"How many times do I need to save some people's lives from unexpected attacks from nowhere. Anyway, I think I should join you two because some people start to know our other friends' true identities." A figure above them removes its cloak as a cute little girl wearing a military in the rank of a lieutenant commander appeared above them.
"Tanyaaaaaa!" Kazuma cried.
"Tanya?" Emilia asked.
"Hey there! I don't let anyone call me without casualty. I am Tanya von Degurechaff, lieutenant commander of the Imperial Army. Call me as your Major from now on, understood?!" The figure named Tanya said.
"Heh! We'll call you as our major? Who do you think you-" Priscilla stopped as Tanya flashed above her and gets smacked by the butt of the rifle on her neck and the knife of the rifle was pointed at Priscilla's neck.
"Don't test my patience, filthy scum human!" Tanya angrily said.
'She's fast!' Reinhard thought.
'And cruel.' Julius thought.
"Yikes! She's a scarier goddess than Madara and Jotaro!" Otto cried.
"Don't call me a goddess, you crybaby. I am a major who has the same ranks as a... god." Tanya said.
"Why did you stuttered in the last part?" Felt asked.
"It's none of your business! Now then, we are now here in Echidna's territory. Listen to me, you filthy humans! Once you learn more of their true identities, I want you to treat them normally like as usual. I don't want to beat up more idiots who don't listen to orders!" Tanya said.
"Yes, major!" Everyone replied.
"A flying cat? That's weird." Tanya uttered on Puck who salutes her.
"I thought you're following Subaru's ship. And where are they by the way?" Naofumi whispered.
"They were taken away. But I don't know who took them away. Don't worry. Someone's following them already. And I trust him because he said he'll bring back Subaru here with us in one piece." Tanya whispered.
"Who did they deploy?" Naofumi asked.
"Just someone who has a massive choice of powers within him." Tanya said.
"I see. Well, now we should start playing this scene behind us." Naofumi said.
"Stand up! I don't want someone prideful like you kneeling and tasting your blood. Get up!" Tanya yelled at Priscilla.
"She's scary." Al said and Julius nodded.
"We should keep going and start the next episode!" Tanya ordered.
"Yes, ma'am!" The two gods replied.
"My name is Echidna... Or perhaps you would know me better as the Witch of Greed?" Echidna said. Subaru felt that he was in a dangerous situation and expressed an alarmed look.
"Please, it hurts to see you look so alarmed by me. Despite who I am, I'm still a tender young maiden, you know." Echidna said.
"Maiden? As a Witch?! Is that possible?" Otto cried.
"Yes. Why? Do you want to get embrace by a maiden like me...?" Echidna asked as she slowly approaches Otto but Tanya stomps her foot.
"Stay on your place, Echidna." Tanya coldly said.
"Y-Yes, ma'am!" Echidna replied and stood still.
'We're done for. This goddess is truly a problem.' Everyone thought.
"Sorry, but... There's no way I'm not going to be alarmed when you tell me you're the Witch of Greed the moment we meet." Subaru said.
"I see. That's a fair point." Echidna said and laughed.
"What is this place? I was in some dark ruins just a moment ago! When did you move me?!" Subaru angrily asked.
"Unfortunately, you're mistaken. You weren't physically moved anywhere. You were merely invited to my tea party." Echidna said.
"Tea party? What is the meaning of that?!" Rem angrily asked.
"Rem, I guess we had a good conversation out there. And if we did something awful to each other, I'm sorry but it can't be helped." Echidna said.
"No one touches Subaru-kun... but only me!" Rem yelled.
"Is she... in love with Baru?" Typhon asked.
"C-C-Certainly..." Carmilla replied while crying and Otto offered her some tissue.
"Tea party?" Subaru asked.
A witch's tea party. Are you going to stand there forever? Why don't you at least sit down before the tea gets cold?" Echidna asked.
"Oh, damn it! All right, fine!" Subaru angrily ranted as he marched to the table, quickly drank the tea, and sits down in a bashful manner.
"You're awfully brave, gulping down the tea served by a witch in one gulp." Echidna said.
"He's tough..." Echidna said.
"Subaru-kun..." Rem uttered in worry. The same goes for Emilia who was shocked by what Subaru did.
"And he just drank a tea made of-" Sehkmet stopped as Tanya stared at her menacingly.
"Oh, nevermind. I don't want to die yet... again." Sekhmet uttered.
"Hah! If you wanted to kill me, I'd be a pile of ash the very next instant. What's this tea, anyway? It's not bad but it's not good, either." Subaru said.
"It's something that's produced here. To put it bluntly, it's a body fluid of mine." Echidna said.
"What the hell did you just make me drink?!" Subaru furiously asked.
"Eh?!" Everyone shrieked.
"B-B-Body fluid... o-o-of... yours...?" Otto stuttered.
"Ahahaha! That was a good way to honestly tell him about what he drank just now." Echidna said.
"If Subaru-kun dies here in this one because of that, I'll kill you!" Rem angrily said.
"Hold your horses, Rem! We aren't seeing any signs of him dying yet." Kazuma said.
"Witches surely are weird in terms of making stuff." Ricardo said.
"If I'll choose between an expired borgar or her sweat, I prefer the expired one!" Mimi said.
"Borgar? It should be a burger, dimwit." Naofumi said.
"But that's how I want to pronounce borgar!" Mimi pouted.
"What a mess." Naofumi said and some Iron Fang soldiers laughed.
"You truly are a fascinating individual. You're standing right here in front of me as if it's normal." Echidna said.
"Hah! You think you're so pretty that a normal person's eyes would fall out? I'll have you know that my eyes are blessed throughout the day by the prettiest girl alive! So no matter how many times I look at you, I'm not going to see you as particularly pretty." Subaru said.
"No, most normal people vomit when they stand before me. Funny, right?" Echidna asked and laughed.
"There's nothing funny about that! What is it you want with me?" Subaru asked.
"Nothing. You came in here of your own accord. If you want to go back, I'll send you back... But are you sure that's what you want?" Echidna asked.
"Huh?" Subaru asked.
"An opportunity to talk to the Witch of Greed is not something that just anyone other than you, can earn. The only requirement to have a dialogue is for both of us to exist. Let's remove everything unnecessary from the picture. All we need is our words.
Let me affirm all the desires, the curiosities, the greed, that you seek to satisfy with answers." Echidna said as the place started to change into a different dimensional world.
"This is bad...!" Julius said.
"What is this place?! Is this the galaxy?!" Kazuma asked.
"Of course it's not!" Tanya replied.
"Subaru-kun met a lot of different people in the future, eh?" Puck said.
"That's because he's a reckless idiot and an annoying one, I suppose." Beatrice said.
"Now, what would you like to ask me? About the Witch of Gluttony, Daphne, who created beasts that defied the will of God to save the world from starvation?
"Ah! You're the Witch of Gluttony?!" Otto cried on Daphne.
"Yes, I am. Now, let me sniff you one more time." Daphne said while drooling.
"No!" Otto cried.
"Created beasts? Don't tell me... you created the White Whale?!" Wilhelm angrily asked.
"Ah, my precious White Whale, yes, indeed." Daphne said.
"You're the one who caused a problem for us. You shall pay for everything you've done!" Wilhelm yelled and charges Daphne, but Tanya hits him with the rifle and knocks him back.
"Stand down, old man. You won't get anything you lost back when you hurt her. Accept what truly happened." Tanya said.
"You...!" Wilhelm angrily uttered.
About the Witch of Lust, Carmilla, who granted emotions to non-human beings in an attempt to fill the world with love?
About the Witch of Wrath, Minerva, who struck people to heal them as she lamented the state of her war-torn world?
About the Witch of Sloth, Sehkmet, who drove a dragon past the great waterfall just for a chance to rest?
"Sloth? You are..." Rem uttered.
"Yeah, yeah. But hey, I'm not as awful as Betelguese, you see?" Sehkmet said.
"Drove a dragon... like one old man that I know and uses it as an attack like a meteor shower!" Kazuma said.
"He's from another multiverse, you dumbass. But yeah, his attack is pretty cool." Naofumi said.
About the Witch of Pride, Typhon, who, out of youthful, innocence and cruelty, judged criminals one after another?
About the Witch of Greed, Echidna, the embodiment of the thirst for knowledge who has done things she regrets even in the realm of death, all in pursuit of all types of knowledge? Or...
The Witch of Envy, who killed all the other witches and used them as sustenance while she made the whole world her enemy- the most detestable of them all?" Echidna said. She noticed that Subaru was surprised about all the things he just learned about the other witches.
"Satella." Reinhard said. Some looked at Emilia as they see a figure relatively close enough to be compared to her.
"Lia isn't the Witch of Envy, everyone!" Puck defended.
"We know but... what we saw just now was... totally the same as her..." One villager uttered.
"I agree." Another villager said.
"Oh, darn. It looks like I've frightened you too much. Such is the nature of a witch. It's quite bothersome." Echidna said as she takes a sip of her tea and Subaru started to feel stomachache.
"Oh, that took less time than I thought. Compatible people do adapt quickly." Echidna said.
"Subaru-kun!" Rem cried.
"Compatible? What is the meaning of that?" Kadomon asked.
"There's something not good in here." Felt said.
"What are you saying?" Subaru grunted.
"That tea you drank? I used the Envy Witch Factor on it to strengthen your resistance. Now you and I can talk at leisure. So... what would you like to ask me?" Echidna asked.
"You won't get away with this! What did you do to my body?!" Subaru angrily asked.
"Please don't get the wrong idea. I didn't make you drink that tea to do anything bad. I find your existence quite desirable. I'm a bit embarrassed, really." Echidna said with a charming pose.
"Huh?" Subaru asked.
"In these past few days, you killed the one who possessed the Sloth Witch Factor, correct? When he died, the Witch Factor chose you as its new dwelling. That's also why you were able to enter this graveyard unharmed." Echidna said.
"Graveyard? Like... a tomb?" Subaru asked.
"Yes. This is the Witch's Graveyard, where my soul is held prisoner... The Sanctuary." Echidna said.
"The Sanctuary is Echidna's... Tomb?" Emilia asked. Everyone looked at Roswaal who they thought the one who suggested the place as a secret base for the villagers to hide.
"Roswaal, do you anything about this? We might see the villagers in deep trouble regarding this Sanctuary as her tomb!" Crusch said.
"Well... I have no idea-" Roswaal was stopped by Tanya.
"Since you are the major key player in this season and they might get answers from you by watching your future, even if it hasn't happened, I want you to shut your mouth. And I refrain everyone from asking too much to that clown!" Tanya said.
"Yes, ma'am!" Everyone replied.
"Major key player... Roswaal-sama?" Rem asked.
"You know where the Sanctuary is?!" Subaru asked and touched her shoulders.
"I don't have the experience to determine whether you're brave or just very bold..." Echidna said.
"E-Eh...?" Echidna uttered as she saw herself in the future getting touched by Subaru without hesitation.
"He's one hell of a man to do that to a Witch." Sehkmet said.
"Subaru-kun..." Rem pouted.
"Don't make fun of me! So can I consider this... rather the forest with the ruins where I was before... to be the Sanctuary?" Subaru asked.
"You're so mean... That's right. Just as you wanted, the Sanctuary is outside the ruins. So, what else would you like to as-" Echidna was interrupted by Subaru.
"And if I ask you, you'll let me back out, right?" Subaru asked.
"Sure... I can guarantee that. Hey, isn't there anything you want to ask me?" Echidna asked.
"Sorry, but I'd rather meet up with Emilia outside than talk to you." Subaru said and walks away.
"Rejected." Al said.
"Huh?! How he can do that to me?!" Echidna angrily asked.
"Subaru-kun is only loyal to Emilia-sama and not to someone like you." Rem said.
"Huh...?" Echidna uttered with her eyes twitched in bewilderment.
"For the first time, I saw properly someone rejecting Echidna in an instant." Sehkmet said.
"I agree! That is an absolute blast!" Typhon said.
"Instead of feeling sorry for her, you two surely liked what Subaru did to her." Felt said.
"Huh? Y-You're kidding, right?! I'm the Witch of Greed! Powerful people from around the world have come to me in search of my knowledge! So, um... relax, okay?! We can just relax and talk! I have knowledge about that truth of this world that nobody-" Echidna was stopped by Subaru.
"Not interested." He said.
"What?!" Echidna whined sadly.
"Huh?! No way! No one can ever do that to me except him!" Echidna cried.
"Because he's a different person than you thought. The one who has a strong resolve for himself and doesn't care about any charm around him." Wilhelm said.
"I agree with the old man over here." Ricardo said and laughed.
"No... way..." Echidna uttered.
"I'll make time to chat over tea with you later, okay?" Subaru said.
"You'd ask a dead woman... a witch, at that... to agree to that as if it were the simplest thing?" Echidna mumbled and opens a portal for Subaru.
"I've never had a tea party like this. If you're going back, I'll just take my compensation first." Echidna said.
"J-Just so you know, I'm broke beyond compare..." Subaru uttered.
"Compensation for a witch doesn't mean money. What I desire from you is a vow. You will tell no one of what has transpired at this tea party.
"But here we are, listening to it now." Al said.
"Heh." Echidna sarcastically said.
"That's a useless thing to say now." Tanya said.
That is my condition. And, since you're here, I'll send you away with a souvenir. I will grant you the right to face the trial of the Sanctuary." Echidna said.
"The trial of the Sanctuary?" Subaru asked.
"You may not understand now, but once you learn where it is, you will realize its worth. What feelings will you have toward me when that happens? The mere thought gives me such beautiful expectations." Echidna said and licks her hand.
"You... are a witch, aren't you?" Subaru asked.
"Yes, that's right. I'm a very, very evil magic-user." Echidna said as she pokes Subaru on the forehead which leads him to the portal behind him. As he wakes up, he finds himself still inside the temple and holds his head.
"Anyway, I need to get out of here, and back to Emilia-tan and Otto." Subaru said while walking towards the light.
'I feel like... someone said something to me...' He thought. As he reached outside, he saw Otto on the ground who got stunned.
"Otto?!" Subaru cried.
"Eek! What happened to me in here?! Please don't tell me that I died!" Otto cried.
"You just lost your consciousness, moron." Garfiel said.
'Says the one who beat him up in here.' The gods thought.
"Thankfully, nothing happened to Subaru-kun after that "Tea Party" with a witch." Rem said.
"The way you pronounced the Tea Party is a bit sarcastic, you see." Echidna said.
"Any problem with that?" Rem asked as the two stared at each other.
Look at you, just waltzing out of there! You've got some nerve, outsider! Is this like a magmarin laughing when it's full of holes?!" Someone behind Subaru said as he lifted Subaru and throws him away. Patrasche saw him flying and quickly runs to him to catch him by drifting the cart towards him.
"Hah! He deserves that for being a gatecrashing outsider!" Garfiel exclaimed.
"He threw Subaru- kyun like nothing. Who's this guy?" Ferris uttered while looking at Garfiel.
"Why did you do that to Subaru-kun?!" Rem angrily asked.
"Huh?! How would I know if that happened in the future?!" Garfiel angrily replied.
"The two of you, calm down. The gods might-" Otto was stopped by the two.
"Might what?!" Rem and Garfiel asked in an annoyed tone.
"Or I'll let you embrace all bombardments from my rifle." Tanya coldly said.
"We're sorry..." The two replied.
"Ow. Damn it! What the hell?!" Subaru said while holding his head. He quickly opens the window of the Cart and sees Emilia sleeping inside. He sighed in relief after seeing her safe.
"What a tantalizing choice! That's a nice ground dragon ya got there." The man said. Patrasche roars and charges at the man and bites him on the shoulder.
"You're a real good-lookin' girl, ain't ya? I'm not gonna hurt ya! Just take a little nap!" The man exclaimed and flips Patrasche behind and smashes her down.
"Patrasche!" Emilia cried.
"You're too violent against outsiders, Gar." Ryuzu said.
"Huh?! What should I do, treat them like guests?!" Garfiel said.
"You don't care about Patrasche, ain't you?!" Mildo cried.
"You're such an unfriendly man!" Lucas added.
"A freak!" Dyne added.
"See? The children hate you now after what you did to the ground dragon." Ryuzu said.
"Tch! Yeah, yeah!" Garfiel said.
"Better thank her for fightin' so hard for ya!" The man exclaimed and approaches Subaru.
"Wait... wait!" Subaru yelled.
"I'm gonna throw you guys outta this forest half-dead... Just alive enough to swear you won't tell a soul about this place!" The man said and now leaps to Subaru and is about to punch him.
"You know Frederica, don't you?!" Subaru yelled to make him stop.
"Why the hell did I just hear that name from your nasty mouth?" The man asked.
"Why do you think? Just think about it." Subaru said.
"Thought about it. Don't know. I'll think after I bash your skull in!" The man exclaimed.
"Quit jumping to conclusions without thinking! It's because we know her, too!" Subaru yelled.
"Huh? I'm Garfiel. If you guys know her, you must've heard that name, right." The man named Garfiel said.
"Y-You're..." Subaru uttered.
"How the hell did you know I have anything to do with Frederica?!" Garfiel angrily asked with his teeth shining.
"Are you being serious right now?" Subaru asked.
"Because of your teeth. Those sharp teeth." Ram said.
"I know!" Garfiel yelled.
"Stop yelling, Garfiel." Frederica said.
"Now we'll shift to another scene! Let's go!" Naofumi said and all of them teleported to the scene where Subaru and the others traveled to the others.
"I just got beaten up for nothing. What am I supposed to do with this anger? You call, "Hey, sorry, numbskull, I kinda jumped the gun," an apology?!" Otto angrily ranted.
"Anyway, if you'd shown me that thing sooner, that woulda done it. Gotta act on a ganglion before ya think about it." Garfiel said.
"Gangli... huh?" Subaru uttered.
"Lookin' at that hair, I'm guessin' that's the famous Emilia-sama? The silver-haired half-devil that Roswaal's helpin' out." Garfiel said.
"She's a half-elf! Don't you ever call her that again!" Subaru warned.
"Hey, look at that! Guess you can put some energy into yer voice after all! Wanna know how it feels to be a bazomazo bein' flung back an' forth?" Garfiel asked.
"Uh, is there some sort of translation glitch happening between you and me?" Subaru asked.
"Huh?" Garfiel said. The two stopped as Emilia starts to wake up and sit from her chair.
"Emilia! I'm so glad you're okay!" Subaru called.
"Subaru? Who are you? Just so you know, I won't let you lay a finger on Subaru!" Emilia yelled at Garfiel while defending Subaru.
"Now that's sweet." Ram said.
"Ram!" Emilia said while blushing in embarrassment.
"Lay a finger on him? But I already did it!" Garfiel said.
"Heh. And you'll do more of it soon." Kazuma said.
"What do you mean?" Rem asked but Kazuma whistled away.
"Hang on, Emilia-tan! I appreciate it, but as a guy, I have mixed feelings about this! I'm fine!" Subaru defended.
"I'm not gonna do anything. I don't want Ram givin' me hell later." Garfiel said.
"Ram?" Emilia asked.
"Sister might give you hell...?" Rem asked.
"Hmph. I think I'm not going to like the next events later on." Ram said.
"This is getting interesting now!" Garfiel exclaimed.
'Why though?' The gods thought.
"This is Garfiel." Subaru said.
"Garfiel... The one Frederica told us about?" Emilia asked.
"Yeah, and he's showing us the way to the Sanctuary now. Ram and the villagers from Arlam are there... right?" Subaru asked.
"Don't wanna believe me? That's your call. Ain't no turnin' back now, though. We're already past the barrier." Garfiel said.
"Then we're in the Sanctuary right now?" Emilia asked.
"C'mon, gimme a break. Weren't you asleep 'cause you got close to the barrier?" Garfiel asked.
"The barrier?" Emilia asked as she remembers what happened to her earlier.
"Come to think of it, when the stone glowed..." She added.
"It was at the exact same moment. So it was reacting to the barrier, then? But why did only Emilia-tan pass out? I mean, I got transported somewhere, but Otto-" Subaru was stopped by Garfiel.
"You know damn well why the barrier reacted to her and not you two. It's not just half-elves that thing reacts to. It works on me and a lot of others, too. That's cause..." Garfiel said.
"Because you have mixed blood, too?" Emilia said.
"So the Sanctuary is a place where demihumans with mixed blood live?" Subaru asked.
"You guessed it! We welcome you, Emili-sama, and your two escorts, too!" Garfiel said. Subaru and Emilia opened the windows and looked ahead of them at how the Sanctuary looks.
"So this is the Sanctuary...?" Anastasia asked while looking around.
"This is just like a hidden forest for me!" Mimi exclaimed.
"But with a small village inside." Hetaro said.
"Now, what is Roswaal doing in here to be exact?" Crusch asked herself.
"The Sanctuary is your home, Garfiel?" Otto asked.
"Yeah! You have a problem with it?" Garfiel asked.
"Of course not!" Otto cried.
"This place can be a good hideout for my soldiers." Tanya said.
"Hideout? You'll just blow up the place if this was a training area for your troops!" Naofumi said.
"Roswaal likes to go around callin' it the Sanctuary, but it ain't the kinda place that deserves such a nice name. Nothin' there but a hodgepodge of halfwits. It's just a dead-end testing ground." Garfiel said.
"Um, where should..." Otto uttered.
"You're back? It took you long enough." Ram said.
"Ram!" Subaru called.
"And here's my first appearance." Ram said.
"No, you were shown earlier but as a thought." Kazuma said.
"I haven't a clue which Barusu you are, but I'm disappointed by how long it took you to get here. Ah, but I suppose I was a fool to expect more of you." Ram said.
"If your story is that you "haven't a clue" who I am, stick to it!" Subaru said.
"Hmph. Emilia-sama, I welcome you. Roswaal-sama is waiting inside. Allow me to show you the way. Garf, take the ground dragon and carriage somewhere suitable." Ram said.
"Is that any way to treat me? That's just how I like it, though. Yo, cabbie, follow me." Garfiel said on Otto.
"Are you referring to me?! That's the worst name you've called me yet! Also, I have to be alone with you?!" Otto cried.
"I'll pick up what's left of you." Subaru said with a thumbs up.
"Why am I being treated so roughly?!" Otto whined.
"You're future is cruel as we expect, Otto." Ram said.
"Oh please, you're kidding, right?!" Otto cried.
"What a poor guy." Kazuma said.
"Truly he is." Naofumi said.
"What are you talking about? When I was unconscious, Emilia only stayed safe because you were there. I'm grateful." Subaru said.
"O-Oh? W-Well, as long as you're appreciative... Right." Otto said and now leaves. Subaru looked suddenly at Rem after Otto left.
"What?" Ram asked.
"Oh, just... wondering how you were doing. You remember what was going on last time I saw you. I couldn't get in touch with you after that, and to be honest, I was really worried." Subaru said.
"As you can see, I am as lovely and healthy as ever. The villagers of Arlam are all safe, too. You can be at ease." Ram said.
"I see... Yeah, that's a real relief..." A real relief." Subaru said in a sad tone, remembering Ram and Rem together before. Ram noticed how Subaru looked and this made him look away.
"U-Um, listen..." Subaru uttered.
"Hey, Ram... This isn't a place to stand around and talk. Would you show us inside?" Emilia asked.
"Certainly." Ram replied and walks inside.
"Subaru, are you all right?" Emilia asked.
"Yeah." Subaru replied.
"I'm sorry for interrupting you, but..." Emilia uttered.
"No, I get it. I just freaked out a little. For her to not even ask about Rem when all this is going on... I'm pathetic, right?" Subaru asked. Emilia holds his hand and looks him in the eye.
"It's only natural to be scared. I'll never think that's pathetic. Let's go. We'll fix what happened to Rem, and everything else, too." Emilia said.
"Got it. No matter what happens? I'll be your meat shield and keep you safe." Subaru said.
"Ah, what a romantic moment for the two." Anastasia teased.
"T-That's not true! It isn't a romantic event!" Emilia said.
"I see. Barusu wanted to do anything for me to remember Rem after what happened. What a pity." Ram said.
"Let's head to the next location!" Tanya said.
"Yes, ma'am!" Everyone replied and they got teleported to the next one.
"Ah, Emilia-sama, and Subaru-kun. It feels like it's been so very long since I last saw you." Roswaal said as he can be seen covered with bandages throughout his body.
"Woah! What happened to Roswaal?!" Priscilla asked.
"Oh my, it seems that I had a worse scenario in the future than Otto-kun over heeeeere." Roswaal said.
"What in the Earth happened to you." Ricardo asked.
"He got hurt so bad like a beaten clown." Typhon said.
"A bad clown..." Daphne said while sniffing.
"It could be worse than the time we fought the White Whale. A powerful man like Roswaal-sama got hurt so bad... this is unacceptable!" Ram said.
"I know how you feel, Ram. But, this is really what happened in the future. Let's see more of iiiiiiit." Roswaal said.
"Things are getting harsh in the future." Rem said.
"I agree." Emilia said.
"I was going to slug you when I saw you again, but now... What the heck happened?" Subaru asked.
"What could have hurt you so badly?" Emilia asked.
"Well, now, where shall I begin?" Roswaal said.
"Hey, before that, just one thing... The alliance with Crusch-san is on. Now are you satisfied with the results you got from abandoning me?" Subaru asked.
"Yes, more satisfied. Truly, truly, you were the once-in-a-lifetime windfall I had long waited for." Roswaal said.
"Oh?" Subaru said.
"Roswaal, what is this place? Since we got here... no since we made contract with the barrier... I've had this anxious feeling in my chest, and I can't relax. I've heard it called the "Sanctuary," but it doesn't seem like one to me at all. In fact, it feels more like..." Emilia asked.
"The Witch's Graveyard? Does it seem to make far more sense to call it that?" Roswaal asked.
"Wait, how did you know that?" Crusch asked.
"You know that it is the Witch's Graveyard...?" Emilia asked.
"Hey! That's too early for interrogation! Keep watching!" Naofumi said.
What do you mean?" Emilia asked.
"Exactly what I said, nothing more or less. This is where the Witch of Greed, Echidna, met her end long ago, and in my mind, it is worth calling a "Sanctuary." Roswaal said.
"Echidna..." Subaru uttered.
"Subaru? Are you all right?" Emilia asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. And why are you overseeing a place with that kind of backstory?" Subaru asked.
"It's quite simple. This land has been overseen by the heads of the Mathers family for generations." Roswaal said.
"Then the Mathers family and the Witch of Greed have-" Emilia was stopped by Roswaal.
"Echidna". Roswaal said.
"Huh?" Emilia asked.
"Please, when you speak of her, do use her name. The name "Witch of Greed" makes her sound so evil. That's not very nice, is it?" Roswaal said.
"I humbly thank you for making a good image for me to others." Echidna said.
"Perhaps I did something well that will satisfy you." Roswaal said.
"What is the meaning of this, Roswaal?!" Puck asked in a disbelief tone.
"Oh? Like what I said, this happened in the future and I have no idea on why I said such strange things to Emilia-sama and Subaru-kun." Roswaal said.
"Don't tell me... you have a connection to them?!" Garfiel angrily asked.
"You halt those balderdash accusations, everyone. If you still insist to continue this, it will just ruin your watching of the future." Tanya said.
"I'm keeping my eye on you, Roswaal." Puck said.
"Um, then... The Mathers family and Echidna have been acquainted for a long time, and that's why they've always overseen this place?" Emilia asked.
"Yes, though to say we "oversee" it is a bit of an exaggeration. Echidna's barrier prevents entry by outsiders who fail to follow the forest's proper procedure. In addition, the barrier has certain effects on those whose blood meets certain conditions. Did you not experience this yourself, Emili-sama?" Roswaal said.
"And how did you end up in such a sorry state." Subaru said.
"Did you not find it at all strange, Emilia-sama? That all the people who fled to the Sanctuary, as well as Roswaal-sama and myself, stayed here and didn't return to the mansion?" Ram asked.
"Well..." Emilia uttered.
"I mean, you stayed here because you're hurt, right?" Subaru asked
"We are all being held under house arrest here in the Sanctuary." Roswaal said.
"What?!" Emilia and Subaru said.
"H-House Arrest?!" Otto shrieked.
"What's the purpose of getting a house arrest warrant if you didn't do anything?!" Mimi asked.
"It's because they're in the Witch's Graveyard. And as you hear it, this could be that woman's fault who did this to them." Tivey said and points Echidna.
"I guess everything is going to be exposed one by one... In the future..." Echidna said.
"Yeah. Unless they meet the bunnies." Kazuma said.
"Bunnies?" Rem asked.
"Ah! Nevermind! It is a song from our world! Yeah! "Unless they meet the bunnies yeah yeah yeah!" Kazuma said.
"A song about bunnies? Hmmm." Emilia said.
"Who in the hell would make that darn song?!" Garfiel angrily asked.
"Myself, Ram, and the people of Arlam... Oh, and you two as well, from the moment you entered here." Roswaal said.
"The hell? You guys are still flappin' your gums in here?" Garfiel asked who suddenly barged in the room.
"House arrest... Then are Roswaal's injuries..." Emilia said.
"Nope. He got hurt 'cause he was rejected by the trial." Garfiel said.
"Trial?" Subaru asked.
"What does that mean?" Emilia added.
"You've seen what happens when you come in contact with the barrier, right? Mixed-bloods who go through that and still come in here, are never allowed to leave." Garfiel said.
"What?! No way!" Ferris said.
"Emilia... that means she won't get out of the Sanctuary too as Roswaal does. Am I right?" Crusch asked.
"That is correct. For her to-" Echidna was stopped until she was stared by Tanya.
"What. Did. I. Said. About. Spoiling?" Tanya coldly asked.
"If Ferris enters the Sanctuary, it means that he won't get out of there as well because he's a demihuman?" Wilhelm asked.
"Correct. But people like Subaru might get out of there without getting blocked by the barrier since he is a pure human." Julius said.
"Good thing I wasn't a demihuman." Otto sighed in relief.
"Like what Echidna said, they still can't get out unless they pass the trial! Got it?!" Minerva yelled.
"Then why do you have to yell as well?!" Garfiel yelled.
"Because I want to!" Minerva yelled.
"Does that mean Emilia, too?" Subaru asked.
"The barrier doesn't mean squat to most people. Doesn't that seem a little unfair, Emilia-sama? The only way to break the barrier is to go through the graveyard's trial, but, if anyone who isn't a mixed-blood tries it... All the villagers are rounded up in one place.
So long as they don't act up, we won't hurt 'em. They even get three meals and a nap every day! This is our demand. Break the barrier surrounding this Sanctuary. The only one allowed to undergo the trial to do that is you. If you can't break it, we won't let any of the villagers leave. Of course, you can't leave here yourself, either!" Garfiel stated.
"Is it true... Garfiel?" Puck asked.
"You saw my future self said it. It is true. If Emilia-sama fails, you won't break it. That's plain simple." Garfiel said.
"If we saw Subaru-dono suffer in the first wave, that means..." Wilhelm uttered.
"It will be Emilia-sama's turn to suffer as well. How cruel..." Reinhard said.
"Don't worry! Once we see how it goes and we did it at our home soon, everything will be changed and all events will be organized as well!" Puck said.
"Did you forget that you are all dead because of the huge sunstrike?" Naofumi asked.
"Oh... Yeah... We're already dead though..." Puck uttered.
In a chapel, the demihumans and human villagers are found to be staying and waiting for anything good to happen. Until Subaru opens the door and they were relieved.
"Subaru-sama!"
"Thank goodness, you're fine!"
"I'm glad you're all okay." Subaru said.
"Are the others all right?"
"Is the lord recovering from his injuries? We heard he got hurt trying to help us." Some villagers asked.
"Okay, everyone, listen up. As you know, we got rid of the bad guy who attacked the village. The other group that evacuated is back at the village, waiting for all of you to come home.
I guess you've all been informed that it's not easy to get out of here. But don't worry! We've got someone who's going to undergo the trial to set you all free!" Subaru exclaimed.
"That means..."
"You're going to do it?"
"No, if I could do it, I'd be more than happy to, but... I think you all know who this is. It's Emilia, the royal selection candidate. She'll be undergoing the trial." Subaru said as Emilia enters the chapel and some villagers started to murmur about her presence.
"I-I'm sorry you had to wait so long. In the place of your domain lord, Roswaal , I will undergo the trial." Emilia said. And some villagers still have worried and sad expressions to it.
"Let me ask you just one thing." Milde said as she approaches Emilia.
"Chief..."
"Why do this? You bowed your head to us the last time you saw us, too, but we were the ones who turned you away. If it's because you want is to back you in the royal selection, that's just fine, so long as you come out and say so.
But if you have some other reason, we would like to know... that you are not a witch who is beyond our comprehension." Milde said. Emilia looked at Subaru who nods at her, telling her in thought that she can do it.
"This is the time that Emilia needs to show her worth to the villagers and regain their trust by telling them what are her objectives for them and how good it is for the sake of everyone." Crusch said.
"Emilia-sama can do this!" Petra said.
"T-Thank you, Petra-chan." Emilia said.
"Don't yell, Petra! The future Emilia is going to talk now!" Mildo said.
"I know, I know!" Petra said and the other kids laughed.
"I don't have the confidence to give you a respectable answer right now. I don't have any strong, convincing words that would satisfy all of you. But... Though jt wasn't for very long, I spent a few days with your families, the ones who aren't here now. And it made me realize... that families should be together.
I want to return all of you to your families. I didn't promise them that I'd do so... But I promised myself... That's my only reason. I wasn't really thinking about earning your support or anything. But if possible, I'd like to... um... be friends with you all. That's what I want." Emilia said.
"Emilia-sama..." Milde called.
"Y-Yes?" Emilia asked.
"I realize this will sound like we only care about what benefits us, but... I pray you will accept our friendship." Milde said and they started to bow at her.
"P-Please, I should ask the same! I know I'm not worthy, but please accept my friendship!" Emilia said and also bowed at them.
Crusch started to clap her hands, the same goes for Ferris, Anastasia, and everyone who is around the scene as they appreciate how Emilia asks for her friendship to the villagers and this made them proud.
"This is the first time I supported one of my rivals in the Royal Selection." Anastasia said.
"Same goes to me. But, if it is all about the villagers, and for their sake, I'll truly am with it. I support it." Crusch said.
"Do you agree too, my lady?" Al asked Priscilla who got everyone look at her.
"M-Me? Hmph, why should I... Ugh, fine! I support that half-elf if that's what you want." Priscilla said and everyone clapped.
"Finally, she swallows some of her pride." Naofumi said.
"But I still hate her. Should I steal something from her?" Kazuma asked.
"No. Unless if it's necessary, pervert." Tanya said.
"I'm not worthy"? Who says that in this day and age?" Subaru said.
"Emilia-sama... seems to have changed a bit. Is it because of something you said to her?" Ram asked.
"It's the result of her thinking things through on her own. You shouldn't assume all her decisions from someone else." Subaru said.
"You're right. I was in the wrong this time." Ram said.
In the evening, Emilia is surrounded by the spirits as she is ready to undergo the trial.
"Did you get enough support from the lesser spirits?" Subaru asked.
"Yeah, everything's fine. Still, I think I'd like one last cheer." Emilia said.
"Can I do it?" Subaru asked.
"I want you to do it. Please." Emilia said.
"You can do it! Don't give up! EMC! Emilia-tan, major challenger!" Subaru said and danced.
"Thank you!" Emilia said and now walks into the temple. The light on it started to glow on her.
"That means she's been approved as a qualified challenger in the trial." Garfiel said.
"You can do it, future Lia!" Puck cheered.
"Puck..." Emilia said.
"She can do this!" Petra cheered.
"Yeah!" Lucas agreed.
"Let's see if she can pass the trial." Echidna said and she was stared at by everyone.
"What? I'm just saying what will happen." Echidna said.
"If you'll talk, Echidna, please not in the scenes such as this. Everyone will lock their eyes on you." Sehkmet said.
"I... agree..." Carmilla said while sobbing.
"I'm going now." Emilia said and walks away.
"I get that it sucks being trapped here. But why didn't you do this yourself?" Subaru asked.
"If I could, I would, damn it." Garfiel said. The light of the temple suddenly disappeared after Emilia entered.
"H-Hey, is she gonna be okay?" Subaru asked.
"The light's not gonna supposed to go out as long as the trial's going on..." Garfiel said.
"Emilia!" Subaru yelled and runs to it.
"Barusu!" Ram chases now Subaru. The light suddenly glowed once again as Subaru approaches the temple.
"Why..." Ram uttered.
"Does that mean..." Rem uttered.
"Like earlier, Echidna grants him to be put into trial. Natsuki Subaru is also going to the trial as well." Crusch said.
"But how?! That's impossible!" Garfiel roared.
"Shut up for a while! We're not done yet watching!" Tanya warned.
"I don't understand, but if I can get in there, that's good enough for me! Just stay there! I'll yell if I need you!" Subaru yelled. He enters the glowing temple and sees a door opened ahead. He enters there and sees Emilia lying on the floor.
"Emilia!" Subaru yelled and rushed to her. Until he felt something strange.
First, you need to face your past.
A loud thud was heard after Subaru felt something from his body.
"Why are we now in a dark place?!" Kadomon asked.
"It's so dark! I can't see a damn thing!" Priscilla said.
"Because this place is a room." Naofumi said.
"A room? Of who?" Emilia asked.
Subaru wakes up on his bed and looked beside him in which he can see his figurines and bookshelves on the side.
"Good morning, son of mine!" A man suddenly rushed into Subaru and lands himself to him, making him spit some saliva.
"Hey, c'mon! What? What? What's wrong? You look as if you just saw your dad naked first thing in the morning!" The man said with a grin and the title "The Long-Awaited Reunion" appeared on everyone.
"S-Subaru's dad?!" Everyone shrieked.
"This room. Is this..." Puck uttered.
"Subaru's own room back in his world. Welcome to his modern world in the next episode, you ignorant humans!" Tanya exclaimed with her usual menacing grin.
"Eh?!" Everyone shrieked.
With that, everyone went back to there rooms for today.
Felt was lost in thought, for the first time since forever. Felt was thinking-, no scheming was a better word for it. She wasn't scheming about what she would steal from what Noble, or how she could scam a client. No, she was scheming on how she would get her brother away from those who have hurt him dearly and those who just want to absorb her Big Bro's camp into their own so they could either use his knowledge of another world for profit or abuse his return by death and keep him as a safety net.
Thinking about how everyone in the room all seemed to have ulterior motives for her brother made her blood boil. A greedy merchant who sees him as nothing but a tool for profit, an evil clown who wants her brother to be some kind of mindless emotionless tool so he can revive the bitch of greed known as Echidna, her blood boiling just thinking about that evil witch. A red-dressed prideful bitch who see Subaru as entertainment, and lastly the green-haired valkyrie's camp.
Surprisingly out of everyone in the theater, Crusch's camp seems to the be only one who seemed interested in helping Subaru beside his own camp, and Felts'. But that didn't mean she would give him up so easily, especially with a certain feline healer who insulted him. Each step towards his painful journey only stopped when he killed himself to save his lady, and a blue-haired maid who killed him twice.
No matter what, Felt had to get Subaru to join her camp. Under her protection, he would never have to feel the fear of death ever again. And she won't be far away and fail him like in one of his failed loops. She just… needs to figure out how.
"Lady FELT!"
The Sword's Saint voice shook the room, finally breaking Felt's long concertation and forcing herself to look at the red-haired handsome man.
With his lady looking dead in his eyes, giving her uninterrupted attention and just stared at him for a good 10 seconds w
"I-i'm sorry Lady Felt… I didn't mean to scream at you- you were just in such a long train of thought I was becoming a hint worried. I'm sorry again." The sword saint finished with his head down.
"Geez, Reinhard. I understand, stop apologizing, sorry I was ignoring you. I was… thinking like you said…"
"Thinking about what my lady?" Reinhard asked, though he already knew what his lady was potentially thinking about he asked out of curiosity just in case he had the wrong idea.
"You probably have Divine Protection for that, why don't you figure it out?"
"I'm sorry Lady Felt, I don't have a divine protection for read-"
Before the poor sword saint could even continue his apology, a shoe was flying directly at his face, the sheer strength and speed of the leather object were completely inhuman. The shoe was flying across quicker than a bullet, following a small narrow path aiming directly at the sword saint's head. Of course, dodging would-be mere child play but the sword saint did as he always had when he was faced with his lady shoes.
He took it like a man.
The shoe landed a direct hit on the sword saint's face and slowly fell. Reinhard's face remained as handsome as ever, not even a shoe print could be seen.
"Can you please tell me when I'm being sarcastic for once!? Also, stop apologizing. We went over this 1…2… billion times during the viewing!"
"It was 20…well now 21-" Before Reinhard could continue he was met with a death stare by his small but fierce lady. Telling him, without needing a divine protection of mind reading. 'If you continue speaking, I promise I'll make you suffer a thousand deaths.'
"Never mind, continue Felt-sama"
With a loud heavy sigh, the young Dragon Candidate continued.
"You and I both know what I'm thinking about. It's big bro, Rein, we gotta get him to join our camp somehow."
"I understand my lady, but it truly will be a difficult task."
"Once we get out of here, you and the other knights will put that clown exactly where he deserves to be. Behind bars or put to death, right?"
"... Felt. For his crime against the dragon, the mage will surely be at most put behind bars."
"Good, I never want that bastard to see the light of day again! But the second he gets put in prison, without a sponsor everyone will be rushing to either absorb big bro's camp or just get big bro to join alone.'
"Yes… that does seem to be the case."
"The viewing is over, so we don't know when Big bro will wake back up, or get sent home. So I need your help, Rein."
The sword saint perked up with interest, he knew the request of his lady was going to give him before she even uttered her next words, but he was still hesitant.
"Help me, come up with a plan to help big bro and big sis's camp by persuading him to join us. Help… your friend, Rein."
The sword saint paused for a minute in thought. On one hand, he truly did want Subaru to join him and Felt. As the sword saint and as a friend he will surely never fail Subaru again, especially after all the horrors he's been through and if he is under his domain. After all, protecting Subaru was something Reinhard already swore to do, not as the sword saint but as a friend to Subaru.
The first man who didn't see him as the all mighty, powerful sword saint Reinhard van Astrea… just Reinhard. He accepted his personality and instantly took a liking to him day one and for that… Reinhard couldn't fail. But there was another thing weighing him down.
How would Subaru feel about this? He was a knight of another camp, and knowing him well now. He would probably fight tooth and nail to make sure Roswaal wouldn't get arrested. If he arrested Roswaal how would Subaru view Reinhard… a monster? Someone who doesn't even deserve the title hero.
"Lady..Felt… I.. want to help.. I do. But..Subaru…"
"He's an idiot." Felt interrupted.
"Pardon me, my lady?"
"He's a kind-hearted idiot, Rein. He probably will just fight tooth and nail to get Emilia to stay in the running while also protecting Roswaal. I don't need divine protection to tell what you're thinking. Mr.I have divine protection for everything."
Felt joked at the end before an aura of pure determination swarmed around her. Her posture was straight, her gaze were fiery and calculating at the same time, and as put certainly not least the sheer passion of her voice echoed throughout the entire room.
"That's why, we can't let that idiot and his good heart. Get hurt or used by anyone again Rein. Be greedy Reinhard, not as greedy as that…witch! But greedy like me. I'll do whatever it takes to keep big bro safe whether he likes it or not. But…I don't have an exact plan yet."
Slowly Felt lets out a devious smirk and stared the sword saint right in the eyes, showing complete confidence, and sincerity at the same time.
"I-i'm not really good at planning so i'm gonna be a bit of help. Will you help me protect our brother, Rein?"
In an instant, all doubts clouding the sword saint's mind seemingly vanished. The only thing left remaining was the unbreakable will to help his friend. For the first time in a while, Reinhard let out a cheeky grin and said proudly.
"We will help Subaru, and I will follow you wherever you go my lady!"
Meanwhile as the Felt camp sharpened their already strong resolve to help the raven-haired knight. A mauve haired merchant was playing a game in her mind, a game of deceit and lies, a game of bluffs and emotions, but more importantly a game of strategy.
The game she was playing in her head was similar to chess, but it wasn't two sided. It was more complex than that, three different groups of pieces all moving to capture one king, a king that could change their lives forever. A king that if joined would basically spell out success for whoever is able to get him to join their camp, willingly or not.
Subaru's potential was great, far greater than anyone in this building can even imagine. Return by death, while a disgusting and amazing power that had saved his incompetent camp's life time and time again. It wasn't the only thing that caught the eye of the merchant queen Anastasia Hoshin, it was his mind.
Subaru Natuski came from another world, a world much more advanced than theirs that didn't rely on magic but instead…technology. A world that could be tapped into that chaotic mind Subaru has and used to its full potential. Hoshin's rain would be considered Hoshin's water droplet by sheer comparison, the amount of income that would be flowing in and the amount of lives his knowledge would…be an added bonus.
Not only that but its also been shown, Subaru isnt as stupid as he makes it out to seem. He was clever, able to speak, and persuade the right people while able to think quickly on the fly. That was shown during the battle with the white whale, and a failed loop against the archbishop of sloth who he was able to out smart. Not only that, but he did also almost create something on the fly when mabeast were attacking him in the Roswaal manor but even though it failed. Her gut was telling her, if he just had the resources and had just a little bit more ambition. Just maybe, no. It wasn't a maybe, it was sure that Subaru would change the world.
Subaru Natsuki would be a great tool to use for the days to come, and that was the problem in this little game of chess. It's no secret that everyone here has some kind of ulterior motives for Subaru but out of everyone. The merchant queen knew that was her biggest flaw, even after everything she's seen. Even though she's grown quite fond of the boy, she still saw him as a tool. A tool that would serve her in the long end, and not…a one-time use when she manipulated information out of him and left him to die.
That's why this game of chess was so hard, her main opponent was the duchess, Crusch Karsten. She loved the boy, caring very deeply about his well being, and because of the feeling she felt she won't give up without a fight. Every strategy Hoshin would make in her mind, would somehow always be countered by the duchess somehow.
'Your debt plan won't work.'
'Do you actually expect Natuski-san to join, how do you put it, a greedy gal?'
'You see only profit in him, and as we've clearly needed from the viewings he isn't interested in working with people like that.'
'You see him as nothing but a tool to be used, and for that I have no doubt Natsuki Subaru will never fall into your hands.'