A/N: Here's another EX chapter while I work on more of the main story! As I've said, it's likely these will be quite shorter than a normal chapter, and are mainly to fill in story gaps.

Anywho— See you in Arc 3 soon!~

EX 2 (Extra Chapter 2)

The Demon's Lament

Running a hand along the crystalline structure of ice, Ram gazed at the slumbering girl that lie within, beyond her own reflection.

It made no sense— Why did it have to be this way? After all, Ram had been sent to accompany the girl into the Capital, but Roswaal had given her a special assignment… And this was the result of her careless absence.

"A peculiar boy will be in the Capital, you must give him an enlightening welcome~"

Ram pulled her hand away as she noticed the cold begin to accumulate, as if attempting to freeze her as a defense mechanism.

"…And when he seems to be at his limit, ask him this—"

"Have you suffered enough..?" As Ram muttered those words, she shook her head. It was painful to see Emilia as she was, thinking that it was her fault it happened. If Ram had been there to help, then maybe…

It was all because of that book. Ram knew it to be true— The reason why her Master did anything.

"If he responds with confidence, then cordially invite him to the Mansion. I'm sure he will accept my offer in time~"

The clanking of footsteps made her turn to see two armor-clad Royal Guards approaching, bowing slightly.

"We have prepared the secure transport," one of the knights stated. "It will be subtle, to avoid suspicion."

Ram nodded to them. While she was given permission to speak on behalf of Roswaal for this trip to keep Emilia from wandering off, it felt odd to continue that when the girl she was supposed to protect was in such a harrowing position.

Words cannot change this situation…

Her questions were endless, and as the years had gone on, her faith in Roswaal's wisdom only dwindled. She hated that fact, despite everything she felt about the man who had let her village get destroyed… She wished to believe in him with all of her heart.

But it was her wavering faith that made her ask the Royal Guards before her a burning question.

"Why did this happen?"

The two men seemed a bit surprised. After all, Ram had barely spoken a word to anyone since hearing of Emilia's trouble and rushing over.

"Well… According to the knight who participated in the battle—"

They went on to explain, a bit briefly, how the Bowel Hunter had attacked, and was only fended off by the Spirit Knight Julius. They kept the details hazy, as if told to do so, but they mentioned that Julius managed to draw out Emilia's contracted spirit to save her.

"I see…" Ram thought about Puck, the small catlike spirit, wondering what had become of him. It was late at night, and per his contract's parameters he would be dormant… But if he really had been forcefully summoned outside of that time, it could have certainly drained at Emilia's Od. "Be careful."

With that, Ram oversaw the loading of the carriage. It was one that was designed to carry caskets— The ice encasing Emilia was morbidly similar in size. Then she began the trek back to the Mansion alone, her instructions clear.

"No matter what, return with either the boy or Emilia. Alooone~"

Those strange words made little sense to the Oni. It implied an incredible lack of care for the half-elf whom he had taken responsibility for. To value someone as highly as Emilia…

Whoever that boy is… He is trouble.

Upon arriving at Roswaal's grand mansion, the man was standing at the front, his usual smile affixed to his face, the jester-like appearance he wore proudly sticking out greatly compared to the maid at his side.

"Welcome back, sister," the blue-haired Oni said, smiling up to Ram.

Finding it difficult to return the smile, Ram responded simply: "I am glad to be back, Rem."

"You seem quite tired~ Though I hear it was quite rouuugh," Roswaal stated flamboyantly, stepping towards the back of the carriage and opening the back.

As Rem helped her sister down, the pink-haired maid bowed to her Master, holding back many things that she wanted to say.

"I… Did as I was told," she stated plainly. "Lady Emilia was attacked during that time, and—"

"I see," Roswaal interrupted her, "Then you were unable to convince him?"

Nodding slowly, Ram had to subdue her response. "Yes, Master Roswaal."

The man closed his eyes and nodded, approaching the girl and placing a finger to her forehead as she stood before him.

"Hmm.. You seem to doing fine, at least~"

Ram did her best to hide the blush that could have easily arisen, nodding slightly.

"In that case, I will take things from hereee~" Roswaal nodded to the two maids. "Lady Emilia will remain within the safety of the Sanctuary's barrier for now. Please take care of things til I return~"

"Yes, Master."

"Y-Yes, Master.."

The two maids spoke not quite as in sync as they usually would. Rem noticed this, glancing over at her sister, whose eyes were downcast towards the ground. Roswaal, as if not noticing anything wrong, floated up to the carriage.

Rem moved closer to her sister as the man took off, gently grabbing the girls hand.

"I can take most of the chores… If you need to rest," she said worriedly, sensing the unrest within her.

Ram shook her head. "It's alright, Rem. I'll do my best." She gave a small, forced smile to her beloved sister, before they headed into the mansion together.

Nothing was alright. Days passed, and Ram felt more and more worry and uncertainty fill her, til even her already lackluster cleaning skills became worse and worse.

I… can't lose focus…!

Eventually Ram forced herself to step it up, pushing herself harder. It surprised her sister, the blue-haired girl watching in awe as Ram's efforts resulted in superior results, feeling the turmoil building inside of her sister.

It wasn't until the day that Ram collapsed that she realized something was wrong.

I've been… using my mana..?

Taking a deep breath, Ram tried to slowly rise. Luckily, Rem had felt something was amiss, and arrived to take her sister's arm and help her steady herself.

"Sorry," Ram said softly. "I am.. I can't.."

"It's okay." Rem smiled and put a hand on her sister's head, leaning her against her. "I'm here, just remember that, sister. We're two parts of a whole."

Opening her mouth for a moment, Ram stopped herself from saying anything she'd regret. It would be easy to besmirch Roswaal's name, to break any semblance of peace between them…

But the contract she held with him was important, and she would continue to serve him til the day she could finally kill him herself– After all, that was her duty, wasn't it? Towards those who were lost on that day–

"Ram…?"

The girl's eyes began to close involuntarily, succumbing to exhaustion as her mind wandered, barely hearing Rem's worried calls to her…

When Ram awoke, she sat up quickly, feeling a strangely familiar sense of renewal. Was it her imagination that someone had been beside her a moment ago? Looking around, she saw that Rem was resting in a chair nearby, her breathing shallow and peaceful.

If her mana had been restored, that meant one thing— That Roswaal had returned, for just a little while, to help her.

One hand touching where her horn once was, the girl clenched tightly at her chest with the other, her vision beginning to blur as tears threatened to emerge.

Why save us..? Just so we'd suffer..?

The memories of that night flashed into her mind, the inferno that had engulfed their village flickering brightly. The moment her horn had been taken from her, and then the arrival of a strange man— Their savior.

More like our torturer, Ram thought. After finding out the truth, that he could have saved the village beforehand… It had been a war of emotions within herself. I should have just…

Stopping that thought, Ram looked at her sister, who hadn't stirred yet. A tear fell down her cheek, and she felt her breath catch in her chest.

Died? What would that have accomplished? Leaving Rem alone, or letting their village's history die completely with them? No… She had to continue to be strong for her sister's sake. From their bond, Ram always knew that Rem felt the same away.

I won't lose to you, Ram thought, wiping tears on her arm, thinking of the man who'd saved her, the one who made her emotions swell in various ways. By the time she removed her arm, a look of deathly indignation had overtaken her.

No matter what you plan.. No matter what I have to do…

I won't let you win.

End

Up Next: Arc 3, Blasphemy of Snow, Begins!

A/N: This is definitely a telling prelude of things to come in Arc 3. To answer a recent reviewer, having no knight means nothing for the start of the Royal Selection in regards to the Emilia camp– Roswaal fills that role by being her endorsement, as far as I can remember. That being said, you'll see who becomes a knight-like figure for her, and what Emilia's fate is..!~ I hope you all look forward to it!~