Meeting with Roswaal was brief but at the same time it was exhausting by a lot.
Makoto tiredly sighed while laying on his bed in the room which the lord of this mansion kindly provided for him to stay in for several days.
"Now that the matters came to this conclusion...What should I do?"
It was an obvious question to ask given the circumstance Makoto was in.
A boy who got summoned into another world without even a clear purpose.
What was he supposed to do?
Makoto knew that having ambitions were a good thing from the start but this idea never crossed his mind. In a sense that made him realize that even back in his original world he had no purpose or goal at all. By himself Makoto was always easy-going person who avoids unnecessary confrontation even if it is not for his own benefit.
"Agh, now I really can't decide what to do!"
He was exhausted…exhausted for overthinking this matter at hand.
With that he stood from his bed as approached the door.
"Maybe some fresh air will help me?" He mouthed as turned the door knob open.
"Nii-chan's fluffy fur is so good~!!!"
An unexpected scene occurred before Makoto's very own two eyes.
The girl who was sounding so soft was non-other than Betty who was playing with Puck and his fur.
"Oh, Makoto~!"
Puck noticed an uninvited guest as smilingly waved towards him.
"Oh Makoto-kun you are just in time why don't you join us?"
This took Makoto off guarded.
'And what exactly is he referring to?'
Puck had a smug smile as flew towards Makoto.
"Why don't you pat me as well~?"
"Eh?"
"After all my fur is considered fluffiest fur in entire world so you definitely don't wanna miss on golden opportunity like this don't you?"
Makoto looked towards the high spirit and than towards Beatrice who averted her gaze from him with a loud 'Hmph!'
'I clearly interrupted them…' Part of him felt guilty for doing this to Beatrice so he looked towards both of High Spirits with apologetic look.
"I am really sorry for disturbing you like this!" He bowed his head in deep apology.
After all seeing how Beatrice loved spending time with Puck it was clear that she liked her older brother greatly. Why old brother? It was obvious from the 'Nii-chan!' title spoke by the blonde girl with twirly braids.
"What is done is done, I suppose." Beatrice sighed but regardless looked towards Makoto again. "But I am still surprised how are you doing that."
"D-Doing what exactly?" Luckster questioned confused.
Puck chuckled.
"So you are entering here just by coincidence?"
This confused luckster even more than previously.
The blonde girl looked at him and than towards her Nii-chan.
"Well, telling you won't do me harm so you should know that much, I suppose." She placed down the book she was holding as approached the boy. "This room is covered with special magic which isolates me from the world and every time the location of the door leading to this very room changes and in order to find it you need to, at least, open all the doors in this giant mansion."
"Ugh...wait in other words you mean that I am opening those doors by sheer luck!?" It was surprising for the luckster that his luck worked in such a weird moments.
"It might not seem like that but I guess you are actually very lucky...believe me, as high spirit I never saw someone as lucky as you." Puck joined in with his paws cutely pointing towards the ahoge boy.
"Agh I wish it would be actually true…"
As long as Makoto liked to be called lucky it clearly wasn't the case as clearly someone with great luck wouldn't die four time in a row, right?
"Betty thinks you don't realize how great your luck is, I suppose." She took a sip of her tea as got back to the topic. "In fact I think that you are beloved by Od itself...it is strange with this foul stench coming from you, I suppose."
Another remark on his smell.
"D-Do I really smell that bad?? I even took shower several times after you said those mean words…"
Puck hearing that clearly laughed to his heart contents.
"Betty, when you put it that way it is clearly bound to lead to misunderstandings." The cat looked towards the lucky student. "What Beatrice means by the smell is the 'Witch's scent' which is coming from you."
At that very moment Makoto remembered one of the loops where he was slapped by Emilia for calling her by the Jealous witch's name.
"I-If it is not the problem can you be more specific."
Strangely Puck seemed to smile at that as looked towards Beatrice.
"See, I told you that he is not the Cultist! There is no way someone who is affiliated with those guys would be speaking so casually about things like that."
Puck was seemingly happy about Makoto's lack of knowledge and even Beatrice sighed in a defeated tone.
"If Nii-chan is the one who say that than I will believe it, I suppose."
All this conversation was making Makoto's head to lag for a moment. So many new and strange terms were used in this conversation.
Cultist, Od, Witch's scent and even the Jealous Witch...everything was way too confusing for the luckster.
Thankfully Beatrice and Puck were quick to catch the confusion of their guest.
"If you are wondering what witch's scent is than I guess there is no harm in telling you."
"Jealous Witch, Satella, she lived long time ago and during her time she caused too much mischief and despair to the entire world...even now when she is long gone her doings still greatly affect people living in this era." Puck's tone was serious while he was saying all of this as lastly he looked towards Makoto with a cold and serious gaze. "To have witch's scent centered around you can only mean one thing and that's rather an unfortunate thing…"
Makoto gulped.
"Simply, it means that you are beloved by witch...actually no, from the amount of this foul scent I would say that she is obsessed with you." Beatrice look was that of a great pity towards Makoto. "I would say you are rather unfortunate despite your luck, I suppose."
Makoto shook his head in disbelieve.
"Y-You mean that this witch loves me?" A sweat rolled down the boy's forehead, of course it is good to know that someone has a crush on you but not when that someone is witch who is feared by millions of people! Though Makoto still didn't felt a slightest fear from this witch but the fact that someone dangerous liked him made him concerned.
"She is obsessed with you rather than love…"
"Wh-What is the difference between those two things?"
"Love is when someone adores you and have sympathy for you but obsession is when someone is so fixated on you that they are always with you...even when you die."
"Than isn't it similar to love?"
"Ugh...you are perceptive but not smart, I suppose." Beatrice said. "While love is appropriate thing to say I would say that obsession is 10 folds stronger than this love."
"Makoto, Beatrice is trying to say that Jealous witch love you to the extent where she is following you...even, now."
Puck's gaze seemed to look to Makoto's side with it getting serious. What the high spirit saw was a clear and ominously huge shadow near Makoto.
"W-Wow...that's...How should I react to this? Maybe I am unlucky, haha…"
Beatrice looked at him with an uninterested look.
"You seem awfully calm for someone who is practically followed by witch."
Makoto scratched back of his head.
"Guess it is because I am still unaware of who this jealous witch is."
"?"
"Well, all of you here probably grew hearing some weird rumors about this Witch but all we know is that it happened many years ago and we can't even confirm whether she was bad or good, I prefer to see things for myself rather believe in something like rumors, so I think being bothered by something like that will simply lead me nowhere."
Puck and Beatrice calmly looked towards the boy with eyes wide enough to jump from their respectable places.
"Hahaha! It was foolish of me to think that you were close minded, good job Makoto-kun, you passed my test~"
Puck started to push Makoto out of the room while talking with the boy.
"H-Hey what has gotten into you all of a sudden?"
"...Let's say I infected by your strange charm, huh…"
With that the high spirit pushed the boy with himself while leaving the ever silent guardian of the library.
She was silent however she had a small smile present on her face.
"What a hopeless...err, hopeful person he is, I suppose."
She looked towards the book she was holding.
"Maybe this boy is really 'That' person, Mother?"
Her tone was rather conflicted but deep inside she wished for her dream to become true.
.
.
.
It was already night time.
"U-Umm, Emilia-san?"
"What is it?" The girl asked sending him an innocent gaze.
"Nothing much just…" He averted his eyes. "Y-y-your clothes."
"M? What's wrong with them?"
Makoto closed his eyes as sighed.
"N-Never mind, really…"
Truth was on the fact that Emilia appeared in his room to simply kill time and she was wearing rather revealing clothes on her.
"So why are you here?"
Emilia seemed to pout at this innocent question asked by the boy.
"I can't spend some time with my friend, hm??"
"N-No by all means do so, just I thought you would be more...distant from me?"
Emilia placed her pointy finger on Makoto's nose as lightly bumped it.
"And why should I be distant from person who saved my life and is my friend?" The silver-haired half-elf pouted angrily.
"Truth is...lately I thought about it thoroughly and I think that I may be acting suspicious."
The questioned look on Emilia's face was clear that she didn't understood what he meant and he couldn't really blame her for that.
Makoto by himself was a perceptive person and after thinking about things thoroughly it was crystal clear that his actions were more than strange.
"If we think about it, I, the complete stranger, appeared out of nowhere and got close to you retrieving the insignia that was stolen and knowing everything…if all it is already strange that Mr. Roswaal decided to reward me with so much money and what's more-"
Emilia didn't let him finish his sentence as grabbed him by cheeks pinching them.
"Ouch!"
"Stop worrying about nothing!" She exclaimed with an angry look. "True, at first I was suspicious of you and your reasoning but after some time which we spent together I got to realize one obvious thing...You are a good person and above all that, you are really kind...and a bit naive. No way someone like you would be something like spy nor hostile in his actions. By now I am sure everyone realized that, and even Lord Roswaal."
"B-But-"
"No buts! As your friend isn't not my duty to cheer you?"
Makoto's sad look changed into a softer expression.
"You are right...I am worrying for nothing." He stood up as stretched himself. "When I have such a beautiful girl like you as friend and make nothing but whine that won't do, right?"
His eyes were determined as he was looking at Emilia straight into her eyes with his pure smile.
"B-Beautiful…!?" The half-elf blushed at sudden compliment.
"Emilia-san? You are suddenly all red?"
Emilia started to panic as the boy started to approach, her heart wouldn't be able to withstanf a close look towards the boy like that!
"Th-Th-That is nothing to be concerned about! A-Anyway it is pretty late already so I will get going, haha…"
With that that said the girl rushed from the room leaving confused Makoto alone.
The boy could only questioned look towards the girl who sudenly left in such a hurry.
Regardless he smiled.
"So what I lack right now is self-confidence and goal, right?"
He clenched his fist as looked towards the window. It was surely a tiring day but he learned a lot of things.
Despite not being obliged to do it he actually felt that goal is a must in another world and as for his self confidence…
"I am sure it will come over time!"
.
.
.
Second day in Roswaal's mansion started quite quickly with Makoto deciding to have a little walk around the mansion.
'I thought about it all night and…'
His expression became paler as he remembered the events in Rom's warehouse.
'I think my goal for now is to get stronger so I can survive and not rely on my...ability.'
With those words in mind he passed by the blue-haired maid.
"Good morning!" He exclaimed energetically.
The girl looked towards him for quite a few minutes without response.
"…"
"D-Did I do anything wrong?"
It was strange how Rem was not answering as blankly stared towards Makoto clenching her very own fists as if trying to soothe an unknown feeling in her heart.
"No…I am sorry, I was just in deep thought about something." She shortly bowed as headed towards the duties she was supposed to do.
"Th-That was cold…" Makoto pouted.
"Please don't be mad at her, Rem-chan often falls into a trance when she sees something…" Appearing out nowhere Roswaal spoke in calm voice. "Anyway, I hope you will try to at least get along with her."
Though for some reason Roswaal's tone seemed strange despite it's original weirdness Makoto felt that the Lord Mathers indeed wanted him to help the girl.
"I will try…?"
Makoto wasn't sure to what he agreed but it didn't seem like something from what he will get a loss.
"How great~! You are indeed kind Makoto-kun~"
With that the Roswaal walked past Makoto with a few giggles as entered his room.
Though it was pretty strange conversation right now he shook his head.
"I am not sure why but it feels like Rem-san hates me…" He scratched his head. "I wonder why…?"
"Why else...because you smell like witch, I suppose."
"!?"
Makoto hurriedly turned towards the source of the voice as there appeared to be a young spirit girl with book on her hand.
"You startled me Beatrice-chan…"
"Hmph! I don't remember me being friendly to you enough for you to call me 'chan', I suppose."
The luckster laughed at that.
"So Rem-san hates me because of the Witch's scent?"
Beatrice shortly nodded.
"Yes...there are many individuals around the world who can smell the witch's scent and I will give you advice to not get too close to theses kinds of people...you might die horribly, I suppose."
"D-Die?" Makoto gulped in as stared towards the girl.
"I told you earlier that having Witch's scent with you is equal to be the same status as Archbishop of the Cult."
Makoto gulped.
"Truly you are more of an unlucky soul rather than lucky one, I suppose."
Makoto sighed.
In other words he was similar to a walking disaster with this smell around him.
"Just when I thought my luck isn't too bad I am facing something like that…" He looked down but than smiled. "But you know it kinda makes me relived that you are not trying to distance yourself from me and that's makes me relieved."
His smile was genuine and Beatrice was actually surprised.
"Hmph, only foolish creatures like humans would judge book by it's cover, I suppose."
Though she was saying mean words he could swear he saw a faint reddish color on her cheeks.
It made him smile knowing that this girl actually cared for him.
.
.
.
"You want me to go to a village?"
Roswaal was smiling widely as nodded at the question which was given by the guest.
"I think it would be beneficial for you to go to village nearby with Rem and…" Roswaal lowered his head. "It would be great opportunity for you to get along with her."
"!?"
Makoto looked towards Roswaal in confusion.
Though Makoto really wanted to befriend Rem he never thought Roswaal to cooperate this freely with him and this seemed…
"Fishy." Beatrice said appearing from behind Makoto.
Roswaal's smile grew wider at sudden appearance of the high spirit.
"Oh my Beatrice-chaaaan~ It is so rare to see you around here these days."
Beatrice scoffed.
"I don't know what you are planning but you better quit it."
Roswaal narrowed his eyes.
"You seem to be doubting me on something~ though I don't know why."
Beatrice stood unshaken.
"Suppose it might be the case…" Her glare got more intense. "But if it is not than I wouldn't hesitate to act."
"…" Makoto while listening to both of them didn't knew what to do.
He waved his hands nervously.
"L-Let's not fight...everything is going to be okay, Beatrice-chan. Roswaal-san wants me to get along with one of his maids that's all."
"…"
"You know...you are way too naive, I suppose." Beatrice sighed holding a hand on her forehead. "Than I shall be going with you."
…
…
"Wow…" Roswaal was and actually seemed surprised there for a moment. "Out of all people I did not expect you to be the one caring for boy's well-being...does that mean you are going to sign a contract with Makoto-kun~~?"
"Tch. I suppose, I do want to sign a contract with him so what?"
"Nothing~! I am just surprised you see...Well who am I to disobey the choice of great spirit-sama~"
"Yeh Yeh whatever, I suppose."
Makoto could only stare in awe at how Beatrice seemed to protect him from Roswaal though he did not sensed any hostility from him.
.
.
.
The road to the village seemed to be more awkward than Makoto would have predicted.
He, Beatrice and Rem seemed to be too silent while going towards the mansion.
"So umm...Do you hate me because I smell like Witch?"
"!?"
An awkward silence disappeared in an instant as Rem wanted to raise her hand and get into a combat stance.
"You better not do anything uncalled for, Oni girl." Beatrice released her magic for a brief moment making sure to tell Rem to keep calm.
"Beatrice-sama, why are you defending him he is affiliated with Witch's Cult-"
"He is not."
"How can you be this sure about this? He is covered with this filthy smell of witch and this intensity makes it clear that he is an archbishop...I don't know what he is planning but I will make sure to kill him before his plans are brought into life."
Her tone, pose and even mannerism was more than hostile towards Makoto.
The luckster sighed.
'Guess it won't be as easy as Roswaal-san had put it to be….'
Sighing to himself Makoto looked straight towards Rem's eyes.
"I don't know the reason behind your hatred to Witch's Cult but I can assure you that I am not."
Rem narrowed her eyes.
"Do you have any proofs with you?"
"I don't"
"Than-"
"However one fact of Beattrice-chan protecting me should be enough to convince you, no?"
Rem looked towards him confused.
"Guess this Betty should explain you, I suppose." Beatrice looked serious while looking towards Rem. "I myself hate Witch's Cult and I wouldn't fall so down to help members of that crazy fanatic sect."
"Still he might be using some kind of spell to fool you."
Beatrice sighed.
"She is harder to break through than I had thought."
Makoto smiled.
"Than I think I just need to prove you that I am not member of this Cult…though I don't know how."
"You seem to be awfully calm about this."
"Because I am innocent...I don't know why I should act nervous about the sin I didn't commit or group I am not affiliated with."
"Hmm...true, I suppose."
Rem was still wary of Makoto and this awful smell. If he is not the member of Cult than she would bow her head down and apologize but if he is...She would deal with him herself.
.
.
.
After some time the village seemed to be visible to Makoto who looked at surroundings in awe.
To be frank Makoto was impressed, surely he saw architecture in Lugunica's main city but this place reminded him off the distant village in Hokkaido he and his family used to visit every summer.
Strange enough a feeling of nostalgia hit him harder than he could ever expect as a sudden feeling of homesickness washed over him. Now that he thought about it how was Komaru-chan doing? What about his mom? Dad?
An anxiety started to kick and pile up on his soul...this didn't flew unnoticed by Beatrice who threw him a few concerning glances.
"What is the matter with you?" The blonde high spirit asked in confusion mixed withb concern..To this Makoto forced a smile.
"N-Nothing much...r-really?"
Beatrice nodded but still had doubts about Makoto's condition.
"We are already here." Rem said stoically.
The duo in her back took a moment to look towards the village which was as Makoto had imagined it to be.
The classic village which is visible in every isekai genre which was pretty ironic considering that in his case isekai wasn't really that pleasurable.
As they arrived at the village Makoto was surprised to see kids who quite immediately ran towards Makoto's side.
"Whoaaah~! Is it the guest in Lord Roswaal's mansion!?" One of the kids exclaimed as seeing him with Rem made it quite obvious that in fact he was one.
"He looks so scrawny!"
"Haha and also pretty weak!"
Makoto never thought that words could feel like a knife cutting your heart as the words spoken by the kids were quite mean.
Beatrice hearing all that covered her mouth as let out a little chuckle which surprised and actually heart the luckster.
"Hey, it was uncalled for...I am not really that weak looking...am I?"
Beatrice stood silent for a moment.
"In fact you don't look like a weakling in my eyes…"
"R-Really?"
"Actually no you do look pretty harmless, I suppose."
This defeated Makoto as he crushed onto the ground completely turned onto dust,
"Aw come on~!"
He wanted to cry out loud from those stinging words. While kids near him laughed about this situation.
Rem didn't payed it as much attention as looked towards him unconcerned.
"I will be buying some things from the nearby store...be sure to behave well."
Makoto silently nodded with defeat as accompanied Rem with his gaze while Beatrice sighed yet again at this conversation.
As Makoto was on ground kids approached him smiling.
"You are pretty funny Onii-chan." One of the kids said smiling quietly. It was a little girl with a ribbon on her hair. "My name is Petra, what is yours?"
Makoto slowly looked towards the girl as smiled kindly.
"Nice too meet you Petra-chan…You can call me Makoto."
He said slowly standing up.
Slowly after the kids started to introduce themselves to Makoto as he was glad to hear their names.
In fact Makoto was pretty good when it cam to the matter of handling himself with kids...surely it was experience as a Big brother that made it happen like that.
It didn't took that long for Makoto to start playing games with kids which surprised Beatrice on how quick they all were to open up to him.
"Won't you play as well?" Petra asked Beatrice who threw her a weird glance.
"I am sorry to say that but I am not as young as to play these childish games, I suppose."
This made Petra to nod a bit saddened but Makoto was quick to notice that.
"What's the matter Beatrice-chan? Are you scared that we might win against you?"
"What!? P-Preposterous! I would win all of you in tag games like nothing, I suppose."
Kids understood Makoto's strategy as smiled among themselves.
"Makoto Nii-chan is right maybe you are scared to lose to us?"
"Haha she surely is."
This angered Beatrice as she puffed out her cheeks.
"You all better prepare yourselves as I won't be merciful, I suppose!"
The strategy worked quite well as the girl started to chase after Makoto and kids.
While looking at the scenes from side Rem couldn't help but smile at the display albeit she quickly shook that off.
'I mustn't fall for this...all of this might be a decoy.' From soft expression she was quick to change into a serious one. 'I won't forgive any member of the witch cult...mark my words.'
_______________________________________
How much time had passed? Holy shit I can't believe I left this fic hanging just like that…I am truly sorry but motivation is a bitch...if anyone knows ways to cure this please tell me your wisdom.