Chapter V:
An Unwanted Battle
Subaru woke just before dawn, the faint glow of morning light barely peeking through the curtains. Rolling out of bed, he hit the ground and started doing pushups. Morning workouts always helped him shake off the grogginess, though he still groaned inwardly, wishing for a steaming cup of coffee. After a brief session, he stood and stretched, his body already warming up.
Despite his efforts, the weight of his sleepless night clung to him. The temptation to crawl back under the covers was strong, but years of military discipline had long crushed any lazy tendencies he once had. Resolutely, he made his bed, dressed in his uniform, and turned his attention to the stacks of paper cluttering his desk—remnants of hours spent scribbling notes and practicing the alphabet.
Ram had been a patient—if somewhat strict—teacher, spending hours walking him through the basics of their written language. While Subaru had the advantage of having gone through this process twice before—first learning English after moving to America, then Pashto during his time as a military translator—it was still tedious work. He glanced at the small pile of children's books Ram had left him. They were meant to be practice material once he was confident enough to tackle them.
It'll probably take me a month to become properly literate, Subaru thought, neatly stacking the papers. At least I don't have to learn the spoken language too.
After tidying up, he headed down to the grounds for his morning run. It was important to keep his body in shape—he suspected his battles in this world were far from over. As he jogged, his thoughts turned to Elsa. Someone had sent her to steal Emilia's insignia, likely with the intention of sabotaging her candidacy for the throne. If they were willing to hire someone as dangerous as Elsa, Subaru reasoned as he caught his breath, then they probably didn't just want to take her out of the running—they may have intended to kill her.
Eventually, Subaru returned to the manor, wandering the halls as he retraced the path from Ram's tour. After a bit of searching, he found the large bathing pools on the lower levels. There were two sets of baths, one for ladies and one for gentlemen. Grabbing a towel, Subaru stepped into the men's side and was greeted by a small, steaming pool of piping-hot water. He drew a bath and sank into the water, letting out a long sigh of relief as the heat soaked into his muscles.
Reaching for a bar of soap, Subaru began washing away the grime of his morning workout. His thoughts drifted back to the idea of his supposed Divine Protection. Puck had mentioned that most people instinctively knew about their blessing, yet Subaru had been completely unaware of his.
"Maybe it's because I was born in another world," Subaru muttered aloud. "But then, why wasn't I good at archery as a kid?" He scrubbed at his hair, his brows furrowing in thought. "Maybe it's because there's no mana on Earth, or maybe it's something else entirely."
The more he thought about it, the less it made sense, and Subaru could feel the strain of overthinking creeping in. He sighed, leaning back against the edge of the bath. "I don't think there's anyone I can ask about this who'd have a solid answer."
The warm water helped ease some of his tension, but his mind refused to quiet. There was a lot to figure out in this strange new world, and for now, he'd have to do it one step at a time.
"Who are you talking to?"
Subaru flinched at the unexpected voice. Turning in the bath, he saw Rem standing in the doorway, a bucket and scrub in hand. Her expression was calm but curious, her head tilted slightly as she looked at him.
For a long moment, Subaru simply stared at her, stunned by her sudden appearance. Then, as the realization of his naked state hit him, his face flushed. He quickly moved to shield himself with his hands, looking away in embarrassment. "Uh, no one!" he stammered. "I was just... you know, thinking out loud. Also, uh, I'm not exactly decent here. If you could give me a moment, I'd really appreciate it."
Rem's blue eyes narrowed slightly as she studied him. There was a strange tension in the air as she stood there, unmoving, as if deliberating something. Subaru felt a bead of sweat form on his temple, unsure why she was lingering. Before he could say anything else, a faint sound echoed from the hallway.
Rem's posture seemed to relax slightly at the noise. "Apologies for disturbing you," she said, her tone formal. With a swift turn, she exited the room, her movements hurried and precise.
Subaru exhaled slowly, sinking back into the water for a moment. "That was... odd," he muttered to himself. His thoughts lingered on Rem's behavior before drifting back to the bigger questions gnawing at him. Something hasn't been sitting right with me—especially with Roswaal. Emilia clearly isn't a family member, so what's his motive for helping her?
Shaking his head, Subaru climbed out of the bath and grabbed a fresh set of clothes: plain white shirt and comfortable trousers. Once dressed, he ran a hand through his damp hair and stretched. His stomach growled loudly, reminding him of more immediate concerns.
"Well, time to follow my nose," Subaru said, setting off toward the kitchen in hopes of finding breakfast.
"Okay, let's go over this one more time," Subaru said, addressing the small, fluffy spirit perched on his shoulder. "So, I have this 'gate' thing, which lets me use… what did you call it? Yin magic? And that means I can use magic that's more focused on debuffs?"
"That's about the sum of it!" Puck chirped with a grin.
"How do people like Elsa move so fast? Is there a specific type of magic that augments speed?"
"No, not exactly," Puck explained, swishing his tail lazily. "You can convert mana into raw energy, which you then use to reinforce your body—like increasing your speed or strength. It's not a separate type of magic but more of a technique. It requires mana control, though, and you've never used magic before, so... yeah, not exactly beginner-friendly."
"Which is harder, then?" Subaru asked. "Using straight-up Yin magic or this reinforcement magic?"
"Both are extremely difficult for someone with an untrained gate," Puck said thoughtfully. "The problem is, if you mess up badly, you could damage your gate—or even break it entirely. That would mean you'd never be able to use magic on your own again."
"Yikes," Subaru muttered, scratching the back of his head. "Okay, so if you're going to teach me, where do we start?"
Puck hovered in place, looking Subaru up and down as though evaluating him. "Hmmm… well, you seem rather strong, physically. Your body could probably handle some accidental mana overflow. Let's start with some basic reinforcement magic."
"All right," Subaru said, rolling his shoulders. "What do I need to do exactly?"
"Well, since you're new to this, you'll have to visualize the process," Puck began. "Once you've practiced enough, it'll become second nature, but for now, you'll need to focus. Close your eyes for me."
Subaru nodded and shut his eyes, his breathing slowing as he tried to clear his mind.
"Now, imagine the mana flowing through your body," Puck instructed. "Picture it like a river of energy. Once you can see it, visualize a gate—like a doorway. This gate controls how much mana escapes your body. Open it too wide, and you'll let it all out at once, which could damage your gate. Start by just cracking it open."
Subaru furrowed his brow. "I think I've got it," he said softly. "Where am I sending this mana?"
"Good question!" Puck said, grinning. "How about your legs? Imagine channeling a steady stream of mana into your muscles, strengthening them. Then, give jumping a shot."
Subaru focused on the mental image of his gate, carefully cracking it open. A tingling sensation began to spread through his legs as they seemed to pulse with energy. The feeling was strange—like flexing a muscle that hadn't been used in years. Regulating the flow of mana was a struggle, like trying to hold back a flood with a thin sheet of glass. He could feel the pressure building, the mana pushing against the mental gate, eager to burst free.
Taking a deep breath, Subaru flexed his leg muscles and pushed off the ground with all his might.
The result was shocking. He shot eight feet into the air, the sudden burst of power sending him higher than he'd expected. His eyes widened as he instinctively closed the gate in his mind, cutting off the mana flow. Gravity took hold, and Subaru rolled as he hit the ground, absorbing the impact, and preventing his legs from buckling beneath him.
"Wow, that was unexpected," Puck chuckled, floating lazily beside Subaru. "You nearly blew your gate wide open!"
"It felt like trying to hold back a tank," Subaru groaned, rubbing his aching core as the strain of mana use settled into his muscles.
"Well," Puck said, scratching his ears, "perhaps we pushed things a little too far too fast. Why don't we take it back a notch? Focus on controlling how much mana you release. If you can't manage the flow, you'll risk damaging your gate—and potentially hurting yourself if you can't maintain reinforcement properly when you land or stop."
"So what should I do?" Subaru asked, leaning forward with interest.
"Practice opening and closing your gate repeatedly," Puck suggested. "Let a small amount of mana leak out each time. Think of it as a workout. It'll tire you out, but you'll develop the control you need to open and close your gate without any issues. For now, don't try to focus the mana anywhere—just let it dissipate from your body. That way, you won't accidentally hurt yourself or cast a spell you're not ready for."
"What would happen if I tried casting a spell right now?" Subaru asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"With your current control?" Puck gave him a knowing look. "The spell would likely pull all the mana it needs in one go, triggering a runaway effect. That means you'd drain nearly all your mana in one shot."
"And if I run out of mana completely?" Subaru raised an eyebrow.
"If you completely exhaust your mana, you'd die," Puck replied bluntly. "But to reach that point, someone would have to forcibly draw every last bit of mana from you, or you'd have to actively try to drain yourself dry. In your case, you'd most likely just collapse from exhaustion and be out of commission for a day or two."
"Well, that's good to know... I guess," Subaru muttered with a sigh. "All right, I'll work on training my gate. By the way, is it a physical thing or a mental one? I probably should've asked that earlier."
"It's more mental, at least in your case," Puck explained. "Think of it like learning a new skill. If I were in your body, I could use your gate just as easily as my own. The issue is that you're not yet mentally adapted to handling mana. With practice, you'll develop the skill, and eventually, you'll be able to regulate the flow and prevent mana leakage."
"Mana leakage?" Subaru tilted his head.
"When you cast a spell, there's always a risk of wasting mana if you don't control it well," Puck said. "It limits the number of spells you can cast before you run out. Learning to minimize mana leakage comes after you've mastered using your gate."
"Makes sense, I suppose," Subaru said, nodding thoughtfully.
"Well, I'm going to go check on Lia now," Puck said with a smile, stretching his paws before flying up into the air. "Take care, Subaru! Oh, and don't try any magic until you're ready—you'd probably just make a mess of the manor."
Subaru watched as Puck disappeared into the distance, leaving him alone in the tranquil yard. Smiling to himself, Subaru sat cross-legged on the grass, closed his eyes, and began to focus on mastering his gate. He let the world around him fade away, channeling all his concentration into the delicate process of opening and closing the flow of mana, determined to make progress one step at a time.
Subaru groaned as Ram entered his room. The day had been grueling—he'd spent hours training his control over his gate. More than once, he had let too much mana escape, leaving him feeling drained and sluggish. Puck's explanation about mana depletion now made perfect sense. He couldn't help but marvel at how Puck managed to maintain his physical form at all, given that it required a constant expenditure of mana.
"Are you too tired for lessons?" Ram asked bluntly, standing in the doorway with her usual unflinching demeanor.
"N-No," Subaru said, forcing himself to sit up on the bed. "I'm just feeling sorry for myself, as my old drill sergeant would say."
"Very well," Ram replied curtly. "Let's start with basic words today. You seem to have the alphabet down." She placed a stack of paper on the desk at the far end of the room.
Subaru groaned but dragged himself out of bed. "I could really use some coffee," he muttered as he shuffled over to the desk.
"If you'd rather have a cup, you could just ask instead of grumbling," Ram said, frowning slightly.
"No, you're right," Subaru sighed as he sat down beside her. "Forget the coffee. I'll probably just turn in after we're done anyway."
With that, Subaru got to work. Following Ram's instructions, he scribbled down word after word, trying to piece together the basics of their written language. He endured her sharp, backhanded comments about his struggles without complaint. Her bluntness reminded him of his old drill sergeant, though her delivery was less bark and more bite. Still, her occasional quips amused him, keeping the mood from becoming too heavy.
"This is good progress," Ram noted as the session drew to a close. "Practice putting these words into sentences until we meet next time." She stood, smoothing the wrinkles from her uniform.
As Subaru began cleaning up the spent scraps of paper, he glanced at her. "Tell me a little bit about you and your sister," he asked. "I haven't had much of a chance to talk with you two."
Ram froze for a moment, her expression unreadable. "We both came into Lord Roswaal's household at a young age," she said finally. "We have served him loyally for most of our lives."
"Huh. What about your family? Do they work for Roswaal too?" Subaru asked, not expecting the sharp reaction that followed.
Ram flinched, as though he'd struck a raw nerve. Her cold demeanor cracked, if only for an instant. Subaru's stomach sank as he recognized that look—it was one he'd seen countless times before. Regret and loss.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," Subaru said quickly, his voice softening. "If it makes any difference... I understand the pain. Both my parents…" He trailed off, a lump forming in his throat as he thought of the family photo, he'd left in his locker back home. "Family is the most important thing in this world."
Ram stood still for a moment, her gaze hidden by the veil of her pink hair. The silence stretched, heavy with unspoken emotion.
"I am sorry for your loss as well, Subaru," she said at last, her voice quiet but steady. "Good night."
"Good night, Ram," Subaru replied, watching as she turned and left the room.
Alone again, Subaru sat at the desk and stared out the window. The sun dipped behind the horizon, casting the world in shades of amber and violet. For a moment, he allowed himself to feel the weight of homesickness before turning back to the papers on his desk.
Tomorrow will be better.
By the fifth day of his stay at Roswaal's mansion, Subaru felt he had made some decent progress. After his usual post-workout soak, he reflected on the strides he'd taken. His understanding of his gate had improved, and he could now recognize enough of the written language to stumble through simple texts. He'd even started reading a few children's books that Ram had provided, which she claimed were less fiction and more myth and legend based on historical events.
One particular story had caught his attention—a tale about the so-called Witch of Envy. When Subaru brought it up, Ram's demeanor had turned icy.
"I don't like that story," she'd said curtly. "I'd rather not discuss it. Rem is especially sensitive about it, so don't bring it up with her either."
The name from the story—Satella—stuck with Subaru. It wasn't the first time he'd heard it. He vividly recalled Emilia introducing herself with that name during their first meeting. He wondered why she would use the name of someone so feared and hated. Perhaps it had been a test of his reaction—or something else entirely.
Lost in thought, Subaru failed to notice the blur of blue hair rounding the corner until it collided directly with his chest. There was a loud thud as Rem fell to the floor, scattering a basketful of appas across the hallway.
"Ah! I'm so sorry!" Subaru exclaimed, snapping out of his daze. He quickly crouched down to help gather the fallen fruit. "I really wasn't paying attention. That's on me."
Rem's cold eyes narrowed as she regarded him suspiciously. Subaru offered her a hand to help her up, but she ignored it, pushing herself to her feet instead. Feeling slightly rejected, Subaru handed her the now-full basket.
"Thank you," she said flatly, her tone distant.
Subaru frowned. "I get the feeling I've offended you somehow."
"No, I am simply behind on my duties," Rem replied, her voice as chilly as ever. "I won't bother you."
Subaru could practically feel the frost in the air from her cold shoulder. Still, he refused to let the conversation end there. "Well," he began, trying to sound upbeat, "I'm planning to go hunting this evening. I want to get more practice with a bow, and I thought it'd be nice to catch dinner for everyone. Kind of my way of saying thanks. Roswaal gave me the okay, and I thought I'd even help cook, but I could use some pointers."
He chuckled nervously. "I was going to ask Ram, but... according to Emilia, her cooking specialty is... steaming things."
At that, Rem paused. Her expression shifted slightly, her curiosity piqued. "Oh?" she said, her tone softening ever so slightly. "I might be able to help you with that."
"Really? That'd be great," Subaru said, smiling warmly. "I've done some cooking before, but without a recipe right in front of me, I'm pretty much useless in the kitchen." He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.
"I'm sure you'll do well on your hunt," Rem said, her tone lighter than before. "I will see you this evening."
As she walked away, Subaru watched her go, feeling a small flicker of hope. The frosty wall she maintained seemed to thaw ever so slightly, though there was still a long way to go.
As Subaru prepared for the evening, his thoughts lingered on his time at Roswaal's manor. Outside of Emilia and Puck, he realized he hadn't formed much of a connection with anyone. Ram seemed to be warming up to him, but Rem remained cold and distant—almost distrustful. He couldn't blame her, though. It was clear there were deeper reasons behind her demeanor.
Still, Subaru resolved to keep trying. There was something about this place, and its people, that made him feel like he had a chance to truly belong.
From an outside perspective, Subaru's presence in this world made no sense. He couldn't explain how or why he was here—only that he was. Adding to the strangeness of his situation was the fact that Emilia, who was clearly a point of political interest, seemed to trust him more than she reasonably should. Subaru couldn't decide if her trust was born of naivety or something else entirely. I wonder if there's any hostility between the royal candidates or who the major political players are in all this.
His thoughts turned to Roswaal. Perhaps I'll probe him further. I need to understand his motives for supporting Emilia. A man like him doesn't get involved in politics without a reason.
Crossing the courtyard, Subaru made his way back to the small armory. Once inside, he scanned the racks of weapons for a bow and quiver. The longbow he'd used previously was still where he had left it. Finding a small leather bag, he filled it with a few essentials—a knife, some rope, and a water flask—in case he needed them for hunting or dealing with larger game.
Collecting a full quiver of arrows, Subaru turned to leave but paused, noticing something odd. The room felt emptier than it had the last time he'd been there. His eyes fell to the desk where the enormous ball-and-chain morningstar had once sat.
It was gone.
Subaru furrowed his brow. If it had been any other weapon, he might have overlooked its absence. But that ridiculous morningstar had been impossible to forget. Its sheer impracticality had seared it into his mind.
"Where did you go?" Subaru muttered aloud, scanning the room. He searched every corner but found no sign of the massive weapon. Perplexed, he slung the bow over his shoulder and left the armory.
The walk to the village of Irlam, located just south of Roswaal's mansion, was a decent hike. Subaru didn't know if Roswaal was officially their lord or if the village operated independently, but he suspected Roswaal held considerable influence regardless. The villagers likely depended on him in one way or another.
Irlam was small, its forty or so buildings arranged in a loosely defined circle around the village square. At the center of the square stood a large oval-shaped building, which Subaru assumed served as the administrative hub for the town elders—perhaps even their living quarters. The rest of the village consisted of farmsteads, their sprawling crop fields stretching out into the countryside. The fields stopped only where the dense forest began at the southern edge of the village.
As Subaru strolled through the village, he observed the rhythm of rural life. Farmers hauled handcarts laden with produce from the fields, their faces lined with the satisfaction of a day's hard work. In the square, children ran and laughed, their shouts of joy filling the air as they played. The evening was approaching, with at least three hours of sunlight left in the day. Subaru figured the farmers would likely work for another hour before calling it a day.
Taking it all in, Subaru felt a strange sense of calm. The village, with its simple yet lively atmosphere, stood in stark contrast to the complex web of politics swirling around the royal candidates. But even here, he thought, Roswaal's shadow must loom.
After passing through the village and crossing the small creek that meandered nearby, Subaru stepped into the dense woods. The evening air was cool and still, the occasional chirp of birds creating a tranquil atmosphere. With his bow slung over his shoulder, he moved cautiously through the underbrush, scanning the ground for tracks.
Subaru's S.E.R.E. training had taught him the fundamentals of survival, including hunting small game like rabbits and the basics of tracking. He hadn't gone bow hunting before, but he figured the principles were the same. He expected to catch some small game, perhaps a rabbit or two, but he wouldn't ignore the opportunity to bag a deer if one came into view.
After about half an hour, Subaru stumbled upon a promising lead. Kneeling by a patch of soft mud, he inspected a series of paw prints. They were numerous and large—larger than his own hand—and vaguely resembled those of a dog or wolf. Subaru frowned as a sense of unease crept over him. These are too big for any normal canine. Could they belong to magical beasts?
His grip tightened on his bow as he scanned the forest around him. Slowly, he nocked an arrow, the tension in his body rising with every passing second. Moving with deliberate caution, Subaru crept through the woods, his ears straining for any sound that might indicate danger. A sudden snap of a twig behind him made his pulse quicken. He stroked the feathers of his arrow as he turned his head slowly toward the noise.
About fifty feet away, a doe stood grazing, its head bowed as it plucked at the vegetation. Occasionally, it raised its head to scan its surroundings, its ears flicking as it listened for predators.
Subaru let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Drawing the bowstring back, he felt an uncanny sense of calm settle over him. The action felt natural, as if he'd done it a thousand times before. He aimed carefully, holding the bow steady as he focused on the target.
The release was smooth and instinctive. The arrow sang as it sliced through the air, striking the doe cleanly in the chest. The animal gasped softly, its eyes wide with surprise, before collapsing to the ground. There was no cry of pain, no thrashing—only the silent finality of death.
Subaru lowered the bow, his heart steady despite the kill. He hadn't thought; he'd simply acted. The shot had been precise, almost as if the bow itself had guided his hand. It felt as natural as breathing.
Rising from his crouch, Subaru slung the bow over his shoulder and walked toward the fallen doe. Kneeling beside it, he examined his game and nodded in approval. It was a clean kill, one that minimized the animal's suffering. Reaching into his leather bag, Subaru pulled out the rope he'd brought along and began tying the doe's legs together, preparing to carry it over his shoulders for the hike back.
As he worked, his thoughts returned to the paw prints he'd seen earlier. Whatever left those tracks is still out here, he thought, glancing briefly over his shoulder at the shadowed forest. I'll need to keep my guard up on the way back.
Hoisting the deer onto his shoulders in a fireman's carry, Subaru began the trek back toward the village. The orange blaze of the setting sun filtered through the thicket of the forest, painting the trees in warm hues. A cool evening breeze brushed against his face, making the hike almost pleasant. He looked forward to the meal he'd share with his hosts later that night, his thoughts drifting toward how they might prepare the deer.
As he descended into a small gully, Subaru's relaxed mood abruptly shifted. He froze mid-step, his ears catching the faint, unmistakable sound of metal rattling in the distance. He stopped and listened intently, his brow furrowing. He was still at least ten minutes from the edge of the village—too far for such sounds to make sense.
The noise grew louder, the rattling transforming into the distinct clinking of chains. A chill ran down Subaru's spine, and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on edge. Quickly, he dropped the deer from his shoulders, letting it thud onto the ground, and drew his bow into his grip, nocking an arrow as his senses heightened.
Before he could react further, the sun glinted off a massive black morningstar as it shot through the air, spinning like a blur of death. Subaru dove to the side just in time, the giant steel ball cratering into the dirt where he had been standing. Dust exploded into the air, obscuring his vision as the weapon was yanked back into the woods with startling speed.
Shit! Subaru cursed inwardly, his pulse racing. Desperately, he focused on his gate, straining to call upon the mana he was still struggling to master.
The rattling of chains grew louder again, and the morningstar shot toward him once more, this time emerging from a shrub in a blur of deadly motion. Subaru instinctively channeled reinforcement magic into his legs, propelling himself into the air with inhuman speed. The steel ball whizzed past beneath him, narrowly missing his head.
As he soared, Subaru drew back on his bow. The power of his divine protection surged through him, amplifying his movements. He loosed the arrow, and it flew with an almost terrifying velocity. The arrow punched clean through the trunk of a thick tree, its path leaving a jagged hole. It buried itself in the ground beyond, the impact causing a thunderous boom that reverberated through the woods, louder even than the morningstar's attack.
What the hell was that?! Subaru's shock was palpable. He looked down at his trembling hand, pain flaring in his arm. It felt as though he'd strained something, his gate groaning under the sudden surge of mana.
That must have been my reinforcement magic working alongside my divine protection, Subaru realized, breathing heavily. I let too much mana slip from my gate just now. He clenched his teeth, feeling the burn of overexertion. If I keep this up, I might just blow my gate open entirely.
His thoughts were interrupted by the rattling of the chains once more, coming from deeper in the woods. Whoever—or whatever—was wielding the morningstar hadn't been hit, and they weren't backing down.
Subaru tightened his grip on the bow, adrenaline coursing through him. I have to think fast. There's no way I can keep this up if I don't get control of my gate—and soon.
Regaining control of his gate, Subaru kept his legs powered with reinforcement magic as he landed firmly on the ground. He focused on drawing his mana back in, steadying himself and preparing to call upon it again. The strain from earlier still lingered, but he couldn't afford to falter now.
"All right, that's enough of that," Subaru muttered, narrowing his eyes as he drew a second arrow. "If you wanted to play this tactically, so be it, but I'd really prefer to figure out who's trying to kill me—if you don't mind."
A tense silence hung over the woods as Subaru scanned the dense forest, his ears straining for any clue. His answer came in the form of a volley of ice missiles, whistling toward him with deadly intent. Subaru reacted instantly, sprinting to his left with shocking speed as he loosed another arrow. This time, he focused on keeping his gate under control, determined not to strain his arm again.
The arrow zipped through the air, but before it could find its mark, the chain of the morningstar intercepted it with a loud metallic ting. Subaru gritted his teeth, leaping off a nearby tree to dodge the morningstar as it came swinging back toward him.
Twenty-two. Subaru mentally counted his remaining arrows as he nocked another one and fired. Now twenty-one.
The battle turned into a relentless dance, Subaru dodging and striking in a furious rhythm. The morningstar swung like a deadly pendulum, while icy projectiles rained down, forcing him to move with precision and speed. Each exchange drained him further, the tension rising as he and his unseen foe fought in bursts of blinding speed.
This is a battle of attrition, Subaru thought grimly, releasing another arrow. Seven left.
The realization hit him like a blow: his ability to sustain reinforcement magic was limited. Rolling out of the way of another barrage of ice missiles, he panted heavily, his breath clouding in the cooling evening air. He needed a new plan.
If I don't change tactics, I'm a goner. I need a clean line of sight. Six left.
Spotting a fallen tree ahead, Subaru slid beneath it, his momentum carrying him forward. As he scrambled to his feet, he caught sight of a clearing just beyond the dense trees. Heart pounding, he sprinted toward it. Relief turned to alarm as he burst out of the woods and realized too late that the clearing ended at a cliff's edge.
"Damn it!" Subaru grunted, pushing his legs to their limit. With a surge of mana, he leapt from the cliff, focusing all his energy on reinforcing his legs for the landing. The impact sent a sharp sting up his body, and he yelped in pain, nearly collapsing as his aching legs screamed in protest. Gritting his teeth, Subaru forced himself forward, limping into the clearing.
Turning back toward the forest, Subaru nocked another arrow and waited, his breathing ragged. A shadowy figure emerged from the darkened woods, walking with deliberate steps. Subaru's eyes widened in shock as the figure stepped into the light.
It was Rem.
She strode forward, her blue eyes cold and unforgiving. In her left hand, she held the long chain looped neatly, while her right gripped the handle of the massive morningstar. Blood trickled down her forehead, staining her pale skin—an injury she must have sustained during their fight.
"Rem?" Subaru's voice cracked with disbelief as he momentarily lowered his bow. His mind reeled, trying to process the sight in front of him. "Why?"
Rem didn't answer immediately. She stared at him with an expression devoid of warmth, her gaze sharp as steel. The silence between them stretched, heavy with unanswered questions and looming danger.
"If you answer my questions, I'll make your death painless," Rem assured, her voice cold and unyielding.
"If you wanted to ask me something, you could have just said so," Subaru replied, frowning as his fingers ran along the feathers of his arrow. He kept the string of his bow ready, prepared to act at a moment's notice. "Though, I take it you have some reason—or another—to distrust me."
"Yes," Rem said flatly.
Subaru let out a small sigh, feeling the sting of her blunt response. Relaxing his shoulders slightly, he met her gaze. "I don't want to fight you, Rem," he declared, his voice steady.
"Then don't," Rem suggested, her tone sharp as she flicked her wrist, sending the morningstar hurtling toward him.
Subaru's instincts took over. Pulling up his bow, he loosed an arrow, focusing with razor-sharp intent. His aim was for the gap in the chain, and to his relief, the arrow struck true. The morningstar veered off course, missing him wildly as it smashed into the ground with a deafening crash.
Without hesitation, Subaru nocked another arrow and fired—this time aiming near Rem, not at her. The arrow zipped past her ear, close enough for her to feel the wind from its passage.
Lowering his bow, Subaru fixed her with a stern gaze. "You had questions," he said firmly. "Ask them. Otherwise, let's end this. I don't want to hurt you."
"Hurt me?" Rem's lip quivered, her expression twisting with fury. "A Witch Cultist like you showing concern for someone like me? Don't make me laugh!"
"Witch Cultist?" Subaru repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief. "I don't even know what that is, and I'm no member of any cult—witch or otherwise."
"Shut up!" Rem snapped, her voice sharp with anger. "I can smell her on you from miles away. The stench makes me want to vomit. You're a danger—a threat! Now tell me, who sent you? Was it one of the factions opposing Lady Emilia's bid for the throne?"
Her words hit like a slap. Subaru felt a pang of pain and frustration at the accusation. "I'm not a cultist!" he shouted back, his voice earnest. "I haven't even heard of this 'Witch' until I came to this country! I don't know anything about her!"
Rem's eyes narrowed, her rage seemingly boiling over. A spark of red glinted in her gaze, and to Subaru's horror, a glowing red horn began to manifest on her forehead. The air grew suffocatingly heavy, crackling with power as Subaru's hair stood on end.
"Liar," Rem growled, her voice dropping to a guttural snarl. Her eyes widened, wild with fury and madness. "LIAR!" she roared, her voice reverberating through the clearing like thunder.
Subaru's mind raced as he tightened his grip on the bow. This isn't good. I have to calm her down—or at least survive this. The raw power emanating from her was unlike anything he'd faced before, and it was clear that the fight was far from over.
In a flash, Rem flexed her hand, and the air around her shimmered like a razor's edge before hurtling toward Subaru with deadly speed. Eyes wide, Subaru instinctively called upon his mana, reinforcing his legs as he leapt into the air. The blast of air sliced cleanly through a nearby boulder, splitting it in two.
Before he could even catch his breath, the morningstar came hurtling toward him mid-air. There wasn't enough time to draw an arrow. Gritting his teeth, Subaru reinforced his side as the steel ball struck him with brutal force.
A sickening crack echoed in his ears as the impact snapped his ribs. The air was forced from his lungs in a painful gasp as he was sent flying, slamming into the dirt and tumbling across the ground in a crumpled heap.
Coughing and spitting blood, Subaru staggered to his knees, his vision blurred from the pain. His chest heaved as he tried to draw breath, each movement a sharp reminder of his broken ribs. That was nothing like before, he thought, panic seeping into his mind. She's stronger now—way stronger.
His body screamed in protest as the strain of using his gate took its toll. I need to use what mana I have left, or I'm done for. If I don't put her down now, I won't make it out of this alive.
Three arrows left.
With lightning speed, Subaru nocked an arrow and aimed at the oncoming blur of blue hair. Rem charged at him, her eyes wild with fury, her speed terrifying. He loosed the arrow, striking her in the arm, but she barely flinched, choosing to ignore the wound in favor of pressing her attack.
She hurled her morningstar again, this time accompanied by a barrage of ice missiles. Subaru dodged the steel ball, but the ice projectiles found their mark, slamming into his chest. Though they didn't penetrate deeply, the freezing cold bit into his core, sapping his strength.
Staggering, Subaru nocked another arrow and fired, this time aiming for her leg. The arrow struck true, tearing clean through her left thigh. "Rem, stop!" Subaru pleaded, his voice cracking with desperation. But his words fell on deaf ears.
Rem unleashed another air blast, and Subaru attempted to dodge. This time, it clipped his left leg, snapping the bone like a twig. Pain shot through him as he collapsed to the ground, biting his lip hard to keep from screaming.
Two arrows left.
Gritting his teeth against the agony, Subaru fired again, this time hitting her other leg with enough force to bring her to her knees. Yet even as she fell, her rage refused to relent. Limping through the pain, she dragged herself toward him, her one good arm raising the morningstar high. Her eyes were devoid of reason, consumed entirely by fury.
Subaru's instincts took over as the massive weapon came crashing down. He fell backward, letting loose his final arrow in desperation.
The arrow flew true, but it wasn't enough to stop her momentum. In a flash of red, the morningstar struck Subaru's abdomen with devastating force, rupturing his insides. The world blurred as pain exploded through his body. Blood gushed from his mouth as he crumpled to the ground, his body broken and bleeding.
With a heavy, shuddering sigh, Subaru propped his head weakly against a fallen tree trunk, his vision swimming. He looked down at his mangled form, blood pooling beneath him.
Through the haze of pain, his gaze shifted to Rem. She lay face-first in the dirt, motionless. Her body was battered, her wounds severe, but Subaru couldn't tell if she was unconscious or dead.
"Why…" Subaru rasped, his voice barely a whisper as darkness crept into the edges of his vision. Why did it have to come to this?
Subaru's vision blurred as he watched Rem's body twitch faintly. Her movements were jerky at first, but then she lifted her head, her cold blue eyes locking onto him. A glimmer of sense seemed to return to her gaze, though her face remained twisted in rage and pain.
"Y-You…" Rem spat, her voice trembling with anger as she began to crawl toward him, dragging herself through the dirt with her good arm. "You people!"
Subaru could only watch her approach, his broken body refusing to obey him. His breath rattled in his chest as he coughed up another mouthful of blood. "I don't know what happened to you," Subaru said weakly, his voice barely above a whisper. "But you know… this reminds me of a story."
Rem's face contorted further, her teeth bared. "Just die!" she snarled, her venom palpable as she clawed her way closer.
Ignoring her hatred, Subaru let his gaze drift skyward, the soft hues of twilight bleeding into the night. "There was a man who found the cocoon of a butterfly in his garden," he began, his voice trembling but steady. "One day, a small opening appeared. He sat and watched as the butterfly struggled for hours to push its body through the tiny hole. It struggled and struggled… until it stopped. It looked like it couldn't make any more progress—like it was stuck."
Rem kept crawling, her movements growing more determined. Her eyes burned with unrelenting hate, her teeth clenched as she inched closer to her target.
Subaru continued, undeterred. "The man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly emerged easily after that, but it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings." His voice faltered as he felt the icy grip of death creeping ever closer. He glanced at his bleeding leg, the life draining from his battered body.
"The man didn't think much of it," Subaru went on, his voice softer now. "He sat there waiting for the butterfly's wings to expand and support it. But that never happened. The butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with tiny wings and a swollen body, unable to fly."
Rem was nearly upon him now, her good arm stretching forward, her expression twisted in fury and grief. Subaru smiled faintly, his tears mixing with the blood staining his face.
"The man didn't understand," Subaru said, his voice barely audible. "He didn't know that the struggle to escape the cocoon was necessary. It was God's way of preparing the butterfly for life. Without the struggle, the butterfly would never fly." His gaze shifted to Rem, his smile growing sad. "I'm not ready to fly, it seems. Maybe I only get two chances at this. But if I get a third, I promise… I'll make things right between us, Rem."
"What are you talking about, cultist?!" Rem screamed, her voice raw and broken. "You monsters killed everyone! Second chance, third chance? Don't make me laugh!"
Subaru felt tears welling up in his eyes as he looked at her, not with hatred, but with sorrow. "I'm not the monster you think I am," he whispered, coughing violently as blood spilled from his lips. "I'm not perfect. But I try to do what's right… I've seen so many good people die. If this is my atonement… then so be it. I'm afraid of death, Rem… but not of my own."
Rem's hand reached out, grasping his mangled leg as she hoisted herself up on her elbow. Her other arm raised, an ice spike forming in her trembling hand. She towered over him, her face wild and unrelenting.
Subaru met her gaze with a calm smile. "I forgive you," he said softly. "For whatever it's worth. I wish I could have known you better… Maybe none of this would've happened."
Rem's scream tore through the night as she plunged the icy dagger into Subaru's throat. He tried to gasp, but all he felt was the overwhelming cold. Pain coursed through him, sharp and unforgiving, as his vision dimmed.
The world faded into darkness, his final moments filled with fear and regret. Then, like a sudden jolt, the darkness gave way to blinding light.
"Ram, we've found our guest," came a familiar voice.