Greed Chapter 13: Face off
Garfiel was slowly waking up, not exactly happy that he was dreaming about that painful day. As he was opening his eyes, he realized that he was being carried by someone.
At first he wasn't sure but the second he saw the green hat, he immediately knew who it was.
"Bastard! Let me go!"
He began to shake violently, attempting to punch the merchant. Otto was caught off guard by this which allowed Garfiel to land a hit on him. The merchant was sent flying towards a tree nearby with the demi human boy landed on the ground with ease.
"Natsuki-san!" Otto shouted, drawing attention towards him. During the walk, Subaru, Emilia, and Beatrice had managed to pass by Otto.
So, hearing his voice before a thump sound caused the trio along with Ram to turn around and see what's going on. The second they turned, Garfiel was charging right at him.
"Yer gonna die now!"
"..."
Subaru stood standing since there's nothing much he can do against Garfiel at this moment. He's barely hanging on, which makes this situation quite annoying.
Right before Garfiel could land a hit on him, Emilia prepared to stop the demi human boy only for Ram to take care of it by getting in front of Subaru.
This caused Garfiel to hesitate, giving the oni maid an opening to land a powerful kick. As Garfiel was sent flying a few feet away, not expecting her to do that at all.
Once he landed on the ground, he slowly got back up while looking at the pink haired oni maid with an angry expression.
"Th'hell r'ya doin', Ram?!"
"Calming you down."
"What?!"
Garfiel was baffled by the response he got, seeing that for some reason she's protecting Natsuki Subaru.
"Move outta th'way or I'll hurt ya!"
"You won't do such a thing, Garf. You will stand down and listen."
"Listen to who? To him?! I'd rather die!"
"You will listen, Garf. Unless you want a beating."
Garfiel scoffed when he heard this, hating that for some reason Ram is now on Subaru's side.
"Ya think Imma just sit here and let ya spout shit I don't give a damn 'bout?!"
Before Ram said anything more, Emilia tapped her shoulder. The pink haired maid turned towards the silver haired half elf, seeing that she's taking charge of the situation.
Subaru was going to act however seeing Emilia take this chance to try to reason with Garfiel prompted him to stand down.
Emilia approached Garfiel, catching the demi human boy off guard for a moment since he does fear her. However, he noticed that she wasn't acting like she usually would.
"Yer not her..." He whispered, knowing full well that if it was her, she would have attacked everyone right off the bat for trying to harm him. This allowed him to be curious on who exactly is this silver haired half elf. "Who'r ya?"
"Emilia, just Emilia."
Garfiel crossed his arms as his voice raised a little.
"Can't be! Ya ain't crazy lookin'."
"Crazy?" She once again tilted her head, having heard this before from Ram. "What do you mean?"
"...not important. So, why're ya here then? T'help th't bastard?!" Garfiel was cautious of Emilia, not sure what her motive was.
She wasn't fazed by his aggressive tone though she understood that he was hesitant to trust her.
"I'm here to save you."
"Save? From who?!"
"From the one you hate."
She was aware of what Subaru and Ram had told her about the counterpart of her knight. Garfiel took a second to think on what she said, picking up that she's a lot more...sane than the one he knows.
He calmed down as he looked at Emilia with a clear mind before looking at Subaru, seeing that he also is different from the bastard he knows.
He closed his eyes to think, seeing that this situation is a bit bizarre since he never expected to encounter another Natsuki Subaru and another Emilia.
"Is he different?"
"Huh?"
"Is th't bastard with ya different?"
"Oh, do you mean Subaru?"
"Yes." He spoke calmly.
Emilia turned towards her knight for a moment before turning towards Garfiel to give him his response.
"Subaru is my knight. He's trustworthy."
"..."
Not really surprised by this comment considering how the Emilia he knows would be obsessed with the number one person he hates with a passion. He took a few seconds before turning towards Ram.
"Why're ya trustin' them? Ya know th's goes against yer precious master."
"...I know what I'm doing, Garf."
"'f course ya do." He turned to Emilia. "Ya really think he's trustworthy?"
"Yes." Emilia said with a confident smile.
Garfiel's anger was still there, his soul wanting to refuse to even entertain the idea of working side by side with anyone who looked like Natsuki Subaru...though if this version of him can help him reach his goal of beating the shit of the Natsuki Subaru he hates...
"Fine. I'll work with ya, but 'f th't so-called knight 'f yers does anythin' off, I'll kill 'em."
Emilia nodded, understanding Garfiel's distrust for Subaru.
Although she wishes that he trusts her knight, she can understand that it'll be tough when this world's Natsuki Subaru hasn't been very helpful.
"We will stop him." Subaru added, wanting to extend a hand to this world's Garfiel Tinsel. He turned towards him, annoyed that he's chiming into the conversation.
"Nobody asked ya t'talk."
"I know you hate me, but I wish to gain your trust."
"Tsk. Th't'll never happen." Garfiel swiftly responded. "I'm only helpin' because th'princess here can be trusted."
"Fair enough...though you will need me to beat the other me—"
As Subaru was about to end the sentence, Garfiel quickly approached Subaru to grab his neck, causing the tension in the area to increase once again.
"Don't think I'll let ya be th'one t'kill th't bastard! Th't honor goes t'my amazin' self!"
"...s-sure. Once we win, you can do whatever you want."
Garfiel gave a serious look at him for a moment with Beatrice preparing to harm the demi human boy if he doesn't let go of her contractor in the next few seconds. Before she could do that, Garfiel let Subaru go while saying to him:
"Ya better not get in my way. 'F ya do somethin' fishy, yer a dead man."
As he said that, he turned around and started to make his way towards the mansion, wanting to take down the Natsuki Subaru he hates with passion.
As he passes Beatrice and Ram, Beatrice runs towards her contractor.
While this was happening, Otto was slowly getting back up. He was very annoyed that nobody went to check on him or help him...though he did see that Emilia had managed to convince Garfiel to join their side.
'I wonder what she could've said to make this angry version of Garfiel-san to join us. Actually...how did she convince Ram-san to join us?'
The merchant was curious though considering how capable Emilia is, he doesn't bother on the question too much.
Once back on his feet, he turns towards Subaru, seeing that his best friend is being scolded by Beatrice again. He just sighed before approaching them. Subaru noticed him, prompting him to turn his attention.
"Otto, are you okay?"
"Yes. I'm okay for now."
"That was quite the nasty hit."
"I was just lucky I didn't receive any permanent injuries."
"Yeah...anyway, we should get moving. This was actually the easy part."
"What? Getting beaten up was the easy part?" The merchant complained, worried that whatever the 'hard part' of this fight against Natsuki-san's counterpart was probably going to get them killed.
"It'll be fine, Otto. No need to be worried."
These words didn't really inspire confidence though considering how many situations Natsuki-san had overcome, he can only hope that they all make it out unscathed.
"Are you ready for what comes next, Emilia-tan?"
Emilia nodded, ready to help her knight and those in need of their help in this world. Subaru acknowledged this before leading the way.
'The next phase of this plan, to save Emilia-tan and Beako of this world.'
After closing in on the mansion, Subaru took a second to think before stopping everyone.
"Hold on."
"What?" Garfiel said, annoyed.
"I just thought of something. My counterpart would try to separate Reinhard and this world's Emilia from the mansion itself."
"Th't doesn't make sense!"
"Not if I know what he did to Felt."
"What are you implying?" Ram questioned, not liking the way that was phrased by this Natsuki Subaru in front of her. Otto, Beatrice, and Emilia were also uncomfortable when hearing this since it implies that his counterpart did something dark. Subaru was silent on this for a moment, hating this memory of this world's Natsuki Subaru before responding to the maid's strict question.
"He basically threatened to reveal some secret Felt and Old Man Rom had. It's still unclear to me, however it is a certain that the second Reinhard hears about this, he will turn on my counterpart."
"Tsk. Knew th'bastard was corrupt." Garfiel said as he was holding in his overwhelming anger, not wanting to give away their position. Subaru agreed with this sentiment though he still needed to hear from his counterpart on why he thought that was the right choice.
"Then shall we go speak with the sword saint first? With him by our side, all of this can be dealt with easily."
"True but then my counterpart will try something else to make sure that...he remains one step ahead."
Trying to be vague about why it would be a bad idea, he turns towards Emilia and Otto.
"The task of speaking with Reinhard and the other Emilia-tan will fall upon you two."
"Us?" Otto asked.
"You are the Head Internal Affairs, this kind of stuff falls upon you."
"Yes, but you have the information that's crucial for convincing the Sword Saint."
"You make a fair point."
He signaled his best friend to approach him so he could give him the information. He was a bit hesitant at first yet that didn't stop him from complying.
Once he closed the distance, Subaru whispered the information, exactly what his counterpart had said and threatened.
This caused Otto's demeanor to immediately change into one of pure anger.
Although he's keeping himself in control, the things this world's Natsuki Subaru had said to Felt really infuriate him.
"I understand."
With this information he had an idea on what he could tell Reinhard in order to win him over to their side.
Subaru turned towards Emilia, knowing that she had something to ask him.
"Will you be okay? You still look pretty hurt."
"Worried for my sake, Emilia-tan?" Subaru teased, making Emilia pout.
"I'm being serious!"
"I know, I know. It just makes me happy that you are worried about me. Anyway, on a serious note, you have to go with Otto. There's someone you need to save."
Emilia paused for a moment when hearing this, remembering that there was another person that Reinhard was with.
"The other me."
"Yes. She's going to need your help. After all, you are the only person who can save your counterpart."
Subaru would've wished that he could save this world's Emilia...but with her broken mind, she wouldn't be able to listen to him normally.
Hell, he's seen through the memories of his counterpart that she would kill him as well if something's not right.
Having the only person that could understand her best, herself, be the one to save her made logical sense.
Emilia understood the situation and nodded before preparing to leave with Otto to search where this world's Emilia and Reinhard are located.
Right before leaving, the two turned towards Subaru.
"Be careful, Natsuki-san."
"I will."
"Try not to push yourself too much."
"I-I will try."
The two know that this might not be possible, but she hopes that he doesn't hurt himself more than he already is. She set her hand onto Subaru's chest before saying:
"May the blessing of the spirits be with you."
He was silent for a moment before just giving her a smile, appreciating this blessing from her. Emilia smiled as well; she knew that her knight could overcome any situation but she wanted to make sure that the spirits protected him.
She has an understanding that facing a corrupted version of oneself can be difficult.
Seeing that she's going to be encountering her own counterpart, she mentally prepared herself.
As she and Otto left off to search for the other Emilia and Reinhard, Subaru turned towards Garfiel and Ram.
"What? Ya got somethin' t'say?!" Garfiel spoke out, noticing that something was on Subaru's mind when he was looking at him and Ram. Beatrice quickly commented on the demi human boy's attitude:
"You best speak to Betty's contractor with respect if you value your life, I suppose."
"Ehh?!"
Garfiel was annoyed by Beatrice's threat though he can't really do anything to her due to his morals.
"Yer lucky yer a lil' girl."
Before he knew it, he received a smack to the head.
"That's no way of speaking to Beatrice-sama, let alone a child."
"A child—?!" As Beatrice was about to protest this, Subaru covered her mouth.
"!"
Beatrice gave an angry look at her contractor, unhappy that he interrupted her.
"No need to get all worked up over what Ram said. It wasn't an insult."
"..."
Beatrice had no comment. All she did was nod, thinking to herself that the second this is all done, she'll slap him. Subaru turned towards Ram, noticing her saying to him:
"Are you done fooling around?"
"...Yeah. We should get moving."
As he said this, he and Beatrice took the lead as they made their way towards the mansion.
The four quickly made their way into the mansion with Ram and Garfiel being on guard since they know who will be the obstacle in getting to their Natsuki Subaru if it isn't their Emilia or the Sword Saint.
Right before having the chance to reach the room where this world's Natsuki Subaru is located, Garfiel and Ram both sensed something was wrong.
The oni maid quickly grabbed Beatrice and Subaru in order to stop the pair on their tracks.
"Huh? What's wrong?" Subaru questioned but before he could even turn around, a sudden explosion occurred right above them.
Ram quickly threw Subaru away from danger while holding on to Beatrice to assure her safety. Subaru was sent flying into a wall leading into a familiar room all the while Garfiel was pushed into another, leading the demi human boy to find himself sent outside of the mansion.
"Oh my, now thaaaaaat's quite the turn of events!" A familiar voice spoke, surprised but interested in the current events playing out before him. Ram and Beatrice turned towards Roswaal, surprised by his sudden attack.
"Beeeeeatrice-sama, it's good to seeeeeee you again."
"What do you want, I suppose?"
"Now Now, nooooo need to be rude."
"I won't respect someone as creepy as you, in fact."
"Beatrice-sama, please refrain from disrespecting Roswaal-sama." Ram said, trying to keep herself restrained. Beatrice turned towards the oni maid, sensing that she's not thrilled of her speaking ill will about Roswaal L Mathers. She nodded in understanding only due to not wanting to be on her bad side before the pair turned their attention back to Roswaal.
"My dear Ram, whaaaaat exactly are you doing?"
"..." Ram was silent for a moment, feeling fear in her heart since the words from her master may sound curious but deep down he was full of rage.
Despite her fear, she remembered her conversation with Emilia earlier.
("We wished for your assistance." Emilia spoke with a serious expression.)
("In?" Ram questioned with speculation, not trusting a word that Emilia says up until...)
("Saving everyone.")
("...Hm?" Ram tilted her head when she heard this. "Saving everyone, you say? From who?")
("From those hurting all of you.")
("Are you referring to Natsuki Subaru-sama?" Ram spoke with a sharp expression.)
("Yes." Emilia said with a serious expression, aware that this world's Natsuki Subaru isn't exactly good. Ram was silent when hearing this, a bit stunned. "But it isn't just Subaru but also Roswaal-sama.")
("What about Roswaal-sama?" The oni maid spoke defensively as she pulled out her wand. Emilia remained calm.)
("You had once told me that Roswaal-sama was bound with a delusion, a curse. You had asked me to save him. That also applies to this world. I know the Ram from my world would want to do everything to save him.")
("..." Ram was silent, lost for words by Emilia's conviction.)
("You aren't the Emilia-sama I know. You are grown up, stronger." Ram was a bit paused since the Emilia standing before her is the Emilia that's capable of becoming King of Lugnica. She bowed her head, surprising Emilia at first until remembering this familiar scenario. "This is the first time I've ever lowered my head and meant it.")
("...")
("Before now, I never believed that you of all people could get on your feet. I still don't believe the Emilia-sama I know can get back on her feet, but you can. Right now, you are standing tall with your chest high and your eyes facing forward.")
(Emilia was caught off guard by the similarities to when Ram had spoken to her after completing her first trial.)
("I must ask..." Ram kneeled on one knee, "Please, help me stop him. Help me stop the one manipulating Roswaal-sama. Help me stop the one called Natsuki Subaru.")
Ram knew when asking this to Emilia earlier, it would be quite the difficult task since she can see that although this Emilia is much levelheaded and mature compared to hers, she still has a bond with Barusu.
"Something on your mind, Raaaaam?" Roswaal asked, noticing that something had caught her attention. Ram turned towards her master's direction.
"Apologies, Roswaal-sama. My focus drifted for a moment."
"Well, it must've been quiiiite important to draw your attention. Mind teeeeelling me?"
Ram paused for a moment before responding:
"It's nothing important. We should return the conversation back to your previous question." She was hesitant to answer this since it would be defying Roswaal's dream. "We are here to free you from that delusional book."
Roswaal's calm demeanor had suddenly changed, causing the room to be filled with tension.
"Is that so?"
Beatrice and Ram were both not only taken aback by how Roswaal was speaking with no accent but were hit with fear by it.
"You do realize what this means, Ram?"
"..."
Ram's hand began to shake, knowing exactly what her master meant by this question.
Right before he could act, he was suddenly thrown into another wall...almost like he was punched into it.
Ram and Beatrice were puzzled at this for a few seconds before noticing Subaru leaving the room he was sent through.
'You aren't harming Beako or Ram, stupid clown.'
As he thought this, he quickly turned towards their direction to check on his contracted spirit.
"Are you okay, Beako?"
"I should be the one asking you that, in fact."
"Right—"
"You two should get moving." Ram interrupted. "Roswaal-sama won't be stopped by whatever you did, Barusu."
"I know."
As Subaru and Beatrice prepared to continue, the boy just had one question to the pink haired oni maid. One question that's been bugging him since their trip to the mansion,
"Can I ask, why are you helping us? Why go against Ros-chi?"
"A terrible nickname for Roswaal-sama, however, to answer your question, I saw that Emilia-sama was speaking like a proper King should. She has the potential to become the proper King of Lugnica. That's why I put my faith in her. I'm only helping you out because it's a courtesy to her. Now, enough talk. Go stop Natsuki Subaru-sama."
Subaru nodded and immediately carried Beatrice into his arms in order to move quickly all the while Ram prepared her wand for battle.
Roswaal opened the door to the room he was thrown into and calmly entered the hallway to turn his attention to his maid.
"Now Nooooow, that was quiiiite rude."
"Apologies, Roswaal-sama. Barusu will pay for that once this is all done."
"Now thaaaat's a name I haven't heard in quite some time."
"Yes, because he's Barusu. Natsuki Subaru-sama is nothing more than a dead man walking."
"My, I've always suspeeeected you had a hidden hatred for my partner."
Ram twitched for a split second when she heard this, catching his attention.
"Oh? Jeaaaaaalous, are we?"
"Please refrain from speaking highly about that selfish deceiver."
"Now, calling Subaru-kuuuun a deceiver is a bit much, doooooon't you think?"
"Doesn't matter, yer a dead man!"
Garfiel shouted as he threw a punch towards the back side of the margrave. Roswaal barely dodges this attack, a bit impressed by how stealthy the demi human boy was at that moment.
"I seeeee. Two against one, quiiiite unfair."
"Shut up!"
Garfiel charged right at Roswaal only for the Margrave to avoid all of his attacks. Ram jumped in to assist her friend, knowing that the two will need to work together if they want a chance to beat Roswaal L Mathers. While this battle began, Subaru held onto Beatrice as he ran towards one specific room.
"Where are you going?" The little spirit girl asked, knowing that they passed the room that's Natsuki Subaru.
Subaru remained silent as there was still something left before confronting his counterpart. Once arriving at the door, he set Beatrice down.
"What is the meaning of this?"
"There's someone you need to save. One that only you can."
"Who?" She asked with a serious tone. Before she could get an answer, Subaru look gave her all the information she needed.
This made her understand that the task her contractor handed off to her is important.
"I won't let you down."
"I know you won't, Beako."
He patted her head before opening the door for her. Once she went inside, he closed the door before quickly running towards his counterpart's room, ready for one last confrontation with him.
'This time, we are winning this loop.'
Confident, he went towards his counterpart's door leading to his room. He kicked it open before entering, noticing that this world's Natsuki Subaru was there, waiting for him.
"Took you long enough."
While that was going on, Beatrice walked deeper into the room her contractor had left her on, having her guard up.
She knows that the person she needs to help her will not be easy.
She observed her surroundings for a second before exploring the room, feeling something off.
She knew that she was in a library of sorts, but it wasn't like the one in her world.
This one is a mimic of the forbidden library, something that made her a bit uncomfortable.
She does miss the place, or well at least the memories related to her mother however the library itself was something she's long abandoned.
The place was a prison for her, so to see a small replica of sorts in front of her made her fear the state the person her contractor had tasked her to save is in.
'Where is she, in fact?'
She was cautious when walking around, not sure how she would react when the two met face to face.
After a minute of walking around, she saw a familiar attire on the corner, laying on the ground while they held onto their knees.
It only took the spirit girl a second before confirming herself one the identity of this person.
'Betty of this world.'
Reinhard and Petra were awaited from a distance for Natsuki Subaru's signal to come back with Emilia, both given the important task to protect the silver haired half elf.
("Natsuki Subaru-sama, please allow me to be by your side.")
("...I appreciate the concern, but I need you to protect Emilia.")
("I understand however I do wonder, why send me far away? I wish to also help you, Subaru-sama.")
("I know the feeling, but you will have to trust me on this.")
Reinhard still had a bad feeling about leaving the one who recruited him, who gave him a place after Felt had left him, all on his own. Petra saw this and couldn't help but also feel the same worried expression.
("Petra, go with Reinhard.")
("But what about you? Will you be okay?")
("I'll be alright. I just need you to be safe. Stay close to the Sword Saint.")
She could tell that something was on his mind, as if something bad was coming for him. As she was worried, Emilia remained silent, looking up at the sky.
("Emilia-tan, can I ask you to do something?")
("Yes!")
("I need you to stay close to Reinhard.")
("...huh? What do you mean? Do you want me to leave you all alone here?" The atmosphere instantly went cold.)
("Don't think of it like that, Emilia-tan. I'm trusting you on an important mission.")
("..." Emilia paused when she heard this, feeling intense joy that she's being trusted by her Subaru. "A special mission?")
("Yes, one where you will be guarding a specific area alongside the Sword Saint.")
("Why so far?" The silver haired half elf exclaimed, disliking just how far away she would be from him.)
("Because—" He cut himself off, almost like someone had said something to warrant his attention; however Emilia was just left confused by his sudden pause. After a few seconds, he continued, "I trust you above everyone in this mansion, in this camp, to do get this special mission do right.")
Emilia continued to look at the sky as she recalled this conversation with her Natsuki Subaru, how it made her the happiest, his kind words.
However, she's beginning to feel like she might've been lied to.
Considering nothing's happened so far, she might just return to the mansion to confront him and see if what he said about this so-called 'special mission' is even real.
As she began to walk towards the direction of the mansion. This action caught the attention of both Petra Leyte and Reinhard van Astrea.
"Emilia-sama, where are you going?" The little maid girl asked to which the silver haired half elf ignored, her focus being on finding her knight. Reinhard was prepared to intervene only for all three of them to notice a sudden explosion off in the distance.
"Oh no..." Petra spoke in a shocked tone.
"Subaru!" Emilia shouted, disbelief in what she's seeing. Reinhard remained silent as he was hoping he'd be wrong about something bad happening while he was away. All three of them prepared to make their way towards the mansion only for the Sword Saint to sense a presence nearby.
"Hm?" The Sword Saint turned towards his left side, curious about the two individuals approaching. "Who are you?"
Emilia and Petra were alerted to Reinhard's question, confused at first since they weren't sure who he was speaking to until they spotted two people.
One of them was someone from a long time ago, an old merchant that had been with them from the events of the Sanctuary up until Subaru's knighthood. Although not for very long, they did recognize him but the other person next to him, that one they are in disbelief.
"How is that...possible?" Petra asked.
"I'm unsure. It shouldn't be possible." Reinhard paused, in disbelief that what he sees is the real Emilia thanks to his divine protections indicating this. "How can there be two Emilia-samas?"
As the Sword Saint said this, he along with Petra watched as the two Emilias locked eyes, finally noticing the other.
"Another...me?"
Author's note:
I want to first say that I hope you enjoyed the chapter, we are reaching the end of Greed if world.
The Second is an apology, I was going to post this chapter three weeks ago however my dog had tragically passed away, so it made it hard for me to focus on writing but now that I've had a chance to somewhat find the motivation to write, I want to finish this arc before taking a break.
Greed if Chapters 8 - 12 have also had some updates and added things.