
"Hmph," Beatrice snorted lightly, her small chin slightly raised, "Your very presence here is troublesome enough."
"Haha, don't be so cold…" Regarding Beatrice's sharp tongue, Natsuki Subaru laughed heartily, "We're family living under the same roof, after all."
"Family?" Beatrice's blue eyes widened slightly, then she snorted and turned her head away, "Hmph… Betty doesn't remember when she became family with a disrespectful person like you."
"Hey, hey…" Taking a few steps closer, Natsuki Subaru squatted down in front of Beatrice, meeting her gaze, "Look, we eat together, live together, and I often come to play with you… Isn't that what family is?"
Beatrice's slender fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her skirt, her golden twin-tails swaying gently as she tilted her head, lowering her eyes and murmuring softly:
"Betty has lived alone for four hundred years, she doesn't need any family…"
"Uh…"
Natsuki Subaru was at a loss for words for a moment, looking at the petite Beatrice before him.
He couldn't help but think of her lonely situation.
Because of Beatrice's contract with Echidna, she had guarded the Forbidden Library alone for four hundred years, sitting on the step-stool day after day, waiting for 'that person' who might never arrive.
This endless vigil had even made her contemplate ending her life for release.
Thinking of this, Natsuki Subaru squatted down, looking into Beatrice's clear-as-water blue eyes, and said gently:
"But… doesn't it feel warm to have someone by your side? Let me be your family."
"…S-suit yourself…"
Beatrice's long eyelashes trembled slightly, casting a shadow beneath her eyes. She opened her mouth as if to retort, but in the end, merely turned her face away.
"Speaking of which." Natsuki Subaru naturally changed the subject, "About what happened last time… thanks to you."
Previously, when he was seriously injured, and Rem and the children were cursed, it was the Great Spirit Beatrice before him who had come to their aid.
"Hmph… to be so lively after being injured like that, I can only say you're lucky." Beatrice turned back, her blue eyes twinkling, "Betty didn't specifically help, it was Emilia who was treating you."
"Alright, alright～ I know, Betty didn't specifically help."
Natsuki Subaru stood up and smilingly ruffled Beatrice's hair.
He knew this stubborn, older tsundere spirit too well.
She's clearly a good person who's afraid of loneliness, yet she always uses tsundere behavior to hide her gentleness.
"Disrespectful person!"
Beatrice puffed her cheeks and swatted Natsuki Subaru's hand away.
"Little Betty, I'll come play with you again next time."
Natsuki Subaru laughed heartily and quickly left, not forgetting to gently close the door behind him.
Silence returned to the Forbidden Library.
Beatrice stared at the closed door, her earlier anger gradually dissipating, replaced by a hint of undeniable loneliness.
"Family, huh..."
Beatrice whispered softly, her small hand unconsciously smoothing her ruffled hair.
In four hundred years, this was the first time someone had said such words to her.
______
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