Chapter 6

Magic trick

The throng of people surged around me, a sea of faces blurring into one another. I strained my eyes, searching for her – Emilia, the fourth Royal Priestess, my master's "master". Where could she be?

My head throbbed a little bit, the after-effects of using Clairvoyance still lingering. That secret art, passed down through generations of Onis, allows me to superimpose my vision onto another's, but the strain it puts on my mind is not negligible.

I should have agreed with her about a place to meet. Lugunica's capital is a labyrinthine nightmare, teeming with people and shrouded in shadows that seemed to swallow light itself.

"Ram can't believe she's lost track of Emilia." I muttered under my breath, a scowl twisting my cute and delicate features.

Even if I was ordered to leave her alone by Roswaal-sama, I was supposed to secretly follow her actions afterwards, not to actually lose sight of her.

Each corner revealed a new obstacle: suspicious helmeted men lurking in the alleys, groups of thugs with menacing smiles. Each of them seemed intent on throwing me off course, further slowing Ram's progress.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the city, despair began to creep in. Still no sign of Emilia. Had she vanished into thin air?

But Ram refused to give up. Ram's search wouldn't end until she found her.

The moon hung like a silver coin in the velvet sky, its light dappling the cobblestones below. Swirling lights danced above, a shimmering ribbon weaving across the heavens.

But beauty held no allure for me tonight. It was no joke: at this rate, I might actually lose Emilia, and Roswaal-sama's trust. The thought sent a shiver down my spine.

"Waving lights?"

I'd just noticed unusual aurora lights in the sky, and felt a strong urge to follow them. My gut clenched, a familiar feeling – Ram's perfect-intuition flaring was irresistibly drawing Ram towards the source of the lights.

Of course, I followed it without the slightest doubt. It's Ram's intuition, after all. If it were just a little more reliable than it already is, the world could have collapsed from sheer bewilderment, hah!

The person I'm looking for is certainly somewhere there. Thinking so, I rushed towards the lowest district of the Capital —the slums, and towards the deepest point of the slums.

The closer I got to the slums' heart, the more oppressive the air felt – thick with despair and the stench of decay. Then, a small figure slammed into my side.

A gasp escaped her lips. A cute little girl stood before me, her celadon hair bobbing like a silken wave around her light blue eyes. She wore a pink dress, a small white ribbon fluttering on it – a splash of color in this drab landscape.

Not nearly as cute as my little sister, of course. But she looked so lost, so out of place in this grimy underbelly.

"Watch your steps, girl," I grunted, more irritated than I intended. "Ram is busy."

Something about her vulnerability – those big, frightened eyes that mirrored Rem's when we were young – sparked a flicker of unexpected empathy.

Maybe it was foolish, maybe just exhaustion talking, but I couldn't leave her here alone.

The shattered remains of the loot house cast long, skeletal shadows against the moonlight. Six figures huddled within the wreckage, illuminated by the ethereal glow surrounding a silver-haired half-elf, Emilia.

She knelt beside a giant form, enveloped in healing light. With each pulse, the old man Rom's labored breaths grew steadier.

"He should be fine from now on," Emilia murmured, her voice laced with weariness.

The radiant warmth of the lesser spirits pulsed around her as she finished healing Rom's burns, deeply embedded in his flesh by the fiery anger of the explosion.

Felt, her eyes welling with tears, choked out a torrent of gratitude. "Thank you… Thank you very much!"

Emilia : "It's alright Felt, please don't wor–Kgh!"

A sharp gasp escaped Emilia as she shifted her weight. Her expression contorted in pain, clutching at the wound in her side from her battle with Elsa.

Subaru sprang to her side instantly. "Emilia! Are you okay?!" His voice was laced with concern, his eyes wide with alarm.

"Don't worry," Emilia replied, forcing a reassuring smile through gritted teeth. "My wound isn't serious. I'll heal myself after…" She paused, turning her gaze to the unconscious woman lying nearby, amidst the debris.

The woman bore the scars of the disaster – burns marring her pale skin, and a shard of wood protruding from her right arm

Emilia : "Reinhard-san, I'm infinitely grateful to you! Thanks for having protected Subaru."

Reinhard met her gaze, a hint of melancholy in his features. "I did what was natural," he replied, his voice low and measured. "But I acted too late, and was unable to prevent what happened." His eyes held a lingering regret.

Subaru stepped forward, placing a hand on Reinhard's shoulder. "Don't worry about it," he said sincerely. "No one could have expected that explosion! You still saved my life, thank you very much! I'll be sure to return the favor, my friend!"

A genuine smile, rare and precious, broke across Reinhard's face. "You're welcome...my friend." The warmth in his eyes seemed to ease some of the burden he carried.

Emilia crouched beside the woman, her silver hair glinting in the moonlight illuminating the rubble. As she placed her open palms towards her patient, orbs of blue light began to swirl around, casting a gentle healing glow.

"So..." Emilia began, her voice hushed with curiosity, "Can we talk about it? Why is she here?"

Subaru, still shaken from the events, ran a hand through his hair. "I was as surprised as you, Emilia."

He trailed off, gestured towards the woman's disheveled appearance – a messy, misplaced wig revealing strands of deep purple hair beneath. The woman winced slightly, stirring in her sleep.

Subaru : "She had the same cape as Elsa. With her black wig, one could have almost sworn she was the real one. But, yes..."

Emilia placed a hand on her chest, instinctively feeling the absence of a small, flowery accessory – a gift from a little girl they had helped reunite with her mother several weeks ago, or at least she felt as if so much time had passed.

"She is the mother of the lost girl from the first loop," Emilia whispered, eyes narrowing.

Emilia and Subaru exchanged uneasy glances as a heavy silence settled over them, thick with guilt and disbelief.

Reinhard cleared his throat, breaking the somber atmosphere. "It seems you know her as well, Emilia-sama. Please allow me to tell you what I know about her."

"I managed to protect Subaru from the ignition," he continued, "but, by being too close to the magic stones, I thought she wouldn't have made it. Fortunately, she was still trying to run away afterwards." He paused, his gaze fixed on the wounded woman.

Reinhard : "When I caught up with her, I managed to glean some information before she fainted."

"She was still conscious after that, and what about me? I faint from shock? Frankly, I'm far too weak for an isekai protagonist," Subaru muttered under his breath, a tone of self-mockery tinged with frustration.

Emilia, recalling the genuine gratitude in the woman's eyes when they had encountered her before, found herself struggling to reconcile those memories with this new reality.

"I met her before," she said softly, "and I have a hard time thinking she'd be able to do this. She didn't seem to be a bad person."

Reinhard nodded solemnly. "She seems to be a victim as well," he stated. "To put it simply, her daughter has been kidnapped, and the culprit – a mysterious woman in black – has blackmailed her into carrying out this suicide attack."

The words hung heavy in the air, leaving Emilia and Subaru reeling in shock.

"What?!" they both exclaimed simultaneously, their voices laced with disbelief and horror.

A wave of crushing guilt slammed into them like a runaway dragon carriage. The realization hit them with brutal force: consumed by their own struggles and hardships, they had completely forgotten about the little girl they had helped in their first loop.

If only they had made more of an effort, if they had done more to help... would this woman be trapped in such a desperate situation?

Shame burned in their chests, hot and searing. They cursed themselves for their selfishness, their blindness to the consequences of their actions. They hadn't even spared a moment to think about the ripple effects their choices could have.

"I guess this happened because we overlooked a lost kid…" Subaru muttered, his voice laced with self-reproach. "Seriously, the butterfly effect is a bitch."

Reinhard : "Butterfly effect? What is that?"

Subaru forced a laugh, a hollow sound that did little to mask his inner turmoil. "Haha... that's nothing!" he said quickly, hoping to change the subject before the weight of their failure became unbearable.

A knot of worry tightened in Emilia's chest. "I had managed to fend off Elsa, but what about the girl? Would Elsa truly release her?" The thought sent a shiver down her spine. "I can't allow myself to take such a risk!"

Her gaze drifted towards the recovering woman. The blue light orbs around her hands dimmed as the final vestiges of magic faded. Emilia clenched her fists, a troubling idea forming in her mind.

A plan she desperately hoped wouldn't be necessary, but one that felt increasingly unavoidable.

"Even though I don't want to relive that day," she thought grimly, "it might just be the safest way to handle things."

She turned to Subaru, forcing a lighthearted tone into her voice. "Subaru," she began casually, "do you remember when we bought those appas this morning?"

Subaru blinked, momentarily distracted from his own thoughts. "Hm?"

A wistful sigh escaped Emilia's lips. "They were sooo tasty and juicy. I'd love it if we could buy them again, wouldn't you?"

"After we finish here, I'd love to go there with you again."

Subaru's eyes widened at these whispered words, whose true meaning only he could fathom. A shared understanding passed between them, unspoken but potent.

Emilia knew she couldn't risk Reinhard knowing about Subaru's ability or her own『Indomitable』.

He might be trustworthy, but the knowledge could still fall into the wrong hands. It was a burden she carried with solemn seriousness, vowing to protect Subaru from potential harm, even if it meant keeping secrets buried deep within their hearts.

That being said, Emilia hated herself for asking him this.

Even if it was for a good reason, she felt she was unfairly taking advantage of him. The weight of the request pressed down on her, a heavy stone in her stomach.

But she had to try. She had to save that little girl, fix her mistakes. And…

"Doesn't Subaru think the same as me?" she thought desperately, searching his eyes.

Subaru's face went pale, a forced laugh escaping him. "Ha–haha, yup, his appas were really good!" he stammered, trying to mask the panic surging through him.

Internally, his mind raced. "Is she asking me to use Return By Death?!" The terrifying truth slammed into him like a physical blow.

"No, she doesn't know its activation condition." Emilia was oblivious to the terrible price he had to pay for that power.

"She doesn't know I must die for it to… O–Otherwise…" The thought choked him, giving him goosebumps.

He didn't want to die. He wanted to live. "But… if she wants me to… If we can save everybody this way… should I?"

His eyes darted around the room, settling on an old sword leaning against the wall.

As his mind grappled with the impossible choice, he froze, fear gripping him like a vise. His breath hitched in his throat, and his heart hammered against his ribs, a frantic drumbeat in the silent room.

Emilia and Reinhard both noticed his sudden change. Their shared gaze held concern, a silent question hanging in the air – what was happening to Subaru?

"Subaru, are you alright?" Reinhard asked, his voice laced with concern.

Emilia echoed his sentiment, her brow furrowed in worry. "Subaru?" she asked softly.

Subaru swallowed hard, forcing a shaky smile onto his face. "Just a little dizzy, that's all," he said, hoping his voice didn't betray his inner turmoil.

Felt : "Maybe your body is having a hard time with this blast?"

"Is that the aftermath of the explosion?" Emilia thought, confusion clouding her features. "Perhaps you need a little rest" she asked gently, reaching out to touch his arm.

"No need to, I'm fine…" he mumbled, forcing a smile that felt brittle and fake. His heart pounded against his ribs, a frantic rhythm echoing the chaos in his mind.

The terror of Return by Death clawed at him, twisting his insides. The possibility of dying again, the uncertainty of what lay beyond, it all felt too much.

Subaru suddenly snapped back into his usual facade, a plastered-on smile replacing the fear in his eyes. He winked at Emilia playfully. "Yeah! I'm fine!" he exclaimed, his voice light and carefree. "Just need to turn on the 'spinning wheel', you know how it is." He chuckled nervously, hoping to deflect their concern.

"If I die this time, would I truly return? Or would this be the end?"

Reinhard remained unconvinced. His Divine Protection of Empathy still throbbed with Subaru's underlying anxiety, a dissonance between his outward demeanor and inner turmoil.

"Should I die for this?" he thought, despair clawing at him, traces of anger slowly beginning to pervade his mind. "Because, if I'm not careful enough to notice a lost child, then someone tries to kill me because their child is missing... Do I really have to sacrifice myself again?"

"Subaru," the knight said firmly, "is there something wrong?"

Subaru faltered, unable to meet Reinhard's gaze. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. The question hung heavy in the air, forcing him to confront the fear that clawed at his insides.

Emilia's puzzlement deepened. She reached out again, her touch gentle but insistent. "Subaru?" she repeated, her voice full of concern.

Ironically, the person best placed to understand Subaru's fears and anger was the least understanding of them all.

Suddenly, shouts erupted from outside, shattering the tense silence. "Mommyyyy!" A small, high-pitched voice pierced the air.

"Emilia-sama!" another voice called.

Turning towards the source of the commotion, they saw Ram, the pink-haired maid, carrying a young girl with tears streaming down her face. The little girl was safe, unharmed.

Relief washed over Subaru and Emilia like a tidal wave. Their faces softened, worry replaced by joy. Even Reinhard's stoic expression betrayed a flicker of warmth.

"Thank…! Thank goodness…!" Subaru and Emilia exclaimed in unison, collapsing onto the ground in a wave of relief. The sight of the little girl, bright green hair bouncing as she checked on her slumbering mother brought an overwhelming sense of peace after the terrifying ordeal.

The tension that had gripped them moments before evaporated, replaced by an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

"Mommy? Are you okay?" the little girl asked, her voice trembling with concern.

Emilia knelt beside her, offering a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, she's just asleep," she whispered gently.

Her self-healing process began as lesser spirits swirled around her, their ethereal glows bathing her in warmth. She rose to her feet, stretching out stiff muscles.

Turning to the maid, Emilia beamed with gratitude. "You did great, Ram!"

Subaru, ever the showman, threw a thumbs-up in Ram's direction. "Good job, Ram! I knew it, maids are the very personification of elegance and efficiency!" He declared, a wide grin plastered on his face.

Ram's usual icy demeanor returned, her expression tinged with a hint of exasperation at Subaru's sudden familiarity. "Just doing my duty," she said curtly, her gaze shifting to Emilia. "And who is this primate-looking boy, Emilia-sama?"

Subaru, momentarily taken aback by Ram's sharp retort, cleared his throat awkwardly. "I'm Natsuki Subaru," he stammered, forcing a confident smile. "Otherworldly clueless and broke beyond compare, nice to meet you!"

"Subaru and Reinhard helped me a looot today," Emilia said gratefully, her eyes shining with sincerity.

Ram bowed deeply, her expression one of respectful deference. "On behalf of Roswaal L. Mathers, please accept my sincerest thanks for the help you gave Emilia-sama, Reinhard-sama, Barusu."

"Ba–!", Subaru's brow furrowed as he heard his name mispronounced. "Why did my name suddenly shift into a blinding curse?!" he exclaimed, feigning outrage.

Reinhard remained ever composed, bowing slightly in return. "It was our duty to assist and protect Emilia-sama," he said humbly, his voice laced with chivalry. "We are merely grateful we could fulfill it."

Felt, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. "Please accept my thanks too, Reinhard," she said softly.

Subaru's face fell as he realized he was being overlooked. "Wait, what about me? What about my praises?" he whined, his voice laced with mock indignation.

Felt, ever the mischievous one, stuck out her tongue at him. "Sorry, but you didn't stand out that much, haha," she teased.

Subaru's jaw dropped in disbelief. "I didn't?!"

Felt : "Live strong, big bro!"

"Haa, too bad then," Subaru sighed dramatically, feigning disappointment as he reached into his pocket. He pulled out his trusty flip phone, a relic from another time that somehow remained miraculously intact after the chaos of the explosion.

Subaru : "Guess I'll keep my metia for myself."

"Kh–", Felt gasped, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Can't believe it still works," Subaru muttered in awe, flipping open the phone and marveling at its resilience. He glanced at Felt, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Hey, you won't ask me to give you my phone, right?" he teased.

Felt puffed out her chest defiantly. "I wouldn't!" she declared, crossing her arms stubbornly. "I still have my pride!"

Subaru's smile widened. "Sure?" he questioned skeptically.

"Huh?" Felt blinked, caught off guard by his teasing tone.

Subaru leaned in closer, his voice dripping with playful sarcasm. "Sure? Sure sure sure?" he repeated, savoring her confusion.

Felt growled at his relentless teasing, but before she could retort, Subaru surprised her by reaching out and gently patting her head.

"What the– Hey, stop that! Why you!" Felt squirmed under his touch, a slight blush creeping onto her cheeks. "Hey! I'll bite you! Do you hear me– Stop!"

Subaru chuckled softly, unfazed by her bluster. "I won't back up on my word, Felt." He handed her his phone, a warm smile gracing his features. "Take it. The password is 0-1-0-4. Gotta show you how to use it later though."

"What?" Felt's voice was barely a whisper, her eyes widening in disbelief as she stared at the flip phone now resting in her palm.

Subaru gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Be gentle with it," he said softly. "That costs 20 golds at the very minimum, you know?"

Felt frowned, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Why?"

"We have a deal," Subaru explained, his tone earnest. "The insignia and your cooperation against my metia. Use it and get your gramps out of here, okay?"

A wave of emotion washed over Felt's face as Subaru's words sank in. Tears welled up in her eyes, reflecting the warmth spreading through her chest.

Extremely few people had ever shown her such kindness; this simple act of trust felt like a beacon of hope in her often bleak world.

"Th–thanks…big bro," she choked out, unable to hold back the gratitude welling up inside her.

Subaru smiled warmly, continuing to pat her head gently. "It's okay."

Felt wiped at her tears clumsily, trying to compose herself, a faint smile gracing her lips. "Stop stroking my head, c'mon…" she mumbled, though there was no real heat in her words, just the quiet murmur of affection.

Ram, observing the scene from a distance, couldn't help but draw an imperceptible grin. It seemed even the gruff exterior couldn't fully mask her amusement at this unexpected display of tenderness between two unlikely figures.

Emilia and Reinhard watched silently, their hearts touched by Subaru's selfless act. They exchanged a warm smile, acknowledging the goodness radiating from him despite the hardships he endured.

They all ignored Felt's warm complaints, allowing Subaru to continue his gentle petting, a silent testament to their unspoken bonds formed in the face of adversity.

"I know she's a thief," Subaru said to Reinhard, giving Felt's head another gentle scratch, "but she's a very good girl, isn't she? Be nice to your new buddy, and forget about your knightly duties just this once, okay?"

Reinhard glanced at Felt, his gaze thoughtful. "Even for a friend, officially, I cannot overlook what they have done," he replied, his voice serious.

He shrugged with a wry smile. "Unfortunately, I'm off duty today."

Emilia chuckled softly. "You're a bad knight," she teased.

Felt tried to wriggle free from Subaru's persistent petting. "Leave my head alone! Stop it!" she whined, though there was a hint of amusement in her tone.

Subaru turned his attention back to Emilia. "Don't hold too much grudges towards her. Just take a look at this face, and spare me the ice statue punishment, okay?"

Emilia's smile faltered for a moment, a shadow of sadness crossing her features as she remembered the frozen inhabitants of the Elior Forest. The memory was fleeting, lost in Subaru's plea before he noticed any change in her expression.

Her smile returned quickly, brighter than before. "I won't do something that violent!" she declared, shaking her head playfully. "And what does your face have to do with–"

Felt : "I said stop!"

Still getting her head patted by Subaru, she let out a sudden hiss and planted her fangs firmly into his hand.

"GAAAAAAAAAH!"

Subaru yelped in surprise and pain, finally releasing Felt from his relentless petting.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch…You!" Subaru winced, clutching his bitten hand as pain shot up his arm.

Felt smirked triumphantly. "Told you!"

Subaru rubbed his throbbing hand, then noticed a commotion nearby. A woman stirred awake by his pained cry, her eyes blinking in confusion as she registered the sounds of their conversation.

"Mom! Mom!" a little girl cried out, rushing into her arms.

The woman blinked, disoriented for a moment before recognition dawned on her face. "—huh? P—Plum?"

Her eyes widened with relief as she fully regained her senses. Her daughter was here, safe and sound beside her.

She surged forward, enveloping Plum in a tight embrace, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks. "Plum! Sweetheart! Are you okay?!"

Plum clung to her mother, trembling slightly, but the fear in her eyes had melted away. "Mommy! It–It was so scary!" she sobbed, burying her face in her mother's shoulder.

"It's okay now," the woman murmured soothingly, holding her daughter close. "Don't worry! It's okay!"

Everyone watched the heartwarming scene unfold, a warm feeling spreading through their hearts as they witnessed the reunion of this mother and child.

As the woman regained her composure, she bowed deeply towards them, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thanks for saving my child," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I will be eternally grateful to you. I'm deeply sorry for what I've done. And I'm ready for any punishment."

Subaru stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "No parent could stand idly by when faced with this choice," he said gently. "Don't feel guilty for being a great mother!"

Raksha looked up at him, her face etched with confusion and relief. "Ghk– I…" she stammered, unsure how to respond.

Emilia stepped in front of Raksha, offering her a warm, inviting smile. "Raise your head, please," she said softly.

Hesitantly, Raksha obeyed. She met Emilia's gaze – the silver-haired half-elf held herself with an air of calmness that eased some of her anxiety.

Although a part of her feared Emilia because of her unique traits, she did her best to remain respectful towards the girl she considered one of her saviors.

"My name is Emilia," she said. "Simply Emilia. What's your name?"

Raksha took a deep breath and returned the gesture with a tentative smile. "I–I'm Raksha. Raksha Risch. Pleased to meet you, Emilia-san."

Emilia : "Raksha-san, the real fault lies with those who forced you, not with you. Personally, I don't feel hatred towards you. And I think nobody here hates you for your actions."

Her words resonated through the group. Everyone nodded in silent agreement, their expressions a mixture of understanding and empathy.

A glimmer of hope flickered in Raksha's eyes before Emilia added, her tone taking on a more serious note, "You are not guilty... But I think you should feel guilty."

Raksha's eyes widened in surprise, her face paling as if struck.

Subaru : "Emilia?"

Subaru frowned, about to interject, but Emilia raised a hand, silencing him with a gentle gesture. "Subaru, please," she murmured, her gaze unwavering.

He swallowed his words, his attention focused solely on Emilia's next statement.

"I understand your situation," Emilia continued, her voice carrying a weight of genuine concern. "But you could've killed Felt, and her grandfather. You could've hurt Reinhard."

She paused, letting the gravity of those words sink in. Then, with a gaze that pierced Raksha's soul, she added, "You could've killed Subaru."

These weren't accusations; they were stark reminders of the potential consequences of Raksha's actions, spoken with such sincerity that even the most hardened heart would tremble.

Raksha lowered her head once again, her hands trembling uncontrollably as guilt washed over her like a tidal wave.

Emilia inhaled deeply, as if drawing in a breath of past burdens. Her gaze drifted inward, her amethyst eyes reflecting a distant pain. She saw herself, the girl trapped within the ice of self-loathing, constantly replaying the past.

She remembered tending to the frozen figures, wiping away frost and snow from their unyielding bodies, each touch fueling the flames of her own guilt.

The world had irrationally turned its back on her, but she never complained. Cloaked in hatred she never challenged, seeking solace only in the bitter solitude of self-punishment.

It was a prison built of remorse, where peace was fleeting and atonement was an endless cycle.

Looking at Raksha now, Emilia saw a reflection of that tormented past.

"You should feel remorse from your actions," Emilia began, her voice laced with a gentle firmness, "But, please, don't punish yourself." Her words were a plea born out of years of self-inflicted agony.

Emilia, ever since her awakening from the ice, had hated herself.

Consumed by regret, she was convinced that everything stemmed from her broken promises to her adoptive mother that fateful day.

The weight of the world's scorn pressed down upon her, and she quietly accepted it as her due.

Puck was always there, his presence a beacon of warmth in the cold wasteland of her soul, but she rarely allowed herself to truly appreciate his efforts.

Because she felt guilty, she wanted to be hated forever.

Guilt had become her anchor, dragging her deeper into despair.

The frozen statues were constant reminders of her sins, each icy figure fueling the flames of self-hatred.

And like this, seven years passed in barren penance, in this simulacrum of contrition.

This sterile punishment became seven long years of inaction disguised as repentance. And she almost fell in the same cycle of corrupted patience after her second death.

"Always keep this guilt," Emilia continued, her voice now stronger, more resolute. "Never forget it. And most importantly, use it!"

Raksha's eyes widened at these unexpected words. "Use…it?" she echoed, her voice laced with confusion.

Emilia : "Self-flagellation is easy, but there are better things you can do, aren't there?"

Raksha hesitated, the weight of Emilia's words settling upon her. "Better… things?"

"Make sure the people who hurt Plum-chan pay," Emilia said, her voice firm with resolve. "Make sure no one else has to go through the same things. Or, at the very least, make sure Plum-chan never has to go through it again."

Raksha lifted her head, hope completely glimmering in her eyes for the first time since their ordeal began.

"Whatever it is," Emilia continued, her gaze burning with conviction, "just do something. Keep your guilt, and use it as a strength. As a driving force, until there's nothing left! That's the path I took when I left my forest to come here!"

She turned to Reinhard. "I would like you to investigate this matter further with their help," she commanded. "Uncovering those responsible for manipulating them is paramount to ensuring such tragedies never occur again."

Reinhard stepped forward, a hint of admiration in his gaze. "As you wish, Emilia-sama," he responded, bowing slightly. "Also, I would be honored to escort them home and offer my protection."

"Please, and thank you!" Emilia beamed, relief washing over her features. "I trust you."

Subaru's heart swelled with pride for Emilia. He loved seeing her so determined, so utterly unwavering in her resolve.

Ram, however, stared at Emilia in stunned silence. The "master" she knew – the fragile, naive child sheltered by Roswaal's watchful gaze – was gone. In her place stood a woman of strength and purpose, her voice resonating with an unexpected authority.

A memory flickered through Ram's mind – Roswaal's words spoken in a musical tone: "Remember, a little solitude can be quite beneficial for fooostering independence aaand… resourcefulness."

Could this remarkable transformation be the result he hoped for?

Subaru nudged Felt playfully. "She's impressive, ain't she?"

Felt grinned, her usual brashness tinged with admiration. "Yeah! But she should hide her important things better, so no one can steal them."

Subaru chuckled, a hint of teasing in his voice. "Haha! It's rich coming from you!"

Felt blushed slightly, then fished out the insignia from her pocket to offer it to Subaru, as Reinhard and Emilia watched, their expressions growing increasingly curious.

Felt : "We have a deal, so take this!"

A look of astonishment etched across their gazes as she was passing the insignia; then, Reinhard abruptly reached for Felt's arm, startling both her and Subaru.

The stone encrusted in the center of the insignia pulsed with an eerie glow, casting a faint crimson light that danced around Felt's hand.

Subaru blinked in surprise – he hadn't expected such a dramatic reaction from the knight.

"Ouch, it hurts!" Felt cried out, struggling against Reinhard's grip. "You're hurting me! Let me go!"

Subaru's brow furrowed with concern. "Wait, what's going on? Reinhard?" he asked, turning to the knight with a mix of confusion and alarm.

Reinhard tightened his hold ever so slightly, his expression grave as he stared intently at Felt. "How can this be?" he muttered, his voice laced with disbelief. "What's your name?"

"Huh? It's Felt..." she responded, her voice trembling slightly.

"No, your family name!" Reinhard pressed on, "And how old are you?"

Felt shrugged helplessly. "I don't have anything fancy like a family name! I'm… about fifteen, I guess…" She glanced at Subaru, her eyes pleading for help. "Look, just let me go!"

Reinhard remained unmoved, his gaze fixed on Felt with an intensity that made Subaru shudder. "Subaru," he said, his voice calm but resolute. "I am afraid I cannot overlook this. I shall be taking this girl with me."

"Wait!" Subaru blurted out, his voice laced with urgency. "If it's for stealing the insignia–"

Reinhard shook his head, his expression somber. "That is, indeed, no small crime," he conceded. "But compared to the gravity of overlooking the crime unfolding before me, it's trivial."

Felt continued to struggle against Reinhard's grip, her face contorted in frustration. Her muffled cries went unanswered as she strained against the knight's unfaltering hold.

"I need you to come with me," Reinhard stated firmly, his voice devoid of any room for argument. "I am sorry, but I can't allow you to refuse."

Felt's eyes narrowed, defiance flickering in their depths. "Get over yourself!" she spat, her voice trembling with indignation. "Just because you saved me—"

Reinhard swiftly placed his palm before Felt's forehead, and suddenly, her struggles ceased, her body going limp as darkness claimed her. He gently caught her before she hit the ground, and cradled her in his arms, a worried frown etched across his face.

Subaru stared at the scene unfolding before him, a mixture of confusion and bewilderment clouding his features.

"What?!" Subaru roared, his voice thick with fury as he grabbed Reinhard by the collar. "Reinhard?! What did you do to her?!"

Felt lay limp in Reinhard's arms, her face pale and still. Subaru's heart pounded with a mixture of fear and rage

With a calm expression despite the intensity of Subaru's outburst, Reinhard answered "Have no fear, she is fine," he assured him, his voice soothing yet firm. "I was careful not to use too much."

Emilia rushed between them, her hand reaching out to touch Subaru's arm in an attempt to quell his anger. "Subaru! Calm down! Please!"

Subaru met Emilia's worried gaze. "Emilia!" he breathed, the urgency fading from his voice. He glanced back at Reinhard, his suspicion lingering.

"He's doing this for Felt's sake," Emilia urged softly, her hand still resting on Subaru's arm. "Please believe me."

Subaru hesitated, weighing his anger against Emilia's plea. With a reluctant sigh, he released Reinhard's collar.

Emilia turned back to the knight, her brow furrowed with concern. "Reinhard-san, is she… the fifth one?"

Reinhard shook his head slightly, his expression grave. "Please understand," he said, his voice low and measured. "I am not allowed to say much about this."

Subaru grunted in response, a mixture of frustration and distrust evident on his face.

Emilia leaned closer to Subaru, her voice barely a whisper. "I'll explain everything to you, I promise."

Subaru met her gaze, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips. "Well, I might have overreacted. I'm sorry, Reinhard." He turned to face the knight, his earlier anger replaced by a hesitant apology.

Reinhard nodded in understanding, his expression softening slightly. "I wasn't very courtly either," he admitted, a hint of self-deprecation in his voice. "Please forgive my impatience and rudeness. I can assure you that Felt will not be harmed."

Subaru took a deep breath to steady himself, the tension easing from his shoulders. He returned Reinhard's gaze with a genuine smile. "Okay buddy. I'll trust you."

Reinhard reciprocated the gesture, a small but sincere smile playing on his lips. He then turned his attention to Emilia, his expression serious once more.

"Emilia-sama," he began, his voice laced with gravitas, "I will be calling upon you soon, most likely." He gently placed the insignia back into her outstretched hand. As she held it, a faint red glow pulsed from its surface.

Reinhard's gaze drifted upwards, towards the full moon hanging serenely in the night sky. He spoke softly, his words carrying a weight that resonated through the silence. "Today may be the last chance we have to gaze calmly at the moon."

A silver moon cast its glow on the night as Ram skillfully guided the dragon carriage along the winding path outside Lugunica's capital. Its destination: Fleur, a small stopover town nestled along the longer route to Roswaal's domain.

Ram adhered strictly to her master's instructions – escort Emilia back to the mansion. A task that, in hindsight, should have been completed long ago if not for the unexpected detour involving the young half-elf's disappearance.

The additional passenger, a raven-haired boy clad in strange attire, had been an unforeseen complication.

Inside the carriage, Subaru and Emilia found solace in the quiet hum of the ride. Relief washed over them both – the infernal time loop finally broken.

Subaru turned to Emilia, his voice sincere. "Emilia, thank you for everything. I mean, for giving me a place to stay. I might have ended up sleeping in the slums otherwise."

A warm smile bloomed on Emilia's face. "Don't mention it, Subaru," she replied, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Besides, it wasn't entirely for free!"

Subaru : "Hm?"

"The spell! The one you executed for little Plum, you said even I could do it," she reminded him. "It could be a fine payment for my hospitality, don't you think?" she declared as her eyes sparkled with amusement.

Though her words held a teasing edge, Emilia wasn't truly expecting any repayment. Subaru had done so much more for her than he knew; his steadfast support and bravery had helped retrieve her royal insignia, preventing her disqualification from the kingdom's throne, and even saved her from Death itself.

It was becoming a subtle dance between them – a playful give-and-take built on unspoken gratitude and a growing sense of familiarity. A mix of teasing and genuine care that felt uniquely theirs.

"Eh? So you won't teach me how to read and write anymore?" Subaru asked, feigning disappointment.

Emilia laughed softly, her tone laced with affection. "Yes, I will! It's part of the hospitality!" she replied, her smile widening. "So hurry up and teach me your spell! You said you could, but I'm a Fire magic user, you know!"

Subaru chuckled, scratching his head sheepishly. "Haha, alright, alright! It was actually very simple… just a sleight of hand," he admitted, downplaying his skills.

"Simple?" Emilia raised an eyebrow skeptically, her gaze playfully challenging him to elaborate.

Emilia : "You made that coin vanish into thin air! Then you produced it right out of her ear! I was reeeally impressed."

Subaru puffed out his chest, adopting a theatrical air. He dramatically pulled a coin from his wallet. "This is a very special coin!" he declared, holding it aloft for Emilia to see. "A ridged ten-yen coin!"

Emilia leaned forward, captivated by his performance. "And now…" Subaru continued with exaggerated motions, placing the coin in his left hand and then, seemingly with a flick of the wrist, transferring it into the palm of his right hand.

"I will clutch it tightly in my hand!" he declared, gripping the coin fiercely within his right fist. He squeezed again, mimicking the theatrics from his previous show with Plum. "Tight, tight, tight...like that! And…"

Emilia watched with growing anticipation as Subaru's closed right fist slowly opened to reveal…nothing. The coin had vanished once more.

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. She gaped at his empty hand, momentarily speechless.

Emilia : "It disappeared! Subaru! Where's the coin?!"

Subaru, amused by her adorably straightforward reactions, grinned mischievously. "Behind your ear!"

Emilia whirled around, frantically searching behind her ears as if the coin had magically sprouted wings and flown away. She scratched lightly at her temples, a look of innocent hope on her face.

"Are you sure you looked hard enough?" Subaru teased, his voice laced with amusement. "The coin is...here!"

Emilia : "Eep!"

Emilia gasped, leaning back in surprise as Subaru's left hand touched her right ear. Her breath hitched in her throat, a sudden wave of warmth washing over her.

Subaru froze mid-motion, his fingers hovering mere inches from her skin. A jolt ran through him – the boldness of his action, the unexpected intimacy of it all. His touch grazed her hair, sending a shiver down their spines.

The air hung heavy with sudden awareness. Their gazes locked, both realizing the intimacy of the moment – Subaru's hand lingering on Emilia's cheek, her hair brushing against his fingertips. A blush crept up their necks as they stumbled back, their eyes wide with surprise and a touch of embarrassment.

With a shared jolt, they stumbled back, breaking eye contact. Silence stretched momentarily between them, thick with the remnants of that unexpected closeness.

Subaru cleared his throat awkwardly, a nervous laugh escaping his lips. "So...well, here's the coin! You can keep it!" He thrust the coin towards Emilia, feeling his cheeks burn with residual warmth from their near-touch.

Emilia quickly reverted to her usual bubbly self, genuinely dumbfounded by Subaru's trick. "Whoa!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. "That's impressive!"

Subaru let out a relieved laugh, the tension draining away. "Hehe, actually, there's no magic in this. It's all an illusion," he confessed, his cheeks still flushed from their earlier encounter. "Look! The coin was in my left hand the whole time!"

Emilia's brow furrowed in confusion. "Eh? How?"

Subaru explained sheepishly, revealing the coin cleverly hidden in his finger palms. "The trick is to misdirect your attention, to make you believe the coin was put in one fist while secretly keeping it in the other." He demonstrated again, emphasizing the subtle movements of his fingers.

Emilia stared at him, utterly baffled. "You're trying to tell me that wasn't genuine magic?!"

Subaru shrugged. "Yup! I don't know how to use magic… not yet, hehe," he admitted.

Emilia : "Subaru, you dummy! Dunderhead!"

Subaru : "Who says "dunderhead" in this day and age?"

The two burst into laughter, the awkwardness melting away as the carriage rattled along. Subaru finally felt like asking about the imposing white blade strapped to Emilia's side.

"Say, Emilia," he began tentatively, "What exactly is that knife-like thing you keep carrying? For some reason I don't really like its design."

Emilia reached out and drew the blade, catching the moonlight filtering through the carriage window. The polished surface gleamed with an eerie luminescence. After placing it gently on the floor of the carriage, she turned to Subaru, her gaze softening.

"It's Elsa's," she said softly. "She dropped it during our fight. I keep it as…a reminder, I suppose."

Subaru's eyebrows shot up. "You mean...the assassin?" He gestured towards the sword, his gaze lingering on the fact that it didn't budge an inch despite the carriage's motion. "Wow, this thing looks heavy."

"It is," Emilia agreed. "Heavy and surprisingly well-balanced." She paused, her expression turning serious again. "I keep it also as a possible clue to where she might have gone."

"Mind if I try lifting it?" Subaru asked tentatively. He reached out a hand towards the hilt, his muscles already straining with anticipation.

But as soon as he grasped the cold steel, his face contorted in surprise. The massive kukri was impossibly heavy! He struggled to barely lift it.

"Whoa," he gasped, sweat beading on his forehead. "This thing's a beast!"

Emilia chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement at Subaru's struggle. "It's a bit of a pain to carry around, that's for sure."

Subaru finally released the hilt of the blade, collapsing onto the seat beside her with a groan. As he caught his breath, Emilia fell silent, her mind racing with unanswered questions.

"Who hired Elsa?" she wondered, "Probably not any of the other candidates. And definitely not the Council, otherwise Bordeaux would have used it against me during that last failed loop." The thought left a chilling emptiness in her gut.

She pondered further, picking at loose threads in her memory. "It has to be someone else… Someone with resources and influence, and linked to a very good mage…"

Her mind raced, piecing together fragments of the fight. "Those artifacts… The cloaks Elsa wore were capable of resisting even strong magical attacks. Ah yes, there was also the one she likely used for concealment before. What if Raksha used the same thing to evade me during my scouting trip?"

Her thoughts drifted towards the most knowledgeable people she knew. "Roswaal… Beatrice… Perhaps they know something…"

"They might have insights I haven't considered." she murmured, her voice barely audible above the gentle clatter of the carriage. "I'll ask them… when we get back…"

But for now, fatigue overcame her. The weight of the mystery, the exhaustion from the fight and from her healing sessions, and the lingering unease all combined to pull her under.

Her head slowly slumped against Subaru's shoulder, his arm automatically tightening around her in a protective embrace.

He froze for a moment, a flicker of concern crossing his features before a soft smile curved his lips as he realized she was asleep.

Chuckling softly, he gently adjusted her position so she would be more comfortable. A warm feeling spread through him as he watched her peaceful expression.

"Goodnight, Emilia."

= END OF CHAPTER 6 =

== ARC 1 - CURTAIN'S CLOSE ==

Author's Notes:

That's it for Arc1. Gotta plan Arc2 now, and take a little break from writing cz I don't wanna cook trash.

I got rid of the "metia" flip phone cz I want to challenge myself for Arc3.

But before that, let's shxt on them a little bit at the mansion!

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