Chapter XIV:
Broken
After returning from Conrad's forge, Subaru slept the entire day away, his body succumbing to the exhaustion of his emotional turmoil and physical exertion. When he finally woke, it was late afternoon, the sun dipping low, casting long shadows through the window. The rest of the day was spent in solitude, brooding as he picked at bread and cheese from the pantry, his thoughts spiraling in a dark cycle. He stubbornly refused to touch the magical tomes Roswaal had left behind, opting instead to bury himself in dusty law books in an attempt to distract himself from his growing frustration.
The next day was much of the same. He kept to himself, pacing the apartment aimlessly, half-hoping to hear a knock at the door. He held out hope that Flum or Garassis might come to summon him to the Astrea Mansion, that maybe Felt wanted to see him. But no summons came. Not even Rom showed up. Whatever relief he had found at Conrad's forge was quickly overshadowed by the creeping sense of isolation, his mood sinking lower with each passing hour.
By the third day, a knock finally came at his door, but it wasn't who he had been waiting for. Opening the door, Subaru was greeted by a man he didn't recognize—a wiry figure with gray hair tucked under a green ushanka, a white feather poking out jauntily from the side. The man's green cloak hung loosely, frayed at the edges from travel.
"Who are you?" Subaru asked, his voice flat, eyes narrowing as he looked the man over.
"Oh, um… I do hope this is the right place," the man stammered, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "Are you Natsuki Subaru?"
Subaru crossed his arms. "I am. Did Carol send you?"
The man blinked, his brow furrowing in confusion. "I don't know a Carol, sir. I was hired by a maid named… Ram, I think? Yeah, that's it, Ram! She hired me to take you to Arlam."
Subaru's shoulders sagged, his faint hope snuffed out. So, it was just Roswaal's doing. Not even the decency to send one of the maids, just some random stranger. "Oh," he muttered, his voice flat. "Fine. Let me guess, you're just doing this out of the kindness of your heart?"
The man let out a nervous laugh. "Not exactly. I, uh… well, I'm actually doing this for free… sort of," he admitted, scratching his cheek sheepishly. "See, I made a bad trade and ended up with way too much oil. So, I made a deal with Ram that I could sell my excess to the villagers if I gave you a lift." He laughed awkwardly. "I suppose you don't care about my oil problems, huh?"
Subaru's eyebrow twitched. "What's your name?"
"Oh, right!" The man looked flustered. "I never did introduce myself, did I? Sorry about that! I'm Otto—Otto Suwen, traveling merchant!"
"Didn't know merchants doubled as stagecoach drivers," Subaru muttered, glancing past him at the cart outside. A four-legged blue earth dragon with a white underbelly was hitched to it, lazily chewing on a tuft of grass. "Must really be desperate to unload that oil."
Otto laughed nervously. "Yeah… you could say that. I can't afford to let it go to waste, and well… a deal's a deal. Anyway, are you ready to go?"
Subaru sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he looked back into the empty apartment. "Give me a minute. I need to grab my sword."
"Of course, of course!" Otto nodded, his head bobbing with nervous energy. "Take your time!"
Subaru turned back into the apartment, his footsteps echoing off the wooden floor. He grabbed his sword, the familiar weight of it a cold comfort as he strapped it to his hip. Glancing back at Roswaal's books on the desk, his jaw tightened. Not yet. He wasn't ready to face those.
Locking the door behind him, Subaru descended the stairs, his mind swirling with resentment and frustration. If Roswaal thought he could cage him in Arlam, he was sorely mistaken. He had to find a way to break this contract, no matter what it took.
Outside, Otto was already at the cart, fidgeting as he adjusted the harness on his earth dragon. When he saw Subaru, he straightened up, offering an awkward smile. "All set?"
"Yeah," Subaru grunted, climbing into the cart. "Let's get this over with."
Otto snapped the reins, and the earth dragon let out a huff, its muscular legs propelling the cart forward. As the city streets blurred past them, Subaru leaned back, his mind already plotting his next move.
Their cart rumbled along, the cobblestones of the capital giving way to dirt roads as the sprawling city faded behind them. Subaru watched in silence as the place he once called home grew smaller and smaller, eventually disappearing beyond the horizon. It was his first time watching the capital fade away—last time, he'd been unconscious for the journey.
Otto, on the other hand, was far from silent. The merchant chattered on endlessly, his words flowing as freely as the wind that rustled the leaves of the passing trees. He talked about his life as a traveling merchant, his oil troubles, and the mounting debts he desperately hoped to pay off. Otto painted a picture of misfortune, detailing bandit attacks, bad deals, and even spoilage of his merchandise. Yet, he boasted that his skills as a merchant outweighed his bad luck, otherwise, he'd have been ruined long ago.
Subaru listened half-heartedly, his gaze fixed on the rolling countryside as it stretched out before them. A patchwork of fields and forests swept by, dotted with occasional cottages and farmsteads. It was peaceful, almost deceptively so.
At some point, Subaru noticed something off about their route. His eyes narrowed as he leaned forward. "Why are we taking this road? It'll take us a whole day longer," he complained, annoyance evident in his voice.
"Oh, apologies!" Otto said quickly, his expression sheepish. "I should have mentioned it earlier—we're taking the long way around. There have been sightings of the White Whale in the plains near the Flugel Tree."
Subaru's eyes widened. "You're joking, right?"
"Afraid not," Otto shivered, his face paling. "I'm eager to sell this oil as soon as possible, but I'm not eager enough to risk running into that monster. They say the Whale's mist can wipe out not just lives, but even the memory of its victims. Not a fate I'm keen on testing."
Subaru felt a chill run down his spine. He'd heard the stories about the White Whale—a colossal Witchbeast responsible for the deaths of countless soldiers, including the predecessor of the current Sword Saint, Reinhard. The most terrifying aspect was the mist it emitted, capable of erasing not just people but even the memory of their existence.
"I can live with a detour," Subaru muttered, a cold sweat forming on his brow. The thought of having his very existence erased was unsettling, and he couldn't help but wonder if the White Whale's power would override his Return by Death. He had no desire to find out.
"When was it first sighted?" Subaru asked, his voice low.
"Last night," Otto replied, his shoulders visibly tensing at the memory. "A group of merchants traveling toward the capital were attacked. They made it out, but… they couldn't say how many they lost. All they knew was they saw the Whale, and when they emerged from the mist, they had two more carriages than they remembered bringing with them."
Subaru felt his stomach churn. "Two more carriages…?"
"Yeah," Otto's voice grew somber. "Those carriages were completely empty, not even a speck of dust. Like whoever was inside them never existed."
The weight of those words hung heavily in the air, the ominous legend of the White Whale suddenly feeling far too real. Subaru leaned back, gripping the edge of the cart as his gaze turned toward the distant horizon.
Come nightfall, they stopped at a small village along the road. Subaru would have preferred the comfort of an inn, but Otto sheepishly admitted that he was flat broke, having spent all his coin on the surplus of oil he was now carting around. Subaru cursed under his breath, realizing he hadn't thought to bring any coin either, having stormed out of the capital with only the clothes on his back and his sword at his hip.
Sleeping in the back of the cart wasn't the worst thing in the world. It lacked the feather bedding he'd grown accustomed to at the manor, but Subaru wasn't so far removed from his life in the slums that he'd complain about roughing it. The village seemed well-protected, and that was good enough for Otto. For Subaru, it would do.
The next morning, they shared a meager breakfast of stale bread. Otto chatted with a few fellow merchants who'd also stopped in the village for the night, discussing routes, market prices, and rumors of the White Whale. Soon enough, they were back on the road, the cart creaking under the weight of oil jars as they rumbled toward Arlam.
Subaru wasn't looking forward to arriving in Arlam. He could only imagine what quarters Roswaal had prepared for him in the village. Not that it mattered—Subaru intended to spend every waking moment searching for a way to break his contract. His first stop would be the Forbidden Library. If he could find a book on contracts or curses, maybe he could find a loophole. The only challenge would be convincing Beatrice to tolerate his presence long enough to let him read.
After a bland lunch of cheese and another chunk of stale bread, Subaru announced that he was going to nap in the back of the cart. Propped up against a few jars of oil, he closed his eyes, letting the gentle rocking of the cart lull him into sleep. If he was lucky, he'd wake up just as they arrived in Arlam.
When Subaru awoke, it was dark. He blinked groggily, his back aching from the awkward sleeping position. Rubbing his eyes, he realized the cart was no longer moving. Everything was still—unnervingly still.
"I must have overslept," Subaru muttered, yawning as he stretched his arms. "Otto, where did you park the cart? It's pitch black o-out…"
His voice trailed off as his eyes adjusted to the darkness. Otto was nowhere to be seen. Neither was Frufoo, the blue-scaled earth dragon that had been pulling the cart.
But Frufoo wasn't missing. Subaru's heart plummeted as his eyes fell upon the headless body of the earth dragon lying in the dirt beside the cart. Its head was only a few feet away, eyes glassy and lifeless, tongue lolling out grotesquely.
A chill ran down Subaru's spine, his fingers instinctively tightening around the hilt of his sword. His eyes followed the trail of blood that led from the driver's seat and disappeared into the underbrush. Swallowing hard, Subaru forced himself to move, his body feeling heavier than stone as he climbed out of the cart.
He nearly stumbled over Otto's body.
The merchant lay sprawled on the ground, his green cloak soaked in blood. His chest was riddled with puncture wounds, and his right arm had been severed at the elbow, the limb lying a few feet away in the grass. A deep gash ran across his neck, nearly decapitating him. His eyes were frozen wide open, mouth agape in a silent scream.
The air was thick with the stench of blood and death. Subaru's stomach churned, bile rising in his throat as he took a shaky step back. The blood was fresh—too fresh. Whatever, or whoever, had done this could still be nearby.
His grip tightened on his sword, knuckles white as he scanned the surrounding darkness, eyes darting from shadow to shadow. The forest was eerily silent. No rustling leaves, no chirping insects. Just the heavy, suffocating stillness.
How long had he been asleep? How had he slept through something like this? The scene was brutal, violent—there was no way it had been quick or quiet. Yet he hadn't heard a thing. Not the earth dragon's dying roar, not Otto's screams… nothing.
A cold sweat ran down his back as he realized the implications. Was he spared because he'd been asleep? Or was it because they wanted him alive?
The forest remained silent, the shadows still. But Subaru could feel it—something was watching him.
Subaru stood motionless next to Otto's mutilated body, his legs frozen as if rooted to the earth. His heart hammered in his chest, each beat echoing in his ears like a war drum. Time lost all meaning as he stood there, every nerve in his body screaming at him to run, to flee from this nightmare. But his body refused to obey, paralyzed by fear and disbelief.
Eventually, he forced himself to move. Staying here wouldn't change anything, and if whatever had killed Otto was still lurking, it would have struck by now. He was being watched—he could feel eyes on him, cold and calculating like a predator sizing up prey. But nothing moved in the shadows, no sound broke the silence. Only the whisper of the wind through the trees.
With a deep breath, Subaru began to walk, sword in hand, every step deliberate and cautious. He didn't bother hiding his footfalls. If he was being hunted, stealth wouldn't save him.
The forest seemed to stretch endlessly, a labyrinth of shadows and rustling leaves. Every snap of a twig sent a jolt of adrenaline through him, his head snapping in the direction of the sound, expecting to see glowing eyes or gleaming blades. But each time, the darkness stared back, empty and silent.
He walked for hours, his muscles aching, his eyes burning from fatigue. Yet the feeling of being watched never faded. It clung to him, a constant pressure on the back of his neck, making his skin crawl. He was certain his pursuer was just out of sight, following him through the trees. Waiting.
The first light of dawn finally peeked over the horizon as he reached Arlam. Relief washed over him, but it was fleeting, replaced by a cold, sinking feeling as his eyes fell on the plumes of smoke curling into the early morning sky.
No. No, no, no.
Subaru broke into a run, his exhaustion forgotten as he rushed into the village. He nearly tripped over the first body—an elderly man lying face down in the dirt, his back split open by a deep, jagged wound. Flies buzzed around the corpse, drawn to the fresh blood soaking into the ground.
Subaru gagged but forced himself to move on. The village was a graveyard. Bodies were scattered across the dirt roads, men and women cut down where they stood, eyes wide in terror. Some lay with weapons in hand, evidence of a futile last stand.
The buildings were charred husks, embers still crackling as smoke rose from the smoldering ruins. The air was heavy with the stench of burning wood and flesh. Subaru's stomach churned, bile rising as he stumbled past the blackened remains of a woman clutching a child to her chest, their bodies fused together by the flames.
He stopped when he saw the tiny, broken form lying by a collapsed fence. A child—no more than eight or nine. His hair was scorched, his face twisted in pain, eyes wide and staring. Subaru's vision blurred, the world spinning as his knees gave out. He fell to the dirt, retching until his stomach was empty, tears streaming down his face.
Why…? Why would someone do this? Who could be this cruel?
The question burned in his mind, but no answer came. Only the stench of death and the sound of his own ragged breathing.
He forced himself to look away from the child's body, his eyes traveling up the hill to the Mathers estate. Black smoke billowed from the manor, curling ominously into the sky. Subaru's blood ran cold.
No…
His legs were numb, his body moving on autopilot as he began the climb up the hill. The entire village was dead, wiped out in one night. Whoever did this… whoever butchered Otto… they were at the manor. They had to be.
His hands trembled as he gripped his sword tighter. Whatever awaited him at the top of that hill, he had to face it. He had to know the truth, no matter how horrific.
Steeling himself, Subaru pushed onward, his feet stumbling over the uneven path, eyes locked on the smoke rising above the Mathers estate. Whatever nightmare awaited him there, he would face it. Even if it killed him.
As Subaru approached the manor, the scene grew grimmer with every step. Bodies lay scattered along the path—villagers who had tried to flee, their faces frozen in terror. Their hands were outstretched toward the manor gates, fingers curled in desperation as if they'd been reaching for salvation that never came.
But it wasn't just the villagers. Amidst the fallen were others clad in black robes, their faces hidden beneath hoods. Subaru halted at the sight of the first one, his heart lurching as he cautiously nudged the body over with his foot. The hood fell away, revealing a face twisted in an eerie smile, eyes vacant and staring into nothingness. A cold chill ran down his spine as he recognized the pale, emaciated features from stories he'd heard whispered in fear.
A Witch Cultist.
Subaru's blood ran cold. The Witch's Cult had attacked Arlam—and the Mathers Manor. But why? Was it because of Emilia? Because she looked like the Witch of Envy? Or was this somehow connected to Roswaal's machinations? His mind spun with questions, but no answers came. Only dread.
His heart pounded as he quickened his pace, breaking into a sprint. The closer he got, the more corpses he found. It was as if the earth itself bore witness to the brutality of the battle that had taken place. Trees were splintered, their branches scorched and blackened. The ground was torn asunder, gouges and craters marking the struggle that had unfolded here.
Then he reached the courtyard—and his heart stopped.
The earth was soaked in blood, and the once beautiful gardens were now a field of carnage. Bodies were strewn across the courtyard, villagers and cultists alike, their limbs tangled, their faces frozen in terror or rage. In the center of it all lay a familiar morning star, its spikes caked with blood.
A few feet away, slumped against the steps of the manor, was Rem.
Subaru's breath caught in his throat as he approached, his grip tightening around his sword until his knuckles turned white. His legs felt like lead as he crossed the blood-soaked courtyard, every step echoing in his ears.
Rem's face was slack, her eyes glazed over, staring at nothing. Her neck was grotesquely twisted, her head lolling at an unnatural angle. Her skin was pale, her uniform drenched in blood. Subaru's fingers trembled as he reached out to touch her but stopped short, his hand hovering just above her cold cheek.
His knees buckled, and he sank to the ground, his sword slipping from his fingers. He wanted to scream, to cry, but no sound came. His chest felt hollow. His vision blurred as he slowly reached out and gently closed her eyelids.
"I'm… I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice cracking. "I'm so sorry."
His body trembled as he forced himself to his feet, his limbs heavy, his heart shattered. Turning away from Rem, he fixed his gaze on the grand doors of the manor, now broken and splintered, hanging limply from twisted hinges. They were shattered inward, leading into the foyer. Whatever had done this was powerful, brutal, and merciless.
Swallowing the bile that rose in his throat, Subaru stepped inside, his footfalls echoing through the empty halls. The silence was suffocating, the air cold and heavy. The walls were scarred with deep gouges, the floor was stained with blood. It was a slaughterhouse.
He found more bodies as he walked the halls, black-robed cultists lying twisted and broken, their faces frozen in grotesque smiles. Whoever had fought them had put up a fierce resistance. But where were the others? Where was Emilia?
Then he saw them.
Five cultists lay crumpled outside a shattered door. Their bodies were charred, limbs twisted at odd angles. Subaru's heart sank as he stepped over them, his eyes falling on the scene within the room.
Ram lay in a corner, her body covered in deep slashes, her pink hair matted with blood. In her arms, she cradled a tiny, lifeless body—Petra. The child's face was buried against Ram's chest, her arms wrapped tightly around the maid as if seeking protection even in death. A knife was still lodged in Petra's back, the blade buried to the hilt.
Subaru's knees gave out, his body hitting the floor as he stared at the horrific scene. His mind went blank, a cold numbness spreading through him. He wanted to scream, to rage, to tear apart whoever had done this—but no sound came. He was hollow, empty, broken.
He didn't know how long he sat there, staring at the lifeless forms. His vision blurred, his heart heavy. He felt like he was drowning, sinking deeper and deeper into despair.
Finally, he tore his eyes away, his body moving on autopilot as he stumbled through the halls. His sword hung limply at his side, forgotten. His steps were slow, unsteady, his body numb. He was lost, drifting through a nightmare that wouldn't end.
The air grew colder as he approached Roswaal's study. Frost lined the stone walls, the temperature dropping with each step. His breath hung in the air, crystallizing in the frigid air.
As Subaru approached, he noticed the bookshelf was slightly ajar. A cold draft seeped through the crack, sending a shiver down his spine. Pushing it open, he found a stone corridor beyond, coated in thick layers of frost. The walls sparkled with ice, and the air was frigid, biting into his skin.
His breath hitched as he stepped inside. Frozen solid along the hallway were figures—black-robed cultists, their faces contorted in expressions of horror, their bodies encased in glistening ice. Their limbs were twisted at unnatural angles, mouths agape in silent screams.
Subaru's blood ran cold. Puck…
There was no mistaking it. This was the work of the Great Spirit. As he continued down the corridor, the temperature plummeted. Frost grew thicker on the walls, ice creeping along the floor, crackling underfoot. Every step felt heavier, his legs growing numb.
At the end of the hall was a door, its handle gleaming with frost. The very air around it shimmered with mana, potent and chilling. Subaru hesitated, his hand hovering just above the handle. The cold radiated from it, seeping into his bones.
His fingers trembled as he reached out, but he stopped short, instinctively stepping back. The mana in the air was overwhelming, suffocating. His lungs burned with every breath, the air freezing as he inhaled.
"Puck… what—" Subaru's voice faltered, the words freezing on his tongue. The cold was unbearable. His chest tightened, his breath crystallizing before his eyes.
Panic surged through him as he tried to move, but his legs wouldn't obey. He looked down in horror. Ice had crawled up his body, encasing his legs, locking him in place. His heart raced, his blood turning to ice in his veins.
He reached for mana, desperate to use Shamak to escape, but his hands were already frozen, his fingers numb and unresponsive. The ice crept up his body, covering his torso, his arms, his neck.
His vision blurred, the world growing hazy as his body became a prison of ice. His heartbeat slowed, his mind slipping into darkness. Cold. Everything was so cold…
And then—
"Ahhhh!" Subaru jolted awake, his body lurching forward as he crashed back into reality. The book in his hands tumbled to the floor, the pages fluttering as it landed with a dull thud.
His heart was racing, his chest heaving as he gasped for air. Blinking rapidly, Subaru's head spun, his vision swimming. He looked around wildly, his eyes darting to every corner of the room.
He was in Roswaal's study, the familiar scent of parchment and old leather grounding him. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow across the desk. Outside, the capital bustled with life, carts rolling down the street, merchants calling out their wares.
His body trembled, a cold sweat breaking out across his skin. He touched his face, his chest, his legs—everything was warm, alive. He was alive.
His gaze fell to the book on the floor. It was a law book, one of the many volumes Roswaal had left for him to study. His hands were shaking as he picked it up, his fingers brushing against the worn leather cover.
His mind raced, the memories flooding back in vivid detail. The bodies in Arlam, Rem's lifeless form, the frost-covered corridor… Puck.
"I… I died?" His voice was hoarse, trembling as he spoke the words aloud. His heart thudded painfully in his chest.
It had felt so real. The terror, the cold, the pain—it had all been real. But he was here, back in Roswaal's study, alive. It was another loop. He'd returned by death.
A wave of relief crashed over him, his knees going weak as he stumbled back into the chair. His body sagged, his muscles trembling. It was over. That horrific world was gone.
But the images wouldn't leave him. The lifeless eyes, the blood-soaked courtyard, the twisted, frozen bodies. Rem… Ram… Petra…
He shuddered, his body wracked with chills. It wasn't over. Not until he changed it. Not until he saved them.
Subaru's fingers curled into fists, his nails digging into his palms. He had another chance. He wouldn't let that nightmare become reality. Not again.
Looking out the window, Subaru saw the capital bustling with life. The sun was high in the sky, mid-afternoon. Otto would arrive tomorrow to take him to Arlam.
How to prevent that future from happening hit Subaru like a hammer.
First, he needed to establish a timeline for when the Cultists attacked Arlam. It had to be within the next three days, likely around the same time Otto was killed on the road. That left him with almost no time. If he left immediately, he might just make it before the attack. Taking the detour to the village would take two full days, but going past the Flugel Tree would save him a day.
But that meant finding an Earth Dragon, fast. Even if he made it there in time, what could he possibly do alone against the Cultists? Their numbers were overwhelming. His minor magical abilities were nothing compared to the sheer force they had brought to bear. If Emilia and the maids hadn't been enough, what chance did he stand?
If only Reinhard were here. Someone like him could wipe out the Cultists effortlessly... but Carol had said he was on a mission for the council.
No way I could track him down in time, Subaru thought bitterly.
He paced the room, his mind racing. I need support, someone to balance the scales… Felt maybe? But what could she do? Besides, it's not like she's speaking to me right now.
He felt trapped. A wave of frustration surged through him, and before he could stop himself, his fist drove into the wall, leaving a dent. "I need more information…"
His eyes settled on Roswaal's desk. Three books lay stacked, the ones his master had left behind for him. He hesitated, then walked over and flipped open the first one.
Enchanting Runes and Their Many Applications, Volume I.
Subaru's eyes scanned the pages, absorbing the detailed diagrams of runes and their uses. Weapons, armor, and even everyday objects could be enhanced through enchantments. The book made it clear that creating enchanted items was incredibly complex and dangerous, which explained why they were so rare and often underwhelming in power.
He glanced at the other two volumes. Could this work? Could enchanted weapons make a difference? He might be able to read through the three volumes by the time Otto arrived, but that was just the beginning. He'd still need the tools, practice applying his mana to the runes, and then actually make something.
A sickening thought crossed his mind.
I could... Subaru hesitated to finish the thought. End... myself after reading the texts.
The idea made him want to vomit, and a cold shiver ran down his spine. The very thought of ending his life felt wrong. He wasn't even sure of the full extent of Return by Death. For all he knew, his next life could be his last, or it could involve an infinite number of resets. Taking his own life? That was a gamble, and, as far as he was concerned, a last resort.
Snapping the book shut, Subaru turned his back and stormed out of the study.
Subaru stood on the road, staring at the Astrea manor. While he didn't think Felt could help him, he suspected someone inside might be able to. More than that, he was at a loss. If there was anyone he needed to talk to right now... it was Rom.
I'm not about to ask Carol for a hall pass, Subaru thought, glancing at the window where he remembered Felt's room being.
Sighing, he drew on his mana and leaped over the iron fences when he was sure no one was watching. Landing on the soft grass of the garden, he used his mana to leap up to the third-floor window sill. Tugging at the window, he found it latched shut. Frowning, Subaru wished he'd taken the time to learn at least a few of Felt's burglary tricks.
Subtlety could wait for later. Subaru pulled his fist back to break the glass, but just before he swung, the curtains were pulled back, and the window flung open.
Subaru nearly lost his grip on the ledge when a hand reached out and grabbed him roughly by the collar.
"What in the name of the Dragon are you doing at my window!?" Felt shouted.
"You scared me half to death," Subaru grumbled. "Can you let me in before Carol sees me? I'd like to keep my ear where it is."
Felt glared at him, but after a moment, she yanked him inside, muttering under her breath, "You're a moron, you know that?"
"Yeah, yeah," Subaru said as he pushed himself to his feet.
"You're lucky I was dressed. Otherwise, I'd be calling Carol, and she'd pull more than just your ear off," Felt muttered. "Now, why are you here?"
"Complicated," Subaru sighed.
"Spying for that Roswaal?" Felt glared at him.
"Hell no," Subaru said quickly. "Why would I spy for him?!"
"Reinhard told me that it was possible Roswaal could make you tell him things while you're under a contract—or make you do things," Felt said, placing her hands on her hips. "I didn't think it was that serious until Reinhard got that clown to tell him more about the type of contract you signed!"
Subaru frowned. He wasn't aware the contract was that powerful. It made him question whether Roswaal had something like that against him this whole time. If he did, Subaru had been completely unaware of it.
"I'm not spying, but I do need help," Subaru said firmly.
"With?" Felt huffed.
"Well, for starters, the Witch Cult is about to murder everyone in Arlam, including Roswaal's entire staff," Subaru said, his voice steady.
Felt blinked. "Come again?"
"The Cultists are going to attack Arlam in two... maybe three days. If something isn't done, the entire village will be wiped out," Subaru said firmly.
Felt opened her mouth and shut it looking him over a few times. "Stay her," she said before storming off.
A few minutes later, she came sweeping back into the room, this time with Rom behind her. "Tell him what you told me," Felt said.
Subaru quickly recapped everything he knew up to that point as Rom scratched his chin in thought after Subaru had finished.
"Son, how exactly did you come across this information?" Rom asked.
Subaru paused, How can I explain that? Last time I tried to tell Rom about Return by Death I could have sworn the Witch of Envy was about to crush my heart.
Subaru wracked his brain. "I… can't explain it."
"Can't or won't?" Felt crossed her arms.
Subaru looked away, "Both…"
"Is it Roswaal?" Rom probed.
"No, that has nothing to do with that bastard," Subaru insisted, "It's… something else. Just trust me when I say the information is good."
Felt was about to answer when Rom interjected, "I want to believe you son, but with that contract… we need to know."
Subaru opened his mouth. He needed support, he needed it. Stealing his nerves he opened his mouth.
"I can—" Subaru felt the sickening feeling of a hand caressing his heart. The threat lingered over him, fear gripped him. It was like ice had filled his veins, but he had to… if she killed him so be it, "I-I…" The words were hard to find, his breath increased, his heart raced, "I can return by death!"
Subaru felt the hand vanish from his heart, as he sucked in a deep breath. Panting, he felt relief as he realized he was still alive.
It's possible… I can tell others, now with Felt and Rom—
Looking up, he saw Felt laying on her bed, as Rom tilted forward and fell face-first onto the floor with a thud.
"Felt! Rom!" Subaru rushed towards the giant stopping just short as he saw the giant's eyes were glazed over as a trickle of blood fell from his mouth.
Subaru felt his blood run cold. Shaking his head, he quickly rushed to Felt's side and saw her lifeless eyes looking up at him. "No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!"
Subaru lifted her and shook her shoulders, "Felt! No, wake up!"
I… I killed them, Subaru thought as he felt tears start to come on.
"Felt… wake up, please," he croaked, "I…"
Subaru just stared down at her. A moment later the door to her room burst open. Subaru didn't even look to see who had come in, his ears were ringing. All he could do was look down at Felt's lifeless body.
I'm in hell…
A hand flew into his neck knocking him unconscious.
Subaru woke in darkness. Lifting his head, he looked around, trying to move, but something heavy clamped around his ankle. Looking down, he could barely make out a thick shackle around his foot.
I killed them... he thought again, slumping against the wall.
He stayed there, just staring at the ground.
I killed them.
Hours passed.
I killed them.
A guard came by with food.
I killed them.
A day passed.
I killed them.
Another...
I killed them.
Another...
I killed them.
Another...
I killed them.
Another...
I killed them.
Another...
I—
"Subaru."
Lifting his head, Subaru felt his dry lips. He'd just sat there, unmoving for… he wasn't sure how long. Standing over him was Reinhard, dressed in his uniform, a frown on his lips as he gazed down at Subaru. That kind of look should have made him sick with fear, but Subaru felt nothing.
He just lowered his head, glaring at the cold stone floor of the cell.
"What happened to Felt?" Reinhard demanded.
"I… killed them," Subaru said, his voice hoarse. He hadn't drunk a drop of water since he'd been dragged down here.
I just want to die… I need to die.
Reinhard knelt. "You killed them? Why?"
"I didn't… I didn't mean to," Subaru said, the image of his family dead before him. It didn't seem real.
"Why then?" Reinhard pressed. "Speak."
Subaru opened his mouth, but the words didn't come. By now, everyone in this world he cared about would be dead... everyone.
"Kill me..." Subaru whispered. "Please."
"I won't be your executioner," Reinhard said, standing up. "But I need to know, what happened, Subaru?"
"Doesn't matter," Subaru replied weakly. "None of this matters."
"Tell that to Felt," Reinhard said, looking at him for a moment longer. "We'll try this again later."
Subaru watched him go, the torchlight fading as he was left in the darkness once more. Staring at the cold stone floor, Subaru reached for his mana.
I need to die.
With all his strength, Subaru slammed his head against the stone floor. His head split open.
Die!
Once more. Blood streamed down his face, warm and hot.
Die! Die! Die! Die! Die!
Again, his head swam.
Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die!
Once more, and then...
Die.
A/N: Another chapter in the books... welcome to the dark times! Yeah, can't say this is going to be fun for Subaru... See you 3/05/2025!