Volume 4 - CH 1.2

Anyway,

[Subaru: So I got my name into the credits for slaying the White Whale, and then I saved Emilia by killing “Sloth”. And now I got my beloved ground dragon… The reward is quite nice isn’t 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 wasn’t I just running around the Whale’s nose like bait all that time?]

To Subaru’s 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]

Wilhelm’s wound — the unhealable wound dealt by the Previous Generation Sword Saint, Thearesia van Astria. Mentioning this brought a sharpness into Wilhelm’s gaze. His mind turned to the Sin Archbishops that assaulted Crusch, “Greed” and “Gluttony”.

If the death of the “Sword Demon”‘s 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, “Gluttony” is an entirely different matter. For they must defeat this Sin Archbishop to retrieve those irreplaceable things… Crusch’s memory is one, and more importantly—

[Subaru-kyun, Rem-chan is settled in, want to check?]

Saying this, from the carriage window poked out a head with cat-like ears — Ferris. Seeing Ferris step out of Patrasche’s special carriage, Subaru walked over. Peeking in, in the spacious interor, some seats had been replaced with a makeshift bed, and on it, a girl was sleeping.

She was not wearing the familiar maid’s 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 I’ve been careful, I am a healer nyan. Though Rem’s physical wounds are already healed, she is no longer a patient nyan]

Silently, Subaru gazed at her sleeping face. Ferris’ words were brash, but the side of Ferris’ face showed something different from the usual playfulness. Perhaps Ferris was feeling the pain of his own powerlessness, not in regards to Rem, but Ferris’ peerless master, Crusch.

[Ferris: You really want to bring her with you?]

[Subaru: Yes, I’ll bring her with me. She won’t get better by staying here… no I didn’t mean it’s your fau…]

[Ferris: I know nyan, Subaru-kyun isn’t that mean nyan]

Seeing Subaru’s embarrassment 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 isn’t it?]

[Subaru: Me?]

[Ferris: Don’t 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 Ferris’ question, Subaru turned his neck and shoulders. Spinning around, he couldn’t 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 don’t usually use magic anyway]

[Ferris: You’re not a magic user after all. If it’s Ferris, Ferris would have to avoid using magic except in emergencies nyan… en, that’s good nyan]

Seeing Subaru aloof to the critical condition of his health, Ferris gave up. With wide, round eyes, Ferris looked around Subaru’s neck, pulling around his collar.

[Ferris: But no more straining yourself. Even though Ferris can squeeze out every toxin from Subaru-kyun’s body, if your gate shatters into a thousand pieces Ferris won’t 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 didn’t use magic for 17 years, it’s nothing!]

Joking around after hearing the diagnosis… come to think of it, Subaru hasn’t even been in this world for two months, even though from his perspective it was more like 4 months — 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 wasn’t sure himself.

[Subaru: En… although I do always manage to get myself caught up in some disaster… Wait, did I just trigger a “Flag”!? 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 you’ve done to help me. For healing me, and when we’re against the Whale and “Sloth” if it weren’t for you, it would’ve all been a mess…… and for Rem, thank you]

[Ferris: ….nyan. You don’t seem to be mocking me nyan, so be it]

[Subaru: Ooo! My ability <<Social.Air.Reading>> 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 can’t imagine what you’d be like with masculine hands]

[Ferris: On the cute and perfect Ferris, wouldn’t 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 Ferris’ skirt. Taking in the sheer beauty of its form, Subaru’s shoulders dropped dejectedly.

[Subaru: But, he’s a guy…]

[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 — Although Subaru isn’t traditional or anything like that, even he knew Ferris’ behavior is the opposite of what would be called manly.

Against Subaru’s 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 Ferris’ soul. —Crusch-sama’s words, Ferris shall repay with everything that I am]

[Subaru: But…]

…the current Crusch doesn’t know this… but Subaru held back his words. Even if he doesn’t 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.

[—No matter what becomes of the House of Karsten]

[Subaru: ……?]

Suddenly, the voice struck Subaru’s 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, Ferris’ expression is hidden behind the hair of his forehead, impossible to see.

In this way, Ferris held tight onto Subaru’s hand.

[Ferris: Only Crusch-sama, I will protect with my life]

[Subaru: …Ferris?]

[Ferris: That – Is – Why]

In front of the dumbfounded Subaru, Ferris’ 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.