ARC TWO: The Roswaal Mansion

Chapter Nine: Rem

It was once again the first morning at the mansion. Subaru had realized that at some point during his sleep, he had died. Through his power of Return by Death, he was sent to his new checkpoint.

He had figured out that he was back only a few moments after his first run-in with Beatrice in the Forbidden Archives. He decided that he needed to figure out how or what occurred to him in his sleep to cause this strife.

Afterwards, he headed outside to the main garden to spot Emilia.

"Subaru!"

He walked over to her as she had a slightly worried look, which slowly relaxed.

"Don't worry me like that. Ram and Rem were really worked up, running all over the mansion looking for you. They said you ran off right after you woke up."

"Sorry about that. I've been stressed since yesterday so I went to go see Beatrice."

"Really? I head she picked on you before I woke-."

Emilia noticed Subaru was looking deeply at her.

"What's wrong? Is something on my face?"

"Yeah, there are cute eyes, nose and mouth all over-I mean, I'm glad you're okay."

"Yes, I'm alright. You and Batman-san tried your hardest to protect me. "

Just then, Subaru noticed a shadow over Emilia's face; he looked up to see Batman gliding down towards them.

He landed on the ground and proceeded to them.

"Subaru. Are you quite all right? You had everyone a bit on edge after you ran off."

"Yeah. Other than the blood loss, mana drain, and the shock from I woke up this morning and my body is a bit sore, but I'm all good!"

"…What you described is the exact opposite of good."

"No no you guys! Look see?! Fine!"

Subaru did several macho man poses to prove his health. Batman gave a breath of annoyance.

"Right, right. You're fine. Now then…what's our move now Subaru?"

"…Well, let's wait for Emilia-tan to finish her morning duties and then head inside to get things rolling."

Emilia and Batman glanced at each other for a second after hearing something they didn't recognize.

"Eh-where did this 'tan' come from?"

"You have a way with words don't you, Subaru?"

That was when Subaru turned to Batman and pointed at him.

"Don't fret sir! I have a nickname for you too…how about BAT-SAN?!"

"NO."

Emilia laughed at this exchange and soon the three returned to the mansion.

Subaru tried to do everything the same as the previous loop, but things did not work out at all. Things went off course from last time. Training went differently than he remembered and he wasn't able to speak as much to Emilia as before.

And then there was the second day.

On a day where he was clearly tired from work, he slumped out of bed and in a state of confusion and exhaustion; he put on a maid outfit.

It was conservative compared to the twins; it belonged to a previous employee named Frederica.

Everyone had witnessed Subaru in the outfit and had different opinions of it.

Ram and Rem thought it was one of the most hilarious things they had ever witnessed.

Roswaal thought it was an amusing sight to see, chuckling throughout the morning.

Emilia was concerned, like a mother would be for a child.

Puck thought he looked good in it.

The sight mortified Beatrice; she ended up calling him a pervert.

And Batman….

"Hey Ram, Rem? I was wondering if we could check up on-."

Batman glanced at the boy in front of him for only two seconds. He then made a quick 180-degree turn around and simply walked away.

"Batman-san? Batman?! The quiet treatment hurts even worse!"

Later, Subaru was taking a bath in a rather large bathtub. Previously in the day Batman told Subaru that he read up on magic stones.

He concluded that certain areas such as the bathtub, the cold food storage and even the fires they used to cook, were probably utilizing various different kinds of stones.

Subaru was once again impressed by Batman's intelligence.

"Well, hello. Maaay I join you?

Eventually, Rosawaal joined him in the bathtub as they conversed about his cosmetics.

"Saaaaay, Subaru-kun? I have a question."

"Yeah?"

"Though my cosmetics are aaaa hobby of mine. Batman-san seemed quite shocked by the siiiight of me. Do you know why?"

"…He has an enemy who wears make-up like that."

"Oh? Really? Doooooo you know anything else about that?"

"Personally, not much. Except, he calls himself The Joker and is a straight up psycho. Makes people breath in toxins that makes them laugh to death."

"Goodness. That truuuuuly is vile."

Just then they heard the noise of footsteps heading their direction.

"Well, I guess I won't be bathing alone today."

The two saw Batman, outside of his costume, with only a towel around his waist.

While, Subaru was slightly athletic and Roswaal was slender built, Batman was the definition of muscular.

He had muscles on top of muscles and looked as though there was only the slightest bit of fat in his body.

However…

"What?"

What both of them noticed more were the various scars all over his body. Cuts, burns and even healed up markings littered much of his body.

But the scar they definitely noticed was a fresher scar on his chest, above where his heart would be.

Batman joined them in the bathtub as they spoke pleasantries, until he brought up the topic of magic.

"Roswaal, I read that that in order to use magic, one has to utilize their gate."

"Yeeesss, the gate is necessary to conduct magic. It funnels the mana from the air and yourself. Thus, that is the easy way to put it."

"And the four basic elements are Fire, Earth, Water and Wind. Is that correct?"

"Yes, those are the four baaaaasic ones."

Subaru then interjected.

"Hey Roswaal, can you see what magic we can use?"

"Why certainly. A naaaaturally accomplished magic user such as myself caaaaan easily find out."

"Alright here we go!"

Roswaal placed his hands both of their foreheads as he gave a halfhearted look of concentration.

"Well, if you shall excuse me. Myon myon myon myon…"

"Whoa! A magical sound! Totally fantasy immersion!"

Batman only seemed bewildered by the sounds he was making, then Roswaal finished.

"Yeees, I see."

"Alright Roz-chi tell me! Is it fire that burns like my manly soul? Or Water for when I'm calm and composed, the coolest guy in the room? Or maybe Wind because of my refreshing nature, like a cool breeze blowing through the tall grass? No! It has to be Earth for me being such a laid-back, big brother-type of nice guy right?"

"Hmmmm. Yes it's Yin."

"NONE OF THE ABOVE?"

"Yes…and Batman-san. You are Yang."

Batman seemed just as confused by this as Subaru.

"There are two extra classes?"

"Yeeesss, Yin and Yang are two other classes available. But mooooost never acquires them, as they are exceedingly rare. "

"…I see."

Batman realized he never read up about them possibly because of that rarity. Not many people would write about something that is never seen much.

Subaru interrupted his thoughts.

"So if it's rare, is it like a super-special power that comes only once in five thousand years?"

"Wellll, Yin is famous for having spells that obstruct vision, slow movement down and sever sound from aaaaaan opponent. Things like that."

"I'm a Debuffer?!"

Subaru was disappointed by the idea of him being a class that only weakens the enemies, instead of destroying them.

Roswaal turned his attention to Batman.

"And foooor you. Your class is famous for enhancing one's strength, firing beams of light and increasing speeeeed."

"Hmmmm…"

Subaru rose from the bathtub waters.

"What the heck?! So instead of making people weaker, he can make himself stronger instead? He's already strong! Oh man, this sucks! "

Subaru placed his hands on his head in sheer defeat.

"How can things get any worse?"

"Ahhhhhh, Subaru-kun, unlike Batman-san, your gate is very weak and thus you have nooooo talent for magic. If I max out at a level 10 and Batman-san is a 5 to 6. You're a 3."

"I don't want to hear that! AHHH! This place is forsaken by God and Buddha!"

Subaru jumped back into the water sulking, as the two grimaced at the sight.

"So Roswaal, is there anyone that can train us in these fields?"

"Let's seeeee. In your case no, we may just have tooooo let you learn on your own pace. I'm sure Beatrice haaaaas some books on the subject somewhere."

"Right, and in Subaru's case?"

"Ahhhhh yes, the only person I know actually lives here."

Subaru arose from the waters, with an excited look on his face.

"I-Is it Emilia-tan?!"

"Nope. It's Beatrice."

"…THIS SUCKS!"

His shout, echoed throughout the halls of the mansion that evening.

Subaru did almost everything exactly the same as the previous loop. He had study sessions with Ram, took a trip with Batman and Rem to Irlham Village and even making a promise with Emilia to go on a date with her the following day.

But he made sure to do two things differently.

First, he made sure he would stay up all night to ensure he was not killed in his sleep by whatever unseen force had attacked him in the previous loop.

Secondly, he asked Puck and Batman to better guard Emilia.

"Well, I can read your emotions, so I can tell you're genuine about this."

"Subaru is there a reason you want us to do this?"

Subaru crossed his arms and gave a sharp look at Batman.

"It's just a feeling I have."

"Well, alright. It's never a bad thing to be on guard."

Puck floated away as the conversation ended. Batman began to walk away as well, but turned one last time.

"Subaru, I'll keep watch outside of the mansion. I'll make sure nothing gets in or out."

"Thanks Bruce-san. This'll help put me at ease."

"Alright, try not to be too stressed about this. You don't want to look worse than you already do for your date tomorrow."

"Yes sir- HUH?! DÉJÀ VU?!"

"Take care Subaru."

"…yeah."

Subaru and Batman prepared themselves for the fated night.

Subaru was sitting on the floor with his back to the bed. It was four hours till the morning and Subaru made sure to not even remotely fall asleep.

He rubbed his eyelids as he did his best to stay awake.

"Come on Natsuki Subaru. Gotta keep yourself-."

Then, it happened.

"HUH?"

The room began to warp around him; a chill ran through his body and his heart rate began to increase rapidly.

"This is bad; don't tell me…"

Subaru tried to get up, but he immediately feel to his knees.

He tried to call for help, but his raspy voice caught in his throat.

"BLEGH!"

Subaru threw up everything he had in his stomach as he crawled on the floor.

"If my condition is this bad; what about…the others?"

Subaru did his best to make it out of his room. He leaned his body on the walls as he did everything he could to make it to someone, anyone, to help him.

Every step he took, felt like a piece of his very soul escaped from his body.

His nerves were on fire, he continuously threw up nothing but bile and lost control of his bowel, spilling urine all over himself.

"Emilia-."

But he pressed on. He did everything in his power to make it to the person he felt he had to protect.

"I have to get to Emilia."

Subaru lost his balance and his shoulder slid off the wall as he began to fall.

The next moment, an impact made Subaru fly back.

His body flopping on the floor, Subaru suddenly came to a stop.

"What on Earth-?"

As his consciousness returned, he saw it.

Everything left of his shoulder had been torn off.

His left arm was only a few feet away from him.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Subaru let out a vicious scream as his brain finally registered the pain.

He clutched onto his shoulder and wriggled on the ground, like a fish forced out of the waters.

Batman, who was outside, heard the initial impact a few seconds ago and rushed back into the mansion.

Then he heard Subaru screaming.

Batman made a mad dash to the origin point of the scream. He hoped he would make it in time. Just this once…

Subaru at this point couldn't even think properly.

I wanna die. I want to die. I have to die. Please. Let me die. I don't know anything. I'll die soon. Don't care about anything. Just let me die.

Then-

"The sound of chains…?"

These were Subaru's last thoughts before his skull was smashed. Leaving only half his head intact.

Batman made it to the hallway. He looked down at the grisly sight.

His new friend, Natsuki Subaru, was dead.

He could only clench a fist as he looked at the boy. The boys right eye filled with fear and leftover tears.

"What was that noise?"

Batman heard Emilia making her way to the very same area behind him.

"NO EMILIA!"

He tried to block her view, but it was too late.

Emilia fell to her knees, he hand over her mouth and tears forming in her eyes.

"No…Subaru."

It was then, Batman looked down the hallway, his eyes furrowed to their angriest it had been.

"What have you done?"

He then slowly walked over to her, passing by the corpse just to get closer to the culprit. The murderer. The scum, one who had a face devoid of any emotions.

She did this.

"Why did you do this…REM?!"

Rem had seen this boy standing in the hall, leaning on the wall.

Deep emotions were in her mind, ones that could not be silenced.

She felt nervous around him, she was jealous of his times with her sister.

She could smell his scent. A scent she had never forgotten.

She knew what he was.

He was a threat.

So at that point, seeing him in such a weakened state. With no one around to intervene.

She used her Morningstar to kill him.

But now…

"ANSWER ME! REM!"

Batman was stomping his way to Rem.

She had never shown fear before. The only people she had ever feared were her sister, Roswaal and THEM.

But now, this man before her, made her feel fear.

His unnatural eyes looked almost demonic before her.

This "Batman" was also an intruder. One who did not belong in her home.

No he didn't.

He was a threat, to herself and the others as well.

And now he was coming at her in threatening manner.

Thus, Rem decided to defend herself.

Rem launched the spiked ball at him, making sure not to hit Emilia. He effortlessly dodged it, ducking under it and storming towards her.

Rem pulled the Morning Star back towards her attempting to smash the pest before her.

Batman saw this and turned his body as he ran up the sides of the wall. Rem spun her body in an attempt to knock Batman off the wall. But he jumped towards her, slipping through her defenses.

Batman then unleashed a vicious uppercut on her abdomen.

Rem coughed loudly, blood spurting out of her mouth.

She attempted to karate chop him, but Batman used a textbook arm-bar throw to toss her into the wall.

He pulled out a small object from his belt, and rushed to Rem.

Rem pulled herself back up again and raised a palm to Batman.

"HUMA!"

Ice spears then formed around her and fired in unison towards him.

Batman quickly leapt to the left, away from the projectiles.

He then quickly launched a devastating punch to Rem's face.

The punch sent her petite body flying towards the ground. Just then Batman used the small Gun to quickly layer Rem's back with some type of foam.

Rem fired more ice spears at him, but he once again jumped out of the way.

Rem retrieved her weapon and once again, attempted to crush him. He simply flipped around, dodging every single hit she threw at him.

Batman then rushed her and chopped her in the neck. Rem tried to kick him away, but using the momentum he spun her body around.

He then grabbed her hair and shoulders and viciously tossed her out the window.

Rem landed awkwardly on the ground.

"HK!"

Glass shards covered her sides, blood leaking from them.

Rem furrowed her eyes, looking up at Batman who merely stood there, glaring at her, with not a single wound.

Rem jumped into the air and attempted to get back at her enemy.

She raised the Morningstar into the air. Chains surrounding her.

"Die you filth!"

Batman anticipated this. He pulled the small gun out and pressed a button on the side.

The foam on Rem's back ignited and released a vicious explosion. Rem's body flew towards Batman, letting out a single scream of pain.

Batman jumped into the air and spun his body.

He let out a vicious spinning kick on Rem.

Her body flew into the wall, bouncing off and colliding with the next window.

It didn't break, but it caused a crater to form on it.

Rem, pulled herself out. Letting out a vicious roar towards her opponent.

Then as Rem charged at him, an ice wall formed between them.

"Huh?!"

"What?!"

Batman turned around to see who caused it.

It was Emilia.

Standing there, blood on her nightgown, looking at him with downcast eyes filled with tears.

"That's enough."

Later, the entirety of the Roswaal Mansion, save for Puck and Beatrice, had met in Rosawaal's Private Room.

The tension was high. Rem was slowly healing herself sitting across from Batman and Emilia.

Her eyes displayed anger, just as much as her sister's were.

"If you think you'll get away with doing this to Rem…you are mistaken."

Ram was staring daggers at Batman. She had a look as though she would attack him at any moment.

Roswaal sat down on his chair and began to speak.

"Rem, would you please tell us what happened?"

Roswaal's usual calm demeanor had almost disappeared, his eyes were narrow as they looked at Rem.

"…Very Well."

Rem stopped her healing and turned to look at the two of them.

"My actions were nothing more than a preventive defense against degeneration of the situation. By the time I had found him, Subaru-kun was already beyond help. He would have desired to be put down immediately."

Emilia furrowed her eyes at this.

"And, so... that's what that, terrible end was, is what you're saying Rem? Subaru is my benefactor, and there were going to be so many things to talk about...and you..."

Batman looked over at Rem.

"So you're saying it was an act of mercy?"

Rem looked at Batman with a look of malice.

"Yes. This is what Rem has been telling you."

"…are you insane?"

"What...?"

"You called that an act of mercy?! YOU BEAT HIM TO DEATH WITH YOUR FLAIL! HE WAS SCARED AND NEEDED HELP! AND THAT'S HOW YOU DO IT?!"

Batman was clutching a fist so tightly, blood could be seen dripping from it.

Ram motioned herself to Batman.

"Quiet you! Barusu was already under the curse's effects by then! There was no way to save hi-."

"So brutally killing was your answer?!"

"…!"

"Don't patronize me Ram."

Emilia soon joined in.

"The facts are the facts…. Subaru's body, his torso and head were in awful condition. If you were just meaning to give him an execution, there had to have been a gentler way. So then, why?"

Rem looked at her with an expression that bordered on confusion.

"That, would be…"

Batman stared at her before closing his eyes. And he spoke.

"Your aim was off, or it was because you hesitated…maybe even didn't recognize him in the dark…those were the answers we wanted to hear."

"Rem is-!"

Rem was stuck for words.

Emilia stood up and began walking to the door. Batman moved to the side to let her through. Roswaal noticed this.

"Emilia-sama, where are you goooooing?"

"…I'm leaving."

The three sitting down nearly leapt out of their chairs. Rem in particular had a panicked look on her face.

"It was only for a short while, but thank you for having me. I know I'm incapable of participating in the Royal Selection without your backing. But…I can't trust you anymore."

"Even if you should not trust us, doooo you not believe a relationship of mutual utilization is beneficial? Abandoning it over a tantrum cannot be called a wise decision."

"…Tantrum..?"

Emilia's face stiffens in shock.

Batman sneered at Roswaal in response to his hideous words.

Emilia walked over to Roswaal.

And she slapped him.

Emilia fell out of breath with that single strike.

Ram's face pales as she gets up and-

Two Batarangs flew past her head, hitting the wall behind her.

"One more step and you'll all get more than a slap."

Batman positioned himself in front of Emilia, with more Batarangs in his hand.

Roswaal raised his hand.

"Ram."

"But Roswaal-sama!"

"It's fine you can sit down. Emilia-sama I apologize for Ram."

Roswaal had a calm demeanor despite the red mark on his face. Emilia bit her lip in a furious rage.

"After all this…you're still saying nothing about Subaru.."

A short silence crept onto the scene, only to once again be broken.

"Emilia-sama, then I take it you will leave for the forest?"

"Yes, I was wrong going along with your wheedling. I can atone for my sin in lots of other ways….I was mistaken about it. And so Subaru died."

Emilia closes her eyes at this. Batman put a hand on her shoulder, trying his best to comfort her. Even though he too was saddened.

"I'm bringing his soul with me and placing it to rest peacefully in the forest. No matter how long it takes…I'm devoting my time to their repose."

Emilia turned around and was halfway out the door as she turned to give one last look to the three.

"This conversation is over…GOODBYE."

And so, Emilia walked out the door.

Batman soon also began to move but turned to look at Roswaal.

"This is where it all ends Roswaal."

"….What?"

"Whatever plans you had, they're destroyed. Whatever it was you were using that book for is undone."

"Y-! YOU KNEW?!"

"Of course, I noticed you had the book in your left chest pocket since the day we met."

"You…!"

"Everything is over. Your plans. Emilia's dreams. My hope. All of it is gone."

Batman gave a sharp glance over to Rem.

"It fell apart the moment you killed him."

Rem made a face twisted in guilt.

"Congratulations Rem. You've destroyed everything. I hope you're proud of yourself."

Batman gave one last look of disgust at them, took out the microphone he placed days ago out of the wall and walked out of the room.

Roswaal collapsed into his chair. Ram being the first one to respond.

"Roswaal-sama…"

"The writing ends here…myyyyy path has closed. You win Ram, the contract is fulfilled. Do as you wiiiiish. "

"…Yes Roswaal-sama."

Rem could only look at the scene before her with trembling eyes.

Her master had given up on life.

Her sister was saddened to no end.

Emilia was gone.

And Batman had left a wound on her soul.

"Why…?"

She was sad, angry and confused.

Everything has now been destroyed.

And Rem wonders if it really was her fault.

"Why did it turn out like this?"

She fell to her knees, her hands holding on to them.

"REM HAS... REM HAS…DONE NOTHING WRONG."

No one, but herself, heard her quiet whisper, one filled with regret.

Two years had passed by.

Batman looked out of his window, glancing at the birds flying away in the sunset. He had just woken up from a nap. He was scheduled for Night Patrol in the Capital, so he did his best to relax before heading out.

He walked out of his quarters and ran into someone.

"Ah Bruce!"

"Hey Felt."

Felt had returned from a meeting that bored her to no end. Wearing a red dress that was chosen by Reinhard.

She quickly removed it, revealing a black shirt and red shorts underneath.

"AH! Much better!"

"You should make it more of a thing to choose what you wear more properly."

"Meh. Too lazy to deal with that! …Heading out soon?"

"Well, I have to earn my keep."

It had been two years since Batman and Emilia left the mansion with Subaru's body.

Emilia buried his body near a large white tree.

Batman offered to stay with her in the forest, but she refused.

She still felt insurmountable guilt over Subaru's death, thus she wanted to be punished in some way. Thus severing ties with him.

"I have Puck so I'll be alright."

"Maybe so, but I think-!"

"No. I need this. People get hurt when they get close to me. You, Subaru and even Rem. I think it's best that I stay here, if I go out there…I'll only cause trouble."

"Emilia."

"…Thank you for everything. I do hope we'll meet again…someday."

Emilia walked away from him as she entered the forest. She looked back one last time, giving a fake smile before disappearing from sight.

He never saw her again after that.

The Roswaal Mansion became eerily quiet after that.

Roswaal never came out again, wasting away in stagnation.

Rem and Ram still worked there, only now with eyes devoid of light.

Irlham Village was destroyed by Ma-beasts and was quickly abandoned.

Everything that came into contact with Roswaal had been cursed in some form or another.

Batman used the Batwing to return to the capital.

Reinhard eventually found him.

He told him of Subaru's fate, Emilia's dropping out of the Selection and finally his own current situation.

He was visibly saddened by it all.

Reinhard welcomed him to his home as a way to help him.

Batman was surprised to see Felt and Rom there as well.

He found out quickly that Felt was the missing candidate that made up the five chosen ones.

With the House of Astrea backing her up, she was now in the running.

Batman eventually told them his real name and that he was summoned to their world.

But they didn't fully believe him.

"Wait…for real?"

"Yes."

"...And I thought you were crazy before!"

Over time, Reinhard helped him to try and find a way back to his old world. But soon the trail dried up and Batman was back to square one.

He never gave up on it, but he pushed it aside for further plans.

Batman was then allowed to join the Royal Knights and had quickly risen through the ranks.

Eventually, he was made into an Imperial Knight and allowed to formally join the Felt Camp.

He was stationed for night duties, earning him the moniker of "The Dark Knight".

"Ah Bruce! I see you're awake."

"Oh Reinhard, good to see you."

"Yes, and to you as well-."

Felt attempted to kick him in the head, only for Reinhard to catch her leg.

"Well Felt-sama, I see you still have energy."

"Of course I do! How else am I supposed to beat you black and blue for dragging me to that snore fest?!"

"Please understand Felt-sama. It was beneficial for the elections. We had a golden opportunity and we took it."

"Like I care!"

Felt and Reindhard continued their shtick as Batman saw that night had finally arrived.

"All right guys. I'll be heading out."

"Very well, I'll have the cooks make a light snack for you for when you return."

Felt gave a happy smile as she waved at him.

"See you in the morning bro!"

Batman smiled and waved back.

He then pulled out his grappling gun and fired it out the window.

It latched on to a building and soon was he gliding through the air.

Batman looked out at the city.

He saw the entirety of its vast splendor.

As he looked out at moon, he remembered something.

"EMT! Emilia-tan Major Tenshi!"

He became saddened by it, knowing full well that he would never hear that voice again.

Except in his memories.

With sadness in everyone's hearts, the second loop at the Roswaal Mansion came to an end.