Chapter 120: Bad, Bad.
Once more, YN coughed up the dust that had entered his mouth upon waking up in the cold, dark, damp, Tomb. Just as before too, he tip-toed out from earshot to where the broken, slanted door let the wails of Emilia echo through the stone walls.
Upon descending the steps to the Tomb ahead of Subaru and Emilia, the same things occurred. Ram was concerned, Garfiel was suspicious, and Otto was stunned.
Only after a few moments later, Subaru emerged with Emilia slung over his back; a much earlier then normal exit for them. It was of course, quickly decided by Garfiel and Ryuzu that there would need to be a meeting called to discuss all this.
It was the least to say, the trek to Emilia's hovel in the Sanctuary was much slower going, and much more quiet than the previous times.
With Subaru still clearly being distraught about whatever it was that his death entailed, YN was also not in a very talkative mood either. While Subaru still carried Emilia, the one who held his heart on his back, YN carried the one who held his heart on his mind.
Rem...
His meeting with the maid still lingered in his memories.
Was it fake? Did it really happen?
How can I prove to myself that it really was Rem...?
Walking before him though, was his solution.
Her peach-pink hair, swaying side to side with each step, the twin sister of his beloved held the answer to his question.
I doubt my mind could have fabricated that stuff about Ram needing mana from Roswaal... I just need to ask her myself. Even if her answer isn't honest, her reaction to me knowing will be tantamount enough.
But as he stared at the pink vestige that was nearly identical to the one he loved, she eventually felt the holes from his eyes wearing thin through her head.
Glancing back at him now, still in his deadpan stare, Ram questioned his behavior.
Ram: May Ram ask why are you so transfixed on her?
Rather than making a snide comment or a witty remark, Ram had actually inquired this of YN in a rather neutral way, yet her words also carried just the smallest dashing of bashfulness.
Before YN could fully come to his senses and give Ram a meaningful excuse however, an equally stupefied Subaru lazily answered in his place, forgetting any sort of filter in his words.
Subaru: He probably thinks you're pretty.
Ram: —!
Her eyes wide open, and a flash of red going across her face, Ram immediately retaliated towards Subaru's crass comments.
Ram: —Tch!
Impaling her black, heeled shoe onto the top of Subaru's own foot, the pain instantly woke him back up.
Subaru: —Gah!
Nearly dropping Emilia as he recoiled in pain, Subaru curtailed his yelp to keep himself from waking the half-elf on his back.
Taking a quick glance at YN before returning her attention to Subaru, Ram spoke as she turned her back to them both and kept moving to their destination.
Ram: Had Barasu not been carrying Emilia-sama, Ram would have more severely punished him for such careless words.
Subaru: Oh c'mon I was only joking—
Ram: —Drop dead.
Clearly not having any of it, YN had been forced to remain but a bystander in a situation of his own creation.
Shortly though, everyone had finally made it to Emilia's temporary residence.
With much less discussion being had this go around between the likes of Subaru, Ram, YN, and Garfiel, with Ryuzu not even speaking up this time, the move had been this time to put Emilia to rest earlier.
Yet as three members of her camp stepped down from the front porch—
?: Oi. Yous two.
Leaning against the greened and peeling siding of the hovel, Garfiel addressed the departing group with his arms crossed.
Subaru & YN: —?
Knowing full and well whom he was speaking to, Ram only took one step farther down the path before also turning to face the golden haired youth.
Garfiel: I wants a few words with ya.
Using his finger as if to coax them forward, neither of those he spoke to took him with any amount of seriousness.
YN: Can it wait? I just sorta want to go to bed...
In truth, YN really didn't just wish to avoid Garfiel, he still was suffering from the mental fatigue that was having spent his time with Rem. The pain of him missing her had morphed into a lethargic fog in his mind.
Subaru: Sorry, I've gotta go speak to Roswaal.
Basically giving him none of their time, the two began to walk on until they were back with Ram, only to have Garfiel leap to cut them off.
A few paces before them, the boy scratched at the scar on his head while he spoke, a mounting frustration growing in his tone.
Garfiel: Oh no yous don't. I've got things I want answers to, and I want 'em now rather than later.
Awaiting a response, Ram looked to the two who continued to be questioned.
She could see the usual humdrum in Subaru's small, scary looking eyes. She'd seen this look on him before, and it usually spelt trouble for either her, or others in close proximity, yet it wasn't alarming in the least bit for her, especially since she couldn't care less.
As for YN though...
Why is he wearing such a glum expression?
It was the same look of melancholy he'd had when she caught him staring at her. Something was definitely wrong with him.
Should he give Garf an answer he might not like... it might end up being problematic. Of course, that may be due to his mind not being sharp enough to deal with Garf's stubbornness.
Ram: Like YN, Ram also wishes to retire for the evening. Let us by.
While the confliction in her mind varied as to why Ram thought it would be necessary to help YN right now, the two sides did at least agree that helping him made the most sense, since he had the biggest potential to have a major problem occur in regards to Garfiel. And since Subaru was dead set on speaking to Roswaal, Ram had to let him figure that out on his own.
Garfiel: And? What's that gots to do with you, eh?
Hand on her hip, the oni answered him.
Ram: It is a great distance to walk through this dark forest to Ram's quarters. She'd like to have YN accompany her.
Somewhat understanding what Ram was getting at with this, YN stayed silent and left her to do the talking.
Garfiel: The hell do you need an escorts for? The Ram myself is familiar with is perfectly capable of defendin' herself. If she really wants someone to walk with her though, I—
Ram: —Ram simply requires a meat shield that's willing to be sacrificed as she pushes them to get away should something be bold enough to attack her, and unfortunately, Garf isn't even smart enough to do that.
Garfiel: —tch. Whatever.
Surrendering his desire to speak with YN reluctantly, Ram's belittlement worked.
Garfiel: Yous just go to bed and be done with it. If I gotta speak to you tomorrow, I'll come knockin'. As for you—
First addressing YN, Garfiel pointed at the black-haired boy now.
Garfiel: —once yer done talking to the clown, I'll be waiting. I won't be lettin' you off the hook so easily.
Waving his hand as if he didn't care, Garfiel awaited a response.
Trying to keep any words out of earshot now, Subaru leaned in next to YN, and cupped his hand as he went to whisper in his ear.
Subaru (whisper): Hey, you think he's pissy because of the Witch's Scent on us?
But before YN could afford an answer to his friend, especially in regard to what he had learned from Rem regarding Garfiel's true inability to actually smell the scent, he snapped back at them.
Garfiel: Oi! What's with the secrets, huh?
Upset at the disregarding display before him, Ram cut him off.
Ram: Do you not see? YN is so tired he cannot even talk aloud in reply.
Garfiel: Bah. You've made yer point on that already.
Fully giving up on YN, the shark-toothed youth finally turned and went to leave. Waiting till he had entirely left from view, the group of three split, with Subaru going his own way to meet with Roswaal, while Ram and YN went back to their own hovels for the night.
With the sound of crunching leaves under their feet along the dirt path, a long silence had grown between the groundskeeper and the maid as they walked the dimly lit path back to where they were set to rest until the next day.
Ram: YN sure is silent this evening.
Said with only the tiniest hint of nervousness in her voice, in truth, Ram's inner emotions were a flurry.
YN is usually much more talkative with Ram... Is he uncomfortable about something she said? Does it involve how she reacted to her twin sister?
Unsure why YN had been so despondent thus far, Ram admittedly had begun to fear that he had gotten the wrong idea about how she felt about Rem. Had he figured she didn't care, or did not truly believe she was sincere in her acceptance? Or worse, had he detected the fear of her own jealousy as the actual conclusion itself?
Scratching the back of his head in reply though, YN spoke.
YN: I just miss Rem a lot...
His answer wasn't exactly a lie; he missed her.
He missed her dearly.
Except, this longing he felt was a renewed one. He had been given something he knew had to be impossible to happen, yet somehow it did. While it was heart-warming, he had gotten what he felt like was closure, and it came with a bittersweet reality check upon coming back into this Loop.
But, as Ram was eternally unaware of such things, his response only magnified her current state.
It seems Rem truly is the reason he's being silent...
Wanting to fish for more information though, Ram pressed for specifics.
Ram: Ram can tell that is not the only thing bothering YN.
YN: It's... It's complicated.
Unsuccessful in her attempt, Ram utilized her wit to try again.
Ram: Barasu seemingly let his tongue slip when he called YN out for staring at Ram so—...
Failing to find the right word in her vocabulary, Ram tried again.
Ram: —Ram knows she is adorable, but—
Turning her head away, she fully concealedher expression with her bangs now.
Ram: —as YN said, his feelings for Rem are impeccable, but it's clear whatever he was thinking was sourced at Ram.
Mentally cornering YN, he knew better than to either lie, or build a mountain of excuses at the peach-haired maid. He simply needed to phrase his response in a way that did not potentially violate the curse he and Subaru held that had been given to them by the Witch.
I guess now is a time as good as ever to ask Nee-sama about Roswaal... We're alone, and she's prying for information, so I might as well spring her words back at her.
Considering Ram was the one playing hardball for an answer, it only made sense to give her one she didn't expect. After all, then if she didn't like the question, YN could at least say she's the one who asked.
YN: Ram.
Stopped along the path now, Ram turned to view YN head on. Between them, to their side was a large tree that held one of the torches illuminating the path to their destination. The fire burned brightly, and cast its light upon the two in its vicinity. Thankfully, with how she stood, the light was reflected right onto her face and not just her bangs, making Ram's one visible ruby-red eye almost glow in the dark forest.
Ram: — — —
Awaiting his words, she let him take a moment to gather them before he spoke, entirely unaware of the gravity they would soon carry.
YN: Are your... needs getting met?
Ram: — — —
Getting no reaction from her the way he phrased it, a blunt approach was needed it seemed.
YN: Being injured, is Roswaal unable to give you mana?
Ram: —?!
Instantly, the hot glow of the torch and the red of her eyes were outdone by the crimson on her face upon hearing such a question. Exhaling hard out of her nose and looking downward, she sharply looked back up to YN.
Ram: Of where, did you learn of this?
Hearing a dash of anger in her voice, YN remained calm, as he could imagine this was sensitive subject for the maid.
YN: Rem told me.
Ram: —tch...
Turning away from the flame, Ram cast her own expression in shadow now.
Ram: It's only natural you would find out then...
Casting her gaze out into the dark forest, Ram remained silent, as if trapped by the situation. Yet, YN took her continued behavior as a clue.
YN: Ram, if you need some of mine —some mana, that is, I don't mind giving you some. Really.
Eyes open wide at his offer, Ram instinctively reached her hands up to her forehead, where it could only be assumed the lingering scar from where her horn should be.
Ram: Give me...? Mana...? YN...?
YN: Please, if you need Nee-sama, let me help.
As if deeply contemplating the offer, a decision was met quickly nonetheless with a shake of her head.
Ram: N-No... No. It is... There is more to it than just that. It is complicated.
Shook, the maid turned down the innocent offer as she also turned on her heel to continue walking. Following her, YN made sure to walk along the side that allowed him to see her face, opposite how he would with Rem.
Ram: Roswaal-sama is capable of giving Ram what she needs, even in his current state. For that, Ram is grateful to him, just as everyone else should be for his kindness.
With that, the two had actually found themselves before their respective hovels at the end of Ram's reply. Both seeing this, Ram took the out that was being offered to her. Before she stepped inside though, she concluded what she had to say.
Ram: YN need not concern himself with any of it. Goodnight.
Like that, the maid disappeared inside, leaving YN alone in the middle of the dark pathway with his back to the hovel he was staying in.
Halfway expecting such a response and reaction out of her though, it wasn't as if any sort of uncomfortableness drawn from that interaction could compete with how his heart felt still. Rem still lingered in his mind after all.
I just wish I could at least be useful to you too...
Resigning himself to his drafty shack for some rest, YN stepped inside, and simply flopped down on the pitiful bed. Mentally exhausted, his only escape he could hope for was his own dreams.
Across the pathway though from him, in the hovel Ram had departed into, was a deeply conflicted maid.
Halfway between changing out of her maid work-clothes and into her nightgown, Ram sat her shivering and exposed body at the foot of her own pitiful bed. Burying her palms into face, she rubbed them around her round face.
Ram: *Sigh...*
Hands now on her knees, Ram looked down between her legs at the floor, deep in thought. The conflicting feelings inside her were at war.
Had Ram agreed to letting YN give me his mana... It is frightening to even think about what sort of effect that would have on the storm in her mind...
Aware of two battling feelings in her head and the draining effects they had on her mental clarity, Ram took solace in the fact she was potentially doing better now than she would have been had she accepted the offer.
How weak has Ram become? Had he not addressed Ram as 'Nee-sama' when asking, she fears how close she truly was to accepting his offer... to giving in to him.
It felt tiresome, having declined, and maybe also somewhat unhonest to herself. But at the same time, Ram knew how hard her heart would be hit with the feeling of betrayal towards Roswaal.
Yet, was it just not as unhonest to YN to harbor such feelings to herself, even if she did not understand them?
Picking herself up, Ram clothed her exposed-self with her night gown, and laid down in the bed.
Tomorrow... Tomorrow Ram shall receive more mana... She only needs to wait until then...
As her final act for the night, using a flick of her finger, Ram treated herself by utilizing a fragment of her wind magic to extinguish the small candle on the opposite side of the room that illuminated it. While it was spending a bit of the precious resource she could not produce on her own, it was a small price to pay to not have to get back up to smother it on her own, and then walk back across the dark room.
While each slept now however, much more dramatic issues were being made in the Sanctuary...
—that was to be tomorrow's problem though.
YN: AAAAAGGGHHH!
*Thunk!*
Crashing, falling from his bed in excruciating pain, sweat, and disorientation, YN smacked his head on his bedside table as he tumbled to the dirty floor.
YN: Ughhhhhh...
His senses all whiplashed from the sudden waking. It felt like he was extremely hungover or ill.
Forcing his eyes to open, YN looked up to the only source of light in the room; the morning sunrise that caught the moth-eaten holes of the curtain to the window.
YN: What the hell...?
Kicked up dust danced gently in the rays of light coming into the room from his tumble out of bed. But as to why this had happened, and from where the pain originated, YN couldn't say for sure.
If I didn't know any better... I'd say that felt a lot like a—
YN: —GAH!
—A consequence!
Feeling a clamp tighten on his brain and a sword be rammed through his chest, it was the unmistakable pain that occurred when either him or Subaru tried telling someone of their rather complicated ability.
Not again with this... Two in a row is a sign... a sign of something bad.
Pulling himself up to stand, YN's still groggy early morning body staggered to the door of his hovel. Taking only a second to rub the sleepiness from his eyes, he opened the door only to be bombarded by the bright, orange light of the rising sun, and—
YN: —Emilia-sama?
As if about to knock on his door, the half-elf seemed surprised he had so suddenly appeared at the door. But behind her too, were several of the villagers from Arlem.
An odd thing to see so early in the morning, isn't it?
Quickly shaking off her surprise though, a look of worried-determination went across her fair-skinned face.
Emilia: YN, thank goodness you're up. Have you seen Subaru at all since last night? Did he say he was planning on doing something very early the next day?
YN: —?!
With the first questions out of her mouth being about Subaru's whereabouts, combined with the two distinct Consequences he had just woken up to, YN was now certain there was something greatly amiss.
Villager: Please, we're desperately looking for Subaru-sama! Do you know anything?
YN: Subaru is... missing?
Genuinely asking, the fact YN had to ask that sunk everyone else's heart.
Emilia: I see... You don't have any idea either... Neither did Otto-kun...
Turning her head to gesture "no" to the handful of concerned villagers behind her, the silver-haired girl turned back to YN with a request.
Emilia: Will you help us look for him? The Sanctuary is a big place, even if all the villagers pitch in and help...
YN: Y-Yeah. Yeah, I will. Lemme just gather a few things.
Emilia: Thank you so much!
Begging for help, YN couldn't exactly turn Emilia down on the request had he even wanted to, as finding Subaru was tantamount to getting out of this series of Loops and dealing with Elsa.
Really just returning inside his dwelling long enough to wipe the drool off his face and fix his behead, YN quickly was back outside, assisting in the search.
It was just after noon, or rather, the start of fire time by the time most of the villagers were starting to grow fatigued, and were taking a break from their search, namely to have lunch.
Being coerced by Emilia, or more so, scolded, YN went with the others to the abandoned cathedral where the villagers had set up their camp, namely so he'd eat something.
It was already normal for YN to not partake in breakfast, but he had tried getting out of lunch too, under the guise he had to find Subaru. Emilia was strongly aware of his aversion to food as of late though, and wanted to be sure he didn't make himself ill by not eating. "You need to keep your strength up if you want your searching to be worthwhile." is what she had said, hands on her hips and a frown adorning her amethyst eyes.
Not one to pick an argument with Emilia of all people, especially given how stressed she was, YN begrudgingly complied.
Sat down at a table with a bowl of soup, YN puddled the liquid with a spoon as he dwelled on why everything seemingly tasted bland now.
Even after seeing Rem... the flavor just isn't there at all still...
His pallet still remained spoiled from Rem's masterful cooking, and the Love she put into it for him.
The colors coming back to my vision didn't stick around for long either...
What made it even less appealing though too, were the repeated Consequences he had felt throughout the morning while in his search. His head pounded, and his mouth tasted of metal from the recurring signals being given to him. Not only now was it making food distasteful, it had also complicated YN being able to search for him.
It's not like the ability has a homing function... Does he think it's like playing 'Marco Polo' or something now?
Thinking more on it, YN shook his head.
No... Subaru isn't dumb. He knows that wouldn't work... maybe what he's after though, is a reply.
It only made sense. If something had happened to Subaru, it might help him to know YN was at least aware of it, and was mounting some sort of search.
I guess I gotta trigger one myself...
Still looking down into the soup he was only a few spoonfuls in, it was already getting cold, which wasn't going to help his situation at all. About to just plug his nose and down what he could to satisfy Emilia, someone new sat down across from him.
?: YN-san.
Also sat with a bowl of his own, the green tunic'd individual who had accompanied them into this mess seemed poised to speak to YN.
YN: O-Oh. Otto-san.
Setting his spoon down, YN greeted his sudden table-guest.
Otto: I've been looking for you.
With YN's previous thought still in his mind, the means to create a Consequence had appeared right before him.
YN: — — —
YN now blankly stared at Otto now, as if he were expecting him to go on, when in truth, YN simply couldn't think of a way to casually inject his test for a Consequence into any greeting of some kind.
Otto: Ummm. I said I was looking for you...
As if expecting him to ask "What for?" After that, YN bluntly flipped the conversation on him.
YN: I was looking for you too, actually.
Otto: —Huh?!
Caught off guard by the statement, the merchant readjusted his feathered hat.
Otto: Uh, YN-san, you're aware it's Natsuki-san that's missing, not me, right?
Confused, Otto's question was ignored by YN.
YN: I had something to tell you.
Otto: And... that would be?
Hesitant to ask it, knowing it meant more pain, YN took a deep breath like he was about to ask Roswaal for a raise.
YN: Otto-san, I can Return by D—
Instantly, time was drawn to a stop, things became dark, and a billowing mist of inky black fog enveloped his surroundings.
Oh man... She hasn't done it this way for a while...
While the effects of a Consequence were usually instant with the pain they caused, especially if he wasn't the one to cause them, the Witch hadn't created a whole "cinematic experience" like this for him since he had first tried to tell Rem about the curse, before she had found out through what he still believed was a "loophole" of sorts.
Down from above though, the unfortunately familiar black shadowy hand descended to the table between YN and Otto.
Unable to even gulp away his nervousness, he feared this particular time would either be extenuatingly painful or even—
Would it really kill Otto?!
YN hadn't even considered that a possibility until now, when it was too late.
It killed Emilia-sama once when Subaru was trying to tell her about it... but we've used this ability countless times since to our advantage! Why now?!
Snaking down, the hand guided itself towards Otto now.
Shit! If it kills him, this is really going to complicate this Loop!
Reaching to him, the hand did not enter his chest however.
Huh?
Cupping its fingers, the hand moved by Otto's ear, and orienting itself, mimic'd how he might gesture should that be his own hand.
As if the hand were acting as a way to better hear sound, or to prompt someone to speak up, it gave the message of "listening" or "hearing" before it finally moved away from the merchant.
Wasting no time, the hand entered YN's own chest and lightly squeezed it. While it wasn't like a near death experience like it sometimes was, it did indeed make him feel the urge to cough or clear his throat. Yet, unable to do so, the sensation only mounted.
Ehhhhh... Geez just get it over with!
With the hand departing from his chest, it once more repeated the gesture by Otto's capped head, as if really trying to drive home a point.
Ascending now, the hand departed, and as it did, it pointed directly at Otto while it slipped from view.
Does... Does the Witch want me to 'listen' to 'him?'
Assuming "him" meant Otto, YN was curious as to why now of all times, the Witch was giving YN of all people, a clue.
The mist then departed, and time ran as it should again.
YN: *Cough* *Cough* What the hell—?! *Cough*
Quickly covering his mouth with his elbow, the sudden reaction startled Otto.
Otto: Ah! YN-san?! Are you choking?!
Assuming it had to be the soup, Otto in his nervous self worried about the worst.
YN: No no! Just uhh, wrong pipe, I guess. We're fine.
Assuring him he was fine, YN looked about as if he were also waiting for something.
YN: — — —
Otto: — — —
Okay Subaru... Do one back now...
YN: — — —
Otto: Ummm... YN-san?
Despite doing one himself, as part of the signal, YN didn't feel a Consequence in reply.
YN: *Sigh...*
Letting out a breath of air, YN slumped as he sat.
Otto: O-Oh! You must have had the hic-ups and are holding your breath! No wonder you're having so much trouble speaking... Well, that's okay. I actually need you to listen for a bit.
Halfway convincing himself what Otto said was true, YN decided to just go with that.
Okay... I get it, I need to listen to him.
Throwing the friendly grin from his face aside, a more serious expression took its place. Otto's head turned left and then right before leaning in, and spoke in a hushed tone.
Otto (whisper): Last night, I heard shouting coming from the Margrave's resting area after Natsuki-san went inside.
YN: I guess that can be expected... I think Subaru was pretty angry at Roswaal for his handling of things before coming here...
Using that as a likely excuse, YN knew that wasn't the case.
No... Subaru definitely found out something new. Or Roswaal told him something he really didn't want to hear... Subaru wouldn't get mad twice at Roswaal for the same reason, he knows that would be a waste of time.
Otto: That's not the most alarming thing though... Before Natsuki-san went inside, Garfiel-san entered before him.
YN: ...How much further before are we talking?
Otto: Several minutes. Natsuki-san wouldn't have seen him enter.
YN: That's... strange.
Otto: I think it very much is... But what was most alarming, was that Ryuzu-san found me watching, waiting for anyone to exit, and suggested that I should leave.
YN: Really? That's not suspicious at all...
Otto: To be fair, I was the one suspiciously watching, but that brings me to why I think that's so important. Emilia-sama asked Garfiel-san when the last time he saw Natsuki-san was, and he said it was when he was still with you.
YN: — — —
Looking down into his now cold soup, YN knew that could only be for one reason.
So... Garfiel got up to this, huh? And even Roswaal might be involved...
Otto: This morning too, however, Garfiel-san asked me what I did after Ryuzu-san said I should go off to bed. I told him I did just that, but he even offered me a very expensive pyroxene crystal if I kept quiet about seeing him even enter the Margrave's residence. —I turned him down though!
Pleading his innocence, YN wasn't concerned at all with that right now.
So, two entered, which means two must have left...
It was entirely unlikely that Subaru was still in Roswaal's hovel. And since Otto had been shooed off before he could see anyone leave, that could only mean Subaru had been hauled off somewhere.
Unsure of what to make of the more complicated situation, YN shook his head.
YN: Well, this is invaluable information... Just one thing left still puzzles me.
Otto: —And that would be?
Tilting his head as far as he could without losing his merchant hat, Otto was questioned by YN.
YN: What's your angle in this? Why not take the bribe and be done with it? This isn't your problem.
Truthfully, YN had to concretely rule out that Otto was playing the role of a double-agent; feeding him or Subaru things Garfiel wanted them to believe to control their actions.
Otto: —Huh?! Is that it?! YN-san...
Scratching his cheek in a bashful way, Otto sighed.
Otto: I consider Natsuki-san a friend. —and you by extension. Friends don't just take bribes from their enemies to look the other way...
With a hint of a warm smile in saying that, YN's eyes went wider hearing that.
Yet, before he could respond to the meaningful words—
?: Oi. Where's that gardener, huh?
Clearly looking for YN, a certain someone was thrashing about, calling out for him.
Otto: —Ack! if he sees us together we're screwed!
Abandoning his soup by pouring it into YN's bowl, the merchant quickly made tracks by leaping out one of the many broken-out glass frames the cathedral had. Throwing himself into the brush just outside, Otto left his empty bowl and spoon with YN.
Just as he disappeared with just some minor rustling in the foliage, Garfiel reached where Otto had been sitting.
Garfiel: Oi. I've been lookin' for you.
Clearly upset already, Garfiel snorted.
YN: Looking for me? Why? I'm not the one who's missing right now, you know that, right?
Cocking an eyebrow at his copied response, Garfiel responded.
Garfiel: The hell does that mean? You implyin' something? You been talking to that green-guy?
Before YN could answer, Garfiel sniffed the air.
Garfiel: *Sniff* *Sniff*
Staying completely silent, YN feared the worst.
Garfiel: Speakin' of the green-guy... Why do I smell em' like he's close?
Looking down at the table, Garfiel saw the evidence of their parlay.
Garfiel: Oi... Is that his bowl and spoon, huh? Were you two havin' a little chit-chat, eh?
Speaking lower and lower, Garfiel leaned in towards YN, demanding an answer to the obvious.
Garfiel: Just what were you twos talkn' about, huh?
Baring his sharp teeth, YN struggled to keep a poker face despite the danger before him.
If he's already done something to Subaru... He'll have no problem with doing worse to me or Otto!
Before YN could answer the shark-toothed youth though, a familiar voice spoke back up.
?: Aaahhggg.
Wincing as if in pain, the brush in the opened exit to the outside rustled.
Getting both YN and Garfiel to give it attention, up popped the familiar green merchant hat, sideways on its owner's head, and with several leaves plastered to it.
Otto: Uggghh... YN-san! You bully! That hurt!
Caught off guard by the sudden accusation, YN really struggled to keep his same, neutral face.
Garfiel: Huh?
Otto: It's just like two muscle-heads to hang out! If taking my soup for yourself wasn't enough... did you really need to throw me out of a window too!
Catching up to what Otto was doing, YN let the situation unfold as it was.
Taking a look back at Otto's empty bowl, and YN's which was close to overflowing, the golden-haired youth grinned as if amused.
Garfiel: Hah. Serves you right for being so puny, green-man.
Otto: What?!
Giving YN a somewhat uncharacteristic grin of approval, he slapped him on the back in a friendly way too.
Garfiel: Didn't think you had it in ya to swat bugs that's annoyed ya. 'Taking bread from a Wilomack's mouth is a deed performed by the righteous.'
Otto: H-Hey!
Try as he might to legitimately protest Garfiel approving of the faked cover, the analogy used was lost on YN, yet he wasn't really given time to ask or ponder on it now.
Garfiel: Enough loligaggin' though. I want you twos to start gettin' along here. Ya gunna be searching for the Princess-sama's precious knight under my supervision, got it?
Laying down the task they couldn't outwardly deny, YN and Otto exchanged a shared, knowing glance.
Shit, he really is involved... He wants to make sure we don't go looking in the right place for wherever it is Subaru got stashed...
With it clearly being apparent what Garfiel's goal was here, he grinned as if immensely satisfied before turning to leave.
Garfiel: Meet me's by the Tomb in ten minutes time. If neither of ya don't show, I'll come lookin' fer ya, and you won't like that.
His words of threat carrying great weight, YN and Otto exchanged one last shared look.
It seemed the Merchant and Groundskeeper were going to become much more acquainted with each other under the golden-haired youth's watchful tutelage as he donned the responsibility of being their search party foreman.
The entire rest of that day and the next, YN had been paired with Otto to search in any place Garfiel felt would be the "best" to.
While the entirety of the Arlem villagers were also looking, it was all but outwardly said that Otto and YN were being kept from actually discovering Subaru.
Each place they combed over, every shout they made for their missing friend, they knew it was in vain, yet they knew they could not defy Garfiel. Even if YN could overpower him for a moment, the likelihood he could actually win a fight wasn't there.
With the sun beginning to set fully though, the group of three, searching far away from the others, was paid a visitor in the nearing darkness.
Ryuzu: Gar-bo.
Garfiel: Huh? Granny?
Approaching their cross-armed supervisor, he dropped his aura of command for the familiar village elder.
Ryuzu: Gar-bo, it seems Emilia-sama will not be taking the Trial again tonight.
Garfiel: —tch. What the hell... Who does she think she is?!
Enraged by this fact, the youth stomped the ground in frustration with considerable force.
Ryuzu: Everyone has been ineffective in convincing her otherwise. She is more concerned with the ongoing search than she is with the Trials.
Garfiel: I'll go n' see if I can talk some sense into her... —Yous two!
About to leave, the golden-haired youth barked back over his shoulder at YN and Otto.
Garfiel: You're goin' back to the village fer the night. I don't wanna see either of you out late snoopin' around trying to find the Princess-sama's little knight. These woods got dangers in em' and I don't wanna go lookin' for more than one idiot at a time. Got it?
Getting nothing but a simple nod from each, Garfiel departed with Ryuzu to go convince Emilia to partake in the Trial despite her worries for Subaru.
YN and Otto remained statue-like until the Garfiel was well and out of view before each exhaling their held breaths. Stretching his back, the merchant expressed his tiredness.
Otto: It's one thing to keep us occupied, but do we really need to fake-search with so much effort?
YN: It at least makes us look ignorant. Garfiel isn't smart enough to realize we know why he's doing this. We've convinced him we think he doesn't have anything to do with this, when he clearly does.
Otto: That is true...
With really nothing to say between the two, Otto set about his return to the village.
Otto: YN-san, before we split up, can I have a moment of your time?
Surprised by his offer, YN couldn't deny the invitation, given it carried weight.
YN: Uh, sure. What's up?
Otto: It's nothing but a personal warning is all.
YN: A... 'personal warning?'
Confused by the word choice, YN tilted his head and furrowed his brow. While it wasn't like Otto said it as a threat, the vocabulary used was definitely odd.
Otto: Yes. It would be wise of YN-san to be weary of any visitors he might have tonight before bed.
Leaving it at that, the merchant nodded, and began to walk off. He wasn't trying to be overtly mysterious, and Otto didn't strike YN as someone who had chuuni-like behavior, so to say the least, the bluntness of this "warning" only hit harder.
Is he talking in code or something? Does he know something Subaru and I don't?
Thinking on, Garfiel had also just told them not to go wandering about after dark. While at first this seemed like another of his attempts to control their freedom, paired with what Otto had just said, YN admittedly began to worry.
With less than an hour of light left in the day, he reluctantly retired for the evening. Walking back through the forest, he shook his head as he thought of what all this could possibly mean.
Regardless of what it is, something is definitely going to happen tonight...
Evening had come and gone. The sun had finally set, and with it, the many villagers still seeking out Subaru had to end their quest for the day due to a lack of light.
The entire time though, YN had heeded Otto's "personal warning", and kept a keen eye on anyone approaching the dilapidated shack he had taken residence within.
Using a sheet from the bed, he hung it over the window's dusty curtain rod, to keep any light from inside, or namely, his own silhouette from being seen. He moved the four pieces of furniture he had in this hovel to new spots in the room as well, if only to disorient whom it might be that could be paying him a potential visit. Such a thing could gain him a precious few seconds. The small dresser with its empty drawers was relocated next to the door, so if need be, he could quickly topple it over and use it as a barricade.
Not like that would stop Garf though...
With things being ultimately quiet, YN made the decision to extinguish the lights, and retire fully for the evening into his lumpy bed.
Yet as he was about to do so—
*Knock* *Knock*
Someone had decided to stop by.
Shit...
Tip-toeing towards the door, YN kept clear of the window, keen on wanting to not be seen or heard.
Hand on the doorknob now, he dared not twist until his other hand was fully ready.
C'mon... Algol.
The tiny spirit was once more absent in this moment in time, but using his own mediocre talent, YN readied a mix of mana in his body for strength and enough in his palm for a potent attack.
Okay... I'm ready...
Taking one last deep breath, YN built the courage to open the door.
Bring it on, oh inevitable fate!
*Swing!*
Nearly ripping the poor old door off its hinges, YN stepped into the door-frame and projected his palm outward, getting a point blank shot on whoever this person was.
Yet as he did—
YN: —tch!
Right before his palm, a mere hair lengths away, was a blouse of white, one that was a clearly recognizable pattern.
Drawing his eyes up from their chest, (or really, lack thereof) a look of uninterested boredom adored the peach-haired girl's face.
Had it been this girl's nearly identical twin sister, YN's outstretched palm would be somewhere more akin to a pair of clouds, rather than thin air.
Ram: For once, Ram must say she is thankful she is not well endowed. For if she was, she would need to strike YN down where he stands now.
Dispelling any mana from his hand, and damning the recoil it had against his Gate, YN pulled his hand back as far it could.
YN: N-Nee-sama!
Sighing at his late recognition, the maid before him let herself in, casually walking past him.
Ram: Shut the door. It is warm in here and Ram has grown tired of the drafty outdoors she was forced to wait in before being nearly accosted by such filthy hands.
Taking the one, single chair in the room, the maid sat herself down and crossed her legs as YN did as she asked.
YN: "Filthy?" B-But I bathed before coming back here...
Ram: Yes. Since YN was forced to search in the most remote and trivial places by that utter buffoon, Ram can only imagine he now has fleas from Garf.
Looking about the room and how it had been changed, especially with the blanket draped over curtains, she raised a brow to it all.
Ram: It seems as if YN had in fact been expecting company, although it seems he has taken great care in hiding from the outside. Did you intend to do something indecent to Ram?
YN: What? N-No... Otto gave me a 'personal warning' about any potential visitors tonight after we were done searching... I figured he meant Garf...
Ram: Is that truly how he decided to word it? Maybe he really is more of a moron than Ram realized.
Putting a hand to her chin and looking down as she said that, Ram quickly disregarded the notion and moved on.
Ram: However, YN should calm himself— both mind and body.
Knowing he had been in full fight or flight mode, Ram fully understood his cautiousness.
Ram: While Ram is choosing to spend her evening with him, he should realize she poses no threat, —only should his hands remain to himself from here on out.
Still poking fun though, Ram gestured to the bed for YN to sit down, as she surely was here to converse important information, potentially relating to Otto, given she acknowledged what he had told YN.
Ram's never made so many... off-hand comments about me to my face before... Normally she saves those for Subaru... but I guess she's not saying them with any sort of disdain like she always does otherwise.
Taking a mental note of her continued odd behavior; insults mixed with an undertone of hopeful bubbliness, the combo greatly confused YN.
Damn it, what I would give to ask Rem what Ram acting like this could mean... Nee-sama is usually always a straightforward person, yet right now, since coming to the Sanctuary, at times she acts really odd...
Sitting on the edge of his bed to face the maid, she changed which legs she had crossed as she began to speak again.
Ram: Ram and that merchant were able to converse regarding Barasu's kidnapping.
YN: 'Kidnapping?'
Ram: —? It's obvious that he was taken by force. Barasu is a sleazy and lazy person, but he is not a quitter, and he does not run from his problems.
YN: ...I understand that. But how do you know for sure he was taken away against his will?
Ram: Does Ram need to remind YN of the hothead currently in charge of trying to find Barasu? Somehow, in a place he knows of nearly everything that goes on, he managed to misplace his largest rival?
Through what means, they did not know, but it was obvious that Garfiel had a good method of knowing where most people were, at most times in the Sanctuary. So how had Subaru evaded him for so long at this point?
The random occurrences of a Consequences is a sign, I know that much. He's just signaling he's around still. But to what end, I can't tell...
YN knew it would be dangerous if he assumed one way or another what fate had befallen Subaru. Searching one avenue blindly might lead him astray from the proper path.
Yet as he thought this to himself, Ram pushed the conversation ahead.
Ram: Ram was able to confirm that the merchant had indeed actually figured out where Barasu is being held.
YN: —! So then what are we waiting for?!
Ram: It is not as simple as YN would imagine it to be. He is being held in a place only Garf would know about, meaning—
YN: —He's the one who put him there... Meaning he wouldn't take kindly to us breaking him out.
Ram: Exactly. And that's why of the two of us who do know the truth, we have decided it would be best for you to deal with Garf while we free him.
YN: Me?!
Stunned to hear such a thing be decided so quickly, YN felt uneasy about the odds of success.
YN: Nee-sama... I only managed to overpower him twice on pure luck alone... If it were the two of us maybe... if we both dealt with Garf...—
Ram: YN is privy now to Ram's own... limitations. How well do you think she'd be able to handle a prolonged fight against a foe with such stamina?
YN: Pretty poorly... But Ram, my own strength is just as fleeting when it's used to match Garfiel's own. You're asking the same of me, as I am of you.
Trying to show they each carried the same flaw, a faint, melancholy smile went across Ram's face.
Ram: While it is oddly comforting to know someone else can relate to the same feelings of inconvenient inadequacy that Ram has...
Speaking softly and looking at the floor while saying this, her tone stiffened back up as she made eye contact again with YN.
Ram: —she is aware of YN's own similar limitations when facing Garf. That's why she is not asking him to thwart Garf with brawn, but rather, by circumstance.
YN: —? Huh? I'm sorry... I don't really follow what you're asking me to do then...
Ram: Ram will say it bluntly then.
Closing her eyes as she said that, they returned with a fierce fire of determination in them as they re-opened.
Ram: —Re-attempt the Trial that YN failed to complete.
YN: — — —
Caught speechless, YN hadn't a clue how Ram was privy to the details of his Trial in this Loop.
YN: ... How—?
Ram: —'How?!' Ha~! It has been obvious to Ram since the moment you all stepped unharmed from the Tomb! The same one she watched Roswaal-sama lacerated himself in from just stepping inside.
So, Ram instantly knows... I guess that makes sense...
Thinking back to the first Loop of the Sanctuary, Ram had told YN to stay silent when he tried to bring up having taken part in the Trial.
Ram: The only way it would be possible for you both to remain unharmed is if Barasu and you both had partaken in the same Trial as Emilia-sama. Ram does not know where it was you two gained the ability to do so... but that's beside the point now.
Looking over to the single set of candles still dimly lighting the room, Ram went on.
Ram: Either Garf figured out Barasu took the Trial as well, or he blabbed about. Those are the only reasons why Ram could believe such drastic action was taken... Thankfully though, Garf is too stupid to have figured that YN took the Trial as well.
Arms crossed, Ram's serious tone lost its condescending air.
Ram: YN's part in this plan is simple; we will take advantage of Garf's stubbornness. Tomorrow, you'll break away from him and Otto and go to the Tomb to attempt the Trial on your own. He will more than likely realize you are gone before you reach the Tomb, so you must be quick. Once Garf realizes you're undergoing a Trial, he'll be too concerned with that to pay attention to anything else. It is almost certain he'll wait outside for you to emerge, during which, Ram and the merchant shall free Barasu and evacuate him from further harm. So if at all possible, please take as much time as you can.
Concisely relaying the order of which things should unfold, it made enough logical sense to YN.
YN: That's a pretty solid plan... but uhh... What about after I get out of the Tomb?
Ram: You die an honorable death.
YN: —Huh?!
About to believe her words, a sly smirk went across Ram's face.
Ram: By the time YN returns from inside the Tomb, Ram will have the situation explained to Roswaal-sama. From there, justice will be levied against Garf. He will be found beyond a doubt, guilty of harming a trusted retainer of Emilia-sama, —her knight-to-be no less. Ram can promise no harm will come to YN, he will have Roswaal-sama's protection.
YN: ...Alright, if you say so. Sure.
With no real avenue to say no to Ram, upon his agreement, the maid stood up.
Ram: Good. Your cooperation is most appreciated.
As if happy he had agreed with no major qualms, Ram seemed rather pleased with herself.
At the door, she turned back for one final word.
Ram: Ram will do her best to provide an opening for YN to break away from Garf. Everything should be set to begin before sunset tomorrow, so please be ready.
YN: I will. Thank you, Nee-sama.
Giving him one final nod, the peach-haired oni exited the shack, letting silence and stillness fill the single roomed hovel once more.
YN: *Sigh*
Alone now, YN rested his back on the bed.
Welp... Any plan seems better than no plan at this point. We just have to hope it goes as well as Ram thinks it will.
Shutting his eyes, YN let his fatigue take over.
In his mind, the sight, smell, and feelings of Rem's lap in the white space seemed so distant, yet so recent at the same time.
The blue-haired maid's calm, soothing voice and gentle touch caused a phantom sensation along YN's whole body. Lulling himself to sleep with such tender memories, only one bitter thought remained in his mind.
I miss Rem...
Garfiel: Oi. We're done searchn' this place. He ain't here. We're going over back by the ol' chapel again.
Otto: Uh, Garfiel-san we searched over there yesterday—
Garfiel: —I said we're goin' back over there. Now get movin'.
Giving Otto a "gentle" nudge in the direction he wanted him to go, Garfiel glared over to YN as he did so. Following pace, the facade of what Garfiel's real motive was all but fallen in name.
They'd spent the entirety of this day as well searching in areas they had already been tasked to search, making all of it painfully obvious this was a sham.
But, as the orange hues of the falling sun began to shine through the tree canopy overhead, a familiar voice interrupted their travel.
?: Garf.
Catching all of their attention, the one who's name was called grinned in selfish self-satisfaction.
Garfiel: Hah. You done doting on that clown and come to see someone more important?
With his chest pushed out, the golden-haired youth was all but certain this person arrived to find him of all people.
Ram: Yes, that is correct, Ram has attended to Roswaal-sama enough this evening and had come to seek out someone whom she's now more concerned with, yes.
Speaking as if this were a matter of fact, her word choice and tone caught the youth off guard.
Garfiel: —Wha-huh?! Ram... d-do ya really mean—?
Blinking twice and actually managing to get the young man to whimper slightly in his weakened reply, Ram crushed those hopes in an instant—
Ram: —YN.
Garfiel: —Gah!
With all eyes now on him, YN swallowed hard.
Looks like the plan is going into motion...
Ram: Ram requires YN's assistance with a matter. Now, come along.
Garfiel: Oi, oi.
Blocking YN's path, Garfiel stepped between him and Ram.
Garfiel: These two gotta stay and search for their friend, yeah? Wouldn't want em stayin' missin' for too long.
Ram: It is more pressing than Barasu's disappearance. YN, follow Ram's command as your senior.
Garfiel: C'mon Ram. Don't bullshit me. If it's somethin' so important... Tell ya what, I'll help ya.
Hands at his hips and smirking like his perspective help was a great boon, Ram waved off the offer.
Ram: Garf is far too unskilled. Ram requires a steady hand. And magic.
Garfiel: Pfft. If it's a steady hand like that, why not get the clown to help ya? Why would ya need this schmuck? Something ain't addin' up...
Beginning to get suspicious of Ram's motive, she retaliated.
Ram: It is a matter of privacy.
Garfiel: Look me n' the eye and say that.
Garfiel was clearly beginning to sense an air of dishonesty in Ram's voice.
Jeez, does he have the same blessing as Crusch too? A walking lie detector...
Ram met his challenge though. Eye to eye, her singly visible ruby-red eye was defiant.
Ram: It is matter in which YN has offered Ram help in the event Roswaal-sama would be unable to...
Yet as she strongly said those words, Ram was unable to hide the brief, pale, but oh-so-noticeable flash of pink across her fair skin that did not go unnoticed by Garfiel.
Unable to use deception at such a pivotal moment, Ram doubled down on using a truthful statement in a way that lacked context as a bluff.
Garfiel: Just what's that supposed to mean, huh? You've got some sorta big busted secret keepin' 'ere?
YN: —hk!
Is Ram really using her mana-replenishment as the excuse here?!
Stomping the ground, Garfiel turned to fully face Ram, his growing anger causing him to tunnel vision onto her. He knew she wasn't speaking falsely, but thankfully as well, Garfiel hadn't noticed YN's expression now either.
Garfiel: You doin' something unbefittin' of the Great Ram cus' ol clownface is down in the dumps? And with this guy of all people, huh? You expect me ta buy all that shit?
Ram: Hah. Garf's jealousy has him hearing phantoms and seeing apparitions. His assumption is utterly futile and wrong!
Garfiel: Damn right it is! Or... Damn right it isn't!
Caught in his own words, it was clear the youth's anger was taking over his limited capacity to keep to a plan himself.
Yet YN couldn't take his ears off the argument before him.
Here Ram was, putting her neck out for him, and ultimately, Subaru too.
Nee-sama...
Thankful to her, it took Otto covertly nudging him to his thoughts back to reality.
YN: —?
Otto: — — —
Gesturing with only his eyes and brows should he let even whispered words ruin this chance, the merchant signaled to YN the time to depart was now.
With only a nod in reply, YN tiptoed backwards, careful to avoid any fallen leaves or twigs, and turned to begin a covert dash away in the direction of his goal: the Tomb of the Witch of Greed.
Breaking into a sprint for as fast as he could once he was certain he was outside Garfiel's immediate detection, YN arrived at the clearing.
YN: *Huff, Huff*
Having run some distance, YN slowly approached the steps of the Tomb, encumbered in the overgrowth of the forest that threatened to swallow it in a sea of green vines.
The sun had finally set beyond the horizon, but the torches for Tomb had not yet been lit, nor had they in the past two nights from Emilia's unwillingness to partake in the Trial with Subaru's disappearance. This meant the only remaining light was that of the pink sky above.
YN: Pink at night... sailor's delight.
Reciting the saying he had once told Rem, it invigorated a determination in his chest.
We're getting past this Loop.
Taking the first stone step up to the opening, a voice called out to him.
?: OI! JUST WHATN' THE HELL DO YOUS THINK YER RUNNIN' OFF TO!?
Roared in anger, this voice was not friendly.
As YN looked back, a certain golden-haired youth emerged from where he had in the brush only moments ago.
There was still a gap between them, but it was clear that unless this youth could teleport like Subaru had to the Tomb initially, he'd never clear the distance to keep YN from entering.
I don't have time to chat with him. If I don't just book it up the stairs now, he'll definitely get the drop on me.
Without a response, YN turned to move up the stairs.
Garfiel: YOU GOTTA LOTTA NERVE IGNORIN' ME!
Managing to enter the Tomb's drafty entrance just as Garfiel himself made it to the foot of the stairs, YN heard his shouts echo in after him.
Garfiel (echo): I got no idea what yer plannin'ta do, but ya can't stay in there forever!
His frustration mounting, Garfiel picked up a large chunk of stone that had fallen off the Tomb with age, and threw it as hard as he could into the entrance.
Hearing the projectile bounce off the ceiling and both walls before sliding past him on the ground, the stone thrown in anger had been in vain as the Tomb began to light up, signaling a Trial was about to begin.
Garfiel (echo): I'm tearin'ya limb from fu-[inaudible]-n' limb once yer back out here!
His threats falling to the darkness of the inner-Tomb, YN began to walk rather than run as he traced the moss covered, damp wall he walked next to.
Okay... Here we go... round two...
Reaching the pair of busted doors, YN stepped inside, and was immediately hit by the familiar fatigue he felt last time.
YN: Ugh...
Dropping to one knee, his breathing was hard.
I shouldn't... I shouldn't fight it this time...
Instead choosing to give in, unlike he had last time out of pure instinct, YN let the sensation of the Tomb and Trial whisk away his consciousness.
Before he was finally out, a familiar voice entered his mind, bypassing his ears entirely for it to be heard inside his head—
"Witness, a present that was not to be."
—A voice, that was his own.
