Chapter 188: Coming Back to Life
"Now can you properly explain! Why do you have the qualification to participate in the trial!"
"Garfiel."
"Old hag! Don't stop me! You saw it too, didn't you! The ruins lit up when he entered! Why does he have the qualification!"
"Uh… don't fight…"
Subaru Natsuki sat in the chair and sipped his tea lightly, completely ignoring the Garfiel opposite him, who looked like he wanted to eat him alive. After Subaru and Emilia came out of the ruins, they gathered once again in this small wooden house.
Except for the still "unconscious Emilia" and the severely injured Roswaal who couldn't get up, everyone else had already gathered here.
"You're planning to say nothing at all, huh! Do you think you can get away with saying nothing!"
Garfiel's agitated voice made Subaru sigh.
"I mean, you've been shouting and yelling all this time. How do you expect me to answer your questions?"
"Wha… You're so calm… but the princess failed!"
"So what?"
"Ah?!"
Subaru put down his teacup, looked at the puzzled Garfiel, and slowly shook his head.
"The reason I came to the Sanctuary was to check if something unexpected had happened here. Indeed, some unexpected events did occur. But these events won't put us in danger. Therefore, we still have enough time to attempt to clear the trial. What does one failure even matter? If one attempt fails, then the next one will succeed."
"Are you joking! So if you keep failing, you'll just stay here and eat for free forever? How could I possibly agree with that! You guys better be gone from here by tomorrow!"
"Impossible!"
"You—!" With Garfiel's roar and a flurry of chaos, Subaru felt his collar being gripped tightly by Garfiel, who was crouched on the table.
"Garfiel! Let him go!"
"Tch!"
Subaru lightly adjusted his collar, glanced at Garfiel angrily returning to his seat, and then gave Ram and Rem a nod of thanks.
"Subaru, you know everyone else here can leave, except for the half-blood, so why insist on staying? While I don't mind you staying, given the current food supplies, it's impossible to support a long stay here."
"Ah, I know, Ryuzu-san, but I still don't want everyone to leave and let Emilia stay here alone. That would feel like a betrayal to me. Also… I want this trial to help the village people see Emilia differently. Even if it means deceiving the villagers, I still want to do this."
Though he said this, the real reason was that he dared not take a gamble… not sure if Roswaal had another trick up his sleeve. His goal was himself! The villagers and Emilia were hostages, keeping him locked here. If he left Emilia to find another way, he couldn't guarantee Roswaal wouldn't have a contingency.
"I see… Subaru really cares about her…"
"Care? Not really. I just care about myself, after all… it's nothing."
"Oh… then can you explain why you have the qualification for the trial?"
"Hmm… maybe because I'm handsome?"
"That's impossible."
"Yes, impossible."
"You want to make me die laughing, huh?"
Subaru's eye twitched as he looked around at those who didn't hesitate to make such crushing remarks.
"Alright, honestly, I don't really know either. I've only been here for a day, and you all told me about the trial. As for why I have the qualification… I'm still thinking about it myself. If I were to say something different from you… maybe it's just because I'm from beyond the waterfall?"
"Is that so… then we won't worry about it. But Subaru, are you really going to let her continue the trial? Don't you consider taking the trial yourself?"
"Hmm? Why say that?"
"Well~"
"Because Subaru looks strong, so surely you could pass the trial."
"Though I appreciate your trust, Ryuzu-san… I'm not a strong person. The strength you see is just a disguise. I'm actually very fragile inside."
Unexpectedly, someone so openly admitted their inner fragility. Subaru really is interesting. "Then what's the real reason?"
"…Because I want Emilia to change!"
"Huh?"
Seeing everyone's confusion, Subaru gritted his teeth and spoke slowly, "She has a very great dream…."
"Huh? What nonsense are you talking about!"
"Does it sound nonsensical? Hmm… maybe. The first time I saw Emilia was in the slums. She looked beautiful and kind, and actually trusted us even though we stole from her. Later, in the royal city, I heard about her dream of becoming king.
At that time, I had a preliminary understanding of who Emilia really is, and I felt her dream was great… but in that state, she couldn't win the royal selection. This trial is an opportunity. If she passes, then change will surely happen… just like it did for me."
"…Just for that reason, you decided to deceive the villagers who trust you?"
"Uh…"
Subaru awkwardly looked at Garfiel's unamused face, unsure how to cover his lie. Fortunately, besides Garfiel, no one else showed any dissatisfaction.
"I'll apologize to them later. So now, can you please let me be a little selfish?"
"What nonsense! Why should I play along with this childish act! You better pass the trial quickly!"
"Garfiel, I agree to this matter."
"Ha!?" Garfiel glanced at Ryuzu's expression and grumbled.
"I understand. But I have a condition! If she still fails the trial after three days, then you, Subaru, must take the trial instead!"
"Thank you."
With that conversation, the day finally ended as everyone left the wooden house.
On the way back, the two walked silently, one after the other, until Subaru spoke: "Ram… do you think what I'm doing is right?"
"Hmph. How dare Barusu call Ram by name… truly untrained." Ram responded and then remained silent for a moment before continuing: "Even if you don't ask me, Barusu wouldn't think he's wrong. In that case, why ask Ram at all?"
"Uh…" Subaru's expression turned awkward as he was pierced by the truth. Indeed, his decisions wouldn't change. He only asked because the walk was too awkward. To ease the
awkwardness, he added: "Because your approval is important to me, Ram-senpai."
"…"
"Hm?"
Subaru stopped, confused, and looked back at Ram, who had stopped for some reason. Under the moonlight, her expression was unclear, but he knew she was watching him.
"Ram?"
"No matter what, Ram will support you."
"Eh?" Subaru was still stunned when he heard Ram continue: "After all, this is Roswaal-sama's instruction."
Those words made Subaru's emotions complex beyond description. In the end, he could only thank her, nod, and continue toward his residence—completely unaware that Ram's gaze hadn't left his back.
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