Chapter 25: Awaiting Dawn
A knock sounded at the door.
When Subaru opened it, he was surprised to see Bernie standing outside.
"It's because Eileen used too much magic, so today I'll explain the northern intelligence to you," Berni said, giving his reason.
"Is she okay?" Subaru asked with concern.
In this world, magic is almost equivalent to life force, and Subaru had already experienced the consequences of exhausting it.
He had noticed Eileen's inspection speed increasing ever since Reinhild hunted the magical beast the day before.
But due to Eileen's confident demeanor, Subaru had assumed she was managing fine—he hadn't realized she was pushing herself.
While deep in thought, Subaru suddenly realized he had been lifted off the ground.
"Subaru, how exactly did you get that information?
Don't try to lie to me with some clumsy excuse.
That night, Winston and I were guarding your door the whole time..." Berni's angry voice rang out as he interrogated Subaru, who now understood his mistake.
Knock... knock...
"Bernie, let me be the one to instruct Subaru tonight," a third voice interrupted.
Otto appeared, and Subaru saw Berni hesitate for a moment before he snorted, released Subaru, and left the room with a heavy slam of the door.
Otto sat in front of Subaru with a wry smile, then picked up the book on the desk.
"Let's begin, then... This is the Holy Kingdom of Gustako in the north."
Otto closed the book after a detailed explanation.
He had combined his own experience as a traveling merchant with information on the northern regions to deliver a full picture of the northern country.
But the person he was speaking to had mentally wandered off—Subaru had been struggling with whether to reveal his Return by Death ability, his biggest secret.
In the end, even after Otto finished his introduction, Subaru couldn't bring himself to say anything.
"Subaru, you're leaving tomorrow. So there's no need to force yourself to speak. Everyone has their secrets. I'm grateful for everything you've done for the mansion, but I can't allow
someone I completely don't understand to remain here during the royal selection. This is the 'Barrier Finger'—it can block one attack. It's a token of thanks."
After Otto left, Subaru's trembling hands picked up the 'Barrier Finger.' He understood what this meant.
From the moment Bernie accused him of lying, Subaru had realized this outcome was inevitable.
They couldn't let someone as suspicious as him stay at the mansion during the royal selection.
"Well, that's fine. I'll use my modern knowledge to grow stronger, and then come back to help Reinhild," Subaru muttered, trying to stay optimistic—but his eyes were filled with defeat.
.
.
.
The next day, preparations for a busy birthday celebration proceeded as scheduled.
Only a few people came to see Subaru off, Reinhild among them.
Otto and Bernie stood silently at a distance.
Reinhild smiled warmly and blessed Subaru.
Eileen whispered a promise to find "that thing."
Felt laughed loudly and told him to survive.
Old Man Rom handed him a bottle of Reinhild's favorite alcohol, claiming it was the best he'd found.
Leander gifted Subaru a whip—the only weapon Subaru had ever shown potential with, even if only as a novice.
Looking at the people who cared for him, Subaru suddenly felt his resentment melt away.
He glanced outside.
The next time he returned, he'd be strong enough to protect them.
He heard steady footsteps behind him—Winston had returned with a reward for him.
Subaru knew it was time to depart.
"Safe travels."
"Yeah."
Subaru took the butler's bag, heavier than he expected—so heavy his arm dropped straight down.
He staggered, then crouched to pick up the spilled contents.
In that moment, a familiar pair of shoes entered his view—the very clue he'd given up on because of Eileen's earlier spell.
The murderer's shoes were now right in front of him.
"What is this!?"
"These are from my homeland—the western country of Kararagi. I only wear them on important occasions," Winston said.
Subaru immediately understood.
It happens often—people change shoes without others noticing, even when living together.
He had repeatedly seen Winston tending to Old Man Rom's injuries, and had come to associate him with black shoes.
But he'd already searched Winston's room—he couldn't be the poisoner.
'Important occasion? Today's massacre?'
Huff... huff... huff...
Subaru's breathing grew heavy.
He had no proof, so he looked to Eileen for support.
She hesitated but eventually nodded.
"Are you okay, Subaru? Want to rest another day? Or I could summon a dragon carriage to take you to the capital..." Reinhild approached with concern on his face.
Her genuine care warmed Subaru's heart.
He pounded his chest and replied:
"I'm fine. Just saw a specialty product from back home. I just want to take it slow. If I really can't keep going, I'll come back."
"I understand. If anything happens, you're always welcome here.
Take care, Subaru. It was a short time, but it was fun.
Don't lose that souvenir—I added a bit extra to represent our six days of memories."
Reinhild held out her hand for a handshake.
Sensing her intentions, Subaru firmly returned the handshake while swinging his heavy gear bag, which clinked audibly.
"I know. I won't say a word. I swear it on the dragon."
"Interacting with you seems to reduce the value of deception... And in this country, swearing on the dragon is the highest form of oath. I'm not doubting you—but please, never forget that."
The girl stood respectfully in the mansion's courtyard, maintaining her solemn posture until Subaru disappeared from sight.
Whatever anxiety the earlier disturbance had caused, it had now vanished again.
After walking down the forest road for a while, Subaru stopped and cautiously checked his surroundings.
Once certain no one was nearby, he left the path and entered the forest.
Ignoring Eileen's repeated warnings about how dangerous forests could be, he pushed through the underbrush and advanced deeper.
He climbed several slopes, getting scratched by branches and rough leaves, but didn't slow down.
After around fifteen minutes of climbing—
"This is it."
The greenery cleared from his view, and the open sky greeted him.
Having traversed several forested slopes, Subaru arrived at the top of a high cliff nestled in the mountains.
Rather than calling it a cliff, it was more like a sheer 90-degree drop, as though half a mountain had vanished.
But from this 40-meter-high vantage point, he could look directly down at a familiar mansion.
The Astrea mansion.
It was a location Subaru had discovered a few days ago—an area seemingly made for observing the mansion.
"It always happens tonight. All that's left... is to wait for it to begin."