Subaru stood stunned at the sight of the muscular man claiming to be **Louis Arnebe**.

The unnatural way he appeared was shocking enough, but his name was also something impossible to accept.

If this were a prank, it was far too ridiculous to take lightly, and even if it wasn’t, it wasn’t easy to process this phenomenon—

“—I’ve heard there are **Archbishops of Sin** that can change their appearance, but you seem to be one of them. But seriously, do you think I’d be fooled by such a guise?”

“Changing appearance… Ah, you mean that chattering, noisy woman? Comparing us to her is quite offensive, you know? Plus, the mechanism of our ‘Solar Eclipse’ is completely different. She’s just imitating, while we’re reproducing.”

“Imitating and reproducing…?”

The temporary **Louis** twisted his muscular body as he spoke. With a grimace at his words, Subaru felt unease at the mention of the ‘other Archbishops of Sin’ that Ram had mentioned.

The very notion of ‘Sin’ and claiming to be ‘Gluttony’ indicated other Archbishops existed, and just hearing of one of their abilities filled him with dread.

Though they said he could change appearance, he probably wasn’t using it for anything worthwhile.

“However, this body that you’re treating like a stranger… is actually quite famous, you know? Unfortunately, the memories of those we’ve consumed are lacking among my sisters.”

“Famous… So you mean that you can borrow the appearance of those you’ve eaten? I see, that’s disgustingly twisted, just the sort of lowest tactic you would employ. It makes me want to throw up.”

“Wow, you’re using such foul language, sister? If you say things like that, it makes us, who still retain the memories of our little sister, feel embarrassed…”

Just as the temporary **Louis** finished speaking,

He suddenly leaned forward, evading a sweeping attack from behind—an ice-hammer strike. Naturally, that was cast by—

“Ah, you dodged it!”

“Hehehe, how ruthless, **Emilia**! My big brother took that hit head-on, but surprise attacks won’t work on us!”

“If I can’t hit you with a surprise, I’ll just keep attacking until I do! I just want to take you down!”

Saying this, Emilia transformed her ice hammer in hand and swung it, transforming it into twin ice swords aimed at the temporary **Louis**. However, he dodged with an agility unexpected for his massive frame and grabbed Emilia’s slender wrist from above.

“Hah!”

“Kyaaa!”

He twisted sharply, easily launching **Emilia**’s body in the air. As she fell backward, she managed to twist her body to avoid hitting the ground, using her arms to prevent a total collapse. However, the temporary **Louis**’s toes were already closing in toward her face.

If struck, Emilia’s world-famous cute face would be shattered. Just then—

“Enough already, stop ignoring **Ram** while you fight!”

“**Ram**!”

**Ram**, having stomped down on the toe aimed at Emilia’s face, pressed her staff against the temporary **Louis**’s face.

In that moment, a tiny whirlwind erupted, aiming to tear his face apart.

“—**King’s Palm!**”

The powerful strike unleashed by **Ram**, embodying the maximum torment with minimum strength, was narrowly dodged by the temporary **Louis**, who deflected the shockwave from below.

His rising palm absorbed the wind’s blade, and the moment later, the whirlwind dissipated in a burst of energy.

With his right palm shattering the wind, the temporary **Louis** reached out with his left to grab **Ram** directly. However, by that point, **Ram** had already pulled **Emilia** away and retreated outside of the reach of his hand to reform the battle.

“Nice going!”

“Hah!”

Gripping his missed left hand, the temporary **Louis** praised **Ram**’s judgment and decisiveness. **Ram** scoffed at the flattery and quickly helped **Emilia** to her feet.

“**Emilia**, are you alright?”

“Yes, thank you. If you hadn’t saved me, I would’ve been in real pain. But… did you see that?”

“—It seems you’ve definitely gotten stronger.”

**Ram** nodded in agreement at **Emilia**’s comment.

While Subaru heard their exchange from behind, he shared their sentiment completely.

—In this brief bout, the movements of the temporary **Louis** were agile and precise.

From a layman’s perspective, his ability was likely far superior to **Batenkaitos**. The way he had countered **Ram**’s last strike was nothing short of divine.

“That was **King’s Palm**… This body and the memories it holds belong to ‘**King**’ **Nate Lockhart**. It’s the strongest palm that can deflect anything, and was said to be unbeatable on **Gladiator Island**.”

“… You are revealing your strengths far too casually. That’ll only put you at a disadvantage. **Ram** has no hesitation using such insights against you.”

“I don’t mind at all, sister! If it can push us to our limits, I’d love to see it! You know, looking back at memories of defeat can feel strangely sweet, right?”

“Well, **Ram** doesn’t know what that’s like, always knowing victory.”

“Oh? You’re missing out on the sourness of life then.”

The moment **Ram** finished, the temporary **Louis** suddenly disappeared from view. This was not simply a matter of quick movement; he literally vanished from the scene.

“—!?”

**Ram’s** eyes widened in shock. She hadn’t registered the opponent’s position.

Surely, he hadn’t fled—

“—**Ram**, watch out!”

Just then, as **Emilia** darted back, pulling **Ram** close, a few strands of silver hair swept backward, caught in the forthcoming impact.

And the one who laughed after dodging their attack was not the muscular warrior, but a thin, bald figure clad in reddish-orange robes.

His nervous-looking appearance was coupled with a devilish grin as he licked his lips at the sight of **Emilia** and **Ram**, saying,

“Nice, nice, looking good! I wonder if you can dodge next time?”

“Kya—!”

In an instant, the bald figure vanished again only to reappear, launching a rapid-fire assault, as if punishing **Emilia** for her previous surprise.

He darted from blind spot to blind spot, his short dagger flashing terrifyingly toward their vitals. With **Emilia** holding **Ram** tightly, she desperately fended off each attack.

“Hahaha! You’re good, really good! How are you seeing through the movements of **Dorkel**, the **Leaper**? It’s so mysterious!”

“As if! It’s just instinct!”

“Of course, it’s not just that; **Ram** helped too. —**Emilia**!”

“Yes!”

The temporary **Louis** attacked from an unexpected angle.

Despite his sinister smirk and agile movement, **Ram** accurately predicted where he would appear next. At her call, **Emilia** wildly swung her long legs into a sweep.

In that instant, the bald figure dropped into view, slamming **Emilia’s** heel into his face.

“Guh…!”

“Ugh—!”

With her heel still connected to his face, **Emilia** twisted mid-air and slammed him down onto the ground. In that moment, she thrust her palm forward, generating ice pillars from the ground, and mercilessly brought him crashing onto the sharpened tips.

If struck head-on, it would have pierced through his chest. However, sadly for **Emilia**—

“Eh!?”

“The **Carnivorous Beast** **Belhi Heinergah** has skin impervious to even the Holy Sword,” he sneered.

The figure utterly shattered the ice pillars with a stout, hairy midlife smile.

With arms like tree trunks, he swung them around, attacking while still lying down—**Emilia** panicked and jumped backward, over and over.

“Ugh! Ah! Ugh! This won’t work like this…!”

“**Emilia**, let go of **Ram**!”

“No way! I’d never abandon **Ram**… Mmph!”

“Not like that.”

While **Emilia** fled with **Ram** in her arms, **Ram** pressed a finger to **Emilia’s** lips, silencing her. Shaking her head at **Emilia’s** response, she said,

“This means I’ll finally get to retaliate.”

Just after she finished that sentence, **Ram** pulled free from **Emilia’s** grasp and boldly stood in front of the giant. As soon as the temporary **Louis** saw her, he trembled his rock-like lips and brought down his palm toward her.

“Bwah! Get crushed!”

“Then please, do feel free to crush me, **Ram**!”

Expounding on her disdain, **Ram** advanced toward his descending palm. The colossal hand was so enormous it would easily overpower her entire body.

That head-on collision was nothing short of suicidal—at least, it appeared that way to Subaru.

But at that moment, **Ram** said,

“———-”

“You would be foolish to think you can capture **Ram** with that.”

Just before his fingertips brushed against her, **Ram** skillfully evaded, landing a vicious elbow strike to the figure’s face.

The slender white elbow drove deep, causing actual damage, the **Carnivorous Beast** recoiling under the shock. In that instant, **Ram’s** left hand struck downward, aiming for the figure’s throat.

“—!”

“I’ve had enough of this nonsense; I’m sick of it. Allow me to transform you into a shattered piece of filth, you coward!”

**Ram**, unhesitating, plunged in, stabbing the thick flesh of his outstretched abdomen with her staff.

The moment the sharp tip buried itself into the flesh, she activated wind magic, launching the giant backward with ease.

“This is so…!”

Subaru’s eyes widened at the sight of **Ram** scattering the **Louis** figure, blood spraying as he rolled across the hallway.

Until now, he had been focused completely on observing the battle without being able to breathe, but the moment **Ram** entered the fray, the tide turned abruptly.

Naturally, this was under the assumption that **Ram** could fight to a certain extent—

“That **Ram** could pull off something of this caliber is a pleasant surprise…”

“But it’s not something I can rely on entirely, is it?”

“—? What do you mean by that…?”

Just as Subaru was tilting his head, considering asking **Beatrice**, the moment he realized the answer was being presented before him.

“———-”

Suddenly, **Ram**’s posture shifted dramatically. Had she stumbled? Subaru had focused, but it was not that.

**Ram** was sweating heavily, clearly distressed and gasping for breath.

For just a moment, while discussing the life-and-death battle, he realized the difference was strikingly dramatic.

“In a short amount of time, **Ram**’s fighting sense is unmatchable. But…”

“She’s on a time limit…!? Oh no, **Ram**—”

Not knowing such a weakness, Subaru had needlessly thrust **Ram** into danger. He shouted just as the temporary **Louis** returned to his muscular form.

Bounding toward the frozen **Ram**, he launched with unbelievable intent, his palm thrusting to deliver a decisive strike. If it landed, how would **Ram** respond?

“**Ram**—!”

“Will you stop whining like a brat?”

Indifferent to Subaru’s desperate cries, **Ram** merely replied with a lackadaisical attitude.

Meanwhile, the notice of danger was clear as the temporary **Louis**’s blow caught **Ram** square in the face—

“You think I don’t understand my weaknesses? **Ram** knows more than anyone—so—”

“Since I’m fighting alongside **Ram**, I’m not done yet!”

“—!?”

**Emilia** leaped over **Ram**, landing right in front of the opponent. The temporary **Louis** presented his palm directly toward her as she unleashed her simple plan of attack.

She floated countless ice weapons into the air and shot them at the enemy in one fell swoop.

“Ugh, aaahhh—!!”

The deluge of ice came crashing down as the temporary **Louis** braced his empty palm to deflect them.

Defying the oncoming storm, he fended off the hail of ice with an extraordinary reflex, dodging, swiping, and jumping over them—his prowess as obvious as that of a true master.

In fact, the victim once called **King** who suffered as a result of **Gluttony** was likely a legitimate martial artist of equally astounding skill. —And yet, right now, that power was being misused.

Everything he had cultivated, both his strength and skills, were hijacked by **Gluttony**, used in disgraceful arrogance as he comfortably climbed the summit of strength.

Or maybe, it served to elevate him to heights the true owner could never reach.

“Hah!”

The moment he deflected **Emilia’s** assault, **Gluttony** exhaled sharply, the manifestation of satisfaction.

“Awesome! This feels great! I mean, living in a body that perfectly embodies the catalog specs of those memories? To be able to wield the borrowed soul better than its original? It feels so worth it to be alive!”

“—That is a thoroughly distasteful thought.”

“Perhaps! But, you see, it’s only natural for us who are different to find joy in something unlike us! Don’t you think? Surely you do. Don’t you? You do, right?”

“Well? Is that so, **Emilia**?”

“No, not at all!”

She dropped the shards of ice from her palms and shrugged toward the temporarily transformed—no, **Louis Arnebe**, who snickered maliciously.

With this pose, **Emilia** hoisted ice axes and spears sprouted from the ground.

“Even if we’re different, we can still share feelings of joy or sadness! Like for me, I’ve always been alone, but I enjoyed stacking stones by the river!”

“… That seems like quite a peculiar case.”

“Oh, really? I suppose it’s true, we do have memories of stacking stones by the river, after all!”

“See?”

“But it wasn’t because it was fun; I did it because there was nothing else to do. It was just a way to kill time, nothing more.”

“Eh, really…?”

With a frown, **Emilia** found her memory of stacking stones invalidated. At **Ram**’s call from behind, she said, “**Emilia**!”

“Don’t fall into the enemy’s trap. The opponent is an **Archbishop of Sin**… They’ll twist any words to disrupt our course. Don’t fall for it.”

“Is that so? You’re right. Yes, I understand. I won’t be fooled again.”

“What a ridiculous accusation! If you hadn’t abandoned us, we wouldn’t have been left with no choice!”

“—Silence!”

Ignoring **Louis**’s teasing remarks, **Ram** lunged toward the frozen corridor once more.

She wasn’t in peak condition; knowing this, her advance toward the enemy signified something more. Something that had to be protected from being sullied.

With a roar that echoed solidly, **Ram** charged toward **Louis**.

“Now that I’m here, if you’re going to surrender, this is your last chance!”

“Thanks for the gesture, but not a chance!”

Stating this adorably but striking with no cuteness whatsoever, **Emilia** dealt deadly blows. Facing the two furious women, **Louis** was far too agile, shifting forms and styles, drawing the battle tempo to his favor.

“———-”

While observing their overwhelming clash, two astounding points came to light.

One was the perfect synergy between **Emilia** and **Ram**, their adept coordination during battle.

In contrast to the last loop, where **Emilia** had been laid low by the loss of her **Name**, causing confusion and uncertainty in her fighting style, the awkwardness seen with **Emilia** and **Julius** was nowhere to be found between her and **Ram**.

Surely, the absence of despair in adjusting to her opponent contributed to this. However, the larger factor was notably **Ram**’s impressive combat instinct.

“Ha—!”

“Seriously, sister, you’re such a pain in the neck!”

Just as **Ram** prepared to counterattack, **Louis** stuck his staff into her nose, causing her to spin back and evade his wind blade.

While not major movements, the continuous small assists from **Ram** kept **Emilia** alive, undermining **Louis**’s prowess, slowly tilting fortune in their favor.

Although it lacked flair and was less apparent, **Ram** continually ensured **Emilia** could unleash her full power, expertly maneuvering to do so.

This coordination of **Emilia** and **Ram**, drawn chiefly from **Ram**’s quick thinking, is what astounded **Subaru**.

And then, counteracting that surprise was another equally staggering occurrence:

“Hahaha! Good, good! Very good! You feel that buildup, don’t you? We’re really starting to get into it!”

“Damn it! He’s really getting stronger…!”

“This is infuriating…!”

**Emilia** clenched her teeth, parrying **Louis**’s fists with her twin blades, while **Ram** launched wind blades beneath him. However, the **Louis** now chucking himself as the **King** deflected **Emilia**’s swords and used his new form, dodging **Ram**’s wind strikes before launching into the ice corridor with body slams.

A shockwave exploded outward, driving **Emilia** and **Ram** backward in one stumble, taking their breath away.

“———-”

Considering the synergy of **Emilia** and **Ram** was undeniably polished, however, astonishingly, **Louis**’s mastery of his own abilities far surpassed theirs.

Perhaps by switching bodies, **Louis** perfectly integrated the acquired **memories** into his flesh, unleashing them seamlessly.

—**Solar Eclipse**, **Louis** had indeed referred to it.

Before his body was seized, **Batenkaitos**—**Louis’s** elder brother had also borrowed **Emilia’s** cool technique called the **Ice Brand Art** during their loop, but that had only targeted self-embodiment. **Louis**’s abilities exceeded that level of proficiency.

**Solar Eclipse** was the cosmic event when the moon obscures the sun, but what **Louis** referred to could suggest that the real **Louis** stood as the sun while the hidden moon showcased the borrowed “**Name**” and “**Memories**.”

In other words, **Solar Eclipse** seemed to allow one to change their body into another’s “**memories**” and wield that power as if rightfully their own. —That’s the result now facing Subaru with **Louis** directly before him.

And then—

“If there’s **Solar Eclipse**, there must also be **Lunar Eclipse**. What kind of power might that entail? No, even before that—how do I break through this?”

The typical scenarios of defeat for impressionable copy-types suggest that their handling of abilities often results in an inferiority to the original, stumbling over their own strengths.

However, the **Gluttony** copying power starts its countering weaknesses by using “**the enemies’ body and memories**,” perfectly compensating this flaw.

This was a manifestation of a perfect copying ability that ignored conventional strategies.

“This isn’t good… as **Emilia** and the others are forced back, the situation will shift.”

Once more, Subaru clenched the fabric of his shirt, gnawing at his own helplessness in the face of the scene unfolding before him.

With **Emilia** and **Ram** at odds with **Gluttony**, his allies stirred to action across various points of the tower.

**Meily** stood against the swarm of **Beasts**, while **Echidna** found refuge with **Rem** and **Patrasche** in **Taygeta**. And **Julius** appeared to be in a fierce scuffle deeper within.

“—**Julius** is struggling, then. It must be **Raid**, right?”

“—**Subaru**? What on earth are you talking about? Where are you looking, and what do you see?”

“What do you mean where? What do you think, **Beatrice**? It’s—”

**Beatrice**, cradled in Subaru’s arms, blinked in surprise at his mutterings. Her bafflement led to furrowing brows as he started answering before Subaru suddenly realized.

Indeed, he couldn’t clearly articulate what he saw or why he’d made such a statement.

Just—

“What is this? I can tell where everyone is and what they’re doing. Can you see it?”

Holding tightly to his chest, Subaru became aware of that sensations—a vague, faint light like a shimmering beacon pulling him toward it.

It was a reflection of each of his allies stationed throughout the tower, familiar sensations interlinked with **Ram’s** gathering moments, his grasp of it all like a third arm born with him.

Yet, it was unnatural to be born with a third arm.

The moment he realized this, Subaru suddenly understood how distorted of a condition he was in, nausea rising in waves like a lingering feeling he couldn’t shake.

“—Ugh.”

Clenching his teeth, Subaru swallowed it down, suppressing the urge to vomit.

If a third arm appeared out of nowhere, he should brush aside his disgust at the idea and accept it as part of himself if it was beneficial.

Understanding the locations of his allies and the situation at large—what other ability would serve **Subaru** better at a time when allies were scattered all about?

Thus—

“I want you to be quiet and submit to me at once—”

This cluster of unnatural power had emerged in resonance with **Natsuki Subaru’s** soul.

The memories emerged from his encounter with **Louis Arnebe** in the **Memory Corridor** where he’d been encouraged just before bursting forth, the rush of power blooming within him.

He named it. Yes, the name is—

“—**Cor Leonis**.”

Self-awareness and grasp came to him in an instant, expanding across **Natsuki Subaru’s** soul.

And the force crowned with the title of **Heart of the Lion** bestowed upon him its proper efficacy—no, its divine authority over **Natsuki Subaru**.

The effect of which was—

“Nggh…!?”

“**Subaru**!”

Suddenly, the weight descended so heavily upon **Subaru** that his feet wobbled unsteadily, and instantly, **Beatrice** recognized the change, letting out a cry of alarm, but the pounding headache riposted against her pleas.

Throbbing with an incessant headache, an unnerving ringing filled his ears, unbearably heavy, akin to having ingested poison, robbing him of clarity and making it feel as if he’d just sprinted an exhausting marathon.

In the midst of **Subaru**’s drastic change, **Beatrice** hurried to soothe him on his back. Relishing her light hand, **Subaru** spun in a dizzying whirl, trying to determine what had just transpired.

Now, **Subaru** was reaching to properly wield the authority he’d unfurled within—**Cor Leonis**.

—No, even now, he sensed that he continued to wield it.

This state was undeniably the power of **Cor Leonis** springing into action. If so, then what purpose did this force serve?

**Subaru**’s body felt heavy, fatigue growing in intensity. It was only a matter of time before—

Yes, **Subaru** himself wouldn’t be able to act.

Instead—

“—Hah?”

A dry gasp of astonishment erupted from him as he glimpsed **Louis**, whose attack had missed, eyes bulging in shock.

While **Louis** still adorned his **King** form, he displayed his relentless combat style, cornering **Emilia** and **Ram**, bullying them mercilessly.

Just as **Louis** reached for an attack—

“Ha!!”

Without mercy, **Ram** interjected, smashing her knee into his right arm, snapping it decisively. The dull crack reverberated as stark white bone pierced outward, overspreading streaked crimson all across the icy corridor.

“Igh… guhe…!”

“Too slow!”

Spinning around, **Ram** let loose another elbow smash right into his face. Without missing a beat, she seized his hair with one hand, smashing him against the wall before delivering a series of strong punches to his exposed torso.

The crunch of ribs echoed as **Louis** bent over, while **Ram’s** front kick slammed into his face, sending his bulk sprawling.

“… My body is so light?”

Opening and closing her palms, **Ram** appeared astonished at the ease of movement she was experiencing.

Witnessing such impeccable reflexes and combat prowess, **Emilia** gasped, “That’s amazing…”

The concerns previously lodged with **Beatrice** regarding **Ram**’s ailments seemed to dissipate temporarily in a flurry of movement. —And at that thought, **Subaru** was struck with realization.

“Wait, could it be… **Ram** is unwittingly absorbing my ailment?”

Given the obvious improvement in **Ram**’s reaction, it linked unmistakably to **Subaru**’s own struggles.

Indeed, **Subaru** sensed the glimmer of light illuminating him—there were two ahead, indicating **Emilia** and **Ram**. One of the lights visibly flowed back to him.

If this were about knowing their locations and absorbing ailments simultaneously, it could only mean one thing.

“—**Cor Leonis** signifies **The Heart of the Lion**,”

The answer lay burrowed deep within **Subaru**’s well-rounded astrological wisdom.

“———-”

Unbeknownst to **Subaru**, he instinctively termed this power of **Greed**—“**Cor Leonis.**”

It initially referred to **Regulus**, a star of the first magnitude in Leo, signifying **The Heart of the Lion**; however, before it switched to **Cor Leonis**, **Regulus** also bore other meanings in Latin—”the little king.”

—**The Heart of the Lion** and **The Little King**.

Not only was the lion titled **the king of beasts**, but the moniker also indicated a king in another context.

What could it mean to be a king?

That is—

“—To stand bearing the collective wishes for all. That is a king’s duty, hence—”

**Natsuki Subaru**’s **Cor Leonis** alleviated the burdens of those around him.

As the leader responsible for his comrades, he sought to ensure they could perform at their utmost.

If this is the case, what **Natsuki Subaru** must accomplish became crystal clear.

“I’ll spit blood, but I’m ready!”

“**Subaru**?”

“Sorry, didn’t mean to worry you. Just a bit of a headache, feeling nauseated, my legs wobbly, and everything aches—like my arms and legs from somewhere secretly getting hurt—but I’m alive and kicking!”

“Secretly hurt?! When did that happen, where!?”

“Probably somewhere in the midst of the battle happening before my eyes.”

Unable to articulate the matter sure enough to ease **Beatrice**’s concerns, **Subaru** merely observed.

Yet, the dull pain radiating in his arms and legs stemmed from **Emilia** and **Ram**, either or both perhaps hiding the gauntlet of blows suffered in combat against **Louis**.

Refusing to disclose this back injury, **Subaru** opted to keep it to himself.

Because, naturally, that sounded cooler.

“So if this continues…”

If **Ram** could unleash her capabilities and push **Louis** back, perhaps it was plausible to defeat **Gluttony**, even after they almost failed.

A swift victory would lead to **Julius** who was battling **Raid**; they would charge forth—

“—?”

Just as he contemplated this, **Subaru** glanced once more at the illuminating presence within him.

The second layer, where **Julius** further up in the mix was fighting, and **Meily** stood firm against the hoard of beasts. **Echidna** and crew appeared to have reached **Taygeta**, abiding in their safe corners together.

But—

“—Who could that be?”

With finality, **Subaru** discerned from a separate vantage point of their neighboring layer a glow of luminescence pushing forward from the opposite direction.

It faced the same path **Raid** had triumphantly taken in the last loop. Praying it wasn’t **Raid**,**Subaru** wrestled with his burgeoning certainty within, forcefully steering his eyes toward the light.

And—

“**Beatrice**!”

“—!! **Minya!!**”

As **Subaru** pointed further into the corridor, **Beatrice** intuited the change immediately and extended her palms. In an instant, responding to her chant emerged a crystal-type object glimmering in violet.

Sharpening at its tip and igniting, the next moment it barreled forth like a bullet. It flew over **Emilia** and **Ram**, crossing even further beyond.

From that position, it found the source aiming to attack their backs.

“———-”

A white light shattered down the corridor and an explosive shattering resonated throughout the white hall. Amidst that sparkling storm of ice and crystal, a gleaming red point danced within the shadows.

Each time **Subaru** had confronted that haunting sight, a pang rushed through his chest. Again, the danger archived itself into present reality, and the situation began to aggravate further.

However, with the current moment so unique, he’d never felt the weight of that red point quite like this.

Before him, as that writhing red point swirled, he felt an ember of soft and gentle light—a gentle warm presence from his comrades’ arrangement interlaced to it.

The meaning it signified was singular.

“What… what are you…?”

“———-”

An enormous shadow emerged from within the dark, a towering figure adorned with the ominous, spiky exoskeleton of a giant scorpion—its entrance was foreshadowed.

However, that emergence bore an immense and disparate meaning to **Subaru**.

For there stood—

“—You, **Shaula**!!”

As the realization of that unbelievable truth snuck in, the anger and sadness intermingled, **Subaru** yelled out.

Hearing his cry, the giant scorpion with no speaking lips raised its gigantic pincers as if affirming it, shredding the air sinistrously with a menacing, high-pitched sound.

The echo responded.

 

---