Subaru was standing at the front of the Karsten manor with the carriage behind him. After a few days of being at the Crusch manor, the Emilia Camp consisting of Subaru, Rem, Meili, Beatrice, Spica and now the Sage's Apprenctice Shaula were ready to go. The 3 lolis were in the carriage with Shaula, waiting for Subaru and Rem to come back. Meanwhile, Subaru was talking with the 3 members of the Crusch camp while Rem was packing the carriage and preparing it for departure.

Subaru: "I really appreciate your help Felix. I apologise if we caused you any problems

Felix shook his head

Felix: "Not at all. As a healer it's my job to help all those in need. Like I said Shaula-san's situation wasn't that different from the people of Pristella so it really wasn't any trouble at all."

Subaru: "Are you really sure about this? I mean, you helped us and you're not getting anything in return."

Crusch: "There's no need. You needed help and so you asked for it. If you ever need help, you can come here whenever you need it."

Subaru smiled at Crusch's reassurance

Subaru: "And we'll return the dress and boots you gave Shaula if you-"

Crusch cut him off and waved her hand

Crusch: "Don't worry. I have plenty of clothing. There's no need to return them. And frankly, I don't like that dress. It's too...revealing."

Subaru: "Of course. I really appreciate your help Crusch-san. And Wilhelm-san."

Subaru then turned to the Sword Demon standing to the Duchess' right. Subaru rubbed the back of his head

Subaru: "Uh, thanks for the advice. I'll try and do what you suggested."

Wilhelm: "Don't worry Subaru-dono. I'm happy to help you in any way. Just try not to overthink it. Just do what you feel is right."

Subaru laughed sheepishly still rubbing the back of his head.

Subaru then snapped out of his thoughts by 3 impatient lolis, yelling from the carriage.

Beatrice: "Subaru! Let's get going already I suppose!"

Spica: "Waaah!! Uwawawaaahhh!"

Meili: "Yeah Onii-san! Hurry up or we're leaving without you!"

Subaru turned to the impatient girl back to the Crusch camp.

Subaru: "Well, I guess I'd better get going before they really start getting impatient."

Crusch waved her hand

Crusch: "Don't worry. I'm sure you have lots of things to do, so we won't keep you any longer."

Crusch extended her hand, Subaru responded with a firm handshake. And thanked the Crusch camp again and walked up to the carriage.

Rem was sitting at the driver's seat. Subaru went to give Patrasche a stroke before climbing up and sitting next to her. Rem took the reigns and the Emilia camp set off. Subaru turned around and waved back at the Crusch camp who were slowly becoming smaller and smaller in the distance. Until he couldn't see them anymore.

Subaru smiled to himself. He'd been feeling super tense and pressured since Shaula came back, but thanks to the efforts of a certain old man, all that worry and uncertainty had been lifted.

And he was ready to face whatever challenge came his way.

Emilia was sitting at her desk, leant over with exhaustion. The past few days had been exhausting. Full days of meetings with the Lords in Costuul, so she'd decided to go straight to bed after dinner because of how exhausted she was.

She was about to get up and go to her bed, but a knock on her door snapped her out of her thoughts.

Emilia: "Come in."

With that, the door opened and in walked the pink-haired Oni, carrying a tray with a teapot and a teacup.

Ram: "Tea Emilia-sama?"

Emilia: "Thank you Ram. Just put it on the table."

Emilia moved the books and papers strewn across the desk. Ram placed the tray down in front of Emilia and then stood back to take a bow.

Ram: "By the way, a letter arrived this morning. Addressed to the two of us for some reason."

Emilia perked up.

Emilia: "A letter? Addressed to both of us?"

Ram nodded

Ram: "Judging by shoddy and quite-frankly disorganised handwriting, it's from Barusu."

Emilia immediately shot up from her seat.

Emilia: "A letter? From Subaru?"

Emilia had been taking Subaru's absence really roughly. Although he'd only been gone for about 2 weeks m, it felt like he'd been gone for years with all her work piling up.

Ram was taken aback by Emilia's sudden reaction, but composed herself.

Ram: "Yes. I don't know what he's planning, but I suggest we read it together."

Emilia composed herself as Ram handed her the letter and came around to read it as Emilia opened the letter and unfolded the piece of paper within.

"Dear Emilia-tan and Ram"

Ram snorted

Ram: "The nerve that man has, calling 'dear'"

They continued reading

"I'm writing to tell you that we're finally going to be coming back from Crusch's estate. We should arrive in a day or two."

Emilia: "Subaru's finally coming back? That's great."

Emilia let out a sigh of relief. Subaru had been gone for almost a month. So she felt good about seeing him soon

Ram: "Forget about that. Has he tried anything with my sister?"

Emilia: "Ram. Subaru isn't like that."

They continued reading

"And Felix succeeded in bringing Shaula back. His treatment worked like a charm."

Emilia: "So Shaula's back now?"

Emilia felt something strange, uncomfortable almost upon reading that sentence. But she brushed it off and continued reading.

"But, the treatment wasn't perfect. While Shaula is physically healthy, Felix has confirmed that she has amnesia. She didn't recognise me, Meili or Beako-chan when she first saw us. She couldn't remember anything of her past life, meaning she probably won't recognise you two either."

Ram: "Shaula has amnesia?"

Emilia: "Oh. That sounds reeeaaally serious."

Emilia said that. But for some reason, she felt a sense of...relief? Why was she feeling this way?

"Which is why I've asked Meili and Beako-chan not to say anything about what happened in the Watchtower. And I'm also asking you if you wouldn't mention that either. I don't want to put any pressure on her or force her to remember."

"But, don't sweat it. We'll be back in a day or two. So just hold out a little longer till we come back"

"Love, Subaru"

Emilia felt herself heat up and her cheeks redden slightly. She couldn't understand why she had reacted that way, but Ram didn't seem to notice as she had a look of disgust at the word 'Love' and she was certain she heard Ram say 'disgusting Barusu' under breath.

Emilia saw there was so extra writing at the bottom.

"PS. Don't worry Ram. I'll bring your little sister back safe and sound."

Ram: "Pfft. He's probably trying to get her to give him back rubs."

Both were glad that Subaru and Rem were coming back after being gone for a month.

But Emilia however, had mixed feelings. On one hand, she felt uncomfortable about Shaula coming back and being in the camp, but on the other hand, she felt a strange sense of relief upon hearing of Shaula's amnesia. She knew that it was wrong to feel this way, but...to her, it felt...strangely right?

The Sky started to go dark after a few hours of travelling. The Emilia campers had stopped to rest before setting off tomorrow. Patrasche and Frufoo were asleep next to the fire, while Beatrice, Meili and Spica were asleep in the carriage.

Subaru, Rem and Shaula were sitting outside the carriage, around the fire. Shaula had said she couldn't sleep so she decided to stay up for a little longer after the lolis had gone to sleep. Shaula was wearing a dark blue dress which covered her arms to her elbow, revealing her forearms. The hem of the dress stopped around his thigh, which revealed her slender legs. There was a V-shape open in the middle which revealed Shaula's cleavage. Her black boots covered her calves and her feet. Honestly, it made her look...sexy. She felt uncomfortable about wearing such revealing clothing. But unfortunately, it was the only thing that fit Shaula and the only one Crusch was willing to get rid of.

But Shaula accepted them as she wasn't willing to travelling in a sleeping gown

Shaula: "I'm sorry. I'm being a burden aren't I?"

Rem responded to the green-eyes brunette

Rem: "Not at all. I'm not going to sleep yet, so if you want to stay up with us, you're welcome to."

Shaula gave a small smile in response. She then looked over to the nasty-eyes knight sitting opposite her.

Shaula: "Subaru? What are the other like?"

Subaru: "Huh?"

Shaula: "You said that there were others in your camp besides you. So what are they like? Are they dangerous?"

Subaru waved his hands, trying to reassure her.

Subaru: "No, no. They're really nice people. I think you'd really get along with them."

Shaula perked at what Subaru said. Wanting to hear more she got up, and walked to sit right next to Subaru. Subaru responded by blushing. He was already sitting next to Rem on his right which didn't really bother him, but now Shaula sitting on his left had made him feel flustered. And her dress didn't do anything to calm him down. He felt himself heat up a bit and his cheeks reddened and he felt his heart race. Her slender legs revealed by the short hem, her cleavage-

No! No, no, no! Your heart only belongs to Emilia-tan!

He was about to slap himself on the cheeks to take his mind off Shaula's appearance, but he remembered what Wilhelm had said to him a few days ago.

Subaru took a breath in...then out.

Rem: "What's wrong Subaru?"

Subaru turned to Rem

Rem: "You got distracted. Shaula was asking you a question. It would be polite to answer her."

Rem yawned, stretching her arms.

Rem: "I apologise. I've been driving all day. I should get some sleep so I can focus tomorrow."

Subaru: "No it's ok. I'll do the rest of the journey tomorrow. You've done enough for today. I can handle the rest if you want. I'm sure Spica would enjoy your company."

Rem: "If you insist, I'd like to get some rest if that's alright."

Subaru nodded. With that Rem moved away from Subaru and Shaula and laid down on the ground, closing he eyes. Shortly after, light snoring could be heard.

Shaula then looked from Rem back to Subaru.

Shaula: "So what's the rest of your camp like?"

Subaru got himself back on track and started talking.

Subaru: "First there's our camp leader Emilia. She's a kind person. But she does tend to use outdated phrases like 'melodramatic' and 'lackadaisical'."

Shaula: "Seriously? Who says words like that?"

Subaru looked at Shaula, hearing her say the same words as him. His cheeks went red slightly, as did Shaula's.

They both started laughing.

Subaru: "I say the exact same thing each time!"

Shaula: "Well, Emilia sounds really sweet. I'd love to meet her."

Subaru flinched slightly. He remembered when Emilia first saw Shaula making a move on him. The way she looked, she clearly didn't feel comfortable with Shaula. But he hoped that Emilia would get along with this version of Shaula.

Subaru then remembered Wilhelm's advice, shaking his head and telling himself to stop focusing on the past. But still...

Shaula: "Subaru? Are you alright?"

Subaru turned to Shaula. Shaula saw a few tears in his eyes. She panicked

Shaula: "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude."

Subaru then wiped his eyes, and raised his hands to reassure her.

Subaru: "Don't worry about it. You didn't do anything."

Shaula felt less tense upon being reassured.

Subaru smiled warmly

Subaru: "Anyway. Then there's Ram."

He told Shaula about how Rem's sister Ram was a tsundere.

Shaula: "Tsundere?

Subaru laughed softly

Subaru: "A tsundere is someone who has a rough exterior but has a sweet interior. In other words, Ram acts like she hates you and she thinks you're an idiot, but deep down she's a real sweetheart."

He then talked about how hard working Petra was, Frederica being dignified and mature, and her little brother Garfiel was the complete opposite.

He talked about Otto, Frederica's boyfriend. How he was like a brother to him and super easy to tease but was a really nice guy. He talked about how he and Frederica got together during the excursion to Vollachia. And they've been together for about 6 months now and they were really cute together. Shaula didn't understand what he meant by boyfriend but he thought Otto and Frederica sounded really nice.

Subaru: "Then there's Roswaal. Emilia's benefactor."

Subaru sighed. He really didn't want to talk about Roswaal. But he decided to tell her anyway.

Subaru: "Roswaal is a dick. I honestly don't like him. But he's Emilia's backer so I have to put up with him."

Shaula: "He doesn't sound very nice."

Subaru: "Trust me Shaula. It may be a bit intimidating at first, but the camp is full of good people. It'll take time to get used to it, but you'll fit in just fine."

Shaula hugged her knees to her chest. She felt a sense of uncertainty at first but Subaru's words made her feel at ease.

Shaula: "You really think so?"

Subaru nodded

Subaru: "Absolutely"

Shaula made a small smile to herself.

Shaula: "Subaru?"

Subaru: "What is it?"

Shaula turned her head to look at him.

Shaula: "Can I join you for the rest of the journey tomorrow? Rem could handle the kids and I'm sure you don't want to sit up at the driver's seat all by yourself."

Subaru waved his hands submissively

Subaru: "No it's fine you really don't have to."

Shaula: "But I want to"

Subaru blushed at Shaula's words

Subaru: "Ok, if you insist. But we should really get some sleep so we can set off early."

Shaula: "Of course. I'm sorry for bothering you about the rest of the camp. That was pretty selfish of me."

Subaru smiled warmly

Subaru: "Don't worry about it. Let's just get some sleep ok?"

With that Subaru and Shaula went to sleep, ready for the journey tomorrow.

Subaru saw Shaula shivering even though the fire was keeping them warm. Those clothes she was wearing weren't really made for keeping warm. He unzipped his jacket, took it off and put it over her as a blanket to keep her warm.

Subaru: "Good night Shaula"