A man once stood before a mad king, completely powerless. The mad king and his timeless queen were the only ones who were standing against them in their current goal, which was the restoration of the foundation of humanity. If they fail to defeat them, they can't save mankind, but even with that goal, he could only watch as the servants who fought by his side, get slaughtered. He could only grit his teeth, and trust on his companions, but that wasn't enough. Their ploy was disrupted, and their northern forces were caught by surprise when the queen unleashed her trump card on them. Their troops were getting decimated and the only thing that could save them, is killing the mad king.
I have to do something! I have to help them! He cried to himself. As he was about to rush in to support his servant, the steel-like nurse and his most-trusted companion stopped him. "Senpai, I can't let you go in. It's too dangerous!" Shielder cried out as the pressure of the final battle was getting into her. "Keep your distance, Master. I can keep this up! Besides, what can this failure of a king do to me?!" Archer shouted as he kept dodging the mad king's strikes. Even though he managed to land some good hits with his revolvers, the mad king was still standing. It was like he was getting more fired up with every blow he takes.
"This is getting boring. Move." The mad king stated as he closed his fist. Once Archer dodged his spear, a strong uppercut to his stomach sent him flying. Even the broken Archer who valiantly fought the king while continuously taunting him, was knocked out cold. "That's all? I expected more." The king asked as he readies his red lance for the finishing blow. Just as he was about to kill off the broken man, the divine prince of the Indian epic charges in with his sword at the ready.
Even the combined efforts of Shielder, the Steel Nurse and the Indian King, they were knocked out by the mad king. He stood tall with no signs of pain or fatigue. When things were looking grim for them, another red spear entered the battlefield. The king was taken back, and had to defend himself. The master was expecting the warrior-queen to help him, even though he heard that the mad king took her out, but it was another wielder of the cursed spear. "Heh. Now you owe me, Archer!" The blue-haired warrior shouted as he pushes back the mad king with his own spear. "Tch. I should've known. She escaped through the Gate of Skye. Did she send you to fight me?" The mad king asked as his new challenger grabbed onto his downed comrades and dashes back to his master.
"You know her, she gives out bizarre orders, but not really. When Master said that he needed reinforcements, I took his call. Besides, that Greek beast and that blonde tyrant is rampaging on your trump card, so that's that." The warrior replied as he stands by his master's side. "Bringing out a mirror will not help you lot. It's all over," The pink-haired queen said as she approaches her king. "Finish it, my King. If what he's saying is true, we have to divert our attention to that demi-god since he is the largest threat in this battle." She followed up as the master slowly stood back up.
"This … has to end now. I will not let any of my servants die!" He shouted as he clenches his fist. A red glow emitted from his command seals, and one slowly vanished. "Ready for orders, Master. Be sure to back me up, alright? Can't let this reptile tarnish my red spear, after all. Besides, I want to repay him for striking that teacher of ours like that." The blue-haired warrior said with a smirk. He readies his spear once more as a red ominous aura began to coat the barbed spear. "Go all out. Pierce his heart out! Kill the mad king, C-"
"Cu Chulainn …"
The black-haired man blurted out. He opens his eyes and tried to move his body. He still remembers that the beast nearly tore him from limb to limb, but surprisingly, his body is intact and he finds no limbs missing. He slowly sits up, and finds himself in an unfamiliar cottage. The blonde keeper of the library was sitting on a nearby bench in front of him while his silver-haired royal candidate was sleeping on the side of his bed. "Ah, you're awake." Beatrice said as she closes the book and stands up. "I'm … alive." Shiro muttered as he inspected his arms. Unlike the first time they saved his life, his previous wounds left some scars all over his arms.
"Of course. A dead man can't mutter that out, I suppose." Beatrice said with her usual harsh tone. "Yeah, I was just stating the obvious. I see that you went out of the manor for once." Shiro said as he gives the young girl a grin. "Save me from your comments. I was simply forced by that girl to come out. Anyway, I should return now. We can't leave the manor unguarded, after all." She said as she turns her back, and went out of the room. "W-Wait! Thank you, Betty! I'll be sure to make you something once I get back!" The butler cried out.
"Geez, Shiro, don't shout. Lia's sleeping, you know." Puck said as he came out behind Emilia's silver hair. "A-Ah, right. Sorry about that." Shiro embarrassingly said as he noticed that Emilia was holding onto one of his hands. "She really went all out on healing you, even dragged Betty out from the library and poured her mana out to her very reserves." The familiar said as he sits down in front of Shiro. "Hm. I guess I'm more in debt to her, huh?" The butler commented with a smirk as he gently caressed Emilia's slender fingers. "Not really. Since you helped out the villagers under her name, she got more popular with them!" Puck replied as he crossed his arms and nodded towards Shiro.
"Anyway, how long was I out?" Shiro asked as he lets go of Emilia's hand. "Practically 8 hours. It's almost noon." Puck replied. "Hm. I see. The wolgarm's curse? Is it gone?" He asks once more. "Sadly, no. Since a lot of those wolgarms who bit you managed to run away, the curse became stronger in your body. Knowing their kind, they'll draw your mana out during a full moon, which is one later, leaving you an empty husk in the end," The familiar answered as he began floating around Shiro. "That's why Lia and Betty couldn't completely heal your wounds, hence you temporarily have those scars. Once we lift the curse, we can patch you up. That's why the blue-haired maid volunteered to find those beasts." He followed up as he lands on Shiro's head.
Suddenly, the black-haired man grabbed onto Puck with his hands. "W-Where is she? Where's Rem?!" Shiro asked with a rather frantic tone in his voice. "L-Like I said, she's out in the woods. W-What's with the su-" "I can't let her fight alone. It's my fault. I tried being a hero." The butler said as he lets go of the cat-like familiar and sluggishly stood up. "Y-You can't fight at that state." Puck commented as Shiro began to put on his clothes. He knows the Puck was right, that he can't fight against a lot of those beasts in his current condition. He could still feel the disconnection between his circuits, precisely in his left leg and in his right arm. Even so, if something happens to his blue-haired co-worker, he could never forgive himself. "A hero of justice can't let this slide, right, sensei?" He murmured to himself, which slightly caught Puck's attention. "Puck, I'm going. Give my thanks to Emilia once she wakes up, alright? I'll be back … with Rem." He said as he leaves the cottage.
As he went out, something hot landed on his face. Shiro quickly reacts to it and sees a hot potato falling to the ground. He quickly grabs it and began juggling it between his hands so that he wouldn't burn himself. "Oy. What the hell was that for?" Shiro asked the pink-haired maid who was standing by the door. "Your breakfast. Why? I thought you'd know how to fetch by now since you got bitten by a dog." Ram said with a condescending tone. "Tch. Good morning to you too, Nee-sama. I see that you still have your usual sharp tongue." He said in reply as he began eating the potato. "And with that comment, you won't have seconds." Ram commented as she tries to walk away, but was stopped by Shiro who took two more from her basket.
"Is it delicious?" Ram asked as the two sat down on a nearby bench near the cottage. As Shiro was eating, they went around, distributing food to the villagers. While giving out the potatoes, Shiro noticed that some of the villagers were injured and banged up, which is probably the result of some of the beasts sneaking past them while him and Rem were trying to find the children. "Sure is. You steamed it?" Shiro asked as he wipes his mouth. "Yes. Deliciously steamed, right?" The pink-haired maid asked with a wink, while the black-haired butler only gave her an uninterested pout.
"So, today's a full-moon, right?" The bulter asked as some of the villagers walked pass them, giving their thanks to them. "Yes. If you're thinking that those wolgarms might attack, I made sure that the barrier is up and running. You do-" "I'm not talking about that. Well, wanna tag along? I can't stay here that long." The butler asked as he stood up. He brings out his gold card and readies it. "Where are you going?" Ram asked. "Where do you think is your sister right now?" He asked as he looks back at her. "S-She's … probably helping the villa-" "She's out in the woods, doing her best and trying to kill those beasts before nightfall. Geez. Pay more attention, Nee-sama." The butler remarked as he cuts his senior mid-sentence once again.
Hearing this, Ram stood up and was about to run towards the woods, but was stopped when Shiro grabbed onto her wrist. "What are you doing? Why are you stopping me?" Ram asked with a sense of urgency in her voice. "I can't let you fight alone. I don't know your combat capability or what, but I'm not letting you set foot inside that forest alone." Shiro replied as he began to focus. Ram could see the mana surrounding them getting drawn closer towards him. "Aren't you in a bad condition?" She muttered out. "I am, but this card won't tax me that much. I'm simply … boosting my magic with hers. After all, I studied her arts the most when I was younger." He said with a smile. For a second, his blue eyes shined brightly as he muttered his art.
"Card Art: Include! Servant: Caster!"
A bright flash blinded Ram for a second, but as soon her vision clears up, she sees no physical difference in the butler. His clothes are still tarnished and ripped, and his appearance was the same, but the aura surrounding him became stronger. It's like his aura's radius became bigger and is now drawing more mana around him. "What happened, Shitro? Normally, those two foreign blades would come out when you use that card, right?" Ram asked. "The Archer card isn't fit to take down those beasts, and with my current mana pool, I wouldn't be able to use it properly too. The Caster card, however, allows me to have a bigger pool of mana temporarily, but if I overuse it, it'll overload my circuits and potentially, frying it." He replied.
While channelling the caster card earlier, Shiro had one servant in mind, which was the Witch of Betrayal, Medea. During his younger days, he used to read a lot about her. He sympathized with her for she is just a victim of fate, a victim by one of the gods' whims. He hated how much Jason of the Argonauts treated her, and if he participated in a holy grail war and he somehow summoned him as his servant, he'll be sure to use all of his command spells to command that man to kill himself. That aside, thanks to his family's connections, their library was large enough that it even had some records of Medea's art craft, from her early spells to her specialties. With his near-average magic circuits, he began practicing those arts since their family art was too much for him to bear in his state.
Without saying anything, Shiro picked up Ram, which startled the pink-haired maid. "O-Oy. What are you do-" Before letting Ram finish, Shiro, using Medea's arts, took flight. Like her younger sister, Ram can't help but to marvel at the view of the Roswaal domain in the air. "I can't maintain flying this long, alright? I'll land in an opening in the forest." Shiro said as Ram nodded towards him. After a few seconds of flying, they land on an open field in the forest, the same field where Shiro and Rem found the kids. "As much as I want to recharge my mana, we have to keep going." Shiro commented as he senses some movement nearby. "I agree. They noticed us." Ram said as she readies herself.
As she expected, a wolgarm sprang out from a nearby bush. As it tried to pounce on the pink-haired maid, its head was quickly sent flying as a sharp gust sliced through it. "T-That was … the wind, right? You're using wind magic?" Shiro asked, a bit astonished from Ram's art. "I'm a magic-user, if you didn't know. I have some mana to spare, so I don't need your protection in the meantime." Ram replied. And as Ram said those words, another wolgarm sprang out. As she was about to use her magic, a sudden torrent of flame enveloped the beast, roasting it alive. "Fire … magic? Did you use that Goa spell just now?" Ram asked. The butler simply smirked at her. Knowing that she'll get no reply, she sighs and the two began their search for Rem.
The two encountered a lot of wolgarms along the way, but they managed to thwart any attacks from the beasts. As they reached a cliff overlooking an open field, Shiro could hear the sound of fighting nearby. "She's near." Shiro said as he looked back to Ram. To his surprise, he could see blood trickling down from her nosestrils as her weary eyes caught his attention. "I … know. She's here somewhere." Ram said. "What the hell? Are you okay? Don't push yourself." The bulter said as he rushed towards Ram's side. As he tried to inspect Ram for any wounds, a swarm of wolgarms sprang out from nearby bush. Knowing he can't stop them all without Ram's help, he quickly grabbed onto Ram and aimed towards them. "Tch! Give us some space, will ya?!" He shouted. In an instant, an explosion engulfed the beasts, but the sheer force sent the two flying.
With Ram in his arms, Shiro plummeted down onto the open field. He was lucky enough to land on some bushes, but as he tries to push himself up, the sound of fighting grew louder. As he turns his head, he sees the blue-haired girl that they were looking for. She was in her demon-mode, cleaving, destroying the wolgarms with her morningstar. Though it seems like she was winning, she was clearly outnumbered and the beasts kept on coming. "Her body … is nearing its limits." Ram muttered as she pushes herself off from Shiro. "What should we do? Isn't it dangerous right now to approach her?" Shiro asked as they slowly stood up. "That, but we can't let her fight like this." The elder twin said as she readies herself, but was stopped once again.
The black-haired butler takes a step in front of her. She wanted to protest, but seeing the determination in Shiro's eyes made her stop herself. She felt that this man feels responsible for her sister's current condition, and if she tries to do something more, it'll hurt his pride. "I'll handle this. With this card, I can passively draw the mana around me, thus replenishing my pool. Should I knock her out?" Shiro asked with a smirk on his face. "If you can." Ram replied as she grabs onto a nearby stick. Hearing her reply, he simply nodded and charged in.
Shiro screamed her name while fighting the beasts, but Rem ignored him. She simply kept on attacking without any regard for her physical condition, while the butler kept the beast from attacking her back. "Tch. Rem! Stop it!" Shiro shouted as he grabbed onto her. In response, the maid simply grabbed onto him and threw him towards a nearby tree. He cushions the impact with a spell, but seeing Rem's chains flying towards him, he quickly bolsters a shield that absorbs the damage. He grits his teeth in annoyance. "Oy! Why are you attacking me?! I'm here to help you!" He shouted as he jumps up, levitating away from her reach.
While Rem's attention was turned towards him, a small group of beasts tried to attack her from behind. Seeing this, Shiro flung himself towards her. The morningstar nearly hit him as he passed by her. With a huge gush of wind coming from his body, a rain of energy bolts hammered the beasts. As he tried to turn his attention towards Rem, it was already too late and he was already caught in her chains. "Is she … fuck. The witch's scent!" He cried out as Rem slams him onto the ground.
The force of the impact dislodged his right shoulder, and nearly knocked him out cold. He gritted his teeth and a yellow light appeared above the enraged maid. "Wake up, Reeeeem!" He cried out as a sudden bolt of electricity stunned Rem. As the electricity left the girl stunned, a blunt icicle formed behind Shiro's back. With precision, the icicle landed squarely on the girl's horn, pushing her back. As she tries to recover from being status condition, the magus broke out from her chains and dashed towards her, with his right arm glowing with his magic circuits. Before she could react, she was knocked out cold with a clean nerve chop on her neck and her body falls on the man's arms. "Sorry, but that was payback for those two deaths, but thank you." He said with a grin as he pushes her head onto his chest.
"Oy, Shitro!" Ram cried out as a group of wolgarms surround the two. As Shiro tried to fend them off, his body suddenly began to ache all over and his circuits began to flicker brightly. "N-No. Don't overload now!" Shiro cried out as tries to cast his spells, but to no avail. As the beasts charged in, a gush of wind pushed them back, with some of them getting sliced. Ram rushes to their side and readies herself for another attack. "At the front! Kill the ones in the front and start running!" Shiro ordered. Ram nodded and a blast of wind knocked the beasts in front of them. As they sprinted back into the forest, the wolgarms were hot on their trail.
First, only minutes passed, but now it was already nighttime and the three still couldn't escape from the forest. The wolgarms were relentless and whenever they almost reach the outskirts, they would swarm them and force them to change direction. Fortunately, they managed to break away from the pack, and are now hiding in some bushes. Both the butler and the elder twin were completely exhausted. Ram's mana pool was at her reserves, while Shiro was forced to uninstall his card before it could completely overload his circuits. His right shoulder was still dislocated, his wounds were bleeding and aching, and his clothes are completely tattered.
While the two discuss their plan, the younger twin slowly wakes up. "W-Where … am I?" Rem asked as she rubs her eyes. "Well, look who … decided to wake … up." Shiro said, still panting under his breath. Hearing his words, Rem notices the current condition of her elder sister and her co-worker and can't help but to feel utterly guilty. "W-Why? Why did you save me?! I should've died there … I had to do it on my ow-" "Are you crazy? Do … you think we'll allow you to do that?" The butler remarked with a rather annoyed tone in his voice. "You really smashed … him in, Rem. I'd applaud you … but after we get … out of here." Ram commented, still panting and trying to catch her breath.
"Why …are you doing this? I ... you're injured because of me, yet … you'd still help me?" Rem asked the butler as she tries to mend his shoulder, but she was nearly out of mana. Hearing her words, Shiro can't help but to give her a grin. Without a doubt, she really resembles the pink-haired girl in his memories, and that was enough for him to see this through, aside from his borrowed ideal. It was a bit harrowing for him, since he sees how much Rem loathes herself for her faults, and how much she tries her best to compensate in return. Guilt completely shackled her, and remembering the past of the twins, he can't help but to see himself in her current position. She was a nearly perfect mirror image of him in his past, when he can't fulfil his father's expectations. He knows the end of the path that she's beginning to walk to, and as early as now, he chose to save her from her own despair like he once did.
"Geez. You really … have to learn to love yourself more," Shiro said as he places his hand on Rem's cheek, wiping away her tears and then suddenly pinching her. Rem, who was quite surprised, backed off slightly, but the butler places back his hand on her cheek. "I am … striving to become a hero … of justice. I just can't leave you alone. I still haven't proved my allegiance, right? No matter what you do, I'll save you, whether you like it or not." He said as he gave her a smile. Rem could only mutter his name as she grabs onto his hand, trying her best to muffle her cries. "Shitro. It's time." Ram said, cutting the moment of the two. Shiro places Rem on her sister's back and steps away from the two. "W-Where are you going?!" Rem cried out. "Smile, Rem. For tonight, you'll see a hero." Shiro said as he gave her another smile.
"Go! I'll hold them back! Don't stop running!" Shiro ordered as he exits their hiding spot. Ram, who was carrying her sister on her back, follows him out, and began running in the opposite direction. Rem could only cry out towards her black-haired co-worker as the wolgarms began to surround him. As he looked back at them, his smile completely confused her. "W-Why … can he still smile in that scenario?" Rem asked herself. As he turns his attention to the wolgarms once more, she notices the golden card on his left hand.
"Don't fail me now, Cu."
"Card Art: Include! Servant: Lancer!"
A flash appeared, and as it dissipates, a red spear appeared in Shiro's hand. The once small pup who once bit him, is now a large beast. "So you were the alpha, huh?" Shiro said with a smirk as he slowly approach the beasts. After a brief moment, the wolgarms charged in. Surprisingly, Shiro thwarted their initial attacks. Using only his left arm and legs, he pushed back the first wave. "Heh. I'm still good with this, huh?!" The butler shouted as he charges in. The spear plunges onto a wolgarm's head, killing it instantly. With one fluid motion, Shiro pulled the spearhead out and swung it towards the group, killing two more. One tried to pounce on him, but was met with the leather sole of his loafers. He drives the spear down onto its neck, slowly killing it while it whines in pain.
The next group of wolgarms charged in, but met the same fate with the first group. A look of determination filled with adrenaline was on the bulter's face. "I can't let any of them past here! I have to protect the two, even if it'll cost my life!", he muttered to himself as he kept swinging, thrusting the red spear towards the beasts. He needed to draw them in more, to make sure the wolgarms would focus on him rather on the two, and he fully knows how to do it. "I can go back in time whe-" He tries to shout his curse once more, making his scent grow even stronger than before. With this, the attention of the pack are completely focused on him. He could feel the black, unseen hand gripping his heart tightly, but he remained focused. After all, all the wolgarms in the forest are charging towards him.
Sensing Shiro's scent growing stronger, Rem pushes herself off from her sister's back. "Onee-chan! W-We have to help Shiro-kun!" Rem cried out as she tries to stand up with her legs still a bit shaky. "Don't be mad, Rem! Shitro's doing his best! We can't let his sacrif-" "He can't be a hero if he dies here!" The younger twin cried out with her tears flowing down from her eyes. She can't understand it, but after hearing his words earlier, her heart began to ache as she watched him go to battle alone. "I won't let my hero die!" She shouted, which stunned her elder twin a bit. Seeing Rem's determination, Ram could only let out a sigh. "Just don't push yourself, alright? As soon things goes so-"
Aaaaaaargh!
The butler's roar alerted the two, and Rem quickly ran towards him. As the two reached the clearing, a bloody sight baffled them. The corpses of the wolgarms were all over the place. Some of them were still by the clearing, watching their prey, but the others were surprisingly retreating. In the middle of the clearing stood the black-haired butler, holding his ground against the alpha wolgarm. With his remaining mana, he reinforced his limbs, making sure that he can keep up with the beast's blows. His right arm, was in the jaws of the beast, but it seemed like he used it to protect himself from a bite. "T-That's … quite a bite force. Still, that's not enough!" Shiro roared as he kept thrusting the spear onto the wolgarm's body. Since the wolgarm was moving his head around, his attacks were missing, so he chose to aim at the body at least to do some damage.
Sensing his prey is nearly at his ropes, the wolgarm decided to finish it. He loosens its grip on its prey's arm and flung him upwards, sending Shiro flying above the forest. "Shiro-kun!" Rem cried out, which caught Shiro's attention. The butler clenched his teeth as he tries best to recover while the alpha bend its knees and leapt towards him. "You thought I'd be completely defenceless in the air, huh?!" Shiro furiously shouted as he gripped the red spear tightly. With one short incantation, a force pushed his back, sending him flying towards the beast. "Even if I couldn't use this power, let me at least say it!" He shouted as he readies his final attack.
"I'll have your heart!"
"Gae Boooolg!"
The two meet, and soon, the victor was decided. The red spear pierced through the alpha's mouth, hitting its organs. The two fell onto the clearing as the blue-haired maid rushed towards the butler's side. He pulls out his arm from the beast's mouth and fell onto his bottom. He was completely exhausted and when his final strike landed, he felt his mana being channelled out all of the sudden. "F-Fuck. I never knew that being a hero could be this exhausting …" Shiro muttered as he notices an approaching presence. " "Shiro-kuuuuun." Said the a voice. Before Rem could get his attention, a flamboyant man landed in front of him. It was none other than the master of manor, Roswaal, who left earlier for an important meeting.
"Ah, Roswaal-san." Shiro said as he tried to stand up, but in his current condition, he nearly fell down. "Oh my. I see that you went hunting at this hour. Quite a feat, to be honeeest." Roswaal said with a smirk as he looked around the clearing. "I … I wanted to help the village, to save the kids. Don't worry, the credit will be in Emilia-sama's name," The butler said as he notices Rem. Seeing her worried expression, he simply gave her a triumphant thumbs up to reassure her. "But, forgive me for acting on my accord. It was selfish of me to d-" "Oya? Why are you apologizing? You did a great job, so at least be proud of yourself, alriiiight?" Roswaal said with a smile as he pats Shiro's shoulder. "Quite a feat. You managed to kill those pesky beasts on your own. I see that you could actually judge a book by its cover." He said with a smug smile, and in retort, Shiro could only let out a few forced chuckles.
"Roswaal-sama! We apologize for causing this inconvenience!" Ram said as she approaches the three and bowed her head. Seeing her elder sister like that, Rem followed suit. "And when I thought I could go out for a good stroll, Emilia-sama suddenly drives me to look for you in the forest. But that's alriiiight, since I see that you're still in one piece." The lord of the manor said with a playful chuckle. Though, that beast nearly tore my right arm off … Shiro whispered to himself. "Anyway, I'll take care of this mess, since it's my responsibility as lord of this land. Do not worry. I'll be sure to show my gratitude to you in the future." Roswaal added as he gives Shiro a smile. With a snap of his fingers, the corpses of the wolgarms were enveloped by flames. Seeing Roswaal's magic for the first time left Shiro in awe for a while.
Since her elder twin and the lord of the manor were busy talking to each other, Rem took this opportunity to approach the wounded butler. Seeing his wounds made her heart ache. "S-Shiro-kun! Let me hea-" "No. You're already at your reserves, right? I'll be fine," Shiro said as he stops Rem with a headpat. Though she protested, Shiro kept declining her offer. "I'll get it patched up … once we return to the village. Emilia's waiting for us there," He said with a reassuring smile. His hand, even though it was dirty and stained with blood, felt warm for the blue-haired girl. "So? How was it? You saw … a hero, right?" He asked. "Y-Yes. You were …," Rem muttered. Her tears stopped her mid-sentence.
Seeing the crying girl, Shiro simply let out a sigh and pulled her towards him. "Thank you, Rem. For giving this chance for me to becoming something in my life." Shiro whispered as he continued to gently pat her head, trying to stop her from sobbing. "W-Why are you thanking me? I placed you and Nee-sama in great dan-" "It was not your fault, dummy. You took the responsibility for something you didn't do. My wounds … are my own fault for being too reckless. So, ea-"
Before Shiro could finish scolding Rem, his vision began to blur and his body became heavy. He tried to support himself with the red spear, but as soon he leaned in, the spear dematerialized and his card fell onto the ground. Rem sees this, and quickly catches him in her arms. "Shiro-kun! Are you okay?!" She worryingly asked. "I'll … s-scold you later. I'm losing too much blood. E-Enough acting tough. Could you … bring me to … Emilia?" Shiro muttered with an embarrassed smile. Seeing his smile made Rem's heart flutter once more. "Dummy." She whispered as she places his arm around her slender shoulders, and began walking towards the village.
A day passed and the brave butler's wounds were healing in a faster rate. Since the wolgarms who cursed him were killed by him and Rem, his other curse was lifted and his scars were healed. Though he saved the village from the beasts, he received a stern lecture from Emilia for his reckless actions when they got back to the village, but he didn't complain or ignored her words. For him, saving the village and becoming a hero to some people was enough for him. After all, it was his first steps to chasing his teacher's dream, a dream he wishes to fulfill for him.
"Why … am I trying to fulfil Sensei's dream again?" Shiro asked himself as he lounged by the garden. Since his right arm was still in the process of healing, he was excused from his chores by his senior. Now that he's alone and calm, he can't help but to think why he is so eager to pursue Shirou Emiya's dream. He could remember him being scolded by Rin when he told her that he chose to follow his teacher's ideals, but he feels like there's a huge gap in between in his memories that he can't put the pieces together.
Are you busy, Shiro-kun?
A familiar voice behind him startled him. The man's body jumped a bit as he slowly turns his attention behind him. It was none other than Rem, who was looking at him with a curious look in her blue eyes. Surprisingly, she was holding onto his pack of cigarettes and his lighter. "O-Oy! Why are you holding that?! Don't tell me you want me to teach you how to smoke! If so, I refuse. There's no way I-" "I saw it when I fixed your room earlier and since you were already out walking around, I thought I could give it to you once I get to see you." Rem said with a confused tone in her voice. "A-Ah. I see. Wanna sit beside me?" He asked as lets out a sigh. The blue-haired girl nodded with a smile. She fixes her black skirt and sat down beside the butler.
As Shiro was looking at the gates, Rem takes out a cigarette and brings it near Shiro's mouth. Surprised, Shiro takes it with his lips and his co-worker began to light his cigarette. "Normally, I'd scold you for smoking since it smells bad, but since you did something good, I'll let you off the hook." Rem said with a smile. "W-Wow. Where could I rate the service here? It's an automatic 5 star." Shiro remarked with a chuckle.
While Shiro was enjoying his cigarette, Rem was staring at him in complete rapture. Whenever he's around, she can't help but to feel at ease. Whenever he praises her or compliment anything about her, her heart starts to beat faster and she could a fluttering feeling in her stomach. His heroics won her complete admiration, and dare to say, her heart. "So? Are you learning to love yourself more?" Shiro asked as he turns his attention towards her. "I-I'm … still trying …" Rem muttered. "Trying? Come on. I know it's not easy, but you have to look at yourself a bit more positive, you know? I know that you have to be your own biggest critique so that you could improve, but you should ease off a little." He said as he patted her head.
"I … I did some things in the past. Nee-sama … lost her horn becau-" "She lost it when the Cultist attacked. It was not your fault." Shiro said, trying to sound strict. "No! When Nee-sama's horn got lopped off, I … I had a dark thought. I was happy … that finally, I could finally escape from her shadow. She was a prodigy while I was nothing! I … I couldn't stop myself from smiling … and I loathe myself for that!" Rem suddenly cried out. The conversation suddenly took a serious turn and Shiro was completely baffled. He wanted to say something witty to stop Rem from crying once more, but he also wanted her to vent out properly so that she could finally be free from the guilt that she's been carrying for years. "That's why … I try my best … to be like Nee-sama. This is the only path I could take. This is my punishment for having those thoughts. I ha-"
Hearing her words that started to sound like his before, Shiro flicked his finger on Rem's forehead. As Rem pulled herself back, rubbing the spot where Shiro flicked his finger, the butler can't help but to shake his head. "Only path? Don't make me laugh, Rem. That's not only path you have to take. Alright, listen to me, okay," Shiro said. "First off, you can never be your sister. No matter how hard you try, you're never going be her. You wanna know why?" He asked as he puts away his cigarette.
"It's simple. All of us are different individuals, and that difference makes us unique from one another. If you try so hard to be the calm and collected Ram, what will happen to the hardworking and kind Rem?" He asked. "But's fo-" "No buts. If you ask me, I'm more inclined to have the original Rem rather the Rem who's trying too hard to become her sister. Two maids badmouthing me? Ugh." Shiro commented. To have … me, Rem muttered to herself, repeating Shiro's words.
"Second. Sure, your elder sister lost her horn that night, but you guys can still move on, you know? Since she lost her horn, why not be her horn? Be the source of her power, her motivation. You know, your sister loves you so much. If she didn't, she wouldn't run off towards the forest in the first place when she heard me that you went alone. That action alone shows that she cares for you deeply, and I'm pretty sure that seeing you like this, is making her heart ache too." He stated as he patted her head. Rem remained quiet and attentively listened to his words. Her eyes were tearing up and she tries her best to hold back her tears. "Lastly, you know why I'm telling you this?" Shiro asked with a comforting smile. "W-Why?" Rem asked as she looks into Shiro's eyes.
"Because I don't want you to end up like me."
His words confused Rem a bit, but seeing the pain in Shiro's eyes, made things clearer for Rem. The man in front of him, was a man who cannot love himself, who cannot be proud himself. Ever since he began to try so hard for them, not once he praised himself even in the slightest. He kept on going, and going, trying to please everyone around him. "Though I have this scrambled memory, I am certain about one thing. I have a lot of regrets, regrets that keep me awake at night. I regret not being capable enough for my father, I regret I failed to be his heir and my beloved sister had to take that role, I regret that I didn't strive harder than anybody else to become better, I regret not being able to …"
No! Don't! Father, stop! Don't make Onii-chan leave!
Senpai, I'll always protect you …
"There are a lot of things I regret, and because of that, I began to despise myself. I … can never be proud of myself after all the things I planted inside my head, Rem. This complex … is what I have and will always carry. That's why … I want to save you, to show you that you deserve to be loved. I don't want you to follow my path of self-destruction." Shiro stated as tears began to form in his eyes. Rem's slender fingers caressed his cheek, wiping his tears away. She pouts her lips, and embraces him. "My hero … shouldn't carry those feelings alone," Rem muttered. "I will stay by your side while we learn to love ourselves. Is that okay with you, Shiro-kun?" She asked as she buries her face onto his chest. For a second, Shiro was speechless. He never imagined that Rem would be this affectionate with him, and being with her like this is giving him a fluttering feeling too.
"Well then. I'll be in your care, Rem-san. Oni or not, I'll stay by your side till you learn to love yourself." Shiro said with a chuckle. "Likewise, Shiro-kun. Wait. Did you ask Nee-sama?" Rem said as the word 'oni' catches her attention. "U-Uh, kinda? Anyway! I'll be sure to behave myself. Also, stop crying. We still have the future ahead of us. My teacher once told me that we should look ahead into the future with eagerness, like you're possessed by a demon. Fanatical like an oni, to be precise." He said as he slowly stood up. "Fanatical … like oni?" Rem muttered as Shiro reaches his hand towards her. "So let's do our best, alright? Rem?" Shiro said with a smile. With tears in her eyes, she reaches for his hand. "You're really are demonically possessed, Shiro-kun." Rem muttered as she gives him a tearful smile of her own.
