The night deepened, Roswaal Manor was enveloped in tranquility.
Natsuki Subaru, who had just leveled up again during the day, was in high spirits. As usual, he sat at his desk studying the characters of this other world.
"Ram and Rem must be very busy tonight..."
Natsuki Subaru picked up a thick historical tome, gazing at the moonlight outside the window and muttering to himself.
As Roswaal's capable assistants, the twin maid sisters had domain affairs to handle.
Especially considering that in two days, they would depart for the Royal Capital with Emilia and the others, Ram would be left alone to guard the mansion, and many tasks needed to be arranged in advance.
"Enough thinking, let's read... Stories about dragons... Hmm, and stories about witches..."
Natsuki Subaru flipped through the pages, those familiar words once again meeting his eyes,
"Satella, who brings suffering to the world in the name of Envy, all who see her shall not live.
Under the Witch's command are Mabeasts far beyond human power to resist, feeding on fear, delighting in slaughter.
Where Mabeasts appear, ruins remain; where the Witch passes, nothing is left. All that the survivors know is the expansion of the destroyed continent..."
"So this is the Witch of Envy..."
Natsuki Subaru murmured.
Through these words, he could clearly feel the people's bone-deep fear of the Witch of Envy.
Satella—that is, the Witch of Envy, her very existence was a disaster.
Four hundred years ago, she went berserk due to the loss of control over her Witch Factor, devouring half the world, and was finally sealed by the Divine Dragon, the Great Sage, and the first Sword Saint.
Even in her sealed state, the Witch of Envy's residual power could still affect the real world.
People's fear and hatred for Satella had long been ingrained in their bones, becoming a taboo passed down through generations.
Her name became the most vicious curse; merely mentioning the three characters "Satella" in public would incur severe punishment.
Parents used her legends to scare disobedient children, poets used obscure metaphors to hint at her terror, and even the kingdom's laws explicitly forbade the dissemination of any information related to her.
Thinking of Emilia's resemblance to the Witch of Envy, Natsuki Subaru couldn't help but clench his fists.
"This time, when we go to the Royal Capital, with me around, Emilia will definitely not be harmed."
Natsuki Subaru irritably closed the thick historical tome, then picked up the well-worn fairy tale collection.
This was a gift from Emilia.
"These fairy tales, it seems there's nothing new to them anymore..." Natsuki Subaru sighed, deciding to change his study method, "Maybe I should practice writing."
However, after writing for only a short while, those familiar characters began to dance before his eyes.
After persisting for about half an hour, Natsuki Subaru finally threw down his pen in exasperation, grabbing his black hair and wailing:
"Ahhhhh, without Rem and Ram supervising me, I can't calm down to study at all."
Indeed, without a cute maid urging him on, his motivation to study plummeted.
"No, no, this won't do..."
Natsuki Subaru forced himself to sit up straight, the tip of his pen hesitating on the paper for a moment, then slowly began to move,
"I still have to write something, what should I write? Let's write the successive royal titles of the Kingdom of Lugnica... King of Lugnica, Kingdom of Lugnica... Beatrice, Betty, Little Betty..."
"Huh? Why is it all Beatrice's name?"
As he wrote, Natsuki Subaru suddenly realized something was wrong. He widened his eyes abruptly and saw that the notebook was densely filled with Beatrice's name, and there were even a few clumsily drawn elf heads.
"Wait! What's going on?! This doesn't count! How could I possibly be interested in that tsundere loli?"
Although he denied it verbally, Natsuki Subaru had to admit in his heart that he was indeed very concerned about that older, blonde loli elf who spent all day in the Forbidden Library.
Thinking of Beatrice guarding that dim Forbidden Library day after day, year after year, stubbornly waiting for that person who would never appear,
a strange feeling welled up in Natsuki Subaru's heart.
Four hundred years of lonely waiting, just to fulfill a promise that might have long been forgotten, this persistence made him feel both heartache and that it wasn't worth it.
"Sigh, studying alone is really inefficient..."
Natsuki Subaru irritably scratched his hair, the quill pen in his hand unconsciously drawing messy lines on the paper,
"It's completely different from studying in the library in my previous life. Back then, everyone around was engrossed in their studies, that kind of focused atmosphere..."
"Wait, the library..."
Natsuki Subaru's pen tip suddenly stopped, a thought flashing through his mind like lightning,
"Right, Beatrice's Forbidden Library!"
Thinking of that room filled with countless precious books, Natsuki Subaru was instantly invigorated.
Studying in that environment surrounded by bookshelves would definitely be much more efficient.
Although he might anger Beatrice with his sharp tongue, it was still better than being cooped up alone in his room.
Moreover, perhaps he could keep that lonely elf company.
And with Beatrice, that knowledgeable Great Spirit, around, he could ask her about things he didn't understand.
Although, disturbing her so late might get him blasted out by her magic.
But, with the mentality of trying anything in a desperate situation, Natsuki Subaru gathered all his study materials, pushed open his door, and headed towards the Forbidden Library.
Natsuki Subaru familiarly pushed open the Door Crossing, a friendly smile on his face:
"Yo, little Betty, I'm here again~"
"It's you again, you impolite fellow!"
In the center of the Forbidden Library, the blonde elf sitting on a high-backed chair lifted her head and looked over.
She wore a deep red velvet dress, the layers of lace trim on her skirt swaying gently with her movements.
Beneath the exquisite ruffled cuffs were slender calves wrapped in violet stockings, and on her feet were shiny black leather shoes.
Her light blonde hair was meticulously braided into symmetrical spiral twin-tails, glowing softly in the light.
On that doll-like exquisite face, her azure eyes sparkled with annoyance, and her tender pink lips were pressed into a straight line of displeasure.
"What are you doing here?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Natsuki Subaru waved the book and ballpoint pen in his hand. "Of course, I'm here to study."
"Study?"
Beatrice tilted her head, her blue eyes full of suspicion.
"That's right, that's right, just studying."
Natsuki Subaru said as he found a spot near a bookshelf and sat down cross-legged.
"Although sitting on the floor is a bit uncomfortable... But, I don't think little Betty would be willing to lend me her seat, so I'll just make do."
"Why would Betty lend you a seat..." Beatrice glared at Natsuki Subaru, then suddenly reacted, "Wait... How did you just sit down on your own? This is infuriating!"
"What's our relationship? Besides, you should support me when it comes to studying."
Natsuki Subaru waved his hand, speaking to Beatrice with a cheeky grin,
"You're clearly the Forbidden Library's administrator, yet you're so stingy. How cunning."
"Who has a relationship with you! Betty has no relationship with you at all."
Hearing this, Beatrice's small face immediately flushed red, and she retorted angrily, "Even as the administrator of the Forbidden Library, I have no obligation to let a fellow like you study here."
Ah... here we go again, this textbook tsundere reaction.
After getting along for so long, he had long figured out Beatrice's personality. No matter how harsh her words, she was actually very soft-hearted.
Natsuki Subaru chuckled inwardly, then explained to Beatrice in a serious tone:
"But in my hometown, libraries are the most suitable places for studying, and the librarians there always welcome everyone to study in the library."
"...What nonsense, honestly!"
Beatrice turned her face away, her twin-tails swaying gently with the movement, but Natsuki Subaru keenly noticed her ear tips were slightly red.
Seeing Beatrice's attitude was still firm, Natsuki Subaru had no choice but to play his trump card:
"Look, this is the result of my hard practice!"
Saying this, he handed the paper filled with writing to Beatrice,
"I really want to study hard. Ram and the others are busy today, so no one is supervising me... Just make an exception, Beako, the cutest little Betty-sama."
"If you can't study without supervision, your self-control is too poor."
Beatrice glanced at Natsuki Subaru with disdain. Although she said that, Natsuki Subaru keenly noticed her gaze lingered on the page for several extra seconds.
"And... who allowed you to call Betty by such a strange name!"
"Doesn't calling you that make it seem more intimate?"
Natsuki Subaru replied without batting an eye.
"What's intimate about it!" Beatrice's small face instantly flushed bright red, her twin-tails even perking up in anger. "Betty doesn't want to act familiar with a fellow like you... Hmph!"
She really is a textbook tsundere.
She's clearly softened already, yet she still has to put on a fierce act.
Natsuki Subaru chuckled inwardly.
"Wait!"
Beatrice suddenly widened her azure eyes, snatched the paper, and her voice abruptly rose an octave, "You're practicing writing, why are you writing Betty's name?!"
Only then did she realize that the entire page was densely filled with the three characters of Beatrice's name.
"Well, about that..."
Natsuki Subaru scratched his head, "To be honest, I'm not too sure myself. I was just writing, and when I came to, the whole page was already filled with your name."
Saying this, Natsuki Subaru deliberately paused, winked at Beatrice, and said,
"Well? Aren't you touched?"
"Touched by what! Writing Betty's name with such ugly handwriting is simply the height of impoliteness."
Although she said that, Beatrice rarely kicked Natsuki Subaru out immediately, and Natsuki Subaru clearly saw the corners of her mouth twitch upwards slightly.
She's clearly very happy, yet she still has to pretend to be angry.
Thinking this, Natsuki Subaru winked, deliberately looking at Beatrice with expectant eyes and said:
"That's too strict! But as long as I practice diligently, my handwriting will definitely improve."
"Who wants you to practice writing Betty's name, hmph."
Beatrice muttered softly, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"Anyway, just let me study here, please, the cutest little Betty in the whole world~"
Natsuki Subaru clasped his hands together, making the most sincere request, while simultaneously calculating in his mind.
Having said this much, she shouldn't be able to find a reason to refuse, right?
"If you can guarantee to be quiet and not make any noise."
Beatrice turned her face away, her fingers unconsciously twirling the ends of her hair.
"If you dare to make too much noise, Betty will absolutely show no mercy and kick you out."
"Oh, understand, understand."
Having received permission, Natsuki Subaru immediately and obediently leaned against the bookshelf, but his gaze couldn't help but fall on Beatrice.
Although Beatrice always looked sharp-tongued and cold, as long as he pestered her with requests, she would eventually soften and agree.
She was clearly an older loli-level Great Spirit who had lived for several hundred years, yet she always showed such cute reactions.
It was really hard to dislike such a Beatrice.
Indeed, Beatrice like this was the best.
Thinking this, Natsuki Subaru unconsciously broke into a smile.
"Hey, what's with that expression?"
Beatrice suspiciously stared at Natsuki Subaru.
"Hmm? What expression?" Natsuki Subaru played dumb.
"It's... it's that silly smiling expression." Beatrice said angrily, "It's infuriating just looking at it."
"Ah." Natsuki Subaru dragged out his tone, deliberately teasing Beatrice, "This might be because I was too happy thinking I could study with Betty."
"Who- Who wants to study with you!"
Beatrice's small face turned red again,
"Betty is just doing her own thing."
"Yes, yes, it's all thanks to Lady Betty's great mercy..."
Natsuki Subaru's words were cut off before he could finish.
"If you dare to spout any more nonsense, I'll use magic to freeze your entire body and display you as an ice sculpture in the Forbidden Library!"
Beatrice threatened Natsuki Subaru fiercely, but with her flushed face, it had no deterrent effect whatsoever.
"Alright, I'll concentrate on reading now..."
Natsuki Subaru hurriedly lowered his head and pretended to read seriously, but the corner of his eye couldn't help but sneak a peek at the cute elf opposite him.
Seriously, Beatrice's strength was not to be underestimated. If he really angered her, he might actually get frozen.
With his current strength, he couldn't defeat this Great Spirit at all.
Although Beatrice was an artificial Great Spirit created by the Witch Echidna, this didn't mean she was inferior to naturally occurring spirits.
On the contrary, her strength far exceeded that of ordinary spirits.
As the ultimate manifestation of Yin-attribute magic, Beatrice had cultivated Yin-attribute magic to its peak.
Spatial transfer, time freezing, spatial severance, eternal shadow, gravity nullification, cognitive reversal... she had mastered all these almost lost super-tier magics.
What was even more terrifying was that her body stored over four hundred years of accumulated mana; she was practically a walking magical nuke.
"This Betty fellow, she really is an existence that can instantly kill me..."
Natsuki Subaru grumbled inwardly.
However, thinking about the plot in the original work where Natsuki Subaru eventually subdued Beatrice, he felt that this might actually be a powerful ally.
___
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