First of all, this chapter is skippable, well skip until the very last sentence for context or... You can read it quickly, I summarized it as much as I can, I also added an author note down bellow that I think you should read.
Don't worry, I'm going to upload the following chapter right away.
Author's Note:
So... honestly, I was kind of bored writing this chapter. It felt more like an extension of the last one, just with a few extra things added .
At the same time, I've decided to make a major change to the story for the second time ever. The first change was adding a new character — a reader request. Honestly, when I first got the request, I just said, "Maybe, I'll think about it," and I didn't think about it. But after spending some time scrolling through the Re:Zero Wiki, I thought, "Well, fuck... this character could actually fit really well into this arc."
The second change is a much bigger deal. It's going to completely reshape how an entire arc plays out — although it's still a long way off since it's in Arc 10 (we're currently at Arc 3, lol). When I compared the first and second versions of that arc, the second version just felt way better. (I'm also planning to get a second opinion from a friend.)
Now that I've made up my mind about how the story will go, I'm trying to avoid making major changes moving forward. It's like a chain reaction: change one thing, and suddenly a dozen other things need adjusting. Honestly, I'm too lazy to deal with that kind of mess unless absolutely necessary.
Also, I want to clear something up: I'm a lazy person, but I'm not a lazy writer. (I don't know if that makes sense, lol.)Some people seem to think that this story is just Tanaka tagging along with Subaru and following the original plot like a background character. That really annoys me for two reasons: First, I'm not gaining anything from writing this fanfic (Aside from feeding my ego) — it's not like I'm getting paid — I'm doing it purely out of passion. I see this as a learning experience, and if I ever decide to write an original novel, I'll use everything I learned here. Second, I don't want my first book — even if it's "just a fanfic" — to be something lazy, like slapping in a new character just to make Subaru's life easier.
This might sound a little narcissistic, but I truly believe this fanfic can become the best Re: Zero fanfic ever in terms of plot (not writing — I'm still improving). Despite the rough patches early on, I've seen a lot of people genuinely enjoy it. And honestly, this part of the story (from the beginning up until now) is the worst part. I actually wanted to skip straight past it — but I couldn't, because setting up Tanaka's relationships (with Beatrice, Emilia, Rem, Ram, Subaru, and the others) was extremely important. Also, there were a lot of subtle hints planted in these chapters. (I hope some of you caught them, lol.)
When I first started, the idea was to have Tanaka and Subaru as bros, backing each other up, with Tanaka using science and real-world knowledge to tackle problems (kind of like Dr. Stone). You could see traces of that early on (like when he built that charger).Since then, though, I shifted the focus. Tanaka is still a really smart guy, but his intelligence is now just part of his character — not the driving force of the plot.
Anyway, the next chapter will finally have the actual Crash Out (monologue).This arc has four big changes:
The Crash Out.
More things are going to happens at the Kartsen's estate (Crusch)
The reveal of two very important canon characters (they were hinted at earlier, even though they never showed up in this arc in the original story).
A major turning point that will change the course of the entire story.
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Why was Tanaka here?
Right now, that was a secondary thought to her.
Her gaze was focused on his eyes, something was off.
Something was definitely off.
It wasn't the first time he showed such a dreadful expression.
Prior to the forest incident, when he fell unconscious, possibly due to overworking himself. After he woke up, he had the face of a person whose world had ended.
He didn't want to talk about it and just brushed it off, and Emilia hated it but didn't pester him.
He remained that way for days until his facial features finally softened, then he slowly opened his heart to everyone in the mansion.
"Tanaka... What's wron..."
As Emilia was about to voice her concern, she was interrupted.
"Why are you staring at my servants, half-breed?"
"...."
"Huh?"
A soft sensation pressed against his back, and an arm slipped around his chest and neck with a sultry motion, locking him in place.
Behind him stood an orange-haired girl, who was on tiptoes—her chin resting on his shoulder, her face now side-by-side with his, staring straight at Emilia.
A teasing smirk tugged at her lips.
There wasn't any response as she initiated an intimate action, Tanaka wasn't fazed by her bold action.
"'Servants'? Don't go saying things that'll make Emilia-tan misunderstand—"
"Oh? So you're not my servant? Then explain to me, what kind of status allows you to walk freely around the royal castle like this?"
"Ugh…!"
Subaru opened his mouth to snap back, but her mocking smile stole the words right out of him. He felt the noose tightening.
They... Well, he was clearly at a disadvantage. It was undeniable that his position was only secured thanks to this girl's mercy.
Considering her capricious nature, saying anything to offend her could result in him being reported and imprisoned—maybe even dealt with on the spot.
"Well, well, Lady Priscilla. I must apologize for the trouble caused by the servants of our household. It's truly regrettable they lost his way in the castle like this. I beg your pardon."
A familiar, smooth voice cut off his pointless pride.
To Subaru's right, stepping up beside him, was a man with long blue hair—Roswaal, dressed in court magician finery and wearing his usual carefree grin.
With a flourish, he gestured toward Subaru and added:
"I shall repay this debt another time. Once again, I offer apologies for our house's behavior."
"The head charlatan himself appears. Well, very well. Thanks to this jester and the half-breed, I was sufficiently entertained. And my retainer did request it."
"However…" she leaned closer to Tanaka, tightening her arm ever so slightly, "I'm not finished with this one. I'll let him go when I'm satisfied. Until then, he's mine. Al—watch him."
"Give me a break, Princess," came Al's muffled groan from behind her. He visibly relaxed, a hand over his chest. "My heart's candle just melted like an ice cream cone in summer..."
"Your metaphors are incomprehensible. Regardless, you should be grateful for my boundless mercy. Show your respect."
"Yeah yeah, amazing, you're great, all hail." Al mumbled with a tired smirk, ruffling her hair affectionately with his one hand. Her head bobbed side to side, but she made no move to stop him.
Strangely, she didn't seem to mind. If anything… it looked like affection. Genuine, if warped.
She turned with a sweep of her dress and strode off like a storm passing through the halls. Al sighed and gave Subaru a brief look before grabbing Tanaka by the collar and dragging him along after her.
In any case—
"That was seriously a brush with death. Thanks, Roz-chi."
"Well, I suppose I share some of the blame, too. Buuuut…"
Roswaal looked at Subaru, still catching his breath, with a strangely contemplative gaze in his yellow eyes. Subaru, feeling uneasy under the stare, asked:
"What is it?"
"I just didn't think you'd really come charging into the castle like this. How far you'll stray from our expectations… Well, perhaps it's a pointless question now."
He muttered, nodding to himself as if satisfied with something.
Subaru was about to press for an explanation when he noticed someone he really did need to explain things to out of the corner of his eye.
"Ah—sorry, I didn't mean to just leave you hanging. I have a lot to say, but—"
"Why…"
"Huh?"
As Subaru tried to sort out the order of his excuses, Emilia murmured so softly it was almost inaudible.
She shook her head once, then looked at him again, and asked:
"Not how, but why. Why are you here, Subaru?"
"If I tried to explain that, the reason is kind of deep but also shallow, heavy but kinda floaty at the same time…"
"Don't joke around. Subaru, I told you, didn't I? Don't you remember?"
Her earnest question made Subaru's throat tighten.
"Why is Tanaka with that girl as well? Why does he..."
Have that look on his face again.
"He didn't want to come Emilia, It's not what you think... Actually, I don't know what you're thinking."
"Everyone, the council of wise men will now enter."
The doors of the throne room opened, cutting off the conversation.
Subaru turned toward the sound. The first to enter through the massive doors was the knight who had spoken to the haughty girl before—perhaps his name was Marcos?
"Emilia-sama, I'm afraid it's time."
"But Roswaal!" Emilia protested, her silver hair flaring as she stepped forward. "We can't just leave things like this—"
From the corner of his eye, Subaru spotted Al and Tanaka making their way toward a gathering of armored knights.
"So uh… I'm guessing I'm supposed to go over there?"
"Proper protocol would be to politely escort you out of here now. But this is more fun—so go ahead and follow Mr. Helmet."
"Seriously, Roswaal?"
Just like back at the mansion, Roswaal remained nonchalant, prompting Emilia—equally unchanged from how she behaved at the mansion—to angrily step forward.
"Roswaal, you can't just say things like that!"
"Unfortunately, Emilia-Sama, we don't have time for your logic right now. To be blunt, if we wanted to keep everything proper, Subaru-Kun would be saying farewell here… in the long, eternal sense."
"But if we let him stay in a place like this, Subaru might—"
"Debating will have to wait. Emilia-Sama, the other candidates are gathering. Please, over there."
Roswaal gestured toward the far side of the audience chamber.
There, surrounding the empty throne and seated in chairs nearby, were the elders of the Council. Behind them, a massive dragon's wings were painted on the wall—beneath them, the elders looked like loyal subjects standing behind a ruler who bore the dragon's legacy.
And before these elders stood a group of figures—not with the aged pressure that comes with experience, but rather a natural brilliance that seemed to command attention.
At the center stood a girl in a radiant sun-colored dress, her hand on her hip and chest puffed out proudly. She had been called "Priscilla" before entering the chamber.
To her right stood a tall woman with long, dark green hair. It was so deep a shade it almost looked black, but up close, it shone with a vibrant luster. Though tall for a woman—only slightly shorter than Subaru—her hips were set much higher than his.
To Priscilla's left stood a girl with an entirely different aura—cheerful and light, with long purple hair that looked like spun candy. Her soft, wavy hair, down to her waist, had a fluffy, airy quality that caught Subaru's eye.
While Subaru was distracted with that stray thought, Emilia bit her lip in frustration and muttered:
"I swear, we're going to have a proper talk about this later."
She said this as if to reassure Subaru, then rushed toward the three girls.
Her silver hair fluttered behind her as she joined them. Though perhaps a step behind in terms of attire, Subaru—clearly biased—felt she surpassed them all in inner beauty and charm.
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Well... Here I got bored.
I reread the corresponding chapters, skimmed through some of the details, and realized—there's not much I want to change here.
At this point in the story, each royal candidate had their own full speech, and in the source material, that stretched across four whole chapters. Four. Entire. Chapters.
Yeah… I'm not doing that.
You already know what happens—heck, even the anime condensed all of it into like two minutes. So I'm gonna give you the Speed run Summary instead.
Candidate Speeches: Quick Recap Edition
Felt crashes the party as the fifth candidate. Classic chaotic energy. She meets Subaru, gives Tanaka a long stare 'uh-oh', and says, "What's wrong with your friend? Is he dead?"
Reinhard and Felix showed some interest and concerns, but they were brushed off by Al and Subaru, and they told him to just leave him alone.
Speech 1 – Crusch Karsten
-she stated that if she becomes the ruler, she wants to get rid of the dragon covenant. And how the dragon kingdom of Lugunica doesn't belong to the dragon but to the people.
Speech 2 – Priscilla Barielle
-She stated that she should be the one to rule since the world works in her favor, therefor, following her is the logical course of action and that everyone will end up winning in the end. (Also the knights expressed displeasure with Al was hiding his face and then it was revealed that he was a combatant in Vollachia and he was what's called a 'Sword slave') Upon hearing that, the knights quickly zipped their mouths.
Speech 3 – Anastasia Hoshin
-To be honest I didn't read her chapter so I will just go with the 10 seconds anime scene, she is a greedy girl and wants her own country, that's it.
Speech 4 – Emilia
-Well there were some changes between the web novel and the anime but let's go with the anime version, Emilia begins her speech endorsing communism, wanting everyone to be equal, and some shit head nobles are being racist. Then the council member with big eye brows continues to talk shit about her and Felt, (He called Felt a gutter Rat and Emilia a half-devil) Subaru is about to explode and Puck is about to kill them all.
Just before Subaru crashes out.
Tanaka steps forward. Without warning, he gently grips Subaru's shoulder and steps past him, raising a hand.
He then raises his hand and says, "Excuse me, I have a question."