Chapter 62: The Madman
[ [ "To be honest, there's nothing we can do but surrender, nya... Because little Ferris can only help heal his wounds, whether physical or internal injuries, I can find a way to fix those nya... But when it comes to wounds of the heart, I'm powerless nya."
On the screen, Ferris poked Subaru's cheek as he lay in bed, saying helplessly.
"No, thank you for your utmost effort." ] ]
.....
~Inside, the Theater~
"Subaru-kun..."
Outside the screen, Rem lowered her head.
"Mr. Natsuki... has gone mad... No, after experiencing something like that, going mad is understandable. There's no need to say 'has gone'..."
Otto frowned as he spoke.
"Puck, what do you think?"
Emilia turned her worried gaze toward Puck, hoping his "mind-reading" ability could pick up something.
"Hmm... Sorry, Lia. I can only read the minds of people I can see and touch. But in his current state... even if I tried reading his mind, I'd probably just feel chaos."
Puck scratched his head with a cat paw.
"...If I'm not mistaken, His Excellency Subaru should be in a half-mad, not-quite-mad state."
On the other side, Wilhelm, observing Subaru's eyes on the screen, made his guess.
"Could you please explain what you mean, Mr. Wilhelm?"
Rem asked anxiously.
Wilhelm narrowed his eyes and said:
"To escape the despair of reality, His Excellency Subaru has locked away his inner self. Deep within, he still retains reason—but he dares not face it directly."
It wasn't pretending to be mad; his mind truly had shattered. Yet it wasn't full madness either—his sanity still lingered, merely sealed away.
"It would take a strong enough shock to break the seal, but if mishandled, he could fall into complete, irreversible madness."
That was Wilhelm's final remark.
"..."
Rem fell silent.
What kind of shock could it be? Witnessing the massacre of the previous loop once again?
No, that would only drive Subaru completely insane.
"Since Barus ended up fine in the end, that means he successfully pulled through."
Ram gently stroked the downcast Rem's head.
"...Yes, you're right, Sister."
Rem could only turn her gaze back to the screen.
....
—
[ [ "But still, can we really keep treating him now, nya?"
Ferris asked Rem.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I hope you won't get mad, but hear me out, nya. The reason we're treating Subaru is so he can live a normal daily life, right? But if someone can no longer live a normal life, then continuing treatment has no meaning, nya?"
"Subaru-kun still..."
Rem looked somewhat angry.
"Are you saying he's still salvageable? After seeing him like this, you still say that? Are you serious? He's been through a lot, yes, but someone who collapses completely from such minor setbacks—even if he recovers, it's useless nya... Oh my, what a terrifying look... Subaru really is lucky. Though I'm sure he doesn't feel that way at all, nya."
Ferris spoke while giving Subaru a scornful look.
"Subaru-kun's current condition has nothing to do with the Royal Selection. Subaru-kun isn't the type to give in over a small failure." ] ]
.....
~Inside, the Theater~
"Um... Ferris, that was a bit too harsh."
Off-screen, Crusch said.
"Ah, I apologize for my on-screen self, nya. But I can understand why she thought that way—through Ferris's eyes, Subaru really did seem to collapse over such a small setback. But she didn't know he'd seen such a horrifying sight..."
Ferris apologized not only for her on-screen self's words but also for her misunderstanding.
What Subaru had witnessed absolutely couldn't be called a small matter—even going mad because of it was understandable.
"Still, little Ferris thinks that part of why I said that was because I believed Subaru's mental resilience was too weak, though that was a misunderstanding. Another reason is... little Ferris hates people who don't want to live. Even if healed, such people will just waste their lives again... Ah, little Rem, you're leaving already?"
....
—
[ [ The scene shifted. On screen, Rem looked at Crusch and Ferris, then spoke:
"I am deeply grateful to you all for your care. On behalf of my master, Rem expresses our sincerest thanks for your continued kindness."
"Though I know you're leaving, do you still have hope he can be healed?"
Ferris asked.
"At the very least, if Subaru-kun could see Lady Emilia... Though only occasionally, he does call out names. He calls mine and my sister's, but most often, he calls out Lady Emilia's name."
"...Rem. Though this question is terribly impolite... I still wish to ask you. Why do you devote yourself so completely to Natsuki Subaru? You and Natsuki Subaru aren't bound by the same master-servant relationship as I and Ferris. Yet from your gaze and manner, I cannot easily assume it's a romantic relationship either."
Crusch inquired.
"Um... Rem doesn't quite know how to express it. It's hard to explain. Because Subaru-kun is special, that's all."
With that, she set off on the journey home. ] ]
.....
~Inside, the Theater~
"It seems this time is earlier than last time. Last time, we returned because we sensed danger at the mansion. This time, it's because of Mr. Natsuki."
Off-screen, Otto said.
"Then this..."
"What is it, little sister-in-law... Ah, ow, ow! Ram, stop pulling my ears!"
"Mind your words, Garfiel."
Garfiel had even started calling Emilia, whom Rem addressed as big sister-in-law, "little sister-in-law."
"Though I don't know what it means, I somehow find this term a bit unpleasant. Last loop, when Rem arrived at the mansion, she must've just started fighting the Witch Cultists, right? But this time, we're earlier—could it be that..."
Emilia paused, then continued:
"This time, could we encounter the Witch Cultists on the road?"
[ [ "It's far too quiet..." On screen, Rem said as she drove the dragon carriage.
Subaru lay on Rem's lap.
"...Huh? Sister?" Rem seemed to sense something.
"We must return quickly!" Rem made her decision. ] ]
.....
~Inside, the Theater~
"Shared sensation..."
Ram frowned.
The Witch Cultists have come.
That's what she thought.
And the next second.
....
—
[ [ The earth dragon's head flew off...
"Ugh, ugha..."
The dragon carriage overturned, throwing Subaru out.
"Ah... wu..."
Subaru tumbled several times, rolling into the grass, suffering minor injuries. Tears welled as he groaned in pain.
Then, shadowy figures appeared—Witch Cultists.
"Ah... aah! Ah, aah!"
The cultists formed a circle around Subaru, chanting as they drew closer, while Subaru screamed in agony.
When they closed in enough, one cultist stepped forward, reaching out as if to touch Subaru—
"Don't touch Subaru-kun!"
Three Rems—on screen and off—shouted together.
An iron ball flew in, shattering the cultist's skull who had reached for Subaru.
Rem's direct confrontation with the Witch Cultists had begun once more in this loop. ] ]