Yo everyone, how's it going? Hopefully good. Anyway, enjoy the chapter.

"That doesn't work, I suppose." Beatrice shot down his idea. "You won't find Betty's answer twenty minutes into your full year of time." Beatrice looked down at the boy the hope in her eyes had diminished somewhat, but Subaru could still see it clearly.

"Well, Beako I think I'll stay here for another hour or so." Subaru looked at the librarian the resolve in his eyes hadn't diminished at all.

"You won't come up with it." She stated picking a book off of the shelf.

"Well then what do you want to talk about Beako?" He looked at the book in her hands, "Oh do you want to talk about that book?" He asked her.

"Well you won't let me actually read it so why not I suppose."

With those words from Beatrice, the librarian with hope hiding in her eyes, and Subaru with cold resolve filled eyes, began to talk.

They spent hours talking about anything. From books to so many other topics. It was here that Beatrice learned that Subaru was far more knowledgeable than he looked. He might be able to find my answer. She hoped.

After two hours of conversation, the topic shifted to the inhabitants of the mansion. Once they got to Ram he realized how angry the pink-haired maid would be.

"Shit," Subaru whispered imagining the look on Ram's face. They're going to be worried. They might suffer. I need to go stop them from suffering.

"Well, I need to go Beako," Subaru told the young looking spirit.

"Ok, I suppose." Beatrice looked down at the ground. Her tone had a hint of loneliness.

"Don't worry Beako I'll be back tomorrow." Subaru walked towards the door of the library.

"It's perfectly fine with me if you don't come back I suppose." She proclaimed.

Subaru looked back at the girl. His face devoid of an expression. He looked into the girl's eyes. She saw a slight touch of warmth in them.

"See you tomorrow, Beako."

Without another word Subaru turned and left the library. "Humph." Beatrice crossed her arms. She didn't want to admit to herself that she almost needed him to come back.

Subaru stepped out into the mansion his eyes searching the hallway. They quickly caught onto the pink haired girl standing outside of the doorway.

"It's time to get to work. Idiot Barusu." Subaru was greeted by Ram's usual insults.

As Subaru followed Ram, she was planning out the work that he would be doing. I need to keep him away from Rem unless I'm with him. Ram tried to find the ideal way to do that. The best way is just to stay with Barusu at all times. She decided.

At the same time Subaru was thinking about his upcoming struggle. I need to focus on a way to defeat the white whale and sloth. Both should be easy I know how to get Crucsh and Anastasia on my side. The problem is that the loop is already different than it was before. Well, it doesn't matter I should work on remembering the negotiations. Subaru racked his brain as he and Ram began their work for the day.

The rest of the day went as normal, except Subaru and Ram didn't have to do nearly as much work thanks to Rem being there.

When it was time to prepare dinner Subaru got ready to begin cooking. However, he was interrupted by a short blue-haired maid.

"Sister." Rem called out to Ram. "Can I speak to you?" Rem asked. What got Rem to be that assertive? Ram asked herself.

"Alright." She nodded leading Rem out of the kitchen.

"What is it Rem?" She asked her younger sister.

"Why are you letting him cook? He could poison the food." Rem voiced her suspicions. Ram stared back at her sister her eyes narrowed slightly.

"Why do you think he would do that?" Ram asked. If Barusu was a spy he wouldn't have tried that hard to get to me in a forest full of Mabeasts. I'll have to explain that to Rem later tonight.

"Because he's a witch cultist!" Rem shouted. Her stomach was churning from the intense smell of the witch that Subaru gave off.

"Barusu is not a witch cultist." Ram's eyes narrowed further.

"What makes you so sure? You can't smell the witch's scent. He gives off so much of it that it's nearly impossible to be in the same room as him." Rem explained. Her eyes were wide and they held a frantic look.

"Rem." Ram's eyes narrowed further. Rem heard the cutting anger in Ram's voice. "Barusu is not a member of the witch's cult. He ran into a mabeast infested forest just to save our lives. Granted I could have done it myself. But he still ran into a forest full of mabeasts."

Rem opened her mouth to respond but Ram interrupted. "I will explain this more to you later tonight." Ram's eyes pierced into Rem's. The two stared into each other's eyes. Rem lowered her eyes after a few seconds.

"Yes Sister." Rem whispered.

"For now just take care of getting the dining room ready. I'll make sure Barusu doesn't mess up the food." Ram explained as she walked back into the kitchen.

The rest of Subaru's dinner preparations went normally. He made a meal fit for the gods and Ram, like usual, gave it barely a passing mark.

"Alright you're free to go for tonight. You are lucky Rem assisted us with work. Don't be late tomorrow." Ram ordered as she carried the meal Subaru had prepared into the dining room.

As Subaru walked back to his room he thought to himself. Maybe I should get Beako to come to meals. That would help me take on her suffering. He remembered the look of loneliness in Beatrice's eyes as he left the library. Did I cause Beako to suffer?

"Do you think I caused Beatrice pain?" Subaru pushed the thought to his contracted spirit. He remembered the words he'd said in the forest about telling people of the burdens he carried. I need to talk to people about these things.

"What…" Subaru noticed right away that the voice sounded tired.

"You still out of it from yesterday?" Subaru asked.

"Yeah. The-hah-El Minya was excessive." Nan yawned back. "What did you ask me?"

"It's nothing. I can talk to someone else about it." He reassured the spirit. "Are you going to be like this all the time?"

"You used up all of my mana, and I'm busy fully forming the contract. Which is taking a while." Nan explained. He sounds far more mature. Subaru observed to himself.

"I don't fully understand the spirit arts, but is it because I'm not good enough at it?" Subaru assumed his general uselessness, in fighting abilities, was the cause of it.

"No I'm just trying to fit my contract onto your soul safely. Were you contracted with anyone in the past?" Nan asked his voice curious. Subaru noticed that the spirits voice sounded faintly like Echidna.

"Yes." Subaru felt a hunch. "Is it affecting you?"

"Now that you mention it my personality could be changing. The remnants of this contract are vast. I'm like an ant trying to hook itself onto a winged dragon. So this old contract might alter me slightly as I finalize our contract." Nan explained.

Hopefully he doesn't fully turn into Echidna. Subaru thought to himself. Anger rose in his chest at the thought of the witch.

"I need to finish attaching myself to you. I should be-hah-normal by tomorrow night." Nan's tired voice retreated. Could I use him to become an actual combatant on the battlefield? Subaru thought on it. We could use shadow magic to mess with the enemy. But I don't know all that much other than Shamac or Minya. He tried to think of somewhere he could find shadow magic spells. Beako. I can ask her to teach me some shadow magic.

The look of need and hope in Beatrice's eyes flashed through Subaru's mind. Did I cause her to suffer? Subaru began to ask himself over and over. He didn't realize that outside of his mind he was standing in the middle of the hallway. While he stood there thinking a certain half-elf stumbled upon where Subaru was standing.

"Hey Subaru," Emilia called out rousing the boy from his mind.

"Hey Emilia-tan," Subaru responded. Could I vent to her. Subaru remembered the smile Emilia had given him when he thanked her. That smile. It was real. Subaru chose to believe in Emilia.

"Are you alright Subaru?" She asked him.

"I am, but do you have a few minutes to listen to me talk?" He asked the silver-haired girl.

"Of course Subaru." A smile formed on Emilia's face.

Emilia left the sleeping boys room with a slight smile on her face. I finally found a way to repay him. She thought to herself. Her smile dampened slightly when she thought about all the things Subaru had told her. Why didn't he ask for my help? She thought back to when Subaru had finished talking. He'd thanked her and then quickly fell asleep. But he hadn't asked for help with all the things he'd talked about. He probably has it figured out. Emilia walked back towards her room to sleep for the night.

At the same time as Emilia and Subaru were speaking to each other another conversation was occurring. It was a conversation between two oni.

"That's everything that happened while you were gone, and after I knocked you out in the forest." Ram finished retelling events. Ram's pink eyes observed Rem as she finished. The younger maid's blue eyes were misted with tears of guilt.

"How did he find us?" Rem asked with the last suspicion she could muster.

"I don't know but-" Ram started to speak but Rem interrupted her.

"It's because he was involved. He's a member of the witch's cult." The guilt in Rem's eyes retreated somewhat and her suspicions began to return.

Ram put her arms around her younger sister wrapping her into a hug.

"Rem." Ram finished what she was going to say, "Barusu is a good person."

Rem's eyes widened her suspicion froze. Sister is praising someone other than me or Roswal.

"Of course, sister." The suspicion in her eyes retreated fully.

"He's also completely idiotic," Ram added.

Rem held her hand to her mouth trying to cover her smile and hide her giggling.

"Of course, sister." This time Rem said it with a slight smile.

"Just try not to kill him." Ram spoke, "It would be a hassle to clean up."

"I'll try. It really would be a hassle wouldn't it." Rem joked. A sense of guilt filled her mind at the fact that a few minutes ago that wouldn't have been a joke. I caused my sister to worry. I must atone greatly. She remembered a night of fire. Must atone.

"Well, good night Rem you should sleep," Ram advised.

"You're right sister. Rem is very tired." Rem admitted referring to herself in the third person.

The two sisters parted ways. Rem went to sleep and Ram sought out Roswal's office.

Once Ram had gotten her injection of mana she began to return to her room. As she walked through the dark mansion she heard a faint whispering. She walked in the direction it was coming from. When Ram drew closer to the source the whispering resolved into words.

"Was it real. Why? Why?" Ram realized that it was Subaru having nightmares again. Oh it's Barusu. Her lips twisted into a frown. A slight glint of concern appeared in her eyes. The pink-haired maid stalked towards Subaru's room. She was trying to remain quiet. I can't wake him up.

Ram reached the door of Subaru's room. "Dammit Barusu." She whispered to herself as she silently opened the door.

"Why?" Subaru continued to mutter to himself. "Why are you in my dreams?"

Ram slinked towards the sleeping boy. She reached out her hand towards his. Once Ram reached his hand she linked their hands. As Subaru's sleeping mind realized what Ram had done his body shifted.

After a few seconds it looked like Subaru was clinging to Ram's hand. Ram got the impression that this is how a man would act if you were the only one holding them from falling off a cliff. What caused these nightmares?

Subaru's whispering slowed. His mind calmed by Ram's hand. He let out another whisper, "Why are you in my dreams?" Her eyes widened. His voice is far more lucid. She noticed. The maid searched the boy's face and body for any sign that he was awake. But they all pointed to Subaru still being asleep. Good. I didn't wake him up.

A few seconds later Subaru's lips parted to speak again. "Are you real? Are these dreams more than dreams? Why? Why do you haunt my dreams…?"

"Satella?" Ram's blood froze. Her entire body stiffened. Barusu? She could barely believe what had come out of his mouth. Is Ram right? That fiery night flashed in her mind. The memory of Subaru killing all the mabeasts that surrounded her. Stop. I can just ask him in the morning.

"I have questions for you Barusu." Ram let out a barely audible whisper.

After fifteen minutes she was finally able to relax. For the rest of the night she watched Subaru restlessly. And Subaru himself slept peacefully.

Subaru opened his eyes. He looked towards the clock it read 4:55. Time to start the morning. He thought to himself. His gaze shifted towards the door. Subaru's breath caught. A short woman stood there. In the dark Subaru couldn't see if her hair was pink or blue.

"So you finally decided to wake up? Lazy Barusu." Ram admonished him.

Oh its Ram. Subaru's surprise drained away. Wait why is she waiting for me to wake up?

"What is it Ram?" Subaru asked.

"I, against my better judgment, partially trust you. So I'm going to ask you these questions. I want you to answer honestly Barusu." Ram began. Subaru couldn't see her face very well, but he could see that her hands were balled into fists.

"My first question. How did you find me and Rem in the forest?" She asked.

I get nowhere by lying, and she won't suffer if she hears this. "Minor spirits told me." He answered.

Ram's fists uncurled. That makes sense he did have a contracted spirit. But he said the name Satella so casually. I should try and verify these answers.

"Can you show me these minor spirits?" Ram asked.

When Subaru heard Ram's question he closed his eyes to think. How did I call to the spirits last time? He thought back to when he was running through the forest, and that feeling of pushing his thoughts into the outside world.

Subaru concentrated on that feeling. "Hey can you guys show up. That's all you need to do." He pushed his thoughts out of his mind. Will they suffer if they're called for such a useless purpose? He kept that thought to himself.

The two workers waited for minor spirits to begin appearing. But the room remained mostly empty. The only spirit that appeared was Subaru's contracted spirit. It rose from Subaru and began to hover above his shoulder. Nan. He thought to himself observing his spirit. As Subaru watched him Nan began to pulse rhythmically.

"It would work far better if you tried it outside," Nan spoke into Subaru's mind. Subaru noticed that the voice sounded different than yesterday. It sounded even closer to Echidna's voice than it had yesterday. But strangely Subaru could feel that Nan was less like Echidna than he was yesterday.

"You feel different than yesterday." Subaru pushed through their mental link.

"I finally got the contract stable, so I should be back to myself. Mostly." Nan offered a short explanation.

"What is happening Barusu?" Ram interrupted.

"He says that we should go outside," Subaru responded.

Ram's eyes narrowed slightly in the darkness. "Why do you need to be outside?" She asked.

Subaru thought about it for a second before shrugging his shoulders. "No idea."

"So you're clueless. Typical Barusu." Ram insulted. "Well let's go. It gives me time to ask my second question."

The two housekeepers began walking to the outside of the mansion. How should I ask this question? Ram thought back to last night. I trust him. But, to say her name so casually. Maybe it's because he was dreaming. She tried to reason through what she'd heard. I shouldn't sugar coat this. Her lips parted to speak.

"Barusu." Subaru looked back at the maid. The two could see each other faintly, thanks to the light of Subaru's spirit. Ram stopped walking. "How do you name the witch of envy so casually?" Subaru's eyes widened slightly. This loop might be over. "Be honest Barusu."

"I-"

"I should preface this by saying that I doubt you're a witch cultist." Ram interrupted. Subaru looked into her eyes. He saw the trust that lay there. I should be honest. But if I say too much she dies. How do I be honest without having Satella kill Ram?

"I…" Subaru tried to think. C'mon… Oh. He found an answer.

"I'm not afraid of the witch," Subaru admitted. Her eyes widened. When she looked into his eyes she could see that he wasn't lying.

"Huh." She held her chin in her hand. "That makes me feel better. You aren't a witch cultist. You're just an idiot. How very in character." Ram's eyes returned to normal. I can tell that there is more to that story. She thought to herself. But that wasn't a lie. Once again he is far too abnormal to be a spy, or even a witch cultist. A witch cultist wouldn't say her name casually they'd be energetic. Ram once more decided to trust Subaru.

"Well Barusu, let's go see these spirits of yours."

A few minutes later Subaru stood in the front yard of the mansion. Ram stood a few meters behind him. And Nan was orbiting around Subaru's head. Alright let's try this again. He thought to himself.

"Spirits. Come to me." Subaru pushed the thought out of his mind with a pulse. Within a few seconds a blue light appeared. The dark morning got a little lighter. Then another light, and another. More and more lights were forming around him. The air around Subaru began to glow.

Ram watched the spectacle with a relatively straight face. She couldn't erase the tiny hint of a smile on her lips. So he was telling the truth. She turned her attention back to Subaru and the spirits that were surrounding him. She'd seen something like this many times over the years. After all Emilia did this very often. Though, Ram couldn't dismiss the fact that the air around Subaru was glowing brighter than whenever Emilia communed with spirits.

Subaru felt voices begin to speak into his mind. "We're here." They resounded.

Rem was walking through the hallways, on her way to the kitchen to prepare breakfast, when a blue light illuminated the mansion. What's going on? Rem turned to where the light was coming from. She stared out the window. Is that? It didn't take Rem very long to recognize the boy that stood at the center of the light.

Rem's eyes widened. How can a witch cultist… Rem felt a sense of awe rise in her chest as she stared at the spirits surrounding Subaru. Create something so beautiful.

Puck sensed it almost immediately. Minor spirits. I need to wake Lia.

"Lia." Puck pushed the thought into the sleeping girl's mind. "Wake up."

Emilia stirred her eyes fluttering open. "Puck?" She asked.

"Something's happening. No time to explain, c'mon." Puck motioned for Emilia to follow him. Emilia's mind grew more alert as she walked towards the door of her room. It wasn't very long before she felt spirits gathering.

Emilia reached the door when she pulled it open she felt blinded. The light coming from the courtyard was so bright. "Why are there so many spirits?" She asked as she made it to the window nearest to her room.

Her eyes grew used to the light. In the center of it she saw the faint outline of a person. "Is that Subaru?" She looked over to where Puck was hovering.

"It seems so." He responded.

Mana was pouring into Subaru. With this I can…

Roswal watched the boy from his office window. His eyes were wide. This development was not in his gospel-Though soon the gospel and his memories would be retroactively changed to include it-and the surprise he felt warred with another emotion. This emotion was represented by the wide smile on his face.

"I suspeeect it will beeee a little easier to geeeet Emilia-samaaaaaa onto the throne." Roswal began to plan out how to use this. "You may also beee in neeed of a promotioooon… Natsuki Subaru."

Subaru's gate was roaring with mana. His mind was roaring with memories. The memories of faces. So many faces. They were all the people Subaru had ever cared about in this world. I will take on their suffering.

Next chapter is arc 3. See you guys then.