Normal: General setting, within the domain of the cast
Italics: Within the domain of the Castle of Dreams
Chapter 4: Doubts and Differences
"How long is this hallway, I suppose. Warden!" Beatrice yelled miffed as she and two others, placed behind her, treaded through the repetitive hallway; its content the same.
"A-are you really sure that th-this is the right way?" Carcoven asked as she surveyed the hallway; with only two ways to go, there was a fifty percent chance that they had gone the wrong way.
"Of course it is, I suppose. I've sensed my contractor in this space, in fact, albeit still in a distance. How…infuriating." Beatrice answered as she balled her fists in annoyance. The three had been walking for a while since they separated from Meili and Felix. Trusting the connection bound by the contract Beatrice had with Subaru, the three continued to tread to their destination with the Great Spirit as their guide. Although monotonous in design, the three were grateful that they faced no hurdles nor anything out of place, until…
"W-what's that?"
"A…table?"
"Hmm, could it be?"
The three commented as they saw a furniture on the hallway, a square table. The misplaced fixture was a familiar sight to the Great Spirit, being a common fixture on the rooms they rest on during her breaks on the viewing. Atop the table was a piece of paper weighed by a glass cup. Picking it up, Beatrice read its content and nodded.
"It seems we're…on the right track, I suppose." She stated as she placed the paper back on the table.
"W-what's written o-on it?" Carcoven asked, curious at the paper and its content. Ryuzu nodded in turn, feeling the same way as the cloaked lady next to her.
"It's a guide mark, I suppose. It is used to mark the progress made by that girl's camp when they tried to see what lays beyond the hallway, in fact." Beatrice answered as she peered through the hallway, seeing its monotonous content. Other than the table, the hallway remained the same.
"So, they tried to find ways out of this place."
"It seems so. Being stuck on a place unwillingly does make people want to leave it…or at the very least, inspect more of the place."
Minerva and Echidna discussed as the Witches inspected the paper on the table.
"Ooh, good drawing." Typhon said as she saw a drawing on the paper of a cat girl's head, alongside the text that indicated the table as a marker.
"Indeed, it is hah… I think she's, hoh…a friend of the boy, heh." Sekhmet remarked, gazing at the screen with her head slumped on the table; her vision limited by her hair.
"Th-that girl…i-is it Crusch-sama?" Ryuzu queried, remembering the name given by Felix to the one he served under. Albeit quiet during their walk, she was attentive to the two; one she knew and the other, a stranger whose face she couldn't perceive. Out of place and seemingly alone, the pink-haired half-elf tried to join their discussion. Even though her first reunion with Beatrice was thorny to state the least, Ryuzu wasn't willing to give up on her friend and herself. Unsure of where she got the courage from, she was grateful for it nonetheless.
"It's…not her, I suppose. It's another candidate, in fact." Beatrice replied briefly, ending the matter, as she looked aside to avoid eye contact with Ryuzu.
"I-is that so…" Ryuzu said, minutely wincing, at Beatrice's reaction. Balling a fist, Ryuzu resolved herself to clear any misunderstanding between them. Witnessing the exchange, …
"Won't it be, hah…problematic if, hoh… you undo your, heh…authority?" Sekhmet questioned upon seeing Ryuzu.
"Although it is Carmilla's Authority that has given Ryuzu resolve to push through and not fall to despair, her zeal to mend their friendship and reunite with the people she knew sustains her belief. There is no problem." Echidna answered as she took a bite from a biscuit she'd taken on the table before them.
"So, what you're saying is that…she's currently acting without the influence of Carmilla's Authority?"
"Not wholly, I suppose, since it is that that saved Ryuzu from despair and self-loathing. It's just the positivity she's given her made the girl more open than before. In her own way, that is."
Echidna replied to Minerva's query, the latter nodding in understanding.
"Dona-Dona, whe~n have you become a connoisseur of the heart?" Daphne smiled as she faced the Witch of Greed.
"Ah, Chidna's finally learning empathy." Typhon grinned as she raised both her fist jovially.
"Astute observation built upon preconceive notion. Once you've…thought less, irrational actions will seem more rational." Echidna replied.
"E-emotional doesn't… mean i-irrational, Echidna. I just…I just wanted to give th-that girl a chance to be open, honest, with Betty." Carmilla added, her voice echoing within the Castle of Dreams.
"And don't connect dumbing down to being emotional. It's…it's not right." Minerva chided, failing to prove a point at the end, as she knitted her brows.
"C-can you tell us more about this candidate." Carcoven asked, trying to continue the conversation.
"We…can talk about it later, I suppose. When we joined the others back at the theatre, in fact." The Great Spirit answered, without looking back at the cloaked lady, as she peered through the hallway and saw…
"Hmm, it seems that they've arrived, I suppose." She continued upon seeing multiple familiar figures beyond coming at them, a blonde boy at its helm running. Seeing the three, the others followed as they increased their pace.
"Th-they?" Ryuzu queried as she hid herself behind Carcoven. With the exception of Beatrice, everyone she had seen and met so far were strangers. Fortunately, Carcoven didn't seem to be a threat, just mysterious and meek.
"Th-the people that the knight has sent, it seems." Carcoven answered, standing still, as her chance to moved back was halted by Ryuzu. Unseen by the two girls, Carcoven was sweating, unsettled by the upcoming group.
"Mila, it's going to be alright." Typhon assured.
Nodding to herself in assurance, Carcoven watched as she and the two girls waited for the group to meet them.
…
…
Some time prior to seeing the three, the four people tasked in meeting Beatrice and the two guests were along the hallway not far from the theatre. Having left the vicinity where they rest, Garfiel widened his eyes at what he saw.
"What is this place?"
"I know. That's my general reaction upon seeing this place."
Julius added to Garfiel's amazement as they saw the hallway's monotonous setting. A direct line connecting the theatre on one end to a seemingly endless array of rooms, all of which are the same; everything was. The monotony surprised Garfiel, everything was the same from the doors and the Lagmite ore used to their designs.
"They're all the same, it seems."
"I~ndeed, the place seems made to fit to house a lo~t of people. Too~ much more than us."
Wilhelm and Roswaal discussed the rooms as the former stepped out of one, having inspected its content.
Tilting his head upwards, Garfiel used his nose to sense the three and found none. As he was about to walk once again, a clapping sound resounded on the hallway. Garfiel and the others looked back at the source, the Margrave with his raised hands.
"What is it?"
"My, my. Ho~w hostile, aren't you? I ju~st want to say something first, before we continue. A clarification, if you will."
Roswaal answered Garfiel's query, the latter miffed at being delayed.
"A clarification? For what, Roswaal-sama?" Julius asked. A prospected usurper as he was, Roswaal still held the title as the Court Mage of the kingdom. Until a clearer picture was seen through the viewings, the Spirit Knight decided to be cordial…for now.
"About Ryuzu." Roswaal briefly replied, his tone stern. The change in intonation denoted to the others the seriousness of the Margrave. Garfiel gulped at the implication, racking his brain on what Roswaal was about to reveal. Glancing at the others, he continued, "Wilhelm, the girl we are about to meet, the one named Ryuzu, has the same visage as the witch you knew four decades ago. But I assure you, they are not the same people."
"W-what?" Wilhelm uttered as he, along with Julius and Garfiel, processed the information revealed. Garfiel's eyes widened as his hunch before was proven to be concrete. Julius glanced at Wilhelm and then Garfiel. Having secondhand information about Sphinx and Ryuzu, the Spirirt Knight couldn't fully comprehend how the two could be…
"Is it…because of the Witch of Greed?" Julius questioned Roswaal, stating a possible link weaved through the lacking information he'd perceived. Farfetched as it may seem, …
Roswaal nodded in confirmation, silent at his reply.
"I prefer it for her to be addressed as Echidna. Such distinction cladded with enmity isn't needed during the present time. That title had died four centuries ago, being a victim to the ever-living Witch of Envy." Roswaal stated as he glanced downwards. The absence of his verbal quirk made the others take his statement more seriously.
"W-why? Why did she…how could she…" Wilhelm couldn't finish his questions, wincing, as he balled his fists. Minutely shaking, he hit the wall with his fist.
"It is…something I cannot say, I prefer not to say. But with how the viewings are slated…"
"Even so, that doesn't mean we have to wait, Roswaal-sama. What…why?"
Julius rebutted Roswaal's response, confronting the Margrave to continue. Garfiel watched the exchange with anticipation when…
"Wilhelm…san?"
"Wilhelm…"
The three looked at the old man, the latter emitting an aura of hostility, as they guarded up instinctively.
"Wilhelm-san, you need to calm down." Julius said as he tried to placate the old man. Fortunately, Wilhelm had neither reached for his sword nor made any other move to solidify the rancor he's experiencing. He was gritting his teeth as he exuded his aura, the tension within their vicinity increasing.
"Does she…know about this?"
"She…my grandmother, I suppose. She…knew."
Roswaal briefly answered Wilhelm's question as Julius and Garfiel watched the exchange, ready to intervene if needed.
Hearing the Margrave's answer, Wilhelm looked down as he contemplated. A calamitous and heartless witch with an appearance of a child, Sphinx decimated anyone that stood on her way, regardless of affiliation; he had seen her in action firsthand. For her to be related to a Witch of yore, one other than Satella, was a possibility he had not foreseen; a Witch related to the Mathers family more so. If the connection existed, why had Julia, Roswaal's grandmother, not divulged it to the Royal Guards. A train of thought appeared for the secrecy, one that was born out of necessity. Even though having a title of Court Mage, Julia's main prowess was not in magic but in physical strength and combat, as if to cultivate a counter against…
Wilhelm gazed at Roswaal, his enmity receding. Even though the tension was alleviating, the others were still on guard.
"Roswaal…answer this honestly. How sure are you that the girl we're about to meet is different…from the one I knew, the one you're grandmother had fought?" Wilhelm queried, his tone stern, indicating no room for fallacies. Without the expertise of his grandson and his lady to assist him, Wilhelm would have to derive Roswaal's answer by his instinct.
"You've witnessed it yourself. The two that have returned to the theatre are safe and sound. No anomalies were discovered between them by even among the most perceptive among us. Even though our venture was rushed by the urgency at hand, neither Reinhard nor Crusch detected any incongruity between the two." Roswaal explained. Julius nodded in agreement, not sensing anything out of the ordinary from his friend. Garfiel winced as he remembered the state Meili was in when she reappeared with Felix, her clothes dyed with dried blood from the Mabeasts she'd fought and controlled.
"The origin of Sphinx's…descent to madness is irreproducible. And in addition, Beatrice-sama is with them to oversee things in her end. Her title of Great Spirit isn't just for show. Worse comes to worse, the Warden will have to intervene." The Margrave continued as he peered through the seemingly unending hallway.
"Irreproducible…I'll concede to your points…for now. Indeed, Crusch-sama and my grandson would have noticed if there are anything out of place during the time. But even so…these questions will only be delayed until we join back to the theatre with Beatrice-sama and the two guests." Wilhelm said as Julius nodded in agreement. With new revelations and connections from years past having surfaced, clarity and understanding on the matter was necessary. Even with the possibility that these would be clarified through the viewings, they and the cast in general wouldn't know when it would show due to Subaru's looping. To prevent unwanted speculation and misunderstanding, answers were needed with urgency from the people present and in connection to the events.
"If…if we're done here, my amazin' self suggest we continue with what we're supposed ta do."
"I concur. We can discuss more once we convene with Beatrice-sama. We'll assume in good faith that the two with her are not threatening."
Garfiel and Julius voiced their sentiments, the former straightening up from his combative stance as he saw no more need to be wary. Roswaal nodded as the four continued treading the hallway in search for the three.
Placed at the back, overseeing the others, Roswaal muttered, "Ho~w worrisome. I hope that things are well on your end, Bea—"
…
…
"—trice-sama, it's good to see you safe and unhurt."
"Hmph, don't belittle me, I suppose. I am confident of my own prowess, in fact."
Beatrice replied to Julius' sentiment, having convened with each other's group.
"I-i-is there a-anything w-wrong?" Carmilla questioned, her head peering out the door, as she and Ryuzu retreated to one of the rooms. Ryuzu was on her knees, panting, as fear etched across her face.
"Do I look that threatenin'?" Garfiel asked, pointing to himself, as he worried for Ryuzu. He knew that the Ryuzu before him was different to a majority of the copies that had populated the Sanctuary before, ones devoid of general thought and emotion; the sheer fear she showed emphasized that.
"Your demeanor does carry an air of…incivility." Julius replied as Garfiel glared at him.
"Hah, da clothes are made ta prioritize maneuverability over fashion. But even so…" Scratching the back of his head, Garfiel said as he looked back at the cloaked lady, the latter peeking as she nearly closed the door, only providing a gap for her to peer through. Seeing the exchange from afar were Wilhelm and Roswaal.
"Do you still think of them as the same?"
"I cannot…after witnessing that. But even so, can you explain what that was about?"
"I would like to know. Her reaction is too severe."
Roswaal, Wilhelm, and Julius exchanged among themselves, the Margrave's verbal quirk absent.
Undeterred at the questions, Roswaal eyed Beatrice, unknowing at what had transpired. Upon meeting, Ryuzu halted at seeing Roswaal, placed at the rear along with Wilhelm when his group approached hers, as her breathing became frantic. Garfiel and Julius were about to assist her when the cloaked lady, whose appearance was similar to the Warden, stopped them, grabbing Ryuzu and barricading themselves in the nearest room.
"It seems that Roswaal's appearance was unsightly to her, I suppose. Reminiscent to a clown of the past that she knew, in fact." Beatrice answered in Roswaal's behalf, emphasizing bitterness at the word 'clown'. Listening keenly, Roswaal's eyes flickered at understanding, unbelieving of the revelation.
"I-is that so…but if that's the case…" Roswaal uttered as he tried to approach the room occupied by the two, when…
"What do ya think ya're doin'?" Garfiel asked, his arm outstretched, as he blocked Roswaal.
"I'm just going to test my hypothesis." Roswaal answered as he eyed the door and the lady whose face he couldn't perceive. Witnessing the exchange, the cloaked lady fully closed the door and locked it, the low clicking sound of the door's lock heard by the others.
"What do we do? What do we do? What do we do?" Carmilla queried, her distraught voice echoing within the endless space of the Castle of Dreams.
"Start by comforting Ryuzu."
"Carmilla, hah…calm yourself, hoh…first."
Minerva and Sekhmet gave varying suggestions as they watched the whimpering form of Ryuzu being reflected on their metia.
"Carmilla, Sekhmet is right. Calm yourself first. A muddled mind won't do us any good."
"Worse comes to worst and you can end all problems with your Authority, Mila-Mila."
"Please don't."
Echidna reinforced Sekhmet's point as Daphne suggested an ultimatum much to Minerva's dismay.
Carmilla composed herself as she approached Ryuzu, removing her hood. Upon seeing her face, a wave of familiarity hit Ryuzu as she remembered about the pink-haired lady before her, along with her other forms, the first being that of her master. Ryuzu also remembered the trick Carmilla did to ease her and gave her courage prior to them separating with Meili and the knight.
"W-wha…" Ryuzu stopped as Carmilla hugged her, the latter patting her head. Her eyes widened, a surge of emotions overwhelming her, as her heart beat faster. Same as before, the anxiety and fear she had was slowly diminishing.
The room was generally quiet as Carmilla silently placated Ryuzu. If seen by those unaffiliated, a lovely picture of sisters could be witnessed; a scene far from the truth.
"A-are you alright?" Carmilla queried as Ryuzu silently nodded in response.
"I…I'm okay." Ryuzu answered as she wiped off her tears. Seeing her calm down, Carmilla slowly let go of Ryuzu as she stood up.
"It seems so, h-how about we…um, sit down on a chair or b-bed." Carmilla suggested, reaching a hand out to the girl on the floor. Ryuzu nodded as she grabbed Carmilla's hand to help herself stand, bowing at her action; Carmilla bowed in turn.
Sitting on a chair, Ryuzu watched Carmilla as the latter went to the food cabinet to take some refreshments and glasses, readying them on a tray.
"I-I've heard that eating i-is a good way to relieve stress. C-care to try." Carmilla asked as she placed the tray of refreshments on the table. Ryuzu glanced at the food on the table before looking at the door.
"D-don't worry about th-them. They're n-not the type of people w-who would inte—" Carmilla stopped, flinching, as someone knocked on the door the two were looking at; her abrupt reaction made Ryuzu flinch in turn.
"Is…everything alright in there, I suppose?" Beatrice questioned on the other side; her tone enlaced with concern.
"U-um, y-yes, we're fine." Carmilla answered briefly as she looked at Ryuzu, the latter nodding in agreement.
"May we come in?" Julius asked.
"Um…should we?" The Witch of Lust queried to the other Witches, uncertain on how to react.
"They have been sent to retrieve us; our attendance necessary for the viewings to continue. They'll never leave without us." Echidna reminded the Warden's instructions.
"So in short, we either let them in or we go out. Do you think they are patient enough to deal with us?"
"Or we could, hoh…stay here, hah…indefinitely."
"We~ll, as long as there is food to eat…"
Minerva, Sekhmet, and Daphne voiced their opinions, offering no viable solution.
"B-but regardless of the options, th-there is still the matter about…her possible interaction with R-Roswaal." Carmilla warned, worried about the chance that Ryuzu would relapse upon seeing him again. The Witches knew what she meant, having peered through the girl's life during their time back at the Sanctuary. A victim of happenstance, Ryuzu's cherished life was given an end for her to fulfill her purpose as the core of the Sanctuary; a deed she achieved prematurely due to the Devil of Melancholy's untimely arrival.
"Indeed. Betty's suggestion backfired. It seems Roswaal is needed to be out of sight from the girl. At the very least, until he is more…presentable. Why does he copy the Devil's…eccentricity?" Minerva agreed, placing her hands on the table, her fingers intertwining, as she asked about Roswaal's peculiarity.
"Many reasons, I suppose. A remnant of the past to anchor his memory to the Devil, stoking the fire of hatred and spite he had for him. A reminder of his failure back at his confrontation with him, an inevitable result; magic alone is no much against an Authority. Regardless of which reason he chose, I'll welcome it with open arms. What type of mentor would one be if she was unaccepting of her student's decisions?" Echidna stated as she refilled her cup with tea before drinking some of its content.
"Why don't…Mila-Mila tell them…to let Ros-Ros…leave first so…Ry-Ry and Ty-Ty can feel better?" Daphne suggested as she rolled her face on the food on the table, absorbing the snacks and plates near her. Other than the pink-haired half-elf, a green-haired Witch was scowling, arms crossed, kicking the air as she sat; a way to show her sulkiness. Regardless of his affiliation to Echidna, Roswaal had been witnessed by the Witches, his machinations unraveled, when they glimpsed Subaru's memories; a certified baddie. With a baddie such as him running amok, how else could Typhon react, powerless to intervene herself, but to sulk in self-disappointment.
"Um…w-we can let you in if y-you're not c-confrontational, and that…h-he is left outside until he's…m-more presentable." Carmilla called out, listing her demands, as she stood up. What followed were some muffled sound on the other side, a discussion by Beatrice and the others in relations to her demands.
"Don't worry about him, I suppose. He'll wait outside, in fact." Beatrice assured, her clear response indicating her placed near the door, to the two within the room.
"Wilhelm-san will be with him." Julius added.
Even without naming, the two knew who the cloaked lady was talking about. The Great Spirit knowing more the reason why she did so.
Hearing their response, Carmilla glanced at Ryuzu as she signaled the latter for her consent. Ryuzu was hesitant but relented in the end, giving permission to let the others enter.
"Carmilla, hah…wear your hood, hoh."
"Don't Carmilla, you'll reset the progress you've made with Ryuzu."
Sekhmet and Minerva voiced their sentiments, reminding Carmilla about the perception blocker. Since Typhon was sulking, the decision on was left to the Witch of Greed.
A hand to her chin, Echidna pondered. Reaching her conclusion, she stated for Carmilla not to hide her face currently, reasoning that there would be a better time later. The Witch of Lust reluctantly complied.
Nodding to herself, Carmilla faced Ryuzu and with a low voice, to avoid being eavesdropped, told the latter to address her as Carcoven. Ryuzu nodded as she watched her slowly approached the door and slowly unlocked it. Opening a small gap to take a peek outside, Carcoven internally screamed at the sight of the others looking back at her. Losing her balance, Carcoven was about to fall to the floor when the door opened fully as Julius quickly entered and caught her, one hand on her waist the other grabbing her hand. Pulling her up, Carcoven instinctively held on Julius's arm with her free hand for support; an intimate scene if seen by those unknowing of the situation.
"I-I-I'm s-sorry."
"It's no problem. Are you alright?"
Julius queried, his cheek a tinge of light pink, in response to Carcoven's apology, the latter letting go from his hold as she stepped back and covered the lower half of her face with her muffler. Beatrice's eyes widened, not at the exchange but at the pink-haired lady, as familiarity set in.
"Carcoven…" The Great Spirit uttered, entering the room with Garfiel, as tears started to well on her eye. Noticing this, she wiped her eyes and looked at her hand, surprised at why she started tearing up.
"So, ya're cute…wait, what?!" Garfiel stammered, his eyes widening, as he covered his mouth, unbelieving of what he'd said.
"Carmilla, you haven't stopped your Authority." Minerva reminded, facepalming, to the Witch of Lust as she witnessed how Julius and Garfiel were acting.
Withdrawing her Authority, the ambience normalized as the three inspected themselves, wary at their sudden change in demeanor earlier; how their emotion went in disarray.
"I-is there anything wrong?" Carcoven asked, acting passive, as she knew that they would detain her if they found out what she did to them. She internally winced as she remembered that her Authority was more controllable than before.
"N-nothing, I suppose." Beatrice replied as she glanced at Ryuzu, the latter standing up in turn.
"Hmm, so ya're famished, it seems. How long have ya walked?" Garfiel pointed out, seeing the refreshments on the table, as he asked the Great Spirit.
"Infuriatingly long, in fact. If not for my contract with Subaru, I would have cursed the Warden indefinitely, I suppose."
"Please refrain from doing that, Beatrice-sama. You've known how he's machination is sent to disarray due to a Witch's meddling. We're fortunate that we've not encountered any Mabeasts on both our ways."
Julius stated as he placated the Great Spirit.
"Achoo." Echidna sneezed as she rubbed her nose.
"W-would you…like some?" Ryuzu queried, gesturing to the refreshments on the table.
"We did walk a lot, Gra…Ryuzu. Ryuzu raise your right arm 'nd squat." Garfiel replied. Ryuzu was perplexed at his order as she glanced at Beatrice. The Great Spirit's eyes flickered at the sight; not for what she saw but for what she didn't.
"W-what is that?" Carmilla questioned the oddity the boy stated, ordering a weird set of instruction out of the blue. Watching the scene, Echidna grinned as she answered, "It is a test to ensure if the Ryuzu before them is a copy. The boy still holds his title as an Apostle of Greed after the liberation of the Sanctuary a year ago; a present and responsibility from me, in a way."
"But she…didn't follow his instruction."
"I remove her connection to the chain of command bestowed by the algorithm."
Echidna succinctly responded to Minerva's statement.
"What are you trying to do, Garfiel?" Julius asked as he faced the blonde boy, the latter facepalming.
"D-Don't worry about 't, just confirmin' somethin'. My apologies." Garfiel replied as he bowed to Ryuzu, the latter waving her hands to gesture the boy that she was alright.
"I-it's alright. I…I'm okay, um…" Ryuzu paused as she didn't know how to address the blonde boy.
"Garfiel, Garfiel Tinsel. That's ma name."
"My apologies for the late introduction. I am Julius Juukulius, a Royal Knight of the kingdom and in service to the candidate of the throne, Anastasia Hoshin."
Garfiel introduced himself as he smiled, his fangs showing; Julius following suit as he bowed elegantly.
"I-I'm Ryuzu Meyer."
Ryuzu introduced herself as she bowed. Upon hearing her name in full, Garfiel's eyes widened in disbelief.
"W-wha…"
"What is it, Garfiel?"
"I-it's nothin'."
"It doesn't seem to be just nothing."
"Know your place, I suppose. This is private camp matters, in fact."
Garfiel and Julius exchanged, the latter pressing through only to be halted by Beatrice. Even though curious at what they were hiding, Julius decided to respect their secrecy on the matter for now; there was a chance that what they're hiding would be revealed later on by the viewings.
"My apologies for my curiosity. With that, may I ask for your name." Julius apologized before facing the pink-haired lady.
"M-me, y-yes, my name i-is Carcoven." Carcoven answered, her hands clasped together to her chest.
"If I may, are you two sisters?"
"N-no."
"It can't be, in fact."
Carcoven and Beatrice answered Julius's query, stating the knight's conjecture to be untrue.
"I-is that so…" Julius said as he glanced at the two pink-haired girls before apologizing again.
"That's a lot of sorry's ya got there."
"It's part of the uniform."
A hand to his chest, Julius replied to Garfiel's verbal jab. Garfiel grinned as the violet-haired knight affirmed his beliefs.
"So, what do we do fo' now?"
"Not let the food served be wasted, I suppose. Having concrete proof that we're on the right track, we can use a respite, in fact."
Beatrice answered Garfiel as she eyed the food served. Having convened with Roswaal and the others, the Great Spirit could rest assure that the path they'd taken was correct and that her time away from her Contractor would end. She just hoped that Subaru was alright back at the theatre.
"If that's the case, I'll tell Wilhelm-san and Roswaal-sama abou—"
"R-Roswaal…sama…."
"—t our plan."
Julius stated as Ruyzu uttered the name she was familiar with. Within an unknown space separated from a world she'd left behind and being given a second chance in life, Ryuzu valued the people she knew with great importance, people she was set to meet in this space. The benevolent Witch of Greed whose form although different, exuded the same aura she knew and awed; the white-haired Witch was currently resting within the body of the pink-haired lady, an anomaly unexplained to her. The compassionate Beatrice, daughter of the Witch and a friend to her. In spite of their thorny reunion, she was adamant in mending their relation, rekindling the friendship she sorely missed. And finally, Roswaal, the noble lord of the land where the Sanctuary was built, a dear master open to even someone like her, a half-blood.
Having seen him before during the viewing of the cast's experience within the theatre, Ryuzu knew that Roswaal was with them. Even then, she knew how different Roswaal had become, wearing clothes…unbefitting…of his…title…
"W-Why…" Ryuzu uttered, her eyes flickering, as clarity set in; the unbefitting clothes being suddenly familiar to her, to such an eerily extent, was reminiscent to a traumatic event at the end of her life. A sign of the Devil who had wreaked havoc in the Sanctuary, Ryuzu shuddered, unknowing neither why nor how Roswaal could wear such attire, such makeup.
"Is there anything wrong?" Julius queried as he approached Ryuzu, worried for the girl. Beatrice was about to follow but stopped midway. Internally grating in seeing her friend be scared and breakdown, Beatrice was starting to believe that the Ryuzu before her was the friend she'd lost four centuries ago. Wincing at herself, the Great Spirit balled her fists as she watched the event unfold.
"Why does…he…wear those…clothes?" Ryuzu queried, her voice trembling.
"It is in his eccentric nature to wear clothing of such…flamboyancy."
"He's a weirdo, schemin' one at that."
Julius and Garfiel answered.
"That hurts, even for me."
"To enter nonchalantly with auspicious timing is ingrained in you, I suppose. Don't you know how to knock?"
Beatrice questioned as she and the others saw Roswaal entered the room. The eccentric man had removed his cloak and replaced it with a black long-sleeved coat, a change done to hide most of the unbefitting clothing he was wearing. Gone was his makeup, dissolved by his magic, his clear face for all to see. With his left eye closed, he peered at the others with his right, its blue pupil surveying the contents of the room. Behind him was Wilhelm, the old man holding the Margrave's cloak. It was clear that the coat Roswaal was using was taken from Wilhelm, not that the latter minded.
Carcoven and Ryuzu were taken aback at the sudden entrance of the two men. Julius and Garfiel instinctively stood in between Ryuzu and Roswaal, blocking the latter two's vision of the other.
"With the slander I face within this room, even I should have the right to defend myself." Roswaal replied to the Great Spirit, his verbal quirk absent; both knowing the reason why.
"I should've slammed da door shut when I entered." Garfiel muttered, glaring at the Margrave.
"Roswaal-sama, aren't you not allowed to enter the room as per their demand?"
"Indeed, it has been said, as long as I was unpresentable; therefore, I've borrowed Wilhelm's coat to cover my…peculiar clothes. A compromise, I suppose. The lack of options limits one's actions, after all."
"But even if tha—"
"Roswaal…sama…"
Roswall answered Julius's query, the latter's rebuttal halted by Ryuzu's solemn calling. The others looked back at the pink-haired girl, the latter tearing up. Albeit his general appearance was vaguely similar from what she remembered, a more mature look from him since the last time they've met; his general demeanor was the same. Same with the Witch she'd served before, everyone she knew had changed, everyone except…
Wiping the tears off her eyes, Ryuzu glanced at Beatrice, the latter looking aside to avoid eye contact. Seeing her response, an undeniable thought surfaced on Ryuzu's mind: Alone. She was truly alone; everyone had changed and the one that didn't, dismissed her. Ryuzu knew deep within her that change was inevitable, clinging to the expectation that the world would be the same upon her return was only an ideal. Grimacing at the fact, she started crying again, buckling to her knees at the weight of her emotion. Even with the help of Carmilla's Authority, the tremor of unwanted solitude Ryuzu was experiencing was too much to bear: Echidna's transformation, Beatrice's repeated neglect and Roswaal's similarity to the Devil. Her sudden outburst shocked the others.
Garfiel and Julius went to calm the girl, as Roswaal watched with a forlorn expression. Beatrice gritted her teeth as she held her arm, her grip tightening, as she lamented in self-deniability; her thoughts and her emotions clashing at the authenticity of the crying figure before her.
"Could she really be…" The Margrave muttered upon seeing her genuine reaction. Her visage was synonymous to her base, a quality shared generally among the other clones, but her reaction and demeanor, nostalgic of a time past. Fragmented were his memories, byproduct of a taboo he necessitated for his goal, his recollection of the past, his very origin, was limited to the limited time he had shared with her, with Teacher; cherished memories he clung to that gave him the drive to continue living, even in a world without her Tome. And some within those was the presence of the pink-haired half-elf, a devoted Apostle of Greed, who, due to his incompetence, made the ultimate sacrifice to halt the advance of the Devil. Roswaal scowled at the remembrance, shaking his fists in silence.
"It's okay, it's okay. Don't cry."
"We're here. Ya're safe."
Julius and Garfiel crouched as each placed a hand on Ryuzu's shoulders, placating the crying girl.
"Carmilla, you should use your Authority."
"I advise not to, there are others present. Having already experienced your Authority, some might suspect you. But then again, such a path of actions does seem intriguing to witness."
Minerva and Echidna suggested as they watched the situation unfold; one out of worry, the other out of curiosity.
"I-I'm not like that boy. Be serious." Carmilla retorted, not wanting to be confrontational to the others. Sekhmet watched the exchange silently as she patted the sulking Typhon, indifferent to the situation outside.
Wilhelm stood near the entrance of the room, overseeing the situation; the two boys calming a crying girl, the Great Spirit and the Margrave's silent brooding, and the cloaked lady sitting on the bed, hands on the side of her head. With everyone in disarray, the old man could only sigh as he wondered what the others were doing, hoping that they were faring better than them.
…
…
"E-Emilia-chan, Rem-chan, s-stop. It hurts." Subaru pleaded, standing between the two, as he was being pushed from behind by Rem and pulled forward by Emilia. The three were standing on the entrance of the theatre as the two girls tried to take Subaru out of the theatre.
"I-I'm sorry, Subaru. I am so sure it is going to work."
"Sorry, Subaru-kun."
The two girls apologized as they stopped their actions, letting the boy go.
"Nyeed some healing?" Felix asked as he was tasked to oversee Subaru by his lady. He was leaning on his side on the wall next to the entrance.
"Nothing too serious, Felix."
Subaru waved off Felix's question as he raised a hand, palm facing forward, to touch the invisible wall before him, unseen to everyone and concrete to him alone. Seeing his open hand, Emilia reached out with hers and held his, their fingers intertwining. Unfortunately, Subaru couldn't close his hand due to the barrier. Rem pouted as she grabbed his other hand.
Felix sighed before looking down at the opposite end of the theatre, where the screen was placed, as he saw the screen in its entirety with no protrusion blocking the view; the affixed door was gone, disappearing suddenly moments prior. Standing near the screen were three people, his lady, his red-haired friend, and a pink-haired maid.
"Have you found anything?"
"Unfortunately none, Crusch-sama. No traces can be perceived, even by me."
"Just like before, it disappeared as it appeared, from thin air."
The three near the screen discussed as they inspected the vicinity where the affixed door was.
"Any conjectures to why this occurred, Crusch-sama?" Ram queried as she peered at her surroundings.
"As of now, just one; in relation to the Warden's mending of his control. He might have deemed the door useless now that the Great Spirit is on her way here with the two other additions." Crusch surmised, a hand on her chin, as she glanced back at Subaru and the others.
"With that said, it also relates to Subaru's predicament, being the impetus for its vanishing." She continued, the two nodding in turn, as they remembered what happened prior.
After Subaru and the others composed themselves from the retelling of his rash and immature actions in the castle, Emilia and Crusch continued the tale, not wanting to end in a sad note. Saddened as Subaru was, it amplified as the story continued, being told of his vision of an impending attack on the mansion and the ancient monstrosity tasked in cutting of the path to the mansion, trapping Emilia and the others to their demise.
What followed perplexed the boy as he was in disbelief at his actions, successfully allying with two candidates to stop the attack, leading to its success as he, along with his allies, killed the monster and the attackers. When the two candidates were asked by Subaru why they agreed to help a stranger who made a mockery of himself and exhaust their resources for the cause, Crusch replied that it was her duty to correct any errs, no matter how small, while Anastasia answered that he was deemed to be a future prospect, an investment in the making.
Emilia was about to continue, her expression gloomy, to tell the aftermath of their battle when Ram halted her, the maid adamant on her demand, as Rem looked aside wincing. Uncaring and not wanting to be bored, Priscilla coaxed Emilia to continue. An exchange of passive aggressive sass and verbal jab followed between the fiery candidate and the pink-haired maid, culminating to a standstill as the others intervened, not wanting an escalation. Meili woke up from her unexpected sleep only to be surprised at the cast. Fortunately, she was resigned and compliant as she sat in alert and surveyed the cast and her surroundings.
With nothing else to do and the viewing inactive, Priscilla excused herself sardonically, much to the disdain of the others, as she and Al left. Anastasia's camp followed, stating that without Julius and the others, the viewings wouldn't continue; a sentiment agreed upon by everyone. Feeling hunger, most likely from being inactive since the start of the viewing, Subaru decided to get something to eat. Eager to comply Rem and Emilia nodded as they led him outside, only to be stopped by an invisible force. Upon Subaru's contact with the unseen barrier, the door vanished.
"The Warden did state that Subaru's awakening is not planned. He'll soon lose his consciousness." Reinhard added, looking down in disappointment. The boy whose life they witnessed was with them, conscious and reactive; yet his memory was both gone, due to the supposed encounter with Gluttony, and restrained, due to the force contract given to him, most likely by the Warden. A friend who deemed him human, Subaru was a blank slate, unknowing of their world. A friendship he wanted to regain; Reinhard watched the black-haired boy and waited as the girls whose hearts he'd taken fawn over him. He hoped that he was at the very least given a chance to do so.
"Aren't you too touchy, Onii-san?" Meili teased Subaru as she, along with Petra, Frederica, and Otto, arrived back to the theatre. She, along with the other three, were carrying trays filled with a variety of refreshments, drinks, and dining utensils.
The four had went to one of the living quarters to take some food for Subaru to eat, as the latter was unable to leave the theatre. Not wanting to make him feel alone, they decided to expand the refreshment so the others could eat at the theatre with the boy.
Originally, Meili was planned to be guarded by Felt's faction during the duration of the viewing. But against her better judgment, Petra intervened and volunteered to guard Meili, Frederica nodding in agreement; a decision Ram decided to push through. Even though she was a prisoner during her entire stay within their camp, there was still a chance that Meili could divulge secret information within the camp, her sources coming from her frequent visitors. Felt sighed and relented upon seeing Petra's determination to guard the girl that lied and almost killed her. Fortunately, without Mabeasts to control, Meili was just an eccentric girl.
"Hey, everyone. Busy as you all are, I suggest we eat first."
"I-If that's what you want, Subaru-kun."
"Hmm, since we are not leaving the place per se, we can easily return to looking more clues."
"Ooh, food."
Upon seeing the assorted goods being delivered, Subaru smiled and called upon the others present within the theatre to have a brief respite; the others complied.
"Otto-san, have you seen Felt-sama?"
"Felt-sama was with Anastasia-sama."
Otto answered Reinhard's question, as the latter along with Ram and Crusch approached them. Eyeing the entrance next to him, Reinhard was called out by Felix, the latter stating that it was alright for him to leave them and return to his lady. Emilia nodded in agreement as she assured the Sword Saint of her prowess. Reinhard smiled at the thought and shook his head sideways, deciding to stay and investigate further within the theatre. The Sword Saint trusted that his lady was with good company, after all…
"Julius follows Anastasia-sama and trusts her verdict; if she was conniving and underhanded, he wouldn't have served under her." Reinhard muttered, Felix nodding in agreement.
With their worries temporarily abated, they ate the served refreshment as they awaited for the ones they'd sent in retrieving Beatrice and the two guests to return.
…
…
"So, ya're really uncompromising, aren't ya?" Anastasia queried as she faced Felt, the latter nodding.
"Yeah, with everything Big Bro had experienced…and soon to experience…he's just not a tool, he's a person." Felt said, stating the final part with bitterness. The two candidates were sitting in the middle of the hallway as they discussed the possible fate of Subaru in the future, after the viewing. The chairs and table they were using were taken from some of the rooms. Accompanying them were…
"I agree fully. But even so, Subaru wouldn't allow himself being separated from Emilia-sama." Tivey added, placing a tray of food he was carrying to the table. Expecting a long wait, he took the liberty to take some food for them to eat.
"Then we'll get her; Big Sis also saved my life that day. As a matter of fact, I'll openly accept everyone within her camp, except for the clown. I'll be jailing him after this is all over." Felt replied, slamming her fist on the table. Undeterred by the girl's action, Anastasia nodded in understanding.
"But…but we can provide them with protection; our network is vast. And we have lots of goods for them to use." Mimi explained, as she took a cookie and pointed it at Felt.
"No offense, but my camp has Reinhard." Felt nonchalantly retorted as she waved her hand.
"She…has a point."
"More like THE point."
Ricardo and Al added, the latter approaching them.
"What…are you doing here?" Tivey questioned Al, the latter waving at the group with his lone arm.
"Princess was being quite moody and pushed me out. Please don't tell her I said that." Al responded, regretting his answer midsentence.
"With that said, what are you all doing here?" He asked back, seeing the others sitting cozy in the middle of the hallway.
"We're waitin' fo' Julius and da others to return. After all, there's nothin' to do in da theatre if we're not complete." Anastasia answered as she peered through the monotonous and expansive hallway ahead. Having left the theatre early, neither Anastasia and her allies nor Priscilla with Al knew what had transpired with Subaru and the door. Felt knew but decided not to tell.
"This might take a while." Ricardo mused, remembering the time he, along with Mimi and Julius, treaded the place in search of something that could help them out in the long run; a futile effort mocked by the repetitive scenery before them, doors and fixtures placed exactly the same in repeat, each room the same content, furniture placing, everything was the same.
"You've got to wonder why he made so, so many rooms." Al quipped, seeing the rooms, as he spoke about their captor.
"We could make speculations just like before. Not that it would do us 'ny good." Anastasia replied, her arms crossed.
"Then I guess we'll just have to wait until they return." Felt said as she took a bite on a cupcake, the others nodded as they, except Al who was leaning on a wall nearby and deciding to join them on their wait, ate some of the food; their eyes hawked at the vast hallway ahead.