Volume 4, 101 [Theta Pt.1]

Volume 4, Chapter 101 [Theta Pt.1]

One of Lewes’ representative personalities, whom Subaru called Theta――

――Had entered the Tomb and touched the past of her progenitor, Lewes Meyer, but the memories were incredibly fragmented, and even the chronology was indefinite.

Theta figured this must be because her existence was created from various fragments severed from the original Lewes Meyer’s soul.

In which case, the other Leweses: Alpha, Beta, Sigma, and perhaps even the replicants that never developed a personality, would all see different glimpses of the past.

But even if that hypothesis was correct, Theta would not want them to enter the Tomb.

――Because for Theta, just the thought of the other Leweses witnessing the past that she saw was accompanied by unbearable and intolerable agony.

[???: ――What do you want, I suppose? Staring at me isn’t going to make me give you anything]

The memory began with a girl with softly-hued hair, glaring at her.

A girl with a lovely face.

Her hair was so fair that it seemed to meld into the light, and her skin was so white that it was nearly transparent. With light-blue eyes that were big and round, her appearance could be described simply with the word “Sweet”.

Her hair was tied into two long, swirling pigtails, the mere sight of which revealed their smooth, silky texture and springy softness.

She wore a dress of a subdued hue that made the young girl look almost adult-like, but, matched with the splendour of the girl herself, the color of the dress perfectly served to harmonize her appearance.

[Lewes: ――――]

Pierced by the adorable girl’s perilous gaze, Lewes recoiled a little.

Compared to this girl, her own clothes and appearance were utterly wretched. And the fact that they were about the same age made her wretchedness so conspicuous that she felt ashamed to even be standing there.

[Girl: Hmpf. A coward, I suppose]

In front of the speechless Lewes, the girl let out a snort of displeasure.

Although her adorable appearance made even that gesture come off as cute, for Lewes, the feeling tugging at her heart pained her even more than being rebuked.

But before she could realize that it was something akin to the fear of upsetting this girl――

[????: Beatrice. What’s with that attitude? I don’t remember teaching you to behave like that]

There came a mild voice that made the girl’s expression tense up.

The voice came from behind the girl, and in front of Lewes’ view.

Coming out of a small shed in the back of the village was a woman of “True White”.

Her hair flowed long and fair, and not even light could match the translucence of her skin. Only her irises and lips, and the long-sleeved gown she was wearing, adorned her with contrast and conveyed to those around her that she indeed existed in reality.

The person walking towards Lewes and the girl was the great benefactor of this village―― the revered Witch Echidona.

It was to Echidona’s voice that the girl named Beatrice reacted so dramatically. She turned around with her expression still tense, and,

[Beatrice: Aah, ehm...... it’s not what you think, mother! It wasn’t Betty who’s...... it’s just, this girl was......]

[Echidona: I don’t remember teaching you to make grovelling excuses, either. Be honest and speak the truth. If you’re confident that you’re not at fault, then you shouldn’t be tripping over yourself. Am I wrong?]

[Beatrice: You’re not... wrong, I suppose......]

Echidona’s voice harbored no sharp emotions, but was laden with a silent, pressuring strictness.

Beatrice slumped her shoulders and brought her hands together, looking timid,

[Beatrice: Betty was quietly waiting outside just as you told me to, and this girl came over, I suppose. Staring at me from way over there...... it was incredibly rude. So I called out to her and asked what she wanted, I suppose]

[Echidona: Hm. I see. You there, do you agree with that account?]

[Lewes: Ah......h. Y-Yes, I do. Please forgive me. I-it was very rude of me, and......]

Beatrice’s description was accurate.

Lewes had been standing in the village outskirts, vacantly staring at the small girl leaning against the fence. Beatrice was probably waiting there for Echidona to finish whatever she was doing. Her posture and her eyes seemed almost lonely, and Lewes felt a tug at her chest as she saw this.

But if she had said that out loud, they would probably snort and laugh at her. So Lewes only shrunk her little body even smaller, hoping to outlast the storm by keeping her head down.

[Echidona: You don’t deny it? Then it would seem that Beatrice was right, and you were a little rude, Lewes]

[Beatrice: That’s right, Mother. So Betty didn’t do anything wrong at......]

[Echidona: However, it is your fault that your imperious attitude frightened her so much, Beatrice. I’m sure I’m always telling you this. You are indeed special, but that doesn’t mean you can look down on others]

[Beatrice: Uu, mhuu......]

[Roswaal: You’re fine. Beatrice’s complaints aren’t credible at all. If she truly hated you, she wouldn’t be finding all sorts of excuses to come along]

She was? Lewes tilted her head when she heard this.

Whenever Beatrice was with Lewes, she’d always be complaining, and she’d always have something to say about everything Lewes did. That was all Lewes saw of her, so even when someone told her that Beatrice didn’t actually hate her, she had trouble believing it.

Lewes and most of the residents of the Sanctuary were often chosen as the targets of the hatred and malice of the outside world. Beatrice’s attitude was overwhelmingly tender compared to what Lewes knew, and it was even laced with a certain warmth, but mean was still mean.

[Roswaal: ......I hope someday, you two would understand that as well]

Seeing Lewes fall silent, Roswaal muttered sadly.

At the sight of the sad smile rising onto Roswaal’s lips, Lewes shuddered, wondering if she had upset him.

But before she could say anything to salvage the situation, Roswaal blinked his yellow eyes as if having spotted something.

[Roswaal: Ah! Sensei! I heard you were here and came flying over in a heartbeat!]

Flinging up his hands and utterly discarding his previously mature attitude, Roswaal started running with an expression of childish glee. Lewes only watched as he ran right past her and towards a woman standing in the distance―― Echidona.

Seeing Roswaal dashing towards her with his face beaming with glee, Echidona slightly raised her brows.

[Echidona: Roswaal, huh? I don’t remember ever allowing you to call me Sensei]

[Roswaal: Today I’ll definitely change your mind about that. I can now confidently perform the assignment you gave me last time, balancing four types of mana at equal concentration and producing rainbow-colored mana. ――And by my own efforts, I’ve reached the point where I can add the remaining two as well. What do you think?]

[Echidona: You self-studied to the point where you can bind all six? My my...... I guess you can call that a foreboding rate of progression and nothing short of obsession. I’m sure in a bind now]

It was a rare sight to see Echidona surprised.

At least, this was the first time Lewes had ever seen it. Roswaal pumped up his chest in pride as he waited for Echidona’s response. Even Lewes, who was younger than him, found this adorable. His attitude and gaze, no matter how you looked at it, was overflowing with unreserved admiration for Echidona―― and even sentiments that went beyond admiration.

[Beatrice: Why’re you just standing there doing nothing, I suppose?]

[Lewes: Aa...... Beatrice-sama]

While watching those two from a distance, Lewes suddenly found Beatrice next to her, staring at the side of her face. Unwittingly taking a step back, she saw Beatrice with her arms folded as usual, giving her a snort.

[Beatrice: You’re gawking again. Just as rude as ever, aren’t you]

[Lewes: P-please forgive me. I apologize for my insolence]

Berated like this, Lewes shrank up, ashamed of her own shameless behavior. But seeing Lewes’ apology, Beatrice’s brows furrowed even further.

If only she smiled, or relaxed her lips, Beatrice’s face would give off a gentle impression. And so the fact that her callous behavior was putting such an expression on Beatrice’s face was truly inexcusable.

[Beatrice: How long do you intend to keep sulking like that, I suppose? It’s dismal. If you have time to space out toting that laundry basket, you ought to hurry up and get to your next chore]

[Lewes: Y-yes. That’s what I’ll do. Please excuse me]

Giving the unsparing Beatrice a bow, Lewes scrambled to leave the scene. But just as she began to speedily walk off, she noticed Beatrice picking up her dress, following behind her.

[Lewes: Beatrice-sama......?]

[Beatrice: It’s nothing, I suppose. I have nothing to do, anyway]

Seeing Lewes turn around, Beatrice gave a nonchalant reply. But just as Lewes was about to turn away, she remembered her conversation with Roswaal.

That youth had insisted that Beatrice didn’t dislike talking with her at all, but――

[Lewes: Beatrice-sama... Would you like to help me fold the laundry?]

[Beatrice: ......Hha?]

At Lewes’ abrupt request for her to help with her chores, Beatrice let out a displeased groan.

Seeing Beatrice’s eyes open wide and her expression shift into shock and even indignation, Lewes immediately regretted trusting Roswaal.

[Beatrice: ――But well, if you absolutely can’t handle it by yourself... then Betty has no choice but to help you, I suppose]

[Lewes: Huh?]

[Beatrice: I’m not saying it again. Come on, get going, I suppose]

Saying this, Beatrice scuttled past Lewes, who had unwittingly stopped in her tracks. The moment Beatrice passed her, Lewes saw that her lips were half softened in astonishment, and half by some other emotion.

Suddenly feeling a gush of warmth inside, Lewes caught up to Beatrice who had purposefully slowed her steps. Then, taking a peek at Beatrice’s face,

[Lewes: Would you... like to hold a small amount of the laundry?]

[Beatrice: Don’t push your luck. ――But since I’ve no choice... just a small amount, I suppose]

Saying this with a somewhat unwilling expression, Beatrice offered Lewes her hand.

-=Chapter 101 End=-