113 [Sweet Pastries And Unsweet Stories]

[Frederica: ...It seems you've returned earlier than I thought]

Standing in the opened doorway with keen, widened eyes, the tall maid welcomed Subaru's return in a soft whisper.

[Subaru: Yeah, we ran into a situation so I had to come back. It's only been two... no, three days, right? Sorry I couldn't give you a heads up about coming back so soon, but can I come in now?]

Panting heavily on Patrasche's back, Subaru answered with the fatigue of half a day's travel behind him. Seeing Subaru still joking around in spite of his disheveled appearance, the maid―― Frederica placed a hand over her lips to cover the fangs showing through her smile,

[Frederica: Certainly. It would be an affront to my duty as the Master's servant to fail to provide a guest with the utmost hospitality. I will take the ground dragon to the stable, Subaru-sama, please come in. Petra will attend to your needs]

[Subaru: Oh you don't have to... no I mean, thanks please]

Hopping down from Patrasche, his knees gave way at the landing. Though he managed to stave off falling by hanging onto the reins, it seems that he was more exhausted than he thought.

It was only natural―― having rushed all the way from the Sanctuary without rest, after being awake all night, no less.

Despite the Divine Protection of Wind Evasion and Patrasche's care not to add to the burden of her rider, the six hours' journey had taken its toll on Subaru.

Noticing that his body had endured more than he realized, Subaru quickly took Frederica up on her offer. Handing the reins to Frederica, he patted the worried Patrasche on the back,

[Subaru: It's alright, I'll be fine. You're the one I should thank for putting up with me all this way. It's time to head to the stable and get a nice brushing, ok?]

Unlike horses, ground dragons' bodies aren't coated in fur, but they still seem to enjoy having their rigid scales cleaned with a brush. Patrasche was no exception, and excitedly nudged Subaru with her snout at his promise. Being frontally assaulted like this, Subaru let out an [Uwa!] and slinked back.

[Frederica: My my, you sure are enthusiastic about this. Come with me, Patrasche-chan. I'll make you a brand new bed of straw]

[Subaru: I'll leave her with you, then. ――Hey, Frederica]

[Frederica: Yes?]

Leading Patrasche by her reins, Frederica was walking her to the stable when Subaru called from behind. Stopping in her steps, Frederica looked back.

With her long, golden hair swaying, her vicious-looking features nonetheless carried a certain tenderness about them. Subaru gave the bones in his neck a crack, and,

[Subaru: ――Do you have any plans to head to the cabin in the mountains today?]

[Frederica: ...? No, I don't, is something the matter?]

Hearing Subaru's quiet question, Frederica replied in an incredulous tone. Taking note of the way she answered, of her expression, and her gaze, Subaru shook his head with [No],

[Subaru: If not, then nevermind. Also, sorry to ask this, but, once you're done with Patrasche, can you head back inside as soon as possible? There're quite a few things about the Sanctuary I need to talk to you about]

[Frederica: I understand. I will come back right away]

Leaving him with an impeccable bow, Frederica led Patrasche away.

Watching her from the steps of the Mansion, Subaru stretched his body on the spot and lifted his gaze―― at the Mansion in its unchanged majesty. This was the earliest he had ever returned to it.

The latest was the sixth night, and the earliest was the fourth.

One way or another, the blade that heralds the end would come.

But before that――

[Subaru: Before that end comes, I'll find the way to stop it]

There had been too many sacrifices in this loop.

But even as he grieves for the world that will be lost, Subaru must strive to acquire something of equal value in return.

For Garfiel's wails, and for Emilia's unseen sorrow,

Natsuki Subaru had been granted the resolve to continue the fight, and turn his eyes away from the pain.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※

[Petra: Waa! You're back so soon!]

The first words that welcomed Subaru as he entered the Mansion was Petra's adorably beaming greeting.

Though the literal content of her words were more or less the same as Frederica's, the amount of affection instilled within them were of an entirely different weight-class.

[Petra: You look tired, are you alright? I mean, would you be feeling alright? I can prepare the bath right away, if you would like to... what's wrong?]

[Subaru: No no, I just felt totally healed when I saw Petra. Come to think of it, you're the only one I could say exactly what comes to mind to without having to worry about anything]

Getting her polite and casual forms all mixed up, Petra excitedly circled around Subaru.

Subaru reached out his hand and patted her on her chestnut-colored hair, and she made a delighted squeal that was just way too adorable. Indeed, it was healing in the truest sense of the word.

Yet, almost simultaneously, the events of his last visit to the Mansion flashed across his mind, along with Petra's gruesome fate in the end.

[Subaru: Petra, it's a bit sudden, but... can you listen to a request of mine?]

[Petra: ...? Mn. Okay. I'll do anything Subaru-sama asks of me, no matter what]

[Subaru: T'haha, that's reassuring. Alright. It's something important. Frederica will be back soon as well, so let's talk in the lounge. Can you get some tea ready?]

[Petra: Big sister Frederica will be there too?]

[Subaru: Yeah. It'll be determining what happens from here on, and it's not unrelated to Petra, either. So I want you there as well]

[Petra: Not unrelated, to me...?]

Covering her lips, Petra looked like she was sinking into thought. Then, as if suddenly realizing something, her face jumped up, blushing,

[Petra: So, it's about something super important involving me and Subaru-sama?]

[Subaru: Ummm, I guess you could say that? It's definitely important for both Petra and for me. Either way, it's not something we can decide just between ourselves]

[Petra: But, the feelings of the people involved are really important, right?]

[Subaru: Feelings? The feelings? Feelings are... well, also pretty important? It's true that it won't work if everyone's on different frequencies, so... yeah that too, I guess?]

Seeing Subaru nodding to her questions, Petra's face lit up as she did a spin on the spot. Then, running into the Mansion almost dancing,

[Petra: Right away! I'll be back right away! Don't you run away!]

[Subaru: I'm not running anywhere… Petra, if you go too fast you'll trip]

Watching Petra fly up the stairs, aiming straight for the maid's room, Subaru suddenly remembered something and called out to her from behind, [Petra!],

[Subaru: Petra, thanks for the handkerchief. It was probably not in the way you intended, but, it really helped]

[Petra: Really? I helped Subaru?]

[Subaru: Yeah, saved my life... well, not exactly, but feels like that]

Subaru pulled out the white embroidered handkerchief that Petra had given him as a gift.

It was the weapon he used to kill himself in the previous loop at the end of his showdown with the Witch of Envy, moments before he could be swallowed. That particular functionality was no doubt Echidona's doing, but it still began with Petra's feelings for him.

Come to think of it, if Echidona's will had stayed in effect, the handkerchief might still be a weapon even now. Maybe it could activate when the same conditions are met, when Subaru's life is in danger, or when some magical incantation injects it with mana. Granted, the last one would be a bit too hard for Subaru.

[Subaru: Still, it's all thanks to you. I have to repay you for this gift somehow]

[Petra: Then, a dayt! One dayt!]

[Subaru: Um, did you hear that from Emilia?]

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A first date with Emilia in Arlam village was Subaru's reward for quelling the Wolgarms in the forest.

Back then, the perceptive villagers and children had decided to leave Subaru and Emilia to themselves, and it seems Petra still remembered it.

[Subaru: Understood. Then allow me to be your escort. It would be my honor and privilege to be the partner of Petra's first date]

[Petra: You promise!]

[Subaru: Yeah, promise]

Happily holding up her hand with a blooming smile, Petra bounded into the hallway.

Watching the back of her tiny figure disappear into the hall, Subaru's thoughts drifted to what her future might hold. A lovely girl with a bright future ahead of her. In five, no, three years time, she would have grown into a beautiful girl.

By that time, she would have probably forgotten about her feelings for him. But the fact that such a girl chose him as her first date still filled Subaru with a sinful sense of satisfaction. So,

[Subaru: I'll be sure to make good on that promise, Petra]

She won't remember the promise they exchanged in this collapsing world.

But Subaru will always carry the fact of its passing.

When he has finally chosen the perfect future, he will make that promise to her again.

With the lingering thought of Petra's smile in his mind, Subaru directed his steps to the lounge.

Seated on a sofa in the lounge, Subaru smiled wryly at Petra, sitting across from him pouting with her face all red.

Swinging her legs from the edge of the sofa, Petra made no effort to hide her displeasure as the introduction drew to a close. Seeing Subaru smiling at the girl's demeanor, the older maid sitting beside her couldn't help but put in a word or two,

[Frederica: Why are you making that face, Petra? It's rude to do so in front of Subaru-sama]

[Petra: But, but, big sister Frederica...]

[Frederica: No buts. Even if you're well acquainted with each other, it's no excuse to be rude. If you don't keep that in mind on a daily basis, how will you remember it on important occasions? You're a clever child, but you have to be more careful about these things]

[Petra: Uuuu~~]

Petra despondently chewed her lips and lowered her head.

Finding it a bit hard to watch the girl being scolded, Subaru tried to calm things down with [That's alright, that's alright...], but instantly gave up when Frederica shot him a glare.

After joining up with Frederica, who was returning from the stable, and Petra, as she finished brewing the tea, the three of them took their seats in the lounge and began the vital conversation.

And now, Petra was currently sulking about Subaru's opening words. The content of which was,

[Petra: Why do I have to leave the Mansion? I've only been here for a week and...]

Watching Petra tear up like she was going to cry, Subaru was stricken by pangs of guilt. But, considering the calamities that will soon befall the Mansion, he couldn't very well keep her around out of guilt.

So Subaru steeled his heart and shook his head,

[Subaru: I don't mean having you leave the Mansion forever. We aren't letting you go, just having you stay in the village for a week... I just want you to stay at home until then]

[Frederica: And you can't say why, is that right?]

[Subaru: ...Not in detail. But, it's a fact that there's danger coming to the Mansion. Frederica, you know about the Witch Cult attack not long ago, right?]

Witch Cult. Frederica's expression darkened as she heard the words.

While she was away, the Witch Cultists led by Petelgeuse had attacked the Mansion and Arlam village. That was only two weeks ago.

Having grown up in the Sanctuary, Frederica must have been well aware of the unwanted attention that Emilia's identity as a half-elf attracted, and how it ultimately led to this attack.

Just as Subaru expected, Frederica's face took on a complicated expression as she nodded,

[Frederica: If that is true, then Subaru-sama's decision would be most appropriate. After all, you still don't have any way to protect yourself, Petra]

[Petra: But that's ok! Subaru will protect me!]

[Subaru: Even though I kinda wanna say "Leave it to me!" like a man, I'm way too aware of how weak and incompetent I am, so I won't say anything like that]

Even as Petra stood up to object, her childish objection was immediately undermined by Subaru's self-admitted uselessness. Petra dejectedly dropped her shoulders at Subaru's response, while Frederica gently patted her head as if to console her,

[Frederica: Petra, don't be sad. Can't you see how much Subaru-sama regrets admitting his own powerlessness?]

[Petra: ...Uunn, big sister Frederica]

[Frederica: Everyone has misgivings about their own inadequacies. Subaru-sama is the same, and you as well. By admitting it, Subaru-sama is nevertheless searching for ways to overcome it. So what about Petra?]

[Petra: Uu~]

Sniffing back her tears once again, Petra looked up at Subaru,

[Petra: Is, is there really... nothing I can do at the Mansion?]

[Subaru: ...Mn, sorry. There's nothing Petra can help with this time. And I'm not strong enough to look after you. Sorry about that]

Seeing Subaru lower his head, Petra squeezed shut her eyes and wiped them clean with her sleeves.

When she looked up again, there was no longer any trace of her tears. With only a faint, lingering redness in the corners of her eyes, she picked up the hems of her dress in a curtsy,

[Petra: I understand, Subaru-sama. From tonight onwards, Petra will take her leave. Once everything has settled down, please be sure to call for me]

[Subaru: Yeah, for sure. When everything's settled...]

When everyone in the Mansion and everyone in the Sanctuary are safe, and their faces are adorned with smiles.

Petra accepted Subaru's proposal, and thus marked the end of the first phase of their talks.

――Picking up the emptied cups and briefly cleaning herself up, Petra took her leave from the lounge, and only Subaru and Frederica were left in the room.

With the sound of the door closing, and sensing Petra's footsteps growing further and further down the hallway, Subaru reached for a piece of sweet pastry and took a bite,

[Subaru: Mind if I ask you some questions, Frederica?]

[Frederica: Depends on the questions, Subaru-sama]

Hearing her give this answer as if it were a matter of course, Subaru wryly smiled. Nevertheless, Frederica retained her calm composure, awaiting Subaru's first question.

Drawing in a deep breath, Subaru taxed his mind trying to decide what to say first. But there was really only one question he wanted her to answer.

[Subaru: What exactly does Garfiel want to accomplish in the Sanctuary?]

[Frederica: ――Did something happen between you and that no-good little brother of mine?]

[Subaru: All sorts of things, actually. As for whether our disagreements are completely irreconcilable, or if they could be resolved through words… that's what I'm trying to find out]

Depending on the answer, Subaru will have to adjust his plans accordingly.

Whether to treat Garfiel as an enemy to be destroyed, or an ally worth bringing to his side.

[Frederica: Since you don't sound surprised, my little brother must have told you about his relationship with me?]

[Subaru: Lewes-san didn't deny it either. You know Lewes-san, don't you?]

[Frederica: Of course. When I still lived inside the Sanctuary, she was the one who raised us like we were her own family... Considering the time we lived together, she is like a mother, or a grandmother to us]

[Subaru: That explains why Garfiel keeps calling her granny]

Subaru could still hear his heart-wrenching scream of "Grandma" as he left him.

Perhaps that was what Garfiel used to call her, before he took up using the ruder address of "Granny". If that was what he really felt,

[Subaru: Was Garfiel a total grandma's boy when he was little?]

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[Frederica: If you mean his relationship with grandmother... then yes. Despite appearances, my little brother is awfully sentimental, and I do believe he is very fond of our grandmother… as much as he tries to hide it]

In his sister's eyes, Garfiel's deep attachment to Lewes was clear.

But Subaru still couldn't understand what went wrong to make the self-proclaimed guardian of the Sanctuary resort to such brutality as he did.

[Subaru: His behavioral tendencies are one thing, whether or not I can forgive him is another…]

[Frederica: Subaru-sama?]

[Subaru: Nothing. I just remembered something that made a bit of hostility surge up. Though I try not to let prejudice cloud my judgement if I can help it…]

What was Garfiel thinking that could have driven him to massacre the villagers? Even now, Subaru couldn't begin to surmise what was going on deep inside.

But, as a byproduct of the Sanctuary's immortality experiments, the command authority to control Lewes Meyers and the resp maintenance of the facility were certainly in Garfiel's hands.

Then why would he destroy the facility? And before that, how did he receive the command authority in the first place? There was still too much Subaru didn't understand――

[Subaru: Frederica. I already know that you were once a resident of the Sanctuary. And, being a quarter-blood, you can move through the barrier unhindered]

[Frederica: How did you...]

[Subaru: And Garfiel is the same. But even though he can leave, he chose to stay behind. Say, Frederica. Do you... know why the Sanctuary was first created?]

It had only been the fourth day since Subaru left for the Sanctuary. The ungodly amount of information he had gathered in so short a time was shocking, but Frederica's eyes widened even further when she heard Subaru's question.

[Frederica: No, I don't know the details. I understand that the Sanctuary was created by the late Witch of Greed in order to conduct some sort of experiment, but...]

[Subaru: You don't? Really? You sure you don't want to change your answer?]

[Frederica: I wouldn't know what you are suspecting of me, but my answer will not change. The Sanctuary had been the Witch's experimental grounds and the Boundary drawn by the Witch still stands, not to be dispelled until the Trials are completed. That is as much as I know]

In closing, Frederica slowly shook her head. Subaru had no way to verify whether she was telling the truth, but she didn't appear to be be lying.

In other words, Frederica didn't seem to know the truth about the immortality experiments. That would also mean that she had no idea about the byproduct of those experiments,

[Subaru: Wait. Then, Frederica... you don't know anything about the command authority used to control the replicants?]

[Frederica: Repli...cants? No, I've never heard of such a thing]

Her denial was in the same vein as before.

Hearing her answer, Subaru fell speechless as he relinquished his weight onto the sofa.

[Frederica: My apologies. It seems my answers did not meet your expectations]

[Subaru: No, no it's fine. It's not your fault... Frederica, how many years ago was it when you left the Sanctuary? If you don't mind me asking?]

[Frederica: It was about seven years ago when I left the Sanctuary to serve in the Mansion. Ram arrived a little later than I did, so you could say I am the oldest servant here]

Rem's name was not among Frederica's reminiscences, nor did the extent of her knowledge of the Sanctuary change from the previous loops.

Letting out a sigh, Subaru decided that the likelihood that Frederica was withholding information from him was nearly zero. Despite changing his approach, her answers remained the same, which could only mean that they were probably true.

Frederica had no knowledge of the immortality experiments, and was probably unaware of the Lewes replicants as well. Either the Leweses were able to seamlessly hide their daily rotations, or the meticulous Frederica today used to be more of a klutz when she was younger.

[Subaru: But then, what about Garfiel? When did that guy find out the truth about the Sanctuary...?]

If Garfiel held the command authority over the replicants, he must have known about the facility. Even if not for that, he was most likely the one who destroyed it afterwards.

There was no doubt that Garfiel knew about the experiments conducted on Lewes Meyer. If he knew this while his older sister didn't, then he must have found out after his sister had left the Sanctuary. Or, perhaps, it was because he knew that he chose to stay behind?

[Subaru: ――Ah]

Coming to that thought, Subaru suddenly noticed the crucial piece he had overlooked. The moment he realized this, he simply couldn't believe his own stupidity.

[Subaru: If that guy holds command authority over the replicants, then doesn't that means he's met the same conditions I did? That means, that guy's also considered an Apostle of Greed, doesn't it...]

That is to say, there needed to be no better proof that Garfiel had met the Witch of Greed, Echidona.

Subaru hugged his head, resenting the fact that he didn't realize this earlier. If Garfiel had met with Echidona, that would explain why he was the one holding the command authority. Whether it was his prejudice against the Trials or his empathy towards Emilia's failures, that would explain all of it.

[Subaru: Frederica. ――Garfiel challenged the Trials before, didn't he?]

[Frederica: ――! How did you-]

[Subaru: It's only because all sorts of clues were pointing to it that I managed to get there. Though of course, I'm guessing he failed... but what exactly happened?]

An affirmation from Frederica was as good as Subaru wrapping his fist around the central piece of the puzzle.

Letting out a sigh in front of Subaru's excited pursuit, Frederica closed her eyes as if to draw from the depths of her memories.

[Frederica: ...I am not the only one who wished for the Sanctuary to be liberated. There was a time when my little brother also strived so that grandmother and the others could one day see the outside world. My brother was very young then, when he sneaked into the Tomb to challenge the Trials. And I remember how jealous I was of his recklessness]

[Subaru: Frederica… have you ever gone in there?]

[Frederica: I myself never had the courage to do so. Even though I knew that passing the Trials would mean the liberation of the Sanctuary, I was always told that I cannot go in there. That was why I was so envious of my little brother when he ran straight inside]

He could almost see it.

Even more reckless than he is now, the young Garfiel must have gone into the Tomb full of confidence for only the simple desire to let those he cared for catch a glimpse of the outside world.

But,

[Frederica: When my little brother didn't come out, I was so regretful that I didn't stop him that I went to find grandmother... and though grandmother also hesitated for a moment, she decided to go in after him. I sat there praying, and, after a short while, she brought my little brother back to me. But…]

――Do not go into the Tomb again. Forget everything you saw today and never speak of it to anyone.

That must have been what Lewes asked of her.

Listening to this story, Subaru recalled the contradictions in Lewes' words from before. There was the Lewes who claimed to have entered the Tomb, and the Lewes who claimed she never did.

It was only when he learned of the existence of multiple Leweses, coupled with the constraint that they cannot lie, that this contradiction was resolved.

And, it was only after the present conversation that he realized,

[Subaru: Garfiel had challenged the Trials. And there, he must have met the Witch of Greed. All sorts of things are finally starting to make sense…]

Why Garfiel felt the way he did towards the Trials, and why the command authority was in his hands.

The question now was what he saw in his "Past", why he wanted to stop Subaru from liberating the Sanctuary, and why Echidona never told Subaru about Garfiel. The answers to all of them lay inside the Tomb.

[Subaru: I'll definitely need to see Echidona at least one more time…]

And expose every secret that all-knowing Witch tried to hide from him.

Subaru quietly made up his mind as Frederica watched him in silence.

Sensing her gaze, Subaru scratched his cheek and muttered [Sorry],

[Subaru: For all sorts of things. And for asking you questions you didn't want to be asked]

[Frederica: It's fine. I know it is necessary. I've received such orders from the Master as well. If telling you this... could help Emilia-sama liberate the Sanctuary, then I don't mind at all]

[Subaru: The Sanctuary will definitely be liberated. There's a reason I have to make sure that it comes to pass, and I'll use any means necessary to do it. But as for how much of that matches Garfiel's plans for it, I'll have to put that lower down the list]

[Frederica: ...]

[Subaru: I have no idea what Garfiel's thinking. In the worst case, he'll be against me at every turn, but I won't make any compromises. As much as I should apologize, it will be for the greater good]

In order to forestall the disasters approaching the Mansion and the Sanctuary, Subaru must sweep aside everything that stood in his way.

Listening to Subaru's answer, Frederica firmly closed her eyes once more,

[Frederica: Please take care of my no-good little brother]

――She lowered her head and replied.

-=