Natsuki Subaru's Journey to Strategically Capture Reinhild

Teammates

It was already past 9 PM, and Subaru had finally finished today's geography lesson.

Watching Eileen drink water beside the book Encyclopedia of Poisons, Subaru hesitated.

Although on Earth nightlife was just getting started at this hour, most people here were already asleep. In the end, not wanting to waste any time, Subaru spoke up.

"Miss Eileen, there are many parts of this book I don't understand. Could I ask you to help me interpret them?"

"I can, but may I be so bold as to ask you something first?"

Hearing this, Subaru looked a bit surprised at Eileen, but given that he was currently the one making a request and also hoping to improve their relationship, he agreed without hesitation.

"Then, may I ask, Mr. Subaru—are you looking for someone wearing brown leather shoes? What is this person planning to do? Or rather, what kind of poison are they using?"

Subaru's body tensed immediately.

The less than ten-meter distance between them gave him no sense of security at all.

Time ticked by slowly.

Gradually, Subaru relaxed.

As a reflex, he opened the door to check the hallway, then opened the window to peek outside, and finally collapsed onto the bed in a heap, deep in thought while looking at Eileen.

"Don't worry, there's no one in this area at the moment. So, can you tell me the situation?"

Hearing Eileen's words, Subaru began to think quickly.

First off, it was clear Eileen didn't know the situation—so once again, he must have let something slip.

But based on what happened last loop, even if he did expose himself, Reinhild wouldn't let the people in the mansion harm him.

Which meant this was Eileen acting on her own.

So, should he tell Eileen the truth? Subaru pondered.

Although Eileen had a high status, and her "the mage siblings devoted fan of Rein" persona was practically worn on her face, Subaru knew about the Round Table Knights from the Fate series and had looked into them a little.

"If I said there's a spy in the mansion, would you believe me?"

"I believe you."

Her immediate belief only made her seem more suspicious.

"No need to be so surprised. Lord Reinhild is too powerful, so it's natural that people would be cautious.

Reinhild wouldn't plant a spy, but the spies would obediently serve as servants as long as Reinhild doesn't act out of line.

It's an unspoken rule of sorts. In fact, every now and then, some servants leave the mansion."

Maybe sensing Subaru's doubt, Eileen added an explanation.

"I see, so it's one of those unspoken rules."

Subaru thought for a moment.

Considering that the Astrea mansion held power that could even overthrow a nation, it made sense that not being viewed with suspicion would be more unusual.

Subaru sighed.

Whether she had been sent by the killers to test him, or she genuinely just wanted to protect the mansion, it didn't matter anymore.

Yesterday, out of the more than 70 people he'd investigated, over half had changed to new shoes today.

Though it might have been in preparation for Roswaal's visit, it also showed that leather shoes weren't as luxurious among servants as Subaru had assumed.

Also, Subaru had only been studying the local script for two weeks.

Even after flipping through pages all afternoon, he realized it would be nearly impossible to identify which poison the assassin used in just a few days.

Both investigative leads were at a dead end.

In such a situation, Subaru truly needed a local to help him.

Subaru knew he might still be hoping she'd betray him—because he'd already resolved to give up his life for information.

Even if she was a traitor, catching the fox's tail would mean he could follow the thread next loop.

"Actually, on the night I was sent here, I woke up for a while and wandered the hallway… then I got kicked unconscious. The last thing I saw before I passed out was a pair of brown leather shoes."

Having made up his mind, Subaru told Eileen the same fabricated story he used to trick Reinhild.

"Pardon me, but you mean the enemy planned to poison the mansion?

But Lord Reinhild has the Divine Protection of Detoxification.

Once activated, she would instantly notice.

And even if they succeeded in poisoning us, what would be the point? It would only enrage Reinhild."

Hearing Eileen's question, Subaru felt some relief.

One of the worries that had been weighing on him seemed a little lighter.

Seeing her puzzled look, Subaru quickly refocused.

"I've been meaning to say—Reinhild sounds almost too perfect. But what if the target isn't him? What if it's Felt?"

"How dare they try to harm Lady Felt? Ah—unless they're pawns placed by the faction targeting Lady Emilia.

But Lady Felt has the 'Authentic Silver Crown,' a ring-type meteor that can detect drugs that affect the wearer."

"What if the plan is to weaken the mansion's defenses when Reinhild isn't around, and then launch a surprise attack on Felt?"

Subaru voiced the conclusion he'd reached after dying twice, and Eileen fell into deep thought.

Subaru also took the opportunity to recall something—he realized Felt didn't seem to be wearing the ring in the first two loops.

"By the way, Eileen, do you check the food sent to my room?"

"I usually use the 'Poison Detection' spell to check it."

'I see. Because Eileen is with me now, Felt must have gotten the new equipment.'

"Could you use that spell to check the entire mansion?"

"It would take about a month... but if we narrow the range, it could be done faster."

"Is there a way to narrow the range?"

"Yes. Since you remember the shoes were brown and you recall their texture, we can visit a shoe shop to identify the leather type.

Based on that, we can narrow it down further.

The mansion's pay is decent, but if the attacker happened to wear high-end leather shoes, we could eliminate many suspects at once.

Of course, I'll make the arrangements, so don't worry."

"Then I'll be counting on you. I could never forget the feel of that leather—literally, even in death."

Subaru said this as he recalled what happened two days ago, his body involuntarily shivering.

"Mr. Subaru, you're quite reliable."

"If I had a choice, I'd rather forget. By the way, I guess we're teammates now in uncovering the spy. Just call me Subaru."

Subaru extended his hand.

This time, Eileen was silent for a long while—so long that Subaru almost withdrew his hand in embarrassment.

But just then, she reached out and grasped his hand.

"Then, I'll be counting on you, Subaru."

"Likewise, Eileen."