A/N: Just wanted to give a big thankyou to my proofreaders. They help catch many of my shortcomings in this writing. I also want to give a big thankyou to all those that decided to read my latest fic too, Yunyun x Reader (God's Blessing For This Poor Lonely Girl!), your kind words on it are most appreciated!

If you'd like to check that one out, you can find it under my name on WP and AO3. It will be getting a new chjapter in about 24 hours time from when this chapter is posted.

Also I will say too, I've been going back and re-reading my earlier chapters of this fic and I gotta say, they're rougher than I remember... One day in the future I may go back and fix things and hopefully make them better to read. If I do, I will make an announcement.

Until then though, please enjoy the latest release!

Chapter 115: Dark As A Dungeon

Inside was dark and dank. The walls smelled of moist earth and while they were definitely unclean, YN needed to use his hand against them to keep his barrings as he walked forth into the pitch black environment.

YN: You can't see a damn thing in here...

Reaching into his pocket, YN felt for the power button on his phone before holding it down. Seeing his device's splash screen, he quickly unlocked it and used the built-in flashlight.

Looking at his battery level through, he winced.

YN: Forty-two percent...

He'd kept the phone turned off since leaving Crusch's manor, but even before then, it had been upward of eighty percent charged. The time with it powered off had still significantly drained its power.

I really gotta ask Roswaal or someone to teach me a Yang spell that's sorta like 'magelight' or something.

Shaking the ideas of furthering his magical repertoire, YN focused in trying to locate Subaru or Emilia. Hopefully both.

I really hope it's not a labyrinth in here...

Step by ginger step, YN trudged forward down the thankfully straight hall.

YN: Woah...

Many paces inside now, he came across a busted pair of gargantuan doors, leading to a deeper enclosed room. The doors sat crooked on their hinges, with many tree roots from above digging into them.

Approaching the opening, he peered inside.

Emilia! Subaru!

With his light shining on the two inside, their current state caused him great alarm.

Both seemingly having face-planted, YN worried what sort of thing could have caused that.

Is it poison gas? Something in the air?

Unsure what could be causing this, YN at least was assured Subaru wasn't dead.

There's no Reset yet... But I still gotta get him out of here!

Taking in one large breath, YN held his phone in his mouth with the light out and in front of him as best as he could manage. His plan was to get in and get out, lifting Subaru and Emilia by using his Yang magic to slightly enhance his strength just enough he could shoulder them both.

Alright... Here goes—!

With one step through the door, YN immediately was forced to exhale his held-in breath. Fumbling to catch the phone from his mouth in his hands, he also dropped to his knees.

No... No!

Zapped of all strength in one sudden rush, he felt like someone had tied up his Gate.

This isn't the Trial rejecting me... is it?!

Try as he might to right himself though, his consciousness was quickly fading.

YN: Su... —baru...

His vision already weak in the dark space, YN finally saw everything go completely black despite his phone's flashlight being on still.

?: First, face your past.

As a thundering echo of a voice sounded only in his mind, YN was given not a moment to contemplate its origin.

Giving in to his weakness, his body gave out, but seemingly, it didn't feel as though his mind did.

Falling, falling. His senses told him he was falling.

Did the floor give in too? Was this all a trap?

Fearful all three of them were certainly falling to a low depth, the sensation was suddenly brought to a halt.

YN: AH!

With the drop of a hat, YN suddenly felt upright. He was sitting in a seat, one that was familiar. It's fake leathery feel was reminiscent of something, however he couldn't tell at this juncture in time.

His hands were wrapped around something of similar texture. It was circular, like a wheel, with his fingers tightly wrapped around opposite sides of its shape.

He felt his eyes were tightly keeping themselves shut. His facial muscles were all tense with compression.

Heart pounding, YN could only choose one of two paths.

Either stay like this until something else happened, absolutely unknown of his surroundings, or open his eyes and see where he was.

Timidly, he chose the latter of the two options.

Slowly unclenching his eyes, a familiar sight laid before him.

This is...

Brown in color, the space was one he was in not long ago. It also explained the faux-leather feeling of his seat and the wheel he held.

—the car.

Immediately turning his attention to the seat next to him, YN's first instinct was that this was a Return.

Empty...

His passenger seat remained unoccupied. With the darkness he was in, he quickly ascertained he must have been brought to his trip back from the Mansion to the Sanctuary.

Only, he immediately noticed one key difference.

My clothes...

He was no longer in his work clothes. Rather, he was in the same clothes he originally arrived to this new world in, yet one key difference startled him.

Ram should have my jacket... So why—?

Taking his hands off the wheel, he patted the familiar jacket, feeling its synthetic material.

—am I wearing it?

Since regaining his consciousness, a ringing had occupied his ears. Figuring it was merely a condition of waking back up, what was odd was that the tone continued nonetheless now. Focusing in on the sound more, it wasn't so much a "ring" as it was a "buzz." An artificial sounding one at that.

Taking his surroundings more into consideration, YN also noticed lights here and there around him outside the car.

Those aren't torches or crystal lamps...

Beginning to get a bad feeling about something, YN figured he needed to inspect his surroundings.

Something isn't right...

Reaching for the door latch, he pulled it, prompting the overhead dome and gauge cluster lights to illuminate just as the car was designed to do.

Getting one foot out of the door, it was then he noticed it.

YN: — — —

Lit up like all the other instrumentations around it on the dash, one needle pointed to where it hadn't before.

YN: — — —

The fuel gauge now indicated full, as if his tank had just been topped off.

Immediately, an extremely uneasy feeling filled his entire body.

No... That's not possible.

But, pulling himself out of the driver's side door, he turned his attention to the source of the buzzing, which also was one of the sources of light in the darkness around him.

There before him, were words he hadn't seen in what felt like years. A language he hadn't seen or read in a very long time.

LAST CHANCE GAS, BEER, AND FOOD

YN read these words over and over again, their neon lights and buzzing noise engraving themselves in his psyche.

His mouth was dry. He knew this wasn't possible. No, this wasn't right. He wasn't supposed to be here. It was impossible for him to be here.

As a cold sweat formed on his forehead, a drop falling from his brow into his eye was what snapped him out of his trance. Using his jacket's sleeve, he wiped the dampness from his face as he looked back up the glowing sign, and let his hoarse throat utter its first words aloud.

YN (whisper): Great scott...

There was no doubt about it. As he was forced to accept it, a great fear built inside him.

YN was back in his old world, at a juncture right before he was first isekai'd.

Quickly he looked around himself.

There were the pumps he had just fueled up at, and the convenience store just opposite of where he stood.

No... This isn't right.

A shiver going down his spine at what this may possibly mean, him being here, he ran up to the entrance of the store.

Trying to open it, he grabbed at the handle. Pushing and pulling, the door refused to budge. Cupping his hands around his face and pressing it against the glass, he struggled to see inside with how dark it was. With no lights on, he could only assume the store was closed.

YN: Damn it.

Turning around, YN froze at the sight of everything around him.

His car, the fuel pumps, the neon sign. It was all so immensely familiar, yet entirely alien now it felt.

Somehow, he was back in his old world.

YN: This... This can't be possible.

While the feeling had been smoldering inside of him, the fear he had was beginning to boil up to the surface of his demeanor.

YN: D-Did the Tomb somehow send me back?

Wishing on his very soul that wasn't the case, a panic began to fester in his heart and in his mind.

Pinching himself, slapping himself, biting his lip, he inflicted pain upon his body to see if it were merely a vivid dream he was in.

Yet, with no one around, and no other structures or points of civilization near by, it was hard to prove one way or the other still.

Wait, lemme try this! If I have a signal—!

Fumbling for his phone, he tried to power it on, yet—

YN: Dead...

Just like when he had been here last, his phone had died, and he had been forced to spend part of his remaining amount of money on a battery charger which—

YN: That's right!

Scrambling in his pocket, he retrieved the solar charger battery pack from his coat. Tearing open the container, he quickly plugged in his phone and let it charge for a second before powering on the device.

This should at least get me the date and time...

While the splash screen loaded just as it had earlier in the Tomb, YN's mind rushed with unpleasant thoughts.

YN: If the date is current, that means I've really been brought back here... Probably me and all my stuff got sent back...

The idea of being back in this world for some reason now made him feel sick. If he was here, that meant all that he had learned and progressed had been for naught.

But most importantly—

Rem...

He was now worlds away, —potentially dimensions away from the woman he loved.

YN: How would I even get back...?

As the phone booted up, YN almost felt sure it would be some later date. While he couldn't do the math on the spot, he figured he knew roughly how much time had passed in the world he had been taken to, so the phone should reflect that, minus the Loops he and Subaru both had been through.

Yet as he waited for the phone to ascertain the date and time—

YN: No...

While he was unsure on the exact time, and still had no service, the date was spot on.

YN: That's... That's the date I'm sure I was teleported on...

Feeling somewhat dizzy, YN pinched his brow between his eyes.

YN: That can't be right... if no time has passed... and everything, —my car, my jacket, my phone... are all exactly how they were before I left this world...

A new, unbridled, and unrestrained horror began to grow inside of YN.

As it grew, he felt his knees grow weak. Shaking, he knew he needed to sit down, and yet as he turned to brace himself.

YN: Gah...

Buckling out from underneath him, YN collapsed to his knees. Hunched over, he braced himself on his palms as beads of sweat dripped from his brow and landed on the dry, roadside dust-covered concrete below him.

Near the point of hyperventilating, YN took in big gulps of air as his mind struggled to come to terms with this fear.

YN: It can't be... It can't be. —Can't be!

Fear boiled in his body. Manifesting as a great curse or plague, his body felt as if it were being poisoned by it.

YN: If... If no time passed, and everything is the same... Does that mean—?

Wallowing up, his vision became clouded as tears manifested in his eyes.

Through some sort of intense daydreaming, or hallucination, or other psychological event, YN's ability to process logic had come to a horrific conclusion.

YN: Was it all... just a thought? —A dream?!

His heart pounded at the very idea. The entire last few months of his life... had it all been a fabrication?

YN: Subaru... and the Mansion. Emilia and Roswaal... Ram and R—!

Covering his mouth as tears fell, he couldn't utter her name with the idea of her very existence, —in any world, coming into question now.

As the hand that braced himself upward curled into a fist, squishing the dirt in his palm as tiny rocks tug into his skin, the pain was but a feeble means to distract himself from the pain of the fear he felt now.

YN: No... No, no. No.

Was it all just an invention of his mind?

Painfully, his heart ached at the idea.

YN: Was Rem...

Shaking his head and demanding his mind cast away such a horrific conclusion, he was unable to shake the fear's yoke it now had on his mind.

YN: —never real to begin with?

Hearing himself utter those words, such a heresy demanded a punishment.

YN: Gah!

Punching the ground as hard as he could, he made his fist and knuckles ring with pain.

YN: No! No! No!

Pounding his fist with each "no" the pain that multiplied was insignificant to the pain in his heart.

YN: Rem...

The vision of his beloved crossed into his mind. Her sleek azure hair, her soft lips, her round and adorable cheeks. The image of which all constituted the most caring and compassionate person he knew.

The pure idea of her person being but a figment of his imagination—

YN: —Rem!

Screaming her name to the heavens above him, —the starless, moonless night, YN clenched his teeth as the dead in him threatened to drag him down to the depths of his own personal Hell.

Crying out for comfort, he received none.

Turning his head down, a build up of tears and snot wet the dusty concrete below him more.

Was it all really nothing more than a dream?

Had the stress of his current situation, having to move far away for work and purpose been too much for him? Had his brain, or rather his soul perhaps, seen it necessary to give him an escape of some kind? Had it damned the long term, future consequences of such a vision for the healing remedy of the present?

Trying to justify it one way or the other, if what he knew was fake, or real, he felt he was at a crossroads.

Would he live in vain believing he had actually gone to the world where his beloved lived?

Or...

Would he shelve it all away, and accept that it was all nothing?

YN: Maybe it really was all too good to be true...

Letting the tension in his body placate to the fear now, it began to be pacified by its acceptance.

YN: After all... how could someone as perfect as Rem even exist...

Although it pained him more than anything, he looked up to the dark sky above, void of any light, much like how his heart felt now.

YN: I guess I can only truly wonder how I thought of it all...

Slowly recalling all that had happened, YN immediately had to give his mind recognition for all it had dreamed up.

The Mansion, meeting Subaru, the way magic worked, the way Return by Death worked, the Royal Selection, even the Witch Cult...

YN: I guess that would make a pretty good fantasy tale... wouldn't it?

Feeling his mind begin to come to terms with it all, his thoughts lingered to one last element.

YN: Even Rem... I don't know how I could have imagined her...

As he thought back on it, naturally he couldn't quite recall her face. Thinking more on it, he tried basing her off of aspects he might have previously liked or were attracted to. He figured she must have been born from those desires he felt, and his brain stitched her together from all those things.

Yet when he tried to imagine how it could have so perfectly come together, how his feeble mind could have thought of her, he—

YN: No.

Speaking bluntly against his own thoughts, YN denied them.

YN: No. That's even less possible.

Halting his tears, the fear, dread, and horror in him now had a challenger.

YN: There's no way I could have...

Growing, this resistance built.

YN: There's no way I could have done that.

Picking himself up off the ground, YN stood with a strength that grew much like this challenger to the fear did.

YN put his hands before his vision, open and palms facing towards himself. Tightly closing them, this resistance to the fear, this hope began to become a superior power.

Despite all the evidence his logical self was presented with, no matter how this fear had begun to drag him down, despite every discernible, and reasonable doubt he could have regarding that his entire experience up until then had been a farce, one key thing stood in direct contrast to it all.

Like a light casting itself into the dark innards of his soul, its righteous might forced the fear inside to flee.

For one thing he realized defied it all.

YN: There's no way I could have dreamt up Rem.

For YN to create something so perfect for himself, to conjure and manifest a love so deep and unfathomable—

YN: —it's impossible.

The memory of Rem herself was the key defiance to it all. Rem alone was the sole shred of undeniable proof to disprove beyond any doubt that everything he had experienced was a fabrication.

Taking a deep, calming breath, YN reached his nirvana.

YN: Everything that happened, happened. All that did, —all that grew, is true. But most importantly—

Tightening his fists now not in rage or sorrow, but courage and hope, YN concluded his reflection.

YN: —Rem is real. And I need to get back to her.

Getting in his car, YN quickly fired it up and departed the rest stop without looking back.

YN: If everything's the same, I'm confident this part will be too.

Knowing what laid down the open road beyond him, YN once more saw two possible realities.

YN: Either I have to go through everything again, right from the beginning, —right from Zero or, maybe I get lucky and go back to just the previous Loop... Regardless, if I need to see her again to see her, I'll do it.

Without a doubt in his heart he'd meet the one seemingly responsible for his teleportation to the new world, YN drove on into the dark night awaiting her as his hands thoroughly griped the steering wheel.

YN: I know you'll come get me again, Witch. You can't stand to see your beloved suffer not much more than I can't stand seeing mine suffer either.

Off onto the dark road he drove. With no regard for speed or safety, he was alone on the drive. Thundering along, with his speed and best guess, he had to be further along than he was originally.

That Witch would have shown herself by now... So why hadn't she?

Going along further, and while he hated to admit it, YN knew he was well past the point into his journey where the silvered haired woman with elf ears, in her long black dress and veil had appeared in his back seat.

Sighing in defeat but not wanting to let the "high" he was feeling from his rebuilt resolve be washed away so easily, YN pulled the car over and thought of what he should do next.

Putting the car in park, he rested his head on the steering wheel.

YN' C'mon... There's gotta be something I'm forgetting to do...

Thinking maybe he needed to do something in addition to just driving down the road, he tried his best to recall that faithful night he had been teleported to the Capitol.

YN: Wait, that's right.

Picking his head up, YN looked down the dark road as far as his headlights would let him.

YN: There was that spec of light I thought was an oncoming car... That hasn't appeared yet.

Thinking for a moment on the prospect of anything else left he might be forgetting, YN figured this must be the missing element.

YN: I just gotta keep going forward. Once I see that light, everything will—!

Before he could even finish his out loud thought, he saw it.

YN: There it is!

Seeing the light, YN wondered if by just remembering it he had passed a checkpoint condition of sorts. But with little time to dwell on that, he re-began his high speed trek along the dark road.

Seeing the spec grow bigger and bigger, he went faster with each anticipation filled second.

Any second now... She'll show up in my backseat.

Checking his rear view mirror, there was still nothing, but closer yet the spec of light became.

Just a little further, surely then—!

Dashing his hopes however, was the true nature of the light.

As he got closer, the light became a familiar sight.

YN: Wait... It's just a—?

Stopping in the gaze of its warm, yellowish light, YN looked up the structure.

With a mild buzz of electricity running through it, the light that was a single overhead street-lamp illuminated YN's dumbfounded expression.

YN: This... isn't right. I don't remember seeing one of these last time I was here...

Determined to not let his hope be completely destroyed this soon however, YN turned away from the light, and pushed his car onward, further down the road.

No. I won't give in.

Proceeding down the dark road, thoughts of doubt took a hold in his soul once more, and just as he was about to pull over again, yet another light showed up on the distant road.

Okay, this time. This is it.

Racing towards the light however, another lackluster result was revealed.

Another one...

Stopping as he had before, YN let his stupefied face be embraced by the warm hue of light shining down on him.

It was another street-lamp, identical to the one he had just been under.

YN: Okay... That's strange, to say the least.

Going on, YN drove further, —much further. Thus far, he had gone longer than he remembered ever having gone before coming to the world in which Rem inhabited. Yet again though, he came across another familiar sight.

A street-lamp.

Driving onward even further? Another light.

But as he got there—

YN: Damn. Another one.

More frustrated than motivated at this point, YN pressed on, and when another light came into view—

YN: Alright, something isn't right.

Under his sixth, seventh, or eighth street lamp, of which he'd lost count, YN exited his car, and looked up at the bright light above him.

YN: It sorta feels like I'm going in a loop...

With the outside night time atmosphere so dark, YN found any area not illuminated by his car's headlights, or the street-lamp seemed to be like an infinite dark void.

Having gone past so many repeat lights, nowhere closer to what he assumed was his goal, YN just shook his head.

Maybe... Maybe I'm never going back...

Looking back at his car, he saw the empty passenger seat next to his own empty seat. The person who had occupied that spot not even an hour ago now seemed infinitely far away.

But at his conscious thought of her, he regained his composure and motivation once more.

Hatching an idea in his mind, YN turned to the base of the streetlight with his hand firmly on his car's keys in his pocket.

YN: Even if it's the last thing I ever do, even if I drive around the whole world, I will make my way back to Rem.

Taking the key from his pocket, YN approached the street-lamp. Using the metal of his key as an etcher, he crudely engraved words in Glyphs on the pole.

Never before perhaps had this language been written in this world. To some it may appear as shotty graffiti or vandalism simply based off the coarse symbols alone, alien to his world, but to YN, they were the symbols that spelled the name of his beloved—

YN: —Rem.

Marking this spot as reference, YN got back into his car to see if this really was a loop of sorts he'd been trapped in. Driving on, he was in darkness again, but not for long.

Another light.

Gingerly approaching the pole, YN pulled his car as close as he could. Leaning out his window, it was there the symbols were obvious.

YN: Welp. That confirms it I guess.

Upon the pole, was the same engraving.

There's no way that's a fluke, that's why I went with Glyphs after all, even considering I'm terrible at them still.

Still though, YN thought aloud.

YN: It's obvious I'm in a loop of some kind, but I have to wonder... why let it be so obvious? Am I supposed to find out? What do I do upon finding out?

Hoping some magical door would open up for him like he were some unaware star in a sitcom, YN put a hand to his chin in thought.

YN: If whoever or whatever this is has the power to make me loop like this, shouldn't it also be within that power 'heal' or reset any 'damage' done to the area upon a repeat?

Thinking the goal must be for him to stay trapped, YN couldn't understand why the area would let himself become privy to his realization.

YN: What is the purpose of this?

About to set off in another desperate attempt to find the correct light somewhere further down this now ultimately endless road, a voice from behind him answered his question.

?: —It's a shame I had to let it become so obvious.

YN: —?!

Jerking YN's senses to the max, his vision quickly turned to his rear view mirror as the voice came from his back seat.

Gasping, not at sure first in surprise, relief, or horror, YN gazed upon the woman in his backseat now.

Long, white hair crowned her equally pale skin, while a starkly contrasting long black dress adored her body.

Thinking this was the Witch he was waiting for, YN turned around in his seat to properly speak to this woman.

Yet, getting a better look at her, and while his hopes weren't completely dashed, they were at the very least cut in half.

Gone was the flower, the veil, and the silvery hair for hair of pure white.

In their place, this women held a tea cup and plate. A distinct butterfly-shaped hairclip had found itself in the sea of straight white hair, accompanying a pair of rather bushy white eyelashes.

But catching YN's attention the most was the complex emotion the woman wore on her face.

It was a cocktail of wanderlust, fascination, intrigue, but it was coldly mixed with frustration and boredom, and while it was void of any direct anger or hostility, it did also have an air of contempt to it.

Crossing her legs under her long black dress, the young woman, perhaps only a few years older than Emilia in appearance, took a sip of her tea from the white porcelain cup she held.

Letting YN stay slack-jawed in the handful of tense seconds of silence between them, the woman in black began to speak again.

?: Just how long were you going to keep trying that? Going around and around in circles.

YN: — — —

While YN was unable to answer this new guest's easy going question, the air of contempt she still portrayed sent alarm bells down YN's spine.

Almost like she was perceiving this however, and after taking another sip of tea, the woman calmed him.

?: You may relax, I do not intend to pose harm to you.

Somewhat getting YN to relax, he swallowed a lump in his throat before finally speaking up.

YN: So, uhh, you... knew I was going around in a loop?

?: 'Knew?' Ah yes. I suppose I did know.

Speaking as if her answer were a matter of fact, the woman took another sip of tea before continuing on.

?: I would hope I knew. I was making it that way after all.

YN: — — —

Boldly proclaiming herself as responsible for the loop he was in, YN was speechless to the woman once more as her motive became less clear.

?: I could have let this go on further, you know. I didn't have to let the light pole remain damaged. But it was becoming rather tiring seeing you fail to realize the loop for so long.

Adding a tone of that same contempt to her voice, the woman turned her gaze back to YN from looking out at the street-lamp through the back window. Her black iris'd eye's had their lids fall half shut, further fueling the discontent she had about her despite her previous statement she meant no threat to YN.

?: Do you have any idea how hard it is to keep making a unique world over such a vast distance you seemed to want to travel?

YN wished to ask this woman what she meant by that. The more she spoke, the more questions he had, but given the aura of intimidation she gave off, YN could only keep quiet as she let her seemingly annoyed complaints continue on.

?: I had no other choice but to start looping the area to get you to give in and breakdown, but you still went on and on like you were possessed. Normally the area I create for a Trial isn't this big.

Catching a key word at the end of her sentence, YN's curiosity finally outweighed his self-restraint.

YN: —Wait, did you say this is the Trial? I'm in a Trial?

While YN knew his eligibility to participate in the Trial was impossible due to what Ryuzu had told him, to him it did seem to explain why he was seemingly back in his old world. And after-all, this woman in black just said she herself was responsible for shaping this world.

?: Yes. You are. 'Kind of you to finally notice.

Taking another sip of her tea with the same look of contempt upon her face persisting, and with YN finally talking, he let his next question roll.

YN: You're... you're not the Witch, are you?

?: Hmm.

Amused by his question, the woman lifted the tea cup to her mouth before answering. Yet right before its porcelain ridge reached her thin lips, a sinister appearing grin also went across her face, and she set the cup back down.

?: I am very much a Witch, however, I am probably not the one you seem to be recalling.

Adding another element of intrigue to this entire scenario, YN swallowed a lump in his throat as he somewhat began to realize who this woman could be, given she identified as a "Witch" and was also admitting to be the architect of this Trial, which currently took place in a certain person's Tomb.

YN: You wouldn't happen to be the Witch of—

Halting his words, YN recalled how Roswaal had corrected him. Figuring it may be incorrect to call her a "Witch" outright, YN re-began his words.

YN: Are you, Echidna?

Managing to get her eyes to relax, and a smile on her face for the first time, the Witch took another sip of her tea before answering.

Echidna: Yes, I am Echidna, better known as the Witch of Greed.

Boldly proclaiming who she was, YN felt a shiver go down his spine, but forcing himself to retain his composure, he pressed for more information.

YN: Than I am correct to assume since the last thing I recall is entering your Tomb, you're the proprietor of the Trial?

Echidna: That would be correct. But—

Regaining her former tone and expression of discontent, she voiced an inquiry to YN this time.

Echidna: —enough about me. I'm rather curious of some things about you as well.

YN: About... me?

Caught off guard he'd even cross her radar in terms of wanting to know more about him, the Witch's tone and expression became lower, as if truly irritated about something.

Echidna: Yes. Namely, I don't remember bestowing you the Qualification to take this Trial. And I certainly don't appreciate you making it one that was far from normal.

YN truthfully didn't know how to respond at first. Already he felt weary of this woman, the Witch of Greed, so for her to voice such a discontent for trespasses he knew not of, truly worried him.

YN: I guess all I can do is apologize for that... I don't know exactly how I wound up here either... but I guess I should also say sorry for making the area you had to create so big? It seemed odd I was back home, so I thought if I retraced my steps, maybe—

Echidna: —That is not why your Trial was out of the ordinary.

Cutting off YN's words before he could explain that he only was attempting to return to a world he ultimately had never left, he was brought back to his initial apology.

YN: I—, I-I see. May I inquire what made this one out of the ordinary, then?

Bringing what was her final sip of tea to her mouth, Echidna set her cup back down onto its plate with a dull *clink.*

Echidna: It is one thing for you to be even able to partake in the Trial, it is a completely different issue regarding your ability to consciously be aware of the Trial as it was going on.

Even more confused as to what was meant by her answer, YN questioned further.

YN: But I still had no clue a Trial was going on... I genuinely thought I had been taken back...

Echidna: The pure fact you were aware that the situation you found yourself in was not a normal one is what concerns me. I cannot truly influence the outside world so well, so the fact you're Qualified to take this Trial when I did not bestow that upon you may be explained in a different way. —Even if it is a highly unlikely one.

Shaking her head as she said that, eyes closed, they opened back up to reveal her black irises locked back onto YN as she went on.

Echidna: Normally, this Trial is designed to make one face their past and come to a conclusion on it. That is only ever done by being oblivious to the ongoing Trial to get a truthfully honest answer, whether they accept, or reject their past. Since this Trial is my own doing, I retain full control over it. However, since you were aware at the beginning, that can only be because I had no control over you.

Finally acknowledging why it was Echidna could be upset with him over this lack of control in her own realm, YN also realized this was coupled with the fact too that he had been able to take this Trial when he shouldn't be able to. As he thought of this though, Echidna carried on.

Echidna: Because of that, I had to improvise. As I said, this Trial is meant to be a way to face one's past. Since that was no longer an option for you, given you were aware, I had to alter the Trial to see if you would accept this reality or not.

Seeing how that could be played out, YN for the first time averted his eyes in this tense conversation. All the worry and pain from suddenly finding himself far away from home, —from Rem, that he had, was now forced to all be invalidated so suddenly.

It also irritated him to have been led so astray. He for a moment nearly was forced to believe it had all been a dream, cursing his lying eyes and stale memory.

But at the same time he was frustrated, a great relief blanketed his soul that he had not been exiled, and all his efforts were true and unwasted.

Still though, YN's eyes remained looking away even as a new curiosity built on him.

YN: So then I gotta ask...

Seemingly, with the Trial's proctor present, certainly this meant the Trial had already yielded a result. With what was at stake outside the Tomb, the answer he would ask for could result in a massively avoided headache, which meant he could get back to having Rem as his top priority and having her awoken.

YN: ...did I pass?

Hoping for an answer, one way or another, he was denied that.

Echidna: It's inconclusive.

YN: I—! I... I see.

With no leeway to argue with such an opponent, YN was forced to accept the answer as it was.

Echidna: While you neither failed, nor passed, since you have not passed, that is more akin to a failure, no?

Again speaking with her "matter of fact" tone, YN accepted it.

YN: I understand. But, now what happens?

Looking out the window again as if bored by the conversation, Echidna turned to answer his question.

Echidna: The Trial has been compromised, thus I have judged it has ended. You will return to where it is you lay in my Tomb's walls. But—

Lifting a solitary, slender, white finger, the Witch's voice lowered its tone as she spoke of the conditions to follow his return.

Echidna: —While I shall spare your actual recalling of this experience, I will manipulate your memory to omit our meeting specifically as punishment for breaking my control of the Trial.

YN: —!

What?! She can alter my memories?!

Upon hearing the threat, YN's brow broke into a cold sweat. As his mind raced, he felt an extreme worry in knowing that at least during this Trial, his mind, his memories, —both things he cherished were so vulnerable here.

YN: W-Why a punishment?!

Echidna: Because I'm still most irritated because I was unable to choose where this Trial was to take place, and I'm still most upset at how boring this all has been. Rest assured though, I am not cruel. These memories will return, but only if we meet again.

Lazily lifting her pale palm in his direction, YN built up the courage to protest her finally, knowing losing his familiarity with her though this meeting would greatly hinder any further progress towards tackling any future problems pertaining to the Sanctuary.

YN: Y-You can't just screw around with my memories!

Defiant at the end, the Witch's half opened eyes were filled with more disdain than ever now as she spoke her final words to him.

Echidna: Then do not 'screw around' with my Trial, Anomaly.

As his vision warped, and the feeling of being in a free fall once again alerted all his senses, YN found himself in a pitch blackness. As dark as the irises belonging to the Witch that cast him from the Trial, he fell and fell, but still was fully aware he'd be returning to where he once had been.

All the while, and right up until feeling his soul reenter his body, he tried to defiantly, —and in vain, remember his meeting with the pale woman.

Yet, try as he might, only one immediate concern manifested itself in his mind, overwriting and overpowering any other thoughts he could conjure.

Emilia and Subaru... I gotta help them... I gotta get them out...

With his mind and ambitions seemingly reset to how they were upon losing consciousness, YN returned to the living world, keen on fulfilling his original purpose for entering the Tomb; retrieving his friends.

? (muffled): Emilia-tan! Emilia-tan! Hang in there!

Stirring YN's senses to life was the sound of an echoed yell coming from nearby. The voice was definitely familiar, yet the experience was still surreal.

Down his face, YN ,felt the uncomfortable sensation of drool that had run from his mouth in his unconsciousness.

YN: I used to not do this...

Wiping the wet mess from his face with his sleeve, the saliva had unfortunately mixed with the grimy dirt on the floor his face had also been laid upon.

Yuck...

? (muffled): Su... baru...?

Catching his attention away from his current uncomfortable state as he picked himself up, the barely audible coos of someone being comforted was coming from beyond the pair of dilapidated doors YN had collapsed in front of.

YN: Why did—?

But as he questioned how he got here, a remembrance hit him in the form of mental pain.

T-That's right...

As he held his head, recalling he had somehow been able to participate in the Trial, YN stood, approaching the two doors as he slightly stumbled getting back onto his feet, and peered inside the opening, just wide enough for someone to pass through.

Inside, were two familiar figures inside a square room.

Emilia, Subaru...

Perched in Subaru's arms, his back facing YN, was the one he had run inside after.

Subaru: Emilia-tan! Are you alright?

While the scene vaguely reminded him of the Loop where he had found Subaru sitting in a pool of what turned out to be Emilia's own blood, YN was assured of the half-elf's condition by the stirring of her body in Subaru's lap.

It looks like they're both okay...

Emilia: Where is...? Wait... That's right. I... I took the Trial.

Hearing the newly conscious girl regain her composure, YN had nearly decided to step through the broken doorway and regroup with his allies when—

Emilia: —Ehe!

As a painful wince echoed through the Tomb, the sound of Emilia in distress halted him before he could move.

Emilia: It... It...!

Subaru: Emilia-tan! A-Are you in pain?!

Emilia: It—! It wasn't me! It wasn't me!

More than seemingly just distressed, her cries signaled the feeling of deep trauma.

Subaru: Emilia-tan! What's—?!

Emilia: —No! No! Don't look at me like that! Please!

While YN and Subaru each tried to think of what could be causing Emilia to act in such a way, to cry out over something so unknown, the realization of words said to them beforehand from an unknown source helped them simultaneously come to a conclusion.

'First, face your past.'

The trauma filled wails, the babbling of words that held no understanding, the admittance of taking the Trial... it only spelled one thing for them both.

Emilia had to see a past she wasn't ready to face.

As blindsided as YN was by the Trial himself, and given how he wasn't privy to what Emilia's past entailed, he could understand how she could have been pushed to this state.

Subaru: Emilia-tan! Its okay! I'm right here!

Emilia: No! Please, you're wrong!

Continuing to cry out from her experience in the Trial, the sight of Subaru embracing Emilia struck YN. Seeing this now only brought memories of a similar time when he himself and Rem had been in a similar situation.

It's like when Rem first learned about all the Loops and seen what she'd done...

While he had originally gone into the Tomb to try and rescue them both should something bad be occurring, YN now felt the extreme need to give them space.

Subaru loved Emilia like YN loved Rem. This was now a moment between them, one where Subaru was to comfort Emilia like YN had comforted Rem.

I really should leave them be... I'd want Subaru to respect my privacy.

Moving away from the door, and backing up slowly to muffle any possibility of being heard, he finally turned and proceeded out of the Tomb in the direction he had come.

Seeing the light of the lit torches at the entrance, he could still vaguely hear Emilia's wails echoing from behind him, calling for the recently absent Puck.

Emilia-sama...

While it pained him to hear a friend in such bad shape, YN knew it was only Subaru who could be there for her now, just how it could have only been himself for Rem.

Exiting the Tomb fully, the crackle and popping of the sap covered wood that was the flaming torches drowned out any semblance of Emilia's cries from being heard by the small group of observers YN had left to venture inside.

Seeing his emergence from the Tomb, the very same group greeted him with baited breath and timid eyes.

Someone who was supposed to be harmed by the Tomb for a lack of Qualification, had emerged unscathed.

They all remained silent and still, as if waiting for his limbs to fall off and his head to roll.

All except for one.

Ram: YN!

Dashing up the steps to meet him as he was halfway down them, the pink-haired maid wore an expression she normally saved for when she'd scold Subaru.

Ram: Ram demands to know what has caused YN to act so foolishly! How many serious wounds has he chosen to cover up?!

Knowing from where her distress originated from, YN wished to assure her he was fine. Proceeding down the steps past her to show there was no sign of injury, he spoke to her.

YN: Honestly Ram, look. I'm fine. I don't have a scratch on me.

Taking his words with a grain of salt in the midst of her concern, Ram looked YN up and down as she followed him down the rest of the Tomb's steps.

She's probably still shocked after seeing what the Tomb did to Roswaal... I can't say her reaction isn't unfounded.

Going to approach the small group of Ryuzu, Otto, and Garfiel, YN could already tell he had some explaining to do, given how the golden-haired boy crossed his arms on his return.

But still circling him, searching all over for the smallest of cuts or bruises, Ram interrogated him further.

Ram: How is it that YN is unharmed? What sort of trick did he employ to avoid the rejection of the Trial?

YN: About the Trial, I—

Just as YN had gone to answer Ram, scratching the back of his head as he did, he was cut off by another question, demanding it be answered first.

Garfiel: 'Better question is; where's the Princess-sama n' her knight or whatever?

Seeing as YN had returned without either of them in tow, Garfiel wanted information on their prime hostage and key to escape that was Emilia.

YN: I was going to say as well, I saw Emilia was just waking up from her Trial, right after I—, Huh?

Suddenly stepping between him and the shark-toothed youth, Ram had reached out for his hand and grabbed it.

What is—?!

Ram: R-Ram must make certain YN is unharmed before she allows any further questioning to take place.

Almost as if realizing what she had just done herself, Ram in rare form stuttered her words, but only once before regaining her composure. Going from as if she wanted to hold his hand to rather turning it around in her own hands to inspect it, she further doubled down on her own words.

Ram: If he was also harmed by the Tomb... Ram does not think her adorable self could shoulder the guilt...

Turning her gaze away from his hand and back up to YN, her one visible eye he could see was filled with emotion, and it was only thanks to her pink bangs that her rosy cheeks were camouflaged.

Ram: But predominantly, she is simply glad he's okay...

Caught completely off guard by this show of concern by Ram of all people, even if she did treat him better than most, YN was entirely unprepared for her to start to lean towards him as she held his hand in hers still.

As if going in for a hug, all of his minds' alarm bells were going off.

T-This isn't right! Why is she—?!

Ram (whisper): Do not breathe a word of the Trial until Garf is away.

Hearing her words be spoken directly into his ear, it sent a shiver down his spine as her actions now made sense to him.

It's just like before when we were talking to Roswaal... Ram is trying to warn me.

Quelling the frenzy of thoughts in YN's mind with the logical rational he discovered, Ram leaned back, but not before keeping a firm grasp on his hand for a moment just long enough it made it seem she didn't want to truly let go before she did.

Did... Did Ram really want a hug after all?

Fully aware of just how much stress the pink-haired maid had to be shouldering, YN didn't think it was all that strange she might want some relief.

Seeing Roswaal get all messed up, learning about her 'long lost younger twin sister,' and then with me running off like that... I could see Ram being close to her limit...

And admittedly, there was truth to what YN had perceived. Yet, he was just as far from a concrete conclusion as Ram was as well.

Just as before, the oni's mind was a mess of emotions and thoughts she still didn't fully understand or realize why she hadn't felt before. It had in fact, greatly pained her to let go of YN's hand after she had so brazenly reached for, and taken it.

Unbeknownst to him though, the only thing YN had uncovered was the vague implication Ram had wanted a hug. Yet, he was entirely oblivious to the bubbling stew of conflicting and confused emotions behind that desire.

Garfiel: Just what are ya' all whispering about, huh?

Seemingly becoming frustrated that his question had gone unanswered, the golden-haired youth made himself known to the two who had ignored him, but as they turned to face him, it was Ryuzu who stepped forward to calm Garfiel.

Ryuzu: It seems our discussion will need to wait.

Looking past Ram and YN, the short elf gazed back up at the Tomb, specifically at the two who were now leaving it.

With her expression hidden behind her silver bangs, Subaru had Emilia's arm slung over his shoulder as he assisted her in this still distressed state she was in.

Putting an end to any further questioning, the group broke with the obvious failure that was this evening's chance at progressing the liberation of the Sanctuary.

Stood outside on the porch of the small dilapidated cottage Roswaal was recovering in, Subaru was awaiting Ram's return so he could speak with the Margrave. Waiting with him too, was YN.

They had been waiting a while now. It had to be well into the night, Earth time at the very least.

Once Subaru had emerged with Emilia, she had almost immediately been handed over to Ram, as was her duty to attend to her. Only a few cottages over is where she rested now, and both YN and Subaru knew Ram wouldn't tolerate either of them being present for her care, it certainly being an intimate affair after all.

So it was here they waited, knowing it was only with Ram's presence that would allow Subaru his audience with Roswaal.

And as they waited, the two were given a moment to discuss their thoughts on all that occurred this evening thus far.

Subaru: Do you get the feeling this was all a set up? Or at least a situation salvaged from misfortune?

YN: What do you mean?

As Subaru sat on the wooden steps to the porch, YN sat on an old firewood splitting round just off to the side. From here they could each speak as freely as they liked without fear anyone could overhear them.

Subaru: Does this seem like a big manufactured scenario to make Emilia look like a Hero?

YN: What made you draw that conclusion?

Looking upward at the canopy covered night sky, obscuring any chance to see the stars, Subaru tried his best to relay his reasoning.

Subaru: Roswaal isn't stupid enough to mutilate his own body like that, or let the situation that we're in so easily happen. He must have known what could have happened by evacuating everyone here like this. He wasn't oblivious to what the Sanctuary is.

Shaking his head as he said that, YN answered him.

YN: You think he did this to force Emilia into intentionally liberating the Sanctuary? Would he really gain anything from having the Sanctuary be free in the grand scheme of things?

Subaru: I don't think that's his angle here... I think he wants the villagers, and the residents of the Sanctuary to view Emilia as some Hero who rode in on a silver stallion and saved them.

Thinking on Subaru's logic, YN could only shrug.

YN: That is one way you could look at it. I could only guess the reason he let the Tomb harm him was so he could placate the Arlem and Sanctuary residents until help arrived. He might have known it would do that to him, but rather he did it so he could keep the tentative peace. —A way to keep sympathy on his side. 'Oh he at least tried to free us.'

Subaru: Maybe that's part of it as well? We won't know until we're able to get some answers out of him.

Seeing the determination on Subaru's brow to get to the bottom of all this, YN at least now understood why he was so gung-ho on wanting to speak to Roswaal tonight and not just wait for a more convenient time.

I guess the question is now... How do I bring it up to Subaru I took the Trial?

YN: Hey, uhh, by the way—

But just as he went to say something, Subaru stood, looking out onto the torch lit path that led to the cottage.

Approaching now was the one they had been waiting for, and the one that would grant them their audience with the Margrave.

I guess it'll have to wait...

Having all shuffled inside, and much less crowded then before, Ram stood to the side of Roswaal's bed while YN and Subaru stood opposite of them.

Roswaal: Ahhh, weeeeeeelcome in. I must inquire first though, is Emilia-sama in good health?

Ram: Emilia-sama is currently resting still. Ram was able to use an aromatic tea that works as a sedative.

Growing an expression that seemed as if she felt guilt, Ram continued.

Ram: —Normally such a thing would have no effect on her, however with the Great-Spirit-sama not currently at her side...

With a silence brewing between them, nothing more needed to be said on the matter.

Roswaal: I see Subaru-kun has brought along YN-kun to our discussion, however I seem to recall you having a second new member to your eeeeentourage.

Subaru: Ohh, you mean Otto? He only came along to have an audience with you too, but for now...

Roswaal: 'For now?'

Subaru: This is an internal meeting. —Need to know basis only. I don't wanna go dragging others into our problems to the point they're forced to deal with them too.

Finding his excuse amusing, the Margrave slightly chuckled to himself.

Roswaal: It seems our dearest Subaru-kun doesn't wish to involve his friends in so much trouble.

Saying this, Roswaal turned his attention to YN, closing an eye as he did so while only looking at him with the yellow one he possessed.

Roswaal: I wonder if that sentiment doesn't apply to YN-kun?

While clearly trying a diversionary tactic in this conversation, whether out of some calculated malice or pure simple self entertainment, Subaru did little to acknowledge it.

Subaru: Enough beating around the bush, Roswaal. We have a lot to discuss.

Speaking of the deeds and triumphs of what truly only ended up being the last handful of days, YN had taken the backseat in this discussion, letting Subaru be the sole proprietor of Roswaal's praises.

How has it only been that long...?

By the way time had flowed in the ongoing Loop, it felt surreal knowing all the moments he had spent with Rem were truly only that brief.

In YN and Subaru's time-frame though, it had been perhaps close to half a month, if one added up all time spent in their failed attempts that ended in death. With a pang of guilt in his chest, YN knew the shorter perception of time also applied to how Rem had experienced it all too.

It must have been so quick for her... To be by my side, and then to have her consciousness robbed...

While Roswaal went on with Subaru, speaking of the Whale's subjugation, the Archbishop's defeat, and the alliance with Crusch's camp that had been formed, YN was forced to put a hand to his chest as he was trapped in his own world, just a pace or two behind where the real Hero being showered with praise stood.

At this point... I've known and spent time with Rem that's maybe close to a half a year if you add it all up... But to Rem? It hasn't even been maybe a few months...

In such a short amount of time, the woman YN had cherished from the moment he first saw her had also completely fallen for him, and had uttered words that were overwhelming with the amount of love and trust imbued in them.

I had so much extra time to realize it than she did...

Echoing in his mind, the last words he had heard spoken by her soft voice played in his mind.

Rem: More than anything else in the world... Rem loves her YN-kun!

Their gentle sounds were burned into his memory like a love bound brand.

But with its remembrance, came the painful guilt.

All that extra time... and I still couldn't manage to say it back to her in time...

As YN lamented, Roswaal had moved the conversation along, and for the first time, biting his lip too at the disregard for the sacrifices made, Subaru answered the Margrave.

Subaru: Even I think it sounds far-fetched... Everything that ended up happening...

But answering him in return wasn't the bed ridden noble, rather—

Ram: Ram must concur. She too would believe not a word of it.

Subaru: It did all happen though!

Ram: You're correct. It did. But the only reason why Ram does not spit in your eye and deny it further is because YN was involved in those feats.

Snapping to with his name uttered where he hadn't expected it to be, all eyes turned to him as he tried to wave off the attention.

YN: Really, I did very little. It's not worth mentioning. If anyone else should get some praise alongside Subaru it's—!

Halting his words, the conversion at hand had found a way to circle back to the topic of his melancholy thoughts.

YN: —it's...

He could utter her name, the one who had so diligently assisted in bringing about the resources needed for them to all succeed, yet with what had occurred...

They wouldn't even know who she is...

Unable to give credit to the one he loved for all that she had done, YN definitely tightened his fists nonetheless.

YN: —It's Rem. If not for her, Subaru wouldn't have had a leg to stand on when it came to representing Emilia-sama. Just as much as he played the lead role in getting everyone to work together, it was Rem who was the catalyst to have that happen. Compared to me, she's clearly the next most deserving of praise to Subaru.

Speaking with the justification to legitimize her former existence in a world that refused to, all three of those who looked at him drew separate conclusions.

Subaru, the man of the hour, nodded in support of this. He was just as aware, if not more so than even YN, that Rem had been an invaluable asset in helping him do what he had done.

Ram, the older twin sister who wholeheartedly believed what YN had to say, stared on with silent support to his words. With no frame of reference to imagine how this support had occurred though, a small part of her could at least come to the conclusion that her very own sibling had to have been a keystone in the makings of such a resounding turn of events, given how close her position was.

Yet, when it came to Roswaal, it was here things began to be more complicated.

Roswaal: 'Rem...' May I inquiiiiiire who this is?

Asking in his normal, nonchalant way, by the side eye he was given by Ram, and by Subaru looking away, in rare form, the Margrave had realized he may have commuted a social faux-pas.

Roswaal: ...Is this perhaps someone who was affected by Gluttony?

Ram: Yes.

Not being able to maintain eye contact, it was Ram who answered, and who also went on to explain where YN had lost the will to.

Ram: Rem is Ram's adorable younger twin sister.

Roswaal: — — —

Seemingly contemplating what this meant, Roswaal folded his fingers before him like he usually did when resting his elbows on his desk.

Roswaal: Then, she too is—?

Ram: Yes. She is of the same origins as Ram.

Only nodding his head in response to that, Roswaal shifted his tone as he continued, meaning to push the conversation along again with regards to what they were still discussing.

Roswaal: At the very least, —and if I may be so bold to say it, if this person no longer exists in the memories of anyone else, to what end would commending her be in this case? Perhaps it is best effective to bask in the achievements you yourselves are also part of, even if only because it helps Emilia-sama's standing the most—

Subaru: —Roswaal!

Ram: Barasu...

Yelling out over the cold and callous words he was hearing, Ram was torn in her reaction to the disrespect being shown to her employer.

While she was duty bound to speak up, her own feelings greatly disagreed with Roswaal's logic.

Subaru: What?! Ram, you can't seriously sit here and tell you're okay with—?!

Ram: Ram is—!

YN: Ram. Subaru.

Not wishing to see Subaru's well-founded frustration drive a stake between Ram and her responsibilities in a fit of passionate rage, YN calmed them both.

As the party that was arguably the most affected by the topic at hand, Rem, even Ram had stayed her tongue.

With all eyes uncomfortably on him, YN sighed as he turned to Roswaal to speak, but spoke in a way to address everyone.

YN: I—, we can't admittedly fault Roswaal's reasoning here. We have a lot at stake in the Royal Selection.

Subaru: YN...

YN: —If I have to play a little underhanded now, it'll only be to help Rem in the future. I think we can all agree that if we want to help Rem, that'll most likely be tied to how well Emilia-sama does in the Selection, given she's the main target for the Witch Cult, and Rem's erasure is their doing. And besides, it doesn't matter right now who gets the credit. Once Rem's presence in the world is restored, it won't matter how it happened now, because everyone will remember again.

Speaking as if this were all a matter of fact, this was truly YN's genuine perception. If the Witch Cult was responsible for what happened to Rem, it only made sense they'd be able to undo it, or perhaps at the very least yield clues to how it could be undone.

The Witch Cult, like Wilhelm had originally said, was a centuries old entity that was shrouded in mystery. But, the raid against Arlem and the Mansion had proven they were keen on involving themselves with Emilia and her Candidacy. It was in YN's best interest then, to help keep the camp strong, and to give Emilia the best success he could offer her. It wasn't just for how life would be after she was to become King for Rem and him, but if the Witch Cult had to be dealt with, it only served to that benefit that they be able to tackle and overcome whatever the Cult may throw at them. There was no better way to do that then by being the most successful camp.

Silently agreeing with that train of thought YN had hatched in his own mind, Roswaal grinned widely at hearing his conviction.

Roswaal: Oh how I wished dear Subaru-kuuuuuun could reason the same way. Or, at the very least, have their own tiiiiimeless opinions be exchanged.

Oddly emphasizing such a strangely fitting trait for them both, YN and Subaru could only briefly look at each other before Ram's voice brought them back in, giving them no chance to further contemplate the word choice.

Ram: When spoken that way... Ram finds it hard to fault.

Perhaps only managing to placate her worries and feelings of conflict that brewed in her mind, more so than quell or alleviate them, YN made Ram at least feel more at ease with what Roswaal had said in regards to Rem, blunting the sharpness of his words.

Roswaal: Speeeeeeaking of the Royal Selection though—

Bringing the topic back around, Roswaal looked squarely at Subaru now as he spoke.

Roswaal: You certainly remember what you so boldly proclaimed in the Reception Hall, yes?

Harkening back to what was perhaps Subaru's most dishonorable moment, he was forced to avoid eye contact while answering.

Subaru: —tch... How could I ever forget?

With an answer to his rhetorical question, Roswaal then turned to YN, seeking another answer.

Roswaal: YN-kuuuun, had Emilia-sama ever confided in you what she had wished initially?

As the topic of "knighthood" was so openly on display in this conversation despite never being said, YN replied with a question of his own.

YN: If you're asking me that, then Emilia-sama must have spoken to you about it at some point as well, yes?

Grinning wryly, the clown with no make-up could see YN was as well informed as he had hoped he was.

Roswaal: You may recall Emilia-sama and I attended a dinner the very first evening of being in the Capitol, before the Conference. That social event was to help her find a potential knight, —someone of influence who would also be willing to support someone of her... background.

Roswaal chose his words carefully as he said that before continuing.

Roswaal: It was there she first spoke of choosing you to be her knight. I, of course, told her she shouldn't so quickly put her faith behind you. After all, there was so much that you hadn't done yet, I'm sure you understand why I advised Emilia-sama against the choice.

Wording his reasoning in a way that he now hoped to not offend YN, he went on with his justification.

Roswaal: Regardless, in the end I'm sure that wouldn't have bothered you, given the fact you obviously did not accept her offer. And while she did agree to try and keep an open mind should someone else come along, since you're privy to knowing she had so decisively desired your strength in the first place, it's clear she did not heed my request.

With a casual shrug, Roswaal delivered this information as light heartedly as he could manage, despite the reception he knew it would garner.

Admittedly though, YN had come to terms with this long ago. For him to put Rem before everyone else, he couldn't have been Emilia's knight if he had wanted to be.

He still believed Emilia was the best Candidate for the Throne, however, there was only one person who believed in her enough to fulfill the role as her knight, and that was—

Subaru: —tch.

Becoming frustrated with the clown again, Subaru stepped forward.

Subaru: Roswaal... You know just as damn well as I do that a Candidate's knight needs to be someone who can not only help her, but gives her confidence, and believes in her just as much as she believes in the knight. Why did you ever think some random volunteer could be that for her?

Lazily waving his bandaged hand, Roswaal tried his best to dispel the anger that was boiling in Subaru, ready to pop at any moment.

Roswaal: I will attest as well, we met no one who could have filled that role. In truth, it was much more a formality than anything else for Emilia-sama to attend the dinner and appeeeeeeear to be searching for a knight. It wasn't much later though, that my attention had been turned to you.

Finishing that with a return to his wry smile, Subaru now inquired on that.

Subaru: I can't imagine what I did that changed your mind...

Roswaal lifted both of his bandaged arms upward, as if showing how obvious the answer was.

Roswaal: That very same appearance you made in the Conference Hall of course. Showing up, even after Emilia-sama had asked you to stay behind was only proof of your loyalty and commitment.

Turning back to YN now, he concluded his point.

Roswaal: Since YN-kun declined Emilia-sama's offer, that leaves Subaru-kun eligible to become her knight—

Tilting his head towards the black haired boy, he finally finished his questions.

Roswaa: —coreeeeeect?

Subaru: ...Well, I can't say I feel comfortable being referred to as the second seat fiddle player... But, I am Emilia-tan's one and only knight.

With conviction, Subaru proclaimed his self assigned title.

Roswaal: I can't say I understand what you meant at first there, but your merits in defeating the Whale, the Archbishop, and forging the alliance with Crusch-sama's camp I believe have rightfully earned you that title.

Subaru: —!?

Nodding in reply to Subaru's surprise, Roswaal confirmed what he had said.

Roswaal: You heard right. Once we're free of the Sanctuary and all it's plagues, I will grant you the title of Knight. Never more, will anyone be able to belittle you for it.

Subaru: I... I accept. Wholeheartedly, I accept.

YN could see Subaru's hands visibly shake. He could tell he was doing all that he could to restrain himself from jumping up and down for joy. Perhaps it was only the sense of duty he knew he still had that Subaru did not do so.

He did say he had to talk to Roswaal, I doubt he'd let even this distract him from that.

Just as YN was lost in thought, the Margrave turned his voice back to him, bringing him back to the here and now.

Roswaal: While it is unfortunate, I am unable to knight two individuals in such rapid succession, especially since that could create perceived contention for whom it is Emilia-sama calls her own knight. The next best thing I may offer you is a smaller, landed title. That should enable you to have a nice and easy life, yes?

YN: ...I—

Thinking on it, YN contemplated what he was being offered.

If Rem were still awake, I'd take this offer, but I'd probably stick around and help Emilia become King too...

Roswaal: Well?

Eagerly awaiting his approval, it was Roswaal's demeanor that gave YN second thoughts all of a sudden.

Wait... Roswaal would be smart enough to know I couldn't accept that with Rem still being asleep... So why would he even offer that?

As the Margrave awaited his response, YN could only draw one conclusion from it.

If I didn't know any better, I'd say he might want me pushed away...

Not falling for what he felt was a potential trap with the wrong response, YN finally answered.

YN: If I may, all I would request is any help I can get in waking up Rem. Outside of that, I'd also like to continue to assist Emilia-sama.

With an expression as if he expected that answer, the Margrave nodded in response.

Roswaal: You have my word that I will employ any resources I may have to that endeavor, rest assured. I am also happy to hear your wish to continue your support of Emilia-sama. With that—

Looking at them both again, Roswaal addressed them each.

Roswaal: —you've both earned the right to keep helping Emilia-sama, but Subaru-kun has earned the right to stand by her side first and foremost.

Seemingly, the praise for their works was now at an end. They both had been given at least something for the sacrifices made. But this meeting was far from being over if Subaru had anything to say about it though...

Subaru: I gotta ask then, does this mark any change in your position?

Roswaal: None at all. I will continue to be Emilia-sama's main sponsor, but with the role of her Knight filled, I can remain a bit less haaaaands on and work on the details of things. Going forward, she'll continue to have my full support.

Subaru: So is that full support going to remain as half-assed as it's been?

Roswaal: —?

Oh, here we go.

Somewhat tilting his head at that question, Roswaal inquired on what Subaru meant by that while YN could feel the aura of anger slowly radiating off his fellow wayward traveling companion.

Roswaal: May I inquire what you meeeean by that—?

Subaru: —Don't play stupid!

Yep. Saw this coming.

Subaru: You knew damn well that Emilia going public would cause issues, just like it did in Saluzzo. It was so obvious how bad things could turn, everybody was certain you'd have planned for that, 'Of course the Margrave will have something prepared, why wouldn't he?' And low and behold you had nothing. It was obvious the Witch Cult would move in and you did nothing to stop them. You, the court mage and strongest magic user in the whole damn Kingdom ran away and let himself be taken hostage.

While YN hadn't really thought of it that way, it did begin to become apparent.

I figured there had to be some other reason the ball was dropped so hard, yet here we are and I haven't seen a single shed of evidence to show otherwise. Rem at least was certain there had to be something else going on when I told her how bad it was... I had figured this Sanctuary stuff was that cause but now after seeing how everything else lined up... It almost seems intentional on his part.

Subaru: What's worse is you kept secret just how dastardly the Witch Cult was from Emilia! She hadn't a clue what could have happened! She already knew that participating in the Royal Selection could get some pretty mean people coming after her, but if she'd had realized there was an even more evil entity out there... one that wouldn't just stop at attacking her, but attacking anyone she had even associated with—!

Beginning to choke up, YN could feel from where Subaru's anger was coming from.

All the death we saw in those Loops... The village. Rem, Ram, Emilia-sama... It really was Hell.

Subaru: If you had at least been there to protect everyone—! I—!

Roswaal: —Yet you took up my role in my absence. Because of that, you were able to make up for every little bit of your display in the Conference Hall. The spot left behind by me was the catalyst for you to rise again, brighter than ever before. Through those actions, you achieved exploits worthy of becoming a knight, and you proved everyone who doubted you, wrong.

Calmly cutting off Subaru's words of choked up anger, Roswaal had solemnly spoke of how his lack of action had been Subaru's excuse to act.

Subaru: ...'Exploits?' 'Proving others wrong?' Are you... Are you kidding me?! Who cares about any of that shit—!

Ram: —Barasu.

Stepping before him with sharp *clack* of her shoe on the wooden floor, Ram sought to put Subaru in check.

Ram: Ram will not tolerate you raising your voice at Roswaal-sama.

Subaru: —Tch! H-How can you be okay with any of this? Roswaal would have left you to the Cult at the Mansion!

Ram: Ram simply is. If Roswaal-sama asks her to be in danger, Ram will accept it.

That's... not the Nee-sama I know.

While the logic of the loyalty he expected from the twins followed this path, YN knew at the very least, they were still sound individuals under it all.

An after effect of Rem being gone maybe?

As Subaru remained speechless at such a bold spoken statement from the maid that was unlike herself , it was YN who shattered the silence.

YN: You're too proud to act like someone else's disposable pawn.

Fracturing the stern look the oni had on her face, the argument clearly struck a chord in her. But just as quickly as the mask fell from her face, she picked up the pieces to put it back on, doubling down on the feelings that were currently winning in the storm of emotions in her mind. With an air of nervousness, a rare tone on her lips, she responded to YN's accusation.

Ram: If Ram must, she still forgives Roswaal-sama for what he does. That includes how he chooses to treat Ram.

On the cusp of nearly shouting out like Subaru was at hearing such words he felt weren't like her to say, YN only remained calm because of one person on his mind.

For once, I'm glad Rem isn't here. If she had to hear this... I think it would break her heart.

To YN, Ram's seemed deranged to be saying this. It was completely unlike the Nee-sama he knew. She was loyal, but he knew she wasn't fanatical to the point of clear narrow-mindedness.

Taking a deep sigh, he firmly sought to make her see the error of her ways.

YN: Does that forgiveness of yours extend to Rem also being a victim of his 'choices?'

Striking back, his words cut through the vale Ram was seemingly hiding behind.

While their reunion had been brief, YN knew Ram had already attached herself to Rem mentally. With no memories, but a clear connection having once existed, Ram certainly believed Rem to be a beloved sister. So if that reality were once true, why was it that Ram found her shifting her morals like this?

Ram: — — —

Both her crimson eyes were visible behind her pink bangs, and each were as wide as could be, startled as if she had discovered she had been betrayed by her own hand.

But as she wrestled in her own mind, one solitary feeling superseded all others. Even as she was now shut down by YN's words, and her mind over-boiled with her storm of conflicting emotions and values, the gaze of her employer on her back burned like a thousand lit touches.

Paralyzing her, Ram felt the raging sea inside her be quelled by less than honest forces. It was not her own doing she felt at rest now, but it was nonetheless a welcoming relief when accompanied by the pain her body always had to endure in addition to the mental strain.

Ram: E-Everything... Everything comes second to Roswaal-sama for Ram...

Smiling as he heard her loyalty be affirmed, the Margrave relaxed his expression as he leaned further back into his bed's pillows, satisfied with things going his way, even if only by the skin of his teeth.

It appears as if Ram's faithfulness is not as strooooong as I'd hoped. If I'm not careful, that Anomaly will weaken it further.

Content that Ram had reined herself in, he was still unable to see her eyes with her back turned to him.

Her piercing, crimson eyes.

Eyes that were now calm like a still pond.

Ram: — — —

Yet still, with no further influence from anyone else, a ripple had been reborn into that still pond in her eyes.

Even though she had struggled to say her words of affirmation, the shake-up YN had caused in her couldn't be entirely extinguished by Roswaal.

Deep down, she doesn't mean what she said.

As a new silence began to brew in the room with YN and Subaru both contemplating the ramifications they now had to deal with, it was disturbed by Roswaal seeking to rein in the conversation like he thought he had with Ram.

Roswaal: Now now then, I did promise to speak honestly with Subaru-kun tonight. In accordance, all your questions shall be truthfully answered.

Looking now to Subaru, the entire dynamic shifted.

Going on, Roswaal explained that the reason he hid the truth from Emilia and why he had prepared no defense for any possible attack had the same answer.

It was then that a more terrible answer than either of them could have imagined was spoken.

Roswaal: —all that occurred, was meticulously guided so that I would not had to have dealt with it.

Garnering blank responses from both YN and Subaru, it was a moment before the black-haired boy could rationalize what this meant.

Lashing out at the Margrave, he was met with more cold and calculated answers. Roswaal again pointed out how much Emilia was now better viewed by the Arlem villagers, and that it was through this that Subaru had gained the exploits to become a knight.

While YN also wished to let Roswaal have a piece of his mind, currently the momentum swung behind Subaru, again yelling at the clown with no make-up. He decried his methods, and upon receiving more calm answers, addressed the possibilities of their failures.

Subaru: YN and I pushed ourselves to minimize the sacrifices! But they still weren't zero! People died! Rem is in a coma!

Roswaal: I truly regret the losses to us and our allies. Or... are you apologizing to me?

Subaru: No! That's not it at all!

With sweat on his brow, the black haired boy lowered his head and his voice. Asking if he had stayed being 'no-good garbage' and hadn't been able to do all this, even with help, Roswaal had answered before Subaru could inquire what his backup was.

Roswaal: —I simply believed in you. You are Emilia-sama's most devoted follower. You conjured up an impossible alliance with Crusch-sama's camp, and you risked your life combating the Whale and the Witch Cult. I believed you would be able to accomplish these victories.

Subaru: ...Don't feel like giving us a real answer?

As both Subaru and YN had the same conclusion drawn, it was YN who looked back to Ram as Roswaal replied. Denoting the look in her eyes were barely visible behind her bangs, he had still manage to see a glimpse of doubt still in them.

She's not buying it either.

Roswaal: I will say it again. I judged you would be successful on trust alone. While it is already unfortunate the success had to be spread between two people, I hadn't trusted YN-kun in the same capacity.

Subaru: — — —

YN: — — —

Trying again it seemed to lay a decisive blow to their unity against him, Roswaal failed to cause a divide.

Roswaal: While he did manage to help Emilia-sama, it wasn't exactly in a public manner. But his assistance could be attributed to Subaru-kun instructing him to do so, coooooouldn't it?

Subaru: Quit trying to piss us off!

Shouting out again, this time Subaru targeted Roswaal's tactic directly.

Roswaal: Whatever could you mean? I'm simply stating my hooonest feelings. What I'm curious about is why you're so upset that I trust you.

Subaru: —!

Subaru was left dumbfounded at the clear disregard for his concern and the audacity Roswaal had.

Roswaal: I'm well aware your devotion to Emilia-sama is second to none. I believed your efforts would garner fruit. If you cannot accept my answer, that is your own issue.

Tightening his fists, Subaru roared his anger again.

Subaru: I know it was obvious how much I looked like a scumbag before all this! How is it that someone like Roswaal of all people could see how worthless I am and think he could trust me to save everything?! Sure you can just say that you do, but where does it come from?!

Making perhaps his best point he had this entire night, YN also followed his reasoning.

That is a good question. It's very unlike Roswaal to do something like that, especially given how he trained Rem and Ram. That's as clear an indication here that something else is behind his reasoning.

Subaru was well and truly at the brink of foaming at the mouth in anger at this juncture. But remaining as smugly calm as he had been through this entire ordeal, Roswaal could only disregard the impactful question.

Roswaal: It appears as if our dialog has broken down.

Knowing it was futile to berate Roswaal further, Subaru huffed at his own anger. With negotiations now ended, Roswaal had sealed his lips from any further questioning from either of them. Turning in frustration to leave though, Subaru found himself spoken to by none other than the Margrave.

Roswaal: I wonder, will you tell Emilia-sama of our riveting conversation?

As Subaru cast his gaze down to the floor, contemplating his answer, YN voiced his opinion.

YN: Emilia-sama really doesn't need anymore stress...

Subaru: Yeah. You're right.

Taking YN's suggestion, Subaru remained defiant to Roswaal.

Subaru: Regardless of whatever stuff you wanna control or cause, Emilia is doing what she thinks is right. Her taking the Trial, agreeing to lift the Barrier, and her determination to win the Royal Selection are all her choices; not ones you've made for her.

Closing his eyes and grinning at the black-haired boy's spirit, Roswaal almost seemed proud.

Roswaal: Despite your anger, you too see the situation in the same way I do. Emilia-sama must be the hero here. Maybe that will help you better understand my meeeeethods.

With both sides at an impasse for the night, Subaru got his final word in as he looked back, hand now on the doorknob leave.

Subaru: You can't convince me there isn't a special place in Hell for you.

Roswaal: Haa.

Amused at the sharp reply, the makeup-less clown laughed at his own expense.

Roswaal: I am certain you're correct, however, I'll be sure to do everything I can while I'm still alive in this world.

Still too upset to have noticed it, the odd wording went right over Subaru's mind, while YN had only just caught it.

'This world?' What does he—?

Halting his own thoughts, his own rationale could come to no other conclusion.

No... No way. There's no way he could know that.

Looking to Subaru to see if he had noticed it too, he was met with his narrow, mean-shaped eyes still dead-set at Roswaal.

Subaru: Hey, Roswaal, I've got one last question actually.

Speaking more calmly than he had this entire conversation thus far, it was with this topic change YN realized there was no further chance at all for him to bring up and mention the oddity Roswaal had used in any meaningful way to Subaru.

Without it being fresh in his mind now, there's no way I can explain it well enough to Subaru for him to understand why I thought it was weird.

Roswaal: What would that be?

As the opportunity passed by, a new curiosity was given attention.

Subaru: It's about Beatrice.

Roswaal's brows rose up from the subject of the question, as if from a combination of surprise and intrigue.

Turning his face back towards the door, Subaru relayed his inquiry while maintaining his desire to not look at the Margrave.

Subaru: ...She said something along the lines that 'all my questions would be answered at the 'Sanctuary.'' Does that mean I'll get to know the answers once I'm ready to listen?

Seemingly having already self-reflected that he had squandered this opportunity for information, Subaru showed this humility to Roswaal.

What? Why bring up Beatrice now?

As YN mulled over why the butterfly-eyed girl was now the new topic, Roswaal answered.

Roswaal: Hmmmm. Let me ask one question to the both of you before I may answer that.

YN: —?

Subaru: Hmm?

While the two of them were both certainly caught off guard by the response, YN was more so, as he had resigned from being a participant thus far, and couldn't understand what useful answer he could hope to give to whatever question was going to be asked of him.

Roswaal: Did either of you meet anyone while in the Tomb?

Hearing the odd question, YN could only raise his own brow now in question.

What?

Less and less of this conversation seemed to have meaning or context to YN. It felt as if he was either out of the loop or missing some vital information.

Who would we have met in the Tomb?

The question itself was innocent, and the answer was a simple conclusion of "no," given what YN could recall in his memories. Yet at the same time—

Meeting someone in the Tomb... Why does that oddly feel familiar?

Unable to ignore the strange sensation of Déjà vu infiltrating his mind, YN quickly gave up on such thoughts as Subaru answered, his reply was shaky but to YN who was distracted, he failed to notice any suspicions aroused by it.

Clearly seeing the confusion on their faces from the inquiry, Roswaal explained his question.

Roswaal: —I ask this because the Tomb has obviously not punished either of you. That in itself is very rare, —almost unexplainable. Yet, there must be a reason for this, no?

Subaru: —Tch.

Finding Roswaal's question tiresome, Subaru turned back to face him while a barely noticeable bead of sweat ran down his cheek.

Subaru: J-Just what are you implying? We were in a tomb. Who are we gonna meet? Zombies?

Roswaal: 'Some-bees?'

Subaru: —Bah, forget it.

Clearly unfamiliar with the word for describing the undead, Roswaal and Ram could only both tilt their heads in confusion to the word.

Roswaal: Regardless... That answer is enough for me as it leaves a very simple one on my end.

Subaru: Oh yeah?

Roswaal: Yeeees. —That it is too early to speak of such topics.

Subaru: Somehow I knew that was coming.

Seeing Subaru was just going to get angered again, YN spoke up finally.

YN: Roswaal-sama, what conditions need to be met to discuss such things?

Trying to be good-willed, Roswaal's response only fanned the flame of anger in Subaru.

Roswaal: That entirely depends on you two.

Shooting the Margrave a grimace, Subaru promptly opened the door, stepped outside, and slammed the door shut behind him, causing specs of dust to snow down from the above rafters of the shack.

As YN turned to see what their reactions would be to such disrespect, Roswaal could only smile as if amused, while Ram simply huffed as if this exit had been foreseen. Waving to the groundskeeper, Roswaal remained cordial.

Roswaal: Another time then, YN-kuuuun?

Finding he had nothing to say on his own accord, YN bowed before leaving.

YN: Please excuse us.

Bowing in response, Ram did so in-place of her bedridden employer. Having her eyes shut as she did so, they opened up again as YN looked back as he went to shut the same door, except clearly not as violent.

While they held eye contact for only a brief second, it was Ram who averted her two ruby eyes to the side, knowing full well YN could see the returning storm of complex emotions stirring about in them.

She's clearly not being herself...

Still unaware of what her internal struggle was, YN knew he'd need to wait until the time was right to inquire.

I hope it's not related to Rem...

Now on the porch leading outside, YN looked around and quickly realized Subaru had stormed off somewhere.

Guess I'm just doing 'me' stuff now.

Retiring to the abandoned shack, YN and Subaru had taken up temporary residency in, YN found it was empty as well.

He must have gone off to comfort Emilia. I'll leave him be.

With that, YN decided to rest his tired body, worn by a day full of travel and Trials.

I hope tomorrow is easier... I'd like to leave as soon as possible.

Letting his mind drift off, he silently hoped to dream of happy memories, ones that involved the blue-haired maid he loved so dearly.

Rem... I miss you so much...