NOVEL NEXT Chapter 14: Convincing Rem
Puck's warning echoed in Subaru's mind, an ominous melody mingling with the constant pang of the Return Vision. The curse of Arlam Village. There was no time to waste.
Subaru had to act, and quickly. For that, he needed Rem's help. He went to find her and found her in the kitchen, preparing tea with her usual efficiency. Ram sat at the table, polishing a set of cutlery with a distracted look on her face.
"Rem, Ram, I need to talk to you," Subaru said, entering the kitchen with an air of seriousness he had rarely used.
Rem turned, her blue eyes betraying surprise. Ram raised an eyebrow, her smile briefly mocking.
"What is it, Subaru-kun?" Rem asked, noticing the urgency in her voice.
"It's about Arlam Village," Subaru said. Rem and Ram exchanged glances.
"I've been sensing something strange. A... premonition, I guess. I feel the village is in danger. A curse, or something worse, is approaching."
Ram snorted. "Barusu, do you fancy yourself a fortune teller now? Your perception is as keen as a... um, a snail's."
[Charisma Hindrance: Meeting Resistance.]
[No reward. Ram is immune to simple Charisma.]
The system confirmed it. Ram was a tough nut to crack. But Rem... Rem was different.
"It's not a fortune teller, Ram. It's a feeling. The same one I had before Elsa appeared in the alley," Subaru said, turning to Rem.
"It's strong, and growing clearer. I think the village is in grave danger." The children, Rem... they could be in danger."
The mention of the village children made Rem's expression tense. She had a genuine attachment to the villagers, especially the younger ones. It was one of her responsibilities to look after them.
"What kind of danger, Subaru-kun?" Rem asked, her voice now filled with concern.
"I'm not sure of the details, but I sense a malevolence, something creeping in the shadows," Subaru continued, discreetly activating his Return Vision.
A sharp pang in his chest told him he was right. "I know Lord Roswaal doesn't want you anywhere near the village right now for some reason, but this is different. This is an imminent threat."
Ram, surprisingly, remained silent, listening. The seriousness in Subaru's voice was sincere.
"I need to go to Rem Village. I need your help," Subaru said, looking directly into her eyes. "I know it's your duty to protect the mansion, but it's also your duty to protect the villagers. If we go now, perhaps we can avert a disaster."
Rem hesitated. Her loyalty to Roswaal was absolute, but so was her sense of duty and her care for the villagers.
"If it were such a great threat, Lord Roswaal would have sensed it," Ram interrupted, though her voice lacked its usual mockery.
"Perhaps Roswaal senses it, but doesn't act," Subaru thought, but didn't say it aloud. Instead, he focused on emotion. "Ram, Rem, do you remember the children in the village? Their smiles, their innocence. If something were to happen to them, could we forgive ourselves for not doing anything?"
Rem's expression twisted in anguish.
"I'll go with you, Subaru-kun," Rem said, her voice firm. "If there's a threat to the villagers, it's my duty to protect them."
[Charisma Obstacle Overcome: Securing the Loyalty and Support of a Key Ally.]
[Reward: 25 EXP, Charisma Increase: 10 -> 11.]
[Natsuki Subaru has leveled up!]
[Level: 3 -> 4]
[You have received 5 Attribute Points (AP) to distribute.]
"Rem, you're the best!" Subaru exclaimed, ignoring the notifications, feeling a wave of relief and gratitude.
Ram stood up from his seat. "Hmph. If Rem goes, I'll go too. "I can't let my little sister get into trouble with an idiot like you, Barusu."
Subaru was surprised. He hadn't expected Ram to join in. It was an unexpected victory, and a very valuable one.
"Ram! Thank you!" said Subaru, genuinely grateful.
Ram just snorted, but Subaru swore he saw a small, almost imperceptible smile on her lips.
"We must go now," Rem said determinedly. "Before Miss Emilia or Lord Roswaal notices our absence. If Roswaal knows, he might stop us."
As they discreetly left the mansion, Subaru opened his Status Window. He had 5 new Attribute Points. He decided to invest them in what would be most useful for the upcoming fight. He knew his luck was very low, but it could wait; the most important thing for now was his strength and reflexes.
* Strength: 9 -> 11
* Agility: 10 -> 12
* Stamina: 8 -> 9
Subaru felt every fiber in his body improve, and a wave of strength flooded through him. He felt his body grow lighter and his Strength increase.
He knew better than anyone that it wasn't much, but considering that to nothing, it was for the best.
Now was the time to go to Arlam Village. It was time to prevent that event, although he wasn't so sure what would happen with the butterfly effect created by his appearance in this timeline.
Over time, Subaru wouldn't be able to rely too much on the information he had from canon. With his appearance and increase in strength, he knew better than anyone that everything was changing, praying in his heart of hearts that it would be for the best.
Although we all know the tragedy that followed the Original Subaru, the current Subaru (Hitohiro) wouldn't go unnoticed, and there would eventually be moments of great psychological and physical pain.
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