"My Name is Natsuki Subaru, Cardinal Sin Archbishop of Pride!"

Subaru's words echoed in the minds of all who heard them: Beatrice, Otto, Garf, Emilia, and Rem. Garf and Otto exchanged shocked glances, questioning whether what they had just heard was real. Could their brother, who hated the Witch Cult so much, truly just announce himself as one of their leaders? No, this couldn't be true—someone must have forced this onto him!

There was nothing but guilt for the girls who held Subaru high in their hearts. Each one felt like they contributed in some way to making him like this, to thinking like this. Why wasn't I there? Why didn't I stop this? Why did I accuse him? Why? Why? Why? WHY?

Emilia rushed forward and pulled Subaru into another hug. "No! Stop! Don't ever say that again! Please!" His head was once again pulled into her chest, much to the surprise of the Archbishop.

"Emilia… I am a villain… Isn't this the part where you say so? Then strike me down, like a hero should?"

Those words broke Emilia's heart, shattering it into millions of pieces. She began to cry as her embrace got tighter. "Subaru! No, you are a hero! You are my knight! Stop saying things like this or… or… I will make Garfiel my knight for a week as punishment." Emilia tried her best to stop the tears, but Subaru wasn't in the right headspace. She needed to pull him out of these disgusting thoughts.

Beatrice, however, was practically breaking down mentally. She curled up into a ball, and that's when the waterfall broke. She desperately wanted to reach out and hold him, to feel his warmth, but now she couldn't. She was unworthy of that, unworthy of his affection and love. "Su-such a worthless spirit Betty is, I suppose," she muttered in between sobs.

Rem wanted nothing more than to tear the girl who was holding her Subaru like that away from him. The girl who accused him and sentenced him to this… this torture and despair. It was disgusting being in this room now that she knew what it was used for. The putrid scent was worse than the smell of the Witch to her. She remained calm, though, instead of waiting to see Subaru's reaction. At any sign of peril, she would jump in and take him away from Emilia and all those who had harmed him.

"If only I took your hand back then." What stopped her from doing so immediately was exactly that. She had her chance to keep him to herself, to stop this. Instead, in her last moments before Gluttony ate her memories, she just wished her defeat would pain his heart even slightly. Now she wished she could take back those words, take back her answer. Run away and start a family together, start over… from zero. That is only if he wanted it, though. She would wait for now.

Subaru looked up at the girl who was lovingly patting his head. "Your knight?" Though Subaru was confused, he was enjoying this a lot. To be held so affectionately by the girl you love and care for so much… What guy wouldn't want that? Perhaps it could be easier to go along with whatever was happening and get more answers. So much remained unknown for now.

Soon, he was swept off his feet princess-style by Emilia, much to the surprise of Subaru and his now hurt manly pride. "Let us leave this place. I don't want to stay here much longer," she said sorrowfully. Subaru was a blushing mess and only nodded his head as he was carried away by the half-elf. The others were in agreement with her words and followed behind.

"Traveling while Subaru is in this condition would not be wise. It would be better if we let him regain some of his strength before heading to the mansion," Otto said as he yawned. "That, and we should recoup our strength as well. After regaining our memories, we did rush here immediately, after all."

Garf growled as soon as he realized where that would be taking place. "Do we need to be there, though? After being in that room for so long, I feel like I want to kill that cat for what he did to Captn!"

Subaru listened attentively. The tiger demihuman was Garf, his slave's name was Otto, the spirit was Beatrice, and the blue-haired girl was Rem. So far, none of them seemed hostile to him, for now. "Where are we going?" Subaru asked. The others looked down dejectedly as soon as he voiced his question.

"I hope you don't mind, Subaru, but we managed to reside in the Karsten estate. I believe she wishes to apologize and make amends for what has happened. She was reeeeaaaally insistent after all."

"Or she just wants that weird cat to hurt Captn again!" Garf voiced his rage openly.

"Calm down, Garfiel. Crusch would not let such a thing happen to Subaru so willingly."

Garfiel grunted and instinctively moved closer to Subaru as if to protect him. The rest of the walk was slightly awkward as they made their way out of the dungeon. The two guards posted at the entrance threw themselves immediately on the floor and apologized, with Julius overseeing them. "We are so sorry!" "Please forgive us!"

Julius even bowed in a more dignified manner, but if Subaru wished it, he would join their groveling. After what Subaru had been through, that would only be a snippet of his humiliation. Despite deep down knowing he didn't deserve it, he couldn't help but have a slight smirk on his face. Well, this is nice.

Beatrice merely scoffed. "Hmph—this is a good stepping stone to make amends, I suppose." Everyone nodded in agreement, and even Emilia had a smile on her face. "Perhaps tell them something, Subaru, if you want."

"I will never forgive you," those were the words Subaru spoke as he stared down at the two men. They pressed their foreheads harder against the floor and gasped. "It's to be expected. I will begin to work on the proper punishment for all involved in your torture, Subaru… including me." Julius raised his head. Can I ever call you my friend after all of this? That same question repeated over and over.

Later that night, Subaru was in heaven. He lay in a nice bed, and to make it better, the girl of his dreams stroked his hair while giving him a lap pillow. Her soft, delicate hands pushed Subaru's long, messy, white hair away from his face. Tears formed in her eyes as she looked down at her knight. "We need to give you a haircut."

He looked very different, almost corpse-like, with his sunken eyes peering up into hers. "That would be nice. Do we know anyone who can cut hair?" Yet something felt off about Subaru. He was carefree as ever about the situation, almost like it wasn't important. Always hiding your pain from me, even now. It's selfish, I know, but please open up to me.

Emilia's hand ran through his hair gently before a soft knock came from the door.

Rem came in and gave a bow. "The bath is prepared, Lady Emilia." She seemed to have a lot more pep in her step as she beamed a smile at the familiar sight. Her hero received a lap pillow from his lady. Though she did feel a bit of jealousy course through her at the sight, she would get her turn soon.

"Wonderful, Rem. Please make sure Subaru is cleaned thoroughly."

Rem bowed. "With pleasure," she walked over and picked up Subaru.

"I can walk to the bathroom, Rem-chan!" Subaru spat out as he was cradled in the girl's arms. Rem only shook her head.

"Subaru-kun must conserve as much energy as possible to rest. Allow your Rem to take care of you." At first, when Subaru called her 'Rem-chan,' she looked a bit confused, but quickly came to accept it.

From what I have gathered, this is Ram's sister, meaning she too must be a maid under Roswaal. I never knew she had a sister, however. Where were you in my previous world? Subaru had managed to piece together two things while getting settled into the Karsten mansion:

This is a different world compared to his, since he had been isekai'd before and had a power that rewinds time, he wasn't too surprised by this development.

In this world, it appeared he had been tortured for months on end after being accused of being the Archbishop of Pride… which, sadly, he was.

Rem was incredibly gentle with Subaru, almost as if he would break with the smallest bit of force applied to him. He did appear skin and bones currently, so it was to be expected. Exiting the room, the crude boy who stood guard in front of the room followed behind. He had managed to figure out his name was Garfiel.

"Don't worry, Cap'n. With my amazing self here, you'll have a shield against anybody who dares to harm you."

"Oh, thanks, Garfiel!" The boy beamed a smile that showed off his very sharp fangs. He seems to hold me in regard, noted. It appears most people here will bend over backward for me—some kind of guilt for what the previous Subaru went through. Useful tools. Very useful.

Garfiel stood at attention in front of the bathroom door as Rem carried Subaru in. "Would you like your Rem to help you bathe?" It sounded more like a plea than a question.

"Oh yes, sure. That's fine, Rem."

Rem squealed in her head and quickly began to strip Subaru of his clothes, setting him down in the bath. What did I do to get a girl so devoted?! Those were Subaru's thoughts as the girl began to wash his back. Her face glowed red with giddiness the whole time.

"Thanks, Rem-chan."

"Of course, Subaru-kun… but this is a treat for me more than you." Subaru's face grew red at her words, and he looked away from the girl. Don't get excited! Don't get excited!

Behind Subaru's back, Rem began to seethe eternally. The sight of his scarred body was a constant reminder of what her hero had suffered. I will make them pay for every scar upon your body, my hero.

Rem finished up and was about to take Subaru out when she was halted by his words. "Let me stay in here just a little bit longer. I could just use a bit of alone time."

Rem bowed. Though she felt sad about leaving Subaru's side, she wouldn't deny him such a simple request. "Of course, Subaru-kun, but we have a meeting with Crusch soon, so don't take too long."

Subaru nodded, and Rem quickly left the room. When he heard the door close, Subaru slumped in the bathtub with a sigh. The hot water relaxed his muscles, but his mind worked in overdrive. Finally, I got some alone time. Ever since he woke up, he hadn't gotten a second without eyes constantly watching him, inspecting his every move.

He closed his eyes as a fitting smile for an archbishop slapped across his face. Though this isn't my world, Emilia-tan is still the same. That is all that matters. Her beauty and kindness truly transcend worlds. He replayed the memory of her lap pillow, of her beautiful eyes staring down lovingly at him, the care in how she touched him. It all made his heart flutter.

He clenched his fist tightly as his eyes opened. That's why my plan must remain the same, he thought. I'll make your dream come true at all costs. I'll do anything to make you Queen, Emilia-tan. Anyone who stands in my way will be disposed of.