Re:Zero Light Novel Volume 21/Synopsis

Prologue: On the Road
While sitting by a campfire, Julius Juukulius confesses to Natsuki Subaru that he isn't the legitimate son of the Juukulius House. Though Subaru was somewhat annoyed by the fact that Julius picked this exact time to drop such a massive revelation, he asks Julius to explain what he means. Julius says that his father was Klein Juukulius, the younger brother of Alverio Juukulius, the current head of the household. After Klein passed away, Julius was adopted by Alverio. Emilia comments that Julius has two fathers and two mothers, a note that touches Julius deeply.

Currently, Subaru and his group consisting of himself, Beatrice, Julius, Emilia, and Anastasia Hoshin, have left Priestella, the Water Gate City, and are embarking on a journey to eastern reaches of the world to make contact with the Sage Flugel, who was rumored to be in the Augria Sand Dunes, hoping he could share his wisdom with them. Unfortunately, the desert is said to be extremely treacherous, teeming with Demon Beasts, and it was said to be so dangerous that Reinhard van Astrea himself couldn't get through, and that sentence itself can take away anyone's sense of hope.

Despite that, Subaru has confidence they can overcome this impossible feat. He plays around a bit with Beatrice before she goes to Emilia and asks to sleep with her tonight as punishment for Subaru being "mean" to her. When they walk off, Julius comments on how close Emilia and Beatrice have become compared to their relationship over a year ago, and attests it to Subaru's own presence, but Subaru quickly changes the topic back to Julius's family, pointing out that talking about the past in a situation like the one they're in right now is already adding more than enough burdens to bear. However, Subaru remembers that Julius had his name consumed by Roy Alphard, one of the Archbishops of Gluttony, which means that everyone that previously knew him have forgotten him. Julius reveals that he wanted to tell Subaru this because everyone else around him has forgotten it, even though they knew it previously, and right now, he feels he's the only person who understands him (which Subaru does to an extent). Saying his piece, Julius walks away to get some rest while Subaru volunteers himself for lookout duty.

As Subaru looks over the fire, he is approached by Echidna, an artificial spirit created by and named after the Witch of Greed, who was currently in control of her summoner, Anastasia Hoshin. Due to Subaru's previous experiences with Echidna, he doesn't trust her and also doesn't treat the spirit with much respect, often referring her as "Eridna," a name she isn't fond of, even though Eridna herself explains she didn't want this situation either. Eridna tells Subaru he shouldn't stay up so late and then walks away, and ultimately, Subaru puts out the fire and heads for the carriage to sleep. Beatrice, who was awake at the moment, sees he has much on his mind and advises he share them with her, which he does, as she already knows that Eridna is in control of Anastasia's body right now. She advises he ask others for help and he accepts, admitting he can't worry forever, especially since they'll be heading home soon.

As it turns out, Subaru wanted to make a pitstop at the Roswaal Manor before heading for the Augria Sand Dunes, as he wanted to pick up Rem, for whom Subaru felt a glimmer of hope to save on this journey.