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[Subaru: House arrest now... that's an unsettling word...]

Facing Roswaal, who was lying on the bed, Subaru barely managed to wrench out these words while carefully analyzing the sentence which had just been spoken at him. Judging from the flow of the conversation, he might normally have laughed it off as a stupid joke, but unfortunately, in the current circumstances they appeared to be authentic. At any rate,

[Emilia: So then, does that mean the villagers here gave you these injuries?]

Emilia seemed to have arrived at the same opinion as Subaru on the general believability of his words.

Bound in bandages seeped in blood, Roswaal's body was in a pitiful state. Seeing him like this was at least proof that some of what he said was true, and was the reason why it could not simply be laughed off.

[Subaru: If there's someone in the village who could give such serious injuries to Roswaal, that means we're in a pretty serious situation...]

Touching his hand to his jaw, while tracing over the respective strengths in his mind, Subaru felt a burning sense of unease in his chest.

The existence of Roswaal L. Mathers, besides being Subaru's patron in this parallel world, was a powerful magic user at a level only very few others could hope to reach.

In fact, the strength of the man who occupied the position of Head Magician of the Royal Court of Lugunica was such that even a hundred Subarus would not have a chance of winning against it, and could easily annihilate a horde of Mabeasts while humming. To think that he would end up in this state...

[Roswaal: Ah, but it seems like you misundersto~od. My wounds weren't infli~~cted by~ anyone. There's no need to be on guard for anything strange, or plan any kind of revenge for my sake, o~k?]

[Subaru: Don't worry. You haven't saved up enough positive impressions for me to go off recklessly seeking revenge... But more importantly, what is that supposed to mean? That's different from what you just said. Aren't you supposed to be under house arrest...]

[Roswaal: Considering that I'm injured and being restrained like this, calling it house arrest is not wro~ng, surely. It's not that I was injured in the process of being restrained, I was injured, and the~n restrained.... Though if I were to explain it in detail, it would be a li~ttle different]

In response to Roswaal's round-about manner of speaking, a question mark flew out of the top of Subaru's head. Breaking everything down, he managed to calm himself and sorted through the context of what was said, and in other words,

[Subaru: So the people of the sanctuary have nothing to do with your injuries, is that right?]

[Roswaal: Strictly speaking, one can't exactly sa~y that they're unrelated, but if you were to ask me whether they were directly responsible for my injuries then the answer is no. In other words, tha~~t's how it i~~s]

[Subaru: In other words, they're indirectly related then]

Roswaal inclined his head, and for a moment appeared to be embarrassed by Subaru's analysis. Then letting out a small sigh, [It's like watching a child grow up, I guess…], he joked.

Seeing that attitude, Subaru took it as a sign that he was coming closer to the truth. Determined not to let up his questioning, he chose his next words and prepared to throw them at Roswaal, but…

[Ram: ――Barusu, how about showing Roswaal-sama a little bit of care?]

Saying so, Ram, who had not been present until now, interjected herself into the conversation. With the hem of her skirt lightly swinging, the girl crossed the room with graceful steps, and placed the steaming set of tea she had been carrying on a tray neatly onto the table.

Its fragrance spread throughout the room, and with the stimulation of his olfactory senses, Subaru only now realized how inconsiderate he had been. For just when he was about to pursue his questioning, he suddenly noticed just how severe Roswaal's wounds actually appeared.

[Ram: Pressing Roswaal-sama so hard when he's so severely injured, digging to the bottom of everything, are you satisfied? Look at Roswaal-sama suffering, almost crying, have some sympathy]

[Subaru: Just when you've made me reflect on my actions… don't say something that ruins the mood! I mean, is this supposed to be him hurting and about to cry? Doesn't look like it to me!]

[Roswaal: Uuuuh, it hu~~rts, I'm in pa~~in. Words lacking in kindness and concern hit me right in my wooounds…]

So Subaru responded to Ram's words with a brash retort. As if mocking Subaru's remarks, Roswaal started a little performance on the bed. As Subaru's eyebrows started to twitch in annoyance, Emilia cleared her throat and pulled the room back from the turbulent atmosphere.

While drawing the eyes of all three people in the room to her, she started with an [In any case]

[Emilia: Anyone can tell that Roswaal isn't well just by looking, so let's finish this conversation quickly. You haven't had healing magic cast on you?]

[Ram: Magic that heals is outside of Ram's area of expertise, so...]

In response to Ram's expressionless, yet somehow clearly regretful answer, Emilia looked at Roswaal with eyes which held only little expectation. Seeing this, Roswaal waved his raised hand from side to side,

[Roswaal: I too, am specialized in destruction magic yo~~u see. If it's to do with destroying, harming or deceiving I can generally do pretty much anything, but I'm hopeless when it comes to spells related to healing]

[Subaru: That's a sad way to put it. Rather than just offensive spells, you should make sure to practice with some defensive spells as well, jeez…]

That said, whenever Subaru played a game in which he had to decide on his character growth, he was the type of super offense-focused player who would only pick attack-oriented skills. So he couldn't scold Roswaal too harshly.

At the same time as when Subaru reached this strange acceptance, Emilia sighed [it can't be helped], and,

[Emilia: Puck isn't here so I'm not at my best, but I'll cast the healing magic. I have to concentrate while I do it though, so we'll have to finish talking first]

[Roswaal: The Great Spirit-sama…?]

Shocked at the information Emilia had just spilled, Roswaal quickly raised his eyebrows, then narrowed his eyes. That somewhat cold expression, unlike the usually relaxed demeanor, was one which Subaru had rarely seen. He unwittingly contracted his shoulders and said [Oy oy]

[Subaru: It's rare to see you with a serious expression. Is it so surprising that Puck isn't here? I hadn't realized that you were actually a closet mofumofu fur-enthusiast...]

[Roswaal: Unfortunately, the only time I have gotten close enough to Great Spirit-sama to be able to touch it was when I respectfully offered it ma~yonna~~ise. It was really scary. ――Anyway, I~ see]

Without even ignoring Subaru's banter, Roswaal narrowed his brow in rumination. While doing this, he suddenly turned his yellow left pupil onto Emilia,

[Roswaal: Emilia-sama, you aren't feeling ill, or different from normal in a~~ny way, right?]

[Emilia: ...? Other than Puck not showing his face, not really. Puck not coming out started a little while before we reached the Sanctuary too, so… Ah, but there is one thing]

Raising a finger as if asking a question, Emilia then proceeded to quickly whip her gaze around at their surroundings ――Not only inside of the room they were in, but seeming as if she was looking over the entirety of the Sanctuary outside of it, and after doing so, she said in a lowered voice,

[Emilia: Since entering the Sanctuary… No, maybe ever since entering the forest, I feel like the responses from spirits have become dull. And just now, when we were just outside, I... felt a strange gaze on me]

[Subaru: A strange, gaze?]

Surprised at what he heard, Subaru inclined his head, to which Emilia responded [Yes] and pulled in her chin in confirmation. After explaining that this was the reason why her expression had darkened after they parted ways with Garfiel and the others earlier, she continued,

[Emilia: It felt like I was being stared at. It felt reeaaally unpleasant… I thought it might just be me, so I didn't tell you]

[Roswaal: Neither of Emilia-sama's fe~elings are mistaken. This is a place which is unpleasant for the spirits, and further, its inhabitants harbor nothing but unple~asant fe~elings towards you]

In response to Emilia's anxious words, Roswaal poured out a stream of words devoid of any consideration. Seeing her eyes hurt and wavering, Subaru instantly turned on Roswaal and was about to open his mouth to object, but,

[Garfiel: Well, how 'bout y'leave it there. You shouldn't be so hard on'a wounded man. "Th'running spotted-beak's hot now" isn't it]

[Subaru: I guess that's true unfortunately… not that I'm understanding enough of that to say I agree. But this is just a tiny complaint, we've totally established a translatable communication between us, haven't we?]

Looking over his shoulder, Subaru shrugged as he saw Garfiel leaning against the door, baring his teeth. Seeing his reaction, Garfiel made a noise grinding his teeth, and looked around the room.

[Garfiel: Granny's home's supposed th'most spacious and proper one here, but with so many people, it gets cramped, huh. Guess I was right to leave that noisy guy behind]

[Subaru: Now that you mention it, I don't see Otto around… Did he go home? Did you eat him?]

Emilia looked shocked at Subaru's question, but Garfiel laughed out loud and slapped his knees, as if he'd just heard an amazing joke.

[Garfiel: I do have the blood of'a carnivore, but I don't think I'd eat him. Especially 'cause that guy seems like he'd get even more noisy when I'm eating him. He said something about being worried about the dragon and the cart... Well, he pretty much jus' came up with some excuse and legged it]

With one arm swinging, and strutting over brutishly, Garfiel plunked himself down on a chair near the wall, and looked up at Ram, who was watching him sideways,

[Garfiel: Tea]

[Ram: I will go outside to collect some fallen leaves, so will you please wait for me?]

[Subaru: Even though I have a suspicion, but, what will you be doing with those fallen leaves?]

[Ram: I have no intention of wasting precious tea leaves on the sort who has no understanding of neither fragrance nor taste. That is Ram's answer]

Having stated this in cold blood, Ram then earnestly went out the building. Pointing a finger up at Ram's back, Subaru looked at Garfiel, wordlessly asking [What do you like about her?] In response to that, while chasing her back with his look,

[Garfiel: Strong-willed women are worth the chase, ain'that so? And being a male, getting strongly attracted to excellent female ain't such'a strange thing]

[Subaru: Stuff like males and females, we're not talking about telling chickens apart, so don't keep using that. In spite of everything, Ram is a proper young woman, you know. Calling her that...]

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[Garfiel: Huh? What're you sayin'? I'm treatin' her as properly as any woman could ask to be treated yeah? Also, before that we...]

As Subaru offered his frank advice on his unusual way of speaking, Garfiel frowned as if he just noticed something, and raised his eyebrows. His face then took on a displeased expression, and he turned a gaze filled with swords onto Roswaal on the bed,

[Garfiel: Son of'a, y'haven't told 'em yet? If it wer' jus' you gettin' crumpled I'd brush it off as a joke, but, since that Half-Elf….. since Emilia-sama's come here, it's a whole different matter]

[Emilia: ――Eh?]

Garfiel had put his annoyance to his tongue and stamped it out. Emilia was surprised at hearing her name come out in the middle of his remark. But, with no regard for her astonishment, Garfiel snapped at Roswaal with an expression that was even more overflowing with anger than before.

[Garfiel: The moment Emilia-sama entered the Sanctuary, we got caught up in this mess y'know. Watcha gonna do about it? Ya haven't even begun to go into the main issue here yet. Son of'a, did ya'll jus come here to fool around?]

The latter half of his anger wasn't just directed at Roswaal, but at Subaru and Emilia as well, who had also gone silent. Particularly, the rage dwelling in the look he aimed at Emilia was no laughing matter, and as if to protect her, who was pulling her shoulders closer together, Subaru stepped forward.

[Subaru: Hold on. I get that you're angry, but I don't even have a clue why. You'll just get more and more angry if you keep talking to someone who hasn't got a clue, right?]

[Garfiel: But that's what pisses me off. When the person all this is about ain't even got a clue...]

[Subaru: But the one disregarding "the person all this is about" and talking over her head is you and Roswaal over there, isn't it? If you really are concerned with that problem and want to do something about it, fulfill your responsibility to explain it. Expecting us to get it without explaining anything makes you just as shameless as I was just a short while back you know]

As he was facing him, Subaru felt the pressure coming from Garfiel getting a whole level stronger. Garfiel's stature was smaller than Subaru's, and as he was currently sitting, the height difference was quite significant. In spite of this, the smallness of his stature was almost unnoticeable. No, considering the density of the pressure emanating from him, to Subaru, Garfiel appeared to be something like a massive boulder.

Knowing that Subaru was naturally chicken-hearted, averting his eyes and taking a step back would only have been expected,

But,

[Emilia: Subaru…]

Tightly, Subaru felt a delicate finger entangle itself onto his sleeve. The sound of a voice seemingly devoid of confidence calling him slid past his earlobes, and invested his trembling knees with renewed strength.

Emilia was standing behind him. Relying on him in her uncertainty.

As if he would really let his knees buckle in front of her, could he do something as lame as that?

[Garfiel: ――Tch]

They exchanged a stare in silence, and the first to avert his gaze was Garfiel. As he clicked his tongue, and entrusted his weight to the back of his seat, he stuffed his finger into his short, golden hair, and began to scratch at it violently.

[Garfiel: Aaah! I know, I was jus' takin' it out on you. I snapped, I said I'm sorry, oy!]

[Subaru: No, you haven't really said that. But before that, didn't anyone ever tell you you have a really annoying personality?]

As quick as he was to become emotional and shortsighted, he was just as quick to take back his rationality and acknowledge his faults. Subaru thought that personality must be so rough to have, and rather than indignation he put on a wry smile.

Seeing this, Garfiel let out an unbefitting sigh [Haaa],

[Garfiel: Shut up, I'll be quiet, so get the conversation going in the meantime, 'cause if I join in, the talk ain't gonna go nowhere and it'll become annoying]

[Subaru: The fact that you've analyzed yourself this well, but then went all the way around without changing anything… I find that pretty amazing]

[Garfiel: Complimentin' me's pointless, since I don't really understand complicate things. Tuch]

Seeing Subaru go from exasperation to admiration, Garfiel snorted. Just then, Ram, returning from outside, handed him a cup of steaming tea.

[Ram: This is the definition of low-grade tea]

[Garfiel: Shouldn't you usually speak a bit more politely when giving someone something?]

Ram replied with a [Is that so], and handed the cup over with a composed expression. Garfiel received the tea, and, even though it was probably burning hot, poured it all down his throat in one go. Although he was carnivorous, apparently he didn't have a sensitive tongue. Seeing him empty the whole cup in one gulp, Ram let out a deep sigh.

[Ram: As usual, you are a man who has no regard for tea. That doesn't suit Ram]

[Garfiel: But it just tastes like leaves. If yer want to whet yer throat, water's the same. Right?]

[Subaru: While I agree that tea tastes exactly like leaves, I can't help but have some reservations against such an extreme argument. Ram, how about letting him drink the other cup of tea?]

As Subaru pointed it out, Ram handed the other cup of tea to Garfiel. Its wavy color faintly resembled something along the lines of "Autumn Leaves", and even having noticed this from a distance, Subaru couldn't stop himself from… well, recommending it.

Its wavy color faintly resembled something along the lines of "Autumn Leaves", and even having noticed this from a distance, Subaru couldn't stop himself from… well, recommending it.

[Garfiel: Hey, you're pretty sensible after all, aren't ya. You get that just one cup isn't enough... Pfft! Haah!? Ooy, you… isn't this one just leaf water...?]

[Ram: If it wets your throat, whether it's water, tea or leaf water it's all the same, correct? Since you've already put it on your lips, go ahead and drink the whole thing. If you leave anything… I will twist it off]

Without saying what exactly she would be twisting off, she shot a sharp glare at Garfiel's crotch. Just from that, Subaru realized that her target was the vitals, and unconsciously closed up his legs at the sense of danger. Garfiel reluctantly emptied the cup of its contents, wringing at the bitterness. And on the side, Roswaal, who had so far only been observing their conversation, suddenly spouted,

[Roswaal: Aaa~~ha. Are a~ll of you even worried about my condition and have any intention of allowing me to rest? Or is it your actual plan to make me laugh and o~pen up my wounds? If that's the case, you're certainly succee~ding]

Saying so, Roswaal lightly touched the bandage wrapped around the upper part of his head while grinning bitterly. In fact, one could see a faint red color beginning to spread across the white of the fabric. Just then, the mood of the room, which had been relaxed up until now, turned, and Ram, whose face had changed colour, approached Roswaal. She then covered his hand, which was pressing down on the wound, with her own, and

[Ram: I'm very sorry, Roswaal-sama. Even though Ram was by your side...]

[Subaru: Wasn't it your tea-jokes that made sure he would laugh?]

His disruption was silenced by a rock-shattering glare from Ram, and Subaru zipped it, and took a quick look at Roswaal's condition. At least, the bleeding didn't seem to be connected to anything serious. The wounds must have only stopped bleeding recently ――in other words, now was probably the most important time for his recovery.

[Emilia: Roswaal, I think it'd be best if I treat you after all…]

[Roswaal: No~~, that would not be necessary, Emilia-sama]

Reaching the same conclusion as Subaru, spirits emerged in the air surrounding Emilia as she stepped toward Roswaal. But, she was stopped by Roswaal himself shaking his head. The spirits, which were shining with a blue-white phosphorescence, wavered, as if affected by their mistress' uncertainty.

Watching the side of Emilia's fair cheeks, Subaru noticed.

――As the emerging spirits floated around Emilia, for reasons Subaru could not understand, Garfiel stared at her with eyes of frozen emotion.

[Roswaal: After all, right now, there's something much more important than my trifling i~njuries. It's not like my li~fe is in any danger, so please prioritize the other matter first]

[Emilia: Even if you say that, there's no way I can do that. When there is a person who's injured, to set that aside for something else would be…]

[Roswaal: Even if I tell you this is necessary in order for you to sit upon the throne?]

Emilia's usual rhythm shattered, and the scene of her about to heal him by force if necessary, froze up. Listening to Roswaal's statement, Emilia's cheeks grew stiff, and her violet eyes opened wide. The yellow left eye watching this in front sharpened as if peering into her, gleamed enigmatically,

[Roswaal: To the house of Mathers, this "Sanctuary" is just a piece of land which had been passed down through the generations, but to Emilia-sama's future, it is of profound… yes, of profou~nd significance. Therefore no matter what, I certainly intended to eventually invite you here. ――It's just, you showed up a little earlier than I had pla~nned… no?]

[Emilia: Necessary for me...? Hey, what is that supposed to mean...]

[Roswaal: The problem with this "Sanctuary", and Emilia-sama's problem are intimately tied. So perhaps, in this place, you would find it. Emilia-sama's support, that is]

[――!?]

Frozen in place, Subaru watched as Emilia's expression changed. Having prompted this change, Roswaal observed her expression, and seemed to take it in as if all was according to plan. On the other hand, Subaru, still unable to pick up the exchange of emotions between the two, was left with an itch in his teeth.

However, before that agitation could be turned into words, Roswaal pointed to the silent Garfiel.

[Roswaal: Your designation, Garfiel. Guide these two to the "Sanctuary." ――Rather, the tomb]

[Garfiel: ――Heh, that a good idea?]

Swinging his emptied porcelain cup from side to side on his finger, Garfiel let out a low laugh. In response to being questioned, Roswaal drew in his chin and gently caressed Ram's peach-colored hair as she changed the bandages around his wounds.

[Roswaal: First and foremost it is crucial to understand the situation, a~fter all. Explaining the circumstances and the other matters can come a~fter the Sun has set, but that is not the case for the tomb]

[Garfiel: Ah, that'so, the Sun's going down soon. Won't be so simple once that happens. Alright, I'll take up guiding for ya]

Standing up, Garfiel placed his cup onto the chair he'd been sitting on, and turned to face Subaru and Emilia. Looking at the two whom the talk revolved around, but had been left out entirely, he slanted his head and opened his mouth to bare his fangs,

[Garfiel: Don't look so dumb. If you don't wanna become "like the rampaging Hoikoro from yesterday" or something stupid like that, we better get going]

[Subaru: Wait, wait, wait! We're not following the conversation at all. I wasn't even done talking to Roswaal in the first place, you know. At least let me finish that before...]

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[Ram: His wounds have opened. Changing his bandages and letting him rest is the priority now. Barusu should do as Roswaal-sama instructed, and head to the tomb up ahead]

Subaru tried to put up a fight against Garfiel's forcefulness, but that was intercepted by Ram's commanding voice. She faced him with her usual cold gaze, and placed a hand on the bed,

[Ram: Calm down, let us talk once night comes. Roswaal-sama isn't going to run away or anything like that. But if you don't visit the grave before sun-down, that is going to run away.]

[Subaru: I've never heard of such an energetic grave in my life!]

While scratching his head in resignation, Subaru felt Emilia's gaze piercing into the side of his face. Her eyes were flickering with feeble emotions, and she seemed to be leaving it up to Subaru to decide what they should do.

To stay here and finish their conversation with Roswaal, or to be swept along by his will and be led to the gravesite by Garfiel. ――The answer has been decided.

[Subaru: I understand. We'll go to that grave place. It's necessary, isn't it? We'll certainly have you properly answer our questions once we get back]

[Roswaal: So~rry, that the situation has become like this. O~nce night falls, we can discuss all sorts of things, mu~~ch more thoroughly]

Hearing Subaru's opinion, Emilia relaxed her shoulders, and Roswaal nodded with satisfaction. Garfiel and Ram also seemed to accept it, and the two of them began to move onto their respective tasks. However, before that, Subaru said [Just one thing], raising a single finger.

[Subaru: Before heading to the grave, there's something I want to ask you.]

[Roswaal: Mmm~~? I don't really mind? If it's something I can answer simply, you can go ahead and ask me a~nything]

[Subaru: Well then, I'll take you on your word. ――"Rem", have you heard that name before?]

Pretending to change the topic, Subaru pronounced the vital question. On hearing Subaru's question, the first to react was Ram. But, it was not an answer he had hoped for.

When the name entered her ears, Ram angled her head as if she had heard an entirely unfamiliar term. As Subaru's hopes dropped, Roswaal quietly mumbled the name over again in his mouth.

[Subaru: ...Well?]

[Roswaal: Omu. Sorry, but it doesn't sound too fami~liar. I get the feeling it sounds similar to Ram's name but, ma~ybe if it was mispronounced] ***fami~liar. >_<

[Subaru: Is...that so. No, that's all. If you don't remember, there's nothing. Nothing you can do]

Turning his head to the side, Subaru accepted that answer.

Ram and Roswaal's reply had shattered the faint expectation in Subaru's heart. To Rem, they had been the two people whom she had spent the longest time with, for whom she would have given her life, and whom she had admired and loved. And they had forgotten her.

Taking in the reality of this fact, the air within Subaru's heart settled. And he soberly acknowledged it.

――That in this world, the only one who could remember her, was himself.

[Emilia: Subaru, are you alright?]

With a worried voice, Emilia softly touched the end of Subaru's sleeve. Savoring the gentleness of the tip of her finger, Subaru, not wanting to let her see the darkness on his face, closed his eyes, then forcibly lifted his head.

[Subaru: I'm alright. It's not like I had any special expectations. I more or less knew it would be like this. ――What I must do, one way or another, I already have that resolve]

[Emilia: En. Let's find a way. I will help too]

Emilia nodded at Subaru's determination, and pledged her unreserved support. As the heart that had been shattered recovered in her gentle regard, Subaru shrugged up his shoulders.

[Subaru: When Rem wakes up… my love won't be wholeheartedly directed at Emilia-tan anymore… won't you get jealous?]

[Emilia: Subaru's feelings for me, if it diminishes, then maybe… But it won't be like that, right? My share and Rem-san's share, you've already said you have them all properly planned out and everything…]

In response to Subaru's flirty banter, Emilia made an unexpected retaliation. Scared witless by that retort, Subaru couldn't utter another word out of his mouth, and her face only slightly blushed, and said with a soft smile,

[Emilia: Let's go, Subaru. I want to let Ram meet Rem-san soon too]

[Subaru: A, aah, yeah. En, that's right]

Even if Ram could not remember, it would be a reunion with her twin sister. Would that reunion call back memories, or send some shock-waves to the lost love they once had for each other.

Even such a fragile hope, he will cling onto it so long as there was still meaning.

[Ram: Barusu]

As Emilia followed Garfiel out of the room and Subaru turned to follow as well, he was stopped by a call from behind.

Looking over, it was Ram who quickly approached him. While taking into her hands the replacement bandages for Roswaal's wounds, she came close to Subaru's side.

[Subaru: What is it? If you're planning on some Bandage-Play, after we leave you can have Roswaal all to yourself...]

[Ram: Only Emilia-sama is to enter the Tomb. Barusu must never enter]

Ignoring his joke, Ram's incisive tone crushed Subaru's attitude aside.

Ram's voice was lowered, and had told him in a volume that even Roswaal could not hear. Seeing Subaru's furrowed brows, just in case, she said it once more.

[Ram: ――If you do not wish to be ensnared by the deranged will of a Witch, do not, under any circumstances, enter the Tomb]

She repeated it once again.

※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

――The air inside the Tomb was frigid and clear, and, quite literally, a cool otherworldliness accompanied the atmosphere that greeted Subaru.

A step, every step he took rang out an echo from the soles of his shoes, and, regardless of whether he had wanted to or not, asserted his presence in this place. But even so, the sound of these footsteps gave him an unexpected sense of calmness.

――Because in the darkness which did not even allow him to see a few meters ahead, in the miasma in which his very own existence was in called into doubt, even this sound had become a consolation to him.

Unaware of where he was, the walls which had been his only source of reference had long disappeared. Walking on and on, had he almost reached the end of his path? Subaru felt the illusion that he had stopped still.

But the sound of his footsteps refuted this. Within the certainty of the resonance of these footfalls was Subaru's very existence: the reality of his steps were guaranteed, and relying on just that small consolation, he continued onward.

How much time had passed, it was impossible to tell in the darkness. Even his thoughts became vague, and his throat, which had already given up on calling out, froze. Walking on like this, exhaustion did not come to him, but because of this, the sensation of his limbs began to blur as well.

Regardless, he walked on. He must walk on. He must not give up.

He forbid himself to stop. Walk, continue walking. Even crushed under the weight of his baggage, he must clench his teeth and walk on.

Otherwise, how would he ever face her――.

[???: ――I see, so that is your core. Very interesting indeed]

A sudden voice rang out, and just as abruptly ended, to be lost forever into the falling of the curtains.

The unimaginable darkness which stretched on no matter which way he turned, in an instant, became bright as day, and the narrow stone corridor transformed – to be wider than the ends of the world. The earth piled beneath his soles snuffed out the sound of his steps, and an air of filth which, above anything, brought nausea to his chest, sprawled throughout.

Completely different from the world up to now, was an ancient ruin befitting of reality―― a scene which he felt he might have seen before he entered the Tomb, panned out, and Subaru lost his words.

In front of him, someone suddenly approached. That is――

[???: Apologies for such a ludicrous welcome. I didn't intend it to be like this, but no matter what, this body is a thing of Greed, after all. The desire to know is… impossible to escape]

Pure white, like a field of the first virgin snow, was the white impression of that girl.

The long hair draping over her back shone like the reflection of snow in a daydream of pristine white, and the few patches of skin that were showing were just as translucent, and beautiful. A radiance of wisdom lighted up her eyes; she wore on her body a simple ink-black dress, and the display of the two colors adorned the polar extremes of her beauty.

Anyone who had eyes would probably be captivated by such beauty―― but instead, what gripped Subaru's entire body was an overwhelming horror that he had never felt before.

Even the sense of pressure he had felt on his first encounter with the White Whale, could not compare to this.

Before the speechless Subaru, the girl shook her white hair, and narrowed her eyes, and then, as if understanding him, nodded lightly.

[???: Excuse my rudeness. I haven't even introduced myself. It was so very rude of me, please accept my apologies. It's because I haven't interacted with anyone for a very long time, I haven't recovered my voice, it seems]

Unlike the tone of her voice, the girl's expression barely changed as she softly shook her head.

Then, looking at Subaru, who had been frightened into silence, the girl held a hand over her chest in a sign for him to calm down.

[Echidona: My name is Echidona. The one called the Witch of Greed, do you understand?]

-=Chapter 9 End=-