A/N: Hello everyone and happy Christmas eve/Christmas day! While I don't have a holiday themed chapter you all, I do have the continuation of the series! I have been reading a lot of comments and I've seen some on the motives of certain characters being questioned. Well, don't worry, everything will tie up in the end. Just like the WN of Re:Zero, these chapter's aren't written on the fly, but rather the motives and actions are pre-planned and written out well in advance. What I'm getting at is, it'll all both make sense, and surprise you in the end.
But without further delay, a chapter with plenty of action!
Chapter 64: The Endless Eight – Part 10
?: Oh, there you two are.
After having spent so long in the pond area with no one else around, the echo of a new, yet familiar voice startled them both slightly, even if it did sound like a silver bell.
The sound of the light taping of her shoes across the cobbled stone footpath of the koi gardens signaled her approach. Putting her hands on her hip, but smiling nonetheless, the half elf was happy to see them both.
Emilia: We were looking for you both... But you two weren't the only thing we were looking for either...
Coming up in tow of Emilia was a disgruntled Subaru. Arms crossed, as something was clearly bothering him.
He 'lost' his yukata, didn't he?
Emilia: Unfortunately, it seems Subaru has misplaced his festival outfit.
Subaru: Emilia-tan! I told you I didn't 'misplace' it! Someone had to have— ye-ouch!
Grabbing him by the ear, Emilia cut off Subaru's honest plea of innocence.
Emilia: We both tried looking, but we weren't able to come up with anything... And I reeeeeally need some time to prepare for the speech, so Rem—
Letting go of Subaru's ear, Emilia put her hands together, getting ready to make a request.
Emilia: Could you please try and help Subaru find his outfit before the festival starts?
Standing, Rem bowed at her superior's command.
Rem: Yes, Emilia-sama.
Taking a glance back at YN, the sun reflecting off the pond bounced off Rem's one visible eye, giving him the message she had something in mind, a way to help him while she was gone. An opportunity found.
Rem: Subaru-kun, where did you last have it? Let us try looking there.
Subaru: Uhh, well, it was when I changed back into these clothes, so the changing room, but we already checked there and—
Rem: We shall start there then!
Following her goal, Rem and Subaru went off in search of his yukata, despite her and YN knowing exactly where it was.
With both of them back inside, only Emilia and YN were left in the koi garden together.
Going to stand, YN tried to go find something better to do.
YN: Well, I think I might go check out the—
Emilia: Wait.
Placing a hand on his shoulder, Emilia halted YN's motion, and sat him back down.
Emilia: Can I ask something of you too?
YN: Um, of course Emilia-sama.
Smiling at his agreement, Emilia sat next to YN on the bench where Rem had just been. Giving him a weak smile, Emilia's ears turned a slight hue of pink as she spoke.
Emilia: I'm afraid I have a selfish request for you as well.
Hearing the nervousness in her voice, YN hadn't a clue what Emilia's intention was here.
Emilia: YN...
Fidgeting with her hands, Emilia's eyes swept left and right, failing to maintain contact with YN's own.
Emilia: I'd like you to be my second when I go up to make my speech.
Oh that's right. I remember Beatrice saying I was up on the platform with Emilia during her speech... This must be how.
YN: Emilia-sama, I appreciate your offer but—
No, wait. Maybe this is good for the plan. If I'm up on stage, that'll keep me farther from Subaru and Julio. And knowing Julio's bad eyesight, he won't be able to tell I'm not Subaru provided Rem makes sure our outfits stay swapped.
YN hated to admit it, but this might prove very useful for making sure Subaru was as defenseless and exposed during the attack as possible. Seeing Emilia's reaction from his last words, at least if he agreed, it might change that for her.
It's only for the sake of the plan, and it's not even permanent.
YN: —I, I actually will accept. Yes. Thank you, Emilia-sama.
Waiting for her expression to change, to his surprise, it remained the same.
Emilia: — — —
As Emilia remained silent, her hand went to her chest as she turned her head down.
YN: Uhh, Emilia-sama, I think you misunderstood, I accept, I'll be up there with you—
Emilia: No. It's fine. I can tell you don't want to... You're only agreeing because you feel obligated to...
YN: W-Wha? No, Emilia-sama! If you need me to, I'll—
Emilia: It's... I didn't even need to try and convince you like I knew I would. If you just agreed, that's only because you felt like you had to.
Looking back up at him, Emilia regained some of the determination in her voice.
Emilia: That's why you're being so formal, aren't you?
Casting her eyes down once more and turning around, Emilia was finished with the idea without letting YN answer.
Emilia: Sometimes I wish if there was just one way you could be different, it would be if you could just talk to me like an equal...
Turning her head around just once more, Emilia concluded their conversation with a somber expression of guilt and sadness.
Emilia: I know you're just trying to do your job but... we're friends also, aren't we? I hope you think so too...
Finishing with a weak smile as she said that, Emilia departed the koi garden and returned inside.
Being left on his own, YN twirled his thumbs as he sat alone on the bench.
I...
Looking over to where the silver haired girl had been, YN cast his eyes back over to the koi that were still swimming around as peacefully as they had been.
YN: I sure hope Rem is having better luck then I am...
Having gone back to the guest room and finding it unoccupied, YN changed into "his" yukata. Hearing some commotion from the street down below, he saw Emilia, Subaru, and Rem. Realizing they might be waiting on him, he proceeded downstairs to regroup.
Exiting the building, Rem was first to greet YN, smiling brighter than the now setting sun. With Emilia only giving him a weak expression, it was Subaru who gave him the biggest "welcome."
Subaru: You!
Waking right up to him, Subaru loosely grabbed the collar of what was originally his yukata, and flailed it around.
Subaru: What the hell's the big idea here, huh?!
Expecting this, YN stayed calm.
YN: What do you mean?
Subaru: What?! That's my outfit. And this is yours!
YN: I, uhhh. I think you're mistaken, Subaru.
Seeing his face contort at the blatantly wrong information, Subaru's temper rose even more.
Subaru: My ass! What kind of prank is this?! First I go into the changing room to get back into my festival outfit, and then when I can't find it, my normal clothes go missing! I'm forced to wear this.
Rem: Umm, Subaru-kun...
Hearing Rem's innocent voice, the two turned to see what the maid had to say.
Rem: It's like Rem said earlier... she is fairly confident that was the outfit Subaru-kun was originally wearing... Rem also believes he may be mistaken.
No way, does Rem really have the same idea I do too?
Releasing "YN's" clothing, Subaru turned to Rem.
Subaru: Rem, I told you before, I know this isn't my outfit.
I'm going to double down.
YN: Well, hold on here, Emilia-sa—
Cutting himself off to heed Emilia's request of earlier that he not always speak to her in such a formal way, Emilia at first hadn't noticed she was being spoken to.
Emilia: —?
YN: Emilia, which outfit do you remember Subaru originally wearing? He seems to think this one was his...
With Emilia's expression softening for YN's considerations to how she felt, she did genuinely think back, putting a finger in her chin.
Emilia: I can't quite remember either way... But if YN and Rem seem to think so...
Subaru: Emilia-tan!
Slumping his shoulders in disappointment to the one person he'd hope to have counted on, Subaru was defeated.
Subaru: Errrr... Fine! I'll wear this one then! But I won't accept that anyone here is right!
Jeez... I can't believe we all just gaslit Subaru like that... We really are some terrible friends, aren't we?
Disregarding the guilt for a later time, YN prompted the group onward.
YN: Well, we should probably head down to the festival and enjoy it as much as we can before Emilia's speech.
Nodding in agreement, the four moved on, around the building, and towards where the festival groups were to be.
All around them, people were coming and going, moving carts, moving supplies, all over, going to and from the festival grounds. The entire city of Saluzzo it seems had been mobilized for this one event.
Seemingly innocuous, the five, including Puck now, moved through the hustle bustle going on all around, with everyone around them oblivious to the fact the silver haired half-elf was to be the main speaker of the festival.
Trailing behind the other three, Rem and YN made up the rear. Walking two-wide was all they could afford in the narrow pathways. As YN approached the grounds that would be the apex of this loop, Rem could see the tension and apprehension on his face.
Casually taking his hand however, she smiled at him in hopes of relieving some of those worries. Speaking up, she hoped to guide YN's mind somewhere less stressful in the wake of the coming event.
Rem: YN-kun looks handsome in his new outfit.
YN: You mean this one that's always been mine and never been Subaru's?
Giggling at his sarcasm, Rem answered.
Rem: Yes. It was actually a very good thing Rem went with Subaru-kun to find them as well.
YN: Yeah, that look in your eye before you left definitely said you had something in mind.
Rem: While Subaru was getting changed and looking for his outfit, Rem snuck in and took his normal clothes.
YN: He did mention his other clothes went missing... Clever thinking. You gave him no other choice.
Sticking her tongue out and shutting one eye, Rem took her praise from YN to heart. But while their conversation was lighthearted, they were both pulled away by Subaru's exclamation as they overlooked the festival ahead of themselves.
Making eye contact with YN, Subaru waved him over specifically. Walking up the grassy berm, YN could see the glow of light coming from below, and hear the hum of the crowd emanating from the festival. Still with Rem's hand clasped in his own, he reached the top.
Looking down, he had to put on a convincing first impression.
YN: An O-bon festival!
Turning his head to Subaru, he wore a serious face as he looked back at YN, as if this somehow greatly troubled him.
Returning to the festival below, YN observed how it was exactly like he'd seen them before. The festival was taking place on the flood area below, just off the river, which was low since this was the equivalent season of late summer. With the retreat of the water, patches of grass had found their place to take root and grow over the course of several months, allowing for a good placement for the festival.
Twinkling in the light, hundreds, if not thousands of lanterns of various warm colors lit up the small town of tents, stalls, shacks that had been set up. Seemingly forming ring after concentric ring, each row extended out from the middle, where a single wooden tower stood. From it, many strings of lanterns made their way to it, and were hung high above the festival. At the top of the tower, was the symbolic gong. And off to the side of the tower, was the stage, meant for Emilia's speech.
Feeling a slight tug from Rem on his sleeve, opposite the side Subaru was from him, YN turned his head to her now.
With only a blank expression, he knew the exact question Rem was silently asking, given what they'd discussed earlier, and all that had just been said.
Nodding softly to her to confirm, Rem looked back forward again, taking in the festival in a new light. Turning her head back a moment later, she smiled at YN, almost excited to experience it more now.
That's right Rem, this is a festival from my world. It's a shame we won't be able to enjoy it fully...
With Subaru, who had been leading the group up until now hesitating, Rem was the one to lead the descent down the hill.
Rem: YN-kun, Subaru-kun, let's all enjoy the festival as much as we can before Emilia-sama must leave us.
Emilia: Yeah, that sounds like a wonderful idea. Subaru?
Offering her hand out to the black haired boy next to her, Subaru jumped at the opportunity to hold it.
Making their way down the hill, they reached the outskirts of the festival. Walking closer, the smell of food and the sound of games being played filled the air.
Subaru: OH! Emilia-tan!
Pointing at a far off stall, Subaru's excitement replaced any seriousness he had before.
Subaru: It's a goldfish scooping game! C'mon, you'll like it!
Emilia: Waah—! Subaru slow dooooown!
As the two left, Rem and YN realized they had been given some alone time as they looked at each other and smiled. Walking hand in hand, they explored the festival together.
Making their way around, they dodged salesmen trying to sell services, selling trinkets, selling food, etc. What they were really interested in was taking in the sights and sounds. Neither of them had seen a spectacle like this before. They each saw familiar elements of what they knew and expected, but also new ones from things that weren't from their respective worlds.
But as they walked around, one such item finally caught Rem's eye. Stopping, she gazed longingly at the items on the wall of a stall. It was a mask boutique. And all along the wall were various hand painted marks of various colors and designs.
One in particular grabbed her attention.
YN: Do you perhaps want one of those, Rem?
Snapping her head back around to YN, Rem's azure eyes adorably shimmered from the lantern light all around them like a child asking for a treat.
YN: *Sigh* Airtight, go pick one out, I'll buy it for you.
As Rem grabbed the mask, YN paid the merchant for it. Putting it on the side of her face, where her bangs covered her one eye, Rem positioned the mask to not interfere with the flowers atop her hairband.
Looking at the mask in greater detail, YN couldn't help but notice that it somehow perfectly matched both her dress, and the necklace she still wore that YN had gotten her.
Rem: Does YN-kun like it?
YN: Yes, it looks very good on you.
Before Rem could answer his compliment though, YN jumped at the sudden, deep sound filling the air with vibrations.
The first gong strike occurred, signaling all those present to come to the middle of the festival, as the speech would begin shortly. Feeling a rush of anticipation for what that also meant, YN felt himself unable to move, as if a stark cold snap had frozen him in place. Trying to swallow the lump in his throat, he was unable, as his mouth had gone completely dry.
Somewhat paralyzed in fear, YN's vision was locked on the gong that had just rung, and still towered over him.
However, seeing its effect, Rem clasped his hand.
Feeling his hand grabbed, a warmth of solitude and courage filled him, starting from where Rem held onto. Traveling up his arm, into his chest, and throughout his entire body, YN found himself able to function once more. Looking at the blue haired maid, wanting to thank her, she instead went to pull on his hand rather.
Rem: YN-kun, we should get to the stage as quickly as we can so we can stay close to Emilia-sama. So please, let Rem take you there.
Being pulled off by the women who had unfrozen his body, YN trusted her to lead him to where he needed to be.
Going off, the two waited behind the stage where Emilia would be set to enter. Without having to wait long, Subaru and Emilia soon showed up.
Rem: Emilia-sama.
Bowing at her approach, Rem did her best to support her.
Rem: Is there anything Rem can help with before the second gong hit occurs?
Shaking her head slowly, Emilia's silver hair swayed in a delayed fashion, much like how all her motions seemed to be.
Sticking his tiny cat-head out from her hair, Puck's little ears drooped forward as he pawed his face much like a real cat would.
Puck *Yawn* Sorry Lia, I tried staying up as late as I could but...
Perking up at seeing him, Emilia smiled at his effort.
Emilia: That's alright. I'll just have to do this on my own. I'll be okay, so just get some rest, okay?
Puck: Mhhm... Tell me all about it in the morning... And thanks for those little dough balls *Yawn*, those were really good...
Dematerializing into Emilia's green crystal necklace, it's structure glowed for a moment before going dormant.
Smiling down at the crystal, Emilia turned her attention to YN.
Emilia: Speaking of which—
Still in possession of those "little dough balls," Emilia offered one to YN.
Emilia: —try one.
Inspecting the little morsel on a toothpick being offered to him, YN could only imagine it being one thing.
YN: Takoyaki?
Puffing up her cheeks in response to his question, Emilia protested what he called them.
Emilia: Subaru said the same thing. The name is close, but you both called it the wrong thing. Subaru even got into an argument with the chef about it.
Looking over to Subaru, he crossed his arms and scowled while turning his gaze away.
YN: Uhh, well, regardless, I'll try it. Thank you, Emilia.
Only biting half it, YN took only enough to keep the rest stuck on the toothpick, and handed the remainder off to Rem.
I know it probably doesn't bother her, but taking food from another girl like this just kinda feels wrong... So I'll give the rest to Rem. Besides, she should try this.
Expecting to taste the flavor of the octopus, YN couldn't quite find it.
I don't think it's octopus... but whatever it is, it's alright.
Seeing Rem also enjoy the treat, YN had a fleeting idea come across his mind.
Maybe I can get Rem to make more and—
Cutting off his thought, the second gong hit echoed throughout the pavilion. With nearly all emotion draining from her face, Emilia silently walked past the group, and proceeded up onto the stage.
Rem: YN-kun, Subaru-kun, we should hurry to find a good place to see Emilia-sama from.
With everyone worried for Emilia, the three resigned themselves to their hopes, and made their way to get a good vantage point from in front of the stage, along the runway.
Standing in the midst of the crowd, Rem, YN, and Subaru awaited Emilia to take the stage any moment. Just off to her direct flank, they wouldn't be in her immediate eye contact, but YN preferred this as when the monster would attack, they would be more or less facing right where it should come from.
While the three waited together, YN noticed a familiar pale blue yukata, and the faint glare of two large spectacles on the wearer's face. Several rows behind the front-most on the opposite side of the runway to them, Julio stood in attendance.
I didn't really think he'd go back on his word, but it is reassuring to see him actually here...
Fidgeting his hands in anticipation as Emilia took the stage and began to walk down the runway, Rem grabbed his restless fingers.
Looking at the blue haired maid, she smiled at him warmly, doing her best to quell his bubbling emotions in the imminent wake of the attack.
She's shaking too... She's trying so hard to comfort me when she needs it just as much as I do...
Leaning over, YN kissed the oni on her forehead, the most he could do given the compact area of the crowd.
I'm sorry Rem, I'm not as good at helping you as you are at helping me...
Reaching the edge of the stage's runway, Emilia stopped at the end of it. With all eyes on her, she took a deep breath.
Emilia: I would like to introduce myself. My name is Emilia, and I would like to announce that I am the fourth candidate to be King in the Royal Selection.
A small murmur built amongst the crowd. People were no doubt talking mostly of her appearance, and what that meant in conjunction with her proclamation.
Emilia: I want to thank the village elders of Saluzzo, and all of you for taking the time to come hear me speak.
Bowing as she spoke, Emilia returned to her standing posture as she continued.
Emilia: As someone who is qualified by the Council, as King, it would be my mission to help bring true equality to Lugunica for Demi-Humans, and Humans alike.
?: And what do you know about 'equality for demi-humans?!'
Already, the heckling was beginning. Looking on with a stern expression, Subaru and everyone else watched on to see how Emilia would handle this. At first stunned, she quickly regained her composure, and locating the general area where the voice had come from in the crowd, Emilia spoke in that direction.
Emilia: I've experienced a great deal of hardships from the prejudices that are the current normal. Being a half-elf, I've—
?: Half-elf?!
?: A silver haired one?!
One by one the hecklers seem to increase from every angle. Looking and trying to address them all, Emilia didn't know where to start. All around the three in the crowd, they heard the murmurs around them.
?: A silver haired, half elf? You know what that means...
?: She's a candidate? She certainly won't win.
?: This has to be a joke. Is this a play or a performance?
?: Poor girl... To be born resembling the Witch...
With Rem and YN both looking over to Subaru, they could see him quickly becoming irritated.
Emilia: I-I may have many resemblances, but I can promise everyone, I have nothing else in common with—
?: Half-devil!
?: Yeah! She's a half-devil!
As the heckling turned more hostile, Subaru clenched his fists and ground his teeth, doing his best to keep from lashing out.
YN: I know you're mad, but you need to continue to bear it.
Putting a hand on Subaru's shoulder, YN tried to calm the rage that was building in his friend.
Between the impending monster attack, and this, I feel like the stress is going to kill me...
As the heckling continued, Emilia stood her ground, but was unable to get a word in.
?: How can we trust you aren't lying?
Emilia: I— uhh. I—
?: Would you trust anything she has to say? Just look at her! A mabeast is more trustworthy!
Wasn't this supposed to be an easy crowd since it's mostly demi-human? Wasn't that the purpose of coming all the way here?
Emilia: My vision for the future is that we can move forward as a country of equals, and that—
?: Whatever! Get off the stage!
?: Yeah, get that Witch off the stage before she curses us all!
As the crowd was beginning to turn hostile, Subaru's rage was reaching its limit as he simmered in place.
Rem: YN-kun, Subaru-kun, we should consider getting Emilia off the state should things get worse...
Still not convinced this was something Emilia couldn't overcome, YN tightened his grip on Subaru's shoulder.
YN: Subaru, I know you want to help, but Emilia needs to fight her own battles, if you rush in, it'll—
?: Half-devil, go home!
With one last volatile outcry, a single paper drink cup was flung up on stage by an audience member in the front row, just opposite of where Emilia's three confidants stood. Being maybe close to half full, the cup impacted Emilia in the head, spilling its contents onto her elaborate yukata, forever staining it, and ruining it's appeal.
Subaru: That's it!
Tearing forward and pushing through the crowd, Subaru clawed his way up onto the stage with Emilia.
Pointing directly at the man responsible for harming Emilia, Subaru roared out his threat.
Subaru: I won't stand for it! I'm going to teach you a lesson you son of a—
*CRASH!*
Just as Subaru was to pounce, a thunderous collision of metal and wood was heard at the other end of the crowd-space
It's—!
Slowly turning his head towards the source, the scene of destruction became more and more.
A pile of stalls and tents laid upturned and destroyed, and many of the fallen lanterns had already begun to spread a fire.
And at its center, was the multi-armed monster that had come for none other than YN.
It's late... But just like Julio-san said, the target is the one in the blue yukata!
Having shown himself, Subaru had inadvertently made himself the target of the beast.
Charging forward, the crowd began to flee en-masse. With Rem grabbing into YN as a rock, the crowd pushed past them as they tried to work their way closer to the stage. As the beast closed in, Emilia stepped in front of Subaru, palm raised.
Emilia: I won't let anyone here be harmed by you!
Generating several ice crystals, as Emilia went to project them forward, both YN and Rem arrived up on stage. Taking Emilia, Rem pulled her off the runway, getting her out of the way. But with YN lacking the strength and agility of Rem, his actions were more delayed.
With the beast reaching out, it's mighty hand propelled toward Subaru. Out of sheer instinct, and in complete disregard to the plan however, YN shoved Subaru out of the way, and made himself the target.
Damn it! Why'd I do that?!
With only a fraction of a second now, it was clear YN was to be grabbed.
Rem: YN-kun!
Reaching out but too far to grab, Rem watched as the hand began to close around YN.
Until—
Julio: AAUUUGGHHHAA!
Jumping between YN and the multi-armed monster, Julio made two decisive raising slashes with his twin swords. Forcing the hand about to grab YN to retreat in defense, Rem took this opportunity to grab YN.
Julio: Rem-chan! Take Subaru-dono and run!
Disregarding the incorrect name, Rem did just that. Landing on the opposite side of the runway that Subaru and Emilia were now on, Julio continued to fend off the beast with a series of slashes and stabs.
Impacting his blade square into one of the four forearms of the monster, the arms warped as he pulled his blade from the wound. Instantly healing, Julio made extra distance with an additional backstep.
Panting from his movements, he used his own forearms to push his glasses back up on his nose. Readying his stance once more, he held both of his short tanto-like swords in backhand style, favoring a fighting style that involved stabs and long sweeping swings at close range.
Going in for more slashes, Julio occupied the monster while the four tried to regroup. Still with Rem though, YN spoke under his breath for her to hear.
YN: The uniform swap worked, and thanks to Julio-san's poor eyesight, he mistook me for Subaru...
Rem: The rest of the plan is still the same?
YN: Yeah, it is.
Rem: Then the goal is to get Subaru-kun alone?
YN: Yeah... We had the perfect opportunity though... But I reacted badly.
Hearing the sound of chains behind him, YN turned to see Rem with her signature morningstar in hand.
Rem: We will have to make a new one then.
Taking initiative, Rem rushed in to join Julio, and no sooner than she did, the beast managed to overpower him, and sent him flying. Landing in the ground, Julio rolled and recovered, but clutched his shoulder in pain.
With Rem fully engaged, she quickly found her morningstar as ineffective as Julio's swords. Grabbing the spiked portion, the multi-armed monster used a second arm to yank the chain that led to Rem, forcing her closer. Finally, getting her within range, the beast reared up its two free arms, forming fists, ready to crush the blue haired maid.
YN: Rem!
Rushing in as fast as he could, YN reached Rem just in time to push her out of the way. But as he did, time for her slowed down as the pair of fists descended down upon YN.
Falling backward, but free from danger, Rem tried to reach for YN's still extended hand.
YN-kun! No... No!
Closing his eyes, YN expected a feeling of great pain to come next.
I'm sorry you have to watch me die, Rem... But you're not the one who will remember the other's death in the next loop...
As the impact drew near, time resumed its normal pace.
Rem: YN-kun!
Subaru: YN!
Just as he was to be crushed, YN in turn was pushed out of the way as well.
Emilia: Subaru!
This time, playing "hero" was Subaru.
With Emilia seeing the fist envelope him, she feared the absolute worst. But as YN rolled across the ground and looked back up at the scene, Subaru was nowhere to be found.
Return By Death clearly hasn't happened, so what is—
As the fists moved, up popped Subaru's head, his expression signaled he was struggling in pain, but nonetheless, very much alive. Trapped within, it appeared at the last moment the beast had seen Subaru, it's "intended" target, and opened its hand to capture, rather than smash.
Throwing Rem's morningstar aside, the beast turned, and began its retreat, prize in hand.
Emilia: It's got Subaru!
Conjuring forth many ice crystals, Emilia projected them outward, targeting the back of the fleeing monster. As they impacted, just as before, the skin warped and healed instantly. Taking the impact though, the skin continued to warp, and transform.
Rem: YN-kun.
YN: It's happening...
Watching as a pair of wings sprouted, the entire shape of the beast changed before their eyes. Almost invisible against the dark sky above, the beast was now a black scaled dragon. With Subaru in its claws, the beast took to the skies, and was ever more out of reach to everyone in attendance.
Emilia: No... No, I won't let you!
Raising her hand straight up, Emilia formed a long lance of ice, ready to skewer the winged beast that's silhouette was only visible against the bright moon above it.
But just as Emilia went to throw it, Rem remembered the plan, and taking it as priority, impacted her morningstar into Emilia's weapon of ice.
Stunned to see it shatter above her, Emilia looked over in shock at Rem's action.
Emilia: Ah—! Rem—?!
Rem: Emilia-sama! Please, the risk to Subaru-kun is too great for such a dangerous action.
YN: She's right. Even if you didn't hit Subaru, the fall from that height would certainly kill him.
Lowering her arm, and letting it swing in defeat to her side, Emilia stared blankly at the ground. Looking up above however, Rem and YN watched as the dragon got further and further away, flapping its wings in slow, but large movements.
Emilia: I... I failed to protect Subaru... We—! We have to after it!
Rem: Emilia-sama... Rem would suggest waiting until morning to—
Emilia: —No! We have to go now! It's... It's what he'd do for us...
Beginning to break down, tears of anguish rolled down from her amethyst eyes.
Emilia: We... We need to... *Hic* YN! You agree, *Hic* don't you?!
Unable to look her in the eyes, YN did agree... however—
YN: Emilia-sama... I believe Rem is correct.
—the plan, the mission, the means to the end, mattered more now. Subaru needed to die in a way where he wouldn't suspect anything upon waking up.
YN: We need to regroup and look for clues. I have a feeling he won't be taken far... Waiting, for now, might be our best bet...
Emilia: How can both of you say that!? Subaru was just taken away!
Crying out through her tears, Emilia fell to her knees, covering her face with her hands as she sobbed.
This is turning bad... She might think we don't care at this rate... That could create problems, I've got to think of something to say so—
Rem: Emilia-sama... The advisory we face is formidable. With no way to damage it, and it's shape-shifting abilities, it may be wise if we wait for morning, if only so we may consult with the Great Spirit-sama.
Uncovering her face, Emilia halted her tears.
Emilia: That's... That's right... Puck... Puck can help us. Puck can get Subaru back!
Thank goodness... Rem saw where that was going too...
Walking up to the blue haired girl, YN placed a hand on her head from behind, silently thanking her for her quick thinking.
Finding themselves alone in a now vacant lot with fires growing, although isolated thanks to the festival's location, the four who remained, Julio, Rem, Emilia, and YN began to see people creep back into the area, curious on what had just happened.
YN: I think we should all clear out of here if we want to avoid a messy situation.
Agreeing, they left for a roundabout way back to Julio's residence.
With the hope that a Return By Death would occur soon once they learned they had kidnapped the wrong person, the next morning came and went with the normal passage of time.
YN: I'm beginning to think that they have no intention of killing Subaru...
Alone in the guest room with Rem, the two had spent the night together in what was supposed to be the 'boys bedroom' as Emilia continued to have a terribly hard time once they'd returned to Julio's residence.
Just after the three had arrived back, a mob had taken to the streets, demanding that Emilia be questioned for any involvement in the attack, and many more demanding that she be ejected from the city altogether.
Resigning herself to the bedroom alone, YN and Rem placed themselves under guard duty until Julio could organize a way for them to safely leave the city, and work with other channels to find Subaru, which unfortunately was slow going, given most of the attention of the town was fixated on Emilia being potentially responsible for the attack, or at least inviting it with her appearance.
Rem: YN-kun knows where Subaru-kun is though, doesn't he?
Asking for clarification, YN nodded to her question.
YN: Yeah, it's a guard tower of some kind just outside the city, there's some farmland between it and the buildings closest to the edge.
Rem: Rem is beginning to wonder if we should go there and see for ourselves...
YN: Attacking their base might provoke them into taking action against Subaru... Maybe even killing him... Or getting killed in the crossfire of an assault could work too... Jeez, what am I saying?
Catching himself on such cruel words, YN rubbed his eyes and face. He felt exhausted straight down to his very soul.
Rem: Had Rem never comforted YN-kun last night, he may have never fallen asleep.
Running off of minimal sleep, YN's mind was still fatigued from the day before.
YN: I just had a worrying thought though... What if he catches on to us not immediately coming to the rescue? What if Subaru begins to find our inaction suspicious?
Putting a hand to her chin, Rem thought over the idea.
Rem: That might be troublesome for YN-kun and Rem in the next loop, wouldn't it?
YN: It might be... He might even suspect you're in on it, that you might know things you shouldn't.
Rem: Rem was wrong then, it would definitely be troublesome for YN-kun. Very troublesome. Extremely.
Remembering her saying something similar about his "haircut" in a forgone loop back at the mansion, YN shook away his ill thoughts, and tried to revise his existing plan.
YN: I think it's fair to say my plan hasn't worked thus far. It only barely came together last night, but now it feels completely out the window—
As the word left his mouth, the window of the guest room YN and Rem slept in suddenly erupted in shattered pieces.
Onto the floor rolled a cobblestone from outside. Looking at it, YN heard another window shatter nearby.
YN: What the—?! Rem, go check on Emilia.
Jumping off the edge of the bed, Rem departed to Emilia's quarter's while YN stood and poked his head out from the frame of the window. Seeing another blur of gray, he just managed to dodge another lobbed projectile.
YN: —tch! What the hell?!
Getting a better look below, it seemed the mob from the night before had returned, this time more upset.
This is bad!
Retreating from the room, YN went to where Emilia and Rem were supposed to be, but as he went through the hall, he was suddenly grabbed on the shoulder.
Readying a Jiwald in his palm, YN halted the flow of his mana once he saw who it was.
YN: Julio-san.
Julio: YN-dono. I must advise you all to leave the facility at once... The crowd outside is becoming more restless.
YN: Yeah, I know, they just busted out our window.
Julio: I can promise you that things are much worse downstairs.
YN: Shit... Then how do you expect us to get out?
Julio: I'm afraid I don't know... The entire building, as it stands now, is completely surrounded...
Rem: We'll need a distraction it seems then.
Returning into the hallway, Rem and Emilia now joined YN and Julio. While Rem wore a face of determination, Emilia instead wore her usual hooded cloak. With it's two ear-like appendages on the hood, YN knew it was Emilia's cloak that was embedded with a special magic that helped prevent one from recognizing her. A tool that might have proven useful for leaving the residence had YN and Rem also had one.
Hiding her face, everything above Emilia's nose was covered by the brim of her hood.
She's really upset about all this...
Acknowledging Rem, Julio agreed with her suggestion.
Julio: Yes. Something to draw them all to one side of the building while everyone else can leave out the back.
YN: I haven't looked, but are the surrounding buildings the same height as any of the balconies? Emilia could use some ice magic to make a bridge?
Perking up at hearing a way she could be useful, Emilia was silently shut down once more by Julio.
Julio: I'm afraid that would be too obvious... By the time Emilia-sama, YN-dono, and Rem-chan make it across, most of the mob would surround the next building.
Rem: Rem believes that would serve better as a distraction. If there is an ice bridge on one side of the building, we should leave the opposite side.
YN: That's not a bad idea, Rem.
Smiling at her praise, Emilia perked up once more, slightly raising her hand, unfortunately finding a problem with it.
Emilia: Umm, how would I get to the other side quick enough after making it? Wouldn't they see it's a fake?
Putting a hand to his chin, YN was forced to agree.
YN: That's true...
?: It's a good thing I can also make ice!
Hearing a familiar voice, the tiny gray cat poked his little head out from Emilia's hood.
Puck: I gotta say, I think that plan is the only sure way to get Lia out of here with no harm.
Emilia: Puck! What about you? We can't leave you behind!
Waving off her concern with his tiny paw, Puck reassured her.
Puck: It's no big deal, you're all forgetting I can just float back to Lia. Besides—
Floating out of the hood, Puck took a stance like a boxer, jabbing at the air like he was rapidly punching.
Puck: I want first dibs on anyone who tries to hurt my Lia.
Throwing a tiny fist-paw into his other paw, Puck gave them all a determined look.
Julio: I must say, it's decided then.
Rem: Emilia-sama, Rem has prepared your belongings by the door closest to where the ground dragon is parked. YN-kun will need to prepare the ground dragon as fast as possible.
YN: I will.
Emilia: W-wait! What about finding Subaru!? We can't leave until we do!
Putting a hand on Emilia's shoulder, YN did his best to dance around giving away his knowledge.
YN: I have a very good feeling we'll see him soon.
With that the three headed downstairs, they waited for Puck to play his part. As YN could hear the crowd outside, he waited for any reaction.
? (muffled): Hey what's going on over there?!
? (muffled): They're getting out from over there!
? (muffled): Get her! Get the half devil! Don't let her get away!
Slowly opening the door, YN peeked outside to the empty lot behind the residence.
YN: The coast is clear.
Both nodding to him, Rem led Emilia outside, and the three immediately headed for the ground dragon carriage.
YN: Get Emilia-sama inside, I'll get things ready here. Wait, actually—
Emilia: —Huh?
YN: I'm going to borrow this.
As Emilia stepped into the carriage, YN commandeered her magic cloak.
YN: Rem, keep the blinds on the carriage shut, I'm going to hope this keeps anyone from recognizing me while I drive.
Rem: Yes, YN-kun can count on his Rem.
Snapping the reins, YN led the ground dragon out of the stable, and brought the carriage into the street, headed in the opposite way of the crowd, but thankfully, hopefully in the way he needed in order to reach Subaru at the tower.
We've gotta settle this now... Before it gets too late.
Fearing the idea of a new return point, YN snapped the reins once more, getting the carriage up to full speed.