Several hours had passed since Natsuki Subaru was left tied to the wall, his one-sided conversation with Petelgeuse abruptly ending.

Lying on the cold floor, Subaru felt his body heat being drained away, unable to move as he fainted in and out of consciousness, weakened and feverish.

Subaru gasped in pain, saliva dripping from the corner of his mouth. However, there was no one to care for him or even acknowledge his presence in this place.

“All the fingers on the remaining left hand will move. The road will be cleared using just the right hand. If it becomes uncontrollable, we might have to block the path ahead of schedule.”

In stark contrast to the weakening Subaru in the corner of the cavern, Petelgeuse in the center clapped his hands energetically, issuing commands in a high-pitched voice.

His appearance could only be described as a skeleton wearing human skin, yet vitality overflowed from his voice, his eyes, and every movement he made.

Time and again, his behavior was befitting the word “diligent,” which he constantly repeated himself, clearly doing so with purpose. Despite this, it was comical that someone like him would utter the name “Sloth,” but no one was here to laugh at that.

One after another, figures in black robes appeared in front of Petelgeuse, whispering without making a sound, bringing him information, which he would then respond to before they melted back into the shadows.

Only Petelgeuse remained immobilized, unable to discern the identities of those who visited him, but if they were all different individuals, then there must have been easily over twenty of them.

The group in black robes materializing from the shadows seemed to trigger some kind of memory in Subaru’s mind.

“Ah, speaking of which, you’re still here. What’s the matter? Feeling like talking?”

With all the shadows gone, Petelgeuse moved closer to Subaru. He leaned over him, looking down at his feverish red face.

“Are you in pain? Suffering? Sad? Angry? If you’re a comrade, I’d be willing to empathize with you, but do you wish for that?”

“……”

“Ah, you’re being cold!”

Subaru turned his face away in silence from the madman leaning in closer.

Seeing this, Petelgeuse clapped his knees together, leaning back and tilting his head.

“But you’ve definitely started showing a somewhat appropriate reaction, haven’t you? Just one more push, just a little more wavering, and I think I’ll understand you.”

“……”

“What would you like? What can I provide? What would make your heart tremble and repay the love? What should I do……?

Just then, before he got lost in his own world again, lost in ecstasy and rambling, an interruption came.

“Oh dear?”

Shadows rose one after another from the ground in front of Petelgeuse.

The figures in black robes, seemingly sprouted from shadows, numbered more than ten, and they knelt there, keeping silence as they gazed up at Petelgeuse.

Petelgeuse tilted his waist, neck, and gaze toward them.

“What is it?”

“……”

“What? The left-hand encirclement? Alone? How wonderful! Even inferior in numbers, even wounded, still desperately fighting back… How regrettably inadequate my fingers have been! Could it be you’ve managed to escape?”

“……”

“Not escaped? Instead of going out to seek help, you’ve infiltrated? In such a battered state? Coming here to this uncertain place? Ah, that is, that is, that is—what a profound diligence to love!”

Clapping his hands, his eyes sparkling, Petelgeuse turned back to Subaru, squatting down to meet his gaze, and with a childlike smile said,

“Be joyous! You should know just how deeply you are cared for! Your diligent ones are betting their lives for you! Aah, my brain, my brain, my brain is shaking!”

Spitting saliva in his excitement, Petelgeuse stood up and busily walked between the kneeling shadows.

“Is the girl coming? Ah, so you’ve returned! That’s splendid! Absolutely splendid! I must welcome her personally, with my own hands!”

“……”

“Yes! I shall do just that! Mobilize all fingers of my left hand to guide her to the entrance! If you fall along the way, that’s fine too, but if you can reach without falling, I will welcome you! Ah, ah, ahhh, how wonderful that is!”

Petelgeuse burst forth with joy. Yet, the meaning of those words didn’t reach him.

Subaru twisted his body, opening his mouth in a feverish expression to speak. But only a groan escaped his lips, guided by an inexplicable feeling from within.

However,

“……”

His mouth couldn’t make a sound, as if it was blocked by something invisible.

This wasn’t the sensation of fear or any other emotion choking his throat—no, the feeling was more definite, as if being physically obstructed.

Subaru’s eyes widened at the feeling of an unseen hand pressed against his mouth. Petelgeuse looked down at him and laughed loudly.

“Well, there’s no need to rush… there’s still time.”

Petelgeuse’s dry laughter echoed through the cavern.

Hearing that unpleasant sound left Subaru unable to utter anything, just stuck waiting for time to pass, his breath rough, without a smile or tears.

—It wasn’t long after that when change came.

The black-robed figures continued to kneel in silence, while Petelgeuse walked zigzagging among them, only his footsteps and Subaru’s heavy breaths were unsettling the atmosphere of the hall.

The first to raise their head was the black shadow closest to the passage leading out of the cavern.

Following its lead, more and more fanatics raised their heads. Their gazes all unified toward the entrance of the cavern, and noticing their movements, Petelgeuse also looked over, his grin stretching as if it might split his face.

“It seems they’re here.”

His joyful murmur was drowned out by a tremendous rumbling sound.

An incredible mass shattered with the power of an explosion, the sound of destruction violently shaking the cold air of the cavern. The resounding noise vibrated through the hard ground, reaching Subaru as he rolled over and everyone in that place felt the door had been roughly knocked open.

A figure emerged from the shadows, brandishing a cross drawn from its clothes.

The chaotic mass of individuals was too cramped in the cavern; only this hall offered some space, yet it was barely the size of two school classrooms.

There simply wasn’t enough room for running around or doing anything, which would ultimately work to the advantage of the inferior intruders.

After all, her prey was,

“—Found you.”

The roaring iron ball flew at the shadow, sweeping it away and slamming it against the wall, turning it into a crimson stain visible even from a distance.

With the first strike, the iron ball easily claimed three lives; a deadly weapon that would annihilate upon a direct hit—there was no option but to evade, yet even that seemed difficult in the cramped cavern.

The iron ball crashed into the ground, shattering the stone surface, while blood and chunks of flesh loudly dragged behind it. The girl stepped forward, her blue hair dyed a deep, dark color, yet her unwavering gaze lit up with determination as she sought out the collapsed boy.

Her lips trembled softly, inhaling deeply as she lovingly murmured,

“Thank goodness, Subaru-kun—”

Calling out Subaru’s name, the girl named Rem visibly eased her shoulders in relief.

Her appearance was horrifically tragic, clearly showing the scars of a fierce battle.

There wasn’t a single spot on her drenched in blood. Her blue hair was completely tainted black, and her burnt apron dress had not a single piece of white left. The shredded skirt revealed multiple lacerations on her legs, while most notably, her left arm was completely missing from the elbow down.

Her left eye was covered by blood dripping from a split forehead, and with a faint smile, Rem looked so radiant amidst the scent of blood and death, having pressed herself through such dire straits to come this far.

“Ah—what a wonderful thing!”

In the face of her gruesome state, Petelgeuse applauded joyfully.

He completely forgot that his comrades had been murdered right before his eyes and instead reveled in the chaotic excitement that came from it, stepping around joyfully as he called out.

“A girl! A single girl! Even after being so gravely injured, she keeps moving forward! For what purpose, but for this boy! To rescue the one favored by the Witch, the boy! You too, one who has been blessed by love, live for love!”

“I have no need for your nonsense, Witch Cultist…”

Stepping forward to block the way between Subaru and Rem, Petelgeuse foamed at the mouth with glee. Rem shot him a cold look as she retorted.

“You and your lot are nothing but fools committing acts of insolence in the territory of Lord Roswaal of the Meisters Territory without his permission. In place of my master, I will deliver punishment.”

“In such a tattered, torn, absolutely pitiful state? Stop pretending you can do something you cannot. Either way, you came here just to reclaim this boy. Spare me your flowery words.”

Crouching down, Petelgeuse seized Subaru’s head and raised it to confront him.

Still holding Subaru’s hair with glee, he made Subaru’s head bob uncontrollably.

“……stop it.”

“What was that?”

“I’m telling you to stop touching him!!”

With a roar of anger, Rem jumped, using her battered body to soar through the air.

Following her leap, shadows that had been standing on the ground rushed toward the air as well. Two of the shadows jumped at Rem while the figure cloaked in black brandished its cross-shaped blade, pursuing Rem.

“———!”

The blade aimed to skewer Rem from below, but she spun around with the strength of her left arm—although she lacked an elbow—and avoided the blade’s path just in time, then replied:

“RAH!”

Swinging her right arm, an iron ball appeared and smashed into the face of one of the dark-cloaked figures, then at the same moment, the fist gripping the handle struck the other’s head, crushing its skull.

With the fall of the two corpses, Rem landed in the center of the hall, surrounded by the gathered fanatics, and everyone thought a blunder had been made.

Indeed, the fanatics readied their blades and rushed toward the girl who had just landed on her knees.

The number of blades thrusting toward her was enough that it wouldn’t even fit in her two hands, and if they hit her, she would surely meet a fatal impact. But—

“—El, Human!!”

In response to Rem’s bloodcurdling shout, a corpse fell beside her. No, it was not a corpse; rather, the blood that had poured out from it morphed thanks to a manipulation of mana.

Blood spears shot up from the ground, skewering the rash black shadows that rushed recklessly. The ice-bound blood spears were fragile, snapping at the base when punctured, losing their form.

“—Aah!”

The moment was enough for Rem to blow the heads off the halted fanatics.

Blood, brain matter, and parts of skull were scattered around, steam rising in the cold air of the cavern. With every movement of Rem’s arms, more corpses emerged, piling up in mounds.

The number of black-robed figures in the hall was roughly fifteen. With most of them having already lost their lives, the remaining numbers were inadequate to stop the incensed Rem.

Rem’s dominance was undeniable. Despite her injuries and her missing arm, she still overwhelmingly surpassed the black-robed figures in strength.

Despite that, why did an ominous feeling arise?

“Aah, aah, aaah…”

Petelgeuse watched the savage destruction of his followers while seemingly entranced, breathing heavily.

It became clear that he wasn’t trembling in grief, fear, or anxiety—but rather a pure, unadulterated thrill, a surge of excitement began to swell within him.

Beside Petelgeuse, Subaru observed Rem’s ferocious battle unfold.

The meaning of all of it, the reason behind the spectacle, and her fighting spirit permeated into his mind.

He didn’t understand. He didn’t want to understand. He wasn’t trying to understand.

Yet something was being conveyed to him, a surge of emotion rising from within as he witnessed her bloodied form fighting on, refusing to yield.

That anxiety must be voiced, maybe even it needs to be spoken.

But to do so might lead him to lose sight of himself. Questioning what was right and wrong, wondering how things had escalated to this point.

Owing his fear to that, prioritizing his own safety, Natsuki Subaru was—.

“My brain is shaking.”

As he uttered those words, Petelgeuse stood up.

His black robe fluttered as he stepped forward. Petelgeuse held nothing in hand, rather swaying his relaxed open hands while appearing utterly unthreatening.

With a body made of only bones and skin, he cast an image that seemed to disregard strength altogether.

Rem noticed his presence, having just knocked another black figure down. She leaped into the air, aiming to smash her arm into Petelgeuse’s frail body.

In that moment, why was he inundated with such an uncomfortable premonition?

“—M”

A ragged sound crawled from deep within his throat.

It was merely the fragmented piece of a meaning-lacking word; it offered none of the feelings he’d wish to convey. Yet, panting, lifting his face, and opening his previously impassive eyes wide.

“…Rem.”

He timidly murmured her name, the first time in who knows how long.

“—Ah.”

That feeble voice reached her, perhaps just barely.

Upside down, her face smeared with blood began to glow with a gentle emotion.

Lips loosened in a subtle quiver, eyes sparkling with joy as they gazed at Subaru.

—Countless crosses pierced her, abruptly pinning her to the ground.

Subaru lost his voice at the sight of Rem’s blood spilling as she fell.

Pained groans, cries of agony echoed repeatedly as sharp objects pierced flesh.

It was the sound made by the cross blades, repeatedly stabbing into Rem’s body, who had collapsed.

Blades that had freed themselves hovered in the air, seeking skin without holes to pierce once more. With eight blades now, they repeatedly stabbed into Rem’s body, pulled back, and stabbed another location again.

“The power of ‘Sloth’—the invisible hand.”

Petelgeuse murmured as he looked down at the blood-soaked Rem.

He shrugged his hands raised in front of his face, proudly showing off them being empty, before saying,

“To reach places you cannot. To do something with a still body. To be diligent while being Sloth—Ah, my own ‘Sloth’ is making my brain tremble with emotion!”

Again, the previously drawn crosses pierced into her body all at once.

Rem’s body made no more sound, lying face down on the ground and failing to stir.

Stunned by the sight of Rem’s end, Subaru could only watch in silence.

Eyes wide, forgetting even to breathe, he started losing consciousness, facing the undeniable reality of the blue-haired girl sinking into darkness.

But,

“You are not permitted to escape.”

Petelgeuse grasped Subaru’s hair, roughly raising his face.

Subaru grimaced at the pain and shock, and Petelgeuse leaned in, moving those popping gray eyes in a frenzy.

“Look, look, see. The girl is dead. She has died for love. She kept fighting through injuries, stepped forth against fear, and ended with nothing achieved.”

“Uagh, Ah…”

“Look. Imprint this. The result of your actions.”

“—Huh?”

Petelgeuse yanked Subaru forward, ensuring he wouldn’t divert his gaze from Rem sinking into a pool of blood. Even as Subaru sought to escape, Petelgeuse pinned him to the ground, holding Subaru’s face with both hands and breathing his foul breath.

“This is the result of your actions. You did nothing, you were Sloth! And because of that, the girl died! You killed her!”

“…wait—”

“With my arms! With my fingers! With my body! You, you, you, YOU killed her!!”

A sharp sound echoed as something tore apart.

Right before his eyes, in Subaru’s line of sight, Rem’s body jolted.

Her left arm had been ripped off from her shoulder. The severed limb fluttered as if it had been discarded like trash, rolling across the cold ground of the cave.

“Bop, gush, slash.”

“…shut up.”

Petelgeuse made silly sound effects, and with every utterance, Rem’s body was destroyed. Her ears were torn off, her right ankle twisted, and the stabbed blades trembled, widening her wounds.

Rem was being ravaged.

Her dignity was being demeaned right before his very eyes, in a way that was far too easy and joyful.

It was a sight so horrifying that he couldn’t even think to look away,

“—PETELGEUSE!!”

It was enough to bring Natsuki Subaru back to his senses, who had been too scared to face reality.

He stretched out his neck to bite down on that throat nearby. Yet the shackles blocked him from reaching just short. Leaning forward in desperation, he fell face-first into the ground. Petelgeuse looked down at him, smiling with delight.

“Ah, finally called my name. I’m so glad!”

“I’m going to kill you… I will kill you… I will kill you, absolutely, definitely, I’ll kill you. I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you! Let me kill you! Die! Die, die, die!!!”

“To live, you must hate someone! Ah, how wonderfully twisted! My fingers and I worked diligently for this!”

“I’ll kill you, you bastard! You killed Rem! I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!!”

Spitting rage and curses, he let out a furious scream.

The shackled arm creaked, and the shackles digging into his leg absorbed the blood that welled up and glimmered dully.

His arms could tear, and his legs too, it didn’t matter.

Right here and now, if he could free himself to kill that man standing before him, he would be satisfied. Filled with rage, hatred surged forth, wanting that man to die. He couldn’t allow him to live.

That man undeniably must die at this very instant.

“This place has grown rather filthy, perhaps it’s time to part ways.”

Petelgeuse clapped his hands and suddenly extinguished his previous cackle, letting out a sigh.

Ignoring Subaru, who shook violently with anger, he beckoned the surviving followers to gather around him.

“I shall abandon this place. It’s faster than cleaning. The trial is scheduled for the day after tomorrow, but the location is where the right hand’s index finger lurks. The remaining ones will proceed with the task of the left hand. However, make sure to gather all five fingers and fairly distribute the numbers, got it?”

“Die! Die! You bastard, die!”

Quickly giving out commands, Petelgeuse clapped his hands, and the followers turned into shadows, retreating back into the dimness of the cavern.

Now with total disarray and a significant drop in the survivors within the cavern, Petelgeuse strolled calmly.

High footsteps echoed in the cave, and as they grew distant, Subaru unleashed a blood-curdling scream.

“Wait, you piece of shit! I’ll kill you! Die there! Die now! Hurry, die! Die! Die! DIE!!!”

“Oh, I almost forgot.”

Petelgeuse halted, turning back with a casual demeanor.

Looking down with hatred at his face, Petelgeuse nodded.

“I cannot truly understand your position. Therefore, I think I’ll judge based on whether salvation comes to you.”

He raised a finger, tilting his head to the side at a grim angle.

“To await you, bound and abandoned, is only death. But if salvation were to come to you here, then perhaps you can be saved.”

“……”

“If you’re saved, you would be a comrade. If not, you are simply a passerby. How does that sound?”

Petelgeuse smiled brightly, almost as if he had made an excellent proposition, turning his back on Subaru this time. Subaru hurled curses after him, directing his intentions and hatred toward Petelgeuse in a desperate craving for retribution.

However, all that Petelgeuse’s demeanor gave away was indifference as he walked away.

Stopping only partway beside the ruin of Rem’s body, he paused.

“Oh yes, yes, you did very well.”

He murmured, standing tall before Rem’s corpse, performing the gesture of making a cross.

“You died for love, fought with all your might. You struggled, only to shatter, your love lost, your wishes never fulfilled, drifting into the void.”

His tone was one of praise, yet the implication that her actions had ended in futility and nothingness suffocated her spirit. Crouching down, Petelgeuse wore a mocking smile.

“Ah, you… were ‘Sloth’.”

He insulted her existence in the most blatant way possible, reducing the being that was Rem to triviality.

“———!!!”

A roar erupted, a scream echoing through the cavern.

An indignant rage swelling within him, words failing, and tears of blood streaming from utter despair led Natsuki Subaru to give voice to a sound far beyond human understanding.

Hearing that, Petelgeuse laughed as though receiving the highest praise.

Cackling, cackling.

His steps never ceased.

Stopping him was impossible, and ending his breath was equally unattainable.

Cackling, cackling, the laughter resonated without end.

Cackling, cackling.

Cackling, cackling.

—Cackling, cackling, cackling, cackling, cackling, cackling, cackling.