The enormous, flying whale fell to the earth with a crash like thunder.

Crusch’s army, which had been standing at a safe distance, finally moved. They swarmed the lifeless beast, getting it ready to ship back to Lagunica for a public showing.

“Huh. So that was it, I guess?” Subaru said to no one in particular. Beatrice sat on his shoulder while Crusch stood nearby with her arms crossed, “It just seems like kind of an anti-climax, doesn’t it? I mean, we spend more than a week chasing this thing down, we finally catch up to it, Reinhard swings his sword once, and that’s all she wrote.”

I remember that Felt once told me that I had no idea how powerful Red really was. Clearly she knew what she was talking about.

Crusch didn’t immediately answer.

Yup, a little over a week in constant close contact with me and she hasn’t thawed even a little. I tried to be respectful and pour on the charm but Crusch was having none of it!

Crusch murmured, “I suspect that my men are disappointed to be honest. Most of them wanted to help to defeat the beast themselves. Many of them had lost friends and family to the beast’s deprivations over the years.”

“I think we can deal with their frustration,” Subaru replied, “I’m pretty sure that soothing their irritation is easier than the two of us spending the next few weeks writing apology letters to wives and parents about why their loved ones needed to die so that we could kill this thing,” Subaru replied, shifting Beatrice to be more comfortable on his shoulder.

“Hm,” Crusch replied.

Over the past week I’ve learned that ‘Hm’ is about as close as Crusch ever gets to admitting when she agrees with me.

“That is a very big fish, I suppose,” Beatrice commented, looking at the colossal whale’s corpse.

“Actually it’s a mammal,” Subaru corrected.

“Hm!” Beatrice stuck her nose in the air, “Betty was trying to tell Subaru a joke, in fact! But only Subaru gets to be witty and facetious, I suppose!”

“Sorry, Beako,” Subaru replied, trying not to laugh.

“The beast is dead, Lord Subaru,” Reinhard said, returning to Crusch’s command tent.

“Awesome job, buddy. You’re the whole reason that nobody got hurt on this hunt. Those soldiers owe you their lives,” Subaru told him.

Reinhard shrugged, “I’m just glad to have been of service, my Lord.”

“Buddy, you are always of service,” Subaru laughed. He paused, “Was that a compliment? It was supposed to be a compliment but now that I’ve said it out loud I don’t know if it actually was. Any thoughts?”

“I shall take it as a compliment, my friend,” Reinhard said, hiding his laughter.

“Wonderful,” Subaru replied.

Subaru turned back to Crusch who was watching the companions interact with boredom. “Alright, Crusch, I guess we’ll get out of your hair then,” Subaru told her, “Anastasia’s forces should be here soon to help you ship the whale’s head to the capitol. It should be a remarkable celebration. Everyone is going to be excited to see us.”

“Hm,” Crusch grunted.

Well, at the very least Crusch seems to be happier about my presence now that she knows it’s about to be removed. What was that old insult? ‘Nothing improves your company like the absence of it?’ Guessing that’s how Crusch feels about me.

Alright, I’ve been trying to fix our relationship and win her over for almost two weeks straight. I give up.

“Well, it was fun working with you, Crusch,” Subaru sighed, “I’ll see you back in town and I hope we have the opportunity to work together again.”

“Hm,” Crusch replied.

Hey, how about that? I suggested working together in the future and she didn’t say ‘no way in hell.’ She even gave me a ‘Hm.’ Maybe she is warming up to me!

Either that or I’m kidding myself because I am completely desperate for approval at this point.

Felix approached Crusch as Subaru left.

“Crusch, you need to get ready to address the men, nya,” Felix murmured. Felix hesitated and then spoke unusually sharply to his beloved mistress, “And, Crusch, stop scowling all the time for the Gods’ sake, nya! The men are starting to notice!”

Crusch grimaced and attempted to clear her mind.

Name of the Gods, I’m exhausted. Felix and I have been watching Subaru Natsuki like a hawk for nearly two weeks and all I’ve seen is a biddable simpleton. Where is the arrogant genius that I met before? Does Subaru have a twin brother, perhaps? What is he playing at? If Felix and I hadn’t been at that meeting ourselves, I would have sworn that whoever reported the inhuman powers of observation and deduction possessed by Subaru Natsuki was an inveterate liar!

Was this some twisted game he was playing with me for his own amusement? Why?

“Have the men fall in,” Crusch instructed, smoothing her brow by sheer force of will, “I will address them.”

Subaru gathered his few belongs and left the tent that he, Reinhard, and Beatrice had been assigned.

Subaru walked through the camp with Beatrice on his shoulder while Reinhard was helping Crusch’s troops dismember the Whale’s corpse.

I know that Red is Red but I really want someone to explain to me how you can fillet a giant fish with a sword and make a sound like bombs are being detonated.

“Lord Subaru!” A tall man with gray hair who was dressed in full armor called.

“Hello, Captain Falric,” Subaru said.

His eyes widened, “I am… surprised that you remember me, my lord.”

Huh. We’ve spent a decent amount of time together over the past two weeks. Most of the time Beako, Reinhard, and I were either marching with Captain Marwain’s troops or Captain Falric’s. Why does he think that I wouldn’t remember him? Shit, he must have seen all the clowning around I was doing to try and thaw Crusch. No wonder he thinks I’m dumb.

“Of course, I do,” Subaru said with a weak smile, “I’m actually glad to see you before we leave. I wanted to wish safe travels home to you and your men,” Subaru leaned in to whisper to Falric, “Don’t tell anyone I told you this but I have it on very good authority that there will be one hell of a party waiting for you and your troops when you get back to the capitol.”

Falric smiled, “I look forward to it, my lord. But you are departing? You are not returning to the capitol with us?”

“No, we need to make a side trip first, then we’ll head back to the city and join you. We’re heading up north to meet up with a beautiful elven princess and a magic flying cat,” Subaru explained.

Captain Falric stared at him.

Huh. Now that I’ve said that out loud, I guess it does sound kind of strange. When did saying things like this become normal for me?

I suppose I can’t really blame Falric for looking confused.

“Well, if you are departing then allow me to wish you safe travels, Lord Subaru,” Falric said, extending his hand.

“Thank you,” Subaru said, shaking it warmly.

This is nice. At least someone in Crusch’s army likes me. Two weeks of having to deal with Crusch’s frozen demeanor, and Felix, who was only willing to talk to Reinhard, have left me burned out.

“And may I just say on a personal note, sir, you were truly a pleasure to have along on this hunt,” Falric said, “The troops and I think quite highly of you. Your remarkable confidence and good humor during the long march and the hunt for this terrifying beast were inspirational. Every man here would be proud to serve alongside you in a campaign again, my lord.”

Wait, really? What the hell did I do? I mean… just not bitch constantly? I know that I never complained about anything because Crusch was always watching and I knew I couldn’t let her see me whine.

Actually yeah, that’s probably exactly it. I’m a noble. Or at least, that’s how the troops see me. The soldiers are probably used to nobles coming along with them for a lark or for bragging rights so that they can at least claim that they once saw combat. Those nobles are probably people who get fussy if they’re forced to skip their bubble bath for the day. That isn’t exactly a tough standard to beat.

Still at least someone out here likes me.

“I’m truly moved, Captain Falric,” Subaru said earnestly, “Although, I’d be happier if none of us ever had to serve in a campaign again.”

“As you say, my lord,” Falric agreed smiling, “But such a world is a long way off.”

“Not so far off, Captain. A better world is coming, on a quiet day I can hear her breathing.” Subaru said, walking off with a smile.

That’s a good line. It just popped into my head at the perfect time to use it. I didn’t even have to use Reason and Judgment.

Shit, who said that? Where do I know that line from? Is it from a movie? Maybe Martin Luther King said it?

Ugh. That’s going to drive me crazy now. I could probably remember if I used Reason and- No! Stop using that so much! It’s not critically important to satisfy your curiosity about some dumb line. It’s just annoying that you can’t remember!

Man, I really fucking miss Google.

Subaru helped Beatrice up into the earth-dragon drawn wagon and then climbed up beside her.

OK, so important travel tip: When going somewhere way out in the country, always ask the question: “How am I going to get back?”

I guess I just assumed that Reinhard had thought ahead and made preparations for our transportation. I need to remember to tell Felt that. ‘Yes, Felt, I actually assumed that Reinhard had thought ahead.’ She’ll think this was hilarious.

At least I was able to buy this wagon and the earth dragon off a teamster who can hitch a ride back to the capitol with his buddies. I paid him at least twice what it’s worth but it’s better than walking all the way back to the manor.

Live and learn, I guess.

“Have you got everything?” He asked Beatrice.

“What could Betty have possibly left behind, I suppose?”

“I guess it was a silly question,” He admitted, “Now we’re just waiting on Red.”

“Subaru!” Reinhard said, running up to the wagon.

“What’s up, Red?” Subaru asked, “You ready to go?”

“I’ve received dire news, my friend. The Black Serpent is attacking the northern part of Lagunica near the Elior forest. The sages’ council requests that I go there immediately to face the beast. I’ll need to get you and Miss Beatrice somewhere safe quickly.”

“We’ll be fine, Reinhard. Just go! People need you,” Subaru told him.

Reinhard seemed doubtful.

“Beatrice and I can handle ourselves and we can find the way to Arlem from here. It’s basically just following the main road across the plain back up into Mathers territory. Come and meet us at the manor when you’re done with the snake,” Subaru told him.

Reinhard nodded and dashed away.

“And Reinhard!” He called.

“Subaru?”

“Be careful! I know that you’re well nigh invincible but the snake is dangerous and you’re all alone. Watch yourself,” Subaru told him.

Reinhard nodded and sped away in a blur.

Beatrice sniffed dismissively, “Will it take us long to get home, in fact? Betty misses her Bubby.”

“And Subaru misses his Mili, but we’ll see them pretty soon and then we can both catch up on our cuddling,” Subaru replied, driving the earth dragon forward.

The ride through the wide open Lifaus plain was actually very pleasant.

Wow. It’s like a whole ocean of grass as far as the eye can see. This is pretty nice. This trip might be the most relaxed I’ve been since I got to this world. I feel like I’ve been running around all day everyday for over a month. Now I just need to sit here and periodically remind the earth dragon to stay on the road. This is wonderful.

You know, Emilia and I really need to take a vacation or something. Maybe just a weekend away. Just Emilia, me, and the spirits. Maybe we could rent a little cottage someplace and just play house for a couple of days. It sounds like heaven.

I wonder how Emilia’s meeting with Roswaal’s people went? Well, I mean, I’m sure that the meeting itself went fine but is she feeling any better? She was pretty upset when she left and I never even realized that she feeling so insecure about herself until she spelled it out for me. Great partner I am, my fiancee is feeling miserable and I never even noticed.

Well, if she did win a lot of new support, maybe that will make her feel better about herself.

Yeah, maybe but the truth is even if did win over a bunch of people, I doubt it made her feel any better. I’m worried that, given her mood right now, no matter what she does, she’s just going to feel like she’s following my lead so she doesn’t deserve any of the credit for her own accomplishments. I need to think of a way to let her take the lead for a while.

Yeah that’s a good idea. It might really make her feel more confident in herself if I followed the trail she blazes for a change. And that’s obviously a good thing… I mean, it’s not like she might develop new confidence in herself and then realize that she just doesn’t need me anymore… right?

Subaru noticed something far off in the distance.

“Wow. Hey, Beako! Check out that tree!” Subaru said, pointing off in the distance.

Beatrice looked up from her notebook, “Hm. That’s the Flugel Tree, I suppose. Betty has read a great deal about it.”

“Bet all the books in the world don’t compare with actually seeing the damn thing though,” Subaru mused, “God, look at the size of it! That thing is like a skyscraper.”

Beatrice stared at the massive tree for a moment. Its branches shaded miles of the plain, “Betty is glad she saw it, I suppose. The Sage Flugel planted that tree four hundred years ago. Mother knew Flugel.”

“He was a friend of hers?” Subaru asked.

“…Mother knew Flugel,” Beatrice repeated quietly.

Subaru glanced at Beatrice who seemed unusually somber and decided to not to press the issue, “Do you think we should stop and take a closer look?”

Beatrice shook her head, “We should keep going, I suppose. Betty just wants to be with her Bubby.”

“Yeah, I guess thoughts of Emilia are motivating me to head home right now too,” Subaru agreed as they slowly drove by the tree.

The tree was so big that it took them close to an hour to put it behind them.

Subaru glanced at Beatrice who was sketching something in her notebook.

“Hey, Beako, what are you working on?”

“I’m designing one of those dragonless carriages Subaru spoke of, I suppose.” Beatrice said proudly.

“Really? Can I see it?” Subaru said with interest.

“I suppose,” Beatrice handed it to Subaru with evident pride.

Subaru studied the notebook for a moment.

Oh boy. Don’t laugh, Subaru! Don’t you dare laugh! Oh, this is so freaking cute, it’s like a little kid’s concept. Beako designed a wagon with an engine alright, she’s designed a wagon with FOUR engines, one for each wheel. The cargo space is about eighty percent taken up by engines that she’s stacked on top of each other. This is adorable.

OK, get a grip Subaru! Beako worked hard on this and she deserves to be encouraged!

“This is great, Beako!” Subaru complimented her, “This is a perfect first draft. This will be really useful to use when we start to refine our designs.”

“What do you mean by ‘first draft,’ I suppose?” Beatrice asked.

“Well, when you’re planning to build something, you make a design and then you talk to other people about it. You ask them if they can find any flaws or make suggestions to improve it. That way when you start to build it, you’re sure you have the best design possible,” Subaru explained.

Beatrice re-examined her design with a frown, “How could this possibly be improved on, in fact? I drew it exactly right.”

Subaru coughed, “Well… I actually do think there’s just one small design flaw.”

“And what would that be, I suppose?” Beatrice demanded, standing up on the driver’s platform with her hands on her hips.

“Well, it’s just that… you’re using four engines,” Subaru said apologetically.

“Of course I am, I suppose. There are four wheels we want to turn so we would need four engines, in fact.”

“Actually, we really don’t, Beako,” Subaru said gently, “Four engines would be really expensive and really heavy so those are two design flaws right there. The other problem is that with four different engines it would be really hard to make all the wheels turn at the same time or at the same speed. If a wheel on the left is moving faster than a wheel on the right then the entire wagon will try to turn right.”

Beatrice mulled that over, frowning, “Then how do we fix that, I suppose?”

“Well, we start by only using one engine. Then we use gears to connect that engine to multiple wheels. Most vehicles back home would only supply power to the two wheels in back and use the front wheels for steering.”

“Why only make two wheels spin, I suppose?” Beatrice asked.

“Err. Truthfully, I don’t know. I wasn’t all that interested in cars. I know that some vehicles make all four wheels spin and I’ve heard that some make the two front wheels spin rather than the back. I don’t really know what the relative trade-offs are so, for our first prototype, I was thinking that we’d just make the back wheels spin and see how that goes. Do you think you can redesign it with one engine that can make both wheels spin?”

Beatrice sniffed, “Of course I can, I suppose. Betty has been studying Subaru’s machines diligently!”

“Awesome, I can’t wait to see it!” Subaru replied.

Beatrice scribbled a new design in a few minutes, “You mean something like this, I suppose?” Beatrice showed him the notebook.

Subaru glanced at it, “That is perfect, Beako! That is exactly what we want, you even used the minimum number of gears. Nice job!”

Beatrice flushed a little then glanced away, looking aloof, “Betty is often perfect, I suppose, but Betty still enjoys hearing about it.”

“Betty is awesome!” Subaru cheered, catching Beatrice in a one armed hug so he could keep one hand on the reins, “I always wanted to have somebody in my family who was into gears and building!” He kissed her forehead.

“Hm. Soon Betty will be even better at gears and machines than Subaru, I suppose!” Beatrice boasted.

“Oh, you did not just say that! Challenge accepted, Beako!” Subaru laughed, “Well, if you’ve really mastered gears, are you ready for a harder wagon design?”

“And what would that be, I suppose?” Beatrice smirked.

“So before we can make a real dragonless carriage we need to solve two design problems: First, we need to figure out how to vary the amount of energy coming out of this crystal,” Subaru said, reaching into his satchel and pulling out the crystal that Puck had charged.

Beatrice looked at the stone darkly, “Why did you bring that along, in fact?”

Subaru shrugged, “I just figured that looking at it might give me some inspiration for how to solve the problem.”

“Please, be careful with that crystal. Betty does not want to be struck by a great deal of lightning, I suppose,” She grumbled.

“Oh,” Subaru said a little unsettled, “I didn’t realize this was that dangerous. Huh,” Subaru put it away, “Anyway, the other challenge is that we need to be able to change gears.”

“Change them?”

“Yeah, remember how I showed you how connecting small or big gears to an engine changed the amount of torque it provided?”

“Yes.”

“So we want to let the person driving the wagon do the same thing so they can change how much power the gears provide,” Subaru explained.

Beatrice looked puzzled, “Wouldn’t we always want to have the gear spin the fastest, I suppose?”

“Nope, faster does not mean stronger. You want the gears to spin fast on level ground but if you’re going up a hill you want a gear that spins slower. That causes the gears to put out more torque and lift more weight up the hill.”

Beatrice rubbed her chin. “But… is the driver really going to stop and replace the gear, I suppose? How many people can master Subaru’s gears as well as Betty?”

“Almost none,” Subaru agreed, “The trick is going to be to make it so they don’t have to understand gears. We need to give them a lever that they can move that would switch the gears for them.”

Beatrice frowned, “But how could we do that, I suppose?”

“Oh, no. Is Master Engineer Beako giving up already?” Subaru teased.

Beatrice stuck her nose in the air, “Betty can do anything that Subaru can do, I suppose!”

“That’s my girl! Let’s see some designs!”

Damn. Teaching Beatrice about gears and machines is actually a whole lot of fun. I wonder if I could have taught this subject back home. If I could have played with gears all day, I really would have been happy. I wonder why I ever gave them up?

I was a star in that gears and machinery class. It was the only class I ever excelled in. Why didn’t I stick with building and designing stuff? I mean, it sucked that school never offered any other classes like that but I could have kept doing it as a hobby. Just imagine how different my life back home would have been if I felt like I had something I was actually good at…

Although on the other hand, would I really want to be back home anyway? I mean, I miss my parents sometimes but… I really love my new family too. I know that my folks loved me but… I never really felt like they understood me. Sometimes being loved without being understood just isn’t enough. If you love someone because he’s your son but not because of who he is… well, I always thought that felt bitter.

I could never actually say anything to them about it though. I mean, how do you tell someone that you don’t think that they’re loving you right? All the same, I think that being loved for what you are, rather than who you are, tastes a bit like ashes.

Beatrice sat there, pondering her notebook for several minutes without drawing anything.

Subaru waited patiently and hid his smile.

Don’t push her, Subaru. She’ll ask you questions when she’s ready. Let her enjoy the process.

Finally, Beatrice looked at Subaru suspiciously, “Does Subaru know how to do this, in fact?”

Oh boy. She’s wondering if this was a trick question.

“Yes I do,” He assured her with a smile, “And I promise I’ll show you the whole process tonight. But just to get you started, imagine a rod connected to the carriage wheels that has multiple gears on it. A rod that could be moved back and forth so different gears are in contact with the gear connected to the engine…”

Beatrice sat there for a few moments and then her eyes lit up and she started to scribble frantically.

Subaru smiled and looked out over the peaceful country side as the wagon rolled on.

That night, they sat just off the side of the road beside a roaring campfire. The plains were silent around them except for the snoring earth dragon nearby.

“Subaru is not a very good cook, I suppose,” Beatrice criticized, nibbling on some grilled chicken.

“Yeah, I guess not. My mother had the same opinion,” Subaru admitted, “And I’m even worse without a stove. At least I remembered to bring some food this time. That’s important.”

This is a great night. It’s just me and Beako. We talked about gears. We ate, we teased each other. The only way this could be any better is if the whole family was here…

Beako really is turning into a talented little gear-monkey. I taught her the basics of a gear shift and she took off running with the idea. If she keeps this up, she really might get better than me with gears…

Hm. Maybe I should hold a few tricks back. I’d hate to make it too easy for her after all…

“Wow, Beako. Look at all those stars!” Subaru said, staring up at the night.

“What about them, I suppose?”

“I don’t know. I just like stars. I was named after a bunch of stars back home you know,” Subaru said.

“‘Named’ after them?” Beatrice asked.

“Yeah. Back where I’m from lots of people claimed that groups of stars made pictures in the sky and they made up stories about what those pictures meant and why they looked that way,” Subaru explained.

“Hm. Give Betty an example, I suppose,” Beatrice instructed.

“Well, my name refers to the Pleiades, it’s a cluster of seven stars that were called ‘the Seven sisters.’ The constellation was very important to a lot of old cultures because it rose at the time of the year when you should start planting and when the stormy season had passed so it was safe to sail on the ocean. The story says that the Pleiades were a group of beautiful maidens, all sisters. Their father was punished by the Gods and forced to carry the weight of the entire sky on his shoulders. His seven daughters grieved for their father’s fate so much that the Gods finally took pity on them and hung them in the sky so they could comfort their father,” Subaru said.

Beatrice seemed to be mulling this over, “Is that story true, in fact?”

“No, or at least I don’t think that it’s true,” Subaru laughed, “I guess these days I’m less willing to laugh off myth and magic then I used to be!”

“Magic is one thing, I suppose, but Betty thinks that this story is pretty hard to believe,” Beatrice replied, staring up at the sky.

“Oh, I completely agree, Beako. I’m just saying that on my world there is no magic. There are no elves, no spirits. Not even a magic talking cat,” Subaru said.

“Betty does not care to hear about a world with no Bubby, I suppose,” Beatrice pouted.

“I hear you,” Subaru shrugged, “I’m just saying: always keep an open mind. Before I came here this entire world would have been just a fantasy to me. And now I’m really here…”

Subaru was quiet for a moment.

“You know, Beako, I may just be the luckiest guy in the whole universe,” Subaru mused.

“Hm?”

“I was never happy back home. Then somehow I found my way here. I met Red and Felt. I fell in love with Emilia. I got adopted into your and Puck’s family. Honestly… I’ve gotten everything that I ever wanted and it feels like it all just sort of fell into my lap! I really am the luckiest guy around. I need to remember that more often,” He replied.

“Hm. Your being with Betty is extremely lucky, I suppose,” She commented.

“Damn right it is!” Subaru said, catching her in a bear hug, “Where are you going to find another sister as cute as mine?!”

“Hm,” Beatrice said with an aloof turn of her head but her cheeks flushed, “Nowhere. Betty is one of a kind, in fact!”

“Yup,” Subaru muttered, cuddling with Beatrice beside the fire.

Beatrice sighed, “Betty misses her Bubby, I suppose.”

“I hear you,” Subaru said, “I miss him too. Not as much as I miss Emilia but I do miss him. I hope that, whatever has gotten into her lately, she’s gotten it out of her system by the time we get back.”

“What does that mean, I suppose?”

Subaru sighed, “Emilia wanted… to get away from me for a while. She wanted to do some things herself. She wanted to be independent and prove that she was more than just ‘my girl.’ And I get that! I do. We may be a family but that doesn’t mean I want us to be joined at the hip. It’s just… we’ve only all been together for a little over a month and now we’ve spent close to two weeks of that time separated. Two weeks is a long time without Emilia and Puck. I really hate this. I hope we don’t have to do it very often. Honestly, I hope we don’t have to do this ever again. A few days apart is really all that I’m willing to accept without a very good reason.”

“Betty agrees with that. Subaru should explain this to Emilia when we get home, I suppose” Beatrice replied.

“Well, it might not be that simple, Beako,” Subaru sighed, “Emilia is going through something right now and I’m not sure how to help her. She may need space away from me while she figures it out. If that’s what she needs then that’s just what we have to give her.”

“Betty is not in favor of more time away from her Bubby, in fact! Betty wishes to object to this strenuously!” Beatrice snapped.

“Hey! I completely agree! But this isn’t about us, Beako. Sometimes when you love people you need to give them what they need instead of what you want. I hope that when we get back Emilia is feeling better about herself or at least doesn’t mind me sticking around. I suppose if she does need more space you could always stay with Puck and Emilia while I went off somewhere with Reinhard and Felt.”

“Betty objects to having to choose between her Subaru and her Bubby, in fact!”

“Yeah. I’d miss you too, Beako,” Subaru whispered, cuddling her.

They stared up at the sky for a few minutes in silence.

Subaru sighed, “You ready for bed?”

“Yes, I suppose,” Beatrice waved a hand and extinguished the fire, plunging the plain into near total darkness.

“Do you think we should set a watch?” Subaru yawned.

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Beatrice shook her head, “Betty took care of it, in fact. This place is warded by magic. Only someone stronger than the Great Spirit Beatrice will be able to approach this place tonight.”

“Well, that’s a short list,” Subaru said as he carried Beatrice into the back of the wagon.

Subaru wrapped a blanket around them both and they snuggled together with Beatrice resting her head on his chest.

“Betty misses her Bubby,” Beatrice murmured before falling asleep.

Subaru looked up at the stars.

Emilia… We should see you by early afternoon tomorrow. Did you miss me? Will you be happy to see me? How do you feel about ‘us’ right now?

Beatrice couldn’t have noticed anything amiss as she had her face buried in her notebook, hard at work with her designs.

Subaru was paying attention but unless he was using Reason and Judgment, Subaru wasn’t terribly observant. He certainly had never trained as a soldier or been given any kind of training for surviving dangerous territory.

Subaru approached Arlem village in high spirits, never noticing the extreme quiet or the lack of smoke rising from the chimneys that should have tipped him off that something was very wrong.

Subaru didn’t really suspect anything until he was physically entering the village square and still hadn’t seen anyone come out to greet him.

“Beako,” Subaru whispered, looking around with mounting concern.

Beatrice recognized the tone in Subaru’s voice and quickly put her notebook away, “What’s wrong, I suppose?”

“I’m not sure,” Subaru said, glancing around. “Where is everybody?”

Holy shit, look at that house! It’s almost cracked in half! It looks like it got hit by a meteor! Oh my God, is that Petra’s house?! No bodies, no blood… does that mean Petra is safe? What could have done this?

Beatrice rubbed her face fretfully, “Betty doesn’t feel right, I suppose…”

What happened? What could have done that? Another troll? Did the Gustekan army decide to come back here to seek revenge? But if so why are there no heads on stakes? Why no bodies or bloodstains? Would the soldiers really have carried off all the villagers, and if so why?

Subaru glanced up and saw an enormous fist that seemed to be made of purple shadows flying at the wagon.

“Beako! Hang on!” Subaru screamed as he grabbed Beatrice and flung them both out of the wagon.

A moment later, the wagon was crushed, broken into kindling by the enormous crushing hand. Subaru held Beatrice in his arms and pressed against a nearby house seeking shelter. The earth dragon pulling the wagon roared in pain, barely alive and with several broken limbs.

I’m so sorry, big guy. But I can’t help you right now…

“Beako, any idea what that thing was?” Subaru whispered.

Beatrice shook her head looking sick, “Betty didn’t see anything. Betty doesn’t feel well, I suppose.”

Subaru glanced up and gasped another giant fist was coming straight for them.

Subaru took off running just before the fist smashed the spot where they had been standing, cracking the wall of the house.

Another fist appeared coming straight for them and Subaru dodged it as well.

“What the hell is going on, Beako? What are all these arms connected to?” He yelled.

“What arms are you talking about, in fact?” Beatrice moaned back.

“You don’t see them?” Subaru exclaimed as he leapt backwards to avoid being crushed by another fist.

“Betty doesn’t see anything, in fact! What is making everything blow up?” She cried.

“You!” A voice screeched.

Subaru looked up. Standing on top of one of the houses, he saw a man with green hair and purple robes. His face was pale and shallow and even at first glance he appeared unhinged.

“You’re the one!” The man bellowed.

“I’m the one, what?” Subaru shouted back with a bravado he did not feel.

“You took her away from me!” He cried, digging his long fingers into his own face with a cry of agony, “No! I will not accept this! To bow to this mistake, this unforgivable error would be sloth and my diligence shall correct it! I had her love first!”

“Who are you?” Subaru yelled.

“I? I… I am Petelguese Romanee Conti! A Sin Archbishop of the Witch Cult representing Sloth!”

“The Witch Cult?” Subaru gasped, remembering Rem’s comments about the Cult. He looked at Beatrice and saw her eyes wide with horror.

“Subaru, we must run!” Beatrice whispered, looking pale and nauseous, “We cannot defeat a Sin Archbishop, I suppose! And something is wrong with Betty’s magic, in fact.”

“Subaru Natsuki! You have failed to appear!” Petelguese screeched, “You have failed to atone! You have failed to ask pardon for the lies with which you have filled my Gospel! That is sloth, sloth, sloth, sloth! And I shall reward your sloth with my diligence! You have stolen her from me and that I shall not forgive; no matter what lies you place in my Gospel!”

“This guy is out of his freaking mind,” Subaru whispered to Beatrice. He raised his voice, “What are you talking about? Whose ‘love’ did I take from you?”

God help me if this freak is looking for Emilia! I’ll rip him apart with my bare hands!

“Her love! Hers! The only one, the only love! Satella! The Witch’s love!” Petelguese screamed.

“Wait, what?!” Subaru gasped.

Satella… that was the name that Emilia gave me way back when we met but… Why?

“Give her love back to me!” Petelguese roared as dozens of massive arms made of shadows sprouted from his back like tentacles and began to zoom toward Subaru and Beatrice.

Subaru leapt away, dodging and weaving around the trees and houses to avoid the arms. Subaru took refuge behind a nearby building.

“Beako,” Subaru whispered, panting for breath, “Are you OK?”

Beatrice shook her head, “Betty feels sick, in fact. Betty’s magic is being… tainted by sloth. He is doing something to it,” She muttered.

“Beako! Are you going to be OK?!”

Beatrice nodded, “Betty is not in any danger but her magic will not obey her so long as that Archbishop is near,” She said in a faint voice.

Great! Another challenge, just what I needed!

“Beako, do you know anything about this guy? A weakness would be nice,” Subaru whispered.

Beatrice shook her head, “He seems… familiar, I suppose” She admitted.

“Not helpful,” Subaru muttered, listening carefully.

Where is that loon? Me running around the other side of a building barely qualifies as hiding, so why didn’t he come after us? And why don’t I still hear him shrieking and cursing at me? I don’t like this.

Alright, well I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. I’m going to see if I can relocate to somewhere else while staying out of his line of sight. Maybe I can hide.

Subaru slipped around the building and took shelter behind another house.

“Beako,” Subaru whispered, “Do you have any suggestions?”

Beatrice moaned for a moment and seemed to be struggling to talk, “…Betty thinks we should not have let the knight leave, I suppose.”

Subaru sighed, “That’s a great thought, Beako but not terribly useful at the moment. When the house is already on fire, learning that you shouldn’t have been playing with matches doesn’t help much.”

Subaru held his breath and listened intently.

I still don’t hear anything. What the hell is this guy doing?

A moment later, the house Subaru had originally been hiding behind exploded from the inside out as huge tentacle-like arms burst through it.

“Where are you?! Where are you! This is sloth, sloth, sloth! I will unwrite the lies in the Gospel! I will rewrite the words in the Gospel! I shall rip you limb from limb and she shall remember me! Give me her love!”

Oh crap. For an utter psychopath, this guy has an admirable amount of concentration. Could I bluff him? Like I did with the Gustekan soldiers?

No, that won’t work. I was only able to bluff them because they were afraid to die. This guy is probably crazy enough to walk through fire if he thought it would get him closer to his “witch’s love.”

Maybe I could use Indomitable on him? But for that to work I’d need him to give me an opening. Indomitable is a melee range ability and it only lasts for five seconds. That’s a really short window for me to get close to him while dealing with all of those enormous, flailing arms.

Beako can’t help me right now. I’ll have to wait for an opportunity. On the bright side, he doesn’t seem to know where I am right now, so maybe we could sneak away?

Subaru was debating different strategies when the house he hid against exploded.

Subaru dove to the ground with Beatrice in his arms, trying to shield her from flying shrapnel.

Holy shit! I can’t believe we didn’t just get skewered! If we had been hiding against one of the walls that this lunatic’s magic arms had burst through, Beako and I would both be perforated with foot long splinters right now!

“Where are you?!” Petelguese now sounded close to tears. “I must be faithful. I must be diligent. I must rewrite the words!”

Subaru swallowed hard.

Alright, this is a terrible plan but it might be my best opportunity. Petelguese sounds like he’s only a few feet away. If I rush him I could take him by surprise. The problem is that Betty is barely conscious and I don’t dare keep her in my arms while I charge at him; Indomitable won’t protect her. That means I need to leave her here and pray that the fight doesn’t cause any collateral damage that would wound her.

Fuck! This plan sucks but it’s the only chance I have!

Subaru gently put the unconscious Beatrice down on the ground in a place where she would be partially hidden behind the only still intact house wall. He prayed that she’d be safe there.

Subaru rushed around the corner at Petelguese and triggered Indomitable. Petelguese screamed at him and unleashed a swarm of shadowy arms that Subaru effortlessly smashed his fist through. Petelguese’s arms shattered, flying every which way like bits of jello. Petelguese shrieked in outrage as Subaru closed in on Petelguese and punched him square in the chest as hard as he could.

However, Petelguese had spawned more arms to defend himself and before striking his chest, Subaru’s fist had to first break through all of them. This greatly reduced force of his blow when he punched Peteleguse.

Petelguese went flying a good twenty feet and hit the ground rolling before getting to his feet, unhurt but clearly furious.

Subaru was already running away before Petelguese even landed, Shit! Well that plan didn’t work! Subaru swore.

Subaru grabbed the comatose Beatrice and bolted away, heading into the nearby forest.

OK, I’ll weave back and forth through these trees. Maybe they’ll give me some protection. If he wants to grab me, his arms are going to need to smash through all these trees and that should slow him down.

Subaru heard coming from close behind him sounds like thunder; trees being smashed and broken.

OK, so the good news is that it sounds like Petelguese is doing just what I expected. The bad news is that it doesn’t sound like it’s slowing him down all that much.

Indomitable is almost up again but so what? He took the last hit and I don’t think that I even hurt him. What the hell do I do now? Maybe if I caught him by surprise, it would work. The problem is that I’m not sure I’m going to get a better opening than the one I just got and he still spotted me way too fast. I wish Beako was conscious. Some of her magic would even the playing field in a hurry.

Subaru heard a tearing sound from behind him and looked back with a gasp. Petelguese had ripped a whole tree straight from the ground and sent it flying straight toward Subaru.

No time to dodge! Indomitable!

The tree came down on Subaru like an avalanche and he punched the incoming tree as hard as he could. The tree scattered into millions of pieces and by sheer luck thousands of bits of wooden shrapnel flew directly at Petelguese.

Subaru was already running away when he heard Petelguese’s scream.

I could learn to like listening to this lunatic scream. I just wish that the scream sounded like he was hurt and not simply pissed off! Is Beako alright? Some sawdust is in her hair but I don’t think that any of the tree branches or broken bits hit her.

“You! You are interfering with my diligence! You are trying to prove me slothful! Unworthy! Unloved! No! I will not permit it! I will have her love! Hers and no one else’s!” Petelguese roared.

God, what the fuck is he talking about?! Who is ‘she?’ The Witch? Who is he even talking to? He sounds like he’s talking to me but I get the impression that he’s mainly just talking to the spiders in his brain!

Subaru was so busy looking behind him that he almost didn’t see the huge ravine in front of him. He skidded to a halt, just inches away from the ridge.

He glanced down over the sheer cliff that plunged down into a rocky gorge at least forty feet below.

OK, so climbing or jumping down certainly aren’t options. Would Indomitable protect me from a long fall? Shit, why did I never test that? Actually, since Indomitable won’t protect Beatrice, it doesn’t matter. Even if the force of the landing does bypass me because of Indomitable, I bet that Beatrice would still have to absorb the full force of the impact because she was in my arms. A jump from this height could shatter all of her bones.

Running parallel to the edge doesn’t seem like it will work either. Fuck! I need to do something! I absolutely have to at least save Beako! I’d tell her to run while I distracted this freak but she’s out cold! Should I just try to hide her here somewhere while I make my last stand? Petelguese doesn’t seem to care about her so I doubt he’d come looking for her after I die…

Subaru held Beatrice tightly as Petelguese stomped toward them, walking on enormous arms like some monstrous spider. Trees splintered and shattered as Petelguese stomped on them without concern.

Well, I said that this was only for emergencies! Subaru triggered Reason and Judgment.

The calm confidence blanketed his mind but the fear, especially his fear for Beatrice, kept threatening to break through.

Hm. This is a grim situation, Subaru thought to himself, Beatrice is no help right now so you find yourself cornered and with limited resources. Your only real option is Indomitable but Petelguese has numerous ways to counter it. It appears that the time has come for you to sell your life dearly.

The fear rose up to choke Subaru and his calm faded a bit.

Very well. I can accept that. But if I do nothing else I absolutely must make sure that Beako survives. I need to find a way to hide her or protect her while I deal with Petelguese but… there are no hiding places here and running is not an option…

I doubt Betty could survive being dropped into the ravine. So really my only option is to throw her into the bushes as far as I can and then hope that I can fend Petelguese off long enough to lure him away. Beako said that Petelguese was corrupting her magic, that’s probably why she blacked out but that should stop once Petelguese goes far enough away, right? She would wake up and recover. Then she could find her way home and locate Puck and Emilia. Petelguese isn’t going to come back and hunt her down. I don’t think that he’s even noticed that she exists yet.

Alright then. That’s my plan. It’s a shit plan but it’s all I got.

Subaru restarted time.

Subaru took a deep breath and was about to throw Beatrice into the bushes when there was a sound like thunder and Petelguese went flying off to the left. He crashed into a grove of trees with an impact that demolished his enormous arms and cracked the tree trunks.

Subaru could only stare.

What just happened?

“Really, why am I even here?” A man with white hair and white robes grumbled as he sauntered out of the woods. “I don’t ask for much, really I don’t. I am the most satisfied existence in the entire world and I wish nothing from anyone other than that my own personal rights be respected. And yet, here I am in the middle of nowhere, tromping through a dark, dirty forest because someone refuses to follow simple instructions. I ask you, does that seem fair? Does it seem equitable to involve me in your own deficiencies? To me, that is a solid infringement upon my rights and that requires some manner of restitution.”

“Let’s just finish this, Regulus. I’m hungry,” A grotesque, painfully-thin looking youth muttered stepping out of the woods behind Regulus. He had long greasy hair and a mouth full of sharp teeth.

“That is rather offensive, Lye. I will finish this matter in my own way and in my own good time. I never intrude upon your rights to act as your judgment sees fit and all I ask in return is that you kindly respect my own-”

Petelguese struggled back to his feet then lifted himself off the ground with his many arms. “What? What are you doing here?!” He demanded of the strangers, “I am a servant of love and you are delaying the fulfillment of my love. That is sloth, is sloth, is sloth! You are following the instruction of lies and therefore you are liars! The words shall be unsaid!”

“Are you interrupting me?!” Regulus seemed truly astonished at this, “That is unacceptable.”

Regulus made a throwing gesture and another blast of raw force knocked Petelguese back and shredded his many arms that he had wrapped around his body in order to protect himself.

“Petelguese, I have never asked anything of you but that my own rights be respected. At this time I should be home, comfortably savoring the perfect existence that I have cultivated for my august self, as well as indulging in the kind of satisfaction worthy of one blessed in knowing that he is the preeminent existence on this planet. However, instead of doing so, I find myself here, being forced to chastise you for refusing to obey the Gospel’s writ. Others may be accustomed to roaming through the countryside in search of wandering strays but for me this activity is really quite intrusive. It was a massive disruption in the otherwise perfectly ordered life that I have provided for myself to come here and deal with this annoyance and that causes my remarkable equanimity to become unbalanced.”

Regulus turned away and continued to monologue; indifferent to anything Petelguese might be doing or even if anyone was listening.

Petelguese regrew his arms and sprang at Regulus, crushing him with a swarm of massive hands but Regulus appeared to not even notice. He didn’t miss a note of his incoherently rambling and narcissistic speech.

After a few moments, Lye intervened and launched a flying kick that nailed Petelguese in the stomach, knocking him back.

That was more than five seconds of invulnerability. That was way more than five seconds. It’s like Regulus has Indomitable but it lasts a lot longer. Holy shit.

“Seriously, Petelguese,” Lye grumbled, sounding bored, “This whole thing is pointless. I can’t eat you so what is even the point of fighting?”

Regulus turned around again. “Are you not listening to me?” He asked them both. “That is truly unacceptable.”

“Come on, Regulus. Let’s just kill him and leave. There’s nothing for me to eat here anyway,” Lye sniffed.

Regulus looked very affronted but then calmed himself, “I suppose that doing whatever allows us to part company the soonest is a desirable outcome but I do so hate to be forced to choose and balance various trade offs and options. Having to carefully catalog and weigh my choices to optimize my own satisfaction is an infringement of my rights as my desires and wishes should be provided to me as I request without excessive effort on my part or else what is the point of being me?”

Regulus made a throwing gesture and Petelguese dissolved into a cloud of blood.

Subaru gaped at this.

Beatrice jerked awake in Subaru’s arms looking around her in shock.

“Wait! What is going on here, I suppose?” Beatrice shrieked.

Regulus glanced at Beatrice, “Why are you daring to question me?” He asked.

Subaru blinked, “Um…well-”

“Please, at least be concise with your nonsense,” Regulus said, “I am Regulus Corneas and I am in a hurry to return to my sainted means of being and every moment spent here delays that return and the fulfillment of my being. I have made no impositions upon your existence and I therefore would prefer that you make none of me, that hardly seems like a lot to ask does it? Yet you intrude on my equanimity with your questioning and discordant voices. Your stammering and gaping is unforgivably rude and that is deserving of some degree of correction, is it not?”

Regulus seemed to fling something at Subaru. Subaru quickly spun around, shielding Beatrice with his own body and activating Indomitable.

Subaru endured the attack without feeling a thing but the trees and bushes around him were all scoured away as if they had been obliterated by a landslide.

Subaru turned back to face Regulus and Lye with wide eyes.

Regulus looked startled, “Do you mean to endure my chastisement? That is uncalled for! I simply demanded that you and the annoying girl cease to exist and you are infringing upon my rights by refusing my command that yourselves shall end. This is-”

Subaru sprang forward before Indomitable timed out and punched the startled Regulus right in the face as hard as he could.

Regulus went flying backwards, smashing into an enormous tree hard enough to send a crack clean through the massive trunk. The tree teetered and then crashed down on top of Regulus.

“Wow,” Lye commented casually, “I’ve never seen anyone hit Regulus like that.”

Subaru glanced at Lye suspiciously, “Do you want to fight?”

“Why would I fight you?” Lye asked in evident confusion.

“Beako, are you alright?” Subaru asked the little girl in his arms.

She nodded, “Betty feels better but her magic has yet to recover from sloth, I suppose.”

Subaru glared at Lye who just stood there looking bored, I trust this freak about as far as I could kick him- without Indomitable, I mean. But if he really doesn’t mean to start a fight then that’s OK with me. After dealing with Petelguese and Regulus I just want to get Beako and me out of here with most of our skin! Twenty seconds until Indomitable is up again.

Right now, Lye seems to be completely indifferent to my presence or even what has just happened to Regulus. He’s just standing there picking dirt and grime out of his greasy hair. Gross.

Whatever, I’m not ready for another fight right now. The sooner I get away from Lye the better but I need to do so casually enough that Lye doesn’t decide that I’m easy prey and change his mind about attacking.

From a short distance away, there was a sound like thunder.

The tree that had buried Regulus exploded outward into splinters and Regulus, completely unharmed, marched back over to Subaru.

“This is completely unacceptable!” Regulus yelled, “I was merely attempting to defend my rights to be in such a place and manner as I see fit and you have the sheer audacity to strike me? This is unconscionable!”

Holy shit. He doesn’t even have a scratch after I blasted him back through the trees at Mach 3. He doesn’t have a hair out of place. Fuck, he’s not even dirty! And in spite of all that I’ve done to him, he doesn’t even really seem to be all that angry. He’s acting like a woman who’s just been told that her coupon is expired and is now demanding to speak to the manager. Well, the longer he wastes time on his monologue, the further off cooldown Indomitable becomes. How did he survive being crushed by that tree? How long does his version of Indomitable protect him for?

“Beatrice,” Subaru whispered to the tiny girl in his arms as Regulus continued to rant, “I want you to make a run for it.”

“Betty is not leaving Subaru, in fact!” Beatrice snapped.

Subaru sighed, “Listen, Betty, I have a plan.”

A really, really bad one.

“But in order for it to work, I need you to be out of the line of fire or you’ll get hurt the same way as Regulus,” He continued.

Assuming it hurts him at all.

“Go and hide in the trees and wait for my signal. If I die, then this is a fight you can’t win. Run away and find Emilia and Puck. They’ll take care of you, just like I would,” Subaru whispered.

Beatrice’s eyes grew wide with horror.

“Trust me, Beatrice!” He hissed.

Wait, ‘Trust me, Beatrice?’ You do realize that you just lied to her face, right? This ‘plan’ of yours is more of a roll of the dice than any kind of strategy.

Subaru continued, “I’ll be OK! Now run!”

Subaru put her down and Beatrice quickly scrambled off into the trees. She hid behind a massive trunk and watched Subaru with sheer terror on her face.

I wish she’d just keep running. Or at least that she wasn’t watching from quite so close but there was no way that I was going to talk her into that. Regulus is still monologuing to nobody but at least Indomitable is back online.

I don’t know what’s up with this Lye fellow here. He heard everything that I said to Beatrice and it doesn’t look like he cares. He’s just standing there picking his toes. He looks like he’s just waiting for somebody to finally excuse him so that he can leave. The problem is that I learned the hard way back home that it’s really dangerous having a disinterested observer bearing witness to a fight. You never know how long he’ll stay disinterested or when he might decided to jump in to the fray and attack you from behind.

Oh well. Here goes nothing.

Subaru squared his shoulders and marched up to Regulus.

Regulus was so distracted by venting his frustrations at the situation that he didn’t notice Subaru was even approaching until Regulus could have reached out and touched him.

Regulus recoiled with a disgusted snarl on his face, “What are-”

“Do you have the slightest idea who I am?” Subaru demanded.

Regulus gaped at him.

“I am the great lord Subaru Natsuki! He who is beloved by the heavens! By what right do you seek to contend with me? What madness leads you to stand there before me as though you were my equal?!” Subaru roared, discretely pulling the lightning crystal out of his bag and hiding it in his hand.

Regulus’s jaw dropped. For the first time since he’d arrived, the long-winded Regulus seemed truly at a loss for words.

Subaru heard Lye giggling.

Subaru paused a second and then shook his head in disgust, “I have endured your slights with good grace and aplomb because that is what a great lord must do when confronted by a base-born cur who can be expected to know no better. However, you have finally insulted my dignity with your insignificant attacks. Despite being unable to so much as put a scratch on me, you foolishly persist! You have misinterpreted my charity for weakness and that shall not be tolerated. Upon you I shall pronounce my judgment!” Subaru proclaimed.

Regulus’s eyes bulged. His mouth moved but no words came out. He shook his head violently, “You… You!”

“Enough, Regulus Corneas! You waste my time and you are not worth the waste! You shall learn at my hand your rightful place!” Subaru roared triggering Indomitable and punching Regulus so that the lightning crystal shattered against his face.

There was a flash of light so bright that Subaru momentarily thought he’d gone blind.

A surge of wind like a great hurricane and a thousand lightning bolts picked up Regulus and sent him smashing and bouncing deep into the forest snapping dozens of trees like matchsticks and then slamming him into the side of a nearby cliff.

Regulus hit the stones hard enough to leave an imprint in the rock. More than a dozen damaged trees creaked ominously and then they all fell on top of Regulus burying him under at least four tons of wood as several large boulders that had been knocked loose by the impact tumbled down onto the trees from above.

Wow, I guess that crystal really was dangerous! Good thing I brought it along though. Even if Regulus does have Indomitable he’s not getting up after being buried under all that. I doubt he could even move under that. Whatever his version of Indomitable’s limit is, he’s got to be about to reach it.

Lye whistled, “So that’s why the Gospel said that you were special,” He commented in a friendly tone, “Honestly, it’s kind of nice to meet someone who can knock Regulus down a peg.”

Subaru stared at Lye. I don’t get it. Why is Lye talking to me like we’re buddies? Isn’t he Regulus’s buddy? Why isn’t he upset that I just killed him? Who are these freaks and what is their connection to the Witch Cult since they appeared to be hunting Petelguese?

Then the forest exploded.

Subaru jumped back as the dozen trees that had buried Regulus blew away into splinters and the boulders were crushed into sand.

Regulus Corneas stood there, completely unharmed, and there was rolling fury in his eyes.

Holy shit! What is this guy?! He doesn’t have Indomitable he has something that’s twenty times more powerful! He seems permanently invulnerable and he can generate shockwaves at range! What the hell can I do about this monster?

Oh my God. There’s nothing that I can do. I’m really going to die here.

Well, Beatrice should be safe at least. I doubt these guys would bother looking for her and they came here to kill Petelguese so I expect they’ll just leave after they kill me.

What the hell? What is happening to me that I can consider my death with that much clinical detachment? This world is screwing me up!

Fuck it. Nothing else to do but keep bluffing. The problem is that Regulus clearly has nothing to be afraid of so he’s not going to back off. At least Indomitable is ready to use again.

“You! You…!” Regulus was nearly having paroxysms of fury as his body spasmed every which way. His anger had surged to the point that he didn’t even have the means to express it anymore.

Regulus sprang toward Subaru, rushing at him inhumanly fast. His face was twisted and contorted with hate. Regulus had lost all control. He was going to throw himself at Subaru and strangle him to death.

Subaru triggered Reason and Judgment.

Hm. This is dire, Subaru thought to himself. Regulus is far more powerful than you are and until other evidence presents itself, it seems we must conclude that Regulus is truly invulnerable to attack. However, he has also completely lost control of his temper. That is an advantage. It may not give you much to work with but it is an opportunity if you can use the surrounding land to your advantage. Remember what Dad used to do to you as a kid when you tried to jump on him?

Subaru restarted time.

OK, time for horrible idea number two. Maybe this will keep me alive for a few more seconds.

As Regulus charged into melee range, his eyes insane and his mouth spitting, Subaru triggered Indomitable.

As expected, Regulus reached out for Subaru’s throat and Subaru… fell backwards. Regulus kept reaching for Subaru’s throat refusing to back off but he was now dangerously off balanced as well as traveling at high speed. Subaru grabbed his wrist and stuck his foot in Regulus’s stomach as Subaru rolled over onto his back.

In one smooth motion, Subaru tossed the astonished Regulus high over his head and sent him tumbling into the ravine with a howl of protest.

He hit the bottom with a cartoonish crash.

Holy shit! I can’t believe that worked! He may be invulnerable but now he’s stuck in a pit! That gives me and Beako a chance to run away!

Subaru quickly scrambled back to his feet.

Lye was rolling around on the forest floor, shrieking with laughter.

Alright, Lye isn’t going to get involved. Great. I have no idea how much time it’s going to take Regulus to get out of that ravine but I can’t assume it will be long. I doubt his power helps him climb and if I’m lucky the closest place to get out of that hole might be miles away.

Subaru started to dart off and grab Beatrice when he felt a shadow sweep over him.

Regulus had leapt completely out of the ravine and soared at least sixty feet into the air. He landed a few dozen yards in front of Subaru.

There wasn’t a scratch visible or a particle of dirt on his clothes.

And Regulus’s eyes were absolutely insane with hate.

What the fuck?! This guy is absolutely cheating! What the hell do I have to do to slow him down?

Lye had stopped laughing and was reading a small black book with a thoughtful expression.

Subaru swallowed hard as Regulus glared at him nearly frothing at the mouth. It’s another twenty full seconds until Indomitable is ready. I am fucking completely out of ideas. I can’t even scratch this monster much less make him back down.

Wow. I’m going to die. I dodged a bunch of bullets since I got to this world but now I’m finally going to die.

Emilia… I’m so sorry…

Regulus roared and charged straight at him. As Regulus neared spitting distance of Subaru, Lye casually stepped in between them.

Regulus ground to a halt, “What are you doing?! Get out of my way!” He roared.

Damn, Regulus must really be angry. He’s even cutting his speeches short now.

“Regulus, have you read the Gospel recently?” Lye sighed.

“What are you-” Regulus replied.

“Do you remember why we came here?” Lye asked.

“To kill Petelguese!”

“Yeah but why? Why did we have to kill him? Remember that part?” Lye grumbled.

Regulus drew himself up incredulously.

“Doesn’t it seem likely to you that this guy is the one that we’re not supposed to kill? The one that we came here to save from Petelguese?” Lye said.

Wait, what?!

“Don’t get me wrong,” Lye continued, “I think that watching the two of you throw down like this has been hilarious but now I’m hungry and I just want to go home.”

Regulus looked like he was going to attack Lye but instead he just turned around and walked away fuming.

Lye started to follow but then looked back at Subaru, “Hey… Why did you kill our whale?”

Subaru blinked. “Your whale? You mean the White Whale? It was yours?! It was killing people!”

“Only the people that I didn’t like,” Lye replied matter-of-fact.

Subaru was literally speechless.

Lye looked sad, “I miss my whale,” He moaned, turning away. He walked a few steps and then took a leap of at least forty feet into the woods and was gone.

Subaru stumbled back to where Beatrice hid in the bushes and wrapped his arms around her, cuddling the exhausted spirit.

Subaru felt his entire body trembling.

Subaru sighed, resting his head on Beatrice’s tiny shoulder, “Well, Beako, I guess we survived that. Somehow.”

“Betty was so scared,” Beatrice murmured.

“Me too!” Subaru agreed, “I was terrified! But we’re OK now. That’s the important thing.”

God, what the hell did I just go through? Every muscle in my body feels stiff as a rock! That was worse than fighting the Gusteko invaders! That was infinitely worse! What kind of world is it when someone who seems to be genuinely immortal can show up and try to pick a fight with you?

Subaru picked up Beatrice in his arms and started to walk away from the ravine. As he passed by the enormous blood stain that was once the Archbishop of Sloth, some impulse urged Subaru to take a closer look.

“Betty, who the hell were they?” Subaru asked as he began to inspect Petelguese’s dismembered body.

“Witch Cultists, I suppose,” Beatrice replied.

“I thought you said that Petelguese was the Witch Cultist,” Subaru replied, looking over the tattered corpse. The only thing left of the mess that would suggest he had once been human were his boots, the remnants of flesh and bone inside those boots, and a small black book lying on the ground.

“They were all Witch Cultists, in fact.”

“I don’t know, Beako. If they’re all members of the same cult then why were they killing each other?”

“Betty doesn’t know, in fact. However, they were all Witch Cultists. They all reek of the witch.”

“The same scent that Rem said that I have?” Subaru said, his heart sinking.

“Very similar, in fact. Put Betty down. I’m close enough to the library now to teleport us there, I suppose,” Beatrice squirmed and Subaru put her down.

Weird. Usually this much blood and gore would have me ready to throw up. I guess Petelguese’s body is an exception since you can’t even tell that he ever was a person. He looks like something run over by a steamroller.

Why was Petelguese trying to kill me? I mean, yeah he was a fucking lunatic but he knew who I was. He called me by name so he didn’t just target me at random. He was sitting here waiting for me. Even a psychopath does things for a reason, even if that reason doesn’t make a lick of sense. Something must have happened that made Petelguese aware of me and made him think that I had to die. But what?

And why did Lye claim that they came here to save me? That makes no sense. How do they even know who I am? Why do they care who I am? Does this have something to do with the royal selection? Do they want me to owe them a favor?

Was Lye making up that story about coming here to rescue me from Petelguese? Maybe, but I really don’t see why he’d bother to make up that lie. And if Regulus and Lye came here to save me from Petelguese then why the hell would Regulus immediately decide to kill me afterward? That makes no sense too. It’s not even like he felt threatened by us either, he tried to kill me and Beako because he didn’t like the way we were talking to him!

Or did Regulus… forget? He knew he was here to kill Petelguese but before Lye brought it up I feel like maybe he’d forgotten why he was going to kill him. It’s kind of hard to believe that anyone could be that absentminded but Regulus strikes me as the kind of guy who doesn’t need very much incentive to start killing people.

And what about Lye? Why did he not care that Regulus and I were trying to kill each other and then he suddenly cared and told Regulus to stop? And why did Regulus listen to him? He didn’t seem to care what Lye said before.

Subaru knelt down by the dismembered body and picked up the strange black book that lay beside it. He opened it and glanced at the first page.

“Don’t touch that, in fact!” Betty shouted.

Subaru flinched. “What is it?”

“It’s a witch’s gospel!” Beatrice said, turning away and returning to casting her spell, “Reading it unprepared will drive someone insane, in fact.”

Subaru eyes widened when he realized he’d already read the first page. It said: “Only a fool throws away knowledge of his enemy.”

It wasn’t written in the language of this world. It was written in Japanese, perfect Japanese.

What the hell? How is that possible? Does the Witch Cult know about my world? Or is this book enchanted in some way so that it rewrites itself to be readable to whoever picks it up?

Regardless of that detail, the book makes a good point, Subaru, He thought to himself in a strangely cool and composed tone. This book could tell you what the Witch Cult is doing and why they attacked Arlem. It could tell you why the Sin Archbishops left you alone or maybe even how you got to this world. It’s extremely valuable to you. Besides, you know that it’s not going to drive you insane because you just read from it. A risky test admittedly but still a valid one. Throwing this Gospel away like that is just foolish.

Subaru noticed that Beatrice was distracted by her spell craft and he slipped the book into his bag.

Subaru started to walk over to where Betty had opened her portal but stopped in his tracks.

Wait. Was that ‘my’ voice from Reason and Judgment? How did it reach out to me like that? I’ve always needed to trigger Reason and Judgment to get that voice. Now it can talk to me if it wants to? What the hell is going on? Is Reason and Judgment getting stronger every time I use it? Could that voice start following me around in my normal life?

“Betty is getting tired, in fact. Portals are hard to keep open,” Beatrice tapped her foot.

Subaru jumped and hurried after Beatrice, slipping through the portal.

Subaru was so distracted by the sudden spontaneous emergence of Reason and Judgment’s voice that he had already forgotten all about the book.