02x02 - The Next Location

[bunniefuu]

Emilia-sama and Natsuki Subaru-sama,

I would gladly host you two at my home for as long as you need.

We appreciate that,

but we do want to get the villagers back home.

We'll come back after we take them all home

and talk to her sponsor, Roswaal.

Very well.

When you do, I hope I can finally repay my great debt to you.

It's not that big a deal. You helped us out, too.

We even got a reward. Right, Patrasche?

Ow!

Are you all right, Subaru?

Those scales hurt more than I expected!

Now I know how a daikon radish feels when it's being grated!

Subaru-kyun, I've secured Rem-chan.

Be sure to keep her still!

Okay.

You'll need your rest when you get back to the mansion, too.

Me?

You've been working your gate overtime since you were going up against Sloth.

I did clean up all the toxins in your gate,

but you need to let it rest for two months.

Two months, huh?

Well, surely all this crazy stuff can't keep happening for that long...

Wait, did I just set a flag?!

All right, it's time for you to get going.

Go on, Crusch-sama.

Give them a few parting words.

Emilia-sama, I wish you good health.

I look forward to seeing you again very soon.

You, too, Crusch-san. Please be well.

Next time, I won't just be the one who always needs saving.

I'll become someone who can help others.

Natsuki Subaru-sama,

I wish you all the best in the future, too.

I know we will meet again.

Right, then...

You know, Subaru, you always sit beside me as if it's the obvious choice.

Oh, is there something weird about that?

No. I felt a little uncomfortable at first,

but now it feels strange if you don't, so it's fine.

My painstaking efforts have finally been rewarded!

I'm so moved!

You're teasing me again.

I know you're still worried about Rem.

There's no need for you to hide that.

She's important to you, isn't she?

She is! Super important!

As important to me as you are!

You're being very selfish.

Are you aware of that?

Sure, I am.

Frankly, I feel like such scum, I wish I could die.

But it's the absolute truth.

Subaru...

Did you just say my name?

No, I didn't!

Wait, have you been there all this time?

Of course I've been here!

Why do you think I decided to work with you?!

I'm just kidding.

You want to negotiate with Roswaal in person.

I haven't forgotten that.

I'm begging you! My whole life is riding on this!

Yeah, yeah, I got it.

Time to say goodbye to you for now.

Oh, wai—

I'm sure you'll find a way to get her back.

Emilia-tan...

Also, I think you and I are the same in the sense

that we act for our own selfish reasons.

I realize that I'm participating in the royal selection for selfish reasons, too.

Selfish?

I'm sorry... I can't explain it very well.

I don't want to hide anything from you,

but I'm not sure how to put it into words.

We can talk everything out after we join up with Roswaal.

He might know something about what happened to Rem, too!

Right.

You two, we'll be reaching our destination soon!

No one's here.

No one around here, either.

What? Why?

So Ram and the others haven't returned from the Sanctuary?

Seems that way.

By the way, Emilia-tan, do you know where the Sanctuary is?

Huh? I thought you knew where it was.

Huh?

I know I'm late in asking,

but what kind of place is the Sanctuary, anyway?

I'm not sure, either.

Roswaal only said it was like a secret base... and...

And?

Nothing, never mind.

I'm sorry. I should have asked.

No, no! Even if we were in a hurry to get to safety,

I'm the one who was way too careless!

We'll just have to head to the mansion for now.

Maybe we'll find some clues there.

Otto, come with us!

What? To the mansion?

Don't be so scared after we've come this far.

Take the carriage and the ground dragons around back, okay?

All right...

We're back, Rem.

Are you all right?

Yeah.

Come to think of it, I don't remember locking the door when we left.

You think we got robbed?

Beatrice stayed here, so I don't think we need to worry.

Maybe she'll come get the door for us if we knock.

She might come flying through it, looking for Puck.

That's true.

Puck? Puck?

Huh? He's not responding.

Maybe he's asleep.

How about in here?

Yes, one moment, please.

Welcome home, Emilia-sama.

I have awaited your return.

Frederica?

Yes, it is I, Frederi—

Those teeth are scary!

Allow me to introduce myself.

I am Frederica Baumann. I was employed here in the past.

Now that you mention it,

I was told there was another maid who quit just before I came here...

I merely took my leave for personal reasons.

Then I returned at Ram's request, and found the mansion empty.

Fortunately, a letter I found in the master's office

gave me an idea as to what had happened.

A letter?

And why did Ram ask you to come back?

When I returned,

the kitchen and the trees in the garden were in a desolate state.

It was quite awful.

That's a pretty serious reason!

It's strange, though.

Ram has always worked hard for us while you were away,

so why, in just the past few days...

With Rem gone, Ram couldn't handle the mansion herself,

so she asked Frederica to help?

Would you mind explaining to me who this girl

who bears a striking resemblance to Ram is?

She's Ram's younger sister, Rem.

She's a really nice girl.

She's kind, strong, and a super-hard worker.

Even I could tell that she and Ram were really close.

I'm sure you were a good friend to her, too.

You... probably don't remember, though, right?

Unfortunately, no.

I wonder how the master and Ram will react when they return...

I can't even guess what Roswaal will do.

And... I don't want to imagine how Ram will react.

Hey, Frederica, have you heard anything from Roswaal?

Sadly, I have no way of knowing all that goes on in the master's mind.

I believe there are only two people in this world he trusts enough for that.

Two?

Ram and the great spirit of this mansion's forbidden library.

Great spirit of the forbidden library?

I refer to Beatrice-sama.

Hey, Beako! Long time no see!

Now I see why the mansion suddenly seemed so noisy.

Everyone's been worried about you.

You should apologize, even if it has to wait until later.

Apologize? Me?

I fail to comprehend why I must apologize, and to whom, I suppose.

I could go apologize for you, if you want.

I'll tell them you were thanking me with tears and snot streaming down your face.

Don't make up stories!

I haven't shed tears in a very long time, I suppose.

It never hurts to have a good wail every once in a while.

Those words carry deep meaning,

coming from a man who bawled in the lap of the woman he loves.

Would you just forget about that already?

Could you please get to the point, I suppose?

You weakling.

Oh, yeah...

How well do you know what Roswaal's thinking?

Someone told me that you know how Roswaal thinks.

Who said—

Ah.

It must have been the half-beast girl who just came back.

There is a bit of accuracy to what she told you, I suppose.

But my connection with Roswaal has nothing to do with the current circumstances.

But you stayed here at the mansion by yourself,

even with no countermeasures in place.

I'm capable of protecting myself.

That's why I stayed, I suppose.

Roswaal has nothing to do with that.

That said, I don't believe he had nothing on his mind at all, I suppose.

Hmm...

Were you and I and everyone else just giving him too much credit,

thinking he wouldn't go up against the Witch's Cult with no plan?

Oh, that's right.

Take a look at this.

A Gospel...

Why do you, of all people, have one of those?!

I took it off the enemy after a battle.

It belonged to the guy in charge of the witch cultists who surrounded the mansion.

And what became of him?

He's dead.

I k*lled him.

Then you've left me behind, too, I suppose...

Geuse.

Who's that?

None of your concern.

Anyway, if you k*lled Sloth, a Sin Archbishop,

what happened to his Witch Factor?

Witch... Factor?

You don't know what it is? You really don't?

If that's the case, then why did you bother to k*ll Sloth?

And what is Roswaal...

I told you, remember? Roswaal is at the Sanctuary!

I'm the one who wants to know what he's thinking!

All the answers you seek lie in the Sanctuary, I suppose.

What?

Roswaal's intentions, the meaning of the Gospel,

answers about the Witch Factor... They're all there.

If you want them, go there.

The half-beast girl can lead you there, I suppose.

Hang on a second! What's up with you?

Why are you suddenly willing to talk to me?

Also, why do I have to go to the Sanctuary when you—

I will not tell you.

I have the right to refuse to tell you.

I showed you the path that leads to your answers.

Do not expect me to indulge you any further, I suppose!

Beako... Beatrice!

I am not a tool here for your convenience!

Wh-Why did you fly into me just as I was leaving the bathroom?!

Why did you look like you were about to cry again?

Excuse me! Could you please get off of—

So you really are allowed to enter Beatrice-sama's forbidden library?

What? You thought I wouldn't be?

Yes, but Emilia-sama has told me what a reliable person you are,

and she was quite thorough in explaining why,

so half of me had high hopes that you would be.

Huh?

Hey! Frederica!

What? What did you tell her?

It's not like that! I did tell her about you, but she's exaggerating!

No, I heard what you said, too.

It made me think there must be more to Natsuki-san than meets the eye.

Not you, too, Otto-kun!

Why wasn't I around to hear all this?!

I could never say it in front of you.

Now, Frederica, back to what you were saying!

Yes, of course. I know.

Let us talk it over so you don't find yourself at a dead end.

Dead end? What do you mean?

Even if you were able to see Beatrice,

whether or not she'd answer your question was another matter.

Both you and Beatrice can be very stubborn, you know.

That description is way too cute, but you're right.

And?

There's a lot I want to talk to Roswaal about, too.

So I asked Frederica

to tell me where the Sanctuary is.

The half-beast girl can lead you there, I suppose.

So you're going to tell us where it is, Frederica?

I was no match for Emilia-sama's persistence,

even though I have been told not to disclose any more than necessary.

But I would like to ask for a bit of time to prepare.

Shall we say two days?

Prepare?

Oh, that's right. We'd all be leaving the mansion, so that's—

No, I will be staying in the mansion.

I cannot accompany you.

What? You're not going with us?

How are we supposed to get there, then?

You're rather slow on the uptake, Natsuki-san.

Oh! So Otto's gonna get us to the Sanctuary?

Because he thinks cooperating with Emilia in any way possible

will give Roswaal, her backer, a better impression of him?

No, er...

Otto-kun, is that true?

Emilia-sama's pure, innocent eyes are k*lling me!

I'm sorry! That's exactly right!

The way you wear your ulterior motive on your sleeve makes you all the more likable, Otto.

That's not exactly comforting, coming from you!

I appreciate your help.

On that note, you can tell the three of us about the Sanctuary.

Very well.

What I am about to tell you

is the undisclosed location of the Sanctuary of Clemaldy, and how to enter it.

And there is one name you must not forget as you travel there.

Beware of one by the name of "Garfiel."

At the Sanctuary,

he will be the one with whom you must exercise the most care.

Rem...

We're leaving now.

I told Frederica to take good care of you.

Be good and wait here for me, okay?

You're ready?

Sure am, new recruit.

I see you're rocking the uniform already.

Right?

Did you say goodbye to Rem-san?

Yeah, something like that.

We're not planning to stay out there long,

but I wanted to see her first.

Could you take care of Rem for me while I'm gone, Petra?

Understood, Subaru-sama!

Still, we started advertising to hire a new maid two days ago,

and this is your first day actually being in the mansion.

I'm impressed you found the place without getting lost.

And I really admire your decision to leave your parents at such a young age.

I'm twelve years old! I'm old enough to be a working grown-up!

I mean... an adult!

You need to treat me like an adult, too, Subaru-sama!

Get better at speaking politely and get Frederica to fully initiate you,

and I'll think about it.

'Kay!

I mean... yes, sir!

I forgot what a pain she can be when she's serious about hiding.

Is there really a mysterious room here?

Yeah... Beatrice.

You know her, right? Take care of her for me, too.

You might randomly encounter her when opening a door somewhere.

Wait, Subaru-sama! Aren't you asking a bit much of me?

I know. Sorry.

But you're the only one I can ask.

I really am sorry.

Oh, all right!

If you insist, I'll just have to help you out!

Thanks. You're really a huge help.

Take care of the mansion for us.

And Rem, Petra, and Beatrice, too.

You can rely on me.

Take care during your travels, Emilia-sama.

And take this.

This will allow you to get past the barrier in the forest,

and enter the Sanctuary.

From there, the ground dragons should take you to the location I described.

So this stone is the requirement to get through the barrier?

You have the location and the qualification.

Now you only need the resolve and a strong will.

Frederica...

Take good care of the Sanctuary.

And do not forget what I said earlier.

Okay. We'll watch out for Garfiel.

I promise.

Um, Subaru-sama...

Would you please accept this?

Uh...

Lending a white handkerchief to a traveler,

who later returns it stained and worn from the journey,

is an old custom performed as a prayer for safe travels.

Oh, it's one of those things?

Okay, got it. Thanks, Petra.

I promise I'll return it.

What? What brought that reaction on?

This sudden rebellious phase is making me sad.

Now, you should hurry.

The Lost Forest of Clemaldy grows more dangerous as night approaches.

I wish you a safe journey.

Subaru-sama!

You'd better protect the lady!

I have done exactly as Master directed.

Now everything depends on how Emilia-sama overcomes the Sanctuary.

There is nothing we can do but pray.

Puck isn't showing up?

Yeah.

I've called out to him several times,

and I can feel the link from our contract, but...

Has anything like this happened before?

Not very often, but there have been a few times

when he didn't show up for a few days.

I'm counting on you to take care of Lia.

Couldn't have been...

But I do have contracts with lesser spirits, too,

and I can also fight with them.

No matter what happens, I'll protect you!

Wow, you're so manly!

Hey!

Frederica did warn us that something might happen.

Oh... Garfiel, right?

Yeah. Roswaal did mention a few times that he was going to see him...

Excuse me!

We're in the forest!

The Lost Woods of Clemaldy.

A special barrier there protects the Sanctuary.

It makes outsiders lose their way, to prevent them from getting close.

That is why they call it the "Lost Woods."

So the Sanctuary is just ahead...

Emilia-tan, are you actually nervous?

Huh? How could you tell?

I know everything about you!

At least, that's what I'd like to say, but anyone could tell.

You're right!

I'm sorry for worrying you.

When I think that we're about to arrive at the Sanctuary,

a village where only demihumans live...

No, I should apologize. I wasn't thinking that far ahead.

I guess there might be more half-elves like you there, huh?

I've never seen any half-elves other than myself.

But just maybe, in the Sanctuary...

Don't worry. I'll—

Emilia?!

Uh... Is this...

I suddenly have a really bad feeling!

I'm borrowing this, Emilia!

Emilia!

Where... am I?

Who are you?

Those ears...

Are you an elf?

No, wait! Wait a minute!

Hey! Is anyone here?

If this is the Sanctuary, somebody answer me!

This is...

I see.

So that is the root of your desire?

How very interesting.

Oh, did I startle you?

It has been quite a while since I spoke with anyone,

so perhaps I was too eager.

My name is Echidna...

Or perhaps you would know me better as the Witch of Greed?