Remilia and Flandre were together in the throne room.

…They hugged, waiting for the time when they would all be killed. Remilia instinctively knew that their lives weren't going to be spared for much longer. They were going to die, whether they liked it or not.

Despite everything, Remilia was ready to protect her sister.

She knew that altering fate was not easy, as it can affect other parts of fate as well… She really did not like using her ability for that reason. So… she kept it to her sister. She didn't care if she died, as long as Flandre had another chance.

…She needed Flandre to survive.

…

As the wind blew outside, a familiar figure was spotted within the distance. It was too foggy to see their face, but Remilia knew who it was from their shadow alone.

…

"...Sakuya."

Chills went down Flandre's broken spine. She was terrified, but she couldn't move to show it.

She saw what happened that day.

…How Sakuya tricked Meiling after she almost found out about the truth.

She found it to be out of character. She knew she had to ask here and now, but Remilia was already one step ahead of her.

"Sakuya… Why?"

Remilia asked this bluntly.

Why would her head maid turn on her like this? She thought they were close enough… Was it not anything to Sakuya at all? She really viewed Remilia so lowly that she considered turning against her mistress at the most opportune moment?

…

Sakuya stared at Remilia as she walked into view.

"...Sakuya? Oh no, you misunderstand."

"Sakuya" smiled.

"...It's Rin Satsuki now."

Remilia stood back, feeling a surge of energy suddenly come out of "Sakuya". Her eyes widened immediately as she put her hands in front of her, clenching her fists.

"So… Something has possessed my maid… Of course. I had suspected this… I assume you're related to that… book."

…"Sakuya" laughed.

"Related to that book?! Ha! That book simply shows you how things actually are. You're all dolls! Dolls to be played with! Don't even put me on the level of that book! I'm way more than that!"

Remilia sighed... What is this childish display...?! Even she wasn't this childish!

Flandre's pupils dilated as she noticed what "Sakuya" had prepared as Remilia was distracted.

…

…But it was too late.

"...I'll show you! Make a wish!"

Remilia was then hit… by a thousand silver cranes.

The incredible force of the cranes caused Remilia to be decimated within seconds. It wasn't a force to be scoffed at. Flandre could only watch helplessly, as she couldn't do anything in this pitiful form. She hated this form. She hated it so much. She couldn't even protect her own sister…

Despite the fact she really didn't respect her sister, she… deep down, didn't want her to die here. She wanted to bond further with her sister… But now, that wasn't an option.

…It was over.

As Remilia was killed, "Sakuya" walked off, laughing along the way.

…

…Remilia's body was on the ground in a sad state.

After a while of waiting, Flandre gave up on anyone coming to save her. She realised that she wasn't killed due to her sorry state already being a fate worse than death…

…She wanted to stop thinking.

But…

…Someone had other plans.

This someone was slowly walking down the corridor, ready to talk with Flandre.

Flandre could see their shadow quite clearly after a certain point, eventually recognising who it was.

…Oh.

…It was Yukari.

Yukari floated through the halls, weirdly bumping into things due to the fact she isn't used to her gap powers being so weak. Flandre would laugh, if she wasn't in such a pitiful state right now…

Yukari sighed while being about to speak, before quickly noticing the body of Remilia Scarlet next to Flandre.

"...Oh."

…As much as Yukari hates to admit this within her own mind, she only needed Flandre, but the loss of Remilia might cause problems communicating with her.

…

Flandre looked at Yukari, understanding what she was thinking. She didn't mind, judging by her pupils. She wanted to be free as much as Yukari did.

Yukari nodded, readying herself for an interrogation…

"So. Yes or no questions. Look up for yes, look down for no. Let's start with the first question I have."

Yukari was very straight to the point, a breath of fresh air for Flandre. Flandre nodded, ready to answer the questions with all of her might. There was no nonsense. Just look up for yes, look down for no.

Yukari sighed. She wasn't even sure if it was safe to ask this, but she decided to ask it anyway.

"...Did Rin do this to you?"

…

Flandre stopped for a moment. Her expression said it all. She didn't see Rin do it, but she knew from everything so far...

…She looked up.

Her soul truly felt free for the first time in what felt like a decade.

…

…Flandre had no reason for living anymore. Not after finally telling someone who did this to her.

So, as much as Remilia wanted her to live–

Flandre's thoughts were interrupted by Yukari.

"Live."

…

…Was her expression too obvious?

Flandre looked at Yukari, looking as if she wanted to cry. She couldn't handle all of this. It was too much. Why isn't Yukari giving her any mercy? She can't just…

Yukari sighed.

"I don't care. You need to live. Next question."

Flandre felt uncomfortable, but Yukari wasn't letting her die… She was about to cry at any moment, but she pushed on…

"..."

Yukari felt bad.

…

"...Is Rin the creator?"

Flandre knew what Yukari meant. Dealing with that book had already given her enough insights into how this world works.

She looked down.

…

Yukari took mental note of this.

"Would it be a stretch…"

…She thought for a moment.

"No, never mind. I don't think you know. Sorry."

Flandre insisted by looking up again. Yukari noticed that and sighed.

"Well, alright. I'll ask."

Flandre looked at Yukari as she spoke up.

"...Would it be a stretch to say that… the person who is in charge here is looking to revive Rin by any means necessary…?"

…

…She looked down.

It was by no means a stretch.

…It was the very reason why they were here in the first place.