WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World, Season 2, Episode 3, "The Long-Awaited Reunion," now streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Witch of Greed has proven herself to be a bit spooky on the outside but a softy on the inside in Re:Zero Episode 3. As Emilia and Subaru reunite with Roswaal, troubling secrets are revealed over a cup of tea as danger lurks and a blast from the past literally leaps into the fold.
A nonchalant Subaru gracefully accepts Echidna's invitation to her odd tea party under the shade of an umbrella perched atop a hill. The Witch of Greed, as she had introduced herself previously, offers the naive hero a cup of tea, which he greedily drinks, much to her surprise. The tea could have been poisoned, she says, but he notes that if she were going to kill him it would have happened already.
What follows is much needed context as Echidna explains her role as Greed, one of several Witches named for the seven deadly sins. Sadly, her biggest revelation is that she is, in fact, dead. As are the other Witches, save for one: the Witch of Envy. The Witches had accomplished great feats in pursuit of their true desires, but Envy simply wished to consume them for “sustenance” while on a quest to turn the people of the world against each other.
With the entirety of the Witch's knowledge on display, Subaru stands up to leave, naturally. Before he can go, however, the tea begins to show its effects on him. Echidna reveals that she poisoned him with the Witch Factor of Envy via a tea made from her own “body fluid” so that he could remain in her presence for longer than normal. There is no further explanation given, but Subaru's disgusted reaction speaks mountains. More surprisingly, however, she tells him that the Sloth Witch Factor now resides within him following the death of Petelgeus.
This revelation may explain how Subaru was able to cross the barrier at the Sanctuary without passing out, as Emilia had, and how he can safely visit Echidna's home, the Witch's Graveyard, where she says her soul is being held prisoner. This, of course, is the Sanctuary that Subaru had been searching for. Upon leaving, Echidna makes him vow to never speak of their meeting and also gives him the ability to face the Trial of the Sanctuary.
Subaru playing host for a Witch Factor may explain why he is seemingly immune to the curse that stole memories of Rem from everyone but himself. But, keeping in theme with previous episodes, Subaru's visit with the ghost of the Witch of Greed has raised more questions than answers.
When Subaru arrives back in the real world, he finds Otto unconscious and a half-beast man on the attack. The brute suplexes the ground dragon and then goes in for the kill on Subaru himself before the frightened hero reveals he knows him by name. This is Garfiel, a man who bears a striking resemblance to Frederica, teeth and all. While leading the party to the inner Sanctuary, he explains that the barrier around the Sanctuary actually only affects mixed-bloods and demi-humans.
Upon arrival, the party is met by Ram and it becomes very clear that the inhabitants of the Sanctuary aren't all that happy. Roswaal greets them from a hospital bed, after all, wrapped in bandages. He reveals that his injuries came via the Trial of the Sanctuary, which he failed. Roswaal and the residents of the Sanctuary are actually prisoners, Emilia and Subaru are told, much to the delight of Garfiel. In order to escape, the Trial must be overcome — and the only person left who can take it is Emilia.
As the gang realizes they've been summoned to the Sanctuary on a rescue mission of sorts, they waste no time taking on the Trial. Emilia enters the glowing ruins of a temple and is soon followed by Subaru, his hot-headed brain working overtime. Inside, he finds Emilia unconscious and then he, too, is put to sleep.
Shockingly, Subaru awakens in a modern bed. Anime action figures line the shelves and a television sits in the corner. It appears to be Subaru's home, the one he lived in before being brought over to Emilia's world. Before the reality of the situation can sink in, a half-naked man body slams him, claiming to be his father.
Subaru's past has never been explored. Could the Trial of the Sanctuary pull challenges from Subaru's real world life? As a deep mystery reveals itself, one can't help but feel that even in a so-called Sanctuary, danger abounds.
New episodes of Re:Zero premiere Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. ET on Crunchyroll.