Stop trying
to put on a tough front around your friends,
Natsuki Subaru!
Your head is just a big, jumbled mess,
and you don't know what to do, right?
You keep getting into situations where you have to reach out and help,
but both your arms and your head are too weak to reach far enough,
so you end up just wasting time frantically flailing around, right?
Do you hear me?
If you hear me, say something!
What the hell was that for?!
You finally lost your temper,
but you forgot to pay attention to your footing.
That just sums you up perfectly, doesn't it?
Pathetic.
Oh, is that right?!
That's really all the strength you have.
Putting on a tough act for a girl you love is fine.
And you can play tough for a girl who likes you, too.
No one would object to that.
But that's as far as it goes!
You know you're not good enough, don't you?
You know you can't reach, don't you?
You want to look good for the girl you like, don't you?!
You want to be someone the girl who likes you can be proud of, don't you?!
Then why don't you just accept someone's help?!
Someone like...
a friend!
I did rely on someone else.
I asked for help.
But it didn't work.
Maybe...
But I don't recall ever hearing you ask for my help.
N-No, I mean...
My head is just full of knots.
It's full of stuff you wouldn't believe even if I told you.
I don't even know how to start...
Just start talking. I'll listen until you finish.
But if I do that—
Didn't I just tell you not to put on that tough act?!
If you have time to overcomplicate everything in your head,
then just spit it all out!
Easy for you to say, but I—
Spit out all of those knots!
And when you're done, just tell me to believe you!
Because I'm your friend, all right?
You might not believe me, but...
Roswaal!
Let's make a bet,
with my wish and yours on the line!
I certainly did not expect to see you again in this life.
This will be our last showdown.
I'm going to save the Sanctuary and the mansion in this loop,
whatever it takes.
And I'll bust up every damn one of your plans!
You want to start over now, when you have me in check,
and leave behind the one and only power you have?
Being able to start over and being able to save them are two different things.
Both you and I were too arrogant.
This power I have isn't even that useful.
If you say this is the last time,
what is it you want from me?
My demand is simple.
If I save both the Sanctuary and the mansion,
you will throw that book away and come with me.
I'm going to make Emilia the new ruler,
and I need your help to do it.
Don't be ridiculous.
That suggestion is absolutely warped.
Do you think you would forgive what I—
If this was about forgiving you,
there's no way in hell I'd ever do that.
But that's for my own heart to worry about.
Nothing deadly has happened yet.
So if I can solve this... Get it?
How can an idea be so convenient?
Hey, I love convenient ideas!
Emilia's gonna do her best to become the next ruler,
and I'll be by her side to congratulate her.
I want you to be part of the crowd we'll have around her.
Just so you know, it'll be mandatory.
You expect to fulfill your desire without letting go of anything?
Not only that, but you say my involvement is necessary
and insist on including me in the foundation for the future?
You are aware, are you not, Subaru-kun?
Of what?
Of the sheer greed of that solution.
Your enemy has become the strongest card in play.
That's still not enough for you?
No matter how you fight it,
you cannot break through this.
With Emilia-sama unable to stand, the barrier will remain.
The Sanctuary will be covered in snow,
and the mansion will sink into a bloody tragedy.
Yeah. Should make the sight of you crying all the better.
I see. You are right.
It isn't a bad idea to lay some groundwork for the next me.
So can I take that to mean you agree to the bet?
Well, now that that's settled, I can get started.
Subaru-kun...
The snow in the Sanctuary and the attack on the mansion begin in three days.
Do try your hardest to fight it... and fail miserably.
Say what you want.
Roswaal, put the clown makeup back on, okay? You're throwing me off my stride.
As two clowns at the mercy of fate,
let's fight this out fair and square.
How goes the conspiracy you're plotting with your friend?
What about you?
Have you accepted what Roswaal's doing?
There's only one thing I value above all else.
There's no way that will ever change. Never.
So don't bother waiting for me to change my mind.
Never say never.
Be quiet.
You're putting your hopes in Emilia-sama?
Yes, I am, and I believe in her.
Emilia-sama hasn't figured out why she's been struggling.
Until she does, the same thing will just keep happening.
We've already strayed from what's written in the book.
Roswaal is free now!
She actually gave me advice...
Does she like me, too?
You're still talking like that?
If she hears you, she'll be furious.
Since Ram-san is working with the margrave,
doesn't that make you enemies?
Ram's my enemy?
Well, now I can see how deeply you trust Ram-san.
And? What happened with the margrave himself?
Everything's set.
The bet is officially on.
That's good to hear.
Of course, I don't think he's ever lost at anything before,
so I had no doubt he would agree.
And next is...
Garfiel, yeah.
But first, can I just check into one thing?
All right. I'll continue with my part of the plan as discussed.
And as for Emilia-sama...
That's one thing I can't rely on your help with.
Or maybe I should say my own help...
I haven't even scratched the surface of what's hurting her.
I guess I was just scared, after all.
That's for sure.
Don't try to play innocent.
Hey, man!
So are you prepared to scratch the surface of what's hurting her?
Well, I'm prepared to ask her if I can.
Unlike Garfiel, I don't have to worry about dying.
I'm not sure if I should laugh at that or not.
Anyway, I guess you're one to take bets that are stacked against you, huh?
I suppose so.
But taking on a bet without even considering my odds of winning?
That's a first for me.
I thought I'd find you here, Ryuzu-san.
You talk like someone who already knows me remarkably well.
I'd say you're right. I know just about everything.
I even know what your goal is here.
Then I suppose the one Young Ros was waiting for was you.
Yeah, sorry. That whole thing's been called off.
Huh?
Anyway, I'm in the middle of a huge face-off with Roswaal now.
I want it to end in a result that's good for everyone,
which is why I want your help.
Why not use your Authority as an apostle to demand my assistance?
I don't want to rely on that kind of Authority.
I came here to talk to you.
Young men are so quick to put on a tough front.
And? What is it you are arguing over?
In simple terms, I guess I'd say a way to liberate the Sanctuary.
I know you're opposed to liberating it, though.
I am opposed to liberating the Sanctuary?
Huh? Wait, you're not opposed to it?
Seriously?! You're kidding! Then why did you...
Still, I cannot say that your suspicions are entirely wild.
What is your opinion of Young Gar?
I think... there's no avoiding a clash with him.
I see.
But...
But whether or not we can be friends once that's over is yet to be seen.
And to help me make that decision,
I want to know more about him.
You are quite skilled at deceiving the elderly, Young Su.
You asked the witch about me, did you not?
About the copies of Ryuzu Meyer,
and perhaps about the purpose of creating them.
She told me about the immortality experiment
and that you Ryuzus were the successful cases for it.
To this day, I protect and supervise the crystal that creates the copies.
The four of us alternate in bearing the role of supervisor.
I did hear about the "first four."
So the other three besides you...
My name is Natsuki Subaru.
What's your name, Ryuzu-san?
My name is Ryuzu Arma.
I am one of the first four copies.
Arma?
I am Ryuzu Bilma.
The first Ryuzu-san I met called herself "Bilma."
I never meant to hide anything from Ryuzu-san...
But why go through so much hassle?
Our bodies are not made of flesh and blood.
They are made of artificial od clothed in mana.
All activity we engage in consumes the mana,
and continuous activity for a full day is impossible.
Oh, so you're like the spirits.
That's why you've been alternating between the four of you.
But... are you okay with that?
You are so kind, Young Su.
However, one of the first four, Ryuzu Shima, is an exception.
Ryuzu Shima?
I will tell no one what you told me.
I swear it on the name of Ryuzu Shima.
About ten years ago, she caused a problem.
She was then removed from the role of supervisor,
and now lives in the forest with the other copies.
For that reason, three of us fulfill the supervisor role now.
What problem did she cause?
She violated the contract with the witch who created us
by entering the graveyard...
to bring back Young Gar
when he broke the rules to attempt the trial and did not return.
I have not seen Shima since she was stripped of her duty,
but it would be no surprise
if Young Gar has been meeting with Shima, with whom he shares memories that we do not.
Memories that you three don't have?
I refer to the past that Young Gar saw in the graveyard trial.
Are you aware of Young Gar's family situation?
Yeah, I know Frederica is his sister from a different father,
and since she has less non-human blood,
she left the Sanctuary ten years ago.
Why did you leave the Sanctuary?
I suppose I wanted to create
an opportunity for the people of the Sanctuary
to leave it once the barrier was broken.
I wanted to make a place for them.
At least, that's what she said.
Wait, did the past that Garfiel saw involve the time she left?
No, what he saw was most likely
the moment when Young Gar and Fred were left behind
by their mother when she left the Sanctuary.
That foolish, pitiful Garfiel
fears the outside world.
So the reason he's against liberating the Sanctuary
is out of bitterness toward his mother for abandoning him and choosing the outside?
The boy refers to himself as Garfiel Tinzel.
That is his mother's family name.
I believe he goes by that name so that he won't forget her.
Whether it was out of anger or sadness
is most likely known only to him and Shima.
Emilia-tan?
Huh?
Subaru?
What're you doing down there, Emilia-tan?
You'll get your butt dirty.
Um... I'm a restless sleeper.
I'm sorry... I lied.
The truth is, I couldn't get to sleep.
But don't worry. I'll be sure to get plenty of sleep by tonight.
It's almost noon, though.
You're talking about sleeping until nightfall?
That's very slothful of you, Emilia-tan.
The way you said that...
just gives me a really weird feeling.
Really, Subaru, you're so mean.
Thank you.
Emilia, do you feel up to telling me what you saw during the trial?
I won't claim that talking about it will make you feel better.
But if you tell me, we can worry about it together.
I don't know if I can be of any help...
but would you give me the right to fight the same enemies you fight?
Subaru...
Subaru, you have so much faith in me...
The...
The past I saw...
was a memory from before I went to sleep, I think.
I never told you that I was frozen in ice for a long time, did I?
Frozen in... ice?
I was frozen in the forest for a long time.
Until Puck found me and got me out,
I had been sleeping within the ice for a long, long time.
How long?
Since I was... six or seven years old, maybe?
We all lived in the forest together before it froze, I think.
You think?
I don't remember much from before that happened.
What about your family?
My family wasn't in the forest.
But there was someone who was like a mother to me...
Huh?
Wait, why...
My... mother?
Calm down. Take it slow.
What happened to all of them?
The same... as me.
They were frozen in ice.
I lived in the forest,
waiting with Puck for all of them to wake up.
But that day never came.
So... I left the forest
and joined in the royal selection.
Huh?
What does the forest have to do with the royal selection?
Roswaal promised me...
If you succeed in taking the throne,
perhaps I can thaw the ice that encases this forest.
Does that make you think less of me?
All the other candidates are participating with solid goals and resolutions,
but my reason is so, so personal.
Is that the "selfish reason" you were talking about?
There's nothing bad about wanting to save the people you care about.
Whether it's a lot of people or just a few doesn't make it less noble.
Yeah...
Thank you... so much.
Emilia?
Do the memories that Emilia can't recall
hold some clue to getting through the trial?
Maybe Emilia can't remember,
but if I ask someone who does...
I'm sorry, Emilia.
Ow!
You didn't have to go that far, did you?!
Oh, I don't know...
Your love seems like the needy type,
so I'm a little scared to let you stay beside Lia.
Should I erase you?
Don't say that like it's no big deal!
Anyway, Emilia-tan's really sad
since her family-member-slash-pet ran off.
I didn't exactly run off.
I've always been inside her.
It was good of you to call me, though.
That made me happy, Subaru.
Emilia!
Did you have another scary dream?
Puck?!
Thank goodness! Where have you been?
I was so worried!
Don't disappear like that again!
Puck?
Do I look a little smaller than usual?
I guess my limit came up faster than I thought.
Of course, I was consciously trying to break our contract,
so I guess it makes sense that I'd lose my greatest strengths as a spirit.
Break... our contract?
Wh-What are you saying?
I've been by your side all this time.
I couldn't tell you only for my own personal reasons,
and because of your own problems.
But from now on...
Huh?
No... What?! W-Wait, please!
Th-This is terrible, Puck!
The stone... The stone you reside in...
I'm sorry, Lia.
I wish I could explain everything, but there's no time.
As much as it pains me,
I'm entrusting you to the one whose love for you is second only to mine.
What... are you saying?
There's no one... There's no one who...
Lia...
I'm breaking the contract between you and me.
I really am sorry this turned out so one-sided.
Once I'm gone, the seal on your memories will be lifted.
Remembering them will probably make you very sad.
You might want to cry more than you do right now.
Emilia...
I love you so, so much.
No...
Yes, that's good.
Lia...
I love you more than anyone in the world.
Emilia-sama fell unconscious?
Yeah, the spirit user's spirit left her.
If it drives her so nuts that she misses the trial,
what good is she to us?
Do not say that.
This is a matter of the heart, so it makes me sad for her.
Incidentally, Young Gar, about Young Su...
The dude who's covered in miasma?
Indeed. I do know what I said before,
but he does not appear to have any connection with the witch.
I dunno about that.
Get yourself to bed, you doddering old hag.
"A rudy that stays up all night will regret having short legs," ya know.
Emilia, are you okay?
Yeah.
I'm sure... I will be.
I want to believe I'll be just fine by morning.
A-Anyway, just don't fret over it too much!
If there's anything I can do...
Well, I don't have much to offer, but whatever I have is yours.
Emilia?
Hold my hand.
Will you stay here until morning?
If you do...
I think I can...
I'm sorry.
Please...
If this is what you want, that's easy.
Once it's morning... once tomorrow comes, you'll be fine.
I believe in you.
Yeah.
Emilia!
I'm sorry, Emilia. I'm so sorry.
All the people who told you that kind lie, that they wanted to protect you...
Please don't hate them.
Emilia, I love you so much.
Mother Fortuna, you liar.
Puck, you liar.
And Subaru... you liar.
Emilia-sama!
Did you find her?
No.
Emilia-sama!
Ram, what's goin' on here?
Garf...
Do you know where Emilia-sama went?
What?
Emilia-sama has disappeared.
We've all split up to search for her.
All right. I'll start lookin' around here.
Hey, old hag! You awake?
Someone might come by lookin' for the princess.
You better go—
Old hag?! Old hag!
Somethin' doesn't feel right.
Old hag! You in here?!
Not here, either.
No way. Did they...
Old hag?!
I'm truly sorry to disappoint you...
But a friend asked for my help.
I realize it's only a small role, but I've set out to play it.
You...
In truth, I had planned to talk things over with you here.
Talk things over?
Yes, I wanted to talk to you with Ryuzu...
that is, with Shima-san in attendance.
But I really wasn't expecting what happened with Emilia-sama.
That said, all kinds of conspiratorial plans were already laid out.
So now that the host of the banquet is away,
how would you like to play the host instead?
...wanted to protect you...
I'm so sorry.
Please don't hate them.
Emilia...
All the people who told you that kind lie...
I'm sorry.
I love you so much.
Oh, good. I finally found you.
Subaru?
So, let's talk,
Emilia-tan.