The air between Beatrice and me grew thick. Her gaze, those butterfly-shaped eyes, seemed to scrutinize every corner of my being, searching for something I couldn't and didn't want to reveal.
My Danger Sense was silent, which was a relief, but her insight made me nervous.
"Beatrice, this is no ordinary animal," I said, my voice dropping to an urgent whisper, as if sharing a secret.
"It's a Demon Dog. And it's not here by chance. Its presence is a trace of the Witch Cult. I already faced them in the village of Arlam a few days ago, and defeated them."
Beatrice's expression changed, a fraction of a second of genuine surprise in her eyes before her usual disinterest returned.
"You defeated... the Witch Cult, I suppose. Just an insignificant human like you." Her tone was skeptical, but I could sense that I had caught her attention.
"Yes. I discovered how they operated and where they hid the source of the curse," I continued, appealing to her intellect.
"I managed to destroy it, but the fact that one of their demon dogs is here, in the mansion, means they're looking for something. Or someone. And if we don't stop them, the curse could spread again."
Beatrice tilted her head, looking at me with renewed intensity. "The Witch Cult... Those madmen have always been a nuisance. And a demon dog in Roswaal's domain, I suppose. That's very inconvenient."
"Exactly," I nodded, seeing my chance.
"Rem and Ram don't know the true extent of the threat. I need your help, Beatrice. You know this mansion better than anyone. We could stop the dog before it causes any more trouble. And if the Cult is interested in something here, your knowledge would be invaluable."
Beatrice let out a small "Hmph." "My domain will not be contaminated by those disgusting beasts, I suppose. And if that hateful Roswaal has some plan involving them, I will need to know about it. Very well, Subaru. I will help you with this minor inconvenience. But don't get your hopes up, it's not for you."
[Charisma Obstacle Overcome: Securing the Alliance with Beatrice (Temporary).]
[Reward: 30 EXP.]
My Danger Sense remained silent, which was good. Beatrice was a formidable ally, albeit a finicky one.
"Let's go, then," I said, pointing toward the garden.
Beatrice nodded and floated down the hallway, me following close behind. Within minutes, we reached the garden entrance. The stench of decay was stronger here. And my Danger Sense went off, not because of the demon dog, but because of something bigger.
Something that was coming from far away, but approaching at an alarming speed.
"The demon dog should be around here..." I muttered, my gaze searching for the animal.
Suddenly, Beatrice stopped dead in her tracks, her expression tense. Her small fists clenched. "No! It's worse than I thought, I suppose."
"What's wrong, Beatrice?" I asked, my own Danger Sense vibrating with an intensity I had never felt before.
It was an avalanche of malevolence, an aura that overshadowed even the witch's stench.
Just then, a gate of the mansion, one that led to a little-used road connecting to the main highway, exploded in a shower of wood splinters.
A tall, thin figure entered, wrapped in a black robe, with a pale, gaunt face and a macabre, deranged smile.
It was Petelgeuse Romanee, the Archbishop of Sloth. My heart stopped. This wasn't in the script. The attack on the mansion with Petelgeuse and the Witch Cult was supposed to happen much later in the timeline.
My intervention in the village of Arlam, my defeat of the minor cultists, had brought the events forward and caused a butterfly effect.
"Sloth has brought you here, dear Subaru!" Petelgeuse's voice was a maniacal cackle, each syllable stretched grotesquely.
"I found you! The one who emanates the stench of the Witch! The hands knew you were important!"
A chill of pure terror ran through me. He knew. He had tracked me down and found me.
Beatrice stood in front of me, her face hardened.
Her skirt swirled around her, and powerful magic began to condense around her.
"I will not allow this madman to set foot on Roswaal's domain, I suppose!"
"Beatrice, be careful!" I shouted. "His 'Hands' are invisible!"
Too late. Petelgeuse spread his arms, and multiple invisible arms, made of intangible force, materialized out of thin air, lunging toward Beatrice.
She conjured energy barriers, but the arms were too numerous, too powerful.
"Aaaaaagh!" Beatrice screamed in frustration and pain as she was struck, thrown against the wall. She was powerful, but Petelgeuse's strength was overwhelming.
"Rem! Ram!" I shouted with all my might, hoping my cries would reach the mansion.
Petelgeuse, with his twisted smile, turned his attention to me, his eyes bloodshot.
And now, the receptacle of the Witch's stench! Death awaits you with an embrace full of sloth!"
My Sense of Danger exploded, the world around me turned red, every possible point of attack, every line of death, clear as day.
Now I face Petelgeuse directly, with Beatrice wounded and the demon sisters still not here.