*Knock Knock*

"Subaru?"

Subaru's melancholy was interrupted by Emilia, walking into the room with a concerned look,

"Is everything alright? I heard from Ram and Rem, you weren't doing so good..."

"Emilia..." Subaru lifts his hand off his face, trying to mock up a convincing smile, "It's nothing. Just a bad dream I had... S-sorry for worrying you."

Hearing him choke up, Emilia narrows her eyebrows,

"Please don't be coy with me, I can tell something's wrong." she speaks softly yet firmly.

Subaru shakes his head, chuckling a bit to save face,

"Really, you shouldn't fuss over this. You've got plenty on your plate, too —"

Before Subaru could continue saying any more, she marches forward and sits on his bed,

"The only thing I need to do today is to report to Roswaal when he returns. That means I have plenty of time to give you a hand, as you've given yours helping me."

As Emilia explains her reason for helping him, Subaru could only watch Emilia, seeing her eyes shine with genuine worry. The boy is only reminded of why he fell in love with her in the first place,

Making excuses for her concern, just so he didn't feel bad. It was just like when she saved him from the thugs, in his very first life...

"Alright, got it," Subaru sighs, earning the attention of the half-elf, as he looks at Emilia with an apologetic look,

"What I'm about to ask is very selfish, so please don't look at it the wrong way. However, I know it's something only you can do..."

"'Selfish'? Uhm..." A flash of worry came over Emilia's features, but she shook it off right away, "No, nevermind. What do you need me to do, Subaru?"

"Emilia..." Subaru's look was intense, showing how serious he was...

"Please tell Rem... to avoid getting close to me, as much as possible—Just for a few days!"

"...Huh?" Emilia blinks. Subaru continues,

"Remember what I said last night? How she reminds me of someone very close to me?" he asks. Emilia, remembering how he reacted to seeing Rem the first time, nods.

Subaru looks away, "I ended up having a dream of that very same person again. It wasn't pleasant, not even in the slightest."

Just remembering Rem, in her cathartic state before he went back to Zero, was enough to make a face of deep regret. Seeing this, Emilia had no reason not to believe him.

Even so, this was a ridiculous request!

"Subaru, Rem is a very nice person! I'm sure if you just talk to her, both of you can work something out —"

"Please, Emilia." Subaru presses further, cutting the half-elf short, "I know... I know what I'm asking is a bit much, but..."

"This is something I really can't confront her about. Even if it's only for a few days, I need your help." Subaru bows, which wasn't much given he was still on his bed, but the effort still counts.

Emilia, hearing this person who so selflessly helped her out yesterday, asking her for help, could only give a sad smile and nod.

"Fine... If it's only for a few days, I'm sure Rem'll understand. — Aaah!?"

Emilia is cut off when Subaru suddenly pulls her into a hug, much to her surprise. Unfamiliar with the act, she stiffens up —

"Thank you, Emilia-tan!" —Hearing the boy's honest words, she relaxes into the hug, feeling a little bubbly from the affection.

"Roundhouse Kick!" Puck's voice suddenly cuts forward, and his tiny leg jabs Subaru in the eye! —

"Ahh!? — Ow ow ow ow!" He pulls out from the hug, holding his attacked area, "Puck, what's the big idea!?"

"That's what I should be asking you! Getting all close to my daughter like that!" Puck glares at the boy, as Emilia laughs a bit.

"Puck, it's fine. He's just showing his appreciation, that's all." Emilia assures the spirit, and he huffs and looks away. Emilia looks at Subaru, "Are you feeling better now, Subaru?"

"Better? I'm feeling like I'm at 110%! —" Jumping out of bed, he pumps his fist into his chest... before rubbing his eye once more, "—Er, 105%. Geez, Puck, for such a small figure, you know where to land a crit."

"Not sure what you mean by 'crit', but take it as a warning not to get so comfortable with 'Lia!" Raising his paw in a threatening way, Puck made sure Subaru got the message! —

"Puck, I said it's fine!" Emilia, exasperated, tries to calm her father figure.







"Please let me stay in your mansion for free!" Subaru exclaims, his eyes closed shut. Roswaal perks up.

"Goodness, you're asking for qui~ite the favor, aren't you?" Roswaal says this, but doesn't break his smile,

"Very well, I am a man of my word. As of today, you a~are considered a permanent resident of the Roswaal Mansion. Please enjoy your stay!"

"Thank you very much!" While standing, he bows to show his appreciation, before sitting down to continue eating his food.

It was a step backward, Subaru wasn't denying it, but he figured he didn't have much of a choice. If he went and asked to work here, he'd run into Rem on several occasions.

However, with his newfound free time, he had plenty of it to prepare for the situations coming ahead:

He wasn't going to let Rem die from the curse, and by the time they fought against the Mabeast invasion, he was certain to gain their trust by fighting alongside Rem and Ram.

After that, then he would ask to be employed by Roswaal once more, and hopefully make everything right again!

It wasn't a plan without flaws, Subaru knew this, but he couldn't be near Rem right now. Anything before the invasion would make Rem consider him a threat.

Watching Roswaal and Emilia talk about the Royal Candidacy, he takes a sip of the soup in front of him...

...And wonders why it doesn't taste nearly as good as before.







"So, gunning for the freeloader lifestyle, huh?" Puck begins a conversation with Subaru, and his comment makes the boy bristle up.

"Hey, it's only for a while! If your attitude is because of me hugging Emilia-tan, I'm not apologizing!" Subaru retorts back, glaring at the spirit.

"Hmph. Not that it'd do much good anyway, you'd need a hundred 'Sorry's for me to consider forgiving you." Puck defended his own front, but Subaru ignores the cat to continue his own agenda.

Subaru's next mission was to find Beatrice, and ask her a question that was burning in the back of his head: Could the Witch's Scent be supressed, somehow.

If there was a way to snuff out the Scent, Subaru could have more time to talk to Rem, and hopefully gain her trust somehow...!

The spirit watches Subaru bounce from door to door, holding each handle, and... talk to himself?

"...Nah, too warm... Oh!" Subaru suddenly perks up, before grinning!

"Just right!" Subaru grabs the door handle, and opens it wide open! —

Behind the door reveals the forbidden library to him and Puck.

"...Wow." Puck blinks at the boy, "If I wasn't so annoyed with you, I'd call that impressive."

"Oh, spare me, you damn helicopter-parent." Subaru mutters under his breath, as he walks inside the room, looking for its Guardian.

"Hnng...!" He doesn't walk too far, noticing the Loli-Spirit trying to reach for a book outside her grasp, "I just... had it...!"

Subaru doesn't really think about it. He walks towards her and grabs the book for her, "Need a hand?"

"Hmph. It would've fallen into my hands either way —" Beatrice notices the elephant in the room, "—When did you get in the library, I wonder!?"

"That's a Subaru-Secret! Trademark, trademark." Subaru says the last sentence under his breath, before smiling, "I want to talk to you! Got a sec?"

"How unreasonable, I suppose! As if I have nothing better than to help—" Beatrice then notices his partner, floating next to Subaru, "Bubby!"

"Hey there, Betty." The cat waves at her, with affection in his voice, and floats downward to be groomed by the other spirit.

"You're as soft as always~!" Beatrice cuddles the neko, before passing a glance at Subaru, "As you can see, I'm pressed with more important matters."

"Hey! I practically brought Puck in here, doesn't that deserve some merit!?" Subaru cried out.

"What're you talking about? I came with you on my own." Puck says this like its fact, as his cheek is pressed next to Beatrice's.

Subaru glares at the cat who was keeping an eye on Subaru for what happened this morning, and makes a grin.

"Fine. Maybe I should go and visit Emilia? —"

Puck's reaction was instantaneous, as he breaks off of Beatrice with a certain vigor in his eyes —

"Oh no you don't! I got my eye... on... you..." Puck trails off as Subaru gives him a cocky 'I told you so.' look.

"Bubby~!" Beatrice cries out rather cutely, reaching for the spirit, "Don't leave me~!"

"Ack! — I wasn't —" Hearing Subaru snicker, Puck gives him the stink eye, "I hope you know you're playing dirty with the wrong spirit..."

"Alright, alright." Subaru calms down and smiles, "If she answers my question, I promise not to run to Emilia-tan while you two play."

"..." Puck reads Subaru for any sort of deceit, but once more, finds nothing. He sighs, then looks to Beatrice.

"Sorry Betty... Think you can play along and answer his request?" Beatrice simply glows, with a blush.

"Anything for you, Betty~!" Giving the cat a nuzzle, she looks over to Subaru —

"What d'you what to know, I wonder?" Beatrice's tone turns 180°, surprising Subaru.

"Talk about having a split-personali..." Subaru trails off, reminding himself of a girl with a similar trait, and he shakes his head,

"N-nevermind." Subaru scratches his cheek, suddenly nervous, "...Actually, Puck, Could I ask Beatrice this question in private?"

"Huh?" Puck blinks at Subaru, confused.

Beatrice huffs and turns away, answering for her companion, "Absolutely not, I suppose! I'm only answering your stupid question because Bubby requested it!"

"I mean, it's not that big of a deal if I listen, is it Subaru?" Puck drops all the playful aggression he had before, and asks him seriously, a bit curious himself.

A bead of sweat appears on Subaru's forehead, as his lips thinned.

Maybe he shouldn't ask, after all...?

...No. It's worth it to take the risk, even if it could cost him his life.

His life was already on jeopardy with Rem, might as well double-down.

"I guess not." Subaru sighs. He focuses on Beatrice, and asks this question in the most neutral-tone possible:

"Beako, is it possible to get rid of the Witch's Scent, even for only a moment." He delivers the question.

Almost at the same time, Beatrice and Puck's eyes narrow. Given how serious anything regarding the Witch of Envy is, they had a reason to be on guard.

"The Witch's Scent... huh..." Beatrice muses to herself, as she releases Puck. Puck keeps an eye on Subaru as Beatrice shifts under the step-ladder she uses as a stool.

"You do understand what the Witch's Scent implies, if a person has it, right?" Puck asks him a question, as his look gets intense, "Why would you be asking on a way to hide it?"

"Probably because he reeks of it, I suppose." Beatrice rings out, still looking for something in her ladder. Puck's eyes narrow.

"...Is that right...?" He speaks quietly. Subaru could feel the air get more and more tense, as Puck glares daggers.

"Subaru, I'm only giving you a forewarning, since you've done me and 'Lia a favor getting her Insignia back..." he starts to radiate mana, and the room's temperature gets a few degrees colder,

"If you answer any of our questions wrong... I will personally eliminate you for Emilia's safety."

Subaru, hearing Puck's tone... is only reminded the countless times Puck has taken his life for a mistake he has made.

Down in the deep end, he once again started to regret asking for help —



("Live... for... Me...")

( "I hate you!" )



But he musters the courage, saving face so he could fight to see his Rem someday.

"What do you want to know?" Subaru looks at Puck, unafraid of what he could do to him.

"Hup." Ways away, Beatrice makes a noise as she picks up a certain book. With a black cover and familiar trim, Subaru was quick to recognize the item —

"Subaru," Puck begins, glancing at the book himself, asks his first question, "Do you know what this is?"

"...Yeah." Subaru nods, with a careful tone, "It's a Gospel, right?"

Now that she brings it up, Subaru also had his own questions regarding why Beatrice possessed a Gospel. —





( "Yes, I suppose!" )

— It's something only Witch Cultists have, isn't it? —

( Everything I do is in accordance with the Gospel's guidance, I suppose! )

— The thing that tells Beatrice everything she needs to do... right?

( Everything I've done, everything I've seen, everything I've said — Everything is written in this book! )





Remembering some lost memories, of him fighting with Beatrice, only for Elsa to come and kill him...!

Subaru couldn't help but clench his fists.

"That's correct." Puck nods, but his look doesn't get any less tense, "Now Subaru, do you have a Gospel?"

"...?" Subaru snaps out of it to hear Puck's question, before shaking his head, "I do not. I don't own a Gospel, nor do I ever plan on using one."

"Fair enough answer. Question three," Puck's eyes narrow —

"Are you affiliated with the Witch Cult?" Puck lets the question linger in the room.

Subaru's teeth tighten.





( "You have no say in this matter..." "...You damn Witch Cultist...!" )





Rem's words echo in his head. His knuckles whiten.







"...I have nothing to do with those bastards..." Subaru hisses out, as tears threaten to leave his eyes,

"Time and time, again, I am accused of being something I absolutely hate... Those people have caused me so much pain, too..." his words get choked up, as he remembers the crimes the Witch Cult caused.

"...They're monsters." Puck answers Subaru's strife, as he looks up, "Each and every one of them, rotten to the core. For 'Lia's sake, they all should disappear."

"...Then, does that mean..." Subaru looks up to Puck, hopeful for gaining his trust —

"One last question." Puck's words were gentle. Beatrice held to her own Gospel tightly.

"You're not afflicted with the Witch Cult, but the miasma is strong on you," Puck begins,

"The only other reason for that would be you making a contract with a Witch."

Subaru's lips thin. Puck was a very, very keen spirit it seemed.

"This isn't a yes or no question. You are linked to a Witch in some sort of way." Puck speaks with a strict tone, "So my final question to you is: Which Witch did you make a contract with?"

Subaru looks down. He had to answer Puck. Even if it means admitting to being contracted to Satella, the Witch of Envy.

Would they take it well? Probably not, right? Should he just brace himself for death?

Still, he didn't want to lie.

( "When it's necessary, please don't stop calling yourself my Champion! That'll cause me more strife than it would help!" )

Satella asked him not to lie about a question like this. Being Envy's 'Champion' was a sin in-and-of itself, but representing the Witch that gave him a second chance was the least he could do.

Oh well. If this doesn't work, Game Over.

Subaru takes a breath and says the name in his head:

"G͖̩r̜eed͖̦̼.͙̻" He speaks the honest truth —

Huh!?

"Subaru..." Puck's eyes grow dangerous, as the room gets colder,

"I'm only going to give you one more chance to answer me."

What? He could've sworn he was preparing to say 'Envy!' Why did that —

Wait... Why can't he move!?

"I̹̲̫̜̫ͅ'̖̯̪͇̻̗v͈͚̲̼e͓̜̠̠ͅ ̫̲̦̞̺already told you̞̘̫ͅ.̗̣͍͉̥ G̪̖ṟe̝̝e͈̪͖̻d̜̻̝.͉̬ The Witch of Greed, E͎̻̼̹c̬͉̲͇͇h̳̤͈̥i͍͚̖̥̤̙̗d̞̱o͔͙̭̟̪͎̗n̮̮̲̤̥͖a̩̝̱.̯̪" Subaru speaks, and grins afterwards.

Subaru then realizes he wasn't in control of his body!

["Subaru-kun."] A voice he never expected to hear so soon, came up. It was Satella.

["Sorry for controlling you like this, but please, don't say anything after I release you."]

["Satella, what's going on!? Why did you control me and lie to him!? He's going to kill me!"] Subaru feels the reins of control once more, and faces Puck as he glares death at Subaru.

"You're lying. You can't be Dona's contracted; you don't own her Gospel. You only ended up contradicting what you said!" Puck raises an arm, and ice picks float around him.

["If you said 'Envy' Puck would've killed you on the spot. He would take that answer as a threat against Emilia."]

Next to Subaru, Satella appeared, dressed in heavy darkness and a black robe. Subaru felt himself ease up, as Satella passed him a smile.

["With my answer,"] Satella speaks, and Subaru passes a glance to her, ["At least you have a chance of living."]

"I've given you a warning, Subaru. I'm only acting on Emilia's behalf —" Beatrice jumps and yells at Puck.

"Bubby, not in here, I suppose! I can't handle the sight of you ki... h-hurting him!" Beatrice insists on the spirit, giving Subaru and Satella some extra time.

["I don't know what you're seeing, Satella, but he's dead-set on taking me out!"] He bites his lip to handle the tension in the room.

Satella lifts her hand, giving a sad smile, ["I'm sorry in advance, Dona."]

["Huh?"] Subaru hears Satella say this, and watches the Witch with interest.

Her eyes get serious, and she opens her mouth to speak! —

["Authority of Envy!"] Her voice booms, only heard by Subaru, ["Overzealous Thief!"]

Shining a white-magenta, her mana is seen radiating from Satella, something that catches Subaru's attention —

He watches a trail of mana fly from her, akin to the trail she made when she did her contract with Subaru, and follows it —

*Shiiiii...*

— Fly Towards Beatrice's Gospel, releasing a hiss as it makes contact.

"That's exactly why you can't take him out, in fact! This is the Forbidden Library! It's sacred!" Beatrice exclaims, making the cat reel back.

While the Gospel itself doesn't change, and Beatrice and Puck continue fighting each other over Subaru's fate, Satella remains stationary, her arm outstretched.

["...Satella?"] He whispers, unsure of what happened.

["This Gospel... hasn't been used for four hundred years..."] Satella's smile disappears, as her eyes grow depressed, ["Did Dona just... forget about this girl? That isn't like her..."]

["Wha... How do you know!?"] Subaru blinks in surprise, shocked at the information, ["Satella, that Authority you just did — What did you do!? —"]

["Subaru-kun, please!"] Satella gives him a pleading look, ["I promise to answer you someday... But right now... you're still afraid of me!"]

Subaru reels back a little, before looking at his hands —

They were indeed shaking again.

His eyebrows furrow in frustration. Even Puck cooling the room down didn't make him shake... this is...

["I'm not sure how Beako will react to this, Subaru-kun."] Satella tells her Beloved ahead of time, ["But I know, after this, they won't want to kill you anymore."]

["After... what?"] Subaru, confused out of his mind, watches Satella radiate mana again, only for a short bit —

Beatrice's body stiffens when she feels a surge of mana, coming from the Gospel.

After not receiving anything from the Gospel for centuries, feeling even the slightest shift of mana was easy for her to recognize.

At first, she thought she imagined it. But with baited breath, she opens the book, flipping the pages...

Settles on the last-known passage in the book —

Or rather, the second-to-last passage! ? !

"...Mother!?" Beatrice's voice was a sharp gasp, catching both Puck and Subaru's attention, "Mother! It's Mother, I suppose! She speaks to me, in fact! Mother!"

Beatrice reads the passage with tears in her eyes, reading and re-reading it, over and over again. Puck floats near her, genuinely surprised at this development.

"Dona is... using your Gospel...?" Puck watches the other spirit desperately reading the passage, and his eyes grow remorseful,

"After all these years, she comes back to us... What does she —"

"...What is this, I suppose!?" Puck is interrupted by Beatrice's outcry.

"Betty?" Puck watches Beatrice bit her lip, tears flowing down her chin.

"I've waited... so long..." she whispers, her voice full of spite, "I've followed your order. I waited for 'Them!' I've waited, and waited, and waited for much too long... and you just...ghhkkk...!"

Puck, avoiding touching Beatrice, observes the book with his own eyes, knowing his affliction with the Witch of Greed allows him to do so...

"...This is...!" Puck's own eyes widen.







The original passage, given by Beatrice four-hundred years ago:

[Protect the Forbidden Library, until "They" come forward. Once "They" appear, relinquish the ownership of the Forbidden Library unto them, and your contract shall be complete.]

Below this passage, lies a new strand of text, freshly encased with mana and witch miasma.

[The Forbidden Library's will is hereby given to you, my precious Beatrice, for you to decide whom to relinquish it upon. With the absence of "They", it has fallen to a conclusion: "They" have not appeared, nor shall they ever come to be.

Your contract's terms have been amended: Protect Natsuki Subaru with your life, until he deems your service as satisfactory. Afterwards, your contract shall be complete. Further passages upon this Gospel will only serve as guidance towards this ultimate goal.

Be well, my precious Beatrice.]

"...Even leaving a footnote... maybe Dona's finally had a change of heart..." Puck smiles at the end, hoping his creator finally has gained some compassion, even if it wasn't for him.

Hearing her Bubby's comment, she looks at the passage one more time...

"...'Precious'..." Beatrice whispers the loving comment her creator left her, imagining her words even after so long.







"...Mother...!" Closing the book, she hugs it tightly, "...Mother... Mother...!" —And sings her creator's name, her heart filled with emotion.

"Subaru." Puck speaks, losing his aggressive tone, "...I suppose you weren't lying after all. What happened here is probably the upmost convincing proof I could ever get... Even if it's long-overdue on our end."

"That's... great, but..." Subaru was still confused, if not worried about the consequences of Satella's actions. Still, he continues,

"If you don't mind me asking, what does it say? The Gospel, I mean." Subaru walks to them with a careful pace, unsure if Puck is still hostile.

Floating beside him was Satella, who was awfully quiet.

"...Because you're contracted with Dona, I suppose we should show you. Betty, if you could be so kind..." Puck asks Beatrice gently for the Gospel.

Hearing the start of Puck's sentence, Subaru fights down a knot in his throat.

Blatantly lying to Puck is one thing. Him believing it is a whole 'nother level of anxiety.

"...Okay..." Beatrice, her voice barely a whisper, shakily gives Subaru the Gospel. Nodding, Subaru takes it and flips pages over.

It doesn't take far. By the fifth page, Subaru arrives with the last few passages that's gotten both spirits off guard.

"...Forbidden Library's will... 'They' have not appeared...?" Subaru blinks at the odd mention of a 'They,' but continues reading regardless,

"'Your contract's terms have been amended: Protect Natsuki Subaru with—!?" His head whips around to Satella, while Puck and Beatrice watch him curiously.

["Satella, why did you force her to protect me!?"] Subaru asks the Witch in earnest, ["Fighting Rem, the Mabeasts, and everything after that is my responsibility!"]

Subaru couldn't hold his emotions down. Ensnaring someone like Beatrice in his problems wasn't something he wanted!

Satella stiffens at her loved one's harsh words, but shakes it off.

["Yes. It is your goal to see through things, to the end."] Satella nods, her eyes closed —

But then she smiles, a lustrous smile, with eyes shining hope! —

["But that doesn't mean... you have to face everything alone."]

Subaru felt himself shrink, taking a moment to look at Satella.

...Why does he keep doubting her...?

Everything she does, it was always for him.

["Satella... you're just..."] Holding back his comment, he looks towards Beatrice with a slightly guilty look.

This was awful. Lying to the both of them for his own mission. The pit of dread forming in his gut sapped away any sort of pride he felt in front of these spirits.

...But he needed the help. There was no denying it: He absolutely needed their help.

There was no glory in him lying to these two. The Witch of Greed could be watching, and he wasn't sure if she could reach them somehow. If she could, Echidna would probably call him out on his bluff immediately.

He had to appeal to these two, right now, somehow.

The humility he left behind, not asking Reinhard for help back at the capital... he was going to use it here.

"Beako, I want you to know, I did not plan things to go this way." He hands her the book, which she carefully takes while looking at him,

"When I first met you, I only wanted us to be friends." His eyes get strained, "This whole 'contract' business is something completely out of my league...!"

"However...!" Subaru grits his teeth... before bowing, "Even if I could have just a little bit of your power, it would mean the world to me! There are still things in this world that I don't know if I can handle by myself!"





( "There. I lifted the curse. If it was helpful, shouldn't there be something you say to me, I suppose?" )

( "Ah, that's right!") —Subaru recalls the memory of spinning Beako, after she saves him from the curse that's plagued so many of his deaths —

( "You saved my life! I can finally see the light! I love you, Beako~!")

( "Put me down, I suppose!" )





Puck floats a few feet away, watching Subaru with a curious look. This was the first time he's seen Subaru act so... worried, for the future.

"I'm sorry if this is troublesome for you... but I need your help, and I promise to give you mine when you need it the most!"

Subaru's hands clenched, "Even when it get tough for us, I promise to look out for you whenever I can! I know you'd do the same for me!"





( "No!" )

— A darker memory, as Subaru tried to end a cycle by death, but was halted by Beatrice.

( "Why... are you... stopping me!?")

( "I won't let you, I suppose!" "I won't let you die here!" )





"So please...!" He holds out his hand, the memories of her supporting him flooding his voice with emotion,

"Please take care of me, Beatrice!"

His voice reverberates around the Forbidden Library, followed by an aching silence.

Puck's gaze goes from Subaru, to Beatrice as she starts shaking.

"...What is this feeling, I suppose...?" Beatrice's hands gently lift up to her chest, as her eyes get watery, "...I should be angry... I've spent my life holed up in this library, and waited for 'Them' for so long, in fact..."

Her eyes rest on the cover of the Gospel, relishing the mana that enwrote itself inside its pages. Proof that Mother is watching, once more.

"...But I'm..." Beatrice's smile was weak, as tears spilled from her eyes, "...So happy... It feels like my life has meaning again..."

Giving another curt hug to the Gospel, she puts it aside, and faces Subaru.

"...If Mother is counting on me... to protect this man..." she whispers, her fist clenching her outfit, before she hops off her stool and wipes her tears away, "It is my duty to see it through...!"

Beatrice stands up straight, with a serious look on her face.

"Natsuki Subaru." she speaks proudly, and walks up to him, "As of today, you and I are working together, under the guidance of the Witch of Greed, Echidna!"

She reaches to grab his hand with her own, smaller hand,

"If my reason of existence is to protect you with my life," Beatrice closes her eyes, making her declaration,

"...Then I shall do my upmost to carry out Mother's will."

"Beako...!" Subaru's eyes were shining, showing gratitude towards the spirit.

Beatrice held her own smile, reciprocating her own gratitude.

After four centuries, Beatrice was finally taking her next few steps towards the future.

She began thinking to herself —

'Even if you aren't "Them" ...'

— Remembering his knowing gaze, when they first met, like he had a plan for her as well —

'I just knew... I had a feeling you were going to be special, Natsuki Subaru...'







"I can't believe I forgot to ask her about the Witch's Scent!" Subaru started pulling on his hair, as him and Puck sat outside in the Garden of Roswaal's Manor.

After Beatrice's declaration, she asked both him and Puck to leave her to her thoughts. With Puck also being told to leave, Subaru knew it was important for her to have some time alone.

...But the whole point of him visiting Beatrice, was to get the answer for that question!

"Oh yeah, about that!" Puck heard Subaru's plight, and sat on his head, "The truth is: you can't get rid of the Scent. It's on you no matter what you do."

"..." Subaru glares upward, knowing his gaze can't reach the cat, and speaks, "Why didn't you just say that in the first place? You even threatened my life for this answer!"

"Don't get mad at me! I was making sure you were on our side!" Puck exclaims back, "Just be thankful Betty didn't let me turn you into an ice-shishkabob, and we'll call it even, okay!?"

"Even!? That's two wrongs against me! Two wrongs don't make a right, you damn furball! —"

"You two sure are friendly with each other, huh?" Subaru straightens up when he hears Emilia from ways away. Puck also mimics this action on top of his head.

"Emilia-tan! — Don't sneak up on me like that!" Subaru, nervous if she heard anything, holds a hand over his chest and lets out a sigh of relief.

"Your studies going okay, 'Lia?" Puck hops off Subaru's hair and floats to Emilia. She smiles.

"Yeah. It's tough, but I think I can manage." Emilia plays with her hair, before turning to Subaru as he gets up.

"You're studying about becoming Queen of Lugunica, right?" Subaru points a thumb at himself and grins,

"If you want, I can talk to you about my homeland! Our Government runs in a way that makes everyone equal... That's the kind of Queen you want to be, correct?"

Subaru throws the topic up in the air for conversation, hoping for Emilia to take the bait, just like before —

He watches her shake her head, "I'm sorry. I'm really interested, but... maybe it's a conersation for another day."

Subaru blinks, "Huh?"

It looks like this loop was breaking into another direction.

"Thing is, I've been meaning to talk to you about something important." Emilia smile fades, and she looks to Subaru with concern, "It's about Rem."

"...Oh." Subaru's anxiety flares up, and he sits back on the grass, "Well... What about Rem? Is something the matter?"

"Yes." Emilia's voice was strict, as she sat down with him, "I brought up your request to her. You know, you asking her to stay away, and all that..."

"She... didn't take it too well..." Emilia plays with her thumbs to avoid being nervous, "Subaru, she's pretty fragile when it comes to people. It took a while for her to open up to me, too..."

"Emilia..." Subaru's anxiety was replaced with guilt, as he knew himself how delicate Rem actually is. Maybe asking for this favor was way too much? —

"Look, all I'm saying is..." Emilia turns to him with a tense look, "If she comes to meet you in private, sometime today, you should tell her what's going on. I did all that I could."

Saying this, Emilia gets up and pats her dress, before smiling apologetically, "If you don't mind, I have to practice my spirit arts. Take this moment to go talk to Rem, okay?"

"I..." Subaru doesn't even get to speak, as Emilia walks away with Puck in tow. Puck himself passes a worried glance at Subaru, before opting to follow his contractor.

Subaru sighs, his back slouched. His eyes reflected the guilt he felt.

"...do I talk with her...?" Subaru whispers to himself, like a suggestion. —

Flashes of Rem looking at him with death in her eyes come in Subaru's head.

He immediately shakes it off, "...Of course not... If I do, she'll sniff me out right away..."

A pause, another idea.

"...Maybe if I tell her what happened with Beako and Puck...?"

His lips pursed into a frown, after suggesting the idea of lying about Echidna to her...

"Already lying to Puck and Beako is one thing... I can't lie to Rem... I don't want to..."

His fists tighten into a ball, as he stuffs his face into his arm.

["Satella..."] He thinks into his link, hoping she would hear, ["What should I do...?"]

["...I'm sorry."] Her voice was quiet, apologetic, yet it send a jolt down his spine, ["I'd love to go back and forth with you, about our next move..."]

["But... you know why I can't..."] Subaru looks at his balled-up fist, as she says this.

His hand started shaking once more.

Subaru's trauma from the 'other' Satella was embedded deep within him. It was like he was cursed.

His body starts to shake. Not from fear... but from frustration.

"God... Damn it!" Slamming his fist down into the soft grass, Subaru plummets deeper into uncertainty.







Taking the path of least resistance, Subaru decides to hole himself into his room. Not sure if he should trust in Beatrice's support on the first day, he decides this was the best course of action.

It's been forever, since he's run away from his problems like this. Maybe it's because so little was on the line, compared to before.

Or maybe... Has he gone complacent with what he's done so far?

Results were showing, he couldn't disagree with that. The sun was setting and he has only met Rem since this morning. She shouldn't be none-the-wiser about his Witch's Scent.

Surely, it would all be worth it, at the end of the day, right? If he can just survive tonight, then he'd be one small step closer to getting Rem's trust! —

*Knock, knock. * —Someone knocks on his door, catching his attention, but doesn't enter the room.

"...Who is it?" Subaru calls out, listening for a response.

"...It's Rem, Subaru-sama..."

His entire body stiffens up. He could feel his heart pick up pace.

What was Rem doing, knocking on his door? Was she coming to kill him? Did he already mess up?

"Wh—aht —" Subaru chokes a little, hearing his voice crack, and clears his throat, "What is it, Rem?"

"It's about what Emilia-sama said..." her voice was reserved. She didn't sound angry...

Rather, she sounds... depressed?

"If Rem has... upset you somehow, Subaru-sama, please..." She takes a pause,

"Please let Rem know!" she exclaims. It surprises Subaru.

"Huh...?" Subaru whispers to himself, and turns over to face the door.

"Rem has never... been the kind of person to handle other people..." behind the door, Rem's voice gets strained, as she echoes what Emilia said earlier —

"Rem believes Nee-sama has been the better person at that... She's brought Rem here and convinced Roswaal-sama to work here, after all!"

Subaru's forehead combs itself in confusion, as he considers her words, 'Why is she saying all this...?'

"...So that's why, Subaru-sama... please...!" He snaps out of his trance, hearing Rem: Her voice was getting more and more rough! —

"Please...! Please don't hate Rem...!"

His thoughts come to a crashing halt. His plans for tomorrow dissipate. His fears and doubts fade.

"Rem will do whatever it takes for Subaru-sama to like Rem again!" Her voice pleaded Subaru to listen, and Subaru listened,

"Rem will work twice as hard so Subaru-sama doesn't feel disappointed in Rem! Rem will make the best food for Subaru-sama to enjoy, and avoid giving Subaru-sama the food he hates!"

"...That's not..." Subaru's voice was cracked, as his soul started to burn in guilt.

"Rem will clean the rooms better so Subaru-sama will enjoy the atmosphere! Rem will tend to the Gardens better so Subaru-sama can enjoy the outside and its beauty!"

"...Rem, stop... That's not it..." Subaru was more vocal, loud enough for Rem to hear —







"Then what is it, Subaru-sama!" Rem exclaims, shocking Subaru, "What sin did Rem commit, for you to confide in Emilia-sama!? Please, answer Rem!"

"...ghhk..." Subaru hisses through his teeth, regretting his answer. He was sure that Rem was —

"...*hic* ..." Subaru catches the small noise. He looks back toward the door.

...Rem was... crying...

"Hey... Subaru-sama... may Rem enter your room, to show you her true self...?"

A small sniffle, and a hiccup. But she continues.

"Rem's... not that scary... Rem promises..." she whispers, and Subaru starts shaking.

Why...?

"Rem doesn't want you to be sad anymore..." Rem's voice cracks.

Why...!?

"Rem will always take care of you. Even when you're tired or sick, Rem will be there to support you."

But this is only my first day here...! Why would you go so far...!? —

Ah...

A memory appears in his head. One he could faintly recall, as he was not conscious at the time.

He was having nightmares. A result of his bad loops when he first came in the mansion.

He remembers that it was Rem and Ram, holding his hands as he chased those nightmares away.

Everything Rem says is absolutely true.

He was the one who experienced their warmth firsthand, after all.

Subaru gets off his bed, and marches toward the door.

"...Subaru-sama...?" He could hear Rem much better, on the other side of the door. She could probably hear him moving.

Subaru felt his hand move towards the doorknob, ready to open the door wide open to meet Rem! —

( "I hate you!" )

— His movement stops. Just barely grazing the doorknob.

He was shaking, terrified of the consequences of giving Rem what she wants...!

"...Will you not let Rem inside your room...?" her voice cracks Subaru's heart wide open.

He was also terrified, of Rem never looking his way because of today...!

Not today.

Not now.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow. Not today.

"...Tomorrow..." he whispers. Almost to confirm his own thoughts.

"...Tomorrow...?" Rem asks, quietly, on the opposite side of Subaru.

"Tomorrow, I will definitely... hhkk..." He grits his teeth.

Even tomorrow was too early!

The invasion wasn't until three days from now!

"...Please, just let me in... Talk with Rem...! I don't understand...!" Rem's voice was drowning in sorrow, much to Subaru's anguish.

"Tomorrow, we will talk!" Subaru forces this out of his system, unable to handle the turmoil of causing Rem more pain, "We will talk, I promise, just... please...!"

"Please, just... wait for me until then, Rem! I'm begging you...!"

He shut his eyes, afraid of how Rem will react.

A silence passes between them.

"...Very well..." Rem sounded defeated.

Subaru couldn't describe the anguish he was feeling.

"...Rem looks forward to talking with you, Subaru-sama... Sleep well..."

Rem's footsteps were all Subaru could focus on. He waited, until they faded to nothing...

Subaru takes one step away from the door...

Two... Three...

...until he falls onto his knees.

"Ghhhk... Ghhahhh..." With shaky arms, he grasped his jacket and tugged at where his heart was.

His eyes burned with tears, but he couldn't stop crying.

His voice ached with sorrow and lament, but he couldn't scream.

"Rem... I... I'm... just the... wor...rssssstttt...! ! !"

He leans further into despair, his heart sinking into a dark, depraved pit of unforgiveness —



He feels his head being softly held,

Gently, he was moved to his left...

Onto a soft, pillowy surface...

Someone's lap...?

Subaru was silent. He quickly considers if he went mad? —



"Shhh..." Fingers brush his hair, as he recognizes the voice.

...Emilia...?



"You're not the worst... my Beloved."

...Satella.



And like that, his soul bursts open with a flurry of emotion.

His partner. His contracted. His faithful.

The person who has ripped him unto this world, and later, granted him the miracle to try again.

Someone who, he thought for sure, wouldn't appear again! Not for a while! —

"...Don't be silly... As if I would disappear on you, my Hero..." she whispers, like she read his mind,

"I will never leave you... especially not like this..."

With a conviction Subaru doesn't understand, Satella says these words with passion.

What was it about him that Satella found so attractive, so endearing...!?

Before he had Satella's power, he was useless...!

["...Sa...tella..."] Subaru's face scrunches up. Overwhelmed with grief.

Was it really okay for him to rely on her, like this...!?

"Even if the world crumbles and falls into sunder... Even if we reset a million times..." she leans over and kisses him on the forehead —

["I will always be here with you, Subaru."]







*...crack.*

In Subaru's heart, a crack formed.

Inside were pictures of people.

Emilia, Rem, Ram, Petra, Beatrice...

People he knew.

Crusch, Wilhelm, Felix, Julius, Reinhard...

People he relied on.

Felt, Rom, Otto... His Mom. His Dad.

People hetrusted, since he arrived in this world.

It wasn't fairly even. Some bigger than others. Emilia and Rem being the biggest.

But... in a seemingly small space, with just enough room.

Satella appeared.







Subaru was quiet, clenching onto Satella. His face was wrecked with sorrow.

Satella was quiet, too, holding a small smile. Slowly brushing his hair.

But, in their link, Subaru was anything but quiet.

["Why! Why is it so tough! Why is it so hard for me to make anything right!?"]

Subaru's tears never stopped, as a quiet hiccup escaped his lips.

In his thoughts, he was screaming.

["I just want everyone to be happy! I want to save everyone! I want Emilia to be proud of someone like me, standing beside her!"]

["I want Rem to see me as her Hero, properly! I want to become the Hero she wants me to be, so damn badly! I want her with me, with every step we take!"]

Subaru was so enamored with his own thoughts, he couldn't notice Satella's own tears as he breaks open his heart to her.

Her hand keeps brushing Subaru's hair. Gently. Treating it like a treasure.

["I want to live through the end of each day feeling like I've done something RIGHT! That I've made an impact on the future that makes everyone smile!"]

["I absolutely hate Return by Death! I hate it with a passion! I wish I didn't have to suffer as I have already! Sometimes I feel like I was better off dead!"]

Despite crying, Satella still kept a brilliant smile, and listened to what troubled her Hero.

Even the things that hurt her, she brushed it past her in favor for him.

["But I know that if I didn't have it, I wouldn't live long enough in this world to see Emilia become Queen, to see her succeed in her dream!"]

["This world is the worst! I hate it! I hate the Mabeasts, the Witch Cult, and every single thing that threatens to kill me and everyone I love!"]

["I hate it...! I hate it so much... So... So... So much..."]

With a pause, Satella waited for her Beloved to continue. Another gentle stroke of his hair.

["...and yet... This world is so pretty...! And I want nothing more... than to keep trying... to keep fighting...!"]

["...To keep suffering...! Just so I can see this dream of mine, to the very end...!"]

["...Even if Rem cries... Even if Emilia hates me... Even if everyone in this world doesn't know me anymore...!"]

["...I'll show them... That Natsuki Subaru is someone... who wants to make everyone HAPPY! ! !"]

Below Satella, she sees Subaru clench his hand in a fist, his conviction made!

["This dream of mine... Won't be a dream any longer...!"]

["Just watch me...! Satella...! Everyone...!"]

["I'll see through this to... the very... en...d."]

Satella watches the hand relax, as he closes his eyes, his emotions coming to a close.

She could feel his breathing get heavy. The sign of Subaru falling into exhaustion-fueled slumber. She smiles gently.

She leans over to peck him on the head, once more.

["I love you, my Beloved."] she thinks, knowing he could hear her.

His body doesn't react badly to her confession, not in the slightest.

Her smile gets a little bigger.

["If anyone can make this world a better place,"] She closes her own eyes, and rests her back against the bedside.







["It's you... My Hero..."]







Five Chapters. We made it. Thank you so much for reading.

I was so worried, thinking I'd drop this at some point because of my own lack of being consistent. However, as I watched and re-watched Re:Zero, I had this burning feeling that I had what this story needs to keep writing.

I set myself up low: Five Chapters, to set the grounds of this story.

And here we are, with Satella finally claiming a small, small spot in Subaru's heart.

But we're not done. Let's aim for higher, and finish this Arc up. Chapter Eight, I believe, will wrap this Arc to a close.

Hope you stick around until then!