I wiped away my tears and slapped my cheeks.

I raked my hands through my disheveled hair, carefully smoothing out the wrinkles in my clothing.

Now, would I be making an ugly face?

Usually, Pack would be here to comment on my appearance, but without him, that awkward crystal stone thrown by Garfiel shimmered faintly, affirming me.

“…I won’t be able to show my face for a while, huh?”

The crystal stone I gripped tightly absorbed my mana from my fingertips.

Keeping an uncontracted Great Spirit inside a vessel requires a significant amount of mana. Subaru, who possessed mana, and Garfiel, who had it drained without restraint, could have dried up completely after just a day of this mana absorption.

That said, the amount it could absorb was minuscule compared to the vast amount of mana I held.

Having regained my past memories, I remembered I could use magic without needing the help of a spirit. By focusing my awareness on the gates of my body, I could feel an immense circulation of mana.

It was none other than my own awareness that summoned Pack’s presence. While Pack claimed to be gathering mana from the atmosphere, he probably derived most of it from my unconscious mana reserves.

All of this was to face the memories I had unconsciously forgotten.

“I’m really too overprotective.”

With a faint smile, I lightly flicked the tip of the crystal stone with my finger.

In response, it flickered in protest, as if showing a wry smile.

“…Alright. Yeah. I’m good now.”

I felt much calmer.

Remembering Fortuna and Juice in the restored memories made my heart ache, and even now, if I let my feelings slip, I might find myself in tears again.

But I couldn’t just sit around feeling sorry for myself.

There were things I had to do, and those were undoubtedly what Fortuna and Juice had expected and hoped for me.

I exited the space of the “Trial,” heading toward the stone corridor outside.

There were still two “Trials” remaining. Just overcoming the first one wouldn’t unlock the door deep within the chamber. Most likely, the door would only open after I had passed all three “Trials.”

It was unclear what the conditions were for the next “Trial” to begin. Was it based on entrance or the passage of time? In any case, it had not begun insensitively while I was shedding tears in the small room to mourn the past. So the potential condition was re-entry.

“What if Echidna is mean to me… I feel like she was really angry at the end.”

After being called hateful, I instinctively retorted, “It’s not that I hate you that much.”

It was a bit of a retaliatory remark against Echidna, who had continued to speak ill of me, but perhaps I should have been more cautious toward the witch who had the initiative to conduct the “Trial.”

“I hope she’s not too angry.”

As I prayed that Echidna wouldn’t act childishly, I stepped outside the graveyard. The end of the corridor revealed an entrance where the moonlight streamed through.

In that moment, I momentarily forgot about Echidna and lifted my face in a cheerful mood.

The memories I recalled were by no means gentle.

I may not have a clear sense of it just yet, but something significant was sure to shake the foundation of who I am as Emilia.

But right now, I wanted to convey my achievement in the “Trial” to those who believed in me.

To those who said I could do it, I wanted to respond, “I did it.”

With that thought, I passed through the entrance, momentarily squinting from the brightness of the moonlight—

“Welcome back, Emilia-sama.”

As I was greeted by Ram, who waited alone in the reception area, I tilted my head in confusion.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

—Time rewound just a little to right after Emilia faced the “Trial.”

To confirm Roswaal’s true intentions, Subaru halted, breath caught in his throat as he made his way toward the building where he was recuperating.

He saw Garfiel, who had been following right beside him, also wide-eyed in shock. For Garfiel, it was truly a bolt from the blue.

Despite Subaru having anticipated this to some extent, he couldn’t hide his surprise. Understanding Garfiel’s feelings, Subaru let out a sigh at the figure blocking their path.

“I thought there might be someone here, but… seeing him like this is a bit disheartening.”

“How surprising. According to Ros-bo, Subaru has the insight to see through all matters.”

“That’s just an overestimation. How high are they placing my value?”

For Roswaal, who knew of Subaru’s “Return by Death”—not that he called it that—and relied on it, it might have indeed appeared as though he possessed a god’s work being able to control all things.

However, the reality was that this power wasn’t that omnipotent. It wouldn’t help when trying to recover precious things that could be lost. It was a rather inconvenient power.

Squinting at Subaru’s response, a girl with long pale pink hair—the other clone of Ryuzu Meier, resembling the Ryuzu I had parted ways with in front of the graveyard—smiled wryly.

Subaru had expected her presence, so he only let out a dejected response, while the one dramatically reacting was Garfiel. His eyes widened as he glared at his grandmother.

“Why… why is there another old hag here!? There’s only supposed to be one hag who can talk, and no other hag with the same face gets to do anything without my command!”

“Every rule has its exception. If I were to perform the role of Ryuzu, the representative of the “Sanctuary” you know, I am the manager of the functions of the “Sanctuary.” I carry on the will of Ryuzu Meier and continue to protect this place.”

“In other words, you’re the opposing faction of the so-called “Sanctuary” release system. I thought it was weird that there wasn’t an opposing faction within Ryuzu to meddle with Garfiel, and here you are taking on that role quietly… Ryuzu Ω.”

Subaru referred to her as Ω, and it was not Ryuzu who reacted to the name but Garfiel standing next to him.

With a confused look on his face, he asked, “Chief, what’s with that name?”

“With multiple Ryuzus around, it’s hard to remember unless we distinguish them. So, for convenience’s sake, we’re calling the four Ryuzus we know alpha, beta, sigma, and theta. And this fifth Ryuzu we just learned about is Ω. Is that unsatisfactory for you?”

“No, it’s too cool for an old hag’s name… unfair.”

“Don’t say that. When you show up, I’ll give you a similarly cool name.”

“The likelihood of me showing up is almost zero…”

Subaru’s sharp sense of humor seemed to soothe Garfiel’s reins. Noticing the unexpected commonality, Ω let out a sigh.

“I don’t care what you call me, but you two seem to be getting along really well without me here. When did Garfiel and Subaru become such pals?”

“When you train together against the sunset, guys will always become friends. Even if it ends up being a four-on-one beatdown. Right, Garfiel?”

“You really don’t get it, Chief.”

Perhaps Garfiel was still somewhat dissatisfied about losing to overwhelming numbers and responded rather brusquely. Regardless, this would be the last time to banter around and gather their thoughts.

When Subaru faced Ω again, she brushed her long hair behind her ear.

“Your gaze seems to have changed. You hungry boy?”

“Being called a boy feels rather refreshing. By the way, Ω, do you have a rotation thing going on? Like, I don’t want to see gamma, &, $, # show up or something.”

Such symbols seemed to fancy Garfiel each time, who sparkled his eyes at Subaru’s mention.

Ignoring the longing gaze of fourteen-year-old Subaru, Ω gently stroked her flat chest.

“Rest easy. The Ryuzu with the watcher role is solely me. The genuine Ryuzu with will in this “Sanctuary” is indeed only me.”

“That better be true, because I know up to two thousand people with the same face before.”

“Even I couldn’t hide that many here within this “Sanctuary.””

Subaru felt relieved to be proven wrong by the worst-case scenario.

Then he peered curiously at Ω’s calm demeanor.

“You dishing out your identity like this is fine and all, but what gives? You’ve been a hidden card up to this point. Why suddenly reveal yourself?”

It was a bold demeanor, yet it lacked reasoning.

Ω responded to Subaru’s doubt with a weak smile.

“Simply put, because Subaru and Garfiel’s reconciliation revealed my existence. It wasn’t firmly grasped as a fact, but the moment they thought, ‘She might be here,’ I lost. So, I decided to appear and accept my judgment.”

“Judgment? That’s a bit dramatic… but it can’t be just that, right?”

If Ω were really set on fulfilling her role, she would have ample moves available. As long as there were no signs of her engagement, existing in a “maybe” state put her at an advantage.

“Well, it’s also Roswaal’s demeanor that led me to come out softly.”

“Roswaal’s demeanor…?”

Upon seeing Subaru’s bewildered expression, Ω shook her head slowly.

Her demeanor displayed irony, or a somewhat careless sentiment.

“Looking at how Roswaal has been lately, it becomes evident why I’d want to throw in the towel. As the administrator of the “Sanctuary,” I would support Roswaal, only because he had the unwavering conviction to genuinely operate the “Sanctuary” correctly… But that’s a different story.”

Ω’s words seemed to lend weight upon her reality, especially for Subaru who recognized the alternate Ryuzus. Garfiel seemed to share the same sentiment but chose not to interrupt her stringent evaluation of Roswaal.

Unlike α Ryuzus, Ω was the sole one given the role of the “Sanctuary” manager. Although it’s unknown when she took on that role, it was likely her active time far exceeded that of the others. Her current presence may be a manifestation of that lengthy duration.

In any case,

“Regardless of previous actions, can we assume Ω won’t meddle with our progress anymore?”

“I have plenty to say in terms of correct operation, but since the release of the “Sanctuary” differs from Ryuzu Meier’s wishes… this is the way of the times. If the times no longer require a place like “Sanctuary,” then my role would also cease to be.”

Ω’s tone held an air of melancholy, revealing apprehension toward the completion of her task. She had devoted herself to a job she had shouldered for so long.

Subaru was uncertain how Ω felt reflecting on her time now. Mixed feelings of unfulfilled aspirations and a sense of liberation lingered within her — forming a bond with a weight far too heavy for her youthful appearance.

“Being stubborn is essential. It’s significant, old hag.”

Garfiel, who had been silently listening to Ω’s contemplations, interjected.

In that instant, Ω looked up at Garfiel, watching him with interest as he clenched his fists, and saw determination on his face.

“I feel the same way. I’ve been stubborn just like you, Ω hag. No, I’m probably worse than you. But Chief smashed through it all with brute force. I thought it was annoying at the time, but now… I feel a bit relieved.”

“Garfiel….”

“Chief said it all. ‘Even if the barriers of the “Sanctuary” are lost, the world we live in won’t disappear.’ When the “Sanctuary” is gone, every corner of the outside world will become “Sanctuary.” There, we all will undoubtedly find something we can do!”

With Garfiel’s response, Ω fell into deep contemplation.

The previous signs of distress and the worried lines on her brow vanished in favor of a glimmering light as the blonde boy nodded with satisfaction.

As Subaru watched their interaction, he couldn’t help but pat Garfiel on the shoulder.

“Garfiel, you’re… feeling alright, huh? That was really wise and a bit embarrassing.”

“Hey, Chief, I’ve got a fair share of smarts rattling around this skull of mine. And the current talk? Mostly came from stuff you said!”

“Seriously? Did I really say that? Oh man, oh man, shame is hitting me now!”

Subaru squatted with cheeks burning, while Garfiel sighed as if in exasperation. Then Garfiel turned to Ω, beckoning her to lead the way.

“I got what Ω was saying. I wanted to hear what I had to, but concerning that other scheming bastard… I’ll confront him directly.”

“Suit yourself. …What should I do?”

Ω’s murmured response suggested that Subaru nodded in understanding.

Having silently concealed her existence thus far,Ω knew that even @-alpha and others had probably not yet realized her duplicitous role. Ultimately, once her role concluded, her position allowed her to finally disclose herself.

“If we head to the graveyard, Ram and the αs… now it’s Theta. They’ll be waiting. Both of them probably have clued into the situation and could talk things over with you.”

“Are you sure those two have figured it out? I honestly had no idea.”

“It’s strange you wouldn’t catch on with the slow pace you maintain.”

It’s quite curious how you expected to visualize “Sanctuary” through this loop, bearing in mind how much you hampered Subaru’s instincts.

Anyway, Ω’s concerns were likely misplaced, asθalready knew about her numerous replicas. Moreover, Ram, who might also be aware of the replicas would welcome her warmly.

Consequently, their problems lie on—

“The boss of all evil schemes, that Boss Piero meeting.”

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

Upon entering the room, Subaru was struck by the sensation that this was not a familiar chamber.

In this “Sanctuary,” Roswaal’s presence had been here since the very start. Each time he tried to face Roswaal, he had come to this room. It had long since been memorized down to its decorations.

“Oh, look who it is! It’s Subaru-kun, right? Glad to have you drop by! I know you must be busy!”

Roswaal flashed a smile over his shoulder while still holding the door ajar, keeping his aloof demeanor. While his shoulders vibed alongside his antics, Subaru suppressed the urge to think that nothing could be wrong.

The scene within the room was utterly chaotic.

Shelves were overturned, shredded white sheets littered the floor, and the bed was smashed open in the center, pieces strewn about, with the bloodied demon standing at the center.

With a mighty crash, he understood that it had been forcefully slammed upon the bed, escaping bits of wood from his hand wounds.

“Chief…”

Seeing the room’s devastation, Garfiel moved a half step forward to stand protectively in front of Subaru. Subaru wasn’t the only one sensing the crisis of Roswaal’s state.

Garfiel, with caution clear in his golden eyes, leaned forward slightly preparing to take action if Roswaal manifested any unnatural behavior.

“What a remarkably well-tamed creature you’ve got here, Garfiel.”

Roswaal, seizing upon Garfiel’s demeanor, spoke mockingly, smiling mischievously as he contorted his red lipstick-stained mouth with malicious glee.

Maintaining his grin, Roswaal’s yellow eye flicked towards Garfiel.

“I’m quite astonished to witness your swift change. If you’re putting yourself out to protect Subaru-kun, that makes you part of his merry gang of friends, doesn’t it? Easily shattering the love held sacred by your mother for so long.”

“Roswaal, that’s not right. Garfiel didn’t switch sides just because he retrieved something. But he did akin some nuanced thinking…”

“Now that’s the easy conclusion, isn’t it? ”Due to being surrounded and punished, you just changed your stance.” If your feelings can waver due to losing a fight, then they’re that shallow, subject to easy alteration!”

“Roswaal!”

Formerly engaged in their fierce battle, Subaru could feel Garfiel’s deep emotional burdens, understanding the texture of his wounds. It was apparent that they were not flippant nor mere trivialities.

And that’s why he couldn’t accept Roswaal’s squander of Garfiel’s emotions.

“Correct yourself! You hold no right to belittle Garfiel’s feelings!”

“Isn’t it logical to label soft things as soft? And fragile as fragile? Do you have adequate reasons to deem them sinful? Such exaggerated responses only reinforce the truth behind my words. Attempting to validate well-worn feelings with flimsy ties… it’s frankly unbearable to view.”

“――――!”

Subaru’s rage eclipsed by Roswaal’s ridicule made him press closer in a fit of indignation.

Yet, it was Garfiel who halted Subaru’s advance. The one who should have taken the brunt of Roswaal’s insults, Garfiel, looked torn by the words that struck him.

But then, Garfiel nonchalantly replied:

“Your words are soft, Roswaal.”

With arms crossed, Garfiel casually shrugged off Roswaal’s sharp retorts. Surprising Subaru and even Roswaal too.

Had it been Garfiel from moments prior, he would have certainly pounced in fright and rage. However, he dismissed Roswaal as though fighting a minor wind gust.

“If you’re calling me half-baked, I can’t deny that. Until this morning, I was on your side, but right now, I’m standing with Chief. I’ll take any scrutiny you want to throw.”

“First you renounce your philosophical stances, now you’re trying to justify it? That is indeed still an astounding reversal of beliefs far from the strength you’d previously stood by. In ten years… that’s hardly short, and to flip on a whim from a few chance encounters.”

Roswaal drummed up his shoulders in disbelief, his mismatched eyes rife with muddled feelings as they bore into Garfiel.

“To say that’s flimsy sounds exactly as it is. If you truly loved something, your heart wouldn’t have changed so easily. Your decade, Emilia’s century… Are those truly things to be squandered over easily?”

“――――”

“For just a few days, did you truly connect with Subaru-kun? In that time, how much did you build against your emotions from what you cherished? It becomes clear none of that could ever compare! What it means to think of something first… that’s exactly it!”

Kicking a fragment of the shattered bed, Roswaal’s voice sharpened into a crescendo as he sent it flying towards the helplessly disoriented Subaru.

The piece brushed against the wall, merely bouncing away rather than hitting them.

Listening to the sound of wood splintering at their feet, Subaru held his breath under Roswaal’s declaration.

To Roswaal, clinging to a single necessity meant abolishing everything else.

He would create no precious bonds aside from what he settled upon, so the sentiment toward that one feeling was strong enough, unwavering as he would follow that guiding star without hesitation.

Roswaal considered emotions to be that way.

At the realization of his mindset, it was as though Roswaal suddenly noticed Subaru, his glowing yellow eyes swirling with boundless ardor.

“Do you remember the bet? The one you offered? By restricting your greatest advantage through that bet, what can a mere human like you achieve? You can do nothing! Because you… you’re less than even a human of this world below the lowest rank!”

“…………”

“You could be an ultimate card only while maintaining that power! Discarding it to turn into a common human, unable to even strive appropriately in the limited time granted! In a timeline so timeless, you cannot ever exceed what time has carved into your heart! It cannot—should not!”

As Garfiel wrestled with his emotional tide, struggling with the conviction of ten years in “Sanctuary” love.

By her own choice, Emilia had inconceivably suffered for a hundred years, yet had borne a burden laden treasure hidden within guilt.

And then,

“Ten years, a hundred years, and here I am with over four hundred! How can that be turned upside down by you, you commoner!”

“Feelings never change because they are true.”

“Exactly!”

“They endure because they’ve been held for so long.”

“Indeed!”

Subaru’s inquiries were met with unflinching affirmations from Roswaal.

Feelings existed that shouldn’t be squandered. Feelings that never sway, never bend.

At long last, Subaru began to grasp the complexity of Roswaal’s fundamental beliefs.

Roswaal wanted validation of his own feelings.

He sought to affirm emotions as a foundation through recognizing anyone else’s sentiment.

So, Roswaal genuinely wished for Garfiel to remain weak.

He clung to his feelings, determined to protect everything that should remain unaltered.

“Why is that, Roswaal?”

A singular sentiment, directed at someone beloved.

He tenaciously fixated on others regarding that singular affection as if it existed solely on its own, his grip only tightening.

“Why do you view the frailty behind a single feeling? If you truly perceive the strength of yearning for someone… then why do you dwell solely on its weaknesses?”

“——Because I believe that to be the truth.”

In response to Subaru’s words, Roswaal strained out the answer.

His eyes burning with unthinkable heat, glowering at this world’s most hated existence.

“You! Just like you hope for strength in someone, I believe everyone else remains weak! Weak, fragile beings who can’t achieve their desires unless grasping desperately to a singular precious thought, I believe them to be that pitifully small!”

“———!”

“For four hundred years, I have never forgotten my love for a single woman! Longer than the days spent together, even across endless hours apart, her face remains burned in my heart, never fading! That day of parting shattered my heart, and I stand unchanged!!”

Roswaal stepped forward.

As Roswaal leaned in closer to Subaru, Garfiel obstructed him. But Roswaal put his hand upon Garfiel’s chest, looking down at him.

“Wasn’t it easy? For ten years, to recline within the call of your own ‘feelings,’ believing them, you lost yourself in the love for someone? You dipped into it comfortably, hadn’t you?”

“——! You…!”

“That’s how it goes! That’s how it has to be! Humans can’t live being alone! They can only endure with the love they hold, that is all… So why try to change feelings? Why betray them? Was there not love after all!?”

“It’s not like that! I…!”

“What transformed you? Is it that your cultivated body suffered defeat, leaving you without a place to go? Did a single broken fang wrap around your feelings of ten years? If that’s so, you’ve merely sullied your decade, spat upon it with your own hands!”

Subaru expected Garfiel to falter under the weight of Roswaal’s cruel proclamations. Instead, Garfiel shook off Roswaal’s hand.

Through body language, he attempted to shove Roswaal, yet Roswaal dodge, catching Garfiel’s stunned physique, tossing him past where he stumbled.

“Raa―!”

Yet Garfiel’s reaction was remarkable, using the momentum to spring off the ceiling, flipping himself at the peak of his arc away from the impact, dodging a severe smackdown. Spinning his body nearly a half-turn, he pulled at Roswaal before hammering his forehead straight into him.

“Ugh…!”

“Ha! If I hadn’t heard you could throw hands, I’d be cruising for a bruising right now.”

As Garfiel looked down at the kneeling Roswaal, he swung his arms lightly, drawing circles of defiance.

The rise of Garfiel’s sharp canine teeth let out a echoing growl.

“Listen here, Roswaal. I’m such a simpleton that I can’t even grasp your convoluted concepts. You spouting off department stories about four centuries feels like you’re some foolish brat, but I’m possibly half that huge. And I can toss in my two cents on that.”

With one hand, Garfiel grasped Roswaal’s collar, forcing their faces close together.

Subaru looked on as Garfiel leaned over Roswaal.

“Also, it’s not like I’m siding with Chief just because I lost a fight. Catching the tail end of that struggle hurt indeed. But saying it was all soft-headed Mr. Chief’s work is a sham.”

“Then what are you doing here…?”

“I got told by Chief… or rather, Ram. Losing that fight, she told me to go witness the ‘Trials’ in the graveyard. So, after ten years of emotional barriers, I revisited the feel of that soon-to-be moment.”

“What…!?”

A flicker of bewilderment crossed Roswaal’s face, hearing Garfiel’s confession.

“You’re lying… you can face the past once more!?”

“You call that truth? No, what happened already happened, and I can’t undo what I’ve become. That’s why I see it true.”

“…………”

Roswaal struggled deeper, his watchful eyes stared intently and Garfiel didn’t passively await the reply.

However, Garfiel spread out his mouth wide in response.

“What I get doesn’t matter to you! I won’t give you that for free!”

“What do you mean by that!?”

“I’ll tell you the only reason I’m sticking with Chief.”

Pushing Roswaal’s striving form away, Garfiel turned his attention towards Subaru, who felt twitchy and taken aback.

“I’m here because it feels better to say you’re needed rather than leaving me and feeling even weaker. Isn’t that the obvious, simple solution?”

After delivering that seemingly simple declaration, Garfiel fixed his gaze away from Roswaal. Then, he crossed his arms, standing next to Subaru.

Subaru couldn’t help but glance back at Garfiel, observing the inspiring reflection in his admission.

“What’s up with you?”

“…Nah, nothing. I’m counting on you.”

With a look of conspicuous distaste, Garfiel shut his eyes while Subaru looked onward toward Roswaal. The golden currency brandished disdain at Roswaal’s grounded attitude.

“Roswaal, Garfiel saw that past. He might have changed statuses, but his feelings toward family over these ten years didn’t weaken or waver. Those strong sentiments that cling remain, yet he has still changed. Can you not believe that?”

Even without sticking wholly to the given notion of “Sanctuary,” Garfiel still harbored solemn feelings backing his past. The realization that his maternal affection was reciprocated in connection struck him with a burst of realization that no one could claim to be a flimsy emotion.

But now, seeing Garfiel’s appearance — who would dare view that as ‘weak’? Is it reasonable to lament such changes at all?

“You’re just as guilty! None of us ask that you twist your affections toward anyone who means dearly to you. We only want to modify how those sentiments manifest. Absolutely no need to sacrifice any other part of your emotions — we’ll assist you in this quest!”

“…That’s the one thing I won’t bear. And how can just Garfiel’s feelings change? There remains yet the pivotal figure for both of us.”

Roswaal refused to reach out for help, even as Subaru extended his arm towards him.

His expressionless mask reflected the same emotion as he turned his gaze toward Emilia, who was facing the “Trial.”

“Emilia too, she will not play your game.”

“She can’t lean on a voiceless hope. Overrun with regrets, bound to her emotional scars, sobbing as she clings to you… that’s how it should be.”

“No one looks good while crying. You, have you ever seen Emilia’s crying face?”

Recalling Emilia’s shape in the graveyard—the weight of her responsibilities weighed against her with the absence of Pack—her melancholy threatens to overwhelm Subaru.

The moment she faced him — eyeing him through tears shed breakingly elusive.

That memory unveiled anger.

That unbearable, smoldering rage enveloped him.

“I’ve never seen her cry clumsily…!”

“Wounded and belittled, such is the fate of these half-elves. Born with the curse that marks them like the ‘Witch of Envy.’ Being scorned as a ‘witch’ is their destiny.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Where’s the witch in her? Those sham labels mean nothing.”

While Roswaal crouched with his gaze averted.

Subaru gripped his collar to raise his face to look directly into his eyes.

The ire burning fiercely inside Subaru reflected within Roswaal, who glimpsed a world burning over as he faced his strongest reproach.

That’s right now! Natsuki Subaru has no qualms about opposing every element that displeases him.

About Emilia, what places her among those ‘witches’? In this world, no such ‘witch’ exists.

If there are indeed witches—

“If you claim that child a ‘witch,’ it’s by your design! It is you who deems her ‘weak’ — treating her as worthless, causing tsunamis of self-doubt. Constantly claiming her existence hinges on a stranglehold; all you do is make her that pegged ‘witch’!”

Visions whizzed through his mind like flashes of light.

A recollection of those treacherous tea meetings—those witch gatherings.

Minerva, Sekhmet, Typhon, Daphne, Carmilla, Echidna.

And then there dawned a gleeful face of Satella, as she would push Subaru back to the ruins of that dreamlike aspect.

Should I forget any of it?

That face… it mirrored Emilia’s like a haunting memory.

“Has anyone said even a single word to that little girl?! ‘When times get tough or sad, it’s okay to cry!’ ‘If tears spill, someone nearby will wipe them away! Someone willing to help you is out there—has anyone told her that?!’”

Could anyone believe the norm of being callous, accepting grievances as common?

It wasn’t justifiable that they saw the burden of pain through silenced hearts. Pain felt suffocating, despair longed to subvert.

Yet no one ever comforted Emilia through her trials — that’s why she struggles tearing away tears clumsily.

She suppressed her sobs, concealed anguish, foiling any disclosure of this inner torment, recognizing the need to hide away feelings through countless tears that reverberated through her.

That’s why she couldn’t handle unraveling!

The world she occupied, the one that shaped her; Subaru’s spirit now ached fiercely to eradicate those constructs growing twisted.

“If no one fights for the knowledge surrounding that girl, then I’ll change everything! Foregone foreboding should be messed up, a belief crumbling down can’t resist disparities against wishes from the past!”

“———”

Within Roswaal’s deepening fervor, Subaru stood with his right arm soared into the sky.

Drawing the very same pose Emilia had struck against the witches during the “Trial” — a challenge to fate—

“My name is Natsuki Subaru! Knight of the silver-haired half-elf, Emilia!”

In his past life, Natsuki Subaru declared this with no determination, exposed to scorn from countless onlookers for that reckless resolution of his.

Reflecting on that moment, he recognized still how much he lacked then.

But now stood a different Subaru than before.

Regardless of who mocks him, Natsuki Subaru would no longer harbor shame.

“Emilia will come, Roswaal. That child you obstinately consider weak will shatter your last grasp of hope!”

“It can’t be…!”

“Step by step, as you tighten your claws around your weaknesses, when only you remain that you know how to grab hold—at last, she will reach out, and you’ll finally listen!”

Even hearing Subaru affirm that conviction, Roswaal remained insistent in displaying his indifference.

Just as he said moments ago, four centuries of memories rarely yield to mere words.

As Garfiel’s ten years intertwined with Emilia’s hundred tears, each word unlocked the imprisoned.

And Roswaal’s own four centuries would unveil too, when the deeds spoken by Subaru began to touch him.

And now, he wanted to believe that.

“…No matter what happens, my feelings will not sway.”

Onstanding next to Subaru, Roswaal crawled away slowly, trembling to grasp a discarded piece from the ruined bed, grasping a jet-black book tightly.

This was the chance to uncover the ultimate truth written in that “Gospel of Hope.”

With Garfiel, Emilia, breaking free from Roswaal’s twisted nightmare.

Jam past Ryuzu Ω high stepping, away from Ram who believed in herself when reasoning for Roswaal’s unwavering path struck looming dread and strife.

Should that turn happen, gathered hope was what he longed to surface.

As soon as the written knowledge began to crumble, only then could he verbal exchange with the clear-eyed Roswaal.

“Let it snow…”

“Do as you wish. I’ll shatter all your plots down to the last shred!”

Responding to Roswaal’s mutterings, Subaru turned towards the door. He tipped his chin up at Garfiel who seemed pensive. Then they both exited the room.

Finally, Garfiel glanced back at Roswaal, lingering in that room left behind, then muttered softly,

“You damn fool.”

Thus, echoing in laden silence.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

After finishing his chat with Roswaal, Subaru stepped outside the building, letting out a sigh.

A deep long breath that felt like all the air from his lungs would escape. He turned back.

“Man, I just wanted to stop the attacks on the mansion, yet I ended up funneling in deep.”

“That crap about letting it snow was ridiculous. It didn’t even look like a coherent conversation was happening at all… It’s not your fault, though?”

“No way, it definitely was an unnecessary push. I could tell the moment I entered the room that Roswaal wasn’t completely sane, so then what the hell was I doing?”

Holding his head in despair, Subaru recalled being momentarily toyed between their remarks.

Finally getting a sense of Roswaal’s viewpoints, having been at odds emotionally, Subaru had conveyed matters pressing enough to be recognized.

It was simply necessary to thrust Roswaal a wake-up call to bring down Emilia’s odds upon him.

However—

“Because of it, one important matter slipped past my mind…”

“That’s why you should just give up worrying over it. I was just as curious about what Chief was planning to do just now, but his declarations were no mistake.”

“Well, it’s what I intended…”

“Besides, it was cool what he just said!”

Despite Subaru feeling remorseful, Garfiel chuckled as his finger shot up toward the sky.

Truth be told, it’s heartwarming to receive acknowledgment from nerdy buddies after so long in this building.

Garfiel was probably trying to uplift Subaru’s spirits. Probably. Most likely.

“——Natsuki-san! Garfiel!”

Just then, a voice called out, pulling their attention.

Turning around, they found Otto sprinting towards them, raising a hand.

Having broken off from their group, Otto suddenly halted before them.

“Looks like you wrapped up with the Border Count. How did it go?”

“Yeah, I sure threw down the gauntlet.”

“Oh so that was the intent you held all along!?”

The main subject now became Roswaal’s last trap laid within the “Sanctuary” and urging him to rethink his position.

Learning of Ω’s presence while heading to meet Roswaal showed that there was little hope of changing a stubborn mind.

“Hey, bro. Don’t you go gnawing on the Chief too hard. It was a passionate affirmation right there. It felt good to hear it for once.”

“How the heck could you forget what you went there for? It’s not anywhere near a joke!”

In the face of Otto’s reproach, Subaru couldn’t diminish his previous self-reflection.

However, Garfiel clapped Subaru’s drooping shoulders and snapped Otto’s forehead with a finger. “Ow!?”

Gazing down at Otto’s flinch, Garfiel began to chuckle loudly.

“Sure, that discussion got tangled up, but it wasn’t a lost cause. It was a backup plan from the get-go—so I’m going to handle the Roswaal mansion issues somehow!”

To Otto, who gazed at Garfiel with tears in his eyes, Garfiel burst into laughter, displaying a wide showing of sharp teeth as he laughed out loud.

“Leave it all to me! I’m the best there is!”

 

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