A/N: Hello friends! I want to start this week's A/N by saying this chapter contains a mild Arc V spoiler, namely there being a character from it in this chapter. But also I have a really big announcement! Using the power of AI generated art, I was able to get some good concepts of the four OC characters I introduced in the "Endless Eight" mini-arc series of chapters, namely, chapters 54, 55, 56, and 58. So if you're on WP or A03, please check those out!

Without further ado though, here's this week's chapter!

Chapter 86: A Disturbance

Parking awkwardly along the side of a bricked wall just across the street from their destination, Rem and YN entered through a white iron gate and approached the ornate double doors of the Juukulius Manor.

Unsure of how to proceed, YN had begun to turn Rem, seeking advice on this world's customs.

YN: Um, should I knock or—

*Knock* *Knock*

As Rem took initiative, YN was startled by how confident her actions were. Staring at the door, awaiting a response, Rem was the strength YN lacked, emotionally, and now physically as well.

With some muffled rustling coming from the other side, YN stood up straight as a familiar looking person answered the door.

?: Hello? May I inquire who you— Ah, that's right.

At first only noticing Rem, a man who looked a lot like Julius had answered the door.

?: Nii-san was expecting... guests.

Hesitant to use the word, this man's tone had changed upon looking over to YN, standing to Rem's immediate left like he always did, enabling him to see her one visible eye.

With a single monocle, and not nearly as physically defined as Julius, by his words, Rem and YN could only ascertain one conclusion to whom this was.

Rem: 'Nii-san.' Would it be Julius' younger brother that is the one to so kindly greet us?

Joshua: Yes, I am my wonderful Nii-san's younger sibling. Joshua Juukulius.

Bowing as he introduced himself, Joshua readjusted his monocle as he stood back up straight.

Rem: Please pardon our intrusion. Rem is the head maid of Margrave Roswaal L. Mathers, and to Rem's side is YN-kun, groundskeeper for our Master's Mansion.

Bowing with her response, YN did so as well, but only in a delayed fashion.

Joshua: Yes, I am familiar with your... colleague?

Standing up straight, Rem quickly wrapped her arm around YN's.

Rem: YN-kun is Rem's YN-kun.

Joshua: I see.

While he was unsure just what their relationship was, the ardent and honest answer had caught him off guard, somewhat tarnishing the "stone walled butler" impression it seemed Joshua wished to have at this moment.

Joshua: Well, it was Nii-san who had told me there was a chance we'd be having visitors, so I had made sure to be ready to receive them. After all, Nii-san is currently training as much as he can given he cannot leave the premises.

Once more giving YN a glare of contempt.

Joshua: —I am aware he has you to thank for that.

Being off put by his comment, Rem corrected the younger brother.

Rem: YN-kun merely stepped in to protect a friend. The actions of which Julius-sama would be punished for had already occurred.

Going to bat for YN, Rem had boldly voiced a correction to the record. Yet, doing little to improve his already soured mood based on his tone and facial expression, Joshua replied.

Joshua: Whatever it may have been, Nii-san's devotion to the sword is second to none, so perhaps a chance to be shut off from the world and focus on himself is not the worst thing.

Turning around and gesturing to follow, Joshua continued.

Joshua: After all, it does leave me with more time to observe and appreciate his hard work.

Entering into the manor, Rem answered as they continued further in.

Rem: Joshua-sama's admiration of his brother is most admirable in itself. Rem also greatly admires her Nee-sama.

Joshua: Nii-san is very talented at what he does because of how hard he works. It is impossible for me not to be enthralled.

Is there some sort of normalized older sibling worship in this world I'm unaware of?!

Brought into a side area of the manor, the three were now back outside, but in a covered area, shaded by lattice that was filled with the vines of many blooming flowers overhead. As they rounded one final corner, they could hear the muffled sound of a "woosh" every few seconds, as if something was being swung around.

Catching sight of his back, as he elegantly swung his sword, the sound they had heard was now firmly linked to the one they had come to see—

Joshua: Nii-san.

Taking one last swing of his sword in the air, a lateral slash that swept his entire immediate front, Julius stood from his fighting stance, and turned to view them.

As he turned, the small gust of his legwork disturbed the pedals that had fallen all around on the ground from the lattice flower-work above. But never once did it seem his rapid sword swings had stirred up any of the pedals.

Pushing his hair out of the way of his face though, he addressed them.

Julius: YN, Rem, I am very glad you both decided to come by.

Bowing in return to his welcome, Rem responded.

Rem: We are humbled that we would be personally requested to come speak.

As Rem handled the formalities, YN had decided to get right into it.

YN: Speaking of uhh, speaking, was there a reason you wanted to with us?

Sheathing his sword, Julius nodded.

Julius: As I'm sure you're aware, I am currently forbidden from leaving my residence. A consequence of my actions.

Unsure where he was going with this, YN stayed silent in response.

Julius: I later had gotten the feeling you had just arrived in these lands, and after some inquiry, my hunch was correct.

YN: 'Some inquiries?'

Shutting his eyes and smiling wryly, Julius explained.

Julius: It's only to be expected a Camp would fully research their rivals, and that includes looking into the background of their confidants. And with how extensive Anastasia-sama's own intelligence is, we were all quite surprised that neither you, nor Natsuki-san had any other such history.

With a more serious look coming across his face, Julius spoke in a lower tone.

Julius: —Which can only mean you both are from very far from here.

As Rem looked at YN wondering how he would respond to that, he answered the knight's question with one of his own.

YN: What does this all have to do with you asking us here?

Returning to a more casual tone, the knight adjusted his hair once more.

Julius: I am simply reassuring someone who's unfamiliar with our Order that we do not lack discipline. Actions such as my own do not go unpunished.

Joshua: But even then, such tarnishing of the Knight's Honor does not go unpunished either.

YN: Then surely the Knight's Honor is strong.

With an answer that seemed to bridge an understanding with them, YN quickly burnt it back down.

YN: —but that must be to make up for the Knight's fragile Ego.

While Julius had found his answering amusing with a mild chuckle, it was Joshua who had been offended.

Joshua: Enough with the underhanded words. I will ask if only to satisfy my own desire to defend Nii-san—.

Finally airing his true feelings, the younger Jukuulius brother readjusted his monocle as he asked his question.

Joshua: —what else could you hope for in retribution for Nii-san's actions? Just as you would not deny your friend voicing his conviction, should Nii-san also be denied that same justice?

As the younger brother so haughtily voiced his displeasure, YN tilted his brow to him.

YN: Am I supposed to see being locked in your own personal Manor with all your luxuries and servants as punishment with any real consequences?

Joshua: —Tch! Why—?!

YN: That being said—.

Cutting off the younger brother as he rebuked his view on the matter, YN crossed his arms.

YN: Subaru was acting like an ass. That much I'll agree with. From where we're from, we would say the way he was acting was 'cringe.' I believe his words had truth, but the way he went about everything was off the mark.

Looking directly at Julius now, YN shifted the focus of words to him now.

YN: Subaru agitated the bull in the worst way possible, by insulting the Honor of the Knights. In hindsight, it's no surprise he would have wrought some kind of consequence for that in the way he had gone about it.

While he hated to admit it, after understanding what he did now just from this brief altercation, YN spoke on as he realized something else.

YN: If anything, Julius did Subaru a favor.

Rem: What does YN-kun mean?

With Rem surprised to hear YN say something like that, she knew and trusted him enough to know that he wouldn't say that without a reason, and neither would he let go of his previous convictions on the matter.

YN: If Subaru hadn't been called into the training ring and beaten with a wooden sword publicly, chances are he'd have been jumped in some back alley and beaten with real swords, —blunted ones if he was lucky.

Giving YN a look of understanding, Julius neither confirmed nor denied his guess in the silence he presented still. But, answering Rem further, YN turned the conversation back to the brothers.

YN: Just as Julius and Joshua have made it clear, one does not call into question the Knight's Honor or their dedication in such a way as Subaru did. While yes, he was clueless to what he was doing, we cannot expect the Knights to have known that as well.

Uncrossing his arms, YN concluded his words.

YN: Is that all about what you wanted us to know?

With another mild chuckle, Julius answered.

Julius: It appears as if I don't need to explain a thing. Now then—

Pointing over to where a few dulled practice sword's hung on a nearby wall, the knight offered YN an opportunity.

Julius: If I may be so bold as to imply, but you don't have much experience with a blade do you?

As the conversation shifted, it became apparent this wasn't the only reason Julius had asked for an audience with the two of them.

YN: Can't say I do, no.

Julius: Then I was correct to assume that the ability to hold my semi-serious attempt at a strike was pure strength after all, and not so much technique.

Rem: YN-kun is rather adept at mana control, but if Julius-sama was hoping to see more of that, unfortunately Rem will have to keep YN-kun from exerting himself as his Gate has gone stagnant.

With a worried expression coming across his face, Julius directed it toward YN.

Julius: That was not a result of what had occurred, was it?

Referring to their brief bout once more, YN shook his head in reply.

YN: I don't think so. It happened when Ferris was trying to see if he could compress my Gate.

Confused as to what that meant, Rem chimed back in.

Rem: When YN-kun and Subaru-kun had their run-in with Emilia-sama and the Bowel Huntress in the slums, Reinhard-sama's mana that was built up for an attack appeared to have had an adverse effect on YN-kun. Because of that, his Gate stretched.

Julius: I have known Reinhard for a long time, but I've never seen anything other than Spirits react negatively to when he fights, but drawing so much mana from the atmosphere will do that. That's what makes fighting alongside him so difficult for myself.

Rem: Ah, that would create problems for Julius-sama, wouldn't it?

As YN looked at Rem, wondering what was meant by that, Julius took it upon himself to explain. Letting his hand extend forward, a warm glow manifested itself from out of thin air. Taking shape, the white glow of light formed a ring-like shape, and as it spun, colors were born from its slowed rotation.

Six unique specs of light were all that remained, lightly dancing around. One red, one blue, one yellow, one green, one black, and one white.

Julius: Had Reinhard not intervened, your first meeting with them might have been somewhat scarring.

Recognizing what these specs of light were, YN spoke softly, as if not wishing to scare them off.

YN: Spirits...

Almost as if on instinct, YN held his own hand out. Near to the knight's own, the spirits recoiled as if frightened at first, but then returned closer to his own hand, as if testing to see if he truly was a threat or not. With near child-like actions, the spirits all retreated once more to Julius' hand.

Except for one.

Moving over to YN's own hand, the white spec of light danced around his wrist, making several passes around his wrist before suddenly shooting up his arm, and dancing around his head. Disoriented for a moment, as soon as it had done so, it retreated back to his hand, and finally back to Julius.

Rejoining the others, they crowded it as if eager to hear what it had learned from the mere seconds it had spent away on its own before finally returning to their normal rotation.

Julius: It is rare for a quasi-spirit to act in such a way. Especially In.

Closing his palm, the spirits vanished.

Julius: You are a Yang user, correct? That would explain how you're able to so easily manipulate your mana for your own strength. As well as that clever trick to unarm me.

Rem: Yes, he is. YN-kun has also demonstrated great control of his mana through his own spell-work in manipulating what he's capable of doing, although his stretched Gate causes his affinity with consumption to be rather large.

YN: Which is why Ferris was trying to compress it. If my Gate was smaller, I'd be able to do more before passing out.

Putting a hand to his chin, Julius thought more on the subject.

Julius: That is still strange an injury would flare up during your treatment, especially a procedure being given by Ferris.

With a decision not to dwell on things he didn't understand, Julius had at least accomplished his task in learning where YN's strength originated from.

Julius: I must thank you both for taking time out of your day to indulge my curiosities.

Beginning to signal a conclusion to their visit, YN could only surmise that Julius had gotten whatever piece of information he'd wanted out of him and leave it at that.

So all this was just so he could tell us he's being punished and because he didn't know how a nobody like myself was able to stick it to him?

Yet, as he thought more on it, YN did begin to see that he too, got something out of this as well.

He's a Spirit user then, huh? Guess I can see why Reinhard stepped in when he did then. Had Julius utilized his Spirits against me, that might have hurt. A lot.

Rem: We are happy to have been so warmly received as humbled guests. Rem and her YN-kun shall depart.

Bowing to the knight, he nodded his head in reply before turning to YN.

Julius: I hope once you have recovered, you can continue to hone your skills in magic. It appears that as a spirit of Yang, In seems to see something in you. Potential, perhaps.

Bowing, if only to be formal like Rem had taught him, YN replied.

YN: Thank you for the words of encouragement. I wish you well in your endeavors of your training here as well.

Julius: I shall return to it then. Joshua?

Signaling an end to their conversation, Joshua took the reins.

Joshua: Of course, Nii-san. Will you both follow me?

As the younger brother set about leading the two guests back out, Julius returned to his sword training. Taking several mighty swings, YN again noticed not a pedal under him moved as it sliced the air above them.

'Potential,' huh?

Unsure of what to make of it all, YN simply returned with Rem to his car, and began their short trip back to their current dwelling, hoping to have a peaceful rest, and recover as soon as he could.

Driving the car back behind the Karsten Manor once more and covering it up, the two hadn't realized how late it had become now.

Rem: It seems Rem neglected to make dinner in time.

Back in the common area, Rem and YN conversed with one guest of their own in the guest's quarters.

Felix: Once Crusch-sama saw you two wouldn't be back in time, she had a change of plans and indulged in her curiosities...

YN: Her 'curiosities?'

Confused as to what the healer meant by that, he elaborated with an annoyed tone.

Felix: Normally Crusch-sama and Ferri get to have a private dinner together if no one else is around, but tonight she gave Ferri's seat to Subawu.

Pouting as he said that, Rem seemed surprised as well.

Rem: A private dinner with Crusch-sama and Subaru-kun?

As she looked over to YN, a worried expression crossed her face.

Rem: A-Are they having a... date?

Perhaps not understanding what a "date" truly was still, Rem sought YN's opinion.

YN: I don't think it's anything as serious as that, Rem.

Scratching the back of his head while saying that, Felix more or less grasped the concept very quickly.

Felix: Crusch-sama wouldn't attempt to court him like that so suddenly!

With a streak of pink going across the angered demi-human's face, YN held up his hands.

YN: I don't think that's what Rem thought either. Rather, that's what me and her did for a date once.

Rem: Please pardon Rem's choice of words, she did not mean to offend.

Closing his eyes, Felix nodded.

Felix: A 'day-te,' huh? Something from your and Subawu's homeland?

YN: You uhh, could say that. Yes. It's a broad term.

Felix: Okie-doki then, Rem, Ferri is sorry he jumped to conclusions.

Rem: It is quite alright, perhaps it is Rem who should better learn her terminology.

Putting an end to the misunderstanding, Felix inquired on what they planned to do now. Stating that he felt fatigued, YN had decided to retire for the evening. With Rem in agreement, she did so as well.

The next day was another one that proved itself uneventful. Subaru received his treatment and went outside to cross practice swords with Wilhelm, who for one reason or another, seemed to have taken an interest in the dark haired boy.

But deciding to save fuel, YN once more spent a lazy morning with Rem as the two lounged in the windows that overlooked where Subaru was repeatedly knocked back by the elder swordsman.

Letting the oni play with his hair as he awaited his turn to be treated once more by Felix, YN let his mind wander as it rested beneath Rem's endowment.

I wonder how long this can go on? We'll be here until at least Subaru's Gate is mended, but there's not much Ferris can do for my condition...

As Rem's delicate fingers danced through his hair, just as Subaru was knocked down rather hard, she stopped. With the idea that she had maybe moved her hand to cover her mouth at the severity of his fall, YN questioned her on it.

YN: Do you think he'll feel that one tomorrow?

Yet, Rem did not respond.

YN: Hmm? Rem? Is everything okay?

Repositioning himself, YN sat up and got a look at the maid.

YN: Rem—? Hey! Rem!

With her fists clenched and held against her chest, her body language spoke words of anxiety and intrepidation. She was in the midst of a long far out stare, her eyes devoid of any of her own emotion, yet a single tear ran down her one exposed eye.

Observing for only a moment, YN gently grabbed her shoulders, feeling her fair skin, and rocked her.

YN: Hey, Rem, what's the matter? Why are you—?!

Rem: Nee-sama...

Speaking not to him, but to what felt like an unknown void, Rem slowly was brought back to reality.

YN: 'Nee-sama?' Rem, if you miss Ram, we can use the car to go back and visit her if you—

Assuming she had suddenly been reminded of her elder sister whom she adored, YN had sought to solve her distress, but cutting off his words, Rem enveloped him in her arms.

Nearly squeezing the very breath out of him, Rem tightly hugged him, as if seeking comfort.

YN (labored): Rem, what's going on?

Letting his own arms match her own, YN embraced the blue haired maid back. Holding each other for a moment, they eventually separated, as she did, Rem wiped her face dry from the one marked tear.

Rem: Rem just had a very intense shared feeling with Nee-sama...

YN: 'Intense?' In a bad way... or?

While he knew that the twins could share conscious thoughts or emotions, he was surprised to learn that they could do so at such a great distance.

Rem: — — —

YN: Rem, is it bad?

Hesitating to answer, Rem shook her head as if she didn't know, and looked at YN with a growing worry on her face.

Rem: Rem would like to gather Subaru-kun and Crusch-sama if possible before saying.

Knowing that Rem meant that she felt this information should be discussed, YN nodded and went into action. Moving over to the window, he lifted the sill and called out.

YN: Wilhelm-san, Subaru!

With their attention now his, the two looked up at the window two whole floors up at the one calling to them. Across several garden ways, it was pointless to hollar words that could not be heard, so rather, YN gestured to Subaru by twirling a finger out in the air, signaling they should regroup.

As Subaru recognized that the distance was too great for words, he could also read the emotions on YN's face despite being so far.

Subaru: Well, looks like we'll have to end early today.

Wilhelm: It appears so.

While Subaru hadn't known it, Wilhelm, to a greater extent than even Subaru had, could see the emotion on YN's face.

If this is related to what is beyond the horizon—

Having a clue he should fetch Crusch, Wilhelm took ownership of each of the wooden blades while Subaru went on ahead.

—we can only expect something truly troublesome...

Sat around a pair of sofas and a coffee table, Crusch, Wilhelm, Felix, Subaru, Rem, and YN were all in attendance. They were currently in the Karsten Manor's tea room, a suitable meeting area for things to be discussed. And given the air Rem still seemed to give off even being noticed by Crusch, it was obvious there would be much to be discussed.

What worried YN the most however, was that Rem still withheld what exactly her shared sensation entailed, choosing to wait until everyone of importance could hear.

With Subaru and YN sat on one sofa, Crusch sat by herself on the opposite, with Felix standing to its side, and Wilhelm standing at attention next to the door. But to the flank of the table that separated members of each camp, Rem stood, hesitantly readying herself.

Crusch: Rem, I believe you said something about a shared connection to your sister that you felt. Can you elaborate more on that?

Rem: Yes, Rem can.

Nodding to show respect to the one who asked her the question, Rem went on to explain to those in the room who didn't know of her and Ram's shared cognitive link, which was everyone but YN.

Rem: —Even at great distances, we are able to communicate intense emotions or powerful thoughts to one another.

Crusch: And this feeling, what was it?

Confidently speaking, Crusch inquired more. With Rem's face once more turning somber and worried, she took a deep breath before explaining.

Rem: It was a feeling of unease, coupled with a great anger.

Felix: 'Anger...'

As everyone dwelled on their own thoughts as to what that could mean, YN, knowing the oni and her sister well, also sought more information.

YN: Rem, what kind of 'anger' was it? Was it more like frustration? Maybe something like a vase fell over again?

Felix: Do mew really think Rem would call us all here just for that?

Defending himself, YN put a hand to his chest.

YN: I'm simply trying to find the most rational explanation first. Everyone gets upset at the small things sometimes.

With her arms crossed, Crusch responded with her eyes shut.

Crusch: If one is pursuant enough to look under every pebble, they might as well ignore the boulder right before them.

While he was unable to counter what Crusch had said, Rem was quick to defend YN regardless.

Rem: Crusch-sama, YN-kun is simply trying to console Rem and lessen the burden of her worry. Rem is very thankful she has someone who cares about her that much.

Smiling warmly at him, Rem returned to the subject at hand.

Rem: To answer his question though—, no. Normally Nee-sama does a very good job at suppressing any chance for a strong emotion to travel between ourselves. A slip up will only occur if she loses that self control.

As they all once more returned to their own thoughts, especially upon hearing of the idea of Ram losing self control, Rem decided to elaborate further with her thoughts on it.

Rem: Rem believes Nee-sama did not intend to convey this feeling.

Seeing as it was Crusch who was the deepest not in thought, but in rationalization, Subaru probed her to speak her mind.

Subaru: Crusch? Did you have any idea on what it might be?

With a heavy sigh, the martial candidate for the throne sat forward, leaning her elbows on her legs as she folded her hands together.

Crusch: I have heard through my own network of information that the Mathers' Domain has been on high alert. I can only surmise that this must be the cause of Rem's sister conveying those strong emotions.

Subaru: —hk!

Rem: —!

YN: — — —

As those who were residents of the Mathers' domain, namely the Roswaal Mansion were simply shocked to hear such a development, it was only YN who's suspicion of the candidates once more flared up.

She knows damn well we would be concerned if we knew that, and she chose to conceal that information from us until this was brought up?

Doing his best to restrain himself from even so much as shooting Crusch a dirty look, lest Felix notice it and call him out on it, YN's mind raced with furthered suspensions.

I get it's unwise to share anything and everything your information network finds out, especially with those you might consider your rivals, but wouldn't it at least be a decent courtesy to tell us something was going on back home?

But, bringing his attention back to the issue at hand, Subaru inquired further on what Crusch had meant.

Subaru: 'High alert?' Did something happen?

Seeming to believe whatever triggered the alert was natural, Crusch smothered those innocent conclusions.

Crusch: Nothing substantial has been relayed to me as of yet, but if I were to make an educated guess... there was a great deal of disdain from all sides when the Margrave's sponsorship of a half-elf came to the public light.

Subaru: All this because of Emilia's candidacy...

Crusch: I'm afraid so...

Standing suddenly, Subaru declared what their next move should be.

Subaru: We should head back to the mansion!

Rem: Subaru-kun—! But—!

YN: I agree. If only to check on things, we should investigate this disturbance.

Standing in solidarity with his traveling companion, Rem was surprised to hear her feelings be so catered to. But as their resolve was declared, it was quickly questioned on if it was well placed.

Crusch: Both of you should stop. Natsuki Subaru. YN.

Giving the duchess a look of questioning, they were each met by her stern gaze and low tone, as if greatly chastising them in a most harsh way.

Crusch: Can neither of you understand that Ram hasn't requested any sort of aid through their shared consciousness since for a reason?

With a dark air, Crusch spoke down on their rationale.

Crusch: It is because she does not wish to involve any of you in whatever is going on.

Speaking as if Ram was staying silent in order to save them some sort of trouble, it seemed Subaru had accepted this conclusion with a hard gulp even YN could hear.

But, choosing to stand up to her, YN denied it.

YN: Crusch-sama, I do not believe it to be as complex, or even as simple as you believe.

Doing his best to hold his tongue of his true feelings, and dancing around outright calling her conclusion "false," YN's mind rattled with his own musings on what her dark words had meant.

What gives her the right to just assume what Rem or Ram's feelings on this would be? How can she just jump to the conclusion that she had? Ram might have not asked for help because she can't!

Knowing what it possibly meant if Ram could not even convey something as effortless as an emotion, YN's mind became littered with suspension.

She's already admitted to holding out information from us that wasn't sensitive to her own wellbeing in the least, what could it possibly be that she's gaining by us not going to investigate on our own?

Crusch: As it stands, there is nothing either of you can gain by returning to the Mathers' Domain. All you will accomplish is getting engulfed in the chaos there.

Oh so now it's 'chaos?!'

Biting his lip, YN felt like he was at his limit. Just how much lower did it seem this Duchess was willing to go?

YN: This is getting ridiculous...

Crusch: Hmm?

Speaking under his breath, his mumbling hadn't gone unnoticed. Steeling his nerves, YN spoke with conviction to the Candidate before him, mimicking how Rem might speak in her formal fashion.

YN: Crusch-sama, I thank you for your hospitality, but I've already decided that my main priority now is to ensure the safety of Ram and anyone else who's currently facing the unforeseen events unfolding in the Mathers' domain. Rem—

Rem: Y-Yes?

Surprised to hear him speak as such, Rem had been caught off guard by his formal tone when suddenly addressed by him.

YN: Gather what you need. We'll be taking the ca— dragonless-carriage and departing as soon as we can. Subaru—

Startling Subaru in a similar fashion, YN now spoke to him as well.

YN: Either stay here and continue to get your treatments, or come along as well. Just decide soon.

Walking over to Rem, YN took her nervous hand and nodded, trying his best to quell any fears or anxiety she might have.

YN: We're going to make sure Nee-sama is okay, alright?

Her eyes shimmering from the display of resilience from YN, Rem shook her head slightly to regain her composure and nodded affirmatively to YN.

Seeing as Subaru was hesitating with his answer though, YN knew having the one who was the key to Return By Death nearby wasn't a bad idea.

YN: If it took half a day to get there by ground dragon, we can make it in half that.

With his hope being to appeal to Subaru that he wouldn't miss any treatment if he tagged along, it was Felix who answered.

Felix: Hmm, nyo. The Lifaus Highway is currently closed. The detour is still gonna take you at least a day if mew can somehow go twice as fast as a ground dragon.

While he didn't exactly wish to further converse with anyone else here, YN still gave his attention to the problems that seemed to be arising. Giving them a look of seeking an explanation, Crusch now spoke again.

Crusch: The Mist of the White Whale has descended upon the Lifaus Plains.

'Mist?'

YN: I've got fog lights. I think we'll be fine.

Turning to leave as he rolled his eyes at the idea of their protest being little more than a cloud, YN had taken Rem's hand, and while he had tried to make his exit, Rem had stayed put.

Wondering why she would at first not follow him, he turned back to look at her.

YN: Rem?

Staring back at him, she had a hand over her chest. With an expression that spoke to him as if he were misunderstanding something, she looked on to him as if she couldn't say what she wanted to in the open.

YN-kun is not of this world... he has no idea of what Crusch-sama is speaking of.

Just as YN was to inquire to Rem what she was halting for, it was Wilhelm who finally spoke up.

Wilhelm: The White Whale is a terrible beast that has been roaming the lands for centuries unchecked. Any who cross its path, even the mightiest are sure to meet their end.

While the elder gentleman's words echoed with intense emotional undertone in YN's mind, his course of action had already been decided.

YN: I shall heed your concerns, but I must still set out.

With Wilhelm opening the door for him, Rem finally approached YN's side as he reached into his pocket, and handed her the keys.

YN: Go on ahead, me and maybe Subaru too will grab our stuff, I'll make sure to get yours.

Rem: Yes.

Standing on her tiptoes, Rem gently kissed YN on the cheek as she left to do as he asked, leaving him to finally get an answer out of Subaru.

YN: Well?

As the black haired boy seemed to continue to hesitate on what he should do, Felix gave his opinion.

Felix: If mew leave now, mew'll be breaking the healing contract Emilia-sama got for your Gate. And as much as Ferri would like to leverage that for YNyan to stay, unfortunately I can't treat him any further until his Gate at least begins to flow again.

Speaking harshly, the demi-human's words seemed to be the tipping point for Subaru's decision.

Subaru: I really don't want to disappoint Emilia anymore... so I think I'll stay here...

Holding his remaining hope in Emilia forgiving him in higher regard, YN was disappointed in his answer, but could understand why.

YN: If that's what you think is best.

Nodding to his fellow traveling companion, YN turned to exit. Crossing the threshold of the room, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

Wilhelm: YN.

Speaking softly, Wilhelm relayed one last piece of advice to YN before he left.

Wilhelm: The White Whale has ripped apart lovers before. Please heed it with all due caution. I would greatly dislike it if I were to learn either, or both of you were to succumb to it.

Simply nodding in response, the elderly gentleman removed his hand, and let YN continue down the hall.

Going to fetch his and Rem's minute amount of belongings, Wilhelm's words echoed in his mind.

'Lovers...'

For some reason, in his mind, unbeknownst to him, the ideas of "Lovers'' and "Rem" seemed to weave and tangle in a way he didn't quite understand. Having his mind feel cloudy though, YN shook all thoughts from his head and focused entirely on readying himself what could lie ahead.

We have to be fast. Ram's safety could depend on us, and I won't let Rem face that challenge alone.

A/N: That's this week's chapter! Things are really set to get rolling next week, so please look forward to that! I also hope you all enjoyed the AI art of the OCs. I really like how Daniela turned out. Maybe we'll see them come back in later stories :^)