Normal: General setting
Italics: Within the domain of the Castle of Dreams
Bold: Within the domain of the screen in perspective to the cast
Chapter 3: Catching Up
"Aaaaah!" A figure screamed as she saw the sudden appearance of Beatrice and Felix from thin air; the two were taken aback by the figure's abrupt reaction. The figure's companion, a pink-haired girl, instinctively shielded an unconscious girl with dark blue braided hair.
"Carmilla, hah… it has been discussed, huh…about their arrival, heh." A magenta haired woman stated as she slumped on the table.
"Very good, Milla. You didn't inflict them with your Authority." A dark green haired girl added, sitting next to the magenta haired woman, as she clapped at the sight.
"We've already discussed their arrival beforehand, and with the workings of the cloak and our vessel, the Authority manifested has become more…subservient to its respective host, unlike before." A white-haired lady mused.
"Too subservient to one's desire, I suppose. You overdid it, Daphne."
"We~ll, I was hungry. Who knew that my hunger transcends my Authority? I don't."
A blonde-haired woman facepalmed as she glanced at the girl next to her, the latter eating the food set before her.
The five were sitting around a rectangular table filled with refreshments, peering through a metia that was built like a giant screen television. Surrounding them was a blanket of grass and a cloudless sky, both littered with multiple metias of different built. Watching the screen were five of the Witches of Sins: Sekhmet, Typhon, Echidna, Minerva, and Daphne.
"A-a-apologies, y-y-you appeared out of n-nowhere." The figure stated raising her arms in surrender.
"Are they sisters, nya?"
"That…can't be the case, in fact."
Beatrice answered Felix's query as the two inspected the three girls. Meili was lying on a bed unconscious, her breathing ragged. Ryuzu was staring at them, more so at Beatrice, her eyes welling with tears. The cloaked lady had her hood removed, revealing her pink hair and her red eyes, the lower half of her face covered by a green muffler. All three were in varying state of exhaustion with Meili having the worst, their clothes covered with dried blood. Seeing this, Felix approached Meili to heal her first.
"What, I sup—"
"Beatrice-sama."
"…huh?"
Beatrice's eyes widened at Ryuzu's familiarity to her, the latter's voice emitting nostalgia as she slowly approaching the Great Spirit. As Ryuzu approached, Beatrice noticed the miasma coming from her and glared at the girl.
"Y-you, I suppose. Answer me this, in fact. Who are you?" She asked adamantly, shocking the others in attendance.
"What's gyoing on? Felix queried. Due to the severity of Meili's condition, he had to concentrate in full to heal Meili; therefore, he couldn't see why Beatrice reacted in a such an emotional manner.
"B-Beatrice-sama…" Ryuzu stopped, a hand clasped to her chest, as she gazed at Beatrice, hurt reflected on her eyes.
"I-I'm Ryuzu, Ryuzu Meyer, an Apostle of Greed in service to Echidna-sama…and a friend to you, Beatrice-sama." She continued, answering honestly.
"W-what?!" Felix asked, surprised at the reveal. If not for Meili, he would have joined Beatrice in confronting the girl. Knowing this, Felix increased his healing output.
Beatrice gritted her teeth at the reply as tears welled on her eyes.
"H-how dare you, I suppose. To peer through my memories and manifest as someone I hold dear, in fact. You…you impostor!" The Great Spirit responded, her tone vilifying, as she pointed a finger at Ryuzu. Shocked at the response, Ryuzu lost her balance and was about to slip and fall when the Carmilla supported her.
"B-Betty—"
"And you, I suppose. Don't dare call me in such a manner, in fact. Such familiarity is not welcomed to those I don't cherish, more so know."
Beatrice interjected Carmilla, the latter speechless at the former's outburst.
"She doesn't know me?" A voice resounded within Echidna's Castle of Dreams, its source unseen, asking the five Witches.
"It seems so. Four centuries mostly done in isolation can dull a person's mind.; stagnation really is something to fear. Compound that with the fact that you can control your Authority now, she can't correlate the connection." Echidna mused.
"Poo~r Ry-Ry. Ah, how sordid the sadness tastes. Can't be picky." Daphne commented, slurping the ambience, as she sensed the sadness of Ryuzu through the screen.
"Beatrice-sama, what do nyou mean, impostor?" Felix queried as he stabilized Meili's condition. Although healed, the girl needed some rest. Seeing this, the knight decided to join Beatrice in interrogating the other two.
"It meant what it meant, in fact." Beatrice answered briefly, her eyes glaring at Ryuzu and Carmilla.
"W-why? I-is it my fault? It is, isn't it? H-how selfish of me, sacrificing myself, not caring for your feelings. B-but what choice do we have? Th-the Sanctuary will fall i-if, if…there is no other way." Ryuzu stuttered, wiping the tears that blurred her vision, as she cried, Carmilla comforting her.
Beatrice wavered at the sight; her heart pained at seeing someone she cared for cry. But even so, she had to be resolute, knowing that the figure before her wasn't Ryuzu. The Great Spirit had seen her friend sacrificed herself to save the Sanctuary, an irreversible process created by her Mother. She hated herself for the weakness and incompetence she showed that day, cursing herself away in isolation.
"Beatrice-sama…" Felix uttered as he watched the exchange, unknowing of the situation. As much as he wanted to know more, healing the two was his priority. But upon knowing the girl's connection with a Witch of yore, the knight was in doubt.
"…heal them, I suppose. We'll know about them more once we reconvene with the others, in fact." The Great Spirit stated in a low voice, ordering Felix to do his duty, as she gazed down. Balling her fists, Beatrice looked away from Ryuzu, not wanting to see her face. Seeing her action, Ryuzu continued sobbing.
"I-is that so…nyunderstood." Felix replied. He was about to approach the two when…
"Nyow that I think nyabout it, who are nyou?" He asked the cloaked girl, the latter pointing to herself.
"M-me? M-my name is Car—"
"Use Coven as the moniker, Carmilla. I've discussed about you in passing when I first met Subaru." Echidna reminded the Witch of Lust, correcting her to not use her real name.
"—Coven."
Carmilla stated, befuddlingly.
"Nyour name is Carcoven? What a…nyunique name." Felix commented.
"Sh-should I correct it or i-is it too late?" Carmilla asked the Witches.
"It seems to have worked."
"Correcting it, hah…will be tedious, hoh."
Minerva and Sekhmet answered, uncaring of the change.
"You'll always be Mila-Mila to us." Daphne added as Typhon nodded in agreement.
"They'll doubt you more if you try to change your name at this point, Carmilla. Use that moniker when you use the cloak's perception blocker to avoid irregularity later on." Echidna said.
"I-it is, isn't it?" Carcoven responded, nodding to herself. Felix inspected her as he remembered what Subaru had told them in the theatre. Through process of elimination, the cloaked lady, Carcoven, was stated by Subaru to be the reason behind the Ulgarms death. Even though there was a chance that the Warden had done the deed, his inaction that led the three to their situation made that hypothesis doubtful. Adamant in letting no one die, he stood aside as the three girls fought the Mabeasts. Felix winced at the implication.
"Death through internal rupturing…how gruesome." He muttered. Questions that needed answers were raised, but first…
"Ryuzu, you're first." Felix stated as he turned to face the pink-haired girl, the latter wiping her tears as she tried her best to compose herself.
"How ru~de, he didn't even introduce himself." Daphne commented, noticing the knight's lack of introduction.
"We already know him, I suppose. He was instrumental in Subaru's fights against the White Whale and Geuse." Minerva replied.
Beatrice watched the situation unmoving, resolute in not participating unless something dire came up. The knight raised his hands, glowing blue, and placed them over the girl. Ryuzu was healed faster than Meili due to the minimal damage she had, mostly due to being protected my Meili and Carcoven. Felix's eyes flickered finding an anomaly to her Od. In addition to healing the three, he decided to examine them more in-depth.
"W-what…" Felix uttered as he finished healing Ryuzu.
"What is it, I suppose?" Beatrice asked as she faced Felix, her interest piqued to what the knight discovered.
"H-her Od, it is—" Felix stopped as he eyed the room, unmoving. Everything had stopped, the ambience darkening. Carcoven, Ryuzu, Beatrice, everyone stood still, unmoving, as no sound could be heard. The knight enmity creeping towards him. He couldn't move nor speak as he saw a shadowy hand at his periphery."
"Th-this is just like…Subaru-kyun's…" Felix thought, watching hopelessly, as the hand phased through his body. Even with the incantations etched within him, the hands passed through all with ease. Grasping his heart, the hand squeezed before vanishing.
The ambience had cleared as time once again flowed.
"I-is there anything w-wrong?" Carcoven asked as she saw a change in complexion on the knight's face.
"Echidna, w-what…was that?" Carmilla asked, sensing a passing enmity coming within the room.
"A deterrent I made to censure any unwanted information from being said. I made it similar to her style so they can connect it to that wretched being." The Witch of Greed replied.
"We really need to apologize to the Warden after this." Minerva stated.
"A change of heart, Ner-Ner. Didn't you dislike him before?"
"His peculiar demeanor aside, that person has not done anything concrete to be hated to in the first place."
Minerva answered Daphne's query.
"He is letting them watch Subaru's life in this world and has revealed the boy's Authority for all to witness; acts that will spur Satella's ire." Echidna added as she eavesdropped between the two.
"But even so, they're still alive as they take in what they've seen. The Warden must be in some way stopping her grasp. If this reveal will be helpful for the boy, then I guess that it's for the best." Minerva replied as she remembered the tribulations Subaru had faced.
"Ny-nyothing…it's nyothing." Felix responded, shaken.
"Did you find something, I suppose?" Beatrice asked, worried at the knight. Although unaffiliated to her lady's camp, Felix was the only one she could, at some level, trust in their current situation.
"Nyone worth mentioning." Felix responded quickly, a glint of fear on his eyes. Beatrice saw this and glared at Carcoven and Ryuzu, both shuddering in response. Witnessing their reaction, Beatrice looked up and…
"Warden, what did you do this time, I suppose?!" She yelled to the ceiling, demanding answers to someone not present.
"What's going on? Can't you see someone is sleeping?!" Meili yelled back groggily as she awoke. Rubbing her eyes, she slowly sat up and surveyed the other people around the room. Recounting, two more were added among their numbers; two figures she had seen…in the viewing before.
"Beatrice and…a cat girl?" Meili continued.
"I'm a guy. The cyutest guy there is." Felix corrected, slowly regaining his composure. Ryuzu was befuddled by the reveal.
"Who are you?" Meili looked at the knight warily. Felix widened his eyes, remembering that he had not introduced himself to the others since he was sent by the Warden.
"I'm Felix, nyan. A knight and confidant of Crusch, future King of Lugunica." The knight answered with a bow.
"And I suggest for you to not move so much. Even though I've healed you, you're still exhausted." He continued. Meili inspected herself and was surprised that all her injuries were gone.
"T-thanks, I guess." She uttered to Felix, grateful to be alive.
"Why are you two here? Aren't you two supposed to be…in the other theatre?" She continued.
"We were sent to heal the three of you, I suppose; by the unresponsive Warden, in fact." Beatrice answered as she glared at the ceiling.
"Why…are you glaring at the ceiling?"
"The Warden gyenerally speaks at us from the top."
Felix answered Meili's question, the latter perplexed by Beatrice's action.
"I-is that so…" Meili uttered as she honed on Ryuzu and Carmilla, specifically the latter.
"Are you feeling better?"
"I'm healed but tired. Overusing my Divine Protection is not something I want to do again."
Meili answered Carmilla's question as she peered at her, minutely flinching from the questioner.
"Sh-she's still wary of us, isn't she?" Carmilla queried as she watched Meili's attentive and wary gaze.
"How could she not, after everything we did to her." Minerva answered, crossing her arms, as she remembered healing Meili from Typhon's action and what Sekhmet and Daphne did after. Unfortunately, she couldn't manifest afterwards to heal the two girls, prompting the Warden summon the knight and the Great Spirit instead.
"If that's the case, you're the only one left, Carcoven-san."
"Carcoven?"
"M-my real name is C-Carcoven. The o-other one is my nickname."
Felix faced Carcoven, stating that she was the last one to be healed. Hearing the strange name, Meili was perplexed. Carmilla corrected herself, stating her fake name to be real.
"Is that so, …since I'm resting, what's next?" Meili asked, unknowing of the current circumstances.
"We fully heal all of you, take a minor rest, and return with the others, I suppose. I don't want to be separated from my contractor, now that he's finally awake, in fact." Beatrice answered, arms crossed, as she faced Meili.
"Onii-san is awake?" Meili replied, shocked at the reveal.
"Baru's awake?" Typhon repeated, echoing Meili's sentiment.
"Echidna…" Minerva uttered as she glanced at the Witch of Greed.
"Hmm, it seems his awakening is a byproduct of my…curiosity." Echidna mused as Daphne laughed.
"Is there nyanything wrong?" Felix queried as he watched Carcoven grabbed her head by the side.
"I-it's nothing. Phantom pain, I wonder." Carcoven replied.
"Then I'll heal y—"
"N-no need, I h-have no injuries to b-be healed at, just the tiredness. A-a rest will suffice."
"Are you sure? I can examine nyou, nyou know."
"Y-yes."
Felix and Carcoven talked over one another, the latter reluctant on being healed. Although adamant in his profession, Felix was in doubt, fearful if what happened with Ryuzu will also happen to Carcoven. Although Meili proved to be safe, the irregularity of Ryuzu's Od and the time stopping malice of the Witch complicated things. Uncertainty muddling his mind, Felix composed himself, getting the resolve he need from his lady.
"Crusch won't leave any stone nyunturned." Felix muttered to himself. The knight peered at Carcoven.
"Carcoven-san, as a Royal Knyight in service to the Kingdom of Lugunica and the candidate for the throne, Crusch Karsten, I am obligated to assist nyanyone in need of help. As such, I extend my hand to assist nyou in making sure nyou're alright." Felix bowed to Carcoven; the latter surprised at his actions.
"Echidna, w-what do I do?" Carmilla asked.
"Hmm, I can…actually do something, I suppose. Carmilla, wait for my signal and let the boy heal you as I handle the rest." Echidna answered as she eyed some of the floating metias in her Castle of Dream. Satisfied at the materials floating around, she raised her hand to bend the will of her world, summoning unperceivable forces to control and alter the metias. Minerva looked intrigue as Typhon clapped at the sight. Sekhmet and Daphne were uncaring. As her contraption take shape, an amalgamation was made. Satisfied, Echidna signaled Carmilla.
"Carcoven-san, are you ready?"
"Y-yes."
Carcoven answered Felix as she reached out her hand. Felix slowly held her hand, remembering what transpired before. Upon contact, Felix began his examination and found…
"Hmm, it seems that nyou're right. Nyo injury, just exhaustion." Felix stated, telling Carcoven his findings, as he found nothing questionable nor irregular about her.
"Ooh, Dona-Dona. I sense something…that shou~ldn't be here." Daphne mused as she faced up, sniffing in the general direction of the amalgamation made moments prior.
"What is that, Dona?" Typhon asked, curious at the sudden change, more so addition, on the contraption. A blue streak circled the amalgamation; although harmless, its peculiarity perplexed some of the Witches.
"That is a mana line that the boy has weaved to our body. Water magic users that specialize in healing use it to mark its target, enabling them to apply healing or inflict damage to a person's body from a distance. Without it, they'll have to personally be near to their magic's recipient." Echidna explained as she looked at her work on action.
"With it as a conduit, the boy won't sense any anomaly from our body. Great, isn't it? But since it's big and eye-catching, I'll move it away for now." She continued, waving her hand, as the Witches watched the amalgamation move farther away from them.
"S-see, I'm alright." Carmilla said.
"If you're not in need of healing and the others have been healed, a small rest is in order, I suppose." Beatrice added as she faced Carcoven, the others nodding in agreement.
"It seems that Beatrice has mellowed, somehow." Minerva stated as she watched the drill-tailed girl on the screen.
"She just wanted, hah…to return, hoh…to the others, heh… as soon as, hah…possible." Sekhmet commented.
"Well, regardless of the case, the time we'll see the cast is nearing. I wonder what they're doing now?" Echidna mused, sipping on her tea.
…
…
"…and then the four of us went to the Capital in response to the summons delivered to us by Wilhelm-san and Felix: me, you, Roswaal, and Rem."
"W-wow…" Subaru uttered as he listened to Emilia, the latter retelling the story of how she met him and his days with her. Subaru was at awe at the Subaru she described, brave and fearless; he couldn't see himself do all that immediately knowing himself.
As they wait for the five, Subaru asked the cast how they know him and wanted to know more about himself, before his amnesia. They hesitantly agreed as Emilia told her recollection of the events, making sure to remove anything in relation to the Witch's Curse. In exchange, the cast told him that his ability, bestowed upon his arrival, was foresight; a possibility they deduced before at the start of the viewing, one that was quickly shut down as the viewings continued. Some other information indirectly related to him was also withheld, such as Meili's participation in the attack on the village and Roswaal's scheming.
"So, I really became a butler at the time, huh. Not the first thing I thought of once I've transported to another world. But then again, not everything can be identical to a game." Subaru mused, a hand on his chin.
"So, what happened next? Have we met with the Appa salesman, Felt and the others?" He queried.
"In a way yes, Subaru-kun." Rem answered, the others looking aside. Having come to the Third Arc, the rest of the cast will be introduced. Even though this would mark Subaru's meteoric act of heroism against the Witch Cult, his introduction was…distasteful to state the least. How could they tell the Subaru before them about his folly during the start and the ensuing battle he had with Julius after only to be redeemed later on by defeating calamitous entities in a span of a few days? Eyes widened upon their recollection as they remembered how unbelievable everything Subaru did during those days, when they still didn't know about his Return by Death.
"Upon our arrival at the Capital, we did a small tour of the capital, revisiting some of the places we went before…when you first came here." Emilia stated as she remembered her encounter with Subaru in the loot house, the one she knew, and her supposed first encounters,, the one Subaru only knew.
"Hmm, the place where it all began. Since the boundaries are set within the kingdom, the places we can go to are limited, I suppose." Subaru contemplated, looking at his right hand, as he opened and closed it. Upon closer inspection and after being told by Emilia, Subaru felt the lightness of his body more so than before. The Subaru they knew was keeping his body fit as to not sully his title as Emilia's Knight, bettering himself to survive on his own. Even with his life as a shut-in, he gave time to exercise, mainly as self-defense against his father's…way of showing his love. How are they doing right now? Father. Mother.
"Subaru, is there anything wrong?"
"Subaru-kun, are you…alright?
"Subaru?"
Crusch, Rem, and Emilia asked, seeing Subaru teared up, as they huddled up to the boy, the latter blushing in turn. The cast were looking with concern at the boy as he wept.
"I-it's nothing." Subaru stuttered, as he wiped his tears away.
"I'm just…remembering about my parents. I hope that they're alright." He continued; his expression forlorn. Even though he was surrounded by people that cherished him, Subaru knew that the Subaru they cared for is not him, but the one before, the Subaru who had experienced the events being told to him. He was a clean slate bereft of the memories of his experiences here in this world.
"Subaru, we're here for you. I'm here for you." Emilia said as she saw her knight's expression. Most of the cast nodded in agreement to her sentiment, showing support for the boy.
Caught in the moment, Emilia cupped Subaru's cheek as she turned his face towards her.
"E-Emilia-cha—" Subaru stopped, unable to say anything, as his lips made contact with Emilia's. A simple kiss and nothing more; Subaru's mind blanked as if everything that worried him was washed away.
The cast gawked at the scene, everyone was speechless, even Priscilla and the Warden. All were in silence as they watched the two.
Moments after, their lips parted as Subaru and Emilia saw each other's reddened face.
"Subaru, don't be sad. You're not alone anymore. Even if you have lost your memories, we'll be there for you." Emilia repeated her sentiment of support as she smiled at the boy, the latter bereft of speech at her action.
"Subaru-kun, me too." Not wanting to be left behind, Rem hugged the boy before her. Their lips were about to meet when a hand slipped between their faces, its palm facing the maid.
"R-Rem, even I want…I mean, that's…" Crusch stuttered, her hand between the two, still surprised on what she witnessed.
"Rem!" Ram ran to her sister, undecided on whether to scold her sister, Emilia, or Subaru; Roswaal watched, sighing, as he combed back his hair.
Otto and Garfiel' quickly regained their composure upon hearing Ram, the former nudging the blonde boy with his shoulder to help him placate the pink-haired maid.
Anastasia grinned at the ensuing mayhem.
Felt and Ricardo whistled at the sight; the latter patting the head of Mimi and Tivey, the two watching in wonderment and shock, respectively.
Frederica smiled at the scene, baring her fangs. Petra pouted as she grabbed the hems of her skirt to release in some manner the jealousy she's feeling.
"W-well, that's…something." Al commented, his expression unseen; his lady sighed, a fan covering her face, as she eye-rolled at the scene.
The Warden facepalmed as he leaned back to the affixed white door; Julius and Reinhard stood still, watching everything unfold.
"Emilia, please don't do that again in the confines of the theatre." The Warden requested, Emilia nodding in turn.
"U-understood, I'll…do it in private next time." The half-elf answered, earning herself surprised looks from the others.
"I'll be first next time, Emilia-sama." Rem declared, balling a fist to her chest.
"Rem!" Ram shouted at the back as she was being placated by Otto and Garfiel.
"I'll be first next time, Emilia-sama." Rem repeated, asserting herself once again.
"R-Ram-san, please don't ma—"
"Otto."
Julius caught Otto; the latter flung by Ram.
"Are you alright?"
"Barely."
"If that's the case, Rem. The other prominent healers are busy mending the three, Garfiel needed his healing for himself, and Priscilla…you get the gist."
Otto answered the Warden's concern, the latter gesturing Rem for assistance. A concussion was not needed during the viewing, if possible. As much as Rem wanted to stay with Subaru, she still had her duty to fulfill. Excusing herself, the blue-haired maid went to Otto to heal him.
Fortunately, Ram was pacified by Garfiel, to the latter's surprise. Glancing once more at Emilia and Subaru, then her sister, Ram sighed as she returned stomping to her seat next to the Margrave.
"Ge~tting comfortable with the prospect of your sister's future?"
"…not the least, Roswaal-sama. Bumbling as he may be, the Barusu before us is not the Barusu I want to punish."
Ram answered the Margrave's query as both, placed at the rear, oversaw the others.
"Subaru…" Emilia uttered as she looked at Subaru.
"Y-yeah, you're right. I'm not alone. I'm sorry for worrying you." Subaru apologized, scratching the side of his head with his forefinger.
"No, Subaru. You don't say I'm sorry during situations like this; saying thank you is better." Emilia said as she smiled at the boy, the latter blushing.
"Y-yes. Thank you, Emilia-chan." Subaru replied, smiling back, as Emilia's cheek reddened.
"Hmm, it seems this will do." The Warden muttered, looking at his hands, as he opened and closed them. Satisfied, he clapped his hands to garnered everyone's attention. Eyes at him, he continued, "It seems that I've regained more control of this space. I'll have to leave and be somewhere else. Do whatever you want for the meantime."
Before anyone could respond, the Warden moved back as he phased through the affixed door. Reinhard went to the other side and saw nothing, confirming to the cast that the Warden had left them.
"Where do you think he went?" Felt asked, crossing her arms.
"If I may guess, Felt-sama, he went to get Felix and the others." Julius replied, a hand on his chin.
"So, what are we goin' ta do now?"
"Continue the story, I suppose. I want to learn more of…my actions here in this world. I haven't even heard nor met most of you."
Subaru answered Anastasia to the dismay of some of the cast; the impending event of their meeting was not a pleasant experience to state the least.
"I-if that's what you want, Subaru." Emilia stated hesitantly as she resolved herself to continue her tale.
…
…
"Well, isn't this jolly?" Meili said sarcastically, sitting on her bed, as she looked at the others, each positioned in their own corner. Taking a chair each, the other four sat and placed themselves at various parts within the confines of their room. Everyone was on alert as they waited for the Warden. Beatrice and Ryuzu sat silently, taking glimpses and immediately looking away when the other noticed them. Carcoven sat still, looking aside with a hand shielding her face, Felix peering at her nonetheless.
Meili sighed as she remembered the discussion that happened prior:
A while back after stating a need for rest, Beatrice and the others took a seat and placed themselves at their selected corner, overseeing the other. With nothing else to do, Felix questioned the three about their backgrounds, the three giving vague answers in return. Changing the topic, he asked the three about the origins of the Mabeasts that attacked them.
Faced with silence, Felix listed possible reasons including the one he heard from Subaru. Upon hearing Subaru's stated possibility, Carcoven's face twitched as her eyes flickered. Felix and Beatrice honed at the pink-haired lady, the latter covering her face with her muffler. When pressed, Carcoven slinked back to her seat with tears on her eyes, not wanting to talk anymore.
Even with her meek demeanor and crying form, the two were still wary of her, unknowing of her situation and origin. Meili sympathized with Beatrice and Felix, knowing who the cloaked lady really was and what she was hiding. Sensing a standstill, Felix decided to withhold questioning until they reconvened with the others, Beatrice agreeing with him.
Meili sighed again when a chiming sound filled the room.
"Hello everyone, have you missed me?"
Following the chimes was a booming voice, its tone familiar to those present within the room. The five looked up, some in surprise, others in irritation.
"Wow, he really does talk over you." Meili commented, looking up.
"Warden, are you going to reunite us with the others, I suppose?" Beatrice questioned.
"Indeed, just go out of the door and you'll be transported there."
The Warden stated; the cast looked at the door, the single point of entry to the room they resided.
"B-but…what's beyond the door is…"
"Don't worry, I've changed the location that lies beyond the door. You won't see the carnage from before."
The Warden said, alleviating the worries Ryuzu had.
"The carnage…" Felix uttered as he remembered what the three had faced before meeting them.
"The remains of the Ulgarms are nyoutside then." He muttered. Although curious at how the Mabeasts met their end, reconvening with the others was his priority. If that's the case, …
The others watched as Felix stood up and went to the door. Opening it a bit, Felix was surprised to hear…nothing on the other side.
"W-what's the meaning of this, I suppose?" Beatrice queried, expecting voices from the cast greeting them.
"Are nyou sure that where we're going to is where the nyothers are?" Felix asked the Warden as he closed the door.
"Indeed, although my control is slowly returning, some…things are still wonky, to state the least. The door is connected to the hallway leading to the theatre. If you don't trust me on that, I'll just translocate you all in groups of two."
The Warden answered as he gave them another option.
"Translocation…like what nyou did to us to get here?" Felix questioned, remembering the sudden shift of location he'd felt. Faster than a blink, Felix was surprised at the sudden change of surroundings.
"If there are five of us, a total of three tripping is necessary for all of us to be transferred to the theatre where the others are, I suppose." Beatrice mused, a hand on her chin.
"Carmilla, ask him about the specifics of his translocation. How long the interval is between transfer? If there are any side effects?" Echidna called out to the Witch of Lust.
Nodding to herself, Carcoven raised her hand meekly as she asked for more explanation with regards to his translocation skill.
"Hmm, Car-neesan…has a point…to be worried." Meili said, peering at the Carcoven, as she left the bed and fixed her clothes, readying herself for when they leave.
"Car-neesan…y-you mean me?" Carcoven queried, pointing to herself, as Meili nodded in turn.
"She has a point. Can nyou do the tripping in quick succession?"
"Unfortunately not; a cooldown of around fifteen to thirty minutes interval is needed."
The Warden answered Felix's question. Hearing this, the five contemplated on the choices given to them; whether they translocate by groups straight to the theatre or they enter through the door and walk straight to the theatre.
"So there are two choices, hmm. Which do you think is better?" Minerva asked as she faced the Witch of Greed, the latter pondering the options.
"To be honest, both options have their own pros and cons; going through the door altogether will benefit us as none will be separated even though we'll have to trek through the hallway to reach the theatre, unknowing of how while translocating will ensure immediate contact with the cast although some of us will remain here in waiting." Echidna mused.
"If the end goal, hah…is the same, hoh…won't it be better, hah…to just teleport, heh." Sekhmet stated languidly.
"Oh, won't it be better if we go out through the door. We'll be adventuring like before." Typhon said smilingly.
"D-don't remind me, those Mabeasts are s-scary." Carmilla whimpered, her voice resounding within the Castle of Dreams, as she remembered the hardships she and the two girls had after being chased by the Ulgarms.
"Why not bo~th then. He didn't tell us that that option is not available." Daphne suggested, her head lying on the table, as she faced the others.
"You have a point, Daphne. Carmilla, ask the Warden about the possibility, if you may." Echidna told the Witch of Lust.
"I-if that's the case, then why not…b-both then. Two of us c-can be translocated in a-advance to tell the cast while th-the rest walks through the hallway. I-it's not liked the distance can be that far, r-right?" Carcoven suggested, stating a third option.
"That…is possible. The hallway outside has already been set although it is still a distance to the theatre."
"…What do you mean by still a distance to the theatre?"
"Beyond the theatre are the temporary lodgings our captor has accommodated for us, me and the others in the theatre, in fact. They're all interconnected by the hallway he mentioned, I suppose."
Meili repeated the Warden's final remark, puzzled by the tiresome hurdle placed, as Beatrice gave an explanation to its span.
"The Warden did tell nyou about the others, right? The ones waiting back at the theatre?" Felix questioned the three to reaffirm what they knew, the three nodding in return.
"And he can't change the location beyond the door by the looks of it. So, which option are we going to choose?" Meili asked as they contemplated with the options, weighing their pros and cons.
"Echidna, what do you think is the best course of action?" Carmilla asked the Witch of Greed, the latter replying, "Each options have their own merits. Taking into account everything, the options and our current standing with Betty and the knight, the best course of action would be…"
"Um, I…have a s-suggestion?" Raising her hand, Carmilla spoke stutteringly as she garnered everyone's attention.
"I-I think that it would be better f-for us if we do the th-third option." She continued, looking aside to avoid the stares directed at her.
"Why so?" Felix asked, crossing his arms.
"W-with regards to the o-options given to us, the ones in which w-we join the others the fastest m-must be prioritized. W-with that in mind, two of the th-three options enable us to immediately b-be in the same space with the theatre."
"The first option in which we all pass through the door and walked down the hallway…"
"Or the third option, a combination of the two earlier options, I suppose; the one you're suggesting, in fact."
Felix and Beatrice concluded Carcoven's explanation.
"So, nyou're suggesting that we split up so the ones that translocate can tell the others in advance." Felix questioned Carcoven, the latter nodding in turn.
"As much as I agree with telling the others in advance, splitting up will be unwise, I suppose. There will also be the question on who goes to the theatre first and who walks, in fact" Beatrice asserted.
"We~ll, if the problem is splitting up, won't it be better for our captor to explain our situation in advance." Meili suggested, pointing upwards at the ceiling.
"A wise suggestion, albeit impossible to do as of now. After this, I'll tackle the viewings to avoid showing some things that shouldn't be shown. I'm only here to ensure that the five of you rejoin the others."
The Warden stated, shutting down Meili's proposal.
"Regardless of which, the second option will take the longest, I suppose. It will take an hour at most for all of us to be at the theatre, in fact." Beatrice mused as the others agreed.
"And we will also decide who goes first and in what order, right?" Meili added.
"Um, what if…u-using the third option, the ones w-who goes to the theatre t-tells the others and get s-some of them to meet th-those that walked back at the hallway." Carcoven proposed, earning herself looks from the others.
"That…that might work, I suppose." Beatrice held her chin as she contemplated Carcoven's proposal.
"We do have some people that can properly nyescort those who chooses to walk." Felix said as he thought of the other knights and mercenaries left in the theatre. Felix sighed as he continued, "I wonder what they're doing right nyow?"
…
…
"…and then…and then, we have an…argument." Emilia stuttered between sobs, recalling the heartbreaking scene. Subaru hid his face with his hands as he listened. Most of the cast looked aside with misery and sadness etched on their faces, others were indifferent. Everyone was attentive as Emilia told her recollection, a painful scene they'd watched before, the scene of her and Subaru's separation in the Capital.
Emilia winced at the recollection as the wound in her heart was opened once again; Subaru was disappointed at the Subaru before due to his actions and its escalation, culminating to his quarrel with Emilia, and at himself for knowing that he would probably do the same if he was in his own shoes, inexperienced as he was with the reality of this world.
She had continued her story, recalling their actions during the day of their arrival; revisiting the Appa salesman, their first meeting with Julius, their first encounter with Priscilla and the ensuing commotion with the thugs, encountering Rom later on. The first day had shown to be a handful experience, one that paled in comparison to the events the day after had. Inevitable the upcoming scenes were, Emilia tried to downplay the events, qualifying her statements, only to be corrected by Priscilla. The fiery candidate had explained that the boy had to learn more of the experience and reality of their world, whether it be good or bad, especially if it was directly related to him and his actions. Hearing her explanation, Subaru agreed with her sentiment, telling Emilia not to worry too much; a decision he would regret.
Emilia winced as she looked down. Seeing this, Crusch took over the reminiscence as she retold the story. Emilia had told before, after introducing the candidates and their factions, about his arrival and interruption to the start of the Royal Selection which ended with an argument between her and Subaru. Although correct, the statements she used was overly generalized; generalizations Priscilla rebuked as incomplete information.
Crusch told the truth as Subaru's expression worsened, the latter hearing his reckless act of stupidity as it escalated; his unannounced arrival at the castle with Priscilla and his tirade on everyone present, projecting himself as a white knight for Emilia, events that culminated to his duel with Julius. The Spirit Knight winced at the memory of his battle with Subaru; less of a battle, more of a one-sided beatdown. Subaru, facepalming, was so out of it that he didn't realize when Emilia took back the narrative from Crusch as Emilia discussed the aftermath sobbingly.
"Y-you've said…that I owe you m-more than you owe me…you're right, y-you're right." Emilia sobbed. After witnessing the context behind his rash actions, Emilia couldn't deny his words as false. Without him, she would not be alive against the bowel hunter. If she had survived Elsa, she would not be as open to the people in the mansion and the Arlam villagers as she was now, caged at the prejudice built upon her form. Without him, she and the people around her would have been killed by the Witch Cult. If she had survived Geuse, the news of their attack would stain her campaign for candidacy, deterring possible allies and being a conduit of calamitous trouble; she would have no choice other than to resign to avoid endangering the others. Without him, she would never break the trials of the Sanctuary; stagnant and childish she would become as she balled herself in self-loathing. Without him, …
"E-Emilia-chan, how can I be right? You're right. I, the me you've met, was acting like a privileged asshole. He was clearly in the wrong." Subaru retorted as he faced Emilia; the latter hunched down on her seat, her hands covering her face as she cried.
"Emilia-sa—"
"What's happening?"
"Felix-dono and—"
"Meili."
Rem's call of worry to her lady was interjected by a question, its source coming from one of the two people that had suddenly appeared from thin air, placed near the affixed door. Wilhelm and Frederica voiced their identities as the cast was surprised by the two's sudden appearance.
"H-hello everyone." Meili stated, meekly waving her hand, as she looked at the cast. The cast looked back at the girl with mixed emotions as they saw the state of her clothing.
Deterred by their gaze, Meili slowly moved back when she was stopped by a red-haired man, the latter grabbing her by the shoulder. Before Meili could react, a quick hand chopped to her neck made her fall unconscious. Catching her as she fell was the Sword Saint, Reinhard.
"Reinhard, what are you doing?"
"Detaining her, momentarily that is."
"Felix, where is Beatrice-sama?"
Felix called out his friend due to the latter's action, Reinhard stating his reason in doing so, as Julius queried Felix about the Great Spirit's whereabout. Even though the cast had seen her in action during the second act, Reinhard and Julius knew how much more of a threat Meili really was upon hearing Otto and Garfiel's reminiscent before; her control over multiple Mabeasts of varying types in spades was something to fear for.
'Reinhard…don't…hurt her. She saved Granny."
"Perish the thought, Garfiel. I thought none of such things. Her appearance is worse for wear."
Garfiel asked for leniency for Meili, upon seeing the state of her bloodied clothes, as Reinhard convinced him.
"Don't blame me; I heal wounds, nyot clothes. Gruesome as her clothing looked, she's fully healed." Felix assured as he watched Reinhard carry Meili to a seat on the side, away from the white door.
"Felix, where is Beatrice-sama? Why isn't she with you?" Julius repeated his question.
"More so, where are the others, Ryuzu and the cloaked lady?"
"Are they together?"
"Why are there only da two of ya?"
The cast followed with the questioning as the arrival of Felix and Meili showed incompleteness in expectation. Counting correctly, five people were expected to rejoin in the theatre. With only two of the five before them, the cast worried.
"A-ah, nyeah. They're on the hallway on their way here. The Warden couldn't transfer nyall of us here at quick succession." Felix answered as she pointed at the door at the back.
"The hallway, huh…that's going to be long." Ricardo mused as he looked at the entry way to the theatre, connecting to the vast hallway. During their entire time at the unknown space, the cast had stayed at temporary lodgings located beyond the theatre when not watching Subaru's life; all connected by the hallway. The hallway was connected to the plentitude of rooms with the same aesthetics and general design, all made to be lived upon; the cast had decided to use the rooms near to the theatre. His camp had tried to explore if there were an end before, finding none, as the hallway never stopped and the content became too repetitive. His lady planned to ask for Reinhard's assistance but that was delayed due to the severity of the latter viewings.
"If that's da case, I'll go meet with 'em. Escort them back here." Garfiel stated, pointing to himself with his thumb; half for duty to his camp, half for worry for the Ryuzu with them.
"I'll assist you in your task, Garfiel-dono, to atone for my actions from before." Wilhelm bowed at the blonde boy as he volunteered himself. Crusch nodded in agreement to his sentiment, allowing him to join Garfiel in retrieving the others.
"Well, that's the plan that we're going to do nyanyway." Felix scratched the side of his head with his forefinger as he listened to Garfiel and Wilhelm. Glancing at the Margrave at the back, Felix's eyes flickered as he remembered Beatrice's order.
"Roswaal-sama, Beatrice-sama has told me that you should join the group who would convene with them on the hallway." He continued.
The Margrave closed his right eye, as he peered at the knight with his left.
"We~ll, and what is the reason why I~'m being called upon?"
"Beatrice-sama told me nyou'll know upon seeing it nyourself."
Felix answered Roswaal's question, the latter raising a brow at the vague response. A hand to his chin, Roswaal grinned as he pondered Felix's answer.
"I~f she says so, I shall comply. I~'m also interested at the new guests that will be joining us." Roswaal said with a smile on his face.
"I will also join." Julius stated as he raised his hands.
"Hmm, aren't there too many of ya?"
"Understandable, the place they're going to is somewhere possibly unexplored, even by us."
"Let me join, let me join."
"Ahahaha…no."
Tivey answered his lady's query as Ricardo shut down Mimi's plea for participation.
"If that's the case…Julius, be careful." Anastasia told her knight, the latter bowing in turn.
Julius glanced at Subaru, the latter still comforting the sobbing Emilia as he hugged her. Even with Felix's arrival, the two were mostly concerned in mending their relationship. Aptly so, the Spirit Knight thought.
"Ra~m, you're in charge while I am gone."
"As you will, Roswaal-sama."
Roswaal ordered, the pink-haired maid bowing in response, as he looked at Subaru and Emilia.
"Garf, be careful."
"Don't worry too much, Sis. I can handle it. It's just…look 'fter them while I'm gone."
Garfiel assured her sister, his final remark enlaced with worry to his Cap'n and his lady. Frederica nodded as she glanced at the two being placated by Rem.
"Don't worry. We'll see to it." Petra added in assurance. Garfiel grinned at the response.
"Wilhelm, I expect all of you to go back safely. With the way this place is acting up…be on guard for everything." Crusch stated as she faced Wilhelm, the latter nodding in response.
With the four ready, they left the theatre to search for the three.