When Subaru opened his eyes, the first thing he felt was a gritty, dusty sensation inside his mouth.
Without thinking, he rolled the mixture of saliva and grit against his tongue, tasting its earthy, gravelly texture — and the instant he registered it, he spat it out with all his might. Then, springing upright, he coughed and gagged: "Ugh—! Peh! There's some weird stone in my mouth… blech!"
Gagging as he brushed the dust off his body, Subaru squinted into the dim darkness and craned his neck.
The place where his light source had been extinguished was filled with cool, chilly air — and it took a moment for him to remember that this was the tomb, a place that selected those who entered. At the same time, he recalled— "Right, I took on the 'Trial'…"
He had thrown himself into the tomb, suddenly lost consciousness, and been drawn into a world of dreams. There, in what was called the "Trial," he had been shown the past — whether it could truly be called the past was debatable, but for Subaru it was an inescapable bond, something he had left behind — and given the chance to say farewell. He had been made to see that it all rested in the palm of the
Counting on his fingers, Subaru recalled what had happened while he was unconscious, confirming that his memories remained vivid. In that dream, he had apologized, expressed his gratitude, and said goodbye to his parents — two people he could never meet again.
It gave him a fierce sense of nostalgia and sorrow, but in exchange, it had granted him resolve and courage.
"I'm fine. I haven't forgotten. I remember everything I said to them."
When he considered that the worst-case scenario could have been having his memories read out — and losing them in the process — it was a relief that he could recall every moment of the "Trial" from start to finish.
And after finishing his physical self-check, Subaru's attention turned to— "Right…! The reason I'm here in the first place —
Cursing himself for his slow judgment, Subaru looked toward the back of the room — and there, lying on her side just as he had been, was Emilia.
He hurried over. Even in the darkness, her silver hair and pale skin stood out, and seeing the breath of life in her brought at least a measure of relief. But only until he took in her expression.
"…nn… no… stop…"
"————"
Emilia's face was twisted in pain, her forehead beaded with sweat. She was in agony.
But despite her suffering, her limbs seemed to have no freedom to move — her arms and legs were rigid and still, and only her expression bore the deep coloring of her anguish.
If she too was undergoing the same "Trial" as Subaru…
"A past she doesn't want to face… no, she's confronting something she needs to settle once and for all…?"
He didn't know how much time had passed, but she had entered the tomb at least thirty minutes before Subaru. Yet if Subaru had returned first, it meant her "Trial" was proving incredibly difficult.
Her expression, contorted in pain, spoke volumes.
Ideally, he should trust her and wait until the "Trial" concluded — but: "Anyone who can say something that cool-looking at a sight like this has never had it rough."
Reaching a finger toward the profile of Emilia, who looked as though she might burst into tears at any moment, Subaru wished he could at least ease even a fragment of her suffering. But the instant his fingertip touched her cheek— "—————"
Emilia's rigid limbs seized in a violent spasm. The expression that had been twisted in pain went taut, and Subaru, startled, instinctively caught and supported her head with the same hand that had touched her cheek. Pulling her trembling body into his arms and holding her against his chest, he— "Emilia!? Hey, stay with me… Emilia!"
He rubbed her back as he desperately called her name.
The violent convulsions filled him with a gut-wrenching terror, but gradually the trembling in her body subsided.
"…aru?"
"…! A-Ah, yeah, it's me. Are you okay? Can you tell who I am? I'm
"You haven't… gone that far in our conversations…"
He shook her memories to confirm that her consciousness and recollection were clear. When he let go, she slowly focused her amethyst eyes on him.
"Um… wait? Why am I…"
"Take it easy, Emilia. Don't worry about the complicated stuff for now — just take a big, deep breath. Then try wiggling your fingers and toes, and if you can stand up, let's try standing."
"Ah… o-okay…"
With the tentative fragility of someone who had just woken, Emilia followed Subaru's instructions and took a deep breath. Then she moved her arms from fingertips to shoulders, and borrowing Subaru's hand as he stood first, she rose to her feet. In the dimness, she looked around in bewilderment.
"A dark place… all alone with Subaru…"
"If you cut the context to just that, it's a pretty suggestive situation, but the location's so cursed it hardly works."
As Emilia hurried to grasp the situation, Subaru scratched his cheek with a wry smile. After all, this was the Witch's tomb. Not exactly the most mood-appropriate place for a couple to sneak into for a tryst.
But hearing Subaru's words, Emilia suddenly hugged her own shoulders. That reaction made Subaru flinch with a "Did I push too far…!?" — but: "R-Right… I took the 'Trial,' and then…"
"Mm, yeah, exactly. This is inside the Witch's tomb. Ugh, it was rough. After you went in, the lights in the tomb suddenly went out. I panicked and chased after you, and I ended up inside too…"
"Ah… no… that's not… I didn't mean to… I wasn't…"
"Emilia?"
Anyway, the most important thing was that there was nothing wrong with her physically — Subaru was about to continue when he finally noticed the change in Emilia's demeanor.
She continued trembling, her arms wrapped around her own shoulders, teeth chattering as if from cold, shaking her head side to side.
"I'm… not me… it's not me…! I-I didn't… do that… I didn't do anything… I'm telling you, it's not me…"
"Emilia. Hey, Emilia? Calm down, what are you…"
"…No. Don't look at me… with those eyes… Don't, don't, don't… It's not me… why did you leave me alone… please don't…"
Subaru's calls passed right through her. Emilia covered her face with both palms and collapsed where she stood. Her voice was laced with tears, and the silver-bell tone of her sobs was so full of heartrending sorrow that it made the listener's own heart ache.
Staring at Emilia crumpled on the floor, Subaru was stunned speechless. But then: "It's okay. It's okay. I'm here. I'm with you. I won't leave you alone. It's okay."
He simply held her, the entire length of his body pressed against hers, stroking her back gently — as if soothing her, protecting her, cherishing her.
Even so, Emilia kept her face hidden behind her palms, as though she couldn't hear Subaru's voice at all.
"…elp, d-daddy. Help…
Right beside her — not the man who worried about her most — she kept calling the name of the spirit who had yet to show himself.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "She's resting now. She's fallen asleep."
Looking at Subaru with an inquiring gaze as he came out of the room,
Unable to retort to that contemptuous stare, Subaru answered with only a small "I see." Ram let out a quiet sigh.
"You look awful, Barusu. Your face is already lax enough as it is, but adding a shadow on top of that makes it completely unbearable to look at."
"Thanks for the extra commentary… Sorry, but could you cut me some slack?"
"…Since when did you, of all people, become perceptive enough to notice when someone's worried about you?"
Ram genuinely looked surprised, so Subaru stuck his tongue out at her and shelved his gratitude. The first half had probably been a scolding aimed at him, but the second half was purely genuine.
Turning away from Ram's gaze, Subaru's eyes fell on the door behind her — the room she had just come from. On the other side, Emilia should now be lying down.
"Still, I'm sorry for causing trouble two days in a row. Mopp must have been put out too."
"If it's a question of whether it's trouble or not, don't worry about it. We asked you to take on the 'Trial' of our own volition, after all."
Turning around, Ryuzu answered Subaru in her flat voice. The room connected to the bedroom could be called a sitting room. Ryuzu's home consisted of these two rooms and a library where books were stored — just three rooms total.
For someone who held a position like a village chief in a place called the "
Anyway: "Ha! Look at you all concerned, Granny. Honestly, from my perspective, I feel like it's all a figment of your imagination and there's no reason to be grateful."
"I can't quite get the feeling behind that, but I can tell it's not positive."
Sitting across from Ryuzu, Garfiel bared his teeth as he sipped from his own cup. Another idiom that didn't land — but Subaru figured it probably meant something along the lines of "disappointment." Then, sensing the intent behind Garfiel's words, Subaru— "For the record, if you're going to badmouth Emilia or anything like that, you'll have to go through me. As her manager, I insist on being the point of contact first."
"I ain't got a single thought about trash-talking nobody behind their back. I ain't the type for underhanded crap like that. If I got a complaint, I'll slam it right in your face. Fists included, if you want."
Garfiel waved the hand that wasn't holding his cup and deflected Subaru's provocation with a fierce grin. Maintaining his tension against that attitude, Subaru was interrupted by the person who had been silent until now — Otto, who raised his hand and said: "So, um, is it all right if I ask what actually happened? Honestly, I don't plan on prying too deeply, but things seem tense, so I'll volunteer to be the moderator."
"Yeah, sorry. You're right — you're the best fit. You're the one with the deepest disconnect from everyone here, and since you weren't involved in any of the important parts, you get to enjoy the carefree position of a side character who doesn't have to shoulder any of the responsibility. I'm leaving it to you."
"Please don't sandblaster my willingness to help right before handing it over!?!"
Otto shouted at Subaru's choice of words, but Subaru pressed a finger to his lips in a "quiet" gesture, and Otto hastily shut his mouth. Still looking unsatisfied, he glanced around.
"Ah, I'm still not totally satisfied with that, but anyway — let's move on to the story. First, I'd like to hear from Natsuki-san about what happened in there."
"What happened, huh…"
Having been asked first, Subaru rested his chin on his hand and looked up at the ceiling.
What came to mind was what had happened inside the tomb — the "Trial," and Emilia's condition afterward. Sobbing uncontrollably, apologizing in a near-delirious state, calling out the spirit's name.
"A 'Trial' was definitely being conducted inside the tomb. When I chased Emilia in, I got caught up in the same thing. I managed to get through the 'Trial' successfully, but Emilia was struggling with hers. She looked so distressed that I instinctively called out to her… and that's when she woke up. Once her consciousness cleared, that's the state she was in."
"No no no no no no no, wait a minute."
Holding out a palm to cut off Subaru's rapid-fire explanation, Otto leaned in with a frantic expression. At Subaru's questioning look, Otto repeated: "I almost glossed over the part that needed the most scrutiny… What? Natsuki-san, you took the 'Trial' too?"
"Huh? Yeah, I did. I got recruited by a friend, so I had no choice."
"You don't have any friends, Natsuki-san! Please take this seriously!"
"You've got a lot of nerve saying that! If you say that to me, it's war!"
Glaring at Otto, Subaru felt a hand slip between them. Ram, positioning herself to separate the two, looked up at Subaru.
"So, Barusu, you took the 'Trial.' That's certain?"
"Y-Yeah. Certain. Once I went in, I was forcibly dragged in. It wasn't the kind of thing you could refuse."
"However it started is irrelevant. What matters is… that you've already cleared the 'Trial.'"
Ram pressed a finger to her lips and closed her eyes in thought. Then she glanced at Ryuzu.
"You say you're this household's errand girl, but did you sense any change? If the 'Trial' has truly been completed, the seals on the 'Sanctuary' should have been lifted."
"…No, I don't feel anything unusual in my body. Of course, actually attempting to leave the 'Sanctuary' might be a different story."
"Good. Then this is simple. Come with me. We'll test whether you can leave the 'Sanctuary,' and if you can —"
"Whoa whoa whoa, you're jumping ahead. And don't jump to conclusions. I'll admit I didn't explain everything, but you're way too trigger-happy."
Subaru grabbed Ram's shoulder — she looked ready to drag Ryuzu out immediately — and spun the pink-haired girl around as he shot back his words. Ram scowled unhappily at what he said, but quickly composed herself: "If you've safely completed the 'Trial,' we need to verify whether the inhabitants have been freed under the terms of the covenant. If your words are true, then tomorrow the villagers of Arlam could return home, and Roswaal's recovery could proceed at the mansion…"
"The second half reeks of your real agenda showing through. …But, hate to disappoint — the 'Sanctuary' still can't be exited. The 'Trial' isn't over yet."
Ram's eyes widened slightly at Subaru's words. She turned her gaze away as if mulling over their meaning, then nodded as if reaching some conclusion.
"You lied to me. Die."
"The verdict and execution are way too fast!!"
Ram immediately drew her staff and began to assume her punishment stance. Raising both hands in surrender, Subaru desperately shook his head.
"Besides, I didn't lie! I did clear the first 'Trial'! But there are still two more 'Trial' stages left! The tomb's 'Trial' has three stages in total. So, as much as it pains me to say, Ryuzu and the others won't be freed just yet."
"Don't be ridiculous… How could you possibly know that?"
"Well, the person who designed this 'Trial' —"
He was about to blurt out "the Witch," but Subaru suddenly noticed a chill running through his entire body.
The chill was like lead filling his limbs with weight, like mud poured into his brain dulling his thoughts, like ice water injected into his veins bringing a bone-deep cold.
At the same time, what surfaced in Subaru's mind was an absurdly vacant blank.
He remembered the content of the "Trial," remembered that two more "Trial" stages awaited, and remembered who had told him all this. The Witch. And yet— "What she actually looked like… I can't picture it at all…"
Touching his temple, Subaru was horrified to realize the gap in his memory.
He remembered the conversations he had with his parents. He remembered the warmth of his tears, the gentleness of the words they exchanged at their parting — he remembered all of it.
But the Witch who had been involved in all of it — her image was simply gone from his memory, a clean void.
Stunned into silence, Subaru's catatonic state made Ram, who had been ready to resort to violence at a moment's notice, lower her guard. She slid her drawn staff back into the sash at her waist, cast one glance at the silent Subaru, and let out a sigh. Then, to her: "Huh? It was just getting good, and you're backing off? I thought I'd get to see Ram go wild for the first time in ages."
"A proper and delicate girl like me would never do something so barbaric. Besides, Barusu's current attitude told me everything I needed to know, so it's unnecessary."
"Told you what?"
Neither Garfiel's quip nor Ram's composed response quite registered with Subaru. But to Subaru's question, Ram tilted her head ever so slightly: "That Barusu isn't lying. That's all. If we take that at face value, then for now, it's enough. Barusu, continue answering Otto's questions."
"Ah… alright…"
Though still somewhat unsatisfied, Subaru reluctantly nodded under Ram's firm tone. Otto, who had been watching this exchange, cleared his throat, and with a "Well then, let's get back on track": "We went off on a bit of a tangent, so let's return to the story. I'll hold off on delving into the 'Trial's' content for now… but regarding Emilia-sama's distress — Natsuki-san, do you have any idea what might have caused it?"
"…Yeah, I do. I think it was the content of the 'Trial' itself. The specifics of the 'Trial' Emilia and I went through were probably different, but I think the gist was the same."
"The content? …Is it okay to ask about that?"
Out of consideration, but Subaru waved the concern away. With Ram and Garfiel pressing him with questioning stares, he nodded.
"The first 'Trial' is about confronting the past. Basically, you face your lingering regrets, your sorrows, that kind of stuff, and you settle things with them. That's the rundown."
"I-see… So the specifics differ for each person."
Naturally, everyone's past was different.
For some people, this "Trial" probably wouldn't be all that difficult. It just happened to hit Subaru dead-on, and it just happened to deal Emilia a critical blow — "No, thinking about the eligibility requirements, there's something malicious about how this 'Trial' is designed."
After all, the special qualification Subaru had been given was one that should only be obtainable by a "Half." He couldn't see the true intentions behind whoever had prepared the "Trial," but in any story, the kind of existence that receives the designation of "Half" is bound by a certain set of tropes.
Persecution from one's own kind or from other races, or being feared — in other words, isolation. If they were specifically choosing "Halfs" who were prone to falling into such situations to take the "Trial," then anyone who challenged the tomb would almost certainly have deep wounds in their past.
"Inevitably, that means everyone who takes it is the type who'll have a hard time getting through. Pretty dark sense of humor."
"At this point, cursing the examiner's personality isn't going to change anything. More importantly… this is hard to bring up, but regarding what led to Emilia-sama's breakdown…"
Otto hesitated. Glancing now and again toward the bedroom where Emilia lay, his unspoken meaning was clear — and Subaru found a certain salvation in the thoughtfulness of someone who wouldn't voice it aloud.
— Emilia's appearance. Her strong resemblance to the "Witch of Envy," and her heritage as a half-elf. One could sense the undeserved contempt and persecution she had endured on account of these things.
Of course, those like Subaru who weren't in her position could only perceive the outermost layer of it.
That was precisely why they didn't bring it up lightly. Otto's judgment was profoundly human — or, to put it another way, he was fatally ill-suited to be a merchant.
"You'll never amount to anything as a merchant, but I appreciate that about you."
"Why did you just crush my dreams out of nowhere!?"
"It's because you're the bashful type who can't say something nice without wrapping it in a quip. Read the room."
"You read the room for once and see how deep my wounds go!!"
Otto raised his voice and was about to stomp his feet, but everyone in the room pressed a finger to their lips in a "quiet" gesture. Otto saw it and clamped his mouth shut, but it was too late.
At first, it was a small sound.
In the hush that fell over the house after Otto fell silent, the faint sound against the floor rang out with startling clarity. Every gaze turned toward the source — the bedroom.
And before anyone could speak, the door slowly opened, and— "Um… I'm sorry for causing trouble."
Saying that, looking apologetic and small, Emilia showed her face, her silver hair trailing behind her.
Confirming that her first words showed no trace of her earlier distress, Subaru felt relieved. He quickly trotted over to her: "Thank goodness. Good morning. Emilia, are you feeling okay now?"
"Ah. Yeah, I'm fine. There's nothing wrong with me physically. Sorry for worrying you."
"Good. When you first collapsed, I wasn't there to see it, so I was worried you might have hurt yourself somewhere. I guess it'd be better for both our peace of mind if we never separated, even for a moment."
"Mm, you're right."
"Hm?"
Bracing for a quip in return, Subaru was caught off guard by Emilia's unexpected response and furrowed his brow slightly. She looked down, her eyes fixed on his hand. Puzzling over what that meant, Subaru extended his hand toward her.
"What's wrong? Miss the feel of my palm? I could hold your hand all night if you want."
"Ah, no… I-I'm fine. It's not like that. I was just still a little groggy…"
Just before her fingers touched his outstretched palm, Emilia shook her head as if reconsidering something. The one who spoke to her next was the maid who had stepped forward: "Emilia-sama. I'm glad to see you've woken safely. If you're up for it, I'd like to hear about how you're feeling — without any bravado."
"Hey. The way you said that makes it sound like Emilia only talks honestly with me because she's holding back with you."
"When it's woman to woman, or in front of someone you want to put on a brave face for, things don't always work that way. Show some awareness and step out of the room."
"I'd love to show that awareness, believe me…"
Meeting Ram's sharp glare, Subaru averted his eyes and trailed off. Ram frowned, puzzled, and followed his gaze — and understanding dawned on her face.
What she saw was Subaru's hand, hanging limply at his side — and Emilia's pale fingertips, timidly clutching it.
"Ah!"
Noticing the meaningful looks being exchanged between Subaru and Ram, Emilia realized a beat late and hastily pulled her hand away. Flushing red, she flustered as if her actions had been completely unconscious: "I-It's not — wait, that's weird. I didn't mean to… Because earlier, I was making sure not to touch…"
"You did pull back, but you reached out again almost immediately, didn't you? I wasn't gonna say anything since it's a perk, but Emilia, are you really okay?"
To Subaru's question — asked with a lingering reluctance to let go of those fingertips — Emilia nodded firmly. But her cheeks were still red, and even Subaru could tell that the flush wasn't from embarrassment.
Yet Emilia, seemingly unaware of her own changes: "Sorry for interrupting. But really, there's nothing wrong with how I'm feeling. My groggy head's cleared up now, so I'm totally fine."
"Totally fine' is kind of a stretch…"
"Hmph, there you go again, Subaru."
Pouting at Subaru's teasing remark, Emilia puffed out her cheeks. Her mannerisms felt so normal that Subaru relaxed, thinking he might have been worrying over nothing. But: "Emilia-sama. I know you've just woken, but regarding the 'Trial' —"
"———"
Ram's words, delivered matter-of-factly in what was probably not a calculated moment but rather poor timing, made Emilia's profile stiffen for just an instant. Subaru, who had been watching her closely, caught that fleeting change — but it was quickly hidden behind a smile.
"So… um, about the 'Trial,' everyone already knows?"
"Barusu told us. We haven't pried into the finer details, of course. I imagine there are things you'd rather not have asked, Emilia-sama."
"I-I see. Subaru… Wait, why did Subaru know? He's not a Half, so he shouldn't have been able to take the 'Trial'…"
Emilia turned her surprised eyes toward Subaru, and the others' gazes converged on him with the same question. Of course they'd ask, Subaru thought, accepting their stares while considering how to explain.
"I told you before I went in — I was given the qualification. If you ask me by whom, it's complicated, but if you ask me where… probably last night at the tomb."
"Last night? You mean when you blacked out and we carried you in here?"
"Yeah, that's the one. I don't have proof of how or why I got it, though… Maybe it works like this — someone without the qualification can still enter if they step inside and go through some kind of baptism or whatever. Heck, maybe even Roswaal could get in."
"If we tried that and Roswaal blew up, that'd be entertaining. Would prove whether 'Primp's dew is the same color as our blood.'"
Garfiel threw his head back and laughed. When Ram shot him a cold look, he instantly lost interest and shut up. Then, though still looking unsatisfied with Subaru's answer: "In any case, the fact remains that Barusu entered the tomb and brought Emilia-sama back. Furthermore, Barusu claims — assuming he's not speaking nonsense — that he underwent the same type of 'Trial' as Emilia-sama and overcame it."
"Nonsense? Harsh, come on."
"You cleared it… Subaru, the 'Trial'?"
The bluntness of Ram's words prompted Subaru to object, but those latter exchanges didn't reach Emilia's ears. She looked at Subaru with trembling eyes.
"Did you really clear it, Subaru? The… past?"
"The one I saw was probably different from what Emilia saw. I managed… well, I didn't exactly do it on my own."
After all, the ones who were supposed to stand in his way — his father and mother — had helped him as much as they could to get through it. More than anything, the world he had entered before even attempting the Trial was one from which he had already received his answer.
As sorry as he was to Emilia, the conditions from the very start had been different for him.
"I only got good results by chance — nothing to brag about. The real problem is Emilia. From the look of things, I think today's 'Trial' didn't go well…"
"Y-Yeah… That's right. I tried my best, but it cut off suddenly in the middle."
"Sorry about that — I think that was because I woke you up. …Anyway, can the 'Trial' even be retaken? I haven't taken the second 'Trial' either, and I came back before that."
As Subaru listened to Emilia's halting words, he recalled the question that had arisen and turned to Ryuzu. The child-like old woman, who had been silently watching the discussion, touched her cheek.
"It's not very common, but… the act of challenging it itself can be done as many times as you like. I couldn't even clear the first 'Trial,' but I've challenged it twice. What's more interesting to me is, rather, the boy who suddenly gained the qualification — you."
"Me?"
"A qualification doesn't just appear out of nowhere. At least, in my knowledge since the tomb was first created, it never has. …However, I have a rough idea."
Ryuzu fell silent. Subaru felt an odd sense of unease from her words and demeanor, but he filed it away and turned back to Emilia.
"Anyway, we've gotten official confirmation that a re-challenge is possible. The rest depends on Emilia."
"M-Me…?"
"Yeah. Let me ask — Emilia, do you think you could find the resolve to take on the 'Trial' one more time?"
"—————"
At that question, Emilia's eyes went wide as if she'd been choked.
Had her expression been one of anger at having her determination doubted, or coated in humiliation, Subaru would have been prepared to accept her scorn or even take the blame. But what flickered in her trembling amethyst eyes was a fragile fear and anxiety.
That told him her heart was being consumed by negative emotion to the point where she couldn't answer immediately.
"If you can't take on the 'Trial,' then I'll take it on your behalf."
"—!? But Subaru, that would mean…"
"At the very least, I've already cleared the first 'Trial.' That should prove the other two aren't impossible either. If you're still hesitant about facing it yourself, I'll do it openly and without pretense. I'm here for that purpose."
"For that purpose… for me…?"
"That's right."
With a straightforward gaze, Subaru made his declaration — even as Emilia's expression seemed to beg him to deny it.
Watching Emilia's eyes widen further, Subaru stared straight into them.
"I'll do it because it's for you. If you're afraid, I'll take that fear on. Roswaal might say something about how Emilia should be the one to free the 'Sanctuary' so it counts as her own achievement… but if the results of my actions earn any praise, I'm giving it all to you. I'm fine with nothing left in my own hands."
"Why… would you go that far…"
"I already told you. Because I love you. Because I love you more than anything."
Emilia drew a sharp breath, and the others in the room each reacted in their own way.
Without even registering their reactions, Subaru kept his gaze fixed on the distraught Emilia and shrugged.
"So that's how it is — I'm planning to take on the 'Trial.' What about you? If it's really too much, you can stay home and rest."
"———— Subaru, you idiot."
With a half-smile still on his face, Subaru heard those soft words fall from Emilia's lips.
Then she raised her downcast face, rubbed her eyes hard with her sleeve, and let a smile bloom on her lips.
"After saying all that, you think I'm going to hide in a room and wait? You're really… terrible. Really… stupid. Really… thank you."
"Huh? What? Didn't catch the last part. You're really in love with me?"
"That's completely different! I said 'really thank you'!"
"Got it. Heard you, but say it again!"
"You idiot, Subaru!!"
Leaning in and pushing his luck, Subaru was met with Emilia's full-volume retort.
The silver-bell voice, fired at point-blank range, was quite the acoustic weapon. As Subaru's vision swam, he grinned at Emilia's shoulders heaving up and down.
"That's more like it. Alright, let's keep at it. I'm starting from Stage Two, and you're starting from Stage One."
"Hmph. I'll catch up in no time, blow right past you, and leave you in the dust. Not a single one of Subaru's achievements will be left standing."
"At least leave one so I have an excuse to ask for a reward."
Unfazed, Subaru teased, and Emilia poked out her tongue.
As they went back and forth, Subaru wondered if he'd managed to help — even a little — in putting her back together.
Either way, the real fight against the "Trial" was about to begin.
"With our combined lovey-dovey power, we'll crush that 'Trial' in no time."
Snapping his fingers and flashing his teeth, Subaru gave a thumbs-up as a declaration of resolve.
To that, Emilia simply pouted and stuck out her tongue.
"I can do it by myself. You don't need to be my good-luck charm — I'll prove that tomorrow."
And so she put on a brave front.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Watching Subaru and Emilia psyche each other up through their playful banter, Ryuzu brought her now-lukewarm tea to her lips.
Moistening her tongue with the barely warm liquid, she watched the silver-haired half-elf and the dark-haired boy argue with a smile.
"How will things go now, I wonder… Will everything unfold as the Witch intended?"
"Tch. Couldn't care less. Either way, it'll just mean something disgusting for me."
Garfiel heard that mutter and answered in a voice that made no effort to hide his ill humor.
Ryuzu glanced at the young man's profile, then let out a quiet sigh so no one would notice.
"Forcing such a burden onto those gentle children. At the end of the day, at the end of the day, this old relic… we are beyond saving. — At the very least, I hope that's not how the last of it goes."
Her words, spoken while she sipped her tea, reached no one — they merely sent ripples across the surface of the green-tinted, lukewarm tea, and then vanished.