“…You came back quite early, didn’t you?”

The tall maid who opened the mansion’s front gate, welcoming Subaru’s return, murmured as her sharp eyes widened in surprise.

“I found myself in a situation where I had to turn back. Two days… no, has it been three? Even though it’s an unexpected early reunion without notice, please accept it.”

Breathless on the back of Patrasche, Subaru replied, carrying the exhaustion of a half day’s travel. While looking up at Subaru, the maid—Frederica—snickered playfully but, noticing his poor complexion, covered her mouth which faintly revealed her fangs.

“No worries. Regardless of the occasion, as your master’s attendant, it would be shameful not to provide perfect hospitality. I will return the Earth Dragon to the stables, so Subaru-sama, please head to the mansion. Petra will take care of you.”

“You don’t need to be that considerate… Ah, no, please do.”

As Subaru descended from Patrasche, he felt as if his knees would buckle upon landing. He managed to grip the reins just in time, realizing that the burden on his body was greater than he had anticipated.

And it was only natural—after flying from the “Sanctuary” without sleep or rest, Subaru’s body was already in a state of sleep deprivation when he left the “Sanctuary.”

Even with Patrasche’s discreet consideration to not burden the rider due to the “Wind Barrier Protection,” the journey of over six hours had taken a toll on Subaru’s body.

Noticing how worn out he truly was, Subaru decided to accept Frederica’s suggestion without hesitation. He entrusted the reins to Frederica and patted the back of worried Patrasche.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Thank you for putting up with my selfishness. When we go to the stables later, I’ll brush you and give you some care.”

Unlike horses, Patrasche, with its rich body fur, enjoys being brushed along its hard skin. Patrasche was no exception; excited by Subaru’s promise, it shoved its snout towards him, leading to a nose attack that made Subaru gasp in surprise.

“Oh dear, how lively you are. Then let’s head out, Patrasche. I’ll make sure to lay down fresh straw for your bed.”

“Ah, please do. —Oh right, Frederica.”

“Yes?”

Pulling on Patrasche’s reins, Frederica led the Earth Dragon toward the stables. When Subaru called out to her back, she paused and turned around with just her neck.

With long golden hair swaying, a fierce-looking yet kind-hearted maid faced him. Subaru cracked his neck and asked,

“…Are we not planning to go to the mountain hut today?”

“…？ No, that’s not on the agenda. What’s the matter with that?”

In response to Subaru’s low voice, Frederica answered with an intrigued tone. Paying attention to the way she spoke, her expression, and her gaze, Subaru shook his head.

“If you’re not going, then it’s fine. Once you finish taking care of Patrasche, I hate to ask this, but could you return to the mansion immediately? I’d like to discuss a few things, including what happened at the ‘Sanctuary.’”

“Understood. I’ll return right away.”

With a polite bow, Frederica left the scene with Patrasche this time for real.

After ensuring she disappeared from sight in the mansion garden, Subaru stretched and gazed up at the unchanging grandeur of the mansion—returned to the quickest time on the evening of the second day.

At the very latest, on the night of the sixth day, or earlier, on the night of the fourth day.

Either way, the end would visit in the form of a blade.

Before that—

“I need to find a way to end the end before it arrives.”

This time, there were too many sacrifices made for that.

To respond to the sorrow abandoned in a vanishing world, Subaru needed to hold something that would compensate for it.

Garfiel’s wailing and unseen Emilia’s sadness.

Natsuki Subaru must continue to fight with the resolve to turn away from pain.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

“Wow! You came back quite early!”

The first words spoken by Petra, who welcomed Subaru back to the mansion, sparkled with joy and cuteness.

While the内容 and phrasing were nearly indistinguishable from Frederica’s, the affection conveyed differed based on the bonds they shared—an obvious example.

“Looks like you’re tired; are you okay? No, I mean, really okay? I can prepare the bath quickly if you want to take a bath first… What’s the matter?”

“No, it’s just that looking at Petra really soothes me. Honestly, thinking back, you’re the only one I can interact with without worrying about all the formalities.”

With a mix of honorifics and casual speech, lively Petra energetically flitted around Subaru.

When Subaru ruffled her chestnut hair, she purred happily and snuggled against him, which was incredibly cute. As I said before, it was indeed soothing.

At the same time, memories of the previous mansion incident and Petra’s tragic end replayed in Subaru’s mind.

“Petra, I know this is sudden, but… are you willing to hear my request?”

“…? Yeah. No, yes! If it’s Subaru-sama’s request, anything!”

“Ha, anything sounds reassuring. Well, this is a bit important. Frederica should be back soon, so I’d like to talk in the lounge. Can you get some tea?”

“Frederica is coming too?”

“Yeah. This might be something that affects the future, and honestly, you’re not just unrelated; you’re involved, so I want you to be there.”

“Not unrelated…”

Petra, with her hand on her mouth, pondered. Then, her face lit up as if she had come to a realization, and her cheeks turned slightly red.

“Is it about something important for both of us, Subaru-sama?”

“Hmm, that can be said. It’s definitely significant for both of us. After all, it’s not something we can wrap up on our own.”

“But isn’t the feelings of the involved parties important?”

“Feelings? Feelings, huh? They are… well, maybe important? It isn’t wrong to not want to do something that’s against your will.”

When responding with a nod while tilting his head at Petra’s insistence, she brightened up and spun around joyfully before rushing into the mansion.

“I’ll be right back! Can’t run away, okay?”

“I won’t run away, but hey, don’t trip over your own excitement!”

With Petra so hyped up that she seemed about to leap into the dining hall on the second floor, Subaru suddenly remembered something and called out, “Petra!”

“Thank you for the handkerchief, Petra. I guess it wasn’t what you intended, but it helped me out.”

“Really? I was able to help Subaru?”

“Yeah, saved my life… not quite right, but something like that.”

The white handkerchief he took out from his pocket was a gift from Petra, decorated with her embroidery. Moreover, it had also served as a weapon Subaru used to commit suicide just before being consumed by the “Jealousy” Witch during their previous encounter. Though, one can’t dismiss Echidna’s influence on that point, it all started from Petra’s feelings.

Thinking about it, as long as Echidna’s will is at play, the handkerchief could still serve its purpose as a weapon. If I were to follow the logic from the previous incident, it would activate if Subaru faced a deadly threat or, alternatively, when he poured mana into it as if using magic. In the latter case, the difficulty was too high for Subaru to manage.

“Anyway, thanks to you, Petra. I need to find a time to repay you for this.”

“Then it’s a date! A date for sure!”

“Did Emilia spill the beans on that?”

The reward from the beast incident, a first date with Emilia, happened in Araham Village.

Thoughtful villagers and children gave Subaru and Emilia some time alone, and Petra seemed to remember that event well.

“I got it. I’ll be your escort. It’s indeed quite a luxury and an honor to be your first date.”

“That’s a promise!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

When he casually raised his hand, Petra’s flower-like smile sparkled as she dashed down the corridor.

Watching her tiny back leave, Subaru thought about Petra’s future. Even now, she was an adorable girl that made him excited for what was to come. In another five years—no, in three years—she would surely grow into a stunningly beautiful young lady.

Even though by then, any affection she held for Subaru would likely fade, the fact that she chose him as her first date would surely bring Subaru a sinful sense of satisfaction. So,

“Let’s make that promise again, Petra.”

The promise exchanged in this world that would definitely vanish wouldn’t remain within her.

However, Subaru would always remember that they made that promise.

When the time came to choose the right future, they would exchange the same promise again.

Thinking of Petra’s smile, Subaru stepped towards the lounge.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

As he sat on the sofa across from Petra, Subaru chuckled at the way Petra puffed out her cheeks in displeasure.

Swinging her legs on the sofa, Petra, now fully aware of the situation after hearing everything, didn’t hide her dissatisfaction. Subaru found her childishness endearing, but the senior maid sitting next to him seemed displeased.

“What kind of face is that, Petra? Isn’t it rude before Subaru-sama?”

“But, but, Frederica-sama…”

“That’s not an excuse. Regardless of how familiar you are with someone, you must maintain decorum. If you don’t keep this in mind to the vital moments, how can you expect to act accordingly? You are a bright child, but you still have much to learn in this regard.”

“Uuugh.”

With a pained expression, Petra bit her lip and looked down.

Feeling pity for the girl being scolded so reasonably, Subaru tried to calm the situation with, “Well, well, let’s not go too far…,” but instead, he was shot a fierce glare that silenced him.

After joining Frederica, who had returned from the stables, and Petra, who had finished preparing the tea, the three of them settled into a calm atmosphere in the lounge, ready to discuss the important matter at hand.

Right now, Subaru was the one who had brought up the subject that had made Petra sulk.

“Why do I have to leave the mansion? It’s been just a little over a week since I started working here…”

With a near-tearful face, Petra clung to Subaru, making him feel guilty. However, considering the circumstances unfolding in the mansion, it wouldn’t do any good to let guilt dictate his decisions.

Steeling himself, Subaru shook his head.

“I’m not saying you need to be gone forever. It’s not a dismissal or anything; I just need you to head back home to Araham Village for about a week… I need you to understand that.”

“Can’t share the reason, right?”

“…Not in detail. But it’s true that danger is approaching this mansion. I told Frederica about the Witch Cult targeting us not too long ago, right?”

Frederica’s expression changed when she heard the term “Witch Cult.”

Even though she had been absent, it was about two weeks ago that the Witch Cult led by Petelgeuse had attacked both the mansion and Araham Village.

Having grown up in the “Sanctuary,” Frederica was quite aware of what being labeled a heretic while being intertwined with Emilia’s identity could lead to.

As Subaru had hoped, Frederica lowered her head with a serious expression and said,

“If that is true, then I believe Subaru-sama’s judgment is valid. Petra has yet to learn the means of self-defense.”

“I’ll be fine! Subaru will protect me!”

“I want to tell you to depend on me, but I’m fully aware of my own limitations. So I can’t confidently say that.”

As Petra rose up against Frederica, her childish rebuttal was cut short by Subaru’s self-deprecation. Disheartened, Petra slumped her shoulders in disappointment, while Frederica gently patted the girl’s head to reassure her.

“Petra, don’t be disheartened. It’s not something to be upset about when Subaru-sama expresses frustration over his limitations; you’re not foolish enough not to understand how hard that must be for him, right?”

“…Yes, Frederica-sama.”

“Anyone, including Subaru-sama, laments their lack of power. Subaru-sama acknowledges his shortcomings and is actively seeking what he can do. Petra, what about you?”

“Uuugh.”

Once again teetering on the edge of tears, Petra suppressed her frustration. She looked at Subaru with teary eyes and, tilting her head, said,

“Isn’t there something I can do… here in the mansion?”

“…Sorry. This time around, there isn’t anything you can do in the mansion. Unfortunately, I’m too short on strength and resources to worry about you too. That’s the truth, I’m sorry.”

As Subaru bowed his head, Petra squeezed her eyes shut and rubbed her eyelids with her sleeves.

Afterward, when she raised her face, there were no traces of tears left. Instead, with determined eyes, she delicately grasped the hem of her skirt and bowed.

“I accept, Subaru-sama. From tonight, I will take a short break. As soon as the issues are resolved, please call me back immediately.”

“Yeah, I’ll allow that. When everything’s resolved…”

The hope was that everyone from the mansion, and possibly the main figures from the “Sanctuary,” would be present, smiling warmly while everything returned to normal.

With Petra accepting Subaru’s suggestion, the initial conversation drew to a close.

——Once Petra, who had been tasked with tidying up the consumed tea and lightly sorting her belongings, departed from the lounge, only Subaru and Frederica remained.

After watching the door close with a sound, he could feel Petra’s footsteps dwindling down the corridor. Subaru reached for the sweet baked goods on the table and savored their sweetness on his tongue.

“Can I ask you something, Frederica?”

“It depends on what it is, Subaru-sama.”

Her response was as expected, and Subaru chuckled. Frederica remained composed, waiting for him to speak.

He took a deep breath and pondered about how to phrase his first question. However, the main question he wanted to ask her was singular and clear.

“What does Garfiel want to do with the ‘Sanctuary’?”

“—Did something happen with my foolish brother?”

“There have been quite a few chances for conflict. I want to determine whether those conflicts are irreconcilable or if they can be discussed and understood.”

Based on that, Subaru’s course of action would also change.

Is Garfiel an enemy to be defeated, or is he an ally worth conquering?

“Given that you aren’t surprised, it means you’ve heard about my relationship with my brother.”

“Ryuzu-san didn’t deny it either. She knows, right?”

“Of course. In the ‘Sanctuary,’ we were the parental figures for those who had no family, both my brother and I… Given the years I’ve lived, it’s more accurate to say grandmother than mother at this point.”

“Garfiel kept calling her an old lady.”

The painful cry of “granny” that echoed as they parted lingered in his mind.

Perhaps Garfiel had once called Ryuzu that in a time of innocence. Now it seems he uses a derogatory tone, but if that was his genuine sentiment back then…

“Could it be that Garfiel is actually quite attached to his grandma?”

“If you mean towards our grandmother… then yes, I’d say so. He’s quite a sentimental person at his core, and I believe his affection towards her is immensely strong. He might think he’s hiding it, but…”

From the sister’s perspective, it seems Garfiel’s familial love for Ryuzu is marked distinctly.

It’s puzzling how that transitions to an absolute defense of the “Sanctuary” and results in such barbaric behavior.

“Whether he’ll let that go is a different matter than how he behaves,” said Frederica.

“Subaru-sama?”

“It’s nothing. I was just suddenly reminded of the hostility. I’m trying to think without preconceived notions, though.”

Subaru still did not grasp truly what led Garfiel into committing the atrocity of slaughtering the villagers. However, it was clear he held command concerning the “Replicas,” a byproduct of the immortality experiments happening in the “Sanctuary” and managed the facilities.

Given he’s in charge there, why does he destroy those facilities? Why is he the one who has authority over them?

“Frederica. I know you were a resident of the ‘Sanctuary.’ I understand that a quarter of your blood is why you could avoid the boundary and leave.”

“You’ve already gotten that far…”

“Garfiel should also have been in the same position—someone who could’ve left, yet remained inside. Frederica, do you know… what purpose the ‘Sanctuary’ was built for?”

Since Subaru arrived at the “Sanctuary,” it hasn’t been more than four days in this time frame. His rapid infusion of information was hard for Frederica to comprehend, and her eyes widened in surprise upon hearing the following question.

“No, I don’t know the details. I understand that the ‘Sanctuary’ was created for the experimental purposes of the former ‘Greed’ Witch…”

“Don’t know? Really? Does your answer remain the same?”

“I don’t quite understand what you’re suspecting, but my answer remains unchanged. The ‘Sanctuary’ is a witch’s testing ground, and all that remains now is a barrier she set up. It won’t be broken unless we surpass the ‘Trial.’ That’s all I know.”

With a slow shake of her head, Frederica concluded. There was no method to check the truth of her words, but Subaru couldn’t shake the sense she was not lying.

In other words, Frederica didn’t know much about the actual immortality experiments. That, in turn, implies she has little understanding of the byproducts that arose from those experiments, which led Subaru to another thought.

“Wait a second. So, Frederica… are you telling me you know nothing about the command rights over the Replicas?”

“Replicas…? No, I’ve never heard of that.”

Her denial held a similar nuance to her previous words.

At that answer, Subaru was left stunned once more, leaning weakly against the sofa’s backrest.

“I apologize. It seems I’ve given an answer that didn’t meet your expectations.”

“No, it’s fine. It’s not your fault. …How long has it been since you left the ‘Sanctuary’? Did I ever ask you?”

“I left the ‘Sanctuary’ to take care of the mansion about seven years ago. Ram arrived a little after that, so I’m considered one of the older members now.”

Hearing her recall the past without naming Rem and noting that her information about the “Sanctuary” matched the old loops, Subaru sighed.

With that, the chances of Frederica hiding her knowledge for some reason lessened significantly. If probing from a different angle still yielded the same response, it validated its truth.

Frederica was evidently not privy to the immortality experiments and likely knew little about the Replicas of Ryuzu. Whether she had navigated daily shifts skillfully or if Frederica, acting so composed now, had once been a lacking gal in her youth, he couldn’t ascertain.

“Yet with that being the case, the real question lies with Garfiel. When did he truly grasp the truth of the ‘Sanctuary’?”

If Garfiel had authority over the Replicas, it meant he had knowledge of that facility. Moreover, he was probably the one behind the future destruction of that facility.

Garfiel was aware of Ryuzu Meier’s experimental activities. Was there a point after his sister left the “Sanctuary” that he learned of all that? Or had he remained within the “Sanctuary” precisely because he knew?

“—Ah.”

Then, while thinking, Subaru suddenly became aware of a major oversight he had made. The realization made him genuinely exasperated with himself.

“The fact that he holds command over the Replicas means he fulfills the same conditions as I do. That means, in turn, he possesses some unclear status as the ‘Apostle of Greed’…”

In other words, it was evidence that Garfiel had met with the “Greed” Witch, Echidna.

Why hadn’t he realized that? Subaru buried his head in his hands. If Garfiel had met Echidna, it would explain why he had command rights. It would provide perspective on why he carried a prejudice towards the “Trial,” as well as why he felt sympathetic towards Emilia, who faced repeated challenges during the “Trial.”

“Frederica… Garfiel must have faced the ‘Trial’ before.”

“—! How do you know that?”

“I reached that conclusion by synthesizing various conditions. Naturally, I assume he failed… but what were the exact events?”

With Frederica’s affirmation, Subaru clutched a fragment of the truth in his hands.

Frederica took a breath and then closed her eyes as if recalling the past.

“…I wasn’t the only one wishing for the liberation of the ‘Sanctuary.’ My brother also vehemently wanted to show the outside world to our grandmother… There was a time when he was still young and snuck into the graveyard to confront the ‘Trial.’ I remember how enviously reckless he was back then.”

“Frederica, you never went in?”

“I didn’t have the courage. I understood that if I surpassed the ‘Trial’, it would lead to the ‘Sanctuary’s’ liberation, but still… It’s a place I was told not to enter since childhood. I envied my brother for having the audacity to jump in there straight away.”

That image was easy to visualize.

Now his adult personality sharpened, but little Garfiel must have charged headlong toward the graveyard’s ‘Trial,’ filled with the singular desire to show his beloved family the outside world.

However,

“My little brother didn’t come back after he entered the graveyard. I regretted not stopping him and ended up calling for Grandma. She hesitated for a moment, but then she gathered her resolve and went inside. After a short while, she brought my brother back to me while I prayed. But…”

—You must never enter the graveyard again. Forget today and never speak of it to anyone.

Evidently, Frederica was strictly warned about that by Ryuzu.

Now, recalling the series of events, Subaru remembered the contradiction within Ryuzu’s statements from before. Ryuzu had said she had been inside, yet claimed she had never gone in.

With multiple Ryuzus present and an inability to lie, Subaru now could understand that it wasn’t simply a matter of conflicting experiences, but that there truly were both a Ryuzu who had gone inside and another who hadn’t.

What he learned from that story was,

“Garfiel has once faced a ‘Trial.’ And he must have also crossed paths with the ‘Greed’ Witch. That’s where all the inconsistencies start aligning.”

Garfiel’s feelings regarding the ‘Trial.’ The reason behind his command rights.

The critical question remained: what did he see in the past? Why does he reject Subaru’s intention to liberate the ‘Sanctuary?’ Moreover, why does Echidna remain silent about Garfiel when speaking to Subaru? All the answers lay within the graveyard.

“I absolutely must meet Echidna at least one more time.”

To uncover everything that remains hidden by the witch who knows all.

Steeling his quiet resolve, Subaru noticed Frederica silently gazing up at him.

Realizing her gaze, Subaru scratched his cheek and muttered, “Sorry,” and added,

“I think I’ve touched on some things you didn’t want to hear.”

“No, it’s necessary. I’ve received that command from my master as well. If what we discuss can aid Emilia-sama… and thus the liberation of the ‘Sanctuary,’ I have no problem with it at all.”

“I’ll definitely liberate the ‘Sanctuary.’ There’s a reason I must do so, and I’m determined to achieve it by any means. Though don’t get me wrong, how much of Garfiel’s wishes can be reflected in that is, honestly, secondary.”

“………”

“I have no idea what Garfiel is thinking. Even worst-case scenario, if what he thinks doesn’t align with my intended actions, I’ll crush him if necessary. I’ll choose the greatest good for the most people. Sorry about that.”

If he stands in the way of Subaru’s course of action to avert calamity threatening both the mansion and “Sanctuary,” he shouldn’t forget that he might be in for a rude awakening.

After hearing Subaru’s answer, Frederica tightly closed her eyes before saying,

“Please take care of my foolish brother.”

——Thus, she responded with her head bowed.