-Roswaal's Room-
"Your injuries are healing up very nicely Roswaal-sama. As long as you're careful, you could begin walking normally later today." Ram, having just finished inspecting the bandages on Roswaal, informs him of his current status.
"I seeeeee. That is very good to know. Now, my throat is feeling a little parched. I would like a bit of water to soothe it." Roswaal smiles as he issues his order for the pink-haired maid.
"Understood." Ram leaves, only to return a few moments later with a glass of water.
"Any status on Subaru-kun's return?." Roswaal looks out his window as he sips his water, able to get a decent view of the various buildings the Sanctuary members are dwelling in. He can see a few of the villagers out walking.
"No, it takes a few hours to go to and from the mansion, and the morning has only just begun." Ram responds. The previous night she had informed Roswaal of Rem potentially being cursed and Subaru planning to take her to the mansion to see Beatrice as a precaution. She didn't know when he would leave, but considering she hasn't seen Subaru or Rem at all since she woke up, it's safe to say they've already departed.
Ram continues with a scowl, "If only Barusu left a note saying when they'd left, it'd be easier to estimate the time they'd return. In any case, as long as they don't plan on doing anything additional there, they should only be gone for a few more hours at most. However, I am concerned about them encountering that girl Rem got attacked by last night again. Thankfully Synesthesia tells me she's fine."
"I seeeee. That is good to know they'll be returning soon. How about Emilia-sama? I knoooow she had some difficulties with the trial yesterday. Is she prepared to face them again today?"
As soon as Roswaal asks this, a person knocks on the door to his room. Ram goes to answer and is surprised to see Emilia at the door.
"Emilia-sama? What a coincidence."
"Hi Ram. What do you mean this is a coincidence?" Emilia asks while tilting her head.
"Roswaal-sama was just asking about you. Please step inside." Ram gestures for her to enter.
"Really?" What would Roswaal want with her? Seeing the man in question sitting on the bed, she asks, "You wanted to ask me something?"
"Knowing how the events last night plaaaaayed out, I wanted to know how you're feeling today and if you're ready to take another attempt at clearing the trial."
Emilia smiles, "Actually, I wanted to come and talk about that! Since Subaru had to take Rem to the mansion, I plan to spend the entire day attempting to clear the trial."
"Are you sure Emilia-sama? You know what happened last night." Ram says.
Emilia tilts her head down a little and frowns, "I…I know. But I really want to clear it! Subaru is working very hard too, so I can't be the only one slacking off. I wonder what he'd say to me if I told him I managed to pass the trial."
"So you believe you're capable of passing the trial on your oooooown?" Roswaal inquires.
"I'm going to try." She says.
Ram and Roswaal can sense that there is not much confidence in her tone. Yet at the same time, her will and determination is pushing her forward.
"Ram, go and look after Emilia-sama."
Hearing this sudden command, Ram turns to face her master with a slight look of shock, "Are you certain? You're still injured and no one would be here to look after you. Perhaps sending Garf would be more suitable."
"Garfiel, and aaaaanyone else is too risky when their motives remain unknown. I'd feel most comfortable if you were the one to attend to her. You will do as I say, right Ram?" Roswaal eyes his maid with an expectant look.
"...As you wish." She reluctantly complies.
"I'm sorry for bothering you with accompanying me Ram." Emilia voices her heartfelt apology, feeling pathetic for not being strong enough to attempt the trials.
"Don't worry about it, let's go." Guiding Emilia out, the two leave the room and leave Roswaal alone to muse in his own thoughts.
"So, Subaru-kun and Rem have gotten rather close." Dropping his laidback and amused clown accent, he turns to the window and narrows his eyes. "To go to my mansion with her to treat her curse rather than send Ram or someone else, it's all clear now."
Sitting up as straight as he can, Roswaal turns the upper half of his body around and faces the pillows he's rested his head on for the past day. Reaching his hand deep into the mountain of pillows, he moves it around in a calculated manner until something hard encounters his fingers. Encasing his hand around the object, grabs ahold of it and pulls it out.
It's a metia, one that is shaped like a compass and can be opened like one. Called a Conversing Mirror, if one is linked up to another Conversing Mirror, then an established connection can be made between the two. The mirror embedded on the upper half of the metia will show front viewings of the mirror it's connected with. It's behavior and purpose can be directly compared to a cell phone and using video chat.
Opening it up, Roswaal remains silent for a moment before speaking into it.
"Yes, this is urgent. Head over there now. I know it's earlier than planned, but I cannot let any mistakes be made. Additionally, the original plan has been altered. Target the small girl with the blonde, drilled-shaped hair. …Yes. …Yes, use the method I have told you to locate her. It may take a few moments, but I guarantee you will find her. If you locate the others, do as you please, they are not your targets anymore."
Hanging up the metia, Roswaal clicks his tongue in a slightly irritated manner,
"You disappoint me Subaru-kun. Everything was set up so you would be with Emilia-sama. But now Rem has redirected your gaze. Looks like I'll have to get more direct with who you should prioritize."
With that, Roswaal slowly gets up and exits the room.
-On Route to Roswaal's Mansion-
Currently riding Patrasche, Subaru and Rem make their way to the mansion as fast as they can. Along the way, Subaru explains the idea that popped into his head.
"If I understand correctly, you're supposed to say to Beatrice-sama that Roswaal said to ask the question, and somehow she's to become your ally?" Rem says once Subaru finishes his explanation.
"Pretty much, according to Ram. Do you know what she meant by that?"
"Sorry, I don't. As you've noticed, I'm not exactly close with Beatrice-sama, and I've never really talked about Beatrice-sama with Roswaal before. She's a…very reclusive Great Spirit."
"I see…" Subaru mutters before going silent.
The silence continues for a while. Numerous trees pass through their field of vision as they travel along the small dirt road that's barely wide enough to fit one carriage. As numerous as the trees are the thoughts filled within Subaru's head.
Having recently experienced by far his worse death yet, the young man does everything he can to block out the memory of it. How? By thinking of anything else really. The upcoming conversation with Beatrice, getting her, along with Frederica and Petra out safely, helping support Emilia mentally in passing the trials, figuring out what's up with Garfiel, and finally making sure Otto is properly compensated for getting involved with the Sanctuary situation.
Also, just why and how did that snow come about? It clearly wasn't natural, and based on what Subaru has learned, a sudden weather change to that degree can only be caused by an outburst of mana. Not just any regular outburst, but an outburst that is packed with extreme amounts of mana. So far, only Puck has contained the mana requirements for a weather change. And Puck has for some reason refused to appear at all since arriving at the Sanctuary.
The only other person I know there who has a crazy amount of mana is-
"Crah!"
Subaru is ejected from his thoughts upon hearing a sound from Patrasche.
"What's wrong?" Having turned her head, Subaru is able to look directly into her eyes. Except, her eyes didn't seem to be focused on him. Rather, they appear to be focused on the girl right behind him.
"Rem-rin?" It's at this moment he notices a subtle vibration on his chest. Looking behind at the maid, he notices her eyes are shut tight as her entire body trembles. "Oh…I see. I'm sorry."
"What're you apologizing for now?!" Rem snaps open her eyes and shouts at him.
"No! I…uh...I didn't realize your current state…" Subaru nervously says, not having expected that outburst.
Her eyes widen and rapidly shakes her head, "No! I'm sorry I reacted like that. It's just…my…my mind is a mess right now. I…"
"I understand." Subaru pats Rem's shoulder as best as he can considering his current position. "I promise we'll make this as quick as possible. We just need to see Beako, have you treated, get Frederica-san and Petra, and make a run for it. Then we return to the Sanctuary and you can rest as many days as you need. How's that?"
"But you need rest too."
Subaru gives a slightly pained smile, "There's a lot to be done when we return. Don't worry, I'll manage somehow."
"Idiot… Have Frederica-san and Petra-chan take a hold of the workload when we return."
"But-"
"I'll do it if you won't. It will be good experience for Petra-chan too, working in a new environment."
Subaru caves and returns his gaze straight ahead, "Let's make this quick."
-Roswaal's Mansion-
-Foyer-
"Subaru-sama! Rem-sama! You're back!" Petra excitedly says as soon as she answers the front door. Looking beyond them, a confused expression forms on her face, "Where's everyone else? Were you all able to return safely?"
"Sama…" Rem mumbles, putting a finger to her lips, not used to being referred to with that honorific.
Subaru frowns and shakes his head, "Sorry, but no, not yet. Listen, I need you to get Frederica-san and then for you two to lie in wait somewhere for us to return. Like…that little closet under the stairs." He points to a door right under the stairs that leads to said closet. It's usually used to store odds and ends but there's enough space to fit a few people inside.
"Uh…" Petra gradually grows nervous, "I suppose I can, but why?"
While debating on whether to tell her the full truth now or wait until everyone is gathered together, Rem answers with, "Two assassins are on their way here."
Petra is horrified, "What?!"
Rem continues, "That's why, please find Frederica-san and hide in the designated area as soon as possible. We don't know exactly when they'll arrive, but I know we don't have long."
"U-Understood, but please tell me how did you find out about this? Why would assassins be targeting us? Is it because of Emilia-neesan?"
"Probably." Subaru says in an aggravated manner, unable to find another reason why Elsa and Meili would be targeting the mansion. After all, Elsa had already been hired to buy Emilia's insignia before she entered the Royal Selection. Why? Subaru can only presume it was to keep Emilia out of the Royal Selection. With her reputation, it's hardly surprising many people do not wish for her to run. But would someone truly go so far as to attempt to take away her insignia, and when that failed, outright murder her? Does someone despise her that much?
But if that's the case, why did Meili target Rem? This doesn't make sense. Unless their employer wishes to take out our entire camp…
Putting that thought to the wayside, he continues, "As for how we figured it out…we got a tip from someone at the Sanctuary. They didn't know anything more than assassins were on the way here?"
"A…tip?" Petra, saying the word as if it is foreign to her, tilts her head slightly before resuming her gaze at Subaru, "No, nevermind. Find Frederica-neesama and then hide with her in the closet, right?"
Subaru nods in confirmation.
"But what about Beatrice-chan? She's still here! Probably in her library!"
"Don't worry, that's exactly who we're getting next." Subaru reassures the young maid by patting her on the head, causing her to softly smile. As soon as he finishes, he takes off, with Rem running after him.
Petra runs off to the giant backyard, yelling "Frederica-neesama!" the entire time.
-Forbidden Library-
"Wow…you really can find the right door on the first try every time." Rem comments, impressed that Subaru yet again managed to find the Forbidden Library upon opening the very first door.
"So you've arrived, I suppose. Betty must say, she didn't expect the younger maid to be with you." Beatrice says from atop her stool, seemingly unsurprised by their entrance.
"I am presently assisting Subaru-kun." Rem replies.
"This is a totally different reaction compared to last time." Subaru says.
"Betty doesn't know what you mean by last time, but Betty can tell you're here for serious business, I suppose."
"How so?" He asks
"I can tell by that stern look in your eyes, in fact." Beatrice says, closing the Tome of Wisdom sitting on her lap. "Perhaps now, Betty can finally be set free, I suppose."
"If by setting free you mean dying, then I'm not letting that happen! No way! Beatrice, there's a lot I don't know about you still. I don't know why you want to die. I don't know why you hinge your entire life on that book, but I want to know!"
Hearing Subaru's heartfelt feelings, Beatrice's butterfly eyes widen in wonder, before returning to their original size, "Perhaps…you're the one." Shaking her head, she continues, "So, did you find out what you wanted to know?"
As Subaru and Beatrice converse, Rem simply stands next to Subaru and absorbs everything spoken.
"Sort of. I have some knowledge about that book you're holding. The Tome of Wisdom, right?"
Beatrice clutches the book a little tighter.
"Beyond that, we know that Roswaal is way more mysterious than we initially thought. Then there was this whole thing with Echidna…"
Beatrice's eyes widen again upon hearing that name.
"Oh yeah, I'm not entirely sure what this means or anything, but I was told to say 'Roswaal said to ask the question'."
Climbing down from her stool, Beatrice slowly walks to Subaru until she's only a foot away from him. Then, with a pleading face, she asks, "Are you That Person?"
"That person?" Subaru repeats in a perplexed manner, not really sure what she's talking about. Rem frowns silently, also perplexed.
"Yes, That Person who will finally release me, I suppose."
"Like as in release you from the library? Then yes! We will need to leave! I'll release you! So please…don't try to die anymore. Assassins are on the way and we have to leave right away before they come."
For the first time in quite some time, Subaru sees a small smile form on Beatrice, "Finally. Finally…in fact. I'm free from this contract."
Rem, unwilling to interrupt the moment, mumbles to herself, "She had a contract? What does that have to do with 'That Person'?" Unfortunately, she's quite stumped. The only thing she knew is that due to certain reasons, she was bound to the Forbidden Library and thus was unable to go very far from it. Perhaps the contract is related to her inability to leave the library. That would explain why she's saying she's finally free.
Subaru smiles, relieved that she is finally willing to leave the library. But before they can do that:
"Beako, before we leave, can you see if Rem-rin has any curses? She got bit by a mabeast earlier."
"Understood, in fact."
Rem comes forward and allows Beatrice to analyze her mana for potential curses. After a few moments she comes to this conclusion.
"The younger maid has been cursed, in fact. Should Betty proceed to cure her?"
"Of course!" Subaru says emphatically, surprised that she's even asking this question.
"Understood, in fact."
With little fanfare, the Great Spirit puts a hand on her wrist and keeps it there for about ten seconds. Once the time elapses, she announces, "All done. The younger maid's curse has been removed."
"So I was cursed. Thank you Beatrice-sama for removing it. It wasn't too difficult, was it? I remember with Subaru-kun there were too many curses for you to remove. Thus we had to kill the mabeasts who caused the curses to remove them fully."
Beatrice completely ignores her and instead focuses her attention on Subaru, as if expecting something.
"That's my Beako!" Subaru rubs her head and grins. She doesn't react to his affection, yet the gaze of her butterfly eyes remain firmly on him.
"What should Betty do next, master?"
"Huh? Why are you calling me master? That's weird…just call me Subaru please."
"Betty apologizes, but it would be extremely rude of Betty to refer to her savior as anything less than that, I suppose."
"Beatrice-sama?" Rem calls her name. "Beatrice-sama? Beatrice-sama?" Yet she does not answer her.
"Beako…are you feeling alright?" Subaru asks, suddenly concerned.
She nods, "Betty is fine, in fact."
Subaru frowns at this response, finding it a lot more monotone and less emotive than how she's spoken up until now. He'd like to probe her further, but now that she is willing ot leave and Rem has been cured, other important matters need to be attended to. Such as:
"If you say so. Rem-rin, how long do you think we have before we should leave?"
Rem, having also found Beatrice's behavior rather strange, is taken from her thoughts at Subaru's question, "How long? We shouldn't keep Frederica-san or Petra-chan waiting for too long. There's also the matter of when the assassins will arrive. I would say…no more than five minutes should be spent here."
"Gotcha. Alright Beako, I have some questions I'd like to ask, is that alright?"
"Betty will answer them, in fact." She replies standing next to Subaru. She moved next to him upon Subaru confirming he is That Person and has since remained as still as a statue.
"Ok, firstly, that Tome of Wisdom you're holding…can I see it?"
She wordlessly hands him the book.
"J-Just like that?" He asks, surprised that she'd hand it over so willingly and without question considering she had tightly gripped it just a few moments ago.
She doesn't respond, instead her hands remain outstretched holding the book. Subaru timidly takes it from her and slowly opens it, hoping to get some insight on how the Tome of Wisdom works. He also hopes that what Beatrice said in the last loop about doing everything in accordance with this book is false. If Beatrice knew about every single one of their interactions in advance and knew how everything would occur. Then, the feelings involved in their relationship would've truly been one-sided.
To his surprise, the first page is blank. But perhaps that is just some fluke in the design of the book, so he turns another page. Blank again. He turns another page. Blank again. Another page and another page, all blank. Quickly flipping through the entire book, he finds that every single piece of paper is filled with not even a single dot of ink.
"It's…it's empty." Subaru mutters in a shocked tone.
"What?" Rem replies in a similar tone, "How can it be empty?"
"I don't know, but look!" He hands the Tome of Wisdom over to her.
Rem's entire body tingles at the fact she's holding a book that looks awfully similar to the gospels the dreaded Witch Cultists have. Swallowing her spit and steeling her nerves, the maid slowly opens the book and begins flipping through pages. It isn't long before she comes to the same conclusion as Subaru. "Unbelievable…"
"Beatrice, how long has that book been empty?" Subaru asks.
"Over 400 years, I suppose."
Subaru's jaw nearly drops to the floor. He knew that Beatrice is a Great Spirit and because of that he figured she is older than she looks. He actually did try to ask what her age and her birthday was, so he could plan a secret birthday party whenever it occurred, but he always got ejected from the Forbidden Library whenever he asked.
"S-So that means…"
"Yes. Betty is over 400 years old, in fact."
"She's a loli granny just like Ryuzu!" Subaru shouts in shock. Not only at how old she is, but by how willing she was to give out this information when before she'd never even give a second thought about telling him.
Rem, who was also quite surprised by Beatrice's age but not nearly to the same degree as Subaru, notices Beatrice's expression flash with slight interest upon hearing that name before going back to her usual emotionless look. No, that's not quite right. Her expression looks a little more dead than usual.
Does she know her? But I've never heard Ryuzu-san mention her before. But presuming that's true, Ryuzu also knows about the Witch of Greed, who knows about the Tome of Wisdom. I also saw every witch mentioned here in this library. Wait…it seems impossible, but could it be that…
"Beatrice-sama, I want to ask you something."
She ignores Rem, continuing to stand silently by Subaru. "Beatrice-sama?"
"Beako, you know Rem is calling your name."
"Betty knows." She replies tersely.
"Can you uh…answer her?"
Only now does Beatrice turn and look at Rem. "What do you wish to ask, I wonder?"
"Who gave you your Tomb of Wisdom?"
"That would be Mother, in fact."
"Mother?" The two repeat aloud, now more confused than ever.
Beatrice nods, prompting Subaru to ask who she is.
"Mother is the Witch of Greed, otherwise known as Echidna, in fact."
Their eyes widen significantly at this groundbreaking news. Upon recovering, Subaru wishes to gain clarification, "By Mother, do you mean you were adopted by Echidna, or did she give birth to you?"
She replies, "It would be more accurate to say I was created by her, I suppose. Bubby and I were created by Mother."
"Puck too?!" Subaru gasps.
"So she is the creator of that abomination, as expected of a witch." Rem grits her teeth, finding another reason to loathe Echidna from the bottom of her heart. "Still, for him to share the same creator as you, I never would've expected. No wonder you two were so close all this time."
"Ok, so that solves the mystery of why Beatrice has one. But as for Roswaal…" Subaru puts a finger to his chin.
"That's simple, I suppose. Roswaal, like Betty, was given a Tome of Wisdom."
"How?" Rem immediately questions the Great Spirit. "My apologies for being rude, but you're so much older than Roswaal, hundreds of years difference. How could that Witch give him one?"
For some reason, she ignores Rem again, much to her frustration.
"She asked you another question." Subaru calmly informs her.
"Sorry master, should Betty always listen to what the younger maid has to say?" She asks in such a deadpan serious way that neither of them can assume she's joking in any way.
"Isn't that a given?" He replies. "I know you two haven't been super close or anything, but to ignore her like that is naughty. And you know what happens to naughty little girls, right?" He grins before pulling on both sides of her drill-like hair. Releasing them, the hair bounces up and down like a spring. He then proceeds to pinch and squeeze her cheeks, forcing her to form an "O" expression with her mouth.
As he teases her, Subaru is sure that she will freak out and chastise him severely for teasing her like this, but there is nothing. No response whatsoever. Actually, that's not true. She does respond, but only after he finishes his teasing, and the response is nowhere near what he expects.
"Betty sees, in fact. Betty apologizes severely for this error. She will not ignore the younger maid ever again, I suppose. Betty is surprised by the punishment given to her. I expected it to be more severe, in fact. Are you sure you're satisfied with this, master?"
Subaru is left speechless, and not in a good way. Beatrice is acting way differently from her usual self. She's casually answering extremely important questions he's certain he'd never have gotten answers to before now. She has not once rebuked him in any way, even when he teased her. She completely ignored Rem until Subaru explicitly told her to answer her questions. Finally, she's been obeying everything he's said to her without question and calling him master.
Not to mention, Beatrice's voice has taken on a much more neutral tone, with very little to no emotion whatsoever. He finds that very strange considering how much she wanted to leave the Forbidden Library and now she finally has the opportunity to. She should be ecstatic if anything.
It's almost as if she's turned into a doll…or a robot. Why? Did I do something wrong? Is there something about "That Person" I've not understood?
As Subaru muses over Beatrice's change in attitude, the girl in question continues to stare at him, waiting for a response. Upon finally noticing, he gives a small nod.
She turns to Rem, "There have been many people named Roswaal, in fact. It was the very first Roswaal, Roswaal A. Mathers, who received the Tomb of Wisdom. He must've passed it down to one of his children, who passed it on to one of their children, all the way to the present day Roswaal, I suppose."
"I see." Rem replies, finally having complete confirmation that Roswaal owns the other Tome of Wisdom. Though she can't really celebrate that achievement, as she, like Subaru, has also become troubled by Beatrice's new behavior. Granted, Rem, would readily accept an extremely loyal ally to Subaru any day of the week. But this, this to Rem felt wrong. Her behavior, her mannerisms, it all seemed off.
"Beako, for some reason you've been acting sort of strange, are you feeling alr-" Subaru, ready to put his questioning of the Tome of Wisdom, Roswaal, and Echidna on hold to get to the root of why Beatrice is acting strangely, begins to speak. However, he gets interrupted suddenly by the door to the Forbidden Library opening. Then, he hears a voice that causes him to buckle his knees.
"Even with his instructions, finding the way here was such a pain. I had to open every last door." Complaining to themself, a beautiful black-haired woman makes her entrance.
"You…" Rem immediately puts herself in front of Subaru, "How is it that every time, you come even sooner than before?"
"Who are you, I suppose?" Beatrice also puts herself in front of Subaru, ending up right next to Rem.
"Oh? I'm just a lonely girl who's had nobody to play with. So to see you all greet me with such hostility stings my heart ever so slightly~."
"Damn it…damn it!" Subaru's breathing becomes heavy as he looks Elsa straight in the eyes. "If you lay your hands on anyone, I won't forgive you!"
"Now now, I haven't done anything yet. Though I can't say that for much longer." In a lightning flash, Elsa makes her way towards Beatrice with her black blade prepared to slice. However, she fails to hit her target.
Sensing she was going to strike any second, Rem manages to grab both Subaru and Beatrice and jump out of the way, the blade mere inches from striking her stomach.
"Dodged the first strike, hm? Impressive. I'll make sure it doesn't happen twice!"
"El Minya."
"El Huma!"
Calling out their spell names, Beatrice and Rem have purple crystals and icicles appear in the room respectively, floating in the air.
By using telekinesis, Rem is able to guide the numerous icicles formed towards their target. In addition to this, she makes her way to the large door. Elsa starts to dodge them until:
"Shamak." Beatrice says. A bunch of black smoke appears from her body and quickly fills the air, completely blinding everyone in the room. "Escape, in fact." Beatrice calls out, signaling Rem to take this opportunity to leave. Luckily for them, Elsa had left the door wide open, making their escape easier since Rem wouldn't have to work her way through the fog to find the doorknob.
Once on the other side, Rem drops Subaru and Beatrice on the floor and rushes to shut the door. Opening it once more, she sighs in relief when a guest bedroom comes into view.
The two that were dropped get up and look into the room too before Rem promptly closes it. Turning around, she says, "This will likely only throw her off for a little bit. Let's go!"
Subaru nods, grabbing Beatrice's hand. The three run down the halls as fast as they can.
Please don't let us run into Meili! Subaru pleads internally.
-Foyer-
Throwing open the door to the storage area under the stairs, they find Frederica and Petra safe and sound.
They nearly shriek with the sudden barge in, but calm down immediately once they see who came to get them.
"The assassin is here, we have to get out of here now!" Subaru says in a hushed but stern tone.
"C-Coming!" Petra, shaking in fear to some extent, makes her away around a couple boxes and out the door. Frederica follows suit.
"I heard everything from Petra. I believe with Rem-chan's and my abilities, we can fight the assassin." Frederica says, feeling rather confident about handling this unknown assassin.
Subaru and Rem of course are much more aware of her true capabilities, so the latter shakes her head and replies, "This is not your everyday assassin. Instead, this is the most well-known assassin around, Elsa Granhiert. So far, no one has managed to kill her. She even survived an encounter with Reinhard-sama himself. If he couldn't kill her, then there is absolutely no way we can. Our best option is to run and seek safety at the Sanctuary."
Frederica frowns deeply as Petra's shaking intensifies. Subaru leans down and embraces her, which calms her down slightly. Frederica says, "I see. Let's take the secret exit then, the one known to only us residents."
The group agrees and begin to move out.
-Kitchen-
In the back corner of the kitchen lies an empty space, minus a trash can that is used for easy disposal of unused pieces of fruits and vegetables when cooking. Currently it's empty, since the trash can is always dumped shortly after a meal is finished. Moving it aside, Frederica leans down and presses a finger into a seemingly random part of the floor.
Except that's not the case, the floor pushes in on itself a tiny bit. A small clicking sound is heard by everyone. Turning her head, Frederica focuses her eyes on a tiny door that opened within the wall right next to the floor. Inside the door lies a single black ball.
"What's she doing?" Petra asks.
"Getting us out of here." Subaru answers.
Letting mana build up within herself, Frederica puts a finger to the ball and lets a little bit of her mana flow into it. The ball quickly lights up into a bright orange. Then a rumbling sound rings throughout the kitchen.
In the middle of the room, part of the floor gives way to reveal a secret passageway.
"No way, that was there all this time?" Petra is amazed by how the completely normal floor was anything but.
"Let's go." Subaru says. Frederica hops down first, as the hole is somewhat deep. She gestures to Petra who jumps into her arms and then lowers her to the ground of the passageway. Subaru jumps in next and holds his hands out to catch Beatrice, who silently jumps into his arms without complaint. Then finally Rem gets down, lifts the two stone doors that revealed the secret passageway in the first place, and closes it shut.
"It's completely dark down here! And dirty too" Petra complains. The passageway is rather narrow so she easily finds two walls on either side of her, filled with nothing but dirt, indicating the passageway was not professionally built. Whether it was due to Roswaal not wanting to pay for a more hospital escape route or time constraints, or something else, Petra does not know.
"Don't worry, from here it's straight ahead to the exit." Frederica assures her. The five begin walking in silence for a few minutes until they see just a tiny bit of light. Picking up the pace, they go until they reach what they assume from the little light provided is a stone door.
"And here it is. Stand back everyone." Frederica says. Using her superhuman strength, the beast girl is able to open the door with ease.
"We're out!" Subaru says in both excitement and relief. Rem nods. Petra is quite happy too to finally be out of that dirt haven. As for Beatrice, well, she doesn't react at all.
Unfortunately, their cries of joy are short-lived. Because what is waiting for them on the other side are mabeasts. Dozens and dozens of mabeasts.
"What the…" Subaru puts a hand to his mouth in disbelief. If there are this many mabeasts hanging out in one area, then that could only mean:
"As always, Onee-sama's predictions are on point! Still, the fact you're all here means she's done an extremely sloppy job."
Rem is instantly filled with rage upon hearing that gleeful child's voice. Why? Because it's none other than Meili, the girl that has caused her, Subaru, and many others so much grief and heartache.
"You!" Rem shouts furiously, unable to hold back her emotions. "How did you know we would be here?!"
Meili snickers, "Oh? So you're alive. I guess that curse didn't end you after all."
"Meili-chan?!" Petra is amongst the most shocked to see her. "W-What are you doing here? Don't you see how many of those nasty creatures are around you? You're going to get hurt!"
"Petra…" Meili frowns a little once she settles her gaze on her. "I really did enjoy playing with you at that village the past few months. It was quite fun! I really was hoping that you'd never have to encounter me looking like this, but-ack!"
Suddenly seeing a purple crystal heading straight for her, Meili is forced to cut herself off and jump out of the way. Switching her focus to the other people, she quickly figures out who exactly brought about that crystal.
"El Minya."
Raising her hand, Beatrice wastes no time in summoning dozens of purple crystals made out of mana and launching them at her enemies, including Meili. She would not allow for any sort of villain monologue to take place. Not taking advantage of the opening she created would be stupid.
Multiple mabeasts fall instantly, skewered by the crystals. Others manage to dodge, but the amount remaining is less than Meili started out with.
"Hey! Isn't there some sort of rule that allows bad people to finish speaking?!" Meili pouts and complains.
"When it comes to fiction, sure. Real life, not so much!" Subaru declares in a loud voice.
"There's still many of them, Rem-chan?" Frederica looks behind her.
"Right behind you."
"Petra, stay with Subaru-sama and Beatrice-sama. This'll be over in just a moment."
The young girl gulps and nods obediently, putting Frederica at ease.
"Meili-chan…is this…is this who you really are?"
Rem summons her horn and brings out her Morningstar to properly deal with the mabeasts. Frederica on the other hand begins to grow. Bigger and bigger until her maid outfit rips completely off, making her completely naked. She continues to grow as her human features quickly disappear in place of paws, fur, and a giant tail almost as long as her body itself. Frederica's body turns into one that resembles a leopard.
"Eek!" Petra whimpers at the unexpected transformation.
Frederica's beast ears, which are able to pick up much quieter sounds compared to her human ears, detects the whimpering. Turning around, she speaks in as calm of a voice as possible, "Thanks for not screaming Petra. You're a big girl."
Petra makes a small smile, "Do your best Frederica-neesama! You too Rem-sama!" The girls nod in reply and head off to deal with the mabeasts.
Subaru and Beatrice also remain behind, though Beatrice fires another Minya attack at the mabeasts that dodged the first line of fire. Subaru and Petra watch in awe at how strong Beatrice is.
"Wow, you're so strong Beako!" Subaru praises.
"Betty needs to be strong to protect master, I suppose."
Subaru turns around to make sure there are no mabeasts behind them, and thankfully sees nothing in sight, except for the passageway they just came out of. Looking at it closer, this reminds him of a typical sewer pipe back in his old world, except those were generally made of metal and were filled with nasty sewage water.
Lots of vegetation grows around the door, making the stone near impossible to see from a distance. In fact, the grass in this area is much taller than the grass surrounding the mansion. It must've not been tended to in a long time.
Subaru turns back around to watch the action, as the mabeasts stand no chance against the combined strength of Rem and Frederica. Everything is looking up and soon they'd be able to make their escape. However:
"It wasn't very nice of you to escape." A woman's voice says as she sneaks onto the battlefield behind Subaru and the others.
"El Vita." Chanting that, the woman's weapon suddenly goes down straight into the ground, causing her to lose her grip and fly right over the Great Spirit she was clearly targeting.
Subaru and Petra notice, the former shouts, "Elsa?!" How…?"
Picking herself and straightening her neck, she replies, "As an assassin, it's crucial to get a feel for the land. Know where every nook and cranny is. A little help from the homeowner doesn't hurt either."
"Homeowner? But that's…!"
In a panic, Petra hides herself behind Subaru.
"Using shadow magic, how naive. Betty will protect her master no matter who threatens him, in fact. Now die. El Minya!" Beatrice raises her hand and forty mana crystals appear, every last one of them targeted at the lead assassin.
Pulling out her white blade, which was not affected by Beatrice's weight spell that she cast on her other weapon earlier, slashes at every single crystal seamlessly.
"Elsa!" Meili calls her name as she runs away on a Wolgarm from Rem, who's been endlessly chasing her while striking at every mabeast standing in her way.
She hears the call and makes a gesture.
"We've gotta run!" Subaru shouts.
"Was that Subaru-sama?" Feeling like she just heard a voice, Frederica's ears twitch as she kills the last few mabeasts standing her way before turning around and running back to the tunnel.
"Maybe…" Elsa licks her lips. Using her shadow magic once more, Elsa swoops in and instead of Beatrice, she aims for Subaru. He only notices the attack a few milliseconds before the blade is set to connect with his body. There is no way he can get out of this alive. He awaits his death, however, the strike doesn't come.
"Ack!" A little girl cries out, instantly falling to the floor.
"Beatrice?!" Seeing her lying on the ground, Subaru is able to instantly tell what just happened. "W-Wha…"
A giant wound is spread clear across her chest. No blood spills from Beatrice's body. Instead, it's pure mana that spills out.
"Oh my~! Spirit insides truly are different from humans! How wonderful!" Elsa says gleefully, as if she's accomplished a major goal.
"Ah…AHH!" Petra screams.
"Subaru-kun! What happened?" Rem asks as soon as she arrives, not fully realizing the situation quite yet.
"Is everyone alright?" Frederica returns at the same time.
"B-Beatrice…no…" Subaru catches the collapsing girl and holds her in his hands.
"Oh…oh no…!" Rem puts her hands to her mouth, horrified at what she is witnessing. Frederica has a similar level of shock, but is only able to widen her eyes and open her jaw in disbelief due to still being transformed.
Her butterfly eyes struggle to remain open, "Master…"
"Beatrice! Beatrice! What did you just do?!" Tears stream down his face. "What did you just do?!"
"Thank you, I suppose… It wasn't long…but…it was a pleasure to serve you. For…for my final act…I'll…I will…"
"B-Beatrice?" Why?! W-What are you planning?!"
"That Person…is my life, my everything. My body, my mana, my loyalty, my everything, belongs to That Person. That's why…goodbye, master. Be…happy."
Subaru's vision goes dark.
-Outside Trial Ruins-
Regaining awareness of his surroundings, the first thing Subaru notices is how cold his hands are. Pulling them up his face he notices spots of white dotted throughout before they disappear. "Snow…"
"Ugh…" Hearing a groan, Subaru turns his head to see Petra rising her body into a sitting position. Next to her is Frederica, also getting up. Finally Rem is between the three.
Petra, shivering in both fear and being cold, latches onto Frederica, who's now returned into her human form. However she's still naked. To somewhat solve that, as well as to warm herself and Petra, she grows fur over her entire body while remaining in human form.
Rem makes her way over to Subaru, "Subaru-kun…"
"Rem-rin."
Calling each others' names, they embrace each other knowing full well what just happened. Beatrice sacrificed her life to save Subaru. She had showed no hesitation. It was as if it was totally normal to do so.
"Where…where are we?" Petra looks around and finds herself in an unfamiliar place. "Wasn't it just day?" She asks, noticing that the sky is pitch black as small snowflakes flutter about.
Frederica also intakes her surroundings, widening her eyes as she comes to a realization. "I don't remember snow ever falling here, but this is no doubt…the Sanctuary. How did we get here? We were just at the mansion."
"Beatrice…she teleported us right before she…"
"Oh." Frederica lowers her head in silence at their fallen comrade. Everyone saw her dying before their eyes.
"I know we're still reeling from what happened but…we need to move. If we don't…much, much larger problems will be in store for us." Rem says, bringing herself and Subaru to a standing position.
"But…where do we go? It's so cold…" Petra asks as her teeth chatter.
"Petra…here." Taking off his tracksuit, Subaru gives her it after seeing her constant shivering.
"Are…you sure?" Petra asks. He nods affirmingly. "Thank you Subaru-sama." She puts it on.
It's then that Subaru hears a few strange laughs from within the trial ruins not far in front of them. The voice and pitch of those laughs is familiar to him.
"Emilia-tan?"
"Emilia-sama?" The three repeat.
"Everyone, please head for that cabin." Subaru points to a cabin that is actually quite close to the trial ruins. From what he has observed, it's an unused cabin.
"Are you sure?" Rem asks. Leaving him alone like this puts her at great unease.
"Yeah. I'll be back."
"...Alright. Please be quick."
Wordlessly nodding, he enters the ruins.
-Trial Ruins-
The door to the main section of the ruins, which Subaru has grown quite familiar with by now thanks to his checkpoint being here, is barely wedged open. Pushing it the rest of the way, he finds Emilia standing in the middle of the room.
"Subaru!" She calls out to him in a slightly excited voice.
"Emilia-tan?"
"You returned. You actually returned."
"Huh?"
"You know Subaru, I was starting to feel pretty lonely in here all by myself. Taking the trials, freeing the people, it's so much work."
"Listen…I…I'm sorry. It's just, with Rem-rin-"
"Oh? That girl. Rem. Yes, I've noticed you've become quite attached to her Subaru." Having his explanation cut off, Emilia says this in a somewhat accusing manner, which is quite unlike her from what Subaru's seen of her behavior in the past.
"Emilia-tan?" He calls her name in concern.
"That curse…that was an excuse wasn't it? An excuse to ride away with the girl you love and leave me!"
"Emilia-tan, it's not like that! Well, it's true that I do love her, but you know that I really care about-uwah?!"
Slowly approaching him and boldly laying her head against his chest, Emilia smiles at the physical contact. "I thought that if I cleared this trials for you, then you'd become happy Subaru. I thought you would praise me, believe in me, keep me by your side. Yet, it still hasn't happened. So many attempts…"
Separating from him and making a deep frown, she continues, "I was so scared. I thought you finally took your chance to leave me. I thought you had gotten sick of me. I thought you began to hate me. So I kept trying and trying, trying to be worthy of you, but nothing happened. So that's why, I'm truly, truly happy you've returned!"
Once more, Emilia embraces him in a clingy fashion that is completely unlike her. "Stay with me forever. As long as I have you, I don't need anything else. Forget about the blue-haired girl, and stay with me…forever."
"You're not…" Subaru starts with clenched fists.
"Huh?" Emilia separates from him again and gives a confused expression. However, a weird, possessing look that she's had ever since Subaru entered the room remains in her eyes. "If I made you upset somehow, then I'm sorry." Giggling, she continues with, "But I love you Subaru!"
"You're not Emilia!" Slamming the door as hard as he can, he turns and slowly exits.
-Trial Ruins-
Trodding his way out with his head down, Subaru's body emerges from the shadows of the inner ruins.
"Your back!" Rem is elated that he was actually quick and managed to get out in one piece. "Where's Emilia-sama?"
"She…she isn't herself." He replies in a defeated tone. "Wait, why are you all still here? I thought I told you all to-"
"...I'm sorry, I was going to lead everyone to the cabin, but after I told them that I was going to wait out here for you, they decided to wait with me for you. I couldn't convince them otherwise."
"Oh…I see. Thanks." Subaru's heart lifts a little hearing how much they all care about him.
"She's not herself?" Frederica says, hoping to get a more detailed explanation. Petra is nuzzled against her soft furry chest to remain warm.
He slowly shakes his head. Turning, he begins to walk when a growl-like voice suddenly makes its appearance.
"Sis?! Is that really you?!"
"Huh, is that…?" Facing the voice, Frederica gasps upon seeing her younger brother, Garfiel. "Garf!"
"That's your brother?" Petra, finally well enough to be put down, is able to piece together from their looks and exchange just now that their siblings.
"Why the heck are ya back here?! After all these years…why…why now?!" Garfiel shouts, demanding an explanation.
"It's a long story. I truly didn't want to reunite with you in this manner, but…"
Garfiel shakes his head and scoffs, "Save it. There probably wouldn' be 'nough time to explain. Anyway, where's the princess?"
"In there…" Subaru lamely points to the ruins. "I was just there."
"Then why didn't ya bring 'er out?!" He shouts.
"She isn't herself."
"Hah? What the heck do ya mean by that? If yer keepin' from takin' responsibility for this mess…"
"What mess?" Rem asks.
"Ain't it obvious?!" Garfiel points up to the sky. "That white stuff! That snow! That ain't supposed to be here! And knowin' that half-witch, surely she-"
"She isn't a half-witch!" Subaru yells and gives him an evil glare, "She isn't the one making this snow!"
"If it ain't her, then who is it?!" He demands to know.
After a bit of a pause, he asks, "Where is Roswaal?"
Once he says that, Rem's eyes widen considerably. She whispers to herself, "Roswaal…made this snow? No…that can't be. Why would he?"
Garfiel gestures everyone to follow him as he leads them to his current location.
-Roswaal's Room-
"Myyyyy, quite a full house tonight! Even Garfiel and Frederica have appeared together." Roswaal chuckles amusingly to himself as he sees a grand total of six people in his room minus himself. Subaru, Rem, Ram, Garfiel, Frederica, and Petra. As he shifts his gaze across everyone, his eyes eventually settle on Petra.
"You're Petra Leyte, aren't you? One of the children from Arlam Village. I seeee from that outfit you're wearing that you've recently become staff at my mansion, yes?"
"We have a new staff member?" Ram is a little surprised at the sudden rise in employees, especially since she was given no foreknowledge about this happening.
"I-I'm surprised you know me! Yes, sorry for the short notice, but Frederica-neesama and Rem-sama have allowed me to come on as an intern at your mansion. To see if I'm good enough to work full-time there. I hope that's alright.
"That's fiiiiine with me. I presume you have no complaints, right Ram?" He turns to her.
"If Roswaal-sama, Rem, and Frederica agree that Petra has potential as a future employee, then I have no complaints."
Roswaal smiles at the new employee, "Welcome to the staff Petra."
"T-Thank you Roswaal-sama!"
"Now." Roswaal folds his hands together, "I imagine you all didn't come all this way just to discuss about our new staff member. So, what is the real reeeeason for coming?"
"Then I'll get straight to it. Roswaal, you're the one making it snow, aren't you?"
Roswaal's smile disappears once Subaru asks that question. "Did you hear that from me, Subaru-kun?"
That reply is one he was not expecting, so Subaru is struck silent, which apparently gives Roswaal the answer he's looking for.
"Hmm…I see. How unfortunate."
"You're not denying it?" Both Rem and Garfiel say at the same time.
"I could feign ignorance, but since you asked that so boldly, you appear to clearly have some grounds which you based that question on. So I suppose I shall respect that."
"But why do this?" Frederica asks. Unfortunately, her question is blasted over by Garfiel shouting while cracking his knuckles:
"Hah! Thanks a whole damn lot for that! Maybe I oughta show a little respect for yer stupidity too!"
Ram suddenly bolts forward in front of Garfiel, saying in a very serious tone, "I will not allow you to insult or harm Roswaal-sama. Consider this your only warning."
"This is no time for you to butt in!" He shouts back at her.
"Um, you two? Please don't fight." Petra timidly requests. However, neither pays any attention to her.
"Garf!" His sister calls, prompting him to stop and look over at her, "Enough! Roswaal-sama is our master. I cannot in good faith allow you to continue this behavior towards him."
"Sis…" Garfiel nearly obeys and backs off, but he shakes his head, "No! Do ya actually think this bastard cares about any of ya in any significant way?! Why he-blegh!"
In a twist of fate absolutely no one saw coming, Roswaal stands up and thrusts his right hand straight through Ram's stomach and into Garfiel's chest. Everyone is frozen stiff, unable to comprehend what is going on.
"Thank you Ram. Your duty as a servant has been very commendable."
"Ros…" Ram, having blood pouring out of both her mouth and stomach, attempts to turn her head to look him in the face.
Roswaal frees his hand from their bodies, allowing Ram's to fall on top of Garfiel's
Eventually, people begin to react. The first one to do so is Petra, which is with a scream.
The second one is Rem, who immediately rushes to Ram with tears running down her cheeks. "Nee-sama! Nee-sama! Nee-sama!"
Garfiel, having a slightly smaller wound in comparison to Ram, has enough strength to flip himself and her over so that he is now on top of her.
"Ram…Ram, Ram Ram Ram Ram!" Garfiel tearfully calls out her name several times. Putting a hand over her stomach, he attempts healing magic on her. Rem likewise does the same.
The third one to react is Frederica.
"I…I can't…RAWH!" Through a very quick and forced transformation, Frederica roars extremely loudly like a leopard. She leaps at Roswaal with the intent to disfigure his face, but is stopped short when his right hand manages to connect with her upper chest. Blood gushing out of her wound, Roswaal swings his arm to the side to free his hand from her body.
"SIS!" Seeing her blood-covered body being flown across the room, Garfiel switches priorities of who to heal immediately. As he crawls over to her, he at the same time attempts to transform into a giant golden tiger. He only manages to get a little way through before Roswaal gives him an absolutely brutal kick to the face, knocking him fully unconscious. It won't be long before he dies of blood loss.
Petra, unable to handle the murdering of three people right in front of her face, runs out of the room screaming at the top of her lungs. The only people remaining are Subaru, Rem, and the murderer himself.
"Rem…sorry…" Ram apologizes to her sister. With that, she breathes her last. Rem and Garfiel's magic wasn't enough to save her. She lost too much blood too quickly.
"You…" Rem, slowly coming to a stand with her head tilted forward to so much Roswaal can only see her hair, clenches her fists and grits her teeth. She raises her head and gives him a death glare, "You…you're an absolute monster."
"Come on Rem, you could clearly see that I was merely defending myself. Garfiel was about to attack me. Frederica too."
"But Nee-sama!"
"Ram protected me, that is true, and I'm forever grateful to her for that. Unfortunately, she just happened to be in the way of my hand. Nothing personal against her."
Rem stumbles back, "I…I can't…I can't believe you…" Rebalancing herself, she proceeds to activate her horn and bring out her Morningstar, "To think, for all these years me and Nee-sama have diligently served as your maids. Frederica-san, and so many others too. We worked hard. We poured our blood, sweat, and tears into making your mansion the best it could be. We tended to you hand and foot, doing whatever you asked of us so that your workload could be alleviated, even if only a little bit. We cared about you Roswaal, we cared about you. I might not have as much as Nee-sama or Frederica-san, but I still wanted the best for you."
Taking a moment to catch her breath, she continues angrily, "And this…this is how you viewed us? As tools? As pawns for whatever scheme you're aiming to achieve? To kill Nee-sama like that…and the others too…I will not forgive you. I will not let this slide.
"Oh? Please tell me exactly how you plan to stop me. If you take one step forward, your life will end just like the others. So choose your next decision veeeeery carefully."
Rem nearly goes in for an attempt to strike at him, but Subaru stops that by putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Rem."
"S-Subaru-kun, please, let me avenge-"
"You…you know you can't win against him like this…"
"But!"
"Just stop!"
Finally, Rem lowers her weapon and puts away her horn. "...You're right. I…I don't have the strength."
"Wise decision." Roswaal nods, approving her decision.
"Shut up! I may not be able to fight you and win, but I can make this declaration, here and now."
"Oh? What's that? I surely want to hear this."
"As of this moment, I, Rem, hereby renounce my position as head maid of the manor of Roswaal L. Mathers. I will no longer serve you nor anyone else in the estate."
Roswaal chuckles at this bold declaration, "I see. Let me guess you're going to serve as Subaru-kun's personal maid now?"
"That's correct. Starting now, my duty will be to serve Subaru-kun as his personal maid."
"My...my personal maid? Rem, are you sure about this?" Subaru, shocked by her declaration to change her career in this manner, wants to be sure this is something she truly wants to do. Sure, Roswaal is being an absolute scumbag at the moment, but Rem has served him for a great portion of her life already. To change employers like this is no small decision.
She nods fervently, "Absolutely. I know no person who is more worthy to receive my services than you are."
Subaru initially remains silent, barely able to accept such high praise. But eventually he mumbles, "I...I see...thank you."
"That's certainly an endearing goal of yours. Unfortunately for you, it appears this world will be ending very soon."
"Ending soon? No…you don't mean…" Subaru gasps.
"So you do know about the rabbits. That lines up perfectly then."
"What…do you mean?"
"Your reaction Subaru-kun, it's been rather strange, has it not?"
"Huh?"
"To their deaths. Usually you'd fly into a rage if this sort of thing happened. But here you are, standing calmly."
"What part of you thinks I'm calm right now?!" Subaru yells.
"I didn't mean it like that. I meant calm as in, you were shocked by their deaths, but yet you do not grieve over them."
"What the hell do you mean?! Your words never make any sense! This, that whole thing with the Witch's Cult, you keep dodging me over and over again!"
For the first time in a while, Roswaal smiles a devious smile. "Yes…over and over again. That's how it is, isn't it, Subaru-kun?"
"Get to the point you bastard!"
"Let me put it this way then. You feel no grief over their deaths because you feel that you can undo it somehow, don't you?"
Subaru and Rem gasp and have the exact same thought:
He knows about Return By Death?!
"Showing this will make the explanation easier."
Reaching down beneath his pillows, Roswaal pulls out a big black book, one that matches Beatrice's entirely by design.
"The Tome of Wisdom." Rem grumbles.
"The Tome…" Subaru mumbles
"Oh? So you two know what it is. Well, that saves me the explanation of what it does or who holds the other one. By your looks, I presume Beatrice was able to fulfill her dearest wish of disappearing?
"Disappearing…? Beatrice disappearing was her greatest wish?! I thought it was supposed to be finding 'That Person'!"
"That is just another avenue to disappearing. By going with That Person, she fulfills her wish to disappear from that library. But considering she's not here with you now, it seems she's disappeared in the truest sense, still fulfilling her ultimate wish. I'm rather jealous, since I'm unable to fulfill my dearest wish."
"What is your goal?! What is it your wish?! To make you act like this! What is that book telling you to do?!" Rem screams at him.
"I cannot say, I made a vow of my own. I will however, say this. I'm constantly doing my utmost to fulfill my dearest wish. All my schemes, my inhumanity, and the assistance and backing I offer are for that purpose.
"You…" Rem is once again in utter shock at what her former master just admitted. "Just for a single wish…you…"
"Did the book tell you to make it snow then?! Why?! What is the whole damn purpose of that snow?!" Subaru shouts, demanding answers.
"Why else? To isolate Emilia-sama."
"H-Huh?"
"An unseasonal snowstorm where she happens to be, in a place with a deep connection to the witch. Garfiel would condemn her, and the villagers have experience with cold spells. Emilia-sama would then be isolated and become emotionally unstable. And you could never distance yourself from her if she were to lean on you. Not to mention, a major nuisance has complicated matters even further."
"A major nuisance?"
Roswaal points to Rem, "Her. You've become so emotionally attached to her that now that Emilia-sama has been on your mind a lot less as of late. Frankly, it's rather irritating."
"If you're planning to do something to separate us…" Rem grips her Morningstar a little tighter than before.
"I thought you two would've separated a lot sooner, but alas, that was a slight miscalculation on my part. Anyway." He turns his gaze to Subaru, "Your current self cannot bring about the future indicated in the text."
"What are you going to do then? Kill me?!" Subaru dares.
"If you do…" Rem narrows her eyes.
"Killing you would be putting the cart before the ground dragon." Roswaal approaches him with Rem getting in front of him, "I need you to be ready to try again. Even if I cannot kill you, I can do other stuff to you, can't I? Fura."
Since Rem is right in front of him, Roswaal generates a wind blade from behind Subaru and has it strike him directly in the back. He deliberately makes it weak enough to not kill him, but also strong enough to rip straight through his clothes and form a major gash on his back. He screams in pain as he falls to the floor.
"Subaru-kun!" She nearly throws her Morningstar at Roswaal. However, she's stopped by his next words.
"Retaliate, and you're dead."
And so, being pushed out of the way by Roswaal onto the floor, Rem is forced to watch as Subaru gets beaten, stomped on, and kicked across the room. Subaru quickly gains various bruises and begins to bleed in a few more places.
"Even after all this, you refuse to start over?" Roswaal calls out to him in an annoyed tone.
That's because he can't go back without dying, you stupid bastard. Rem muses as she looks at Roswaal with pure anger in her eyes.
Roswaal takes a quick glance out the window and notices many red eyes staring back at him. "It appears our discussion is over."
Grabbing him, he tosses Subaru out the window, shattering it in the process. Rem immediately jumps after him. Roswaal does not stop her. Instead, he follows her.
Once they get outside, Rem can instantly see that they're doomed. They're going to die to the White Rabbit once more. Unless:
"Kill them all. Kill all those damn rabbits right now." Rem commands in a low but furious and slightly fearful voice. "I know you can."
Facing her trauma head on, it takes an incredible amount of willpower to not buckle down and collapse into the snow from the sheer amount of fear she has.
"If me attacking Subaru-kun like I just did is not enough to make him start over, then this certainly will. You know just as well as me we're all doomed."
"Haha…doomed? Ah, I see. I see. Well then. El Huma." Summoning some icicles, Rem proceeds to have them all pierce her former master. To her shock, he doesn't resist her attempts. "Why didn't you dodge?" She asks in a cold, calculating tone.
"I have my reasons." He cryptically replies.
"Your reasons?" Looking around, she finds Subaru slowly getting up, still attempting to recover from the various attacks inflicted upon him. Beyond him, numerous red eyes are quickly advancing to them. It'll only be a matter of seconds before the rabbits reach them. That's when she realizes what she means, "Ah, so you want to die by my hand because it'll be less painful, hm? I understand now. In that case."
Beginning to run, she approaches the white rabbits. She may be terrified of them, but she cannot back down from her current goal now. On the way, she says, "I must thank you. If you had not revealed your true nature, I may have continued to blindly follow you to the end. Now, I know who really deserves my love and loyalty. And don't worry, I'll make sure to somehow convince Nee-sama of the same. The fact she happily serves someone as repulsive as you makes me want to puke. She deserves someone so much better than you."
Stopping, she speaks one last time, "We're here. Experience the same torture you made Subaru-kun and me go through. Goodbye." With a single throw, Roswaal goes flying straight into the hungry mouths of the rabbits, who begin to consume him immediately.
She runs back to Subaru.
"Rem-rin…" He grabs ahold of her and pulls her into a hug, tears at the edges of his eyes. "What are we going to do?"
"Subaru-kun…" She hugs him back tightly. "I'll take care of this! El Huma!"
Properly prepared this time, Rem separates from him and begins attacking every rabbit she sees, beginning with the ones closest to them. A single icicle is all that's needed to kill them. The only issue is the sheer number of them, but Rem believes she can handle it.
"El Huma! El Huma! El huma!" Casting the spell dozens of times, Rem manages to kill hundreds upon hundreds of the rabbits. However for every rabbit she kills, three more seem to appear out of nowhere. So not only is she not cleaning apart the horde of rabbits, but the horde has grown larger and larger. Soon, the entire area around them as far as the eye can see is filled with nothing but rabbits.
"Rem-rin…this is…" Subaru is completely bewildered by the number of rabbits.
"I…hah…I know." Panting from casting so many spells in quick succession, Rem is beginning to realize that their situation is truly hopeless. No exit routes exist. "I'm…I'm not strong enough…I can't…" She's barely able to keep the invading rabbits at bay. Only seconds remain until they're overwhelmed.
"Rem-rin, I have an idea."
"What is it? El Huma!" She asks with much hope.
"End me here, right now."
"Huh? El Huma!"
"Rem, I know you're going to hate it. But…this is the only way we won't…" He shivers upon remembering his last death. "We won't be consumed like that again."
"Subaru-kun!"
"It's the only way! Unless you want to get eaten again!" He shouts at her. He realizes his words come off as harsh and uncaring towards her feelings, but he doesn't know how else to get through to her.
"N-No! El huma! I-I already! Once! Nearly twice! El Huma!"
"This time, I grant you permission Rem. I promise I will absolutely not hold it against you. Think of this as a mercy kill, alright? It'll be the best for the both of us."
"S-Subaru-kun!" She calls out his name with tears in her eyes. The rabbits are now only a handful of feet away from them.
"Do it now!"
"Ah…Ul…Ul Huma!" With a loud cry, three large ice spears form in the sky. Each of them fully capable of decimating a human.
"Forgive me!" Using her telekinesis, she directs two of the ice spears at themselves. Accelerating as fast as she can make them go, the two ice spears skewer them, killing them instantly. A double suicide.
Rem's last thought right before being decimated is:
That clown will pay for what he's done! He won't get away with this!
With that thought, Rem's hatred for Roswaal is firmly established.
-Author's Corner-
A/N: Quite a dark ending for this loop. I initially wasn't planning to have them go out like that, but as I wrote the chapter, I slowly came to realize just how dark it'd be. However, I'm quite happy with this. For quite a long time now I had been looking forward to writing the scene where Rem finally learns Roswaal's true colors and begins to utterly loathe him as of a result. Like with Puck, all Rem's remaining trust and faith in Roswaal is completely shattered.
Beatrice was another interesting one to write for this chapter. When I first watched season 2 I had always wondered why Subaru never attempted to obtain Beatrice as an ally by asking her that question. I understood more why he didn't as the season went on, but a what if situation had almost always been brewing in the back of my head since then. What would happen if Subaru had actually attempted to tell her he was "That Person"? And well…this chapter is my answer to that. I think she would've become an emotionless doll who's only goal is to protect and please "That Person" since "That Person" is the one that freed her of her 400+ years of being in the Forbidden Library. She doesn't really think independently (compared to canon when Subaru freed her) since Subaru had Beatrice accomplish exactly what Echidna wanted her to accomplish, which is to wait for "That Person" to arrive and bring her out. She never became free from Echidna's grasp.
Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!
Thanks to Quicks-Draw for helping beta read this chapter and giving suggestions!
demon god noir: Thanks for reading! Unfortunately there are no Emilia and Rem interactions in this chapter. I may be able to have them speak in the next chapter, we'll see. As for the prey at the end of the chapter, that is not a typo. I have a reader who really likes Prey (the video game). So I made a little reference to it for them.
danielsantiago4545: Thank you very much! Their bond truly is quite precious isn't it?
Dovahking2023: Pretty much, though Subaru and Rem got a lot more than they initially bargained for. Admittedly I had somehow mostly forgotten about the Kiss of Death scene, so I didn't end up including it (my research of arc 4 is kinda all over the place lol). However, I think the death I came up with instead is quite dark and terrifying in its own way.
Deathenglegamers1144: Rem's taking things a lot harder than Subaru is, but that's to be expected. To have the first death she remembers being one of getting eaten alive by a multitude of rabbits, it's not a surprise she'd get easily traumatized.
Deefetiatlas2: Huh?
Maximum Rhapsody: Indeed she is. Precisely because they share the knowledge of Return by Death they've been able to grow closer than ever before. Rem's emotional response to the death she remembers is far worse than Subaru's. But precisely because of Subaru's support she's able to bear it better. When it comes to Puck, there will be a clash of interests between Emilia and Rem. As for how they'll deal with said clash, we'll have to see.
TheEndBoss: I'm really happy to hear the last chapter is among your favorite chapters so far and that I made your day! I'm glad I was able to write all that fluff too. No regrets here! I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Masked weirdo: Thank you! I hope you were able to enjoy this chapter!