"Alright! That's it, keep those arms stretched out!"

Beatrice couldn't quite describe the emotion she was feeling.

"Back and forth! One, two! One, two!"

Annoyed? Bewildered? Shocked?

"Aaand... Relax! Get ready for the next rep!"

Not even the company of her best friend Puck could distract her from the torrent in her head, even if said company was taking a catnap on her hair.

Beatrice watched, from the balcony of the mansion, Subaru, Emilia, and Rem all partaking in a morning exercise routine...

Have the events of last night simply never happened!?

"Gggrrrgh...!" Beatrice, pushing herself up and over the balcony, she had her feelings get the better of her,

"What is the meaning of this, I suppose!?" —And let out a very un-ladylike yell towards the group, making them all jump.

Even Puck was startled, woken up from her loud exclamation, "Uwah!? What's with the yelling?"

A moment of silence, as the three who were stretching together, turned to look at the spirit fussing over her emotions.

"Ah! Beako!" Subaru, smiling as if nothing was wrong, waved at her, "Good morning! Did you want to join us?"

"Absolutely not!" Beatrice exclaims, shaking her head, "Quite the contrary, in fact, knowing that crazy maid is with you! But, then again, I'm starting to wonder who is crazier!"

Easily, the words get under Rem's skin, as she starts to feel guilty once more over what happened last night.

Indeed... If it weren't for Subaru, she would've definitely been tossed away from this place by now —

"Rem isn't like that, Beatrice-san." Surprisingly, Emilia was the one to voice her thoughts, as she hovered a hand in front of Rem, as if to protect her,

"The things that happened yesterday... it's all in the past! After all, Subaru-kun said he's forgiven her, so... It's fine now, right?" Emilia smiled, taking Subaru's words as example.

"Even if that were true, could've you waited a day longer before making such a ridiculous scene, I wonder!?" Beatrice ostracized their morning workout, pointing at the group,

"We were just at each other's throats a half-day ago! You can't expect me to believe a couple of stretches is a showing of good will, I suppose!?"

Emilia lets out an awkward laugh, agreeing with how silly it sounds, but watches Subaru stand next to her, and place his hands on his hips,

"Don't knock it until you try it, Beako!" Subaru exclaims, with a bright smile, making Beatrice gawk,

"Performing Radio Calisthenics is one of the few things I consider liberating – Even moreso when you do it with friends! I'd like to think of it as the big first-step to rebuild trust between us!"

Subaru at this point was actively waving at Beatrice, encouraging her to join them,

"C'mon! Let's do 'em together!" —trying to get the spirit to come out of her hiding spot, but Beatrice simply shook her head.

"I won't entertain your delusional fantasies, I suppose!" Beatrice exclaims, disappearing into the mansion. Subaru reels back a little.

"Geez... When you put it like that, Beako, it just breaks my heart..." Subaru mused to himself in monotone, before turning to the two girls,

"Oh well, like that's ever gonna stop us! Let's wrap this up; I've saved the best for last!"

Emilia nodded, getting back into the spirit.

Rem simply smiles, glad that both of them were on her side.

"And let out a big 'Victory!' Like this!" Subaru raises his arms, and with a big smile—!

"Victory!" He exclaims the words he said yesterday, once more!

"V-Victory!" Emilia follows, albeit embarrassed.

"Victory?" Rem follows the pose, but doesn't follow the vigor like both of them.

Subaru laughs, glad they still put the effort in all the way to the end, "Alright, that's a wrap! I don't know about you two, but I'm fired up for whatever comes today!"

Seeing Subaru pump out his fist, both girls ease into their normal stance. Emilia scratches her cheek,

"I think I feel a bit better than before... I don't know... What about you, Rem?" Emilia turns to the maid, who simply bows her head.

"Rem is just happy she got to spend time with you two." Rem, bowing, speaks like it was matter-of-fact, earning a blush from Emilia.

"G-Geez, Rem — I was talking about the stretches!" Emilia looks away, flustered, "...B-but... I'm glad to spend time with you, t-too..."

Subaru smiles, watching the both of them. The real reason why they were doing this exercise was right in front of him.

After the events of yesterday, he wanted Emilia and Rem to rekindle their friendship. Thankfully, it seems like it didn't take much to do so.

Mission Accomplished!

Unbeknownst to the girls, Subaru looks to his left, and sees Satella standing next to him.

Just like the other girls, she also partook in the exercise... However, she was very much reserved.

She didn't even say 'Victory!' like she did before! That's the best part!

Even now, she was still super-quiet. Subaru reaches to her through their link,

["Satella-tan? You okay?"]





A small jump comes from the girl, as she faces him with a red face. Her eyes slowly get wider and wider, until —!

["D-D-Don't look this way, you idiot!"] —A very un-Satella-like response comes from her, as she uses her finger to push his face away from her, in an attempt to avoid eye-contact.

["Huh!? Why?"] Subaru, honestly confused, tries to ask the Witch her reason.

["...You..."] Satella's voice suddenly gets weaker, ["...After what you said yesterday... I can't even look at you without burning up...!"]

Subaru blinks.

Oh. That.

["Erm... Well, Satella-tan, about what I said—"] Subaru begins to reason with her —

["Don't talk about it, idiot! Idiot, idiot, idiot!"] Satella was fuming, her ears steaming at this point. Subaru stiffens up as a response!

["Okay—Fine! I hear you loud and clear: I won't talk about it!"] Subaru was also embarrassed about the conversation, and Satella's reaction didn't help the matters at all,

However, he couldn't let this get in their way of making the right choices!

["Please just calm down, Satella!"] Subaru stares at the girl, who squirms at his gaze, ["I can't work with you properly if you're like this, alright? Let's take a few, deep breaths...!"]

Hearing Subaru's request made in earnest, Satella picks up how serious Subaru was.

["...Alright... Sorry..."] Satella, still red-faced, follows Subaru's request and tries to calm down.

"Subaru-kun." —And Subaru, being called by his pet name from Rem herself, gives a bright smile.

"What's up, Rem?" Subaru asks the maid, who returns the gesture with her own, smaller smile.

"Thank you for saving Rem yesterday." She bows towards him, and he jumps a little.

Saving was an overstatement, right!? He simply made that clown Roswaal come to his senses!

"Wha— I already told you, it's fine!" Subaru waves his hands in defense, and Emilia watches them both with a giggle.

"Even so, Rem is still very grateful..." Rem rises back up, her smile turning a bit sad, "That's why, after Rem's duties today, Rem would like to visit your room later tonight."

"...Hueh?" Subaru blinks —

"What the hell do you mean, 'visit your room tonight'!?" —Almost like she forgot Subaru's request entirely, Satella makes this exclamation, pushing right up into Rem's face with fury!

Rem couldn't see the Witch, but coincidentally her own face flares up a bit, as if realizing what she said,

"M-My apologies, what Rem said probably sounds misleading!" she stutters out!

Rem clears her throat, and smiles once more, "I would like to learn more about the person you hold dear. I figured it would best to arrange our meeting in your room... Is that okay?"

Subaru finally understands her request, and makes an awkward smile, "A-ah, right... Okay, sure! We can talk more later — if you aren't run ragged by Ros-chi, of course!"

"Great!" Rem exclaims, showing her appreciation with a bigger smile.

"'Ros-chi?'" Emilia repeats, overhearing the conversation, as she looks towards Subaru, "You wouldn't happen to be talking about —"

"—Me, are you, Subaru~u-kun?" Cutting what Emilia was saying, Roswaal approaches the group, with Ram by his side. Subaru's face falls into a grimace,

"...Speak of the Devil, and he shall appear." The boy muses, speaking quietly so only the two — three girls, counting Satella, can hear him.

"Calling Roswaal-sama names isn't nice, Subaru-kun..." Rem whispers while pouting, and Subaru looks away from the maid.

"Y-yeah, yeah..." He waves it off, and looks back at Roswaal.

Subaru takes note of the clown's attire, and perks up,

"Hold on... Ros-chi, are you heading out?"

Roswaal simply smiles and nods, "Indeed. As my dear maid Frederica returns to my abode, I~I am left to pick up where she left off."

His eyes fall to Rem, "I planned to make my leave tomorrow, bu~ut due to unforeseen circumstances, these matters are something I must address today."

Rem bows, easily pitting herself as his muse to leaving today, "My dearest apologies, Roswaal-sama. I wish you a safe travel."

Subaru, biting his lip as he considers the consequences of this, turns to Roswaal with an intense eye, "Are you sure you have to leave today? What if something happens while you're gone?"

Subaru felt anxiety well up inside him. Roswaal leaving early was a bad omen: The invasion happened when Roswaal left last time —

The invasion itself could happen today, if he wasn't careful!

"Well then, Subaru-kun," Roswaal walks over to the boy and places a hand on his shoulder, "If anything does happen in my absence, I'm sure you have what it takes to address the situation."

Subaru watches Roswaal lean forward, hovering over his ear, just like last time —

"I have great expectations for you, Subaru." He whispers, and Subaru's lips thin, "Keep an eye on Emilia-sama, and my dear maids while I'm gone."

Subaru felt him pat his shoulder, as if passing his blessing.

"We shall talk more, later." —Hearing Roswaal's final words, Subaru watches him walk forward into the clearing, with mixed feelings.

But before he could say anything, Roswaal makes his show of magic and starts floating!

"Now then, everyone: I bid you, adieu!" —And like that, Roswaal takes off, into the bright morning sky.

Subaru watches his figure retreat, and thinks to himself, ["I should've told him about the invasion... He's leaving us to fend for ourselves, here..."]

["Subaru-kun..."] Satella, watching her beloved squirm with anxiety, wasn't sure what to say in the moment.

"Rem, Rem." Ram approaches her sister, and said sister looks back, "We shouldn't delay any longer. Let's make sure the manor is spotless for Roswaal-sama's return."

"Very well." Rem nods, before turning to Subaru, "If you excuse me, Subaru-kun, Rem must tend to her duties."

"A-Actually, Rem..." Subaru stops the maid in her tracks, as Subaru turns to her with a forced-happy expression, "If it's okay with you, could we visit the village sometime today? There's... something I need to check."

A pause, from Rem, as she turns to Ram, then back to Subaru.

"I apologize."

Rem bows, and Subaru's shoulders slack, "I cannot afford to drift any further from my tasks than I have already. Maybe tomorrow?"

Subaru simply shakes his head, "No, you're right... forget I even asked, Rem." He speaks, his voice sounding dry.

Rem takes another pause, worried about his behavior, before opting to follow Ram and finally start on her work.

["Can't get Rem to help, huh? Guess I'm just going by myself then."] Subaru draws the short-end of the stick, figuring it would be better if he went by himself —

"Subaru-kun?" —Until Emilia intervenes, asking for his attention, "Is there something important you need done at the village?"

Subaru dances with the thought of asking for Emilia's help...

But, as he faintly remembers all the trouble he caused her in his last life, he shakes it off. He knows her Royal Selection studies were more important than this.

He just got on her good side! He didn't want to risk losing her faith in him!

"It's kinda, sorta important..." Subaru's dialect is accompanied by his shoulders hiking in a shrug, yet he simply smiles at her,

"...But it's nothing you should worry about. You got more important things to do, right? I'll just go to the village in my own time."

Emilia's eyebrows furrow, like she expected an answer like that from him.

On Emilia's side of things, while she came to like her new friend, Subaru had a tendency to push her away from his problems.

It's happened at least three times now — And it was getting annoying!

If it were any other day, Emilia would've let him do whatever he wished...

However, he got into some serious trouble yesterday with Rem. Not that she held a grudge on her anymore, but... It could've been avoided —

( "Okay... Would you like me to join you?" — "I'll be fine. You should keep working on your studies." )

— If she simply trusted her gut, and joined him to meet up with Rem in the first place.

Emilia won't take the risk again.

"When will you go?" Emilia, instead of simply agreeing with Subaru's decision, asks him another question.

Subaru blinks, not expecting the sudden inquiry, "...Uh... Probably after lunch today, I guess? Why?"

Emilia simply smiles, "Oh, no reason, really. Then... I wish you luck!" Emilia turns around and walks back to the mansion, suddenly upbeat.

Subaru stands to watch her retreating figure, and scratches his cheek.

"What was that about?"





Lunchtime came and went for the residents of Roswaal's Manor. After making sure he had everything he needed, Subaru leaves his room with Satella in tow.

Subaru clenches his knuckles, as a small wave of anxiety comes to him. If his theory was true, and Roswaal's departure is the thing that starts the invasion... he would have to fend off Mabeasts, and save all the children himself.

It was a weight on his shoulders that he felt, on top of all the progress he made since his last checkpoint–

"You'll be fine."

His anxiety faded, as he felt Satella weave her fingers into his enclosed knuckle, to hold his hand.

Subaru turns to see her, gently smiling at him with rosy cheeks, "You can do it. I believe in you."

Her words held faith and hope. Something he never knew he needed.

From Satella's gentle words, came Subaru's firm resolve: Now was not the time to worry.

Subaru releases her hand, and hovers both of his hands near his face...

*SMACK!*

—And slaps his face with both hands, surprising Satella.

"...Haaah..." Subaru lets out a breath of air, as his cheeks get rosy from the action. He gives Satella a confident grin.

"Let's do this."





Leaving the manor, he finds walks down the steps from the entrance, onto the pavement leading towards the gates. With Satella on his side, and the strength he has now, he was confident to finish today right! —

"You sure took your time, huh, Subaru?"

"Wha!?" Subaru jumps, as he turns to his left to see none other than —

"E-Emilia-tan!?" Subaru exclaims, seeing the Royal Candidate in her usual attire... except now she was wearing her cat-hoodie this time.

"Shh!" Emilia rushed forward and pressed her finger on her mouth, passing glance at the entrance, "Not so loud! You'll get Ram and Rem's attention!"

With Emilia's request, Subaru swallowed any other outbursts he had.

"What are you doing out here? I thought you had to study for the Royal Selection!" He whispers quietly. Emilia simply makes a smile.

"What's it look like? I'm joining you!" Emilia fiddles with her hood, making sure it was snug, "Of course, I'll finish my work before Roswaal gets back, but you seemed pretty serious about visiting the village."

Subaru's mouth opens a little in shock, as Emilia was determined to join him in his little quest.

This never happened before. Subaru was certain Emilia would just go about her day, and not pass Subaru another glance...

...Holy crap, was this the result of their newfound friendship? If so, being friends with Emilia was pretty damn awesome!

But was this okay? If anything happens to Emilia, then —

"Shall we get going?" Emilia turns around, and leads the way, "If Ram catches us, we'll get in biiiig trouble...!"

Hearing Emilia's playful demeanor, Subaru's face flushes up. After a pause, he brushes it off.

"Y-Yeah, Emilia-tan... let's get moving!" Subaru jumps into gear and runs towards Emilia's side, relishing her company.





"Where is everyone?" Emilia asks out loud, as both her and Subaru approach the village, finding nobody in sight.

Immediately, Subaru's anxiety flares up, immediately taking the sight as bad news.

"I-I'm not sure..." Subaru's voice was shaky, as he mustered the courage to save face.

["This place looks deserted... But nothing seems destroyed..."] Satella puts her own two cents in, easing Subaru's thoughts.

The invasion caused a lot of ruckus with the adults, and everyone was running around back then. This, however, made Irlam Village feel like a ghost town.

"C'mon. Let's go look for the village elder." Emilia tugs on his jacket, urging the boy to follow as they weave through an eerily empty village.

Halfway past all the initial buildings and shops, Subaru's spots a dot of orange in the corner of his eyes.

Petra!

He sees the little girl holding a bucket of water. Subaru's heart soars, seeing how she was perfectly fine!

"Wait a sec, Emilia!" he calls his partner to stop, as he runs toward Petra, catching the little girl's attention.

"Ah! I-I-It's you!" Petra flushes up, seeing the boy she saw yesterday in the village, "Subaru!"

"Hey there, Petra!" Subara makes a wave at her, before his face got serious, "What's going on? Where did everyone go?"

"Uhm, about that..." Petra suddenly gets all nervous, not paying attention to Emilia who was walking up next to Subaru, "W-Well, the village is going through an emergency lockdown."

"Lockdown...?" Emilia whispers, and Petra passes her a glance.

"Hey... Subaru, who's this person?" Petra asks, awkwardly, as her eyes fall back and forth, between Subaru and Emilia.

Subaru perks up, before smiling, "Oh, my bad! Let me introduce you to Em—"

"Emma! It's Emma!" Emilia suddenly cuts Subaru off by saying this, making both of them jump, "I'm one of Subaru's friends! Nice to meet you!"

"I-it's nice to meet you, too...!" Petra smiles, while Subaru cocks his head. Emilia gives Subaru an apologetic smile,

"I'll explain later, okay?" —She whispers, and Subaru simply nods.

With both of them turning back to Petra, she continued her explanation,

"It started yesterday — Right after you left, Subaru," Petra fiddles with her hands, as she holds the bucket of water, "Everyone was minding their own business, when suddenly... A-a huge roar came from the outside!"

"A roar...?" Subaru's hair bristled up, as he could only think of Mabeasts being the cause.

"Mmhm! Some of my friends also noticed a huge cloud of black smoke, too!" Petra continues, and Subaru's thoughts slowed down a bit.

...Black smoke?

...wait!

"We told our parents, and our parents told the Village Elder..." Petra had an uncomfortable look on her face, "...And after that, well... that caused the lockdown!"

Subaru hovered a hand over the bridge of his nose, and pinched it.

The black smoke was clearly Shamac. That means the roar was...

["Oh dear..."] Satella lets out a small voice, pairing two and two together.

Turning to Emilia, she also had an uncomfortable look on her face, telling him that she figured it out as well.

Irlam Village was in lockdown... because of his battle with Rem, yesterday.

"...Haaah..." Subaru let out a long-winded sigh, "I'll go clear things up with the chief."

"Huh?" Petra let out a small voice, as she looked at them, confused.

"It'd probably be for the best..." Emilia speaks, giving an awkward smile, "Thank you for telling us, Petra! We'll fix things up, right away!"

"Wait..." Petra holds a finger under her mouth, thinking, "...Do you guys know what happened yesterday? I want to know!"

"M-maybe next time, alright? You should probably get moving." Subaru waves it off easily, as Petra remembers what she was doing.

"Ah, you're right!" She gets a firm grip on the water bucket, and heads to her home, "T-Take care, Subaru, Emma!"

Subaru waves at the little girl as she runs with her bucket of water, before turning to Emilia, "So... Emma-tan, huh?"

"S-Shush, you...! I didn't want to introduce myself during a crisis!" She pouts, before reaching towards her hoodie,

"Besides, this hood of mine is enchanted: To anyone here, I probably just look like a normal girl, so it's for the best, okay?" Her look was intense towards Subaru, but he knew she was just making excuses.

"Fair enough." Subaru shrugs it off, and walks onward, "We'll just need to introduce you properly to the kids next time!"

"Hey, wait a minute! I never agreed to that!" Emilia makes an outcry, quickly running to match the pace of her friend.

A moment passes, and the duo eventually reach the Village Elder's house.

Emilia watches Subaru begin to walk toward the door, and starts following him, "...Are you going to tell them the truth? About Rem?"

"What? No, of course not!" Subaru looked offended, turning to Emilia, "That'd ruin poor Rem's reputation! There's no way I could do that to her!"

"Wait, really?" Emilia's eyes begin to widen in shock, as the only other option was...

"...Subaru, don't tell me you're going to lie to the village elder!?" she exclaims, surprised.

Subaru's smile widens, as he gives her a big thumbs up, "Bingo!"





"Uwaah!?" —This was the exclamation Subaru made, as the old lady Milde casually slides a hand on his butt.

["Hands off the merchandise!"] —Satella, in a futile attempt to cover her beloved's goods, stands as a wall between both of them.

"Oh my..." Emilia holds a hand over her mouth, watching the scene with a blush.

Subaru's embarrassment peaks to new heights, "What's the big idea, grandma!?" he exclaims, flushed.

"Aa~ah, refreshing..." She simply speaks, turning to her brother, Muraosa, "Alright, I believe this young man. Do what you will, Mura."

"Very well." Muraosa nods as a response, taking Subaru's lie as the truth, "We're glad you are safe, Subaru-dono. However, before we release the lockdown, we have but one request."

"...Please, tell me it's not Seven Minutes in Heaven with Grandma here..." Subaru asks, dread in his gut.

"Ohohoho~!" The 'Grandma' Milde simply laughs at the thought, "What a tempting thought, young man!"

"'Seven Minutes in Heaven?'" Emilia repeats, confused about the new term.

["Absolutely not!"] —While Satella just burns up even more, in frustration.

"No, no, nothing like that..." Muraosa is indifferent about Milde's casual passes towards Subaru, as he continues to maintain a serious look,

"Rather, I would like for you and your friend to check the magical border that surrounds our village. Make sure it's still working properly, and ensure our village's safety."

Subaru perks up. That goes hand-in-hand with his mission, too! He had to make sure Irlam Village couldn't be invaded tonight!

"Sounds good! We'll be back in a jiffy, Gramps!" Subaru gives a thumbs up to the two Elders, before turning to Emilia, "Let's get moving!"

"I-in a second, Subaru..." Emilia walks up to the two elders, much to Subaru's surprise.

Emilia slows to a stop, and pulls down her hood, "I wish I could've met you two under better circumstances, but even so, I'm still glad to see you two are well."

"Oh my... It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Emilia..." Milde suddenly gets all composed, not expecting the hooded girl to be Emilia, in the flesh,

"If I wasn't mistaken, Lord Roswaal informed us that you preferred to stay away from this meager Village, correct?"

Emilia stiffens up, before taking a deep sigh, "That is true. However," —She then passes a glance at Subaru, "Given a reason to come here, I felt a need to properly introduce myself to those that make the foundation of my Candidacy..."

Subaru watches Emilia present herself towards the elders, talking with some big and well-thought-out phrases, and turned silent, ["What's all this about?"]

Satella floats by him, ["...Maybe it's something regarding the Royal Selection?"]

Crossing his arms, Subaru could only ponder to himself, as she watched his muse talk with the elders.

Suddenly, Emilia bows towards Grandma Milde.

"Milde Irlam..." She begins to speak, "I would like to personally thank you for your continued support! I am grateful for your help in the Selection!"

"Now now, dear Emilia, that's quite alright." Milde simply reaches up to pat her head, surprising Emilia, "You and Lord Roswaal have done plenty to help us here in the village, too. Pleasantries like this aren't necessary, I assure you."

Milde's words break off the tension in Emilia's heart, knowing her procrastination in revealing herself was very informal, to say the least.

"Thank you very much..." Emilia steels herself, "When I become ruler, your faith won't be misplaced. I promise I won't let you down."

With her last words, the elders nod in respect.

"We shall look forward to it, young lady." Muraosa speaks, and Milde steps closer to Emilia.

"Now, about the young boy..." Milde talks loud enough for Subaru to hear it, but cups a hand over Emilia's ear to whisper the rest.

["— Eh!? What about me!?"] Subaru perks up in surprise, but is unable to hear anything else, as the elder continues to whisper—

"A-ah, yeah... Just a bit, I mean..." Emilia's face gets a bit uncomfortable, much to the chagrin of Subaru.

Turning to his last resort, Subaru looks to Satella, ["H-hey, make sure she isn't saying anything bad, please!"]

Satella nods, and flies over to the duo, but before she could overhear their little conversation —

"...Yeah... I've been considering it too..." Emilia moves away, smiling towards Milde, "...I'll think about it."

"Wonderful. I hope you make the right choice." Milde waves Emilia off, as she puts on her hood, "Take care you two! Stay safe!"

"Thanks! We will!" Emilia turns to Subaru, with a small smile, "All done. Let's check on the border, alright?"

"A-ah, sure... Say, what did you two —" Emilia passes Subaru with a giggle, walking outside,

"Not telling!" she exclaims, making Subaru's face fall flat.

Satella floats next to Subaru, giving him an apologetic smile, ["...If Emilia decides to run away from you, you'll always have me, Subaru-kun!"]

Subaru gives Satella a shocked look, ["Please, don't even joke about that, Satella-tan!"]





Subaru trails behind the Royal Candidate with an uncomfortable look on his face, as Satella follows him, not too far behind.

"It looks like these crystals are fine... But I should check them all, just to be safe." Emilia makes the rare act of talking to herself, as she gives each crystal making the border a solid, 5-second look.

Emilia makes a glance towards Subaru, and gives him a bashful smile, "—Ah, it just slipped past my mind... You also had something you wanted to do, right? We can go do it right after this, okay?"

Subaru simply gives a huff, the girl not aware that this was his mission in the first place, "Don't worry about it, Emilia-tan. Just focus on the border, 'kay?"

Subaru might've been too dismissive, because Emilia was rubbed the wrong way by his tone, "Hey, Subaru... are you mad over what happened between me and Elder Milde?"

Subaru looks at her like she was suggesting something crazy, "Mad? Who, me? No, I'm not mad!"

Subaru's passes his glances away from Emilia, looking at the sky, at the trees, At Meili who was a short distance behind Emilia —

Meili?

"Yes you are! Subaru, don't lie to me! —" Emilia's voice was getting louder, and it surprised Subaru.

"Wait, Emilia, time out!" Subaru calls for their quickly-escalating feud to stop, as she gently pushes the both of them behind a house.

"...Subaru?" Emilia, confused about her friends behavior, turns to look where Subaru's attention was drawn, "A girl...?"

"Yeah. Meili, if I remember correctly." Subaru's eyes were on the girl, as he recalls yesterday's events starting with her and the Mabeast puppy's interruption.

"Why are you being so cautious?" Emilia was confused, "She could be out doing errands for her parents, just like Petra, right?"

Subaru bites the inside of his lip, as he squints at Meili, looking for...

—A small, black puppy, being carried by the little girl... The Mabeast that hurt Rem.

Subaru gives a nervous smile to Emilia, "I don't know if anyone told you, but... Remember how Rem was cursed, yesterday?"

Emilia's eyes grew intense, "How could I not? After you fought Rem, Beatrice spotted it on the way back..."

Her eyes lose its intensity, "However, the origins of the curse... We never asked where she got it from... Probably because we were still mad her, at the time..."

Subaru nods, then makes a movement with his head, signaling to look towards Meili, "The black puppy Meili's with... That thing is what cursed Rem."

Emilia gave Subaru a shocked look, as he continued, "Bit her right on her hand, when Rem tried to reach out to pet it."

"No way... Then, why is it with that little girl — I mean, Meili?" Emilia corrects herself, getting her name from Subaru.

"I don't know..." Subaru leaves an uncomfortable response, eyes falling to the ground, "I don't understand why it seems to like Meili so much..."

Subaru's voice dies in his throat, as he thinks about it, ["That pup's using her as a means to get past the border... and yet, even though I told her that thing's dangerous, she's still with the dog!?"]

["Subaru!"] —Satella's sudden voice catches his attention, as Satella points to Meili.

He watches Meili look both ways... before stepping closer to a tree carrying a border crystal.

["...Hold on..."] Subaru's chest tightens, as Meili holds the dog above her, closer to the crystal,

["...Don't tell me, she's...!"]

The pup opens its maw, and a burst of orange energy quickly comes out — dissipating into the crystal!

Short-circuited by the burst of mana, the crystal shuts off. The border has been opened.

"No way! Did she just break the border!?" With a shout, Emilia breaks away from Subaru, shock in her eyes as she bears witness to the sight.

Her sudden exclamation is caught by Meili, who immediately stiffens, before high-tailing it into the forest!

"—No, wait! Stop! It's dangerous!" Emilia breaks after her, surprising Subaru as he follows suit!

["Could it be... All this time, Meili was..."] —Subaru thinks a thought that was absolutely revolting, [—"No, that's enough! Meili's innocent! She was a victim last time, too!"]

Emilia jumps over the fence surrounding the village, and heads into the forest! Subaru follows closely, dread in his gut!

["That damn dog's controlling her, I bet!"] Subaru resolves his focus to killing the Mabeast, ["If I can just take it out, we can save Meili, and the invasion can't happen!"]

—He remembers having to be saved by Roswaal last time. Someone who won't show up to save him again, for sure.

Subaru stops in his tracks, and stands firm, looking behind him:

Towards Satella.

["Satella-tan..."] His thoughts cool down, as he gives her a firm look, surprising her a bit,

["I'm going to need your help... Can I rely on you?"]

An earnest request by her beloved, Satella's face warms up.

Her lips slowly turn into a smile.

["I won't let you down...!"] Satella pushes closer to Subaru, with mirth in her eyes, ["Subaru-kun!"]





Emilia runs as fast as she could, making a desperate attempt to chase the little girl running deeper and deeper into the forest.

However, not even five minutes in the chase, and suddenly –

"Pah!?" –Emilia lets out a gasp, as something tackles her side, making her stumble into the ground.

A little dazed, Emilia looks towards her left – And immediately stiffens up in shock!

*Grrrr...* –A wolf, or rather, a Mabeast taking the form of a wolf, was only five meters beside her, prowled forward and ready to strike at her in a moment's notice.

Emilia backs away, kicking dirt towards the wolf, which seems to growl more aggressively in response.

'A Mabeast!? Near the border!? But why!?' Emilia racks her thoughts as they're thrown in disarray, trying to understand why a Mabeast was this close to the village.

Emilia doesn't have enough time to muster a spell, as the wolf barks at Emilia, preparing to jump! –

*PKCHH!*

Suddenly, the wolf is smashed onto the ground by an invisible force – The sound of bones cracking being very audable.

Emilia is stunned silent, as the wolf is slowly 'picked up' by the force, the Mabeast's legs slowly dangling below it. She turns to see Subaru walking forward, holding out his hand, grabbing air.

"Get the hell away from Emilia!" –Making a sudden shout, Subaru flings his arm away from him!

–The Mabeast follows the action, the invisible force suddenly throwing it towards a tree!

*CRACK!*

A sound – Unsure if it was the spine of the beast, or the foundation of the tree's bark – as the Mabeast slowly slides down the tree, twitching heavily from the impact.

Emilia, looking at the once-active beast, feels an uncomfortable feeling well up...







Fear, of her new friend, Subaru.

"Hey!" Subaru snaps her out of her daze, as he kneels next to her, "Are you okay!? The beast didn't bite you, did he!?"

Emilia shakes her head slowly, "No, it... it didn't..."

A look, towards the wolf, then back at Subaru, "Subaru... was... was that... you...?"

Subaru relaxes into a sigh, glad she wasn't hurt, before smiling, "Yeah, Emilia-tan. That was one of my... abilities." Subaru's voice reflects his discomfort, as he explains the power that was Betelgeuse's Authority.

Emilia is silent, as Subaru stands back up, before reaching toward her, "C'mon, we have to chase Meili, or else we're going to lose her, right?"

The Royal Candidate opts to swallow her fear, and reaches for her friend's hand. Brutal power or not, it saved her from the beast's attack. She'll ask more about his ability in a better time,

"Y-Yeah... We have no time to waste!" Emilia is pulled onto her feet, and stumbles forward toward Subaru – Her knees still in shock from the past few events.

"Woah!?" Subaru catches her, but is greeted by soft hair under his chin, and a sweet scent glazing past his nose–

Such a nice sensation is taken immediately, as Emilia breaks away from Subaru,

"S-sorry!" Emilia chimes out, before turning to follow Meili's trail, "Let's hurry!"

"Y... Yeah!" Subaru, albeit a little red, focuses on the task in front of them, as the both run to chase Meili.





Their trail leads them to an open field, away from the forest. Subaru is quick to pick up similarities to the plains that the kids were rescued at, in his last run.

Now, with it being a bright, sunny day, Subaru was able to see clearly; much needed bonus for their endeavor.

Subaru and Emilia could see a sole figure – Meili, standing with her back turned away from them.

The air was tense, as they were concerned for the child. Concerned, and weary, given her misdemeanor with breaking the border earlier.

Subaru steps forward, with Emilia watching him nervously, "Meili, please don't run away! We just want to talk!"

Hearing Subaru's plea, Meili stiffens once more... before relaxing, turning to face the two.

In her hands, the black puppy Mabeast was held, growling at the duo.

Meili's own face was one of discomfort, as she looked onwards to the two, "Why...? Why did you follow me? I wasn't supposed to be spotted like this...!"

Subaru, hearing her admit how she wasn't supposed to be seen, starts thinking once more: Was she planning to break the border herself? Was this not the Mabeast's fault?

No. She's such a young girl. Surely, she's innocent...!

"We followed you because it's not safe here! This is Mabeast territory! You're in serious danger!" It was Emilia's voice, as she walked up next to Subaru.

Her eyes were filled with worry, "Even that puppy is a Mabeast... please, let that dog go and come to us! We'll bring you back to safety!"

Meili's eyes take a glazed look, as her grip tightened on the pup, "...Safety?" she repeats, almost considering the thought.

Subaru and Emilia watch as she shakes her head, "...No, I mustn't waste time... If Mother caught me getting distracted like this..."

Her face takes on a firm look, away from Subaru and Emilia, "I must follow Onee-chan's example, and persevere...!"

"'Mother? Onee-chan?'" Emilia repeats, confused about the sudden inclusion of a sister, and a mother.

Subaru continues to walk forward, and Emilia reaches out to him, "Wait! Don't be reckless!"

"Meili..." Subaru, brushing aside what Emilia says, walks towards the little girl as she backs up a bit,

"Is your 'Mother' the reason you took down the border?" He asks, hoping the little girl wasn't completely at fault.

"...Onee-chan said never to reveal the identity of our Mother..." –Another step away from him, and her eyes glance around for an exit, "...If I do, Onee-chan might finally cut open my bowels, as a punishment..."

Subaru's eyes widen immediately.

The choice of wording Meili makes... it creates a brand-new revelation.

"H-Hold on... Meili..." –Said girl passes a short glance at Subaru, who has a hard time finding the right words to speak with...

"Your 'Onee-chan' wouldn't happen to be... Elsa, would it?" Subaru pops the question –

The distance between him and Meili is closed immediately, as the little girl's expression is flipped into one of pure joy!

"You know Elsa-Onee-chan!?" Meili exclaims, confirming Subaru's thoughts as cold sweat overcomes him.

Anyone who knew Elsa... had to be a bad person!

Emilia, unfamiliar with the name, opts to stay quiet as she watches Subaru.

"Where is she!? What happened to Onee-chan!?" Meili continues to press questions onto Subaru, as he feels dread quickly rise in his gut.

"...She's..." Subaru passes a glance at Emilia, then back at Meili, "...She's in... jail, Meili."

The little girl's face turns into shock, "...Wha... Jail!? No way!"

"...You know she's a very bad person, right?" Subaru tries to reason with the little girl–

"You're wrong! Onee-chan is the kindest person I know!" Meili's 'reason' seems to be way too far gone, however, as she blatantly shows her affection to the cruel murderer.

She turns to the ground, twirling a strand of hair, "...But... that would explain why she isn't coming to visit me, anymore..." she murmurs, "...But how would Elsa-Onee-chan let herself get caught so easily...?"

As Meili muses to her thoughts, Subaru quietly backs away from her, getting closer to Emilia – Something she caught quickly.

"...Subaru, is everything alright?" Emilia's question is easily heard by Meili, as she suddenly gets an excited look!

"Emilia...!" –Subaru passes a look of warning to the half-elf, and she stiffens up.

"Ah! Please don't leave me! I have a lot of questions to ask you, Onii-chan!" –Meili's voice dances with mirth, unnerving Subaru as he quickly realizing the situation being flipped on its head!

"Hey, we need to go!" Subaru runs to Emilia and grabs her hand, opting to run away from the girl that was close to Elsa!

They don't run far, however, as they quickly stop for what was in front of them!

Mabeasts...dozens of them, begin to walk from the forest, into the open field.

Subaru turns back to Meili, and finds more Mabeasts on each side of her, as if protecting her.

–And quickly, Subaru fits the missing puzzle pieces into place, making it complete:

Meili is the one responsible for the Invasion of Irlam Village.

"We're surrounded...!" Emilia exclaims with an uncomfortable face, looking to Subaru for their next move.

["Even though I risked my life to save you last time...!"] –But Subaru's thoughts ran amok, as he processes his most recent revelation.

"My friends won't let you get away that easily..." Meili's voice was cold, but she continued smiling, "Please don't resist! I want you to tell me everything you know about Onee-chan!"

["I don't understand! Why are you so close with that murderer, Meili!?"] –Subaru's tears bud for the child who is too young to know who is bad, and who is good, ["Why!?"]



["Focus, Subaru-kun!"]



– It was Satella's fierce voice that comes to snap Subaru out of his senses, as he turns to the Witch, ["You're scaring Emilia! You need to be brave!"]

Hearing her, Subaru looks to Emilia to see her anxiety reflect in her eyes. Fear and worry, in the orbs of someone he considered precious.



...What the hell was he doing!?



Swallowing his throat, he turns to the horde of Mabeasts, sprouting two Unseen Hands, "I'll get us out of here, Emilia. Trust me!"

Not waiting for a response, Subaru flings his Hands towards the group of beasts, but before he could even touch them –

They jump away, seemingly aware of the Unseen Hands, despite them being naked to the human eye!

"What!?" Subaru lets out an exclamation, turning to Meili for answers, "They can see it!? How!?"

"Those are some big, scary hands, Onii-chan..." –Her gaze was, indeed, on the Unseen Hands, before falling back onto Subaru, "You weren't planning on hurting my friends... are you?"

Subaru reels back his extra appendages, as he racks his head for answers, ["How can she see them!? They're supposed to be invisible, right!?"]

As he thinks about it, he recalls a memory of Betelgeuse being frustrated of Subaru, being able to see them as well, as he protected Emilia –

His gut wretches at the thought of being so similar to Betelgeuse, in the worst time!

["She might be part of the Witch Cult, Subaru-kun!"]

With Satella's answer, his dread digs deeper as he looks towards her.

Satella's lips are pursed, and she stares intensely at Meili,

["Even though it's not seen by many, the Unseen Hand can still be seen by those with a direct connection to a Witch."] Her eyes fall to Subaru, and they held a desire for him to live,

["You won't be able to fight them like this! Please... You need to run away!"]

With her last words, Subaru's throat tightens as he is given a solution to his current predicament. It wasn't one he was fond of, but he knew he didn't have much of a choice.

The Mabeasts draw closer to the group, and Subaru passes a glance at Emilia – Who was already drawing magic from the spirits, creating her ice magic – Huma.

"They're surrounding us... What should we do, Subaru?" Emilia whispers, keeping her focus on her casting incase things get hectic. Subaru swallows, and steels his nerves.

"...We run."

–Emilia blinks in surprise when Subaru grabs her hand, dispelling her magic, "Wha–!?"

Pulling her close to him, Subaru takes a deep, deep breath, surging mana into his gate!

"Shamac! ! !"

–And, in a violent burst of smog, Subaru's Shamac obscures everyone but his vision.

"Uwah!?" Meili lets out a noise, shutting her eyes from the thick smoke, "No fair, Onii-chan!"

But Subaru doesn't regard the little girl's comment, as he pulls Emilia with him towards an opening, past all the Mabeasts.

Past the smoke, Emilia finally opened her eyes and kept a steady pace behind Subaru. Running back into the forest, his grip on her becomes unbearable, "Subaru, you're hurting me...!"

Hearing Emilia, Subaru releases her hand and turns to her, "S-sorry!"

–He then sees the Mabeasts popping out of the smoke, shaking their heads free of lingering sediment from the Yin Magic, "Shit, we need to keep moving, Emilia!"

Subaru runs into the forest, with Emilia close behind him, as Shamac's smoke slowly dissipates into the wind.

*Cough, Cough!*

Meili, coughing up the fumes, glares at the direction Subaru took off to, and points towards it.

"After them! Don't let Onii-chan escape!"





Emilia and Subaru were running through the forest thicket, adrenaline surging through them as they were chased by the pack of Mabeasts sent by Meili.

It doesn't take long for Subaru to notice the distance closing between them and the beasts. In a last-ditch effort, he turns to Satella, keeping a steady pace with them by floating,

["Satella, could you use my Unseen Hands to fight off those damn dogs!?"] –Recalling the brutal memory of Satella using his power to kill Rem, he opts to use it for the better.

Satella floats right up behind him and grabs his shoulders, ["I can, but I can't focus on flying and using your power at the same time! Let me hold onto you!"]

Subaru doesn't think about the sudden contact, ["Whatever you want, Satella-tan! Just cover us!"]

Nodding, her attention is focused on the quickly-rising issue that is the Mabeasts. Without much trouble, she pulls out two of Subaru's Unseen Hands, and aims it towards them!

Just like before, the dogs see the hands and dodge from their attack. However, they are broken from their pace of speed as a result – and it's what Subaru wanted.

'Emilia! Keep running forward, I'll make sure these mutts don't catch us!" Subaru matches the Royal Candidate's pace, running right next to her.

"Okay!" Emilia, breaking a sweat from their constant running, could only nod her head as they kept fleeing from the animals.

Almost a minute of straight running, and Satella's assistance kept the distance between them and the dogs. However, it seemed like there was no end in sight to the deep, deep forest.

Arriving at a small river, their path is halted, and whatever adrenaline the two had simply ran dry.

"Haah... haah...!" Subaru's breath was labored, as was Emilia's.

"Did we... lose them...?" Emilia's gaze was on Subaru, as she held herself up with weak knees, "I can't... run... anymore...!"

Before Subaru could answer, however–!

"Emilia – Get down!"

Subaru shoves Emilia aside, much to the girl's surprise, as she is thrown into the shallow river. The seeping cold of the water snaps Emilia into attention, "Subaru!?"

"GYAAAAAAH! ! !"

–The shrill scream of her friend shoots electricity through her spine, as she sees Subaru, trying to throw off a Mabeast chewing into his shoulder!

["Subaru-kun!"] –Satella's shout rings in Subaru's ears, and his pain is replaced with anger and frustration, as he assumes control of one of his Unseen Hands!

"Get the hell off me!" Subaru digs the Unseen Hand's fingers inside the beast's maw, and thrusts it upwards – The sudden action dislocating the beast's jaw!

The pressure on his arm is released, and he rips himself off the dog, before raising an Unseen Hand above him, into a fist! –

"Go to hell, you mutt!" –And slams the fist onto the beast, crushing the rest of its head, instantly!

Blood splatters on the dry earth, almost reaching the river, as Subaru grits his teeth to handle the searing pain in his arm.

"Ghhh...! Ackkk...!" He falls onto his butt, the exhaustion overwhelming him as he trembles from the pain, "Damn it all...! This still hurts like hell...!"

["L-Let me use my authority! I can heal–"] Satella offers assistance, but just as she was speaking,

"Let me see it!" Emilia, soaking wet, runs over to Subaru and sits behind him, hovering her hands over the wound.

Subaru was graced with the pain easing up almost immediately, as Emilia's magic does wonders for his nerves. The wound slowly closed up, leaving only trails of blood behind.

Satella watches the sight with eyes growing dull, feeling like Emilia came and claimed an essential moment away from her.

...Her fingers dig into the hem of her dress, as she fights off resurging feelings of jealousy, clouding her mind...

"Thanks, Emilia-tan...!" Subaru nods towards the half-elf, who gives a small smile back, before looking towards the forest.

"I don't remember coming across a river before... You don't think we're running away from the village, do you?" Emilia asks. Subaru feels his face falling into a frown.

"...I don't know..." Subaru whispers, ashamed, "I just wanted us to run far away from Meili before she –"

But Subaru doesn't have time to wallow in his guilt, as he quickly notices more Mabeasts, walking towards them, growling.

"...There's no end to these damn dogs...!" Subaru crouches low, preparing for an attack on the opposing team.

Emilia holds out her hand, arming herself with more Huma Icicles, "We don't have much of a choice, Subaru... we need to fight back!"

With Emilia's rally, she shoots icicles towards a few Mabeasts, successfully piercing two dogs!

...Only for two more to show up, behind them.

"How are there so many...!?" Emilia curses her luck, pushing mana through her gate to produce more ice magic, "It's like they can find us, no matter how far we run!"

Once Emilia says that, a revelation shines in Subaru's head... and he feels the need to slap himself for being so clueless.

"Of course, they can find us..." Subaru gets up from his crouch, catching Emilia's attention, "It's most likely because of the Witch's scent on me... How could I possibly forget!?"

"What? Subaru, what are you trying to say?" Emilia, hearing him talk about the Witch once more, is on edge about where the conversation is heading.

Subaru turns to Emilia, and gives a gentle smile, "Emilia-tan, here's the plan,"

Subaru begins walking away from her, and watches the dogs carefully, "I'm going to lead them away as bait. When that happens, run away and find some help in the village!"

"What!? Subaru, no! We can do this, toge–!" Emilia's outcry is halted by his raised hand.

"Not with this scent on me, Emilia-tan... Seriously, just look at these dogs!" Subaru stiffled an uncomfortable laugh as, not surprisingly, the Mabeasts' attention was more on Subaru than Emilia, as he walked away from her.

Seeing this, Emilia's argument died in her throat. It seems Subaru really was a trouble magnet, after all...

"I'm not taking a no for an answer, Emilia-tan. Trust me, I'll be fine!" Subaru's grin turns cocky, "I'm about to completely get their attention! Are you ready!?"

Satella quickly catches what her Beloved is about to do – And can already feel her 'other' side bubbling in excitement!

["Wait, Subaru, don't say it!"] –Satella suddenly chimes in, fear on her face, ["If you say those words, I'll –!"]

["It's fine! Go ahead and squeeze my heart!"] Subaru cuts her off, his mind set on going through with the plan he just made, ["I can take it, if it means saving Emilia-tan!"]

["That's not it!"] Satella shakes her head, but Subaru ignores her request and takes a deep breath,



"It doesn't matter if I die anyway, because I can Return by Dea–"





Some ways away from the group, Ram and Rem were running in the forest, with Rem holding onto her traditional Morningstar.

"That bastard, Barusu..." Ram's voice was on edge, as she tried to hone in on her Chairvoyance once more, "I don't know what he said to Emilia-sama, but bringing her out in this forest is beyond stupid, even for a lowlife like him!"

"Nee-sama..." Rem's voice was tense, too, "Please don't be so harsh. Surely, there is a good reason for Subaru-kun to be out here with her!"

Before Ram could respond, Rem suddenly stops to a halt, her eyes widening ever so slightly. Ram comes to a stop, too, looking at her sister.

"What is it?" Ram simply asks. Rem's eyebrows furrow.

"The Witch's scent!" Rem exclaims, giving Ram an intense look, "He's nearby! Let's hurry, Ram!"

Leading this time, Rem follows the scent of the Witch, as Ram follows close by.

"Barusu..." Ram whispers, her eyes tense with intent, "If you're any bit of the man you claim to be, you better keep Emilia-sama safe...!"





"–th! ! !"

Subaru's outcry is finished, much to his surprise as no pain in his chest comes forward, "...Huh? Why didn't she...?"

Subaru looks around for a second, and comes to a realization that something has happened, just not what he imagined.

The colors in Subaru's vision were muted, as even the wind blowing in the forest came to a halt. Both Emilia and the Mabeasts were motionless, like dolls.

It seemed time had stopped, once again. Just like yesterday.

That must mean the Satella next to him... was the Witch of Envy, now!

Subaru's eyes glaze over to Satella, who was silent, but... quietly walking over to him.

Her footsteps being the only ambience he could hear, it felt as if a ghost was approaching him, and his heart starts to quicken.

["Satella... tan?"] He reaches through his link, and her smile widens.







Slowly, the distance between them closes, and Satella stands in front of him, unnerving the boy.

Then, she slowly reaches out towards him, flaring warning signals in his head. However, he doesn't dare move, or else he risks angering the witch.

Along with the promise they made, yesterday, Subaru clings onto the hope that the Witch of Envy doesn't do anything drastic!

He opts to bide his time, and lets the Witch do what she wants, once again.

However, things turn... different, as Satella simply wraps her arms around the boy, pressing her figure against him.

Such an action made Subaru think this was still the usual Satella, and not her 'other' side like he thought.

And yet–

"I love you." A powerful, reverberating voice comes from Satella, one that reminded him of the phantoms that said the same thing, over and over.

Satella's head looks upward, and Subaru could look at her eyes once again – The same, intense eyes that he was starting to get familiar with –

"I love you." Satella repeats once more, and Subaru's eyebrows fall a little, his face flaring up –

Wait, what?

These same statements, ones he was terrified of from another time in his life, were starting to fluster him!?

What the hell was going on!?

"I love you, Subaru-kun." Almost like Satella could tell she was getting under his skin, her voice gets all giddy, and Subaru's face turns hot pink.

"I-I get it, alright! I know, I know!" Like a schoolgirl, Subaru pushes her advances away, earning a giggle from the Witch.

Did he fall into Stockholm Syndrome? Was he so scared of the Witch that his feelings turned into a warped sense of affection?

Or... was he finally warming up to the Witch of Envy, somehow...?

Cutting him of his thoughts, Satella presses even further onto Subaru, much to the delight of his senses–

"Hey..." Satella asks for her beloved's attention, as he turns to her with a strangled face, "...You're angry."

"H-huh?" Subaru blinks. Angry? No. More like terrified, confused, and... flustered, to say the least.

"Angry at the dogs. Angry at the little girl." She clarifies, and Subaru understands a bit more, "Angry... at Sloth."

Sloth? Does she mean the Authority of Sloth? Unseen Hand?

"How many do you need?"

A question, one that Subaru wasn't sure how to answer, "...What do you mean?"

"Hands. How many do you need?" She repeats, surprising Subaru.

Was she... offering to add more hands for him to use?

Subaru doesn't understand: wasn't his limit three hands? The 'nicer' Satella seemed pretty insistent that he couldn't go any more than that number.

Does the Witch of Envy have a way to break that limit...?

...If that's the case, then...

"...Maybe... Ten, total?" Subaru throws a number out, opting for a clean ten, rather than the prime amount of three he's used to,

"If I had that many, then these Mabeasts should be much easier to take care... of..."

Subaru trails off, as Satella simply opts to stare at him intensely, with an unwavering smile. Again, this excessive amount of attention gets into Subaru's nerves, as he looks away,

"A-Anyway, if I had that many hands, th-then surely I could protect Rem and Emilia better!" –

After saying those words, Subaru could feel the temperature drop, ever so slightly, and his attention is brought back to Satella.

Her smile is gone, and her intense stare has an undertone of malice to it. Subaru quickly picks up the reason why, and tenses up.

"And... you, too, Satella-tan..." Subaru quickly follows up by including her, as well, "I want to protect you, too..."

The dark energy disappears immediately. Almost like she completely forgot what he had said earlier, her face flushes up into a deep red, and she looks away, bashfully,

"Ehehe~..." A giggle comes from her, as Subaru holds back a sigh. Even someone as powerful as her could have a Maiden's Heart, it seems...

Satella turns back to him, with a smile,

"Hey... kiss me?"

Subaru's face goes red, as he recoils a bit, "H-Here!? Now!? Why!?"

Satella pouts, "To give you power, dummy! Dummy! My Beloved Dummy!"

Subaru blinks, as he remembers her offer,

"D... Do you have to kiss me?"

Satella's grip on him tightens, as her nails dig into him,

"Do you want my power or not, my Beloved!?" –Her voice left no room for negotiation. This was her terms.

His eyes glance towards Emilia, then back at Satella,

"God... I feel like the star of some NTR Doujin right now..." He gets a guilty look, heart heavy for how many times he's done this in front of the Royal Candidate...

However, he needed the strength to fight those demon dogs. His only way of doing so... was to get on Envy's good side.

Mustering confidence, Subaru pushes against Satella, towering over her.

The Witch's eyes gloss up, and her lips pucker in anticipation, as Subaru leans closer... and closer...

"Mmnn~!"

Contact.

Resurging feelings of excitement and lust flood Subaru, as he takes the Witch's lips for his own. Satella squirms under him, as her arms trail his back, pulling at his jacket –

And suddenly, in the midst of excitement, a jolt of electricity shoots through Subaru – One that was similar to when he made the contract with Satella.

Subaru breaks off of Satella, giving her a questioning look, "That was..."

Satella's hand rises up to her face, and her finger trails her lips, in silence. Her eyes were lidded, as she rubs the spot where her beloved has left his mark.

"My beloved..." Her lips purse into a small smile, "I have granted your wish..."

Subaru is silent, as Satella slowly turns into wisps of darkness, "If you ever need more power... All you have to do is ask..."

"And when the day comes... When you finally fall in love with me..." Her eyes close as she gives a beaming smile, "I promise, I will give you everything I can offer..."

Seeing the Witch of Envy's raw emotion, Subaru is left speechless, as she completely disappears from his hands.



Color slowly floods back into the scenery, as he feels the wind of the forest, blowing softly against him.

"What are you saying, Subaru...?" Emilia's voice rings out, and Subaru makes a double-take to make sure she wasn't Satella in disguise.

The dogs, however, start growling even louder to Subaru, as the effects of declaring his power made itself known.

"It's nothing! I just boosted the Witch's scent on me!" Subaru declares, almost proudly, much to the surprise of Emilia, "As things stand now, I probably smell like an all-you-can-eat buffet to these hellhounds!"

Turning on the sole of his shoe, Subaru makes a break for it, "So take this chance and run back to the village, alright! Like I said, I'm counting on you!"

Emilia watches him run – And like clockwork, the dogs bark and chase after him without giving Emilia much thought. Both the dogs and Subaru disappear deep into the forest, leaving Emilia by herself.



"Subaru..." She whispers, knowing that nobody was around to hear...

Emilia musters her own courage, seeing how Subaru sacrificed himself so willingly, and closes her eyes to focus.

"...I won't let you down!" She takes a deep breath, and opens her communication with the spirits.

An aura appears around her, as she gathers the information of the lingering mana creatures around her, hoping to receive a path that returns her to the village –

Only to be surprised, as the spirits tell her of two very familiar individuals, wandering the forest as well!

"...Ram... and Rem...?" She whispers quietly, before cutting communication with the spirits,

"I have to go to them! With their help, we can save Subaru!"





"i think... haah..." Subaru lets out a gasp of air, as he arrives in yet another small clearing, "This should be far enough... away from Emilia...!"

The Mabeasts that chased him started to encircle to boy, growling all the same, ready to pounce at a moment's notice.

However, Subaru found some much-needed confidence from the Witch of Envy supposedly giving him more power, in the form of add more hands to his arsenal.

"...Now then..." His eyes get intense, as he pulls his power from deep inside himself, "Let's see if what she said was the truth – Ghhhk!?"

Almost like pulling off a bandage of wax, a sharp pain shot through Subaru, as many hands exploded from behind him, extending out in different directions.

Ten hands. What Satella said was, indeed, true to form...

"...What the hell...?" Subaru coughed out, as he watched the appendages hover around him. He quickly noticed the catch of his newly-gained power boost.

Each hand floated, waved, and practically danced their own tune. No matter what Subaru did, he could only control three hands at a time, while the rest simply did whatever they want!

Subaru felt goosebumps when one of the cold, lifeless hands carressed his cheek lovingly

It was like an extension of the Witch of Envy, matching her behaviors as they seemed to act alive –

Suddenly, one of the dogs jumped towards Subaru, fed up with waiting for its packmates to act! Aiming towards the boy, it opens its maw wide open to attack! –

The beast suddenly gets pierced by an Unseen Hand, moving quicker than Subaru could ever perform, himself.

The result was immediate, as the hand pulls out a deformed heart of the beast! The sight causes Subaru to belch slightly.

The other beasts took initiative, and all attacked at once, to seemingly avenge their fallen packmate –

The effort was futile.

With weak legs, Subaru watched the Unseen Hands do their dirty work. Piercing, slashing, even gouging out the dogs with little effort on his part.

Five more Mabeasts were slaughtered, ruthlessly, and Subaru felt the strength to keep standing leave him. Falling back on his butt, Subaru watches the ruthless hands come close to him...

Rubbing his shoulder, holding his shaking hands... once again, caressing his cheek, rubbing the blood of the beasts all over him...

The bizarre ability tried to soothe Subaru's panic, not realizing it was only causing him strife.

Subaru had opened Pandora's Box, and obtained power he wasn't sure he could contain.

He hadn't had time to think, however, as more Mabeasts came to surround him, uncaring of their fallen brethren's' fate.

Subaru could only fathom how strong his Miasma was, and just how many beasts would be coming...

...And how much blood would be spilled from Envy's hands.





"Ram! Rem!"

The two maids were surprised to hear Emilia call for them as they followed Subaru's stench. Stopping for the Candidate, they quickly took notice of the state Emilia was in: Wet, and cold, but not hurt.

"Emilia-sama!" Ram quickly moved towards the half-elf, "What happened to you? Are you hurt?"

"No. I'm fine." Emilia shook her head, but had a guilty look afterwards, "Subaru, he... He took all the heat from the Mabeasts chasing us. If anyone's in danger, it's him!"

"I don't understand! Why did you follow him all the way out here!? You know it's dangerous!" Ram was more aggravated of Emilia's choices, than concerned for the boy's life.

"Because there's a little girl out there, in need of help!" Emilia exclaims, but even she wasn't sure if that was the truth.

After all, Meili seemed to be the one responsible for organizing so many Mabeasts ahead of time... She clearly had some influence over the beasts.

"A little girl...?" Ram wonders, but only for a moment as she looks at Emilia some more, "...The state of your attire is appalling. Please hold still."

With a breath, Ram calmly spoke her spell, "Fura."

A warm breeze wraps around Emilia, evaporating the dampness of the soaked clothing pretty quickly.

Wordlessly thanking Ram, she looks at both maids with pleading eyes, "We have to go save Subaru, before it's too late!"

Ram shakes her head, "I won't let you risk your life even further. You must return to the mansion, immediately."

"Don't be unreasonable, Ram! Subaru is still out there!" Emilia's outcry is stopped once Rem steps forward.

"Be at ease, Emilia-sama. Rem shall see to it that Subaru returns, safely." Rem says this with a smile, doing a lot to relieve the tension inside Emilia.

However...

( "The reason she attacked was because of this damn scent!" )

Emilia recalls why Subaru was assaulted by Rem, and then remembers how Subaru lured the Mabeasts away in the first place:

Subaru is a walking stink-bomb right now. If what he said earlier was true, wouldn't his stench provoke her to attack, again!?

"Rem, wait!" Emilia's voice stops the maid, before she could venture off to find Subaru, "I need to tell you that Subaru's scent... no, the Witch's scent is much, much more potent than before!"

Emilia's eyes held worry, "Please, Rem... Promise me you won't hurt Subaru again!"

Rem holds a stoic look... Emilia felt as though she hurt the maid's feelings, with what she said.

Rem then began smiling once more.

"Rem won't hurt Subaru-kun." She admits softly, rising a hand closer to her chest,

"Because Rem wants to amend for her mistakes. That's why... Rem will save him this time!"

With Rem's declaration, Emilia is put at ease.

"Okay... May the spirits protect you, Rem." Emilia gives a light bow to Rem, much to her surprise,

"Please, make sure he comes back alive!"

Rem gives a curtsy, before turning around and running towards the scent, with Emilia and Ram watching her departure.





Rem arrives to the scent's location, but quickly notices how the Miasma is overwhelmed with the scent of... Iron.

Rem's fears kick to overdrive, and she quickly presses closer to the Witch's Scent, ignoring whatever else smells came from the forest –

She arrives at a clearing, herself.

The view was caked with blood and guts of Mabeast corpses.

The iron-y smell flooded her nostrils, and Rem held back the urge to vomit. Her senses started to waver from the sight of carnage, in front of her.

And yet, in the midst of it all, kneeling on grass that was soaked with blood...

"...C'mon, Disappear...! Why won't you leave... Damn it...!"

Subaru, clasping at his arms, shaking...!

"Subaru-kun...!" Rem's voice reached him, and the effect was immediate.

Subaru stiffened, his body stopped shaking.

He turned to her, with eyes filled with paranoia, and face slathered with Mabeast blood.

"...Rem...?" His voice was quiet, reserved. Like he was scared of... something.

"What... happened...?" Rem passes another glance at the Mabeast corpses surrounding him, stacked onto each other like some demented butchery, "Are you in pain...? What's wro–"

Rem steps forward, closer to Subaru.

The boy jolts up, as if shocked with electric magic!

"Don't come any closer, Rem! You'll get hurt!"

Rem freezes up, as Subaru makes the desperate plea!

In a twist of fate, the roles have been changed between the two.

The person who had lost control of themselves... was now Subaru Natsuki.





Happy Thanksgiving! Sorry about all the delays, writer's block is hitting me hard right now.

For now, I have plans to get the next chapter done by December on FF.net, but I also want to re-do the artwork of Arc 1 with Anime Satella, despite what I said earlier about not re-doing them. I figured it would be more consistent this way!

Please keep supporting me until then! I really appreciate you all reading! See you in the next chapter!