Chapter 6: Friend in High Places
Subaru stood before everyone in a combination of fear and despair, yet not as intense. He knew that everyone would come to see him as a monster, someone who could no longer be trusted. He even wondered how this would impact Emilia's candidacy, but he knew that it was too late for that.
Now, there would be no more secrets, no more resets to keep them from the truth. The Warden would likely see to that.
Wasting no more time, Subaru cleared his throat, and thought about how best to word the reveal.
"I'm sure you all know by now that I have somehow died, but are confused about how I'm still alive, among other things that don't seem to not make sense about me," Subaru began, wanting to try to ease the Cast into the truth.
"How do I know things I'm not supposed to? Or stuff that's about to happen?" Many recalled previous battles alongside Subaru. The loot house, the Mabeast incident, the battle against the White Whale and Sloth, and the Sanctuary. Subaru always seemed to have prior knowledge of things he wasn't supposed to.
"How was I the only one to remember Rem when everything else forgot about her?" The Emilia Camp in particular flinched at this. Many of them were close to Rem, especially Ram, but Subaru was the only one who kept his recollection of the blue oni.
"And why do I have the Witch Scent if I'm not affiliated with the Cult?" Everyone, especially Rem, realized that they never looked into Subaru having the Witch Scent.
"Well, the answer lies in an ability I've had ever since I came to this world. An ability that is the reason I'm still alive, as well as many others." Subaru gave a sigh, but kept going.
"..."
"I call it… Return by Death."
Silence. Everyone heard what Subaru said, and they all had to process the name. "Return by Death". The name implied that he came back from something, and death was the catalyst. But coming back from what? And how did it allow Subaru to do so much?
Subaru in particular feared a reaction from the Witch, but there was nothing. Time did not stop, there were no shadows, and no hand. The penalty was truly disabled for the first time ever.
"I know you all have questions, but let's save them for after I explain the power, is that okay?" Subaru asked everyone, and soon enough, they began to nod their heads, agreeing to the terms.
"Okay. So, how my power works is a bit confusing, but I'll try to make it clear. So, when my power activates, my consciousness and memories are sent back to specific points in time. Basically, I can time loop. I go back in time to these things I call "checkpoints", which are kind of random points in time I return to. While normally I can travel back by a few hours or days, I've never gone back farther than a week," Subaru explained his power before coming to a stopping point, allowing everyone to digest what he said.
Roswaal nodded along, but inside, he felt sick to the stomach. He already knew about Subaru's power, but he never actually knew how it activated.
"I mean it doesn't sound so bad, right? Sure, it has its upsides, but it's nothing compared to the downsides…" Subaru grimaced as he recalled the great times he lost thanks to his horrible power.
"What… do you mean by its downsides…?" Crusch asked, almost afraid to know.
"Well, when I go back, no one else remembers what they did, or even what I did, in the previous loops," Subaru explained, causing Rem in particular to shiver at the possible things she could've done to her hero, "Not only to they forget the bad experiences they went through, but also the good ones I shared with them. I become the only one to remember whatever good memories we made, while… you all forget it like it never happened. Well, I mean never did happen for you, but that doesn't make it hurt any less."
Hearing that, Emilia's mind suddenly remembered something. Back in the Capital, when she and Subaru fought, he said something about owing Emilia something. He also acted pretty familiar with her back when they first met… but that wasn't how they truly first met, was it?
"But what's worse is how my power is activated. You'd think I'd be able to use my power with just a snap of my fingers or with little more than a thought, but no…" Subaru gave another sigh before continuing.
"..."
"My power only activates… when I die."
Once again, the Theater was filled with silent horror.
"Y-you mean… "
"Only… activates…"
"When you die?!"
"Yes, yes. I know," Subaru responded to the horror the Cast was voicing, "But unfortunately, that is how my power works, and believe me, I wish I could change it into something else. As for any questions you have, now would be a good time."
"How many…?"
Subaru turned to Emilia, who had her head down so he couldn't see her expression, but he could see she was clearly shaking. "How many… what?"
Emilia looked up so Subaru could see that she was already on the verge of tears. "How many times have you died?!"
"..."
"..."
"...I stopped counting after the Sanctuary."
The Emilia Camp were officially mortified. They remembered the challenges they faced because of the clown, and now they wondered how many times their friend had been forced to relive that event.
Emilia herself was completely horrified, but she couldn't help but wonder why Subaru never told her. He should've told her. This was a secret not meant to be kept! Why didn't he tell her?!
Roswaal himself couldn't help but feel ashamed that he forced Subaru to go through such horrors. Had he known that Subaru could only activate his ability via death…
Oh, Teacher. What have I done to him…?
Everyone was still confused regarding the events that transpired at the Sanctuary, but the message was still clear. Subaru had died so many times that he stopped counting his deaths.
People were only supposed to die once. Their bodies and minds could not handle more than one. This… power Subaru had… it was wrong, it was a perversion to nature, it was… unnatural.
Unnatural… the purple-haired knight thought to himself, and then, he realized something.
"Subaru…" Julius had caught the attention of his fellow knight.
"..."
"Is your power… an Authority?"
Subaru was momentarily stunned that Julius figured it out so quickly, but regained his composure. "Yeah, it is. And it's by far the most powerful one. Not in combat applicability, or destructive potential, but the idea that I could do literally anything I want with practically zero consequences, and live to tell the tale. Or, more accurately, keep those secrets with me to my figurative grave, since I couldn't actually divulge my power before today."
"Divulge? What do you mean?" Crusch asked for confirmation.
"It… ties into the reason why I've never told any of you before, or at least never successfully told you," Subaru began to explain, "Do you all recall what the screen said when first arrived here? It said "Return by Death Penalty Status: Deactivated", and this penalty prevents me from being able to talk about Return by Death to anyone. I can divulge the information I gained from past loops, but I can't talk about the power itself, lest I wanna get a heart attack, or… even have the person I'm talking to killed."
""KILLED?!"" Subaru almost jumped out of his skin when everyone screamed in terror.
"Ah, crap baskets…" Subaru muttered. He'd rather not have to tell them, but he felt they needed to know, "Yes. That is another one of the Return by Death's penalties. If I am prepared to fight through the pain of having a heart attack and tell whoever I'm talking to about my power… their heart will be crushed in order to preserve my secret."
No one was able to keep a straight face. Subaru truly was never able to confide in anyone. He was forced to keep his mouth shut and take the horrible secret of his power to his grave. No one was allowed to know about this horrible power. No one at all.
Suddenly, Reinhard's breath hitched as his mind came to a terrifying conclusion.
"Subaru, when we leave this Theater, will your penalty… attempt to kill us?" As the Sword Saint finished his sentence, everyone in the Theater came to that horrifying realization. The penalty was deactivated in the Theater, but when they left with knowledge of Return by Death…
"I… really don't know…" Subaru gave an honest answer, "This has never happened before, and the only time I was allowed to talk about my power to someone else, everyone still died…"
"So… what yer sayin' is… We're gonna drop dead when we get outta this place…" Anastasia concluded, with Subaru unable to give an answer.
The whole theater was sent into a silent panic. Many of the younger members of the Cast began to cry and hold someone close to them, obviously terrified of what might happen. Frederica and Ricardo could only think of comforting the young ones in an attempt to distract themselves from the horrible truth. The knights were in a state of disarray, as they were now facing something they couldn't combat. Reinhard was searching through all his Divine Protections in the hopes that one of them will be able to save them, or maybe praying that the Od Laguna will grant him a new Divine Protection to help save everyone.
Kenichi and Naoko were also devastated. Their son had gone missing for over two months, and the moment they're reunited with him, they're doomed to die, and to leave him alone all over again. Not only that, but the idea that he had died before, by the hands of his so-called "friends", no less, left a bad taste in their mouth, far worse than seeing their baby boy as some world-ending supervillain or an insane, and possibly cannibalistic, cultist.
Different members of the Camps were not taking it well either. Garfiel and Otto felt like their fates were sealed, that this would be their last day alive. Roswaal felt like he should have taken on a more active role to prevent everyone knowing, but he at least took some comfort in the fact he would be reunited with his Teacher. Beatrice was definitely saddened by the news, but not scared. She never feared death, and even yearned for it before she contracted Subaru. Her greatest concern was that Subaru would have to contract another Spirit in order to survive, or else he would die of mana poisoning.
The Royal Candidates each reacted differently.
Emilia was understandably distraught. Not the fact that she might die when they leave, but that she realized how truly alone Subaru was. She thought that maybe he didn't trust her enough to confide with her about his power, but he proved her wrong. He was willing to tell her, but he lacked the capability. Oh Subaru… I'm so sorry…
Anastasia almost felt like this was karma for what Julius did to Subaru, since he was technically her knight, as well as scamming him when he was desperate for help. She always knew that knowledge was power, and it was almost ironic that knowledge may be what actually kills her. Normally, people seek knowledge to help prevent death, and now the very act of knowing is what sealed their fates.
Damn it all! Subaru tried to keep it secret to save our lives, and we pretty much forced it out of him… Crusch reprimanded herself. She now knew that she couldn't complete her goal, and that there would be no more Royal Candidates to take the throne. She wondered if this was the Warden's true intention all along, to have all the Royal Candidates mysteriously die from crushed hearts, leaving Lugnica in disarray.
Priscilla was the closest thing to a mess that she could come to. She was furious at Subaru, furious at his disgusting power, and furious that his penalty may result in her death. A small part of her knew that it was outside of Subaru's control and that he tried to keep the power a secret so they wouldn't die, but the damned screen practically led them all to their deaths.
Subaru could only look on in despair as he had sealed everyone else's fates. Subaru thought about attempting to kill himself to take away their knowledge of his power, but other problems soon became apparent.
Assuming he even could kill himself as others may try to prevent his death, he would be right back to square one. Even if he still chose options where he doesn't use or mention Return by Death, they would still arrive at the last episodes, and then they would want answers all over again. He knew they weren't going to leave him alone until they had an answer. He could tell them he wasn't allowed to talk about his power, but the penalties were deactivated. He could say that if they knew about his power, it would kill them, but he didn't even know if they would take him seriously.
Subaru had thought about it, and he could only think of one thing that may save them. I have to submit myself to Envy.
The Witch only cared about him and him alone, nothing else meant anything to her. If he offered himself to her, then maybe that would convince her to leave everyone alone. A deal with the devil, per se. Subaru offers his submission to her in exchange for everyone else's survival. However, it still left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Truth be told, he still hates Envy with a burning passion, but not Satella. Satella is as much a victim of Envy's insanity as everyone else. Maybe, this would allow him to find a way to save Satella from Envy.
He didn't like it at all, but if it saved everyone's lives, then he would do it.
Alright, that's enough of that.
Everyone was shocked to hear the Warden again, but before they could say anything, they were interrupted by their… well, warden.
Don't think this will be a regular thing, I'm just here to clear something up. None of you are going to die when you leave.
Suddenly, a wave of shock and relief spread across the Theater, but no one was more shocked than Subaru.
"B-But won't the Penalties be reactivated once we leave?!"
Yes, but everyone here has been granted… special immunity. No hearts crushed and no dropping dead. You'll all be fine.
Everyone soon began to relax and feel the anxiety leave them. They weren't going to die!
After everyone took a minute to calm down, Subaru sat down relieved that he wouldn't have to give up his freedom to Envy.
Actually, now that I think about it… Subaru wondered as he pictured Satella wearing a very revealing outfit with a confident, seductive look over her face while she looked down on him.
That's actually kinda hot… Unbeknownst to Subaru, this thought made Satella and Envy very hot and bothered.
I was just here to let you all know, you may now resume your newly scheduled program.
In response, the screen lit up its next two options.
What if Subaru contracted the Divine Dragon?
OR
What if Subaru was adopted by the Astrea family?
Everyone else read their newest choices carefully, and while they both looked promising, they decided to tread with caution. They needed to make sure that they didn't have a repeat of the Warlock of Envy, or, Od forbid, the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony. So, Anastasia gestured towards Al to check the conditions, which he happily obliged to.
Conditions: Return to the Capital City, Loop Three.
References "the Original".
Conditions: Subaru arrives earlier.
"Huh, I guess I can actually talk about the loops now," Subaru hummed in amusement.
"The loops? Is that what you call –"
"It's what I call my past lives, yes" the Japanese teenager answered Reinhard's question, causing the Cast to shudder once more. "Now, let's see which one this is referring to…"
Seeing the first option, along with the condition, Subaru couldn't help but remember his earlier theory about him having been to this world before. Volcanica worked alongside the Great Sage, which was apparently me. If Volcanica recognizes me, then that will give me definitive proof that I, somehow, was the Great Sage four hundred years ago!
"Again with this "Original"? What even is it?" Anastasia wondered.
"I'm afraid I don't know, Anastasia-sama." Julius had a suspicion that perhaps Subaru knew what this "Original" was.
"Subaru, if these loops are accurate, what is this one referring to?" Julius asked.
"Hmm… let's see… There were only two times I had to loop around the Capital, so given the context, this is… oh, I know!" the black-haired knight analyzed, and smiled when he figured it out. "This is the loop where everyone betrayed me and left me to die!"
Everyone was silent.
"How can you just… say that so joyfully…?" Tivey asked, slightly disturbed.
"Eh, compared to some other things I've experienced, this was just some wounded pride," the Japanese teenager waved it off. "But basically, the long and short of this one is that I requested help from everyone available at the Capital with help against Sloth, and the results were… less than desirable."
"Wait, you never came to me and Rein for help, Big Bro," Felt commented.
"You weren't there. It was during the week after the Royal Selection."
"He's right, Felt-sama," Reinhard nodded. "Subaru, I deeply apologize for not having been there. Perhaps I could have assisted in the battle against Sloth and the White Whale.
"Nah, it's fine. I'm used to doing everything by myself." Subaru waved off the apology.
But you shouldn't though… Emilia sadly thought.
"Didn't I try to beat that toxic thinking out of you back at the Sanctuary?" Otto asked.
"How do you think I got into it in the first place?" Subaru rhetorically commented.
"...I don't wanna answer that." Neither did anyone else.
"Thought so."
"MOVING ON," Frederica said, trying to prevent this cat fight. "The long and short of it was that you were rejected, and everyone died in that loop. Am I correct on that assessment?"
"Yeah, spot on."
"So then, the change is that someone did indeed answer your call for help."
"And that someone was none other than the Divine Dragon himself," Wilhelm nodded.
"Okay, but the main question is "How?". How did Subaru manage to make a contract with the Divine Dragon?" Julius made his question known.
"I may have an answer," Subaru gained the attention of the Cast, "It's a theory I thought up when we were watching me being the Warlock of Envy, and it gained more evidence during the last episode where I went all apeshit."
"Well, what's the theory?"
"That I… was somehow around four hundred years ago, before the Great Calamity."
"""What?!""" Everyone shouted in disbelief.
"I know, it sounds insane, and there are still a few gaps to be filled in, but it's the best answer I've got," the knight answered honestly. "Like, how the hell did Shaula recognize me during the last episode? Why did I understand that inside joke about Reid? Some certain things that happened in the Sanctuary that I'm contractually obligated to keep quiet about, and how in the everloving hell was my Warlock counterpart around four hundred years ago, despite me being in the here and now? Return by Death doesn't let me travel back through centuries."
The first thing that went through most people's minds after hearing that was "What the fuck exactly happened at the Sanctuary?" The second one was that there were too many of these "coincidences'', and that something was up.
"Look, let's just give that option a chance," Subaru said. "Because if for some batshit insane reason I'm right… it will change the entire history of this world forever, and it might even help us from turning our suicide mission against Pandora, into at least a fighting chance."
The Cast was quiet for a moment. Everyone had long calmed down over the possible idea of death, but now, they were all trying to figure out the enigma that was Subaru Natsuki. Sure, even after finding out he's a time-traveling immortal from another world, there were still some more skeletons in his closet, ones he might not even be aware of.
"So, what do you guys say?"
Everyone looked at one another, wondering if it would be safe to learn yet another one of his secrets. Last time, it nearly cost them their lives, but now…
One by one, everyone raised their hands.
In the end, it was a unanimous decision.
Al pressed the button to start the episode, as everyone sat down, and the lights dimmed.
And thus, their second sitting through the multiverse of madness began.
What if Subaru contracted the Divine Dragon?
Conditions: Return to the Capital City, Loop Three.
The Royal Castle was readying itself for the meeting.
Subaru entered the hall first followed by Felt. The other Candidates were already there.
"Oh, I guess we're back at the Capital," Felt hummed.
"I agree…" Reinhard's response died down, as he, and everyone else saw who was entering the Great Hall, on-screen. Subaru, followed by Beatrice, Shuala, and…
"IZZAT REID FUCKIN' ASTREA?!" Garfiel hollered out.
Everyone in the Theater recognized the redhead from the intros, and sure enough, he looked just like the man the Sword Saint identified as his ancestor back during the first episode.
"Okay, first off, HOW THE HELL IS HE STILL ALIVE?!" Felt screamed out in disbelief.
"Guess we'll have to watch and find out." Otto suggested.
Nervous energy filled the Great Hall, people looked at each other silently; they did not know what course of action they should take.
Reid left the group and found the drink buffet. Beatrice was holding Subaru's hand tightly while Shaula remained glued to his side.
He had smiled when he noticed the bottles of Granhiert on the table.
"That confirms it's Reid, I suppose."
"How do you know, Beatrice-sama?" Julius asked.
"Reid was a notorious drunk when he was alive, in fact."
Meanwhile, Subaru was approaching a familiar face.
"Hello, Subaru!" Emilia greeted him with a smile.
One Subaru returned happily.
I feel better already. I'm not alone this time. I'll be fine, Subaru reassured himself.
"Yo, Big Sis!" Felt greeted Emilia with a cheerful smile.
Felt was looking forward to the meeting. She knew deep in her guts that something interesting would happen today.
"Hello to you too, Felt," Emilia replied with an ever-present smile.
The atmosphere relaxed considerably when it was seen that Subaru had not started a fight upon entering. Watching Felt, Emilia and Subaru discuss had reassured the guests.
"Why were they so on edge?" Naoko couldn't help but ask.
"Well, last time I was in the capital… It didn't go so well…" Subaru said in response. He didn't wanna remember the horrible day.
"How bad are we talking?" Kenichi asked his son.
Giving a sigh, Subaru indulged his father, "Welp, I made a fool of myself trying to stand up for Emilia-tan, then I got beat within an inch of my life, and then Emilia-tan severed ties with me."
Many of the Cast couldn't help but feel horrible at how they treated the black-haired knight. Sure, he needed an attitude adjustment, but they could've been nicer about it.
I abandoned him… I abandoned him and he died because of my mistake. Emilia thought to herself. She wondered how many times she made Subaru die to the White Whale and Sloth to try and save her.
The awkward silence slowly dissipated and people mingled again. Each Camp's supporters remained together along with the Candidate they supported. Felt's supporters had not the courage to join her seeing that she was discussing with the new Hero.
"I guess it's a time skip." Subaru commented.
"A time skip?" Emilia asked.
"Yeah. We're not seeing me contract Volcanica, we're seeing the aftermath."
After sparing them a few glances, Anastasia Hoshin chose to approach the group carefully.
With a poker face, she addressed Subaru with a smile and eyes full of calculation.
Seeing her approach Subaru couldn't but help but start frowning.
Shaula noticed and followed his gaze and immediately put herself between the approaching candidate and Subaru.
Subaru looked surprised at this turn of events.
"Shaula…?" He muttered slowly.
As for Shaula, she was determined to protect her Master from those disgusting people. Beatrice had explained to her with a tone full of bitterness what had transpired between the Candidates and Subaru.
Unforgivable! I will never forget nor forgive those slights, those pieces of filth inflicted on Subaru, Shaula swore viciously.
Crusch, Anastasia, and Priscilla all flinched when they heard Shaula's inner monologue. They managed to earn the wrath of the Great Sage, and it was now easy to see why.
She was planning to restore her master's honor.
That was why she turned toward the one called the Greatest Knight with a glare on her face.
Seeing that Shaula was preparing herself for a fight, Subaru caught her arm to hold her back.
Anastasia saw the Sage's disdain for her yet she continued her approach not deterred by it. After all, Subaru Natsuki had stopped Shaula from taking action. That meant that he would be open to a talk or so she believed.
"Good morning, Natsuki-sama, Shaula-sama," she greeted him and Shaula respectfully.
Subaru's face was twisted into a grimace.
Ah! Now she treats me with respect, he thought bitterly.
"What did I do to you?" the merchant queen asked, a little offended.
"Scammed me out of Crusch's information, mocked me about it behind your mercenaries, and then left me and all of Irlam Village to die, so, the same as Priscilla and Crusch." Subaru said matter-of-factly.
"Oh…" Now Anastasia really wished she hadn't opened her big mouth.
"They did what…?" Naoko looked like she was going to break some legs.
He schooled his feature onto something more polite and responded.
"Hello, Hoshin-san." He had almost wanted to spit on her like she spat on their deal but refrained himself from doing so.
Take a breath Subaru, it'll be fine. Breath deeply ignores what happened previously. You can't humiliate yourself again, be mature, he coached himself.
Shaula ignored her with ease. To her, there was no need to talk to trash.
Beatrice who was still holding his hand could feel her little brother's emotion fluctuate wildly.
She scowled and turned her glare toward the merchant.
"Who has granted you the right to address Betty's little brother like that? Have you already forgotten your position I suppose?" she harshly asked the surprised mauve-haired woman.
"Oof, harsh," Subaru sympathetically winced.
I deserve it, don't I? Anastasia said to herself.
Anastasia recovered quickly.
"And who may you be?" She asked carefully, for she did not know the identity of the little girl who held on Subaru's hand so tightly.
"Betty is the Great Spirit of Yin," she declared proudly, challenging the merchant with her gaze to look down on her again.
People around the Hall exchanged bewildered looks. It was known that Subaru Natsuki was accompanied by a Great Spirit and that said Great Spirit had played a role in the battle of Flanders. Still, her appearance wasn't widespread knowledge. People had been more focused on the fact that the Sage, Shaula, was a woman.
Anastasia flattered before steeling herself.
"I am merely trying to make amends for past mistakes, Beatrice-sama. I am truly ashamed of the debacle that had taken place in the past. I offer to you Subaru Natsuki, my most sincere apologies," Anastasia bowed before him.
Such an act moved the audience. To lower herself in such a meeting was without a doubt a proof of her sincerity.
Anastasia herself knew otherwise. This wasn't a sincere apology, this was just a way to look better in Subaru's eyes. Subaru was now in a position above her, and since she scammed him and her knight beat him up, it was obvious she was only trying to look good.
Normally, this wouldn't bother her, but now it left a bad taste in her mouth.
Subaru's face conscripted he knew that now he should accept her apologies and move on. Still, he couldn't bring himself to answer. His throat was tight.
They died, they all died and you spat on me when I asked for their salvation, he thought almost deliriously. Madness sparked in his eyes.
And now I have to accept her apologies because she bowed?! No one helped me when I did so. No one. But of course, I have to accept it. Bitterness filled him, he had known deep down that the Candidates would turn the situation to their advantage. Still, he had hoped to not have to meet them again, a futile wish.
Before Subaru opened his mouth to accept her apologies, Beatrice spoke up.
"It's not enough." Her voice resonated within the Hall. Anywho gazed at her could feel the fury she emanated.
"You think that you can humiliate and insult Betty's Subaru and get away with it?!" she yelled furiously; she couldn't help herself.
How dare they?! Betty's Subaru suffered so much because of their selfishness and they think they can get away with it! Betty won't allow it I suppose, the Great Spirit made her mind.
SLAM!
Everyone flinched at the sound of that, fearing that a fight just broke out.
Before she could unleash more insults a sound resonated in the Hall. A bottle had just been slammed loudly into a table.
People turned toward the buffet trying to determine who had made such a noise.
It was none other than the First Sword Saint, Reid Astrea.
Reid snorted he couldn't help it; these people were hilarious to him.
"Omaera are clowns or something?" He asked without missing a beat.
Priscilla, Crusch, Anastasia frowned; they knew that the First Sword Saint was speaking about them. Yet none spoke out of fear.
Subaru couldn't help but get this strange feeling. He was sure he knew Reid in his past life, but given how the Sword Saint acted, he knew the Candidates, minus Emilia-tan and Felt, were in for the roasting of a lifetime.
Reid looked at them unamused despite his previous words.
"Omae dare to insult someone and mock them at their lowest. And now that the boy is above you, you simper and ask for forgiveness," he continued.
"The brat is right." He pointed at Beatrice who looked surprised.
"No apologies will suffice. Live with the consequences of your actions. Omae humiliated my friend, that's not something I'll forgive even if that idiot does," he explained sharply.
"Hey! I'm not an idiot!" Subaru exclaimed in rebuttal.
Reid is defending me?! He was left dumbfounded by this turn of events.
Of all people, Subaru had not expected Reid to be the one to defend him or take his side.
Reinhard heard the narration, and stared puzzled. Why wouldn't Reid help? Compared to Reinhard, Reid was the pinnacle of heroism.
Right?
"You are far too kind, so you're an idiot. For all your good looks you're all pretty rotten, ladies," Reid concluded.
People around them looked stunned, especially the knights that had accompanied him to the borders months before.
"I stand with that idiot. After all, that's what friends are for." Reid turned toward Subaru and smiled.
Subaru was stunned and so were the people around them.
Ahh, too bright! That's where Reinhard got those ikemen genes, isn't it?! he hissed in surprise the sparkle had almost blinded him.
Ikemen genes? Reinhard internally questioned.
"It means that you're a conventionally good-looking person," Kenichi explained.
"I was surprised you were able to catch his expression," Naoko replied.
"Eh, we raised Subarun long enough for me to understand the language of facial expressions in teenage boys."
"DAD!"
"Well, now I have business with the alcohol cave. If they cause you trouble you know where to find me." Reid saluted and left, guided by a maid toward the alcohol storage.
He had actually emptied all the alcohol on the buffet and was on his way to find more.
Silence filled the room.
"Huh, are you sure you're related to that guy?" Felt asked her knight. Reinhard looked startled.
"Because damn he sure knows how to destroy someone." She finished; impressed by Reid's display.
"ROASTED!"
"SOMEONE GET SOME ICE IN HERE!"
"MOM! GET THE CAMERA!"
He destroyed any feeling of sympathy people could feel for those who wronged Subaru Natsuki.
People looked skittish after the Sword Saint's speech.
They wouldn't have the time to recover their bearings, however.
For the Divine Dragon made his entrance.
"Holy shit, it's actually him," Ricardo whispered in awe.
"Why is he so tiny?" Mimi wondered.
"Heads up, guys, the intro's coming in," Al warned everyone.
"Can't we jus' skip it?" Anastasia groaned. "We already heard it… so… many… times…?"
As the purple-haired merchant complained, she, and everyone else, realized something. The music was different, and so were the visuals they were seeing.
"This is a new introduction," Otto realized.
Opening Theme: Polaris
The opening begins with a bright and shining light, as a child's hand reaches for it. The hand then changes to an older one, with a very familiar tracksuit sleeve. The hand changes once more, to one wearing a knight's uniform.
I recognize that sleeve… both Emilia and Subaru thought to themselves.
The camera shows Subaru being the one wearing the knight's uniform. The screen flashes two shots of Subaru's parents, Naoko and Kenichi, as Subaru gains a determined look, runs towards the light, unsheathing his sword, and then leaping into the air as he slashes towards the camera.
The parents of the nasty-eyed boy felt a little tug at their hearts when they saw their boy remembering them, while everyone else was excited to see what was to come.
"Cap'n ya got a problem wit' da camera thing?" Garfiel asked. "This is the second time ya attacked it in one of these things."
"Why do I have a sword? I don't use a sword," Subaru wondered aloud.
"It's the ceremonial one that was used in your knighting," Ram explained. "In fact, the clothes you're wearing are also the ceremonial ones used during your knighting.
"Did my ears deceive me, or did Nee-sama actually say a sentence that didn't have an insult somewhere in it?!" Subaru said in surprise.
"We just learned that your very existence is an insult, I'm cutting you some slack."
"Ugh! My heart!"
Rem, on other hand, had her mind stopped when she heard something in particular. Subaru-kun… was knighted? AND REM DIDN'T GET TO WITNESS IT?!
The screen then shows multiple rapid still images. From when he encountered Satella in Japan, to fighting off several Mabeasts, to burning down the Capital. Him and Emilia as children in Elior Forest. Subaru in dark clothes sitting on a throne of shadows. Otto drinking with the female Subaru. Shaula with Elsa and Meili. Halibel with Zarestia. Volcanica and Reid. A smiling Rem. All of these images become background noise to…
Tales from the Multiverse
Volume II
"I'm sorry, are my eyes playing tricks on me, nyah?!"
"I'm afraid not, Felix. That screen did just show "Volume II" in the title," Crusch sighed.
"Like… another volume in a book series?" Otto wondered.
"Well, "tales" is just another way of saying "stories", so… maybe?" Meili suggested.
"Oh, hey! We've seen these before!" Al pointed at the flashing images.
"You're right!" Mimi cheered. "Those were the previous episodes!"
"I don't recognize haaaaalf of these…" Roswaal muttered.
"Maybe they're from da choices we didn't pick?" Ricardo wondered.
The next shot shows Subaru, along with the rest of the Emilia Camp and the members of the other Camps, looking off into the distance, as Garfiel smiles maniacally. In an instant, the camera changes to show Volcanica, Shaula, Reid Astrea and Alec Hoshin all sitting together, while the next shot shows a silver-haired half-elf in dark clothes, all by herself in a grassy field, holding a black veil next to her, facing away from the camera.
The next shot shows a smiling Echidna, along with the rest of the Witches of Sin, posing for the camera, along with Elsa, Meili, Halibel, Zarestia, Shion, Flop, Medium, Cecilus Segmunt, Vincent Vollachia, and Ryuzu Meyer, all of them smiling happily.
"Hey, it's all of us…"
"Actually, it seems ta be only official members o' each Camp," Anastsia corrected Tivey. "I don't see Kenichi-kun or Naoko-kun, or Meili, but I do see Hetaro."
"Oh, look, there I am with Elsa."
"SIIIIIDE CHARACTER!"
"She appeared more than you have, Al," Priscilla shut down her knight.
Emilia's attention was drawn to the black clothed half-elf, although they could only see her back, she knew who that was. That's not me… is it…?
The next shot shows Kenihci and Naoko smiling at the camera, who are quickly replaced by Geuse and Fortuna, until flames suddenly light up, and the two of them are replaced by the Sin Archbishops of Sloth and Wrath, Petelgeuse and Siruis.
Emilia was surprised to see Guese and Fortuna again, but was shocked and confused that they were replaced with Petelgeuse and… whoever that bandaged woman is. Could that be… No, you saw her die. It can't be her.
The next shot shows the woman in the black dress, her face obscured by the black hood-like veil, walking, as the faces in the background changed. First, it's a smug-looking Pandora, and next, an apathetic Hector. After that, a crying Echidna, and finally, a smiling Subaru, wearing traveling-like clothes, including an orange scarf.
"Isn't that the lady from the grassy field?" Petra asked Frederica.
Al cringed at the sight of Pandora, as Roswaal did with Hector. Both Subaru and Beatrice seemed confused at the idea of Echidna showing any emotion… but then everyone's attention was grabbed when they saw a different-looking Subaru.
The woman's mind flashes back to a moment where she cradles Subaru's bloodied body, while she cries. In an instant, she runs, and sees a dead Subaru, one with blood all over his tracksuit. Lifting her hands, the body rises, the blood disappears, and his eyes open up. The woman pushes the now alive Subaru towards the arms of Emilia and Rem, while she watches, crying, until suddenly, shadows engulf her and she becomes a monster.
"Who the hell is that?!" Felt yelled in confusion.
"Ain't that th' shadow monster from th' first episode?" Garfiel asked.
Well, shit. Subaru knew that his other biggest secret was gonna get revealed soon. Now, I just needed to get everyone to understand I am not a Cultist, nor am I being brainwashed. Though now that I think about it, Satella being in love with me may be worse…
What Subaru didn't know was that Reinhard had the Divine Protection of Telepathy, and he heard all of that. After the fiasco that happened earlier, he assumed it would be best to keep an eye on Subaru, and the Sword Saint was now in a silent state of shock over what he had just heard. He would talk to Subaru about it later.
In quick succession, three shots are shown, starting with Ram and Rem charging at something, with their weapons out, Beatrice charging up her Minya spell, and finally, Emilia, as she spins towards the camera and slashes it with an ice sword.
"Jesus, what's with everyone destroying the cameras in this opening?" Al asked.
In a long shot, multiple figures appear, all of them moving on and off the screen in rapid succession. First, a smiling Stride Vollachia, followed by a charging Regulus. As the Sin Archbishop gets off the screen, Capella and Zarerstia appear, facing off one another, followed by Halibel and Cecilus. The O'Connell twins appear, followed by the Gluttony triplets of Lye, Roy, and Louis. Shion passes through them, along with Theresia van Astrea, followed by Shaula, Reid and Volcanica. The long shot ends when the dust clears, revealing Pandora and Subaru, both of them engaging in combat.
Stride… Wilhelm glared at the screen with hatred, but he also looked at it with sadness when he saw his late wife run across the screen with the rest of the characters.
"I haven't seen half of these characters," Kenichi commented.
"I've seen a couple of them," Meili spoke up.
The next shot shows the shadowy monster, only for it to fall, making it dissipate and show the veiled girl in the black dress. Subaru dives after her, getting closer and closer, until the two of them are face-to-face. As soon as that happens, the veil flies off, revealing the crying face of Satella, who has black smoke coming off her.
Everyone's brain, except Subaru, Beatrice, and Roswaal, immediately shut down upon seeing the face of the infamous Witch of Envy… who looked completely identical to Emilia.
No… no, no, no, no, NO, NO, NO, NO! Emilia was completely in shock. The Witch had her face! Or was it the other way around? It didn't matter! This can't be happening. This can't be happening. This can't be happening. This can't be happening. This can't be happening. This can't be happening! This can't be happening! THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!
"Emilia!" Subaru snapped his liege out of her mental breakdown.
Looking towards her knight, he looked equally worried, but was hiding it behind a facade of calmness. Nodding, Emilia decided to also put on a brave face, and to press on.
Phew, that was close, Subaru thought to himself. Hopefully, this opening won't show me and Satella doing anything else that could be potentially incriminating –
Subaru merely smiles, and kisses Satella, whose black smoke disappears, as it begins emanating from Subaru. Subaru grabs hold of Satella, and like an olympic athlete, tosses her towards a nearby cliff, where she lands safely, only to see that Subaru is still falling. Subaru looks towards her, when he suddenly gains a pained expression, and the camera reveals that a shadowy tendril has stabbed him, and is dragging him down.
-... And just like that, I am so fucking dead, Subaru thought to himself, as he saw himself make out with Satella, and presumably removing the Witch of Envy from her and transferring it to him, if the shadow visuals was anything to go off of.
Al then paused the screen, and everyone turned to the black-haired knight.
"Subaru, a word, please? Several words, please?! A cacophony of words?!"
"Okay," the black-haired knight replied to Emilia. "Goldfish. The elderly. Elephants taking bribes. That blue fish from "Finding Nemo", Dory, was it? Several other words indicating that I don't have any memory of this or anything else potentially incriminating?"
"Even I don't need the Crusch girl's Divine Protection of the Wind to see that you're lying. Explain. NOW," Priscilla looked pretty pissed at the boy.
After giving a sigh, Subaru gave an explanation.
"Well… this may be the most damning piece of evidence about my possible past life theory … but I'm legally required to keep my mouth shut about it, per Roswaal's contract. Sorry."
Everyone then turned to the mage, who began to sweat a bit. If Subaru was going down, he was taking that damned clown with him. "He is legally required. My haaaands are tied?"
"Then sever the contract!" Priscilla demanded, not wanting to hear a "No".
Roswaal and Subaru looked at one another, nodded, and both said, ""No.""
Before the Sun Princess could act, Reinhard intervened. "Subaru, I know you are legally not allowed to speak of it, but I must ask a question."
After mulling it over, Subaru nodded, allowing Reinhard to ask his question.
"With everything we learned, that the Witch isn't leading the Witch Cult and she did not create the Mabeasts, I have to ask… Is Satella actually a threat to us and the world at large?" After hearing this, Subaru had to think how best to word his answer.
"Yes, and no..." Subaru started off, confusing the Cast, "Remember how Beako said that you need to be compatible with a Witch Factor? Well, turns out Satella wasn't compatible."
"So?" Felt asked.
Seeing how everyone was even more confused, Subaru elaborated, "So… while Petelgeuse's Authority just drove him insane, Satella's mind was… let's say "split in two"."
Suddenly, Kenichi drew upon something else. "Dissociative identity disorder."
"Bingo." Subaru gave a point to his dad. "For those unaware, dissociative identity disorder is a mental disorder where someone develops multiple personalities, likely due to a traumatic experience, and that's what happened to Satella when she gained her Authority. While the original personality is kind, caring, and more considerate, the Witch of Envy personality is the exact opposite. Cruel, obsessive, and won't hesitate to slaughter anyone and anything to get what she wants, the complete opposite of Satella."
"The Witch of Envy… is actually sick?" Felix was the most shocked.
"Not physically, but mentally, yes. As it turns out, the mentally ill are more likely to accept Authorities," Subaru scratched the back of his head. "It would totally explain why I'm compatible with all of them."
"Jesus Christ, that's depressing," Al deadpanned.
"And what exactly does the Witch want?" Julius couldn't help but ask.
"Well… when I actually met her face to face, she did… give me a request." Subaru said, catching everyone's attention.
"What? Does she have some secret hidden plan that will cause another Great Calamity?!" Petra screamed in fright at the prospect.
"No!" Subaru shot down the possibility before elaborating. "Satella said that one day, she wanted she would need me…"
"..."
"... to end her life." Subaru revealed the request he had been given.
Despite all the surprises they had today, despite all the shocking revelations, this single-handedly topped them all.
Satella, the infamous Witch of Envy, wants to die.
"But… why?" Otto couldn't help but ask.
"She didn't say why, but the best guess is that Satella feels guilty for causing the Great Calamity and wants to atone, but since she's only sealed away, she doesn't feel like she's atoning and wants to die. At least, that's my best guess."
"..." Everyone was silent as they processed the information, realizing that the Witch of Envy isn't who they thought she was.
"Alright, any more questions, or are we all just gonna stand around like a bunch of jackasses?"
One by one, everyone sat down, and Al resumed the viewing.
Many of them tried to forget what they heard, and focus on the viewing.
Those who tried failed.
As the tendrils wrap around him, Subaru softly smiles through his bleeding mouth, and accepts his fate. However, suddenly, the shadow tendrils are destroyed, revealing that Satella had jumped off the cliff, refusing to ever let go of Subaru.
And of course, she jumps down after me… Subaru, despite feeling a bit dejected that she rejected his attempt to save her, couldn't help but be touched that she was willing to jump down after him. When did this suddenly get all sappy?
The rest of the Cast was still in shock, at the idea that Satella had willingly jumped down to save Subaru, after the fact that Subaru went out of her way to save her… it was maddening.
As the two of them hug and crash down, the scene fades to show Subaru and Satella standing up, and beside them are Echidna and the rest of the Witches of Sin. Softly smiling, Subaru holds onto Satella's hand, giving a determined look, as all eight of them run toward the sunset, with the final shot of the opening being a still image of the eight of them leaping across the screen, all of them smiling.
Episode Five:
Friend in High Places
"What the fuck, dude," Al asked, after seeing… all of that.
Subaru was deathly quiet, as he felt everyone staring right at him.
Eventually, the pressure was too much for him, and he relented. "Okay, okay, fine. If this episode goes how I think it'll go, I'll talk. Now can we please get back to the show?"
The Cast begrudgingly continued, after that rollercoaster of an intro.
An awkward silence had dominated the room after Reid had left; it was at this very moment that Volcanica had chosen to appear. Now a more solemn silence filled the Hall.
Volcanica's aura weighed down people, despite his form holding only a fragment of his power, some found themselves light-headed others downright fainted.
People knelt in respect no matter what rank they held.
"Why is he perched on my shoulder like a cat?" Subaru asked. "I figured that Volcanica was some sort of giant of a dragon, bigger than Godzilla himself."
"While I do not know who this "Godzilla" is you speak of, Subaru-dono," Wilhelm spoke. "It is true that I have seen the Divine Dragon before, and he is quite larger than… this."
"Maybe he has some sooooort of ability that maaaakes him smaller?" Roswaal suggested. Meanwhile, in the back of his mind, he was hoping that the dragon being in his smaller form would allow him to kill it more easily.
"I, Volcanica, in accordance with the old covenant, shall now judge those who aspire to be King," the Divine Dragon announced solemnly.
People, especially the Candidates, gulped hearing this.
"Along with this one's contractor, we shall meet each Candidate, and determine thy worth," he finished his explanation seriously.
"Damn, tha' voice jus' commands authority," Garfiel whistled.
"Indeed, Garf," Frederica agreed with her brother.
A few Candidates' faces paled drastically.
Still, Subaru turned toward a maid.
"Is there any room where we can conduct a private meeting?" he asked the poor bewildered maid.
"Yes, of course, please, follow me!" The maid stood up, quickly bowed, and led him to a spacious meeting room.
"This room had been used in the past to meet with foreign dignitaries. It should suit your needs," she explained shakily.
It was a wide room, one where two luxurious sofas faced each other separated by a table.
Flowers were put in the corners, the walls were decorated with paintings of different scenery.
"Huh, so this is what respect feels like," Subaru mused. "It's weird."
Otto looked at the black-haired knight like he had grown a second head. "Wait, what do you mean by that, Natsuki-san? I'm fairly certain you've been respected before."
Subaru looked over to Otto, and gasped, "Oh, right, I forgot you existed."
"Ugh, do you have to say it like that?"
"That's perfect, thank you!" Subaru scanned the room and quickly thanked the maid.
After she left he breathed a sigh of relief.
He took a seat on the nearest sofa.
Wait, is that gold? Subaru thought critically while looking at the table in front of him.
"Are you sure that leaving Shaula and Beako alone is a good idea?" Subaru asked worriedly.
"Of course thy student and the Great Spirit are centuries-old there is no need to worry for them," Volcanica reassured him.
"If you say so..." Subaru sighed, leaving behind these two left him anxious. He was worried that Shaula would start a fight with Julius. Then again if she did so she would have won.
Julius quietly gulped where he was in his seat. A small part of him was beginning to regret engaging Subaru in the duel, as it is clearly obvious that, between Satella, Shaula, and the Divine Dragon themselves, Subaru had a lot of friends in high places.
Damn it, I walked right into that one, didn't I?
I hope they won't cause too much trouble, he thought at least.
Shaula and Beatrice had not been happy at being left behind but relented after seeing Volcanica's stern gaze at them.
If anything they both used this opportunity to make the Candidates sweat by remaining in the Great Hall and looking at them with disdain and fury.
The concentrated hatred of a Great Spirit and the Sage was a potent combination that left them almost shaking in their boots.
The first one to enter had been Emilia. She had quickly taken a seat in front of him and remained silent.
"Well, Emilia-tan, no, Emilia-san," Subaru cleared his throat.
Don't show any sign of favoritism, Subaru! Be serious, it's a job interview, he thought. frantically.
Emilia sat in front of him looking every inch like the lady she was.
Emilia Maji Tenshi! Ahh, well forget it, he shook his head.
Subaru and Emilia couldn't help but blush in embarrassment at the other Subaru's thought process.
The rest of the Candidates merely rolled their eyes in amusement.
Volcanica, noticing Subaru's mind drifting, started the interview.
"Child of elves, why does thou wish to ascend to the throne?" the Dragon demanded.
Subaru nodded.
That's a good first question, an easy and quick one, he thought seriously.
Yet, Emilia looked troubled.
She hesitated.
After a few minutes, she resolved herself to reveal her selfish wish.
Emilia took a breath.
"I wish to obtain the Dragon's Blood to save my people," she declared.
"Ehhh?" Subaru was stunned.
"EHHH?!" All the Royal Candidates turned to Emilia, who could only look away in shame.
Wasn't it to end racism? And what about her people? What happened to them? he wondered, befuddled.
Seeing Subaru look of bewilderment Emilia chose to elaborate.
"A century ago, Elior Forest was attacked, and the elves living there were frozen, including me..." she trailed off.
Subaru urged her to continue with his eyes.
"Puck unfroze me but according to him, it cost him a good part of his mana reserve so he couldn't unfreeze the others. I wish to free the remaining elves from ice, that's why I joined the competition," Emilia finished her explanation, she looked at her lap in shame.
"Wait, that's why you're competing? I thought you wanted to end racism!" Anastasia commented on her rival's goal.
"I do! It's just… the whole reason I joined the Royal Selection was so I could gain the Dragon's blood to save the people of Elior Forest."
"And to be completely honest, it's still better than some of your policies," Subaru added.
Crusch and Anastasia flinched, while Priscilla merely gave a scoff. Felt however, thought of something.
"So, let's say that you were to get the Dragon's Blood and free the people of Elior, would you no longer compete in the Selection?" The blond thief asked.
Emilia had to gather herself before answering. "I… I do want equality for everyone, and to end racism."
"And I would expect the other four of you to want the same thing, if you want to at least qualify as "decent fucking people" in my book," Subaru announced. "You know, considering I'm the guy who apparently has who-knows-how many god-level threats in my squad."
Meanwhile, Felt turned to her knight, "Rein. I was thinking of something we could do."
"Yes, Felt-sama? What is it?" Felt then whispered the idea into Reinhard's ear, who's eyes widened at the idea.
"I understand, we can relay the idea to Emilia-sama and Subaru later."
She didn't wish to look at Subaru's disappointed face.
He's disgusted with me isn't he? All this time he wanted to help gain the throne while I just wanted the Dragon's Blood, she thought sadly.
"Emilia-tan, please lift your head," Subaru asked gently but firmly.
Emilia hesitantly followed his instruction.
Subaru was looking at her with gentle eyes.
No signs of disgust or hatred were present.
"I could never hate you, Emilia-tan," he told her.
"Thank you, Subaru," she smiled.
He had no idea how much that actually meant to her.
Seeing this Emilia unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hey, Volcanica, can you unfreeze the elves?" Subaru turned toward his companion in askance.
The Dragon looked thoughtful.
"This one needs to assess the damage, but it should easily be done," The Dragon concluded.
"Did you hear that Emilia-tan?! We can save your people, it'll be fine!" He turned toward the half-elf with a wide smile on his face.
The Emilia within the Theater smiled at the scene, even more than when Subaru said he didn't hate her selfishness.
Emilia teared up hope had been revived within her.
"Yes!" She answered happily while shedding tears of relief and joy.
Both shared happy smiles.
After this conclusion had been reached Emilia remained with Subaru chatting lightly a while longer before she exited the room with her head high.
The future had never looked brighter.
"Now, who is next?" Subaru asked curiously waiting for the door to open. A few minutes later the door swung open.
Crusch strode in alongside her knight. Felix was making himself small. No need to set off the one they had already insulted.
"Uh, Subaru? What did I do, exactly?" Crusch asked. "In detail, if you would."
"When I asked for your help in dealing with the Witch Cult without the offer of the White Whale or the mining rights to Elior Forest, you rejected my offer, called me a madman, and then we pretty much severed ties there, too," Subaru answered bluntly.
"I see…" That was all Crusch could say.
She took a seat. Felix remained standing behind her.
Subaru took a breath to steady himself.
"Well, Crusch-san, why do you wish to ascend to the throne?" Subaru asked her lightheartedly.
"I wish to sever the covenant that binds this country to the Divine Dragon, Volcanica," Crusch told him firmly while looking straight at Volcanica.
Volcanica ignored her completely.
"PFFFT! HAHAHA!" Felt laughed her ass off at that narration, and soon enough others like Ricardo, Mimi, Tivey, and even Meili followed.
Meanwhile, Crusch's face was burning up in embarrassment.
And Felix looked ready to throw some punches, if not for Wilhelm's intervention.
Subaru looked at her dumbfounded. His eyes widened in shock.
"You want to break the covenant between Lugnica and Volcanica? Are you insane?!" Subaru yelled in answer.
"Watch your words!" Felix hissed only to be shut up by the pressure emanating from Subaru.
Before them, was standing not the same boy as months ago but a Sage.
"Hold up…"
"Did the narration just say…"
"A SAGE?!"
Everyone looked towards Subaru, who merely said, "I'll explain later, once I'm sure."
Aaaand, my theory just got a bit more concrete. Great.
"Lugnica stability is only thanks to him! Heck, without him this country would be a desolate land! Do you truly think that Vollachia and Gusteko wouldn't have tried to conquer this country a long time ago if not for the Covenant!?" he ranted off the reason why the Covenant was needed with a tone full of disbelief.
"The people are far too reliant on the Covenant! Humans should be ruled by humans, not by an uncaring higher being!" she replied bluntly.
"Oh? You're racist now? What about your knight, huh?" he asked viciously, his slanted eyes shone with an ominous light.
"It's not Volcanica's fault that the government is shitty! The church corruption and the Sage Council's machinations were orchestrated by humans!" he continued.
"He let the Royal Family perish! " she yelled in fury; the loss of her friend had left a deep wound on her heart.
"That wasn't in the contract. The covenant protects Lugnica from outside threats, not inner conflict!" he replied.
"That was obviously a foreign plot!" she countered thinking that she finally held the upper hand.
"No, it was not! Capella Emerada Lugnica, the Sin Archbishop of Lust, was the one who killed the Royal Family! " he yelled furiously.
Upon hearing that statement, the entire Theater was silent.
Meili looked down at the floor with shame, while Crusch's heart practically stopped. Wilhelm and Felix looked towards their leader, only to see her face unmoving, frozen in a state of shock.
Was everything I did… for nothing…? All this time, I wanted revenge on the Divine Dragon, but the Witch Cult is actually responsible for Fourier's death?!
"Crusch. Crusch!"
Snapping out of her thoughts, the green-haired woman turned to see Subaru, who had climbed over his own liege and contracted Spirit, staring directly at her. "You're not a bad person."
"Wh-what…?"
"I've seen that look on my face plenty of times before," the Japanese teenager said, looking directly into her eyes. "You're thinking that one single mistake you've made is the sum result of your entire character? That you've been wrong about yourself this whole entire time?"
Slowly but surely, she nodded.
"Well, stop it. It's stupid."
"Wh-what?"
"I may not know a lot, but I know that you cared for this royal friend of yours, and that his loss is hurting you. I know, because I've felt the same way, and I tried to direct my anger towards what I blamed was the cause of so many deaths of the people I care about. And that anger resulted in me being left alone, by you, and by the other Candidates. So, please, stop. Don't fall down the same path as I did. I have an infinite amount of redos. You don't."
Looking towards the black-haired knight, Cursch nodded, "Okay, I will."
Subaru smiled, and turned towards his companions. "Hey, Emilia-tan, Beako if it's okay with you, can I sit next to Crusch for a bit? I think she needs someone…"
"Okay… but only for this episode."
The Great Spirit also grunted in approval, and pretty soon, Subaru was now sitting right next to the green-haired Candidate, and the viewing continued.
"If a member of Royalty kills their relatives, it's obviously a succession struggle and not covered by the covenant" he continued more calmly, still infuriated at the insult leveled against his friend.
He looked at her like one look at an imbecile.
It had been Volcanica who had told him the truth about the death of the Royal Family before the meeting happened. Subaru had asked him out of curiosity how the Royal Selection came to be and he was granted this astounding answer.
Crush breath was taken, she paled drastically, her hands were starting to tremble.
Her arguments had all been countered soundly by the fool before her.
She looked at Volcanica in despair as part of her wished that the Dragon would refute Subaru's words.
"It is the truth," Volcanica answered solemnly.
She fell on the ground; the truth was too much for her to bear. Her friend had not been killed by the Dragon, but by the Witch Cult.
As the on-screen Crusch fell to the ground, it took all of the real Crusch's will not to cry. Having Subaru hold her hand helped a bit with that matter.
Felix had several negative emotions bubbling underneath him. He missed his friend, Fourier, and to hear that he was actually killed by the Witch Cult, the same bastards that erased Crusch's memories, and the ones that Subaru could potentially join was sickening.
Elsewhere, Meili decided that she would confess to the Japanese teenager whenever she had the chance. If Subaru had the protection of the Divine Dragon, then perhaps he would also protect the blue-haired assassin from Mama.
Subaru looked at her with pity and shook his head sadly.
"Sadness for your friend's death doesn't give you the right to damn this country," he said firmly.
Felix had to carry his still shocked mistress out of the room.
After the tense meeting with Crusch, Subaru tried to relax; he fiddled with the flower left on the table.
Only for Priscilla to enter the room.
Subaru immediately stiffened; it took Volcanica unseen reassurance through their bond to allow him to relax again.
Is there something I need to know about her? Subaru asked Volcanica telepathically.
That one is a princess of Vollachia, Volcanica answered promptly.
Upon hearing that, the majority of the Theater turned towards the strawberry blonde, who simply looked at them like they were rotten garbage. "What?" she barked.
"You are related to Vincent Vollachia?" Reinhard simply stated.
"And what does that matter?"
"Mere curiosity," the Sword Saint said. "While there is nothing shameful about your Vollachian heritage, the idea that you are related to him… would explain quite a bit."
"Fine, then I shall enlighten you fools," she smirked. "I am indeed the daughter of the previous Emperor of the Sacred Empire of Vollachia, Drizen Vollachia –"
"Whoa! That's interesting, but I sure don't care!"
Everyone, including the screen, was dead silent as they heard Subaru talk.
"What was that?" the Vollachian Matriarch glared at the black-haired knight.
"Anastasia is basically royalty back in Kararagi, Emilia was the princess of Elior Forest, Crusch's a noble, and Felt looks an awful lot like the previous Royal Family," Subaru said. "And yes, I've read a book, I know what they looked like. The point I'm trying to make is that your status is the same as my deaths: Nothing special. You wanna impress the rest of us? Do it through your actions, and not your background."
Priscilla was now mentally counting the seconds until she could finally punish the black-haired knight for his insolence.
Subaru turned to look at him blankly.
He had read about the other countries of the world in his free time since he no longer worked as a butler, he had the time to do so. He still helped Rem from time to time but Volcanica's distaste and Shaula's complaints made him give up the job.
I'd feel bad about freeloading in Roswaal's mansion if he wasn't an asshole who caused my death in the past, Subaru snorted, really Roswaal deserved it.
Everyone turned to look at Roswaal in shock.
"Weeeeell…" the clown spoke. "I am teeeeechnically Rem's boss… I may have indirectly caused his death by not interfering…"
"My Divine Protection of Wind Reading didn't go off, but I can still see that's a load of dragonshit, otherwise Subaru wouldn't have thought so harshly," Crusch growled.
Emilia however, along with the rest of her Camp, had a more… intense reaction. "The Sanctuary… WHAT DID YOU DO TO SUBARU?!"
"Emilia-tan, I promise I'll explain later, let's continue watching for now, okay?" Subaru assured his liege, who only seemed to calm down thanks to her knight.
The Ghost finishing his alcohol stash on his own was also satisfying to see, he thought amusedly.
Meanwhile, Priscilla took a seat in front of him and looked as haughty as always.
Subaru cleared his throat.
"Barielle, why do you wish to ascend to the throne?" He politely asked her, no trace of his dislike showing.
"Naturally the world turns for me; it is my right to rule this country," she declared proudly.
Subaru's face was carefully blank.
"What exactly did my divine self do to warrant that reaction?"
"Are you referring to my counterpart's calm, collected anger?"
"Yes, moron."
"You had me lick your foot, then kicked me in the face, called me a pig, nearly had me executed, then promised to exterminate any of the surviving members of the Emilia Camp after Sloth's attack. So, yeah. I think my reaction is more than justified."
Priscilla wisely did not respond, nor did she look at the enraged faces of Emilia, Rem, Naoko, and Beatrice. Oh, and everyone else except for Roswaal and Al.
Did she just say that? he thought, astounded.
Volcanica snorted in bemusement.
"Human, had the world been turning in thy favor, then thou would have been the Empress of Vollachia," The Divine Dragon declared, he looked at her like one would at a particularly rebellious child.
Priscilla looked outraged, still remembering just who she was talking to made her hold her tongue.
She gritted her teeth and remained silent.
"OOOH!"
"PRISCILLA-SAMA, YOU JUST GOT ROASTED!"
More questions were asked to which she answered with almost the same answer.
"Without thy luck what does thou believe shall help you rule properly?" The Dragon asked the incensed princess.
According to her, her luck and her genius would lead this country to a golden age and nothing less.
The fact that she was raised to rule a nation made her claim hold some weight still Subaru disliked the Sun Princess's behavior far too much.
After the meeting was finally over Subaru slumped down in fatigue.
"Talking to that woman is a pain," he told the Dragon plainly.
"This one has met far more prideful beings in the past," Volcanica responded amused.
Subaru deadpanned.
"Who, Reid?" He asked half-seriously.
"Unfortunately, no," Volcanica shook his head.
"""REGULUS,""" Otto, Petra, and Meili all deadpanned.
Would Typhon qualify? Subaru wondered to himself. I mean, she IS the Witch of Pride, but she didn't act prideful at all, more like an innocent child. Hell, I would argue that even Echidna was more prideful than her!
Subaru looked at him weirdly before sighing.
"Well, at least it went better than with Crusch," he admitted reluctantly.
A few minutes later the door was once again opened.
Anastasia entered the room accompanied by her knight.
Julius still looked nervous but masked it with bravado.
She took a seat and bowed lightly in respect.
Volcanica frowned.
"Stop hiding thyself, fox," he demanded seriously.
Upon hearing that, Anastasia knew she was screwed.
Julius and Subaru looked confused hearing this.
Anastasia looked troubled before the scarf around her neck started to shine and transform into a white fox.
Subaru was stunned. Anastasia looked resigned.
"I am Echidna, a Great Spirit. It wasn't in my intention to deceive you, my Lord." The fox bowed in apologies.
OH, SHIT, Subaru, Roswaal, Beatrice, and Anastasia, all immediately thought.
Emilia, Garfiel, Otto, Ram, and even Frederica, however, all stared at the purple-haired Candidate, with Garfiel saying, "Please tell my amazin' self tha' this izza joke."
Wait, Echidna…? That means that spirit is –! Subaru's slanted eyes shined with fury, his intense gaze made both Echidna and Anastasia flinch.
Julius looked ready to put himself between his mistress and Subaru.
Volcanica spoke up with distaste, answering Subaru's untold question.
"That one is but a mere copy of the Witch of Greed, made to further her research," he explained, his disdain for the one before him clear to everybody.
"The Witch of Greed...?" Julius muttered bewildered.
Upon hearing that, everyone turned to Anastaisa.
And saw the very same scarf wrapped around her neck.
Anastasia shot up from her seat.
"Echidna did nothing wrong! Despite her creator being a Witch, she's innocent!" she defended the Spirit she came to see as family, with all her might.
"That's a copy of the Witch of Greed! And you trust that damned fox!?" Subaru asked full of surprise.
A look of disdain appeared on his face.
"She's my family!" the merchant countered viciously, not deterred by the hostility she received.
"You're insane if you think that Witch got a heart," he shook his head in disbelief remembering Beatrice's tale.
As both the on-screen Subaru and Anastasia began to argue, everyone else was looking between the ones within the Theater.
If there was something to warrant Subaru's wrath, that certainly must have meant something foul was afoot.
And yet, the Subaru they were with wasn't angry.
Why?
Both looked at each other with gazes full of distrust and disdain, sparks flew.
Volcanica spoke up.
"This one can confirm that Echidna did not care for notions such as family," he explained grimly.
Subaru nodded.
What she did to Beatrice and Ryuzu was plain cruel and she actually liked them, he grimaced remembering once again what Volcanica and Beatrice had told him about the Witch's acts.
"OKAY, WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT ABOUT?!" Felt yelled.
Everyone was looking around the Theater, trying to figure out all the answers, while Anastasia herself looked like she wanted to be anywhere else but here.
"Al, pause."
Hearing Subaru's voice, the Kararagian princess looked up to see that the otherworlder was staring at him. "Anastasia, whatever you tell me, I'm not going to hold any of this against you, okay? So, please, answer honestly. Is that scarf you're wearing the Great Spirit, Echidna?"
"..."
"..."
"Yes."
"Is she active right now?"
"No."
"Okay, thank you," he softly said, before looking at everyone else. "I expect you all to keep any accusations to yourself until the end of the episode. Al?"
"Right."
Julius watched on nervously; the fact that his lady followed a Witch had yet to hit him.
Anastasia looked incensed at the remark, one look at the glaring Divine Dragon made most of her bravado disappear.
She knew that she had lost at this point there was nothing she could do to ameliorate her image, being thought to be a Witch Cultist was a death sentence to her ambition. Thus, she quickly exited the room before something more damning happened to her.
Julius followed his hurried mistress and left the room.
Subaru groaned.
"It couldn't have gone worse," he muttered in complaints.
"This one believes that it could have gone far worse," Volcanica refuted.
Subaru sighed.
I'm sighing far too much these days. I'm losing patience with these people, damn it, he cursed.
"Mood."
"Big mood."
The last meeting had been with Felt. It went differently from the previous meeting. That one was far more relaxed.
Subaru and Felt spent the whole meeting talking to each other about what had transpired before their meeting. It was nice.
Felt exited the room with a smile followed by her silent knight.
Subaru turned toward Volcanica with a lighthearted smile.
"Felt left quickly, I think it went well. Do I need to know something about her, Volcanica?" he asked jokingly.
The Dragon looked contemplative.
"Seriously?!" Subaru yelled in disbelief.
"That child's grandfather is one of the previous leaders of the Demi-Human Rebellion," Volcanica answered bluntly.
Subaru looked astounded.
"Old Man Rom was a leader of the Demi-Human Rebellion?!" he yelled in shock.
The second Wilhem heard that name, he felt very, very stupid.
Valga Cromwell… Old Man Rom… IT WAS SO OBVIOUS!
When Wilhelm first saw the giant breaking into the Royal Selection to free Felt, he honestly didn't know what to make of it. He was more concerned with Subaru's well-being at the time, truthfully speaking. But there was a small part of his mind that was telling him that this elderly giant seemed familiar, for some odd reason. Well, now he knows why.
Meanwhile, everyone else looked towards the blonde Candidate, whose face showed that she clearly had no idea that she knew any of this. "Wha…?"
"Did you truly not know this?" Felix asked.
"NO! Old Man Rom never told me!" Felt responded to the accusation.
"Of course the anarchist would side with the traitorous giant," Priscilla grumbled.
"Oh yeah, this coming from the same woman who said that everyone should grovel before her?!" Felt responded in kind.
It seemed that before the Sword Saint, or anyone else for that matter, had to step in to defuse the situation, his grandfather had spoken up.
"Wait a moment."
Everyone turned around to hear what the old man had to say.
"I believe…" the Sword Demon spoke up. "That we should give Felt-sama the benefit of the doubt, as she hasn't done anything wrong herself. We are already doing so with the rest of the Candidates, as well as each other, given what Subaru-dono has told us about his previous… loops. Besides, the old Valga Cromwell would never go to such lengths to see a human safe. I truly believe he's changed."
That seemed to calm everyone down, as they remembered their own transgressions and secrets were also out in the open, causing them to return to their seats.
"Thank you," Felt whispered to the old man.
"Please, it was merely my duty as a butler."
He shook his head and groaned.
"Not Felt too, damn it! Is there someone with no skeleton in their closet?!" Subaru lamented.
"Oh, says the guy who IS his skeleton in the closet," Ram taunted.
"What?" Subaru however, did not understand.
"I was comparing you to the undead."
"NEE-SAMA! HOW COULD YOU?!" Subaru feigned heartbreak.
"Hah."
"Volcanica, how do you select Candidates again? I have doubts about your discernment," Subaru asked dumbfounded.
"Crusch is single-minded in her wish to get rid of you due to her grief, Priscilla a bitch and a princess of an enemy nation to boot, Anastasia a puppet to the Witch of Greed, Emilia only backer is a Witch Cultist, and Felt's grandfather was the leader of a rebellion." He still had a hard time believing the last part.
Otto cringed at the idea. "Well, when you put it that way…"
"Wait a minute. Roswaal-sama? A Witch Cultlist?" Rem asked.
Al paused the viewing, and everyone stared at Subaru.
"Aaaand, just like that, big secret number two is out of the gates," Subaru cringed, "I was hoping I didn't have to say this, for the sake of Emilia-tan's candidacy, but I guess I got no choice. Y'all remember how my entire Camp has been dodging the subject of the Sanctuary?"
"Subaru, what are you talking about?" Julius asked Subaru.
Subaru, instead of answering, looked directly to Emilia's sponsor. "You wanna tell them, or should I?"
"Well…" Roswaal said, dropping his drawl. "If I'm going down, I'm taking you with me."
"Fair enough," Subaru replied, turning back to the rest of the Theater. "Alright, I'll tell you all about it once this episode ends, but the main highlight is this: The Sanctuary Incident is basically one giant Emilia Camp cover-up which involves seven Witches, including Satella herself, the Great Rabbit, multiple assassins, clones, conspiracies, and a whole lotta dyin'."
No one knew what to say. They had only heard bits about this "Sanctuary", but it was impossible to guess the full story. But seeing that the Emilia Camp made sure that story never came out into the open, it must've been pretty important.
"Now, let's get back to me and my ancient dragon buddy roasting everyone."
Old Man Rom led a rebellion of all things. At least Felt didn't do anything wrong. He shook his head in disbelief.
"Damn it, at this rate I should just take this damned crown for myself!" he swore.
"Thou can," Volcanica answered promptly.
"Ex-fucking-scuse me?"
"Wha…?"
"Subaru-kun? A king?"
"Never," Subaru swore in answer.
"AND HE JUST TURNED IT DOWN?!"
"This damned country is too troublesome to deal with," he declared seriously.
"Then thou art indeed wiser than most," Volcanica spoke amused.
"Huh, I guess Volcanica is in agreement with him."
Subaru suddenly remembered something.
"By the way, what did you do to the people of this country?" he asked dubiously.
"This one has merely upheld the Covenant and protected Lugnica from external threat," the Dragon declared with curiosity at his friend's sudden question.
"Hmm… now that I think about it, it does make sense," Wilhelm murmured.
"Old man?" Tivey asked.
"There have only been two times in our reality that the Divine Dragon has ever appeared, or at least, two documented cases," the Sword Demon explained. "The first one was the Great Calamity, but one could argue since the entire world was under threat, and since the Covenant wasn't established yet, it may not qualify. The second time was when the Sin Archbishop of Pride, Stride Vollachia summoned the Black Dragon to attack Lugnica, roughly forty years ago."
"Wait, he never showed up for any other Sin Archbishop, or any other Calamity, why was he any different?" Petra asked.
"Because Pride was a native Vollachian, a foreigner to Lugnica. The rest of the Witch Cult are either native Lugnicans, or commit their crimes deep within the borders of our land."
"So that's how Pandora's been getting away with this shit..."
"Thought so, too," Subaru nodded.
"The high-ranking people of Lugnica are assholes," he declared bluntly.
Volcanica looked at him curiously waiting for him to elaborate.
"Crusch wants to get rid of the Covenant, and some nobles actually follow her! Also, Roswaal wants to kill you. You only helped them, and they want to get rid of you. Ungrateful assholes," Subaru shook his head in distaste.
Really, they get a benevolent god and want to get rid of him. These people should be introduced to the Greek gods mythos. Let's see how much they'll diss Volcanica after that, he thought viciously.
All those people insulting his friend were getting on his nerves.
Volcanica sent him a grateful look full of fondness.
Subaru blushed and looked away.
"Gay."
Subaru whipped back his head so quickly, some could hear a snap. "EXCUSE ME?"
"I just call it as I see it," Al replied as he took a sip of his soda.
"Says the one who apparently likes being dominated," Subaru responded in kind.
Al spat out his drink in response to that.
"Just call it like I see it." The black-haired knight grinned.
After all the Candidates had their turn they returned to the Hall where their supporters awaited them.
Crusch still looked hollow.
Anastasia looked troubled and skittish.
Felt and Emilia were chatting energetically together.
Meanwhile, no one knew where Priscilla had disappeared to.
Subaru accompanied by Volcanica entered the room.
People were tense, awaiting the verdict.
Many were tense from waiting, especially the Candidates. While Emilia and Felt weren't too concerned with what Subaru had to say, the other three Candidates felt like they were being judged as to whether or not they would be executed.
Subaru Natsuki opened his mouth.
"The verdict is as follows: the Royal Selection shall end after two years of running," Subaru declared loudly.
The occupant of the Hall breathed a small sigh of relief. Miklotov was relieved he had feared that the Divine Dragon would break the covenant due to the treatment Subaru Natsuki received.
"All Lugnicans fifteen and above shall vote. Be it noble or commoner, everyone shall have a say," Subaru continued his explanation.
Murmurs of agitation ran in the Hall.
Miklotov's heart problem made a comeback.
""BAHAHAHA!"" two sets of laughter could be heard across the Theater.
"Subaru, no making fun of the elderly."
"C'mon Emilia-tan, I was just saying everyone gets to vote!"
"Oh, I thought you laughed at the mention of his heart problems."
"No, that was Garf."
"CAP'N, DON'T THROW MY AMAZIN' SELF UNDER TH' CARRIAGE!"
Such an endeavor would be impossible to execute, he thought worriedly.
And yet it has to be done, he concluded grimly.
The fate of Lugnica lay on this Selection.
"Ah, no need to be worried about that," Subaru interpeled them.
He carelessly waved his hand before pointing at the Dragon on his shoulder with his thumb.
"Volcanica has a way to take care of it. Really, all you need is for the people of the Capital to touch the Dragon's Stone so that the knowledge of the one they support is transmitted to Volcanica," he explained lightly.
"Oh, well, that sure is convenient," Meili deadpanned.
"Wait, how will the next King be chosen in our reality?" Otto asked.
"It's simple," Crusch said. "After three years, the citizens of the nation will vote."
"That much we understood," Ram said. "But how? Who will organize it?"
"...Huh. I guess I assumed the Council would have handled it."
"..."
"..."
"Note to self, check with the Council when we get back," Subaru whispered to himself.
"In other words, there is no need for you to organize the voting." Subaru turned to look at Miklotov.
"Volcanica shall provide several Dragon Stones that shall be distributed to the major cities of Lugnica. Those who can vote shall seek these stones," he declared seriously.
"Also Volcanica has a say in who gets the throne among the two most popular candidates," Subaru finished his explanation.
Many people were startled hearing the last part in the end the Divine Dragon himself would select the King. That meant that those who wronged Subaru Natsuki weren't out of the water for now.
Crusch gritted her teeth.
Why does a god get to select the one who would be King and not the people of the land? she thought bitterly.
The Crusch within the Theater merely winced at her counterpart's thoughts.
However, she felt something warm on her hand, and turned to see Subaru holding it.
Seeing his reassuring smile made her feel a little bit better about all of this.
For the space of a moment, Subaru looked at her before shaking his head in disappointment.
She learned nothing, didn't she? He was exasperated at the Duchess's gall.
After the announcement was finally over, Shaula approached Subaru silently before jumping to hug him tightly.
"Ugh?!" he exclaimed in surprise.
"Why did you leave me behind to go with the cynic...?" Shaula pouted. Intimidating the nobles had been fun but she still had wished to follow him.
Shaula was happy to be with her Teacher again and wanted to remain with him for as long as she could. To make up for the lost time.
"Hold up, her teacher?!"
"Well, she did call him "Master" in the previous episode."
"Ey! Let Betty's Subaru go. Betty should be the one to hug, I suppose!" Beatrice exclaimed petulantly.
She jumped on Subaru and latched on to him.
"Gah?! It keeps getting heavier!" Subaru yelled in surprise.
The people around them were stunned at the display of immaturity the Sage was indulging in.
Are Shaula-sama and Subaru-sama in a relationship…? This thought traversed the minds of many. Later such a rumor would be spread by the attendants of the party.
Meanwhile, in the Theater, several women were giving Shaula the death glare.
LUCKY BASTARD! Garfiel, Ricardo, and Al all cursed.
Meanwhile, Shaula and Beatrice were locked in an intense staredown taunting the other to back down and leave Subaru alone.
Their intense staredown was followed by trying to drag Subaru to their side, a match that Shaula easily won due to her superior strength.
A smug smile appeared on the victorious Scorpio's face. Meanwhile, Subaru was sure that his shoulder had been dislocated.
That hurts, arrrr... I shouldn't have left them alone after all! he concluded exasperated.
After the tug war ended the party restarted though the atmosphere was still heavy.
Anastasia had excused herself earlier and left followed by Julius.
Julius Juukulius was conflicted; his lady had ties to the Witch of Greed through a Spirit she contracted. A Spirit he had never met in the past. Despite being her knight, Anastasia had not trusted him on this matter. This only made Julius doubtful of Echidna's supposed innocence. A creature created by a Witch and condemned by the Divine Dragon. That was the identity of Echidna the artificial Spirit.
The Greatest Knight was left shaken.
The Julius in the Theater felt the same.
Subaru along with his cute little sister and Shaula found themselves on a balcony alone.
That was tiring. All those people kept glancing at me in silence. I felt like an otome game villainess in a condemnation scene... Wait, wait, does that make me a villain?! Subaru screamed in his head in disbelief.
"It certainly makes you a villain in a couple of realities."
He shook his head to dispel this idea from his mind.
No, no, no, let's not go there. He steered away from these thoughts and focused on his companions.
Beatrice had been looking at him like he lost his head the whole time.
Meanwhile, Shaula looked at him and nodded seriously.
"Don't worry, Subaru, you are not an otome game villainess!" she reassured him.
"How did you know THAT?!" he yelled in embarrassment.
"That's actually a very good quation, how DOES she know that?" Ram asked in a very accusatory manner towards, though a bit more than she intended.
Can she read my fucking mind like Reinhard?! Subaru was practically sweating bullets. Subaru did prefer wholesome stuff over horny stuff any day, but he was still a healthy teenage boy with hormones, and he didn't want what was essentially his little sister to know what kind of thoughts run through his head.
Elsewhere, Reinhard was wondering how exactly Subaru knew he could read minds, but decided to figure that out later. For now, listening to his internal monologue, though a massive invasion of privacy was just too… fascinating.
Sometimes I feel like she knows me too well.
Shaula was an expert at understanding Subaru's thoughts. So much that he wondered how similar he was to Flugel.
Let's not go there... he concluded.
Subaru was still leery of thinking of Flugel. In a way, all he accomplished was thanks to that guy. He would never have contracted Volcanica if not for his so-called previous incarnation's existence. Never mind that he probably wouldn't have been summoned with Return by Death if not for that guy's existence.
In a way, Subaru was both extremely grateful to Flugel and hated him with a passion. That was the same guy that left Shaula to rot in a Tower alone after all.
HOLY SHIT, I WAS RIGHT. HOLY SHIT, I WAS RIGHT. HOLY SHIT, I WAS RIGHT. HOLY SHIT, I WAS RIGHT. HOLY SHIT, I WAS RIGHT. HOLY SHIT, I WAS RIGHT. HOLY SHIT, I WAS –
Subaru looked like he was about to have a heart attack, and Emilia desperately shook him to pull him out of his thought process. "Subaru! Knock it off, you're acting weird!"
"Huh?! Oh, sorry, Emilia-tan… the narration just freaked me out."
As the two of them were speaking to one another, everyone else in the Theater was remembering Subaru's words before the viewing began.
"I may have an answer," Subaru gained the attention of the Cast, "It's a theory I thought up when we were watching me being the Warlock of Envy, and it gained more evidence during the last episode where I went all apeshit."
"That I… was somehow around four hundred years ago, before the Great Calamity."
Beatrice, seeing Subaru's dazed look, tried to reassure him.
"Betty's Subaru is no villain, those girls had it coming, I suppose," Beatrice declared seriously.
Subaru sobered up a little hearing this. He remembered what happened earlier and winced slightly.
He visibly deflated.
"I guess... I was fair, wasn't I?" he asked, unsure of the verdict he had enforced.
"Yes, you were. In fact, without your input, many Lugnicans wouldn't have been able to vote. You gave these people an opportunity," Beatrice concluded.
"Not being able to vote?" Kenichi asked.
Naoko seemed to agree with her husband. "I understand that the concept is a bit new to your world, but… would you really not give every able-bodied citizen the ability and right to do so?"
Many of the Candidates were left thinking over that.
Emilia and Felt would love for everyone to be able to vote; regardless of race, gender, or class. Everyone should have the right to vote for something that could decide the future of their country, since such a decision would affect everyone, regardless.
Priscilla simply scoffed at the thought of what she considered dogs being able to vote against her. In fact, since the world turned in her favor, the less people who voted against her, the better.
Crusch wondered how many of the lower class would vote for her if they knew they were going to be left behind to fend for themselves, while everyone else reaps the rewards. A small part of her was calling her a hypocrite, only interested in avenging her friend's death.
Anastasia honestly didn't know what to think about that. She was born with literally nothing, and unlike so many other people out there, she was smart enough to make her way to the top. Would it really be fair for her to shut them out, just for her to gain an advantage?
Subaru looked confused, he frowned a little.
"Not being able to vote...?" He muttered in surprise.
"Indeed. Demi-humans would have been deprived of the ability to vote without a doubt. Mostly human and the wealthy would have been given a voice in the selection of the King," Beatrice explained bitterly.
Subaru's eyes shined with fury.
"I knew that the racism toward demi-humans was bad but still for it to reach this point..." He shook his head with a grimace.
"I can understand why Old Man Rom started a revolution," Subaru announced.
Felt, along with the many demi-humans of the Cast turned to him. "Big Bro…"
"Hey, Earth is not foreign to the idea of toppling a corrupt government," the nasty-eyed boy said. "In fact, if it wasn't for a few existing factors, like say the Royal Selection, or if I found this country to be far too oppressing, I'd be willing to help take down the leaders."
Rem was shocked by that notion. "But Subaru-kun, what you're suggesting is treason –"
"Treason and revolution are just two different viewpoints, Rem," the Japanese teenager explained. "One of them wants to depose the current leadership, the other wants to maintain the status quo. And I'll always be on the side of liberty and justice. If that side happens to be with the state, then so be it. If that side happens to be with any potential rebels, then so be it."
"You would do such a thing?" Julius questioned. "What about your loyalty?"
"Loyalty can only be maintained if both parties are treating the other fairly. I would never willingly work for a group that I don't agree with, and I would hope you would do the same."
Reinhard looked at Subaru with confusion. He knew he had a duty to the country, but he also wondered if perhaps the otherworlder was right. And if so, what was the line that had to be crossed to have a revolution be the right course of action? Had the Council already gone too far, and he was simply lacking the courage to stand up to them, or was there still time?
"Subaru," the redhead spoke. "When would it be appropriate to take up arms?"
Subaru, along with various members of the different Camps, all looked at the Sword Saint with shock, before saying, with a serious expression, "Well, when you see the government start to silence those who are criticizing them, that's a good start. While it is true that the discirimination happening in the country is unacceptable, it's only reached the levels of civil protests and an urgency to change governmental policies, but not enough to incite a rebellion. I can let you know when that happens. Sounds good?"
Reinhard was silent for a moment, before smiling. "Yes, that sounds acceptable. Thank you."
As everyone turned back to resume the viewing, they all learned something new:
If both Subaru and Reinhard deem the government too far gone, then it's too far gone.
"At least I did something good," he sighed in defeat.
Silence reigned in the balcony. Subaru looked at the night sky in wonder.
The stars are beautiful in this world too. What a shame that they have no name... he thought sadly.
After a time Subaru turned to look at his silent companions.
Beatrice was looking at the sky like he had been lost in thoughts.
Meanwhile, Shaula was looking straight at him with a small smile of satisfaction.
The breeze made Shaula's hair flutter in the wind.
With the stars lighting her and the smile that shone on her face she made quite the picture.
Shaula is really beautiful... he thought, a little dazed by the sight of the smiling green-eyed woman. Subaru looked startled when he realized what he was doing.
Nope. Nope. Nope. Definitely ten million percent "Nope". Subaru thought as he was officially mortified. He had nothing against Shaula, quite the opposite in fact. However, Shaula seemed more along the lines of a daughter or little sister rather than a love interest.
"Hey, didn't she call you "Big Bro" a couple of universes back?" Tivey asked.
HENCE WHY I'M GOING "NOPE"!
Ahh, snap out of it! Think of Emilia-tan her cute ears and blush, and the smile she gave you before! Reminiscing about his meeting with Emilia and the smile she had borne made him flustered.
A small blush started to appear on his face.
Now that I think of it, that was the brightest smile she ever gave me, he thought dazedly.
Shaula pouted, somehow she felt like she was robbed of an opportunity.
He's definitely thinking about that Emilia girl! she thought before moving to pinch his cheeks.
"Busted."
"Al!"
"OUCH! What was that for, Shaula?!" He asked incredulously.
Shaula's pout intensified.
"Thinking about another woman when I am right in front of you is very rude don't you know Suuubbbaaarrruuuu?!" she answered petulantly.
She kept pinching his cheeks.
" I'm sowwyy, please stop, it huwts!" he pleaded, turning his wide puppy eyes toward her.
"Is this a sex thing?" Al asked, befuddled.
"Not everything is a sex thing, pervert," Ram hissed back.
"What's a sex thing?" Petra innocently asked.
"You don't need to know," Frederica stated.
Shaula relented with a huff.
Meanwhile, Beatrice looked at them and sighed in exasperation.
"Betty is too old for this young love shit, I suppose..." she muttered in realization.
"BEAKO! NO SWEARING!"
"Says Betty's contractor. I learned it from you, in fact!"
Her comment had been left unheard by the duo.
As long as Betty's Subaru is happy then it's fine I suppose... Still, Betty won't be left behind! she thought, her determination rising, she grasped Subaru's hand.
"Betty is tired, let's go back !" she demanded.
Subaru looked at her in surprise before slowly nodding.
"It is late, let's return to the mansion. We need to at least tell Emilia-tan that we're leaving," he mused.
"Ah! The tiny ankle-biter needs to sleep after all!" Shaula exclaimed while pointing at the annoyed Beatrice.
"ANKLE BITER?!" Beatrice angrily yelled.
"Betty isn't an ankle-biter!" she replied irritated.
Before the sparks started to fly once more Subaru intervened.
"Let's go find Emilia," he declared seriously.
Shaula and Beatrice nodded in unison.
Subaru spared another glance at the stars before leaving the balcony.
Rather than the fair half-elf, it was the sight of a yawning Sword Saint that greeted them.
Subaru and Shaula grimaced.
"Geez, why dy'a guys hate Reid tha' much?" Garfiel asked.
"No one liked Reid, even when he was alive, in fact," Beatrice said.
Reid turned toward them, crossing the distance separating them in less than a second.
"I finished the alcohol stash there. They really had some nice drinks." Reid nodded in appreciation.
Subaru deadpanned before looking aggrieved.
"How are you still standing, if you finished the whole cave?" he asked bluntly.
Reid looked down at him and with a haughty face responded.
"I'm dead." It was delivered like it was a matter of fact.
Upon hearing that, everyone had multiple questions.
"Hold up, if he's dead, how is he standing around?!" Mimi asked, shocked.
"Maybe he's jus' a vision Bro is havin' while slowly fallin' into madness!"
"Ricardo-san! That is an awful joke!" Frederica reprimanded the mercenary. "And besides, that still doesn't explain why everyone else can still interact with him!"
"Here's an idea: Maybe we'd know if we stopped talking!" Meili suggested.
Subaru's eyes violently twitched.
"That doesn't answer my question!" Subaru yelled in annoyance.
Beatrice facepalmed with a pained face.
"Betty is really getting too old..." she muttered in defeat.
Shaula stayed behind Subaru holding on to his back. There was no way she would face that damned ghost.
Reid shrugged.
"I'm built differently," he answered at least.
Subaru looked at him blankly.
That damned ghost is mocking me! he thought, irritated, before sighing.
"See?" the blue-haired assassin cheekily smiled.
"Wait, ghost?" Naoko, along with others, suddenly asked.
"Oh, that explains it," Subaru realized what was going on, "Reid isn't actually alive anymore, we're seeing his ghost. Kinda weird he can interact with physical objects, though."
"Ah, yes, on this screen, we see not one, but TWO undead," Ram chuckled.
"Nee-sama, that is a cruel joke," Rem complained to her sister
"That's not how Return by Death works!" Subaru clarified.
"We're going back, wanna come?" he asked, knowing that even if they ditched him the ghost would find his way back to the mansion.
Reid looked in surprise before smiling. His smile quickly disappeared leaving no trace.
Did I imagine it...? Subaru squinted at him.
"Well, what are you waiting for, omae? Let's go!" Reid declared before starting to walk toward the exit.
"Wait, I still need to speak to Emilia-tan !" Subaru yelled in realization.
"Tch!" Reid clicked his tongue.
"Well let's find that Emilia girl," he conceded.
"HE ACTUALLY LISTENED TO YOU?!"
"Well, think about it," Subaru said, pointing his finger. "If I can have Volcanica listen to me, it shouldn't be too hard for Reid, right?"
While many understood the idea, it was till maddening...
They found Emilia on a balcony surrounded by Lesser Spirits. The light of the stars coupled with the Spirits made her look ethereal.
Subaru stopped straight in his track, his eyes widened.
How beautiful... he sighed in admiration.
This scene made him his first loop where he arrived in this world so long ago.
Hearing the narration, Emilia turned to Subaru, who was still next to Crusch.
"Subaru," she pressed forward. "What was he referring to?"
Her knight looked at her, and smiled. "During my very first day in the Capital, I helped you search for your insignia. When it got dark, you called upon the Lesser Spirits, and you looked absolutely breathtaking, just like your on-screen counterpart."
"Ehh? Why would me taking your breath away be a good thing?!"
"It's a figure of speech! I meant to say you were beautiful!"
"Heh-heh," Crusch softly chuckled at their antics.
"Oi, what are you waiting for? Go speak to her!" Reid demanded, annoyed. He stood behind Subaru despite seeing the same sight he was left unaffected by the enchanting half-elf.
Subaru turned to look at him, started.
Geh, I forgot he was there, Subaru grimaced.
"I have butterflies in my stomach. I can't go to speak to her just like that!" Subaru complained embarrassed.
"Digest them," Reid answered with a deadpan without missing a beat.
Subaru gave a inhale to retort, but soon found out he couldn't counter the first Sword Saint's words. Fuck, he's got me there.
Subaru turned to look at him with a pained face.
"Why am I friends with that idiot again…?" Subaru muttered in exasperation.
Reid gave him a shark-like smile. He looked far too smug for a dead man.
In one unseen move, Subaru was thrown at Emilia.
"Waaaaaaaa?!" Subaru yelled in shock.
Emilia turned toward the source of the scream only to be greeted by Subaru face headfirst.
I need to slow down! In a panic, Subaru activated his Authority and used the Unseen Hand to slow down his collision with Emilia.
WHY CAN'T I DO THAT?! Subaru groaned at the fact his counterpart has a better handle on the Authority of Sloth.
"What the fuck did we just see?" Otto asked, after witnessing the giant purple hands coming out of Subaru.
"Oh right, ya'll still don't know. As I said earlier, I'm compatible with all the Witch Factors, and when I killed the Sin Archbishop of Sloth…" Subaru didn't want to say the Archbishop's name in order to not further sadden Emilia and Beatrice, "...I gained the Authority of Sloth."
"So, you can do that too?!" Felt asked.
"No. Well, not to that degree. When I do it, it seriously hurts," Subaru clarified, "I can only summon one hand from my chest, with pitiful range at that, and only I can see the hand."
"Why only one hand?"
"Because I'm not compatible with Sloth."
Ram looked like she had been told something completely unbelievable, but had no choice but to believe. "Impossible…"
"Very funny, Nee-sama."
"Wait, but you just said you were compatible with all Witch Factors, right? So wouldn't that include Sloth?" Crusch asked for clarification.
"Well, I guess my compatibility works differently from others. I can hold multiple Witch Factors without being driven insane, but my effectiveness for each Authority is determined by how compatible I am with each respective Sin," Subaru gave his answer.
By grasping at the balcony barrier he stopped just in front of Emilia.
Their noses were touching. Their breath fanned on one another's face.
Both exploded into a bright blush.
"Eeehhh?! Subaru-kun?" Emilia asked, confused.
"That's my thing!" Rem complained about the situation she was seeing.
"I also haaaaapen to say it!" Roswaal told his maid. "It's not that special!"
"Yeah, but when she says it for me, it warms my heart, clown," Suabru hissed. "When you do it, it makes me want to go back to the Sanctuary and do some very unspeakable and not child-friendly things to Echidna's soul, just to spite you."
"You wouldn't dare," the Margrave growled.
"Who says I already haven't?" Subaru smugly said, "In fact, I recall Echidna saying that if I agreed to a contract she offered, then I could use her body in any way I wished. Her words, not mine."
Before the mage could answer, or just vaporize Subaru right then and there, Ram jumped in. "Roswaal-sama, please do not make a scene. Barusu, stop antagonizing Roswaal-sama."
Both of them grumbled "fine", and resumed watching the show.
"Emilia-tan..." Subaru muttered in embarrassment.
Both blushed in silence before Subaru gathered his courage.
"I'm so sorry the damned ghost threw me at you! I swear I didn't do it on purpose!" He apologized sincerely, doing a perfect 90° bow.
"Fu, fu, fu," Emilia giggled amused by Subaru's antics.
She smiled softly at him.
"It's fine, Subaru. What about the party?" she asked curiously. She isolated herself after the verdict had been given.
Despite being more popular than before and people no longer mistaking her for the Witch due to Volcanica's presence, she had been mostly ignored.
Demi-humans were not welcomed by the nobles of Lugnica despite her being considered one of the best runners for the throne now.
After all, even if the others gathered enough votes the decision would be left at the hand of the Divine Dragon. Said Dragon was only known to be fond of one Subaru Natsuki. Making the other chance of victory moot in the eyes of the nobility.
"Well, that's depressing."
Felt was surrounded on all sides by nobles trying to form ties with her. She was now the favorite Candidate and thus many wanted to approach her and know more about her aspirations.
The young girl was visibly annoyed at the sudden rise of sycophants surrounding her but had approached the situation with maturity. As in she didn't start screaming and making a break for it even if she wanted to.
"That is quite an improvement, Felt-sama!" Reinhard smiled like a puppy.
"Oh, shut up!" Felt blushed in embarrassment.
Subaru shook his head.
"Ah, it's getting late and Beatrice is tired so we're going back. I wanted to warn you..." Subaru scratched his head.
"Thank you for warning me then Subaru. I'm going back with Roswaal very soon too so don't worry…" she answered happily.
Subaru smiled a little.
"Then have a good night and see you tomorrow, Emilia-tan!" he declared happily.
Both exchanged soft smiles.
Alone in the dark, Shaula watched the two with an envious expression.
"Oooh… Onii-chan is a dead maaaaan…" Meili spoke in a sing-song fashion.
Beatrice and Reid had left to find the carriage.
Only Shaula remained to keep an eye on her Teacher.
She was looking at them with a pout she sighed seeing Subaru so happy left her with mixed feelings.
At least I'm with him again... she sighed in sorrow.
Wait, does Shaula actually have feelings for me? Subaru was taken aback. When they were watching the previous episode, he just chalked Shaula's possessiveness up to her being so lonely for the past four hundred years, but now he wasn't so sure anymore.
But if he was her Master, her teacher, then why would she have romantic feelings for him? Then again, Roswaal had a crush on Echidna, and they were teacher and student.
Alright, first thing's first, figure out my exact relationship with my version of Shaula, because if in our universe it's a sibling-like relationship, I'm out, he decided to himself. Second, if it's not that, I'll still hang out with her, and see what exactly our relationship in the future will be.
"How do you fare, Shaula-sama?" a voice asked behind her.
From the shadow emerged a wizened old man. With a polite expression, Miklotov glanced at the scene that had captivated the Sage.
The Candidate Emilia and Subaru Natsuki were happily smiling at one another.
Shaula looked blankly at him before turning to look at Subaru again.
Miklotov internally winced.
"My apologies for bothering you, the Great Sage, but if…" His speech was interrupted by Shaula.
"I'm not the Great Sage," she declared as a matter of fact.
"What?" Miklotov exclaimed, shocked.
"What?"
""What?!""
"""WHAT?"""
""""WHAT?!""""
OH, SHIT.
"I am the Star Keeper, the Great Sage Flugel's apprentice," she announced proudly.
"Flugel...?" He muttered in surprise.
To think such a blatant mistake was made. That the world couldn't remember the name of one of their savior left Miklotov shaken.
"Yep! Flugel! And he is right there!" Shaula happily exclaimed while pointing at Subaru.
"AAAAANNNNDDD… THAT'S BINGO FOR ME!" Subaru announced it to everyone, who were all in complete shock. "MY THEORY HAS BEEN PROVEN CORRECT! WHOO!"
She looked at him with such pride that Miklotov realized that she couldn't have been lying.
His mind blanked in realization.
"Oh, they finished talking, I have to go, bye!" Shaula declared after seeing Subaru bid goodbye to Emilia. With a spring in her steps, she quickly rejoined Subaru. Leaving Miklotov alone.
"By the Dragon..." He muttered appalled.
They had truly been lucky. Subaru Natsuki could have ruined Lugnica with a snap of his finger.
"Hahahaha!... No. Not really," Subaru confirmed nonchalantly.
"But… you're the…" Julius couldn't even finish his sentence.
"Great Sage? Apparently so, yeah. But I'm still weak as fuck. I have a broken gate, the only people in my camp I'm stronger than are Petra and maybe Otto, and my best power literally revolves around me dying!" Subaru pretty much cleared up whatever godly status they saw him as now, and he didn't even care. "Now, before everyone else has some sort of stupid little freakout, can we at least finish the damn episode?"
Silence.
"Thank you."
The return to the mansion was quick. Beatrice had fallen asleep in Subaru's lap while Shaula used the opportunity to use his shoulder as a pillow.
"Heavy..." Subaru muttered lowly.
Reid snorted.
"Consider yourself lucky," the ghost answered amused.
"Tch," Subaru clicked his tongue in annoyance.
When they finally arrived he had to wake Shaula up and carry Beatrice to their room.
Subaru fell asleep quickly that night. He had been truly exhausted.
As the Theatern lights went back up, Subaru stood up once again.
"Okay, so I know everyone has a bunch of questions," he began. "From the new opening, to my theory, to what exactly happened at the Sanctuary… well… all of that gets answered now."
"..."
"After this, I will have no more secrets."
Author's Notes: The original story is called "Friend in High Places" by mayachen. The link on is s/13906437/1/Friend-in-High-Places, where I first discovered the story, while the ArchiveofOurOwn version is this right here, /works/31177832/chapters/77053412. Anyway, it's good to be back. Now, to read all of the comments that have piled up!
MRTrueCopyRuight: November 3rd is this Thursday. As in, the day this gets published.
The reader2234: Happy Halloween! And it's here, now! It's my most favorite holiday! Anyway, I'm glad to see you're a reader of culture (for the most part) as well!
Minhaz25: Glad you liked "Believer in Love". And, yeah, I've met a lot of people who don't like Rem. It's a perfectly fine opinion, as long as you don't harass anyone. (Personally, I can't bring myself to accept Rem as a suitable partner for Subaru after what she did to him in Arc 2, and from what I know, she isn't much better in Arc 7. -Infinite)
DashingSlayer101: I've never read "Incapacitated", I should check it out. But trust me, while it is a hard pill to swallow that Return by Death was revealed in both timelines, I can personally assure you that both timelines will still be different from one another. (I think that's the one where Subaru survived Rem torturing him but forever lost his leg, I only read the first chapter. -Infinite.)
SwiftBlaze01: While it is true that Subaru will be jealous of some of his multiversal counterparts, he should still be thankful he isn't a complete monster like some of his other versions out there. Trust me, they'll show up eventually. (I can say that Warlock would gladly take main Subaru's life over his own, regardless of the deaths. -Infinite.)
Iseepandas: Trust me, the differences are far more than just the stories and reactions.
Don't give up: I always figured that the jokes would be an attempt to lighten up the mood, but I can see how it seems… rushed. I'll try to improve upon it, though. (It's… been a challenge. -Infinite.)
Chuck B. Winanaki: You know, I once thought of a joke where whenever Subaru is presented, all of his titles from every conceivable reality would appear, and everyone would just stare at him. Also, the progress with Meili is slow, but it's happening. I'm glad you like Shaula, here's some more! But I'm not sure if Subaru would survive with only one leg, unless it was mechanized. Hope you enjoy the rest!
5queso: Actually, I unironically like Pong Krell. Seriously, I think his character design is cool. But yeah, Subaru's secret is now out, I hope you enjoy all the future chapters!
Deathenglegamers1144: Yeah, Subaru's theory will have to wait until the next chapter. That being said, glad you stuck around, and I hope you enjoy the second volume!
Jpx0999: Here's the next chapter! Albeit, it's a few months later than you'd want. Sorry! (We're back! -Infinite.)
Pryd: Well, they did both talk and react, so, win-win? Thanks for enjoying the lore! I was afraid that people wouldn't like it, but I'm glad that you did! And yeah, I worked as quickly as I could during my break to make this the best possible chapter that I could!
calderoneric758: Yes, the Divine Dragon is from yet another story.
Princegeoge: I honestly haven't considered that someone would have a preference over one timeline or the other. Though I'm fairly certain that the entire internet community has some choice words for Pong Krell. Yeah, I like Infinite's small comments, too. (Thank you. -Infinite)
Gomy_el_camaleon: That chapter is reserved for the other storyline, my friend.
hlglh: Yay! Hearts!
Mared: I'm sorry to put a hold on this, but it's worth the wait! Also… I'm super glad to have found another person who likes both versions of this story! Yay!
Ovion's Curse: The second option will be in the next chapter, take it there. Also, yeah, I miss it, too. When will it update?! I'm glad you liked this chapter, too, though.
Don_Tico11: Interesting link you've given me there. And, yes, I have thought of making a Re:Forgotten spin-off. It was basically about how a second Subaru showed up to take away the corpse of the first one, claiming that Subarus (as a group) are about as expendable as iPhones, much to everyone's dismay. But that's a story for another day.
IsseixAtalanta77: Yeah, that Capella reveal was pretty much a guaranteed thing. And yes, "Raven-Black and Emerald-Green" is getting an appearance here, too.
A special thanks to Infinite the Celestain for helping me in making this story, and for being an all-around great guy! If you want to join my Discord server, the link is /pwCawVGN. You can chat with others, post memes and fan art, and I'll drop by with announcements and chat with you all every now and then! If you want to add me as a friend, my username is Ernalore#8663! If you want to read more, check out my other stories! Thanks for reading, it's good to be back!
- Ernalore
Next time:
What if Subaru contracted the Warlock of Melancholy?
OR
What if Rem took Subaru's hand?
