33

Arc 6 – Chapter 33,"■■■?■■■"

Left behind by a myriad of fluttering feathers, abyss descended on the balcony in the night.

Fearless birds spread their wings and took to flight into the murky night sky.

One could almost say that falling from that lonely sky would have been easier than remaining in this place.

If only that were true, Subaru would have wholeheartedly embraced that notion―― at least, aside from this suffocating situation, that would have been the next-worst thing.

[――――]

The location was the Watchtower, on a balcony hidden by the night.

Julius stood there, blocking the doorway, with doubt carved into his handsome features and rigid cheeks. In front of his line of sight, were Subaru and Echidona, who had been secretly conversing in the night――to Julius, she would have been Anastasia, since they looked exactly alike.

[Julius: ――what you said just now, what did you mean?]

In that tense, congealing space, Julius repeated this over and over.

The bewildered content of his words was no different from the moment before, but his voice sounded weaker with every repetition, like proof of the of the depth of his sorrow.

――When, did you start listening to the conversation?

[――――]

Faced with Julius' question, Subaru forced his halted thoughts to move, and landed on this question. When did he start listening, that's the most important thing.

The content of that conversation with Echidona=Anastasia just now, was definitely not something he should have been allowed to hear before he had been prepared. For in this Watchtower-expedition, the secrets kept by Subaru and Echidona were simply far too deep.

Things ranging from Artificial Spirits, Witch of Greed, Authority of Gluttony, and their various implications…

Subaru had hidden them all from Julius, having judged that they would only complicate things, and bring him nothing but suffering.

More than anything, was the fact that Anastasia's spirit was sleeping, and that right now, the one inhabiting her body was the Artificial Spirit of Echidona.

In other words――

[Anastasia: ――Ah~, come on, Natsuki-kun, stop looking like that]

[Subaru: ...Huh?]

Suddenly, lightly poking the stiff Subaru in the chest with her finger, Echidona put on a charming smile.

Her tone and attitude were so perfectly like Anastasia's, that for a moment, Subaru bulged his eyes in stupefaction and could not be entirely certain what was happening.

Leaving Subaru behind, as if dancing, Echidona did a turn on the spot, and,

[Anastasia: I'm sorry, Julius. But it's not like we're leaving you out of the loop, you know. I just thought I'd talk with Natsuki-kun about some of the important things that'll be happening after we leave the Pleiades Watchtower, that's all]

[――――]

[Anastasia: We had to leave the green room since Rem and the baby ground dragon were there, you know? It's not like we're afraid of any special secret leaking out, but I was just in the mood for something extra secretive. So we moved around... and this just happened to be only suitable place we could find. That's all]

Clapping her hands together in front of her chest, Echidona slightly tilted her head as if to say [Forgive me?]

That adorable gesture appeared to be just the kind of thing Anastasia would think of. But, unlike the one trying to distract away from the vital part of the story, Anastasia would never sink as low as this.

As if trying to cover up an unfavorable scene after the other person had already seen it, the words only came across as barren and superficial―― actually, one might as well replace the "as if" with "certainly" there.

It was a very undesirable situation. Having been caught off-guard, Echidona probably shared Subaru's opinion. The only difference was that she just happened to be quicker than Subaru in taking action.

And then――

[Julius: ――You are not Anastasia-sama, are you]

[――――]

[Julius: Echidona, I want you to tell me. Even when it's already come to this point, the fact that you are still trying to hide it from me, tells me you probably weren't a bad person before you died]

Through a faint glimmer of hesitation, Julius asked Echidona to her face. Hearing this, Echidona muttered [Why that's just...], and for a moment, appeared to be preparing to refute him, but,

[Julius: Echidona]

Once again, Julius stopped her with his call. And, just like this, she turned Anastasia's face toward Subaru with an indescribable emotion stirring within those light onion-green eyes.

But at this point, even Subaru couldn't think of a way to salvage this.

[Subaru: Julius, where do you want us to begin?]

[Julius: ...From Anastasia-sama's body]

In response to Subaru's question, Julius replied in a choked voice.

That much was more than enough to discern his disturbed emotional state. But even so, it must be said, that only a man like Julius would have been able to remain calm at a time like this, even if only on the surface.

Or perhaps, it may simply have gone too far beyond his limits, and too far beyond what emotions can convey.

[Echidona: Ever since the battle with the Witch Cult in Priestella city, Ana's spirit has been sleeping deep inside her body. So, right now, the one moving her body isn't Ana herself. But I, playing her role in her stead, until today]

Echidona probably thought it was no longer possible to go on pretending.

Plainly, without any set-up, she simply spoke as if laying out the facts.

In the middle of defending Priestella against the Witch Cult, Echidona took Anastasia's place, and dueled with the Witch-Cultists―― After that, Anastasia's spirit had been asleep ever since.

They had hidden this from Julius and Ricardo, and all the members of the Iron-Fang before they set out for the Pleiades Watchtower.

――This fact, was only shared between Subaru and Echidona.

[Julius: Why, would you only share this information with Subaru?]

[Echidona: He was not under the influence of the Sin-Archbishop's Authority, and so he was the only person outside the chaos of the situation. Besides, I, an Artificial Spirits of the same roots as Beatrice, have sealed a contract with a Spirits-Arts user as well. I must confess this was not my original intention. Only...]

[Julius: ――. Only?]

[Echidona: Only... he saw through my act as Ana, so I had no choice but to tell him]

Hearing this explanation of why only Subaru came to know that it was Echidona inside Anastasia's body, Julius' eyes began to tremble beyond control.

Of course. Because Subaru saw through Echidona's performance――

[Julius: Someone who barely knows her, something even a stranger should notice… I call myself her Knight and I didn't even notice it...]

[Subaru: Stop, you dumbass! You can't say that!]

[Julius: ――――]

[Subaru: Your situation... you were just in a bad situation! There was a huge thing that just happened to you, tying you down! And it wasn't just you, there's Ricardo and Mimi as well, wasn't there? I only noticed because... anyway it just happened by chance!]

Listening to Julius mocking himself with those words, Subaru tried to put a stop to his self-injury. However, in his failure of his duty as a Knight, there were no words that could console him.

In reality, just what could Julius have done? Was he really to blame for this?

The Lord he devoted his loyalty to, his comrades with whom he swore his oath, his fellow Knights that have always been his companions, and all the many, many more, everything he had accumulated up to now in his life as a Knight, had collapsed like a wall of sand. How can he stand before them again?

Stalwart. Elegant. A Knight. How could he ever be called that again.

If being a Knight meant never permitting oneself to succumb to one's pain like a common human being, then being a Knight was a curse for Julius Euculius.

[Julius: It is the duty of a Knight to eliminate chance, and be certain at all times]

[Subaru: ――! Then a Knight is... nothing but a troublesome title isn't it...]

[Julius: Take back those words, and do not say them to me again. I... right now I, I'm afraid I've lost some part of myself...]

Subaru's consoling rationalization simply bounced off in the face of Julius' Knightly convictions. Watching as Subaru fell speechless from the emotions clogging up his throat, Julius shook his head.

[Julius: Let's get back on topic. ――Echidona, what is your intention?]

[Echidona: ...To return this body to Ana. That, is the reason I brought you all to the Pleiades Watchtower, even more importantly than the victims of Gluttony and Lust]

[Julius: In other words, you mean to say you never wanted this. And you have no way to restore Anastasia-sama... even if I slay you]

Placing his hand on the Knight's sword at his waist, Julius narrowed his eyes and threw her this perilous question.

Receiving this, Echidona cast down her eyes, and gently touched her own chest.

[Echidona: That I am an evil spirit, and have taken over Ana's body for that reason... I cannot give you any evidence to refute that speculation. So, if you are convinced that I am lying to you, even if you choose to destroy me, I cannot stop you]

But, at the end of her last syllable, Echidona continued after pausing only a beat.

[Echidona: But in that case, any possibility of restoring the consciousness of Ana's empty shell will be extinguished by your hand... In the worst case, it will become difficult to even preserve her life, and there is a chance that she will die]

Echidona cut down Julius' suggestion, and laid out her thoughts. Then, having said this, she softly lifted up her hands,

[Echidona: Of course, this is only a nonsense possibility I had no choice but to come up with because I want to live. Even I, cannot say for sure whether my death would be the solution. If I must die so that Ana could live, I feel like I would be alright with that. Though I really don't want to die]

[Julius: And why, would you be willing to do that for Anastasia-sama?]

[Echidona: The relationship between Ana and I are not complete. Therefore, perhaps it would not be right for a common spirit to take a Spirits Arts user's rightful place...]

Cutting off her words there, Echidona looked at Julius and Subaru in turn.

It seemed almost as though she was admiring the odd-looking pair who shared a bond quite different than that of a Spirit and a Spirits Arts user.

[Echidona: I like Ana. And I have been at her side ever since she was a young child. So I do not wish to abandon her, and I want her to be happy. ――That, is my reason]

[Julius: ――――]

[Echidona: Julius, I did not reveal this fact to you because it would have only lead to unnecessary confusion. Ana herself had wanted to keep my existence secret, if possible. In fact, she was the reason I had remained hidden all the way until what happened in Priestella. It was all thanks to that child]

Even back in Priestella, Julius would have been quite shocked if Anastasia announced that Echidona had been hiding inside her all that time.

Subaru, who had prioritized retrieving Emilia above all else, could not possibly imagine what storm must be churning within Julius' chest at that moment.

Only, in such a short span of time, what his Lord had kept hidden―― as well as the secret pertaining to the fundamentals of Anastasia herself, were all revealed to him at a time when they should not have been revealed. Just how much must all of this be weighing on Julius?

[Julius: ...I can understand your relationship with Anastasia-sama. It is difficult to believe everything. But, I have no choice but to believe you. At least, in that it would be thoughtless to do anything to you right now]

[Echidona: Oh, is that so? I am glad you chose rationally, Julius. I'm sure Ana would be glad as well]

[Julius: ――――]

Letting go of the hilt of his Knight's sword, Julius did not respond to Echidona's words, and only remained in silence.

But he was far from having understood it, and it left him a sense of shame to think about it. Yet, in the blink of a moment, Julius cast this out of his mind, and,

[Julius: I just want to confirm this. Anastasia-sama's Od is the price for your ability to continue to manifest yourself... so naturally, the more you strain yourself, the heavier the burden on Anastasia-sama's body will be. Is that correct?]

[Echidona: Correct. That's the right way to understand it. If I eat well, sleep well, get some moderate exercise... take a generally healthy approach to life, it'd be just enough to counteract the toll on Ana's Od]

[Julius: If that's the case... then why did you pull that stunt on the second level?]

Just as Echidona was slightly recovering herself, lightheartedly joking in between her words, Julius struck her with this unexpected question.

Considering what happened on the second level, it's only understandable that he would point this out――

[Julius: During my fight with the second-level examiner, Reid Astrea, Anastasia-sama... using Anastasia-sama's body… you casted magic… to assist me]

It was at the time of the first clash between Julius and Reid.

Faced with the overwhelming power of Reid's swordsmanship, when Julius was helpless and on the verge of defeat, Echidona casted her enormous magical power toward Reid.

Far from being a decisive strike, instead, the load on Anastasia's body went over her limit, and she fainted. But the problem was not the result.

It was why did she do it. Just that.

[Julius: The burden of that act on Anastasia-sama's body could not have been light. After saying so much, your actions are still conflicting with your claims. So why?]

[Subaru: That's...]

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What Julius pointed out was also what Subaru had been wondering.

Back there, Echidona acted when Julius had been beaten, and carrying an expression as though he was prepared to die. There seemed to be a lie somewhere, yet it didn't feel like it was precalculated.

It must be pure speculation. But could Echidona have chosen to help Julius simply because, living inside Anastasia, they had already spent so much time together―― could it be something as simple as that?

However, to Subaru's doubts, and to Julius' question, Echidona only replied [I'm sorry], and deeply bowed on the spot,

[Echidona: Even I feel like a failure there. How should I say this, to a bystander, it might just seem embarrassing, but I made that decision from a strategic point of view]

[Julius: A strategic decision?]

[Echidona: At the time, I had no idea whether the examiner of the second level had intent to kill. If I did not do it, we might have lost the fighting power of Julius. Of course, I wanted to avoid it, for Ana. Besides, Reid Astrea had his back turned... and so it seemed a perfect opportunity, in my eyes. But not only did it fail, I've caused you trouble]

Apologizing, and adding one more at the end for good measure, Echidona slowly raised up her body.

There were no contradictions within her explanation. While it was true that to a bystander, it would have looked like foolish behavior, Subaru couldn't find any basis to refute her reasoning. Emotional ones aside.

Could such a story really be swallowed so easily?

But, before Subaru could pursue the point any further,

[Julius: ――Alright. But please be careful not to do anything rash in the future. Not for anyone else, only for Anastasia-sama]

[Echidona: Understood]

[Subaru: Wha-!?]

Julius gestured that he had understood and accepted, and nodded back at Echidona. Watching their exchange, Subaru kicked at the floor as if he wasn't sure if they were joking.

[Subaru: How can you be convinced by that...]

[Julius: Subaru, I am convinced. Echidona will refrain from doing anything rash in the future. What else is there to say? ――This is a matter between Anastasia-sama and Echidona, and between Anastasia-sama and myself]

[Subaru: ――――]

[Julius: It seems you have been caught up in this by some strange mistake. But, this is an internal matter within the Anastasia camp. This is not your pain to bear]

Listening to Julius trying to distance him from the problem, Subaru clenched the back of his jaw.

It's not as if Subaru was carrying this pain because he one-sidedly wanted to.

[Subaru: I, whether or not I take this upon myself is my own business isn't it!]

[Julius: So you can take this upon yourself, yet deny me the right to face my own problems? ...I don't seem to recall you ever telling me about Anastasia-sama and Echidona]

[Subaru: ――gh]

[Julius: Sorry. I shouldn't have said it. ...But it is the truth]

Wrenching this out in a choked voice, Julius turned his eyes away.

Within that voice, that stubbornness, Subaru finally noticed it.

Julius had not remained calm at all.

Far from hiding the tempest raging in his heart, he could not even keep it from seeping through to the surface.

Having lost his own existence, even the one thing that remained to him, his loyalty to his Lord, was a lie, and their promise to tell each other every concern had been broken.

Even so, the man named Julius was not supposed to be subject to emotions.

[Julius: I don't intend to argue. For Anastasia-sama, we must find a way to deal with this situation as soon as possible. Echidona, I hope I can count on your sincere cooperation]

[Echidona: ...Of course. Since you have already found out, I suppose there is no reason for me to continue playing Ana anymore. Well, if you can tolerate me in the form of Ana, that is]

[Julius: That is fine. I must restore Anastasia-sama to the way she was, and looking at this form will remind me of what I must do]

Hearing of his intention to hurt himself to strengthen his resolve, Echidona put on a sad expression. But Julius had already turned up to the sky, without seeing her face.

As if noticing for the very first time that the night sky from atop the balcony was untouched by the Miasma, he squinted his eyes under the radiance of the stars.

[Julius: There is no reason to stay here for long. Let's go back inside. As for Anastasia-sama's body and Echidona... let's tell Emilia-sama and the others tomorrow]

[Echidona: Ohoh, alright. I will prepare for it as well]

Saying this, Julius gently took Echidona's hand and began to walk. Surely, it was exactly the same as what he had always done for Anastasia.

Whatever was inside, his loyalty to Anastasia will not change. ――Even if she was sleeping deep within her body, even if she had forgotten Julius.

[Subaru: Julius!]

Feeling something painful at the sight of his figure, Subaru shouted out to him.

Having been abandoned by memories while he still remembered everything about the others, having nothing left except to struggle, desperately relying on that sentiment―― Having been there himself, he understood that pain.

Even if he was forgotten, he cannot forget. That thought alone gave him the impulse to move.

[Julius: ――――]

Julius halted his steps, and, still holding onto Echidona, did not turn around.

The fact that his back remained perfectly straight, in spite of all the turmoil within his heart, was just totally frustrating.

[Subaru: You… isn't there something you want to say to me]

Regarding Echidona, regarding Anastasia's body, he had kept it all from him.

Tonight, he had promised to take over for spending time in the green room, but Subaru broke that promise, and secretly met with Echidona on the balcony.

He could make excuses. There were reasons. It's not that he meant to...

But, regardless of what he meant, or whatever his reasons, or excuses, his heart could not pull free.

So why won't you raise your voice to shout at me? Swear at me, and just let out your rage?

Subaru couldn't be sure whether it was his own sense of guilt, or whether Julius truly thought this.

Surely, Julius wouldn't.

Raise his voice, or spit out abuses――

[Julius: ――There is]

[Subaru: ――――]

[Julius: I understand. Why you thought you should hide this truth from me. You meant no harm. It was only out of concern and consideration. I agree with your apprehensions. If we switched places, I would have kept my silence as well]

[Subaru: ――――]

[Julius: ――But, even so]

Looking up to the sky. With a voice as if wrenching it out.

[Julius: Whether it is myself, or Anastasia-sama, or you, I don't want to be thought of as someone unworthy of being a Knight]

He didn't need any special procedures to get back into the tower.

Just like the way he entered the balcony, he only had to crawl down below waist-level to get through the hidden passage and come out inside the tower. While crawling on his knees, the pointless thought suddenly occurred to him that Julius must have crawled through here in the exact same way.

Unfortunately, since he had already crawled back earlier, Subaru lost his chance to record this into memory.

It was because he was so overwhelmed by Julius' last words, that he remained there speechlessly for a while.

[Subaru: ――――]

If he didn't say anything, then he wasn't dishonest, he thought. ――Except, that wasn't the case.

Most likely, Julius believed that even if he had shouted and sworn at Subaru who was plagued by guilt, it would not have brought him any comfort. And since his virtue would not allow it, he could not throw his rage and complaints, but only swallow them silently on the spot.

But, that was not the case.

The words Julius left behind in the end, had stuck into his heart like a thorn.

Perhaps, Subaru would have felt better if he had been yelled at. But since he did not want to feel better, perhaps it was best that Julius hadn't said anything.

However, the reality was not like that. The thorn left by Julius insisted on pain, and blood continued to flow from its piercing wound. Deep enough to make him hesitate about pulling it out.

[Subaru: I can't... go back to the green room anymore]

Chances are, Julius had already escorted Echidona back to the green room by now. After that, it would be unlikely that he'd go search for a bed in the dragon carriage left in the lower levels.

This deep-rooted problem―― the sheer depth which was the fault of Subaru's own poor judgment, was not something that can be cleared up overnight. At least, it would take time, and simply holding calm discussions will not be enough to resolve it.

Thinking about it that way, he felt a little embarrassed about going back to the dragon carriage. Even though he knew Julius would not go back there, he would still feel somewhat guilty about tugging himself into a warm futon right now.

However, at this late hour, there was no one Subaru could spill his heart to.

The sleeping Rem and Subaru's best-buddy Patrasche were both in the green room, where he was too afraid to approach because of Julius and Echidona.

And he couldn't exactly wake Emilia and Beatrice up to make them listen to his whining.

So, at this point, there was no one Subaru could――

[Ram: ――Barusu?]

Hearing that voice, Subaru made a quiet sound with his throat and halted his steps. Turning around, surprised, in the middle of the fourth-level passageway―― where footsteps struck on the stone floor, he saw the form of the pink-haired girl, Ram.

Ram's light-red eyes were wide open, looking over Subaru from head to toe.

[Ram: It's been a while since I've seen you make that face. Disreputable]

[Subaru: ...why're you immediately saying that right after we meet. Come to think of it, what're you doing here this late?]

[Ram: I could ask you the same thing... although, what Barusu could be up to at this hour would be unimaginable]

In front of Ram, who crossed her arms as she approached him, Subaru tightened his cheeks at her words.

Just the thought of what she might actually be imagining pulled a shadow over Subaru's face. Seeing Subaru do this, Ram shrugged her shoulders sadly,

[Ram: Anyway, you were bothering Rem with your whining again, weren't you? Even though Ram's little sister is cute and forgiving, don't be too unreasonable]

[Subaru: ...Ah, yeah. Well, you're right]

[Ram: ――?]

Seeing Ram's eyes slightly widen as she heard this, Subaru let out a bitter smile.

He didn't tell her his true feelings, but only what she might have guessed based on his daily activities. It was true, just as Ram said, that Subaru often spent his nights at Rem's bedside.

In fact, he had already done so tonight. And it was only natural that Ram would think he had just left.

But today, it was not only that――

[Ram: Stop making that miserable face]

[Subaru: Oogh]

[Ram: With that pathetic, miserable expression, you look even lower than a base manservant. Looking like that, people will begin to suspect Emilia-sama's character for taking a Barusu as her Knight. Please revise]

He felt Ram's finger flicking his drooping forehead.

Subaru's eyes teared up from the force, and just as he was about to protest, Ram disinterestedly humphed through her nose, shutting him back up. All the while, she herself seemed perfectly at ease.

[Subaru: ...Gees, really, ane-sama is ane-sama, after all]

[Ram: Hah. Please don't disgust me with your thoughts]

Subaru commented while stroking his forehead, and Ram put on an expression as if disgusted from the bottom of her heart. To be consoled by such an attitude, he really must be pathetic.

No part of what she said had carried any expression of warmth or sympathy, but, somehow, that was what it meant to him.

[Subaru: Ram, what were you doing at this hour anyway?]

[Ram: Disgusting]

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[Subaru: Don't just suddenly end the conversation like that! We only just started...]

Hopelessly shrugging his shoulder, Subaru let out a quiet sigh, and turned his eyes to the passageway behind Ram―― where she had come from.

Although the fourth floor was very wide, there was nothing particularly remarkable here. There was a green room, and the luggage they brought up from the dragon carriage. And――

[Subaru: ...The staircase to the second floor?]

[Ram: ――――]

[Subaru: Unless, you went up there. Alone?]

[Ram: Don't worry. I'm not as reckless as him. It doesn't seem like it, but I'm not conceited enough to think I can do anything with Reid Astrea alone]

Imagining something he'd rather not think about, Subaru twisted his lips, and Ram laughed through her nose as she denied his suspicions.

Hearing her subtle reference to Julius' stubbornness hidden within her words, the mere thought of it twisted at the thorn in Subaru's chest.

[Ram: It seems, something happened between you and Julius. Had a fight?]

[Subaru: Am I that easy to read?]

[Ram: Barusu is as easy to read as Ram is intelligent. The latter has more to do with it, but it's nothing to worry about. ...No, of course the former has plenty to do with as well. It won't take long to get everything out of you under torture]

[Subaru: The fact that you're assuming I'd be placed under torture is kind of frightening, you know]

Watching Subaru pick at his own cheek, Ram just squinted her eyes. Seeing that she wasn't kidding, Subaru shuddered a little.

It's true, that considering Subaru's position, it was not entirely unlikely that Emilia's enemies in the Royal Selection might resort to this kind of barbaric measures. Maybe it would be a good idea to watch out for that, after all.

[Subaru: In that case, what were you doing here...]

[Ram: ――I didn't go up to the second floor. I only tried to go up]

[Subaru: ...I thought you just said you weren't that reckless. Unless… were you thinking of attacking him while he's asleep?]

Subaru had no qualms about using any means necessary to win. It might be understandable if Ram thought the same and planned to stealth attack Reid in his sleep.

The question was whether this Reid, which appeared to have been reproduced from the records of the past, really slept. And, even if he did sleep, could she really manage it?

[Ram: Unfortunately, it's impossible to attack him while he's sleeping. I turned back halfway up the stairs. He really is an abnormal monster. He'd almost make Garf look cute]

[Subaru: Although, after getting to know Garfiel, he is pretty cute...]

[Ram: Not his antics, I meant the level of danger he poses]

The way she put it, she didn't actually deny that Garfiel's antics were cute, but since they were in the middle of something more important, Subaru squeezed his brows and forgot about it.

[Ram: I am convinced now. If one side has no qualms about using any means necessary, then the other side would use any means necessary as well. Like we've discussed, in order to beat him, we must not let him take it too seriously, and only then satisfy his conditions]

[Subaru: ...Just to make sure of that, you went up to the second level alone?]

[Ram: Do I have to say it again. I didn't go up to the second level. It's too difficult for Ram at this moment]

Confirming that they simply weren't strong enough, Ram warned of the need for preparations before challenging the second level again. Speaking of needing more time, the thought of his argument with Echidona and Julius resurfaced once more, and Subaru couldn't help but take on a difficult expression.

[Ram: Barusu?]

[Subaru: N, no, it's nothing... Well, it's not totally nothing, but it doesn't matter right now. Most likely, we'll have a proper talk tomorrow]

[Ram: A remarkably ambiguous statement]

[Subaru: That's kinda what I was going for, but, it's not what you think. As expected, even here, I've done something ungrateful, and it's a bit hard to recover from it this time]

He's done enough for now. It was a strange crack that he wasn't sure if he could completely mend, and he wouldn't want to complicate it any more and spread the crack even wider.

Watching Subaru go limp, Ram still wasn't convinced, but decided to let it go.

[Ram: In any case, conquering the second floor... defeating Reid will require more time and effort. At least, it would be nice if we could count on Shaula's support]

[Subaru: Well, it wouldn't be exaggerating to say that she couldn't exactly be counted on. Although, if she didn't help us earlier, we'd all be charred black under the sand right now]

Without Shaula, they would never have been able to reach the exam on the second level in the first place. But even with that in mind, she had been a disappointing Sage ever since they entered the tower.

Of course, if they could borrow the examiner's own hand to pass the exam, it would be quite exceptional indeed.

[Ram: If we only ever take the high road, we're bound to get stuck in a deadlock here]

[Subaru: It's not like I think it'd be better to take a more innocent approach. But, purely on a case by case basis... it just wouldn't work this time]

[Ram: You say that so effortlessly... Ram, doesn't have that kind of leisure]

Dissatisfied with Subaru's answer, Ram shrugged her shoulders. And, while slowly turning her back,

[Ram: If you don't go to bed soon it'll hurt your performance tomorrow. I'll head back to the dragon carriage as well]

[Subaru: Aahh, yeah. I, uh...]

He wanted to explain why he couldn't go back, but it was too difficult. On the other hand, looking back and seeing Subaru mumbling this way, Ram spilled a small sigh.

[Ram: As you like. But if you drag us down because you didn't get enough sleep, I'll twist it off]

[Subaru: Aah, no... twist what off!?]

[Ram: I'll leave that to your imagination]

With a wave of her hand, Ram headed in the direction of the stairs to the lower levels. Without touching on what he didn't want to touch on, leaving him to stand up by his own efforts, could that have been her consideration?

Watching the thin back walking into the distance, even know that she won't see it, Subaru raised up his hand.

[Subaru: Good night, ne-sama. See you tomorrow]

[Ram: ...Ram is not Barusu's ane-sama. Stop calling me that]

Her last denial carried no strength within it, as if she had already accepted, and only resisted for the sake of it.

Watching Ram's figure disappear after leaving those words behind, Subaru clicked the bones in his neck and whispered [Ah, what am I gonna do now].

He can't go to the dragon carriage anymore. And it's too difficult to return to the green room. In that case, he could either find some other place to rest until the morning, or find a place where he could do something meaningful with his time.

[Subaru: If I just want a place to sleep, I could find a suitable room...]

The top candidate would be the room where they stored their luggage.

The dragon carriage's cargo and food supplies have all been moved into that room, though it'll be hard to find something he could use as a pillow. The bottleneck was just how to find some way to reduce the pain on his body while sleeping on the floor, aside from sleeping in the dragon carriage.

Or――

[Subaru: Think about how to conquer the second floor, how to defeat Reid]

Honestly, that would be the most constructive choice.

Most of the problems surrounding their current situation were about capturing this Watchtower. Though it can't be said with certainty, it would nevertheless play a huge role in improving their situation.

That evening, the consensus they reached on how to defeat Reid was to make him not take something seriously and then seriously satisfy his conditions, or something vague along those lines.

At the very least, if there was a chance he could reduce some of that vagueness――

[Subaru: ――That's it]

And, coming to this point, Subaru snapped his fingers.

As the idea flashed through his mind like a lightning strike, Subaru changed the direction of his steps with a bash.

[Subaru: If this goes well...]

Though he cannot say for sure, it should be a move that could greatly advance the situation.

Setting his heart on that thought, Subaru sprinted toward his goal.

――In the Watchtower in the night, loud, spirited echoes of Subaru's footsteps rang out.

――Only the lonely echoes of a single person's footsteps.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※

――The sensation of waking, was like the moment of emerging out of the water's surface.

Pulling the dreaming, unconscious body upwards, using a breath to restore the entire body to reality, the consciousness slowly reawakened, and, breaking through the water's surface, he was born.

If sleep was death, and wakefulness was life―― then that description would not have been far off.

Anyways, such poetic sentiments aside, he gradually began to wake――

[???: ――Subaru! Hey, Subaru, are you alright?]

[Subaru: Th-the wha!?]

The moment he opened his eyes, immediately stricken by the beautiful face in front of him, Subaru rolled to the side.

And, not rolling very far before running out of surface, he dropped a short distance and landed on his shoulder.

[Subaru: Ngya!]

[???: Eek! Subaru, you alright!? Why did you start rolling all of a sudden!?]

[Subaru: N, no, it's not like I willing decided to roll or anything...]

Squeezing his banged-up shoulder and lightly shaking his head, he pushed himself up. And then, in the blink of an eye, Subaru was confused.

It was a green room.

The entire interior of the room was covered by sprawling ivy that completely hid the walls behind them. If he was told that the whole outlandish-looking room was made of ivy, he probably would've believed it.

And apparently, Subaru was lying on the floor beside a bed woven from ivy at the very center of the room. That was probably what he rolled off of… would be his analysis of the situation.

It was funny that Subaru could make such judgment so calmly, but there was reason for that.

[???: Hmm, it looks like you didn't hit anything too hard. That's good. But I got reeeaaaally worried, you know, you shouldn't scare me like that]

[????: Emilia, if you say it like that, Subaru won't reflect on it, I suppose. If you don't say it more severely, Betty's worries won't get through to him]

[???: I guess you're right. But I'm surprised Beatrice would be saying that. After going into such a panic when you couldn't find Subaru, you were almost in tears when you found him lying there...]

[????: You don't have to mention that part can you not mention that part, I suppose!]

In front of his eyes, the conversation started going out of control.

Nodding stupidly to the rhythm of the bickering that made him want to smile, Subaru turned around. Sitting on the floor and breathing behind him, was some kind of huge animal.

[Subaru: ――――]

There was, a giant lizard. With black scales covering all over its skin, it was a huge lizard the size of a horse. The strangest part was that it was gently snuggling up to Subaru's neck with its nose.

Seeing that it was friendly, Subaru gently petted the lizard on its head.

And then, he let out a sigh.

[Subaru: In other words, this is it]

Calm, and collected, slowly, he breathed out these words.

Seeing Subaru like this, the two girls in front of him tilted their heads.

[??? + ????: ――Subaru?]

And, like two sisters speaking with the same breath, they simultaneously called Subaru's name.

A silver-haired girl who was so beautiful that his eyes wanted to explode, and a fairy-like little girl in a pretty dress.

A beautiful silver-haired girl, a Drill-Loli, a giant lizard, and a room made of ivy――

Subaru opened his mouth wide, and shouted it out.

――Because this is, this is, this is.

[Subaru: I'VE BEEN SUMMONED TO A PARALLEL WORL――D!?]