02x05 - A Step Forward

[bunniefuu]

Why, thank you!

Hearing you say that tells me that recreating it from your memories was worthwhile.

So what is this place?

As one who is qualified, you entered the graveyard.

Thus the trial began.

That's all there is to it.

Didn't you hear me say, "First, you need to face your own past"?

I'm gradually starting to remember.

What did you do to me?

I had completely forgotten about you.

It was quicker to meddle with your memories

than it would've been to trust that you could keep a secret.

And? Did I pass the trial?

Having seen every moment of it,

I think the result you achieved was more than suitable.

Every moment? Wait, you—

"I'm so sorry!"

When you said that, even I teared up a bit.

Shut up! Don't tell anyone about that! It's too embarrassing!

Anyway, so this world is actually...

Yes, that's right.

It's a fabricated world

that I recreated with utmost faithfulness to your memories.

Everything, including your parents. Understand?

You fabricated all that? Really?

But some stuff was mentioned that even I didn't know.

Are you sure you didn't know?

Did you never once entertain the thought of your father

being different in any way from what you'd pictured?

Did you really think you could hide the parts of your heart

that you thought no one knew about?

The desire to have them know, so you'd feel less burdened...

The selfish wish that they'd still love you, even if they knew...

Can you state with certainty that you did not seek any of that

from your imaginary parents?

That would be far too idealistic, not to mention convenient.

Don't you agree?

Don't make fun of my parents, Echidna.

What?

I gave all of my answers,

and both my mom and my dad accepted them.

They told me to give it my all, and to take care.

Their voices, their smiles, and everything else

shattered what I had imagined.

My parents are too big to even fit in my puny imagination!

Don't underestimate them!

I told them everything I wanted to say.

I'm not gonna let anything you say sidetrack me.

This trial is over, in the truest sense.

I look forward to seeing how you handle the next question.

Wait, "next question"?

What does that mean? There's more than one trial?!

There are three graveyard trials in total.

You must pass all of them to set the Sanctuary free.

I'm so glad I finally got to tell you this!

Seeing you so surprised makes my heart leap.

It's already starting to disappear.

If you go outside,

you should find yourself back in the graveyard.

Hey, Echidna...

What is it? You want me to let you hit me?

You do have that right, it's true.

But I'm a girl. My face is—

Thanks.

Even if they weren't real...

Even if I didn't get to say it to my real parents...

It's thanks to you that I got to say what I wanted to say.

So...

Thanks.

You are a very intriguing human.

I just can't comprehend you.

It actually frightens me.

It's an honor to know I can frighten a witch.

Oh, yeah.

It sounded like you really want me to go through the next trial,

but I can't grant that wish for you.

Meaning?

I'm not the one who'll pass the trials and set the Sanctuary free.

Someone else is gonna grant that wish for you.

Is that so? I wonder...

Where...

Oh, right. I went through the trial.

Emilia!

Emilia?! Hey, hang in there!

Emilia! Emilia!

Subaru?

Right... I was undergoing the trial... and...

Emilia?

I-I'm... It wasn't me!

Huh?

It wasn't! And yet...

I keep telling you it wasn't me, and yet...

Hey, calm down!

Look at me, Emilia!

No! Don't look at me like that!

No! No!

It wasn't me!

It's okay! Come on, it's okay!

...me all alone...

I'm with you! I'm here!

I won't leave you alone!

It's okay!

Father...

Help me!

Puck...

Puck!

She's finally calmed down, and is resting now.

The aroma hypnosis will prevent any nightmares.

Sorry to put you through the trouble.

I didn't do it for you.

Still, the Sanctuary is even farther from being set free now.

Um, may I say something?

What's up, Otto?

It might be possible to get everyone outside the barrier

without doing the trial and freeing the Sanctuary.

Huh? What're you talkin' about?

There's no way in hell.

Just hear me out.

I know that anyone of mixed blood who touches the barrier loses consciousness.

I saw it with my own eyes.

So...

Why don't those of us

who aren't affected by the barrier carry the others through it

while they're unconscious?

I get it! That way, we could get everyone—

An amusing idea, but one you would be better off not trying.

I would rather not become an empty shell of a soul.

You're that girl from—

Ow, ow, ow!

Barusu, here's your tea.

Tea, my ass! That's hot! You're gonna burn my cheek off!

I didn't know what was going on!

So dramatic. What a pathetic excuse for a man.

Avoid making any unnecessary comments.

Ram, get me some tea, too.

It's coarse tea.

Don't you usually talk more humble-like?

I just brewed some leaves I picked up.

Show your gratitude to me for making it by drinking every last drop.

I heard you had brought in more people from outside, Young Gar.

What a noisy boy he is.

Um... And you are...

I am Ryuzu Bilma.

It is my duty, you might say, to represent this community,

though I am old and frail, as you can see.

As we can see?

So you're what they call a loli hag?

I figured I'd meet one eventually,

but you really fit the stereotype.

How dare you call me an old woman when we've only just met.

Well, no matter.

And you are Barusu... which makes you Young Su.

Young Su?

So, Ryuzu-san, what makes you say my idea won't work?

Something about an "empty shell of a soul"?

Have you not heard?

When one of mixed blood touches the barrier,

it takes away their consciousness.

More specifically, it repels their soul.

Repels their soul? Uh...

So when a mixed-blood tries to force their way through the barrier,

their soul is separated from their body,

and only their soul remains inside the barrier, leaving an empty shell, right?

Ah, you do catch on quickly.

That is the gist of it, yes.

When a body without a soul exits the barrier,

it is, in other words, dead.

Dead?

This tea's gross!

It tastes like grass!

Did you actually make it with grass?

Still, if the qualification to undergo the trial is having mixed blood,

doesn't that mean you or Garfiel could do it if you wanted to?

If we are speaking only of making the attempt, it stands to reason that we could.

But we cannot free the Sanctuary.

That is the contract that has been handed down

among us residents of the Sanctuary for generations.

Subaru?

Morning, Emilia-tan.

Did you sleep well?

Morning...

Did you stay with me all night?

I wouldn't have been able to sleep in my room, anyway.

Otto talks in his sleep, you know.

I'm sorry about yesterday.

I really lost my composure in the graveyard.

Oh, don't worry about it.

More importantly...

I-It's not like that!

What? That's funny... Why did I...

Are you finally getting assertive enough to reach out for me subconsciously?!

No, no, it's not like that at all!

I think I just wasn't thinking...

You denied that so fast! And you "weren't thinking"? Really?!

I mean...

As long as you can smile, it's all right.

You can undergo the trial again tonight.

Again... tonight...

I need to tell you something, Barusu.

Not all of the residents are in favor of setting the Sanctuary free.

What do you mean?

Only the heavy-handed people like Garf, led by Ryuzu-sama, are pushing for its freedom.

There is a conservative faction that doesn't want the Sanctuary to be freed.

There are people who don't want it set free?

The conservatives believe that having minimal interaction with outsiders is ideal.

In their opinion, destroying that will cause nothing but trouble.

I get Garfiel, but they don't even trust Ryuzu-san?

Or Frederica, either.

It was Frederica who gave Emilia-sama the glowing stone.

So you think Frederica started this whole thing?

Circumstantial evidence suggests that Frederica has some plan in mind.

As it is, Emilia-sama escaped disaster by a hair's breadth,

thanks to your noble...

your relatively noble sacrifice.

You didn't have to amend that.

I mean, I didn't sacrifice myself, so you can amend that , but...

Just be careful, Barusu.

To the ones who oppose setting the Sanctuary free,

the best way to assure they get what they want is to harm Emilia-sama.

You never know who might be your enemy.

Be alert at all times.

C'mon, Ram, join us.

The hell? You're no fun.

Do you like Ram or something?

Well, she's hot, ain't she?

Nothin' unusual about a guy bein' attracted to a strong, capable girl.

I hope it works out better this time.

We don't want a short nap for a morolok to be a whole day's sleep for the rest of us.

Is there something you want to do after getting out of the barrier?

Well, that came outta nowhere.

What do I wanna do once I'm outside?

A guy who can come and go as he pleases

wouldn't have a clue how the old hag and I feel.

What about Frederica?

Huh?

What does Frederica think about the Sanctuary?

Didn't she tell you a damn thing?

She only said she couldn't explain it to me in detail.

All she told me about you was your name,

because of some oath.

Oath, my ass.

Hah! Talk about a handy excuse.

Sounds just like her damn master.

Are you and Frederica not even that close at all?

If you're askin' whether we get along or not,

nope, we don't.

Anyway, when you were in the graveyard yesterday, didn't you—

Emilia!

I'm sorry! I... I...

...again...

I see. That is unfortunate.

Still, just learning that you cannot lose your right to undergo the trial is something.

Well? What did you call me in here without Emilia to talk about?

Just a bit of conspiracy.

I am not so big-hearted that I would invite one who cannot be trusted.

Can't be trusted? Are you talking about Emilia?

What the heck are you—

Be calm, Subaru-kun.

I would like you to continue to help and support Emilia-sama as you always have.

You don't have to ask me to do that.

But what are you going to do?

The same, naturally.

I will give my utmost to help Emilia-sama win the royal selection.

What I mean to say is that we are partners in crime.

Shouldn't you just say we're partners?

You keep contradicting yourself.

Oh? And what might that—

Quit playing dumb!

Everyone knew the Witch's Cult would start causing trouble

when Emilia's participation was announced to the public!

And what the hell were you doing?!

You hid information about the Witch's Cult from Emilia, didn't you?!

Emilia didn't know anything!

If she had, everything would've been different!

And if it had...

that wouldn't have...

You should've been there.

If you had been there, that wouldn't have happened.

If you had been protecting everyone...

But you fulfilled my role in my absence.

As a knight, your performance was commendable.

Who gives a—

Calm down, Barusu.

Ram, you're okay with all this?!

You were left behind at the mansion like a sacrificial pawn!

I condone everything that Roswaal-sama did.

No matter how I was treated, even if I was cast aside, that wouldn't change.

Then you're fine with Rem being sacrificed for a stupid reason like that?!

I don't know who you're talking about,

but the name of a stranger means nothing to me.

Why did I conceal information that I should have disclosed to Emilia-sama?

Why was I not present at the mansion

when the Witch's Cult was preparing to att*ck?

There is but one answer to all these questions.

To ensure that I would not have to confront the Witch's Cult myself,

I personally...

led these events to happen.

After all, if I had solved the problem myself,

there would be no way for Emilia-sama, nor you, to claim any credit.

It had a tremendous effect, did it not?

The attitudes of the villagers of Arlam toward Emilia-sama

are drastically different than they were before the Witch's Cult att*cked.

They now see her not as an incomprehensible relative of the witch,

but as one who contributed to saving their lives.

Do you... have any idea what you're saying?!

That's only how it looks in hindsight!

Do you know how many people d*ed because you weren't there,

and didn't tell anyone anything?!

I do express my condolences for all those on our side who were lost.

Or would you rather hear me apologize?

No! No! No! No! That's not it!

That's not what I want!

If I was still useless trash that couldn't do anything,

what would you have done?!

If none of the villagers, or Emilia, could've been saved—

I had faith...

in you.

I trusted that you would do anything in your power for Emilia-sama,

give your best effort in establishing an alliance with Crusch-sama,

put your life on the line to stop the Witch Cult's att*ck,

and that you would complete all of these tasks with excellence.

What the hell do you know about me?!

When I last saw you, I was absolute trash!

I only got a little less useless because of all that happened after that!

And no one else even has any idea what happened after that!

What made you believe in me?!

It appears tonight's conversation has reached its end.

By the way, if you tell Emilia-sama what we have discussed...

As if I could ever tell her!

Even overcome by such outrage,

deep down, you understand that all is as it should be.

That for the sake of her chances in the royal selection,

it would not do to create friction between her and myself or the villagers.

I knew you would make a fitting partner in crime for me.

I'm sorry. I failed again.

You don't have to b*at yourself up so much.

It looks like you can't lose your right to undergo the trial,

so it all just depends on your own feelings now.

My own feelings...

I can tell this has been hard on you.

But there's no point in freeing the Sanctuary if you're not the one to do it...

I think.

Think you can try again... to make that happen?

Subaru, you jerk.

Wait, why the sudden abuse?!

When you ask with such gentle eyes and words,

how could I say I can't do it?

I'm not very smart,

but I do know that this is my duty.

Don't spoil me. Just believe in me.

I mean, I know I'm probably not very convincing right now—

That's not true! I'll be waiting, and believing in you!

Good. Thank you.

But I know I'll be causing trouble for the people of Arlam.

That's the one thing I regret.

Oh, about that...

Would you mind leaving all that to me?

All right. I trust you.

I wouldn't start doubting you now, after all this.

I trust you.

Anyway, I'm impressed you were able to convince Garfiel.

It took two whole days, though.

He understands that since Emilia is already inside the barrier,

setting the people of Arlam Village free won't cause any problems.

I was sure he was the type that would never listen to what we had to say.

For a trader, you're a pretty lousy judge of character.

That's quite an old-fashioned good luck charm.

Petra gave it to me before we left.

Right after Frederica hired her as a new maid.

Frederica would never do anything mean to a new recruit.

She would never be that fiendish.

You don't need to worry about the girl.

Do you have faith in Frederica or not?

I can't tell.

I don't know what she's planning,

but Frederica is Frederica. I have no doubt about that.

Also, I have a message from Roswaal-sama.

If you're worried about having to face Frederica,

turn to Beatrice-sama.

And tell her this:

"Roswaal said to ask the question."

Question?

I don't know the details.

But when Beatrice-sama hears those words,

everything will change.

That's what Roswaal-sama said.

Subaru!

Hey.

Um... was I interrupting your conversation with Ram?

Nah, no problem.

We weren't talking about anything important.

Besides, you take priority!

That makes me really happy,

but you should give priority to the villagers right now.

Sure.

May the blessing of the spirits be with you.

Thanks for volunteering to take us as far as the barrier.

It's fine, man.

Anyway, small fry...

You went through a trial at the graveyard, didn't you?

You don't have to hide it.

I can tell.

And what's the point in asking me this?

It's simple.

You can go through the trial in Emilia-sama's place.

I can't! The precedent would—

Is it really even necessary to overcome your past?

I watched Emilia-sama go through the trial.

I saw how it broke her.

And every time, she comes back totally freaked out.

I can't stand to watch it.

I have faith that Emilia can make it through the trial.

So I—

You can expect what you want from her.

But does she really want to overcome her past?

When she cries about how scared she is, ain't that how she really feels?

How Emilia... really feels?

Does Emilia actually...

Barrier's close now.

This is as far as I can take ya.

Take this.

This is...

I'm not gonna tell you my reasons.

But if you don't come back,

we're gonna be the ones suffering.

Show it to Frederica if push comes to shove.

It's okay.

No one's here?

What's going on?

Rem... What about Rem?

Rem!

You promised, didn't you?

That you'd take good care of your bowels until we met again.