Chapter 105: Blood On His Hands

Rem: —Rem takes full responsibility for this blunder.

Bowing her head before the main entourage of the Iron Fang elite, Ram, and those from Crusch's camp, no one could find the blue haired maid at fault.

Ricardo: Easy there little lady, it was the messenger's screw up, not yours.

Julius: That is true, Rem-san, there's no need to blame yourself for this.

Ram: Rem, no one here blames you for this. Had Ram been more thorough with looking into the messenger, this would not have happened.

With the letter hoping to inform those of the Mansion about the attack and those who were being sent to deal with it being received by Ram, things had certainly not been conveyed in the way it had been intended.

Rem: Then certainly no one can blame Nee-sama for reacting as she did!

Wilhelm: I would not imagine anyone would, given the circumstances and the blunder in communication that had occurred.

Rem: And that is precisely why it is Rem's fault! Had she remembered her responsibility of writing the letter and sending it off herself, this would not have occurred.

Shaking her head in disagreement, those gathered around still tried to reassure her.

Felix: We just don't knyow that. After all, the letter was written by that grateful patient you healed after the fight with the White Whale. While they were kind enough to do it for you after you forgot, they might have ended up giving the messenger the wrong slip of paper, or even given it to the wrong messenger entirely. There's a lot that could have happened.

Wilhelm: Had another letter meant for a different recipient been delivered on accident, that would not have given way to this situation. But to accidentally deliver a blank message...

Subaru: Umm, I have a question.

Raising his hand like a student in school, Subaru inquired for more details. With Julius and Wilhelm both nodding to him, Subaru bluntly asked.

Subaru: What's the big deal with sending a blank letter?

Raising a brow to that, Julius let Wilhelm himself explain.

Wilhelm: To put it simply, sending one a blank letter is a way of conveying you have nothing left to say to them. It's akin to a declaration of war.

Rem: And combining that assumption with Nee-sama's Clairvoyance showing her a large group of armed individuals encroaching into the Mather's Domain...

Subaru: Sheesh, if put it that way, it's really no surprise Ram acted that way.

Julius: Truly, she cannot be faulted given what was displayed to her.

As the knight folded his arms whilst saying that, it was Ram who looked at both her "enemies" with daggers in her one visible eye.

Ram: Precisely. Ram only acted in what would have been in Roswaal-sama's best wishes.

With still no one finding issue with Ram, even given everything that had occurred with the magic she had used on the entire convoy, Julius pushed his hair behind his ear.

Julius: Thankfully, Subaru here was able to solve your magic's trick. From there, it was simple to have my little buds assist everyone else in their state.

Glaring now only at the Finest Knight, Ram grumbled.

Ram: Ram does not appreciate knowing it was Barasu who thwarted her defenses.

Felix: Regardless, it's all over now. The important thing to understand is that nyo one was seriously hurt. Frankly, even if Rem-chan had written it, something on the messenger's part caused a blank note to be delivered by accident. It may have occurred nyo matter who wrote it.

Content on blaming the messenger, Rem could only humbly accept their conclusion, even if she still continued to feel guilt from all that had transpired.

To Rem, this was more proof her fatigue was making her less of an asset, and more of a liability.

YN: I'm surprised every piece of official parchment doesn't have 'if left blank, this is not intentional' pre-written at the bottom.

Julius: Perhaps that is not a bad suggestion.

Finding his solution amusing, the group went on to discuss the intricacies of what had led up to this coalition being formed. Information on the White Whale and the Witch Cult operating in the area was relayed to Ram, who, while impressed Subaru had managed to gather such a force, still took any opportunity to strike his stature, even after those present had left to prepare for departure again.

Ram: Ram still finds it not entirely unlikely for Barasu to turn traitor. Like an ill-trained dog; he would bite the hand that feeds him.

Subaru: Are you still on about this?!

While not frustrated at Ram, Subaru was definitely feeling heated.

Ram: It is what it is. Ram understands that now, this was a misunderstanding. Barasu is still a dog however, even if he is just Emilia-sama's lapdog.

Shrugging off his heated reply and taking amusement in his displeasure, Ram had made one last jab towards Subaru.

Subaru: Hey now, dogs are like family. I'll happily be Emilia-tan's dog.

YN had realized Subaru had tried to embrace the insult being thrown at him in the spirit of retaliation, but to all those around him, it only served as self depreciation.

Wilhelm: That is... setting one's sights too low.

I seriously can't imagine being that with Rem... She appreciates me, faults and all.

Holding his hand still, YN looked to the blue haired oni to his side and smiled. Seeing his warm expression being given to her, Rem somewhat blushed and tilted her head in question.

Rem: Is everything alright?

YN: Yeah. It always is with you by my side.

Giving her a headpat, YN had given the one who held his heart an expression of his feelings for her.

Rem allowed YN to open the car door for her as she stepped inside, and took her seat. Getting in himself, YN fired up the car and joined the convoy that was now beginning to move again finally.

Their next stop; Arlem, in hopes the village could be convinced to evacuate.

Subaru: Ya know, it's weird hearing you tell people to listen to what I have to say... Does that mean you've recognized my efforts!?

Ram: Do not get ahead of yourself.

Pouting and turning away, Ram rejected Subaru's theory of her changed perception.

While not knowing the villagers as well as Subaru, the couple that was YN and Rem had decided to stand off to the side while he had spoken to them. With animosity towards Emilia was once more behind the subject of the villagers' apprehensions involving a Witch Cult attack, it had been Ram of all people who had vouched for Subaru in his pleas for them all to evacuate.

With all those readying to leave, taking what little things they could on short notice, the four members of the Mansion's staff had found a moment to themselves.

But, their reunion was brief. Running up to Subaru, a young villager girl called for him. It was the young girl with auburn hair and bow in her hair, Petra, the same child that had informed them of the other missing girl during that night the mabeasts had attacked.

Telling Subaru of Emilia's pleas to the village to seek refuge in the Mansion after she had arrived back early that morning, she had been hesitant to mention her cause for alarm was the Witch Cult attack YN had informed her of.

Subaru: At least thanks to YN, Emilia-tan made it back safe... But it's no surprise she never said it was a Witch Cult raid. Damn it.

Cursing the long standing prejudice against half-elves, Subaru recalled some of the villagers' words to him as he had tried to convince them to evacuate.

"The Witch Cult always shows up when half-elves are around! It's her fault they're coming here!"

In the end, their suspensions had been correct. While they never would have shared that suspicion with Emilia when she too tried to get them to leave, with their trust in Subaru in what had occurred during the mabeast attack, they freely asked if that was the case.

Imagining how dejected Emilia must have felt, Subaru put his determination to action.

Subaru: I'm going to go see Emilia. She needs to evacuate as well.

YN: Wait!

Getting Subaru to halt as he bid Petra goodbye for her to join her family in the evacuation convoy, YN voiced his opinion.

YN: That... still might not be a good idea.

Raising a brow to YN, Subaru questioned his reasoning.

Subaru: I get what you're trying to prevent me from doing. But—

With the transformed Puck's words still in his mind about how Emilia had not wished to be re-confronted with him so soon, Subaru earnestly felt it had been enough time.

Subaru: —I've gathered everyone here. We defeated the White Whale... If Emilia doesn't want to see me now...

Looking down and clenching his fists, his self doubt began to make it seem as if YN was completely correct, no matter how hard he wished that wasn't the case.

Unsure what to say now, YN remained silent until—

Rem: If Rem may voice a suggestion—

Chiming in, was the blue haired, head maid of the Roswaal Mansion. With Subaru and Ram both turning to her in slight surprise, YN patiently awaited what she had to say.

Rem: As Rem understands it, Emilia-sama does not wish to face Subaru-kun not out of any dismay, but only from a concern he has not reconciled the arrogance he has shown by dismissing any trust she wishes to place in him.

Breaking down what it was exactly that was Subaru's hurdle in seeing Emilia, Rem voiced a solution.

Rem: —Namely, the result of these broken promises culminated from the physical altercation with Julius-sama. If Subaru-kun were to show Emilia-sama he has gone as far to reconcile his differences with someone he so intensely butted heads with, it may prove to her that Subaru-kun has learned and grown from these experiences.

With Rem concluding her point, she held her palm upward in her very maid-like fashion, as if speaking in a matter of fact.

Rem: Compounding this revelation with the achievement of subduing the White Whale and organizing protection against the Witch Cult raid, Rem is certain Emilia-sama would see Subaru-kun in good faith once more.

Hearing her suggestion, Subaru mentally wrestled with the idea before finally settling on recognizing its pure logic.

Subaru: I guess if I did do that, that would be pretty symbolic... Alright. Thanks, Rem-san.

Bidding farewell to YN, Rem, Ram, and Petra, he left for where Julius was assisting in the evacuation, of which Petra also had to depart to be a part of.

But as soon as Subaru left and was out of view, someone had come looking for him.

Felix: Is Subawu over here? Ferri is looking for him. Some of the children we're evacuating are pretty nervous and I knyow he's familiar with them.

YN: Oh, Ferris-san. You just missed him. He was off to go find Julius.

Pointing in the direction he went, the demi-human's ears slightly folded.

Felix: Hmm, I don't think I should interrupt Subawu making up with Julius...

Hands on his hips, Felix looked unsure of what to do now, but chiming up, it was Rem.

Rem: If Felix-sama requests assistance, Rem may be able to help.

Felix: As long as you're up for it.

Looking to YN for approval, he nodded.

YN: You're the next most likely person to know them. At least you're familiar with them.

With a smile, Rem agreed.

Rem: Rem does enjoy children. Perhaps it will be a good experience for Rem to handle ones in a negative emotional state... if only as practice for the ones her YN-kun will give her~.

YN: —hk!

Waving goodbye and leaving with the Capitol's greatest healer, YN was left alone with Ram.

With a brief silence growing between them as they both stood to the side of all the commotion going on, it was Ram who finally spoke up.

Ram: Emilia-sama informed Ram of what happened.

YN peered over to the maid who was looking out upon the bodies moving and working to prepare the evacuation still. She did not make eye contact with him, and to the side she stood of him, he couldn't see her single visible eye either, leaving him in the dark on what her flatly said statement was going to lead into.

YN: O-Oh?

Ram: You sound nervous, YN. What reason would you have to be nervous towards your Nee-sama?

Keeping her intention behind her question a secret, Ram still did not let YN see her true expression, almost as if she was testing him.

YN decided honesty was his best option here. It was pointless trying to lie to Ram.

YN: Knowing you, you might be upset I left Rem to fight the White Whale with Subaru...

With another brief silence being had, Ram answered sharply when she did.

Ram: —At first, that was a concern of Ram's. But upon thinking of it more, Rem was of much more use with Barasu.

YN: That doesn't excuse leaving her alone though.

Ram: That too, was to be Ram's counter argument, however, Emilia-sama convinced Ram otherwise.

Surprised to hear Emilia had gone to bat for him, YN raised a brow.

Ram: You turned down her offer to become her Knight.

YN: I did... Did she tell you why?

Not answering for a moment, Ram dwelled on what she should say until she did.

Ram: She did, and that is the reason why Ram is not chastising you for leaving Rem in the care of Barasu or for YN turning down Emilia-sama's offer.

Looking upward, YN was given the view of just a sliver of the other side of the pink haired maid's face as she observed the blue sky above them.

Ram: It was only after hearing it that Ram was once again reminded why it was her best decision to entrust Rem's heart to YN.

Finally turning to him, Ram continued.

Ram: YN, you've taken on Ram's request to let Rem lean on you and done much better with it than she could have ever hoped. For once, Ram feels like she will never have to worry for Rem's future ever again, because now she is certain there is someone other than herself who will care for her before anything, or anyone else.

Bowing her head and torso to him, Ram spoke as if suppressing an intense emotion.

Ram: YN, thank you for taking such good care of Ram's younger twin sister... —of Rem.

YN: Ram... There's really nothing to thank me for...

Scratching the back of his head, YN truly felt he hadn't done anything that exemplary.

Ram: There is. It is because you put her before anything else that Ram sees the wisdom in not bringing her along to assist Emilia-sama in thwarting the thieves. YN knew that would not be the safest place for her. Ram does not know how he garnered that information, but his care for Rem is proof enough it wasn't without careful consideration.

Blown away by how much faith Ram was putting into him now, he almost wished she'd stop.

It was really more so because Subaru needed Rem vouching for him... Coupled with the fact that her and I have really poor coordination fighting side-by-side.

Ram: With how much of a force Barasu was able to put together, it is clear YN chose the safer location for Rem despite possibly needing her help himself.

Looking back over all those present, Crusch camp and Iron Fang alike, Ram was in hard belief Subaru had been the one to accomplish this.

Ram: YN knows his limitations, and the limitations of others. Barasu does not, therefore Ram can trust YN's insight of where Rem will be the safest.

Turning to him and bowing just her head this time, Ram concluded her thanks.

Ram: Ram is once again certain she made the right choice in hanging her hopes for Rem on him. Thank you for that.

Simply nodding to the pink haired oni, there was silence between them once more as they each watched all those present continue to work on evacuating the villagers, a task that was nearing completion.

Ram: Ram does have one last inquiry, if YN doesn't mind.

Asking in a way that was unlike her usual blunt way of gathering information, YN answered her.

YN: Sure. What is it?

Staying silent again, Ram contemplated exactly how to ask her inquiry.

Ram: If Rem is YN's first spot in his heart as he told Emilia-sama...

Hesitant to ask the question, Ram for a change was trying very hard to not fumble her words.

Ram: Would it... would it be accurate to say that YN— that you...—?

Taking a deep breath, she gave him a sympathetic look, as if she were asking him to take mercy on her inability to say the word.

But not having a clue what she was getting at, YN nodded rather to encourage her to keep trying.

Ram: Since Ram has never heard you utter the word before to Rem... But given her importance to YN, is it fair to say that what you feel towards her is...

With an expression that almost seemed to convey worry, Ram finally sounded out the word.

Ram: Has YN told Rem... that he loves her.

Sending his mind into a frenzy, the word echoed louder and longer in his head than ever before.

'Rem... ' and 'love...'

Slowly, with Ram's simple question, gears began to spin in his mind.

'Rem, ' and, 'love.'

Faster and faster, his mind raced to pair the two ideas together in his brain. What was it about this combination of words that made this happen?

'Rem' and 'love.'

More now, the words rebounded and ricocheted in his head.

'Rem' and 'love.' 'Rem' and 'love.' 'Rem' and 'love.'

More. Faster.

Rem-and-love-Rem-and-love-Rem-and-love-Rem-and-love-Rem-and-love-Rem-and-love-Rem-and-love—

Suddenly, the idea clicked. Just as it had when he felt it build in him when Emilia had asked him to be something he absolutely couldn't be.

It clicked, that this was something he absolutely had to understand. It clicked that this was an undeniable fact of his feelings.

Nothing better described his feelings for the blue haired maid.

No amount of other words, no matter how many, could better relay to Rem how he felt for her.

How much of a fool was he then, for not realizing this sooner?

As he went to answer not only Ram, the older sister of the one he loved, he was also answering the question to himself as well.

But, as his lips moved to form words, and his breath to give them life, they were interrupted by a crude sound.

*KABOOM*

With debris flying upward, becoming airborne and a great plume of smoke rising from deeper in the village, Ram and YN looked on with wide eyes as to what this meant.

Ram: That is where the merchant's were waiting, was it not?!

YN: Shit, it was!

Sharing one last look at each other, the two bolted off to where the commotion was unfolding. Sprinting, the two were halfway there when the sounds of continued screams and wails began to echo through the streets.

What's going on? It's not some kind of chemical attack, is it?

YN feared the residual yelling was due to the aftermath of the explosion, but in reality, it was much worse.

*ba-dum-ba-dum-ba-dum-ba-dum—*

Hearing what again was a sound of drum beating in his head, YN halted for a moment, only to be greatly surprised by a black vestige appearing to his flank.

?: Aaargh!

Ram: Flula!

Suddenly, and without warning, YN was ambushed by a blacked robed assassin. Thankfully however, Ram quickly thwarted the attempt. Without time to thank her though, many more blacked robed enemies appeared.

Ram: YN! Defend yourself!

With mana quickly readying in his palm, YN felt and saw Algol to his side.

YN: Jiwald!

Instantly, white rays of heat and light crashed into the advancing adversaries, all with blades drawn.

Cutting down four, YN had just provided the first fatal blows towards human targets of his magical career.

I... I just—!

Shocked at how intense his magic had been, before him the ones who had sought to end his life had just been cut down, his Yang magic leaving little of them left.

Staring down at his still extended palm, YN suddenly felt the lethality of his skills.

This wasn't a hobby, or even an art form. Magic was truly a tool. A tool that at times, could take a life.

But as he reflected on what had just occurred, he was awarded very little time to dwell on it as one had been shielded from his white rays of death.

Unsure if he should cast more magic now, but also knowing he needed to protect himself, the mana still in his hands was circulated to his arms, filling his muscles.

YN: —Tch!

Intercepting the robed assailant's wrist that held the dagger, YN twisted it and could feel the tendons under the flesh he held contort in ways they should not. Following up the grab, YN impaled his other hand's heel into the attacker's chest as he sidestepped the blade. Pushing forward, the black robed vandal was knocked into the stone retaining wall behind him.

Under his hand, YN could feel the bulge of bone and organ under the unbroken robe and flesh of his would-be murderer. Cracking the stonework on impact, he rendered this one unable to attack further as well.

With a clang, just as the attacker's dagger fell from his twisted hand to the ground, so did his soul. Slumping down, lifeless, the last of those attacking were removed from this world.

YN: — — —

Looming down at his hand again, YN thwarted several attempts on his own life by taking the lives of those trying to take his.

Beginning to shake, he didn't know what to think. But moving to his side, was the wide eye'd, pink haired maid.

While sloppy timing and with delay, she was surprised by YN's tenacity to react as he did nonetheless. Seeing as he was struck by it however, and given the nature of things unfolding around them, Ram quickly sought to bring YN to his senses.

Ram: YN! The Witch Cult followers are still assaulting the village.

Speaking this information, it reached YN who was made to look down at the one who laid dead at his feet.

These black robed assailant's were none other than what Ram had just said they were.

Suddenly feeling the simmering pot of emotions that he was beginning to calm, the hand he held out became a fist, tight with conviction.

These were Witch Cultists... The same evil people who killed Rem...

Recalling how much of a hate that had grown in him after being forced to watch Rem suffer at their hands, YN felt the unease that stemmed from having first taken other's lives be quelled.

These were Witch Cultists after all. Why should he pity them?

Not only did they kill Rem... But they've caused a lifetime of grief for her and Ram... It's better they're gone.

Rationalizing it within himself, YN swallowed his emotions and looked to Ram.

Ram: You're coming to terms with it quickly. That is good.

Knowing it wasn't easy, Ram sympathized with how it felt, yet given the circumstances, this needed to be fast.

Ram: Ram should remind YN that Rem is still unaccounted for during this assault.

And that means she's in danger.

Turning his apprehension into determination, YN looked to the elder twin sister of the one who held his heart.

YN: The blast area. We need to check there first.

Ram: Agreed. Either she was caught in it and is in need of attention, or she herself is running there as we are to assist.

Nodding to the maid, the two set off again.

All around them, Crusch camp warriors and Iron Fang members were locked in combat with Witch Cultists. From the fresh corpses on the ground, it appeared as if the cretins were attacking those most defenseless first, the villagers.

Damn it! Scumbags!

Reaching where the plume of smoke had risen from, the crater was massive. Running to its edge, YN was stunned by what he saw.

YN: Ram! He's over here!

Seeing the body, YN knew he wasn't dead yet by the simple virtue he himself was still here.

Bloodied and broken though, Subaru laid on the ground next to the two people keeping him alive no doubt.

Felix: YyN! Ram!

Knelt on either side of the black haired boy, was one demi-human, and one blue haired maid.

Rem: YN-kun! Subaru-kun's injuries are serious!

Felix: Rem-chan, focus your healing there, Ferri will concentrate on the most serious part here.

Coordinating their collective healing measures, YN surveyed the damage.

Subaru must have been right at the epicenter...

Seeing the destruction though, he truly wondered how he wasn't dead. But also piquing his curiosity, was what appeared to be a tatoe sack Felix was using as clothing, as he had been wearing his Knight's regalia earlier.

YN: How bad was the blast? What caused it?

Felix: Ferri was searching the cargo... inspecting it. That's when he found that one of the merchants was a Witch Cultist... He smuggled a cache of magic crystals into one of the carriages and ignited them as we tried to interrogate him.

Ram: Such underhanded ploys.

Disgusted at the lengths the Witch Cult was willing to go to, Felix explained further.

Felix: Thankfully Ia protected Subawu from the worst of it, and if Ferri wasn't capable of coming back from the grave too, both of us would have perished.

Caught off guard by Felix's comment that reminded him of Return By Death, YN looked to Rem to see if she had caught that as well. Giving him a weak look though, she knew it concerned him, however she had not an answer for it.

Rem: Ferris-sama was not able to regenerate his clothing, but his skills as a healer allow his own body to come back from such sustained injuries.

Unsure what he should do now, the yelling and screaming around them was still taking place. Yet, another sound crept up on YN.

*ba-dum-ba-dum-ba-dum-ba-dum—*

Now hearing this for the fourth, or fifth, or sixth time, he could surmise by those all around him still, that they themselves could not hear this rhythmic beating.

What is this sound I keep hearing—?!

Given no time to dwell on it though, he could see a figure of black step out from a nearby ruined building.

Witch Cultist!

Going to put mana into his palm though, it was slow as Algol it seemed had decided to not show up again, still YN sought to crush the entity closing in between him and those that were trying as they could to heal Subaru.

As the Cultist fully stepped out into the light, all those present saw him.

But before Rem could stop her healing, and before Ram could draw her wand, and even before YN had finished preemptively gathered his mana, an object of silvery-brightness sliced through the Witch Cultist.

With death causing the cloaked figure to drop his dagger, they were kicked off the blade with all due prejudice. Emerging around the corner and stepping over the body of the Witch Cultist, the Finest Knight cleaned his blade.

Julius: Everyone! We must—!

Trying to form a regroup, his words were cut off by the scene before him.

Julius: —Subaru!

Rushing to his side, the knight knelt down and looked to his comrade for a diagnosis.

Felix: Subawu is going to be fine. Ia did an excellent job protecting him.

With a look of intense relief going across Julius' face, he held his hand out above Subaru's unconscious body. Summoning forth the little red spirit, it danced around his hand as if reassuring him of its strength.

Julius: I am very glad Ia was of use.

Letting the spirit return to the one he lent it to, Julius stood back up, knowing they had little time to wait.

Julius: As you all are aware, the village is currently under a direct raid by the Witch Cult's remaining forces.

Felix: What's the status of the villagers? Was the evacuation rushed to get them out?

Giving the demi-human a stern look, Julius got down to the subject of him wanting to regroup.

Julius: Around half of the convoy was destroyed in the blast. Currently our forces are defending the remaining carriages that are loaded with the villagers, however that also only accounts for around half of those who need to evacuate.

Ram: Meaning once an opening is forced in fighting, only half of the villagers can depart, stranding the rest.

Julius: Yes. Which is why I was going to ask—

Looking at Rem and YN, Julius spoke his idea.

Julius: Rem, YN, Ram... with the support of Tivy, could you four lead the remaining villagers out of the opposite end of the village?

Being required to do a great deed, no one present could deny it.

YN: What if the Witch Cult wants us to do that and is planning another ambush?

Ram: Then we must guide them down the one path Ram is certain they will not be aware of.

Ram looked intensely at Rem who had finished what healing she could perform on Subaru.

Ram: We must take them to the Sanctuary.

Returning an equally intense look, Rem nodded in reluctance.

Rem: If that is the only way.

Standing, Rem took YN's hand.

Rem: We must move quickly then.

Julius: The longer we wait, the more prepared the Witch Cult will be in stopping you four. Any of the villagers currently needing to be evacuated are where the Convoy currently is. Go there and speak with Tivy and organize the separate evacuation.

YN: Got it.

With the twins departing with YN, Julius went about searching more of the village for stragglers and Witch Cultists alike. Leaving Subaru in the capable hands of the Capitol's greatest healer, the group dispersed.

A/N: Hey everyone! That was this week's chapter. The next two chapters are going to be MASSIVE. Probably two of the most important chapters of the entire series, and each feature artwork I had commissioned for them. They'll be slightly longer then normal, but 106 and 107 were some of my favorite to write in the entire series, even more so then chapter 100. Please look forward to them!