I was on a Re Zero spree recently and stumbled on the fanfic Watching Him Die Again And Again and really liked it. I was sad to see its long hiatus and I've always really wanted to write something myself so I thought I would try writing a similar reaction based story for Frozen Bonds. It took a long time to write due to inexperience and I learnt I write really slowly… but it was really fun.
I am an anime only viewer, but I believe for the most part, I got character personalities correct, but not so much the way they address other people. There were other things I was unsure of, such as how much knowledge other characters have of events like the previous great spirit of fire Melakuera.
This chapter covers the first third of Frozen Bonds. The scenario is that the characters are watching the second OVA after having watched the season 1 finale director's cut, hearing the words "Who is Rem?"
Full credit to the author of WHDAAA, Mohamed for the inspiration.
Inside the alternate space, the murmurings of the trapped people begin to lull again Even in this strange place, a familiar time hath come. The lights begin to dim and the conversations subside, as the people once again take their seats.
Taking up the entirety of the front row, the Emilia camp consists of the silver haired half-elf herself and her "self proclaimed" no longer knight. Two friends of the knight, his wild shield and unlucky merchant. A pair of great spirits, both resting their bosoms upon their contractor. Further accompanied by a quartet of maids and their clownish master mage.
Behind them on the second row was similarly filled. The Felt camp with the feisty young lady blessed by the wind, escorted by her sword saint knight. Adjacent to them, the Crusch camp where the Karsten noble sits legs crossed, attended by the healer knight, and the elderly ex-sword saint. Followed by the slightly larger Anastasia camp. The Hoshin merchant with a pair of beast human twins, one fixing his monocle and the other devouring a borger. A purple haired spirit knight and a large wolf man with his arms stretched out on the back of his seat.
And behind them all looking down upon them, the fiery princess Priscilla and her masked dog.
Words on the screen begin to form along with an image of Emilia and Puck.
Prequel - Bond of Ice
"It would seem that we are to see the past of Emilia-sama?" Instead of carrying on with the previous events. If I am to recall correctly, we quickly left to rendezvous with Crusch-sama and the rest of those who got ambushed. I was hoping… to see those who dared to harm my lady. The elderly man could only clutch his hands together.
"I would have thought we would have ended for today with the last chapter, but it appears not. Perhaps we will see our own story on the screen later, Feris? Or even a continuation of yours, Wilhelm." The elderly butler chuckled but the young knight could only pout at the teasing words of his master.
"I would love to get excited for a chance to see Emilia-tan's past…but it's hard after experiencing the previous events again…" Those fateful words. "Who is Rem?" continued to echo out within his mind like a nightmare. A nightmare that haunted him in reality for what seemed a very long time. Damnit, I'm still so weak. I couldn't protect Rem.
"Subaru-kyun…" As a healer he was someone who could sympathise the most with the almost broken boy. Physical wounds could be fixed, but a damaged mind was much more fragile. I had been suspicious of him and accused him of not saving Crusch-sama, but looking at how he is now… he must have tried so hard to save Rem. Was it impossible to beat Sloth, the Whale and save them? Could he not do it? Did… did he die and suffer for it? And here I was promising myself to treat him better…nya.
"Even though I was with Subaru right then in the cart, I didn't know what was going on…" The youngest maid begins to tear up.
"There there, there there. It wasn't your fault poor kid." The face of another girl pops out over her seat.
"Kid? Aren't you younger than me?" She responds, wiping bread crumbs from her hair.
"Mimi's older than you." She shines her ketchup stained teeth.
"Eeeeeh!"
"Subaru-kun, don't blame yourself for what happened to me. It wasn't your fault." It was mine for being too weak… to get exhausted fighting the whale and being too weak to fight the enemies that ambushed us…
"Rem's right Subaru. You and everyone beat that… that Archbishop and you beat the White Whale as well! It's not your fault that happened to Rem, Crusch-san and everyone else, you couldn't do anything… about….. it…?...?" Her gentle expression slowly warps into realisation and then into horror, and a slow stream of tears begin to fall past her cheeks.
"Emilia-sama!?" "Emilia-san?" "Big sis!?" "?" A cacophony of voices reached out towards her.
"Su.. Subaru…?" A slow response was all she could muster.
"..." And yet the boy couldn't muster the courage to face her tears.
A pair of lips, purple at the front and red at the back, purse in understanding.
"Emilia-sama wh-what's wrong? Why are you looking at Natsuki-san like that?" The merchant watched
The girl in question neither answered nor averted her gaze towards the boy.
"Emilia-sama…?" What's going on? She's looking at Subaru-kyun after saying that. That?.. He.. couldn't save Rem? But he hasn't tried….. yet?
His mistress had immediately noticed the change in her knight's demeanour."Feris? Do you know something?"
"N-no nya… it's just that…" The eyes that rested upon the troubled pair shifted to the cat-like knight. "Subaru-kyun knows that something happened to Rem here… but… but.." He couldn't finish his words.
"It… still happened? So... Subaru couldn't stop it?" The red haired knight wished in his heart. That the boy would not die once more. That he would not fight that insane monster masquerading as a person once more. "Emilia-sama, this is distasteful to ask, but do you have recollection of those events?"
"..." And so his hope and the others were crushed in the silence.
"But those events had happened! I had fought with Subaru and we killed the Archbishop together. We all share those memories!"
"But if boss' save point moved to af'er that… then he wouldn't 'ave 'ad to fight mushroom 'ead again..."
"It… it got… moved…" The grinding of his teeth accompanied the scrunching of his heart.
"If Natsuki-sans checkpoint was moved, and Emilia-sama doesn't remember that scene…"
"Subaru…" The three girls he went through hardship to save were the only things that could undo the ravelled knots.
"Nooo! Tha-thats to sad… Subaru…" The little maid could not dam her tears.
" For that to happen to big bro…" The little princess' rage was directed towards the seat in front of her. One which had a now angry clown sitting there.
Releasing a very long sigh, the merchant girl mulled. "It seems misfortune does nothing but follow this boy around.'' But it appears that this power isn't truly omnipotent? If the checkpoint activation occurs at an inconvenient time, then it seems that there are events the boy can no longer influence. But it still begets the question, what causes the checkpoints to change?
"Although I had only been familiar with Subaru-dono for a short while, for him to repeatedly lose the ones he loves like so is indeed nothing short of a tragedy."
"It is the same for me. He cared very much for Rem at the mansion and was constantly by her bedside. Even when he was apart he would constantly ask me and Petra-chan to take care of her. "
"Really now bro… Even Night Shyamalan couldn't write this sort of plot.."
"Who is this Knight Shyamalan, Alderbaran?"
Cursing under his breath, "Ah, well you see he's….."
"It seeeeems that the Witch of Envy is a jealous teeeease" Was what the mage muttered to himself. But for her to show such favour to a person by granting them this accursed power… But if this is what happened, then how did his heart not become like steel during the Sanctuary? Rem had saved his heart from breaking and as a result became lost herself. Did someone else intervene and cause my plans to fail?
"Barasu…" There had been a nagging feeling deep within the maid ever since she started to watch this tragedy unfold. "Why had he not been able to save my sister!?" The voice continued to echo deep within. Even though he is good for nothing, Rem had given him her most precious heart. And he had repaid it by failing to protect her. "Did he hold a grudge against her for… killing him with her morning star? Was this all an act?" The voice continued. But it was like this. Fate decided he could not save her sister. He'll no doubt try and agonise over it though… truly a Barusu…
"Yes yes, that's enough everyone!" A gray ball of fur flies across the screen. "Subaru's story is sad, but it seems that's time for my story. Starring Lia and me nyaa!" He makes a heart with his tiny hands. "I'll even throw in a bonus for you Subaru!"
"Bubby!" The girl returns the love with hearts in her eyes.
The i-glyphs of Lugnica repeatedly flash red upon the screen before morphing into a different set of glyphs unfamiliar to most.
"Huh, why is there kanji showing on the screen?" Subaru exclaimed while he was petting appreciating Puck's fur.
"Really now… give me back my concern, Barasu."
"The written language from your homeland, I suppose?"
"Do you mean Barusu's scribbling wasn't his idiotic mind dozing off?"
"Nee-san!"
"To protect her, that is your reason for existing, your sole objective. But you are forbidden to excessively interfere in her life."
"To watch over her from afar is the compromise between your existence and your wish that you hold dear."
Wait, is that Echidna's voice? Why is she narrating this? Subaru thought to himself, this time stopping his fury of scratches.
"..." Both Beatrice and Roswaal look longingly at the screen
"I wonder who is the one narrating this? Her voice is unfamiliar to me." Crusch pondered as she looked towards Emilia's camp.
"I…I don't know" Emilia briefly looked panicked but quickly began concentrating on the screen once more.
"..." The red woman only narrowed her eyes towards those below as she fanned herself.
The scene switches to a snowy forest in the mountains.
"ARGGGGGGH"
A giant, white ape-like mabeast roars out, in front of a family protected only by the feeble knife held by the father.
The beast approaches.
"!" The three young knights and Wilhelm exclaim out, immediately recognising this as a scene of common tragedy in the world.
"Those people.. I see, so it's this…"
"That's enough!" A bell-like voice rings out, as a silver haired half elf interrupts the beast's hunt. Angry at being interrupted before taking its prize, the mabeast charges at the young woman but is met with magically blasts to its face, as the woman lands between the family and the beast. The two continue to throw magic and first against one another.
"That's my E.M.T!" Subaru gets up to cheer, pointing at the screen and letting go of Puck who has floated over to a nervous Emilia with judging eyes.
"Is this within the Eder Snowfield?" Tivey wonders as he knocks his monocle.
"No, it should be the Elior Forest" The girl in white furs murmurs, thinking back and remembering her previous deal with the camp.
The ape mabeast grabs the young half elf and licks its lips in delight.
"Hey! Only one of us can eat Emilia-ta-ahh!"
"You said you're going to do what, Su-ba-ru?" Puck glares after delivering a punch to his daughter's wannabe suitor.
"Puckkk!" Emilia blushes and quickly hides her face behind her hands, unsure of the meaning of the words but feeling embarrassed nevertheless.
"Eating Subaru-kun…" Rem begins to drool and blush as her imagination runs wild.
"Frederica nee-san what did Subaru mean by that?" Petra asks as she looks up.
"Ohhh, I wonder" She responds by smiling and tilting her head.
"Big bro meant he wants to fu-fhhhh!"
"Ahem, I don't think my lady should finish those words" Reinhard quickly moved to protect both the ladies honour and the girls innocence. He was rewarded with an elbow to his chest.
The young woman escapes its grasp, and screams in horror as the mabeast approaches the frightened family, before it clutches its bleeding eye and a fern like ice crystal structure blooms across its body, killing it.
A scream is heard as the same ice crystal begins to grow from the fathers wound and the half elf approaches in concern.
"S-Stay away!"
"Silver hair, long ears, amethyst eyes…"
"Wi… Witch… Witch! The witch! She's the witch!" The young girl continues to cry out in fear.
"Wait! I'm-"
"She's the witch! She's the witch! The witch! She's the witch! The witch! She's the witch! She's the witch! The witch! The witch! The witch!"
"No... Stop…"
"Go away! Witch! Witch! Witch! Witch of Envy!"
"Stop!"
A black screen is followed by a plume of blood across the falling snow. The lamentations of the half elfs lonely fate ring out across the snowscape as she departs with the resolve to be alone.
Emilia grips the hem of her dress and looks down, as Puck comes to nuzzle her face.
"Tch! Emilia-sama saves them from th't mabeast and ya spit in 'er face like that!" Garfiel barks out as he slams his armrests.
"Is this how people treated Emilia before I met her?" Subaru similarly looks downcast.
"Nya can't blame yourself for that Subaru-kun. It's just how things are nya"
"How things were, Feris. However it is true. The prejudice Emilia-sama has faced due to both her half-elf lineage and appearance is unfortunate." Crusch gives a regretful sigh and then narrows her eyes. Those blooming ice crystals look dangerous…
"But but! Me and my friends like you Emilia-sama! The other adults like you too!"
"It's true Emilia-sama. Ever since you helped them they all look up to you know" Rem beamed with stars in her eyes, trying to cheer up her mistress.
"That's right! It's no longer like that and you've changed Emilia. Me and the others have seen it first hand." The silver figure is reflected deep within the young man's eyes.
"We all saw how the Irlam villagers treat her now, so you cheer up as well pal. "
"Quiet, Aldebaran. It is only natural that the commoners fear the half witch. She can't even save these fools without harming them."
Apart from a clown and downcast Emilia, the entirety of that camp returns a spiteful glare, one she indifferently ignores to gleefully resume watching the half elf jester clown around.
The scene changes to Emilia overlooking the snow sculptures made for the First Roswaal's Mansion ChikiChiki snow festival in the courtyard of the mansion.
"Oh, I bet today's date was no fun, huh?"
"What! Our date went suuuu~per well!"
"Haha but we didn't get to see it, Natsuki-san.'' His merchant friend chirped in.
"Courting a young lady is a difficult affair, Subaru-dono. Even if you believe it went right, you need to consider the lady's opinion."
The knight trio nod their heads at their seniors' wise words.
"Yeah, I get that. You're bound to be disappointed after your first date was with a guy like Subaru."
"Ow! Critical hit Puck" Subaru dramatically clutches his chest to Emilia's chuckling.
"Critical hit? I like t'e sound 'o that!" Garfiel smashes his firsts together as he had once again learnt a new cool word from his boss.
"Petra-chan, make you don't grow up to be an idiot like my brother" A certain maid comments, while another maid further away nods her head.
"But he's only 2 years older than me?"
"It has nothing to do with Subaru."
"See!" He points to Puck as a duo of boisterous laughs come from the tiger boy and wolf man.
"I was just remembering something that happened long ago, that's all."
"You've been seeing lots of snow sculptures since this snow festival started yesterday, after all."
"Yeah. So I was just thinking… about everyone who's still in the forest."
Several gasps of "Ah I see", "So thats whats going on" and more ring out.
A small girl's voice cried out. "Ehhh so we're back after that flashback? I wanted to see that mabeast die!"
"I see so this was all Barusu's fault."
"Nee-sama, Subaru-kun was only trying to cheer everyone up and solve Pucks mana release period"
"Exactly he did what he did best, in typical Barusu fashion he tried to do something good but made Emilia-sama worry instead. Fool"
"Nice critical hit Ram!"
"Shush you chuuni brat!"
The scene changes to the snowy forest once more, where the camera pans to several elves frozen in ice. It fades to black and the title card is shown:
Re:Zero The Frozen Bond
Crusch had her hands on her chin while she pondered. "Frozen elves in a forest? I suppose this must be what's inside the Forest of Elior?"
"The miners and traders in Hoshin's employment are barred from exploring the depths of the forest so this is also the first I've heard of this as well." Anastasia wondered while she mentally went through the reports she had received from the people in her trade company and spies she had in Russel Fellows employment. She had heard of strange things afoot inside the forest but she never imagined an entire clan of elves, hidden away and frozen like a fairy tale.
"What do you make of them then, Feris?"
"It's hard to tell without being next to them, but I've never seen someone enclosed in pure ice before. If I had to say tho, if it was a condition caused by magic then the ice should be preserving the people inside. If the magic could be dispelled those people might be saved. But then again, who knows what someone's mind would be like after spending years asleep like that. Nyaa~"
The scene changes as the familiar landscape of the forest returns, before a young, crying Emilia is seen getting out of a shabby bed inside a treehome wearing rags.
As she leaves her treehome, she's greeted by a snowy vista, and the frozen elves. After washing her face, she begins to gently clean the frozen bodies of the elves, and then begins to do household chores and goes out to collect blue crystal stones.
"Hehe, the days back then were so peaceful I hoped that they would never end"
The red princess purses her lips upwards. "It is only fitting after all that the leader of such rabble like thyselves enjoys scurrying around like a lowly servant"
"Why yo-" Subaru stands up and glares at the one who made such a despising comment.
"Priscilla-san, even though one may come from humble beginnings, they can still become someone of import" Surprisingly, it was Anastasia who made the harsh retort, narrowing her eyes at her rival candidate.
"My lady…" Her purple haired knight whispers as he looks at his mistress.
"But even Emilia-sama came from such beginnings huh" The white haired merchant muses to himself.
Rem puffs her chest out. "It is mine and onee-samas responsibility to do the cleaning and meal preparation for Emilia-sama"
"Of course. With my supervision mixed with my sisters amazing culinary and cleaning skills, we clear any obstacle during our daily routine"
"Doesn't that mean you're useless nee-san!" Subaru retorts as queued.
"Rem nee-san is such a great cook!" Petra excitedly shouts out, kicking up a fuss on Frederica's lap.
"Much better than her sister who still can't brew tea hoho"
The remark by the other maid earned a chuckle from the magic lord. "Whaaaat one sister lacks, the other makes up fooooor"
"The creepy guy gets it!"Little Mimi exclaims as Anastasia giggles and pats her head.
The scene changes as Emilia begins to head out wrapped in a ragged cloak. She arrives at a village as children play in the snow.
"The girl from the forest?"
"Shh! She'll hear you."
"Let's go."
She wanders into the stall of a middle aged man with distinctive facial hair, whom she trades a bag of ice crystals for a bag of food. The man notices her tattered shoes and offers her a new pair as she nervously accepts.
"We were able to talk a lot today, huh?" A very snug Emilia later thought.
"WHAAAAT!?" Anastasia shot up, her jaw hanging and face twitching in utter disbelief at what she just saw. Even Otto rests his hand on his face.
"Whats ta matter boss your face is lookin kinda dumb?"
"Ricardo, do you want our lady to hit you that desperately?"
"It seems that even in the less travelled parts of the world, people still have good hearts" The sword saint nodded and smiled.
"A younger Emilia-tan is so cute! Wait, is this illegal?!" Beatrice's eye twitches for reasons unknown.
"Big sis looks so cute tucked into bed! But she seems so lonely living there…"
"Fortunately for Emilia-sama, it seems her days of loneliness are long over." Her attendant looks over and watches the Emilia camp laughing as the great spirits are each pulling one of Subaru's ears. Watching his friend and his companions play around like so brought about a strange sense of catharsis to him. After so much suffering, it's still possible for all of them to laugh with one another like this. I suppose this is the real essence of friendship…
"Reinhard I'm telling you this for the future, but you can't pull my ears so don't get any ideas."
"Day after day, here you are, working your tail off."
A voice calls out to Emilia as she continues to clean the frozen elves.
"You have a way of saying things that make them sound so awful, spirit."
Motes of blue magic coalesce together to form the familiar form of a cat.
"It's true that I'm a spirit, but when it's between you and me, that's not the name you should use."
"Puck."
"Yes, well done!"
"It makes me happy when you call me that, Emilia."
A human sized cat floats in front of the screen. "And I finally made my appearance!"
"Bubby!" Two little arms reach out towards the creepy cat.
"Get off t'e stage ya damn cat!" If Garfiel had a mato it would be thrown on stage.
"It's interesting how the Great Spirit's relationship is different to Emilia-sama at this point in time. I wonder if their contract was only recently made."
"My Divine Protections leave me unable to use spirit magic so I've never had the pleasure of having an intimate experience with a spirit. I see how Emilia-sama is special since it concerns a Great Spirit but does her situation deserve that much more scrutiny?"
"The Great Spirits are all ancient, prideful and strong. As a spirit knight it's both intriguing and venerating for me to witness how an individual contracted one of them and gained their respect. I suppose a situation you might find familiar and understand would be learning about a disciple of your grandfather or grandmother."
"..."
"You didn't show up yesterday. Did anything happen?"
"Yesterday was my day off. You may be constantly busy, but I take breaks sometimes."
"Haaa, it seems Puck taking breaks isn't anything new" Subaru's dejected voice grumbled out.
"Well I do need my beautiful sleep. How else do you think I keep so cute nyaa~"
"If I keep this up, I might be able to talk about the weather soon…"
"You poor girl…"
"It seems the little miss is really socially starved huh" Al's voice reverberates out to no one in particular. But the flushed half elf hears it clearly.
"I'm not sure how to take this new revelation about Emilia-sama" Crusch ponders just how far Emilia has come in both the royal selection and as a person if she used to be excited at the prospect of talking about the weather with a stranger.
"Does the weather even mean anything around this forest? It's always either cloudy or snowing. Nothing else happens."
Hmm? I've half expected her to be connected to the permanent snowy Elior Forest but that doesn't seem to be the case. "Tivey, how long has the snow covered the Elior Forest for exactly?"
"From the information I've read, the local people first started making reports of the winterfall around 100 years ago."
"Eh 100? Really? Hmm…"
The pair walk through the forest for the daily exploration missions Emilia attempted so she could map the forest.
"If that's no good, how about Sloth? Wait... that's a word I can't stand, for some reason."
The smiles of those who faced the Sin Archbishop of Sloth in battle contort in remembrance, and the others who watched the green haired cultist scowl at the thought of his madness.
"Geez you're telling me, Puck…"
Guese…*Sad loli noises*
Emilia is seen back in her treehome, cooking the food she had procured earlier that day.
"It's all right. That one is important to me. To make sure I never forget that day…"
"What does that mean? Was it a present from a boy? If it is, I just might get jealous."
"It's not that."
"It's not? You won't tell me, then?"
"Even I have my secrets. Things you don't need to know."
"Ah! Emilia-sama, was it a love gift?" A little girl with romance on her mind beams towards Emilia.
"No no! It wasn't anything like that" She denies waving her hands.
"I see father-in-law has always been overprotective, yes yes"
"My my, even this daughter of mine went through a rebellious phase. And I'm not your father yet!"
The scene changes to another day of the life of a young Emilia collecting ice crystals.
"Puck, look! There are so many pretty stones! This is the jackpot!"
"This naive girl." Once more, the jaw of Anastasia is left hanging in shame and embarrassment as she buries her face into her hands.
"What's t'e problem with the princess takin all the stones?"
"Ehh who knows." Both the furry guys just shrug.
"Even though it's bad, I don't think you can blame Emilia-sama considering her circumstances, Anastasia-san." Otto just gives a weary smile.
"A kindred spirit! Although I'm not sure if I want companionship with someone who buys ruined oil out of season"
"Ow!"
Emilia continues to mine while the camera switches to her legs dangling out of the tree.
"Thank you for the treat!"
"That's my line Subaru-kun!"
"Seriously, such a perverted Barusu. You don't deserve to have those ogling eyes."
"Why don't yooooou take them out with Fura theeeen, Ram."
"The only thing more wasteful than Barusu's perversion would be me spending time with him."
"Why are you looking away Reinhard-san?" Someone asked.
"Don't take too many, though. It'll make them less valuable."
"Seems you 'ave some competition eh? Head Brotto" A boisterous laugh echoes out with the sound of Otto's back breaking from being slapped.
"Don't underestimate my Bubby, I suppose!"
The map of the Elior Forest that Emilia is working on is shown.
"There are still so many parts of the forest that I don't know. I had no idea there was a nearly untouched mine in the Doddering Thicket."
"Quick! Copy that map down Tivey!" The merchant queen barked her order out.
"I can't, my monocle has misted up."
"Useless! Julius whip out your notepad!"
The knight was currently looking to the side. "Are Emilia-sama's legs no longer being shown?"
"Useless!"
"Um, do you ever feel like you should give these places different names?"
"Why?"
"It makes them easier to remember later."
"I think they're good names".
"I do agree with that, but it might be embarrassing if anyone else saw them."
"Plus, they're really simplistic."
"Zig-zagging, zig-zagging… zig-zagging, zig-zagging…"
"No complaining! This is my map, so I'll name things as I like."
"They are good names though! Even Puck agreed with me." She had to pout and defend herself against the laughing of her friends.
"I think it's creative Emilia-sama" A giggle rang out.
"Not you too Crusch-san!
The scene changes to that of Puck dispersing a lesser fire spirit whilst leaving some ominous words. The glyphs and voice present at the very start of the viewing flash once again.
"Although I am curious as to the identity of the owner of this mysterious voice, I do admit I feel reluctant to leave it as a future mystery."
"It is my intuition that it belongs to somebody nefarious, Crusch-sama."
"I see, so you draw the same conclusion, Wilhelm."
"If you want to learn whom this filthy voice belongs to, you should inquire with the half-witches people." She is met with confusion from most, glares from the woman in question and her lapdog, and animosity from both the clown and girl spirit. "Hoooh?" Her smirk is merely hidden behind her fan.
A great spirit forcefully dispersing a lesser spirit?...
The scene changes once more to Emilia waking from a dream with tears in eyes before she once more heads outside to begin her daily routine in the snowy forest.
"What are your plans today, Emilia?"
"Why ask? You already know. Same as every day."
"Emilia, I can't stay with you today. Don't do anything dangerous, all right?"
"That's what I should say to you. Don't follow any strangers, or…"
Her joking demeanour is met with the return of a serious gaze.
"If anything happens, don't think about what you can do. Just think about running away. If it seems dangerous, don't hesitate. Just run. Understand?"
Flashbacks of Emilia's dream and her recent interaction with the family interpose with one another.
"Sure. I'll be alright."
"It seems big sis was prone to nightmares huh"
"You don't have to worry, Felt-sama. I have a Divine Protection that wards away nightmares from my presence. With my vigilance, you shan't be accosted like so."
"Of course you do! And what do you mean by 'my presence!'!"
"Puck why'd ya 'ave to raise a flag like t'at?"
"Why does that sound like something Subaru would say, I suppose? Bubby was merely showing his love and concern and since this girl is still alright, obviously nothing too bad happened."
As Emilia continues her exploration of the forest, she comes across a path blocked by the debris from a rampaging mabeast. As she looks on, a group of men pulling a cage on top of a sleigh ambush her and block her escape from behind.
"We finally found you!"
"It's dangerous to go beyond this point. If you don't want to get hurt, just turn around and go home."
"There are a lot of perverts in this world. Perverts who'd love to throw a pretty elf in a cage, and have their way with her!"
"Those bastards!" Subaru's voice bursted out in anger, before he found his forehead being flicked.."Beako?"
"And what will your little outburst do, I suppose? This is merely one more dirty part of society."
"Bastards like them… I can't forgive them." A glance at his heart reveals sad, grieving eyes almost devoid of anger. So something like this even happened to her… Now that I'm her knight this will never happen again.
"Even Barusu can speak properly at times. Hunting demihumans…" A pair of red eyes flare up in anger. "Unforgivable" She sneaks a quick glance at her master. The consoling hand of her sister reaches out, and the twins calm their anger down together.
The serious Karsten was disgusted. "Slave traders… how abhorrent. It seems that mabeasts and witch cultists aren't the only dangerous things in your estate, Roswaal." She is simply met with his expressionless face.
"It really is disgusting nya. But it seems like even in this situation, Emilia-sama was trying to look out for these men."
"The people in that village are guilty of some pretty serious crimes. Right?"
"What do you mean? What do the villagers have to do with this?"
"Everything, that's what! You guys lost in the war against the demihumans. You don't have any rights! Just breathing in the vicinity of a superior human is a crime! You'll have to pay for the villagers' crime of assisting a demihuman with your own body! So, what do you say? It doesn't matter either way to me. We could always get the village girls to pay with their bodies instead."
I did suppose these low level bandits and racism existed in this world but to see it so bluntly like this… Damnit, I hate this feeling.
Glancing over from her sister towards her mistress. "Emilia-sama, all of us, including our hero, don't want you to see upset from those people."
"Rem…" She returns a charming smile and a new pair of hands are joined together.
"Frederica nee-san…" Petra's soft voice is merely met with the reassuring smile and head pat of the older maid.
"Fortunately, I entered into Roswaal-samas employment after leaving my home. So don't make such a sad face Petra-chan."
"So even people outside t'e Sanctuary 'ate us like that huh, tch dammit."
"The truth is, people just hate those different from them, Garfiel-kun. Even other humans." The two friends merely moped together.
"Feris…"
"I'm alright…" The knight is consoled by his lady.
"Wilhelm, as someone who fought in the war, what do you make of these sorts of people?"
"I have seen many such men in my life since then. Consumed by anger to hurt those who took their family from them, who uprooted their peaceful lives into a fiery nightmare. Eyes full of hatred." A scene of a foolish young swordsman surrounded by demihumans enters his mind. "Even if it was in the past, erasing that hate from the people will be no easy task, Crusch-sama."
"Even if you're super-human, there will always be trash at the bottom trying to survive. So don't scowl at them too much, you're a hero aren't you?"
What use is being a hero, a sword saint, if such ruffians can run rampant in these rural areas where my sword doesn't reach…
The purple gives a cheeky smirk. "What if I said Hoshin dealt with such people, Julius?"
"I would ask you to refrain from such distasteful jokes, Anastasia-sama."
"Haha sorry sorry." She replies as she energetically fluffs a pair of ears. But her eyes betray her cheerful attitude.
A very sombre mood captures the whole audience.
The slave traders continue to jester with the well intentioned Emilia, jeering and humiliating her. When she reveals her appearance - silver hair and amethyst eyes - instead of being taken aback, the leader's greedy desire to entrap her only increases.
The confrontation breaks into a brawl, with Emilia using her greater physical abilities to disarm and defeat the ruffians. She continuously tries to reason with them, for them to leave the location in fear that the mabeast will come back.
"Go, kick some ass sis!"
"Ya tell them brat!"
"Oi, she's older than you, Garfiel-kun."
"Emilia-sama is even trying to continue reasoning with them in such a situation… As a knight I must admit such actions inspire me but…
"It's foolish to bargain with such lowlives. I know that from experience." The purple haired pair just let out a sigh.
The same type of mabeast from earlier appears, attacking the group. As it begins to slaughter the humans, Emilia stands alone against it to stop the senseless spill of blood.
"Stop it! Please! Just stop! Don't do such terrible things in this forest! Don't stain this forest with blood! People have suffered enough here!
The berserking beast charges forth. The maiden stands alone in the snow. The mabeast stops and screeches in pain. From a wound on its back, another ice crystal blooms red, killing the creature.
"Wh-What was that? Did she... do that? Wh-What's happening?!"
"What is this?!"
"W-Wait! Wait! I'm sorry! I'm sorry, all right?! Please!"
I really wanted to protect that place… The companion that felt her emotions merely stroked the top of her hair.
"Such pigs. Ready to throw away ye pride and grovel in the snow for a half-witch. Hmph, just like a certain boy."
"Humans have a tendency to struggle and survive despite the odds, you know." Her short rival candidate could only shoot a glare behind her.
"Ohhh? Then I will humour your lack of intelligence this once. Have you ever heard of the half-witch having this sort of devil ability?" Though her words with crude, it earned the attention of all present.
"I…I…!" The girl in question could only stammer.
"Now now, I would prefer it if you didn't tease my Lia, Priscilla Barielle" The facial features of the small cat warped before relaxing again. "Besides, it's time for me to come save the day!"
Yep, it's me! Your wonderful, cute, fluffy cat!
"I can confirm the cat is fluffy."
"I am!"
"Don't scratch Bubby so hard, in fact!"
"Haha, what are you two doing?" Emilia's soft laugh rang out, much to the dismay of Julius.
"Haaa, how does he interact with two Great Spirits so casually? I know his affinity for spirits is great, but still…"
"Hahahaha" A rowdy voice reverberated out next to him. "He certainly seems like the type to get along with anyone. He is indeed a lolimancer. Is that why the boss wants him-mmph!" His speech was interrupted with the taste of a fur hat.
Uggh, I was going to say '...in our camp!'"
"Seriously, he certainly seems to have won the hearts of some of the little misses here." A tired voice sighs out from behind them, watching the various antics happen.
The spirit helps her soothe her mind, lulling her to slumber. He turns to those who meant her harm.
"Now, why don't we discuss what to do with all of you? I saved you guys out of consideration for her feelings. She did everything she could to keep you guys from dying, and I respected her wishes. That's all. If she hadn't been here, I'd massacre you."
"My, how protective he is of Emilia-sama."
"Boss, you got ya work cut out for yaself."
"Fight on, Natsuki-san."
"Rest in peace, big bro."
"But I haven't died yet!" Geez though… Memories of being encased in ice flow into him with the visage of the gigantic beast of the end. Being judged for his crimes, its apathetic voice becomes a death knell to signal his beheading. It's… it's not easy to forget…
"Julius, what do you think of this 'Great' Spirit?"
"If I answer honestly my lady, I've never seen or heard of one similar to him. A spirit so… engrossed in human emotion."
"What would happen if he intended to…" She pondered her choice of words. "Fulfil his contract?" And chose them carefully.
"...Then I think-" He glanced at his red haired friend. -"that we would be relying on a monster slayer."
Awakening back in her treehome, she calls out the name of the spirit to no avail.
"The village! What about the village?!"
The hooded girl runs to the village beside the forest.
"No one... is here?"
She finds naught but silence.
"Hey!"
Until she spots the same merchant she trades with, cowering inside his stall. But this time they would not talk about the weather.
"I-I didn't have any choice!"
"Huh?"
"Forgive me! Please forgive me! I had to tell them about you, or this village might have been… Please, let this be the end of it! Don't get anyone else involved!"
"Tell me just one thing. Did those people do anything to this village? They didn't hurt anyone, did they?"
"N-No… No one was harmed, and those people haven't been back here since!"
"I see. I'm glad to hear that. Please, look up at me." The man is taken aback in fear.
"Don't forget this face, or what you feel right now. Never set foot in the Frozen Forest. That place is my garden… My forest. Goodbye." The other villagers, holed up inside their homes, fearfully watch her leave. Her hood is down, and her silver hair flowing in the snow blizzard. Her amethyst eyes no longer reflected the people she saw for they were empty now.
"The witch of the white forest… The Witch of Frost…"
"..." Is this also part of the reason why she told me her name was Satella? She wasn't only scared of others getting involved with her and getting hurt… but also because she didn't want to get left behind. She always wanted me to treat her like she wasn't different. Not a royal selection candidate, nor a look alike for the Witch of Envy, or the Witch of Frost. Not even the amazingly perfect Emilia-tan~ that only existed in my stupid, embarassing head. Just Emilia… His thoughts changed to that day in the sanctuary, the moment the two of them shared with one another. His hand was subconsciously brought up to his lips. He remembered the moment their eyes reflected naught but each other. It was the first time they had truly seen one another.
The little gray cat floats beside his contractor. "I'm okay, Puck. That was all in the past… and besides. I'm not the same person. " She gently rubbed her necklace, and looked at those around her and smiled. She was met with affirmation from her companions.
" We will continue doing our best to help you, Emilia-sama!"
"My sister is right. You're no longer the naive girl you were months ago, Emilia-sama."
"You can count on me to do my best Emilia-sama. Although my skills may not be-" The first idiot was met with interruption by his friend.
"And ya can count on my shields as my boss' woma-ah!" And the second idiot was met with a head chop.
"That's rude, Garfiel. I'll also be in your care, Emilia-sama."
"Me too, Emilia-sama! I have much to learn but I'll do my best!" The little maid kicked up a fuss.
That's right. I'm Emilia's knight now and she's not alone like back then. Well I can't be left out now can I? "Introducing!" He stands up. "Emilia-sama's!" His butt sticks out. "Knight!" And he points to the sky in this classic pose. "Natsuki Subaru! The man who will help her become Queen!"
"I suppose I have no choice either, considering that my contractor is your knight, in fact."
"Hmmm it would be remiss if I alsooooo didn't repledge my aiiiid right now, Emilia-sama."
"It seems Emilia-sama is blessed with good retainers."
"It seems she is Wilhem." Crusch looked on light-heartedly at the display of loyalties going on. "Should I join in as well?" And so she stood up. "Although we are rivals in the royal selection, you may also count on me as your equal and your ally, Emilia-sama."
"Hmph." Her other rival Priscilla merely looked on, hiding her expression behind her fan.
"What, are you feeling jealous over her merry band of men?"
"I care not for the loyalty of all these commoners. The world is in my favour and so those I want, I have. Those that I will have use for, will come to me." She turned her glare towards her knight. "It seems you are feeling rather insolent right now, Alderbaran."
"Shit!"
End part 1.
