Chapter 58: The End
Puck watched as Subaru slowly shifted his body and leaned against the corpses of several magical beasts.
He looked toward Rem's direction.
Even though Puck had already arrived and could have declared Subaru safe, Subaru still hadn't loosened his grip on his bloodstained sword.
Puck's eyes narrowed slightly.
Subaru was covered in numerous wounds; his own blood mixed with that of the beasts almost covered his entire body.
Though he had clearly reached his limit, there was no sleepiness or fatigue in his gaze.
He looked exactly like a battle-hardened warrior who would never give up.
Although his abilities were weak and the beasts he had slain weren't particularly strong, Subaru could indeed be called a warrior.
Puck thought that with some training, Subaru might one day become a powerful warrior.
Then, perhaps, Puck could entrust Emilia to him without worry.
Pulling his gaze away, Puck looked toward Rem.
The previous attack hadn't wiped out all the beasts.
Puck was very powerful—powerful enough to freeze this entire forest—but his magic was his greatest weakness...
But that wasn't really a problem.
Handling this kind of situation wasn't difficult.
That said, there was one priority: Subaru looked like he could still hold on, but that was just a façade.
If one nerve snapped, he would fall unconscious and likely die from his injuries.
So the beasts could be dealt with later.
First, they needed to deal with Rem's situation and then have the now-sober Rem take Subaru for treatment.
After that, the forest could be thoroughly cleansed!
Having made up his mind, Puck launched an attack on the crazed Rem.
To wake her, he needed to hit the horn on her forehead or knock her unconscious with a beating.
There was much to do, so the easier choice was to target the horn.
"Alright, little girl, can you please stand still now? Otherwise, I might not be able to hold back," Puck warned.
Icicles flew continuously toward Rem, who sensed the danger and started to resist.
Their battle began—Puck kept attacking with icicles while Rem dodged.
Occasionally, beasts nearby got caught in the crossfire and died.
Subaru, mustering his remaining strength, watched their fight.
He silently admired their overwhelming combat skills, which dwarfed his own.
The sight relaxed his mind, but his vision began to blur as his body temperature slowly dropped.
He wanted to see how things would turn out, but human limits were human limits, and this was his end.
His consciousness faded, his head drooping.
Noticing Subaru's slowing breath, Puck realized there was no time to waste and stopped holding back.
"Sorry, little girl, I have to get serious now. Otherwise, my friend might not last much longer. Although I promised Subaru not to harm you, small injuries don't count as harm. I have to make you suffer a bit for my friend's sake!"
Puck's attacks grew fiercer, even casually killing the beasts nearby.
Even the ones that had suddenly grown from puppy-like forms to larger beasts were swiftly killed by Puck.
Rem, driven by instinct alone, dodged the attacks and instinctively moved toward Subaru.
In her eyes, Puck didn't even exist; she only focused on Subaru, who lay unconscious among the corpses.
A hateful aura radiated from Subaru's body—Rem's instinct was to kill him.
She could ignore Puck's attacks and kept closing in on Subaru.
After dodging for a long time, Rem finally attacked.
She sent a flail flying toward Subaru under her control. But this move only enraged Puck.
He blocked the flail with an ice shield and his expression turned cold and dangerous.
"The game is over. You should be grateful," Puck declared.
Suddenly, Rem found herself unable to move.
That brief moment of distraction allowed Puck's attack to land solidly on her horn.
Watching Rem lose consciousness, Puck wiped the sweat from his brow.
He had almost lost control and killed her outright.
Fortunately, he stopped himself in time. With the problem resolved, Puck floated over to Subaru and used his power to lift him up.
Though unconscious, Subaru still clutched his sword tightly—his only weapon.
Just as Puck prepared to take Rem away as well, he saw Ram running toward them and abandoned the idea.
"I'll leave your little sister in your hands. I'm taking Subaru away first."
Before Ram could respond, Puck and Subaru flew off through the air.
Ram hurried to Rem's side, checked her condition, and found her mostly unharmed.
Then she carried Rem toward the village.
For a long time after, no beasts appeared in the forest, and the temperature dropped several degrees.
Subaru was taken back to the mansion to be treated by Beatrice.
The crises in both the village and mansion were completely resolved.
Roswaal returned by evening.
Rem, cared for by Ram, had regained consciousness.
Except for Subaru, everyone in the village and mansion was safe.
However, despite treatment and the curse within him not activating, Subaru remained unconscious for a full day and night.
This made the atmosphere in the mansion strange.
Rem was distracted at work, reducing her efficiency.
Ram surprisingly did not slack off but took on most of the mansion's chores.
Emilia and Puck both wore grim expressions through the day and night. Even Beatrice stopped leaving the library to visit Puck.
When Rem came to see Subaru, she found Beatrice sitting at his bedside, staring at a blank book.
"Well done, Subaru. It seems you are the one I've been waiting for all this time.
Finally, you've appeared. But what should I use to bind you to my side? Subaru... what is it that you truly want...?"
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Hello everyone! I'm VarieTL.
I have posted a new Fanfiction!
A crossover of Danmachi and Fate this time
Danmachi- The Heroic Legend of Emiya!
After slaughtering his way through the Holy Grail War in a single night to save his sister, Shirou Emiya was transported to the labyrinth city of Orario.To repay Hestia for a meal she gave him, he resolved to offer his strength to this unreliable goddess.The path of justice has not yet come to an end—as long as the sword remains tightly gripped in his hand, there is no need for hesitation."Whether god or man, no matter who tries to harm the ones I wish to protect, I will defeat them with the sword in my hand!""Watch closely—this is my Unlimited Blade Works!"This is the story of a hero of justice who sweeps away evil in Orario while also uncovering the truths of the world.
As Always
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