Living Again as a Man of Faith in Another World from Zero - Volume 1

[ Arc 4 - 7 ] Alliance

Viu woke up in a house where Ryuzu Bilma took care of him as did Ryuzu Alma. However, he jumped when he saw Beatrice and then he smiled when he saw that Puck was there but realized that it wasn't for long.

- Honestly, if you didn't leave I would have rewarded you properly for what you did, Puck. But how did you convince Beatrice to leave the library?

He looked at Beatrice. 

- You know, however, that I am not that person.

Beatrice, who had been standing nearby, huffed and crossed her arms.

- I didn't need any convincing, she stated matter-of-factly. I left the library on my own free will.

Puck chimed in, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

- And I merely provided a little... 'encouragement,' he said with a smirk.

These two are not Echidna's creations for nothing. Puck certainly acted for Emilia, and Beatrice... Wait a minute our temporary contract didn't end after my victory against Petelgeuse or Geuse as she and Emilia had called it before. So she followed my entire progress via our link.

- So, you know everything, Beatrice.

Beatrice nodded, her expression stoic as usual.

- Yes, I do, she confirmed. I've been keeping watch over you through our link. I was... intrigued by your abilities and actions.

Puck chuckled, amused by Beatrice's straightforwardness.

- Oh? So you've been a sneaky little observer, huh? he teased.

- Indeed, Puck. And what do you think, Beatrice? After all you've seen? Felt?

Beatrice thought for a moment, her expression still stoic but her eyes betraying a hint of interest.

- You possess considerable power, she said finally. But your actions and intentions are still unclear to me. I am... intrigued, i suppose.

- Intrigued ? 

Beatrice nodded, a small frown on her face.

- Yes, intrigued, she confirmed. Your abilities, your actions, your words... they all seem contradictory. You possess great power, but you do not use it selfishly. You claim to know many secrets, yet you remain enigmatic. It is... confusing.

- .... Another reason? Come on, you're the Great Spirit of the library and you know through our bond what I think and you know that I know a lot about you, so you and I both know that you would never leave the library for that....unless my actions convinced you to leave. Unless you're....

Given Viu's past via their bond during his first trial? Yes, obviously. Given how he stood up to Beatrice and Puck's mother while knowing Viu's thoughts? Yes. For what he did afterwards to end up in this state? Yes.

- And that's what you find confusing because you would never have done that and no one would have done it so much for anyone, right?

Beatrice's expression flickered with surprise as Viu's words hit home. Her eyes widened slightly as she realized that he had seen straight through her.

She didn't respond immediately, her lips pursed into a thin line as she pondered his words.

Finally, she spoke up, her voice quiet yet firm.

- You... you're perceptive, she admitted. Yes, you are right. I am confused because I would not have done what you did. And no one else... no one else would have, not to that extent. But... why did you?

Yet it is obvious.

- I don't even know why. I wanted to help so I did it. I know a lot about people so if they need help I go for it otherwise I respect their will. I will never make a contract with a person because of whom Emilia and the others suffered and even worse that you had to endure 400 years of solitude!!!

Beatrice's eyes widened further as Viu spoke, her expression taking on a mix of surprise and wonder. She had never encountered someone who acted so selflessly, without any expectation of reward or return.

- You... you helped simply because you wanted to? she repeated, her voice tinged with disbelief. You didn't expect anything in return? No... no contract to be made?

Neither from you nor from your mother.

- You told me that after our temporary contract when I was facing Petelgeuse that you did not want to leave this library. And even though I knew your suffering, I was not going to ignore your wishes. I respected your choice. I am even surprised that the contract is still in effect and that you are here.

Beatrice's expression softened as Vui spoke, her eyes widening in surprise. She had expected him to try to convince her or manipulate her in some way, but his words held genuine respect for her wishes.

- You... you respected my choice, she murmured, her voice nearly a whisper. Even though you knew... you knew what I had suffered through, you still respected my decision not to leave, i suppose.

-.... For me, who has been treated like nothing all my life, I know very well the pain of selfishness to avoid doing it to others.

Beatrice's expression became more tender as Vui spoke, her eyes softening with a mix of sadness and understanding.

- You... you have suffered through selfishness too, she said softly. You know the pain it brings, and you refuse to inflict it upon others. That... that is admirable, in fact.

He looked as he went to join Emilia to talk to her one last time. Viu smiled knowing that Emilia had passed the two trials. He looked at Beatrice and held out his hand. Sometimes deaths were not necessary.

Beatrice looked at Vui's hand, a mix of confusion and wariness in her eyes. She had never been offered such a gesture before. Hesitantly, she reached out and placed her hand in his, her expression still guarded.

- What... what are you doing? she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

- In your opinion, Do you want to stay with me?

Beatrice's eyes widened in surprise at his question. She had expected many things, but not that.

- Stay... stay with you? she echoed, her voice trembling slightly. You... you are offering me a choice, i suppose ?

- Yes. 

Beatrice's expression became more hesitant as she processed his words. She had spent her whole life alone, never given a choice, always bound by duty. Now, suddenly, she was presented with an option.

- I... I don't know, she admitted, her voice slightly shaky. I never thought I would have a choice. I... I don't even know what life outside of this library would look like.

- And yet your heart has already made its choice otherwise you wouldn't be here.

Beatrice's expression flickered with surprise at Vui's words. He was right. Her heart had already made its decision, even though her mind was still struggling to catch up.

- You... you are right, she murmured, her voice soft but resolute. I... I want to stay with you.