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{3rd Pov}
"Umu, so now our task is to revive a potentially deceased Great Spirit of Earth?" Agni asked, her tone half-curious, half-concerned.
"Not dead… just unconscious," Subaru corrected her calmly.
"He will likely need to absorb a significant amount of mana before regaining full consciousness," Beatrice remarked, her eyes focused on Subaru as she cradled Geuse's glintstone delicately in her hands.
"There are two crucial objectives we need to accomplish," Subaru continued after a moment of silence. "First, we must dissolve the contract between Emilia and Puck. Only then can she begin to recover her lost memories."
He paused briefly before continuing, "Secondly, we must awaken the slumbering Great Spirit residing within this glintstone. He was like a father to Emilia. His presence is important for her emotional balance and stability."
"Only then," Subaru added with a heavy sigh, "can I even begin to imagine Emilia successfully overcoming the Sanctuary trials."
"My liege, why don't you simply use the Life Sword and bring an end to this farce? I don't see any benefit in helping Lady Emilia" Reina asked bluntly, clearly unimpressed with the ongoing efforts to support the Half-Elf. Her words cut through the air like a blade, mercilessly targeting Emilia.
Subaru didn't flinch. "Reina, a true friend helps another grow. They don't step in to solve every problem like an overprotective caretaker. This is Emilia's trial. If she cannot overcome it on her own, then perhaps she should give up on her dream of becoming the queen." His voice was firm and his words blunt.
Even Subaru knew how childish current Emilia was to be a ruler, she needed to grow and Subaru will be the one to become from a useless half-elf to a regal queen.
Reina said nothing and then slowly nodded, acknowledging the hard truth Subaru had spoken, though she didn't seem to care about it much.
"I am a Spirit of Earth," Gaea said thoughtfully, her gaze now fixated on the glowing glintstone. "Should I try lending him some of my mana?"
"Are you an idiot?" Beatrice snapped instantly, her tone sharp with concern. "That could cause regression in your spiritual form!"
Gaea said nothing more. She definetly enjoyed her sentient existence and wasn't keen on risking it, especially since she was used to inhabiting Subaru's soul—a place she found extremely comfortable.
"Maybe I should try," Subaru said, stepping forward with a plan. "Let's see if I can wake him with some of my other abilities."
With that, everyone grew quiet, eyes fixed on Subaru as he sat down, holding the glintstone firmly in his hands. He gently reached out with his psychic abilities, allowing his consciousness to make contact with the dormant spirit within.
He entered the mental plane of the glintstone, softly nudging at the Great Spirit's sleeping consciousness.
Moments later, the spirit began to stir. Within the ethereal mindscape, the Great Spirit of Earth slowly opened his eyes and, upon seeing Subaru, immediately called out, "Master!"
"Huh?" Subaru blinked, startled, wondering if he had fucked up Geuse's mind somehow.
"Master Flugel… is that you?" Geuse asked again, tears welling up in his eyes, overflowing with emotion.
Subaru's eyes widened as realization dawned. 'So this is yet another clue... pointing toward me possibly being the Great Sage himself,' he thought.
"I'm sorry… but I'm not Flugel," Subaru replied quietly.
"I… I see. I mistook you for someone else." Geuse's expression shifted into deep sorrow. He could now clearly see that Subaru's hair and eye color were different, and his youthful face was not the same as Flugel's.
"W-Wait a moment… I remember… I killed her! I remember everything!" Geuse gasped, his voice trembling as a flood of terrible memories returned—memories of killing Fortuna, and being manipulated by Pandora into committing unspeakable atrocities.
"Geuse, I know your mind has been torn apart by guilt and despair for far too long. Pandora used you, twisted you… But you have to stay strong," Subaru said, moving to his side and placing a comforting hand on the spirit's back.
"I-I killed Fortuna. I almost harmed Emilia! I am nothing but a monster!" Geuse sobbed, regaining his sanity but collapsing under the weight of his remorse.
"No! Geuse, it wasn't your fault! You were manipulated—controlled! You are a victim too, not the true perpetrator!" Subaru said with unwavering conviction.
"R-Really? But what I've done… it's beyond forgiveness! I murdered Fortuna… How can I ever face Emilia again?"
"Geuse!" Subaru said firmly. "Emilia needs you now more than ever. To her, you are a father. She's alone, frightened, and lost in her own mind. She blames herself for everything, even for things that were never her doing. You are the one who can help her find her way back."
"She's just like you," Subaru continued, his voice softening. "Burdened by guilt, haunted by what she believes were her failures. But none of it was truly her fault. Her memories were stolen. Her suffering, like yours, was orchestrated by Pandora."
Geuse's eyes widened in horror and rage. "Pandora… That wretched manipulator! How dare she use Emilia like that?!", he quickly understood the meaning behind Subaru's words.
"There are mistakes in this world that could never be forgiven," Subaru said, his voice now somber. "However, the mistakes you and Emilia made weren't your intention, in fact it was far from it. You were manipulated, you both were forced, you tried to protect them... everyone, unfortunately for you the foe you faced was extremely strong."
"You did your best," Subaru finished.
Geuse broke down once more, sobbing uncontrollably. Subaru stayed by his side, offering silent support as the Great Spirit vented years of pain and sorrow.
Eventually, Geuse's tears slowed, and he straightened his posture.
"Thank you," he whispered. "I will no longer run. I will face my sins. I will atone. And most importantly… I will help Emilia."
"That's good to hear," Subaru said, nodding. "Can you manifest physically? Can you come out?"
"I am still lacking in mana… If only I could regain some, I might be able to," Geuse admitted, clenching his fists in frustration.
Without hesitation, Subaru channeled his Aura—an ethereal, healing energy—through his hands and into the glintstone. Eyes closed in deep concentration, he guided the soothing waves of spiritual energy directly into Geuse's fragmented spirit.
The healing began to take effect. Spiritual scars faded, and vitality flowed back into the dormant Great Spirit.
Moments later, Subaru's eyes opened as he withdrew his consciousness. The glintstone in his hands began to glow brightly.
With a sudden flash, the spiritual form of Geuse materialized in front of the group.
"Geuse," Beatrice whispered softly, her voice tinged with emotion.
"Miss Betty," Geuse said, his voice heavy with nostalgia and reverence as he turned to look at her. Then, he turned to Subaru and bowed deeply.
"Thank you… for giving me this second chance."
The Great Spirit of Earth had awakened—ready to fulfill his purpose once more.
To be continued...
(A/N: Had to proofread this chap...*Sigh* So yeah now Emilia's second father is here, man she has three fathers if we think like this...
If it was hentai, you can already see the past...
Anyway, we dropped to 4... Let's see if you will get three bonus chap by the end of the week or not)