12

It was a strangely calm morning considering what happened the day before.

Subaru woke up feeling refreshed, he had slept on the floor of the small house Emilia called home for a few months due to the lack of bed.

[ I just can't sleep next to Emilia-tan like that.] He blushed remembering the Half elf's words she had wished to share her bed with him believing that both of them could fit in it to Subaru's growing embarrassment. In the end, he slept on the floor to her disappointment.

" Haaaa." Subaru sighed as he started to stretch.

Despite the less than comfortable accommodation Subaru felt better than he had a few weeks ago. When he first received Rem's distress call right after his fight with the Huntress he had been left in a bad headspace fearing the worst and that this time Return by death wouldn't be enough to save those he cherished.

He smiled softly, finally, he could be at peace. The last few weeks had been tense, he could finally relax after so long.

" Good morning Subaru !" Emilia greeted him with a wide smile.

She quickly reached him and hugged him tightly to Subaru's bewilderment.

[ Is she really...?! Emilia-tan is hugging me!] Subaru's mind was going overdrive.

" Ugh?! Emilia-tan..?" He muttered in shock.

" Yes, Subaru ~? " She answered while deepening the hug.

Subaru blushed dark red.

" You're just hugging me a tiny bit too tightly..." He told her uncertainty.

Emilia looked at him and pouted.

" I reaaallly missed you you know !" She replied petulantly.

[ So cute! ] An arrow went straight through Subaru's heart.

Despite being still uncertain about his feelings for the g

half-elf she was a beautiful young woman. One who was clearly in his strike range.

" We should get breakfast and leave. The villagers are waiting." He declared firmly.

Emilia's pout deepened but seeing his serious face she let him go reluctantly.

They ate a quick breakfast and left to meet the villagers of Arlam.

Meanwhile in another house within the Sanctuary Beatrice woke up feeling a bit lost.

Beatrice had spent the night glued to Lewes still reeling at her friend's sudden resurrection. Thus for the first time in months, she had not slept next to her beloved contractor.

This made her feel quite guilty yet Lewes needed someone with her. The two friends had spent the night catching up; thus they were still tired despite the morning sun rising.

On a side note, Shima had recovered Garfiel after the beatdown he had received at Beatrice's hands and healed his wounds. In the end, the young boy's pride was left deeply wounded.

She had been disappointed at her grandson's foolishness. To challenge a Campione and a Great spirit on his own was pure stupidity. Shima could only shake her head and sigh in relief that Garfiel had not been pulverized.

While the villagers of Arlam had rejoiced at the liberation of the Sanctuary its residents were left fearing for their future.

The Sanctuary despite being to some a prison had been their haven. They were left without its protection. The people of Arlam were euphoric, the Sanctuary residents hopeless.

The residents of Arlam gathered at the village place. All shared relieved smiles their nightmare had finally reached an end. They were free, soon they would regain their home.

Subaru accompanied by Emilia strode in. Surrounded by the happy villagers he smiled at them in response.

Beatrice along with Lewes join them a few minutes later.

Emilia looked at Subaru in askance...

" She should be here soon..." He muttered in answer.

" She...?" Emilia asked, confused.

The sound of the wind blowing interrupted her.

Zarestia had arrived.

She slowly descended along with a dozen empty carriages.

" I'm here Su-san !" She happily waved at Subaru.

Subaru smiled at her in relief.

He cleared his throat and turned to face the crowd.

" Good morning everyone! Today we shall regain Arlam village! " He declared loudly.

He was answered by the cheers of the crowd.

The residents of the Sanctuary looked at them full of bitterness.

" Zarestia here shall transport us there! We'll fly to the village by boarding those carriages! " He continued his speech.

Learning the identity of the beautiful white-haired woman left them speechless.

""""Zarestia...?!""" Yells of surprise erupted.

Subaru scratched his head and chuckled a little.

" Really why does everyone react like that?" He shook his head amused.

Beatrice deadpanned.

" Of course normal people would react in such a way while being confronted by the oldest spirit in the world. I suppose that Betty shouldn't be surprised at her contractor's lack of common sense." She sighed exasperation.

Next to her Lewes looked at the spirit with wide eyes.

Incredulous looks were shared between the villagers and the residents before Zarestia interrupted them.

" Well, are we going ?" She asked bored.

" Yep, we are! Before that though..." Subaru turned toward Shima.

" Catch !" He declared while throwing a small crystal at the clone.

The bewildered half-elf caught it.

" What is this...?" She asked, confused.

" A barrier crystal to replace the one I broke," Subaru answered lightly.

" Eh?!" Shima exclaimed, shocked.

"Well with this everyone that lives here can leave as they please. This barrier will hide your village and protect it from attack. No one will find its location now. It's a powerful one since I made it." He explained.

Shima's hands trembled. Examining the crystal she held within her hands she could feel the absurd amount of mana it contained. Such a barrier outclassed the one Echidna had created.

Relief filled her, the villagers would not be left to brave the world on their own.

She bowed deeply.

" Thank you Subaru-sama."She told him with a tone filled with gratitude.

Tears of relief filled the eyes of the residents. They wouldn't suffer from the Sanctuary liberation.

In a display of synchronization, they all bowed at the same time.

"""""" Thank you Subaru-sama !""""" They chorused in unison.

Subaru scratched his cheek embarrassed, to him giving a replacement for what he broke was a given. He didn't expect them to be grateful after what he did.

" It's fine..." He muttered embarrassed

Emilia chuckled a little hearing him.

Beatrice smiled softly in pride that her contractor was truly a kind one.

Subaru loudly cleared his throat.

" Please board the carriage we need to go." He declared loudly.

The people of Arlam nodded and moved towards the carriage.

When everyone was boarded Zarestia started to levitate the carriage.

" Let's go," Subaru commanded.

Zarestia nodded and took to the sky carrying all of them with her wind.

Roswaal along with Rem were left behind. Subaru had wanted the blue maid to accompany them yet she had refused, not willing to leave her Lord alone.

Subaru had been annoyed before agreeing with her. In his current state, Roswaal couldn't hurt anyone.

With a heavy heart, Rem watched them leave.

After an hour of travel, the village appeared on sight.

Zarestia started to lower them on the ground seeing that they had reached their destination.

" Thank you for traveling on Air Tia we have reached our destination safely!" Subaru declared humorously.

Sadly he was the only one who understood his joke. He was given looks of confusion, he pouted a little.

" No one understands my jokes..." He muttered petulantly.

" Betty wants you to explain it I suppose," Beatrice demanded she truly wished to understand her contractor's mannerism.

" I'll do it later then!" He answered with cheerful happiness at Beatrice's interest.

The children were the first to descend running toward their home at full speed.

The adults followed them at a lesser pace.

Only Milde Arlam remained behind.

" What's wrong ?" Subaru titled his head.

The mayor bowed deeply.

" Thank you for saving us Subaru-sama. We are infinitely thankful for your kindness." She declared seriously.

"No need for that. I'm truly glad that I could help you." He told her firmly.

Milde continued bowing.

" Please lift your head," Subaru asked softly.

Milde raised her head slowly before smiling.

" You still are a kind boy aren't you Subaru-sama." She told him fondly.

Subaru blushed a little.

Seeing this Milde started laughing.

Before she sobered up.

" We still need to prepare ourselves, without cultivating our land for months we have no harvest, we lack supplies.". She sighed.

" Don't worry about that," Subaru answered her lightly.

" Natsuki-san ! " Otto yelled from Arlam's place. He stood surrounded by carriages filled with different kinds of supplies.

" I asked a few friends for help." He smirked a little.

Milde looked at him bewildered before smiling in relief.

They wouldn't be left to starve.

Otto was left overwhelmed by the villagers' gratitude while Subaru escaped.

Leaving Otto behind to distribute the supplies among the villagers, Subaru followed by two Great spirits and two half-elves returned to the mansion.

Halibel was waiting for them.

" Yo Halibel !" Subaru greeted him with a smile.

" Subaru-sama." He nodded in answer.

" What's wrong ?" Subaru asked in concern.

" There is no need to worry. The Gut hunter had been detained in the Mansion dungeon. All the mansion inhabitants are unharmed" The ninja explained.

Subaru breathed a small sigh of relief.

Next to him, he could feel Emilia look at him in askance.

" Right, I almost forgot. The beautiful woman next to me is Emilia! The little half-elf there is Beatrice's friend Lewes!" Subaru presented them.

Zarestia looked at the two half-elves curiously. She had never heard of them before yet the silver-haired clung to Subaru tightly.

" Emilia, Lewes the man over there is Halibel a friend I met in Kararagi." Subaru finished his presentation.

" Well then let's return to the mansion." He declared.

All nodded in agreement; the walk to the Mansion was done in silence.

Upon reaching the door Frederica greeted them.

Melty stood beside her relieved.

Despite Mama's assassin being sent the archbishop herself seemed to not have taken action.

Melty was truly overjoyed.

Subaru smiled seeing the nun unharmed.

Ram appeared after they had entered the mansion itself.

The oni frowned deeply seeing that neither her sister nor Lord was with them.

"Where is Rem and Roswaal-sama Barusu?!" She asked agitatedly and spat his name like a curse.

Subaru and Emilia frowned at the oni's aggressivity.

Melty and Frederica looked at Ram with wide eyes believing that the young woman had lost it.

Beatrice hissed and prepared herself to blast the maid away. Zarestia just lifted her hand; wind magic gathered around her, she was ready to cut down the arrogant brat.

Meanwhile, Halibel looked at the spectacle calmly, a kunai ready to be deployed at any time.

Subaru sighed.

[ Aah I should stop them or else Ram is really going to die.] He decided though part of him was annoyed.

It seemed that he couldn't tolerate insults like before. Just a few months ago he would have laughed off the maid's insult now part of him wanted to make her pay for her disrespect.

" Rem stayed with the Clown at the Sanctuary." He explained bluntly.

" The Clown ...?! How dare.." Her speech was interrupted by the killing intent that the two Great spirits and Emilia emanated.

" Ram you shouldn't insult Subaru like that you know~" The half-elf happily smiled while the temperature around her lowered drastically.

" Emilia-sama..." Ram muttered, shivering at the cold.

" Roswaal baited the Great rabbit to the Sanctuary and was the one who hired the Gut hunter to attack the mansion," Subaru explained bitterly.

"""" What?!""" Only Zarestia and Beatrice who already knew the truth were silent.

To bait the Great rabbit toward his own land was nothing short of madness.

Did the Margrave believe that the Mabeast would succeed in killing a Campione?

They could only shake their heads in disbelief.

Roswaal L Mathers was a madman.

Ram was thoroughly shaken; she exited the room quickly. She needed to find her sister and Lord.

She fled for the Sanctuary without looking back.

" Tch." Subaru clicked his tongue.

He looked at those around him and decided to explain everything that happened.

" Well, that's what happened yesterday ..." Subaru started to summarise the previous day's events with a grimace.

Frederica visibly shook hearing about Garfiel's folly.

When Subaru finished his recounting she deeply bowed.

" Thank you for sparing my little brother." She sincerely thanked him.

" Little brother...?" He asked bewildered.

" Indeed Garfiel is my younger brother." She answered promptly.

[ I see the resemblance now.] Subaru mused.

" Aah well, no problem he was just being a brat no need to kill him for that." Subaru waved her off.

Frederica kept bowing.

" Please lift your head. We still have much to do." Subaru told her firmly.

Frederica obeyed and nodded.

" Well now let's go see Elsa," Subaru announced.

In the dungeon, an assassin laid within a cell.

Before her, a Godslayer, two Great spirits, and a ninja stood. The two silent girls at the back were of no concern to her since they couldn't match the power of those around them.

Lewes had chosen to remain with Frederica who had been a bit shaken by the resemblance the half-elf shared with her grandmother.

Elsa looked at the Godslayer before her with surprise. She had known that the boy she had faced so long ago in the Capital had become a Campione.

Yet seeing it with her own eyes left her speechless. Gone was the weak reckless boy from before.

Now a young man excluding power stood before her.

She shivered in excitement.

That man was without a doubt stronger than Mama.

Elsa was left conflicted. She had been paid to kill the residents of Roswaal's mansion yet her mission went south from the start.

Rather than a few weak maids, she was confronted by the Great Spirit of wind exploration, Zarestia. She had subsequently been thrown around like a punching bag by said spirit. She couldn't even scratch her.

Now a monster stronger than Zarestia stood before her.

[ Well there are worse ways to go...] She mused amusedly. Not many could say that they faced one of the four Great spirits and lived. Even if she died today she would be satisfied.

Despite Natsuki Subaru being a Campione she believed that no matter what the young man did he couldn't put her through something worse than Mama's torture session.

" Well Elsa; I know that Roswaal hired you the two times we met. I still don't know who your real boss is, so why don't you start talking now?" Subaru asked her grimly part of his mana unfurling around him and pressuring the assassin.

Elsa's smile deepened, she shivered in excitement.

" Well now even if I answer you what will I gain?" She asked curiously.

Zarestia frowned and prepared her magic.

" Wanna be a punching bag again?" She asked with a refreshing smile.

Beatrice frowned, troubled.

" Betty can just enter your mind then I suppose." The loli mused.

" Perhaps I should take the lead. I have experience in interrogation, Su-san." Halibel suggested.

Subaru turned to look at him confused.

[ Experience...? Wait he's a ninja that makes sense.] Subaru realized.

He shook his head at his companions.

" No need for that." He declared seriously.

He turned toward Elsa with a grim face.

" Talk and you get to live," Subaru told her bluntly.

Elsa looked like she was considering her option before she sighed.

" Very well I work for the Assassin organization led by Mama." She answered.

" Mama..?" Subaru frowned.

At the back, Melty shivered violently.

She let out a small whimper.

[ Had Mama known what was happening, both I and the assassin would have been tortured for it.] Melty thought her stomach was sinking.

Her face rapidly paled remembering the last time Mama had been disappointed with her.

Subaru turned to her in concern.

" If she scares you, you can leave Melty, you don't have to stay here," Subaru reassured her.

Melty nodded her face pale and quietly left the room.

Beatrice looked at her with a frown; she could feel the spike of fear that ran through the nun.

Such deep fear could not be created by just hearsay and rumors.

Melty had a connection to the leader of the assassin organization or so Beatrice concluded.

She wasn't the only one suspicious; however, Halibel took note of the nun's reaction and added it to the growing list of suspicious acts she had committed.

Subaru looked at Melty departing form before turning to Emilia.

" You don't have to be there too Emilia-tan." He declared seriously.

Emilia shook her head violently.

" I want to stay." She told him firmly.

Seeing her serious expression Subaru grimaced a little.

" Fine." He agreed reluctantly.

He turned toward Elsa who sported an amused smile.

" Who is Mama?" Subaru asked seriously.

" The archbishop of Lust," Elsa answered promptly.

Subaru's eyes widened in shock.

" Huh?!" He exclaimed in surprise.

After an informative session with Elsa, Subaru and his companions regained the dining room where Melty, Lewes, and Frederica were preparing dinner.

[ I didn't eat lunch my stomach is growling. ] Subaru was ashamed. He spent the whole day grilling information about Mama from Elsa.

He learned a lot about the archbishop down to the way she treated her subordinates.

[ That damned monster.] Subaru thought furiously remembering how the archbishop "rewarded" and punished her so-called children.

He was left sympathetic to Elsa's plight after that.

[ No wonder she's insane after going through that.] He grimaced; her experience with Lust made him remember the treatment he received at Sloth's hand.

In the end, Subaru decided that he was going to spare Elsa. As far as he was concerned the woman had suffered enough.

Despite being a battle maniac she wasn't crazy enough to attack him now that was plus to Subaru.

Otto had rejoined them after they started eating.

" You didn't wait for me?! " He asked in shock.

" Oh, Otto you're here! " Subaru answered without looking at him.

Beatrice sat on his lap looking smugly at the jealous Emilia. Lewes faced Beatrice and looked bewildered as her friend taunted the silver-haired girl with her eyes.

Meanwhile, Zarestia was enjoying the fish she was served and ignored what was happening around her.

" Oh, the green boy is back !" She exclaimed happily while savoring her dish.

Halibel and Melty ate quietly, both nodded greeting the merchant.

Melty was still shaken as such she remained silent during the rest of the day to Subaru's concern and Beatrice growing suspicious.

Frederica was the one serving them carrying many plates at the same time.

" Otto-sama, your seat is over here," Frederica announced while guiding Otto to an empty chair.

" Ah thank you Frederica-san." Otto thanked the maid and took a seat.

Subaru turned toward him with a serious expression on his face

" Was it enough ?" He asked worriedly.

" It was. With the supplies, we gave them Arlam will have enough to survive till the next harvest." Otto replied just as seriously.

Subaru breathed a sigh of relief.

" I see..." He muttered.

" Betty's Subaru did well," Beatrice reassured her contractor.

Subaru looked at the loli before smiling fondly.

" You're truly adorable, Beako!" Subaru exclaimed happily.

Beatrice blushed.

" Of course!" She answered pridefully.

Lewes smiled at Beatrice's display.

[ I'm glad that you found your They Beatrice-same.] She thought happily.

Emilia remained next to him the whole day. Even after dinner, she followed to his room to his growing embarrassment.

" Emilia-tan." Subaru started.

" Yes, Subaru ?" The silver half-elf tilted her head still hugging his left arm firmly.

" We're in my room you know?!" Subaru asked, blushing shyly.

" Yes, so what ?" Emilia replied, confused a small frown appearing on her face.

[ Cute...] This thought traversed his mind.

" You can't sleep with me ya know?! You should return to your room !" Subaru declared firmly.

Emilia looked down, her face covered by a curtain of silver hair.

" I don't want to be left alone again." Her voice cracked at the end.

Subaru's eyes widened in realization.

" Emilia, I will be there with you tomorrow. I won't disappear." He told her gently.

Emilia looked at him uncertainly.

" It must have been hard..." Subaru muttered sadly.

" It was," Emilia answered, her eyes shined with unshed tears.

" They all blamed me, no one helped me or even talked with me. Even Puck left me alone! " She choked out these words.

She started crying tears rolled down her cheeks.

Subaru panicked.

He hugged her tightly.

" It's fine now the nightmare is over. I'm sure that now we left the Sanctuary, Puck will come back. He wouldn't leave you just like that, he's your father after all." He reassured her.

Thinking about Puck made him shiver, remembering that the damned spirit had frozen him alive.

[ I'm not going to forgive that bastard for that.] Subaru decided firmly.

Puck along with Roswaal were firmly on his shit list.

Emilia needed him now so Subaru put those thoughts aside and focused on her.

They remained holding on to each other for a long time.

Before Subaru gently removed his arms from the half-elf.

" You need to sleep, Emilia-tan. "

Emilia nodded and left the room reluctantly.

After Emilia retired for the night Subaru sighed sadly.

He smiled bitterly.

[ Had I stayed, would it have been better?] Such a thought filtered in his mind.

Before Subaru shook his head.

[ No, let's not go there. Had I not left I wouldn't have met Zarestia and Halibel. Melty would have come to me but not the others. Heck I would have even missed Otto!] Subaru chuckled a little thinking about his companions lightened his mood.

[ I don't regret meeting them.] He decided firmly.

[ That's why I shouldn't linger on such thoughts.] He nodded seriously.

Beatrice entered the room a few seconds later.

" Hiyaa Beako! You're not sleeping with Lewes tonight ?" He asked curiously.

Beatrice frowned a little before shaking her head.

" Betty shall remain with her contractor tonight." She declared firmly.

Seeing that she was still frowning, Subaru gave her a look of confusion.

" What's wrong Beatrice ?" He asked with a frown appearing on his face.

Beatrice visibly hesitated before answering him.

" Betty thinks that Emilia is far too clingy to Betty's contractor..." She muttered slowly.

Subaru looked at her with wide eyes.

" Huh?! " He exclaimed in surprise.

Subaru looked at her troubled.

" Emilia-tan had a really hard time after we left, that's why she's a bit clingy. She'll get better soon you'll see !" Subaru declared confidently.

Beatrice still frowned before sighing.

" Let's just sleep, we'll talk about it tomorrow," She declared.

Subaru nodded before making a place for her.

" Come here Beako !" He smiled.

Beatrice smiled a little before jumping on the bed to hug him.

After reaching the Sanctuary via Dragon carriage. Ram had barely spared a glance toward her regretful sister before bursting into Roswaal's room.

The sigh that greeted her left her speechless. The man she had admired for his drive and will was left staring at the wall before him with empty eyes.

Glassy eyes looked at the red oni with no recognition in them.

"Roswaal-sama...?" Ram muttered lowly.

Silence reigned in the room. She had received no answer from her Lord.

Ram tries to speak to him in vain. She yelled, cried, pleaded, and yet she was only answered by silence.

She won her bet; his life was hers.

Yet nothing was left of the man she loved.

A wave of hatred coursed through the red oni only for her to visibly deflate.

She had not known Roswaal's plan, she had only supported him to rouse back his spirit.

Yet what he had tried to accomplish was nothing short of suicidal.

There was a reason one doesn't try to chain a Campione. Such an endeavor only led to being obliterated by said Campione's hand.

He had almost killed Rem by attracting the Great rabbit to the Sanctuary. Had Subaru not intervened her sister would have been eaten alive.

Some would call Subaru merciful for sparing the magician.

And yet seeing Roswaal's form Ram could only feel bitterness.

Killing Roswaal L Mathers would have been a mercy.

In the next few days, a certain rumor would spread to the whole world.

Natsuki Subaru had slain the Great rabbit.

Originally a few merchants had stumbled on its corpse and were left frightened. Only the fact that the rabbits stood unmoving stopped them from killing themselves. Better die by a blade than eaten alive.

They had wandered to a nearby village. Said villagers were more than happy to provide the information.

The Third Campione had slain the Great rabbit.

Such a rumor shook the whole country. Natsuki Subaru had slain two of the three Great Mabeast.

Some wondered if the Great snake would be the next one to perish at his hands.

As for now, the Campione had slain two Gods and two of the Great Mabeast.