Anyway,
[Subaru: So I got my name into the credits for slaying the White Whale, and then I saved Emilia by killing âSlothâ. And now I got my beloved ground dragon⌠The reward is quite nice isnât it]
[Wilhelm: Killing the White Whale, how significant that was, Subaru-dono not realizing this is something admirable indeed. Perhaps one day the world will properly thank you for this great achievement. I look forward to that day]
[Subaru: Yeah I think so too! Wait.. but wasnât I just running around the Whaleâs nose like bait all that time?]
To Subaruâs not even humble words, Wilhelm looked on with an warm smile. His insides itching from that warmth, Subaru shook his head as if trying to get rid of that feeling.
[Subaru: All that aside⌠I wont be seeing you for a while Wilhelm-san. Please take care of your wound]
[Wilhelm: Sorry I made you worry. It seems the distance is getting farther, the bleeding has stopped. But no matter what, the day when I fight along side Subaru-dono again will come. Until then]
Wilhelmâs wound â the unhealable wound dealt by the Previous Generation Sword Saint, Thearesia van Astria. Mentioning this brought a sharpness into Wilhelmâs gaze. His mind turned to the Sin Archbishops that a.s.saulted Crusch, âGreedâ and âGluttonyâ.
If the death of the âSword Demonââs wife had to do with something other than the White Whale, these two are the most likely suspects.
Subaru, same as Wilhelm, holds a strong hatred for Gluttony. No matter what, they must eventually come face to face with this Sin Archbishop. While the Witch Cult is something they would rather to avoid, âGluttonyâ is an entirely different matter. For they must defeat this Sin Archbishop to retrieve those irreplaceable things⌠Cruschâs memory is one, and more importantlyâ
[Subaru-kyun, Rem-chan is settled in, want to check?]
Saying this, from the carriage window poked out a head with cat-like ears â Ferris. Seeing Ferris step out of Patrascheâs special carriage, Subaru walked over. Peeking in, in the s.p.a.cious interor, some seats had been replaced with a makes.h.i.+ft bed, and on it, a girl was sleeping.
She was not wearing the familiar maidâs dress, but wore a soft blue sleeping gown, that matched the color of her hair. A girl in an unwaking slumber, forgotten by all the world. She loved Subaru, and Subaru loved her. Perhaps, she was that kind of girl.
[Subaru: That thing is safe right?]
[Ferris: Hey Iâve been careful, I am a healer nyan. Though Remâs physical wounds are already healed, she is no longer a patient nyan]
Silently, Subaru gazed at her sleeping face. Ferrisâ words were brash, but the side of Ferrisâ face showed something different from the usual playfulness. Perhaps Ferris was feeling the pain of his own powerlessness, not in regards to Rem, but Ferrisâ peerless master, Crusch.
[Ferris: You really want to bring her with you?]
[Subaru: Yes, Iâll bring her with me. She wonât get better by staying here⌠no I didnât mean itâs your fauâŚ]
[Ferris: I know nyan, Subaru-kyun isnât that mean nyan]
Seeing Subaruâs embarra.s.sment after his remarks, Ferris smiled awkwardly.
[Ferris: In fact]
Pointing a finger at Subaru,
[Ferris: Aside from Rem, an even bigger concern is Subaru-kyun isnât it?]
[Subaru: Me?]
[Ferris: Donât play dumb nyan, your gate is over-strained nyan. While healing you I had to forcefully inject a large amount of Mana through your gate, it could be a bit damaged nyan. Are you feeling weak or tired, physically and magically?]
At Ferrisâ question, Subaru turned his neck and shoulders. Spinning around, he couldnât find anything wrong. He jumped a bit and there seemed to be nothing to worry about.
[Subaru: No problem. Both the used parts and the unused parts are fine. Putting the gate aside, I donât usually use magic anyway]
[Ferris: Youâre not a magic user after all. If itâs Ferris, Ferris would have to avoid using magic except in emergencies nyan⌠en, thatâs good nyan]
Seeing Subaru aloof to the critical condition of his health, Ferris gave up. With wide, round eyes, Ferris looked around Subaruâs neck, pulling around his collar.
[Ferris: But no more straining yourself. Even though Ferris can squeeze out every toxin from Subaru-kyunâs body, if your gate shatters into a thousand pieces Ferris wonât be able to fix it nyan. So take the time to properly recover it⌠about two months nyan]
[Subaru: Two months without magic⌠for a guy who didnât use magic for 17 years, itâs nothing!]
Joking around after hearing the diagnosis⌠come to think of it, Subaru hasnât even been in this world for two months, even though from his perspective it was more like 4 months â it all feels like a very long time.
Thinking about all that happened since he came to this world, how hard would it be to finally rest for two months? He wasnât sure himself.
[Subaru: En⌠although I do always manage to get myself caught up in some disaster⌠Wait, did I just trigger a âFlagâ!? I think I heard the sound effect!!]
[Ferris: Too bad, Ferris is no expert on treating brain problems nyan]
Subaru apparently appalled by his own remarks, Ferris looked at him rather disinterestedly.
Affected by this reaction, Subaru decided this conversation should be coming to an end. After some thought, he reached out his hand to Ferris.
[Ferris: Nyan?]
[Subaru: No, I really should thank you for everything youâve done to help me. For healing me, and when weâre against the Whale and âSlothâ if it werenât for you, it wouldâve all been a messâŚâŚ and for Rem, thank you]
[Ferris: âŚ.nyan. You donât seem to be mocking me nyan, so be it]
[Subaru: Ooo! My ability
> has activated! Stay calm!]
A clumsy expression of thanks, but Ferris seemed to like it. In any case, his feelings got through. Ferris held onto the out-reached hand, and they shook.
[Subaru: Such soft, slender fingers⌠I canât imagine what youâd be like with masculine hands]
[Ferris: On the cute and perfect Ferris, wouldnât that be too disappointing nyan? Be it body hair or skin, everything on Ferris is all natural nyan]
Ferris raising a hand with pride, Subaru caught a glimpse of the impeccable white legs under Ferrisâ skirt. Taking in the sheer beauty of its form, Subaruâs shoulders dropped dejectedly.
[Subaru: But, heâs a guyâŚ]
[Ferris: Yep, Ferris is a man in body and soul nyan]
[Subaru: How do you get so smug about it? Which part of that is like a man?]
Dressed like a beautiful girl, calling Ferris a man is just too much â Although Subaru isnât traditional or anything like that, even he knew Ferrisâ behavior is the opposite of what would be called manly.
Against Subaruâs question, Ferris placed a finger on the corner of those lips. And with a charming shake of the waist,
[Ferris: Because, Crusch-sama said this suits Ferris, what I am, I am, and this most suits the radiance of Ferrisâ soul. âCrusch-samaâs words, Ferris shall repay with everything that I am]
[Subaru: ButâŚ]
âŚthe current Crusch doesnât know this⌠but Subaru held back his words. Even if he doesnât say it, Ferris already knows. And if he does say it, it will only hurt.
Subaru, more than anyone, would hate to do this. If someone talked about Rem, Subaru would be just as agitated. Perhaps Ferris knew this as well.
[âNo matter what becomes of the House of Karsten]
[Subaru: âŚâŚ?]
Suddenly, the voice struck Subaruâs eardrums.
Quiet, cold, a voice of frozen emotion.
Who that voice belonged to⌠if he heard it now, it would still give him pause.
Head lowered, Ferrisâ expression is hidden behind the hair of his forehead, impossible to see.
In this way, Ferris held tight onto Subaruâs hand.
[Ferris: Only Crusch-sama, I will protect with my life]
[Subaru: âŚFerris?]
[Ferris: That â Is â Why]
In front of the dumbfounded Subaru, Ferrisâ head suddenly lifted, smiling with a jubilant voice. But compared to the playful, mischievous eyes Subaru was so used to seeing, in this instant, it appeared as if those eyes were lying.