“Maybe it was just my imagination or some sort of mistake…”

With my hand placed on the crystal before me, I confirmed the absence of any signs coming from it, and I pressed my forehead against the hard, cold crystal while letting out a sigh of despair.

Inside the crystal, the girl— the original Ryuzu Meier— showed no signs of responding to my lament. Naturally, she, who was locked in eternal slumber, wouldn’t answer my call, but there was an expected reaction that wasn’t happening.

In other words,

“Because I’ve had my qualifications revoked, I can’t wield command over Ryuzu’s replica even if I touch the crystal…”

The authority to command Ryuzu Meier’s replica is a privilege that only the “Apostle of Greed” possesses.

Having been rejected by Echidna and stripped of the qualifications to challenge the “Trial” in the graveyard, I had been deemed unworthy of that role.

Standing in the suffocating atmosphere of this facility, I felt my hopes for a glimmer of light fading away.

At worst, until I confirmed this, the trauma of having been shown the second “Trial” could’ve made me hesitate to step into the graveyard. If that was the case, it would only be a matter of my own heart. I could’ve kept trying again and again, tackling my weak heart through sheer perseverance.

But once matters slip beyond my grasp, there’s nothing I can do.

The inability to even enter the graveyard means I can’t directly negotiate with Echidna to regain my qualifications.

And before all that, whether the witches I parted ways with would even show themselves before me again— instinctively, I understood that was unlikely.

And recognizing that means my chances of overcoming the “Trial” vanished, and the liberation of the “Sanctuary” would be handed over to someone other than me.

In other words—

“Are you saying I should let Emilia take care of that?”

After voicing the scenario I dreaded most, I felt an urge to hurl insults at Echidna for her vile machinations.

Echidna could read my memories. She alone could observe the world I’ve repeated just as it is. Therefore, she should’ve known the toll it takes on Emilia’s spirit to continue tackling this alone, even after she had broken.

She must have known how desperately I had been throwing myself into it to avoid that.

And yet, the Witch of Greed continues to impose hardships on both me and Emilia?

“What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? What do I do…?”

With my mind racing and my brain igniting, I searched for a way out. But no matter how much I taxed my brain, as soon as I felt I grasped a glimmer of hope, the next best option didn’t come to mind.

The situation kept deteriorating, and my reliable allies were dwindling.

Someone who, knowing the circumstances, would listen to my words with genuine understanding.

Someone who could swallow countless untold bits of information and still engage in conversation.

If I continued to mull it over by myself, I wouldn’t find anything. I could no longer rely on Echidna.

At this point, there was only one other person I might share this problem with.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

“Well, I never thought you’d visit at such a late hour~”

“…Though you say that, it looks like you’re fully prepared for me, huh? Instead of turning off the lights to sleep, you just changed the fire, didn’t you?”

“Oh my, aren’t you quite harsh? Well, you’re not wrong about that.”

Propped up against a pillow, the bed-bound Roswaal welcomed me with a soft smile. The main light in his sleeping quarters was off, but the candlelight on the small table next to the bed flickered with a freshly replaced flame, illuminating the room with a warm orange glow.

The unnaturally flickering color of the fire cast eerie shadows on Roswaal’s sickly pale face. Seeing this, I caught myself holding my breath as I prepared to converse.

If my knowledge was true, this conversation with Roswaal would—

“So, you came all the way here in the middle of the night. You’ve got some tempting lines to pique my interest, don’t you?”

“…I wouldn’t be surprised if ‘tempting’ fits the part. Roswaal, is there a way to exit the ‘Sanctuary’ without tackling the ‘Trial’?”

“—”

With just that one question, I could sense a chilling air that enveloped Roswaal’s smile.

In fact, the grin of the jester widened, and as he smoothed his dark blue hair, Roswaal repeatedly nodded and stared at me with his yellow eyes.

“Subaru-kun. —I believe this is where we find out just how many times you’ve been through it, huh?”

That inquiry became a measure of our mutual understanding of each other’s surface-level information.

Roswaal was aware of my “return by death” ability, and I recognized he was in a position to know that very fact.

With that established, I needed to correct Roswaal’s understanding while coaxing a concession from him.

Letting out a short breath, I pretended to shrug nonchalantly.

“Sorry, but it’s too many times to count. I can’t even remember how many times I’ve had these probing conversations with you.”

“Is that so… I see. If you’re speaking so coolly about it, does that mean… I can take it as such, then?”

“Well, how should I put it?”

Avoiding eye contact, I toyed with the next part of the conversation. However, I hadn’t missed the tension in Roswaal’s expression as I spoke. I could sense that I had taken the first move here.

—While Roswaal is aware of my returns, he can’t carry over his memories just like I do when I return.

This was information I’d gleaned during my loop when I found out Roswaal knew of my “return by death.” I also realized he had an obsessive need to reach his goal through my “return by death” without comprehending the end that came with it.

Even now, I can’t help but feel disgust and rejection towards his way of thinking.

“I’m still in the middle of trying various methods. I would appreciate your cooperation.”

Despite not holding Roswaal in high regard, he seemed keen on making me feel like I was moving according to his plans.

At this point, it’s undeniable that Roswaal has a deeper understanding of the ‘Sanctuary’ than I do. While I can’t discern how far his ‘Gospel’ extends regarding upcoming events, recollections of his musing about the Great Rabbit suggest the details might not be fully laid out.

In other words, as long as I’m careful not to pick the wrong words, there’s a real chance I could deceive Roswaal and extract information from him.

“Is that part of your trial and error, then? Trying to exit the ‘Sanctuary’ without tackling the ‘Trial’? If that’s the case, isn’t that a bit weak? With the powers you possess, you should be able to overcome any challenge through infinite attempts. I can’t say how many you’ve tried but… you’re not really showing the resolve to seek out alternative methods, are you?”

“I don’t think being fixated solely on overcoming the ‘Trial’ is a sharp approach, though. If there’s a smarter way, we should choose that; it’s as simple as that. It’s foolish to get hung up on form and miss the essence. What’s essential here is the fact that we can escape this place and the benefits it brings to Emilia… right, Roswaal?”

Maintaining a facade of indifference and calm on the surface, I assessed every word I spoke in real-time for mistakes. Analyzing before letting words slip felt nerve-racking, but to deceive Roswaal, I had no choice but to sharpen my wit.

This harsh rationality—wasn’t that perhaps exactly what Roswaal desired from me?

There’s no doubt he wishes for Emilia’s rise to be crowned as the Queen and for me to assist her in that endeavor. The more his methods cut into my being, the more favorably his tactics would be assessed.

And indeed…

“I see… that’s certainly an answer to my liking.”

Roswaal smiled with satisfaction at my response.

The white mask painted with the jester’s makeup twisted into a fierce expression, and I managed to hold my composure by biting the inside of my cheek to keep it in check.

The unnerving gaze of Roswaal regarded me as one of his kind. In turn, it meant he deemed me to stand on the same stage of incomprehensibility as himself. —An instinctual sense of revulsion bubbled up from within.

I found myself pondering where the differences lay, even while I was painfully aware of my own distortions.

“While I may find joy in the shift of your perspective, it remains difficult to answer your inquiry. There’s no precedent. After all, the barrier has never been breached since it was established. It’s foolish to assume any negligence from the one who set it, and I should come to terms with that.”

“Echidna’s barrier, huh…”

“Exactly. The graveyard of the ‘Sanctuary’ serves as her monument, and the barrier is to ensure none of her experiments escape. …You’ve already figured that much out, haven’t you?”

“Of course. Just so you know, I’m aware of Ryuzu Meier in the facility within the forest, as well as the fact that Garfiel possesses the command authority over the replicas.”

“Oh my, aren’t you quick to catch on?”

I cautiously laid out the cards I held, aligning my revelations with Roswaal’s like a cautious player in a game. Roswaal, with his eyes closed, appeared thoughtful as he sighed.

“The liberation of the ‘Sanctuary’ is essential as an achievement for Emilia’s coronation. You won’t convince the residents of the ‘Sanctuary’ nor the villagers of Araham with half-baked measures.”

“As long as we can escape, there are endless ways to cover that up. Besides, this may not be the only opportunity to achieve merit. If it seems unfavorable, we could simply wait for another chance…”

“Another opportunity? Why would you say that?”

Roswaal’s puzzled expression betrayed an oversight on my part, realizing my slip of the tongue.

With the assurance of being able to redo as many times as I need, and having solidified my resolve to carve myself down—this is the current facade I portray.

With such a grim mindset, if there’s a chance to seize merit before my eyes, it’s absurd not to take it.

To keep any regrets from showing on my face, and before suspicion from Roswaal could linger, I spoke up, saying, “Just think about it.”

“Since you’re aware, I can strive endlessly to make Emilia the Queen. The knowledge I have from the future allows me to prepare and bring back what I learn. It’s safe to say the liberation of the ‘Sanctuary’ is a small event with few involved. Events with greater impact like the White Whale or the Witch Cult should take priority. —This place isn’t worth putting so much effort into.”

“…No, the liberation of the ‘Sanctuary’ is essential. That’s a line I will not yield. I still have to say that I’m somewhat skeptical about your capabilities.”

“…Skeptical?”

As the flow deviated from expectations, I turned my head in confusion as Roswaal nodded.

“I’m not able to confirm your powers with my own eyes. There’s a chance I may very well be led astray by your sweet talk. Of course, if results follow, I would have no choice but to be convinced.”

“…”

“I assert that for Emilia to become Queen, my power… the cooperation from the Meizers family is indispensable. Liberating the ‘Sanctuary’ would prove your capabilities in supporting Emilia, allowing us to foster a good relationship moving forward… That’s what I hope for.”

With narrowed eyes, Roswaal’s reasoning caught me speechless.

Everything he said was factual, and I couldn’t conjure up an effective counterargument.

To elevate Emilia, a candidate for royalty, to the stage of the Royal Selection, having supportive backing is essential, and there seems to be no other influencer nearby who could fulfill that role. It is an undeniable truth that my current plans would only serve to mask the present situation without any follow-up.

To follow directives and ensure the patron is maintained in good spirits is the right path. Given Roswaal’s valid points and the urgency of the situation, such adherence seems all but appropriate.

Yet, even as I navigate through these logical tides, an unsettling feeling gnawed at me.

It felt as if Roswaal was overly fixated on the liberation of the ‘Sanctuary.’

“I believe the direction of our conversation is shifting a bit…”

“Hmm? What could that be?”

With a finger raised to catch his attention, I found Roswaal lifting his head.

Locking eyes with his mismatched gaze, I asked,

“Do you have a reason you so desperately wish to liberate the ‘Sanctuary’?”

“—”

In response to my questioning, Roswaal merely fell silent.

Silently, he slowly widened his smile while his yellow eyes bore into me.

—Once again, I sensed a shift in the air around us.