ca-book Volume 4, 29 [An Omnivorous Man]
Volume 4, 29 [An Omnivorous Man]
Volume 4, Chapter 29 [An Omnivorous Man]
Closing in on the core of what he wanted to know, Subaru tilted his teacup.
Letting the hot tea pass down his throat, he swallowed it along with his doubts for now and settled them into his stomach. Then, seriously considering what he should say next,
[Subaru: To what extent... are you willing to answer my questions?]
[Lewes: ......you may have already noticed my reluctance, but don’t expect too much from me. Because of my contract, there is not much information I can give Su-bo. As for the Trials, I am under strict orders not to allow any outside interference with the Tomb]
[Subaru: The way you said that already gave me a few clues...... strict orders, huh]
[Lewes: ――――]
Faced with Subaru’s repeated questions, Lewes grew silent.
Judging by her words and behaviors so far, there weren’t many contenders for someone capable of bending her to their will. More than likely, those were Roswaal’s orders, but,
[Subaru: In that case, that guy’s objectives just becomes less and less comprehensible. Does he want me...... want us to pass the Trials? Or doesn’t he? I can’t even be sure whether he’s planning to help us or not]
[Lewes: I guess he was hoping you would find the answer to that yourselves, or something along those lines. Even back in the day, Ros-bo was a naughty little child who loved to do things in these obscure and roundabout ways. He may have gotten taller, but deep down, he hasn’t changed a bit]
Perhaps it was because they’ve known each other for so long, that Lewes could lightheartedly say this of the young Roswaal.
“Hasn’t changed a bit.” Having only gotten to know Roswaal’s perverted side, Subaru couldn’t help but shudder at the thought of what Roswaal might’ve been like back when his limbs were still stubby.Nnêw n0vel chapters are published at novelhall.com
[Subaru: Well, there must still be some cuteness left in there, mnnyeah, probably maybe]
[Lewes: Ros-bo’s childhood...... hm, since they pertain to the secrets of the Mathers family, I’m afraid I cannot divulge anything further]
[Subaru: Uuuogh, but I’m interested...... no, wait, am I interested? I don’t really mind not knowing too much about that guy’s personality, actually]
Crossing his arms and tilting his head, Subaru started to question why he wanted to know in the first place, and,
[Subaru: Alright, let’s toss that one out. I just need to know what that guy’s planning, there’s no need to understand him]
[Lewes: You sure came to that conclusion easily]
[Subaru: There’s no need to worry about things that’re pointless to worry about. Ultimately, humans can’t understand everything from zero to a hundred anyway. But even so, we still want to understand some things, and I guess that’s what love is. I’ll always love Emilia-tan, but I don’t love Roswaal all that much!]
In front of that clear-cut declaration tossing Roswaal aside, Lewes gave an impressed nod, and continuing [In that case], she touched her hand to her chin,
[Lewes: It seems, there is no other topic I can talk to you about......]
[Subaru: Naah, as long as we don’t touch on anything forbidden by Lewes-san’s contracts, my QUESTION-TIME is still ongoing, isn’t it? Nevermind Roswaal’s personality for now, but I still want to ask a few more things from the Sanctuary’s all-knowledgeable granny Lewes-san]
[Lewes: H...mm. Well, if you just wanna ask, that’s fine, go ahead and ask. But, the dire consequences of violating my contract are not limited to myself alone. By no means forget this, understood?]
Bending forward, the little girl glared up threateningly at Subaru.
Honestly, it looked so adorable that it gave off no sense of pressure at all, but Subaru nonetheless hugged his own shoulders pretending to shudder in reaction, and whimpered out [So scary] with tears puddling up in his eyes,
[Subaru: Alright, now that we have the scary aggressor and the frightened victim properly mapped out, it’s question-time now?]
[Lewes: I’m finding it a bit hard to accept the way you made me the villain just now]
[Subaru: As a man once said, that’s that and this is this. So, question now―― You said that Frederica and Garfiel are siblings, and Frederica had stayed inside the Sanctuary, right?]
While Lewes was still a bit unable to accept her treatment, with a feigned smile, Subaru cut directly into the main topic. Seeing her expression change upon hearing his question, Subaru waved a finger,
[Subaru: Frederica, who was supposed to be in the Sanctuary, is now dressed in a maid’s uniform and serving in Roswaal’s Mansion. But, from what I’ve gathered, this situation sounds a bit odd]
[Lewes: Hmm, odd how?]
[Subaru: If Frederica is Garfiel’s sister, then she must be half-blooded as well. Then, being a half-blood, she shouldn’t have been able to leave the Sanctuary for as long as the Barrier is still intact]
The Barrier of the Sanctuary that reacts to the blood of the half-bloods, barring their escape:
It was the thing that struck Emilia unconscious on the way in, that kept Garfiel and Lewes trapped in this place indefinitely, and it was the wall that was currently one of the greatest obstacles standing in Subaru’s path.
After agonizingly trying to find a way to surmount it, there was now an exception who had passed beyond that wall. In other words,
[Subaru: There must be some kind of secret path to leave the Barrier. Or maybe, even the Barrier’s existence is a lie]
[Lewes: A lie...... that would be a bit upsetting. The truth is, in my life up to now, I have never once set foot into the outside world. All this is owing to the existence of the Barrier]
[Subaru: Or, maybe you are being deceived by the contract you’ve been bound to...... such a malicious possibility isn’t entirely out of the question? It could also be that since there’s too much risk involved in actually testing the reality of the Barrier, it just so happens that no one thought to verify it. But then...]
The possibility that all the residents of the Sanctuary had been deceived about the existence of the Barrier.
The Trials inside the Tomb certainly exist, so this should be highly unlikely. Yet Subaru couldn’t completely rule out the possibility that this was some overly elaborate plan to trap the refugees of Arlam and win Emilia renown.
[Subaru: Considering the kind of uproar there’d be if they found out about the truth, it’s just a bit too unrealistic. So the second possibility should be automatically ruled out...... which only leaves us with the first one]
[Lewes: A secret path...... is it. But, what will you do once you have found out the answer?]
[Subaru: If there is a secret path that anyone could use, then we can just move everyone in the Sanctuary outside the Barrier, and there’ll be no need to take the Trials]
Hearing Subaru’s outrageous proposal, Lewes dropped her jaw. Seeing her like this, Subaru waved his hands from side to side, [Right?]
[Subaru: Sure there are benefits to taking the Trials as well. Honestly, having benefitted quite a bit from it myself, I won’t deny that. But, the Trials―― or in this case, the past... it’d be ok to put it off for now, right? There are times when people shouldn’t be forced to face their pasts, don’t you think?]
[Lewes: You are talking about Emilia-sama? But hardships will not choose the right time to pay their visit. Running away now in the face of calamities would only be......]
[Subaru: I don’t mean running away forever. Just retreating in order to better prepare for the fight. That’s what they call a tactical retreat. There are times when we have to fight on unfavorable ground, but moving to more favorable grounds when possible is a good thing for both the person herself and those around her, isn’t it?]
Cutting off Lewes just as she tried to say something, Subaru continued stacking on justifications for running away, insisting that it isn’t always shameful to turn one’s back.
[Subaru: Even if she doesn’t face it now, one day Emilia will face it, no matter what. It may be ironic, but that Trial made her remember. So she must now choose to either forget or to accept it. And all I can do is to somehow make it less painful for her when she decides]
[Lewes: ......You speak of distancing her from suffering, yet you would not let her run away from the single most painful part]
[Subaru: Whether to run away from that part is her choice as well. But I believe that she...... Emilia will not do such a thing]
[Lewes: And what makes you trust her so? At least, it’s impossible for me. To see the way she came out of the Tomb, and still have such expectations of her]
[Subaru: Well, that’s because I love Emilia-tan to death, you know]
As Lewes continued to deny Emilia, Subaru casually said this as if it were nothing.
[Subaru: Unless there was some reason she didn’t do this...... maybe she’s starting to go senile......]
[Lewes: Just now, you seem to have arrived at some rather rude conclusions about me?]
[Subaru: If you could keep in mind my consistent past efforts to demonstrate my good intentions, and let that counterbalance my recent transgression, Subaru will be most grateful. Said Subaru with a stern expression on his face]
Watching Subaru mix his apologizing and clowning together, Lewes sighed, and, muttering [Ayeayeaye...], she tiredly shook her head,
[Lewes: So, did you get any answers out of that conversation with your heart?]
[Subaru: Answers or not, it’s more like I’ve arrived at a conclusion. Um, Lewes-san, did you happen to be worried about me? Like back outside the Tomb?]
[Lewes: Worried?]
Seeing Lewes merely repeating his word like a parrot, Subaru nodded [yeah] and effeminately touched his fingertips together like a girl, and,
[Subaru(girly voice): Y-you once said that you never took the Trials, but outside the Tomb you told me how you took the Trials and failed but it was no big deal, right? B-but you probably just said that because you were worried about me or unless it’s not like that and it’s just me but I just noticed it just now that’s all......]
[Lewes: ――Ahh, so it’s about that]
With a voice carrying an emotion as if having understood, Lewes interjected into Subaru’s cringe-worthy rapid-fire delivery. And, seeing Subaru furrow his brows in astonishment upon hearing the sound of her voice, she smiled, and,
[Lewes: Su-bo, I’ll let you in on something good. Consider it special]
[Subaru: Something good?]
[Lewes: Owing to my contract, I am forbidden to “Lie”. And so, whenever I am asked an inappropriate question, I could only choose to answer with silence. Without exceptions, this could not be changed for anyone’s sake. Lying is forbidden. And this is true for myself, as well as every single one of the residents of the Sanctuary]
[Subaru: You cannot... lie......?]
In front of her sudden confession, Subaru’s only impulse was confusion.
Because, if what Lewes said was true, then the premise of everything Subaru had considered so far would be turned on its head. Or rather, even before that, if what she said was true, then the whole situation that brought about his suspicions in the first place would have been completely self-contradictory.
――If she was incapable of lying, then how was it that she had created a situation that couldn’t have come about unless she lied?
[Subaru: Tha......]
[Lewes: Just now, I have already told the utmost limit of what I could tell you. I cannot answer any questions beyond that. Misery would befall us both if we violate the contract. If you wish to know more, instead of asking this ancient self who had stopped in her tracks, you should ask one of those who had ventured ahead]
Having been preemptively denied, Subaru could only close his opened mouth and fall back into silence.
Subaru had only been able to carry on this conversation by relying on Lewes’ goodwill, so once she had rejected him like this, there was nothing he could do. But she had also given him a hint as well.
By picking up that fact alone, Subaru keenly sensed that she had not been lying about her desire to be liberated from this place.
[Subaru: Understood, I won’t ask any more than that. Let’s change the topic... to something else]
[Lewes: You sure’re an odd one. You already know you can’t get anything else important out of me, and you still wish to drink tea and chat with an old-timer like me?]
[Subaru: I’ve already missed breakfast time, and there’s not much for me to do until Emilia-tan wakes up. I get pissed off just looking at Roswaal, Garfiel bares his fangs at me, and bantering with Otto’s way too exhausting, so I’ll just deepen my precious friendship with my Loli-Granny]
Standing up, Subaru collected the two cups of now thoroughly-cold tea and headed to the kitchen, followed by Lewes’ gaze,
[Subaru: Don’t worry. For a time, even though it was kinda short-term, I made a living as a servant in Roswaal’s Mansion, you know. They’ve taught me a thing or two about brewing tea, at least]
[Lewes: Hm. Then allow me to wait with expectations]
[Subaru: Uwa, PURESSHAー]
Saying this as he poured the tea into the teacups, he handed one to Lewes and returned to his seat. Facing each other, they sipped down the new tea, and,
[Lewes: Not too bad at all]
[Subaru: Even when I brew it myself I still just taste leaves. Now, for the new topic]
[Lewes: I won’t be listening if you want to continue the topic from before. But otherwise...... well, I would still respond to any other topics as earnestly as I could]
[Subaru: Alright, I’ll hold you to your words then]
Seeing a tinge of guilt forming on Lewes’ little face, Subaru’s lips twisted into a mischievous smile.
[Subaru: Do you know anything that bastard Garfiel’s scared of, or any stuff he hates? Like something that’ll make him faint soon as he sees them?]
[Lewes: Su-bo... have you ever noticed the way you try so hard is a little crooked?]
And, with that, he managed to put onto Lewes’ face the single most peculiar expression of the entire past hour.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
After their conversation over tea came to an end, having cleaned up the cups, Subaru left the lonely Loli-Granny who claimed she wanted to be alone and came out of the house.
About an hour had passed, or perhaps a little longer, he thought. But, seeing that the sun that was supposed to have only just risen now hanging high up in the sky, and feeling that the temperature had grown warmer as well, it could easily have been longer than that.
Judging from bodily sensations alone, it was probably a little after 10am.
[Subaru: It’s a perfect sunny day for drying out a futon too, what a waste...... why do I get the feeling I’ve completely shed being a hikikomori with that thought just now!]
To think, that bathed under the light of the Sun, the first thing that came to his mind was doing laundry. As an archetype of the unhealthy slackers, this was utterly inconceivable. But, setting aside such sentiments for now,
[Subaru: It’s about time, Emilia should be waking up soon. She’s probably still scared from last night... I better take the chance to imprint some of my sense of presence while she’s weak]
Even while muttering this rather devious declaration, deep down, he genuinely worried about Emilia as he sped up his steps.
As soon as he could, and for as long as he could, he will stay at her side and comfort her.
Because, one way or another――
[Subaru: Tomorrow, I’ll have no choice but to leave her side]
This afternoon, Roswaal will formally put forth the proposal to free the refugees of Arlam. Then, if they begin preparations right away, they would be able to depart from the Sanctuary tomorrow.
Subaru will accompany them once again, for there was something he’d have to take care of at the Mansion.
[Subaru: If I want to know more, instead of asking someone who had halted their steps, I should be asking someone who had ventured ahead...... geez, that sure was a roundabout way to say it]
Of course, without saying it in this roundabout way, she wouldn’t have been able to convey what she wanted to convey.
Somewhat pitying her for having to go through all this trouble, Subaru let out a sigh, and sped up his steps once more,
[Subaru: I’ll be eagerly waiting to hear your stories about your good-for-nothing little brother and your troublesome hometown, Frederica!]
-=Chapter 29 End=-