...to give up?
Is there no other way to save...
...suppose not.
The rest is in your hands now.
I swear...
I'll save you.
Another unfamiliar ceiling.
Ow!
So they barely managed to save my life, and these scars are proof of that.
Emilia...
I guess now I owe her yet another debt.
I don't know about that.
This time, you produced results equal to the effort she invested,
so I doubt Lia will think of it as a debt.
Puck...
Good morning, Subaru.
You say I produced results equal to her efforts,
but I don't remember anything after I got nommed on by those dogs in the forest.
"Nommed on"? That's a cute way to put it.
But it was more like:
Munch, gobble, snarf, chew, chomp, snap, crunch!
Or something similar.
By the sound of that, it's a miracle I'm not dead right now.
I think I'm five or six arms short for all that.
Yeah, the blue-haired maid took most of the damage for you. She was in awful shape.
Though, thanks to her demon transformation, she heals really fast.
By the time she carried you back to the village, she had no visible injuries.
Don't give me a heart attack for no reason.
Anyway, Rem went back to the village?
And what about the kids?
Was the curse removed?
No worries there.
Betty and I took care of it, so all's well!
Your judgment was right on the mark!
Clap, clap, clap.
Has Emilia been here all night?
Yeah.
In order to heal you,
she drained her resources right down to her odo,
so you should let her sleep.
Balse, you're awake?
Ram...
Listen, uh... I mean, about Rem...
How shameless you are,
pestering others for food so soon after being gravely injured.
Maybe some dog rubbed off on you when they bit you.
How the heck does dog rub off?
Eat this.
Huh?
Sofubozu!
Delicious, isn't it?
I thought I was gonna die!
But yes, it was good!
It's freshly made. I mean...
Freshly steamed.
Why do you look so proud of yourself!?
Okay, okay.
You can have another, so quiet down and eat it.
And well... As for last night, you have my honest thanks.
Good boy.
"Good boy"? Always with the condescending tone.
Was it really something deserving of your thanks?
When a domain's people suffer any loss, its lord is held liable.
Imagine the consequences if that pack of ulgarm had further endangered those children.
Your course of action was just.
Ulgarm?
That's what those black witchfiends are called?
Yes, but don't worry about them.
I reconnected the broken barrier,
so the village is safe.
I spent the night patrolling the barrier to ensure there were no more problems.
No ulgarm should be able to cross it and enter the village.
So you can relax.
Lil' Bea?
Hey!
I heard you helped dispel the curse from the kids.
Thanks.
No big deal.
I suppose Betty only helped at Bubby's request.
But we have more important matters to discuss.
What did you bring me all the way out here to say?
In less than half a day,
I suppose you will die.
You don't look as disturbed as I expected.
I suppose I thought you'd start wailing and crying.
The curse still isn't lifted, then?
When the pack of witchfiends attacked you in the forest,
they planted another curse deep inside you.
Can I ask why this one can't be removed?
I suppose that's simple enough.
Too many curses have been placed on you, making it too complex to remove them all.
Too many curses?
When there's only one, removing it is as simple as untying a knot.
But the curses on you are a complex web of many threads,
far too tangled to undo.
All right, I get why it's too hard to undo now.
But why half a day?
After half a day, witchfiends replenish mana by activating their spells.
I suppose the curse they cast on you drains the target's mana dry.
To put it another way, you've been turned into witchfiend food.
So they attack people because they're hungry?
That's a wild animal for you. So simple-minded!
I guess we should be thankful they haven't gotten hungry before now.
You...
I suppose you aren't even afraid.
I'm giving you a countdown to the end of your life, you know.
Well, sure, I'm scared.
But I doubt you came here just to tell me I'm going to die.
I don't think you're that mean.
I suppose you're under the impression you know me.
If nothing else, I feel I've known you four times longer than I really have.
You make no sense!
But I suppose the fact is you have a very low chance of being saved now.
I can take it. Just tell me how low it is.
We're talking about a spell that makes a meal of you.
If the diner in question were to die, I suppose it's only logical that the meal would be canceled.
So that's how it is, huh?
All I have to do is kill the things that cursed me.
But there are way too many of them.
That's why Bubby hasn't told that silly girl about the curse.
Yeah, if Emilia knew, she'd definitely try to do something unreasonable.
And while that makes me really happy,
it scares me even more.
Man, the difficulty got cranked right up to Hell.
This is just plain impossible. I might as well give up—
So you're going to give up?
Is there no other way to save him?
I suppose your head must be hurting.
That isn't surprising.
I suppose not.
The rest is in your hands now.
I swear... I'll save you.
Don't tell me...
Where... is Rem?
Lil' Bea... Beatrice, where is Rem!?
If you were in her position, what do you suppose you'd do?
I can't ignore what you said just now.
Ram?
Beatrice-sama,
Rem didn't go to the forest alone, did she?
I... I have to do this alone.
No one else needs to get hurt anymore!
Why?
Why would Rem go to such lengths for me?
Hey, hold on!
Let go of me, Balse!
Right now, I'm not calm enough to be kind!
If you want to save Rem
and consider me a friend at all, hear me out!
Do you know where Rem is?
If I use my clairvoyance, I will!
Clairvoyance?
It's a power that allows me to see
what the bugs and animals on my wavelength are seeing.
Then they're like your security cameras?
Well, if we can use it to get to Rem, fine.
Next question, are you a combat maid?
What does that even mean?
It means I'm going to the forest with you.
You're coming with me?
Yeah. I'm bound to drag you down in a fight, though.
You're sadly mistaken if you expect I can fight like Rem does in her demon form.
You're twins, right?
If Rem is a demon, aren't you a demon too?
Unlike Rem, I'm hornless.
I can only use a rather extreme bit of wind magic.
Going to retrieve the younger sister
is akin to giving up on your own life.
I suppose you do understand that?
Not quite. Let me correct you there.
Forming the habit of giving up because you're used to dying is dumb.
Life is precious! You only get one!
When you guys went through so much to save mine, I realized that.
So if you don't mind, I'm going to struggle to the bitter end.
It's time to make a comeback!
I've bounced back from the terrible state I was in.
I'm a greedy guy.
And I want to see this story's continuation, with me in it.
Now, let's get moving to our grand finale!
Bring it on, Fate!
You gave a pretty heroic speech back there.
But when I see you close to becoming nothing but baggage,
it's difficult to hide my disappointment.
I'm still recovering, so my energy is spent, and I'm low on blood.
Oh, and I didn't get to hear Emilia-tan say, "Take care."
Until you say, "I'm home," last night's "Take care" is still in effect.
I-Is that how it works?
Besides, didn't you get something from someone other than Emilia-sama?
Yeah, something really awesome.
Take this.
It's the sharpest sword in the village.
Thanks, man.
We're counting on you.
Subaru!
Hey, you guys! You're up and around?
Where are you going?
Back into the forest?
Don't go back there, Subaru!
I'll be fine. Don't worry.
I'm not going anywhere.
What's the sword for?
This?
It's a thank you gift from all of us.
I wanna thank you too!
Hey!
You can have this!
And this!
Candy, a pretty stone...
And...
There was a freaking bug in there!
Damn brats, sneaking that in while I was distracted!
I'll give them a good scolding later!
It's just proof that they admire you.
I wonder what they see in a man like you.
In a child's pure eyes,
my true, manly nature shines through.
Also, I'm not the only one they like.
You could tell, right?
I suppose so.
Take this too!
Hey! Why did you put dirt in there?
Just accept it!
Ram-chi!
We also want to thank Rem-rin, so bring her later!
Promise, Ram-chi!
Balse, I'm going to use my clairvoyance.
Wait a moment.
Balse, something is watching us right now.
What?
Up there.
Where?
Don't relax yet. More are coming.
Hey! D-Don't walk off without me!
Anyway, why is it that everything under the sun loses its head around you?
I don't understand.
Because you seem so weak?
After all that hesitation, that's your conclusion?
How rude!
Then, perhaps it's because you seem like a wimp.
That doesn't change the root of what you're saying, big sis!
Hey, can I ask what that "hornless" thing you mentioned means?
Nothing special.
Just as it sounds,
it's another name for a foolish demon that lost its horn.
I got into a bit of trouble and lost my only horn.
Ever since, I've relied on Rem for everything.
I guess I shouldn't have asked, huh?
Why?
Well, I don't know how important horns are to the race you call "demons,"
but I assume it's a pretty serious problem.
I just thought asking about it might have been insensitive.
Back then was one thing, but now, it doesn't bother me.
By losing my horn, there are things I've gained and lives I've saved.
I'm sure Rem doesn't see it that way, though.
Huh?
In most cases, members of the demon race have two horns,
but twins are born with just one horn each.
That's why twins are detested.
And it's customary to dispose of them immediately after birth.
But Rem and I were allowed to live.
A demon's horns awaken its demon instincts,
allowing it to devour mana, heightening combat ability.
But if used haphazardly, the backlash can be devastating.
I don't want to see Rem like that.
Are you worried because you care for Rem?
Of course I am.
It's true that she is stronger than I am,
but that's no reason not to worry about her.
No matter the order given, she does it far better.
But I'm still her older sister.
I'll never back down on that.
Okay, I get it.
I've got a hunch.
So don't worry.
We'll bring Rem back safe and sound!
If my hunch is right, they're sure to come.
They'll be drawn here by my attempt to tell her about Return by Death.
Ram, the thing is, I can Retur—
What's that?
I made a wager that came with a bit of pain.
What did you do, Balse?
The wind is erratic, and I smell beasts growing nearer.
A lot of them, at that.
And we haven't found Rem yet!
Well, don't worry.
Something tells me we'll cross paths soon.
What makes you say that?
Because of the witch's lingering scent!
Rem's goal is to hunt down all the witchfiends, right?
The witchfiends will be drawn to the witch's scent,
and come right to me.
Then Rem will have no choice but to follow them toward me.
I call it "Operation: Natsuki Subaru is the Bait"!
Okay, I'm gonna have to rely on you to fight, so go for it.
When this is over, I'll make you look objectively at what you just said,
until you wish you were dead!
This is what I get for believing you when you said you could fight!
Well, I did fight, didn't I?
My strength just didn't hold out as long as I thought it would.
Damn it!
Crap!
D-Damn it all!
We were almost dead meat there...
If we fall, we'll both be in trouble.
Balse, can you climb up?
I'd love to make it up by sheer willpower,
but the witchfiends waiting up there are a problem—
The sharpest sword!
El Fula!
That was too close for comfort...
No kidding, Ram-sama had the timing of Buddha.
Huh? Hey, Ram?
H-Hey!
Damn it. You can't be serious.
Shit, this timing couldn't be worse...
Rem!
Thank goodness you're safe!
We're saved.
Damn it.
She can turn into a demon, but she can't control it?
Hey, Rem! My name is Natsuki Subaru!
A completely useless trainee in odd jobs...
Uh, I mean, the Roswaal mansion's most promising servant!
I've made tons of problems for you and Ram,
but we've been friends at times,
and fought at others—
Trying to beat me to death while I'm still talking is pretty rude!
Now's my chance.
Damn, I can't do it! I can't ignore her!
Take the plunge, Subaru.
Men are about guts, and women are about beauty!
So...
Quit making that scary face, and put on a smile, Rem!
I can Return by—
Her horn...
You're awake?
That should have been the perfect moment.
You have good intuition, big sis!
What about her horn?
It's the horn that's making Rem a demon.
One good, solid hit should bring her back to normal.
You're sure?
I am. I think. I hope.
How confident!
A hit to that one spot.
Doesn't it seem impossible?
Muster up some courage and put your brain to use.
Well, I do have one idea for what we could do,
but I know it'll make you mad.
If it'll bring my sister back to her senses, I won't get mad.
Really?
Absolutely.
You swear to Roscchi?
That's the most ill-advised name you could have chosen.
Yes, I swear to Roswaal-sama.
All right!
Heave...
Ho!
I choked!
I didn't have the guts for that last step!
If I let this chance slip by, I won't have another!
Smile, Rem!
Today, I'm demoniacally possessed for real!
Fanatical Methods Like a Demon
Ram's steamed potatoes were delicious!
Can you teach me how you cook them?
I guess I can make an exception just this once.
I can't get enough of that exquisite seasoning.
Put some yam, one teaspoon of salt, and water into a pot, then put it on the stove.
That's it.
That sounds pretty ordinary.
What's the secret behind it's deliciousness?
The water is special.
Oh, just like Minami Tokorozawa's natural water?!
I have no clue what you're saying, but no, that's not it.
It's not natural water, it's Roswaal-sama's leftover bath water.
Next time: Rem
Please, Barusu...
Please... save Rem.