Chapter 99: Incognito

Rumbling across the land as his tires slung loose rocks and dirt, YN's mind was focused on what he'll need to accomplish once he reached Fleur, the town he'd certainly find Emilia's carriage waiting for the highway to reopen.

I've got a lot to deal with here... Thankfully this time around I know which carriage I'll be dealing with. That saves a lot of guess work.

YN thought over the entire situation in a very meticulous manner. Numbering off the hurdles in his mind, he mulled over how to go about dealing with each.

We've got the Driver. He's a Knight but he's also a scumbag, and was probably bribed or paid off by the thieves in advance. Normally a knight wouldn't do that, or so Julius might want to say, but I'm willing to bet Driver-san is prejudiced against Emilia.

Least to say, YN did not believe the Driver was aware of the Witch Cult being involved.

As for the thieves themselves, one used Earth Magic, the other used Fire. They seem to want to avoid open combat, so I don't think they're that skilled. But I should be aware to not corner them, especially together since that'll be a fight I can't win with a stagnant Gate.

YN: And finally...

The most unknown entity involved.

That Witch Cult woman...

Recalling the young woman with auburn, or almost orange hair and distinct freckles upon her face, Rem was certain she smelled the Witch's Miasma on her, and Subaru corroborated her adornment in Cultist robes.

She fled the moment the theft occurred, so it's unlikely I'll directly deal with her so long as the thieves don't escape. She's probably going to get the other Witch Cultists in position for their own ambush.

Truthfully, by all the accounts YN had witnessed and observed, it seemed the Witch Cult had infiltrated the thieves, and was simply using them as a way to separate Puck from Emilia.

That would make sense if they wanted to weaken Emilia... But why did they give it back to Subaru?

Their angle in this all still seemed too confusing. But what mattered now, was stopping the theft, and most certainly keeping the thieves from reaching Arlem and causing the attack to commence earlier then normal.

The other problem now though is that the theft only started in Fleur last time thanks to Rem and I delaying the reopening of the Highway...

And that was true. Their trick with making a large amount of steam to mimic the mist had delayed the road reopening, and thus had forced the thieves hand into acting early. This prevented them from having everything go as planned, and thus reduced their chance for success, advantages YN would need.

I've got to figure out a way to get the theft to happen early again. If it happens out on the Highway like it did when Subaru found Emilia in the very first loop, I lose any chance of stopping it.

Thinking more as he approached Fleur, one last key aspect stood out to him.

Rem had noticed them watching us as we approached last time I was here... That's going to make this entire ordeal that much harder...

With the city in view out on the horizon, YN stopped his car and contemplated just how much he'd stick out just upon arrival alone.

They'll see the car and immediately know it's me. I wonder if they recognized it from the Royal Selection Conference...

Knowing he'd need to park a distance away now, the advent of them recognizing him as well was a threat.

Hopefully they won't be watching the entrance of the city, and rather just the area where all the carriages are lined up. Still though... even if I walk there from a distance, they'll still definitely see me at some point, which just means once they do, I'll be far from my only method of catching up with them once the highway re-opens and will be on higher alert they're being followed.

Shaking his head in frustration, YN found another unaddressed issue.

All that still won't matter since the White Whale will just show up and erase them all. If only I could get close and cause some sort of distraction while remaining unknown as to who I am...

Wracking his brain for ideas, he looked to his empty passenger seat, wishing Rem was here to help him brainstorm. But as he looked at what was drapped over the back of the seat itself, YN had a stupendous idea.

YN: Wait a minute!

Grabbing the white cloak, he couldn't believe how fortunate he was having asked to bring this along with him.

I can use Emilia's cloak to at least get close. If I can approach wearing that, it might make me obscure enough that they can't recognize me thanks to its magic!

Trying to hash out the finer details of a plan in his head, YN arrived into Fleur. Parking on a street over from where the two long lines of carriages now awaited the reopening of the Highway, he adorned the white, animal-eared cloak that Emilia heavily relied on to go into public places.

Sat idle, the driver of Emilia's carriage waited impatiently for the road to reopen. His agreed upon deal relied on taking the Lifaus Highway. He'd only get what he bargained for if the theft was a success.

Yet it was beneath a Royal Knight of Lugunica to steep to such petty thievery. Well, he wasn't stealing anything, he thought. He was just going to let it happen. How could he not, after having seen this half-devil with her Great Spirit sully the Royal Election Conference? She was a danger. If he let this happen he would be doing the Kingdom a favor. That was within his Knightly role, was it not?

It was people in positions of power and influence, common people, nobles, even the beggars in the street, filthy and hungry, that Emilia would need to win over in order to succeed in the Royal Selection. People, just like this Knight, who would betray even the landed society of chivalry he hailed from just to see her knocked down.

But for this reason, the Knight adorned a cloak of black, covering his armor, much like the dark cloud of hate covered his honor and integrity.

Approaching this cloaked individual, —the knight, was another cloaked individual.

His face was concealed by the edge of the hood that dropped forward, adorned with what appeared to be animal ears. This person's cloak was white, in direct contrast of the knight's own cloak.

Wondering if this fool was blinded by fabric or just slow in the head, the driver was ready to tell the visitor to scurry off, to go away, for he was a nuisance just standing there.

With a grunt to clear his throat, before he could let his haggard words escape, the white cloaked figure pointed a solemn finger the driver. As if accusing him in some elaborate show trial, he hurled to the Knight his list of crimes.

?: You there! Knight! Royal Knight of the Kingdom of Lugunica!

Driver: —hk!

Caught completely off guard, the Knight was called out by a loud and sharp voice, filled with self righteous conviction. Garnering the attention of all those in the area, the white cloaked man might as well have yelled "fire!" to gain so many eyes to view them both. But to call out for a Royal Knight... it much less often people would get to see one versus an ordinary fire.

Slowly taking the hood off his own head, the Knight begrudgingly acknowledged the white cloaked individual shouting at him.

Thoughts raced through the Driver's mind. Had he been caught? Was he being hailed away from his current mission? Was this part of the theft he had no idea about? Was he being double crossed? He could not say, just as much as he couldn't respond as the white cloaked individual hurled more accusations.

?: Why does a prestigious knight of Lugunica cart about that heinous half-devil as if he's some obedient servant of hers?

Cursing his own tongue as he said that, the white hooded individual shouted insults to what the Knight carried in his carriage.

Driver: Hey! Listen—!

Passersby: Half-devil?

Passersby: Does he mean that new candidate for King?

Passerby: If that really is a knight? He might be him taking her somewhere.

Passersby: That half-elf girl is here? To think the reincarnation of the Witch is so close...

Passersby: The Witch? The Witch of Envy? He's escorting around the Witch of Envy so casually? I didn't think the knights would act so low...

As the voices of nearby travelers and merchants began to murmur as his accusations were discussed more and more, the white hooded man began to be more bold with his words.

?: Why does a Royal Knight wear a cloth of black concealment? Is he perhaps a member of the Witch's Cult? Are those the robes the Witch's counterpart has given her lackey and carriage driver?

Irritating not only the driver, but now hopefully also the Witch Cultist woman who appeared to be giving orders to the two thieves, the white hooded one's words were hopefully getting the right people upset and forcing their hand.

With a small crowd gathering at the shouting of "Witch Cult," "Royal Knight," and "half-devil," the Driver continued to fidget in nervousness as in his current position, he was very vulnerable per the deed he had struck by doing this.

But again, just as the Driver's irritated voice as going to form an argument, a loud slam was heard behind him.

Having opened her door in anger, not at the unfounded insults projected at her, but rather the insulting words of accusing someone of being a Witch Cultist for simply wearing a dark robe, the Royal Election Candidate herself looked about for the one responsible for this.

Emilia: I am willing to shrug off insults to myself I've heard thousands of times, but I will not allow you to insult someone of such deserving honor and integrity. Either present proof or apologize. Now.

With her silver hair gently swaying in the breeze, Emilia's amethyst eyes pierced through YN's very being.

Yep, that's exactly as I'd hope Emilia would react.

While none of the words he had said were based in truth from his own heart, it did pain him to upset Emilia like this, as well as say such negative things towards her, even if he didn't mean them.

She just ignores them she's heard it so much...

Knowing now wasn't the time for guilt, YN regained himself quickly in the shadow of Emilia's justice. Swallowing his fear and guilt, he stuttered on his words, truly wishing to not say them, but managed to make it sound as if he was fearful not of Emilia's Justice, but of her Wrath.

? (YN): Y-You there! H-Half D-D-Devil! How dare you uhh... How dare you be—!

Emilia: I have just as much of a right to be here as you do. Now, apologize to this driver. I've told you once I won't stand for such an accusation go without proof.

Looking downward, un-befitting of Candidacy status, Emilia's voice became weak with self doubt.

Emilia: Just because someone is forced to deal with me shouldn't mean they're guilty of association of my bad qualities...

Sad now that her "innocent" driver was now receiving hate as a secondary of her own, the Knight, sat upon his driver's seat grew his eyes wide at her saying this. Hearing the sincerity in her voice, he could tell she felt immensely guilty for the words being said to him, despite all the accompanying ill things currently being said about her. The guilt, he could tell, vastly outweighed her own sadness from repeated subjection to such hateful words like the white cloaked one's.

Driver: —! It... I—

Stepping down from the carriage, Emilia had meant to face the white cloaked one head on, yet as she approached on her first step, she was knocked nearly off balance.

Emilia: Ah—!

Rushing past, two figures bolted from the crowd behind her. As they retreated back into the sea of nearby bodies of the crowd after such close contact, their departure was signaled by the green glint of light flashing as the horizon caught the very last rays of evening light. Just as the thieves departed, so did the sun.

Quickly regaining her balance though, the half-elf immediately could tell what she was missing, more accurately; what had been taken from her.

Emilia: Puck! They took Puck!

Looking to the Driver for assistance, he was now completely conflicted as his emotions stirred around in his head.

But taking the opportunity, the white hooded individual who had shouted insults at the driver and Emilia dived back into the crowd behind him. Quickly removing the hood once he was out of sight, YN burst back through the crowd after running to the opposite side of Emilia from where he had stood in disguise.

YN: Emilia-sama!

Bewildered by the rush of recognition, Emilia was utterly surprised to see YN of all people, especially at such a pivotal time.

Emilia: YN?! What are you—?! How come—?!

As if completely forgetting what had occurred, and clueless (thankfully) of her exchanged words with the groundskeeper not even moments ago under an air of anonymity, Emilia's air-headedness took hold of her psyche.

YN: There's a plot to steal Puck's crystal from you! As well as a Witch Cult attack being planned. You are in grave danger, Emilia-sama, please come with me!

Taking her fair wrist ahold in his hand, YN pulled Emilia through the crowed with no hesitation or resistance from her.

Emilia: A 'plot?!' A Witch Cult attack?! YN! I don't understand any of this but Puck was just stolen... But a Witch Cult attack is—!

"—of more importance." Emilia was about to say. Selflessly putting her most precious possession behind the safety of others, YN wished others could see her kindness in this moment, but the answer he had for her question was more complex then she could maybe imagine.

YN: —It's all connected. Solve this, we help prevent the other.

Running down a dark ally as he pulled her along, Emilia only became less understanding.

Emilia: It's what? YN, you're reeeeaaally confusing me, but if it's all related, can't you tell me why we're running in the opposite direction from where Puck was taken?

Reaching his destination, YN opened the passenger door, and gestured for Emilia to enter.

YN: I will on the way. Just take a seat here— and hold on.

Bounding for the driver's door, YN fired up the car, and stomped on the throttle.

Emilia: Ahh!

Pulling out, YN honked the horn to disperse the still gathered crowd to pursue the thieves.

Emilia: Wha-aa!

In the seat next to him, the half-elf held onto the overhead handle and door with knuckles somehow paler then her own skin was already. Never had Emilia been an occupant of YN's "dragonless carriage."

While it had taken Rem a little while to get used to the feeling of the engine, the wheels, and motion the car made, she had done so under much tamer conditions. Emilia? She was currently experiencing a trial by fire.

Driving a few streets over, craning their head's all about, Emilia spotted the two masked thieves. Atop the familiar red ground dragon, one was riding as the other turned to face them.

Turning directly for them, YN raced towards the two as the ground dragon with one aboard began to make haste in the opposite direction.

Shit, they're splitting up!

Guessing that the one fleeing must have the crystal, YN had turned to pursue, but was forced to stomp on the brakes. By his Earth magic, the thief that stayed behind erected a wall of stone before YN, blocking off the street.

Emilia: I'll follow that one!

Getting out, Emilia immediately set to skating upon her own ice-work she had summoned, leaving YN with the Earth Magic user. Though, it dawned on YN that Emilia had yet to be told his Gate was stagnant. While perhaps a stroke of confidence in him that Emilia felt fine leaving this thief for him to deal with, she was clueless of his inability to currently defend himself.

But now facing the Earth magic user, YN was unsure of what to do here. Not being given a chance to think though, another wall of stone was erected before the thief, and with a few quick punches by the castor, chunks of debris were sent flying towards YN. Only barely evading, YN rushed back to his feet as the thief now tried to engage in hand to hand contact. Blocking a few punches, YN was knocked back, receiving a flying kick to the chest.

YN: —tch!

Staggered now though, the thief capitalized on YN's state. With a rumble of the ground beneath him, the stone road, starting from where the thief stood, began to crack open. Quickly closing on YN, he could only brace for impact.

I can't do anything! This is gunna—!

"—kill him"? No. For something had stopped the magic.

?: Gah! Ha—!

In armor that shined brightly, and sword stuck into ground, the driver, the Knight who had betrayed Emilia to work with these thieves, had nullified the magic with his weapon.

Raising his sword to the thief, now turned traitor to them, the Knight spoke to YN.

Driver: Go and assist the half-de—, Emilia-sama. I'll handle this one.

Wide eyed at the rapid amount of character development unfolding before him, YN hesitated only briefly before nodding, making his way back to his car, and driving quickly down the unblocked side of the road.

Thank you, Knight-san!

With resolve to solve and end this theft here and now, YN rumbled through the town of Fleur as twilight rolled in, keen on regrouping with Emilia and catching the remaining thief.

Dashing through the streets of Fleur, YN sought the silver haired half-elf who was in pursuit of the thief who still held her stolen pyroxene crystal, the very one that held held Puck.

Where is—!?

Nearly being taken out by a passing red ground dragon, a flurry of fireballs and ice projectiles were exchanged before YN heard a *THUMP* on his car roof as Emilia gracefully leaped, and launched from the metal surface, continuing her chase.

I guess that answers my question!

Mashing down the gas, YN followed the path of ice left behind as the half-elf tried her best to keep up with thief.

But try as she might, even skating across her ice, Emilia could not keep up on a straightaway. It was only when the ground dragon was forced to turn did she gain ground, as for when Emilia had to round a turn, she could keep all of her speed as her ice banked to let her turn.

Faster then all of them though, YN easily caught up to Emilia as his car engine guzzled fuel and burned rubber. His key weakness however, was how much slower his car went around a corner then the ground dragon. Especially this red one, a similar looking variety to what he saw when Felix and Wilhelm first arrived at the Mansion.

Skating along side him, YN rolled down his passenger side window to call to her.

YN: You're never going to catch him this way! He's too fast!

Emilia: Aren't you just as slow!?

YN: I can beat him in a straightaway, we just gotta catch him!

Going around a sharp bend in the town's outer perimeter road, Emilia for a change had to slow down to allow YN to rematch her speed.

Emilia: You're very slow around a turn though!

YN: We can figure a way around that!

While truthfully not having an answer, Emilia questioned more as the two continued on, barely keeping the thief in their sights.

Emilia: Should I try and surprise him from the side? If we both work together, that might make all the difference.

Shaking his head however, YN already knew the strategy wouldn't work based off of what happened in the previous loop.

YN: He's too nimble! We gotta come up with a different way!

Nodding, Emilia knew they needed to brainstorm together. Skating closer to his car, the half-elf took it upon herself to open the door while the car remained in high speed motion, and let herself in. Ending her ice wake, she grabbed a hold of the same spots inside as she did before.

Emilia: Do you have any ideas?

No longer having to keep pace with Emilia, YN was able to rapidly gain pace against the thief on the main street through Fleur. Concentrating on his driving through, he only spoke simply.

YN: We gotta somehow combine your cornering with my flat out speed. That's the only way to catch em'.

Rumbling down the largest street, a familiar sequence of events played out before him. Coming upon the largest intersection in the town, it's corner was adorned by the large bell tower. Approaching it rapidly while in pursuit of the red ground dragon just like in the previous loop, YN took an extreme gamble on what he believed would happen next.

If I blow right past it, I'll lose him for good I'm sure... But if this works...

What YN had in mind was the perfect solution to their weaknesses. By doing this, he was about to keep his momentum like Emilia would, but maintain his superior speed.

Pointing out to his windshield, YN requested Emilia's skills.

YN: Emilia-sama! On my mark, cover the intersection with ice on the ground, as slick as you can get it.
Emilia: I won't be able to form it under that thief's ground dragon unless we get closer!

YN: That's not my plan here, just get ready!

With a nod, Emilia leaned out the window and readied her magic for YN's queue.

Going full speed ahead, the car's engine was screaming for air and fuel, trying to make as much power as it could. Gaining on the thief, he saw this, and just as YN predicted, he quickly turned just past the large bell tower on the corner of the upcoming intersection.

Set to plow right past it, YN called out for Emilia.

YN: Now!

Lighting up her hand, Emilia used her magic to blanket the crossroads in a thick ice, perfect for skating on, with no hope for traction on his rubber tires.

However, that's just as he'd planned.

Yanking the parking brake, YN also cranked the wheel to the direction the thief had turned. Screeching for only a second, the tires left marks on the ground before mellowing as they glided over Emilia's ice.

In a full sideways slide, YN released the brake, and mashed the accelerator. Changing the way they slid, YN turned in the direction against the way he slid, keeping nearly all his former speed but managing to make the same corner the ground dragon he chased had.

Drift!

Tires spinning uncontrollably and engine red-lining, YN's car completely made the turn as fast as the ground dragon had, and only perhaps a car length behind it, he could see the disbelief in the thief's eyes.

But coming off the ice and back onto the paved ground, there proved to be a drawback.

With so much speed, he was set to collide right into the thief, but as the car's momentum and angle weren't perfectly realigned upon hitting the paved street, a great amount of oversteer took over, forcing YN to crank his wheel the opposite way once more.

More or less slingshotting around his target, YN sought to not let his effort and good idea go to waste. Homing in on cutting off the thief, he slammed on the brakes again, ending his momentum and potential crash into a nearby building.

YN: Emilia now! It's legs!

Emilia: Right!

Having forced the ground dragon to come to a stop as well, they were awarded the perfect opportunity.

Ground Dragon: Kyaa!

Freezing its powerful legs in place, the reptile screeched in discomfort. But as Emilia had laid down the thick ice so close to them, YN's car had also the same fate set upon it as the ground dragon. With both "getaway vehicles" now immobile, the thief quickly leaped from his trusty ground dragon.

Emilia: Stop!

Raising her hand and casting her magic, Emilia halted the thief in a similar way, catching him in place. But as resilient as he was, the masked thief removed his shoes and bolted into the nearby bell tower on the corner.

YN: We can't let him get away!

With haste, Emilia and YN followed the thief inside the tower. Hearing his footsteps proceed up the stairs to where one might hope to ring the bell, the two quickly followed, intent on cornering him before he had a chance to elude them.

On the eve of a great battle, the hunt for the White Whale was soon to begin. Many fighting men, veterans of former conflicts, and magicians under the employment and rank of many masters, eager for fame and glory, some for revenge and retribution, stood at attention in wait. Signaled by the metia Subaru possessed, it was to tell exactly where, and when the Beast from the Mist would strike.

However, only one knew this wasn't the case. Only she was aware of the truth behind this knowledge.

Stood by herself in the shadow of the moonlight provided by the massive Flugal Tree, was the lonely maid.

YN-kun...

Her hand over her chest, the Roswaal Mansion's Head Maid resolutely looked not for the Whale, but to the horizon where she knew her beloved faced intense trials and tribulation.

A gentle breeze blew across the vast grassy plain, disturbing her bangs of azure.

Rem's heart longed to be with YN once more. He was so close, yet so far away, it was unimaginable just how yearnful she was.

Looking to her side, YN's friend who had joined him from his home world, Subaru, was busy doing as he pleased. Like a middle-schooler on a field trip, he had found the opportunity to gather a chisel, and began to carve his own name into the ancient and weathered bark of the Tree's massive trunk. While Rem had entertained the idea of writing her own name next to YN's nearby, she could not bring herself to deface the arbored gargantuan whilst so many judging eyes were nearby.

She recalled her brief visit here with YN not so long ago.

YN-kun looked so cute in Rem's arms...

But also remembering that may seem like a distant memory to YN now, Rem's heart ached.

If loops go on far too many times, these sort of memories will seem much more fuzzy to one of us than the other...

Trying to understand what that was like though, Rem noticed she had a visitor approaching.

Having finished his talk with Subaru, the gentleman butler of the Crusch Manor approached, Wilhelm Astrea, the Sword Demon.

Wilhelm: Please pardon my intrusion if I've interrupted your thoughts. Like with Subaru-dono, I simply wished to offer my deepest gratitude for your help in organizing this endeavor and allowing me to face the beast that took my beloved Wife from me.

Recalling it as one of her favorite songs, Rem was very familiar with whom Wilhelm spoke of.

Rem: The previous Sword Saint...

Nodding his grayed head, he acknowledged Rem's recognition.

Wilhelm: Yes, the one who the Sword adored, but would not rest from having her.

Rem: So Wilhelm-sama took it from her, and pledged himself to be her Sword instead... It is a love story Rem holds dear to her heart.

Somewhat embarrassed to know the old bard's tale of him and his wife's memory was still being sung, Wilhelm found it quiet poetic that Rem of all people would hold it in such high regard.

Wilhelm: That morning I first met YN-dono, at first impression, I wouldn't have guessed he'd been able to sway a heart such as yours. But seeing the way you two so boldly declared yourselves, I could tell it was much more than a trivial young fling.

Turning to the sky above them, Wilhelm stoically looked out to the night sky.

Wilhelm: What you two possess is a once in a lifetime phenomenon. To find someone like that in your brief and fleeting time in this world is rare, but to have the bond you two utilize is far less common then even that.

Looking to Rem once more, the elder gentleman closed his eyes.

Wilhelm: When Theresia was relinquished from her duty to carry out the usage of the Sword, I took up the burden for her, and upheld the Sword in her place. But seeing the two of you now in my older years, I've learned there were perhaps many other options open to me I did not consider.

Surprised to hear such a revelation, Rem's eyes opened wide as her head tilted in question.

Rem: What would Wilhelm-sama mean by that?

Hearing her relationship with YN be compared to that of the Sword Saint and the Sword Demon, by none other then the survivor of the two, Rem's maiden heart pounded.

Wilhelm: Where as I took the burden from her and bore it all my own, what you two do is take that same burden, —to whom it originally belonged, and what it was, I shall not inquire, —and shared it among yourselves, each choosing to carry what the other cannot.

Returning his gaze to the horizon, Wilhelm's vision came to rest on the view of several flowers, blooming despite it being the middle of the night thanks to the moon's massive illumination.

Wilhelm: Perhaps it was not possible to share the burden the Sword placed on her gentle hands, but had it been possible, in a way, our relationship may have able to become deeper from it. It is something now I've come to wonder about... If I was foolish for not having explored the idea...

Going silent as he said that, Rem could feel the anguish of time and loss was relished in his old soul. That was why tonight was something so special to him. Tonight, was a chance he may at long last, begin to have some closure.

Wilhelm: Perhaps... had we found a way to do what you two have accomplished... I might have at some point returned my Wife's words of love, rather then prudefully tuck those words away out of my own ignorance.

'Love...'

This word bounced around in Rem's mind with the conclusion that the Sword Demon, the one half to the story she adored so much, had recognized that what she and YN possessed, was "love."

Wilhelm: Yet, where I have come short, I can only hope that others do not so selfishly keep such feelings to themselves, especially in connections like the two of you hold.

Causing Rem to hold her hand tightly to her chest, her fingers manged to find the blue jeweled stone that hung from her neck, the other half of which YN possessed around his own.

Eyes cast down, Rem responded to the gentleman's words.

Rem: YN-kun has told Rem many times he finds what we have is 'tragic,' but believes that because it is, we are stronger for it. Rem at first greatly struggled with accepting that, but has come to also see its benefit. While she may never fully understand it, Rem will be thankful YN-kun sees it that way.

Nodding as if he too understood, Wilhelm at the very least related to the feeling.

Wilhelm: Such notions are the basis and foundation for much greater feelings. Feelings I unfortunately never had the opportunity to say.

As a cool night time breeze washed over the land and shook the many branches far up above them, the flowers down below also rustled in the silence between the maid and the butler before it was broken again.

Wilhelm: If such feelings exist in you for him, say them. Do not lose your chance to do so.

With a hint of regret still on his voice as he said that, it was extinguished quickly as the remembrance of what was soon to come came back to mind. Turning to return back to the side of his master should she require assistance in readying for upcoming battle, Wilhelm left Rem's company with one last word of advice.

Wilhelm: Whatever happens in this fight, your priority should be to live to see your beloved once more. If that means you should run, so be it. I have lived being a victim of the Whale stealing what was most precious to me, and I do not wish to die knowing that it has robbed another's most precious either.

Bowing to her, Wilhelm departed from the shade of the gargantuan tree where Rem stood. As she looked deep inside herself, she knew all what Wilhelm said, was true.

The Sword Demon, the individual who was one of the two key figures in the love song Rem adored so greatly had inspired a motive inside her. The song and lyrics of its tale, it's morals and values it had impressed upon the sheltered maid, had greatly shaped her maiden heart, and perhaps had been the key idea that had spurred her heart into yearning for YN-kun.

But now, the real life individual from the song she adored helped amplify those feelings she held for YN already smoldering inside her, calling for her to fan those embers, and let the fire raise.

When Rem sees her YN-kun next, she will try her hardest to live by what Wilhelm-sama's suggestion was.

Fighting back her self doubt, her guilt, and her worst fears, Rem concluded to herself that she should say the words she now felt she must to YN.

Rem will garner her courage to say her truest of feelings to YN-kun. She swears to herself she will...

Much like Wilhelm had lamented on not doing, Rem was determined to follow through on her end, not to keep this burden of self doubt and guilt to herself.

Like how we agreed to lean on each other, Rem must do as she promised, and say these words to him.

Throbbing, Rem's complicated maiden heart was resolute in its mission as she looked up at the clear night sky.

Rem: YN-kun... Rem will tell him that she loves him so very much.