Emilia had even chased me out of my room, and so Subaru’s fourth week began with a dismal start.

On the morning of the first day, after injuring Emilia with a thoughtless remark, I found myself faced with Roswaal upon returning to the mansion.

His attitude hadn’t changed; he looked at me as if he were sizing me up, making me feel uneasy. Whether this was a new development or had been ongoing since before, Subaru had no way of knowing.

The time we exchanged words was brief, and none of it stuck in my memory.

However, I felt like I caught something about being treated as a guest.

He casually suggested that I could stay until I felt satisfied, which struck me as deeply convenient.

For Subaru, that could be a wish come true, or it could also be something he couldn’t care less about.

If I just wandered out of the mansion, I’d surely be killed to silence me. On the other hand, if I was deemed nothing more than a burden to Roswaal’s faction, it was all too clear that a future of being turned into ground meat awaited me.

Whether I went or stayed, it was a BAD END.

I felt like I’d saved my game right at the brink of an impending BAD END. Even though it was supposed to auto-save, what an absurd setup.

Cursing fate, Subaru spent the day curled up in a corner of his room, lazily passing the time. Since coming to this other world, it was likely the first time he had done absolutely nothing.

In hindsight, the current Subaru was living the long-awaited “supported life.” Meals were served without him needing to lift a finger, and nobody would complain about him holed up in his room.

Here he was in another world, yet living a hermit lifestyle akin to his original one. It had been what he was eagerly awaiting, yet he felt not a shred of sentiment for the long-desired time.

Unable to even indulge in the tempting option of sleeping all day, Subaru couldn’t even sleep on the guest room’s bed and spent his time in anguish.

He held a quill upside down in his hand, its tip repeatedly stained with the blood that had dried after soaking in it. Each time sleep threatened to overcome him, he jabbed his hand to wake himself through pain.

Despite not moving much on the bed, Subaru’s breath was rough and quick, while his heartbeat raced short and fast under the constant tension, his eyes darting around, paranoid at any changes in the room.

He had already died three times and was now entering his fourth week at Roswaal’s mansion.

In Subaru’s experience, the number of deaths on the first day of his summoning had been three. For Subaru who had broken through that day on the fourth death, the fourth death was an unknown territory.

—If I were to die here and now, I might not come back again.

He hadn’t found a way to avoid death. Nonetheless, he didn’t want to die.

But living here was excruciating and painful. For Subaru, whose mind was barely holding together, the only choice left was to reach a conclusion that felt absolutely crazy.

Namely, to doubt everything, resist everything, and cling stubbornly to life.

Now entering the afternoon of the second day of his fourth week, the time spent doing nothing felt far too different from the previous repeats, rendering the memories of earlier weeks practically useless.

He had no idea what could happen next, nor would it be strange if anything did occur. Moreover, even if something were to happen, it would only work out to Subaru’s detriment.

Disillusioned with reality, despaired over his situation, and resigned about the future, Subaru’s heart was utterly crushed.

Now, he found himself just left with remnants still pathetically struggling.

Having lost track of day and night, time passed without any distinction, and the boundaries between consciousness and unconsciousness flickered like a heat haze.

The only sharp sensation remained was the pain of the needle, and having clarity in a moment of pain brought him a slight sense of relief, repeatedly digging into the wound. Digging. Digging.

“—You look like a real pitiful mess.”

Suddenly, such a voice struck him, causing Subaru to jerk his head up.

Looking at the source of the gleaming gaze, gripping the doorknob and leaning forward was the girl he had yet to meet even once in this particular loop.

Beatrice’s visit marked a first occurrence amid the four repetitions. And Subaru’s wariness sharply increased.

An unusual event that could only happen this time—this had to lead directly to a threat against Subaru’s life.

“…This time, it’s you.”

Surprised by his own low, hoarse voice, it escaped him.

Having remained silent for over two days, he had only been breathing harshly. The hostility he hadn’t meant to convey was mixed in, and Beatrice, receiving it head-on, said,

“Considering it’s just a day or two, how could one rot away so much? Humans are incredibly foolish creatures.”

“I have no intention of indulging your eloquence—what are you here for?”

Beatrice laughed derisively at Subaru’s disgraceful state. Her expression turned unpleasant at his lack of decorum.

“I came here under the orders of Nii-chan and that little girl to come check on you.”

“Pack and… Emilia?”

“They’re suspicious because your behavior has been odd since waking up. They wondered if Beatrice did something when you first awakened. How rude, isn’t it?”

Even though Emilia should have been hurt by Subaru’s thoughtless words, she still cared about him. She had evidently considered that Beatrice’s earlier contact might have been the cause of Subaru’s irregularities and sought Beatrice out.

Somehow unable to stand up to Pack, Beatrice had come reluctantly, aided by her doting brother, to see Subaru.

Emilia’s concern—just that made a tiny warmth linger in Subaru’s badly battered heart. However, her worry was profoundly misplaced.

Beatrice was not the cause of Subaru’s transformation, and as things stood, it was a matter unsolvable by anyone doing anything.

“Got it. That’s enough. I understand your story, so just go away. You came here to apologize, which is sufficient.”

“Why should Beatrice have to apologize? We must first correct that before I can leave.”

With a dismissive wave of his hand, Subaru attempted to send her off, but Beatrice pursued him. She took another step into the room, her long skirt dragging behind her.

“—Huh?”

Suddenly halting, she wrinkled her nose and stopped.

Her cute profile, which was charming when silent, swiveled her head, sniffing around like a dog tracking a scent.

She then looked at Subaru with disgust glimmering in her eyes, stating,

“Not only does your face look gloomy, but there’s also a heavier stench than before.”

“—Huh?”

“Is it about the smell? It’s incredibly unpleasant, the worst scent imaginable. It would be wise to stay away from those twins for a while.”

Plugging her nose and waving her hand to indicate a foul odor, Beatrice acted. Subaru, oblivious even to her gestures, recalled the memories that the keyword “smell” brought to mind.

That smell was certainly from around the time when the third loop concluded when someone had—

“What do you mean I smell?”

Looking up, Subaru questioned with the first hint of emotion in his tone.

Responding to his question, Beatrice raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms.

“It’s the witch’s scent. Does it make your nose twitch?”

Murmuring the keyword “witch” stirred a faint throb inside the corner of his mind.

He recognized that term. It was something he had seen recently, just recently. That was—

“The Witch of Envy.”

“In this world, what else could possibly be meant by calling someone a witch?”

Beatrice’s derisive tone caused Subaru to lean forward instinctively. He reached out to her, asking,

“Why do I give off that scent?”

“Who knows? Maybe you caught the eye of the witch, or perhaps you’ve become her enemy. Regardless, receiving special treatment from a witch makes you a nuisance, doesn’t it?”

“Being treated specially by someone whose face and name I don’t know is unsettling as hell.”

Shrugging her shoulders, Beatrice subtly signaled that she didn’t want to discuss it further. At her steadfast refusal, Subaru fell silent, diving into thoughts while trying to organize the fragmented information he had.

Witch. The Witch of Envy was a world-famous figure loathed and feared by all, someone whose name nobody wished to utter in cautionary tales.

Subaru had no memories of encountering her nor recalled any form of contact at all.

It felt utterly nonsensical that he was tied to a situation in which the witch’s lingering scent clung to him, having never even experienced such a thing.

—Rem also hinted at something like that to Subaru once.

If part of her overwhelming murderous intent traced back to that, Subaru would again find himself in the position of an undeserving scapegoat. The frequency with which he was killed due to accusations he was innocent of was simply a tragic hallmark of his misfortune.

Even as he recognized the hopelessness of the situation, Subaru let out a long sigh of fatigue. Having seen this, possibly judging the discussion had run its course, Beatrice gave her long hair a sweeping stroke.

“If there’s nothing else, then I’m leaving. Should I let Nii-chan know that Beatrice came to visit you?”

“Wait a minute!”

As she reached for the doorknob to perform her ‘door traversal’ move, his voice stopped her in her tracks. Beatrice turned back to glance at him.

“You feel bad for me, don’t you?”

Subaru wickedly threw the question at her.

It might have been somewhat of a gamble, yet his heart insisted it was better than doing nothing.

Beatrice, wearing a dubious expression, took a moment before responding,

“Maybe just a tiny bit, I might feel bad about it.”

Turning fully toward Subaru, she crossed her arms pompously, averting her gaze.

Having looked over her small frame from head to toe and reminiscing about their time together thus far—Subaru was torn but ultimately made a decision.

“If you want my forgiveness, just grant one request of mine.”

That request was,

“Just for one night… No, until the morning after tomorrow is fine. Could you… protect me?”

It felt unbearably shameful to plead to a girl who looked younger than him.

Beatrice paused in silence upon hearing Subaru’s request.

“Your words are quite vague. Is there a reason you are being targeted?”

She shot back a perfectly reasonable question.

Remaining cold-eyed, Beatrice began to pace the room, tipping her head in judgment.

“Having conflicts brought into this mansion is a no-go for me. For Beatrice, this place is absolutely essential.”

“…I don’t intend to do anything myself. I just want to eliminate the embers of potential conflict.”

“It’s rather bold to want to avoid responsibility yet have such high aspirations.”

“You have no retort for this time, I suppose.”

Giving an exasperated sigh, Beatrice remained silent for a while, as the air in the room filled with unspoken words.

Subaru thought he might soon hear the sound of the door closing. He expected to hear Beatrice dismissing his plea and retreating back to her Forbidden Library.

When that sound would come, the last flicker of hope restoration for Subaru would extinguish.

Filled with resignation, Subaru was shocked when suddenly he heard,

“Extend your hand.”

Beatrice had stepped up beside the bed, holding out her small hand toward him.

Taken aback, Subaru gaped. Grabbing his right hand, she grimaced at the sight of its many wounds and said,

“Gross. You’re even self-harming. Just an irredeemable pervert, aren’t you?”

“That’s Roswaal’s brand of identity. …I’m merely a chuunibyou patient with my youthful angst overflowing a bit.”

“I don’t understand it, but I get that you have a worsening lack of redemption.”

With a sigh, Beatrice turned Subaru’s wounded hand palm up and placed her own small palm atop it.

Naturally, their fingers intertwined seamlessly as they clasped hands.

“—I shall hear your wish. In the name of Beatrice, this contract is hereby established.”

The solemnity in Beatrice’s declaration left Subaru momentarily speechless.

Then the overwhelming warmth coursed from their connected hands, surging through his body, reigniting the lifeforce he had lost.

Startled by the unexpected body heat, when he looked up, he found Beatrice glaring at him, seemingly conveying her deep resentment.

“Although it’s just a temporary contract, contract terms are contract terms. What is established following the rituals is absolute. I shall grant your befuddled request.”

So she concluded, daring to look down upon Subaru from below.

Receiving that gaze, Subaru instinctively averted his face to hold back a wave of inexplicable emotions.

The surging passion, sensations that transcended words.

He had no clue how to handle this favor extended from such an unexpected direction, so Subaru closed his eyes, soaking in the warmth of the clasped hands.

“Seriously? …I’m almost about to cry from a little girl.”

“Don’t call me a little girl! …And should you tattle to Nii-chan, I’ll absolutely not forgive you!”

“Too desperate. That’s some real demon-like behavior.”

With genuine hostility imbued in her gaze, Subaru responded with a bemused smile.

In this fourth week, amidst the loop, it was his first true smile, small yet certain.