Natsuki Subaru is chasing his back

Chapter 36: You Will Definitely Believe Me, Right?

The teaching session passed quickly.

Just like last time, Emilia, who had just woken up, came looking for him.

After exchanging similar yet different conversations, this time Subaru did not go to help in the kitchen.

He returned to his room and put down the book in his hands.

Sitting on the chair, Subaru began to think about what to do next.

Someone was going to harm someone in the mansion tomorrow night—and that person would be himself.

So far, he still did not know exactly how he died, nor what method the opponent used to kill him.

Without knowing the method, he could not hope to prepare any defenses.

But there was one thing Subaru could do.

That was to train himself.

No matter how the opponent kills, he believed he could find a way to counter it.

So he had to be ready in case the enemy jumped out from the shadows to fight.

With that thought, Subaru started exercising in his room.

Time quickly passed during his training.

When he finally collapsed on the floor, unable to do one more rep, he glanced outside the window. It was already evening, and soon it would be time for dinner.

Sweaty and exhausted, Subaru grabbed a towel, put on his work clothes, and went to the bathroom.

Soaking in the hot water, he felt every muscle in his body relax.

The tension in his nerves also eased.

After soaking for a while, Subaru changed clothes and left the bathroom. After putting his clothes back in his room, just as he was about to go out, there was a knock on the door.

"Subaru, it's mealtime. Lord Roswaal invited you to eat together."

Hearing that voice, Subaru was momentarily stunned.

He had thought it would be Ram calling him. But it was a small matter, not worth making a fuss over.

Opening the door, Subaru smiled and looked at Rem standing there.

"Rem-senpai, let's go to the living room together."

Saying that, Subaru led the way toward the living room, but after a few steps, he realized Rem wasn't following him.

Curious, Subaru turned his head to see Rem still standing silently by the door, staring at him.

"What's wrong, Rem? Is there something on my face?"

"Nothing." Rem's cold voice sounded without expression.

She walked past Subaru without a word, leaving him completely clueless about what was happening.

The only thing he could sense was that Rem's attitude toward him seemed to have changed.

However, Subaru couldn't think of anything he had done that would cause Rem to become so cold.

Since he didn't understand, he decided to ask her directly.

Only by knowing what he did wrong could he correct his mistakes.

With that thought, Subaru hurried to follow her and walked by Rem's side. But oddly, Rem distanced herself from him as they walked. That feeling of being rejected made Subaru feel he must have done something terrible to cause such a change in Rem's attitude.

"Rem-senpai, did I do something to upset you?"

"No."

"Then why are you keeping such a distance? We weren't like this a few days ago."

"You're just overthinking it. Let's pick up the pace; Lord Roswaal is waiting for you."

Saying that, Rem quickened her steps and soon walked ahead of Subaru.

Seeing this, Subaru was even more convinced he had done something wrong.

But now he couldn't ask her directly and would have to wait and ask Ram later if she knew why Rem was upset.

Soon, the two arrived in the living room.

"Lord Roswaal, Subaru has arrived."

"Thank you for your hard work, Rem."

Standing aside, Subaru glanced at Emilia and Roswaal sitting at the table, then asked,

"Lord Roswaal, did you call me for something?"

"Of course, to invite you to eat together~~~"

"I'm a servant, so I'll eat with Ram and the others," Subaru said firmly, refusing Roswaal's invitation. He already knew why Roswaal wanted to invite him, so naturally, he wouldn't agree.

Besides not being used to eating at such a large table, Roswaal intended to talk about what happened yesterday.

"As a servant, shouldn't you obey your master?"

"I just started learning the etiquette here, so I don't want to trouble Lord Roswaal. I'll be going now."

"Subaru, can't you stay and eat together?"

Hearing this, Subaru looked at Emilia and shook his head.

"No, I'm not used to eating at a big table like this."

"Is that so…"

Emilia looked disappointed and lowered her head.

At that moment, from beneath Emilia's long hair, Puck appeared and approached Subaru.

"Subaru, stay and eat with us."

"Subaru is really popular~~~"

Subaru glanced at Roswaal and declined Puck's request, just like he did Roswaal's earlier invitation.

Back then, he had no idea what would happen next. After declining, he left immediately. Now, however, he needed to borrow Puck's help.

"Emilia, can I borrow Puck for a bit?"

"No problem, but Subaru, what do you want to do with Puck?"

"Just talk." Subaru gestured to Puck with his eyes and bent down to leave the living room.

He did not notice Rem's gaze following him intently as he left.

Puck watched Subaru leave, then turned to Emilia and said a word before following him.

Once outside the living room, Puck landed on Subaru's shoulder.

"Subaru, what do you want to talk about?"

"Hm, but I'll tell you after we get back to my room."

Returning to his room with Puck, Subaru looked at Puck in his palm and asked,

"Puck, do you know any methods to slowly kill someone?"

"Huh?" Puck was stunned by the question.

Subaru had asked him this before this morning. At that time, Puck thought Subaru was just mocking him for nearly being sent away.

But now Subaru asked again. Although Puck didn't know why, he still replied.

"There are many ways to slowly kill someone. But if you're asking about the same thing as this morning, then only a curse fits your question."

"A curse?"

"Yes, but generally, few people use curses. Usually, curses are powers of magical beasts."

"Then is there any way to prevent a curse?"

"Yes. You just have to lift the curse before it takes effect."

"I see."

Puck looked at Subaru's expression and continued,

"I don't know why you're asking this, but I'll tell you everything I know.

To place a curse, you must first contact the person you want to curse.

Only by contact can the curse be implanted. More importantly, once the curse takes effect, there's no way to interrupt it."

"Puck, can you lift a curse before it takes effect?"

"Of course! I'm a great spirit, and here in the mansion, Roswaal and Beatrice can also do it."

Subaru rubbed Puck's head and said,

"Puck, actually, I suspect someone is going to harm someone in the mansion. I can't tell you where I got this information, but if it's you, you'll definitely believe me, right?"