Presenting a defenseless posture, Garfiel stood there with his arms dangling at his side.
Seeing him blocking the road, Subaru warily scanned his gaze over his surroundings. There could be others lying in ambush.
But still, part of him already knew that if his opponent was Garfiel, no amount of caution would do any good. ――If he personally came, then he must have come alone.
Sure enough, Subaru couldn't sense anyone else in the vicinity. Confirming that his caution had been unnecessary, Subaru finally let out a sigh and patted the back of the still-wary Patrasche's neck,
[Subaru: I don't care if you wanna suddenly show up out of nowhere, but you mind not flirting with other people's partners right off the bat?]
[Garfiel: I ain't one for lies or pretty words. Just'sayin' whatever comes to mind. I always get scolded by Granny and Ram for that too]
Hearing the jokes stalling for time, Garfiel clacked his fangs and looked up as his smile gradually disappeared. Receiving that gaze with his single eye, Subaru raised up one finger,
[Subaru: It seems kinda unnatural for you to be here, mind explaining a bit?]
[Garfiel: Ain't no big story behind it. I'm the Fangs of th'Sanctuary, and I ain't gonna let y'run away from the Eyes of th'Sanctuary like that. There y'go. Well, so much for a consolation prize, yeah?]
Seeing Garfiel say this with a light wave of his hand, Subaru furrowed his brows.
If, as Subaru imagined, "Eyes" was a codename for something similar to "Grass", then the "Eyes" Garfiel mentioned probably meant something along the lines of sentinels. But,
[Subaru: I never heard Ram mention there being anything like that in the Sanctuary...]
[Garfiel: Y'think outsiders would know everything there's t'know about the Sanctuary? There's a mountain of things even that Roswaal bastard doesn't know. This is just one of'em, yeah? ...Be damned if you knew about'em]
Seeing Subaru confused by his murky statement, Garfiel relentlessly laid this down. And as Subaru fell speechless, Garfiel snorted and turned his eyes to the line of dragon carriages behind,
[Garfiel: Those there would be all the refugees, yeah?]
[Subaru: Ah, uhh, yeah. Say, Garfiel. I know it was our bad for trying to quietly sneak away and all, but can you just please let us go? After all, it wouldn't be a bad thing for you either, right?]
[Garfiel: Hah?]
While being stared down by his intimidating gaze, Subaru unconcernedly gestured to the carriages behind him,
[Subaru: Right now, letting the hostages leave is also in order to avoid the possibility of any further conflict, isn't it? I heard there's already small skirmishes sparking up, so before things get out of hand, isn't it better to deal with it first, once and for all?]
[Garfiel: ――――]
[Subaru: You and Lewes-san both want the Sanctuary to be liberated, right? Nothing good can come from leaving this dangerous spark inside. So, it's a lot more advantageous to let us leave, isn't it?]
Quiet and composed, Subaru tried to use all of his skills of persuasion on Garfiel. Besides, what Subaru said wasn't entirely out of convenience. In fact, from Garfiel's standpoint, letting the refugees leave was indeed the more advantageous choice.
Aside from the secrecy of the operation――
[Subaru: I'm not asking you to personally be ok with it, but, considering the circumstances...]
[Garfiel: Oy, it seems there's somethin' yer misunderstandin']
[Subaru: Misunderstanding?]
[Garfiel: Yer so convinced I'm buttin' in here to stop ya. But it's like y'said, I got no reason to stop th'evacuation. So there's no need wastin' yer breath with all these excuses]
Cutting Subaru off, Garfiel snorted at his presumption. And hearing this reply, Subaru closed his mouth once more. Owing to the bad premonition that preceded Garfiel's appearance, Subaru had indeed let himself run ahead of the conversation. In fact, on a rational level, what Garfiel said was right. But still,
[Subaru: If that's the case, then why're you here...?]
[Garfiel: Just came t'see y'off. If y'guys wanna leave that's yer thing. But leavin' without a representative from the Sanctuary's no different from escapin', ain't it? If I'm here t'watch, th'other guys can't say much 'bout it]
[Subaru: ...You've been thinking a lot more than I expected, huh]
Although Garfiel's display of sensibility and intellect was more than a little surprising, Subaru nevertheless accepted his argument. Garfiel, on the other hand, folded his arms and nodded at Subaru's rather impolite comment,
[Garfiel: That's obvious, ain't it? I ain't just strong, I think through all sortsa things... I'm the strongest, after'all]
[Subaru: Ah, I feel a little relieved to hear that. By the way, there's no need to mention my right eye or anything, you know]
[Garfiel: Hah? Ah, 's that right. Y'took off th'blinfold n' found out, huh. Just had to do all th'unnecessary things, y'bastard. Wait, OY!]
Listening to Garfiel's boasting, Subaru stuck a finger at his right eye. And while dealing the issue of Subaru's missing eye, Garfiel suddenly turned his attention to Otto, who had rescued Subaru. Sitting behind them on the driver's platform of the dragon carriage, Otto shrunk in his neck and slightly tried to hide himself from the razor sharp glare.
Seeing that wimpy reaction, Garfiel clicked his neck with [Speakin'of which], and continued,
[Garfiel: Yer pretty calm for someone who's just lost an eye, ain't ya? Honestly, I was prepared for some complaints or revenge from ya]
[Subaru: It'll take me till next morning to finish saying all the complaints and we're a bit short on time. And if I try to get revenge I'll probably just lose my left eye too. So I'll just let sleeping dogs lie]
[Garfiel: What's that supposed t'mean? ――Kinda pissin' me off, oy]
Garfiel was a bit dissatisfied with Subaru's reply, but Subaru, sensing no need to continue down this topic, only lightly rubbed his right eye with his palm, and,
[Subaru: So you'll just stand by like this and let everyone return to their village?]
[Garfiel: It's pretty rude to leave without sayin' goodbye, but that's taken care of since I'm here. So do what y'like]
[Subaru: Then, we'll just go ahead and...]
[Garfiel: ――Except]
Just as the line of dragon carriages were about to move, Garfiel's voice cut through the air. Slouching down his upper body, Garfiel casted a slanted gaze towards Patrasche and Subaru,
[Garfiel: Not you, you stay. The hostages can go. The noisy lil'bro can go. Ram... well she can go too if she wants. But not you]
[Subaru: ...and why's that?]
[Garfiel: There's Emilia-sama's motivation as well, but most important's to do with you yerself. A bastard stinkin of th'Witch like you, y'think I'd let y'leave just like that?]
[Subaru: That again...]
Giving his nose a flick, the golden-haired youth threatened. Although Subaru was already getting tired of this complaint, he nonetheless nodded,
[Subaru: So the condition is that I stay in the Sanctuary. Can we agree there?]
[Garfiel: Good yer gettin' it straight off the bat. If it dragged on too long my head's not gonna bother rememberin' all that]
[Subaru: You really just say whatever comes to mind, huh... alright, I understand. I'll just go convey this to everyone, wait here]
Arriving at the main issue, the negotiation came to an end. Although there wasn't actually much negotiating involved. Subaru simply accepted the terms before turning back to his companions―― to relay the information to the drivers, Otto, and Ram.
[Subaru: Basically, as long as I stay behind, he'll let everyone pass through safely. There's no point in whining here, so I think we should just accept the proposal...]
[Otto: As much as I want to say that is indeed a very good condition if he can let us go peacefully, would those behind us really be ok with it? In the first place, they would've stubbornly refused to escape without Natsuki-san]
[Subaru: Aahh, that's right, it'll take quite a bit of effort to convince everyone... But since we're already on the move, everyone's probably eager to return to the village. I don't think me leaving the group partway through will win out against their eagerness to go home]
In response to Otto's concerns, Subaru held a hand to his jaw in thought.
In fact, the refugees should be very eager to return home to their village. While Subaru was glad that they would put his safety on the same scale as their desire to go home, at this point, there was no choice but to break that balance.
[Otto: Natsuki-san...]
[Subaru: Well, considering this sentiment, I don't think it'll be too difficult to convince them. But it could turn out badly unless I do all the talking. So, I'll be right back, everyone please get the dragon carriages ready to set out while...]
[Ram: I don't like it]
Subaru's prompt instruction was cut off by Ram's abrupt interruption.
Slapped by this along with Otto's concerned gaze, Subaru gave Ram an awkward look, and with [Um…] scratching his head,
[Subaru: Garfiel just said something similar too, but it's not a good habit to always say these things that shave away at people's motivation, you know...]
[Ram: Barusu, don't you realize it yourself? What you said just now]
[Subaru: What I said?]
Subaru tilted his head at Ram's words, and couldn't think of any noteworthy details. Unsure what exactly she was referring to, he furrowed his brows looking confused.
Seeing this, Ram let out a disappointed sigh,
[Ram: If you don't know, then nevermind. It's just as Roswaal-sama said. Now that it had become like this, no matter what Ram does, it is futile]
[Subaru: Wait, what the hell are you saying? So you know too, don't you? You knew, that it would turn out like this...]
[Ram: That is meaningless to Barusu now. Only a waste of time]
[Subaru: You...]
Subaru ground his teeth watching Ram say this with her head held high with an all-knowing air. And sensing the dangerous atmosphere brewing between the two, with [Wait wait wait!] Otto stepped between them,
[Otto: Can you two stop arguing? Like Ram-san said, this is a waste of time. Wasting time is the same as wasting the chance to make money. So can you guys calm down? For me? That's it, it's decided, ok!]
[Subaru: Tch. Anyway, I'll go explain it to everyone]
[Ram: Tch. Ram has nothing more to say]
[Otto: Can you two please not click your tongues at me while you speak!?]
As always, Otto dejectedly protested his treatment, but since that was his job, there was not much he could do about it. Nevertheless, it was thanks to Otto's efforts that things did not break between them. Subaru passed by the dragon carriages one by one, and explained Garfiel's terms.
The Arlam villagers all showed a bitter expression when they heard that Subaru would stay behind, but seeing that Subaru himself was fine with it, and because they had lived as refugees for so long that their desire to return home was overwhelming, they had no choice but to reluctantly accept.
While he was grateful for their reluctance to leave him behind, Subaru finally managed to convince everyone. After returning to tell Ram and Otto, he rode on atop Patrasche to face Garfiel,
[Subaru: We've finished our talks. Your condition is fine. So let everyone through]
[Garfiel: Except you, yeah? They get goin' then. This ground dragon, she stayin'?]
[Subaru: It'll be a bit rough on my stamina to have to walk back alone. So I guess Patrasche will have to stay cooped up for a little while longer]
He placed his hand on his partner, who had to be stuck with the likes of him, and Patrasche gave her body a shake as if saying [You know I don't mind, geez], and turned her head away.
Interpreting her movement this way, Subaru lined up beside Garfiel and watched the dragon carriages set out along the path out of the Sanctuary. Seeing the faces of the villagers looking back at him through the dragon carriage windows, Subaru wryly smiled and waved to them in return.
[Subaru: Otto, after you get back to the village, do not go to the Mansion. Come back immediately if you can]
[Otto: ...? I don't understand… but, why? I was thinking we'd have to report in to Frederica to let her know, right?]
[Subaru: Never…mind. It'll probably be tomorrow morning by the time you return to the village... but just in case, at least don't go there until the afternoon]
Otto showed a confused expression at Subaru's instructions. But Subaru, unable to answer his doubts, only gestured with his chin, signaling him to [Go on ahead].
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Tonight was the fifth night―― the threshold of fate that was the final deadline when Elsa would attack the Mansion. If things progressed the same way as the first loop, then at this point, no doubt Elsa had already begun her attack.
But no matter how depraved Elsa may be―― it was still unlikely that she would descend on the village and massacre its inhabitants. So as long as Otto didn't enter the Mansion, he shouldn't be touched by the danger.
Of course, doing this would be none other than abandoning those in the Mansion: Frederica, and Petra. And Beatrice, and Rem.
[Subaru: ....This time, I'll use everything to find out what happened in the Sanctuary. That's… already decided. If I try to be greedy, I'll only end up with nothing. That's the reason I have stand by and watch, isn't it?]
Emerging in his chest, was the guilt of watching while allowing the worst to happen. Suppressing that guilt with the sense of mission and duty, Subaru spurred on the cruelty of his heart.
Steel. Turn his heart to steel. In order to reach that perfect future, he will use every method at his disposal. Permit, and accept sacrifices along the way, no matter how much it wore down his heart.
[Subaru: As long as we are smiling at the end, I'll...we'll have won]
And so, in the face of sacrifices, all he could do was to hold down the wavering of his heart.
He must not hesitate to pave the way so that he would retrieve everything in the end. Regrets were not something that should concern him now.
[Subaru: ――――]
Having watched all the dragon carriages pass before him and vanish into the forest, Subaru let out a sigh.
Now, there were only the Sanctuary's residents and people associated with Roswaal's Mansion left behind. All that remained was simply to wait for the dawn and bear witness to whatever was about to happen to the Sanctuary. If he could do that, then this loop's objective would have been accomplished.
[Subaru: Staying here forever and getting our faces eaten by bugs isn't the way to go, so how about we go back? It's starting to get kinda unpleasant with you staring at me like that]
[Garfiel: Don't try'ta tell me what to do... Say, y'haven't asked a peep about Emilia-sama's Trial tonight]
[Subaru: The fact that you're here already answered that, I figured. I'd be lying if I told you I didn't expect a bleak result this time]
At least, transforming her worry for Subaru and the hostages into motivation wasn't going to work. If Emilia was to prevail against the Trials, something fundamental would have to change. Otherwise, chances are that none of the Sanctuary's problems could be resolved in these rushed circumstances.
[Subaru: That's why I have to see this through to the end. I can't just wait for Emilia to pass her Trials without finding out what'll happen next]
So that he will not repeat his mistake, Subaru will take the risk of staying on in this third world.
The highest number of times Subaru has died in a single series of loops was four. If he intended to break through in the fifth world, he had only one more death after this.
[Subaru: There's still a mountain of things I need to confirm...]
――He was already thinking of his own "Death" as a foothold to reach that breakthrough.
Not even Subaru himself noticed just how twisted his own statement was. He signaled to Patrasche to return to the Sanctuary, and Garfiel, watching him from behind, muttered,
[Garfiel: ...Talkin' like y'understand everythin'. Just the fuck y'think y'know?]
[Subaru: Garfiel?]
Unable to hear that whispered question, Subaru turned around on his saddle. And abruptly, in front of his eyes――
Garfiel leapt towards Subaru atop Patrasche's back, his palm slashing towards Subaru's neck like a blade.
The sight of fingers shredding through the air burning into the back of his eyes, Subaru's voice died in astonishment at the unreal and sudden approach of "Death."
It was not that he never considered the possibility of Garfiel's attack, but he never thought it would come so directly in this place.
[Subaru: ――――!]
The shrill whistle of a swinging blade was followed by the pain of tearing flesh striking Subaru accompanied by the spray of blood. Reflexively holding his shrieking throat with his hand, he felt a thin crevice beneath his voice box that had been gouged out by the claw.
Pressing with his palm while feeling the blood seeping through his fingers, Subaru hurriedly grasped the reins and signaled Patrasche,
[Subaru: Garfiel! What're y...!]
[Garfiel: Y're gonna get in the way? What y'think yer doing, huh?]
While Subaru screamed from Patrasche's back at the sudden attack, Garfiel, landing on the ground, directed his rage and bloodied fingers at an entirely different direction.
Subaru, his face contorted in pain, turned to look in the direction Garfiel was pointing, and saw a single girl standing with a wand in her hand―― Ram, with her peach-colored hair swaying, and her stern gaze fixed on Garfiel.
[Subaru: Ram!?]
[Ram: I had a bad feeling so I stayed, and it turned out exactly as I thought. Barusu, you better thank me that your head is still connected to your torso]
[Garfiel: Without that wind screwin' up the aim, it would've lopped that head flyin']
Hearing the uninvited Ram's remark, Garfiel shook his head in acknowledgement. Speechless at their exchange, the pain of the wound only further inflamed Subaru's thoughts,
[Subaru: What the… hell are you doing, Garfiel!? Were you trying to kill me just now!?]
[Garfiel: That, and failed. If yer askin' what I was tryin' to do, dunno know how else t'answer ya]
Garfiel plainly confirmed his intention to kill. Hearing this, Subaru's single eye opened wide as his lips trembled at the incomprehensible act. Since,
[Subaru: If that's the case, couldn't you have killed me anytime you wanted? When I was imprisoned, no, even before that, if you just didn't heal me wouldn't I have already died!?]
[Garfiel: If I did that, the hostages would've exploded. Now that they've left, everythin's in order for me t'kill ya, ain't it?]
[Subaru: That's...!]
Feeling his thoughts being dyed pure red, Subaru was struck dumb by Garfiel's words.
All along, Garfiel had him in his sights and was looking a way to dispose of him without the problems that came with it, and sending away the hostages played right into his lap. Yet, there was still something else that felt unnatural. That is――
[Subaru: If you kill me here, what happens to Emilia's Trials? Not trying to be narcissistic here, but if I'm her primary motivation, when I'm dead, doesn't that mean the Trials will never end?]
For Lewes' faction, which hoped to liberate the Sanctuary, there could be no situation worse than this.
Even if Garfiel suspected Subaru because of the Witch's stench, there was no way he could have overlooked such a major factor.
Although his actions could perhaps be attributed to blind rage, seeing him conversing just now, none of his calm and rational demeanor fit the description of someone who had lost themselves to rage.
In other words, Garfiel's attack just now was the result of cold calculation. Just what did it mean――
[Garfiel: I...]
[Ram: No point listening to excuses, and it'll be meaningless trying to persuade him, Barusu]
But, just as Garfiel began to speak, Ram sharply cut herself between them. Turning her wand towards Garfiel, who clicked his tongue,
[Ram: You should stop trying to hide your true intentions with logic, Garf. It isn't like you]
[Subaru: O, oy, Ram]
[Ram: Stand down, I'm speaking. ――Either way, Garf has already made up his mind to kill you, Barusu]
Hearing Ram confirm Garfiel's murderous intent, Subaru could only close his mouth.
Ram slowly approached Subaru while keeping her vigilant glare fixed on Garfiel, and, holding out her hand, she softly traced her fingers over the underside of Patrasche's neck.
[Ram: Good girl. Do what you have to do now. That master of yours on your back… is incredibly dull, both to himself and to others]
[Patrasche: ――――]
Calmly, and somewhat gently, Ram said this to Patrasche, who replied without words. Patrasche extended out her tongue and licked Ram's fingers in response, before lowering her head and setting out her steps in the direction of the woods, regardless of Subaru's commands,
[Subaru: W-wait. You two, what're you...]
[Ram: Don't let go of the reins. As long as you do that, your ground dragon will do everything in her power to protect you, Barusu. You are as fortunate as a man can be]
[Subaru: Listen to me! No, tell me why! What do you know that's making you do this!?]
[Ram: There's no time to explain, and explaining is futile. Do as I say, Barusu. ――Ram can buy you about a minute, use that time to get however far you can. This is the only resistance Ram could offer for you]
He couldn't understand the meaning of the last part of Ram's reply, but there was already no time to ask.
After hearing her last syllable, Patrasche speeded away with a small neigh. And, shaking around on the ground dragon's back, Subaru felt the Divine Protection of Wind Evasion coming into effect as they were swallowed up by the flock of trees.
[Subaru: Ram――!]
He screamed. But there was no answer.
As his vision became obscured by the forest, all Subaru could do was to bite his lip and be carried along on his involuntary flight.
After Subaru and Patrasche sped into the forest, the two were left facing each other without anything to stand between them.
Seeing Ram holding her wand readied and unflinching, Garfiel stuck a finger towards the forest where Subaru had vanished, and,
[Garfiel: Y'just had t'say those unnecessary things. Gonna be a pain in the ass chasin' him now]
[Ram: You think I will let you leave?]
[Garfiel: Y'think y'can stop me? Be a huge mistake if y'think th'balance between us hasn't changed since the old days. And don't think I'll go easy just because I like ya]
Cracking his knuckles, Garfiel threatened once more. But he knew full well that this was not a girl who could be intimidated. In fact, Ram didn't seem affected at all. Garfiel roughly scratched at his spiky blond hair,
[Garfiel: Ram, what're y'doin'? What's th'point? If there's a point I ain't heard about it. Y'doin this on Roswaal's orders?]
[Ram: ...Sorry, Garf. It is Ram's own will to be here. It has nothing to do with Roswaal-sama's orders. At least, I see no need to ask Roswaal-sama's instructions at this point]
Hearing Ram say this resolutely, Garfiel, who was beginning to have the same doubts that Subaru had earlier, furrowed his brows with the exact same confusion at her answer.
Looking at her with an increasingly bitter expression,
[Garfiel: I don't get it, Ram. I'm gettin' it even less now that it ain't on Roswaal's orders, I can't think of a single reason why y'be doin' this]
[Ram: Really?]
[Garfiel: Uh――?]
[Ram: Do you really not understand... why Ram is doing this, Garf?]
Asking calmly, Ram's expression and tone were no different than usual. But, listening, Garfiel's expression changed under her gaze.
Confusion. Doubt. Shock. And wrath.
[Garfiel: You...]
Taking one step forward, Garfiel's heel ravaged the ground beneath it. Gnawing his fangs in an expression of unbearable rage, he narrowed his eyes towards Ram,
[Garfiel: I don't fuck'n believe it. You'd do somethin' like this...]
[Ram: ――For Frederica, and for you, Garf]
[Garfiel: DON'T YOU BRING UP THE NAME OF THAT TRAITOR!!]
Roaring, Garfiel stamped down his foot sending the ground caving in, and, with a boom, the surface shattered beneath his foot.
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Plumes of smoke billowed out as the nearby trees tilted from the force. The forest cowered in fear, and the air was silenced in terror of his rage.
Yet, in the face of that wrath, Ram's expression remained cool and unfazed,
[Ram: Do you think anyone will agree with you when you throw tantrums like an obstinate child? Garf, how long are you going to keep running in circles in this narrow forest?]
[Garfiel: Don't y'talk like y'know everything! You... you n'Frederica, you who abandoned the Sanctuary what could y'know, ahh!?]
Ram's words, like she was chiding a small child, did not reach the enraged Garfiel in the end. But unlike the way he stomped into the ground before, this time, he only kicked at the earth without force.
[Garfiel: For me? It's for me? You... that's exactly what I can't believe. Now it's already come t'this, how dare y'tell me that...? ]
[Ram: Garf...]
[Garfiel: Did I ask for yer sympathy? Don't look down at me all high n'mighty. Me, Granny, or the others, we never asked for your pity]
Covering his face with his palm, his breathing ragged, Garfiel wrenched out these words.
A figure that seemed almost tragic, and slouching made its stature appear even smaller than it was.
Taking deep breath after deep breath, Garfiel took his hand off of his face, and,
[Garfiel: Enough. I ain't listenin' no more. Turn back to th'Sanctuary now. Do it and I'll forget this. I still gotta go chase down that bastard]
[Ram: I refuse, Garf. If anyone should concede, it is you. Even if I go back, the approaching ruin is unavoidable. You understand this as well, don't you?]
[Garfiel: Just go back. I ain't askin' again. Go back and stay there till the Trials' over]
[Ram: No, I will not return or wait. Nothing can come from standing idle. By stagnating in this place, the only thing that will remain in your palms will be ashes of what you hoped to achieve. For something so weak and vague, why do y...]
[Garfiel: Even so! It's a lot better than having nothing left!]
Cutting Ram off, Garfiel looked up and barked. Etched into his expression was at once rage, jealousy, and sorrow.
[Garfiel: Ruin? So what? Long as I'm here I'll take care of'it. This time, all of it, I'll take care of all of it...]
[Ram: Garf, haven't I always told you? ――That's nothing more than compensatory behavior]
In the face of Garfiel's detonated emotions, Ram still responded with single-minded calmness.
In direct opposition and impossible to converge, neither were willing to concede, and no compromise was coming.
Perhaps realizing this, Garfiel looked down and closed his eyes,
[Garfiel: Go back, Ram. This is… my final request. With all the feelings I have ever expressed for you, please. So...]
[Ram: Then, Garf. ――Will you abandon everything except for Ram?]
[Garfiel: ――――]
To Garfiel's final, grief-filled plea, Ram's reply was concise and crisp. Although, carried within it was something excruciating that pressed on the hearts of anyone who heard it.
Standing opposite her, Garfiel's expression stiffened and his lips trembled.
Seeing this, Ram lightly cast down her eyes,
[Ram: Choose Ram over all the things in this world, see only Ram, love only Ram, do everything only for Ram, be loved only by Ram, forgive only Ram, and devote your entire being to Ram―― can you do this?]
[Garfiel: I-I...]
[Ram: Ram, can do this]
Placing a hand on her chest, Ram proclaimed to the stuttering Garfiel.
A quiet and unwavering will, alone filled her words as she lifted her face,
[Ram: ――Ram, can do this]
And that, was Ram's final ultimatum to Garfiel.
Perhaps understanding this, for only an instant, all dominance vanished from Garfiel's face. Only Ram was there to witness just what expression adorned his face in that instant.
Then, quickly shaking his head, and stowing all his exposed weakness deep within himself, he bared his fangs,
[Garfiel: I've always known… just how stubborn y'are]
[Ram: I could say the same to you. ――If I cannot truly be the most important thing to you, then Ram will not yield to you, Garf. Ram will not belong to anyone]
[Garfiel: Is that, so]
Facing each other, their gazes met.
Conclusions drawn, they acknowledged that neither would back down. Then, both, in a quiet voice,
[Ram: Goodbye, Garf]
[Garfiel: Farewell, Ram]
They exchanged these final words between them, full of affection.
――The forest trembled.
And a roar echoed out.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
[Subaru: Patrasche! Stop! I'm telling you to stop!]
Desperately pulling on the reins, Subaru frantically screamed to Patrasche as they galloped through the forest.
But the ground dragon had no intention of listening to her rider, and only single-mindedly sprinted along the rugged road, distancing them from the firing-line behind them.
Although Subaru had heard of panicked horses that would refuse to listen to their rider's commands, this didn't seem to be the case with Patrasche.
The ground dragon seemed no different from usual, and was consciously ignoring his commands.
In other words, she must have deemed Subaru's commands unworthy of her obedience.
[Subaru: You are ignoring me… for my own good, aren't you?]
[Patrasche: ――――]
While she would not listen to his commands, she did not simply throw her master off like she was pissed off, either. Every bit of Patrasche's behavior had been overflowing with concern for Subaru, and Subaru, being tossed around on her back, was close to tears in gratitude and shame.
It was not simply because his ground dragon refused to obey him. He was disgusted with his own stupidity for failing to notice that even his ground dragon was worried about him.
And, alongside this, the matter that was still fueling Subaru's self-despair in present continuous tense, was that,
[Subaru: But Ram's in danger! I don't want to believe that Garfiel will really do anything to hurt her... but now…!]
Garfiel had made up his mind to kill Subaru. It was outside of his calculations that Ram would stand in his way, but now, just how would he rectify this miscalculation―― was too frightening to imagine.
Unable to save those at the Mansion, Subaru had already more or less come to terms with their sacrifice in this loop. But those terms did not include Ram. Completely unprepared to allow a further loss beyond his permitted range, it tore Subaru's heart to pieces, resulting in this miserable state.
[Subaru: I hate...getting hurt too, but I can recover. So...!]
Pleading, his voice was almost crying. But Patrasche still ignored him.
With speed like the wind, the ground dragon did not slow down, and had no intention of listening to Subaru's appeals. Ram and Garfiel were now far behind them. A tragedy unfolding in a place he could not reach.
The thought battered at Subaru's heart. Why was his heart so weak, and why could it never be strong?
――And, this way, with his sights directed only into himself, repeating mistake after mistake, Subaru was bound to repeat the same failure.
[Subaru: ――Eh?]
Suddenly, his line of sight expanded as Patrasche broke through the tangled woods. Clinging tight onto her as they cleared the obstacled path, Subaru's jaw dropped at the scene that opened before him.
[Otto: Wh-what happened, Natsuki-san? You're back in such a hurry?]
The one who asked was Otto, looking just as stumped as Subaru.
It was the train of refugees that was supposed to have gone ahead. Somehow, Subaru had bumped right into the side of their column. He thought they had just been fleeing aimlessly through the forest, but Patrasche's behavior certainly exceeded his expectations.
[Otto: I thought he didn't let you leave? What happened to Garfiel?]
[Subaru: I-I don't really know either... but Ram and Patrasche...]
Trying to control his ragged breathing so he could speak to Otto, Subaru wiped the sweat from his brows with the back of his hand.
――In the next instant, an atrocious roar shook through the forest.
[Subaru: Wh――!?]
[Otto: Huh!?]
Throats frozen, eyes widened in shock, Subaru and Otto simultaneously startled and turned to the direction of the voice.
The thunderous roar shook the atmosphere and the hearts of men alike, and even the ground dragons showed signs of panic at its overwhelming force.
If there was a single creature unshaken by this scene, it was Patrasche, bearing Subaru on her back.
Thus, she was the first to judge the situation and react.
[Otto: Ah, Natsuki-san!?]
[Subaru: Hey, Patrasche!]
Immediately turning her head to the front of the line of carriages, Patrasche broke into a run. She headed towards the leading carriage―― and then further beyond that, sprinting without hesitation towards the Sanctuary's exit, at end of the road ahead.
Leaving Otto's call behind, Subaru felt the Divine Protection activate once again. He didn't know the reason behind her action, but just as he was about to raise his voice to stop her,
[――――!!]
An impact shook the ground, and Subaru heard a shriek coming from behind.
Involuntarily holding his breath and turning back his head, he gazed in the direction of Otto and the others.
In the left half of his vision, Subaru saw the scene that unraveled in the darkness of the forest.
Carriages sent flying. Ground dragons swallowed along in the impact, and passengers scattering into the air in screams and blood, dying the forest sky red.
[Subaru: ――a]
Witnessing this devastation, Subaru saw, under the airborne carcasses of the dragon carriages, a beast.
――Its whole body covered in golden fur, a gigantic tiger emerged in Subaru's sight.
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