Fantasy Lied
the luxurious yet subdued atmosphere of Anastasia's hotel in the Royal Capital. The halls, usually filled with the bustle of merchants and nobles, were eerily quiet. The only sounds were the faint murmurs of conversation and the occasional creak of the grand building as it settled. Tension hung thick in the air, a pressure that seemed to press down on everyone within its walls.
Subaru walked cautiously toward the main lobby, Beatrice clinging tightly to his side. Her small hands gripped his coat, and her twin-drilled hair brushed against his arm as she stayed close. The presence of his tiny companion was comforting, but the air ahead felt heavy, almost suffocating.
As Subaru stepped into the grand room, his eyes widened at the sight before him. Gathered in clusters, the remnants of the royal selection camps stood, their faces marked with weariness and uncertainty. Emilia, with Ram standing close behind her, was in quiet conversation with Garfiel and Otto. Roswaal's absence was glaring, though Subaru knew it was due to the clowns recovery from grievous injuries.
Across the room, the Crusch camp lingered near one of the grand windows. Crusch herself stood tall and composed, but the faint pallor of her face betrayed her own lingering wounds. Ferris hovered protectively beside her, his sharp eyes scanning the room with an almost feline wariness. Wilhelm stood slightly apart from them, his piercing gaze fixed on Subaru with a mix of suspicion and intensity.
Subaru felt that gaze immediately, and his stomach churned. Wilhelm… He's still watching me like I'm the enemy. The old Sword Demon's distrust was great, and Subaru couldn't shake the feeling that every move he made was being weighed and judged.
His gaze shifted again, landing on Felt. She stood near Emilia's group but slightly apart, her arms crossed and her expression distant. Her usual fire was subdued, replaced by something quieter, something haunted. The absence of Reinhard at her side was glaring, a void she carried with her everywhere she went. Subaru had heard that she'd been staying with Emilia at the manor since the incident, but seeing her here, alone, was a stark reminder of just how much she'd lost.
Then there was Anastasia's camp. The Hoshin merchant stood near the center of the room, Ricardo at her side and Julius standing a respectful distance behind her. Anastasia's expression was carefully neutral, though her sharp blue eyes flickered with thought as they swept over the room, taking in every detail.
Julius gave Subaru a small, almost imperceptible nod as their gazes met, but his presence only added to the weight pressing down on Subaru's shoulders.
Subaru hesitated at the edge of the room, his breath catching in his throat.
The sheer weight of the room—the exhaustion, the anger, the lingering grief—pressed down on him like a vice. Every eye seemed to turn toward him as he stepped further in, and the silence that followed was deafening.
Beatrice tightened her grip on his coat, her small fingers clutching the fabric like a lifeline. "They're all watching, I suppose," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "They're looking at you, Subaru."
Subaru forced a faint smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah, Beako… I noticed."
Emilia was the first to speak, her voice soft but steady. "Subaru… You're here."
The gentle tone should have been comforting, but it only added to the knot in Subaru's chest. "Yeah," he replied, his voice strained. "I'm here."
Wilhelm's voice cut through the quiet like a blade. "And yet, the question remains… why are you here?"
Subaru flinched slightly under the weight of the old man's words. Wilhelm's sharp eyes bore into him, filled with suspicion and barely concealed anger.
"Stride Vollachia," Wilhelm said, his tone cold and formal. "Or should I say… Natsuki Subaru? Which name should we address you by?"
Subaru's jaw tightened, the words hitting him like a slap. "I'm not Stride," he said firmly, though the tremor in his voice betrayed his unease. "I'm Natsuki Subaru. That's all I've ever been."
Wilhelm's expression didn't soften. "And yet, you wield powers that should not belong to you. You stand at the center of chaos wherever you go, and now the Sword Saint himself has fallen while you remain standing. Tell me, boy… why should we trust you?"
The room grew even heavier, the unspoken tensions bubbling to the surface. Subaru opened his mouth to respond, but no words came. The weight of the accusations, the pain in Wilhelm's voice, and the judgmental stares around him left him momentarily paralyzed.
Beatrice, sensing his hesitation, stepped forward slightly, her small frame standing protectively in front of Subaru. "That's enough, in fact!" she snapped, her voice trembling but fierce. "Subaru has done nothing but fight for everyone here, I suppose! If you can't see that, then you're blind, in fact!"
Wilhelm's gaze flickered to Beatrice, his expression unchanging. "A bold claim," he said softly. "But words alone are not enough to erase doubt."
Anastasia, who had been silent until now, finally stepped forward, her Kagaragan accent breaking through the tension. "Alright, alright," she said, raising a hand. "Let's not get carried away, aye? We're all here fer a reason, and rippin' into each other ain't it."
Her sharp gaze swept over the room before landing on Subaru. "We'll get to the heart of things soon enough. But for now, everyone needs to take a breath."
The room remained tense, but Anastasia's words carried enough weight to diffuse the immediate confrontation. Subaru exhaled shakily, his hand resting gently on Beatrice's head as he murmured, "Thanks, Beako."
Beatrice looked up at him, her eyes filled with worry. "Don't let them get to you, Subaru, I suppose."
Subaru nodded faintly, but the knot in his chest didn't loosen. The eyes of the room remained on him, and the weight of their judgment was something he couldn't shake.
This wasn't over—not by a long shot.
As the tension in the room slowly began to dissipate, the silence was broken by the sound of hurried footsteps. Subaru blinked in surprise as Emilia suddenly crossed the distance between them, her silver hair bouncing lightly as she ran. Before he could react, she threw her arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace.
Subaru froze, his breath catching in his throat. Emilia wasn't normally this direct with physical affection, and her closeness left him momentarily stunned. Her slender arms tightened around him, and her voice was soft, almost trembling.
"Subaru… I'm so glad you're okay," she murmured, her amethyst eyes glistening as she looked up at him.
Subaru hesitated, his heart pounding as he slowly raised his arms to return the embrace. "E-Emilia… I—" He couldn't quite find the words, his usual quick wit failing him in the moment. Instead, he simply rested his chin lightly on her shoulder, letting the warmth of her presence wash over him.
The moment was brief but heartfelt, and when Emilia finally pulled back, her cheeks were flushed, though she didn't look away. "You've been through so much," she said softly. "I… I didn't know if you'd come back to us."
Subaru smiled weakly, his voice quieter than usual. "I'm not that easy to get rid of, Emilia-tan."
The mood lightened slightly as Garfiel stepped forward next, his imposing figure looming over Subaru. He grinned wide, his sharp teeth glinting as he gave Subaru a hearty pat on the back that nearly sent the boy stumbling forward.
"Nothin' can kill the Captain, eh?" Garfiel said with a laugh, his golden eyes gleaming. "Knew you were too stubborn to go down that easy."
Subaru rubbed his shoulder, wincing slightly from the force of Garfiel's slap but appreciating the sentiment. "Captain? I'm not even part of the Emilia camp anymore, you know."
"Details," Garfiel said dismissively, his grin unwavering. "Yer still the guy who gets things done, and that's what counts."
The exchange lightened the atmosphere, and for a moment, the oppressive tension seemed to lift. But the gravity of the situation quickly reasserted itself as the groups reformed, the room once again settling into a semblance of order.
It was Crusch who stepped forward, her elegant composure masking the fatigue that clung to her like a shadow. She regarded Subaru carefully, her emerald eyes unwavering as she addressed the room.
"It's clear that there are… questions," Crusch said, her voice calm yet commanding. "Doubts that must be addressed. And I believe I am best suited to ask them."
Ferris, standing at her side, nodded in agreement. "Lady Crusch's Divine Protection of Wind Reading allows her to discern truth from lies," he explained, his sharp gaze flickering toward Subaru. "The wind itself will tell her if you're being honest."
Subaru stiffened slightly, his mind racing. He had nothing to hide, not exactly, but the idea of being subjected to such scrutiny left him uneasy. Still, he nodded, meeting Crusch's gaze.
"That's fine," he said, his voice steady despite the weight of the moment. "Ask me whatever you need to."
The room fell silent as Crusch stepped closer, the faintest breeze stirring around her as her Divine Protection activated. Her expression was serene, but there was a sharpness in her eyes, a determination that left no room for evasion.
"Then let us begin," Crusch said evenly. "Answer truthfully, Subaru. The wind will not tolerate falsehoods."
Everyone watched intently as the trial began, the tension in the room thickening once more. The fate of trust, alliances, and perhaps even the future of the royal selection hung on Subaru's answers.
Wilhelm stepped forward, his expression severe, his sharp eyes narrowing as he addressed Subaru directly. The old Sword Demon's presence was overwhelming, a weight that seemed to silence the entire room. The faint breeze stirred around Crusch as her Divine Protection activated, the air itself sharpening in anticipation.
"Are you Stride Vollachia?" Wilhelm asked, his voice low but cutting like a blade.
Subaru stood firm, his jaw tightening as he met Wilhelm's gaze. "No," he said clearly.
The breeze shifted around Crusch, calm and steady. True.
Wilhelm's eyes narrowed further, his sharp features betraying no emotion. He moved on without hesitation. "Are you affiliated with or a member of the Witch Cult?"
Subaru's response came swiftly, his voice steady. "No."
Again, the breeze remained calm, affirming the truth of his words.
The room stirred faintly, the tension easing only slightly as the weight of Subaru's answers began to settle. Wilhelm's piercing gaze didn't waver, his tone unrelenting as he asked his final question. "What is your goal, then, boy? What drives you to involve yourself in the chaos surrounding us?"
Subaru hesitated for a fraction of a second, not because he was unsure of his answer, but because of the weight it carried. He straightened, his hands clenched at his sides as he spoke with conviction. "My goal is to destroy the Witch Cult."
The breeze around Crusch surged slightly, carrying with it a sense of resolute truth.
True.
Wilhelm's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of something inscrutable passing through his features. He stepped back, his silence signaling that he had no further questions for the moment.
The room remained tense, the truth of Subaru's answers hanging in the air. Crusch glanced toward the others, her poised demeanor unshaken. "The wind confirms his words," she said calmly, her voice carrying across the room. "He is not Stride Vollachia, nor is he a member of the Witch Cult. His stated goal is genuine."
A faint murmur rippled through the gathered factions, the tension easing slightly but not entirely. Subaru stood quietly, Beatrice clinging to his arm, her small hands tightening their grip as if silently reassuring him.
Despite the relief of the truth, Subaru could feel the lingering weight of suspicion in some of the gazes fixed on him. This was only the beginning.
The silence in the room grew heavier as Anastasia stepped forward, her sharp blue eyes locking onto Subaru. Her Kagaragan accent softened her words slightly, but the weight of her question hit like a hammer.
"Do ya have any relation to this Stride Vollachia figure?" she asked, her tone carefully measured, yet it carried an undercurrent of steel.
Subaru tensed, the pressure of the room bearing down on him as every eye turned toward him. Beatrice clung to his arm more tightly, her gaze flicking nervously between him and the others. He swallowed hard, then nodded.
"Yes," Subaru said, his voice steady but quiet.
The room erupted. Murmurs of shock and disbelief rippled through the gathered factions, and even Crusch's composed expression flickered with surprise. The breeze around her surged briefly, the Divine Protection affirming the truth of Subaru's admission.
"Relation?" Ferris asked sharply, his ears twitching as he glared at Subaru. "What kinda 'relation,' huh? Don't tell me yer some kinda—"
"I'm not him," Subaru cut in firmly, his voice rising slightly to cut through the noise. "But I have… a connection to him. He was the previous bearer of the Authority I carry."
The room fell silent again, the words hanging heavily in the air.
"Authority?" Felt's voice broke the quiet, her tone sharp with confusion. She stood with her arms crossed, her golden eyes narrowing as she glared at Subaru. "What the hell is that? And why do you have it?"
Subaru hesitated, glancing at Beatrice for reassurance before letting out a slow breath. "An Authority is… a power tied to one of the Seven Deadly Sins," he explained carefully, his voice carrying the weariness of someone who had long since come to terms with the weight of his own words. "The Witch Cultists—those Sin Archbishops—they all have one. But it's not exclusive to them. Stride Vollachia held the Authority of Pride before me, and somehow… it ended up with me."
Felt's confusion deepened, and she leaned forward slightly, her hands resting on her hips. "Wait, so you're sayin' you've got the same kinda power as those psycho cultists? What, are we supposed to trust you with that?"
The accusation stung, but Subaru met her gaze without flinching. "I don't use it like they do," he said firmly. "It's not about causing destruction or feeding into the sins. For me, it's… different. It's a tool, and I'll use it to destroy the Witch Cult."
Felt frowned, still unconvinced, but she stayed quiet. Across the room, Wilhelm's eyes narrowed, his suspicions clearly deepening as he studied Subaru with even greater scrutiny.
Crusch raised a hand, silencing the murmurs that had begun to ripple through the room once more. "The wind confirms his words," she said, her tone calm but firm. "He speaks the truth."
Anastasia's gaze lingered on Subaru, her expression unreadable. "Ya got some guts, admitin' all that so openly," she said softly, her accent lilting slightly. "But guts alone ain't enough, aye? What ya do with that Authority o' yours will matter more than anythin' else."
Subaru nodded, his hands clenched at his sides. "I know. And I'll prove that I'm not like them. I'll prove it to all of you."
The atmosphere in the room remained tense as the next question came. It was Crusch herself who spoke this time, her poised demeanor unshaken despite the heavy revelations. The faint breeze of her Divine Protection stirred around her, ready to discern truth from falsehood.
"Do you have any sort of relation to the Witch?" she asked, her emerald eyes sharp as they locked onto Subaru. "Any connection at all?"
Subaru's breath hitched. The question hung in the air like a blade, and he could feel every gaze boring into him. Beatrice's grip on his arm tightened as if silently urging him to tread carefully.
He forced himself to meet Crusch's gaze, his heart pounding as he spoke. "No," he said firmly.
The breeze around Crusch shifted suddenly, agitated and uneven. A faint ripple passed through the air, subtle but unmistakable. It was the first time during the questioning that the wind did not affirm Subaru's words.
Crusch's eyes narrowed slightly, her composed expression hardening. "The wind says otherwise," she said evenly, her tone like a knife. "Your answer was a lie."
The room erupted again, voices overlapping in a cacophony of confusion and suspicion.
"A lie?" Ferris hissed, his sharp ears twitching. "What're ya hidin', Subaru?"
"Oi, Captain," Garfiel said, stepping closer with a wary expression. "What's all this about? You got somethin' you ain't tellin' us?"
Emilia's voice cut through the rising din, trembling but insistent. "Subaru… is this true? Are you connected to the Witch in some way?"
Subaru froze, his mind racing as he struggled to come up with an answer. The pressure was suffocating, every eye in the room bearing down on him. He glanced at Beatrice, who looked up at him with wide, worried eyes, then back at the gathered factions.
"I… I can't explain," Subaru stammered, his voice breaking slightly. "It's not what you think. I'm not… I'm not working for her, or anything like that!"
"Then what is it?" Wilhelm demanded, his voice like steel. "Speak plainly, boy. What connection do you have to the Witch?"
Subaru faltered, the weight of their questions pressing him further into a corner. He knew he couldn't reveal the truth—not here, not now. But the wind had betrayed his lie, and now, he could see the seeds of doubt beginning to sprout in the minds of those around him.
For the first time since the questioning began, Subaru found himself at a complete loss for words.
Subaru bit his tongue hard, the sharp pain grounding him for a brief moment before he let out a shaky sigh. The weight of the room, the stares, and the pressure to respond churned in his chest. Desperation clawed at his throat, and before he could stop himself, the words spilled out, barely above a whisper.
"I can return by de—"
The world froze.
A suffocating silence engulfed him, and the air turned thick, cold, and oppressive. Subaru's eyes widened as he felt it—the icy grip around his heart, the unmistakable presence of her. The Witch of Envy.
Subaru gasped, his teeth grinding as he held back a groan. The invisible force receded as quickly as it had appeared, leaving him trembling and nauseous. He staggered forward slightly, one hand gripping his chest as though trying to steady the frantic beating of his heart.
"Subaru?" Emilia's voice broke through the haze, her tone filled with worry. She took a hesitant step forward, her amethyst eyes wide with concern. "Are you alright? What's wrong?"
Subaru straightened slowly, his breathing shallow and uneven. He felt the world spinning beneath him, his stomach churning with the familiar aftershocks of that sickening sensation. She wouldn't even let me explain, he thought bitterly. Even now, when it could clear everything up.
The eyes of everyone in the room bore into him, their expressions a mix of confusion and suspicion. He shook his head, forcing himself upright despite the shakiness in his legs. "I'm fine," he muttered hoarsely, though his voice lacked its usual strength.
His words did little to ease the tension in the room. Every gaze remained fixed on him, waiting for an explanation, for some kind of answer to the unspoken questions swirling through their minds.
Subaru took a deep breath, his voice firmer now as he spoke. "I'm not… I don't work for the Witch," he said, meeting their eyes one by one. "I'm not her fanatic. I'm not her subordinate. I'm not tied to her in any way."
His voice cracked slightly, but he pressed on. "She doesn't own me—I'm no one's servant. I'm me. And for the record, I don't have the Authority of Envy. I have the factor of Pride, not hers."
The room fell into a heavy silence. Crusch's eyes narrowed slightly, her expression thoughtful as the breeze around her stirred faintly. The faint shift in the air carried no agitation, no dissent—it was calm.
"He's telling the truth," Crusch announced, her voice carrying across the room. "The wind confirms it. Subaru does not hold the Authority of Envy."
A wave of relief rippled through the factions. Emilia let out a quiet breath, her hands clasped tightly as her shoulders relaxed. Garfiel gave a low whistle, muttering something under his breath, while Ferris cast a skeptical glance toward Crusch, though even he seemed relieved.
Wilhelm, however, remained quiet, his gaze sharp and unreadable. After a long pause, he gave a faint nod. "Very well," he said, his voice steady. "The truth is clear—for now."
Subaru exhaled slowly, the weight of the moment still pressing on his shoulders. Beatrice clung to his arm, her small fingers tightening as she looked up at him with concern.
"Subaru…" she whispered softly, her voice trembling slightly. "You shouldn't push yourself so hard, I suppose."
Subaru glanced down at her, his lips curling into a faint, tired smile. "I know, Beako," he murmured, his voice barely audible. "But I had to make sure they understood."
The room settled into uneasy quiet once more, the tension easing but not dissipating entirely. The immediate storm had passed, but Subaru could feel the lingering weight of doubt and suspicion. There was still so much left unsaid, so much unresolved.
For now, though, he had bought himself a fragile reprieve.
The room's tension eased slightly as Ricardo stepped forward, his towering figure casting a long shadow across the grand space. The wolfkin wore his usual jolly expression, but it was impossible to miss the change—his left arm was now missing from the elbow down, replaced with a sturdy-looking metal hook.
"Well, ain't this a sight, huh?" Ricardo said, his deep, gravelly voice carrying a surprising amount of cheer. He gestured with his remaining hand toward his new appendage, the hook gleaming faintly in the light. "Guess yer all wonderin' about this, eh? Big ol' eight-armed bastard from the Witch Cult took it clean off. Gotta hand it to him—guy had some bite in 'im, I'll give 'im that."
Subaru blinked, momentarily caught off guard by Ricardo's tone. The wolfkin didn't seem angry or even particularly upset, just mildly annoyed as he spoke about the loss of his limb like it was no more than a minor inconvenience.
"Doesn't bother me too much, though," Ricardo continued, giving a light shrug. "Just means I get to carry this fancy little hook around now. Gotta admit, it's got its charm, don't it?"
Garfiel chimed in from the other side of the room, crossing his arms and grinning wide. "Yer lucky that's all ya lost, big guy. Them Witch Cult bastards don't exactly play fair, y'know?"
Ricardo chuckled, his tail swishing lazily behind him. "Fair? Nah, they ain't got a lick o' that. But hey, at least they didn't take my teeth. That'd've been somethin' to cry about."
The group shared a faint chuckle at Ricardo's unshakable attitude, though the underlying weight of his words wasn't lost on anyone.
Garfiel's grin faded slightly as he added, "Ain't like it's all bad, though. Those Witch Cult fuckers didn't stick 'round long once they got word Greed'd been beaten. Ran off like the cowards they are." He flexed his arm with a snarl, his sharp teeth glinting. "Shows they ain't as tough as they act, eh?"
Subaru nodded faintly, his mind turning over the information. He hadn't heard much about what had happened in the aftermath of Regulus's defeat—he'd been unconscious for too long. But hearing about the cult retreating so suddenly left him uneasy.
"If they're gone for now, that's good," Subaru said quietly, his voice steady despite the lingering tension in the room. "But they'll be back. They always come back."
Ricardo gave him a toothy grin, clapping his remaining hand against his hook. "Let 'em come, kid. Next time, we'll be ready."
The wolfkin's confidence was infectious, and for a brief moment, the weight in the room lightened. But Subaru couldn't shake the feeling that their reprieve was only temporary—and that the Witch Cult's next move would be even more dangerous.
As the group settled into a brief lull, the sound of heels clicking against the marble floor echoed through the room. Anastasia stepped into the scene, her sharp blue eyes sweeping over the gathered factions. For once, her usually composed demeanor softened as she let out an uncharacteristic sigh, tilting her head in what could only be described as relief.
"Well, ain't this a sight?" she said, her Kagaragan accent adding a lilting quality to her voice. "Subaru, you've got a knack for makin' things interestin', don't ya?" She paused, crossing her arms and raising a brow at him. "But keepin' somethin' like that Authority o' yours from me? Not exactly nice, ya know."
Subaru blinked, taken aback by her directness, before scratching the back of his head with a sheepish grin. "What can I say? A magician never reveals his secrets," he joked, his tone light despite the lingering tension in the air.
Anastasia sighed again, this time in a more exaggerated, fond manner. "Yer impossible, ya know that?" she said, stepping closer. Without much warning, she tugged gently at Subaru's hand, her usual sharpness tempered by an almost playful familiarity. "Keep pullin' stunts like that, and even I might start thinkin' yer tryin' to surprise me on purpose."
Beatrice, standing firmly at Subaru's left side, gave Anastasia a skeptical look, her sharp blue eyes narrowing as her grip on Subaru's arm tightened. "I suppose you're bein' far too forward, in fact," Beatrice muttered, her small voice carrying a defensive edge. "Subaru doesn't have time for such nonsense, I suppose."
Anastasia chuckled softly, letting go of Subaru's hand with an air of amusement. "Well, ain't you protective, Beatrice?" she teased, stepping back slightly but still watching Subaru with a mix of curiosity and fondness.
Emilia, who had been standing close to Subaru, her hands clasped nervously in front of her, watched the interaction with a mixture of confusion and unease. The sight of Anastasia pulling at Subaru's hand, combined with the lighthearted exchange, left her uncertain. She hadn't expected to see such a casual, almost playful relationship between the two.
"Subaru…" Emilia murmured softly, her amethyst eyes flickering between him and Anastasia. She didn't finish her thought, her uncertainty hanging in the air.
Subaru, sensing Emilia's gaze, turned toward her with a reassuring smile, his usual confidence creeping back into his expression. "Don't worry, Emilia" he said lightly, his tone carrying its usual warmth. "I'm not going anywhere."
Meanwhile, Wilhelm, who had been observing the scene from a distance, remained silent. His gaze lingered on Subaru for a long moment before his expression hardened. Without a word, the old Sword Demon turned and walked toward the exit, his steps heavy and deliberate.
The sound of the doors closing behind him echoed through the room, drawing the attention of the group. Garfiel crossed his arms, his golden eyes narrowing as he watched Wilhelm leave. "Oi, what's with the ol' man?" he muttered. "Ain't like him to just walk off like that."
Crusch, who had remained quiet throughout the exchange, glanced toward the door with a faint frown. "Wilhelm… has carried a heavy burden for many years," she said softly. "Perhaps he feels his purpose here has come to an end."
The group watched silently as Wilhelm's figure disappeared into the distance, the weight of his departure leaving an unspoken tension in the air. Subaru glanced down at Beatrice, who clung to his arm with renewed intensity, then back at Emilia, who stood close but said nothing.
"Guess we're all carrying something, huh?" Subaru muttered under his breath, the faintest hint of melancholy creeping into his voice.
Crusch approached Subaru and the group, her poised demeanor masking the faint skepticism that flickered in her emerald eyes. Her usual composure carried a slight edge, a subtle indication that she hadn't entirely set aside her doubts. She stopped a few steps away from Subaru, her gaze steady as it met his.
"I'll admit, I'm still skeptical," Crusch said, her voice calm but direct. "You've faced not only the Warlock of Melancholy but also the Sin Archbishops of Lust and Greed. Yet, here you are, standing before us." She paused, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "I suppose I should ask: was defeating Capella a heroic effort, or did you just stumble your way into victory?"
Subaru blinked, caught slightly off guard by her teasing tone. He scratched the back of his head, grinning despite himself. "Honestly? It was all kind of a blur," he admitted. "But taking down that discount Ali Express Felt knockoff? That was nothing but a pleasure."
The joke lingered in the air for a moment, earning a few blank stares from the group. Crusch tilted her head slightly, her expression quizzical, while Garfiel muttered, "What the hell's he talkin' about, Ali express?"
Beatrice, standing protectively at Subaru's side, let out a small, exasperated sigh. "It's another one of those strange references, I suppose," she said, crossing her arms. "Subaru explained what a 'website' is to me once. It's some nonsensical thing from his homeland, in fact."
Subaru grinned, giving Beatrice's head a playful pat. "See? Beako gets it."
"I don't 'get it,' I suppose," Beatrice retorted, her cheeks puffing slightly. "But I tolerate it, in fact."
Crusch let out a faint chuckle, her skepticism giving way to amusement. "You certainly have a unique way of handling things, Subaru. I'll give you that."
As the lighthearted exchange continued, Subaru's gaze drifted toward the edge of the room, where Felt stood awkwardly in the corner. Her arms were crossed, her golden eyes downcast, and she shifted uncomfortably, as though unsure of her place among the gathered factions.
Subaru's grin faded slightly, replaced by a thoughtful expression. He could sense the weight she was carrying, the uncertainty and isolation that clung to her like a shadow. He thought about approaching her right then and there but decided against it. Felt wasn't the type to open up easily, especially not in front of an audience.
"I'll talk to her later," Subaru muttered to himself, his eyes lingering on Felt for a moment longer before turning his attention back to the group. For now, he'd let her have her space. The conversation they needed to have could wait until it was just the two of them.
With the group fully assembled, even Julius now standing nearby, Anastasia stepped forward, her sharp blue eyes studying Subaru with faint curiosity. "So, what's next for the all-powerful Natsuki Subaru, aye?" she asked, raising a brow. "Ya seem to have a knack for attractin' trouble, so I can only imagine what plans you're cookin' up now."
Subaru smiled faintly at her teasing, letting the question hang in the air for a moment before answering. "I'm going to go back to Banan first," he said, his tone even but carrying an undertone of determination. "I'll stop by Pristella to see if they need my help rebuilding. And after that—" he paused, his voice growing quieter but more resolute, "I'll find Rem. And I'll make sure she's safe."
A silence fell over the room, the unfamiliar name catching everyone off guard. Most of the group exchanged confused glances, unsure who this "Rem" was. Before anyone could question further, Emilia tilted her head slightly, her amethyst eyes narrowing in thought.
"Rem… you mentioned earlier that she's Ram's sister, right?" Emilia asked softly, her voice tentative.
Subaru's eyes lit up with a spark of hope as he nodded. "Yes," he said clearly, his voice steady. "Rem is Ram's twin sister."
Emilia's expression softened as she glanced toward Otto, who stood at the edge of the group. "Otto," she said gently, "you told me you found someone who looked like Ram, didn't you? She was passed out in the streets of the capital…"
Subaru froze, his breath catching as he turned sharply toward Otto. The merchant rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, glancing between Subaru and Emilia.
"Uh… yeah," Otto admitted, his voice cautious. "We did come across a girl who looked a lot like Ram. I wasn't sure what to make of it, but she was unconscious, and we brought her back to the manor for treatment upon not finding anybody who knew her."
Guilt struck Subaru like a hammer, his chest tightening as the weight of his absence crashed down on him. He clenched his fists, his head bowing slightly as the realization set in. I wasn't there for her…
But before he could spiral further, a voice resonated from within him, clear and firm.
"Sturdy, Natsuki Subaru."
Stride's words echoed through his mind, grounding him with their simple strength. Subaru took a deep breath, letting the guilt settle without consuming him, and raised his head again.
"Is she still there?" Subaru asked, his voice calm but laced with urgency. "At the Mathers domain?"
Otto nodded. "As far as I know, yes. She hasn't woken up yet, but… she's alive."
Subaru exhaled shakily, relief and determination washing over him in equal measure. "Then I need to see her," he said firmly. "We'll head to the Mathers domain as soon as possible. I can't wait any longer."
The group exchanged glances, the tension in the room shifting as Subaru's resolve became clear. Emilia stepped closer, her expression gentle but concerned. "If this girl is important to you, Subaru… we'll make sure you get there," she said softly.
Beatrice clung tightly to his arm, her small hand gripping his sleeve with renewed determination. "Then let's go, I suppose. We've lingered here long enough, in fact."
Subaru nodded, his gaze sweeping over the gathered group. Despite the lingering doubts, the unresolved tensions, and the many challenges ahead, one thing was certain: he wouldn't stop until Rem was safe.
"Let's move," he said, his voice steady. "There's no time to waste.
The scene shifted to the group traveling back to the Mathers domain. Felt, uncharacteristically quiet, sat in one corner of the dragon carriage, her arms crossed and her gaze fixed firmly on the floor. Her usual fiery demeanor was replaced by a contemplative silence that felt almost suffocating. Subaru glanced at her from time to time, his own thoughts clouded with similar frustrations.
He knew exactly why Felt was upset, and truthfully, he couldn't blame her. He was mad at Heinkel too. The man's betrayal, his role in Reinhard's fall—it was a wound that hadn't healed for anyone involved. Subaru hadn't seen Heinkel since Pristella, and despite his anger, a small part of him couldn't help but feel concerned. Had Halibel handled things? Subaru wondered. Was Heinkel even still around?
Subaru leaned back slightly, staring out the window as the landscape rolled past. The uncertainty gnawed at him, and he made a mental note to contact Halibel as soon as he had the chance. The wolfman had a way of keeping his calm in even the most chaotic situations—something Subaru envied deeply.
Beside him, Beatrice clung to his arm as always, her tiny hands gripping his sleeve. On his other side sat Emilia, her expression serene but distant, her thoughts clearly elsewhere. Subaru let his gaze flick between the two of them, his mind drifting back to the last time he was at the Mathers manor.
It was like a fever dream—vivid yet fragmented, a chaotic haze of memories and emotions. Deja vu wrapped around him like a fog, and the more he thought about it, the more unsettled he felt. The last time… I was barely alive. Everything was falling apart, and nothing made sense.
This time, things were different. There were so many things he needed to clear up, questions that had been gnawing at him since Pristella. His connection to the Authority of Pride, his fractured relationships, and now the revelation of Rem's presence at the manor—it was all too much to ignore.
Subaru's gaze shifted to Felt again. She hadn't said a word since they left. He wanted to ask her what was on her mind, but the tension in the carriage was too thick to break so easily. Instead, he sighed softly, leaning back and letting the gentle sway of the carriage lull him into a momentary sense of calm.
They were heading into a storm of unanswered questions and unresolved conflicts, but Subaru knew one thing for sure: he couldn't let things spiral out of control again. Not this time. This time, he would face everything head-on.
Authors Note:
Not much to comment on, it was hard to angle the whole Subaru has a connection thing to an Archbishop or Witch. But the cast sees Subaru as trust worthy at least to the knowledge of Crusch's divine protection.
As to why Subaru had a breakdown over Rem? She still played a significant role in the early story, she represents the vice of Subaru taking on this hero role and not being able to save her. As well Subaru was already in a distraught state when they found him, just kinda seemed like breaking down would be a sensible option. Just considering that this version of Subaru so far isn't used to rejection post Arc 3 in terms of success.
Anyway, early chapter today, hope you enjoyed.