Re:Lyra-Starting Life in Another World (Re:Reader-Lyra Edition)

Chapter 70: The Endless Eight-Part 16

AN: Hello everyone! I'm glad so many of you liked last week's chapter. For this week, we get to hear many, many questions that we had finally become answered! Some of you might have guessed what/who was behind everything, some of you might not. Next week's release is going to be long, and since so many of you enjoyed the last chapter that was like it, I'm sure it'll be popular as well.
That being said, going back re-reading this chapter made me realize how fun many of the cast members were to write. Hopefully with Arc Three coming up, I'll be able to write more with them.
ALSO: This chapter will have a few spoilers in regards to ARC FIVE, so please be aware.

Chapter 70: The Endless Eight-Part 16

Feeling the trickling of sunlight against her eyelids, Lyra began to stir awake.
First, the softness of the sheets and pillows were felt as her arms and legs awoke, followed by the aroma of them being freshly laundered.
Taking in a deep breath through her nose, the sweet smell of flowers also entered Lyra’s mind. Slowly opening her eyes, the brightness of the morning sun was coming in unobstructed as the curtain over her window was continuously held open by the soft breeze coming through.
This reminds me of my first loop... Everything is the same, practically.
Rubbing her face, Lyra observed the room. Her room.
Well, other than the room, I guess.
Lyra: I'm back at the mansion, that's for sure...
Getting up and out of bed, she shuffled across the floor to the window. Noticing the height of the sun, a small flame of concern built up in her chest.
It's pretty late in the morning now, isn't it?
Looking around at the gardens below, it was there that Lyra noticed something.
Lyra: That's—!
Pulled out, in plain view was the ruined carriage, uncoupled from the ground dragon that had so tirelessly pulled it. Putting a hand to her head, Lyra tried her best to recall her most recent memories.
I passed out... But now we're here. How did we make a multi-day trip in just one night?
Realizing she couldn't hope to find the answers to the questions she had here, Lyra dressed herself in her casual clothes and went to her door.
Let's see, at this time of day, Rem and Ram should be preparing for lunch down in the kitchen— hk!
Thinking to herself as she turned the handle to her room's door, Lyra had not expected the destination on the other side. Stepping through the door, the smell of dust and old books filled her nose. Shutting the door behind her,  the drill haired girl opposite of her shut her book.
Beatrice: It appears you're finally awake, I suppose.
Lyra: B-Beatrice—!
Wait. No no, it's alright. She never read my memories this time. She has no clue what happened or what was happening.
Gulping back down the fear that had momentarily manifested in her, Lyra sighed in relief in her mind. While she had expected to be in the mansion's hallway, just down from Rem's own room, Lyra had found herself in the Forbidden Library.
Lyra: Um, can I ask why you were—?
Beatrice: Betty is just doing as she agreed. 'Watch her until she awakes, and then send her to me.'
Lyra: 'Send him to me'? To where? I—, I gotta find Rem first and—
Beatrice: Betty does not have time for this, in fact. She can at least see why she was asked to do this now.
Lyra: Who asked? Was it Rem? I just need to go find her —Hk!
Raising her palm, Beatrice commanded her magic, opening the door behind her and launching her out. Lyra was ejected from the hidden library by force.
Rolling across the floor, Lyra came to a stop.
Lyra: What the hell—?!
?: Ahhhh, Lyra-chaaaannn, how very nice of you to drop by!
Having her own external thoughts cut off, Lyra sat upright and looked around.
This carpet, and that door... and that voice!
Turning around from facing the ornate double hinged doors, Lyra scrambled to her feet.
I'm in—!
Roswaal: I heard you all had quiiiiiiite the adventure in Saluzzo.
At his desk in his study, fully adorned in his clown makeup, Roswaal sat resting his head on his folded hands. Straightening her posture, Lyra cleared her throat and answered his employer.
Lyra: Yes. It was an... ordeal.
Roswaal: And you and Subaru-kun handled it so well. I am very thankful for your dedication to protecting Emilia-sama, although it is a pity she could not speak before the crowd.
Lyra: …Am I to understand you've already been filled in on everything?
Gathering that Roswaal had probably already been briefed on things from either Rem, Emilia, or potentially even Subaru, Lyra wasn't sure how much she'd need to tip-toe around what she said to Roswaal.She hadn't a clue if Rem had informed him of Julio's involvement or any accompanying theories they had.
Roswaal: Oh, quite so. After all, that was nearly three days ago.
Lyra: Th-Three days?!
Roswaal: Indeed. That's what happens when you push your body and Gate to such extremes though.
Shrugging at this, Roswaal leaned back in his hair.
Roswaa: Subaru-kun only woke up yesterday, but after Emilia-sama's account of what happened, as well as Rem's much more detailed report, any further unclear information was filled in by him.
Closing one eye, Roswaal stared at Lyra with his yellow eye only.
Roswaal:Buuuuuuuut, that's not to say I don't have questions for you.
Swallowing some apprehension, Lyra nodded, prompting Roswaal to sit back forward in his chair.
Roswaal: In your opinion, what do you think prompted the attack? And who do you believe was responsible for it?
Wait, I know for a fact Rem didn't tell him I was the target, and I know she wouldn't have said her horn was. That would raise too much suspicion on how she knew that. I need to give open ended answers that don't seem like I'm trying to hide anything.
Lyra: I never really considered what it may be. Between finding out about it and the attack actually occurring, we weren't given much time to contemplate these things.
Roswaal: I can understand that... Rem also informed me of Julio-saaaaan's assistance in the matter too.
Lyra: I take it then she also told you how we came to learn about the attack then? —And how we got that assistance?
Roswaal: Of course. Julio-san is not a man who could hold back such information with such tenured principals. As for the... help, Rem haaaaaad to inform me of the promise she made on my behalf. If she did not, I would have been forced to kill him myself for such a betrayal.
Saying that with a smile, Lyra could tell Roswaal was serious when he said that.
Roswaal: After all, such collaborators deserve no less mercy, don't you agree, Lyra-chaaaannn?
Feeling as if that statement were directed with suspicions, or rather judgment towards herself, before Lyra could answer, Roswaal tilted his head back in laughter.
Roswaal: I asked the same question to Subaru-kun and received the same look! My my, I believe my sense of humor is becoming somewhat too dry. Nonetheless—
Sitting back forward, Roswaal grabbed a letter off his desk.
Roswaal: This is for you.
Approaching the Margrave and taking it, the envelope was sealed with a wax crest, much like one she'd seen inside Julio's wooden castle (or warehouse rather?). Opening it up, Lyra inspected the letter's contents.
Reading it silently to herself to hide the fact she was struggling to do so, It was a letter from Julio, fully dictating and accounting what had happened after his absence in dealing with the dragon initially.
Lyra: So he is alive... That's good.
Roswaal: Unless the dead have gotten veeeeeery good at writing on parchment, it would appear so, yes.
The letter went on to further express his feelings of gratitude and his thankfulness to them for securing a peaceful path for him going forward. With this, he had plans to fully restart his trading company.
Lyra-dono, you have my sincerest thanks. Please give my regards to Subaru-dono, Emilia-sama, and Rem-chan. I hope our paths will cross again one day. Until then, please take care. I wish you and Rem-chan both a happy life.
Your friend, Julio.
Folding the letter back up, Lyra placed it back into its envelope.
Lyra: Thank you for delivering this, Roswaal-sama.
Roswaal: 'Tis not a problem!
Waving his hand at Lyra, he once again returned to a serious expression.
Roswaal: Aaaaand for what it's worth, I think you and Rem made the correct choice. Given Subaru-kun's account and Rem's, recruiting Julio-san appeared to be the difference in getting away. It was an adequate measure to take, and one small pardon of crimes committed so long ago is a small price to pay to ensure Emilia-sama's safety.
Bowing, Lyra replied.
Lyra: It was not one made easily.
Roswaal: I'm sure it wasn't. But, I would ask that you please return to your room for the time being and rest. —And before you ask, Ram is currently comforting her sister, so they are both indisposed right now.
Lyra: I see. I'm sure Rem was worried sick.
Nodding at Lyra’s correct guess, Roswaal spoke more.
Roswaal: Since everyone arrived back yesterday morning, I had hoped to give everyone a few days off to rest and reflect on what happened, but unfortunately, due to Emilia-sama's request, I must modify that.
Lyra: Emilia's request?
Puzzled as to what that meant, Lyra repeated the same words as Roswaal.
Roswaal: Yes. You see, Subaru-kun's Gate was baaaaaadly damaged, and as a reward for his heroism, she has requested the best healer in the Kingdom to try what they can to repair it. She also asked that you, too, also have your Gate inspected.
Lyra: My Gate? I feel fine, though..
Roswaal: As one student of magic to another, I feel like I don't need to inform you that using your Od in lieu of mana is not the best for health. It does take years off for life after all!
Lyra: I understand. I'll be more careful.
Roswaal: Good! Now then, tomorrow, in accordance with all this, I will need to take my leave with Ram and Subaru-kun for another business trip.
Lyra: Subaru will be going for a change?
Roswaal: Yes, he will need to be looked at by another healer to determine if he can even be helped in the first place. But because Subaru-kun is Subaru-kun, he'll be left under Ram's care while I attend to some matters involving the pardons which were promised to Julio-san.
Lyra: Then it'll only be me, Rem, and Emilia-sama here tomorrow then, won't it? Hence the need to work.
Roswaal: Preciiiiiiiiiiiiisely!
Lyra: Understood. Is there anything else needed of me then?
Roswaal: None at all. You may be dismissed.
Bowing one more time, Lyra turned and took his leave. Exiting through the study's door, he found himself in the hallway as expected, and thankfully not in Beatrice's library again. Returning to her room, Lyra laid down on her bed and let her still existent fatigue and her soft bed lull her back to sleep.