Chapter 8: Unforeseen consequences

"Ugh... cough cough"

He woke up to a familiar dusty stone floor, he opens his eyes weakly, the feeling of getting stabbed right in the stomach was still fresh in his mind. Though the pain was no longer in existence, he still had the memory, that traumatic scream of his spirit, it made him want to kill whoever did it a thousand times, over and over again.

"Beako... wait, where... the tomb?"

He picked himself up, leaning on the stone wall, his head was still dizzy. He scanned the area, it was definitely he tomb, probably just after he finished the first trial.

"Day six... night six rather, an assassin attacks the mansion, and I don't know who they are... Petra and Frederica were probably dealt with before we got there... that's why no one answered..."

He furrowed his brows as he tries to think of a plan. If they were to fight, Subaru would no doubt lose, the assassin was able to handle Frederica so it's not likely that Rem would be able to beat her. Roswaal is injured so he's a no go, the best option would be to go against them with Beatrice, the least they could do is distract them while the others-

"Hk-"

"Huh?"

Lying beside him was Emilia who he momentarily forgot about, it was the same as last time, her face was twisted in pain, a memory you never had is hard to accept.

"Emilia..."

He shook her lightly and she instantly regained consciousness, a repeat of last time, she cried on and Subaru comforted her, they then went back up.

"Ah... Su... baru...?"

.

"Subaru-kun..."

"What's wrong, I suppose?"

Rem gave a concerned look as she stared down the tomb. Beatrice walked up to her, sensing her unease.

"The scent... is stronger all of a sudden..."

"..."

Before they could discuss any further, Subaru appeared out of the tomb, carrying a sleeping Emilia in his arms.

After they went to Lewes's house and had Ram set her down on the bed they went to the living room to discuss what happened inside the tomb.

"So, Natsuki-san..."

"Long story short, basically, I was able to take the first trial for some reason and I passed, it was quite easy but that's just me, Emilia, on the other hand, failed the trial cause I woke her up halfway..."

Everyone, aside from Beatrice, was surprised when they heard this, mostly Garfiel.

"Then we should confirm if the citizens of Sanctuary are able to leave"

"No can do, there are three trials, I just finished the first trial, still two more to do, hmm... maybe I can finish it right now in one go..."

"That's not possible, I suppose, if two people take the trial at once, you can't proceed to the next, it's a given rule..."

"Well, that sucks... Anyway..." He got up from his seat and walks to the door, "There are things I need to think about so if you'll excuse me, I'll be taking my leave..."

Rem and Beatrice were the next ones to leave, concerned about Subaru, they followed him, the others went on doing their own things.

He went out to the lake and sat down beside a tree, he had to formulate a plan, make a few excuses and do a few explanations as well. Thinking back on the moment, 'I came back as promised...', that's what the female voice said.

"So you actually did come back... just give me a break"

He realized it was Elsa that had attacked them, it only made him want to kill her even more, but he knew that it wasn't going to happen, he's too weak.

For Subaru, it's been about 3 months since he's seen her, but in actuality, its probably about half of that, that brutal strike she gave back at the loot house had almost fully healed, even so, he still had some leaking anger within him.

"There's something I need you guys to keep a secret," He said all of a sudden turning to face the forest path.

From the forest came Beatrice and Rem, he knew they'd come so he decided that he won't hide anything, he can't do this alone, he knows that now. They came up to him, they could tell he was serious, they sat down in front of him.

"You can trust Betty, I suppose"

"Rem will do as you say, Subaru-kun"

A few minutes of silence and then, "In six days, the mansion's getting attacked by an assassin..."

They were both shocked hearing this, though Beatrice was able to understand quickly, 'he looped', that was the conclusion she came up with.

"I can't really explain how I know but-"

"Rem believes you..."

"There is no reason for Betty to doubt you, I suppose..."

Seeing that they agreed just like that made him happy and relieved, these two have so much faith in him, It's almost scary to watch. He relaxed as he doesn't have to bear the pain of explaining the whole thing.

"Do you have a plan, I suppose?"

"Yeah... we probably won't be able to fight back without sustaining major injuries so I plan on evacuating everyone in the mansion before they attack..."

They both nodded, that seemed to be the safest plan.

"Ok then... we'll go back to the mansion, maybe in two days, I'll bring the villagers as well with Otto and Beako..."

"What about Rem?"

"Well we can't leave Emilia alone and I don't want you getting hurt, okay"

She gave a dejected look but didn't mind as he basically said, 'I care about you'.

"Anyway, I can handle getting out, Rem, you take care of Emilia while I'm gone okay?"

"Yes, Subaru-kun can count on Rem!"

It was already pretty late so Subaru decided to sleep and get an early start in the morning, he was fatigued, even though his body just woke up, his mind has spent a whole other day. He was in bed with Beatrice.

"Subaru, the blue maid had informed me that your scent had gone up, I suppose..."

"Yeah... I had a feeling she would be able to sense it going up... so, how do I explain this..."

"Is it because of your looping, I suppose?"

"I'm not completely sure, but it seems to increase each time I do it, so maybe...?"

"Does also have something to do with not being able to tell me more about looping, I suppose?"

"Haa... your getting really close to the borderline, Beako..."

"Then I shall refrain from asking any more, I suppose"

The next morning he got up early to do some Radio Calisthenics with the villagers and he told them that he'll try and convince their captors to let them go which they replied with cheers. Surprisingly, things went differently, Roswaal was okay with it but he had ordered Ram to go with them, and Garfiel...

"They can leave... on one condition"

Unlike last time, Garfiel had put up one condition for letting the hostages go, as far as he remembers, nothing like that happened, was it triggered because he asked it earlier?

"Alright, let's hear it..."

"They can all leave if... yer promise not to take them trials..."

It was unexpected, all the villagers are able to leave on the cost that Subaru is unable to take the trials, it wasn't a problem, Emilia was the one who was supposed to take them, but why doesn't he want Subaru to take them?

"Hmm... I can accept that... though, can you tell me why you don't me to take the trials?"

"Ain't gonna let anyone but Emilia-sama passin the trials"

"..."

Subaru stood there confused.

"Ya hear me? No one but the princess gets to take em"

"Right, right, I heard ya... so that's it right?" He nods in return.

"Ok then..." Subaru turned back to the Cathedral, "Hey Garfiel, do you have like... anything to say to your sister, I can like send a message if you want"

"W-What, uh, that... ah... hmm, urgh, jus... jus, tell er my amazing self's doin fine..."

"Right... see ya then"

The rest of the day was left preparing for their trip back, because he was busy helping the villagers pack and all, he wasn't able to talk to Emilia, so that might trigger another event so he stayed aware of his surroundings.

Later that night he took a walk around Sanctuary with Beatrice, it was pretty dark and there weren't many torches around, the only proper light source would be the moon. He was headed for the tomb, not because he wanted to challenge it though.

"Where ya think yer goin?"

Before them, Garfiel stood with his arms spread, he was blocking their path, he had a feeling Subaru was going to try something so he patrolled near the tomb in case he came.

"Well we were just going for a walk around Sanctuary, but I was hoping to bump into you here" they walked up to him, he stared at them fiercely, "Say I wanted to check out the tomb, you won't let me right?"

"Darn right! Ya forgot what I said this mornin, no one's takin it but the princess"

It made no sense, not that it bothered him too much, but if there was a higher chance for him to pass the trials instead of Emilia than obviously letting him take them in her place would be the logical reason.

"Yeah, I still remember... but, normally people would pick the option with higher chances, not the other way round, it doesn't make sense why you don't want me to take the trials, unless I've done something wrong, or you got something for Emilia..."

"What crap are you talking about!"

"But of course you don't, your eyes set on a certain maid with pink hair..."

"A..."

Seeing that he was right, it only made less sense why he stopped him, unless, "Wait... Ram did tell me not to go into the tomb before... so did she talk you into it?"

"Nope, it's my free will"

"It's the witch miasma, isn't it, I suppose"

"..."

His silence only confirmed the possibility Beatrice came up with, it all makes sense now, he did Return by death to right after taking the trials, it should have drenched his body in the Witch's stench.

The scent has brought Subaru many problems in the past, Rem attacking him in one of the mansion loops, The White Whale chasing them in another, the Witch Cult's attack, it was all because of that very smell, and now, the inability to take the trials.

"Did Rem tell you... or can you can smell it...?"

"Are you doubting my amazing self's nose?"

"No, it's not that, you should have noticed it when I came to Sanctuary..."

"Ya darn right I did, wasn too bad then, but now 'S exploding all over the place, right after ya took the TRIAL, not sure what you saw in there, but my amazing self's got a bad feelin about it"

He said 'Trial' in a rather cold way, it seems like him and Garfiel's terms are starting to lower, though it's nothing he can't fix. He crosses his arms as he stares at Subaru.

"Ain't gonna let some witch stinkin bastard going around doin the trials"

"Well, can't blame ya there... seems like there's nothing we can do, alright then Beako lets call it a night, we got what we came for..."

He walked away, dropping the thought of trying to convince Garfiel to let him through, as he is now, even Lewes might not be able to make him budge, he's like a stubborn child.

"What?! Your not gonna try and force yer way through?"

"Why should I? It's not like I disagree with you, besides, I have faith that Emilia will pass the trials"

"That's what yall think..." He muttered.

"Right, goodnight then"

The next morning they prepared for their leave, it was the same as last time, nothing seemed off about Emilia, it seems Rem must have been able to comfort her in Subaru's place.

Lewes escorted them out to till they hit the barrier, still, it confused him, why was Garfiel able to pass the barrier, was it because he could resist it? Actually, he's Frederica's brother, so how was Frederica able to pass the barrier at all!

He turned over to Ram who, out of all the people here, knew the most about him, "Hey Ram, quick question, Frederica passed the barrier, doesn't that mean Garfiel can too?"

"It took you that long to notice... how idiotic Barusu"

"So I'm guessing that was a yes?"

"Correct, Garf is indeed able to cross the Barrier with no problem, he is actually quarter-blooded... even though he can cross it, he wishes to stay, the reason I cannot tell you, it would be going to deep into someones privacy, feel free to ask anyone else for it if your that desperate, Barusu"

Garfiel made a lot more sense now, the title sheild of Sanctuary, he chose that title, he stayed in Sanctuary and protects the people until the day they can all go out.

.

They arrived at the mansion after their eight-hour drive and was greeted by Frederica.

"Subaru-sama... you have returned... earlier than I a had anticipated, has everything at Sanctuary been resolved?"

"Yeah, not just yet, you see, the villagers were taken as hostages and so we decided to free them first, it will put Emilia at ease as she takes the trials... and there are things I wanted to discuss with you"

"Right, I will answer your questions the best I can..."

Subaru and Beatrice went ahead inside the mansion, Ram then came out from her carriage and greeted Frederica.

"Hello, Frederica-sama"

"It's nice to see you again, Ram"

"How was it at the Miload residence, is Clind-sama and Annerose-sama well?"

"Well, it's not much different from Master's mansion, Clind is fine and Annerose is doing well, always acting mature... reminds me of you"

They kept on conversing about the old days and went inside.

"What? I just got here, and you're telling me to leave!?"

"Hey, hey, calm down, it's not permanent, it's just for the week, I'm afraid something might happen so it's not safe for you to stay here..."

He started by trying to get Petra out for the week, out of everyone currently present, she was the easiest target, and with her out of the way, most of Subaru's worries will be dispelled.

Ram and Frederica were also in the room, originally he was going to say that Roswaal ordered them to leave but since Ram had come with them, that Idea was thrown away. Instead, he discussed with them about another potential Witch Cult attack, and with the recent occurrence of one, they thought it was likely.

"Petra, first comes your safety so do as Subaru-sama says"

"But Subaru-sama can protect me, right Subaru-sama?"

"Haah... I want to say I could, but sadly, I could barely protect myself, so just go home for a while okay?"

She pouted angrily, but she relented. He couldn't think of a way to make Frederica go so he thought of trying to take Elsa on, four on one, the chances are pretty high considering they had two magic users, three if they took Subar as well.

As deadly as she is, everyone has their weaknesses, it seems like her weakness would be magic and stronger opponents, thus why she chose to fight Reinhard instead of killing the others first during their encounter at the Capital.

"Shall we begin Subaru-sama?"

"Yep, I'm all ready..."

After Petra left, Ram went to do some cleaning while Subaru, Beatrice, and Frederica started their discussion about...

"It's about your brother, Garfiel..."

She was expecting more of a Sanctuary based question but she knew he would ask him sometime or later.

"But before that... do I smell funny to you? Please answer truthfully"

It was a weird question to ask, but seeing Beatrice and Subaru's seriousness, she knew they weren't joking around.

"Well you don't have to worry about honesty, everyone that has been Sanctuary previously is unable to tell a lie due to a contract... now about your smell, I can't really tell anything that's off, so no"

"Right then...now onto Garfiel, does he have some kind of, enhanced smelling compared to you, I mean your both siblings so there shouldn't be too much difference in your attributes... Garfiel sensed some... smell on me and he doesn't seem to like it, he doesn't trust me you can say"

"I see... while it's true that we are siblings, he is only my half-brother..."

"..."

"You see... our mother wasn't the most fortunate woman in the world..."

Hearing the first part, it seems like he was stepped deep into one of Garfiel's secrets.

The doors of the pub opened and a woman walked in, in these parts she'll well known not only for her beauty but for her bloodlust, this was Elsa Greinhart.

"Elsa, your back! So what was it?"

A little girl got off one of the chairs and walked up to her, she had light cyan hair that was tied into a braid, she wore something similar to a funeral dress and had a cape attached to it.

"It seems like my contractor wants me to go in early, that elf again... this time I won't let her go easily..."

"Hey, mind if I come, it's really BORING here"

Together, these two are the assassination sisters, though they aren't blood-related, they are still close, normally doing their jobs together, helping one another when they're getting chased or something.

"Well, you failed your last mission so I'm not sure..."

"Awww, it wasn't my fault, it was that Onii-sans fault for being so dumb! If he didn't go to the forest to save Petra-chan and the others then my mission should have been finished!" She pouted angrily.

"Fufufu, very well then..."

A/N

Anime openings are addicting, I can't stop listening to them... no A/N today... I'll work hard on warlock k.

Upload speeds may vary, 5 days to 2 weeks, see ya next time!