Royal Selection Arc

Lore & Background

At its core, this arc explores the political landscape of Lugunica through the lens of the Royal Selection, a tournament designed to choose a successor to the vacant throne. Emilia is one of the candidates to become the next ruler, which would make her the 42nd Queen of Lugunica. The arc introduces the Witch's Cult, which Subaru and his allies must confront. It is revealed that Roswaal L. Mathers, a Margrave, Imperial Wizard, and Count, is a benefactor and sponsor for Emilia's bid for the throne. His reason for supporting Emilia is for him to kill the Dragon. It is eventually revealed that he is actually far older than he appears, having possessed the bodies of his descendants in hopes of living long enough to revive Echidna, his master and the love of his life. The arc also establishes the relationship between Subaru and Rem, transforming her from a distant servant who initially hates Subaru for having the scent of the Witch on him and kills him, into a deeply loyal companion who falls deeply in love with him after he saves her from the mabeasts of Elior Forest.

In Their Own Story

The rain in the capital tasted like ash and old blood. Subaru stood before the gate, his hands trembling not from cold, but from the memory of the screams he had silenced only moments ago. He knew what lay beyond—the betrayal that would shatter Rem's heart, the fire that would consume her body. But this time, he wouldn't let the script play out as it did in the previous loops. With a voice cracking under the weight of a thousand deaths, he whispered a promise to the empty air: 'I will save you. Even if I have to die a million times more.'

Reader's Guide

The arc begins with Subaru's arrival at the Royal Capital and his introduction to the candidates, including Emilia, who is a silver-haired half-elf girl and a Spirit Art User. Subaru first meets her when her insignia, which she needs to possess in order to be eligible to participate in the election, is stolen by Felt, a 15-year-old thief who grew up in the slums of the capital. As the story progresses, Subaru enters a cycle of repeated deaths. Each loop reveals new information about the Witch's Cult and the true nature of Roswaal's contract. The turning point occurs when Subaru realizes that saving everyone at once is impossible without understanding the deeper mechanics of their enemies' plans. The climax centers on the confrontation with the Witch's Cult. This battle forces Subaru to rely not on strength, but on strategy and emotional resilience. The arc concludes with a devastating victory that costs Subaru his most precious ally, Rem, cementing his resolve to continue fighting despite the crushing weight of guilt.

Did You Know?

• Emilia is over a hundred years old, although most of the time she was frozen in the Frozen Forest, and her mental state is still that of a teenager.
• Rem initially hated Subaru for having the scent of the Witch on him and killed him, before later falling deeply in love with him.
• An extra story in Arc 3 of the novel tells a 'What If' story about what could've happened if Subaru and Rem had decided to run away instead; they lived happily ever after with two children.
• Rem won the Best Girl award at The Anime Awards 2016.
• Puck's work time is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., similar to a salaryman's.