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{3rd Pov}
There was only one reason why Subaru had been able to kill Reinhardt.
It was because, in the very moment he laid his eyes on the Dragon Sword, he instantly realized that it only contained half the essence when compared to the combined essence of the Yin Sword and the Life Sword currently in his possession.
Now, essence was not just some trivial energy. It was the very thing that determined the power, potential, and capabilities of a legendary sword. It defined their status and effectiveness in combat.
Reinhardt's sword, Reid, originally had eight times the amount of essence compared to the Yin Sword that Subaru had obtained during one of his previous timelines—before dying five separate times.
But after those repeated loops and intense experiences, Subaru had managed to amplify the power of both the Yin Sword and the Life Sword. Their essence levels had increased sixteenfold compared to what they had previously been.
Although it might sound like the swords were just sixteen times stronger in raw power, in reality, it didn't work like that. Essence didn't translate to power on a simple linear scale. Doubling the essence didn't mean doubling the strength of the weapon—it meant the weapon was exponentially more powerful.
In fact, when a weapon's essence was doubled, its strength increased by several multiples. The scaling wasn't basic—it was overwhelming.
Because of that, Subaru's currently empowered Yin Sword was dozens of times more powerful than the previous version of the Yin Sword he had initially acquired. Its strength had surpassed normal limits.
Reina's version of Reid still had more essence than either of his empowered swords individually. That meant that only by using both the Yin Sword and the Life Sword at the same time could Subaru stand a realistic chance of matching her strength in battle.
However, there was an interesting twist to all of this. According to Reina herself, Reid wasn't even that strong when it was originally created. In the old legends, it was said that the Great Sage had somehow enhanced the weapon through mysterious, unknown methods, resulting in the terrifying power it now held.
So when Subaru faced Reinhardt—who wielded a version of the Dragon Sword that was significantly weaker than the one described in the legends—he instantly knew that the man wouldn't be able to stand against his two legendary weapons if he used them properly.
His current Yin Sword alone was more than a dozen times stronger than Reid. And since Reid's strongest known attack had already reached the absolute pinnacle of what the world could handle before it started collapsing—then a weapon more powerful than that could potentially go even beyond such boundaries.
That meant it had enough destructive force to kill Reinhardt.
Permanently.
And it wasn't just about physical destruction. Subaru also had the Life Sword, which held a unique power—the capability to destroy a person's very soul. That ability could bypass, overwhelm, or outright cancel out Reinhardt's absurd resurrection ability, which would normally bring him back from death.
Adding to all this was the fact that Reina's Reid had been empowered by the Great Sage—who, as hinted in several instances, was either Subaru himself from a previous reincarnation or perhaps a future version of him who had traveled back in time. That meant that there was no one left in the world capable of enhancing Reinhardt's version of the sword anymore.
And that was exactly why the battle had been decided the moment Subaru saw Reinhardt's Dragon Sword. The moment he realized its essence was inferior, the victory had been sealed.
After defeating Reinhardt and checking on Beatrice—who had fallen unconscious during the fight—Subaru used the Authority of Greed that he had copied from Echidna. This Authority allowed him access to the memories of the world, a power he intended to use to search for Reina.
The Authority, however, had its limits. It could only be used to search for things that were connected to the user in some way, or for people and places the user had personally seen or experienced.
Luckily for Subaru, he had seen Reina before, so activating the Authority and attempting to locate her didn't present any immediate difficulties.
Subaru leaned against a tree and began resting while activating the Authority. For several hours he poured his attention into the search, diving into the world's memories and scanning through timelines—but he couldn't find her. She wasn't in the present, and he couldn't locate her in the past either, no matter how far back he went.
That's when his worst fear began to take shape. Reina was likely in a completely different timeline.
Subaru, fortunately, had learned the Yggdrasil magic back in his timeline. It was a unique kind of magic capable of traversing across timelines and dimensions. But Reina didn't have any idea about that kind of magic. She wasn't a prodigy when it came to magical talent. She was just… normal.
The thought of her being stranded alone in some unknown timeline, without anyone to guide her, protect her, or even explain what was going on—it made his stomach churn. It filled him with dread.
He wanted to find her. He wanted to bring her back. He wanted to help her, no matter what it took.
But he also knew that rushing things wouldn't help. Jumping from world to world without preparation could put him at even greater risk.
So for now, he made the logical choice. He decided to rest.
Maybe for a few days. Maybe for a full week. Whatever time it took to recover the massive amount of KI and Aura he had expended during the recent battle. He had to be at full power the next time he crossed timelines—ready for anything that might come his way.
He took out the broken remains of the Dragon Sword and stared at it for a moment. Then, he made up his mind.
He would go to Roswaal's mansion.
Thankfully, Sylphy was still around and helped him fly all the way there, sparing him the trouble of travelling on foot.
Once Subaru arrived at Roswaal's mansion and stood before the familiar library where Beatrice usually resided, he took a deep breath and stepped inside. The Great Spirit of Yin awakened within him, and the Beatrice of this timeline—the one native to this world—looked up at the unexpected intruder, clearly annoyed and confused by the sudden presence.
"And who might you be, I suppose?" she asked warily, her tone defensive and eyes narrowing with suspicion.
Before Subaru could answer, Gloria manifested beside him. The moment she appeared, Beatrice's expression shifted into surprise. She could immediately sense that Gloria wasn't an ordinary spirit—she was a Great Spirit as well. This caused Beatrice to become even more alert.
Then, one after another, Subaru's other spirits began to materialize around him. The air grew heavy with spiritual presence, and Beatrice felt the pressure, though she didn't show it outwardly.
"Beatrice, the artificial spirit created by the Witch of Greed—Echidna," Subaru said calmly, addressing her directly. The words hit hard, causing Beatrice to flinch subtly. Her wariness deepened, but at the same time, there was a flicker of curiosity and something close to hope on her face.
'Could he be that person?' she wondered silently, a mix of wonder and unease stirring within her. But then Subaru's next words completely changed the mood.
"I am Natsuki Subaru. The Great Sage from another world—another timeline—a parallel world to this one. And as proof—"
"Impossible," Beatrice said instinctively, her eyes widening in disbelief. But then her gaze fell on the unconscious Beatrice that had manifested in Subaru's hands—Betty from his timeline.
Subaru didn't argue. He simply said, "I need your help."
What followed was a series of surreal but undeniable events.
Beatrice carefully examined her unconscious alternate self, checking for any magical inconsistencies or signs of forgery. After an intense inspection, she was forced to admit that the spirit before her truly was another version of herself. Not a cheap copy, not a magical replica like Meyer, but a real, living version—something only her mother, Echidna, could have possibly created. And yet, even Echidna would've needed specific circumstances to make this possible.
Subaru didn't stop there. He provided several more pieces of evidence—details, memories, magical items, and even behavior that only the true Beatrice would recognize. Reluctantly, but with growing conviction, Beatrice of this world accepted the reality: Subaru truly came from another timeline.
Then he explained everything—how he had been thrown into this parallel world, how Betty had protected him and fallen unconscious, and how he had encountered and ultimately fought Reinhardt. He even explained how he had managed to kill him.
The shattered remains of the Dragon Sword—Reid—served as the irrefutable proof of that encounter.
After listening carefully, Beatrice, who now saw Subaru as the parallel version of her own contractor, agreed to help him. She felt a sense of responsibility and curiosity—wanting to understand more about this version of herself and the man she had once contracted with in another timeline.
Meanwhile, Subaru remained composed, processing the current situation and slowly piecing together just how badly this timeline had deteriorated.
Lugunica was on the verge of economic collapse. The death of Reinhardt had left the kingdom exposed to threats both internal and external. Their most powerful combat forces were gone.
Wilhelm, Julius, Felix, and Reinhardt—every one of them was dead. Even Heinkel, who had somehow received the Divine Protection of the Sword Saint after Reinhardt's fall, was far from being strong enough to defend the kingdom without Reid. Without the Dragon Sword, the protection meant almost nothing.
Subaru saw the situation clearly. He couldn't ignore it.
In the end, he decided to help Emilia and Ram of this world. At the very least, he wanted to prevent the complete collapse of the Kingdom and ensure that innocent people didn't die due to political chaos and lack of defense.
Which brought everything to the current moment.
Subaru wasn't interested in wasting time or talking in circles. He faced Emilia and Ram directly and explained everything in a straightforward manner—his situation, the parallel world, how he had ended up here, the events leading up to his battle with Reinhardt, and how he had killed him.
Once again, the broken Dragon Sword served as undeniable proof.
"T-This is way too much to process…" Emilia murmured, her head spinning. The sheer weight of the information, the unbelievable facts, and the pressure of the situation made it difficult for her to stay composed.
"May I ask… why are you telling us all this?" Ram spoke next. Unlike Emilia, her voice was calm and focused. She was more perceptive and wasn't simply reacting emotionally. Subaru smiled slightly, acknowledging her sharpness.
He then explained his real purpose.
He wanted them to search for Reina in the event that she appeared in this timeline in the distant future. There was a chance—a small but very real possibility—that Reina might be thrown into this world at a later time. Subaru couldn't afford to miss that chance. And since he couldn't stay here indefinitely, he needed someone to act in his stead.
He trusted Emilia.
He knew that if Reina were to arrive here—confused, alone, and vulnerable—Emilia could provide her with safety and support. Until Subaru could return, she would at least have a place and people to rely on.
"Of course," Subaru added, "in return, I will help you." His voice was firm as he looked at them.
Despite everything he had done and said, they still looked at him with cautious eyes.
"Y-You killed the Sword Saint? Why would you do that?" Emilia asked, but instead of addressing the larger implications of the situation, she clung to that single, burning question.
Subaru let out a long, frustrated sigh. His tone turned sharp. "I can't believe how naive you still are, Emilia. Just like always… You're really asking me that question?"
He stepped forward, his eyes burning with raw emotion.
"He almost killed my Betty. He hurt her. He made her cry!" Subaru's voice grew louder with each word, his anger bubbling just beneath the surface. "NO ONE—absolutely NO ONE—gets to do that and walk away."
His words hit like a thunderclap, and the intensity in his voice caused both Emilia and Ram to flinch involuntarily. There was no mistaking the seriousness in his tone. He wasn't just angry—he was furious, and every bit of that fury was justified in his eyes.
Meanwhile, the Beatrice of this timeline—Betty—stood silently nearby, having heard everything. Her heart stirred in ways she didn't expect. Despite herself, she felt a strange longing.
'If only those words were meant for me,' she thought bitterly, glancing at the unconscious Beatrice from Subaru's timeline lying peacefully on the bed.
'How lucky you are,' she thought again, a deep ache forming in her chest.
To be loved like that… to have someone who would defy the Sword Saint himself just to protect you… If someone had loved her like that, she would've devoted herself completely. No hesitation. No holding back.
Emilia, trying to regain her composure, shifted the topic. "What about the people who died in your battle? I heard a dragon was seen in Ivada. That was you, wasn't it?"
Subaru let out a loud, bitter laugh. It wasn't one of amusement, but rather disbelief. Only now did it really hit him how much his own Emilia had matured. Because compared to her, this Emilia—the one in front of him—felt like an immature child trying to play grown-up.
"You're one to talk," Subaru replied sharply, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Should I start listing your hypocrisies?"
He didn't wait for a response. Instead, he smirked and pointed a finger straight at Ram.
"That girl, along with Roswaal, was a major contributor to the Capital's destruction. Don't even try to deny it."
Ram visibly flinched. Her confident mask cracked. She closed her eyes for a moment, and a shadow of guilt crossed her face. She didn't try to argue.
Emilia turned toward her, stunned. Her voice trembled. "No way… Ram? Were you really involved in Roswaal's scheme?"
Ram opened her eyes slowly and nodded. "Yes, Lady Emilia. I am the one who secretly distributed flammable materials throughout the Capital. I followed Roswaal's orders. It was all premeditated. I am responsible for what happened."
Emilia didn't know how to respond. Her heart ached with confusion. Ram had always taken care of her, remained loyal even when others doubted her. Despite maintaining emotional distance, Ram had always been someone Emilia could rely on in times of need.
She knew how much pain Ram carried. She remembered how broken she was after losing Rem. And now this revelation…
Subaru took the silence as his cue to continue. "And next, you'll probably tell me I overreacted—overdid it—just because Betty got hurt. You'll say Reinhardt didn't mean to, that it was all a 'misunderstanding,' and that I should've spared him since Betty is still technically alive."
He smirked darkly.
"Alright then. Here's a little bombshell for you."
He turned to the small cat spirit that had been hovering protectively near Emilia.
"Puck, why don't you explain to her the clause in your contract? The one where you're supposed to destroy the entire world if Emilia were to die. And while you're at it, why don't you also confess how you sealed her memories?"
Emilia's eyes went wide, turning immediately to Puck.
"Puck… is that true?" she asked, her voice trembling. Suspicion, disbelief, and pain mingled in her expression.
Puck's eyes narrowed at Subaru, and he growled low in his throat, but Subaru didn't even blink.
"Oh, and just so you remember," Subaru added casually, "you're threatening a man who killed Reinhardt—the so-called Sword Saint—and happens to be the Great Sage from another timeline. I wouldn't test me if I were you."
"Puck… Answer me," Emilia demanded again, this time firmer. Her heart was thudding in her chest, and her hands were clenched tightly at her sides.
"I… I-I just wanted to protect you, Lia," Puck stammered, visibly distressed. "You were too fragile, too kind for this cruel world. I didn't want you to suffer… I thought sealing the painful memories would keep you safe."
But Emilia wasn't hearing excuses anymore. Her heart was breaking. The person she had trusted more than anyone, who had been with her through so much, had been lying to her all this time. Hiding the truth. Controlling her life under the guise of protection.
She didn't want to believe it. She desperately didn't want to believe it. But the truth was staring her in the face.
Puck's expression turned desperate as he looked at Subaru, almost pleading. "See what you've done?! You're trying to sow discord between me and Lia!"
Subaru scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Me? Sowing discord? No, I'm just telling the truth. You're the one who decided that protecting her meant caging her. You never let her grow. You never let her decide for herself. And let's not forget—you even lied about who killed the Sin Archbishops of Sloth and Greed. It wasn't you, was it? It was the Sin Archbishop of Pride."
Emilia staggered backward, memories flooding her mind. Images she thought had been vague illusions suddenly became clearer.
The image of Pride.
The voice.
"I love you."
Three simple words, spoken so clearly in that moment. His face, the intensity of his eyes as he charged toward her, sacrificing himself willingly—it was all coming back now. It haunted her. It shattered her.
"Lia!" Puck shouted in panic. "You're seriously going to believe this stranger over me? Over someone you've known your whole life?!"
But Emilia was no longer the naive girl Puck had tried to protect. She turned to him with a cold, unwavering gaze.
Her voice was calm, but it carried the weight of betrayal.
"Tell me, Puck… Is it true?"
"Lia! It isn't true! Why would a Sin Archbishop kill his own people?!" Puck snapped back in denial, desperation creeping into his voice.
'Yes, that's right! Why would he—'
"I love you."
"I love you."
"I love you."
"I love you… I love you… I love you… I love you… I love you… I love you…"
Like a haunting lullaby, those final words of the Sin Archbishop of Pride echoed in Emilia's mind, repeating over and over. His voice, the overwhelming intensity in those three simple words, kept replaying—burned into her soul like an irreversible curse.
Because—
"How can a man's last words be a lie?" Emilia muttered under her breath, but the room fell dead silent at her words. Everyone's eyes turned to her.
"He… the Sin Archbishop of Pride told me he loved me. He burned down the Capital. He caused so much pain… but he did it all for me. And you—Puck—I've never once seen you fight against the Witch Cult directly," she said slowly, her voice cracking with the weight of realization. "I can't take any more lies… Please, Puck… just tell me the truth."
Puck's expression crumbled as he looked into her eyes. He saw the pain, the betrayal, the confusion—and knew there was no point in hiding it anymore.
"Fine, Lia…" he said in a defeated tone. "I'll tell you everything."
And so he did.
He explained how part of the contract bound him to destroy the world if Emilia were ever to die, though he couldn't remember when he agreed to such a dangerous condition. He admitted to sealing her memories because watching her cry every night, haunted by her past, was too painful for him to endure. He had wanted to protect her in the only way he thought he could—by hiding the truth.
And finally, he confessed that Roswaal had made a deal with the Sin Archbishop of Pride, and how Puck had silently gone along with it. He never corrected the false narrative that he was the one who had slain the Archbishops of Sloth and Greed. He let Emilia believe it, let her rest easy on a bed of lies.
Each word stabbed into Emilia like a dagger. Her heart ached as the weight of betrayal sank in, each confession heavier than the last. The person she trusted most had built her reality on lies.
Suddenly, Beatrice broke the silence. "I know what Puck did was wrong… unforgivable even. But Spirits aren't humans. They don't think or feel in the exact same way. Puck really does love you, and that love twisted itself into something irrational. It made him act this way."
Emilia took a deep breath, steadying herself. Then she turned her glare to Puck. He flinched, his tail drooping and his ears folding down, sensing the full extent of her disappointment.
"I… I hate everything you've done. All the lies, the manipulation, the betrayal. But—" Emilia's voice cracked, "—you were always there. You stayed by my side. You loved me and protected me, even if it was the wrong way."
"So, I forgive you," she said at last.
Puck's eyes widened. He hadn't expected that. If anything, he had been bracing for her to scream at him—maybe even attack him.
"Lia!" he exclaimed, tears of joy forming. But before he could move closer, Emilia raised a hand to stop him.
"But listen to me, Puck. We're going to revise our contract. Starting now—no more secrets, no more manipulation. If you ever hide something from me again, I will never forgive you."
"I-I understand, Lia. I'm sorry. Truly. I promise I'll never do something like this again!" Puck responded, nodding quickly.
Just then, Subaru clapped his hands together loudly, causing everyone to jump slightly.
"Now that you've finished your little character arc," he said with a smirk, "can we finally get back to the actual reason I'm here?"
He smiled, then added, "I can see that there are still some lingering doubts about what I've told you. That's fine. Let me prove it to you, once and for all."
With a single flicker of power, he teleported them all alongside him to a desolate place—Rem's grave.
Ram froze. "It's sissy's grave, why would you—"
Her body suddenly stopped moving. Her pupils faded into nothingness. She collapsed forward as her life drained away in an instant—dead before she hit the ground.
Before Emilia or Puck could even react or comprehend what had just happened, Subaru calmly stepped forward and caught Ram in his arms.
And just like that—he resurrected her.
Ram's body jerked slightly. As her eyes flew open, a horn burst forth from her forehead, glowing with raw power. Mana surged around her like a vortex, being pulled in violently from the surrounding air. A vacuum of energy formed as her body healed itself, restoring her to a state of perfection.
She gasped loudly as she came back to life, eyes wide in disbelief.
Subaru stepped back, letting her stand on her own. He spoke again, his tone calm but firm. "I possess the ability to both kill and resurrect anyone I choose. It's a byproduct of a Authority. Anyone I bring back returns to their perfect state—stronger, faster, healthier."
Gasps of disbelief came from both Emilia and Puck, still trying to process what they had just witnessed.
"I'm going to resurrect Rem here and now," Subaru continued. "It's not just to prove myself—it's also because I need something in return. I want all of you, especially Ram, to sign a contract to serve Emilia. And if Reina ever appears in this timeline, I want you to find her, explain everything, and give her a safe place to stay. I might not be able to stay here forever. She'll need someone."
Without hesitation, Ram responded, "I agree!"
Subaru smiled. With another burst of energy, he directed his power at Rem's grave. From the skeletal remains, Rem's body slowly began to reconstruct itself. Muscle, nerves, organs, skin—all of it regenerated right before their eyes.
It was miraculous.
"Sissy!" Ram cried out, rushing to hug the unconscious Rem, tears streaming down her face. She rubbed her cheeks against Rem's, holding her like she never wanted to let go.
Her sister was alive again.
Her heart was beating.
Ram made a vow to herself in that moment—this time, no matter what happened, she would protect her sissy.
No matter the cost.
Emilia was left speechless. The raw power she had just witnessed was beyond comprehension. Even Puck could only sigh, finally understanding the depth of Subaru's capabilities.
Subaru turned to Emilia and spoke softly. "So, do you trust me now? You know… the situation I'm in right now is actually kind of similar to yours."
Emilia blinked, surprised. "What do you mean?"
"You were hated because you resembled the Witch of Envy. People saw your face and instantly feared or rejected you. And now… because I look like the Sin Archbishop of Pride, I'm being treated the same way."
He paused, then added, "Yeah, technically we are the same person in a roundabout, twisted way. But I'm also the Great Sage."
Emilia flinched, guilt washing over her as she realized how unfairly she had judged him.
"You're right," she admitted quietly. "My behavior was unworthy. Considering how you've helped me… and what you've shown me today… I apologize. Thank you for everything."
She bowed deeply, offering a genuine sign of respect and remorse.
They believed him now.
To be continued...