To say that they were surprised to wake up in a dark room filled with several other people would be an understatement.
Looking around her, Emilia called out a name, "Subaru?". For a moment, she paused, surprised at how she instinctively sought him out.
"Rem?" A shocked whisper caught her attention. Turning towards the sound, Emilia noticed the demon twins. It took her a few seconds to realize that the blue haired girl was indeed someone quite familiar to her. She was just as important to Subaru as me, she recalled.
"Sis-sis! You're here? Where is Subaru? What is going on? Did Rem-"
A feminine but authoritative voice broke through, "Rem! It's good to finally have you back!". Crusch was there as well, along with Ferris.
Sensing their confusion, Ferris explained, "I'm nyot so sure what hyappened, but Miss Crusch-ay has her memories back!"
"It appears that the other candidates and their knights are with us as well." Julius spoke up, indicating towards Anastasia, Felt, Priscila, Al and Reinhardt.
"That is quuiiiiiite a problem~"
"Lord Roswaal! Miss Beatrice! Oh, Fredericka, you returned."
Emilia looked at her necklace. There was no sign of Puck. How and why were they all here? She wished she knew. She could see some of them looking around the place, others striking up a conversation, most likely trying to figure out if they knew anything.
Suddenly, from across the room, a panel lit up. Brightening the place, everyone got a good look at each other.
Emilia wasn't sure what the others had discussed or when had they awakened, but now that she is finally aware of her surroundings and figured that no one around her looked like a threat, she decided to move towards the oddity.
A hand grabbed her before she got close to it, turning, she saw that it was Reinhardt, "I doubt that we are meant to interfere with it. It won't be of use to simply head towards danger, especially when we have no idea of what is going on."
"The knight is right. Let us discuss what we know of the situation and plan our actions accordingly."
"Miss Crusch, It is wonderful to see you back to your usual self."
As they all got together and sat down, the panel shifted and words began to float over it.
The time has come where the truth shall be revealed.
Each of you have had a part in it, what has been forgotten shall be remembered.
The anomaly can be fixed.
"What is that even supposed to mean?" Priscila commented, "Anyways, I am a fortunate one so this must be fate.".
The others just shrugged and read the last line.The knowledge one seeks can cure the suffering of one who still pushes on never satisfied with all that is given until the end is achievedThe sound of coughing and panting caught them by surprise. All of their eyes remained glued to the moving images that came on their screen.
"No... This is bad... Very bad..."
That's Subaru! Emilia realized with growing dread.
Rem must have realized it as well, for she shouted, "Subaru! We have to help him!"
"Subaru? What's wrong?
The scene shown now was different. Nothing seemed familiar to them, except for the jersey and the person wearing it.
"I see where this is going.
It's how they suck you in."
The scene shifts, showing a hand. A very familiar hand.
Emilia gasps while the others look towards her.
"Run away! Get out of here!"
"Subaru… why?" Emilia whispered, worried about the trouble he might be in.
"Ah, maybe this one instead. Nah, not natto."
"Hey, that packet looks like the grand prize Subaru gave to Petra." Emilia pointed at the chips packet he purchased, to which Beatrice nodded, "They share a resemblance, I suppose."
"Stay with me..."
"That's 363 yen." The man who probably owned the place spoke to Subaru who took out something from his pocket, "A jagged-edge ten yen coin."
After making the payment, Subaru left the shop and went outside.
"This…This is-"
"Where exactly did Natsuki Subaru say he's from?" Crusch asked Emilia.
Emilia had no idea, "We never did discuss it. He just told me that he'll never be able to return and that he's broke."
"That idiot Barusu, doesn't even give us sufficient information."
"Hang on...No matter what...
...I'm gonna save you..."
"Wh-" Emilia couldn't comprehend what she saw.
Ferris softly asked, "Is that blood?"
Subaru starts to walk away, however, an illusion suddenly stops him and he looks around, sensing something strange. "I guess spending all day holed up in the room gaming, anyone would start seeing things." He muses as he scratches his eye.
Opening his eyes, he is startled to see himself in a different place. Where the sky was once dark, it was now bright daylight.
"What's going on? I'd say I was dreaming, but this is obviously really happening. Totally not fake. So does this mean…I've been summoned across the universe to another world?!"
"Did he just say another world?" Otto asked, breaking the silence.
Ferris startled, not having noticed him being nearby, "That's nyot possible!"
"But it does explain a looooot about him, wouldn't it?"
"It would explain why he spoke the way he did back at the castle." Julius mused out loud.
Letting out a sigh, Anastasia spoke, "There is no point in making random guesses. We can continue this discussion after we gather enough information."
The screen shows a girl running on the rooftops, carrying an insignia.
"Hey! That's me!"
Reinhardt smiled, "Ah! The speed at which my lady runs! Truly marvelous!"
Emilia pouted at that, "She was running away from me because she has my insignia."
"Well, from the looks of things, I'd say this is some kind of fantasy world with a medieval-style culture. A realm where demi-humans are commonplace, and there's always a war or an adventure to go on. And in this magical world, I must've..." Subaru stopped as he heard a boy scream. "Hey! Watch out!" The rider of a transporting carriage yelled as he tried to avoid crashing into the kid.
"This is it! It's totally happening! This must be an event where I'll learn to produce magic! HA!" Subaru exclaimed as he pointed his palm out towards the kid but a knight from nearby just makes a grab, pulling the kid away to safety.
The knight raises his hands in victory while the crowd claps and cheer for him. "Well done!"
"Guess it's a little too early for me to use magic in this world."
"Stupid Barusu. It doesn't work like that."
Subaru stopped walking at a stall and sees the products available, I can't read any of this. He thinks to himself.
"That's odd." Rem hadn't realized she said those words out loud until she heard Ram agree, "Barusu was able to read and write by the time he started to work at the mansion."
"He might have learnt it before that?"
Emilia shook her head, "No, that's impossible. Subaru started working the day after I brought to the Roswaal mansion. This is clearly the day we first met, so he would have had no time to learn a new language."
"Hey, boy. Those are some weird-lookin' clothes. You're not from around here, are ya?" The seller called out to him.
Pointing at the appas, he asked, "So are these...?"
"Appas, the freshest you'll find." They could hear the thought that ran through his mind at that, at least we speak the same language. Let's see if...
He offers his money to the man, "Huh? Where's that money from? You can't use that stuff out here in Lugunica. And if that's all you got, then you're flat broke. So don't waste my time, freeloader! Get outta here!"
That answers that. Guess I'll have to stick to good old information gathering. What followed were scenes of accidents that had some of the viewers smile or laugh at.
"My hero had to overcome a lot of trials."
Priscila laughed, clearly unsympathetic to the plight of Emilia's knight.
Now sitting on a small pathway and drying his clothes, Subaru whined, "Is this how it's supposed to be? 'Cause none of it makes sense. This is a different-world summons, right?! Where's my main character set-up and status bar? Damn."
Grabing his metia, he opened it, "Tch. Looks like my cell phone still works. But there's no point in even having it now! And the gear they've started me off with is a joke! If you're gonna summon lazy-ass kids like me to your world, you'd better overhaul your crappy welfare program! Start me off with an Excalibur sword or a magic cloak!"
"Some things never change." Julius noted.
Crusch pointed out that the entire monologue barely made any sense to them, but, "He referred to his metia as a 'cell phone'. I am quite curious to see how that helped him know of the White Whale's location."
"And besides, if I were transported all this way, where's the cute girl who brought me here? Why would she do that and then bail on me?"
"I can't help but wonder if it's related to the witch's cult?" someone muttered.
Ram spoke loud enough for her sister to hear, "It would explain why Barusu smells of the witch."
Hearing footsteps, he perked up, "Yes! You're finally here! It's nice to meet you, cute girl..." only to stop as he was faced with three thieves.
"It looks like I'll be the first one to meet Subaru." Reinhardt says, recalling how he heard Subaru's cry for help. "Though now that I have seen this, I wish I were a bit quicker in reaching him."
"What are you goin' on and on about?" "If you don't wanna get hurt, cough up whatever you've got!"
"Aw, crap. It's already 'compulsory event' time." Subaru muttured.
"Move it, move it! Move it, you guys! Hurry! Outta my way!"
"Eh?!" Felt screeched in surprise. "I don't remember this."
"Yes! I knew you'd find me eventually, cute girl who summoned me!" Subaru spoke to her, making her stop.
"Hm? Summoned? I dunno what you're talkin' about, but I'm really busy! Sorry! Now live strong, okay?" And with that, she ran past them, jumping over the walls.
"Wait, what? Where are you going?!" Turning back to the thieves, he asked, "So did seeing that make you feel any less hostile by any chance?"
"Of course not. They might be more vindictive now." Crusch responded.
Beatrice spoke, "He was hoping for some leniency, I suppose. Clearly Subaru hasn't understood the situation he is in. He foolishly believes to be the hero of some fantasy world."
"Actually, it rained on our parade and made things worse."
"Of course, it did..." Calm down, Subaru Natsuki. Since ancient times, it's the rule that anyone summoned into a different world displays supernatural powers! If I just believe in myself hard enough, those powers will kick on and pave my way to future glory!
"You lumps of EXP!" He yelled as he began to attack the thieves. "That's the first time I ever hit somebody! Guess I never expected it to hurt me! But it doesn't matter. Because this world is set up so I'll be strong! My adrenaline is surging! I can do anything!"
However, at seeing the last one twirling a knife he stopped, kneeled on ground and cried, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! It was all my fault! Seriously! Forgive me! Please, spare me!"
The trio didn't hesitate in kicking him. "Play games with us, will you?! Die, scum!" "You like that?! Huh?!"
"I thought you said you helped Subaru?" Rem asked Reinhardt, looking at him angrily, "Where are you?"
Reinhardt was clearly confused as well, "I remember I got to him before they hit him. This isn't what happened."
"Maybe this is some trick? We are nyot watching a real thing you knyow."
"I don't think so Ferris. This seems quite real. Maybe you're right. However, we don't have the facts to decide if that's the case or not."
"That's enough." A girl interrupted them. With her silver hair, it was obvious who she was.
"Miss Emilia? You claimed to have never met him before the loot house."
Emilia nodded, "This is not what happened."
"And just who in the hell are you?!"
Emilia didn't reply to that, "Stop now, and I'll forgive you. If you would be so kind as to give back what you stole."
"You can't be serious."
"Please." She added, "It's very important to me. I'll turn the other cheek concerning the other belongings, but I can't let you have that. So hand it over."
"You mean you didn't come to save this kid?" They asked to be sure.
"What strange clothes he has...If you're asking me if I have any connection to him, I'd have to say no." was her honest response.
"Well, then you've got no business with us, little girl! If someone stole from you, it was that brat who just ran by!" "Yeah, what he said!" "That way! She ran that way!"
"Damn, snitches."
"Hmm..." Looking at Subaru, she noticed him nod in agreement, "Those three don't appear to be lying, so I need to go after her!" And makes a move to go, only to pause, "But regardless of that...I can't overlook what's going on here."
With that, she fired ice shard towards them.
"Magic?" Subaru weakly muttered.
"Mess with us, will you? I don't care if you can use magic, I'm gonna kill you! You think you can win when it's two against one?! Do you?!"
"Indeed. Two against one may be unfair." Suddenly, a cat appeared at her hand, "All right, then. Two against two should even things up. Meow."
"You use the spiritual arts?"Correct. Retreat now, and I won't chase you. Decide quickly. I'm in a hurry."
"You bitch! Next time I see you, I won't go easy on you!"
"Do anything to her, and I'll haunt you and your kin forever. Not that you'll have any kin
if I take care of things now." Said Puck.
Letting out a relieved sigh, Subaru spoke, "You really saved me. Thank you."
"Don't move." She suddenly told him. Seeing a girl so close to him, he blushed a bit and turned away from her.
"A-ha! You avert your eyes due to your guilty conscience. Looks like my judgment was spot-on, as always."
"You sure? I think it was just an instinctive male reaction to avoid tension or rudeness. I didn't sense any malice at all."
"That's enough out of you, Puck."
"I think Miss Emilia was being a bit harsh on Subaru there. Puck was right."
"Buggy is usually right about those things."
"Now, listen. I want you to tell me who stole my insignia."
"Uh, yeah, really sorry 'bout this, but I don't have the slightest clue to be honest with you."
"Wait!" She looked at him angrily for a moment before she realized that he was telling her the truth. "Oh no, it couldn't be! Did I really make a wrong turn, or maybe come around the long way?"
"If I were you, I'd hurry after her before she gets too far. I could help, if you..." Subaru tried to get up, only to fall down on the brink of consciousness.
"Aw" Puck cooed, "you shouldn't have tried to get up. What should we do?"
"It's none of our business. He won't die or anything. We'll just leave him as-is."
"That's cold. I didn't expect you to say that." Otto mumbled.
Ram scoffed, "She'll say that but watch her help Barusu."
"Yes, that's our Miss Emilia!"
"Really?" Puck clarified. "Yes, really."
Puck mused out loud, "You say that, but I bet you'll still help him."
"I will not!"
"Uh-huh, yeah, right."
"Absolutely not! There's no way I'm gonna save him, understand?!" Man... she's even super cute when she's mad. That's another world's fantasy for you. Were his last thoughts before everything turned black.
"Whoa, hang on. Am I on somebody's lap?" Subaru felt his head on soft fur.
"You're awake?"
"A little weird for a cute girl to be this hairy, but whatever. Wait! This can't be right!" With a yelp, he turned to face Puck who was now larger than his usual form.
"We were just trying to make you happy and comfortable until you woke up. There's no reason to get freaked out." Puck told him in a sing song voice.
"First of all, stop talking in that high voice. Nobody with half a brain would confuse a cat for the main heroine!"
"Aww, just listen to you! Seeing you so happy made turning myself bigger totally worth it!"
"I'm not happy at all!" Subaru whined.
"Buggy was having fun, I suppose."
Ram scoffed, "Of course, it is Barusu whom we are laughing at."
"I'm sorry about this. You stayed with me the whole time I was unconscious."
"Don't get the wrong idea. I only stuck around because there are some things I want to ask you. I took the time and trouble to heal your wounds for you. I also made Puck act as your pillow until you finally woke up. This was for my own benefit. But now that you're up, I need you to repay me in kind."
"Well, for such a normal favor, you're makin' it sound like I really owe you big time." He mused out loud to her.
"That's not the way I see it. Now then. You have an idea who stole my insignia, right?"
"What? Hang on, is your insignia one of those badge things that shows your social status?" He asked, trying to figure what exactly the item was.
"A rather crude description, but that's it, more or less. About this big with a jewel in the center." Emilia described.
"He really had no idea of the insignia nor of it significance."
"I'm sorry, but no matter how many times you ask, I still won't know."
"I see. I guess there's no helping that. But you've given me the information that you know nothing, and that answer was in exchange for healing you, so I'm still somewhat satisfied with how things turned out." She tried to rationalize.
"Emilia~ That sounds like a waste of time. No one will buy an excuse as lousy as that." Anastasia pointed out.
"Okay?"
"Well, I'm in quite a hurry, so I have to go. Your wounds should be better now, but I highly suggest that next time you don't do dangerous things like wander into deserted alleys alone. I'm not concerned. I'm just warning you. If anything like that happens to you again, I already know that saving you won't be of any benefit to me, so don't expect any help. Bye!"
"Sorry. She's so insincere sometimes. But don't think badly of her, okay?" Puck explained to Subaru
"Insincere, huh...
I think this goes beyond that. She was in such a hurry to find what was stolen from her, yet she stopped to help me. She even came up with that lame excuse for a favor even though I'm a total stranger.
Anyone who lives like that...is just gonna end up wasting their whole life!"
It was like a revelation to Emilia, "He understood me from the very beginning."
"Indeed." Crusch agreed. "It looks like we just witnessed the moment where Subaru Natsuki began to hold his affection for you."
"I think I understand it better now." Rem said to Emilia, "Why his feelings for you run deep."