Before the next episode starts, a figure teleported behind Naofumi and Kazuma. The audience was shocked by this and prepared themselves for an attack.
"W-Wait! This thing behind us is not an enemy!" Kazuma said.
"Then why is he wearing that strange cloak?!" Garfiel angrily asked.
"And that strange thing on its shoulder?" Wilhelm asked as he points his finger to a rifle on the figure.
"You better watch out or I'll tie that tongue of yours. God has no room for people who are always consumed with anger and madness." The figure said.
"Huh?! God?!" Garfiel yelled and was stopped by Ryuzu.
"Let's listen to this figure, Garfiel. Maybe he's one of the gods that will accompany us to Baru's adventures and our future." Ryuzu said.
"Gods? Tch!" Garfiel said.
"I won't let myself introduce yet to you people." The mysterious figure said.
"Uh, why?" Otto asked.
"Classified. Naofumi and Kazuma, I leave the rest of these morons to you. So good luck." The figure said.
"Then what's your purpose to be here with us?!" Kazuma angrily asked. It whispered something to the two and they both nodded.
"I see. So she's starting to make her move again..." Naofumi said.
"That's all for now, humans. You'll see me soon once again but only in the time where... Subaru gets himself in a feast." The figure said and flew away.
"Feast?" Reinhard asked.
"I don't like that vibe of the feast it mentioned." Julius said.
"And if that thing's a god, why is it so small and has a cute voice?!" Minerva asked.
"Just don't mind that thing! Now, we're going to the starting point of the next episode. Let's go!" Naofumi exclaimed.
"Yeah!" Everyone replied as they all teleported now outside the mansion of Crusch and the sun rises.
"Is this..." Rem uttered.
"Emilia-sama and Natsuki Subaru-sama, I would gladly host you two at my home for as long as you need." Crusch said to Emilia and Subaru who are about to leave the mansion.
"We appreciate that, but we do want to get the villagers back home." Emilia said.
"We'll come back after we take them all home and talk to her sponsor, Roswaal." Emilia said.
"Very well. When you do, I hope I can finally repay my great debt to you." Crusch said.
"It's not that big a deal. You helped us out, too. We even get a reward. Right, Patrasche?" Subaru said on the Land Dragon and pats it. The beast cuddles him with its face and Subaru cried in pain.
"Are you all right, Subaru?" Emilia asked.
"Those scales hurt more than I expected. Now I know how a daikon radish feels when it's being grated!" Subaru whined and the women laughed.
"I wonder how those scales hurt." Otto said.
"Do you want me to brush your face with scales, huh?!" Garfiel asked.
"That's too rude, Garfiel." Ryuzu said.
"Where is Roswaal in this one by the way?" Crusch asked.
"I guess he was in the Sanctuary too. But what is he doing in there?" Anastasia asked.
"That's weird. Him in the Sanctuary? But why? To hide?" Crusch asked. Roswaal smiled and listened to the candidates whose topic is his status in the future.
"Subaru-kyun, I've secured Rem-chan. Be sure to keep her still." Ferris said.
"Okay." Subaru said.
You'll need your rest when you get back to the mansion, too." Ferris said.
"Me too?" Subaru asked.
"You've been working your gate over time since you were going up against Sloth. I did clean up all the toxins in your gate, but you need to let it rest for two months." Ferris said.
"Two months, huh? Well, surely all this crazy stuff can't keep happening for that long... Wait, did I just set a flag?!" Subaru asked in shock.
"All right, it's time for you to get going. Go on, Crusch-sama. Give them a few parting words." Ferris said.
"Emilia-sama, I wish you good health. I look forward to seeing you again very soon." Crusch said and offers her hand to Emilia.
"You too, Crusch-san. Please be well. Next time, I won't just be the one who always needs saving. I'll become someone who can help others." Emilia said.
"Seeing my new personality made me realize how polite I am to others at that time. I've changed a lot, huh?" Crusch said.
"But that's a good thing to see! Because you won't be that person again who has that brave and always shows her dignity to everyone as always." Priscilla said.
"I hope in the future, your memories get eaten so that you'll ask for Natsuki Subaru's help and you kneel at him." Crusch said.
"Hah?! As if I'll kneel with that idiot!" Priscilla angrily said.
'You're the idiot here.' Naofumi thought.
"Natsuki Subaru-sama, I wish you all the best in the future, too." Crusch said and offers her hand to Subaru who taps her palm. The Land Dragons roar and started to leave the mansion.
"I know we will meet again." Crusch said.
"Now let's go and follow them!" Naofumi said and flies away.
"Yeah!" Everyone replied.
Subaru covers the window of the carriage to prevent Rem get hit by the sun's rays. After doing it, he sits down beside Emilia.
"All right." He said.
"You know Subaru, you always sit beside me as if it's the obvious choice." Emilia said.
"Oh, is there something weird about that?" Subaru asked.
"No. I felt a little uncomfortable at first, but now it feels strange if you don't so it's fine." Emilia said.
"My painstaking efforts have finally been rewarded! I'm so moved!" Subaru exclaimed in joy.
"I know how you feel, Rem." Ram said.
"I know it too! Okay? Don't try to tease me, sister!" Rem pouted.
'She admits she's a bit jealous in here, huh?' Ram thought.
"You're teasing me again. I know you're still worried about Rem. There's no need for you to hide that. She's important to you, isn't she?" Emilia asked.
"She is! Super important! As important to me as you are!" Subaru replied.
"You're being very selfish. Are you aware of that?" Emilia asked.
"Sure, I am. Frankly, I feel like such scum, I wish I could die. But it's the absolute truth." Subaru said.
"Subaru..." Emilia uttered.
"Did you just say my name?" Otto asked all of a sudden.
"No, I didn't! Wait, have you been there all the time?" Subaru asked.
"Of course I've been here! Why do you think I decided to work with you?!" Otto cried.
"I'm just kidding. You want to negotiate with Roswaal in person. Yeah, yeah, I got it. Time to say goodbye to you for now." Subaru said and closes the small window of Otto.
"Oh, wa-"
"Negotiate with me in person, huh? What could it be all abooooout?" Roswaal asked.
"Eek! I forgot that he is right here with us flying!" Otto cried.
"Say, say, can you tell it to us while I'm here?" Anastasia asked.
"Of course not!" Otto cried.
After Subaru closes the window, the two looked at each other and started to laugh.
"I'm sure you'll find a way to get her back." Emilia said.
"Emilia-tan..." Subaru uttered.
"Also, I think you and I are the same in the sense that we act for our own selfish reasons. I realize that I'm participating in the royal selection for selfish reasons, too." Emilia said.
"Selfish?" Subaru asked.
"I'm sorry... I can't explain it very well. I don't want to hide anything from you, but I'm not sure how to put it into words." Emilia said. Subaru looked at how down Emilia was after what she had gone through from the past.
"We can talk everything out after we join up with Roswaal. He might know something about what happened to Rem, too!" Subaru said.
"Right." Emilia said.
"Let's hope Roswaal-sama can have the answers Subaru-kun needed about what happened to me." Rem said.
"Yes, my dear Rem." Roswaal said.
"I don't trust that clown-like the previous gods do." Kazuma whispered.
"So do I. Let's just observe how much he knows about what happened." Naofumi said.
"But you said they didn't know the future, right?" Kazuma asked.
"Yes but, he knows one thing about Subaru that everyone needs to find out." Naofumi said.
"You mean..." Kazuma uttered.
"You two, we'll be reaching our destination soon!" Otto said. The scene shifted as they have finally arrived on Arlan and noticed no one was there.
"No one's here." Petra said.
"No one around here, either." One villager said.
"What? Why?" The kids asked in worry.
"You mean the other villagers from the Sanctuary? Why is it?" Ram asked.
"Who knows. Let's listen further." Al said.
"This isn't good." Reinhard said.
"So Ram and the others haven't returned from the Sanctuary?" Emilia asked.
"Seems that way. By the way, Emilia-tan, do you know where the Sanctuary is?" Subaru asked.
"Huh? I thought you knew where it was." Emilia said and the two got confused.
"I know I'm late in asking, but what kind of place is the Sanctuary, anyway?" Subaru asked.
"I'm not sure, either. Roswaal only said it was like a secret base... and..." Emilia uttered.
"Secret base...?" Anastasia asked.
"That's a cool name for a secret base!" Mimi exclaimed.
"It isn't cool!" Hetaro said.
"That place must be one of his hidden fortresses." One villager said.
"I agree." Another villager said.
"People now start to talk about the Sanctuary where they stayed in the future." Naofumi said.
"And?" Subaru asked.
"Nothing, nevermind. I'm sorry. I should have asked." Emilia said.
"No, no! Even if we were in a hurry to get to safety, I'm the one who was way too careless!" Subaru said and the villagers looked at him.
"We'll just have to head to the mansion for now. Maybe we'll find some clues there. Otto, come with us!" Subaru said.
"What? To the mansion?" Otto asked.
"Don't be so scared after we've come this far. Take the carriage and the ground dragons around back, okay?" Subaru said.
"All right..." Otto said. Emilia and Subaru who carried Rem on his back finally reached the entrance of Roswaal's mansion.
"We're back, Rem." Subaru said to Rem.
"Yes, we are, Subaru." Rem said while seeing her body being carried by Subaru from above.
"She really loves Baru, after all." Typhon said.
"That's love if you'll ask me. Pure love!" Minerva yelled.
"Let me ask one thing from you." Reinhard said to the disguised witches.
"What is it about, Reinhard-sama?" Echidna asked, acting like she is innocent.
"Why are you calling Subaru Baru? Have you guys met him before? And that girl always yells all the time." Reinhard said.
"I'm sorry about her, she doesn't know how to speak gently." Echidna said.
'This knight might know our true identities!' She thought.
"Are you all right?" Emilia asked.
"Yeah. Come to think of it, I don't remember locking the door when we left. You think we got robbed?" Subaru asked.
"Beatrice stayed here, so I don't think we need to worry. Maybe she'll come get the door for us if we knock." Emilia said.
"She might come flying through it, looking for Puck." Subaru said.
"Puck? Puck? Huh? He's not responding. Maybe he's asleep." Emilia said.
"Or he's up to something!" Kazuma exclaimed.
"Kazuma..." Naofumi uttered.
"Me? Up to something? But why though?" Puck asked.
"It's just that... I don't trust you, mister Beast of the Apocalypse." Kazuma said.
"Beast of the-" Garfiel uttered.
"Hey! If you won't shut up, someone will shoot you in the head with God's blessing on it!" Naofumi yelled.
"Yikes! I'm sorry! I don't want to taste God's Divine Punishment!" Kazuma cried.
Subaru knocks on the door and waited for a response.
"Yes, one moment, please." A woman said and the door opened for them.
"Welcome home, Emilia-sama. I have awaited your return." A blond-haired maid bowing at the two appeared.
"Frederica?" Emilia asked.
"Yes, it is I, Frederi-" The maid named Frederica stopped as Subaru yelled.
"Those teeth are scary!" He cried.
Frederica was shocked a bit but laughed at it and everyone also laughed at what happened. Garfiel got a bit pissed at what Subaru said.
"That was unexpected to happen." Frederica chuckled.
"Subaru-kun doesn't hold back..." Rem uttered.
"Of course! Who could've thought that those teeth are sharp as hell!" Otto cried.
"And why?! Have you get yourself bitten by one, huh?!" Garfiel angrily asked.
"He's a bit annoying." Julius said.
"Surely he is." Wilhelm said.
Subaru can be seen punished by Emilia by getting pinched in the ears after what he said earlier to Frederica.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Frederica Baumann. I was employed here in the past." Frederica said.
"Now that you mention it, I was told there was another maid who quit just before I came here..." Subaru said.
"I merely took my leave for personal reasons. Then I returned at Ram's request, and found the mansion empty. Fortunately, a letter I found in the master's office gave me an idea as to what had happened." Frederica said.
"I requested her to come back, huh?" Ram asked.
"Definitely the problem right now is you guys in the Sanctuary. What is happening to you out there?" Anastasia asked.
"I can smell it is not the Archbishops anymore. It's a different... entity." Ricardo said.
"Different entity?" Mimi asked.
"Nice nose you have there. But I don't give a damn to whatever is happening to the Sanctuary!" Garfiel yelled.
'But you're the one who's in the Sanctuary, dumbass. Stop pretending too much as if you don't know much about it.' Naofumi thought.
'He just liked to hide his true identity like the witches, Naofumi. I told him that.' Kazuma replied through telepathy.
'What the?! Even in my thoughts, you are also there too?!' Naofumi thought.
"A letter?" Emilia asked.
"And why did Ram ask you to come back?" Subaru asked.
"When I returned, the kitchen and the trees in the garden were in a desolate state. It was quite awful." Frederica said and some glimpses of the kitchen and the garden were shown.
"That's a pretty serious reason!" Subaru exclaimed with Ram's face appeared in a second.
"That's the request of Ram to Frederica's all about! She can't even do the work very well as Rem does!" Kazuma exclaimed.
"Oof." Al said and Priscilla just laughed at the background.
"Barusu..." Ram uttered in a pissed state and Rem calms her down.
"You can't blame Subaru with thaaaaaat." Roswaal said and laughed.
"That's right. She wasn't good at any-" Otto asked as a murderous intent was felt behind him.
"You might have any last words before you lose your head." Ram coldly said.
"I-I'm sorry!" Otto cried.
"Hey." Naofumi called with a menacing stare at the maid and Otto.
"I apologize for what I did." Ram quickly said and bowed.
"It's strange, though. Ram has always worked hard for us while you were away, so why, in just the past few days..." Emilia uttered and she realized something.
"With Rem gone, Ram couldn't handle the mansion herself, so she asked Frederica for help?" Subaru said.
"Would you mind explaining to me who this girl who bears a striking resemblance to Ram is?" Frederica asked.
"She's Ram's younger sister, Rem. She's a really nice girl. She's kind, strong, and a super-hard worker. Even I could tell that she and Ram were really close. I'm sure you were a good friend to her, too. You... probably don't remember, though, right?" Subaru asked.
"Everyone except Subaru doesn't know who Rem is. That's sad." Reinhard said.
"I'm sorry if I can remember anything about you, Rem. I'm sad that I can do anything for you when you fought Lye, the Gluttony Archbishop." Frederica said.
"Don't worry, it's fine." Rem said.
"Unfortunately, no. I wonder how the master and Ram will react when they return..." Frederica said.
'I can't even guess what Roswaal will do? And... I don't want to imagine how Ram will react." Subaru said.
"Hey, Frederica, have you heard anything from Roswaal?" Emilia asked.
"Sadly, I have no way of knowing all that goes on in the master's mind. I believe there are only two people in this world he trusts enough for that." Frederica said.
"Two?" Subaru asked.
"Ram and the great spirit of this mansion's forbidden library." Frederica replied.
"Great spirit of the forbidden library?" Subaru asked.
"I refer to Beatrice-sama." Frederica said. Subaru walked around to find Beatrice and opens a door that is suspicious from his sight. And there, he finds her who is reading a book.
"Hey, Beako! Long time no see!" Subaru said.
"Now I see why the mansion suddenly seemed so noisy." Beatrice said.
"Is that even a compliment or an insult?" Otto asked.
"None of those are compliment nor insult. It is just the way how I treat that idiot, I suppose." Beatrice said.
"Please don't call Subaru an idiot, Beatrice." Puck said.
"O-Okay, Bubby!" Beatrice said.
'She still acts like a kid under Puck's charm!' Everyone thought.
"She? A great spirit? Her hair looks like a driller." Sehkmet said.
"And she has that annoying personality like Minerva over here." Daphne said while smelling Otto.
"W-What are you doing?" Otto asked.
"I'm smelling victory." Daphne said while drooling.
"Everyone's been worried about you. You should apologize, even if it has to wait until later." Subaru said.
"Apologize? Me? I fail to comprehend why I must apologize, and to whom, I suppose." Beatrice said.
"I could go apologize to you If you want. I'll tell them you were thanking me with tears and snot streaming down your face." Subaru teased.
"Don't makeup stories! I haven't shed tears in a very long time, I suppose." Beatrice said.
"It never hurts to have a good wall every once in a while." Subaru said.
"Those words carry deep meaning, coming from a man who bawled in the lap of the woman he loves." Beatrice said.
"Now that's a total insult!" Mimi exclaimed.
"As expected of Beatrice..." Puck sighed.
"Someone got roasted for a moment." Naofumi said with a smirk.
"Would you just forget about that already?" Subaru said.
"Could you please get to the point, I suppose? You weakling." Beatrice said.
"Oh... How well do you know what Roswaal's thinking?" Subaru asked.
"Huh?" Beatrice asked.
"Roswaal is a suspect!" Kazuma whispered.
"Definitely. I saw him vented." Naofumi whispered and realized what he is saying and smacks Kazuma.
"Damn you!" Naofumi yelled.
"Roswaal? That clown-looking guy over there? He's suspicious as it seems." Echidna said.
"He is... really suspicious..." Carmilla said while crying.
"Someone told me that you know how Roswaal thinks." Subaru said.
"Who said- Ah. It must have been the half-beast girl who just came back. There is a bit of accuracy to what she told you, I suppose. But my connection with Roswaal has nothing to do with the current circumstances." Beatrice said.
"But you stayed here at the mansion by yourself, even with no countermeasures in place." Subaru said.
"I'm capable of protecting myself. That's why I stayed, I suppose. Roswaal has nothing to do with that. That said, I don't believe he had nothing on his mind at all, I suppose." Beatrice said.
"Hmm... Were you and I and everyone else just giving him too much credit, thinking he wouldn't go up against the Witch's Cult with no plan? Oh, that's right. Take a look at this." Subaru said as he shows the Gospel he got from Betelguese.
"A Gospel..." Why do you of all people, have one of those?!" Beatrice asked loudly.
"I took it off the enemy after a battle. It belonged to the guy in charge of the witch cultists who surrounded the mansion." Subaru said.
"And what became of him?" Beatrice asked.
"He's dead. I killed him." Subaru said.
"Then you've left me behind, too, I suppose... Guese." Beatrice said sadly.
"Who's that?" Subaru asked.
"You know Betelguese, Beatrice?" Emilia asked as everyone had their eyes on Beatrice who can be seen slowly in panic.
"He-" Beatrice was stopped by Naofumi.
"It's too early for that to know! It will ruin the flow of you guys watching this future! So be patient and wait for the right time to know about it!" Naofumi yelled.
"Y-Yes, Naofumi-sama!' Everyone said.
"None of your concern. Anyway, if you killed Sloth, a Sin Archbishop, what happened to his Witch Factor?" Beatrice asked.
"Witch... Factor?" Subaru asked.
"You don't know what it is? You really don't? If that's the case, then why did you bother to kill Sloth? And what is Roswaal..." Beatrice said.
"I told you remember? Roswaal is at the Sanctuary! I'm the one who wants to know what he's thinking!" Subaru said.
"All the answers you seek lie in the Sanctuary, I suppose." Beatrice said.
"What?" Subaru asked.
"All answers are in the Sanctuary..." Emilia said.
"I wonder what the Sanctuary looks like." Ricardo said.
"Me too! Me too!" Mimi said.
"I'm scared about this Sanctuary right now." Hetaro said.
"More secrets will be revealed in here, everyone!" Anastasia said.
"Roswaal's intentions, the meaning of the Gospel, answers about the Witch Factor... They're all there. If you want them, go there. The half-beast girl can lead you there, I suppose." Beatrice said.
"Hang on a second! What's up with you? Why are you suddenly willing to talk to me? Also, why do I have to go to the Sanctuary when you-" Subaru was stopped by Betty.
"I will not tell you. I have the right to refuse to tell you. I showed you the path that leads to your answers. Do not expect me to indulge you any further, I suppose!" Beatrice said as she started to release her power in the whole library.
"Beako... Beatrice!" Subaru yelled while protecting herself.
"I am not a tool here for your convenience!" Beatrice exclaimed as she throws Subaru out of the room. Otto who is cleaning his hands got bumped by Subaru who was flying away from Beatrice's room and the two crashed into the wall.
"And that's how I greet idiots on the way." Naofumi said.
"Why of all people, I was the one who got bumped so bad by Natsuki-san?!" Otto cried.
"Because you're a crybaby!" Garfiel yelled.
"Even if he is a crybaby, Otto here shows his courageous deeds with us while we are running away from the White Whale!" Rem said.
"Heh! As if that thing is a mere threat for me." Garfiel said.
'You don't know how much of a threat that thing is.' Everyone thought.
"Wh-Why did you fly into me just as I was leaving the bathroom?!" Otto cried in the wall.
"Why did you look like you were about to cry again?" Subaru uttered.
"Excuse me! Could you please get off of-" Otto cried as the scene shifted back to the living room.
"So you really are allowed to enter Beatrice-sama's forbidden library?" Frederica asked while making tea.
"What? You thought I wouldn't be?" Subaru asked.
"Yes, but Emilia-sama has told me what a reliable person you are, and she was quite thorough in explaining why, so half of me had high hopes that you would be." Frederica said.
"Huh?" Subaru asked.
"Hey! Frederica!" Emilia cried.
"What? What did you tell her?" Subaru asked in curiosity.
"It's not like that! I did tell her about you, but she's exaggerating!" Emilia defended while blushing.
"Oh, what is this all about?" Felt asked with a smirk and looks at Emilia who is blushing.
"Are we seeing some revelations in here?" Anastasia asked with a chuckle.
"No! There's none of it!" Emilia defended.
"Why so defensive if there is nothing, Emilia-sama?" Julius asked with a smile.
"I-I-It's because..." Emilia stuttered while blushing.
"These people are starting to make a revolt against Emilia! And I'm against that!" Kazuma said.
"What the..." Naofumi uttered.
"Revolt? Calm down, Kazuma sama. Don't worry about me." Emilia said.
"Is that so? I see. But I will not allow everyone to hurt or start making stories to anyone in this crowd!" Kazuma exclaimed.
"Y-Yes, sir!" Everyone replied.
"No, I heard what you said, too. It made me think there must be more to Natsuki-san than meets the eye." Otto added.
"Not you, too, Otto-kun!" Emilia cried.
"Why wasn't I around to hear all this?!" Subaru whined.
"That's because you aren't worthy to hear their praises face to face." Naofumi said.
"What do you mean, Naofumi-sama?" Emilia asked.
"Like his existence to you all, you all don't deserve him because of all the things you have done to him. The same goes for him, he doesn't deserve to hear all the praises he want from some people who have done so much damage to him." Naofumi said.
"Madara-sama mentioned this before. Destiny truly is selfish." Rem said.
"I could never say it in front of you. Now, Frederica, back to what you were saying!" Emilia said.
"Yes, of course. I know. Let us talk it over so you don't find yourself at a dead end." Frederica said.
"Dead end? What do you mean?" Subaru asked.
"Even if you were able to see Beatrice, whether or not she'd answer your question was another matter. Both you and Beatrice can be very stubborn, you know." Emilia said.
"That description is way too cute, but you're right. And?" Subaru asked.
"There's a lot I want to talk to Roswaal about, too. So I asked Frederica to tell me where the Sanctuary is." Emilia said.
"So you're going to tell us where it is, Frederica?" Subaru asked.
"I was no match for Emilia-sama's persistence, even though I have been told not to disclose any more than necessary. But I would like to ask for a bit of time to prepare. Shall we say two days?" Frederica asked.
"Prepare? Oh, that's right. We'd all be leaving the mansion, so that's-" Subaru was stopped by Frederica.
"No, I will be staying in the mansion. I cannot accompany you." Frederica said.
"What? You're not going with us? How are we supposed to get there, then?" Subaru asked.
"Hehehe. You're rather slow on the uptake, Natsuki-san." Otto said with a confident smile. Subaru looked at the two who smiled at him.
"Oh! So Otto's gonna get us to the Sanctuary? Because he thinks cooperating with Emilia in any way possible will give Roswaal, her backer, a better impression of him?" Subaru said with a smile which made Otto looked worried.
"No, er..." Emilia uttered.
"Otto-kun, is that true?" Emilia asked.
"Emilia-sama's pure, innocent eyes are killing me! I'm sorry! That's exactly right!" Otto cried.
"Hahaha! That was a marvelous idea indeed from you, Otto-kun. Let's see how you'll work hard for Emilia-sama to let her reach the Sanctuary safe and sound." Roswaal said.
"Y-Yes, sir!" Otto said.
"Every plan is truly spoiled here in the future. So everyone in here is not guaranteed safe to what they'll discover from themselves from the future." Kazuma said.
"Each. Of. You." Naofumi said and widened his eyes on the self-proclaiming adventurers.
'Oh come on! Don't always stare at us, Naofumi-sama! Your charm attracts me!' Echidna thought.
"Echidna... Is she..." Sehkmet uttered.
"She likes Naofumi-sama!" Minerva yelled.
"Eh?! What in the?!" Echidna cried.
"Ooh. Interesting." Kazuma said with a smug.
"That's not like that!" Echidna defended with a little blush.
"Trying to seduce me, huh? Good thing she's not here with me." Naofumi sighed.
"The way you wear your ulterior motive on your sleeve makes you all the more likable, Otto." Subaru said with a smile.
"That's not exactly comforting, coming from you!" Otto cried while covering his ears.
"I appreciate your help. On that note, you can tell the three of us about the Sanctuary." Subaru said.
"Very well. What I am about to tell you is the undisclosed location of the Sanctuary of Clemaldy, and how to enter it. And there is one name you must not forget as you travel there. Beware of one by the name of "Garfiel."
At the Sanctuary, he will be the one with whom you must exercise the most care." Frederica said and the evening ended.
Everyone now looked at Garfiel as Frederica mentioned his name and Garfiel felt annoyed by everyone's gaze.
"What now?! Are you suspecting me of what happened?!" Garfiel yelled.
"No. We're just worried about why Emilia-sama must be careful of you." Reinhard said.
"Is that so? Then it's good to hear!" Garfiel said.
"Did you notice something, Naofumi?" Kazuma whispered.
"What's it- Hey, where did Subaru's ship go?" Naofumi asked as he noticed that Subaru from above them is missing.
"That's why she said she can't be here with us yet." Naofumi said.
In the morning, Subaru headed to Rem's room to say his goodbyes before leaving the mansion and head to the Sanctuary.
"Rem... We're leaving. I told Frederica to take good care of you. Be good and wait for me here, okay?" Subaru said and he leaves the room. As he opens the door, he saw Petra wearing the uniform of the maids.
"You're ready?" Petra asked.
"Sure am, new recruit. I 're rocking the uniform already." Subaru said.
"Eh?! Me on that uniform?! That's so cool!" Petra exclaimed in joy.
"She now works in the mansion, huh? Very well." Ram said.
"Good for you, Petra-chan!" Rem said.
"Thank you, Rem-san!" Petra said.
"She's so cute!" Kazuma said.
"Yeah, she is. Now move on!" Naofumi said.
"Right? Did you say goodbye to Rem-san?" Petra asked.
"Yeah, something like that. We're not planning to stay out there long, but I wanted to see her first. Could you take care of Rem for me while I'm gone, Petra?" Subaru asked.
"Understood, Subaru-sama!" Petra replied.
"Still, we started advertising to hire a new maid two days ago, and this is our first day actually begin in the mansion. I've impressed you found the place without getting lost. And I really admire your decision to leave your parents at such a young age." Subaru said.
"I'm twelve years old! I'm old enough to be a working grown-up! I mean... an adult! You need to treat me like an adult, too, Subaru-sama!" Petra said.
"Get better at speaking politely and get Frederica to fully initiate you, and I'll think about it." Subaru said.
"'Kay! I mean... yes, sir!" Petra replied. Subaru suddenly stopped and quickly opens a room to surprise Beatrice but she can't be found.
"I forgot what a pain she can be when she's serious about hiding." Subaru said.
"Good thing you know how I hide properly, I suppose." Beatrice said.
"And in what emotion you do it." Otto added.
"Are you saying something, huh?" Beatrice asked.
"N-Nothing!" Otto cried.
"Is there really a mysterious room here?" Petra asked.
"Yeah... Beatrice. You know of her, right? Take care of her for me, too. You might randomly encounter her when opening a door somewhere." Subaru said.
"Wait, Subaru-sama! Aren't you asking a bit much of me?" Petra asked.
"I know. Sorry. But you're the only one I can ask. I really am sorry." Subaru said and this made Petra smile in excitement.
"Oh, all right! If you insist, I'll just have to help you out!" Petra said.
"Thanks. You're really a huge help." Subaru said.
"If Subaru-sama needs my help, no matter how much of that help he wants, I will do it for him!" Petra said.
"Trying to change what happened in the future, huh?" Lucas asked.
"I really want to help Subaru-sama!" Petra said.
"You aren't working as a maid yet but you are practicing how to treat and call others politely." Frederica said.
"Thank you!" Petra said.
"Now let's teleport to the next location." Naofumi said and they all teleported out of the mansion.
"Take care of the mansion for us. And Rem, Petra, and Beatrice, too." Emilia said.
"You can rely on me. Take care during your travels, Emilia-sama. And take this." Frederica said. This will allow you to get past the barrier in the forest, and enter the Sanctuary. From there, the ground dragons should take you to the location I described." Frederica said as she gives them a blue stone that has lace on it.
"So this stone is the requirement to get through the barrier?" Subaru asked. Petra puts the stone in Emilia's hands.
"You have the location and qualification. Now you only need the resolve and the strong will..." Frederica said.
"Frederica..." Emilia uttered.
"Take good care of the Sanctuary. And do not forget what I said earlier." Frederica said.
"Okay. We'll watch out for Garfiel. I promise." Emilia said.
"This guy? They have to watch out from this guy?" Ricardo asked.
"His looks are pretty annoying." Tivey said.
"Hey! He might hear you saying that!" Hetaro said.
"Is Garfiel a monster?" Felt asked.
"I don't know. Probably." Reinhard said.
"Um, Subaru-sama... Would you please accept this?" Petra asked as she shows a handkerchief.
"Uh..." Subaru uttered.
"Lending a white handkerchief to a traveler, who later returns it stained and worn from the journey, is an old custom performed as a prayer for safe travels." Frederica said.
"Oh, it's one of those things? Okay, got it. Thanks, Petra. I promise I'll return it." Subaru said and lets Petra place the handkerchief in his hand and quickly hides from Frederica after placing it.
"What? What brought that reaction on? This sudden rebellious phase is making me sad." Subaru whined.
"Now, you should go hurry. The Lost Forest of Clemaldy grows more dangerous as night approaches." Frederica said and they now have left.
"I wish you a safe journey." Frederica said.
"Subaru-sama! You'd better protect the lady!" Petra called while waving him goodbye with the handkerchief in her hand. Frederica grabs a letter from her pocket and looks at it.
"I have done exactly as Master directed. Now everything depends on how Emili-sama overcomes the Sanctuary. There is nothing we can do but pray." Frederica said.
"Depends on... me?" Emilia asked.
"You are now tasked I assume to a bigger challenge, Emilia-san. I wish you all the best." Crusch said.
"Thanks, Crusch-san." Emilia said.
"I hope I can assist you in the Sanctuary, Lia." Puck said.
"Of course!" Emilia said.
"Rem-san, I'll take care of you in the future!" Petra said.
"Sure, Petra. Do your best." Rem said and smiled.
"So cute...!" Kazuma squealed silently.
"Now, to the forest!" Naofumi exclaimed and everyone teleported to the forest where the cart of Subaru and Emilia is.
"Puck isn't showing up?" Subaru asked.
"Yeah. I've called out to him several times, and I can feel the link from our contract, but..." Emilia said.
"Has anything like this happened before?" Subaru asked.
"Not very often, but there have been a few times when he didn't show up for a few days." Emilia said. Subaru remembered what Puck said to him on their last meet.
"I'm counting on you to take care of Lia."
"Couldn't have been..." Subaru uttered.
"But I do have contracts with lesser spirits, too, and I can also fight with them. No matter what happens, I'll protect you!" Emilia said while showing him the other spirits.
"Wow, you're so manly!" Subaru praised.
"Hey!" Emilia said and they laughed.
"Frederica did warn us that something might happen." Subaru said.
"Oh... Garfiel, right?" Emilia asked.
"Yeah. Roswaal did mention a few times that he was going to see him..." Subaru said.
"Excuse me! We're in the forest!" Otto said and the two looked in the window and noticed that they are in the forest now.
"The Lost Forest of Clemaldy. A special barrier there protects the Sanctuary. It makes outsiders lose their way, to prevent them from getting close. That is why they call it the "Lost Woods."
"So the Sanctuary is just ahead..." Subaru uttered. He noticed Emilia's hands slowly shivering in fear.
"Lia..." Puck uttered.
"I can smell it in here too that danger is nearly upon us." Julius said.
"This forest is just the usual forest! Nothing strange!" Mimi exclaimed.
"Yeah! I agree." Priscilla said.
"Just wait for later, morons." Naofumi said.
"Emilia-tan, are you nervous?" Subaru asked.
"Huh? How could you tell?" Emilia asked.
"I know everything about you! At least, that's what I'd like to say, but anyone could tell." Subaru said and now massages his cheeks. Emilia does the same and feels it.
"You're right! I'm sorry for worrying you. When I think that we're about to arrive at the Sanctuary, a village where only demihumans live..." Emilia uttered.
"No, I should apologize. I wasn't thinking that far ahead. I guess there might be more half-elves like you there, huh?" Subaru said.
"I've never seen any half-elves other than myself. But just maybe, in the Sanctuary..." Emilia said in worry.
"Hmmm. Let's see if you can meet one or more of them." Echidna mumbled.
"Echidna..." Typhon uttered.
"Is Satella not with us?" Sehkmet whispered.
"No. She won't be here yet. Due to some reasons." Echidna said.
"Don't worry. I'll- Emilia!" Subaru yelled as the stone that Frederica gave in Emilia's chest started to glow.
"Uh... Is this..." Emilia uttered.
"I suddenly have a really bad feeling! I'm borrowing this, Emilia!" Subaru exclaimed as he grabs the stone from her and is about to throw it. But he heard a loud thud which is Emilia who suddenly fainted.
"Why did he removed the stone?!" Frederica asked.
"You know Subaru, he worries a lot and doesn't trust any relics that some people give to Emilia." Kazuma said.
"What did he just do...?" Rem asked.
"Subaru panicked in this one. We can't blame someone who doesn't know the forest." Crusch said.
"I agree." Wilhelm said.
"Emilia!" Subaru cried. He looked more at the stone and it sent him to a place in the forest.
"Where... am I?" Subaru asked. He heard some movements behind him and he saw a little girl wearing a white coat and has pink hair on her.
"Who are you? Those ears... Are you an elf?" Subaru asked and the girl starts to run away.
"No, wait! Wait a minute!" Subaru yelled and he chases the girl. Outside the woods, he saw a temple amid the forest.
"It seems he found one of my illusions." Ryuzu uttered.
"Wait a minute, that girl and this one... Are you two?! No! You are-" Ferris said.
"No. It wasn't me." Ryuzu said.
"Eh?" Ferris asked.
"What do you mean by it was not you? You are in the woods running right? And you have the same looks!" Otto said.
"Why are you saying that it wasn't you?" Felt asked.
"Hey! Is anyone here? If this is the Sanctuary, somebody answer me!" Subaru yelled. He enters the temple and he felt something.
"This is..." Subaru uttered. He slowly enters the tunnel even if it's dark by just touching the walls.
"I see. So that is the root of your desire? How very interesting." A woman's voice can be heard as Subaru was sent to another place, a plain one where trees can't be found but only a huge umbrella and a table under it.
"Woah! Where in the hell are we?!" Ricardo asked.
"This place... Hey! We have returned!" Minerva whispered to Echidna.
"So this is what happened in the future, huh?" Sehkmet said.
"Yeah... We have returned..." Carmilla uttered.
"Returned?" Reinhard asked and the witches gulped.
'Crap!' The witches thought.
"Oh, did I startle you? It has been quite a while since I spoke with anyone, so perhaps I was too eager. My name is Echidna... Or perhaps you would know me better as the Witch of Greed?" The woman wearing a black dress sitting under the umbrella named Echidna said and the title "The Next Location" appeared on everyone and the opening started to play.
"That's the new intro, am I right?" Ricardo asked.
"Yeah." Naofumi said.
"And those are the... people with us. You are all... Witches?" Wilhelm asked the group of witches who nodded at him.
"Who are those couple before Subaru?" Emilia asked.
"Subaru... doing everything for our sake..." Rem uttered while crying. After watching the opening, they looked at Echidna.
"That woman is... you?!" Everyone exclaimed on Echidna who was looking at them. She smiled and looked at Naofumi.
"Shall I introduce myself to them in person?" Echidna asked.
"Duh. They know already who are you. Listen! Whatever this woman says, please don't try to launch an assault on her." Naofumi said.
"So you are... a witch?! The witch of greed?!" Garfiel angrily asked.
"Indeed. I am Echidna, the Witch of Greed." Echidna said.
"You... that means you people are... witches?!" Julius asked as the Imperial Knights prepared their weapons.
"Calm down. I won't do anything to you, everyone. I just came here to see our future. Which was interesting. Now, let's watch our future with Subaru-kun... together?" Echidna asked with a smile.
"What did you do to Subaru and why we can't see him with us?!" Rem angrily asked.
"Hey! It's not her fault that Subaru isn't with us!" Kazuma said.
"It isn't?" Rem asked. Garfiel suddenly rushed into Echidna to attack her from behind.
"Garfiel!" Ryuzu yelled.
"Eh?" Echidna asked.
"In God's name, bring down his wrath on all who would violate the Fatherland. Manifest the miracles of God on Earth. Fire." A voice from above said as it fired its rifle at Garfiel and knocks him down, at the same time, paralyzes him to prevent him from attacking Echidna.
"Is that..." Kazuma uttered.
"Here she is. The one who doesn't believe in God." Naofumi said and everyone looked above them.