Subaru awoke next to Emilia in the trial room, gasping for air.
"Did I just die? Who was that?" He thought of the woman who had killed Elsa but had no idea who she could be, as he hadn't even seen her face. "Why couldn't she just heal me..."
His eyes snapped open, and he turned to Emilia. "Emilia!"
Emilia's eyes fluttered open slightly. "Subaru?" Her eyes widened as she jolted upright. "I swear to you! It wasn't ME!"
Subaru quickly moved to console her as she once again spiraled into panic.
Back at the Cabin
Emilia had woken up earlier than expected, much to Subaru's surprise. The last time, she had stayed in bed all night.
"Sorry about that. I've calmed down now," she said softly.
Ram, who was in the room alongside Garfiel, Ryuzu, and Otto, eyed her carefully. "Are you sure you're all right?"
Emilia smiled reassuringly. "Mhm. I think it's because Subaru was there for me. Anyway, we need to talk about the trial."
Subaru had just remembered that Los had been present for this conversation previously but was nowhere to be seen now. Clearing his head, he responded, "Yeah, about that. I think I have a pretty good idea of what you're going to say."
"Hmm?" Emilia tilted her head in curiosity.
"You saw your past, right?"
Everyone in the room looked at him in astonishment.
"Wait a minute, how the hell do you know what happens in the trial anyway?" Garfiel asked, slightly agitated.
Subaru either didn't pick up on his tone or simply didn't care. "You saw the ruins glowing earlier, right? That's because I'm qualified too. And what's more, I passed it."
Garfiel gasped, his eyes widening. Emilia had a similar reaction, while Ryuzu placed a hand on her chin in thought. "Hmm, young Su passed, did he?"
Ram glanced at Subaru. "Quite an achievement—if he's not joking. This means we can remove the barrier. Garf, how does it look?"
Garfiel shook his head. "No changes so far."
Ram turned back to Subaru, her eyes narrowing. "How dare you lie to all of us like that."
Subaru smiled awkwardly. "Okay, way to jump to conclusions."
He looked down to see Garfiel staring at him with an unusually serious expression. "Okay, what's wrong, Garfiel?"
Garfiel remained silent for a moment before finally speaking. "Are you kidding me? There's not a damn thing wrong."
Subaru was confused further but was interrupted by Emilia's voice.
"Subaru. If that's really true... then... what did you see?"
Subaru nodded. "Well, it's less about what I saw and more about what I realized. The thing I've come to understand is that there's more than one of these sadistic trials."
Emilia looked down, her expression heavy. "So... two more?"
Subaru nodded again. "Emilia, I have a suggestion. I have to warn you, though—you may not like it."
Emilia lifted her head slightly. "A suggestion?"
"If it's all right, I'm prepared to take on the other trials in your place and pass them for you."
Emilia gasped.
"I want to try to be your strength. I have no idea what awful things you saw in your past, but if it made you cry that hard and put you in so much pain, then I want to help if I can!"
"Hang on!" Garfiel interrupted, stepping forward. "You're spewing all this garbage and expect us to just sit here and listen? Well, it's time for you to hear me out now. I don't want anybody but the princess—Emilia—to go through the trial, all right? In fact, you're the last person I wanna see getting rid of the barrier! So you need to stay the hell away from it!"
Subaru recalled that, in the last loop, Garfiel had actually been the one to suggest this.
"Wait a second—"
"What, you're not actually surprised I have a problem with it, are you? Man, you're even more of a dumbass than I thought."
Subaru shook his head. "No, I—"
"Subaru!" Emilia suddenly raised her voice, gritting her teeth. "Are you saying... you don't trust me to do this myself?"
Subaru's eyes widened in shock.
"Because you saw me struggling? Because you think I was failing, you'd rather do it instead?"
"No, because you shouldn't have to face your past if—"
"Stop it!" Emilia's voice cracked. "If I don't face it, then I'll never pass the trial! I can't just avert my eyes from things I don't like, leave everything to you, and run away. That would only leave me... with nothing."
Subaru looked at her, heart sinking as she clutched her shoulders, on the verge of tears.
Ram intervened. "Let's change the subject."
Outside the Cabin
Subaru stopped Garfiel and Ryuzu. "Hey, why are you so against what I said in there? And tell me the real reason."
Garfiel scowled. "Because—"
"Because it is what young Ros wants us to do," Ryuzu interrupted. "And he stands rather firm on it."
Subaru raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? And you both just go along with that?"
Garfiel turned to face him, indignation in his eyes. "Listen, I never said that! And I hate that son of a bitch as much as you do! Don't you get it?!"
Subaru nodded, deep in thought. "So I guess... even if the barrier vanished and the Sanctuary officially became part of the Mathers domain—"
"This land is completely overseen by young Ros," Ryuzu interjected. "None of us dare defy him and endanger our position. I apologize to you and the others."
Subaru frowned. "I see. Man... trusting Roswaal just keeps getting harder and harder."
Garfiel raised a hand. "Yeah, anyway, the princess has to go through the trial. Even if you are qualified, I'm not gonna let you give it a shot. Understand?"
The two walked away, leaving Subaru alone with his thoughts.
"Damn it... Emilia..."
No, come on, focus. He needed to figure out what Elsa was doing near the mansion. He'd ask Los tomorrow. But for now, he needed to confront Roswaal.
Roswaal's Cabin
"Oh, how fascinating. And what is it you'd like me to do aboooout it?"
Subaru locked eyes with him. "Get the people of Arlam Village back home. And I want you to bring this up to Ryuzu, Garfiel, and all the others. Because this time around, I don't think I'll be able to get them on my side."
Roswaal tilted his head, smirking. "This time around? Oooh. And why would that be?"
Subaru turned to look out the window. "Because that Garfiel punk has made it no secret that he hates my guts. He's way too impulsive. I'll never convince him to go along with me...
Oh and one more thing, I want to go tell the people who are still in Arlem that their families are safe. but of course, I'm also going to the mansion where Frederica or someone else is. is planning something too." Roswaal had closed his eyes smugly "Indeed. Rams informed me of this. but given what I know about her, Frederica would not be so hasty-" "And What Do you know about her!? Frederica handed over that glowing stone to Emilia. which is all the proof I need she's up to no good." Roswaal had opened his eyes and now closed them again "And if she turns out to be an enemy of yours? what are you going to do? I'm sorry to say this but you stand no chance against her." Subaru looked down annoyed by the truth of the clown's comment "Emilias dealing with the barrier, you are injured Los has to stay here to keep them safe and Otto won't take part in any of this. we're stuck" Roswaal smiled "That is true, except for one person."
Time Skip
"If I may be blunt. I don't like this." Ram spoke up Subaru shrugged "You're always blunt, and you're still talking like that? Are you serious?" Ram stood still "Then let me spell it out for you. With the current condition that Roswaal is in, it doesn't feel right to leave his side." Subaru looked back "Well yeah, But it isn't like you can do anything for him, Right? I couldn't believe it when I found out Garfiel was the one who put all those bandages on him." "Don't be a fool. What if I had applied them, and then made his injuries even worse than they were." "Oh, Show some guilt!" "Making your triumphant return with a pretty girl on each arm huh? you've really got some nerve, you know that?" Garfiel had come strutting towards them Subaru looked to him "I didn't think you'd have come out so early to see me off. so you heard?" Garfiel nodded "Frankly, It pisses me off that this entire thing was pretty much decided behind my back. But I ain't gonna fight it." Subaru looked relieved at this "Oh yeah? I'm glad to hear you say that. If you'd had tried to stop me I would have had to throw Ram off into the distance as a decoy." Garfiel indignantly stood up "As if that would ever work. Wait would it?" Subaru coughed "How should I know!? you should say something too- Rammm what's wrong?" Ram had been staring at Subaru blankly "This stupid conversation gave me a headache, that's all." She began walking to Patrasche and Subaru turned back to Garfiel "Whelp, I'm out of here, Guess I'll see ya. I should be back tomorrow so look after things until then." Garfiel looked at him confused "Hey, hold on a minute, you're leaving without saying goodbye to the princess?" Subaru and Ram were on Patrasche now "Wooow, I'm surprised you're actually concerned about Emilia. But don't worry it's ok I left her a letter explaining things." Subaru spied the Bluestone on Garfiel's necklace "By the way, Don't you have something you wanna give me?" Garfiel widened his eyes in pure confusion "Uhhhh, What the hell are ya talking about?" Subaru stared back blankly and Ram spoke up "Alright then. How about showing concern for me? The woman you love is leaving to fulfill her duty. Have you no desire to offer your assistance?" Garfiel reached for the necklace "Guess you're only nice to me when you think you'll get something out of it. Aren't ya? Happy now?" He said while removing and throwing the necklace to Subaru who caught it and nodded. "Take care of Emilia. And try to make it clear to her I'm genuinely sorry, ok!" he said while they drove off on the ground dragon leaving Garfiel behind "Why don't you tell her that yourself?! I don't work for ya ya'know?!"
Subaru and Ram were riding closer to the exit of the barrier now "So Barasu, Will this thing be of some use? she said, referring to the necklace." Subaru turned "I don't know. you've known him longer than I have." Ram shook her head "I'm not sure, but it is part of a matching pair so It's probably something slightly important to him at least." Subaru saw the numb expression on her face "Seems you aren't very happy today." Ram nodded "What you were saying earlier... when you told Garfiel you'd throw me as a decoy... For some reason that bothered me more than I would have expected it to. It's as if... that had been something that you might have done in a different situation." Subaru gasped slightly and thought back, in a previous loop when they had been under attack by Mabeast while separated from Los, he had seriously contemplated throwing Ram as bait, However, Los had arrived before he could do so."
Time Skip
"Oh, and one more thing, I want to go tell the people who are still in Arlem that their families are safe. But of course, I'm also going to the mansion where Frederica or someone else is planning something too."
Roswaal had closed his eyes smugly.
"Indeed. Rams informed me of this. But given what I know about her, Frederica would not be so hasty—"
"And what do you know about her!?" Subaru interrupted. "Frederica handed over that glowing stone to Emilia, which is all the proof I need she's up to no good."
Roswaal had opened his eyes, then closed them again.
"And if she turns out to be an enemy of yours? What are you going to do? I'm sorry to say this, but you stand no chance against her."
Subaru looked down, annoyed by the truth of the clown's comment.
"Emilia's dealing with the barrier, you are injured, Los has to stay here to keep them safe, and Otto won't take part in any of this. We're stuck."
Roswaal smiled.
"That is true, except for one person."
Time Skip
"If I may be blunt, I don't like this." Ram spoke up.
Subaru shrugged. "You're always blunt, and you're still talking like that? Are you serious?"
Ram stood still. "Then let me spell it out for you. With the current condition that Roswaal is in, it doesn't feel right to leave his side."
Subaru looked back. "Well yeah, but it isn't like you can do anything for him, right? I couldn't believe it when I found out Garfiel was the one who put all those bandages on him."
"Don't be a fool. What if I had applied them and then made his injuries even worse than they were?"
"Oh, show some guilt!"
"Making your triumphant return with a pretty girl on each arm, huh? You've really got some nerve, you know that?"
Garfiel came strutting towards them.
Subaru looked at him. "I didn't think you'd have come out so early to see me off. So, you heard?"
Garfiel nodded. "Frankly, it pisses me off that this entire thing was pretty much decided behind my back. But I ain't gonna fight it."
Subaru looked relieved. "Oh yeah? I'm glad to hear you say that. If you'd tried to stop me, I would have had to throw Ram off into the distance as a decoy."
Garfiel indignantly stood up. "As if that would ever work. Wait... would it?"
Subaru coughed. "How should I know!? You should say something too—Ram, what's wrong?"
Ram had been staring at Subaru blankly.
"This stupid conversation gave me a headache, that's all." She began walking to Patrasche.
Subaru turned back to Garfiel. "Whelp, I'm out of here. Guess I'll see ya. I should be back tomorrow, so look after things until then."
Garfiel looked at him, confused. "Hey, hold on a minute, you're leaving without saying goodbye to the princess?"
Subaru and Ram were on Patrasche now.
"Wooow, I'm surprised you're actually concerned about Emilia. But don't worry, it's okay. I left her a letter explaining things."
Subaru spied the blue stone on Garfiel's necklace.
"By the way, don't you have something you wanna give me?"
Garfiel widened his eyes in pure confusion. "Uhhhh, what the hell are ya talking about?"
Subaru stared back blankly, and Ram spoke up.
"Alright then. How about showing concern for me? The woman you love is leaving to fulfill her duty. Have you no desire to offer your assistance?"
Garfiel reached for the necklace.
"Guess you're only nice to me when you think you'll get something out of it, aren't ya?"
He removed it and threw the necklace to Subaru, who caught it and nodded.
"Take care of Emilia. And try to make it clear to her I'm genuinely sorry, okay!"
He said while they drove off on the ground dragon, leaving Garfiel behind.
"Why don't you tell her that yourself?! I don't work for ya, ya know?!"
On the Road
Subaru and Ram were riding closer to the exit of the barrier.
"So, Barasu, will this thing be of some use?" she asked, referring to the necklace.
Subaru turned. "I don't know. You've known him longer than I have."
Ram shook her head. "I'm not sure, but it is part of a matching pair, so it's probably something slightly important to him at least."
Subaru saw the numb expression on her face. "Seems you aren't very happy today."
Ram nodded. "What you were saying earlier... when you told Garfiel you'd throw me as a decoy... for some reason, that bothered me more than I would have expected it to. It's as if... that had been something that you might have done in a different situation."
Subaru gasped slightly and thought back. In a previous loop, when they had been under attack by Mabeasts while separated from Los, he had seriously contemplated throwing Ram as bait. However, Los had arrived before he could do so.
Time Skip - At the Manor Gates
Nothing had attacked them on the way there, to Subaru's surprise.
"Please don't let anything happen." he thought to himself. "I'm here two days early, so if things still go wrong somehow... I'll have to take off on Patrasche the minute I wake up from the Graveyard."
With this thought, he remembered another thing that almost made him slap himself.
"I've been so caught up organizing all this, I forgot to tell Los I died. Damn it."
There was no more time to dwell on this as they arrived at the front door.
Subaru hopped off Patrasche and was faced directly by Petra.
"It's a pleasure to welcome you back, Mister Subaru! And I must say, you returned sooner than I expected."
He noticed a white brace on her arm that matched the one she had given him.
"Is that...?"
She looked down. "Uh-huh! It matches the one I gave you."
He hugged her.
"Huh?" She looked up. "You're not hurt, are you?"
"Nope! Just happy to see you and glad you're alright."
Behind him, he heard a faint cough.
"If I may be blunt, I don't like this."
"Why does that sound familiar?"
"Because I'm being direct as always—the adorable quality of a Ram who's been forgotten and left at a loss."
Petra walked up to her. "Uhhh, hi. I guess you must be Ms. Ram, right? I was recently hired in service to the lord of the mansion. It's truly a pleasure to meet you!"
Ram crossed her arms contently. "You seem to know your place. Unlike Barasu. A passing grade. Needless to say, you failed, Barasu. You may not cross this mansion threshold."
Subaru spun around exaggeratedly. "What was the point of even coming back then!?"
Petra giggled.
Subaru's expression became more serious and he looked back at Petra.
"Oh, hey, Petra. Has anything weird happened while we were away? Like with Frederica, for example?"
Petra looked slightly confused. "I haven't seen anything. She seems pretty normal if you ask me."
"Is she inside now?"
Petra shook her head. "Frederica's outside patrolling the forest barrier. It may be a while before she gets back."
Subaru frowned at this. Elsa was out there...
But Petra continued, and he focused on what she was saying.
"The other new maid and Rem are inside."
Subaru raised an eyebrow. "New maid? Another one?"
Petra nodded. "Seme-sama! She's super nice and cool!"
Ram shook her head. "This mansion may be overstaffed now."
Subaru looked at her. "When has too little work been a problem? Anyway, I want to see what Frederica is going to do, so let's go inside."
Inside the Mansion
A knock on the door was answered by Rem, who smiled up at Subaru.
"Ah, welcome back, Subaru."
She let them in, and upon seeing her sister, she looked like she was on the verge of tears.
Ram walked to her, hugging her before pulling back and looking at her.
"Let's talk upstairs. We have a lot to catch up on."
The maid sisters excused themselves, and Subaru waved goodbye, but he felt a deep falling sensation in his stomach.
"Oh my, seems you forgot to tell Los about Roswaal's plans. That is foolish, though I don't know how much he could have done given the situation back at the Sanctuary."
Subaru shuddered. "Who are you?"
Sekhmet smiled. "I am the Witch of Sloth, Sekhmet. You should call me Sekh here to avoid confusion."
"Witch? Shit... HELP!"
He turned to run but smacked his face on something invisible.
"We can't be heard or seen right now, I'm afraid. Didn't want you giving up too much unnecessary information. I'm on your side."
Subaru turned back. "My side? How? You infiltrated the mansion and now you trap me?"
Sekhmet shook her head. "Infiltrate? Ah, allow me to clear up this misunderstanding."
Around him, a black shroud became visible. Subaru was shocked as he saw a massive black barrier surrounding the entire mansion.
He turned to Sekhmet, who had countless black hands emerging from her back. One of them waved at him before they all vanished once again.
Subaru calmed down slightly. "How do you hide them? Petelgeuse couldn't hide them from me."
Sekhmet laughed. "You compare a dragon to a lizard, boy."
Subaru shrugged. "So, you know Los?"
Sekhmet nodded. "I'll let him tell you about that."
Subaru raised an eyebrow. "Are you guys lovers or something?"
Sekhmet shrugged, a look of mirth on her face.
"Well, this I can say—you must get back to the Sanctuary soon. I can handle any assassin, and you'll need to talk to Beatrice."
With this, she led him to a door where she gestured for him to enter.
Subaru hesitated before stepping inside the Forbidden Library.