Believe In Me

Subaru and Beatrice stepped into the familiar halls of the Mathers manor. The air inside was cool and still, carrying the faint scent of polished wood and lingering memories. For Subaru, the sight was both nostalgic and surreal—it was a place he thought he might never return to, not after everything that had happened.

"It's almost like a dream, huh, Beako?" Subaru said, a faint grin tugging at his lips. "Back in the manor. Who would've thought?"

Beatrice, perched as usual at his side, glanced up at him with her usual unimpressed expression, though there was a faint warmth in her eyes. "A dream for you, maybe," she retorted, her tone nonchalant. "For me, I suppose it's just another day returning to a place that feels far too drafty, in fact."

Subaru chuckled, shaking his head. "C'mon, Beako, I know you missed this place. Maybe we'll even visit your library—assuming you haven't turned it into a private spa or something."

Beatrice raised a brow, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "As if I'd let you bring such nonsense into my sanctuary, I suppose," she replied, crossing her arms. Her tone shifted slightly, thoughtful yet casual. "Though… now that you mention it, there may be a book worth examining, in fact. Something that could shed more light on the witches and Authorities, I suppose."

Subaru's curiosity piqued immediately, but before he could follow up, a boisterous voice interrupted them.

"Oi, Captain!" Garfiel's voice echoed through the halls as he bounded toward them, his grin wide and his golden eyes gleaming. "Ain't this somethin'? The place's lookin' better than ever, eh? Not bad, right? Pretty amazin', if ya ask me!"

Subaru raised a brow, his smirk turning wry. "Yeah, it's real amazing, Garf. Almost makes you forget the part where I kind of, uh… destroyed a good chunk of it during that fight with Elsa. Y'know, the assassin?"

Garfiel let out a loud laugh, clapping Subaru on the back hard enough to make him stumble forward. "Yeah, yeah, I remember that! But don't go takin' all the credit, Captain. We've been workin' our asses off fixin' this place up since then."

Subaru couldn't help but smile despite himself, the energy Garfiel radiated as infectious as ever. "I'll admit, it does look pretty good. Not bad for a place that was practically in ruins a year ago."

"Damn right it looks good!" Garfiel said proudly, throwing his arms wide as if to show off the entire manor. "You're lookin' at the best damn restoration work in the kingdom, Captain! And it's all thanks to yours truly."

Beatrice rolled her eyes but didn't comment, while Subaru shook his head, amused. "Alright, Garf, I'll give credit where it's due. The place does look nice. But maybe save the grand tour for someone who hasn't been here before?"

Garfiel grinned and punched Subaru lightly on the shoulder. "Fair enough, Captain. Fair enough."

As the group continued deeper into the manor, Subaru couldn't shake the odd feeling of familiarity mixed with unease. He glanced around at the carefully restored halls, his mind flickering with memories of battles, losses, and fleeting moments of hope.

For him and Beatrice, this place was more than just a home—it was a reminder of everything they'd fought for and lost. Yet now, standing here again, it felt like they were on the edge of something new, something uncertain. And as always, Subaru knew they'd have to face it head-on, together.

The moment was abruptly interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps and a sudden cry. Before Subaru could react, Petra came rushing into view, her arms outstretched and her face lighting up with joy. Now dressed in a proper maid uniform that suited her petite figure, she darted forward and hugged Subaru tightly.

"Subaru!" Petra exclaimed, her voice filled with surprise and relief. "You're back! You're really back!"

Subaru staggered slightly under the force of her embrace, blinking in shock. "Whoa, Petra! Hold up—"

Beatrice, still clinging to Subaru's side, frowned deeply, her small hands tightening on his sleeve. "You're bein' far too familiar, I suppose," she said sharply, glaring at Petra. "Let go of Subaru, in fact!"

Realizing herself, Petra quickly stepped back, her face turning bright red as she bowed deeply. "I-I'm so sorry!" she stammered, her voice trembling slightly. "I didn't mean to… I was just so shocked to see you again!"

Subaru waved his hand dismissively, still caught off guard by her reaction. "It's fine, really. Just… maybe a little warning next time?" He smiled to ease her nerves but couldn't help catching onto her initial words. "Wait, what do you mean you were shocked to see me? What did Roswaal say?"

At this, Petra's expression darkened, her previous excitement fading into something much grimmer. She clasped her hands nervously, looking down at the floor before answering.

"The Master said… he said that you might not make it back," she admitted quietly, her voice heavy with sadness. "And that if you did, it would be a miracle."

Subaru's brows furrowed, his earlier amusement replaced with a sharp pang of concern. "What's going on with him?" he asked, his tone more serious now. "How's Roswaal doing?"

Petra hesitated for a moment before meeting his gaze. Her hands clenched tightly in front of her, and her voice dropped to barely above a whisper. "He's… fighting for his life every day."

The weight of her words hit Subaru like a punch to the gut. His chest tightened, and for a moment, he didn't know how to respond. Beatrice looked up at him, her own expression shifting to one of quiet worry as she gripped his sleeve even tighter.

"Fighting for his life?" Subaru repeated, his voice barely audible. "What do you mean by that?"

Petra bit her lip, glancing around as though searching for the right words. "He's been… struggling ever since you left. The injuries he sustained in Pristella—they never really healed. Ferris has been doing everything he can, but…" She trailed off, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "It's like he's fighting something more than just his injuries."

Subaru's mind raced, the pieces falling into place as dread settled over him. Roswaal had always been a mystery, someone who walked a line between ally and enigma. But hearing this—he hadn't expected the man to be in such dire straits.

"Every day?" Subaru echoed, his voice low. "He's been holding on like that every single day?"

Petra nodded, her expression somber. "Yes… but he's not giving up. Even when it looks bad, he keeps fighting."

The room fell silent, the weight of Petra's words settling heavily over everyone. Subaru clenched his fists, his thoughts spiraling as he tried to process the revelation. He wasn't sure what to think—Roswaal was many things, but the idea of him being this vulnerable, this fragile, was something Subaru wasn't prepared for.

Beatrice tugged at his sleeve gently, drawing his attention back to her. "Subaru," she said softly, her voice steady despite the concern in her eyes. "We should see him, I suppose."

Subaru nodded slowly, his expression hardening with resolve. "Yeah… we need to see him." He turned back to Petra, his voice firm. "Can you take us to him?"

Petra hesitated for a moment, then nodded quickly. "Of course," she said, her voice trembling slightly but filled with determination. "I'll take you to him right away."

Subaru entered the dimly lit room, the air thick with the faint scent of herbs and the heavy presence of fatigue. Roswaal lay in the large canopy bed, his usual vibrant appearance now pale and gaunt. The clown mage's mismatched eyes flicked toward Subaru as he entered, and though his movements were slow and weak, he managed a faint nod of acknowledgment.

Subaru stopped in his tracks, staring at the bedridden figure in disbelief. He had never imagined seeing Roswaal like this—so fragile, so… human.

Despite their past conflicts and Roswaal's manipulative nature, the sight was a shock. Subaru sat down in the nearby chair, his thoughts swirling as he tried to reconcile this frail man with the calculating mage he had always known.

For a long moment, neither spoke, the silence heavy with unspoken thoughts. Finally, Subaru broke the quiet, his voice hesitant but laced with a faint attempt at humor.

"What's the plan now, Ros-chi?" Subaru asked, leaning back in his chair. "You've always got one, right?"

Roswaal's weak form shifted slightly, his lips curling into a faint, tired smile. "I… detest… that name," he rasped, his usual theatrical tone now barely more than a whisper. His voice was hoarse, as though every word cost him a great deal of effort. "But… I suppose I shall… endure it. For now."

Subaru let out a faint chuckle, though it lacked his usual energy. "Guess you don't really have the strength to argue, huh?"

Roswaal closed his eyes briefly, exhaling softly before opening them again. His mismatched gaze fixed on Subaru, sharper than his frail body suggested. "Tell me… Subaru-kun," he said abruptly, his voice carrying a faint edge. "Did you… manage to kill the Warlock?"

Subaru blinked, caught off guard by the directness of the question. He hesitated, then shook his head slowly. "Nay," he admitted, his voice low. "I didn't. He walked away."

The room fell into an oppressive silence, Roswaal's weak breath the only sound. His pale lips curled into something resembling a smirk, though it was far from his usual confident expression.

"Ah… so he… lives," Roswaal murmured, his tone unreadable. "What… an inconvenience."

Subaru leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on his knees as he studied the sickly mage. "What's his deal, Roswaal?" he asked quietly. "Why does he hate Echidna so much? Why does he want to destroy everything tied to her?"

Roswaal's gaze flickered, a shadow of something inscrutable passing through his mismatched eyes. For a moment, Subaru thought he might answer, but the mage simply closed his eyes, letting out a soft, rattling breath.

"Some… questions, Subaru… are best left unanswered," Roswaal said weakly. "For now."

Subaru frowned, frustration bubbling under the surface. "You've got a lot to say for someone who's practically on their deathbed," he muttered.

Roswaal's faint smile returned, a shadow of his usual smugness. "And you… have a knack… for finding the most… infuriating words," he replied softly. "But… I'll allow it. For now."

Subaru leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. The sight of Roswaal in this state, the weight of the unresolved questions about Hector, and the burden of everything still left to do pressed heavily on his shoulders. But for now, all he could do was sit and wait, the tension between them lingering like a silent pact.

The questions shifted toward the royal selection, a topic Subaru couldn't ignore any longer. He leaned forward in his chair, resting his chin on his knuckles as he fixed Roswaal with a skeptical gaze.

"Alright, Roswaal," Subaru began, his tone casual but probing, "why are you sponsoring Emilia? Out of all the candidates, she's the least likely to win. You don't strike me as the kind of guy who bets on the underdog just because you feel bad for them."

Roswaal chuckled weakly, his mismatched eyes flickering with faint amusement despite his frail state. "Because it… is in my nature," he said, his voice hoarse but retaining a hint of his usual theatricality. "To choose the path… with the most resistance."

"Bullshit," Subaru retorted immediately, crossing his arms. "You've always got some deeper plan. Spill it."

Roswaal's smile grew slightly, though it was pale and ghostly compared to his usual smirk. "Ah… you are… as persistent as ever," he murmured. "Very well. If you must know… my actions are… part of my teacher's plan."

Subaru let out an exaggerated sigh, leaning back in his chair. "Of course, it's her." He shook his head, his expression tired but tinged with mock frustration. "That witch of yours is way too complicated. I'm just glad I never had to meet her."

To Subaru's surprise, this earned him a weak, breathy laugh from Roswaal, his frailty momentarily giving way to something resembling his usual demeanor. "Oh, Subaru… how foolish of you," Roswaal said, his tone teasing but underlined with something cryptic. "Do you… truly believe you've avoided her? Do you understand what… true love is?"

Subaru raised an eyebrow, his grin turning cocky. "True love? That's easy—it's the friends we made along the way." He spread his arms dramatically, flashing a cheeky grin. "That's how it works, right?"

Roswaal let out another hoarse laugh, shaking his head slightly. "Oh, Subaru… such a fool," he murmured. "But perhaps… that is why you persist… where others would falter."

The conversation shifted back to the royal selection, Subaru's smirk fading as he refocused on the serious topic at hand. "Alright, seriously though," he said, his tone steady. "What's your plan now? You're clearly not in any shape to keep up your usual scheming. What happens to Emilia's campaign if you're out of the picture?"

Roswaal's eyes darkened slightly, his smile fading into something more solemn. "Emilia's place… in the royal selection… is not so fragile as you might think," he said softly. "Her strength lies… in those who support her. And you, Subaru… have proven yourself to be… her greatest pillar."

Subaru blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected praise. "Wait, me? I thought you hated how I do things."

Roswaal's smile returned faintly, his gaze sharp despite his weakened state. "Your methods… are reckless, Subaru," he said. "But your resolve… is unwavering. That, above all else… will carry Emilia forward."

Subaru fell silent, the weight of Roswaal's words settling over him. Despite their differences, despite the countless times Roswaal had manipulated him, there was something undeniable in the mage's tone. For the first time, Subaru saw a glimpse of genuine faith in Roswaal's mismatched eyes.

"So… what do you plan to do now?" Subaru asked quietly, his voice steady. "You're not exactly in fighting shape."

Roswaal closed his eyes briefly, his expression unreadable. "For now… I will rest," he said simply. "My role is not yet over… but the time for action is not now."

Subaru's eye twitched, his annoyance bubbling to the surface as he leaned forward, pointing a finger at Roswaal. "Are you seriously pinning the burden on me again?! Like, come on, Roswaal!" he exclaimed, his tone caught somewhere between exasperation and playful mockery. "You're lying there looking like a discount ghost story, and yet here you are, dumping all your hopes and dreams on little ol' me. Don't I have enough on my plate already?"

Roswaal chuckled weakly, his pale face managing a faint smirk. "Ah, but who else, Subaru?" he said softly, his voice rasping but carrying its usual theatrical lilt. "Who else possesses… the peculiar knack for turning despair into… a foundation for miracles?"

Subaru groaned, throwing his hands up in mock surrender. "Yeah, yeah, keep buttering me up, clown. Maybe I'll forget that I'm the guy cleaning up after all of you."

Despite his words, Subaru sighed heavily, his expression softening as he slumped back in his chair. "Alright, fine. I'll think about it, okay? But don't think for a second I'm jumping into this blind. I've got a lot of stuff to deal with already." He hesitated, a wry grin creeping onto his face. "Like a certain purple-haired merchant who's decided to start eyeing up real estate in my heart."

Roswaal's mismatched eyes flickered faintly at that, and a low hum of realization escaped him. "Ahhh… Anastasia," he murmured, his tone teasing despite his weakened state. "She does have a way… of claiming what she sets her sights on."

Subaru waved him off, shaking his head. "Yeah, well, she can take a number. I've already got a list of disasters to handle, and romance is pretty low on it right now."

Roswaal's faint smile lingered as he exhaled softly, his tone growing more serious. "Jokes aside… it will be you, Subaru," he said firmly. "You will decide the fate of everything moving forward. The burden of this world's future rests squarely on your shoulders."

Subaru stared at him for a long moment, the weight of those words pressing down on him. He sighed, running a hand through his hair before standing up.

"Man, you really don't hold back, do you?" he muttered. "Fine. I'll figure it out. But, Roswaal…" He paused, glancing back at the bedridden mage, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Make sure you survive long enough to see me pull this off, alright? Wouldn't want you missing out on me creating your so-called perfect world."

Roswaal's chuckle was faint, barely audible as he closed his eyes. "Ah… a world where everything falls into place… It does sound… lovely," he murmured, his voice trailing off into silence.

Subaru gave him one last look, his smirk fading into a quieter, more determined expression. With a final nod, he turned and left the room, the faint echo of his footsteps fading into the halls. The weight of the clown mage's expectations was heavy, but for Subaru, it was just another day on the impossible road ahead.

The moment Subaru had been anticipating—and dreading—finally arrived. Beatrice stood at the door to Rem's room, her small frame stiff with reluctance as Subaru gently placed a hand on her head. "Beako," he said softly, "I need some time alone with her. Please."

Beatrice's lips pressed into a thin line, her blue eyes searching his face for a moment before she sighed deeply. "I don't like this, I suppose," she muttered. "But… fine. I'll wait outside, in fact." Her small hand lingered on the doorknob for a moment before she stepped aside. "Don't take too long, Subaru, I suppose."

Subaru nodded, giving her a faint smile before stepping into the room. The door closed softly behind him, leaving him alone with the girl who lay motionless in the bed.

Rem.

Her soft blue hair framed her delicate face, and her breathing was steady but shallow. She looked peaceful, as though she were simply asleep, but the stark reality of her condition was impossible to ignore. Subaru stood frozen, his hands clenched at his sides as he stared at her.

Minutes passed, and Subaru didn't move. The longer he stood there, the more the weight of his failure pressed down on him. Guilt clawed at his chest, his mind racing with thoughts of all the times he could have done more, been better, prevented this.

"I'm sorry, Rem," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I should have been there for you. I should have protected you. I took on all this power, I know I did my own thing for a while.. It's just that-'"

The silence in the room was deafening, broken only by the faint sound of Rem's breathing. Subaru sank into the chair beside her bed, his head in his hands as the self-loathing consumed him.

He wasn't sure how long he sat there before he heard the soft creak of the door opening. He looked up to see Ram standing in the doorway, her expression unreadable as her pale pink hair framed her sharp features. She stepped inside, closing the door quietly behind her.

For a long time, neither of them spoke. Ram's gaze was fixed on the girl lying in the bed, her crimson eyes betraying a flicker of emotion that she quickly masked.

"Is that really her?" Ram asked finally, her voice quiet but firm. "The girl in front of us… is that really my sister?"

Subaru nodded slowly, his voice steady but heavy with regret. "Yeah. That's Rem. Your sister."

Ram's gaze lingered on Rem for a moment longer before shifting to Subaru. "You're apologizing," she said flatly. "Why?"

"Because I failed her," Subaru said, his voice trembling slightly. "I couldn't save her. I wasn't strong enough."

Ram's expression didn't change, but her voice softened slightly. "Apologies won't wake her up," she said. "And they won't change what happened."

Subaru looked away, guilt weighing him down further. "I know that. But I still feel like it's my fault."

There was another pause before Ram spoke again, her tone calm but curious. "What was she like?" she asked. "Tell me about her."

Subaru blinked, surprised by the question. He hesitated for a moment before leaning back in his chair, his gaze fixed on Rem's face. "She was… amazing," he said softly. "She was strong, kind, and loyal to a fault. She always put others before herself, even when it hurt her. She had this… stubbornness that was equal parts frustrating and admirable. She believed in people, even when they didn't believe in themselves."

Ram listened quietly, her gaze steady as Subaru continued to describe Rem in vivid detail—her quirks, her strengths, her flaws. As he spoke, a faint softness crept into Ram's expression, though she remained silent until he finished.

"I see," Ram said finally. "Then I'll accept that she's my sister."

Subaru blinked, surprised again by her directness. "Just like that?"

Ram nodded. "I trust your words. And if what you've said is true, then I'm grateful to you for remembering her so vividly."

The silence stretched between them again, but this time it was less oppressive. Ram's gaze shifted to Subaru, her tone sharper now. "The trial," she said. "My words during it were Roswaal's as well. You should keep that in mind."

Subaru groaned faintly, leaning back in his chair. "Figures," he muttered. "Everything always seems to circle back to that guy."

Ram smirked faintly at his reaction before her expression grew serious again. "You remember what you said to me, don't you? All the way back when we fought Sloth?"

Subaru glanced at her, his brows furrowing slightly. "Yeah… I remember."

"You told me you'd be a hero," Ram said, her voice steady but carrying a faint edge of challenge. "Don't forget that promise. If you're going to carry this burden, then you'd better fulfill your words. Be the hero you claimed you'd be."

Subaru stared at her for a long moment before a faint, tired smile tugged at his lips. "Guess I don't have much of a choice, huh?"

Ram turned toward the door, pausing only briefly to glance back at him. "No, you don't. So make sure you don't disappoint us."

With that, she left the room, leaving Subaru alone with Rem once more. The silence returned, but it felt different now—less suffocating, more focused. Subaru leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he looked at Rem again.

"I'll fix this," he murmured softly. "I'll bring you back. No matter what it takes."

It had taken days of careful tracking, but Halibel finally found Natsuki Subaru—the boy who had inadvertently become his de facto leader. Standing before the grand, foreboding silhouette of the Mathers manor, the wolf shinobi couldn't help but let out a sigh, his tail swishing lightly behind him. Of all places Subaru could have ended up, it had to be here—the very place he had vowed never to return to.

Halibel adjusted the sash of his kimono, his amber eyes narrowing slightly as he walked up the path. The situation he'd been unraveling for the past twenty-four hours was a tangled mess, and now it seemed the heart of that mess lay right here in this domain.

The Astrea situation had been particularly frustrating. Heinkel, wracked with guilt and shame, had made a decision that left even Halibel bewildered: he intended to transfer the entirety of the Astrea domain and its territories—not to Subaru, who seemed the natural choice given his rising influence—but to Felt. The fiery thief-turned-royal candidate hadn't yet received word of this monumental development, which only added to Halibel's growing list of concerns.

And that was only one piece of the chaos.

The Sword Saint was possessed. A Sin Archbishop was dead. Pristella was still in ruins, reeling from the devastation it had suffered. And Subaru himself—arguably the centerpiece of all these calamities—had been missing from action for a solid month, lost in a coma while the world burned.

Halibel muttered under his breath as he reached the manor's entrance, his claws flexing slightly out of habit. If only the kid had woken up sooner… but no point thinkin' 'bout what's already done.

He knocked lightly on the door, the sound echoing through the quiet halls. A moment later, it creaked open, revealing Petra, who blinked up at him in surprise.

"Uh… can I help you?" she asked, her tone cautious but polite.

Halibel gave her a faint smile, his posture relaxed but deliberate. "I'm lookin' for Subaru," he said smoothly. "Figured he'd be here, given how tangled things have gotten lately."

Petra tilted her head slightly before nodding. "He's inside. I'll take you to him."

As Halibel followed her through the halls, his sharp ears picked up on the faint murmurs of conversation and the distant creak of the manor settling. Despite the renovations, there was an eerie stillness to the place, as if the ghosts of its past still lingered in the shadows.

Finally, they reached a large sitting room where Subaru sat slouched on a couch, Beatrice perched beside him. Subaru's gaze was distant, his expression tired but focused, as though his thoughts were miles away. Beatrice, ever the protective presence, glanced up sharply as they entered.

"Subaru, ya got a visitor," Petra announced before stepping aside to let Halibel through.

Subaru's eyes flickered with recognition, and he sat up straighter, a faint grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "Halibel. Took you long enough to find me."

Halibel snorted lightly, crossing his arms. "Didn't think you'd be back here of all places," he replied. "Figured you'd be anywhere but the Mathers domain, given how much you hate it."

Subaru shrugged, leaning back slightly. "Yeah, well, life's funny like that. What brings you here, though? Got bad news, or is it worse?"

Halibel chuckled softly, though his tone quickly turned serious. "Worse, probably. I've been untanglin' the mess Heinkel left behind, and it's a doozy. The guy's plannin' to transfer all the Astrea territories to Felt. Hasn't told her yet, either."

Subaru's eyes widened slightly, surprise flickering across his face. "To Felt? Why?"

"Guilt," Halibel replied simply. "And shame. The guy's a wreck. Can't face what he's done, so he's tryin' to make up for it in the only way he knows how."

Subaru rubbed the back of his neck, letting out a frustrated sigh. "Great. Another mess to deal with."

Halibel nodded, his expression grim. "That's just one part of it, though. The whole situation's spiralin'—the Sword Saint possessed, a Sin Archbishop dead, Pristella in shambles… You've been out of commission for a month, and everything's gone to hell."

Subaru's grin faded, replaced by a more serious expression. "Yeah, I figured as much," he muttered. "Still, it's not like I can change the past. All I can do is clean up what's in front of me."

Halibel studied him for a moment before nodding. "Fair enough. Just figured you should know what you're walkin' into."

Subaru sighed again, leaning back against the couch. "Thanks, Halibel. You're a lifesaver, as always."

Halibel smirked faintly. "Don't mention it. Just make sure ya don't get yourself killed tryin' to fix everything, alright?"

Subaru chuckled softly, though the weight of Halibel's words lingered in the air. The challenges ahead were daunting, but for Subaru, it was just another impossible mountain to climb. And climb it, he would.

The conversation continued, the tension in the room easing slightly as Subaru stretched his arms, trying to shake off the lingering fatigue from everything that had piled up.

"You know," Subaru said after a moment, "once I help clean up this mess in Pristella, I'm pretty set on just staying in Kagaragi. This whole 'kingdom politics' thing is way above my pay grade." He smirked faintly, glancing at Halibel. "Maybe I'll just settle down, make some cool stuff, and let the rest of the world handle itself for a while."

Halibel's ears flicked slightly as he tilted his head, his golden eyes glinting with faint amusement. "Oh yeah? Guess it'd suit ya to play the genius inventor in Kagaragi. Not a bad life, I reckon."

Subaru grinned, his tone light. "You say that like I've actually invented anything worthwhile."

Halibel chuckled, leaning casually against the wall. "Actually, you might wanna rethink that. Those little gadgets and ideas of yours? They're takin' off, Subaru."

Subaru blinked, sitting up straighter. "Wait, seriously?"

"Dead serious," Halibel replied, his tail swishing lazily behind him. "Your little gimmicks are sellin' like hotcakes. I figured they'd make a splash, but even I didn't expect this kinda buzz. Turns out, the folks in Kagaragi like what you've been cookin'."

Subaru's grin widened, though his disbelief was evident. "You're telling me my random, thrown-together ideas are actually making money?"

Halibel nodded, his smirk widening slightly. "Not just makin' money, but buildin' somethin' solid. And get this—I got the investment money to really kick things off from none other than Mr. Sazuki himself."

Subaru's jaw dropped, his mind struggling to process the news. "Wait, what? Sazuki? The Sazuki? You're kidding me."

"Nope," Halibel said, clearly enjoying Subaru's reaction. "It's official, boss. The Pleiades Trade Organization is a real thing now. We've got backing, customers, and even a little buzz around the name."

Subaru leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair as he tried to wrap his head around the idea. "Holy crap… I mean, I was just spitballing ideas. I didn't think any of them would actually take off."

Halibel chuckled again, shaking his head. "You really don't give yourself enough credit, y'know that? People like what you're sellin', and with a little polish, it's only gonna get bigger."

Subaru let out a low whistle, a mix of pride and disbelief swirling in his chest. "Well, I'll be damned. The Pleiades Trade Organization, huh? I guess I really am a genius."

Halibel smirked, pushing off the wall. "Don't let it go to your head, boss. There's still a long road ahead. But for now, you can rest easy knowin' we've got somethin' real to build on."

Subaru nodded, his grin softening into something more thoughtful. "Thanks, Halibel. Seriously. I couldn't have done any of this without you."

The wolf shinobi waved him off, his tone light but sincere. "Don't mention it. We're in this together, boss. Now let's get through the mess in Pristella so you can finally kick back in Kagaragi."

Subaru chuckled, a flicker of hope lighting up his expression. "Sounds like a plan."

Before they could depart, Subaru found himself standing in the manor's courtyard, the crisp morning air carrying the faint scent of dew. His companions—Emilia, Garfiel, and Otto—were preparing for the journey, their chatter filling the background as they finalized their plans. Emilia had been adamant about coming along, citing the importance of restoring her reputation and lending aid to Pristella. Garfiel, of course, wouldn't be left behind, seeing it as a chance to make an impression. Otto had eventually joined them too, though Subaru suspected his motivations were more about keeping the group grounded than anything else.

Despite the bustling preparations, Subaru's focus was elsewhere. He had one more loose end to tie up before they left. He spotted Felt lingering near the manor gates, leaning against the stone wall with her arms crossed and her golden eyes staring out at the horizon. Her usual fiery energy was muted, replaced by a contemplative stillness that made her look almost out of place.

Subaru took a deep breath and approached her, his footsteps crunching softly on the gravel. "Felt," he called out, his voice breaking through the quiet.

She glanced over her shoulder at him, her sharp gaze narrowing slightly.

"What do you want, hero?" she asked, her tone casual but carrying an edge.

Subaru stuffed his hands into his pockets as he came to a stop a few feet away from her. "Just wanted to talk before we head out," he said. "Figured there's some stuff we should clear up."

Felt raised an eyebrow, tilting her head slightly. "Clear up? You mean about your little trip to save the world? Or about how everyone's been walking on eggshells around me since Reinhard—" She cut herself off, her voice faltering for a moment before she shook her head. "Forget it."

Subaru sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's not just about that," he admitted. "I heard from Halibel. About Heinkel. About what he's planning to do with the Astrea domain."

Felt stiffened slightly, her golden eyes narrowing further. "What about it?"

"He's planning to hand it all over to you," Subaru said bluntly. "The whole domain. Territories, responsibilities, everything."

The air between them grew heavy as Felt stared at him, her expression unreadable. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the weight of the revelation hanging between them.

"...Why?" Felt asked finally, her voice quieter than usual. "Why would he do that? What the hell does he expect me to do with it?"

"Guilt, mostly," Subaru said, his tone even. "He's trying to make up for what he did. To Reinhard, to you… to everyone. This is his way of trying to set things right."

Felt scoffed, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. "Set things right? What a joke. Does he really think dumping all that responsibility on me is gonna fix anything?"

Subaru stepped closer, his gaze steady. "It's not about fixing things. It's about giving you a choice. What you do with it—that's up to you. But you've got people who believe in you, Felt. People who see more in you than you see in yourself."

She looked away, her jaw tightening as she struggled to find the right words. "I didn't ask for any of this," she muttered. "I didn't ask to be some candidate, or for Reinhard to… to…" Her voice cracked slightly, and she clenched her fists. "Damn it."

Subaru reached out, placing a hand gently on her shoulder. "I know," he said softly. "But sometimes, life doesn't wait for us to be ready. You've got a chance to make something of this, Felt. To take what's been handed to you and turn it into something better."

Felt looked up at him, her golden eyes filled with a mix of frustration and uncertainty. For a long moment, she didn't respond, her gaze searching his face as if trying to find some hidden answer.

Finally, she sighed, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "You're a real pain in the ass, you know that?" she said, her tone softening.

Subaru grinned faintly. "Yeah, I get that a lot."

Felt smirked despite herself, though the weight in her eyes didn't fully disappear. "Fine," she said. "I'll think about it. But don't expect me to just jump on board with this whole 'ruler of a domain' thing. I'm not exactly the royal type."

"Fair enough," Subaru said with a nod. "Just… don't sell yourself short, alright? You're capable of more than you think."

With that, Felt turned back toward the horizon, her expression pensive. Subaru gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze before stepping back, leaving her to her thoughts. As he returned to the group, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. Felt's fire was still there—it just needed time to burn brighter.

Authors Note:

A short but informative chapter, hope y'all enjoyed!