[AN: if anyone is wondering why I posted sm fics at once it was reposts from old fics i deleted. Also this will sorta be like the fic i did about the forgotton red dragon emperor but tm issues trying to add ddraig into re:zero so im doing different ]

It has been one week since Subaru's name was eaten by Roy, the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony. After his name was eaten, many people had blurs or inconsistencies as they couldn't understand their memory of the past. However, the Sage Council was not particularly affected by Subaru's name being eaten. Thus, they required Subaru to be detained for questioning as the possibility of releasing a Sin Archbishop tricking the Kingdom of Lugnica would not only present a threat within the Kingdom but could also result in a similar situation of the demi-human war. The possibility of releasing a Sin Archbishop while the Kingdom lacks a King would blame the Sage Council's decision. This could spark something far worse, possibly leading to the Kingdom having an internal conflict, a coup, and countless other possibilities. Thus the Sage Council agreed that until they are confident that the man who states his name to be 'Subaru Natsuki' is not related to the Witch Cult in any way, they cannot release him freely.

However, Subaru Natskui was treated far differently than the other Sin Archbishop captured. The Sage Council considered the possibility of Subaru's story and thus created a plan to avoid further escalation or conflict. They restricted Emilia's camp from interaction with the detained man as if it was confirmed that the memories of everyone were altered. Confrontation with the person whose existence was erased from others who were directly connected or related to them could cause further issues. Reinhard was tasked with finding a way to prove or disprove the accused Sin Archbishop of being guilty, and restrictions did not allow anyone else to visit or contact the accused. The Sage Council was put in a position where they must be highly cautious as if the wrong decision is made, and it could cause a potential conflict large enough within the Kingdom to start a civil war.

But the Sage Council was a group of the minority that was not affected as severely as the others within the five Royal Selection candidates camps. In particular, Emilia's camp was completely falling apart. Beatrice had no idea how she had a contract with someone she didn't know, which both caused her sadness and a sense of unknowingness that slowly degraded her mental state. Ram, Garfiel, Otto, and the others were deeply affected as their memories of many events were either blank or replaced with a knight that appeared at random points throughout the past, but nobody knew who it was or why they helped. Emilia was tied with Roswaal to be the most affected by the Subaru's name being eaten. Almost all her memories from the point of insignia getting stolen and a random man she doesn't remember helping her retrieve it with Reinhard. Then during her Royal Selection, a random person defended her and sparred with Julius effect. But by far, the worst confusion came from the time she spent at the Sanctuary as she remembers her past, present and future trials but remembers a person she cares for but doesn't know who it was. All these inconsistencies and memory alternations or blanks within their memory led to Emilia's camp almost breaking apart.

Roswaal was the only person aware and able to understand the memory alterations in people's memories. He remembers his Tome of Wisdom telling him about that person and the person that can redo/loop. During the week that the Emilia camp was having severe mental and emotional complications due to Subaru's existence being erased, Roswaal created an entire timeline of events that could solve the issue. He is aware that the Sage Council is enforcing Reinhard to be the only one allowed to question Subaru, but he also finds that decision to make little to no sense. Roswaal believes in the possibility of two entities manipulating the events to happen as they did. He is sure now to be the man who claimed his name to be 'Subaru Natsuki, Emilia's knight.' Roswaal's goal requires his looper.

Roswaal goes to Emilia's room, where she is hiding from the others as her brain tries to understand what is going on or solve the inconsistencies or the person she was missing from her life. Roswaal is unsure of Subaru's opinion of him as he remembers the Tome telling him to do specific things to the looper and recalls that the looper caused him to lose his Tome. But he does know that he continued without it, so he can only assume that he is the key to his plan to succeed. So Roswaal remembers that the first thing Subaru said when people began to ask who he was was that he said he was Emilia's knight Subaru Natsuki. Roswaal was told everything seemed alright until they returned when the Sage Council deemed Subaru a potential threat. Roswaal, if needed, plans to assassinate the entire Sage Council. He also intends to find whoever manipulated the Sage Council, as whoever did so directly threatens his plan.

*KNOCK*

"Go awa-y, whoever you are."

"Emilia-samaaaa, I have a solution to the issue we are all experiencing. I have evidence to give to the Sage Council and Reinhardddd. I want to show you something that will help you understand everythinggg that has happened."

Emilia was trembling at the idea that Roswaal gave her mixed emotions. Her memories were so altered or blurry that she wasn't sure if she regained them would make it worse or better. But she remembered in future trials. She would do that. She married a person who looked identical to Subaru. She was furious at the Sage Council and Reinhard as she didn't understand why everything changed so quickly when they returned to the Capital. She thought Reinhard believed what Subaru said like everyone else, but when they returned, he was detained for questioning, which broke Emilia's idea of her past even more as she thought about it further. Ultimately, she decided that anything to bring back whatever she lost was worth doing, even if that was working with Roswaal. She unlocked her door, and Roswaal came in with a giant scrolled up a piece of paper.

Roswaal laid out the scroll that contained his entire solution to the forgotten memories of his key to his future. The large sheet was about the size of Emilia's bed. Emilia begins to read it as Roswaal solves every missing or altered event with the help of remembering what the Tome told him to do and the most likely result. After losing his Tome, he used his logic and understanding of Subaru so that he could have a complete knowledge of Subaru's goals, ambition, and reason for joining Emilia's camp. Emilia begins to shed tears reading all the events as every single one made complete since and did not contradict anything. She disliked Roswaal but felt a sense of relief at the moment, thanks to what he had accomplished. She only could assume with this evidence that Reinhard and the Sage Council would no longer have any reason to doubt Subaru's word.

"Roswa-al, thank yo-u."

Roswaal did not grin or show any expression other than a genuine smile, as he was both satisfied and hopeful. He also could assume that Subaru's mental state was in a dire situation, and he feared that his looper might end his old life as he could only conclude that Subaru could not undo the effects of Gluttony with his power. Emilia acted as a way for him to verify his events was accurate while also being the person to accompany him as he encountered Reinhard when attempting to speak with Subaru.

Roswaal chose to bring Emilia and Ram as he didn't want to alert the others that he had found a solution. He also planned to discover what influenced the Sage Council to act strangely. If worse came to show, he would assassinate the Sage Council and use his authority over the Kingdom to save Subaru.

Subaru was not in the best mental state. After he was detained, he attempted to see if his checkpoint would update by killing himself many times, but nothing ever worked. He always remained in his area of space, which could be described as a small living area in which he was held. He was born in the same falsity as Sirius, but Reinhard insisted that Subaru would at least not have to be restrained and put into a cell similar to that of Sirius. Reinhard was bringing water and some food to Subaru as he walked down the stairs, and Sirius spoke for the first time since being detained.

"He will become like him."

Reinhard only heard that due to his improved senses, which include hearing, but wondered what Sirius was mumbling to herself about. He then opened the door, which did not even contain a lock, as Subaru had complied with everything thus far. Reinhard saw Subaru's eyes almost look like a dead man as he began to question why the Sage Council made this decision. He walked towards the corner of the room that Subaru was sitting in and put the food next to him. At first, Subaru was very open to speaking with him. Still, he became more silent recently as Reinhard could only imagine the pain and suffering someone would experience if everyone they cared for forgot about them. He then heard Subaru mumbling something.

"Satella, why did you let this happen?"

Reinhard was already privy to this knowledge as Subaru had told him how Satella was somehow related to him. Reinhard did not share this information with anyone as he had two ideas for what may be occurring. One was that some other power was manipulating Subaru or that Subaru was descending into insanity. But there was a point when Subaru could say he could redo/loop to Reinhard, which made him reconsider everything that happened so far, leaving the possibility of Satella somehow giving him this power a slim opportunity.

Subaru was in a state of mind battling what may occur after his release. He assumed that he will, as Reinhard himself told him that he would not stop attempting to find evidence to give to the Sage Council to prove his complete and undeniable proof that he was not part of the Witch Cult. But the idea still lingered; with his name forgotten, he wasn't sure how people would treat him. Reinhard had informed him of the entire timeline since he met him from his knowledge and what Emilia and Roswaal told him when he went to the Mathers domain to collect evidence to help prove Subaru's innocence. So due to learning of this, he could imagine that even being freed, the damage caused by his name being eaten would hurt everyone he cared for, and he can't do anything about it. He thought about how many times he tried to get Satella to reset far enough so he could prevent this from happening, but his wishes and pleas were never fulfilled. He thought about Roy, the Sin Archbishop, who took everything away from him. During the last few days of being detained, his mind was filled with only a sense of hatred for what the Witch Cult did to him. Even Satella begins to hate as everything she told him was a lie or conditioned what she said previously.

Love me? Do you love me? I don't want that twisted love. That isn't love. That is the problem with all you witches, your twisted sense of love. I hate the word to the point that I don't even want to say it to people I love. Now I'm stuck in a position where even if I'm freed, I can't undo what has happened, and everyone's memories will have gaps or inconsistencies… I was the one that was willing to suffer to protect them. This isn't me suffering. It's everyone I care about suffering because of me. At first, I blamed myself, but at this point, I can only blame the Witch Cult and Satella for making this situation occur. I would've died as many times as needed to prevent this, but I can't. This is always what I feared the most… my power was to take the suffering of others by dying and restarting and then preventing what would happen. Now everyone is suffering, but I'm filled with rage and hatred towards the group I could only describe as the definition of evil itself. I'm filled with hate. I couldn't save them I'm the one who put them in danger. The one ability I thought I had to protect the ones I loved did nothing but betray me.

It opened my eyes as now I just view Satella and her love as nothing more than the same twisted love they all have. Maybe when I first came here, and Emilia died, she formed a contract with me like Echidna tried to… just to watch me die repeatedly. I need a solution.

"Reinhard, when I'm freed, can you help me…"

Subaru never directly asked Reinhard's help. He would instead say things that implied or suggested he help Subaru. He was also silent for the past few days, so it was refreshing, but his tone was different. Reinhard heard a hopeful tone and was relieved it wasn't worse.

"Subaru, what do you need my assistance with?"

"Even if I'm released, my memories will still be gone. I don't care about the effect that has on me. I would die a million times to save the people I care for. But now, even if I'm released, I don't think things will be as simple as they seem. With all the people I'm closest to having altered or foggy memories, I can only imagine the effect on them. Reinhard, if I'm freed, can you help me find a way to reverse the effect of Gluttony? I know it's selfish, but I wouldn't ask if it was for myself."

Reinhard was happy to hear what Subaru had just said. He knew already that Felt wanted nothing more than for Subaru to regain his memories, and Reinhard knew that the random person he forgot the name of when Emilia was attacked and when he found Felt had to have been Subaru.

"I'd be happy to do so, Subaru."

"Reinhard, I don't think being released and returning to Emilia is the best option. I want to find Gluttony instead and force them to fix what they removed and then return. I… care about Emilia a lot, and I don't want to hurt or cause her more suffering by returning. I want to find Roy and force him to fix what happened… but I can't do that alone."

Reinhard had multiple questions in his mind. He has grown to know Subaru very well, and most of his secrets and the things he hid from everyone, but he was confused because Subaru would always say he loved Emilia. He also wanted to help Subaru but didn't know how, as the Witch Cult is known not to be easily trackable. It would be complicated for him even to find Roy. Reinhard's main priority is Felt's safety.

"Subaru, I apologize if this is a personal question, but before you would say you loved Emilia… I'm wondering if something changed or if you want to discuss it with me. Also, the Witch Cult is very hard to track. I understand your logic and how you may feel, but I believe in you and that you can fix your relationships with Emilia and the others in her camp."

Easier said than done. I know what it's like to have memories that don't exist because of my ability, but I have no idea how Emilia, Beatrice, and the others will handle this. I'll just tell him why I didn't say that word.

"The word 'love' has morphed into a word that means something… Satella would repeatedly say, 'I love you,' and now I view myself saying that would remind me of that twisted form of pure lustful meaningless desire."

Sirius overheard this and began to worry as Subaru may be figuring something out that only she knew. She decided to yell something to give him a hint.

"THE SAGE IS A LIE."

Reinhard and Subaru overheard that and wondered why Sirius talked twice in this encounter. She was silent the entire time, and now she speaks twice. Subaru wonders what that means, while Reinhard has the intuition of what it may represent. He could only assume that Satella and Emilia's resemblance is not unrelated and that the Sage might be something that Subaru is becoming. But he wasn't sure what to do or what his intuition meant. They then heard footsteps coming down the guarded area where Subaru and Sirius are held, which only Reinhard can enter. He begins preparing for a fight when he sees the people walking down the steps are Roswaal and Emilia. Roswaal was carrying a giant scroll and Emilia with eyes that glimmered with hope. Subaru seeing this was concerned as he didn't know what Roswaal's intentions were or how Emilia handled this situation.

Reinhard asks, "What are you two doing here?"

Roswaal replies, "Reinharddddd, I have found evidence to prove Subaru is nottttt affiliated with the Witch Cult."

Before Reinhard could respond, he let go of the end of the scroll, revealing a massive sheet of paper that almost touched the bottom of the ground. The piece consisted of every event that was not explained or had inconsistencies. After Roswaal confirmed that it was correct by showing it to Emilia, he was confident that he had solved the issue, and seeing Subaru was alive was also relieving.

Subaru using the Divine Protection of Telepathy, which he and Reinhard had already established three days into Subaru's detainment, feared something was going to happen. He almost felt the urge to stay away from Emilia, and Reinhard's intuition also came to the same conclusion.

'Reinhard, create some distraction.'

Reinhard's intuition made him feel he needed to knock out or drain Emilia's mana. She didn't know why it would be so drastic. He decided to make a threat didn't her campaign if she doesn't leave. Everyone begins to hear Sirus yelling.

"SHE… SHE IS HERE."

Subaru was even more confused, and Reinhard's intuition still felt like he needed to make Emilia pass out. He begins to walk toward Emilia, but Roswaal stands before him. Roswaal did not intend to fight Reinhard, but he had no idea what Reinhard was doing. He wanted to ask as he believed Emilia and Subaru reconnecting would be vital to fixing this issue. Before Roswaal or Reinhard could speak, Emilia began to talk in a tone of excitement and love.

"Subaru, I can't believe we're going to get married. We can name our son Kenichi, but I can choose if it's a girl."

Subaru began to fear what was happening as he watched Emilia begin to make movements and say things that he could only justify as an illusion. Quickly Reinhard's mana drained Emilia, and she was unconscious. Subaru wasn't sure if Sirius was why she acted as she did. He had no idea what was going on. Reinhard knew what he had to do, and before anything could continue, he punched Subaru in the heart, killing him.

Subaru opened his eyes as he watched Roswaal and Emilia walk down the stairs. He immediately used his telepathy to speak to Reinhard.

'Reinhard, something is happening. I don't know what is causing it, but this already happened, and Emilia acted as if she was in an illusion.'

Reinhard begins to plan to knock Emilia out or drain her mana, but the moment she hits the final step of the stairs to the area where they are keeping Sirius and Subaru, she begins to do the same things as before. Her body started to move in weird ways, and she began to say words that Subaru couldn't handle hearing. It felt as if his mind was shattering.

"Subaru, let's get married. I love you."

"Subaru, thank you so much for the ring. Our wedding will be amazing."

"Subaru, that suit looks sooooo good on you."

"Subaru, it's alright. We all make mistakes."

"Subaru, I'm pregnant! I hope it's a boy so we can raise a little Natsuki into a knight!"

"Subaru, thank you sooo much. I can't believe we won the Royal Selection!"

Reinhard knocked Emilia unconscious as Subaru saw someone appear. He noticed nobody else could see, but his mind was shattered, and his eyes were dead. He didn't know what was happening, but he felt hatred toward whoever was doing this. He sees a platinum-haired girl that walks towards him with a smile and speaks proudly.

"I gave Emilia a gift. She will now live a life full of love with you, Subaru. She will live a life of love and happiness. She will feel so much love."

Subaru's mind processed what she said but could not accept it. He was filled with rage and hatred, but his mind shattered. The mental strain of what he was experiencing put him into shock as his brain commanded his organs to shut down as Subaru died for the first time due to his mind itself breaking.

Subaru could feel a sense of warmth and love that filled his body, but he began to reject it. His mind was so infuriated by what he had just witnessed that he did not want the love of the woman who could've helped him avoid this situation. He never even knew why he loved her. His emotions were drawn to Satella, but his mind rejected it and refused to accept it. He could not speak but would tell Satella she was the same and kill her.

"You, you, FOOL. Satella, you are violating Subaru's rights. That bitch violated his rights to an authentic marriage. That bitch… so repulsive. So inhumane. Subaru, you did steal my authority of greed, which was rightfully mine. But to see the person who stole what is rightfully mine being violated is repulsive. I, Regulus Corneas, will not forgive you, but since I am very merciful, I will assist you as I cannot witness your rights being violated any longer."

"He's mine."

"Unforgivable, absolutely unforgivable. Subaru, I'm sure you can hear me, so listen very carefully to what I shall generously offer you. I will assist you in using my authority correctly. As you can see, Satella can't because she is a fool. The Sage is also a fool. Subaru, you are a fool, but you have the privilege and luxury of my assistance. Thus I shall assist you as the other two in this realm are violating my rights and yours. Marriage is a sacred and treasured ceremony. That bitch violated the idea of marriage by forcing a false marriage onto someone. Unforgivable. That was not the only right she violated due to her violating the rights of your marriage by creating a false one which is UNFORGIVABLE."

"He's mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine."

"Satella, how dare you violate my right to speak freely. He does not want your deranged disgusting love. He wants the power to stop that bitch, which I shall grant. You, Satella, cannot stop me because Subaru is no longer trapped in your deranged love. I am not a fool, far from a fool. The word itself being applied to me is both idiotic and foolish. Subaru, how this contract between you and Satella was formed violated your rights. Thus I shall remove it. You shall remember what you experience when entering and leaving this place. When you return, you will gain a new form of authority directly influenced by your desire to retain your rights and stop anyone that dares to violate them. Do not become the Sage, as the Sage is why Satella is like this. But thanks to my kindness and generosity, I, Regulus Corneas, have saved you from the fate of the Sage. When you can speak, you shall thank me for my generosity to be acknowledged, appreciated, and respected."

"How? What did you do?"

"Good, very good. It seems you have calmed down. Satella, you are a fool. I am not a FOOL. You cannot give a man the deranged, twisted, repulsive love you have for another person. That is unforgivable. You were unable to repair Subaru's mind. When you did, that was a violation of his rights. You cannot force yourself onto Subaru. That is a clear violation of his rights. Thus I was the only individual with the knowledge, honesty, integrity, and understanding of Subaru's rights to be able to fix his mind. Satella, you did not, and you failed. I pity you truly as both in Subaru's eyes and my own. You are still controlled by a fantasy that the Sage created. To dishonor, degrade, twist, or force marriage or love on a woman is repulsive. I hate, I hate foolish people that think I am a fool which I am not. Subaru will no longer be forced into having his rights violated by you, Pandora, or anyone else. It's unacceptable."