Chapter 2: Unforeseen Circumstances
"Otto-san, Grandfather, did you feel it? there's another surge of…what's going on?" Reinhard asked, concern etched on his face, as he saw the two standing at the entry way to the theatre. Once within reach, the Sword Saint saw the contents of the room, the confrontation between Roswaal and Priscilla and the appearance of a double door in front of the screen.
"Dammit, Reinhard why'd you stop…why're you all standing there covering the entrance?" Felt queried as she approached the three standing on the doorway. Otto gave way to the blonde candidate, the latter seeing the commotion.
"Are they going to fight?" She asked as she saw the animosity between the Margrave and the fiery candidate; the two in question standing still as they gauged the other. Although application and usage of harmful magic was restrained by the Warden, personal buffs were not. Oversight or not, the two supplement themselves, letting the mana within them bolster their physical abilities.
"W-Warden, I think nyou have to intervene now." Felix stated as he shook his head, looking back and forth at the enigmatic door and the two people readying to fight each other.
"We must distance ourselves from both the door and the two until everything cleared off."
"Agreed, take care of Cap'n. My amazin' self will try to stop the two."
Garfiel concurred to Crusch's plan, the latter carrying the slumbering boy. Felix followed his lady in turn, as both moved away from the door and the ongoing confrontation.
Reinhard, Wilhelm, and Garfiel were about to intervene the commotion when the screen went static. At the same time, the buffs Priscilla and Roswaal had vanished; the tension among them dissipating.
"What happened?"
"Warden…"
Roswaal and Priscilla uttered, unknowing of what had occurred. Examining themselves, both knew that the mana they used wasn't siphoned nor exhausted but was reverted back to themselves, as if they weren't using it in the first place.
"Phew. The Warden has finally decided to intervene?" Otto stated questioningly, relieved that the confrontation had been stopped, although still perplexed. Even though the fight was halted, the issues with the door and the screen still lingered.
"And in such a theatric matter too." Felt added as she glared at the static screen, readying herself for what's to come.
"Has it started?"
"How could it, we're not even gathered at the theatre yet."
"Why are you still standin' there?"
"What's going on, I suppose?"
Voices echoed on the hallway as the others convened to the theatre. Seeing the incoming people, the ones blocking the entrance gave way. Once inside, the others saw multiple cause of interest and distress within the spacious room.
"Seems ta be that a fight is brewin'."
"More like its aftermath. The Warden has…intervened between the two. The door and the screen on the other hand…"
"Are they going to show more previews?"
"Why is there a door over there?"
"Ram, what happened?"
Questions and opinions were said as the cast assembled, unaware of the general situation.
"Priscilla-sama, it see~ms that our transgression has been deemed inappropriate by our captor. And with the others joining us, I su~ggest that we stop. Fu~rther conflict won't do us any good." Roswaal stated, glancing at the entering people, before gazing at Priscilla.
"Princess, I sugg—aghk."
"Clown, it seems that fate has deemed you to live…for now. Fortunately for you, our wretched captor has saved your life."
Priscilla slapped Al with her fan, stopping her knight from speaking, as she glared at the Margrave. Ram glared back at the fiery candidate.
"Ho~w morbidly ironic, our captor is. With m~y machinations being unraveled by these viewings; I think that he is out to get me, no~t save me." Roswaal replied as he looked at the screen, static still in display.
"Roswaal-sama…" Ram uttered; her eyes set on her master.
Seeing that the hostility between Roswaal and Priscilla dissipated, the cast went on to the other pressing matters present within the theatre. The knights went to surround the door, examining it, while the others watched on the screen and their general vicinity.
"Crusch-sama, I'll carry Subaru-kun to ease your burden." Rem stated as she went to the green-haired candidate, the latter shook her head sideways as she stated:
"No need to worry, Rem. I'll handle him with the care he deserves."
Rem gave a small pout at the Duchess's statement as Emilia approached them.
"Crusch, is Subaru alright?" Emilia questioned, worried for the sleeping boy being carried by Crusch.
"He is. Upon the appearance of that door, Garfiel and I immediately went to get Subaru." Crusch responded.
"If that's the ca—"
"Warden, what's the meaning of this, I suppose?!"
Emilia was interrupted by Beatrice's yelling, the latter asking their captor for answer. Faced with silence, the Great Spirit grimaced. Same as before during the third preview, the cast knew that the Warden being unresponsive meant that something ominous would occur.
"Frederica-neesan…" Petra uttered as she strengthened her hold on the blonde maid's hand, the latter returning the action; their attention was at the wall opposite them, the one where the screen was situated.
"Reinhard, what do nyou think?"
"It seems fixed to the place. The door acts more like a wall. I can't even open it as much as I try."
"Y-you can't Reinhard?"
The knights talked among themselves as they examine the door. Other than its design, the door had proven itself immovable even to the likes of Reinhard; albeit with their captor in play, everything was deemed possible, improbable as it may be.
"Let me try somethin'" Garfiel stated as the knights gave way to the blonde boy. Once in front of the door, the blonde boy composed himself as he touched the scar on his forehead. A punch from the boy quickly followed, its target was the door. The cast watched the boy's action, surprised at what they witnessed.
"H-huh?" Garfiel uttered, dumbfounded at what had transpired. The door still stood, unaffected. No sound of contact, no evidence of contact, could be perceived on the door or Garfiel, the latter looking at his fist, not feeling any knockback from his attack. Even though he showed some restraint, the punch he did was strong in its own merit. For his punch to be completely nullified meant that the door was tougher than it seemed; a sentiment the knights already knew from the information they garnered from Reinhard.
"So, what now?"
"We wait, unfortunately. Da door had proven itself too hard ta open. We have no choice but ta wait for da Warden ta be ready…for whatever da door is."
Anastasia answered Ricardo's query, stating to standby. Seeing no other feasible choice, the others decided to wait. The first two rows were vacated to give the cast ample distance from the standing double door.
"T-the screen…" Tivey pointed on the screen as the static allayed, showing a blank white screen.
"Is another selection going to be shown?" Rem asked, wincing at the recollection of what they'd witnessed before. The cast grimace at the implication when the screen's content started to change. Characters foreign to the maid began appearing one by one as if being written. When no more characters were placed, the cast looked perplexed at the wall of text before them.
"W-what is…"
"It can't be… Hoshin's text."
Emilia was interrupted by Anastasia, the latter having familiarity on the characters shown.
"Hoshin's…text. Can it really be?" Crusch uttered as she put a hand on her chin.
"What is it, Crusch-sama?" Wilhelm asked his lady, intrigued at the screen's content.
"Untranslated text from a journal believed to belong to Hoshin of the Waste."
"Its content deemed to contain his vast knowledge, used to invigorate and unify the states of Kararagi centuries ago. For it to be used in such a matter…"
Otto concluded Julius's answer, trailing off at the end.
"It…makes sense if you think about it. Hoshin is from Subaru's world…originally." Tivey stated, remembering the Subaru's onscreen counterpart's comment during his lady's first appearance in the viewing.
"Our Kararagi dialect was stated to have an origin foreign to our world. And the opinions on his rise during the time prove that connection to be more than coincidental." Ricardo mused, a hand on his chin, as he agreed with Tivey.
"If tha~t's the case, the scribbles on the screen are agree~d upon to be comprehensible, in a way foreign to us." Roswaal clarified, the others nodding in agreement.
"If so, the screen is telling us something. About what?"
"Additions…"
"Al..."
Felt pondered, a hand on his chin. Priscilla called out to her knight, the latter having an idea on the contents reflected on the screen. The cast turned back and looked at the one-armed knight, remembering his origin.
"Al, you're also…not from here. I mean, you're…originally from Subaru's world, right?" Ricardo asked. Al nodded in silence, knowing that any misinformation could easily be discerned by the two walking lie detectors among them.
"Al-san, can you…tell us what the text meant?" Emilia pleaded.
"Al, impart with what you know." Priscilla ordered.
"O-okay, okay. Settle down with the gazes." Al stated, raising his lone arm and waving them off, as he looked at the others. Looking back at the screen, he continued:
"The statement on the screen states that there is some…technical difficulty, problems, on his side. But that won't mean that he won't condone violence. And that…with regards to the viewing, we will be joined by additional…guests."
The cast contemplated on Al's statement as they looked at the white door.
"Guests, plural. It meant more than one will join us." Otto mused worryingly.
"So, that's why there is a door, I suppose. For the new arrivals to come in, in fact." Beatrice added, her arms crossed.
"Have the Warden written something about them, the ones going to join us?"
"Nope. Unfortunately, no specifics are written as far as I can see."
Al answered Julius's question.
"If that's the case, then why'd the Warden add more people to watch Big Bro's life?" Felt questioned as he looked at Al.
"Don't ask me. I'm only translating the text." Al replied, raising his hand in mock surrender. Felt frowned at the response.
"The screen…" Petra pointed at the screen as its content changed; the texts vanished and was replaced by another set of texts, using the same foreign characters. Al read its content and…
"W-wha…?" Al uttered before leaning forward and grabbing his helmet. He gritted his teeth at the sudden pain he felt on his head.
"Al-san…"
"What's wrong?"
"Nyou need healing?"
The cast voiced their worry for the one-armed knight, surprised by the latter's sudden action.
"N-no, I'm fine. Don't worry." Al waved as he stood up.
"You're lying." Crusch stated, Reinhard nodding in agreement. Even without the two's input, the cast generally knew that something happened to the helmeted knight.
"Al, explain yourself." Priscilla commanded, uncaring of her knight's wellbeing.
Before Al could answer, a scream erupted. Its source was a black-haired boy who had woken up. Those near him, Rem, Emilia, Crusch, and Beatrice, were taken aback by the unexpected development. Everyone watched the boy panting hard, clutching his arms as he hunched forward. Their shock turned into worry as they saw the boy's frantic actions, alerting them that something was wrong.
"Subaru, it's okay. It's okay." Emilia placated her knight, hugging him in support. Crusch did the same on her side, not caring for decorum after seeing Subaru's condition.
"Subaru…kun."
This smell…"
Rem and Beatrice widened their eyes as they sensed the pulsating enmity of the miasma from Subaru. Did he…
"Subaru, h-have you…" The Great Spirit stopped, not knowing if the taboo was still in check. The set of unexpected situations they were facing were unprecedented. One wrong action could be their last.
"Beatrice-sama, did he…"
"Silence, I suppose. Not a word, in fact. That goes for everyone else."
Beatrice interrupted Rem. The cast ascertained the Great Spirit's underlying tone and complied. With the unprecedented developments happening simultaneously around them, they decided to observe and gather information first.
Calming down and gathering his bearings, Subaru's face reddened as he looked at his immediate surrounding and was surprised to see himself being hugged by two beauties. Upon closer inspection, he recognized the silver-haired lady, having been with her during his short stay in the tower.
"I-I'm okay; really." Subaru tried to break free from the hug but was powerless to do so, surprised at the strength the girls had. Although he wanted to basked in the warmth of the beauties that surround him, he decided to know first where he was, having been transported once again.
"W-where am I? where are we?"
"Surprisingly, even we don't know the specific answer to that."
Placing a hand on his chin, Otto answered Subaru's question.
Seeing him calm down, the Emilia and Crusch lessened the strength of their embrace on the boy, not wanting to fully let go.
"It's alright, Subaru-kun. We're here for you."
"T-thanks, um…Rem?"
"Yes, I'm Subaru's Rem."
Rem instinctively patted Subaru's head; the boy surprised but thanked her. Hearing his thanks, Rem's face flushed pink. Seeing her reaction, Subaru blushed back.
"Subaru, I'm here too, you know."
Feeling jealous at the exchange, Emilia mimicked Rem's action and patted her knight's head, Crusch doing the same. Subaru's face was a shade of red at the patting he received.
"How lucky are nyou. Want me to join?"
"N-no thanks. Um… who are you?"
"W-what? Have nyou hit your head and forgotten nyabout me?"
Felix tried to lighten the mood by teasing his lady and the boy she fell for, the boy he wished to befriend. Raising his hand and waving, Subaru looked at him and declined, asking instead for his identity. Misunderstanding his question as a tease, Felix faked crying, hands on his face, as he asked back.
"Unfortunately, that seems to be the case."
"Oh, rea… wait, really?!"
Mid-jest at Subaru's reply, Felix stopped as Reinhard confirmed Subaru's statement. Crusch's eyes widened in distress, confirming Subaru's response devoid of lies.
"W-what, does that mean you'd forgott'n about me, Capt'n?"
"Natsuki-san…"
"I-I guess so. Sorry, this is the first time I've met you two."
Garfiel and Otto looked at Subaru, mouths agape and with widened eyes. Hearing his apologetic tone hammered down the fact that the knight really didn't know them. The Subaru they knew wouldn't act this meek in his own volition, even as a jest.
"I-it seems that he had forgotten."
"B-but that can't be."
"Why, why…"
Stuttering voices resounded as the cast faced the boy, bewildered of his state. Having been reunited with a conscious Subaru, Emilia and Crusch each clamped the boy's side as Rem and Beatrice circled him. Seeing the girls' adamant expression, Subaru withheld any protest. Even if he had forgotten them, the four were resolved to support the boy they cared for.
"That Subaru…is not the Subaru we know. He…ow." Al stopped as he held his helmet, the pain in his head returning. The others looked at him, some in worry, others with curiosity.
"I'm okay, I'm okay. I just…confirmed things…the hard way, I suppose." He continued as he glanced at Subaru, the boy flinching in turn, intimidated by the helmeted man.
"What do you mean with what you've said?"
"That that Subaru…is not…the Subaru we know?"
Frederica and Petra voiced their queries. Al nodded in silence.
"Is it something stated in the screen?" Priscilla asked.
"Sorry. The text on the screen seems to have given me something like a…forced contract…so what I can say is very limited. But I can assure you that…the Subaru…that…is currently…awake…is…not the one…we know." Al answered carefully, avoiding to trigger the pain again. The cast was shocked at the revelation, looking back at the screen and then at Subaru.
"What scree—aghk!" Subaru stopped, eyeing the screen for the first time and seeing its content, as he screamed in pain. Clutching his head as if to prevent it from breaking, Subaru's gritted his teeth in pain. The sudden escalation of the situation frightened the cast, kickstarting them to quickly heal the boy.
Crusch and Emilia let go of Subaru as Rem and Beatrice healed him; the half-elf could only watch as her healing was nulled due to the absence of minor spirits. Felix joined the Great Spirit and maid in healing the boy. Due to their fast response, the searing pain Subaru felt was quickly abated.
Subaru panted to regain his composure, thanking the three that healed him.
"What was that?"
"More so, Why are we unaffected?"
Mimi and Tivey voiced their questions, unknowing of what had transpired.
"It see~ms to be a matter of u~nderstanding the text on the screen. U~nlike us who see the text as untranslatable, the forced contract only works on those that can understand it." Roswaal mused as he peered at the screen.
"Yeah, he's right." Al agreed with the Roswaal's notion.
"Then, does that mean that Subaru is—"
"Don't even dare finish that line of thought, I suppose. Subaru is my contractor, in fact. His mind might have been affected but the bond made by our contract still remain. A clone can't replicate that, in fact."
Beatrice interjected Petra, stating with confidence that the Subaru before them was the real one.
"If that's the case, why has he…forgotten us, Beatrice-sama." Otto queried.
"Isn't it obvious? His memories are being used by the Warden to show us his experience in this world." Priscilla answered, pointing her fan on the screen. The cast was silent at the implication as none could fully refute her answer.
"But even so, how could Barusu still remember my sister's name?" Ram questioned, recalling how Subaru knew Rem's name when the latter patted his head earlier. Eyes widened at the realization as the cast pondered on what it meant.
"How do you know her?" Priscilla asked Subaru directly, pointing her fan at the boy.
"H-how…" Subaru uttered as he remembered Rem, not the one with him at the moment, awake and adoring, but the one slumbering at the Green Room.
"I've…seen her at—urgh!" Subaru stopped as he held his head, the searing pain returning. Rem and Beatrice quickly healed him, easing the pain he was experiencing. Fortunately, the pain vanished faster compared to before.
"W-what was…so I can't even say that." Subaru stated as he rested his head on his palm.
"So~, the circumstances of his knowledge, wha~tever is left, in this world could either not be divulge or greatly limited." Roswaal mused. The cast grimaced at the finding but was overall happy that Subaru was awake.
"I~f that's the case, Su~baru-kun, wha~t is the last thing you remember before coming to this world." He continued. Subaru shuddered at the man questioning him, finding the latter's peculiar clothing and makeup concerning.
"Do not worry, I suppose. He's always like that, in fact." Beatrice said, looking disappointed at the Margrave. Roswaal gave a wry smile as he sighed at the Great Spirit's statement.
"But even so, the question still stands, in fact. If it's alright for you, we'd want to know, I suppose." She continued as she held his hands.
"Hmm, okay. So, all of you already knew the fact that I'm…not from this…world?" Subaru clarified, the others nodding in confirmation.
"Don't think of your situation as unique nor special. You're not the only one who's not from this world." Priscilla stated as she glanced at her knight.
"Y-you too? For…how long?" Subaru asked Al as he inspected him.
"Specifics aside, a lot, lot longer than you." Al answered indirectly. Subaru nodded knowing that Al wouldn't go into specifics, even if pressed.
"If that's the case, I guess I'll answer the question now. It was in the middle of the night. I…I was on a shop buying some food and after leaving the store, it happened. As fast as blinking one's eyes, I've been transported here, in this world." Subaru summarized with his eyes closed, avoiding to look at the screen's content even by accident in fear of the pain. The cast grimaced as he perfectly described the first events they'd seen in the viewing, his first appearance.
"Hmm, the~n what's the first thing you saw in our world, Subaru-kun?" Roswaal continued on his questions.
"Have you noticed something, Roswaal-sama?"
"Not qui~te. In general, retra~cing his step from his first appearance here is a proper start in gathering information."
The Margrave answered Ram's question, his eyes peering at Subaru.
"Da idea might be sound but there's a chance that da pain will return." Anastasia mused as she petted her scarf.
"The boss is right. It might be dangerous for him to continue." Ricardo added.
"If tha~t's the case, a prognosis will be needed. Felix, wi~ll you do the honors." Roswaal said.
Felix complied as he walked to Subaru and examined him.
"It seems that there is nyothing wrong with nyou. Nyo internal injury or anything relating to that." He deduced.
"The forced contract is magic in nature and binding to his soul, I suppose. Our pouring of healing mana offsets the pain he's feeling, in fact." Beatrice added, Felix agreeing with her notion.
"If that's the…hmm, the~re seems to be another change on the screen." The Margrave stated as the text on the screen once again vanished and the static returned.
The cast watched with bated breath, readying themselves on what is to be shown. Although the static still remained, they could hear muffled sounds from the screen, indiscernible to them; the cast were perplexed and wary at what they were seeing.
"W-what's goin' on now?" Garfiel questioned, eyes glued on the screen.
"We don't know generally. Same as you but at what I can surmise…"
"…is that some event is being blocked. Isn't that right, Tivey?"
Anastasia concluded Tivey's comment, the latter nodding to his lady.
"Reinhard, can you peer through this thing we're seeing?" Felt asked.
"My apologies, Felt-sama. It seems that my perception is insufficient in seeing through whatever the screen is hiding?" The Sword Saint replied.
"W-what's happening?" Subaru queried; his tone laced with worry. Due to the fear of the head pains, Subaru kept his eyes closed. But even so, …
"W-what's that sound?" He continued with an alarmed expression. The girls around him became worry at his tone.
"Is there anything wrong, Subaru-kun?"
"We're here, I suppose. You're not alone, in fact."
"Subaru, I'm here."
"Subaru…"
The girls stated their support to the boy.
"Can't you hear it? Those…sounds of growling and snarling…as if coming from a pack of beasts? What is ha—" Subaru opened his eyes, taking the incoming pain into consideration, as his curiosity got the better of him. Seeing the scene on the screen, his jaw slackened.
Reflected on the screen was a horrific scene, a last stand. Three people, a cloaked figure and two girls, were placed at a corner, witnessing an ongoing battle between groups of black horned beasts. The cloaked figure, whose features other than the cloak, Subaru couldn't describe nor perceive, was crouching on the floor as their hand grab the shoulder of one of the girls while the other support them in turn. The girl supporting the cloaked figure had long pink hair and wore a black robe too big for her; upon closer inspection, she had pointy ears similar to Emilia. The second girl had her dark blue hair braided. She, representing as their vanguard, was standing with her hands outstretched, her left eye and nose bleeding.
"Meili…" Subaru uttered as familiarity with the braided girl set in, surprised to see her in such a situation.
"Meili?" Emilia repeated as she tilted her head.
Crusch eyes flickered as she had a supposition based on Subaru's response to the screen.
"Subaru, what do you see on the screen?" The Duchess asked.
"Can it be, I suppose?" Beatrice added, getting what Crusch was aiming for.
"Hmm…" Roswaal uttered as he eavesdropped on their conversation, Subaru's response piquing his interest.
"W-why are you asking? Can't you hear the growls?"
"It seems that what we're seeing is different. We're seeing a screen devoid of content making muddled sounds."
Julius answered Subaru's question, wondering how the boy could see what they could not.
"W-what?" Subaru was surprised that the others were not seeing the dire situation unfolding on the screen.
"Impart with what you perceive, boy. The lack of information irks me." Priscilla demanded, uncaring at the glares pointed at her by the girls around Subaru. Al facepalmed at the sight.
"Okay, okay. The screen is showing three people, cornered. They're facing…monsters, beasts with horns." Subaru started describing the scene; the cast worried at what they were hearing. Silent and attentive, they urged Subaru to continue.
"Two girls and a cloaked person. One of the girls is named Meili. I've…met her before." Subaru added, remembering the girl from his time on the tower. The others looked at him with puzzled expression, surprised at the information revealed.
"Is she a girl with dark blue hair and green eyes, I suppose?" Beatrice questioned her contractor, verifying if the person he met was the person they knew. Subaru nodded in confirmation.
"Do you know her?" Subaru asked back. Beatrice squinted as she nodded. Rem scowled in remembrance.
Upon hearing his description of the scene unseen to them, Crusch had a conjecture as she instinctively leaned to the boy next to her, eager to ask her question.
"Subaru, what is Meili doing, specifically, on the screen?" She asked. Surprised, Subaru leaned back a bit.
"A-ah, she's acting like their vanguard, I suppose; the other two behind her." Subaru replied meekly, looking aside, as his cheeks flushed with a pink tint. Crusch looked puzzled at Subaru's expression until she noticed herself leaning close to the boy, their faces almost in contact with each other.
"Darin', aren't we?" Anastasia teased Crusch, the latter leaning back as she covered her face, not letting its redness be seen by the others. Hearing this, Emilia pouted as she hugged Subaru defensively on her side while Rem hugged him on his front, his face in direct contact with her chest area.
"Well, thyere's a first for everything."
"It seems that there is more for Crusch-sama to learn in the subject of…being affectionate, to state the least."
Felix and Wilhelm voiced their opinions of their lady.
"Barusu, your perverseness is seeping." Ram commented, crossing her arms, as she watched disappointedly at her sister's actions.
"I-I can't hel—" Subaru stopped as the screen emitted a loud sound. Although the cast in general heard a muffled sound in a higher volume, Subaru heard something entirely different, something akin to multiple explosion done simultaneously.
"S-Subaru, your breathing…"
"Move, I suppose."
Beatrice used all her strength and then some to push the blushing blue-haired maid away from her contractor. If not for the severity of the scene described by Subaru and the sudden loud sound made by the screen, some of the cast would have snickered at the sight of the flushed boy. Once Subaru's vision was unblocked, he gawked at the screen, seeing the scene…and its aftermath.
The groups of horned beasts dropped on the floor; their bodies slightly bloated, blood and bone visible, as if they ruptured from within.
Meili knelt on her knees, her legs giving up, as the other girl supported her. The pink-haired girl held Meili's arm in support, not letting the latter fall face first on the floor. The cloaked figure sat on the floor, looking tired.
"H-have we done it?" She asked to the girl supporting her, the latter nodding.
"I-i-it seems th-that there's no m-more trouble." The cloaked figure commented, her feminine tone laced with agitation and anxiety. Even though there were no immediate threats to face, the visceral carnage before them made the girls sick.
"If that's the case, …" Meili couldn't finish her statement, falling unconscious due to the toll she took on her body.
"M-Meili?" The pink-haired girl said, worried for the braided girl she's supporting.
"R-Ryuzu, d-don't worry too much. Sh-she deserves the rest. I-I'll try to defend us i-in case they wake up." The cloaked figure timidly volunteered.
"B-but weren't you the cause…of this in the first place." Ryuzu asked, her wariness to the cloaked figure surfacing as the problem with the horned beasts were taken care off.
Watching Ryuzu distance herself and Meili from the cloaked figure, the latter sighed as she reached out to her cloak. As she was about to remove its head cover, the scene ended, the screen turning white once more.
"It seems that the scene is over." Otto mused as the cast watched the static vanished and the pure whiteness returned on the screen.
"Subaru, what have you seen?" Crusch queried, her demeanor back to normal. Even though her feelings for Subaru had blossomed, she still had her standing not only as a candidate to the throne but also as the Duchess of her state to represent. Duty first, feelings later.
"It's…about the three people I've said earlier; all are girls, even the cloaked figure. As I've stated, they're cornered, looking at an ongoing carnage amongst two groups of horned beasts. Meili is at the front." Subaru started his explanation, aghast at what he saw. The cast winced at the connotation of the scene but decided to be quiet, urging the boy to continue.
"Mabeasts…" Ricardo uttered, stating the only plausible identity of the beasts Subaru described.
"Not only that, but…Subaru, may you tell us more about the other two companion Meili had on the screen?" Reinhard asked.
"Hmm, the cloaked figure… how can I say this, her face and stature are generally hidden. If not for her voice, I won't even know their gender. She seems to be the eldest among the three, appearance-wise, being the tallest. She…is also told to be the reason for the appearance of those beasts. I'm not sure, to be honest. I'm just making conjectures from the scene on the screen." Subaru stated as he described the cloaked figure.
"A dangerous anonymous existence, I suppose. Could she be a conspirator?" Beatrice mused, a hand on her chin.
"Or a victim of circumstances, bein' chased by Mabeasts that led to da little assassin." Anastasia added, stating another possible reason.
"Assassin?" Subaru uttered quizzically, unknowing of whom the purple-haired lady pertained to.
"Cap'n…about Meili…"
"Subaru-dono, if you may, the other girl with Meili?"
Wilhelm interjected Garfiel, the latter deciding to tell Subaru about Meili's unsavory background. Garfiel glanced at the old man, the latter gesturing to the blonde boy to withhold talking about Meili. Garfiel decided to go with Wilhelm's suggestion, thinking that Subaru may know Meili as just a kid, not an assassin. The boy sighed as he crossed his arms.
"The other girl…she's around the same height as Meili, had long pink hair, and wears a black robe, large for her size. She also has pointy ears." Subaru described the girl. Garfiel and Frederica widened their eyes, a sense of familiarity from the girl's description. More so…
"W-Wilhelm-san…"
"Grandfather…"
Upon hearing Subaru's description of the girl, an aura of hostility emanated from Wilhelm. Otto and Garfiel called upon the old man, worried about what might occur. Subaru flinched back at the animosity.
"My apologies. His description of the girl reminded me of…someone I knew and fought four decades ago." Wilhelm bowed as he apologized, ceasing his aura.
"Da Demi-Human War. Hmm, is there anythin' wrong?"
"Garf…?"
Anastasia and Rem asked, the recipients of their statement being Frederica and Garfiel, respectively. The blonde siblings were glaring at Wilhelm.
"Garf, Frederica, Wilhelm-san has stated the reason for his demeanor, a happenstance at most. Ryuzu-san has never left the Sanctuary. There is no way that they have met, more so fought, during the time." Ram stated, eyeing the siblings. Garfiel and Frederica ceased their glaring, the latter bowing in apology.
"Don't worry. It is my lack of tact that had led to this situation. Fortunately, that witch has been dealt with during the time." Wilhelm explained, bowing once again.
"Witch…" Petra uttered, scared at the connotation.
"Indeed. Other than Satella, there is only one other instance of an entity malevolent enough to hold the title of Witch within the kingdom. Sphinx, one of the leaders of the Demi-Human faction during the war four decades ago."
"A heartless being devoid of any emotion. She held no distinction between ally nor enemies, using lives as mere tools."
Wilhelm concluded Julius's explanation, the former wincing as he recalled his participation during the war witnessing days of no hope for tomorrow.
"Sphinx, huh. I've read about her. To think that…she looks…similar to…Granny." Garfiel mused, his eyes widening, as a possibility arose. Being appointed as an Apostle of Greed, a title given to him by Ryuzu, Garfiel knew some of the secrets the Sanctuary had. One of which was the facility that housed the Sanctuary's core, the giant crystal that housed Ryuzu's progenitor. If the Sanctuary's origin was four centuries ago, there was a chance that a clone of Ryuzu had left the Sanctuary before his arrival, wreaking havoc at her wake. Garfiel instinctively touched the scar on his forehead.
"Ryuzu, huh. If I remembered correctly, the cloaked figure named the pink-haired girl the same." Subaru commented. The cast hawked their attention at the boy. Garfiel grimaced, his conjecture being proven to be true.
"A-are you sure?"
"How can that be possible?"
"She's currently locked up."
"There's no way they could have met."
Voices within the cast, mainly those within Emilia's faction, echoed within the theatre as they speculated with the new information.
"The braided brat is imprisoned?"
"Why haven't you surrendered her to the proper authorities?"
Felt and Reinhard asked the Emilia camp, wondering why they had taken in a person that tried to kill them.
"To uphold the secrecy of the events pertaining to specific details within the Sanctuary and the mansion, I suppose."
"Eve~nts that will be shown within the following arc."
Beatrice and Roswaal answered, the latter raising his hands in mock surrender.
"And showing vulnerabilities won't do us any favors. One won't know when the other candidates will take advantage of…our camp's secrets." Ram added as she surveyed the others, mainly those of the different candidates.
Felt and Crusch looked aside, remembering what their respective plans were for Subaru and the others after the viewing. Even though their acts could be seen as underhanded, the two were adamant to push through, resolving themselves to their respective cause. Subaru had enough suffering and he needed their help.
"I can't deny that. Merchantry 's my general trade after all. Gettin' advantages 's what we do." Anastasia responded, deciding to be upfront.
"Hmph, the world bows to me. Intriguing as he is, I have no use for his ability. The path I tread has been decided. All that's left is for me to cleave the insects that falls on it as I walk to my goal." Priscilla stated proudly.
Gauging the candidates' response, Ram sighed.
"What's happening?" Subaru questioned, clueless at the cast's discussion.
"Politics in general, I suppose." Beatrice replied nonchalantly.
"No~w, if you may, Subaru-kun. It see~ms that you've not finished with your retelling of the scene. Might you co~ntinue." Roswaal requested, the others readying themselves to listen to Subaru.
"O-oh yeah. The three are huddled on the corner surrounded by these beasts, black dogs with horns. The beasts are fighting among each other. Meili is standing in front of the other two, her arms outstretched and…and her face bleeding." Subaru told the cast, grimacing as he remembered the bloodied face of the girl.
Due to the viewing, the cast knew Meili beforehand. Imagining her face bleeding, blood covering her face, was still a morbid picture. Her actions and deeds aside, she was still a girl at its core.
"She must be overusing her Divine Protection." Ram suggested, stating a possible reason for her condition.
Otto nodded grimly as he remembered his fight alongside Ram against Garfiel. For the sake of his friend, he was ready to used everything in his disposal to give Subaru time; one of which was his usage of his Divine Protection. To keep Garfiel in constant check, Otto decided to use his Divine Protection indefinitely, one that took a toll on his body. Overexertion beyond the limit caused bleeding; something he experienced.
"Does that mean she is nyusing her Divine Protection to control some of the Ulgarms?" Felix mused.
"Divine Protection, Ulgarms?" Subaru uttered terms he first heard, unknowing of what they connoted.
"Divine Protections are blessings given to selected people from birth, giving them abilities and powers unique to them…most of the time." Julius explained as he glanced at the red-haired knight, the latter giving a wry smile.
"And Ulgarm is the name of the beast you generally described; I suppose. You've…encountered them before, in fact." Beatrice added, her expression forlorn. Rem and Emilia looked aside as they remembered the events back in the mansion, wincing at what they did; Rem with her rashness, Emilia with her inaction.
"So Meili is really protecting them, Ryuzu and the cloaked figure." Emilia stated as the cast agreed with her notion.
"Has this event really happened?"
"There's no way she could have left her room…right?"
"Indeed, constant surveillance and security are given to her. I ensure you all, she had not left that place for the last year."
Frederica, Petra, and Ram voiced their thoughts, having active participation with the detained girl for the past year. The cast hawked in on the blonde maid's statement, the possibility that what Subaru saw could either be fake or…
"It's like the fucking previews again." Felt said as she facepalmed.
"It seems so. If that is the case, then there are three possibilities with regards to what Subaru saw."
"As mu~ch as I like to hear your theory, Crusch-sama, I su~ggest first that we let Subaru-kun finish his tale. Getting ahead without complete information ca~n be detrimental on us, especially with our current situation."
Roswaal interjected Crusch as he told Subaru to finish his tale. Crusch agreed as she, alongside the cast, was interested on how the scene unseen on the screen went. The cast looked at Subaru attentively, urging the boy to continue with his recollection.
"Meili is controlling some of the Ulgarms, setting them in a perimeter around the three. The beasts were fighting each other…" Subaru paused as he looked at Rem.
"Well…since my vision was covered until after it happened, I can only tell the aftermath." He continued, his cheeks a shade of pink. Rem's face blushed red as she remembered her action. Emilia pouting as she held Subaru's hand, Crusch doing the same on her side. Beatrice sighed at the scene.
"The Ulgarms were lying on the floor, dead; their bodies ruptured from within."
"W-wait, what?"
Garfiel interrupted Subaru, surprised at what he heard. The instantaneous change within the story threw the cast on a loop.
"How did it happen?" Emilia queried in bewilderment.
"The cloaked lady, I suppose." Beatrice mused through process of elimination, knowing the other two weren't capable of accomplishing it.
"Or a third party, yet to be seen." Anastasia added another option. With the limited information they had, the cast could only speculate.
"But for the Ulgarms' demise to be caused through rupturing, nyan nyinternal modification on their body must have been committed." Felix stated, a hand on his chin, as he contemplated on the cause of the Mabeasts' incapacitation.
"Their cause of death might be grim, disturbing, and a mystery but I'm more worried about the three girls." Al said as Subaru agreed with his sentiment.
"You're right. After the carnage, Meili was supported by Ryuzu while the cloaked figure volunteered herself to stand guard. At that point, Meili had collapsed, most likely due to exhaustion. Ryuzu became wary of the cloaked lady, stating her to be the reason for their troubles in the first place. The figure raised her hand to remove the cloak but before it happened, the scene end." Subaru finished his recollection as he pointed at the screen.
The cast looked down to contemplate the story in its entirety. Without context, none could explain what had occurred.
"Why would Gra…Ryuzu think 'f that? Didn't da cloaked lady help them?"
"If that's even da case, this is why I hated bein' limited in information."
"Why are they together in the first place?"
"Could this even be called a preview?"
"Technically, it can't. Since our captor had not shown us the scene."
"But Subaru can peer through it."
"We don't know how he's able to do that?"
"Same as to why he has woken up."
The cast discussed among themselves, hoping to find something that could explain what they're witnessing.
"Crusch-sama, you've stated earlier that there are three possibilities in relation to this. Can you expound in that matter?" Wilhelm asked his lady, remembering Crusch's earlier statement.
"As I've stated before, the scene witnessed by Subaru can be perceived in three ways. Either the scene had happened, had not happened, or neither of the two." The Duchess explained. The cast were perplexed at her explanation, mainly at…
"W-what do you mean…neither of the two, Crusch-sama?" Rem questioned the green-haired candidate, stating the query the cast cumulatively wanted to know.
"To explain further, the first possibility is that the event Subaru described is a fabrication, created by our captor, the Warden. With his range of abilities and magic manipulation, there is a chance that he can doctor a scene." Crusch stated. The others nodded as they remembered the previews before.
"Warden, who's that?"
"The entity that trapped us here."
"We're trapped?!"
Otto answered Subaru's question, the latter alarmed at the response.
"Indeed we are trapped, I suppose. This place is a space devoid of any exit or entrance, in fact." Beatrice further explained their current predicament.
"Th-then how did we get here in the first place, magic?" Subaru asked as the cast nodded in confirmation.
"What are we doing here, then?" He continued his question. The cast looked aside, their expression one of grief.
"To witness…" Rem uttered as she looked down, hiding the pained expression etched on her face.
"Witness what?"
"Barusu, what we're here for can be discussed later on. We must first concentrate on what we currently faced."
Ram replied in haste Subaru's question, interrupting her sister from answering.
"Well, I have generally guessed that we're forced to watch something, anyway." Subaru mused as he pointed at the screen, pure white still in display.
"Then what about the door display on its front?"
"Something we still don't know, to be honest."
Julius responded to Subaru's query.
"I-is that so…" Subaru uttered as he stared at the door.
"Hmm~, Crusch-sama. If you may, I'm i~nterested on the other two possibility you've mentioned." Roswaal said, urging for Crusch to continue, the latter complying.
"The second possibility is that the event happens, whether it has passed or not is another matter." Crusch stated.
"What do you mean by that?" Subaru asked.
"It meant what it meant; I suppose. Simple as that." Beatrice answered quickly and indirectly, not wanting to state things in relation to time. The others took wind of what the Great Spirit planned, nodding in agreement to her sentiment.
"O-okay. Then what's the third possibility, Crusch?" Subaru queried.
"Y-yeah, the third one. In relation to the second possibility compounded with the information given to us earlier, a third possibility arises; that they may be, you including, the guests the Warden has stated about." Crusch said, her eyes casted downwards. The cast widened their eyes at the connotation. If true, then…
"They're coming here." Al mused, voicing the general understanding the cast had.
"That's the plan originally." A masculine voice stated, devoid of any emotion. Unfamiliar with its source, the cast were immediately on alert. Behind the affixed door in front of the screen, a figure walked out on its side, revealing himself to the cast.
"Y-you're…"
"What is it, Subaru?"
"It's the cloaked figure."
Emilia asked Subaru about the figure, sensing his familiarity with them, the latter answering in turn. The cast were on guard, surprised at the revelation. If that's the case, …
"Where are they?!" Garfiel growled. As the figure stood alone, the cast couldn't help but worry about the two girls.
"The three are currently resting. With the things currently going on, I can't just heal all with a snap of my fingers." The figure replied nonchalantly.
The cast glared at the figure, half in guard, half in curiosity. Although the figure was hooded, he was not wearing any mask or anything that hindered his face. But even so, none of the cast could see any facial features on his face, as if looking at a blurred face.
"It see~ms that the person before us and the person with Meili and Ryuzu are different people." Roswaal hypothesized as he watched the figure.
"It also seems that he's also wearing a perception blocker, Roswaal-sama." Ram added.
"A perception blocker…" Emilia uttered, remembering the tool given to her before to masked her appearance in public.
"Reinhard…"
"Apologies once again, Felt-sama. I fail to see through him, his appearance eludes me."
Felt called out to her knight, only to face an unsatisfactory answer from him.
"Who are you?" Priscilla questioned the figure.
"I'm the Warden." The figure answered. The cast tensed at the response.
"The Warden…" Subaru uttered the moniker of their captor.
"W-why have you appeared here in person?" Crusch asked as she stood up, glaring at the Warden.
"Ideally, I would have chosen the booming voice and speak over all of you. But alas, that's an option I can't currently afford." The Warden answered.
"What do ya mean ya can't afford?"
"It seems…that his hold on this space is compromised, Anastasia-sama."
Julius responded to Anastasia's question, stating a speculative answer.
"Well, you're half-right. Some…parts of my control have been taken advantage of by a curious Witch. Having read her Book of the Dead, I should have foreseen it coming. I'm currently in the process of making things right." The Warden said, the cast wincing on the connotation.
"I-is it Satella?" Emilia queried, raising her free hand to be noticed.
"Can't say. Captor's Privilege." The Warden reasoned as he made a zipping motion on his lips.
"Then what abo—"
"Captor's Privilege."
The Warden interrupted Felt's query, the latter glaring at him.
"S-so, why're you here?" Otto repeated the Duchess's question, wary of the Warden's sudden appearance.
"Well, I have an announcement to make…is what I would have said before the unwanted meddling. Now it multiplied to two." The Warden replied as he sighed. Scratching his head as he faced the cast, he continued, "The first of which is the implementation of guests, additions that will join you in the viewings of the Fourth Arc."
"Are they…the three Subaru-kun saw?" Rem asked as the Warden nodded in confirmation.
"Why them?" Frederica queried; a glint of worry reflected on her eyes.
"Captor's Privilege." The Warden answered, raising his hands with his palms facing upward. Garfiel glared at the response and was about to pounce when a hand at each shoulder stopped him. Garfiel looked back and saw Otto and Julius holding him back.
"Garfiel-kun, hold your temper. Actin' rash won't do us any good." Anastasia said. Glancing at the Warden, she continued, "With regards to your first point, are you going to fulfill it. Are the three still going to join us?"
"Indeed, a minor setback has been made, its error in the progress of being fixed. The viewings will resume at a moment's notice, after they've been fully healed and rested." The Warden assured them.
"How fortu~nate and benevolent of you. How i~ronic that it doesn't extend to me." Roswaal stated mockingly.
"Yeah, apologies on that. But don't worry, it's not like you're going to die just because you did some unsavory things. If that is the case, most of the people here are slated to be executed." The Warden replied, a tint of coldness at his final remark. The cast flinched at the implication.
"Let me be clear, there will be no killing among anyone here. This includes the three guests. My control might be limited but I made sure to retain my ability on restraining your magic, Divine Protection, and everything that can generally bring harm to the people present here." The Warden continued. The knights nodded in agreement; as conniving the Margrave was, they knew that incarceration was their best option, bringing him to justice for the deeds he committed. They hoped that they're zeal and beliefs as Royal Knights could persevere within the viewings, knowing what they entailed.
"Hmm, what about the second announcement." Otto reminded the Warden of his previous statement, the latter thanking him in turn.
"With regards to the second announcement, Subaru…you are not supposed to join the cast here right now. Your awakening is a byproduct of the Witch's meddling. Once everything has corrected, you'll lose your consciousness and will return to the tower. Don't expand on that, your head will hurt." The Warden said as he pointed at Subaru. The cast widened their eyes as they looked at the boy, perplexed of what he heard.
"I-I'm not…supposed to be here?" Subaru repeated the Warden's remark questioningly as he pointed to himself.
"Explain yourself, I suppose. What do you mean by that?" Beatrice asked as she glared at the Warden, the others following suit readying themselves for a confrontation. The Warden whistled as he surveyed the cast, stopping at Subaru.
"The Subaru that have woken up…is simply not from our timeline. His memory is from the future." The Warden answered.
"W-wait, I'm…from the future…what?"
"But he lost his memories…"
"Sound familiar?"
"W-wha…"
"No, no, no, no…"
"It can't be."
"Gluttony…"
The people present talked over what was stated, culminating into a dreadful possibility, one that they didn't want to believe…Subaru had succumbed to the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony.
"H-how did it—"
"Captor's Privilege. Don't even bother, you have the present to worry about."
The Warden interrupted Emilia's questioning as he waved his hand, ending the discussion in that matter there. Even though irked, the cast decided to ready themselves in the future as there was a confirmed chance in the confrontation between Subaru and the Sin Archbishop.
"Hmm, what…okay, okay. Understood." The Warden uttered as if talking to another person. The cast didn't see nor perceive anyone that could be the recipient of the Warden.
"Felix, Beatrice, apologies in advance. It seems that there's a chance that Meili might die." He continued as he snapped his fingers. In response, Beatrice and Felix vanished in thin air.
"W-what, where did you send them?!" Crusch asked angrily at the Warden as she saw Felix disappeared, her emotion getting the better of her. The cast were glaring at the Warden, readying their weapons. If magic was unavailable, fists and blades would suffice.
"Calm down. I've sent them to the three girls to speed up their recovery, mainly Meili. Instant healing like what I did with Subaru is still currently unavailable for me. Instant translocation however, can be used albeit limitedly. And it's not like I'm just going to send them here, in the theatre, with no suitable space to lie down." The Warden reasoned.
"Then why not just transfer them to one of the lodgings at the back?" Ricardo questioned the Warden.
"Their conditions made transferring risky, unfortunately. So we'll just have to wait for them to heal up." The Warden replied. The others had no choice but to wait for Felix and Beatrice to heal the three before convening with them, knowing that the viewing wouldn't start if they were incomplete.
…
…
Notes:
Originally, I was planning a direct arrival for the guests to meet with the cast. But taking how they, the cast, would generally react after witnessing Meili's actions, sensing Ryuzu's miasma, and a mysterious figure of unknown origin, they would be overly wary at the three. So I decided to convolute the plot more (Yehey?).
To clarify the convolution, I'll be adding a second chapter/ transcript to Beyond the Watchers' Watch after finishing this story. (TLDR: Echidna got curious, Meili almost got Subaru'd, Ryuzu and the Warden watching everything aghast as the latter fixed things).
In addition, I'm not going to do a whole react fic to the Fourth Arc, I'm only setting an introduction at most; a what if scenario to the WHDAA cast as I wait for chapter 15.