No matter the cost

Tanaka's hand moved gently atop Beatrice's head, patting in a horizontal manner. The action was unexpected given the bombshell that had just been dropped. His patting lingered longer than it should have, causing Beatrice's cheeks to flush a deep red. She squirmed slightly under his touch before finally batting his hand away with a huff.

"Don't pat my head! Betty is not a child!!!"

"Ah, sorry..." Tanaka quickly retracted his hand, a faint hint of embarrassment crossing his face as he stopped. Despite her annoyance, his lack of expression worried Beatrice, who narrowed her eyes at him in suspicion.

"Wait a second!! Does the place where the black smoke came out match the spot where the shaman touched me, Beatrice?" Subaru asked, his voice tinged with urgency.

Beatrice nodded, confirming his suspicion. 

The realization hit Subaru like a punch to the gut. The curse was more like a ticking bomb, ready to activate the moment a wild dog decided it was time for dinner. Subaru's mind raced as he pieced together the implications.

According to their plan, once they identified the culprit, they would wait until tomorrow to act. They intended to inform Ram, Rem, and Roswaal, then flush out the village sorcerer to resolve the situation. But with this new information, waiting seemed impossible.

However...

"Everything and everybody messing with me..." Subaru muttered, frustration boiling over.

Subaru, who had been squatting, shot upwards, standing abruptly. As he was about to dash out of the room, he felt a firm grip on his shoulder, stopping his movement. Tanaka's grip was strong, his eyes boring into Subaru's with an unreadable intensity.

"Where do you think you are going?" Tanaka's voice was calm, almost eerily so, his expression unchanging.

Subaru spun around to face him, eyes wide with urgency and irritation. "Dude, the culprit is that dog. We have to go to the village right now."

Even Subaru thought it was a dumb question. Was Tanaka seriously considering sticking to their initial plan and waiting until morning to raid the village? That changed the moment they discovered the culprit was that puppy, which likely meant there could be more people marked with the curse.

"And most likely..." Subaru's mind raced ahead.

"That's right sister! The children in this morning have most likely been marked with a curse as well!"

The individuals who interacted with the pup the most were the children, and realistically, there was a high chance they were marked as well.

"Calm down, did you forget that the two of you almost died just now? It's a miracle we managed to get rid of the curse before it activated." Tanaka's voice remained calm but firm, his grip on Subaru's shoulder tightening slightly, grounding him.

"He's right. Taking random action without thinking might lead to disaster," Ram responded, backing Tanaka with a serious nod.

"Sorry, I lost my cool earlier. But we need to move now and make sure everyone is safe," Subaru said, determination replacing his frustration. 

"You should stay here," Tanaka said, his tone nonchalant yet resolute.

"What the hell are you saying? The children... The entire village might be in danger!" Subaru's voice was filled with urgency and disbelief.

"And I'm not going to ignore that fact. I will go alone," Tanaka declared, his calm demeanor unshaken.

"Huh?" Subaru, along with everyone else, looked at him in confusion.

"I managed to spot the curses thanks to the minor spirits. I can go to the village by myself and diagnose them. If I find someone with a remnant of a curse, I will bring them here."

"What the hell are you saying? I'm going with you!" Subaru insisted, his mind reeling at the idea of being left behind.

The more people that went, the better their chances. In case something happened, they could either run or protect each other depending on the gravity of the situation.

"There is no need, it's not like I'm going to fight or anything. I'm just going there to check on them, if it's something serious then I will come back to the mansion."

Subaru clenched his fists, his mind racing. He didn't like this, he didn't like this one bit. It was true that he was weak and often felt incompetent, but he wanted to do something, to help. Yet he was being excluded as if he were some sort of hindrance.

"Am I considered a handicap now? Are you starting to get cocky because you can control the spirits?" Subaru's voice was laced with frustration and hurt.

Using magic for either Subaru or Tanaka was impractical. However, Tanaka was able to attract what Emilia called minor spirits, and they had proven useful against physical attacks, such as the time he managed to stop Rem's assault. But just because of that, it shouldn't be enough for him to think he could handle this unpredictable situation all by himself.

"No, it's not that..." Tanaka denied it, shaking his head slightly.

"The hell you mean not that? Of course it's because of that," Subaru snapped back, unable to see any other reason for Tanaka wanting to go alone.

"No, it's not. It's because, at the very least, I know that whatever happens, I'm not going to die."

Subaru paused, his mind processing Tanaka's words. He understood what Tanaka was implying: Return by Death. He stared at him, his expression darkening, and then stepped closer, gripping Tanaka's shoulders firmly.

"You! If you keep up this act, you are definitely going to lose your fucking mind!" Subaru's voice was a mixture of anger and desperation, his grip tightening.

"...." 

Tanaka fell silent, unable to refute Subaru's words. The weight of repeated deaths, the psychological toll it took, was something neither of them could ignore.

However... 

The damage was already done, and it was starting to show in Tanaka's increasingly reckless behavior.

"I will be fine..." Tanaka finally responded, his tone dry and unconvincing.

"Hold on."

Ram voice cut attracting everyone's gazes.

"I reject the departure of any of you to the village.."

"Ram!"

"Sister!"

Words of protests came from Subaru and Rem. However, Ram did not budge.

"In the first place, didn't you hear Roswaal-Sama's instructions? We're in charge of the mansion tonight. Do you not understand the significance of that?"

Ram's gaze grew sharper as she argued with Tanaka.

She prioritizes Roswaal's wishes above all else. And their attitude, which seemed to disregard their master's orders, must have struck a nerve.

Additionally, the whole situation was suspicious. How did the dog, now considered a witch beast, manage to enter the village when there was a barrier surrounding the forest? The timing coinciding with the arrival of two suspicious individuals and the absence of the lord of the mansion only added to the mystery.

"I'm still going," Tanaka stated, his resolve unshaken.

"I don't approve of your individual action. This could be someone's scheme to weaken the security of the mansion and leave Emilia-Sama without any protection. Tanaka, I forbid you from leaving," Ram insisted.

"I will not comply with that order..." Tanaka's voice was steady, but his eyes were fierce.

"If you insist on your rebuttal, as someone with a higher position, you will leave me no choice but to expel you," Ram warned, her voice cold.

"Oi, Ram, calm do—" Subaru began, but Ram cut him off.

"Shut up, Barusu. Do not intervene."

Ram often made remarks and jokes, insisting both Subaru and Tanaka refer to her as "Sama" as she was their superior. While correct, it was usually within the lines of a joke. But this time, Ram was completely serious. There was no hint of humor in her voice, no sarcasm, aligning with the gravity of the situation.

"So be it..." Tanaka responded, his voice devoid of any emotion.

In any case, the threat of expulsion from his job didn't pose any concern for Tanaka. His priority lay in ensuring everyone survived this night, especially the residents of the mansion.

As he steeled himself to leave, a small tug on his sleeve halted him. Tanaka turned to see Beatrice, her tiny hand clutching his sleeve, her large eyes staring up at him with an intensity that made him pause.

"What is it?" he asked, his voice softer now.

"I don't like the look in your eyes," Beatrice replied, her tone sharp, yet laced with concern.

"Look in my eyes?" Tanaka echoed, genuinely puzzled. He had no idea what expression he was wearing, but if it was enough to make Beatrice stop him, it was troubling.

Beatrice shifted her gaze toward Rem and Subaru. "The younger sister and the human, you two accompany him."

Rem and Subaru exchanged startled glances, their eyes widening in surprise.

"Betty is the one who lifted up the curse so you are going to do what I tell you, you have no say in this since I saved both your lives."

"Beatrice-Sama, this is absurd... Why would you listen to a stranger who just came here?" Ram interjected, her voice edged with frustration.

Beatrice's gaze hardened as she addressed Ram. "Be careful how you speak to me, older twin-sister..."

"There is no need for you to do that," Tanaka began, trying to dissuade Beatrice.

"Shut up," Beatrice snapped, cutting him off. "I did you a favor, as you stated earlier. However, I did not save their lives so you could throw away yours, I suppose."

Despite her usual sharp tongue and aloof attitude, Beatrice's behavior was unexpectedly protective. Her sudden decision to side with Tanaka, a stranger, left everyone in stunned silence including Tanaka himself.

She had saved their lives, and now she was asserting her authority in a way that was impossible to ignore.

Ram, however, was far from pleased. Not only was this going against their lord's orders, but it also placed her little sister in potential danger. Even though the argument about someone attacking the mansion was partly a tactic to keep them from leaving, it was still a real possibility. Ram knew she was strong, but if a serious threat were to arise, she wasn't sure she could protect the mansion alone.

"I will be here, so nothing will happen even if an attack occurs, I suppose," Beatrice added, as if reading Ram's mind.

Beatrice was the most powerful person in the mansion, especially with Puck absent. It was convincing enough for Ram to realize she had little choice but to relent. She sighed, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on her.

Approaching Rem, she spoke in a low tone. "Rem, listen carefully. Please be cautious. I'll make sure to inform Emilia-Sama and protect her. I'll be watching you as well."

"Sister, please don't use that eye..." Rem whispered, her concern evident.

"It's not the time to be cautious about that. I will use it if necessary. You should do the same, Rem," Ram insisted, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Rem bit her lip, unable to counter her sister's firm words. The twins exchanged a look that only they could fully understand, a silent communication that spoke volumes.

Ram turned to Tanaka, her gaze cold. "My decision earlier stands. This is the result of your disobedience."

"That's fine," Tanaka replied without hesitation. "I have no right to interject."

He didn't protest or show any dissatisfaction. If this meant the village could be saved and everyone would be safe, it was a small price to pay.

As they left the library, the weight of the situation pressed heavily on them. The door was connected with the nearest room to the entrance.

As they were about to exit the mansion, a voice called out from above.

[???]: "Subaru, the others as well? Where are you all going?"

From the top of the grand staircase in the entrance hall, a silvery voice descended, carrying a note of concern. Looking up instinctively, Subaru saw Emilia standing there, her silver hair flowing gently as she gazed down at them. She must have heard his loud voice earlier.

Emilia descended the stairs, slightly out of breath, her violet eyes filled with worry as she looked at the four of them. "I was looking all over the place for you... Is something wrong?"

Subaru, sensing the tension in the air, quickly put on a casual front, trying to ease her worry. "Something might be happening, Emilia-tan. But don't worry too much. Though I'd be happy if you worried a little," he added with a playful smile, hoping to keep things light.

However, seeing Subaru's unchanged frivolous demeanor, Emilia said, "You're making that face like you're about to do something dangerous again."

She saw through him instantly, and Subaru scratched his head, wondering what to do, he then switched his gaze to Tanaka whom also got Emilia's attention. 

"We need to check something at the village," Tanaka explained, his voice steady but carrying an underlying seriousness.

"At this hour? Can't it wait until morning?" 

"Well, we just finished discussing that..." Subaru began, trying to navigate the conversation without worrying her further.

"It's useless to stop you, isn't it?" Emilia said, her tone resigned but gentle.

"Yeah, pretty much," Subaru admitted with a sheepish grin. "If I'm stopped, it would cause problems in a lot of areas..."

Emilia sighed softly, her expression a mix of frustration and understanding. "Alright, alright, I won't stop you."

Descending the stairs and standing in front of Subaru and the others, Emilia put her hands on her hips and looked straight into Subaru's eyes. Her deep violet eyes captivated Subaru, and he couldn't look away.

"I know telling you not to do anything reckless or unreasonable is pointless."

"In some cases... yeah," Subaru replied, his voice softer now. "I don't want to do those things either."

She reached out and lightly touched his chest, "May the spirit's blessings be with you."

Subaru tilted his head slightly, puzzled by her whisper. "What was that?"

With a knowing smile, Emilia explained, "It's a farewell. It means 'come back safely.'"

"Ah, like a fire-striker farewell. Then I should respond too. Emilia-tan, may the glory of victory be yours."

"Yes, yes," Ignoring Subaru's salute, Emilia turned her gaze to Tanaka.

"I'm accustomed to Subaru's careless behavior, so I will tell you this," she said, her tone more serious. "Please be careful."

Tanaka nodded, his expression resolute. "I will."

Finally, Emilia turned to Rem, who had been standing quietly, observing the exchange. Straightening her back, Rem met Emilia's gaze, her blue eyes filled with determination.

"Rem, be careful," Emilia said, her voice warm but firm. "And watch over them so Subaru doesn't do anything reckless."

"Yes, Emilia-Sama. Understood,"

Subaru couldn't help but quip, "You don't seem to trust me at all."

"What are you saying? It's because I trust your character that we're having this conversation."

"What kind of trust is that? It's both good and bad," Subaru muttered, though his tone was lighthearted.

Emilia placed her hands on her hips, her posture suggesting she was ready to launch into a lecture. But before she could say more, Ram approached her, her expression unreadable.

"Emilia-Sama, let's go upstairs," Ram suggested, her voice calm but insistent.

"Aren't you going with them, Ram?" Emilia asked, glancing between her and the group.

"I won't," Ram replied. "I will explain the situation to you."

Despite having more to say, she refrained, understanding Subaru's urgency. She placed a supportive hand on his back, her touch gentle but grounding.

"Take care," she whispered, her voice filled with quiet resolve.

Subaru nodded, his expression serious as he responded, "Yeah, I'm off!"

With her encouragement, Subaru raised his fist and left the mansion following both Rem and Tanaka from behind.

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

As they sprinted through the chilling night air, Subaru's breath grew heavy. His legs burned with the effort to keep up, but it wasn't long before he noticed Rem who had been matching their pace effortlessly and purposely slowing down .

Her gaze turned to Tanaka, calm yet intense, as she asked, "I'd like to hear the plan."

"We need to find everyone who made contact with the dog... Bring them to the mansion if we have to. And then—" he drew a sharp breath, the weight of his words pressing against his chest, "we have to get rid of that dog."

Subaru's expression didn't waver, but the faint crease in his brow spoke volumes. "That's the plan?"

"Unless you've got a better one," Subaru shot back, his tone edged with equal parts defiance and desperation.

"..."

The plan was simple and there wasn't any clear alternative.

"...No," Subaru finally said, his voice almost a whisper against the rustling leaves.

The simplicity of the plan hung between them like a fragile thread, yet there was no clear alternative.

Rem gave a small nod, more to herself than anyone else, focusing her scattered thoughts on the task ahead.

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

As the trio approached the village, a sense of foreboding weighed heavily on them. Rem's voice, sharp and filled with tension, reached Subaru's ears. "What's that?" 

She asked, pointing ahead. The outline of the village was becoming clearer, but something felt off.

"The village seems unusually bright..."

Coming to the same realization, Subaru also sensed something amiss. His pace, which had slowed down to a heavy jog—too fast for a walk but too slow for a run—reflected his growing anxiety.

Rem, unable to contain her impatience, glanced at Tanaka with frustration, but he was too winded to shout back.

"Go ahead...go on..."

He gestured for her to move ahead, but Rem shook her head. Given her primary reason for accompanying them was to monitor their actions, it would be counterproductive to split up now.

Apparently, Rem had run out of patience with their sluggish pace.

"There's no helping it. Please don't bite your tongue."

"Wait, Rem, what are you—?!" They shouted simultaneously.

Before either could react, Rem darted between them, grabbed them both by the scruff of their necks as though they were misbehaving children, and hoisted them into the air with ease. It was a display of her inhuman strength, reminiscent of how she effortlessly carried beer barrels back at the mansion.

Subaru barely had time to protest before finding himself slung over her shoulder, the wind whipping against his face as she broke into a full sprint. The sheer speed of her movement left him breathless—not just from the physical exertion but from sheer awe. For all the challenges he faced, at least he had a powerful ally like Rem by his side.

Tanaka, however, looked far worse for wear. Dangling limply over her other shoulder, his head swayed lifelessly like a rag doll caught in a storm.

__

___

____

They reached the village in what felt like no time at all. The abrupt stop left Subaru doubled over, leaning against a nearby wall as nausea churned his stomach. He tried to suppress his groans, but the combination of fatigue and jostling had left him in a sorry state.

"Are you two alright?" Rem asked, her voice calm and composed, as though she hadn't just run at breakneck speed while carrying two grown men.

"That was… quick," Subaru mumbled between labored breaths. "As expected… now we need to… check the situation in the village… ugh."

Tanaka groaned, pressing a hand to his forehead in frustration. "I'm fine… just give me a second." His expression was that of barely concealed annoyance, though the worst of his disorientation seemed to pass quickly.

Rem scanned the area, her sharp gaze taking in every detail. The trio's conspicuous arrival hadn't gone unnoticed, and a nearby villager approached hesitantly, his expression tinged with confusion and worry.

"Aren't you from the mansion? At this hour..."

"Perfect timing. Has something happened?"

Catching the approaching young man, Rem questioned him from above. Startled by her intense tone, he replied hesitantly,

"Well, actually, several children from the village have gone missing. We know they were playing until before dark, but after that..."

Before Rem could ask further questions, Subaru, still catching his breath, grabbed the young man's shoulder and turned him around.

"The missing ones—are they Ryuka, Petra, and Mild?"

"Y-yes, that's right...do you know where they might be?"

Upon receiving the confirmation of his fears, Subaru clicked his tongue and kicked the ground in frustration. Then, fixing his gaze towards the edge of the village—the direction of the forest,

"Are you the only one looking for the kids?"

"The youth group and the village chief are also searching," the young man stammered, his worry apparent.

"The kids are in the forest. Searching the village won't turn them up."

Subaru's assertion changed the young man's expression. Though he seemed to have more questions, Subaru patted his shoulder and started running,

"I'm heading into the forest. Tell everyone—the kids are in the forest!"

Ignoring the young man's confused shouts, Subaru ran off again, with Rem following closely, puzzled by his confident demeanor.

"How can you be so sure?"

"I just know. I've heard it twice—about finding a lonely child crying deep in the forest."

The area surrounding the village was enclosed by a tall wooden fence. Climbing over the section bordering the forest, They landed on the forest floor and proceeded carefully through the trees, avoiding branches and muddy ground.

"Even if they're in the forest, it's too vast to search aimlessly. Subaru-Kun, do you have any clues?"

"If the kids' stories are accurate, it should be this way..."

Though he advanced based on his memory, his steps were heavy with uncertainty, relying only on hearsay. Moreover, the darkness made it impossible to confirm their direction.

But then,

"The barrier is broken."

Rem's surprised voice prompted Tanaka to clench his fist in validation. He followed her gaze to a crystal embedded in a massive tree. Its glow, once vibrant and protective, had faded to a dull, lifeless gray. The sight of it made Subaru's stomach twist uneasily. He recalled spotting similar crystals scattered throughout the forest during his earlier forays.

"What happens if the barrier's broken?" Subaru asked, already dreading the answer.

"Magical beasts can cross the boundary. That's why it's the villagers' duty to maintain the barrier...!"

"It's no use complaining. What's important is, what are these magical beasts?"

Rem, still shaken, responded to Subaru's question,

"Magical beasts are enemies of humanity, created by the witch to harm humans, according to legend."

"The witch again..."

Subaru grimaced at the recurring mention of the witch, but he now had a clearer understanding of the curse caster's identity and the current threat facing the village.

"Subaru-kun, what are you doing?!"

Rem's alarmed voice called out as she saw Subaru crossing the barrier, heading deeper into the forest. He turned back and showed her his left hand,

"The kids are further in. We need to rescue them."

"Crossing the barrier requires Roswaal-Sama's permission..."

"I think it's too late to worry about that."

—Beatrice had identified the source of the curse as the creature that had made this mark.

Subaru connected the dots from his past experiences—the same presence involved in all the incidents that had led to his death.

"It's the dog the kids were playing with. If it's not just a dog, but a creature cursing everyone it bites, then..."

It's like a natural disaster, spreading a plague through its bites, much like rats spread diseases. If it could rapidly infect through bites, it wouldn't take long to devastate the entire village.

The children who chased the dog into the forest might already be cursed.

"The longer we delay, the worse it gets. I don't know if the kids are cursed, but we need to get them to the mansion for de-cursing immediately."

"Sister is right—this whole situation is suspicious."

"Huh?"

As Subaru tried to rush into the forest, Rem held him back, pointing towards the mansion,

"Why does this incident happen precisely when Roswaal-Sama is away? This must be a trap targeting the mansion."

"So, what do we do? Abandon the kids in immediate danger and fortify the mansion? If you're fine with the villagers being dead by tomorrow, that's an option too."

Subaru knew his argument was unfair, but he pressed on. Rem was trying to avoid risk, which was a natural and reasonable reaction, and she wasn't to be blamed for it.

However, no matter how limited the options, a decision had to be made. Whether they chose to act or not, the consequences would weigh heavily on them. The fear of making the wrong choice had been deeply etched into Subaru's heart from his past experiences.

"Why do you care so much... how much does this village matter to you?"

Rem's hesitant murmuring, betraying her uncertainty, was something Subaru had never heard from her before. Rem, who always maintained a composed demeanor regardless of the situation, now showed the face of a fragile, ordinary girl when asked to make a decision in the absence of her trusted master and sister.

Subaru felt a deep empathy for this display of human weakness. But no one had the luxury to dwell on his own wounds.

They lacked both the time and the mental space to afford such indulgences.

At the dry, cracking sound, Rem looked up. Meeting her gaze, Subaru took a deep breath and said in a low voice,

"Petra wants to work making clothes in the capital when she grows up."

"Huh?"

"Ryuka wants to take over his father's woodcutting business, and Mild wants to make a crown of flowers from the flower fields to give to his mother."

"..."

Counting each face that came to mind on his fingers, Subaru continued,

"Meina is excited because she's soon going to have a new sibling, and Dain and Cain are competing to see who will marry Petra."

A small laugh escaped him.

Then, shaking his head at the still silent Rem, he said,

"How can you say it doesn't matter? I know their faces, their names, and what they want to do tomorrow."

Subaru hated children.

They were noisy, overly familiar, talked back, and above all, had no manners.

They were rude, presumptuous, reckless, and inconsiderate—like looking into a mirror.

Subaru was far from a natural-born good person.

But,

"I promised we'd do radio exercises again tomorrow."

Subaru had thought the same thing during the loop on the first day of his summoning.

It would be so easy to walk away, to save himself the trouble and risk. It But he couldn't, and that's why he ran. Yet, as much as Subaru wanted to pretend otherwise, he couldn't bring himself to abandon them.

Not this time.

As he finished talking, both his and Rem's gaze turned to Tanaka. Subaru made his point however, Tanaka in addition to him risking his life, also stood up against Ram and resulted in him getting expelled. 

And the guy—who had been quietly observing—noticed their gazes and finally shrugged and said, "Yeah, I feel that way too."

Subaru turned, glaring at him in disbelief. "Come on, that's just lazy writing!"

"It's not. We just don't have time for another improvised emotional speech."

"Dammit! Why do you have to point it out and make it embarrassing?" Subaru snapped, throwing up his hands.

At the sight of the two boys arguing, Rem smiled slightly.

"It can't be helped."

"Rem?"

For perhaps the first time, she showed a clear emotion, as she looked at the astonished Subaru.

"My duty is to monitor you. If I let you go alone here, I wouldn't be able to fulfill that duty, would I?"

Subaru, taken aback by her teasing tone, shook his head and said,

"Yeah, that's right. Keep a close eye on me so I don't do anything suspicious."

Rem slid smoothly into place beside them.

Feeling a mix of embarrassment and determination, he was about to thank her when he noticed something.

—In Rem's hand was a metal ball, connected to an iron handle and chain, making a light metallic sound despite its weight.

"Um, Rem-san, that's..."

"For self-defense."

"But that's..."

"For self-defense."

Subaru glanced at Tanaka, who also has showed uneasiness despite being quite for a considerable time. The flashback where she attacked them with the same weapon was engraved in their minds.

In any case, there was no time to dwell about it.

Together, they stepped into the uncharted forest.

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

Subaru slapped his cheeks lightly, trying to dispel his rising fear. "The moon is beautiful tonight," he remarked, his voice deliberately cheerful as he jogged ahead.

Tanaka's steady steps didn't falter, but his low voice carried a subtle hint of dry amusement. "Do you only know that one phrase?"

"I can't help it. I'm a little nervous…" Subaru admitted, his tone shifting to an awkward laugh.

"..."

Tanaka said nothing for a moment, letting the silence stretch. Then, almost offhandedly, he added, "Do you know that the moon is healthy for your butthole."

Subaru stopped mid-step, turning to face him with a mixture of shock and disbelief. "What the hell did you just say? Is that even true?"

Tanaka raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Do you have hemorrhoids?"

"What?! No, I don't!" Subaru sputtered, flailing his arms. "What made you think that?"

Tanaka's gaze didn't waver. "You seemed unusually interested a moment ago."

"That's because you brought up the most random thing possible!" Subaru groaned, clutching his head in exasperation.

Rem's sharp voice cut through their exchange like a whip. "You two, move faster and talk less."

The search through the nighttime forest continues, with Rem in a ready stance, holding her 'self-defense' iron ball in one hand.

The moonlight is obstructed by the trees, casting deep, pitch-black darkness throughout the forest. As they dodge the trees in their path and push through the branches and leaves, bloodied scrapes appear on their bodies. The small, stinging wounds and the frustration of groping through the darkness heighten their agitation. Combined with the pressing need for time, the mental pressure on Subaru is immense.

"Honestly, I didn't expect it to be this dark. Rem, how are you holding up?" Subaru asked, trying to keep his voice low.

"We have divine protection in the forest and the mountains... but please, keep your voice down. Even your breathing and the sound of your heartbeat are loud," Rem whispered back.

"Sto... ping... is... im... possible," Subaru replied, emphasizing each syllable quietly as he followed behind Rem's back. Without her, he would have lost his way and been stranded by now. Rem, with her excellent night vision, moved lightly and surely, making the path easier for Subaru, who could barely see anything in the darkness.

In the deep shadows where even moonlight barely reached, Subaru's only guide was Rem's back in front of him. The small figure ahead seemed larger, and without thinking, he reached out to grasp the hem of her maid outfit.

"...What are you doing?" Rem asked.

"I'm just clinging to you because it's so dark and I'm scared," Subaru replied.

"If you're worried about getting separated, grab my shoulder properly," Rem suggested.

"I don't want to hinder your sure-footed progress, but I can't help feeling scared. My delicate maiden heart is just overflowing with feelings," Subaru explained dramatically.

"Which mouth are you speaking with? You were looking cool just a moment ago," Rem said, sounding exasperated. Despite her words, she allowed Subaru to hold onto her hem while she stopped and looked around, sniffing the air slightly like a police dog.

"You're sniffing around like that; can you really track by smell?" Subaru asked, pointing at her.

"Smell is the one thing that can't be disguised. Appearance and voice can be faked, but the essence that emanates from one's existence cannot," Rem confidently declared. Her words brimmed with certainty, giving Subaru hope that her sense of smell would lead them to their goal.

As he watched her, Subaru recalled a past conversation about smell with Rem, particularly about the 'scent of the witch.' Rem had mentioned that Subaru had a repugnant odor. Beatrice had made similar remarks. If they survived this situation, Subaru would have to ask about it later.

"Something alive, close by," Rem suddenly said, turning her head to the right and narrowing her eyes. Subaru followed her gaze but could only see the same impenetrable darkness, feeling a pang of frustration.

"Is it the children?" Subaru asked.

"I'm not sure, but it's not a beastly smell," Rem responded.

"That's good enough. Let's go!" Subaru urged.

"This way," Rem directed, crouching and starting to run. Subaru followed, clutching her hem, feeling a bit of excitement in her voice. Their steps quickened as they moved towards the light of hope in the darkness.

However, hope and fear are two sides of the same coin. Rem hadn't confirmed if the smell belonged to the children, indicating her own underlying anxiety. The need to find answers as quickly as possible was urgent.

Rem wielded her iron ball aggressively, creating a path by smashing the trees in their way. Her hasty actions reflected her anxiety, and Subaru's steps naturally became more forceful.

His breath grew heavy, and his legs felt leaden, but his mind was clear. Gradually, his eyes adjusted to the darkness, and Subaru could faintly make out the forest's contours.

Suddenly, the forest opened up before him. A small hill covered in grass, bathed in moonlight, created an almost magical atmosphere.

On that grassy hill, illuminated by the moonlight, they saw:

"The children!" Subaru exclaimed.

The children lay sprawled on the grass, unconscious. Subaru and Rem rushed over to check their condition. Six children in total, with no visible injuries, though all were unconscious but still breathing.

"They're alive. They're alive!" Subaru cheered, clenching his fist. However, Rem, who was examining a nearby girl, cut in, "But they're severely weakened. At this rate..."

"Weakness... it must be a curse!" Subaru guessed.

Looking at the children, their faces were pale, their breathing labored like fish out of water. Cold sweat beaded on their foreheads, their expressions pained as if tormented by nightmares.

"Is there any way to help them? Can't you lift the curse, Rem?" Subaru asked desperately.

"Not with my skills... If only my sister were here," Rem replied, frustrated by her own limitations. She shook her head as if to dispel her negativity and added, "For now, I'll use a healing spell. It might help restore their strength a bit."

She extended her hands over the nearest child, her fingers trembling slightly before glowing with a soft, blue light. The magical energy pulsed and flowed, wrapping the child in a faint, luminous aura.

Subaru turned to Tanaka, whose presence had been almost spectral in its silence. 

"Tanaka, can your spirit lift the curse?" Subaru asked, a desperate hope threading his voice.

Tanaka remained still for a moment, as if contemplating the question within the vast quiet of his mind. "I don't think I can dispel it entirely," he said, his voice low and calm, "but if it's about easing their pain... I believe I can manage that."

He moved forward slowly, kneeling beside one of the unconscious children, his hands unhurried yet purposeful. He closed his eyes, and a faint, almost invisible glow surrounded him.

The clearing held its breath, and for a moment, the darkness of the forest seemed to press in around them, as if testing their resolve.

Even Subaru, with his limited knowledge of magic, could sense the pure, healing power of the light. As time passed, the children's breathing became slightly steadier.

"Amazing, guys. This might actually..." Subaru started.

"I told you, it's just a temporary measure. As long as I can communicate with their internal mana, they might hold on. But if that runs out, even this first aid won't be enough. We must remove the curse as soon as possible," Rem explained firmly.

"We need to get back to the mansion and rely on Beatrice and Pack for that. Let's go, we need to carry the children..." Subaru started to say when a voice interrupted him.

"Subaru?" The voice came from a brown-haired boy, barely opening his eyes.

"You're awake, Ryuka. Good boy, you're strong. But don't push yourself. We'll get you home soon and make sure you're safe," Subaru reassured him.

"One... deeper... still... inside," Ryuka managed to gasp out.

"What did you say?" Subaru asked, bending closer. Ryuka tried to convey something but lost consciousness again. Cursing under his breath, Subaru turned his gaze deeper into the forest.

"The kids we found here match the ones from earlier... Damn it, that girl with the braids is missing," Subaru realized.

There were six children here, all known to Subaru, but the shy girl who had led them to the puppies earlier was nowhere to be seen. Ryuka had tried to tell them she had been taken deeper into the forest.

A child, not even ten years old, was more concerned for a friend's safety than her own despite her dire situation.

"Damn it," Subaru cursed again, standing up.

Rem, who hadn't caught all of the exchange with Ryuka, looked puzzled. Subaru turned to her and asked, "Rem, if you keep the healing spell on the children, can you extend the time they have left?"

"...Yes, but it will only delay the inevitable. I will also be stuck here," Rem replied, uncertain of Subaru's intentions.

Listening to her, Subaru's mind raced. What could he do? How could he, seemingly useless in this situation, act most effectively?

There was only one option. It was a gamble, but—

"Rem. One of the children was taken deeper into the forest. The magic beast must be there," Subaru stated.

"If they've been taken one by one, then..." Rem began to voice the worst-case scenario, but Subaru stopped her with his hand.

"I know the situation is bad, but we've managed to save these kids for now. We should try to save the rest too, right?" Subaru argued.

"You might end up losing even what you have saved," Rem warned.

"That's why you guys are here, to make sure that doesn't happen," Subaru countered, his voice full of determination.

Tanaka, who had been focused on his task, finally spoke. "We need to get them back to the mansion, we are only gonna get these curses lifted with Beatrice's help. But we need more time to stabilize their condition before we move them."

"With Rem's strength, she can probably carry the six children and escape, right? On the other hand, I also like to think I'm quite strong, but carrying six kids is impossible for me. Two at most, three if I push myself. I can't use healing magic, so there's almost nothing I can do here. In that case, we should make good use of any free pieces we have."

"....."

"I'll go check deeper inside, take the kids and return to the village. Don't worry, I won't do anything reckless or impossible. Once you've left the kids with the villagers, you can come back quickly."

"Going there on your own is in itself reckless." Tanaka retorted, his expression grim, "Didn't you hear what the villager said earlier, that the barrier that we found broken is what prevent magic beasts from passing through. Which means it's highly likely that you will encounter one there." 

Rem added, "We don't know who we're up against, and I don't know how long it will take for Rem to come back. In the worst case, we might lose track of each other and not be able to regroup..."

Finding Subaru's decision hard to accept, Rem grabbed his sleeve and pressed her point.

Was she worried about his safety, or simply unable to accept Subaru's reckless plan? While hoping it was the former, Subaru smiled wryly and gently removed her fingers from his sleeve. Then he took her hand,

"Don't worry, we won't lose each other."

"And what makes you so sure?"

"I have a good reason."

Smiling, Subaru touched his nose with a finger, then pointed at her face,

"You have confidence in your nose, right? And, to be honest, I've been told several times by L and V that I have a pretty distinctive smell."

Both Rem and Tanaka stared at him in surprise. The weight of his words hung in the air, that information was ironically known to everyone but Subaru revealing it out loud caught them both off guard.

Pointing at her in double surprise, Subaru continued, recalling a time Rem wouldn't remember,

"No one else might notice, but you'll definitely pick up my scent. The stench clinging to me, the scent of a sinner—right?"

"Subaru-Kun... just how much do you know...?"

"Who knows? There's a lot I don't understand. There's so much I don't know, and no matter how many times I repeat yesterday, today, and tomorrow, I rarely get the answer I want."

As the conversation abruptly shifted, Rem looked bewildered. Part of Subaru found it inevitable, while another part marveled at his own ability to laugh about it.

His nerves had indeed grown thick.

"Just like you have many questions for me, I have many for you. So, let's talk about everything once it's all settled. In each other's rooms, in our pajamas, having a midnight girls' talk. Deal?"

With that, Subaru intertwined his fingers with hers, still holding her hand.

As their pinkies intertwined, Rem looked at Subaru with puzzled eyes. Subaru dramatically shook their linked fingers up and down,

"Pinky promise."

"W-what was that just now...?"

"It's a promise ritual from my hometown. If you break it, you have to swallow a thousand needles. It's an instant death move if you only have three-digit HP in an RPG."

Piled with more information, Subaru's words were beyond Rem's comprehension. Speechless and confused, she couldn't find words, and Subaru, prefacing with "In short,"

"I trust you, Rem. So, I want to act in a way that makes you trust me. Let's make that promise now."

"――――"

"I told you, right? I keep my promises and make others keep theirs. So, don't worry about me, I'll be fine."

"Fine, you say..."

Unable to hold back anymore, Rem let out an exasperated sigh and laughed softly.

Unable to suppress her laughter, Rem kept laughing quietly, and Subaru, seemingly influenced by her, laughed silently too.

After laughing for a while, Rem looked up with a serious expression,

"We made a promise. I'll definitely ask you a lot of things."

"I'll tell you anything, except the name of the girl I currently like."

"I already know that."

"Even though she doesn't hear it directly!"

It felt like he was recreating a conversation they had once left behind.

"Alright then, let's do this."

"Wait..."

"What is it? Didn't you say earlier something about not having to time for multiple speeches. You are kind of ruining my momentum.."

Subaru said jokingly but Tanaka looked at him straight in the eyes with a serious look. After a brief moment of silence, Tanaka spoke, "I really think that this is a bad idea... But I will trust you, so don't die."

"You don't have to tell me. I'm not planning on it," Subaru replied, his grin faint but determined.

"Good because if you die I'm gonna beat you up."

"Got it, see you later."

Left alone on a small hill in the forest, in a world that fell silent, Subaru took a deep breath, slowly turned towards his destination,

"Alright then, let's do this, Subaru."

Muttering to himself as if to muster his courage, he bit down on his pinky finger and started running.

What awaited him ahead—despair, hope, or something else?

The fourth morning that should have come many times was now distant.

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

The air around them buzzed faintly, heavy with tension and mana. Tanaka crouched low over the children, his hand hovering just above their small, fragile forms. The glow of the spirits' magic pulsed in rhythm with their shallow breaths, a delicate dance of life and desperation.

Rem's gaze lingered on Tanaka, his expression a strange mix of focus and strain. She couldn't ignore the trembling in his hand as it channeled pure, untainted mana into the children. The light surrounding them grew brighter, warmer, accelerating their recovery. But the toll on Tanaka was clear.

She remembered the garden. The way his legs wobbled, how his face had paled as he used magic then. Yet now, he was pushing himself even harder, as if sheer willpower alone could stave off his limits.

"Why are you doing this?" She asked quietly, her voice cutting through the hum of magic.

"We don't have time for..."

"Please, Rem really needs to know.."

The witch's scent clung to them, a constant reminder that they should not be trusted. Yet, the more time passes, the more her concrete belief began to shake. From Subaru's silly behavior to his adamant determination to save the children. To the spirits highly favoring Tanaka, that rarely interact with people, known for their ability to detect malice and evil. And even now, as she observed the radiance of his mana, so pure and untainted. Never in her life has she felt such pure mana that compares to his.

Was it even rational at this point to think of them as a threat?

"..."

"I mentioned that I have a little sister, right?" Tanaka began, his voice quieter now.

Rem nodded slightly but didn't speak.

"I believe that they are around the same age as her." He said, his gaze fixed on the children.

"Frankly speaking, I don't care much about the village. I just got here, and I'm not someone who's cut out to play the hero. But…"

He paused, exhaling shakily.

"I can't stand by and regret not saving them when I have the chance—when they're right here in front of me."

It would have been better for him to ignore what happens to the village and just be satisfied with Subaru getting rid of the curse. However, The memory of Subaru's interaction with the children stirred something distant among the fog of the nightmare that lived in Tanaka, something long buried. His mind wandered to distant days when he had watched over his little sister whenever his parents traveled abroad for work purposes.

"People die all the time," he continued, his voice harder now, more resolved. "I'm not arrogant enough to think I can control that. But if there's even one person I can save, I won't ignore it. I don't need that on my conscience."

"I'm tired of doing nothing and regretting it later..."

Now more than ever, he cannot fail. Not when he knows the consequences.

Suddenly, Tanaka stood, his movements sharp and resolute.

"We have to be quicker," he said firmly, his voice brooking no argument. "I'll call for more."

Rem watched as his aura shifted, the faint glow of the three spirits around him intensifying. Then, with a flash of light, six more appeared, their translucent forms shimmering in the cold air.

"You three," he gestured to the newcomers, "come with me. We're going to catch up to Subaru. The rest of you," his gaze swept over the remaining spirits, "focus on healing the children. Stay with Rem and stabilize them until they're safe in the village."

The spirits responded silently, their light pulsing in acknowledgment.

"If we are separated you won't be able to use my mana? That's fine, take what you need now with you."

As the spirits drew on his mana, Tanaka groaned, clutching his head as a sharp pain tore through him. Blood dripped from his nose, staining the ground.

"Tanaka-kun!" Rem exclaimed, stepping forward in concern.

"I'm fine," he said through gritted teeth. "Are you sure you can carry them to the village on your own?"

Rem hesitated before nodding. "Yes. It shouldn't be a problem."

As they prepared to part ways, she hesitated, glancing back at him. "After all this ends, Rem will talk to her sister."

"You don't have to—"

"I'm not doing this for you," she interrupted. Her tone was firm, but not unkind. "I'm doing this because it's the right thing to do. Your judgment was… correct."

Tanaka gave her a faint, grateful smile. "Thanks. But we'll talk about it later. For now, hurry up—I'll catch up to Subaru."

Rem nodded, her expression unreadable as she turned and began to move, the children carefully balanced in her arms.

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

____

_____

_______

"My judgment was wrong."

The thought hit Tanaka like a physical blow as he stared at the chaos before him.

Subaru and Rem lay unconscious, blood pooling around them. Ulgarm surrounded them, their snarls echoing in the night. The air was thick with menace, a tangible weight pressing down on him.

"This is all my fault.." 

The spirits floated frantically around him, their light pulsing as they focused on the two fallen figures. Their efforts were valiant but insufficient. Blood seeped from deep wounds, staining the ground in dark rivulets.

"No! No! No!" Tanaka's voice broke as panic consumed him.

This can't be happening. 

Is that hell awaiting me? Am I really going to live through that shit again?

The magic beasts bit him from his shoulders and sides, but he barely felt it. It could have been the wave of panic that swarmed him or the adrenaline rush. Flashes of another reality burned through his mind—nightmares he thought he'd escaped. The lives of those he would fail haunted him, merging with the scene before him.

"Hold your shit together, you fucking idiot!" he screamed at himself, his voice raw with desperation.

"If I screw up now, it's over..."

If he lets Rem die, they are going to get blamed for this. If Subaru keeps dying and loses his mind, it's his fault.

"Help them! Please!" he cried out, begging to the spirits.

"Take my mana—all of it! Every single drop!"

Frost crept along the ground as the temperature plummeted. The spirits' glow intensified, becoming almost blinding as their power surged.

Painful, agonizing, distant, unseen, unheard, his life was dwindling.

Life spilled out from the gaping wound in his sides like sand from an hourglass.

The lesser blue spirits 'light began to grow in an aggressive manner and without him noticing, white fog appeared as he breathed raggedly. 

No matter what..

Even if it kills me...

"I will never let these two die!!!!"