Chapter summary: Some reminiscence, some romance, some shipping, some fighting and a couple shenanigans from the coolest looking Sage this side of Lugunica.

"I knew you would be here."

"Don't you have a link with me? Should've been raaather easy to find me for you, Tella."

After he came back from wherever the Reid's book led him to, Subaru called for a break. He did not bother to explain what happened after he began reading the last book either. Thankfully, no one pushed him to do so. While others were preparing a brief midnight snack with whatever supplies were hastily assembled for the expedition, the Sage took sometime exploring lower levels. Last time he stumbled into Reality Slasher and his old clothes while blindly looking around the place, hence he chose to wander around for a bit, just in case there's something more in here left for him. So far he found two things: First thing being the healing spirit, that, for whatever reason, took a liking to him, and chose to follow the Sage around. Second being this place – the balcony of the tower.

"I knew you would stay here, even without it. You used to be here all the time. Especially during the nights."

"Ah, stargazin' no doubt."

"Yes, you said you eventually wanted to map out every star there is in here. Things turned for the worse after that though..."

"Mmm. Quite a depressin' view. What was the point in me buildin' this plaaace in the desert?"

The half-elf near him smiled.

"It wasn't always like that. It used to be so pretty back then…"

"Ah, must've been the miasma influence, huh."

A white bird nested close to the duo.

"Mhm. Used to be a serene grassland all around the place. There was a forest right in there, a small settlement right over there, right before the barrier. Well, at least flower fields survived, although they had many more kinds of flowers back then."

"And they weren't infested by a bunch of flower bears?"

When they were on landing trajectory, Subaru noticed quite a few.

"Te-he! Of course not!"

This was the first time Subaru saw Satella laughing, not just chuckling briefly, but genuinely laughing. At this very moment he fully understood why past self was so taken with her, why these feelings still lingered somewhere deep inside his skull.

"There used to be underground river around here, supplying the place with water. Between it drying out and effects of Envy's presence… I'm sorry, I ruined yet another thing…"

A tear dipped on the Sage's shoulder. Turning towards the source of moisture on his shoulder, Subaru pulled her closer in hopes that it would help. In truth, this place made him rather moody as well.

"The caves, where the river used to flow, still remain, albeit they are infested by witchbeasts. One of the paths leads right into Merope."

"Ah, so the seal isn't above, but below. Cleeever."

Another bird found its place on the railing.

"It was made by Dona on your request, after you were gone. Merope used to be our favorite spot before everything went wrong."

"Undergrooound? Inside a cave?"

"Secret hiding spot."

"Sounds kinda bizaaarre."

"Yeah, that's exactly what I told you back then. But I grew to like it, eventually."

"Does this seal thin' actually do anythin'? I mean, we met in peeerson like three times at this point. Well the first is kinda iffy, since it's Envy, but..."

"It does limit me outside somewhat. But it was mostly designed to limit miasma creeping out, first and foremost. Between it and barrier, outside world is mostly unaffected. It also stabilizes Shadow Garden."

"Shadow Garden?"

"Edge of reality where I resided for four hundred years."

"Ah, I seee…"

There was about dozen of birds all around the duo.

"She's weaker. You had done something, right?"

"Mhm, it's pr'bably what I did back there when I read Reid's book. You pr'bably saw what happened."

She nodded.

"Must've pulled a piiiece of your Envy inside myself back there. Wonder if takin' more bits of Envy like that can help free you."

"I'm not certain… It would still be wise to reclaim your Authorities beforehand."

"Yeah, of course. Usin' it against you probably won't work either, not that I would waaant for you to end up like Louis. The whole thin' just feels daaangerous. Like losin' control of it might cause a fuckin' apocalypse kind of dangerous. There's the way to deal with Capella and Sirius now, at least."

There were plenty of birds around them at this point. Black-eyed knight finally took notice.

"Creeepy. Feels like they right about to swarm you and… Fuuuck. Bad memories. At least you're here just in case it's the Rabbit thin' again..."

"I'm sorry..."

"Nah, that one is deeefinitely on Dona and Roswaal. Bloody psychos. Oi! Shoo! Shoo! Get lost!"

After some time of running around, screaming, and waving his arms Subaru managed to scare away the flock.

"What were you doin' before I arrived?"

"Crying… I… it was my fault... all my fault..."

"Shh, things will turn for the better, I sweeear it. I said I'll get eeeveryone a proper happy endin', you included. I'm not backin' down on that. Besides, it was probably like eighty percent on the past me, if not all one hundred. Doesn't matter now, anyway. Right now the only thin' we can do is to fix what can be fixed."

Satella's expression softened. He just once again showed her his unwavering determination, something that she adored in him so much. As she hugged him, she hoped for a better future. A future where both of them could smile once again while looking at the endless expanse of shining stars.

"Just like we used to."

"Past me was suuuch a dick. Left all of a sudden, forced everyone wait for fooour centuries, made a such a gooorgeous girl bawl her eyes out. Seriously, makes me want to beat him up."

After calming his companion down he finally turned away from the expanse of sand.

"Sigh, let's go back and have a snack, Rem and Julius are pr'bably done with cookin'."

In a room that was haphazardly fashioned for the kitchen and dining room others from the Sage's "crew" were preparing a midnight dinner. Well, only Rem and Julius were, the others mostly kept company.

"Oh, you're back, Subaru. Found anything else interesting?"

"Well this spirit now keeps followin' me around, and I also found the door to the balcony, but thaaat's about it."

Discussion he had with Tella wasn't mentioned.

"Wait, how did you manage to… Ah, never mind, why do I even ask questions at this point?"

"Is that a healing spirit from that room?"

Emilia was rather surprised that the spirit she saw during Shaula's tour of the Tower was with him now.

"Yep, looks like it. Master got one of his old spirit buddies back with him now. He had plenty like this one back in the day."

"Betty can accomplish much more for his contractor than such a simple spirit can with all its effort, humph!"

Understandably, the blond girl was rather jealous.

"Hey, Beako, I'm not cheatin' on you, don't wooorry. You're my favorite spirit, this green little guy just decided to follow alooong. My Beako is the cuuutest one, I won't trade you for anyone."

As he said that he lifted his companion up and began to spin her around in a fashion that was familiar to pretty much all the people in this room at this point.

"Ah! Stop it! Put me down, I suppose! It's really embarrassing!"

"I'm just showin' people how much I caaare for you, Beako. What's so embarrassin' in that?"

After some time the Great Spirit of Yin was put back down.

"So, what are you makin'?"

"It's nothing much, we are just warming up the rations."

Of course, no one bothered bringing a proper dinner. Only basic rations were brought – salted meat, water, bread, some tea and a bunch of non-perishable vegetables. They would last for about a week, so it was fine for a brief four to six-hour trip that they planned.

"Glad that Rem's cookin' is back. I would've rather shot myself than try to survive on Ram's steamed tatoes again. And that tea, urgh! That tea is a fuckin' waaar crime!"

Rem, who was currently preparing vegetables, smiled.

"Nee-sama's is amazing all around, but her cooking does leave some things to be desired. Rem is all too happy to assist her in that department. Although, Frederica and Petra should've been an ample replacement when I was gone."

"Hah, they are both good, but not as good as you. Hooonestly, you were so damn effective at maid duties, that when you were gooone entirety of mansion nearly collapsed without your presence. Pretty sure Frederica even bein' there was a consequence of your absence. She eeeven had to hire Petra to help her out. Besides, eeeven after becomin' a fully-fledged knight I kinda feel forced to help out with some chores from time to time."

The maid beamed at his praise.

"Betty was generous enough to assist occasionally too, in fact."

"Mmm, I did too."

"Wait, ya were doin' chores in yo spare time?"

"Mhm, what's wrong with that? Subaru was helping out so it would be reeeally unfair if I did not help too."

"Really strange thing to do for da Great Spirit, da knight and da Royal Candidate. Why do ya even lack servants? I thought yo Margrave has more money than one can spend. Weirdos."

"I see that diligence as something admirable, foolish a bit maybe, but admirable. If you do find a necessity in any duties besides the ones implied by the title of the knight, you need only to ask, Anastasia-sama."

"Oi, get a rooom, you two. There's plenty in here."

"That's… not what I meant, Subaru."

"Shh, I'm wing-mannin' for you, bud. Don't you want to baaag that lass?"

Subaru whispered that to Julius not so quietly, embarrassing him in the process.

"Emm… no…"

"Haha, that was funny, Natsuki-kun. Seriously tho, Julius, if ya do, just ask."

"Now you two aaactually need a room."

"Funny words comin' from mister "I got too many people fawnin' over me" over 'ere."

It was Subaru's (and four more other people's) turn to be embarrassed.

"'alf of Lugunica wants to have da Lolimancer for themselves at this point. Male and female alike. Don't ya envy him a bit, Julius?"

"If it comes to things this fame gets him, not really. Feels more burdensome, having so much responsibility and so much… attention. I'm still not sure what exactly will happen now that he reclaimed his title."

"Aren't yooou a stuck-up type. When you fiiinally kick the bucket I'll write: "Juuulius, the greeeatest jerk. 'til the very end" on your tombstone."

"Given your eccentricities and your reckless nature, I think you would meet your end sooner than I do, Subaru."

"Haha, no."

The "no" held such a potent impact that it immediately halted a flow of conversation. This answer made the heads turn. It was way too serious, like Subaru actually believed he would outlive everyone in this room, like he'd be the least likely to meet his end in a violent fashion. Most grew rather worried for him.

"Sounds like something Master would say."

"Urgh, Subaru's foolishness is so bothersome, in fact."

"Yes, Subaru, you reeealy should not risk your life that much. You always make me worry."

"Subaru-kun, I appreciate your fearlessness, but you really do lack restraint."

"I just wish that you did not pay as much for it, love."

Only she understood that the Sage was absolutely correct. They will never get to see him fail. Only the two of them will remember. Only the two of them have to carry this burden.

The midnight snack-time passed uneventfully. The crew discussed what to do next after Sage finishes the task of clearing the tower. Anastasia was interested in implementing the fancy construction technology that the Pleiades Watchtower was build with. Under Subaru's endorsement she decided to invest in concrete production, as well as prepare more notes to her contacts to start the steel beam manufacturing. She also made plans for organizing the mana crystals logistics. Meanwhile, Subaru made plans that involved search and obliteration of the last active Sin Archbishop – Capella Emerada Lugunica.

"Aaanyway, let's go meet Reid again. Kinda wanna see what's the next trial is all abooout."

"Oi, Reeeid, where the fuck are you! Heeey!"

"Ah, fuck, Flugel! Stop screamin', I'm 'ere."

"Took you looong enough."

"I was sayin' I gonna 'ave a nap. The fuck are ya screamin' for? Ya're free to go to Volc if ya want."

"Nah, I wanna make it faaair and squaaare. Like past me intended to."

"Oi, that means trials? 'lright, everyone that wants to make through 'ave to kick my ass."

"Everyone that wants too? Can't we just beat ya all at once?"

Anastasia knew she had no chance on beating the Sword Saint alone. So were many others.

"Nope, if ya can't beat me alone ya can't go further."

"That…"

"...would be a rather difficult challenge. Are you sure you want to handle it this way, Subaru?"

"What's wrong, puuussy? Can't one-vs-one my bud, ha, Julius?"

"I mean, you would have to win against him too, don't you?"

"Naaah, I've won already."

Everyone around him looked at him in bewilderment.

"Huh, when?"

"When I beat your ass at "who can haaandle most whiskey without fallin' on the ground" gaaame. Back at Priestella."

"Oh, right, fuck, I forgot. Got me there, ya smart ass. Alright, Flugel, ya can go."

"Wait, that worked? How?"

Julius was beyond flabbergasted that the drinking game that got the first Sword Saint stuck on the chandelier allowed Sage to make through the trial for free.

"Ehm, can't we like ya friend there try to beat ya in somethin' else? I got cards on me, we can try blackjack if ya want."

Anastasia had a plan. Aside from being successful businesswoman she was also known as the best card player in Kararagi.

"Nah, Flugel got me with my pants down, so he gets a pass, but ya have to try harder. Only straight up fight."

"Urgh, how da fuck we will get past him now?!"

"Tella, you can pr'bably pass without an issue, riiight?"

"Yes."

Without any warning a thousand arms sprouted from her, aiming for Reid.

The fight was close, very close. The room shook with each clash of Reid's chopsticks against half-elf's shadow arms. It was clear, that neither of the two restrained themselves, others even had to pull back to not receive collateral damage. But after a five tense minutes the fight was over.

"Nice. You gooo, Tella-tan! Take thaaat, Reid!"

Returning to the one who was cheering her up throughout the fight, a somewhat weary Satella took place near her beloved.

"'lright, Tella, ya can go through. Fuuuck, wish that body didn't suck as much. Already got kinda tired."

"The rest can stay on the looower levels and chill while Tella and I are gonna chat with Volc. Unless you really want to spar with Reid. Oh, and Reid, if I heeear a word about you harassin' aaany of my girls, you'll gonna have some issues."

"Yeah, I know, Flugel. I'm not da one to step on other's turf. So, which one of ya wimps wants to try me?"

"Reid-sama, if I may…"

As he said that Julius drew his sword and allowed his ladies empower him for the upcoming fight.

"Ia, Kua, Aro, Iku, In, Nes. Assist me!"

"Oh, a fancy boy, huh. 'lright, bring it!"

Reid responded in kind by drawing his chopsticks.

"Sup, Volc. We made it past Reid. How are you doin'?"

The azure dragon opened his eyes and:

"Thou, who hath reached the top of the tower. Step forth through the first floor, almighty petitioner."

"Oi, Volc? Ah, fuuuck, he's asleep again. Tella, was he aaalways like that?"

She chuckled.

"Yes. He was always rather dreamy and recluse."

"Thou, who hath reached the top of the tower. Step forth through the first floor, almighty petitioner."

"Vooolc. Wakey-wakey!"

"I, am Volcanica. In accordance with the ancient covenant, the will of thee who hath reached the top shall be questioned."

"Oh, a new voooice line! Wait, I think I heard that one."

"There's a special scale underneath his chin, touching that can usually snap him out. Or make him go berserk, fifty-fifty."

"Well, let's try thaaat then. Go-go, Reality Slasher!"

Using his blade, Subaru quickly closed the distance and made a simple palm strike right into the white scale.

"Wah! Oh, friend Flugel. Thou frightened me a bit. I wast merely contemplating about the new opportunities, now that thou returned to us."

"Mmm, I kinda decided to do the whole trial thin' fairly. Dunno what past me had planned with thooose, but I wanted to try."

"I seeth. Then thee must be past the grueling bout with friend Reid."

"No, aaactually. Well, Tella-tan is, but I just caught him off guard. I already beat him in a drinking' duel aaall the way back in Priestella, so that got me a pass."

"Ah. Ever resourceful, friend Flugel. Thou wisdom verily knows no bounds."

"Heh, feels like I cheated. But since it worked, it's fine. Aaanyway, what's the final trial?"

"Thy final trial is the test of valour. Thou must traverse pillars and reacheth the top while myself shall try to cease thee."

"Hm, that's dangerous… But maaanageable."

Subaru had great parkour skills, courtesy of Clind's training. With his Guiltywhip he could scale them with no trouble. Volcanica's interference was a bit troubling, but all he had to do is to move horizontally along the column to block his line of sight. Also, it would be a great idea to not get the whip damaged, otherwise he would plummet to his doom. Suddenly, he had another idea.

"Waaait, can't I just do… this?"

The last word came from the top of the column. As it turns out with Reality Slasher he could just teleport to the top, thus completely cheesing the challenge.

"Thaaat really feels like cheatin'."

"Hahaha, creative as always, friend. Thou found thy favorite weapon already!"

As it turns out Divine Dragon did not mind.

"Oooh, so theeese hand-prints were probably designed for us, huh. The old crew. Thiiis looks like mine, thaaat's for Tella-tan, thiiis one is either Dona's or Shaula's, and the rest are Reid, Farsale and Hoshin."

"Mhm, a sign of a long forgotten past."

Satella appeared right beside him.

"We madeth such wonderful memories long ago, friend Flugel."

Volcanica too hovered beside the Sage and his half-elf companion.

"Weeell… let's make a couple more."

With that Subaru touched his hand-print.

The Great Library Pleiades was reclaimed by its rightful owner.

It was clear that the first Sword Saint was merely playing around. With his spirits Julius was strong enough to keep up, but only barely. Despite his apparent exhaustion after dueling Satella, he was still way to strong for the Finest to confidently beat. The knight hence chose to remain on the defensive.

"Oi, if ya keep tryin' to intercept every strike I make, ya eventually will start missin' a few."

"No offense, Reid-sama, but your technique is outdated for about three centuries now."

"Hah, the fuck's a technique? Somethin' yo kind made to look cool before yo chicks? Me I'm just a Stick Swinger. If I really need to kick someone's ass I don't need no fancy swordwork. Ya seen me scuffle with Tella."

"You had lost to her, however."

"Implyin' ya would not. Pha, if Envy was 'ere ya would've not last a strike! Not like there are people that can stop her, besides that madman Flugel. Ya know how we 'ave sealed Tella? He got right into Envy's face and hugged her. Fuckin' insane guy, I swear, huggin' a walkin' apocalypse! Who does that!?"

"Sounds exactly like him. Do you know how did he kill the White Whale?"

"Huh? How?"

"I did not see it first hand, but he launched himself with ice shard and leaped onto its horn. Then jumped off, causing it to plummet behind him to the ground. Then he dropped the Great Tree to immobilize it for the killing blow."

"Fuck, that's sounds cool as fuck!"

"Oi, are ya two fightin' or havin' a contest for who could praise Natsuki-kun da most. Ya know he's not marryin' either of ya."

"'ey, short-stack, he's not marryin' ya either."

"Anastasia-sama, we are merely getting to know one another through the skill with our… weapons."

"Aye, that we do."

Suddenly ground below them shook.

"Did you feel that?"

"Must've been an earthquake, I suppose."

"I don't think so, Beatrice-sama."

"No, ankle-biter, someone breached the perimeter. I smell someone weird."

"Wait, smell? What are ya talkin' about?"

"Yes, Rem feels something odd from lower levels as well. That's not Subaru or the Wi- Satella."

"Mmm, now that you say that, I do feel something too, in fact."

"Reid-sama, if I may, could we halt our bout for now? This situation might be dangerous."

"Ah, 'lright. For now. Ya can all check this out. I'll stay here tho."

"So, Volc, don't you like, make prooophecies? I heard there's like a special tablet from which roooyals get prophecies from you."

"Aye, the Dragon Tablet. 'Tis a part of the task you put for me. To keep Farsale domain safe from external conflict and deliver thy wisdom to those folk from time to time."

"Wait, myyy wisdom? So, the prophecies are my own doin'..."

"Aye."

"Fuuuck."

There was another point to the second theory (the one that meant that all that happened wasn't a coincidence, but the master-plan of the past Subaru).

"Urgh, sooo much to unfuck. Well, not like I can read mind of my past self. Wait..."

He could, probably. The only thing he needs is to find a book named "Flugel".

"Sigh, that's for another daaay. Let's start fixin' this mess first. Aaanyway, you probably have some way to write on it remotely. Riiight?"

"Aye, yond is but a simple charm for the likes of mineself."

"Can I write somethin' on it? I have a cool idea…"

He grinned mischievously.

"Hahaha, thou wishes to prank the readers!"

"Yup, it's gonna be siiick. 'lright, here's what I wanna write…"

"Hey, nerds,..."

After sometime:

"...Natsuki 'Flugel' Subaru."

"Ha, can't waaait to see their faces! Wait, what was that?"

"Something happening down below."

"I have a bad feelin'. I think it's somethin' serious."

"Friend Flugel, does thou wishes for mine assistance?"

"Yep, Volc. Check the situation from the outside and protect the perimeter. Tella and I are goin' down."

"Aye."

"Let's go, Tella-tan."

"With you, love."

"Wait, look. See that?"

Emilia pointed at the newly formed hole in a wall of Alcyone. As for the one that formed said hole:

"Hello, there, meatbags. Did you miss this beautiful lady?"

"Ah, shit, that's bad. Anyone down to run and call Natsuki-kun to deal with that?"

"I believe we have to stand our ground, Anastasia-sama. Besides, the first Sword Saint won't let us pass regardless."

"Who is that? She smells… revolting."

"Someone reeeally bad, Rem."

"Yes, be ready, maid. As for you, cultist, Betty will show you her power."

All six readied themselves for the fight.

"Ah, I see most of you know who I am. As for the other meatbags: I am the Sin Archbishop of the Witch Cult representing Lust, Capella Emerada Lugunica."