Re: Tales from the Multiverse: Option Two

by Ernalore

Subaru, along with his Camp, his rival Camps, his parents, and Meili, have all suddenly teleported into a theater, controlled by "the Warden". Said Warden has told them that they'd be watching alternate realities, and the Cast would be responsible for what they'd be watching. When everyone saw that the second option mentioned "Subaru's Authority", they chose it, much to his horror.

10. Chapter 10: My Lovable Goofball

Chapter 10: My Lovable Goofball

Scratch, scratch, scratching, the pain away. Scratch, scratch, scratching, the memories away. Scratch, scratch, scratching, because this is what he deserves. Scratch, scratch, scratching, he's the worst monster this world has ever heard.

Scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch –

Knock, knock.

Who's there?

"Subaru?" the voice behind the door calls out. "It's me, Emilia. Can I come in?"

Emilia. The silver-haired half-elf. The one he loves. Of many. He saved her. No, he showed her his weakness. He burned down a city for her. He lied to her. He killed her.

He killed her. He killed Reinhard. He killed Priscilla. He killed Beatrice. He killed Al. He killed Julius. He killed Anastasia. He killed Meili. He killed Petra. He killed Otto. He killed Garfiel.

HE KILLED EVERYONE.

There is no redemption for a monster like him.

There is only pain. And suffering. And death.

And scratching.

So, so much scratching.

SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH, SCRATCH –

CRASH!

"SUBARU, STOP!"

He felt the pressure of two hands grabbing his forearms, the sensation of them catching fire. He struggled with the assailant, until he heard their voice speaking to him once more.

Satella? he asked himself. No, Emilia, he realized.

"Please, calm down," she begged him. "Breathe in, breathe out."

Despite his better judgment, the black-haired knight did as he was told. He took in the air, and then let it out once more, as he felt a cooling sensation on his forearms. Looking down towards them, he saw that they were glowing with a bright blue aura. Healing magic.

Emilia was healing him.

"Please, don't move," she told him. "I'll be done in a jiffy."

Ignoring her ancient dialect, he asked her, "Why?"

"You're my knight, aren't you?" she asked. "Of course I would help you."

"I'm no knight," he told her. "I'm a fraud. A monster in human skin waiting to come out and slaughter all of you. It's… it's probably best if you stop associating with me –"

"Tell me about Satella."

Looking into her eyes, he asked, "Huh?"

"You promised me you'd tell me about your encounter with her at the Sanctuary," Emilia said. "So, please, tell me everything about her."

"Oh… well… the first time I met her, she was insane. She had engulfed the entire Sanctuary into her shadows, killing everyone. She kept telling me that she loved me, over and over again. Never saying anything else. I saw her kill Garfiel by impaling him with her shadows and then turning him into chunky meaty bits. Eventually, she engulfed me in her shadows when I said I preferred the other Witches over her, and she kept demanding that I love her."

Emilia stayed silent, as she continued to heal Subaru's arms.

"But when I removed her veil, I saw her cry. She was crying, saddened that I chose to kill myself over being with her. Then, during the Witches' Tea Party, I learned that the girl I had seen is one that is forced to fight for dominance over an obsessive personality, over the Witch of Envy. When I… bit my own tongue… she begged to know why I would be willing to save and love everyone, but myself. She asked what horrible things I had seen in the Trial to make me do such a thing. And it was only with Minerva's intervention that my mind didn't shatter."

Still silence.

"She stayed by my side as I reveled in my enlightenment, and she was respectful when I spoke to all of the other Witches before her, even Echidna. When I came to her, I told her that I didn't understand her, but that I wanted to. She said that she loved me, because I gave her everything. I gave her light. For holding her hand when she was alone at night, and for kissing her and telling her that everything would be alright. And because of that, she would always love me, regardless of what I would become."

"..."

"The last few things she told me before I left, were to cherish my life and my friends, as they would all grieve for me when I died, and then, her final request. She asked me to one day find her, and kill her. I refused, and vowed that I would save her instead."

Emilia took everything in. She listened to and processed everything her knight said regarding the being she resembled. The more she listened, the more her eyes opened to the truth regarding the person she despised.

"Subaru… how do you feel about Satella?" Emilia asked, wanting to hear her knight's opinion of the person in question.

"Well… I still hate Envy with a passion. I hate what's she done to Satella and everyone else, I hate how she doesn't care about anyone other than me, and I hate how she's ruined Satella's reputation forever…" Subaru started to explain, but he continued.

"But Satella… I honestly don't know how to feel about her. She's an enigma, and no matter what possibility comes to mind, I can't fathom how she knew me, or how she came to be in love with me. I don't hate her like I do Envy, but… I don't know if I also reciprocate her feelings, and even if I do, are those feelings really genuine? Or are they a byproduct of something else? Something making me feel that way towards her? There may be a lot of things I don't know about her, but I still want to save Satella regardless."

Subaru allowed everything to sink into Emilia, but he spoke again. "I know that your life has been hard because of Satella, or maybe it was actually Envy, so I won't ask you to help me. You're not in the wrong at all for not wanting to help Satella, but please. All I ask is that you don't try to stop me."

Emilia was surprised at what Subaru said. "Emilia-tan, the last thing I could ever possibly want is to have to fight against you because I want to save Satella. So please, promise me that you will stay out of whatever conflict could happen due to that, okay?"

Emilia stayed silent for an excruciating amount of time, until she finally answered. "I'm afraid I can't promise that Subaru…"

Subaru looked down in heartbreak at the possibility that he would have to fight the love of his life. "Because I'm going to help you."

Subaru gasped as he looked up to see Emilia smiling back at him. "I may not understand Satella at all, but I don't think I can bring myself to hate her anymore. More importantly, I want to know why she did everything that she did, or if it was actually Envy that did all those things. I guess I want answers to questions I've had ever since I learned about the Witch. I guess you could say… that the reason I'm helping you is a little greedy."

"..."

"You know, I think you and Satella are quite similar."

"Huh? How?"

"You both have powers beyond all comprehension. You both seem to bring calamity wherever you go, and many people believe you to be monsters."

Subaru looked down at his arms, remembering that white-haired abomination.

"But… deep down, you're both people who are in pain. People who have never been helped before, and all you need is someone to give you that hand. You gave Satella that hand to save her from Envy, and now, I'm giving mine to you, to save you from yourself."

Hearing that made Subaru chuckle a little bit, as a small tear escaped his eye. "Thank you Emilia-tan, you have no idea how much that means to me."

Standing up, Emilia offered him his hand. "Come on, our break is almost over. We spent the first half-hour trying to figure out who would go to talk to you. I won, obviously."

"Jesus, I was in there for that long?" he asked himself. "Still, thanks for not sending a group, I don't think I could handle more than a one on one conversation."

Taking Subaru's hand, Emilia smiled. "Come on, everyone is waiting for you."

As they were walking back to the Theater, a thought came to Emilia. "Subaru, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"It's… well, it's about once everything is over. Once the Royal Selection is over, and we've defeated the Witch Cult and the remaining Great Mabeast, what do you want to do?" Subaru was surprised to be asked such a question.

"I… never gave it much thought. I'm more of a "in the moment" kind of guy, and I only think about the future when I need to," Subaru awkwardly responded. "I guess I'll dedicate my life to saving Satella, but I get the feeling that that's not what you meant."

"No, no, it's not."

"Oh, okay. Then… I guess I'll ask if you made a decision?"

"A decision?" Emilia repeated back to him.

"Yeah, remember back at the Sanctuary where we first kissed?" Subaru said. "I told you that I would wait for your answer. So, I guess I'll ask you the question again once it's all over."

"Oh…" Emilia said, slightly blushing. "I see."

---

It had been exactly one hour since Subaru ran away from everyone.

In that time, the majority of the Cast debated over who would go and retrieve him. In the end, they decided on Emilia, since she was arguably the closest one to Subaru.

Meanwhile, everyone else did all they could to occupy themselves. Naoko and Kenichi comforted each other, as did Petra and Meili, Otto and Frederica…

…but Felt, along with Crusch and Reinhard, were planning something.

"It would seem we will have rescheduled our meeting with Subaru and Emilia-sama," Crusch said, somewhat disappointed, but understanding why they had to delay.

"Yeah. Hopefully Big Sis can get through to Big Bro."

"I believe she has," Reinhard said, as he looked towards the door.

The door which Emilia just walked through, along with Subaru.

The first other person to notice was Garfiel. "CAP'N!"

Upon hearing that, everyone else turned their heads to see that their friend had indeed returned. "Everyone, please don't crowd him!" Emilia asked. "He just wants some space!"

"Hey, guys," Subaru awkwardly smiled. "Sorry about freaking out on you all. Thankfully, Emilia-tan was able to get it through my thick skull that I'm not actually some kind of living calamity that should be kept as far away from you all as possible. So, thanks for that."

"Of course," the silver-haired half-elf smiled.

"So! Now that I'm done hiding in my bedroom, I heard that our break's over."

"Indeed it is," Reinhard nodded. "The newest options should be appearing… now."

"Alright, well, let's see them!"

And saw them, they did.

What if Subaru Natsuki joined the Priscilla Camp?

OR

What if Subaru Natsuki ran away from everything?

"Run away from everything?" Rem asked. "Didn't we see that already?"

"Maybe," Otto said. "Maybe this is a different one. Al-san?"

"Right, I'm on it."

Conditions: Occurs after the Land of the Wolves.

Conditions: Occurs after the Land of the Wolves.

"Yeah, that still gets us nothin'," Ricardo huffed.

"Chances are, these are also in the future," Subaru clicked his tongue.

"Okay, well, maybe it would be interesting to see Natsuki-san in another Camp?" Otto suggested. "I mean, it doesn't sound that bad, so maybe –?"

"No."

Everyone turned to see who rejected the idea.

It was Priscilla.

In the last hour since she saw that episode, she had a lot to think about. She might not have looked as bad as her on-screen counterpart, but on the inside? She was a wreck.

She watched two entire nations get burned to the ground, she witnessed her own death, she even witnessed the death of the Sword Saint. All because of one boy.

"I refuse to have anything to do with you."

Wilhelm looked conflicted. "Priscilla-sama, we all know it wasn't Subaru-dono's –"

"I don't care," she cut him off. "I just don't want him anywhere near me. I want him as far away from me as possible. I want him out of my sight! I WANT HIM GONE!"

Her screaming startled the Cast, but eventually… they heard a sniffle.

Priscilla Barielle was crying.

"Why…?" she asked, with tears running down her cheeks. "Why can I not understand you…?"

Subaru didn't know what to say to her.

"You're a being beyond our comprehension," she said, still crying. "The world never turned in my favor. You made it turn in your favor. You will always win. So… I beg of you, please just give me this one mercy, this one measly win. Please… please leave me alone."

"..."

"..."

"Okay," was all Subaru said.

Everyone around him nodded in understanding. They would respect the crying woman's wish.

What if Subaru Natsuki ran away from everything?

Conditions: Occurs after the Land of the Wolves.

The next day, Subaru went out to buy some lacking spices and ingredients for dinner. As he passed by, he could hear some murmurs of the villagers and merchants chit-chatting and squabbling with one another.

"I heard that Vollachia will wage war against our Kingdom..."

"Yeah, man what an asshole the Emperor must be? Flexing and bullying us with his power."

"We should leave and evacuate at once! I have a relative in Kararagi, maybe I can move with her..."

"Why should we be scared of them? We have the Sword Saint. He can take them all down..."

"Yeah, but Reinhard is nothing compared to the Hero..."

Even though I'm not exactly sure who this hero is, I have a feeling it's true, Reinhard thought to himself. He had a sneaking suspicion he knew who they were referring to.

Felt, on the other hand, didn't believe that for a second. The only person she thought that could be better than Reinhard is Subaru, and even then it was under certain circumstances.

They all nodded unanimously as they continued their conversation.

"If only the Hero will come back again..."

"The one that was forgotten? Heard rumors he was killed by his own friends..."

"I heard he was killed by the Witch Cult..."

"You guys are stupid. He is just buying his time, looking for the perfect opportunity to come back and save us..."

"Yeah, sure he can negotiate with the Vollachian to cease his threats..."

"If that's the case, then whe-"

"Uhhhmmm, excuse me? How much for the tray of eggs?" Subaru cleared his throat to get the attention of the gossiping merchants — both looked at him with clear annoyance since he cut off their "group discussion".

"Well, that's one way to kill the atmosphere," Subaru joked.

"That'll be five copper coins, sir," one of them replied as he started to approach him to give his order — obviously ticked off. After the monetary exchange, the black-haired left them as they continued their conversation.

As he walked towards his house thoughts and speculations started to form on his mind:

"Man, Lugnica has it rough… it seems strange that Vincent suddenly wages war without any reason whatsoever… I hope those guys can fix it somehow — considering that they are more capable and powerful than me..."

"How the hell do I know the guy's name?" the black-haired knight asked.

"I think I might know," Julius said. "Historically, Vollachia has been known as "the Land of the Wolves," so there might be a good chance that in that reality, you go there."

"And by that logic, you would have meant the Emperor, Vincent Vollachia, nyah."

Nodding to what Julius and Felix said, Subaru just sighed. "I really am a danger magnet…"

"I think it's better to think of yourself as the center of big events, Subaru-dono."

"Thanks, Wilhelm," Subaru thanked the old man.

"And who did they mean by 'Hero'...?"

Everyone simply stared at Subaru.

Even though he has a strong suspicion of who it was, his mind denies the implications of it.

May it be?... that they finally re-...

"No, how arrogant of me to assume. Surely they meant someone else..."

...and with that, he goes back home with uneasiness and lingering suspicions.

"Let me guess this "Hero" is me?" Subaru asked.

"Probably," Rem said.

As they were discussing who this possible "Hero" could be, the screen went black, and music began to play. However, it was music no one was familiar with.

"A new introduction…" Crusch harbored a guess.

Opening Theme: Voracity

The screen begins to glitch, as it changes to Subaru, in his traveling clothes, crossing a desert. The screen glitches again, with words that can't be read, as it changes back to Subaru, who gets closer. This keeps on repeating, until…

Tales from the Multiverse

Volume III

The next scene opens with Minerva attacking, and it reading, "WRATH," followed by Typhon dancing around with the words "PRIDE." Then, Echidna and "GREED." Sekhmet with "SLOTH." Carmilla panicking while "LUST" appears, and then Daphne biting at the camera while the word "GLUTTONY" appears. And finally, Subaru, with madness all over his face, drags his finger over his throat, as he's bestowed with the title of "ENVY."

A few people shivered at the maniacal grin the on-screen Subaru had. It reminded them too much of Pride. But there still was something of note in that…

"You're Envy."

"Uh, yeah, I can read, too," Subaru told Ricardo.

"Nah, I mean, why're all th' otha' ones taken by th' Witches 'cept for Satella. If it was gonna be th' modern Authority holders, why not have the Sin Archbishops?" he clarified.

Upon hearing that, a few people's gears began turning in their heads.

"You know, that IS a good question!" Mimi exclaimed.

Suddenly, so many things clicked for Julius.

"That's why you didn't say what Authority you had, isn't it?" Julius said.

"Heh, pretty much." Subaru simply shrugged a bit. "I can't imagine our conversation ending well if I answered your question."

The next scene has the members of the Emilia Camp appearing out of thin air, one by one, and walking. First, Emilia, by herself. Followed by Rem, Beatrice and Ram. Then, Petra, Meili and Frederica, followed by Otto, Garfiel, and Roswaal in the next shot. They all encircle Subaru sitting on a throne, and pose as if it's a portrait.

"That's some… interesting symbolism," Subaru spoke up.

"Well, ya did brin' us all togetha," Garfiel suggested. "Yer th' life o' th' Camp."

"You know, you're right!" Emilia said. She preferred that take on it, anyways.

In the next scene, Elsa, Zarestia, and Shion are all seen together, and laughing, but their eyes are cut off from the screen, and their smiles are sadistic. Then, an army of Witch Cultists appears in the next shot, as the camera pans up to reveal the Sin Archbishops.

While no one knew who the green-haired woman was, they knew that if she was anything like Elsa or Zarestia, then she was dangerous, and fanatically loyal to Subaru.

In the next scene, Reinhard, Julius, Felix and Al, all of them standing in a circle, their swords out, ready to defend themselves. Then, lowersing shot, as it shows Felt, Crusch, Anastasia and Priscilla. In the next shot, Vincent and his Divine Generals are marching, followed by a shot of Reid in the center, with Theresia and Wilhelm flanking him, and finally, a long reveal of the Divine Dragon himself.

The music goes quiet, as the scene opens up in a shadowy dimension, where a hooded Satella is watching Subaru from afar. She places her hand on the "screen" with Subaru, and then, slowly removes her veil, but never reveals her face. In an instant, the screen cuts to still shots of the White Whale, the Great Rabbit, the Black Serpent, and then a happy Shaula, who turns into the Crimson Scorpion and attacks the screen.

"Wasn't that the pretty lady that helped Bro murder us?" Mimi asked.

"Yeah, she was!" Tivey confirmed his sister's question.

"Guys, not cool."

As the music picks up once more, the screen shows Fortuna, carrying a younger Emilia, along with a panicked Guese, both of them running for their lives, while being chased by Pandora and Regulus. The next shot is of Ryuzu, the original Roswaal, and Beatrice, all of them facing off against the Warlock of Melancholy in the Sanctuary.

The scene changes to show Stride Vollahcia next to a younger Grim and Carol Remedis, along with Julia, while the camera pans up to also show Vincent Vollahcia, Priscilla, Rem, Louis, Flop, Medium, and Subaru, all while Pandora is pulling the puppet strings.

Most people were confused at the next part of the opening, as they had never seen Pandora or Hector before. But knowing that some platinum-haired woman was pulling some metaphorical strings in either Vollcahia or whenever Subaru went was enough cause for alarm.

Meanwhile, Wilhelm wondered if this time in the Demi-Human War would be shown to everyone.

The next scene shows Rem and her weapon, with madness in her eyes, as her horn has been unleashed, while in the background, the shadow of the Oni God is seen. In the next shot, it shows Emilia, as her eyes also radiate madness, as shadow and the glowing eyes of the Beast of the End are behind her, unleashing an eternal winter upon the world.

And finally, the scene shows a close-up of Subaru, as he bites his own tongue. As the blood escapes his mouth, he laughs maniacally, as the camera pans out to show that behind him, the shadowy monster known as the Witch of Envy has appeared roaring, and ready to tear apart the silhouettes of the enemies in front of Subaru.

Emilia shuttered, as she knew that the snowy apocalypse on the screen was Puck's doing, while Ram and Rem kept silent about the whole "Oni God" thing.

Subaru stared down the insane version of himself on the screen that seemed to abuse Return by Death, and vowed, I will be nothing like you. I AM nothing like you.

The final shot shows each one of the six Witches of Sin in a black void, each one of them smiling, as the shot changes to Subaru and Pandora, alone in the desert, ready for their final battle. Then, the camera pans over the desert of corpses, and the opening ends.

Episode Nine:

My Lovable Goofball

"Why does this show always seem to set me up against that lady?" Subaru asked.

"That's a good question," Otto said. "Maybe she's your arch-enemy?"

"The way the openings are portraying our relationship, she very well might be."

After the nasty-eyed boy opened the door to his home the time seemingly stopped…

He didn't know what stunned him the most…

..the fact that Crusch and Reinhard tracked him down and found where he stayed?

...the tear-stained faces both the Duchess and Sword Saint are giving to him — despite not being the emotional individuals?

…or the fact that Shion was downtrodden and was frowning — staring at the wooden floor?

"Hello there!" Garfiel hollered, giving the half-elf an appraising look.

"So, her name is Shion…" Emilia recited her name, as said by the narration.

"Well, we now know who Bro's new squeeze is," Al chuckled.

He was given several glares from the audience.

"Suba-"

"Wh-why… are you here? H-how? H-how did you… find me? And... why is my Shion-tan sad?" he stuttered but asked the last one with a hint of remorse. He felt like his head was spinning as fear and despair started to cloud his mind…

"Is there a reason why he's freaking out?" Felt asked. "It's just Rein and Crusch."

"I think that's the problem," the green-haired Candidate said.

"I agree," the Sword Saint said.

"No..."

"No… no… no..."

"They'll… they'll take her away... from me too..."

"NO!"

"He's spiraling," Rem realized, worried for her hero.

Subaru stumbled back, dropping his groceries as he cradled his head with his hands. Negative thoughts flooded his vision as tears well down on his face. His breathing was hitched and his poor heart wanted to explode from his ribcage as his heartbeat sped up.

"Subaru… Subaru… love… calm down. Please… calm down… I'm here… I'm here..."

"Oh, wow, Al was right about th' "squeeze" thing."

"Ricardo!" Anastasia gasped at her friend's choice of words.

"Squeeze, squeeze, squeeze!" Mimi repeated with oblivious glee.

"Subaru is having a mental breakdown right now! Can't you be a little more considerate?!" Emilia shouted at the mercenary group, causing them to flinch.

Shion repeatedly mumbled as she immediately dashed towards him — cradling him in her arms and consoling him. The poor maiden's eyes were also full of tears as it broke her heart seeing him like this…

Why did all of this happen to them?

It was only yesterday when both of them showered each other with love and affection…

And now both of them are crying their hearts out, filled with remorse and hurt.

As both of them watched the lovers console and cling to one another, the green-haired noble and red-haired knight were filled with guilt and shame. The former eating itself within them for causing the couple such distress and sadness, while the latter drenching them as they can't look at Subaru in the eye for their incompetence to help and save him from his pain — and the audacity to ask such request.

"Wha' th' fuck di' the two o' them do to make Cap'n afraid of them?" Garfiel wondered, not understanding why Subaru was terrified by just seeing them.

"Well, whatever it was, they are certainly regretting it now," Wilhelm pointed out.

A small part of Reinhard was hoping that he didn't betray Subaru. He knows he promised his reality's Subaru that he would help with Satella, but seeing this, it felt like he was hurting his version, even if he was not.

After such time, Subaru began to be composed and calmed himself as Shion held his hand. He looks at his visitors — urging himself to face them and ask:

"What do you want?"

For the first time, Crusch was rendered speechless. They were given a mission by her Majesty to search and return the lost and mistreated knight back to their kingdom — and in a way both prevent a catastrophic war and save her dear friend from her self-loathing…

… so why can't she speak up to him?

"Mistreated?" Subaru repeated the word. "That seems a little bit more than just some mistreatment, given that he was just about to have a mental breakdown from just seeing them."

Those such as Reinhard, Wilhelm, and Roswaal were going through every possibility that could have led to these events transpiring.

The uneasiness made her palms sweat and her eyes focus on the floor, averting his gaze towards them. Shame and guilt overwhelm her in each passing second. She can't...she can't…

"...we want you to come with us to the Capital and help prevent a war with Vollachia," Reinhard stated as he too fought the urges of his shame and guilt. For his slothfulness, he didn't save the one that gave him his purpose, his liege, and a friendship he cherished.

… if such friendship still exists from all that happened to Subaru…

It was a conundrum really…

Subaru understood that he must go to save the countless innocent lives from said bloodshed — by being the peacekeeper and mediator of the two opposing countries…

… but at the same time, he doesn't want to return back. To the place where he was shamed. Beaten up in front of the Royal Knights. Abandoned. Forgotten. Castaway. Chased out.

"What the fuck happned…?" Kenichi whispered under his breath.

Only Naoko heard him, and she was wondering the same thing.

What could have caused these people to do something so awful?

Not even counting the failed loops of him being killed, betrayed, frozen, sliced, eaten alive, gutted, stabbed, and died over and over again.

Everyone's stomachs sank, as they saw the flashbacks.

His deaths in the mansion, Julius slicing his throat, Subaru breaking apart in some sort of winter snowstorm, the Great Rabbit eating him alive, Elsa gutting him, all of that…

And it had nothing to do with why this version of him ran away?

Can you blame him? It's been almost two years since he last looped. Two peaceful and unconditional love years. It was the longest time he had both peace of mind and heart.

It was as if Envy took a break in ruining his life for once…

That's why he was so wary about returning to that hellhole…

"IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS?!" Felt screeched.

"So the Royal Selection really is over…" Crusch whispered.

He must have been shaking which prompted Shion to gently squeeze her hand to his, signaling that she's here for him. Internally grateful for the sweet gesture, he forced himself to reply:

"...I'm… sorry. Really… but I don't want to go back to the place where I have so many bad memories… so… so many… painful memories… I really want to save them… I really do… but I'm scared… so scared… that as if I'm going to die if I go with you..."

"But that's no –"

"And how do you know how it feels!? To be abandoned, forgotten, chased away by those you cherished and cared for!? COULD YOU EVEN KNOW HOW I FELT WHEN I WAS RUNNING AWAY HALF-DEAD!? The pain and sadness… that I endured… I really wanted to die back then..."

Everyone's hearts sank even further than before.

"AND NOW YOU WANT ME TO GO BACK!? How sure am I that I won't be killed or beaten up again!? I know that it was Gluttony's fault but no one… no one was there for me..."

"Hold up, Gluttony did this?!" Felt yelped.

Suddenly, it all made sense to the cast for why Subaru was hesitant to return to Lugnica.

"Gluttony ate my name…" Subaru thought of the ramifications of such an action. If he had his name eaten, especially during an encounter with Witch Cult, and someone like Beatrice would be able to sense his miasma…

"Tell me Crusch-san and Reinhard-san… tell me how can I be so sure this isn't just a set-up for me to be arrested or worse, die!? Tell –"

"Emilia's constantly having emotional and mental breakdowns ever since she remembered..."

"What?" The words escaped Subaru's mouth.

"Remembered…?" Emilia asked.

"Felt-sama won the Royal Election. Days before the selection, the Witch Cult attacked us and as we killed Gluttony, our memories of you came back… Roswaal-sama withdrew his sponsorship from Emilia, disbanding her Camp. I took Garfiel-sama under my wing as Otto-sama returned to being a merchant." The red-haired knight described the events that followed the Emilia camp after the death of Gluttony, with remorse filling his voice.

"And I took Emilia with me..." Crush quickly interjects as grief starts to bubble up inside of her.

"Oh, shit, this is the bad ending," Al whispered to himself.

Several people nodded with Al, but for various different reasons.

"... and now the kingdom's under constant fear as a looming war fills them with unease. And the only person who could stop it is you… Subaru..." Reinhard added.

"... are you guys guilt-tripping Subaru!?" The green-elf asked with clear disbelief and disgust in her voice from the sheer audacity of the duo.

"We would never do such a thing!" Julius perished the thought.

"I have a hard time believing that," Roswaal said.

"No… but we'll be lying that… a part of us wants to. But… lives are at stake here… And we know how disgusting… and… shameless we're asking… no… begging him to come back to Lugnica."

Then why are you doing it? Priscilla asked, paying only half attention.

She had her own personal demons to deal with at the moment.

"So please… please Subaru… save them… I beg of you..." The dam broke as Crusch cried as she couldn't take the sadness, shame, and guilt in her heart.

How worthless she feels for not saving the one that shouldered her burden with the cursed dragon blood, who helped her fight the Great Whale, and her dear friend who constantly wants to end her life.

As if it was a moment for the first time, Reinhard kneeled down as his vision gradually blurred out.

End her life? Emilia repeated in her mind. Is she… referring… to me?

Crusch and Reinhard could only ask themselves a single question in their minds. What had they done to Subaru?

What's this?

What's this strange feeling inside of him?

It hurts. It hurts his heart and soul so much…

Oh… it's regret.

Initially sympathizing with the duchess, the red-haired knight found himself tearing up and let out a sorrowful wail.

He couldn't… he couldn't save anybody…

Despite being the Sword Saint, he's pretty much useless…

Worthless.

He couldn't even save his friend…

Truly, how slothful he is…

The tables have turned as Subaru and Shion watched their visitors cry in front of them — Crusch covering her face with both of her hands while Reinhard initially leaning until kneeling in front of them.

Suddenly, a voice entered Reinahard's head. "Reinhard, can you hear me?"

"Subaru?"

"Your Divine Protection was on, good," Subaru's disembodied voice spoke to him. "This is not your fault. Don't deny it, I know it's eating you alive."

"You truly are wise beyond your years."

"No, Emilia just hammered it into my head that I wasn't responsible for Pride, or the Purge King, or the Memory Eater. Well, not explicitly, but she was pretty subtle about it. Whatever, the point I'm trying to make is that this isn't your fault either. Now, say it."

"This… isn't my fault."

"Good. We've both got a long way to go, but it's always easier together."

"I agree… But, something still bothers me."

"What is it?"

"This takes place in the near future, and if we are not careful, these events could still happen. Your name could be eaten, and we will likely… repeat what we are seeing."

"Then, there's a simple solution. We kill Gluttony."

"I… see. Subaru, I will do everything in my power to ensure this future does not come to pass."

"Thanks Rein, now let's get back to it."

Some time passed when both nobles finally composed themselves while the couple regained theirs as well. It was as if they're competing on who's crying the most…

"We're really, really sorry for intruding and causing such great distress. We'll take our leave now. We'll promise not to tell any soul that we found you nor your current location — as an act of repentance for our incompetence."

"It was great to see you again, Subaru Natsuki. Hope you can finally live the happy life you greatly deserve..." the verdant-haired dutches wished with a sincere tone.

Wilhelm nodded in approval at that final honorable gesture.

"Farewell..."

Both walked with heavy shoulders and hung heads as their heavy footsteps echoed towards the exit…

… and the once warm and bright aura of the house turned to one of dullness and gray...

"Oh, thank goodness, a scene change!" Petra breathed a sigh of relief.

"Yeah, I agree," Meili said. "That was getting too depressing."

"Oh, I guess it changed to a nighttime scene," Otto pointed out.

"How romantic," Frederica whispered to his ear, casting him to blush.

"Subaru?"

"Yes, Shion-tan?"

"You're still thinking about them, aren't you?"

Darkness fell as the stars and the moon oversee the village. As Shion was trying to sleep from such an emotionally-draining day, she noticed her love being quiet and contemplating. Even though it wasn't his "nightly habits" it still gave her unease and concern to him — especially since she knows what happened to him before she met him.

Beatrice cringed at the mention of those "nightly habits."

"... Subaru?"

"Yes?"

"... do you love me?"

Of all the questions he expected to be asked, THIS wasn't one of them. Stunned, he glanced at the green-haired half-elf next to him — who was starting to tear up and gazed back at him.

"What are you talking about Shion-tan?! Of course, I love you, so… so much." he fervently answered as he cups one hand to her cheek. As she places her over to his, she continues.

"Oh, thank God for the blanket covering them…" Subaru said to himself. After seeing Satella in a bikini, a part of him wondered if the sight of any scantily-clad half-elf would make him faint with a nosebleed. Or make him shift his legs.

"Sorry… it's just that… I need to remind myself sometimes…" she looked downcast as a tinge of shame was painted on her face.

"Why? Do you doubt my love for you?" he softly pressed further as concern and fear laced on his voice.

"No… I'm just scared…"

"Scared?"

"I'm scared… of losing you…"

As she proceeded, tears and sobs escaped from the goofball as she laid out her anxiety…

"Don't get me wrong, I was so happy that I finally understood and got to know all about you… and that should have been the end of that…"

Subaru's eyebrows were raised in surprise. He actually told this random woman all of his non-Return by Death-related secrets? He didn't tell them to anyone in the Emilia Camp. Then again, he apparently knew this lady for two years, so that did make some sense.

"But when Reinhard-san and Crusch-san came and told me all about the impending war… and you being a major factor in stopping it… I got so scared… my heart couldn't take it… imagining you going to the front lines… and getting hurt… or worse…"

At this point, Shion cried her heart out as Subaru abruptly sat up and wrapped the poor lass into his arms.

"... and then you broke down… you cannot fathom how it further broke my heart… seeing you like that… how you cried in anguish..."

Naoko was sniffling at the retelling of her son's misery, as Kenichi held her hand.

The warriors in the audience felt even more guiltier, for not protecting their friend.

And the woman who loved him, they were the most heart-broken of all…

"... and even when they left without having an answer from you… I know… that you want… save them nevertheless..."

Subaru couldn't deny it, even if he wanted to.

Call it guilt, a sense of duty, or something else, he would always heed the call and go help others. Perhaps that was his whole reason for existing.

But did he really owe these people that? Everyone else told him not to get himself killed, but what if that meant they died instead? Were they okay with that?

Did he have to ask them if they even wanted saving?

"Can I… be a little selfish and tell you… to not go… and stay with me?"

At this point, Shion slowly pushed herself out from his loving embrace and cupped his face with her hands—with a pleading look, she voiced her selfish wish:

"Please love… just be with me..."

"Stay with me..."

"... and if they still insist on letting you go..."

"... then let's go to Kararagi..."

"Let's just go to Kararagi...and escape and leave all of these behind… and be together..."

"So, please...Subaru..."

"Don't go..."

Subaru felt his heart sink at the sight of this. This was exactly what he asked of Rem. To run away, and leave behind this entire mess.

Rem herself, along with a few other people, felt guilty at giving Subaru such a hard choice. Either he leaves and everyone dies, potentially making him regret his future, or he comes back to save everyone, risking his trauma to inflame again.

It was a lose-lose scenario for everyone's hero.

Her moist orange eyes pierced through his soul as she begged him to not take his "friends'" offer. Sometimes, he internally curses his soft and altruistic nature — which caused him countless deaths just to save those he "used" to cherish.

As much as his entire being urges him to deny it, his logical mind and heart cannot overcome one simple fact: countless lives will perish if he'll do nothing, all because of Vincent's questionable motives…

"Shion-tan… I love you… more than anything… more than life itself. There is nothing I want more than anything but to run away with you..."

"I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Showering you all the love that I can give and then some..."

"I cherish you. Adore you. I am so enamored by your presence alone. A simple touch sends shivers to my spine..."

"But..."

Shion looked at him with bated breath as the black-haired knight struggled to formulate the next set of words that could make or break their lives forever.

After seeing all of that. Emilia finally decided. It's a question she has been struggling for months with, but she finally came to a decision.

I want this. I want all of this with Subaru. I want to share all those magical moments with the most important person in the world to me. I'm going to make myself fall in love with Subaru, even if it's the last thing I ever do.

"...we can't let those lives die… not if we can help it..."

"I really… really… don't want to go… to go back to hell… and be around people that forgotten me..."

"I'm really sorry Shion-tan… but we have to save them..."

"Heh," Priscilla let out a mirthless chuckle. Still playing hero, are we?

Shion cried and wailed even further as she clung to the nasty-eyed boy tightly — as though he would disappear at that point.

"I know… but I can't bear imagining you getting hurt again… it reminds me of the time when I first met you..."

The Cast opened up their ears at what Shion was about to say.

"All alone… being a bloody mess… barely alive… my heart could not take it seeing you in that state again, my love… I can't… I just can't..."

As he rubbed circles at her back and softly kissed her cheek repeatedly, his guilt amplified as he remembered that fateful day… that day where everything that he worked so hard was thrown away by Louis Arneb…

… and how Shion saved him.

True… Subaru was erased from the annals of history…

… but from what was lost from him, he gained something precious, something so valuable that even the kingdom's treasury could not even equal up to…

He found LOVE. Pure, unadulterated, and sincere love.

And he'll be damned if it will be taken away from him.

Reinhard made a silent note to himself to look into this "Louis Arneb" character.

Elsewhere, Emilia, Rem, and even Crusch wondered if they would have to fight off yet another rival for Subaru's heart. No, they would make sure that whatever happened to him in that reality wouldn't in their reality, so that he would never have to turn to her. Ever.

Slowly, he lift himself and looked at the distraught half-elf with warm and sincere eyes — hoping his message will come across to her.

"... but it was at that moment, you came into my life, with no warning, like a flash of light. When you saved me, I watched as my future rewrote itself. Little by little, my shattered heart and soul slowly healed itself and learned to love again..."

Rem, slowly but surely, wrapped her hand around Subaru's. She didn't do it in an instant, because she knew her hero needed some space after what had happened in the previous episode, so she was patient. She wanted to share a life with Subaru.

Subaru, meanwhile, was slightly surprised by the feeling of another hand touching his, but seeing that it was Rem made him relax a bit, and held her hand back.

"So please Shion… please don't think that I'm doing this because of them… I'm doing this for you..."

Confusion was etched on the green-haired half-elf as soon as he said that. As she was about to ask him what he meant, Subaru simply smiled and rubbed his thumbs across her cheeks — in order to wipe her tears.

"I don't want to leave our 'safe haven' and go to another country… I want to fight for the peace and love that I have now because it is worth fighting for..."

"... even if we do travel to Kararagi or even Gusteko, my horrible past will keep on following me until I'll settle it once and for all..."

"Besides..."

"... I always want to show off my 'lovable goofball' of a girlfriend. I'm so lucky to be in love, over and over again..."

"Hey, they mentioned the title!" Felix pointed out. Trying to lighten the mood somewhat.

It really didn't work.

"I can't hide from my past for long… so it's better to face it and close that chapter once and for all… so I can focus my love and attention to our future together, Shion-tan..."

"So, I'll save them… but I'm not doing it for honor, fame, or any great title… I'm doing it so that we'll be safe to live the rest of our lives together..."

"... so please, don't fret, my love… just like you said… we're a team..."

"As you are here for me, I'm always here for you too, forever and ever..."

"I am yours, and yours alone..."

MMM… Envy is gonna have a problem with that… Subaru slightly cringed at that. Also, Emilia, Rem, Satella, and maybe Crusch… I seriously hope Tia doesn't have a crush on me, too.

Problems for future Subaru, really.

As it was a perfect moment, Subaru kissed the half-elf, softly and sensually — taking great care as to not to be too rough on her. As soon as he finished, he gazed upon her — as she was rendered speechless and started to well-up again, but this time, with tears of pure happiness.

"Thank you… thank you for loving me… Subaru… I can't… I can't..." Shion stuttered as Subaru kept on kissing her to show his affection and care towards her.

What a silly girl, doubting my love for her like that… she must have been so scared that I might leave her for Emilia and the others... Subaru thought as he continued to shower her with kisses and hug her tight.

No way in hell that he'll leave this great life he had now and return to that accursed fate...

Finally, he gently raised her chin with his hand and gazed upon those serene orange eyes that sparkled with the rays of the moonlight.

And with that, Subaru had some respect for this version of Subaru.

What his counterpart went through was probably a lot worse than him, with being forced to leave due to all of your friends forgetting you, but even after all of that, he, deep down, knew that he would have to go back and save everyone.

But even after all of that, he would make sure to come back to the green-haired half-elf that he was so enamored with. While the Subaru in the Theater had people he would die for, this version of him had someone he would live for.

Awestruck and left him momentarily speechless, Subaru delivered the final blow to break her doubts away…

"I love you… Shion Natsuki..."

Everyone was shocked by what Subaru just said. This half-elf, who from their perspective they just met, was GIVEN Subaru's name, like they were a married couple, or something!

The only person who could even come close to that in the Theater was Beatrice, and that was just because she was basically Suabru's adopted sister!

Rem fumed a bit, because the only person who got such treatment was her! Sure, Elsa and Ram were also Subaru-kun's wives in some other realities, but she, along with everyone else, pretty much collectively agreed to never speak of them again.

Meanwhile, Kenichi and Naoko felt glad that even in some sick twist of fate the world turned against their son, there would always be at least one person who would love him.

… and they kissed...

Emilia felt a bit sick watching the two of them kiss, but a small part of her knew that if Subaru's happiness required that he'd be without her, then she'd let him go.

Even if she didn't like it.

… and kissed...

"So… how long are w' gonna watch this?" Ricardo asked.

Everyone else silently agreed with him, that, yes, this was getting a bit awkward. After the ten second mark, watching the two of them kiss was getting a bit uncomfortable.

A few unmanned individuals in the room began to shift their legs, hoping that this would end eventually. Subaru himself was wondering when this was gonna end.

Jesus… this is like whenever me and my folks ended up watching a sex scene in a –

Subaru's thoughts, and his heart, stopped when he saw…

… and kissed...

OH MY GOD, THIS IS THE START OF A SEX SCENE!

"HEY! FREDERICA-NEE-SAMA! WHAT GIVES?!" Petra yelled.

In an instant, the beast maid had covered her younger colleague's eyes, as soon as she saw Shion begin to remove the on-screen Subaru's jacket. Coincidentally, Meili's eyes were also covered by Otto, while Ricardo handled Mimi and Tivey.

… that night… two hearts become one… as the couple danced under the moonlight…

You didn't need a degree in writing to understand what the two of them did as the camera panned away from them and to the full moon above.

"So…" Al coughed. "Does that make it the third or fourth version of you that's gotten laid?"

"Al, if you say another sentence like that, I'm gonna rip that helmet off and shove it so far up your ass with Invisible Providence that it will pop right back into place."

"Hey, look! A scene change!" Otto pointed out, to diffuse the situation.

"You got lucky, bucket head," Subaru said, with one last threat.

The castle was jam-packed as most of the Royal Knights were gathered at the order of Her Majesty and the Sword Saint. Each of the most powerful and renowned personalities was at attendance as well: the Sword Demon Wilhelm Van Astrea, the Knight of Knights Julius Juukulius, the greatest healer of the kingdom Felix Argyle, and Garfiel — a neophyte who is renowned for his brash attacks.

"I won the Royal Selection?" Felt remembered that the on-screen Crusch mentioned it. "Welp, without Big Bro, they're fucked."

"Felt-sama, I'm sure you will make a wonderful leader." Reinhard tried to reassure his liege.

"I've likely been Queen for a year at most, and they've already got the threat of war, need I say more?"

In the middle of the room — who sat on her throne — Felt watched each and every man in attendance — as tensions are rising at the notion that the Vollachian Emperor was coming to their kingdom to declare war against them.

Normally, it was plain stupid to come to enemy territory and spit on their faces and expect not to be sent back in a casket.

But as she heard of the Vollachian's Divine Generals—whose strength matches that of a whole battalion— the red-eyed Queen doesn't take any chances to be visited unarmed. Even though it may look like overkill, it was better to be safe than sorry.

At her side were Crusch and Reinhard — who were tensed up as well. All of them were waiting for the foreign royalty to make his entrance to know his decision to cover the kingdom in a sea of red or offer an olive branch.

"I can see the blue guy, and I'm assuming that's the Cecilus guy…"

"He is, Subaru," Julius confirmed his fellow knight's suspicions.

"Your Majesty, I present to you, His Majesty, Vincent Vollachia! Accompanied with him are the 1st Divine General Cecilus Segmentum, 2nd Divine General Arakiya, Princess Priscilla Barielle and her knight Al, and Medium O'Connell."

All turned their attention towards the grand entrance as their visitors slowly make their way. They stifled their fear as they learned that the Emperor brought some of his strongest allies with him.

Some trembled when they noticed that the once relaxed and chill 1st Divine General was eyeing them with a bloodlust aura. If it wasn't enough, the short tanned-skin General also emitted the same aura as well.

If one Divine General could wipe out an entire army, how much damage could two Generals make?

As they make their way towards the throne, Felt rose up and greeted her visitors.

"Greetings in the name of peace, Lord Vincent! As well as to you too, Sir Cecilus, Lady Arakiya, Lady Priscilla, Sir Al, and Miss Medium. What brings you to the Dragon Kingdom of Lugnica?"

"For the love of all that is holy, kill me now," Felt cringed.

"You could withdraw to avoid this," Priscilla softly suggested.

"And give you more of a chance to be in charge? No thanks."

"Fair enough, I guess."

Felt was honestly surprised that Priscilla didn't try to insult her. Wow, guess all the evil shit the previous Big Bro did really fucked her up.

Felt internally cringed at the formal greeting as she was not used to saying such flowery bullshit. But since she is now the head of the Kingdom, she had no choice but to just suck it up.

"Greetings to you as well, Lady Felt. It seems that the room is a bit crowded for such a meeting, is it not?" the black-haired Emperor replied calmly while he glanced at his surroundings as every corner of the room was packed with soldiers.

"Do you expect anything less for someone who threatens the peace of my kingdom?" Felt said as she kept eye contact with the Vollachian.

The staredown was interrupted with the clicking of a fan…

"Hmph, such unruly behavior and such gall to threaten royalty. Your disrespect and shame know no bounds, gutter-rat..." Priscilla clicked her tongue as she pierced her gaze towards her former competitor for the throne.

"Baroness Priscilla, how dare you insult Her Majesty?!" Crusch intervened as she would have no part of anybody disrespecting her liege and friend.

Glad to see that version of me still has her mojo, Priscilla thought to herself.

But the orange-haired laughed instead while shaking her head "My, how the mighty have greatly fallen. The Karsten dirt and the fox-merchant had consolidated themselves into serving such filth. Wasn't the Sword Saint enough for you to leash, thief? And where's the half-devil wench to complete such circus?"

As the baroness jeered on, Julius tightly gripped his scabbard — forcing himself to hold down his emotions. Felix tightly clenched his fists while Wilhelm started to emit a murderous aura on him. Garfiel clicked his fangs and urged himself not to transform.

"Oh, I remembered. Such a disgusting witch is still wallowing in pain and suffering for her idiotic mistake for discarding such a loyal dog of a knight. Such a shame that her disgusting and wretched Camp betrayed, chased away, and left him to die..." Priscilla ended while giving a mocking smile.

All and all, everyone was pissed.

A part of Priscilla cringed at seeing this version of her, especially seeing that she was this version of herself a few hours ago, before she showed up in this accursed Theater.

She now knew better than to target that mon– to target Subaru's comrades.

As this was going on, Al just sighed and prepared himself on how many times he'll use his Territory to fend off and win this uphill battle. "Man, this just feels like the old days..." he muttered as he held on his handle.

The tension was so high that one false move could start a bloodbath in the throne room.

Felt clicked her tongue as she was seeing red all around. "Screw this, let's end this right here right now..." her thoughts only amplifying her burning rage.

Vincent could only sigh as everyone was so agitated only on meaningless squabbles. "I'm surrounded by fools with meaningless pride. I guess you can't teach fools manners at all..." he internalized as Medium, Arakiya, and Cecilus were holding their respective weapons as well, ready to defend and protect him.

The atmosphere was filled with murderous intent and the blood bath was about to begin when...

"So, I'm assuming the blonde lady is Medium?" Subaru asked.

"Given that Arakiya is the brown-skinned one, yes," Felix said.

"STOP! Please, stop this hostility! We can talk this out and not let our weapons do the talking! We can resolve this and not escalate to a meaningless war..."

All eyes turned directly back to the grand entrance as a green-haired half-elf emerged at the door gasping for her breath and leaning at the frame.

As confusion added to the already negative hostility of the mood, only two within the room were shocked to their core that they can barely comprehend what's happening:

"No..."

"If she's here, then..."

"Please, no..."

"Please, I beg of you, don't come here..."

"And who are you?" the Emperor raised his brow at the intruder as she finished composing herself.

And said intruder looked back at him with eyes filled with determination and resolve. With one arm raised with her finger pointing upright with the other hand on her waist, she struck the familiar pose of her love. With confidence she introduced herself:

"My name is Shion Natsuki! Champion and Lover of the Hero Subaru Natsuki!"

Everyone was mildly charmed by homage to vanilla Subaru.

But that quickly ended.

The surprises just kept on coming…

A plethora of emotions was plastered in the room at the moment. Mixtures of hostility, rage, bloodlust, shock, disbelief, confusion, disgust, and impressed swirled around them as most of the personalities doesn't know which to focus on first.

"How dare you use that name and claim it as your own!? Such disrespect shall not be allowed!"

"Ya got guts ta use ma Cap'n's name, bitch! Now it's time to meet yer end..."

"Shut up, ya stupid idiot, shut up…" Garfiel begged his counterpart.

Everyone's attention snapped towards Julius and Garfiel as they reached their breaking point as the "intruder" slandered their dear friend's name and honor. Such an act cannot slide as they both hastily approach the green-haired half-elf.

"Wait, stop Julius! Don't-" Crusch and Reinhard trance broke as they realized what was going to happen. "Damn it, if this keeps on, then..."

As Julius and Garfiel were about to strike Shion down, a certain voice halted them on their tracks, frozen them and slowly turning them pale.

"DON'T YOU DARE LAY ONE FINGER ON MY SHION-TAN!"

Everyone nearly fell out of their seats as they heard Subaru's roar.

"IF YOU SO MUCH AS BEND A SINGLE HAIR ON HER HEAD I'LL MAKE EVERYTHING YOU EVER DID TO ME LOOK LIKE A FUCKING JOKE!"

...and thus, the final surprise has arrived.

"Oh, hello, Satan."

"Subaru!" Naoko admonished her son.

"Sorry, sorry, force of habit."

"Who's Satan?" Petra asked.

"I'll tell you later."

Everyone was either shell shocked, in disbelief, scared, or just plain stunned to see the lone figure at the door — his nasty eyes amplifying his wrath towards the blond-haired demi-human and purple-haired knight.

Both Julius and Garfiel squirmed in their seats as they saw this version of Subaru's death glare. They had been spared from what Priscilla had experienced earlier in the day, but now, they were experiencing the full brunt of it, even if it wasn't from the real Subaru.

Crusch and Reinhard could only bow their heads in disgust and shame: They failed to protect his lover. Now, his anger towards them only increased further…

...as for the black-haired boy, he slowly approached Shion, stood by her side and held her hand — which she also held her own tightly as well. This seemed to lighten his facial expression a bit but kept a fierce look towards the Queen of Lugnica and the Emperor of Vollachia.

"My name is Subaru Natsuki. Former knight of Emilia. Former contractor of the Great Spirit Beatrice. And a former Lugnican..."

He took a deep breath and continued:

"...I am the Champion and Lover of the green-haired half-elf Shion. If anyone dares to hurt her, I'll raise hell itself and drag them into it..."

"He's bluffing," Al said.

"Would you like to take that fucking bet?" Felix asked.

"He's not bluffing."

Subaru glared at Julius and Garfiel who were still stunned at the reappearance of their friend and captain and were moments away from hurting his beloved. He couldn't believe that after all this time, they would still harm someone without any proper defense or trial.

"Guess I was right in leaving this damn Kingdom. After all this time, you guys still don't learn your lesson, do you? I may have forgiven you for what you had done to me, but if you dare hurt Shion-tan, I'll swear that I'll come for you!" the black-haired ex-knight threatens both knights as he stared at them with anger.

Garfiel and Julius, among a few others, looked down in shame.

They had fucked up. Again.

They had hurt Subaru, and once their memories returned to them, they still hurt Subaru. Why? Did the universe just enjoy hiring Suabru, and all of the people close to him?

What did he do in some past life to deserve that?

Even though he knows that he lacks both the skill and talent to take down the Shield of Sanctuary and Knight of Knights, Subarus' determination knows no bounds as he'll find a way to protect and save the only one that saved him in this damned world.

"Are you alright, love?" he muttered as he looked beside Shion who was silent during the interaction.

"Yeah. Shaken and scared, but I know that you'll save me, no matter what, my love," Shion answered as she tried her best to be composed and strong in front of everyone.

But her hands and body couldn't stop shaking from being seconds away from being attacked by both knights.

"Thank God, I was just in time to save you, thankfully I didn't have to resort to that," muttered Subaru as he was relieved to not use Return By Death to undo and try again to save the green-haired half-elf. He was still content for the almost two years of peace of not dying.

Emilia couldn't help thinking about that last piece of information.

Two years. Subaru hasn't had to use Return by Death in two years, while for the last few months, he's apparently died so many times to save them that he stopped counting.

What is this…? Why is Subaru condemned to die over and over again when he's around us? Are we some kind of danger magnet? Does the world not want him with us? Why?! Why is it like this?!

And he's determined to continue it that way.

"Shhhhh, I'm here, Shion-tan. I won't let anyone hurt you! I am here, your hero is and will always be here by your side no matter what."

Gently, he squeezed the half-elf's hand to signal his concern and comfort towards her. As the lovable goofball gazed upon his hazel brown eyes, warmth and a sense of security slowly overwhelmed her as her soul and heart calmed down from the initial dread.

"Dang, our boy has such a way with women," Kenichi chuckled.

It did the bare minimum to lighten everyone's moods.

How could such a small gesture give a great impact on her being?

"Thank you, Subaru. I'm okay now. Scared, but with you my love, I know my hero will save me."

As Shion gave him a small but meaningful smile, some of the animosity Subaru felt washed away. He was still pissed at both Garfiel and Julius but that has to come later as there's the more important thing that they have to do; the main reason he agreed to come back to this hellish place.

To save innocent lives from the impending war between two countries.

A small part of Garifel and Julius, along with a few others, wondered what sort of punishment Subaru would want in compensation for everything that had happened.

Though, truthfully, they knew that it wouldn't be anything. He would simply want nothing to do with them. To cut them out of his life entirely, and never speak to them ever again.

For some reason, that felt like the most painful punishment of them all.

They knew that this version of Subaru only came back to save the innocent, not them. If there was a way to save those people without saving those who had wronged him, he would have taken that chance in a heartbeat. Everyone else would, after all.

Right?

"So, shall we?"

Emilia, Rem, Crusch, and even Petra imagined Subaru holding his out to them.

As much as they wanted to talk and voice out their reason, shame and guilt washed their entire being, especially the blond-haired demi-human. Garfiel was shaking and averted his gaze from Subaru as he couldn't stand his wrathful gaze towards him.

And so, as Subaru and Shion walked past them, Garfiel could have sworn that the temperature of the room slowly dropped and his vision began to blur out.

He failed…

What kind of shield hurts innocent lives and attacks anyone?

What kind of knight loses his composure and snaps at any moment?

What kind of friend assaults, chases, and betrays the one that helps him move forward in his life?

What kind of brother forgets the one that saved his stagnant and stubborn self?

As he ponders this, the blond-haired demihuman didn't notice that he was gritting his teeth a bit too much that some were starting to crack while drops of blood came from his clenched fists as his claws dug to his palms.

"I've screwed up big time this time around. Not even the White Whale's fog can erase the shame that I have done."

"Yeah, no shit, now fix it," Garfiel growled at his counterpart.

"I'll help," Julius helpfully added.

"I'm a failure."

As Garfiel was tearing up, Julius felt so ashamed that not only did he lose his composure, he tried to assault an innocent bystander.

And worst of all, said bystander was related to Subaru Natsuki.

He could feel his sins crawling at his back as he remembered that same fateful day after he made a fool of his profession he brutally beat him into a pulp. If it wasn't for Emilia's intervention, he would have killed the black-haired boy.

Even though they somewhat made amends, as both of them would not admit it, at times he wanted a confirmation that both saw each other as friends.

But it seems that the rare opportunity is now lost that he was about to commit the same mistake again, this time to his lover.

"I guess, I still lack virtue. No great act can cover this shame as I repeat my fatal mistake once again. I hope… no… I beg that… you'll forgive me, Subaru..."

"Okay, done."

Everyone looked at Subaru.

"What?"

"Natsuki-kun…" Anastasia said. "Not to sound ungrateful, but I'm pretty sure that there has to be a bit more to giving someone your forgiveness than just asking for it."

As the couple made their way towards the nobles, one can see the determination and unusual confidence that he emits. Priscilla smirked at him as she commends his change of attitude, a far cry from the first time she met him: a pathetic man without pride and honor.

"It seems the commoner had grown some backbone… Mineself agrees that leaving the half-wit was the best decision he could ever make..." the orange-haired monarch internalized as she saw how much Subaru improved from their time together at Vollachia. A boy who was compassionate, kind, a great sense of intuition and ingenuity, he would have been a perfect soldier or general…

… if not for his sick and twisted obsession with the half-elf.

No one said anything when it came to Priscilla's analysis.

The woman had already suffered enough during the last viewing.

The baroness already took into account that he was too loyal to Emilia and his friends. Though she admired his devotion and trust in his loved ones, she had an itching feeling that it could be his greatest downfall.

And then Gluttony happened…

Oh, how her fury rages on as she heard how the very members the nasty-eyed knight sworn his loyalty to were the same shameful bastards that drove him away, attacking him, stripping him of his pride and honor, and chasing him away with the intention of killing him on the spot without any trial to defend his side.

"That's what happened?" Tivey asked in horror.

"It makes so much sense now," Subarui said, grabbing everyone's attention. "Gluttony ate my name, and since no one knew who I was anymore, Beatrice didn't know who I was. And since I was a stranger oozing out miasma and wielding a bunch of Authorities, to Beatrice, she made the logical conclusion that I was a member of the Witch Cult."

"And the only people who deserve to die on the spot are them…" Frederica concluded.

Everyone felt sick. All of this misery was sparked from a series of unfortunate events, resulting in Subaru losing his name. And all because he decided to keep the Sin Archbishop as a pet.

The further they got into it, the more insane reality became.

Though the mysterious powers of the Witch Cult are mainly at fault, her distaste and anger could not forgive Emilia's camp as they immediately jump headfirst and betrayed the only "decent" member they had that carried her incompetence and stupidity as a leader.

As such was the main reason she was full-on pissed at Emilia as well as those who were affiliated with her.

Personally, she felt a bit satisfied with what happened to the silver-haired princess as the consequences of her failures have come back to haunt her and broke her down. She only wished that Subaru had some justification for all the wrongdoings they have done to him. All the blood, sweat, and tears were wasted on those meddling fools to only throw him away like rubbish.

But after seeing the interaction between him and the green-haired half-elf as well as the new and subtle changes, Priscilla realized that it wasn't the case anymore.

"Seems the commoner has finally found someone who sees and cherishes him back unlike that wretched half-elf. Mineself approves their relationship and aids to support it," she smirked at herself as she found it funny in both acknowledging the black-haired boy as someone above as a commoner and giving her support to his relationship with the half-elf.

"Huh, who knew," Subaru realized. "Priscilla is tolerant of mixed-race couples."

Priscilla really didn't have the energy to come up with a witty retort.

Slowly, the Vollachian princess and their entourage stepped to the side to let the couple pass through until Subaru was face to face with Vincent Vollachia.

"Subaru Natsuki…"

"Vincent Vollachia…"

The tension of the throne room was steadily high as the Emperor eyed down the forgotten hero, as the latter didn't lose eye contact with him as well. Both black-haired men continued to stare at each other; as if they were calculating, thinking of each other's next moves, and looking for any way to one-up against each other.

"God, there's so much sexual tension on their faces," Al stated.

"Do you EVER think before you talk?!" Subaru yelled.

"Hehe, nah."

The other knights and nobles were worried that the hostility would only get worse by the second.

Wilhelm was already positioned himself to charge in and try to save Subaru as he desperately wanted to repay the lad for helping him most of his life's problems. But Arakiya noticed this and was also preparing for his sudden interference as she aimed her wand towards him.

Julius and Garfiel broke from their self-loathing and were about to approach the couple when Al and Medium blocked them as Priscilla prepared her Yang Sword to join into the fray as well, having enough with this farce.

Reinhard and Crusch were about to step down but Cecilus appeared in front of them, the once smiling blue swordsman was eyeing them with contempt and distaste; getting ready for battle.

Priscilla found it oddly amusing. Everyone was ready to kill for Subaru, but for different reasons. Even she was ready to kill someone, but that was mostly due to the fact that it would be in self-defense. Oh, and probably to make sure Arakiya was safe.

The Lugnicans wanted to pay back Subaru for all the damage they had done, while the Vollachians wanted retribution in his name.

Any sudden moment would have spilt blood to the marble floor.

Everyone was silent for a few seconds, their hearts still.

That was, until…

If not for the sudden laughter coming from the two gentlemen.

All were both amazed and dumbfounded as they saw Subaru and the Vollachian Emperor were laughing at each other. Both were laughing their hearts out that everyone froze and was so confused about the unexpected scenario.

What the hell is going on?!

Oh, great, there's two of them, Priscilla groaned in her head.

So my theory on them being a thing still has water! Al cheered.

As Queen Felt was about to have enough of the sudden fluctuations of emotions and voiced out her frustration, Subaru interrupted her as he started the long-awaited reunion of his friend.

"You one sly fox. How have you been? I haven't seen you in a while," he exclaimed as he gave the Vollachian a bright smile, which further confuses both Felt and the Lugnicians while Priscilla and the other Vollachians couldn't help but only smile and shake their heads.

He always manages to surprise everyone, doesn't he?

"Ah, you know, several assassination attempts and rebellions squashed here and there: the usual." Vincent could only laugh as he answered his old friend with an unusual relaxed nature and was smiling at him. But this was only for a brief moment as he dropped the happy mood and continued.

"I guess my adventures in Vollahcia involved Vincent?" Subaru guessed.

"Guessing from the cooooonditions and the references all through the episode, I would say this all but cooooonfirms it," Roswaal said.

"You seem to have an ability to make anyone become your friend," Reinhard said.

"I agree, the ability is uncanny," Julius said. "Great Spirits, Witches, assassins, women with oddly attractive physiques, and now, Vincent Vollachia and the Divine Generals themselves."

"What about you, my friend? I heard about your… warm welcome home," he said as he glared at everyone present.

"Hehehe. Well, if being attacked, stripped-down of your title, and being chased away from your own home is called a warm welcome, I would rather have stayed in the bloody grounds of Vollachia rather than coming back here..." Subaru chuckled as he scratched the back of his head. "Man, how rotten can my luck be, right?"

"Jesus Christ, was that bad?" Al whispered to himself.

"What do you mean?" Kenichi quietly asked.

"Vollachia is a land that values the survival of the fittest," the helmeted knight explained. "The strong lord over the weak. And given your son's physical strength, well…"

Kenichi didn't need him to finish that sentence to know what he meant.

"...just say it, okay?"

"Whose voice was that?" Mimi asked.

"I recognize it," the Sword Saint said. "That was Cecilus."

"Huh!?"

"Yeah, I'm a bot confused, too," Subaru said. "Is he talking to me?"

"I thiiiiink he is," Roswaal said.

"But why?" Ram asked herself.

The black-haired boy's attention shifted when Cecilus looked him dead in the eye as he was barely holding on to his hostility towards Felt and the others. He was clutching his sword so much that his fingerprints could be printed on its handle.

"You can just say the word, Natsuki-san. And I'll obliterate everyone in this castle, including Reinhard..." he gritted his teeth as he didn't lose his attention towards Felt, Crusch, and Reinhard.

Upon hearing that, everyone's hearts stopped.

Cecilus was willing to kill for Subaru.

That meant this version of Subaru did something the Purge King couldn't manage to do.

He was dangerous in his own right.

"No, wait Cecilus, stop..."

"He's right, Subaru. One word from you and we'll attack these traitors that hurt and betrayed you..."

This time, it was Medium who was talking to him, eyeing both Julius and Garfiel with bloodlust and hatred.

"Wait, that's the lady from the intros!" Tivey said.

"You're right," Beatrice said. Along with the mysterious Shion, the blonde woman, along with the blond man were always in the intros, including this one. "So, her name is Medium."

"It seems tha' she knows Natsuki-kun personally," Anastasia said.

"It must be another situation similar to Zarestia and Halibel," Wilhelm analyzed.

"What are you talking about? We would never-..."

"Shut up! I heard all of it! Especially what happened here a long time ago!"

Julius was baffled and tried to deny such accusation but Medium interrupted him as she looked at him with hatred and disgust.

Why do I get the sudden feeling that these two could be more than just friends? Al wondered.

"Oi, Brotto, ya think she's anotha' one o' Cap'n's fuck buddies?" Garfiel whispered.

"Garf, not every woman Natsuki-san knows is some secret girlfriend," Otto whispered back.

"What are you guys whispering about?" Petra asked.

Both Otto and Garfiel would deny shrieking like girls in surprise later on.

"I heard it all, you know… How you were shamed in these halls… Being beat-up and abandoned… while trying to prevent calamity over calamity..." the blonde warrior continued as she gripped her swords harder by the second. "How you save each and every one of them after being beaten up and thrown out. Seriously, you need to have some pride in yourself, Subaru..."

Huh, Subaru thought to himself. I even make complete strangers worry about me.

The again, they're probably not complete strangers to this Subaru…

As she finished, every knight present bowed their heads in shame as they remembered that fateful day. The day when they once cheered on Julius to viciously beat up a foolish butler who made a mockery to their profession.

Little do they know that fool turned out to be one of the greatest hero that their Kingdom has seen: slaying and taking down Great Mabeasts and Archbishops with his great plans and intuition.

The hero they all so forgotten…

"But Mediu–"

"Your kind yet foolish heart knows no bounds, doesn't it, commoner?"

Priscilla snapped and reverted her fan to get Subaru's attention as the situation got hostile. As he was about to ask, the baroness continued:

"Mineself have to remind you how you trusted an Archbishop before, commoner? How you protected her at Chaosflame? How even though the said child was found out to be part of, due to your insistence so that blue-haired thing won't leave you and the dire situation in the city of Chaosflame at that time, Vincent reluctantly agreed to trust it but warned you that this will probably stab you in the back in the future?"

Everyone looked confused at what the on-screen Priscilla said.

"Did she say that Barusu protected the Sin Archbishop?" Ram asked.

"I think so… but what is this about Chaosflame…?" Crusch asked.

"Jesus, the future is wild…" Al groaned.

Meanwhile, Rem didn't like being called a "thing."

"And so, how did that turn up, huh... Subaru?"

"Being attacked by those who you cherished, to be stripped away of honor and prestige and discarded away by your own liege, and to be chased and left for dead, is that a reward fit of someone such as you?"

"Even those foolish wise men at the Sage Council tried to cover up your existence and harsh treatment for dragon sake!"

"No more..."

"As the world revolves around me, I decree that these fools must be punished severely..."

She ended her tirade as she glared at the black-haired boy, whose head was spinning to the overload of information that was happening at the moment.

Priscilla eyed the screen in morbid curiosity.

This boy. The one who was also responsible for burning down entire kingdoms, slaughtering countless, and even managing to kill both the Sword Saint and her…

… she still ends up talking to him, to try and get him to value himself.

Why?

She thought it over a bit. Obviously, that version of Priscilla didn't know what he was capable of, what he could do. From her perspective, he was just a person with odd luck and a good heart…

Yes, that was all there was to it, wasn't it? Perspective.

The Priscilla in the Theater simply knew more than average.

He was torn really…

He was glad and happy that there were people who cared to be angry for him on how he was mistreated in the past, on how he suffered in the past two years…

… but at the same time, he didn't hold any grudges to execute such revenge as all the hardships he endured led him to Shion and a life full of love, warmth, and happiness...

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief at that statement.

They knew it didn't take much to make another Pride or Purge King.

Or, even worse, another Memory Eater.

… so, what does he have to do?

"I think that's a fairly easy one," Subaru told his on-screen self. "All you have to do is fix the current predicament, and then disappear, never to be seen again."

"Natuski-san, isn't that a little bit too simple?" Otto asked.

"Not really, no," the black-haired knight answered. "He'll still have to deal with all the people who ant to apologize to him for all the horrible things they did, along with turning down their invitations to stay, while also trying to make sure they stop blaming themselves."

"Ahh… so it will be a slight challenge," Frederica realized.

"... love, please don't fret alone, I'm here with you..."

His static train of thought was interrupted when he felt a gentle yet firm squeeze at his hand. As he shifted his gaze, Shion conveyed her concern to him as her orange eyes gazed at his.

"Love, please calm your restless heart. I am here. Your Shion is here. I know that revenge is tempting, but let's not patch one mistake with another. As you said before: "The best revenge is to be happy with each other…"" she whispered as she noticed that he was lost in his negative thoughts.

I disagree, Roswaal thought. Watching them suffer is a far better revenge.

"That woman is very wise…" Wilhelm nodded to himself.

"Weren't you the one obsessed with the White Whale, nyah?" Felix asked.

"True, but watching this has opened my eyes to some new perspectives…"

"So let's prove them with our love, okay, my Subaru?"

A sudden surge of warmth bolted his soul once more…

A light ahead from a dark tunnel…

A solution to this head-scratching conundrum…

Yes, he did lose everything on that day…

… but he gained more than what he had lost and wouldn't change anything about it.

With Shion squeezing his hand to convey her love, concern, and support to him, Subaru looked at each of them with a warm gaze and smile.

"Guys, I know I was betrayed… forgotten… chased away… attacked… and was discarded as trash. But would blood be a perfect solution to all of these?"

"Some would argue yes," Julius said.

"Are you saying that as a knight?" Reinhard asked.

"No, just as a realist."

"That reality sounds cruel!" Petra butted in.

"Reality often is…" Meili said. She knew it firsthand, after all.

All kept their attention towards the forgotten hero as he continued:

"Yes, I was left by the world and everyone forgotten me. So please Priscilla-san, Medium-san, and Cecilus-san, don't act as if you guys haven't forgotten me as well..."

"But we didn't beat you up like some criminal too!" the blonde swordsman interjected as she couldn't understand Subaru's pure heart to forgive others. If it was her, she'd hunt down her enemies and end them.

So how come he's not doing the same?

"I know Medium. I'm not saying to forget what happened to me. Besides, it was out of our control. And also, all things went 'nicely' in the end, right? I'm still here, alive and happy to see you guys again."

"Tha' sounds like a toxic line o' thinkin'," Anastasia said.

Al immediately sensed a lecture coming, so he paused the viewing.

"What? That all the pain and suffering I go through is fine as long as I get my happy ending?" Subaru asked. "Or the fact that I'm saying as long as it's me, it's fine."

"Both! Yer not some expendable tool! Natuski-kun, ya have a right ta live a happy life without any o' tha' pain an' sufferin', jus' like th' rest o' us!" the purple-haired merchant argued.

"Even after all of the horrible things you've seen me do?"

"THA' WUZ NOT YOU!"

"But it COULD be me. What we witnessed might as well be my future –"

"Then I won't let that happen," a new voice came in.

"Huh?" Subaru looked to see that it was Reinhard talking.

"I'll make sure that whatever dark future appears on the horizon will not come to pass," the Sword Saint said. "I still have a few promises to keep, after all."

"I'll help, too!" Beatrice said. "You won't suffer again, in fact!"

"Rem will also help!"

"Same here!" Emilia added.

One by one, everyone vowed that they would make sure that Subaru's future would be one of joy, and that no suffering would ever come to him again.

Wiping away a stray tear, Subaru simply smiled. "Thanks, guys."

"But, we cannot keep on going through this hateful cycle of killing and having revenge to satisfy our self-righteousness… blood is not the answer for more blood."

"In this point in my life, all I want is to just live my life with my Shion-tan. To be in our small cottage, making different types of food, laughing and enjoying our days with love..."

The green-haired half-elf could only blush and smile as she remembered the joyous times they spent together. Those peaceful times she took for granted and wished to experience once more after they're finished with this mission.

"I am glad and happy that there are still others who unexpectedly care for me. And for that, you have my gratitude."

"But I am here as a mediator to stop the impending war between the two countries. So with that, we'll set aside my issues for later and focus on the important issue that may hold the lives of innocent citizens by a thread."

"We must not let hate rule over our hearts and ruin the peace that we have fought so hard for. May the peace treaty between the two countries continue to prosper and be united, not divided."

"I wonder how Onii-chan's kids would react to this," Meili blurted out.

Immediately, several pairs of eyes were looking at the girl.

"His what?!" Emilia asked.

"The kids he'll end up having with Shion," the blue-haired assassin clarified. "How would they feel about their dad being such a big hero? Heck, now that I think about it, how would the rest of the world react to "the Hero" having kids? Would they be famous?"

"I hope not!" Subaru exclaimed. "No one needs that kind of pressure!"

Reinhard once more smiled at Subaru's understanding.

Meanwhile, several women thought, Hopefully, he'll never have children with that woman…

"So let us simmer down the hostilities and let our minds cool off and think about our people. And let's come to an agreement from our differences to stop this foolish war, okay?"

Everyone was amazed by Subaru's eloquence as he weaved through his words and swayed their hearts. Even though he was the victim of their maltreatment, he chose peace and forgiveness instead of violence.

How could they dare forget how he rallied the tired hearts of the citizens of Pristella with the same unadulterated and heartfelt speech?

On how remarkable he was delivering his speech and also delivering his promise to save them as well?

Truly, he is the only one who can save Vollachia and Lugnica from going to war…

A dragon-sent peacemaker...

"A what now?" Subaru asked.

"This one should be fairly obvious," Ram said. "Someone sent by the Divine Dragon to make peace. After all, this is an international conflict, so this would fall under his jurisdiction…"

Everyone slightly shivered as they remembered when the Dragon never intervened.

"So please, let's talk and discuss this, okay?"

Subaru finished as he eyed Vincent and Felt — hoping that his message conveyed with them.

"Quick sidebar," Subaru said. "If that version of me got his wish, what would he be?"

"I guess he would be a recluse celebrity," Beatrice gave her best guess.

"I think he would be like an old video game protagonist," Naoko suggested. "Someone who would want to live a peaceful life, but would always be dragged back to adventure."

Subaru didn't like how accurate his mother was.

"...I'll accept your call for peace. The peace talks will proceed tomorrow...but on one condition..."

All left out a sigh of relief as Vincent Vollachia agreed to the black-haired ex-knight's resolution for harmony. However, this was quickly replaced with bated breaths as the Emperor continued.

"...once this is over, you'll accept my offer to take the seat as a Divine General for the Empire."

""WAIT, WHAT?!""

That was the common sound coming out of everyone.

Vincent Vollachia, the Emperor, wanted Subaru, as a Divine General.

With the same type of people who were capable of decimating entire armies.

"LIKE HELL I'LL AGREE TO THAT!?"

All turned around as Felt screamed her rejection towards the proposal. The red-eyed queen glared at Vincent as she voiced her distaste.

"Big bro is ours! He's a citizen in the Kingdom of Lugnica. I'll be damned to let him be taken away again! Once is enough for him to be lost and forgotten, and I'll be damned to do it again!"

"Oh, great, they're fighting over me," Subaru groaned.

Reinhard grimaced. Subaru, even in this reality, was still sought out as some sort of hot commodity, or a weapon. Just like he was.

He silently vowed that Subaru would live a quiet life as a civilian, not as a weapon.

Unfazed by her appeal, the black-haired Vollachian royalty looked at her in the eye to deliver his counterpoint.

"But looking and basing on your track record and history, you guys did a poor job in protecting your prized hero… Your own friends and allies even attacked and hurt him."

No one liked the idea of not having Subaru, but they had to admit, the Emperor was making some pretty good points. It was just a simple mathematical equation.

"Subaru, I want you to promise me something?"

"Emilia-tan?"

"If something like this ever comes to pass… if we ever turn against you… promise me that no matter how much we beg… that you won't come back," the silver-haired half-elf said. "That you'll go live your life to the fullest, without any obligation towards us."

Subaru thought about it for a second. They were his life. He would never abandon them! But then again… Emilia was referring to the travesty that happened in this universe, so…

"Okay," he said. "If things ever become… like this… I promise I'll leave. For my sake."

"Thank you."

"What kind of leadership is that? Even the Sword Saint is not around when a great calamity strikes? As far as I see it, Subaru Natsuki is more valuable than Reinhard for he has time and time again saved your Kingdom from the Great Mabeasts and the Witch Cult."

"And thus, the only valuable personnel you have is him. Everyone else is just unnecessary rubbish..."

"I'll respect Subaru Natsuki's plea for peace talks. But it doesn't mean that my judgment from his harsh treatment is gone. I'll give my decision afterwards as well as him after I'll take him with me to Vollachia — I'll not budge from this position."

"And thus, we'll continue this discussion tomorrow, Felt-sama. With that, I'll take my leave with my entourage..."

With that finale, Vincent ordered Priscilla and the others to stand down and with grace befitting of royalty, the Vollachian entourage moved their way out, taking their leave. But before they left, Vincent voiced one last thing:

"I'm happy to see you again, my friend… I hope this time, you'll accept my offer to be by my side..."

"So this wasn't the first time," Crusch analyzed.

"Which means that it could also happen in our reality," Julius said.

"But how would we be able to stop it, nyah?" Felix asked.

Reinhard was quiet for a moment, before giving his thoughts. "I don't think that it would be in ours, and especially his best interest to try and tie him down to our nation. I think, that Subaru has the right to go where he wishes and live his life without us."

"Reinhard, are you sewious?! But he –"

"I agree."

The four of them looked over to the newcomer of their conversation. "Priscilla-sama?"

"Trying to force his hand will only end in tragedy," the Vollachian Matriarch said. "I think that it would be best to let him live a life free of tragedy and the control of others."

The four of them were quite surprised by what she said. This was the first she had spoken since she asked for them not to select the alternative viewing, and she was speaking in Subaru's favor, despite the vocal reaction she had to the previous episode.

"We… will consider what you have said, Priscilla-sama," Julius said.

"Mm."

As everyone was settled from such high tension life-and-death hostility, most of the spectator's legs were shivering at how intense the situation was. Some were panting so hard that they were forcing themselves not to throw up.

"I guess we have to wait for tomorrow, love. Shall we take our leave as well?" Shion inquired as the fatigue started to catch up to her and was looking as if she would fall down any moment.

"Yeah, let's go, Shion-tan. I could use some of your tea..." Subaru replied as he was also wobbling from stress as well.

"And where are you two going?!"

The couple turned as Felt asked them with her hands on her waist. So much has happened today that she felt that she grew older for five years.

"Oh, we're just heading out and finding someplace to stay..."

"No, you're staying here. No buts."

"Pardon my disrespect but are you sure about that, your Highness? Are we going to be safe here with these people threatening and plotting for our lives?"

As soon as Shion said this, shame and guilt once again filled everyone's hearts — especially those who were close to Subaru. Julius and Garfiel took it the hardesr as they were reminded of their grave mistake earlier.

"...I know that some of my knights tried to attack you before, Shion. But I assure you. As Queen, I'll place my name that whoever will try to hurt you and Big bro will be executed."

"WHOA, FELT!" Subaru looked a bit concerned. "Isn't that a bit overkill?!"

"Nothing is overkill for you!" Felt said, unwaveringly.

"But, it's death! You know, the thing most people don't come back from!"

"Okay, fine! I won't do that in our universe!"

"Thank you!"

"Again, sorry for being direct, but how assured can I be of that? Based on what I learned, the Sage Council even tried to cover up my beloved's harsh treatment..."

Subaru was stunned by Shion's dissatisfaction with their safety as she continued to pry further on an assurance that they will not be in danger.

"Very well, as everyone as my witness, no one will come near Subaru and Shion Natsuki unless said so. Anyone who wishes to have an audience with them must come to me, Felt Lugnica for approval. Even the Sword Saint must appeal to this as well. Wilhelm van Astrea, you'll be their bodyguard. Strike anyone down if one poses a threat to them."

"It would be an honor to protect your life," the old man said.

Before Subaru could say anything, however, something else came up:

"Felt Lugnica?" Garfiel repeated. "Why ya havin' th' last family's surname?"

"Probably due to the fact that I had no surname before that?" Felt guessed.

However, upon hearing that, Felix did a double-take.

"You good?"

Red eyes, blonde hair, that small tooth… the resemblance is too uncanny… Felix immediately shook his head to swat away the images. Putting up a fake smile, he said, "Yep!"

"Tomorrow, everyone will be informed of the true account of what happened to Subaru Natsuki. All those who were at fault will be imprisoned unless Big Bro says so."

"And with that, you guys will be staying here. Wilhelm will guide you to your suite."

"There. Happy, Shion Natsuki?"

As soon as the blonde-haired queen finished her decree, she turned her gaze towards the green-haired half-elf with an annoyed look on her face.

"Very. So let's go, shall we, love?"

Nonchalantly, the lovable goofball turned her gaze towards Subaru —who was still baffled on the earlier decree. It seems his plan for a quiet and quick come and go is thrown off the window now.

"Damn, can't have an easier route, can I?" he chuckled at his misfortune as he followed Shion towards the door. Behind them, Wilhelm came with them to start his redemption to guard the couple with his life.

As it goes, it was going to be the start of a hectic and stressful life once again…

"Man, welcome back to me, I guess?"

As the lights went back up in the Theater, everyone got up to stretch and discuss what they saw. They were grateful that this was calmer compared to the previous episode.

As Subaru got up, Emilia looked at him. "Subaru?"

"Relax, Emilia-tan, I'm just going to the bathroom."

"Okay." Emilia secretly decided if he wasn't back in five minutes, she'd sent Garf.

Heading out to the main lobby, Subaru beelined towards the bathroom until…

"Subaru."

"Hm? Oh, what do you want, Julius?"

"I want to discuss the new introduction we saw," the purple-haired knight answered.

"Oh?" That grabbed Subaru's attention. "What part?"

"The part where you're the wielder of the Authority of Envy."

Sibaru choked on air for a bit before asking, "Why do you care about that?!"

"One major distinction," Julius said. "The new introduction showed all of the original wielders of their Authorities, EXCEPT for Satella, meaning she didn't have it. And we know from the previous viewings that the two of you share a history…"

"What are you implying, Julius?"

"Subaru… I think that you might be far older than we imagine."

---

Author's Note: So, I totally forgot that November 1st was my one-year anniversary, so I'm just saying it now! Yay for me! I'll make sure to properly celebrate it next time! Also, I know that I said I'd be back on January 3rd, but that was a mistake on my part, as I miscalculated when the first Thursday would be. Sorry for that!

The original story is "My Lovable Goofball" by Justarandomperson123456. The link is s/13980608/1/My-Lovable-Goofball on . Sadly, there is no ArchiveofOurOwn edition. Now, to the comments from the last two months!

Analyn: Si te refieres a la historia del "Sendero de las Estrellas Benditas", odio decírtelo, pero son hermanos. A menos que eso sea lo que querías, entonces, en ese caso, bueno.

alvaraiz: I'm glad you like my stories. Though I do see that a lot of people prefer the first option over the second one. And as for Meili, don't worry, she'll get adopted by Subaru, but I don't know whether she'll be his sister or his daughter. Now, as for the scenes you recommended to me: While all of the canon ones are good, they're instantly out on the basis that they're canon. Sorry, them's the rules. "The Sage and the Sword Saint" I'm not doing because I already have a Re: Forgotten fic, and "Re: Star" I have actually never heard of. But thanks, anyway! Enjoy your holidays!

randomuserlolaha: This is the first time I've actually ever seen you here.

Black mamba93: I'm definitely gonna do the "King of Pride," trust me on that.

SeaJust: If you're referring to his promise that he'd talk about Satella, then he follows through in this chapter. If not, then I don't remember what you're referring to.

Fana4tiik: That's an interesting change of terminology when it comes to Subaru, I'll give you that. And as for Puck, while what you wrote does make sense, myself and a few others have an inside joke that Puck is just that terrible, so it may or may not have been converted into serious dialogue for this fic. Sorry, not sorry.

Wally991: Well, this is technically it, so, wish granted?

NightSoro: That's quite… deep. I really don't know what to say.

Ronnie R101: Why do so many assume I said January 5th?! Oh… I DID say January 3rd… oops… I meant to say January 5th this whole time. OHH… And as for the whole Re: Avenger thing, I'll start writing for that once the original author ends his current arc.

Guest #1: Yes, yes it is. The poor man has been through enough.

The chosen one: Glad you liked my stories so far! I have actually never heard of Re: Abyss, what's it about? Send me the link, and I'll take a look at it!

Legendaryray5: Best author of the last year? Really? I'm flattered.

Dhestrya: Nice, indeed.

Wicked.A: Nice comments so far.

Deathenglegamers1144: I didn't know there was more than one Joker movie. But yeah, when he tries, Subaru can be SCARY. Cheers mate! Here's to the New Year!

Chuck B. Winanaki: Yeah, the last chapter got super dark. Emilia found out the truth about Puck, Shaula was used for evil, and everyone died. Also, I kinda forgot that the conspiracy of the two existed. And for this chapter… it's not exactly what you were thinking of, was it? Anyway, I hope you look forward to everything else! Cheers!

hussainman: Trust me, this opening is FAR worse.

5queso: Glad you enjoyed the previous chapter, even if I don't know how you found it humorous, but I'll take the dark complement. I'll be keeping up the good work, as asked!

strangerwager: The best kind of chapters are the ones you don't see coming.

Insane Wombat: Yeah, Subaru, from the outside perspective, is pretty much a terrifying monster that can adapt to anything and refuses to die. So, yeah, an SCP, basically.

romaninicolas547: Trust me, it's gonna get darker.

Commissar Gaunt: I know that you said they need a breather episode, but the stuff you suggested was just as dark as the previous chapter. Seriously, dude, what the…?

OreosAreYummy: Glad you liked it, and JANUARY 5TH IS HERE!

Jesus t: Yeah, everyone seems to be singing the praises of this chapter. And as for this next one, well, I bet this wasn't what you were expecting, eh?

vtorx: That would be the sister chapter. And yeah, it's very gross to think about.

palik: There will probably be little to not Satella in this section of the series. Sorry. And if you wanna know more about Priscilla, I suggest going to this chapter's twin.

R-king 93: Nice comment.

Jpx0999: Trust me, this is gonna go way lower! Ahahahahaha!

calderoneric758: Yes, yes he did. And so would you.

LouisCy: Gluttonybaru is a terrifying monster who laughs at reason, that's how.

RoxyGOD: Thanks for the birthday wishes and the complement.

Ronnie R101: Huh, no one yet guessed the Priscilla If. But, if you wanna know the answer, you're gonna have to go to the sister fic.

Raider 301: I will, as soon as the author of Re: Avenger finishes the current arc.

The reader2234: Thanks for all the good tidings. Also, if you guys keep reminding me of the Re: Avenger fic, I'm just gonna push the release date to 2024, so don't test me. Yeah, the reactions for this and the sister chapter are gonna be… something, alright.

The Knightrider: I would do that, if it wasn't all a complete smut-fest.

Guest: I considered having that be one of the stories, actually.

Digimonhunter: Trust me, they'll see an ending to it. Sort of.

Meiliholic: MWAHAHAHAHAHA! I AM EEEEEVIIIL!

hlglh: The one from my last chapter, or this series in particular?

King_maximilian_412: I hope you're ready for an overdose!

Anon: Yeah, writing the characters is half the fun in these. And trust me when I say that the parallels between the two timelines are gonna diverge even further than before. Still, thanks for enjoying my work, and hopefully, I will see you next time!

Imperius: Glad to see you figured out the terminologies, and while your idea on how things could get worse is good, it's not what I was thinking of. But hey, now Emilia knows the truth about Puck. And while it is true that Gluttonybaru could have theoretically saved everyone if the Witch of Envy was more generous with the resets, this is reality, you know, the place where happy endings go to die.

Terra: Hahahaha! This story is gonna get so, so, much darker! So dark that the Cast will just keep picking the darker choices for the saddest of reasons, and I'll be here, watching, laughing. Though, I have to admit, glad to see that the last story was such a gut-punch. Also, congrats on getting two predictions correct. Good job! But as for the ending, let's just say… they'll find out about an… outside influence… hehehehe…

Ghastly_guy: Were not having that one. Not because it's super sappy, or whatever, but to die for the fact that I only discovered it due to your comment.

tella83220: If you wanna know what Prscilla-centric story it is, please redirect yourself to the sister chapter. And as for the last opening, yes to both those questions.

Gomy_el_camaleon: Glad you found the last episode amazing!

sunil meena: Well, they will see how it happened, eventually. Trust me, it's gonna be good. Or, maybe bad, if you're from the characters' perspectives.

IsseixAtalanta77: That one is happening in next week's post.

leymax2021: I have no idea what FGO stands for.

Jousé: I read your entire proposal, and all I have to say is… whaaaaa?

(Hey guys, it's Infinite. I just want to say something that I hope Erna doesn't mind. I'm sorry I haven't gotten Warlock's Punishment's next chapter out yet, and I don't want to post an A/N Chapter to give you all false hope. The reason I haven't updated in a while is because I'm simply… well, burnt out. I'm not as interested in Re:Zero at the moment, and I want to move onto other stuff. After I help Erna with this story, I'm gonna take a break from Re:Zero. Don't worry, I won't be gone forever. I definitely intend to finish up both Re:Starting Life and Warlock's Punishment one day, but that unfortunately is not today. When my passion for Re:Zero is reignited. Ya'll can bet I'll finish where I started. Thank you all so very much for your patience, and I hope to reward you one day. Until then, cya. - Infinite)

Now that that's out of the way, a special thanks to Infinite the Celestain for helping me in making this story, and for being an all-around great guy! If you want to join my Discord server, the link is /Gq3Z3kBu. You can chat with others, post memes and fanfic recommendations and prompts, role play, and fan art, and I'll drop by with announcements and chat with you all every now and then! If you want to add me as a friend, my username is Ernalore#8663! I also post art of my own, and you can find me at my Instagram account of ernalore_aka_the_writer, so check that out as well!

Oh, I also collaborated with my friend VinHD15 over the holidays to make two My Hero Academia Christmas stories. The links to my story are s/14176531/1/The-First-Years-Christmas on , and /works/43811403 on ArchiveofOurOwn. For VinHD15's, his links are s/14176529/1/Christmas-with-the-First-Years on and /works/43773582 on ArhciveofOurOwn! If you want to read more, check out my other stories!

Thanks for reading, see you next time!

- Ernalore

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Next time:

What if Subaru was summoned over fifty years ago?

OR

What if Subaru was summoned during the Demi-Human War?