――An unforgivable massacre on Gladiator Island triggered by a “Curse Rule.”

In that final moment, what took Subaru’s life was the cold sharpness of a knife.

However, just before that, that slow sensation of dying starting from the edges of his body was, without a doubt, the cruel attempt to devour Subaru and push him towards a merciless death.

In the end, the reason why everyone except for Subaru — including Tanzer and the other gladiators — the guards, the Gladiator Beast, and even Cecilis suddenly died remains a mystery.

Why was it that Subaru alone was delayed in dying?

Perhaps it’s a question for which no answer can be found.

There’s no one to ask, and it doesn’t seem worth the time and brain cells to ponder it.

Instead, I should focus on the information that I can definitely grasp.

“Todd’s reaction… The Curse Rule is the answer.”

It was a last-ditch choice made with a blood-starved brain just before dying, but I hit the jackpot.

If I hadn’t reconsidered right then and there and had remained possessed by the thought of Arakia’s magic, Subaru wouldn’t have been able to return with any certainty.

It was precisely because I struck a nerve that Todd decided to kill Subaru in that instant.

He judged Subaru not as a dying child, but as an immediate threat that needed to be eliminated.

That rapid switch in Todd served as the basis for Subaru concluding it was a Curse Rule.

“Then why is it a Curse Rule?”

Having dismissed the possibility of poison gas and now having evidence supporting the Curse Rule possibility, I refuse to cling to the idea that the Curse Rule is just a bluff and doesn’t exist.

But then, Todd’s behavior becomes far too unnatural.

The reason Subaru concluded there was no Curse Rule was that Gustav, who should have been in charge of Gladiator Island, did not impose the Curse Rule punishment on Subaru, who was instigating danger by contravening the rules of Gladiator Island.

It’s true that Gustav doesn’t seem to want gladiators to die, but comparing Subaru alone to the order of the island, it is unjustifiable to hesitate to use the Curse Rule.

So, if I think in reverse…

“—When I provoked him, Mr. Gustav couldn’t use the Curse Rule even if he wanted to. But when everyone on the island was getting killed, he met the conditions to use it?”

For now, this is the summary of the events I can reason based on the current information.

“…Mr. Gustav is an enemy, huh?”

Once the Curse Rule was invoked, it’s highly likely that the manager, Gustav, is an enemy to Subaru and the others.

In other words, the enemies are Todd, Arakia, and adding Gustav to that list, we can say there are three of them. It was a gain to be able to confidently conclude that Cecilis is not an enemy, but the situation is far from joyful.

That Curse Rule was a threat that could claim even Cecilis’s life.

“――――”

With the information I obtained, bad material is thrown into the pot one after another.

Can I filter through the bubbling black contents of the boiling pot to see the bottom?

And the bad materials are coming in droves.

Because—

“Schwarz…”

“――!”

“This tremor…”

Subaru crouches down, clutching his chest, the only remnant of the shock from being stabbed gone.

Worries grow in Vaits, who was anxious about Subaru, as the tremor rises from below. Of course, Subaru knows this is coming and what the tremor is.

He knows, but a big problem remains.

—The time until the drawbridge starts moving was shorter than the previous “death” do-over.

△▼△▼△▼△

Trying to turn away from what I don’t want to think about, blocking my ears, I could keep my spirits from sinking.

But if I let my feelings turn into a beaten dog like that, there’s no way to win against the approaching defeat.

That’s why, no matter how unpleasant the reality, I mustn’t close my eyes or block my ears.

—Even if the restart point is pushed back by several seconds.

“――――”

The abnormality surrounding Subaru’s “Return by Death” authority continues to cause chaos unabated.

Not only is it an atypical reset point, but this time it involves a slight shift in time — the opportunity has shrunk to mere seconds.

This is an abnormality different from the previous cases where the grace period was extremely short, and it’s a situation perfect for amplifying Subaru’s anxiety and despair.

This time, it was just a few seconds, but there’s no guarantee it won’t get even shorter.

If this abnormality continues to overlap, and eventually the time to die becomes less than a second, or if “Return by Death” itself becomes impossible, what can Subaru do?

Even if Subaru doesn’t want to base everything on “Return by Death,” he must include it in his calculations when making plans.

At this smaller size, Subaru is weaker than before when his height shrank. This imperial land isn’t kind enough to let me sit cross-legged in my safe space.

So—

×　　×　　×

“Hey, Schwarz… are you serious about squatting here?”

“I am. Please, for this big moment, don’t freak out, Hiaine.”

“I’m not freaking out! I’m not freaking out, but…”

Yes, it’s clearly a bravado no one would miss, and Hiaine, right next to Subaru, grinds his teeth and hesitates in his words.

I understand Hiaine’s feelings as he tries to dissuade Subaru, who is uneasy.

If they are discovered, it won’t end well, and he doesn’t understand the reasoning behind such madness.

However, if he speaks plainly about the events unfolding, regardless of whether he’s believed or not, there’s no path for Hiaine to cooperate with Subaru.

To that end, Subaru deceived Hiaine and made him cooperate for a false reason.

Because Hiaine had to do something reckless to obtain information he couldn’t ignore.

That piece of information, which Hiaine couldn’t ignore—

“Damn it, the envoy from the imperial capital is bringing up a performance…?! What the hell?!”

“—I’ve asked Vaits to buy us some time. We need to gather detailed information.”

“I know, I know what that entails…”

Hiaine, with his growing anxiety and irritation, is concerned about the island’s exhibitions — the primary reason for the operation of Gladiator Island, where gladiators’ fights are turned into spectacle.

Since there’s an environment prepared where one wouldn’t die easily, even in battles intended for training between gladiators to survive the “Spalca” event, the utmost life-threatening situation is that exhibition.

Subaru feigned that he had information about that exhibition, asking Hiaine for cooperation.

As a result—

“—Please enter. I’d like to hear details from you.”

With a stern voice, the sound of a door opening echoed in the room.

Two arms, as thick as logs, swung open the entrance and the air grew heavy with the return of the room’s master.

“――――”

At that appearance, Subaru closed his mouth and patted Hiaine’s shoulder. Hiaine silently responded, seemingly prepared for a situation that offered no way out.

That’s only natural. Subaru and Hiaine can’t mess up any longer.

Because—

“General Arakia, and…”

“Todd.”

With the entry of a large figure who opened the door, a succinct female voice interjected. There was a hint of wry amusement in that short, unhelpful answer.

“Private Todd Fang. I’d like to say until this job is done.”

That was the voice of a man who would crush Subaru’s soul.

Ignoring our feelings, the two who were invited in — Todd and the brown-skinned woman with an eye patch, Arakia, stepped into the room.

This was Gustav’s office. The very same room Subaru was called into for strict warning just days prior, now entered by Todd and his companion from the imperial capital.

“That’s quite a simple room for someone in the position of a governor.”

Todd looked around while standing by a middle sofa in the center of the room.

Indeed, there’s very little in Gustav’s room. It’s a rather bare office with only the essentials for a working desk and bookshelf that suits the name of an office.

I understand why he’s noticing that. But I wish he wouldn’t look around.

Especially not in the direction of the bookshelf in one corner.

×　　×　　×

“—This is an office. It has everything necessary for my profession. Are you here for an audit?”

“Not at all. I’m just accompanying General Arakia. The ‘General’ is rather picky about her subordinates, and I’m the only one she has.”

“A select few, yet elite.”

“Elite is such an overstatement.”

As Gustav headed toward his desk and closed the door to the office, Todd shrugged at him, showing no change of expression. He slowly took a seat on the sofa, whereas Arakia stood behind him in an odd formation.

Still, the sight of Todd with his superior behind him doesn’t seem out of place, probably because Subaru has come to see Todd as a powerful, frightening figure.

The moment Hiaine’s disguise floundered a little, it would only make sense to be wary of someone who would come to kill.

“Are you fine with that? I don’t mind it being work, but the purpose of this visit is—”

“Glad to hear we can get straight to business. We’re not keen on wasting time either. General, would you pass over the letter?”

“Whenever you like.”

“Very kind. Governor, this is a letter from the Imperial Capital, from the Prime Minister.”

While Arakia stood there like an ornament, Todd presented the letter to Gustav, who’d retrieved it from his pocket. The seal was there, and it appeared the letter stood firm with the marks signifying the sender.

While Subaru couldn’t confirm the mark of the seal.

“Empire, Prime Minister…”

My tongue dries at Todd’s disclosure of whose letter it was. Indeed, as I heard unpleasantly from Abel, that Prime Minister was one of the principal conspirators who expelled Abel from the Imperial Capital.

That letter from the bad-tasting Prime Minister, the one with the bad personality, reached Gustav. And the fact that it was delivered by the devilish Todd.

If I think ahead to the great massacre that will occur on Gladiator Island, it’s a letter that heralds no good omens.

“Gustav Morello, Duke, I understand you were appointed to this island as governor under order of His Excellency Emperor Vincent Volakia?”

“I have no disagreement with that understanding.”

“Even though it’s His Excellency’s order, overseeing Gladiator Island isn’t a well-liked job; is it not unbefitting for a blood relative of the Volakia hero ‘the Multi-armed’ Kurgan?”

The air in the room grew tense, as if it were encouraging Subaru’s misgivings.

The cause was Todd’s statement, which one could see as rude. And Subaru knew by their past interactions what made Gustav angriest.

Gustav gets furious not for someone to speak about himself, rather—

“—Are you questioning His Excellency’s judgment?”

His Excellency, meaning anger at disloyalty to Abel Vincent.

×　　×　　×

“――――”

As Arakia stood by Todd’s side with an unreadable expression, it painted a scene of someone dwarfing the loyal sentiments Gustav had just expressed.

However, it was none other than Todd who restrained Arakia, raising his hand.

“Those were my words stepping over the line. The Governor’s anger is just.”

“… However, you will not kill. A friend’s vengeance awaits. Right?”

“—Ah, of course. I’m living for that right now.”

While admonishing Arakia’s attitude, Todd answered with a pained expression.

Indicating vengeance for his friend, Arakia had pointed it out with that tone, causing Subaru to resist the urge to miss any detail, his lips crooked with exasperation.

With Todd, vengeance felt like a rather miserable pair of words.

Not that I knew Todd well enough to affirm that, but perhaps it indicates that Todd has someone important to him as well.

Leaving the fiancée he longed to see and attempting to kill so many on this island.

“Forgive my lack of consideration, Governor. Both Arakia and I have our own worries going on. That’s why we had bad attitudes. I apologize.”

“… I will accept your apology. But let your lips get too loose, and it will bring disaster.”

“I’ve got a painful ear on that one. I’m deeply aware of it.”

Todd, having stopped Arakia, grimaced at Gustav’s warning. But disregarding Todd’s response, Gustav broke the wax seal on the letter and opened it.

The contents of the letter from the Empire’s Prime Minister, the man who supports the current imperial devastation, reads—

“—This is…”

“Concerning the previous rude comment, I meant no ill. However, I thought it would be just fine if the Governor’s annoyance with overseeing Gladiator Island would coincide perfectly.”

Gustav’s face formed small wrinkles as he skimmed the letter. Like cracks in a true rock, they widened as Todd squinted one eye.

Leaving the silent Arakia behind, Todd continued, looking like the representative of the envoy.

“The gladiators on this island harbor fears of internal problems. Eliminating them all is what His Excellency wishes.”

△▼△▼△

×　　×　　×

Calmly, as if discussing garbage collection for trash day, Todd requested the extermination of hundreds of gladiators on Gladiator Island.

“――――”

The reason Subaru could withstand the worst prediction realized was that he had already mentally prepared himself having witnessed the massacre of everyone on the island.

And it was nothing short of a miracle that Hiaine, taken by surprise, didn’t let out a scream.

Actually, it might be more accurate to say he was too flabbergasted to comprehend.

“――――”

Hiaine was so shocked he forgot to move; it was an utterly surreal revelation.

However, despite fating that his disguise wouldn’t unravel at that moment, Subaru could only grit his teeth.

The demand was directly tied to the activation of the Curse Rule that would result in the death of everyone on the island.

As feared, Todd, Arakia, and Gustav would become enemies.

Unless I stop the atrocities of these three, I couldn’t prevent that massacre.

“A fear of internal issues, you say?”

“Internal issues are internal issues, a disgrace that obscures the Emperor’s majesty. Nevertheless, the Prime Minister does not believe that the Governor is hiding it. Your loyalty is genuine.”

“――――”

“Because of that, it must hurt, does it not? Since your appointment to this island, the quality of gladiators showcased in exhibitions has never been more unprecedented.”

Though commanding the extermination of the gladiators, Todd maintains an attitude of gratitude towards Gustav’s toil.

Gustav’s expression remained unmoved as his gaze fell on the letter. I couldn’t gather how Todd’s words affected him through my limited perspective.

“—Reducing unnecessary death risks, teaching the fundamentals of combat, rather than seeking to outsmart others, create a standing of survival, which improves the quality of gladiators.”

I sensed a sense of pride in Gustav’s voice, as though he followed his own philosophy and quietly answered that Gladiator Island was run this way.

Rather than treating gladiators merely as spectacles, Gustav trained and nurtured them, restructuring island rules to meet the standards of the Emperor and the imperial subjects.

There likely weren’t any tender feelings, nor the warmth of emotions toward the gladiators included.

Only the decision stemming from Gustav’s position as governor existed.

“Can we conclude this discussion?”

Arakia inquired as Gustav placed his four hands atop the desk and shut his eyes.

That insensitively blunt question would’ve turned my face red with rage if I’d been in Gustav’s position.

However, Gustav didn’t retort, readily accepting Todd’s attitude as natural.

“The talk about the Curse Rule, conveniently for extermination, is well-known. It seems it’s a cursed artifact handed over by Grooby Gamuret of the Nine Divine Generals. They claim it can catch them all in one snare.”

×　　×　　×

“It is possible.”

“Well then, let’s wrap this up quickly and return to the Imperial Capital. We’ll need time to prepare new gladiators, so we may as well close Gladiator Island for a while—”

Todd spoke as if it was as elementary as putting away tools at the end of class, his lack of seriousness thwarting Hiaine’s recovery from his mental freeze.

However, time was running out for the originators involved.

Following the directive Todd brought, if Gustav invokes the Curse Rule, it would lead to annihilation.

Since I know the future wouldn’t stop on a whim, the only way to prevent that was for Subaru to act here. But how could I act?

It was already clear I’d be killed the moment I showed up without a plan.

That said, using Gustav, who would likely use the Curse Rule, as a hostage wasn’t reassuring since he seemed stronger than both Subaru and Hiaine—

“—I refuse.”

That’s right; if Gustav could reject Todd’s demands, I could take advantage of that. Take advantage.

What do I mean by that?

“… What?”

Desperate to get my brain working, Subaru found his thoughts swirling like Hiaine’s.

In contrast to the suddenly halted thought process, Todd’s voice grew cold and sharp.

Subaru felt the air in the room grow viscous.

It was fundamentally different from when Gustav got mad, altering its temperature. Instead of heat or moisture, the vibe now felt like it had a color.

As if wrapped in that ambience, Todd eyed Gustav, who had planted his hands on the desk.

“Is there a discrepancy between the contents of the order and our understanding?”

“There is none. It states exactly what you just told me. It’s addressed with the name of the Prime Minister, and authentically sealed as well.”

“Then, what kind of statement of feelings is that?”

Todd queried, arms spread wide as he brushed off Gustav’s accusations.

Subaru, confused, couldn’t grasp why it was happening. Gustav had rejected Todd’s request to invoke the Curse Rule — the extermination of the gladiators on Gladiator Island.

For some reason, this was—

“—My position is an order from the Emperor. I am to focus on training gladiators, both physically and mentally, in preparation for emergencies.”

“The Prime Minister’s seal reflects the Emperor’s sentiments. Do you mean to claim there’s a contradiction with what you were commanded beforehand, causing confusion? The order is legitimate.”

“I don’t doubt the authenticity. I accept the Prime Minister’s order as such.”

“… This is insane.”

Todd grimaces, looking at Gustav as if he were someone beyond comprehension.

At this moment, Subaru, too, agrees with Todd. While it’s fortunate that Gustav is brushing off the request, the meaning behind it remains perplexing.

Indeed, facing this bewilderment, Gustav proceeds.

“From the Emperor, I received direct commands.”

“Thus, I’m here to withdraw that order and demand compliance with the new one…”

“When I was appointed as the Governor of this island by His Excellency….”

Interrupting Todd, Gustav explained his basis for the choices he made when he became the governor of Gladiator Island a few years back.

That was—

“His Excellency said to me, ‘—Even if I have given you another order, do not defy this first command.’”

“――――”

Those words were precisely the guidelines for Gustav in this situation.

It was a proclamation that anticipated Gustav’s predicament and relied on foresight that was far beyond mere preparation.

The Emperor of Volakia, Vincent — No, Abel laid out a strategy for the future.

“Because this previous command from the past Emperor exists, you can’t heed the current Emperor’s order?”

“You need not know the details, he said. I too share that sentiment. Regardless of the knowledge, my role must remain unchanged.”

Shaking his head, Gustav responded resolutely to Todd’s inquiry.

Todd narrowed his eyes slightly at Gustav’s steadfast demeanor. His expression was not a face considering how to convince Gustav.

He had no reason to waste words persuading someone who wouldn’t listen.

So—

“Arakia. —Negotiations have failed.”

“—!?”

Just like that, Todd spoke to Arakia in a flat tone.

The next moment, before the fatal situation arrives, Gustav seized the four corners of the desk and lifted it, preparing to hurl it at the two visitors.

The robust muscles of his thick arms surged as if lifting something weighing close to a hundred kilograms — effortlessly.

“BISHU—”

A sigh slipped from Arakia as she pointed the branch she held towards Gustav.

In that instant, a torrent of water exploded from the tip of the branch, blasting away Gustav’s head and transforming his face into a rock-like visage into oblivion.

△▼△▼△▼△

With a heavy thud, the desk lifted for an instant before it crashed to the floor. A beat later, the body of Gustav, now headless, sprawled over the desk.

Blood flooded out from the wound where his head used to be, gushing mercilessly across the office floor.

The spreading crimson proclaimed Gustav’s death, which seemed absurdly straightforward.

“No matter how many arms the Multi-armed Tribe has, they’re all the same. If anything, they should’ve added more heads.”

As Todd stared at the deceased Gustav, he stretched his neck to crack his bones. Then he turned to Arakia, who was inspecting the branch she held with great interest, and tilted his head, saying,

“What’s up?”

“Aren’t you surprised by the power of something so simple as water?”

“No, but I’m shocked… just how much strength could such a simple thing yield?”

“True. Ideally, you’d prefer fire to strike a large crowd, but water is best against one target. Next time, just a cup of water to fill their heads, okay?”

“Got it… Todd?”

As he ambled towards Gustav’s corpse, the heavy knife he drew out from his pocket made Arakia furrow her brow.

Ignoring her call, Todd circled around the lifeless body on the desk and mercilessly plunged the knife into his thick back, cutting through vertically.

It was a ruthlessness like that of gutting a fish.

With the mass of blood already pooling from the severed head, the return splash of blood from the dead still held enough to totter around Todd, though it did splash over him significantly as he dismantled Gustav’s corpse.

“――――”

Subaru instinctively turned his gaze away and was made aware of his shivering body.

All along, he had viewed Todd as a terrifying enemy, but this was the first time he witnessed such a gruesome act. —To dismantle a human like an animal.

Apparently, Todd’s violence was directed solely at eliminating threats and dangers.

If he had an affinity for butchering corpses like this, then Subaru contemplated whether his own body, during the times Todd had killed him, was treated the same way.

The thought sent an unbearable chill through him, revulsion dominating his senses.

Even in the midst of unpleasant sounds that made him want to cover his ears, he was unable to do so.

Because in a moment where he instinctively wanted to kill his heart, he had no idea what else might lie ahead. Perhaps, if I darted toward escape while fleeing Todd, a corpse might draw my attention instead.

He was barely holding together, thinking such ludicrous thoughts—

“—Found it.”

“—? What did you find?”

Suddenly, the unpleasant sounds ceased as Todd and Arakia changed topics.

Although Arakia had lowered her voice under Todd’s sinister suggestion, he cheerfully wiped the splattered blood from his cheek with the back of his hand, saying,

“It’s the cursed artifact, of course. I assumed this type would be embedded in the body.”

“A cursed artifact…”

“The one needed for the Curse Rule to activate… ugh, it’s fine if you don’t understand. In any case—”

As he spoke, Todd tugged out a large black orb, likely embedded deep within Gustav’s body.

The sphere was roughly the size of a golf ball, and Todd referred to it as a cursed artifact.

It was a tool essential for activating the Curse Rule.

Which means—

“If we have this, the living or the dead of the holder doesn’t really matter. —What a foolish thing to do.”

Todd taunted’ Gustav, whose body now lay in a tragic state, opening its back, while he fiddled with the cursed artifact in his hand.

There was no pity or sympathy in his voice—only a flat tone laced with incredulity.

“A monster facing a worthy opponent should be absurd to begin with.”

That mutter from Todd was directed toward Arakia, who had easily felled Gustav in a single blow.

Though, in the mind of the now-dead Gustav and Subaru witness, it felt like he referred to himself as that “monster.”

“――――”

—And, I absolutely must seize that cursed artifact from that “monster.”

“Arakia, give me water. I want to wash the blood off my knife and hands before going after the islanders—”

As Todd directed his attention to Arakia, he intended to get rid of the blood-drenched knife and his soaked hands.

Once again, he placed the cursed artifact on the desk and turned towards Arakia.

—Instinctively, I had judged my opportunity was now.

“Ah!”

As Arakia gasped, Todd turned around, his eyes widening at the sight of the child reaching for the cursed artifact on the desk.

Hiaine’s disguise was working incredibly well.

Even the meticulous Todd, and the formidable Arakia, failed to notice their presence.

“Hiaine!”

The moment the fingers caught hold of the cursed artifact, Subaru called out to Hiaine, camouflaged on the floor.

However, his gaze was locked in an entirely different direction — towards the entrance of the office.

With a shout in that direction, he yelled,

“Blow the whole room apart!!”

“—Huh, Arakia!”

Upon hearing Subaru’s desperate shout, Todd reflexively called out for Arakia. Arakia also glued herself closely to Todd, on guard against any outrageous attack coming from the door.

They had to be prepared for anything that could come crashing through the door.

However—

“—It’s a bluff!”

In that one second of nothing happening, Todd discerned Subaru’s intentions. But that one second was all the time Subaru needed to fulfill his goal.

Gripping the cursed artifact in hand, he—

“UOooOOOAH!”

With a roar, Hiaine leaped onto Subaru’s waist as they darted toward the opposite side of the entrance — the office window.

Together, they body-slammed the window frame, crashing through it.

At that very moment—

“BISH—”

With an inaudible scream echoing, an unimaginable force of water rampaged through the office.

The tremendous pressure of water blasted through Gladiator Island’s upper levels, mercilessly washing away Gustav’s well-organized bookshelf and furnishings.

However—

“They’re gone.”

Watching the debris from the broken walls spill out of the shattered office, Arakia murmured while stepping on the drenched floor.

Peering down, the broken office showcased a white fabric tied along the cliffside.

If one grasps it and slides down, they could reach the bottom.

“This is…”

“You planned for an ambush, didn’t you? —What a little brat.”

Arakia, alongside Todd, who peered along the wall, pondered aloud.

Narrowing his eyes and frowning, Todd sighed softly,

“Arakia, go retrieve that cursed artifact. It’s okay to kill.”

“Understood. What about you?”

“I don’t have to tell you what I’m up to.”

Shaking his head, Todd deflected Arakia’s inquiry. Nonetheless, without dwelling on it, she leaned out from the broken wall and dropped off—

Falling without assistance from a height of several dozen meters.

As he watched Arakia chase after the uninvited guests, Todd sighed irritably and muttered,

“… What a nasty-smelling brat.”

And then, he clicked his tongue.