Chapter XXVII:
Talks Over Tea
Subaru slept like the dead. When he finally stirred awake, his entire body felt stiff and sore.
Ever since the Royal Selection, he'd been running nonstop. Moments of true rest had been scarce, and even the brief respite of the dreamlike trial felt more like a fleeting illusion than a genuine break. His body was paying the price.
Stumbling out of the carriage, Subaru noted with irritation that it was already approaching mid-morning. He cursed himself for sleeping in so late, but his body had desperately needed the rest.
"Petelgeuse?" Subaru cautiously probed in his mind, but silence was his only answer.
Scratching his chin thoughtfully, Subaru reached inward, searching for the strange sensation he'd felt earlier. For a tense moment, nothing happened, but then oily black hands unfurled from his back, twisting and coiling like spectral tendrils. A moment later, the translucent figure of Petelgeuse flickered into existence beside him.
"Strange. You only appear when these hands are out," Subaru muttered, slightly annoyed. "That's not very convenient."
Petelgeuse regarded his own ethereal form thoughtfully. "Interesting. It was the same when I occupied your body. I can sense time has passed, yet it feels more like a hazy dream. If you can maintain these… arms, I have questions."
Subaru flexed his fingers experimentally. "I can manage it for a while. What do you want to know?"
"I'm no longer in the time I remember," Petelgeuse said, frowning deeply. "The last clear memory I have is visiting Emilia and Miss Fortuna when Emilia was a small child. Beyond that moment is nothing but darkness."
Subaru hesitated. Emilia's past was essentially a mystery to him. She had little recollection of her life before waking with Puck, and Subaru only knew fragments about the Archbishop's past.
"Part of the truth will hurt you. Are you sure you want to hear this?" Subaru asked cautiously.
Petelgeuse nodded solemnly. "I'm sure. As a sinner, I must always confront the reality of my sins."
Taking a deep breath, Subaru recounted what little he knew: how Petelgeuse had once held the Witch Factor of Sloth, how he became twisted and monstrous, the countless deaths he'd caused, the massacre he had nearly carried out in Arlam, and how Subaru himself had been forced to cut him down repeatedly.
Petelgeuse listened in shocked silence, pain evident in his ghostly features. Though shaken, he did not ask Subaru to stop, absorbing each painful revelation.
"Flugel warned me about this…" Petelgeuse whispered, visibly anguished. "Taking in an incompatible Witch Factor can drive one mad. It happened to Satella. But what madness drove me to accept Sloth into myself?"
Subaru regarded him seriously. "Don't dwell on it. The person who committed those sins isn't standing here now. You look and feel completely different."
Petelgeuse managed a faint, grateful smile. "Thank you. If it wouldn't be too much trouble, I'd like to speak with Emilia eventually. There is much I need to understand."
Subaru nodded, his curiosity now outweighing caution. "I need to ask—without probing too deeply—do you remember me dying in a fight against a young man with tiger-like hands?"
Petelgeuse shook his head slowly, confused. "No, nothing like that. And surely if you died, we wouldn't be having this conversation?"
Subaru sighed. It appeared Return by Death didn't extend its influence to Petelgeuse's awareness. The next logical step was—
"I can—" he started, but the familiar vice-like grip of Satella clenched his heart sharply. Subaru flinched, frustrated. "Damn it… figures."
"I'm not following," Petelgeuse said, puzzled.
"It's something I literally can't talk about, or bad things happen," Subaru admitted grimly. "You'll have to figure it out yourself."
Petelgeuse eyed him thoughtfully. "This 'resetting' Roswaal spoke of… you mean it quite literally, don't you?"
Subaru stayed silent, unwilling to tempt fate further.
Petelgeuse nodded knowingly. "I sense Satella strongly upon you. If I had to guess, your power is related to her. Given your connection to Flugel, that makes sense. He was… everything to Satella."
"Flugel? The Sage who planted the Flugel Tree?" Subaru asked, intrigued, though strain from maintaining the spectral hands was growing.
"Yes, the very same. Centuries ago, Flugel, the Divine Dragon Volcanica, and Reid Astrea sealed away the Witch of Envy. Flugel entrusted the Witch Factor of Sloth to me for safekeeping. Why I succumbed to its madness… I cannot recall." Petelgeuse shook his head, troubled. "But tell me—what exactly is your connection to Flugel?"
Subaru stared blankly, bewildered. "I don't have any connection to Flugel. I'm from Japan, which is not of this world. I arrived here when I was nine."
"Flugel once told me he came from another world—a place called Japan. Curious…" Petelgeuse studied Subaru carefully, as if trying to unravel a deep mystery hidden within him.
"Maybe he's a distant relative?" Subaru suggested with a shrug. "He lived over four hundred years ago; it's possible. Besides, the Witch of Envy's miasma clings heavily to me, and there are other things I can't freely discuss."
"That aligns. Flugel and Satella were very close. It was never openly stated, but I always believed they loved each other. If you truly are his descendant, her interest in you would be unsurprising," Petelgeuse sighed thoughtfully.
Subaru suddenly doubled over as his stomach twisted painfully, the strain from maintaining the unseen hands growing intense. He felt he might eventually adapt to it, but it would require considerable practice. For now, he couldn't hold them much longer.
"I can't keep this up much more," Subaru managed, fighting to maintain composure.
"I understand," Petelgeuse quickly reassured him. "I would like to speak with Emilia soon, but don't push yourself too hard on my account."
With a relieved nod, Subaru released his hold, and the shadowy hands vanished, taking Petelgeuse with them. He gasped as the strain disappeared instantly. The problem wasn't his mana reserves—it felt as if the Witch Factor itself was resisting him, something he'd need to master eventually.
I hope this doesn't mean I'm the new Sin Archbishop of Sloth. He shuddered at the thought. I'd rather die a thousand times before accepting that title.
It was a rather pleasant morning—if Subaru ignored the ticking clock hanging over his head.
He ate breakfast with Otto: toast, eggs, and sausage. Subaru had to contend with Patrasche pecking at him, despite having already fed her and brushed her scales. With a sigh, he handed over the remainder of his sausage, which she gulped down happily. It was well earned, he supposed. She had helped free him from his contract, even if it had cost him his life.
"So, what's our plan?" Otto asked, setting aside his empty plate.
"I'm working on that," Subaru sighed. He couldn't explain that his contract was void—it would violate his new agreement. A minor restriction, perhaps, but one that wouldn't matter once he completed the three trials.
"Well, if you can take the trials, then why not? Does it matter if it's you or Emilia, as long as someone finishes them?" Otto pointed out.
"It might. Emilia might come off looking weak if I, a member of Felt's camp, save her and the villagers again," Subaru muttered. "She's technically a rival for the throne."
Otto nodded. "I get that you're friendly with her, but if she can't finish the trials, someone has to."
Subaru pushed his remaining eggs into Patrasche's feed bucket and stood up. "I need to clear my head. Can you let Felt know I'd like to have lunch with her later?"
"You're not sneaking off to take the trial, right?" Otto asked, half-suspicious.
"No. At least, that's not my current intention," Subaru shrugged.
"Well, you should know Garfiel's been patrolling around the tomb. He's looking intense. Probably best to steer clear for now."
"I thought he wanted the barrier removed… so why guard the tomb?" Subaru muttered. It was a question for later. "I'll keep that in mind. I'd rather avoid another fight with him."
Wishing Otto a good morning, Subaru set off for a walk. He needed time to think. Blitzing through the trials might work, but that assumed Roswaal was playing by the rules. Subaru knew better—Roswaal didn't gamble; he rigged the game.
How could he counter someone like Roswaal? Killing him was an option, but doing so would provoke Ram. Rem would have to pick a side. Things could spiral into civil war within the Sanctuary. No, he couldn't act until he'd shown everyone just how evil Roswaal truly was—and he couldn't tell them until after the trials.
"You are the young man who has gotten Young Gar in such a state."
Startled, Subaru looked up. He'd wandered deep into the woods. Standing in the path was a short girl with long pink hair, dressed in a black robe and carrying a staff adorned with colored gems.
He recognized her from before, when he'd been transported from Patrasche's back. She'd been dressed in white then. Somehow, she didn't feel like the same person.
"Have we met?" Subaru asked.
"This is the first I've laid eyes upon you," the girl replied flatly. "Though you may have seen someone who shares my features. I cannot say for certain."
"Who are you?"
"I am Ryuzu Bilma," she said, studying him. "You are an Apostle of Greed. You took the trial."
"Apostle? I don't understand."
"Young Gar will be quite frustrated with this development," she sighed. "You are Young Su, yes?"
He hesitated. This girl was cryptic, but she might be useful. "I am Natsuki Subaru."
"Interesting that we should meet like this." Ryuzu tilted her head, still studying him. "I wonder what your plans are. How much do you know, Young Su?"
"Not much," Subaru admitted. "Would you mind enlightening me? You called me an Apostle of Greed—what exactly does that mean?"
"You are unaware? Unfortunate, though not surprising. Even if it had been explained, you might not remember the tea party."
"Tea party?" Subaru frowned. The phrase sparked something in the back of his mind, but it was out of reach.
"It is when a person is invited to speak with our creator, Echidna," Ryuzu explained. "Most do not remember. Young Gar was the last to attend. It would seem you have joined his ranks."
"Garfiel spoke with Echidna?" Subaru blinked. Then he frowned. "And you're saying I did too, but just can't remember?"
"Correct," Ryuzu nodded.
Subaru crossed his arms. "Well, that's not great. Who knows what I said or agreed to… Questions for later. Can you explain the Apostle thing?"
"I cannot refuse you, so yes," Ryuzu replied. "An Apostle is one to whom Echidna has given a part of herself—hair, blood, nail, or some other piece."
Subaru arched an eyebrow. "You're saying I consumed one of her hairs?"
"Or saliva. I am uncertain what form it took," she said flatly.
"As nasty as that sounds, what does that mean for me?"
"You can command the clones of Ryuzu Meyer, just as Young Gar can," she explained. "If you both gave conflicting orders, I suppose the commands might cancel each other out. It would depend on which of you consumed more of her essence, which is something we've never had to deal with. I am uncertain of the outcome."
"Clones? You mean… there are more of you?"
"Correct. I am one of the original clones of Ryuzu Meyer. The others, likely including the one you saw earlier, have no personality to speak of. They follow their purpose—and the commands of Apostles like yourself."
Subaru frowned. He was grateful for the information, but still cautious.
"Since you can't refuse me, explain Garfiel's motivations."
Ryuzu sighed. "Young Gar is torn. One side of him wants the Sanctuary freed. The other… does not. These conflicting motives war within him."
"He took the villagers hostage to get Emilia to take the trial, but doesn't want the trial completed?" Subaru frowned. "So he's not the only one against the trials being finished?"
"There are others, yes. But most here wish to be free to leave."
"And you?"
"I fall into the majority."
Subaru nodded. This Ryuzu Bilma was being helpful, but that didn't mean she was trustworthy. If she were opposed to him, she could be feeding him false information. Still, she was worth listening to—for now.
"I have more questions," Subaru said.
"I would answer anything you ask, though perhaps it can wait," Ryuzu replied. "If you wish, I can serve you tea at my dwelling this evening."
Subaru nodded. "That would be fine."
Ryuzu dipped her head and turned to walk deeper into the woods.
Subaru watched her go, trying to piece together everything he'd just learned. He didn't know what was coming next—but lunch was soon, and he'd be damned if he gave Felt a reason to bite his head off.
"What do you mean?" Felt barked, as they ate sandwiches which Grassis had delicately set out for them.
Felt had taken up residence in an old abandoned cottage with half the roof missing. When Flam and Grassis had tried to convince her to find somewhere nicer, she simply brushed them off. It reminded her of the slums—though in truth, it was a bit nicer.
"I mean, I need to take the rest of the trials, and I can't tell you why," Subaru rolled his eyes. He knew this was going to happen.
"Well, I should be told why! You've been acting strange, and not just because things are different with that Rom guy's memories getting eaten!" Felt huffed.
"Things are different since that happened," Subaru grumbled, pushing his food away. "But it's more than that, and when I say I can't tell you, believe me."
"I bet this is that Roswaal guy's fault," Felt groaned. "I'm going to go kick his ass."
Subaru pushed her back into her chair before she could get up. "You're not going anywhere near that bastard. For your safety and mine."
"Why not?" Felt asked, narrowing her eyes. "Let me guess, you can't say?"
"I really can't," he said firmly. "I need you to trust me."
Felt sighed. "You know I do, but look at it from my perspective. Everything is a mess—apparently, my whole past is a partial lie, and you can't or won't tell me what's wrong with you! How else am I supposed to act? How would you act if things were reversed?"
"Not well, I imagine," Subaru sighed, sinking into his seat. "I need you to trust me. When I'm able to explain things, I will. For now, I don't need you getting in the middle of what is a dangerous situation."
"Well, if it's that deadly, maybe one of us should go and fetch Reinhard. He could be useful for a change, instead of running off to play hero somewhere," Felt grumbled.
"My timeline is on a bit of a crunch," Subaru rubbed his forehead. "Can we change the subject? I'd rather just have lunch and not deal with this right now."
Felt pouted but picked up a teacup and sipped it delicately, closing her eyes as she savored the flavor. "Fine. Can we talk about Rem then?"
Subaru arched an eyebrow, confused. "What about her?"
"What exactly is your relationship with her?" Felt opened one eye to spy on him.
"She's one of Roswaal's maids, also a fairly good fighter," Subaru said casually.
"That's not what I meant, and you know it," Felt frowned.
Subaru rolled his eyes. "I can tell she likes me, if that's what you mean. I'm not a total idiot."
"Implying that you are at least an idiot in part?" she smirked.
"Ha, ha," Subaru mocked.
"Do you like her back?" Felt probed.
"I haven't put much thought into the matter," Subaru replied truthfully. "I've got more important things going on than worrying about who likes me and who doesn't, Felt. Chiefly among them, making sure the people I care about stay alive. I've already fucked that up in part."
"You mean that Rom guy?"
"Stop calling him that," Subaru frowned.
"What?" Felt blinked.
"He's just Rom, not 'that Rom guy'," Subaru snapped. "He's our father in all but blood."
Felt sighed. "I don't remember any of that, no matter how many times you explain it to me. I have no feelings for that man one way or the other. However, if it makes you feel better, I will just call him Rom from now on."
Subaru frowned but didn't press the issue further. It wasn't her fault, but damn him if it wasn't hard to feel a bit mad at how callous she was being towards him. Though he didn't want to know how it would feel to be told a part of your life was a lie.
"Whatever," Subaru muttered. "I'll find Gluttony and get Rom back."
Felt nodded. "I… I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I'm not trying to be a jerk, but… please don't think poorly of me. I suppose it's hard to believe that anyone other than you was there for me back then."
Subaru sighed. "You're family. You might piss me off sometimes, but I could never be mad at you. Not really."
"Family… right," Felt looked out the window, a bit conflicted. "Well, I suppose you have other things to do. Are you going to go do this trial thing again?"
"I am. Though if Emilia could complete it, that would be fine too," Subaru said thoughtfully.
"Right…" Felt swirled her tea for a moment. "Listen, I hate arguing, or coming off like a hothead with you."
"You are a hothead," Subaru teased lightly.
Felt chuckled at that. "I know. I just… please, sometimes you do reckless, stupid things, and that makes me mad. Because… I don't think I could do this without you. I need you, more than you know."
Subaru looked at her and saw she was clutching her cup tightly. She took in a sharp breath and shook her head. "Go. As much as it pisses me off, I won't ask you about this mess until you can tell me about it. But when this is all over, if you're still acting strange, I'm going to thump you over the head until you act right!"
Subaru smirked. "Well, I'll hold you to that."
Rising, he patted her on the head and watched as she flushed and looked away. Thanking the twins for the food, he departed to take the short walk to find Emilia.
"Well, here we are," Subaru said as the twisted feeling in his gut bit at him, the black oily hands wriggling around him. It was odd when he thought about it, but they felt as if they were extra extensions of his body.
Petelgeuse stood beside him, fumbling with his cloak. "I remember seeing her like it was yesterday. Though I can tell it was… very long ago."
"Well, ready or not," Subaru knocked on the door.
"Come in," Emilia called from inside.
Pushing the door open, Subaru entered the small cottage where Emilia had been put up was rather cozy. She sat at the small table with a cup of tea, gazing down at the crystal around her neck.
"Oh, Subaru, I wasn't expecting you to visit…" Emilia smiled, though there was a lingering sadness in her expression.
"She's… so much older," Petelgeuse said softly, stepping closer. "I've… I've missed so much."
"I can't imagine," Subaru thought, heart heavy.
"Puck still not showing himself?" Subaru asked gently.
"No," she shook her head, "I've been trying to get him to come out, but… he won't respond. It's not like him."
Subaru frowned. Usually, bad things happened when Puck went missing, which seemed to be happening more and more often lately. Emilia's time in the trial had clearly been rough. She'd been a wreck when he'd carried her out, though he still didn't know exactly what she'd seen.
"Emilia… the trial, I—"
"I would rather not talk about it," Emilia said quickly.
"I need to, not for myself." Subaru took a step forward. "Do you remember a man named Petelgeuse?"
"She would know me as Geuse," Petelgeuse added quickly.
"Geuse, rather," Subaru corrected.
"I… no… There was a man in my trial…" Emilia shivered, then looked up at Subaru, confusion etched on her face. "How would you know… You didn't see when you were in the tomb, did you?"
"No," Subaru sighed, "That man is in my head, so to speak."
"In your head?" Emilia blinked. "I don't follow."
"When I killed the Sin Archbishop of Sloth… I absorbed… I guess his soul," Subaru explained. "Though, thank the Dragon, he's not insane anymore."
Emilia looked visibly uncomfortable. "You… have a Sin Archbishop in your head?"
"To be fair, he did save me. I can't explain it all now," Subaru said, exasperated. "He told me he knew you as a child. I can let you talk to him, if you want."
"Subaru, this is a bit confusing. What do you mean, talk to him?" Emilia asked, brows knitting together. "This isn't a joke, I hope."
"Showtime," Subaru thought.
Nodding, Petelgeuse walked over and reached out. The feeling of someone grabbing at your soul to take over your body was strange. He hadn't remembered it the first time. He instinctively resisted, then slowly allowed himself to be pulled free.
It was odd—the shift from being a soul to inhabiting a body again, especially one that wasn't his own.
Looking at Emilia with his own eyes… it was hard. She had grown so much, no longer the small, joyful girl who used to run through the forest. How many years had gone by? How much had he missed?
"You… look so much like her," Petelgeuse murmured.
"Subaru… what are you talking about?" Emilia shifted back, wary.
"Oh—of course. You wouldn't see the change," Petelgeuse rubbed the back of Subaru's head awkwardly. "I am Petelgeuse Romanée-Conti. I'm currently inhabiting Subaru's body—he let me take control. Willingly, I assure you."
"This… this must be a bad joke," Emilia said, her voice trembling. "It's not funny, Subaru!"
"I swear, it's no joke," he said gently. "I understand that you don't remember, and that's okay. There is much I, too, cannot recall—perhaps mercifully so. But I remain a sinner, with more to atone for now than ever."
"You—No! I don't believe it. How could you be that man?" she cried, shaking her head.
"I used to visit you when you were a child. You and Miss Fortuna—your mother, as you called her then. I remember how happy you both were together," Petelgeuse said softly. "I supplied the elves of the Great Elior Forest. The first time I saw you… I was struck by your presence. It was a joy to grow close to all of you."
"No…" Emilia whispered. "I… I don't…"
She dropped to her knees, tears brimming in her eyes. "I don't remember any of it!"
"Emilia!" Petelgeuse stepped forward instinctively, but she flinched away from him, terror in her eyes.
"Get away!" she shouted.
"This isn't how I imagined this would go," Subaru's voice echoed in Petelgeuse's mind. "She must have seen something in the trial. Something awful."
"Emilia… what happened to your memories? Why can't you remember any of it?" Petelgeuse asked, stepping back in anguish.
"You… everyone…" Emilia clutched her head. "It was all my fault… I don't know any of you!"
"That's enough," Subaru warned from within.
"No… I have to protect her," Petelgeuse whispered, almost to himself.
"Emilia, please—what happened to Fortuna?" he asked, voice cracking.
Emilia's eyes went wide with panic. "I don't know who that woman is—I don't… she's… she's… No… I…"
"That's enough, Petelgeuse!" Subaru snapped.
Slowly, Petelgeuse nodded, the weight of regret hanging on his shoulders. "Her memories… they must be sealed, somehow."
"She wants to remember," Subaru added quietly. "But something's stopping her."
"Coming here… was a mistake," Petelgeuse admitted.
"Puck… please… Puck!" Emilia sobbed, curling into herself on the floor.
And with that, Petelgeuse relinquished control, his soul slipping back into the shadows as Subaru's body stilled once more.
Subaru had to go get Rem to tend to Emilia. She was shaking like a leaf and barely able to pull herself together. She looked at Subaru like he was possessed—though, in a sense, he supposed he was.
Afterward, Ram had scolded him, probing for answers. Subaru refused to elaborate. He wasn't about to tell her he had a Sin Archbishop in his head. Mercifully, Emilia hadn't spoken about it either.
She needs time to process everything, Subaru told himself.
It was late afternoon by the time Subaru found the cottage belonging to Ryuzu—specifically, Ryuzu Bilma. With the help of one of the Sanctuary's residents, he finally reached the place. Inside, he found the small girl boiling a kettle of water, peering into it with a quiet curiosity.
"I was beginning to wonder when you'd come, Young Su," she said, not looking up.
"You call me Young Su, yet you don't look much older than Flam or Grassis," Subaru noted.
"I may appear to be a child, but I am over four hundred years old. So to me, all of you are young, Young Su," Ryuzu replied.
"How's the tea coming along?" Subaru asked, taking in the ancient atmosphere of the place.
"Fine. I've spent hundreds of years perfecting my craft. I hope you'll find some enjoyment in it," she said evenly.
"How are you so old anyway?" Subaru asked.
"I am little more than a vessel formed by mana. We have an artificial Od, you see," she added some leaves to the kettle. "We do not age or require food or drink. We only need to be recharged from time to time."
"So, you're immortal?" Subaru asked, watching her take the kettle off the fire.
"In a sense. We are all copies of the original, Ryuzu Meyer," she explained, setting out two clay cups. "Our creator made us so she might cheat death."
"What? By moving her soul into one of you?" Subaru raised an eyebrow.
"Quite so."
"I was joking," Subaru frowned. "That's a little messed up."
"It was unsuccessful—otherwise, Echidna would still be here in one form or another," Ryuzu said flatly. "Tea should be ready soon."
Subaru looked at the kettle. He'd been drinking tea all day, it felt like.
"So, you don't need to drink but enjoy tea anyway?"
"It became a hobby," she shrugged. "For many years, I had no personality to speak of. At some point, I began to become an individual."
"That sounds… wow," Subaru said. He tried to imagine that, but the thought made him uncomfortable.
"It is how I am. I know nothing else, Young Su," she said, pouring the tea and blowing on the steam before taking a sip.
Subaru took a cup and gave it a sniff. It smelled pleasant. Taking a sip, he found it was probably the best tea he'd ever had. "This is good."
"It warms me to hear that," Ryuzu said with a hint of pride. "I've gone through thousands of variations to reach this one, though I believe it can still be improved."
"Is this the only tea you make?" Subaru asked.
"I have a few hundred others I've perfected. The day's brew depends on the ingredients I have on hand," she answered. "But we're getting a little off topic. Though if you wish, I could discuss my hobby for as long as you like, Young Su."
"Right, right," Subaru shook his head. "How many clones are there exactly?"
"Twenty-five, if you count those without personalities," she replied. "Four of us have independent thought."
Just then, the cabin door opened, and another Ryuzu entered carrying a basket full of ingredients. She looked at Subaru with a strange expression before setting the basket down and sitting beside him. Without a word, she reached out and grabbed his shirt like a small, lost child.
"Um… hello?" Subaru blinked.
"Odd. She seems a bit attached," Ryuzu Bilma observed. "It must be because you are an Apostle."
"Do… they talk?" Subaru asked, glancing at the blank-faced girl.
"No, unfortunately," Ryuzu Bilma said with a faint note of sadness. "She will obey any command you give her—same as me. Even if all you want is someone to hold onto at night."
"I think Felt would murder me," Subaru muttered. "I want to know—who exactly wants the barrier to stay in place?"
"Ryuzu Shima. She's been working with Young Gar to keep the Sanctuary sealed for some time," Ryuzu said calmly.
"But if I gave her an order?"
"She would have to obey. Though it's likely Young Gar would stop her."
"Alright, so best to avoid her. How can I tell the difference?"
"She wears white. Ten years ago, she lost the right to call herself an Overseer. Now she lives in the forest with the others."
Subaru didn't fully understand the politics, but he nodded. "So, avoid her," he confirmed. He looked down at the girl holding his shirt. "So… they don't have names?"
"No."
"That doesn't seem right…" Subaru thought for a moment, then smiled. "I think I'll call you Pico."
The girl looked up at him. For a moment, he thought he saw a flicker of emotion—maybe wonder—in her eyes. Maybe.
"You are quite interesting," Ryuzu Bilma said, watching him. "I must ask—why do you smell of the Witch?"
"Do you mean Echidna?" Subaru asked carefully.
"No. Satella," she replied bluntly.
Subaru crossed his arms. "Petelgeuse seems to think I have a connection to her through Flugel. Maybe we're related. It's hard to say for sure. I honestly don't know the real reason."
"Petelgeuse? The Sin Archbishop of Sloth?" she asked slowly.
"I'm not with the Cult, if that's your concern," Subaru said flatly. "I've spoken with him—when he wasn't insane."
"That would have been over a century ago. You don't seem that old, Young Su."
"I order you not to tell anyone," Subaru said. "And yes… he's in my head. He's not insane anymore and—oddly—has been quite helpful. Never thought I'd end up relying on someone I once tried to kill."
"Interesting," she said with a nod. "I will keep your words safe."
Subaru was just about to ask another question when a loud bang echoed against the door. A heartbeat later, it burst open, and Flam and Grassis stumbled in, breathless and wide-eyed.
Subaru shot to his feet, his heart lurching in his chest.
"Flam? Grassis?" he looked between them, his voice tight with alarm.
If they're here… then where's—
"What happened?!" he demanded.
"Lady Felt—" Flam gasped, clutching her side as she tried to catch her breath. "She's missing!"