To me personally this chapter was probably the weakest out of all chapters in terms of grammar, humor and dialogue. It was also the one that made me decide to re-write some of them.
Anyway chapter 3: pre re-write. 9.4k words. Post re-write, 11.8k words.
Enjoy!
-An hour before arriving to the Miload Mansion-
Subaru was entertained while looking at the cliffs and the forests of the region from the carriage's windows with a funny thought on his mind. He had been excited recently about the jokes he's been telling his imaginations.
The delicious expressions they gave him were highly addicting. He always thought they were crying from how entertained they were on the inside, but they didn't want to show him their smiles or laughs yet.
But he's no quitter. He would take this as a challenge to improve until they'd laugh in joy.
So far he had mostly told jokes either about his old home or about his two best friends Juli and Ferris, which he admitted was the peak of fun. Especially their reactions!
Although he would of course give them breaks from time to time so they would look forward for his next jokes. Some days he would feel like not talking, as he was taking joy at his new surroundings. Seeing so many things all at once that he couldn't believe he was seeing again. It simply didn't feel real to him that he was out here. This had to be an elaborate hallucination or an imagination.
Although the food was definitely enjoyable. He was by no means a gourmet, but he enjoyed trying out new meals that weren't the disgusting sludge of his old home. The enjoyable sensation it brought to his taste buds every time made him think the food was the one thing that felt real to him.
Today however had been different.
Today he had been wanting to set the mood for entertainment before arriving at their destination as he saw how exhausted they looked. He had wanted to tell a joke about Emilia and Beatrice since they were always the top pick, but he didn't want to play favorites. He had already teased them several times.
Looking over at his imaginations and back at the window. The scenery reminded him of an evening that lasted a lifetime.. A very magical evening that he spent with Rem. Perhaps that would set the mood? He thought to himself since he hadn't really told jokes about Rem much throughout the trip.
She was by far his most realistic, most authentic imagination out of all of them. Since he knew the real Rem was pranking the entire world by pretending to be asleep.
He decided to try and make his Rem imagination smile like the real Rem, and what a pure smile it was. Maybe she'll even giggle happily.
"Hmmm~ I gotta say, seeing those forests and cliffs so close to the mansion reminds me of that special time I've had with you, Rem-rin." He spoke with a sultry tone.
Rem's attention instantly shifted towards him.
"Look out the window and tell me.. Doesn't it also REMind you? Hahaha! Whoever named you must've had a horn for telling jokes! Or puns in this case."
"Subaru-kun?" Rem asked in confusion. She disliked the way that he looked at her and talked to her was as if she was a hallucination of his mind, but she couldn't really blame him. She always cursed the knights in her mind.
He sighed before speaking. "As always, I'm the one who has to tell the joke. Shame really, I was just thinking back to the time where we had a very VEEEERY~ fun time together."
Some of the others who were inside the carriage instantly looked downcast. They thought this would be another hard to digest story like the ones he told them along the way. A story meant to make them suffer because of their failure.
"Subaru-kun, w-what did we do?" Rem asked afraid of the answer. She was afraid he'd tell a story that blamed her for not taking his hand. Or a story that blamed her for going back with Crusch Karsten and falling into a coma after facing Gluttony and Greed.
"Oh, we just had a special bonding experience once or twice." He gave her a knowing smirk. Watching how her brows furrowed in confusion and worry.
"Still didn't get it?" He pouted. "Explaining jokes always takes the fun out of it." He mused before going on to explain it. "Oh well, it's the kind of fun where a lot of blood and other bodily fluids were involved. Heavy chains too, If you get what I mean."
The moment he said the word "blood" Rem and the others looked alert.
"The devil's—Or excuse me, the Oni's in the details. The first time we had fun it ended too quickly for both of us to be entertained." He gave a sad pout.
"But I'm man enough to admit that was on me. I was sick at the time. Or you could even say..." His eyes looked at Meili with a knowing look. "Cursed."
Meili tilted her head at him in curiosity.
"The finish to that was very explosive though! You get full applause points for that! I mean it's by far one of the most explosive ways I've ever retur-..!"
The Witch's miasma permeating from Subaru suddenly entered Rem and Beatrice's noses, for some reason.
"But the second time." Subaru's smile got bigger and bigger. "Oooh~ now that was a truly TRUUUUULY~ magical evening! It was so fantastic that it makes my brain tremble! You went slow pace that time for full enjoyment. We ended up having fun for... hours." He winked and spoke in a suggestive tone.
'What does he mean? Did I hurt Subaru-kun? No! Not possible. I would rather hurt myself than harm Rem's hero. B-but then why did Subaru-kun say it like t-that..?'
Her face scrunched up in disgust due to the Witch's smell. That, and the way he worded that sounded strange to say the least.. She wondered what had really happened? Or if this story had hidden meanings that blamed her.
"I definitely got to know your best qualities that time Rem. You were relentless and vigorous through and through! You really put those hands to work that time. I mean I was pretty much up to my knees and elbows by the end!" He gave a loud sigh of satisfaction as he had a flashback of that happy, passionate night in the forest near the old Roswaal mansion.
Subaru paused to closely look at her face as he giddily prepared to unload his punchline. "Ahh you really were inspired like a Demon that night! Hahaha!"
After saying his joke. Subaru glanced at Ram who was steering the earth dragons. She had looked downcast and miserable the entire trip despite the jokes he'd tell. Whenever she'd look at him she'd have a pained expression as she would also stare at her sister.
He decided to raise her mood since he already told a joke about Rem. He didn't want to let her feel left out.
"I didn't forget about you, Nee-sama." He called out to her, making her red irises glance at him with anxiousness. "You don't need to look so gloomy and lonely over there. This should be a time of endless joy for you, you know? Your dear sister, whom you forgot ALL about, is right next to us after all... " He trailed off. "Or her imagination is at least, hahaha."
Ram's eyes closed. "Barusu..." She muttered sadly while turning her face away from everyone.
"Joyful occasion indeed. But, forgotten family reunions aside, we had a rocky bonding time once too." He continued on as if he didn't taunt her just now. Rem listened in with interest, despite his scent throwing her off. She wondered if Ram did anything bad to Subaru.
"And what a rocky experience it was! It was definitely one where you went up and I went down so to speak." He imitated falling noises.
"All thanks to you, Nee-sama! You gave me the courage to do such a big leap of faith. Another first time for me... Hahahaha." He lost himself to a fit of giggles after that. Before stopping as he noticed how she turned her face away and hid her reaction from him.
He pouted at her for that. Thinking she didn't think the joke was funny or that she didn't get it.
"Jeez... You too didn't get it? Fine, no biggie. I guess you prefer clowns with make-up and weird accents." He deflated his pout and resumed. "Oh, but your performance that day was exquisite! So dramatic! Especially when you raised your voice so shamelessly early in the morning. I'm pretty sure you woke the entire mansion with your noise! How utterly perverted of you, Nee-sama. To think you're that loud when Rem-rin is... asleep." He glanced at Meili again and started laughing at his joke. He had truly set the mood for the day!
Ram sniffled when he reminded her of Rem being asleep again. She had no idea what he meant although she guessed the story was to remind her of her failure that she couldn't remember her sister. Which he successfully did.
Rem and Beatrice were having a hard time focusing on his words as the witch's miasma got a bit too strong. It had been growing ever since he first spoke to Rem for some reason.
Emilia listened to every word he said with her heart aching more at what happened to Subaru. She remained hugging her knees and staying silent, having done that quite a lot recently.
Garfiel had a grim face while steering the carriage alongside Ram.
"C'mon guys, smile! Laugh! No need to be on edge all the time. You're missing out on such hilarity by looking so down." He tried to cheer them up, before giving them puppy eyes and speaking innocently. "You're even making this crazy soul feel down too. Don't you wanna bask in this handsome guy's~ love instead?"
Meili shuddered at that line. She had been wondering why he glanced at her like that before. Until he spoke in a way that reminded her of Mama.
"So my Rem-rin and Nee-sama imaginations. I told you a joke, it's your turn now. Tell me a good one!" He cheered with a victorious grin creeping up his face once he said that.
They said nothing however the mood has been set once again to full entertainment!
-Miload Mansion-
Finally reaching the mansion. Almost everyone looked exhausted, emotionally speaking. Especially Beatrice and Emilia who looked as if they could collapse at any moment. Their appearance suggested that they were incredibly worn out almost as if they have not managed to taste sleep in days. They wanted nothing more than to head to their rooms and just sleep until they could feel mentally better enough to try and recuperate and figure a way to heal Subaru, as well as regain his forgiveness.
The stories he had told about his "best" friends had done nothing but hammer their already intense guilt further down the drain.
Subaru meanwhile looked overjoyed at where he was. New place, new imaginations, new excitement! Maybe he could finally find out who's the real clown between Roswaal and himself. Maybe crack open a funny one with Otto. He thanked Satella for all those lovely opportunities.
"Ahh so much fun awaits." He said the moment he stepped inside the mansion.
They were greeted by the ever diligent demi-human maid Frederica who looked very anxious once she noticed them coming in.
- O -
When the Emilia camp returned from Priestella a few months ago. Each of them had their own story to tell about the events that happened there. From the invasion of the Witch's cult, to Emilia being kidnapped by Greed, to Garfiel fighting Kurgan and meeting their mother. Frederica was extremely surprised to hear that not only her mother was alive but she had more half-siblings.
Throughout it all there were some gaps in their stories here and there, Especially Emilia's story, in regards to how she was rescued, but Frederica never really thought about it much.
Then the topic was about the post Priestella invasion where Beatrice had mentioned how the Archbishop of Pride himself had tried to infiltrate their ranks after the Witch Cult's attack failed. Which made Frederica recoil in disgust at hearing that. She pitied her lady as it seemed like she was always the target of the Witch's Cult. From Sloth to Greed to now Pride.
Then months passed without any change in Frederica's routine. She watched how the Emilia camp departed for the Pleiades Watchtower, in order to awake the sleeping Oni that looked like Ram, as well as find out what exactly had happened to Roswaal. Hoping the Sage has some answers.
That is until some days ago. Memories instantly flooded her mind of two people at once.
Rem. The twin sister of Ram and her colleague of a long time. They got along really well together especially since Rem was always diligent in her work, unlike her twin.
And Subaru. The boy who reunited her with her brother, saved her and Petra from the attack on the mansion, liberated the sanctuary, and was the reason she got a young sister she adores.
She entered a time of genuine worry at why she couldn't remember anything of Subaru until now, or his current whereabouts.
The last time she heard about Subaru was when her lady's camp went to visit Priestella over 8 months ago. She had been increasingly anxious for news about him ever since.
- O -
"Welcome home, everyone. I've been greatly awaiting your return." Frederica greeted before her face took on a very serious expression. "I have dire news to tell you... it's about Subaru-sa-"
Frederica stopped talking once she caught sight of who was with them. Any words she had in her throat died upon seeing the state of the man in front of her.
"Grandma, what big teeth you have!"
He struggled to contain his laughter while speaking with her. "I'm sorry Frederica... I've been... dying to say that joke! Hahaha... that was good." Exhaling a satisfied breath he continued.
"I wanted to tell it to Garfi but it wouldn't have worked so well. I didn't wanna anger him and turn him into a big angry kitten that hinders your progress and mauls your friends to death right in front of you, if you catch my drift. Speaking of, how's Otto doing these days? Is he still in one piece?" He gave a knowing wink at Garfiel as he said that.
Frederica looked at her brother and the others for an explanation but the devastated looks on Emilia and Beatrice's faces said it all. Something truly horrific must've happened to Subaru to make them look like that.
Which made Frederica's face twist into a sorrowful expression as she inspected Subaru's state once more.
"Subaru-sama.. W..What happened?"
He started to slow clap before increasing his pace.
"Bravo! BRAAAAAVO~! You definitely sell the whole maiden that is heartbroken for the unjust hardship and cruelty that her lover, or in this case friend, had suffered perfectly! Such a warm reception from my newest imagination! As expected from one who is so diligent! And you truly are diligent, aren't you? You work diligently, obey diligently and keep secrets diligently too!" He complimented Frederica.
His tone then shifted to normal as he took a look around. "Warm reception aside, do you have any jokes to tell m- *Thud*"
A broom falling to the ground was heard.
Turning towards the direction of the noise, there stood Petra with her hand to her mouth.
Petra had come by as she heard loud clapping a few seconds ago while doing her chores. She gasped and dropped the broom she was carrying as soon as she recognized the figure that stood there.
She quickly closed the gap between them and embraced him all the while crying and apologizing for forgetting him. She had been feeling awful for the past few days as memories of her hero had returned to her and she haven't seen him since he went to Priestella 8 months ago.
Seeing him like this was a nightmare for her. She could only wonder what had happened to him that turned his hair white and made him look like that. Her hug tightened as she felt that he'd disappear if she let go.
Subaru was surprised by Petra's hug and appearance. He was trying to say a joke to Petra but something held him back.
Don't.
A voice had called out to him. Making him lose attention to his surroundings.
Not her.
He opened his mouth to tell her a joke regardless, but the voice answered once again.
She's innocent. She's real. So is Frederica.
His hand moved out of its own to gently caress Petra's hair.
They're not at fault for what happened to us.
The voice then disappeared. Although His body wouldn't listen to him. His hand remained caressing Petra's head who remained hugging him and stuttering tearful apologies.
Subaru internally sighed in boredom as his inner self would really ruin the fun sometimes. He was curious why his inner self appeared all of a sudden instead of being present from the start of the trip.
He stayed quiet as he was waiting for when he could regain control of his body. His body had stayed stuck being hugged by Petra.
They left Subaru alone with Petra and Frederica as they saw how distracted he was. He didn't say anything to any of them. He didn't move from where he was or looked in their direction. Even when Rem tried to take him to a guest room to rest.
Eventually, they started unpacking and unwinding from the very long trip. Each of them going to their respective rooms, or in Rem's case, preparing a guest room for Subaru and one nearby for herself as she didn't trust any of them aside from potentially Frederica and Petra.
Subaru meanwhile was bored. His body remained hugging Petra until she fell asleep from how much she cried. Then his body summoned shadow hands to carry her to Frederica's embrace, who stayed silent the whole time as she didn't know what to do or say before eventually, he regained control.
"Inner me is so boring." He sighed and decided to take a look around the mansion afterwards since he was missing some old faces. A particular clown most of all as he would definitely tell him jokes.
With that thought in mind, he marched onwards with renewed vigor and purpose. Ignoring a Frederica who called out to him to wait.
Walking around the mansion brought memories of a distant past life into Subaru's mind. Back when everything was real. He couldn't help but feel down about it. He decided to ignore it and just continue his march.
Luckily he didn't need to go too far as the clown's office was rather close by from where he was.
Subaru, being a gentleman, knocked but there was no answer.
He knocked again before deciding to open the door. What Roswaal's imagination doesn't know won't hurt him. He thought.
Upon stepping inside he found many unopened letters riddling Roswaal's desk. Then he noticed a chair with wheels that was overlooking the window, with a certain clown sitting on it.
- O -
While some of the Emilia camp had gaps in their own memories, particularly Emilia and Beatrice. Roswaal by far had taken it the worst.
He didn't know exactly when, but one day he felt as if his centuries of planning had suddenly gone up in the smoke. He had suddenly lost the most important piece and he didn't remember who or what it was or how he lost it. To make matters worse, he had no book of wisdom to guide him as he desperately wanted to know what he missed.
His answer soon came when the Emilia camp returned from Priestella, and they spoke about how the Archbishop of Pride tried to infiltrate their camp by pretending to be Emilia's knight.
Roswaal, upon hearing that, started laughing a joyless laugh mixed with tears. Making the ones that were present for that conversation truly confused over what had happened to him.
Roswaal knew that it had to be the missing piece and by now he was far too late to reach him. And so, realizing his goal has ultimately failed made him completely lose the will to live. They kept asking him to explain or try and talk to him but to no avail.
The months went by and Roswaal showed no signs of recovery. Which unfortunately meant that Annerose and Otto had to take over the nobility meetings that Roswaal was scheduled for, including official meetings of the Kingdom as he was the court mage.
Ram was the most affected by far. Not only did she have a comatose twin sister that she somehow knew was her sister without recalling why she knew that. But now her master and the man she loved had gone completely unresponsive. She even had to ask Emilia and Beatrice for help with her mana infusion.
Ram had gone on the trip to the Pleiades Watchtower for the main reason of waking her sister, but also seeking the Sage's wisdom in finding out if there is a way to restore Roswaal as well.
- O -
Subaru turned Roswaal to face him.
He looked gaunt with a noticeable beard growing on his face. His hair was wild and longer than before. Eyes that were hollow and devoid of any form of life that stared at only one direction.
"Now there's a face only a witch would love. Or I guess it's the reverse in your case hahaha."
The moment Roswaal saw and heard Subaru, something stirred in his mind. His eyes slowly moved for the first time since he found out about the missing piece.
"I doooo~ wonder, what typeeeee~ of jokes will you beeeee~ telling meeee~ this time Rooooooschi~" Subaru smiled joyfully as he greeted Roswaal in his own style. That's one thing scratched off his bucket list, he thought.
Subaru took in Roswaal's appearance. "I gotta say Roswaal. For an imagination, you definitely look like a hand went through your chest and a foot kicked your head to pieces. What happened to you? It's almost as if you're the one who got tortured to the point of losing your mind, while I'm the one who stayed around here." He clutched his heart and spoke in feigned sadness.
Roswaal's lips twitched as if to say something, but he lacked strength. His mind seemed to finally return to life.
"Say Roswaal, from one fellow clown of destiny to another, do you have any jokes to tell me? Any crazy assassins hired? Any cannibalistic rabbits under that tiny hat you wear? A magician and a clown at the same time is the best of both worlds after all. Right?" Subaru's excitement was visible across his face and tone.
After a few seconds the excitement he had, turned into disappointment since Roswaal kept up the same blank reaction.
"It saddens me to be ignored! Here I am kindly speaking to you, and yet, and yet, and yet, and yet, yet, yet, yet, yet!" He bent his back in frustration before returning to a normal posture. "No appreciation for my presence."
"I mean you don't react to my jokes. You don't tell me jokes of your own. You don't even wear the clown makeup, at least that was an entertaining sight. What's gotten to ya, Roschi?" He then paused as realization hit him. What a good actor he is. Totally deserving of the title 'Court Clown'.
"HAHAHAHA! You really are a good clown!" He began laughing outloud while summoning shadow hands to clap Roswaal's epic performance. "I admit this is good! I submit myself as the lesser clown of the two today! You really are pranking me too, aren't you! Yet another warm reception!"
After some seconds he stopped and looked at Roswaal again.
"Anyway, it's getting a bit depressing here despite the good mood we're having. Let's go downstairs and share laughs with the others. Say a joke once if you disagree." Subaru spoke in amusement. Then he saw that Roswaal never moved, which meant he wanted to go down as badly as Subaru did. The great minds of comedy think alike, he thought to himself.
Subaru guided Roswaal down to the mansion's living room where he thought everyone would be.
As they reached closer they were met by Rem. She had been searching for him after she saw that he wasn't where she left him. She, however, was very shocked to see the state of Roswaal. She tried asking him but Roswaal's eyes were solely focused on Subaru.
Entering the living room. He overheard Ram telling Frederica and some other new voices about Subaru's state.
Ram had sat down to talk and explain stuff, about their journey to the Pleiades Watchtower, as well as the journey back to Priestella and meeting Subaru. Not to mention his condition. Since Emilia and Beatrice were in their rooms, Garfiel was out of the mansion taking out his frustration, Meili being a child and Rem was busy preparing a guest room. Meant that Ram had to be the unfortunate one to tell them.
"It was worse when we met Baru-"
"Hello, please excuse me. I'm so sorry to interrupt but isn't it pretty rude to talk about other people when they're not present? Thank you, I'm sorry. I know you care about my well-being, but I'm sorry that you took the time to worry. I'm thankful for your concern, however, that's still a bit rude. Just kidding, I'm sorry?" Subaru spoke as he walked in. Noticing wide-eyed looks from the new voices.
Ram stopped talking as she saw Roswaal was here. She was shocked to see his eyes moving.
"But no worries Nee-sama! I assume you were telling them about my old home?" He asked a question that he received no response to.
"Well, let me paint you all a lovely image! Hmmm~ the cell was filled with blood, bones, body parts, chopped right hands and a heavenly aroma that followed along. Impressive so far, right?" He huffed out his chest in pride as he described his home. "Every part of it was filled with memories of camaraderie, friendship and various levels of torturously fun activities each day! You'll never be bored there hahaha."
He exhaled in utter nostalgia. "I really miss it. Ahh if only we had a way to contact my best friends. I hope they're taking good care of my home."
Subaru then pouted exaggeratedly at Ram.
"Now that I think about it, you and the others never warned me you were coming to visit. I would've at least cleaned up a bit for you. Maybe add a freshly chopped hand here, or repaint the walls with fresh blood there. Just to decorate it for you and make it feel more cozy and homely hahaha"
'Tortured?! I can't believe... The Archbishop that Beatrice-sama... But how? How could Subaru-sama... How could a man like him who has sacrificed and helped us all immensely be mistaken for...'
Frederica's visage was a mixture of heartbreak and horror after hearing all of that. She had sat close to Annerose and once she heard all that she closed off Annerose's ears. While tears were heavily threatening to spill out of her eyes.
'W-what happened to him? I-is this why Emily...?'
Annerose looked shaken and traumatized by Subaru's appearance, as well as what she has just heard him say. She had seen Emily go to her room and lock herself there without greeting Annerose on the way. Emily looked very exhausted with puffy eyes, which made Annerose greatly worry about her. She asked Ram to tell them once she saw her in the living room, which she was doing using less gruesome, descriptive words before Subaru came in with her uncle.
'To be convicted as a Witch Cultist would often lead to execution. Conclude. But to be convicted as an Archbishop.. How is Natsuki-sama even alive? Shock.'
Clind was truly surprised to see the state of his apprentice. Even more, once he learned he was imprisoned as an Archbishop. He knew what happens to those imprisoned because of being affiliated with the Witch's Cult. But to be imprisoned as an Archbishop was much worse. It was a miracle Subaru was even alive let alone could walk.
And lastly, there was Otto.
"Nat...N-Natsuki-san.." Came the trembling voice of Otto who was sitting with his hands to his face as soon as he saw his friend. Seeing him like that made Otto's heart nearly stop beating.
- O -
Otto was there in Priestella when the city was invaded. He had also had his own fight just like the rest of the Emilia camp, he had even suffered an injury to his legs while fending off the Witch Cultists and Archbishops.
Following the invasion's successful repelling. He met with the rest of his camp and heard their stories where they each had their own battles to fight. Which concluded with the mention of how an unknown individual approached Emilia and Beatrice. And this unknown individual turned out to be none other than the Archbishop of Pride himself.
He apparently tried to infiltrate their camp by pretending, and failing, to convince Emilia that he was her knight, and Beatrice that he was her contractor. But luckily he was captured and detained before anything went wrong. Otto had flinched in both fear and disgust when he heard that.
He returned to the mansion with the others, where they had to recuperate following Priestella. Although he couldn't go with them to the Pleiades Watchtower, he still had something to do since Roswaal became unresponsive towards everything for some reason.
He was attending a meeting with Annerose on behalf of Emilia in Costuul when his memory returned. That meeting abruptly ended when Otto clutched his face in horror at who he had forgotten about, all the while remembering what Emilia and Beatrice told him.
Otto, in tears, immediately exited from there in urgency, leaving a highly confused nobleman, a distressed Annerose, and a puzzled Clind behind.
He headed for the closest communication metia in Costuul to contact Priestella. But it didn't work. Apparently, for some reason, no one could contact Priestella. He kept trying to contact that city's garrison, but to no avail.
He stayed in Costuul for the next few days hoping it could work. He also had started hearing all sorts of rumors about Priestella from fellow merchants. The most rumors he had heard of mentioned an individual known as 'Hero of Priestella'. Which made Otto's heart reach his stomach as he realized who that must've meant. Worst-case scenarios were running across his mind the entire time.
He desperately wanted to go to Priestella, but the roads were dangerous for lonely travelers and the trip takes long. Guilty from not being able to do anything to reach his friend. He returned to the Miload mansion feeling heavily crestfallen. Having arrived mere hours before the Emilia camp did.
- O -
"Well if it isn't, and to quote a young maid, 'Ottototo-san.'" Subaru looked at Otto with happiness at seeing his friend again. He walked over to him and gave him a quick hug. Making them all stunned over this sudden action.
"This is such great luck to find you here." Subaru pulled back and patted Otto's shoulders. "I was just telling Roschi on the way down that we need a third member to add to our little circus. What do you say?" He asked him and continued talking without waiting for Otto's reply. Trying to sweeten the offer even more.
"We can finally have that joke where an archbishop, a clown and a merchant walk into a bar. Oh, by bar I mean like a pub or an inn. I don't mean jail hahaha that's just reserved for ME!" His sudden cheerful shout made Otto (And Annerose) jump.
Otto didn't say anything as he kept staring at Subaru with teary eyes.
Subaru resumed talking in a nostalgic tone. "Oh, but why am I telling you that? You know the difference. I mean you were in Priestella after all. so I'm sure you must've heard the screams and yells I did of calling myself innocent as I was being dragged away, right? Wonderful time! I think I might've torn some vocal cords from how excited I was! I should write a 'Thank you' letter to my best friend Ferris for that and his healing hands. Ahh just mentioning my best friend makes my brain tremble, my skin shrivels, my blood boils and my nerves FRYYYYYY~ in anticipation!"
Silence completely dominated the room. They all felt different levels of negative emotions after hearing this. Apart from Roswaal as his mind has only recently woken up.
Subaru looked at them with bliss. "I feel so welcomed! Truly a MARVELOOOOUSLY~ warm reception from all of you guys! I missed you too!"
Well done, Pride.
His inner voice called out to him in a disappointed tone.
You've just traumatized another child. An innocent one even.
After a minute or two the door to the living room opened and Petra was seen breathing tiredly.
"There you are.. S-Subaru-sama." Petra said while catching her breath.
After she woke up she went around the mansion looking for him. She thought he would be resting in his old room but when she looked there, she only saw the Great Spirit lying on the bed and muttering bad words about herself. Greatly shocking Petra as she didn't expect Beatrice to do that.
She then went to Emilia's room as no doubt Subaru would be there. But she saw Emilia was hugging herself, which Petra could understand considering the state that Subaru arrived in. Petra again wondered what really happened to him. She then started moving around searching for him until she heard his voice in the distance.
As she entered she saw different looks on each of them. Particularly Annerose who looked at Subaru with horror, and Frederica who looked at Subaru with great sorrow.
"W-why do you all look like that?" Petra frightfully asked everyone present.
"Petra."
A cold, emotionless voice sounded from Subaru. It made her shudder from hearing him say her name like that.
"Can I ask you a favor? Can you take me to a guest room?" He shook his head for a second as he said that.
"A-alright." Petra said confused and taken aback by his tone.
He turned to face Frederica.
"Frederica."
She flinched as she heard her name in that emotionless voice. She looked up at him with difficulty, noticing his face looked expressionless and his eyes looked dull.
"Can you or Petra bring food to the guest room I'll be using?" She nodded slowly at him. With that he walked away, not caring at all for what they would say or react, despite the fact that some of them noticed he sounded different.
-Priestella-
A Knight Lieutenant was seen walking with a squadron of knights through the streets of the water city. With a single destination in mind; the garrison.
Throughout the streets, there were multiple banners and artworks of the people calling for the release of this so-called "Hero of Priestella", as well as the heads of those who captured him. A notable art work pictured this unknown Hero, dressed ever so gallantly, speaking out messages of hope toward the people while fighting off cultists. Behind this hero were fellow knights lurking behind him with demonic expressions on their visages and swords pointed directly at his back, almost as if to stab him there.
Multiple pamphlets floating around the streets as well that documented this individual's deeds and the injustice wrought upon him by his treacherous comrades who masqueraded as knights.
As they walked across the water city. Not a single patrolling knight was around.
The citizens who were walking by or traveling through the canals, sent glares their way.
'By Reid Astrea. I thought the city's state were merely rumors. What on Od transpired here?' The Lieutenant thought to himself as he was leading his squadron towards the garrison.
As they reached a popular square, they encountered a host of people that seemed to be arguing and discussing amongst themselves. However once they spotted the knights, they started to cuss, yell, spit or throw rotten fruits at them.
Leading many more civilians to exit their houses or look out from the windows, shouting in outrage at them and throwing objects as well. Even those who were riding the water dragons had paused to join in on this scene.
"Release the Hero!"
"That man is the reason my husband is alive!"
"Give us our Hero back!"
"Have you no honor?! Have you no shame?!"
"He fought to save us all and you all betrayed him! And for what?!"
"Backstabbing villains the lot of you!"
"He led the camps, gave us hope, and killed the Witch Cultists! And how do you reward him?! A stab to the back! For shame! FOR SHAME!"
"Divine Dragon takes you all you vile monsters!"
"Curse the knights! Curse the sages! A curse upon you all!
The knights and even the Lieutenant looked highly uncomfortable after this treatment, not knowing how to act as they have never been treated such. They knew they were here to restore the peace, however, they thought it was a rather few unruly citizens and not the entire city.
'Damn you, Marcos. You should have come here instead of throwing me and my men directly into the mabeast's den.' He thought angrily for a moment.
'He told me to assess the situation and bring peace to the city. He told me to not let the situation get out of hand without realizing it already did. This will not go well in the report..' He sighed to himself as he as well as his troops continued their march.
After a long nerve-wracking walk, they finally reached the main entrance to the garrison, where they were met with more angry citizens who had been trying to storm the garrison in order to free their hero.
The knights including the Lieutenant were drenched by all sorts of thrown objects the citizens deemed fit to use.
The knights who were guarding the garrison's entrance looked surprised and relieved by this appearance.
"Halt!" He called out to his troops.
"Form a barricade around the entrances. Do not let anyone in or out. Healers, stand ready, and get close to the front but not too close. Heal anyone that suffers an injury be they knight or civilian."
He gave them a warning before they left. "Remember, we're only here to bring peace. Stand firm and be vigilant. If any of you do anything to incite further chaos then you will be answering to me. Now get to your posts!" They all saluted and left.
"Open the gate!" He called out to the garrison's knights.
As they were opening the gate. He turned towards his second-in-command. "I will enter the prison to investigate while you will be in charge. Get the knights with earth affinity to create small walls to make the barricades more effective. Also, make sure to assign a bodyguard for every healer and make sure to keep the combatants in check. We do not want any more ill news to reach the capital. I'll have you assess the situation out here. We want as many facts as we can before we get new orders. We'll undoubtedly do at this point."
"Understood Lieutenant." His second-in-command then saluted and went to do as she was ordered.
Entering the garrison, he noticed the guards of the gate looked as if they had been utterly exhausted.
"You." He spoke to one of them. Making the guard stand in attention.
"Y-yes Sir?"
"Who is in charge here? Why was the communication metia not used to inform us of this in the Capital?"
"S-sir I'm not entirely sure anymore. The commander fled after something happened that made most of the other knights completely u-unresponsive. He kept muttering about not wanting to lose his.. h-head.." The guard said nervously.
'Not wanting to lose his head? Bah, what a coward. Instead of taking responsibility he left his men all alone.'
"A knight fleeing from his duty.. How utterly disgraceful. Tell me his name after this conversation is concluded. Regardless, there is still the matter of not reporting the state of the city for us. But I will be assuming none of you here had any clearance."
The guards collectively nodded.
"Very well then. I'm relocating you all to my command. You will lead me to the communication metia after I'm done investigating here. For now, lead me towards the prison. I want to witness this 'Hero of Priestella' for myself and determine their character."
"I-I'm not sure he's here anymore, Sir."
The Lieutenant ran his hand through his beard. "Not here you say? If this individual is not here then where is he? Has anyone extracted him?"
"I-I'm not sure, but I remember the Sword Demon running here in desperation some days ago." The Lieutenant was highly curious by this mention.
The guard continued speaking in a frightful tone now. "A-and then the prison went silent. T-the knights there, t-they don't speak of what happened.. I-it's like th-they are h-haunted by something."
The Lieutenant looked unimpressed and didn't believe a word. "They will answer to me. Now then let us be off. You lot rest. You have done your duty, now allow my men to take over it. Report to my second-in-command after you rest." The exhausted guards looked very relieved to hear this.
He then went off towards the prison with the knight who spoke to him.
'Why would the venerable Wilhelm van Astrea run to the garrison in desperation? It must have been to extract Blue for the Duchess. Last I heard she was afflicted with dragon blood. I pray the good Duchess is in fine health.'
Upon reaching the prison, the Lieutenant dismissed the exhausted guard to rest as well before embarking inside.
'Ugh, even after 14 years of service, I could never get used to this smell.' The Lieutenant thought as he walked in.
He saw how there were many knights on guard that looked as if they had done or witnessed something truly horrific.
'Why do they all look as if they had suffered a crushing blow to their morale?'
"It wasn't my fault.. It wasn't my fault.. It wasn't my fault.." He heard one of the knights muttering, which made him greatly alerted.
He found a lonely prison knight who didn't look quite as guilty as the others but still had traces of shame on his visage. He decided to ask him.
"You." He spoke to the warden, who slowly met his gaze.
"What on Od happened here? Why do your fellow knights look as if they just lost a heavy battle? And where is the cell of this 'Hero of Priestella'?"
The warden looked very nervous and afraid. He took a minute to compose himself before speaking.
"S-S-Sir I.." The warden then paused in frightfulness. Which the Lieutenant took note of.
"Rest easy. I simply wish to know what happened. Guide me towards the cell of that individual and speak to me what you know of. Spare no detail, that's an order." The warden then did as he asked. He led him towards a section of the prison reserved for their most dangerous prisoners. Eventually, they reached a cell that made the Lieutenant look in disgust at how much dried blood, bones, and rotted hands were in that cell.
Then he ordered the warden to explain the meaning of this. The warden began nervously and tearfully explaining events detailing the last 8 months in here.
The Lieutenant lost his composure several times during the story.
"I am in no mood for jests. Are you telling me a knight of a Royal Candidate, and a renowned one at that, was paraded around the city and imprisoned here? Did they not know who he is? Over 8 months ago you say.. Tell me his accusation."
"The Archbishop of Pride?! Inconceivable... He is the one who was convicted of that? Where is the evidence?"
"What?! Are you saying a Royal Candidate's knight was accused of being the Archbishop of Pride without any evidence?! Without anyone questioning it?! The entire kingdom celebrated his capture for Od's sake!"
"Speak damn you! What else has happened!"
"YOU FOOLS!" his roar shook the entire prison. Making the guilty knights who heard him tremble in fear. "Have you all gone mad?! Have you entirely lost your minds?! Do you not comprehend the consequences of your actions?! Give me the names of every knight who stepped inside this cell! That's an order!"
"Where are they now?! WHERE ARE JULIUS JUUKLIUS AND FELIX ARGYLE?!" The entire prison shook again with his outrageous roar.
"I-I-I don't know s-sir! T-the Sword Saint. He's the last person who saw t-them."
He clicked his tongue in annoyance "Are you saying Reinhard van Astrea was knowingly complicit in this act?"
"P-please b-believe me s-sir! I'm telling you the truth! I-I swear on the Divine Dragon!"
He sighed a very long, very deep sigh. Trying hard to calm his already ruined temper. What he had just heard was the most unbelievable story he had ever heard. How did an entire city's garrison mistake a famous knight of a Royal Candidate as the Archbishop of Pride and heavily torture him for 8 months without anyone questioning it. The entire kingdom celebrated a falsely accused man who had brought more harm towards the Witch's Cult than the Sword Saint. The shame of it all. He has never felt this shame at being a knight before.
"And where is Subaru Natsuki now?" His voice grew louder in irritation. "Have they killed the poor man and took turns pissing on his grave because they felt they did not do enough dishonor to last one lifetime!"
"I-I don't know sir. I was on patrol duty when S-Subaru Natsuki left."
"Very well then. You're coming with me." He saw the knight looking more nervous than before. "It's clear to me that you were not involved in the utterly shameful and dishonorable acts that transpired in this cell. Still, you were a part of those here who clearly knew what happened and did nothing to question it. I will leave your fate in the Knight Commander's hands. For now, I want you for something else."
The knight said nothing as he became very frightened once he heard that. He prayed the Knight Commander Marcos would be lenient.
The Lieutenant exited the prison with a very grim look on his face. His eyes looked towards the barricaded gates that his troops were guarding.
'By Reid Astrea.. The dishonor I feel from hearing all that... To think some of our own would resort to that. To think the Finest of Knights and Blue would do that to their own fellow Candidate's knight. What form of madness has overtaken them? Are their Lieges also involved in this mess? That remains to be seen.. Although this all seems like a conspiracy... It now makes sense why we were shunned when we entered this city.'
They finally reached the front gate where the Lieutenant's second-in-command was overseeing the command.
"Lieutenant Garrick." She saluted as she noticed her commander.
"This is my second-in-command." He spoke towards the prison knight accompanying him. "I want you to give her anything that helps identify them. Names, descriptions, titles, ranks of every knight who was responsible. Including the main two culprits." Then he turned towards his very confused looking second-in-command.
"Make note of everything this man says. I will be reporting to the Knight Commander in the meanwhile to request reinforcements and await further instructions. After you gather all the details I want you to capture and detain every knight inside the prison. We will interrogate their involvement in this. Also send out a capture party for the previous commander here." She looked even more utterly confused.
He noticed how clearly confused she was.
"I will fill you in on the details later for now do as I say."
"Understood Lieutenant."
Garrick rested his face in his hands after all that was done. "We'll unfortunately have to play both peacekeepers and prison wardens."
He released a heavy sigh. "A thousand curses upon you Marcos for sending me here... This will definitely not go well in the report.."
-Miload Mansion's guest room-
Petra guided him towards the guest room that Rem had prepared for him earlier.
"S-Subaru-sama, Are you really okay?" Petra asked him as she was about to leave to bring him food.
"I'm good." He answered short and to the point before speaking more to assure her. "Don't worry about how I look. I'll be back in tiptop shape sooner or later."
She smiled in relief. His words sounded more like how she remembered him, except for his tone. She was still really worried over how he looked and very curious about what happened to him, but couldn't bring herself to ask him. She left to bring him food after that.
I don't know about you but this is pretty boring to watch. I want to hear good jokes. I don't want to see this. *Bored sigh* You interrupted me just as I having fun before.
Pride's voice sounded in his head once Petra left. Subaru ignored that and didn't reply.
See, this is why nobody likes us. This is why all our friends betrayed us. This is why I have all the good friends and you don't. This is why no half-elf will ever answer us.
Subaru clenched his fist tightly once he heard Pride's voice.
*Excited tone* Oooh~ I felt that fist clench. So enjoyable! Do that again! Oh hey, are you gonna make our knuckles bleed? We do have new walls to paint after all.
The door then opened and Petra walked in with a tray of food.
"H-here you go Subaru-sama." She spoke in a shaky voice as she was sad whenever she saw him.
Good time for a joke. C'mon one, just one good joke to set the mood!
He ignored Pride and thanked her for bringing him the food. "Thanks."
The food looks delicious, but I'd bet you wanna see a delicious expression from this imagination instead ... su? Or was it "tsu"? I must've FORGOTTEN it!
"Shut up." He spoke harshly, making Petra flinch
"E-Eh? U-Um... I-I'm s-s-sorry. S-Subaru-sama." Petra stuttered guiltily as she thought she was bothering him. She looked at the ground rather than him.
Pfft hahahaHAHAHA! I knew you had it in you!
Subaru internally sighed and tried to ignore Pride's taunts as he moved to give her a small head pat. Which made her look up at him in confusion.
"That wasn't meant for you, Petra."
'Who was Subaru-sama talking to if not me?' She asked herself in confusion before she slowly nodded and began setting the table for him.
Once she finished. She set out to leave but his voice called out for her.
"Wait."
She turned around with a perplexed look at him.
"You brought me too much food. Did you eat?"
She shook her head.
"I won't be able to eat all of this on my own. If you want to join, feel free."
Petra accepted his invitation.
They started eating in silence. Petra had wanted to talk to him but she couldn't shake off the looks the others had when she walked in. She even heard Frederica crying when she went to pick up the food.
Subaru meanwhile was feeling bitter that he couldn't taste the food. Frederica always cooked the best dishes and yet he couldn't enjoy their taste. He wondered why his other self could taste and not him.
After that quiet meal was finished. Petra gave him a big hug and told him that she will be there whenever he needs or wants anything. She then took the tray and left him alone.
He stared out of the window after he was left alone. To clear his head from being in this place again and from seeing old faces.
Those forests definitely remind me of the time we had fun with Rem, wasn't that fun for you too? Or, or, or. What about that really tall hill over there? Doesn't it look like a good spot to do a leap of faith from?
Subaru sighed heavily as he heard him.
"Subaru-kun?" Rem asked worriedly. She was genuinely curious over his state of mind. The way he spoke to them before was the first time he spoke like that since she met him at the cursed prison.
Oh hey, speaking of the devil (or Oni), since you think Petra is real, for some reason, then this one definitely isn't! Guaranteed! We both know the real Rem-rin is pranking us by being asleep.
He stared at her coldly, inspecting her from head to toe. "Rem? Is that you, Rem?" He tilted his head and asked with sincerity.
Her lips quivered as she heard him speak to her with some form of normalcy, although the tone and his cold stare made her nearly flinch. She had a small hope that his sanity was restored.
She stepped closer to him. "Y-yes, it's me Subaru-kun. It's your... Rem."
"I find it very hard to believe it's actua-" He was embraced by Rem.
His face showed no emotion although he was surprised by the physical contact. He remembered seeing Rem hugging Pride before many times, but he, like Pride, also assumed she was an actual imagination.
"You're real? You're awake?" She nodded as her face nuzzled into the crook of his neck while embracing him. "It's me, Subaru-kun. I'm really here.."
She trembled as she spoke softly to him. "I'm sorry, Subaru-kun.. I'm so sorry for your pain... f-for not taking your hand when you offered it... N-none of this would've happened if I did..."
As Rem was lamenting in sadness, Subaru was still processing this. His body was immobile.
He slowly spoke up. "Even though I'm processing that you're here. I don't blame you... for what happened to me."
Rem shook her head in refusal. "B-but I didn't take your hand. If I did.. Th-"
He interrupted with a harsh tone. "But nothing. Playing 'What If's' won't change what happened."
Rem stayed silent and diverted her gaze from him.
He sighed and tried again after noticing her expression. "Look. If you took my hand then who knows how many would've died to the Whale, or the Witch's Cult." Saying that last name with more hatred than his emotionless tone let out on.
"So don't think that I blame you for that. Maybe things would've been different if you took my hand, but if you did then the Whale would still roam around. Petelgeuse would still be attacking villages."
Rem's eyes darted towards him in disbelief that he said that. "W-why? Why aren't you angry with me? Why don't you yell at Rem... Rem not taking your hand c-caused you to.." She trailed off.
"That's not how this works. You're not the reason for what happened to me, Rem. If anything, I'd say we're both victims of Gluttony." His eyes flashed with anger for a split second before reverting back.
"B-but I-"
"Look at me." She slowly raised her head. "It wasn't your fault." He said as his hand slowly moved to hug her.
"Ram wasn't involved in what happened to me either."
She cried harder once she heard that. Once she heard he doesn't blame her. Once she heard she could try and mend her broken relationship with her sister. The vengeful thoughts that dominated her mind began to exclude her sister a little bit. A bitter thought entered her mind, he was the one who was hurt and she was supposed to comfort him when it was the reverse.
*yawn* Those are some pretty heroic words from one who was called a villain. I do wonder how Emilia-tan's doing while you're busy with this romantic scene. You're probably making Satella-tan all jealous now too. Then again Envy is a good color on her.
After a few minutes of silence where the only noises were Rem's sobs slowly decreasing. Subaru suddenly jerked his head to the forest as he saw the sun coming down.
"Look at that, the sun's almost down. Isn't it a beautiful scene?" She lifted her eyes to look at what Subaru was staring at.
"If Rem's hero thinks so, then Rem thinks so too." She agreed with a small smile.
"You know what that means, Rem-rin?" She shook her head, slightly confused over the sudden change of tone.
"It means it's a lovely time to put me to sleep and then run off to have a snow festival with villagers and cultists in the old mansion. Oh, but don't forget to leave a letter hahaha."
"S-Subaru-kun?" She asked in worry as her smile faded.
"And such a delightful festival it was! Petra had very VEEEEERY~ nice eyes that ti-" Subaru's mouth stopped working. It kept twitching as if it was wrestling with itself on what to say. Meanwhile, his hand went to his head.
"Are you alright?"
He spoke in a quiet tone. "I'm fine, just tired. Go away."
She stayed where she was. Worried over what he was dealing with. She moved her hand towards his head in order to heal what she thought was a headache.
"Leave." He spoke very seriously while hitting her hand away, making her flinch back from both the way he spoke and the unexpected hit to her hand.
"I'm just tired. I haven't slept well lately."
He gave her one last look before completely turning his body towards the window.
Rem said nothing. She gave him a look of sadness as she left. She thought back to how his tone had changed twice.
"How boring you are. You've ruined a joke just before I said the punchline. Although you have to admit... Petra did have nice eyes that time, hahaha!"
As night came in. Subaru was unable to sleep on the bed, he kept thinking it was uncomfortable and that he preferred the ground over this bed. He really wanted to go down to the dungeons of the mansion, atleast it'd remind him of his old home that he missed. He had even called dibs on it earlier during their trip until his boring inner self took control and had Petra lead him here.
Not able to sleep and bored. He noticed the moonlight coming through the window and lighting up a small part of the wall from the guest room. He had an idea in his mind to have fun and summoned shadow hands to try and make some shadow art with them on the walls. Until he realized the art he made was invisible.
He sighed in boredom and tried to use an authority he obtained from defeating one of the wise men. He had called this authority; Cor Leonis. Which allowed him to see if there were any allies nearby, among other things.
He activated it to see if any of his imaginations were in the area to entertain him until he falls asleep. However, to his utter lack of surprise, he couldn't see any dots nearby, much like whenever he'd use this ability in prison to find his good friends but always failed.
"Must be my Inner me holding that authority back because he boringly believes all my good friends and imaginations are not friends. Keeps stealing my fun and ruining everything!" Pride sighed to himself.
A new figure emerged. It looked like Subaru but with his old black hair and his old tracksuit. He also looked more healthy.
It's because you don't believe they're real. Not because of whatever I think about them. You keep referring to them as imaginations to cope with what happened to us.
"And what makes you think that? I mean you're the one who boringly took control to steal the fun. I was on such a roll before you showed up. I was having fun." Pride said towards his fun-stealing inner self.
I took control because you were driving them too far. That and I didn't want you to traumatize the innocent ones further. Look, Annerose is just a child and so is Petra. Frederica is innocent and has never harmed us. Clind is innocent despite what he's... Like... Rem was in a coma and she's also a victim of Lye, just like us. We forgave her for our past deaths ages ago, especially after what we went through together. Who does that leave? Ram? She wasn't in Priestella. I'd put Meili on that list, but you've already probably traumatized her.
Pride yawned in boredom. "Hmmm~ can you try saying that slower? I do need something to help me sleep."
*sigh* I've rambled and skipped the point so I'll just say it directly. Why don't we stop to focus on recovering? We're not forgotten anymore it seems and they look regretful, especially Emilia and Beatrice. Isn't that enough? We don't have to keep rubbing it in everyone's faces when they already look worse for wear. Let's just stop this and focus on getting healthy again. We'll need to be better fit fo-
Pride immediately interrupted. "Stop? No my not-so-funny Inner me, I won't be stopping. Why should I stop? It's so much fun! Hey, you know you're lucky I haven't imagined our imaginations' deaths yet for your interference. I've thought of some very entertaining and ironic deaths to set the mood for them. Unless, you tell me a joke but no promises!"
Pride was happy to see his inner self's displeased frown appear. This was Pride's payback for his inner self ruining his fun.
They're real. This isn't an imagination . You only think they're imaginations because you refuse to believe the truth of what happened to us. I admit it's pretty ironic of me to say that considering I too believed Rem was an imagination until a few hours ago, but I'll repeat it again. They. Are. Real. Feel free to ignore them if you want to though.
Pride stopped smiling. "Real?"
"Hah..." His voice came out pained as he shook his head at his inner self. "They're not real..." Remembering the time in the cell when he'd summon imaginations of them to entertain him.
He spoke in a serious tone. "The ones I see every night are more real than them."
He then conjured several figures around him of people who were once real to him.
Emilia was the first figure who spawned. She pointed her finger at him in accusation.
Beatrice glared at him while preparing a Minya crystal.
Reinhard stood by watching in silence.
Julius pointed his sword at him in disgust.
Felix cruelly smiled at him.
Wilhelm stared at him with a grim expression and his sword aiming at him too.
Roswaal was grinning at him while holding a book.
Garfiel was a big angry cat that snarled at him.
Otto looked at him disapprovingly while clenching his fist.
Almost every imagination he spawned had looked at him with some form of disdain. They littered across the entire room.
Until finally Satella's imagination came out. It stood closest to him and was the only one who looked at him with compassion and her hand stretched out to caress his cheek.
"Look at them and tell me if any of the ones I just summoned are fake. Why do you think I'm having so much fun with the new versions of my imaginations? Because the real versions of them always look at me like that... They never change." His voice fell as he said that last line. He dismissed the figures he conjured, leaving Satella the last one left. He closed his eyes as his face touched the figure of Satella's hand before she disappeared.
That doesn't change what I sai-
Pride immediately interrupted him. "No, you shut up! They can't be real! Do you know what it means if they're real? It means they hurt us. They manipulated us. They tortured us. They betrayed us! We're like this because of them and here you are boringly preaching forgive and forget!"
Don't take it the wrong way. I haven't forgiven anyone responsible and I probably won't for a very long time, if ever. But if you won't stop then why don't we go away? We're free. We can go anywhere we'd like. We're not tied to any of them anymore meaning t here is no reason to stay here . The only thing this place-No, this shitty world has ever brought us is pain and misery. Let's go away from here. We don't have to see their faces anymore.
Pride closed his eyes and put his hands to his ears. "Shut up! You go away! I want to laugh and not hear this crazy talk that ruined the fun mood I was having. You should be thankful I'm in control most of the time. I'm at least making it a fun ride for your boring, robotic bones."
His inner self sighed with heavy frustration at him before disappearing.
Pride opened his eyes again and kept blinking as he was shocked his inner self disappeared without having the last word in.
"Huh? Inner me has actually gone quiet instead of arguing back using that boring logic of his! Is that his kind of a prank?"
He started clapping.
"For once he's entertaining! Well played! This is for getting me good, Inner me! Good prank from you! Hahaha, finally you redeemed yourself for that awfully boring conversation."
He sighed in utter bliss and satisfaction.
Pride realized it was getting late so he put his hands in front of his face in a prayer motion. "Hello, Satella-tan!"
He proceeded to talk about his day. What jokes he told. What imaginations he saw. Their expressions. He quickly summarized his talk with his boring inner self because he didn't wanna bore Satella too much, since she probably deals with him all the time in her garden.
"Anyways, Goodnight Satella-tan! I can't wait to see you in person or maybe even a visit to your garden again. It's no fun that you're hogging Inner me all to yourself, you know? I too want to hear your angelic jokes while I'm asleep on the divine pillow!"
He then yawned with a big smile as he remembered that time in the Garden when he made Satella weep from laughter. What an adorable sound she made as she chortled wailingly while hugging him lovingly. That is until his inner self appeared. Sigh...
He shook his head and started to think whose turn is it today for him to count. Then he started to count the names of the Greek pranksters in his head.
'One Zeus..'
'Two Hades..'
'Three Poseidon..'
'Four Hera..'
=Sometime later that night=
A small figure had come into the guest room that Subaru was in.
She had followed Petra when she went to fetch him dinner. Her dead sister had taught her the ways of stealth so she could easily mask her steps and walk around without any form of sound.
She had been tempted to kill him since the trip. At first, it was for both revenge and mercy for her sister and his pleading to die while asleep. Now because she didn't like being around him.
He made her remember her Mama too much. He even spoke like Mama earlier. The way he acted and behaved to those people reminded her of how Mama would behave sometimes, seemingly relishing the way they all looked horrified when he would open his mouth.
He had also stared at her and gave her weird looks sometimes, whenever he spoke. Almost as if taunting her that he knows something.
She had been waiting till he was alone so she could kill him without them suspecting it was her. That, and the blue-haired missy would always stand guard around him.
She didn't have a Mabeast with her so the only way to kill him was by using a kitchen knife too large for her size. She had mimicked some of her sister's movements before coming inside his room.
As she got closer and closer to his sleeping form, she stared at his visage. He seemed to be at peace while asleep although Meili never really knew what that meant. She thought it must mean the looks. Or maybe it meant he didn't seem so bad while asleep?
She clutched the knife tighter and remembered her sister's teachings and the way she acted.
She took a deep breath as she prepared to strike. Launching her attack with decisive speed, before suddenly her hand was immobilized. Something invisible was grabbing her hand that held the knife. Then she heard a cackle.
"Grandma, what big knife you have! Hahaha"
Author's note.
Subaru has the best family reunions, doesn't he?
Anyway, hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! See you on the next one.