"I don't think there's any use of that, Garfiel." With a cold and monotone voice, Ram walked towards the blond boy, "You are merely wasting your time."
The young warrior who has been training in the backyard of the Manor didn't pay much attention to her as he continued to exercise himself, his eyes set towards the horizon as his mind was focused on another goal.
"Ignoring the woman you like is not what I would call something commendable either."
"Cut the crap 'bout it." He off-handily commented as he kept his training going.
"So you really decided to kill all of your chan-"
Suddenly, Ram was cut in her words as Garfiel threw his fist into a nearby tree, severing it in half with such force, the broken shards of woods were sent flying miles away.
However, the Oni maid kept her composure as she observed the tree brutally fall in the garden of the Lord, destroying the lawn and bushes freshly cut in proper shape by her sister.
"I said, cut the crap 'bout it." Garfiel growled at her, without turning back, "the only one you eve' loved is that piece of shi' of a clown."
She remained silent. Keeping her gaze at the tiger-boy breathing hoarsely, trying to calm his nerves down.
"So don' try and come at me with your sweet words. None of 'em will work anymore," he grunted as he began to move again, "not eve'."
"So you decided to renounce as well." She sighed as she looked up at the sky in wonder.
"I think I did for a long time already. I just didn't got the balls to say it." Garfiel replied as he resumed his training.
"And why is that?"
" 'Cause I was scared."
"Scared?" Ram repeated.
"I was scared of what I'd fall into if I eve' told you that I gave up," He explained, looking at his hands, "I was scared of the new environment, of how things would go between us...Of how I'd face things after cutting you."
"..."
"I was afraid of change," turning around, he faced her, "but not anymore."
"And what gave you such strength to face this fear?" She inquired him.
"Capn' helped me realize it's useless to pursue someone for so long," looking back to the manor where he previously was, thinking of the so-called wives of his captain, Garfiel continued, "If it's only to get so hurt in the end...I don't want that."
Hearing this much made Ram realize that Garfiel and her were not so different. She too kept pursuing a useless love. She too kept hoping that one day, she would get rewarded for waiting so long. That one day she would finally be able to love the one she's been after for so much time.
Only to be left hurt like this by this very person.
And to Garfiel, she was irremediably that person. She knew the young blond held feelings for her all this time, but she only ever loved someone else…
In how much pain did she leave this boy without even realizing it? Now she began to wonder if she was not better than her sister when it comes to love.
But...At least, now there was hope.
Because both Garfiel and her decided to break out from this neverending circle. To open their eyes to the reality before them, to do what needed to be, not what they wanted to be.
However, the price to come to such a realization remained regretful.
"...I see." As if to acknowledge the boy's explanation, Ram closed her eyes with a nod, "however while this is a thing, it does not change that your actions as of now are useless."
"Really." His indifference apparent in his words, Garfiel simply ignored the maid and continued.
"You think you will be able to beat Emilia-sa-...Emilia, in a fight with a last-minute training?" She bitterly spoke, "This is useless."
"Dunno about beating her. But at least holding up a fight." clenching his fists, Garfiel put himself into position, "that freak is not in her right mind. Capn' will soon come back. And when he will, the decision he took will put him in danger."
Throwing one last glance to Ram, Garfiel growled in determination.
"So I gotta be ready."
"Mh mh…La la~" She gently hummed, entirely prepared and waiting for her lover to come back home.
"I reeeaaaally can't wait for Subaru to come back and see me like this…I wonder what kind of reaction he will have…" She whispered to herself, imagining all kinds of scenarios in her head of her and Subaru, "Will he embrace me first? Or kiss me first? Or…Ah, he has the right to do whatever anyways…"
Her gentle laugh could easily soothe the mind of anyone lucky enough to hear her. She laughed like she felt whole, like a grateful woman, overflowing with joy and love. She was a maiden that shone with the brightness of a life filled with happiness.
For anyone, it would be a sight to be remembered as a goal everyone should one day reach.
But for those who knew…The only thing that could describe it would be…Morbid.
Unbecoming.
Distasteful.
Feelings anyone would see in a loose woman who acted like this was the most beautiful day of her life after she was caught lying with another man.
Yet she was smiling. Yet she was laughing.
As her eyes…Reflecting the emptiness, the nothingness, the void, of what was her mind and soul at the moment.
"Come back to me quickly…My Subaru…" She giggled, holding her hand in which a silver ring was shining on her annular, "we have soooooo much to catch up, together…"
Suddenly, she was interrupted by a knock on her door, as she swiftly allowed the person to enter, which was a blue-haired lady in a soft, beautiful white dress.
"Rem! Look at you, how stunning you are!" Emilia exclaimed, jumping from her seat towards her in glee.
"T-Thank you, Emilia-sama…B-but do you really believe Subaru-kun will-"
"You remember what he said when we wore these dresses for the first time, Rem-chan? You remember his words when he held our hands and put these rings on our fingers?"
Rem only gulped down to the cold aura she felt around the silver-haired princess.
"He said that…This was the most beautiful day of his life…Surrounded by the prettiest women he ever saw in one of these fateful white dresses…" She spoke fondly, remembering this day clearly, "This feeling is still in him. Subaru is an honest man, he cherishes these kinds of moments as much as we do. You remember, right Rem?"
"Y-Yes! Of course!" Rem exclaimed in near outrage, tears forming in her eyes, "This was Rem's most beautiful day in her entire life!"
"Then you should realize, this is the same for our Subaru. He remembers it and still holds it dear to his heart. He will soon be back, and when he will see us…" She giggled, taking Rem into a hug, "He will immediately rush to us, and we will work together to become as happy as we were before aaaaaall of this."
"Y-yes…Emilia-sama…"
While she knew that the silver-haired princess wasn't herself at the moment…Rem couldn't help but acknowledge her voice, and follow her in her belief. Because she lost all hope. Because Rem…Merely didn't believe in any forms of redemption anymore. She was a burden and she knew it, but still, her greatest nightmare was for Subaru to leave her.
It didn't even matter for her to live in this world without being by his side…It was more than a nightmare, it was hell to live with that weight on her shoulders…
And in this never-ending darkness…Her only hope was the words of Emilia.
Of this broken, scary, lifeless woman in a white dress hugging her close to her heart.
She was her remaining hope in this world. The only way she had to still be able to smile in her life.
And for Emilia…There was but one thing that found itself overtaking her mind this whole time.
"Don't touch me."
"Don't touch me with those filthy hands."
She could only hear these words in her head. Echoing stronger and stronger, filling her mind, filling her very soul.
"Don't touch me."
"Don't touch me."
"Don't touch me."
"Subaru…" She thought to herself, her lips trembling, "You weren't serious…Right? It was on the moment…Right?"
Still in the arms of the blue-haired Oni, she raised her face towards a mirror against the wall, showing her face.
Her face…
"Right…?"
"Young master, Felt-sama, it seems guests arrived at the manor and requests to see you."
"Uh? Who are they?" As she just learned about Subaru's situation, Felt wondered if those she was supposed to welcome didn't come earlier than expected.
"Duchess Karsten, Felt-sama…" Carol said in a low voice, watching as the verdant-haired woman came down from the dragon carriage, along with her knight, and an old man she knew only too well.
"What's that tomboy noble doing here?" She grunted, looking up to her knight.
"Lady Karsten was present when I met Subaru in the capital, Felt-sama. She seemed worried for him as well." The knight explained, surprised to see the Duchess here as much as his lady.
"Does she know about it? About what happened to him…?" Felt inquired to him.
"While she isn't aware, I do not remember her asking details to Subaru. She...Simply wished to help him, Felt-sama."
"She wants to help big bro…?" She muttered to herself, her eyes focused on the lady walking towards her.
"Greetings, Felt-sama," the Duchess and her knights bowed in respect to the candidate, "Reinhard, I believe we already met…"
"It is however my pleasure to see you once more, Crusch-sama." Reinhard smiled to her as he bowed as well, avoiding any eye contact with the member of his family by her side.
"So, why are ya here Duchess?" Crossing her arms, Felt demanded of the noble who showed up on her doorstep, "is it about big bro?"
Wilhelm frowned in worry when he noticed the tone of the little girl when she mentioned Subaru. With the way his lady acted, the sword demon understood something happened to the boy but his fear grew all the more when he heard the tone of the little blonde candidate.
"It is, Felt-sama. I suppose Reinhard already told you what happened, considering your expression." She explained.
"Yeah, he did. But he also told me you didn't know what was going on either," She promptly replied, "so you're here 'cause you want to know what we know?"
"Yes."
Felt got taken aback by the sudden, yet firm answer she was given. She expected the Duchess to be a bit surprised, hesitating, worried...But she saw in her eyes that she was more determined than ever.
"What's up with you…" She uttered.
"I want to know what is happening to Sir Subaru, so I can help him as well." She declared, "so, please...Tell me."
Finishing her last sentence, Crusch Karsten bowed down before the blonde candidate. Not a simple bow of the head, no. It was much more.
She pleaded; with all the respect she could give. It was not a question of pride or honor anymore.
"Tell me so I can help him…"
"Crusch-sama…" Watching his master bow down like this, Felix's silently clenched his teeth. This sight was unacceptable for him.
"You sure you just don't want to know what's happening to big bro and his camp so you could use it to your advantage?" The blonde candidate replied, earning looks of shock from everyone around her, even her knight.
"Felt-sama…!" Reinhard tried to intervene, as Felt stopped him with a gesture of her hand.
"I don't think I'd ever need to elaborate in detail what I mean; I don't trust you. While big bro trusted me enough to ask for my help on this matter," she explained, still holding her iron stare at the verdant-haired lady, "so I don't see any reasons for me to tell you, and eventually break his trust if ever you take this opportunity to help yourself more than him."
Surely Crusch didn't expect such an answer to come, and this is why she was left speechless for a moment, a very short one.
Quickly, her fist began to shake, as her eyes glowed in sheer anger, just by hearing the words that were just spoken to her.
How dare she? How dare that little girl even begin to believe that she would do anything to use Natsuki Subaru?
Felix and Wilhelm could feel that their master was not in a good mood. Everyone around her realized it, Felt, Carol and Reinhard.
Of course, while the sword saint knew that his mistress had a very clear lack of tact that lead to this situation, he couldn't bring himself to let herself get harmed, nor could he allow a conflict with another candidate to happen now, when his dear friend needed help.
"Crusch-sama, I beg of you…" Reinhard said in a low voice as he intervened, coming in front of her, "this is not what Subaru would want…And we don't have time for this."
Hearing this much, Crusch widened her eyes, before closing them with a large breathe out.
Now, her amber-colored eyes were staring towards the ruby-colored ones of the blonde candidate, who didn't feel impressed at all by what she saw. Felt was still there, holding her ground.
Crusch simply began to unbutton her coat, under the curious gazes of everyone around her. She then began to remove her shirt.
"Crusch-sama…!" Felix exclaimed in worry with a reddened face.
"Felix." She interrupted him, ordering him to stay put as she removed her white shirt, showing her upper body, aside from her chest that was still covered by a brassier.
Then, the memories of Felt suddenly kicked in. She understood now that Crusch Karsten…Was walking on her own, and standing on her own. As her upper body, her arms…Were cleansed of the dragon's blood.
"What…" She uttered with wide eyes, staring at her.
"I assume you understood now," she spoke out, "my body is partially healed…And there's only one person who can manage to do it. "
"…"
"Even Felix, albeit holding the title of blue, wasn't able to remove the blood from my skin." She continued, clenching her fist.
"But there's one person whom I met today, by pure coincidence…And when that person saw me, he naturally went forward to take this blood off me, bearing the burden to himself…My burden." Her voice going higher and higher, Crusch stared down at the candidate with such force, Felt began to feel uneasy.
"He did it without asking anything in return! Just because he wanted to help me! Like he always does, like he always did!" She yelled, holding a hand to her heart, "so tell me! Tell me, Felt-sama, what would I gain by wronging this man?! Why would I fathom the mere thought of using him, or doing anything that would show such disrespect towards everything he did for my sake?!"
"Crusch-sama…" Reinhard uttered, feeling relieved to see such strong support and will towards Subaru from the Duchess.
Felix and Wilhelm as well remained speechless, yet proud of their lady's behavior.
"Alright, fine," Felt sighed, understanding very well the passion that burned within the eyes of the verdant-haired princess, "I guess it can't be helped. I'll tell you…But you gotta prepare your guts, this is not a pleasant story to hear."
Smiling to her gratitude for the decision she took, Crusch began to put her shirt back on.
"I am aware. This is why I will do everything in my power to be of assistance to Natsuki Subaru," She added, clenching her fist which was once covered in black veins, "no matter what."
"I will help too, nya!" Felix exclaimed from behind, "There's no way I would abandon Subaru-kyun after what he did for my lady!"
Wilhelm stayed silent, faithful to his old habits around the Astrea mansion, but firmly nodded to the words spoken.
"Alright, come. We'll prepare the carriages and I'll tell you all about it." Felt sighed, going towards the stables followed by the little group.
At the end of it, was Carol, slowly followed by Wilhelm who joined her side, as both servants formed the end of the line.
"Do you attend to help this boy too, Wilhelm?" The veteran demanded, keeping her face in front of her.
"I will," the sword demon answered, "this boy…Has more than just my sword by his side."
"Oh? He represents this much for you?" She asked in genuine curiosity.
"More than you think…" He simply answered, "And enough for me to refuse to be a bystander of his suffering."
"This is quite intriguing, coming from you. There would be more people who would deserve this kind of attention, if only you would see it." She sighed in annoyance.
It was not because of favoritism from Wilhelm's side, no. It was because she realized that in the end, he was capable of doing it. He was capable of showing care and compassion.
And this ability…Could be of so much use.
Especially when one of the people who suffer from the old man's lack of care, was so close.
Wilhelm only closed his eyes. In shame, or annoyance, and towards whom…Who knows.
As the sun was on its way to set and invite dawn to take its place in the cloudless sky, Subaru and Patrasche were slowly making their way back to the domain.
As he reached Irlam, Subaru saluted most of the villagers he recognized with a sign of the hand, smiling before the peacefulness of their lives compared to his, as he hid behind this smile, the pain of the actions he was about to take.
A while after, he finally saw the gates of the Miload domain afar.
"Looks like we're here…Aren't we girl?" He whispered to her, gently caressing the side of her head," You can stop over here, I'll deal with the rest…"
Even Patrasche seemed to show resentment towards her master leaving her aside to do what he had to do. But unfortunately, as stated before, this was a task Subaru needed to complete himself. A duty, a trial, he had to overcome.
But one thing was clear in his mind whatsoever.
"Everything ends today…" He thought to himself, finally before the gates of the manor.
"Barusu…" a familiar voice rang from behind him.
"Ram…"
"You are finally back." She told him in a low voice, standing right in front of him.
"Have you made your decision?" She demanded.
Looking back to the manor with clenching fists, Subaru sighed tiredly with a nod of his head, his eyes showing a familiar determination.
"I did." He told her, "And you?"
"I have taken my decision as well." She promptly answered, keeping her natural and calm composure.
"I see," Subaru acknowledged, "where are the others?"
"Garfiel should come back soon from the forest where he trains. Everyone else is waiting for you inside the manor." She explained to him, steeling her mind for whatever was about to come.
Subaru himself didn't know what the decision Ram decided to take. He just knew it had to be the good one. Ram was dear to him, and he was one of the few in this world who cared and trusted her enough, for her to do the same.
He knew her to be flawless when it came to taking the necessary decisions when the time was calling for it.
"Barusu, are you sure to be ready for what is to come?"
"Nope."
"…"
"I have no idea if I'm ready to go through it. Hell, I don't even know if I'll ever be the same after today. This is a big decision I'm about to take, after all…" He explained, looking up to the sky darkening bit by bit, "But I know I have to take it."
He looked back to her, "I know I need my answers."
"Answers…?" Ram repeated in thought.
"This will never be solved until I know what went wrong, you know?" He laughed anxiously, "This is why I-"
"Barusu," Ram cut him sternly, "there is something you need to know."
The seriousness of her tone made Subaru stared at her in confusion and worry.
"Roswaal…Had a gospel with him," she said, "he showed it to me himself…"
Hearing this much…Subaru's eyes widened in sheer shock, his body trembling and his mind nearly going blank, remembering the events of a year ago…
"So…This means…" He growled between his teeth, knowing fully well the gospel in his possession was certainly the one Otto had restored in Priestella.
"He also said that the teachings of the witch came back to him…" She added to her explanation.
"Yeah…I see…" He grunted under his breath.
"Capn'!" Another voice rung from behind Ram, rushing closer to them.
"Capn'! You're finally back!" The tiger-boy exclaimed in relief, coming closer to check if everything was alright for Subaru.
"Garf…Are you okay?" Subaru asked with a smile, noticing the traces of dirt and sweat on his body.
"Just a lil' trainin' is all," He exclaimed as he pumped his chest, "I also needed some fresh air…"
"Yeah…I understand…" He whispered, somehow glad to see his friend doing well.
Garfiel nodded his head as he looked back and forth between Subaru and Ram, worried to ask a question that he knew would be difficult for Subaru to answer…Yet, something he needed to hear.
"So capn'…" He hesitated a bit, "what do we do…?"
Subaru looked at him…And then glanced to Ram behind. Simultaneously, they knew they had the same idea in mind, and nodded at each other.
"I need to go somewhere first…When I'll be back, "He tapped his fist against Garfiel's torso, "you pack your stuff with the others and we get out of here…Are you with me?"
Garfiel only smiled back with a supporting smile.
"Always, capn!"
"Good…For now, I need you to stay here and watch over everyone for me, I'll be back as fast as possible." He explained, earning a nod from Garfiel as Subaru walked towards Patrasche.
Before he went away, Ram stood Near him.
"When Reinhard will be here, tell him to join me to the sanctuary…And then, tell Roswaal I'm there with him."
Ram widened her eyes in surprise for a moment as she heard the sword saint's name coming, but quickly understood it had a link with Subaru's plan after he went to the capital, and simply nodded her head in acknowledgment.
"Very well, it shall be done."
"Thank you, Ram."
And with these last words, Subaru and Patrasche ran towards the road of the sanctuary, under the gazes of Ram and Garfiel.
"Be careful…Barusu."
Seated in the carriages that were en route for the Mathers domain, the information shared to the Crusch camp left them speechless.
Slack-jawed, eyes wide in shock and sheer disbelief. All of them seemed to boil in anger; the Duchess, Felix…And Wilhelm.
His face darkened…As blood fell from his palm after clenching it so hard, his nails pierced through his palm.
"What is the meaning of this…" the Duchess growled in a low voice.
"I know," Felt replied in a stern voice, "I had the same reaction. This shit is unbelievable."
"Emilia-sama…" Crusch cursed under her breath, "to do this to Subaru…To betray him this way…"
"There's no way Emilia-sama and Rem-chan would ever do this nya! We saw how much they loved Subaru-kyun! It has to be a misunderstanding!" Felix tried to intervene, seeking a better explanation for this farce.
"I'm afraid it's not, Felix…" Reinhard shook his head, "this…. 'act' really happened between Roswaal-sama and Emilia-sama."
"How can you be so sure nya?!" He exclaimed back.
"Because I saw it with my own eyes…" before the confused eyes of everyone, Reinhard explained, "Subaru…Took a visual evidence thanks to his metia that can capture moments in time."
"The…Metia he sold to Russel? The one he used to track the whale…?" Crusch asked in a troubled tone.
"I heard from Russel that he gave it back to big bro after he gave him information on Vollachia," Felt remembered, "apparently big bro accepted quite fast since it had some importance to him."
"Well, it certainly came in handy nya…" Felix murmured, still in disbelief at the information he just heard.
"So this is why he was so hurt…This is why he felt so empty…Lifeless…" Crusch growled as she remembered her interaction with Subaru in the royal garden, "he was betrayed…By those, he cared for the most…By those he loved the most…"
"…Distasteful." The old man growled from the side.
If it was one man who knew how important was the oath of matrimony…It certainly was Wilhelm. Sure, everyone in this carriage could easily come to understand what a betrayal felt like…But the betrayal of someone who pledged their life to one another was so much more than that…
It was the breaking of a bond supposed to be stronger than anything, of trust higher than the biggest mountains, and…Of love.
The most important feelings for one being, and for people like Wilhelm who wouldn't trade the world for it.
And these people, Emilia and Rem…Threw all of that away…
Destroyed all of that…
For Roswaal?
"Subaru-dono…" He whispered in a worried tone, looking at the window to his side, "We will come for you…Hold in there, my boy…I beg of you…"
Wilhelm knew it.
Subaru and he were very similar to each other, after all. This was a fact the old man realized after everything the both of them went through.
And for him, Subaru certainly was feeling like he lost his loved one, to darkness perhaps far worse than what Wilhelm lost his wife to.
This is why the old sword demon, knew he had a duty to help him.
Just like this boy helped him to go through his greatest obstacle in life…
Wilhelm would be here for him to face his.
"So, now you know," Felt sighed, still greatly upset by this entire story, "what are you going to do?"
"I will…Rain down, every agony…" She said as she slowly lifted her face, "every…Violation imaginable, upon Lord Roswaal, and Emilia-sama."
While most of the people in this room were some sort of battle-hardened, these words managed to send a chill down the spine of everyone, even the sword saint.
"I will destroy their names, their reputations, their power…" She continued, her eyes glowing in anger, "I will make use of everything I have, of every resource under my hand, of every last bit of grasp I have on this kingdom…To make them pay for this betrayal, for this crime!"
Her voice strong, commanding…Chilling...
"That is my promise!"
"Alright girl…Let's stop here…"
Once more, Subaru found himself before the steps of the sanctuary.
The last time he ever found himself here…It was a year ago. The time he met with all the witches thanks to the witch of greed, Echidna.
As he was able to meet her through her invitation.
"Echdina!" He yelled, now inside the sanctuary, "Where are you?!"
He called her name and asked for her presence, but he was met with silence.
"I am here! This is what you wanted, right?!" He continued, walking further into the sanctuary with heavy footsteps.
"So come on! Invite me again!"
And suddenly…Slowly…
Just like an answer to his demand, his vision began to blurry. His senses failing him, everything around him seemed to go blank.
His breathing becoming louder and louder, he fell on his knees, holding his head who slowly drifted in a faraway place, though the feeling he had was oddly familiar.
When he regained consciousness…He was back here.
In a grand, green field. A gentle breeze grazed his hair, making him look in a direction.
Right here, before his eyes, was a table under a great, black umbrella, along with a set of tea and sweats, with two seats.
One empty.
And one…Occupied by the witch of Greed.
"Echidna…" Subaru uttered, getting back on his feet as he began to walk towards the table.
"Natsuki Subaru…" She said with a hint of glee in her voice, "what a surprise to see you here…Did you finally miss me after a whole year?"
"I don't know about that…" He growled as he took a seat.
"My, don't you have a way with the ladies?" She said in a disappointed tone, taking a sip from her tea along with a displeased expression, "so much time we have been apart, and this is your way of greeting me?"
"Would you stop?" He cut her, looking straight into her eyes.
"Hm?"
"There's no need to beat around the bush, is it?" He continued in a calm, yet threatening voice, "You know why I'm here."
"I wonder, really…" She said as she put her cup of tea back on the table, "Do I? Are you sure you are not making yourself ideas?"
"…No." He sighed, pausing for a moment.
"I am here for answers, Echidna."
"Ah?" She gasped with a large smile on her face, "So you have finally decided to seek my help?"
"Some sort." He bitterly replied.
"Then go ahead, please." She giggled as she poured some tea into Subaru's cup.
"Are you really clueless about what's happening to me right now…?"
"You mean, the consequences of you marrying a whore and maid?" She laughed aloud, "I know what I sound like, Subaru, but I am in my right to act this way, since…I was right."
"…I know you never held Emilia in your heart, but really?"
"Yes." She simply answered, "another pain you would have avoided if you would have decided to contract me, Natsuki Subaru."
"…Alright, next then…"
"Mh?"
"What did you told Roswaal to do in the gospel?" He demanded with threatening eyes.
"Ah, we quickly reached this point, did we not?" She chuckled, taking a sip of her tea, "the gospel dictates what it always did, the road towards my resurrection."
"…Only that…?" He asked hesitantly.
"Do you think I would make any other use of this tome?" She said in a disinterested tone.
Hearing this, Subaru averted his eyes from her, looking around him and then back at the table.
There, he saw his reflection in his cup of tea. Something he somehow couldn't bear to see. He seemed so…Disgusting.
While he wasn't fond of his looks most of the time, now seemed to be even worse than usual.
He couldn't help but think about everything he lived, everything that was lost, wasted…For a decision, he had no idea of how and why happened, and that he had to face.
He didn't know why. And he didn't know how.
He just felt like the only way he had to be at peace with himself…Was to know the truth.
Drinking his entire cup in one go before the eyes of Echidna, Subaru stood up from his chair.
"Uh? You are already leaving?" Disappointment and sadness in her voice, Echidna demanded.
"I had what I wanted…I need to go now. I still need to find my answers about this all."
"You believe that you will obtain them by asking these two or Roswaal, mh?" She asked.
"Do I have a real choice?!" He yelled as he turned back to her, "I need to do it!"
"Ah, that's it." She chuckled, "You need to do it. You have no other choice. You follow a single road towards your objective because you don't see any alternative, you are fixated on the fact that you need to reach this goal no matter what to obtain your answers…To obtain peace."
Subaru simply reminded silent.
"This is exactly like Roswaal, Subaru…" She tilted her head with a small smile on her face.
"And this is why, he did exactly what he was told when I ordered him to bed Emilia and the maid."
Subaru slowly widened his eyes, his breathing slowing, his entire body paralyzed for a brief moment, as he processed what he just heard from the mouth of the witch.
And when his sense finally came back to him, in a second…
"…What?"