Chapter 59.1
[Frederica: ……It seems you’ve returned earlier than I thought]
Standing in the opened doorway with keen, widened eyes, the tall maid welcomed Subaru’s return in a soft whisper .
[Subaru: Yeah, we ran into a situation so I had to come back . It’s only been two…… no, three days, right? Sorry I couldn’t give you a heads up about coming back so soon, but can I come in now?]
Panting heavily on Patrasche’s back, Subaru answered with the fatigue of half a day’s travel behind him . Seeing Subaru still joking around in spite of his disheveled appearance, the maid―― Frederica placed a hand over her lips to cover the fangs showing through her smile,
[Frederica: Certainly . It would be an affront to my duty as the Master’s servant to fail to provide a guest with the utmost hospitality . I will take the ground dragon to the stable, Subaru-sama, please come in . Petra will attend to your needs]
[Subaru: Oh you don’t have to…… no I mean, thanks please]
Hopping down from Patrasche, his knees gave way at the landing . Though he managed to stave off falling by hanging onto the reins, it seems that he was more exhausted than he thought .
It was only natural―― having rushed all the way from the Sanctuary without rest, after being awake all night, no less .
Despite the Divine Protection of Wind Evasion and Patrasche’s care not to add to the burden of her rider, the six hours’ journey had taken its toll on Subaru .
Noticing that his body had endured more than he realized, Subaru quickly took Frederica up on her offer . Handing the reins to Federica, he patted the worried Patrasche on the back,
[Subaru: It’s alright, I’ll be fine . You’re the one I should thank for putting up with me all this way . It’s time to head to the stable and get a nice brushing, ok?]
Unlike horses, ground dragons’ bodies aren’t coated in fur, but they still seem to enjoy having their rigid scales cleaned with a brush . Patrasche was no exception, and excitedly nudged Subaru with her snout at his promise . Being frontally assaulted like this, Subaru let out an [Uwa!] and slinked back .
[Frederica: My my, you sure are enthusiastic about this . Come with me, Patrasche-chan . I’ll make you a brand new bed of straw]
[Subaru: I’ll leave her with you, then . ――Hey, Frederica]
[Frederica: Yes?]
Leading Patrasche by her reins, Frederica was walking her to the stable when Subaru called from behind . Stopping in her steps, Frederica looked back .
With her long, golden hair swaying, her vicious-looking features nonetheless carried a certain tenderness about them . Subaru gave the bones in his neck a crack, and,
[Subaru: ――Do you have any plans to head to the cabin in the mountains today?]
[Frederica: ……? No, I don’t, is something the matter?]
Hearing Subaru’s quiet question, Frederica replied in an incredulous tone . Taking note of the way she answered, of her expression, and her gaze, Subaru shook his head with [No],
[Subaru: If not, then nevermind . Also, sorry to ask this, but, once you’re done with Patrasche, can you head back inside as soon as possible? There’re quite a few things about the Sanctuary I need to talk to you about]
[Frederica: I understand . I will come back right away]
Leaving him with an impeccable bow, Frederica led Patrasche away .
Watching her from the steps of the Mansion, Subaru stretched his body on the spot and lifted his gaze―― at the Mansion in its unchanged majesty . This was the earliest he had ever returned to it .
The latest was the sixth night, and the earliest was the fourth .
One way or another, the blade that heralds the end would come .
But before that――
[Subaru: Before that end comes, I’ll find the way to stop it]
There had been too many sacrifices in this loop .
But even as he grieves for the world that will be lost, Subaru must strive to acquire something of equal value in return .
For Garfiel’s wails, and for Emilia’s unseen sorrow,
Natsuki Subaru had been granted the resolve to continue the fight, and turn his eyes away from the pain .
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
[Petra: Waa! You’re back so soon!]
The first words that welcomed Subaru as he entered the Mansion was Petra’s adorably beaming greeting .
Though the literal content of her words were more or less the same as Frederica’s, the amount of affection instilled within them were of an entirely different weight-class .
[Petra: You look tired, are you alright? I mean, would you be feeling alright? I can prepare the bath right away, if you would like to…… what’s wrong?]
[Subaru: No no, I just felt totally healed when I saw Petra . Come to think of it, you’re the only one I could say exactly what comes to mind to without having to worry about anything]
Getting her polite and casual forms all mixed up, Petra excitedly circled around Subaru .
Subaru reached out his hand and patted her on her chestnut-colored hair, and she made a delighted squeal that was just way too adorable . Indeed, it was healing in the truest sense of the word .
Yet, almost simultaneously, the events of his last visit to the Mansion flashed across his mind, along with Petra’s gruesome fate in the end .
[Subaru: Petra, it’s a bit sudden, but…… can you listen to a request of mine?]
[Petra: ……? Mn . Okay . I’ll do anything Subaru-sama asks of me, no matter what]
[Subaru: T’haha, that’s reassuring . Alright . It’s something important . Frederica will be back soon as well, so let’s talk in the lounge . Can you get some tea ready?]
[Petra: Big sister Frederica will be there too?]
[Subaru: Yeah . It’ll be determining what happens from here on, and it’s not unrelated to Petra, either . So I want you there as well]
[Petra: Not unrelated, to me……?]
Covering her lips, Petra looked like she was sinking into thought . Then, as if suddenly realizing something, her face jumped up, blushing,
[Petra: So, it’s about something super important involving me and Subaru-sama?]
[Subaru: Ummm, I guess you could say that? It’s definitely important for both Petra and for me . Either way, it’s not something we can decide just between ourselves]
[Petra: But, the feelings of the people involved are really important, right?]
[Subaru: Feelings? The feelings? Feelings are…… well, also pretty important? It’s true that it won’t work if everyone’s on different frequencies, so…… yeah that too, I guess?]
Seeing Subaru nodding to her questions, Petra’s face lit up as she did a spin on the spot . Then, running into the Mansion almost dancing,
[Petra: Right away! I’ll be back right away! Don’t you run away!]
[Subaru: I’m not running anywhere… Petra, if you go too fast you’ll trip]
Watching Petra fly up the stairs, aiming straight for the maid’s room, Subaru suddenly remembered something and called out to her from behind, [Petra!],
[Subaru: Petra, thanks for the handkerchief . It was probably not in the way you intended, but, it really helped]
[Petra: Really? I helped Subaru?]
[Subaru: Yeah, saved my life…… well, not exactly, but feels like that]
Subaru pulled out the white embroidered handkerchief that Petra had given him as a gift .
It was the weapon he used to kill himself in the previous loop at the end of his showdown with the Witch of Envy, moments before he could be swallowed . That particular functionality was no doubt Echidona’s doing, but it still began with Petra’s feelings for him .
Come to think of it, if Echidona’s will had stayed in effect, the handkerchief might still be a weapon even now . Maybe it could activate when the same conditions are met, when Subaru’s life is in danger, or when some magical incantation injects it with mana . Granted, the last one would be a bit too hard for Subaru .
[Subaru: Still, it’s all thanks to you . I have to repay you for this gift somehow]
[Petra: Then, a dayt! One dayt!]
[Subaru: Um, did you hear that from Emilia?]
A first date with Emilia in Arlam village was Subaru’s reward for quelling the Wolgarms in the forest .
Back then, the perceptive villagers and children had decided to leave Subaru and Emilia to themselves, and it seems Petra still remembered it .
[Subaru: Understood . Then allow me to be your escort . It would be my honor and privilege to be the partner of Petra’s first date]
[Petra: You promise!]
[Subaru: Yeah, promise]
Happily holding up her hand with a blooming smile, Petra bounded into the hallway .
Watching the back of her tiny figure disappear into the hall, Subaru’s thoughts drifted to what her future might hold . A lovely girl with a bright future ahead of her . In five, no, three years time, she would have grown into a beautiful girl .
By that time, she would have probably forgotten about her feelings for him . But the fact that such a girl chose him as her first date still filled Subaru with a sinful sense of satisfaction . So,
[Subaru: I’ll be sure to make good on that promise, Petra]
She won’t remember the promise they exchanged in this collapsing world .
But Subaru will always carry the fact of its passing .
When he has finally chosen the perfect future, he will make that promise to her again .
With the lingering thought of Petra’s smile in his mind, Subaru directed his steps to the lounge .