139

Two astonished gazes landed on the out-of-breath Subaru who had barged into the room.

As far as he was concerned, both of these two were supposed to be completely foreign to the concept of "being surprised". And, deriving some small satisfaction from their reactions, the wicked smile on Subaru's face deepened.

[Roswaal: ――A bet?]

Muttering this, Roswaal narrowed his mismatched eyes.

His face that was usually covered in clown's makeup was now devoid of any paint. Over the various loops, only once had Subaru seen Roswaal's real face like this before.

His skin beneath the white cosmetics was pallid, and there was a certain guileless simplicity to his gaze without his eyeliners―― an impression entirely detached from the Roswaal Subaru had known. Before he knew it, the shady, calculating figure behind the painted face had transformed into a clean, upstanding youth as the makeup fell away.

Handsome people are handsome without needing anything extra, Subaru silently remarked as he nodded to Roswaal's mutter,

[Subaru: Yeah, a bet. Your wish against mine... Just one shot, winner takes all]

[Roswaal: ――――]

Subaru raised a single finger, magnificently declaring. As if scrutinizing Subaru's proposal, Roswaal squinted his eyes. But before Roswaal could give his reply, another figure cut in between their line of sight―― it was the pink-haired maid, Ram.

With Roswaal to her back, Ram's gaze was severe as she faced Subaru. Although, in their day-to-day, Ram tended to scold Subaru every chance she got, and her gaze towards him was always sharp, none of it could compare with what was in her eyes at this moment.

[Ram: Hold it, Barusu. You come barging into the room, and just when I was wondering what you had to say... you mean to further burden Roswaal-sama in his convalescence? There should be a limit to your insolence]

[Subaru: Considering the circumstances, the "I'm sick and injured" excuse won't work anymore. That's got nothing to do with that slick tongue and black heart of his... so he'll just have to suck it up until I'm done]

[Ram: Barusu――]

[Subaru: And nothing you say is gonna change that!]

A blend of perilousness and severity flared in Ram's eyes. But before she could act, Subaru stomped his foot into the floor. Jutting out his finger at Ram, who had cautiously halted,

[Subaru: I've got no reason to stop or hesitate. You and I know each other well enough for at least that much, right Roswaal?]

[Roswaal: ――Hhm]

[Subaru: Or has your motivation gone all the way to zero just because something's deviated from your little diary? How about showing a little backbone and making some effort for your coming selves instead?]

[Roswaal: ....That's an interesting way of putting it. My coming selves, is it]

Subaru tried to get his meaning across to Roswaal without directly mentioning Return by Death. Although Ram furrowed her brows in confusion, Roswaal seemed to have understood.

With some vigor returning to his lifeless face, Roswaal addressed Ram in front of him,

[Roswaal: Ram. Stand down... or ra~~ther, could you leave us for a moment?]

[Ram: ...! But, Roswaal-sama]

[Roswaal: It's fine, it's fine. Even if we're alone, Subaru-kun isn't thoughtless enough to atta~~ck me. And it would be very easy to defeat him anyway. Wou~~ldn't it?]

[Subaru: Yeah, embarrassing as it is. If we ever get physical, I'm not even confident I can pull him off the bed]

Watching Subaru flapping his empty hands in agreement, Ram gritted her teeth, and once again turned her worried gaze to Roswaal,

[Ram: ――Please don't strain yourself]

With this, she gave a solemn curtsy and headed for the room's exit. Just before passing Subaru, she shot him a sideways glare,

[Ram: ――If anything should happen to Roswaal-sama, I will not forgive you]

[Subaru: You should be more worried about him doing something in a self-destructive fit, you know]

Seeing Ram off with a shrug, Subaru watched the door shut behind her before turning back to Roswaal. Roswaal's expression remained thoughtful as he closed a single eye, catching Subaru in his yellow pupil.

[Roswaal: Again, your expression is consi~~derably different from when we pa~~rted last night. Could something have changed in your heart in these few hours?]

[Subaru: A change of heart… guess you could call it that. I got a talking to, got into a fight with a friend and... well, it was a bit too one-sided to be a fight, but it was something of a reaffirmation of our friendship]

Touching the cheek that Otto had punched, still faintly red, Subaru thought back on the sensations of that morning.

Despite his scrawny figure, Otto was surprisingly strong. Perhaps, that was because the number of ordeals he'd had to go through was far greater than Subaru's. Subaru thought he had gotten into quite a few predicaments since coming to this world, but it seems that still wasn't nearly enough.

[Subaru: Seriously, how vicious is this world...]

[Roswaal: I couldn't agree more. We~~ll, yesterday I've already confirmed that I haven't co~~rnered you enough, but the fact that you've come back so early just shows I wasn't mistaken]

[Subaru: I was pretty much at my limit though. ...I'm just simple-minded, I guess]

It seems Otto's words and fist had knocked Subaru's crooked wits straight.

A terribly crude and simple method. There was nothing more childish than having to have a friend beat you onto the right path, and if it had happened to someone else, Subaru would definitely have derided them for it.

[Subaru: But I don't think it's a bad thing. When you find yourself stuck with no way out, it's pretty nice to have a buddy to help figure things out]

[Roswaal: Naive. Green, immature. ...Ultimately, you can only solve the sufferings of this world yourself. You have no need for such indolent ideas as relying on friends]

[Subaru: Relying on friends, relying on bonds, relying on feelings... you don't think it'll work?]

[Roswaal: It wo~~n't]

[Subaru: Is that so. ――Then, we'll just have to see who's right]

Roswaal's expression shifted, while Subaru walked up to the bed, snapped his fingers, and pointed straight at Roswaal.

[Subaru: Like I said, let's make a bet. With our wishes as the chips, one round decides all]

[Roswaal: Very well, let's he~~ar it then]

Having confirmed that Roswaal wasn't outright rejecting his proposal, Subaru turned his finger towards the ceiling,

[Subaru: I won't be following your intentions this time. Not just this time, I've no intention of doing it your way, ever... but, even if I keep insisting that, we'll never be able to sort out our differences. So let's set a limit]

[Roswaal: A limit?]

Hearing Roswaal repeat it back, [Yeah], Subaru nodded.

Ads by Pubfuture

Wetting his lips with his tongue, Subaru stared straight into Roswaal's eyes,

[Subaru: This loop, I'll break through everything my way. If I fail... next one onwards, I'll do things the way you want me to. That'll be the limit]

[Roswaal: ――Having the ability to rewind indefinitely, you would abandon your right to keep trying?]

[Subaru: You said it yourself. What you did wasn't enough to corner me. And I agree. ――If I keep thinking that I can just rewind and get it right next time, everything'll just end up like that again]

Though of course, he had no intention of rejecting the concept entirely.

In this merciless world, what could Natsuki Subaru possibly do without Return by Death? Subaru wasn't so shameless as to completely deny all the benefits Return by Death had given him.

But his mindset had changed. If he had done everything he could and died anyway, he would at least resignedly accept it. But if that was not the case, and he died when he could have lived, then,

[Subaru: It would be an insult to all the people who'd cry for me. I won't do that anymore]

[Roswaal: And so, you would set a limit on yourself... i~~s it? Though I admit I couldn't have asked for a more favorable condition, how will you guarantee that you will abide by it?]

[Subaru: Guarantee?]

[Roswaal: Yes, guarantee. It's quite impo~~rtant, no? A~~fter all, with your ability to rewind, you can easily pretend this promise ne~~ver happened. If you fail, return to last night, a~~nd simply decide to try another way...]

[Subaru: Roswaal]

As Roswaal voiced his doubts, Subaru quietly called his name.

Cut off by that call, and faced with Subaru's gaze, Roswaal's eyes slightly widened. Then, Subaru carried on with his tone of voice unchanged,

[Subaru: You think I would do that?]

[Roswaal: ――――]

[Subaru: If you do, then... this conversation isn't going to work at all. That's all there is to it]

Roswaal narrowed his eyes at those words, and lightly raised his hands, sighing.

[Roswaal: No, no~~. Let's he~~ar the rest of it. I can decide at the end]

[Subaru: ...Then here goes. As I said, we'll set a limit. I'll put everything I have into this loop. And if it still doesn't work, I'll do as you say. Since, either way... if this doesn't work, I doubt anything else will]

[Roswaal: You don't sound too confident? But, you do have the resolve. ...In tha~~t case, I will respond in kind. Now, you would set a limit on yourself, and make this attempt your last. So what would you requ~~ire from me?]

Roswaal's tone was beginning to return to normal.

Seeing that the negotiations have reached a degree of mutual understanding, Subaru clapped his hands together,

[Subaru: My demand is simple. If I manage to break through the situation my way this loop, the future will stray from your expectations. When that happens, you'll probably lose all will to live in a world that has deviated from your Gospel, won't you... that mustn't happen]

[Roswaal: Mustn't? You mean I mustn't lose my determination? U~~nfortunately, I have to say that is a rather difficult request. Of course, I could continue to pretend on the su~~rface, but in my heart of hearts, I would...]

[Subaru: You know, Roswaal. I don't want us to be enemies forever]

[Roswaal: ――Hn?]

Unsure of Subaru's meaning, Roswaal tilted his head.

Seeing this, Subaru rubbed his finger against his nose, and,

[Subaru: I know you can't stand a future that deviates from your Gospel and a route that differs from the one you've decided on. But even in a future that deviates from your Gospel, I'll still be busting my ass off to make Emilia King. And I'll keep relying on the power to rewind to make sure of it. ――Whatever the road we take to get there, the end result won't stray from your goals]

[Roswaal: ――――]

[Subaru: Roswaal, my demand is simple. If I open a path to the future that's different from your Gospel's... then you will toss the Gospel aside and join me. I'll make Emilia King. And I need your help for that]

No matter how many unforgivable deeds Roswaal has stained his hands with, his strength will be necessary for Emilia's goals. Subaru himself still harbored a sense of incomprehension and disgust towards him. And if things were left as they are in this timeline, the consequences of Roswaal's machinations would be irreparable. ――But Subaru himself will extinguish that possibility and avoid that fatal pitfall.

Hearing Subaru's proposal, Roswaal let out a long, deep sigh.

Closing his eyes, he sank into thought, stroking his chin as his lips slowly parted,

[Roswaal: So that's the ultimate compromise you are asking for... is it]

[Subaru: It's all pretty convenient, isn't it. But I like convenient things. Emilia will do her best to become King, I'll be rooting for her at her side, and you'll be tagging along for the ride]

[Roswaal: That is a difficult thing you ask of me, when I've been doing things one way for such a long, lo~~ng time. If you want to get me to cha~~nge now... that would necessitate some equally severe conditions on your end, no?]

[Subaru: Yeah, it would]

Roswaal squinted a single eye, while Subaru nodded and held up two of his fingers.

Feeling Roswaal's gaze focus onto his fingertips, Subaru gave one of his fingers a light wag,

[Subaru: There're two conditions. Two conditions you said were impossible and could never be done. If I manage to clear those conditions, I win the bet]

[Roswaal: And if those conditions go unfulfilled, the victory is mine. And I will have you discard your humanity]

Speaking in a low, sonorous tone, Roswaal locked his gaze into Subaru's. At the end of Roswaal's urging gaze, Subaru briefly gritted his teeth with a nod, and continued,

[Subaru: So, the first condition. ――I will make Garfiel an ally, and bring him outside]

[Roswaal: ――――]

[Subaru: You said his attachment to the Sanctuary means I'll never be able to bring him out of this place. I agree. But while I agree... we'll be needing his strength in the future. Even if we consider the feelings of the people in the Sanctuary, we can't just leave that stubborn, bratty kid in here forever. So I'll do what you consider to be undoable and win Garfiel to our side]

[Roswaal: ――And the second?]

The moment he heard the first condition, a dark emotion passed through the depths of Roswaal's eyes.

But, without remarking on it, he merely asked for the next condition. With a nod, Subaru continued,

[Subaru: ――I will have Emilia pass the Trials. The one to overcome the Trials of the Tomb and liberate the Sanctuary will be Emilia. Not me]

[Roswaal: Impossible!]

Shouting, Roswaal slammed his palm upon the bed.

A dry thud rang out, as Roswaal's visage contorted in rage. Squaring his shoulders, he jutted his finger towards Subaru,

[Roswaal: I told you last night. That thing is incapable of passing the Trials. And Garfiel will never abandon his attachment to the Sanctuary!]

[Subaru: Won't know 'til I try, right?]

Ads by Pubfuture

[Roswaal: Indeed, you wouldn't know unless you've tried. And isn't it precisely because you've tried so many times that you come to me beaten and defeated!? Your visage, and your very resolve now is proof that those two are not worth the investment of your hopes!]

Practically screaming, Roswaal's shoulders heaved up and down as he spoke. While he took ragged breath after ragged breath, Subaru only calmly faced him,

[Subaru: You're getting yourself awfully worked up, aren't you]

[Roswaal: What...?]

[Subaru: Isn't it to your advantage that the conditions are so harsh on my end? Makes no sense for you to get angry about its harshness, right?]

[Roswaal: It is a matter of whether such a bet can be established in the first place. When it is not just the balance but the legitimacy that is questionable, the very outcomes of the bet would be compromised. It's only natural that I am cautious]

Being given conditions that are so stacked against Subaru and so favorable towards himself had made Roswaal wary. But seeing Roswaal's reaction, Subaru's cheeks twisted, as a vicious, vicious smile deepened on his face.

[Subaru: Roswaal, you don't seem to get it]

[Roswaal: ...]

[Subaru: Are the odds stacked against me? Well yeah, it's pretty harsh whichever way you look at it. I admit it's crossed my mind that this'll help you save some face while you revise that master plan of yours, but... it's actually about something else]

In front of the speechless Roswaal, Subaru went on with the smile on his face unchanged,

[Subaru: You said it yourself, Roswaal]

[Roswaal: ――――]

[Subaru: When I'm driven into a corner, I become the strongest card. ――It might not be how you wanted it, but this is the strongest card right here, without a doubt. You still dissatisfied?]

Against Subaru's cutting words, Roswaal remained silent.

He merely stared fixedly at Subaru as he brought the rhythm of his breathing under control. And, once his breathing had calmed, Roswaal raised a single finger,

[Roswaal: ――Contract]

[Subaru: ――――]

[Roswaal: Very well. I will accept the conditions you've prese~~nted. ――Break Garfiel out of his spell, and let Emilia-sama liberate the Sanctuary. Once both of these come to pass, I will discard my plans and follow the path you've constructed. Let us forge a contract to this end]

A dim light flickered atop Roswaal's raised finger.

The rainbow-colored concentration of mana looked just like the multi-elemental light Julius had used to destroy Petelgeuse.

[Roswaal: Through our gates, we shall carve this mutual contract into our souls. No matter whom you may deceive, you cannot deceive your own heart. ――A contract carved into the soul transcends distance and time, and persists even across worlds. It should continue to bind you even if you rewind and start anew]

[Subaru: Huh, so you did have something in mind. ...But, that's more convenient for me anyway. If we're both bound by contract, that'll save me having to drag you around kicking and screaming after you've lost the bet]

[Roswaal: It doesn't appear as though you're taking this lightly... very well]

Seeing that Subaru was willing to accept the contract, Roswaal said nothing more.

The radiance at his fingertip pressed into the center of Subaru's chest, and with it, came the sensation of something seeping into his body. Immediately, feeling a wave pulse inside him, opening all the pores of his body, Subaru exhaled a breath.

[Subaru: Aa, hha――]

[Roswaal: And the same will be engraved upon my soul. ――Once Natsuki Subaru's contract has been fulfilled, Roswaal L Mathers' contract shall also be fulfilled]

An identical rainbow burst of light pulsed on Roswaal's chest.

For an instant, the light spread through Roswaal's entire body, before all returned to normal in the blink of an eye.

[Subaru: So, it's done?]

[Roswaal: It is done. ...There's no taking it back now]

Confirming their mutual inability to flee, Subaru quietly gulped down his breath.

There, Roswaal placed a hand to his own chest, and,

[Roswaal: Just as you will try your utmost to fulfill your conditions, I will also move to actualize the Gospel's writ. You won't fault me for that, will you?]

[Subaru: ――In five days, the snow will fall again?]

[Roswaal: ...If Emilia-sama does not bring the snowfall, I will likely have to bri~~ng it about myself]

In other words, the time limit is set.

In five days, the Great Rabbit will attack. Emilia will have to liberate the Sanctuary, and Subaru will have to break Garfiel's spell before then.

[Subaru: If that's decided, there's no time to waste. I better get started]

[Roswaal: Subaru-kun]

As Subaru moved away from the bed to set about his tasks, Roswaal called to him.

Turning around, he saw Roswaal slightly averting his gaze,

[Roswaal: The Mansion will be the same day. ――Do your best, I'll be praying for your good fight]

[Subaru: Because if I try to do everything and botch it, next time you'll get me to do things your way... right?]

[Roswaal: ――――]

Roswaal answered Subaru's reply with silence.

At this, Subaru gave him a wry smile, and finished it by pointing his finger at Roswaal,

[Subaru: Roswaal, you're throwing off your vibe so put the clown makeup back on]

[Roswaal: Hhm, now that you mention it... this is the first time I've received you without makeup on, isn't it]

[Subaru: In this world, yeah]

Subaru could tell that Roswaal's eyes widened at his insinuation as he turned away.

Savoring this reaction on his back, Subaru set out his steps,

[Subaru: This is a match between you and me. A couple of clowns tossed around by fate―― so let's fight it out, fair and square]

With that, he left the room.

The conditions of the bet are in place. ――And so, this is where it begins:

Natsuki Subaru's final challenge, with the Sanctuary's liberation as the wager.

-=

[Otto: So, were you able to successfully seal the contract?]

After issuing his final challenge and concluding his talks with Roswaal, Subaru left the building and took a short walk to join up with Otto. And now, they were in a corner of the Cathedral, reporting their respective results to each other.

Subaru answered Otto's question with a nod, and,

[Subaru: Yeah, it worked. I was worried he'd just sink into self-abandon and reject the bet outright, but... I think the unfavorable conditions on my end got him through that]

[Otto: Guess so. When you're presented with a bet that's so one-sidedly in your favor... plus when you have a blueprint telling you that you cannot lose, it'd be insane not to take it. Of course, I've also considered the possibility that Natsuki-san might go overboard with the presentation and end up without a contract]

[Subaru: Even if you say that, without a contract... wait, you've thought of that too?]

[Otto: Mhm, I did]

Otto crossed his arms nodding as if it were a matter of course. Actually, Otto had just managed to dupe Roswaal, albeit temporarily. Subaru widened his eyes at the thought of it.

Seeing Subaru like this, Otto gave a wry smile,

[Otto: Merchants use written documents all the time when more than a few agreements need to be exchanged, but... adept magic users are the ones who're really into contracts. And when the person is the foremost magic user in the country... chances are he'd take the bait]

[Subaru: By the way, there's no way he could've planted some secret conditions in there, right? Like, he says one thing but binds me with some other contract]

Subaru would have no way of knowing if that was the case.

The bet's outcome was supposed to decide the future of their faction, but if the contract actually says something like "Keep breathing and you'll die the next day"―― Subaru wouldn't even know.

While Subaru shuddered at his own imaginings, Otto waved his hands,

[Otto: It's designed so that that kind of trickery wouldn't be possible. Margrave Roswaal must have said something when you two sealed the contract? Like, it'll be etched into your souls? It's only when both parties agree on the contents that the contract can be established. Unless there was some serious wordplay involved, there's no way it could be done]

[Subaru: You make it sound like there's an exception if you get tricked by a play on words…]

[Otto: ...Just between you and me, before all the legal codes were in place, when the whole world was still in a more turbulent age, those kinds of scams using contracts were rampant. If the other party's just some small-time scoundrel then it's not too bad, but if it's a powerful, malevolent mage who's got his eyes on you, the consequences are unimaginable]

Otto shrank up his shoulders in fear, and Subaru also shriveled up his in agreement.

In this sense, Roswaal was a more or less passable contract partner. While he may be powerful, and certainly mean-spirited, he was more driven by his obsessions than by pure evil. It should be safe to say that he'd have no intention of abusing their contract and risk permanently falling out with Subaru.

And even if Roswaal did deceive Subaru this way―― Subaru would just use the power of his ability to rewind to utterly annihilate him heart and mind until he relented.

For both their sakes, it'd be best if nothing like that happened, so Subaru opted to keep a minimum level of trust between them.

[Subaru: Anyway, that's what happened on my end, how did yours go?]

[Otto: How indeed… I'm not really sure, to be honest. After all, it's pretty much a gamble in places. ...And we won't have many chances to get it right, either]

Otto's expression wasn't too optimistic when referring to the task he was in charge of while Subaru was negotiating with Roswaal. Like Otto said, the task that Subaru had given him was more likely to fail than succeed, and a great deal of gambling was involved. In return, if it did succeed, it would bring them much closer to victory.

The problem is, Subaru wasn't sure just how many more chances he would get in the five days remaining.

[Subaru: Guess we'll just have to wait and see. We better go over what we'll need to do in the limited time we have for now]

[Otto: The most urgent business is Emilia-sama and Garfiel. Specifically, I can't offer any help in getting Emilia-sama to beat the Trials. So that one'll have to fall on Natsuki-san]

[Subaru: Yeah, you're right. ...I'll have to respect Emilia's resolve to do it herself, and now that I've lost my qualifications, I can't do it for her anymore]

Still, even if Emilia kept challenging the Trials as she had been, the chances of her clearing it by the fifth day looked dim. Emilia's heart should be kept from breaking as long as Subaru doesn't leave the Sanctuary, but that wouldn't prevent it being worn down from repeatedly failing the Trials.

She needs to change somehow―― and that too, would have to fall on Subaru.

[Subaru: ――It's about time we honestly faced each other]

[Otto: ...]

[Subaru: I've tried to put it off in all sorts of ways. I think I've been running away because I didn't want to ask her only to realize that there's something irreconcilable between us. And I was hoping Emilia wouldn't have to tell me, since she must also be wishing that I'd never ask her…]

[Otto: ――I believe it's important that you tell each other what's in your hearts. If I only knew the silly Natsuki-san you wanted me to see, I'd never have known what'd be coming in five days' time]

As Otto said this, consoling Subaru in his self-reflection, Subaru scratched his cheek in silent gratitude. He was glad that Otto was thoughtful enough not to scold him for ignoring the issue for so long.

[Otto: Or actually, if you've never made it clear to each other, what's with all this talk about liking and loving anyway? Stop pretending to be all pure and innocent already]

[Subaru: ――Y-you!]

As they were both feeling embarrassed at that point, Otto quickly threw in a jape that made Subaru's lips twinge. But, being hit right on the mark, there was nothing he could say.

It was precisely because of Subaru's good-for-nothing character that all those situations were left where they were when they were just one step away from resolution.

But that has gone on long enough, and it was time to stop running.

[Subaru: I'll be going in blind, but I'll try to come clean with Emilia one way or another. I don't want this to fail because I didn't do something when I could have]

[Otto: ...Well, I'll trust in your judgment, Natsuki-san. After all, I really don't want to be here on the fifth day when the Great Rabbit comes]

Otto looked as if he wanted to say something else in response to Subaru's words, but he only swallowed it back and looked away. Then, with [Now, there's the other topic], he changed the subject,

[Otto: What do you plan to do with Garfiel?]

[Subaru: The hint is: "He's afraid of the outside world". It must have had something to do with what he saw in his past when he took the Trial in the Tomb. If we could just know the details...]

[Otto: Asking him directly is out of the question. He's not the kind of temperate person who'd let just people pick his old emotional wounds]

[Subaru: And if he gets pissed off and smacks us, you and me'll get our neckbones one-shotted. I'm becoming increasingly worried about our team combat-wise...]

Nevermind the totally-incompetent Subaru, Otto is basically just a peddler who's been in some rough situations. They aren't martial artists, not by a long shot, and if there was a ranking of everyone in the Sanctuary by combat ability, you'd probably find them faster if you started looking from the bottom.

[Subaru: Now that I think about it, we really need someone to fill that pure-damage-dealer position. There's Roswaal, Emilia, Ram, and I guess Frederica too… it's a bit of a problem for our faction that that's all the combatants we got. So we'll definitely need Garfiel in our ranks]

He didn't include Rem, because bringing her out of her present condition would be the outcome of that battle.

Besides, even though he knew it was his own selfishness, Subaru would never want that girl whom he swore to retrieve to ever stand on a battlefield again.

[Subaru: We'll coax Garfiel into joining us with eloquence and finesse. And to do that, we'll have to clear away that trauma of his. As for the missing pieces...]

[Otto: The missing pieces...?]

[Subaru: Since we can't ask the person himself, we'll have to pull it from somewhere else. Lewes-san or Ram. Both feel like they'll be tight-lipped about it]

Which side would they take, now that Subaru was going head to head with Roswaal? It's worth a try, even if only to confirm that.

Guzzling down his breakfast and giving his butt a few pats as he stood up, Subaru clicked the bones of his neck,

[Subaru: Right then, time to get started. I'll go try Lewes-san for now, and...]

[Otto: I'll get on with my end as well... I'll pass the word to the others, though I'd prefer if we could get through this without having to use it]

[Subaru: I don't wanna think about it, either. I don't, but... I get the feeling that the chances're seventy, eighty percent that we'll end up relying on it...]

[Otto: That's pretty high... though I can't deny it]

Ads by Pubfuture

They glanced at each other with a sigh, and Subaru shook his head to pull himself together.

Then, facing the still deflated-looking Otto, Subaru held up his hand,

[Subaru: Anyway, all that's left is to do it. Once all of this is beautifully brought to an end, we'll drink a grand toast to celebrate]

Saying this, Subaru stretched out his palm as if to show it to Otto. For a moment, Otto seemed to have difficulty understanding, but, apparently catching on to Subaru's meaning, he held up his palm as well,

[Otto: Right, for the sake of my dazzling future as well, let's give it our best shot]

[Subaru: You said it]

Sharing a mischievous smile, their palms struck together.

The crisp sound resonated through the airy Cathedral, and, amid the gazes of the surprised villagers, Subaru and Otto turned, with each to the other's back, and began to walk.

[Subaru: Lewes-san, are you home~~? I wanna talk to you for a bit]

Bounding over the uneven ground, through the acrid stench of the room, thinking how he should have gotten used to that smell by now, Subaru saw beyond the scraps and rubble the gleam of the pale blue crystal.

As ever, inside the crystal was a naked girl in wakeless slumber. Brushing his palm against the crystal's surface, and once again disappointed by the lack of anything happening, Subaru looked around the room.

The faint blue glow of the crystal was the only light source in the darkness of the chamber. For a place reeking with stench, there were no rats or insects in sight. Thinking about it soberly and realizing that it must be because this place was ridiculously unhealthy, Subaru was finally starting to have some concerns about his bodily condition.

[Subaru: If not even bugs or rats wanna live here, the air pollution's probably off the charts, huh…]

[???: You can put away those queer worries of yours. It's only the Witch's vestiges looming over this place... the animals instinctively sense it and keep away from here]

While Subaru hugged his shoulders, shuddering, a voice came from behind him, dismissing his worries.

It was a familiar voice, spoken in a young pitch and an elderly tone. Turning around, Subaru caught sight of Lewes, walking over with her long hair trailing behind her.

Stopping at Subaru's side in front of the crystal at the center of the room, she looked up with eyes that were the same color as her hair,

[Lewes: Now, Su-bo. The fact that you're here... means you already know what I am?]

[Subaru: I got an explanation directly from the manager of this place. Also mentioned something about taking turns being the representative… pretty sure I got the gist of it]

[Lewes: Is that… so. So that's why Ros-bo was looking strange this morning. ――Ros-bo must've failed again]

Lowering her eyes, a pained expression rose on Lewes' face. Those words made Subaru raise his brows,

[Subaru: Incidentally and unexpectedly, feels like I've just heard a part of what I came here to ask... so Lewes-san, do you happen to know about Roswaal's plans?]

[Lewes: Only in part, I'm afraid. Unless one's familiar to a certain extent with where he's coming from, there's no way anyone could understand why Ros-bo does these baffling things. ...Then again, that's also why Gar-bo's angry with him]

[Subaru: A part… how much?]

[Lewes: Su-bo?]

His voice dropping in pitch, Subaru took a step towards Lewes.

Perhaps sensing the change in Subaru's voice, a look of surprise flashed across Lewes' eyes. Subaru bent his knees, bringing his gaze level with Lewes', and,

[Subaru: Tell me, Lewes-san. How much of Roswaal's plans have you heard? Depending on the answer, I...]

[Lewes: Su-bo...]

If Lewes knew Roswaal's plan―― to secure the progression of the world as described by the Gospel, ordering Elsa's attack on the Mansion, inviting the Great Rabbit to a Sanctuary enclosed by snow, murdering everyone involved, and isolating Subaru to make him forfeit his heart:

If she knew all of it, did nothing to stop it, and was complicit, then,

[Subaru: I don't want to despise you, Lewes-san. So please, tell me. How much do you know? How much have you been helping Roswaal?]

[Lewes: ...What I know is that Ros-bo has a Gospel that he's received from the Witch, and he's trying to rewrite history in accordance to its contents. The Sanctuary's continued existence, too, was written in the Gospel. Were it not for that, I would have stopped protecting him a long time ago]

[Subaru: ...Is that, all?]

[Lewes: That is all. I swear on my words. The contract with which I am born forbids me from ever telling a lie]

Without taking her gaze off of Subaru, a sincere expression appeared on Lewes' youthful face. Since her contract forbade her to lie, Subaru chose to believe her.

His rigid shoulders instantly lost their tension as Subaru breathed a sigh of relief.

[Subaru: I see, thank god. If I found out that even you were on board with Roswaal's monstrous designs, I might've come back to punch you after all this is over. Punching a Loli-looking Lewes-san… just picturing it is horrid]

[Lewes: I honestly felt sorry for worrying you… but after what you said just now I'm not feeling all that sorry anymore]

Hoping to clear the oppressive atmosphere, Lewes went along with Subaru's quip.

Then, she placed her hand to her chin, and continued with [So,]

[Lewes: By the sound of it just now, this isn't a frivolous matter, I take it? Su-bo, what kind of a squabble did you and Ros-bo get into?]

[Subaru: Leaving aside whether it's cute enough to be called a squabble... right now, we're in the middle of a contest. I can objectively say that if I win, we'll get the big happy finale, so I kinda want Lewes' help with that]

[Lewes: Judging from the flow of the conversation, this is something about the Sanctuary? Su-bo and Ros-bo, so what are you each thinking... until I know that first, I can't just carelessly accept]

[Subaru: Well yeah. Right, how to explain...]

Tilting his head, Subaru deliberated over just how much information to give her. He had been completely open with Otto, and it didn't seem like Lewes was entirely biased towards Roswaal. In fact, her position seemed to be the only reason she was being cordial with Roswaal.

With that in mind, after thinking over the matter carefully,

[Subaru: Simply put... it's about what to do with the Sanctuary after the Barrier is gone]

[Lewes: What to do, after it's gone?]

[Subaru: I heard snippets from Garfiel too, so the opinion is pretty split in the Sanctuary, right? Those who want to go out, and those who don't]

Basically, those in support were the majority, and those in opposition the minority. But there were extremists in the opposition who would sabotage Subaru and Emilia's attempts to pass the Trials and liberate the Sanctuary.

Having spent over twenty days in the Sanctuary, Subaru figured that the vanguard of that opposition would be Garfiel. As such, Lewes would be the head of those in support. But just what would she have to say about this difference of opinions?

And just when Subaru was considering how best to continue,

[Lewes: A split in opinions....? No, there shouldn't be anything like that]

[Subaru: Huh?]

[Lewes: After this place is liberated, whether to leave or to stay on this land would be up to the individual. Most of us would want to follow Ros-bo and leave... and those who stay would stay because they wish to bury their bones in this land. So where is the difference in opinions?]

[Subaru: Uu, eh... no, but...]

The shock of hearing Lewes' unexpected reply sent Subaru's head reeling.

The contention between the support and opposition, the supposed antagonism resulting from differing stances regarding the Sanctuary's liberation―― Subaru had been planning to use this as a jumping-off point to redirect the conversation into how to secure Garfiel as an ally.

[Subaru: But, if there never was any contention...]

[Lewes: ――――]

[Subaru: You mean he just made all that stuff up? He was the one warning us to be wary of the opposition, but… was it just so we wouldn't find it strange if we got sabotaged afterwards?]

If so, that's a level of thought that isn't like him at all, Subaru thought.

Ads by Pubfuture

To divert attention from himself, Garfiel had been warning of potential obstructions in advance, thus removing himself from the list of suspects.

As a result, it was only after going through multiple loops in the Sanctuary that Subaru realized that that obstruction was the rampaging Garfiel himself, and that the warning was utterly meaningless.

[Subaru: Why would he go through all these hoops if he really wanted to stop the Sanctuary's liberation...?]

[Lewes: ...You're talking about Gar-bo?]

Listening to Subaru's mutters, Lewes seemed to have guessed who he was talking about.

Little by little, she lowered her eyes as a darkness fell over her expression,

[Lewes: The fact that that child doesn't want to go outside is because of our own cowardice...]

[Subaru: Cowardice… what do you mean?]

[Lewes: Just what the word means. We have lived here ever since our birth. And so we know nothing of the world outside. We don't know, and so we are afraid. It must torment Gar-bo terribly]

[Subaru: ――――]

Subaru could understand what Lewes was talking about.

For the residents of the Sanctuary, born into this narrow, closed-off place, the connection to the rest of the world after the Barrier falls away would be something utterly unknown and new.

Having lived for so, so long on this land, they must be feeling more anxiety than hope to face that something new. The prospect of the collapse of one's mundane, unchanging, everyday life just has that sort of influence over people.

[Subaru: Garfiel doesn't want the Sanctuary to be liberated because he doesn't want to see people hurt by the upheaval of their circumstances...? It doesn't fit his character at all... but]

If that was really why Garfiel so desperately tried to prevent the Sanctuary's liberation―― it'd be the exact same thought process as Subaru's desire to distance Emilia from hardship.

Garfiel was shutting his ears to the opinions of Lewes and the other residents, and proceeding with his own stubborn way of protecting them. In that case, if, like Subaru, he could have a proper conversation with Lewes and the other residents, maybe this problem would be solved.

[Subaru: No, it's not that simple]

Subaru and Garfiel were alike in how they pursued what they seek, but their positions were different. Subaru was failing to get what he wanted because he was weak.

But that was not the case with Garfiel. Garfiel had the strength to prevent the Sanctuary from being liberated. Kill Subaru and Emilia, thus eliminating anyone who could challenge the Trials, and his wish would be fulfilled. The problem is, even if he did this and shut himself in the Sanctuary, there would still be no escape from the approaching Great Rabbit.

But that fact was unknown to Garfiel, and was something he'd be unlikely to believe even if Subaru told him. The situation would be quite different from when he was explaining it to Otto.

[Subaru: If we're just looking for grounds for compromise, this still isn't it... but, it's strange]

[Lewes: Su-bo?]

[Subaru: Why... didn't he choose the most efficient method for stopping the Sanctuary's liberation at the outset and just kill me and Emilia?]

If he truly didn't care about appearances and was wholeheartedly pursuing a single goal like Roswaal, Garfiel could have taken Subaru and Emilia's lives immediately.

But he had never once attempted to directly harm Emilia. And even the times he did attack Subaru, he only did so after Subaru had taken some drastic action.

Subaru still couldn't clearly identify what Garfiel's trigger for killing him was. There was no doubt that killing Subaru was to prevent the Sanctuary's liberation, but the reason behind it remains unclear.

[Subaru: There has to be a trigger. ...But, thinking back on those times Garfiel attacked me, was there really anything they had in common...?]

The times Garfiel attacked Subaru were when Subaru flew into a rage at Roswaal and when he tried to escape the Sanctuary with the villagers―― ultimately, that's all.

Objectively looking at the scene with Roswaal, it was quite normal to have judged Subaru to be in the wrong for pouncing on an injured person. So there was nothing suspicious there.

The problem was the second time, when he tried to murder a Subaru he had already failed to kill.

Transforming into a giant tiger to kill Subaru, Garfiel set his fangs and claws upon Ram, the Arlam villagers, and Patrasche who tried to stand in his way. Though Subaru didn't die in the end, passing through the scene of the massacre, the hatred he felt towards Garfiel then still hasn't vanished even now.

But how much of a decision must Garfiel have made before staining his hands with such atrocities? There must have been something that had triggered it.

Looking back on it now, it doesn't seem as though the trigger came from Subaru's end.

In other words, the impetus for the massacre wasn't something from Subaru, but Garfiel's end.

[Subaru: Lewes-san. Garfiel may seem rough and reckless, but he's not a guy easily moved to violence... would that be a safe assessment?]

[Lewes: He is a kind boy at heart. He puts up a hard shell and barks before anything else to protect those around him. ...The strength he holds within himself is also for that purpose]

[Subaru: Right, in that case... there's only one answer]

[Lewes: ――?]

Subaru rubbed his nose and turned to face Lewes, who was tilting her head.

Then, putting his hand on the crystal at his side and feeling its chill on his palm,

[Subaru: Someone's been feeding Garfiel these ideas. Whoever it is, their actions are what's triggering Garfiel's sudden bouts of violence]

If all those uncharacteristic acts from Garfiel were done on someone else's instructions, then it would all make sense. And the most likely candidates for Garfiel's collaborator would be,

[Subaru: Roswaal, Ram, Lewes-san, or some yet-unseen malevolence...]

Someone from that list was inciting Garfiel to violence.

He must find them out. And only once he has found them, can he have a real conversation with Garfiel.

[Subaru: Just for reference, Lewes-san, can I ask you something?]

[Lewes: Hn, what is it?]

[Subaru: ――Do you happen to know the contents of the Trial Garfiel took in the Tomb?]

[Lewes: ...No, I don't. I'm sorry, but that is not within my knowledge]

Lewes shook her head. Since she is forbidden to tell lies, what she said must be true. Receiving this answer, [Right], Subaru nodded,

[Subaru: Then let me change the question. ――Does another Lewes-san know the contents of the Trial Garfiel took in the Tomb?]

[Lewes: ――――]

[Subaru: This time you're silent, which can only mean yes]

Announcing this to the silent Lewes, Subaru slightly lifted his face.

Of the Lewes Meyer replicants, there were several Leweses acting as the representative of the Sanctuary. This system where the Leweses took turns to assume that role from day to day created the problem where the individuals did not necessarily share all of the memories and experiences.

Four replicants play the role of the representative Lewes. If we labeled them A B C and D for the sake of distinction, naturally, not all of A's experiences and memories of her activities during the day would be transmitted to B C and D.

On the day in question, where Garfiel challenged the Trial, failed, and was dragged out― the Lewes who saved Garfiel then is not the same Lewes standing before Subaru now.

[Subaru: ...So the Lewes-san who knows about the Trial, when will she show up next?]

[Lewes: ――――]

[Subaru: The Lewes-san who spoke to me yesterday said she had taken the Trial. Since as a rule you guys cannot lie, what she said must be true. And if the rotation happens daily... then she'll show up in three days?]

Since he was strapped for time, he would really rather it wasn't on the last possible date.

At Subaru's almost pleading question, Lewes' closed lips softened, as she let slip a sigh,

[Lewes: No, the me who brought Gar-bo out of the Tomb will show up in two days. The me's who went in, and the me's who had not are on a two-by-two rotation]

She said, with a somewhat exhausted expression on her face.

-=