A Brand-New Beginning
"Ah, you're awake. How are you feeling, nya?"
What burned against Subaru's eyelids as he woke was a sliver of sunlight shining through the curtains—it must be morning.
"Rather than calling me a night owl, it's more accurate to say I have half the blood of a nocturnal race. Just waking up in the morning makes my chest feel hot..."
"But when I checked your body, there were no signs of you being part of a catfolk, nya."
Though he grumbled, Subaru wasn't the type to stay in bed once awake.
After enjoying the feel of the high-quality blanket for a moment, he propped himself up from the subtly fragrant bed.
What he saw upon opening his eyes was a massive bed, an upper-class room, and a beautiful catgirl sitting at its side.
"It's already the tenth hour of Yang Day, boy. But considering how close you were to death's door, the fact that you've awakened is already a miracle, nya.
All thanks to a skilled healer being present, and Rein-chan getting me just in time."
"Rein-chan... I see, she saved me again. Wait a minute—don't tell me this place is—"
"That's right. This is the Astrea mansion. More accurately, the Sword Saint family's residence, nya."
"Wh-Wh-What the hell did you do to me, hey!"
"I just did a little physical examination."
The catgirl who lifted Subaru's shirt as she spoke gave off a soft, alluring touch and a gentle fragrance that was oddly seductive—but Subaru's attention was drawn to what she said and focused on his abdomen.
"The wound on my stomach... it's gone. Not even any bruises, not a trace of it being cut open?"
"Of course not. I'm the Blue Magician—Felix Argyle. But you can just call me Ferris."
"In any case..."
Subaru took a deep breath and then—
"You're the one who saved me, right? Thank you so much."
"Nom."
"Nyahh!"
Just as he bowed his head in sincere gratitude, the sudden bite to his ear broke the mood completely.
Ferris smirked at the cute yelp Subaru let out, then happily walked around the large bed to help him up.
"Mmm~ What an adorable reaction. But let's leave that aside—don't be shy, don't be shy. By the way, looks like you misunderstood something, nya. Ferris was rushed here in the middle of the night, nya!"
"That's enough of that, Lady Ferris. It's about time."
Interrupting their conversation was a man around sixty, with sharp eyes, a square face, and a white beard—a butler, by all appearances.
Ferris pouted at his words.
"Hmph, you're no fun at all. Sorry, I wanted to play with you a bit more, but time's up, nya. If I don't get back to my beloved Lady Crusch soon, she might worry so much she won't be able to work."
"Setting aside that questionable statement... Who's Lady Crusch?"
"You'd better remember that name well. She's the person who will one day become the king of this country."
Only this last line lacked Ferris's usual playfulness—she said it with utmost seriousness.
Waving goodbye at the speechless Subaru, Ferris walked toward the door.
The old butler stepped aside and bowed, then turned back to Subaru.
"Sir Reinhild will see you in the dining hall shortly. Please prepare yourself, Mr. Natsuki Subaru. If you need anything, just call for me. My name is Winston Tien. You may also call me Old Butler or Butler Winston."
The door to the room slowly closed.
"Well, anyway... I avoided 'Return by Death' this time."
Subaru muttered, calculating on his fingers the ways he had died.
"First death was completely pointless. Second was a brave sacrifice. Third was a truly miserable death. Fourth was after the death match—killed by a stray hit. But now I've avoided all that. If I'd died again, I'd have been a complete nobody."
After reaffirming he was alive, Subaru flopped back on the bed in despair—but quickly stood up again, full of energy, and began fixing his appearance.
Unable to resist, he once more checked his stomach.
"From the look of things, Emilia first stabilized my wound, and then Ferris fully healed it.
But the one who connected it all was Rein-chan. She saved me again—so!"
Recalling his conversations and the moment he was injured, Subaru pieced together the situation.
After straightening himself up, he practically leapt to the door.
As he opened it, a wave of cold air drifted in. The old butler stood upright by the door.
Before him stretched a wide corridor, the walls and floor bathed in warm colors. On both sides were long hallways stretching out so far you couldn't see their end.
"This mansion is insanely extravagant—it's like, whoa! Should I say gigantic, or just boundless? And there's no one around?"
Subaru frowned at the eerie silence. Not even the normal sounds of daily life could be heard.
"The Astrea family has lived on this land for 400 years. Thanks to the Sword Saints who made great contributions to the kingdom, the royal family repeatedly invested in this property. It eventually grew into a grand estate no less than a duke's mansion. About 300 residents live here, but the guest quarters are enclosed within a soundproof barrier to ensure undisturbed rest."
"I see. Oh, and Butler Winston, just call me Subaru, please. Every time you say 'Mr. Natsuki Subaru,' it feels weird for a commoner like me."
"Understood, Subaru. Now then, the building ahead was constructed 200 years ago to commemorate a Sword Saint. And the aerial corridor we are currently crossing leads to the Astrea family's 400-year-old main residence. Please prepare yourself, Subaru. We're about to exit the soundproof zone."
A roaring atmosphere, thunderous shouting—beneath Subaru's feet, a near hundred-man battle raged.
Among them, a tall man in golden armor swung a wooden staff, kicking up clouds of dust with every move.
Elsewhere, a blonde-haired woman was commanding her troops amid swirling black smoke.
"Some of the people helped by Reinhild wish to become her strength. Of them, a small few have gained her recognition through their effort and ability. That's the group below your feet. Each of them can rival a standard Royal Knight—they are Reinhild's personal guard."
"No no no, that's way too extreme! Isn't the country worried about this kind of thing...?"
Subaru reflexively protested to the unknown man's explanation.
"But even all of them combined can't last two minutes against Reinhild. That's why they engage in death battles like this every week—to grow strong enough to support that great lady."