Kiyotaka and Emilia stood outside the Karsten Estate as off to the side, Haku was eating a feast of meat in a large bucket.
Crusch: [I bid you two farewell and wish you good luck on your travels.]
Emilia extended her hand as they shook hands.
Emilia: [You, too, Crusch-San. Please be well.]
Crusch smiled as Kiyotaka looked at a Dragon-Drawn Carriage with Haku being harnessed to it.
Crusch: [This one is yours to keep, alright?]
Kiyotaka: [I wouldn't have it any other way.]
Kiyotaka patted Haku as she nuzzled his hand affectionately.
Kiyotaka: [We'll be off now.]
Felix stepped forward.
Felix: [I'm sorry about my words...]
Emilia: [It's okay. I understand that you were angry that Crusch-San was hurt. I would have felt the same if Kiyotaka was hurt.]
Kiyotaka: (Hm...? That sounds slightly romantic... no, I must be overthinking it. After all, while I do think I have romantic feelings for her, she's a bit... immature for me. Like... a little sister? No. That's not right. She's nothing like Ichika after all... hm. I don't know how to describe it. That's a rare occurrence.)
Kiyotaka: [I'll let bygones be bygones.]
Felix went back inside as Crusch then turned to Kiyotaka, extending her hand.
Crusch: [I'll look forward to seeing you both again.]
Kiyotaka: [As will I.]
They shook hands, and Kiyotaka opened the door for Emilia. Emilia got in as Kiyotaka took the reins, and they rode off. Crusch sighed.
Crusch: [I regret not being able to state my interest in him, but with Emilia there, it... didn't seem very appropriate. Such a shame.]
She shook her head.
Crusch: [It feels as if I'm experiencing one loss after another these days.]
Then she smiled.
Crusch: [But I know we'll meet again eventually.]
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
They arrived back at the Roswaal estate, and Kiyotaka walked over to Lucas.
Lucas: [Oh! Kiyotaka is back, everyone.]
Everyone rushed over.
Kiyotaka: [Have Roswaal and Ram returned yet?]
They shook their heads.
Kiyotaka: (No Petra... oh I see.)
Emilia: [They're not back yet...]
Kiyotaka: [Let's go to the mansion. Rem should be able to fill us in if she's received any letters.]
Emilia nodded.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
They walked to the mansion.
Emilia: [Even though I'm calling him Puck, he won't answer.]
Kiyotaka: [Does that happen often?]
Emilia: [Well... sometimes...]
Kiyotaka: [I see.]
Kiyotaka: (Did that furball really disappear?)
Emilia knocked on the door.
???: [Yes, one moment, please.]
Kiyotaka: [Hm? That's not Rem's voice.]
Emilia: [Could it be...]
The doors opened as they saw a demihuman woman in a maid's outfit who did a curtsy.
???: [Welcome home, Emilia-Sama.]
Emilia: [Frederica?]
She smiled, showing off sharp teeth.
Kiyotaka: (Oh wow.)
Frederica: [Yes, it is I, Frederica.]
She led them to a sitting room.
Frederica: [Allow me to introduce myself. I am Frederica Baumann. I was employed here in the past.]
Kiyotaka: [Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.]
Frederica: [It's a pleasure to meet you.]
Kiyotaka: [I was told that there was another maid who left just before I came here...]
Frederica: [I merely took my leave for personal reasons. Then I returned at Ram's request so that Rem wouldn't be left with everything on her own. I came back to find the mansion in top condition, but Rem herself was unwell from overworking herself.]
Emilia sighed.
Kiyotaka: (I thought so.)
Emilia: [Hey, Frederica, have you heard anything from Roswaal?]
Frederica: [Sadly, I have no way of knowing all that goes on in the Master's mind. I believe there are only two people in this world he trusts enough for that. Ram and the great spirit of this mansion's forbidden library.]
Kiyotaka: [I'll go talk to her.]
Kiyotaka got up and began walking around. After a while, he opened the door to find Beatrice on her stool reading a book.
Kiyotaka: [It's good to see you again, Beatrice.]
Beatrice: [So you've returned, I suppose?]
Kiyotaka: (She's willingly allowing me to find the entrance every time I look for it, but she refuses to admit it. It's like she wants... to be saved.)
Kiyotaka: [I have.]
Beatrice: [Why are you bothering me? Aggravating man.]
Kiyotaka: [Do you have any idea what Roswaal is planning? Someone told me that you know how Roswal thinks.]
Beatrice: [Who said... ah... It must be the half-beast girl who just came back. There is a bit of accuracy to what she told you, I suppose. But my connection with Roswaal has nothing to do with the current circumstances.]
Kiyotaka: [It's just that I've become suspicious of his numerous disappearances.]
Beatrice: [Betty understands why you would, I suppose.]
Kiyotaka then sighed.
Kiyotaka: [I have a feeling showing you this earlier would have caused problems somehow, but I think now that things are calmer and with not too much going on, it might be a good time to show you.]
Kiyotaka: (Well, things are bound to pick up again, but for now...)
Kiyotaka took out Petelguese's Gospel. He had inspected the corpses, collecting anything useful when he killed them.
Beatrice: [A Gospel... Why do you have this, I suppose?]
Kiyotaka: [I took it off the enemy. It belonged to the『Sin Archbishop Of Sloth』but I thought it might be useful.]
Beatrice: [And what became of him?]
Kiyotaka: [I killed him.]
Beatrice: [Then you've left me behind, too, I suppose... Guese.]
Kiyotaka: [Hm?]
Kiyotaka: (I see so they're acquainted. Perhaps before he was a Sin Archbishop.)
Beatrice: [If you killed Sloth, a『Sin Archbishop』, what happened to his『Witch Factor』, I suppose?]
Kiyotaka: [I'm not aware of what that is.]
Beatrice: [You don't know what it is? You really don't? If that's the case, then why did you bother to kill 『Sloth』?]
Kiyotaka's face twitched for a second, remembering how many times he had died trying to defeat him.
Kiyotaka: [Could he come back to life again?]
Beatrice: [No, that's not possible, I suppose. As long as you killed all his fingers, but the Witch Factor had to have gone somewhere, in fact.]
Kiyotaka calmed down.
Kiyotaka: [I see.]
Beatrice: [Just what is Roswaal...]
Kiyotaka: [So you have no ideas?]
Beatrice: [All the answers you seek lie in the Sanctuary, I suppose. Roswaal's intentions, the meaning of the Gospel, answers about the『Witch Factor』... They're all there. If you want them, go there. The half-beast girl can lead you there, I suppose.]
Kiyotaka: [I see... thank you for being so cooperative. I'll see you again when I return.
He was about to leave, but turned to look at her.
Kiyotaka: [I promise I will return.]
Beatrice: [Hm?]
Kiyotaka: [It's a contract.]
Beatrice looked surprised.
Beatrice: [You're quite an arrogant person, I suppose. What makes you think Betty is hoping for you to return?]
Kiyotaka: [Then it'll be a one-sided contract.]
Kiyotaka left the room. He began heading back to the sitting area, but stopped when he came to the door to his room.
Kiyotaka: (I suppose it's time I start wearing that on the regular.)
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka returned wearing his trainee knight uniform as Emilia and Frederica looked surprised.
Emilia: [You look great.]
Frederica: [You were... a knight. I apologise for being so informal.]
Kiyotaka: [I'm not an official knight yet.]
Frederica: [Oh. Right. Those robes. They're worn by those who have been accepted into the academy.]
Kiyotaka sat down.
Kiyotaka: (These robes are very durable. They probably won't rip easily.)
Frederica: [So you really are allowed to enter Beatrice-Sama's forbidden library?]
She asked this while pouring tea.
Kiyotaka: [I am.]
She set down the tea.
Frederica: [I suppose Emilia-sama was right about how reliable you are. She went into a lot of detail, so I did have some hopes.]
Kiyotaka: [...]
Emilia: [Hey! Frederica!]
She turned to Kiyotaka, blushing.
Emilia: [I um... I did tell her about you, but...]
Kiyotaka got up and patted her head, causing Emilia to pout.
Kiyotaka: [It's fine.]
Emilia: [You're teasing me again. Why are you treating me like a little kid?]
Kiyotaka sat back down.
Kiyotaka: [Now I want to discuss what is going on with Roswaal.]
Emilia refocused.
Emilia: [Roswal? But why?]
Kiyotaka: [The constant disappearances during times of great danger. Forgive me, but I find it highly suspicious.]
Emilia: [What? He is my top supporter, Kiyotaka.]
Kiyotaka: [I'm just saying I have suspicions. I'll investigate this thoroughly when we see him again.]
Kiyotaka: [I don't know him all that well, so it's natural for me to have suspicions due to these events. Whether they are coincidental or orchestrated. I will know after the investigation.]
Emilia: [If you say so.]
Kiyotaka: [Roswaal is in the sanctuary. Beatrice said you could lead us there, Frederica.]
Frederica: [I have been told not to disclose any more than necessary, but...]
Frederica sighed.
Frederica: [I would like to ask for a bit of time to prepare, if that is allowed. About... 2 days.]
Emilia nodded.
Frederica: [I'll disclose the location to you now, but there needs to be some preparations.]
Kiyotaka nodded.
Frederica: [About the sanctuary... What I am about to tell you is the undisclosed location of the sanctuary of Clemaldy, and how to enter it. And there is one name you must not forget as you travel there. Beware the one by the name of Garfiel. At the sanctuary, he will be the one with whom you must exercise the most care.]
Frederica told them how to get there, and Kiyotaka memorised the information.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka woke up on the day of their departure and exited his room in his trainee knight uniform to see Petra dressed in a maid outfit.
Kiyotaka: (I thought so.)
Petra: [Do you think I look good?]
Kiyotaka: [You do. Very cute]
Kiyotaka patted Petra's head.
Petra: [Kiyotaka-sama! Please don't treat me like a child.]
Kiyotaka: [Emilia said the same thing.]
Petra: [Then I'm not behind Emilia-Sama?]
Kiyotaka: [Hm? What was that?]
Petra blushed a little.
Petra: [Nothing. I just wish you'd see that I'm an adult now. I'm old enough to work away from home, too. So don't treat me like a little kid anymore.]
Kiyotaka: (I feel like my name was just jotted down somewhere... it gives me a sense of unease.)
Kiyotaka: [But it's not like patting someone's head is equivalent to treating them like a child, is it?]
Petra: [It totally is!!!]
Kiyotaka: [Sorry then. If you don't want me to anymore, I'll stop.]
Suddenly, Petra's eyes filled with regret.
Petra: [I mean... try to... limit it.]
Kiyotaka sighed.
Kiyotaka: [Okay. In exchange, try to make sure Rem doesn't overdo it again. She's still sick after, all.]
Petra did a curtsy.
Petra: [ I will do my best, Kiyotaka-Sama.]
Kiyotaka walked through the halls and stopped at a door, knocking on it.
Kiyotaka: [Can I come in?]
Rem: [Come... cough... in.]
Kiyotaka walked in to see Rem in bed.
Kiyotaka: [Do you need anything. I'll get it for you before I go.]
Rem: [No. I'm alright. You had to take care of me the entire time yesterday. Don't trouble yourself over me any more.]
Kiyotaka: [Then let me put it this way. If you end up getting worse, I'll never hear the end of it from Ram, so try to get better.]
Rem: [Um, yes. I will do my best.]
Kiyotaka: [Is there anything you want me to pass on to Ram?]
Rem: [Um... It's embarrassing to say it out loud, but... I'd like you to tell her that I've missed her.]
Kiyotaka: [Got it.]
Kiyotaka left the room.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka and Emilia were standing next to the dragon-drawn carriage, talking to Frederica and Petra.
Emilia: [Take care of the mansion for us. Rem is always a bit too hard on herself, so make sure she stays in bed okay?]
Frederica: [You can leave it to me. Take care in your travels, Emilia-sama. Kiyotaka-sama]
Frederica lifted her hands. There was a necklace with a blue pendant in her hands.
Frederica: [And take this. This will allow you to get past the barrier in the forest. From there, the ground dragons should take you to the location I described.]
Kiyotaka: (This stone is a requirement?)
Frederica handed it to Emilia.
Frederica: [You have the location and qualification. Now you only need the resolve and a strong will.]
Emilia: [Frederica...]
Frederica: [Take care of the Sanctuary. And do not forget what I said earlier.]
Emilia: [Okay. We'll look out for Garfiel.]
Petra then held up a handkerchief.
Petra: [Kiyotaka-sama. Would you... Please accept this?]
Kiyotaka: [Um... sure.]
Kiyotaka: (Please tell me this child doesn't feel the way I think she does.)
Kiyotaka took it and put it into his pocket.
Kiyotaka: [I'll be sure to return it when I get back.]
Petra then quickly hid behind Frederica.
Kiyotaka: (It is those kinds of feelings...)
Frederica: [Now, you should hurry. The Lost Forest of Clemaldy grows more dangerous as night approaches.]
Kiyotaka scratched Haku.
Kiyotaka: [I'm depending on you for this, Haku.]
Kiyotaka got into the driver's seat as Emilia sat next to him.
Kiyotaka: [You should sit inside. It'll get cold out here.]
Emilia: [It's alright. I'll sit out here with you.]
Kiyotaka: [If you say so.]
Petra pouted at seeing this exchange as Kiyotaka pulled the reins and Haku started moving.
Frederica: [Have a safe journey.]
The carriage then disappeared into the distance.
Frederica: [All that's left is whether Emilia-Sama can pass the trials.]
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To Be Continued
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Rating Out Of 10 For This Part:
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