Chapter 99: Goodbye
"Is there really no way at all...?"
Puck looked at Subaru Natsuki, who could not accept the reality, and sighed helplessly, lowering his head and speaking in a deep voice:
"As things stand, that's right. We have no means of transportation to move a large number of people, and we don't have enough fighting power to confront the Witch Cult and the White Whale."
Subaru clenched his fists and bit his teeth in silent frustration.
They couldn't fight head-on, couldn't run away — no matter what plan he came up with, it was impossible.
He regretted it... The White Whale would appear tonight.
Last time, he hadn't even made it back to the mansion to observe the situation before being intercepted and killed by the White Whale.
In such circumstances, Subaru had no idea when the Witch Cult would attack. Where would they come from?
Taking a deep breath, Subaru raised his head and slapped his cheeks, shaking off some dark thoughts from his mind.
"Puck…"
"I'm here."
"I'm counting on you."
"…Since it's a request from you, Subaru, as your friend, I'll of course agree. But there's something I must make clear."
"If Emilia is in danger, even if it means abandoning you, I will do so without hesitation."
"Ah, that's fine. After all, you're not exactly perfect, but you are a father figure," Subaru said with a smile, reaching out to rub Puck's little head.
"Don't look so guilty. Just like you understand me, I understand you too. I don't blame you. Rather, the fact that you're willing to accept my request means everything."
"…"
Puck stayed silent, quietly sitting on Subaru's lap as he rubbed his head. After a while, Subaru withdrew his hand.
Puck floated up from his lap, watching as Subaru walked over to the desk and picked up a sword.
That sword was the best one from the village, given to Subaru by its people. It had accompanied him through a life-and-death crisis.
"Let's go, Puck."
As Subaru said this and walked to the door, he opened it, but did not leave immediately. Instead, he spoke:
"Puck, promise me one last thing."
"Hm?"
"You're not even going to ask what it is?"
"If it's from you, I'll agree no matter what it is."
"Really… thank you. I've caused you too much trouble."
Taking a deep breath, the expression in Subaru's eyes turned serious.
"If I die, protect as many people as you can, within your ability. If you can't, then so be it."
"I understand. But… is it really necessary to say something like that? Actually... never mind. Even if I said it, you wouldn't agree anyway."
Puck lightly shook his head.
No matter what they would face next, there was one thing that would never change — Subaru would never run away. So, there was no point in saying more.
After Subaru walked out the door and closed it, he and Puck exchanged one last glance — and parted.
With the sword in hand, Subaru strolled down the corridor.
Before long, he stopped and turned to face a door, reached out, and opened it.
What he saw was Beatrice standing across from the door, in front of the bookshelf behind her.
"Yo, Beako. It's been a while. Missed me?"
Saying this, Subaru walked in and closed the door.
His gaze landed on Beatrice, who held a book in her hands — but her eyes were fixed on Subaru.
Her brows were furrowed, and she looked visibly annoyed.
"Do you think you're hot stuff? Why would Betty miss you? Don't be so self-absorbed, human."
"Really? But I missed Beatrice-sensei a lot. Without you, I couldn't even study anything."
"Hmph. Don't think saying something like that will make Betty happy. And why did you come back? And why did you bring that thing into Betty's archive?
More importantly, that 'going-to-die' look on your face is really pissing me off."
Subaru paused for a moment, looking at Beatrice's expression.
He gave a bitter smile and said nothing. Then, he stepped forward and stood in front of her, speaking seriously:
"Beatrice-sensei, I hope you can teach me magic. Any kind of magic is fine — as long as it's magic!"
"Are you insane?! Weren't you in the capital for treatment? Don't you understand what happens to your body if you try to use magic?
You'll die. When you cast magic, you'll go boom and explode into pieces. And even knowing that, you still want to learn?"
Of course Subaru knew what Beatrice meant — Puck had already warned him.
But in this situation, he could only try to strengthen himself, and learning magic… was his last resort. Maybe self-destruction could take out someone dangerous.
Although realistically, that chance was almost zero.
He couldn't even beat Puck's incomplete form — how could he expect self-destruction to defeat enemies like the White Whale or the Witch Cult, whom even Puck wasn't confident he could beat?
Perhaps sensing Subaru's intent, Beatrice lowered her head and said:
"If you want to learn magic, Betty won't teach you. But if you want to learn some knowledge, Betty could kindly teach you that."
It was an obvious rejection. Subaru understood that Beatrice would not teach him magic.
He sighed helplessly, realizing there was no way to get the magic he needed from her.
"Then, Beatrice… can you leave this place?"
"What kind of joke is that, human?! Don't think just because Betty tolerates your behavior, you can overstep! Don't get so arrogant, human!"
Subaru saw the anger rising on Beatrice's face — he had clearly hit a nerve.
Under her gaze, Subaru bent down so they were at eye level, and looked directly into her angry eyes.
"You know, I didn't come to the archive every day just to learn stuff. If it was just reading, Rem, Ram, even Roswaal or Emilia could teach me.
Then why did I come to the archive every day?"
"How would Betty know something like that?! If you had so many teachers, then stop coming and disturbing Betty's life!"
Subaru gently shook his head, his gaze soft as he looked at Beatrice.
Under that look, her expression began to turn awkward.
"Stop looking at Betty with those gross eyes! It's infuriating!"
"The answer is you, Beatrice. Being with you was fun and relaxing… I'll do everything I can to protect you and everything around us. But if things go badly… you have to survive."
"What nonsense are you spouting now?! Betty's had enough of your ridiculous and weird words! Get out, right now! And don't come back!"
"Well, if I make it out alive, I'll shamelessly come find you again. And next time, I'll annoy you to death. Hahaha!"
Subaru laughed, stood up straight, turned and walked to the door.
As he opened it, he stopped without turning back.
"Goodbye."
With those final words, the door closed — leaving Beatrice staring blankly, her expression complex, at the shut door.