Re:Zero EX Novel 1 Summary

Well the novel pretty much starts with Crusch's childhood. She was born into the Karsten household who is a long supporter of the royal family. They're one of the most influential and noble households there is in Lugunica and therefore she enjoys a good childhood. It's been made pretty clear to her early on that she will succeed her father and be the head of the household once she is older. Her father is the exact opposite to her. He is very silent, very past put under stress and overall not suited to be a leader. She was accustomed to combat and the harsh world early on through things like a dagger as a present. On her birthday she encountered a boy who shouldn't have been there. She engages in fight with him. Before she can seriously hurt him he shouts his name and it is revealed that he is the 4th prince of Lugunica Fourier. Crusch is ashamed and regrets what she did but she doesn't really get along with him at first. Crusch is a dominant and energetic child while Fourier is rather timid and introverted. Still Fourier becomes interested in her strength and therefore invites her regularly to the castle. There she teaches him sword fighting and many more things. She is one of his few friends and he becomes one of her few friends. She always calls him "little prince" as a joke. Then soon we do a timeskip to their early adulthood around 19/20 years old. The more years passed the more of a man Fourier became. He still was rather introverted and not an impulsive person but he became a lot more sure about himself. This was probably due to Crusch's influence and the realization about his role in this kingdom. Eventually both have another sword fight in which Fourier actually manages to draw even with Crusch which of course impresses her.

By then it's become clear that Fourier has developed feelings for her over the years they've spent together but Crusch is really ignorant of emotions regarding herself. She wouldn't understand the various hints that someone loves or hates her. Soon after that the story depicts how Crusch and Fourier free Ferris. When Ferris was born his parents realized that he is a demi-human which at that time was still a problem due to the after effects of the demi-human war. His parent suspected an affair because both were human so they got in a fight. What they had in common tho was their disgust for Ferris's origin so he was locked into the basement for his first 9 years of his life. There he also starved to death, lived in his own filth and wasn't able to read, speak or write at the age of 9. It was Crusch and Fourier who found him. The reason why they found him was because there were reports that former extremists took in demi-humans and forced them to hard labor. Here you can see Ferris father ( on top ), one of the extremists Miles ( on the right ), and Ferris mother ( on the bottom ). And here you can see Crusch facing Miles whom she kills. When Crusch found Ferris he was basically only bones and skin, was dark everywhere due to his own filth and the dirt. He couldn't speak at all. Crusch took him in and his parents lost their good standing with the Crusch family. There Ferris experienced proper education. Eventually he was able to speak fluently but his cat like "accent" results from his years of missing basic education. Crusch's father was one of the people that taught him the most hence they have a really close relationship. He's like a second father for him.


Oh you might wonder why the feminine clothing. Well Ferris wasn't only left alone to rot but also abused regularly. Because of this he developed several complexes and mental disorders. One of them is him seeing himself as female which most likely results from being close to Crusch. He adapted every single thing he experienced and since he spent a lot of time with Crusch he probably grew accustomed to the lifestyle of a female. When you put him into male clothes without his consent he is close to breaking. Another complex is that he despises people who have no will to life. He would rather let them die than safe them. This is most likely the result of some sort of self reflection. Later on his exceptional talent for water magic was found and so Ferris was brought into the order of the knights through the connection of the Karsten household. There he quickly grew close to Julius and Reinhard. The story continues to show some things about the order of the knights but soon develops the relationship between Ferris and Fourier. Through that both of their relationship to Crusch is also explored. Fourier is like a brother to him and they get along greatly but it becomes a bit conflicted when he knows of Fourier's feelings. Ferris don't really know what's love but he knows he is absolutely dependent on Crusch. Eventually a royal party is held on which all of them attend. They enjoy themselves greatly and this is the last happy times they'll have. A few days after this party the epidemic disease starts to spread across the royals and gets worse every day.


One by one the royals die away like flies until only Fourier remains. He shows to be rather strong against whatever this disease is so all hope is on him. Eventually Ferris and Crusch are called to the castle because Fourier wishes them to come. He first lets only Ferris in. Ferris immediately notices that Fourier looks like he's in a really bad shape. It's revealed that he has been suffering with disease for a while but didn't show it to anyone, especially not them. Ferris becomes angry at him and asks him what Crusch is supposed to think of this. Fourier remains calm and collected and answers that he simply saw no reason to worry them so long because the disease is not giving him the mercy of a quick death. Ferris is in denial but he eventually accepts it when he sees how important this last few hours for Fourier are. Both talk about the fun moments they had, they laugh a lot. You know these kind of scenes where a person is about to die and he/she goes over all the fun moments with someone close to them. They laugh but it has such a sad undertone. Eventually they call each other brothers and say their goodbyes. Then Ferris switches with Crusch who is seemingly confused and shocked by Ferris tears. She knows immediately what's about to happen. The dialogue they have is probably some of my favorite of all time. I think he began the conversation along the lines "We raised a really good person with him, didn't we?" Crusch tho is seemingly angry at him for keeping quiet about it, no for lying to him.

She has the blessing of wind reading as we know but she didn't detect a lie in his words. She is majorly confused about that. Fourier answers that how could she see a lie in his words if she can't even see his feelings for her. That's when Crusch becomes overly emotional, actually we see her like that for the first time. For the first time she is simply a girl and behaves like that. Fourier's conditions worsens and he coughs up blood. Crusch hugs him closely and asks why he lied to her all this time. Fourier answers that if he told her that, he feared to see this strong and determined woman waver because of the feelings from a foolish man. She says that he's causing it to her right now, more than she could've ever imagined. She asks why, why now? He answers that if he wants "go ahead" then he wants to show her that she is and was loved dearly by someone. Crusch falls into denial, she doesn't want to accept it but she realizes how important he was in her life. Fourier who now rests on Crusch's lap suddenly starts to ask her if she knows his biggest wish. She says that she doesn't know it. He starts to tell her about his wish. To be the successor to the throne, to give the people in this country the life they deserve. He wants to achieve this by herself and not through the kindness of some dragon. He wants to rule to the best he can with her at his side. He goes on and tells her how he imagined their marriage. That Ferris would be there too. That he would keep her dear but never limit her. She wouldn't be merely his wife but known as Crusch. They both would rule this kingdom to the best they can and through their own two hands. He goes on and describes the ceremony in detail until he reaches the declaration of love and the question "Do you want to marry...", you know.

He goes like this "Mrs Crusch Karsten do you want to marry th-" yes comes out from Crusch's mouth and tears role down her face. Fourier is surprised but smiles. He puts on an imaginary ring on her finger. "Thank you for making this lovestruck fool's life beautiful" but before they can finalize their vow with a kiss he passes away. Crusch realizes it and cries even more. She still kisses him and whispers "Sleep tight, little prince". Crusch remains like this for a while and this is when her determination and life goal manifests through a really interesting monologue. She vows to make Fouriers wish come true and rule the kingdom with all she has and without a kindness of a dragon. She knew the royalty, the people, especially Fourier and saw sacrifices they were enduring to rule this kingdom in the best way they can. But in the end all the people see is the dragon, the dragon. Crusch thinks that in the end it's the people that drove this kingdom to what it is and didn't let it crumble. She takes Fourier's sword with the lion symbol on it ( it's the symbol for the royal lineage ), takes Ferris and walks towards her newly found goal to become a candidate.