Chapter 90: Grand Theft Auto

YN: You're kidding me.

At YN's proposed idea, the plan was to take his dragonless-carriages and make great haste to the Mansion. While on the way out towards where he kept his car covered and tucked away, he had recalled that the Lifaus Highway should remain open until late that night. Given the account she had been told about the previous loop, specifically regarding when the Mist was set to roll in, Rem said they could reach Fleur in no time given YN's account of their speed.

And, inspiring more hope in the blue haired maid, was that if they were now able to use the highway, they'd reach the Mansion even sooner since they had previously arrived so quickly, even after taking the large detour. This all meant there would be more time available to coordinate the evacuation.

But, things were never that easy.

Rem: I-It's—!

YN: —Gone.

Having arrived at the stables where YN had his car hidden away from prying eyes, all that was in its space was the cover that had once been draped across it.

Their fastest, and only method of transportation had been stolen. And since this had not happened in the last loop, the only culprit that could have done this was—

YN: Subaru...

As he kicked a nearby wooden post in frustration upon saying the thief's name, Rem's hope was shattered.

YN: It had to have been him. He's the only one who could have figured out how to use it so quickly.

With their only option gone, they were back to square one. Rubbing his face with his palm, YN shook his head.

YN: I don't know what we're going to do now.

Just as clueless as YN, Rem also failed to come up with any substantial ideas.

Rem: If we were able to secure access to even a conventional carriage, with the highway being open, it should only take half a day still.

Recalling the times each took, they knew even with a ground dragon carriage, taking the Lifaus Highway was still a quicker option than taking the car the long way around.

YN: Somehow Subaru had gotten a hold of a carriage in the last loop to make it to the mansion. Maybe if we found the same one, we can also have access to it.

Rem: Rem seems to remember YN-kun saying it looked familiar, was it one of Crusch-sama's carriages?

Shaking his head, YN knew that wasn't right.

YN: No. It might have been half wrecked by the time I saw it, but it wasn't nearly as fancy enough to be one of hers.

Still unsure of what to do, Rem tried brainstorming ways Subaru could have come across a carriage in the previous loop.

Rem: YN-kun, what was Subaru-kun doing today and the next day of the previous loop?

Shrugging his shoulders, YN didn't know.

YN: I don't know... We were out in the car ourselves around this time last loop.

Rem: Rem sees. And after that, what did we do?

YN: We actually were at Julius' Family's manor. He wanted to speak with me.

Tilting her head at hearing that, Rem was confused on how that had ended up happening.

Rem: What course of events led to such a meeting?

Without having to think hard, YN retold her how it went.

YN: We were having a really nice conversation about how I wanted to sell the car for money to buy ourselves a home. One that wasn't far from the mansion.

Having his face turn a shade of red recalling it, he looked downward with a smile as he recalled it.

YN: I wanted to buy one not so far away... Close enough so you could still have an easy walk to the Mansion. And also a room for Nee-sama to move in! I don't want to separate you two... A-And I also wanted to—!

Halted, his words were stopped by a soft sensation. Seeing he was being kissed, it was by the one who held his heart.

As she separated her lips from his, Rem looked warmly at the previously babbling YN.

Rem: Rem is deeply touched YN-kun would do so much for her sake, and she is confident it was a very heartwarming moment, but...

Also having to set aside her hard swallowed desires to think about such a thing more, Rem took a deep breath before continuing.

Rem: —what was it exactly that had led to us meeting with Julius-san.

YN: R-Right. Afterwards, I realized we were blocking the road, and I thought the passenger of the carriage that was waiting behind us had come out to yell at us for holding them up, but it turned out to be—

Halting his own words now, YN came to a sudden realization.

YN: —Hey wait a minute.

Snapping his fingers, he looked to Rem with a renewed hope.

Rem: Yes? Does YN-kun recall something that might be of use?

YN: Yeah I do... But...

Rem: But—? A-Ah—!

Trying to coax the answer out of him, YN suddenly grabbed Rem's hand and began running.

YN: We gotta get there quickly! We can't miss her!

Rem: 'H-Her?!' YN-kun! Where are we headed!?

With confusion in her voice as Rem was pulled along for a change, YN prioritized getting to where he needed to, but of course, would explain along the way between breaths.

We gotta get there before she does!

Running out the Karsten Manor front gate, the two raced to meet their target.

Anastasia! As much as I hate to say it, but I hope as a merchant, you're willing to trade!

Out of breath, the two reached the intersection in the Noble's district where the Candidate was set to cross, but unaware if she had already passed by, the two had to wait.

As they waited, YN thought back over any specifics he had missed just in case.

Rem: Is YN-kun sure this is the right crossroads? Rem cannot understand why Anastasia-sama would come down this street... Her residence in the Capitol is not around here, and neither is this an avenue she would take for arriving or departing.

That's right.

While they were at the right place, YN recalled from Rem's words that Anastasia had only followed them after seeing his car.

YN: —Tch.

Knowing it was pointless to wait any longer, the only other idea YN could come up with was going somewhere she might be. Taking Rem's hand again, YN led her on to a spot not far from where they were.

Rem: Where are we headed now?!

YN: —Juukulius Manor! That's our best lead!

With haste, the two made the quick run to where YN predicted their answers might lie.

Winded and fatigued from their running, YN nonetheless held the front gate open for Rem as they entered the main yard of home Julius resided in, currently under house arrest.

Pushing all his anxieties and worries to the back of his mind, YN approached the main door with Rem by his side.

YN: I'll knock.

As he placed his knuckles on the large ornate door, it swung open suddenly.

Joshua: May I ask what your business is here?

Caught off guard by the unexpectedly fast answer, YN bumbled on his words.

YN: A-Ah! Joshua-san!

Joshua: — — —

Squinting at him through his monocle, the younger Juukulius brother eyed YN with an increased suspicion.

Joshua: I beg your pardon but, are you familiar with myself?

Bad start.

With the conversation already off to a poor beginning, YN nervously scratched his cheek.

YN: Sorry, that was supposed to sound like a question, but uhh, that must be you then?

Joshua: It is. Did you have some business with me?

Clearing his throat, YN was thankful his words got through to the younger brother.

YN: No, more so with your older brother, Julius-san.

As his brow lifted upon hearing that, he looked over to Rem, and then back to YN, but now he sported a frown of sorts.

Joshua: Wait, you're that groundskeeper from the Royal Election Conference Nii-sama spoke of... Is this in regard to what occurred in the sparring arena? If you have sought to challenge him again, I will call the guard to have you escorted out of here. We will not lightly tolerate any—!

YN: Woah woah, I think there's been a misunderstanding! I'm here on his request to speak to me.

Calming down the over protective younger brother, Joshua could tell by his demeanor alone he only had a sense of urgency to him, not one of hostility. Readjusting his monocle, he answered YN.

Joshua: Nii-sama has not told me anything of the sort... Right now he's currently speaking with Anastasia-sama on the subject of his house arrest... something I can thank you for.

With a lower voice, Joshua had said the last part of his sentence to YN with an air of contempt for him.

Joshua: I will take what you say as honest though. Allow me to see if Nii-sama can step away for a moment to acknowledge such a request. I shall depart now to find him. Please, wait right here.

Shutting the door gently behind him, Joshua left YN and Rem on the front porch of the Manor in search of Julius.

Rem: This does not bode well...

As Rem's words cast a sense of foreboding upon their fortunes, YN raised his brow and inquired on what she meant by that.

YN: What doesn't 'bode well?'

With a shake of her smooth blue hair that shined with the late afternoon sun upon it, Rem's worried expression accompanied her words.

Rem: It is a very telling sign when a house of nobility does not invite a potential guest inside before they are received or denied a meeting with anyone at the residence.

YN: So we're being treated poorly out of expectation, is what you're saying?

Rem: It would appear so.

She's certainly right, that doesn't seem to 'bode well' at all...

The minutes seemed to tick by excruciatingly slow, but just as it seemed no one would return, and YN went to knock once more, the door opened before him once more.

Julius: Oh. YN-san, wasn't it? What do I owe this pleasure?

Greeting YN, the knight appeared in the doorway. But before he could answer, the door opened further, revealing the one he was actually looking for.

Anastasia: Ohhh, it's this one. I expected that self proclaimed knight, Natsuki-san to make such a bold attempt at speaking to us, but it seems I was mistaken.

Rem: Please excuse our intrusion, Anastasia-sama.

Bowing as she answered the Merchant Candidate, Rem spoke as formally as she could.

Anastasia: Hmm, not at all. I was getting kinda bored, so some entertainment might be nice.

Julius: Anastasia-sama...

Seeing their arrival as nothing more than a jester's visit it seemed, both Rem and YN held their tongue.

Anastasia: Oh it's alright, no harm done. Now then, what sort of business do you two have? I'm interested now.

With an aura of Greed surrounding her now, the Candidate sought to get down to the main subject at hand, something YN was actually thankful about for a change.

YN: I had heard wind that Julius-san had wished to speak to me, and I was just in the neighborhood, so I thought I'd stop by... But also seeing that you're here too as well, I'd also like a moment of your time to discuss something of importance. —A business opportunity, if you would.

Starting out the conversation as bluntly as he could, YN saw Anastasia's eyes light up at prospect.

Anastasia: A rival camp's confidant suddenly approaching the head of another camp to discuss a business opportunity? Hmm, it would seem this is very, very interesting.

Julius: —Anastasia-sama, please forgive my interruption.

Lifting a white gloved hand at her words, Julius spoke up.

Nodding at him, as if giving him permission to go ahead, he held the same hand across his chest and bowed slightly in reply, silently thanking her before getting to what he wished to say.

Julius: If I may be so bold to say, I find your reasoning to be here quite strange, really.

Speaking slightly lower to YN, Julius addressed him.

YN: Why is that?

Looking at Anastasia first, Julius answered YN.

Julius: According to Joshua and even yourself just now, you arrived here specifically to speak to me.

YN: That's correct, yes.

Having sort of a clue what Julius was getting at, YN assumed he was going to question where he had learned that information from.

I'll just say 'a little birdy' told me. If he presses more, I'll say I can't say, but maybe make it sound like it was another member from another camp that—

Julius: Can you see why I find that odd? Worrying, even?

YN: Hmm, I don't know why. I did not mean to offend if that's what you're thinking. I merely wished to be as responsive as I can be.

Thinking he had successfully dodged any accusation of spying, or worse, he was quickly approached by a harsher reality.

Julius: Well, what I find odd, is that yes I would have liked to speak with you, and was going to ask Anastasia-sama if she would be seeing Crusch-sama some time soon, if she could relay what message. However—

With an even lower tone, the knight cut directly into YN's strategy not with his sword, but with the simplest of reasoning.

Julius: —I'd like to know how you had learned of such a desire when I had not yet spoken it to anyone yet, not even Anastasia-sama.

Shockwaves of his miscalculation echoed throughout YN.

Shit! I assumed he asked that of Anastasia a while ago! Not so suddenly!

Anastasia: Is that what you wished to ask me just before Joshua came running in with news of a guest? That is quite strange he would know that.

Damn it! I really, really messed this one up!

Gigging however, the Merchant Candidate was still amused.

Anastasia: Was this the business opportunity you were speaking of? Some kind of mind reading ability? Because if so, bravo on the pitch, I'm sold.

Thinking this was all some kind of ploy to get her own attention now, YN wanted to halt any kind of unrealistic expectation she might have before actually offering what it was he wished to trade.

YN: No, no. Not at all. I— what I wished to offer was a trade. A simple one.

Anastasia: — — —

Blankly staring reply, YN wasn't sure if he had lost her favor or not.

YN: I uhh, would like to trade my dragonless-carriage, or rather, self propelled carriage.

Julius: 'Dragonless-carriage?' Are you saying that you're the owner of that metal box on wheels that ran the Guard House gate the day of the Conference?

YN: Yes. That was myself piloting the craft at the time.

Anastasia: Hmm, I did hear it was very fast. That might fetch a lot of money at auction to the right set of customers. I'm assuming you want something that isn't money though, given you offered to 'trade,' not 'sell.'

With a glint of hope building in his chest YN nodded.

YN: Yes. We've found ourselves in a dire spot, and with little in the way of being able to get help...

Julius: What is it you desire then? And as I'm sure Anastasia-sama will ask, but to satisfy my own curiosity about the... vessel, where is it?

YN: Well...

Poking his fingers together, YN struggled to come up with an excuse other than "Subaru stole it." But before he had to confess that "unforeseen circumstance" to the ones he was trying to his sales pitch to, Rem spoke up.

Rem: It is currently being commandeered by Subaru-kun in relation to the dire problem we face.

Surprised by the wit in her answer, YN continued her point.

YN: Yes. With transportation options being so limited, it was our only choice. One needed to go ahead, and the others needed to stay back and organize help.

Anastasia: You speak as if something bad is going to happen.

Hoping to perhaps appeal to a sense of morality she might have, or at least the opportunity to seek recognition in the Selection, YN chose his words carefully.

YN: A lot of people are going to perish in the village of Arlem if they aren't evacuated soon.

Raising a brow at the idea of such a calamity, Julius questioned further on what that statement entailed.

Julius: Arlem? That is a village deep within the Mather's Domain, and it's not one that would be prone to disasters like flooding or worse... Surely the Margrave would have resources to handle this.

Rem: Roswaal-sama is a Lord who is normally prepared for any rational circumstance to unfold, however, given the nature of danger the village faces, rallying any help from throughout the domain would take longer than directly receiving it from the Capitol.

With her formal tone, Rem laid out another carefully worded excuse. While she wasn't lying, she was able to keep an air of honesty in her voice.

Julius: Then, what is it that will occur?

Taking a deep breath, YN gambled his entire strategy on his next few words.

YN: The Witch Cult. They're planning on razing the village to the ground, more than likely in retaliation for Emilia being a Candidate...

Losing her amused expression, Anastasia remained silent as Julius answered in her stead it seemed, his own voice getting more serious as well.

Julius: The Cult? That's a very dire situation indeed... So, was it the Iron Fang you wished to hire in exchange for this... self propelled carriage?

Rem: Would the Iron Fang be able to march in time though? While they are an elite mercenary company, organizing them into a fighting force against the Cult may prove to be too difficult.

At first, YN had begun to wonder who's side Rem was on here, but quickly surmised she was up to something as she shot him a side glance from her one visible eye.

Wait, Rem knows I'm from another world, and that I don't know who the Iron Fang are... if I had shown I was clueless to who they were, I might have lost us that option here. And she also just underhandedly shot Anastasia a challenge by critiquing their ability to muster.

Closing his eyes, YN knew he'd need to reward Rem after this.

Once more, I'm reminded just how much more her and Ram are trained in other than just being maids. It scares me sometimes how quick witted she is.

But even as Rem wielded her words like a well trained swordsman, they still fell flat due to the very reason they were able to ask for this help.

Julius: It is one thing for me to be left wondering how it was you knew my desire to speak to you, but I'm worried now that by the same methods perhaps, that you came to learn about this attack the Witch Cult is planning. I'd question just how you were able to uncover something so vital to one of the most secretive groups in all of the Kingdom.

Brought back to same old crossroads here, Rem was unable to assist this time given the answer directly led back to the mention of Return By Death, a threshold she would not dare mettle in.

YN: I... I'm afraid I can't get into the details...

Julius: Then it is only rational for us to assume you are turncoat of some kind.

Pushing back his knightly cape, Julius rested his hand on the hilt of his sword.

This is going bad very quickly!

Rem: Rem would kindly ask that Julius-sama retract such a clearly false statement.

In her low and cold, formal tone, Rem defended the notion it was preposterous to think YN was a Cult member.

Julius: Would it be correct to assume then that the Head Maid of the Margrave knows how he learned this information then?

Willing to let the origin stay a mystery of their own internal affairs had it been that, Julius at least sought the verification of its authenticity through Rem.

Rem: Rem cannot say other than what YN-kun knows is most certainly true. So much so, Rem would never doubt him. Had she done so in the past in similar situations, she is certain she would not be here today by his side.

Boldly declaring her trust for him, it was short of the answer Julius or Anastasia needed however.

Anastasia: I'm afraid the risks outweigh the potential gains here. While something like your Dragonless Carriage being sold off for the right price would pay for the Iron Fang's deployment several times over, I'm afraid that when dealing with the Witch's Cult in such a way will only bring us more problems later on, especially when your connection to them can't be identified—

Getting a glare from Rem, Anastasia continued.

Anastasia: —regardless if it's purely informational or not.

Being rejected, YN held his fists tight.

YN: But you said it yourself! It's worth several times the cost of this favor!

Getting more and more frustrated, YN argued more.

YN: Aren't you greedy?! What's a few mercenaries getting cut down by some zealots if you make back several times your cost back!

Attempting to use her own words she had so proudly proclaimed at the Conference against her, they instead fell on silent ears.

Anastasia: — — —

Awaiting a response, the Merchant Candidate blankly stared back at YN, unanswering to his question.

Did I get through to her?

Julius: YN, Rem, I'd like to ask you to both please leave for now. Anastasia-sama is—

Anastasia: No, Julius. Allow me to close these negotiations.

Turning to YN, the Merchant Candidate seemed to have regained her composure completely again, as if steeling her nerve in a way YN hadn't predicted.

Anastasia: I count many of the Iron Fang to be some of my closest allies, confidants, and friends. Some even as the family I was never born with. Because of that, no matter the cost or the potential reward would I throw them into such dangerous situations like dealing with Witch's Cult when so little is known.

Bowing slightly to YN and Rem, she concluded her denial.

Anastasia: Please consider this formal rejection of your proposed trade. Perhaps in the future we may do more business, but for now, we are through discussing this any further.

Turning her back to them, Anastasia returned inside.

Left speechless and unsure of what to do now, YN cast his eyes downward as Julius continued to stand at attention in the doorway.

Taking his hand though, Rem wrapped her fingers around his own, and hoped to give him strength.

Rem: We did what we could.

Bowing to Julius now, Rem excused them both.

Rem: We would like to thank Anastasia-sama for her time and the opportunity to grant us an audience. We shall depart now.

Julius: A sound decision. Until we meet again, please take care.

Nodding in reply, Julius shut the door, and Rem led YN down their entrance way and back into the streets of the noble's district.

YN: That was a waste of time... —tch.

Cursing his own failure, Rem held the hand she continued to hold tighter.

Rem: For now, let us consult Crusch-sama. If we are lucky, she may be able to offer us some support if we can sway her.

As the two walked hand in hand back towards the Karsten Manor, YN couldn't shake the pressure of the situation around them still.

YN: Regardless, we still need to find a way back to the Mansion before tonight at the very latest.

Rem: We will have to solve that once we are lended support of some kind.

Stopping, YN stepped ahead of Rem and put his hands on her delicate, exposed shoulders.

YN: Rem. If we don't get there at all, bad things will happen. Things we might not be able to undo.

Rem: Rem is aware of the—

YN: —All of the villagers are going to be dead. All the children we saved. An entire village wiped off the map. And they won't stop there. They'll get Emilia too if they can. And—! And—!

With great restraint, YN held back his tears of frustration.

YN: —Ram won't survive it either...

Rem: YN-kun, please, allow Rem to worry about Nee-sama.

YN: I can't. I have to shoulder that with you. Not just because of our promise to each other, but because I can't be your Hero if I let your—, our Nee-sama perish.

Heart-touched, Rem leaned in and kissed YN on the cheek.

Rem: Rem is very thankful her YN-kun is also concerned about Nee-sama's well being. She could not ask for anything more from the one who holds her heart. But that is not why YN-kun is Rem's Hero.

Cupping his face in her hands, Rem spoke to YN with a great emotion in her voice.

Rem: YN-kun is a Hero exactly when he needs to be. One that might not get it right the first time, or the second time, or even the third or fourth or so on. But he is Rem's Hero, who in the end, will get it right. So long as Rem has faith in her YN-kun, Rem's Hero will have the strength he needs.

Wrapping her arms around his torso, Rem smothered herself into his chest, rubbing her face against him as she concluded her explanation.

Rem: Rem's Hero may lose every battle, but he'll always win the last one. That is why he is her Hero. There is no one else more reliable than that.

Stepping back from the embrace, Rem took YN's hands as she did when she first proclaimed they were starting from zero.

Rem: Even if this Rem is not the one who will see him triumphant, she will do all that she can to build up her YN-kun so that possibly the next [Rem] can be there by his side, because since he is Rem's Hero, she knows he will eventually succeed in what he needs to do to be her Hero.

With a dry throat, YN could hardly understand how much Rem trusted and believed in him. While it wasn't a sensation of crushing expectations, it was more so the pressure of feeling what he had done till this point was inadequate to deserve such a faith from her.

But—

How can I not believe her when she does all she can to believe in me?

Holding her hand tighter in reply, YN's ambition, a fire stoked by the one who held his heart, flared up. Melting away the icy sensation of dread and despair that had grown from the horrific scenes of yesterday's loop, he found strength in that warmth.

What the maid offered to him in her faith, was not her help in each loop they would ever come to face.

No.

What she offered was a continuous, unshakeable resolve that with each loop would build and build until they were triumphant. Like a catalyst, YN as the embodiment of her Hero, would get himself closer and closer on her faith to the goals they needed to reach.

YN: Then let's start this challenge we face together—

Rem: —Not from this one, the first one. But—

YN & Rem: —from Zero!