16 hours until departure.

To say that Subaru was restless would have been a colossal understatement.

They were only three at this moment. Demiurge had gone off to who knew where and was doing who knows what! But still, if he was performing reconnaissance before the battle with the White Whale, then Subaru could do nothing but applaud him. After all, ever since he had come to this world, he had been plagued by misfortunes, back to back. And were it not for the life-saving, but stress-inducing curse that had been placed upon him, Subaru would not be sitting here to even mull over these thoughts.

Sitting upside down on the couch within the hotel suite living room, Subaru locked eyes with the blue-haired maid who sat across from the table. Rem had such a trusting look on her face. The way she was looking at him, as if he was the most worthy person in the world filled him with both gratitude and apprehension. "I can't mess this up. Rem has put in so much work for me and stood by me even when I seemed so lame. If I disappoint her, too, then I really won't be worthy of anyone's help." Allowing himself to go to that place was not an option.

Adjacent to the ever-faithful maid was a butler. But, he wasn't a coworker of the Roswaal mansion. And as a matter of fact, Subaru didn't know who Sebas worked for. He had not said all that much about himself or just what exactly it was he and his equally enigmatic partner were doing. Usually, a blabbermouth like Subaru would be indulging in every facet of his curiosity. But, something urged him to keep it under control. Even still, the silence in this room was absolutely deafening. And considering that Sebas was a pretty approachable guy from everything he could tell, Subaru felt the desire to be a little bit daring.

"Hey, Sebas. I was just wondering, how did you fall into being a butler?" He had a feeling that this was the type of thing that he should not be nosey about. But even still, he needed to say something to break the ice. After all, Sebas had taken an interest in the Japanese teen when he once more saw himself sinking into one of those pits of despair. And, with only a few words, the elderly butler had asked Subaru the questions he needed to hear. And from that, the white-haired man deemed him worthy of being lent aid in this quest of sheer craziness.

Lowering his teacup, Sebas' gaze shifted over to the dark-haired teen. His gaze was truly penetrating. But unlike the usual meaning of the term, Subaru strangely didn't find it to be intimidating. But he did have to wonder just what kind of butler Sebas was.

"Oho. Is Subaru thinking of becoming an apprentice butler? Your companion here already seems to have the appropriate atmosphere and attire of a maid. Perhaps she could give you some pointers if that is what you seek?"

Though he spoke in jest, Rem seemed to take Sebas' words very seriously! So much so in fact that she began giving Subaru that demonically fanatical expression with eyes that seemed to say something akin to "please allow me to teach you, Subaru!"

Needless to say, Subaru's position as a manservant was probably in question right now. Even if the two objectives he set out to accomplish ended in success, could Subaru really return to that place? What would it be like, trying to go on as if nothing had happened? "No. Something did happen. Something I can ever take back." After all, he knew deep down that the only reason he requested to be made a Butler in that mansion was so he could and I'm getting closer to the girl who saved his life. The one who he admired more than anyone else. The one to who he thought he owed everything. The one who...had thrown him out.

Having gathered his thoughts, Sebas responded. "I suppose you could say that the path of a butler is my calling in life. To serve my master is a privilege that demands my greatest diligence at all hours of the day." Hearing this, Subaru couldn't help but think that this was something similar to what Rem would say if she was questioned on her lifestyle as a maid. And his assumption was proven correct, because even from his inverted position on the couch Subaru noticed his blue-haired companion shift her gaze toward the elderly man.

"And because I take my duties incredibly seriously, I am conscientious of my actions at all times. My own behavior, as well as my ability to perform reflects on that of my liege." What would it look like if he presented himself as an incompetent? The level of shame it would bring to his station was something Sebas prayed he would never experience.

Though he tried to not let it show on his face, all Subaru could think about was his failures. About the reason that he was in this situation in the first place. Or, at least partially why. And from this, Subaru caught himself drowning in doubts.

"Is that what it means to serve someone? To dedicate your everything to their cause? Was that why I messed up so bad?"

"Of course it is." A voice inside his head answered for him.

"After all, just think about it. How much do you actually even know about Emilia? Because it's mostly what you imagine her to be. You don't even know her birthday, but you thought you could act like you're her knight when she didn't even agree to that deal? What did you think was gonna happen?"

He didn't think. And the voice continued to assault him from within. "Like it or not, that Julius asshole was right about one thing. You weren't taking things seriously enough. You can't impress anyone when you haven't even resolved to be what you act like you are."

Not taking things seriously enough. Yes, that was part of the problem. If all Subaru Natsuki did was idle around, reacting to everything instead of forging his own path, he'd keep ending up in situations where he found himself as something he loathed: A victim.

"But isn't that why you decided to stop? After all, there comes a time in every man's life where he has to say enough is enough, right?"

Right!

Just as the voice that was his own changed its tune, Subaru, feeling the blood flowing in the wrong direction from having been upside down too long, finally out himself upright. Both his body, and mind. "Yeah. I think you're right. No good is gonna come from just talking about how you're gonna do impressive things. You have to show it with your actions and come through when it matters the most." And that was something Subaru Natsuki could only do after three or four deaths.

After considering everything Sebas had told him, Subaru could only wonder if the position of a Butler was the life he was cut out for. After all, was it something that could truly lead him to unleashing his greatest potential? Something that he had not even taken into account was that Subaru knew very little of this country. After all, he had not even been here for an entire year. Though he had worked hard to learn the language, he knew nothing of this nation's history. How would his life change depending on who became the new king?

Did he even care about that? About the nation's political future?

These were thoughts Subaru needed to further analyze. But as for now, he was more focused on accomplishing the goal at hand!

"But just you wait! When the time comes, I'm definitely gonna show you what I'm made of! It won't have been a waste of your time to give me a lift, Sebas! I promise!"

With an encouraging nod, the white-haired butler seemed to take in Subaru's determined look with approval. "I look forward to seeing your resolve, Subaru."

Now that they had gotten that conversation out of the way, there was something else that Subaru really wanted to talk about. He had been really holding back on this and it was going to kill him if he couldn't get more information. "Nooooow, there was something else." Hopping up to his feet, Subaru threw out his fist, the one with the Hand of Algol resting on his wrist. " I just gotta know! How much badass stuff can this baby do? I'm not gonna pretend like I know all that much about this kind of thing, so I figured it was best to get a tutorial out of the way. I don't wanna be a hindrance to anyone when we're in the thick of the action, y'know?"

With an amused chuckle, Sebas answered, "I have actually been wondering when you would ask, Subaru."

Rem, though quietly listening, was also equally as curious, if not moreso. Though she did not wish to look a gift horse in the mouth, she could not help but feel this situation was too good to be true. And while she did not want to doubt the decisions of her hero, Rem wanted to withhold her trust. "Yes, I would also like to know more. This object Subaru has been given is quite strange. So much so that I have never even heard of anything like it."

"As has been explained before, it is a magical item. One that is intended for anyone to be able to effectively use. I think you will be pleased to hear that it is capable of casting a variety of spells. However, there is a limit to the abilities the gauntlet is capable of casting. But despite that, Subaru may also find it to be an effective tool for physical matters, given how sturdy it is."

Sebas' exclamation made Subaru feel like a kid who was told he could just go wild in a toy store. He had to know more! He wanted to know the actual juice he was working with. The look of excitement on his face just couldn't be hidden. Rem, despite her reservations, found his expression to be adorable, having rarely seen him so elated.

"Yes. I believe I can give you a summary of the abilities of the gauntlet and how to activate them. Let us begin by listing..."

And from there on, Subaru Natsuki felt a renewed sense of confidence. He felt like as long as he had this new weapon and Rem by his side, he could tackle any danger that came his way! If he kept along this path and minimized any mistakes, Subaru Natsuki could finally move on from this hellish loop!

14 hours until departure.

Subaru and Rem had left the hotel, not because they tired of Sebas' company, but because Subaru was filled with too much energy to sit still in a single room period even if it was in a luxurious hotel like that one. It may have been nighttime, but the capital city was still not exactly devoid of life and activity. Several nocturnal businesses were open, and it gave Subaru a sense of comfort to not be out here while so alone. He hadn't forgotten that this city could be dangerous to one's life.

"Did you hear all that, Rem? I'm totally gonna kick so much ass! You're gonna see a whole new side of me, soon!" Maybe this was the point in time he could consider this new item to be his standard equipment? He grinned at the thought. but seconds later, Subaru immediately reprimanded himself. No! That line of thinking was completely incorrect. Subaru could not think of his situation as anything resembling some sort of infantile video game. Those kinds of thoughts needed to be done away with.

Willing his new weapon to change the form, the Hand of Algol quickly morphed into a black, plated gauntlet that extended down to his shoulder. And though the material was, as he had been told, made of adamantite, Subaru's arm wasn't weighed down! An idea coming to mind, Subaru placed his gauntlet-clad hand on the side of a wall. A solid, stone wall. Pulling sideways, the dangerously sharp claws of the hand cut into the stonework, carving through it like a hot knife through butter! "Amazing! I can barely even feel any resistance! This thing could ruin someone's day if all I did was give'em a good smack!"

After having been told about the capabilities of the Hand, it was at this point Subaru felt confident enough to go back into the forest alongside Arlam Village and go smacking around some mabeasts! "Didja see that, Rem? That was totally badass!"

Following beside him was the ever-faithful Rem, who seemed significantly less upbeat than he. "Yes, I did. But I must admit, Subaru. I have some...concerns."

To be perfectly honest, he had a feeling she was going to say something like that. After all, she had been unusually quiet during the negotiations. Even though as a maid she likely opted to not speak until spoken to, Subaru knew her well enough to know when she was thinking something. But the question was, what was she thinking. Subaru knew from personal experience that Rem was scarily competent at concealing her emotions at times.

"Oh yeah? Like what?"

With hesitation, Rem chose to speak her words carefully. Her hero was over the moon about his current stroke of luck, and the last thing she wanted was to negatively bring him down. "I...do not completely trust these people, Subaru. Do you not think it is odd that they appeared at the exact moment when it seems you have exhausted all other avenues? It simply seems too suspicious. And that strange metia. Subaru, something like that should not exist. It seems too extraordinary for strangers to lend it to you so glibly."

After considering her words, Subaru had to admit that she did have a point. And if this was the first time he had experienced this situation, he would have agreed with her wholeheartedly. His luck wasn't good enough for something like this to happen straight out of the blue. But, Subaru knew it didn't happen so randomly. And he knew this was not the first time he'd encountered this current problem. Because he had lived it a small handful of times before. And this was the first time Sebas had ever appeared.

With a heavy sigh, Subaru allowed himself to sit down on a wooden crate that lay on the ground at the entrance to an alleyway. He seemed to end up in places like this a lot.

"It's not as if I didn't wanna ask questions, Rem. But in this particular situation? We really don't have the luxury of being picky. What if we said something and it set them off to where they told us to get lost? We will be right back where we started a couple hours ago. We can't afford that. People's lives are on the line." He couldn't get that image out of his head. Walking through Arlam and seeing nothing but massacred corpses littering the ground. Mentally, he shook his head, dispelling those thoughts.

"Trust me, if I wasn't desperate, I wouldn't have gotten on my knees and humiliated myself in from of that person." Subaru didn't even feel like saying the name of the green-haired duchess.

While Rem understood his frustrations, she just couldn't shake the feeling that things were not all they appeared. "That Sebas person is one thing. He seems fine enough. But, he continues to neglect to mention which house he serves. That is quite unusual for any manservant, Subaru." But even though she said this, she already had a feeling of what her hero would say in response. He was probably intentionally avoiding asking too many personal questions on the off chance of upsetting these mysterious benefactors.

"And that...Demiurge," Rem's already fair skin paled at the mere thought of that being. Being surrounded by a mob of vicious, man-eating mabeasts didn't bother her. but simply taking a single look at the man in red filled Rem with nothing but dread. There were only two in this world who she would describe with this term, and the loathsome Witch Cult was one of them. But every fiber of her being put her instincts on alarm, and she could not think anything else but that the bespectacled man was sheer evil. "You aren't worried that he is...that he might be...?"

Once again, she tried to choose her words carefully, but this time it was Subaru who read her thoughts. "Like he's some kind of evil demon? I noticed."

Rem nodded.

From the very moment he had come to this world, Subaru had not been surprised to find that the place was populated by races other than humans. In fact, he would have been surprised to find it was the opposite. But even still, he had not yet encountered a single person who looked anything like Demiurge. And aside from that, "Sebas has said a couple of things that make me a little bit suspicious."

The only other person who Subaru had encountered who'd outright admitted he hadn't come from this world was Al, the man who served as the attendant of that spoiled baroness. Mentally, Subaru kicked himself for not asking more questions when he had the opportunity. Though he worked for someone who was a narcissistic pain in the ass, the helmet-clad man hadn't personally done anything to grate Subaru's nerves. At the time they'd talked with one another, Subaru just couldn't help but now feel he had been so preoccupied with something that in hindsight was so...stupid. "Man, what was I even thinking?"

Coming back to reality, Subaru felt like he needed to give Rem an answer. "They're the only ones who've not only said they'll assist us, but they're not even asking for much in return! They want the White Whale's body. All I have to do is lead them to the damn thing." This was really an offer he wasn't in a position to refuse. And even ignoring that, Subaru felt a strange confidence tha this time would be different.

"But Subaru! The way they talk about the White Whale! It is a monster that has plagued the land for four centuries. Common sense says that it should be avoided at all costs! And yet these strangers have taken up your proposal so easily. Do you not feel that is suspicious?" Though she had no actually seen the monster before, she didn't feel confident in thinking anyone should dare approach it.

Subaru acknowledged her point. But, given his own origins, he felt her concerns were right, but for the wrong reasons. "Actually, I think it probably means that Sebas and Demiurge are likely the real monsters." He truly didn't want to think that they were underestimating the beast of the mist. But, just because something was dangerous, that didn't mean people could turn their backs away from it forever. All that would do would be allowing the problem to persist for future generations. If something wasn't done about that monster now, then when? "Rem, don't you think there are some things in this world where we can't just say 'that's somebody else's problem'?" Even though he felt like the last thing he should do was run around and try to alleviate the problems of everyone else, the White Whale and the Witch Cult? These things affected everyone, not just him.

"I'm done trying to take on the burdens of other people. Because I'm now starting to understand who and what really deserves my energies. It's people like you, Rem. The ones who've accepted me for all my faults and held me up when I thought I couldn't fall any lower." If Subaru couldn't, at bare minimum give his all for someone like the blue-haired maid who had stuck with him even when he probably didn't deserve it, then all these failures and moments of suffering? Perhaps he did deserve them.

Seconds passed between the two of them as they maintained eye contact, with Subaru's unsettling eyes connecting with Rem's blue ones. The words that the boy from nowhere spoke infiltrated her heart, and further reminded him of why she had selected him as hero true hero. Rem, at this moment, could not believe that she at one point thought this Subaru was a suspicious person. He was the one who ran toward the dangers that others turned away from. He was someone who cared for others to the extent that he would go to such lengths to see them safe, was truly a man she felt proud to carry such feelings for. Especially since he now admitted she was a person worthy of so much of his care and energy. And because of this rekindled resolve that he'd found within himself, Rem simply couldn't bring herself to argue with him any further.

Subaru Natsuki had always been a somewhat mysterious boy. But he had come through for both herself and Emilia when it counted most. And Rem wanted to believe he would do so again.

But, just as Rem was about to voice her appreciation for her coworker once more, the sound of a voice coming from within the alley distracted her!

"Looky what we got here, fellas! A rich kid who's stumbled a little too far away from home!"

Three individuals skulked from the depths of the alley, and none of them looked as if they had friendly intentions judging by the threatening vibe they gave off. The one who'd made their presence known had lime-green hair that Subaru totally thought was dyed. He was skinny and his attire strongly reminded Subaru of a punk-type. The guy to his left was tall, lanky, and his grass-green hair hung over one eye similarly to the way Rem wore her own hair. Except his was much longer and he gave off a strong zombie-like energy from his sunken expression. And the third, the most portly of them all, unlike his fellows, was bald, but not naturally. Because despite being also only a few years older than Subaru, he was sporting an impressive beard. And it too, was a dingy army -green color.

Looking from the newcomers to one another, Subaru and Rem were speechless. Surely they weren't being addressed, right?

"Rich kid? Where?" The pointed accusation went right over his head. Did he look like someone who came from wealth? Not on the best day of his life! But then again, in the last two weeks, Subaru had stayed inside the fantastic mansions of two important nobles of this nation.

But even still, Green Team was barking up the wrong tree. They'd definitely mistaken Subaru for someone more important than he was.

"No shit we're talkin' about you! Ain't no way an average Joe is gonna be walking around with a maid unless he's into some freaky dress-up games!"

While Subaru would enthusiastically agree that maid uniforms were symbols of justice, he certainly hadn't asked Rem to dress up for him. As a matter of fact, he remembered that she had once told him she seldom wore anything but her uniform.

But before he could correct the delusion of the three stooges, the long-haired zombie among them seemed to be leering at Rem with what Subaru instantly recognized as a perverse glare. "Seriously, guys, even if she's not a real maid, she's definitely got a real nice body on her."

The lascivious comment made Rem blush with an annoyed look of revulsion. "Subaru. Rem thinks we should just leave this place before we get into trouble." After all, her hero had other things in mind rather than wasting his time in a place like this. And as the oni maid grabbed the Japanese teen by his sleeve, to her surprise, he didn't follow along.

Surprisingly, instead of being intimidated, or even outwardly bothered, Subaru actually looked relieved. "I guess it's good to see that there are more than those three who are the local thugs of this city." He seemed to be saying this moreso to himself than anyone else. Even though he didn't think it would become a life-threatening situation, he felt it would be a little bit too cruel if he ended up running into those other three goons again.

"Look guys, we were just stopping for a heart-to-heart. Mind giving us 50 feet for some breathing room? We're not looking for trouble. And besides, I don't wanna hafta sic my maid on you. Why don't we all just go the other way?"

Though Subaru was attempting to deescalate the situation, Rem, in contract to her stoic exterior, was ready to pounce at the very smallest provocation to herself or her hero. If given the go-ahead, she would instantly unleash her fury upon these back-alley thugs.

"Not lookin' for trouble, huh? Too bad you got it! Who the fuck do you even think you are, walking around these streets with a big titted hottie like this when you don't even look like you're into her?" This time it was the bearded, rotund one of the three who spoke, seemingly interested in joining the zombie in leering at Rem. And not paying much attention to her face.

This conversation was getting out of hand. He really didn't want to get into any kind of physical violence. Especially with a group of nobodies like this. However, the repeated harassment toward his companion was really starting to work his nerves. "Alright, fine! I tried to let you goons off so nothing happened, but now you've gone and—" But, Subaru didn't even get to finish what was probably going to be his last warning period because before the words could even come out of his mouth, a blue blur switched past him. It was Rem. And without warning, her fist had found itself lodged into the bearded man's gut, sending him doubling over in pain, his eyes uncontrollably lolling about in his head.

THUD!

The bearded thig fell lamely to the ground like a puppet whose strings had just been cut.

Silence took over. The three, or rather now, two remaining goons had now begun to realize that perhaps they started something that they could not finish. But, instead of walking away, or even running, they stood their ground.

"Y-You think we'll just let you get away with that?!" The zombie-looking guy finally began to understand the situation he was in. This, Subaru knew, because his half-stoned expression came to life and his face was suddenly that of one who had begun to understand just a bit too slowly what he had instigated.

"Rem's body cannot be defiled within the minds of ones such as yourselves." Though she spoke with her usual demure, polite voice, the words themselves were dripping with aggression. It was at times like this that he was truly glad that he and Rem were now friends with one another. Getting on the bad side of this maid was something he didn't want to experience. Again.

Walking forward, Rem, having had enough of this scene, had taken it upon herself to make these other two nuisances disappear. "As a maid, I believe I will do my duty and perform some cleaning of this place. Please wait kindly while I tidy up." The truth was, Subaru didn't think he had the heart to tell her not to indulge herself "Just don't get carried away!" In spite of saying this, he didn't feel these two were in any real danger. After all, she had done nothing more than knock out the first guy, right? They'd get a few bums and go home no worse for wear.

Which was exactly why Subaru butted in to ask, "Actually Rem. Do you feel like you could let me have one of'em? I feel like I need to exact some revenge on your part, too. They were seriously rude, after all." A weird sort of confidence welled up inside him, and before Subaru even knew what he was doing, he'd stepped up to the plate, blocking the path of the punk guy, who he had assumed to be the leader of this Green Team.

With a nod of her head, Rem silently gave Subaru the OK. Thought they had exchanged no further words, she knew exactly what it was that he intended to do.

Rem had every confidence tha her hero wouldn't be harmed by toads such as this. So much so that she let her attention slack for the barest of moments. And only was she brought back into reality by the unconfident shouts of the zombie thug, who was rushing the maid with a fist poised to slam into her! "Don't think you can just ignore me after what you did! You and those fuckin' titties are gonna be so—"

But he never got the chance to finish his threat. Because a literal second later, Rem had landed a high kick, the toe of her foot colliding straight with the long-haired zombie man's face, sending his head turning in the other direction in an almost unnatural-looking way. He was unconscious before he had even hit the ground. And once again, a blade had severed the strings of a little puppet as its body ceased to move.

If she had applied any more force then certainly there would have been a broken neck!

And to add the cherry on top, Rem made good on her earlier promise. Picking up the zombie goon by the scruff of his ragged shirt, the blue-haired maid, with a single swing from her otherwise dainty arm, tossed her defeated foe across the alley, his limp body flying at least a solid 40 feet before he crash-landed into a trash can, sending it, and the filthy contents flying! "Oooh! I know he's gonna be feeling that when he wakes up!" Maybe it was because he had not gone grocery shopping with her in such a long time, but he was still always so surprised by how much she could lift.

"Well, it's like they say: And then there was one." Subaru readied himself, having seldom felt this confident before a physical confrontation.

The punk leader, having seen that his two friends had been defeated so easily by a girl in a maid costume immediately understood that he stood no chance in getting into it with her. But even still, something was preventing him from running. Maybe it was because he knew the blue-haired maid would not allow it? His only chance of walking away from this was to fight his way out. And since the wimpy-looking guy had already challenged him, at the very least, he could go down swinging against someone that didn't look like a monster in disguise.

"Don't think that I'm gonna wuss out and t-try to run! I ain't scared!"

But even though he said that, his shivering voice betrayed him. And Subaru wasn't going to hesitate in knocking this guy down a peg! "Just don't act like I didn't give you a chance to walk away, earlier!" Yes, he wasn't the one who'd started this confrontation. Whatever came to these guys, they brought it on themselves. Asked for it, even!

Because the two of them were just about the same size, the green-haired punk leader lept at the Japanese teenager, intending to take this fight to the ground! Descending on the black-haired boy, he was ready to bear down on Subaru and slam him into the hard, stony pavement. And as the two of them made physical contact, surprisingly, only one of them had actually hit the ground.

And it wasn't Subaru. Because a moment before the impact hit, Subaru leaned back and swung his arm out, wide. The arm that was equipped with the Hand of Algol. The hit was like slamming a metal pipe into someone's body, and this amateur clothesline sent the formerly cocky punk colliding with the ground with a vicious THUNK!

"You do realize that when you're jumping like that you're basically a big target, right? Jeez, don't you guys even watch pro wrestling?"

A victorious smile crossed Subaru's face.

Maybe it was because he had encountered threats that were so much greater than three loudmouths in a back alley at night time. Or maybe his greater confidence had truly given him what he needed in order to prevail in this situation. After all, he had done the same one time before when he was sufficiently motivated and did not hesitate to attack. Whatever the case was, he was the one standing. And someone else was on the ground before him.

Beneath him.

Defeated.

The nasty-eyed Japanese teen locked eyes with the now intimidated punk. And from their connection, Subaru saw something familiar on his face. Pain. And fear. It was the look of someone who wished he could be anywhere else in the world but where he was right now.

And it wasn't Subaru Natsuki who was afraid for once. He controlled the fear.

With this knowledge in his heart, his smile turned into one that had lost its brightness and slowly morphed into something darker, more twisted.

Raising his arm, Subaru Natsuki opened his hand, the clawed tips of his gauntlet prepared to strike his opponent down. For good.

"Wait! What the hell am I even doing? He's already beaten! It's over!" The voice that stopped him from attacking again rang out inside his head. It was his voice. And he needed to listen to it. "Yeah, that's right. What am I doing? These guys were just being assholes. Why would I go so far just for that?"

Once again, the sensation of doubt-filled Subaru Natsuki. He closed his fist, mentally commanding the Hand of Algol to return to its resting state. All vibes of hostility seemed to vanish. This pointless street brawl was over.

Doing his best to control the tone of his voice, Subaru gave one order, and he didn't feel like being argued with. "Get outta here. And don't ever let me catch you acting like this toward anyone in the streets, again. Next time I might not be in such a good mood."

It took a few moments for the green-haired punk to respond. Perhaps he was unsure if Rem would actually let him go, despite what the black-haired teen said? "But...I can't leave my guys in a place like this. And I can't carry'em while they're knocked out."

To his surprise, Subaru was taken aback to find that this asshole who'd started a fight and let his pals harass a girl at nighttime in a back alley still had enough decency to not run off and abandon his group after they'd been thoroughly beaten. Internally groaning, he asked himself why even scum seemed to have some morals here and there.

Rolling his eyes in exasperation, Subaru threw his hands up and called out to Rem, "Let's get outta here! We have other stuff to be doing, anyway!" She didn't hesitate to follow him, having had enough of this scene for one night.

After a few minutes of walking the streets of the capital with no clear destination in mind, it was the blue-haired maid who decided to be the one to break the silence between the two of them. "Subaru, is there something troubling you? It seemed as if you were hesitant to do any further harm to those men back there." Just as expected, she had figured out what the problem was, even without him having said anything.

Stopping on the corner of a well-lit, but empty street, Subaru looked at the hand on which he wore the Hand of Algol. With a swift mental command, the magic item changed into its armored form, enhanced, black plated spreading down his arm to form that now familiar adamantite gauntlet.

But a second later, Subaru willed it to revert to its unused state, and it did so immediately.

Quietly, after having confirmed his feelings with a small test, he knew the truth. "It's working just fine. I don't think the Hand is doing anything funny." It probably would have been easier to blame those feelings he had experienced just a few moments ago on this mysterious new weapon he had received. Yes, but that would be repeating some of his old behavior. Blaming something else. The answer was clear. "So...that feeling did come from inside me."

"That guy. He was terrified that I'd...destroy him or something. I could see it from the look in his eye." He could never mistake that terrified expression for anything else. Because he had already been in that same position more times than he ever wanted.

Rem, who was one who never had issue striking down an enemy asked, "Is that so wrong, Subaru?" Though she did not show it on her face, she found herself to be surprised that he was suddenly having hesitations when just around an hour or so ago he seemed unwilling to wait for an opportunity to use his new item in any situation that would present itself.

Subaru shook his head. It was wrong, all wrong! Getting into pointless fights on the street wasn't what he wanted to become stronger for. This was not the reason he sought power. "Yeah, those guys were acting like total assholes! And I couldn't stand to hear someone talk about you in that dehumanizing way. But even still," He clenched his right fist closed, all his thoughts coming to a single realization. "If I start throwing my weight around everywhere I go just cause I don't like someone, what'll end up happening when I do it five times? Or fifty?" The sheer thought of him becoming someone like the people who had looked down on him and jerked him around when he was at his lowest sickened him. "At that moment, I held that guy's life in my hand. I had that power." Subaru never expected it to be so...heavy.

The weight was like nothing he'd ever experienced.

Allowing himself to be controlled by such passionate feelings and to act on what seemed to feel good in the moment, it was something that had already led Subaru Natsuki to many unfortunate ends.

"If you're not in control of yourself, you can just forget about accomplishing anything worthwhile. You're supposed to be moving forward!"

"But you did recognize what you were doing. You stopped before something happened that you couldn't take back. Remember how far in you went last time you went on a rampage? A slip-up isn't necessarily a step back."

Within himself, Subaru switched between scolding himself and also acknowledging that he had not ruined his meager progress. But one thing was still for certain. He needed more control. When the time came to confront his enemies, slip-ups would not be tolerated. He'd reigned it in back there, but he still wasn't as efficient as he needed to be. In order to not fail the trust he had been given by Rem, Subaru resolved to further steel himself from such actions.

Bums like that were annoying, but nothing more. There were other people out there who were truly deserving of Subaru's wrath. With Sebas' earlier advice in mind, Subaru refocused his mind, imagining the face of his true enemy. "The next time I see you, you can bet that I won't hesitate. Not even for a single second. Rem won't have to worry about how I am. She'll be better. Everyone who ever lost someone to you and your pack of maniacs will be better when I wipe you out of existence forever. Betelguese Romanee-Conti, next time, I'll show you that I'm the one in control of when you die."