A.N.: And here we have it! The biggest chapter I've written so far for this story. I hope you will enjoy it!
Harisson had known that Garfiel would be big in his beast form.
But this… this was ridiculous. Four metres tall at least of nothing but pure muscle, resembling a bipedal buff tiger. An aura of pure power surrounded him from head to toe, vicious glowing red eyes with an emerald core. It was terrifying. Horrifying. There was absolutely no way his puny broadsword would do any damage to them.
But he didn't have to win. All he had to do was survive. Survive, and buy time. They could run, and…
"Stay back." Ram started walking forwards with a small smile, right up to Garfiel.
"Wait… miss Ram!" Otto exclaimed.
"Ram… even for you…" Harisson began, eyes narrowing.
"Ha!" The maid's smile grew smug. "You haven't seen me fight yet Harisson. Observe."
Harisson's eyes widened as Garfiel began charging forward, swearing as he considered throwing his sword at the beast. But too late, as Garfiel brought a clawed fist down…
Only for Ram to jump up, slamming her fist into his head. Even more astounding, it clearly had an impact, leaving the colossal beast stunned for a moment as Ram landed without a scratch.
"Have you ever once beaten me in a punch out?" She confidently asked, dodging another blow before again jumping upwards and slamming her fist in his cheek.
"No…way…" Otto stuttered.
Harisson watched with wide eyes as Ram absolutely pummeled Garfiel, slamming her fists into him over and over again with incredible speed and strength. "Never holding back my ass…" He said, smiling wildly in disbelief as he put his sword back in its scabbard. It would be of no use here. "You've always been going lightly on me, haven't you?" Od, she hadn't once fought him seriously. Not even close. A single one of those punches would have broken bone in him. Finally, Garfiel was sent crashing down with a powerful jab, Ram landing back from her assault. "You did it!" Harisson exclaimed with a wide smile.
Ram turned back, a confident and slightly smug smile on her face. As she opened her mouth to answer, her eyes grew wide in shock and pain. Blood spurted from her head. Harisson gasped. She must have gotten struck during the exchange.
"You've gotten stronger… Garf."
The beast was already back up, charging with a roar. Harisson swore, drawing his bow and firing an arrow at him, only for the arrow to bounce harmlessly off the thick hide of the creature.
"NO!" He screamed, running towards them.
A piercing screech echoed through the woods as Otto held up the blue stone, Garfiel's eyes snapping to it and turning to charge towards the merchant, allowing the maid to dash out of the way. Otto's bravery seemed to be replaced with the realization of what he'd just done as the full beast mode Garfiel charged towards him, Otto screamed and running away as fast as he could, Harisson hot on their trails trying to fire shot after shot to get Garfiel's attention. As Garfiel was about to slam his foot down onto him, Ram exclaimed:
"Al Fula!" The blades of wind surging forth only for Garfiel to swing around and roar so powerfully it, to Harisson's horror, actually countered some of the power of the wind blades, only suffering minor injuries.
"That's…" He let out a chuckle of disbelief. "That's completely bullshit…" Still, he pulled another arrow, notching it into the bow. "Subaru, you better be doing your part…" Ram landed next to him, taking a stance as Otto rose up behind Garfiel. "Because this isn't going to be pretty."
Garfiel roared, charging towards them. Harisson knew he couldn't do any damage. The only one who'd been able to do anything resembling harm to Garfiel in this state so far was Ram; Perhaps Otto might be able to pull something off with his explosive crystals. Even then… Regardless, he was the most useless one here.
"Garfiel!" He exclaimed as he ran to the side. "You goddamn meat brain! You think you scare me?! I've seen kittens with more bite than you!" He internally screamed as the bait seemed to work, the beast lunging for him with a snarl. He began running, unable to contain himself and screaming hysterically as the loud lumbering footsteps grew closer and closer .
"El Fula!" The blades caught Garfiel in the side, slowing him down considerably and allowing Harisson to put some further distance between them.
"Thanks Ram!" He exclaimed.
"Don't do that again, dumbass!" She snarled angrily. "Playing bait doesn't suit you!"
"Not much else I can do with this gu…" The roar that emerged from Garfiel drowned out his words. "Od damn it, how can a fourteen year old be so tough?!"
"Garfiel is… special." Ram quickly said. "Al…"
"Eat this!" Otto exclaimed, throwing more exploding stones to Garfiel as Ram unleashed a devastating attack. This seemed to work somewhat.
They quickly entered a pattern. Harisson would try and distract Garfiel, Otto and Ram would unleash a combined attack, it would do little to no damage, repeat. They managed to keep this up for some time.
Until Otto ran out of crystals.
Ram ran out of energy, growing slower and more erratic in her attacks.
And Harisson was slammed into a tree.
Thankfully, it was barely a grazing hit from Garfiel, who'd been trying to swat away some of Ram's attacks. However, even that was enough to send him flying away, coughing up blood as he crawled on the ground, heavily wounded. The sun was setting in the horizon; They'd been holding him off for quite some time now.
"F…fuck…" He whispered softly. "Oh… Oh that hurts…" Ram landed next to him, collapsing to one knee.
"I've reached my limit. Any more than that and he will crush me." She was panting heavily. "You?"
"I think I don't have any broken bones." He said in a choked voice. "Other than that, everything hurts." The sound of beast Garfiel slowly walking away caught his attention, trees splintering and shattering. "Ugh… where's Otto?"
"Right here Harisson." The voice of the merchant came from above, Harisson looking up to find Otto stuck in some branches. "I don't think he appreciated my artisanal work."
"Tell me about it…" Harisson grumbled. "I guess that's as far as we can go."
"It'll have to be enough." Ram bluntly said. "We held him off as much as we could."
"Still, we should probably follow him. He's going to where mister Natsuki is after all." Otto said. "Just… in a minute."
"Yeah." Harisson collapsed on the ground, panting. "In a minute."
By the time they made it there, it was already over.
Night time had fallen. Subaru had somehow defeated Garfiel, but had fallen unconscious doing so. Harisson had nearly collapsed with relief when finding out it had worked out after all. Garfiel had also fallen unconscious, Ram having decided to give him a lap pillow. Harisson couldn't help but occasionally give a wary glance towards the demihuman. Having seen exactly what they were capable of did not fill him with confidence regarding another fight with them. He had no idea how Subaru had managed to beat them.
A soft smile spread across his face. Regardless of how, he'd done it. This was by far the most progress they'd made so far. Perhaps… Perhaps this one would have a happy ending.
He glanced at Subaru's numbers. Twenty nine black. His hands clenched on his arms.
Od knew they needed one.
"You guys reaaaaaally got roughed up, huh…" Emilia spoke up.
"Ah, we're fine Lady Emilia!" Otto exclaimed. "This was all part of the plan, we expected some trouble… though I have to admit. Garfiel was tougher than I ever expected."
"Tell me about it." Harisson sighed. "I was doing absolutely nothing to it. How humiliating."
"Come now, comparing your strength to Garfiel is a pointless task." Ram rebuked surprisingly gently. "You did adequately for what you are capable of right now. I will however be training you going forward."
Harisson's eyes widened in surprise. "...Oh." He mumbled, blushing slightly. "Thank you." The praise was not something he'd expected from her. From Ram, such a blunt person, he knew she was being honest.
"Don't get used to it."
"Ugh…" Subaru mumbled, grabbing his head as he slowly woke up, mumbling something and silencing the group.
"Huh? What did you say?" Emilia asked.
"Uh, nothing." Subaru quickly answered. "You're letting me use your lap as a pillow again. I guess that's my reward for overcoming my biggest battle yet."
Ram and Harisson exchanged a look, the maid rolling her eyes.
"Yes, yes."
Patrasche squawked, catching Subaru's attention and making him look up, finally noticing both the ground dragon and Otto's presence.
"Oh, mister Natsuki! You're awak…"
Subaru immediately got up and rushed towards Otto, headbutting him in the chest and sending him sprawling onto the ground.
"Wha…what did you do that for?!" Otto exclaimed.
"Shut up you idiot!" Subaru angrily said. "You jerk! This happened because you went off and did your own thing!"
Harisson quietly began walking towards Ram, hoping to put the maid between himself and the angry Subaru.
"But I guess I might have been in trouble without your help, so it's not like I'm not grateful at all."
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Otto yelled back.
Subaru chuckled, giving him a hand. "I'm glad you're alright."
Otto smiled, letting Subaru get him back up. "Same to you, mister Natsuki."
"Now, where is that idiot Hari…" Subaru's eyes locked with Harisson, who was only half way towards Ram. Immediately, he began charging towards him, Harisson squeaking in fear and running behind the maid. "Coward!"
"I've already fought Garfiel today! I'm not letting you headbutt me as well!" Harisson yelled back, only to get an elbow in his stomach as Ram shushed him, pointing at Garfiel.
Subaru laughed, pointing at him before silencing himself as Ram glared at him in turn. His cocky smile was swiftly removed as Patrasche hit him with her tail.
"Need a translation?" Otto asked.
"She said 'don't worry me like that', right?" Subaru said.
"Also, 'don't get too full of yourself, there won't be a next time.' That's where the extra rage is coming from."
Harisson had to try very hard to not giggle hysterically at that. Oh Otto. He was so glad the merchant didn't know the madness that lay below. Judging himself safe, he walked away from Ram, leaving her and Garfiel to themselves.
Subaru thankfully had much better self control than Harisson. "Thanks, girl." He said, softly petting the ground dragon.
Harisson glanced back as Garfiel began waking up, promptly thrown off Ram's lap as the two began discussing. This was none of Harisson's place to listen. He made sure to stay away.
Eventually, Garfiel began walking towards the ruins. Harisson watched as he entered it somewhat surprised. He hadn't realized Garfiel was able to take the trial himself.
"Oi. Ram." He asked, walking up to her. "What is Garfiel doing?"
"What he should have done a long time ago." She softly answered.
"You two know each other well, don't you?" He asked with a smile. "Well, you'll forgive me if I take a while getting used to him."
"You are an innkeep, are you not? Being able to deal with people is part of your profession." She gave him a sharp glance. "Deal with it."
"Jeez, I get it already…" He added with a chuckle. "Fine, fine. I'll see how he does in ping pong. If he's anything like your sister I'm going to get utterly destroyed."
"My…sister?" Ram muttered. "Right. My sister."
Harisson sighed. "Damn it. I'm sorry. Slip of the tongue."
"No, no. It is pointless to try and pretend she doesn't exist. It is half the issue after all."
"Huh? Miss Ryuzu?" Emilia's exclamation brought their attention back to the others.
Harisson stared in surprise. Subaru had mentioned that there were more than one Ryuzu, but this… this was still shocking to see. They looked identical.
"Close but not quite. I am Shima." The old soul in a young girl's body spoke. "It is nice to meet you."
"So… is Shima Ryuzu's younger sister, or her older sister?" Emilia asked, confused as she leaned down towards the two girls.
"Uh, actually…" Subaru began. "That's kinda confusing, so we'll save it for later."
As he spoke, the light from the ruins began fading away. Ryuzu and Shima let out a gasp, rushing forth as Garfiel emerged from the trial.
"Young Gar!"
"Young Gar, you see… I… we…"
"Don't make that face, old hags. It don't suit ya." Garfiel placed his hands on both of their heads. "Sorry I worried you."
"Garf, how did it go?" Ram asked as she stepped forward.
"Well, I can't really say I got any results you can see out of it." He grinned. "But… I do think I got some closure."
"Okay, then let's do the rest of the trial while…" Subaru began, only for Garfiel to interrupt him.
"Now, that ain't my job."
"That's right. It's my job." Emilia said. "Don't just go and take it."
"Yeah, uh…" Garfiel seemed awkward. "I also wanna say… I think the reason I finally accepted the trial was probably because of you." He looked away. "Thank you."
"Did you just say thanks?" Subaru eventually asked after a few seconds of silence.
"I'm not gonna say it again!" Garfiel exclaimed, blushing deeply. "Listen up! I realize I lost! But if you guys liberate this place and the hags suffer for it, I won't go easy on ya!" Garfiel exclaimed, walking up to Subaru.
"Y…yeah, of course…"
"Which means I'm gonna be here to make sure you're not all talk!" Garfiel glanced at Harisson for a moment. "...Ya already showed you can be pretty tough. So make sure you do it right, boss!" With that, he patted Subaru roughly on the shoulder before turning around and walking away.
"His face was so red." Emilia commented.
"Boss?" Subaru said in confusion. "Between the two of us, you're above me though."
"Perhaps, but Harisson seems to have put in his head that you are someone to be feared." Ram commented without her usual bite. "I bet you feel like you've gained a brother. You're older than he is, so be lenient."
"Harisson did?" Subaru asked, seemingly surprised as Harisson looked away. "Wait a minute! Did you just say he's younger than me?!"
"Garf is only turning fourteen this year."
Subaru seemed genuinely shocked by that. Harisson wasn't much. He'd heard about it from Ram during their numerous conversations and loops.
"He's an eighth grader!" Subaru screamed in despair.
"What's an eighth grader?" Harisson asked in confusion.
"An embarrassment to have gotten our asses kicked by so hard…" Subaru lamented.
"Subaru, he can turn into a four meter tall super strong beast. Is that a common thing for eighth graders?" Harisson asked in genuine concern. Demihumans with the strength of Garfiel weren't exactly common, if there was an entire group of them…
"As far as I can say, no, thank the heavens." Subaru answered. "Still, dammit… I feel like the victory has just been diminished so bad."
"I disagree strongly." Otto commented. "I do not know either what this 'eighth grader' thing is, but if they are anything like Garfiel they must be fearsome."
"Subaru says weird stuff sometimes." Emilia commented with a smile. "It's okay to just filter it out."
"Gah! Emilia-tan!" Subaru screeched in horror.
"Barusu." Ram simply commented with a smirk.
Emilia took a deep breath as she turned towards the ruins, walking towards them closely followed by Subaru.
"Well, hopefully she succeeds." Harisson sighed. "This was a pain to get to."
"Mah mah, have some trust in the princess." Garfiel grunted. "She's tougher than she looks."
A flash of a man impaled with ice came to his mind. An archbishop, defeated single handedly.
"Yeah." Harisson said seriously. "She is."
Garfiel stared at him for a moment. "What you said earlier."
"Hm?" Harisson asked.
"About the boss being the scariest person to make an enemy of. You know Roswaal right?"
"Right."
"And the princess."
"Right."
"And you actually believe that?"
Hands smothering him and crushing him into bits. A blade through the chest, through the belly. Unimaginable pain, and yet only a fraction of what the other one had gone through. And yet he still. Kept. Going. Single Mindedly. Always rushing forth, no matter how broken he got in the way.
"Yeah." Harisson eventually said. "Subaru is my friend. I care about him a lot. I'd run through hell and back for him. And I know he'd do the same." His lips stretched in a slightly manic smile. "But we're not the same. And sometimes…" Twenty two. Twenty three. Twenty four.
Twenty nine.
"Sometimes, I can't help but think about what would happen if we were on different sides."
"Yeah?" Garfiel said, in a surprisingly quieter tone than his usual one.
"Yeah."
"And?"
Harisson looked to Garfiel, his lips stretching into an even wider grin that did not meet his eyes.
"I'd give up."
"...Just like that?" Garfiel softly muttered. "You don't seem like a coward. You were fighting mineself along with the others earlier. But you'd give up against him?"
"Pretty much."
"..." Garfiel stayed quiet after that, looking deeply thoughtful.
They watched together as Emilia entered the ruins, Garfiel taking a deep breath before walking towards Subaru.
"A giltylaw that came one step short?" He said as Subaru turned to him. "Ya can't be much of a man if ya keep lookin' all worried, boss."
"The way you talk makes sense now that I know you're an eighth grader. I rattled off a lot of quotes from famous people when I was that age, too."
"I'll add talking in a strange way to the list of things that qualify one as an eighth grader." Otto commented to Harisson as they joined the two, Harisson snickering at that.
"Hey listen…" Garfiel said. "There's somethin' I oughta apologize to you for."
"Well that's admirable of you. Go on then, you can talk to your boss about anything." Subaru scratched his cheek, blushing slightly. "Man, I'm embarrassed just saying that."
"I saw you."
"Huh?" Subaru asked.
"When you uh… you know…" Garfiel grinned awkwardly. "Got a little desperate."
"What? O…oh crap, I forgot! But I mean, I wasn't expecting you to come in!" Subaru blushed deeply, sobbing in despair.
"But seeing that made me realize somethin'. You may be a complete dumbass, but I'm sure glad you're the one I lost too!" Garfiel began laughing.
"Shut up! Just forget about it! You're not a kid, so pretend you… didn't…" Subaru exclaimed. "Wait, you are a kid!"
Garfiel grinned wildly, laughing even harder.
"Man, it is weird to see those two getting along…" Harisson commented.
"I know right?" Otto agreed. "To think our first meeting with him was him beating us up…"
"Things really came full circle. I guess we should expect Garfiel to stick around then." Harisson sighed. "Subaru seems to have a tendency to collect weird people around him."
"Does that include us?" Otto asked.
"...You know what? I guess it does." Harisson eventually admitted.
"Still, I didn't expect you to have so much trust in Subaru, to the point of telling Garfiel you found him scarier than them…" Otto chuckled. "I don't think I could have lied that well."
"I didn't lie though?" Harisson said.
"H…huh?" Otto exclaimed, shocked. "You actually think that? I mean, you seemed pretty serious, but I just thought…"
"No, he wasn't lying." Ram mentioned, having somehow snuck up on the two of them. "Harisson' is not a very good liar anyways.
"Ram." He nodded to her. "Unnecessary but accurate."
"But… why?"
"Do you really need to ask?" Harisson said with a grin. He couldn't tell them why. Not really. The fact that any battle with Subaru could only ever end at best in an infinite stalemate due to his power was something that would kill everyone if he said it outloud. At least so he thought and was not willing to risk it. "I mean, think about it. Every problem that Subaru has encountered he's eventually overcome. Any enemy he's seen defeated. The white whale, the archbishop of sloth… and now Garfiel." Harisson shrugged. "Once can be luck, although for opponents such as these… that requires a dangerous amount of luck."
"Barusu always does have good timing." Ram agreed. "I do not believe he is anywhere near as terrifying as you make him out to be, but I can see why someone might be a little concerned about fighting him."
"Then why do you always insult him?" Otto muttered.
"Because I am not concerned about the outcome of any fight with him." She immediately answered with a smug grin.
"As expected." Harisson sighed. "Well regardless, I'm glad it all worked out." He gestured to Subaru and Garfiel. "Let's go wait with the others, shall we?"
"Some other guy saw my love letter to the girl I like before she did." Subaru monotonously said, sat on the floor with his head between his knees. "My life is over."
"You're way too depressed about this!" Garfiel exclaimed. "C'mon, get it together man!"
"Subaru, dude, I just hyped you up to the others…" Harisson sighed, facepalming. "This is…"
"I never imagined Garfiel would be there, waiting to settle the score…"
"You're always hitting on her in front of people, anyway." Otto pointed out. "Why get so embarrassed when you put it out in writing this time?"
"I'm prepared for her to brush it off any other time! And that's exactly what always happens, so it's fine then!" Subaru said. "But I was being serious this time! And it was literally a late-night love letter… The most embarrassing kind!" He sounded like he was going to cringe into a small ball.
"Aw, Subaru…" Harisson kneeled to his side, patting him on the back. "There's nothing to be ashamed of! It's cute that you're taking this so seriously."
"I'm a man! Don't call me cute!" Subaru angrily retorted.
"Men can be cute. Shut up and accept it." Harisson said, slapping him on the back.
"Don't worry, boss. If anything, it makes me wish I could sponge off of your luck. 'In matters of love, follow the lingdorn's example.' as they say."
"When you say that, it sounds like you're instigating even if you're not!" Subaru exclaimed in embarrassment, finally standing up with a blush on his cheeks. He sighed. "It took Garfiel about an hour when he went in, so I guess it'll take about that long."
"If she's successful, yes." Otto noted.
Subaru softly poked him in the stomach with his elbow.
"Try to take a hint for a change." Ram commented, Otto turning around only to get flicked on the forehead by her.
"Ow!"
"You're that oblivious to the mood, and you call yourself a merchant?"
"That hurts even more than the forehead flick!"
"Aw c'mon Ram, be nice to him." Harisson grinned. "He's helped me with my finances after all."
"You call yourself an innkeep and require aid from others with your own finances. Shame on you."
Harisson jerked back as if hit physically, grasping his chest. "Gah! Okay, ouch!"
"Anyways. Lady Shima wants to talk to you, Barusu. She wants to continue last night's discussion."
"What did you and gra… the old hag talk about?" Garfiel demanded.
"There's no point in saying it over. We all know you're a Granny's boy. Mostly, she told me what happened when you went into the Graveyard."
"Oh, really?"
"I had my hands full yesterday figuring out how to deal with Garfiel. We ended up putting off the important part."
Harisson's hands clenched as Subaru spoke. The rabbits. Roswaal. The mansion attack. So much left to consider, to take care of. Od.
"Just what did you put off?" Ram asked.
"Well…"
"A subject that is unavoidable if you wish to liberate the Sanctuary."
Harisson turned along with the others to find both Shima and Ryuzu walking up to them. Shima did not look good.
"Miss Shima, are you okay?" Subaru asked, concerned.
"I believe I told you, young Su, that our bodies constantly deplete, like a spirit's."
"I know that there are three of you Ryuzus that alternate, but since you were removed from the rotation, there's no replacement."
"I cannot say for certain that I will last until Lady Emilia returns." Shima softly said. "So I will say what must be said."
"You don't hafta push yourself like that!" Garfiel exclaimed. "The healthy old hag here can take your…"
"That's too confusing! Call them Old Shi and Old Ryu!" Subaru groaned. "Besides, that won't work. Only miss Shima can tell us."
"Yes. Only I, one who has entered the graveyard and attempted the trial, can speak of it."
"Is that how it works?" Harisson asked. "Od, the rules of this place get confusing."
"Indeed." She said with a small amused smile. "It is about the memories of Ryuzu Meyer, the progenitor we copies derive from." She looked lost in thought for a moment. "It happened before this place became known as the Sanctuary."
Thus Shima began recounting the tale that took place so long ago. Of a witch called Echidna, the very knowledge of which was enough to nearly send Harisson into a panic attack. That Beatrice was also there was somewhat of a surprise, but hardly as much. She was a great spirit after all. Od only knew how old she really was. However…
"Beatrice was in the Sanctuary? And Roswaal too?" Subaru exclaimed in confusion.
"More accurately, that was the Lord Roswaal of several generations ago. But it sounds as if Lady Beatrice hasn't changed." Ram commented.
"I'm more interested in the witch." Garfiel said. "I know this is the witch of Greed's experimentation facility, but I've never actually heard her story."
"There are multiple witches?!" Harisson couldn't help but explain.
"Of course. The witch of Envy is but one of them." Ram said.
"Od… they don't teach you that in rural school." Harisson muttered nervously.
"Really? You never met the witch in the trials?" Subaru asked Garfiel.
"I only went in to settle a score. I didn't meet the witch." Garfiel frowned. "But when you say it like that, it sounds like you…"
"Have you met the Witch of Greed, Barusu?" Ram asked.
"Yes."
Harisson took an involuntary step back from Subaru. The Witch of Greed. An actual Witch, like the Witch of Envy. Oh Od merciful, protect him from the nightmares being friends with Subaru seemed to unleash.
"I see." Ram merely said.
"I see?!" Harisson stuttered. "Subaru met a witch, and we are just…" He took a deep breath as the others looked at him. "Nevermind. That can wait till later. Sorry."
"I get it." Otto commented, patting him on the back. "This is a lot to take in."
"Everyday has been a lot to take in for the past couple of weeks…" Harisson grumbled.
"To one who was not alive during that time, the witch may indeed seem quite out of reach." Shima closed her eyes. "Of course, even my memories are those of another. I do not know her personally."
"Seeing one who looks identical to me saying that makes me feel as if I've gone mad. How frightening." Ryuzu calmly said.
"I feel like I'm listening to clones making dark jokes." Subaru sighed.
"Lady Beatrice is an extremely common presence in Ryuzu Meyer's memories. They had quite the heartwarming friendship."
"Go ahead and finish the story. The Sanctuary seemed so peaceful on the surface, so what happened?"
"It collapsed." Shima eventually said in a hollow voice. "Then the true reason for the Sanctuary's existence came along."
"The true reason… for it's existence?"
"What could have possibly been too much for a Witch to handle?!" Harisson muttered nervously.
The rest of Ryuzu Meyer's story was… Well. It was heartbreaking. To think the young girl had spent so long knowing she was meant as a sacrifice, and then do so willingly to protect the others… Harisson felt his heart ache for her. And yet, something deep within his mind couldn't help but shiver in terror.
A Warlock. He had no idea such a thing could even exist. No stories told of such a thing. Other Witches, now a Warlock?! How many more terrifying things existed in the world, that he had been so ignorant of, so content with his life, unaware of how many creatures could come along and snuff it out in an instant?!
He needed to get stronger. Being this weak but knowing so much… it was a haunting state of affairs. One that would simply not do.
"Sorry to push you like that." Subaru said at the end of the tale, sympathizing with the clearly exhausted Shima. "But you told me far more than I expected. Thanks."
"I always feared that removing the barrier would trample upon the wishes of Ryuzu Meyer, our progenitor."
"I get how you feel." Subaru said. "But when Emilia pulls it off and everything works out, we'll be able to call the whole world a Sanctuary."
"I leave it to you, young Su." Shima softly said.
"Your wish of four hundred years is on me now. Anyway, I'd like to let miss Shima rest. Ram, can you take care of things now?"
"Oh, Old Hag Shi's hideout would be better than Old Hag Ryu's place for that." Garfiel exclaimed. Harisson noted how he actually had taken Subaru's suggestion into account. "I'll go with…" Still, they needed Garfiel with them when they would go confront… go confront…
He felt bile in his mouth.
"Whoa, wait a second!" Otto intervened. Thank Od for him. Harisson didn't think he would be able to speak as it was. "You shouldn't push yourself either. We should let miss Ram and miss Ryuzu handle it."
"Huh?"
"Garfiel, a boor like you charging at Lady Shima and interrupting her rest would defeat the purpose." Ram bluntly said.
"Then I suppose I should go too." Ryuzu added.
"I would appreciate that very much." Ram agreed. "I would feel guilty leaving Lady Ryuzu in the care of two men who lack any empathy and a weakling."
"That's right." Otto commented. "Wait, am I one who lacks empathy or the weakling?!"
"I'm the weakling, right Ram?" Harisson said with a forced smile.
"No offense meant."
"None taken."
Harisson nervously tapped the pommel of his sword. As useless as he knew it would be for their next course of action, it helped make him feel less scared.
"I guess miss Ram must have sensed it, huh?"
"No way she was fooled by us." Harisson agreed.
"The fact she was willing to help us at all meant there was hope."
"I'm just glad she was willing to let us do as needed. Her being there with Roswaal might… complicate things." Harisson said in a tense voice.
Subaru nodded at that. "Right."
"Hey, don't go understanding each other like that! Don't ignore me like one guy among ten morgrelo!"
"What does that even mean?!" Harisson said in exasperation.
"We'd be stuck if you left, and since Ram is an unknown variable, I wanted her out of the group." Subaru answered the demihuman.
"Ram? Hang on! I don't understand a damn thing you're sayin' anymore…" Garfiel growled as he stopped walking with them.
"We're on our way to visit Margrave Mathers." Otto answered.
"Huh?"
"You have two arms, plus both of us dragging you down." Otto continued. "That should be enough to get there, right?"
"We need to make it back before Emilia comes out of there all proud." Subaru added with a grin.
They eventually did make it to the building where Roswaal was located. Harisson made sure to enter last, trying to hide the trembling of his hands as he caught sight of the Margrave. He wasn't sure what emotion was stronger right now. Fear… or hate. This was the man who, without hesitation, had killed him.
Worse even, who had killed Ram, so utterly, foolishly devoted to the monstrous man.
His mind flashed with visions of a blood stained floor, of a maid dress stained in red.
He nearly pulled out his sword to stab the Margrave, as useless an attempt as it would be, just to satiate the growing anger within him.
But they had come so far. And Ram was alive.
The sword remained in its scabbard.
"My my… never did I expect you to pay me a visit at a time like this. And what brings you heeeeere?" Roswaal spoke with his usual smirk. The man had seemingly taken the time to fully dress himself, makeup and all. No trace of bandages or injury.
"Look at you, greeting us in full makeup." Subaru commented. "It's embarrassing that you're that eager to see us."
"Was it not you who said to me that the next time we met, I should be in full makeuuuuup?"
"Yeah, I guess I did say that."
"Besides, this makeup is my way of preparing for a battle I cannot lose."
"I see. So this is literally your war paint."
"Well Subaru? What brings you here?"
"I think you know by now." Subaru answered. "That the game board you've set up is falling apart."
"Yes, indeed." Roswaal said after a second of pause. "Seeing who you've brought with you tells me the situation has changed. They certainly have tamed you, haven't they Garfiel?"
"What?" The demihuman snarled.
"And you… our dear innkeep." Harisson tensed further. "That is an interesting look you have in your eyes. I am curious. What could I have done to make you so furious at me?" Harisson could feel the eyes of the others on him as his hand trembled on the sword. He couldn't say anything. Couldn't afford to jeopardize the entire plan on his feelings. No matter how much he wanted to stab the sword into the smug clown's face. After some prolonged silence, Roswaal seemed almost disappointed at Harisson's barely restrained control.
"But the one who concerns me the most is…" With that, he turned to Otto.
"You mean… me?"
"From the moment you entered, I wondered, 'Just who is he, anywayyyyy?'"
"Damn Otto, you actually got let out of the prophecy foretelling the future!" Subaru happily exclaimed.
"That doesn't make me happy at all!" Otto said. "And I can't hide my shock at how little sense this all makes!"
"And someone like this is here as a witness to the battle between Subaru and me." Roswaal looked thoughtful. "I see. That must mean he…"
"Yeah, that's right. The first gear's been thrown out of alignment." Subaru said.
"Eh?" Otto said, confused.
"The game board you've been setting up so carefully has been invaded by an unknown piece. That's changed the flow of things… thanks to my insignificant friend here, who isn't even in the prophecy."
"Why don't you tell me your name again?" Roswaal said with a smile. Despite knowing this was likely Subaru's plan, Harisson felt a surge of protectiveness at the Margrave's sudden attention towards Otto, clenching the pommel of his sword tighter. Subaru pushed Otto towards him.
The merchant took a deep breath, and bowed. "My name is Otto Suwen. I'm honored to have this opportunity to meet you. I'm only a humble merchant, but I thank you."
"I shall remember that, Otto. The next time we meet, I will not overlook you."
"Good for you Otto! You left a bigger impression on Roswaal than ever, just like you wanted!" Subaru said.
"That wasn't how I wanted him to remember me, though!" Otto angrily retorted.
"So thanks to Otto, you made it back on your feet and found the backbone you needed for this last battle." Roswaal commented.
"That's right." Subaru answered. "Doesn't it seem kinda weird, though? It should be the main heroine that gets me back on my feet. Why should a male character play that role? How dense can you be?"
"Don't look at me like it's my fault! I don't know either!"
"I'm just kidding man!"
"I will ask you once more." Roswaal interrupted them. "What have you come here for?"
Subaru stared at the Margrave in silence. Then. "To advise you to surrender." Roswaal frowned. "Shima told me the real reason why this Sanctuary was created."
Roswaal stayed silent as Subaru exposed the truth of the Sanctuary. The story they'd heard from Lady Shima. Harisson stayed quiet, his eyes focused on the magician.
"So what if that story is true?" Roswaal eventually said.
"I'll say it again! Surrender!" Subaru said, aggravated. "The course of events has changed. Stop the people you sent to the mansion, then all of this can be reconciled!"
Roswaal smirked. "I refuse, Subaru." Subaru gritted his teeth. "I didn't come through these four hundred years only to bend to a change of this degree. If you think bringing in a pawn from outside the board and removing Garfiel gives you an advantage, you are very mistaken."
"What?" Garfiel said.
"Am I wrong?" Roswaal continued. "You snapped so viciously at outsiders before, and now you're part of Subaru's merry band of friends. I am quite surprised at how quickly you changed your tune."
"Heh! Nothing you say carries any weight, Roswaal." Garfiel confidently said.
"Carries no weight…" Roswaal thoughtfully said. "After clinging to one desire every day for the past ten years, then letting it go with such ease, you say I carry no weight? What a pathetic joke."
"Pathetic?" Harisson whispered. The room grew quiet.
"Oh?" Roswaal said.
"You would call Garfiel pathetic for that?" Harisson's voice was trembling with emotion. "He's decided to face the trauma of all of these years head on, chose to confront the problem and overcome it, chose to be a better person, and you call that pathetic?!" Harisson laughed in disgust. He had no idea what exactly it was that Garfiel had faced in the ruins, but the very face he chose to face it on was worth much to him, despite his misgivings with the boy. In the end, he was merely a misguided teen. Unlike Roswaal, who if Harisson had caught his words correctly… had four hundred years of experience to know better. "With that one action, Garfiel has proven he's a stronger person than you could ever be, Margrave." The words were said with such venom, such potent rage that it seemed to catch the other three off guard. Even Roswaal seemed a little surprised, though hardly put off.
"My my… I must have done something truly terrible to get you this riled up… I find myself curious now." He closed his eyes. "Regardless, a wish does not simply go away. If you truly loved your mother and family, if you loved them that much, would you really change so readily? Or did you not love your mother and family at all? Is a wish that folded the moment your fangs were broken off what you spent your last ten years on?"
"Don't get the wrong idea."
Given what he'd seen from Garfiel so far, Harisson was amazed the demihuman was managing to keep his composure when faced with such vicious verbal abuse.
"The wrong idea?"
"I didn't just decide to follow my boss 'cause he beat me in a fight. I spent ten years clinging to the past. And like the innkeep here said, I just faced that past for the first time in ten years."
"You confronted your past? You?" Roswaal said in surprise.
"I ain't interested in tellin' you what I saw there or why I started followin' my boss. But I will tell you two big reasons I decided to follow him instead of you." Garfiel stepped up, pointing at Harisson. "First of all, this guy has the single strongest confidence I ain' ever seen in another person. Second… cause rather than the one who told me to stay weak forever, why wouldn't I follow the one who says, 'I need you because you're strong?'" Garfiel seemed to notice Otto and Subaru smiling at him. "Huh? What?"
"Oh, nothing. I'm counting on you man." Subaru looked to Harisson. "Seriously, what the hell did you tell everyone else? They're all acting like you've made me out to be some super powerful guy…" Turning back to Roswaal, his expression grew more serious. "Garfiel saw the past. Even if he's standing here as a result, that doesn't mean the love he had for his family for ten years is any weaker. The strength of his feelings hasn't changed. He changed without ever changing. The same goes for you. If your methods… if you were just facing the same direction as us, we could get along. It's not too late to turn back!"
But Roswaal only shook his head. "I still have the advantage."
"What?" Subaru said, frustrated.
"Per the terms of our wager, your greatest weapon was bound, making you an ordinary person." Harisson's eyes widened. "And what can an ordinary person like you do? You cannot do anything!" Roswaal's face was twisted in anger. "Nothing at all! You are less than ordinary! What can you do?! In the Sanctuary, no one can violate the feelings carved into you by time! No one! That will never change! My four hundred years will never be overturned by an ordinary person like you!"
Harisson's heart sank. He couldn't mean… but then… His eyes widened.
That was impossible. Such a power couldn't just be… stopped. Couldn't be just bound.
Right?
If it was…
Were they running without Subaru's ability?
Then…
"Because feelings don't change?" Subaru asked.
"Yes!"
"Because it's what you've believed for so long?"
"Yes, that's right!"
"Why don't you ever look at anything but the weakness of feelings?! You know that caring about someone for a long time is a strong feeling! Why do you only try and see the weakness in it?!"
Roswaal slammed his hand against his chest, roaring with utter conviction:"Because that is what I believe! In the same way that you find hope by believing in another's strength, I believe that everyone always remains weak! So fragile that, other than clinging to just one precious thing, they aren't even capable of fulfilling their own desires! That's what I believe! For four hundred years, I have loved only one woman! That is far longer than the time we spent together. And even after being without her for so long, her image is forever burned into me. It never stops burning my very soul! My heart is still in pieces, as it has been since the day we parted. Nothing has changed for me!" His expression was utterly twisted. Subaru's own conflicted expression twisted in disbelief and frustration at being stonewalled so fiercely. "I will say it one more time. I still have the advantage. And if parts of our stories don't match, what then? For both you and me, so long as that one crucial person remains, the battle will never end."
"Don't underestimate Emilia." Subaru answered confidently. "She won't go along with your ideas anymore. She'll overcome it all!"
"You really think that's possible? She'll be stranded with nowhere to go, her own regrets will crush her, she'll be sorry she ever aspired to change, and she'll cling to you in tears. That's what suits…"
"Roswaal…" Harisson growled in fury. The poor girl deserved none of this. None of Roswaal's manipulations. None of his cursed attempts at whatever madness lay beneath that clownish makeup.
"Crying doesn't suit any woman!" Subaru angrily retorted. "I've never seen a girl who sucked that bad at crying!"
"She will be hurt and held in contempt. That is the fate of the half-elf. Born with the curse of sharing the same lineage as the Witch of Envy, it's inevitable that she will be scorned as a witch."
To that, Harisson couldn't help but look down. Despite how much he wanted to argue with Roswaal, hadn't he himself been guilty of such? Assuming her to be like the witch, fearing for his life at her very sight…
"Screw you!" Subaru's words were filled with fury. "How the hell is she a witch?! You're the ones ganging up on her to make her one!" Subaru's words made Harisson snap out of his haze, looking to see him grab Roswaal by the collar. "Has anyone ever even told her that it's okay to cry if she's hurt or sad?! If she can't wipe her own tears away, someone outside will dry them for her! Has anyone ever told her that there's someone out there who'll do that for her? If no one else will do it, I will!" He angrily let go of Roswaal. "Feelings… Curses… If you believe they're things that can never change, we'll just pound the truth into you!" Subaru took a dramatic pose. "My name is Natsuki Subaru! I am the silver-haired half-elf Emilia's knight!" The others grinned at his strong proclamation. "Emilia's coming, Roswaal. That girl you're so convinced is weak is gonna come to sever that last desire of yours!"
"So my suspicions were correct, Natsuki Subaru." Roswaal softly said.
"What?"
" You and I are alike… in the sense that we both force our ideals upon the women we love."
"You believe in weakness, and I believe in strength. I will agree on the point that you and I are alike." Subaru turned around. "Let's go."
Harisson hesitated for a moment, looking at Subaru's back. Then… "Go on without me. I have a few more things to say." Harisson said, staring at Roswaal.
"Alright." Subaru quietly answered. "But be quick."
"I will." With that, the other three walked out of the room, Roswaal looking back at him with a curious expression.
"Is this where you try and stab me?" Roswaal asked mockingly.
"No. We both know that any fight between us ends with me dead and you without a scratch." Harisson tilted his head. "You know, Subaru is right. Emilia is a lot stronger than you think." He took a step forward. "And whilst she's certainly powerful, she is no Witch like you seem to claim her to be. She is kind, gentle. And yet I, in my moment of weakness… I considered her as such." Harisson admitted to Roswaal's surprise. "I thought her a witch. I was scared of her." He closed his eyes in shame. "What a fool I was. It was obvious after just a few moments she was nothing like what I thought. And worse of all?" He laughed. "She forgave me. So easily, so simply. She was so happy that I came to apologize, to make amends." Harisson shrugged. "Others will change their minds as well. They cannot keep hating her knowing what she is like. And for every voice that rails against her, that rises in hate to her… we will ensure there are ten more that speak out in her defense. It will take time, but she will be seen for what she is." Harisson sighed. "I hate you Roswaal. I hate you like I've never hated someone before. But here is my last piece of advice, from a foolish commoner like myself." He stared straight into Roswaal's eyes. "Give up. You won't win this one."
"You must have been deaf earlier if you think those words will be enough to convince me." Roswaal simply answered.
"I didn't think so. I just wanted to get it off my chest." He hesitated. "...Roswaal. Do you care for Ram?"
"Of course. She is my beloved employee. One of the few I can truly trust."
"But you would sacrifice her in an instant if it meant fulfilling your wish, wouldn't you?" Harisson bitterly said.
"Yes." Roswaal said, eyes narrowed. "Does that bother you?"
"Immensely." Harisson freely admitted. "Ram, despite her sharp tongue, is a good person. She's incredibly devoted to you. And you…" He shook his head in sheer disbelief. "You would repay that with nothing but blood and death, if it meant accomplishing your goals. Does her life mean nothing to you?!"
"Do not speak of what you don't understand, boy!" Roswaal snarled, genuinely angry for once. "I would do anything for my goal! Anything! No matter how vile, no matter how hated I become!"
"...Then there's nothing more to be said I guess." Harisson turned around. "Just… fucking look at her for once, Roswaal. Seriously look at her. And think about what it is exactly you are sacrificing here."
Harisson stepped out of the building, anger roiling in his chest as Roswaal glared at his back.