The next day, along the narrow forest path, the sounds of constant nagging and impatience echoed intermittently. This time Subaru Natsuki did not let Betty sama trail behind secretly; she followed him openly.
"Remember, when I tell you to act, do exactly that. Do not hesitate at all, and use your strongest attack," Subaru kept barking instructions as they walked.
While Rem was completely bewildered, Subaru continued his relentless chatter.
"So annoying, you are like a buzzing insect," Betty's small face darkened, her cone-shaped ponytail swinging as she covered her ears repeatedly.
At this point she felt Subaru was like a mosquito buzzing non–stop beside her ear.
Seeing Betty's unwavering calm attitude, Subaru's eyelids twitched, feeling like this plan was going to collapse. He really shouldn't have trusted this person.
The three walked side by side, and after a time on the tree-lined trail, the village came into view.
Crack…
Suddenly a bolt of golden lightning split the air, and time around them seemed to slow.
Rem's short hair fluttered, Subaru was still mid–sentence, and only Betty's expression changed to shock. At the same instant a magic circle spread rapidly beneath her feet, forming an unbreakable protective barrier around her.
"Great Might Heavenly Dragon."
Subaru only heard a thunderous roar before a massive divine dragon surged forward, its power shattering the atmosphere. The surrounding forest vanished in a burst of raw force, and the earth buckled and collapsed like unstable clay.
"Suicide."
The defensive barrier was torn apart, and within the head of that divine dragon Subaru saw a child, no older than seven or eight.
As the boy spoke, Subaru's face drained of color. Paralyzed with fear, he reflexively drew the small knife he carried for emergencies and slashed it across his own neck.
Blood sprayed like a scarlet fountain. Subaru stood mute and fell to the ground, staining the earth deep red.
With Subaru decisively dealt with, Lucien Graves vanished in a streak of golden lightning without the slightest hesitation.
Betty and Rem were left staring in stunned silence.
"Subaru Natsuki."
Before he died, all Subaru could hear were Rem and Betty's shouts.
He had not expected this pervert to attack outside the village, completely defying all logic. The strike had been swift and merciless, without hesitation.
At Roswaal's Mansion, Subaru opened his eyes, staring at the ceiling with exhaustion and helplessness clouding his gaze. The opponent was simply too powerful, and this time they had even struck outside the village.
He still could not process what had happened.
Curled up on the bed, Subaru no longer knew what to do. He had died nine times already, and he still had not even seen the opponent's true face.
He stayed like that until Emilia entered the room.
Looking at Emilia's gentle smile, Subaru felt a warmth spread through his chest.
"Emilia, don't let Rem go to the village tomorrow," Subaru murmured.
"What is wrong?" Emilia asked, concern softening her voice.
"The village is dangerous."
"What kind of danger? Is it a magical beast?" Emilia tilted her head slightly.
"I don't know if it is a beast, but it is very dangerous," Subaru said. "Neither you nor Rem should go near the village."
"Why does Subaru know that?" Emilia wondered aloud.
"I…" Subaru opened his mouth, then fell silent.
"Although I do not understand why Subaru feels this way, I will warn Rem," Emilia said kindly.
"Emilia."
Seeing Emilia respond with such understanding, Subaru's heart nearly melted.
The next day, thanks to Emilia's warning, Rem did not go to the village. But she barely looked in Subaru's direction the entire day.
Meanwhile Lucien Graves, watching from afar just outside the mansion barrier, was not in a good mood. He could feel Roswaal's protective barrier pulsing with energy.
Lucien was not rushed; on the contrary, he was patient. He did not believe Subaru and company could hide behind the mansion barrier forever.
On the third day, Ram stepped out of the mansion. There was clearly something happening inside; even though Rem did not go out, Ram alone was enough.
Lucien did not reveal his true form. Instead, he transformed into a boy no older than seven or eight and waited for Ram along the narrow path.
Their encounter appeared entirely ordinary. With a cheerful greeting and the words I deeply love you, only Ram's maid outfit and white over–the–knee stockings remained on the small path, carried off by the wind.
Originally Lucien had prepared to face Betty or even Roswaal next. But events unfolded unusually smoothly.
As the sun set, red clouds stained the sky in an almost dreamy haze. Night fell completely and the Milky Way appeared overhead in brilliant splendor.
"Has Ram not returned yet?"
Emilia stood at the mansion gate, gazing in the direction of the village.
"My sister hasn't returned yet," Rem said, voice calm but with hidden worry.
Subaru, who stood beside her, was silent. He did not know when Ram had left. In truth he was already afraid of the world outside the mansion, beginning to shrink away from it.
"Maybe something happened. Rem should go find sister," Emilia suggested after a long pause.
After waiting another hour, Rem could no longer stay calm.
"I will go with you," Emilia added, a trace of unease in her eyes. Letting Rem go out alone late at night felt unsafe.
"You cannot go outside," Subaru said, clenching his fists and blocking their path.
"Move."
Rem looked at Subaru unhappily but stepped around him as she left.
"Subaru, don't worry, we will be back soon," Emilia said warmly and followed Rem.
Subaru watched them walk away, his right hand rising then falling powerlessly.
"Roswaal," Subaru whispered, holding his head. He could not simply watch Emilia walk into danger.
Betty was no longer reliable, so only Roswaal remained.
Meanwhile Emilia and Rem, walking toward the village, spotted an abandoned maid outfit lying on the path.
"These are sister's clothes," Rem's face turned pale as she grasped the garments — both the dress and the undergarments were there, but Ram was nowhere in sight.
Panic flickered in both their hearts.
At that moment footsteps sounded from the nearby woods. An eight or nine–year–old boy appeared.
"Are you adults from the mansion?" the boy asked.
Lucien's appearance seemed harmless. He walked onto the path and looked at Rem holding the clothes, while Emilia stood nearby worried. Only Puck frowned slightly, sensing unease.
"Um, have you seen someone wearing these clothes? About this tall," Emilia gestured.
"Yes, I have!" Lucien nodded and stepped in front of Emilia, blinking his large innocent eyes, looking extremely cute.
"Then could you tell me?" Emilia crouched down without guard at Lucien's beckoning.
"Emilia, get away quickly!"
From a distance Subaru ran toward them, face horrified, roaring.
Puff…
But it was too late. A small hand pierced through Emilia's chest.
"Liya."
Puck's body surged with magic, conjuring a powerful whirlwind that ravaged the surroundings. Lucien held Emilia by the neck with one hand, and with a foot breaking the sound barrier, he forcefully resisted Puck.
The earth around them split as Lucien retreated and floated in the air, the hand that had pierced Emilia's chest now splitting into two sharp-toothed mouths, relentlessly absorbing life energy.
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