Chapter 5

Cold Pride

The moon cast long, distorted shadows across Roswaal's study, illuminating dust motes dancing in the silver light.

The Margrave himself, clad in his usual flamboyant clownish attire, gazed out at the silvery orb hanging high above. Sat in a plush armchair, his painted smile seemed slightly more jovial than usual, followed by a calculating glint in his eyes.

On his lap lay Ram, her pink hair a stark contrast to the dark velvet cushions.

Her normally stoic features were relaxed, breaths soft and even as Roswaal's luminous fingertip pressed against her forehead, subtly channeling mana into her – a vital lifeline for the hornless ogre who could no longer sustain herself from the atmosphere.

"Tomorrow will be a momentous daaay for Emilia-sama," Roswaal murmured, his voice a low, musical purr. "Her arrival at the Capital…her introooduction to the Royaaal Selection."

"A stage set for her grand entrance, and a carefully orchestrated fall from grace."

Ram shifted slightly, a barely perceptible tremor running through her. "What of my duties, Roswaal-sama?"

He glanced down at Ram, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Your task is simple, my dear. Escort Emilia-sama to the Royal Castle for her enrollment in the Selection. Hooowever," he added, leaning closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "leave her bewildered and alone once she's registered."

"Disoriented. Vulneraaable. In the heart of the Capital, surrooounded by unfamiliar faces and a web of intricate intrigue. It will be… eduuucational." He chuckled softly.

Ram : "Understood, Roswaal-sama."

"Excellent," he chuckled, withdrawing his hand. The faint glow faded from Ram's skin, leaving behind the lingering warmth of his mana infusion. "Remember, a little solitude can be quite beneficial for fooostering independence aaand… resourcefulness."

Ram's silence was a testament to her understanding. She left after nodding once, absorbing his master's enigmatic instructions.

She knew Roswaal's games well; he delighted in manipulating events from the shadows, orchestrating chaos with a touch of pantomime. But her loyalty remained unwavering.

Roswaal knew she wouldn't question his motives. Their relationship was one of intricate dependence – he the puppeteer, she the willing marionette.

The heavy oak door swung shut behind Ram, sealing Roswaal's manic energy within the study. His gaze fell upon a particularly imposing tome nestled on his desk – a black-covered book that seemed to hum with a barely perceptible energy.

This was a copy of the Book of Wisdom, a grimoire passed down through generations of Roswaal's lineage. It held prophecies, spells, and unsettlingly accurate predictions.

"Emilia," he began, his voice dropping its usual melodramatic cadence, "holds the key to something far grander than a simple Selection." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "She can be a bait, a beacon for an entity capable of defying fate itself."

"But she is...unpredictable," he continued, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. "A wildcard in a game where every move must be calculated." He tapped the leather cover of the book resting on his lap.

"Even the book from my beloved teacher struggles to provide clear guidance regarding her. Its obscure pronouncements offer only vague directives, unlike its usual meticulous detail."

Roswaal sought absolute control, yet Emilia represented an untamed force, a variable he couldn't fully grasp.

He paused, a predatory smile creeping across his lips. "But that only makes her mooore… intriiiguing."

He then opened the book, a determined glint in his eyes. "Everything is unfolding precisely as intended. The threads are aligning. My long-awaited dream… it is within my grasp."

For his dearest wish, Roswaal would follow the tome's scriptures, a tool for reaching a desired future in the most theoretically optimal way.

Tomorrow, by doing what is written, he will be able to get his hands on two powerful entities at his disposal.

—One who can reach any wished result by redoing events; A paradoxical existence, both shadow and light in the theater of Time, a spectator capable of writing the very scenes being played out.

—The other, who can assist the latter to the utmost by being an intangible, intruding anomaly; Void incarnate, as if the world hesitated to acknowledge its existence, as if reality refused to mingle with its essence.

By having them play by the rules of the Gospel, Roswaal would surely be able to meet her again. So…

A flicker of amusement crossed his face as he flipped through brittle pages, finally stopping at a cryptic message:

"Beware if the Sword Saint meets ■■■■ before noon"

I just love being summoned here.

Here, in this milky realm, my body feels cleansed.

Here, in this colourless space, my heart feels saved.

Here, in this white expanse, my soul feels absolved.

Of all my sins. Of all my weaknesses. Of all my doubts.

Of all my virtues. Of all my strengths. Of all my convictions.

Having Puck's loyalty, I challenged the Council of Wise Men. Having Subaru's support, I learned more about my abilities, and my potential; I am strong, I can be stronger, and I have even stronger allies. But, here and now, I absolutely did not care.

This place was so shining, so perfect, so divine, that all of my Pride disappeared.

Here, seeing this magnificent color, I am truly free.

Until I saw her.

That platinum-haired witch I hate more than anything.

That frail, beautiful little monster... who always saves me from this Perfect White Garden.

Pandora : "Living through the same day again and again can prove to be bothersome… Well, only here, since I won't remember it outside."

I was wondering, but doesn't it scare you?

That there's someone out there who can redo everything at will?

Pandora : "Why should I be afraid? If the only worthwhile thing this person can do is go back in time, at best, she can be a worthy adversary for me. I find that very beautiful."

Hmmm? Really?

Pandora : "What do you mean?"

I don't know, that doesn't sound completely true~.

Pandora : "You should worry about yourself. If I have guessed correctly, you are aware of the turmoil of Time outside here. You could go mad without even knowing why."

Yeaaah~

I see what she means, but she doesn't know we're actually talking about my friend. Let's keep it a secret for now. Just in case.

I sat down on the white ground, waiting for when I'll get out of here. And came up with a very strange idea.

Hey, Pandora! Let's play!

Pandora : "Play?"

I'm bored, so until we're out of this realm, let's play some roles... Hmmm like, what if we were best friends?

Pandora : "I'm not interest—"

My best friend! So, what do we do today?

Pandora : "...I don't know, my friend. We could… do nothing?"

Tsss, negative, as always! Well… tell me! What's your craziest dream?

Not that I'm actually interested in being closer with her, but if I had to do so, in order to kill her, why not?

She sighed, and lifted her eyes upwards. She couldn't have seen through my extremely cunning manipulation tactic, is she?

Pandora : "That you turn into a statue of ice and I can finally enjoy the silence."

Oh, stop it, you're so funny. No, seriously, tell me. I promise I won't laugh.

Pandora : "Fine. If you must know… My dream…is quite simple, actually. I want to understand. Everything."

Understand everything?

Pandora : "Yes. Why do people kill themselves? Why do people save themselves? Why do people love themselves? What has been lost? What was caused to have been lost? I want to understand, and to exalt everything, Emilia."

I don't understand what you mean by that...

I thought your dream was to open the Seal, you did say it was your long-desired wish, remember?

Pandora : "Fufu. I don't know what you mean. Perhaps your ears deceived you."

Alright, if you don't want to tell me, just say so... You don't have to feed me ramblings.

Pandora : "What's your dream then?"

Me? I… I want to free those I froze back then.

Pandora : "Hm? Who is the one lying here?"

What? Lying?

Pandora : "I can not really call it a dream. That is only a self-imposed duty born from your guilt."

Hk–

Pandora : "The Permafrost will eventually thaw by itself, and you can simply wait until then. Their freedom is not a hazy dream, but a certainty."

Pandora, you dunderhead! You're right… I don't have anything like a dream for now.

Pandora : "Fufufu, so I was right, my best friend."

Huh?!

I see. Maybe it wasn't the best idea to try and get close to her. Her calling me "best friend" disgusts me.

Did I really have to do this to get valuable information from her? Did I have to stoop so low?

Have some pride, Emilia!

White still managed to creep back into my soul. Filled with modesty and meekness, my sense of superiority over Pandora dulled once again.

Pandora : "If we're going to play best friends, we might as well go all out. Do you have a boy you like?"

A boy I like?

I don't really understand love, so I don't have anyone I see that way.

Cracks began to form in the white realm, letting darkness penetrate inside. I guess it's time to leave…

I wonder why I thought of Subaru when she asked me that question. Curious.

Hey! Aren't you going to tell me if you have someone you like?

Pandora : "I loved a lot of people and things over the years."

Whoa… Tell me more!

Pandora : "Hm. For instance, when he absorbed the Sloth Factor, when he sacrificed himself to protect Fortuna and you from me, I fell in love with Geuse"

Kh– What?!

What is she talking about?! Is she trying to make me angry?

Pandora : "And right now… I think I am in love with you, Emilia."

Whaaaat?!

Is she completely crazy? I should've known better… There's no way I can figure out what's going on in her head.

To our beautiful new friendship. May it last... until I'm far enough away not to see you again.

Emilia sat perched atop a small, crumbling watchtower, its roof long since vanished, leaving her exposed to the open sky. She blinked awake, disoriented for a moment before remembering the events that had just transpired.

"Again…" she muttered, her voice laced with weariness. "I feel like forgetting something crucial."

Puck fluttered beside her, his face creased with worry, unable to fully express the bewilderment gnawing at him.

Puck : "That was scary, I won't lie. Suddenly saying that I shouldn't panic if you faint, and pass out right after…"

It wasn't simply the fact that she had fainted – this had happened before, albeit with less ominous foreshadowing. No, it was the eerie premonition woven into her words before succumbing to darkness that truly unsettled him.

"I never doubted you Lia…," he pressed gently, his voice laced with concern. "But to be honest, I'm feeling more and more overwhelmed by the situation."

Emilia had shared fragments of her bizarre journey through time – glimpses of futures fraught with danger, recurring patterns.

She'd hinted at past sacrifices, at lives being endangered and battles fought, but, of course, she kept the true extent of her suffering buried deep within.

However, in spite of cleverly hiding the fact she got horribly killed twice, her torments weren't going completely unnoticed by the Great Spirit.

Emilia : "Yes… sorry Puck. It's veeery weird and confusing, right?"

Puck knew something was terribly wrong. Each loop seemed to bring Emilia closer to a breaking point, each time the danger felt more imminent, more real.

"That's not really what's bothering me... I'm scared for you, Lia... Can I really protect you from what lies ahead? Can I be enough, in my condition?"

He couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't just about navigating treacherous alleyways or outwitting ruthless bandits - there were forces at play, ancient, dark and powerful, that threatened to consume her entirely. Still…

"Don't worry, Lia," Puck reassured her, his tone unfaltering in its determination. "You have my full support and trust! Besides, it's my duty as a father to respect your wishes, isn't it?"

He didn't care about the safety of others – the unknown Subaru, the thief Felt, or any other soul caught in the crossfire of Emilia's ambitions. But she was his responsibility, entrusted to him by fate itself.

And if she wanted to reclaim her insignia and save those around her, he would stand by her side, firm in his loyalty. Even though she's already proved herself quite capable of dealing with the outside world, as her father, he'll always protect her.

Emilia met his gaze with a warm smile that reached her eyes. "Thank you so much, Puck."

She paused, her attention shifting to the surroundings. The sun's rays cast long shadows across the weathered stones of the watchtower, and a gentle breeze whistled through the crumbling battlements.

Pulling her hood lower, she began scanning their surroundings with a hawk-like intensity.

"Don't worry," Puck chirped from beside her, ever vigilant. "Nobody suspicious in black has passed by yet."

The memory of their recent encounter with Reinhard flooded Emilia's mind, a stark contrast to the current tense atmosphere. She remembered explaining the situation as they made their way towards the slums - how she had lost her insignia to Felt, the notorious thief who operated in the area.

"Once again, allow me to thank you, Reinhard-san," Emilia said sincerely, her voice echoing with gratitude.

Subaru echoed her sentiment. "We really appreciate it, Reinhard! Frankly, you're a lifesaver."

Reinhard tilted his head slightly in response, confusion flickering across his usually stoic features. "Emilia-sama? Subaru?"

Explaining her situation to such an esteemed knight as Reinhard had been a delicate dance, as it implied that, by failing to protect something as trivial as an insignia, she wasn't worthy of the responsibilities of a King.

But Emilia, hardened at an alarming pace by the violent traumas she'd endured, and strengthened by the unswerving support of Subaru and Puck, understood the gravity of their predicament.

She'd grown tremendously, learning to weigh each decision carefully, calculating risk against reward… That's why…

"I could have easily retrieved my insignia on my own. But then I'd have probably missed the opportunity to save Felt's life and capture the mastermind behind this – Elsa Granhiert.", she said earnestly.

Emilia : "This woman will kill Felt if she fails in her work. That's why I humbly ask for your help, Sword Saint, Reinhard Van Astrea."

Subaru nodded vigorously in agreement. "Yeah! We need to save Felt! She's super cool, even if she is a little…" He trailed off, searching for the right word.

Puck chimed in from his perch on Emilia's shoulder, "A bit of a scoundrel?"

"Exactly!" exclaimed Subaru, wrapping his hands around Puck's little body. "But a good one!"

Puck : "Hehe, you're getting super familiar all of a sudden. But I'll let it go, don't forget to thank Lia!"

While petting the floating cat, Subaru teased him with a beaming smile. "Don't be so cold! Thank you, Puck, for being born so cute, and with such soft fur!"

Reinhard and Emilia exchanged surprised glances. Both had been accustomed to navigating a world where people kept their distance, wary of their power or past.

Subaru's genuine friendliness, devoid of ulterior motives or apprehension, was refreshing and unexpected.

Reinhard felt a warmth spread through his chest, softening the usual stoicism on his face. "Of course," he said, his voice resonating with sincerity. "As a knight, I will help you to the utmost, Emilia-sama, Subaru."

Reinhard : "And you did good seeking help. The Bowel Hunter, Elsa Granhiert. Her name is well-known as that of a dangerous criminal, even in the capital."

"Yeah… I feel bad to bring you into this," Subaru confessed, a hint of guilt lacing his voice. "That Elsa is a real problem."

Emilia placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "True, but with Reinhard-san here, we can go in with our minds at ease."

Subaru hesitated, chewing on his lip. "If you guys say so… I'll have to trust you on this one…" he mumbled, glancing nervously at Reinhard. "Frankly, he doesn't seem that intimidating—Sorry!"

Reinhard let out a hearty chuckle, the sound echoing surprisingly warm and disarming. "It's nothing," he assured him, his gaze softening. "Please don't bother."

The warmth of Subaru's genuine friendliness was a welcome change from the usual apprehensive silence that often surrounded him. It was refreshing to have someone who wasn't intimidated by his strength. In fact, it made him feel…almost normal.

Subaru : "That's–wait… You have always called her Emilia-sama since we met, right?"

Puck let out an exasperated sigh. "You're only realizing this now?!"

Subaru grunted, a blush creeping onto his cheeks. "I–I didn't question anything 'cause Reinhard's nice-guy index is off the charts! I thought he was just overly polite!"

"Haha!" Puck chortled, clearly amused by Subaru's obliviousness. "You're not completely wrong then!"

Subaru turned back to Emilia. "Are you someone important? Like, a noblewoman or something?"

Emilia hesitated, a thoughtful frown creasing her brow. "Well… I'll tell you after, Subaru. I promise."

Reinhard remained silent, his gaze fixed on the raven-haired boy. The Divine protections he wielded reassured him of Subaru's trustworthiness. He trusted the young man's intuition and loyalty to Emilia.

Subaru nodded, seemingly accepting her response with a shrug. "I'm OK with that. We have more urgent things to take care of after all." He turned towards Reinhard, his voice laced with newfound confidence. "Here's the plan: Puck and you stay on standby, while I go inside the loothouse with Reinhard."

Emilia's thoughts echoed with a quiet "O–Okey?" It was a peculiar term for her ears, coming from Subaru's often unconventional vocabulary. Yet, she found herself strangely charmed by his quirky use of words. But wait... what had he just said?

Emilia's eyes widened in alarm. "You want to go there without me? Alone?" she exclaimed, incredulity lacing her voice.

Subaru shook his head vigorously, a determined gleam in his eyes. "Not really alone! If the best course of action is to make Reinhard confront Elsa, the last thing we need is her taking hostages, right?"

Emilia's brow furrowed in thought, processing Subaru's words. He was right. Elsa's volatile nature posed a significant threat, and avoiding unnecessary casualties was paramount.

"Here's the idea," Subaru announced, pulling out his flip phone. "Look at this."

Reinhard and Puck's interest peaked, as they had never seen such an unusual object, while Emilia remained calmer, as she remembered him using it on their very first loop, moments before their end.

Emilia : "Your metia for emitting light?"

Subaru : "Yup, but it doesn't only serve as a lamp torch."

He grinned proudly. "That's a one-of-a-kind gadget that can do all sorts of things: making noises at a specific time of day, capturing and stopping a moment in time – In short, it's a very precious object! Which I can use to get Felt and his gramps Rom to cooperate – that is, evacuate them, and retrieve the insignia after dealing with Elsa."

Subaru opted for a simple but effective neutralization strategy.

From what Emilia and Puck had told him, Reinhard could easily overpower Elsa and capture her. But they could still avoid giving her the opportunity to blackmail them. Their safety, and that of Felt and Rom, was the top priority.

Reinhard, nodding in understanding, murmured "I see. So, you want me to go with you to help you get their assistance, and deal with Elsa when she'll come."

Subaru beamed, pleased with Reinhard's comprehension. "Yes! Emilia, since you're the one Felt has targeted, you can't go yourself. It could complicate things. We can't risk her running away again, or doing anything to damage your item out of spite."

"I understand," Emilia conceded, her voice laced with a hint of worry, "Still…" Her gaze lingered on Subaru's resolute face.

Puck : "Don't worry about him Lia, he is totally safe around the Sword Saint."

Emilia shook her head softly, a knowing smile forming on her lips. "It was the same last time, but you're the type to take huge risks easily, aren't you?" she delicately said.

Casting away a very precious item to minimize risks of people dying, or going first in an unknown place to make sure everything is okay beforehand… It's all part of Subaru's kindness. But she can't let him continue like this. At least, not by himself.

"You told me yourself, 'I'm not alone', right? I feel the same way. You're not alone, Subaru. We can face this together."

A warmth blossomed in Subaru's chest at Emilia's words. Yes, the same words he remembers saying to her before, in a clumsy attempt to bring her comfort.

Before being summoned into the world without warning, Natsuki Subaru was a recluse, spending most of his time indulging in laziness, playing video games, caring only for himself and doing nothing productive for others.

He wanted to be loved and surrounded by people, but, through foolishness, he had no friends left.

He didn't want to remain isolated, but he put up a wall between himself and his loving parents, the only people left who tried to get close to him.

He never wanted loneliness, but he deliberately set himself apart from others, feeling it was well-deserved for a useless individual like him.

She might never know, but he felt as if those simple but sincere words had saved him.

"Emilia…" he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

She reached out, her hand resting lightly on his. Her grip tightening reassuringly, she declared, her eyes shining with determination "So, I'm going to take risks too. I don't want to sit back and do nothing."

"Puck, Subaru has a great affinity with spirits!" Emilia exclaimed, turning to the small, fluffy creature. "Can you communicate with him telepathically?"

Puck tilted his head thoughtfully. "You're right, his affinity with Spirits … is actually one of the highest I ever saw! I'm a little bit surprised." He glanced at Subaru with amusement.

Reinhard nodded approvingly. "That's wonderful, Subaru!"

Subaru's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, really?" he exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief. "You guys did tell me this before... Does that mean that I can have my own super overpowered Spirit one day?"

Suddenly, a quiet voice resonated directly within Subaru's mind. "That means that I can speak to you like this," Puck communicated telepathically.

Subaru gasped, his jaw dropping in astonishment. "Woah!" he breathed, his eyes wide with wonder, and his hand on his left ear. "Telepathy? That's an isekai fantasy universe for you!"

"Perfect!" Emilia declared, a determined glint in her eyes. "I'll discreetly scout the entrance to the slums. If I see anything suspicious, Puck will tell you so that you can prepare." She started to turn away, her silver hair catching the fading sunlight.

Subaru's brow furrowed with concern. "W–Wait a second!" he called out, his voice laced with urgency. "You can maybe stay hidden somewhere close. If you got confronted with Elsa, what would you do?"

Emilia paused, turning back to face him. Her expression softened as she met Subaru's worried gaze. "Of course, I'll be reeeally vigilant this time! And I'll tell you through Puck," she assured him, her voice calm and reassuring. "And I'll be back at 5 o'clock, when Puck falls asleep, no matter what."

Subaru let out a weary sigh. "You can be quite stubborn, you know?" he murmured, though his tone lacked any real censure. His gaze held a mixture of admiration and apprehension as he watched Emilia turn away once more.

Despite the danger that lay ahead, Subaru found himself strangely comforted by her unwavering resolve.

They both silently send each other a silent prayer for their well-being.

"May the blessing of the spirits be with you. Subaru."

"Don't do anything crazy, Emilia."

"Sword Saint, Reinhard?!" Rom exclaimed, his voice booming through the loot house.

Felt : "Who?!—Why would he come here in the slums?"

The air hung heavy with unspoken tension, pressing down on the four figures gathered within the oppressive room.

Subaru stood upright, arms folded, with the kingdom's hero, Reinhard Van Astrea, the Knight among knights, a true living legend, at his side. His distinct flaming red hair, his sky blue eyes, his imposing sheathed sword was recognizable by anyone in Lugunica.

Subaru stood upright, arms folded tight across his chest. Standing beside him was the kingdom's hero, Reinhard Van Astrea, the knight among knights, a living legend.

His blazing red hair seemed to glow even in the dim light, his sky blue eyes sharp and observant, and the sheathed sword at his side was recognizable by anyone in Lugunica.

On the other side, Felt, a slender blonde, with a confident crimson-eyed gaze, sits nonchalantly on a seat at the bar, absent-mindedly twirling a dagger between his fingers.

Behind the counter, Rom, an elderly giant. Over two meters tall, his hunched posture and shuffling gait made him appear shorter than he truly was, but no less imposing.

Subaru glanced at Reinhard, a mix of awe and apprehension in his eyes. "I already knew," he muttered, "but you really are that famous, huh…"

Reinhard offered a wry smile, brushing off the praise with a dismissive wave. "If I'm famous," he said, his voice calm and measured, "it's probably because bards like to exaggerate their stories."

"That sounds serious, Felt," Rom rumbled, his voice echoing through the dusty warehouse. Concern creased his weathered brow. "What have you gotten yourself into?"

Felt scoffed, waving a dismissive hand at Rom's worry. "Calm down, Rom-ji! These guys just want something," she said, her crimson eyes flicking between Subaru and Reinhard.

Turning back to Subaru, she raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk twisting her lips. "So what? You brought a guard dog to intimidate me? Who are you?"

Subaru straightened his spine, forcing a confident grin despite the knot of anxiety twisting in his gut. "It's not about intimidation…" he started, then swallowed nervously. "I'm Natsuki Subaru! Glad to meet you!"

"Have you noticed something wrong yet?" Subaru sent a telepathic message to Puck, scouting around with Emilia

Puck : "Not yet, we are still scouting around."

During the previous loop, Subaru went to the loot house in the hope of finding Emilia, and securing her , he failed and was killed again by Elsa, but was able to find out more about Felt and Rom.

He had learned about Felt's fiery spirit and stubborn independence. Rom could be easily persuaded, but Felt held the final word.

Playing the role of another client seeking the insignia wouldn't work. Subaru needed a different approach.

He took a deep breath, steeling himself for Felt's reaction. "I'll be blunt," he declared, his voice firm despite the tremor in his hands. "I'm here for two things. The insignia you stole this morning."

Subaru met Felt's gaze, holding her attention with an unfaltering stare.

"And most importantly," he continued, "your client. I want to arrest her."

"Heh!," Felt scoffed, her crimson eyes glittering with amusement. "I figured as much. So, what's your plan, buddies? Hand me over to the guards if I don't help you?"

Subaru shook his head, a confident smile playing on his lips. "No. I've got something better. I'll make you a deal, Felt. A very good one."

Felt's smirk faltered. "Deal? Because you think I need that?" she challenged, spinning her dagger idly between her fingers. "You know who my client is, don't you? She pays me very well."

Subaru : "That's just it. I know exactly who she is. And I also know that when she's done with you, she'll betray you."

He paused, letting the words hang heavy in the air, and continued "When you're no longer useful to her, she'll eliminate you. That's her style. Believe me."

The dagger stopped rotating in Felt's hand. Her eyes narrowed, searching Subaru's face for any hint of deceit. A tense silence stretched between them

Subaru pressed on, sensing her wavering resolve, "Ok you don't have to believe me, but… Tell me, how much does she pay you for this job? Ten gold holy coins? Maximum twenty? I can give you more."

The tension in the room ratcheted up another notch as Subaru reached into his pocket to pull out his cell phone.

"That's what everyone wants these days," Subaru said, meeting Felt's gaze with confidence. "A metia. I'll let you examine it later, but I can guarantee it costs a lot."

Felt : "You don't seem to be lying…And if I refuse?"

Subaru : "Then you're caught in the crossfire. On one side, she, who sees you as an expendable pawn. On the other hand, me, who already knows too much about you. Your choice."

Felt tapped a finger thoughtfully against her chin, considering Subaru's words. "But there are some issues here, big bro!" she countered, a mischievous glint returning to her eyes.

Felt : "First! If you're willing to pay us that much, that means the insignia is worth a lot more than it looks! That's why everyone wants it. In other words, this would sell for more than a metia–"

"Hang on, Felt!" Subaru exclaimed, raising his hands in protest. "That's a dangerous way to think—"

"Second!" she interrupted, her voice taking on a sharper edge. "What's to stop you betraying us afterwards?"

Before Subaru could respond, Reinhard stepped forward, his voice deep and resonant. "My oath. I protect those who do me a favor. If you cooperate, I personally guarantee your safety."

Rom, the hulking figure beside Felt, stared at the knight with intense scrutiny.

"Many promises," he rumbled, his voice gravelly yet strangely calming. "Little proof. But I'm inclined to believe them, Felt."

Felt glanced back at her companion, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her features. "Rom-ji?" she asked, her voice soft.

Rom merely shrugged, his expression unreadable. "They could have taken back the item you stole by force, and easily, if they'd wanted to."

Felt let out a frustrated sigh. "Tch," she muttered under her breath.

"What's the deal with the other client?" Rom rumbled, his gaze fixed on Subaru.

TOC TOC TOC – A sharp knock echoed through the dilapidated warehouse, breaking the tense silence.

Just then, a chilling gust of wind swept through the loot house, slamming shut the shutters

A shadow fell across the doorway, blocking out the meager sunlight that filtered through the cracks in the walls.

The air grew thick with anticipation as all eyes turned towards the ominous figure silhouetted in the gloom.

A woman, cloaked in darkness, stepped into the room.

Felt : "Who again?"

The woman pulled back her hood, revealing a pale, freckled face framed by dark hair.

Her eyes, wide and filled with terror, darted nervously around the room, her breaths shallow and panicked. Beads of sweat clung to her brow, highlighting the sheer intensity of her fear.

Even without Reinhard's Divine Protection of Empathy, everyone could sense the palpable terror radiating from her.

Subaru felt a cold knot tighten in his gut. This wasn't Elsa. She wore the same cloak, but he couldn't place her face. "I don't remember this girl," he thought, his mind reeling with confusion as images of past loops flashed through his memory.

Something was deeply wrong. This new development felt like a tremor in the fabric of reality, a sign that something had shifted drastically.

Confusion hung heavy in the air as everyone grappled with the sudden appearance of this unexpected third party, but the very first to act was the old giant.

Rom - before called the Great Strategist, Valga Cromwell - remembered something he once strategized in times of war.

His mind, once a formidable weapon on countless battlefields, whirred to life, recalling horrendous but terribly effective tactics he had devised himself to inflict the most damage on his enemies.

While the terrified woman could be here to ask for help, another possibility took root. This was no ordinary visitor; the situation eerily looked like... a suicide attack.

"Felt!" he bellowed, his voice booming through the warehouse. Without hesitation, Rom broke through the counter, shielding the nimble girl with his massive frame.

The woman at the entrance reached into her cloak, revealing a glowing bag. Tears streamed down her face as she whispered, her voice trembling with terror, "I'm sorry."

Then, in a deafening roar that cracked windows and sent dust raining from the ceiling, the loot house erupted in a blinding flash of light and a shower of debris.

A booming, ear-shattering roar ripped through the air, breaking the relative calm of Emilia's scouting mission. Her heart lurched as she instinctively whipped around, her eyes searching for the source of the terrifying sound.

"What was that?!" she cried out, her voice laced with fear as realization dawned upon her. The noise was coming from the loot house, where Subaru is supposed to wait for Elsa.

A surge of panic flooded through her as she raced towards the direction of the warehouse, a desperate cry escaping her lips. "Subaruuu!"

Oblivious to the chaos caused by people fleeing the sudden explosion, his mind raced, conjuring up horrific images.

"Did the loot house explode? Why?! It never happened before!"

Puck : "Lia, calm down! Please, wait!"

"Is Subaru safe? Did he tell you what happened?" she gasped, her voice strained with worry as she glanced back at the worried familiar spirit.

Puck : "He…he is not responding… Wait, you won't go there, will you? It's too dangerous!"

Puck hesitated, unsure how to respond. He could feel the tremors of fear radiating from Emilia, and a sense of dread settled over him. "He...he is not responding..." He trailed off, unable to utter the truth: he couldn't reach Subaru.

She started racing towards the source of her fears, unable to shake the feeling that something terrible had occurred.

"Wait, you won't go there, will you? It's too dangerous!" He pleaded, desperation lacing his tone.

But Emilia was undeterred. "What?" she retorted, eyes flashing with a mix of anger and fear. "When Subaru could be in danger?!" She pushed past Puck, determined to reach them no matter what.

Puck didn't want his daughter to go to such a dangerous place. Not for a stranger he'd just met. But he didn't want to hurt her feelings, so he tried to find rational arguments to convince her.

Puck : "That doesn't mean Subaru needs your help! He may simply be unconscious. Look, he was with the Sword Saint! Whatever is happening, he is in the safest position in the kingdom right now. But it's almost five, and soon I won't be able to protect you!"

Emilia paused, her shoulders slumping slightly under the weight of Puck's words. Yet, doubt remained etched on her face. "…I have to be sure, Puck!" she insisted, her voice firm despite the tremor in her heart.

Puck telepathically chimed in, attempting a comforting thought. "You said he can go back in time when he's in danger, right?! But, he seemingly did not! Meaning that he is probably okay!"

Emilia shook her head, unable to shake off the gnawing fear. "You're wrong!" she countered, her voice sharp with worry. "What if he …died …without …having the time to use his ability?"

The image of Subaru, lifeless and cold, flashed through her mind, amplifying her terror. The thought that she had been strolling around on a scouting mission while he faced his demise was unbearable.

Emilia pushed the horrifying thought aside, her gaze hardening with determination. She needed to focus on possibilities, not nightmares.

Could it have been Elsa? But that didn't seem right – Elsa relished the thrill of the kill, often gutting her opponents. This explosion felt different, more…destructive.

Perhaps it was Reinhard's doing? From what she heard, the sheer power of his swordsmanship could easily level a house with a single swing.

A wave of frustration washed over Emilia. If that were true, she had missed Elsa completely during her scouting. The weight of failure pressed down on her. She hated herself for being so useless, for not protecting Subaru when he needed her most.

But even in the depths of despair, a sliver of hope remained. Maybe Reinhard had intervened, shielding Subaru from certain death. It was a slim chance, but it was all she had to cling to right now.

Just as Emilia's heart began to settle from its frantic rhythm, a familiar sound sliced through the air, despite how noisy the slums became.

She could never forget that sound she heard that night in the pitch black – measured, deliberate footsteps approaching with terrifying intent. A wave of dread washed over her, turning her blood to ice.

Her instincts kicked in instantly. She froze for a heartbeat, barely registering the world around her before instinct took over.

With a desperate lunge, she twisted away from the right, narrowly avoiding a searing blow that would have cleaved her in two. A sharp sting on her flank confirmed she hadn't dodged entirely – the attacker was impossibly fast.

Emilia stumbled back, heart pounding against her ribs like a frantic bird trapped in a cage. She scrambled for distance, desperate to gain some breathing room from the unseen menace.

"Ara, you managed to dodge this? Impressive," a silken voice purred.

Elsa Granhiert, the Bowel Hunter, stood before her, her crimson eyes gleaming with predatory hunger.

But something was different. Gone were the familiar kukri blades she had wielded in their previous encounter. In their place were two weapons that radiated a chilling menace:

A white blade gleamed in Elsa's right hand, sharp and elegant, its surface reflecting the dying light of the day. Her left hand held a wickedly curved black, serrated blade, like the teeth of a beast.

Emilia felt a shiver crawl down her spine. This was no playful dance anymore. She won't fool around this time, she won't just aim for the guts. The change in weapons, the coldness in Elsa's gaze - it all screamed of a hunter prepared for the kill.

Emilia : "Elsa?! What are you doing here?!"

It couldn't have been the case, but did Elsa really slaughtered Subaru, Reinhard, Felt and her grandfather, then tracked her down to finish the job?

No way, it was far too unlikely. Reinhard was the strongest one in Lugunica! And they did warn him about Elsa's regenerative abilities, he couldn't have let her run away that easily.

Yet, here she stood, poised for battle with a chilling familiarity. The fact that Elsa had arrived from the right, near the entrance of the slums, on the path leading to the loot house, solidified her suspicions. This wasn't a chance encounter; it was a deliberate ambush.

Then, what had caused that explosion? And more importantly, was Subaru truly safe?

Elsa : "Ara, you know who I am? I think we have never met before, so how?"

Elsa tilted her head, a smirk forming on her lips. "Ara, do you know who I am? Her voice was as smooth as silk, deceptively gentle. "I don't think we've ever met, it's a bit peculiar.

Before Emilia could respond, Puck blurted out, "Is that Elsa?! You're hurt, Lia! Are you all right—"

Emilia, with a finger over her mouth, motioned to Puck to be quiet with a swiftness that surprised even herself. She met Elsa's gaze, her calm yet firm voice betraying an inner steel she rarely displayed.

"Shhh. Calm down, Puck. Let's proceed as planned," she asked him telepathically.

Puck hesitated, taken aback by Emilia's composure. She wasn't displaying the usual fear-filled panic that always precedes her battles.

There was a cold determination in her eyes, a calculated stillness that intimidated even the Beast Of The End.

When hordes of mabeasts rushed at her in the Elior forest, when she faced the wrath of the Great Spirit Melakuera, and even when foolish, weak bandits attempted to capture her, Emilia always felt a tinge of apprehension about fighting.

There was always a hesitation, a fear that gnawed at the edges of her resolve before every battle.

Perhaps it stemmed from her deep fear of losing control again over her magic, or from her peaceful and kind nature.

But this time, facing Elsa, something had shifted within her. All thoughts but one consumed her: how to end this threat with the utmost efficiency.

Was it to save this mysterious young raven-haired stranger? Was her desire to protect him truly so profound?

Puck, sensing Emilia's transformation, felt a pang of jealousy towards Subaru who had sparked such a change in his daughter. But beneath the envy lay a burning curiosity – he yearned to know more about the one who had brought out this hidden strength in Emilia.

"Okay, let's go, Lia!" Puck murmured telepathically, his voice laced with newfound respect.

With a shimmer, he dematerialized, retreating into the safety of his crystal home.

Emilia : "'Please let me go' - If I ask you to, you won't comply, will you?"

Elsa : "Indeed, I won't."

With those words, the Bowel Hunter exploded into motion, her blades glinting like predatory eyes in the fading light. She launched herself towards Emilia with terrifying speed, intent on ending the fight as quickly and brutally as possible.

Time seemed to warp, every movement accelerated into a blur of motion. Even faster than their previous confrontation, the world shrunk down to the clash between ice and steel.

"El Huma."

Fighting the pain caused by the wound Elsa had inflicted on her, Emilia unleashed a torrent of ice projectiles, dozens upon dozens of spears hurtling towards Elsa.

The icy barrage engulfed her target, erupting in a blinding explosion that shrouded the battlefield in a choking smokescreen.

Elsa reacted with lightning reflexes, using her magical cloak as a shield to absorb the full force of the attack. The chilling impact sent tremors through the air, but she remained unharmed, a figure of defiant power amidst the swirling ice mist.

Though the reduced visibility hampered their movements, the fight raged on. Emilia pressed her advantage, drawing upon the familiar rhythm of combat that had brought her victory before.

Her gaze hardened with determination as she envisioned her next move – the ice pillar strategy, the very tactic that had once proven victorious against Elsa.

As the Bowel Hunter closed the distance, Emilia conjured an ice spike erupting from beneath her opponent's feet.

The plan was simple – force Elsa to jump back, creating a split-second window for attack. But this time, Elsa didn't flinch.

She halted with unnerving precision, her foot stopping mere inches from the emerged ice pillar that had risen like a jagged tooth from the ground. The spike pierced harmlessly through the air beside her face, missing its mark by a hair's breadth.

With contemptuous ease, Elsa then thrust her white blade into the heart of the colossal pillar, shattering it into icy splinters. The sudden burst of power sent tremors through the earth, but Elsa stood unfazed, a predator surveying its prey with unshakeable confidence.

Holding her own cloak she had just removed with the intent of using it for diversion, Emilia was watching in stunned silence the unforeseen actions from Elsa; the previously ice pillar strategy utterly failed, and the power from Elsa's white blade was unexpected.

Making an ice shield would be a bad move, as Elsa would definitely pulverize it as well.

Resisting the urge of spelling Huma, she instead jumped backward, keeping a safe distance while gauging Elsa's next move.

Then Emilia threw her cloak at Elsa, hoping to create a diversion. But her blades tore it to shreds of fabric floating in the wind.

"Fighting that close is really not my forte", she thought, "even though I'm not too bad. That's why I have to take her by surprise."

A cold blue light flickered in Emilia's hand as she concealed an ice projectile behind her large sleeves, each of them adorned with a woven golden bird.

As Elsa lunged, the ice spike shot forth, piercing through one of the birds and surprising her attacker.

"A concealed attack?" Elsa reacted, "Nice! But…"

Elsa's blade flashed upwards, deflecting the ice spike at the very last moment. It was a near thing, a dance of death played out in milliseconds.

"Yes, I had the feeling it won't work either." Emilia thought grimly, her mind racing to formulate a new strategy. "What about this?"

Right as Elsa prepared to bring her blade down for the killing blow, something caught her eye – a flash of a green glow emanated from the crystal nestled against Emilia's chest.

A voice, sharp and commanding, cut through the tense silence.

"Shamak!"

The world around Elsa dissolved into darkness. Her vision blurred, replaced by an unsettling emptiness. She froze mid-swing, her expression twisting into one of bewildered confusion.

Emilia's eyes widened in disbelief as Puck's spell had taken effect with perfect timing.

"It worked!" Emilia's mind echoed with triumph as she seized the opportunity presented by Elsa's incapacitation.

Shamak is a Yin spell with the special quality of separation. A low-level Shamak makes its target unable to sense where she is.

Although she could still somehow feel the ground and what was going on inside her body, Elsa was particularly weak against magic, giving Emilia an extra advantage. She was rendered disoriented and helpless for a fleeting moment – just long enough for Emilia to execute her final move.

She then grabbed Elsa's left hand, removed her own green crystal, and planted it on Elsa's skin, allowing Puck to drain as much mana as needed to at least make her lose consciousness.

Grasping Elsa's left wrist with surprising strength, she swiftly removed her own green crystal, and planted it against Elsa's skin, allowing Puck to use his unique ability.

A tingling sensation coursed through Elsa's frozen form as Puck, unlike most spirits who drew power from the atmosphere, began draining her mana. He can feed directly on living beings, siphoning their vital energy with a touch.

Ever since her awakening seven years ago, Emilia sometimes had pondered how to deal with Pandora, if ever the need arose.

Like Pandora, it was useless to try and kill Elsa.

Emilia could've killed both of them easily if she fought like she had in her reclusive days in the Elior forest, when she didn't have to worry about her surroundings. But even then, it wouldn't have been enough to defeat them both permanently.

She tried to find as many solutions as she could, and the best one she could think of was to use Puck's assistance.

By using mana drain, she could capture Elsa, and, maybe one day, Pandora.

Darkness enveloped Elsa, a suffocating void that muted all sensation except a chilling sense of dread.

"That's bad. I shouldn't stay here," she thought frantically, her mind struggling against the disorienting effects of Shamak and the fatigue caused by mana deprivation.

Though blind and disconnected from her surroundings, she could still smell Emilia's hostility and murderous intent.

Summoning every last ounce of strength from the waning mana within her, she swung her remaining dark blade in a wild arc, hoping to strike anything, anyone, that dared approach. But Emilia, anticipating this desperate move, dodged it, her focus pushed to the utmost limits.

The dark blade sliced through empty air, then found a mark – Elsa's own arm.

She stumbled away from Emilia, the sudden surge of adrenaline pushing back the encroaching darkness just enough for a brief escape.

Puck : "Emilia! Subaru just called me for help! What do we do?!"

Emilia's eyes widened in surprise. "Eh?! Really?!"

Elsa stumbled back, clutching at her already regenerated arm. Despite the lingering effects of Shamak, she couldn't help but admire Emilia's skill.

"You're very strong!" Elsa purred, her voice laced with respect. "You can keep my bone crusher as a reward!"

With that, she began to move, her movements erratic at first before finding a rhythm of desperate agility. She leaped over crumbling rubble and dodged stray ice arrows as she skillfully made her way toward the rooftops.

"Elsaaa!" Emilia called out, frustration churning in her gut. The urge to chase after Elsa was strong, but Subaru's call for help weighed heavily on her mind. His well-being trumped this immediate conflict.

Perched atop a nearby building, Elsa paused, casting a look down at the woman below. A cruel smile twisted her lips.

"Soon enough, I'll disembowel you. Till then, take good care of your bowels," she said with chilling relish.

Emilia's eyes narrowed, but she held back from pursuing. The tension in her shoulders eased slightly as relief washed over her – Subaru was alright. She owed it to him to be there for him now.

"Next time I see you, I'll kill you no matter what," she growled, her hand grabbing her wounded flank, the words a promise etched with icy resolve.

Elsa gave a final ecstatic grin – a gesture that sent shivers down Emilia's spine - before melting into the maze of rooftops and vanishing completely.

= END OF CHAPTER 5 =

Author's Notes :

Roswaal being devious, Reinhard being more useless than he should, Puck being overprotective, you know… the usual course.

We all know that Puck would've never told Emilia if Subaru was in danger and he called for help. He did it only cz she'd be safer there.

I think he's an asshole, and fortunately, he doesn't know fully about RBD. But still… well.. he's a menace to be checked

Also… Emilia just looted Elsa's blade!

Next : Arc1 Curtain's close.

And, really, Arc 9's going hard, Tappei is cooking too much, I'm crying.

DISCLAIMER : I don't own Re:Zero, it belongs to Tappei Nagatsuki.