And now for the final exercise!
Swing your arms out wide,
then cross them in front of you as you take slow, deep breaths.
Breathe in, breathe out.
We came to check on you since break time's almost over...
Breathe in, breathe out.
...but it seems things are quite lively.
Okay, finally...
Victory!
All right!
Yeah!
I feel so much younger.
Okay, everyone has touched me now.
Balse.
What sort of game is this?
Radio calisthenics.
I think the fact that everyone, young and old, can enjoy it
is the secret to its many long years of success!
Who cares?
Ram-chi, that was cold.
Ram-chi, that was mean.
Ram-chi, you're scary.
Did you teach these children to call me that?
Well, you could say that, but...
It's more like I wanted to break the ice a bit?
I don't mind, but what about Rem?
Rem-rin?
Rem-rin-rin?
And? Was your much desired trip to the village a success?
Nothing to worry about there.
When Muraosa patted my shoulder at the end, my trip was complete.
What's up?
If you wanna say something, let's hear it.
U-Um...
Over there.
Do whatever you want for a little while longer.
If that's what my sister says.
All right! I owe you both, Ram-senpai, Rem-senpai!
Come to think of it, there was an event like this too.
And this still happens?
She's usually so nice too.
She only gets mad at Subaru.
What'd you do to her, Subaru?
I'd like to know that too.
Since it's happened three times now, I guess we're just not meant to be.
Oh, now's my chance!
If you'll excuse me...
I've waited so long to feel this!
Nice! You'd never guess she's a stray!
Hey, you have a bald spot on your head.
A scar? What did you walk int—
You even bit me in nearly the same spot.
Are you a time traveler?
You got carried away!
It's what you get for touching her so much.
She is a girl, after all.
I don't really think that's the problem here.
Actually, is no one worried about me?
I'm gonna cry!
I made it. I made it!
Well done, me! Good job!
Seriously, good job!
Yes, yes, well done.
Yes, yes, good work.
Well, well, I see the three of you are together.
That will save me some time.
Roswaal-sama.
Formal wear?
Well spotted.
I'm seeing someone who's a hassle to appear before in casual attire,
so I was forced to dress for the occasion.
A visitor?
You're going out?
Ram is correct. I'm going out.
I received a message that was a tad troublesome.
So I'm off to make the rounds outside.
I do not expect to be home tonight.
Ram, Rem. Please take care of things in my absence.
Yes, sir. As you command.
Yes, sir. Even if it costs our lives.
Roswaal didn't leave the mansion before.
I'll be counting on you too, Subaru-kun.
Take good care of Emilia-sama.
Of course, you didn't even need to ask!
Then, look after things while I'm away.
H-He can fly?
Magic is incredible.
The difference in circumstances
must have been triggered by my visit to the village today.
That means my strategy of acting as a decoy is working as planned.
And that's why I'm here for my long-awaited Lil' Bea time!
Your face looks quite different than it did half a day ago.
I suppose you've been busy.
I'd love to take it easy for a change, you know.
But there's something I'd like you to check for me.
I think I've been cursed. Could you find out for sure?
What are you talking about?
I think I've been cursed. Could you find out for sure?
I suppose no one asked you to repeat yourself!
It's only been half a day since I told you about shamans.
You're far too impressionabl—
Traces of a curse...
I suppose you've really been cursed?
So the shaman was one of the villagers, after all.
Can you tell what kind of curse it is?
I can't say just from looking at the curse.
But as I told you, once it's activated,
I suppose chances are you'll die.
You don't seem to be afraid of dying at all.
Huh? Are you nuts?
I'm insanely scared of dying!
There's nothing in the world that scares me more than dying.
I wish people who say "I'd rather die" would actually die before they say it.
That's why, this time, I'll find a way out...
dear Fate.
Okay, so get rid of this curse for me, would you?
I don't have much time.
I suppose you believe I have reason to save your life?
I expected an unlovable response like that,
so I came prepared to convince you.
If I die, Puck is bound to be sad.
Huh?
Bubby wouldn't be all that disturbed if you died.
Oh, no...
If I were to die, Emilia would be at least a little shocked.
And when Emilia feels shock, Puck takes damage too.
If you could have prevented it, but didn't, now what would he think of you?
I suppose I'll play along this time, you silver-tongued devil!
But after this, I'm cutting ties with you until the end of time!
Sure.
But when I'm in trouble, I'll always come to ask for your help.
I suppose I'll destroy the spell used in the curse now.
The spell is burned into you on the spot that the shaman touched,
so that's our reference.
I prepared for this. Don't worry.
The young men's leader with the crew cut.
The old lady who felt so much younger that she touched my butt.
And Muraosa, the fake village head.
I made sure all the suspects touched me in different places.
A black mist?
I suppose that's quite abhorrent.
All done. I suppose you'll be fine now.
So the place that the black mist came from
is where the shaman touched me, right?
Could that puppy actually be...
I have to get to the village.
Time after time, they keep messing with me!
The village? What for?
Beatrice said the one who gave me this wound is responsible for cursing me.
It was the dog that the kids have been playing with!
That dog-looking thing cursed everyone it bit!
If I just stand around, they'll be in danger.
If you don't trust me, you can come along.
But we can't leave Emilia alone here.
Only one of you can come!
You're making up your own rules.
And if we are to obey Roswaal-sama's orders,
there is no reason for either of us to go with you.
No, there's not.
But was that the only order Roswaal gave me?
Very well, Balse.
I'll allow you to act on your judgment.
Sister?
Rem will accompany you.
Just what I wanted to hear!
Rem, that's my decision, so please go.
I'll confirm the situation with Beatrice-sama and protect Emilia-sama.
I'll keep an eye on that too.
Sister, you shouldn't...
Subaru, are you going somewhere?
I heard a commotion, so I came down to see what was going on.
What happened?
Something might be happening.
But you don't need to worry.
You look like you're going to do something dangerous again!
We were just wrapping up a dispute on that particular topic.
I can't stop you, can I?
I guess not, no.
In fact, if you do, it'd be a problem in a number of ways.
Fine, fine, I get it.
I won't stop you.
It's probably no use telling you not to be reckless or unreasonable too, right?
Well, we'll see what happens.
I mean, it's not like I want to put myself in harm's way.
May the blessing of the spirits be with you.
Huh? Come again?
It's a prayer to send you off.
It means "come back safely."
Got it, Emilia-tan.
Okay, we're off.
Take care.
Has something happened?
Y-Yeah... Several of the village children have gone missing.
All the adults are looking for them.
Was I too late?
There!
Subaru-kun?
The barrier is broken.
What happens when the barrier's broken?
Witchfiends can cross the boundary.
Witchfiends?
Witchfiends are creatures of the witch's creation.
They're enemies of humanity that wield magical powers.
This forest is a witchfiend breeding ground.
Breeding ground?
You're telling me there are tons more dogs like that one out there?
The kids are in the forest.
Let everyone know!
Right!
Subaru-kun, what are you...
I have to go save those kids!
Wait! You can't make that decision on your own.
With Roswaal-sama out of the household,
can you be certain that this isn't a setup to divert attention from the mansion?
What do we do, then?
Ignore the kids who are in danger right now,
go back to the mansion, and tighten security?
If you won't care when all the villagers are dead tomorrow,
I guess that's one option.
Rem, let's go. We're the only ones who can do something about this.
Why go so far?
Why do you care about this village so much?
You know, Petra...
When she grows up, she wants to make clothes in the capital.
Huh?
Lucas wants to succeed the village's best woodcutter.
Mildo wants to make a crown from the flowers in the fields,
and give it to his mother.
Meina is going to have a baby sister soon.
And the brothers, Dyne and Cain, are always fighting over who'll marry Petra.
I have plenty of reasons to care.
I know their names, their faces,
and their future goals.
Plus, I promised them we'd do radio calisthenics again tomorrow.
I'm a man of my word, and I make sure others stand by theirs.
I'm going to do radio calisthenics with those kids again.
So I'm going in there.
Very well.
My orders are to keep an eye on you.
Yeah, that's right.
Make sure I don't do anything shady!
I will.
Um, Rem-san, is that...
It's for protection.
But that's...
It's for protection.
We're close. I smell something alive.
The kids?
I can't be sure, but it doesn't smell like an animal.
It's the kids!
She's alive.
They're alive!
They may be breathing now, but don't celebrate yet.
They are incredibly weak.
If left alone...
Weak... The curse?
And we finally found them...
Rem, can't you undo it?
I lack the skill for this.
If only my sister were here to see them...
For the time being, I'll cast a healing spell to comfort them.
Once they're stabilized, we'll carry them back.
Okay, I'll...
Damn, I'm so useless.
I'll keep watch—
Subaru?
You're awake, Petra?
All right, good. You're a tough girl.
Take it easy, though.
I'll get you back home in no time, where you can say goodbye to the pain.
Just rest for—
One of us...
is still... in the...
Hey, what'd you say? Petra!
Damn it, she's right! I don't see the little girl with the braid.
P-Please, wait! It's too dangerous.
And if the witchfiends took her, it's already...
I get what you're saying!
All too well.
But still, Rem...
Petra told me one of them was taken away.
She showed concern for her friend before asking for my help.
She put her friend before herself!
I want to respect Petra's feelings.
If you take something on, you should follow it through to the very end.
If you get too greedy,
you might take on more than you can carry back.
That's why you're with me, isn't it?
What does that have to do with me?
Those kids need you now.
When the villagers show up,
leave the kids with them and catch up with me.
We don't know the threat our opponent presents, or when the villagers will arrive.
And at worst, there is a chance I won't be able to find you.
It'll be fine. You won't lose me.
What makes you so sure?
Even if no one else does, you alone will pick up my scent.
The foul odor that hangs on me...
The smell of the witch.
Right?
Subaru-kun, how much do you know about...
Beats me. There's way too much that I don't understand.
So much that no matter how many times I start over, I can't find the answer I'm looking for.
Just like there are things you want to ask me,
there are tons of things I want to ask you.
So when this is all taken care of, let's talk.
Until our voices are hoarse! Promise?
I trust you, Rem.
So I want to act in a way that makes you trust me.
I'll make that promise right now!
Very well. The promise is made.
I will ask you many questions, so be ready.
Sure!
Once the villagers come for the kids, I'll come join you.
Don't do anything reckless.
Don't worry! I feel like I'm demoniacally possessed today!
Demoniacally possessed?
It's the demon version of divine possession.
It's been my favorite phrase as of late!
Please be careful.
If the one that cursed those kids really was that puppy from today,
there's no way I can lose, right?
I smell animals.
Is it a trap?
Emilia wouldn't hesitate!
Thank goodness...
This isn't what I signed up for!
Why is it so huge?
And was it waiting for me to come for her?
I've got nowhere to run...
Damn it! If you're looking for a fight, you've got one!
That...
doesn't hurt!
You just bit me, didn't you, you moron!?
I won...
You've gotta be kidding me...
If you're looking for a fight, bring it on!
The children have been safely returned to the village.
Thank you for buying time.
Rem, watch ou—
Y-You're strong!
I'm not sure if that's a nice thing to say to a girl, Subaru-kun.
I have no other words to describe you!
You're seriously incredible!
So, Rem, would you be able to take them all out in one shot, by chance?
We are outnumbered. With this many, our situation is dire.
Yeah, can't say I'm surprised.
In that case... There!
Now!
Rem, I don't know the way!
Straight ahead.
Once we cross the barrier, the battle will end.
Run toward the village bonfire!
Got it!
Rem, I see light!
We're almost to the barrier!
Rem?
Rem!
Damn it...
Witchfiend! Witchfiend! Witchfiend! Witchfiend!
Witch!
Witchfiend! Witchfiend! Witchfiend! Witchfiend!
She's a demon...
Subaru-kun!
Don't die...
Don't die! Don't die!
The Meaning of Courage
Don't die!
Subaru, you're about to finish your studies of i-glyphs.
I'll do a small test.
Oh, I've mastered it already?
All right, bring it on!
Answer the following question using i-glyphs, by drawing the characters in the air with your butt.
With my butt?
Isn't that super difficult?
Here's the question.
What is the name of the master of this mansion?
Like this, and this... stroke, stroke, stroke...
"U-s-e-l-e-s-s"?
I'll strike you down.
I didn't say that!
Like this, and this, stroke, stroke, stroke!
Use your hips more.
Stick your butt out more. Feel the rhythm.
Like this?! And this?!
Like this, right?!
I'm getting into this!
Subaru, what are you doing, waving your butt here?
Huh, Emilia-tan?
That's not it, it was because Ram-
She's gone!
Next time: Fanatical Methods Like a Demon
Ram is too busy to join Barusu's antics.