The boy with the prominent ahoge stood near the door with a determined expression. Beside him hovered the great spirit, Puck, eyeing him with a slightly puzzled look.
"So that's why you brought Emilia and me into this," Puck mused, his gaze narrowing. "Didn't expect you to use me like that. Aren't you being a little heartless with this approach, Makoto-kun?"
Makoto chuckled sheepishly."It hurts more than you'd think, but… without Beatrice, my plan doesn't stand a chance."
Puck understood. Beatrice had always been like a little sister to him, and while he hadn't told Makoto about their relationship, somehow the boy had figured it out. That part was still a little suspicious.
Yet, when it came to Makoto, Puck knew better than to doubt his intentions. He might be full of surprises, but harming someone? That simply wasn't in his nature. Even strangers would pick up on that immediately. The image of Makoto trying to hurt someone felt almost laughably impossible.
"Sigh… I guess there's no way around it. But how do you plan to find the right door? If I remember correctly, the library is impossible to locate."
Contrary to Puck's statement, Makoto turned and opened the door in front of him—on the first try.
"H-Huh?" Puck blinked, stunned. Inside sat a familiar little girl with twin drills and a teacup in hand.
"At this point, I'm not even surprised to see you barge in like it's nothing... I suppose."
Makoto laughed. "Just a lucky guess."
Beatrice raised an eyebrow."I don't believe something like luck can lead you here, I suppose."
That was, until she noticed who stood beside Makoto.
"Bubby!" she squealed, instantly dashing over to Puck and clinging to him happily.
Makoto sweatdropped. No matter how many loops he experienced, Beatrice's reaction to Puck never changed.
"Hey there, Betty," Puck said, patting her head. "Mind listening to what Makoto has to say?"
Beatrice turned her butterfly-like eyes toward Makoto and sighed.
"So that's why you brought Bubby, I suppose."
Makoto scratched the back of his neck, smiling nervously."Otherwise, you would've either drained my mana or kicked me out with your magic. I think this is a fair compromise."
"Don't misunderstand this Betty's kindness just because Bubby is here," she 'hmph'-ed, puffing out her cheeks. "But I'll listen to what you have to say... for now."
Makoto beamed. "I'm glad to hear it, Beako!"
Beatrice twitched. "What did you call this Betty, I suppose?"
"Beako?" Makoto tilted his head. "I thought it was a cute nickname. Fits you perfectly."
"Since when are we so close for you to call me something like that?! Hmph!"
"You're such a tsundere, Beako-chan," Makoto teased.
"A total tsundere, Betty~" Puck chimed in.
Beatrice groaned. "Not you too, Bubby!"
As things calmed down, Beatrice returned to the serious topic at hand.
"So... I bet you didn't come here just to poke fun at this Betty, I suppose."
"You're sharp." Makoto's expression turned serious. "No—I came here for a reason. In three days, this mansion is going to be attacked… by Roswaal himself and an assassin known as the Bowel Hunter."
Beatrice blinked."Did you hit your head, I suppose?"
The idea that Roswaal would attack his own mansion sounded absurd. Unless…
She narrowed her gaze."I won't jump to conclusions, but… is this attack somehow connected to you?"
Makoto hesitated. He hadn't expected her to catch on so quickly. In the last loop, he'd barely managed to convince anyone Roswaal was behind the attack—and his death. Most found it hard to believe. Emilia trusted Roswaal as her sponsor. The twin maids were his loyal subordinates. Accusing him nearly got Makoto killed.
But Beatrice… she was different. She didn't seem to like Roswaal. Makoto had always sensed there was history between them. Even so, as a spirit bound to the mansion, she had to protect it—and right now, he was the suspicious one.
Makoto sighed, noticing how she subtly raised a hand, ready to cast a spell. With the Witch's Scent lingering on him and no solid proof to show, the odds were against him.
He couldn't reveal Return by Death… but he had one last card to play. One he never wanted to use.
"You guessed right. Roswaal's primary target… is me."
Even Puck raised an eyebrow.
Makoto reached into his pocket and pulled out a glowing insignia.
"The reason is this."
The light shimmered—undeniable. It was the mark of someone chosen by the great dragon Volcanica for the Royal Selection.
"This...!?"
"Impossible, I suppose!?" Beatrice's voice trembled in disbelief.
Both great spirits stared, stunned. Their first thought was that it had to be a fake—but upon closer inspection, they knew better. This wasn't something easily forged.
"But that's impossible," Beatrice murmured. "Only women are chosen. Wait... are you a girl, I suppose?"
Makoto shook his head."I can assure you, I'm a man."
The confusion only deepened. According to the Lugunican succession system, the dragon's stone selected five candidates—all female. Yet here stood a sixth, holding a real insignia.
"Did the dragon… change the rules?" Beatrice whispered. "But for centuries, this has never happened. And more importantly—how is this connected to Roswaal's actions?"
Makoto looked down, his smile fading."I spoke with Roswaal. He told me this himself… and the light from the stone confirmed it. But even then, it's disturbing. He sees this whole situation as a test—to evaluate my worth as a royal candidate."
Beatrice was speechless. Not only was Makoto a candidate, but Roswaal had some twisted plan involving him. She clenched her fist.
Could that fool of a clown be following the guidance of my mother's gospel? How far is he willing to go? Or... does he truly believe this boy can accomplish something...?
Her thoughts raced. She looked at Makoto again. He still wore that dumb, uncertain expression—but something about him had changed. He carried himself with more confidence than when she first met him. Just enough to make her sigh.
"This Betty will be considerate… and help you, in fact."
Makoto lit up, immediately high-fiving Puck.
"Told you my plan would work!"
A vein popped on Beatrice's forehead."Keep your voice down, fool!"
"I'll give you some advice, so listen carefully." Her tone remained calm but firm. "It's in your best interest to not reveal your candidacy—especially not to Emilia."
She gave a subtle glance at her beloved Bubby, who nodded. He understood more than anyone how fragile Emilia was. She had just started to find people she could trust. Learning that Makoto might be her future rival could ruin everything.
Makoto nodded slowly. He didn't know much about the royal selection, but even he could tell being a candidate meant competing against Emilia someday.
And he didn't want that.
He didn't want the throne. He didn't want to be a ruler. He was just a lost boy from another world. If anything, he wanted to go home—not deal with politics or war.
But… he couldn't let the people of this mansion or the villagers suffer. He was ambitionless, yes—but in this moment, he had a goal.
Protect everyone.
And he was going to make that plan work—no matter what.