[User] "Still, I don’t know anything about these things… That’s why I have to discuss it with the child’s father…”

[Assistant] "Emilia-tan, wait, hold on, like, seriously, please wait a second…” Emilia’s face was red and teary.

[User] Calm. He needed to be calm. A baby in Emilia’s belly? Emilia was the mother? Subaru was the father? He didn’t know what any of that meant. Subaru was positive that he had not climbed the final stairs of adulthood yet.

[Assistant] “Emilia-tan, by baby, you mean a little kid, right?”

[User] “Th-that’s right. It’s a really big deal in the middle of the royal selection…but it isn’t the baby’s fault it’s going to be born, so I want to give the child all the love I can. I just wanted to tell you that.”

[Assistant] He admired the nobility of Emilia’s resolute heart. He could even appreciate the beauty in her kind words. But they were talking past each other. It was almost as if people had children differently in this world.

[User] “Emilia-tan, you know babies aren’t delivered by birds or harvested from cabbage patches, right?”

[Assistant] “But babies are made when a man and a woman kiss, aren’t they?”

[User] He was in shock. Emilia’s lack of knowledge was a part of it, but he was mainly astounded by how adorable her misunderstanding was.

[Assistant] “Subaru? Um, Subaru? What’s wrong?” As Subaru fell silent, Emilia seemed worried as she peered into his face with the look of someone who had accepted her impending motherhood. That was commendable. However, her misunderstanding inflicted a grievous wound upon a pure heart. He couldn’t help but wonder if it was better to simply declare himself the father of the nonexistent child.

[User] “Subaru, could it be that you regret kissing me…?”

[Assistant] “Absolutely not. In fact, I’d love to do it again and again! !”

[User] “Oh…okay…” The misunderstanding deepened further still. Her blushing face made Subaru regret how he had replied reflexively. Given Emilia’s mindset at the moment, Subaru’s words were tantamount to saying he wanted to have lots and lots of children with her. Certainly, there was a part of him that did wish for that, but his top priority was setting Emilia straight.

[Assistant] “C-curse you, Puck…! !” Subaru directed an angry murmur toward the absent kitty spirit, who continued to sleep deep inside the magic crystal. —In the back of his mind, he felt like he could see the kitty spirit putting a paw on his head and sticking his tongue out with a thbpttt.


[User] The silence that descended made it tempting to assume he had actually expired then and there.

[Assistant] Subaru’s eyes went wide as he stared at the wall that had been punched clean through, the tall, slender man sent flying through it, and the one who had sent him flying to begin with.

[User] "Phew… Man, I really sent the bastard flyin’, huh?" With an audible clack of sharp, canine teeth, the blond boy Garfiel spoke those words with a sunny, beaming face.

[Assistant] Watching as Ram rushed toward Roswaal, who had been the victim, Subaru scratched his head.

[User] "Y-yeah. Sure did." That was all the reply he could manage.


[Assistant] "Errr, so now that we’ve formally settled some outstanding business, I think it’s time we had a mutual discussion about the things that happened this time around and the various events going into the future." Taking the reins like an MC redirecting a conference’s agenda, Subaru surveyed the faces of the people packed into the Cathedral. Those assembled inside were the principal actors involved in the latest incident. That said, it still amounted to quite a large number of people, which made Subaru deeply appreciate just how greatly their proverbial family had grown.

[User] The mansion team had caught up on the dawn after Emilia’s imaginary pregnancy crisis.

[Assistant] Fortunately, everyone who had been present at the mansion fire was safe and sound, with Garfiel and Frederica, Otto and Petra, and Ram all returning in one piece to the Sanctuary via a dragon carriage drawn by Patlash.

[User] After, with Subaru plus Emilia and Beatrice of the Sanctuary team, as well as Ryuzu in attendance to represent the Sanctuary, the participants amounted to a whole eleven people.

[Assistant] "From the perspective of the royal selection, this might seem like one small step. But it’s one giant step for the Emilia camp…!"

[User] "Wow, that sounds really impressive… But you’re absolutely right. That means I’ll have to work even harder now." Taking Subaru’s silly talk completely seriously, Emilia earnestly sought to repay the trust in her.

[Assistant] Setting the whole baby-in-her-belly thing aside, her genuine, forward-looking nature was one of the things that made her beautiful. Indeed, she was a little too serious, which made relieving her of the baby misunderstanding quite an arduous chore.

[User] "Ahem, I’d better straighten myself out before the conversation goes off the rails. Let’s get right to the point. Should I assume everyone here knows everything that happened already? What comes after is the jury’s verdict in regards to the accused…" To be perfectly honest, it was a difficult issue to broach, yet there was no means to avoid it.

[Assistant] Subaru scratched his face as he moved the conference forward, making all the other Cathedral attendees shift their glances to the rear—toward Roswaal, lying limply on a couch as Ram offered her lap to his head.

[User] “…Oh my?


[User] "Could it be, you have not yet made enough sport of me in my defenseless staaate?”

[Assistant] “Don’t make me out to be the bad guy. That was settling things. Well, some of it was what some might call excessive, though…” Roswaal’s abrasive words made Subaru recall the violent scene that had taken place not long ago. In summary, it was a ceremony where Roswaal, the mastermind behind many of their troubles, was punched once by every one of his victims. What had begun with Garfiel’s bare fist was followed by Frederica’s beastly fist, Patlash’s charge, and so on and so forth. Personally, the one Subaru liked most was Petra swinging a wet towel right into Roswaal’s face. The moist slap had a really nice echo to it, instilling force and exhilaration that went beyond what the eye could see. “Not to trivialize all that, but it’s what brought everyone to the same table so we could talk. That said, there is one little thing I wanted to say about your standpoint…” Cutting off his words there, Subaru looked not at Roswaal but at Ram as she let him rest his head in her lap.

[User] "What?” Accepting his gaze, Ram narrowed her pink eyes.

[Assistant] “Even if you’re not at full health, you just stood back and watched while people settled things with Roswaal. I was sure you’d flip out seeing him get smacked around that much.”

[User] “What a foolish thing to say… Even Ram does not think Master Roswaal is someone who is never mistaken. If being punched is the natural course of events, he must accept what he deserves. But Ram is free to treat him with great gentleness after the fact. To not comprehend such a thing is the height of foolishness.”

[Assistant] Subaru grimaced hearing her call him a fool at both the head and the tail of her remarks.

[User] Beatrice heaved a hearty sigh at Ram’s obstinacy in Subaru’s place. “Goodness, does this girl love trouble, I wonder? Even after incurring such severe burns to her belly… Had Betty not been here, scars would have remained for certain.”

[Assistant] “I am deeply grateful to Lady Beatrice for healing me. However, that does not mean I care to be lectured as to how I may love someone with this life of mine and a body that is alive and well.”

[User] “…I don’t intend to be quite that kind, I suppose. I will merely say it is a difficult life you choose.”

[Assistant] As always, Ram fearlessly pursued her love. During her fierce battle to halt Roswaal’s schemes, she had suffered wounds so grievous, they had put her on death’s door, but apparently, they were not nearly bad enough to get in the way of her feelings. Since Ram was by no means blinded by her love, Beatrice could only breathe a hearty sigh. Naturally, there was someone else present who couldn’t accept things just like that.

[User] “—Figures Ram ain’t bendin’ one bit.


[User] "But, General, you serious about this?” Speaking this with a noise from his fangs, standing between Ryuzu and Frederica. He was giving Roswaal a sharp glare in contrast to the smiling face he’d had right after settling prior business. The glint in his eyes held blatant hostility within them.

[Assistant] “You’re seriously gonna have this bastard be on our side? Just don’t sit right with me.”

[User] “Garfiel…”

[Assistant] “Maybe we haven’t smacked him enough? Ahhh, yeah, we definitely ain’t smacked him enough! How much has that bastard done up until now? If it weren’t for the general, the village’d be rabbit food, and the folks at the mansion would’ve been toyed with and killed by the belly woman! All ’cause that bastard planned it. Ya don’t know when he’ll come chop our heads off in our sleep!” Garfiel howled and took a step forward that made the Cathedral faintly tremble.

[User] —It had taken a miracle to set this situation right. Subaru shared the same anger Garfiel had. He also shared the feeling that Roswaal could not be among them.

[Assistant] “But even so, we need Roswaal’s power.”

[User] “General…! !”

[Assistant] “There’s no replacing Roswaal’s cooperation if Emilia’s gonna fight her way through this royal-selection business. If we lose him as her sponsor, Emilia will be forced to drop out. Of course he’s got to pay compensation…but we can’t just go okay, see ya and leave it at that.”

[User] “Are ya tellin’ me to forgive the guy who tried to kill family of mine? !” Garfiel’s words were emotional, yet the terrible pain in them struck Subaru.

[Assistant] Even if Subaru tried to suppress them with words and logic, Garfiel still probably wouldn’t accept it.

[User] Garfiel had nearly lost Frederica and Ryuzu both. To him, having fiercely fought as a one-man army to protect his family for over a decade, it was a betrayal most difficult to forgive.

[Assistant] “I…forgive the master.”

[User] “Sis? !”

[Assistant] But it was none other than Frederica who refuted Garfiel’s assertions.

[User] His elder sister’s words made Garfiel blink hard before powerfully clacking his fangs.

[Assistant] “What are ya sayin’?! This bastard tried to kill you and everyone else at the man…”

[User] “Yet, even so, I am alive, thanks to you, Garf.”

[Assistant] “That’s just lookin’ at things in hindsight, damn it!! This bastard almost killed my sis and my granny! But I’m supposed to just forgive him? !”

[User] “…The master has taken care of me for more than ten years.” Frederica narrowed her jade eyes in the face of Garfiel’s ragged voice.


[User] The deep affection that could be felt from her gaze showed she was deeply moved by the indignation of her younger brother, who had grown so much in the years they spent apart. "I have borrowed from the master’s power for the sake of my own goal. And I have arrived at this point having learned a great deal in the process. Put another way, I shall use the master’s goodwill for the sake of my own goal. In one sense, does lending and borrowing not amount to the same thing?”

[Assistant] “You’re gonna put life and debts on the same playin’ field?! Sis, that’s how you and Ram get used like tha…”

[User] "Ahhh, I am sorry to intrude at such a passionate point, but may I have a word?” Garfiel was still choking on Frederica’s words when Otto urged a pause.

[Assistant] “Ahhh?” Went Garfiel, making a sour noise at the intrusion, but Otto deftly ignored it.

[User] “For the moment, let us leave emotional arguments for later and speak of matters pragmatically. In other words, we must discuss to what degree the marquis intends to yield to us.”

[Assistant] “…Another thing out of the blue. Feels a bit like we can’t just drop this, though.” Otto sought to advance the conversation in a measured, businesslike tone, but Subaru knit his brows, unable to read what his intentions were.

[User] At that point, Otto said as a preamble, “It is a simple matter. To put it plainly, Garfiel’s anger is justified. I am quite vexed myself, and by any normal standard, one punch is hardly enough to lay everything to rest.”

[Assistant] “Gotta say, I feel like you sure put your hips into the one punch you gave him…”

[User] “I was merely collecting the interest on my losses. At any rate, it is clear to anyone’s eyes that this cannot be simply forgiven, yes? I am certain the marquis understands this as well. In other words…”

[Assistant] “—The issue is therefore to what extent I intend to swallow the terms you offer.” At the end of the explanation, it was Roswaal who sat up and picked up where Otto left off. Closing one eye, he gazed back at Otto with his yellow eye.

[User] “It would be poor of me to accept your terms before you have spoken them, I beliiiieve.”

[Assistant] “Then I shall take my revenge with all interest accrued.” Otto was quite collected as he faced the marquis with a great deal of nerve.

[User] Roswaal made a pained smile. “You say that so calmly. Now, returning to the previous subject, Garfiel is concerned that you do not know when I might become your enemy again…but this is an unnecessary worry.”

[Assistant] “…How can ya be so sure? Ya think we’d believe a promise outta your mouth even a little?”

[User] “Unfortunately, that would be impossible. So I shall prove it in a form visible to the eye.” Roswaal slowly shook his head before Garfiel’s wariness.


[User] He stood up and proceeded to open his tunic, brusquely stripping away the bloodstained bandages wrapped around his upper body.

[Assistant] —Everyone held their breaths when they set their eyes upon Roswaal’s exposed flesh. It was known to all that Roswaal’s body had been injured when the tomb had rejected him. But it was not those wounds that attracted their eyes now; rather, it was the pale, glowing symbols carved into his flesh. Realizing at a glance that the symbols were vestiges of a magical ritual, Beatrice looked at Subaru.

[User] "—Is this a vow sealed with a curse, I wonder?"

[Assistant] "A vow sealed with a curse? The hell? I’ve never heard of that one." However, the malevolent ring of the words certainly fit the symbols perfectly.

[User] Beatrice nodded as if to bolster Subaru’s impression of them. "Oaths come in various forms, such as pacts, vows, and covenants. Pacts, like the ones with spirits, are two-party oaths. Covenants extend across bloodlines. And vows bind a single party."

[Assistant] "Bind a single party?"

[User] "Perhaps the one taking the vow expects to gain compensation commensurate with the oath that must be fulfilled, I suppose. As for carving a cursed seal into one’s body like this, the effect would be…"

[Assistant] "—I have lost the battle. In accordance with my vow, I can inflict no harm upon you." Receiving Beatrice’s words, Roswaal divulged the vow he had taken. "Should I renounce this vow, my soul shall be tainted and my flesh enveloped and burned away by purifying fire. And my soul shall fall into the void, never to return to Odo Ragna again. That is what I have sworn."

[User] "S-somehow, that sounds really ominous…"

[Assistant] "Why? This is only appropriate. Did we not make a wager, you and I?" He let out a wry laugh, or perhaps a muted, spontaneous laugh. The sentence that had come from Roswaal’s loosened lips made Subaru sink into thought, immediately locating the answer—he was speaking about the final bet between them. This was the result of the bet Subaru had made when he’d told Roswaal this would be his last attempt. And should Roswaal have been triumphant, Subaru had said he would do Roswaal’s bidding—

[User] "My terms were that you’d genuinely come on board if I won."

[Assistant] "And so this cursed seal brings those terms to fruition."

[User] “…In other words, if I’d lost…?”

[Assistant] "Then I would have carved this cursed seal into you. Had you defied the vow, you would have been reduced to cinders."

[User] "Scary—! !" He felt as if he’d unwittingly signed away his soul with no memory of the act whatsoever. As a matter of fact, it was precisely so, but the better way to view it was that there probably were no loopholes in the process. Besides, whatever the possibilities, the fact remained that Roswaal himself had carved the cursed seal into his own body.

[Assistant] Roswaal won’t betray us so long as that’s on him.


[User] "How about it, Garfiel?”

[Assistant] “Like I said, Roswaal’s power is necessary and indispensable for the royal selection. It’s on a level that even if we don’t want his cooperation, we’re tied to him so much that we need it anyway.”

[User] “…General, that ain’t the same as comin’ to an agreement.”

[Assistant] “Yes, it is. We’ve gotta look for some point of compromise. Roswaal won’t betray us. What do you wanna do to Roswaal on top of that? Sorry, but I can’t let you actually kill him.” He was essentially indicating Garfiel’s short temper was blocking their path.

[User] Ryuzu tugged on Garfiel’s sleeve with a worried look on her face. The sensation brought Garfiel back to his senses as Ryuzu slowly shook her head. "Shima chose her own fate. No matter what Young Ros did, it would have always been one of us who needed to serve as the key to lift the barrier.”

[Assistant] “Surely, she believed she had been relieved of her duty, yet it was she who saved us by fulfilling her role as administrator at the very end… That is how we think of it.”

[User] It pained Subaru’s chest to think of how it hurt Garfiel to learn of this after the fact. It was Subaru’s earnest wish to take back everything he could take back, to carry everything with him. But Shima’s sacrifice had been the unavoidable key to liberating everyone trapped within the Sanctuary. Subaru couldn’t help but be annoyed at how the design of this system seemed emblematic of the rotten personality of the Witch who had crafted it. Of course, Garfiel was angry about that, too. He couldn’t help but look for a place to slam that anger into.

[Assistant] “Shima said she has not been lonely these past ten years. She said that was because of…”

[User] “…I know that already. Don’t make a sad face like that, Granny.” But Garfiel interrupted his grandmother’s words, replying with a coarse yet gentle voice. Surprisingly calm, he let out a deep breath before pointing straight at Roswaal. "Swear it, Roswaal. I don’t care what ya swore before. I want ya to swear it again here and now.”

[Assistant] “Y’all never pull this crap on us again—swear it.”

[User] Roswaal’s breath briefly caught when Garfiel spoke these words, which were every bit a compromise. Then, tracing the cursed seal carved into his flesh with a finger, he nodded.


[User] "I shall never sacrifice anyone present in this place, nor use you as pawns to achieve some greater goal—I swear this upon the soul of my cherished teacher."

[Assistant] "—If ya break your word, I ain’t lettin’ no fire get ya. I’ll crush your head with my own damn fangs." It was not swelling, overwhelming bloodlust that made Subaru shudder but fighting spirit. This spirit was being sent squarely toward Roswaal, but just the wake of its passing made the skin of everyone else present feel ablaze.

[User] Having made that vow, Garfiel let out a heavy sigh. Then he extended a hand. “…For now, that’s enough for me. Looks like this kid here agrees, too.” With that, he placed a hand on the head of Petra, who’d been glaring at Roswaal the entire time. The sensation made her grip Frederica’s hand tightly.

[Assistant] "But," he added, letting out a long breath before continuing, "talkin’ to your parents and friends about this ain’t gonna make no one happy."

[User] “No matter how much…Master Subaru says so…I don’t want to. The master… The lord did terrible things to the village, didn’t he, even though everyone trusted their lord? I did, too. I thought he was a good person.”

[Assistant] “…Those words do wound me deeply.”

[User] "But…but I don’t want to make things hard for everyone by running my mouth like some ignorant little girl. But that’s exactly why I absolutely won’t forgive this. Still, that’s all I’ll do." When Petra spoke the words with tearful eyes, Roswaal closed his own. Then, as large tears began to spill from her eyes, Petra clung to Frederica and squeezed.

[Assistant] Frederica gently embraced her, telling her, "You did very well.”

[User] "This is ’cause Sis, Granny, and the girl there allowed it.


[User] “Better not forget.” Accepting Petra’s tearful voice, Garfiel warned Roswaal to uphold his vow.

[Assistant] “But of course—I have been an expert in upholding my oaths for a very long tiiiime.” That was Roswaal’s reply.

[User] “That’s right. Petra’s a good girl, and you’re shit. So aside from the burned-down mansion, all the trouble caused to the people of Earlham Village and the Sanctuary and other assorted stuff…does anyone else have something to say?” Subaru waited for Petra to stop crying before seeking a consensus anew.

[Assistant] If this meant the end of the first stage of the meeting, they could move on to the issues the future would bring—

[User] “Yes, I do.”

[Assistant] “Okay, Emilia-tan. This is the right time, so say whatever you want.”

[User] “Then I’ll indulge myself and say this…” Thus recognized by Subaru, Emilia stared straight at Roswaal.

[Assistant] Receiving her gaze, Roswaal awaited Emilia’s words with a meek expression. It was unclear just what thoughts lurked beneath.

[User] “All of you are being really strange. Roswaal still hasn’t done the most important thing, has he? We can’t end this conversation until he does.”

[Assistant] “The most important thing…?”

[User] “When you’ve done something wrong, you have to say you’re sorry.” Emilia’s statement left absolutely everyone taken aback, eyes wide open.

[Assistant] “Earlier, everyone was telling you to prove you’ve reflected on this and that, and Roswaal swore on his teacher, but there’s something he should have said before that, isn’t there? Roswaal, have you said it to everyone even once? I sure didn’t hear you.” Emilia was flushed and in a huff as she spoke perfectly bluntly to Roswaal.

[User] “—Apologize, Roswaal.”

[Assistant] “Eh?”

[User] “It’s the least we can expect from a person who’s gonna be with us from now on.”

[Assistant] Roswaal looked thoroughly taken aback at Subaru following Emilia’s example, boldly speaking those words.

[User] "—Yes, that will do.”

[Assistant] After watching Roswaal apologize, Emilia flashed an impressive smile.

[User] Subaru raised his eyebrows as a cute face poked over his shoulder, peering intently at him. He’d been sitting on the floor, deep in thought.

[Assistant] “That is quite a miserable-looking face.”

[User] “…So it’s you, huh, Beako?”


[User] Subaru made a pained smile as he realized he hadn’t noticed someone had approached him. He dusted his pants off as he rose to his feet. They were in the coffin room in the deepest portion of the tomb. No one else was here, so he’d come to think things over.

[Assistant] "What are you doing in a place like this while staring so intently at the corpse of Betty’s mother, I wonder?"

[User] "I was just thinking of the future like a normal person, but your phrasing is gonna land me in a heap of trouble!"

[Assistant] "Not really. If Subaru has an unspeakable hobby, I shall not reveal it. I will think ugh, however."

[User] "Seriously, if you ever think ugh as soon as I come to mind, then I’m never gonna recover!" Though they bantered much like before, their intimacy was incomparable to anything prior, even including that exchange. Mysteriously, ever since their pact, Beatrice was just too cute for Subaru to resist. It wasn’t romantic love, but it was undoubtedly affection. He wanted his stomach filled with it full-time. That was simply how he felt. Thinking about it calmly, he seemed to have had quite a bit of that feeling even back when he first met her.

[Assistant] "Does your face reveal yet another worthless thought in your head, I wonder?"

[User] "It ain’t worthless at all. I was thinking about you, Beako. You’re so adorable, it puts me in a bind."

[Assistant] "R-really, now…? Certainly, that would be a problem. But perhaps I prefer to continue doing so, I wonder?" That was so cute that Subaru picked Beatrice up without a word of warning. This surprised Beatrice, then made her angry at him in turn. She smacked him, but it didn’t hurt, so he let it slide. Then, after getting their fill of messing around, Beatrice’s demeanor became serious as she shifted her gaze toward the coffin.

[User] "...This is your mother, right?"

[Assistant] "More importantly, this is Echidna, Subaru. Not the ‘Witch of Greed’ you are familiar with." Subaru echoed a question first hailed by Emilia, wondering about the two different Echidnas. At present, neither she nor Subaru had found a suitable answer to what that actually meant. Subaru, too, had been surprised the first time he’d encountered the Witch’s remains inside that room. For Beatrice’s sake, he was simply grateful from the bottom of his heart that it truly was her Echidna sleeping there. He was glad Beatrice had been reunited with her mother, even if only Echidna’s remains were left, though there were other reunions that could never take place.

[User] "It’s…really too bad that Miss Shima and your…friend from the crystal couldn’t make it."

[Assistant] "...Has it not been four centuries since we parted, I wonder? There is no helping it now." Beatrice’s halting murmur felt like she was mostly putting on a brave front. Subaru turned his face toward the sky. Echidna’s old laboratory site was within the Forest of Cremaldi.


[User] When the Sanctuary had been liberated, Ryuzu Meyer and the crystal sealing her, both of which formed the core of the Sanctuary’s barrier, had vanished together. He’d been told the coffin where the Witch slept, along with the magic crystal sealing the girl within, had been the keys to the barrier. Shima had sacrificed herself to open these, granting them true liberation. Albeit, perhaps she would be angry at having what she did referred to as a sacrifice—truly, it would be just like her to say she’d done her duty, cutting a path open for the youngsters’ future. He had little doubt that deep down, it was for the sake of her beloved Garfiel, though. The day was surely approaching when they could match her proud way of life. At the very least, he wanted to swear he would live up to it all, bringing no shame to what she had bequeathed to them. "Well, even if I made a lofty-sounding vow like that, it wouldn’t sound very convincing coming from me.”

[Assistant] “—? Subaru, what are you smiling to yourself for, I wonder? It feels creepy.”

[User] “Er, nothi… Wait, creepy? !”

[Assistant] “Ah, maybe not, I suppose! I did not mean you are extremely creepy! Only a little, I suppose!” The naked insult and guileless poison thrust several times deeper than anything preceding it.

[User] Subaru fell to his knees.

[Assistant] Beatrice hastily and earnestly tried to cheer him up.

[User] It took a little while after that for Subaru to recover, at which point he let out a long sigh. “Whew, I was in danger of dying from shock. I understand a little of how Puck felt…”

[Assistant] “You have grown quite conceited if you think you can understand Puckie’s feelings, Subaru. But could you not forget that feeling of devotion, I wonder? If you do not, you will become a fine spirit mage in no time.”

[User] “Yeah, yeah… Er, hearing the words spirit mage made me remember just now, but you were seriously awesome. I’ve never been able to let loose with magic like that before. Sure was one heck of a ride!” He hadn’t had the time to calmly think back upon it, but Subaru’s manly heart had danced during that battle against the Great Rabbit. He’d gone with the flow during the collapse of the archive of forbidden books and formed a pact with Beatrice. Subaru’s original objective was to bring Beatrice out of the archive, so forming a pact relationship, as a spirit mage was nothing but a by-product of that goal. Even so, it had been an incredible experience.

[Assistant] Subaru’s honest appraisal made Beatrice’s cheeks stiffen as Her gaze wandered about.

[User] “Subaru, about that… In other words, I may have something important to say about spirit mages, I suppose.”

[Assistant] “Oh? Why all the formality?”

[User] “This is a matter between Betty and Subaru that cannot be put off.” Beatrice seemed rather subdued as she sat Subaru back down on the floor.


[User] He had a bad feeling about this, having barely finished hearing Emilia get similarly formal before talking about her imaginary pregnancy. That said, now that she’d stated it concerned the pair’s future, all he could do was quietly listen.

[Assistant] “First, Subaru formed a pact with Betty as a spirit mage…but Betty is somewhat different compared to a regular spirit, I suppose. Therefore, there are certain things that differ from what would be common sense for other practitioners.”

[User] "Well, you don’t usually see humanoid spirits, and I know you’re especially cute.” At present, Subaru knew exactly two spirit mages: Emilia and Julius. Emilia had a pact with Puck but also had formed pacts with lesser spirits besides him. In contrast, Julius had pacts with multiple quasi-spirits more powerful than lesser spirits, which meant he was a powerful practitioner himself. Technically, the evil spirit Petelgeuse had been something similar, but that was a case best left forgotten.

[Assistant] “Betty is an artificial spirit created by Mother. Did you know this, I wonder? Mother infused Betty with special power…but in turn, she has certain flaws.”

[User] “Flaws, huh? What sort?”

[Assistant] “Betty’s flaws… First is that she monopolizes a contractor, I suppose.” Betty was red-faced as she explained her own shortcomings.

[User] Girded for whatever issue might come flying out, let out a silly-sounding “huh?” at the detail thereof. "Monopolize—you mean you’re a greedy girl? Don’t worry. Relax, you’re the only spirit for me.”

[Assistant] “That may be so, but that is not the point! The short version is that a spirit mage contracted with Betty is unable to contract with other spirits and lesser spirits, I suppose. There are no exceptions whatsoever.”

[User] “…Ahhh, that’s what you meant. In other words, I’m all out of contracts.” The gist was that the cost of maintaining Beatrice as a spirit was high, chewing up a spirit mage’s entire capacity. No free room remained to employ other spirits because of that.

[Assistant] “So there’s no using lesser spirits depending on circumstances or anything like that. Well, that’s slightly disappointing, but I’ll just take it in stride. No way I’m letting you go so I can pick up other spirits.”

[User] “…W-well, that’s only natural, I suppose. Of course you would not. Might one even call that ordinary sound judgment, I wonder?” Beatrice was unable to hide how happy Subaru’s reply made her.

[Assistant] Subaru gave her head another few circular strokes.

[User] Beatrice was letting Subaru do so when she cleared her throat with an audible “ahem.” "Actually, there is still more. But compared with the matter just now, is it no great issue whatsoever, I wonder?"

[Assistant] “So the hurdles got a lot lower. Okay, hit me. Tell me anything.”

[User] “Er, this is mildly embarrassing… However, Betty is rather…fuel-inefficient.”

[Assistant] “Now you’re talking like you’re some kind of car.” In video games, powerful magic and summoning spells consumed a lot of MP.


[User] Efficiency was calculated by comparing the usage cost to power, but he had no idea how hard it was for Beatrice to say something that was probably incredibly difficult to admit.

[Assistant] “Er? You say that, but you hurled huge spells into the Great Rabbit one after another, right? You even let me use your mana, ’cause it’s not like you were sucking it out of me.”

[User] “Was that mana not what Betty stored away over a long period of time, I wonder? Draining Subaru thousands and thousands of times would not be sufficient to suddenly use that much mana in our first battle.”

[Assistant] “That figures. Incidentally, by stored over a long period of time, you mean…”

[User] “…I—I suppose I was helping myself to mana from everyone at the mansion a little at a time.” Beatrice was red-faced as she divulged the information, perhaps embarrassing from a spirit’s point of view.

[Assistant] Subaru didn’t have a very clear idea at how unladylike using some kind of mana drain was. “Beako, it seems like you’ve done some deep reflection about it, so I won’t poke fun at you. Well, as your contractor, I’ll just have to put up with whatever you’re going to take from me. How much is stored in this vault anyway?” It hardly needed to be said that Subaru’s mana capacity was lower than that of the average person. If he was to work around Beatrice’s poor fuel efficiency, he needed to break down how to make good use of what had been stored to date. Naturally, he had to get an idea of just how much magic energy was left, but—

[User] “—Nothing.”

[Assistant] “…Hmm?”

[User] “Did I not say nothing, I wonder? What was stored across four centuries flew out the door during our first battle. Though I still held on to a majority of it despite the loss of the archive, the Al Shamak that served as the finishing blow…might have depleted it completely, I suppose.”

[Assistant] “” Beatrice’s explanation left Subaru silent. He sank into thought. After pondering the matter, he arrived at an answer. In other words, it went something like this. Beatrice’s stored mana was zero. It would take all of Subaru’s mana just to keep her corporeal on a day-to-day basis. Beatrice could not employ fuel-inefficient high-powered spells, and his pact with her left him unable to rely upon other spirits.

[User] “You’re telling me…a duo between a spirit who can’t use magic and a spirit mage who can’t use magic has just been born? !”

[Assistant] “W-well, I suppose you could put it in those terms.”

[User] “How else would you put it?! Eh? No way—you’re serious? !” In conclusion, Subaru had become a spirit mage, winning the hand of a little girl—and that was pretty much it.

[Assistant] “Should I say, Eh-heh-heh, thbbt, I wonder?”

[User] “I’m not laughing!” And that was how an incredibly ill-prepared team of spirit mage and spirit was born.


[User] The dignified great hall’s appearance had changed into something completely at odds with what Subaru remembered. A number of candlesticks lined the red carpet covering the floor. The flickering of the red flames lent the chamber a solemn atmosphere that caused those in attendance to unconsciously straighten their backs. Familiar, nostalgic faces were lined against the walls in orderly fashion. It was because those were familiar, nostalgic faces that they looked amusing while dressed in solemn, ceremonial outfits. Particularly hilarious were Garfiel, locked in a brutal struggle with his formal garb, and Otto, who looked every bit the pampered nobleman. The contrast with their normal appearances was really something else. Were they deliberately trying to make him laugh…? Frederica and the other servants treated their work uniforms as their ceremonial clothing, so it made sense that Ram was in her maid outfit as they walked in unison. Subaru drew in his breath when he realized there was someone right beside Ram.

[Assistant] There, sitting in a chair, a blue-haired Sleeping Princess was also in attendance. Perhaps this was Ram’s idea of being considerate.

[User] Ram was glancing at him with an expression that feigned ignorance.

[Assistant] He was so grateful that it hurt. Petra was standing beside them, attending the ceremony with a dignified demeanor, wearing a dress that glimmered so much, no one would ever think she was a simple village girl. He could only let out a strained smile. No stage fright for her. Standing beside Petra was Beatrice, whose normal clothing was plenty elaborate to begin with. She relaxed her lips slightly and stood straighter, feeling reassured at the sight of her partner, Subaru, keeping an eye out for her.

[User] Subaru shifted his gaze from the participants, turning his head toward the innermost part of the great hall—

[Assistant] Waiting for Subaru was Emilia, looking his way as she wore ornaments beautiful enough to make him tremble. Her silver hair looked like glistening moonlight. Her violet eyes seemed like inlaid gemstones. Her expression was faintly tense with such an important ceremony before her, but that only brought her mysterious beauty into sharper relief. Her attire differed from that for everyday rites, emphasizing purity befitting a formal ceremony. It seemed much like a priestess’s attire; the fabric, thin enough to let the color of her skin shine through, made it look like the raiment of a celestial maiden. Before Emilia, all feelings of tension seething within him instantly dissipated. The profound thoughts about the other participants but a moment before became distant. Everyone but Emilia flew off to the far corners of his mind. This was by no means belittling those who were there to watch over the ceremony—he was merely putting his heart where it rightfully belonged.

[User] No one had indicated he should, but Subaru stepped forward as if someone were guiding his hand. He was wearing unfamiliar ceremonial attire with a brand-new knight’s sword on his hip.


[User] Otto and the others did not laugh at how awkward he looked, but the occasion made him forget such trivial things regardless.

[Assistant] He strode over to Emilia, his heart as calm as an ocean breeze. He knelt before the slightly raised platform upon which Emilia stood. He was on one knee, head bowed. Subaru was barely aware of even his own breathing as he focused all his attention on Emilia, who stood before him. Bathed in the audience’s comfortable yet seemingly tense gazes, Subaru removed the knightly sword from his hip, drawing it from its scabbard. The steel blade reflected the flames of the candlesticks, causing the same light to reside in Subaru’s and Emilia’s differently colored eyes. Burning the beauty of the sight into his mind, Subaru presented the knight’s sword to Emilia.

[User] With graceful fingers, Emilia gently accepted the sword, which was presented to her like an offering. Her violet eyes were filled with deep emotions as she pointed the tip of the knight’s sword skyward, seemingly as heavy as the feelings that permeated it.

[Assistant] Before Emilia, Subaru bowed his head once more, closing his eyes. A knight’s sword was his pride. A knight’s body and head constituted his loyal spirit. Here, he offered both. —A knight offering his life to his liege.

[User] Silence befell the great hall—No, the great hall had already been filled with silence throughout. But the silence so far had been suffused with faint excitement, the tranquility laden with quiet zeal.


[User] "—O sun watching over the dazzling world beneath. O stars watching over the sleeping world. O wind, O water, O earth, O light, O spirits that fill all.” Emilia wove the ceremony’s prayer like a song.

[Assistant] “—O great world that has accepted you, raised you, and now sends you forth.”

[User] It trembled. His heart trembled. The borders of his mind collapsed. His chaotic soul churned. That moment, all he wanted to do was drown in her blessing.

[Assistant] “—O pride, that which supported you, protected you, nurtured you.”

[User] He endured the mania rushing through him. He withstood the searing heat pounding at his heart. He waited for the question to come.

[Assistant] “—May you become someone worthy of all that protects you, of the world that has raised you, of the pride that sustains you. May you live without shame. Fear not, cower not, stray not. May your heart remain true.”

[User] The prayer was over. The question was coming. The set structure of the ceremony ended there. Not even Subaru knew the answer to the final question to come.

[Assistant] “—Just as you have aspired to until now, just as you have done for everything and everyone around you, do you swear to protect me from this moment forth?”

[User] But his heart already knew the answer to the question Emilia posed.

[Assistant] “On the sun, on the stars, on the spirits, on the world, on my pride—and—”

[User] That moment, he listed everything in the prayer to express his conviction and his gratitude. And before he put the vow on his lips, Subaru recalled in the back of his mind the images of those to whom he truly needed to convey his gratitude. That was why his lips wove the words seemingly on their own.

[Assistant] “—on my father and my mother, I swear.” “”

[User] "I will protect you. I’ll make your wish come true—My name is Subaru Natsuki.” He lifted his head.

[Assistant] The radiance of the raised sword overlapped with Emilia’s. But the light of mere steel meant nothing to him. All he could see were the dazzling violet eyes gazing back at his own.

[User] “Emilia—I am your knight and yours alone.”

[Assistant] “—Yes.”

[User] When Emilia responded to the words he spoke, an irresistible wave of emotions brought tears to her eyes. Yet, even then, Emilia somehow managed to maintain her composure as she gently brought down the sword she had raised. She returned to Subaru, who continued to kneel, the symbol of a knight’s pride. Reverently accepting it with both hands, he returned the sword to its scabbard. Completing the ritual, Subaru looked up. With Emilia nodding in assent, he stood on the spot.


[User] "Emilia-tan, it’s a bit late to mention this, but you look cute and superhot in that outfit."

[Assistant] "Idiot." Emilia stuck out her tongue at him with a reddened face, shattering the solemn atmosphere of the ceremony.


[Assistant] "—Watching something like that makes you deeply appreciate having brought Beatrice out, does it noooot?" A tall body abruptly cut into Subaru’s peripheral vision, coming beside Subaru to rest its weight against the handrail.

[User] "Ugh."

[Assistant] "...All that kinda clashes with the clown makeup."

[User] "Oh my, how harsh. But if I don’t have this on, it just isn’t me. Is that not sooooo?"

[Assistant] "I wish you’d respect the time, place, and circumstance for self-expression. Not that I’m one to talk, but this is a formal occasion, y’know?" Subaru flashed an expression of exasperation at Roswaal, who was wearing his clown face without a shred of guilt.

[User] "Speaking of this formal occasion, I gotta say… You sure went all out for this conferring-knighthood thing."

[Assistant] "I had reasons to hurry."


[User] “However, I believe you have yearned for this for quite some time.”

[Assistant] “Well, you’re not wrong about that, but I’m just not cut out for this stuff…” Subaru gives a wry smile.

[User] Roswaal had poked right at the crux of the matter, leaving Subaru without any words to refute him. Roswaal had a number of reasons for allowing Subaru this and holding a formal occasion for the event. The ceremony to confer honors on Subaru would play up his meritorious deeds in quelling the White Whale and dispatching the Archbishop of Sloth, spreading the news to even neighboring kingdoms. Ultimately, he wished to announce Subaru had become Emilia’s knight to foreign and domestic interests alike. For that, it was necessary to confer knighthood over any mere medal, and with appropriate urgency, pomp, and ceremony at that. “All that said, isn’t allowing a knighthood ceremony in a place we’re borrowing and staying at temporarily stretching our goodwill really far?”

[Assistant] “When you put it that way, it is difficult to denyyyy. Well, the Miload family is a branch of the Mathers family, and its head, Annerose, is head over heels for Lady Emilia. If we must live away until the main estate is restored and can serve in the burned mansion’s place, should we not have a little fuuuuun with it?”

[User] “You sure say that so casually…”

[Assistant] Roswaal tilted his glass as his lips loosened with amusement. Annerose Miload—this was the name of the head of the household where Subaru and company were staying for about a month after Roswaal Manor had burned down. Her being a distant relative of Roswaal’s and already being on good terms with Emilia beforehand made the place a perfect location for a temporary stay.

[User] Seeing how close Emilia and Annerose, age nine, were made Subaru just a little jealous, though.

[Assistant] “Mentally speaking, Anne and Emilia are not as far apart as some might think. If anything, Anne puts on greater airs than Lady Emilia. She might very well be the more mature of the two.”

[User] “I’m still holding a grudge against her for planting the idea in Emilia-tan’s head that babies are made by kissing.” As the victim of that childish, adorable, and tragic misunderstanding, he absolutely would never forget.

[Assistant] He and Roswaal let the frivolities lapse. A silence fell over the terrace save for the passing wind. The sounds of music being played, dancing, and voices of delight conveyed the excitement of the feast.


[User] And yet, the terrace seemed the only place apart from the tumult as a faint whiff of tension stretched across it. “Did you put some kind of people-repelling barrier around us or something?”

[Assistant] “Your intuition has truly improved. Or perhaps to you, this evening is not…” Your first. Subaru’s gaze silenced those barbed words. It was an insult.


[User] "You made sure it’d be just us at a time like this ’cause you have something to talk about, right?"

[Assistant] "—Teacher was assuredly alone without a single relative. That of course includes any sisters. She had none save Beatrice she could call her own daughter. I know this better than anyone."

[User] Subaru sharpened his gaze and pressed the point as Roswaal cut straight to a rather uncomfortable topic, talking about Echidna—for the issue of the Echidna at the tomb concerned them both. Roswaal’s opinion was the same as Beatrice’s from back at the tomb--namely, that the remains in the coffin were those of Echidna, and the being who had imposed the Trials on Subaru and Emilia was someone else. It was difficult for him to nod and accept the being he met was a fake. That Echidna—the Witch of Greed in the castle of dreams, along with the other Witches of the Deadly Sins—was unmistakably real. There was no way to decipher the mystery as the tomb had lost all functionality, and there was no way Subaru would ever meet her again.

[Assistant] "So the woman inside the coffin was your goal. There’s that cursed seal, too. You…"

[User] "—My objective was to be reunited with Teacher, young Subaru. However, please do not misunderstand."

[Assistant] "Misunderstand what? You and Beatrice… You met her… You met Echidna. Now you can…"

[User] "What I desire is a reunion with blood flowing through her, a soul resting in her—a living, breathing Teacher. It is all I desire. It is my greatest wish, and I cannot relinquish it."

[Assistant] Subaru blinked hard not only at Roswaal’s dreamlike speech but also at the content of his words. "But that means…bringing her back from the dead. Do you have a…way to do that?"

[User] "No, not a theory that would work upon ordinary souls. But because this is Teacher, a way remains. The liberation of the Sanctuary…the recovery of her remains…these are but preliminary steps."

[Assistant] So that was why he wanted the Sanctuary liberated. Roswaal had achieved his own objective. But as for a method to revive the dead, and one that would work only upon the Witch in the coffin…

[User] "So as to not give rise to misunderstandings, I wish to be clear about this one thing, young Subaru."

[Assistant] "…Say it."

[User] "The book of knowledge has burned to ash, denying me my promised future. As I am bound by the cursed seal, I cannot continue any of the machinations I have attempted to date—however, I have no intention of giving up on Teacher because of this." Tilting his glass to his lips, Roswaal spoke those implacable words without crossing gazes. It was more than enough to send a shiver of fear through Subaru, supposedly in an advantageous position now that Roswaal had given up on his secret plotting.


[User] "I really don’t mind you not giving up… Er, this might be gutsy to say to someone like you, but just do whatever you like. Thing is, what can you do to make that goal come true?"

[Assistant] "It is a simple matter—I shall continue watching over you."

[User] "—He’d keep watching." Roswaal turned and faced Subaru with his differently colored eyes—and with the same fire burning in both.

[Assistant] "Fortunately, your goal of placing Lady Emilia on the royal throne aligns your objective with mine. And so we shall continue our relationship as coconspirators just as before… It is merely that, just as before, I pity you for remaining unchanged."

[User] "What the hell?" Subaru raised his eyebrows, unable to easily dismiss the word pity.

[Assistant] Roswaal pulled back his shoulders. He’d deciphered the emotions resting in Roswaal’s eyes—sympathy and compassion. "You should have known loss. You should have felt loss so great that you would have become a Sage who would doggedly protect only that most precious to him—in my own way, I wanted to save you."

[User] "What the hell’s wise about that? What does simply accepting loss get you?!"

[Assistant] "You, who have rejected loss and have decided to carry everything in your arms, will continue to suffer. You will experience wounds that can never be undone, experience loss over and over, and you will rise up for the sake of regaining what you have lost, continuing to add to your invisible injuries. That is simply…too cruel."

[Assistant] "And now that you have rejected the path of the Sage and chosen the path of the Fool, I will never allow you to compromise. Is this not natural? It is you who wished for this."

[User] With Subaru unable to speak a word, Roswaal took a step forward, closing the distance between them. Then, reaching out with a hand, he grasped Subaru’s shoulder, gently pulled his face close, and whispered into Subaru’s ear. "—Hereafter, if you lose someone around you who you should have protected, I will swiftly burn the remaining others away without hesitation and, with the cursed seal, become ash myself."

[User] "You have decided to shoulder all. You must not abandon anything. I will not allow a lost world to continue into the future. I reject your compromise—now that I have lost the book of knowledge, I have only you to guide me to Teacher, young Subaru. You and the path you walk." Pulling his face away, Roswaal gave Subaru’s chest a light shove.


[User] Even though it had little strength behind it, Subaru wobbled as if he had been thrust away, grabbing hold of the railing to support his body.

[Assistant] —This was Roswaal L. Mathers, the man who lived for a wish that was four hundred years old. He would never seek to inflict undesired suffering upon Subaru and Emilia again. If Subaru wished it, he would no doubt cooperate to work toward Subaru’s objectives, even lending Emilia a hand with his full strength. But if Subaru miscalculated even slightly, Roswaal would flip the table over, rendering everything futile. This was no lie or deception. Roswaal absolutely would do it for the sake of his greatest desire.

[User] "My, there is no need to be so frightened. So long as you remain true to yourself and continue in your duty, I shall cooperate with you fully—this is simply the new pact between you and I."

[Assistant] “…I’ve learned that for pacts, you have to check not just the fine print but the guy you’re signing it with, too.” Subaru’s sarcasm and anguished sigh made Roswaal widen his eyes.

[User] "Ah, yes." He says, lifting his face after laughing for a while. "I only just said I would cooperate in full, so there is something of which I must properly inform you."

[Assistant] “You’re still holding on to secrets to shake me up?”

[User] “In the royal capital and this time, that makes it twice that I have hired the Bowel Hunter. But the girl in bonds underground…this Beast Master, I had nothing to do with either of her attacks.”

[Assistant] “—Huh?” Subaru, on guard for what more might come, could only drop his mouth wide open. The girl held in bonds underground meant Meili, captured at the mansion and kept prisoner since. At present, the death of her partner in crime, Elsa, had left her too uncooperative to deal with in any other fashion. That had hurt his head enough, but Roswaal’s next words were a thunderclap out of the clear blue sky.

[User] “This time, my contract only targeted Beatrice. In accordance with the book of knowledge, I was to liberate that girl from her twisted fate… But if I heard correctly, those girls had plans that went beyond my request, did they not?”

[Assistant] “Yeah, Elsa and Meili were part of the same group, I figure, so Meili was helping her out with her contract. Because if that wasn’t the case, who could’ve tipped them off about the mansion’s interior like that…?”

[User] “—In other words, there was another culprit who planned this attack on the mansion besides meeee.”

[User] “Your troubles shall continue. Truly, that is where you shine. You really are cut out for struggling, are you not?” Letting those words of sarcasm dangle, Roswaal inverted his now-empty glass over his mouth. A single droplet of alcohol fell and struck his lips.


[User] “Congratulations, young Subaru. Take this as praise from a Witch’s apprentice—you have won…today, at least.” Leaving those final words behind, Roswaal left the terrace.

[Assistant] A cold wind blew. The chill from wind and his sweat sent a small tremble through Subaru’s body. The traces of the fire continued to smolder. Subaru felt the heat of those lingering flames as he let out a very deep breath.


[User] A voice called to him.

[Assistant] “—So this is where you were, Subaru.”

[User] Subaru was resting his weight against the handrail and gazing at the stars in the night sky when Emilia called to him. When he lowered his gaze, the moonlight only increased the beauty of the silver fairy standing before him. "Emilia-tan? I thought an angel or a fairy had come for me.”

[Assistant] “There you go saying strange things again. Don’t tell me that you’re drunk?”

[User] “I messed up bad before, so I’m really careful about alcohol. This time, I’m just drunk on the atmosphere.”

[Assistant] “So you really are drunk.” Emilia shot Subaru a smile as she leaned on the handrail right beside Subaru. The white flesh poking out from her pure ceremonial garment, the nape of her neck, and her cheeks were ever so slightly reddened as she made a small, amused-looking smile. "I’ve been looking for you this whole time… Where did you run off to, Subaru?”

[User] “Setting aside the location, event-wise, it sure felt like a long, drawn-out battle against the final boss. Somehow, I got through it, but I feel like it shaved years off my life span. Emilia-tan, will you console me?”

[Assistant] “Yes, yes. Today, Subaru is drunk on the mood as well as himself.”

[User] Mysteriously, he returned to his normal state after talking with Emilia. Now that he was freed from the weighty mental state left by his exchange with Roswaal, the feeling of exhilaration over the ceremony came rushing right back. Setting that aside, standing in front of Emilia was making him feel awkward, so Subaru put his glass to his lips to conceal his blush. "By the way, did you manage to make up with Roswaal?”

[Assistant] “Geh! Ack! Th-that’s one hell of a timely question…!”

[User] “From the looks of it, Roswaal really teased you quite a bit.” She touched a sore point for him. Her use of the word teased was so cute that it bothered him somewhat, but Subaru made no effort to refute the point.

[Assistant] “A bit, yeah,” he straight-up admitted with a nod. “After all that, it almost feels like nothing changed from before…or if anything, it got even worse.”

[User] “Roswaal’s probably afraid of everyone forgetting what he’s done. That’s why he’s doing that to draw everyone’s attention to himself. He’s really childish deep down, you know.” Subaru was taken back by how Emilia put her hands on her hips, speaking those words with the faintest hint of anger.


[User] He was not taken back by her cuteness—it was because Subaru, too, believed this was the truth. The instant he had the thought, his interpretation of Roswaal’s earlier admonition changed considerably. “…You’re really something, Emilia-tan.”

[Assistant] “Is that so? Tee-hee, thank you. I think Subaru’s really something, too.”

[User] “Hmm, I wonder.”

[Assistant] “Yes, you are! Goodness, Subaru… Hey, look over there.” Emilia irritably walked over to Subaru, whose face showed scant appreciation for everything he’d done, and then she spread both arms wide to indicate the scene in the great hall.


[User] —Inside were all their companions and the visible result of Subaru’s, Emilia’s, and everyone else’s efforts. “Everyone’s having fun, aren’t they?”

[Assistant] “…I suppose you’re right. It’s like an at-home banquet, kind of the ideal for my small-time, common-man sensibilities.”

[User] “Mm, I think so, too. This is a really nice scene.” Her violet eyes contained affection and envy in equal measure. Glancing at them from the side made Subaru’s heart tremble. —This was the scene Emilia had wanted to see. In a broader sense, this was the ideal she was seeking to make a reality. The atmosphere offered tranquility for nobles, merchants, commoners, humans, demi-humans, and mixed-blood people, without any discrimination of social standing or race.


[Assistant] “—Subaru, you’re making a really gentle face.”

[User] “Guess that figures. I think I’m just happy watching the same scene as Emilia-tan and also thinking how nice everything is.”

[Assistant] “Ahhh, I get it. I’m happy Subaru feels the same way I do, too.”

[User] “Hmm, I wonder. I might disagree with you on that. Sometimes, it’s fine to be different.” Even though they were looking at the same thing and sharing the same feelings of happiness, they were still looking at the scene before them two different ways. It wasn’t necessary for lovers to be the same in anything and everything. The thought he had that moment was, It’s fine to be different.

[Assistant] Emilia narrowed her violet eyes, gently gazing at Subaru.

[User] He didn’t know if the entire meaning of his words had reached her. But the important part had been conveyed. If they could share this much, it was plenty. Beyond that was not just extravagance but arrogance. “…Hey, Subaru. After this, there’s something I want to discuss with my knight.”

[Assistant] “What a coincidence. I have plenty of things I want to ask Emilia-tan, too.” The words Emilia spoke in a show of courage left Subaru shrugging and flashing a smile back at her.

[User] Emilia breathed out in relief, gently offering him the pinkie finger of her right hand. “It’s a promise, then. You did this with Petra. This is a tradition from Subaru’s homeland, yes?”

[Assistant] “Ohhh, it sure is. What sharp eyes you have. Break this promise, and your meals will be needles for breakfast, lunch, and supper.”

[User] “Oh no, so scary… You better keep this promise, then.” Nervously, Emilia wrapped her slender finger around Subaru’s right pinkie. “When the celebration is over, let’s have an important talk in my room.


[User] "Don’t break our promise this time, okay?"

[Assistant] "I’m a serial promise-breaker and all, but is it even an option to not keep my word to go to Emilia-tan’s room at night after I’ve been summoned? I’m thinking no."

[User] "I’m sorry—I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about."

[Assistant] The two engaged in such typical banter as they formed that promise between them. Missing the touch of their joined pinkies as they parted, Subaru went, “Now, then,” as he winked. "I’ll have fun finding out what this talk’s all about."

[User] "…I need to talk to you about…me. One night might not even be enough to finish."

[Assistant] "If it’s that important, I’ll be with you as many nights as it takes. I’m your one and only knight, okay?"

[User] "O-okay." She did her best to mimic Subaru’s usual jesting tone. Emilia’s nervous behavior reflected her underlying concern.

[Assistant] "It’s all right, Emilia-tan. No matter what happens, you’ll never disappoint me."

[User] "Subaru…"

[Assistant] "It’s just like I told you at the tomb. I love you, so everything’ll be okay. That’s all there is to it." No matter what she’d tell him, no matter what it triggered, nothing would change.

[User] "—What’s important isn’t where you start or what happens midway but how it ends." Led to his parents and the thoughts they’d conveyed to him, this was the answer he’d arrived at in the tomb. —He really couldn’t hold a candle to his mom. Or his dad, either, for that matter.

[Assistant] "Besides, even if there are issues, it’s not like it’s a big deal now, right?"

[User] "…How can you tell?"

[Assistant] "It was the way you looked at the great hall with gentle eyes just now. I can already tell from that." The scene spread forth in the great hall of Miload Manor was one without discrimination between human and demi-human, noble and commoner.

[User] When Subaru called that his ideal, Emilia accepted it with a look of longing. Whatever ideals might be raised high in Emilia’s heart, Subaru had no doubt he could believe in them. "If you want to make this happen everywhere, I’ll help. I think this is a good cause. If that scene becomes a part of why Emilia-tan always works so hard, then I’ll be first in line to help you."

[Assistant] "Subaru, can I…really depend on you?"

[User] "What do you think that oath I swore to you earlier was all about? Go and depend on me before anyone else. I’ll do anything I can do to help, and if I don’t understand something, we’ll think about it together."

[Assistant] Emilia’s eyes trembled more than at any point before, almost like the reply wasn’t the one she had expected at all. She was searching for something appropriate to say. But she couldn’t find anything.


[User] "—Okay." Hence, Emilia murmured that single word, nodding. Then she made a small, lovely, captivating smile.

[Assistant] "—That was the best answer. It was plenty. All right, all doubts cleared up." Saying this, Subaru took the glass standing on the handrail and went bottoms up. Then he grasped the now-cold meat pie and stuffed his cheeks, chewing it down. The delicious taste was undiminished by the temperature; he savored the texture as the pie crumbled in his mouth. The flavor was the final product of a rather large commotion involving Garfiel, Frederica, and Ryuzu, but that was another story. Either way, to Subaru, the pie formed by those familial bonds was exquisite.

[User] "Oh. Subaru, if you eat it so fast, you’re going to choke on it."

[Assistant] "Well. I’m hungry. I’ll savor the taste more if Emilia-tan says aah for me, though."

[User] "I feel like I’ve done that before when Subaru was all tired…" Emilia wore a slight, strained smile as she replied.

[Assistant] "Now then," said Subaru, leading her by the hand toward the great hall.

[User] As she was led by the hand, Emilia looked up at the sky but once. Then she smiled and let Subaru escort her, entering the hall at his side. The pair’s return in the middle of the banquet only served to heighten the excitement.


[Assistant] "It’s a really nice atmosphere, Emilia-tan."

[User] "Yes. This really does represent everything I’m trying to achieve. I’ll never forget this." They began by entering the great hall at the most prominent place, suddenly joining the two dancing girls.


[User] In a dark, cold, and indistinct space, the soft patter of bare feet continued to echo at regular intervals. In that lightless world, that space with nothing but unfathomable darkness spreading forth, the source of those footsteps had arrived without ever going astray. The trip had been made with the ease of someone walking into their own bedroom. The sound of dripping water, the cries of insects crawling about, the sensation of mud and gravel beneath the soles of her bare feet—she pushed past them all. Finally, she arrived at the deepest reaches of that darkness. She stretched out a hand and stroked a mossy, slippery wall. Instantly, faint lights floated up and danced around her as a lukewarm wind blew through the wall. Her long pink hair and white cloak flapped in that wind. The hovering pinpricks of light circled around her as she slowly passed through the barrier.

[Assistant] “So the reactivation ritual has remained intact.” The figure—no, the girl—Murmured offhandedly as she slipped outside. The next instant, a dazzling shaft of light made her close her eyes. After walking through the darkness underground, the sunrays outside were like daggers to her eyes. She blinked several times before she could see the world anew.


[User] In the sky taller than the trees of the forest, she saw the sun had only just begun to rise.

[Assistant] “…Surprisingly, I am unmoved.” With the sunlight striking her eyes, the girl seemed disappointed as she tilted her head. Just as she had said, there was no surge of emotion visible within her impassive eyes. She’d expected something from seeing the real sun after gazing upon a false one for so long, but it didn’t affect her as much as she’d thought it would. All that said, she was free to applaud the trick she had played, the performance she had delivered. She felt a sense of accomplishment. She’d recovered the magic crystal she’d had her eye on from the very beginning, and for the moment, she had nothing to be concerned of while wandering about.

[User] “My only regret is that since I was forced to borrow that thing’s help, I was unable to see her crushed by the Trial…but she did lift the barrier. I suppose I shall chalk it up as breaking even.” Had it not been for that, she—no, the vessel—would never have been able to venture out from the Sanctuary. She had been in a veritable deadlock, drowning in the cleverness of her own scheme. Atypically, thinking of the girl who’d freed her from that situation made her chest overflow with emotions that were difficult to put into words.

[Assistant] “…Well, I don’t really mind. I really can’t overwork this body, and I’d anticipated having to walk around for a while to fill in all the blanks. There’s no need to obsess over such things…for now.” The girl opened and closed her hands to check on the condition of her body.


[User] "As for a name…it has been so long. Perhaps, in accordance with his knowledge, I should call myself Omega?" The word bore the meaning of “the end.” Given her current situation, there was no name more fitting.

[Assistant] The girl relaxed her lips as she stepped onto grass, slipping through gaps between the trees and emerging from the forest. An ever-so-slight discomfort could be detected in her gait, but it was nothing truly significant. Fatigue and pain merely meant body and soul were well and truly connected. She could not help but enjoy the feeling of being alive after so long.

[User] "Beatrice has parted ways with the archive of forbidden books. Roswaal has lost his guiding light. But that young man pulled something from the embers, and Garf… Garfiel, with all that anger stored up inside, is a pile of smoldering coals indeed. From the shadows, I suppose I should watch over their valiant exploits as they face him under the light of day." The girl intentionally avoided commenting on her slight mental slip as she walked forth. A world was waiting for her—a world where nothing was faded and muted, a mountain filled with treasure to satisfy her inexhaustible greed for knowledge.

[Assistant] "And as I go, perhaps the day will come when I finally understand?" The girl smiled as she gazed at a single flower along the road. Plucking one of its petals with her fingers, she breathed in its scent and subsequently tossed it into her mouth. The flower, so proudly displaying its beauty to the world, would someday wither. Why did flowers wither? Why did beautiful memories shared by people grow faint one day?

[User] "—Ahhh, why does love fade so…?" The girl walked forward, her long pink hair swaying as she murmured to herself.


[User] So he chose to throw caution to the wind, hoping to assuage their suspicions— “I mean, geez, I’m not some kind of delinquent who can’t get along with anyone…” Hearing Subaru’s murmur, both of them tilted their heads a little, as if they had their doubts about that. Finding it funny that even now their gestures were syncing up, Subaru felt the tension and stress drain from his body. He already knew what he wanted to say, as well as what he needed to do.

[Assistant] “—I trust you, so let’s get along, okay?” Just like in the first loop, he’d do his best to earn the girls’ trust. Having a little knowledge of the future didn’t change Subaru’s core nature, nor did the mere possibility he might be able to change things. All he could do was address the situation before his eyes and live every day to the fullest. Subaru’s request made the twins look at each other and trade a silent conversation between their eyes. Their back and forth was still going on when they abruptly looked toward the door, having noticed a lone girl entering at just that moment.


[User] Emilia, noticing Subaru staring at her, broke out in a small smile as she looked among the three in the room. “I heard a ruckus, so I came to peek… You seem pretty lively, Subaru. I’m glad.”

[Assistant] “I felt kind of conflicted there, but seeing Emilia-tan blows all that away. You’re like a compassion pill that works extra strong on my heart.”

[User] “Sorry, I don’t really know what you’re saying…” A troubled look came over Emilia’s beautiful face because Subaru was speaking even more glibly than usual.

[Assistant] “Even your sad look is cute… You’re always fresh, and that makes me feel refreshed.”

[User] “Somehow, that sounds kind of creepy. But good morning. I’m glad you’re safe.” The grimace she had made quickly softened into a charming smile and she beamed at Subaru.

[Assistant] Subaru sincerely accepted Emilia’s words of relief at seeing him come back from the brink of death. “Yeah, good morning. Well, let’s start again, shall we?”

[User] The three girls in the room, not understanding what Subaru meant by that, tilted their heads slightly with puzzled looks. Seeing all three of them react like a trio of sisters made Subaru break out in laughter. “What I meant was, it’s time for me to start clearing the Roswaal Manor level.” His goal was to reach the morning he wished to see for him, and for everyone at the manor.

[Assistant] Now, let’s get this show on the road.


[Assistant] The moon was rising in the nighttime sky as a private discussion took place in the study on Roswaal Manor’s highest floor.

[User] "So hooow is he, Ram? How would you raaate him from what you have seeeen?" He was a man with long indigo hair with ghastly pale skin, and he would look something like a classic variety pretty boy—if not for the clown-like makeup covering his face. That, combined with his peculiar speech pattern, made him a hard man to forget. He was Roswaal L. Mathers, lord and master of the manor.

[Assistant] Roswaal crossed his arms and made a broad smile while Ram tilted her head, deep in thought. He raised an eyebrow, finding her hesitance to make her report a rare sight. "Hmmmm, to see Ram, prone to snap judgments about everything, so conceeerned, it is quite a siiight, is it nooot? Perhaaaaps one day is not sufficient to get to know him?"

[User] "That is…not the case. However…" Though she immediately denied it, her words revealed a lack of clarity. Ram put a fingertip to her own lips and still seemed a little unsure as she began to speak again. "Let me grade him first. He…Barusu…has no ability."


[User] "His workmanship as a servant is completely amateur.” “My, my… Is it not somewhat puuuzzling that he himself asked for this role?” Roswaal grinned as he recalled the exchange over that morning’s breakfast.

[Assistant] He remembered, too, what words the freshly awakened guest employed as he sought a reward for his exploits. What stood out was Subaru’s claim of being a teenager with good health, a half-decent education, and a not-terrible head. It was a robust self-assessment that, by the same token, merited a certain level of caution. Accordingly, he had commanded Ram to oversee his education, as well as to observe his actions and report her findings, as she was doing that moment. He had not thought the matter would be resolved in a single day, but Ram’s hesitance in making her report was a problem in itself. Roswaal rested his cheek against his hand.

[User] Ram held her silence for a little while before opening her mouth. "There are some mysterious things about Barusu."

[Assistant] "Yes, yes, do teeell. Speak of anything that stands out."

[User] "He can be said to be completely without talent, but Barusu seems to be…a little too quick-witted when it comes to particular things.”

[Assistant] “What do you mean, a little toooo quick-witted?”

[User] “These are very minor things, but…in the middle of work, he seems overly familiar with minor details about the mansion, things I have yet to teach him. When putting dishes away, he opened the drawers in the proper order. Also, our…tastes in tea leaves.”

[Assistant] Roswaal said nothing in reply to Ram’s words, instead silently running a fingertip across his chin.

[User] Seeing Roswaal do this, Ram added, “Of course, these are all quite minor details. After breakfast, I gave him a brief tour and explanation of the mansion. I noticed his eyes drifting to various places. That is really all, but…”

[Assistant] "I see, too much to be a set of simple coincidences… That is rather iiinteresting.”

[User] Suspicion begins from the smallest things. If he was not overthinking it, Subaru could have checked out the mansion before infiltrating it in earnest. But what made that possibility difficult to fathom was…

[Assistant] "His feat was protecting Lady Emilia in the royal capital, was it nooot…?"

[User] "It seems too…blatant a means to infiltrate the mansion. At any rate, he might well have lost his life had Lady Beatrice not been available.”

[Assistant] The memory of his being carried into the mansion was still fresh in Roswaal’s mind. Though he had not healed the boy personally, it was impossible that Beatrice would participate in such a scheme. Furthermore, Ram had nursed the wounded Subaru the entire way back from the royal capital. Slipping something past both of them was very unlikely.

[User] "All things considered, such thoughts seem sooomewhat excessive in light of the faaacts.”

[Assistant] "The Bowel Hunter’ who attacked Lady Emilia… I imagine it is possible he conspired with her to infiltrate the mansion, but…” Ram’s words lacked conviction, suggesting even she viewed it as unlikely.


[User] Roswaal shook his head. "No, that is not pooossible. Surely we need not even suspeeect that the Bowel Hunter would team up with him?"

[Assistant] "...Is...that so?"

[User] Prodded by Roswaal to move on. "More importantly, are there any other issues of concern?"

[Assistant] Ram lowered her eyes. "I suppose that...putting aside his being too quick-witted from time to time...Barusu is so optimistic, it is rather nauseating."

[User] "Eh?" Roswaal raised an eyebrow at Ram’s statement.

[Assistant] She seemed to be not so much choosing her words carefully as she was searching for the right ones to use. Surely even Ram knew she’d said something off topic. Ram continued, looking frustrated at her own inability to find a more accurate explanation. "At this rate, he will speak himself to death. His smile never falters when he bumbles, and he seems exceptionally attentive to how he behaves toward us…"

[User] "...What do you thiiink of that?"

[Assistant] "...It is different from how Lady Emilia describes him… Namely, how he’s honest about his own desires like a little child, genuine in a likable way…" Ram tried to keep her response to the subtle question short.

[User] Roswaal, having had little contact with Subaru, couldn’t understand what made Ram so doubtful. But these were the words of a loyal retainer who had a long record of service. Roswaal tugged on his chin as he digested Ram’s analysis "It seeeems we shall have to keep an eye on him for some tiiime. His first day made for difficult viewing, but it cannot be heeelped. It is aaalso a fact he deserves a commensurate rewaaard in thanks for saving Lady Emilia."

[Assistant] "...And if...it becomes necessary?" Ram’s hesitation made it seem like she didn’t want to hear what would come next. The expression on her face remained the same, but Roswaal had spent long enough around her to read what she was feeling inside.

[User] Roswaal beheld Ram’s moment of weakness with his yellow eye as he made a small shake of his head. "This is a matter we must handle with great deeelicacy. Above all else, see to it that Rem does not get ahead of herself."

[Assistant] Ram nodded crisply in response to Roswaal’s command.

[User] The maid not participating in the conversation, Rem, had a tendency to act according to her own ideas from time to time. Usually, her rushed judgment could be met with just a cute little scolding. At times like these, however, independent action was likely to push things in a very poor direction. She might well eliminate the danger beforehand, worsening his relationship with Emilia in the process. The thought did not amuse him.

[Assistant] "Yes, I shall…endeavor that Rem does not act on her feelings of distrust toward Barusu."

[User] Roswaal leaned back with a creak of the chair. His voice felt tired somehow as he murmured. "I am deeply grateful.


[User] “This is a time of great expectations… Indeed, time to put them all to the test.”

[Assistant] Ram started to say something to him, but she closed her mouth and held her tongue. Silence descended between the two as the cool night air drifted in.

[User] “So, Ram, shall we concluuude your report here?”

[Assistant] “…Yes. I apologize for not being able to convey a great deal.”

[User] “I shall not scooold you for such a thing. Now, then, shall we proceed? After nothing for two days, you are aching rather considerably, are you nooot?”

[Assistant] “Ah…yes.” Ram somehow seemed bewitched as she obeyed Roswaal’s beckoning finger. From her standing position before the desk, she seemed to wobble as she stepped close to Roswaal and meekly sat on his lap.

[User] “Once again, if you will…excuse me.”

[Assistant] "’Tis merely exercising a natural right. It is the same as always, nooothing to be embarrassed about. Your precious body does not belong to you alooone, after all?” He stroked her cheek. She gently closed her eyes as he tilted her head up. Stroking her pink hair with his other hand, Roswaal closed one eye, gazing down upon Ram with his golden iris.

[User] “Now, theeen, given what you are to us…we should get along nicely, yes?” Roswaal murmured mostly to himself as his consciousness switched to a different gear. He stared at Ram before him, his consciousness sinking into Ram and Ram alone. The first night at Roswaal Manor grew late as the suspicious conversation between master and maid came to a conclusion.


[Assistant] “Good morning! The weather’s great today, perfect for laundry! Let’s make this a happy day!” Subaru raised a shrill hip, hip, hurrah! to welcome the arrival of the rising sun. It was his fifth go at his second morning in Roswaal Manor. He stood in the middle of the garden, his body bathed in morning sunlight as he twisted his upper body all about. He used the popular morning warm-up exercise to get blood circulating through his whole body, making full use of the energy he had gained from sleep.

[User] “Yes, victory!” Finally, he thrust both hands into the sky and shouted in triumph as he finished the start to the start of another day. Subaru vigorously wiped away the light sweat on his brow and turned around with a smile.

[Assistant] Emilia smiled back, albeit tersely, standing in the corner of the garden as she engaged in her daily conversation with lesser spirits under the shade of a tree. “You really are energetic in the morning…”

[User] “Hey, don’t talk like it’s all me here. Put your back into it, Emilia-tan!”

[Assistant] Puck, Emilia’s little cat spirit, was hovering alongside her, cleaning his face with his paw.

[User] “When I see him clean his face like that, I’m like, he’s seriously a cat. I guess spirits get sleepy, too, huh? He looks half asleep there.”

[Assistant] "You sleep when you’re tired, too, don’t you? When mana, the source of our vital power, fades away, well, it’s close enough.


[User] "If we’re not getting enough mana…” Puck yawned generously.

[Assistant] Emilia put her hand to her mouth and yawned a little, too. “Both up late, huh? You were staying up talking to a boy you like, weren’t you? Let me in on it! Huh? Which girl do I like…? That’s, ah, embarrassing to say, you see…”

[User] Subaru folded his arms, looking down as he glanced a little at Emilia. “All right, all right,”

[Assistant] Emilia said, waving casually at Subaru’s act. “I like Puck. Puck likes me. The end.”

[User] "Mutual love?! Is there any room for me in there? !”

[Assistant] “Not even a little, meow. My charm sets Lia’s heart a-flutter. You might not be a bad catch, Subaru, but all that is wasted before me. You should just give up on Lia right…meow, meow!”

[User] Subaru closed on Puck, glaring down at him with reproach

[Assistant] Emilia’s fingers caught one ear on each of them before they could start anything. “Don’t get carried away. I’m going to be upset if that’s all you two do.”

[User] “Ow, ow, she’s upset, ow!”

[Assistant] “Ow, ow, she’s upset, ow!”

[User] Subaru and Puck meekly endured Emilia’s punishment together.

[Assistant] Subaru and Puck meekly endured Emilia’s punishment together.

[User] When Emilia let go of their ears, they both rubbed their aching heads as she stood before them, hands on her hips. “I’m glad you two are getting along, but no taking advantage of people just so you can play. Say yes if you understand.”

[Assistant] “Yeees.” Both of them raised a hand and nodded firmly.

[User] “Yeees.” Both of them raised a hand and nodded firmly.

[Assistant] Emilia, not noticing that Subaru had completely fallen for her smile, abruptly clapped her hands. “Oh, right, now is good. Subaru, sit over here for a moment?”

[User] Emilia sat on the grass with her legs out to the side, patting the ground beside her to invite Subaru over.

[Assistant] “You call, I come running! What, what? The timing’s good for what exactly? No matter what your request, Subaru Natsuki leaves no itch unscratched. If there’s a place you can’t reach, just command me to scratch it and I shall obey!”

[User] “All I said was to sit beside me. That’s a bigger reaction than I expected. What should I do?”

[Assistant] Unsurprisingly, Emilia made a pained smile at Subaru’s fierce enthusiasm. “Err…yesterday was your first day at work. How did it go? Did you do well?”

[User] “Ah, yeah, failed at eighty percent of it!”

[Assistant] “I see; you’re certainly full of confi… Eh? Failed? Eighty percent of it?”

[User] “Er, maybe eighty’s overstating it… Maybe more like six, no…seventy-five.”

[Assistant] “That still means you flunked a lot of things…” Emilia acted like she felt responsible somehow for Subaru’s unexpectedly low rating of his own work. But she immediately lifted her face in a show of concern. “Ah, but, hey, that meant you got twenty percent of work right on your first day, huh? That’s fine; I’m sure it’s all right. Be confident, now.”

[User] “Hey, you’re right!


[User] “It’s a long road, but if I start at twenty percent, I can raise that little by little from here!”

[Assistant] "Don’t be conceited. Reflect on it properly.”

[User] “If you’re going to start sweet, why can’t you end sweet?! Ah, no, it’s nothing, very sorry.” Subaru, cowed by the pressure of Emilia’s glare, shrank and nodded meekly. In any case…

[Assistant] “I do feel like I’m eating Ram’s and Rem’s dust somehow. Getting twenty percent right while trying my best means that’s just where I’m at, so no helping it. I’ll just expect better from myself going forward.”

[User] “If you’re going to be that optimistic about it, there’s nothing more I can say, but…” Upon hearing Subaru’s positive declaration, Emilia tapered her lips into something that resembled a pout. The cute childlike behavior she indulged in from time to time never failed to light a fiery yearning in Subaru. But he restrained himself, smothering the embers.

[Assistant] “So, so, you see, I’m spending every day with maid sisters tutoring me while I devote myself to life as a servant. If I get tired of that life I’ll just come running to Emilia-tan’s lap, so leave it open, okay?” Subaru pointed at Emilia with a finger from each hand in a comical gesture.

[User] “…I was only half listening to that, but it sounded kind of all right.”

[Assistant] “Harsh assessment with a cute face! Well, if that half was the lap part, that’s A-OK! Like I said, leave that lap open for me for tonight, Emilia-tan… Don’t steal my spot, Puck!” Subaru thrust a finger at Puck, calling out his name.

[User] “It doesn’t matter what you say, Lia’s pact with me means her heart and body are already mine. There’s no changing our relationship meow, meow!” Puck reacted to the declaration of war with a casual flick of his own whiskers.

[Assistant] “Goodness, don’t change the terms of our pact behind my back.” Emilia grabbed Puck’s ears for his incorrigible behavior and tossed him into the air to make him ponder the error of his ways. Maybe Puck was just used to it, for despite that, he simply landed in Emilia’s hands and happily wriggled in them with a look of complete calm. Subaru couldn’t help but feel envious of their relationship.

[User] “Well, now that I’ve energized myself I’d better start the morning work.”

[Assistant] “What do you mean, ‘energized yourself’?”

[User] “By teasing Emilia-tan.”

[Assistant] “There you go again. If all you do is tease people, they won’t trust anything you say when you’re actually telling the truth, you know?”

[User] “That sounds like something out of a fairy tale. If that happens, guess I’ll be reaping what I sowed…”

[Assistant] “Wait, you’re telling me that…?” With Emilia giving him an exasperated look, Subaru sent a bright smile back her way as he rose, brushing off his backside.

[User] “They’ll be seriously ticked if I don’t get going, though. I’m supposed to help them with this morning’s breakfast. Emilia-tan, you don’t like eating green beppers, do you?


[User] "I’ll make sure they’re not on your plate.”

[Assistant] “You have to eat even the veggies you don’t li—When did I tell you I don’t like green beppers?” Emilia tilted her head with a questioning look as Subaru departed with a little smile and a wave. She actually had talked to him about it; he’d even seen her distaste for them with his own eyes. He focused on staying on the path, always joking whenever Emilia set eyes on him. —He had to focus, focus, always focus, to keep the smile on his face.

[User] Emilia watched Subaru wander off until he was out of sight before letting out a small sigh.

[Assistant] Puck, watching Subaru from her palm, abruptly looked up when he realized Emilia was now watching him. “That’s a gloomy face. What’s wrong?”

[User] “I just feel down somehow. I can’t really put it into words.” Emilia cringed at the wishy-washy attempt to express her internal unease. But what caught in her throat didn’t have a chance to become proper words as she sighed again.

[Assistant] Puck’s pink nose twitched as he watched Emilia’s conflict. “You’re worried about Subaru? It’s not often you worry about other people like this.”

[User] “Don’t go off and phrase it like I’m some sort of klutz at dealing with people. I’m not bad at getting close to others… I just haven’t had many chances to do it!” Emilia puffed out her cheeks, an expression she refused to show to anyone save Puck. Though it looked like the act of a spoiled brat, it was a testament to Emilia’s absolute faith in Puck.

[Assistant] The spirit, fully accepting her trust, smiled up at her like she was his own daughter. He offered a nod toward the delicate emotions Emilia couldn’t put into words. “Well, it’s no surprise it’s throwing you off. Because this has become a little bit of a problem.”

[User] “Bit of a…problem?” He’d said the words in a casual manner, but Emilia’s face grew tense; she couldn’t miss the tone behind them. By nature, Puck behaved exactly the same no matter how high-pressure the situation. She didn’t know if it was because he was a spirit or if it was simply his personality that made him that way, but he reserved grave observations as a spirit to provide input for hard, important decisions—namely Emilia’s. Seeing Emilia’s breath catch, Puck casually toyed with his whiskers. He still spoke in his peculiar manner to the end.

[Assistant] “I only touched him a little, but Subaru’s mind is all scrambled. What he shows on the outside doesn’t match the inside. At this rate, it won’t be long before he reaches the end of his rope.”


[User] The high-pitched ting and the sound of pottery breaking made Ram’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise. The young manservant prancing around like a dancer—Subaru—raised his voice as he grabbed hold of a broom and dustpan.

[Assistant] “It’s okay! It’s okay! Don’t worry!


[User] “I’ve got this!” He quickly cleaned up the ceramic fragments scattered at his feet and pretended to wipe sweat off his brow.

[Assistant] When he looked at Rem, who’d stared at him during the entire sequence, he flashed his teeth in a fiendish smile. “Don’t worry. I took care of it super fast, and there wasn’t even one casualty.”

[User] “I think your concern is praiseworthy, but were you not the one who dropped the vase, Subaru? I need to get a replacement vase, wipe the floor, put the flowers in order…”

[Assistant] “No, it’s all right! I can get a vase and put the flowers in myself! Go ahead and focus on your own work!” Driving Rem off almost like he was ordering her, Subaru headed to the storage for furnishings and returned several minutes later with a proper vase.

[User] He promptly put the new vase in the same place as the old and added water and the flowers, returning things to as they were. “Whew. Feels good to get a job done, Remrin.”

[Assistant] “It is extra work you made for yourself, but at least you took care of it… Subaru, where did you hear where the spare vases are? From Sister?”

[User] “Mm, ah, er… Right, your big sis! It’s me we’re talking about here—she was pretty sure I’d break one at some point. So she told me in advance exactly where to get a new vase!”

[Assistant] Listening to the clumsy excuse, Rem did not think, That is Sister for you, such foresight. She was less concerned with the vase and more with the fact that Subaru had such a grasp of the mansion’s layout that he’d retrieved the broom and dustpan to clean the broken vase with, then gone to grab a spare, without any hesitation. Rem really doubted someone working for only a day or two would do such a thing. That said, rather than raise her suspicions…

[User] “You all right? You’re so swamped with work, go ahead and send some my way. I’ll do it; I’ll do anything.”

[Assistant] …He was so friendly about it that she just couldn’t put a finger on the problem. It was not the behavior of someone bearing malice or hostility, but neither was it how a guileless person behaved. More to the point, for someone hiding something, his facade was riddled with openings. He looked like he was genuinely trying to get used to the job and attempting to get along well with Rem and Ram. Rem knitted her brow, looking like she was warding off the emotions bearing down on her at his earnestness. The sight of Subaru striving so hard, even when no one acknowledged it, stirred up a throbbing ache in her chest.

[User] “Subar—”

[Assistant] “Oh, I forgot the work Ramchi asked me to do! Sorry, I’d better hurry up and take care of that! I’ll hook back up with you right after!” Subaru rushed into the hallway faster than she could call out to stop him.


[User] Rem withdrew the fingers she’d reached out to him with, looking over her shoulder as if she should discuss her misgivings with her older sister, but—

[Assistant] "—No, it is not enough to trouble Sister over." Rem walked toward her own work space, trying to wrap up her remaining work and reduce the lingering ache in her chest in the process. 7 —I feel sick.

[User] “Oh, Ramchi! Did you see me? I’m doing pretty well with a kitchen knife after just one day learning it, huh? Maybe my talent is taking bloom!” —I feel sick I feel sick I feel sick.

[Assistant] “Remrin, look, look! Right now, my fingers are miraculously imbued with the skill that makes such fine workmanship possible! The power of illusion!” —I feel sick I feel sick I feel sick I feel sick I feel sick I feel sick.

[User] “Meeting Emilia-tan really puts my heart in a jumble! It’s too sinful! I feel so guilty!” —I feel sick I feel sick I feel sick I feel sick I feel sick I feel sick I feel sick I feel sick I feel sick I feel sick I feel sick I feel sick I feel sick I feel sick I feel sick I feel sick I feel sick I feel sick I feel sick I feel sick. He kept a smile nailed to his face as he continued trying to sound playful. He wrestled with his entrusted tasks full force, resolutely attacking problems with no fear of failure, and when he was done, he wandered around looking for more to do. He had to. He needed to. He didn’t have a single second to waste. It was like a video game where you simulated in your head every potential outcome to a particular event. He had to manage the event flags. That was his specialty, right? The more he encountered them, the better his odds. —I should be able to make them smile more. I should be able to make them laugh more. His actions were meaninglessly exaggerated. He tried to convince them he was an oblivious fool. He tried not to make them think he was useless. His head spun and spun, always weighing his actions. Subaru constantly kept watch for anything that seemed remotely out of the ordinary. He couldn’t let his guard slip for a single instant, never mind a second. —I can’t make a mistake. I just can’t. I can’t. Warning bells rang without pause in his head at repeating things over and over. Danger, danger, they announced. He hadn’t advanced an inch since reaching this other world, but he felt his sensitivity to peril, at least, had grown more acute.

[Assistant] “See, Ramchi? I’m not slacking off here. I’m totally doing so much work. Almost enough that my superior could just go back to her room and take a nap, you know?” He evaded the situation with an irregular approach, casually glossing things over with a charming smile. He wondered if he could really do it.


[User] He paid ten, no, a hundred times more attention, not only in front of Ram but Rem as well. He played Subaru Natsuki, erasing the unnatural with the natural. It was simple. It was all up to him. He had to pay not the slightest bit of attention to what anyone living at the mansion really thought, bathing himself in innocence and lack of restraint, until he seemed like a lazy pig who took whatever was given unto him. As far as the world was concerned, he knew nothing, could do nothing, noticed nothing, and that was all there was to him. He continued to loiter about, wearing his charming grin like a mask. He was inside the mansion. He didn’t know who would pop out or when. His free time wasn’t free. He spent all his spare time examining his past actions and forming plans for what he’d do in the hours to come.

[Assistant] "Wh…o…a…" He suddenly felt the urge to throw up. A slight moan slipped from the corner of his mouth, but Subaru’s smile did not falter whatsoever. He kept his expression steady, skipping as he walked, practically dancing his way as he slipped into the nearest guest room.

[User] And he stepped over to the room’s lavatory.

[Assistant] "…Blehhch. Uuogh, uuuuughnn…!" The contents of his already-empty stomach poured out. He vomited up every bit of the food and drink that had entered his body. That time, everything came out as sickly yellow stomach acid. And the internal pain that had made him spew it all continued to ache. The nausea wouldn’t go away. He gulped down running water until he was full, then expelled it immediately afterward. This repeated several times, his stomach heaving like it was cleaning itself out.

[User] "Haaah…haaah…haaah…" Subaru roughly wiped his mouth with his sleeve, his face pale and his breath ragged. The pressure was killing him. If he kept this up without any time to rest his mind, he felt like he’d waste away and expire from that alone. He wanted to laugh at himself for putting himself in this situation, but not even the faintest smile would form on his lips. All that welled up from within his chest was anxiety and despair.


[User] "But that still only gets me fifty points… Can’t get a hundred if I don’t figure out who the shaman is…"

[Assistant] He couldn't divulge the source of his information. And Subaru would get a little taste of hell if he broke the prohibition on speaking to others about Return by Death.

[User] "Ah, damn it… I’m being pathetic."

[Assistant] "Stupid, stupid. This isn’t the time to whine and cry…"

[User] Shaking off his nausea, Subaru slapped his stiff cheeks in self-rebuke and headed out of the guest room.

[Assistant] "I’ve finally found you." He heard someone call to him from behind.

[User] Standing there, breathing slightly heavily.