Chapter 3: Actions Are By Intentions

"Subaru-sama…?"

Right when he noticed his master's gaze to be filled with sorrow, Reinhard closed the door of the carriage with an hesitant hand, keeping an eye towards Subaru. While he wasn't sure of what happened to him, and neither was he good at understanding human emotions, the sword saint felt like his duty was called upon by the laden state his lord grieved in.

He ached to do something, anything to help.

"Reinhard…"

While his lifeless eyes gazed at nothing but his hands, he uttered the name of his knight in a dreadful tone. However, the 'Reinhard' he thought of was not the one seated in front of him.

"…"

Soon came the realization that he was back in time, his eyes first catching sight of the luxurious interior of the noble carriage he was in, slowly leading to the man right in front of him.

Subaru's eyes bulged wide when he met Reinhard's gaze, seeing how worried he was for him, albeit not voicing more of his concern because of how unknown this situation was for the sword saint.

From Reinhard's point of view, Subaru appeared like a broken, scared person, reflecting a pain that could not be seen or felt by none other, lying deep within the mist that enshrouded what lies beneath his irises. It was clear even for the knight that something happened out of his watch for Subaru to have a change of heart so baffling.

A feeling of guilt suddenly took place alongside the worries of the Sword Saint, for the harm he had allowed to begall on his master right before his eyes.

"I'm…alive right?" were the first words he was able to say once he somehow got himself together, blinking several times as if to be sure he was in the real world and not trapped in what he wished to be a bad dream.

"…You are…" Reinhard hesitated. It was such an odd, or some could even say difficult question.

"If Subaru asks for it, it certainly has a meaning." is what Reinhard thought. And even if it didn't, who was he to question his master?

"I see." He sighed, clenching his hand into a fist.

He almost felt the tears leaking through his eyes, as he did his best to keep a composure in front of Reinhard.

Yet his only wish at the moment was to cry, scream at the top of his lungs and vent out his pain and anger over what he had lost, and what he had lived.

"I didn't want to go through this ever again…" the candidate thought to himself, turning his gaze towards the mansion ahead.

Along with this, all of the memories of his previous loop began to pass through his mind. His arrival, the maids, Emilia welcoming them and her expression when she came towards him, Beatrice in the library and of course…

The last serenade he shared with Emilia. Perhaps it seemed strange, but for Subaru, having a girl wishing to enjoy some company under the pale silver light of the ethereal orb in the starry night, and such a beautiful one on top of that, was a feeling he yearned for and enjoyed to its utmost.

"But it doesn't even matter now, does it?" he murmured with a frown on his face.

For all of these memories and moments…Were robbed from him.

And no matter the circumstances, the feeling that rose in Subaru's heart right now was nothing akin to mercy towards the one who dared to take what was his.

Rage.

Pure, unadulterated anger.

"Subaru, what is happening…?" The overwhelming silence began to be uncomfortable even for Reinhard. He wished he would get an answer that would at least reassure him over the condition of his master.

"I… I don't know, Reinhard," Subaru replied with an expressionless face, his voice neutral, still observing the mansion, "I really wish I could explain but…" His hand found its way into his chest without even him knowing it.

"Yeah, even that is impossible."

Over his last words he closed his eyes, reminiscing about him and Beatrice, the last time he tried to speak about his power. Surely doing so would have the same result, or even worse, harm Reinhard along with him.

Having to suffer was already a thing, but Subaru couldn't forgive himself if he brought pain to someone else.

"Why…?" The sword saint asked, distraught at how Subaru was reluctant to explain his situation.

Reinhard knew he had no right to blame him if Subaru had little trust in him. Their meeting was not as far as yesterday after all.

"There could be… unwanted consequences…" Subaru shook his head, wincing as he turned back at him.

"I…" He cut his words before going further and bowed his head, acknowledging the will of his master to remain secretive. It was not his place to discuss nor question his will.

If such was the will of his lord, then so be it.

'Reinhard…' Guilt bubbled from inside as he addressed his prestige. This was not how he wished to treat someone like Reinhard.

"There is something going on," Subaru warned while clenching his jaw "I still don't know much about it…Hell, I don't even think I understand anything about it yet…But I know there's a threat…"

"…How did you come to such a conclusion?"

"Like I said…It's complicated."

"I am so fucking gross." Subaru thought to himself, catching the sight of concern all over Reinhard's face.

The friendship he yearned for with the Sword Saint was being halted by such decisions, like walls built between them cutting the trust they had for one another. Of course Subaru did not want that, but was there any other alternative?

Laying down his true feelings and intentions would be a difficult task, for more questions would arise of them, which would only cause more wasted time. This was not something which Subaru could afford at the moment with the threat looming around the Roswaal mansion.

He had to face death once more and defeat the pen of fate.

He had to protect them all.

Even Rem..

"Something is hiding in that mansion…And that… thing…" he breathed in, "is dangerous…And we need to find it-No, stop it."

With a look of resolve, Subaru turned towards his knight once more.

"Will you help me, Reinhard?"

While there wasn't really much of a choice to choose an answer for Subaru's chosen knight, for anyone to hear such a story doubts would remain. But Reinhard was confident of Subaru's noble intentions, may it be his instincts or perhaps his powers that whispered it to his ear, Subaru Natsuki was not someone to be evil, or perceive ill will to others.

So even if very little was shared by him over what they were about to face, Reinhard only nodded his head with a smile.

"Of course, you can count on me, Subaru-sama."

Even if he expected it, hearing his knight's stand was still reassuring for Subaru. The foe he had to face remained unknown, but at least with Reinhard, he knew there was a chance.

"Then, let's go." Subaru nodded as well, opening the door of the carriage followed by the sword saint.

Then again, he walked in the paved way towards the doors of the mansion.

Then again, he observed the perfectly cut bushes that harbored this passage, along with the cleanliness of the walls, and shining stone of the mansion itself.

Then again, he saw the doors of the mansion open, making place to two very similar maids presenting themselves to him and his knight with a bow of their head.

"Greetings, headmaid of the Roswaal Mansion, Rem. "

"Greetings, maid of the Roswaal Mansion, Ram."

"How might I be of assistance?" they asked in unison.

Watching the maids welcome him in unison triggered a call back to his last loop, making him flinch for a brief moment as he tried to hide his grimace.

"It starts now, I have to be vigilant…"

At the moment, nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. Subaru did his best to recall his previous loop and compare it with what he was seeing here. He thought of every detail he could, anything out of the ordinary. Anything that could stand out.

At the same time, when he saw the twin's eyes staring at him, he realized that he had an opportunity to make a much more appropriate first impression.

"Greetings, Rem-san, Ram-san," he told them, accompanied with a slight bow of his head, to the surprise of Reinhard who didn't expect someone of his title to show respect to mere servants, "My name is Natsuki Subaru, and this is… Oh, what am I doing, you certainly know this guy already, don't you?"

Not impressed at all by the mannerisms of the young man, both maids kept a stiff upper lip, before turning towards the sword saint and bowing in respect, recognizing the renowned knight right away thanks to his crimson hair, much characteristic of his family.

"It is an honor for me to meet you, Rem and Ram-sama." Reinhard replied with an elegant bow.

However as he bowed down his head, Reinhard's eyes managed to catch a clear sight of their faces with a simple glance, noticing the difference within the eyes of the pink-haired maid, and the blue one.

One of them, after a brief movement of the tip of her nose as if she was catching a scent, hardened her gaze towards his master.

"So, we are here to mee-"

"Rem, Ram, who is this?" A silver-belled voice echoed from behind, along with fast-paced steps walking down the stairs.

"There we go…" thought Subaru with a small smile, "At least this will be a good moment…"

"Subaru!" She exclaimed as she saw him stand in front of the door with wide eyes, rushing towards him, "I am so glad you're okay!"

"Emilia!" Puffing his chest, Subaru walked towards her as well with haste, "Of course I would come to see you! I had something super important to tell you!"

Emilia smiled wide, showing genuine happiness upon seeing the boy that had saved her life. As a matter of fact, her happiness was so apparent and unusual, that Rem and Ram both glanced at each other in an attempt to convey their surprise.

Emilia was not usually in a bad mood. But to see such joy from her surely was.

She took a step back to have a better look at Subaru and couldn't help but chuckle at the sight in front of her.

"Well, it looks like you dropped your unusual attire for another even more extravagant one." She complimented him after remembering the tracksuit he wore yesterday, "It does really suit you though!"

Reinhard quickly took the opportunity to briefly smile towards Subaru, both happy for his master's compliments, and for being right about his outfit.

Even if Subaru returned the smile back at him, his eyes didn't show the same kind of happiness he portrayed. He already lived this moment, after all.

"Well, I wore it just for you, Emilia-tan!" He exclaimed with a smile.

"Eh? Tan?" She repeated as she noticed the little add-on to her name.

"You could say it's an honorific from my homeland, for the special people you are close with."

Emilia took a moment to ponder what she had just heard, as her pupils slowly widened at the realization of what Subaru was assuming. Being 'close' with someone, was quite foreign for Emilia, therefore she couldn't help but blush slightly and glance away in embarrassment.

"I-I see…Well, I don't really hate that…"

"Eh? Hold on, what is happening? What is that cute reaction?! Is there actually a good thing with this return by death which allows me to see more of Emilia-tan's cute moments?!"

"C-come on...Don't stay here! Please, come inside!" Emilia adorably invited, urging them to follow her inside of the mansion.

Once she was standing in front of him, she took another moment to properly inspect him from head to toe, and let out a sigh of relief as she put a hand on her chest.

"You really scared me back there, you know?" She told him with an uneasy look in her eyes, "but it seems like you are patched up…Good job, Reinhard-san."

"Of course, Emilia-sama" Reinhard replied with elegance, happy for both his master's health, and Emilia's relief.

"So…You said you had something to tell me?" She turned back to Subaru, a bit eager to hear what he wanted to tell her.

"Well, for all that happened yesterday and for not leaving me to die on my own…" Subaru took a pause before bowing down his head to the lady in front of him.

"Thank you."

"Eh?"

"You healed me, didn't you?" Subaru smiled at her, a hand on his heart just above the place he was cut before by the bowel hunter, "You could have just left me for dead, you know?"

"That would have been awful!" She replied immediately, as if what he just said was too horrible for her to even think about one bit.

"Yeah! That's what I'm talking about!" He laughed out loud to her, "You didn't do it because for you it's awful! But there's a lot of people out there who wouldn't have cared in the entire world for a random person like me dying out!"

"…"

"Listen, all I'm trying to say is…Thank you, Emilia-tan…And sorry for all the trouble I caused you."

"Trouble?!" Emilia sighed, seemingly accepting the young boy's apology as she took his hand, "I was already veeeeeery happy with hearing your thanks. You didn't need to apologize for anything, you know? Next time, 'thank you' will be plenty enough."

"Right?" He laughed a bit after hearing the possibility of a 'next time', under the caring gaze of Reinhard, and the strange look of the maids gazing upon them.

Taking a glance to her side, Emilia noticed the confusion of her servants, and caught on to what she had forgotten to do.

"Ah! Yes," Emilia hammered a fist on her other palm. "Ram, Rem, do you remember the person I told you about who saved me yesterday? It's him! His friend is the kingdom's Sword Saint."

The maids glanced towards one another before bowing their heads. They had such flawless sync that Subaru couldn't help but feel a chill down his spine at how they seemed to both think the same thing at the same time...

"In the name of Lord Roswaal Mathers, we express to you our most sincere gratitude for protecting our lady from the harm that could have been brought upon her by our negligence."

Their voices, their lips, their expression and mannerism, all happened at the same time and in the same motion which, even if it was technically the second time, was still quite an impeccable synchronization for Subaru to witness.

"All the pleasure is mine." He smiled, talking in a composed voice.

"I would have never forgiven myself if I let such a beauty on her own, after all."

Emilia's cheeks faintly blushed at the way he called her, taking her off guard as she was forced to look away with a frown on her face, disliking what she felt like stupid teasing.

"You never cease to amaze when it comes to words, Subaru!" A voice rang in the air.

Popping out of a green crystal at the neck of Emilia, a little cat spirit levitated just in front of the half-elf.

"Look who's finally awake!" he cheered, grabbing the cat's paw to shake it, "glad to see you weren't worked to death!"

"Same goes for me! You know Lia was very worried about yesterday, since the Sword Saint took you away! Seeing you here certainly lifted a weight off her stomach!"

"Puck?!" The half-elf exclaimed, her red cheeks now most apparent on her face.

"I know, she told me." Subaru shook his head.

"But to such an extent… I didn't know I held such importance for you, Emilia-tan!"

"Now, don't get ahead of yourself!" Puck shot back, dashing closer to the young boy's face until a few millimeters separated him from his nose with a threatening, yet cute glare.

"Right, right…" He laughed uneasily.

"Stop playing around." Emilia pulled her spirit away, looking at both Subaru and Reinhard with a shy expression.

"Now… Since you two are here… Would you want to join us for lunch," she inquired of both of them, an eagerness in her voice that Subaru noticed right away, just like the first time he lived this scene.

"Good idea! I'm starving!" Subaru rejoiced out loud, tapping Reinhard's shoulder before he could speak further about this morning.

"We would love to, right Reinhard?" He scoffed, surprising Reinhard, who understood the message his master tried to convey.

"Y-yes… Of course." The sword saint stammered.

As they followed Emilia inside, Subaru's eyes met with the maids following them, and staring daggers at him. One yawned in boredom, while the other one didn't take her eyes off of him one bit.

"Looks like her behavior didn't change from last time," he thought as he tried to be more vigilant, "I need to keep my eyes open. Notice any changes…Come on Natsuki!"

The killer could be anywhere, and a chance to turn the tides could also lie with Subaru's ability to see his enemy.

"So… how many people live in this mansion, Emilia-tan?"

Seeking to break the quietness of their walk, Subaru decided for now, to walk in the footsteps of his previous self.

"Mhm…Even if this mansion is quite big, we are really but a few here," she sighed, trying to hide her sadness, "there is me, Ram and Rem, and Lord Roswaal."

"Lord Roswaal uh…" Subaru mused in a weak voice, remembering the extravagant man he met in his previous loop.

"He's a bit eccentric, but he really didn't seem to be angry about us being here…"

"He is the margrave of this domain, and…" Emilia widened her eyes, putting a hand on her mouth before saying too much, "h-he is the one who is housing me…"

Subaru hummed in confirmation. "Mh, and how is he? Like, personality wise?"

He glanced back at Reinhard as he discussed with Emilia, remembering how he qualified the Margrave as 'quite the character' when they were in the carriage.

"I guess you could say he is pretty special," she said with a deadpan expression, "But he is not a bad person, I think."

"You think?" Scoffing at the peculiar answer, Subaru jokingly nudged her shoulder. "could it be that he is only showing a façade to his true, evil nature?"

While Subaru obviously joked with the way he turned his voice, laughing wasn't the feeling which rang in the mind of the maids who right after hearing Subaru's comments, hardened their glare towards him as if death was imminent.

The sword saint's senses clicked right away,stopping in his tracks as he abruptly took a turn preparing to defend Subaru, which managed to startle the maids themselves for a second.

While their resentment was palpable, none of them decided to act upon such a comment, perhaps by fear of insulting nobility or the implication of provoking the sword saint itself.

"This would be a bit too much wouldn't it?" Emilia waved her hand from left to right, "He was nice enough to house me, and…Help me."

Subaru nodded his head in understanding, yet wondered why Emilia was so reluctant to reveal her run for the throne to him.

"So…For your candidacy?"

Sooner or later he would know about it anyways. To avoid all eyes on him this time, he decided to cut this conversation short, thinking he would maybe relieve Emilia from a weight sooner than expected.

"W-what," she stuttered in disbelief, looking back at the red-haired sword saint, somehow as surprised as the princess.

"Reinhard told me," he chuckled as he pointed to his knight, "since he housed me, it ultimately led to me knowing about it."

However, rather than give a reassuring explanation, Rem and Ram shared a glance with each other. Emilia stopped in her tracks, staring uneasily at Subaru and Reinhard.

"Subaru…" she cautioned, a feeling of worry behind her voice.

Reinhard too, had the same thoughts as the silver-haired princess in mind at the moment. He realized how he failed to investigate the matter in everyone's head at the moment.

"How did you know I needed help with my insignia?"

All eyes then turned towards Subaru. Some were seeking an answer to this question, while others thought of ways to obtain it sooner.

"Oi, why are you all suddenly looking at me like that?" He stammered, worry clear on his face.

"You can't really object that it's suspicious, Subaru~" Puck flew towards him, "So you better tell us while you still can!"

"While I do understand the concern towards Subaru-sama, I would ask of you to cease such hostility," Reinhard decided to step in, disliking the looks his master received.

"Eh? No! Y-You have the wrong idea!" Emilia shook her hands in front of her in a mild panic, "This is not what I meant! I just wondered why, really!"

She wanted to know how Subaru knew about her misadventure back then, but making him feel uncomfortable was, of course, out of the question. She didn't see Subaru as an enemy, nor as someone who would deserve to be treated in any other way than her guest, especially since she owed him so much.

"It would be wise to answer Emilia-sama's request to appease any suspicions, then." Ram voiced her thoughts, followed by her sister's approval.

"Only by knowing Subaru-sama's reply, will we be able to be relieved of your presence here. I am sure you understand."

"Rem, Ram!"

"It's alright, I get it!" Subaru intervened before things escalated too much, "I was just surprised by the sudden mood drop! Didn't mean to weasel my way out of anything"

The situation was tense, so much that it was palpable.

"When I was walking in the streets of Lugunica, I met with an appa-seller. His name was Kadomon, I think?" He explained, remembering his past events, "anyways, he told me about some robbery happening, and afterwards I saw Felt running away, so…I mean, I just connected the dots…."

"Why would you decide to help Emilia-sama?" Ram retorted, narrowing her eyes towards the boy.

"What? Why wouldn't I?"

Subaru stared back at Ram with an oblivious expression, who raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Because she is nothing but a stranger to you? Have you never been taught to avoid meddling with affairs which do not concern you?"

"Yeah but…She needed help." Subaru scratched his cheek, feeling like he wasn't sure how to properly respond, "I can't think of any reason why I would just leave her to her demise."

Emilia, Rem and Ram all stared at the boy in wonder. Could someone really go out of his way to help a person in distress out of the blue?

"Mh, he doesn't seem to be lying!" Puck exclaimed, "Honesty was the right choice, Subaru! You are a little bit further out of the woods!"

If it wasn't for the situation he was in, and the urgency to seek for a threat, Subaru would feel like a scum for lying this way. Or rather, lying in his way, using his own ability to deceive those around him.

For such a meeting with the appa-man happened indeed, but not in this reality.

Nevertheless, it remained a part of Subaru's memory. Of his own past.

So was it really a lie?

Emilia exhaled in relief with a hand on her heart, happy to know Subaru was not someone she had to be aware of in a negative light…And distance herself from for her own safety as Puck surely advised.

Reinhard still remembered how Subaru told him to warn Emilia, if ever he met her, to avoid going into the loot house. Subaru didn't lie, his blessing told him so. But even after his explanation, the Sword Saint still had some questions, just on the tip of his tongue, to ask of his master, if only he would be able to address them…

For Reinhard, all of this strengthened the belief that Subaru was hiding something.

But what would it be? For now, it would have to wait.

As Reinhard and Subaru had another mission in mind.

"I'm sorry if I seemed suspicious," Subaru continued, rubbing the back of his head, "To be honest I was so focused on making sure you retrieved it that I forgot the consequences of it."

"…"

Emilia's expression was rather anxious. Her eyes were staring at Subaru, her lips thinner than a normal curve.

"W-What?"

"And then you refer to me as an altruist, while you went on your way to risk your life for my insignia…?"

Of course Emilia didn't know everything Subaru knew. She wasn't aware of the past lives he had, and the circumstances which led him giving his all to save Emilia.

A memory he still kept at this very moment. It was ironic to think that such a happy memory could only be perceived as a tragedy that never happened, with the raven-haired boy being the only one who lived the moment he remembered.

A moment that never happened in the first place. In a sense.

He couldn't resist casting a sad smile. "I didn't really think much at the time really…" He thought out loud, "I guess I just wanted to help you."

"Mh…" Emilia's gaze began to soften, smiling unconsciously at him. "You're really a dunderhead."

The Fifth Candidate's heart paused for a single breath. He found himself left entirely speechless, unable to utter a word or two.

Before Subaru could even recover, a white streak flew right in between them.

"Well aren't you a sly one, Subaru," he commented with a hint of apprehension in his voice, "But unfortunately, I can't let you do any more to take Lia away from me!"

"What a way to ruin the moment!" Subaru exclaimed back, as he turned back towards Emilia, who was hiding a blush from him.

"The only good thing about these loops is that I can see more cute expressions from you, Emilia-tan!"

While on their way, Subaru remembered from one more member of the mansion he had yet to see in this loop, hiding behind one of the many doors he was passing by in this corridor.

"And…" He narrowed his eyes.

"This one!"

Leaping forward, he opened the door in front of everyone to see, revealing the hidden library where the great spirit Beatrice was.

The spirit in question was seated on a chair fit to her size, a book in her hand and a distraught expression above it.

"How rude, I suppose." She frowned, looking at the people hoarding her door. "Have you never been taught to knock before entering, in fact?"

While Emilia, Reinhard, and Ram to an extent reacted with shock to Subaru's luck, Rem's glare intensified rather dangerously.

"You're acting as if I knew you'd be here, you drill-haired loli!" He pointed a finger at her.

"Because you did not?"

"Nope! I did!" He exclaimed, "Hy name is Natsuki Subaru! The game master's nightmare when it comes to lucky rolls!"

"What nonsense are you spouting, I suppose?" She closed her book, exasperated by this boy's antics.

"Subaru," Emilia uttered, glancing at him with wide eyes, "How were you able to—"

"Open a door?" He interrupted before she could finish. "Well, you bring your hand to the handle and p-

"This is not what I meant, you nincompoop!" She protested in frustration, "How did you open the Great Spirit of the Library's door?"

"Well, you see Emilia, it is very simple."

Although his words were directed towards the silver-haired princess, his words managed to grab the attention of everyone around him, eager to know the secret behind opening the great Beatrice's library door.

Subaru took a deep breath and raised his hand, showing to Emilia, Reinhard, Puck, Ram, Rem and even Beatrice, who raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

Then, Subaru brought his hand towards the handle of the door.

"You bring your hand to the handle of the door, and you pu-"

"Subaru!" Emilia pouted over his teasing.


The rest of the day took the same natural course as the previous loop Subaru had been through. He met the lord of the domain around a dinner and managed to conceal his identity as a candidate.

For now, everything went according to his first loop.

"Please, take~ a seat."

After the dinner, Subaru asked Margrave if he could have a private conversation with him, like his previous loop. However this time, Subaru had more in mind than conversing about his domain and inhabitants.

"You really have a beautiful domain, Roswaal-sama," Subaru complimented him as he sat down in front of the desk, "I'd have guessed you had an army of servants around for such a big mansion, but I really didn't see anyone else other than Rem and Ram…"

"Correct~," Roswaal smiled, "Rem and Ram are indeed the only~ones taking care of my domain. At least, this one."

"That sounds like worker abuse, not gonna lie…" he replied with an unsure undertone, feeling bad for them.

"You are correct again~," while preparing drinks, the Margrave winked to the boy's assessment, "I am sure you realized by now that both Ram and Rem are quite~ unconventional for the work they do around my domain."

"I… don't drink," Subaru courtly refused the glass of wine, "So you're saying they are from a different race?"

"They are from the race of Onis," he elaborated, sitting on his chair, "Creatures of immeasurable force aaaaand stamina, perfect for both serving under me and defend~ my domain."

"Onis?! This man has Japanese named demons to protect him?!"

"Defend?" Subaru raised an eyebrow, "They also serve as your guards?"

"Correct. I have told~ you they are quite versatile, haven't I?" He narrowed his eyes to the boy while playing with his glass. "They are quite formidable~ fighters."

"Battle maids?! You sure have some special tastes!" Subaru exclaimed back, imagining Ram and Rem fighting with swords and armor over their maid dresses.

"I am told that often~," Roswaal laughed lightly, "Now now, Natsuki Subaru, was it?"

"Indeed. Natsuki Subaru, a vagabond on a mission," Subaru chuckled while presenting himself.

"Well, Subaru-kun, I wasn't able to voice it properly during our meeting earlier, but as someone who saved~ the candidate I support for the throne it is only natural that I would seek to reward you~"

"What? No no! No need!" Subaru waved his hands in front of him, "I only did that because she needed help! I never wanted anything in return, really!"

"And I would feel so damn bad if you try to reward me when I'm your opposing candidate! That's just like before, I'll just ask him to let me stay here for a few days."

"Are you sure?" Roswaal continued to smile, "While I am a mere Margrave, I can assure you that I do not~ lack wealth and ways to show my gratitude."

"If the circumstances were different, I'd have perhaps taken up on your offer," Subaru replied while leaning forward on the desk, "But I already have Reinhard giving me a hand, and it's far enough. Besides, I don't want to come out as too greedy, either."

"The sword-saint, mh…"

Roswaal's smile faded a little, his eyes still focused on Subaru and what he had just said. Briefly, he glanced towards the black-book on his side.

"How did you come to be under house Astrea's care, if I may~ ask?" While trying to keep the atmosphere comfortable for him, Roswaal tried to know more about his guest.

"Mh? This is new…" Subaru thought to himself, "He didn't ask me that last time…Did I do something different?"

"Well, I come from a country far away. By chance I met Reinhard when I came here, and after saving Emilia he accepted to house me as a guest of his house," Subaru explained at the best of his ability while keeping his position as a candidate hidden, "I'm really grateful for his generosity!"

"I see," Roswaal nodded his head, "So the sword saint proposed to house you…"

"Is it surprising? I think Reinhard would have proposed the same to anyone else, would they be in my situation."

"Ah, of course~ he would be the type, knowing our heroic sword-saint…" Roswaal smiled at him, "I find it surprising that you were accepted so easily. Astrea house is very~ important for the kingdom, you know? It is no~ mere noble house."

"Yeah, their family holds the title of sword saints, I know," Subaru nodded his head, "I guess I was lucky?"

"Mh…" Roswaal leaned back in his chair, his eyes glancing over the boy, "And those are quite exquisite clothes."

"Ah…"

"Now of course, one that refers itself~ as nobility should respect a strict etiquette when it comes~ to guests," Roswaal tilted his head, a creepy smile forming over his lips, "But I have to admit that even I, am impressed~ by Reinhard-kun's care over you."

"It would be too much to say we became best friends yet, but I guess we're rather close?" He tried to justify himself.

"In a matter of a day?"

"Sometimes you just have a feeling that it just works with some people!" Failing to hide his panicking side, Subaru cleared his throat," O-or Reinhard is just that nice! It exists too, kind people!"

"Of course, of course~"

It was clear for Subaru that Roswaal had his suspicions on who he might be by how he seemingly let his curiosity abate. To receive such attention and care from the sword saint was an anomaly worth of consideration, and relinquishing such consideration was an anomaly by itself.

He would still keep it to himself, though.

"Aside from that, Roswaal-sama…"

"Mh?"

"Okay, how am I supposed to address that…"

All these various discussions he had with the Margrave led to this specific moment. It was time for Subaru to try and get the information he needed out of the man of the house himself.

"Do you happen to have…Any issues with threats around here?"

"Threats?"

"Like… enemies. Dangerous people."

The margrave was quite surprised by the question, but decided to answer it nevertheless.

"Is it related to Emilia-sama~?"

For now, Subaru thought he had to play along.

"You know the bowel hunter isn't just a common enemy," Subaru joined his hands together under his chin, thinking aloud, "This was definitely a planned assassination."

Roswaal nodded.

"Do you have anyone who would actively seek your demise?"

Roswaal leaned on his chair, his eyes wandering to the ceiling as he began to think of a reply.

"Not any public one~" he replied quite brightly, "Emilia-sama's position is known by but a few individuals~, after all."

"Thought so." Subaru frowned a bit." But as of now, we know there is definitely someone who seeks to kill Emilia, or do her wrong. Elsa mentioned her mission to steal the insignia, and she failed to kill everyone."

"Quite the merciless order~" Roswaal followed, observing the black-haired boy who stood up and began to walk in circles in the Magrave's office.

"So, someone from a high place ordered Emilia's position as a candidate to be threatened…And in the worst case, to completely eliminate her…" He mused out loud, turning back to Roswaal.

"Do the other candidates know each other?"

"They do not~" Roswaal shook his head, "They must remain anonymous until the day of the summoning~"

While he didn't see any of them yet, Subaru remembered the name of each one of the candidates thanks to his discussion with Reinhard. He wondered which one would be the principal suspect between the 3 other candidates, only basing himself on their descriptions from Reinhard.

However, for him it didn't make much sense for any of them to risk their position by attempting to assassinate another Dragon Candidate.

"Either the one who did that is dumb as hell, or amazingly bold." He sighed to himself. "Ordering the murder of a princess in the middle of the capital where someone like Reinhard was patrolling around...What a dumbass."

Roswaal blinked his eyes several times, still with a smile on his face.

"But let's get to the point." Subaru shook his head, coming closer to the desk.

"Emilia's safety should be a priority above all else."

"A priority?" the margrave repeated with a surprised expression.

"Emilia could still be in danger. There's no saying the one who tried to assassinate her wouldn't try again in the near future."

Roswaal began to laugh lightly, "Well, I admire your proactivity~, but I assure you there is nothing to fear~, Emilia-sama is perfectly safe within my domain."

Subaru raised an eyebrow in curiosity, knowing Roswaal had a precise idea of what he was talking about.

"You have been acquainted with Beatrice~, I presume?" He raised his finger, looking at the boy with confidence, "She is the guardian of the library~, and by extension, this domain."

"The guardian of the domain?"

"She is a great spirit~,her territory lies within my domain, which she is linked to," Roswaal continued, "if any foreigners steps in this territory… She will immediately sense their mana~"

"So Beatrice is like a local radar for this mansion?"

"And if ever she finds a foreigner in your domain…" Subaru's eyes narrowed. "Would she be able to protect the mansion?"

His heart began to beat faster as he asked this question, closely related to his past loop.

He knew he shouldn't expect anything from her, he knew he wasn't anyone she should care for. But still, for the very few interactions he had with the great-spirit, Subaru grew quite fond of her.

So he needed to know…

"Did you… let me die? He clenched his fist, "Did you… allow this to happen to me…? Even though you could have prevented it?"

Roswaal took a moment of silence to his liking, his mind going astray for a brief moment.

"I don't see why she wouldn't~" Roswaal sighed, turning towards the large window behind his desk, the sunset basking for the world to see.

Another repertude of silence took place as Subaru's eyes glanced over the window while the last rays shone before the determination in his eyes.

"Well~, it seems like we didn't notice the time," with a joyful smile, Roswaal turned back to the raven-haired boy, "What do you say about spending the night~, here, Subaru Natsuki? If you wish to spend a few more in my humble domain~ I wouldn't mind as well."

He still waited for the last bits of the sun to disappear, as he slowly nodded his head.

"Yeah, I'd take you up on this offe—" Subaru stopped as he realized he was speaking unconsciously, "Wait…"

Roswaal looked at him and winked with a friendly smile," I am sure Emilia-sama would love~ you to keep her company for more than a day, don't you think~?"

"... Y-Yeah, right. Of course!" Subaru cleared his throat, his face bright red.

"Thanks again, Roswaal-sama!"

Subaru took his leave from Roswaal's office after exchanging goodbyes for tonight, only to be surprised to find Ram at the door as he exited the room, visibly waiting to enter.

"I suppose you are finished." Ram bowed her head, passing by Subaru and entering the room without a second look.

Subaru stood in front of the door, confused for a second as to what just happened.

"A maid going to her lord's room as night falls over the mansion…" Subaru grimaced, taking his leave with hasty steps, "Yeah, it's better if I leave right away."

On his way to his room, Subaru thought about his previous discussion with the Margrave. Ram and Rem being guardians, and Beatrice being able to sense people entering the domain…

"Beatrice…" He stopped in his tracks, gazing at the multiple doors on his right.

Clenching his teeth, he went towards one and pushed it open.

"Beatrice, I need to talk to you."

He said with a serious voice, staring at the little spirit narrowing her eyes at him.

"What is it, I suppose? For you to so rudely enter Betty's room with such a tone, you better have a good reason, in fact."

He closed the door behind him and walked towards her, taking a seat on a chair without asking anything to the spirit, which irked her.

"No manners at all, in fact. And you dare come closer to me with that smell?" She waved her hand, while glaring at him. "It didn't grow weaker at all since this afternoon, I suppose!"

"Smell? Are you about to berate me about that now?" Subaru grunted, confused if whether he would jest in good humor or not. "Anyways, I'm not here for that."

Beatrice kept an eye on him, suspicious of the said smell the boy was clueless about.

"Beatrice, if a foreigner enters the domain of the Margrave… Can you sense him?"

"Hmpf," she said, "Bold of you to think Betty couldn't do something as easy as that, in fact."

The first question he had was answered, and it appeared that Roswaal said the truth.

"And if anyone enters the perimeter, would you warn us?"

This time Subaru spoke with a tone much grimmer.

Shivers crept over the perimeter of his legs as he waited for her answer, his eyes focused on nothing in particular.

"Betty does not see why she wouldn't do it, in fact."

It was strange.

Beatrice's reply was simple and honest. Almost casual, in fact. Yet to Subaru it held a meaning that had no price. His eyes widened and he raised his face, full of hope.

"Really?" He asked once more, wanting to be sure about it.

"You'll…You'll help us?"

"What is this, in fact?" She seemed disturbed, confused by this situation. "Are you so afraid something might happen to you here?"

"Yes."

"…"

His reply was direct, so much that Beatrice was taken aback by it.

"I think something's going to happen, Beatrice. But…" He began to smile a bit, as a sense of relief came over him. "Knowing that you'll help…I'm a bit reassured."

He then stood up from his chair and smiled brightly to the spirit, "Hey, can I hug you?"

"Wha-! Absolutely not, in fact!" She retorted in outrage, making Subaru laugh out loud.

"Yeah, I figured as much," opening the door of the library, he looked back at Beatrice one more time. "When this entire thing is done, I hope we can talk more, Beatrice."

Beatrice didn't answer. She simply eyed the boy as he smiled at her one last time, before exiting her library.

"How troublesome you are, I suppose." She murmured to herself, clicking her tongue and reopening her book.

"…"

She looked back up to the entrance of her library, and exhaled in tiredness.

"Betty will raise her guard up more, I suppose."


"Lord Roswaal, I have to express my resentment towards you for not taking your safety more seriously," she said in a dry tone, "Me and my dear sister have legitimate suspicions about Natsuki Subaru."

Roswaal chuckled from his seat, looking at Ram with a proud expression on his face.

"My apologies, Ram-san~, but I simply didn't think it was necessary~," he waved his hand, telling her to come closer, "He is nowhere a threat, after all~"

"Even so." Ram sighed while complying to her master's orders, "He seems weak at first sight, yet the possibility of him hiding his true intentions and capabilities remains."

She sat atop the Margrave's lap, installing herself comfortably like she was used to, resting her head against his torso.

"From what I have been able to see~, he is nowhere near capable of harboring ill intentions," Roswaal uttered in a calm voice, as he brought his finger closer to Ram's forehead, "However…"

A moment of hesitation came to the lord's voice, before he began to activate his magic at the tip of his finger.

"Just in case~, keep an eye on him." Ram suddenly let out a moan in response to the unbearable pleasure she partook in, yet managed to nod her head to her master's demands. "But do not harm him~, it would be dangerous to anger the sword saint~"

"H-how…Can Reinhard-sama be escorting t-that man…" Ram said between labored breaths, clenching her dress.

"That…" Roswaal narrowed his eyes, glancing at his gospel once more. " I wonder as well~"


"Mh…This much should be enough," Reinhard murmured to himself, scanning the covers of several books he picked up in the mansion's main library.

"Have you found what you were looking for, Reinhard-sama?" The blue-haired maid stood by the door, politely waiting for her guest to finish so she could escort him back.

"Yes, I think Subaru-sama will be able to make great progress with these." He nodded his head with a satisfied smile. "I have to say that I am greatly impressed by such a great selection of books, Rem-sama. There is perhaps one for every subject I have heard of."

Rem nodded her head, "Roswaal-sama is rather fond of knowledge. It is in his habits to own as much as he can when it comes to it."

"A great virtue," Reinhard praised, thinking about the image most of the people have of Roswaal in general, "I believe it wouldn't hurt if more people of the kingdom were aware of it…"

"I do not believe my lord cares for gossip, Reinhard-sama."

"I certainly commend him for that as well," he chuckled, picking up the books in his arms and coming closer to the door.

Rem waited for him to come out and closed the door behind him, before walking by his side in the corridors of the mansion as the fading sunlight warmed their faces by the windows on the walls.

"If I may, Reinhard-sama. How did you find yourself caring for Subaru-sama?" She initiated the conversation, seeking to know more about this black-haired boy.

"Well, after our tumultuous meeting in the capital—" He paused, recalling the situation he and his master were in. "—circumstances made it so Subaru-sama needed a place to live for a while, and it appeared that I had the possibility to be of assistance."

"I see, so it is nothing but courtesy and goodwill."

The tone of her voice was monotone. In such strict neutrality that it was impossible to know the feelings behind these words at first glance, even to Reinhard.

However Reinhard, along with the fate of the sword saint which befell on his shoulders, was granted many other abilities and skills. Some which were even unknown to the greatest sage, and some which could manifest by his will only.

To that, were the worries and fear he couldn't help but feel since their arrival here after what Subaru told him in the carriage. Reinhard was constantly on guard no matter where he was, and no matter with who.

"Are you alright, Rem-sama?"

"I am. Why wouldn't I be?" She replied, without turning towards him.

"You seem to be a bit uncomfortable." Reinhard gave a smile to reassure her. "My apologies if I am making hasty statements."

"…I assure Reinhard-sama that Rem is doing alright. You need not to worry about me."

He perceived her lie right away, thanks to one of Reinhard's many blessings.

But why would she lie? What was she hiding? And most importantly—

"Why do I feel that she holds a grudge against Subaru-sama?"

"Rem-sama, are you aware of anything unusual around the domain?" He ended up asking, Rem turning towards him with a surprised look.

"I have reasons to believe that the security of Subaru-sama, and several other residents are jeopardized," he told her, a serious look on his face, "Which is why, I would like to know if you are aware of anything."

"Reinhard-sama. Far from seeking to be disrespectful towards you or Subaru-sama, but if you feel like there is danger within these walls, perhaps it would be best for you two to leave," she replied, failing to restrain a hint of anger in her words.

"This was indeed an option, but it would be unwelcome to leave citizens of the kingdom at the mercy of a foe" unfazed by her words, Reinhard continued, "Please. If you know anything, let me know so I can be of assistance."

Rem frowned, her right fist shaking as a result of holding herself back.

"I assure you there is nothing to fear in Roswaal-sama's domain. Moreover, should any foe manifest itself, Rem and nee-sama would take care of it."

"I see," Reinhard closed his eyes, accepting her answer, "I apologize again for sparkling any form of outrage."

For the rest of the walk, both never dared to utter a single word to the other.


Subaru was in his room, lying down on his bed while gazing at his ceiling. He thought about all the pieces of information he retrieved today about his potential killer.

Night had now fallen, and soon would come the moment he feared the most.

"They have no specific enemy in mind. Rem and Ram are guarding the mansion. Beatrice can detect any foreigners…" He repeated to himself, trying to figure out any clue out of this.

"But Beatrice seemed pretty sure about intervening if ever an unknown enemy entered the mansion." He stood up, turning his eyes to the window where the moon shone towards him.

"Could it be that it appeared out of nowhere," he murmured, "Fast enough for Beatrice to not realize it?"

But as he kept gazing at the moon, his first conversation with Emilia came to mind. When she told him the very few people who lived in this mansion despite its size.

"Or…" His eyes widened, slowly turning around.

"The killer is already inside of this mansion…"

And as he spoke those words, a knock made itself heard on his bedroom door.

Subaru began to cautiously approach the door, until he heard a feminine yet strict voice from behind, characteristic of someone he knew.

"Subaru-sama, may I come in?"

"That's the pink one. Ram?"

His heart began to beat faster, as he came closer to the door. "What is it, Ram-san?"

"Reinhard-sama has requested of me to assist you this evening. I have come with the necessities of your first lesson."

"What…"

More confused than afraid, Subaru went ahead to open the door, seeing Ram with multiple books in her hands, looking at him with an indifferent look.

"It's true… Reinhard was supposed to tutor me tonight, but…"

"I- I see…" He stammered, making way for her to enter and install herself on the table. "Please come in then."

"We will see the basics for today, I believe we should take your tutoring slowly, step by step."

"Of course, but…" Subaru looked in the corridor left and right before closing the door. "Where is Reinhard, Ram-san?"

"Reinhard-sama was asked to meet Lord Roswaal in his office about a matter, which is why I have been appointed to replace him." Ram explained while putting herself on the side of the desk, waiting for Subaru to come and sit down.

"… Alright." He hesitantly answered, taking his seat.

"This didn't happen either… Just what is happening in this loop?"

Subaru felt his heartbeat rising up in his chest, the idea of Reinhard not being nearby making him more vulnerable than ever. And even though Ram was apparently capable of combat, he still didn't trust her or her abilities.

Adding to that, how Ram herself could be a suspect of his murder the prior loop.

"I guess this is the alphabet?" He picked up a page with strange symbols, though he already knew it was.

"It is indeed. We will begin with that, please repeat after me."

Ram remained in Subaru's room to teach him the basics of the Lugunican language for a good hour, a bit more than Reinhard's teaching, but still as efficient whatsoever.

"…" Ram was quiet. Taking a look at the papers of Subaru's studies.

"Something wrong, Ram-san?"

"You have made quite the progress in such a short time," she said, narrowing her eyes at him," Are you perhaps a fast-learner?"

"…I guess? It simply isn't as difficult as I thought it would be! Hehe…" He looked away, feeling the guilt of making himself look like a genius when he was in fact far from it.

"Of course…" Ram glanced towards the door, coming towards it in silence. She nudged it open to see Rem with a plate of tea and snacks.

"Is Roswaal-sama done with Reinhard-sama?" She asked her little sister, taking the plate from her hands.

"Yes. Reinhard-sama decided to take a tour around the domain." Rem replied, glancing towards Subaru at the table.

"Very well, please inform Reinhard-sama that I am finished with Subaru-sama's tutoring for today, and to come meet us when he can, Rem."

"…"

Rem remained silent, her gaze focused on the black haired boy reading back his paperwork.

"Rem."

"…My apologies." She bowed her head." I shall do so after visiting Emilia-sama."

Ram narrowed her eyes to her sister, nodding her head as she discreetly glanced back to Subaru.

"You two are really twins, even in your personalities." Subaru sighed as he couldn't help but overhear their discussion.

"It is merely a show of professionalism, Subaru-sama." Setting the plate on the table for him to enjoy his tea, she stood on the side with her hands on her apron.

"…What the…"

"I shall wait for you to finish. Please, go ahead."

"Yeah no, this is awkward." He shook his head, gesturing to the bed on the side. "Feel free to sit down."

"That much would be inappropriate in front of a guest."

"You know, I'm far from the hyper-demanding," he chuckled, "You have commendable etiquette as a maid, I give you that. But I really don't mind if you are more at ease around me. In fact, I'd love it if you did."

Closing her eyes with a nod of her head, Ram obliged and rested her bosom on the bed, leaning a bit to allow her back to rest.

"Well that was easy." He couldn't help but laugh, looking at how quickly the pink-haired maid became comfortable.

"Of course, with your approval, how impolite of me would it be if I had ignored it," she said in a monotone voice.

Subaru nodded his head in glee, feeling the atmosphere easing up as well now that Ram had taken a more relaxed behavior around him. Even if he didn't show it, he wouldn't have minded being closer to the maids. Though, Ram seemed, for now, far more approachable than Rem.

"Is this a story book?" holding up the cover of a picture book from the pile of books, Subaru showed it to the maid.

"It is," Ram acknowledged, glancing at the book, "This book contains several stories from the kingdom of Lugunica, it records about our folklore and culture, which is why Reinhard-sama picked it up for you I believe."

"That would indeed be useful," he opened the book, doing his best to read it despite his few hours of tutoring.

"Oh…This one is about a dragon?" He widened his eyes as he began to read. "The covenant…"

"Have you never heard of this story, Subaru-sama?" Leaning more on her back as to stretch her arms, she then came back to a sitting position, "The story of the royal family."

"Reinhard told me a bit about it," he replied while still focusing on the book, "The royal family who died abruptly because of a disease."

Ram kept looking at him, turning the pages of the book. "Do you understand what you read, Subaru-sama?"

"Yeah. It explains how a king…F-Far…Farsale? Made a covenant with the dragon four hundred years ago," Subaru said aloud.

"It is indeed. For it was such a time where curses and desolation loomed over the land of Lugunica, the Royal King Farsale took the initiative to require the great Dragon's help," she explained, coming over Subaru's shoulder to see the book alongside him, "The noble Dragon still protects this nation from far away, beyond a great waterfall. It will do so until its contract with the royal family is fulfilled."

"What?" He glanced at her, briefly surprised at how close their faces were. "But the family just-…Oh."

Ram understood that Subaru connected the dots himself.

"One of the candidates must succeed the fallen king, for the contract to remain, and our kingdom to continue prospering under the guidance of the Great Dragon." Ram concluded for him.

"What is this contract about?" he mused, more to himself than a question for Ram.

"No one knows what the dragon wants. In the nation's current situation, only the gods know… No, only the dragon knows what the dragon will do, Subaru-sama."

"Right…"

Subaru kept turning the pages of the fairy tale book, until he reached the image of a shadow with white hair.

"Is this…" He narrowed his eyes, searching for the title of the story, "The…Witch?"

"There is nothing to say that is not known here." She stepped back, turning away from him. "this story is already well known as it is."

"…You don't seem to like it." Noticing how quickly reluctant she became at the mention of the witch, Subaru closed the book and put it back on the table. "how about I tell you a story of my homeland, for a change?"

Ram was preparing to leave with finding an excuse to avoid further this conversation, yet when Subaru mentioned his homeland, she halted herself, thinking this may be an opportunity for her to learn more about this boy.

"I'll take that as a yes…Mh…" He put a hand on his chin. "What about the Red Ogre Who Cried?"

"The Red Ogre," Ram repeated, showing how intrigued she was by this name.

"Alright then!" Subaru threw a fist up, much to Ram's chagrin. "Your attention please!"

"Once upon a time, there lived a red ogre and a blue ogre. "

Subaru picked up a spoon, which coincidentally had a red jewel in one hand ,and a quill that had a blue jewel in the other. He held the two close together.

"The two were very good friends, and the red ogre wanted to be friends with the people of the village. But the people were too scared to get close to him. The blue ogre couldn't bear to watch, so he devised a plan to help his friend."

"I'll make a ruckus in the village, so you come and stop me," Subaru said in a grave voice, imitating the ogre while shaking the blue spoon. "Then the villagers will be sure to trust you."

"Soon after they did it, and the plan worked. The red ogre befriended the humans and was happy… But as time began passing by, something began to worry him. His friend, the blue ogre, no longer came to visit him."

Ram began to narrow her eyes, her face obscuring a slight shadow without Subaru noticing.

"One day, the red ogre went to the blue ogre's house. The door was tightly shut, and a letter was affixed to it. The letter said;"Red Ogre-kun, please have fun with your human friends. If I continue to hang around you, they might think you're a bad ogre, too. So I've decided to go on a journey, but I will never forget you. Goodbye. Please take care of yourself. Your friend forever… Blue Ogre."

Ram blinked her eyes, slightly opening her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but remaining quiet.

"The red ogre read the letter in silence over and over again. Tears fell from his cheeks as he began to cry." Subaru put both quill and spoon away from each other on the table.

"The end." He turned back with a smile to Ram, before being surprised by her lack of reaction.

Ram slowly averted her gaze, and looked out of the window. "That's a sad story."

"Yeah, it is." Subaru nodded. "But I think it's a sweet story too."

"I think all the characters in it are just stupid. The red ogre, blue ogre, and the villagers, too." While her voice didn't radiate any emotion, there was a clear palpable resent in them.

"That's kind of a harsh critique." Subaru scoffed at her remarks. " I mean, I'm not denying it, but that's why I both love and hate that story."

"The blue ogre's self-sacrifice is really appealing, but it's stupid because he gets nothing out of it," he explained as his gaze reflected over the shine of the silver spoon, "I'm the type that wants to be rewarded for the effort I put in."

"Is that what you think of the blue ogre?" Ram inquired back, her interest pondered over the quill,, "But it's the red ogre that I think is beyond help," He dragged the blue ogre to his desires and as a result, he lost nothing."

Subaru glanced at her, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "Then what do you think the two ogres should have done?"

"If the red ogre truly wanted to befriend the humans, he should have broken off his horns and gone to them. He should have done that before the blue ogre couldn't bear watching anymore." Her expression was forlorn, reminiscing the story she disliked the more she thought about it.

"That's a pretty extreme opinion… "

Ram kept her gaze on Subaru for a few seconds, and then walked closer to him. "Is it? Which of the two ogres would you rather be friends with?"

The question was quite sudden and unexpected, yet seemed like it held an unknown meaning for the pink-haired maid.

She raised both hands and held a finger up with each one before the boy.

"Which is it? The red ogre, who can only wish to be taken care of by others, or the stupid blue ogre, who basks in his own self-sacrifice?"

Subaru scrutinized her crimson eyes before gazing down to her fingers with a thoughtful look.

Having taken his decision, Subaru moved his hands… and pulled both fingers with both his hands.

"What a foolish answer. If you want to befriend both, you must be an indecisive, adulterous type. You'll regret it one day." Ram stared at him, but Subaru didn't show any reaction to her words.

"May it be the red ogre who can only wish to be taken care of, or the stupid blue ogre who basks in his self-sacrifice, I wouldn't chose to be friends with anyone solely because of their actions. I would think of their intentions, first. The reason, and the heart that lies behind each of their actions." Subaru seemed to speak his mind out, not thinking much of an elaborated answer, only what he felt like he had to say.

"And no matter how you look at it, both only wished for happiness, their only mistake was to not think about the consequences."

Ram kept locking her eyes with the boy, a dim feeling of surprise behind his words.

"I would like to befriend both, since I believe both would only wish to befriend me as well if they could," he finished by looking up at the maid, smiling, "This is what I think."

"I see." She closed her eyes, pulling her fingers back. "I suppose you have quite the altruistic belief, as Emilia-sama said."

"…I guess, yeah."

"This is not a good thing." She walked to the door. "Such a mindset in an unforgiving world will only bring you despair. Consequences you are not able to fathom as of now but will come true nevertheless one day."

Subaru didn't answer, and only looked at the maid exiting his room, "I have spent too much time here already. Reinhard-sama should be meeting you in a while. I bid you a goodnight, Subaru-sama."

"Goodnigth, Ram-san," he replied as he got up from his chair and moved to his bed, staring at his ceiling once more.

Looking at his desk, he reached the fairy tale book at the edge of it, and turned the pages until Satella's drawn image.

" A scary witch… a terrifying witch," he murmured, narrowing his eyes at the silver-haired shadow, "To even speak her name was terrifying. Everyone called her the… Witch of Envy."

'What are you thinking, calling me by the name of the witch?'

"My name… is Satella."

"Just what were you thinking, giving me that name," he sighed in tiredness as he tossed the book back on his desk.

His eyes then wandered to the window of his room once more, observing the shining moon.

"I'm pretty sure Emilia should have visited me by then," he thought out loud, "There's too many differences happening with the first time to my taste."

Where was Reinhard? Where was Emilia? Why were the maids even more distant and cold to him than the first time to some extent?

Something was going on in this mansion, and Subaru didn't like it one bit.

"Emilia might be in danger right now…" He grimaced. "And…Me as well."

His eyes kept glancing at the door of his room, remembering over and over the way he died when he crossed it in hastiness, trying to reach Emilia before it was too late.

"How did I die again…" he uttered, closing his eyes, "I was…Hit by something…Something hard."

He brought his hand to touch the back of his head and palp it. "I'm pretty sure I didn't even feel the back of my head either…"

He brought the same hand closer to his left eye, "and I couldn't see with both eyes, too."

Subaru focused more and more on the images he remembered from last night…But soon, he remembered his own pain as he visualized his shredded body.

"Ghk!" He widened his eyes, running to the sink of his room to puke as he couldn't shake this image off his head, "God damn it…!"

He kept coughing, breathing heavily while wiping his forehead with a tissue. He then opened the sink, and began to wipe his face with water.

"Remembering that was a bad idea…" He cursed himself, "The whole nightmare excuse won't work either…"

Raising his head, he met his reflection in the mirror. Staring in his own eyes while calming down his breathing…

"Chains…" He widened his eyes, "I remember the sound of chains…"

He wiped his face once more, and walked to the middle of the room as he looked at his door

***.

"I will go have a talk with Roswaal about this mansion, I want to see if there's something I can get from him." Subaru explained as he talked to Reinhard in his room after the dinner.

"Wouldn't it be more wise to inform Roswaal-sama about this possible threat, Subaru-sama?"

"Thing is…We don't even know if we can trust him about this," he sighed, shaking his head, "as of now, everyone aside from Emilia are suspects."

"You are excluding Emilia-sama from the possibilities right away?" Reinhard questioned with a surprised look.

"I think whatever is lurking around her is targeting her, Reinhard," He explained as he tapped his shoulder, "try to get whatever intel you can on your side while I'm investigating in my corner. We can regroup in this room when we're done to see what we've gathered."

"Very well, I shall do as you command, Subaru-sama."

"…"

Subaru walked back to his window and opened it, looking a bit around as best as he could using the moon as a source of light, but didn't see him anywhere.

"Don't fucking tell me he got Reinhard…" his heart began to beat faster.

He turned around and looked all over his room, until his eyes fell back on the spoon with the blue jewel, which he grabbed and began to tear the upper part off of it.

Forcing a bit, he managed to break the spoon, revealing a sharp, broken edge.

"That's better than nothing…" he took a deep breath, before walking to his door.

His hand hesitated as he was about to grab the handle, the image of his death flashing in his mind, but he shook those memories away instantly as he remembered what was at stake.

"I won't sit here and wait for things to get better when I can do something about it," he grunted, and grabbed the handle of the door.

In a swift movement he opened the door, and stepped inside of the dark corridor of the mansion, with nothing but a broken spoon as a weapon.

He looked in front and behind him, barely seeing anything because of the dark.

"Even the atmosphere is morbid," he murmured, watching his very steps, "I need to know where Reinhard is…"

As he walked by the corridor, his eyes began to get used to the dark, and as he saw the doors on the side he remembered a spirit that could be of help.

"Beatrice?" He called as he opened one of the doors, "you here?"

The spirit inside of the library widened her eyes, outraged by the black-haired boy stepping inside of her room.

"Just how are you entering Betty's library so easily, in fact?!" She yelled in shock, "it is the third time today, I suppose!"

"Have you sensed any foreigners yet?" He ignored her question, focusing on another more important matter.

Beatrice growled like a threatening cat, closing her book and putting it back on the table, "No, I didn't sense anything, in fact. Are you reassured now?"

"Really?" Subaru didn't know if he could feel relief or not, "this is odd."

Beatrice however noticed what he held in his right hand, which raised her own suspicions about what was happening here.

"Can you tell me where Reinhard is, Beatrice?"

"What are you holding in your hand, I suppose?"

Subaru froze in place, looking down at his hand to notice the broken spoon he held in evidence.

"W-wait, hold on! This is not what you think! It's for the killer!" He tried to justify himself, showing the spoon in evidence to her, "this is the only thing I could find to defend myself if ever I was attacked!"

"You so thoroughly believe there is a menace lurking around this mansion?" Beatrice crossed her arms, "you have yet to give Betty a justification for such a belief, in fact."

"…I wish I could explain, Beatrice… But now is not the time! I swear I will do my best to explain when this will be resolved!" he retorted with an alarmed tone, "please, tell me where Reinhard is!"

Beatrice sighed in exasperation, conflicted about trusting this boy or not. In a way he surely was suspicious, yet in another why would he be so adamant to find the sword saint out of all people, while asking a great spirit to survey the mansion at night?

"He is outside, I suppose. I do not know what he is doing, but it seems like he is inspecting around, surely because of your orders, I suppose." She replied as she picked her book back, "now shoo. Leave me be."

"Thank you, I owe you one!" he replied with a smile, walking out of the library with caution under the watch of a nonplussed great spirit.

Once in the corridor once more, Subaru hurried his steps to reach the man hall, where he could go outside and meet up with his knight. The fact that he was still alive was already a weight off of his shoulders, but it also meant there was still a chance to fight back.

Yet, Beatrice confirmed no foreigners entered the mansion. Something that left Subaru bewildered about who the enemy was.

"What if they lied to me? What if there are other residents…"

He finally reached the door of the mansion, but as he was lost in his thoughts he didn't realize the spoon was falling off his hands, and let it fall down as he opened the door to the courtyard.

"Ah, oop-"

The sound of chains echoed from the depths of the darkness, as a Morningstar flew right above his head, just centimeters away from his hair as he bent down to pick up his makeshift weapon.

Quickly processing the thought, Subaru jumped out of the door before the Morningstar came back towards him, managing to dodge it a second time in extremis.

"Fuck! There we are!" He grunted, rolling on the ground and standing up, only to be kicked in the guts and sent flying a few meters away before he even noticed the enemy came this close to him.

"Ahhh-Ghk…" he tried to breathe, his voice unable to come out as he held his stomach in pain.

"Shit…Not like this…" He thought to himself with painful breathes, trying to get back up, "Come on…At least…I have to see-"

"What a shame. I had hoped to take care of this issue quickly." A feminine voice rang from the killer walking towards him, the sound of her weapon ringing with each step.

"Please be aware that you are the one bringing such a fate to you, but I can still be merciful if you stop resisting."

"I should have known…" Subaru thought to himself, growling in anger, "I should have fucking known…"

"…Rem…" He uttered between heavy breathes, glaring towards the blue-haired maid.

"Your eyes reflect the sheer rage of an animal, quite befitting for the one you are," She spat out, readying her weapon, "So what will it be? Have you accepted your fate?"

Subaru kept breathing heavily, but slowly began to stand up.

And when he was finally on his feet…He began to run away as best as he could.

"Very well. I suppose this is how we will settle things." She narrowed her eyes.

He was struggling to even put a step forward. Rem wasn't even going faster than a normal walk and yet she was reaching him. His entire body was hurting from head to toe, and if it wasn't for the adrenaline of his body, he could've sworn his foot was broken.

"It was her! It was her all along! Fuck!" He yelled internally, "What the fuck…What do I do? I'm about to…"

The pain was felt more and more. And soon, his legs finally gave up. Not even 10 meters away from his initial position.

"You are truly pathetic," Rem shook her head, "I wonder if it is even worth killing you, at this point."

"I'm about to die? Will I die? Like this? I'm about to be put down like an animal?" he kept thinking, "I…I can't even call for help…I think…M-My lungs…"

He held a hand to his stomach once more, crimson fingers tracing his ribs, and realizing what he feared was true.

As soon as he touched his torso, he felt the rib embedded backwards pierced his lung, and spat blood out of his mouth.

Air was more and more difficult to catch.

"But wait…"

"…" Rem observed the boy dying right in front of her. She thought about how painful it had to be, while she found herself feeling absolutely no empathy towards him.

"I'm…I'm a candidate…I'm a candidate for the throne…Right?"

"Mh?" Rem raised an eyebrow, as she saw him getting back up once more.

It was rather long and difficult, he first put a knee down, then his feet, and now with shaking legs he was standing like a worn out man.

"No…Not…Like that…" He began to smile, holding his stomach and coughing blood on the ground,"I can still…Do it…"

"Do what?" She growled, "what are you talking about?"

"…" Subaru kept breathing, not looking at her.

"What have you planned, you disgusting wretch! Towards whom were you about to bring suffering once more?!" She barely concealed her voice, the anger rising within her, "Have you come for me?! My dear sister?! Or Emilia-sama?!"

"…"

"Even after all this time, you people are still trying to take what I hold dear…Even after all these years!" She tightened the grip around her chain, growling like an animal.

"…" Subaru raised his head up, his face towards the sky.

"I shall put an end to everything right here, and right now!" She yelled, throwing her Morningstar forward, the spiky mace coming towards Subaru's face at tremendous speed.

But…

"REINHARD!" He yelled at the top of his lungs, with whatever was left of air in him.

And right as nothing but an inch was left between it and his face…The sword saint appeared, as if out of thin air, striking the Morningstar down with his bare hands, so hard it buried itself under the earth.

"Wha…"

"Subaru-sama!" Reinhard yelled in panic, throwing himself forward to grab his master before he fell on the ground, "wha-"

His face turned towards Rem, standing here still in shock by the speed with which Reinhard appeared.

"You…You hav-"

"Rein…" Subaru called him, blood running down from his lips, " I told ya…There was…"

"Subaru-sama, please! Do not waste your energy, I…" Reinhard cut him, trying to find a solution to his dying master.

This wasn't possible. This simply couldn't be.

Reinhard couldn't fathom the thought of him failing once more. The thought of him failing his master…But there he was, powerless, as the only thing fate hasn't given him as a sword saint was the possibility to use magic.

It was his only flaw.

The only thing Reinhard wasn't able to do.

And because of it, Subaru would die?

Rem kept watching at what was unfolding in front of her with bewildered eyes. For a moment she only thought about killing the one bearing the scent she hated so much, but now she was seeing someone-the sword saint out of all people- alarmed about this person dying in his arms?

A knight of the kingdom? Worrying for a witch cultist?

"What kind of farce is this…?!" Rem gritted her teeth, "Why are you protecting him?!"

"Emilia-sama…!" Reinhard thought aloud, "she can use water magic…!"

Rem widened her eyes, grabbing the chain and pulling her Morningstar back from the ground, "I will not let you get any closer to Roswaal sama's domain!"

"Rem-sama. Right now, the life of my master is at stake. If you try to prevent him from getting medical assistance, I will be sure to use force." He glared at her.

"What is this ruckus, I suppose?" A blonde spirit walked towards the stand off between the maid and the sword saint, holding the dying boy in his arms.

"Beatrice-sama…?" Rem widened her eyes, surprised to see the great spirit out of her library, "do not get any closer! This man is-"

"What have you done to him, I suppose? Is this an order from this fool of a lord?!" Beatrice retorted, realizing the boy's state was a result of the maid's attack.

"I am doing what I must for the safety of Roswaal-sama's domain-"

"Beatrice-sama!" feeling Subaru's breath fading away, Reinhard yelled at the spirit in despair, "Subaru-sama is dying! You are the great spirit of the library, so I believe you hold healing capabilities…I beg of you!"

Beatrice took a look at the bloody, dying young man, and walked towards the sword saint "put him down, I suppose."

Reinhard executed himself right away, making sure to not hurt his master more than he already was by any means, while Beatrice came closer to his abdomen and began to apply her magic.

"What are you doing, Beatrice-sama!" outraged, Rem tried to protest, "this man is a witch cultist!"

Albeit worried for his master's health, Reinhard perked up with what Rem had just said, and threw a confused look towards her.

"Rem-sama, what are you saying?" He questioned her in a serious tone, "have you tried to kill Subaru-sama because of your own false accusation?"

"There is no false accusation! He deceived you with his lies!" Rem growled out in rage, "he reeks of the witch's scent!"

Reinhard appeared taken aback by the statement, looking at Subaru and the great spirit, who nodded her head at this fact.

"He does bear the smell of the witch, however he is assuredly not a cultist, I suppose," stopping her magic, Beatrice turned back towards Rem, "cultist carries a gospel with them. Which is proof of their allegiance towards the cult, in fact. I remember telling you that, girl."

"Beatrice-sama…" Reinhard called her, putting a knee down to take a look at Subaru.

"He will live, I suppose. Betty managed to heal his wound before he drowned in his own blood." She told him, before moving her healing hands to his legs.

"…" Reinhard bowed his head to her in solemn respect, "I thank you, Beatrice-sama…From the bottom of my heart…"

Still, he felt the pain and guilt for having almost lost his master. Once again, Reinhard van Astrea was this close from another failure…And the greatest of all, on top of that.

For a knight failing to protect the life of his master, didn't deserve the title of knight at all.

"Now you…" Reinhard took a harsher tone, it was intelligible if the feeling was anger or the strict behavior he had to take before such a crime, "Rem-sama. You have just tried to commit murder…On a candidate of the throne."

Both Rem and Beatrice's eyes widened in shock, looking at the boy on the ground.

"What…This boy? As an heir for Farsale's throne…?" Beatrice looked livid, "how come, I suppose?"

"This…This isn't-" Rem stuttered, "what do you mean, a candidate for the throne?!"

Someone bearing the witch's scent was running for the throne? And a boy, while the prophecy as she heard mentioned female candidates?

This couldn't be true. This entire situation was unbelievable.

Rem wanted to believe everything was a farce, yet the simple fact that the sword saint was protecting this boy was enough evidence to believe he was of more importance than a simple guest…And why would Reinhard Van Astrea lie, to begin with?

Moreover, the situation was now far worse than it seemed. Since, if this all was true…Rem had just attempted to assassinate one of Emilia's opponents for the throne.

"This can't be…"

"Yeah, that's the reaction I expected…" Subaru grunted from the ground, trying to get up.

"Subaru-sama!" Reinhard bent down immediately, "please do not force yourself!"

"I'm good…" He breathed out heavily, glancing at his red-haired friend, "amazing timing Rein…"

Reinhard was briefly surprised by the way he was called, but quickly shook it away as he held a hand to his master to stand up.

"Agh…It still hurts a bit…" He glanced down at Beatrice with a smile, "But you saved me…I owe you another one, Beako…"

"How did you call me, in fact?!" She retorted in outrage, suddenly wishing to kick this boy away herself.

"Now you…" His voice became far graver, a merciless glare in his eyes, "you were the killer all along…You're the one who-Ah…"

The pain cut him off, while Rem felt the fear rising in her heart for what was about to come.

"She tried to kill me…And I'm a candidate for the throne…"

Rem clenched her fists, still looking at Subaru with resent clear in her eyes. Yet now, fear could also be perceived.

"So…I can order her killed, right?" He thought, narrowing his eyes, "I can ask Reinhard to execute her for what she did…"

The image of his death flashed before his eyes once more, with all of the pain he felt, adding to what he felt just now.

"I can, right?! I can kill her!"

"Subaru-sama, please tell me what I should do about her," Reinhard told him, "As you said, there was a danger in this mansion. And it appeared to be Rem-sama, who tried to take your life."

Beatrice was quite indifferent to what would happen to this maid now that she thought about it. Yet, for some reason she didn't feel like killing her-which was the most plausible fate after hurting a royal-was something she wouldn't regret in the future.

She was a young, foolish girl. Blinded by her own instincts over smelling the scent of the witch.

Perhaps…She should try to help?

"Needless to say, attacking a candidate for the throne is a crime punished by the capital punishment, in Lugunica," Reinhard continued, waiting for Subaru's answer.

Was it the end? Rem tried to say something, but she felt paralyzed.

If she was ordered killed…Would she be able to say goodbye to her sister, at least?

"Wai-" Beatrice tried to speak, but was cut in her tracks.

"We'll spare her."

"…"

"…"

"…Subaru-sama?" quite surprised by his answer, Reinhard widened his eyes.

"Reinhard, what is a witch cult?" His eyes still on Rem, Subaru demanded his friend, "I was still half-conscious on the ground, so I heard that…I was somehow affiliated to it?"

Rem didn't know what to think anymore, she was truly lost.

"The witch cult is a criminal...No, a fanatic organization that worships the witch of envy and enemy of humanity, Satella," he explained, "they are ordered to be cut down on sight by the knights of our kingdom."

"I see…" Subaru scratched the back of his head as he heard that description," I don't know what to say Rem…But you're wrong here. I literally got in this city yesterday, and my family was secular for generations…"

"Then why do you smell like them? And with such a powerful scent?!" The maid rebutted.

Subaru glanced down to Beatrice, who crossed her arms, "you do indeed stink this putrid scent, more than average I suppose."

He looked surprised, and hesitantly turned to Reinhard. After a brief moment of staring into each other's eyes, he raised his armpit and smelled it.

"I mean….I bathed at his house, so…." He awkwardly pointed at the sword saint, who was taken aback and briefly smelled himself as well.

"…I don't smell anything unpleasant…" He murmured to himself.

"The scent isn't something you mere humans are able to perceive, I suppose!" Beatrice retorted in an upset voice.

"Oh, so you need super senses?"

"…In any case…" the great spirit did her best to keep her nerves in check, "him being a cultist is not possible, I suppose. I do not believe Reid's descendant to be foolish enough to house an enemy of the kingdom, who would be chosen as a candidate, in fact!"

"Because they carry a gospel…Do they have churches and prayers, too?" Subaru thought to himself.

"I believe they do…" Reinhard replied, "I have read once that they built places of worship in the past."

"Uh? Really?"

"Well, of course they are illegal and should be destroyed right away if found out, but I wouldn't be surprise-"

"You are perhaps the most infuriating knight and candidate which could exist, in fact!" Beatrice cut right through Reinhard's explanation, "what is this rude way of starting a conversation between you two out of nowhere, I suppose?"

"About that…!" Subaru pointed out, "I would be grateful if you could…Keep it for yourselves."

Both Rem and Beatrice looked at him in confusion.

"Yeah, I'm not supposed to be here. But I really wanted to thank Emilia for her help yesterday…"

"…Is this the sole reason why you came to Roswaal-sama's domain?" Rem questioned.

"The only one," he replied with a sigh, "I just didn't expect I'd be targeted right off the bat for something I'm not even affiliated with…"

"What proof do you have, then?"

Subaru narrowed his eyes at the maid.

"What do you have, which could prove to me that you are not a witch cultist? Which could prove to me that you are not lying and manipulating us all like a snake?" even with the situation she was in, Rem didn't watch her tone.

She still spoke like she was a threat to Subaru.

"What am I supposed to do for you to believe me?" He asked her.

"With all due respect, Subaru-sama. I do not believe Rem-sama has any right to ask this of you." Reinhard intervened with a bow of his head.

Rem clenched her fist, fully knowing she was in the wrong no matter what. But it was stronger than her, she couldn't believe him fully, nor trust him without any tangible proof of his innocence.

"Alright then, let's do this…" Subaru came closer to the maid, "Roswaal proposed to me to stay for a few more days. I will accept, and we just have to stick together. If I'm acting anything like those witch cultists you seem to know and hate so much…You can just kill me on the spot."

"What?!" Reinhard voiced in shock, "Subaru-sama!"

"What kind of a fool is this boy, putting his life on the line like this?" Beatrice thought to herself.

Rem only remained silent.

"I'm actually super weak, as you just saw. I won't even be able to put up a fight," he shook his head with a smile, "I wasn't even able to shake off some thugs on my first day here. Even though I thought I was better than average in strength…"

"You are really a fool, I suppose."

"Oi, I can still feel hurt." Subaru retorted with a deadpan face.

"Subaru-sama, I beg you to reconsider this…"

"I have nothing to fear, Reinhard. Because I know who I am, and I want to prove it to her," he smiled at his friend, "don't worry about it, this is already won."

"Witch cultists are degenerate, merciless and bloody animals, who kill as easily as they breathe." Rem explained while closing her eyes and sighing.

"What the- How did I match this description?!"

"For now, the only thing you seem to be is stupid. Not degenerate," even before the circumstances, Rem managed to have a faint smile on her lips.

"I have much work to do around the mansion, cleaning, cooking, assisting my dear sister…"

"I'm a candidate for the throne. Might as well drop out now if I'm afraid of a little house work."

"I have just tried to kill you."

"You're not the first one."

"I do not believe this is something you should be so casual about, then," she sighed, her eyes still showing some form of hostility.

However, Subaru only smiled at her and presented his hand for her to shake.

Rem looked back and forth between his face and his hand, until she ultimately reached it.

"I will not go easy on you, candidate or not."

"Are you really trying to scare me with chores?" Subaru scoffed, before coughing a bit because of his wound.

"I really do not agree with this idea, Subaru-sama," Reinhard exclaimed with worry in his voice, coming to support his master, "do not expect me to leave you on your own if this is your final decision."

"You will not go far with such a wound, you still need rest, I suppose," Beatrice sighed.

"Can you heal it a bit more?" Subaru asked her.

"Healing does not exclude rest, in fact. Your body needs to recover."

Subaru nodded his head, then looked back at Rem.

"When everything will be settled between us two…I will expect apologies, Rem-san." He smirked at her once more, with much confidence. "Proper apologies."

Rem closed her eyes and grabbed the edge of her dress as she slightly bowed, "You have my word, then. I, Rem, will properly and sincerely apologize to you, if it is proven that my suspicions about you were wrong."

Subaru exhaled with a nod of his head, looking up to the night sky over their heads for a brief instant.

"The road to happy endings really sucks…"