The Cast react to The Director's Cut of Re: Zero

by Anonymous

Summary:

The cast react to the Director's Cut of the final episodes.

Chapter 2 is around 70% done

Notes:

Well, I had this lying around for way too long.

Yeah, it's a react fic where the cast are seeing the director's cut of the final episodes of Season 1
This chapter is set right after they reacted to Subaru getting possessed by Petelgeuse.

Of course, I had some help with this.

Chapter 1

Subaru Natsuki died again.

 

Painfully. Heartbreakingly so.

 

Emilia couldn’t stomach it anymore.

 

Subaru.

 

That sweet boy had been taken over like this by her uncle Geuse...

 

To see Subaru’s face twisted like that. Spouting all of those words like a madman.

 

Subaru. Subaru. Subaru. Subaru.

 

Why? Why him? Why was it only him?! Why did it seem like everyone was out to get him?! The thugs! Elsa! Rem! Almost everyone was out to get him! 

‘Why him? Subaru makes mistakes but he doesn’t deserve this!’ Emilia thought as her heartbeat started to skyrocket. ‘I can’t get that expression out of my face...’

‘ Love! Love! Love! Love!’

‘I can’t get it out of my head’ Emilia thought in frustration and desperation. She wanted to pull her hair out. Anything to distract her!

 

“Haaah... haaah...” Emilia started to hyperventilate. The shortness of breath becoming more and more something she couldn’t handle.

 

‘Subaru... .Subaru!’ Emilia thought in panic. He had to be okay!  

 

As Emilia turned to Subaru in panic, she saw Beatrice clutching onto his sleeve with silent trepidation. Her expression barely betrayed anything of what she felt, though the tears gave it all away.

 

Beatrice was unsettled, shaken to her very core.

 

‘His face stretched... he was bending...’ Subaru’s face... that smile...! No! No! I want it to go away! I want Subaru to smile! Not that!’ It couldn’t have been Subaru. It was just some vile thing masquerading as him!

Beatrice clutched onto him as tightly as she could.

 

“You’re here. You’re really him,” Beatrice’s butterfly eyes pleaded for him to be alright.‘Please let your real smile show up again...! Betty is begging you!’

No matter how much she clutched onto him, no matter how much she shook him and whispered her begging words into his ears Subaru said nothing.

 

Neither Emilia, who also clutched onto Subaru, nor Beatrice could get him to come back to them. He was still asleep thanks to this accursed place.

 

Rem, staring somberly at them, knew what this meant.

 

Ram’s embrace didn’t help so much anymore. This cold, isolating, feeling of failure was a constant reminder.

 

What was there to say? What was there to think?

 

‘My hero...why is it only you?’ Rem thought quietly, her head was buzzing. Like she couldn’t think straight. Her mind felt foggy as all she could do was feel... misery. ‘That abominable thing... perverted you like this...? Destroyed your body... tortured you...’

 

Merely seeing Subaru creep into a failed loop again and again was enough to destroy her. If she could, she would take his place in a heartbeat.

 

Yet, no matter how much she had wished for it, he still died.

 

‘I killed him, Elsa killed him, the cult killed him...’ Her thoughts died as she started to breathe silently, nothing else managed to penetrate her current state of mind.

 

Ram, still attempting to comfort her sister with her hug, could feel everything cross over through their Synesthesia. It was enough to suffocate her.  Every moment she saw her sister like this felt like the worst pain imaginable.

 

Cradling Rem into her arms, Ram merely cried silent tears as she buried her head into Rem’s hair.

 

“Rem... it’s okay... look, Subaru is fine,” Ram didn’t have the gall to insult him, not at a time like this, “Look, Sissy, he’s there...”

 

‘I’ll be there for you now. I’m here for you. I have to be here for you. I’m your sister... you can rely on me.’ Ram ran her hand through Rem’s hair in a soft and gentle manner.

 

Gently, she tried to get Rem’s attention to Subaru, who was there.

 

“Look, Rem, Subaru is fine.  He’s healthy and asleep. Try to remember, he’s safe because we’re here with him now.” Ram smiled at Rem, “We’re here with him.”

 

“S...Subaru...” Rem merely whispered, her voice cracking as she saw him.

 

“Subaru needs you...” Ram whispered gently, “Even if he’s asleep, he needs you. He loves you. Come on, let’s go. You’ll see how safe he is here with us.”

 

Rem stayed silently for a few seconds, tears running from her eyes as Ram wiped them away, “O... Okay...” She croaked out.

 

Together, they went to Subaru, who was sleeping gently.

 

Ram let go of Rem, just smiling at her as they held each other’s hand, with Rem’s remaining hand, she gently clutched Subaru’s hand.

 

“You’re here... with me...” Rem smiled softly, “With us... You’re okay now....”

 

“We’re going to make you happy and safe with us...”

 

Roswaal just frowned at the distasteful display he had seen. Really, it was defective at its core. Primitive in nature. So limited.

 

A shame for Sloth, considering the Cult had so much potential.

 

‘It was not all bad though....~’ Roswaal couldn’t help but smile at one of the few good things to come out of this particular viewing. ‘Subaru... how very close you have come. You were truly beautiful...’

Watching Subaru like this had been truly eye-opening.

 

No, not in any sentimental sense.

 

‘You were so close... you are becoming close here to your perfect self. How did you come to lose that will to gain the perfect victory? You would have gained everything if you just tried A LITTLE BIT MORE!’ Roswaal almost had the desire to cry at this wasted potential. He wanted to tear his hair out at the perfection and beauty Subaru Natsuki could’ve gained. ‘So close yet so far!’

Roswaal knew what Subaru was like now. ‘Yet, you lost it. So weak... having to be cradled like this...’

Roswaal stared at Subaru, surrounded by his friends from the Emilia camp...

 

“You and I will be one...” A whisper so silent that none could hear, yet said with more conviction than Roswaal had ever said since his promise to bring back his teacher.

 

For Garfiel there was little to think or do. He could not console any of the girls he had sworn to protect. In that respect, there was nothing he could do.

 

“So, if ‘m lucky th’ next one ‘ill be th’ right one.” Garfiel smiled, a small touch of his smile twitching as his fingers twitched. The muscles around his eyes started to twitch as well, “I guess it’ll be fun t’see th’ Cap’n succeed...”

Garfiel turned to Otto, smiling at him.

 

“Right, Otto?”

 

A tear dropped from the merchant’s eye.

 

“Natsuki-san...” Otto murmured, before speaking up again, “Natsuki-san will succeed, I don’t doubt that. Yet... why must I know of our failures?”

 

“O...Otto?” Garfiel asked curiously.

 

“This entire damned theatre was just something to rub into our faces? To show us all of our failures? Haha! I get it! We are such big jokes!” Otto sneered, his voice started to crack as he tried his best to keep a level voice, “That’s all that it is! Just something to show us how much of a failure we all are!”

 

“Otto, I get that ya’re angry but,” Garfiel approached him, “What about ‘em?” He gestured towards the girls of the Emilia camp.

 

“What about them? It’s clear that they’re just like us. In the end, they’ll be fine.” Otto dismissed angrily, “It’s Natsuki-san that ends up dead in a ditch. Frozen to death. Tortured. What about them? What about me? So what--”

 

Garfiel grabbed Otto so tightly by his shoulders that he could not move.

 

“Stop talkin’ like that, Otto.” Garfiel forced Otto to look into his eyes, “They... they’re all sufferin’. Just like us. Everyone’s bad side has come out durin’ this. But why? Why should that change a thin’?”

 

“Because that might be all we stay as!” Otto hissed as he tried to shake out of Garfiel’s grip.

 

It was futile.

 

“It isn’! Everyone messed up! Even th’ Cap’n! Don’t you remember that?” Garfiel voiced resolutely, “But what happened, huh? Rem became a better person? Emilia became a better person? Even Capn’ started to become great! And in the end, you’ve become a better person? Maybe... just maybe try to help everyone. Even if ya’ start t’believe this place s’hell, maybe it is, it doesn’t mean that we can devalue everything that th’ Cap’n stands for! What he did for all f’us!”

 

Otto just looked at Garfiel in silence, a grimace growing on his face.

 

Garfiel couldn’t help it anymore, tears started to shed, “So, please... I don’t want this place to make anyone worse. I want all of us to be happy and get strong. Together.”

“I... Garfiel.... I... I’m sorry,” Otto whispered, “It was... It was just so hard...”

 

Garfiel just smiled at Otto as he let him go, wiping his tears away, “It’s fine, Otto. We all have our stupid moments. Still,” He started to quickly dry off his tears, “This is so not manly to cry like this! I hope Ram doesn’t see this!”

 

Otto and Garfiel just lightly chuckled as both of them started to smile together. Each of them started to focus their gazes on Subaru and everyone around him, smiling as they found solace in Subaru’s well-being.

 

Petra clutched as tightly as she could to Frederica, Subaru’s twisted voice not leaving her head no matter how much she tried.

 

‘Stop it... stop it...’ Petra whimpered with a broken look on her face, ‘Stop saying it...’

“Petra... Petra please look at me,” Frederica gently whispered to her, “Please try, it’s going to be okay.”

 

“It... It won’t get out...” Petra whimpered, “I can’t stop hearing Subaru’s voice like that! I can’t! I can’t! I can’t!”

 

“Petra...” Frederica’s heart broke seeing her like this, “Subaru is fine now. He isn’t like that anymore. He’s himself now!”

 

Petra’s tears started to stain Frederica’s dress, though Frederica couldn’t care less about some dress.

 

“Petra, please believe me that it won’t happen ever again,” Frederica whispered in her ear, “Please believe me. If Subaru were awake he would say the same. He would say that it would never happen again, because---”

 

“Because he is a liar!” Petra whimpered in frustration, “He could’ve said anything to us, to me, and we would help him no matter what! Why?! Why?! Why didn't he try more?!”

 

“Because Subaru was scared, at the end of the day he was scared during all of it but he pulled through. That’s what makes him a hero to us, right? He couldn’t say anything but he still tried to do his best even when we didn’t know. But now we know. We can help him now, right?” Frederica told Petra.

 

As Petra’s tears were wiped away she saw Frederica’s gentle eyes.

 

Frederica cupped Petra’s cheeks softly, a gentle look was present on Frederica’s face, “Let’s help your hero from now on, okay? When he is awake and we are gone we’re going to help him as best as we can, alright? Please, Petra, if not for yourself then for him. You can’t let this destroy you when you are so much more than this.”

 

“I’ll try....” Petra whimpered, “I’ll do my best, Big Sis.”

 

“That’s all I ask, Petra.” Frederica smiled as she gave Petra one last hug, ‘I’ll be there to help you along the way whenever you need it.’

 

Surprisingly, the person who was most affected by that last episode was not anyone in Emilia’s camp. It wasn’t even Emilia herself.

 

No, it was someone whom Subaru had never particularly liked. Of course, if anyone asked him, the reverse was true as well. . . but still!

 

“H-Hey’a Juli, snap out f’it will ya!?”

 

Anastasia could see her Knight, Julius, clutching his chest with his vision squarely on the floor. The idea of looking any one of Subaru’s friends in the eye after what he’d done was simply too much to bear for the poor knight.

 

‘I-I did that. . . !? I killed Subaru?’

 

Julius and Subaru had always disliked each other, or at least, that was the image they chose to portray. However, never once had Julius truly held contempt for Subaru in his heart. Even during that terrible duel, Julius had firmly believed himself to be doing what’s best for him.

 

But now. . . all the previous interactions between the two of them flashed through his memory.

 

“You jerk. . .” “You stuck-up knight. . .” “You pompous noble. . .”

 

Had all those insults reflected how Subaru truly felt about him? Not that Julius could be upset at Subaru for feeling that way, it was only natural to hate the person responsible for your death. However, considering the oddly morbid content of his jokes, one could only be left to wonder how they could’ve been so blind to what was going on all this time.

 

The speaking taboo might’ve been preventing Subaru from outwardly saying what was happening to him, but the way he spoke should’ve made it obvious. Did he perhaps resent them for never figuring out the truth?

 

‘H-He really does hate me then. . . ?’

 

Julius felt himself tear up, but he quickly masked it with a tired smile. Subaru had been nothing but honest with him since the moment they met, it was him who’d taken those jabs and turned them into something more.

 

“Julius!”

 

Suddenly, a loud voice pierced the never-ending train of thoughts running through his head, momentarily breaking him out of his stupor.

 

“A-Anastasia-sama. . ?”

 

“. . . .”

 

The merchant girl stood still, staring at him inquisitively with a hint of empathy in her expression. She said nothing, simply waiting for Julius to break the silence with her arms crossed and one of her hands petting her fox scarf.

 

“I-I’m sorry, Anastasia-sama. I’m not worthy to call myself your knig-. . !”

 

“Won’t ya’ just be quiet? I swear, my knight is just as hopeless as Emilia-san’s!”

 

Julius’s eyes widened, but he chose to ignore the last part of his lady’s chastising declaration. Instead, he focused on Anastasia’s disappointment in him, and found himself agreeing with her assessment of him as ‘hopeless’. A knight’s gut instinct should never lead him down the path of wanton violence. This was the first lesson he learned when he was taught the sword.

 

However, here he’d been shown undeniable proof of his shortcomings. Even if he hadn’t ‘actually’ done those things, that was not the point. He saw himself, with barely any hesitation, throw away his honor as a knight and turn his sword against an ally. This was irrefutable proof that it was not in his nature to be a Knight. To be kind, caring, virtuous. . . those were all things he espoused, but when the rubber met the road. . . those weren’t the ideals he acted out.

 

“Y-You’re right, Anastasia-sama.”

 

“Gah! You and Natsuki-kun really get on my nerves, ya’ know that!? Look at ya’! Jumpin’ to conclusions about what I’m sayin’ before I even get a word out! I hope ya’ realize ya’ both share in that bad habit. . !”

 

This analysis done by Anastasia left Julius confused. He thought Anastasia would be ashamed of him after what he’d done to Subaru, but from what she was saying, it almost looked like the opposite.

 

“Ana-bo, why don’t ya’ take it easy on poor Julius? He and Bro are really good friends after all! Hahahaha!”

 

“H-Hey, don’t call me that in public. . !”

 

Anastasia felt a small blush run across her face and decided to give up on trying to scold Julius.

 

“It’s alright Ricardo, there’s no need to intervene on my behalf. . .”

 

Ricardo’s smooth interjection calmed both Anastasia and Julius down, at least for the moment. As a guy, Ricardo could grasp how Julius felt a little better than Anastasia, especially after how long he’d known the guy. At the end of the day, even if Julius had made the ‘right’ decision in that situation, telling him he was ‘right’ was no consolation for losing one of his close friends.

 

“Oi, Juli, how ‘bout the two of us talk after this whole viewing is over?”

 

“. . . .”

 

Julius still wasn’t making eye contact with him, but Ricardo knew he wouldn’t be able to resist the bait.

 

“. . .Very well. I suppose, if that's what you desire.”

 

“Never straightforward with what ya’ want, are ya’? Hahaha!”

 

Julius grumbled at Ricardo’s teasing, having been seen through completely by the more mature demihuman. On the other side of the theatre, things weren’t going so smoothly.

 

Felix was inconsolable as the amount of disgust he had for his own actions increased second by second as he heard Subaru’s scream. Subaru, falling down after having his body and mind twisted in such a way...

 

‘I did it... the blood in his body burned because of me... I should’ve found another way, no matter the reason I should’ve done better instead of....’ Felix thought in a distraught manner, ‘His body burned and Julius... we killed him...’

There was nothing more to say or think. The reality that had been shown over and over again confirmed it without a doubt.

 

‘Better than me... no doubt about it anymore, huh, Subaru-kun.... You are one of the greatest people to have ever lived...’ Felix knew there was nothing else to think about him anymore, ‘I’m just awful... all those things I thought about you...’ Felix’s gaze turned to the sleeping Subaru, ‘They were all wrong, you stumbled and became greater than I could’ve ever thought... while I just stayed like... like this....’

Wilhelm just looked at the state of everyone,  then his gaze focused on Crusch and Felix. His fist shook and anger at the absurdity of all of this. To see Subaru die in such an insulting manner in a way that desecrated his very character!

 

‘Damn him.... that disgusting creature!’

Crusch’s embrace of Felix was for both of them. A way of comfort for both of each other.

 

‘Felix... a part of it is selfish but I... I just need you and I to be together for a bit... I can’t stand to see Subaru dying like that! By having his very being taken over like this.’ Yet, Cursch Karsten could not do anything to stop it, ‘I failed you...’

Crusch Karsten’s last, distraught thought came to her, ‘Even if it was another reality, I still failed another man I love....I have to help you, to be able to help you for all that you have done for me!’

“We cannot sit like this,”

 

Both Crusch and Felix stopped their embrace for just a few seconds as Wilhelm spoke to them, “We cannot sit like... this!” In frustration, he gestured to nearly every distraught person here, “How come this is our natural state after seeing that disgusting person treat Subaru-dono like that? Yes, while we cannot do anything about it now we can do something about it in the future! We can do something about it now!”

 

“Easy for you to say, Old Man Wil.” Felix couldn’t help but spit in frustration as he physically could not keep crying anymore, “You didn’t make him suffer so many times! You did not kill him like me!”

 

“While I did not do that... I still failed him. I failed as a human being. I failed others. I let others die when I could have been better. It took me decades to become better. Do you both want that to happen to you?” Wilhelm demanded to know, “Well do you? Or will you try to become better now?”

 

“I....I....” Crusch couldn’t say much of anything, “I... I’m trying, it’s just... I don’t want to fail someone I hold dear again. I don’t want another man I care about to die again because of my own shortcomings!”

 

“Then make sure it doesn’t happen.” Wilhelm answered resolutely, “If we stay like this all of us will have our lives end in failure when we can become better for the people around us.”

 

Crusch kept quiet for a few seconds, “I... I know... it’s... It’s just hard to figure out how...”

 

“I... I,,,,” Felix stuttered as his voice started to crack, “I’m... I’m just so scared. I don’t want to fail again. I just want to help but every time when it matters it just ends in failure and I don’t think I can handle it anymore.”

 

“That was then, Felix. But we are now together. We have the knowledge of our own shortcomings, yes they are heartbreaking and they cut deep, but we can also grow from them.” Wilhelm answered Felix in a heartfelt way.

 

“You... You are right, Wilhelm.” Crusch stood while holding Felix’s hand, where her old strength was once again found and reinforced by Wilhelm’s words, “I... I can’t fail again. And neither will Felix. We are all together.”

 

Felix just stayed silent, “O.... Okay... I’ll try....” He whimpered as he brushed away his tears with his sleeve.

 

Al’s helmeted head was directed solely at the ground. If his head was properly visible, one could see a contemplative look on his face.

 

“Why… ? Why are you so determined to be the hero?” He muttered under his breath. How? Why? Questions raced into his mind.

 

How could someone ever withstand such painful agony all for these… psychos! He got torn apart by assassins, Mabeasts, Royal Knights, Witch Cultists, and the White Whale for these dysfunctional monsters! Now Subaru had just been made a prisoner in his own body by a madman, and despite that, he would continue moving forward as if nothing had happened!

 

Why?

 

Al couldn’t understand his fellow otherworlder. Nothing about the guy made any lick of sense. Suicidally brave, respectable, and charming at times. Weak, self-loathing, and fragile at other times.

 

‘What’s the difference between us!?’ He asked internally.

 

He let out a frustrated sigh, perplexed by the sheer tenacity he saw in the barely eighteen-year-old Subaru.

 

Part of him stewed in jealousy that someone with a similar situation acted so… noble and saved those who mattered to him, whereas Al always failed! Yet, another part of him gladly accepted the discrepancy between the two because if there wasn’t one… who knew how many times he would've died so far?

 

He lifted his gaze, sneaking a tired glance at his liege: lady Priscilla Barielle.

 

The fiery blonde-haired matriarch’s face seemed locked in visible rumination of what they had all seen on the flat black surface.

 

“Princess, I-” He started, only to be cut off by a quick and well-delivered kick to the noggin, sending the former gladiator flying into the nearest wall at mach speed. The impact formed a large Al-shaped indent. He winced in pain before dropping to the ground.

 

“Aldebaran, mineself does not need the opinion of a lowly servant dog such as yourself!” Priscilla declared, her voice booming with authority. Yet, even she, the illusive Priscilla Barielle, couldn't hide the fact that the previous showing had left her unnerved. The way the intriguing commoner had just… thrown away his life in such a carefree manner… frightened her…

 

Yes, Priscilla, known for her steely determination and good luck, was afraid. Why? It was simple; if Natsuki stopped caring about death… stopped fearing its cold embrace… nothing. Still, her divine luck could halt such efforts, right? He, who had the power to rewrite destiny and fate, could, theoretically, win no matter the odds.

 

If Natsuki Subaru wished for it, his camp would win the royale selection without a problem. Nothing, perhaps even the Sword Saint himself, could stop that.

 

She slumped back into her seat, relieved of her usual boundless energy. For the first time… she felt so… powerless! Never had she ever doubted her supernatural luck before.

 

Wait.

 

She released a haughty chuckle into the air. The answer was obvious; the world would deliver the commoner, his accursed ability included, to her. After all, she was Priscilla Barielle.

 

The entire world, confined to the Great Waterfall, operated on her convenience. The moment he realized he belonged to a camp full of fools, the world would bring him into her orbit.  

 

“Princess, I’ve told you before, I don’t like being called that name." Al raised himself from the carpeted floor, dusting off his beige pants. He spoke in an irritated tone of voice.

 

“Ignoring that, what did you think of that episode, Princess?” Al asked cautiously, backing away so he wouldn’t have to fly into the wall again.

 

“Hmph, Aldebaran, mineself’s opinion is clear,” She folded her legs, concealing her face behind her flapping fan, “The commoner shouldn’t treat his life with such a carefree demeanour.”

 

While Al understood Priscilla clearly, there was a part of him that knew she was right on an

ethical level. Perhaps for the wrong reasons she said it, but she was still right nonetheless...

 

“Princess, you’re right but... it might be easier for you to say that because you don’t share that power.” Al knew he was risking something bad happening just by saying this, “While bro is going about it the wrong way, there are times when you can get something better by using such a power.”

 

Priscilla stared at Al with scrutinizing eyes for a few unnerving seconds, not saying anything for what felt like an eternity for him.

 

“Aldebaran, you speak as if you know from experience...” Priscilla stated calmly, “I wonder what you might mean by that? Surely, you do not mean that you started to act as that boy soon will?”

 

“It’s nothing much, Princess. I was just trying to get a look at it from another perspective,” Al shrugged, “Dying sucks. Dying multiple times sucks. A lot of people don’t want to die again and again.”

 

“Do not think you are sneaky, Aldeberan. I am a thousand steps ahead of you,” Priscilla stated, “You and I will speak away from these mongrels, understood?”

 

‘Damnit!’ Al cursed inside of his head, ‘I should’ve kept my damn mouth shut!’

Felt crossed her arms, “It doesn’t matter now. Not here, but maybe it will when Big Bro and Big Sis are living with us.” She frowned, the look of disgust and hatred on her face did not blend well with her tears of sadness. “But that doesn’t mean it never happened. Big Bro still remembers... and now we know about this.”

 

Reinhard smiled brokenly at Felt, “Of course, Lady Felt.”

 

His smile was as fake as it could get, it didn’t fool Felt for a second.

 

“This is because of how Big Bro died, right?” Felt asked him, “Because it was them.”

 

“Lady Felt, please do not remind me,” Reinhard answered with a hollow smile accompanied with a hollow voice, “While I understand why they did it, it is not pleasing in any way that my friend died in such a manner.”

 

“I don’t like seeing that happen either! Still though, you know the important part, right?” Felt asked him with her arms crossed.

 

“.....?” All Reinhard had was a look of curiosity, “What might you mean now, Lady Felt?”

 

“That it won’t happen again!” Felt responded vehemently, “We’re going to stop that from happening and it’ll start when we get out of this place and they move in with us.”

 

“I...” Reinhard had nothing to say regardless of his attempt.

 

“Sure, they might not like it now but it’s for the best. We’re going to make them happy and safe, Rein.” Felt said without a hint of self-doubt, “There is no doubt about it. Big Bro and Big Sis are going to be happy with us.”

 

“I....” Reinhard couldn’t stop himself from imagining it, his friends all safe and sound. Happy, with him. They could all have fun. Do... things together. Like friends!

 

With that, Reinhard smiled happily at the thought, “I would like that very much, Lady Felt.”

 

Felt’s voice softened considerably, “Me too, Rein. Me too.”

 

With that, the screen flashed as everyone now knew what time it was.

“This time we will see him win, right?” Felt asked in hope, “He has to win this time! He does!” She asked and said while moving over towards her seat with Reinhard in tow, who smiled tiredly at her.

 

“I truly hope so, Lady Felt,” Reinhard said with a smile that lacked any shine, “I hope so.”

 

“He’ll win,” Emilia muttered, looking at Subaru as the screen started to flicker, “He’ll have to win this time. He will win...”

 

Priscilla sighed as she went to her seat, knowing what to expect from that boy for now.

 

And so, everyone followed and went ahead to their own seats. Each with newfound resolves or a flair of nonchalance.

 

And with that, it happened.

 

The episode started.

Re:Zero Directors Cut Episode 15:

Ricardo: Boy?

“That’s me again. So we’re back here, huh.” Ricardo sighed as he saw himself on the screen again, “Well, at least this is a good checkpoint to get back to. He can change things from here.” He finished off with some level of morbid acceptance.

 

“You’re right, Ricardo. Starting from this point allows Natsuki-kun a lot of wiggle room in order to get things done.” Anastasia spoke clearly, “The knowledge he now possesses about Petelgeuse will be invaluable. If this is the final loop then he’s going to win this.”

 

Emila clutched her Subaru tighter. Pleading for it. Hoping for it.

 

“He’ll win. He’ll win this time. You have to win.” Emilia, she finished with all of the hope in her heart.

The loops from all his previous deaths flashed before his eyes in rapid succession, blurred and obscured by the accumulated trauma of all the lost memories. For a moment, Subaru’s consciousness wasn’t able to place itself in the flow of time, it was like he was still slumped up against that rock.

Death and death.

 

The only things that had repeated again and again.

 

It was a certainty now.

 

One that they hoped would end.

 

“Subaru.... Subaru-kun....” Rem whimpered as she clutched him for whatever comfort he could bring, ‘I’m selfish. But please let me hold you. I can’t stand looking at what I did to you again and I’m so sorry but please let me hold you. Please....’

Ram just stared in distaste as her killing Subaru reappeared again. Distaste for herself. Distaste for what she had done.

 

‘I... I did that. I was capable of it. But I....’ Ram remembered what she did, how she acted. She remembered how right she thought following Roswaal was yet...

 

‘I’m so sorry, Subaru.’’ Ram thought with utmost sincerity, ‘I’ll look out for you more, you stupid little brother.’

 

She looked at Rem and Subaru who were together now.

‘I’ll keep you both safe from now on.’

Priscilla just frowned, “How annoying to witness this all again.” She sighed tiredly, ‘An abhorrent ability that runs on failure. How disgusting... yet so powerful in the hands of someone like him.’

She ignored whatever thoughts came next.

 

That boy would belong to Priscilla Barielle soon enough, anyway.

Subaru: ‘ This can't be… ’

But it was. Subaru’s death and subsequent return were so abrupt, so jarring, that he never even had the chance to grieve the people he’d left behind. This location was new to him as well.

Ricardo: What's wrong?

He stood dumbfounded, not responding to Ricardo’s question. Subaru could only observe his surroundings, trying to place where exactly he’d been sent back to.

As everyone sat in a circle, waiting in anticipation for Subaru’s next words, they were only greeted by silence. That was until a certain someone decided to step up. . .

Felix: *Aump* *Aump*

Subaru: . . -h?!

While Subaru zoned out, Felix had secretly approached Subaru from behind, biting his ear to snap him out of his daydreaming.

Then, with dried and burning eyes Felix looked back up with a small shaking occurring in his body, “I... I remember doing that...”

 

“W...What?” Rem asked Felix, “Do you mean... so this means that...?!”

 

Felix nodded his head, a small, ecstatic smile coming on his face as he at least saw hope for Subaru, “Y-yes! Subaru-kyun will survive this time!”

 

Julius looked up at Felix with a small, broken smile of happiness, “I see... that is good.”

 

Dull.

 

It was hard to even talk to him. No true emotions just left his voice.

 

Yet that look of happiness he shared with almost everyone was not something that could ever be missed.

 

Crusch smiled in a heartfelt manner, “I knew you could do it. So show us how you became a hero, Subaru.”

 

“Yeah, kick that creepy green bastard’s ass, Big Bro!” Felt nodded her head in excitement, “Ooh, Reinhard, I can’t wait to see that living broccoli end up dead. Big bro is going to whoop him!”

 

Felt nudged Reinhard with her elbow, a look of expectancy on her face.

 

Clearly, she wanted to see Reinhard cheer for Subaru.

 

‘While I might have failed Subaru now and then... it isn’t wrong for me to cheer for him, right?’ Reinhard looked at Felt’s expect gaze.

 

So however he might feel, he will cheer for Subaru. Even if it meant nothing to Subaru, he would selfishly admire him from afar.

 

“No doubt about it, Lady Felt. Subaru will help annihilate Sloth.” Reinhard smiled back at Felt, who sat back down like a happy child.

Felix: You were spaced out, so I had to pick on you. Nyow that was a satisfying reaction!

Subaru clutched his ear in shock, blushing red in embarrassment at Felix’s weird teasing. This was just par for the course considering Felix’s typical demeanour, but given the circumstances, he had to admit it threw him off.

Subaru: Felix?

Felix: Who else do I look like? Did you inhale too much of the White Whale's fog?

Felix suddenly looked slightly concerned, picking up on the unease bubbling underneath Subaru’s words.

Subaru: Uh, no... I'm fine. That told me what I wanted to know. That means…

He put a hand to his chin, frowning a little in pensive thought.

Subaru: My save point was updated?

This was the first time his checkpoint jumped like this. . . however, he didn’t have any time to waste speculating on why for right now.

“That does remind me, we never did figure out how Natsuki-san’s checkpoint was determined. . . did we?”

 

Otto posed this question to the rest of the Emilia camp, but everyone looked just as confused as he did. There were already loops where Subaru had survived longer than a single day, but when he died in those, he was sent back to the appa stand.

 

“If I maaaaay~. . .I believe I figured a portion of it out.”

Roswaal had gotten more and more quiet as the viewing approached Arc 4 since knew he was in deep once the viewing caught back up to the present. However, right now, everyone still had to keep up appearances in front of the other camps.

 

This gave him the opportunity to speculate without worry of being exposed.  At least, for the time being. . .

 

“Spit it out then, clown.”

 

Priscilla eyed Roswaal with disgust but was clearly interested in the answer to this question. If she could at least figure out the requirements for a checkpoint, she would have some defense against Subaru’s ability should it ever be turned against her.

 

“I don’t knooooow~, none of you seem very trustworthy. . !”

 

An ugly smile crossed Roswaal’s lips, as a plan of action formed in his head. Admittedly, he wasn’t entirely sure what dictated the point of return for Subaru’s ability, but that wasn’t the point. So long as it appeared he possessed such information, the other camps would be hesitant to execute him.

 

It would also become more believable after Arc 4, as Subaru’s checkpoint had likely remained stationary the entire time.

 

“If you know something, please tell us! I-I couldn’t bear it if Subaru-kun lost all the progress he made with us by resetting to a previous checkpoint. . !”

 

Rem’s concern made both Emilia and Beatrice freeze up, as the implications of a ‘shifting’ checkpoint meant their entire life with Subaru could suddenly be rendered invalid.

 

“I don’t think it’s a good idea t’ speak about this publicly, especially when it could be used against ya’ in the Royal Selection.”

 

Anastasia narrowed her eyes at Roswaal, sensing he was trying to deceive them with this ‘act’ of his. If he really did possess information that allowed him to manipulate Subaru’s checkpoints, surely letting the rest of them know about it would be the last thing he’d want.

 

The Royal Selection would no longer be a shoe-in for Emilia and Subaru’s ability wouldn’t be completely all-powerful.

 

Even so, she played along.

 

“I promise to teeeeell~ you once I’ve uncovered the remaining details!”

 

Ignoring the clear wind of untruth blowing off Roswaal, both Crusch and Reinhard were engaged in their own separate conversations with their respective camps.

 

‘Hopefully this promise will be a strong enough incentive to hedge the risk of all of them turning on me. . .’

The clown was starting to feel somewhat nervous.

 

. . . . .

The episode briefly flashes to a title card, before jumping back to Subaru. It was clear some time had elapsed.

Subaru: There are a few new things I've realized about the Witch's Cult. Does anyone know of, like…a power you can use to overwrite someone's consciousness, so you psychologically possess them?

All of the knights and mercenaries sat and contemplated Subaru's words, confused as to how/why Subaru knew about such an ability. The orange sunset served as a marker for how much time they’d spent planning their attack. Unlike the previous loop, Subaru deliberately took longer to go over strategy, briefing everyone on the new information he’d gathered in his last attempt.

Julius: In other words, you think the Sin Archbishops may have such an ability?

Subaru: Yeah, I call it "possession." It's how he stays alive. It would explain how he keeps popping up everywhere, right?

Julius simply looked at Subaru with a prideful look on his face, though his voice did not directly state that, “He most certainly had a way of dismissing the attention that that sort of information would get him. If he didn’t manage to convey such information like this we would have most certainly... had our suspicions...”

 

“Yes, while he can still look quite suspicious Natsuki-kun can actually make something of himself if he took to being a merchant. He can mask his intentions and feelings much better than in the failed loop I shared with him,” Anastasia praised Subaru.

 

“Subaru... hiding how he feels...” Emilia frowned as she wanted to cry again, ‘I shouldn’t cry. Not like this. I... Even if you couldn’t have said anything about how you felt back then you could still tell me how you feel now. I...”

Emilia gazed at Subaru’s sleeping face.

 

‘I would’ve comforted you if you needed it. I’d help you and hug you until you felt better. Why... why didn’t you let me know anything?’

Emilia’s face straightened into a pained look as her final thought set in.

 

‘Why didn’t I notice your suffering sooner, Subaru...?’

Julius paused for a moment, briefly staring at the ground as he pondered the nature of the ability. It sounded vaguely familiar, however, the details were completely unknown to him.

Julius: “In an old book, I saw a research account of a similar subject. It's a magic that has been lost, but the technique only works under certain conditions.”

Subaru: Conditions?

This was the first time Subaru had heard of this, but it made sense. In all their previous encounters, Betelgeuse’s possession could’ve ended their fights with much less hassle. So unless he’d deliberately chosen to ignore that edge, it was more likely that he’d been restricted in that power’s use.

Julius: Only members of the Witch's Cult, and only a limited number of those, are thought capable of it.

Felix: And those would be the fingers?

Julius: Most likely, they are the user's spare bodies. It's quite a tasteless arrangement. I suppose one might call it worthy of a Sin Archbishop.

Thinking further, this also made sense. The only people who he’d ever actually seen Betelgeuse possess were his fingers and. . .well. . .him. Subaru knew he was not a Witch Cultist, but having been mistaken for one so many times was something out of his control.

Rem and Ram had nothing more to say. Nothing more to make amends besides what they could do now.

 

But please...

 

Just, please...

 

“Stop reminding us...” They spoke sincerely, the pain in their hearts never seeming to dim. Even if it wasn’t technically them, it was still a gruesome reminder of who they were and could be.

Beatrice just smiled sadly at her contractor.

 

‘Thank you for forgiving the Betty that I used to be. Thank you for still choosing me.’ Beatrice smiled beautifully at her Subaru. ‘When Betty could have told them that you were innocent but she chose to do the wrong thing, in fact. Thank you for still caring about me, I suppose.

Still, the thought of confessing this to everyone there still made him nervous.

“Knowing how Subaru-dono is, I could never stand for the idea of him being a witch cultist.” Wilhelm spoke, “Despite his foolish antics, he cannot ever be one of them.”

 

Crusch nodded in agreement, “Yes, Subaru-dono just doesn’t have it in him to be so vile. He is... too good for that.”

 

“Indeed. Unless something spectacularly saddening happens I doubt that any of us will question him. So long as he maintains some level of covertness he will prevail. For now, it seems that it’s following what all of us remember.” Julius confirmed dully.

 

Felix frowned at the thought of it, him condemning Subaru as a witch cultist would be the last thing he would ever wish for to happen, “I hope not. I think Subaru is too smart to be caught like that with everything that happened. Besides, I’d like to think that none of us are like that.”

 

Aldebaran just shrugged, “Eh, the boy’s a hero. If it all comes down to it I think he’d sacrifice himself and let himself be condemned just to save a few people.”

 

“Al. I don’t like you saying that.” Emilia protested his words, hoping that Subaru would not go that far.

 

“Eh, it is what it is.” Aldebaran shrugged, “Bro is bro.”

Subaru: So if the Sin Archbishop's confidants, the fingers, were wiped out...

Julius: If that happened, his soul would have nowhere to go. And that would be the end of him.

Subaru’s eyes widened, a small smile forming on his face. He finally had a way to eradicate this monster.

A monster.

 

That was what Uncle Geuse now was.

 

It’s what his legacy would be.

 

Nothing but a raving lunatic bent on causing mayhem.

 

No one would remember him for what he once was.

 

No one but her.

 

“And why are you looking so sad, half-wit?” Priscilla of all people noticed Emilia’s sombre demeanour.

“It’s nothing,” Emilia shook off her comments and regained her previous look.

 

“It seems to mineself that you were quite sad when that clown popped up.” Priscilla interrupted, “This seems to be a repeated fact. Tell us, is there something you are hiding?”

 

Emilia stayed silent for a moment, but before anyone could talk for her she spoke cleanly and without hesitation, “I’m just sad because of what happened to my knight. That’s it. I just don’t like seeing all of that death and pain.”

 

“Is that truly all there is to it?”  Priscilla questioned immediately.

 

“What else would there be, Priscilla?” Emilia spoke, “I don’t think that now is the time for you to needlessly question me when we are uncovering important information.”

 

“Don’t even insinuate. I know what you are trying to do.” Priscilla scowled at her.

 

“Priscilla, she’s telling the truth.” Crusch spoke calmly, “Do not forget about my Divine Blessing.”

 

“Tch,” Priscilla clicked her tongue in annoyance.

 

They continued to view what was displayed.

Julius: We should first eliminate the fingers in the forest, and then face Sloth directly. That is my conclusion.

At that description, the rest of the Iron Fang members grew a little restless. The excitement they felt was hard to contain.

However, before they could get swept up in the mood, Subaru briefly raised his hand like a child in a classroom.

 

Subaru: Guys, I need to say one more thing… Sorry, but I don't think it's only the fingers. I think he may be able to possess me, too… What do you think I should do?

Everyone: . . . .Huh!?

“And after this Barusu figured out how to stop Petelgeuse’s possession. Barusu is capable of learning how to improve. That is quite an admirable trait.” Ram strangely complemented Subaru enough.

 

Rem smiled with reddened eyes, “Yes, I don’t think Subaru will falter this time. He’s learned too much and Sloth will crumble in front of Rem’s hero!”

 

Julius smiled at that, “Yes, if all goes well then his plan is truly foolproof this time. We had already been defeated in the previous loop, none of us was aware at the time of his despicable power of possession.”

 

“That power is quite primitive.” Roswaal spoke, “Besides, it has too many restrictions. I’m comfortable knowing that Subaru-kun will truly defeat him this time.”

 

“Still, the witch cult has been around for a long time. Maybe some of their members possess a power like that? Specifically the Archbishop’s?” Anastasia remarked, “It would be prudent for us to figure that out. Considering our luck with the Witch Cult, something like that would be quite important.”

 

 

“I hope not. Too many things have been going on with the Witch Cult. It looks like they have no hobbies.” Otto frowned in frustration, “Seriously, it seems as if there is nothing more to his life than that.”

 

“I doubt it, Otto.” Garfiel laughed a bit, “Seriously, imagine them just sitting around in their lame robes just scheming like clowns.”

 

For a second he cast his gaze to Roswaal, who just smiled stupidly at Garfiel.

 

A stupid smile in Garfiel’s opinion anyway.

 

“Stop smiling like that.”

. . . . .

The episode cut to a stylized nightmare sequence filled with hazy, overlapping clips of previous scenes, centring on the events of the royal selection announcement. The recipient of these awful visions of the past going unseen.

Noble 1: “Filthy woman!”

Emilia did not wince nor did she frown, she merely maintained her steady gaze, ‘This isn’t something that is new. This is the past. There is nothing to be sad about. I can’t control how they feel about me.’

Most nobles in the hall jeered and threw racist insults at Emilia, berating her half-elf heritage.

‘I can only control myself.’ Emilia thought with a sense of finality.

Garfiel just frowned in annoyance,  “Not this shit again. I swear they legitimately just have the same old insults. “

 

Mainly, all the non-humans in the cast didn’t care so much. It’s not like they can do much to change anything from this place.

 

Of course, they all wanted to slap them. To call them idiots.

 

Still -- There was a feeling of frustration from a few of the cast.

Priscilla: “Then, will you also apologize for being born? You silver-haired half-elf.”

Priscilla glared at and mocked her fellow royal selection candidate with disgust in her tone and eyes. All the while simply fanning her beautiful face with a haughty expression painted onto her features.

“Did you have nightmares about those words?” Priscilla questioned, “Are you truly that pathetic? That softhearted?”

 

Priscilla’s tone didn’t even sound that insulting.

 

Priscilla was just confused that she took it that hard.

 

“You are supposed to be running for a queen, no matter how futile your candidacy is, you shouldn’t let the words of others affect you in such a manner.” Priscilla just shook her head in disappointment.

 

Emilia looked back at Priscilla with a steely, confident gaze in her amethyst eyes, “That was then, Priscilla, this is now. You should know that nothing ever stays the same.”

 

Priscilla just looked at Emilia and just, oddly, shrugged, “Few things do.”

 

Noble 2: “Margrave Mathers endorses a half-devil? Utter foolishness! This is a joke!”

“It is quite surprising to see them react in such a way. I have a history of endorsing the minority races or people.” Roswaal mused, “It’s like these people forget who I am~”

 

Ram nodded in agreement, “Say what you all will about Roswaal-sama. None of you can deny that he is impartial when it comes to situations like this.”

 

“One of the few good things about him, Ram.” Garfiel muttered.

 

“Garfiel,” Ram simply sighed at him, ‘I don’t have the heart to argue again. They can all see Roswaal-sama improve as a human. I’ll make sure of it.’

Some of the cast made note of the Emilia Camp’s hostility towards Roswaal.

 

The Rival camps, in particular, noticed their weird little interaction.

Another noble insulted Emilia, his opinion representative of most people there.

Priscilla: “Then, will you also apologize for being born?

Priscilla’s voice appeared for a second time, her previous words being spoken again, though somehow, in a much more devastating manner.

Emilia: “You know, I had hopes for you.”

The moment Emilia left Subaru in the capital appeared on the screen. The disappointment in her voice was immeasurable. The door to Subaru’s room closed shut.

Emilia scowled at what she had done, ‘I know why I did it but... I just wish that I looked to see what was truly bothering him. Why he had done those things. Even if he couldn’t say anything I should have tried to see what was wrong instead of losing my temper.’

Ram frowned, “That moment, it was an interaction driven by both Subaru’s and Emilia’s behaviour. I don’t think either were in the right, it is still hard to judge.”

 

Felt nodded in agreement, “Yep, both were acting like idiots. Still, is it bothering you, sis?”

 

“I.... I think so, I mean why wouldn’t it? This theater just keeps showing my failures over and over again. I know why I did the things I did but I also know it’s wrong and... I don’t really know how to feel.” Emilia confessed to Felt.

 

“I get that, sis.” Felt admitted, “I don’t really think I know the answer either. It might sound a bit meaningless but you are probably the only one who can really answer that. “

Noble 1: “Filthy woman!”

The same noble from earlier insulted her once more. His words, like Priscilla’s, repeated. Their edge sharpened a thousand-fold.

Emilia (Dream): “I thought maybe you… That only you wouldn't give me special treatment.”

It flashed back to the aftermath of the embarrassing duel. Subaru lay in the hospital bed, face battered, bruised, and locked into a pained expression.

Subaru (Dream): “I can't do that… I can't look at you the way I look at others… It's impossible.”

And with that one last vague assertion, their bond was severed. The door shut once more.

The phrasing of that statement wounded Emilia’s soul, as now that she understood the true meaning of those words, they made her heart flutter. Typically, the only ‘special treatment’ she’d received from others had constituted negative reactions.

 

“I-I really didn’t understand a thing, did I. . ?”

 

Regardless, her naive understanding of relationships nearly cost her the person she cared for above all else.

 

“I could only imagine how you’ve felt this past year. . . waiting for my answer.”

 

Emilia whispered to herself, interlocking her fingers with Subaru’s. Almost every part of her being was telling her to go back and confess the feelings she’d developed during this viewing. However, there was no way for her to do that now.

Emilia (Dream): “I have no connection to the witch…”

Emilia half-heartedly tried to defend herself, her voice shy and lacking even a drop of assertiveness.

Priscilla (Dream): “You silver-haired half-elf.”

Priscilla’s final biting remarks replayed, cutting deeper into her psyche than before.

Noble 2: “Margrave Mathers endorses a half-devil?”

The words that would have once sent her to tears didn’t affect her anymore. She couldn’t control any of their actions.

 

To some it caused some annoyance but that was about it.

The screen cut to Emilia, wearing her nightgown, in bed. Her forehead wrinkled, eyes squinting and glistening with sorrowful tears, silver brow furrowed.

Puck: “Lia… Your forehead is all wrinkled.”

 

“That thing again? Seriously?’ Felt sighed in annoyance.

 

“Felt?” Emilia spoke to her

 

“You know? That stuck-up spirit?” Felt pointed to the screen, “It may have saved my life, but. . .I just don’t like him.”

 

“I... I understand that.” Emilia didn’t rebuke her.

Emilia: “Good morning, Puck. You're early today.”

She propped herself up out of bed, trying her best to forget the bothersome thoughts still appearing in her head.

Puck: “Morning, Lia. I thought I'd try going to sleep and waking up earlier… That's a lie. The truth is that I was worried about you. You've had it rough lately… Especially yesterday…”

Several images of Emilia speaking to the villagers flash across the screen, with the treatment from the Arlam residents ranging from dismissive to outright cruel. It ends with Petra, who watches the entire thing with a concerned expression.

“W-We’re really sorry about that. . ! I talked with everyone from the village, and they all told me how bad they felt!”

 

Petra shuffled around a little bit, feeling ashamed at how her village was being portrayed to everyone in the theater. They really were kindhearted people! It was just, they sometimes lacked the ability to trust outsiders. . .

 

“P-Petra-chan, there’s no need. . ! Everyone was reeeeaally nice to Subaru and I during our date. T-There’s nothing wrong with how they reacted. . .”

 

Emilia tried to placate Petra’s worries, but ultimately ended up making the little maid feel even worse.

 

“No, it was wrong Emilia-sama. . ! On behalf of my village, I want to apologize for how we treated you.”

 

Seeing her young apprentice take a deep bow, Frederica put a hand on Petra’s back and looked to Emilia, who was frantically waving her hands trying to assuage Petra’s guilt.

 

“It’s alright, young one. Please raise your head.”

 

As someone whose appearance also evoked fearful reactions from strangers, Frederica was used to dealing with situations like these.

 

“Will you accept my trainee’s apology?”

 

The mature beast-maid decided to cut to the chase and formally petition Emilia for her feelings on the matter.

 

“O-Of course. . !”

 

“I thank you, Emilia-sama.”

 

Frederica bowed deeply, as Petra ran up to Emilia and gave her a long hug.

Emilia: “It was nothing I didn't know already.”

She spoke this out, tired, but ultimately accepting. That was simply how the world viewed her, and even if it hurt to acknowledge it, the villagers were under no obligation to listen to her.

Puck: “Even if you know you'll fall, when it happens, you still hurt and bleed.”

Emilia: “What do you think I should do, Puck? No, not just me… How can I be better to everyone, and have them be better to me?”

“For starters, you could ditch that obsessive spirit.”

 

Al did little to hide the dislike he had for that floating ball of death which hovered around Emilia, which got him a nod from folks in both Anastasia and Crusch’s camp.

 

“I wonder where all of ya’ get off speakin’ so casually about these two, especially considering the spirit ain’t here t’defend itself.”

 

For some reason, Anastasia looked disappointed in both her own camp members and the other candidates for how they’ve addressed Emilia’s relationship with Puck. As someone with her own contracted spirit, Anastasia understood the depth of the bond between a spirit and their contractor.

Besides, most of them had been on the other end of the barrel when it came to how they’ve treated Subaru, but they were each given a fair chance to explain themselves. Even if Puck’s actions appeared inexcusable, to leap so quickly to judgment rubbed her the wrong way.

 

“. . .no need to. . .”

 

A whisper from the fox scarf around her neck calmed the merchant down and got her to drop the subject.

For a moment, Emilia’s eyes wavered like they were about to cry. However, she quickly regained her composure and steeled her resolve. She would try again, leaving them alone would be too cruel.

Puck: “I think you should do what you want. I'll be on your side, no matter what you do. And no matter what, you can't abandon that village, right?”

“Pfft! Unless the half-wit was to die, then they all must be destroyed, is that right?”

 

Priscilla scoffed at the two-faced nature of this Great Spirit. She wasn’t even going to entertain the idea that Puck’s supposed ‘moral compass’ was strong enough to actually compel the spirit’s actions. After all, should Emilia come under any threat, the spirit wouldn’t hesitate to murder innocent people. Only sour souls wish death upon the world when things don’t go their way. People who desire something should make the world turn in their favor, it was as simple as that!

 

“It’s a part of his contract, right? I never took ya’ for someone to overlook important details like that, Priscilla! In the merchant world, that’s what we call a sucker.”

 

Anastasia spoke up again, annoyed that everyone seemed to be expecting Emilia to take responsibility for everything her spirit had done, and also angry that Emilia hadn’t spoken up to defend herself.

 

“Ho~? Mine divine existence stands far above your ‘merchant’ lifestyle. Street-scum stealing from other street-scum, that’s all your ‘sucker’ is. You’re less of a threat to me than the thief girl.”

 

Priscilla whipped up a fan in front of her face, doing her best to hold in a haughty laugh at Anastasia’s toothless insult. Her remark got Felt to grumble and stand up from her seat, but with a bit of coercing by Reinhard, she sat back down.

 

“Pray tell, Ms. Barielle? What ever happened to your husband? At least I didn’t have t’sell myself t’get where I am, ya’ streetcorner sla-. .”

 

The fiery-haired woman’s eyes flared at Anastasia’s cutting insult, but before she could whip out her Yang sword and silence the talkative interloper, someone stepped in to keep the peace.

 

“Ana-bo, there’s no reason to go callin’ people names! Don’t ya’ think she has a point?”

 

Ricardo, trying to bridge the gap between the two fiery candidates, decided to step on the landmine himself instead of letting this scuffle grow into a full-blown brawl. If all the stories he’d heard from Al were true, Priscilla wasn’t someone to cross lightly.

 

“Don’t ya’ turn on me now. If ya’ got a problem with what I’m sayin’, take it up with me in private.”

 

Anastasia gave Ricardo the stink eye, which made the wolf human slink back in embarrassment. He forgot how stubborn she could be when she believed she was right. The words he’d be receiving later would likely cut deep. . .

 

“I apologize, but I have to agree with Priscilla-dono. Contract or not, destroying the world is simply beyond the pale of a simple ‘misunderstanding’. It’s exactly why we detest figures like the Witch and her Cult. Wanton destruction is simply the lowest form of evil.”

 

Crusch came out in support of Priscilla’s viewpoint, trying to contextualize the severity of Puck’s actions with the continued hatred of the Witch Of Envy. Even now, nobody seemed to want to understand the motive for the Great Calamity that befell the world 400 years ago, as what the Witch had done simply exceeded their bounds for reasonable empathy. How was the ‘Beast of the End’ any different?

 

“It makes me wanna throw up sayin’ this, but I think that b**** might be right. . .”

 

Felt, similarly, spoke up in agreement with Priscilla’s position. They’d all done terrible things, but at least they had some kind of motive for their actions. None of them needlessly slaughtered people simply because they were upset. That was what differentiated them from monsters like Betelgeuse.

 

Beside her, Reinhard winced at his lady’s vulgar language. That wasn’t how a proper lady should act at all!

 

“. . .I-I don’t want everyone to fight about this. Ultimately, if I had been more diligent, my spirit would’ve never been allowed to go that far. This is my fault. . .”

 

Emilia said something concerning, which caused everyone in her camp to look at her in shock. Each of them wanted to interrupt and try to correct the faulty logic that would assign any of that blame to her, but before they could, Emilia closed the discussion.

 

“Should I see him again, I-I’m not sure how I will react. But rest assured, I will never allow it to happen again.”

 

Unlike the Emilia on-screen, this Emilia had grown considerably. No longer did she defer large decisions to others like Puck or Subaru. She was determined to take control of her own life, and in that same vein, correct the mistakes she’d allowed to fester while she’d been missing her memories.

Emilia smiled, as Puck seemed to understand her resolve almost immediately after she grasped it.

Puck: “Early this morning, Ram headed out there again. Maybe we should wait to hear from her. I'm going to check on Betty.”

Getting out of bed, Emilia left to go get dressed and check the entrance of the Manor.

Emilia: “Oh... Okay. Tell her hello for me.”

“This is getting boring. . . someone wake me up when bro gets back on screen.”

 

Letting out a yawn, Al proceeded to lean back and put his single arm behind his head. He got a few glares from the maids and Crusch’s camp, but none of them scared him enough to keep him from turning his attention away from the episode.

*THWACK*

 

“O-Ow. . ! Princess, was that really necessary!?”

 

Having brought down her fan, Priscilla struck Al over the head with her free hand. Funnily enough, despite the helmet he wore pretty much all the time, the impact was still strong enough to leave an impression on the poor man’s head.

 

“Only mine pristine self shall be granted the luxury of ‘dozing off’. You are nothing more than a mongrel whom I’ve deemed entertaining enough to stand beside me! Should I lose interest in your buffoonery, mineself shall not hesitate to cast your worthless corpse aside.”

 

A sword materialized in the angry candidate’s hand, conjured through a tempest of flame that appeared above her head. Even if it was impossible for them to die while they were in here, Al wasn’t going to tempt fate.

 

“W-Wait, I was only joking. . ! See, look! I’ve got myself seated uprig-. . . P-Princess. . ! I really would appreciate it if you stopped approaching me with that sword. . !”

 

Waving his hand in front of his face, Al’s fearful declaration garnered no sympathy from the other folks in the theater. Normally, Priscilla’s over-the-top antics disturbed the rest of the candidates, but in this case, nobody could argue that Al hadn’t brought this on himself.

 

“W-Wuaua. . !”

*SMASH*

The broad end of Priscilla’s Yang Sword contacted the metal dome atop Al’s helmet, leaving the mercenary dazed and seeing stars. 

. . . . .

Cut to the entrance hall of the manor. Ram and Wilhelm are awaiting Emilia.

Emilia: “Ram?”

As Emilia walked down the stairs, she was surprised to see more than just Rem, but Wilhelm too!

Ram: “Emilia-sama, you have a visitor.”

Wilhelm bowed, showing his respect for the opposing candidate.

Emilia: “You are… from Crusch-sama's household, aren't you?”

With a hand on her chest, Emilia nervously approached Wilhelm with cautious optimism. The last interaction she’d had with Crusch and her camp hadn’t exactly worked out too splendidly for her, as that was when she’d left behind. . . a certain someone. Not to mention the letter.

“That really was an unfortunate mix-up. . .”

 

Crusch put a hand on her forehead, scoffing at the very idea of ‘declaring war’ upon another candidate through some cowardly method like that. After everything Emilia and her camp had done in the past year, Crusch wanted nothing more than to bring them all into her own house.

 

“C-Crusch-sama, please don’t blame yourself. . ! It was my responsibility to communicate our intentions. . .”

 

Rem lamented the fact she’d inconvenienced Subaru during a time of need, but the letter paled in comparison to the strain she’d put on him as she remained asleep. She hadn’t heard much, but from the way everyone spoke, Subaru hadn’t been the same since he’d discovered her comatose body.

 

“Yes, but it was my responsibility to ensure the safety of my retainers, and that includes you.”

 

Crusch clenched her hands into fists, ashamed that Rem was being forced to take responsibility for something out of her control. The mistake hadn’t been the result of Rem merely failing to write their letter, it had come about due to Gluttony’s authority.

 

“Crusch-sama, there’s nyo way you could’ve known what was going to happen. . . !”

 

Felix put a hand on Crusch’s shoulder, trying to comfort her with a small reassurance, however it didn’t seem to have the intended effect. As it stood, they should’ve been prepared for the possibility of enemy reinforcements coming to attack the wagon train.

 

“We could’ve. . ! Wilhelm had already informed me of the correlation between White Whale appearances and cult activity. I was a fool to think we could take on them all with a force of that size. . . !”

 

She bit her lip and turned away from Felix with a shaking hint of trepidation in her words. If it hadn’t been for Subaru, they all would’ve died in that battle with the Whale. . . If it hadn’t been for Subaru, the Cult would’ve completely eliminated her forces and finished her off. What kind of leader was she?

 

“Crusch-sama, if I may. . .”

 

Wilhelm could sense the thoughts running through Crusch’s mind, belittling herself as well as the hard work she’d put into planning their campaign. As one of the people responsible for freeing him of his burdens, he couldn’t allow this to stand.

 

“Neither you, nor Subaru-dono was entirely prepared for the magnitude of the threat. However, with the short amount of time we had to prepare, you mustered up quite the capable and formidable force. If anyone should take responsibility, let it be the old man who rushed our preparations in the pursuit of vengeance.”

 

He took a knee, bowing to Crusch with genuine contrition in his voice.

 

“. . .grandfather. .”

 

“Eh? Rein, what’s up?”

 

Reinhard watched this heartfelt scene play out from the other side of the theater with a downcast expression, surprising Felt with the sudden shift in his mood.

Wilhelm: “I am Wilhelm Trias. I have come on my master's behalf.”

Shifting from his bow into a formal kneel, Wilhelm embodied his knightly ideals whilst simultaneously showing he meant no hostility.

Emilia: “On Crusch-sama's behalf? I received a blank letter from her yesterday…”

The old man looked up at her, slightly shocked that his camp had made an error of this magnitude, and immediately worked to correct it.

Wilhelm: “I see, so it was true. While this shames me to say, the letter contradicted the message my master wished to send.”

Emilia: “Oh... It was a mistake, then?”

Emilia looked quite relieved to receive that information, her ears perking up and her voice sounding more hopeful.

“Ah, ah! Emilia-sama, that was a cute reaction!”

 

Rem looked over to the blushing half-elf, unintentionally embarrassing the silver-haired candidate with her earnest words of praise. No doubt, if Subaru were awake, he’d be piling on as well. He was always ruthless with his compliments!

 

‘But then again, if Subaru-kun were awake right now, I would be complimenting him. . .’

 

The blue-haired maid ran a hand through the unconscious knight’s hair, anticipating all the cute reactions she could get out of him once he woke up. This hopeless man was the best at making other people blush, but had no defense when those same tactics were turned on him.

Wilhelm: “Yes, Emilia-sama and Ram-dono… We would like to evacuate those remaining in the mansion, along with the villagers. That is Crusch-sama's will.”

There were smiles of happiness from some when they heard of Crusch’s kindness.

 

True, she did not do things out of sheer goodwill. But she still did good for them. She assisted them without any hidden motives and her desires were reasonable.

Was that not enough to warrant thanks?

While Wilhelm spoke, Ram’s eyes slowly moved towards Emilia.

Emilia: “What? There's a ring of criminals near the forest?”

“Understatement of the century! Those freaks had patrols around the edges of the forest to capture any merchants that might’ve stumbled into their path.”

Otto crossed his arms and grimaced as he recalled his initial meeting with Betelgeuse. Even though he knew the outcome of that encounter would ultimately be good for him, he still shuddered at the proximity he’d been to that monster. He could’ve ended up like the villagers in the previous loops, or even tortured like Subaru.

‘I-I really have to thank Natsuki-san. . .’

“We really should’ve known about this attack sooner. What is the point of us Royal Knights if not to shield innocent civilians like you. . ?”

The purple-haired knight’s voice caught in his throat, as he still didn’t feel right speaking to people in Emilia’s camp after the previous viewing.

“Ya’ finally realizing this? Thought this was well-established by this point! All of you ‘knights’ don’t do anything but protect stuck-up nobles or throw innocent slum-dwellers in jail.”

Felt spat this out, not pulling any punches as she relayed the true public perception associated with the Royal Knights. Reinhard flinched at how jaded her viewpoint of them was, but he didn’t try to interject.

 

“Y-You just might be right, Felt.”

Julius uttered a quiet reply. He was still very broken up about what he’d done to Subaru. It was to the point he was starting to question his identity as a knight. The Royal Guard was assembled because they couldn’t let threats like the Witch Cult roam free. At least, that was what he thought. . . but if that was true, why had they allowed them to terrorize the nation for the last 400 years? They most certainly had the strength to eliminate, or at least repel, people like Betelgeuse.

However, since most of them were permanently stationed within the Capital, stories of imperial knights encountering these threats were nonexistent.

‘How could villages like this one have no protection!? Does our existence represent nothing more than bodyguards for the upper class?’

Both Julius and Reinhard seemed ashamed at that possibility, but they couldn’t deny it. With things like the Reinhard Law restricting his movement, and Julius only being allowed to leave the Capital on diplomatic assignments, this explanation was the only reasonable assumption.

Emilia looked surprised to hear this news, but as the screen flashes to the villagers loading up into the wagon train, it’s clear that they would go forward with the plan regardless of Emilia’s feelings.

Emilia didn’t mind that at all.

 

She knew that on some level she could be ignorant of things.

 

‘If it’s needed I want people to be able to take the initiative.’ Emilia thought, ‘That will be best. I just need to trust everyone around me. I need to trust my friends.’

She knew she could trust many here with her life.

 

Then again, there was some part in her mind that worried about something else instead.

 

‘Still, no matter how much I trust people things can always turn to the worst. This theater has shown me that. Repeatedly. All of my failures.’ Emilia acknowledged the thought, ‘I can’t let that pull me down.’

Ram: “Yes. The punitive force this messenger brought already prepares to fight the enemy.”

Now the screen pans over to a group of carriages, with protection from the Iron Fang lined up on either side of them.

Emilia: “But why would Crusch-sama do so much to help this domain?”

Despite their cordial relationship, Emilia didn’t expect Crusch to go out of her way to assist people beyond her jurisdiction. The Royal Selection, so far, had only been a contest of self-interest to her. Perhaps her appraisal of Crusch had been wrong.

Wilhelm: “The margrave sent my master a proposal for an alliance with respect to the royal selection. The condition is a share of the mining rights in Elior Forest. Do you understand?”

Even now, at this moment, Emilia didn’t understand why Crusch had become her friend. She didn’t understand why Crusch wanted to help her and Subaru.

 

But some part of her did understand on some level that regardless of what Crusch’s ulterior motive might be. . .

 

‘At your core you’re a good woman.’

Emilia smiled at Crusch, who merely looked back at her with a raised eyebrow.

 

Emilia gave Crusch a thumbs up.

 

Crusch awkwardly returned the gesture with her own thumbs up.

 

‘What was that about?’ Crusch thought.

Emilia: “So that's what this is about.”

That was a good enough cause, although it hurt for Emilia to give up the rights to the land she’d lived on for so long. A deal as large as this one required some form of compensation, so it was fortunate the price was so low.

‘Elior Forest is a good place for mining, huh?’ Anastasia thought, ‘Maybe I too could learn something of that place? I don’t see how it’d be fair that Miss Emilia only gets that value.’

“You thinking of something again, Ana?” Ricardo asked her with crossed arms as he took his eyes of the screen, “I know that look.”

 

Anastasia just smiled and quietly spoke to him, “I was just thinking about the possible value of that place. A whole place frozen in ice along with its inhabitants? It’s quite horrific, I must admit. But I'm also interested in what there is to mine there. I’m getting a gut feeling that it must be somewhere important.”

 

“You’re gonna try to buy her home?” Ricardo guessed.

 

“No, I don’t see a need for that yet. I’m certain that arrangements can be made.” Anastasia smiled at him.

Wilhelm: “But evacuating all the villagers to the capital will be difficult. Half of them will go to the capital.”

At this, Emilia almost interjected. She didn’t want to separate the villagers unless it was absolutely necessary, however Ram cut in before she could speak.

Ram: “I will lead the other half to safety in the Sanctuary. Roswaal-sama is heading there now.”

“Sanctuary,” Garfiel whispered in nostalgia, ‘The place that was a home, and my own self-made prison.’

The bitterness at his own actions had not left Garfiel. His own attitude that had brought him to that point. He spent so long alone there with the intention of shielding the populace there.

 

“Thinking about Sanctuary again, Garf?” Otto asked him softly.

 

“Yup,” Garfiel did not bother to dismiss the idea of it, “I miss that crappy place. Kinda. Not really. I mean yes but really no I... sorta’? Forget it, I can't really put it into words.”

Otto just blankly looked at him, “Garf, are you thinking about what lead up to it?”

 

“I mean, yeah, why wouldn’t I? I know what Ram did, I think I did, but I can’t help but wanna know what else is going on behind the scenes,” Garfiel gestured to the screen, “All of this shit has been going without either of us knowing.”

 

Otto couldn’t help but agree, nodding along.

 

“Yeah, you’re right, Garf. I don’t want to sound rude or accusing but sometimes I can’t help but worry about...” Otto glanced at Ram and Roswaal for a second, “Ram is my friend but a part of me can’t help but be worried.”

 

“I get that.” Garfiel nodded in reluctant understanding, “Ram... I really care about her. But I’m not stupid. Roswaal, that bastard, know’s what he’s trying to do. Trick everyone. I don’t want that to happen again.”

 

“But Ram chose to follow him and do whatever she might have done.”

 

Garfiel frowned, “I know. It’s all just so messed up. Ram chose to do and believe what she has done, but being influenced doesn’t excuse her.”

 

“All of this speculation.” Otto frowned, “We don’t know if she has even done anything at the sanctuary in any loops. I-If there were any. . .” Otto tried to act like there was no chance that Subaru had died, but the logical part of him knew the truth.

 

Garfiel looked at Ram with a pained look as the maid in question didn’t notice him yet.

 

“Believe me, Otto-bro. . .I know she did some things.”

Emilia: “O-Oh, I see... Then, discussion on the matter is already over. But isn't there something strange about this? It all seems too well-timed—”

Suddenly, the front door slammed open. An odd-looking man dressed in a cloak stood in the doorway, obscured by the light that flooded in behind him.

Subaru (Cloaked): “Pardon me. The group hiding in the forest has been observed moving strangely. We haven't a moment to waste! Once they make their move, the entire region will be a sea of blood! What will it be, Captain? No, Sword Demon Wilhelm-dono?”

“I still cannot believe that you didn’t catch onto it straight away, Lady Emilia.” Ram frowned and looked at her with the edges of her lips curled up in what could almost be recognised as a smile.

 

“I... I didn’t expect it to be Subaru to show up and dressed like that, okay!” Emilia rebutted, “I thought he would just vanish and not dress up all silly like that.”

 

“Subaru, silly?” Rem asked her, “Subaru looks cool when he’s being a hero. The cloak adds to his charm.”

 

“I... Okay, sure, sissy.” Ram just sighed, knowing it mattered not what she was going to say.

Emilia watched the man speak with a weird sense of familiarity, her hand to her chest as she tried to identify what it was about this man that made her feel so emotional. Even though she wanted to speak, the words simply wouldn’t come to her. . .

Wilhelm: “Emilia-sama?”

Wilhelm got up off his knee and looked at Emilia, deferring their course of action to her answer.

Emilia: “I understand. I gratefully accept your kindness. Has this been explained to the villagers?”

Ram: “They have been informed in a timely fashion, Emilia-sama.”

“You did well in doing so, Ram.” Roswaal praised her, to which the pinkette just nodded in gratitude.

 

“Thank you, Roswaal-sama. Your compliment means a lot.” Ram did have that small blush on her cheeks which made Garfiel sigh.

 

‘It feels like shit. Damn, that fuckin’ clown is still liked by her. I.. Who cares...’ Garfiel thought as he tried to stop thinking about something so minor.

Emilia: “I see…”

It wasn’t hard to see she was disappointed in herself for having been oblivious to everything happening around her, however, Emilia knew the threat to the villagers was far more important than her own feelings.

Puck: “Betty says she'll stay here.”

“To protect the library was my purpose at the time, I suppose.” Beatrice spoke for the first time in quite a while, “Staying close to the mansion would have been best, in fact.”

 

“So, you didn’t go out to help us, Beatrice?” Emilia asked her.

 

Beatrice just sighed, “What do you think, I wonder? I had no interest in any of you at the time, I suppose.”

 

“A cynical way to go about it, Beatrice~” Roswaal smiled, “You could be a bit more optimistic.”

 

“I do not need to hear that from you of all people, in fact.” Beatrice just waved him off as if she was dismissing some sort of fly.

 

Emilia just nodded at what Beatrice’s previous statement was, ‘It’s okay, Beako. I know you’re a nice girl now and always have been. Thank you for that, Subaru.’

Emilia: “Puck!”

Emerging from Emilia’s hair, Puck floated next to her head, catching the attention of both Wilhelm and Ram.

The scene briefly flashes back to a conversation between Puck and Beatrice. . .

Beatrice: Betty can't go. I'll wait for your return, I suppose. You don't have to worry.

Before returning to the present moment with Emilia and the others:

Puck: That's what she said. Well, in Betty's case, the forbidden library is a much safer place. Besides, due to her contract, she can't leave the mansion. Lia, you know that, right?”

Emilia: “No fair using that as a reason…

Emilia looked concerned for Beatrice’s safety, even after Puck’s reassurances. The nature of Beatrice’s contract sounded cruel to her, but she also understood the importance of promises. Forcing Beatrice to break a promise wouldn’t be right for her to do.

Puck: “So, since my cute little sister will be staying here, we shouldn't do anything to the mansion. Betty is sweet and kind, but she'll show no mercy.”

“To think that you were worried for me? It seems that many still underestimate Betty’s strength, in fact.” Beatrice just nodded.

 

“I mean, Miss Beatrice, you kind of look, well, like a....” Otto awkwardly tried to explain it.

 

“Like a child, I suppose? To judge people based on your own preconceptions, I suppose. How stupid must you be, in fact.” Beatrice just sighed, “But it is understandable, I suppose. Knowing how you humans are.”

 

“That and you are just so cute, Beako.” Emilia smiled at the small spirit.

 

The small spirit just nodded in agreement, not saying anything else.

Emilia turned back to face Wilhelm and Ram, Puck floating up and down beside her head.

Wilhelm: “Understood, Great Spirit.”

Puck nodded before quickly hiding in Emilia’s hair. He popped out next to Emilia’s ear, looking slightly more serious than usual.

Puck: “You should do what you want. I'm on your side, and yours alone.”

“Aint that the truth.” Anastasia sardonically remarked, “Totally true, just on your side.”

 

She ran her hand across her fox scarf again, her eyes lingering on it longer than she intended. She’d blindly projected her own relationship with her spirit onto Emilia and Puck, but even she couldn’t overlook the implications of this threat.

 

“The mongrel child finally understands.” Priscilla agreed, “That thing of yours is too wild and unpredictable. If you had any sense, you would dispose of it immediately. Unless you can tame it, though mineself doubts that.”

 

“Regardless of how you feel about Puck, he isn’t just mindlessly evil.” Emilia protested, “I know what he can be like. We’ve all seen that. But there is some good in Puck as well, I wouldn’t have been with him if that wasn’t the case.”

 

“You would have been with anyone,” Priscilla dismissed, “Don’t flatter yourself.”

 

“Regardless of how Miss Barielle states it, she is correct.” Anastasia reaffirmed, “If you really plan on just talking it out then that’ll be something quite difficult. Especially with how he has been towards you.”

 

Trust is a two-way street. The merchant had never been one to lie to her partner, and neither had her spirit. She couldn’t imagine how big of a betrayal that must’ve been for Emilia, so she empathized with her in that regard.

 

‘There is also the problem of that spirit knowing about Natsuki’s Return by Death. It seemed to be like that with how it spoke. It knows a lot and we gotta be sure of what it knows. But there is so much danger that comes with it. I don’t know if it can be worth the risk.” Anastasia didn’t know if she was the only one to have those thoughts but she somewhat hoped so.

 

“I’ll solve it my own way.” Emilia decided, “It depends on me. I am responsible for Puck and I will handle it however it is needed.”

 

“Just remember, girl, that it doesn’t just concern you anymore when the wellbeing of others are at stake.” Priscilla of all people said that.

 

Emilia just held Subaru’s arm and continued to watch, releasing a small huff at what Priscilla Barielle had said.

The implications of his words weren’t missed by anyone, except perhaps Emilia. She took a moment to pause and think about the best course of action.

Emilia: “We will evacuate. I don't want to endanger the villagers!”

The man beneath the cloak smiled, happy with Emilia’s decision to trust Crusch despite their current positions in the Royal Selection.

. . . . . . . .

The location then abruptly shifts again, showing Emilia having made the trek to Arlam village and her inspecting carriages as they departed to the Sanctuary.

“Ah, it appears as if we’ve shifted perspectives again. . .”

Tivey took in the new scene as he adjusted his monocle with his free hand. The barrage of flashbacks, scene changes, and overall RBD shenanigans was making this episode somewhat difficult to follow.

“Statin’ the obvious, are we?”

Anastasia reached over and patted the unprepared Tivey on the head, which caused him to stutter out a confused justification. He wasn’t trying to appear smart to everyone, it was just the case of him absentmindedly speaking without thinking. However, that seemed to be how his action was interpreted.

“M-My lady, it’s just. . .a-ah. . .”

He couldn’t think of anything to say, so he just gave up trying to fight it.

 “Hahaha~! Tivey’s blushing~!”

Meanwhile, Mimi clutched her stomach in uncontrollable laughter, unable to cope with the scene of that ‘intellectual’ brother of hers rendered to a stuttering child.

 

Ricardo seemed to get a bit of a chuckle out of this too, looking to the still-depressed Julius and pointing him in the direction of this chaos. As Joshua’s older brother, he’d probably relate to this on some level.

Instead, all Julius did was flash a brief smile, before his face fell back to a neutral expression.  

While this was happening, Petra and her friends tentatively approach Emilia, bags in hand.

Petra: We're ready, miss.

Emilia: “Um, I think there's been some kind of mistake.”

Doing her best to appear upbeat, Emilia softly tried to get the children to join up with someone else. If it was a situation where they simply had nowhere else to go, Emilia didn’t want to inconvenience them.

Petra pouted and walked over to Emilia to give her a hug. The half-elf employed the trademark Natsuki head-pat technique to keep the young maid from apologising again.  

“Emilia-sama, you really are a hopeless one. . .”

Ram snuck in a small smile, before Frederica and Rem shot her a knowing look, at which she promptly removed that small display of emotion. She wouldn’t be caught empathizing so easily!

“No need to hide it, my apprentice.”

Frederica’s prideful smile made Ram click her tongue and look away with an annoyed expression.

“Nee-sama is too kind. . .”

Rem felt her sister blush, her feelings of embarrassment having been fully transmitted through their synesthesia.

Ram: No, given the number of people and carriages, we must ask you to ride with these children. It's a necessary measure.

Having just walked up to observe the conversation, Ram interjected before Emilia could finish pushing the children away.

Emilia: “Can't we put them in a different carriage? That would be better for the children—”

Subaru (Cloaked): “You think no one would want to ride with you? Have you asked the kids how they feel about that? Perhaps you just assume that they hate you and wouldn't want to be around you?”

“. .  .-hk!”

Even now, Emilia couldn’t help but react to Subaru’s cutting diagnosis of her self-image. With everything that happens next, Emilia knew why he’d been so insistent the children accompany her, but admittedly, she still felt a bit self-conscious.

“Betty’s contractor has always been blunt with his wording, I suppose. Don’t tell me you’ve begun to doubt his feelings for you, in fact?”

Beatrice sat up from Subaru’s lap, calmly checking up on Emilia in her typical tsundere persona.

“O-Of course not. . ! If anything, it’s the other way around. . .”

The half-elf donned a gloomy expression, looking at the unconscious Subaru with wavering eyes.

“I don’t understand. Is his love not enough for you, I suppose?”

At this, Beatrice raised an eyebrow and leaned herself forward, head on her palms. She didn’t understand why this realization would prompt such a sorrowful reaction from Emilia.  

“Subaru always wants to show me his ‘best-self’, the version of him who inspired everyone to follow him and confront their pasts. I was just thinking about. . . w-well, what he’s seen from me.”

Subaru had been privy to all of her worst moments, and likely knew her better than Puck by this point. Even if she’d grown considerably during their time together, the silver-haired girl couldn’t help feeling regret over all the times he’d seen the helpless side of her. Unlike her, Subaru had improved all on his own, hidden his struggles away from her, and eventually pushed her into her own growth.

If that was the case. . .shouldn’t she strive to be more like him?

 “Be careful, I suppose. I believe that to be one of my contractor’s very few flaws, in fact.”

“What do you mean, Beako?”

The urge to tell off Emilia for referring to her as ‘Beako’ was barely stifled by the drill-haired spirit. Snapping her out of the daydream, Beatrice sighed and got up from Subaru’s lap. She wasn’t so greedy to be receiving affection from the man as she was about to criticize him.

“Exactly what I said, I suppose. Subaru’s tendency to show his ‘cool’ side to everyone is the root cause of all his troubles now. We’ve each shared our weaknesses with him. Doesn’t it bother you to see his reluctance to express those feelings with us? Aside from the maid, as well as the small glimpses Betty’s caught of him in private, he’s a complete stranger to us. . . I-I suppose. As much as it pains Betty to admit it. . .”

Beatrice looked at Subaru’s arms, finally able to connect the weight of the burden he’d been carrying with the Subaru she knew in real life. Her heart clenched at the very idea something like Return By Death could’ve gone unnoticed to her all this time. However, there was no arguing that a contributing factor was Subaru’s refusal to display his weakness to others.

“S-Stranger. . ?! Aren’t you taking it a little too far. . !”

Emilia put a hand on her mouth, shocked that Beatrice could think Subaru anything less than a friend to each and every one of them.

“A-Am I? Perhaps so, I suppose. . .”

Seeing the small girl’s dejected face, Emilia felt regret for chastising Beatrice so harshly, patting Beatrice lightly on her head to try and comfort the sad spirit. The half-elf knew that the connection between spirit and contractor was something beyond most other relationships. Who was she to tell Beatrice that she was wrong about Subaru?

“Obviously you had some reasons to be feeling that way. . . I’m sorry for my reaction.”

“I-It’s all right, in fact. I just don’t want you to go through what he’s felt. . . I suppose.”

Beatrice put her palm in Subaru’s other hand, tracing the back of his hand with her free hand.

The ‘stranger’ hit the nail on the head, causing Emilia to look away from everyone to try and recompose herself.

Emilia: “That isn't… I don't need to ask them. I know it's best for everyone.”

She broke eye contact with the man and put her hand back to her chest, trying to push the conversation away from this topic.

Subaru: “Six children and one dragon-drawn carriage. If we stumble here, how will your wish ever come true?”

Out of nowhere, a thought occurred in Emilia’s mind.

Emilia: “A-Are you…”

He got on one knee and turned away from her, not letting his identity get revealed so quickly.

Subaru: “What do you think, Petra? Do you refuse to ride in the same carriage as she does?”

“Look at him smiling. . . he already knows what she’s going to say.”

Ram let out a huff, which caused Rem and Frederica to stifle short laughs. They both knew that Ram was just looking for things to scoff at, which only made the parts she picked out seem even funnier.

“Never straightforwaaard with your feelings, are you~?”

Roswaal snuck in a small jab, which made Ram get flustered. In her mind, she resolved to give Subaru a small slap when he eventually did wake up for putting her in this situation.

“T-That’s not fair Roswaal-sama. . . I was with you, wasn’t I?”

Suddenly, the clown had all that teasing flipped on him with a single sentence. Bringing up that confession here of all places. . . he forgot how ruthless she was.

“A-Ah. . .yes *cough*, I suppose you were. . .”

Roswaal coughed into his fist, his trademark accent noticeably absent from his reply.

“. . . .”

“. . . .”

Rem and Frederica looked at the two of them confused by the totally awkward environment that just came out of nowhere, but neither Ram nor Roswaal elected to give them answers.

Emilia clenched her eyes shut, anticipating the harsh rejection that typically came her way by virtue of being a half-elf. The way the villagers had reacted to her earlier was still fresh in her mind.

Petra: “Of course not. Aren't you the lady with the potato stamps? The one who came with Subaru to watch our radio calisthenics!”

The half-elf looked surprised, not only that the kids accepted her, but also they managed to recognize her despite the identity-obscuring cloak.

Emilia: “Well…”

Petra: “We couldn't see your face, but we saw you having a good time talking with Subaru! Come and ride with us.”

At that point a lot of them had a tender smile on their face that was directed towards Petra. Perhaps not directly, but it was still present.

 

The fact that a child had a more open heart touched some of them quite a bit.

Petra marched forward and extended a hand out to Emilia, almost causing her to tear up.  

Child 1: “And me!”

One of the twin boys, Cain, followed suit and approached Emilia with an outstretched hand.

Child 2: “I wanna ride with you!”

Then his brother Dine went and did the same.

Child 3: “Come on, let's go!”

The rest of the children all swarmed around Emilia, asking to join her on the carriage ride out of Arlam.

Child 4: “Let's go.”

Emilia couldn’t stop herself from smiling now, as each of the children smiled up at her and shook her hand.

Child 5: “Come with us!”

Child 6: “And it's gonna be pulled by a dragon!”

Child 7: “That's so cool!”

“Look at big sis, swarmed with kids. How does it feel to start being recognized as a hero?” Felt asked her with a small, cheeky smile.

 

“I’m not a hero, Felt.” Emilia shook her head.

 

“C’mon...”

 

“Still, it was a nice feeling to do good by others.” Emilia smiled at that.

 

“T-That is literally a hero thing! You were actually in that situation!” Felt waved her hand around to emphasize what she meant.

 

“I do agree,” Crusch nodded.

While all the children stuck to Emilia’s side, Petra turned back and stared at Subaru, having figured out the plan and who was behind it.

Emilia: “Ram, take care of things at the Sanctuary. Be sure to protect the villagers.”

Turning to Ram, Emilia accepted her responsibility and wished Ram good luck on the trek to the Sanctuary.

Ram: “You take care, as well, Emilia-sama.”

Ram couldn’t help but smile at the growing friendship that occured. What was a barely existent whisp had been fanned into a flame.

 

“So she does have some commen sense, huh?” Felt chuckled at that, “At least she isn’t that stupid as to not listen or be decent.”

 

“Was that comment truly nessecary, Lady Felt?” Reinheird asked with a small sigh.

 

“What? Did I say something wrong?” Felt asked around.

 

“Ah,” Reinhard merely sighed, “Please be more careful with your words.”

 

“Uh... Okay.” Felt murmered akwardly..

The red-haired maid could see Subaru slink away while this whole exchange was happening, at which she said nothing.

Emilia: “I need to thank you, too…”

The cloaked man had disappeared from Emilia’s sight, which saddened her immensely.

Emilia:  “Where did he go?”

Ram let out a sigh as she watched Emilia go and search for the hopeless fool that was Barasu. They truly were two peas in a pod.

“Does Subaru vanish often?” Crusch asked out of nowhere.

 

“More than he has a right to, Lady Crusch.” Ram affirmed.

 

“That seems quite dangerous.” Crusch commented, “To head off into danger.”

 

“Do not worry, I suppose, Betty will stop that from happening from now on.” Beatrice proclaimed.

 

“Pff!” Priscilla snickered at that, “Truly, you stop that? That is quite humurous.”

 

Beatrice looked at her with indignation, “Are you suggesting that Betty cannot stop it, I suppose?”

 

Priscilla just smiled oddly, “I doubt you can and I doubt you have. You don’t seem to me like a spirit that has that much sense.”

 

“Lady Priscilla, to insult a great spirit is a large insult.” Julius interrupted their conversation to let her know that.

 

“I do not care.” Priscilla dismissed easily, “What I am saying is that regardless of her ‘knowledge’ and her ‘power’ she does not use it in any intelligent manner whatsoever.”

 

“You, the hag that you are, know nothing, in fact. Foolish humans like you can’t compare to Betty’s knowledge.” Beatrice dismissed her with a small hand wave.

 

“Then how about we see?” Priscilla smiled insidiously, “I know that I’ll be proven right soon enough.”

 

“Grg, fine then, I suppose. You’ll see and get your stupid mouth shut, in fact!” Beatrice declared with a finger pointing at him.

 

Al watched the exchange with wonder, ‘Princess is goading more . I wonder why? Normally she doesn’t do stuff like this, especially so openly. Is it because of bro? I.... I get it!’ His eyes widened under his helmet, ‘So that’s the plan, huh, princess? Not too shabby!’

 

Break and then rebuild to your liking?

 

It seemed that she was going to go down that route.

. . . . .

The camera pans to a wide view of the entire village, from the perspective of a tall hill overlooking the town.

A man pulls out a golden metia, which he briefly flips open and watches as it activates, releasing a bluish glow. It was short, but the man smirked at the prospect of flipping the so-called ‘evacuation’ effort into chaos once they preemptively launched their attack.

Subaru: Now, I get it…

A voice that absolutely did not belong there brought shivers down the man’s back. He stood still, petrified at his scheme being found out.

Subaru: We couldn't figure out how you guys stayed in touch. Those metia sure are handy, huh?

The man turned around, finding both his cultist lackeys laying dead on the ground. Standing above them, was a young man in a concealment cloak bearing a terrifying glare.

Subaru: You owe a heavy price for the crime of interrupting my touching reunion with Emilia!

“True. It would have been something quite nice to see after all of this. Like a nice romance book.” Emilia nodded to herself.

 

The sentence had Rem thinking about her own future reunion with a conscious Subaru.

 

‘Subaru’ The thought of getting to hold him, to comfort him and tell him that she truly loves him was greater than she could ever imagine.

 

Still... with Emilia ready to confess her own feelings, could she ever triumph? Her foolhardy mistake seemed to be destined to destroy her future love aspirations.

 

Still, no matter what, there was a large part of Rem’s being that wanted to be Subaru’s love. His only romantic love.

He flicked up the edge of his cloak, exposing his identity to the cultist with a wicked smile on his face. Having been undercover in Arlam, the man knew exactly who it was he’d ticked off.

Undercover Cultist: Y-You're…

The cultist pulled out a dagger and readied himself for combat, but two blood spurts from behind him ended up distracting him before he could strike.

Wilhelm: Too slow.

In a flash, the Sword Demon’s sword was pressed up right against the cultist’s neck. Their plans had been thoroughly thwarted.

Subaru: In short, we knew you were a spy. How we learned is a trade secret. So we set a trap for you, the contact for the Witch's Cult.

“Trade secret~ That’s Natsuki secret~ The trade secret~~ You’ll never know unless you’re brought by some random creature to a theater to watch things~”

 

Was sang quietly.

 

“Good song.” Was complemented.

 

“Though I still can’t get over the fact that we’ve been brought here by some strange entity to watch this stuff.” Felix remarked, “Hey! You still there?”

 

“......”

 

“Silence.” Julius noted aloud.

 

“Thank you for stating the obvious, Julius.”

 

“No problem.” Julius nodded affirmatively.

 

Many facepalms ensued.

As Julius restrained the man by slamming his head on the ground, Subaru decided to let the man in on the entire plan, as they had no plans of letting this person get away. Demoralizing this scumbag was almost worth the suffering he’d undergone to set this situation up.

Subaru: Two hours. You gave your buddies a schedule that was two hours behind. We'll use the time to get Emilia and the others away, crush the fingers that know our location, and make preparations to crush your Sin Archbishop.

All of them couldn’t help but stand in awe of the person they were witnessing on the screen now. Frankly speaking, this version of Subaru was a terrifying opponent. In a weird way, the exaggerated rumors about him that had spread amongst the common folk were completely understandable.

 

Although it was by no means a fair trade, his suffering had at least amounted to something in the minds of many.

 

They could all, on some level, understand why he took such joy in exacting his revenge.

 

The more analytical of them, such as Priscilla and Anastasia, had already comprehended the absurdity of this situation. He made this happen. He made all of it happen. A man with no remarkable strengths, by sheer providence, is summoned into the right place at the right time to avert disaster.

 

If it wasn’t for him, well. . . they’d already seen what would’ve happened. None of them would be alive, at least.

 

Was it wrong for him to take some enjoyment in the misfortune of his enemies? Especially when they were monsters like Witch Cultists?

 

None of them could really say they wouldn’t have felt the same.

 

But the thought of that ire being directed at them one day. . .it sent shivers down their spines.

The man suddenly looked freakish, as Subaru’s incomprehensible foresight was something akin to a monster’s. In Subaru’s arms was both his metia, as well as a map outlining all their hideouts.

Subaru: Having your enemy a step ahead, ready to destroy you… You're about to learn just how terrifying that is.

“That is indeed terrifying.” Julius spoke softly, “Still, it is good to know that he is using it for good.”

 

“Using his ability to save you lot? The ones, including him, that continually fail at everything?” Priscilla gave her usual remark, one with no hesitation.

 

“Don’t say that so carelessly about Subaru!” Rem protested, “Do you truly think that by just looking at his life here that you have any understanding about him? Don’t you dare belittle what he’s done for us!”

 

“Dare? Of course, stating the obvious with you lot is always something daring.” Priscilla sighed.

 

“Subaru... Subaru might stumble, he might fail, but at the end he always overcomes it! That’s just the type of man he is! So don’t try to act like all he does is just a failure or ends up in a mess! It doesn’t Look at all that he’s accomplished!!”

 

Priscilla just stared at her, then she giggled, “I never said all of that. Demon girl, it seems like you are acting like I find him nothing but a complete failure. He has many, many faults, but he is quite interesting.”

 

“.....?”

 

Rem couldn’t help but stare at her with a raised eyebrow.

 

“Don’t worry about it. Soon enough he’ll become a champion. Without you all, of course, to limit his potential.”

 

“Oh here we go again.” Rem sneered in frustration, “Think whatever you want! But, don’t ever forget, that you don’t know him. And you never truly will.”

 

“Then neither will any of you.” Priscilla smiled, “None of us here have any idea. We are all watching this as a play. So go ahead and act like you all know that boy better now... none of you know. And when he wakes up, what will you think? What will he think? That you all will grow closer?”

 

Each and every single one of them were staring at her with various levels of worry masked with frustration and despair. Priscilla saw it.

 

Priscilla’s smile grew.

 

“How humorous."

. . . . .

Back at the carriages, Emilia put both her arms together as she earnestly thanked the iron fang and Karsten knights for their service.

Emilia: May the blessing of the spirits be with you.

At that small prayer, the last carriage set off, escorted by most of the forces Subaru brought along after their battle with the White Whale. Subaru and Felix watched them depart, catching the eye of an old man in the process.

Wilhelm: Good luck.

The old man’s eyes grew serious for a moment, as he knew the battle ahead would be a tough one. He hoped some of his own strength was transmitted to Subaru in that brief final exchange.

Soon, all of them were out of view.

Felix: So, this is what enabled you to trick Emilia-sama and chase her off?

Ah yes, deception.

 

Above all else it seemed that was Subaru’s most effective weapon. Tricking the Witch Cult. Tricking his opponents.

 

“Even tricking us. . .”

 

“Now ya’ said it. . .”

 

Felix and Anastasia looked down at the ground, each confused as to how to feel. Should they feel upset with Subaru for luring them out there for a battle they never knew they’d be fighting? Should they be angry with themselves for being tricked so easily? Should they be ashamed that those measures were necessary at all, when the targets had been innocent civilians?

 

“What Subaru lacks in physical ability he more than makes up for with strategic vision. Regardless of Return by Death’s additional information, he’s proven himself very capable when he needs to be. Even with all of the restrictions he’s been operating under. . .”

 

Reinhard could sense the unease building in the crowd once more, deciding to quash it with a compliment that reframed their concerns in a different way. Yes, Subaru had withheld information from all of them numerous times, but it hadn’t exactly been his decision to do so. The taboo, along with the general ludicrosity of what he would’ve been telling them all would’ve made him lose credibility. As someone who’d often been put in those situations himself, the Sword Saint could only commend Subaru on how well he dealt with it.

 

“I suppose so, my apologies for doubting Natsuki-kyun.”

 

Felix felt his ears droop, the aching in his chest having been alleviated momentarily. In truth, he’d been upset about something else, but he didn’t wish to jump to any conclusions just yet.

 

Trying to lighten up the mood a little bit, Felix teased Subaru for his awkward choice in clothing. Admittedly, Felix probably wasn’t one to talk about odd choices in clothing. . .

“Hey!? What I wear is still in fashion!” Felix protested.

 

Crusch smiled at her knight’s adorable protest.

 

“That might be the case for now, Mister Argyle, but I’ve heard that there’s a new dress form that’s becoming a new trend.” Anastasia commented.

 

“Really? But I like my dress! It can’t be going out of fashion!”

 

“It is. It’s the new one from Gusteko that is starting to come into fashion. It has a V shape at the edges.” Anastasia casually let him know.

 

“Really? Gusteko? That place?” Felix turned with a raised eyebrow.

 

“You know, Mister Argyle, Hoshin Trading Company has that---” Anastasia was interrupted.

 

Crusch coughed to interrupt, “While your pitch was nice, Miss Hoshin, you should know that we are here to see the viewing and not talk about dresses.”

 

“Of course, we were talking about dresses but you have to see something wrong with that. Okay then.” Anastasia held up her hands in mock surrender.

Subaru: Don't put it that way...Even if it's accurate, it makes me sound bad!

He cringed at the description, but there was no way of refuting it. Of course, while this was going on, Julius approached the two of them with an intrigued expression.

Julius: That robe was woven with quite an odd spell.

Subaru: It was handmade by Roswaal. Apparently, a spell is woven into it that prevents recognition. Originally, it was Emilia's… I didn't steal it, okay?

It briefly shows the different moments where Emilia wore this cloak during arc 2. Subaru was annoyed that Julius had seen through the trick so quickly, but it wasn’t like he expected anything less from him.

“He... complimented me...?” Julius looked like his entire world had been shaken. As if someone told him that up was down and left was right. That yellow was purple and that he was secretly a floating sheep.

 

Only something so ridiculous could compare to what he felt like.

 

“Told ya he admired ya!” Anastasia smiled and patted him on the back.

 

“Why?” Julius looked around, “I-I thought for sure he would h-. . .?”

 

“Uh, Julius...?”

 

Julius shook his head, “I’m sorry, Milady. It’s just that I was befuddled for a moment. It must have just been begrudging respect.”

 

“I don’t think it’s just that, Julius.” Emilia also voiced.

 

“No, it must be that. Thank you for your input.” Julius returned to normality and went back to watch the viewing.

 

“But..?”

 

Julius nodded to himself, “It’s just that.”

Felix: Hmm… Well, the plan to correct the mistake with the blank letter worked out!

The demihuman gestured with his pointer finger, contemplating how Subaru could’ve possibly known about the situation with the letter, as the screen cuts back to their initial entrance to the Mather’s territory.

Ram activated her Clairvoyance to scan the forest for the supposed intruders, however what she found made her do a double-take.

Ram: "The letter was a mistake... It was my fault"?

Subaru and the Iron Fang, riding ground dragons, and holding up signs about ‘the letter being a mistake’. Typical Barasu.

The flashback ends and Felix continues his monologue.

Felix: And you worked so hard to convince the villagers, Subaru- kyun …

With a hint of smugness in his voice, Felix reminisces the moment they made contact with the villagers.

Subaru: Please! Emilia's... She's a girl who will be friends with all of you, so I want you to give her the chance to convince you! I'm sure everyone has a lot you'd like to say, but please let us protect you long enough that you get that chance!

Emilia couldn’t help but hold her hands over her heart and smile sweetly at that, “Subaru... you can be so stupid and so sweet!”

 

There was no shame or hesitation in her proclamation. She had no issues with voicing it aloud.

 

“Just sweet!” Rem smiled, “Well... maybe a little foolish. Agh, I really want Subaru to give me another proclamation again...”

 

Rem really wanted to spend some time with him after this. Time to show him how much she cared about him. She wanted to make memories with him.

 

Crusch looked on with a vague look of... contemplation? Still, she decided to keep her thoughts in her head, ‘They can be vocal about it all they want. Doesn’t mean I have to be that vocal as well.’

Priscilla pinched the bridge of her nose, “Mineself cannot witness it any longer. Your plebeian interjections are completely asinine. Listening to such commoner schlock is a drain on mine ears. . !”

 

“C’mon, Prisc, they--” Anastasia ignored Priscilla’s disgusted look at her and continued her little talk, “They’re just young girls in love. Let them act, how was it called again, so ‘cringey’. I mean, you can’t help but admit it is quite heartwarming.”

 

“Blergh.”

 

“Did you actually just ‘Blergh’ me?!” Anastasia looked on in shock.

Subaru, on his hands and knees, stands before the entire Arlam village and begs them all to trust him. Ram, meanwhile, watches on from the side with laser focus.

“You look kind of creepy, miss maid.” Mimi commented to Ram, who frowned at the comment.

 

“Ram? Creepy?!” Ram turned back with an insulted look.

 

Tivey just shook his head, “C’mon, Mimi, it might be true but that doesn’t mean you can just say it aloud like that.”

 

“You two...?!” Ram snarled at them.

 

As quickly as her eyes met the two triplets, Mimi glanced away and awkwardly whistled to herself. Every once in a while, she snuck a glance at Garfiel, but even he seemed to find her comment funny.

Villager: Ah, you really are hopeless, Subaru-sama. If you insist on protecting us so much, what choice do we have?

“And then he saves them. The end.” Felt commented.

“I truly hope for that to be the end of it but...” Reinhard turned quiet during the end.

 

“I kind of hope so too. While learning about Natsuki-san is very interesting, I hope that the mysteries just end there. Sitting here for days on end sounds like torture.” Anastasia commented, “I hope we at least learn about RbD and the Witch of Envy. I don’t want to leave here without figuring out some workaround to its usage.”

 

“For blackmail?” Felt asked.

 

“Whaaaat? No. I have some dignity.” Anastasia retorted with her arms crossed.

 

“So you wouldn’t normally do that?” Felt asked.

 

“I.... That’s a complicated question and not one I can simply answer. Let’s go to more pressing issues!” Anastasia smiled and looked back to the screen.

 

“I knew it.” Felt shrugged as she looked at everyone.

 

A man in the village let out a small sigh, putting his arm behind his head. He then walked over to Subaru, extending a hand to get Subaru out of his prostrated position. It simply wasn’t right for them to let him beg like that, especially when all he wanted was to protect them.

Village Elder: Getting old is just awful. I think my tear glands have weakened.

“Begging like that? Tch.” Priscilla scoffed, “Some people have no shame or dignity.”

 

“Please? Coming from th’ slag who bets sexual favors on the streets to random men?”

 

Felt laughed out a haughty chuckle at the fiery glare her comment received from Priscilla. She usually was pretty good with finding a retort, but it appears that this time Priscilla truly had nothing.

 

“Felt-sama, I would request you stop antagonizin-. . .”

 

Reinhard had already broken his record for apologies in a single day, and with Felt’s current trajectory, he would end up doubling it.

 

“Argh. . ! Ya’ gotta learn to loosen up already, Rein! That’s an order!”

 

He let out a disappointed sigh, before briefly mumbling: “N-Nice one, Felt-sama.”

The old woman, who was beginning to tear up, wiped those tears away with her sleeve.

Subaru: Thank you all…

He looked at all of them, barely holding back his own tears, and smiled. Subaru was extremely grateful for them listening to him.

Village Chief: We should be thanking you, Subaru-sama.

“It’s nice to see big bro so happy.” Felt smiled, her tone indicated how pleased she was.

 

Ricardo nodded in agreement, “Yeah, I gotta say I thought he’d immediately reject that notion but it’s nice to see him be so happy.

 

Of course, it was all most certainly a small light in all of this darkness.

 

“Rem’s hero deserves all that praise in the world! ”Rem pumped her fist in the air with a smile, “Go, Subaru!”

Rem’s gesture was mimicked by others.

 

The triplets all pumped their fists as well, “Go, Subaru! Go everyone!

 

Emilia smiled awkwardly but decided to take part in the small gesture as well, “Y-Yes! Let’s see Subaru lead us all to victory!”

 

“Yaaaaayyyyy~!” Roswaal drawled, lazily pumping his fist as well.

 

Ram could not help but smile at all of them.

The village chief smiled, looking at the compassionate young man who’d gone so far to look after all of them.

“Compassionate is an understatement.” Anastasia shrugged, crossing her arms “More like suicidal in helping everyone. That responsibility he’s starting to feel from his powers and everyone’s blissful ignorant reaction is going to destroy him. If he starts to live with this way of thinking he’s going to destroy himself.

 

“That won’t happen.” Otto disagreed, “Now that we’re here, we’re never going to let him go far with that way of thinking.

 

“Who’s to say that way of living hasn’t been part of Bro for however long now.” Al added quietly.

 

Garfiel frowned and gave a simple answer, “Then we’re going to help him.

 

Everyone in the Emilia Camp agreed, bar a few. Ram, Roswaal and even Frederica.

 

As if I will ever allow Subaru to not live that way. It is best for everyone if Subaru decides to go down that path. Roswaal’s desires were inherently selfish.

 

Frederica also found it difficult to believe. As one of the oldest members of the camp she knew how difficult someone like Subaru might be to help. Especially if he finds his happiness only in others.

 

Ram was also optimistic in her desire to help, but she also knew that she couldn’t assist normally. Try as she might, she needed to be unique in her help for Subaru.

 

Again, the flashback ends and we return to Felix’s teasing.

Felix: You actually moved me.

“Now I’m super moved, nya!” Felix smiled.

 

Reinhard nodded in agreement, “Yes, Subaru’s experience is quite moving. He has quite the heroic attitude.

 

“A proper knight’s attitude.” Julius smiled.

Subaru: Don't bring it back up! It's embarrassing!

“It isn’t embarrassing!” Emilia disagreed with Subaru’s words! “He was super-heroic!”

 

“Subaru’s face is quite cute when flustered!” Rem smiled endearingly.

He put his hands together, smiling at how bashful Subaru was getting at all the cute interactions he’d had with everyone back in the village. For his part, the raven-haired young man was doing everything in his power to not hide his face behind his hands until this conversation ended.

Felix: That just leaves…

Ricardo came riding in on his Liger, his large sword coated in the blood of, presumably, countless Witch Cultists.

Felix: Welcome back! How did it go?

Ricardo: We pulled off a surprise att*ck on the ones our location was leaked to. If I messed up, I'll retire. The map did a nice job showin' the way.

The wolf-human let out a wide smile, signaling to the three knights that the attack had been even more effective than expected.

Subaru: Then the mark on the map really was their base!

‘So, it will be shown how the entourage of fools have succeeded. Perhaps I might discern some information that they all missed.’ Priscilla thought with her fan in hand.

He had already known exactly where they were due to his previous encounters with Betelgeuse, but the map was a nice find as it freed him up to go back to the village and see everyone off. Also, it wasn’t like he’d had a way to explain where he got their location from anyway.

“It’s good to see everything working out,” Reinhard smiled as he saw everything unfolding, feeling guilty at the emotions of joy he was feeling, “It is good to see victory.”

Ricardo: I dunno if you'd call 'em fastidious or high-strung, but it worked against 'em. And we got what we were after. This should shut down their communications network.

Ricardo tossed a metia over to Subaru, which he barely caught. The rest of the Iron Fang had begun arriving, so their conversation was cut short.

Mimi: Hooray! We k*lled 'em all!

 

The girl smiled and said those words as if she was a child who’d just learned to tie their shoes.

Tivey: Don't say that. It makes us sound awful. We took a prisoner, too!

Mimi grinned, “Horaay! We killed them all!”” She cutely waved her arms as her brother sighed.

“We sound deranged now.” Tivey sighed tiredly.

 

“Horaay!” Mimi repeated again.

The monocle-wearing brother let out a sigh, hoping to counterbalance his sister’s exuberant energy with some reserved statements.

Subaru: A prisoner?

He was confused, as the Witch’s Cult hadn’t struck him as an organization willing to negotiate with their enemies, much less be taken as prisoner.  As he wondered who this person might be, he caught a glimpse of a familiar associate of his tied to a log by his hands and feet.

“Wow, nice introduction there, Otto.” Garfiel said.

 

Frederica chuckled at that, “Indeed. I did not know that you would show up like that.”

 

“Yeah, I remember that.” Otto lamented, ‘I wish I had a cooler entrance. Getting captured by those two was quite frightening.’

Otto chuckled, “I was just happy to be saved. Even if it was by a scary mercenary kids.”

 

“Did you hear that?! We’re scary!”

Immediately, Subaru began to break out in laughter, feeling the tension in him dissipate at the sight of the helpless Otto.

Some in the theater also began to chuckle, seeing Otto like that was quite humurous. Accompanied by the knowledge that it all worked out in the end, some let out their laughter.

Subaru: He isn't in the Witch's Cult... I wondered why you hadn't shown up. You were caught?

The two Ligers carrying the wooden post dropped it to the ground, while Subaru approached the incapacitated Otto with a warm chuckle.

Otto: I don't know who you are, but thanks for saving me. Actually, I'm really in no mood to say and mean that, damn it!

. . . . . .

Julius: Everything is ready. Subaru, we can leave at any time.

“Yes! Finally!” Felt cheered, “Time to see Big Bro kick ass!”

 

Garfiel nodded in excitement, eager to see that evil bastard die in the worst way possible. He hoped it was done in the worst way possible, he wanted to see Petelguese as miserable as possible!

 

Reinhard nodded in agreement, eager to see Subaru triumph over Petelgeuse.

 

All in all, there weren’t many differing opinions.

 

Rem and Ram felt similarly, of course. There wasn’t much to say.

‘Of course Subaru will succeed. Of that, I have no doubts.’ Ram thought with unshakable confidence.

 

Rem merely looked at her hero, gazing upon him with admiration. ‘To  face him after all he’s done against you... and with that look. You really are a hero!’ It was another reaffirmation of her belief in him.

 

Emilia leaned back, a mixture of desperation and guilt in her chest. Everything here was an amalgamation of her own failures. The things she had done had helped build up to this.

 

Still, she wanted to see Subaru succeed and put that mockery of her uncle to a definitive end. It was because she loved them that she wanted it to go that way.

Roswaal merely sighed in boredom.

 

There was nothing interesting about any of this.

Everyone, including Otto, now stood at the ready for the final phase of the plan. All the knights, mercenaries, merchants, and ground-dragons watched intently as they prepared themselves for the incoming battle.

Subaru: Let's do this, everyone. We'll begin as planned.

He announced this to everyone, staring at them all for a long moment as he searched for the right words to kick off the last stage of their campaign.

“Subaru-sama would make a great leader, don’t you think?” Frederica commented

 

“Yes,” Emilia nodded with a smile on her face.

 

“and most certainly a great king, right?” Frederica smiled, then teased, “You two would make quite the power couple~!”

 

Emilia smiled and blushed, “Y-yes!”

Subaru: Now... This time, we'll finish it! Let us show both Fate and Sloth what we can do!

Subaru shouted to the heavens, the perspective changing to show the entire village, as the remaining troops let out a battle cry. Their formal declaration of war on the Witch Cult would mark the end of this nightmare.

The sight of Subaru motivating the troops was a sight of behold.

 

Subaru, who had been crying and whimpering episodes ago was now inspiring so many on this battle.

 

“I said he was badass!” Felt grinned ear to ear.

 

“Of course, didn’t you expect anything else from Rem’s hero!” Rem smiled, “Even after everything, Subaru still has the strength to help everyone!”

 

Emilia nodded, “Y-Yes, my knight is quite amazing! See!” She puffed her chest in pride.

 

“None of us doubted that, Lady Emilia.” Julius nodded.

 

‘Even though I disagree with his ways, I cannot help but commend some of his more idealized qualities. He can be quite special when he puts his mind to it.’ Anastasia thought as she watched everyone else react to Subaru’s battle cry.

 

It was motivating. Inspiring.

Even she could admit that.

 

Notes:

And that finished off part 1.

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