Chapter 38: A bright path ahead
"Garfiel, mind if I ask something?" Emilia asked, wanting to know how to deal with the trial. Garfiel noticed this and quickly responded,
"What would ya like t'ask me?"
"I know my trial is my trial. It won't help very much to ask you about it."
"...? Then what on earth're yer askin' 'bout?"
"Now that you've overcome the Trial...no, overcome your past, do you feel like you've changed? That you can accept that change in yourself?"
Garfiel stood silent for a moment, processing Emilia's question before he crossed his arms and thought deeply on the question itself. After a brief few seconds, Garfiel responded to Emilia's question.
"Can't tell whether t'say ths'thing changed, or t'say that I got it back."
"Hm."
"This scar on my noggin's somethin' I did t'myself. T'try n'forget a bad memory."
Garfiel taps his forehead to indicate the scar he caused himself while also gazing at Ram who is standing beside him and looking at him.
"Garf."
"Shut it, don't say nothin' 'Tll make me miserable. Pushed th'blame fer it ont'er someone else so I could hide a bad memory...Realising now how yer knew that n'went along with it fer me suddenly makes me feel like crap."
Subaru and Sora both looked at Garfiel and Ram, seeing that the two have an understanding with one another and have a definite, warm, and familial kind of bond. Garfiel looked back at Emilia and continued.
"Anyway, whether we're sayin' it changed er came back, I ain't th'same as before. Yer guys changed me. So now's to see how yer'll all change... makin' sure yer don't wind up all talk."
"Hmm. Okay. Then I'll be doing my best to match your expectations."
Emilia smiled full of determination, knowing that it is up to her to save the Sanctuary while being aware that Subaru and Sora will both be dealing with the mansion, not having forgotten the problems Roswaal has caused them. She begins to make her way towards the tomb with Subaru commenting on this.
"You are going?"
"I am...Following Garfiel's performance, I'm absolutely going to beat it."
"Can yer do it?"
"I am doing it. I've decided not to fear change."
Emilia gives both Subaru and Garfiel's questions a nod, confident in her own ability. Just as she was going to go, Ram stops her and gives her curtesy while holding her skirt, solemnly, as if she were a servant paying respect to someone of higher status. Subaru noticed this and was about to say something yet knowing that it would lead to Sora hitting his head, he stayed silent.
"I request forgiveness for my rudeness. I had, in full sincerity, doubted whether you would rise to the situation."
"...Mm. I'm sorry for being so ineffective."
"Indeed you were ineffective and a blight to onlooking eyes. But now you have risen and have resolved to challenge. Whether that was antecedent by a desire to or whether your sincere wish had been to flee, presents not the slightest of an issue. I had determined. Would your stance be one to challenge the Trial, or be else? Where I would entrust my own problems rested upon that. Should you have exhibited a desire to flee in surrender, I would have followed to the world's course. But should you have exhibited desire to fight-"
Ram glances at Subaru, which catches him off guard for a moment before she continues.
"May your endeavours proceed well, Emilia-sama. For your safe return shall I await."
Ram curtseys in silence, an impeccable exhibition of a maid giving farewell to her master. Seemingly empowered by Ram's send-off, Emilia gives a firm nod with her expression being on of confidence. Seeing this, Subaru uncrosses his arms and nods before turning towards Otto.
"So just with how this conversation's going, you got anything to say Otto?"
"Well it's amazing how demanding that prospect feels now, but is this truly a situation where I should be saying anything!? Don't you find anything wrong with this!?"
"I mean, it wouldn't hurt, would it Otto?"
"Of course not, Sora-san! (I'm just not prepared is all…)"
Otto feels like he would've been much prepared to give a speech if asked ahead of time, also anything he said wouldn't compare to what Ram said.
"Okay. Please go ahead." Emilia says with an innocent smile. She fails to notice the already stress Otto now trying to find tue words he needs in order to motivate Emilia as well.
"Erm well yes, Emilia-sama."
"I'm listening."
"It happens that actually, I've paid some rather considerable damages thanks to this whole debacle. Though yes naturally this includes a 'joint-investment' nuance, and the damages involved are ones where I had factored in beforehand the fact that I would be paying them..."
"Um?"
The topic shifted into money business, which left Emilia confused as she isn't strong regarding mathematics. Otto bites his lip and raises his finger.
"Well yes so! I chose to undertake these damages with the anticipation that someday you would grow into something great and hefty. So you will need to prevail and ensure that I regain the expenditures I made for this bet!"
"...I think I'm already all grown up. Eating will make me fatter though."
"Don't use tricky phrasing on our sheltered angel. Also Emilia-tan I think everything you're doing right now hits the golden ratio so just keep going like that. Right now you are loveliest."
Subaru smiles as he really doesn't care if Emilia hets a bit more skinny or fattens up a bit, to him Emilia is perfect meanwhile Otto looks like he cannot find anything to say about the fact that his statements aren't communicating. Otto flails for a moment before just ending it with,
"...Come back safely. I'm supporting you."
"Mhm, understood. Otto-kun, thank you for helping me too."
Emilia responds to Otto's hideously safe summarization with a strong nod. Garfiel gives slumped-shoulders Otto a comforting shove. As this happens, Subaru turns towards his father. Kenichi looks at his son and notices that it is his turn to give Emilia some inspiring words with everyone else also turning towards him.
"You're turn to say something, dad."
"Alright, I think I got this."
Kenichi took a moment to stretch himself which got everyone to look at him with confusion. He took a moment before looking at Emilia and beginning to speak.
"Emilia-sama, you have the capability of passing this. You were able to save my idiot son when he needed someone to guide him."
"Hey!"
"Be quiet, Barusu."
"Anyway, I believe if someone can help my idiot son and help give him purpose, they must be amazing. Heck you are qualified to be a part of the Natsuki household."
Emilia's face along with Subaru's face turned beet red, the two knowing that this implies Subaru would need to marry Emilia for this to be possible. As the two were embarrassed by this, Garfiel and Otto chuckled at this since they enjoyed seeing Subaru getting embarrassed. Sora smiled at this while Ram was indifferent about it. Aside from feeling embarrassed, Emilia understood that Kenichi does believe in her as nobody would want her as a Daughter-in-law if they didn't believe in them.
"Thank you Kenichi-sama for your words."
"Anything for my future daughter-in-law."
"Stop it, dad."
Subaru spoke with an even more embarrassed tone of voice which made Otto and Garfiel laugh. As they were laughing, Sora knew that it was his turn to give inspiring words. He approached the half-elf and bowed to her just like Donald taught him. Everyone was caught off guard by this, especially Emilia herself. Before she could say something, Sora began to speak his mind,
"Emilia, you are someone that I consider a friend, a strong one in fact. You have dealt with many obstacles in your life, especially stuff like in the capital but I know you are strong. You are capable of beating this trial and showing everyone just how capable you are to being the best queen. Like Subaru and the rest of us here, I believe in you. You can count on me to be there when you need a friend."
Emilia smiled as she was happy to have Sora as her friend and someone she knows she can rely on. She gave her appreciation to the Keyblade Wielder by saying a simple "Thank you" before both her and Subaru went to the entrance of the tomb together to have a private chat. While Subaru and Emilia went to chat, Kenichi approached Sora and was ready to hand back the keyblade he lended him yet he hadn't realized that it had disappeared a while back when he put it away on his back.
"What? I could've sworn it was here."
"Hehe it's alright, it returned back to me."
"Honestly, it amazes me how my son is able to wield such a weapon. Thank you Sora for also helping my son and guiding him towards greatness."
"Honestly I want to thank Subaru for allowing me to be his master. I don't think myself worthy of being a keyblade master and I even failed the Mark of Mastery yet he believed in my abilities to teach him and somehow gave me a chance to experience it. Although I feel like Aqua would've done a much better job at teaching Subaru, the fact that he believes in me to be his master is what makes me happy to call him not only my friend but my apprentice."
Kenichi noticed this and nodded at Sora, seeing how close of a bond both his son and the keyblade wielder have. This gave him a smile, one of a proud father towards his son.
As Sora and the others waited for Subaru, Subaru walked Emilia towards the entrance of the trial while having a private conversation with her.
"Subaru."
"Hm?"
"So about the thing in the tomb..."
Emilia paused herself as her face began to turn red. To Subaru, he assumed that she was anxious about the trial yet seeing how embarrassed she was getting, making him question the half-elf in a bit of a concerned voice.
"Emilia, are you okay?"
"Sorry...just um that thing in the tomb."
"The thing...? Oh, you mean the stuff from before?"
"Yes dunderhead. Geez."
Emilia pouted at Subaru for his response which made him nervously laugh for a moment before his face started to turn completely red. This is the second time Subaru had kissed Emilia though the first time was while he was dying in the previous loop meanwhile his second kiss was much better since he is not at death's door and is actually kissing Emilia rather than a broken version of her. Emilia continued to speak,
"Inside, where we...um...you know."
"Y-Yeah...right."
"And um, I think it's going to be tough but it's important, so...when the Trial and everything else is done, let's take our time to talk, okay?"
"Okay..."
Before Subaru can think of anything to say, he notices Emilia's manner changes as she begins to change the topic of the conversation.
"Subaru, are you going to go to the mansion now?"
"I don't want to...I want to support you here but I have to. Frederica, Yabuto, Kishida, and Waraki all four stand no chance against Elsa, let alone against a sin archbishop. Also Master Sora's enemies are going to take Rem and Petra for reasons. I just can't let that happen."
"I understand. They are going to need your help, you and Sora."
There was a silence between the two but before anything could be said, Emilia went and hugged Subaru as she feared that he could end up dying in this fight against Elsa and a sin archbishop. Subaru was caught off guard by this and stood silent for a moment with his face turning beet red. They stayed there for a moment before Emilia wished Subaru to be safe, showing that she doesn't want him to die. This reminded him of his previous loop on how Emilia didn't want Subaru to die, how she wanted him to value his life, and how she swore that he wouldn't die anymore yet that was a failed promise.
"Emilia. I'm going to make you a promise."
Emilia looked at Subaru and could see a tear streaming down his eye, causing her to be concerned for a moment.
"What's wrong?"
"Oh...it's nothing, just kinda feeling emotional for a moment but I want to make you this promise..."
"Okay."
"I promise that I will come back to you all safe and sound, that we will come back with everyone in the mansion safe."
"Okay, I'll be holding you to that promise."
"Hehe I know Emilia-tan but I want to do this not just for your sake but for mine as well...after all, I want to value my life more."
Emilia smiled and gave him another hug, seeing that he needed one after the last thing he said in his last sentence. The two stayed like that for a bit before Emilia started to make her way towards the trial. She was alerted by Subaru to be careful and if it was snowing, to get the people of Sanctuary to safety. Emilia nodded at this before the two wished each other luck. As they do this, Emilia enters the tomb to find a love letter from Subaru and a couple of drawings of himself and of Puck, both wishing her good luck on the Trial.
"You idiot, Subaru."
Emilia's voice was one of happiness as she said this which then came a bit of laughter. She knows that the pictures, letters, and chiselled into the wall were all Subaru's creations with a big chibi drawing of both Puck and Subaru.
"You are such a featherbrain, Subaru."
Emilia began to feel the warmth of her heart, wanting to be much closer to Subaru than she thought and eventually come to realize that she might have feelings towards Subaru. Although she still isn't sure, she knows that she cares deeply for the boy she had saved when he first arrived in this world, she smiled when he didn't leave her side despite doing her best to push him away on their first day together. She looked back at the wall and smiled at the motivations Subaru put.
"You're right. Let's go for it, Subaru."
Emilia enters the room where the trial will take place and before she knew it, she was in the dream world of Echidna's. The half-elf looked at the witch and could see that she doesn't like her.
"It's amazing how you can come back so shamelessly after flaunting all that hideousness. Even I have to find myself shocked at your audacity and at your failure to quit. I was more or less expecting Sora to complete what you can't."
"He believes in me." Emilia spoke with conviction, something that annoyed Echidna to her core. "Oh really? You hit setbacks and bawl, but provided you can debauch a man into embracing you. You don't care, you whore. You defiler who desecrates my world. Shameless and self-loving you are as he forgives you over and over, you reprobate. —What do you think, witch-child?"
Emilia looked at Echidna and could see just how much the Witch of Greed doesn't wish for her to pass the trials. She took a moment to think before recalling one of the writing Subaru had drawn for her.
("Nobody is expecting anything from us. Is there anything more fun than proving them all wrong?")
Emilia smiled at this and agreed with what Subaru, causing Emilia to raise her arm, jabbing her finger toward the heavens in the same way that Natsuki Subaru did when stating the audacious, when stimulating his courage.
"My name is just Emilia. Born in Elior Forest, the Witch of Glaciation."
Emilia can tell that the witch is daunted. Feeling satisfaction in that, Emilia lowers her skyward finger to point at her.
"A fellow witch's spite isn't going to make me bend. After all, me, I'm a pain in the ass of a woman."
Subaru returned back to the group with Garfiel and Sora both curious about Subaru's unseen hands ability since the two don't exactly know what the boy did. Sora suspected that Subaru somehow managed to pull a similar trick to Sekhmet and Petelguese but he wasn't sure.
"Captain, when we were fightin' n yer smacked me flyin', what was that?"
"You mean Invisible Providence."
"Inv...what?"
"The Invisible...Providence?" Sora asked in a confused facial expression. Subaru seeing his opportunity to look cool quickly goes into his cool mode and begins to speak in an overconfident manner.
"Invisible Providence. The Imperceptible Will Of The Gods. Isn't it cool?"
"'S crazy cool yeah."
"That actually does sound pretty cool, Subaru."
Both Sora and Garfiel were impressed by the name with Subaru smiling as he wanted to have a different name than the unseen hands since that within itself already has a bad rap because of the witch cult and because of Petelguese.
"Your ability reminds me of that Sin Archbishop of Sloth's ability...and of the Witch of Sloth honestly."
"It is similar to theirs, Master, but it has its own spin on things."
"It ain't magic's fer sure. Th'vibe of it ain't right."
"I mean it isn't regular magic like the dark fire I create but even that is risky to use. All I can say it's definitely occult. Try all you want but you'll never copy it."
"Ain't gonna. Hittin' someone where they can't see it's chicken."
"Ch-chiken he says this punk...!"
Subaru gives a glare at Garfiel while Sora giggled at this, finding it funny how Subaru and Garfiel act. Garfiel gives a "My bad" response while looking completely unapologetic. Kenichi laughed and started to joke around on how Garfiel and Subaru really did act like brothers which annoyed Subaru while Garfiel was somewhat intrigued by this. Otto laughed a bit yet felt a little left out. After they all had a little laugh, Garfiel quickly remembered something and turned towards Subaru.
"Oh, jus'thoughter somethin', Captain."
"What's up? It's still weird this whole Captain thing."
"Yer'll get accustomed. Anyway, there's somethin' I gotta 'pologize for. So My amazin' self went in th'tomb. N' so my amazin' self went in th'Trial room."
"Yes?" Subaru asked as he was unsure where Garfiel was going with this.
"N'so, I saw them. Yer, erhm. Those. Frantic results."
Subaru was for a moment thinking on what Garfiel could mean yet as he really thought deeply into it, he immediately realises what his ally is referring to and his eyes shoot open. His face burned red with embarrassment while Garfiel tried to assure him.
"W-wasn't tryin' t'do anythin' bad. But t'think it'd wound up bein'..."
"S-stop talking! Forget it now! You, crap... I forgot! I mean... I mean, I didn't think it'd wind up that you'd go in the tomb! And then it... augh, fuck!"
"Wait, what's going on?"
"Nothing Master!"
"Doubt it son, you look red like a tomato. Spill it, what happened?"
"I just saw Captain-"
"No, No! You are not saying anything regarding it!"
"What exactly is going on?"
"As I said Master, nothing is going on! This conversation is done! That's all I'm looking for! Done!"
"Yeh, will do...But here's what I thought when I saw'm. Yer an absolut, incredible moron...but I'm glad yer ain't dead."
"Stop! I said it's over, are you some brainded brat?! No wait, you are a brat!"
"Seems like someone is embarrassed about something." Otto added which with a smirk on his face, making Subaru's face turn even more red than before. Eventually he began to scream in defeat while everyone started to laugh. After a moment of everyone laughing for a bit, Subaru and Sora quickly explain to Garfiel that assassins and the Sin Archbishop of Lust are going to hurt Frederica and the other innocent people inside the mansion.
"Guess my amazin' self's gonna have't save my sis."
"We will but first let's interrogate Roswaal, I want to make sure he knows something."
"Aight and if th'bastard does anythin' off, I'll kill em."
"Don't worry Garfiel, Roswaal won't do anything stupid. Not with all of us standing side by side."
"Don't involve me in such things. I'm not going to go against Roswaal-sama."
"I know but that is why I want to ask if you can wait her for Emilia to finish the trial and inform her that we left to Roswaal's first before heading to the mansion."
"Why should I do this, Barusu?"
"Because...I'm asking you as a friend."
Ram paused herself for a moment, not expecting that answer of all things yet she just gave a look of disgust.
"Hmph. As if I will ever befriend trash like you. I will stay but for Emilia-sama's sake, not yours."
"That's good enough for me." Subaru said, having a feeling that Ram is not being one-hundred percent honest yet he didn't want to press her on it. Before they left, Sora approached Ram and gave her three elixirs and four mega-ethers while also two dream eaters.
"What are these?"
"These three are elixirs, should you be low on strength and feel like you are about to be beaten, use it and it'll restore your strength, your mana, and your stamina. The four here are ethers, they will restore just your mana should you be running low. I gave you the stronger versions just in case. I'm also leaving you two dream eaters just in case the heartless or nobodies pose a problem for you."
Ram was reluctant to accept this yet she nodded and grabbed the seven items, knowing that Sora is giving them to her in good faith. As she accepts this, Garfiel turns towards Ryuzu Bilma to ask her if she could stay with Ram to which Ryuzu gives a simple nod before Sora and the others all travel as a pack towards Roswaal's room to confront the magician. As they enter the room together, Roswaal for the first time feels cornered since the moment he saw Garfiel standing by their side, he knows that Subaru has accomplished one of the two requirements to win the bet.
"Thiiiis is quite a surprise, seeing you wiiiiith them, Garfiel-kun."
"Yeah? N'what of't?"
"Just seeeems like you were against them thiiiis morning. Why are you standing besiiiiiide them now?"
"Master and Captain both helped me conquer me fears, s'now I'm on their side."
"Seeeems like you have grown weeeeeak, Garfiel."
"Hey! Don't disrespect Garfiel!" Subaru spoke just as Sora was going to say something, catching the attention of Roswaal.
"Cooonsidering you barely beat Garfiel and manageeed to get him to change sides, I am soooomewhat impressed by your competence."
"Watch your mouth, that's my sons you're talking to!"
"...What?" The whole room just looked at Kenichi confused while Subaru just face palm at his father's comment. Although Garfiel felt off, it did feel nice to have a father figure actually standing to defend him. Roswaal was confused yet he knew that this was not going to get him anywhere so he shifted back to Garfiel.
"Anywaaaay, why are you siding with theeeeem anyway? Didn't you diiiistrust them?"
"Yer right, I did distrust em but thanks't captain...actually thanks't Ram I face me past by goin't da Trial."
"What?! Impossible...you're...you're not capable of facing your past again!"
"Yer can say 'm not capable all yer want. I already went n' done it, n' saw what I saw. N'so, I wound up understandin'."
Roswaal glares at Garfiel intensely while waiting for Garfiel to divulge what he learned. Garfiel took note of this and quickly said,
"I ain't gonna tell yer what I figured out. 'S a waste on you."
"What?!"
"But I will yer one thing, why'm sidin' with th'Captain. S' cause of goddamn course yer'd rather team with th'people sayin' yer strong, we need you, than someone makin' yer think yer gonna stay weak forever."
Roswaal looked at Garfiel as he walked away to allow Subaru to take control of the rest, leaving the Margrave with anger in his heart. Subaru wanted to get straight to the point so he told Roswaal that Emilia is taking the trial and that he will lose.
"As if, she can..."
"Hmph." Subaru smiled for a moment before doing his normal pose by pointing his finger up while speaking confidently,
"My name is Natsuki Subaru! Son of Natsuki Kenichi! Apprentice to the great Keyblade Master, Sora! And Knight to the silver half-elf, Emilia. Mark my words that Emilia will pass the Trial and she will succeed."
Garfiel was amazed by Subaru's pose, Kenichi felt a bit off yet proud at his son for using his pose in a somewhat badass way, Sora smiled as he always enjoys seeing Subaru acting like this from time to time, and Otto felt indifferent about Subaru's posing. Roswaal looked at Subaru with a glare for a moment before seeing that Subaru is close to winning the bet, meaning that he would need to abandon his gospel. He went to grab it which surprised Otto since he is aware of what the gospel is.
Roswaal held it tightly to his chest, knowing that his only hope is to follow it and that Subaru would end up losing the bet by dying.
"I'll make it snow."
"Do what you want, Subaru will defeat you Roswaal."
Subaru nodded at Sora as he did like what he said before they all began to leave the room. As the five were leaving, both Garfiel and Otto looked at Roswaal and in unison whispered, "Idiot."
Once they left, they all gathered outside with Kenichi asking his son what was the plan since they needed to act. Subaru and Sora both know that the mansion is going to be much tougher since not only will they need to deal with Elsa, Meili, and Capella but also Saix and Replica Riku. Subaru crossed his arms and started to say,
"We will be heading to the mansion. There are going to be a few goals here. The first being that we will need Master Sora and Garfiel to take on Elsa and Capella, the Sin Archbishop of Lust. The second being that my three knight friends buy us time in getting a little girl named Petra and a sleeping Rem out of there. The third is while we have Garfiel and I to hold off both Master Sora's enemies and the assassins, Master Sora will go and get Beatrice out of her forbidden library. The last thing would be getting Beatrice to teleport all of us back here, that way we can get everyone to safety."
"Sounds fair enough but what would you like Kenichi-san and I to do, Subaru-san?"
"Otto, you will be assigned to protect Petra. My father and I will get Rem and should one of those Organization bastards try and take her, I will face them myself while my father gets her out of there."
"You think you can take them on for long, my son?"
"Don't worry father, I will just be buying time until we can get Rem and Petra to safety from the Organization's hands. Once they are in a safe place, I will take over Master Sora's position in holding back the threat while he goes and convinces Beatrice to leave the mansion."
"How should I go about that?" Sora asks, a bit curious on how he should talk to Beatrice in regards to convincing her to leave the mansion. Subaru takes note of this and quickly thinks about the previous loop on how things seemed to have almost gone their way before Replica Riku and Saix interrupted.
"Garfiel and I will buy you time to talk to her, just be yourself and should she ask if you are that person, be honest with her. Also before you ask Master Sora, that person for her is the one who will save her. I believe that it is you."
Sora looked at Subaru and nodded at his apprentice, feeling positive that he can save Beatrice. Otto crossed his arms and had asked what was the plan regarding the Great Rabbit, knowing that it will be the last obstacle to deal with. Subaru crossed his arms and thought about it for a moment before he responded to Otto's question with confidence.
"We should be able to lead everyone out of Sanctuary should that come to pass. If we are surrounded then we will rely on our strength to take them down."
"But how? The Great Rabbit is hard to kill!"
"You are right but I have confidence that Master Sora, Beatrice, and I can produce magic together that'll take out the Great Rabbit."
Otto looks at Subaru and sees that he is confident that they can take down the Great Rabbit, making him trust his friend's judgement. As they all review the plan once more, Sora and the others all give Subaru a nod that they are ready to take on the problems in the mansion. Subaru smiled and nodded before they went to get Patrasche in order to prepare to ride towards the mansion while Garfiel went to get something from the Ryuzu house. As Garfiel returns with two shields on his arms. Subaru and Otto were intrigued by this but stayed silent while Garfiel handed over a sword to Kenichi.
"Take this, it'll give ya somethin' to fight with."
"Thanks Garfiel, my boy."
Garfiel looked away with an uncertain look on his face, not sure how to respond to what Kenichi said. Before he could dwell on it, Subaru pointed out a problem.
"Well this is a problem, there are five of us and one ground dragon. She can only hold two of us."
"Don't worry about that Subaru, I got a dream eater that could help with this."
Sora quickly closed his eyes and managed to summon the large Tyranto Rex Dream Eater, which got everybody's attention.
"Fuckin' hell!"
"That's so damn cool!"
"What a beautiful sight!"
"This is amazing, Master Sora!"
Sora smiled at hearing this before allowing Otto, Garfiel, and Kenichi to ride the Tyranto Rex dream eater while Sora and Subaru rode Patrasche towards the mansion, knowing that they needed to get there quickly. As Sora, Subaru, and the others all ride towards the path to the mansion, they question Garfiel on how he can leave the barrier which Garfiel responded that like Frederica, he is special as well. Knowing that Garfiel feared the outside world, they didn't press on too much on the matter.
As the five all were leaving the Sanctuary, a mysterious figure looked from a distance before turning his attention on someone, Roswaal L. Mathers. He went towards the house he was in and began to enter with nobody around to see him. As he was entering the building, he was a bit surprised how the place looked despite being created by poor people. He continued to walk around until he reached Roswaal's room where he opened the door, catching Roswaal's attention.
"Whooooo may you be?"
"Just someone who likes to watch events unfold."
"Thaaaat doesn't answer my queeestion."
"Let's just say someone who is interested in lending you a little hand, just to see how events would play out."
"Whaaaaat are you proposing?"
"That should I lend you control of the heartless, only for a moment, that should help you with getting the boy to follow the path of the book."
Roswaal stood silent for a moment, knowing that this person had an oddly familiar aura with them which eventually caused him to ask without his usual accent for a moment.
"Do you happen to be Luxu by any chance?"
"..." The mysterious figure looked at Roswaal with a silence, not responding to the margrave's question or even giving any reaction for a moment. After a couple of seconds, Roswaal confirmed that the person standing in front of him was not Luxu. The mysterious figure took note of Roswaal demeanor changing, which made him say,
"You sure are an odd person."
"Hoooow so?"
"Your speaking manner, it's kinda weird."
"Saaaays the one who aaaaacts like a moron."
"Now hey! That's just plain rude."
"Noooow, back to topic. How wiiiiiill you help me, exactly?"
"I'll give you a chance to at the very least force the boys in a specific location."
"I dooooon't think that wiiiiill work."
"What? Does that little book of yours says otherwise?"
"Theeeeey won't win. If the Organization is involved, then they staaaand no chance."
"You really are confident that they will lose, are you?"
"Under my contract, I muuuuust not interfere with events."
"I see, I mean you can always ask for my help. That's not a part of the contract, getting allies to help with things."
Roswaal thought about it for a moment yet he is unsure of the person standing in front of him and he greatly distrust him. He smiled at his gospel and began to answer the mysterious figure's proposal.
"I don't trust you. Wheeether or not you will do something doesn't concern me. As looong as I have this, I will reach my future."
"Fine. That is absolutely fine. I'm not hurt at all by this. Good luck with your bet…(idiot)."
The mysterious figure started to make his way outside of the door but before he could leave, he needed to ask him something.
"How do you know Luxu?"
"Whyyy should I tell you?"
"Let's just say I know him. How do you know of him?"
"Now that is nooone of your business."
"Hm. Why did I expect you to answer that? Alright, I'm leaving now."
The mysterious figure created a corridor of darkness and began to leave, feeling annoyed that Roswaal didn't take the advantage of his assistance since he knew he probably would've been able to help him win the bet. As he was leaving, Roswaal thought about the small interaction for a moment before coming to the conclusion that he made the right choice since he doesn't need to rely on anybody but the gospel.
"...though it would've been different if it were you, Luxu."
Petra walked around the mansion, not having expected her duties to be tough due to the simple fact that the mansion is really big. She walked around and thought about how she needs to protect Rem, knowing how important she is to both Natsuki Subaru and Sora. She then started to think about the three knights staying to protect her, Frederica, Beatrice, and Rem. She does enjoy watching them spar, especially when Yabuto and Waraki go all out. She does feel sympathy for Kishida since she knows that he is struggling to fight with a sword since he only has one arm.
'I wish I could help out somehow...'
Petra looked sad for a moment yet she was unable to stay side for long when Meow wow dream eater appears near her and does everything it can to cheer her up. She smiled and started to pet her guardian, happy that Sora gave her something to make her happy and to keep her safe. As the dream eater chose to be walking side by side with the little maid, she ended up encountering Kishida, who was sitting on the ground.
"Hello there sir knight, how come you're all alone here?"
"Sorry to disrupt your duties, little one. Just needed a moment to myself."
Kishida had been thinking about what Regulus did to him, making him angry that he lost his arm while at the same time he was somewhat impressed on himself that he managed to survive an encounter with not one but two sin archbishops. He was attempting to fix his hook arm yet it was pretty tough to do with one arm. Petra wanting to be a good little maid, she went and gave the knight a helping hand.
"You don't have to, little one."
"I want to, Sora-sama would be here helping you if he was here."
"Hehe I see. You look up to Subaru's master...either that or have a crush on the boy."
Petra's face turned beet red when she heard what the knight said, knowing that he is right to suspect that she has a crush on the Keyblade wielder. As she was adjusting the hook so it won't fall off, Petra asked Kishida what he thought about Sora.
"Sora-sama? I think that he is pretty strong, considering that he was able to go toe to toe with the Sword Saint Reinhard. At first we feared him because well someone who has no divine protection or martial arts can take on someone like the Sword Saint and land a hit, it was troubling until we saw how Subaru was. Being an apprentice, he would inherit some of Sora-sama's personality so I chose to trust the Keyblade wielder."
Petra was amazed by hearing that her hero, Sora, managed to face off the Sword Saint of all people and land a hit, making her impressed by Sora's strength. Kishida noticed how interested Petra was about his thoughts on Sora, confirming for him that she does have a crush on the Keyblade wielder. The two joined up with the others towards the dinner table with Yabuto attempting to convince Beatrice to join them yet he ends up getting thrown out of the library. Waraki and Kishida both laughed at their friend for his inability to convince a little girl to eat her food with them.
"Shut up, idiots."
"Hahahaha. You really have poor moves, even with women you sucked."
"You..." Yabuto looked at Waraki and was going to curse at him yet since Petra was there, he paused himself for a moment before giving his friend a disgusted face. This made Waraki and Kishida laugh even harder while earning a giggle from Frederica and Petra. As the five of them were enjoying dinner with Petra and Frederica both wishing that Beatrice would join them, the lights of the mansion all of a sudden went out.
"What the?!"
"What's going on?"
Waraki and Yabuto both got up and pulled their swords out with Petra clung to nearby Frederica. Kishida also pulled his sword out yet he stood close to the two maids. As the four adults were on high alert, Kishida turned towards the group and started to say,
"You three could search around and check for any intruders. I'll take the little maid to safety."
"You can trust Kishida, Frederica-san."
Frederica was skeptical for a moment yet she knew that despite the knight being at a disadvantage, she has seen him be a formidable warrior during his sparring sessions against both Yabuto and herself. She used her senses to turn towards Kishida's direction before telling him,
"I trust you but remember, she is my pride and joy."
"Don't worry, I will protect her with my life."
Frederica took note of this and quickly patted Petra in the head before telling her,
"Petra. Be a good girl, listen to me. Take Kishida-kun and use the stairway behind us, and exit. Without making any sound, silently, as fast as you are able, flee. He will protect you."
"B-But what about you?"
"I'll follow soon behind along with Yabuto-kun and Waraki-kun. Once you and Kishida-kun have exited the mansion, run to the village. After we safely reconvene, we will wait until morning to tidy everything up."
Petra understood this and quickly gave Frederica a tight hug before approaching Kishida and hugging him while he led the two towards safety. As the two walked towards the stairs quietly with Kishida keeping his guard up, Petra realized that Rem is defenseless and need to protect the sleeping blue haired girl.
"Kishida-sama...we need to help Rem-chan."
"Huh?"
"We can't just leave her there."
"But I can't, Frederica would kill me if I keep you in here."
Kishida somehow can feel Petra giving him a pouting face, which caused him to think about what he can do. He knows that the kid is right regarding the fact that they need to get Rem to safety yet he was hesitant. Petra noticed this and quickly told the knight that if he didn't go with her then she would go by herself.
"Don't be stubborn little one, you would only put yourself in danger."
"I don't care, Sora-sama or Subaru-sama wouldn't just stand there and do nothing to help others."
"Subaru..." Kishida thought to himself, seeing that his friend would do everything in his power to help others despite the risk. Reminded by his friend's actions got the knight to go along with the little maid's plan to get Rem to safety as well. As the two made their way up the stairs rather than down, someone in an organization coat watched from a distance.
Author's note:
1. Garfiel's trial was pretty interesting, I have more to say about it and how great this episode is in my youtube channel: GreenWarrior291
2. Regarding the story, I probably won't add the first two trials of Emilia since I want the anime to show it.
3. I'm setting something up with Roswaal, yes I know we all want him dead but give me a moment to find the right punishment for him.
4. I know Garfiel calls Subaru Boss in the anime, he calls him Captain in the web novel (maybe light novel). So I have chosen to use my version of Garfiel to call Subaru Captain rather than boss.