Re:Zero - The King of Pride

Subaru and Beatrice appeared in the library.

"Home sweet home, I guess," Subaru sighed.

Beatrice had a small palm pressed against her head.

"Beako, are you alright?" Subaru asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.

She shook her weariness off, "Betty is fine, I suppose. Teleportation just takes a great deal of magic."

"Sorry, Beako. If I'd known that, I would have said that we'd walk," He said, hoisting her up onto his shoulder.

Beatrice sniffed, "Betty will be fine, in fact. Now let us go and find Betty's Bubby!"

"I'm game for that," Subaru replied, opening the door.

Subaru emerged from the library on the third floor of the manor.

"Emilia?" He yelled.

No one answered.

"Rem? Ram? Roswaal?" He continued.

Again no one answered.

Subaru felt a chill and started to run down the hall, "Emilia?" He called.

Subaru held Beatrice on his shoulder with both hands as he bounded down the stairs, taking them three at a time.

"Hello? Anyone?!" He shouted, reaching the first floor.

He ran past the sitting room and the dinning room but they were both empty.

Subaru had a mental image of Petelguese having caught everyone in the manor by surprise.

"Hello?!" He yelled, barreling toward the kitchen.

A tall woman dressed in a maid's outfit emerged from the kitchen. She had long blond hair and a curvaceous body.

"Hello," She said calmly as Subaru raced over to her and bent over, panting for breath.

"Who… are you?" He gasped.

"My name is Fredericka Baumann. I am a maid of Lord Roswaal. What are you doing here? This area is not safe."

"I could… ask you the same question," Subaru said, finally catching his breath, "Where is Emilia?"

The maid raised an eyebrow, "If you mean the Lady Emilia-"

"I do and I have no patience for games of formal address and courtesy right now! Where is she?" He demanded.

"And where is Betty's Bubby, I suppose!" Beatrice cried.

The maid paused, "You must be Lord Subaru. Lord Roswaal told me that you would come here. He asked me to remain here to meet you."

"Lady," Subaru growled, "The next thing you say that does not directly answer my question will end very badly for you! Where. Is. Emilia?!"

The maid raised an eyebrow but otherwise seemed to display no reaction to Subaru's threat, "The Lady Emilia is in the Sanctuary."

"What Sanctuary?"

"The Sanctuary is a community located some distance to the west of this manor. Lord Roswaal brought Rem, Ram, and the villagers of Arlem to the sanctuary to escape the monster that attacked Arlem. How were you able to get by that creature?" Fredericka asked.

"Petelguese is dead," Subaru grumbled, "You should be safe to leave and the villagers can come back."

Fredericka's eyes widened, "Are you… sure?" She asked.

"Very sure. There's nothing left of the freak but boots and chunky salsa," Subaru replied, rubbing his face.

Funny how the thought that Petelguese is dead doesn't make me feel any better. Maybe it's related to the fact that today I found out that not only are there creatures that can swat me like a fly, I also found out that there are monsters that can kill those creatures with as little effort. This has given me new context for where I sit on the food chain and I really don't like it.

Fredericka seemed momentarily at a loss, "That was truly a heroic deed, Lord Subaru."

"I don't deserve much credit for it but that's a separate conversation. We need to tell everyone that it's safe to come back. How do I get to the Sanctuary?" He asked.

Fredericka gave Subaru directions to the Sanctuary as she led him to the stables outside. A two-legged black riding earth dragon waited there.

"Lord Roswaal left this earth dragon for you. He said that you would come," Fredericka explained.

"I've never ridden an earth dragon before," Subaru mused. "Are there no carts or wagons left?" He asked looking around. Usually the stable would have been full of them even if they were mostly covered in dust and cobwebs but now the stable was completely empty.

"I'm afraid not. All the carts were used to help the people of Arlem escape the monster," Fredericka replied, "Did you not bring a wagon of your own then?"

"Yeah but it got… crushed in the fight with Petelguese," Subaru sighed as Fredericka saddled the beast.

"May I take it that you don't know how to ride then?" Fredericka asked.

"No, but I guess I'll figure it out," Subaru said with a sigh as he laboriously climbed into the saddle.

I'm starting to understand why 'the guy who doesn't know how to get into the saddle' is a comedy trope. This is way harder than it looks. Fredericka is smirking and I swear that even the dragon is rolling his eyes at me.

"How exactly do you plan to do that, my lord?" Fredericka asked in bemusement. Subaru noticed that Fredericka had rather sharp teeth.

Subaru reached down and picked up Beatrice, setting her down on the saddle in front of him. "Because I don't have a choice," He snorted.

"Your pardon, my lord, but that is a motivation not an actual plan," Fredericka observed with a smirk.

Great, that's all I need: Another Ram. Not that she doesn't make a very valid point.

Subaru wrapped his arms around Beatrice and then grabbed hold of the reins. The earth dragon took a nervous step to the side and then seemed to settle down.

"Fredericka, are you going to be OK here all alone?" He asked.

"I will be fine, Lord Subaru. Lord Roswaal requested that I remain here and with the monster slain I should be in no danger," She replied.

"Fair enough," Subaru said. "Fredericka, Sir Reinhard van Astrea should be here in a day or two. With luck he might even get here this afternoon. Please tell him where we are and ask him to catch up with us as soon as possible."

"Yes, sir," Fredericka said with a curtsy.

"Also since Petelguese is dead, can you try to send word to the Kingdom that the Witch Cult is on a rampage? There are more Sin Archbishops than just Petelguese roaming around."

"I will see it done," Fredericka promised.

Subaru reached out and awkwardly petted the earth dragon's neck, "You ready to take a run, boy?"

"Girl," Fredericka corrected.

"Girl," Subaru amended.

OK, dragons don't understand human words, right? Because I swear to God that this dragon just shot me an annoyed look.

"You know, Beako, it sometimes amazes me how often I'm surrounded by nothing but girls around here," Subaru mused.

"If it bothers you then hurry up and find Betty's Bubby and that will solve the problem, I suppose!" She snapped.

Subaru sighed, "Good advice." He lightly hit the earth dragon's ribs with his feet and the the dragon bent over and raced out of the stable like lightning.

"Whoa!" Subaru and Beatrice cried out in tandem, holding on for dear life.

Fredericka stood there and watched them zoom off into the distance, "I have completed your first instruction, my lord. I will tend to the other shortly," She mused to herself.

The dragon raced down the road like a runaway rocket. The dragon seemed completely indifferent to where it was going as long as it was going there fast. Subaru could only hold on for dear life but luckily the dragon needed no coaxing to follow the road.

Subaru and Beatrice screamed, clutching at each other, for the first few miles of the ride. After that, they managed to calm themselves somewhat.

Shit, this dragon moves faster than a car!

"Well, you can't say that this isn't exciting!" Subaru yelled.

"Betty doesn't need excitement! Betty just needs her Subaru and her Bubby, I suppose!" Beatrice shouted back.

"Well, I did promise you that I'd make your life more interesting!" He shouted back with a wild laugh.

"Subaru promised Betty that he would make her happy, in fact! So far, Subaru has led Betty into a fight against three Sin Archbishops and Betty is now riding on this land monster. Betty is most unhappy today, in fact!" She screamed.

"I hear you, Beako!" Subaru yelled, "Just remember that Emilia and Puck are waiting for us at the end of this trip!"

"That is the only reason that Betty is riding on this land monster! Why do you think Betty did not simply return to her library, I suppose?"

"Because Betty adores me and would miss me terribly if I were gone?" Subaru asked.

"Ugh! Whatever possessed Betty to pick you to be 'that person,' in fact?"

"I don't know, Beako, but I'm really happy that you did!" Subaru answered.

Beatrice paused, "So is Betty, I suppose! But Betty really wants to get down!"

"I totally agree with you, Beako! Just hang on! This should be a short trip, especially at the speeds we're traveling!" He shouted back.

The dragon raced onward, heedless of where they were headed and Subaru thought about Fredericka's directions.

"Beako! We're going to have to turn right up here!"

"And how would we do that, I suppose?" She yelled back.

"Um. I think we should try leaning to the right and maybe the dragon will respond. Lean with me!" Subaru instructed and Betty obligingly shifted her weight to the right.

The dragon shifted its own weight to the right and they barreled down the right path at the fork as Subaru steadied himself and Beatrice.

"Hey, that was pretty easy! Actually this is really kind of fun!" Subaru said.

"Betty does not find this fun! Betty wants to stop, in fact!"

"Hang in there, Beako! We're almost there!" Subaru shouted as the dragon left the woods and raced out onto a a broad plain, "Fredericka told us that when we reach the plain we just need to follow the road into the valley covered in forests," He shielded his eyes against the setting sun, "There! That's it, Beako! That's the Sanctuary!"

"Betty wants to stop! She isn't sure whether to ask the dragon to slow down and soothe Betty's tummy or to speed up so we can finish faster, I suppose!"

"Slow down?" Subaru said swallowing hard, "Oh, right. We still need to figure out how to get the dragon to stop, don't we?"

"Are you joking with Betty, I suppose?!" She screamed.

"Don't worry, Beako! We're smart! We can figure this out!" Subaru cried as the dragon left the plain and thundered down a heavily wooded path into the valley.

"Oh, Betty is very smart! Except possibly in her choice of contractor, I suppose! Betty speaks twelve languages, in fact! Do you think that this land monster would listen to Betty if she said 'stop' in one of them?!" She screeched.

Subaru hunched over as branches and leaves whipped at his face.

Subaru's heart dropped into his stomach. Racing at breakneck speed across a wide open plain was one thing but dashing down a narrow winding overgrown road in a dense forest was a very bad idea.

The world around them suddenly glowed bright green.

"Betty… feels… funny…" She murmured and slumped against Subaru like a rag doll.

"Beako?! Beako!" Subaru roared as they exited the forest path and entered an open meadow with a huge stone building sitting in it.

In the distance Subaru heard wailing and weeping coming from the stone structure. The wailing was a voice that he knew better than his own heartbeat.

"Emilia!" He screamed as the dragon continued to charge heedlessly straight ahead.

"Fuck!" Subaru yelled and pulled back on the reins as hard as he could.

The dragon squawked and skidded to a halt. It looked back at Subaru reproachfully. "Thanks a ton, girl! You're a lifesaver!"

The dragon clucked somewhat mollified as Subaru practically fell out of the saddle, cradling Betty's body.

Subaru pressed his ear against Beatrice's mouth but she was breathing strongly. She appeared to just be asleep for some reason.

Subaru kissed her forehead and then cradled her tiny body against his shoulder as he charged toward the stone building and Emilia's plaintive wails.

Subaru raced over to the stone building.

I wonder if the earth dragon will stay where I left her? Fuck it, I have bigger things to worry about right now. We can walk back to the manor if we really need to. Even if it does take a few days.

As he approached, Subaru saw Emilia sitting on the steps weeping, her head in her hands. Felt sat next to her awkwardly patting her shoulder and trying to comfort her.

"Emilia!" He yelled.

Felt jumped, "Subaru?! What are you doing here?" She asked as he rushed up the steps, "Wait, Beako? Oh, crap. Boss, you really shouldn't have brought Beako here."

Somethings weird about this building. It feels almost like I'm getting closer to an enormous bonfire as I climb the steps and the heat is burning into my skin. It stings but it doesn't seem to hurt that much, at least not yet. Whatever, worry about that later.

"Emilia!" He cried, grabbing her hands and pulling them away from her face.

Emilia looked up at him blinking, her eyes full of tears. "Subaru?" She whispered.

"It's alright, Mili. I'm here now," He promised, trying to hold Beatrice while wrapping his arms around Emilia.

Emilia buried her face in his chest and wept: Loud, ragged sobs that made her entire body tremble.

Subaru looked at Felt, "What the hell is going on here?"

Felt shifted awkwardly. "This… is going to take some explaining," Felt mumbled.

Subaru stroked Emilia's hair and let her cry herself out, "Felt, you said that I shouldn't have brought Beatrice here. Do you know what's wrong with her?"

Felt bit her lip. "Yeah, certain… kinds of people react badly to the magical barrier around this place. It knocks them unconscious. She'll be fine once she rests up a little bit."

Why do I have the nagging sensation that Felt isn't telling me something important? Never mind, I'll deal with it later, "Is everyone here? Is everyone safe?"

"Yeah, we're all fine," Felt replied as Emilia's sobbing began to quiet.

Subaru glanced down, hoping that Emilia might be ready to talk but he was shocked to realize that Emilia had simply passed out from the stress.

"Heh. The little bitch failed again? I'm surprised, Ryuzu. Aren't you surprised?"

Subaru turned around and saw two people standing at the bottom of the stone stairs. One was a tiny elf with pink hair who was almost swallowed up by her own robes. The other was a heavily muscled man with blond hair and and a large 'X' shaped scar on his forehead. Judging by his pointed teeth he was a demi-human.

Subaru wordlessly asked Felt to look after Emilia and then put Beatrice down beside her.

Subaru marched down the steps, coldly angry. Emilia had been crying in sheer agony and Subaru had been unable to do anything about it. Then this jerk shows up and mocks her for it? Subaru really wanted to hurt someone right now and this dumb thug was literally begging for it.

"I don't think that I ever caught your name," Subaru growled to the blond man.

"Subaru, the elf is named Ryuzu," Felt called, "She's one of the leaders of the Sanctuary. She's nice. The other one is called Garfiel and he needs to be spayed," Felt grumbled.

Subaru glared at Garfiel.

Emilia is lying there in terrible pain and Garfiel is laughing about it? How would like a quick taste of Indomitable? No, calm down, Subaru. The asshole doesn't deserve that. Yet.

"So you're the Subaru that we have heard so much about," Ryuzu said. Her voice was a low whisper and not at all challenging.

"Oh, so this is the big hero that all the Arlem folks swore was going to come here and save them?" Contempt fairly dripped from Garfiel's voice, "The blond shrimp and the elven weakling talk about you all the time. I thought you'd be bigger."

Subaru ground his teeth, "Don't you have something better to do with your time?"

Garfiel snorted, "Yeah, I'm just like Logan at the falls. I better go and keep the Arlem folks and the Sanctuary residents out of trouble. If they're waiting on the half-elf to save the day then they're all going to be here for a very long time," He said, turning around and strutting away.

Subaru restrained himself from chasing Garfiel down and beating him senseless.

"Welcome to the Sanctuary, Lord Subaru," Ryuzu continued as if Garfiel hadn't spoken, "I've heard a great deal about you. I would very much like to talk to you about the situation here."

"It would be my pleasure, Lady Ryuzu," Subaru said with a slight bow, "But I have to tend to Lady Beatrice and Lady Emilia at the moment. Could we schedule our conversation for a bit later?"

Ryuzu nodded wordlessly and walked away.

Subaru climbed back up to where the girls waited on the steps, "Is there some place that we can bring them?" He asked Felt who was virtually buried under the unconscious girls.

Felt nodded, "There's a little cottage not too far from here where we've all been staying."

"Alright," Subaru said, picking up Emilia in his arms, "I'll take Emilia. Felt, you can carry Beako. That seems like the best way to do this."

"Works for me," Felt agreed, following Subaru down the stairs with the unconscious Beatrice resting against her shoulder. "It's a whole lot easier than carrying Emilia home everyday."

"Everyday?"

Felt sighed, "It's kind of a long story,"

"Alright, well let's get the girls somewhere safe before we get into it then," Subaru said. He put his fingers to his lips and whistled.

Wait, why do I think earth dragons come when called? Especially when they're called by someone they just met?

However, the earth dragon responded and she came over to Subaru and Felt but she did so with clear reluctance in her eyes.

Subaru reached up and stroked the earth dragon's neck. "Good job, girl. Thanks for all the help."

The earth dragon looked aloof and glanced away but she seemed mollified for the moment.

"Felt, do you have an extra hand to guide the dragon?" He asked.

"Yeah, no problem. We'll put her in at the stables near the cottage," Felt said, grabbing the reins as they walked.

Back at the cottage, they put the unconscious Emilia and Beatrice in bed. Ryuzu had helpfully appeared to take the dragon away and Subaru and Felt were recovering from the hike on the cottage steps.

"OK, Felt," Subaru sighed. "Catch me up. What have I missed?"

"Well, it's kind of a long story," Felt muttered, folding her arms behind her head and laying back. "Emilia and I came back to Arlem to get ready for that big meeting that Roswaal set up but it ended up not happening. That monster showed up screaming about you, and the witch, and love, and all kinds of other bullshit. We didn't know what the hell was going on but he just started smashing up the place. Roswaal told us all to jump into the wagons and make a break for it. Roswaal flew overhead along the way to keep an eye on the monster and he said that it was chasing after us and that it was catching up."

"You? Why did Petelguese want you guys?" Subaru asked.

"Beats me but Roswaal said that it was chasing us and that it was moving fast and we had to find a place to hide so he led us to the Sanctuary. He said the monster wouldn't dare to follow us in here."

"Why not?" Subaru asked.

"Because once you go in there's no way out," Felt said with grim humor.

"What did you say?" Subaru gasped.

"The Sanctuary is protected by some kind of magical barrier. Anyone can go in but apparently the barrier has a funny reaction to impure blood. If you try to go back out and you have a mix of human and demi-human blood, it sucks out your soul until what emerges on the other side is nothing but a still-breathing corpse."

Subaru stared at her, "That is positively idiotic!" Subaru exclaimed, "Why would Roswaal bring you in here? What the hell was he thinking?!"

"Good question," Felt sighed, "Apparently Roswaal's plan was to pass the Trials."

"Trials?"

"Yeah, according to Roswaal there are three magical trials that need to be completed to shut down the barrier. He tried to take them but evidently not everyone can. He tried to go into the Tomb to take the trials and the next time that I saw him he was stuck in bed with bandages all over his body. We all thought that we were trapped here permanently but then Roswaal revealed that he was certain that Emilia could take the trials, he had just tried to do them in her place to spare her anguish."

Subaru frowned, That doesn't sound like Roswaal. Maybe he's fonder of Emilia than I thought.

"Anyway, so Emilia does have the ability to at least take the trials at the Tomb. That's what she was doing when you and Beako found us. I've gone with her every day to try and keep an eye on her. The Tomb has some kind of anti-magic barrier. If you try to go inside and you don't have whatever qualifications you need to take the trials, your mana rebells against you and your body blows up. That's what happened to Roswaal. But I don't have much mana so it doesn't affect me."

"But why was Emilia screaming like that?" Subaru asked.

"I don't know," Felt sighed, "I wish I did. The trials give you some kind of vision or something but I don't know of what. She won't talk to me about it. It's been well over a week now and she hasn't even passed the first Trial. Everyday she tries and then she comes out of the trance, screaming and crying. I'm trying to keep her safe but it's getting difficult. The people of Arlem are scared. Roswaal told them that Emilia would save them but she isn't delivering. They're starting to blame her for their predicament."

Subaru had a momentary urge to smack Roswaal's head with a hammer.

Stupid Roswaal. First you knowingly lead everyone into an inescapable trap and then you manage to make the job of saving everybody you led into disaster Emilia's problem? Fuck you!

Subaru rubbed his forehead with a sigh, "Are all the Arlem villagers here? Are they all safe?"

Felt nodded, "Yeah, no worries there yet. The Sanctuary people aren't exactly welcoming but they haven't gotten hostile yet. They've been willing to share food and shelter but this can't continue on for much longer. The Sanctuary just isn't big enough to support another three hundred people. Food is going to start running short. The Sanctuary residents and the villagers are beginning to snap at each other."

"Well, why don't the Arlem villagers just leave?" Subaru asked. "The barrier is only a problem if you have mixed blood, right?"

"Sure, but most of the villagers aren't too confident about their genealogy. They don't know who their ancestors were four or five generations back or if those ancestors might have had mixed blood. That's the kind of secret that families try to cover up to avoid being discriminated against. The villagers think that they're human, they look human, but who can tell what metric the barrier is using to judge? Is it enough if your great-great-great-great grandmother had mixed blood? The only way to be sure if you can pass through the barrier safely is to physically go through it and that's a potentially fatal test," Felt explained. "Hey, look at me, I've got red eyes and I don't have the slightest idea who my parents were. Maybe I'm a mixed blood. I'm not super psyched about putting my purity to the test in a life or death gamble right now. Roswaal ran the numbers or something and he's guessing that if everyone tries to run the barrier about thirty percent will die in the crossing."

"And Emilia's definitely a mixed blood," Subaru sighed.

"Yeah, according to Roswaal if Emilia tries to cross the barrier she will definitely die. Beatrice too, I'm afraid. Roswaal said that the barrier reacts to spirits as well. It not only kills them when they try to cross it but being inside of the barrier makes them exhausted and weak as well," Felt said.

Subaru buried his face in his hands, Beatrice, what have I done? I've dragged you to a place that's literally poison to you.

"We think that might be why Puck disappeared," Felt added.

"Wait, what?!"

"Oh, we don't think that he's dead! He's just not responding to anything. Emilia claims she can still feel him deep inside the crystal but apparently the barrier is doing something to him and he can't come out," Felt said.

"Holy shit. No wonder Emilia went all to pieces," Subaru groaned, "And now she feels responsible for you too, Felt."

"Nah, I told her that I was sure that I was a pure blood," Felt replied, "She bought it. That way at least she doesn't feel responsible for me being here but I'm running out of excuses not to try to leave."

Subaru looked up at the sun setting over the valley rim, "I'm going to need to talk to the villagers tomorrow. Maybe I can calm them down. If nothing else I am completely positive that I'm pure human so at least I could go out and get help."

"What makes you so sure?" Felt asked.

"Because where I come from there are no other races," Subaru chuckled.

Felt's eyes widened, "Whoa. Seriously?"

"Yup."

"Damn. I know a lot of human supremacists who would love your world. Honestly, I might not mind it there either; a world free of racial prejudice…" Felt mused.

No, Felt. Not even close but I'm skipping this conversation for the moment because the notion that humanity actually invents races to hate when it can't find any real ones will just convince you that I come from a world full of idiots and frankly I'm not sure that I could argue the point.

"So that's what you've been doing everyday?" Subaru asked.

"Pretty much. Every morning Emilia and I head over to the Tomb and she tries to take the Trial. Emilia usually lasts for an hour or so before she has a full on breakdown. Then I drag her back home and put her to bed. Garf usually makes a few snide comments and I threaten him with a flea bath. Same shit, different day," Felt said, "Then after dark I go to the Arlem village meeting to give the chief and the selectmen an update and to urge them to be patient."

"I guess I should go with you tonight," Subaru said, getting to his feet.

"No," Felt disagreed, standing up, "You can do far more good by trying to work through this with Emilia. She won't talk to me but she might talk to you. Everything depends on getting Emilia to complete the Trials and the villagers will be much happier if I tell them that you're here working on it than if you go there and say you're going to try to work on it. Incidentally, do you know if you could take the trials instead of Emilia?"

"Considering the fact that being near that Tomb felt suspiciously as if I was about to catch on fire, I'm guessing not," Subaru sighed.

"Well that sucks," Felt replied.

"Yes, it does," Subaru agreed. "Alright, so you go off and do your public relations thing while I head upstairs and see if Emilia will talk to me."

When Subaru entered Emilia's room, he found Emilia sitting up in bed. Beatrice was in Felt's bed and still sound asleep.

"Hey, Mili," Subaru whispered, grabbing a chair and pulling it over to the bed.

"Subaru," She murmured, "You're really here. It wasn't a dream."

"Assuming you remember me with my pants on, no, it wasn't a dream," Subaru joked.

Emilia didn't crack a smile. She turned away from Subaru and stared straight ahead.

Subaru sat down next to Emilia, "Felt told me that you've been having a really tough time out here," He said, taking her hand.

Emilia nodded. "And now you're trapped in here with us," Emilia whispered.

"I'm not trapped, I can leave whenever I want. But why would I want to leave without you?" Subaru replied.

Emilia didn't respond.

"It seems like the Trials really freaked you out," Subaru coaxed.

Emilia nodded.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Subaru asked.

Emilia didn't answer.

"You can talk to me about anything," Subaru encouraged.

She just shook her head.

Subaru took a deep breath, "Felt told me about how hard you've been working at these trials. She told me that you've been trying to pass them everyday since you got here."

Emilia flinched, "Felt… told you that?" She asked in a ragged voice.

"Yes, she did," Subaru said.

I'm on dangerous ground here but I'm not sure why. Why would Emilia be upset that Felt told me how hard she's been working?

"I think it's great how hard you've been trying to save everyone," Subaru continued, "You're going to be everybody's hero!"

Emilia shook her head.

"Yes, you are! Everybody is going to frigging adore you when you break this barrier!"

"What if I never do?" Emilia asked quietly.

"Of course you will," Subaru replied in confusion. "You will succeed because you keep trying! You didn't fail once, or twice, or three times and then quit. You kept going. That's the real mark of inner strength and that's why I know that you'll beat this."

Emilia bowed her head. "I wish that Felt hadn't told you. I wish that you had never come here," Emilia said bitterly.

Subaru's breath caught in his throat.

"Now you know what a failure I am!" Emilia hissed at herself.

"You are not a failure!" Subaru said firmly.

"Subaru! What else can you call someone who does nothing but fail all the time?!" Emilia demanded with flames in her eyes.

"Someone who is trying," Subaru said calmly, "You're working hard to save everyone! Not everything is going to work out the first time you try it! But you've kept going so that you can eventually save everyone. That's real courage."

Emilia stared at him for a moment and then shook her head, "Subaru, you dummy. You don't understand me at all."

"What do you mean?"

"I wasn't doing this for the people of Arlem," Emilia said bitterly, "I was doing this for me!"

Subaru blinked.

"When we got caught in this trap running away from that monster, I was actually excited! I thought that I was finally about to prove that I could accomplish something. I thought this would finally be my chance to make you proud of me!"

"Emilia, I have always been proud of you-"

"Why?" Emilia asked flatly.

"Huh?"

"Why are you proud of me? Name one thing that I have ever done that made you proud," Emilia growled, staring at the wall.

"OK. How about the way you keep forcing yourself to take the trials even though it's obvious that they hurt you and that you really don't want to do them?" Subaru asked gently.

"And I keep failing," Emilia hissed.

"What about the way you worked so hard to prepare yourself before the royal selection presentation? You spent long and brutal days studying and preparing but you never complained once," He said.

"You mean all those times I memorized the strategies that you came up with?" Emilia snapped.

Subaru rubbed his chin, "How about the way that you're so determined to save the elves of the forest-"

"The ones that I cursed!" Emilia screamed, slamming her fists down on the bed. "I'm just trying to fix my own mistake! And what's even worse is that I'm not doing it! I haven't done a single thing to move us any closer to healing them. Everything that's brought us nearer to acquiring the cure was something that you did!" Emilia pulled her knees into her chest and buried in her face in them. "Why do I always have to fail the people that I care about?" She wept.

Subaru bit his lip, "Emilia, don't you think that you're being just a little bit too hard on yourself?" Subaru asked.

Emilia glowered at him, "Subaru, do you have any expectations of me at all?"

"Of course I do!"

"Then why aren't you ever mad at me when I fail? Why don't you ever get disappointed in me?" She demanded.

"Why would getting mad at you help anything? When someone fails they need support, not condemnation. I don't get disappointed in you when something goes wrong because I know that you tried your best," Subaru said, feeling absolutely baffled.

"No! You're never disappointed in me because you never expect me to accomplish anything! You know that you have to take care of me because I can't do it myself! You're the one who's going to save my people and I've done nothing to help them but come along for the ride!" Emilia cried into her knees.

"That is not true!" Subaru said, rubbing her back.

Emilia was quiet for a long time as she wept.

"I wanted… so badly to finally… make you proud of me," Emilia moaned, "I just wanted to help a little… so that when we freed the elves I would have contributed. But it's not going to happen. I'm too weak. It's time that I finally accepted the truth, Subaru," She said in a numb broken voice, "The only reason I'm even still alive is because you saved me over and over again. Everything that's been done to try and heal the forest was due to your kindness and your charity. All I can do is stand beside other people while they do things, like you and Puck. I'm useless."

Subaru wrapped his arms around her.

What the hell happened here?! I knew when she left that she was feeling insecure and wanted to prove herself but how did it blow up into this? I don't know what to say, I don't even know where to start!

Subaru sat there and held her.

Well, on the bright side, this is exactly what you hoped, for isn't it? A nasty voice in Subaru's mind said, You were always terrified that Emilia would leave you. You worked so hard to convince her that it was OK to be dependent on you so that she wouldn't be tempted to leave. Mission accomplished. Emilia is now hopelessly dependent on you and has abandoned any ambition of even aspiring to be more. She's all yours now. A ruined husk of a human being, too shattered to even try to stand on her own. You must feel great.

Oh God, I'm a piece of shit.

Whatever. No time to unpack a guilty conscience right now. Emilia needs me.

"Emilia, you are many things but you are absolutely not useless. You are not weak," Subaru said.

Emilia shook her head silently.

"Emilia," Subaru asked. He waited until she finally looked at him, "Imagine if our roles were reversed. If I'd just been savaged by this cruel trial and I felt hopeless and like I couldn't do anything, do you think you'd let me give up on myself?"

Emilia looked away, "That's different."

"No it's not," Subaru said, forcing her to look at him, "That's what you left the capitol to prove: That you were just as good as me. That you should be treated the same way. If you'd never give up on me, why would you expect me to give up on you now?"

"Subaru," Emilia shook her head sadly and looked down, "You don't understand at all."

"But I do understand!" Subaru replied, "I know it's late but I get it now! You would never let me give up on myself, Mili, and I'm not going to just sit here and let you give up on yourself."

"I'm not like you, Subaru!" Emilia wailed, "I can't do it!"

"Emilia, do you remember the night after the battle at Arlem?" Subaru murmured, "How I just… broke down and cried in your arms. I was so scared during that fight. I was sure that I was going to die."

Emilia looked at him expressionlessly.

"Now it's your turn to cry, Emilia, but I'm here for you. I'll stay here as long as you need. I'll help you put the pieces together until you feel like you can keep going."

Emilia's face hardened into a sour glare, "Subaru. You dummy. You don't understand at all," She whispered bitterly.

"What-"

"I held you after you had saved Arlem, not after you screwed up and let it get destroyed! Subaru, you haven't failed at anything since the day that we met! You did it all and you made it look easy!" Emilia screamed, "Do you have any idea what it feels like to stand next to someone like you and realize that you're just going to fail at everything you try?!"

"I-"

"Go away, Subaru," Emilia spat, rolling over in bed to face away from him, "I want to be alone right now."

Subaru stood there helplessly for a moment, then turned around and left the room.

Subaru tromped down the stairs.

Holy shit did I screw that up. Emilia is pissed at me. I don't know what to tell her. I don't know what to do! I thought that I was doing all of this for Emilia but I never realized that I was just making her feel inadequate.

She's angry at me because I haven't failed enough?

Oh the irony. Emilia, if you only knew: I have years, almost a decade under my belt of nothing but failures!

You don't get it, Mili. I'm the one who's pathetic. Everything that I've accomplished since I got here was because of the magic. Without Reason and Judgment and Indomitable, I'd have died a dozen times over by now. Hell, I couldn't even have found your insignia in the first place without Reason and Judgment! You would have walked out of that alley and gone back to the forest and I would have probably never even seen you ever again…

Wait, could that be the answer? What if I just told Emilia about Reason and Judgment? I'd just explain to her that my accomplishments have nothing to do with me… It's not that I'm brilliant or intelligent, it's just that… I'm using magic. That might make her feel better.

Shit. Can I really say that to her? Can I really admit that without my magic, I'm nothing but the same old loser I always was?

God, imagine the way that she'd look at me: "Subaru, I actually believed that you were special. I thought that maybe you really had something to offer. I'm glad that I realized the truth before we went any further. You lied to me, Subaru. You let me believe that you were someone you weren't. I never want to see you again."

Fuck.

Maybe I can think of another way to cheer her up…

Subaru was about to leave the house when he passed a door and heard Roswaal's distinctive voice inside.

Awkwardly, he knocked on the door.

"Come in!" Roswaal called.

Subaru opened the door and entered. The room was mostly occupied by an enormous bed and a few chairs lying against the walls. Roswaal sat in bed and his body was completely covered in bandages like a mummy, only his face and hands were exposed. Ram and Rem stood attentively nearby.

The twins bowed in unison.

"Welcome, Lord Subaru," Ram said.

"Welcome, Subaru," Rem said in tandem.

Ram shot her sister an annoyed glance and Rem flushed.

"It's good to see you're all safe," Subaru replied, "Roswaal, you look like maybe you haven't been so safe."

"Aaalas, no, young Subaru. I fear that I have led my people into great misfortune," Roswaal said calmly, "While we escaped the monstrous Petelguese we were unfooortunately forced to take refuge in this Sanctuary and there is no way out."

"That seems like a pretty questionable decision, Roswaal," Subaru replied, unable to entirely keep the edge out of his voice. "Why would you bring them in here in the first place?"

"Aaah, once we were driven out onto the plains, hiding places were few and far between. The cart dragons were nearing exhaustion and Petelguese was in hot pursuit," Roswaal explained.

Subaru scratched his chin, "I don't get that. Why was Petelguese chasing you in the first place? He seemed pretty fixated on just killing me. In fact, when we found him, he seemed to be just hanging around Arlem waiting for me to come back."

"Aaah, so you have met Petelguese, have you?"

"Yeah. He's dead now. It's safe to go back to Arlem, assuming we can ever get out of here."

"Spleeendid work, young Subaru. A truly exceptional achievement, slaying any Sin Archbishop is not a trivial matter and Petelguese was known to be a ferocious fighter," Roswaal said.

Should I correct him? I mean, I wasn't the one who killed Petelguese but maybe it's smarter to let people think that I did. It's good for my image as 'Subaru the Invincible' which I absolutely need to maintain or else folks will realize that they can kill me easily when the timer for Indomitable runs out. Besides, killing an Archbishop must score us major points for the selection and it's not like Regulus or Lye are going to pop up to dispute my account of the events.

"Yeah, well he's dead now so we need to figure out how to get the people of Arlem home safely," Subaru replied.

"Yes. That is ooour concern now," Roswaal agreed, "Unfortunately the barrier is fatal to anyone of mixed blood."

"Yeah but I thought the people of Arlem were human. How many of them really can't cross the barrier?" Subaru asked.

"Aaalas there is no way to know without imposing a fatal test. Due to Lagunica's human centric laws, families attempt to hide any trace of impuuurity in their heritage. None of the villagers are confident in their racial heritage. I have performed some calcuuulations based on my knowledge of the community. I expect that if the people of Arlem attempt to cross the border, roughly thirty percent of them will die."

"Thirty percent…" Subaru whispered his face in his hands.

"It's a rooough estimate," Roswaal said with a shrug.

Thirty percent… that's one in three… Picture Petra, her mother, Meili, and all the other kids. Now imagine that one in every three of them dropped dead in the crossing. Or imagine that all of them dropped dead!

"Alright, then we need to clear the trials," Subaru said, "How do we do that?"

"Oooh, Lady Emilia is already hard at working doing so," Roswaal replied.

"Yeah but…," Subaru hesitated, "Maybe we should have a back up plan just in case."

"Suuuch as?"

"I don't know! How many people are qualified to take these trials?"

"Aaalas, only the Lady Emilia," Roswaal explained.

"Wait, what? Why?! What are these 'qualifications' anyway?"

"It is not aaaltogether clear, young Subaru. That stone monument is called by the locals the… Witch's Tomb." Roswaal said, his voice deepening with subdued anger. "It is unclear what gives someone the right to attempt these trials but everyone in Arlem and the Sanctuary have both presented themselves to see if they were acceptable. None except Emilia are capable."

"Shit! Well… can we make someone qualified to take the trial? Maybe some kind of magic or ritual?"

Roswaal's eyes glittered, "Perhaps, young Subaru, perhaps. Allow me to ruminate on it."

After that, Roswaal had asked to take a nap and so Subaru had stepped outside for a few minutes to clear his head. Rem and Ram followed him out.

"Lord Subaru," Ryuzu said, approaching the cottage with Garfiel beside her, "Could we speak for a moment?"

"Of course, Lady Ryuzu. Thank you for your patience while I dealt with personal matters," Subaru replied with a bow.

"Rem, please watch over Lord Roswaal. I will go acquire the food for tomorrow's breakfast," Ram instructed.

"Yes, sister," Rem bowed her head.

"Hey, Ram!" Garfiel said, bounding over to her, "Hey, do you…uh, need an extra pair of hands? I mean a beautiful thing like yourself shouldn't be-"

"Very well, at least you can be of some use even if it is only for manual labor," Ram replied, walking away.

Garfiel grinned foolishly and hurried after Ram with a blush.

"Garfiel!" Subaru called.

Garfiel turned back to Subaru with a scowl. Ram didn't slow her pace.

What did I just see… I know what I want to say but… those words just don't fit together…

"Garfiel, are you trying to… pick up Ram?!" Subaru asked.

Garfiel flushed, "What about it? Nothing wrong with a man liking a strong woman who knows what she-"

"Garfiel, why am I being made to wait for you?" Ram demanded, glancing back at him.

"Sister, be nice to little Garf," Rem whispered, too quietly for anyone to hear.

Garfiel hurried after Ram.

"Garf," Subaru shook his head, "You are the bravest man in the world."

Garfiel hesitated, confused by the sheer awe in Subaru's voice, "Well, 'course I am, ain't I? I'm like Roderick before the walls fell," He snorted and hurried after Ram.

"Also quite possibly the stupidest but why split hairs," Subaru murmured to Rem in an aside.

"Little Garf has always greatly admired my sister," Rem replied.

"Little? How old is he?" Subaru asked.

"Garfiel turned fourteen a few months ago," Rem explained.

Subaru's jaw dropped.

THAT guy is fourteen? He looks eighteen! Hell, he looks older than that! How big is this guy going to get?

Then again if he is fourteen then that kind of explains his 'tough guy' attitude. A lot of my friends went through that stage. Pretty sure they all cringe now whenever they think back on it.

"Lord Subaru," Ryuzu prompted.

"Yes, please excuse me, Lady Ryuzu. What was it that you wished to speak to me about?" Subaru said.

"We people of the Sanctuary do not wish excessive contact with outsiders. We understand that the people of Arlem were driven here against their will and they have our sympathies. We have tried to be accommodating. However this valley is simply not large enough to support all these new residents. The people of Arlem must return to where they came from. Soon." Ryuzu said quietly.

Subaru bowed, "I understand completely, Lady Ryuzu and I wholeheartedly agree. Lady Emilia is working diligently to attempt to resolve the issue and I will assist both of you in any way that I can. You have my assurance that we will remove the villagers of Arlem as soon as it is remotely possible. On behalf of the people of Arlem, I would like to express my abject gratitude for the charity and hospitality that has been shown to them thus far."

Ryuzu paused for a moment, "The food is running out, Lord Subaru. In a few weeks, we will all be on short rations and then a few weeks later, all the food will be gone. It will never last through the next harvest at this rate. When people don't know where their next meal is coming from, there will be violence."

Subaru frowned, Strong words but I don't think Ryuzu is threatening me. She wants me to know about a problem that will need to be handled.

"Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Lady Ryuzu," Subaru said politely, "I understand that this is a serious concern but it need not be a crisis."

"Any threat of starvation will rapidly become a crisis," Ryuzu disagreed.

"What I'm trying to say is that I won't let it become a crisis. I can pass through the barrier," Subaru explained.

"How do you know that?" Ryuzu asked and even Rem looked at Subaru in surprise.

"Err, long story, don't worry about it. The point is that if we think that lack of provisions is becoming a realistic concern then we will not ask the people to subsist on short rations. I will leave the Sanctuary and return with carts and wagons full of food. I have my own assets to spend and I'm sure that Lord Roswaal would also be amendable to repaying the the generous hospitality of the people of this Sanctuary. You have my personal guarantee that no one will go hungry from this situation. I would request that you try to make as many people aware of this promise as possible."

My personal guarantee, huh? I do have my own 'assets' to spend after all. What do I have left? Maybe five hundred gold sovereigns? How long can you feed about six hundred people with five hundred gold sovereigns? Maybe not all that long.

Ryuzu stared at Subaru for a moment and then bowed her head, "You are most generous, my Lord. I will take you at your word and inform my people of your promise. I will encourage them to keep faith in your commitment."

Ryuzu turned around and walked away.

Hm. The Sanctuary folks don't really have any reason to trust me right now but if I get Felt to tell the Arlem villagers about this, I think that at least they'll calm down. Maybe I should go out for supplies sooner rather than later. I can show the Sanctuary residents that I mean what I say and that my word is good before they start getting down to the wire and might really start to panic. I'll talk to Roswaal and Emilia about that in the morning.

The Lagunican nobility was in agreement: Priscilla Barielle's Triumph parade and celebration was absolutely the social event of the season.

That morning, an army of Anastasia Hoshen's teamsters and wagons had dragged the head of the Whale through the capitol and the entire city had shut down in celebration. Numerous impromptu parades were held all across the city and ale flowed like water.

Crusch's army, which had accompanied Anastasia's caravan on the return to the capitol, dispersed immediately upon being dismissed and the soldiers wound up in bars and saloons across the city where they were persuaded to recount the story of the daring battle that had finally slain the scourge of the continent. The soldiers were extremely modest, claiming that they had contributed little to the fight personally but to have the chance to fight shoulder to shoulder with the Sword Saint against the terrifying beast that had nearly devoured them all during the battle was more than reward enough. At least fifty of Crusch's soldiers claimed that they had put out one of the beast's eyes personally.

The nobility were ecstatic, not only that this dangerous monster that had plagued the land for centuries had finally been slain, but that each of the royal candidates had contributed to the result in their own way. Many uncommitted nobles and powerful merchants spoke highly of all the candidates, sagely commenting that these royal candidates being able to put aside their own ambition and rivalry to work together for the good of Lagunica spoke volumes about their character and the bright future that awaited Lagunica no matter which person gained the throne.

Praise was lavished on all the candidates and if perhaps somewhat more praise fell upon Subaru Natsuki, who had sounded the trumpet and organized the hunt, and whose knight had actually secured the kill, what of that?

The camp of Crusch Karnstein had stood with the camp of Subaru and Emilia Natsuki to slay the beast. The camp of Anastasia Hoshen had deliver the beast's corpse as proof and sent word to all corners of the land of the victory, both done at considerable expense. The camp of Priscilla Barielle had organized and prepared an enormous Triumph parade and the later Triumph party to welcome the weary warriors home and grant the entire city a rare respite from labor and toil.

Baron Georg of Monmouth and the Marquis de Feir were two elder statesmen and very dear friends. A pair of minor nobles of no particular importance, they had served in the royal court for a combined one hundred and forty years. They had seen nearly everything during their sojourn in the court but even they admitted the death of the Whale was remarkable. These nobles were too inconsequential to have been courted by any faction yet, and in truth they were indifferent to who gained the throne, both feeling that they were simply too old to care. They had come to the Triumph tonight simply to observe the intricate dance of the various players and powers in the city, a hobby that they pursued with as much passion as younger men might devote to following horse racing or games of sport.

"This is the grandest party I have ever seen," Feir mused, "Everyone is feeling wild and liberated tonight, especially the lovely young ladies of the court. Oh, if I were twenty years younger!"

"You'd still be in your sixties, you old fool" Georg observed with a smile, "Still this is a night to remember, I suppose. How large is the Lady Priscilla's party anyway? It seems to overflow the entire building."

"Who is to say, old friend? Perhaps not even Lady Priscilla knows for sure. The entire city is dancing and celebrating tonight, it is simply impossible to tell where one gala ends and another begins!" Feir mused.

"I see that the Lady Priscilla is holding court surrounded by her well wishers," Georg said, gesturing with his glass of champaign, "She seems to be thriving tonight."

"The Lady Priscilla may be frivolous but she is surely no fool, Georg," Feir smirked, "Her faction is making huge gains during this Triumph."

"Really? You astound me. Lady Priscilla was barely involved in the Whale hunt," Georg replied.

"Ah yes, this is the brilliance of her plan! As I said, it's impossible to know which festivities in the city the Lady Priscilla actually arranged and paid for. She may have been the least involved in the hunt but by mutely taking credit for all of these enormous celebrations, she is the most visibly involved to the people!" Feir explained, tossing back his champaign.

"I see," Georg mused, "That is really quite brilliant."

Georg listened to the crowd surrounding Lady Priscilla with interest.

"Lady Priscilla," A young ducal heir began, "Permit me to congratulate you on your outstanding celebration. The entire city both rich and poor are all rejoicing tonight and that is entirely due to your extravagant generosity. It speaks volumes about your own character and your empathy with the less advantaged. I am confident that this evening will attract a great deal of new support to your own faction."

Priscilla hesitated for just a moment. Then the entire crowd surrounding her audibly gasped as Priscilla Barielle bowed her headthe slightest degree. "You are entirely too generous to me, my Lord," She replied, "My contribution to the Whale Hunt was extremely modest, merely seeking to welcome our valiant warriors home with due honor and to reassure the people of Lagunica of the dawning of a new era. The very considerable fortune dispensed by House Barielle to ensure this is a celebration of special magnificence need not be mentioned. What less could I have done to reassure the people that they can trust in the good stewardship of their future queen?"

Priscilla finished speaking but nobody responded. The crowd assembled around her were completely stupefied.

"Another cunning device," Georg admitted.

"I dare say, old friend. It is entirely possible that the Lady Priscilla has never bowed her head before in her life! Much less modestly downplayed her own contributions to a cause. However, alas, she has overplayed her hand. Everyone can smell that her false humility is nothing more than an artifice," Feir sniffed.

"Irrelevant, my good Feir," Georg disagreed, "Lady Priscilla is not demonstrating her humility but rather her adaptability. Tonight she is going out of her way to present herself as gracious and to restrain her pride. She is proving to all assembled that even if her luck is not infallible, she can can still turn situations to her advantage by her wits. In truth, I had rather feared that Priscilla was finished after her abject humiliation at the hands of the stranger, Subaru Natsuki, not to mention her extremely clumsy recovery speech afterward."

"'Feared', you say?" Feir raised an eyebrow, "That seems most unusual for you, Georg. Is it possible that you have become invested in the fortunes of Lady Priscilla? Or perhaps her beauty has simply caught your eye. I would not blame you. The Sun Princess is a radiant jewel that shines whenever the light strikes her."

"Please! Foist not your ludicrous romantic fantasies onto me, old friend," Georg sighed, "Even in my youth I never had your obsessive fascination for the beauty of women. My concern was simply that the field of candidates was shrinking much too rapidly. A game of this scope and majesty occurs once ever few centuries. I would despair if it were cut short. And we had already seen two candidates fusing and bringing us down to four contenders in total. This was all the bad luck that I could stomach."

"It was a small loss, however," Feir observed, "The elf maid would have quickly withdrawn or been defeated. Her union with Subaru Natsuki has breathed new life into the game. I curse myself that I thought the selection's announcement would be too pedestrian to bother attending. To have seen Subaru Natsuki challenge Lady Priscilla and then out maneuver all challengers on the floor; I would have given a great deal to have been there."

"I did try to tell you, Feir," Georg shrugged.

"What about Lady Anastasia Hoshen?" Feir said, changing the subject. "She seems to have made a very limited contribution to the Whale Hunt as well and she doesn't have the publicly visible role of Lady Priscilla to make up for it."

"I have found that this is not limiting her at all," Georg said with some admiration, "She is currently paying court to all the men of means who work behind the scenes and believe that is their unseen hands that keep the kingdom running while all the nobles are busy admiring themselves. She's portraying herself as 'one of them' who has risen to prominence by nothing other than her wits and hard work and may yet rise higher to become queen."

"A clever gambit," Feir admitted, "Do you suppose that it will work?"

They looked at Anastasia Hoshen who stood nearby, speaking to a trader.

"Lady Anastasia," A tall merchant prince said, "I find it remarkable that your trade company was so willing to transport the beast's head all the way back here. I closed my office early today to catch a glimpse of the monster. It was enormous! Transporting the creature must have set you back a fortune. Your actions were most charitable."

"Oh no, please do not call it charity, Master Merchant. It was an investment," She replied.

"I'm not sure that I follow, Lady Anastasia," The merchant replied.

"I'm a greedy girl, Master Merchant. I only give up money if I'm going to make more money. Trade routes have suffered for years because of the whale's attacks. Caravans have always needed to be small enough to not arouse the beast's attention. This raises prices on transport costs enormously and provides tight constraints on supply chains. By bringing the Whale's head back here and publicly displaying it, I managed to remove all doubt from anyone that the whale truly is dead and the merchants of Lagunica will react accordingly. Trade will surge across the continent and new markets will open up where before the transportation costs were prohibitive. This economic boom will bring great profit and revenue to all of Lagunica, and not the least of which, their future queen."

"Truly, you have the eye and mind of a born leader, Lady Anastasia," The merchant replied almost in awe, "You eschew the personal glory of the hunt but offer services free of charge to your rivals. This not only earns you vast goodwill from the masses but will in truth further your own goals. You are precisely the type of commander that Lagunica so sorely needs. The Ship of State must be guided by a king that wields enough wisdom to steer it safely around the shoals and I am proud to offer you the full support of my family and my entire trading network to make it so!"

"You flatter me, Master Merchant," Anastasia tittered with a polite curtsy.

Feir tossed back another champaign. "I dare say that her plan is working," Feir murmured.

"Strange that Subaru Natsuki did not appear tonight. He would have stirred the pot if nothing else and there might have been more to watch," Georg mourned.

"Yes, it is very strange, is it not?" Feir admitted, "But it may turn to our good fortune. I was also beginning to fear that the selection would be, for all intents and purposes, wrapped up and finished in just a few weeks. Subaru Natsuki's absence gives Lady Crusch and the other candidates a chance to claw back some of their stolen prestige."

"Unfortunately, since Lady Crusch made such strong gains in the selection early on, her support this evening is growing slower than the others. The nobles most likely to declare for Crusch early on had already done so before the party. She will need to work harder to persuade the remainder that she is the woman to guarantee their future prosperity. That said she is performing exceptionally tonight," George admitted, "She is the belle of the ball."

"Indeed," Feir agreed, "I had always considered the Lady Crusch to be rather serious minded, one might even go so far as to say dour. But tonight she has been simply scintillating. Her rapier wit has delighted the crowds and I actually laughed at some of her ironic witticisms about herself, the hunt, and the selection in general."

"You lie, old friend! You haven't laughed in years!" Georg chuckled.

"I tell you, it is true," Feir replied, "The Lady Crusch's strange irreverence tonight has won her many admirers who previously were known to hold serious misgivings about the Lady Crusch Karnstein becoming queen. Truly masterful game play. I would not have expected such a subtle move from the Lady Crusch."

The two old friends continued to chat about the various points of the intricate dance being performed all around them. However one thing that they seem to be in general agreement on was that this night was a huge success for all the underdog candidates, including for Lady Crusch.

Georg and Feir concluded that Crusch must have practiced and trained for weeks to depict herself with this charming form of irreverent wit.

Only Felix, standing slightly behind Crusch, who knew his lady even better than he knew himself, understood the real truth. What everyone else interpreted as playful wit and irreverence was actually the strain showing on his mistress as she struggled to control herself.

Crusch Karnstein was livid.

Earlier tonight, Crusch had been behaving normally. She was quite pleased with how the situation had turned out for her. The only thing that worried her was the complete absence of any representative of the Natsuki camp in attendance.

It's strange that Subaru isn't here and anything strange is suspicious. Could he really be as arrogant as he acted during that first meeting? Does he truly believe that he would win the election without any serious effort? Surely he couldn't be that foolish. Then again during the Whale Hunt, Subaru Natsuki portrayed himself as far less arrogant than during our initial meeting but also far more foolish. Which is the true Subaru Natsuki and which is the act?

I'm making significant inroads with the uncommitted nobility in Subaru's absence tonight. I'm well aware that the only reason most of them are spending so much time listening to me is because Subaru did not attend. However, regardless of the particulars, tonight should fully solidify my position in second place and with luck I might even draw level with Subaru if he does not come out to defend his claim.

But why? Why is Subaru not here to solidify his position? This is the ideal moment to lock these things down. Could bad luck have finally struck him and he simply couldn't make it?

Oh yes, that seems very probable. I bet that his carriage broke down and that is why he isn't here. Maybe he came down with a sniffle. Or perhaps the babysitter hired for the Great Spirit canceled at the last minute. Yes, that all seems realistic!

No, something more is going on here.

Moreover why are no members of his camp here at all? The girl Felt has become the darling of the court and she could have dazzled all assembled here again with minimal effort. The Sword Saint could have not said a word; by his mere presence he would have solidified even more support for Subaru. Even the Lady Emilia could have stood here to lap up adulation and offers of support. After her camp just slew the White Whale, no one would dare even mention her race as a pejorative. Anyone so foolish might well have been lynched by the crowd tonight.

No, Subaru isn't just missing. He and his camp are deliberately avoiding the festivities. Why?

Crusch briefly excused herself and stepped out on the balcony with a glass of wine so she would have the luxury of thinking for a moment without constantly having to interrupt herself to make idle chit chat.

She pondered the problem for several minutes until she idly noticed the groups on the ballroom floor that had collected themselves out of the massive crowd of guests. Many of the nobles attending here tonight had not publicly declared for any candidate yet and they stood together, forming the largest group. The second largest group by a considerable margin was the one that had declared for Subaru Natsuki. After that came the groups that had declared for the other three candidates.

Crusch's eyes widened in realization. Crusch's group should be comfortably in second place however as she looked more closely those three groups were roughly equal in size.

How did I let this happen? Crusch demanded of herself, Subaru Natsuki has outsmarted me again!

Subaru deliberately avoided the Triumph to sabotage me! By not attending himself but having the three of us share the ceremony, he's made this election into a contest between Subaru Natsuki and 'the other three!'

I knew that the other candidates would be involved after the hunt for the Whale but I thought nothing of it. Anastasia's contribution was nothing more than a glorified shipping service, a fitting role for a merchant. And Priscilla contributed nothing at all other than throwing a party, which is frankly all that she's good for. Yet we're all sharing credit equally tonight!

I didn't foresee the brilliance of Subaru's plan. By both claiming the deed in advance and by his possession of the Sword Saint who won the kill, Subaru earned the lion share of the accolades for slaying the Whale. This was inevitable. But I assumed that as the only military force assisting him I would receive clearly the second place's worth of honors. This was my mistake and it is blindingly obvious now.

The people don't see the distinction between my military assistance and Anastasia's shipping assistance or even Priscilla's party planning! They view all our efforts equally. What's worse is that I started the contest comfortably in second place: Priscilla had been publicly humiliated and Anastasia was virtually unknown in Lagunica. However by participating in this enormous ceremony with the other two I've effectively raised their status! I've broadened the race so that I now find myself competing for second place in a three way tie!

Crusch ground her teeth.

Subaru Natsuki is a strategist among strategists. Under other circumstances I might even have set my cap for him. Our children would conquer the world.

I keep underestimating him! He offered me the whale and pretended it was simply largesse offered to one he believed was defeated. I was a fool to accept that at face value! He provoked me deliberately! He knew that I would be so angry at his presumption and his patronizing insolence that I would stop thinking straight. Of course the contest wasn't decided yet, only a fool could have believed otherwise and Subaru had given me ample evidence that he was no fool. Yet I still didn't see the trap.

Later when he mentioned that the other candidates would assist in a post combat role I didn't give it a second thought. I am a soldier at heart. I expected the issue of credit for the hunt to be settled in the field. But Subaru's brilliant insight was this: that credit would be awarded not in the field but in the capitol and by inviting the other two to participate only after the battle was decided, he lulled me into a false sense of security. The people saw the three of us standing side by side during the ceremony and thus were accolades doled out evenly.

I never even saw his plan but in one deft move Subaru Natsuki has pulled my rivals up and simultaneously jerked me down! The three of us will be so busy ripping into each other, jockeying for second place, that Subaru Natsuki could walk to victory virtually unopposed.

"Crusch, are you OK, nya?" Felix said coming out on the balcony, "Why do you look so upset? This night is going wonderfully for you, nya."

Crusch bent over the railing with a sigh, "I'm afraid you don't see the webs within the webs, my dear friend. Don't be hurt, neither did I until now. Our foe has stolen yet another march on us and I have been outplayed once again."

"Huh?"

Crusch quickly filled her friend in on what she had uncovered.

Felix's eyes grew wide and he quickly glanced back at the party filling in a few blanks. Felix was extremely clever. It didn't take him long.

"But Crusch, if this is true…"

Crusch shook her head, "I am Crusch of House Karnstein. I am a Duke and the daughter of many Dukes. I have trained since I was a small girl to have one of the finest tactical minds in all the world. And yet tonight I can't help but wonder if I am nothing more than a babe in the hands of a giant," She sighed.

"Then what is Subaru doing tonight, nya? Is he celebrating-"

"He is out working. He's out among the peasants spreading word of crop techniques or working to empty the slums," Crusch said bitterly, "By this time next week the stories will be all over Lagunica: How after killing the whale, Subaru Natsuki was hard at work fixing the problems of the kingdom while we were all here resting on our laurels and drinking champaign. It's genius, Felix, absolute genius."

"But Crusch, I still don't understand something, nya," Felix murmured, "Why did Subaru Natsuki play the foolish popinjay when he was on the Hunt with us? What was the point in acting stupid? He couldn't have expected us to underestimate him a second time, nya."

"Didn't we underestimate him a second time?" Crusch asked simply.

Felix gaped at her.

Crusch sighed, "Two full weeks, Felix. He marched with us, ate with us, planned with us, and joked with us. We did everything but sleep with him! Two weeks and at no time did his mask of being nothing more than a foolish bumbler ever slip. Not once did he break character," Crusch pinched the bridge of her nose, "Can you even imagine the kind of concentration, of discipline, such a performance must have required? The man's will is iron."

"Crusch… You're not… giving up, are you, nya?" Felix asked in a whisper.

"Of course not. I will never surrender," She replied, "I will fight to the end even if the end is bitter," She turned to face Felix fully, "But from now on we must face the truth squarely, my friend: We are outmatched. In spite of all of our efforts and planning we are fighting at a severe disadvantage against a masterful foe. We must redouble our efforts to find a way to turn the contest back to our advantage!"

"Where Crusch Karnstein leads we will follow, nya!" Felix proclaimed.