The next day, around noon…
Subaru's consciousness drifted upward through a dense fog, as if emerging from deep waters. The lingering darkness he floated in was quiet, almost peaceful, but heavy with a weight that pressed against his thoughts. The first sensation that broke through was a faint, steady throb pulsing at his temples, followed by the slow awareness of the air in the room—thick, warm, and somehow reassuring as it filled his lungs. His eyelids resisted him, leaden and unwilling, yet after a long, deliberate effort they lifted just enough to let the world in. Two familiar figures resolved before his eyes: Beatrice and Hikari, seated shoulder to shoulder, their heads inclined over the same open book. The faint rustle of pages turning was the only disturbance in the room's stillness. It felt as though time itself had chosen to flow more gently here.
Beatrice had woken roughly an hour earlier. Her serene gaze, paired with the gentle curiosity shining in Hikari's, shifted the moment they noticed Subaru stirring. The book in Beatrice's lap was closed without a sound. Hikari rose in a fluid, urgent motion and crossed the short distance to the bed in only a few steps. Without hesitation, she wrapped Subaru in a tight embrace, the kind that spoke of more than words could ever express—as if she were afraid he might vanish if she let go. The heat of her body seeped into his, grounding him against the lingering fatigue that clung stubbornly to his muscles. Beatrice followed soon after, her smile understated but genuine, as though content simply to be present in that fragile moment. They spoke no words; sometimes, silence carried the deepest truths.
Subaru inhaled deeply, steadying his scattered thoughts. The fog in his mind thinned, and broken fragments of memory began stitching themselves together.
"The last thing I remember… I blacked out," he murmured, his voice rough but deliberate. "Judging from the pressure in my mana… we're in the Sanctuary, aren't we? So… what happened after I went under?"
Hikari's fingers found Beatrice's, a silent exchange passing between them. A small nod from Beatrice signaled she would speak.
"After you collapsed, Emilia was right here, watching over you," Beatrice began. "But she panicked—completely. She wept without stopping. Betty could feel the moment she became convinced she'd lost you. Then Elsa, looking as unshaken as ever, told her you weren't dead—only unconscious. That's when Emilia regained her composure."
Beatrice's tone shifted, her eyes narrowing slightly as if remembering something distasteful. "And that's when Roswaal appeared. At first, he seemed almost relieved to see everyone safe. But then he noticed you lying there and—" her voice tightened, "—he called you 'rotten.'"
Subaru's brows drew together, the air around him seeming to thicken. Beatrice's gaze flicked toward Hikari. "No one said anything… except Hikari-chan. She wasn't going to let it pass."
"Wait," Subaru said, his voice sharpening. "When you say she stood up to him… what exactly did you do, Hikari?"
Hikari's lips curved into a small, proud smile, her eyes narrowing slightly. The look was answer enough.
With a weary sigh, Beatrice continued. "Hikari-chan told him outright—that both his soul and the stolen body he wears are decaying. Roswaal didn't appreciate the honesty. He attacked her."
A tense silence followed. Subaru's chest felt tight, as though an invisible storm was gathering inside him. "He… attacked Hikari?" he said softly, yet the anger thrumming beneath the words was palpable.
From the far corner, unseen, Flugel watched with a razor-sharp glint in his eyes, his jaw clenched so tightly it was a wonder his teeth hadn't cracked. It would take only a word, a glance, to set him in motion.
"The fight was quick," Beatrice went on, her voice steady but carrying the weight of the memory. "Hikari-chan anticipated the angle of his strike and countered. Roswaal staggered back, surprised, but recovered enough to unleash a spread-fire spell. Hikari moved to defend herself, but before she could act further, Emilia stepped between them without a second thought. She shielded Hikari from harm. After that, she agreed to accompany Roswaal for the Sanctuary trials. Rem, Roswaal, and Emilia left ahead of us, and once they were gone, we made our way here."
Subaru's vision clouded for a fleeting moment, his gaze boiling with an unsteady blend of fury and remorse. The words that escaped his lips were quiet—barely more than a murmur—but they cut through the stagnant air like a frozen blade: "I should have killed Roswaal earlier." The weight of the admission hung between them, heavy and immovable. He inhaled deeply, the breath shaking in his chest, shoulders trembling as though the words themselves had drained him. Slowly, he rose, his shadow stretching against the dim light, and swept the room with his eyes. His voice, when it came again, was deliberate, slow, and burdened with certainty.
"I can piece the rest together. Beako crossed the barrier and collapsed, forcing you to carry her. You came here—to Lady Ryuzu's home. Hours later, Roswaal staggered in, his entire body swathed in bandages. Not long after, Emilia arrived with Garfiel at her side… and she didn't greet him kindly. And here we are now. Tell me, did I miss anything?"
The room fell silent. Hikari and Beatrice's faces were frozen, mouths slightly agape, eyes fixed on him with an almost childlike astonishment. It was Hikari who broke the stillness first, her tone caught somewhere between wonder and disbelief. "Onii-chan… can you see the future?"
A faint, tired smile tugged at Subaru's lips as he shook his head. "I have a brilliant sage right here beside me—have you forgotten that, my Cute little sister?" His eyes slid toward Beatrice in sly acknowledgment.
Recognition flashed across Hikari's face, and she clapped her hands together with a bright smack. "Ah! Now everything clicks! I get it now!" she exclaimed, the sudden excitement spilling into her voice.
Beatrice, in contrast, folded her arms and lifted her chin with a prim air. "Betty could have figured that much out already, you know."
With renewed resolve, Subaru turned sharply toward the door. His steps were measured but unyielding. "I'm heading to the Witch's Tomb. Emilia needs to be checked on. You two can come along… but under no circumstances are you to set foot inside. Understood?"
Hikari and Beatrice exchanged a glance, their hands finding each other's, and followed behind him. They answered together, voices playfully loud, "Understood!"
Their path wound through a rugged trail of stone and moss, the cold air settling heavier with each step toward the looming silhouette of the tomb. Below, Garfiel and Ryuzu were locked in what seemed to be an intense discussion, their words sharp and overlapping. As Subaru approached, Ryuzu's gaze lifted to meet his, and her stern demeanor softened into a kind smile. "Subaru-san… so you managed to wake. It truly is good to see you well," she said, her voice warm and welcoming.
Subaru placed his right hand over his heart and inclined his head in a respectful bow. "I'm deeply grateful for your hospitality and your kindness, Lady Ryuzu."
Garfiel turned at that, his eyes narrowing as he took in Subaru from head to toe. When his gaze shifted to the figure of Hikari standing just behind him, a crooked smirk appeared. "Ha! So this is the 'big brother' you've been going on about… looks kinda scrawny to me."
Subaru recognized the provocation for what it was. Garfiel's pride, his stubborn streak, and his love for confrontation were as predictable as the sunrise. "From my angle, you look a little scrawny yourself, Garfiel. Maybe the problem's in your perspective," he replied, his words carrying a teasing edge.
Hikari locked eyes with Garfiel, her grin turning impish before a soft giggle slipped out. Beatrice, anticipating trouble, clamped a hand over her mouth. "Hikari-chan, don't be irritating," she chided, her tone crisp.
The teasing flicker in Garfiel's eyes vanished, replaced with a hard glare. In one swift motion, he seized Subaru by the collar, his grip tightening until his knuckles blanched. "What did you say!? Go on, say it again, I dare you! If you're looking to get roughed up, you've found the right guy!"
Before the clash could ignite, Ryuzu stepped firmly between them, her presence steady and commanding. "Young Garfiel, young Subaru… I'm pleased you're on speaking terms, but I suggest you refrain from settling anything here—especially now," she warned, her tone a blend of firmness and restraint.
Garfiel shoved Subaru back, but Subaru's stance was unshaken. Instead, the push sent Garfiel a step back, surprise flickering across his face. The tension thickened, silence stretching taut as though the world itself was holding its breath.
Then, without warning, a scream shattered the stillness. It tore from the depths of the Witch's Tomb, Emilia's voice—muffled yet razor-sharp—ripping through the air. It was not just pain that laced that cry; it carried the suffocating weight of fear, the hollow ache of hopelessness, and a grief that stabbed straight through the soul. The sound was raw, harrowing, almost inhuman—like the skin of reality itself being peeled away. Her sobs wove into the scream, echoing through the cold stone passage until the air itself seemed to grow heavier under the burden.
Subaru froze as if struck. His heart thundered against his ribs, too large, too fierce, each beat flooding him with a volatile mix of dread and rage. His breath came fast and shallow, his thoughts narrowing to a single burning point: reach her. "EMILIA!" The shout ripped from his chest as he lunged forward, sprinting toward the tomb's entrance. Each step sent sharp echoes bouncing off the stone underfoot, the chilling sound a grim counterpoint to the desperation in his voice.
Suddenly, someone appeared behind him, arms coiling tightly around his neck. Garfiel's teeth clenched, muscles bulging as his claw-like hands locked together in a desperate hold. "Hey! You can't go there! Roswaal stepped inside, he was as good as dead!" The confidence that usually colored his voice had evaporated, replaced by sharp-edged panic.
Subaru didn't waste a thought. Instinct surged through him; he seized Garfiel's arm, twisting and using every ounce of his momentum to hurl him backward with brutal efficiency. Before Garfiel's feet even touched the ground, Subaru was already storming up the staircase, leaping over steps in threes and fours. Each impact of his feet sent a dull echo through the air, but louder still was the replay of Emilia's scream tearing through his mind, raw and urgent.
The barrier loomed ahead. He didn't hesitate—not even for the briefest breath. The cold, invisible wall gave way beneath his advance, letting him through without so much as a shiver of resistance. For a heartbeat, relief sparked in his chest, but he crushed it and pushed forward. The tomb's stone floor trembled faintly beneath his pounding steps. With every pace, the corridor darkened, the air thickening, shadows closing in like grasping hands. The silence pressed down on him, colliding with the lingering echo of that single, desperate cry.
Behind him, Garfiel's voice tore through the gloom: "WHAT?! HE'S ALLOWED IN TOO?!"
Hikari's brows arched high, her head tilting in mild confusion. "Is… that supposed to be a good thing?"
Beatrice's sigh carried the weight of both fatigue and worry. "Mostly, yes. Another person will stand before my mother's trial… and with that person being Subaru… there is a measure of reassurance in that."
Garfiel's growl was low and fierce, his jaw tight with frustration, but Ryuzu's gentle touch on his shoulder was like a still tide pressing back against a raging storm.
By the time Subaru reached the tomb's heart, he dropped to his knees beside Emilia. She was trembling uncontrollably, her skin pale as moonlight, breath catching in uneven gasps. "Emilia! Calm down… please… breathe," he urged, his voice breaking under the weight of desperation. His hands clasped her shoulders—ice-cold beneath his touch—willing his own warmth into her fragile frame.
She gave no answer. Her eyes stayed closed, her body rigid, as if trapped in some unseen battle. Subaru knew the trial awaited him, that every second here might cost him dearly, but abandoning her was unthinkable. He drew her into his arms, leaning against the unyielding stone wall, pressing her close enough for her to feel the steady thud of his heart. Maybe, just maybe, that rhythm could pull her back from wherever she was lost.
Then, darkness poured into his mind—thick, impenetrable. His eyelids fell shut without protest.
When sensation returned, the cold bite of stone had vanished, replaced by the lush, cool softness of grass. He opened his eyes to find an endless green plain under a flawless sky. A breeze danced over the land, carrying the faint scent of wildflowers, whispering softly through the swaying grass.
Turning, his gaze caught on a lone hill. At its crest rested a delicate tea table set for two, fine porcelain cups gleaming under the shade of a white parasol. Sitting there was a woman with hair as white as winter's first snow, her eyes locked on him with an unsettling blend of curiosity and hunger.
The Witch of Greed: Echidna.
This was not a first meeting—not for him. The shock that had once consumed him was gone, replaced with a carefully composed mask.
Echidna's lips curved faintly as she spoke, unbothered by his stillness. "Ah? I trust I didn't startle you… It has been centuries since I last held a face-to-face conversation. Perhaps I've grown impatient." Her words shimmered with subtle curiosity, a thread of tension winding through them before her tone leveled into calm poise. "I am Echidna. The Witch of Greed… perhaps that name rings a bell?"
Subaru resolved to feign ignorance. Meeting Flugel had reset his story—this was a clean slate, a page turned. He would shed the weight of his past encounters and face this moment as though it were truly the first.
Straightening, he raised his hand in a casual greeting, a faint smile ghosting over his lips.
"I'm Natsuki Subaru. Can you tell me where I am? I mean… I appeared here out of nowhere, and you can imagine that's more than a little unsettling. I'm hoping there's some reasonable explanation." His voice carried a forced lightness, but it couldn't mask the swirl of curiosity and wariness building within him.
Echidna gestured gracefully toward the chair opposite her, a subtle, inviting motion. She settled into her own seat with the elegance of a noblewoman, smoothing the edge of her skirt. "This is the Dream Castle. I brought you here because I find you… interesting. Welcome to the Witch's Tea Party. Oh, don't worry, dear your body is still lying safely in the tomb. This is a spiritual domain; you're here only in spirit. Your real body is perfectly safe."
A brief silence settled over the tea table. The faint breeze ruffled the edge of the parasol overhead, and Echidna broke the quiet with a delicate smile at the corner of her lips. "Umm… at the very least, could you sit? I recommend you drink the tea before it gets cold. Preparing it takes more effort than you might think."
Subaru moved hesitantly to the indicated seat and sat down. From the porcelain cup on the table, a faint steam curled upward, carrying a sweet aroma into the air. "Alright… then tell me—why exactly do you find me 'interesting,' Witch of Greed?" His tone carried a faint trace of mockery, but couldn't fully mask his curiosity.
Echidna laced her fingertips together, leaning forward slightly. "This is something only the two of us know. Go on, take a guess… the secret you've tried to tell others but never could. The one that eats away at you from the inside. Ah, and I'd be much happier if you simply called me 'Echidna.'" The gleam in her eyes betrayed that she already knew the answer.
A faint smirk tugged at Subaru's lips. "I… can return by death." The words lingered in the air like a heavy echo.
Echidna clapped her hands together with refined grace. "Congratulations, you guessed it instantly! It must be difficult, not being able to speak of it in the real world… unable to share your burden with anyone. But don't worry. Now you know there is someone who watches and listens to you. That alone must be… at least a little comforting, right?"
The first time Subaru had heard these words, he hadn't been able to hold back his tears. But this time was different. Echidna was no longer the only one who knew. "Oh yes, absolutely. Every time I die, it's truly heartbreaking that no one can understand me. Imagine—dying to protect the people I love or myself, throwing myself into danger again and again; and yet they never know. They see me as someone who can handle anything, who always succeeds. But in truth… I'm just a pathetic fool who adapts only because I've experienced it all through countless deaths."
He let out a short laugh—somewhere between pain and habit.
Echidna, at first slightly unsettled by Subaru's ease and frankness, found herself slowly adjusting. She knew this man was no ordinary guest, and she wondered what doors this new beginning might open.
Subaru reached for the delicate handle of the cup. Normally, he would never willingly drink something like this, but knowing the tea could grant him resilience and improve his adaptability to authority had already sealed his decision. As he lifted the cup toward his lips, a quiet whisper stirred in the depths of his mind: "Maybe this will bring me trouble…" Even so, he didn't hesitate; he took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and drained the entire cup in one go. The liquid left a faint burn in his throat before spreading into a strange warmth that filled his body.
Echidna's eyebrows lifted slightly; her eyes held both surprise and the faintest glimmer of admiration. The corner of her mouth curved upward. "You're quite bold, I see. I didn't expect you to down a witch's tea in one gulp," she remarked, her teasing tone matching her smile.
Subaru set the cup down heavily on the table. His fingertips tapped against its rim as his gaze locked on Echidna. "It's obvious you had no intention of poisoning me. If you wanted to destroy my soul, you wouldn't have gone through the trouble of dragging me here for a long conversation. But I'm curious… how did you manage to make tea in a spiritual realm? Its taste is unlike anything I know. Sweet, but… there's something else."
Echidna's lips curled into a mischievous smile, a playful glint flickering in her eyes as though she were savoring some private joke. "Something produced right here, actually," she began, her voice syrupy-smooth. "To put it crudely… I made it with my own bodily fluids." She lingered on the words, each syllable coated with deliberate sweetness, daring him to react.
Subaru fought to keep his face neutral, every muscle in his jaw and brow under tight control. The temptation to grimace—or to say something he'd regret—was strong, but he clamped it down. Just then, a voice burst into his mind: Flugel's, bright and obnoxiously cheerful. "Oi! Ask for another one!" His laughter rang in Subaru's head, brash and unrestrained, before suddenly sharpening into something serious. "Actually, the more you drink, the better. It'll boost your compatibility with the Authorities. Right now… I'd say you could handle five unseen hands without collapsing."
Subaru barely had time to register the words before a hot pain exploded in his chest. It began in the deepest core of his heart, then radiated outward like a shockwave through every vein, every nerve, every muscle. The sheer ferocity of it knocked the air from his lungs. Even Satella's suffocating grip on his heart—a torment he would never forget—felt like a faint, hazy echo compared to this. His breath hitched; hands clutched at his chest as his body curled forward. Teeth clenched, he let out a low, ragged groan, the sound dragged from somewhere deep inside him.
Echidna didn't flinch. Tilting her head in that unsettlingly slow way of hers, she regarded him as if he were a curious specimen. Her eyes roamed over him with deliberate care, studying the tremor in his shoulders, the strain in his posture. "Hmm… I didn't expect you to absorb it so quickly," she murmured, genuine approval threading through her cool, detached tone. "You're truly impressive. The fact that you can still stand here and meet my gaze… is remarkable."
The agony dulled gradually, retreating like a tide. In its place came an odd rush—an alien but exhilarating surge of strength thrumming through his bloodstream. Subaru straightened slowly, arms folding across his chest in a show of casual defiance. His eyes, however, carried a spark of amusement that wasn't entirely forced. "Why? Do people usually fall hopelessly in love when they look at you… or do they just completely lose their minds?"
Her face remained utterly still, the same porcelain mask. Her voice was as level as ever, flowing in an almost hypnotic monotone. "People who look at me tend to vomit instantly, lose their sanity, and die. It's the aura I emit—unintentionally, but inevitably. Because of it, I've spent most of my life in solitude. Which is why… yes, I am still a pure virgin." The declaration was punctuated by the faintest rise of her chest, her tone infused with a curious pride, as if daring him to challenge her on it.
Subaru tilted his head slightly, the corner of his mouth quirking upward into a knowing smirk. "Right… well, you can rest assured I'm not sticking around for a full chronicle of your pure-virgin adventures. That's a line I'm not crossing. Now…" His voice edged into something sharper, more intent. "…what exactly do you want from me? And what's your plan?"