The morning light crept through the window, but what roused Subaru wasn't the sun—it was the sound of Rem's quiet footsteps.
"Subaru-kun, it's time to wake up," Rem said softly, her voice as gentle as ever.
Subaru groaned, the weight of exhaustion still clinging to his bones. A dried ink stain marked his cheek from last night's work—evidence of sleeplessness, mental fatigue, and sheer stubbornness.
Without a word, Rem reached out, pressing a cold cloth to his face to wipe away the ink. Subaru barely managed to pry his eyes open, too dazed to protest.
"These hands… this touch…"
But then, reality settled in. Even if he couldn't shake off the night's burden, he had to face the day.
After breakfast, Rem approached him again, her fingers laced together, gaze lowered.
"Subaru-kun... I'll be heading to the village once I finish cleaning," she murmured.
Subaru nodded.
Then—his hand lifted, brushing lightly against her hair.
That simple gesture carried more than gratitude—it was trust.
"I'll be waiting, Rem. Thank you for working."
Rem's cheeks flushed instantly. She dipped her head, avoiding his eyes as she hurried away. There were things she wanted to say—perhaps too many—but they lodged in her throat, unspoken.
Subaru returned to his room, scanning the notes, plans, and scribbles strewn across his desk.
His mind raced with ideas.
But something—no, someone—was missing.
"Emilia."
He wanted to talk to her.
He checked her room—empty.
The parlor—deserted.
The bath—silent.
"Where'd you disappear to, mili…?"
One last possibility— library?
The scent of old paper hit him as he stepped inside. A world hidden between dusty pages…
And there—
A figure seated by the window, surrounded by towers of books.
Emilia.
She had built herself a fortress of words, a history book in hand, while Puck dozed atop another volume beside her.
Subaru approached quietly.
"Mili… Mind telling me what you're up to?" His voice was light, but curiosity laced every word.
Emilia didn't look up, as if she'd been expecting him.
"When we met the nobles, I realized how much they value history, politics, and the kingdom's past. They ask questions about it, too… So I decided to learn everything."
Her tone was calm, but beneath it lay a steel focus.
If Emilia had been in Subaru's world, she'd have been the top of her class—disciplined, determined, and just a little stubborn.
Subaru eyed the stacks of books.
Page after page, piled high…
"Ugh… too many books… Good luck with your studies, Mili. I should probably go."
He turned toward the door. But the soft laugh that followed—
Emilia's voice, warm and bright—wrapped around him like sunlight.
"Behave yourself in the village, Subaruu!"
Subaru smiled. Yet the moment the door closed behind him—
That smile faded.
His eyes darkened. His gaze sharpened.
A resolve, cold and unshakable, surged within him.
"To protect that smile… I'd slaughter the entire world if I had to. This time… no one will lay a finger on the people I love."
His steps carried him toward the outer gates.
And there— Rem was waiting.
"Sorry if I kept you, Rem," he said, his voice still carrying that unshakable depth.
Rem shook her head gently. "I only just arrived myself, Subaru-kun. Let's be on our way."
They decided to share a single horse—a small but strategic choice.
This way, Subaru could ask Rem everything he'd been wondering about during the ride.
When he mounted and wrapped his arms around her waist,
Rem tensed slightly. But she said nothing. Her focus remained on the road ahead.
As they reached the village outskirts, Subaru noticed something unsettling.
The fields… were empty. Not a single crop in sight.
Cracked, parched earth stretched endlessly under the sun.
"Rem… why isn't there any farming here?"
Rem answered without turning, her tone matter-of-fact yet instructive.
"In Lugunica, only corn and wheat are typically harvested, Subaru-kun. autumn and winter… ,
nothing grows. The soil… becomes inadequate."
Subaru's gaze swept the horizon. This world was so different from his own.
Yet… perhaps just as fragile.
His frown deepened as he studied the lifeless terrain—bare soil, withered grass, trees swaying soundlessly in the distance.
But what truly caught his attention was something subtler.
"I don't think the soil itself is the problem," he muttered.
"Wheat and corn… they drain the earth dry. The land's exhausted. That's why nothing survives the colder seasons."
Rem stayed silent.
She noticed the distant look in Subaru's eyes—he was already lost in thought.
His mother…
Subaru's mother had loved tending her garden.
She'd talk to the soil, befriend the flowers. Young Subaru would sometimes help, but mostly, he'd just sit and watch. And now, her voice echoed in his mind, years later:
"Clover in autumn, beets in winter—perfect, Subaru. They yield abundantly with little nourishment.
Excellent feed for livestock… and they revive the land."
For a moment, he could smell that old garden soil—damp, fertile, alive.
His eyes stung, but he smiled. "Thanks, Mom," he whispered, words meant only for his heart.
Beets and clover.
Not just for livestock…
They were the key—to rejuvenating the earth, sustaining the cycle.
Healthier animals. Richer soil.
Bringing this knowledge to this world… It wasn't just an idea anymore. It was a mission.
"For Emilia. One more brick on her path to becoming queen."
His resolve solidified.
And the first person he needed to speak with… Was the village chief.
At the village entrance, Rem tethered the horse. Subaru stepped beside her, his voice low but earnest.
"Rem. Once you finish your errands… could you arrange a meeting with the village chief?
There's something important I need to discuss with him."
Rem tilted her head slightly, curiosity flickering across her face.
But as always, what mattered most was Subaru's wish.
"Of course, Subaru-kun," Rem replied with a warm smile.
Subaru stepped aside to wait— Only to be ambushed moments later.
A tiny army surrounded him. Four children—two girls, two boys—circled like wolves.
"Who are you?"
"Can you use daggers?"
"What's your relationship with Rem-nee?!"
"Play with us!"
Subaru's eyes widened.
He was defenseless against this energetic bombardment.
But two faces… Two faces he recognized.
Petra and Meili.
Petra's eyes sparkled with innocent curiosity.
Meili, though… was different.
A darkness lurked beneath her childlike cheer—one he knew too well.
Subaru answered their questions one by one. Awkwardly. Playfully. But… genuinely.
And before he knew it, he was roped into a game.
Winners: Petra and Meili's team.
Prize? Riding on Subaru's shoulders.
"Why do the rules always punish me?" he grumbled, but didn't protest.
He'd lost fair and square. Rules were rules.
Petra and meili sat to the side, grinning.
Then— A voice echoed in Subaru's mind. Cold. Unyielding.
"You remember that girl—Meili. Kill her… or recruit her. Someone who controls demon beasts… could be very useful."
Subaru's gaze darkened.
A dangerous glint flickered in his eyes as he stared at Meili—
She didn't notice.
But Subaru… Remembered. Rem's death. That horrific day. And the fingerprints behind it.
"This child… was connected to that."
Yet at the same time… She was just a child. Manipulated. Used.
A war raged inside him. Heart against mind. "Kill her… or save her?" But not now. Not yet. This decision… would have to wait.
Rem returned just then.
Her eyes found Subaru instantly—and softened at the sight of him with the children.
An involuntary smile tugged at her lips, warmth blooming in her chest.
The two boys sprinted to Rem's side.
Petra and Meili, however, clung to Subaru like koalas.
They refused to let go. Was it jealousy? Or just childish whimsy?
Before Subaru could ponder, Rem spoke:
"Subaru-kun, the village chief says he'll see you now. We can go."
And so, Subaru walked—
With two little girls stubbornly latched onto his shoulders.
Every step threatened his balance, yet their giggles were oddly… endearing. Their prize, as they cheerfully reminded him:
"Rules say we get to stay up here till the village border!"
Subaru's expression screamed "My soul is leaving my body."
Their synchronized "No!" when he tried to shake them off was equal parts adorable and brutal.
But he needed to talk to Meili. And this… might be his chance.
He sighed deeply. Resigned to his fate.
"Fine, fine. But the second we hit the border, you're getting down. Deal?"
Their chirped "Okay!" in unison sealed his doom. Rem walked a few steps ahead,
When they reached the village chief's house, Subaru—now slightly hunched under the weight of two giggling girls—pushed the door open.
The sight that greeted the chief:
A tall, black-haired young man with two cheerful children perched on his shoulders like mischievous sparrows.
The chief raised an eyebrow at the scene. A beat of silence—then an involuntary smile.
"Good afternoon, uncle!"
"How's your day going, Mister Chief?"
Petra and Meili erupted in synchronized cheer. Subaru tried and failed to suppress his own grin.
Rem stepped forward, her tone formal yet warm:
"Honorable Chief, this is Subaru-kun, who wishes to speak with you on an important matter.
He is Lady Emilia's... unofficially appointed knight."
The chief's gaze sharpened on Subaru before offering a polite nod.
"Ah, my apologies, Subaru-dono. Welcome. How may I assist you?"
Subaru struggled to maintain dignity with two squirming weights on his shoulders.
With great effort, he lowered the girls—only for them to immediately flank him, sitting so close he might as well have been furniture.
There was no escape.
He straightened, locking eyes with the chief. Steel entered his voice:
"In my homeland, we have tools designed to make life easier. I wish to adapt these technologies here—starting with this village."
The chief tilted his head slightly but kept his gaze assessing.
"What sort of technologies do you mean, Subaru-dono?"
Subaru's expression turned razor-focused.
The question seemed simple, but his mind was already three steps ahead.
"First, to explain properly—may I ask what trades the villagers practice?"
Petra, ever impatient, blurted out: "My mom's a seamstress!"
Subaru smiled faintly, ruffling her hair.
The girl closed her eyes, purring like a contented cat.
But Meili— Her eyes narrowed. Lips pursed. Cheeks puffed.
Subaru recognized that look instantly.
She was jealous.
The chief answered after a pause:
"Our men mostly work as seasonal farmers. Some are porters or trade with the capital.
Our women sew. We lack occupational diversity because we are a small village, Subaru-dono."
Subaru's eyes narrowed slightly at that. His gaze turned distant, mind whirring.
The conclusion was obvious:
"Then innovation is our only shortcut."
After a glance at the girls beside him, Subaru solemnly pulled folded papers from his bag—
Meticulous sketches and notes, revised yet orderly.
He slid them toward the chief.
"This village has immense potential," he said, eyes blazing with conviction.
"Starting with an agricultural plan to utilize every season."
As the chief studied the papers before him, Subaru's voice carried the weight of hard-won wisdom:
"The land lies barren in autumn and winter.
But where I come from, even these seasons hold value.
Clover in autumn, beets in winter."
He paused, his gaze drifting momentarily distant—
As if hearing his mother's voice whisper through time.
"Clover and beets... become fodder for livestock.
More animals mean more fertilizer. More fertilizer means richer soil."
A perfect cycle. Simple. Elegant. Every season, a new opportunity.
Subaru traced the plan with his fingers, speaking softly:
"Spring: Wheat.
Summer: Corn.
Autumn: Clover.
Winter: Beets."
The chief's eyes widened. But Subaru wasn't finished.
"Also... this village's flour production is severely limited." His tone wasn't suggesting—it was diagnosing.
He revealed another blueprint— A structure with sweeping sails.
"A windmill. Harnessing the wind's power. Grinding wheat and corn between turning stones.
Buy materials cheaply through traders... sell flour and crops in return."
The chief's mouth hung open.
This boy... He might as well have been an angel descended from heaven.
"B-but..." The chief struggled to compose himself.
"Do you have plans for... the seamstresses too, Subaru-dono?"
Subaru smiled.
A confident, knowing tilt of his head.
"A sewing machine. One that guides the needle, secures the fabric... Completes three hours' work in five minutes."
Silence.
The chief was speechless. Even Petra and Meili had frozen. Rem's gaze held something dangerously close to awe.
"If... if this comes to pass..." The chief took a shuddering breath. "Our village will be renowned!"
Subaru nodded. Slow. Calm. Unshakable.
The chief placed his hands over Subaru's plans. His fingers trembled slightly as they traced the lines— Words stuck in his throat.
Subaru broke the silence, his voice softer now but no less firm:
"These aren't just ideas... They're actionable plans. I'll design them. Build the sewing machine prototype myself."
The chief looked up. Something sparked in his eyes. "But materials, labor, production costs—"
Subaru raised a finger.
"The financial side is your domain, Chief. This is your village. Your people. I'm just... the spark to set it in motion."
The chief studied Subaru for a long moment— Then nodded slowly. "Very well... But without Roswaal-sama's support—"
Subaru's eyes narrowed. A smirk played at his lips.
"Leave Roswaal to me. I'll show him this project... and he won't refuse."
The chief nodded, though a trace of doubt lingered in his eyes.
But the resolve burning in Subaru's gaze wasn't that of a mere knight—
It was the fire of a leader.
Petra clung gently to Subaru's sleeve. "Can you really do this, Subaru-nii?"
Subaru closed his eyes, drew a slow breath. When they opened again— His stare was ice-clear.
"Of course, Petra. There's nothing I wouldn't do for those I love."
The chief lowered his gaze. Not as a village leader… But as a man humbled.
"It's settled, Subaru-dono. My village… will walk this path with you."
After a final discussion, Subaru stepped outside—
Immediately ambushed by Petra and Meili raising their arms in unison.
"Can we ride again~?"
Subaru sighed theatrically. This routine no longer surprised him.
Hoisting them up, he muttered: "I think my body's evolving… into a swing."
Petra giggled, squirming excitedly. Meili was quieter, but no less content.
Rem trailed a few steps behind, her expression unreadable.
Something soft yet restrained flickered in her eyes— Jealousy? Concern? Or simply adjusting to Subaru's newfound gravity.
At Petra's house, Subaru knelt to carefully lower her. "This the place?"
Petra nodded, beaming. "Thank you, Subaru-nii!" She glanced back at Meili before darting inside.
Subaru turned to Rem.
"I need to talk with Meili alone. Go ahead to the horse—I'll join you shortly."
Rem held his gaze a beat before nodding.
"Don't waste time, Subaru-kun."
Subaru carried Meili toward the treeline.
Sunlight fractured through the leaves, painting their path in fractured gold.
Then— The air shifted.
"Meili," Subaru said, voice deceptively light. "...How's Elsa?"
The girl's shoulders tensed. A microsecond of panic. Wide eyes. Trembling lips.
Subaru knelt, setting her down to meet her gaze directly.
"Subaru-nii… who's Elsa?" Her voice wavered—a poor performance.
Patience stretched thin as a razor's edge. But his fury wasn't for her.
For the system that made children into weapons.
"If that woman attacks this village again… no one will survive."
Subaru's eyes locked onto Meili's. His voice turned glacial. His face—a mask of absolute calm.
"I know who you are, Meili. What you and Elsa are trying to do here."
Meili looked away, but Subaru's voice nailed her in place.
"Call off your beasts. Or else... I'll show you and Elsa tortures beyond your worst nightmares."
The words made Meili tremble. She swayed on her feet.
Every instinct screamed to run—but the darkness radiating from Subaru…
Was a cage.
"O-okay... I'll do as you say... Just... please... leave me and my big sister alone."
Subaru's voice grew heavier.
No longer a threat— A decree.
"You'll stay here tonight. If Elsa wants revenge on me... She comes for me directly."
I won't let you touch a single soul in this village.
The voice didn't sound like Subaru's own.
Cold.
Meili managed a silent nod.
But the tear in her eye carried the weight of a thousand shattered pieces.
Then— Subaru paused.
The ice in his gaze thawed slightly.
"I know you're just being used, Meili. You're not a killer by choice. But the one pulling your strings is."
He took a knee before her.
"Saving you... Would be better than killing "
Meili said nothing. But deep in her eyes— A flicker of understanding.
She didn't want to kill. She just... wanted to be a child. To play. To laugh. To have friends.
With their pact sealed, Meili remained in the woods.
Subaru turned away.
◇
At the village outskirts, Rem waited patiently.
"Rem!" She turned at Subaru's call.
He approached with a smile, pulling a small wrapped box from his pocket—
A blue scarf for Rem.
"Thank you for today. This... is a little gift."
Rem's eyes widened. "Thank you, Subaru-kun... I'll treasure it forever."
Subaru shook his head with a soft chuckle. "I hope you Wear it this winter."
Rem carefully took the scarf.
As they rode back to the manor together… The sky seemed clearer. The wind—gentler.
By the time they arrived, the sun hung low—
Painting the sky in weary orange, clouds gilded with gold.
Rem wordlessly led the horse to the stable.
Subaru, clutching his stack of plans, headed straight for Roswaal's study.
The heavy wooden door creaked faintly as Subaru pushed it open. Roswaal sat at his desk, meticulously reviewing documents—until Subaru unceremoniously dumped the stack of blueprints before him.
"Oi," he said with exhausted nonchalance, "Run the numbers on these too."
Roswaal froze.
An eyelid twitched imperceptibly.
He hadn't fully processed the demand, but...
He felt the audacity radiating off Subaru like heat from a furnace.
Without waiting for a response, Subaru yawned theatrically and strolled out.
As the door swung shut, Roswaal's mismatched eyes scanned the schematics—
His brow furrowed. An uncharacteristic gravity settled over his features.
"This..." he murmured.
"These designs... bear the mark of another world's intellect."
Even as rough drafts, they represented a fortune in innovation.
Yet Natsuki Subaru—that unassuming boy—had tossed them down like a grocery receipt.
A chuckle escaped Roswaal's lips.
Then another. Until it crescendoed into full-blown laughter.
"Natsuki Subaru..."
"You are full of surprises."
◇
Subaru barely had time to collapse onto his bed before spotting the familiar figure at his desk.
Ram.
Book in hand, face the usual mask of stoic disapproval. The promised Lugunican History and Language lesson.
A single thought flashed through his mind: "Goddammit."
What followed needed no detailed retelling. The outcome was inevitable.
For ten minutes, Subaru fought valiantly.
For five more, his eyelids turned to lead.
By minute eighteen... he'd embarked on a voyage to the Dream Kingdom.
Ram woke him up many times.
Issued warnings. Yanked his sleeve. Even threw the notebook at his face.
But when patience finally snapped—
The textbook descended upon his skull with extreme prejudice.
Subaru sighed dreamily as he face-planted onto the desk.
"Now this... is true peace..."
Ram rolled her eyes, snapped the book shut, and stormed out without a word.
Silence... Once more, Subaru's only sanctuary.