Chapter Text
After the audience bore witness to Subaru’s triumphs and defeats, his glory, his death and agony, despair, and most importantly, his unending mercy and determination, the audience finally breathed a sigh of relief that they will no longer have to watch the death of someone they hold dear, and they celebrate and cheer for the heroic soul who was able to accomplish so much. They also have a newfound respect and appreciation for the raven haired boy from beyond the great waterfall for saving their lives at the cost of his own, even when they felt they didn’t deserve to be saved after their initial treatment of the one who simply wanted to do the right thing without any compensation or benefit. How is it possible that the mean-eyed boy can be so kind hearted and merciful, especially to those who even killed him? How is it that he is able to be flayed time and time again, only to get up and save everyone? How strong is his determination?
GREETINGS. I BELIEVE YOU ARE ALL CAUGHT UP TO NATSUKI SUBARU’S LIFE IN YOUR WORLD
“W-who are you? Where did the Warden go?” Petra asked timidly.
HE IS TEMPORARILY OUT TO TEND TO SOME OF HIS OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES
“Other responsibilities? But what about us?!” Otto exclaims in indignation.
“Green guy’s right. We finished seeing big bro’s journey, so shouldn’t we all be sent home by now? What gives?!” Felt complained in annoyance.
YES, THAT IS CORRECT. YOU HAVE SEEN THE PATH OF NATSUKI SUBARU FROM THE MOMENT HE ARRIVED IN YOUR WORLD. YOU HAVE SEEN HIS HIDDEN STRUGGLES, THE CAUSE OF HIS SUFFERING, AND LOST HISTORY OF TRAGEDIES HE PREVENTED. YOU WITNESSED HIS POWER. HIS…DETERMINATION.
Most of the audience looked down in guilt after hearing this, not catching the voice’s tone difference at the word “determination,” also not understanding the context of it. It’s true if Subaru gave up at any point, most of them wouldn’t be alive today. Emilia winced at the thought of how much the innocent boy suffered. Suffered…for her. She lightly squeezed his hand for support.
”Pardon the intrusion, but what point is there in telling us all this? I believe I speak for us all when I say we fully understand everything Sir Subaru has gone through. Especially for us.”
YOU SEE, DUTCHESS, I AM HERE TO SIMPLY OFFER YOU ALL AN OPPORTUNITY. A CHANCE TO VIEW NATSUKI SUBARU’S JOURNEY WITHIN HIS OWN HOMEWORLD, YEARS BEFORE HE WAS SENT TO YOUR OWN.
”Subaru’s journey in his homeworld?” Emilia asked innocently. She couldn’t grasp the idea of Subaru already having been on a journey of his own before they met. From everything they understood, his homeland was peaceful. What kind of “journey” did her knight experience? Whatever it was, she prayed he didn’t have to experience such extreme pain like he did for them…for her…
”How much of mineself’s time do you intend on wasting on this pointless drivel!” Priscilla voiced with annoyance. “Why should a goddess such as minself waste any more time watching the commoner’s life? Do thy believe minself should witness every moment of the dog’s foolish life?”
NOW NOW, BARIELLE. I WOULD NOT PRESENT THIS OFFER IF IT HAD NO MERIT. OR IN YOUR CASE, WE CAN SAY, “ENTERTAINMENT.”
”Ho?” The mention of entertainment seemed to peak Priscilla’s interest, hiding her expression behind her fan.
”Betty’s Subaru’s journey before he became Betty’s Subaru?” The great spirit rested her chin on her thumb in deep thought. As his contract spirit, Subaru has told her plenty about his home world, with enough details to be able to explain to others when needed during the viewings. Everything from his hobbies, the “technology” of his homeland, bedtime stories, how their world works, but he has never mentioned anything about a journey before meeting her, other than his run in with the silly half elf and that detestable assassin. “What would Betty see in this journey of his, I wonder?”
AS EXPECTED OF THE GREAT SPIRIT OF KNOWLEDGE. IF YOU WISH TO VIEW HIS JOURNEY, LETS SAY YOU WILL SEE SOMETHING VERY, VERY INTERESTING.
”Ahm in!” Anastasia shouted in excitement.
From the moment the offer was on the table, she was on board immediately. A chance to see Natsuki-kun’s homeland? A chance to see inventions from his world she could bring over to Lugunica and Kararagi and make patents for? This is exactly what she’s been waiting for! She’ll make so much money from this it’ll be disgusting! Julius noticed her excitement and smirked at the sight of his lady taking the opportunity by the horns.
”Why no-o-ot?” Roswaal said in his typical singsong fashion.
‘An entire journey in a world removed from our own? Such a sight must be rich with new knowledge. This is what you would want, isn’t it, teacher?’
”My Amazin’ self wan t’ see more of Cap’n bein awesome!” Garfiel proclaimed in excitement. This is his boss! If he can see more of his boss being cool, than he’ll be damned if he doesn’t see it! If this is in Subaru’s world, than that means he didn’t get Return by Death yet, so we won’t die again…right?
Emilia was thinking something similar. She truly didn’t want to witness Subaru dying again, but she wanted to learn as much about her knight as she could. After all, it’s her knight! As his liege, of course she would want to see more of him! Yeah, that’s it! so she decided to take the lead in her knight’s stead and get a vote. “Everyone, how do you feel about this?”
”I would love to see my hero’s journey!” Rem proclaimed with joy. Surely since this is before he received Return by Death it wouldn’t be painful. Hopefully…maybe…but it’s her beloved hero when he was a child! She HAS to see it!
Ram snorted at Emilia’s question. ”Barusu’s journey? I bet it will just be him discovering his lustful urges. It’ll be fun watching him humiliate himself” In truth, she was excited to see more of Subaru’s homeland.
“Ricardo! Mimi wants to see miniboss’s world!” Mimi bounced with excitement.
Ricardo boomed with laughter while patting her on the back “Hahaha, I don’t see why not!”
“We get to see Pal and I’s world? Sounds like it’d be a nice trip down memory lane.” proclaimed the one armed knight.
”Hmmmm, if the commoner in place of the Warden promises entertainment, then it shall be minself’s judgement to see if thy entertainment is worthwhile” Priscilla said with her usual haughty personality.
”I’d be more than happy to see Natsuki-san’s journey before he met us.”
”Ha! Big bro’s world? Yeah, I’m game!”
”if my lady wishes to see more of his world, than I shall wish the same.” Reinhard said sheepish with a hint of excitement.
”Shut up, Rein. If you want to see big bro’s world, just say so! Don’t use me as an excuse. And how many times do I have to say it: be greedy!”
“I too wish to see Subaru-dono’s world. If this foolish old man can witness a rare sight of a far away land, I would be honored.” Wilhelm tried to remain professional, however, he was ecstatic at the thought of seeing an entire adventure in a new world. New sights, new rules, new…flowers. Theresia would love to see what a new world has to offer.
Everyone else nodded with interest. The chance to see more of a new world was too enticing to ignore.
”Mr. Warden, it looks like everyone accepts your offer.” Emilia looked up and announced with a smile.
AS IT SEEMS, MISS EMILIA. EVERYONE, TAKE YOUR SEATS. THE VIEWING OF NATSUKI SUBARU’S JOURNEY THROUGH THE UNDERGROUND WILL NOW BEGIN.
”Underground?” Several people questioned