The carriage jolted gently along the dirt path, Patrasche moving at a steady pace under Otto's reins. The morning sun filtered through the leaves, casting shifting rays across the interior. Madara sat at the back, in the shadows, his red armor glinting faintly at times. Opposite him, Subaru lounged casually against the seat, Emilia at his side. Beside Madara, Rem rested, asleep, her peaceful face frozen in a silence no one spoke of.
Subaru, arms crossed, had been staring at him for a while already. Finally, he broke the silence, a half-smile tugging at his lips.
Subaru: Say… for a guy who looks like that, you're not very chatty.
Madara barely turned his eyes, expressionless. Subaru chuckled.
Subaru: "Seriously, that armor… back in my old world, people would think it's cosplay. You'd win the contest without even trying."
Madara: staring coldly at him. I wear this armor because it has stayed with me longer than anyone else. It is not a costume.
Subaru blinked, a little unsettled. Emilia watched him, intrigued. A silence lingered before Madara added:
Madara:I smile… in my mind.
"This boy tries to fill his emptiness with noise."
Emilia muffled a small laugh, Subaru sighed and crossed his arms again.
Subaru: Alright… I get it. The mysterious type wants to keep his aura. Fine by me.
The rest of the trip passed in an almost heavy calm, broken only by the sound of Patrasche's hooves and the faint creak of the wheels.
The carriage moved at Patrasche's steady pace, the road stretching out in dusty lines. Otto kept his eyes on the path, while inside, the air felt heavier. Madara sat still, watching the hills roll by through the window. To his right, Rem slept, her breathing calm and steady, as if untouched by time.
His gaze lingered on her.
Madara: This girl… with blue hair. She has been asleep for a long time.
Subaru stiffened slightly, turning his eyes away to the outside.
Subaru: Yeah… it's complicated. Let's just say she's been… forgotten by almost everyone.
Emilia turned her head, attentive.
Madara: You know her?
"To be forgotten is to lose even the worth of a corpse."
She stayed silent for a moment, searching for her words.
Emilia: No… I forgot her. But her resemblance to Ram is obvious, so… I don't doubt who she is.
A silence followed. Wanting to lighten the mood, Emilia spoke again with a gentle smile.
Emilia: What if we talked a little about you? You don't say much.
Madara looked at her, as if weighing the usefulness of answering. Finally, he spoke, his voice low but clear.
Madara: I come from a distant land. I had to flee… then reach the capital. I worked there for a time. Now, I'm heading to the Sanctuary.
He paused briefly, his eyes drifting into emptiness.
Madara: A man told me that place might hold answers to my questions.
Emilia: Answers… Everyone searches for them, but few dare to truly find them.
She paused, her violet eyes probing Madara.
Emilia: You don't talk much… but every word sounds calculated. It's not shyness. It's something else.
Madara stared at her for a moment, his silence heavier than words. Emilia held his gaze, refusing to look away.
Emilia: I'll be honest. I don't know if I can trust you. After all, you appeared at the Karsten mansion like a shadow, and now you walk with us without anyone knowing who you really are.
Subaru raised an eyebrow, surprised by her firmer tone.
Madara: Trust is a weapon. Too many give it away carelessly. You're right to doubt.
Emilia: Then… I'd like you to make me a promise.
Madara stared, not replying immediately. Subaru's eyes widened beside her.
Subaru: A promise? Seriously? Emilia, do you really think he—
Emilia interrupted him gently but firmly.
Emilia: Yes. A promise. That no matter your reasons, you won't be a threat to those traveling with us.
A silence followed. Patrasche's hooves echoed like a heartbeat in the still air. Madara did not avert his gaze.
Madara: A promise…
"Promises are chains. They break when they rust.
He closed his eyes for a second, then reopened them, his tone sharp as a blade.
Madara: As long as no one here stands against me, none of you will have to fear my hand.
"They take my words for oaths. I see them as disposable weapons."
Emilia watched him, lips slightly parted. It wasn't the gentle promise she hoped for, but it was a promise nonetheless. She inclined her head, accepting with gravity.
Emilia: …That's enough for me.
Emilia: ? But to travel this far alone, you must know how to fight.
Madara stared at her for a few seconds, then his eyes slowly lowered.
Madara: In my land, only one man ever managed to defeat me.
He raised his head slightly, his tone filling with cold certainty.
Madara: Today… he must no longer be of this world.
His gaze slid toward Subaru, locking eyes with him.
Madara: I fear no one.
Subaru blinked, startled by the declaration, then looked away with a nervous laugh.
Subaru: Well… guess you're not the type to hide behind others.
Madara did not respond, preferring to sink back into silence. Emilia, however, remained thoughtful, studying that harsh face marked by a strange mix of confidence and something unfathomable.
The carriage rolled on, lulled by the steady rhythm of hooves and creaking wood. The scenery passed, but the weight of Madara's words lingered in the air.
The carriage stopped with a soft crunch of gravel. Emilia stepped out first, her steps firm on the path leading to the mansion. Behind her, Subaru carried Rem on his back, his face closed but resolute. Otto followed, dragging slightly, while Madara brought up the rear, silent, his eyes sweeping over the imposing building.
Emilia: Do you think someone will open for us?
Subaru: Wouldn't surprise me… Beatrice must be curious about me leaving. He gave a half-amused smile.
Emilia raised her hand and knocked twice on the heavy door. A few seconds later, it opened, revealing a tall woman, taller even than Madara, towering over Subaru, Emilia, and Otto. An immaculate maid's outfit hugged her slender figure. Her blonde hair framed a face marked by a radiant smile, revealing sharp canines.
???: Welcome back, Lady Emilia.
Subaru stared at her in surprise.
Subaru: Wait… you know her?
Emilia: She used to work here. Ram must have called her back before leaving… to replace Rem.
Silence fell for a moment. Subaru averted his eyes, unconsciously tightening his grip on the sleeping girl. Without another word, the group stepped inside, the door closing behind them.
The hall, bathed in soft light, seemed unchanged. The maid — Frederica — offered them another smile before bowing.
Frederica: Please wait here, I'll prepare some tea.
Emilia: And also a room for our two guests.
Frederica nodded, her quiet steps fading down the corridor, while the familiar scent of the mansion wrapped around them.
Madara remained standing, his gaze sweeping the woodwork of the hall. He finally turned toward Emilia.
Madara: You too, you're a royal candidate… This home feels a little empty compared to Karsten's. Fewer people, fewer servants.
Emilia didn't seem offended.
Emilia: Yes… My protector, Roswaal, is a bit… unusual, let's say. We receive few visitors, and our servants are exceptional. We don't need more.
Madara nodded slowly.
Madara: I see. I don't mind… Calm suits me better than crowds.
"Calm is a façade. Empty halls betray empty power."
He paused, then continued.
Madara: So, your protector is a magician?
Emilia raised her brows slightly.
Emilia: You know about magic? Roswaal is probably one of the greatest magicians in the kingdom.
Madara: I can cast a few spells…" He didn't elaborate.
Subaru seized the chance with an ironic smile.
Subaru: Ah, so you're opening up a little! That's reassuring. Me, I'm pretty lousy with magic."
Madara: That doesn't surprise me." His tone was mocking, almost amused.
Otto chuckled quietly behind them.
Madara: So, Emilia… Subaru is still your knight?
The half-elf looked embarrassed.
Emilia: Ah… how should I put it… It's a little more complicated. But… how do you know? Hardly anyone does.
Madara: At the capital, during the ceremony, he declared himself a knight in front of all the nobles.
Subaru turned his eyes away, a little ashamed.
Subaru: But you, I didn't see you… Who are you really? A spy?
Madara: At events like that… I'm forced to attend, aren't I? By any means necessary. It helps me understand this world.
No one answered. His words hung in the air, strangely opaque.
Soft footsteps announced Frederica's return. She carried a tea tray, setting the cups before them with a polite smile. The discussion paused, replaced by the warm, sweet fragrance spreading through the room.
Frederica arranged the cups with precision, pouring amber liquid that released a gentle, almost floral aroma. Emilia thanked her with a nod, while Subaru blew on the steaming surface before taking a sip. Otto, sitting a little aside, took the chance to settle comfortably.
Madara watched the scene without hurry. The fine porcelain, the faint sound of liquid being poured… These details weren't things he often encountered. His eyes wandered over the hall — the tall columns, the slightly faded paintings. The mansion exuded restraint, far from the ostentation he had seen elsewhere.
He brought the cup to his lips, tasting the tea. A gentle warmth spread through his throat. For a moment, his thoughts drifted away from the road, the Sanctuary, the unfamiliar faces.
Emilia spoke softly with Subaru, their exchange light, almost companionable. Otto remained attentive, as if trying to catch every word. Madara simply listened, without stepping in.
He had no need to fill the silence. He knew that moments of calm were sometimes worth more than a hundred questions.
Subaru set his cup down with a soft click.
Subaru: Alright… I'm going to see Beatrice in the forbidden library. Maybe she'll finally give me an answer… or maybe she'll reject me again.
Madara raised an eyebrow slightly, intrigued by the word.
Madara: A forbidden library? That piques my curiosity… may I accompany you?
Subaru gave a sheepish, almost apologetic smile.
Subaru: Sorry, but… Beako doesn't like strangers much. She barely puts up with me…
Madara nodded slowly, as if he had expected the refusal.
Madara: I understand. In that case, may I walk in the courtyard?
Emilia, who had listened quietly, nodded right away.
Emilia: Of course. Just be careful not to wander too far.
Madara rose without haste, adjusting his cloak.
Madara: I'll find my way back.
He crossed the hall, his steps echoing softly on the polished floor, before disappearing through the main door. Behind him, Subaru was already heading for the stairs, determined, while Emilia observed quietly, thoughtful.
Outside, the cool air welcomed him, and Madara breathed deeply. Now, he only had to see what this place was hiding.