A premonition of intense pain is rising up.

It’s an unpleasant feeling, but ever since coming to this world, I haven’t been short on life-threatening injuries. That feeling tells me this is a race against time.

Petra’s scream echoes in the narrow passage, and she stretches out her hand as if to pull out the two stakes piercing Natsuki Subaru’s left side. I know that as soon as she touches them, it’ll begin. So, before she reaches them, Subaru spins his head at dizzying speeds.

The two stakes aren’t lethal wounds. A few seconds until the pain hits. Petra is frozen in place, unable to move. Where did the attack come from? The door remains ajar. A high-pitched voice echoes, and within it, a voice soaked in killing intent slips into my eardrums.

—It’s Elsa.

In front of me, I can see shadows writhing in the lightless darkness. I can also tell that it’s Elsa, low to the ground, trying to crawl towards me.

The attack aimed at my abdomen was thrown from the other side of the passage. With disturbingly precise control, it targets my midsection. I almost want to give a round of applause.

A foolish thought, a lukewarm idea. Why is Elsa here now? Where did the grace period go? Why is she lurking in this secret passage that nobody should know about? Why does she know? All questions aside. Push aside the pursuit of inquiry and ignite my brain cells simply to survive this moment—!

“—Shamakkaaa!!”

Unarmed, without a means of counterattack, woefully unprepared in both resolve and readiness.

Faced with this sudden situation, the only thing Natsuki Subaru can do is—perhaps it was the one action he had resolved to take, disregarding all else when he encountered Elsa.

Responding to Subaru’s shout, an imperfect gate recycles the mana within him into a form for chanting. From the tip of Subaru’s outstretched right hand, black smoke erupts—shrouding the passage in darkness.

Denser than shadows, pure black consumes the narrow space, instantaneously separating the impending threat from Subaru and the others. The emanating smoke has no effect on their actions. If one were to push through, it would easily allow passage through its fragile mist. However,

“If I can overcome this wall of ignorance—Gahhh!!”

Just as I tried to declare this, the ferocious pain I had previously deferred launches a furious assault on Subaru. Starting from his left side, searing heat runs through his body, scorching his brain and lower abdomen as if hot iron were being inserted within, causing a scream to erupt. Moreover, as a cost of the incomplete chant, an excessive amount of mana is squeezed from his body; he feels an exhausting sense of fatigue and lethargy that almost brings him to his knees.

What keeps me from collapsing is—

“Subaru—!”

A small, soft grip on the faltering Subaru’s hand. Looking over, I see Petra with a face so close to tears, trembling her long eyelashes, worried for Subaru.

Fear at not understanding the situation glimmers in her eyes upon the impending irrational threat. But more than that, the color of concern for Subaru dominates.

The moment I notice this, I momentarily forget the nerve-wracking pain and the soul-ripping sense of loss. While this effect lasts, I return her grip and declare,

“Anyway, we need to move up—!”

Given that we can’t advance, the only way to escape is the one path we came from. Natsuki Subaru himself doesn’t know how long the Shamak duration will last. With several uses, he seems to have gotten used to it, resulting in saving mana until he collapsed, which is a small victory for now.

For now, I seize the chance that the black mist is obscuring the path—

“Gah… Augh!?”

The moment I try to dash forward, a sharp pain gnaws at my flesh once more.

Turning my gaze to the pain’s source, I see a total of four stakes pierced from my right shoulder to the back of my neck. Fortunately, they aren’t buried very deep, but the pain from having several stake-like objects as thick as my little finger twisted into me brings even more agony with the mere observation.

“Can I see…!?”

For a second, I thought I was seeing through Shamak’s black smoke, but quickly realize that’s not the case. And I intuitively understand what Elsa has done beyond the smoke.

The black smoke acts as some sort of threat, and Elsa, judging that diving in would be dangerous, threw her projectile from behind the mist without aiming at me.

The passage is narrow, the width is just enough for three people to stand side by side. If one can accurately aim for the center, there’s a high probability they’ll hit somewhere on my fleeing back.

The moment I realize this, I pulled my arm back, quickly embracing Petra. “Hya!” Petra lets out a scream. The object that just barely passed through Petra’s body is the same iron stake that has embedded itself in Subaru.

If she hadn’t missed her aim, it would have gone straight for Petra’s head.

“This is the worst…!”

Spitting out blood, I shake my head as I dash toward the mansion, dragging Petra along, forcing her to move forward.

Pain flashes in my vision. A world oscillating between red and black. A dimly lit corridor is filled with a blur of blue light. Red and black intermingle, making the world increasingly unclear.

In just a brief moment of conflict, I have drained every ounce of energy and morale I had.

Even if I returned to the mansion this way, I wouldn’t instantly come up with a means to turn things around. Clutching my teeth, I continue to run, desperately clinging to the faint hope before me.

In that instant, a chill ran up my neck, a sensation of near-death that Subaru could only perceive after brushing against “Death” multiple times.

“—!?”

Guided by that unpleasant chill, I tilt my head back and glimpsed the trajectory of death in those black eyes.

To say it cut through the air is too gentle; it approaches like a blade, coiling in deadly intent. Elsa’s maximum, yet most dangerous weapon, the kukri knife, spins at an astounding speed towards the backs of Subaru and the others.

A speed that cannot be reacted to. The power to withstand it is unimaginable.

Faced with all this, being able to extend my arm in this moment is undoubtedly a miracle.

My fingertips stretch, trying to grasp the blade’s tip, and between my right index finger and middle finger, I successfully wedge the edge of the kukri—without even slowing the speed or the force, Subaru’s right middle finger, index finger, and ring finger fly apart.

The knife shreds Subaru’s arm vertically from wrist to elbow. His impacted appendage is slammed against the wall, and blood spews forth like a mist, painting the corridor and Subaru red. Roars. Screams. His throat feels crushed, burning, and about to tear apart.

His vision turns bright red, and the grinding force is so strong it shatters his molars. Raising his torn arm, it bleeds. Just red. Only red. I think I see something white. It turns red immediately. I can no longer believe it belongs to me. It’s merely an unnecessary object that conveys pain.

Tear away. Disappear. I don’t need organs that only cause pain. Unnecessary. Vanish, fly away, be ripped apart. Drop dead. Die, die, die—feelings.

A sensation of gripping a hand. On the opposite side of the organ causing only pain, there’s still warmth. The moment I feel it, my scream gets cut short. My crushed throat. Pain explodes the nerves in my brain, exceeding their capacity. I forgot the pain. However, the warmth remains in memory.

Pulling my arm, stepping forward, trembling the soundless throat, Subaru begins to run, staining the passage with blood. Heavy, my feet are heavy. Heavy, my arms are heavy. Am I pulling, or am I being pulled? I can’t tell. Don’t know. Don’t understand. Don’t want to know.

The passage ends. I’ve returned to the staircase. Climbing up the spiral staircase leads to the mansion. What will happen once I get there? Who to help, who am I helping, Emilia, Rem—?

“Ow, I’m tired…!”

This has to end. It can’t be ongoing. It shouldn’t be possible.

I haven’t seen anything yet. I haven’t found anything. I haven’t grasped or taken anything. How could I possibly give up here?

I look up. The top of the spiral staircase is distant. My feet stumble. My tongue tingles. Blood dripping from my arm; my life spills out. Weariness and loss grip my left hand. Then,

“—Subaru!!”

A beast-like calling. And from midair comes the sound of something heavy descending. Right in front of Subaru, a broad and large back appears. The black apron dress floating amidst smoke. Long golden hair flutters in the cold wind as the crouched form stands upright.

Turning to me is a fierce-looking expression—albeit one that shows a glimmer of worry, a familiar face.

“Frederica…”

“Don’t talk! That wound is… how awful!”

As she perceives my injuries, Frederica’s face pales. She gazes sorrowfully at my right arm, now half-shaped like an arm, and then looks at the bloodstains soaking half my body.

“Ah…”

She takes a small, barely noticeable breath. The sight of my condition jolted her considerably. Thanks to the overwhelming surge of brain chemicals from pain, I am beginning to lose the ability to feel the pain itself. My breathing becomes ragged; drool spills uncontrollably from the corners of my mouth. I spit out blood frothing in my mouth and try to form words for Frederica.

“Uh—!”

“—Shh!!”

Once again, from beyond the darkness comes Elsa’s approaching strike with her kukri knife.

The blade, spinning with deathly intent, targets Frederica’s head. As Subaru catches a glimpse of the glinting steel, Frederica responds instantly, drawing something from her waist in a flash—elements of sparks flying as the curved dagger collides with her weapon, creating a high-pitched clanging sound.

“An intruder, it seems.”

She declares, crossing her arms—wearing claw-like gauntlets atop her hands. Her stance, so familiar, indicates she’s truly well-acquainted with her weapon.

An eerily fitting rugged armor encases her. Slashing through the air, Frederica sets her gaze on the path ahead, then turns to Subaru.

“Head for the mansion. When you’ve reached the top, signal me. I will also retreat.”

“Uh…”

“Given your wound, you would only hinder me. —Please take care of Petra.”

The last plea Frederica made to push Subaru forth was like a desperate cry. Swallowing the words that were about to follow, I pull Petra’s small body close to me. It’s quicker to carry her than to pull her to run now. Petra, without resisting, is embraced tightly, and I place my foot on the stairway while moving backward.

“Don’t die…”

“Of course. —We’re not done yet.”

While dragging my foot and being pulled back, Subaru heads up the stairs. As he spirals upward, the clashing of blades rings from below. In such confined spaces, Elsa’s agility would be muted, turning the battle into a matter of raw strength. There still lies chance for Frederica here—at least, I want to cling to that hope.

Spitting out a broken molar, Subaru curses his spinning legs in frustration. The longer he delays on the stairs, the shorter Frederica’s chances become, dwindling by precious seconds. Faster, faster, to the upper floors, to the upper floors, to the upper floors—.

“Urgh…!!”

Finally reaching the top, I pant heavily as I drop to my knees on the carpet. Even in that crumbled state, I stick my neck out toward the escape route, calling downwards.

“Frederica! I’m coming—!!”

If Frederica makes it up the stairs and closes the escape route, it can separate her from Elsa. Realizing this while shouting, Subaru stumbles toward a statue with an opening and closing mechanism. Grasping its neck, he waits for Frederica to burst forth. But—

“—Eh?”

What struck Subaru’s ears unexpectedly was an incredible shock, followed by the massive sound of destruction erupting. The falling rubble crushed into one another, raising a thick cloud of dust and violently shaking the mansion.

What is happening? Subaru backs away from the statue and returns to the escape route. Peeking inside—he sees the spiral staircase he just ascended has completely collapsed with no remnants.

“This…?”

This collapse isn’t due to shoddy construction catching up with us—it was too cleanly done, almost methodically so. Initially, it seemed that the staircase was designed to detach if some mechanism was triggered.

Is this to avoid being followed after using the escape, or to be prepared for situations like this when the route is breached? For now, I can’t tell. What is clear is—

—That Frederica will no longer be able to come back up.

The possibility of Elsa ascending has been thwarted, but conversely, Frederica’s survival now seems hopeless. Perhaps if she was victorious against Elsa in a drawn-out battle, she could circumvent the mountains and return triumphantly. However, Subaru’s body knows just how challenging that scenario would be.

At the moment I considered this, the long-forgotten injuries began to throb, causing Subaru to expel a clot of blood. The stakes embedded in my shoulder, neck, and waist slowly began to eat away at my body. Even trying to pull them out, my fingers slip; blood loss frightens me, and I can’t muster the courage to touch them.

“Damn it, what am I doing…?”

Time isn’t on my side; I have no room for thought. Whether Frederica’s survival is hopeless can still be altered based on Subaru’s actions.

Suppressing the pain from the wounds, I slide my knee down, standing up to take action. Suddenly, I recall the presence of Petra, who should have been in my arms. Rushing back to the office, where she should have been, I wonder where she has gone—.

“Petra…?”

Turning around, I find Petra near the statue, collapsed onto the ground, clearly left behind during the chaos.

The unconscious girl lies motionless, perhaps unable to maintain consciousness at the edge of fear and exhaustion.

While feeling guilt over Frederica’s safety, I must also commit to protecting Petra in accordance with her words. Using my trembling legs, I move toward the fallen girl. As I bend down to lift her,

—I see the kukri embedded in the back of Petra’s neck.

Blood drips profusely from the wound, and part of her brain spills from the shattered skull. Her chestnut hair is heavily dyed with fresh, red blood, and her once warm and gentle hands no longer move.

I lift my right arm. A pitiful scrap of flesh, missing three fingers and half an arm. This arm, which I offered in an attempt to stop the kukri, had instead struck Petra.

Having sacrificed so much, I was unable to protect even a single thing.

“—NOOOO!!!”

My crushed throat screams in a burst of blood.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

With unsteady steps, Subaru treads upon the mansion’s carpet, heading for the west wing with a ghost-like expression. In his arms, he cradles Petra’s lifeless body, hidden under a white sheet, shielding her from anyone’s gaze.

The surprised look on her face suggests that her death was instantaneous, at least being that was somewhat of a comfort. She tasted the same pain Subaru endured, only to lose her life—it’s all too much. She is left unreconciled. There’s no respite for her at all.

“Weren’t we…?”

Wasn’t I supposed to return to save everyone in the mansion? Hadn’t I sworn to do my utmost to help them?

Once again, I dragged Petra into this spiral of death. This makes it the third time Subaru has seen her lifeless form—all of which have ended in ways that should have never happened.

The Witch Cult’s existence triggered the last time, but this time there’s a fundamentally different aspect.

When Frederica decided to take Petra under her wing as an apprentice maid, I could have decided against it so that Petra would never have to be involved.

Being close to Emilia, being by my side, I should have understood that meant she could encounter danger.

“Would’ve, could’ve… it never ends.”

After the game is set, lamenting the “would-have-beens” serves no purpose; I know that much. Yet despite my understanding, Subaru cannot help but feel weak.

With every shared emotion, each dragging step feels heavy, and the remnants of blood trailing on the carpet leave red-black spots with every step. Each step taken echoes with cries of physical and mental pain. Even that feels like punishment—a form of salvation.

If responsibility lies with Subaru, then the punishment should rest solely on him. If that rule is upheld, he would accept any amount of pain.

So, this girl in my arms, the woman who remained behind to let Subaru escape—and—

“Rem…”

Please, let nothing bad come near her as she continues to sleep ahead.

Arriving at the west wing, where the servants’ rooms are lined up, I chose the shortest route from the highest floor with the office. I feel like it took an exceptionally long time to push my injured self this far. The targeted room lies in the far corner, on the opposite side of the stairwell.

I can’t think about what will happen once I arrive there. For now, reaching that room is my only purpose; simply to touch the one who should be inside, my will to live has already started to fade.

Having lost so much blood, and along with it, my decision and resolve have bled out of my body. Most of all, I’ve lost far too much this time. With this burden of loss, it feels impossible to raise my gaze and walk any further.

Thus, if this must end, let it be alongside her.

By her side, the only person in this world that Subaru can truly lay bare his weakness.

With blood trailing behind him, and half-supporting himself against the wall, Subaru’s frail body manages to reach the intended room—Rem’s bedroom.

Propping Petra against the wall, I remove the sheet, closing her eyelids and arranging her deathly visage. Touching her cheek, tracing my fingers over her lips, I lower my head to her now-blank vessel.

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry… I was foolish and couldn’t do anything…”

There had to have been a way, yet because of Subaru’s foolishness, he failed to realize it. The result of that sacrifice is Petra, and the words of apology fall on deaf ears that no longer hear them.

Tears that drop onto Petra stain my knees, and shaking my head, I pull up the sheet once more, covering her lifeless form. I then stand up and turn around.

“—I think it’s cruel to just leave without saying goodbye.”

Ahead in the hallway, on the stairs that Subaru just ascended moments ago, stands a black-haired beauty, tilting her head in my direction. With the tips of her long braided black hair being toyed by her fingers, her other hand hanging down, swaying a bloodied kukri knife.

Dressed in a black bodysuit and cloak, her attire remains the same as when I first saw her in the royal capital; utterly pitch-black from head to toe. Despite being engaged in a prior battle with Frederica, there are no signs of injury or fatigue visible.

The reason she appears here—bears concrete evidence of what has happened to Frederica.

With the number of people to whom my apologies can no longer reach increasing, Subaru can only glower at the ceiling, cursing his own powerlessness to the point of spitting blood.

“You’ve managed to walk this far with that injury. I am impressed.”

“I’d prefer some recompense; your life would suffice…”

“Should I take that as a love confession that you want my life…?”

“I’d rather you go ahead and stomp me out…”

An exasperating response from Elsa makes me feel sick, yet Subaru glares at the murderer while somehow beginning to lift his waist, managing to raise his sight.

Once I meet her gaze, I see her completely taking in the battered Subaru from head to toe.

“The scent of blood, the aroma of anger, the fragrance of ‘Death’… Oh, you are truly exquisite. If only those intestines of yours suit my taste.”

“You’re a freak… what the hell are you talking about…?”

With an ecstatic expression, Elsa embraces herself while gazing at Subaru with a lustful stare. Regardless of her beauty, her gaze only fills Subaru with fright and revulsion.

Simply putting forth a visible rejection, Subaru feels her arousal intensify, as her flushed cheeks only deepen.

“It’s nice talking with you, but losing focus of my objective might get me scolded. Is the spirit and half-demon girl whom I met in the royal capital at home?”

“I wish you’d just give me a call beforehand; I could’ve spared myself the hassle. I even hired a mercenary group to give you a grand welcome.”

“I don’t intend to answer. If that’s the case, it’s best to ask the intestines.”

Her crimson lips part, revealing a pink tongue that seductively moistens her mouth. She drags her tongue along the side of the raised blade, licking the blood and smiling with delight.

In that low voice, she crawls like a spider towards Subaru, pulling the kukri with her. She approaches at a speed too fast to pray for intervention.

“You think I’m going to die at your hands…?!”

As I shout, Subaru forcefully pushes open the door to Rem’s bedroom.

While Elsa reacts with confusion, her response is gratifying all the same.

Having more or less resigned myself to this breakthrough, Subaru acknowledges the depth of his wounds; life leaks from him continuously, and his fate in this loop has become precariously dim. Thus, he wants to at least deal a blow to Elsa. At the very least, he wants to thwart her plans.

Surrendering to her savage blade is a fate too unbearable to imagine. If I must die, I’d prefer to throw my life away before that, ensuring she faces humiliation.

It sounds dignified, but it bears the mark of desperate foolishness.

However, if it comes to sacrificing himself like Petra or Frederica, no matter what—

This world’s end should come at Subaru’s hands—.

“Right away; I…!”

Following that resolve, he chases after her, pushing into Rem’s bedroom—

“—Huh?”

—The Forbidden Library lined with bookshelves awaits Subaru, as he, bracing himself for an end, steps within.