Chapter 91: About to Return
The days in the royal capital were leisurely and comfortable.
After having books and training partners, the days in the capital were no longer boring to the point of restlessness.
It had been five days since moving into Crush's mansion.
Today was the sixth day in the royal capital.
Subaru Natsuki, swinging the sword in his hand alone, involuntarily looked toward the main gate.
From some time ago, more and more people had started entering and leaving the mansion, and the atmosphere in the air began to grow tense.
The coming and going of people and the in-and-out flow of dragon carriages, lively as it was, also gave a sense that something big was about to happen.
Originally, Subaru was supposed to train with Wilhelm today, but Wilhelm was after all Crush's person, and when his master was busy to the extreme, he inevitably also became busy.
Moreover, ever since the number of people coming and going increased two days ago, training with Wilhelm had become even more exhausting.
If the previous training was just a simple game, then the training these days was like a newly-fledged hero just leaving the beginner village facing the demon king.
The game's difficulty had exploded.
In these days, being rubbed down and pushed to the ground by Wilhelm repeatedly almost made Subaru shut himself off.
Precisely because of this abnormal feeling, Subaru noticed that Wilhelm seemed to have been ignited.
Previously, he was like ashes that could no longer burn, but now he was like a bucket of gasoline poured on ashes with a flame added, making the unburnable ashes burn again.
His change was likely inseparable from the recent upheaval at the mansion.
Subaru withdrew his gaze and started swinging the wooden sword seriously.
No matter what Crush and the others were doing, it ultimately had nothing to do with him, an outsider.
After all, they hadn't sought his help, and with their status, there was no way some unruly person would come looking for trouble.
As long as they didn't go looking for trouble, basically nothing major would happen. Besides, the royal selection had only just started, and even an outsider like himself knew that it was not yet time for the selected members to fight.
"Subaru-kun."
The voice behind him made Subaru stop his movement.
Turning his head, he looked curiously at Rem who had spoken. Usually, Rem wouldn't interrupt his training like this, though admittedly this kind of training wasn't that important.
Knowing Rem as he did, for her to break habit and interrupt meant there was something serious that had to be said.
To confirm Subaru's thoughts, he saw the anxiety in Rem's eyes.
"What's wrong, Rem?"
"Subaru-kun, Rem has come to bid you farewell."
"Farewell?"
"Yes. My sister might have encountered some trouble, so Rem plans to go back and take a look first."
Hearing this, Subaru looked at Rem strangely and said,
"Then what does that have to do with saying farewell? If Ram's side is having trouble, then we should just go back together."
"But Subaru-kun's treatment is—"
"Treatment doesn't matter. I feel great physically anyway. As for mana, gates, curses, those kinds of things, there will always be a way to handle them. Besides, we're only going back to take care of some things, not that I can't come back for treatment. Though honestly, it's unlikely I'll come back."
"...Is that really okay? Rem actually hopes Subaru-kun stays for treatment. You always force yourself to do dangerous things... what if—"
"Enough, Rem. If you worry that much about me, then just protect me. If you watch over me and protect me, then I won't act recklessly. Of course, I'll also do my best to protect you.
Besides, even if I stayed, I'd probably be the only one left. The treatment might be neglected. You've seen it too, right? Crush and the others have been preparing something recently.
Maybe by tomorrow they won't even be at the mansion. I don't want to be bored to death alone in the mansion."
Rem stared blankly at Subaru.
What he said was basically him declaring that he would definitely follow her back.
"Okay! Subaru-kun's safety is entrusted to Rem!" Rem said with a big smile. Subaru looked at her smiling face and gave a thumbs up.
"Really reliable~~~ Then I'm counting on you, Senpai Rem!"
.
.
.
"What? Subaru, you're leaving? Why?"
"Yeah, Rem said something might have happened over there.
I don't even know how the two sisters contact each other, maybe it's some kind of twin telepathy? Intuition? That's not important. Anyway, Rem and I are going back tomorrow. Could you please prepare a dragon carriage for us?"
Felix looked at Subaru with a strange expression.
"I can do that, but why exactly tomorrow?"
"It's already so late today, and Rem said it's probably nothing big. I haven't rested enough yet, so of course I want to enjoy the last night."
"You talk like you're going to die tomorrow..."
Felix shook his head, holding his forehead.
"If you want to rest well, Subaru, you can definitely stay here longer."
"No need. Although that's a tempting offer, you all have your own things to do, right?
I've seen the mansion's situation these past few days. I don't know what you're preparing, but since we happen to have something going on over there, there's no need to stay and distract you from taking care of us."
Sitting on the bed, Subaru closed the book in his hands and turned to look at Felix, who was lying on his back.
"You two have been acting so intensely. Honestly, I'm a bit worried.
The royal selection has only just started, yet you're making such a big move.
Thinking carefully, you must have judged that the beginning phase is the best time to do something big to declare your presence to everyone.
Well, that's just my guess. But there's one thing I have to say to you."
"What is it?"
Felix saw the seriousness in Subaru's eyes.
"Be careful. If there's anything you need help with, don't forget me."
Felix was momentarily stunned, then looked away from Subaru's face.
"I understand. The dragon carriage will be ready early tomorrow morning. Leaving early should avoid any trouble."
"Thanks."
"If you really want to thank me, come be my junior."
"Why do you keep saying that? You've said it for three days already."
"This time I'm serious!"
"Huh? Only this time? Then give me back the hair I lost worrying these past days!"
"Subaru, that's so mean~~ You know what I mean, yet you catch the loopholes in my words like this. I'm mad!"
Subaru was momentarily stunned.
Looking at Felix puffing his cheeks in anger, his disconnected thoughts reconnected.
Subaru shivered and stepped back from Felix.
"Subaru, what are you doing? Your treatment isn't finished yet."
"Let's leave it at that for today. I feel pretty unsafe. Felix, you really are super dangerous!"