Chapter Text
“Emilila-chan! What’s going on back there?” Subaru softly spoke out, looking back at them. “Me and Otto-san were just talking about the other royal candidates!” Emilia said joyfully, her eyes gleamed happily. “Natsuki-san please don’t misinterpret Miss Emilia’s words the wrong way.” Otto sighed, knowing that Natsuki would find a way to tease him. “HAH?! The way you say it Otto makes me sound like a bad guy!”
“Subaru! Pay attention I suppose!” Beatrice wailed, scared that she could accidentally crash into a carriage. “Ahh. Sorry Beako!” Subaru chuckled at Beako, Subaru turned to Beako, seeing his spirit try to control the carriage.
“Hey Cap’t, You need to see this.” Garfield sensed something, Danger maybe? Garfield didn’t know.
“What happened? Hey Garf, can you sense something or someone?.” Subaru was worried, he didn’t want Emilia or Otto injured, nevertheless Subaru turned back to face Garfield but what he saw was a black void. “Huh.?” Suddenly a flash of white blinded them. “Subaru! What’s going on! I can’t see!” Emilia shrieked, she couldn’t see her knight or her allies.
“Natsuki-san!” Otto screamed for Natsuki but to no avail.
“Boss!” Garfield called out to Subaru but only silence fell over.
“Subaru! Where are you I suppose!” Beako called out to the void, not seeing her contractor.
Everything turned black, but suddenly Emilia was teleported somewhere. Emilia opened her eyelids.“S-subaru?” She was in a large room and in front of her was a massive black screen alongside two doors on each side(left and right). “Subaru? Where are you? I’m reallyyyyyy scared." She looked around her surroundings, but she couldn’t see Subaru. Instead, she saw Beako. “Beatrice!” Emilia ran to Beatrice “Where are we, I suppose, and Betty’s contractor.?” Beatrice had a concerned expression. “Ah.! Subaru.. I didn't see where he went. It just all went dark reallyyy fast.” Emilia didn’t know where her knight was, nor Otto or Garfield. Then a bright light impaired her vision. Everything went silent.
Soon enough the royal candidates along with their knights had teleported into the strange room with a few others. “W-what?” Emilia who was just alone with Beatrice, now had multiple people into the strange room. “Miss Emilia?” Ram whispered to herself, who was cleaning right before getting teleported along with the others including Sir Roswaal, Frederica, Petra, Otto, And Garfield.
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“WHAT THE HELL!?” A young girl with blonde hair with red eyes. “Lady Felt, please calm down.” a young man with red fiery hair and soft ocean eyes. “Reinhardt-sama? And Felt-sama too?” Emilia spoke with a shaky breath. Emilia walked over to them while Beako ran to find Subaru.
“Big sis!” Felt was ecstatic but upon seeing her, she realized something wasn’t right. ”Miss Emilia, I’m glad to see you but, Emilia, are you feeling unwell?” Emilia looked at Reinhardt with a saddened smile “N-no I’m fine it’s just that Subaru is missing.” Emilia felt scared and concerned for her knight. Soft footsteps could be heard, Reinhardt looked back to see a young girl with two curly pigtails and wearing a dress that dragged round with each step. “Betty Subaru still hasn’t been found, I suppose.”
“Big bro Subaru? Wait, he's missing.?” Felt asked with slight concern. “Miss Emilia, do you remember anything before getting teleported into this strange room?” Emilia shook her head in disagreement. “Hm, is that so?” After hearing Emilia’s response, Reinhardt became increasingly concerned for Subaru.
A sudden deafening sound came.
In the center of the room was Subaru Natsuki, unconscious.
“Subaru.?” Emilia saw her knight lifeless.
Reinhardt looked at Subaru's sleeping face. “Big bro Subaru?” Felt muttered.
“Subaru? What is going on?” Julius tightly gripped his sword, fearing for his Lady. After being teleported with the other candidates. Joshua looked around the room before his eyes landed on Julius and Anastasia. ”Julius. Calm yourself.” Anastasia whispered to Julius after seeing him get flared up.
“How boring, why am I with these commoners?” Priscilla said with boredom, looking at the people around her. “This could be interesting, Princess, let's not cause a commotion” Al spoke.
Heinkel didn’t say anything, only looking around for alcohol before spotting Reinhardt and Wilhelm.
“Hm? Oh my this is veryyy interesting. Yes truly.” A man with clown makeup said. He knew this was just the start.
“Cap’t!” Garfield after seeing his boss on the ground, he felt angry for whoever did this to him, what happened to his boss?.
“Natsuki-san?” Otto saw Subaru sleeping peacefully unbeknownst to the drama unfolding."Please wake up Natsuki-san!.” Otto looked at Natsuki-san, unharmed. Otto took a sigh, calming down after realizing that Subaru wasn’t injured.
“SUBARU!” Beatrice yelped.
She ran to him. “SUBARU!” Beako ran to her contractor, she begged that he would awaken “Subaru!” Emilia, after seeing Beako run over, couldn't help but chase after her. “
A few others felt nothing but sorrow and pity for the young maidens.
*CRACK*
A static sound boomed over the theater.
“Ah. I’m sorry, I do apologize for my late arrival.”
“Who are you?” Julius spoke coldly. He held his sword tightly, prepared to protect his Lady. Ricardo looked around for any sign of danger while the triplets made sure nobody had evil intentions.
Reinhardt instinctively defended Felt, in case of danger.
Suddenly, everyone’s weapons were taken away.
“Sorry, I cannot allow violence, fighting, or destruction in my room. Although I do realize that people are missing, so don't worry as they’re coming soon.
“I’m going to return what they stole from you.”
A bawl snapped people out of their sudden trance after hearing the voice of the random person.
“Nyah! Crusch, Is there something bothering you!?” Felix sprinted towards Crusch after hearing her howl in pain, clutching her head. “ F-ferris?” Crusch softly murmured to herself, looking at the catboy.
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A faint light appeared but left as quickly as it shined. A soft voice spoke out.
”M-miss Emilia? Ram, N-no, Sissy?” A young maiden who looked identical to Ram but with her bangs on the opposite side and both her hair and eyes being a soft blue.
“Sister?” Ram said with confusion in her voice.
Suddenly everyone who had their memories erased who knew Rem before forgetting her because of Gluttony, were now rioting in pain, clutching their heads. Rem and Crusch, who had their memories eaten, now started to remember.
“SISTER!” Rem, who now remembered her sister and her friends, ran over to her sister who was clutching her head. “R-rem? I’m remembering everything now.” Ram slowly regained all her memories along with Others and the rest of Emilia's camp and everyone who knew Rem.
“Rem is Ram’s sister? I knew both of them. Rem.” Garfield felt uncertain, dejected. He hated that he forgot about her. How did he forget her and why was Subaru the only one to remember? Frederica who saw her brother’s saddened face decided to talk to him, she knew he would blame himself for forgetting when everyone else forgot about except for the arrogant young blacked-haired man.
“Garf. I know, it’s hard for all of us who knew her.” Frederica spoke with soft tenderness, knowing if she went harsh on him, he would be beating himself up more.
“Yeah. I know but-” Garfield was cut off before he could say anymore. “Garfield-san, No one remembered, don’t push yourself for something you couldn’t control. You couldn’t have prevented it either way. But now we can speak with her and explain the situation.” Otto, who had heard the conversation, decided that Garfield was being an idiot just like another one who was currently sleeping like a child. “Thank you Otto.” Frederica murmured to Otto, thankful for Otto Butting in.
A little girl no older than fourteen, ran over to Frederica, grabbing her hand and pouting."Frederica! Why’d you leave me! Hmmp! I missed Subaru and Remrem too!.” The orange-haired girl was seemingly wearing a maid uniform along with Frederica. “Ah. Sorry Petra, I was just talking to Garfield.”
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“Miss Emilia?” Emilia hearing someone call out to her, she turned back to see the twins. “Ram, Rem ah. I’m glad that Rem is finally awake! Subaru reallyyyyy missed you!.” Emilia said with a soft smile, looking at the twins “Ah.! Really, Subaru missed me alot?” Rem blushed at that, she loved Subaru. “Barusu is a pervert,while he has been missing you, sister, He probably had wet dreams about you. What a pervert.” Ram said with utter disgust.
Emilia pouted before giggling and quickly covering her mouth, trying her best to contain her laughter.
Rem blushed further at her sister’s words. “R-rem is just glad that Subaru misses her.” Rem’s face was full blown red.
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“Miss Anastasia” Julius looked at her, worried. “Are you injured?" Julius was both concerned and skeptical about this strange room “Joshua are you also alright?.” Julius looked at his younger brother who was also teleported. “I’m fine Julius.” Joshua told him he was fine and both him and Joshua with his Lady both suddenly got teleported to this room but nevertheless he would protect her and his brother from any danger.
“Do not worry Julius I’m completely fine but I do wonder what we're doing here in this strange place, especially when Natsuki-san is unconscious and why all the other candidates are here.? I’m also wondering why this strange person put all of us here.” Anastasia was on guard now, careful to not slip carelessly. She was confused but wary of her surroundings. “Hey Julius looks like Reinhardt and his princess is here”
Ricardo spoke, turning to look at Julius before grabbing the triplets and walking away to give both of them space to talk. Julius turned to see Reinhardt and Lady Felt. “Reinhardt, I’m glad to see you here. Are you both doing alright?” Julius asked, he wanted to make sure his friend and lady Felt were doing okay.
“Hah like Reinhardt over here would ever get injured!” Felt chuckled at that, pointing her hand at Reinhardt.”Miss Felt while I can’t be injured easily, Julius is only concerned for our health.” Reinhardt looked at Felt before grabbing her hand and placing it softly at her side. “Reins you never know when to stop do you?” Felt sighed with exhaustion. “Heya you two, stay me and Reins okay? We don’t know what this place is ya? Felt muttered to the two young girls who had peach-colored hair and pink eyes were identical to each other. “Yes miss Felt! The younger sister said. “Grassis. Lower your voice.” The older sister said. “Yes Flam. “Grassis lowered her voice, making sure only her sister and Felt heard her. “Yeah, yeah it’s fine, just stay close together. Felt looked at both of them before turning back to look at the others.
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“Crusch!” Felix looked at Crusch all over, making sure she wasn’t injured or harmed in any way. Crusch quickly stopped and looked at Felix. “Ferris? Is that really you?.” Crusch looked at Felix in disbelief, she remembered her knight and those two strange men she and Rem encountered after being attacked. “Crusch, Do you have your memories back nyah!?”
Felix grabbed Crusch’s hand and cried. He missed her old self after getting her memories erased. “Thank you Ferris for taking care of me while my memories were gone.” she smiled at him.
Crusch looked at Wilhelm, now noticing he was walking towards them. “Wilhelm-sama, I’m also grateful for your assistance.” Crusch said, she stared sternly before softening her face. “Crusch-sama, you have my gratitude.” Wilhelm stood in front of her before bowing down, showing respect.
“Now that everyone remembers, I’d like to continue.”
“I have assigned your places. The assigned seats have your names imprinted on the front of the seat. If you could please kindly sit down, I promise I’ll explain everything.”
As the voice quieted down, a few people couldn’t help feeling skeptical towards this person.
“Why’d you bring us here?” Crusch spoke with dominance, silencing the room.
“Ah. The whole reason I brought you here was because I craved entertainment. Simply.”
“So you brought us here to entertain you, like jesters? Is that what your saying.?” Anastasia frowned.”
Priscilla hated entertaining other people, especially a commoner. “How utterly rude of you. You’d think we’d dance for a lowly worker like you?” Priscilla said with utter contempt. “This world is made to revolve around me!” Schult shook his head in agreement.
“Oh really? Well, you’re in my room where I control this theater. I’ve taken your weapons and I teleported everyone here including the Sword Saint.”
“Do you really think I’d allow you to leave? No, absolutely not. I’ll keep you prisoners until I’m done.
Don’t test my patience. Now. If you please could sit in the assigned seats, so we can get the ball rolling, I’d like you to patiently wait while I sort things out.”
As silence fell over the room, Emilia couldn’t help but wonder if Subaru was ever going to wake up. “Uhhm.? Voice or whoever you are, When is my knight going to wake up because we reallyyy need him to wake up.”
“My name is Host. And Subaru won’t be awake to watch as the person we are watching is none other than Subaru Natsuki.
“Barusu? Why do we need to watch the self arrogant, lovesick idiot.?”
Ram didn’t want to watch the idiot fool himself in front of others.
“Please sit in your assigned seats, I will not ask again. The person we are watching is Subaru Natsuki. In a few moments the screen will brighten and play a short video. That’s all.”
“It reallyyy seems like we are forced to do this against our will.” Emilia said uncertainly.
The people agreed with Emilia, seeing how the Host desired to make them react to this “video.”
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As people slowly found their seats, Reinhardt had just found his when he noticed that his seat was in between Subaru and Felt. He was confused as Subaru was in the Emilia camp and not the Felt camp. The top was the Priscilla camp, Under that was Anastasia, then Crusch and finally the Emilia camp which Subaru was supposed to be there but was purposely placed near Reinhardt.
He knew there was an extra seat right near Miss Emilia but still had it placed near Reinhardt, why?
“Heya Reins, something bothering you? Felt walked over after seeing him stare at above, looking at the Emilia camp.
“Lady Felt, I was merely looking.” Reinhardt was a bit skeptical about it but thought maybe it was an error. “Wait, why is big bro Subaru sitting near you? Shouldn’t he sit with big sis Emilia?” Felt asked curiously “I don’t know why Subaru is sitting with us but either way he’s supposed to be here.” Reinhardt said, pointing at the seat with Subaru’s name imprinted on the leather.
Emilia couldn’t find Subaru’s seat, not until Felt walked over “Big sis! I think me and Reins found big bro Subaru’s seat!”
“Reallyy! Where?” Emilia said with new found curiosity. She and Felt walked over to Reinhardt who was now sitting, he smiled towards before standing up.
“Miss Emilia and Lady Felt, Is Subaru with you?” Reinhardt looked back, not finding Subaru in sight. “Wait! I want to see Subaru’s seat first!” Emilia said cheerfully. Reinhardt turned to show Emilia, Subaru’s seat which was right near Reinhardt. “I’m confused? Shouldn’t Subaru sit with us?” Emilia looked at the seat which was beside Reinhardt. “Yeah.. I don’t know why but it seems he’s chosen to sit right here and since the Host keeps commanding us to sit and get ready. I don’t care but still it’s confusing.” Felt said, looking at Emilia.
“Well I’m sure there’s a reason for this! I’ll go grab and carry Subaru!” Emilia chirped.
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Subaru was being carried by Emilia, walking towards Reinhardt and Felt.
She placed him on his seat and he softly fell, lifeless like a sleeping child.
“I’ll begin the video in a few moments, I hope everyone has found their seats.”
Emilia said goodbye to Reinhardt and Felt before telling them to take care of Subaru for her.
“Don’t worry Reins over here will take care of big bro Subaru!” Felt grinned.
As Emilia walked up the stairs, her seat was right near the bratty girl who missed someone dearly.
“Betty doesn’t like this I suppose.” Beako wanted to be right near the black-haired boy, but this arrangement made it impossible. “Don’t worry Beako! Subaru is in safe hands!” Emilia tried to comfort Beatrice but it was to no avail.
The lights darkened and a faint light appeared on the large screen before it flashed in a burning flame.
“What?” Anastasia questioned the screen, seeing the burning flames.
As the flames continued, it showed homes, shops and multiple places burning to the ground.
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“Is this Luginica? N-no way.” Felt shook her head in disbelief. Reinhardt looked horrified, why wasn’t he there??”
The knights felt anger, why wasn’t anyone there to stop it?
“What the hell? This must be fake!” Ricardo screamed, “Luginica couldn’t have been burned to ashes!”
“Ricardo I’d prefer if you didn’t directly scream in my face.” Anastasia spoke, looking at him with annoyance. “Sorry Anastasia.” Ricardo scratched his head before looking back at the screen.
“Nyah, who could that be? Reinhardt maybe?” Felix wondered who it was.
“Either way we’re going to find out soon enough.” Crusch spoke, already having a feeling on who it was.
Someone was walking toward another person, as they stood a few feet away. The screen switched to Reinhardt’s face, his face was covered in soot and his eyes burned with hatred.
“Reinhardt?” Felt saw her knight’s face, filled with pure hatred.
Flames burned everything in sight but still Reinhardt did not move. The screen switched to someone walking in the flames until both of the figures met.
“Pride..” The voice spoke with agitation rising in his throat.
“Wait, nyah isn’t the sin archbishop of pride vacant?” Felix questioned the screen, can he really believe this? “Are they giving us false information? If so, for what purpose..?” Crusch narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
Reinhardt stared at the hooded man in front of him. “That’s enough.”
As memories of Reinhardt flashed through the hooded man, a soft smile was placed at his lips. “Reinhardt. Right now, I might sound like a crazy person rambling but what I’m-” As he spoke, he grabbed his cloak and yanked it off, revealing a young man with sharp eyes and black hair with blood smeared over his face.
“Subaru..?” Emilia couldn’t believe her eyes. No Subaru couldn’t be a sin archbishop.?? “Is that Betty’s Subaru? I suppose they must think this is a hilarious joke, Betty doesn’t think this is funny.” Beako glanced at the screen before looking downwards toward her sleeping contractor. “NO! SUBARU-KUN ISN’T ONE OF THOSE DISGUSTING WITCH CULTISTS!” Rem cried out. Subaru-kun was her hero, not the witch cultist who destroyed her and her sister’s life years ago. “Sister..” Ram watched as her sister silently sobbed in her arms. “Oh. Natsuki Subaru as the sin archbishop of pride.? How intriguing, yessss.” Roswaal stared at the young black-haired boy on the screen. “Natsuki-san.” Otto looked before turning to Garfield who was gripping the armrest hard enough to leave marks.
“Natsuki-san as a sin archbishop?” Anastasia murmured under her breath.
“Subaru wouldn’t be a Sin archb-.” Julius cut himself off more saying more that would question his friend. “No, this has to be mistaken.” Julius couldn’t accept this. Subaru was his friend, not those cultists.
“Wait. SUBARU?! This doesn’t make sense.!” Felix didn’t say anything else, only staring at the sleeping boy. “Ferris we mustn’t assume yet. This still might be false information.” Crusch informed Felix, none of them knew if this “Screen” was to be trusted. “Subaru-dono.” Welihem stared at the crazed man on the screen, identical to the one who helped kill the white whale alongside him.
“I’m the one who burned the whole country, the one who killed everybody. I did it all for you, Reinhardt. Reinhardt, kill me and you'll be a HERO! The one who killed the sin archbishop of PRIDE and the one who saved everyone!” As the archbishop continued speaking, Reinhardt looked at him with intense hatred and something else swirling in his heart.
“Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? WHY?? What was your purpose for this, was this your goal? TO BURN ALL OF IT TO THE GROUND!? I don’t understand...” Reinhard spoke with anger and a hint of sadness for the people who were murdered. “Reinhardt, I did this all for you. I love you Reinhardt, ever since I laid my eyes on you, I love you.” Subaru spoke with tenderness and love, yet Reinhardt didn’t feel the same, Subaru was a sin archbishop of pride, part of the witch cult. He destroyed everything.
Subaru opened his arms wide, a smile appearing. “MY NAME IS NATSUKI SUBARU REPRESENTING PRIDE!.”
“Subaru.? You say you love me but I didn’t want this. I didn’t want everyone dead or the country burning down.
Why? Why? Why? Why? Why..?
I truly hate you Subaru Natsuki..”
Subaru stared at him for a while before asking what would truly make the sword saint happy. “I did this all for you, yet you still ask. Is this not enough for you? I CAN MAKE YOU HAPPIER! REINHARDT TELL ME, WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO! HOW CAN I MAKE YOU HAPPIER, TO LOVE ME!” Subaru spoke with excitement, he hoped he could make Reinhardt happier by knowing what he wanted. “Subaru I want you to save everyone. I don’t want people dying, I want you to save everyone I love. But that can’t happen. No, not in this life.” Reinhardt didn’t want bloodshed, he wanted a happy ending where everyone was healthy and alive.
“So saving them is your wish.?” Subaru looked at him, blankly. “Yes.” Reinhardt looked back to see him. Both of them were staring at each other before Subaru grabbed a dagger from his pocket and pointed at his throat. Reinhardt chuckled, Subaru couldn’t fix what was done. “Then let me promise you one thing. I’ll make sure you’ll get your happy ending.” Subaru said. Before Reinhardt could do anything, Subaru slit his own throat, blood dripping down the knife. Blood splattered around his neck. Natsuki’s body fell limply to the ground. Reinhardt could only hope his wish could come true.
NATSUKI SUBARU DIED.
“D- did Subaru just kill himself?..” Emilia looked at the screen, seeing blood spatter everywhere. “Betty’s Subaru... H-he wouldn’t.?” Beatrice watched as she saw her contractor kill himself in front of everyone, she was horrified. “Sister, why did he do that.. Subaru-kun...” Rem, who was sobbing, stopped when she heard the sound of blood gurgling. “Why did Barusu.? No.” Ram didn’t trust this.
“Big bro Subaru.” Felt glanced at the real Subaru who was still asleep. “Heya Reinhardt, you okay? I know what we saw was really weird but don’t let it get to your head. Alright?” Felt moved her head enough to see Reinhardt staring at Subaru, He didn’t feel anger nor disgusted, just sad. Subaru died in front of him, no way the Subaru that killed himself was the real one. He knew Subaru wasn’t the type of person to do that. “Miss Felt, Rest assured I won’t let it get to me. I know Subaru wouldn’t do that.” Reinhardt spoke, resolution in his words.
“Julius, do you think this is fake? I don’t think this is real or whatever this is.” Anastasia gazed at Julius who had his mouth covered by his hand. He was gripping his hand hard enough to see the veins through the gloves he had on. “I don’t know what’s going on. Why are we watching this?” Julius relaxed a bit but he still had his guard on. He turned to see Anastasia, worried. He sighed before telling his Lady that he was perfectly fine but felt skeptical and weirded out by the situation.
“Miss Crusch do you think?” His voice shook with nervousness. What everyone witnessed was horrific. “Ferris, do you think that this is true, this video that we watched?” Crusch wanted Ferris to know that this video could possibly be fake. “Well I don’t think this is true as Subaru is still alive nyah.” Ferris knew that if Subaru were to ever get injured, he would always heal him.
“How disgusting, he’s like a dog in heat begging for even one lick! Hah!” Priscilla laughed at the stupidity he was showing. “A blind dog that only begs for someone that absolutely hates dogs will never get their love returned. That dog only has devotion and obsession, how unruly. Priscilla spoke loud enough for the others to overhear. “Princess..” Al could only sigh, he knew he couldn’t stop her once she started. “The hell..? I could really go for a drink, god.” Heinkel after seeing some kid kill himself, he was traumatized and only wanted to drink his worries until he forgot.
Emilia, overhearing what Priscilla said, decided to talk about how Subaru wasn’t the type of person to do those things and how Subaru accomplished things that no one could ever do in the last 400 years. Beatrice had joined in and also started defending Subaru.
Priscilla, hearing that they didn’t understand her meaning, disrespected them and told them how stupid or how they were such pigs they were to defend someone who just killed multiple people and horny he was for the Sword Saint.
Reinhardt, along with a few others, decided that they should stop it before it reached a dangerous level.
“I leave you guys alone for a while and I come back to arguments? You guys are like children.” Host had come back after a while of being silent.
“We are now finished with the video and continue beyond this point. There are many more to go, so you guys can take a break while I get ready for the next upcoming.
“On your left should be multiple rooms with your names on the door and on the right side, there are more rooms where you can relax and enjoy as I prepare.”
“Wait! Is Subaru going to wake up now?” Emilia said softly, she hoped her knight could be awake to watch as this was Subaru’s personal life they were watching.
“As I said before Subaru won’t be awake to watch these videos but don’t worry as Subaru will be awake at the end or arc 4(Sanctuary).”
“Arc 4? What does that mean..?” Crusch whispered to herself, She wanted to know more but seeing how Host didn’t say anything else, she knew that Host wouldn’t speak anymore about this “Arc 4”..