Natsuki Subaru's Journey to Strategically Capture Reinhild

Chapter 20: A Gradually Changing World

"Good day, Lord Natsuki Subaru. I will be your assistant during your stay at the mansion. You may call me Eileen."

Subaru looked in surprise at the courteous guide before him—it was none other than the Yang magic user Eileen, with whom he had formed a good relationship during the first loop.

"Hello, I'm Natsuki Subaru, currently a guest here," he greeted, all the while curiously observing Eileen.

Knowing her strength gave Subaru some peace of mind, but also made him slightly uneasy.

Despite analyzing everything he could, he still couldn't be certain about why Reinhild had assigned her.

If he couldn't figure it out, he'd just set it aside for now—Subaru's method.

Rather than obsess over Eileen's intentions, he focused on his main objective.

With a strong helper by his side, his nerves settled.

As he gathered information about the mansion from her, he also searched for the culprit based on his memories.

Though he had seen Eileen's work ethic when serving Felt in the first loop, observing and experiencing it firsthand were totally different.

She came across as extremely professional—almost like she could read his mind.

"Um, Eileen..."

Subaru hesitated, but continued:

"You don't have to be so formal with me, really."

"My apologies. If it makes you uncomfortable, please feel free to just call me Eileen."

Although she said this, her respectful gestures and tone remained unchanged.

She was treating him as a guest—clearly in work mode.

Subaru immediately understood: this wasn't the same Eileen who had formed a deep bond with him and taught him the basics of magic.

That version of her was gone.

And it wasn't just Eileen...

Clap! Clap!

Subaru slapped his cheeks hard, dragging his thoughts back to the present.

"It's okay. I can't let myself drown in sadness. I need to keep moving forward."

He smiled at Eileen.

If he could get through this ordeal, maybe he could rebuild the bonds he once had.

For now, he had to use the knowledge he'd gained with two lives to uncover the mastermind behind everything.

"I'll bring the documents tomorrow. Goodbye."

After finishing her late-night briefing on western Kararagi, Eileen bowed and quietly left the room, leaving Subaru sprawled on the giant bed.

Oddly, the perfect guest experience Eileen provided made him feel suffocated, precisely because of their past friendship in the first loop.

'No wonder Felt disliked Eileen so much.

To repay Reinhild's kindness, she must've worked so hard to become someone who wouldn't bring hershame. Just how much effort did that take? Can I do the same?'

"Damn it, I won't lose so easily!"

Shouting to drown out his inferiority complex, Subaru sat up and began writing down the day's investigation results.

In just one day, he had questioned over 70 people and even obtained the mansion's staff list from Eileen.

He desperately wanted to continue investigating through the night—but he also understood that acting recklessly could alert the enemy.

From his second loop, he knew many people already suspected him.

If he kept snooping around at night, those suspicions would only deepen. So for now, he endured.

.

.

.

The next day, despite the temptation to experience a noble morning with servants and breakfast in bed, Subaru lacked the thick skin to go through with it.

He woke up on his own.

Though his mind was used to waking at 7 or 8, his body protested.

But unlike in the second loop, this time he was prepared. His willpower triumphed over his laziness.

"Good morning, Lord Subaru. Here's the information you requested."

Just as he stepped out the door, a voice startled him.

Seeing Eileen holding out a thick tome titled Complete Compendium of Poisons X, he hastily accepted it.

"Thank you so much. This is a huge help. By the way, Eileen... did you sleep well? I hear staying up late isn't good for a girl's skin."

As he walked to the desk to begin cross-referencing, Subaru suddenly grew concerned and paused to ask.

"Thank you for your concern, Lord Subaru. I assure you, I've had plenty of rest. I'll bring your meal—will cream cake be all right? Best of luck today."

As Subaru nodded without thinking, Eileen gave a slight bow and quietly shut the door.

Subaru began carefully flipping through the document.

If he could understand the nature of the poison, he might find a way to counter it.

No matter what, he intended to try.

The previous night, during Eileen's lecture about western poisons, he had directly requested this book.

But seeing its thickness—comparable to an Oxford Advanced Dictionary—he broke into a cold sweat.

Having just arrived in this world and still unfamiliar with the written language, it was daunting.

His quiet study session was soon interrupted.

The second day's scheduled event—Lord Roswaal's visit—went ahead as expected.

However, Subaru no longer had any desire to deal with Roswaal.

In the end, Roswaal merely left him with the promise that if Subaru ever thought of a suitable reward, he could come speak with him.

"What is it? Is there something on my face?"

As he was about to board the carriage, Roswaal suddenly turned and asked.

"Sorry, sorry. It's just... your makeup kind of caught my eye."

Subaru quickly looked away.

No matter how much he looked or remembered, Roswaal still seemed like a genuinely good person.

Unfortunately, Reinhild's warning in the previous loop urged Subaru to be cautious.

"Subaru, is something wrong?"

Looking for reassurance, Subaru turned to Reinhild, who simply offered a confused but gentle smile.

"Ah... I feel healed. No—nothing. Take care on the road."

Subaru hesitated for a moment but ultimately chose not to ask further.

Before long, the dragon carriage vanished into the distance.

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.

.

Winston's left leg whipped out like a lash toward Rom, who was fleeing with Felt.

Even though there was still some distance between them, Rom's combat instincts told him he couldn't block it.

Yet Rom didn't dodge.

With his left hand, he threw Felt behind him, then stood his ground and raised his right arm to receive the blow.

A split second before impact, numerous white lights wrapped around Rom's arm. His feet dragged two shallow furrows into the grass.

"Rom! Are you okay?!"

Felt rushed to his side.

Subaru, who had been wandering nearby with Eileen in preparation, also checked Rom's condition.

Thankfully, it was just a light injury this time. Relieved, Subaru smiled.

"I'll change fate little by little."

Clenching his fist toward the sky, Subaru stepped forward to break up the shouting match between Winston and Eileen.