Once we shifted our conversation, I elucidate to Roswaal the necessity of procuring limestone and its utility in enhancing the quality of iron and, in the future, steel.
Without hesitation, he responds:
"Costuul is the primary exporter of limestone; they share the vast mountain that we possess. It is there that my second mansion is situated." Roswaal furnishes me with a rudimentary map that illustrates our relative location.
While it lacks intricate detail, it serves as an aid in comprehending our situation: indeed, we are separated by that imposing mountain. The discovery of the spring was already an indication that there might be limestone in the mountain.
This implies that, if we delve into a thorough investigation, we could establish a mine for this valuable resource. However, the place is infested with perilous mabestias and will need to be cleansed.
I presume it will be my duty upon my return. Nevertheless, without ammunition, there is little we can do about it. I bid farewell to both of them and make my way to my chamber; now it is crucial that I focus on the choices.
We need to secure the support of one of the sages to demonstrate that our encampment possesses the requisite power to contend with the others.
As I walk toward my chamber, the night unfolds itself, clear and resplendent beneath the majestic presence of the moon.
I continue my stride, and just as I am about to arrive, I spot Emilia standing by my door. Upon noticing my presence, she greets me with a smile.
"Good evening, Marco," says Emilia as she approaches me. "It has been an exhausting day for you; you must be weary."
Indeed, today I have made significant progress in many tasks, making it a truly productive day. Furthermore, thanks to the meticulous care in repairing my door, I feel quite well overall despite the arduous work undertaken.
I will also take advantage of part of the night and tomorrow for training; resuming my combat sessions with someone as skilled as Ram would be highly beneficial.
"You must be exhausted as well after dedicating so much time to perfecting your speech," I respond, acknowledging her effort.
Emilia's task for the day was to immerse herself entirely in the practice of her speech. I did not demand anything more from her. Although, of course, she appeared during the funeral; afterward, however, she had to continue with her duties.
Emilia nods, and I invite her to enter my personal sanctuary: my chamber.
We have not had a formal conversation since then. I had imagined that these days she would spend idly, but I am pleasantly surprised to discover that she has been working diligently, just like the rest of us.
For a moment, Emilia surveys her surroundings before taking a seat on the edge of the bed. Her feet move tenderly through the air as I shed the weight of my jacket and take a seat in a nearby chair.
To be honest, the uniforms are not entirely uncomfortable; however, wearing them continuously does wear down the human spirit.
Emilia elegantly adorns her classic pajamas, and her appearance undoubtedly captivates my senses. Her amethyst gaze radiates genuine happiness; I suppose she has had a day filled with productivity and inner satisfaction. Undoubtedly, she has something important to share with me.
"Would you like to hear what I have practiced today?" she asks me with shyness but also an eagerness to be heard.
Thus, she longs to unveil the fruits of her current endeavors. I deem this occasion as opportune, and indeed, I hold genuine interest in discovering what she has prepared. Therefore, I promptly accept her offer.
Emilia rises gracefully and directs me a gaze laden with contained nervousness.
"It's somewhat uncomfortable," she confesses with humility.
And it is true, when one practices something for endless hours, presenting it to another person tends to be an inherently uncomfortable experience.
"Nevertheless, it's important to do so. When you stand before the audience, you must exude confidence at all times," I assure her with a calm and assured voice.
For a brief moment, she diverts her attention to her feet; then, she clasps her hands together while forming an enigmatic smile on her face. She attempts to draw strength from the very air that surrounds us. Finally, she gazes directly into my eyes and commences reciting her speech with a clear voice imbued with unwavering confidence.
I remain silent as she speaks; I meticulously analyze every nuance of intonation and every gesture accompanying her words. Just as I have taught her previously, she maintains the steadiness of her gaze at a specific point before shifting it to other visual horizons.
It is vital that she visually encompasses the entire present audience; even if it is not possible to achieve this feat literally due to the physical limitations of the stage, she must concentrate for fleeting seconds on different sections to captivate the collective attention to what she has to convey.
In this manner, all will be attentive and expectant of every word that emanates from her lips.
Overcoming the barrier of racism is not a simple undertaking, that is an immutable reality for Emilia, especially when such a barrier originates from a sense of fear instilled in everyone from birth.
Emilia's speech, though brief, resonated with surprising depth. Given our uncertainty about the allotted duration, we chose to keep it concise but brimming with meaning.
In the novel, Emilia's public image had been greatly tarnished due to her passive and reserved attitude. While she managed to mend some of the damage by parting ways with Subaru, people still did not view her as a legitimate contender.
However, as she concluded her speech with clear intentions and her eyes brimming with determination and authority, I could glimpse how much she has transformed since then.
Emilia is ready to shine in all her splendor, and I am eager to witness the reactions she will elicit in those who encounter this improved version of herself.
"You have delivered a magnificent speech," I assure her without hesitation. "We only need to wait until tomorrow to see the results."
She takes a deep breath as I serve her a brimming glass of cool water. With palpable gratitude in her amethyst eyes, she accepts the glass in her delicate hands and brings it to her thirsty lips.
"Thank you," she whispers excitedly after drinking the water calmly.
Emilia returns the empty glass to me as a symbolic gesture marking the end of the shared moment.
"Is it truly necessary to depart so early?" she questions me as she hands over the inanimate object to my care.
My response emerges without hesitation:
"I desire to explore every corner of the capital, and besides, Baltazar has informed me about an immensely talented guild of blacksmiths. Who knows, perhaps we can persuade them to join our cause and contribute their valuable skill by our side.
My greatest challenge lies in the lack of qualified labor. Although I have received letters from various regions offering lands for sale, and some small nearby villages have decided to relocate to Irlam, what I truly need are individuals with specialized skills. People capable of leading the common workers."
"I understand," Emilia replies while fixing her intense gaze on my eyes. She seems to want to express something more, although her cheeks slowly begin to blush with nervousness. "I... I will retire right away. Since we will depart early, it would be prudent to rest adequately, don't you think?"
"Yes, rest well," I kindly respond.
Emilia delicately closes her eyes, and a sweet smile graces her face. She turns around and heads towards the door. However, just as her hand is about to touch the handle to open it, she suddenly stops. She absentmindedly plays with a strand of her hair without saying a word.
Just as I am about to make some comment about it, she bursts out loudly:
"I! Um... " Emilia turns back towards me, blinking several times as she tries to avoid direct eye contact with me. "If you don't mind... I mean..."
With a noticeable blush covering her cheeks and unable to maintain prolonged eye contact with me, Emilia uses animated gestures as she continues to speak:
"I want to sleep with you!"
"—Eh?" I gaze towards her, surprised by her words.
I observe Emilia in astonishment as she realizes what she has just said. She quickly covers her mouth and nervously approaches me. Her eyes desperately search for any point in the room, while her restless hands move to explain herself.
"It's not that! I mean..." Emilia lowers her head timidly in front of me and adds in a soft tone filled with tenderness, "I wanted to tell you when we spoke earlier, but since you never arrived, I couldn't."
She looks up again, her ears now tinged with red, and her slightly trembling lips reveal the effort she is making to express her feelings.
"I'm a bit nervous, and you mentioned that when you sleep with Beatrice, you feel at ease," she fidgets with her hands as she tries to convey her final thought. She closes her eyes briefly before exclaiming with determination, "So I wanted to see if the same happens when I'm with you!"
Her eyes look at me with longing, her gaze locked onto mine, and perhaps unintentionally, it takes on a seductive undertone. She leans towards me as her cheeks blush softly. However, to my surprise, her expression suddenly changes, and a melancholic sadness is reflected in her eyes.
"Don't you want to?" Emilia asks, her drooping ears revealing her disappointment.
"Sleep with you?" I respond with a playful smile, trying to tease her.
She changes her position abruptly and turns her back to me.
"It's not what you think!" Emilia exclaims, covering her face with her hands.
I thoroughly comprehend why she reacts this way. She grasps the meaning behind his words and everything it entails. Through my personal teachings on sexual education and detailed biology, she has gained a better understanding of these matters.
However, I have not yet instructed her about romance. I firmly believe that this is something to be discovered beyond mere explanatory words.
Nonetheless, as a precaution, I have shared with her all the necessary knowledge, and we have even had exhaustive conversations about it.
That is why our physical closeness has diminished significantly of late; every time we find ourselves in intimate situations like this, she becomes nervous.
It is truly endearing to see her like this. Somehow comforting.
I approach her, kneel by her side, and smile. Although she doesn't move, she manages to sense my presence. She attempts to look back, but when our gazes meet, she quickly averts her eyes.
Positioning myself behind her, I whisper calmly in her ear:
"Of course, we can sleep together if that's what makes you feel comfortable."
In an almost magical instant, a small mist seems to escape from her ears. She nods while remaining in that vulnerable and expectant position.
"Yes... thank you."
At the very moment of her response, we are transported to another place. Looking around, I see that we are in the laboratory; in front of me stands a golden-haired girl who gazes at me with a pout as she approaches.
"—Flirting in your chamber, I presume," Beatrice remarks playfully, taking my hand.
The remark hits home. Emilia rises and surveys her surroundings: what was once the lost library now appears before her, organized and transformed. Her eyes reflect surprise at this sudden change.
After carefully examining the place, Emilia reacts vehemently:
"That's not it!" She exclaims forcefully, closing her eyes as if she wishes to block the new images unfolding before her.
"Hmpf! That's what you say now, I suppose," Beatrice reproaches, maintaining her mischievous air.
I observe both of them with a smile. I'm delighted to see how well they've bonded since we made that special contract. I'm especially pleased to see how Beatrice has managed to open up emotionally to other human beings.
It's as if she were a small cat finding trust among strangers.
Grateful for that fleeting thought, I stroke Beatrice's head while emitting a brief laugh full of complicity:
"I'm glad to see you both get along."
Emilia looks surprised by my response and then turns her attention to Beatrice, smiling with joy.
"Yes! Beatrice is very cute," Emilia comments with a playful pout as she observes her, "though she can be naughty at times."
Beatrice says nothing in response, but her calm expression reveals that she also enjoys Emilia's company in a certain way.
"Of course, my little princess will always be the most beautiful," I affirm as I gently stroke Beatrice's chin. It's customary for me to give her these compliments, but when I do so in the presence of others, she often reacts in a special way.
She places a hand on her chest and exclaims with joy:
"Naturally indeed! Marco's Betty will always be the loveliest, I suppose," Beatrice affirms with a smile.
The atmosphere is filled with sweet complicity among the three of us. In that fleeting moment, I can glimpse the unique bond that ties us together as a family chosen by fate.
After that ephemeral moment, Emilia curves her lips into a smile brimming with sweetness and approaches Beatrice to tenderly caress her head. The air is filled with a light and warm feeling, as if the nervousness that previously engulfed Emilia has been completely dispelled.
Beatrice, however, chooses to remain silent in response to Emilia's initiative. Perhaps she does it for my sake, but I fervently hope it's because she feels a more intimate connection with her.
"You are truly wonderful," Emilia whispers with a playful giggle dancing on her lips.
The anticipation of tomorrow hangs in the air as we prepare to rest and recharge our energies. With coordinated movements, we make our way to the bed adorned with seductive silk sheets.
To prevent any hint of discomfort for Emilia, it's decided that Beatrice will occupy the middle spot between the two of us. It's the most sensible choice, not only for her comfort but also considering my special bond with Beatrice.
Emilia gazes in awe at the spacious, remodeled area that was once known as the "forbidden library." Her eyes are captivated by the exquisite details and improvements as she gracefully settles on the edge of the bed.
"It now bears a new name, I suppose: the engineering laboratory in fact," Beatrice corrects with fervor and uncontrollable pride.
I recline on my side of the bed, delighting in watching Beatrice settle between the two of us. It seems like we are a family bound by an unbreakable bond. Undoubtedly, the decision to embark on this path in our lives was a wise one.
"You're right," I whisper in response to Emilia's comment. "It's marvelous."
Beatrice looks at Emilia with deep and genuine tenderness, but quickly averts her gaze to hide her emotions behind the protective veil of her dark hair.
"Beatrice has changed a lot," Emilia expresses in a quiet and understanding voice. "I only ask that you don't indulge her too much, Marco."
The words resonate in my ears as I contemplate the implications behind them. Who am I to set the boundaries of affection and attention toward Beatrice? But before I can respond, Beatrice forcefully interjects into the conversation, taking possession of my arm.
"And who the hell do you think you are to suggest something like that!?" she exclaims defiantly as she holds me firmly. "My contractor has the unshakable duty to fulfill all my desires!"
Certainly, I have not a shred of regret for the decisions I have made thus far.
"Well... there are times when I simply can't resist," I confess with a smile filled with charm and sincerity. "Beatrice is so endearing that my heart surrenders to her charm."
Beatrice tightens her grip on my arm, making it clear that she will tolerate no interference in our special bond. Emilia smiles with joy, and the room's light slowly fades until only the twilight envelops us entirely.
A warm moment, a respite amidst the storm that precedes our departure to the capital. My hope is that Emilia has found some calm and relief, for I know her shoulders bear a heavy burden.
"Thank you both, really... I love you both so much," Emilia murmurs sleepily before sinking into a deep slumber.
I'm surprised at how quickly she succumbs to sleep. With no other choice but to follow suit, I close my eyes and embrace Beatrice tenderly, fervently wishing that the new day will bring us new experiences and allow our preparations to proceed without any hitches.
"Rest, my dear princess," I whisper softly as I stroke her silky hair. "May your dreams be filled with peace and happiness."
Beatrice places my arm protectively around herself and rests on my chest. Her comforting warmth envelops me like a reassuring mantle in the midst of the silent night.
However, our tranquility is interrupted by a barely perceptible murmur from Emilia's sleeping lips.
"Puck... Mother Fortune," she mumbles in her sleep with a hint of hesitation.
Even though she presents a strong facade to the outside world, I can sense the inner loneliness that must afflict Emilia. She has bravely withstood all the blows dealt by fate, demonstrating her ability to overcome herself time and time again.
Suddenly, Beatrice withdraws from my embrace and leans toward Emilia. Taking her hand delicately in hers, she brightens my heart with an unexpected radiance even amid the prevailing darkness.
To some extent, she comprehends what Emilia feels and acts as a comforting balm to my soul.
Emilia's whispers gradually subside, finding peace as she slumbers peacefully.
Emilia's serene breathing is a sure sign that she is having sweet dreams. Without a doubt, Beatrice is something extraordinary.
"You are truly exquisite, Betty," I whisper softly before succumbing to the embrace of sleep.
In that fleeting moment wrapped in love and tenderness, we immerse ourselves together in the mysteries of the dream realm, where our deepest desires find refuge until the golden dawn that awaits us upon awakening.