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"Hey..." Rom spoke up, watching the two interact for some time now, he gave both of them a questioning glance, "You two know each other?"

"Of course!" Elsa, who's role was played by Satella, spoke like it was the undeniable truth, "He and I are acquaintances, of sorts."

Subaru, on the other hand, couldn't reply to that question at all. He was still in shock from the situation in front of him.

Satella was controlling Elsa! Since when was she able to do that!?

"I don't know, Old Man Rom... with this guy charging in like one of us was going to die, something smells fishy here." Felt was also confused, moreso at Subaru coming back than anything else.

"You know what, Felt?" Rom looked at the contract he had Elsa about to sign, picked it up, and ripped it in two, "You're right. Both of you ought to start talking. If you two are involved in some sort of Pyramid Scheme, I want no part in it!"

"Oh dear..." Elsa's voice grew dangerous, something very familiar to Subaru, "I hope you have another one of those waivers. My employer's not going to be happy without one..."

"I'm sure I do, let me look under my desk." Rom growled out, once again reaching for his weapon! —

*Ka — THUNK!* — Rom stiffened once Elsa brandished a kukri, and pierced it through the desk, in an attempt to intimidate the store owner.

"H-H-Hey!?" Felt cried out, suddenly nervous once more as she saw how the blade cut through the desk.

"Don't make any decisions that we'll all regret, Old Man..." Elsa whispered to him, and a drop of sweat ran down his chin —

"Alright, alright, let's just calm down." Subaru walked up to the group, calming his nerves as he walked towards 'Elsa' and Rom, "Clearly, I escalated the situation when it was already handled. That one's on me."

"You try saying that with a knife in front of you, bastar—" Rom noticed Elsa move for the knife, and immediately kept quiet.

"I wouldn't call my Beloved any unnecessary names, now... Let him talk, dear." Elsa spoke in a sweet voice. Subaru felt chills run up his spine, hearing 'Elsa' sing about him so sweetly.

"You two are a screwed-up couple, you know that!?" Felt cried out, finding comfort in the wall she backed herself to.

"Lemme be clear, this person here: Elsa, I absolutely hate her." He casually pointed a thumb at the Bowel Hunter, and she kept smiling, "Frankly, if this monster died in a pit of fire, I'd start a party to celebrate: I just hate her that much."

"...What the hell...?" Rom was blindsided at Subaru's declaration.

"That's... that's messed up...!" Felt was also confused, at the two's love-hate relationship. Subaru shrugged,

"Trust me, you two would've hated Elsa just as much as me... Well, it wouldn't matter anyway, if you did,"

Subaru's face turned cold. No warmth spared, "Because if the real Elsa were talking right now, you two would absolutely be dead."

Both the man and the girl were silent, as he continued, "Her title is The Bowel Hunter: Elsa. She's killed people for much less than a failed job. Even if you guys did have the Insignia, I'm sure she would've killed you two anyway."

"That's...!" Rom had recognized the name, as he passed a glance at Elsa, then at the blade in front of him —

"If it weren't for my friend taking control of her," Subaru quickly continued, playing with Elsa's hair as he petted her head. 'Elsa' took initiative, and leaned into his touch, "You two would've died. We saved your life. No need to thank us."

"...The hell're you saying!? Don't pull my leg!" Rom went back to being defiant, as Subaru watched him carefully, "'Took control of her!?' There's no such magic that exists!" Rom clenched his fists.

"..." Subaru pondered that statement, and carefully, carefully thought his next move.

If the past couple of hours were the riskiest of this lifetime, these next couple of minutes will quadruple that risk. This risk would be so crazy... that it might just work out, in his favor.

"You're right. Regular magic wouldn't be able to pull something like this off..." Subaru passed a glance, and gave his thoughts to Satella,

["Is what you're doing another aspect of Authority of Sloth, Satella?"] He quickly asked. Elsa simply smiled,

["Not Sloth, Subaru-kun..."] Elsa hovered her hand right above her ample chest, ["This is my Authority. The Authority of Envy, 'Jealous Possession'"]

["Okay... Then that's what we're running with. Here goes nothing..."] Subaru glared at Rom, hard. Satel-Elsa blinked, watching Subaru carefully.

"Tell me, Rom. Have you ever heard of Authority?" Subaru asked him slowly, making the man blink.

"It rings a bell, but I can't be too sure —" Rom pondered his old mind, the pressure of the situation making it harder to think —

"H-hey...!" Felt's voice came through, as the girl was shaking, badly, "You're joking around, right...!? Isn't Authority... Witch Magic...!?"

Rom's eyes widened, as Subaru nodded. Without saying a word, he shifted one of his Unseen Hands, which have been hovering above him this entire time —

"Uaah...! R-Rom...!" Felt, being grabbed by the Unseen Hand, found herself unable to move her arms, as she slowly got lifted off the ground. Her tears finally escaped her eyes.

"Felt!" Rom was quick to glare daggers at the boy, "Threatening me is one thing, but I will not let you hurt her! —"

"Calm. Down." Subaru spoke calmly, as Felt was 'carried' closer to the group, "I am just bringing her here. I want her to hear what I have to say."

'Elsa' moved to the other side of Subaru, and Felt was placed in front of Rom, next to Subaru —

Both the store owner, and thief, noticed that Subaru and Elsa have effectively cornered the both of them.

"I think we have showed way too much for you to call us liars," Subaru's eyes turned sharp, "Of course, if you need another demonstration —"

"What the fuck do you want from me and my granddaughter...?" Rom's voice was icy, as he threw pleasantries out the window, "If I had known my client was a Witch Cultist, I'd have you thrown onto jail to get gutted! —"

"What I want," Subaru pushed himself closer to Rom, watching his eyes shake, "Is for you," passing a glance at Felt, "and her," —

"To keep everything that has happened today, in this room, secret." Subaru put his chips on the table, and waited for their response.

"I call bullshit. You're here to take the Metia back, or kill either of us. —"

"We aren't here to do either of these things!" Subaru cut him short, making sure to sound like what Rom said was ridiculous, before holding out his hand,

"If you keep quiet about this, that Metia is absolutely yours to sell. Nothing bad will happen to you two, I swear on my life."

"But," Subaru put down his hand, and glared at Rom, "If you so much as whisper what happened today,"

He reached for the blade, and ripped it out of the desk, "I will absolutely know, and I'll take care of you two myself,"

Without pointing a blade at them, or having any sort of malice in his voice, Rom thought the threat fell short.

As Subaru handed Elsa the blade, however —

"If you turn against me, I will make your life hell." Subaru faced the man, and focused on his eyes, "That's my promise, as Sin Arcbishop of Envy!"

Releasing that title — the very thing that Subaru had considered risky as hell, had a number of effects on the group around them.

Felt paled, as if she was meeting the Grim Reaper himself. Tears were pouring out of her eyes, and her legs were shaking something fierce.

Rom, let out a short, "Wha...!?", before looking down at the floor, grabbing at his chest to slow his breathing. Any sort of cold sweat he had, doubled. He could not meet Subaru in the eyes.

And Elsa? She was... squirming. Trembling, with a red face. Not that Subaru could see it —

"Do you understand? Can I trust you to keep this information shut?" Subaru pushed for Rom to agree. It looked like Felt was not going to answer any time soon, either.

Taking a deep, shaky breath, Rom nodded, but didn't say anything. Sparing the two of them from any more stress, Subaru got up from his chair, and turned to the door.

"I'm counting on you two." Subaru said softly, as if they were friends, but he knew that these two were anything but that after what he said. Watching Elsa get up, he left some parting words —

"'Live Strong.'" He spoke Felt's mantra, and said girl clenched her teeth, but dare not say anything.

Subaru, deciding enough was enough, left the shop with 'Elsa' in tow.







"What an absolute shitshow..." Subaru felt the headache come forward, as him and Satel-Elsa were walking in Emilia's direction. He looks towards the girl, "Why didn't you tell me about this power of yours, huh?"

"I didn't want you to get the wrong idea!" She exclaimed, crossing her arms, "Telling my Beloved I can possess other people... Wouldn't want him thinking I was going to possess his precious 'Emilia-tan', now would I?"

Hearing the bite in her tone, Subaru reeled back a bit, "That's not — Look, all I'm saying is that if you told me sooner, I wouldn't have barged in and said all those things to Felt and Rom!"

Subaru, feeling a deep sense of regret, held his head and looked toward the ground, "For all I know, this whole run can be ruined if those two told someone our secret...!"

"It's fine, Subaru-kun~!" 'Elsa' sung, her reassuring not doing much justice for Subaru, "I'm sure they got the message. They even got to keep your little treasure, too! Twenty holy coins don't come cheap!"

"I just wish I could've left on a better note." Subaru shook his head, "Calling myself the Sin Arcbishop of Envy... How stupid can I be!?"

"..." Subaru's partner had a soft smile, as she reached towards him.

"Huh? Satel —" Before Subaru knew it, he was slammed against the wall of a random house they were passing, "Gah!? Hey!? —"

Subaru looked up to see the blushing face of 'Elsa', a sickly-sweet smile, more akin to what she usually wears. His immediate gut-feeling was that Elsa re-took control! —

But her eyes were still Satella's. She couldn't be back so soon.

"Hey... Subaru-kun..." Her breath was labored, and her face was getting redder and redder, "Say it... one more time."

"Now's... really not the time...!" Subaru, with Elsa pressing herself against him, felt a wave of uncomfortable hormones. Despite his best efforts to break free, she pushed even closer.

"Please... Subaru..." Satel-Elsa was right next to his ear, and he got chills running up his spine! —

"Say you're mine... One more time...!"

Subaru's eyes widened...

This... wasn't Satella...!

"Excuse me, you two!" A familiar voice rang out, and Subaru felt Satel-Elsa rise off him, to face the newcomer. Taking a good look, he gasped,

"Reinhard!?" Subaru exclaimed. Sure enough, the Sword Saint himself, Reinhard, was walking towards them with a stern face. He moved a bit away from the girl next to him.

The knight blinked, not recognizing the man saying his name, before scratching his cheek, "...I guess my reputation precedes me." He half-mumbled to himself.

He resumed his stern look, "You two shouldn't be out here this late at night, it's dangerous. Find a hotel, or head home." Reinhard spoke.

"Wha—" Subaru's heart jumped at Reinhard's 'Hotel' comment, and shook his head rapidly, "No, no, no, you're misunderstanding the situation! She's —"

["Subaru-kun, look out!"] Hearing Satella's voice suddenly cry out to him, his body stiffened, as he glanced at Elsa —

Elsa brandished her weapon... and she was already aiming it at his gut!?

Quickly, ever so quickly, he used Unseen Hand to slap away the kukri, and kicked himself off of her, gaining a few feet.

Subaru, his heart white-hot in fear, checked his body once, twice over. No deep cut, no harm, no foul.

"Ara..." Subaru shifted his focus onto her, as she went to pick up the blade once more, "How rude... Don't you know how to treat a lady...?"

Her dark eyes were back. And they were hungry.

"Stand back." Reinhard's sturdy voice came through, as he stepped between him and Elsa, his eyes solely on the Bowel Hunter.

"I cannot forgive you drawing your weapon on another citizen of Lugunica. I'm going to ask you politely: Stand down."

"Oho?" Elsa gave a short giggle to Reinhard, before looking at Subaru... and smiling.

"I'm afraid you are not my prey, tonight..." She licked her lips, and kept her gaze on Subaru, who had chills running his spine like electricity.

"Instead, I crave the boy who subjugated my body, and took it for a joyride~!" Elsa practically sang these words, making Subaru's hair stand on end.

"I — We —" Choking on words, Subaru shook his head, "You need to back the hell up, Elsa! There's no way I'd do anything of the sort with the likes of you!"

"All bark, and no bite! Just the way I like them!" Elsa's eyes grew more sadistic, "I had plans, too... I'll make you cry for ruining everything."

"I'm not sure what the context of this situation is, but... This person's deadly."Reinhard spoke while reading her aura, and Subaru caught it.

"She's Elsa, the Bowel Hunter." Reinhard's eyes grew narrow, as Subaru spoke her name, "I stopped her from killing innocent people using my magic... but if she gets away, she'll end up hunting them again...!"

"...Very well." Subaru watched Reinhard look around for a weapon of any kind, "I'd take her on with my fists, but those weapons she has pose quite a threat. Nevertheless, I'll take her on."

Subaru bit his lip. Was he going to let Reinhard defeat Elsa again? Even if he did that...!

Memories of the Attack in Roswaal Mansion came forward, as Petra, Frederica, Rem, and Beatrice were slaughtered by Elsa's hand.

He couldn't... No, He won't let Elsa escape this time!

"Reinhard," Subaru's eyes were shaking, but he clenched his fists, as he called upon his power, "If I used my power to hold down Elsa, could you do something to get rid of her?"

"Huh?" Reinhard looked at Subaru with questioning eyes, as Subaru gripped his sweatshirt, "...You're scared. Please do not worry, I will handle it —"

"I'm not... scared...!"

Reinhard cut himself off, hearing the boy talk as if he was... struggling?

Subaru fell down to one knee, as the grip on his chest tightened, "Khhh...!?" he hissed out air, as he tugged more, and more, and more in his chest...!

Three Unseen Hands hovered above Subaru...







But no matter how hard he pulled his soul, not another hand would come out...!

["Subaru-kun...!"] Satella floated next to him, holding his hand as she looked with worry, ["You can't pull another...! You'll overdo it...!"]

["Three..."] Subaru shook his head, sweat flying off his brow, ["... won't be enough! Elsa's too powerful for that...!"]

["No, Subaru-kun..."] Satella gave a reassuring voice, ["Three's more than enough for one person. You're afraid of Elsa... but no matter what she does, she's still just one girl."]

["Then... tell me..."] Subaru glared at the Bowel Hunter, who smiled in kind, ["What do I do...?"]

["It's easy. I promise."] Satella's cheek was brushing his, as he struggled to keep breathing, ["You only have one shot... Just aim for the right spots, at the right time..."]

"...The wait's killing me...!" Elsa started moving backward, surprising Reinhard, before —

In a sudden burst of speed, she flew leftward, towards a neighboring house!

Hitting the wall, her heel was firmly placed on the wall of the house she was flying towards —

And kicked off it, soaring towards Natsuki!

"Look out!" Reinhard dashed towards, Subaru — But Elsa was incredibly quicker!

"You're mine!" Elsa aimed her weapon at Subaru, with a fanatical face! —

["Neck."]Satella spoke one word, and Subaru lunged one of his hands towards the spot. —

Mid-flight, Elsa's neck fell right into Subaru's Unseen Hand. A firm grip, too.

"Wha... t!?" A short gasp of breath, as the whiplash of Elsa's speed caused her some pain.

"Huh?" Reinhard cut his dash, as he watched Elsa... being held by a mysterious force, mid-air.

["Squeeze."] Wincing at how cold Satella said it, Subaru followed suit, clenching the Unseen Hand harder.

"Ghhk...!?" Elsa felt the force close her windpipe further, as she immediately dropped her weapon to fend off the invisible force crushing her neck —

["Hands."]Given a new body part, Subaru sent another hand to 'Scoop' up Elsa's hands that hovered near her head, and quickly rose them up,

["Feet."]He performed the same action with her feet, his third hand restraining all of her lower body.

["Relax."]Gesturing towards her throat, Satella watched her beloved ease up on choking the Bowel Hunter.

Elsa coughed in some much-needed air, before noticing her precarious position, "...Damn it...!"

["Congrats,"] Satella moved away from Subaru, and moved over to Elsa, ["You have successfully caught yourself a killer!"]

["...Huh?"] Subaru was shocked after Satella said that, relaxing his arms and keeping focus on the Hands in-play, ["That's it? She really can't do anything now?"]

"Ghhk...!" Elsa was thrashing, her hands and feet grinding against each other, looking for some real estate to escape with...!

But she couldn't budge.

["That's it... and even now, it looks like you only needed one to make her unable to escape."] Satella walked up to Elsa, not that she could see it, and went behind her.

["Her neck,"] she hovered two hands above where her neck is, ["One of her most vital point is in your hands. Any killer of her caliber would know this for certain."]

Subaru watched Satella, but noticed Elsa's glare as he did.

She was gritting teeth, struggling, sweating, shaking...

And he saw, in those dark orbs of hers, just the smallest, smallest trace of emotion he felt toward her, his entire time in this world:

Fear.

"These hands of yours..." Reinhard suddenly spoke, and Subaru noticed him looking at the appendages that hold Elsa hostage, "Is this your magic that you speak of?"

"Y-Yes!" Subaru replied back immediately, surprised that he could see the Unseen Hands. He did not want to get on Reinhard's bad side, "She won't be getting away anytime soon!"

"...Cocky... little brat...!" Elsa growled out, never once stopping to find a chance to escape.

"...But, I can't leave her like this, forever." Subaru favored looking at Reinhard rather than the Bowel Hunter, "Please, do something to get rid of her...!"

"Hmm." Reinhard fished for something in his pocket, and blinked when he felt something he was looking for, "Ah, I have a spare... Okay, I can take care of this from here. Just keep her steady."

"R-right!" Subaru, imagining the destructive power Reinhard showed when he first saw him, could only imagine what next he had up his sleeve —

"Could you bring her arms a bit lower?" Reinhard simply asked, and Subaru nodded.

"Ah, sure!" Subaru moved the Unseen Hand holding her arms, to somewhere in front of both Elsa, and Reinhard, "Does this work?"

*Cl — Click!* The sound of iron locking was heard.

"Yep. All done." Reinhard moved away, showing Elsa's brand-new accessory — A pair of handcuffs.

"Bowel Hunter Elsa," Reinhard spoke firmly, "As a member of the Royal Guard, I place you under arrest."

"C-Cuffs!?" Subaru was in disbelief, almost enraged at how Reinhard was treating the situation, "You don't expect someone like her to just willingly accept defeat, do you!?"

"Of course, I do. Now if you don't mind releasing her, I can bring her over to the barracks to place her in jail." Reinhard spoke with confidence, expecting Subaru to follow his command.

Subaru, biting his lip, decided to agree to the man in control of the situation, and released Elsa completely.

She gave a sadistic grin, "You think something as small as these could hold me down? You're so naïve~!"

*...kkk...*

Despite her own skin's durability, and her resistance to pain, she couldn't manage to break the cuffs so easily as she thought —

"In my experience, calling the arrestor names doesn't make your sentence lighter." Reinhard spoke as If she wasn't a problem no more.

Elsa glared her teeth, "Are you mocking me? I should just kick that smug look right off your..." Moving her legs, she immediately noticed something off with her body,

"What happened to me...? Where did my strength go...?" Elsa spoke in shock, confused at how unresponsive her body was.

"Ah, that," Reinhard made a thinking face, as if he had to make a guess himself, despite him being the one causing said effect, "Out of the 6 Divine Blessings I used on those handcuffs, I think the Blessing of Normalcy is what's causing you strife."

"Six —" Elsa hitched her breath at this revelation.

["Of course... Why was I worried in the first place?"] Subaru felt a bit stupid, tempted to bring the palm of his head to his face, ["Another one his stupid-powerful abilities come forward to save the day."]

["I wouldn't be complaining if I were you..."] Satella giggled, making gestures to the hands floating above him. Subaru gave a light glare at the Witch.

["He's in another league of power compared to what I have, Satella-tan."] He shrugged, already making amends knowing he'd never reach Reinhard's strength, ["I doubt I'd have what it takes to take him on in a fair fight —"]

"Hey, you there!" Reinhard called out Subaru, snapping him of his thoughts, "I'll be taking care of Elsa from here, but..."

He gave a genuine smile, "I wouldn't have been able to do it if it weren't for you! Thanks for helping!"

Subaru grimaced, ["Ack, too humble! I swear, this guy...!"]

Satella watched both heroes in amusement,

"If you don't mind me asking, what's your name?" Hearing the Sword Saint's question, Subaru blinked. Does he not know his name? —

Oh right, this was a brand new run.

"Subaru, sir. Natsuki Subaru." he replied, rubbing the back of his head, "Sorry, I've just been saying yours without introducing myself. Kinda low for me, huh?"

'Natsuki Subaru.' Elsa, who's kept quiet all this time, burned the name in her head.

'If I ever get out of this... I'm going to hunt you down, and cut you wide open...!'

"Not at all." Reinhard shook his head, before turning away, "Subaru, I look forward to our next meeting."

"Y-yeah!" Subaru watched both the knight, and murderer walk away —

"Also," Reinhard turned for a quick moment, looking Subaru in the eye,

"That magic of yours... it's dangerous."

[...!?] Satella froze on the spot, wondering if they were caught!

"Ah...!?" Subaru stiffened. Did Reinhard know that it was an Authority!? —

"Make sure you use it only for good." Reinhard turned around, and continued walking with Elsa in tow,

"If you're not careful, power like that will corrupt you. Do the right thing." With that, he finished, without expecting a reply.

Subaru felt his shock wearing out, but kept thinking the same thing: Does Reinhard know?

...

He let out a huff of air. Whether or not he knew didn't matter right now.

It looked like Reinhard was giving him a chance.

Subaru smiled.

"I won't let you down, Reinhard. Thank you."





"Subaru!"

Subaru looked up to notice Emilia, waiting at the very same spot he left her a few minutes ago.

He was almost certain the elf would've ignored the request... yet, here she was!

"Sorry I kept you waiting!" Regardless, he gave a toothy smile, "I promise I'll make it up to you by spending triple the time you waited, right by your side!"

"S-something like that isn't necessary!" Emilia was quick to shoot it down with a light blush on her face, before looking at him concerned, "Did anything bad happen? You left in quite a hurry..."

Subaru knocked the bravado off and gave the girl a calm smile, "Everything tuned out fine. It looks like my fears were misplaced. I'll try not to have a panic attack like that again."

"I see." Emilia, looking down, gave her own smile, "That's good. I'm glad you're alright."

Hearing such gentle words from Emilia, Subaru felt his heartstrings being pulled!

"Ah...!" Subaru's heart clenched, "I'm falling for her again...! Seriously, E.M.T! E.M.T!"

"'E.M.T?'" The girl, never hearing such a bizarre acronym, repeated with confusion, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Ah — Sorry, that's for another time...!" Way too tired to express his love to Emilia for another hour, he moved to another topic, "We should probably head out. You said you live in a mansion, right?"

Emilia, giving another bright smile, prepared to talk all about the Roswaal mansion, as they finally left the Slums.







"Wow... Sounds like a big place...!" Subaru kept talking with Emilia, as they waited by the fountain Subaru started the day off in, looking at the night sky, "Hard to believe there's only, what, five people living in it?"

"Mmhmm! Six, if we count Puck, too!" Emilia was next to him, looking at the stars.

["Imagine counting a spirit as a person."] On his other side, Satella laughed, ["At best, it's five and a pet cat."]

["Ouch. Good thing he can't hear you; Puck can be absolutely terrifying when he wants to be."] He winced at Satella's low-blow.

"I suppose if we include you, that'll make sev... ah..." Emilia stiffened, then— "At-choo!"

"Bless you!" Subaru was quick to exclaim... then he noticed her shivering, "Hey... are you alright?"

"...I'm fine. Just..." she gave a weak smile, "I didn't think... I was going to be out here this late, that's all."

"..." Subaru, taking only a moment to understand the situation, reached for the zipper of his sweatshirt and unzipped his article of clothing.

"Subaru...?" Emilia watched him remove his jacket, and then turn to her.

"Here. Wear this." Subaru offered the jacket — Which the girl was quick to decline.

["Ah! I'm jealous! Super-duper jealous!"] Satella cried out in envy, much like the title she wears. Subaru gives her an awkward glance.

["It's not like you can wear my jacket, anyways, Satella-tan. And who says 'Super-Duper' these days!?"] Subaru remarked, as the Witch pouted.

"I-I couldn't! You've given me too much as it is...!" she reasoned. Looking back, Subaru smiled.

"Just take it. It's not like we're selling it or anything," he gave a light chuckle, "Any gentleman would offer his jacket to a woman who's cold. It's just in our blood."

"...Even if that woman was..." Emilia didn't finish that statement, but Subaru knew.

"Half-elf? Yes, a hundred percent." Subaru answered. Emilia stiffened!

"I wasn't...!" Subaru looked at Emilia expectantly, and she looked away, "...I'm sorry."

"If you're really sorry, you'd be taking this jacket from my hands, while it's still warm." Subaru said smoothly, and Emilia's cheeks garnished a light blush as she retrieved the jacket.

"...Thank you..." She replied, before putting on the article of clothing herself. Subaru sat right next to her, wearing nothing but his T-shirt and slacks.

"Don't mention it, Emilia-tan." he waved it off. Emilia passed a glance at him.

"'Tan?'" She heard another one of his weird words, and Subaru laughed awkwardly.

"Just another thing I'll have to explain later —"

Subaru cut off short, as a weight pressed itself on his lap —

"Aa~ah..." Satella let out a sigh of content, as she sat on Subaru, leaning into his chest, "Much better..."

["H-Hold on! Time out! What're you doing!"] Subaru quickly called out to her in their link, as she looked at him with one eye.

["Warming up."] Satella gave a simple response, and Subaru choked on his breath.

["Warmi— I thought you can't get cold, Satella!?"] He called her bluff. She simply nuzzled in his chest.

["I feel your cold, Subaru-kun."] She giggled, ["That's why something like this is absolutely necessary..."]

["Then grab my arm, or something! Sitting on my lap is...!"] Subaru noticed Emilia giving him a worried glance.

"Something wrong?" Emilia asked.

"N-nothing!" Subaru replied, albeit not convincing enough.

["Why can't I sit on your lap?"] Satella glared at him, ["I'm sure if 'Emilia-tan' asked, you would be jumping all over it!"]

["No, you don't understand! If a beautiful girl like you is on me, I'm going to get...!"] Subaru refused to continue his statement, but he felt her grip tighten.

["Beautiful... You called me beautiful..."] Satella was focused on the compliment, much to Subaru's chagrin.

["Please hurry up and get off me, Satella-tan!"] Subaru was practically begging, his own face red —







"Are you sure? You're looking awfully red... Are you catching a fever!?" Emilia jumped to the worst conclusion, and Subaru laughed.

"N-No, I'm fine, I'm seriously fine...!" Emilia leaned from her spot, towards him.

"Come here. Let me check." Emilia lifted her hair away from her forehead, and pressed it against his head.

"E-Emilia...!?" Subaru noticed their proximity, and immediately felt flustered.

"Quiet. I'm checking your temperature." Like a concerned mom, she continued her checkup, despite how close she was to his face! —

["No fair! Pay attention to me!"] Satella, obviously jealous, squirms around on his lap! —

"I... can't..." Subaru, feeling faint from the attention, forgets to keep himself steady as Satella pushes against him.

"Woah!?" Emilia backs off once Subaru falls backward —

*Splash!* — ...into the fountain's water.

"Glrk...!?" Subaru, getting an instant refresher thanks to the cold water, rises right up, and coughs out the water, "*Cough, cough!*"

["Ah... S... sorry, Subaru-kun."] Satella apologizes, feeling sheepish.

["Are you really, though?"] Subaru deadpanned. Satella scratches her cheek.

["Mmmm... not really. You asked for it!"] She replies, sticking out her tongue. Subaru sighs.

["Figures."] He ends their talk.

"Ah! You're soaking wet!" Emilia exclaims, before unzipping the jacket he just gave her, "You need this more than me now!"

Subaru, trying to save his pride, shakes his head,

"Please keep the jacket, I'm —"

Subaru looks behind her to see a familiar face, "— fine?"

"Emilia-sama, you shouldn't strip your clothes in front of a man," The maid with pink hair, Ram, was quick to chastise the half-elf, who blushed at how blunt she was.

"R-Ram, don't make it sound like that! I'm giving back Subaru's jacket he gave me! He's soaked!" Emilia reasoned herself. Ram shook her head.

"If he's wet, a jacket won't solve anything. However," she turned away a bit, and motion for them to follow her,

"Roswaal-sama's Carriage is well equipped with supplies like towels. If we hurry, this man won't suffer hypothermia." she concluded. Emilia perked up, before turning to Subaru.

"Okay, let's hurry Subaru!" Emilia rallied his spirits. Subaru laughed.

"You keep glowing like that, I'll warm up in no time —" Subaru felt a familiar feeling flare up in his nose,

" —*At-choo!*" Sure enough, he sneezed. His eyes looked away from the girls, looking embarrassed.

"...On second thought, let's get moving. It's absolutely freezing tonight."

Emilia let out a soft giggle. Ram just sighed at the man —

"*At-choo*" Almost like clockwork, Satella sneezed as well, giving a sheepish grin, ["Ehehe..."]







In his run without Satella by his side, Subaru remembered he was unconscious for the time between the fight, and him waking up in Roswaal's Mansion.

So, being told he was in for a roughly half-hour, hour trip to the mansion caught him by surprise. At this point, he had no clue what to talk with Emilia about for the remainder of the night, as any sort of conversation might lead to a mistake revealing his history of Returning by Death.

Thankfully...!

"...suu..." Emilia let out a cute noise, as she continued sleeping on the ride home.

"Even asleep, she's an angel...!" Subaru, getting front row seats, relished the sight!

"Barusu," Ram, who was surprisingly quick to pick up Subaru's old nickname, spoke from the peering window of the carriage, "If you do anything to Emilia-sama while she's asleep, I will force you out of the carriage myself."

"We've barely met, and we're already making threats? Cut me some slack, Ram." Subaru leaned back in the chair.

Ram just huffed in response, focused on making the trip home. Subaru let out a small laugh, feeling nostalgic over their interaction.

["Hey..."] Subaru heard Satella speak next to him, and felt her head lay on his shoulder,

["We should be good from here... right?"] Satella asked, and Subaru understood she was talking about this life's 'run'.

Smiling, Subaru placed a hand on her hair, lightly stroking her soft locks, ["I think so, yeah. Once we get some good night's sleep, I pretty sure that's checkpoint."]

["Th-then..."] Satella's body was shaking a bit, catching Subaru's attention. Was she still cold? —

["Do you think... No..."] She looked up, worry could be found in her eyes, ["Have I... been helpful to you, so far...?"] she finally asked.

Subaru held back a scoff, ["You're giving me a chance to stand on my own two feet. You're not just helpful, you've practically been a miracle!"]

Satella bit her lips, ["That's —"]

["You've seriously helped me a lot today! Sure, there might've been that hiccup with Rom and Felt, but that's one step back compared to the three huge steps we did today!"] Subaru reasoned.

Beating up goons, locking up Elsa, and looking like a badass in front of Emilia... That's a triple whammy he wouldn't want to trade anything else for!

["...I'm just scared..."] Satella confessed, surprising Subaru. He stopped petting her hair.

["Scared? Of what?"] Subaru genuinely asked. Satella looked at him.

["Scared of you regretting this contract we've made."] Her hand clutched his shirt, ["Seeing everything... doing so much with you, I..."]

Subaru kept quiet, as she started to cry...

["I don't want... this feeling to ever fade away..."] Even through their link, her voice cracked, ["Being by your side... it gives me so much warmth...!"]

["...Hey."] Subaru brushed aside the hair in front of her face, getting her attention,

["So long as we keep working together, and communicate when things get tough,"] Subaru gave her a cheeky smile, ["I don't see what we have going anywhere, anytime soon!"] he exclaimed, proudly.

Smiling softly, she nodded, ["Communicate, huh?"] she repeated his words, and her smile went away.

["Then, I want to talk about something with you. Before we reach the mansion."] Satella spoke, and Subaru caught how serious it was.

["Well, nothing's happening any time soon..."] Looking outside, Subaru knew it was going to be a while before they got to their destination. He looked back at Satella,

["What's on your mind?"] He opened up his ears — despite the conversation taking place in their heads.

Satella took a moment of silence. Then, she talked.

["While I was possessing Elsa,"] She began, and Subaru listened —

["My 'other' me slipped through..."] her eyes traced up to Subaru's, watching his reaction, ["I think you met her, even only for a second."]

Subaru, hearing the Witch confess to such a thing happening, immediately knew the time she was talking about.

"Say you're mine... One more time...!" — The 'other' Satella sounded possessive, and it craved Subaru. It was definitely different from the Satella he's talking with now.

["Yeah, I did."] Subaru nodded, and felt Satella stiffen, ["I don't suppose you know the reason why, do you?"]

["I..."] she sighed, ["I felt my emotions get ahead of me, especially when you called yourself... The Sin Arcbishop of Envy."]

["Even if it was just showboating, to make Felt and Rom scared? I'm certainly not going to parade that title everywhere I go!"] Subaru tried to explain his viewpoint. Satella shook her head.

["Even so, just hearing you say that..."] she gave a small smile, ["It felt like... I won your respect. So much that you call yourself my Champion, in a way..."]

["I think... I understand."] Subaru scratched his cheek, ["So I should try to avoid calling myself that, in order to keep your 'other' self at bay?"]

["What? No! — I mean,"] Satella shook her head, ["When it's necessary, please don't stop calling yourself my Champion! That'll cause me more strife than it would help!"]

And Subaru was back at square one, ["Then, what caused you to turn into the 'other' you?"] Subaru decided to be blunt with his question.

["It's my emotions."] she admitted, ["If I suddenly get too excited, or too sad, I slip past the point of no return... If that happens, I don't have any control over what I do..."]

Subaru tensed up, as Satella slammed her head on his chest, gently,

["That's why, Subaru-kun, I'm asking... no, begging you...!"] She looks up to him, with pleading eyes, ["No matter what happens... don't leave me alone...!"]

["Leave you alone?"] He repeats. Satella looks back to his chest,

["When I'm with you, I feel like I can keep a level-headed mind, easy."] she clutches his shirt harder, ["But... if you get mad at me, or worse... refuse to talk to me, I... I don't know if I can take it...!"]

She looks up to him, once more. Her violet eyes swirling with emotion,

["Subaru-kun, I love you so much... that it hurts...!"] she whispers, quietly, ever so quietly.

Subaru, hearing her pain, decides to move.

[...!?] Satella felt her hero wrap his arms around her, tight.

["One day, Satella-tan..."] Subaru begins, and she listens, ["I'm going to figure out these feelings I have for you. If it really is love, then I can only hope to return the same affection you have for me."]

["...Subaru-kun..."] Her arms work their way around him, to return the hug.

["I know, you want me to say those words back to you. I can only imagine how happy you'd be... but..."] He shakes his head, ["If I were to say them now, I wouldn't be serious about them. Not until I figure myself out."]

["So, Satella-tan... Work with me, and keep yourself under control, until I understand what you mean to me."] Pulling back from the hug, Subaru met Satella with a gentle smile, ["If you can do that, then I promise you: Whenever that day comes, I will let you know."]

Seeing her beloved approach her with this resolve, rather than run away, was enough to give the Witch the confidence she needed to burn away her fear.

["Okay... I'll wait...!"] Satella rubbed her tears away, and met Subaru with the same smile,

["No matter how long it takes, I'll wait for you, my Beloved!"]







Subaru awoke to the carriage coming to a stop. Feeling Satella lay on his shoulder, he lightly shook her awake, "Hey. We're here."

Subaru's voice woke both Satella, and Emilia up. The latter rubbing her eyes,

"Ahh... I'm sorry, I didn't keep you company on the way home... I was just really tired..." Emilia apologizes. Subaru gives her a thumbs up.

"Not a problem, Emilia-tan! I enjoyed seeing your sleeping face so much, that it soothed me to sleep, too!" Subaru exclaims, making Emilia bashful.

"Ah... for some reason, I feel a little embarrassed..." She giggles. Ram opens the door to their carriage.

"Do not worry, Emilia-sama. I made sure to keep Barusu and his lustful urges at bay." Ram spoke like it was matter-of-fact. Emilia woke up to this.

"Huh? 'Lustful urges?'" she asked, looking at Subaru. He flinched.

"She's lying through her teeth!" Subaru defended himself, giving a soft glare to Ram, "Honestly, between you and Puck, I don't know who's worse at cutting my bravado!"

"Heh." Ram gives a short 'kek', "'Bravado', he says." she mocks him.

Subaru's eye twitches, until he sighs, "Is my pride nothing but a chewtoy to you...?" he asks rhetorically, before stepping out of the carriage.

Turning around, he wordlessly offers a hand to Emilia, who smiles and takes it while stepping off the vehicle herself, "Thanks, Subaru..."

"Of course." he replies, but stays still. Soon after, Satella uses his shoulder as a handrail, stepping onto the dirt. Subaru scratches his cheek,

["Only giving a shoulder doesn't feel nearly as chivalrous, but I'm hoping you understand, Satella-tan."] he comments in his head. Satella gives her own gentle smile.

["I know, Subaru-kun. Thanks for being my pillar of support."] she giggles.

["Something like that's a bit...!"] Subaru responds in surprise, before shaking his head, ["No, I'm overreacting. You're welcome, Satella-tan."]

Appreciating the gesture, Satella feeds her fingers through his hand, and holds it —



"Nee-sama, Nee-sama," A voice.



Subaru takes a moment to hear it.

And in a few moments, he recognizes it... his heart picks up speed.

"Welcome back home! Are you and Emilia-sama in good health?" Her voice was gentle. Warm.

Clenching his fists — which one happens to hold Satella's hand, she notices his reaction.

Smiling, Satella gives him a reassuring squeeze. Once more for good measure.

Subaru takes a deep breath.

He looks up, and sees a maid with blue hair.



Rem.







It was Rem. She was awake. Talking. Smiling.

Compared to the Rem he left behind; this was...!

"...gkk..." Subaru lets out a noise. Quiet, and subdued, a noise nonetheless.

"Rem, Rem," Ram gives her response, in a similar tone, "Thanks to your prayers, our travel was immaculate. Truly, we are blessed to have you by our side."

"Rem is glad!" Rem beams a smile at her sister, before glancing at Emilia, "Rem is grateful that the both of you came back un... hurt...?"

Rem looks at Subaru. Subaru can't meet her in the eyes.

Regardless, she approaches him

"Rem apologizes. Rem didn't know she was expecting another guest." She speaks sweetly, although her tone seemed a bit forced.

Stopping a little ways away from Subaru, she holds her dress and bends her knees; A curtsy.

"My name is Rem. May I know your name, Guest-Sama?" she asks, before ending her bow.

Subaru takes a deep breath, then beams a bright smile.

"Natsuki Subaru!" he exclaims, with his usual bold fervor, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Rem!"

A moment of silence, after he says this, until —

"You're crying?" Rem immediately says this, after he finishes his greet, snapping Subaru into attention. She cocks her head, in genuine confusion, "Is... everything okay?"

"Subaru?" Emilia, hearing Rem, looks at him with concern.

"...Ah... This, is..." Subaru, touching his cheek with a free hand, decides to look at Satella for answers.

Satella, who has never broken her gaze from him, is quick to pick up on this.

"Clearly, Barusu has been overwhelmed by my dear sister's beauty. It has sent him to tears." Ram speaks a little-ways away from them, already making her way inside the mansion.

["'You remind me of someone I was very close to.'"] Satella offered her two cents. Subaru looks shocked.

["Is saying that really okay...?"] Subaru asks. Satella nods, giving his hand another firm squeeze.

Subaru, smiling, wipes the tears from his eyes, before looking at Rem.

"You remind me of someone I knew." Subaru spoke with a genuine tone, "Someone who was very dear to me..."

"Ah..." Rem holds a hand over her mouth, and looks at Subaru with a guilty look, "Rem is sorry her face has brought you uncomfortable memories. Perhaps Rem should stay away from Subaru-sama, just to make sure —"

"Please don't! Something like that isn't necessary!" Subaru quickly shut down the 'offer' she made, "I was just shocked, that's all! Guess I'm a little more tired than I thought!" Subaru finishes this sentence while scratching his head.

"Perhaps... we should talk more tomorrow?" Emilia, after a short pause, makes her suggestion, turning to Rem, "Rem, could you escort Subaru to the Guest Room? I'll be introducing him to Roswaal in the morning."

"Understood. Rem would be more than happy to lead Subaru-sama to his room." She nods, before turning to Subaru, "If you could please follow me, Subaru-sama."

"Of course." Subaru passes a glance at Emilia, and smiles, "Sweet dreams, Emilia-tan."

"Y-You, too!" Emilia replies, a gentle blush on her face from getting the kind gesture.

With those parting words, Subaru is lead inside the Roswaal mansion, one he already knew from the inside out.

His hands were still intertwined with Satella, who was following behind him, her presence giving Subaru emotional support.







"Behind this door will be your room, Subaru-sama." Rem motions to a mahogany door, opening it for Subaru and Satella to see,

"You should find everything to accommodate your needs inside, but if anything isn't to your liking, please let me or Nee-sama know tomorrow."

"Thank you, Rem." Subaru nods to the maid, who was still giving him a surreal feeling. To think, not even a day ago this girl was completely comatose.

"If you don't need anything, then..." she bows her head, "'Sweet dreams', Subaru-sama."

She only did it to mimic him, and what he said to Emilia. He knew this.

...But, with such a sweet tone, it caught him off guard. Knocked his breath away.

Smiling to herself, Rem stepped away from the boy, and turned his back on him.

Subaru watched Rem retreat from his sight, his lips parted. He didn't stop looking, until Rem disappeared around the corner.

Satella watched her beloved's behavior, and sighed.

["You really do love her, don't you."] she says this, calmly. Keeping her emotions in check. Subaru hears this, and knocks himself out of his trance.

["I do."] He replies, immediately. He looks at her with a guilty expression, ["Even after I told her, 'I love Emilia', she still managed to fight and claw her way in me..."]

Subaru grits his teeth, a surge of emotions running through, ["To the point where I can't imagine a world without her...!"]

Satella, feeling her beloved's sudden burst of feeling, pulls him into their room, ["Close the door."]

Subaru, following her request, closes the door with a soft *click!*

His heart was drowning in emotion, ["I never thought... I'd see her awake so soon..."]

["Even if she doesn't recognize me, seeing her alive and well, it...!"] Subaru's eyes watered, but he felt his head being moved —

Right into Satella's bosom.

["There, there..."] she whispers sweet nothings into his head, as his muscles turn into string, ["Let me know what you're feeling, my beloved..."]

["It... Ah... Ahaha..."] She clung onto her dress, ["It's just... I'm so happy, I can't hardly believe it...!"]

["Mmhm?"] She urges him to continue, as she felt him shake.

["Rem's okay... Rem's alive..."] He repeats. Then, for a moment, his shaking stops.

["It's thanks to you, that I can see Rem smiling again."] He speaks with a gentle tone, and Satella found herself getting all riled up, instead.

["Eh? Uhm..."] Satella looks away, easing her heart.

["Satella-tan... Thank you so, so much..."] Satella heard her beloved say those words in earnest, and found herself burning in happiness.

["A... Anything for you, my Beloved..."] she replies, a bit sheepishly.

Still, a sense of déjà vu comes forward, as he remembers the last time he thanked her like this; Back in the alley, after he fought off the thugs.

["It's nice you're happy, but I doubt you're the 'I could kiss you!' kind of happy."] she challenges Subaru, before laughing immediately after, ["Of course, I'm kidding. I never expected anything like that to come so soon, after all!"]

[...] Subaru was quiet, making Satella uncomfortable. She then started to feel guilty, knowing their conversation they had about confirming his feelings —

["...I'm sorry..."] She thought, ashamed.

["No, you're absolutely right."] Subaru started to move, and before Satella could react! —

"Mmm...!?"







Subaru leans forward, and kisses Satella.

Satella's eyes were wide. Surprised. Her whole body locked up.

However, Subaru pushes forward, electing a much brighter sensation within Satella.

Slowly, she eased in, her eyes going half-lidded, with tears slowly welling up within them, "...Mmn...!"

Excitement. Bright, warm, heart-stopping, toe-curling excitement kept running through Satella, as her beloved, her one and only, kept kissing her.

It was a sensation she had missed since 400 years ago...!

And like all good things, it had to come to an end, as Subaru pulled away to breathe.

"...Noo..." Satella mewled, not bothering with the mental link, "...Don't stop..."

["Are you sure you're not Gluttony?"] Subaru joked, his own heart racing at kissing such an attractive girl, before sighing,

["That was my 'Thank You', for giving me the chance to make everything right. I really am grateful to you, Satella-tan."] Subaru shows his gratitude, as Satella comes own from her high.

["...I don't understand..."] Satella looks away, ["You say you need time to figure out your feelings, yet you thank me by k... kissing me..."] She flushes up at the end, feeling butterflies.

["Just... think of it like the princess kissing the knight who saved her. Except clearly reverse, of course."] Subaru laughed a bit, earning a giggle from the Witch.

Satella held out her arms, towards him, ["Then... maybe this princess wants another kiss, for a job well done?"] She pushes her luck.

Subaru sweats a bit. He sighs, once more.

["Gluttony, one hundred percent."] he mumbles, before leaning in once more, catering to the eager Witch.

"Yay~... Ahh—mnn..."

For the rest of the night, there was nothing else going through Subaru head.

The Witch's Trials were a thing of the past. Elsa wasn't a problem anymore.

There were no giant whales or man-eating rabbits to look out for.

No Royal Selection to prepare for, or Witch Cultists to defend against.

Rem was okay. Emilia was okay. Everyone was alive.

No. Nothing could stress Subaru out tonight.

Nothing was on his mind, except making the girl beneath him as happy as possible.

Natsuki Subaru was back at Zero... and this time, he was going to make sure he does everything right!







And that wraps up Arc One. It's not often that I get to be fluffy as hell, but I figured I spend the fluff budget now, to counteract the next few chapters coming up.

Being subtle is not my forte.

I really appreciate you reading this chapter. I'm making the next one as we speak, so hopefully you stay tuned for the next chapter. Until then, have a good one!