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"How unsightly of you, Barusu."

Subaru stirs awake, hearing the voice of Ram make her biting comments as usual. Groggily, he peels his face off the hardwood floor—not sure how he found himself there in the first place.

"Nnn... Ram? What..." He rubs his face, trying to wipe off the sluggishness he was feeling, "...What time is it?"

"A quarter-to-twelve o' clock." Ram says this with eyes closed, before glaring at him,

"Would you have slept the whole morning, had I not come to chime in, I do wonder how Roswaal-sama would've reacted." She then shakes her head, "Keeping you as an 'honored guest.' Don't make me laugh."

"..." Subaru, keen on just how toxic these comments were getting, gives her an apologetic look,

"You're mad about what I did to Rem, aren't you?" He asks.

"—Tch!" Ram clicks her tongue in annoyance, giving Subaru the hint that he was correct.

She whips around toward the door, "Don't be late for brunch. You're already testing my nerves as it is."

"Right..." Subaru nods.

Then he blinks.

"Wait... 'brunch?'" Ram doesn't answer the ambiguous question, shutting the door on Subaru—

"Mm—*chu*"

Subaru jolts straight up, feeling the foreign feeling of lips pressed on his cheek, as he whips around to his left to see —

["G'morning, Subaru-kun."] Satella speaks to him cutely, a warm blush on her face.

["Sa-satella-tan, you kinda shocked me for a sec."] Subaru held a hand over his heart, his own face burning red, ["I wasn't expecting you to be so... forward."]

["Just testing the waters, after what happened last night."] Satella's voice was ringing with mirth, however Subaru felt himself shrink in shame.

["...Oh God, I wish I didn't remember... I'm sure I was just whining, like a little kid..."] Subaru hides his face in his hands, feeling embarrassed as hell.

["And? What's wrong with wanting a happy ending?"] Satella reaches out to pull his hands down, ["Don't feel bad, Subaru-kun! Feel proud! Take a breath, puff out your chest, and scream to the world, 'I want to make everything right, again!'"]

["..."] Subaru sighs, before giving a curt laugh, ["If I do that much, could you lend me your lap whenever I ask for it?"]

["...H-Huh?"] It was Satella's turn to become flushed, ["I-I mean, I don't mind, but — A-aren't lap pillows something you consider sacred? Surely doing this every night'll ruin that feeling?"]

["Hmm..."] Subaru puts up a thinking pose, before nodding, ["You make a point. If I had a lap pillow every night, it would make Emilia-tan's lap-pillows way less special!"]

["D-Don't bring her into this, you jerk!"] Satella cries out, immediately jealous of her Beloved's focus switching to the Royal Candidate. Subaru laughs.

["I'm kidding, I'm kidding."] Subaru reaches out to ruffle her hair (much to her frustration) and stand up, ["C'mon, we can't wait any longer. Let's go figure out what's happening today, and find Rem."]

["...Rem?"] Satella gives him a worried look, and he notices this. Subaru gives a firm smile to her.

["We'll be okay."] Subaru pushes his spirit to greater heights, reaching to grab the Witch's hand, ["I'll convince Rem we're not the enemy. I'll absolutely make sure of it."]

["..."] Satella, taking in Subaru's spirit, couldn't help but feel enlightened, smiling back!

["You're right! Let's do it!"] she exclaims, grabbing her Beloved's hand to join him!







"Tha~at's correct!" Roswaal, as cheerful as ever, answers Subaru's question as they meet in the study.

Subaru wanted to know if this 'Brunch' thing was true or not. He never heard of Roswaal partaking in anything but Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Desert for mealtimes.

The Manor-owner was in the middle of filing paperwork, but Subaru knew the tasks he was doing during this time of hour weren't too important. Perks of being employed by him in another life, for sure.

"It was Rem's idea. She offered the though this morning, and proposed an exqui~isite pallet of foods! Seeing how I intend to leave in a few days-time, I~I couldn't pass the thought!" Roswaal practically sung his explanation, and Subaru shrinks back.

'This is... new...' Subaru could only think that. He never recalled Roswaal changing his mealtime arrangements this way.

—In his defense, even the smallest things could change the outcome of a 'run' really easy! It was good practice to keep tabs on even stupid things like this!

"Roswaal-sama, as you have requested, I have brought the tea Rem ma—" Entering the room, Ram was greeted by the sight of Subaru.

Her eyebrows furrow, but relax immediately, "—de before she departed. Please enjoy."

"Oh my, how thoughtful of you." Roswaal's tone was gentle, as Ram sets the tea-set down close to him.

"Wait. What do you mean, 'Rem departed?'" Subaru notices the odd detail, and Ram huffs and looks away from him.

"...So now he cares..." Ram whispers. Roswaal simply smiles at Subaru.

"Indeed, she has left, but only for a moment. In order to prepare for the feast, she wished to collect some spices we were running short of, ahead of time." Roswaal speaks, and as he talked, Subaru gets more and more tense.

"...Then that means..."Subaru whispers to himself —

He recalls meeting a puppy at Irlam Village when him and the two maids went to get spices. Biting him, it was revealed that the dog was a Mabeast, cursing him the moment the wound was inflicted.

If that curse doesn't get taken care of by Beatrice, before the day ends...!

— Subaru quickly rose out of his seat, and turned to the exit.

"I'm leaving! Please excuse me!" Subaru nods at Roswaal, before heading to the exit.

Roswaal blinks, but continues to smile.

"And whe~ere, perhaps, are you heading off to?" Roswaal asks Subaru with curiosity.

"Where else? I'm going to meet up with Rem! I promised her I'd explain everything today, after all." Subaru opens the door—

"You don't even know where she went in the first place?" Roswaal says this with a... mysterious tone, something that Subaru caught.

Looking back, Subaru gazes at Roswaal, who was still smiling, giving Subaru a look that basically said, 'I know that you know.'

Subaru takes a moment...

Then he scratches the back of his head, "...I guess I'm getting ahead of myself. Sorry."

Subaru turns to face Roswaal proper, "Could you tell me where Rem went? Please?"

Roswaal's grin disappears, almost as if he was disappointed, and he gives a sigh, "If I were you, I'd take care in planning ahead for situations like this. Going in blind will be your undoing, Subaru Natsuki."

Roswaal reaches for a teacup, as Ram pours some tea for him, "Rem went south, towards Irlam Village. If you follow the path, you will reach her in no time." he advises Subaru, and Subaru nods his thanks.

"I'll be back. Thank you!" Subaru waves and leaves the room. Ram shakes her head in disappointment.

"And to think my dear sister is stressing out over this man." she murmurs, then looks to Roswaal, "Roswaal-sama, if I may speak, I honestly think taking this boy under your wing was a mistake."

"Now now, my dear Ram. Give him some time, and he may surprise us." Roswaal gleams at his maid, before looking down at his papers, "Even you were a bit rough on the edges, your first few days here. Look at how much you've grown."

Ram flushes up, not expecting such a compliment from her master, "R-Roswaal-sama, that's...!"

Ram, taking a deep breath to manage her composure, bows her head, "I believe I have taken enough of your precious time. Please enjoy the tea, Roswaal-sama."

With her final words, she leaves the study to give Roswaal time alone.

Roswaal watches the door, then looks down at his desk.

He takes a sip of his drink, and enjoys the flavor and aroma.

His hand trails a locked drawer, and uses a pint of magic to unlock the seal.

Pulling out a familiar black book, he confides in its pages once more. A hum escapes his lips, as he turns back to a piece of paper on the desk.

"It changed. Again." His tone was mellow, as he clicks a pen and writes what he sees.

What Roswaal was feeling could be considered a mix of curiosity, and frustration.

Curiosity, to the boy Natsuki Subaru, who continues to change the Gospel's instruction with every move he takes.

And Frustration, to his consequence of not remembering the book's instruction whenever he closed it.

Even now he still asks himself: Was Natsuki Subaru a friend? Or foe?

And what relationship did he have with his dearest teacher: The Witch of Greed, Echidna?







Subaru threw open the front entrance doors, and started running down the steps. Even if it was much too early compared to his first successful run, his mind was set on saving Rem.

He had to do this. With a spirit held high, he was prepared to face the consequences of meeting the blue haired—

"Subaru!" Said boy's thoughts were interrupted anyway, as he was cut mid-sprint by Emilia, rushing out to stop him,

"What's going on? Where are you running off to so early?" She asks, genuinely concerned.

"Emilia! — Er, it's..." Subaru shakes his head, "It's nothing. I'm just taking your advice and meeting Rem at the village to talk. Don't fret about me!"

"..." Emilia reads Subaru's look, and pulls back, nervous, "Okay... Would you like me to join you?"

"As much as my heart screams for you to be at my side, every day, all day~! —" Subaru, overdramatic, stops and chuckles a bit, before giving Emilia a small smile, "I'll be fine. You should keep working on your studies."

"Alright, I will. Be safe, okay?" Emilia waves him off, before turning back to the manor.

"You bet!" Subaru calls out to her, as he turns his own back towards the estate, focused on the clearing in front of him, 'I'll make it back to you, even if Rem chases me back here...'

Starting with a brisk jog, he ran down the dirt road, towards Irlam Village!







It doesn't take long, Subaru easily keeping his pace and following the path he knows too well; Eventually, Subaru arrives in the small town he was familiar with.

The townsfolk were all walking around, doing their morning routine. Looking in the general direction, it was just a mess of hairstyles and faces, almost hard to see through —

["Look! Over there!"] Satella, next to Subaru once more, points towards a direction for Subaru to see. Sure enough! —

"Aha! There you are!" Subaru couldn't contain his excitement, as he sees a familiar patch of blue hair.

Rem was talking to another man, no doubt the spice merchant, as they walk inside his shop. Subaru moved towards the shop —

"Hey Mister!" A tug on his sweatshirt, and Subaru turns to see a familiar group of kids, ones he made friends with before in his last run.

They looked at him with curiosity, clearly never meeting him before, but since Subaru was close to their age, he looked approachable!

Subaru's eyes bounced around all the faces he saw before. Names popped in his head. Cain, Mild, Dine...

Petra. He had to fight back a somewhat guilty look, remembering what had become of her before his reset.

"Wanna play a game of tag!?" A boy with a red scarf around his neck, Lucas if Subaru remembered correctly, asked him with fervor!

Subaru felt his own smile come forward. It didn't seem like Rem was in any trouble...

A bit of radio calisthenics couldn't hurt, could it?

"Actually, I got a new game for you guys to try! But I need your help!" Subaru crouched down, much to Satella's surprise.

["Huh? But... what about Rem?"] She asks, voicing her concern.

["Don't worry, she's fine. I want to set up a good first impression with these guys here."] Subaru thinks, still looking at the group of kids.

"Huh? 'New Game'?" The bigger boy, Mild, wonders what Subaru meant.

"That's right! It's a game all the adults will want to play, too! We just need to start it!" Subaru pumps a fist out, full of confidence. Hearing his spirit, the kids were easy to please!

"Really! Let's do it!" Cain jumps with excitement!

"Yeah!" Petra chimes in, her voice ringing with joy.

"Alright! Everyone, follow my lead!" Subaru stands up and heads to the village center, his entourage following suit.

Satella, seeing the ridiculous sight of her Beloved with a group of kids, laughs and follows right behind him!







Rem carries a big barrel full of spice, outside the shop with a huff of air. Despite her small frame, the spice only hampers her movement a little bit, showing just how strong she is.

The first thing the maid notices is the commotion outside, as villagers of young and old gather outside and watch with smiles on their faces.

Rem blinks. Was there an event going on?

"A~Alright, now for the final rep~!" Rem recognizes the voice almost immediately, as she turns to the center of attention to find—

"Swing these arms right out, and bring them outward while taking a deep breath! Afterwards, push those arms forward and let loose the air you held in! Ready!?"

—Subaru, along with a group of kids, and adults, partaking in a group exercise routine!?

"...Subaru-sama?" Rem whispers, genuinely surprised to see him in the Village.

"In...! And Out...!" Subaru continues his mantra, looking to his left —

["In...! And Out...!"] —He watches Satella partake in the routine, focused on the task she was told to do!

["Looking good! Solid form, Satella-tan!"] Subaru compliments, shocking the Witch.

["A-Ah! Th-this is nothing, ahaha!"] Satella brushes off the compliment, feeling flustered.

"One more time! In... and Out...!" Subaru finishes the rep with everyone, then spreads his legs, "And wrap things up with a big finish...!"







Subaru pumps his arms in the air, "Victory!"

"Victory! ! !" —Kids and adults alike follow his lead, and yell out the cheer, loud and proud!

["Victory!"] Satella chimes in, with her own rally call, and Subaru gives her a bright smile!

The village laugh and applaud at Subaru and the kids' performance, the group of children being ecstatic about being the center of attention! They had to do this again sometime!

Subaru was thanked by many of the adults, and he was quick to greet and wave them off. —

["Ah! Subaru-kun!"] Satella caught Subaru's attention, as he turned to see Rem approaching them with a indescribable look.

"Subaru-sama?" Rem asks upfront, "What are you doing here?"

Subaru pauses. Then gives a gentle smile.

"Well, I did say I owe you an explanation today." Subaru was gentle in his tone, too, "Imagine my surprise when Roswaal told me you were going to head all the way out here."

"...Then why not wait at the mansion...?" Rem's voice turned shaky, almost like she was nervous.

"I felt like I dragged this on for way too long..." Subaru's look turned serious, as he gestured for somewhere private, "Mind if we wrap this up elsewhere?"

"...As you wish, Subaru-sama." With a nod, Rem picked up her spices and followed Subaru, towards the village border.







Taking himself and Rem to the secret spot only the kids knew (that he was told of in his last run,) he felt more comfortable talking to Rem in a secluded spot away from the prying eyes and ears of the villagers.

He had been planning this conversation for a while. It delves on some sensitive topics, but if he plays his cards right, he could end this visit with Rem on his side.

...Also, he wanted to see for certain, if this village was going to be invaded tonight or not.

Placing the spices down once more, Rem composed herself in a gentle pose, "Rem has done as you asked, Subaru-sama..."

"A-ah, great." Subaru nodded to the maid, surprised that she would speak first, before looking past the fence close to them, toward the forest that was ahead.

["Satella-tan, could you check each of these crystals for me?"] The Witch, perking up as her Beloved calls to her, listens to his request, ["If any of these seem... damaged, let me know."]

["Of course, Subaru-kun!"] Satella floated around the clearing, observing each crystal that managed the border against the Mabeasts.

With that task handled, Subaru's full attention was on Rem, "Before I say anything... Rem, I want you to know..."

Rem watches Subaru, with a deep breath, bow deeply towards her, "I am terribly sorry for the pain I caused you yesterday, and today as well..."

She stiffens, with surprise, "...Wha...?"

"Saying something so terrible as "Keep this person away from me!" — You say you're not good with people, but I am just as guilty of the same thing!" Subaru laughs at himself, shaking his head.

"But... what about that 'show' you did, back there?" Rem refers to the exercise routine he just did minutes ago. Subaru chuckles.

"I really could only thank those kids, they were the only reason why that blew up!" Subaru scratches his cheek,

"If I were by myself, I doubt I'd get that much attention. I'm embarrassed to even think what would've happened." He admits, honestly.

Rem raises a hand over her mouth —

"...Hehehe..." —Subaru blinks, hearing a short, small giggle come from the maid.

Like musical notes. Subaru wish he could hear more! —

["None of these mana crystals are broken, Subaru."] Satella floats to him to report the news, passing a glance at Rem every so often, ["The barrier should still be up. Hopefully the invasion won't happen today."]

["That's good news!"] Subaru cheers for this in his head, before looking at Rem.

"I accept your apology, Subaru-sama." Rem bows a short bow, before looking at him again, "If Rem may ask, what was it about Rem that made you request to avoid me?"

Rem asked this question gently, but Subaru's anxiety picked up. It was time to put his cards on the table.

"Rem," Subaru speaks in a serious tone, as Rem listened, "I mentioned before, how you reminded me of someone close."

Rem nods, giving Subaru the cue to continue, "...Well, it's more than that. This might come as a bit of a shock, but..."

With a unwavering look, Subaru stares into Rem.

"I know that you're an Oni, Rem..."

With a revelation like that, Rem's response was expected.

Her eyes widened... then they turned sharp, "...You know...?"

"Yeah, I do." Subaru's gentle tone came back, "And the reason why I know is because—"

"Wait! Come back!" A voice of a girl cuts Subaru off, at the worst time!

Subaru couldn't hold his grimace, as he looks away from Rem to see what's going on —

— And he notices a puppy, with black fur, and a bald spot run towards them.

Subaru jumps and faces the threat head-on, not that Rem would know. She glances at him with a confused look, still weary of the boy.

"Ahh! I'm sorry!" Another face Subaru recognized, Meili, the girl with purple hair, apologized to them, "He just ran off without my permission! I didn't want anyone to know he was here!"

"That's...!" Subaru shut himself up, as a torrent of thoughts went through his head!

["That barrier's up, right? You said no crystals were damaged, right, Satella-tan!?"] Subaru, without intending it, asked Satella with a urgent and stressed tone.

["Ye-yes, Subaru-kun!"] Satella urges his nerves to relax with a nod, ["The barrier's still up!"]

["Then how did this thing get through the barrier!?"] Subaru, unabashed to call the Mabeast a 'thing', really pondered the possibilities of how it got through!

"Mister, please don't rat me out!" Meili cries out, her eyes watering, "If the adults knew of him, they'd throw him out in the wild! I'm begging you!"

Subaru, not responding to the girl, watches Rem move toward her and give her a smile.

"Don't worry. Rem and Subaru-sama won't tattle on you..." Rem speaks gently, and reaches to pet the dog.

"—wait, Rem!" Subaru exclaims suddenly, and Rem stops to look at him.

Rem didn't hold down her sharp gaze, "Subaru-sama, be at ease. It's only a puppy—"

With her attention turned away, the mabeast opens its maw and chomps on Rem's hand.

—"Nggh!?" Rem reels back, immediately holding the afflicted hand. The bite was deep, and blood was drawn.

"Damnit!" Subaru curses, and makes his move, "Look, kid, I'm all down for having a pet, really! —"

Meili watches Subaru closely, as Subaru grimaces and glares at her, "—But if I were you, I'd stop holding onto that dog. He's dangerous! Do you understand!?"

Meili's eyes widened, but Subaru didn't notice, as she went to Rem.

"I'll ask around for some first aid. Stay here." Subaru orders, before running to the town center.

Rem abides her time, holding onto her wound and carefully avoiding spilling her blood on her dress, or to anyone's property.

With baited breath, she watches the kid turn around and leave the scene, back where she came from.

No apology. No tears. Nothing.

Rem noted such strange behavior, but kept it to herself.

For now, she was left alone, with nothing but her thoughts and the searing pain on her hand.







"...One more loop..." Subaru whispers, and wraps the bandage around tight on Rem's hand. Rem was silent during this.

"...And done." Subaru nods at his handiwork, before looking at her, "Sorry, I... should've said something, sooner—"

"Let's leave." Rem cuts the boy off, and despite her wound, carries the spices once more, "Roswaal-sama is waiting."

"Ah... R-right." Subaru nods, before reaching out, "Wo-Would you like me to carry..."

His words fall on deaf ears, as Rem continues to carry the supplies, unabated. Subaru's lips thinned.

["She's mad."] Subaru thinks, catching Satella's attention.

["Does that mean she's..."] Satella doesn't finish the question.

["I don't know."] Subaru, shaking his head, runs a light jog to catch up to Rem. ["I really don't know."]







"Rem," Subaru begins, and Rem doesn't pass him a glance, "About what I was saying earlier... I know, because —"

"I'm not interested." Rem cuts him off, surprising him.

"Wh...at?" Subaru slows down, shocked. Rem finally decides to turn to him.

"You knew that I was an Oni, and asked Emilia-sama for me to stay away, right? That's the answer you've given me." Rem concludes, and continues on her path. Subaru stiffens up at her remark.

"Wh—No! That's not it at all!" Subaru runs in front of Rem, "Could you just give me a second to explain! —"

"Move out of the way." Rem spits out. Subaru glares back.

"Not until you give me a chance to talk!" Subaru says back.

"I've given you the chance. You made your thoughts clear as day." Rem's voice picks up volume.

"No, Rem, you only heard what you wanted to hear!" Subaru starts to add fuel to the flame!

"You insolent—" Rem whispers under her breath, before cutting herself short —

She takes a step back as Subaru pushes up in front of her.

"—Say it." Subaru dares Rem, as his eyes grow narrow, "Let me hear know what you're thinking. Honesty is a two-way street, after all."

"..." Rem's eyes were shaded, as she sets down the barrel of spices to free up her hands.

"Tell me what's on your mind, Rem." Subaru encourages her to speak, once more—

*Ka —THUNK. Chk-chink...* —Only to hear the sound of her Morningstar, hitting the grass floor.







Just as Subaru's thoughts turned to the worst, ["...Shit."] —

—Satella turns her back on the two, and flies toward the manor, ["Wait— Satella!?—"]

["You need to stay alive!"] Satella requests this of him, as she gives a look back, ["Please, stay alive, only for a while!"]

Subaru breaks his gaze away from Satella, and turns to Rem,

["...Right! I trust you, Satella-tan!"]

["Believe in me, Subaru-kun!"] Her voice barely hid the mirth it contained, as she wished him luck.

"Subaru." Rem's voice cut forward like a knife, "What a maid thinks is irrelevant."

"...Huh?" Subaru carefully words out his confusion, as Rem got a good hold of her weapon.

"A maid either knows, or doesn't know." She speaks gently, but her words were laced with venom, "And right now, with this disgusting scent that invades my senses, and with the answers you gave me,"

Rem's gaze goes cold, "I know who you are, Subaru —"

"A witch cultist, right?"

Rem's mantra was cut short, her eyes wide open, as Subaru speaks her answer. His look was one of regret, "And that's all I am now to you, a Witch Cultist?... Is that it?"

His own voice gets labored, as he runs his hand through his hair, "What kind of Witch Cultist would play with kids, exercise with adults well over his age, or wrap bandages around a hurt girl's hand?"

"...You...!" Rem's stance shook, as she passes a look to her own hand, taken cared of by the boy she faced now.

"...Or sell off their metia, full to the brim with messages of his mom and dad, wondering where their son went?" Subaru's tone gets dense, as he looks at Rem with... regret?

"...That isn't...!" Rem's voice gets louder, as Subaru pits her problems on her.

"What kind of Witch Cultist is that, Rem?" Subaru's voice gets louder, "Because I can tell you, right now, that I am not one of those bastards! —"

"Shut up!" Rem, not wanting to hear it any more, swings her weapon towards him! —

— Slamming one Unseen Hand onto the ground, her Morningstar wraps around an invisible force, catching the maid off guard.

She took it as a sign of him going on the offensive, and tensed up! —

"I refuse to hurt you."

Subaru's voice cuts through the air like glass, and makes Rem flinch in shock. Subaru looks at Rem with a gentle, understanding gaze.

"No matter what happens, I will not lay a finger on you." Subaru speaks once more, and Rem's frame starts shaking.

"...Nnnk..." Her voice chokes up, as she starts to shake, "...Who do you think you are...!?"

Subaru, instead of answering her, returns his Unseen Hand, freeing up Rem's weapon.

Subaru took to the defensive, watching Rem carefully.

With the Witch's Scent protruding her senses, her thoughts were filled with rage!

"Talking to me like I'm some maiden in distress...! Don't you..." With a vicious force, Rem pulls back her Morningstar, "Look down on me! ! !"







"Hey, Puck..." The Spirit Cat looks toward his contractor Emilia, as they walked down the hallway with a viewing of the Garden, "It's been a while... Has Subaru come back yet?"

"Hmmm... Now that you mention it..." Puck ponders her words, before shrugging, "Bah, must've got sidetracked with something stupid. He seems to be a real trouble-magnet lately."

"Trouble-magnet?" Emilia gaze gets tense to the cat, "You're the one who told me 'it's rude to talk down on others behind their backs!' Don't be mean to Subaru, Puck!"

"Okay, okay! I'm sure that boy doesn't mind me knocking him down a peg or two. It builds character!" Puck agrees, but not after defending himself, even only for a bit —

*PMM — CHKK!* —The sound of a door being thrown wide open came from behind them!

"Woah!?" Puck exclaims, as they both jump in shock, looking towards the door to see —

Beatrice running out of her library in a hurry!

"Outrageous! Absolutely asinine, I suppose!" Beatrice curses under her breath, looking both ways —

—and found Emilia and Puck staring back. She marched over to them.

"Bubby," Beatrice lacked her usual mirth saying Puck's nickname, "Where is Natsuki Subaru!?"

"Huh?" Puck shakes his head, and looks at her with intent, "Subaru ran off to Irlam Village, to meet with Rem —"

"He did what!?" Beatrice was shocked at hearing how far he was, and gripped her Gospel — Which she held onto this entire time, Puck notices,

"...I'm not going to make it...!" Beatrice whispers with worry.

"Beatrice, what's wrong?" Emilia urges the guardian spirit to explain, "What's going on? What happened with Subaru?"

"Mother spoke to me again...!" Beatrice clasped her Gospel, looking at Puck, "Mother says Natsuki Subaru's life is in danger...!"

This gets a reaction out of the half-elf, as she reels back in surprise, "...No way...!"

( "I'll be fine. You should focus on your studies." ) —Hearing his words of encouragement, he was certain he would come back! —

"Focus! Both of you!" Puck was the voice of reason, as he snaps the girls into attention, "If we make it in time, we can still save him. Let's hurry!"

Beatrice takes in Puck's rally call, and looks down at her Gospel...

"...I won't let Mother down again, I suppose!" With her own war cry, Beatrice leaps out the hallway balcony, into the Garden below, and makes her run towards Natsuki Subaru's location.

Assaulted with new knowledge, of Subaru's life being in danger, and Beatrice's constant mention of a 'Mother', it took Puck's voice to snap her out of it, once more:

"We should get moving, too!" Puck encourages Emilia to move.

"R-Right!" Emilia, following Beatrice's example, leaps out the balcony into the soft grass, and makes a run for Irlam Village!

'Subaru...!' Her thoughts were enamored with the boy who treated her so kindly, 'Please be safe!'







If Subaru wasn't currently fighting to save his own life, he'd say he was impressed with how he was fairing against Rem!

Before he met Satella, it was simply no contest. Even knowing how to use Shamac and using his phone to surprise Rem, he wouldn't make it far with Rem hunting him down.

Now, however, he was matching equal to Rem without her Oni form. And it was just using Unseen Hand, too! If just using one Authority puts him this high up in terms of strength! —

He cuts his thoughts short, and braces himself as he sees Rem raise a hand at him!

"Huma!" With a chant, Rem releases spikes of ice and shoots it towards him!

Relying on two Unseen Hands, he sets up a barrier between him and Rem, watching as the magic harmlessly bounces away from him, onto the ground nearby.

"Tch!" Rem clicks her tongue in annoyance, and puts herself in a stance, "Hiding behind that power of yours...! You've got to be hitting a limit, any second now!"

"Actually...!" Subaru checked himself... and was pleasantly surprised to find not a lick of fatigue or anything to clue him in on being tired,

"I can probably... keep this up for quite a bit...!" Subaru gives Rem an awkward grin, "This is kinda surprising me a little! I never fought like this before...!"

Was this normal? Isn't Authority supposed to do something to his sanity? Sure, he had a hard limit to how many Unseen Hands he could use, but this was... nothing?

Subaru's declaration comes as a surprise to Rem, as her stance wavers, before she clenches her teeth, "Do you think this is a game!? I'm coming for your life, and you think so little of it!"

"Of course not!" Subaru exclaims back, shaking his head, "I'm frankly terrified right now! One slip up might cause me to lose my head!"

Rem glares harder at Subaru, "Then why do you hesitate!? Fight me!" Rem tosses her weapon at him to start their duel once more —

But Subaru catches the weapon with surprising ease. He could tell Rem wasn't using all her strength on the attack.

His face gets serious. Rem grows tense, as he holds her weapon.

"I've already told you," Subaru's voice was firm, "I don't want to hurt you, Rem."

Rem's gaze gets shaky, as she watches Subaru aimlessly toss her weapon next to her,

"But you seem dead-set on killing me." Subaru sighs, saying this like it was fact, as he rubs his neck like he was sore,

"So until you decide to let me live, I'll just... keep defending myself like this, until you quit."

Rem couldn't believe what this man was saying. He simply had no intention of fighting back.

Was he serious!?

"...Why...?" Rem's voice was a mere whisper, as she gets the boy's attention —

"...Why...!?" she repeats, a bit louder!

"'Why?'" Subaru repeats her question. Something about it... frustrated him a bit.

Will she finally listen to him? Seriously!? It took way too long!

With a deep breath, Subaru yells at Rem;

"Because I want to be your friend, damn it! ! !"

With a courageous shout, he was certain she heard it.

Rem's small body starts shaking, as her thoughts were twisted into a knot.

Someone who reeks of the Witch... wanted to be her friend?

It was surely a trap!

But he hasn't done anything to hurt me!

He's just trying to get on your good side, and stab you in the back!

Subaru-sama wouldn't do that! —

If you make even one mistake, you'll risk hurting Ram even more than you have already! —

Rem's thoughts came to a close, as she thought of her sister. Her dearest sister.

The person she had taken so much from. Everything she did, it was for her.

She had to protect her...!

"Rem?" Subaru, watching Rem fight with herself, asks her name, and she makes a small movement.

"...For... Ram..." she whispers, and Subaru catches this.

"...Your sister...?" Subaru encourages her to speak —

He notices a pink spark, coming from her head, and his whole body freezes up.

"This... is for Ram..." Rem sounds like she was convincing herself, as the sparks appear more frequently...!

"No matter what, I won't let myself get fooled again! I will not let you hurt my dear sister!" Rem exclaims, looking at Subaru with spite!

Subaru wanted to scream his innocence, but he knew she wouldn't listen.

If she transformed, Subaru knew: It was already too late.

"You would go so far... You'd transform into an Oni..." Subaru's voice gets weak, as his spirit wavers, "...Just to kill me...?"

Rem's form shakes, as she looks at him with watery eyes,

"I have to...!" Rem's voice almost wavered, as if she was still unsure about herself, "Anyone with the Witch's Scent... is a threat to Ram-nee-sama...!"

"...fuck...!" Subaru curses under his breath, watching Rem transform right in front of him.

Subaru could tell, she was close! Rem was on the crux of making choices for herself, and he knew it...!

...But he couldn't jump the gun and say "Think about what you want!" like he did for her before; The words that got Rem to change her life forever.

Considering he was the 'threat' here, saying anything right now wouldn't do much in his favor.

Once again, Rem was dead-set on taking him out.

With a deep breath, as Rem finished growing her horn, Subaru went straight to plan B,

'Please don't shut down on me, body...!' Subaru begged himself to stay firm!

He surged his mana within him, and called on his one-and-only spell!

"Shamac! ! !" Subaru forces his gate to explode with mana! —

"What the—!?" Rem reels back, suddenly being assaulted with plumes of black, soot-like clouds, obscuring her view!

The clouds violently explode upward, toward the skyline! —







Running on the dirt path, Beatrice, followed by Emilia and Puck, noticed the black clouds soaring above the trees some distance away!

"What's that!?" Puck, haven't seeing such a violent mass of mana before, could only yell in shock.

"Yin magic!" Beatrice was quick to the beat, picking up the traces of mana rather quickly with her extensive knowledge of magic—

"Looks like an unrefined usage of Shamac!" Beatrice continues, deducing the phenomenon to that magic.

Emilia perks up, "Wait! — Didn't Subaru say he used Shamac before, back at the Capital, Puck!?"

Emilia's pace quickens, taking her revelation as fact, "That could be him! He's so close!"

Before Puck could answer her question —

"RRRRRAAAAAAGGGHHH! ! !" A scream, unworldly, almost primal, came from the direction! —

And a shockwave of pure, unadulterated mana blows the clouds away!

Emilia's nerves got the better of her, as she freezes up, making sure she was fine!

—However, the primal scream almost sounded familiar... Too familiar...!

"That was..." Emilia's voice came as a whisper, "Rem...?"







Rem was on edge, the thick clouds keeping her from seeing even five feet in front of her! She wasn't aware that Subaru could even use magic, so this came as a shock!

However, her nerves were telling her that she wasn't in danger. She did not hear any approaching footsteps, and her nose told her the scent wasn't getting stronger!

—In fact, if anything, the scent was getting weaker!?

Rem's surging emotions got the better of her as she thought of this: she transformed preparing for a fight, only to have her target flee!?

Charging her mana into one, swift surge of feeling, she takes a deep breath! —

"RRRRRAAAAAAGGGHHH! ! !" —And roars. Her mana being sent outward, in all directions.

The thick clouds were immediately blown away, clearing up the view almost immediately! —

—And sure enough, Subaru, her target, was nowhere to be seen.

Rem looks at every angle, just to make sure her eyes weren't playing tricks on her, but she couldn't see nothing, but the dirt path below her, and the forest surrounding her.

Rem grinds her teeth, wondering where he could've gone in such a short time!

Her eyes trail back to the trees, and she immediately thinks that Subaru took himself behind one of them, to hide in.

"...Coward...!" Rem whispers, and with a heave of her weapon! —

She swings the Morningstar in a circle, clearing over a dozen trees closest to her!

*KSH! — KSH! — KSH! — KSH! — KSH! — KSH! — KSH! — KSH! —*

One by one, each tree was felled by Rem's power, almost making a full revolution! —

Until it bounces off a single tree... Or rather, bounces of a force coming from the tree.

Rem immediately whips her Morningstar back to her, and glares at the direction her weapon was blocked, "Come on out! Face me like the man you are, Subaru!"

She doesn't wait long. Sure enough, Subaru walks away from the tree he took solace in —

Rem's musings were cut short, as she looks at the boy, panting and heaving while holding his chest.

"Looks like I've... hah..." With labored breath, Subaru breaks a weak smile, "...Been found, huh...?"

"...You're in no state to continue this folly." Rem, holding the chain of her weapon towards him, announced.

Her next words were ones she considered final to him.

"Do you have any last words, Subaru?" she grants him this mercy.

His eyes gaze to the ground, with a trace of sorrow, before he looks back at Rem —

"What would you think Emilia-tan would do, if you kill me?" Subaru asks her this with a gentle tone.

Rem stiffens a bit, not considering what her Master's client would think in this situation, but she continues unwavering,

"Emilia-sama would be hurt at the loss." Her eyes narrow, "But given the circumstances, she would find it within herself to forget about you, and continue with her goal."

"..." Subaru takes those words in, and gives a sad smile, "...You really think so...? That's a shame..."

Rem is silent, as Subaru muses to himself, "...Of course... It'd be stupid of me... To think I'd make her happy in just a few days..."

Subaru kept smiling his pathetic smile, looking at the maid, "You really... can't change someone's life in just a day... could you...?"

Rem's lips thin, as he asks this like he was asking her...

Like it was her life he wanted to change, in a day...

Lifting her hand, she channels magic through it, "Don't think so highly of yourself, Subaru."

"You've retrieved her Royal Insignia, that's surely without question." Her hand gets cold, as Huma begins to be casted, "But you've done nothing for her after such a feat."

Rem's gaze was icy, as she finishes her statement, "Her mission to become Ruler is more important than you. I'm absolutely certain you were simply nothing but a means to an end."

With those absolutely cutting words, Subaru watches Rem cast her magic, "Huma."

Over a dozen pikes of ice were aimed at him, and he grit his teeth, moving his Unseen Hand close to him.

His movement with the hands were slower, his mana being sapped dry with his last, bold move.

The ice whizzed toward him, as he tries to defends himself to the best of his ability —







*CHLLK — CHNKKK! ! !*

Despite blocking the attack, Subaru feels a deep cold surge in him, missing two pikes of ice as they plunge itself into his ribcage, and his left leg.

His body reverberates with a violent shaking, as he falls down onto the grass, woodchips and splinters spreading out from his weight, "...Ghhhk...!"

Rem, incapacitating the boy, opts to approach him while holding her weapon, her horn radiating with mana.

Subaru, despite the searing pain and the ruthless cold, continues looking at Rem with a gaze she couldn't describe.

"...Rem...!" Subaru's mouth released only a whisper — A plea towards her, searing with emotion.

Rem's stops, looking back at Subaru with an uneven gaze.



She makes a move with her chains...



Subaru's gaze weakens...



"Don't you lay another hand on him, I suppose! ! !"



A new voice rings forward, and Rem feels a huge force of mana, sending her flying into a tree, one that escaped her wrath earlier thanks to Subaru!

Subaru weakly trails Rem being launched, then looks elsewhere to find —

"Oh my God! Subaru!" Emilia's innocent voice was filled with grief, as she immediately ran to him, her tired legs making one more bout of strength before falling over to him,

"Subaru! Subaru, are you still awake!? Please, please be alright!"

Subaru felt himself being pulled up, and placed on his back, lightly pushing the Huma icicles implanted him even further! — "Gah...hkkk...!"

"I'm sorry! — Please, stay with me!" Emilia's voice was frantic, as her hands immediately start glowing, "Please... don't die...!"

"E — Emi —Tch...!" Subaru doesn't finish this, his teeth chattering whenever he opened his mouth, as he opts to keep it shut, grinding teeth.

"I'm sorry! Don't speak! Save your strength!" Emilia apologizes over and over—

Seeing her spirit float next to her, she looks at him frantically, "Puck, what do I do! Please tell me what to do!"

"Emilia, calm down." Puck says this as firmly as possible, watching Beatrice get between them and Rem, "Stay calm and collected. The worst thing you can do is panic."

"Okay...! Okay...!" Emilia puts her thoughts aside, to focus on her healing magic, providing Subaru some much needed relief.

"...Nngh...!" Rem pulls herself off the tree, holding her bleeding head as she receives her first wounds, "...A coward and a liar... He attacks me on the brink of..."

Rem's gaze focuses on Beatrice... and she gets surprised, "...Wait... Beatrice-sama?..."

Beatrice, charged with emotion, radiated whatever mana she still possessed from the library, "...Are you the one who attacked Natsuki Subaru...?"

Rem's look gets serious, as she glares teeth!

"I had to. Subaru is a Witch Cultist!" Rem exclaims back at her.

Emilia stiffens in shock, her healing magic gets weaker, "...What?"

"You're wrong, Rem." Puck moves away from Emilia, to float next to Beatrice, "Subaru is not part of the Witch Cult. This was something me and Beatrice confirmed ourselves, yesterday."

Puck passes a guilty look to Subaru, "If I had known you would do... this... I would've told you sooner..."

Rem looks at the spirit with shock, as her horn reclines ever so slightly, "But... He's covered with the smell of the Witch! —"

"It stems from an entirely different reason. One we cannot disclose with you, maid." Beatrice spits out, as her eyes narrow,

"Your dear master smells of the witch, as well. Would you be so inclined as to bite his hand, I wonder?"

Rem, called out by the spirit, reels back a bit, as she does recall her Master also smelling like Subaru — To a much, much lesser extent, but the smell was still there.

She just never thought to lash out to the person who took care of Ram, as well as herself!

"...Is that it...?" Emilia speaks, but it was only a whisper, "...Is that why... you attacked Subaru, Rem...?"

Rem looks at her Master's client, and finds her frame shaking, "...That's..."

"...Did he attack you...?" Emilia asks, just as confused as she was hurt, "...Did he say something bad... Did he... do anything that rubbed you the wrong way...?"

Emilia looks at her with sorrow, "Something! Anything!? Did Subaru hurt you, Rem! Please, tell me!"

"...Emilia-sama..." Rem considers lying to her, just to make herself feel better about the situation —

( "I am terribly sorry for the pain I caused you yesterday, and today as well..." ) —Rem quickly recalls his apology,

( "I refuse to hurt you." ) —Rem looks down at her wrapped hand. ( "No matter what happens, I will not lay a finger on you." )

"...He..." Rem tries to speak—

( "Because I want to be your friend, damn it! ! !") —

Suddenly...

She finds herself crying.

"He didn't hurt me..." Rem confesses, shocking all three of them, "He didn't... fight back. He defended himself, to live, to survive... and...!"

Rem holds her head, her eyes shaking with guilt, "He... even wanted to be my friend... That's what he said, yet I... Oh God...!"

Emilia's frown gets worse, and worse, as she looks at Subaru, "I should've listened to him..." she whispers, "He knew this was going to happen, and I didn't believe him..."

Rem was silent, as Emilia glares at Rem, not hiding her spite to the maid, "He knew you were going to do this...! He knew he wasn't safe with you, and I doubted him...!"

An indescribable noise comes from Emilia, something akin to frustration, as she flares up her mana and heals Subaru as quickly as possible —

"...Once we return, I will resign from the Royal Selection."

Rem's eyes widen in pure shock once again, as Puck whips towards her,

"You can't! You need to become Queen of Lugunica to complete your goal, remember!?" he chastises her, but Emilia shakes her head.

"...What kind of ruler can I be..." she bites her lip, looking at Subaru, "...If I can't even take care of one person...!?"

After Emilia says that, a heavy silence follows. Rem's guilt wallows and becomes a dark, dark void —

"You... can't... resign..."

Emilia, and Rem, stiffen when they hear Subaru talk, his breath labored.

"Please... become... Queen...!" Subaru's body shakes again, as he clenched his eyes to fight the pain.

"Subaru, you shouldn't talk! You need to —" Subaru stares Emilia in the eye, and cuts her off,

"Don't... Hate... Rem...!"

Emilia was left speechless, as Subaru breaks from his gaze and looks up to the sky.

"It's not... Her fault..." he whispers, yet everyone hears it, clear as day.

Rem's guilt was cut short, hearing Subaru forgive her.

All that was left in her was confusion. Bewilderment. Regret.

Emilia, hearing the request of the boy gripping on a few straws to live, nods and flares up her mana once more,

"Fine... I won't resign... Just stay alive... Please..." she asks him back.

Subaru gives a very, very weak nod. Beatrice, seeing Rem no longer as a threat, runs to sit next to Emilia, to heal his leg.

Rem was left standing, watching the girls heal Subaru... watching them fix her mistake.

And as for Subaru?







["We'll be fine..."]

Satella was pressed up next to him, on the side Emilia and Beatrice weren't on.

["We'll be fine..."]

She was repeating the words he told her, this morning.

["We'll be fine, Subaru-kun..."] Her body was shaking, no doubt feeling the pain Subaru was feeling.

She clung onto him, providing him warmth.

["We'll be fine... Right...?"] Satella passes a glance at him, asking this time.

Subaru kept his gaze at the sky, his body was still shaking, and yet —

["We'll be fine."] Subaru's voice was firm, and confident, like things were perfectly okay.

It did a number to keep Satella relieved.

It kept her happy... Sane.

["Right... We'll be fine..."] Satella presses herself hard against Subaru, providing whatever comfort she can give him, retreating her face into the nape of his neck.

["...I love you... We'll be fine..."] Satella's eyes were shaky, close to delving into the deep end.

But she had just enough willpower, to keep her 'other' self at bay.

Subaru's consciousness grows weary, but surrounded by people who cared about him, he feels at ease.

With heavy eyes, he felt himself pass out.

Today marked the very first time he fought against Rem, and lived to tell the tale.

That achievement alone gave Subaru a clear resolve...

If he could go against Rem and survive, then he definitely had what it takes to change this world, for the better!







Thank you everyone for your patience. I really appreciate it.

Work's picking up pace by returning to normal, pre-quarantine hours. That means less time for me to work on this story.

Regardless, I'll still work on this story to the best of my ability. I want to burn through this Arc first, before declaring any break or time to recharge my batteries.

I appreciate everyone's support! Each review and comment I read makes me itch to work on the next chapter— Which is halfway done, by the way!

Have a wonderful day everyone, see you guys in the next one!