Chapter 114: I Walk The Line
Awestruck at their newfound status in the Sanctuary, YN could hardly believe it as well.
Does that mean they intend to label Rem as such too? As a... prisoner alongside us?
Bringing the blue haired girl back to the forefront of his mind, YN contemplated what his options were now that the conditions were worse than he perceived.
Rem can't stay here. Being a 'prisoner' on top of her current condition is a recipe for disaster.
While Emilia elaborated on how she had begun to assume the reason Roswaal hadn't returned yet may have been due to these newly known injuries restricting his travel, YN wrestled with the idea of walking out now and making a break for it.
If I don't act quickly... It could get worse. Especially now since we're aware of our status...
But as he thought of the potential consequences of hightailing it out of this "Sanctuary," Emilia spoke words that made him further reconsider what those consequences could entail.
Emilia: —I can hardly believe there's someone here who could injure Roswaal this much, let alone keep him captive... How strong would they need to be?
Everyone present knew of Roswaal's prowess as the Court's Magician. He held the magical mastery titles of Red, Green, and Yellow as well, and boasted with ease how trivial of a task it was to exterminate the remainder of the mabeasts after YN had slain the head one before his return.
Does that mean that this 'strong person' considers us an enemy as well? If so, things just got a lot more complicated...
As Subaru, Emilia, and YN all mulled over how strong someone must be to be capable of this, the door next to YN suddenly opened with force, casting daylight into the dimly lit shack. With all eyes turned to the newest guest, he spoke.
Garfiel: Yous all still just blabbin' away? I'd hate to be stuck-in' bed and have to listen to so much yammern'.
Nonchalantly walking in like the prison warden he clearly thought he was, Garfiel was picking at his ear as he entered.
Making it a few paces past YN and Ram who were still posted up by the door to the side, Garfiel was halted by one quick motion of Emilia's.
Emilia: Garfiel!
Subaru: Don't tell me... It's—!
With the golden haired boy's entrance at the same time they contemplated who could have been responsible for Roswaal's condition, Subaru and Emilia immediately knew who fit the bill.
They each knew how strong he was. From suplexing a ground dragon, to flipping an entire carriage, no one currently in the Sanctuary was a better culprit for the Margrave's current condition than Garfiel.
As Subaru and Emilia both took defensive stances, YN felt obligated to join his allies, but as he straightened his posture to move, he quickly found Ram remained in place, seemingly unconcerned with the golden-haired boy's presence.
Taking this as a hint she maybe knew something they didn't, YN halfway halted himself. While he placed himself between Emilia and Garfiel, he still did so to the side. He would address Garfiel, but he wouldn't join this stand against him unless prompted to.
A tense silence was built in the second after this brief shuffle of movement. With Emilia and Subaru on high alert, YN chose to observe, and Garfiel was somewhat surprised at such a reaction. To this though, it was Subaru who broke the ice.
Subaru: Hey... Where's Otto at? You two were together and now you aren't...
Asking a probing question of sorts, Subaru inquired on the state of his newfound confidant of sorts.
Garfiel: Huh? That annoying bellyacher?
Reading the room finally, the golden-haired boy's demeanor changed as he realized that all of them had probably just learned about what they'd just involved themselves in.
Garfiel: Ahh, you all finally understand your place here now, ah?
Putting as much intimidation as he could into his low voice, he smiled a wide, conniving grin with his mouth full of shark-like teeth.
Standing from his chair, Subaru clenched his fist and teeth as he replied.
Subaru: You gotta be kidding me, it's you who caused this mess?!
With things quickly turning hostile, YN could see from his peripheral vision Emilia had side stepped every so slightly to fall behind him more. Everyone present knew Garfiel's strength, but they knew of one other person who at the very least could hopefully match it if need be.
Right now, Emilia and Subaru both were looking to YN as their first line of defense. While Emilia hated putting another before her in harm's way, she also had to consider Subaru and Roswaal, both of whom were still behind her.
But despite their suspicions fueling their altered state, YN remained calm.
Given Ram's lack of concern, I think I can fully trust my own understanding of it too. Garfiel isn't the one responsible for this.
As the one present who had felt the supposed strength first hand that had subdued the Court Magician, YN doubted the conclusion Emilia and Subaru were now drawing of their suspect.
Garfiel is definitely strong, but he lacks the technique to take down a skilled magic user...
Recalling their fight, had it not been for Ram breaking it up, YN had been fully poised to burn the golden-haired boy's body to a crisp with the Jiwald he had held in his hand.
I don't think he considered I had magic up my sleeve... No one who doesn't think ahead at least that far would stand a chance against Roswaal. There's just no way.
Garfiel: Seems like that news's got ya all sour.
But as YN thought no hostile thoughts, Garfiel revealed in the atmosphere now growing thanks to Emilia and Subaru. Cracking his knuckles and loosening his neck, Garfiel grinned sinisterly at YN.
Garfiel: You lookin' for round two?
YN: — — —
While he wished to avoid a second altercation, it seemed a room of assumption was going to indeed make an ass out of them all.
Garfiel: Stayin' silent again? You really know howda' push me. Fine. Ya want a second go?! Let's go—!
Blocking more of the sunlight coming in from the doorway the golden-haired boy still stood in, a silhouette YN recognized appeared behind him.
*BONK*
Short hair, frills of fancy fabric on their shoulders, a wide but short skirt, the outline of a flowered headband, and an accompanying tied flower ribbon.
—!
For a fleeting moment before his eyes could adjust, YN's heart fluttered at the idea of who this silhouette may be. She usually found herself showing up right when he was in trouble, so admittedly, it wasn't unlike this would be unexpected.
YN: — — —
Yet, reality would not grant him the surprise and fated reunion for a brief second he thought he was about to have.
The one who had struck Garfiel on the head had been Ram, the elder sister of the one YN had wished it had been.
While he couldn't let a moment's hope stunt his attitude, YN was thankful for her timely intervention like she had performed before.
Ram: Ram will not tolerate you acting like a fool, Garf.
Bashing a silver serving platter over his head, Ram had shut down Garfiel's invitation to violence.
Garfiel: —Dah!
Recoiled in pain, while the shark-toothed boy held his head in pain at the discipline he was shown, Ram turned to Emilia.
Ram: Emilia-sama, it is ill-mannered to jump to such drastic conclusions. Barasu, learn to think before you come to such illogical endings.
Gesturing in her very maid-like way to the one still holding his head on the floor, Ram continued in her formal tone.
Ram: He did not have a role to play in Roswaal-sama's injuries. Garf may be stupid, but he isn't an idiot.
Being faced with shocked expressions, Subaru and Emilia both seemed almost unconvinced of Ram's words. Hinting at their doubt though, Roswaal spoke up in as cheery of a voice as he could muster, given his condition.
Roswaal: It as Ram says, Emilia-sama! Garfiel-kuuuuun is not responsible for my condition, I assure you.
A nervous air growing about her, Emilia put a hand to her chin.
Emilia: I-I see... is that so?
Turning to the injured boy on the ground still, just as he was beginning to recover, the half-elf bowed to him in apology.
Emilia: I-I apologize for assuming the worst! I was certain you'd eaten Otto or something worse!
Garfiel: —!?
YN: —hk!
Ram: Hah.
Subaru: Emilia-tan...
Privy to the reactions around her, Emilia now nervously looked about the faces pointed at her.
Emilia: Wha—? Huh? D-Did I say something odd?
Trying to not make her feel bad on top of the guilt she now had, Subaru tried to perform damage control for her feelings.
Subaru: A—! I-I'm—! Wow! Emilia-tan's creative mind sure is something else!
Letting the knight-to-be defend his liege's honor, YN and Ram stayed silent as Garf could only scratch his head in confusion and mumble under his breath.
Garfiel: Like I'd take a bite outta someone so annoyin'...
Subaru: Well, it's your own fault for being so ambiguous. Even without Otto around, all you do is cause trouble, ya know that?
Somewhat scolding the youth, he argued back at Subaru to no real end, saying he had left the merchant after growing tired of his company.
While conditions were back to a tentative peace, YN, who remained in the exact same place as he had finally turned to Ram.
YN: Thanks for calming everyone down. That could have been a lot worse.
Nodding, Ram swung about the bent serving platter she had used to earn his thanks.
Ram: Ram should not hesitate to use the edge rather than the flat part next time.
Stirring up the air with a series of "whooshes" that were akin to her Wind magic, YN smiled nervously at her reply.
YN: Let's hope for Garfiel-san's sake, it doesn't come to that.
Finally taking a seat from holding his head, the aforementioned golden-haired boy plunked down and called for the maid.
Garfiel: Ram! My head is killin' me now, how 'bout some tea, eh?
Ram: —Hmph.
Tucking the bent platter she had been swinging about under her arm, Ram turned to leave without an argument.
Ram: Ram shall return shortly with leaves from outside.
More or less declaring she would be giving them the worst quality of tea possible, the pink haired maid departed out the same door they all had come from.
As she left though, YN could easily spot Garfiel's eyes watching her every step until she was out of sight. Seeing he was being watched though, Garfiel could only smirk in reply before boldly asking YN something he hadn't expected.
Garfiel: Oi. You got a thing for Ram? Fine woman, isn't she?
YN: —!
Caught off guard by such a brash question, YN couldn't help but somewhat stumble over his words.
YN: N-Not really...
Keeping his answer negative but undefined, his mind would only let him respond that way.
I can't exactly say 'no' when Rem is practically identical, even if I love her as much as I do. It would be rude to say 'Hell no' like I would have said had he asked that about anyone else.
Garfiel: Well—
Hearing his response, the golden-haired youth sat forward on his pulled up chair, looking up at YN with a distasteful expression.
Garfiel: —I gotta say, I don't like how well you two get along.
Trying to voice his displeasure at how Ram was much more friendly with YN than him, Garfiel could tell the topic was best left at that, least he openly declare YN a rival of sorts. Sitting back and shrugging, he continued.
Garfiel: 'Guess it's no real surprise. I can appreciate liking strong, capable women.
Visualizing what he meant by that, YN could only think of one person.
She was strong and capable as they came, as far as he was concerned.
At times lifting and carrying him with extreme ease, and other times shouldering all of her and his emotions and hope for the future.
Other times, she was a master of nearly any skilled task she undertook. Cooking, cleaning, driving, negotiations, interrogation, investigations, anything it seemed.
Rem...
Seeing he for some reason had put a real dampener on YN, Garfiel couldn't understand what it was caused by.
Garfiel: 'Not like it's weird. It's normal for guys to like gals like that.
Feeling trapped in his own mind, it was filling his heart with a sadness once more that Rem wasn't here to help tackle the problems of the Sanctuary together with everyone else. YN was snapped from his saddened state though by Subaru interjection into the discussion.
Subaru: 'Guys?' 'Gals?' What is this? Some kind relationship advice column?
Garfiel: —tch
Irritated Subaru could so easily write off what he had said, even if he couldn't entirely understand exactly what his reply had meant, Garfiel at least knew it was mocking him.
Garfiel: Anyway—
Bringing everyone back into the conversation with a turn of his chair, Roswaal, Emilia, Subaru, and YN were all now facing Garfiel.
Garfiel: —yous all should be talkin' 'bout how all this involves the Princess-sama over there.
Causing the conversation to loop back around to the topic truly at hand, Emilia answered him with a simple question of her own.
Emilia: T-This all involves me?
Unsurprisingly struck to hear that the current situation they faced in finding out why Roswaal hadn't departed with the other half of Arlem's villagers involved her in any way, Emilia was dumbstruck at how this was possible.
But, analyzing what they knew, Subaru spoke aloud as he brainstormed.
Subaru: The reason we're being imprisoned relates to Emilia-tan...
A hand to his chin, Emilia and Subaru theory crafted as to what her involvement in this debacle was, until she guessed it had to do with the barrier. With Roswaal confirming they were on the right track, Subaru recalled the barrier supposedly only affected those with mixed blood between human and demi-human. As Emilia questioned why that was keeping pureblooded individuals like Roswaal or Ram from leaving, it was Garfiel who confirmed it was that reasoning that the mixed were preventing their departure. Since other mixed bloods like him couldn't supposedly leave, neither could anyone else.
Using this as a means to voice their discontent at being trapped inside the Sanctuary, Garfiel revealed their true means for their liberation.
Garfiel: Yer princess-sama over there is mixed hood too, yeah? Half-elf. Now that she's here, she ain't leavin' the Sanctuary so easily either till the barrier keepin' us here too is gone.
Subaru: —tch.
Emilia: —!
YN: — — —
Confirming it was all a trap they had walked into, YN turned to Subaru.
YN: Now that they've got Emilia, she's the ultimate hostage...
Kicking a nearby wall, Subaru was now visibly stressed and frustrated, not just from the situation they were in, but rather also in himself for not seeing the trap sooner.
Subaru: Is there really nothing that can be done?
Turning to YN to speak of an all-mighty plan to turn against those keeping them here, which included Garfiel himself, Subaru was caught off guard by his reaction to the beginning of such a suggestion.
Garfiel: Heh.
Utterly amused, the golden-haired boy showed his toothy grin as he watched an air of despair descend down upon his adversaries.
Garfiel: Go ahead and try and cook up some kind of escape plan, it won't work.
Putting his hands behind his head and leaning back, Garfiel tipped his chair against the wall, getting comfortable to watch those before him squirm in vain.
More or less saying he wouldn't stop their attempt outright, that the conditions of the Sanctuary itself would foil any plan they might hatch, Subaru decided to speak more freely before their new prison warden.
Subaru: What if... What if... Hmmm...
Seemingly already having an example, Subaru gestured to YN and began to describe it.
Subaru: Mixed bloods faint when they come into contact with the barrier, right? That keeps an entire village of them from leaving. Since this place doesn't have any purebloods, it doesn't need a method to keep them in too.
Emilia: Then there shouldn't be a reason why YN, Subaru, Roswaal, Ram, and the villagers can't escape, other than they're not being allowed...
Subaru: Right, the barrier doesn't affect them. But now since there are purebloods in here with them, what stops them from just carrying out the mixed bloods? —And I mean, literally carrying them, —over their shoulders if they have to.
Emilia: —! Subaru! That's a great idea! Then everyone, —Garfiel, the villagers, those already living in Sanctuary could leave!
YN: We have a carriage, right? We could also use my car—, er dragonless carriage to ferry everyone out.
Looking to Garfiel as he suggested this plan that seemingly served as a means to satisfy everyone involved, he was met by a disgusted look, as if Garfiel was looking at him with scornful pity for something he was ignorant of.
But before he could give an answer to YN, a new voice entered the conversation.
?: —While the idea is good in theory, 'tis flawed in practice.
Standing in the door-frame Garfiel had also entered from, a small woman, short in stature stood. Cloaked in a black, collared dress, she carried a staff that managed to be taller than herself. Taking a step in further after all eyes turned to her, the long pink-ish hair that contrasted her black attire lightly swung about, revealing a pair of elf ears to each side of her head.
Subaru: —?!
While Subaru's reaction seemed a bit dramatic for the moment, much more than Emilia's, it was YN that answered the short woman.
YN: And just what makes it a bad idea?
With her mouth concealed behind the tall collar of her outfit, she answered him in her slow speaking voice.
?: Such a method would leave us all soulless husks. Because of that, I would humbly ask you to avoid such an endeavor.
Hearing her answer, how it was a stab at their quickly drafted up plan, Subaru had seemingly dropped all concern with that, and in doing, something new occupied his ambition.
Subaru: Hey... Wait a minute, you're the—
Ram: —Barasu. The tea, as requested.
Subaru: —Gah!
Pressing the hot ceramic cup to the side of his face, the maid who had until now been absent, had suddenly returned undetected by neither YN, Emilia, and certainly not Subaru.
Subaru: —Hot-hot-hot!
Fallen to the floor by the shock of the heat, Ram scolded him further.
Ram: What a truly dishonorable display. How unlike a knight.
Subaru: This has nothing to do with being a knight! My cheek getting burned is your fault! What're you trying to accomplish?!
Ignoring his words of protest, Ram turned to YN with a second cup as Emilia knelt down to comfort her knight, who had nearly been incinerated by the scalding cup of tea.
Letting his hand meet the cup he was offered, it was a much more mild temperature, unlike the one given to Subaru. But as he took it, Ram continued to step closer to YN, brushing up to him as he took the offered tea.
YN: —?
Ram (whisper): Please keep Barasu quiet 'about the elf from before.'
Saying that as covertly as she could, YN hadn't a clue what she meant by it. While he wanted to inquire what she was talking about, one thing greatly distracted him from asking that.
Is that—?
Pressed up against him, was a familiar fabric.
YN: —!
Failing to notice it as she had burned Subaru, Ram not only had returned with tea, but also the jacket she had taken possession of during Puck's hatsumaki.
As his mind raced to wonder why it had shown up now again of all times, the expression on Ram's face, so close to his own, snapped him to. While his mind was still confused, she had guided his attention back to Subaru.
Ram had realized something YN hadn't, and trusting that instinct of hers, he approached Subaru, still being consoled by Emilia as Ram left his own side.
Subaru: —thank you, Emilia-tan. But—,
Turning to the short, long-pink-haired elf, Subaru spoke to her now.
Subaru: —I'm still curious, aren't you—?
YN: —Here.
Stepping between him and the short elf-girl, YN lent his hand downward to help Subaru stand. Not wishing to be rude, even though he was just interrupted, the black-haired boy took the offered assistance, even though he'd hoped it would have been Emilia's instead.
Subaru: Ah, thank you—
YN: —and let's trade! Mine is cooler than yours, Nee-sama it seems got them mixed up.
Forcing the trade, YN grabbed the warmer of the two cups, and in mimicking how Ram had done with him, YN leaned in as he placed his old cup in Subaru's grasp.
YN (whisper): Keep quiet about 'the elf from before.'
Subaru: —!
Taking a step back, YN was met by the surprised expression of his fellow wayward traveling companion. He could tell by the look in his wide eyes that he was shocked to hear YN was privy to this information, whatever it was.
Unable to so openly speak, the groundskeeper could only gesture with his eyes and a head jerk towards Ram, who was currently handing out tea to Garfiel, who was unhappy with its flavor.
Also seeing Subaru look at her, he understood why it was now he was burned by her. It wasn't an accident, or even malicious in nature.
Ram coordinated this exact result. I don't know how, but somehow she picked up pretty quickly that Subaru somehow knew who this short elf-woman was, and that saying he recognized her was a bad idea.
Looking over to the pink haired maid as she handled the discontent shark-toothed youth, YN was reminded of how skilled the maids were.
That's just like Nee-sama though. Her and Rem both have that ability to act quickly and tactfully should things like that come up. Rem certainly at times did the same thing for me...
Filling his mind with sorrow once more, the memory of the one he loved, the adorable blue-haired maid, made his heart ache.
I miss you, Rem...
Resigning himself to solitude in the corner of the room with his tea, YN observed and listened to the introduction of this short elf woman, and Subaru's further questions on why their former idea of getting everyone out of the Sanctuary was a bust.
Letting his mind dwell on thoughts of Rem, and what was being discussed before him, YN failed to realize the tea Ram had initially burned Subaru with, the cup he himself now drank from after the planned exchange, was not of the low quality leaves from outside like the rest of those around him drank. But, with everything still tasting bland if not made by Rem, Ram's kind gesture, one that wasn't even extended to Roswaal, went by unnoticed by YN. Accompanying his lack of enjoyment in his tea, still was the altered world around him. Colors remained dull and muted, the only one of which stood out to him was the azure blue his mind had come to cherish.
I wonder how much losing Rem really has affected me?
While he treasured his newfound friends in this world, for the first time YN contemplated if he was worse off now, having loved and lost Rem, than he was simply getting by in his old world, the one he shared with Subaru.
The conversation between this elf woman, Ryuzu Bilma, and the likes of Subaru, Emilia, Garfiel and Roswaal went on though as YN mulled over an excess of existential thoughts.
Ryuzu introduced herself, and claimed to be the village's elder. Despite her youthful appearance, she also described herself as "a tottering old woman."
Getting down to it though, Subaru questioned her on why their plan wasn't a good one. Ryuzu went on to explain why it was that mixed bloods fainted when coming in contact with the barrier, and the reason was darker than they had realized. The barrier had been designed to deal with just the exact tactic that had been proposed, namely, passing out was a sign that the soul of a mixed blood demi-human trying to exit the barrier was being separated from its host.
Forcibly carrying a mixed blood out of the Sanctuary while the barrier was still up was akin to causing a more severe affliction to what was currently plaguing Rem; becoming a non-responsive, husk of a body, void of its original soul.
Upon this realization, Garfiel grinned again with sick satisfaction. Without even needing to lift a finger, their plot to escape was rendered useless.
With their idea shut down, Emilia finally asked about Roswaal and his currently injured self, since exactly how he had become injured was still a mystery. Answering flatly, he spoke of the consequences of being rejected by the "trial."
Emilia, Subaru, and YN all were made uneasy hearing of such an obstacle now being present, especially one that harmed Roswaal so. Lamenting on their growing laundry list of problems, Roswaal at least assured them the Trial was the final hurdle they were looking for. Pass it, and their problems would be solved. Yet—
Roswaal: —to challenge the Trial and free everyone from here, one must possess the correct quaaaaaaaalification to even attempt it.
Subaru: —!
Dumbfounded there was yet another condition, YN stepped in to inquire on it.
YN: So it's like a condition that needs to be met? Or do we need a crystal or something again?
Assuming a key or some other aspect of the participant was needed to attempt this 'trial,' he was correct. But, what he hadn't expect was—
Roswaal: You could indeed say that. However the qualification is not easy to obtain. One must be born with it, but it is easy to expect someone to have it or not.
Emilia: W-What does that mean?
As the clown with no makeup spoke his riddles, he smiled as he began to undo some of the bandages on his body.
Roswaal: It is simple. Just be born with miiiiiiixed blood. Only those born with that may carry the qualification to take the Trial. If any others attempt it and are unqualified—
Finally getting one of his bandages off, the bloody, cracked, burned, and blistered skin the Margrave had hiding under his wraps was shown, illustrating the consequences of those who were not qualified attempting the Trial.
Emilia: *Gasp!*
Subaru: —tch!
YN: —!
Witnessing the reveal, Roswaal warned them.
Roswaal: —it will thoroughly reject them. Their flesh will bubble and ooze in a most paaaaaainful manner.
Seeing the true cause of the Margrave's injuries, it suddenly made sense to them all.
Roswaal had tried taking on the Trial despite not having the qualification. This was how desperate they had become already.
As the shock settled in their souls, Garfiel finally sat up straight in his seat, the front feet of his chair slamming down on the wooden boards beneath it.
Garfiel: Now that yous all understand what's at stake here, and whys you all are stayin put till we say so, we've got only one demand.
Pointing directly at Emilia, his face became deathly serious.
Garfiel: Until the barrier is lifted, ain't nobody allowed to leave. Princess-sama over there is gunna take the Trial and free us, 'cus not even she can leave till she does.
Seeing the tremendous weight of responsibility and the pressures that accompanied it be placed upon the silver haired girl's shoulders, both YN and Subaru realized this wasn't a burden either of them could help her with. Somewhat recoiling inside herself, Emilia remained silent in response, if only due to the suffocating amount of expectation now thrust upon her.
Shortly thereafter, the impromptu meeting with Roswaal had fizzled out with the demands of the Sanctuary being levied upon Emilia. With Subaru himself saying Roswaal wasn't the only person they came to make sure was alright, Subaru asked Emilia if she would accompany him to go see the villagers, currently boarding in a run down cathedral of sorts on the outskirts of the Sanctuary's village.
Agreeing, Subaru extended the same offer to YN.
YN: I think I'll let you two handle the villagers. Besides, three's a crowd, ya know?
Knowing Emilia was feeling disheartened, YN opted to give Subaru some alone time with her to maybe help mend her anxious heart.
Subaru: Hmm, alright, gotcha.
Outside of the dilapidated shack Roswaal was still recovering in, YN and Ram stood on its small front porch, seeing Subaru and Emilia off. As Garfiel and Ryuzu had departed some time ago, Ram inquired on what YN planned on doing now.
Ram: Does YN intend to take an evening stroll in the forest?
Seriously doubting he had anything better to do, especially since he had turned down going with Subaru and Emilia, YN answered the pink haired maid.
YN: Not quite... I have uhh, something I need to grab from the car— er, dragonless-carriage.
Going to take a step down off the front porch, Ram stepped first, and blocked his path on the ground past the two steps he needed to descend.
Ram: YN.
YN: —?
Unsure why the maid was preventing him from leaving, she spoke to him in a serious tone, her one visible, ruby-red eye illustrating her warning.
Ram: You are aware if Garf finds that you're trying to flee, he'll assume you're leaving to get help, meaning he will surely catch you, and he will destroy that carriage of yours, among all the other thing's he'll try and harm you with.
Realizing what her reason for stopping him now was, YN shook his head and weakly smiled in response.
YN: Trust me Ram, I'm not dumb enough to try that. But there really is something I need to get from it.
Processing his answer, Ram turned directly away from YN as he descended the steps behind her. Walking past her to his side, he quickly found himself being accompanied, step for step.
YN: Ram?
Zipping up the open jacket that had formerly belonged to him, Ram stuck her hands in the side pockets before replying.
Ram: Ram has decided she will accompany you. With her presence, there won't be any worry you'll be harassed on the way to your dragonless-carriage.
Inviting herself along, YN figured this wasn't exactly a bad happenstance.
This might actually make it easier...
Knowing what he'd need to show her, an air of darkness descended upon him. Not going unnoticed by the observant maid to his side though, mainly due to her waking to his left, she looked over at him, as if silently questioning why he was appearing so melancholy.
Not wishing to start that conversation too early though, YN briefly fumbled with his words to hopefully change the subject and avoid that topic.
YN: I-I uhh, see you're still wearing that old jacket of mine...
Going with his easiest option, YN did his best to stall any questions Ram had for him.
Ram: Yes, Ram was correct in predicting the accommodations here could be described as 'drafty' at best, hence she retrieved the warmth giving garment while she left to gather tea leaves.
Pushing her chest out and speaking as if it were a matter of fact, Ram boasted in reply to YN.
For someone who looked so upset not even half an hour ago, she sure seems bubbly now...
Not wishing to leave the conversation there though, YN pushed a question he needed to know the answer of. While he was sure of what the conclusion he was going to draw would be, he wanted to cling to any hope he could.
YN: Say, about that jacket... You wouldn't happen to recall how you got hold of it, huh? —I know it used to be mine, but do you recall why you have it now?
Posing the question to the maid, it appeared as if at first, Ram was ready to answer with no issue, but as she was about to speak her face became expressionless, and she turned to look up and away at an angle YN couldn't see what she was glancing at.
Ram: I... I can't say I do.
Speaking as if she herself didn't understand why there was this lapse in her memory, she went on.
Ram: Ram cannot recall why she is in possession of YN's jacket.
As she wrestled with thoughts that for some reason only brought her a mild headache while trying to remember, Ram disregarded her own struggle, and sunk her head down into the warm collar of the jacket she still wore, radiantly reflecting her own heat back at her.
Ram: —but she is thankful for it...
Trying her best to show she still appreciated the jacket and the coldness it kept at bay, Ram saw YN was lost in his thoughts once more. She did not know why this air of melancholy refused to vacate his vicinity, but she did feel a longing to help it to leave.
Not even Ram remembers her...
While not unexpected, the reality of the situation was unavoidable. The Authority of Gluttony reigned supreme over everyone's memory, only spare YN and Subaru, that was.
With a small silence growing between the two as they walked in the evening shadows of the tall trees overhead, Ram broke it.
Ram: ...Speaking of 'thanks,' Ram did wish to thank YN for accompanying Barasu and Emilia-sama here to the Sanctuary. While she is sure you did not intend for this to be a rescue, Ram is confident YN will work with the others to come to a conclusion to this turn of events.
Somewhat falsely putting her hope into YN to be the main problem-solver here, YN could only weakly respond.
YN: Ah, well, I should say maybe save that confidence for Subaru, he's the one who came up with the plan to subdue the White Whale and Sloth after all, not me.
Ram admittedly couldn't find a fault in logic to his response, and thus another brief silence fell between the two as they walked, slowly nearing their destination. Yet in that silence, YN's thoughts went louder as they echoed in his mind.
Ram is being oddly sincere... Is being here in the Sanctuary, unable to leave, taking an unseen toll on her?
Wondering if he would need to step up his actions and work to figure out what was going through Ram's mind now too, her simple question halted his thoughts.
Ram: May Ram inquire what it is YN intends to retrieve from his 'k-har?'
Finding the way she asked this question odd as well, YN couldn't put his finger on what seemed to be off with Ram. Answering her though, the car came into view near the outskirts of the village.
YN: Well, it's sort of too hard to describe, I'd need to show you for you to get a proper idea... But at the same time, it's actually something I wanted—, er, needed to show you.
Poking her head out from the collar of warmth in surprise, YN had been oblivious to the small blush of pink forming on her face joining the already pink hair on her head.
There's... something YN wants to show me?
Not hearing a response from her having said that though, YN reiterated the significance of what was soon to be shown to her.
YN: I-It's important. It won't be something dumb...
Fearful Ram in her typical fashion might view his words with skepticism like she would definitely do had he been Subaru, the car was now only a few paces away.
While their walk had been mostly in twilight hours of the evening, with very little natural light allowing them to see their path, the area where the car was parked was adorned with torches that had been lit not long before their arrival. With plenty of light to see, YN swallowed his worry and readied himself to show Ram what she needed to see.
First approaching the car, YN immediately looked into the passenger window where the one who held his heart still rested peacefully.
YN: There she is...
Hearing the emotion on his voice as he spoke under his breath, the maid could instantly see how much more at rest YN was. And in truth, just being in the presence of his beloved did that to him, even as she slumbered. The blue atop her head sent a calming sensation throughout his body, being the one and only color that still held a vibrancy to it.
Ram: Ram did not realize this... vessel was so important to him. Was Garf touching it really the catalyst for YN to find the strength to best him outside of the Tomb?
Further recalling the fight she had broken up, the motive now seemed questionable to her. Had Garfiel threatening this craft's destruction really what caused him to fight back? To Ram, this didn't seem right when she envisioned the person she knew as YN.
Awaiting her answer, she stood at the edge of where the light illuminated the area, a good handful of paces away, doing her best to stay next to the roaring flame of a nearby torch for warmth.
Hesitant to take his eyes off of whatever it was he was looking at in this "k-har" though, YN looked back over to finally answer her after a few seconds. Placing a single finger against the glass partition that served as a window for the occupants inside, he spoke with a slightly choked up voice.
YN: It wasn't the car... It was what's inside.
Gently placing his hand on the handle, YN lifted it slightly and opened the door to its side. Using his head to gesture for Ram to come over, she did so hesitantly— not because she did not trust him, rather she didn't know what to expect.
A few steps closer, she looked inside.
Ram: — — —
At first thinking she had looked upon a mirror of sorts, Ram halted in her approach.
Was this some sort of color changing mirror? No... This wasn't a mirror at all.
A doll?
No, the chest is moving. It— she, was very much alive.
Unmoving, like the girl who currently sat comfortably reclined in her seat, Ram couldn't wrap her head around what she was seeing.
There, in this dragonless-carriage, laid a girl.
With a short, asymmetric haircut, her bangs draped over one of her gently shut eyes, as its specific hue of blue seemed to reach out to Ram, as if deathly familiar. Figments of this azure danced around in the haziest of memories for her.
Managing to find the willpower to look to YN as if for some sort of clue as to who this was, Ram saw that he had already averted his eyes to where she stood, continuing to hold the door open for her to see inside.
A few more timid steps closer, Ram inspected the girl inside closer.
Ram: — — —
To her surprise, this girl was a near mirror image of herself. Taking her hands out of the jacket pockets, Ram felt her own face, feeling to which side her own bangs hung as if she had forgotten in this moment of surprise. Touching her own hair and face, she discerned it was the opposite of the girl before her, truly driving home the feeling that continued as she looked into that mirror.
The only difference which she could immediately notice between her and this passenger was their hair colors, everything else it seemed was identical at first glance. The differences were clear enough to tell the two apart, but the similarities made it dead obvious the two could be considered a pair of sorts, a concept Ram couldn't quite understand.
Reaching out to touch this girl, at the very last second, Ram pulled her hands away. Why she did this, she did not even know. But growing inside her, from her very core, was a strange complex emotion that was a cocktail of many others. Fear, longing, trepidation, curiosity, familiarity.
Unable to let this boil alone inside her any further, Ram broke her concentration on the girl before her and turned to YN once more.
Ram: YN...
With one simple utterance of his name, filled with such an intense meaning behind it, absolutely guilt struck him. He knew telling Ram of who this person's identity was going to be difficult, but he hadn't expected it to be this emotional.
Awaiting his answer, YN swallowed the lump in his throat as his eyes filled with mist. He couldn't ignore her, not any longer. Should he hold back now, surely Ram would implode from the emotion she now felt.
YN: Nee-sama...
Ram: —!
Referring to her of all people with such a title, Ram's maiden heart skipped a beat as he continued his words.
YN: This... is what— who I wanted to show you.
Looking down at the girl in the car as he answered her, Ram could see the melancholy air from around him vanish. While it was replaced with some other feeling, one which Ram could not recognize, she at least now knew the source of the previous aura he had until now.
YN: Rem. —Her name is Rem.
As his voice became shaky, Ram let the name echo in her mind a thousand times.
'Rem.'
YN: —and she is... your adorable, younger, twin sister.
Ram: — — —
On the verge of breaking down as he looked to see the intense expression on Ram's face, YN was forced to look away, guilt ripping away at his very being.
Feeling like he might have reached an impasse already with the pink-haired maid, she finally replied, her words indicating her throat was dry as she tried to speak.
Ram: Rem is... Ram's younger sister. —Twin sister.
While a great shock to her, it did not sound as if she were rejecting this reality, which to YN was a relief like no other. Had Ram rejected their kinship, he knew not what he was supposed to do.
YN: Yes...
Somewhat regaining more of her composure as the two spoke more, Ram inquired further.
Ram: YN must be aware Ram holds no memories of a twin.
Bluntly halting any hopes YN might have had for her, in truth, he had written those hopes off long ago at this juncture.
YN: I could only figure as much... No one but me or Subaru remembers her…
With silence again between them for a moment, Ram finally spoke back up in reply.
Ram: When Barasu had spoken about what had afflicted Crusch-sama after the battle with the White Whale and Sloth... it did seem as if he was failing to allude to other details... Would Ram be correct in assuming this is related?
Asking her question, Ram hadn't gauged this would provoke such an emotion out of YN.
YN: *hic* —Tch...
Looking away as he clenched his teeth, he fought to prevent himself from completely breaking down right then and there.
Ram: YN.
Unsure of what to do, Ram could only stand still, concealing the fact she was paralyzed by her own emotions. The confliction she still held in her heart from earlier multiplied as she watched YN bear the pain he was enduring.
At the last second, Ram had begun to reach a hand out to him. While she herself knew not what her intention was, YN cut off her advance with her name.
YN: Ram...
Ram: —?
Seeing his knuckles whited out from how hard they gripped the door of the dragonless carriage, the pink-haired maid could hear the anguish in his voice.
YN: —I'm so sorry... I—, I couldn't protect her... I let her existence be wiped away... *hic* and I couldn't do a thing about it... It's all my fault, Ram... I'm so, so sorry.
As the guilt ate and ate at him, Ram could only remain still with the buzz of her conflicted feelings inside her. Normally the calm and collected maid, always at the side of her employer, the venerable Ram, it felt as if she had been reduced to a mere foot-servant. At the current moment, she felt entirely out of control of her own emotions. The pain that always lingered on her body, a side effect of her hornless nature, seemed almost insignificant to the turmoil boiling inside her now.
But from her motionlessness, YN could only draw the assumption that her hesitation stemmed from anger with him. It had to be. There was nothing else it could be.
Yet, he was entirely unaware of the emotion in Ram at this very moment, for even she was unsure of its origin, or its purpose. She felt a desire to reach out and comfort him, to take away his pain as he had almost done so for her after hearing of things she did not wish to think of, especially regarding a certain Witch.
In these brief handful of seconds that seemed to pass by like hours, YN finally spoke again.
YN: Nee-sama... Please...
Hearing him refer to her as such again, Ram had her heart strings tugged at, a rare approach for her to have felt.
Ram: Y-Yes?
YN: Please... Scold me. Hit me, smack me, choke me, throw me, kick me... Rip me to shreds with your magic! Anything is better than seeing you this way since I deserve it for not keeping better care of Rem...
With the silence and softness of her replies fueling the guilt raging inside him, with the beginnings of tears running down his face, YN begged for some sort of end to it.
Ram: —?!
Taken back by his quiet outburst, Ram's eyes were filled with their own emotion.
YN: I can tell by the way you're acting. Something doesn't feel right inside you, and I'm the cause of it.
Guilt wearing away at his soul, Ram softened her tone as she saw YN was nearly at a breaking point.
Ram: YN is... mistaken. While there is something digging at Ram, it is not anger as he seems to believe.
Managing to extinguish most of the blazing guilt inside him with that, what filled its place was the smokey unsureness of just what was bothering Ram now, clearly still related to the Sleeping Beauty before her.
Despite all this... I've never heard her speak so bashfully... Is she not as bothered by this as I expected her to be? Or is it worse...?
Divided on what conclusion he should draw from the actions that were unlike her, Ram's question stole his attention away from such mysteries.
Ram: Ram would like to know... since this is obviously affecting YN deeply... Who is Rem, to him?
Only able to blink in response to her question, he sought extra clarification by simply pointing to himself and asking "To me?"
Receiving a nod in reply, YN cast his gaze back towards the one he was being asked of.
YN: Rem is... Rem is my one reason I still have—, the only reason I've had in a long time, for me to get up in the morning. Not because I have to, but because I want to.
Taking a deep breath, YN let his heart do the speaking.
YN: Rem is the one you yourself entrusted to me. You might not remember it, but she heavily blamed herself during the mabeast attack on Arlem. We both had to go looking for her since she went missing, and that's when you asked me.
Ram: Ram asked you to take her hand?
Replying with a question, YN shook his head.
YN: No. You asked if I could be the one she could lean on, since she had no one but herself. Since Rem had to be the one responsible for the vast majority of work at the Mansion, it was only you leaning on her. —Not that Rem wasn't okay with that. She adored you greatly. But you felt Rem needed someone of her own to rely on, and for some reason, you chose me.
Putting a hand onto the other sleeve of the jacket she still wore, Ram could only look down in response. YN was speaking of events she had no recollection of, but to her, they felt as if they were a real retelling of events.
YN: Admittedly, I only found out somewhat recently how hard that must have been for you to ask. You were proud to be referred to as her Nee-sama. No matter what expectation anyone ever held for you, you only aspired to be idolized by Rem. But even you could see how that wouldn't work forever, and thus, for her sake, you asked me to help her, something I've learned to treasure doing.
Turning his eyes up to the sky above, it was nearly nighttime. Through the thick canopy of treetops above him, the first and brightest of stars were already visible. With his vision upward, he continued nonetheless.
YN: But as for just being the one I let herself lean on, she's the one who wanted me to lean on her too. She figured, if it wasn't good for her to go without someone to lean on, then it wasn't good for me either. And from that, our relationship grew...
Taking another deep breath, YN could just see his humid and warm breath catch the light of the torches as he did so.
YN: Rem was the one who would trust me more than anyone. If there was a problem, I could go to her and never worry about doubt. Later on, she was also the one who called me her Hero. I can't say I've ever felt worthy of the title, but she assured me I was that for her.
Letting another breath out, he went on.
YN: She also was the one who said I unfroze her heart. I never set out to do something so elaborate, but somehow along the way, I managed to become that as well. She was even the one she said she wanted a future with...
Gaining more of a clue as to what Rem was to YN, Ram silently listened, feeling the same emotion she had when Roswaal had mentioned the Witch of Greed. While to Ram this wasn't an emotion she enjoyed, this was at least a different strain than before.
YN: Rem was also the one ready to forgive me for anything. No matter what had to be done, ever, she was the one who wanted to bear that sin with me. She really was always there to help me. Even if it was something as simple as scrubbing the fountain in front of the Mansion, or jumping between me and some back alley thugs, she was always there for me. She'd forsake all of her happiness just for my own sake. There was no one else like her... There never will be either.
While Ram knew what their connection was now, she still seemed to hold on to hope. If there was maybe some little chance, she still felt her own salvation was in reach. While she was unsure what this feeling stemmed from, or why she had begun to feel this was, she could tell it wasn't unrelated to her feelings of conflict from earlier.
But speaking on, whatever it was about YN said, Ram felt all those hopes dashed away.
YN: —But most importantly... Rem was the one who said she loved me more than anything. Not only that...
Shattered, Ram silently listened on, for some reason on the cusp of tears herself now too.
YN: —she was also the one I loved more than anything... And—
Clenching his teeth as the feeling of guilt boiled in him more, not only of failure to Ram, but also now to Rem.
YN: —I never got the chance to tell her I felt the same.
His hands formed into tight fists as he forced himself to meet Ram's gaze once more, her one visible eye he could tell was a mix of emotion like his were.
After another few seconds of silence that again reminded him of an eternity, Ram finally spoke as she lowered her own head.
Ram: 'Nee-sama...' That is why you referred to Ram as such, isn't it?
Calming himself, YN weakly responded.
YN: To be fair... you yourself said I was the only one allowed to, other than Rem.
Turning her head away, Ram gently bit her own lip, all hidden since all YN could see was the long half of her bangs.
So that is how YN sees Ram...
Unable to tell if Ram felt hurt, or overwhelmed, or any combination of things, YN finally spoke his biggest concern for Rem to her elder sister, wishing for no more ugly bouts of silence.
YN: This place... This... 'Sanctuary.' It's no place for Rem, but now I have to suffer with my consequences again. Once more I've put her in danger.
Ram: That is no fault YN's. He had no way of knowing how things were to be here.
Keeping her head turned away, Ram answered but was unable to face YN still.
YN: No. I was foolish for bringing her along. This place was potentially hostile from our very first indication no one had returned. Despite that, I brought Rem along if only to selfishly feel better about my failure to protect her before.
Kicking the dirt, YN cursed himself under his breath.
YN: It's my fault for telling her to go with the wounded after the Whale was dealt with...
Hearing himself shoulder the entire blame, one that surely was going to crush him if left unaided, Ram finally turned her gaze back to YN.
As he spoke these words of someone she was supposed to know intimately but had no recollection of, Ram had no idea YN was capable of such highly ingrained devotion. It hit her especially hard given who these feelings were for, and it clashed in her own heart and mind when she viewed them from how they were already host to such conflicting thoughts about him.
YN: This is no place for Rem to be. I can't let anything worse happen to her after letting her suffer such a blunder, but I also need to realize that maybe by my side isn't always the safest place for her, especially with how vulnerable she is...
Sighing, YN looked down the path that led to the Tomb, the supposed resting place of the Witch Of Greed, where they had originally come from and could no longer go down.
YN: That isn't a possibility now though, since we can't leave. I have to double down and do whatever it takes to keep Rem safe on my own...
Ram: YN.
Sternly speaking his name, YN could hear the change in tone Ram had now. Meeting her gaze, she spoke as their eyes met.
Ram: As Ram is sure as you have recognized, she possesses a moderate amount of sway towards Garf. Ram will do her best to get special permission from him so YN can return Rem to the Mansion.
Surprised to hear such a resounding solution be offered, YN could starkly believe it to be possible.
YN: Do you think he'd honestly believe us? I know we aren't lying, but still, he is pretty hot-headed...
Ram: Please leave that to Ram. YN has done more than enough for Rem, Ram is certain.
Sincerely stating she believed YN had only the best of intentions for Rem based on his actions, it still felt like a blow to his psyche.
Ram: All Ram would ask of YN now is to let her also protect her adorable sister as well.
Feeling the sensation of moistness fill his eyes upon hearing that, YN shook his head to free himself of those tears and nodded to the jacketed maid.
YN: Of course. I couldn't ask for a better ally.
Ram: Then let us be quick. Ram would suggest bringing Rem along when we ask, her presence may be key in getting approval.
YN: Gotcha. We can drive back.
Moving to the opposite side of the car, YN pulled forward the driver's seat and gestured for Ram to enter onto the back bench seat. Firing up the car, YN and the twins proceeded back into the center of the Sanctuary's village.
Along the short drive, YN had often seen Ram looking over Rem with a caring, but also curious gaze. She clearly was longing for more time and interaction with this twin she had no recollection of, but it was obvious she needed to be away from her for Rem's own safety in the current conditions.
Occasionally though, YN would look into his rear view mirror and see Ram actually looking towards his own reflection, which upon their eyes meeting, Ram would be the one to quickly look away.
I wonder if she's judging me in a different way now... Given the effect Gluttony has had on her mind, as well as everyone else, I wonder if the idea she had of me before was still there in her mind, but just not connected to anything since Rem isn't there anymore either.
In truth, and only known by Ram herself, the conflict she felt inside herself while in the room her employer was recovering in was now multiplied. With the learning of Rem, her unknown twin and the one YN held closest, these only caused untold chaos in her mind. More than ever, Ram's own thoughts of confliction burdened her greater than her own physique did.
I can only wonder what she thinks of me now... be it better or worse.
Approaching the cathedral that was now the boarding house of the villagers who still found their current status as hostages, Emilia and Subaru were visible.
Having appeared to have just left the cathedral itself, Emilia was busy speaking to a few of the village people, among them, the village elder herself.
YN: Huh, that's a rare sight. I don't think I've ever seen the folks of Arlem be so cordial with Emilia.
Ram: It appears Barasu may be the catalyst for that.
Pulling up, Subaru stood from the steps he sat on, patiently letting Emilia continue to socialize with the villagers. Letting Ram out, YN and the maid approached the black-haired boy.
Ram: It seems Emilia-sama has grown her confidence. Did you put her up to this, Barasu?
Immediately pointing out the obvious, Ram sought a reason for this drastic change.
Subaru: This was actually more her idea than it was mine, but I fully supported it.
As the three looked over at Emilia, joyfully talking to others, an activity they knew she enjoyed but seldom got to indulge in due to her appearance, Ram spoke back up.
Ram: Barasu intended this to serve as a moral booster for her in the wake of her Trial tonight, correct?
Subaru: Yeah, maybe this way she'll feel some encouragement. But uhh, you asking that... Don't tell me you're worried about Emilia too?
Scratching the back of his head, Subaru admittedly was caught off guard by the gesture.
Subaru: I kinda wasn't expecting you of all people to be concerned as well...
Ram: 'Concerned?' Granted that Emilia-sama meets Roswaal-sama's highest hopes and bests the Trial, it will give meaning to the injuries he sustained.
Speaking more, it was now plain to them all what the purpose of it all was for; Emilia was riding in like a prophesied Hero to save everyone, Sanctuary dweller and Arlem Villager alike. Letting the conversation go on, much was discussed about the Trial in question Emilia would face as she remained outside of earshot.
Subaru had pondered his teleportation and his wandering into the Tomb, which he had only been met with a mild unconsciousness, unlike what had occurred with Roswaal. Ram went on to answer this by stating the damage dealt was proportional to the size of one's own Gate. Given Subaru's injured condition and its rather pitiful performance, versus the likes of Roswaal, the evidence seemed to speak for itself.
Given how stretched my Gate is, I might die if I get too close... I better stay away.
The conversation moved from the topic of why Subaru had been affected the way he was to the actual topic of the liberation. According to Ram, there were two factions currently residing in the Sanctuary; those who did not wish to see the barrier fall, and those that did. As to what side they believed Frederica was on, they could only theorize the first.
Ram went on to reiterate that Ryuzu and Garfiel were only figurehead leaders, and that those who wished to remain here worked in the shadows. Clearly, if they wished to claim victory, they would inevitably target Emilia, reinforcing the fact that they would need to be vigilant should anything happen.
Subaru: There's still just so much we don't know... Damn it... I'll need to ask Roswaal more about it.
Ram: Tonight, Roswaal-sama will set aside time to speak to you after Emilia-sama's Trial. Be satisfied with that.
Seeing Emilia had finally broken free of the sea of villagers wishing her the best of luck, she rejoined the three who stood by YN's car as another two approached as well.
Ryuzu: Emilia-sama, have you prepared adequately for the Trial? It is set to occur in only a short while, just after the sun sets.
Emilia: O-Oh! Yes. I am.
Garfiel: Pfft... A few pats on the back ain't nearly enough to prepare yourself for it...
Looking away as he crossed his arms, the second new approacher voiced his doubt towards Emilia.
Subaru: Hey, if you wanna get out of here so bad, would it hurt to be a little positive?
Garfiel: —Tch.
Blowing off what Subaru had to say, the blonde haired boy's attention quickly turned elsewhere.
Garfiel: Oi... Ram, what're wearing? It looks... funny.
Definitely out of place and more noticeable now that she had it zipped up, the jacket Ram wore for some reason intrigued the youth.
Replying at first with a smug expression, Ram stuck her cold hands back into the two warm pockets that flanked each side of her.
Ram: The jacket that currently adorns adorable Ram is courtesy of YN. Not only is it stylish, it also has properties that reflect one's own body heat back at them, meaning this is the warmest attire in the entire Kingdom, all without a shred of magic to its construction.
Boasting how special the jacket truly was, it almost seemed as if she were also bragging that it had been YN who chose her to have it.
Uncrossing his arms and stomping the ground a handful of times in frustration, Garfiel turned his attention to the one who had 'given' Ram this jacket.
Garfiel: What's up with you, huh? You told me 'not really' when I asked, and now here you are doin' the opposite.
Speaking on his question of if YN 'also liked Ram', Garfiel had become somewhat irritated seeing the answer he was told now appeared to him to be a lie.
Garfiel: Maybe you really do want that round two. If I gotta beat an honest answer out of ya... Maybe I just will—!
Ram: —Garf. Don't jump to such conclusions on your own, be it correct or not. Ram has something much more important to ask of you instead, then to just let you stand here and bark at YN.
Opening his eyes wide at hearing Ram say that, he nodded before crossing his arms again, gesturing for her to proceed.
Ram: — — —
At first silent, it quickly began to seem like Ram didn't know where to start. Flat out asking for permission to leave the Sanctuary was likely to result in a failure, Ram knew that. But there was no way that wasn't a long winded explanation that could convey the complexity of their simple problem.
Removing her hands from the warm coat pockets, Ram reached for Garfield's wrists, still bound in his folded arms, and yanked him along as she turned to head in the opposite direction.
Ram: Ram finds it entirely futile to waste her breath trying to explain this.
Garfiel: Oi, where are you takin' me?!
Ram: It's also extremely doubtful Garf would even understand without seeing for himself.
Stomping off with the boy in tow, Subaru and Emilia could only shrug to Ryuzu, completely clueless as well as to what Ram was hoping to accomplish.
But as she dragged Garfiel towards YN's car, they quickly began to imagine what the subject was.
Without another word, Ram opened the passenger side door, and sidestepped to allow Garfiel a full view of what only a small essay could have hoped to describe.
Garfiel: — — —
Stunned speechless, his frozen nature allowed YN enough time to also approach and place himself between the one he loved, and the one who had almost harmed her only a few hours earlier. Knowing it was essential that Garfiel see her though, he remained just far enough to the side Rem was still visible.
With her slow pace and walking staff, Ryuzu was able to take Garfiel's flank and also look upon the doppelganger he stared at before a reaction could be made.
A moment of silence descended upon the entire group. As everyone remained quiet, Ram knew the impact was setting in, and figuring it was primely ripe to be harvested, she was the first to speak back up.
Ram: Shall Ram fetch a rope to secure that slack jaw of yours?
Egging on Garfiel to speak, he could only limply raise a pointed finger to the blue-haired clone of the girl who asked him a question.
Garfiel: Ram... Who is that?
Her hands returning to her jacket pockets, Ram concealed her smug grin behind her jacket's high collar, not unlike Ryuzu did with her cloak, and flatly answered his question, getting the exact result out of the golden-haired youth that she had aimed for.
Ram: This would be Ram's adorable younger twin sister, Rem.
Speaking the bold claim as if it were a matter of fact, and it was, Garfiel could only silently respond with an absolutely puzzled look on his face, bordering on straight disbelief.
Ram: —and before you should ask, this is a new revelation to Ram as well.
Drawing Garfiel to silence again as well, it was Ryuzu who now spoke up.
Ryuzu: I would imagine the next appropriate question would be 'How?'
Speaking this question to Ram, she in turn nodded to YN, who was much more familiar with the travesty.
YN: The answer to 'how' is the Authority of Gluttony.
Ryuzu: 'Gluttony...'
Repeating the Sin Archbishop's title, Ryuzo readjusted her staff and looked downward as Garfiel moved to inquire more.
Garfiel: Hey... what does that mean exactly? The 'Authority' of 'Gluttony.'
Reiterating each noun, his question sought multiple answers.
YN: On the way back to the Capitol from the aftermath of the White Whale's subjugation, the wounded were attacked by the Sin Archbishop's of Greed and Gluttony.
Garfiel: '—Greed?!'
Sharply reacting to the title, the short woman to his side gently rested her hand upon his started shoulder.
Ryuzu: Gar-bo... It is rude to interrupt others.
Looking at her, he reluctantly nodded before giving YN his attention again, an odd contrast to his normally rambunctious disposition.
YN: The Sin Archbishop of Gluttony decimated the wounded without mercy. There were those who had their memories erased completely as a result of falling to the Witch Cult leader, unable to recall those around them, or themselves. There are also a few who retained all their memories, but by everyone, even those not at the battle, cannot be remembered. Their place in this world was ripped out from underneath them.
Shocked to hear such a thing was possible, Garfiel and Ryuzu each stayed silent, fully aware YN had not yet delivered the worst of it given the way he spoke.
Looking at the girl inside, the blue haired Sleeping Beauty that held his heart, his voice turned solemn.
YN: —But most of the casualties lay asleep, in an eternal slumber of sorts. They require no food, no attention, and probably don't even age... Yet like the other two groups of afflicted, no one can remember them, and they cannot profess their own self recognition.
Subaru: In other words, those that are asleep have both of those two things going for them. No name, and no memories.
Another silence fell over the group. No one said a thing as the idea, —the pure horrifying concept, was processed in all of their minds, even those already privy to Rem's condition.
As logic would dictate though, Ryuzu asked the next obvious question.
Ryuzu: Everyone is to forget about these souls who are subject to the Archbishop's power... Yet it seems there is a great deal known about this girl.
Stepping forward for the first time in the conversation, the silver-haired half-elf's voice lightly filled the air like a bell chiming in a gentle breeze.
Emilia: Umm, as odd as it sounds, only YN and Subaru are able to recall these people. We don't really understand why... but they've both proven to everyone, —Roswaal included, that they really do.
Reinforcing the claim, Emilia did her best to calm any doubt that may be growing from hearing the unlikely tale, even with the girl before their eyes being the mirror reflection of Ram, whom both Garfiel and Ryuzu had known for years.
Ram: This brings Ram to the topic of her request—
Stepping before the two she intended to curry favor with, Ram took her hands from her warm pockets once more, squarely keeping her arms to her side, and bowed.
Ram: —if our... hosts would find it within themselves, please grant YN leave to ferry Rem back to Roswaal-sama's Mansion. The Sanctuary is far too harsh for Ram's delicate younger sister in her current condition.
Joining Ram in her bow, YN tightly shut his eyes, hoping that by some measure of mercy, this request would be granted given the extraneous conditions. But as a silence grew, his hope began to flutter...
Just as he was to open his eyes to see if Ryuzu and Garfiel may be silently discussing it themselves, his opened eyes were met by the feeling of relief.
Gaefiel: Bah! Fine... I don't think we'cn deny a request like that... 'specially from Ram.
Looking away and scratching his head, his bashful admittance of mercy quickly was dashed away as Garfiel caught YN's gaze. Pointing an accusatory finger at him, he barked out the conditions of his acceptance.
Garfiel: Only you are takin' her though, got it? And if yous ain't back before the Princess-sama's Trial is over, I get to finally smash that metal carriage for good.
Finishing what he had to say by smacking a fist into his open palm, Ram stepped forward to argue the condition.
Ram: Garf. That's hardly related, nor is it a reasonable expectation to levy upon—
YN: —Deal.
Cutting off Ram's protest, YN found the terms acceptable.
Surprising everyone by the acceptance, Subaru was the first to question his sane thinking.
Subaru: What?! How can you just agree to that?!
Shutting the passenger door, YN walked around the hood of his car while he answered.
YN: Because, Rem's safety is paramount. I don't have room to negotiate.
Getting in and shutting his own door, YN turned the car on. Causing Garfiel and Ryuzu to each take an instinctive step back at the sound of it starting up, YN rolled down the passenger window, leaning across Rem while he did so to bid his warden turned parole officer adieu.
YN: I'll be back before Emilia-sama's trial is over.
Garfiel: Yeah yeah, just getta move on.
YN: Garfiel, Ryuzu... Thank you for letting Rem out of this situation.
Receiving only a simple nod from the long-haired elf, Garfiel responded with a stern "—tsk" before turning his back to the car.
With that, YN put the car in gear, turned his headlights on, and retraced his route back towards the Tomb, and in the direction to leave the Sanctuary.
Ram: Garf, should you not have offered to guide him out of the Sanctuary? The barrier is designed to make those trying to enter or leave potentially lose their way.
Garfiel: Ha. If he does manage to find his way out, it'll take him longer, meaning I'll get to smash that thing if he gets back too late.
Ram: Typical immature motives as always.
Turning away from the golden-haired boy, Ram gave him the cold shoulder in response.
Garfiel: Well, he was headed in the right direction already... I'm sure he'll actually be fine...
Backpedaling, Garfiel tried to salvage the image of himself in Ram he had just managed to tarnish yet again.
Maybe that guy isn't so bad... He only picked a fight with me 'cus he was trying to protect that girl who looked exactly like Ram...
Perhaps earning a sliver of respect from the shark-toothed youth, Ram meanwhile couldn't shake the feeling in her chest.
While her mind continued to remain conflicted on the topics of YN, Roswaal, and many other aspects, her heart now seemed to be warmed by two chief prospects. One being the new information about her sister, and the other occurring only moments ago, namely an admiration that YN so highly prioritized Rem.
He didn't even hesitate to accept. If it meant Rem's safety, he couldn't refuse.
Now out of sight, the group, consisting of now only Ram, Subaru, Garfiel, Ryuzu, and of course, Emilia, agreed it was time to make the journey towards the Tomb. It was now properly night time, meaning the opportunity to take the Trial was now.
Wasting no time, Emilia soldiered forth, ready to face whatever it was.
As she moved forward, YN silently prayed for her success to her challenges too as he drove through the nighttime forest.
I forgot to wish her good luck, but I know Subaru will be doing so enough for me too.
With his destination not far given he wasn't forced to lag behind a ground dragon and carriage, YN made excellent time, hoping by some miracle, he'd make it out of this mess with his car in one piece by the end of it. But even if he didn't—
—It's worth it, for Rem's sake.
Spending what felt like an eternity winding through the forest on his own, YN had found the return trip to look much different in the pitch black darkness around him.
There was actually a significant swell of wet weather brewing once he made it out of the Kermaldy Forest, headed towards the Mansion. The winds had kicked up and by the time he had reached his destination, the rain had begun to fall. Sheltering the blue-haired girl from the elements, YN ushered her into the Mansion in his arms, where he had come across Frederica in her nightgown. Briefly explaining his reason for returning, she understood, but still wanting to cling to the hope his car wouldn't be smashed upon return, YN kept his visit short. Letting Frederica take stewardship over Rem, YN left the Sleeping Beauty with a kiss on her forehead before departing.
On his return trip, the rain had picked up significantly. Winds beat the car, and water doused his windshield in a way his wipers struggled to keep up.
But, retracing his tracks, YN finally reentered the Kermaldy Forest where the rain seemed to stop its torrent just shortly before. Crossing the threshold of the Sanctuary, he followed the torch lit pathway to where the Trial was underway.
For my sake, let's hope Emilia is still taking it, but is victorious all the same at the end of it.
Hoping she wasn't potentially stalling for the sake of his car, YN rounded the last curve to come across the tomb.
YN: There it is...
Flanked by two large burning cauldrons for light, Otto, Ram, Garfiel, and Ryuzu all stood at the base of the stairs that lead up into the tomb. As he approached, he looked down to the one gauge in his car that mattered any more.
We're at exactly half a tank...
Half of the car's range had been expunged until this point. Feeling a bit of anxiety at the sight of it now being at the halfway point, YN wasn't given the chance to contemplate if he would need to see the glass as half full, or half empty.
Parking nearby, a crowd of faces greeted his arrival. Some were nervous, some weren't. Shutting the door behind him, he approached the group as the fifth spectator.
Otto: Oh, YN-san.
Giving a short wave to the merchant, YN turned his attention to Ram, who in turn looked as if she was seeking his attention.
Ram: YN, you have returned.
YN: Yeah, Frederica was awake still and got Rem into a bedroom and taken care of.
Nodding in confirmation, Ram turned her pink head back towards the Tomb.
While definitely a melancholy inducing sight on its own during the day time, seeing it now at night gave off an entirely different perspective.
YN: It's glowing...
With the outside facade of the Tomb lit up like a modern display from his old world, Ryuzu went to answer.
Ryuzu: Yes... The Tomb will radiate this light when one with the Qualifications to enter does so to partake in the Trial.
YN: I see... Does this mean Emilia-sama is still facing it?
Ryuzu: Hmm, about that...
Slow to answer him directly on that question, YN turned to the rest of the observers to garner a better response.
While Otto could only scratch the back of his head, he was the first to answer.
Otto: Shortly after Emilia-sama went into the tomb, the lights outside actually ceased after they had been lit up for her initial entrance...
YN: 'Ceased...?' Does that mean she had to give it another try and is doing that right now?
Folding his arms, the blonde-haired youth shook his head.
Garfiel: Naw. That light ain't from her.
Raising a brow and a few more questions in YN, he struggled to understand what was going on then.
YN: If Emilia-sama already went in and it went out, but now it's lit up again...
Looking around him, YN quickly realized what the scene was missing.
Wait... Where's Subaru?
Turning a few times around himself, YN looked in vain for the black-haired boy before having his whereabouts answered.
Garfiel: If you're looking for him...
Unfolding one of his arms, the shark-toothed youth pointed to the one place Subaru logically couldn't be.
YN: He... He went into the Tomb?
With Otto and Ram both nodding in concurrence, a small panic began to heat YN's chest.
YN: That... That can't be right though. Shouldn't he be screaming in pain? Doesn't the Trial reject anyone not of mixed blood?
Ryuzu: Normally, yes. Su-bo would be forced to retreat by the rejection, but rather...
Letting what Ryuzu had said just a few moments ago about what the Tomb lighting up meant echo in his mind, what he was witnessing made even less sense logically. Yet, given the expression his companions had when he arrived, the more it made sense.
Ram: Barasu ran after Emilia-sama the moment the Tomb went dark, and upon him entering, it lit back up.
Otto: Which can only mean...
Without saying it, a group consensus must have been formed before YN had arrived.
Since the Trial can only be taken by those with the Qualification, or rather by having mixed blood, and since it had already lit up and had that light extinguished with only Emilia inside, Subaru's entrance inside and subsequent light the Tomb now radiated once again could only draw everyone to one conclusion.
YN: —Somehow Subaru is taking the Trial.
Nodding, Ryuzu concurred.
Ryuzu: That is the only conclusion we can draw. Until the light dims or morning comes, we will not have an answer.
YN: But how is that possible? Subaru is a pure blooded human. There's no way he should be able to take the Trial...
Otto & Ram & Garfiel & Ryuzu: — — —
While no one could give him an answer, YN could only wrack his own mind for an idea.
YN: This place is only demi-human, right? Maybe it's not an entirely truthful piece of information that only mixed bloods can take it?
Shaking her long pink hair, Ryuzu responded.
Ryuzu: Y-Bo forgets Ros-bo was rejected from Trial as well. This information has never proven itself wrong until tonight...
Having his name said by someone in a way that meant they were many years his senior, YN still felt there had to be a flaw in that information.
YN: I guess if it really is only mixed bloods that can take the Trial... why does it have to be Emilia-sama to do it then? Couldn't you, or Garfiel take it and been done with it awhile ago?
Once more shaking her head, Ryuzu denied that such an easy path existed.
Ryuzu: While we may take the Trial, there is no point to it. Residents of the Sanctuary are held by a never-ending pact to prevent its self-liberation.
With each answer making things add up less and less, YN could only grow more worried as he watched the Tomb's light glow.
As his concern grew, fearful theories took place in his mind.
Given all the oddities and Emilia's attempt ending so soon... I can't shake the feeling something really bad might be happening inside...
Watching the light radiate outward into the darkness, one chilling thought came to YN's mind.
What if he's stuck in some way... Like when Puck's ice magic nearly kept us frozen in place but alive...
Recalling the first time he had taken a life in this new world, it had been the one of his dear friend.
If I hadn't been there... There would have been no way to Reset the world... Everyone would have died. Emilia, Rem, Ram...
Fearful something similar may be occurring only a few dozen or so paces away, YN decided the conditions warranted action.
But just as his departure to the Tomb began, the light on it suddenly—
Otto: Again...! It went dark.
With another oddity seemingly flaring up, YN couldn't waste anymore time.
If Subaru gets trapped somehow... we're all screwed if something bad happens!
Taking off, YN ran up the stairs to the Tomb as fast as he could.
Ram: YN! Wait!
Surprised to see him do something so dangerous all of a sudden, Ram had just missed being able to grab and halt him.
Reaching the top of the steps, YN ventured inside the dark stone walls.
I know I'm probably at a really big risk if this place damages you based on the size of your Gate, but I gotta save Subaru and Emilia!
Figuring if it hadn't killed Roswaal, he'd be alright, YN at least banked on getting Subaru out.
—Even if it meant a mortal wound for himself, should he die and Subaru be freed, a forced Reset could be their chance at trying all this again.
—Even if YN died permanently, if Subaru was forced to be trapped, Rem would never be awoken.
I've gotta be strong... For Rem!
Running inside, YN had only one motive.
Outside though, the onlookers watched on as yet another seemingly unqualified individual entered the Tomb
Garfiel: Bah, let him tear himself to shreds being an idiot.
Waving off YN's departure like it was some trivial loss, Ram snapped back at him, but was forced to hold her tongue as well
Ram: Garf! Now isn't the time! We have to—
Chasing away the darkness that had descended upon them with the Tomb's light subsiding, its radiant glow returned with YN's exit from sight.
Once more, the Trial was being attempted.
As the four outside watched on with great confusion, Garfiel uncrossed his arms in shock.
Garfiel: No way... Him too?
Ram: YN...
Ryuzu: — — —
As three of the four solemnly displayed their surprise, the last voiced his with hands to the side of his head, hollering out about it.
Otto: What's the point of the Qualification if anyone can just enter?!