???: [Oh, ooooh――!!]
Using the slope to his advantage, he launched himself upward, his arms outstretched toward the head of the colossal beast towering above him.
At the end of his arms was a pickaxe meant for breaking rock, which he then used with all his strength to slam at the enemy's head―― or rather, into the twisted horn protruding from there.
???: [――!]
The force of the impact reverberated up his arms, and the pickaxe he had struck with all his strength was violently repelled.
Landing on all fours upon the blackened earth, he caught a glimpse of the fallen pickaxe at the edge of his vision, frustration biting at him as he clenched his molars. ――He had screwed up.
???: [――AROOOOOO!!]
A deafening roar blasted over him, freezing him in place and momentarily robbing him of control over his whole body.
With its arrival, was an inevitable shock that one could not bear even if one were to anticipate it. The bestial pressure that shook his very core, originating from the overwhelming difference in strength between species.
Pathetically, he had never once been able to withstand such a force, nor had he ever managed to evade it.
Every hair on his body stood on end, his blood froze in his veins, and his lungs ceased their function, as if they had been torn apart.
Even his heart seemed to forget to beat, and by the time his senses returned, it was already too late.
Before his eyes, he saw the gleaming claws of the beast as it swung them down at an angle, directly toward him.
In his strangely slow-moving vision, each claw seemed as large and sharp as a sword, each slash comparable to being torn apart by a bundle of blades.
It is said that when one faces a life-threatening situation, time appears to slow down. It is a defensive instinct of the brain, frantically searching for a way to survive in those fleeting moments.
Experiencing flashbacks during a crisis is similar to this defensive instinct, not as a way to re-experience one's memories, but as a means to search for a method of survival based on past experiences to overcome the immediate crisis.
But alas, how unfortunate. ――In this slowed-down world, in all his past experiences, there was not a single way for Natsuki Subaru to escape from this situation.
Subaru: [――Ah.]
A merciless slash cut diagonally across Subaru's body, the beast's claws hooking into his chest and abdomen, effortlessly ripping them apart with an unsettling ease that human bodies should not possess.
The burst of blood and the searing pain that followed arrived just a beat too late to register before the surreal sight of his body being torn asunder.
Thanks to that, Subaru was given ample time to thoroughly witness the horrific spectacle of his own body being shredded, a sight that would undoubtedly rank at the very top of the list of things no one should ever witness in their lifetime.
Though the experience of seeing his own organs was not entirely new――,
Subaru: [Bgh.]
No matter how many times he had seen it, the impression it left never changed.
In an instant, an overwhelming sense of loss surged through him, followed by a searing pain that threatened to consume his mind. His vision became clouded and chaotic, and he fell backward as if his entire body had been ripped away.
The agony, the sense of loss, the encroaching awareness of Death; these feelings jumbled together in his consciousness, turning his mind into a chaotic mess.
But all of it, everything――,
???: [――Whoa, that looks pai~nful. You're rea~lly unlucky, Onii-san.]
His vision, was white and blurry. Someone appeared beside him. Or perhaps she had stood there all along. It was hard to tell if his ears were working properly. He could only hear a distant, high-pitched ringing. Mixed with that sound, a voice, half-exasperated, half-sympathetic, seemed to reach him.
???: [I don't particularly want to make you suffer, you kno~w? This kind of killing, like Elsa would do, it's not my style at a~ll.]
With a shrug, she offered a flimsy excuse. Though, to the one being killed, such words held no meaning. It was merely an attempt to lessen her own guilt. ――No, she was probably unaware of that.
This truly was nothing more than idle chatter, made all the more grotesque by the bloody scene around them. She stood over a dying person, his innards spilled out, and yet spoke as if nothing unusual was happening.
What a monster. Time and time again, he had faced this creature, been killed by it, and learned of its cruel nature.
Subaru: [――――]
Whether it was because his ability to feel pain had shut down, his thoughts were hazy, but remained rational.
His mind was already racing ahead to the "Next" time, frantically trying to gather as much information as possible. Even if he could redo everything, there was no reason to repeat the same mistakes.
He must make an effort to pick up every bit of knowledge he could in this loop――,
???: […Wha~t's with that look in your eyes, Onii-san? It's a bit sca~ry. ――Shadow Lion-chan.]
The presence crouched down right beside him, her voice growing quiet as if she had seen something unsettling. Following the command in that voice, the massive beast that had torn Subaru apart began to move slowly.
Shadow Lion: [――――AROOOOOO!!]
The enormous creature growled in displeasure, and Subaru could feel its foul breath wash over him――,
???: [Goo~dbye, Onii-san. I'll make su~re to send the others along to you as we~ll.]
With those twisted words of misplaced compassion, Subaru's consciousness faded.
He could only imagine his upper body being crushed by the creature's massive jaws as darkness finally overtook him――.
△▼△▼△▼△
Subaru: [――Fucking hell!!]
???: [Whoa there.]
In his rage, Subaru swung his leg upwards, his foot colliding violently with the white table, sending it flying.
The steaming white cup, the confections: all of it flipped over, scattering across the green hilltop, and the sharp sound of breaking porcelain echoed as it shattered into pieces.
Perhaps the sound of shattering might have cooled the blood that boiled from his furious mind――,
Subaru: [Fuck, fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck…!]
Clawing at his head, Subaru continued to grind his teeth painfully, with little hope for relief.
Frustration. Agitation. His vision turned red as an unbearable fury swirled within him. Though he knew it was pathetic to lash out at objects, he could not control the surge of his emotions.
Treading over the broken cup on the short grass, he sought solace in the sensation of destroying something beneath his heel. Yet, it was futile. The anger, the irritation: both only continued to grow.
???: [You are quite agitated, no?]
Subaru: [Huh?]
Breathing heavily and deeply, Subaru turned his head toward the voice that addressed him.
Beyond the overturned table, sitting calmly in the only chair that remained intact, was a Witch whose existence could be summed up in the stark contrasts of black and white―― Echidna.
Before the table was kicked over, she had managed to secure her cup, bringing it to her lips as she serenely observed Subaru, who was consumed by intense emotions. Her calm gaze only served to further irritate him.
Echidna: [It seems like you have hit a wall. From the looks of it, it must have been quite a struggle.]
Subaru: [Cut the crap already! Don't talk like it's got nothing to do with you…!]
Echidna: [Unfortunately, at this moment, it really is not my problem. After all, I have not been filled in on what exactly happened to you yet.]
Subaru clicked his tongue in frustration as he stepped closer to Echidna, who spoke in an indifferent tone.
Subaru reached into his chest pocket and pulled out the black Magic Crystal that hung around his neck. With a rough motion, he threw it at Echidna.
And then――,
Echidna: [Ouch!]
Failing to catch it, the Magic Crystal struck Echidna on the forehead, leaving a cut on her alabaster skin. A pointed edge must have hit her, as a trickle of blood began to seep from the wound, running down the bridge of her nose.
As Echidna licked away the blood that dripped down with a soft swipe of her lips,
Echidna: [That hurt, Natsuki Subaru.]
Subaru: [Shut up. I'm sick of your little theatrics.]
Echidna: [Theatrics? How rude. I have no desire to suffer pain for no reason. I explored those curiosities fully in life, after all.]
As she spoke of memories that hinted at harrowing experiences, Echidna bent down to pick up the Magic Crystal. Pressing it to her still-bleeding forehead,
Echidna: [Myon myon myon myon myon…]
She began another one of her familiar, nonsensical antics.
Subaru: [――――]
The blood flowed from her forehead, and the Magic Crystal in her hand emitted a faint, eerie glow.
As Subaru watched Echidna's white eyelashes tremble with her eyes closed, he righted the chair he had knocked over and sat down heavily upon it.
He bounced his leg restlessly, dropping his clenched fists onto his knees over and over again. There was nothing here he could destroy in a fit of rage. At best, just the table or his own body.
Echidna: [I would not recommend self-harm. It is not particularly enjoyable to watch, from what I have seen. If you must unleash your violent urges, it is better to direct them at me.]
Seeing Subaru's frustration, Echidna made an extreme suggestion.
Echidna had stopped pressing the Magic Crystal to her forehead and had ceased her ridiculous chanting. It seemed she had succeeded in inheriting the Memories and now understood the situation.
In other words――,
Echidna: [Despite managing to avoid the issue of the Sanctuary, it seems you have been stuck for quite some time without resolving the problems at the mansion.]
Subaru: [――――]
Echidna: [Although, since time resets each time you experience Death, what you perceive as a long time is just a matter of your own subjective experience.]
Subaru: [――――]
Echidna: [Hmm… in the past, when I said something like this, I remember it provoked quite a strong reaction from you. But it seems that trick will not work anymore.]
Echidna squinted with one eye, as if disappointed that her attempt to provoke Subaru had failed.
Indeed, there had been a time when her words, filled with empty provocations, had stirred Subaru's anger, causing him to lash out with a fierce impulse.
He could not remember how many times ago that had been, nor did he want to recall that awful memory.
The worst thing was not taking out his anger on something. Subaru knew this, not just as knowledge, but from experience. ――That was what truly made it the worst.
Echidna: [It is a pointless regret. After all, was it not my suggestion when we made our Contract? I told you that, when you could no longer bear the weight of your repeated Deaths, you could use me as an outlet. You are free to punch, kick, or even strangle me; whatever you like. Of course, other things are fair game, too.]
Subaru: […Stop it.]
Echidna: [Do not worry; I am quite accustomed to most forms of humiliation. Pain is no exception. I can control my emotions, so I am well-suited to be a sandbag.]
Subaru: [Stop it.]
Echidna: [Or would it comfort you more if I cried and begged, clinging to you for mercy? I am not particularly good at it, but it is not like I cannot do it. If it helps you let off steam, maybe it would not be a bad idea to learn such techniques. I could shed tears, plead for forgiveness, and…]
Subaru: [STOP IT――!!]
Shouting, Subaru surged to his feet and shoved Echidna backward, toppling the chair along with her. Straddling her as she lay on the ground, he wrapped his hands around her slender neck.
Her white hair and black dress were in disarray as Echidna narrowed her black eyes, gazing up at Subaru. As he met her captivating stare, Subaru could hear the thunderous pounding of his own heartbeat in his ears.
If he applied enough pressure with his hands, he could silence her by snapping that slender neck.
And so――,
Subaru: [――Ah.]
His hesitation lasted only a moment. Perhaps one could say he was overcome by a sudden, wicked urge.
There was a light snapping sound, like breaking a twig, and along with the sound of her breath escaping, a dreadful sensation ran through Subaru's hands. Her body immediately went limp beneath him.
Subaru: [――――]
Echidna's head tilted to the side, her flowing hair concealing her face from Subaru's view. Yet, even with her face hidden, the stench of death that clung to the motionless Witch's body was unmistakable.
――She was dead. No, he had killed her. Subaru had snapped her neck with his own hands.
Subaru: […Urghh.]
The hands he pulled away from her pale neck felt unbearably repulsive. A wave of nausea surged up, and with a groan, Subaru vomited up bile from his empty stomach.
Splattering yellow gastric juices across the dead woman's chest, he swung his arms down beside her lifeless body, again and again, wanting his wrists, his forearms, his entire arms to tear off.
The lingering sensation of snapping her neck stayed with him, and it was unbearably revolting.
If it would help him forget that feeling, then he did not need his arms. ――No, he did not need anything at all. Not his eyes, ears, nose, mouth, legs, or even his internal organs. Every part that made up his body was unnecessary.
After all, it was all useless. It was just there, making him feel sick. If it was all worthless and had no reason to exist, then it would be better if it were broken. Yes, that would be for the best.
Subaru: [Die, die, die die die die, just die, Natsuki Subaru…!]
Hot tears streamed from the corners of his eyes, and snot smeared across his face.
Thinking himself filthy and repulsive, Subaru stopped using his arms and began to slam his head into the ground over and over. Again, and again, and again――,
Subaru: [I'm dirty, dirty, dirty dirty dirty dirty dirty dirty dirty dirty dirty…]
???: [――It is okay, you are not dirty.]
Subaru: [――――]
As Subaru wished to erase his filthy self, his body was gently embraced from behind.
He held his breath at the warmth of the touch, unable to immediately understand where that comforting warmth was coming from.
However, a familiar voice and warmth pulled Subaru's head closer, whispering softly into his ear.
Echidna: [No matter how much you deny yourself, I will affirm you. You are not wrong. And even if you are, you can make things right. So, there is no need to be anxious.]
Subaru: [Ugh…]
Echidna: [Even if you split my forehead, break my neck, and vomit on my corpse, I will forgive you.]
It was a form of acceptance so violent that it could hardly be called total affirmation.
It was something seemingly darker, unrelated to kindness or compassion or such warm things; something ill-suited to soft descriptions. That was why it could only be rephrased as acceptance or tolerance.
And, perhaps, because of that, he did not need to harbor false hopes, or suspect some form of deceit.
Subaru: [Ugh, ah, aaahhh――!]
Echidna: [There, there, it is okay. Cry as much as you want. No one else is listening.]
Subaru grabbed onto the arms holding him, pouring out the torrent of emotions swirling within his body.
The Witch accepted it, quietly allowing him to do so.
She forgave, accepted, and embraced it all. ――As if, she knew that was the best remedy.
△▼△▼△▼△
???: [Have you calmed down now?]
Seated on a chair, Subaru had slumped forward onto the table. A voice called out to him.
However, Subaru could not respond. He held his head in his hands, feeling drained and wishing to escape from everything.
Yet, the Witch, with her insidious nature, blocked any path of escape Subaru might have had.
Echidna: [Oh, I did not hear a reply. Could it be a side effect of having my neck broken?]
Subaru: […I'm sorry.]
Echidna: [Huh? What? Sorry, I did not quite catch that. You know, since my neck was broken.]
Subaru: [I said I'm sorry! And what does breaking your neck have to do with your ears!? Do you lose your hearing if you break your neck!? Who the hell came up with that theory, huh!?]
Infuriated by the persistent Witch's teasing, Subaru sat up abruptly. In response to his outburst, the white-haired Witch leaned back with an exaggerated "Oh" as the chair creaked beneath her.
Around her slender neck, the marks of strangulation remained, and traces of blood were still visible on her face from the wound on her forehead.
Subaru: [Is this some kind of harassment?]
Echidna: [It is just a bit of cute payback. I was hurt by your tantrum, after all. If I did not retaliate like this, you would just keep feeling guilty, would you not?]
Subaru: […If that's your way of being considerate, you probably shouldn't have said it out loud, should you?]
Echidna: [Sorry. I could not help but prioritize teasing you over being endearing.]
Echidna stuck out her red tongue slightly, a mischievous expression on her face.
Not that Subaru would say that was a bad thing, but he let out a deep sigh. At the same time, he realized that the storm of furious emotions swirling in his chest had subsided, and it was becoming easier to breathe.
This was all thanks to Echidna, who had put herself on the line to help him vent his frustrations.
Echidna: [Well, this is not the first time I have seen you this worked up. I have confidence in the amount of knowledge I have accumulated. ――I can handle something like your periodic Days of Wrath.]
Subaru: […Days of Wrath, huh.]
Echidna: [A fitting naming, is it not? I am also quite fond of the contrasting Days of Calm. They carry the weight of the history we have built together, after all.]
A faint blush colored Echidna's cheeks as she wore an expression akin to one reminiscing about fond days gone by. However, what she was actually referring to were Subaru's Days of Wrath, when he was no longer able to suppress his emotions and would explode; and the opposite, the Days of Calm, when his emotions would die, leaving him like a living corpse.
Neither scenario matched the girlish expression Echidna was wearing.
Thinking of this as Echidna's way of helping muddle Subaru's feelings of shame might have been giving her a bit too much credit.
Echidna: [I do not mind whatever biased view you have, so long as you keep thinking highly of me.]
Subaru: […Ding, ding, ding.]
Echidna: [Hmm, it seems I did not quite succeed this time. I thought I was getting pretty close, though.]
Echidna shrugged her shoulders, disappointed at having pushed too far. But, she was not wrong.
This time, she had almost managed to change his opinion of her. Not that there was any rule saying he could not reassess or acknowledge her.
Subaru: [But still, it would feel like I lost on an emotional level…]
Echidna: [Well, considering you broke a girl's neck in a fit of anger, it is safe to say you have definitely lost if we had to speak in terms of victory and defeat.]
Subaru: [Ugh.]
It was such an irrefutable argument that Subaru could only let out a groan as a form of rebuttal.
At any rate――,
Echidna: [――It seems like you are struggling.]
As the previous topic was wrapped up, she introduced a new subject.
It was one that had caused Subaru's mental state to fluctuate wildly, so his response was anything but cheerful. As Echidna had mentioned, he had successfully managed to avoid the issues surrounding the Sanctuary.
By taking control of Ryuzu Shima, warning Garfiel about the approaching Great Rabbit, and persuading him to help evacuate the people remaining in the settlement, Subaru had cleared the Sanctuary and lifted the barrier surrounding it by completing the Trials in the tomb.
Naturally, he had to pay significant sacrifices to clear the second and third Trials, but,
Subaru: [That was just my death count piling up. It's not a big deal.]
Echidna: [True. Seeing you push through with brute force, just as you had declared, was rather refreshing. Though, the second Trial is essentially a one-shot challenge.]
Subaru: [A one-shot challenge…]
Echidna: [It is a choice between staying in an alternate Present or coming back. If you fail, the challenger's spirit cannot return here. Quite a risk, would you not agree?]
Echidna spoke nonchalantly, but Subaru was taken aback by the sheer ruthlessness of it.
At the same time, he felt a sense of relief that Emilia had not been forced to undertake such a dangerous Trial.
She, too, needed a chance to challenge herself and break out of her shell.
However, that opportunity did not need to come in a high-stakes situation. One where failure would mean more than just her own life, but also the lives of many others.
Subaru: [Anyway, I've cleared the Trials. Though, it's annoying that every time I start over, I have to take on the Trials again, since my Return by Death resets everything to just before I face the Trials.]
Echidna: [Any complaints about that should be directed to the one who has bestowed that Authority upon you. Still, showing them the moment when the barrier around the Sanctuary breaks has helped you gain the trust of Garfiel and the others, has it not? It has given you quite a bit of extra time.]
Subaru: [Yeah, true.]
Only when both conditions, the approach of the Great Rabbit and the lifting of the barrier, were met, would Garfiel listen to Subaru. Although his cooperation was reluctant, not having to rack his brains to convince him each time was a result of Subaru's repeated trial and error.
However, the other issue that had arisen simultaneously with the Sanctuary had yet to be resolved, despite Subaru's numerous attempts through trial and error.
Echidna: [The duo that appears at the Roswaal mansion, the Bowel Hunter, and the Witchbeast Master…]
Subaru: […No matter how many times I go through it, someone always ends up getting killed. Beatrice, Petra, Frederica… and, Rem.]
Echidna: [And, half of the villagers who stayed behind in Arlam Village. If only you could decide whom you wanted to prioritize in saving…]
Subaru: [――Echidna.]
Subaru stopped rubbing his forehead and called out to Echidna in a low voice. Immediately, Echidna withdrew her statement, raising both hands and saying "I was just kidding".
This, too, was an argument they had gone through many times before―― if Subaru could choose whom to save, more options might open up, and he could find a breakthrough.
Trying to save both the mansion and the village was what made it impossible. If he could just ease up on his efforts to save the villagers, how much easier would it be――.
Subaru: [There's no way I'd be allowed that kind of weakness.]
Echidna: [Not allowed, you say? And who exactly would not allow it? The God from your world?]
Subaru: [――――]
Echidna: [Sorry to disappoint, but there is no God in this world. The closest thing would be something called Od Lagna, but it has no will, nor does it judge people.]
The term "Od Lagna" was one he had heard a few times before. ――It seemed to refer to an unimaginably vast conceptual existence in this other world.
It existed, but did nothing. In a way, it might have been similar to the God Subaru knew from his own world. In that sense, he agreed with Echidna.
However――,
Subaru: [It's not God, or whatever that Od thing is, that wouldn't allow it. It's me.]
Echidna: [Hmm…]
Subaru: [Choosing whom to save and whom to let die is the kind of thinking a God would do. If I start picking and choosing whom to save, I'd be no different from some mechanical God.]
In the end, Subaru was just an ordinary, mundane human being.
Those under the delusion of excessive power or authority would easily be led astray. Subaru knew that once he crossed a certain line, he would start taking the easy way out.
That was why, he could never lower the hurdle he had set for himself.
Subaru: [I'm going to save everyone, both those in the mansion and the village. I won't decide whose life is worth saving and whose isn't. Don't make me have this conversation again.]
Echidna: [I shall keep that in mind. However, you have to understand that I am not always aware of your past experiences before sharing your Memories with me, so please be a bit lenient on that.]
Subaru: [Then, at least act as my strategist, and show that you're worth having around.]
Subaru and Echidna exchanged sharp words, glaring at each other. Then, with a snap of Echidna's fingers, their usual tea and tea cakes were laid out on the table.
Indeed, this routine had become so ingrained that it could have been called their usual way of operating.
From breaking her neck to losing his sanity, the repeated trial and error were filled with grim, inevitable events.
In such an environment, maintaining some routine of normalcy was necessary to avoid being swallowed by madness.
So, Subaru and Echidna each picked up a cup and drank their tea.
――To set aside the notion that both killing the Witch and engaging in self-harm were simply part of the bargain.
Echidna: [Anyway, let us get back to the main topic. Though, the cause of death this time is pretty clear.]
Subaru: […Yeah. I got my head bitten off by one of the beasts of the Witchbeast Master, of Meili.]
Subaru responded as he straightened his posture, refocusing on the main issue that Echidna had brought up.
To be precise, Subaru's death was sealed the moment he was struck by the beast's claws. His entire front had been ripped open, and with his insides spilling out, there was no way he could have survived.
However, more than the fatal injuries, it was the shocking impact that was etched into his memory. Being eaten headfirst by a Witchbeast was, after all, a particularly intense experience.
Honestly, being eaten by a Witchbeast was not an uncommon cause of death for him lately. Even so, he could never get used to the feeling of his very existence being devoured and lost to another creature.
Echidna: [Just when you managed to avoid getting chomped on by the Great Rabbit in the Sanctuary.]
Subaru: [Whether it's a giant Witchbeast or a small one, being eaten feels just as bad either way… It's impressive, that Wilhelm-san managed to escape from the White Whale's belly, though.]
Echidna: [His training was on a different level, and when you are talking about such a vast difference in size, that changes things as well.]
In Subaru's memories, it felt like ages ago when he had faced off against the White Whale. And yet, he recalled Wilhelm, who had once been swallowed by the creature during that battle.
In the end, he had managed to slice his way out of the Witchbeast's body, and escape from within.
Could the difference really be attributed to something as simple as a difference in physical capability?
Echidna: [You do not think it is just a matter of sheer determination, do you?]
Subaru: [――. You think it's unrelated?]
Echidna: [Not just unrelated; I think it is a nonsensical notion. Firstly, how much of a difference in determination do you think there is between an old swordsman, who has spent over a decade hunting the Witchbeast that killed his wife, and you, who continues to die to protect those around you?]
Subaru: [I…]
Echidna: [It is not something that can be quantified. That is why I will say it again: this is pure nonsense.]
Echidna cut down Subaru's thoughts without mercy, her voice firm.
The way that she occasionally slipped in words from Subaru's world was a result of her learning from viewing his Memories, as well as a sort of persuasive tool.
The extent to which Echidna understood Subaru was precisely what made her arguments compelling when he was seized by weak thoughts, becoming a reason for him to listen to her.
Subaru: [But, if it's not about a lack of determination, then what am I supposed to do to fill that gap…?]
Echidna: [――Hmm. Perhaps, we need to approach this from a different angle. Up until now, you have focused all of your efforts on defeating the Guiltilaw, the Witchbeast Master's trump card. Correct?]
Subaru: […Yeah. There were times when things went well when I just killed it.]
Nodding at Echidna's words, Subaru recalled the Witchbeast that had devoured him.
The Shadow Lion, the Guiltilaw, was a Witchbeast with the head of a lion and a body that looked like it was made up of parts from various animals. It had the appearance of something akin to a chimera, and was just as troublesome to deal with.
In any case, it had immense physical strength and was extremely ferocious. Because of its somewhat reckless nature, like that of a charging wild boar, there were a few times when it had been brought down by traps. However, that only dealt with the Guiltilaw itself, and did nothing to address the problem of Meili, who was controlling the Witchbeast.
Therefore, he was seeking more than just the defeat of the Guiltilaw.
Subaru: [That's why, I want to break its horn.]
Echidna: [If the horn of a Witchbeast is broken, the Witchbeast must obey the commands of the one who broke it. If you can tame the Guiltilaw, it might provide a countermeasure against the Witchbeast Master. However…]
Subaru: [――? However, what? The way you're saying it, it's definitely not going to be good news.]
Furrowing her well-shaped eyebrows, Echidna hesitated, causing Subaru to grimace.
In recent attempts, he had been repeating Deaths with the strategy of trying to steal away Meili's powerful Witchbeast pawn. Echidna's hesitation seemed to be throwing cold water on that plan.
Echidna: [I mean, it is a bit hard to say it.]
Subaru: [I see. Well, I'll go ahead and die a few times with the current plan until you make up your mind… it's not like I'll say that. Each and every time, I'm doing it with the literal intention of dying.]
Echidna: [I understand. I do not want to have my neck broken by you again in a fit of madness.]
Subaru: [Look, I've already apologized for that…]
As Echidna brought up the topic they had previously put behind them, Subaru glared at her. In response to his piercing gaze, Echidna raised both hands and said, "You win, you win".
Echidna: [Really, there is no need to make such a scary face. It is not like I am simply joking around.]
Subaru: [If you want me to believe that, then start talking. What's so hard to say?]
Echidna: [Alright… I think it would be better to give up on the plan, to break the Witchbeast's horn.]
With a raised finger, Echidna proposed a complete reversal of their strategy.
Subaru's eyes widened slightly at her words, but he quickly took a deep breath to calm himself. He did not immediately raise his voice in anger.
Subaru: [Let's hear your reasoning first. We can talk after that.]
Echidna: [I appreciate your rationality. It is not a complicated matter. Do you remember what I told you about how Me… how that girl controls the Witchbeasts?]
Subaru: [――It's the Divine Protection of Fiend Manipulation, right? You said it's a Divine Protection that allows her to command Witchbeasts.]
Echidna: [That is correct. Even without breaking a Witchbeast's horn, she can control them just like someone who has broken it. It is a Divine Protection that truly befits the Witchbeast Master.]
Subaru narrowed his eyes at Echidna, who nodded while clasping her hands in front of her chest.
The coercive power of a Witchbeast's horn was perhaps the only fair characteristic of these dangerous and ferocious creatures, which were not even suitable for consumption. Despite this, Meili could ignore this fundamental principle, and convince the Witchbeasts she was their master, exerting her control over them.
Echidna: [That said, there is a limit to Divine Protections. Your plan to break the Guiltilaw's horn was based upon expecting that limit.]
Subaru: [If we actually break the horn, we could find out whether the Divine Protection or the horn's coercive power is stronger…]
The recent deadly battle had been, in a sense, a challenge to determine that. Unfortunately, even when he had managed to land a powerful blow, the Witchbeast's horn did not budge, resulting in a series of futile deaths.
However, what seemed like meaningless deaths to Subaru was not necessarily viewed the same way by the Witch.
Echidna: [Even if you did not manage to break it, you dealt considerable damage to the horn. It would not be strange if that had caused some disruption in the Guiltilaw's movements. And yet, there was no such effect. Perhaps…]
Subaru: [Perhaps?]
Echidna: [Perhaps there was no effect because Meili's Divine Protection, is far stronger than we anticipated.]
Comparing her knowledge with the current situation, Echidna reassessed the power of Meili's Divine Protection.
Then, with a snap of her fingers, Echidna said, "Listen up,"
Echidna: [――Is this not just perfect for putting our thoughts in order?]
As Echidna spoke triumphantly, the world around Subaru abruptly transformed before his eyes.
The green hill where the tea party was taking place changed in an instant, and before he knew it, Subaru found himself in a familiar place―― inside a school classroom.
Before he knew it, both Subaru and Echidna were wearing school uniforms.
Just like when they had met in the fabricated past world, during the first Trial in the tomb.
Subaru: […What's the meaning of this?]
Echidna: [Like I said, it is to help us sort things out. I wanted to use this thing called a blackboard. As for our outfits, think of them as a little surprise.]
Echidna swished the hem of her short skirt playfully as she walked over to the blackboard. Grabbing a piece of chalk, she began writing in white letters, thoughtfully laying out information in Subaru's native Japanese.
Her writing was authentic, using hiragana, katakana, and even kanji with great proficiency.
Subaru: [If you accidentally got reincarnated into my world, I have a hunch you'd do just fine.]
Echidna: [I appreciate the compliment, but it is all thanks to peeking into your Memories. It is kind of like cheating.]
Subaru: [Then, I'll praise you for being good at cheating.]
Echidna: [I am not sure if being called a good cheater is really a compliment.]
With a wry smile, Echidna continued writing on the blackboard without hesitation.
Watching her back, Subaru rested his chin on his hands atop the desk in the classroom, a place that held no fond memories for him. Outside the window, he could faintly see the schoolyard and the cityscape.
If this place truly was a perfect recreation of the world from the Trial――,
Echidna: [――Your parents, they are not here.]
Subaru: [――――]
Echidna: [If I gave you false hope, I do apologize. I only borrowed this classroom because I needed it.]
Placing the chalk down, Echidna spoke to Subaru, who was gazing outside.
Subaru replied softly with a simple, "I see". Even if this world had been perfectly recreated and his ersatz parents were here, what would it matter?
Would he cry to them about being thrown into situations where his emotions repeatedly exploded and sank like clockwork, making him feel as if he were in hell?
Subaru: [Like I could ever be that unfilial… Echidna, continue your explanation.]
Echidna: [Understood. Now, please look at the blackboard.]
Without any unnecessary consideration, Echidna pointed to what was written on the board.
Drawn in white chalk were the names of Witchbeasts and a series of simple illustrations depicting them. The drawings, capturing the creatures' distinctive features, were surprisingly well-done, causing Subaru to widen his eyes in astonishment.
Echidna: [It might come as a surprise, but I have written quite a few books. Including illustrations makes things easier to understand, so I can do this much.]
Subaru: [I see, I'm genuinely surprised. So, about these illustrations…]
Echidna: [There is the Shadow Lion, the Double-Headed Serpent, the Blackwinged Mice… and, I think I saw a Rock Pig in the mix.]
Drawn on the blackboard were images of Meili's forces, the Witchbeasts she had used to attack the Roswaal mansion. The approximate numbers and size comparisons were also sketched out, making the information easy to comprehend, although it was frustrating to admit.
Echidna: [These are the Witchbeast troops you need to handle. Any questions?]
Subaru: [Ah, I have a question that isn't specifically about the mansion, but about Witchbeasts in general… for example, if the horn of the boss of a herd is broken, what happens? Will the rest of the herd submit as well?]
It was a notion derived from stories in his original world, the kind of scenarios often seen in manga or anime, where defeating the leader of a group would result in the entire group falling under the victor's control.
He wondered if such rules could also apply to the Witchbeasts, and whether this could serve as a countermeasure against Meili's Divine Protection――,
Echidna: [It is an interesting conjecture, but that is not how it works. If the leader… the boss of a herd has its horn broken, that individual loses its status as the leader. The moment its horn is broken, it is deemed unfit to be at the head of the herd.]
Subaru: […Well, that does sound like a likely rule.]
If the hierarchy of wild animals was determined by strength, then a leader whose horn was broken would not maintain its position. For Witchbeasts, it seemed that having a broken horn symbolized weakness.
To damage such a symbolic trait was to invite that outcome. He had also heard about this before from Ram.
An Oni with a broken horn would be scorned and called hornless.
Echidna: [In other words, there is no loophole in the rules. We have to face Meili's Divine Protection head-on, even if it is an unfair advantage.]
Subaru: [Unfair advantage, huh… I'm sure Meili would say the same thing about me, a Witch's accomplice who uses Return by Death.]
Echidna: [I would have to disagree with that. Authorities are privileges that allow one to interfere with the world, while Divine Protections are like afterthoughts, tacked on as a nuisance to people like us.]
Subaru: [I feel like this is important information, but it doesn't seem related to subduing Meili, does it?]
Echidna: [Oh my, you still are not interested in indulging my digressions, are you?]
Echidna shrugged her shoulders, looking dissatisfied as she stood at the podium. However, Subaru was not concerned with the truths of the world, or of the origins of Witches.
His only focus, was on overcoming the obstacles in his path, and securing a future with everyone.
Subaru: [Let's get back on track. What did you mean when you said Meili's Divine Protection might be far stronger than we anticipated?]
Echidna: [It is not commonly known, but… Divine Protections can have individual differences, and even potential for growth.]
Subaru: [Seriously?]
Echidna: [Yes, seriously.]
Echidna nodded repeatedly, smiling as she affirmed Subaru's surprise.
Her attitude was rather frivolous, but for Subaru, who did not possess a Divine Protection, it was a complete shock. Since he naturally did not have one, he never had the chance to think deeply about Divine Protections in the first place.
Echidna: [For example, the Divine Protection of Wind Evasion, which the whole species of ground dragons possesses, is an easy one to understand. This Divine Protection prevents the wind or any turbulence from affecting them while they run… however, the range and duration of the Divine Protection can vary greatly between a ground dragon that has run long distances and consistently used the Divine Protection, and one that has not.]
Subaru: [So, that's what you mean by individual differences and growth in Divine Protections.]
Echidna: [In most cases, if their Divine Protection were to stop working, it is usually assumed that the ground dragon simply got tired from running. Since ground dragons do not talk, it is easy for it to go unnoticed.]
Other than the example of ground dragons, it seemed that users of Divine Protections could often use their abilities more effectively as adults than they could as children.
This was often misunderstood as simply becoming more accustomed to their Divine Protections over time.
Echidna: [Many cannot fully grasp the potential of their Divine Protections, and end up being overwhelmed by them during childhood. There may even be people close to you who have suffered because of their Divine Protections.]
Subaru: [When you put it like that, Divine Protections don't seem like they're just convenient powers.]
Echidna: [They truly are not. Having a power that others do not have might make one feel special, but having a third arm or a third eye does not necessarily make a person happy.]
Subaru: [――――]
Echidna: [I suppose you would agree with that sentiment, considering you possess an Authority unlike any other, would you not?]
Echidna slowly stepped down from the podium and walked over to Subaru's desk, tilting her head slightly. As Subaru watched her soft, white hair cascade over her slender shoulders, he fell silent.
Needless to say, Echidna was referring to Subaru's ability, Return by Death. And, of course, Return by Death was far from a convenient Authority.
If he could go without using it, he would. It was more like a curse that he would prefer to avoid.
Subaru: […So, what you're saying is that despite all the attempts we've made so far, we haven't uncovered the limits of Meili's ability. That means, if we keep fighting the same way, it might not yield any results.]
Echidna: [Exactly. That understanding is spot on.]
Subaru: [Then, that means there's nothing we can do!?]
Setting up the classroom and making a big deal out of it, only to end up with no solutions, left him deeply frustrated.
Leaning back in the familiar feel of his chair, Subaru looked up at the ceiling lined with fluorescent lights. Even though the environment had changed, the sense of confinement and suffocation remained the same――,
Echidna: [Nothing we can do, you say? ――I see you are underestimating me.]
However, as Subaru lamented their lack of options, the white-haired Witch appeared upside down in his field of vision. Leaning over Subaru's face from the side, Echidna smiled at his surprised expression.
Echidna: [Four hundred years ago, rulers from all over the world came to me for counsel. You should understand that the Witch with whom you made a Contract is such a being.]
Subaru: […You mean, you have another plan?]
Echidna: [Of course I do. Otherwise, what would be the point of having you take my hand in the first place?]
Echidna answered with complete confidence, and Subaru's eyes widened at her words. He slowly straightened his body and pressed his forehead against hers as she leaned in to look at him.
At such a close distance that he could feel her breath, Subaru gazed into Echidna's black eyes,
Subaru: [Tell me. How can we deal with Meili?]
Echidna: […Sometimes, you just erase the distance I have courageously closed in an instant. It does not feel bad, but I do feel like I am being played with, you know.]
Echidna pulled her forehead away, gently touching her slightly reddened cheek. Meanwhile, Subaru stood up from his chair, facing her directly and urging her to continue.
Seeing Subaru's reaction, Echidna let out a sigh and prefaced her statement by saying, "About Meili's Divine Protection,"
Echidna: [Its limitations far exceed what we initially expected… so far, so good?]
Subaru: [Yeah. If that's all there is to it, then I'll be left feeling completely hopeless.]
Echidna: [I hope that hearing the rest will lift your spirits. Now, I have outlined the types of Witchbeasts that Meili controls. Considering the ones stationed around the mansion and keeping an eye on Arlam village, it is safe to say that she has hundreds of Witchbeasts under her command.]
Subaru: [――――]
Hearing Echidna's rough estimate, Subaru felt as if his vision was going dark.
To be honest, even a single small Witchbeast would pose a considerable threat to Subaru. But here, he was dealing with hundreds of them, including the ferocious Guiltilaw among them.
How on earth could this situation possibly turn into good news――,
Echidna: [As a result of your bold attempts, there has not been any disturbance in the Guiltilaw's control. In other words, it is safe to say that she can handle controlling hundreds of Witchbeasts without any issue.]
Subaru: [The more I hear, the worse I feel. Are we supposed to launch a missile at them or something?]
Echidna: [Back when I was alive, I might have been able to do something similar, but whether that would annihilate them is questionable. Also, have you noticed? I have been subtly dropping hints.]
Subaru: [Hints?]
Hearing her words, Subaru widened his eyes in surprise, thinking that the crux of the matter was still to come.
He had assumed that the writing on the blackboard was simply a way to outline their dire situation. But, to hear that there were hints hidden within it for dealing with Meili――,
Subaru: [――Oh, I see.]
As his thoughts raced, he could almost hear the gears in his head clicking into place.
Seeing Subaru mutter to himself as if guided by that sound, Echidna gave a faint smile. It was the entrancingly beautiful, yet cruel smile of a Witch.
Subaru: [――――]
As the Witch watched over him, Subaru tried to put together the possibility that had come to mind.
At this stage, it was just an idea. The method to make it a reality would come next.
But even so, if he could think of a possible way to break through this situation.
Echidna: [Your Authority allows you to pry open even the tiniest possibility.]
Subaru: [Echidna…]
Echidna: [By repeating endless attempts and trading away pieces of your worn-out soul, you can turn any possibility into reality. Stacking up countless corpses of yourself, you reach for heights otherwise unattainable. That is something only you can do.]
Gently, Echidna extended her hands and wrapped her arms around Subaru's neck. Subaru found that, for some reason, he could not reject the soft, slender arms of the Witch.
Even Subaru himself could not be sure whether he was being captivated by the Witch, or trembling with anticipation for the challenge that awaited him.
But――,
Echidna: [――No matter how many times, hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands, or even hundreds of millions of times you try, I shall be with you.]
The Witch whispered this reassurance into his ear, and in that moment, her embrace felt like a salvation to Subaru.
Subaru: [――――]
Held by Echidna's slender arms, which radiated warmth, Subaru closed his eyes.
In the end, Subaru could not shake the feeling that he was being manipulated in the palm of the Witch's hand. But, that was fine. To avoid collapsing here, Subaru needed some form of emotional support.
In that sense, the presence of Echidna, who called herself his accomplice, was quite convenient.
So long as he was aware of this relationship, he could convince himself that he was not completely bewitched by the Witch.
Subaru: […We've found a way to deal with Meili. Now, all that's left is…]
Echidna: [The existence that is even more troublesome than the Witchbeasts. Shall we come up with a strategy for that together as well?]
Subaru: [――No, I already have an idea.]
Echidna: [Oh? How impressive.]
Admiration shone in Echidna's eyes as her alluring aura seemed to fade slightly. Subaru sighed and gently removed her arms from around his neck.
Freed from her embrace, Subaru stepped back, putting some distance between himself and the Witch. Echidna narrowed her eyes at this action, but did not press further; instead, she crossed her arms over her chest,
Echidna: [So, shall we give it another try?]
Subaru: [――. Yeah, let's do that. But, before we start, there's just one thing I want to ask.]
Before restarting the battle to subdue Meili, Subaru fixed his gaze on Echidna's face. He then asked her a question, catching Echidna off guard.
Subaru: [You came up with a way to deal with Meili much earlier, didn't you?]
Echidna: […It was difficult to bring up.]
Subaru: [Go to hell.]
Subaru contorted his face in a dramatic grimace, raising his middle finger and cursing at her.
After being made to die in vain so many times, he figured he had earned the right to do that much at the very least.
△▼△▼△▼△
――Why had he not made that choice?
If you asked him, he would likely say he had simply been too afraid.
Their last encounter had seared itself into the chronicles of Natsuki Subaru's life as the worst event he had ever endured. It had left such a lasting scar that he had resolved to sever all ties from the very start.
But when circumstances made avoidance impossible, he knew he had no choice but to swallow his dread and press forward. After all, had he not overcome the most harrowing of Trials?
Therefore, even if their chemistry was the worst imaginable, he should be able to overcome it.
Subaru: [――Roswaal, I know about the Book of Wisdom. I know you've been orchestrating all sorts of sinister schemes. So let's talk with that in mind.]
With the room cleared, Subaru spoke, and for a moment, Roswaal's eyes widened in astonishment.
His mismatched eyes―one blue, the other yellow―stretched wide in surprise. For a fleeting second, Subaru glimpsed something almost human behind them.
Despite his disgraceful nature that made him never hesitate to sacrifice others for the sake of his own aspirations.
They were in the Sanctuary. The house belonged to Ryuzu, yet Subaru could not help but always think of it as the place where Roswaal convalesced.
Wrapped in bandages from head to toe, lying on that bed―Roswaal had been in that state for so long that it had become his new, permanent image in Subaru's mind.
The thought of his usual jester-like outfit did not stir any fondness in him. Subaru had no intention of reflecting on it, nor did he care to.
Roswaal: […Subaru-kun, did you hear about it from meee~?]
After a brief silence, Roswaal's lips formed a familiar question.
The last time Roswaal had asked this, Subaru had been speechless. And in return, Roswaal had slaughtered Ram and Garfiel before his very eyes. Fortunately, the two of them were not present this time.
Garfiel had been clued in on the removal of the barrier and the incoming threat of the Great Rabbit. By now, he was likely being persuaded by Shima. As for Ram, Otto had taken her away to distract her, as per Subaru's instructions.
Emilia was still resting. She needed solace after her heart had been shattered by the Trial, and it was fine for her to learn later that Subaru had completed the Trials.
Indeed, everything else could wait. Nothing mattered except this conversation with the warlock before him.
Roswaal: [Subaru-kun, won't you answer me? Who told you about my book…?]
Subaru: [Yeah, it was from you, Roswaal. You told me yourself. Does that answer satisfy you?]
Roswaal: [――!]
At that moment, Subaru could see delight swirling in Roswaal's eyes.
Subaru had seen Roswaal laugh and raise his voice many times before. But now, he intuitively sensed that none of those instances had revealed his true colors.
The pure joy he displayed now, with a hint of childlike innocence to it: this, Subaru realized, was Roswaal's true face.
Roswaal: [If… if what you say is true, then surely you know what comes next?]
Subaru: […You'll summon snow upon the Sanctuary, and the Great Rabbit, drawn by the Mana, will swarm here. Every last soul in this place will be devoured, including you.]
Roswaal: [Ahh, I see. So, my manipulation of the weather serves another purpose beyond just tarnishing Emilia-sama's impression of me. But, as for dealing with that snow…]
Subaru: [I've already dealt with it. I've cleared the Tomb's Trials. The barrier is gone. By now, Garfiel is persuading everyone to evacuate.]
Roswaal: [Fuh, haha! Hahahahaha!]
Roswaal's voice trembled, his hand pressed to his forehead as he erupted into raucous laughter, his mouth stretching wide.
Subaru frowned at the display. Roswaal quickly shook his head and offered an apology before continuing.
Roswaal: [I expected this outcome… no, I hoped for it. Yet, now that it's happened, I can't help but find it… oh, so very strange.]
Subaru: [Strange? What's strange about it?]
Roswaal: [Don't play it off so casually, Subaru-kun! Are you truly unaware? You have broken the barrier that has bound this Sanctuary for four hundred years, and shattered Garfiel's rigid, childish obsession, all in just half a day. How could anyone not laugh at such a thing!]
Hearing Roswaal's words and boisterous laughter, Subaru became aware of the discrepancy between their perceptions.
To Roswaal, Garfiel, and everyone else in the Sanctuary, Subaru was just a newcomer who had arrived less than half a day ago.
Yet, despite this, Subaru had found the solution to many problems in half a day―― or more precisely, within just a few hours, since his Return by Death had set the starting point at the tomb.
It was no wonder Roswaal would describe his accomplishments as strange.
Subaru: [So, what? Are you starting to feel scared of me?]
Roswaal: [Oh, I wish you wouldn't say it so lightly. The truth is, yes, I'm terrified. I had anticipated the outcome of your Authority. But this… This far exceeds what I imagined…]
Subaru: [I'm not here for idle chatter. I'm running out of time, and of all people, you know exactly why that is.]
With both his words and gaze sharp, Subaru stared directly at Roswaal, who lay on the bed, his eyes narrowed.
Roswaal's gaze was attempting to gauge Subaru's intentions, but if he wanted to understand them, he was welcome to try. If Roswaal's earlier claim of fear was sincere, Subaru would make sure it cut deeper.
After all――,
Subaru: [You're the one who sent the assassins to the mansion, Roswaal.]
Roswaal: [――. Would it do me any good to deny it or offer excuses now? Especially since, as you say, I'm the one who told you.]
Subaru: [Unfortunately, this isn't something I heard directly from your mouth. I just pieced together scattered information, and you were the only possible culprit left. We haven't spoken much recently, after all.]
Roswaal: [Hoh?]
With Roswaal not denying his pointed accusation, Subaru felt a mix of relief and bitterness well up inside him.
Holding onto those feelings, he dragged a chair next to the bed and sat down roughly, bringing his gaze level with Roswaal's as he faced the unfeeling warlock head-on.
Roswaal: [May I ask what you meant when you said we haven't spoken much recently?]
Subaru: [I'm not going to answer that. The point is, I've turned into the joker you were hoping for. So, the attack on the mansion doesn't need to happen anymore, right? Call them off.]
Roswaal: [Oh my, how cooold~. If you've truly become the trump card I've long desired, why would you make such a request in the first place?]
Subaru: [――――]
Roswaal: [With your all-powerful Authority, you can draw out the answers you seek. You shouldn't need to rely on me for anything. But, if you can't even do that…]
Roswaal squinted his yellow eye, scrutinizing Subaru as if measuring his worth.
The warlock's gaze was assessing, as if he was trying to determine whether Natsuki Subaru was truly the disappointment he suspected.
If that suspicion became a certainty, Roswaal's actions would surely turn ruthless.
Subaru: [Are you planning to burn everything to the ground again?]
Roswaal: [As I stand now, that's nothing but empty slander, Subaru-kun. But I suppose it does shed some light on why you've been avoiding meee~.]
Touching his chin thoughtfully, Roswaal closed one eye and smirked.
The look in his eye, his knowing expression: everything about him grated on Subaru's nerves. It was not just his schemes; it was his entire demeanor that made Subaru avoid engaging with him until the last possible moment.
Even though Subaru had used Return by Death to the fullest to accumulate experience and gain an advantage, Roswaal, driven by his own obsession and talent, was closing the gap Subaru thought he had widened in an instant.
Even with the head start Subaru had gained, Roswaal remained a formidable foe he could not afford to underestimate.
Roswaal: [You understand the danger I pose. And yet, you can't bring yourself to get rid of me. That's because you know just how essential I am to Emilia-sama's rise to the throne.]
Subaru: [You really are an unbelievably troublesome bastard.]
Roswaal: [Securing my usefulness is a talent I've honed to perfection, after all. If someone gets in the way of your goal, you remove them, no matter who they are. It's natural to prepare for such possibilities.]
With a smile that never wavered, Roswaal exposed Subaru's weakness.
In truth, Roswaal's perception was accurate. His scheming and plotting made him a lethal poison to the safety of Emilia and everyone in their faction, yet he was also a necessary evil that they could not afford to lose.
Without him, Emilia's chances in the Royal Selection would all but crumble. That would be a catastrophic loss for Subaru, whose aim was to see her fulfill her ambitions and stay safe.
However――,
Subaru: [But are you really irreplaceable, Roswaal? Do you seriously believe we can't move forward without you? Knowing what I'm capable of, can you seriously say that to me?]
Whether Subaru would directly acknowledge that to Roswaal, was another matter entirely.
Roswaal: [――Hmm.]
Hearing Subaru's bluff, Roswaal let out a thoughtful hum as if contemplating his words.
Seeing him lost in thought like that, Subaru could not help but notice a resemblance to Echidna. He knew that Roswaal was obsessed with the Witch of Greed, but perhaps there was more to their connection than he realized.
In any case, Subaru decided this was the moment to press his advantage.
Subaru: [Sure, removing you would complicate things, but it wouldn't be a fatal blow. You understand that, don't you? The true devastation for me would be…]
Roswaal: [Losing Emilia-sama, correct? But if you're so focused on protecting the mansion, then perhaps you aren't quite as decisive as you like to think. Am I mistaaaken~?]
Subaru: [I won't deny it. But that doesn't mean I've fallen short of your expectations. ――It just means I've decided to save everything, without any more hesitation.]
Roswaal: [――――]
Subaru slid his chair closer to Roswaal, closing the distance between them.
Bringing himself within arm's reach was Subaru's show of force.
He knew that if Roswaal so wished, he could easily kill him with a single chop of his hand. However, Subaru wanted to show him he had nothing to be afraid of.