Arc 2 Chapter 5: No Respite

By: ViolentBlue

Official Author Announcement: This is officially now an Assertive Emilia™ fic. Rejoice.

Recommended Song for the Chapter: Krise and/or Prelude to an Impulse- from the Re:Zero OST

"Miss Emilia...please step away from him."

Oh God...not you again, Rem. Anyone but you...

Subaru wanted to do anything, anything but this; as terror and dread gripped him once more. His hands curled into fists, as his breathing and heart sped up rapidly. Adrenaline flooded him, his own body preparing to take action to defend himself against the inevitable assault.

There was only one problem: his mind was unable to decide an action to take.

Time slowed for Subaru from his perspective, as his head buzzed with a thousand thoughts on what to do, memories of his various deaths by Rem's hands blinking by in his head. That damned morningstar had caused him so much pain and suffering in his past loops. Last time he had nearly hit the Bad End, and he only had escaped breaking down completely with the assistance of Satella and Emilia. And if he failed now, if he died here...Subaru feared that there would be no going back. There would be no do-overs.

The voices in his mind swirled like a hurricane encroaching upon him.

"Run, run for your goddamn life! You can't defeat her, not here! This whole mansion is a deathtrap, you have to get out of here, or you'll die again, Subaru!

"She's going to try to kill you either way! Use Cor Leonis Third Shift if you have to. Fight back! Don't just stand there and let her crush you with that damned morningstar!"

"There's no hope here. It's over. All you can do is sit down, and pray that Rem kills you quickly. Maybe it won't even hurt that much this time…maybe you won't even feel it…"

Subaru felt the sudden urge to puke, as he soon realized he was amidst the throes of his own panic attack. He grew dizzy, as he watched as one of the people who he loved took a step toward him. There would be no escape here.

What...what do I do… Subaru asked himself. His mind was splitting apart, as voices, fragments of himself shouted on what to do. A thousand different lines of thinking pulled Subaru in a thousand different directions, but an answer to his query did manage to come through.

"You have to do something. There's no turning back here. Not after all the damage you suffered to get to this point. And some of it was very, very permanent. You can't die. Not here. Not after managing to beat back the despair that has consistently hounded you. Not after starting again from Zero. Not after finally getting to tell Emilia about Return by Death."

The part of his mind that spoke made sense, as Subaru gradually began to reassert control over himself.

Yes, this was a bad situation, as he now had to deal with Rem and find a way to either talk her down or subdue her. But this time, Natsuki Subaru was not alone.

I still have Emilia-tan here. And that's more than I had last time. That's more than I've ever had here.

He looked at said half-elf, who gasped in surprise as Rem approached them. She didn't expect this.

"W-what do you mean, Rem?"

"As I said, step away from him, Miss Emilia. For your own safety, before he tries anything."

Subaru looked at the now shocked Emilia, and quickly whispered to her. "Rem...she believes I'm a Witch Cultist. She can sense the Witch's Miasma on me..."

"Ah..." Emilia accepted the implication immediately, as she wasted no time and proceeded to stand in front of Subaru to his discontent, the two by now having exited the gazebo they were in.

Emilia, what are you doing?! Subaru thought. He was the one who was supposed to stand in front of her after all, but he quickly had to suspend that line of thinking. He knew he was in no shape to be acting as her Knight and protector, as he found himself doing his damndest to suppress the panic attack that came with seeing Rem again.

He loved Rem. He truly did. One of the few things Subaru still remembered with complete clarity was how she had helped him, comforted him, and fought for him during the battle against the White Whale and the Witch Cult. Rem, even when her name and memories were erased, had given Subaru the strength to go on at a point where he might have fallen forever. And Subaru despite his previous death would never forget that, but there was one problem.

Rem had forgotten.

"Rem...I know this is all very concerning, but I assure you Subaru means you, me, or anyone in this mansion no harm. He isn't a threat to us, I promise you. He's our friend." Emilia argued, as she put her arms out in a gesture that showed she intended to protect Subaru.

"Miss Emilia...that 'boy' you are trying to protect so much is a Witch Cultist. He has the Scent all over him. He must be eliminated from this mansion before he gains an opportunity to hurt us." Rem's tone of voice was much more demanding, it was clear she was not in the mood for an argument.

"No. He's not!" Emilia spoke up. "Even though he is new here, Subaru has done nothing but help me. Subaru saved me from the Bowel Hunter and nearly gave up his own life doing it, and helped me locate my lost Insignia. A Witch Cultist would never do those kinds of things. Please, Rem, if you could just lower your weapon; I'm sure we could all talk this out. It's really~ just a misunderstanding, I'm sure of it."

Emilia tried to smile a bit, lowering her arms in a friendly gesture. Rem did seem to consider Emilia's words for a brief moment, and lowered her morningstar briefly, but quickly brought it back up.

"While I'm sure you mean your words Miss Emilia...there is something you don't understand." Rem then looked straight at Emilia, practically growling, "He's manipulating you. Don't let this spineless coward use you as a puppet just like the Witch does to him. You are in serious danger, as the Scent is on you too, as well."

"What?" Emilia blinked, looking back at Subaru in surprise.

Wait, is Emilia doubting me? She...she wouldn't, would she? His thoughts jumped to conclusions, and he once again felt himself caught up in a torrent of panic at the possibility of the only person that hadn't betrayed him doing so.

"No...she's just shocked at the knowledge of having the Miasma on her." His mind rationalized, and it did make sense given Emilia's apparent encounter with Satella herself. Anyone who communicated directly with Satella likely had the same effect on them.

The panic died down, as Subaru managed to relax somewhat despite the incredibly tense situation. Emilia was 100% on his side, but he still knew that all of this had been very stressful on her. Knowing that the person who saved your life from an assassin was also deeply connected to the Witch of Envy and had been dying countless times in the past to protect you and others wasn't easy to swallow. In the back of his mind, part of Subaru hoped it wouldn't cost Emilia too much emotionally in the long run. She had already been through enough.

Not to mention...she's going to have to go through a lot more if what happened in the past stays true now. And I don't know if I can protect her from it. He thought.

Before Subaru could ponder more on this however, he was taken out of his thoughts by witnessing the blue-haired maid immediately dash left to get a clear shot at Subaru, hurling her morningstar straight at him.

Rem looked at Emilia for a brief moment as she struck out at him, her voice mixed with a touch of sadness. "Don't make this harder than it has to be, Miss Emilia."

Subaru's response was automatic. He had no way of dodging the morningstar, and so reflexively summoned Invisible Providence to shield himself. The hand powered toward the incoming object, and knocked it back, which forced Rem to have to deal with reeling the weapon back in.

The sudden exertion and force required to punt the morningstar back however had taken its toll on Subaru, blood already falling like tears from the corners of his eyes. His reaction had been quick enough, true, but it for him it felt like straining a muscle. Invisible Providence usually needed a couple seconds to activate, and the fact that he had summoned it so quickly only increased the stress it put in his body. The Authority of Sloth stirred in him, as it had not been used in such a manner since he acquired it from Petelgeuse.

"Subaru!" Emilia turned to gasp at him; the whole exchange having caught her off-guard and unable to react in time. She hadn't expected Rem's sudden strike.

"I'm...fine. Just overexerted myself, that's all." He wiped the blood off on his sleeve to enable him to see properly, grimacing as he looked at Rem.

"You could have killed him Rem! Please, stop this! I don't want any of you to get hurt!" Emilia moved once again to stand by Subaru to attempt to protect him, this time she looked much more determined given what had happened.

While she sounded bravehearted, Emilia couldn't keep the fear out of her voice as she spoke. Subaru didn't know at this point if Emilia could defeat Rem, especially if Rem turned into her Oni form. Not to mention he desperately wished to avoid an altercation at all costs. He, like Emilia, didn't want to see anyone get hurt, including Rem. The only option was to talk the maid down.

"Listen to her, Rem." Subaru spoke, steeling his nerves, "I'm not part of the Witch Cult, nor am I here to harm you or anyone else in this mansion. I'm only here because I want to help Emilia, just like I want to help everyone in this place!"

Well, maybe except Roswaal. Subaru wasn't still totally able to remember what had happened in the past between them, and his gut instinct told him something was very much off about him. But the clown could wait for now, there were much more pressing matters at stake.

Rem seemed to once again consider the words he spoke, as Subaru could tell that she was starting to become indecisive. Having Emilia standing up for him was a great boon to his arguments, and something he was incredibly thankful for.

I'm getting through to her. Slowly, but she's going to listen to me.

"I know the Miasma is frightening, but I promise you I have an explanation for everything. All I want to do is talk and be friends with everyone here." Subaru said, looking at Rem, trying to seem sympathetic.

Rem however shook her head. "L-liar. It won't work. You're trying to turn me to your side. You may think you've fooled Miss Emilia, but it won't work on me!"

As Subaru cursed himself for failing to convince her, Rem attacked again. And maneuvered to hurl the morningstar at Subaru, aiming to end his life swiftly as she could.

Here it comes!

"Huma!"

A shimmering barrier of water created by Emilia appeared, knocking the morningstar aside. "I'm sorry Rem. But I promised to protect Subaru, and I am not going to let any harm come to him. No matter what."

"Tch...don't you understand? He's using you, Miss Emilia! He's a member of the Witch Cult! Even my sister could tell he reeks of the Scent that flows off of him like poison!"

"Would a member of the Witch Cult offer to help a clumsy Royal Selection Candidate who lost her own Insignia get it back from the thief who stole it, and put his own Metia up to trade? Would a member of the Witch Cult risk his life to save a weak half-elf who couldn't even defend herself from an assassin's attack? Would a Witch Cultist willingly take a blow meant for someone else, and fall into a coma for two days and nearly not w-wake up?!" Emilia's voice cracked slightly, recalling the events of what had just happened that day. Subaru could guess that the stress was finally getting to her.

Emilia bowed her head slightly, and looked up, determination glowing in her amethyst eyes. "A-all my life I've been useless. Not able to save anyone, and I'm only here because others bothered to protect me. So then...it means that it's my turn to protect someone! And the person I'm going to protect no matter what he is or what he's done is Natsuki Subaru!"

Emilia took a brief second to look back at Subaru, and smiled at him. Subaru's heart soared at her monologue despite the desperate situation.

EMT! Subaru most certainly was falling in love with Emilia all over again, no question about it.

Rem paused, seeing Emilia's display of defense of Subaru. She grimaced. "Then it appears the Miasma affects you deeper than I thought, Miss Emilia…I'm sorry. But I can't let you get in my way. Al Huma!"

A spear of ice shot out at Subaru as he attempted to juke it, missing his body by mere millimeters. He found himself thankful he was wearing his tracksuit and not his butler suit as it gave him more maneuverability.

Subaru took a deep breath, and shouted, "Damnit Rem! I'm not your enemy!"

This is going very poorly. If I don't find a way to subdue Rem peacefully...I don't know if I and Emilia can defeat her without killing her in our current states. She doesn't have Puck...and I'm tired as is.

"Stop...moving!" Rem swung her morningstar at Subaru, rushing at him, but was interrupted by a large disc of ice casted by Emilia.

It smacked into the morningstar, knocking it aside, and Emilia once again tried to plead with Rem. "Rem...if you keep attacking us one of us is going to get hurt, and I really~ don't want that to happen! Stop this immediately, please!"

"..." Rem was wordless, as she then launched a flurry of attacks once again at Subaru, weaving attacks with her morningstar with Water Magic spells.

Subaru did his best to duck the incoming blows, managing to repeatedly knock her morningstars aside with Invisible Providence. Blood began to once again drop down from his eyes in thin streams at the usage, as the Authority of Sloth in its current form was not suited to this kind of repeated use. Emilia did her best to use her own Spirit Arts to try to interrupt Rem's attacks, but her own reluctance to hurt her now former ally resulted in most of her spells being cast defensively to block or impede Rem rather than outright hit her.

Then, it happened. Rem's morningstar slipped through their defenses. It came in for a strike into his chest, and the spiked ball curved ever so slightly around Emilia's Huma. While Invisible Providence was mustered to try to catch the blow, Subaru found that he wasn't fast enough, and the Authority of Sloth could only cushion the effects. The resounding strike launched him several feet onto his back in the grass, as he groaned. The pain was immense, but it didn't faze him like it used to. In fact, it was almost comforting, as Subaru had felt pain for so long it was more an old acquaintance than an actual enemy.

Think I...broke a rib or two there…

"Subaru!" Emilia rushed over, standing in front of him, a Huma barrier cast in front of her. She gestured wordlessly, and a multitude of ice spikes appeared at her command. "Get away from him, he's not your enemy! He only wants to be your friend, Rem!"

Rem didn't respond, and as Subaru looked up, he could see the faint outline of a horn begin to grow on her forehead.

What- what do I do? He asked himself, and felt the Authority of Greed swell up in him, pushing at him. It would be a risk, but Subaru could attempt a usage of Cor Leonis, Third Shift again. He could feel that the usage had made his Authority of Greed more powerful than it was before, and he could feel through it the wall that prevented him from using it on others as a weapon. It was weaker now, however. If Subaru concentrated, he could punch through it again.

But- I don't want to hurt Rem. I don't want to.

"It's your only option. Your body is already busted, Subaru. You can't maneuver like this, and Emilia can't defend you."

I don't- don't want to hurt anyone this time! I've already harmed them enough!

He argued back and forth inside his mind, trying to figure out what to do. Subaru didn't want to harm Rem or have Emilia do the same. But he was running out of options, Rem beginning to enter her Oni Form right in front of him. And once she was consumed by that bloodlust, there was no telling what might happen.

Please...somebody… The pain rippled through his body as he tried to get up, shaking as he did so and struggled to hold onto consciousness.

As Rem approached, Emilia stood defiant in front of Subaru, her Huma barrier expanding to cover her entire form and outside of it to protect her Knight from another timeline. "I'm not going to let you harm him Rem. I won't let anyone harm him. Ever again."

Rem snarled slightly, as her transformation into her Oni form was almost complete. She swung her morningstar in a move to attack- but a purple barrier knocked it down before she could swing.

"Neither will I, I suppose." The disgruntled voice of a certain "loli" was heard, as the three turned to see Beatrice having just teleported beside Subaru. "As per our Temporary Contract, I'm preventing you from coming to harm."

Despite Beatrice trying to appear aloof to his current situation, Subaru knew better and could almost hear worry in her voice. In that second, the thought occurred to him that Beatrice may indeed think he might be "that person" as described in Beatrice's copy of the Book of Wisdom, and he clenched his fist in response. When the time was right, he was definitely going to have a talk with a certain Witch about her dysfunctional and downright messed-up relationship with her daughter. This time, he would make sure that the Artificial Spirit would receive closure for what Echidna had done to her; regardless of whether or not apologies or reconciliation happened between them.

Beako deserves that much. Especially since she came to save me. He couldn't help but smile up at her as he managed to stand up, albeit with the feeling of his torso having caved in along with the blood streaks from his own eyes.

"Beako, you came." He wanted to pick her up and hug her, but Subaru found himself lacking the strength to do so. He made a mental note to give Beatrice her deserved hug later.

"...Of course I did." Beatrice said, looking at him with that same aloofness, but her eyes betrayed concern for her Contractor.

Even despite how "temporary" their current Contract was.

Emilia for her part, was quite surprised by Beatrice's recent appearance. "Subaru, you- you formed a contract with Beatrice?"

"Long story, Emilia. I'll tell it to you when this is over." Subaru then turned to face Rem, who's transformation had luckily been interrupted due to the shock of Beatrice's arrival.

"But...why...is he manipulating you too…" Rem curled her fist and looked at Beatrice in disbelief of her coming to Subaru's aid.

At the least, Rem's transformation was interrupted by Beatrice's sudden arrival. She clearly hadn't expected anyone to come to Subaru's defense, least of all the spirit who spent her time cooped up in the Forbidden Library. Now Subaru knew that she was at a crossroads. There was no way Rem could defeat Beatrice in a fight with her access to her 400 years of mana, and as he looked at the Oni, Subaru couldn't help but feel pity for her being isolated like this.

Still, it was better than his own death.

As for Rem, she backed up slightly, seeming to be practically able to feel the mana emanating off Beatrice. Her shift into her Oni form interrupted, Rem appeared to wish to summon it again, but she still wasn't sure if she wanted to commit to the all-in tactic. Like it or not, while Rem in her Oni form could convincingly beat Subaru and maybe score a victory against Emilia by this point; there was no way she could win any fight with Beatrice.

"Emilia...heal my Contractor. I'll handle the maid, I suppose." Beatrice commanded, as she took a step toward Rem, who took another step back and then glared at Beatrice.

"This boy you are in front of is a Witch Cultist, Miss Beatrice! Can't you see that? Can't any of you…?" Rem looked to Emilia and Beatrice wildly, searching for an answer.

This is getting out of hand, I- I can't let them go this far. If Rem decides to stand her ground... Subaru grimaced, as Emilia began healing him.

"...Sit down, S-Subaru. I really~ don't want you to get hurt anymore…Beatrice and I can take it from here."

"No…" He shakes his head, ignoring the pain in his torso. "Beako...don't hurt her, alright! She's just doing what she thinks is right!"

He then called out again to Rem, "Rem...listen to me! I'm not a Witch Cultist, you hear me! Neither are Beatrice or Emilia, they just don't want you to hurt me! Just...stand down, and I'm sure we can talk this out!"

Beatrice pointed at Rem, echoing his points. "My Contractor is correct, in fact. I highly suggest you drop that oversized weapon of yours, maid. You are outmatched here."

I don't know whether to feel elated Beako is defending me, or nervous at what could happen. Subaru thought, as Emilia looked worriedly at Rem, still healing him to the best of her ability thanks to her Spirit Arts.

"Please, I promise you that both of us are perfectly fine, and are only helping Subaru because we want to. Besides, I really~ don't think any of us need to fight anymore…" Emilia's eyes turned to look at Subaru, and were hovering toward the blood streaks below his eyes worriedly.

"I- it's fine, Emilia. My eyes are ok, I'll explain it to you, once…" Subaru coughs into his hand, noting the fortunate lack of blood, "Once we are safe from this."

Rem turned to open her mouth in response, but before she could give her answer to their demands, the doors of the mansion opened, as Ram came running out.

"Sister, what are you doing?!" Ram presented a mixture of worry and confusion, as she dashed to where the four were.

Rem turned back with a look of surprise, as it appeared that she finally was realizing the truth. Natsuki Subaru was not a Witch Cultist, and Emilia and Beatrice were completely in the right in defending him. She lowered her morningstar in regret.

Thank God, it's over. Subaru allowed himself to lay down finally, the pain in his chest being ignored as the ongoing heated conversation between Rem and Ram continued. He closed his eyes, giving a thumbs up despite his situation. Emilia continued speaking to him worriedly as she healed him, but Subaru found that he couldn't really hear her or any of them properly. The words just floated in one ear and out the other as he did his best to slow his breathing; trying to steady himself and prevent the shock of the fight from overtaking him.

Subaru had just nearly died to Rem, after all. The memories of the last loop began to whirl back into his mind, the sheer terror of seeing her morningstar hurtling towards him. It had frozen him to the spot, with the only time he had used to die, and his blood spilling throughout the hall.

As he did his best to cope with the realization, Subaru could feel another, more distant memory tapping at his consciousness. It felt distant, like there was something preventing him from remembering it properly. A forest, the one outside of the mansion, and he was running at sunset through it. Running, running from-

"Don't. Don't think about it." His mind urged him.

Immediately Subaru withdrew from pressing further, and he quickly shifted back into reality. Fortunately, little time had passed, as he saw Emilia still healing him, now joined by Beatrice.

Rem and Ram were talking in front of them, and while Subaru still couldn't make out what they were saying; he could tell that it was not very pleasant.

"He will need to rest after this, I suppose."

"Agreed, Beatrice...thank you so~ much for coming." Emilia said, and Subaru could feel her gripping his hand tightly.

"I would have come no matter what, it's part of our temporary Contract." Beatrice looked down at Subaru, who nodded but didn't say anything.

"That is really~ surprising…" By now Subaru's wounds had healed, and Beatrice and Emilia finished their work, "I'd ask now, but given what just happened I think it would be prudent to wait."

"Prudent? Who says that anymore in this day and age?" Subaru spoke up, looking at Emilia.

He couldn't resist saying that line.

Emilia blinked, as she looked down at him, still holding his hand. Her voice filled with concern, speaking a bit faster than normal. "Subaru, you shouldn't be talking, you dunderhead. You got really~ hurt there by Rem."

Emilia looked in the direction of the two maid sisters, and Subaru could tell she was not happy. While he understood why Emilia would be angry at Rem, Subaru knew that if he wished things to work out for this timeline he needed everyone to be in good terms with each other.

"I'm fine, thanks to you and Beako patching me up!" Subaru sat up and gestured to Beatrice, who just sighed.

"I see you plan to continue with that ridiculous nickname, I suppose."

"Hey, nicknames from Natsuki Subaru are a sign of undying respect and admiration! Isn't that right, Emilia-tan?"

Emilia just turned to Subaru, having taken her hand off his. "You're being really~ weird now, Subaru. Are you sure you are alright?"

As looked over him to check for any injuries, Beatrice gave an ever so slight smirk at Subaru, something he forgot the Artificial Spirit was capable of giving.

The banter was cut short as Ram approached, Rem standing behind them, head bowed.

"I and my sister are deeply sorry for what happened, and her inexcusable attack on you. Rest assured, this will not happen again, and Rem shall stay in her room for the time being. There will be no more of these incidents, and we humbly apologize on behalf of the Roswaal mansion for these events." Ram bowed her head as well, although her eye that was not covered by her hair did look at him, awaiting his response.

Hey, she didn't call me "Barusu" at least.

"Only because doing so would be inappropriate given what happened; but she still didn't refer to you by your normal name. And she never will."

True. Subaru internally sighed at the conversation in his head surrounding his nickname by Ram, and stood up to face them, Emilia gently helping pull him up. He patted his clothes down to try to get the grass and dirt off of them, and Ram's eyes grew wider at being able to clearly see the blood streaks on his face.

"I'll- I'll explain later. I'm alright." Subaru gestured to his face, and then spoke. "I- I accept your apology, but I don't want anything to happen to Rem. Please. Her attacking me wasn't right, but thanks to Emilia and Beatrice I am doing just perfect!"

He smiled and gave a thumbs up, but it did little to lighten the somber mood. Clearly no one, not even Emilia believed him on that front.

Guess that didn't work. Subaru pushed aside his failed attempt to cheer everyone, and continued speaking.

"Look, I know why Rem chose to attack me. It was due to the Witch's Scent on me, isn't that correct, Ram?"

Rem meekly nodded her head, as did Ram, who responded to his question. "Yes, and while we were instructed to keep watch on you-"

Subaru cut her off, knowing what Ram would say next. "I know, but it's over now. Rem did what she thought was right in her situation, and since I'm alright, I don't want anyone to get hurt over this!"

His declaration surprised all of them, especially Rem, who looked at him stunned, her eyes wide.

Beatrice and Emilia however seemed more skeptical, and Emilia voiced her discontent, "It's really~ nice and considerate of you to forgive Rem Subaru, but still, had- had I and Beatrice not been there…"

Emilia trailed off again, not wishing to finish her sentence. However, Subaru understood what she meant with those words; and it was best left unsaid. He nodded in acknowledgement to Emilia, placing his hand on her shoulder, and turned to face Rem and Ram.

"It's over." He looked to all four of them, and gestured to himself. "As the person who Rem assaulted, I should have a say in what happens, and what I say to let it all be water under the bridge. Besides...there's much I need to talk to you about. Something I really need all of your help with."

All this time that I've been wasting could have been used to explain the mabeasts. And I'm the only one who knows about it!

Even having just been nearly killed by Rem, there was no time to waste. The mabeasts were still out there, and if Subaru didn't hurry they would most certainly engulf the village, to think nothing of the kids at risk. They had to be stopped before it was too late.

And Subaru would not let anything happen to them, no matter what.

A/N: And we're back, it's been a while and I've been very busy, but I don't plan to discontinue this fic anytime soon. Thanks for waiting for me, and I'll see you all in the next chapter.

Reviews-

Ch.1

Son kokun: Wait for it.

Ch.8

Tri-Edge: Yeah, it was something that surprised me as well, as I did expect there to be more "Emilia knows about RBD" fics than there was. It's part of the reason why I started this fic, I wanted to see what would happen if Emilia had full knowledge of Subaru's abilities. That happens to pair well with Subaru being at his lowest; as he finds himself plunged into despair, but with just enough hope to not totally collapse.

Ch.10

USSRParrot: Cliffhanger-sama yeees.

Chris8787: Well, Rem in her Oni form is still plenty powerful with her Water magic usage, and considering this is Emilia in her base form without Puck and without much of the confidence she had later on I consider it to be more of a toss-up. Luckily, it didn't come to that.

alankordel958: You my friend, have described one of the immutable laws of Re:Zero.

Saito-2000: Well, while as I said above this is officially an Assertive Emilia™ fic, she won't be going full Yandere, unless Subaru winds up massively screwing his timeline. Good catch on Beako though, given her (temporary) Contract with Subaru she's duty-bound to help him.

Random user123: Thanks! Greatly appreciate the compliment.

Lord: Rem's main problem I've found is that she is very impulsive, and often will make decisions based on what she feels, but not necessarily how she thinks. I myself don't hate Rem, but she certainly is far from a perfect character. And thanks, I hope this chapter was fairly good as well.

Guest: Yeah. Cliffhangers are loved by writers, and hated by readers. Unfortunately, I'm the writer this time.