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CHAPTER 7: THE TEST SITE 

The instant the punk stomps the ground, Subaru gets the feeling the world is tilting. But this is of course impossible. So it has to be Subaru 'getting the feeling'. The ground beneath Garfiel's feet rips up and flies away, the attack doing nothing more than sending the carriage flying. 

Faced with this see-saw of force, Subaru gets the sensation of being vigorously pressed upwards, the carriage sliding through empty air. All Subaru can do is keep holding Emilia close. 

The carriage slams back to the ground, its entire frame creaking. This thing isn't a fuck cheap carriage either—it's built for liveability and durability, and it's still getting wrecked by this one strike. But now that it's been thrown almost halfway onto its side, it's in no condition for them to immediately start getting away. 

Faced against something that can do this, they have no option of escape. They're forced to confront the punk. 

His face sill poked out of the carriage window, Subaru puts his hand to his forehead in pain, having bumped his head with the fall. Luckily he's not bleeding. Emilia also looks unharmed. 

Subaru feels relief at that, which instantly turns sour and hurried as he remembers what the present conditions are. Right in front of him as he looks up is, 

Subaru: “Patrasche!!” 

Who, fangs beared, leaps at the punk, having cleverly unbound herself from the reins. She's aiming for Garfiel's neck, intending clearly to tear it to shreds. But. 

Garfiel: “Excitin' choice. Yer a good dragon... a good girl, aren'tya. Ya know how they say, THE SOUND OF BROKEN BONES'S JUST ANOTHER SIGN OF LOVE.” 

And Garfiel catches Patrasche's bite by thrusting his arm into her mouth. But Patrasche's whole body, including her jaw, freezes completely still, rather than swallowing Garfiel's arm whole. The reason why soon becomes clear as the muscles of Garfiel's arm flex—his arm strength is simply strong enough to overpower Patrasche's jaw and prevent her from biting down, sealing her mouth shut. 

Garfiel: “All good, you. Great thatya moved right away, better yer not givin' up now. You pass.” 

Her mouth still sealed, Patrasche whips Garfiel across the face with her tail. Subaru's taken hits from that thing before and knows the strike isn't going easy at all. But for all the force and hostility in the strike, Garfiel easily intercepts it with his left hand, grabbing hold of Patrasche's tail. He exposes his beastly fangs as he smiles. 

Garfiel. “Won't hurt ya. Lights out.” 

He gives a big wave of his arm, and Patrasche flies through the air in an arc so easily it seems like a joke. After revolving through space she lands softly on her side on the ground. The attack isn't even enough to make the ground vibrate, a completely quiet attack on Patrasche. Subaru can't believe it, his throat going dry. 

Subaru: “He-he flung away Patrasche...?” 

Garfield: “I'mma completely honest guy. Threw her nicely so didn't hurt her. Now to end this 'fore she gets up!” 

Garfiel leaps for the driver's platform of the carriage, where Otto is. Otto leaps up to face Garfiel. 

Otto: “Guh... but, don't underestimate me! I am your everyday merchant, too, you see! Do keep in mind that I have had hoodlums attack me during my business before. Now, if you would rather not fall prey to the Swein family style of hoodlum repelling arts, I would advise you surrender immediately! ...would advise!” 

Garfiel: “Shuddup, rookie. Ain't like some no-effect move'sve yers're gonna beat the amazin' me, lights out.” 

Otto strikes a high-spirits battle pose. Garfiel instantly gets over to him and calmly pokes him in the forehead. Otto crumbles. He goes flying back toward the driver's platform and faints without voicing even a single sound. 

Garfiel: “Now, goin' from looks, guess you two're allth's left.” 

Says Garfiel, staring at Subaru with a gaze sharp enough to almost rip him to shreds. There's only four strides of distance between them. But considering how he closed range on Otto, the distance between them is actually no distance. Subaru can't come up with the conditions he needs to start searching for the solution here, and their only potential counter to this guy, Emilia, is still unconscious for unknown reasons. Most importantly, he has to protect her. 

Subaru: “I...” 

And the next instant, Garfiel's in front of him. Subaru fully expects Garfiel to claw him to shreds. All Subaru can do is offer his own body as the target, turning so that Emilia isn't facing Garfiel, protecting her. 

Several seconds pass. The time feels longer than it really is, and Subaru nervously opens his eyes to see the five clawed fingers stopped there right in front of his eyes. Garfiel's expression looks as if he's seeing something fishy and he clicks his neck. 

Garfiel: “Prioritizin' protectin' her without goin' feran'attack, what's with that. After you get done in she's gonna get the same treatment either way. Don't think it's a bad call?” 

It's sound logic, and for various reasons Subaru can't speak up to refute it. Perhaps uncomfortable with Subaru's silence, Garfiel waves his clawed hand about. 

Garfiel: “And then yer slow to come back. Ain't that I thought you'd be able't move, but... man, you sure're nothin' useful.” 

Subaru: “Y-you...” Garfiel: “Hmmm?” Subaru attempts getting some noise out of his frozen throat. Garfiel looks even less impressed with  him, and draws his face even closer. Garfiel: “Yer whisperin', now speak up.” Subaru: “You're... Garfiel, right. The one Roswaal and Frederica know.” Garfiel: “—Frederica?” Garfiel's expression loses its aggression for the first time. For a second some animalistic charm  shows through, then he instantly hides that with an unpleasant look. 

Garfiel: “Why's that name comin'... no, hold on. That girl yer holdin'... 's the silver-haired... half-witch?” Subaru: “She's a half-elf. Don't you dare call her that to her face.” Garfiel: “—Haa. 'S with that, yer face's gotten all pumped all the sudden.” The anger at hearing Garfiel diss Emilia is enough to make Subaru's fear disappear. Garfiel clicks  his fangs happily. 

Garfiel: “Which makes this the rumoured Emilia-sama, huh. Any half-witch comin' here 'round now'd have to be involved with Roswaal.” Subaru: “You...” Garfiel pointedly ignores Subaru, now stressing the 'half-witch' bit. Subaru moves to stand up, but is  firmly blocked by Garfiel's outstretched hand. 

Garfiel: “MORONS CHEWING MELTED IRON FEEL ONLY PAIN. You got no hope'a winnin' 'gainst the amazin' me. Behave 'n accept the strength gap 'tween us. —You know you could really get hurt?” Garfiel balls his outstretched hand into a fist, his knuckles clicking. The wise decision here for 

Subaru is to hold back his anger, and wait for a chance afterwards to take vindication. Thus, Subaru: “Get fucked.” Garfiel: “Hmmm?” Subaru: “I don't wanna get hurt. I'm sure you'll beat the hell out of me. But, you know. —That's no  reason to let disparaging comments that'd sadden her slip.” 

He gently settles Emilia on the carriage's luggage bed and brushes the hair on her forehead away with a finger. Subaru stands up and closes distance with Garfiel, coming so close they're almost butting foreheads. Close enough to feel each other's breath, within range of each other's arms. 

Subaru: “Take back that bullshit moniker, and never use it again.” 

Garfiel: “...Don'tcha think yer lackin' in too many ways to say that to the amazin' me? 'Cross the face, to the guts, in the shins, want me to beat you everywhere you got pieces?” Subaru: “Try it. You won't get to do it for free. I'll bite the fist coming for my face, grab the arm  coming for my stomach, spit on the leg coming to kick me, give you some payback.” Strong emotion wells up in Subaru's chest as he threatens back to Garfiel's threats. That said, 

Garfiel's silent hostility makes a wave of terror run through Subaru. Garfiel could literally one-shot Subaru if he wanted. Subaru judges that Garfiel is someone who of all the ridiculously strong people he knows, has put  his efforts into keeping ridiculous combat ability. He's not quite at the level of Reinhardt, the peak,  but somewhere around Wilhelm or Julius. Even the tiny threats that Subaru's just voiced are not possible for him to actually enact. But even so, he meets Garfiel in a glaring match head-on. Knowing he would lose was no reason to retreat. And the reason it was no reason to retreat, was right there behind him. 

Garfiel: “—Heehaha.” Subaru: “—Huh?” Subaru is confused, Garfiel moves as if to answer Subaru's doubts. Garfiel: “Heehahaha! 'S some pretty bitin' words, those, oi.” something something so slurred I have  no fucking clue. Subaru: “What're you... ow! Ah, what, ow, wait, that hurts!” Garfiel's shoulders shake as he laughs, and with extreme force, he taps Subaru on the shoulders. It's  not an attack, but regardless it's enough to chip away at Subaru's stamina gauge. 

Garfiel: “'S fine, you pass. Stuck through all the way. I ain't fond of the half-witch... half-elf, but I gotta give an exception t'you if yer gonna persist in protectin' her that much.” Subaru: “Since you corrected yourself, it's fine but... no, this really hurts! Stop tapping me forever,  are you trying to kill me!?” Subaru shakes Garfiel's arms away and backs off. Garfiel tilts his head and crosses his arms. Garfiel: “Cold, aren't ya. Let's call everythin' up to now water under the bridge n' forget it. Y'know,  havin' a small mind's proof the guy's gotta small thing?” 


Subaru: “That's the first time you've used a saying I actually remember hearing, but there's nothing  necessary about that second part! A! Ny! Way!” Subaru: “You're Garfiel, so it's safe to say you know Roswaal, yeah? And I'm allowed to think that though that sudden run-in was a shock, you're not intending to fight us now, right!?” 

Garfiel: “Stop makin' a racket, 's 'nnoying. Yer don't gotta be panicked I ain't gonna eat ya.” Subaru: “With how violent you were being before, who could just believe that...?” Garfiel sticks his finger in his ear in irritation, but agrees with Subaru's sentiment. Though it seems  like there's part of Garfiel that isn't that easily read, Subaru's relieved that they can definitely  communicate. Then he remembers, Subaru: “Ri, ght... we don't have time for this! Emilia suddenly collapsed. Even though we were talking normally until just a minute ago.” 

Garfiel: “Collapsed, did she, that half-elf. Well, 's obvious. Where d'ya think you are? Ain't worth the panic.” 

Garfiel shrugs, Subaru furrows his brow in doubt. Garfiel: “You woulda heard 'bout what this place is from Roswaal n' Frederica, yeah? Then of course this'd happen... what, seriously, you really didn't know?” 

Subaru shakes his head. Garfiel clicks his tongue in frustration and mutters, Garfiel: “That fucking pervert bastard...” Garfiel: “So Frederica didn't tell you anythin' either. Go a while without seein' her and her  personality winds up takin' after her owner. No savin' her.” Shaking his head, Garfiel snorts in irritation. He notices Subaru's questioning gaze. Garfiel: “Got it, got it.” Garfiel: “Her condition don't look any good, but it ain't anythin' life-threatenin'. 'Said, if you don't  wanna see her lookin' in any more pain, get away from here on the double. I'll guide you 'sfar as the village.” 

Subaru: “She'll come to if we get away from here?” Garfiel: “Ain't that what I just told you? Let's get outta here, hey, you gonna be sleepin' here forever? Stand up.” 

Garfiel goes over to the driver's platform and kicks the fallen Otto. Otto, who's been fainted all this time, whines. 

Garfiel: “You the driver? After I get the carriage back upright, yer drivin' us to the village.” Take your time and I'll kick you so hard your ass caves in. 

Otto: “Actually, what is even happening here, exactly!? Although judging by what I just heard, I would figure myself a casualty!” 

Otto gets up and bitches at Garfiel. Which is pretty bold when directed at someone who just poked you into oblivion, but Garfiel seems to agree with it and looks back at Subaru. 

Garfiel: “Hey. This guy always so energetic?” 

Otto: “Even if you ask that man for a judgement of what I'm like, you're unlikely to get a reasonable estimate so I would prefer you please stop! Isn't it enough for you to judge this person known as me with your own eyes?! And apologize! Please apologize!” 

Garfiel: “Hmm!?  Lookit you, getting' all energetic n' feisty, 're you underestimatin' me!? I mighta gotten a bit 'head of myself and walloped someone who didn't need wallopin', so now you go and get over it!” 

Subaru: “Can the two of you shut up!? Emilia-tan's still suffering, so you go grab those reins! And you put the carriage upright!” 

So thus starts the chaos as they get to this. Emilia still hasn't woken up, but her brows do faintly scrunch up, and she mutters as if sleeptalking, 

Emilia: “...shutup.” 

※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ 

Garfiel: “Thinkin' back, I didn't introduce myself. My amazin' self is called Garfiel... eh, just 

Garfiel's fine. I'm the strongest man there is. Nice to meet ya.” Subaru: “Right, I'm Natsuki Subaru... huh? What was that? You said you're the strongest? Seriously?” 

So the two of them are talking in the carriage as it gets moving, Subaru withdrawing his hand before they can complete a handshake. Subaru is surprised and Garfiel is mystified. 

Garfiel: “Well I said it, didn't I? Ain't like there's anythin' weird 'bout it.” Subaru: “No, it's just that I didn't expect there to be anyone who'd say 'I'm the strongest' completely upfront. That aside, don't you think that title's just a little too big?” 

Garfiel: “You really don't think my amazin' self's a fittin' match for strongest?” 

Subaru: “I recognize that you're crazy strong, but if we're debating whether you're the strongest... no matter how I think, there's already someone flitting through my brain.” 

Reinhardt. Garfiel: “Heh, well whatever. One day my amazin' self'll prove yer mistaken thinkin' wrong with my own two hands. Least for now keep A RED-NOSED TODNOZZ FEELS THE COLD in mind.” 

Subaru: “Even if you tell me to keep that in mind, I don't know what it means...” Garfiel seems uninterested in explaining his incomprehensible sayings. Subaru stares outside the  carriage window, Emilia sleeping on his lap, using the opportunity to comb his fingers through her hair. Her expression's already getting more relaxed that it was before. Subaru: “Well, I missed the chance to ask you about this before, but you know Roswaal... yeah?” Garfiel: “You've at least heard my name before, yeah? 'S kinda a guess, but 's probably 'cause of all  the people related to Roswaal, my amazin' self's blatantly the strongest.” 

Subaru: “That wasn't really the point... I do remember you being called someone influential, though.” No way he's being called influential because of his combat power, right? But Garfiel's clearly not  the politician-type that Subaru expected. Subaru: “This just gives me more questions to ask Roswaal about SANCTUARY. I'm supposed to be  acting to find a solution to problems, but everything just points to the number of problems increasing, what's with this?” Subaru's expression clouds over. Garfiel clicks his tongue. Garfiel: “SANCTUARY.” Garfiel gives a small wave of his hand and turns his head towards their destination—that is, 

SANCTUARY. 

Garfiel: “Yer just callin' it that 'cause that's what Roswaal forced down yer throat. Nevermind you not knowin', but that he didn't let you know's bullshit.” Subaru: “Honestly I agree with you, but there's a limit to badmouthing people while they're not  around or being mean so let's stop. ...did saying that bother you?” 

Subaru tries to capitalise on Garfiel's slip, but instead he gives a somewhat unbefitting, sarcastic smile. Garfiel: “Think it's 'bout time Sleepin' Beauty got up. We're plenty far from the barrier.” Subaru: “What's the barrier... ah, Emilia-tan?” 

Subaru notices Emilia fidgeting on his lap. Her eyes open dimly and she absent-mindedly looks around the carriage, her consciousness still not fully awoken, and fixes her gaze on Subaru. 

Emilia: “Mornin', suhbaru...” Subaru: “You're insane adorable when you're waking up but now isn't the time for this, Emilia-tan. Does anything feel weird at all, or does your head hurt or anything?” 

Emilia: “Uhh, no? I don't feel anything strange, but...” Emilia suddenly gets up with plenty of energy and Subaru hurriedly turns his face away from her,  just barely dodging a headbutt. Emilia remains oblivious to this close call as she glances back at Subaru. Emilia: “A-are you okay, Subaru? I, went and collapsed when I said I'd protect you...” Subaru: “You don't need to worry, we somehow made it through! We got successful contact through  dialogue. Human connections can come together through the tool of communication, and right here is where we managed to take that first step. I'm a total loner though.” Emilia looks to be fine. And also, super cute. As always. 

Garfiel: “See? Just like how I said.” Garfiel smiles at Subaru, and Emilia is surprised to notice another presence inside the carriage. She immediately gets Subaru behind her and takes a protective stance. 

Emilia: “—Who are you!? Letting you know, I won't allow you to lay a single finger on Subaru!” 

Subaru: “It's okay, Emilia-tan! Also I'm begging you please stop doing things that validate me as the heroine! My gauge is is really starting to get there!” He gets himself out of this position of being defended and goes to face Garfiel again. Subaru: “That's Garfiel. Right after you collapsed, he attacked... I mean, came to ride on the  carriage. It's not like we've welcomed him into the group, but he'll be coming with us until SANCTUARY.” 

Emilia: “This is... Garfiel? The one Frederica mentioned?” Garfiel: “'M int'rested in what she said 'bout me, but I'll put that off for later. We're gonna be reachin' the village soon.” 

The forest opens up, and now they can finally see their destination. Garfiel: “Most gracious welcome, dear Emilia-sama and entourage.” 

His tone is far more scornful than respectful. He spreads his arms open wide as Emilia and Subaru  stare at him. Garfiel: “To the place Roswaal so fancifully calls a fucking SANCTUARY—the decrepit ruins of a deadlocked test site, where a gathering of idiots live out their days.” 

Subaru: “Test site?” Emilia: “Idiots—” 

Garfiel puts his hand to his mouth, and smiles as if to obfuscate his hideously complex feelings. Garfiel: “Us residents call it the WITCH OF GREED'S CEMETERY, though. Ain't nothin' to laugh 'bout, ehh, oi.” 

He laughs as if mocking himself. Quiet, low, like a curse, like a blessing, his laugh echoes through  the carriage. And hearing that, Subaru knows that if a Witch is again putting their sights on Emilia, the one to brush away those sparks has to be him. 

SANCTUARY approaches. 





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