―― Time slightly reverses.

“―― Now, I will test whether you all have the qualifications to become gladiators on this island.”

Dragged out from the healing room and forcibly shoved into a room, Gustav crossed his burly arms and surveyed the surroundings.

The four people, including Subaru, were all met with his mechanical, cold gaze.

A filthy, rag-wrapped lizardman with gray scales, a skinny man with an exposed upper body and tattoos all over his bald head, and then a young man with a rugged face and rusty-colored hair.

They were all shoved into the same room as Subaru.

Given the current situation, from Gustav’s perspective, it seemed that Subaru and the men were on the same level.

However, from the perspective of being thrown in, there seemed to be a dissenting opinion about that thought.

“Wait, Governor Gustav! Are you planning to start ‘Spalca’? Adding a child to our numbers? This is no joke!”

The young man with rusty-colored hair shouted angrily as he pushed Subaru from behind.

Though he had a somewhat refined face, the unkempt beard, signs of exhaustion, and the expression of dissatisfaction severely detracted from his attractiveness.

But looks didn’t matter in this situation. As evidence, the other two beside him seemed to have caught fire and were also snapping at Gustav.

“That’s right! What use is a kid!? Our lives are on the line here!”

“I heard the governor’s policy is not to turn gladiatorial fights into a cruel spectacle…?”

“Just like they said! Provide us with a reasonable explanation. After all, even if we add that child, we’re still short on numbers. I believe we were supposed to be in groups of five, right?!”

The lizardman, the tattooed one, and the rusty-haired guy all raised their voices in unison, directing their anger at Gustav.

For Subaru, who didn’t quite grasp the content of ‘Spalca’ nor his relationship with these men, it was quite a difficult situation to interject. Yet, there was something he understood.

It seemed that by not meeting the expectations of the three, their grievances were being dumped onto Gustav.

“…Gustav, they’re saying this but—”

“I can hear you, Schwarz. Unlike my arms, I only have two ears like you, but I intend to fulfill my role to the fullest, including this head of mine that possesses only one.”

“Then—”

“—Silence. If you interrupt my words, you are effectively interrupting the will of His Majesty the Emperor.”

With that single statement, the rusty-haired guy’s continuation was crushed.

Gustav didn’t change his expression or tone of voice, but the weight behind the words he conveyed was markedly heavier than before.

Not just the rusty-haired guy, but the other two also closed their mouths. Seeing this, Gustav nodded.

“Well then, I will continue. As announced, I will now initiate your ‘Spalca.’ The audience will consist of the gladiators residing on this island, and there are no visitors from outside. This will serve as a litmus test to see whether you all have the ability to host important guests.”

“Audience…”

Feeling an unpleasant premonition, Subaru muttered quietly.

Currently, the fake Cecilis, who had been with them up until just outside this room, had said while parting, “Do your best! I’ll be watching from above!”

Not having confirmed what that meant, Subaru could roughly imagine what it entailed.

“Are you seriously planning to make us fight…?”

“Hah! Such an oblivious little kid. If that were the case, we’d be thrilled to have someone like you join us!”

“Ugh…”

The moment he voiced his thoughts, he was mocked by the lizardman who stuck out his long tongue.

However, he did have a point. If ‘Spalca’ meant for the members present to battle against each other, then having a child join would be quite welcome.

Rather, what they seemed worried about was that Subaru was useless as a combatant—and—

“Are we really going to have to fight together against something?”

“Smart kid. I have a short temper. Just be quiet for a moment…”

Instead of a gentle compliment, the tattooed guy warned him with bloodshot eyes.

In any case, it seemed that starting from the worst position for teamwork was now set in stone. Not that it was a time for banter.

“What exactly are we meant to fight against?”

“I’m not saying it will be against trained gladiators. You wouldn’t stand a chance against them. That’s all I can tell you from my expertise. —Enemies don’t always appear under the sun.”

“—? A riddle? What a disgusting thing to say.”

The rusty-haired guy twisted his mouth in response to Gustav’s words.

Then he took a small breath and continued, “That said, I just have to ask this: If that child is our fourth, what becomes of the fifth? What about our team…”

“The fifth of your team is still asleep in the healing room. Since they aren’t waking up, you will face ‘Spalca’ with just this present manpower.”

“Are you out of your mind, Governor…!”

“If it is needed to abide by His Majesty the Emperor’s will, I will use either sanity or madness.”

At Gustav’s cold response, the rusty-haired guy averted his gaze in frustration. Then, he turned his eyes towards Subaru, saying, “You.”

“What…?”

“You look like just a measly little brat, but what can you do? Special skills? Magic? Any useful strengths?”

“Usefu—l skills…?”

As he was fired with questions rapidly, Subaru flustered and darted his eyes around.

Unfortunately, ever since he shrunk, he didn’t have a clue how to handle a whip properly, and when it came to magic, he couldn’t wield it effectively without his cute Beatrice. Any other tricks were also skewed because, well, being little made it hard to utilize them properly.

Unable to say anything, Subaru fell silent. Observing him, the rusty-haired man placed his hand on his forehead.

“Could it be that you’re nothing but a little child… how disappointing.”

“W-well, we have a kid and we’re short on numbers! It’s all over, it’s the end! Ooooooover!”

“Don’t raise your voice, scaly bastard. Are you looking to get me angry and die?!”

“Huh? I can’t hear you, your voice is too low!”

That back-and-forth between Subaru and the rusty-haired guy seemed to really get under the skin of the lizardman and tattooed guy, who then started bickering back and forth. The two were glaring at each other, on the verge of throwing fists. Just then, the rusty-haired guy shouted, “Wait!” in a panic and jumped in.

“What good will it do for us to fight amongst ourselves? I understand your frustrations, but listen! I was once a warrior who served a noble! If you follow my lead…”

“Shut up! ‘Once a warrior,’ huh? Then why are you here? You lost and ended up a prisoner, didn’t you? What bad luck!”

“There’s nothing foolish about bowing to others and entrusting your life. My fate cannot be handled by anyone.”

“Wha-what are you two…!”

Yet, the lizardman and tattooed guy completely ignored the rusty-haired guy’s interruption.

Moreover, the two’s rebuttals left the rusty-haired guy flushed with anger. What was waiting ahead, Subaru had no idea, but it surely wasn’t going to be a good situation.

“G-Gustav…”

“Schwarz, there’s nothing I can say against this. What I intend to convey has already been stated. Every last drop of blood spilled on this Gladiator Island is to benefit the empire’s prosperity. Every last drop.”

“…Even if you say it again, I don’t understand.”

Amidst the scuffle of the three, Subaru found himself unable to decipher the meaning behind Gustav’s words.

And then—

△▼△▼△▼△

The relationship between the four remained at an all-time low as the problematic ‘Spalca’ began.

“———”

A circular field encircled by high walls, this is the stage of gladiators known as a gladiatorial arena.

Beyond the walls were tiered seating areas where scattered figures filled the seats, a quiet heat enveloping the entire venue.

Though disturbing it was, the ones overlooking the gladiatorial arena—if Gustav’s explanation was correct, they were gladiators—were unusually quiet.

In Subaru’s imagination, audiences in such places typically indulged in boisterous shouting.

But perhaps this image was no coincidence.

After all, this island was managed and controlled by Gustav. —There was no way that imposing giant would allow the vulgar behavior of gladiators.

“I can imagine there’s severe punishment just for running through the corridor.”

While trying his best to bluff, Subaru averted his gaze from reality.

Otherwise, he might just compel his trembling knees to run away right then and there.

——Slowly, a beast’s gaze appeared from beyond the opening iron fence.

“———”

An approaching beast with the face of a lion, its striking form familiar.

Before, it was the enormous beast brought into the mansion by the girl with the braids, the very creature that had served as the material for Subaru’s whip. The name, he couldn’t quite remember.

“A-lion…?”

“——!!”

In response to Subaru’s call, the beast, or rather the Gladiator Beast lion, roared. Its roar echoed throughout the arena, reverberating deep within Subaru’s body.

That Gladiator Beast, larger than even Gustav, was intimidating enough from afar.

“Unless we take that down, we aren’t getting out of here.”

Staring down the lion, the rusty-haired man spoke with a bitter tone.

And yes, that was exactly it. That was the condition to bring this ‘Spalca’ to an end, and Subaru and these three had to join forces to accomplish this daunting task.

There was no sign of a favorable outcome in sight, a terrifying challenge ahead.

“Damn, why the hell am I going through this…!?”

“Enough whining! To survive, we need to search for a way out, quick! Look over there!”

“Huh?”

The lizardman, covering his face with both hands and wailing as if it were the end of the world, was interrupted by the rusty-haired man, who pointed toward the far ends of the arena— where from Subaru’s perspective, were situated at the venue’s sides, each having something notably protruding.

What stood there were indeed two swords, unmistakably.

“—Those are swords, right?”

“I-I think so…!”

As Subaru agreed with the tattooed man’s declaration, he received a cold glare in return. Regardless, what they saw did not disappear into thin air just because they were not in agreement.

Indeed, planted there were certainly two swords.

“They wouldn’t leave us to become mere prey for the Gladiator Beast without any weapons. Securing them must be our top priority. However, only the sword on the right is usable.”

“…That’s true.”

At the rusty-haired man’s comment, the tattooed guy nodded in agreement. He feared that speaking up would grant him a glare, so Subaru stayed silent.

After all, the sword on the right was small, while the sword on the left was unbelievably oversized.

That left sword was so big that it seemed to be a weapon for Gustav alone, and the blade was thick, leaving it virtually unmanageable.

Even if Subaru were of his normal size, he likely wouldn’t be able to lift such a gigantic weapon.

The rusty-haired man and tattooed guy likely couldn’t wield that immense sword either.

Thus, the only usable weapon was the smaller sword. If there were a member capable of wielding that larger sword, it would surely boost their confidence.

“Given its immense size. We need to grab the weapons and target the Gladiator Beast. We need to rack our brains and take it down. That’s our only path to victory.”

“…Can you wield a sword?”

“I’ve said it before. I was a warrior. I can use it far better than you can.”

The rusty-haired man answered with confidence, and the tattooed guy squinted as he contemplated. It seemed he forcibly deemed his silence as agreement, as the rusty-haired man turned to Subaru and the lizardman.

“When the start signal is given, I will head for those swords. Meanwhile, don’t let the Gladiator Beast come close to me while I’m defenseless.”

“Don’t let it come close? How am I supposed to do that?”

“Create noise to draw its attention. Use your brains to figure it out!”

“W-Well, understood…”

Being firmly ordered around by the rusty-haired man, Subaru nodded obediently.

Although the plan was terribly reckless, he couldn’t think of any alternatives. Plus, if the rusty-haired man was truly a capable swordsman, he could very well take down the lion.

By overcoming this terrifying ‘Spalca,’ he should be able to contemplate his next moves.

So—

“—Then, let’s commence ‘Spalca’!!”

Gustav’s booming declaration resounded, unleashing the lion to crouch low in preparation.

Feeling the suffocating pressure, Subaru inhaled deeply, intending to distract the Gladiator Beast long enough for the rusty-haired man to secure a weapon.

“Ugh?!”

“—?!”

Before he could even finish his shout, Subaru gaped in shock, witnessing the rusty-haired man collapse to the ground right beside him.

He was supposed to charge right after Gustav’s declaration, but there he was, lying on the earth. Just that sight alone was shocking, but even more bewildering was what had taken him down— he had been kicked!

The culprit was none other than the tattooed man who was supposed to be their ally.

He had tripped the rusty-haired man and kicked him while rolling, watching as the latter sprawled across the ground.

“And I told you… I don’t plan to entrust my life to others…”

With that statement, the tattooed guy sprinted and dashed toward the small sword.

In a moment of sheer surprise, Subaru’s eyes widened, making him panic and dart around aimlessly, not knowing what to do, while—

“I-I want no part of this! I’m not dying, absolutely not!!”

“Hey!?”

The lizardman screamed with a flipped voice, turning his back to the lion and bolting. He pressed himself flat against the wall of the arena, slowly changing the color of scales as if camouflaging himself against the stone.

One person had outsmarted his allies, another was clingy to the wall, and yet another was betrayed by his team, leaving the last one utterly confused, eyes wide and flustered.

——It was the absolute worst start imaginable.

“W-What should I do…?”

Subaru’s mind raced as he turned to the lion.

What kind of impression would that Gladiator Beast form of this group, boasting zero sense of unity? Or, he feared that right after it turned its head, the lion’s fangs might plunge into Subaru.

However—

“————”

“What?”

The lion, which he thought would toy with them since the declaration had been made, instead remained completely still, grounded in its forward-stretched stance, as if the announcement had never been made.

Subaru noticed this and realized — that his impression was precisely correct.

“D-Damn it—!”

Stretching out his hand, he instinctively tried to call out, but the words wouldn’t come.

After all, Subaru didn’t know the lion’s name. Not knowing the name of an opponent made it impossible to call out with any force or command.

Hence, Subaru’s voice lacked conviction, and he couldn’t stop the events about to unfold.

“I got it! With this, if I have it…”

The tattooed man, having outsmarted his allies with fervor, shot for the sword embedded in the arena floor.

He smirked, pulled out the sword from the ground, and felt its cold grip in his hand. How much courage did that cold metal provide a man who was otherwise barehanded?

Turning around triumphantly, he appeared invincible.

“—!!”

Before he could even finish that thought, the lion lunged forward and mercilessly slammed its front paw against the tattooed man’s face.

Its sharp claws cleanly severed his head from his body, and even though he hadn’t realized he had died, blood gushed forth from his decapitated form.

“Y—”

Subaru’s throat froze as he witnessed the horrific scene.

Simultaneously, he cursed himself for realizing too late.

The lion had awoken the moment the tattooed man had grasped the hilt of the sword.

That moment had served as the actual starting declaration for the beast. Up until then, Subaru and the others surely had been allotted some time to devise a plan.

But they had squandered it out of fear and uncertainty, ruining everything.

“—!!”

With a sharp sound, the sword clattered to the ground, and the once-headless body of the tattooed man fell backwards on itself, lifeless. The lion roared loudly, indifferent to that vanquished prey, and began to charge forward with its massive four legs, straight toward the arena walls.

“Stop it! Don’t come! Stay away from me! No!!”

How exactly the lion had discovered the hiding place of the disguised lizardman was uncertain. But, one thing was clear: The moment the lizardman couldn’t bear the pressure and shrieked, it was the final blow.

“—!!”

With a furious headbutt, the lion crashed into the wall, crushing the lower half of the lizardman, causing its insides to burst out like a frog that had been run over.

“Geh!”

The lizardman lay crushed, its innards spilling out of its mouth, which was a reddish-pink color despite having melded into the wall. That would only serve to let Subaru realize the core was still intact.

It was painfully clear that the lizardman was dead beneath that rubric, and then—

“What a… what a foolish thing you’ve done.”

Shaking his head, the rusty-haired man muttered that helplessly after witnessing both deaths.

He must have desperately labored alongside them, trying to navigate out of this hideous situation. Yet, before him stood one of the members who’d outsmarted him and fled, leaving him no options.

The rusty-haired man perhaps found it hard to believe that Subaru could achieve what he had expected of the tattooed man.

Even if he had, deep down, Subaru couldn’t see himself measuring up to that hope.

Such internal disapproval must have been transmitted to the rust-colored man’s gaze.

“… Stay behind me.”

In this utterly despairing circumstance, how many people could put on a brave front in the face of impending doom?

With no weapon, and having lost his companions, the rusty-haired man likely yearned for nothing more than to meet his end in nobility.

Shielding the child-like Subaru with his back, he glared at the lion that turned its attention towards him.

Receiving that glare, the lion let out a small growl, then launched itself at Subaru and the others, kicking up dirt as it charged.

“Ugh…!”

Everything happened in an instant, leaving Subaru’s head swirling.

If there had been a reliable ally here, perhaps a plan would have formed within it.

Lui, Medium, Flopp, Talitta, Al, Abel, Mizelda, Holly, Kuna, Utakata, Rem—.

If only one ally had been present, perhaps they could have persevered.

“I…!”

In a desperate bid not to end up here, Subaru pulled at his trembling voice.

However, he couldn’t accomplish that, for even as he tried, the lion seized Subaru by the shoulder and hurled him forward into its maw.

“I don’t want to die! I don’t want to die—!!”

Screaming out loud, the rusty-haired man shoved Subaru toward the lion.

Eyes wide, there was no time for any resentful epithets to be uttered; Subaru was lifted up like a leaf, blissfully tossed aside by the lion’s tackle.

“————”

What a fragile body, he mused.

With only a single blow from the Gladiator Beast, Subaru’s body was immediately shattered into pieces. Not that his limbs split apart; everything inside was scattered to smithereens.

Bones and organs, all ruptured as if crushed by a truck— all were destroyed utterly.

“Help me! I was wrong! It was a lie! The warrior nonsense? It was just a facade! Let me out! Let me out!!”

As Subaru spiraled through the air, the rusty-haired guy clung to the wall, shouting and crying. His desperate pleas were aimed at Gustav, up on the wall.

Yet Gustav remained motionless, showing no sign of a reaction even to the sobbing man.

Perhaps he knew about the rusty-haired man’s lies.

Or maybe he simply didn’t care, no matter if the truth or lie were concerned.

Either way, nothing could change.

“Help—”

With a violent swipe of the lion’s forepaw, the rusty-haired man was struck down, splattering against the wall like a tomato thrown against it.

The rusty-haired man, tattooed man, lizardman— all fell before the Gladiator Beast.

“—B-Bassu, can you hear me?”

Amidst the cacophony of ringing in his ears, a voice filtered through, and Subaru weakly turned his head.

For the first time, he realized he had been thrown to the ground, tossing and rolling across the arena. Not that it mattered, of course.

That voice came from atop the wall, where stood a shadow watching Subaru tumble down.

A boy with blue hair tied up in a bunch, sporting a rather obnoxious grin.

“Sorry, it looks like I misjudged your capabilities. I thought you could do it, but it seems I overestimated you, just like my father! I really lack the ability to judge others!”

“Ugh…”

“By the way, is there something you’d like me to pass on to your companions when they wake up? It’d only be right to send a message in such circumstances!”

Peering down at the moaning Subaru, the fake Cecilis maintained his breezy attitude.

Even now, moments from Subaru’s imminent death, his attitude remained unchanged from when he had awakened and during their discussions in the healing room.

Such a rather inconsiderate outlook on life stirred something deep within, as if this supposed “Wolf Boy” was beginning to seem a tad more genuine.

If that were the case, he very well could be the strongest general in this Volakia Empire.

“—Huh?”

“Eh? What? Bassu, please raise your voice! I wouldn’t want to deliver the wrong message!”

“I—I hate it…”

“—”

As the fake Cecilis clutched his ear, attempting to catch Subaru’s voice, he was met with a sudden declaration.

Amidst that, Cecilis raised his eyebrows and urged Subaru to speak up louder.

“I hate the Empire! I downright despise it!”

“—Alright, alright, I’ll be sure to remember this and pass it on, Bassu!”

He accepted Subaru’s grievances, wearily acting as if it were nothing more than someone else’s business.

Yet it remained uncertain whether that hatred would ultimately vanquish the Empire.

For the truth is—

“———”

The Gladiator Beast, which had yet to confront its final opponent—the one remaining adversary—opened its monstrous jaws wide, voraciously swallowing Subaru whole.

“——”

Everything felt shattered, bearing witness to the pain of being crushed under the weight of its jaws, as if a human body were receiving an unbearable force that could not withstand the blows.

Subaru experienced that sensation, every last piece of him being crushed under the sheer force.

Of course, he couldn’t think of it as some other person’s matter.

If only he could have suffered less. If only he could have been spared this torment. Although the pain, fear, and worst of all sensations clawed at him, he had the Chaos Frame experience to rely on.

——Those ten seconds of sheer hell.

Because of that, Subaru understood the significance of each fleeting moment.

He truly understood that—

“Damn it! Why am I going through this…!”

“Stop whining! We must search with all we’ve got for a way to survive! That thing—”

Subaru clamored alongside the lizardman and rusty-haired guy, helplessly trying to accept the present predicament.

“Va—Vaits! Hold it down!”

“What?!”

As Subaru shouted, the tattooed guy’s—Vaits’s face warped in confusion.

Naturally; having never introduced himself, Subaru had boldly uttered his name. And with the name called, it was harder for him to comply with the whims of a creepy child.

Yet, neither the bewildered Vaits nor the startled rusty-haired guy nor the lizardman had any time to halt Subaru’s impulsive actions.

And then—

“—LION! Who are you going to target?!”

With that war cry, Subaru gripped the sword planted in the ground with all his strength.

In that moment, the Gladiator Beast roared, disregarding Gustav’s call, charging straight at Subaru without hesitation.

“If you were Bassu, who would you target?”

The fake Cecilis’s riddle-like words echoed within Subaru’s mind, scrambling his brain with pain.

If Subaru were that lion, he would target the ‘threatening one’. Right here in this venue, it would be the one holding the weapon.

“—!!”

With teeth clenched, the lion charged toward Subaru, who steeled himself. Though fear overwhelmed his insides like a quaking tide, he wouldn’t yield, wouldn’t run, nor shed a tear.

Having been killed twice, he wondered how many more frightening experiences he might endure.

“Just because I’m a kid doesn’t mean I’ll cry and give up immediately!”

Alongside cowards, traitors, and deceivers, he would fight with every ounce of energy and conviction, persevering through this ‘Spalca’.

——Just as he made that determination, the lion’s striking front paw swept over Natsuki Subaru’s third challenge, violently sending his life into chaos once more.