The Consequences Of Wrath: Part 3

――I heard a voice ripe with hatred.

――A sound which would not leave my ears.

――Words imbued with rage followed me.

――It was frightening, so frightening that I could not bear it.

――I was being crushed by the pressure of this noise which did not obscure its murderous intent.

――It gripped onto my soul, and would not let go.

――There was myself, and with the more I clung to my life, the more I would hurt others.

――First and foremost, I was sorry, so sorry, and yet I was still drowning.

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"I don't understand..."

"I don't understand anything..."

How did things end up like this? 

This was the question that relentlessly haunted Tanaka's thoughts.

Rem was dead.

She was cursed and died during her sleep on the fifth day.

"I WILL KILL YOU!"

The chilling echo of a scream, brimming with unbridled hatred, reverberated through the air, driving Tanaka to flee.

This was Subaru's body and he was the one commanding it, while Tanaka could do nothing but follow in its wake.

"HAH... HAAH."

He felt the pain in his feet with all the running, he felt his throat ache with all the raged breaths he took.

"I never wanted this!"

Rem's death, a cruel consequence of her perceived threat, weighed heavily on Tanaka's conscience, a burden too heavy to bear.

And she succeeded.

But this...

-

-

-

-

――my neck...

It was being strangled by a great force.

Shoulders were being held down by both legs and knees, small in size, the body floundering underneath without freedom. Before their eyes, white arms covered in vermilion abrasions were pressing down on their neck. 

――chokechokechokechoke chokechoke 

In this moment, both Subaru and Tanaka found themselves gasping for air as their lives were choked out of them. 

???: "――――"

Right in front of their eyes, was a pair of pupils glowing with passion.

Endless fury and hollow despair stretched deep, deep in those large round eyes.

A blank thought that falling into those bottomless eyes, passed through their head.

'Stop it.. we... He didn't do anything to Rem, he has nothing to do with it.' 

His inner pleads were futile, even if he had the command to form words, there was no way he can speak in this current condition.

???: "Ah, kah… Uh." 

――Badumbadum, badumbadum

Such were the sounds of their legs flailing wildly.

Their legs thrashed wildly, but not in an attempt to escape.

Things such as thoughts to escape is what Tanaka wanted to think, but for Subaru they had already disappeared long ago. So, the struggle of those legs were not an expression of a will to live, but merely a tantrum born of sheer physical suffering.

The brain was lacking oxygen, the mind had lost its will to live, but the body was still writhing in protest.

'End this please..'

Uncertain whether this torment was reality or illusion, Tanaka pleaded for release.

'I have seen enough so please stop it..' 

He was a spectator in the previous visions, he had to watch the multiple deaths of this innocent kid who got dragged into this world.

And now he has to experience it.

Despair, pain, fear, suffering, sorrow, anger.

All these emotions were pushed into him.

???: "Buh, kuh, kuh."

Straddling them, a light body was pressing down on someone, disabling all movement. 

Shoulders were being held down by both legs and knees, small in size, the body floundering underneath without freedom. Before their eyes, white arms covered in vermilion abrasions were pressing down on their neck. An out-of-place thought flashed, that it appeared like blossoming flowers,

What, why and how was it that they had come to be in this kind of situation?

???: "――What's so funny?"

Suddenly, a voice was heard.

One unlike the animalistic groans I was letting out.

It was a cold yet clear voice.

'He's laughing?' 

The owner of those eyes laden with fury, their lips pressed thin as they squeezed their throat, looked up at the sound of the voice.

???: "――――"

Even when asked what was so funny, they were unable to find the answer.

There was nothing funny here, in the first place. There really was not, so why even ask?

The question was confusing. Some rude kind of nonsense, a riddle.

???: "――What's so funny?"

There was nothing funny about it.

???: "Huu, he, hehe."

Then, was it that the person asking was directing it towards the wrong party?

Or, was it that this person was enjoying this moment without even noticing it?

If that was it, then it was detestable; his rational thoughts escaped.

Ram: "――What's so funny?"

There was nothing amusing here. Even though there was nothing, this question would be projected repeatedly, over and over again.

Not even projecting. She was not that far away. It was not even projecting.

Ram was close.

She was too close to the point that I can feel her breath and she can feel mine, gazing up at the beautiful face of the girl opposite him, they were surrounded by her voice. Blanketed in it.

She had, without words, without hurtful abuse, shown clear hate in her voice.

Woman: "What's so――"

Funny, and then.

The question seeking an answer was expected again, but suddenly faded away like mist.

Woman: "――Guh."

Tilted, the face of the girl in front of them suddenly tilted to the left.

Like that, her leaning body could not rise back. Her posture collapsed, and that girl's body crumpled onto the white snow. Of course, as the thin arm formerly wrapped around his neck had also come loose, their path to suffocation had ended halfway through.

???: "――Geh, ah."

Coughing, the bitter taste of blood ascended their neck.

Collapsing lungs inflated before receding again, sending much-needed oxygen through their body in turn. That was also a reflex, from survival instinct. A proper human being would not just refuse to breathe and die.

Questions like whether that would be something a proper person would do or not, were something they did not wish to discuss, at this juncture.

The feelings that had been present within their heart up to this moment, that of resigning oneself to death, now faded away.

They had been replaced with a desire to live dubbed oxygen, an obsessive desire that could not be let go. Frantically, earnestly, they greedily coveted more to the point of looking pathetic.

――Clackclack, clackclack, such were the sounds of trembling mismatched teeth striking.

Whether it was the cold, or the strong melancholy in their heart that was the culprit, they did not know.

In this situation, rather than worrying about the anomaly of their body, instead they could not take their eyes off the girl in front of him.

Woman: "――Em."

Even fallen over in the snow, with half her face buried in it, she still looked beautiful.

It seemed that unquenchable hate and fury was inflaming that slender body and keeping it alive. Covered in wounds to such an extent, it was a strange situation that the girl yet survived.

???: "――――"

Countless corpses were lying around them and the girl, in that pure-white snowscape.

Those beasts that consumed life, indulged in it, and destroyed the soul, before the wind of this girl had all turned to corpses. So, in this place, the survivors amounted to only two. Himself and the girl, only two.

That, too, in a moment, could immediately become one, become zero.

???: "――――"

What is it, so the girl delicately mumbled as they slowly stood beside her.

The fingers on both his hands were numb due to the frost, having taken a dark-red coloration. With body temperature having dropped immensely, there was no feeling remaining in the cold fingers. Weak itching was the only evidence that the fingers were still attached to the their body.

'She got tired'

Within his weary mind, Tanaka reflected on the scene before him, , his thoughts a whispered admission of the exhaustion weighing heavily upon him. Each labored breath was a struggle.

'Roswaal and Emilia should be searching for us, they will find her'

Despite them being the victims, despite being unjustly judged as the culprits...

Tanaka truly felt sorry for Ram, loosing your sibling, let alone your twin sister, a person that you grew up and was practically your other half, was something he could never try to image.

And neither should he.

'I'm.. sorry.'

That apology was more like out of petty rather than the feeling that he did something wrong.

'We should go....'

If Subaru were to leave now, perhaps the haunting vision would cease, dissolving into the ether like a fleeting dream. It was a fleeting hope, born of desperation and uncertainty.

But deep down, Tanaka couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

No, there was definitely something wrong.

After all, they were still staring at Ram's body laying on the snow. Her lifeless form laying before them, a silent testament to the horrors they had witnessed.

Trembling fingers clenched around a stone, its weight akin to a human skull. Tanaka's gaze flickered between the makeshift weapon and the prone figure of the fallen girl.

'Subaru?'

His gaze was switching between the stone in his hand and the collapsed girl.

'No! What are you doing!? Stop!'

Tanaka's internal turmoil erupted into a silent scream, his mind a cacophony of frantic protests. If only he could vocalize his terror, if only he could wrench control from the cruel whims of fate.

"STOPPPPP!!!!"

His silent cry reverberated with the impact, a futile attempt to halt the unfolding calamity. The sickening sound of impact shattered the stillness, echoing through the snow-blanketed expanse with haunting finality.

――The sound of something hitting something hard, in the snow-blanketed forest slowly, slowly echoed.

It echoed.

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The forest loomed large around us, its ancient trees casting long shadows that seemed to dance in the dim light filtering through the canopy. I staggered forward, the weight of Ram's unconscious body draped heavily over my shoulders, each step a struggle against the gnawing exhaustion that threatened to consume me.

'I feel sick...'

Tanaka's inner voice echoed.

Earlier, in a moment of madness, Subaru had used a rock to damage Ram's limbs—a senseless act born of desperation and fear. Tanaka didn't know why he had done it, and truth be told, probably neither did he. Was it to prevent her from attacking him? If that's the case why did he bother bringing her along?

As they pressed forward, driven by a desperate need to escape, they kept encountering the corpses of dead beasts, which were most likely taken out by Ram during her rampage.

"...Sssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

"What was that?"

Subaru gasped, his voice echoing through the silent woods as he heard the rustling of bushes. His eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for any sign of danger amidst the dim shadows.

Suddenly, a powerful force slammed into them, causing them to drop Ram and sending them sprawling to the forest floor in a tangled heap of limbs and pain. Tanaka's heart pounded in my chest as they struggled to regain their bearings, the world spinning around me in a dizzying blur. 

I turned my head back to see what bumped into me.

That's when I saw them.

Looking just like the piles of corpses they saw earlier littering the forest floor like macabre monuments.

They looked like hyenas, but much larger, their terrifying eyes looking at them like helpless preys. Tanaka's thoughts kept racing, his silent questions a haunting refrain amidst the chaos.

"What's the point of all this?" 

His body tumbling in a chaotic whirlwind of panic and confusion. It was then that he realized the true extent of their peril— They were completely surrounded by wild beasts, their snarls and growls filling the air like a symphony of death.

"Don't come close!" Subaru shouted, his voice trembling with fear as he struggled to lift Ram's limp form from the ground. But it was futile, my exhaustion weighing me down like an anchor amidst the storm.

The beasts were upon us in an instant, their feral eyes gleaming with hunger as they closed in for the kill. The beasts were upon them in an instant, their snarls and growls filling the air as they descended upon Subaru with savage ferocity.

He screamed..

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

They screamed in agony as their razor-sharp teeth tore into his flesh, each bite sending waves of searing pain through his body.

Amidst the chaos, Subaru's gaze fell upon Ram, collapsed on the ground nearby, her still form a stark contrast to the carnage unfolding around her. In a final act of desperation, Subaru stretched out his hand towards her, driven by a primal instinct he couldn't understand.

In a final act of desperation, Subaru reached out towards her, his hand trembling with unspoken emotion. Was it a plea for forgiveness, or simply a desperate grasp at redemption? Before the truth could be revealed, a savage beast lunged forward, its razor-sharp teeth sinking into Subaru's neck.

But before he could reach her, a beast lunged forward and sunk its teeth into his neck, cutting off his scream with a sickening crunch. Darkness closed in around him as the world faded to black, leaving nothing behind but the echoes of his final, desperate plea for salvation.

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As consciousness slowly seeped back into Tanaka's mind, he was met with a disorienting sense of dislocation. The chill of the snow against his skin lingered, a cruel reminder of the harrowing ordeal he had just endured.

It was time for him to wake up, but he felt something weird, the cold feeling of the snow touching his body covered him earlier, was still imbibed in his skin. 

"Ha! Ha!" Panting heavily, Subaru struggled to comprehend his surroundings, each breath felt like a laborious struggle.

"What is this?" Tanaka's voice echoed in the recesses of Subaru's mind, a faint whisper of uncertainty amidst the swirling chaos.

"This means that I can't go back there anymore, huh?" Subaru's voice was hollow, devoid of its usual fire and determination.

The realization of his predicament settled over him like a suffocating shroud.

'No! No! No! GET ME OUT!' Panic and despair surged through his mind like a raging tempest, threatening to engulf him in its dark embrace.

Why was he not awake? Why was he still trapped in this nightmarish limbo?

Wasn't death supposed to be the key for this to end? 

"Let's go Ram..." With a heavy heart, Subaru addressed the unconscious girl, his voice tinged with resignation as he gathered her limp form in his arms. He cast a longing glance towards the forest, his mind still reeling from the gruesome death that had befallen them.

"Not that way I guess.." His words hung in the air, empty and devoid of hope, a stark reminder of the hopelessness of their situation.

Madness gripped Tanaka's mind, a maddening spiral of confusion and despair as he struggled to make sense of the nightmare that had become his reality.

Subaru forged ahead, his steps faltering as he veered off the beaten path, each footfall was a testament to his desperation, a desperate bid for escape from the horrors that lurked in the shadows.

But still, he pressed forward, his determination driving him ever onward into the unknown. The forest seemed to stretch out endlessly before him.

As he kept walking, the earth beneath him suddenly began to tremble, sending shockwaves of fear coursing through his veins.

"What was that?" Subaru's voice trembled with uncertainty as he scanned the surroundings for any sign of danger.

Badum Badum

"An earthquake?" The ground shook violently beneath his feet, the rhythmic pulsing of the tremors sending waves of panic through his already frayed nerves.

No, that couldn't be right. The earth shaking wasn't consistent—it was more like a series of waves crashing against the shore, each one more violent than the last.

Subaru's heart pounded in his chest as he listened to the rustling of bushes and leaves, the telltale signs of an unseen threat lurking.

And then, like a jump scare from a horror movie, a hyena-like beast leaped out from the underbrush, its predatory gaze fixed upon Subaru with unmistakable hostility.

Subaru tensed at the sight of the monster, his muscles coiled like a spring as he braced himself for the inevitable attack.

"Bastard!" he shouted, his voice filled with defiance as he prepared to face his foe head-on.

But before the beast could launch its assault, a blazing fireball streaked down from the sky, engulfing the creature in a blazing inferno.

Startled, Subaru stumbled backward, his eyes wide with shock as he watched the scene unfold before him.

"Roswaal!" Subaru's voice cracked, mixed with awe and desperation as he watched the enigmatic mage approach, his heart sinking with a sense of resignation.

"Ugh!"

But before Subaru could utter another word, Roswaal's fist lashed out with terrifying force, striking Subaru square in the chest with a sickening thud.

Why is this happening?

Please stop this.

It doesn't matter who...

Someone, someone, someone, someone...

Anyone...

Tanaka, "Come out... Please, please... Help me... Help me!!"

Agony exploded through Subaru's body as he crumpled to the ground, his vision swimming with darkness as the world spun around him. Blood poured from the wound in his chest, pooling beneath him in a macabre tableau of pain and despair.

With a rasping breath, Subaru's world faded to black, leaving nothing behind but the echoes of his final, desperate plea for salvation.

As Subaru lay bleeding on the forest floor, his consciousness slipping away with each passing moment, Roswaal's voice cut through the silence like a knife. "Such a pity," he murmured, his tone tinged with regret as he stooped to lift Ram's unconscious form from the ground.

With a graceful motion, Roswaal took to the air, his cloak billowing behind him as he soared through the sky. With Ram cradled in his arms, he vanished, leaving Subaru behind to succumb to the cold embrace of death.

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Subaru trudged through the darkness of the cave, his weary limbs protesting with every step. It had been a month counting the loops since he'd sought refuge in this desolate cavern, a week spent in seclusion and hiding from the dangers that lurked outside. The memory of his repeated deaths weighed heavily on his mind, each one a stark reminder of the perilous nature of his existence in this unfamiliar world.

So far, Subaru has died for a total of 7 times, he got killed twice by the beasts and 5 times by the hands of Roswaal, the sounds of the fire explosions echoed without any stop for the first week, but after that it seemed like he retreated back to the mansion.

"We have to keep moving," Subaru whispered, his voice barely audible in the dim confines of the cave. "I can't stay here forever."

Tanaka's mental state was a tumultuous sea of conflicting emotions. Trapped within Subaru's consciousness, he was forced to bear witness to his struggles, his own thoughts and feelings a chaotic whirlwind of fear, despair, and uncertainty.

And as the days stretched on and the darkness threatened to consume him.

Gathering his strength, Subaru hoisted Ram onto his shoulders once more and pressed onward, Each step was a struggle, his muscles protesting with every movement, but he refused to relent. He had to keep going, for Ram's sake if not his own.

And then, just when he thought he could go no further, salvation appeared on the horizon in the form of a distant carriage approaching along the winding road. Subaru's heart leaped with hope at the sight, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten as he watched the vehicle draw nearer and nearer.

As the carriage came to a halt before him, Subaru felt a surge of nervous energy coursing through his veins. He knew he had to seize this opportunity, no matter the risks involved.

The merchant peered out from the window of the carriage, his weathered face bearing the traces of a lifetime spent on the road. His eyes widened in surprise as he took in the sight of Subaru and Ram, their battered forms a testament to the trials they had faced.

"Are you in need of assistance, young man?" the merchant asked, his voice tinged with concern.

Subaru hesitated, his mind awash with conflicting emotions.

"Sorry I don't have mone..."

Before he could voice his concerns, the merchant spoke again, his voice laced with understanding. "It's fine, you don't have to pay me anything."

Reluctantly, Subaru accepted the offer, his heart heavy with gratitude for the stranger's kindness. Together, they embarked on their journey, the carriage rattling along the winding roads as they made their way towards the bustling metropolis of the capital.

"What happened to your neck, boy?" the merchant's inquiry drew Subaru's attention to the crimson mark marring his skin.

Subaru flinched, fingers instinctively reaching to conceal the blemish. "It's nothing," he muttered, though the memory of fire and pain still lingered like a phantom ache.

Despite a week passing in this loop, he still felt a burning sensation.

The merchant nodded, "Well, It's fine if you don't want to tell me. In any case, here take these." he said, tossing a blanket and a scarf in Subaru's direction.

Given the fact he gave his sweater to Ram, Subaru seemed to be dressed very lightly considering the cold weather.

Due to the his sudden action, Subaru caught the items but was momentarily frozen. Afterwards, he wore the scarf with a grateful nod, however his fingers trembled slightly as he wrapped the blanket around Ram's unconscious form.

"Don't just give it to her," the merchant's voice held a note of admonishment, "the blanket is big enough for both of you."

Subaru hesitated, his gaze flickering between the merchant and the blanket in his hands, "She is just a friend, I'd like to have a personal space." He replied lamely.

The merchant raised an eyebrow, his expression bordering. "Well, if you don't warm yourself quickly, you will have your personal space in a coffin."

"I'm fine..."

"Agh, kids these days are stubborn." He quipped, tossing another blanket in Subaru's direction.

"T-Thanks.." Subaru muttered a word of thanks, his mind racing with a thousand thoughts and worries.

As they traveled, the merchant's curiosity got the better of him, prompting him to inquire about Subaru's battered appearance and the unconscious girl at his side.

Subaru is sitting beside Rem trying to cover her body with his sweater so he can hide her body.

This is the merchant speaking, "But how did you end up in that mess, you are all cover up with wounds, the same goes for that girl there." 

Subaru's response was guarded, his words carefully chosen as he tried to think of an excuse, "We are travelers, we... We were attacked by some kind of wild dogs. We barely managed to escape."

The merchant nodded, seemingly satisfied with Subaru's explanation., "Heh, wild dogs huh? That's a cute name for Wolgarms, I see... That's explains your state, a pack of Wolgarms attacked the Arlam village last night and it seemed that there were casualties when I passed there, the lord of that territory will have to face the repercussions of that incident."

"repercussions?"

"Well yeah of course, when the people of a domain suffer any losses, it's lord is held liable.")

Subaru nodded, his expression grim as he thought back on their harrowing escape. But as the conversation turned to their destination, Subaru's anxiety threatened to overwhelm him.

"Anyway, where are you planning to go?"

"The capital," he said at last, his voice barely above a whisper. "Please, take us to the capital."

"The capital?! It will take a whole day to get there kid, and I think you and that girl should get treated as soon as possible. Listen, the village I mentioned before is a couple of hours away, I can turn behind..."

But Subaru shook his head, his gaze fixed on the horizon with a haunted expression. "No," he said firmly. "I don't want to go there."

The merchant looked at Subaru with concern, but he said nothing more.

 With a heavy sigh, he turned his attention back to the road ahead, "I will have to get there faster I guess." 

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"Take this boy, it's not much but it should be enough to get treat your mild injuries and a cheap inn to stay for a couple of days."

"Thank you so much, sir, for your kindness," Subaru murmured, his voice barely above a whisper as he watched the carriage vanish into the distance. With a heavy heart, he turned his gaze towards the chaos of the city, uncertain of what lay ahead.

Lost in thought, Subaru wandered through the crowded streets, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The sights and sounds of the capital assaulted his senses, overwhelming him with their intensity as he struggled to make sense of his surroundings.

Suddenly, a cry pierced through the clamor of the city.

—a father's anguished wail as he cradled the lifeless body of his son in his arms.

"Son! Open your eyes," the father sobbed, his voice choked with grief. "How could this happen? Someone, please call a doctor!"

Subaru's gaze followed a man's trembling hand to the still form of his son, he saw the lifeless body of a young child, no more than six years old. The child's features were peaceful, his eyes closed in eternal slumber as his father's desperate cries echoed through the streets.

Subaru wasn't focusing, so he didn't know exactly what happened. But how that kid died was evident, it was a carriage accident.

The father, dressed in luxurious clothes that spoke of his noble lineage, wept openly for his lost son, his grief raw and unbridled.

'This world is sick.'

For the first time in weeks, Tanaka, visibly exhausted, showed a reaction, he was truly exhausted mentally, he felt like this is something that he should comment on. 

Through out his whole life, Tanaka have only witnessed one relative passing away whom was his grandfather and that happened when he was a child which left a deep impact on him back then. However within less than a month in this world, he had witnessed death countless times.

Death is tragic event that most people should not encounter often their his lifetime, be it their own death or the death of other. Yet in this world, it kept happening frequently. As if it was regarded in as something trivial, it made him sick.

Seemingly, Subaru shared the same view as he he stood frozen in shock, his fists clenched in impotent rage, he felt a wave of anger and despair wash over him. This world, with its gleaming towers and fantasies, was in reality a harsh and unforgiving place. 

Gathering his resolve, Subaru hoisted Ram onto his shoulders once more and set off into the labyrinthine streets of the capital.

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Subaru had reached the deepest part of the slums― He was standing before the imposing loot house. The sun had already declined quite a bit and it was now evening. 

"F-Finally found it… That took way too long, damn it."

After weighting his choices, Subaru came to a decision. Relying on the knight or Reinhard would be a bit problematic considering the fact that the person he's dealing with is Roswaal. 

Therefor, the only choice left for him is to rely on Old man Rom and Felt, he can't stay there for too long but they will probably allow him to stay there for a couple of days, or at the very least until he gathered his thoughts.

Anyhow, being unable to read any sort of signage had proven to be quite the obstacle for him. In addition, it has been a while since he came here.

The capital had very similar looking streets, and Subaru who was unfamiliar with the area could not even rely on the names of shops or places to guide him.

In the end, he had no choice but to brute force it while referring to his memories.

He had spent almost two hours carrying Ram around his back until he finally found the place, but...

"I'm retarded! I'm definitely retarded..."

It could be because a lot of things have happened but he completely had forgotten. 

Suddenly, a memory flashed through his mind—a memory of Reinhard's battle with Elsa, and the destruction that had ensued. The loot house had been obliterated in the chaos, along with any hope of someone living there, not only that but Reinhard also took Felt with him.

"What am I going to do now and the sun is almost out? I'm so stupid..."

As Subaru kept cursing himself for his stupidity, he sensed a large shadow covering him from behind.

"Been a while since since I have seen you. What are ya doing here?" Hearing the familiar voice that was seemingly calling out for him, his gruff tone masking a hint of curiosity.

Subaru turned to see the burly figure of Old Man Rom standing before him, his bald head gleaming in the fading light of the setting sun.

"Old Man Rom!"

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Night descended, casting long, eerie shadows across the rubble of the destroyed warehouse where Subaru and Old Man Rom sat by a crackling fire. The flames flickered in the darkness, their light dancing over the worn, weathered faces of the two men.

"I still come here to spend the night, even though it's destroyed," Old Man Rom rumbled, his voice deep and resonant like distant thunder. "Well, I can't complain since I survived thanks to ya. Anyway, what have ya been up to?"

"A lot has happened…" Subaru's voice trailed off, his mind drifting to the myriad trials he had faced in the past days. It felt like a lifetime had passed since his last encounter with the giant old man. Each day had been filled with danger and uncertainty, leaving Subaru feeling as though he had aged years in the span of just ten days.

"By the way, boy, do ya know where Felt went off to?" Old Man Rom's question pulled Subaru from his reverie, bringing his attention back to the present.

"You didn't hear? Apparently, Reinhard took her away," Subaru replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Old Man Rom's brow furrowed at the mention of Reinhard's name, his lips moving in silent contemplation. "Reinhard… From all people, it had to be Van Astrea, eh?"

"Is something wrong?" Subaru asked, sensing the tension in the air.

"No, nothing. Anyway, boy, ya can stay here as long as you don't cause any trouble," Old Man Rom replied gruffly, his expression softening slightly.

"Really? Thank you, Old Man Rom, you're a lifesaver," Subaru exclaimed, relief flooding through him at the prospect of having a safe place to stay.

As Subaru glanced at the pink-haired girl sleeping soundly beside him, Old Man Rom's curiosity was piqued.

"By the way, who's that girl with ya? Aren't ya with the half-elf anymore?"

Subaru hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. "As I said, a lot has happened…" he began, choosing his words carefully. "She's a friend of mine. We had an accident, and I'm going to take her to someone to treat her tomorrow."

He could have gone to find treatment today, but he needed to ensure they had a safe place to sleep for the night. Subaru glanced at Ram again, feeling a pang of worry. For the past week, she hadn't opened her eyes at all. She was breathing, and she had a pulse, and he had made sure she ate and drank whatever he could find, but he needed to find someone to treat her and use the money given to him by the merchant.

Even he didn't fully understand why he had carried Ram all the way to the capital. Subaru glanced at Ram one last time, her peaceful expression a stark contrast to the state she was in when they were still in the Al Mathers estate.

With a deep, weary sigh, Subaru lay down on the rough ground, the crackling of the fire a soothing sound in the darkness.

___

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_______

_________

As Subaru returned from the capital, the weight of the day's events hung heavy upon his shoulders. He had left Ram at the infirmary, hoping that she would receive the care she so desperately needed, but the thought of her lying there alone filled him with a sense of unease.

Upon arriving back at the makeshift campsite, Subaru called out for Old Man Rom, but there was no response. He frowned, puzzled by the absence of his gruff but reliable friend. Perhaps Rom was out gathering supplies or tending to other tasks—he had been coming and going more frequently lately, after all.

Sighing heavily, Subaru sank down onto a nearby log, the weariness of the day settling over him like a heavy blanket. Thoughts of the future swirled through his mind, each one more uncertain than the last.

"I think I should leave Ram there," Subaru murmured to himself, his voice barely above a whisper. Carrying her around was meaningless, he reasoned—it would only worsen her condition. And even if she did wake up, what could he possibly do for her then?

As he contemplated his next move, Subaru's hand drifted unconsciously to his neck, where the angry red marks still burned. It was a stark reminder of Ram's hatred towards him, the visceral memory of her hands closing around his throat flooding back with painful clarity.

"Alright, I will just leave the capital tomorrow and later think about what to do," Subaru muttered aloud, his words echoing in the quiet of the night. By "what to do," he meant finding another city to live in or perhaps seeking out some kind of employment to sustain himself.

"Ara, where are you leaving without even greeting me?" The words hung in the air like a dark omen, chilling Subaru to the core.

Slowly, hesitantly, he turned his head to the left, the source of the voice looming before him like a specter from his worst nightmares. His breath caught in his throat as he laid eyes on the figure standing before him—a figure cloaked in darkness, her features obscured by the shadows of the night.

"Els…" Subaru's voice was barely a whisper, his heart pounding in his chest like a drumbeat of impending doom. He staggered to his feet, his legs trembling beneath him, but before he could even take a step, agony lanced through his abdomen like a searing hot poker.

With a gasp of pain, Subaru collapsed to the ground, his body wracked with agony. He clutched at his stomach, his fingers coming away slick with blood, the metallic tang of it staining the air.

How? Why was Elsa here? The questions raced through Subaru's mind in a whirlwind of confusion and fear, but there was no time to ponder them. Elsa's presence could mean only one thing—a swift and merciless death.

Summoning every last ounce of strength he possessed, Subaru managed to choke out a single question, his voice strained and desperate. "What… are you doing here?"

But Elsa's response was cold and cruel, devoid of any hint of mercy. "I told you, didn't I? That I will come for your bowel one day…"

Before Subaru could even comprehend her words, agony exploded through him once more as Elsa plunged her dagger into his stomach with a savage thrust.

And then, darkness claimed him, his vision fading into blackness as the cold embrace of death enveloped him once more.

*********************************************************************************************************

After enduring fifty deaths at the hands of Elsa and other perils in the capital, Subaru found himself wearied and numb to the relentless cycle of life and death that plagued him. As he watched the scenes unfold before him—the bustling streets, the colorful array of demi-humans, the mundane activities of everyday life—he felt a sense of detachment wash over him, like a ghost observing the world of the living.

But then, amidst the chaos of the city, he witnessed a scene that was imprinted into his memory—a young child, oblivious to the dangers around him, wandering into the path of an oncoming carriage which would inevitably lead to his death.

This time, however, something stirred within him—no one could say that it was merely a whim. Without hesitation, Subaru dropped Ram and rushed towards the child, his movements fueled by a desperate need to make some sort of difference.

In a blur of motion, he reached the child just in time, pulling him out of harm's way with a strength born of sheer willpower. The sound of screeching brakes filled the air as the carriage came to a sudden halt, the driver shouting in alarm as Subaru and the child tumbled to safety.

"Thank you so much, thank you for saving my son!" The father, tears of relief streaming down his face, hugged the boy tightly.

Subaru, panting and bleeding, managed to respond vaguely. "It's nothing," he muttered, clutching his injured shoulder where his jacket was torn and blood seeped through the fabric.

"You're injured!" The father's eyes widened as he noticed the blood.

"It's nothing. I'm fine," Subaru repeated, though his voice was strained and lifeless. However, the pain was real and sharp.

The father called out, "Eldrick, come help this young man!" A young man in his late twenties, with green hair and a concerned look on his face, hurried over. He gently lifted Subaru from the ground.

"Can you stand up?" Eldrick asked, his voice kind but firm.

Subaru winced but nodded, allowing the servant to support him. The father, still holding his son, turned to Subaru with gratitude. "You saved my son. Please, allow me to repay your kindness. My estate isn't far from the capital."

Subaru, too exhausted to refuse, simply pointed to Ram, who lay unconscious on the ground where he had left her. "My friend…"

The father and Eldrick turned their attention to the pink-haired girl laying on the ground.

********************************************************************************************************* The dining room was bathed in a warm, inviting glow as the family gathered around the table for their evening meal. Two weeks had passed since Subaru had found refuge in this household.

Seated at the head of the table was the father who's name was Theodore Belmont, a genial man with a twinkle in his eye and a welcoming smile. His son sat opposite him, a lively child whose laughter filled the room with joy.

"And then, big brother, I caught the biggest a frog in the pond today! I wanted to show it to you but Eldrick told me to throw it away." the boy exclaimed excitedly but followed with a hinge disappointment.

Subaru chuckled warmly, he smiled as he patted the boy's head affectionately. "That's amazing! It's a shame I didn't see it."

"That's enough Jamie, you shouldn't bother Sir. Natsuki. Well then, it's time we addressed the matter at hand," he announced, his tone shifting to a more serious demeanor. "Your friend, Subaru, is her condition getting any better?"

Subaru's smile faded slightly as he turned his attention back to Lord Belmont, the previous lightness of the conversation replaced by a more solemn tone.

"She hasn't woken up yet, it's frankly scarry since that was her state for three weeks."

"Her physical condition should be stable, but apparently the issue is connected to her gate," the father explained, his tone thoughtful. "I've already contacted someone who's the best in that field, and he said he'll examine her. If he's the one who will look after her, she should be okay."

Subaru nodded, "I see, thank you so much, sir," he replied earnestly.

"In any case, Lord Belmont, I really think that I've overextended my stay here."

"Nonsense," Lord Belmont dismissed with a wave of his hand. "You are my son's savior. Besides, he's really fond of you."

Subaru smiled appreciatively, but he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the back of his mind. "I appreciate your kind words, however, it doesn't feel right for me to stay here freeloading and doing nothing."

Once again, Lord Belmont waved off his concerns. "Again, you are worrying over trivial matters. Besides, didn't you say that you have nowhere to go? If it's bothering you, then I can hire you as a butler if you want."

Subaru hesitated, his mind flashing back to memories of his time as a butler in Roswaal's mansion and the bitter end that had awaited him there. "I don't think that's a good idea, Lord Belmont," he admitted reluctantly. "See, I've never worked before."

"Don't worry, don't worry," he reassured with a chuckle. "Eldrick will guide you. Come on, at least give it a try for a couple of days, and if you don't like it, you can quit."

Despite his reservations, Subaru found himself unable to refuse his persistent offer. And as the meal drew to a close, he couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the warmth and kindness he had found in this unexpected haven.

_____

________

___________

_____________

"phew!"

Subaru wiped the sweat from his forehead, his movements sluggish after a long day of serving as a butler for the esteemed Belmont household. Three days had passed since he started his employment here, and eighteen days since he first arrived as a guest in this territory.

"Good work today as well, Subaru-Kun. You are picking up things fast."

"Thank you Eldrick-San.."

"You don't have to be so formal, Eldrick is enough." 

Subaru forced a smile in response and then headed to his room, though his mind was already occupied with thoughts of departure. Tomorrow, he resolved, he would inform Lord Belmont of his intention to leave.

It wasn't that he found this place uncomfortable.

Quite the contrary, the household was welcoming, and the work was manageable. But Subaru had made up his mind long ago—he couldn't bear to be around when Ram finally woke up.

'I WILL KILL YOU!'

The memory of her screams, full of venomous hatred, sent shivers down his spine. As he laid down on the bed, lost in contemplation, he was startled by a sudden voice.

[???]: "I finally founnnd you."

That tongue... That way of speaking... 

It can't be..

He wanted to deny it's presence but he couldn't, not when he followed it's source.

And there he was. 

A rather tall man standing at 186 centimeters, his well-toned body is slender and appeared delicate despite its impressive musculature. A handsome face is ghastly pale which gives him the impression of a classic pretty boy. However, his physical beauty is somewhat concealed by his peculiar makeup and getup.

"Roswaal?! W-What are you doing here?" Subaru's voice was cautious and angry.

"Oya, you sound awfully angryyyy. Shouldn't it be backwards? You killed one of my maids and kidnaaaaapped the other. Besides, it took quiiiiiiiite the effort to find you, you know that, right?"

"I didn't kill anyone, it wasn't me you bastard!!"

"You saaay that but then, for what reason you raaaaan all the way here while taking Ram with you."

"That's because... All of you were trying to kill me!"

Either way, how did he even find him? As he said, Subaru was far away the Roswaal mansion and he shouldn't have been able to track him as he traveled through multiple carriages.

Then a voice squeezed through the tense atmosphere. It was Lord Belmont. "I did as you said, Margrave-Sama. I made him stay here until you came."

"Yes, you did well. I will make sure to reward you generously..."

"Lord Belmont, why? How could you.."

"Lord Belmont, why? How could you..." Subaru's voice cracked, the words laden with a mixture of betrayal and disbelief. The warmth and kindness he had experienced in this household now felt like a cruel mockery.

His heart felt heavy, weighted down by the crushing realization that all the time he had spent here, all the warmth and kindness, were nothing but a facade. He felt a wave of nausea rise up, almost choking him. The meals shared, the smiles exchanged, the genuine moments of laughter—they were nothing but lies. Every kind word and gesture was part of a deceitful act. He felt sick.

"I think thaaaaaaaat's enough chitchat.." Roswaal declared abruptly, before disappearing and reappearing in an instant.

With a swift and brutal kick, Roswaal severed Subaru's leg, causing him to scream in agonizing pain as he collapsed to the ground.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA."

Amidst Subaru's anguished cries, Roswaal continued to speak, his tone casual yet menacing. "Even the assassin I hired couldn't find your trace whatsoever. To think you made it all the way to the Belmont estate."

"Ass-Assassin?" Subaru choked out, struggling to speak through the searing pain.

"Ah, you already met her before. I was the one who hired her to purchase the insignia. But now you serve no purpose."

"Elsa?" Subaru gasped, confusion and horror etched across his face.

'Huh?'

How? Why? He had hired Elsa to steal the insignia from Emilia? Why? Wasn't he her sponsor? It didn't make any sense.

Subaru's thoughts raced, a whirlwind of disbelief and fear, his mind struggled in vain to piece together the twisted puzzle.

Roswaal raised his fist, ready to deliver the final blow. Desperation surged through Subaru, and he managed to utter one word, filled with all the bitterness and rage he felt. "Die...."

Roswaal's fist descended, blood splashed all over the room, and darkness swallowed Subaru, his consciousness fading into the void.

*********************************************************************************************************

As Subaru's consciousness snapped back to the moment of his return, he felt the weight of time crashing down upon him like a tidal wave. He collapsed to his knees, the sudden disorientation leaving him gasping for air, his body racked with violent coughs.

"Are you okay, Natsuki-Kun!?" Lord Belmont's voice rang out, laced with genuine concern.

But to Subaru, it sounded like nothing more than hollow words spoken by a traitor.

Subaru's mind churned with a whirlwind of emotions—disgust, anger, and a seething desire for vengeance. Lord Belmont, the man who had welcomed him with open arms, was the very same person who had betrayed him, selling him out to Roswaal and sealing his fate.

With each shallow breath, Subaru's contempt for Lord Belmont grew, the facade of kindness and concern masking his true nature.

'Disgusting...'

The memory of their interactions replayed in Subaru's mind like a twisted nightmare, every smile, every gesture, now tainted by the knowledge of Lord Belmont's treachery.

"Shall I call a doctor?" Eldrick's voice broke through Subaru's thoughts.

But Subaru waved him off weakly, his body trembling with exhaustion and rage. "I-I'm fine," Subaru managed to choke out between coughs, though his voice wavered with the weight of his emotions.

Inside, Subaru's thoughts echoed with a single word—a silent vow of retribution, whispered like a curse against those who had wronged him.

'Die...'

"Don't be stubborn! First help him get up Eldrick." 

But even as Subaru struggled to compose himself, Sebastian moved to help him up, his intentions genuine but misguided.

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, 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, 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, Die, Die, Die, Die, Die, Die, Die, Die, Die, Die, Die, Die, Die, Die.

With a sudden surge of anger, Subaru lashed out, his voice ringing with fury. "Don't touch me!" he snapped, his words cutting through the air like a whip.

Sebastian recoiled, taken aback by Subaru's outburst, but Lord Belmont intervened, his voice calm yet firm.

"What the hell is with that attitude!"

"That's enough Eldrick!" Lord Belmont declared.

"But!"

"It's fine, he must be exhausted. First let him rest."

----

-----

------

As Lord Belmont and Sebastian left him alone in his room, Subaru's mind churned. He felt an unbearable amount of disgust towards them which was soon redirected towards another person. 

Roswaal probably sent a message to a bunch of nobles and figures in the capital to inform him in case they found someone who fits Subaru's description. That probably wasn't difficult since he stood out with his foreign looks and given the fact that he was carrying a cute pink headed maid throughout the city.

"Wait a second.."

His previous interaction made temporarily forget about the most most important information during the previous loop.

"Elsa! Roswaal was the one who hired Elsa?" 

And their cooperation apparently did just start recently.

From what he implied, he was also the one he hired her to steal the insignia from Emilia in the capital.

Why? Wasn't Roswaal supposed to be her sponsor? And yet, he ordered her Insignia to be stolen? 

It doesn't make any sense.

"Wait, isn't this my chance?"

It didn't matter whether his actions made sense or not. What's important is that he isn't someone Emilia should trust.

He manipulated her and putted her life in danger, not only that but he actually caused her death in the first loop.

"I have to warn her..."

Determination flared in Subaru's eyes. He left his room and headed toward Lord Belmont's office, bursting in without knocking. Lord Belmont and Eldrick looked up, surprised by his sudden intrusion. Eldrick's face twisted in anger. "You! What do you think you're doing, barging in like this to Belmont-Sama's office?"

Subaru bowed deeply, his voice ringing out with genuine contrition. "I'm so sorry for my rude behavior earlier!" His words were a stark contrast to the turmoil raging within him, but his eyes were filled with a steely resolve. He had to protect Emilia, no matter the cost.

*********************************************************************************************************

Lord Belmont sat behind his mahogany desk, the soft glow of the afternoon sun casting warm hues across the room. His office, adorned with shelves of ancient books and relics, exuded an air of authority.

"Enter," Lord Belmont commanded.

Eldrick stepped inside, his expression serious. "My lord, the margrave has arrived."

Lord Belmont nodded, setting aside the document he was perusing. "I will be right there. And Eldrick," he paused, looking up with a thoughtful expression, "By the way, where's Subaru-Kun?"

Eldrick hesitated before replying, "He didn't work today because he was sick. He hasn't left his room."

Eldrick bowed and left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

One week ago, Theodor Belmont received a letter from the Al Mathers estate, stating that the Margrave mansion was attacked and one of his maids was kidnapped. Roswaal Al Mathers then sent letters to the nobles in the capital describing the culprit's appearance and urging them to inform him in case they found a person who matches the description. 

Lord Belmont took a deep breath, straightening his vest before making his way out of the office.

As he stepped into the hallway, Roswaal's distinctive voice greeted him. "Ah, Lord Belmont, there you are."

"Margrave-Sama," Lord Belmont acknowledged with a polite nod.

Roswaal's painted lips curved into a smile, his eyes gleaming with a mix of mischief and intent. "I would like to check on my maid."

"Of course," Lord Belmont replied, gesturing for Roswaal to follow him. They walked down the opulent corridors, their footsteps muffled by the plush carpets. Finally, they reached the guest room where Ram was resting.

Lord Belmont opened the door gently and stepped aside to allow Roswaal to enter first. The room was serene, bathed in the soft light of the setting sun. Ram lay peacefully on the bed, her delicate features serene and her short pink hair fanning out over the pillow. Her skin was pale, almost ethereal, and she seemed to be in a deep, undisturbed slumber. The gentle rise and fall of her chest were the only signs of life, her breath steady and calm.

Roswaal approached the bed, his gaze lingering on her for a moment, she must have exhausted her mana on that day and hasn't been replenished due to her horn condition. It's no wonder she remained unconscious, Roswaal then turned to Lord Belmont, "Thank you for looking after her."

Lord Belmont nodded, his expression respectful. "It's no trouble at all."

Roswaal's eyes flickered with a hidden emotion, but he simply shook his head. "That will be all for now, for the time being show me the way to that person's Room"

"Of course," Lord Belmont replied.

As they walked through the winding corridors, the atmosphere grew tense. Lord Belmont could feel Roswaal's presence behind him, a palpable force that made the air seem thicker. They reached Subaru's room, and with a steady hand, Lord Belmont slowly pushed open the door.

The room was empty.

Lord Belmont's eyes widened in shock. "Eldrick!" he called out, his voice tight with urgency.

Eldrick appeared almost instantly, his expression mirroring his lord's confusion. "What is it my lord."

Pointing out towards the empty room, he asked again in a stressed voice, "Where is Subaru?"

"What!? Where did he go? I never saw him exit the room."

Roswaal stepped forward, his gaze sharp and discerning. He pointed to the open window, the curtains fluttering lightly in the breeze. "It seeeeeeeeeems he left through the wiiiiiindow."

Lord Belmont's shock deepened, quickly morphing into fear. Why so sudden? He realized the precarious situation he was now in. The margrave's strength and authority were reason enough to hand over the boy. If Roswaal suspected that he was hiding Subaru, it wouldn't be surprising if he decided to wipe out the entire house.

Swallowing hard, Lord Belmont turned to Roswaal, his voice laced with desperation. "Margrave-Sama, I swear I didn't tell him any—"

Roswaal cut him off with a wave of his hand, his expression surprisingly calm. "Rest assuuuuuuured, I believe you."

In any case, him leaving through the window on the second floor is a testament to his intention to run away.

Lord Belmont's shoulders sagged in relief, but a lingering fear still gnawed at him. Roswaal's non-challan demeanor only added to the tension, making the silence that followed feel heavy and oppressive.

Roswaal muttered to himself, "This could be troublesome."

*********************************************************************************************************

Subaru's experience of riding a dragon carriage was four times—enough to count on one hand.

The first time, he was unconscious when they carried him into the mansion—three times.

Half a day and three hours have passed since they started our journey together.

The sun had set and risen again, illuminating the world brightly in the early morning.

"Hey, after half a day of running... Are we in Mather's territory?"

"Yeah, it's Count Roswaal's mansion. Do you know the place?"

"I have a rough idea. Well, leave it to me."

Responding to Subaru's dependable voice, Otto skillfully manipulated the reins.

Despite being exhausted from several all-nighters, his response carried a strong tone that didn't betray his fatigue.

Regardless, setting aside Subaru's current state, Subaru thought about the reunion he had been avoiding until now, imagining the scene.

Most likely, it wouldn't be easy to be accepted so easily. However, she has to know, returning here. wasn't the wrong decision at all. Nothing at all.

"I came back to do what I have to do."

Justifying his actions to himself, Subaru repeated those magic words over and over again, supporting his resolve with them.

They helped him push away the overwhelming anxiety that threatened to crush him. So Subaru repeated those words, over and over again, holding onto them to support his fragile ego.

With such temporary confidence, Subaru's determination was backed by...

_____

_______

_________

___________

"What's going on? You're not going to tell me that because we entered Mather's territory, the contract is terminated, are you?"

Releasing his collar and sitting on the coachman's seat, Otto bowed deeply, apologizing, "I intended to go along with it. But I can't summon the courage to go any further."

"What are you talking about? Courage has nothing to do with it. We can reach the mansion. The road isn't bad. Please, Otto."

"Even if you ask, I can't do it. I can't accept the reward, either. I'll return half. So please let me turn back here."

As Subaru tried to lightly continue the conversation, Otto bowed deeply, earnestly seeking forgiveness as he rested his hands on the coachman's seat.

Subaru was taken aback by Otto's pitiful appearance, feeling his throat tighten.

"What's wrong all of a sudden? What happened to make you like this...?"

"The ground dragons... are frightened. This has never happened before! It's because of this. They understand that something shouldn't be approached..."

Trembling hands holding the reins, Otto, his face pale, looked down at the ground dragon. Observing it, constantly sniffing in the direction of the destination, and alerting them with a nervous agitation, it signaled strong vigilance.

From the ground dragon's behavior and Otto's trust in it, Subaru realized.

That beyond this point, there was an unimaginable threat waiting.

And there. There was no choice but for Subaru to face it alone.

"Agh, whatever."

"Huh?"

With a surprised voice behind him, Subaru leaped from the coachman's seat to the ground. Landing right next to the ground dragon.

"I'll walk the rest of the way to the mansion."

"You can't just..."

"Sorry, but I have no intention on backing down now."

Raising his hand, Subaru turned away from the dragon carriage.

"Subaru!"

Ahead of this path lies a danger that even the ground dragon fears.

There's no time to waste. There's no choice but to hurry. There, the answer Subaru seeks is waiting to be found.

"Subaru!"

Until the end, Otto called out Subaru's name, worrying about him, as Subaru left him behind and ran, ran, ran, continuing to aim for his destination.

_________

The exact distance to Roswaal's mansion is unknown.

However, the familiar group of trees unmistakably surrounded the mansion. There was no doubt about the road. Please contact us for more information.

Before that, the nearest village— the village Subaru had visited many times before— should have welcomed him, but he felt no need to focus on it now.

Anyway, he wanted to reach the mansion as soon as possible.

He thought of Emilia. He thought of Beatrice. He thought of Emilia. He thought of Roswaal. He thought of Emilia. He thought of the people of the village. He thought of Emilia—.

Racing without a care in the world, despite too many distractions for it to be considered mindless running.

Subaru's feet stopped not because they reached their destination, but because of a sudden sense of unease that crossed his mind.

"It's too quiet, isn't it?"

Except for the sound of the wind passing through, there was complete silence in the world.

There were no birdsong. Yet, Subaru, who had spent nearly a month in this place, knew.

The overwhelming silence of this forest was abnormal.

And then, suddenly, it appeared, piercing through Subaru's consciousness.

"What... huh!?"

Surprised, Subaru let out a cry and instinctively stepped back.

With a pale face, unable to accept the reality in front of him, Subaru saw before him a figure shrouded in black attire, covering their entire body.

However, the astonishment didn't stop there.

"These... no, these people...!"

Turning his head, trembling lips formed words. Following his gaze, black figures appeared one after another in various places along the forest road.

Their numbers quickly exceeded ten, surrounding Subaru warily.

What was even more abnormal was that despite their inexplicable appearance, the same silence as before continued endlessly.

Not even the faintest rustle of leaves was heard.

Unable to feel even a slight breath, Subaru, feeling that they were not friendly beings, could only wait for their next action without being able to say anything.

Thus, the standoff continued. How long had it been?

It had become ambiguous.

The violent silence pounded in his chest, and just like at the beginning, the equilibrium crumbled too easily.

And that—.

"—"

Facing Subaru, they humbly bowed their heads.

—completely made Subaru give up understanding that sight.

With a mind incapable of comprehending the inexplicable figures that appeared and the inexplicable respect they paid, leaving Subaru behind without a word, they disappeared without explanation.

Unable to utter a word, Subaru could only stare dumbfounded at the scene before him, watching them vanish into the silence with their rigid, silent footsteps.

At the moment they appeared, everything else became incomprehensible.

After stiffening for a moment, Subaru began to understand. Understanding that beyond their rigid reactions, there was nothing else.

Their presence exacerbated Subaru's anxiety and discomfort.

To shake off the spine-tingling fear and anxiety coursing through him, Subaru ran with single-minded determination, forgetting everything else, along the forest road once more.

Subaru gave up trying to understand the black-clad individuals whose existence he couldn't comprehend.

*********************************************************************************************************Tanaka: "H-how did this happen?"

The anxiety, a gnawing sensation in the throat, had seized control of his entire body.

Though his feet moved forward, he couldn't shake off the creeping fear from behind.

The nausea was severe. Ringing filled his ears. His heart pounded so loudly it felt like it might burst out of his chest, and his legs, which propelled him forward, felt weak and unreliable, as if they would vanish from beneath him if he didn't concentrate.

Why had things turned out like this?

It was just a matter of bad luck. The timing was off.

If the task is clear, he should be able to proceed without hesitation.

Subaru knew what he had to do. He just had to save Emilia.

If she was in trouble, it was Subaru's duty to rescue her.

He had always done so. He would do the same this time. Everything would work out if he did. Emilia would reconsider him. She would realize that Subaru was indispensable. She would keep him by her side, thinking that she couldn't do without him after all.

He didn't want to be abandoned. He didn't want to be forsaken. He didn't want to be underestimated. He didn't want to be given up on.

He was out of breath. His lungs hurt, his worn-out body creaked, and he could feel the unhealed parts of his body screaming for attention. But he couldn't stop.

He had to run, even if just a second faster, just a little faster. If he didn't, he would be caught up. By something incomprehensible, something chasing him from behind, and it would devour him.

He didn't want that. He just didn't want that. Right now, that was the only thing that terrified him.

He wanted to see Emilia, to be smiled at.

When Subaru rushed into the village entrance, the first thing he did was to scan for the first villager, but instead, he noticed something amiss and furrowed his brows.

Once he stopped, the burden he had been carrying all along suddenly attacked his cardiopulmonary system.

He repeated rough breaths, spitting out saliva and phlegm, while placing his hands on his knees and bending over to recover his strength. Of course, his gaze remained fixed upwards throughout.

At first glance, there seemed to be nothing unusual about the village. However, something was clearly wrong based on his memories.

The early morning village was filled with crisp air, gently waking up those still in bed with the light of dawn. Yet, for some reason, there was no sign of anyone around.

Subaru turned his attention to investigating the source of the rising white smoke.

They say there's no smoke without fire, and where there's smoke, there must be someone involved. Heading in that direction, he hoped to encounter someone.

However, his plan was thwarted, and Subaru couldn't find anyone.

When he arrived at the edge of the village where the white smoke was rising, there was already no one there.

There was only the weak smoke smoldering without a clear cause, and despite searching around, there was no sign of the perpetrator.

Subaru's anxiety grew more palpable, as if it mirrored the encounter with the black-clothed figures he had faced in the middle of the forest. He desperately sought human presence.

Subaru's anxiety grew more palpable, as if it mirrored the encounter with the black-clothed figures he had faced in the middle of the forest. He desperately sought human presence.

But no matter how much he searched, how loudly he called out, or how thoroughly he checked every spot, he couldn't find anyone.

Silence hung heavy, and Subaru felt abandoned by the world.

Sitting heavily on the ground, Subaru let out a long, deep sigh.

Suddenly, a sharp pain echoed in his skull, and Subaru instinctively placed his hand on his forehead. But the moment he touched it, discomfort spread across his skin.

Looking down, he realized that the right hand he had placed on the ground while sitting was covered in wet dirt, which he had unwittingly smashed into his face.

The sensation of muddy red-brown dirt streaming down his nose was utterly unpleasant, and Subaru used his clean left arm to wipe it away, shooting a resentful glance at the dirty ground.

He had noticed it even while running around: the ground was particularly muddy this morning, making it difficult to run. Especially at the village entrance and the surrounding areas where the smoke was rising, the conditions were especially bad. He had nearly stumbled multiple times while searching for villagers.

"That's it I lost it," he thought.

And that was only natural. He hadn't had proper sleep for over a day, barely eaten anything substantial, and his mind had been preoccupied with the recent events. 

Brushing off his butt and pushing the dirt from his right hand onto the wall reluctantly, Subaru turned his body and resumed his search of the village. It was his final desperate attempt.

No matter how many times he circled the village, his hope of someone calling his name never came true.

There was nothing for Subaru here.

He had made an unnecessary detour. This was the result of not sticking to his original plan.

It was all in vain. Everything was in vain. There was nothing but futility here.

Muttering that under his breath, Subaru staggered forward with unsteady steps. Then, on the path out of the village, they suddenly tripped over something and fell.

Pain pierced his brain, and Subaru let out a groan as tears welled up reflexively in his eyes. Peering down to find the cause of his fall, Subaru's gaze met with eyes that were no longer reflecting anything but hollowness.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!"

And then, they screamed.

Subaru continued to shake his throat, which had cried out until it was hoarse, and he still trembled with sobs, shedding copious tears as he cradled an enfant's lifeless body, which had been discarded on the ground.

It's body had long lost its warmth, and her limbs had begun to stiffen. Normally, an unconscious human body should be much heavier than a conscious one, but Petra's body felt too light, even considering her petite frame.

Then, he reluctantly lifted his gaze, fearing what he might see—finally acknowledging the grim reality that the familiar village had turned into a hell.

The smoldering white smoke emanated from the charred body of Muruosa.

The young man from the youth brigade must have fought with a sword. The recognizable sword now pierced his chest, creating a pool of blood that swallowed its master.

The man and woman lying atop each other were a married couple. The husband seemed to be shielding his wife from above, but they were both impaled by the same weapon and lay lifeless.

"No... No, no, no, no, no..."

There were mutilated bodies, burned bodies, torn bodies, crushed bodies—nothing but corpses littered the village.

―― Why are you the only one alive?

―― Why did we have to die?

Death was everywhere in the village.

A dense silence lay over the village, where only corpses rolled around, and everything had ended long before Subaru's arrival.

What happened?

Something had happened. Something terrible.

"No... It's not... I... I didn't... want this..."

There was no one left alive. No one survived.

Every hiding place had been meticulously searched, and even the bodies that seemed to have hidden and survived were found and killed.

His head spun. Fluids flowed endlessly from his facial orifices.

Tears, mucus, saliva—all stained his face, which had lost the strength to endure.

He understood what had happened. But he couldn't comprehend it.

"Emilia...? What happened to Emilia...?"

The girl whom had been the sole reason he came all the way here.

"Emilia would have never allowed something like this to happen..."

This is not right, this is wrong, Emilia will always do the right thing.

It was his belief. No, it was a conviction. 

A conviction that he implemented deep inside his heart. 

"That's right...Emilia...Emilia...Where's Emilia?"

With unsteady steps, Subaru slowly began to move forward.

Leaving the genocide behind, he walked with dragging steps, heading toward the village exit—toward the mansion, moving at a turtle's pace. 

Without knowing what awaited him ahead. Not wanting to know, but knowing he had to. Without the courage to run away.

Dragging himself, clinging to her name, Subaru slowly, slowly ascended the slope, heading toward the mansion.

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Through the frozen depths of the forest, his breath forming clouds of mist in the frigid air.

A colossal figure that towers above, a gray beast that truly looks down upon the world. With the appearance of that beast, the chill in the air intensifies, and in the frigid cold where visibility begins to fade to white, even keeping one's eyes open brings pain.

Dazed, or perhaps petrified, with a feeling as if he's seen something unbelievable, Subaru can only silently gaze upon that beast, which dominates his field of vision to the extent that nothing else can be seen.

"Shall we talk now, Subaru?", the beast's voice was familiar.

"…Puck?"

The atmosphere around the figure, turned white with mist, and the appearance of the surrounding forest began to crack with a sound like splintering. Trees turned from green to white, leaves, branches, and trunks frozen, drained of mana, withering and falling.

"Is it... Puck...?" He readdressed him, seeking confirmation.

"If you look closely, you'll understand, right? Is what you're saying a cruel joke?" The gray beast responds, moving its massive mouth.

Ice pillars floated downward, their sharp tips aimed downward, with a small, shadowy figure wielding frozen blades.

"So....Why did you come back, Subaru?"

He was at a loss of words, it was normal after all. The information was too much to process.

Why did he come back here again?

"E..-E-Emilia.", The name of the lovely girl came out of his mouth, he didn't know how to start or to calm down, but he just needs to see her. As soon as he sees her alive and well, he will be relieved. 

"Emilia is safe, Subaru. Betty is with her right now while I'm taking care of the trash." With a move of his limb, he tossed away a half frozen corpse in a black outfit.

Subaru was frightened, he was scared of Puck's new appearance.

"Puck... I need to see her. You have to let me see Emilia." His trembling voice suddenly resonates in the frigid world.

"Go back Subaru, if you leave now, I will spare your life."

Lying down, Subaru felt an overwhelming emptiness in his heart upon hearing those words.

"Puck, I know you're angry. And maybe you have every right to be. But... Please, you have to listen to me. I don't what or how this happened, but I have to see Emilia, it's about Roswa...."

"______That's enough." 

Cutting off Subaru's words with a cold remark, Puck's golden eyes shine.

"Subaru, you've caused enough pain already."

"Huh?" Puck's words struck him? He didn't understand what he said.

'you've caused enough pain already, you've caused enough pain already, you've caused enough pain already, you've caused enough pain already, you've caused enough pain already, you've caused enough pain already, you've caused enough pain already, you've caused enough pain already, you've caused enough pain already, you've caused enough pain already, you've caused enough pain already, you've caused enough pain already, you've caused enough pain already, you've caused enough pain already, you've caused enough pain already.'

Those words kept replaying inside his head like a cassette, over and over again.

Him? Was he implying that he's the reason behind all this?

If so, then he's wrong, he's definitely wrong.

Afterall, he had nothing to do with this, he just came here to warn Emilia about Roswaal.

"It's not my fault... It's not..."

Shaking his head, Subaru stood up, turned up against Puck in his beast form.

"It's not my fault... It's not my fault... It's not my fault..."

To the figure standing in front of him, he wanted to affirm that. Repeating the same sentence like a maniac, Subaru's fears suddenly disappeared all at once, and replaced by anger.

Puck's expression softened slightly at Subaru's words, though something akin to pity still apparent in his eyes.

"I'm not here to seek vengeance. In fact, I don't care that much about what happened... I'm here to protect Emilia, no matter the cost."

Amidst his rage, those words reassured him a bit.

"Then protect her from me, Puck. Because I won't stop until I've made things right, even if it means facing you.

With a solemn nod, Puck summoned a blizzard of icy winds, enveloping Subaru in a whirlwind of frost and snow. Despite his best efforts to withstand the onslaught, Subaru felt his strength wane as the cold seeped into his bones. His skin tingled, a sensation akin to burns spreading throughout his body. Gradually, a sense of exhaustion welled up from within, making even breathing a chore as consciousness began to drift.

The world slowly began to lose its colors. The vibrant hues drained away, replaced by shades of grey and white. The once lush and green forest turned into a lifeless expanse, the beauty of nature buried under a blanket of ice and snow.

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And the world turned grey..