Chapter VII:
Heart to Heart
Roswaal gazed down at Subaru, who slept peacefully despite the chaos he had endured. The young man had been carried to one of the modest dwellings in Irlam, his injuries tended with care. The Mage had not expected such a peculiar turn of events when he returned to his manor, only to be met with Lady Emilia in a frantic state over the disappearance of Rem and the young soldier.
Locating them had been no great challenge from the air. However, what Roswaal discovered upon his arrival had left him intrigued. The two were in the center of a massive crater, its size comparable to that of a small tavern. The scene was nothing short of extraordinary.
Rem, still visibly shaken, had explained how Subaru had somehow conjured an ethereal bow and arrow. The weapon, she claimed, unleashed such destructive force that it obliterated their surroundings and decimated a pack of demon beasts in a single strike. Roswaal listened intently, though skepticism lingered in his mind. From what he had observed of Subaru thus far, the young man lacked the magical potential to summon even a minor spell of such caliber. And yet, the evidence before him—and the conviction in Rem's account—spoke to a power beyond understanding.
Roswaal's painted lips curved into a contemplative smile as he studied Subaru's unconscious form. The puzzle was tantalizing. How does a man with so little mana summon a weapon capable of such devastation? And where does that power come from?
"You interest me, Natsuki Subaru," Roswaal mused aloud, his voice soft and laced with intrigue. He tapped a finger to his temple, his thoughts racing. There is more to you than meets the eye. A mystery like this demands answers.
Turning on his heel, Roswaal's colorful robes swirled around him as he prepared to depart. His mind settled on the next step in uncovering the truth. I must consult the Book, he resolved, his painted smile widening. Perhaps its pages will shed light on your secrets.
With that, the enigmatic mage left Subaru to rest, his mind already plotting the steps to unravel the enigma that was Natsuki Subaru.
Every muscle in Subaru's body screamed in protest as he awoke. It felt as though his joints were encased in rust, grinding against each other as he forced himself upright. His surroundings were unfamiliar. The small homestead consisted of a single large room: a modest hearth with a cooking pot, a simple bed, and a wooden table.
The only familiar thing in the room was the silver-haired girl slumped in a chair beside his bed. Emilia, her head resting on folded arms, was fast asleep at his bedside. Subaru couldn't help but wonder how long she had been there. Just as he reached over to gently jostle her awake, a familiar presence appeared. Puck materialized from his crystal, the fluffy cat spirit twirling theatrically as he landed on Subaru's chest.
"I'd let her sleep if I were you," Puck advised with a knowing smirk. "She stayed up pretty late worrying about you, Subaru."
"Really?" Subaru blinked, his voice hoarse as he groaned and adjusted himself upright. "Damn… I feel like I got hit by a truck."
"What's a truck?" Puck tilted his head, his tiny paws crossing as he pondered the unfamiliar word.
"It's like a big metal carriage," Subaru explained, wincing as he shifted his weight.
"Well, that checks out. You really did a number on yourself last night," Puck remarked. "Whatever you did must've pushed your gate and your body to their limits. For someone as fit as you, that's saying a lot."
Subaru frowned, trying to piece together the events of the previous night. The memories felt fragmented and elusive, like trying to hold water in his hands. He remembered finding the children and fighting the demon dogs, but the details blurred as he tried to focus.
"It's like my memories from last night are all jumbled," Subaru admitted, his frustration evident.
"That's not unusual," Puck replied, floating in lazy circles. "Overloading your gate can have some nasty side effects, including memory fog. Emilia was beside herself when you wouldn't wake up, by the way. She stayed with you all night."
"That's… sweet of her," Subaru said softly, glancing at Emilia's peaceful face. Slowly, he swung his legs over the bed, wincing as his body continued to protest. "Man, I'm starving."
Puck chuckled, "You've earned a good meal after all that."
As Subaru struggled to stand, his body creaking less with every movement, the door opened, and Ram entered the room. Without a word, she thrust a freshly steamed potato into his face.
"Eat this," Ram ordered briskly.
Subaru took the potato, biting into it eagerly. His eyes widened as his tongue was immediately scorched by the heat. He waved his hand in front of his mouth as Puck snickered at his expense. Once the burning subsided, Subaru took a more cautious bite, discovering that it tasted surprisingly good.
"Not bad," Subaru admitted between bites, giving Ram an appreciative nod. "Thanks."
Ram crossed her arms, a rare smirk gracing her face. "It's a masterpiece. You're welcome."
Despite her simple offering, Ram seemed far prouder of her culinary contribution than the humble potato warranted. Subaru smiled faintly, the warmth of the room and its occupants settling into his bones as the events of the night before slowly faded into the background.
Stretching his legs, Subaru decided to visit the village to check on the children's recovery. To his immense relief, they had all made a full recovery, their laughter now echoing through the streets. It warmed his heart to know that everyone had made it out intact in the end. Subaru had seen children die before in his world during the war, and it wasn't something he ever wanted to experience again if he could help it.
"You're awake."
Subaru turned to see Rem, carrying a basket of laundry. She seemed to have been helping the villagers with their chores while the children recovered. Setting the basket down, she approached him, her expression unreadable.
"Yeah, I woke up a little while ago and—"
SMACK!
Subaru's sentence was cut short as Rem's hand connected with his cheek. His eyes widened in shock, but what caught him off guard even more was the tears glistening in her eyes.
"Don't ever do something that foolish again!" Rem's voice trembled as she spoke, her hand lingering in the air before she clenched it into a fist. "You could have died, and I… I wouldn't have forgiven you for that." She quickly wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand, trying to compose herself.
Subaru stood there, stunned into silence. The sting on his cheek was nothing compared to the ache in his chest as he realized how deeply she had been affected. Finally, he found his voice.
"I-I'm sorry I made you worry," Subaru said softly, his words earnest.
Rem bent down to retrieve her basket, pausing as if she wanted to say something more. Her lips parted, but she hesitated, her gaze lingering on him for a moment. Then, without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving him standing in the middle of the street, the echo of her slap still fresh on his face.
Subaru rubbed his stinging cheek, a mixture of emotions swirling in his chest. In another life, this same woman had killed, yet now she was crying over the thought of him dying.
"I'll never understand women," Subaru muttered to himself, though a faint smile tugged at his lips. Despite the whiplash, he couldn't deny that her concern stirred something warm inside him.
Subaru and the girls eventually made their way back to the manor. Beatrice had accompanied them from the village, having played a significant role in healing the cursed children. While it was never explicitly mentioned, Subaru suspected the little spirit had also seen to some of his own injuries.
During the entire walk, Emilia hovered around Subaru, pestering him endlessly with questions about his well-being. Despite his repeated assurances that he was fine, her concern didn't waver. Rem, on the other hand, was uncharacteristically quiet, occasionally casting glances in his direction but saying nothing.
The following days passed in a steady rhythm. Subaru fell into a routine: waking up early for PT, bathing, and then helping Ram and Rem with various chores around the manor. By the second day, the soreness from his fight in the woods had all but vanished, leaving him feeling invigorated.
In the afternoons, Subaru practiced magic with Puck, who was both a helpful teacher and a mischievous taskmaster. He also spent time working on his swordsmanship with training dummies, though he couldn't quite shake the feeling that archery wasn't something he needed to prioritize for now.
One evening, Subaru found himself in his room, engrossed in a children's book. It was simple, but the repetition was paying off—he was starting to read with more ease. Soon, he thought, he'd be ready to tackle something more advanced.
A soft knock at the door broke his concentration. Snapping the book shut, Subaru stood and crossed the room to open it. Standing in the dim hallway was Rem, her hands clasped in front of her.
"Subaru… do you mind if I come in?" she asked hesitantly.
"Uh, sure," Subaru said, stepping aside to let her in. "I don't see why not."
Rem entered quietly, her demeanor uncharacteristically subdued. She stood near the center of the room, her gaze fixed on the floor.
"You promised I could ask you questions…" Rem began, her voice soft, almost uncertain. "You said you didn't know why the Witch's scent clings to you, and I believe you. But I still want to know…"
She paused, gathering her thoughts. Subaru waited patiently, sensing the weight of what she was about to ask.
Finally, she looked up at him, her eyes searching his. "Who are you, Subaru? And why are you so willing to risk your life for people you barely know?"
Subaru hesitated, her question weighing heavily on him. Why do I put my life on the line? The words echoed in his mind as he searched for an answer, one that made sense not just to Rem but to himself.
"About a year ago…" he began, his voice quieter than usual. "I was on patrol with a group of my fellow soldiers. We were in this small town. It was peaceful, or at least it seemed that way. These kids were playing with a ball in the street, laughing like they didn't have a care in the world."
Subaru's expression darkened, his gaze dropping to the floor as he fought to keep his composure. "We got closer to them… and then…" His voice faltered. He hadn't spoken about this in so long. Maybe he'd hoped he'd never have to again.
"The road exploded," he finally forced out. His words were clipped, raw with emotion. "Our enemies had planted a bomb. It went off right there, in the middle of the kids." He swallowed hard, his throat tightening. "I tried to save them, but…" His voice broke, and he shook his head, unable to finish the thought. The images—dust, screams, blood—flashed behind his eyes.
Rem stood quietly, her usual composed demeanor softened by the pain she saw in Subaru's face. She didn't interrupt, letting him continue at his own pace.
"I never want to see that happen again," Subaru said, his voice steadier now but no less heavy. "So when I see someone in danger, someone who needs help… I can't just stand by. I do everything I can, even if it means putting myself in harm's way. Because I know what it feels like to watch, to do nothing, and to live with the regret."
He met Rem's gaze, his eyes burning with conviction. "I guess that's why. Even if it means I don't get to go home… even if it costs me everything. I can't let it happen again."
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The room felt heavy with the weight of his words, his pain laid bare. Then, slowly, Rem nodded, her blue eyes shimmering.
"I... I didn't know," Rem said softly, her voice tinged with guilt. She glanced away, clearly ashamed. "That must have been hard for you."
Subaru let her words linger in the air. The silence stretched, heavy but not uncomfortable, as if the weight of their shared experiences demanded the moment. Finally, Subaru broke it with a calm, steady tone. "So, what's the story, Rem?"
Rem hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line as she wrestled with her emotions. At last, she found the courage to speak. "Ram and I are both Oni… twins," she began, her voice quiet but steady. "In our village, it's customary for twins to be killed at birth because we are only born with a single horn. Twins are seen as an ill omen."
Her words hung in the air like a dark cloud, but she pressed on. "But Ram… she was exceptional. Even with just one horn, she displayed incredible power from the moment she was born. It was because of her—because of her unmatched ability—that we were spared."
Rem paused, her hands clenching tightly in her lap. Her gaze dropped to the floor as if the memories weighed her down. "I tried to do everything I could to be useful. I cooked, I cleaned, I carried what no one else wanted to touch. But no matter how hard I worked, I was always overshadowed by Ram. I'm nothing more than a failure in the eyes of my clan," she confessed, her voice trembling. "A demon clan dropout. A shadow meant only to support Ram. I could never match her. I was never her equal. I am… just her replacement."
Tears welled up in Rem's eyes as her voice broke. "So… why was I the one fate chose to keep her horn? Why not my sister? Why was she cursed with a sister who took her other horn?" Her hands trembled as she tried to wipe away the tears streaming down her cheeks, her composure slipping with every second. "I'm sorry," she stammered, forcing herself to breathe steadily. "I shouldn't have brought this up."
Subaru sat silently, watching her bare her soul. Her vulnerability struck a chord deep within him, and his chest tightened with sympathy. After a moment, he spoke, his voice firm but compassionate. "You're not a spare. That's bullshit, and you know it."
Rem's wide, watery eyes met his as he leaned forward slightly. "You risked your life, same as me, for those kids. You're not just Ram's shadow. You put your sister on a pedestal, but the fact is, you have a horn and she doesn't." His words were steady, unwavering. "At the end of the day, you're your own person, Rem. You're hardworking. You push yourself to be better. You're someone who stands on her own two feet."
"But I'm just—" Rem started, her voice shaking.
"You are what you choose to be," Subaru interrupted gently. "You can decide to be a replacement if you want, or you can forge your own path alongside your sister and your friends. That's up to you."
Rem stared at him, her lips trembling as she wrestled with his words. "I-I'm weak," she whispered. "I know I am… so I'm sure I'll end up leaning on you too."
strongest guy out there, and yeah, I'm dense as hell sometimes. But I promise you this: I'll help you. I'll help everyone I care about stand tall when they can't do it alone. So, wipe off that sad face, and smile."
Rem blinked at him, her mouth slightly agape as if searching for words that wouldn't come. Then, to his surprise, she started to laugh—a soft, melodic sound that seemed to lift the weight in the room. She wiped away the remnants of her tears, her expression shifting into a radiant smile.
"Subaru," she said through her laughter, her eyes glimmering with newfound light. "You really are demonically inspired."
"Hey," Subaru said with a playful smirk, crossing his arms. "I'll take that as a compliment coming from you."
And in that moment, the tension in the air dissolved, leaving only a quiet warmth between them.
Roswaal sat alone in his study, the moonlight spilling across the room in silvery beams that illuminated the text before him. The air was still, heavy with the weight of his thoughts.
Ram had reported unsettling news: one of the village children had vanished during her investigation into the mabeast attack. While Roswaal had no direct involvement in the disappearance, he suspected the missing girl was somehow entangled with the incident. Yet, she was of little concern to him. His focus lay elsewhere.
Subaru.
There was something deeply peculiar about the young man. Roswaal's prized Book of Wisdom, a tome that had guided him unfailingly for centuries, faltered when it came to Subaru. It was as if a force greater than the mage himself obscured the soldier's presence, shielding his actions and intentions from the book's omniscient gaze. This shroud of mystery alone was troubling, but Subaru's abilities only deepened Roswaal's intrigue.
The power to alter the flow of time—a feat Subaru evidently wielded—was beyond anything Roswaal had ever encountered. The mechanism behind this ability eluded him, and Roswaal hated not knowing. Then there was the forest incident. The raw magical force Subaru had summoned was extraordinary, far surpassing what his known capabilities should have allowed. How had he done it? What lay within Subaru that could create such destruction?
A part of Roswaal ached to confront the soldier, to push him to the brink and force that hidden power to reveal itself. But there was no need to rush. Patience was one of Roswaal's many virtues. In due time, the opportunity to unravel Subaru's secrets would present itself.
For now, the mage's priorities lay in ensuring that the pieces of his grand plan continued to fall into place. The path to reuniting with his beloved master, Echidna, drew nearer with each passing moment. Roswaal could feel it, the inevitable descent into chaos that would soak the ground in blood. And Subaru—peculiar, enigmatic Subaru—was a crucial piece on the board. Whatever complications the young man presented, Roswaal was confident he could handle them.
With a quiet snap, Roswaal shut the Book of Wisdom and set it aside. His painted smile curved wider as he gazed out at the glowing moon, its light bathing the study in an otherworldly glow.
"Soon, Echidna," he murmured, his voice a silken promise. "Very soon."
A/N: I'm not dead! Life has been keeping me busy post-college, and I've been working steadily. But recently, the itch to start writing again has been too strong to ignore. I'd like to think I've grown as a writer since I first started years ago.
For those of you who are new to this story: welcome! And for everyone who has stuck around, thank you for your patience. I'm happy to announce that I won't be taking long breaks between chapters anymore. My goal is to release at least two chapters a month.
That said, I am getting married next year, so while I'll do my best to stay consistent, I can't promise to be active 24/7. Life is a bit of a whirlwind, but I'm excited to dive back into this story and share it with you all.
Feel free to leave your questions or suggestions in the comments—I'll try to address them in the next chapter. Thank you so much for your continued support, and to all the new readers: welcome aboard!