Chapter 4: Early Morning
The huge hot spring was separated in the middle by a wooden partition.
Because it was summer, only with the aid of a magic lamp could a faint mist be seen. Perhaps because Felt was present, lively sounds of splashing and frolic could be heard from the other side.
"Subaru-kun, are you tempted? Even if you are a best friend, I'd have no choice but to take you out for Crusch-sama."
"Not at all. Geuse, you don't need to stare at me so warily either. My PTSD is going to flare up."
"My deepest apologies. However, Emilia-sama's mind is not yet mature."
"Ferris, Subaru-dono is an upright person."
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Perhaps because the caliber of the people in this men's bath was too high, Subaru felt a little uncomfortable, so he quickly left the hot spring and looked at the sky where the hot spring mist was drifting not far away.
—To think that a rare chance for a hot spring ended so quickly.
"Stop it. Please do not take Ram as the object of your delusional sacrifice."
Subaru was startled and realized that Ram was standing silently beside the door.
"Even if I were delusional, I wouldn't fantasize about you, would I?"
"Ram is the cutest in the world."
"You do look cute on the outside, though. Wait, I already have Reinhild! No, that's not the issue! I'm not fantasizing at all!"
"Reinhild, you suppose?"
Ram silently sighed in her heart, looking at Subaru's happy expression, and then looked at the hot spring behind them.
"Then, do you need my help, I suppose? You know I possess the Demon Eye of Clairvoyance, and my vision can be shared."
"Really?!"
Subaru asked reflexively, then quickly shook his head.
"That's certainly a tempting choice, but I'll pass. You're just messing with me anyway, right?"
"Tch, just a mere Subaru."
"I wonder if it's just my imagination, but I feel like 'Subaru' has become a derogatory term."
"However, just as Subaru said, even Ram, who considers her tolerance quite high, supposes it's better not to force a match with Subaru after all."
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The following morning, a refreshed Subaru walked into the sun-drenched garden. He inhaled the crisp morning air and stretched, then greeted the others.
"Isn't Felt ready yet? Also, Beatrice, what's wrong with you? You look unwell."
Beatrice hesitated, then twirled a lock of hair and said:
"Actually, a staff member at the post station secretly told Betty that 'something non-human appears in this inn every night,' I suppose."
"Oh, non-human?"
Subaru looked at Reinhild, who shook her head.
"Betty initially laughed it off, I suppose.
But just to be cautious, Betty paid special attention. And what do you know, Betty saw it last night, I suppose."
Beatrice's explanation became more enthusiastic.
"Betty confronted a deathly pale face that popped out of the darkness near the entrance! The other side noticed Betty too, so we glared at each other… a back-and-forth offensive and defensive battle ensued!"
Subaru was impressed. Then,
"So, what was the actual situation, Rein-chan?"
"Now that you mention it, I did feel Beatrice-sama go to the entrance last night to greet a drunken Otto."
"Yo~ Everyone's gathered. You're all up so early."
Just then, Felt greeted them as she walked down the stairs. A pale-faced Otto and a dark-circled Heinkel followed behind her.
"How could this be!"
As if seeing the shadow of the confronting face from last night on Otto's face, Beatrice was completely distraught.
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"Good morning."
Anastasia, dressed in a brightly colored kimono, greeted Subaru and the others in the banquet room with a slight smile. Incidentally, even in the kimono, Anastasia was still wearing her white fox scarf.
"Very good, very good, I'm happy to surprise you all this morning too, you see."
"The sense of incongruity is just explosive."
"Is it, you see? I feel quite good, though, you see."
Anastasia spun around on the spot, allowing the intricate kimono to be fully displayed before everyone's eyes. The pattern mimicking scattered, dancing flowers seemed to flutter with her movement. Even by Subaru's standards, it was undoubtedly a top-quality kimono.
"Anastasia-sama is even more beautiful this morning. I had worried that I might not be able to behold your dignified presence, but it seems my worries were unnecessary."
"Hehehe, my hidden treasure, you see."
Guise, who had just arrived, offered his compliment. A satisfied Anastasia stopped moving, then tilted her head with a hint of confusion and asked: "Strange? Didn't Emilia and her group come with you?"
"Emilia-sama's party has already gone to meet with Kirita-dono. Joshua is guiding them."
"Kirita-ka?"
Subaru mumbled the name.
"One of the Ten-Man Council of the Water Gate City, and the owner of the magic crystal."
Guise explained seriously.
"Miss Liliana's follower."
Reinhild added softly. Subaru instantly recalled the troubadour and her follower they had encountered on their journey.
"So it's them. In that case, I remember that fellow became the successor of some merchant guild, to the point of controlling the Water Gate City!"
"Good morning to all citizens of Priestella. This morning is refreshing."
A huge voice suddenly transmitted through the air.
"Ooh? What is that? Someone has a super loud voice."
"Felt-san, that's not it, you see. This is a routine morning practice in this city… a broadcast transmitted through the 'Metia' located in the city hall."
"A broadcast transmitted through the 'Metia'…"
Anastasia responded to Felt's casual murmur.
"It's broadcast every morning? What for?"
"I heard it is in case of emergencies. Due to the structure of this city, evacuation routes are limited during emergencies. To prevent chaos in case of an unforeseen event, citizens are made to develop the habit of listening to the broadcast."
"I see. I wonder what kind of person came up with such an idea."
Guise explained. Crusch and Ferris, who had just arrived, were impressed.
"The proposer of this broadcast, and also the provider of the 'Metia,' is said to be Mister Kiritaka."
Subaru's memories of Kiritaka flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern.
"Don't tell me!"
"And, this morning, please also enjoy my wholehearted… No! I'll send you all a wonderful blessing! Presenting the 'Songstress,' Miss Liliana—!"
—Ah, sure enough, that's exactly right.
Subaru finally confirmed that the two were his acquaintances, and he realized that the purpose of the broadcast was exactly as he thought: for idol worship.
"Hello everyone, I'm Liliana~! Sometimes the burden of being treated as the Songstress feels as heavy as a mountain every morning, but I still want to enjoy singing and performing with all my might, so for this short time, please be sure to enjoy and support me!"
Liliana's voice echoed throughout the city.
Important Announcement! New Fanfifction
Cote: Daily Intelligence System
Shimizu Akira unexpectedly transmigrated into the world of "Classroom of the Elite," becoming an ordinary student in Class D.
Relying on the advantage of foresight thanks to his daily intelligence system, Shimizu Akira navigates between the various factions.
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