In a place in another world...
"I'm sorry I made you eat quickly, Rem... but we must—"
"There's no need to apologize, Subaru-kun. Rem understands the situation completely, and she doesn't mind giving her full help."
Walking side by side, a blue-haired maid and a black-haired boy were making their way through the capital's streets, heading to the final destination before the night's battle:
The camp of Priscilla Barielle.
After having secured help from two camps —Anastasia's and Crusch's— having the help of a third camp made Subaru feel... a bit confident.
He believed he now had a way to achieve victory. A much better one than he had before.
He had a good team he could count on. His trust in them, along with the knowledge he had of their abilities, was something he was grateful to have on his side.
But still, he wouldn't be so naive as to have total confidence or believe he had already secured victory.
Because he knew that if he did, this might not be the last loop he would experience. And that was something he had to avoid at all costs.
Not for his own life —in this situation, it wasn't extremely important—.
If he could reset time every time he... died, it was technically a way to secure victory, with more or less effort.
But that would mean breaking a promise he had already made to his older brother. And, worse yet, forcing his friends to witness something he knew would hurt them more than anything. And that definitely shouldn't happen.
Even if his life was expendable, if it was a card that would hurt his loved ones, it would be a card he would try never to play. Even if no one remembered it.
His friends' happiness is, and always will be, his number one priority above everything else...
And that's why he can't help but feel a little guilty about how he's been treating them lately.
It wasn't just that his second visit to all his friends was a request for help in a battle, taking advantage of their friendship to get help more easily than he should.
But he was also forcing Rem —who had already died because of him— not only to accompany him to convince the camps, but also to not even give her time to rest and eat peacefully.
And yet, she... smiles. While showing her total support and trust in someone like him.
Subaru, though he doesn't think he deserves it, definitely makes him feel good. He feels happy and grateful to have someone like her by his side.
"When all this is over... I must make sure to repeat the date with her."
That was a promise he made to himself. And it was another one he had to keep. Subaru felt he had many unpaid debts in this world. Though he tried not to be too hard on himself. Just enough, according to him.
"Lady Priscilla's camp is our last destination for today, right? Do you think she will offer us her help?"
Rem asks without stopping smiling or walking beside her hero, wanting to hear his opinion about one of what seemed to be other friends of his.
Her hero had too many friends. She wanted to get to know them all too, if possible.
"Priscilla?... Yeah, I think so. It might not be as immediate as with Ana-chan, but I trust her for this occasion."
According to Subaru, the hardest camp to convince was Crusch's, simply because he wasn't friends with the royal candidate, only with her knight.
Sure, that was something that gave him points, but, unlike the violet-haired girl's camp, it made sense that it would be hard to convince.
In fact, he didn't think he would have been able to convince her if it weren't for Anastasia's indirect help.
On the other hand, at Priscilla's camp, although it was true that there was only one member who was a childhood friend of his, that member was the candidate. And from how they had talked, they seemed close enough for Subaru to believe he could count on her. Subaru thought that if he explained the whole situation, she could help him.
He just hoped he could convince her relatively quickly. They didn't really have much time before the battle. And having her help —though it probably wouldn't guarantee a victory or defeat— would definitely be a very useful card.
So, for now, let's just hope for the best.
____________________________________________________________________________________
"Subaru-sama!"
"Hey, Schult."
Just upon arriving at the mansion's entrance, outside the gates, they were already greeted by a small boy who was waiting for them with great excitement.
"Great to see you back! Oh, yes!"
So much excitement.
Subaru couldn't help but laugh seeing how the boy approached him with admiration and quickly raised his hand with a closed fist, waiting for the greeting he had learned not long ago.
"Heh. Take this!"
And he couldn't help but fulfill that excitement, by crouching and also extending his hand, bumping his fist with the small fist of the boy, who smiled with satisfaction.
The classic universal men's greeting. Name given by Aldebaran.
"An honor?"
Rem looks a bit surprised by the word and the way the pink-haired boy spoke to her hero. She didn't dislike it.
"Uhh... It seems Priscilla told him several things about me... and I think he got a slightly exaggerated idea of who I am."
Subaru clarifies to Rem with a bit of shyness. He didn't think he had achieved something to have made this boy feel such admiration towards him.
But for Rem, that was different.
"Good morning, Schult. I am Rem, maid of Master Roswaal and currently serving Subaru-kun. I'm glad to share the same admiration towards the same person."
"Huh? Rem, the idea was that—"
"Oh, yes! Lord Subaru is a very incredible being! Don't you think?"
"Yes. He definitely is."
"... So embarrassing."
Although Subaru was trying to accept affection better these last hours, this was still something very... sweet for him. More than he was used to.
"Lady Priscilla is waiting inside! She was very excited to see you."
"Excited? I don't think it's that exaggerated."
"Or, at least, I don't think that's the right word... I wonder how she'll act when I tell her my reason for visiting."
Subaru thought as he followed Schult inside the mansion.
"That boy is Lady Priscilla's servant, Subaru-kun?"
"Yes. I, honestly, still think he's a bit young to be working already. I hope it doesn't cause him too many problems."
Subaru didn't think Priscilla treated him badly, but, from his perspective, a 12-year-old boy shouldn't already be depending on a job at his young age. Or maybe he was exaggerating?
"Most servants are satisfied and happy to serve someone they admire with such devotion. If Lady Priscilla earned this boy's devotion, she must be a very pleasant person to be with."
Rem said, trying to say something good about the girl, although she had hardly heard anything about her —nothing more than what her hero had told her, at least—.
But if she was a good friend of her hero, didn't that mean she had to be a very kind and pleasant being, just like him?
"Pleasant to be with?... Uhh..."
On the other hand, Subaru didn't want to sound really rude or speak ill of his friend... but saying she was a pleasant person to be with, considering everything he knew about the way Prisca treated everyone around her, was... debatable to decide if she was a good person.
She wasn't a bad person, she was just... a proud being unafraid to say what she thinks. Yes. That's it.
"Just... when you meet her and see how she talks to us, don't take it too personally. She doesn't mean it badly."
"...? Rem isn't sure if she understands what you mean... but okay."
Rem replies a bit puzzled, as both, guided by the boy, pass through the mansion doors.
"Hey, bro!"
"I see you return to satisfy my divine being with your presence, Plebeian."
And in just a few minutes, they are led to the same place where Subaru had been days before, where they meet a one-armed man and a candidate wearing a red dress.
"Plebeian?"
And Rem quickly feels attacked by the words of the red-dressed baroness. How dare she greet her hero like that?
But before she can say anything...
"Hey, pal! Hello, Priscilla. Glad you accepted this visit again."
"Hey. I don't mind having someone I understand very well, brother."
Aldebaran replies while doing a fist bump with Subaru.
"Ahhhh. Yep. Definitely the best way to greet."
And he says with total certainty, thinking the same as little Schult.
"Now this jester and Schult try to greet each other all the time with this stupid children's game."
Priscilla says with false annoyance, while having a slight smile towards Subaru.
"Are you sure you don't want to greet like that too, Lady Priscilla?"
"My divine being would never present herself in such a childish way, Schult. But I allow you to greet the Plebeian like that every time you see him."
"Oh, yes! Agreed. That's what I did."
Schult thanks his lady's words while making sure to take that decision as an order he will enjoy.
"... I guess I now understand what Subaru was referring to."
That's what Rem thought seeing the small interaction between the four present. And she can't help but compare, even a little, Priscilla's attitude to that of her sister.
"I guess 'Plebeian' is just another nickname like 'Barusu'... but I'm not entirely convinced yet."
Still, she won't make any comment to demand a change in how Priscilla treated Subaru. Not if it didn't escalate much more, at least.
"And that girl is?"
Rem snaps out of her thoughts as she is spoken to directly.
"Pleased to meet you all. I am Rem, maid of Master Roswaal and currently serving Subaru-kun."
And she introduces herself formally and politely as Aldebaran asks about her.
"Hmm. I see... So the maids are of your type, bro— Ouch!"
"Shut up, Aldebaran. I don't give you permission to say stupid things."
"Ngh... That one was especially hard."
Aldebaran rubs the back of his helmet with his only hand after receiving a strong hit from the red princess beside him because of his unnecessary words.
"Maid, huh? Honestly, I expected you to visit me alone, Plebeian. I thought you'd come to join my camp once and for all."
Priscilla comments with a confident smile, refusing to call Rem by her name and focusing all her attention on the black-haired boy.
She looked confident. She believed that if Subaru had brought someone else with him, it wouldn't be a request to join her. It would be a request of a different type.
That, or he just wanted to visit her again. Something that, although likely and she would like, she didn't believe.
Or, at least, that's what she didn't see in those terrifying eyes that had become slightly different from two days ago.
"I'm sorry to say that's not the case, Pris. I haven't decided which camp I want to join yet."
"I'm not even sure if I want to join one in the first place. And much less can I think about it now."
Subaru thought to himself. He knew he was putting this topic aside a lot, but it really didn't interest him, nor should he think about it at this moment.
When everything is over and he is back in a calm and peaceful situation, that's when he will seriously think about what to do from now on.
Now? We have priorities.
"The truth is we came because we'd like to count on your help, Pris."
"Count on my help?"
The moment those words leave Subaru's lips, Priscilla understands that this conversation stops being a conversation.
And becomes a negotiation.
"It's only been two days since you visited my divine being. Do you want something in such a short time?"
Priscilla crosses her legs elegantly, while fixing her gaze on the terrifying eyes of the boy, trying to see through them.
This seemed entertaining.
"Does Subaru-sama have a special mission?"
Schult was trying to remain serene, especially in front of his lady and the guest he had just met, Rem.
But Subaru, the same boy he admired and who had earned the respect and trust of his mistress, asking for help for a secret objective? His mind couldn't stop thinking about how incredible this could become!
"Special mission? Well, you could call it that, I guess... It's definitely something you might doubt if I ask you directly, so..."
"Brother, literally two days ago you told us one of your goals was to visit the Great Sage in the Pleiades Tower. Do you really think you'll surprise us so easily?"
"Subaru-kun has always had an ability to impress people no matter what."
"It seems the maid does know something about what she's talking about. Perhaps she is worth thinking about her existence."
"... Hey, Pris, that comment was a bit—"
Subaru stops talking in his attempt to defend Rem from his friend's somewhat rude words.
But as soon as he looks at these two more closely... he can perceive an aura directed from each one's eyes to the other's.
A silent and merciless challenging gaze that makes their objective clear just by looking at the two of them... a scene a bit tense for the boys.
"Brother... I'll pray for you."
"Shut up."
Subaru will pretend he doesn't understand anything.
"Subaru-sama! Don't leave us in suspense any longer! What do you have planned to do?"
Schult finally can't contain himself any longer, releasing part of his emotion as he speaks, wanting to discover what the man he admired would show him.
And quickly... Subaru's attitude fades, becoming a much more serious posture, in contrast to his previous behavior.
"About repelling an attack by a Sin Archbishop belonging to the Witch Cult."
And at that moment, in a third different camp, a wave of tension runs through all present.
Priscilla and Rem stop their staring contest.
Little Schult takes a step back instinctively.
Even Aldebaran, and somehow without seeing the face of the man from another world, it can be noticed that behind his helmet hides an expression of seriousness.
Priscilla's gaze, which was fixed on Rem's eyes, passes to fix for one last time on the black-haired boy's eyes, seeing a calculating expression.
A gaze he returns with equal determination, not letting surprise or show a reaction. He had learned to master those emotions in these conversations.
Very similarly to how they reunited a week ago.
"You've brought me a very interesting request, Plebeian. I hope this satisfies my curiosity."
And she says with a small smile while leaning back in her chair, still sounding confident, just a bit more serious.
"Brother, what do your stars bring? Have you gotten involved with those crazies in just two days since we saw you?"
Aldebaran, unlike his princess, doesn't sound too confident or comfortable with the topic at hand.
He, more than others might suppose, knew quite a bit about those bastards. And he knew the horrible idea it was to have any relationship with any of their members.
Do summoned ones from other worlds always have to go through these situations?
"I don't do it because I want to, you know? Being in a situation with them is a possibility of dying. Do you really think it's pleasant?"
"Hmm. Nope. I don't think dying is pleasant."
"Me neither."
Both declare with certainty as if it were the most obvious thing.
After all... it was the most obvious thing.
"S-Subaru-sama... I know you're incredible, but, please... don't get involved in dangerous situations."
Schult asks with a bit of nervousness to the man he admires. Even if he's incredible, he doesn't want to see him in a life-or-death situation.
Subaru replies to his words with a smile.
"Don't worry, Schult. I don't plan on dying yet."
And he says with confidence, hoping that can calm the little boy a bit.
"So? You're finally going to explain everything?"
"Yes... Please, listen."
And with that, a new negotiation begins.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Minutes pass. Rem, standing behind Subaru, supporting him every few words.
Aldebaran seated to the left, Schult behind the central chair, and Priscilla seated in it, uncrossing her legs —a slight sign that she's paying full attention to the black-haired boy's words—.
Who...
"And that... would be all."
Finally finishes speaking, giving a summary of the plan, objective, resources, and, in general, a summary of the battle itself.
The conversation flowed without many problems.
It was probably the quickest conversation Subaru had in the three camps. Maybe it was because he felt more confident and already knew how to guide a negotiation better.
It's true that there weren't many questions from Priscilla's camp either. She seemed to trust the words he said, or that's what he believed.
Subaru wasn't sure if it was due to trust, intuition, or if she had an ability similar to Crusch's to detect lies.
In any case... he was truly very grateful that the conversation flowed in such a way, without setbacks.
It was already past noon. They had less time to plan the entire defense and attack of their group.
They already had a part planned thanks to Crusch and Ana, but adding Priscilla and her camp as soon as possible was a card he wanted to play as soon as possible.
So saving time was a priority.
"..."
Priscilla's gaze only sharpened with each explanation Subaru gave regarding the Cult and the Whale.
There was still a glimmer of pride or confidence in her gaze. That hadn't changed.
But, more than anything, there was deep analysis in her look. Something Subaru didn't know if he liked.
"How did you get this information?"
While she had obtained information about abilities, an attack and defense plan, a good analysis of their enemies and everything related to it... Subaru hadn't said any way how he had obtained that information.
She let him continue, waiting until the end, seeing if he would reveal it. And seeing that he doesn't, she asks directly.
Subaru hesitates for a moment on what to say.
Should he be honest as he was with Anastasia and say it's private information? Saying he had obtained it through Return by Death was something he clearly couldn't do, so saying it was private would be the only option in that case.
Should he do that? Or should he follow Ana's advice and use her name and her company to justify the information? That's what he did with Crusch, and it worked very well when evading her divine protection of wind reading.
Do the same with Priscilla? He didn't know if she would believe him in either case. Whether he lied or not... would it be enough to convince her?
"Do you think I'm lying trying to deceive you?"
He tries to get some clue by asking her that question.
Priscilla isn't surprised. Subaru doesn't know if she sees through him, but she just responds naturally.
"You're a Plebeian intelligent enough not to commit such stupidity."
"What an insulting compliment."
"I know you're not lying. At least that's what you believe. So answer my question, Plebeian"
"If she trusts me enough to know I'm not lying... I guess lying isn't necessary."
It might not be the best option as a negotiator, but, as a friend, it's the best decision he could make.
"It's private information. I'm sorry, but I can't give you more."
Even Rem is a bit surprised that Subaru said something like that. According to her, it would have been better to say he had the Hoshin Company backing him.
Although Priscilla doesn't act with as much denial as she expected, she only remains silent for a few seconds while considering all her options.
Had she believed him? Whether yes or no, it seems she hasn't—
"So... what you want is for my divine being to help you and lend you the forces of my camp in battle, in cooperation with other camps, to repel and exterminate the Archbishop of Sloth and the White Whale in the coming hours?"
"When you put it like that... it reminds me I'm asking for a lot... but—"
"Yes. Exactly."
Subaru affirms, trying to keep his composure, something he has successfully maintained all this time.
Priscilla, for other seconds, lowers her voice and remains silent before accepti—
"I refuse."
"... Huh?"
"I said I refuse."
Before... rejecting helping her friend.
"Priscilla!"
Schult can't help but involuntarily shout upon hearing his lady's voice refusing to help the man he admires.
He knew her well. He knew it was a possibility, but... it was Subaru! He thought that if it was him, she could—
"Be quiet, Schult."
However, Priscilla's voice was cold, serious, and totally... dry. Something Schult cannot face.
"Hmm... The princess made a decision... That could be bad for you, brother."
Aldebaran commented in a low voice and to himself, watching his lady's reaction.
She didn't seem like she wanted to pick a fight... but she also didn't seem willing to doubt or even consider changing her mind.
Aldebaran is smart enough not to say anything that might displease his princess.
On the other hand, Subaru was...
"Pris?"
Feeling... betrayed. Disappointed?
He didn't expect a response like that. Not really.
Maybe a bit of doubt, or a favor in return, or something like that. Not a... total and absolute denial to his approach.
Rem's gaze becomes icy immediately. Although she was trying to think Priscilla could be a good friend despite the image she had perceived, this was...
"Don't try to understand me, servant."
But her voice interrupts her thoughts, as she declares fearlessly and revealing part of her thoughts to the obvious and accusatory gaze of the blue-haired girl.
"Do you think I'm not interested in helping out of selfish desire? Is your mind so closed as to not consider more than what you think? Have you even tried to think about—"
"Pris. Don't make those comments about Rem."
Subaru interrupts when they dare to speak ill of his friend.
"I'm not telling any lies, Plebeian. She should consider that—"
"Priscilla."
And his cold tone also becomes icy all at once, matching or even surpassing Priscilla's.
Everyone, even Rem, feels a chill watching Subaru speak with such a deadly aura that could match the aura radiated by the Sword Saint.
Priscilla, after losing her composure for a second, speaks again.
"There are 3 main reasons why I'm unwilling to help you."
Though she continues declaring forcefully, raising a finger.
"First! The inequality in treatment."
She looks into Subaru's terrifying eyes.
"You ask me to make an effort and use my forces to help defend the half-demon's territory, don't you?"
"Emilia-tan."
Subaru, though paying attention to her words, forcefully asks with his eyes that she stop insulting his friends.
Priscilla doesn't accept it, but she doesn't press the issue either.
"Whichever of the other candidates it is, are you demanding that I help an enemy camp without offering me anything in return? Do you think that just because you're my friend you can give me orders without problems?"
"Is that what bothers you? And you call yourself Subaru-kun's friend?."
Priscilla's image in Rem has just worsened even more, as she prepares to continue speaking and defending her hero.
But she is interrupted by him.
"I didn't think it was necessary, but I have no problem giving a reward for your help, Priscilla."
Subaru continues trying to keep the conversation peaceful, not wanting to start a debate or a heated argument between both sides.
"I'm sure we can give you compensation for your efforts. Do you want an economic recommendation? Minerals?"
"She will also get a better reputation and advance her camp. If she participates in the expedition against an Archbishop and one of the Great Mabeasts, it will definitely boost her career."
Rem supports her hero as best she can, helping to give more attributes to convince the stubborn princess, while wishing Priscilla had a shred of common intelligence.
"And that is related to the second reason."
But she doesn't back down —something that doesn't surprise the members of her camp, who decided to remain silent, knowing this side of their princess—.
"Second! The fact that you didn't consider me as clearly the best option for the battle."
Those words catch the boy from another world a bit off guard.
"You come to my camp with a proposal for a triple alliance, and dare to leave my divine being as the last in your ranks?"
She asks with a raised eyebrow, passing her gaze between the black-haired boy and the blue-haired girl.
"... I didn't think the order really mattered to you. My plan was to visit the three camps regardless. I didn't think the order would affect so much."
"You're intelligent enough to suppose the disadvantages of being the last to join, aren't you? Not only will the reward of getting the image of defeating the White Whale or an Archbishop lose much of its value, already being shared with other camps, but I also have to adapt to the plans you've already made with them. You should have visited me first, don't you think?"
If they were going to form an alliance, that meant everyone would work as a team. If that was the case, it meant the credit would be divided among everyone.
Subaru really didn't care about the credit for who defeats whom. He just wanted to save his friends from a fate he wants to avoid.
That's why he hadn't seriously considered the advantage/disadvantage of forming a team with all the camps.
He didn't really care. Maybe he had made a mistake by overlooking that detail just because of that.
"Lady Priscilla, that is a very selfish way to view Subaru-kun's proposal."
But Rem couldn't see it the same way, having reached the limit of her patience with every word that came out of that irritating princess's lips.
"Hah? A simple servant dares to speak to me like that?"
"Pris, I told you—"
"And even that 'simple servant' seems to have more intelligence than a princess with too much ego for her own good."
"Rem!"
Aldebaran, Schult, and Subaru become even more nervous when they see that Rem also starts provoking Priscilla.
"How dare you...?"
Who doesn't react with fury, but anyone could notice the aura forming around her.
An aura that anyone would say is about to lead to murder.
But Rem doesn't back down. On the contrary, she sharpens her gaze and her words even more, approaching with increasingly noticeable anger.
"Rem has tried to endure her words, since she seems to be a friend of her hero, but she cannot continue to keep silent while watching her dismiss all her argument merely because she feels jealous."
"Jealous? You reduce all my argument and analysis to a word as vague and bland as jealousy? Do you have less brain than I thought?"
"It bothers you that Subaru-kun decided to seek you out after visiting Lady Anastasia and Lady Crusch, doesn't it? You know he didn't think of you when he needed help. Does it bother you that Subaru-kun doesn't think of you as much as you believed? Perhaps you are not among his closest friends, after all."
"Watch your words, servant. The only reason I haven't split you in two with my sword is because you are close to a man I respect. But you are making me seriously doubt it."
"Is that a threat? You lose your composure more easily than you appear, don't you? My Morningstar will be on your bones if you keep pressuring—"
"That's enough, both of you."
Subaru, being the only boy able to speak in the women's argument, tries to calm them down.
Why can't everyone just get along? Aren't they all friends? Was he so childish?
"Your servant should learn to respect her place, Plebeian. I don't even think she is worthy of being present inside my mansion."
"Subaru-kun, Rem thinks you should reconsider all your friendships. It's clear that some will only bring you more harm than good, especially if they are girls with more pride than intelligence."
"Harsh words for someone incapable of—"
"Enough!"
And it's only at Subaru's shout that both manage to fall silent, just as he slams the table forcefully, attracting everyone's attention.
"You're behaving like little girls... I don't know if I have the right to say it, but behave, for God's sake! I know both of you, so stop acting so childishly."
And he declares with slight anger and frustration towards both, who seem unable to provoke another negative reaction from him.
"... Brother managed to shut up the princess... Make me your apprentice."
Aldebaran thought in his mind.
"... Hmph, I haven't even expressed the most important point."
Priscilla, after, genuinely, being left speechless by her friend's outburst, moves on to her last point.
"More important?"
"Participating and seeing with my own eyes the death of one of the Great Mabeasts and one of the sin archbishops is enough to satisfy my entertainment. And I'm sure you had me in mind the whole time in your attack plan. Besides, in battle I'll do as I please. My divine being really considers it unnecessary to bother too much with those details."
"... And then why did you mention it in the first place?"
Rem thought with some anger, getting annoyed that Priscilla brought up a topic with such insignificant value to her, only managing to waste precious time that her hero wanted to save.
But, before she could say anything, Priscilla continues speaking, not letting her respond.
"However, there is one more reason why I totally refuse to help you."
Subaru pays attention to these words, hoping to finally clear his doubts about why Prisca is acting like this.
"And that would be?"
"That you refuse to tell the truth."
But those words... only confuse everyone present.
"... What?"
"You heard me perfectly. I cannot help anyone who isn't even capable of telling their real problem."
"Real? You said you knew I wasn't lying."
"I know you're not lying, but that doesn't mean you're telling the whole truth. Do you think you can deceive me, Plebeian?"
Priscilla slowly shifts her gaze towards Rem. What they thought of each other was irrelevant in that case; Priscilla only needed to clarify her point.
"Not even she is so stupid as to believe that."
"..."
And this time, Rem has nothing to reply against, because she knows she has indeed noticed something strange with her hero.
"Do you want my help, Plebeian? Then answer: what are you keeping so hidden that you refuse to share it?"
Subaru considers it for a few seconds.
What Priscilla was referring to... he knew. He really knew very well what she was talking about.
But he simply couldn't talk about it... He can't.
"... I've already said everything I needed and could say, Priscilla. I have nothing more to tell you."
"And do you really think I'm going to believe those words?"
Priscilla seems completely sure of her decision, not believing for a second Subaru's words.
He wasn't lying, so he can't give her more information.
"I'm not going to say anything else. I've already said everything I could. Do you think I'm lying?"
"..."
She continues analyzing his gaze, searching for any trace of doubt or emotion through those terrifying eyes.
And, after a few minutes of silence...
"Schult, Jester, Servant... out. Leave us alone."
She says calmly, like an unmovable order already taken.
"Huh?"
"L-Lady Priscilla!"
Catching the two boys by surprise.
"Rem will not leave Subaru-kun's side."
And with an absolute refusal from the girl, who refused to move away from her hero and leave him alone with this...
"Plebeian."
But Priscilla asks/gives an order to Subaru looking directly into his eyes, demanding that he have a conversation with her alone.
"... It's okay, Rem. Let me talk to her."
Subaru asks her kindly to give them a few minutes.
"W-what? B-but..."
"Please."
Again, he asks, a bit more softly this time, making Rem... unable to refuse.
"Rem is not satisfied with this..."
She obeys, while leaving behind the other two boys, not before giving a last look to the red-dressed princess, who doesn't return a farewell.
Leaving our pair completely alone, with no one else around in the room.
"We're alone... Did you want to tell me something in private, Prisca?"
And once alone, Subaru allows himself to call her by her real name, drawing a very slight smile from the princess.
"I see you've kept your promise to keep my name a secret."
"I try, as much as possible, not to break any promises. No one knows."
"Good... Regarding your question, I thought maybe you would talk if there was no one around."
Those words take Subaru by surprise a bit. Did Prisca think that if he wasn't talking, it was because he didn't want anyone else to find out?
"Why do you say that? Moreover, why do you think I'm hiding something?"
Well, if you think about it, she has a point. But it's not enough in this case. Even if it were just her, Subaru still can't say anything... although he's a bit nervous seeing that Prisca managed to see through him.
"Am I that easy to read?"
Ignoring his internal thoughts, Prisca continues pressing, searching for what is in her friend's mind.
"I saw how you told your story in a... very peculiar way. Using words as if you had seen it with your own eyes."
"..."
"You are so sure of your information that you don't doubt it at all. But I also don't think you could have been in contact with any of them in just two days without anyone noticing."
"..."
"You're not lying, but you're hiding information... My divine being demands it: what are you keeping secret?"
"... I can't tell you anything more."
"Tsk."
And Priscilla gets a bit irritated by her friend's stubbornness. What was there that he wouldn't even give a sign of wanting to talk to her?
"I thought it was that servant who was stopping you from talking."
Subaru blinks twice at his friend's insinuation.
"Rem?"
She nods, making Subaru think a bit more about her treatment of his friend.
And, with that, he gets a click in his mind. A small idea that might explain why Prisca was acting so... Prisca.
Although just in case, he would ask, even though he feels he already has the answer.
"It's just a question, but... were you acting more... irritating to get a reaction from Rem on purpose?"
Priscilla is proud that Subaru isn't so stupid as to draw hasty conclusions like that servant did. She would recommend him with her words.
"If you refused to act with her present, I thought I could draw a conclusion with just a few words and discover something about her."
"So, in reality, she thought I wasn't talking about Return by Death because I didn't want Rem to find out about it... and tried to annoy her on purpose to understand her better and know how to approach the topic better, perhaps discovering something hidden."
Priscilla is... very intelligent behind her harsh words.
"Did you?"
Priscilla chooses her words carefully, in a way that is still confident, harsh, and honest... but at the same time keeping the margin not to push her friend's anger to the limit.
When it comes to his loved ones, Subaru truly is a person to be careful with.
"She is an impulsive person when they mess with what she wants. She really needs to improve on that... but she has her unwavering goal and loyalty, plus extreme confidence in you, and I'd say she has your trust well earned... You don't seem to have any reason to hide something from her."
That's what she managed to analyze and admit about the Plebeian's friend servant. Although she doesn't particularly like her much, at least she knew she was someone to trust on her friend's part.
"I don't. I don't have much to hide from her. Rem is a precious friend to me."
"Tsk."
Although, still, she can't help but be a bit affected by those words.
But returning to the starting point...
"I'll ask you one last time... what are you hiding?"
"If you knew that I really want to tell you, Prisca... if you knew how much I want to scream with all my strength to all my friends about what I'm going through, but..."
"I can't tell you anything more."
"..."
"You don't want to, or you can't?"
Prisca considers that possibility in her mind.
Subaru was hiding something. He seemed to have more information than he said. He seems completely sure of what he says. He doesn't seem to want to reveal his source of information.
"It's only been two days since he visited me. I'm sure that, at that time, besides his amnesia, he wasn't going through any kind of problems. My divine self would have known in that case.He said he visited the merchant's camp yesterday, and after that he got the information. The timing doesn't add up. There's no way he could have drawn so many conclusions in such a short time.His way of speaking, of being so sure of what he says, but doesn't say in any way how he got all the information. He's acting as if something or someone forbids him. As if something forbids him from speaking. His behavior is exactly the same as—"
"...!"
And a terrifying idea crosses her mind, breaking her mask of analysis and her cold expression for a second.
Remaining only for an invisible instant... the expression of a girl in complete shock... and extreme concern.
As she looks through the exit door, right behind the black-haired boy's chair, right where Rem, Schult... and Aldebaran had left minutes ago.
"... Y-you..."
And that possibility, once embedded in her mind... doesn't disappear.
She has to make a greater effort to keep her emotions in one place, refusing to show such a vulnerable expression precisely to him.
Why was it always him who made her make such uncommon expressions?
... I guess no one but someone she considers her friend would be capable of that.
"... Plebeian."
But forcing herself to react, hiding her expression for a few seconds, she leads the topic again.
"Yes?"
"... How many... how many times have you..."
Though it's difficult... being unable to talk about that topic with as much confidence as she always did.
Besides, if her theory was true, she surely wouldn't even be able to get the answer even if the boy wanted to give it to her.
So, for now... she can only ask something else.
"... What do you feel towards the Archbishop of Sloth, or towards the White Whale?"
"Huh? Why the question?"
"Answer."
She declares firmly, not wanting to chat more... just looking for a direct answer.
"What do I feel towards the White Whale and the Archbishop of Sloth?"
To be honest, Subaru had barely spent time with them.
The whale, he had only seen it for a few minutes before...
Regarding the Archbishop, he knows he was in charge of leading the entire attack on the mansion, of apparently releasing the beast that would freeze everything in the mansion.
In both cases, he ended up dying. Something... that, clearly, had bothered him.
But that wasn't the worst for him. Sure, he disliked it quite a bit, but it didn't compare to hurting his friends.
Attacking Patrasche and devouring her.
Eating and butchering Rem and Otto.
Filling with corpses and murdering all his friends in the mansion.
And that, in all cases, they came out winning.
"I hate them."
They had earned the pure hatred of a boy as kind as him. And he had no plans to change that.
"I see..."
Prisca understands Subaru perfectly.
With the theory she had already accepted as truth, she had an avalanche of feelings and emotions in her being.
Although, among all those complicated emotions that wanted to explode violently... there is one that overrides another in her thoughts.
Anger.
"... 3 things."
"Hmm?"
"Just as there were 3 reasons why I wanted to refuse... I demand 3 things to grant my help."
She demands, not as a favor or an imposition, but rather as an absolute order that Subaru must accept.
"First. I will fight on the front line, in front of everyone. I will not accept staying in the rear. I refuse to play a minor role in this battle."
"On the front line, at the forefront?"
A part of Subaru —a small part— wanted to refuse. He felt it was very dangerous and that, honestly, he was afraid something might end up happening to his friend.
On the other hand, he was also intelligent enough to know that if Prisca made that request, it was because she had a clear reason for doing so.
Did he know what it was? He wasn't sure. But if she asked him, he would trust that she would be able to defend herself against all attacks. Wasn't she the one who said he had to change his small way of seeing the world around him?
In any case...
"Agreed. I trust you in battle."
He will accept that request, although Prisca's cold expression doesn't change.
"Second. I will not accept orders from anyone in battle. I will work with you, not alongside all of them. So I demand to have absolute authority over my decisions and my forces."
Although that request does generate a bit more doubt within Subaru.
"Wouldn't it be better to have a good team with everyone? Being more in sync with everyone will give us a better chance of victory."
"Hah. With my mere presence it is enough to guarantee my victory. This is more a warning than a demand. In battle, I will lead my group."
It was an absolute declaration. It didn't even leave room for negotiation. Prisca wouldn't let anyone give her orders in battle. After all, her divine being shone on its own without anyone's help.
Making Subaru sigh, but accepting in the end. He hoped that, at least in battle, this wouldn't generate too many extreme problems, but having her in battle was a card he would like to have, so... he accepts.
"Fine... And the last one?"
He just hopes the last one isn't something worse.
"..."
Prisca's mask cracks one last time as she tries to approach a topic somewhat vulnerable for her, but forces herself to lower that vulnerability so no one notices.
"Plebeian... do you remember I asked you to join my camp?"
Making Subaru a bit surprised.
" Are you going to ask me to join in exchange for your help?... You know I haven't decided yet, right? I—"
"That's not it."
She interrupts, surprising him even more, but doesn't give him time to continue speaking.
"I want you in my camp. I demand that you want to be in my camp, and, for that, I demand that you stay alive."
She approaches and her face is in front of his, just a few centimeters away.
"I allow you to do entertaining stupidities and entertain me as you always do, but don't you dare die in battle."
That is the last request that the Princess of the Sun demanded from her Childhood Friend.
Subaru feels... genuinely caught off guard by this last request from Prisca. He didn't expect her last request to be... for his well-being.
"Heh... Even when you try to seem tough, Prisca, you're kinder than you think."
And he can't help but smile in front of the orange-haired girl's face.
"Yes, Prisca-san."
"... Good."
And only then does she allow herself to relax, moving away from the boy to sit in the same chair she was in before.
"Now tell me the entire already formulated plan."
And, having finally decided to join, she demands to know every detail about Subaru's plan.
"Don't you want the others to come in first?"
Subaru thought that if they were going to discuss the plan for the whole team, they should all be present in the discussion, right?
"I'm not interested in what that servant... your friend, has to contribute, and I will inform Aldebaran of the details later. Just begin."
But it seems she refuses to see them right now. Maybe because she didn't want to see Rem so soon, or maybe because she wanted to keep talking to Subaru alone.
Either way, with those words... the meeting between the two of them continues to advance.
And this time?... It seemed to be going much better.
____________________________________________________________________________________
"... Did she really listen to you?"
"Yes. I told you she would help us... although, for a second, I thought she wouldn't."
Several minutes of chatting between these two later, Subaru and Prisca finally reached an agreement.
She would agree to lend the forces of her camp and her own, in exchange for the three demands she had asked of Subaru.
So, after giving the plan, both accepted and prepared for the upcoming battle.
Subaru and Rem left the mansion, leaving the others inside.
Rem felt... somewhat frustrated that, in the end, Priscilla was going to help.
Don't get her wrong, she wanted to give her hero all the help possible, but the image she had of Priscilla... had become too tarnished at this point.
While she didn't hate her, she didn't want her near her hero.
"... We already have the help of the three camps... Finally... we have a chance to win."
But Subaru felt a bit victorious inside, ignoring Rem's annoyance.
After all, he finally felt that victory was no longer an impossible dream. He felt that this time everything... would finally turn out well.
"Did everything go as planned, Lady Prisca?"
"My divine being made the decision it wanted, so it's an ending that satisfies me."
"Damn. Brother really managed to make the princess change her mind."
Meanwhile, and speaking little by little, the three members of the princess watched from the mansion entrance as the duo gradually moved further and further away.
"I knew she would really help them! Oh, yes! I can't wait to hear her next story, Lady Prisca."
Schult no longer seemed too nervous as he was during the meeting. Now he seemed excited! He already wanted to hear what he already knew would be the victory of the two people he admired most in the world.
"I didn't expect brother to really do it. Did he give you another ring, princess?— Ouch!"
Aldebaran didn't finish speaking when another blow behind his helmet was received forcefully.
"Worth it." he thought.
"Hmph. I decided to join this war only for a personal reason, Aldebaran. Don't you dare think that my divine being must be influenced by something as childish as friendship."
Although Al didn't believe that, he was also smart enough not to question his lady.
"... Lady Prisca, are you in a bad mood?"
But Schult felt his lady was somewhat angry for some reason...
"You're seeing things, Schult. My divine being doesn't get upset over such simple things... I simply wish to make those beasts pay."
"Pay? Do those Witch Cult crazies have something against you, Princess?"
"That's right... Those bastards dared to hurt something of great value belonging to me. And that is something I cannot allow."
Prisca Benedict had already made a personal decision. She did not forgive anything or anyone who dared to approach and touch without her permission anything belonging to her.
And, for that very reason, she would not hesitate to exterminate the Three Great Mabeasts and the entire Witch Cult if necessary.
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"And even that 'simple servant' seems to have more intelligence than a princess with too much ego for her own good."
I swear, I wanted to write "than a princess whose only thing bigger than her dirty breasts is her horrible ego", or something like that. xdd
I understand that, in the novel, in arcs 7 and 8, the two of them got along well, I think. But I don't know. I wanted to make them fight, I guess. xdd. I hope the OOC isn't too noticeable or, at least, isn't annoying in this case.
No matter how strong-minded Prisca is. Knowing that your best friend/the boy you love has had to go through all that... that's something that could break her, even if only for a few seconds. Don't you think?
Well, we have all the camps united now. Better than in the canon, right? The next chapter will be some sort of interlude before the battle... maybe another flashback? I don't promise anything.
And sorry for not uploading a chapter in a while. I took a slight break, reviewing and reading comments I still have pending, by the way, and, well, writing extras here. I hope this was worth it or, at least, doesn't feel like a boring chapter.
See you later, folks! Comment! Bye!!