It happened without warning: a sudden, jarring shock that tore through the air.
???: [――Hah.]
With a single exhale, Subaru's body crumpled forward, collapsing as though the strength had been drained from him entirely.
No one was there to catch his fall, therefore he tumbled from the platform, rolling helplessly to the ground below.
???: [Subaru――!?]
A scream echoed, sharp and panicked, and in an instant, chaos rippled through the crowd in the wake of this abrupt incident.
He could feel the presence of people rushing toward him and from the platform above, astonished gazes bore down upon him. Subaru's body twitched uncontrollably, limbs spasming like a dying insect.
――Nay, not like an insect on the verge of death. Like one already doomed.
He knew the feeling all too well. The familiar touch of Death crept up behind him, wearing a thin smile, already resting its hand on his shoulder.
???: [Subaru! S-someone! Please, somebody! Help!]
???: [Ferris, hurry! Get over here!!]
Hands grabbed his shoulders, pulling him upright. The moment he was turned over, blood exploded from his mouth, a violent torrent.
It sounded akin to one's submerged head breaking the surface of a bath. It was blood. A whole bucket's worth. Far too much for a human body to hold. Something inside him had ruptured violently and irreparably.
Someone nearby gasped, and he could see the large, heavy tears brimming in her eyes.
The sight pierced his heart, and it ached. He regretted it deeply, knowing that he had made her cry.
Because of Natsuki Subaru's pitiful, miserable death, he had once again forced that sorrowful expression onto her face.
Echidna: [If you are going to die anyway, would you rather do it where no one can see you?]
The room erupted into a cacophony of shouts and cries; but, amid the uproar, a calm, cutting, almost penetrating voice reached his ears with stark clarity.
It was like it had come from a world entirely separate from this one. ――No, not "as though." It was from another world. That was the truth.
The cold black stone at his chest hummed with that voice as Subaru felt the warm waves of healing magic flow through him. Yet, deep down, he knew it was all in vain.
There was no mistaking it; the sensation of Death had a singular, unmistakable presence.
He understood now, without question. He was dying. And once he accepted that, only one thought remained――,
Subaru: [W-who…]
――Who was it? Who had killed Natsuki Subaru?
△▼△▼△▼△
???: [Myon myon myon myon myon…]
???: [――――]
A slow, carefree voice drifted across the breeze, carrying over the green expanse of the grasslands.
This familiar, almost prank-like ritual repeated itself with such diligence that it seemed a necessary step for the inheritance of Memories.
Then again, it could very well be her way of messing with Subaru, dragging this on and on.
Subaru: [If that's the case, your pettiness has reached new heights.]
???: [Myon… oh, do you still doubt me? No matter how much time has passed in the real world, we have been together for a while now, have we not? Is it not about time you started trusting me completely?]
Subaru: [Trust you completely…? What, did I bash my head in or something?]
Pointing to his head, Subaru grimaced dramatically. Hearing his response, the Witch―― Echidna puffed her cheeks in exaggerated displeasure.
It was a pouting face Subaru had grown accustomed to. As annoying as it was to admit, Echidna was not wrong. She had become a constant presence in Subaru's life in terms of time spent together.
At least enough to say that, in this other world, hers was the face he had seen more than anyone else's.
Subaru: [For someone I've been with for so long, you still make me feel like I can't put my guard down around you. You're quite one hell of a woman.]
Echidna: [Oh? Hehe, it does not feel so bad being treated like a girl, you know.]
Subaru: [If that's what you call being treated like a girl, you've got a long way to go.]
Watching Echidna deflate as the air left her puffed-up cheeks, Subaru sighed deeply.
Then, leaning forward weakly, he slumped onto the table before Echidna. Collapsing carelessly over the objects on the table, naturally, he knocked over the cups and tea cakes.
As she watched them tumble under the table, Echidna, closing one eye,
Echidna: [You are so rude. Even if I can conjure these things whenever I wish, it does not feel good to have my hospitality so thoroughly slighted.]
Subaru: [Think of it as an art form that expresses my utterly crushed spirit.]
Echidna: [Calling a simple tantrum art? Picasso or Van Gogh would be furious with you, you know?]
Echidna teased him, referencing great artists from Subaru's knowledge. Subaru, not bothering to respond, tilted his head to the side.
Echidna: [This is serious. That being said, I do feel sorry for you. ――Still, it has only been a month.]
Subaru: [――――]
Echidna: [One month since you dealt with the Sanctuary and the mansion, and made a Contract with me… and now, you are wrapped up in yet another Death. It really is a kind of talent, would you not say?]
Subaru: [Talent? What kind of talent is that? The talent to die? I'll murder your ass!]
Echidna: [Oh my, so scary.]
Subaru cradled his head in his hands while the Witch, lying sideways in his view, gave a mocking shrug of fear.
Sighing deeply at her usual attitude, Subaru slowly pushed himself upright.
Then――,
Echidna: [It seems you are done venting. So――]
Subaru: [A snap of your fingers to replenish the Dona tea and cakes. Ahh, I know. I know.]
Looking exasperated, Subaru grabbed the newly-appeared cup. Gulping it down in one go, he then stuffed some cakes into his mouth as if to clear the taste.
Both the tea and cakes were Echidna's creations. There was probably no real difference between them, but liquid and solid forms somehow felt distinct in his mind. It was all psychological.
He had to keep this mindset, or the weight of the situation would crush him.
Echidna: [Nevertheless, being killed in front of a crowd like that; it was quite a bold move.]
Subaru: […Yeah, I was completely caught off guard. But, isn't it natural to let your guard down sometimes?]
Responding to Echidna as she broached the main topic, Subaru reflected on what had happened to him.
――The ceremony was meant to commend those who had defeated two of the great threats to the world: the White Whale, and the Sin Archbishop of Sloth.
That prestigious event had been the stage for Subaru's newest Death.
The Crusch Camp, the Anastasia Camp, and naturally, the Emilia Camp, including Subaru, were all gathered. Nobles and high-ranking officials of the Kingdom were present as well. It was a high-class, formal affair.
How could he have possibly expected to be killed in such a setting with all eyes filed upon him?
Echidna: [In fact, it was your grand debut as the Knight of your beloved. I was hoping it would go smoothly, considering how much time I spent helping you with etiquette…]
Subaru: [Yet you can't hide that smirk on your face. You're enjoying this, aren't you?]
Echidna: [――. Do not get the wrong idea. I am not wishing for your death. I simply cannot suppress my overflowing curiosity about the unknown.]
Subaru: [They say only fools learn through death, but I guess not even death has cured your nosiness.]
Echidna offered a feeble excuse, but Subaru deliberately chose words he knew would annoy and irritate her.
For someone who openly claimed to be driven by curiosity and a thirst for knowledge, she sure hated being called a busybody. Then again, Subaru would probably hate being called a veteran of death, so perhaps it was mutual.
In any case――,
Echidna: [――This is the start of another Death loop.]
And so, Echidna clearly confronted him with words about a reality that was hard to deny.
Subaru could not look away as he violently scratched his head,
Subaru: [I don't like that term, "Death loop". It sounds too much like something from a game or a manga and makes it less serious.]
Echidna: [I think it is convenient and easy to understand… but, I will stop if you really hate it.]
Nodding at Subaru's complaint, Echidna added a casual "Well then" and continued,
Echidna: [Now, about this Death that struck you in such a situation… this time, the cause was almost instantaneous.]
Subaru: […It was when I was about to say something on the platform.]
The ceremony proceeded solemnly, and while Wilhelm and Julius received first and second honors for their achievements in slaying the White Whale and the Sin Archbishop of Sloth, respectively, Subaru was awarded the third honor.
This was recognition of his achievements, second only to the two who directly had taken down the main enemies; it was even more so than that of Crusch, who had led the forces, or of Anastasia, who had provided military cooperation.
Subaru felt quite embarrassed by being awarded the third honor ahead of the Royal Candidates, but Crusch and Anastasia acknowledged Subaru's efforts and achievements, and Wilhelm and the others respected that judgment.
Having taken the position of Emilia's Knight, Subaru himself wanted at least some form of distinction. So, he humbly accepted their goodwill and gratefully received the third honor.
As a result, Subaru, who had been called up to the stage, received words of praise for his achievements from a representative of the Council of Wise Men, who spoke on behalf of the absent King.
And then――,
Echidna: [Just as you turned to face them, you collapsed and departed, never to return.]
Subaru: [Watch how you say that…! Weren't you able to tell what happened, either?]
Grimacing at her matter-of-fact tone, Subaru flicked the Magic Crystal hanging from his neck.
As their Contract deepened, Echidna gained the ability to share real-time information with Subaru outside of the tea party. He found it annoying when she constantly talked to him, but her perspective was invaluable in situations like this.
Subaru asked with that hope in mind, and Echidna shrugged,
Echidna: [Sorry that I cannot meet your expectations, but I did not pick up on anything.]
Subaru: [You useless, blabbermouth Witch…]
Echidna: [Yes, I cannot deny that one this time. Honestly, the most likely cause seems like sudden death… Although, I just had a thought: what if it was a chronic condition, like a heart attack? What would we do then?]
Subaru: […Guess I'd just have to hope that my starting point for Return by Death takes me back far enough to improve my lifestyle.]
There was not much else Subaru could say to her blunt concern.
As Echidna had suggested, Return by Death probably could not do much against natural causes of death such as illness. After all, even the strongest warrior race in the universe could not defeat something like heart disease.
Subaru: [So basically, I need to eat my veggies if I don't want to drop dead.]
Echidna: [At least you are reflecting on your daily habits. Now, let us talk about the parts of this that are worse.]
Clapping her hands in front of her chest, Echidna steered the conversation to the real issue.
Switching topics with a clap was a routine part of his interactions with Echidna. Subaru followed her lead, replaying the events in his mind to sort through his thoughts.
There was no denying the lack of information, but some facts could still be inferred from the current clues.
For example, the cause of Subaru's Death.
Subaru: […Was it magic, or maybe poison?]
Echidna: [It could be. I did not sense any magic being used, so that is unlikely. But if it was poison, there is no way I could have known.]
Subaru: [You weren't on full alert for magic either, were you?]
Echidna: [Well… no, I was not. I suppose if a pro assassin had been hired, it is not impossible that they could have slipped past my watch.]
Subaru: [An assassin…]
Hearing that word, Subaru's face twisted into a scowl.
After all, it had not even been a month in real time since he had managed to fend off an attack from a pair of assassins. Fully aware of his situation, Echidna quickly realized the reason behind Subaru's distaste.
Echidna: [I understand how you feel. But right now, you are a person of public interest. You were one of the stars of this ceremony… it would not be surprising if someone sent an assassin after you.]
Subaru: [That's…]
Echidna: [Of course, it is also possible that the Witch Cult is behind it. In this case, you might find it more reassuring if your enemies are cultists.]
Subaru: [It's kind of messed up that I'd feel better thinking it's an act of terror by the Witch Cult than suspecting Crusch-san or Anastasia-san of trying to have me killed.]
Subaru furrowed his brow as Echidna offered a faint smile with her words.
To say that it would be preferable to face off against the Witch Cult rather than accuse political allies was something anyone would think to be insane. But perhaps the only one who could understand that feeling was Echidna.
Echidna: [But, surely there is reason for suspicion? The two you mentioned are also rival candidates in the Royal Selection. They have more than enough motive to send an assassin after you.]
Subaru: [Maybe. But after being targeted by someone I thought was like family, I'm not about to start buying into every logical argument.]
Echidna: [Hmm, a sound argument, but still… Roswaal truly complicates things.]
Echidna groaned, knowing that Roswaal's involvement made for a strong counterpoint, but there was no point in prolonging unfounded suspicions any longer.
At the absurd idea that Crusch or Anastasia would target Subaru,
Subaru: [Clearing those doubts quickly is the smart move. Then we can have a more constructive discussion.]
Echidna: [Oh, feeling confident, are we? Do you have a brilliant plan in mind?]
Subaru: [You're not gonna like it if I tell you it's the boring way.]
Without much fanfare, Echidna tilted her head as Subaru calmly laid out his thoughts.
She clearly preferred seeing Subaru running in circles, but he was not naive enough to cater to her whims or to sell his life cheaply.
Even if he had infinite attempts, wasting them accreting meaningless Deaths would be absurd.
Subaru: [Simply put, I should surprise Crusch-san and Anastasia-san with a direct question. If I suddenly ask them, "Are you the one who's trying to kill me?", they'd be quite rattled, right?]
Echidna: [Hohoh, I see.]
Subaru: [And anyway, if I'm going to suspect anyone, it'd only be Anastasia-san. I don't think Crusch-san can scheme like that in her current state.]
Crusch, who was the victim of having her Memories stolen, was still reeling. Though she was present at the ceremony, Subaru doubted she was fully aware of her position or surroundings. If she had already begun maneuvering behind the scenes to eliminate political rivals, then her aptitude for politics would be truly terrifying.
As for Anastasia, it seemed unlikely for her to be the mastermind.
Subaru: [I don't think she'd intentionally tarnish her camp's reputation by pulling something like this during the ceremony. And killing me in front of everyone would only risk undermining her accomplishments.]
Echidna: [Hmm, a logical answer. I have nothing to add.]
Subaru: [Just how many times do you think I've died so far? I've learned to think things through a bit.]
In response to Echidna's words, Subaru tapped his head with his finger.
It was not something to boast about, just a simple fact.
Return by Death did not accumulate physical experiences, but the mental scars stacked up with every attempt.
No matter how many times he experienced Death, the helplessness, the overwhelming loss, never dulled. And the pain, he would never get used to that; but――,
Subaru: [――The fear of it has definitely faded. That, too.]
Echidna: [Oh, you are making me blush, saying it is all thanks to me.]
Subaru: [I didn't say that.]
Subaru clicked his tongue, annoyed by Echidna's coy smile.
In truth, he had not said it. He had not, but he could not deny it internally.
Without Echidna, Subaru doubted he would have maintained his sanity through the many times he had already endured Return by Death.
Of course, he had no intention of voicing any gratitude for that.
Subaru: [Anyway, that's why I don't suspect the two camps.]
Echidna: [Then, what about the two camps who were not present at the ceremony? The candidates not involved in this commendation might have had reasons to make a move here, correct?]
Subaru: […I don't know about Priscilla, but Felt and Reinhard wouldn't do it.]
Pressured by Echidna's persistent questioning, Subaru replied in a lower tone.
He did not have a particularly deep connection with Felt or Reinhard. It was by mere chance that they had helped him escape his first Death on the day he was summoned to this other world.
But, in that short time, he had come to trust them. Felt was not the type to tolerate underhanded tactics, and Reinhard was the picture of honesty and integrity.
Subaru: [Even if my last interaction with them wasn't the greatest.]
Echidna: [Ah yes, there is that Memory of you driving them away with some harsh words. Maybe they were hurt more than you realize. Is it not possible they would want you dead?]
Subaru: [Come on, I'm not getting assassins sent after me over a temper tantrum.]
Besides, if Reinhard wanted to kill Subaru, he would not need to send an assassin. His own skills would allow him to do the job himself in an instant.
Even with the success Subaru had achieved, if Reinhard decided to kill him out of anger, Subaru doubted anyone in the Kingdom would bother to come to his own defense.
Echidna: [At least you have me on your side. That is reassuring, is it not?]
Subaru: [And what could an evil spirit who haunts my head possibly do for me in a court of law?]
Echidna: [Calling me an evil spirit is a bit much!]
In any case, the scenario where Reinhard acted out of anger at Subaru over their last encounter could be dismissed.
In that case, that left Priscilla as the only remaining suspect among the Royal Candidates, but she also seemed unlikely.
Subaru: [This is just a baseless hunch, but Priscilla doesn't seem like someone who'd go through the trouble of hiring an assassin… if she wanted me dead, she'd come right at me, face-to-face.]
Echidna: [I wonder about that. Based on what I have seen from your Memories, I think she is more of a pragmatist than you give her credit for. If necessary, she might resort to dirty tactics, as any ruler might.]
Subaru: [I don't think she's a ruler yet…]
However, Subaru agreed that Priscilla had a regal demeanor, even as a candidate. And he could not completely dismiss the idea that she would use underhanded methods if she deemed them necessary.
Thus, it might be prudent to consider Priscilla or the Witch Cult as immediate potential enemies.
Echidna: [Of course, there is always the possibility that someone trying to gain favor with one of the Royal Candidates got ahead of themselves and decided to take you out, but that would make finding the mastermind much more difficult.]
Subaru: [Stop it! I had thought of that too, but I didn't dwell on it because it's too damn depressing!]
Widening the pool of suspects like that would even put Crusch and Anastasia in a dubious light. This was why political strife and internal conflicts were the bane of nations.
Subaru: [Anyway.]
And, Subaru slowly rose to his feet, feeling sufficiently miserable after all these grim thoughts.
Still seated, Echidna widened her eyes and asked, "Leaving already?"
Echidna: [You could stay a bit longer and rest.]
Subaru: [Why bother keeping me here? You can watch the outside world through the Magic Crystal, so you don't have any reason to be bored.]
Echidna: [It seems you genuinely believe me to be heartless, but I truly do care about you, you know? I am the one who wanted this Contract, after all. Is it not only natural that I would worry when you are about to throw yourself into another fight so soon?]
Subaru: [You always catch me off guard when you say things like that.]
Echidna puffed her cheeks in mild frustration at Subaru's flippant tone, but he merely shrugged.
A door appeared down the hill, one that opened to the outside world, signaling the moment to leave this dreamlike castle and return to reality. Reality―― that is, the very moment Subaru, who had just lost his life, would return to.
Echidna: [So, what is your next move?]
As she asked this to his retreating back, Subaru waved his hand without looking back.
There was no clear, immediate solution to figuring out who had killed him or how it had happened.
So――,
Subaru: [For now, I'll just get killed a few more times, and see if I can piece things together.]
He had no intention of wasting his life carelessly, and he certainly did not want to contribute to the accretion of meaningless Deaths.
Yet, if necessary, he would sell his life and accrete Deaths without hesitation.
For Natsuki Subaru's soul had already been sold to the Witch of Greed.
△▼△▼△▼△
Subaru: [――Is it you, Crusch-san? Are you the one who's trying to kill me?]
Crusch: [Excuse me, what are you talking about, Natsuki Subaru-sama? I have been told you are my benefactor. Even with my lost memories, I would never think of repaying kindness with treachery.]
Subaru: [――Is it you, Anastasia-san? Are you the one who's trying to kill me?]
Anastasia: [Huh? What's goin' on that you'd say somethin' like that outta nowhere? Are ya feelin' like you're bein' threatened or somethin'? If so, ya can consult with me.]
Subaru: [――Is it you again, Roswaal? Are you the one who's trying to kill me?]
Roswaal: [Myyy~, my, that is quite the harsh statement, Subaru-sama. There is no longer any reason for me to test you like before. You know that quite well, don't you?]
Subaru: [What do you think?]
Having gathered responses from those he wanted to clear suspicions from, and those he needed to clear suspicions from as well, Subaru stood at the corner of the commendation ceremony and silently directed his question toward the Magic Crystal hanging from his neck.
In response to Subaru's question, the inhuman Magic Crystal emitted a dull glow,
Echidna: [Roughly the same impression just as you would expect. Some were startled, some laughed it off as a joke, others smirked knowingly… well, there did not seem to be anything too revealing.]
Subaru: [True.]
Subaru gently rubbed his chin, mentally conversing with the voice that resonated inside his head.
He was communicating with Echidna, who dwelled within the Magic Crystal. They communicated without words, their conversations flowing telepathically if put simply, a method that had become invaluable for resolving issues.
That said, during more peaceful times, Subaru often found himself at the mercy of her endless small talk, which frequently left him frustrated.
Subaru: [Still, this is where you come in handy… For now, it seems none of them are the mastermind.]
Echidna: [That, or they are just so skilled at hiding their true feelings that even a little prodding would not make them flinch.]
Subaru: [If I start doubting them like that, it will never end.]
If Subaru assumed his opponent was always one or two steps ahead, trying to uncover their plot would seem utterly foolish. It was a pathetic conversation between him and the Witch, both racking their brains and getting nowhere.
After all, he had already died three times, all for the sake of extracting fresh reactions from each suspect. At the very least, he wanted to cross them off the list for good.
――The time was the opening of the commendation ceremony, and Subaru's Return by Death had set its starting point here.
At worst, there had been a possibility that he would have been sent back several days before the ceremony, so finding the save point much closer than expected brought a sense of relief.
Echidna: [Having a few more days would have made it easier to prepare, would it not?]
Subaru: [If I had prepared too much, they might have called off the attack altogether. If that had happened, the culprit would have slipped away, and that would be much more troublesome]
Echidna: [I see. Easier to smoke them out if you know where they will be and whom they are targeting.]
Subaru: [The last thing I want is for them to escape, and for the target to shift from me to Emilia and the others.]
For that reason, Subaru would ensure that whoever was after him would be dealt with here and now.
Thanks to Echidna's assistance, he had successfully utilized Return by Death, but the conditions for updating Return by Death's checkpoint remained unknown as ever. The hypothesis was that it was only after overcoming the difficulties that befell Subaru, but that too was not certain.
More importantly, if someone other than Subaru were to get hurt, there was a strong possibility that his Authority, Return by Death, would not allow him to save them, just as it had failed to save the now comatose Rem.
Subaru: [So, I'll make sure to finish off the enemy who's been killing me right when they do it.]
Echidna: [A strange way of putting it, but I understand. ――So, shall we proceed according to plan?]
Subaru: [Yeah. It's all on you. Show me I can trust you.]
Echidna: [Huh, so you still do not trust me…]
Unknowingly wounded by a matter entirely separate from the main issue, Echidna reacted subtly. Ignoring her response, Subaru withdrew his consciousness from the Magic Crystal and shifted his attention back to the lively hall.
He heard a voice akin to a silver bell, summoning him toward the line of people awaiting their commendations. Subaru smiled back at the girl beside him, who gently spoke to him. Her nervousness increased as they awaited the announcement of who would be honored for their contributions.
Of course, Subaru already knew the details of the ceremony. He also knew its conclusion.
As a result, there was no tension and no sense of anticipation for him. If there was any emotion stirring within him, it would be the simple wish to avoid seeing the girl beside him, hopeful for Subaru's merits to be recognized, ending up with a sad expression on her face.
However――,
Echidna: [If circumstances were to change, it could shake the foundation of our analysis, so you mustn't overlook that.]
The warning was one Subaru already knew well, and he wrinkled his nose in irritation. That very nose was then playfully poked by the girl beside him as she told him to stop.
???: [――Now, we shall begin the commendation ceremony for the defeat of the White Whale and the Witch Cult's Sin Archbishop!]
The one who swiftly controlled the restless atmosphere of the venue was a man of imposing stature, clad in armor: the captain of the Royal Guard, who had also facilitated the announcement of the Royal Selection.
Wilhelm's name was called first, commending him for his significant contribution in defeating the White Whale.
It was clear, however, that he was not in a state to fully appreciate the praise. His mind was weighed down by the condition of his lord, Crusch, and the old wound on his shoulder that would not heal. Subaru, too, could not help but wish to alleviate the cause of Wilhelm's suffering.
Next, Julius was summoned to receive the second-highest honor for his role in defeating the Sin Archbishop of Sloth. The ceremony continued, and soon, in a deep and authoritative voice, Subaru's name was called to the stage to receive the third commendation.
With a gentle push from the girl beside him, who was overwhelmed with emotion, Subaru ascended the stage. There, his achievements were acknowledged by one of the Council of Wise Men's elders, a man whose beard and eyebrows were far too long, and after he offered him words of praise――,
Subaru: [――Blergh!]
Without warning, just like before, Subaru coughed up blood and collapsed, dead.
△▼△▼△▼△
Echidna: [I have finally confirmed something about the cause of your death. ――It was not any kind of magic.]
Even though Subaru could not see her face, her smug tone through the Magic Crystal made it easy to imagine her proud look.
Subaru, however, was not entirely convinced that this was information worth boasting about. Considering the dozens of times he had died just to figure out the cause of his Death, it felt like a rather underwhelming revelation.
Subaru: [If it wasn't magic, then what was it? Poison? A curse? I've already matched the faces and names of those who might have touched me during the ceremony.]
Echidna: [If we are dealing with a Curse Arts User, that would most certainly be a solid strategy. Usually, there is no saving you the moment they touch you, but your case is an exception. However…]
Subaru: [However?]
Echidna: [This time, that was a wasted effort. It was not Curse Arts, nor was it poison.]
Her tone was so full of confidence that Subaru found himself listening intently.
With magic, Curse Arts, and poison off the table, Subaru felt utterly stumped. But, perhaps there was a technique in this world that he still had no knowledge of.
Echidna: [There is an unusual technique called the Flow Method. Even those without talent can use it, but it requires hellish training.]
Subaru: [I see. Sounds like something you wouldn't casually ask to learn. But, never mind that.]
In fact, there did seem to be techniques he was unfamiliar with, but they were unlikely to be something he could learn on the spot, nor would they suit him anyway.
Instead, Subaru redirected the conversation back to the main issue, and after a brief pause, Echidna added――,
Echidna: [Judging by the number of attempts you've accreted, it is safe to say an Authority is what took you out.]
Subaru: [An Authority… so, that means it was the Witch Cult, then?]
Echidna: [Exactly. Whoever did this to you must be someone on the level of a Sin Archbishop. Authorities stem from Witch Factors… and there is a pattern of sharing them with their Apostles.]
Subaru: [――――]
Echidna's voice carried an air of quiet intensity as she explained.
To someone who claimed to be the world's foremost expert on magic, the Authorities wielded by the Sin Archbishops must have been an irresistible object of fascination―― or, simply put, the perfect additions to her collection, driven by her insatiable Greed.
Ignoring her peculiar inclinations, Subaru scanned the venue, observing the crowd of attendees.
Thinking that one of the Witch Cult's Sin Archbishops could be hidden among them――,
Subaru: […Could it be Gluttony?]
Swallowing hard, Subaru felt a mixture of faint unease and growing anticipation rising in his throat.
Subaru figured that if anyone in the world would welcome the arrival of a Sin Archbishop, it would likely only be himself, Wilhelm, and possibly Ferris.
If the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony was truly present here, it would be like a moth flying straight into the flame.
It would be the perfect opportunity to make him pay for the devastation he had caused, and reclaim what he had stolen.
Echidna: [If it is truly the one you are hoping for…]
Subaru: [Then it's obvious. ――I'll take Rem back.]
Clenching his fist, Subaru spoke out the unwavering resolve that had taken root deep within him.
Even now, Rem, who had both her Name and Memories stolen, remained trapped in her endless sleep. The desire to bring her back was one of the main reasons Subaru had decided to make a Contract with Echidna.
If the enemy truly was the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony, it would be the jackpot he had been waiting for. Even if it turned out not to be him, they would at least gain a lead on the whereabouts of that monster and his detestable mouth.
Subaru: [So, how do we identify the Sin Archbishop?]
Echidna: [Well, that is the problem.]
Subaru: […The problem?]
Contrary to Subaru's steely resolve, Echidna's response was casual and light. A bad feeling crept over Subaru, and as he furrowed his brow, the voice in his head continued with an ominous, "Actually,"
Echidna: [Normally, a Witch… ah, right, we are dealing with a Sin Archbishop here. Normally, a Sin Archbishop would be surrounded by Miasma. It should make them easy to spot.]
Subaru: [Miasma… so, I'm the problem?]
Echidna: [Sadly, you are correct. Due to all your accreted deaths and use of your Authority, your Miasma is now so thick it is practically drowning the entire venue, concealing any Sin Archbishop who might be present.]
The cruel irony of the situation left Subaru unable to blame Echidna.
Subaru saw this as a consequence of his decision to fully leverage Return by Death. Even if he had known about it beforehand, the option of not using it was never on the table.
Subaru: [No point in regretting what's already done. So, what should I do now?]
Echidna: [It will take a slightly unusual approach, like… a human wave attack.]
Subaru was momentarily confused by Echidna's suggestion, but the answer soon became apparent.
Echidna's description was apt: an unusual human wave attack, indeed.
Subaru: [There must be at least… what, four or five hundred people here?]
Echidna: [Then, even if you are hopelessly unlucky, it should only take five hundred tries.]
She said it so nonchalantly, and Subaru had plenty of things he wanted to snap back with, like how there was no way he could be that unlucky, but he held his tongue.
After all, it was not like he could boast about having any luck.
△▼△▼△▼△
Easily swayed by the Witch's sweet words, Subaru's chosen strategy was a simple one.
In essence, it was the same tactic he had used on Crusch, Anastasia, and even Roswaal―― approaching people randomly and asking, "Are you a Sin Archbishop?"
Ideally, he would have preferred to ask multiple people as a joke in one go, but Subaru quickly learned just how much the Sin Archbishops were despised in this world.
In most cases, just mentioning the term caused intense tension, and the moment Subaru threw accusations of being a Sin Archbishop, his targets would become deeply agitated.
At first, he had hoped that their reactions were signs of having been identified as a Sin Archbishop, but――,
Echidna: [You are one of the most renowned Witch Cult hunters, having defeated a Sin Archbishop. If someone like you were to suspect one of being a Sin Archbishop, they would deny it with everything they have.]
And so, Echidna's reminder prompted Subaru to reconsider his approach and the need to be more careful in how he phrased his questions.
And so, accreting more retries, Subaru meticulously questioned each participant in the ceremony. Frankly, reaching five hundred attempts was the worst-case scenario, and he had expected to find the answer in far fewer attempts.
However, reality was unforgiving to Subaru, as the number of trials exceeded four hundred, pushing relentlessly toward the dreaded five hundred mark.
Subaru, however, had his justifications.
Naturally, in this kind of operation, he started by targeting people whose backgrounds were unknown or suspicious.
In this case, unknown meant people with whom Subaru had little to no personal connection.
He first questioned unfamiliar faces, other factions' supporters, and the ceremony staff. When that yielded no results, he moved on to the next stage: targeting individuals from other camps and people he knew by name.
Honestly, this was little more than a precautionary measure. He did not expect to find the culprit here, but once he had started, he had to see it through.
That was all there was to it. And yet――,
???: [――Why would you think such a thing? Unfathomable.]
The response he got from one particular person sparked something strange within Subaru.
Even in hindsight, he could not quite understand why that answer lingered in his mind. Some had misunderstood his intentions, and others had asked him similar questions.
And yet, for some reason, this person stood out to him in a way the others had not, though he could not explain why.
So, to get to the bottom of it――,
Subaru: [Are you a sin Archbishop?] [Are you familiar with the word "Gluttony"?] [Do you happen to be a spy from one of the Camps?] [What do you cherish?] [Who's your family?] [Where are you from? [If you were to be an animal, what would you be?] [Does hearing the word Witch delight you?] [Do you know about Petelgeuse?] [What do you think of Petelgeuse?] [Shall we talk together about Echidna?] [Where did you meet Roswaal?] [Aren't you frightened of the Silver Haired Half Elf?] [E.M.T.] [What do you think about betraying?] [What do you value?] [Do you like money?] [What do you like?] [How are you doing?] [Did you get a haircut?] [You're trying to kill me, aren't you?]
He fired off his questions relentlessly, and he deliberately took to the stage for the final round.
The wise elder with the long white beard presented him with the commendation, and asked him to say a few words. Normally, this was the point where Subaru would turn and be killed by "something."
But, as Subaru turned around this time, nothing unusual happened to his chest. He took a step forward, looking down at the people waiting for his words, and spotted a face in the corner of the venue.
And, Subaru smiled at the person who had been watching him all along――,
Subaru: [――You are my enemy, Clind.]
△▼△▼△▼△
――Subaru knew shockingly little about the blue-haired man called Clind.
Technically, Clind was a member of the Emilia faction―― though strictly speaking, it was because his master, Annerose Miload, was a branch of the Mathers family, thus aligning him with their camp.
That said, he had known Roswaal's maids, like Ram and Frederica, for quite some time, and even Emilia was familiar with him. In other words, he seemed to have a deeper connection to Roswaal than even his own master, Annerose.
That was precisely why Subaru had postponed questioning him. In hindsight, this was a mistake that had needlessly increased the number of attempts.
Subaru continued questioning every last participant just to be sure, but Clind was the only one who had raised any alarm for both him and the soul bound to his mind.
In other words, Clind was likely involved with the inner workings of the Witch Cult and wielded an Authority――,
Echidna: [Of course, just because someone has a Witch Factor does not necessarily make them part of the Witch Cult. My friends and I were not, for example.]
Subaru: [But, you guys were just as dangerous as them, right?]
Echidna: [Well, yes, each of us almost destroyed the world at least once…]
Echidna, the wicked soul, spoke as if it were no big deal, but if someone had nearly wiped out the world even once, they should absolutely be classified as a threat.
Setting aside Echidna's skewed sense of reality, Subaru refocused on how to deal with Clind.
Subaru: [So, we know Clind is using an Authority to kill me, but what exactly is it?]
Echidna: [I do not know. The effects of each Authority vary from one person to another. I am sure even the current Greed manifests an Authority different from mine.]
Subaru: [So, he could be using invisible hands to kill me, like Petelgeuse?]
Petelgeuse's Unseen Hand had indeed allowed him to commit such acts. Subaru had been lucky to see them early on, but had they remained invisible, it would have been a nightmare to deal with.
Much like back then, this battle would start with uncovering the nature of his opponent's Authority.
Subaru: [Got any leads on how he's killing me?]
Echidna: [I have a few ideas. From what I have seen, your heart is being destroyed while you are on the stage. So, invisible hands are definitely a possibility, though using something similar to Petelgeuse would be boring.]
Subaru: [This isn't a manga serialization meeting. We don't get to choose abilities based on how interesting they are.]
It was incredibly versatile and hard to defend against. Unseen Hand was an outstanding ability in that regard. It would be a terrifying threat if multiple people could wield such power.
On top of that, Petelgeuse had the resilience typical of Evil Spirits, making him incredibly hard to kill. Even now, thinking back on it, he was a formidable foe, one Subaru would never want to face again.
Echidna: [But even so, you cannot back down if you are against a Sin Archbishop.]
Subaru: [――. Sin Archbishop or not, I'll crush anyone who lays a hand on my own people.]
Echidna: [Ohhh, so scary. And the worst part is, I know you mean it.]
Subaru could almost imagine the unseen Echidna shrugging at his response. His exchange with the Witch felt so natural that, without missing a beat, Subaru began planning his next move to deal with Clind.
At the very least, so long as he knew that Clind would make his move while he was on the stage――,
Echidna: [Where will you start?]
Subaru: [Isn't it obvious?]
The excitement in Echidna's voice was barely concealed, as if she were anticipating the unraveling of the unknown.
The Witch's inappropriate eagerness was oddly reassuring to Subaru. With that thought in mind, he closed one eye.
Subaru: [――Gathering intel. If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles]
Echidna: [I doubt Sun Tzu considered that in order to avoid danger in a hundred battles, one might have to lose hundreds of times first.]
Subaru smiled at Echidna's wry remark, and said "That's a fair point."
△▼△▼△▼△
???: [Clind, is it? Yes, I see. He has been serving the Master for many years, and now, on the Master's orders, he is working as Annerose-sama's steward.]
???: [As per the Master, most of the Mathers household servants are trained by Clind. Embarrassing as it is, even I learned the basics of being a maid from him.]
???: [Skilled, versatile, the perfect steward… There's no end to the praise for Clind. His abilities as a steward are truly unmatched, and I still feel ashamed of how much I have to learn. But…]
???: [But, as a person, he is far from admirable. Some might mistake him for a devoted, caring teacher… but, it is all just superficial.]
???: [His true nature is that of a beast who blatantly favors the young. Once someone grows up a bit, he loses interest. I, too, was treated horribly…]
???: [Subaru-sama, you need to be careful. Not for yourself, Subaru-sama, but for Emilia-sama. She may look mature, but emotionally, she is still very much a child…]
???: [Clind's focus is not swayed by looks or actual age. He claims to see the soul or whatever; anyway, that's how it is!]
????: [Concerning Clind…? Once again, you are stirring up unnecessary trouble before a big event.]
????: [You will be called up to the stage when the award ceremony starts. Stay quiet until then. If you mess up during the ceremony, no one will be able to bail you out.]
????: […You want to chat to calm your nerves? You would be better off talking to Emilia-sama if that's the case. And of all things, you choose to talk about Clind?]
????: [――. No, it's fine. This is Barusu we're talking about, after all. There must be some meaning behind it. Rather, if there isn't, Ram would be surprised. And despise you for it.]
????: [Clind is Roswaal-sama's steward. He can handle most tasks single-handedly, and he is incredibly skilled. He has never been seen breaking a sweat.]
????: [He is currently serving under Annerose-sama, and is particularly attached to that young mistress… He has a soft spot for children. He used to dote on Ram quite a bit… And on Rem too, surely.]
????: [If that girl is Ram's sister, she naturally must have also had interactions with Clind, right? Well, that doesn't matter now since that has all been forgotten. Back to the matter of Clind.]
????: [As for how long he has served Roswaal-sama, even Ram does not know. It's said that their relationship goes back quite far, so you should ask Roswaal-sama directly.]
????: […Not quite sure what your intentions are, but Ram would avoid quarrels with Clind. It's not a matter of strength or weakness. He is just impossible to figure out.]
?????: [Curious about Clind? Oh, that's an eaaasy~ request. He and I have known each other for quite a long time. I'm sure there's plenty I could teeell~ you.]
?????: [To begin with, he's serving Annerose on my orders. Annerose is, after all, a candidate to become the next Roswaal, you seeeee~. I needed some insurance to keep "her" safe.]
?????: [I've made a Contract with him. So long as it does not interfere with his duties, he is contracted to protect my assets. Annerose is considered one of those assets.]
?????: [Compensation for the Contract, you ask? Oh, that was settled long ago. Yes, it was a joint effort to defeat a certain enemy. It was an old nemesis of mine, so the timing was quite convenient.]
?????: [Ever since, Clind has been faithfully keeping up his end of the Contract. Althooough~, I doubt he expected to accompany me for this looong~.]
?????: [He is exceedingly principled, you see. He could have walked away the moment the generation he had made the promise to had passed on. It seems that being able to see souls makes him a bit rigid in his ways.]
?????: [As for any weaknesses… I can't say I've come across any. If I had to name one, it would be his particular attachment to Annerose. Not just out of duty as a servant to a master, but out of fondness.]
?????: [It is nothing romantic, mind you. He's just drawn to her nature. There's a brilliance within her… a purity and innocence he can never have. And that, I believe, is what keeps him tied to the world of the living.]
△▼△▼△▼△
???: [――Subaru-sama, do you have a moment? Time.]
Just as Subaru searched for the person he wanted to find, the person in question called out to him.
Subaru turned around to find a slender-faced figure in a butler's uniform standing before him. He had neatly-cut dark blue hair, a monocle adorning a sharp eye, and the kind of handsome, upright bearing that one would expect to see in a painting; yet, strangely, his presence felt faint.
When Subaru had asked him about it before, he had explained that a servant should not stand out in front of others.
It was certainly a fearsome skill if he could consciously erase his presence like that. But for now, that did not matter.
Subaru: [Sure, no problem, Clind-san. I have lots of time to kill.]
Clind: [Killing time, you say? How humble. Today, Subaru-sama is one of the main guests of honor… surely, no one would leave you alone. Busy.]
Subaru: [Well, it's more like everyone's being considerate of me, so I'm left sitting quietly in a corner. Ram even scolded me for acting like a kid.]
Clind: [I see. That sounds typical of her. Immutable.]
At the edge of the venue, Subaru shrugged his shoulders in his unfamiliar formal attire while Clind gave a soft smile.
Clind had always given the impression of being expressionless, but while his reactions were subtle, he did in fact display emotions. Subaru had assumed that being an exemplary butler meant remaining composed, and by extension, emotionless, but this had proven to be a misconception.
Clind: [Subaru-sama? Puzzled.]
Subaru: [Ah, sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment… this is the first time we've really had a proper conversation, Clind-san.]
Clind: [Regarding that, I apologize for the belated greeting. I should have been visiting the Mathers's main estate more frequently… Reflection.]
Subaru: [Yeah, and I would've loved to help out with the cleanup after the Witchbeasts wrecked the place, but I had some business to take care of.]
Clind: [――Business?]
Clind murmured, narrowing the eye behind his monocle. For a brief moment, Subaru caught a glimpse of something predatory, a hawk-like sharpness in Clind's gaze, and it made him involuntarily wince.
At the same time, Subaru could not help but mock his own acting ability as they continued this shallow conversation.
At some point, he had developed the ability to hide his true feelings, even when he knew what the other person was plotting.
Even if something unexpected were to happen, so long as it led to Subaru's Death, there would always be a chance to correct it. ――Thus, he had grown harder to shake.
Echidna: [That is why you managed to keep it together even when you found out someone who was half a friend was an enemy.]
Echidna's commentary on Subaru's thoughts chimed in like clockwork in his mind.
At this point, perhaps discerning between her helpful advice and useless chatter had become a skill unto itself.
Clind: [Subaru-sama, concerning the other day…]
Subaru: [Yeah?]
Clind: [Where were you while Emilia-sama and the Master stayed at our residence… at Annerose-sama's Miload mansion? Inquiry.]
Subaru: [Where was I…]
Clind raised a finger, asking the question with a casual air. But, Subaru knew the innocuous tone belied the suspicion behind Clind's question.
He was referring to the time after Subaru had simultaneously resolved the problems at the Sanctuary and the mansion: when the Mathers Estate had been ravaged by the Witchbeasts' attack, and had been temporarily relocated to the Miload Estate. Though the entire affair had lasted fewer than ten days, unlike Emilia and the others who were at Annerose's mansion, Subaru had been absent most of that time due to another task.
That other task, of course, was――
Echidna: [――Preparing to take me out of the tomb, right?.]
Exactly as Echidna's voice confirmed in his head, that was the reason he had acted separately.
Subaru: [――――]
There were three conditions for Echidna to be released from the tomb.
The first was clearing the Trials to lift the barrier; the second was securing a Magic Crystal to house Echidna's soul; and the third was finalizing their Contract――,
Echidna: [To put it simply, my soul was forcibly tethered to the tomb. We needed to reassign your body as my next host to get me out of there.]
Subaru: [That was one damn painful ordeal… by the way, don't you think there are too many hidden costs in this Contract of yours?]
Echidna: [Think of it as renting an apartment where they do not disclose that the previous tenant committed suicide… no, that sounds too cheap. Let us say a condo instead. Yes, that fits better.]
Subaru: [I think you're missing the point of what's cheap here…]
Echidna's strange obsessions aside, Clind's curiosity was suspicious.
Subaru had told him that he had been out on an errand. That should have been the end of it. Especially for someone in his position, known as the versatile steward, pushing further would have been overstepping.
And yet, the reason he chose to press the issue anyway was――,
Subaru: [Clind-san, cut it out with the phony questions.]
Clind: [――――]
Subaru: [You already know the answer. That's why you came to talk to me. Right?]
Subaru had already figured out Clind's intentions, and met his gaze head-on with a wary glare. In response, Clind slightly widened his eyes, straightened his posture, and said, "With all due respect,"
Clind: [Subaru-sama, you are carrying something rather nasty. Danger.]
Subaru: [Danger, huh? You mean this thing hanging around my neck?]
Clind: [The answer to that is both affirmative and negative. That is not what I was referring to. Misjudgment.]
Clind gestured toward the Magic Crystal dangled on Subaru's chest with a lowered voice. There was no longer any doubt. ――Clind knew precisely what it was.
Clind: [I must advise you that this thing is far worse than dangerous. If you keep it at your side, it will bring harm not only to you, but to everyone around you. Unprecedented.]
Subaru: [He's talking about you.]
Echidna: [Yes, I can hear that.]
Clind's earnest warning might have rattled Subaru in the past. However, the Subaru standing here now was no longer the Subaru he once was.
One could argue that Clind's mistake was underestimating Subaru.
Unfortunately, they had long passed the point where mere conversation could resolve anything between them.
Echidna: [He is the reason you have died more than five hundred times already, after all.]
Subaru: [I've already taken every possible precaution at that level.]
Clind: [――? What exactly…]
"are you saying?" was probably what Clind was about to say. But, before he could, Subaru, keeping his voice low enough not to draw attention, called out to him with "Clind-san,"
Subaru: [Why are you talking to me? You've already made up your mind, haven't you? You'll settle this when I'm called up to the stage during the ceremony, out in front of everyone.]
Clind: [――Hk, how.]
Subaru: [Well, It's strange, really. You're set on killing me, but you want to avoid causing too much trouble for Emilia and the others. So, you're aiming for a time and place where suspicion might fall outside of our camp, right?. I'm not sure I follow your reasoning.]
Through countless trials and discussions with Echidna after Subaru's many deaths, they had concluded that Clind's intentions were exactly as expected.
In other words, Clind wanted to kill Subaru, the Witch's contractor, but he also intended to use Subaru's death as a benefit of Emilia Camp.
Therefore――,
Subaru: [I can't figure out where your loyalty lies. So, be honest with me. ――Are you a Witch Cultist? One of the Archbishops of Sin?]
Subaru's questions for Clind came like an ultimatum.
But it was still too indirect. He knew he needed to be more direct, to cut to the heart of the matter――,
Subaru: [Do you know Gluttony? I've got something I need to attend to with him.]
Clind: [――To all of your questions, no I shall answer. Denial.]
Subaru: [I see… I see.]
Clind shook his head in response, which was not the answer Subaru had hoped for.
But, as a result, it settled how he would deal with Clind.
Subaru: [Listen up, Clind-san. Where was Annerose again?]
Clind: [――――]
Subaru: [That was what you wanted to ask me about right?]
Finding that his master was absent from his side, Clind had approached Subaru alone.
He must have thought that since Annerose was not near the key figures at this ceremony, Subaru would be the only one up to something shady.
It was an insulting assumption. However――,
Subaru: [You're right on the money.]
Clind: [Annerose-sama, where is she? Location.]
Subaru: [She's now my hostage. I knew you'd try something on that stage, you see. How I found out is a trade secret.]
Clind: […So, that too is the work of the Witch that accompanies you. Strategy.]
As Clind furrowed his brow in disbelief, Echidna muttered, "How rude," in Subaru's mind. But, this misunderstanding worked in his favor.
After all, Natsuki Subaru always found it easier to act when he was underestimated.
Echidna: [Being seen as formidable does have its perks in avoiding getting targeted, you know.]
Subaru: [It's fine. If I look weaker than Emilia, then I will be targeted first.]
While conversing with Echidna in his head, Subaru kept his eyes on the increasingly wary Clind.
Everyone praised him as a calm, versatile steward. However, even the most composed individual would hesitate to act when their most precious person was in danger.
In that light, bringing Annerose here seemed like a mistake, but it would have been cruel of Subaru to blame Clind for that.
Subaru: [After all, you only decided to kill me after we arrived here.]
Clind: [――. How, to that extent could you…? Incomprehensible.]
Subaru: [I heard it from you directly.]
Clind was aghast. The clear divide between him and Subaru was the difference in knowledge.
Having all his thoughts, actions, and even what he held dear laid bare truly must have felt like a nightmare for Clind.
But, the feeling concerning nightmares was mutual. Subaru had been through his own personal hell more times than he could count.
Echidna: [Want me to tell you how many?]
Subaru: [I'll pass.]
Rejecting his companion's offer, who likely had been dutifully keeping track, Subaru focused his attention back on Clind.
Behind those piercing eyes of his, Clind was grappling with inner turmoil. Whatever that conflict was, unfortunately, it lay entirely within Subaru's grasp.
Clind struggled between securing Annerose's safety, and pursuing his own objective.
And, Subaru already knew which way the scales would tip.
Subaru: [So, what will it be? Will you surrender?]
Clind: [――No. Preserving the world takes priority. Disloyalty.]
Clind's gaze sharpened as he said this, his focus shifting toward Subaru's chest.
Subaru sensed the impending danger. He knew Clind's Authority of unknown origins would, just like before, try to destroy his heart and inflict a fatal, unrecoverable wound.
Which was why Subaru dealt with it before it could reach him.
Subaru: [――THE WITCH CULT!!]
Clind: [――!?]
Clind's eyes widened as Subaru's voice, filled with sharp tension, resounded through the hall.
Right after that moment, just as Clind gasped in surprise.
――A group of fierce warriors, radiating an overwhelming swordsmanship, attacked Clind all at once.
△▼△▼△▼△
Preparing in advance had not been a difficult task for Subaru.
As had been repeatedly stated, Subaru was one of the main guests of honor at this evening's commendation ceremony. Furthermore, his efforts in taking down the White Whale and Sloth had more than earned him the merit.
The idea that the Witch Cult had sent an assassin to the commendation ceremony to target Subaru was all too convincing to those who had recently clashed with the Cult.
Of course, there was some resistance to the suggestion that the assassin was none other than Clind, the long-serving steward of the Mathers family.
The one most strongly opposed to this was Frederica, who had been trained in the basics of service by Clind himself, and Ram also seemed to share her sentiments to some extent.
Therefore, Subaru had proposed one condition to convince them and those around him.
The condition was――,
Echidna: [――That Clind shows murderous intent toward you.]
Subaru: [Well, things might get dicey before anyone can make a move if I provoke him too much.]
If things went wrong, he could always just start over.
In actuality, even with Annerose as a hostage, Clind's inner conflict still pushed him to choose duty over the safety of his master.
However, the full significance of that duty remained a mystery.
Subaru: [Trying to dig out the true motives of the type of man who doesn't care for parting words is no easy task.]
If every enemy were to spill their plans to their dying foe, not many in this world would be compatible with this as much as Subaru. It would make planning for their next encounter much simpler.
But, in reality, most people met their end without hearing much from their killer.
Perhaps they rambled on to their corpses after death, but it would no longer be Subaru's concern by that point.
In any case, Subaru had fulfilled all the necessary conditions to corner Clind.
Clind's fatal mistake was falling for Subaru's provocations and making his move on the spot. If he had taken a better look at his surroundings, he might have noticed that he was being watched.
Echidna: [But you secured his mistress to throw him off balance and keep him from noticing.]
The fabricated information about Clind being a Witch Cultist, the efforts to ensure he would not realize he was under suspicion, and a hostage to force his hand.
Subaru had gone through all this just to bring things to this anticipated conclusion.
If any of these conditions had not been met, Subaru would have fallen prey to Clind's Authority for months and years on end―― counting all the attempts required to identify him as the enemy, Subaru's retries easily reached four figures.
But, all that time and effort had paid off.
Subaru: [You tried to kill me right in front of everyone. There's no explaining your way out of that.]
Indeed, security around the ceremony had intensified, and the evacuation of key figures was swiftly underway.
Seeing the situation turning against him, Clind had leaped from the balcony. However, in light of his previous actions, it was hard to believe he intended to simply flee.
Left unchecked, who knew what Clind might attempt next? Subaru was not the only one who thought so.
And if Clind was thinking the same, then the only logical conclusion was that tonight, here and now, would be the final showdown.
Subaru: [――Hey hey, where are you, bro! Playing hide and seek? How cold!]
Leaning over the balcony railing, Subaru called out provocatively into the garden below.
If he could not pinpoint Clind's location, he would just make himself a grand, obvious target. Anyone in Clind's position would feel compelled to take a shot at Subaru, seeing him standing there wide open and defenseless.
Echidna: [And if that ends up getting you killed?]
Subaru: [So long as I can figure out the trick behind Clind's Authority, I'll call it a win even if he crushes my heart!]
So far, the only thing Subaru knew was that Clind had managed to crush his heart from a distance.
It was an instant-death attack, but it could not be something he could use without any limits.
The number of uses, continuity, and activation conditions. Every time Subaru learned one more detail, he inched closer to putting Clind in checkmate.
Subaru: [Wilhelm-san, Julius, and even the captain of the Royal Guard are with me. I'm sorry it's so one-sided, but I'm gonna crush you with everything I have at my disposal.]
Echidna: [You sure are talking a lot… Is this one of your Days of Joy?]
Subaru: [Is that so? I wasn't aware of that though.]
Responding to the voice of Echidna in his head, Subaru bared his teeth as he searched for his elusive enemy.
As Echidna had called it, a Day of Joy was one of Subaru's mental states, alongside his Days of Wrath and Calm. It seemed to describe the emotional ups and downs he experienced.
Compared to the other two, Subaru did not show any particularly subjective symptoms. Unlike becoming violently aggressive or sinking into despair, it did not seem like a problem.
Therefore――,
Subaru: [I've given you company till now. Stop running around like a mouse, and come at me from the front!]
He deliberately raised his voice, broadcasting his position, and acted provocatively, hoping to flush out his opponent.
Everything was part of the plan. There were no issues there.
Perhaps he was not exactly calm, but one could say he was in the zone. Riding this momentum would lead to a good outcome. Even though he could die as many times as needed, in this situation, he felt like he had died a little too much. Getting reckless with his lives was not the best idea.
Therefore, he judged that taking appropriate actions to secure victory was essential.
???: [――OHHH!]
Suddenly, a loud noise sounded from behind the venue.
It was likely that Clind had clashed with one of his pursuers. Subaru hurried toward the commotion, eager to join the fray.
It was not just his curiosity, influenced by Echidna's penchant for spectacle. No, it was crucial for Subaru to witness the facts with his own eyes.
――Otherwise, he would not fully grasp Clind's actions for the next round.
Subaru: [Tsk.]
Rounding the back of the building, Subaru clicked his tongue at the sight that greeted him.
The neatly trimmed hedges and vibrant backyard flower beds were now marred by the bodies of those who had fought valiantly against Clind. They lay crumpled, utterly defeated.
Among them were familiar faces, and Subaru scratched his head at the realization.
Subaru: [I thought I knew this already, but the troublesomeness of Authority holders really is too much to handle.]
Clind: […Is that all you have to say? Heartless.]
Subaru: [Heartless? That's rich coming from the guy responsible for all this mess.]
Without exception, every fallen figure had their life force entirely extinguished.
Whether it was out of courtesy or caution, Clind had shown no mercy. Either way, the scene was so gruesome that one would want to cover their eyes.
It would have been enough to leave him broken beyond repair had this situation not been reversible.
Subaru: [But, you're not unscathed either. So, who gave you the most trouble? You'd be doing me a favor by letting me know for future reference.]
Clind: [――! Your acquaintances got rolled up into this and died, and yet this is all you care about? There is too much that is crooked about your way of being. Hideous.]
Clind's lips curled as he spoke, his voice filled with emotion, his body covered in countless wounds.
He had faced numerous skilled opponents, some of whom even Subaru had relied on as top-tier fighters. Naturally, Clind had not escaped unscathed.
His tattered coat lay discarded, his shirt soaked in blood from a gash across his chest. His monocle lay shattered on the grass, exposing his sharp features as he glared at the defenseless Subaru.
His eyes were filled with fierce hatred and righteous indignation, as if cursing Subaru for being inhuman.
Subaru: [It seems like our opinions don't match. Guess this is the first time I understand how Echidna feels.]
Echidna: [Maybe now you will treat me a little better.]
Subaru: [I'll think about it.]
Clind: [Natsuki Subaru-sama, it looks like we're both already not compatible with each other… Resolve.]
Ignoring his side exchange with Echidna, Clind's eyes were locked on Subaru, full of unwavering hostility.
That hostility was about to take shape and strike Subaru down―― right before something intervened.
Frederica: [CLIIIIIIIIND――!!]
A gust of wind tore between Subaru and Clind, accompanied by the flash of long golden hair and the imposing figure of a tall woman clad in a maid's uniform.
Her emerald eyes welled with tears, and her sharp fangs were bared in fury. It was Frederica.
At the sight of her, Clind's expression stiffened ever so slightly.
Clind: [Frederica…]
Frederica: [I always looked down on you, Clind. But regardless of what, I never expected you to get yourself involved with something so tyrannical…]
Grinding her teeth, Frederica surveyed the carnage around her, voicing her bitter frustration.
The blood-soaked garden Clind had created was littered with far more than just ten or twenty lost lives, and it utterly shattered the trust Frederica had held in him, trust that had held strong till the very end, into tiny pieces.
She knew the option of clearing up doubts through discussion was off the table, for it had been Clind who had first shown intent to kill Subaru.
Thus, Frederica glared at Clind with rage and sorrow in her eyes.
Frederica: [Why did you stray from the right path, Clind?]
Clind: [.…No matter how much you say, nothing will change. Pointless.]
Frederica: [――! Whether it is meaningless or not is not for you to decide, it's up to us!]
Clind: [――. I'm sorry. Apologies.]
As Frederica let out a fierce roar, Clind lowered his gaze and uttered those words.
In that moment, Subaru, though an outsider, could almost hear the sound of Frederica's heart cracking.
Frederica: [――――]
Frederica's pupils narrowed, and a low growl rumbled from her throat.
In the blink of an eye, her body began to transform, white skin covered by golden fur as her bones audibly shifted. Frederica's form grew in size at an incredible speed.
The next moment, a female golden leopard stood in her place.
The maid's uniform was shredded apart as she transformed, clinging like tattered remnants to her hulking frame as the beast-like Frederica crouched low.
And then――,
Clind: [No matter how many years have passed, you never change. Childlike innocence.]
Frederica: [How dare you… get blown away!!]
With a swift leap, Frederica's body became a whirlwind, the bloodstained petals around her dancing in the violent gust.
As she charged forward at terrifying speed, she caught Clind off guard, sending his body flying into the air. Blood spurted from his left shoulder as he spun, and before he could regain his balance, more savage strikes rained down upon him from all sides.
Echidna: [Tremendous.]
As Echidna's brief remark suggested, Frederica's speed was nothing short of extraordinary.
Her movements had always been impressive in her beast form, but the anger she channeled through her limbs after being betrayed had propelled her speed to an entirely new level.
Her claws and fangs tore into Clind's flesh, slowly but surely sapping his remaining strength.
Yet, the fact that Frederica's power could surpass that of the Knights, who had already fallen in the garden, was unlikely. Her fangs only found their mark because those who had fought before her had already weakened Clind's reserves and, perhaps, because of the emotional strain Clind was under.
Even someone as composed as Clind would struggle when faced with turning an old acquaintance into an enemy.
Subaru: [Maybe they're more than just old acquaintances.]
Echidna: [――? What do you mean by that?]
Subaru: [It'd be hard to explain the intricacies of male-female relationships to you, so I'll pass.]
Although they both saw the same thing, Subaru ignored the Witch and her inability to grasp the situation.
The battle between Frederica and Clind was reaching its climax before his eyes.
Clind: [――――]
Still suspended in midair, Clind was helpless as he took the full brunt of Frederica's attacks.
The wounds he sustained and the amount of blood he was losing were accelerating, pushing him ever closer to death from blood loss. However, even with death looming, Clind's eyes remained undaunted.
Amidst the relentless onslaught, his gaze was firmly locked on Subaru.
As if Frederica was nothing more than an afterthought to him.
Frederica: [Where on earth are you looking――!]
That realization seemed to dawn on Frederica as well.
Her voice trembled with frustration at being ignored, and to Subaru, it almost sounded like she was on the verge of tears.
It was the anguished cry of a young girl, desperately pleading with an adult for attention, unable to comprehend why he would not take her seriously. Her pained voice struck Subaru deeply, but the cold-hearted man remained unaffected.
Without shifting his gaze from Subaru, Clind reached out his hands and said,
Clind: [This too, is for the world… no, for the promise I made. Impoliteness.]
With a voice tinged with regret, Clind's hands clenched.
In the next instant, Frederica, who had been charging across the ground, lost her balance and was violently thrown to the ground.
Frederica: [――hk!?]
Frederica, covered in dust, had no idea what had just happened.
All she knew was that her limbs had been crushed, and she had lost the ability to run across the ground. And――,
Frederica: [S-Subaru-sama…! Please, you must flee!]
The path to Subaru was wide open, with nothing and no one standing in the way.
Frederica: [――――]
Writhing on the ground, Frederica's body slowly began reverting from beast to human. But, of course, the wounds she had sustained did not conveniently heal in the process.
With her limbs crushed and her body covered in grievous injuries, Frederica lay there helpless. And yet, despite being horribly wounded himself, Clind walked past her with steady steps.
Clind's body was as battered and bloodied as Frederica's, but his eyes showed no sign of weakness. Only an unwavering, ironclad resolve.
Subaru: [So you can make that kind of face too. How unexpected, Clind-san.]
Clind: […The words I have exchanged with you are far too brief. Scant.]
Subaru: [Yeah, you're right. I wanted to talk more to you… It's sorta got a deceptive tone about it, but that's what I really think. Perhaps we could have built a different relationship.]
In another timeline, in a what-if scenario, perhaps there could have been a different path.
But even if that path had existed, becoming closer to someone destined to betray him would only have hurt Subaru more.
Subaru: [That's why I am glad I didn't become friends with you. This is the right path]
Clind: [――. You really are acting complacent. No one can defend you anymore. Defenseless.]
Clind frowned in suspicion as Subaru casually stood there with his hands in his pockets.
Subaru understood why he was confused, and part of him felt slightly guilty. But, after enduring countless Deaths, this was only natural.
Subaru: [Sorry, but you won't shake me so easily anymore.]
Clind: [――――?]
Subaru: [I'm not feigning confidence. If you wanted to, Clind-san, you could kill me in an instant. And that's not a big deal.]
If he were to die, he would just come back with a new plan.
Echidna and Roswaal understood why Subaru's Authority was the most terrifying, yet the most remarkable. Even Subaru knew this was essentially cheating.
He was using his cheat ability to the fullest, as one would expect of someone who had been summoned to another world.
Clind: [Your thinking is hard to comprehend. Unfathomable. But, prepare yourself for――]
Subaru: [Oh, just one more thing.]
Clind had given up on trying to understand Subaru's strange confidence.
But, before his hands could reach Subaru's chest, Subaru interrupted him, raising a single finger as he pulled his hand from his pocket,
Subaru: [――I made sure Frederica would be next if I died.]
Clind: [――――]
Subaru did not't miss the slight twitch that froze Clind's expression.
That reaction alone was more than enough of a gain.
Clind's weak point was neither his Contract with Roswaal, nor was it Annerose.
Clind: [The real threat was never the Witch. It was you. Wicked.]
Subaru heard Clind mutter in a trembling voice, horrified to the core by the realization.
Calling him wicked might have been a bit much, Subaru thought, feeling dissatisfied as the moment his heart would burst was approaching――,
△▼△▼△▼△
???: [It was an unknown situation, but you handled it rather well. How are you feeling?]
Subaru: [Nothing to worry about. I'm feeling great.]
On the familiar hill, Subaru responded to Echidna's straightforward question.
Subaru was dressed in the black formal attire he had worn for the commendation ceremony. It might be a bit late to mention this, but the dress code for the Witch's tea party was whatever the guest happened to be wearing when they were summoned.
As a result, he had been stuck in his tracksuit during the tea parties in the Sanctuary, and this time, he was stuck in his formal attire.
Subaru: [Let's just hope I don't get accidentally summoned while I'm in the bathroom.]
Echidna: [Ah, that's a way to do it.]
Subaru: [That wasn't a suggestion. You're more of a peeping Witch than a curious bystander.]
Echidna snapped her fingers with a serious look on her face, and Subaru, leaning in, flicked her on the forehead. "Ow!" the Witch exclaimed, recoiling with a grimace.
Echidna rubbed her reddened forehead and said,
Echidna: [How rude of you. Not like by now there isn't a place on your body that I haven't seen.]
Subaru: [Yeah, that's because I bring that Magic Crystal everywhere, even in the toilet and the bath! But, it's about my feelings, okay? Modesty is important. Absolutely.]
Echidna: [You have the values of a maiden…]
Echidna muttered in exasperation, lowering her hand from her forehead, where the redness had already faded from her alabaster skin. Subaru could not help but be impressed by the Witch's flair for theatrics.
In any case, as Echidna had pointed out, the unknown situation had been handled.
Subaru: [Identifying the enemy, assessing the situation, establishing countermeasures, and finding the best solution…]
Echidna: [That fight revealed much about the tasks we face going forward. We might have lost some things, but I would say we gained just as much.]
Subaru: [I can't argue with that… Though the follow-up with Annerose and Frederica won't be easy.]
Subaru rubbed his chin, imagining the grief-stricken faces of the two women, and bit his lip.
In the end, they had resolved to frame the situation under the assumption that Clind had been a Witch Cultist.
Clind had shown clear intent to harm Subaru and retaliated without ever attempting to explain himself. With both of these facts in place, not a single person could defend him.
Strictly speaking, Subaru could have defended him, but that was a futile thought.
――Clind's response to Subaru's question had become the pivotal moment that sealed his fate.
Echidna: [Irony, isn't it?. Had he truly been a Witch Cultist, you might have kept him alive to extract information about Gluttony. But…]
Subaru: [But Clind wasn't a Witch Cultist. Which just made him a dangerous threat.]
And, Subaru was not confident enough to believe he could keep a dangerous man like him alive. At the very least, some kind of safeguard would have been necessary, and Clind had none.
Thus, Annerose and Frederica had been left in tears.
Echidna: [Beyond that, the damage was minimized. You could call it a result worth celebrating.]
Subaru: […Yeah. It'd better be.]
If it were not, then there was no point in making them cry.
He had saved lives. He had prevented further damage. Moreover, he knew it would have been ideal to protect their hearts as well. He knew, but how could he possibly――,
Echidna: [Natsuki Subaru, you must not misunderstand.]
Subaru: [Echidna?]
Echidna: [Your Authority allows you to choose the best result through infinite retries. But, the best result does not necessarily mean saving everyone involved.]
Subaru: [――――]
Subaru fell silent as Echidna's harsh words sank into his heart.
Even if he chose the best option, it was impossible to prevent everyone he cared for from receiving even the slightest scratch. But, if he accepted that, it felt like Subaru's entire purpose would crumble.
It did not matter if he had to die a hundred, a thousand, or ten thousand times, so long as he could save everyone else.
That was the only reason Natsuki Subaru continued to challenge the spiral of Death.
Echidna: [Your feelings are noble, and your desire for your loved ones to be at peace is pure.]
Before Subaru, as his resolve wavered, Echidna spoke softly, her voice gentle.
In an uncharacteristically motherly manner, she gazed at Subaru and continued,
Echidna: [But, you cannot protect everyone forever, as if they were in a cradle. Even in the best of outcomes, shards of glass will slip through. And, those shards may cause wounds.]
Subaru: […Then, how do I remove that glass?]
Echidna: [On that matter, my answer is as follows: You cannot remove all of the shards. There will be wounds. However…]
Subaru was about to protest her statement, but Echidna quickly continued, repeating the word "however" in a soft murmur,
Echidna: [So long as you stay alive, your wounds will heal. The Frederica and Annerose who you made cry today, tomorrow… or the day after, will stop crying.]
Subaru: [――――]
Echidna: [Scratches will scab over, and eventually heal. If you worry so much about never even inflicting such wounds, your feet will stop moving, and you will be unable to move forward.]
Echidna's carefully chosen words pierced Subaru's heart without mercy.
Indeed, Echidna was right. Subaru had started to lose sight of what "best" even meant. He kept second-guessing himself, even after things had ended.
He had eliminated Clind. And as a result, Annerose and Frederica had been left in tears.
If he did not want to make them cry, should he have let Clind live? But, how else could Subaru have dealt with a man who wanted him dead?
That was――,
Echidna: [――You are not wrong.]
Subaru: [Ah…]
Echidna: [I will continue to guarantee your righteousness. You have saved lives, found a way to the future, and left hope in your wake, thus paving the way for new possibilities. That is the result of your actions.]
Whenever Subaru's resolve wavered, whenever he felt lost, the Witch was there to bring him back to reason.
Just as she had done countless times before, Echidna stood before Subaru and pulled him back from the brink.
He had used Return by Death hundreds of times now, and as a result, his fear of Death had dulled, and the crushing sense of loss and helplessness had faded. But still, some part of him was wearing thin.
His fraying and fragile soul was pulled back once again, and Subaru held his ground.
A swirl of wrath, calm, fleeting joy; this was what had overwhelmed his heart.
Subaru: [Even if I save them, wounds will remain. But…]
Echidna: [Where there is life…]
Subaru: [Where there is life… there is a future. Where there is a future, there is hope. Where there is hope, there is possibility. Where there is possibility――]
Echidna: [――People can be saved.]
Echidna quietly finished Subaru's half-mumbled sentence.
People could be saved. The wounds they suffer would eventually heal.
The two who cried today would dry their tears tomorrow, lift their heads the day after, and the next day, perhaps even start walking forward again. Or, at least, begin to prepare to do so.
For that purpose――,
Subaru: [――Let's move time forward. I… no, we have a lot to do.]
Echidna: [――. Very well. So, where shall we begin next?]
Echidna deliberately did not comment on Subaru's use of "we."
And that was fine. He was not looking for her to cling to him.
He just wanted to confirm it: the unbreakable bond of complicity between her and him.
Subaru: [Ah, about that――]
And so, the journey of trial and error would continue, with the Witch bound to him in this shared complicity.