Hey everyone! This chapter ended up turning out good, but it's undoubtedly been the toughest chapter to write so far. Mostly it just feels like the dialogue in the beginning is a bit unnatural and plot-ish, though it makes up for it with a really good scene between Subaru & Crusch near the middle. Make sure to let me know what you think, particularly if its constructive criticism on the plot! (props for anyone who can guess what happens in this chapter, btw; it's a big one)

Chapter 7

Two overlapping sets of footsteps echoed through narrow confines of an underground tunnel. The walls were lit only by the soft, unwavering glow of a water spirit, which floated elegantly in front of the two figures walking down the hallway.

Vibrant red hair clashed with the soft blue glow of the water spirit, but somehow the contrast only served to heighten the man's still youthful features. Dressed in a pristine white military uniform strode the Sword Saint, Reinhard van Astrea. His was a name which was know throughout all of Lugunica, and could be heard spoken of in the most reverent of terms everywhere from the highest of nobles houses to the lowest of taverns, although the latter tended to be accompanied by tawdry jokes and cheap boasts.

He strode down the corridor, eyes set forward, his very essence seeming to exude all the qualities which one would expect to find in such a legendary figure. Yet deep within his eyes there lurked a hesitation, a terrible doubt that had been eating away at the young man for months on end. As the dull gray stone door came into view, a flicker of guilt flashed across his expression, for inside that door lay the person who had been plaguing his mind for months.

The second figure walked slightly behind the last, a small token of deference for the Sword Saint's status. The soft blue light seemed to meld perfectly with the violet shade of his hair. His expression was one of guarded concern as well as boredom. No moral quandaries harried his mind, and yet despite that he approached the door with the same air of profound solemnity with which all of his duties were approached.

After several polite knocks, Crusch opened the door and escorted them inside. A few polite pleasantries

[Crusch] "Reinhard, Julius, thank you for coming."

Reinhard and Julius executed genteel bows in Crusch's favor. In the corner of the room Subaru felt a shiver run down his spine as Julius's cold gaze fell upon him.

Turning to Subaru, Reinhard offered an small smile, raising his hand in greeting. After several long seconds of waiting for a response- any response other than Subaru's cold, judgemental gaze- Reinhard awkwardly lowered his hand.

Crusch sighed, realizing just how difficult of a meeting this was going to be. Still, if this is what they had to go through to allow Subaru to be released from this prison, then so be it.

[Crusch] "Normally, I would suggest that we all take a seat to formally begin the proceedings. However, considering our circumstances-"

Crusch gestured around at the lightly furnished interior of the cavern.

[Crusch] "It is best if we remain standing. Reinhard, Julius, Subaru, are you ready to begin?"

Julius looked over at Subaru, the wariness evident in his gaze.

[Julius] "Lady Crusch, I must say that I was surprised to hear that you wished us to perform a trial for this Cultist. However, as it is was requested by such an honorable individual as yourself, it is of course our duty and pleasure as knights to fulfill that request."

Julius bowed slightly at the statement, ignoring the hostile stare that Subaru shot him when he was labeled a Cultist. Reinhard quickly spoke up, attempting to calm the tension already building in the air.

[Reinhard] "Err, yes. As Julius said, we are here under official orders to determine the innocence or guilt of Natsuki Subaru. The trial will be simple. If you are able to present sufficient enough evidence to convince both of us that you are innocent, then you will be set free effective immediately, released into Lady Karsten's care. Otherwise, you will remained imprisoned. Any questions?"

[Subaru] "So much for 'innocent until proven guilty'. So what, I need to present evidence that I'm innocent, but you get to just assume that I'm guilty?"

Julius looked down at him, a slight frown creasing his otherwise perfect face.

[Julius] "It is a true shame that I need to remind you that we already have proof. Your actions outside that slum house was all the proof we needed. I do hope that you haven't forgotten such important details."

[Subaru] "What, you mean reading some dumb book? Yeah right, like that's enough to-"

Crusch cut in, shooting them both warning glares.

[Crusch] "That's enough! That line of thought won't lead us anywhere. Let's move on to more productive topics."

Subaru looked discontented, but Julius only gracefully inclined his head in acknowledgement.

[Julius] "Very well. Then, allow me to begin asking the questions. Lady Crusch, Sword Saint Astrea, please keep on a close lookout for any indications of deception among his words."

[Subaru] "What's that supposed to mean? What, are you expecting me to believe that Reinhard has the same Divine Protection Crusch does? Not going to buy it. Those things are apparently insanely rare, and I doubt that you'd just so happen to have the same one."

Reinhard ducked his head in shame as bitter thoughts ran through his head.

'Just more proof that I'm a monster.'

Looking up, he schooled his expression to one of gentle confidence.

[Reinhard] "It is true that I do possess the Divine Protection of Wind Indication. It is one of the many Blessings the world has seen fit to bestow upon me."

Subaru looked at him in annoyance.

[Subaru] "My bad, just figured that the Blessings would go to people who actually deserve it."

Reinhard hung his head in shame, accepting the truth as he heard it. Next to him, Julius finally showed an emotion- while he was fully willing to be poorly spoken of himself, it was an entirely different matter if the person being besmirched was the Sword Saint himself.

However, before either Subaru or Julius could say anything else, Crusch held her hands up, intervening in the budding dispute.

[Crusch] "It's clear that we have some extremely intense feelings. However, we need to return to the issue at hand- it would be a shame to waste any more time."

Seeing that her words had had the desired effect, Crusch continued.

[Crusch] "Very well. I would like to lay out the reasons for why I believe Subaru to be innocent. It stems from my Divine Protection. In all the time I have known him, there have not been any indicators that he is, indeed, a Witch Cultist. Even when directly questioned about it, he has never spoken a lie. Julius, will you begin the questioning?"

[Julius] "Very well, Lady Karsten."

Julius stood up and walked with his measured stride over to where Subaru was leaning against the wall. Subaru tensed at the approach, but ultimately maintained his discipline and didn't cause a commotion. Standing in front of Subaru in a strict military posture, Julius began asking questions in a rapid pace, allowing no time for consideration or thought.

[Julius] "Are you a Witch Cultist?"

[Subaru] "No. I'm not now and never have been. On the day we met I didn't even know that the Witch Cult existed."

Julius raised his eyebrow in disbelief at the statement but continued the questioning regardless.

[Julius] "If you aren't a Cultist, then how did you come to be in possession of one of their sacred artifacts?"

[Subaru] "Some guy gave it to me before knocking me out. Didn't bother explaining what it was. You might have thought to ask that before trying to kill me."

Ignoring the jab, Julius continued steamrolling through the questions.

[Julius] "Do you have any connection to the Witch of Envy, otherwise known as Satella?"

[Subaru] "... no."

Julius looked back at Crusch and Reinhard, who stood there with worried and concerned expressions each.

[Reinhard] "... What he said isn't a lie… but it isn't entirely the truth either."

[Julius] "Explain."

Subaru looked around clearly uncomfortable at the direction the conversation had turned.

[Subaru] "Listen, I told you that I don't have any connection to her, and that's true!... Though I have had dreams… But they're just dreams, nothing more!"

Julius raised his eyebrow even further, the skepticism clear on his face.

[Julius] "Is that so… Then tell me, do you still have your Gospel?"

Subaru scoffed.

[Subaru] "A Gospel? No, I don't have a Gospel. If you're talking about that black book that won't leave me alone, then yes, it's still here."

[Julius] "Interesting. Have you been reading it? Studying its dark teachings?"

[Subaru] "No, I haven't. The first six months I was either too busy having my skin flayed off, or engulfed in pitch black. How do you exactly expect me to ready a book under those conditions, oh honorable knight. After that, Crusch convinced me that it would be better not to touch the thing. So, I haven't. Does that answer your damn question?"

Julius inclined his head gracefully.

[Julius] "Indeed it does. I believe that I have heard just about enough. One last question, however: if you are deemed innocent, do you have any malicious intent towards anyone of the Kingdom?"

Crusch watched Subaru take a deep breath, then pause, as if considering, truly pondering what his answer should be. The interrogation had been going good so far, but at that moment, Crusch felt more worried than she had during the entire rest of the questioning combined. She had seen the fury inside his eyes, and despite her having done her best to convince him not to seek revenge on the people who had done this to him, she worried. That anger looked much the same as Wilhelm possessed.

Subaru opened his eyes, and Crusch felt her heart skip a beat when she realized that he was looking straight at her. Looking back, she was surprised at what she found. Yes, there was anger- so much anger. Yet there was also something else, an emotion which overshadowed the fury.

Still looking directly at her, Subaru answered in a deadly calm voice. All traces of emotion were gone, replaced by a steely determination stronger than the mountains themselves.

[Subaru] "Do I intend to harm anyone if I am released? A month ago, I would have said yes. I would have loudly told you that my intention is to purge the Royal Knights, to destroy the unworthy nobles, and to bring the Kingdom to its knees. I would have told you that I intend to kill every last person who interrogated me, every single monster that took their sadistic glee in stabbing my flesh and raping my mind."

His gaze briefly left Crusch, looking over the two knights standing in front of him, both taken aback by the sheer intensity of his words. However, when his eyes returned to Crusch, his expression still contained that same perplexing blend of emotions, devoid of anger.

[Subaru] "I would have said all of that and more. But not anymore. Now I have something to live for- someone to live for.

Subaru moved forward, brushing past Julius as if he was no more important than a speck of dust. Stepping up to Crusch, he kneeled down on one knee, head held upright meeting her gaze.

[Subaru] "Crusch Karsten, I vow to spend the rest of my life making you as happy as possible. Every fiber of my being, every skill and scrap of knowledge, I pledge to you."

Crusch stared down at the boy- no, the man- kneeling down in front of her. His eyes were partially overshadowed by his long black hair, which, instead of looking unkempt, now had a wild beauty to it. Reaching down, Crusch grasped Subaru's hand in her own and pulled him to his feet. Almost without realizing it, she began speaking, her words flowing naturally in time with the powerful feeling in this room.

[Crusch] "I, Duchess Crusch Karsten, accept this pledge. Rise up, my loyal vassal. Rise up, and join me. Not as a servant, but as a true friend and as a knight."

Reinhard and Julius started in surprise, shocking at the unorthodox knighthood. Julius in particular seemed shocked, his pristine expression fracturing.

Ignoring the shock of their companions, Crusch and Subaru stood there, basking in each other's presence, in the warmth that comes from true companionship. Then Subaru turned to the two knights, his steely determination still there, but now acting as a bulwark against a much darker emotion hidden within.

[Subaru] "Crusch… please, before you accept, let me finish. You've seen me. You know that I'm broken inside. What they did to me… what they still do to me, in my dreams… that's never going away. There's still so much hatred, so much anger… but, Crusch? I think that it's starting to get better. The chance at freedom, of a new start with you… perhaps, someday, I can let go of my need for revenge."

Taking a deep breath, Subaru turned to the two knights. With a painful look on his face, Subaru bowed to the two knights, shocking Crusch even more than his sudden pledge had.

[Subaru] "Listen… I don't think I'm ever going to be able to forgive you two. But… just this once… Thank you. For coming here, for giving me a second chance. A chance to not be the useless weakling I was before."

Rapidly ending his speech, Subaru straightened up, the grimace still on his face. The room continued in silence, everyone staring at each other and trying to process what had just happened. The silence was finally broken when Reinhard stepped towards Subaru.

[Reinhard] "I know that this is woefully inadequate, but please, accept my apology for falsely arresting you. It is one of the gravest mistakes that I have ever made."

Subaru looked at him, a hint of harshness entering his tone.

[Subaru] "It's good you realized that. However, apologies mean shit compared to what's happened."

Reinhard bowed his head lower, the guilt sinking even deeper into his bones. He knew that was true. He was supposed to be the paragon of knighthood… yet not even he could change the past, rewrite his mistakes.

[Reinhard] "... yes. I understand. Then please, Subaru, consider me in your debt! Anything you have need of, allow me to assist you. Even though it will never make up for what I've done to you-"

Reinhard shuddered slightly as his Divine Protection of Empathy relayed the immense surge of pain and anguish that flickered into Subaru's thoughts at the mere mention of his mistake.

[Subaru] "... all right. I haven't forgiven you, Reinhard. But I think that you're a good person. Perhaps we'll meet again sometime."

Reinhard looked up, hopeful. There was no doubt that he was stained as an individual… but, perhaps someday Subaru would be able to forgive him. That thought alone gave him enough hope to stand up and return the half smile.

[Reinhard] "Thank you, Subaru. Thank you."

Turning to Crusch and Julius, he loudly declared his verdict.

[Reinhard] "I find Subaru innocent. None of his words were spoken with guile, and I feel that he is a trustworthy individual."

Crusch shot Subaru an ecstatic glance, then smugly spoke up.

[Crusch] "After hearing all that, who wouldn't? I too find him innocent, and concur with all of Reinhard's words. It's time to come home, Subaru."

With an almost festival-like atmosphere in the room, Subaru, Crusch and Reinhard all turned to Julius, who stood there with a complex emotion written on his face.

[Crusch] "The last thing that we need is for your approval, Finest of Knights. Then my knight and I can finally go home."

'Home.' That was a word which hadn't crossed Subaru's thoughts in a long, long time. And yet, somehow, when Crusch said it- everything just felt right.

Reinhard walked up and gave Julius a friendly nudge.

[Reinhard] "I know it's hard to admit you're wrong, Julius. But if I did it, then it should be easy for someone like you."

Julius looked at Reinhard, that same complicated expression on his face. Then he turned to face the group of three.

[Julius] "Very well. I have come to my decision."

He hesitated for a moment, struggling to control his conflicting emotions.

[Julius] "I declare Natsuki Subaru… to be guilty."

The room fell into a dead silence, all noise suddenly ceasing. Shock and then anger roared across Crusch's expression, while Reinhard merely looked confused.

Julius glanced towards Subaru. The cheerful expression had drained from his face, but instead of anger replacing it, there was instead just emptiness. It was eerie, as if the life had suddenly left the boy's body, leaving only a hollow shell.

Clearing his throat uncomfortably, Julius struggled to push down the guilt as he continued talking, putting on his most formal, unemotional tone. The words ended up sounding wooden in everyone's ears.

[Julius] "After studying the facts, I have come to several problems. First is the gospel. It is not an ordinary gospel; indeed, it is an extremely powerful artifact, one which would not merely be given to a stranger. Second is the Witch Cult's propensity for subverting natural laws. Therefore I am unable to rule out the possibility that Subaru is using some unnatural method to bypass your Divine Protections."

Clearing his throat again, Julius continued, his words echoing hollowly in the deathly still cavern.

[Julius] "Third is his connection to the Witch of Envy, which does exist, even if he doesn't choose to acknowledge it as such. Fourth is the undisputable fact that he emits a large quantity of miasma, or 'the witch's scent', which is exclusively found in unnatural sources. This has been confirmed by the individuals who examined Subaru several months ago."

Crusch glared at Julius, her hands clenched in tight fists at her side. Her normally composed demeanor had evaporated under the steady onslaught of Julius's words, and her voice came out in a low, threatening hiss.

[Crusch] "Forget all that. How can you listen to everything he just said and still call him guilty? How can you be so willfully ignorant! How can you deny such a powerful pledge, throwing it away like nothing! I thought you were a knight, but I guess I was wrong! No true knight would fail to recognize such a fervent promise!"

Julius looked down, unable to bear her wrath for long. In a quieter tone he broke in.

[Julius] "I'm sorry, Crusch. But this is my duty as a knight. If there is even a fraction of a chance that Subaru is an Archbishop, then many will die. I am only doing my duty."

Julius seemed to hesitate for a moment, considering if he wanted to continue. In the end he did, his voice so quiet it was barely a whisper.

[Julius] "... in truth, I do not believe that Subaru is a cultist. But there is still a chance, and the consequences of letting him go free are much too severe. If there is even a tiny chance he is guilty, then hundreds could die… and my duty as a knight cannot let that happen, even if it means an innocent man remains imprisoned."

Turning to Subaru, Julius flinched upon seeing the vacant, dead eyes.

[Julius] "For what it's worth, Subaru… I'm truly sorry it had to come to this."

Leaving his final goodbye hanging in the air, Julius turned his back on the black haired boy and left, the door thudding shut with a sound of finality.

Reinhard stared at the closed door, horrified at what had just happened. Next to him, Crusch let out an angry yell, her eyes flashing amber. She began to run towards the door, fully intending to brush past Reinhard and tell Julius exactly what she thought of him and his hypocritical status as a Royal Knight. Then she felt a hand grab onto her arm. It was Subaru, looking at her with those horrible dead eyes of his, his tone just as vacant.

[Subaru] "Don't worry, Crusch. It's ok. To be honest, this is what I expected from the start. It's just what people like them do. Besides, I'm not worth getting so worked up about."

Subaru seemed to sway on his feet slightly, his brain looking like it was attempting to shut down while still standing.

[Subaru] "I'm just fine… Everything's just fine… I'm going to lay down for a while, I'm feeling a little tired…"

As Crusch and Reinhard watched, Subaru walked over to the bed and curled up in it, not even bothering to get under the blankets. He lay there, staring at the wall with wide open eyes, vacant eyes, staring into the void.

Crusch felt her stomach sink.

'Damn that Julius! This had been the first time she'd EVER seen Subaru actually happy for a change, and now he looked as bad as he had those first months! Damn him!"

Reinhard walked over to Subaru's bed, his feet brushing noiselessly over the rough stone. He laid a hand of Subaru's head, and a moment later, they boy had sunken into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Reinhard and Crusch stayed there for a long time, standing next to the boy's bed, watching over him. Wishing they could do more.