Kiyotaka opened his eyes.
Kiyotaka: (I made it back...)
Kiyotaka felt groggy as his eyes focused, and he saw Emilia. She was trembling.
Kiyotaka: (Her past... it must be quite traumatic.)
Kiyotaka sat down next to her and held her hand.
Kiyotaka: [Emilia...]
Her eyes opened, and she saw him.
Emilia: [Kiyotaka? Right... I was undergoing the trial... and...]
Her eyes became undilated, and she was shivering with fear as her teeth clattered as she clung to Kiyotaka.
Emilia: [I'm.... It wasn't me! It wasn't! And yet... I keep telling you it wasn't me, and yet... No! Don't look at me like that! No! No!]
Kiyotaka: [Emilia. It's alright. Take slow breaths.]
Kiyotaka gripped her hand a bit more tightly as she seemed to recognise his touch and slowly calmed down. Kiyotaka held her to his chest.
Kiyotaka: [It's alright. I'm here. Right here.]
Kiyotaka: (She's completely traumatised...)
Emilia began sobbing.
Emilia: [Father... Help me! Puck... Puck!]
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka was in a house with Ram beside him.
Ram: [She's finally calmed down, and is resting now. The aroma hypnosis will prevent any nightmares.]
Kiyotaka: [Thank you... Ram.]
Ram: [I'm glad... that you're okay.]
Kiyotaka: [Hm? Yes. My past... it isn't pretty, but I'd long since come to terms with most of it.]
Ram: [So you did take the trial... and you passed? Then...]
Garfiel's eyes sharpened.
Kiyotaka: [I did, but there is more than one trial.]
Garfeil seemed to relax at this.
Kiyotaka: (Curious. Your motives and desires are so obvious. Which means there is some force making you go against your wishes.)
Ram: [More than one?]
Kiyotaka: [I heard a voice in my head as the trial began, though I don't know whose. "First, you need to face your own past", which likely means there will be another trial for the present and the future.]
Ram: [I see.]
Garfiel: [She failed, so she can just try it again and again.]
Ram: [Don't be so tactless, Garf.]
Garfiel: [Well, it's the only way anyway. Unless... you're not planning to take the trials, are ya?]
Kiyotaka: [I have no intentions of doing that.]
Ram: [But Ayanotaka.]
Kiyotaka: [Emilia has already been exposed to her past. She's crossed the point of no return. If she doesn't deal with it now, then she'll be mentally broken.]
Ram: [You're right.]
Kiyotaka: [After she passes the first trial, we can decide if she's going to continue taking the trials.]
Ram: [Then you're planning to...]
Garfeil: [The hell? You said...]
Kiyotaka: [It would still be better if Emilia passed the trials instead of me. She's clearly the one who needs closure more. Also... I doubt she'd want a future where she's completely dependent on me.]
???: [Planning to take the trials after the elf-girl finishes the first trial is not a bad idea.]
The voice came from a girl with pink hair, blue eyes and elf ears as the openned thedoor, entering the room.
Kiyotaka: (She is... no. She's not the same one as the one I met before.)
Ram stood next to Kiyotaka, putting down a cup of tea for him.
Ram: [Here is your tea, Ayanotaka.]
Kiyotaka: [Oh. I appreciate it.]
Kiyotaka: (Hm... tea... why do I feel like I've been served that recently? Likely because of my memories being tampered with. This is a serious concern, but it doesn't feel like they've been changed. More like a few sections have been blotted out.)
Garfiel: [Ram, get me some tea, too.]
Ram: [It will be course tea for you.]
Garfiel: [Don't you usually talk more humble-like?]
Ram: [I'll just brew some leaves I pick up. Be grateful and drink every last drop.]
Garfeil made an annoyed expression towards Kiyotaka.
Kiyotaka: (Seeing me as a love rival won't really do you any good.)
Pink-Haired Girl: [I heard you had brought in more people from outside, Young Gar.]
Kiyotaka: (Young Gar? So she's an adult... wait, that tone and speech pattern... she's an old lady.)
Kiyotaka: [Could I please get your name?]
Pink-Haired Girl: [I am Ryuzu Bilma. It is my duty, you might say, to represent this community. At the same time, I am old and frail, as you can see.]
Kiyotaka: (Like a village chief or elder?)
Kiyotaka: [Honestly, I'd find it easier to perceive you as a child rather than an old woman.]
Ryuzu: [While I'm happy you don't think I'm old, that's insulting in its own way. Anyways, you are... Ayanotaka. That makes you Young Taka.]
Kiyotaka: (I don't mind Ram calling me Ayanotaka, but I would prefer it if she didn't introduce me to important people with that name. )
Kiyotaka: [It's Kiyotaka. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.]
Ryuzu: [Then Young Kiyo.]
Kiyotaka: [Um... sure.]
Ryuzu sat across from Kiyotaka as Garfiel made a pained expression, getting up.
Garfiel: [This tea tastes gross! It tastes like Grass.]
Kiyotaka: (Considering Ram. I don't doubt the possibility of it actually being grass. But that part of her personality is charming.)
Kiyotaka: [Getting back to business about freeing the Sanctuary. Is there something preventing the two of you from doing it yourselves?]
Ryuzu: [If you were only referring to an attempt, then it stands to reason that we could. But we cannot free the Sanctuary. That is a contract that has been handed down among us residents of the Sanctuary for generations.
Kiyotaka: [I see. I think I understand the situation better now.]
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka was sitting in his seat as Emilia slowly opened her eyes to see him.
Emilia: [Kiyo?]
Kiyotaka: [Good morning. Emilia. Did you get some rest?]
Emilia: [Morning... did you stay with me all night?]
Kiyotaka: [I was right here. Don't worry. I got some sleep as well.]
Emilia: [I... I'm sorry about yesterday. I really lost my composure in the graveyard. I caused you a lot of trouble and...]
Kiyotaka: [Emilia.]
Emilia: [Yes?]
Kiyotaka: [I'd rather hear you say thank you than sorry.]
Emilia's eyes widened at having her own words used against her.
Emilia: [I... um... thank you.]
Emilia then reached out, grabbing Kiyotaka's arm.
Kiyotaka grabbed her hand, holding it securely.
Emilia: [Kiyo....]
Kiyotaka: [You don't want to go through the trial tomorrow, do you? I understand why, but there's a part of you that's returned. If it were absent, I wouldn't force you to undergo the trial, but now that it's here, it'll only hurt you unless you sort things out in there.]
Emilia: [I... I'm scared.]
Kiyotaka: [You need to pass the first trial. After that, if you want, I'll handle the rest.]
Emilia: [Wait... first? You'll handle the rest?]
Kiyotaka: [There are three trials in total. Past, Present and Future most likely. I'm qualified for whatever reason, so I can pass the trials.]
Emilia: [So because I can't do it... You want to...]
Kiyotaka: [Not at all. I believe that you being the one to clear the trials will be better for you, but I won't force you or force unreasonable expectations onto you.]
Emilia: [I... I'll attempt the trial tonight...]
Kiyotaka: [Can we talk about your past? If we can get through the trauma now, then...]
Emilia: [I don't recognise those memories, so I...]
Kiyotaka: (More memory tampering? Is it related to mine, or is it coincidental?)
Kiyotaka: [It's alright. Rest for now.]
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
It was morning, and Kiyotaka was standing with Ram, who was doing the laundry.
Ram: [I need to tell you something, Ayanotaka.]
Kiyotaka: [It's not the right time for a confession, Ram.]
Ram blushed.
Ram: [Don't be stupid! You're losing 5 points for that!]
Kiyotaka: [Very well. I'll work hard to earn them back. Now. What did you want to tell me?]
Ram composed herself before continuing.
Ram: [Not all the residents are in favour of setting the Sanctuary free. Only heavy-handed people like Garf, led by Ryuzu-sama, are pushing for its freedom. There is a conservative faction that doesn't want the Sanctuary to be freed. The conservatives think that having minimal interaction with outsiders is ideal. In their opinion, destroying that will cause nothing but trouble.]
Kiyotaka: [I thought as much. With that in mind, please keep an eye on Emilia whenever I'm not around.]
Ram: [Asking me to take care of my romantic rival is a bold request, Ayanotaka.]
Kiyotaka: [Let's not bring that up, shall we?]
Ram: [Well, I'll keep an eye on her, but it would be preferable if this whole debacle were over soon.]
Kiyotaka: [Agreed.]
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
That night, Emilia was undertaking the Trial again as everyone waited outside.
Garfiel: [C'mon, Ram, join us.]
Ram walked up the stairs and stood next to Kiyotaka.
Garfiel: [This is really startin' to get on my nerves ya know.]
Garfiel sighed.
Garfiel: [I hope it turns out better this time. We don't want a short nap for a morolok to be a whole day's sleep for the rest of us.]
Kiyotaka: (I really need to read more books in Lugunica, or those references are going to keep going right over my head.) AN: Why don't you just catch them? Aren't your reflexes fast enough?
Then the light faded as Emilia walked out of the ruins, clearly distressed. Kiyotaka walked over to support her.
Kiyotaka: (It's not as bad as last time, but it's probably not going to get any better either.)
Emilia: [I'm sorry! I... I... again...]
Kiyotaka: [It's alright. Rest for now.]
Kiyotaka: (This will be more difficult than I thought.)
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
The next morning, Kiyotaka went to Roswaal. Ram was next to Kiyotaka, but she couldn't look Roswaal in the eyes after finding out Rem had been put in danger by his plans.
Kiyotaka: [Roswaal. What exactly is your intention?]
Roswaal: [I have nooo ideaaa what you meeean.]
Kiyotaka: [I have no intention of listening to your nonsense, so out with it.]
Roswaal: [Don't you believe it's time for Emilia to become the queen? It should only take a few months if you put your mind to it.]
Ram: [What?]
Kiyotaka: [I'm not going to resort to underhanded tactics against people who've shown us goodwill.]
Roswaal: [My my but that part of you was so perfect.]
Kiyotaka's eyes sharpened.
Kiyotaka: [How do you know about that?]
Roswaal smiled.
Roswaal: [We are quite alike after all.]
Ram gritted her teeth slightly.
Ram: [Don't compare yourself to Ayanotaka. You don't deserve to be put on the same level as him. Not after...]
Ram: [Not after everything.]
Ram had decided. She would not forgive this man for his actions. For endangering her sister.
Roswaal: [I see now. Your loyalty has shifted, but I don't believe I need you anymore. After all, Kiyotaka here has every chance of being strong enough to fulfil my desire.]
Ram: [Roswaal...]
Roswaal: [You were so perfect before. Having you return to that will be my goal.]
Kiyotaka: [Your goal. What if I have no intention of assisting you?]
Roswaal: [Oh, there's no need to worry about that. I'm sure we can come to an understanding about that.]
Kiyotaka: [What?]
Roswaal: [Soul Transmigration is quite the troooublesome magic, you know. But it is possible.]
Ram: [Soul Transmigration?]
Kiyotaka: [Soul... Transmigration...]
Roswaal: [Its effects even surpass the limits of time, life and death.]
Kiyotaka's eyes sharpened.
Kiyotaka: [How do you know about what I went through in the trial?]
Roswaal smiled.
Roswaal: [With thaaat floating out of your reach, I'm sure to geeet what I want from you.]
Ram: [What's going on?]
Kiyotaka: [Right before her death. I could...]
Mika's smiling face flashed in Kiyotaka's mind.
Roswaal: [... bring her here. Alive and well.]
Kiyotaka glared at Roswaal.
Kiyotaka: [You're crossing a line Roswaal.]
Kiyotaka: (He's using my experience in the trial against me? But how does he even know about that? And even if it is technically possible, what makes him think I'll believe he's capable of it?)
Roswaal: [Oooh, how scaaary. But I've already readied something to test how much you're willing to cling to this "Re:Birth" of yours.]
Ram: [How... how do you know about that? And what are you...]
Kiyotaka: [Ram. It's alright. He's not going to talk, so leave it be.]
Ram gritted her teeth as the two left Roswaal.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
They were standing outside as Ram looked at Kiyotaka, still confused about a few things.
Ram: [Ayanotaka. What is going on?]
Kiyotaka: [We're heading back to the mansion.]
Ram: [You don't mean...]
Kiyotaka: [Yes. That's what he meant.]
Kiyotaka and Ram hurried to the stables as Garfiel was there.
Garfiel: [Where the hell are you two goin'?]
Kiyotaka: [Back to the mansion.]
Garfiel: [The hell? No, you ain't]
Kiyotaka: [Even if we leave, Emilia is still here. She's the one who has to take the trial, so I can leave it to her.]
Garfiel: [The hell are ya...]
Ram: [Garf!]
Ram's face showed obvious distress.
Garfiel: [Ram... are you okay?]
He was shocked to see her looking that way. So... desperate.
Ram: [I have to go.]
Garfiel: [Yeah... alright. I'll see you when you get back.]
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
They arrived at the village as Kiyotaka and Ram got off of Haku.
Ram: [Where... is everyone?]
Kiyotaka: [This isn't good. Let's head to the mansion quickly.]
Ram nodded as they rushed towards the mansion.
Kiyotaka: [It's too quiet.]
They entered the mansion, but no one greeted them, and so Ram started to panic.
Ram: [Rem!]
Ram dashed towards Rem's room, trying to get there as Kiyotaka ran after her.
Kiyotaka: [Wait, don't just...]
Suddenly, Ram fell to the floor, a redness soaking the carpet along with intestines.
Kiyotaka: (It's her.)
Ram: [Rem...]
Kiyotaka: (I have to get her to Beatrice.)
Kiyotaka leaned down, picking up Ram into his arms.
Kiyotaka: [Sorry, but this is going to hurt. A lot.]
Kiyotaka began stuffing Ram's intestines back inside her.
Ram: [Ah! No! It... hurts.]
Kiyotaka: [Sorry. Just bear with it.]
Kiyotaka guided his hand over the cut.
Kiyotaka: [Goa.]
Kiyotaka seared the wound shut as Ram screamed in agony. Kiyotaka then sways his head, dodging a slash.
Kiyotaka: [You can come out already. Elsa.]
Elsa walked out of the shadows.
Ram: [Ayano...taka... Rem...save... Ram's... sister.]
Kiyotaka held her closer.
Kiyotaka: [I can't think about her right now. I have to keep you alive. Just stay conscious. Everything else comes after that.]
Ram: [Ayano...taka...]
Elsa: [Oh, Ayanokoji. It's good to see you again. Have you gotten over your first love yet?]
Kiyotaka: [I have.]
Elsa: [Then, if you're over that last girl, shall we go on a date? We can have a fun time gutting each other.]
Kiyotaka: [Of course. Of course. Just let me freshen up first.]
Elsa: [Hm?]
Kiyotaka opened the door next to him and walked through it, closing it behind him.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Beatrice was sitting on her stool as usual.
Beatrice: [The maids are already long dead, I suppose.]
Kiyotaka: [When?]
Beatrice: [It happened yesterday, in fact.]
Kiyotaka: [I need your help. Heal Ram.]
Ram: [No... I'm... It's over...]
Kiyotaka: [Wait... I don't want you to...]
Kiyotaka: (You and Emilia... you changed me... I want you to see what I become... the man I become. I can't guarantee my checkpoint, so if you die here I...)
Ram: [I...'m... sorry Rem... I...]
Beatrice: [Betty won't heal a girl who's lost the will to live, I suppose. All of Betty's effort would just go to waste, and Betty would have to watch her try to kill herself. Betty doesn't want to watch that, I suppose.]
Kiyotaka held her closer in his arms.
Kiyotaka: [Just stay alive for me. Live for me... Ram.]
Ram: [Kiyo...taka...]
Beatrice walked over, extending her hand to them.
Beatrice: [Her will to live has returned, in fact. Betty can go through with it now, I suppose.]
Suddenly, the door opened as Elsa stepped through.
Elsa: [Oh my. What kind of scene is this? A lover's departure? What a shame.]
Beatrice: [This is my Forbidden Library. No one may enter without permission.]
Kiyotaka: [Focus on Ram. I'll...]
Kiyotaka: (The warmth in her body is... gone. Ram...)
Elsa smiled.
Elsa: [The magic you use to isolate spaces uses doors as a medium, does it not? Once I knew that, all I had to do was destroy every door but one. This one.]
Kiyotaka gritted his teeth.
Kiyotaka: (Please let the reset point...)
Beatrice: [I'll send you away, I suppose.]
Kiyotaka: [Wait don't. I can still...]
A blinding light enveloped Kiyotaka and Ram.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka felt a coldness at his feet as he realised he had been teleported into some kind of holding cell, but the door was wide open. He carried Ram as he walked out into a snowy field.
Kiyotaka: (Back to Emilia. She's the only one left...)
Then a rabbit hopped on top of a mound of snow.
Kiyotaka: (A mabeast horn? Rabbit... The『Great Rabbit』. Not good. I have to get away.)
Kiyotaka began running away when he heard a chewing noise. He looked to see another one gnawing on Ram's foot.
Kiyotaka: (Don't touch her!)
Kiyotaka stomped his foot on it, squashing it. The others began rushing towards him.
Kiyotaka set down Ram gently.
Kiyotaka: Ul Goa!
He sent out a rain of fireballs as they hit the rabbits, killing them one after another.
Kiyotaka: (Why aren't their numbers decreasing?)
Then one of them jumped towards him. He caught it in his hand, squishing it between his fingers.
Kiyotaka: (There are too many... the only way would be with a decoy... no... I refuse to return to a version of myself that would do that.)
Kiyotaka sat in the snow holding Ram to his chest and holding out his hand.
Kiyotaka: Earth Smith Arts.
Kiyotaka: (I'll Re: Birth by my own hands.)
He felt some of the rabbits gnawing at him, but he stabbed himself in the throat, his body on top of Ram's as if shielding her.
Kiyotaka: (I'm still conscious... ugh... they.... they're burrowing inside... argh! ... oh... I'm dead.)
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ Re:Birth ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka woke up in the Trials room as he felt his neck and then his legs.
Kiyotaka: (I'm alive... there's nothing underneath my skin....)
Kiyotaka took control of his breathing.
Kiyotaka: (This was all your plan, right? You sadistic clown.)
—————————————————————————————————————
To Be Continued
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Rating Out Of 10 For This Part:
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