Maybe she was naïve. Maybe she was easy.
And, even then, Emilia did not think herself worthy of scolding him, that boy who seemed like a child, who had eventually exposed his sleeping, baby-like face.
So, the boy would visit Emilia, to find himself salvation.
He would come looking for her, without saying a single word about what he was doing outside her room's door, just sobbing sadly and talking about his own feelings, entrusting his life to Emilia's knees.
Whether she was receiving strong trust, or being looked down upon and being humiliated, that depended on what Emilia thought. And Emilia was not able to give any answer to that.
Emilia: "Obviously, this reaaally isn't healthy…"
That this was not a normal state to be in, even the immature Emilia realized that.
However, Emilia, while accepting that clinging boy's tears, looking on the form of the boy letting himself rest for nary a moment, in her own inner thoughts she was unsure.
Emilia: "――――"
Speaking of the intervals in which the boy sought Emilia, it was about once every ten days.
Other than that, he was desperately struggling, even cutting back on sleep-time.
Really, they did not exchange many words.
But in this way, the boy would secretly came searching for her, for Emilia, once every ten days.
Emilia: "…Subaru's such a twit."
―――That perhaps she longed for those visits, Emilia had grown aware of that.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
―――If a tossed gold coin landed on tails, with just that, anyone would be slain.
At that abnormal method of her master, Frederica could not hide her disgust.
Cleaning a headless corpse that had fallen in the reception hall, Frederica then replaced the sullied carpet, next preparing meals for the mercenaries in Pandemonium.
Frederica: "The fates of others, quite literally left to luck… Do you feel like you have become a god?"
Lifting the whole body of a corpse, Frederica, knowing all too well the reason for her helplessness, clicked her sharp fangs against one another, containing her feelings inside herself while trembling with anger.
Frederica Baumann was employed and working there in the organization because the Purge King, its leader, had a princess―― Emilia, who had vehemently begged on her behalf.
That day, as the mansion filled with chilled air and frost, she had been convinced she was going to lose her life to that traitorous Great Spirit. Yet, for some reason, she had woken up here.
Since then, having been fitted with a collar around her neck, she was being used as a maid, to serve that detestable person.
Why in the world, how inept had her work been so that she was now subjected with this kind of absurd job?
Frederica: "――Master, pardon me, please."
Her owner's own meals, it was the rule that Frederica would carry it to his room directly.
He did not entrust this task to anyone else other than Frederica, and would not allow in his mouth food cooked by any other than her. That this was some honorable thing, she had no feeling like that whatsoever.
Firstly, it was not because of taste or trust that Frederica had been entrusted with the task. Merely that Frederica would not try stupid things, was the sort of conviction he held.
???: "Come."
With the sound of many locks coming undone, a rude order allowed Frederica's entry into the room.
Following those orders, with the food cart in tow, Frederica stepped foot into the room of her master.
Her master's room, unlike the luxurious decor and interior of the building, was big, but quite simple and dull, a room lacking in humanity.
The room's four corners held many books that were not distinguished by subject. Messily piled up books were stacked everywhere, and it was a place the orderly Frederica could not bear. But, that person deeply hated having his room cleaned.
Perhaps he was being wary of something being installed in the room.
Knowing that was impossible, but still being on the lookout for it, was not being cautious but rather cowardly―― definitely, it was contemptible behavior.
Frederica: "Master, should I do the usual with these fallen documents?"
Subaru: "…Hmm. Yeah, please do. You can show them to someone who looks like they understand them."
With those words, few documents littering the floor of the room, written down in messy handwriting, were waved away by her uninterested master.
At first glance, they simply seemed to be discarded, messed-up drafts, but they in fact were the source of the organization's wealth―― The many mysterious creations brought about by the Purge King.
Subaru: "It might not be very helpful… Engines or things like that, I don't get the mechanism at all. As expected, different kinds of food are the easiest to figure out…"
Mumbling complaints, looking somewhere other than here was her master.
He would speak of knowledge and culture that no one had ever seen, discovered or noticed, be it leads or the ultimate results.
By meeting lots of people, that black-haired boy had repeatedly made great decisions―― like he had been marked by fate, he had many unique ideas, and as a pioneer of culture had been granted cleverness.
With those many pieces of knowledge he spoke of, the experts of fields of study that had been in slumber had been lit with a new flame.
Those experts would examine and discuss that boy's joking words, which represented possibilities incomprehensible to ordinary people, with seriousness, and ultimately established them into theories.
And so, with that producing enormous profits, the boy who possessed nothing had been nurtured into a great villain.
Subaru: "At this point, calling it an unparalleled kata [10] made of future knowledge isn't even funny."
Frederica remembered that her master had mumbled such strange words in reply to having his achievements praised, in the past. She also recalled that he had not been smiling at all when speaking those words.
And so, on one hand causing many people to suffer, on the other giving rise to much happiness, her dark-haired master was quite dishonest.
Even as a problematic existence that humanity should remedy, in his brain there was definite value.
This unreachable being, was definitely one-of-a-kind in this world in regards to being difficult to handle, there was no doubt―― maybe in that sense, he might have had something in common with Roswaal.
Frederica: "――――"
Subaru: "Frederica, the food. First, have a bite."
Even while preoccupied in her thoughts, Frederica was steadily readying the meal to be served.
This boy was only skin and bones, skeletal in appearance. It was not that his portions were lacking, the issue was largely mental.
Having given and taken many wounds, while living comfortably he was comparably quite skinny in appearance. As the manager of his meals, it did not make her feel great, but he probably was not vomiting because he wanted to.
Frederica: "Master, with this."
Why had meals been prepared for two?
All menus were for two, placed on large plates, and set on the table. And from every plate's meal Frederica ate a single bite, as to check for the presence of poison was one of her roles.
She had never thought about poisoning him. But that she wanted to, that she did.
It was just that, for Frederica, the work of a maid had taken up much of her life, and it was precious to her. With the people that had taught her, and those involved with her, in her mind, she did not want to commit acts of violence.
Frederica: "Then, I will be outside, if there is anything please call for me."
Subaru: "Hmm."
During meals, her master did not enjoy being seen.
Because of that, having finished with readying the meal, Frederica felt it was time to leave and was withdrawing from the room.
On this day as well, she intended to leave the room and wait outside―― when suddenly, something caught her eye.
Spread out over the desk was a written list, holding the names of the organization's members.
Placed next to that list, a gold coin could be seen.
At that moment, having realized the meaning of that, Frederica could not hide the fear running down her back.
Frederica: "Master――"
Subaru: "Frederica."
With her turning around, void black eyes were gazing at Frederica, who had called for her master.
Frederica's breath was robbed by that abyss. In front of her, her master slowly approached the desk and covered that unfolded list.
And then, flipping the gold coin just next to it with a thumb,
Subaru: "――Heads."
With a carefree noise, that tossed coin fell into the boy's left hand. Catching it, and having checked the side facing up, that boy smiled at Frederica.
Subaru: "It was heads, Frederica―― Your brother and grandmother are safe."
Frederica: "――Ah."
Subaru: "Get out. And don't come back until I say you may enter."
At her master's words, Frederica nodded like a doll without speaking.
And so, unable to hide the tears in her eyes welling up, she left the room as her cheeks were moistened by hot tears. Soon after, Frederica began to run while covering her face.
Frederica: "Uh, uhhh… Waaaaah!"
She could not tell, not anyone, not anything. Sharing would not be forgiven.
Why had it become like this?
Why had this happened to her?
Those far-away days at the mansion, with those not-cute-at-all juniors, that cute junior, that hopeless master―― Where had those times gone?
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
――Having received word from a secret messenger, Cecilus closed one eye and looked up at the moon.
Cecilus: "Hmm, hmmhmm, hmmhmmhmmmm~."
Twisting his neck and bending at the waist, low enough that the tips of his long hair could brush the ground, he tilted his form.
By nature, thinking had never been his best attribute. Cecilus had not received formal education, and had lived with no intention of learning things in the first place. In years, his life numbered around twenty, but he had spent it all on one thing only.
Many years he had spent only on swinging a sword, his swordsmanship a point of pride.
Since it was a life of only that, in his heart of hearts he wished to avoid difficult matters.
Cecilus: "Well now, how should this be done. As for me…"
Straightening his bent body, Cecilus shook the dust from his hair that had been touching the floor. And placing a hand on the sword at his waist, then turning back with a dance-like move,
Cecilus: "Hey, Halibel-san. What do you think?"
Halibel: "―――What, it's disgraceful that you've found me while I was keepin' quiet, and ya were bein' so unashamed."
On the castle's―― on Pandemonium's balcony, underneath the light of the moon with the sky overhead, from the shadows the beastman shinobi appeared.
Having been detected, Halibel scratched his head, and approached Cecilus, the latter's face undaunted.
Retrieving the kiseru from his pocket and inserting it in his mouth, he lighted its tip. Inhaled, and puffed out purple haze.
Halibel: "Just now, who was that messenger sneakin' about?"
Cecilus: "That? ――Let's just say, that was one of the Nine Divine Generals, but… Well, if it's Halibel-san, the top shinobi in the world, it's no wonder they were found."
Halibel: "Ce-san, y'ain't suited for secret stuff at all. Haven't'cha revealed that ya never broke off ties with the Vollachian Empire just now?"
Cecilus: "But, Halibel-san, weren't you already aware of that?"
Halibel: "――――"
Halibel, already with an awkward grin, at Cecilus's comment smiled even deeper.
That this was not a negative sign, Cecilus was frankly aware of it.
Cecilus: "Originally, working with the boss was as per His Excellency's order. Of course, that I fell for the boss's invitation and came to this side isn't a lie."
Halibel: "With the Empire's collar 'round yer neck… Well, Su-san's movements, if used well, it'd be easy to turn them into a profit to yer country. That knowledge from somewhere unknown'd be more readily accepted in Kararagi and Vollachia rather than Lugunica and Gusteko."
Cecilus: "It would, yes."
Drawing his hand into his kimono sleeves, Cecilus acknowledged that he was a spy.
Cecilus's reason for cooperating with the organization's activities, as he had stated, was to follow the orders of Vollachia's Emperor. However, the Emperor, knowing Cecilus's temperament, had not given specific instructions. Not that he could have remembered them even if he did.
Cecilus's role, as commanded, was to――
Cecilus: "All I gotta do is kill who the boss orders be killed, aside from His Excellency. So, it's just the usual."
Halibel: "Ce-san, aren't'cha even more of an assassin than I, a shinobi, am?"
Cecilus: "No, no, definitely not true, I mean, stuff like lurking in the water, or hiding poison on my person, or rising from the shadows is impossible for me."
Shaking his head and hands, Cecilus humbly responded by acknowledging the difference between their respective areas.
As a shinobi, as an assassin, he was far behind Halibel. But, if fighting head-on, Halibel was no match for Cecilus.
Cecilus: "Well then, having just caught me at the scene of me meeting with a secret messenger, what are you thinking of doing? Are you planning on fighting me with your life on the line here?"
Halibel: "That depends on the nature of the message."
Cecilus: "Hmm, you mean its contents."
Halibel: "If its contents'd mean Su-san's death, I guess I gotta fight to stop that."
Holding his kiseru between his fingers, letting out a puff of violet smoke, Halibel's fur fluttered in the cold night breeze.
Hearing he was ready to fight to the death for his master, Cecilus, with an "I see", nodded his head.
Cecilus: "I've been wondering for a long time now. Why's Halibel-san acting for the boss? It's not out of sincerely loyalty to His Excellency like me."
Halibel: "To repay a grace I received."
Cecilus: "――What can it be, the sort of favor that Halibel-san received?"
Those unexpected words had come rushing out, and, having listened to them, Cecilus asked with sincere surprise. Depending on the person, this would be brazen enough to be considered rude, but Halibel did not say anything in particular.
Instead, Halibel gazed up at the moon hanging in the night sky――
Halibel: "'Round the time I first met Su-san, there was a bit of an incident in a corner of Kararagi. That, well, it was an incident that involved the Four Great Spirits… Su-san dealt with it."
Cecilus: "Huuuh, the Four Great Spirits! I know one of them, but they can't really be talked with, you know. Can't believe they were calmed down… Huh, perhaps the boss's stronger than I thought…"
Halibel: "Nah, nah. It wasn't an aggressive situation like that. What did… Well, I dunno what was the deciding factor, for sure. But you know how Su-san's got some weird predications at times? It was prolly that."
Returning his blade to its sheath, Cecilus with one eye closed listened to Halibel's explanation.
The reason that felt both convincing and doubtful was because Cecilus appraised that boy, his boss, similarly, in certain aspects.
Halibel had called them weird predictions, but Cecilus did not look at it like that.
To prepare for anything was the weapon of a coward, he thought. And, Cecilus thought it desirable to respect the strong.
That meant that, no matter the method of fighting, one who would greedily use anything to win would be acknowledged as a warrior by him.
Cecilus: "Well, as a strong one among swordsmen, if possible, sticking with a sword fits me the best."
Halibel: "Ce-san, Ce-san, are ya done with my talk?"
Cecilus: "Yes, that is enough. Anyway, it wasn't that I thought of suspecting Halibel-san or anything like that. Unlike the Empire, the City-States is more like a mish-mash of heads… If you told me you were working for someone else, I'd trust you a lot more."
With that declaration, Halibel seemed worn out and disappointed. At that, Cecilus tilted his head, and with an "Ah", as if he had remembered something, clapped his hands together.
Cecilus: "Right, right, I was forgetting. The secret messenger I got in touch with a while ago."
Halibel: "It's okay to tell me?"
Cecilus: "If I don't tell you, I think that'd cause a lot of difficulties. To be completely honest…"
Then, Cecilus informed Halibel, a large smile on his face,
Cecilus: "――As the Former Margrave's murder has surfaced, the Kingdom is coming to destroy the organization in earnest."
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
――And so, nonchalantly, the moment of the end would arrive.
???: "Many thanks for granting me an audience with you today."
Saying this, welcomed as a guest to the reception area, this youth confronted the Purge King with a dignified attitude.
Subaru: "――――"
This boy had slain many, erased many lives, grasped many weaknesses.
There had been many situations in which people, to maintain calm, had bluffed by presenting a brave front.
Subaru: "――Somehow, your confidence is remarkable, you do not seem much different from me."
Young Man: "――Thank you for those sudden words of praise."
The one who's head dipped in a bow, was a delicately-built young man, fitted with a black suit and tie.
There was a mild look on his face, but in his eyes, somehow, a dim darkness could be seen. That smile he was making was likely fake. He was definitely aware that it would be seen through.
Not reckless, but full of courage―― was the mixed impression of this young man.
Subaru: "Let me see, you must be…"
Young Man: "To be frank, not far off from now, we intend to do much large-scale business here. Because of that, we had been looking for a chance to send our regards to the organization, and present gifts, first of all."
Subaru: "I see, that's, well, thanks for your consideration."
That posture of advancing according to his role without flinching left a good impression.
Emulating that attitude, the boy changed, to intently perform his own role as well.
Young Man: "These are the offerings from our side―― We have heard that the leader desired this."
Subaru: "Huh."
Having been brought in and the lid of its box opened by a servant, the young man presented the eye-catching offering.
Inside, were a lot of stones―― Magic Stones. As if affirming its utmost purity, the concentration of Mana filling the room heightened.
Staring at the offering, the Purge King muttered.
Subaru: "What color is there the most of?"
Young Man: "――?"
???: "Red and blue shades seem to be most prominent, but if you look further inside, there's also yellow and green… Get the feeling the whole set's there. Oh, how thoughtful."
At that question with unknown meaning, the young man showed hesitation for the first time.
Instead of the youthful man, it was Cecilus who had replied, standing next to the King. After receiving that report from Cecilus, the King nodded solemnly.
Subaru: "Is that so, then my thanks for that. I'll be receiving your consideration. Uhhh…"
Young Man: "This comes from Russell Fellow."
Subaru: "Hmm, I see. Russell Fellow, is it. If any problem comes up…"
Then, the Purge King cut off his words.
The reason was that youthful messenger, who, to stop him from speaking, had opened a hand.
In that instant, a faint murmur spread in the room. With his words having been interrupted, what response would the Purge King give to that action; the guards were getting excited.
However, in such a situation, only Halibel, Cecilus and the young man involved had remained calm,
Young Man: "Please wait. In truth, the offerings, just this is not their entirety."
Subaru: "――Huh. Then I'm even more impressed."
After listening to that man's words, the King responded as such, and the tension relaxed slightly.
There, in that atmosphere with lessened pressure, that young man gave a deep nod. And so――
Young Man: "――From the Kingdom of Lugunica, this could be called the response to the Purge King's atrocities."
――Immediately, an onslaught of white light swallowed up the whole meeting room, shattering it.
An incredible torrent of light engulfed the luxurious reception room of the Magic Castle Pandemonium; as if purifying it, it was transformed into white dust.
Those who had perished due to that white light, without even knowing what had hit them, numbered eighteen―― each were warriors of great skill, each had their names known throughout, but this was no longer in their realm.
Even if, to those vanquished men, the truth of what had happened could somehow be told, there were none among them who would have believed it.
――The blow which had vaporized them all, had been brought about with a single slash.
The organization's headquarters was collapsing.
The place where important things had been gathered, had been blown away by that reigning brilliant existence.
The Purge King had been finally acknowledged as an enemy of the world, having committed a multitude of evil deeds.
The assassin sent by the Dragon Kingdom to subjugate that existence, was none other than――
???: "Reinhard van Astrea, of the Sword Saint bloodline."
The one who rendered all efforts ineffective, the absurd iron hammer of the divine, had manifested.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
In that destroyed parlor, a man was standing, serene.
Fiery crimson hair, blue eyes that mimicked the very sky, a white Knight's uniform left not a single speck of dust, the Knight Amongst Knights stood there, like something out of a painting.
Held in that Knight's hand, a Holy Sword shattered into innumerable pieces.
With just one swing, a weapon crafted by a master swordsmith who'd left his name upon the world had turned to dust like it was nothing. In compensation, the man who had stacked acts of barbarity upon acts of barbarity and his gang both would be caught in a single blow――
???: "――You're not a cute opponent at all, you know that, right?
Reinhard: "――――"
Like a clap of thunder breaking through the smoke, a terrific sword strike closed in on Reinhard.
And so, with an impact like thunder indeed ringing out, the body of the one labelled the Sword was thrown back. However, his body had not been slashed―― The scabbard of his beloved sword had been used to blocked it.
Not with hands, but by twisting his body to receive the slashing strike with the sheath, with movement akin to acrobatics, the young man, Reinhard, then fired a strike of his own―― At that Cecilus, let out a whistle.
Cecilus: "Oh, I see you're still completely beyond the realm of humans… That makes me so happy, Reinhard-san!"
Reinhard: "I believe I am not feeling very pleased about our reunion, Cecilus-dono."
Carrying the Fiend Sword Murasame on his shoulder, Cecilus kicked some dust on the floor with his zori. Having been greeted with that single blow in lieu of a proper one, Reinhard furrowed his brow.
Then, squinting towards the back of the room, the smoke there clearing up,
Reinhard: "…It did not reach, huh."
Cecilus: "Ohh, that didn't reach the boss, did it? Well, it was a blow in a place where Halibel-san and I are guarding, that's a hard place to get to. But, to be honest, I didn't particularly move while thinking of protecting the boss, so Halibel-san gets one-hundred-percent of the credit there."
Saying that, in the inner room, where Cecilus was innocently pointing at with his chin―― On the throne shrouded in smoke was the Purge King resting his chin in his hands, and protecting him with his back, was Halibel's figure.
That Halibel, puffing purple smoke from the kiseru held in his mouth―――
Halibel: "Ce-san, a correction. This ain't my achievement."
Cecilus: "Well then, it was my hidden power…"
Halibel: "Even that ain't it. It was, Su-san's work… This throne's definitely bein' protected by some sort of tremendous power. Though, we ain't ever heard of it."
At that Cecilus gazing down at his hand while trembling, Halibel shook his head.
Then, behind Halibel, the Purge King who had been seated on the throne until now, rose. And, grabbing the orange scarf he wore around his neck,
Subaru: "――I saw your strike before at the Loot House. To prepare for that's only natural."
Distorting his cheeks, he gave a very grim smile.
This was none other than, the Purge King's―― No, Natsuki Subaru's reunion with Reinhard.
Reinhard: "Subaru…!"
Subaru: "You've really drawn a poor lot, Reinhard. Had you not helped me back at the Loot House, it would've have become the mess it is now―― But in that case, you wouldn't ever been able to meet your precious master, guess it didn't turn out so bad for you, did it?"
Reinhard: "――Kh."
Peeping out from Halibel's side, Subaru stuck his tongue out at Reinhard.
At that wicked form, Reinhard's cheeks stiffened as if in pain. Swaying sadly, those blue eyes gazed ahead at Subaru, his face wicked and hateful.
But suddenly, that expression disappeared.
Subaru: "――What the hell. After all, you're black and white as well?
Reinhard: "――? Black and white? That is…"
Subaru: "Shut up, you lying bastard―― Then, there's no way I'll let myself die to you."
With emotionless words, Subaru turned away his eyes, having lost interest in Reinhard. And like that, whacking Halibel on the shoulder, then staring at Cecilus as he faced Reinhard,
Subaru: "Cecilus, do what you want, I've already lost interest."
Cecilus: "――I don't understand much about that, it seems the boss and I see things differently. My thanks for the worthy opponent, do accept those."
Subaru: "We're seeing things differently… Haha, that makes sense. Even at the end, you make me laugh."
As if something about Cecilus's words was funny, Subaru slapped his knee with amusement.
Then, his smile disappearing immediately,
Subaru: "It was enjoyable in its own way. Cecilus, since you had no weaknesses, you weren't my favorite."
Cecilus: "For me, it'd be just that―― Mayonnaise is scary."
Subaru: "Ha~!"
At that cheeky assertion of Cecilus, Subaru laughed as if he was pleased.
Subaru's appearance, held in Halibel's arms, sank into a shadow. And like that, Subaru and Halibel had departed from this difficult predicament.
Reinhard: "Wait! Our talk is yet to be…"
Cecilus: "―――That's the end of it, Sword Saint. If you don't want it to stop there, then please catch up and start over. But before then, this faithful subordinate of the Purge King's gonna be blocking your way."
Reinhard: "Kuh… Kh."
Trying to chase after the disappeared Subaru and Halibel, Reinhard felt something brushing underneath his feet.
Sundering the floor in a straight line, that blow, without a moment of the blade being drawn visible, was an extraordinary flash made viable by overwhelming swinging speed. No more than a sword that had reached the pinnacle of the sword.
Cecilus: "Regrettably, it's too early to be evaluated in such a manner. I'm still in the middle of climbing that mountain. If I can overcome one more step, I think I can reach it."
Reinhard: "Reach, where?"
Cecilus: "Of course, the Heavenly Sword."
At that moment, a sound like the air freezing, like it was being cut and slain, could be heard.
A swordfighter who had truly reached the pinnacle of the sword―― no, it was the transparent fighting spirit emitted by the swordsman, which reached a level monstruous enough that it would bring about unfathomable situations contrary to common sense.
That incarnation of the sword standing there; just by touching that blade, even invisible things would perish.
Cecilus: "I was waiting for this opportunity―― A chance to cross swords with you."
Reinhard: "…Cecilus-dono, I have already fought with you before. That match was, to me, of great significance. Why is it you…"
Cecilus: "Of course, if my body can wield a sword―― we may only meet in a life-or-death match."
The second sword, the Fiend Sword Murasame, was unsheathed with gleaming light.
The first sword, the Dream Sword Masayume, desired to cut, the beauty within it reveals.
Of the ten Enchanted Swords, Distinguished Swords, and Holy Swords existing in the world, those amounted to two―― Not to mention,
Cecilus: "――The Dragon Sword Reid."
Always besides the Sword Saint, but only ever drawn against opponents suitable for the Sword Saint, that sword shining white exposed its blade to the air.
That the sound of the sword being drawn was being heard, was undoubtedly because the Dragon Sword was ululating.
Cecilus: "You must already know, Reinhard-san. In front of us lies a wall."
With each holding their Holy Sword, their Enchanted Sword, their Dragon Sword, these extraordinary existences faced one another.
Shuffling their feet as to narrow the distance between the two, the world viewed their clash with horror, the atmosphere distorted.
Cecilus: "For those who arrive at a certain realm, the way in front's gonna be blocked by a wall. That wall, which can't be surpassed no matter what, some'll never overcome it and give up. Something like that, it's impossible for me. For if I don't cross that wall, I won't be able to be me."
Reinhard: "――――"
Cecilus: "That's when the boss's offer arrived. He offered me a way to get past the wall… Well, it ended up being a way to cross swords with you with lives on the line, setting up a serious fight for one's life―― Well, just as he said it, it was to clutch at straws, that sorta thing."
Reinhard: "Straws…?"
Cecilus: "Those who are about to drown do, or so I've heard."
That was the solution that had brought Cecilus Segmunt brought to this place.
Or perhaps, with his desire as a swordsman being guessed correctly, this had been made inevitable?
At that wide-eyed Sword Saint, Cecilus curved his lips.
And, laughed. The Blue Lightning, who with a laughing face would cut down others, spoke,
Cecilus: "I'm drowning, Mister Reinhard van Astrea. Saying it like my employer would; apparently, we, those who deeply desire something, everyone of us, everyone's drowning. We're all drowning in an ocyan [11], or whatever it's called, which we haven't even seen before."
Reinhard: "――――"
Swallowed his breath, Reinhard did.
With that, lowering his body, wielding both his swords by their hilt, Cecilus took off his zori.
Cecilus: "――Swordsman, Cecilus Segmunt."
Not of the Vollachian Empire, not as a General, not as the Blue Lighting―― those other titles were unnecessary.
This body, as merely one swordsman, coveted the path towards the Heavenly Sword.
――Lightning, claps of thunder, tore through Pandemonium.
Droplets of blood, danced.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
――Continuously, Pandemonium quaked.
The aftershocks from the fight, felt as vigorous shocks and tremors, even echoed through Emilia's private quarters.
The light hanging from the ceiling was violently swaying, dust was falling. While lying in bed, Emilia was being forced to make a choice.
Emilia: "――――"
To stay there, that was what had been said to her.
Or perhaps, it had been more of a plea, such as "Please stay".
Should she believe that and wait, or should she ignore it and rush out?
Her inner thoughts about her situation lost in revolution, she continued to postpone a decision. However――
???: "――Lia, the end has come."
Emilia: "Eh…"
While that fierce battle's shaking continued, at the Emilia lying in bed Puck spoke. Her amethyst eyes trembling as they gazed upwards, Puck gave a sniff with his tiny nose, his short arms crossed.
Hearing that it was the end, Emilia gulped.
Yet again, she had been unable to do anything.
Putting off making a choice, then accepting the consequences of not make said choice.
That it was cowardly act she somewhat understood, she, once again――
Had deferred her stance onto Subaru―――
Puck: "――Reinhard's here. It's Subaru's defeat.
Emilia: "――――"
With that continuation of Puck's words, Emilia's thoughts froze.
Emilia: "Ahh."
Unable to speak but making sounds, unable to form thoughts, Emilia opened her eyes wide.
Even hearing that it was the end, Emilia had been certain of Subaru's victory. That she never for a moment doubted it, Emilia had only realized at this moment.
Natsuki Subaru would not be defeated.
No matter what the opponent, with his selfish excuses and tenacity and abuse of misanthropy, he would always grasp victory. With all under his control, manipulating all subordinates he could think of, no matter the opponent, they would be annihilated.
And, when tired of thinking, and needing a moment of peace, he would come to find Emilia.
Definitely, Subaru was going to come to her room, Emilia had been believing that.
Puck: "Until today, I've never rushed Lia's choices, but that can't be done this time. You have to make a decision."
Emilia: "To make, a decision…"
Puck: "Do you prefer staying here, or leaving here?"
To what extent did he know, for in that plain Puck's voice was conviction.
Puck gazed down at Emilia tightly grasping up her sheets. His usual aloof expression was completely gone, and the compassion for his beloved child was strong instead.
At a dear child that had lost her way and was anxious about the road ahead, a parent's eyes were directed.
Puck: "It looks like, all this time, Subaru had been controlling information properly. There isn't any sign of Lia being involved in the organization's activities. Well, Lia really wasn't involved at all, but having been with them for so long, some people with suspicions will show up for sure. This was a necessary precaution."
Emilia: "Wasn't involved at all? Then, what kind of position was I in?"
Puck: "From Roswaal's mansion you were kidnapped, and locked away. That's how they're treating you. Then those children attempting to destroy Pandemonium right now, seem more like rescuers who came for you."
At this unexpected explanation, Emilia was stunned.
That Emilia had been brought out of Roswaal's mansion against her will was true. And that she had been angered by it, and had disliked Subaru for it, was also truth.
However, she had not refused that clinging, pleading Subaru. It was likewise correct that she had overlooked the fact he had been doing his utmost to protect the time he had spent with Emilia.
And yet despite that, could it really be said that was Emilia wholly unrelated to how things were?
Wouldn't arguing that just be the peak of shamelessness?
Puck: "Lia, if you just wait here nicely, as a poor princess, your rescuers will aid you, but…"
While speaking as if they were whispering, Puck landed on Emilia's thin shoulder. And then, with that cat Spirit nearing her cheek, Emilia painfully comprehended the unspoken continuation of his words.
If she waited here, she would be rescued as a victim.
However, if Emilia left by herself, then she would be a perpetrator that had been acting of her own free will.
Faced with that fact, there was not even a moment of hesitation.
Emilia: "――――"
Rising, Emilia put her hand on that white room's only door.
To open it from the outside, a complicated authentication procedure was needed for identification, so Subaru, and her caretaker, Frederica, were the only people allowed to enter or leave.
The moment Emilia's hand touched the door from the inside, however, the system crumbled, leaving no trace behind.
Emilia: "Subaru, you twit…"
Seeking signs of the destroyed technique with the palm of her hand, Emilia murmured in a weak voice.
It had been originally created so it would be broken by Emilia and Emilia alone. In other words, Subaru had made it so Emilia could escape whenever she wished to.
That bird cage's door had been designed to be destroyed by the determination of the bird caged inside all along.
Was it perhaps because Subaru had trusted that Emilia would never escape?
Or maybe, was it Subaru's own kindness, in that he wished to respect Emilia's desire to run away?
That answer, she desired to hear it straight from Subaru's mouth, she thought.
――At the end of a time during which she had not been capable of choosing anything, that was the answer Emilia had settled upon.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Having been removed from the reception room, running through the castle along with Halibel, the Purge King, the youth, his boss, his master, he―― Natsuki Subaru gave a deep chuckle.
Subaru: "Something like taking Felt as a hostage, I wonder if that might've been a good idea…"
If so, would it have restrained Reinhard's movements?
――No, rather than that, gaining Reinhard's wrath, and having to fight the Sword Saint powered up with emotion seemed more likely.
This'd be the flow of the simulation till its very end.
In complete honesty, he'd had a premonition that the moment of Pandemonium's fall would turn out in this manner
Subaru: "Guess posing as a big boss in the underworld was kinda fun…"
He was looking back. At the path towards here.
Just how much suffering had he caused? With the weaknesses of many people in his hands, and all while receiving their hatred, he would lord over others' lives, receiving hate, ruling over his opponents' lives, and on a whim taking those lives――
―――No, it was definitely never a whim.
If it were perceived as toying, that would a very big misunderstanding.
He had never pondered it over. He had never given it a thought, because there was no point in attempting so, however.
――Subaru was afraid of people. Terribly so.
Outwardly approaching them with a smile, while hiding cunning slyness within himself in truth. That sort of way of being of a human being, concealing the truth, human beings moving as they pleased and move wherever following innumerable ulterior motives, was horrifying.
Whether to believe the people who were with him or not, worrying about that was idiotic.
And so, Subaru had decided on a way to simplify human relationships.
Everyone lied.
And so, with that, even if all human beings detested Subaru, a world devoid of problems would be established.
Every human, no matter who, possessed a weakness. Family, a lover, wealth, dreams, hope. Because of that――
Subaru: "――If only the weaknesses of every human being in the world could be grasped."
Then, only then, Subaru would not have to doubt anyone.
In a black and white world, in a world lacking any hues which could not be trusted, feeding on loathing, he could live comfortably.
Subaru: "――――"
With Subaru, aiding in his escape, was Halibel.
To Subaru, Halibel's figure did not look to be their true form―― his appearance appeared monochrome. He looked to be in only two colors, white and black.
Subaru: "――――"
Appearing in monochrome like that was not restricted to just Halibel.
Right now, the world as it appeared to Subaru had, without exception, lost its colors and changed to possess but two.
People, objects, paintings, tools, jewelry, Magic Stones, fresh blood, water, all were black and white.
Blood and water seemed no different from one another, soup and poison also were not distinguishable.
Everything was monochrome. Black and white.
In such a world, that which looked colorful to Subaru amounted to only a few.
That only those were real, Subaru believed so.
Everything else was fake, Subaru believed so.
Beatrice had been so.
Emilia was so.
Beyond that, there was only one.
Anyway, Subaru could not believe in anyone else.
Everything else other than them, it truly looked faded.
Those fakers could not, only those real articles.
The qualifications to decide whether Natsuki Subaru should live or die were held only by them, only those real articles.
Subaru: "…I had a tad of expectations from Reinhard."
Perhaps those from before those days―― in truth, he had expected those he had been involved with before the event that had triggered the loss of color would have remained without those colors fading.
However, he had appeared to Subaru just as monochrome as someone he had just met for the first time. Such expectations had been fleeting, and so Reinhard, despite how vivid he had seemed, now appeared as an ashen mass to Subaru. It looked dirty.
In the end, Reinhard was also a child of man.
There was no doubt that he too would continuously lie while living. That was all there was to it.
???: "Master――!"
As Subaru and Halibel ran through the castle, a sudden loud voice called out to them, intersecting them.
What could be seen dashing from the other side of the corridor towards them, was the long-haired, long in body maid Frederica. Though hard to discern her colors, that face's potent impression was easy enough to remember.
Subaru had secretly found Frederica to his liking. And so――
Frederica: "Prepare yourself―― Shh!"
She, rushing in and making an attempt on his life and shouting both in a disciplined manner, appeared to be of a lovable nature to him.
Of course, those actions from Frederica would not be tolerated by the eyes of Kararagi's strongest.
Frederica "Ah, ugh!"
The dagger in her hand being taken away, Frederica had been pushed up against the wall, her arm pinned. At Halibel, performer of these actions, Frederica could only turn back her head,
Frederica: "Why are you doing this, Halibel-sama? Now, by taking advantage of this turmoil, that man…!"
Halibel: "Ya could kill him. I understand why ya'd think so. Ya children whose weaknesses've been grasped, y'all desire for freedom with Su-san's death. I know, but."
There, Halibel opened his narrowed eyes, and glared at Frederica. Being bathed in the light of those eyes, from Frederica's thin throat a quiet sound was produced.
Halibel: "Unfortunately, I don't follow boss because of my weaknesses. To pay back Su-san's kindness, that's why I serve him."
Frederica: "A kindness!? From this man, kindness? Stop playing around…!"
Held tight against the wall, with bloodshot eyes Frederica looked fiercely at Subaru. Those already sharp fangs grew, and those thin feminine fingers, began transforming into a thick, strong and beast-like state.
Frederica: "No matter what… Hk!?"
Halibel: "Su-san?"
Next to Frederica, fervent, her body distorted, Subaru had at some point come to stand.
Frederica widened her eyes while Halibel called out to him, but Subaru did not pause. Like that, Frederica desperately raised her arm, and grazed Subaru's neck.
At that moment, the scarf wrapped around his throat came undone and fell to the floor――
Frederica: "――Hii."
Frederica, seeing it, from deep in her throat made a sound.
Halibel, too, seeing that for the first time, revealed a faint surprise.
――On Natsuki Subaru's neck, clearly remained marks shaped like fingers.
Subaru: "It won't do, Frederica. I won't allow that black-and-white you to kill me."
Frederica: "――――"
At that frozen Frederica, Subaru drew his face close and asserted with certainty.
Perhaps, he had hoped that Frederica may have had some color. Nevertheless, even at this crucial moment, Frederica had remained in black and white.
Subaru: "Halibel-san… Take Frederica, and let her get away."
Halibel: "…Su-san. The insider that dragged in the Sword Saint's prolly――"
Subaru: "I know."
Gazing at that Frederica unable to move an inch, Subaru cut off Halibel's words.
Even without it being said, he understood. It was comprehensible that Frederica had secretly done such things, her emotions, given the extremes of her treatment, were capable of being understood.
――Nay, it was not limited to just Frederica. If not her, that someone else would have done. That it would only be her had been a miscalculation.
Subaru: "You don't have to come back, Halibel-san. I'll go settle things, in my own way."
Halibel: "――――"
Subaru: "If you wanna return my kindness, that'll be enough. In the first place, you got no reason to feel gratitude… I was just being cunning, after all."
Shaking his head, Subaru smiled lightly at Halibel.
Halibel had, perhaps, regarded Subaru as someone who cared for him. Nevertheless, from Halibel he could not see any color either.
Perhaps, once the color was lost, it would never be restored.
It was because Subaru had lost the right to believe in something.
So was it that not one thing in the world would be colored for Subaru forevermore?
If so, that which was there to cling onto, was only――
Halibel: "With Su-san, I had wanted to be proper friends."
Subaru: "…If I hadn't run away, that might have been."
Accepting Subaru's intentions, Halibel, with those short words, simply said farewell.
Subaru, too, felt that exchanging more between them would be inappropriate.
But in the end, at that person who could have become a friend, he wanted to look cool.
Subaru: "Frederica."
Frederica: "――――"
At that call, Frederica slowly turned towards him.
At the woman who had lost the will to fight, Subaru was hesitant about how to convey it.
He wished to report to her, because he had been told to do so,
Subaru: "The food was always delicious, they told me that."
――Perhaps, Frederica did not understand the meaning of that odd sentence.
Till the very end, in her eyes, Natsuki Subaru must have appeared as a monster.
That was fine. Even if it was like that, it did not matter. He had acted as such, he had been such.
He had not obtained the results he wished to see, however.
Subaru: "Then, where should I go, I wonder."
Halibel had taken Frederica and, fading into the shadows, disappeared.
Left behind, Natsuki Subaru was alone in the collapse of his dreams.
Pandemonium shook constantly, perhaps evidence that Reinhard and Cecilus's battle raged on. However, the multiple voices he could hear from afar showed that the assault was not limited to only Reinhard; he adjudged that potential foes had taken advantage of the opportunity.
Enemies, enemies, enemies. Nothing but enemies.
Having lived the way he did, it could not be helped.
Subaru: "――――"
Subaru had reached a fork, and for nary a moment he hesitated in deciding where to go.
Going right, would have him come across Emilia's private quarters, the girl who had supported his weak self.
Going left, would have him come across what his weak self had taken as a kind of support, that girl――
Subaru: "―――Eh?"
It was at the moment he was faced with the option of where to go.
Someone running up, had pierced Subaru's left side with a sharp knife.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
In a strange castle within a strange landscape, Emilia was running barefoot.
Though having spent a year inside Pandemonium, what Emilia knew of the castle was only that white room, her private quarters. Outside her room, and past the inside of the building, had gone completely unexplored by Emilia.
And that still did not change. Emilia's interest was not focused on this world.
Now, Emilia's concern was now focused on only one person, only the boy that had sought her.
???: "――Emilia-sama!"
Called by her name, with a startled expression Emilia stopped her steps.
Pandemonium had partially collapsed, losing its original form. In a white corridor, its windows slanted and cracked, Emilia had been halted by a young man with sky-blue eyes and blazing red hair.
Emilia: "Reinhard…"
Reinhard: "Have you been well, Emilia-sama? I am glad to be able to meet you again."
Even in this place, adhering to a Knight's courtesy and posture, his attitude was too brave and elegant.
That man had run to Emilia's side after finding her. Reinhard van Astrea bowed his head. But due to his appearance, Emilia's amethyst eyes were shaking from bewilderment.
Emilia: "Reinhard, you're gravely wounded. Are you alright?"
Reinhard: "There is no need to worry. That it is a light wound, cannot quite be said, however."
Saying that, Reinhard relaxed his lips with Emilia's words.
But Reinhard's appearance, to her, was rife with injuries. She had thought it unimaginable.
Covering his body were innumerable cuts produced by flashes of a blade, and with the bleeding having not ceased even now, red droplets of blood were dripping here and there in the white corridor. On those noble and fearless cheeks strands of crimson hair were scattered about, stuck onto it; on his face was a certain hue of fatigue, albeit she had never seen his breathing in a disturbed state.
That white Knight's uniform was dirtied and covered in blood, not only another's but his own as well, and what was shocking above all――
Emilia: "Your, sword."
Reinhard: "That right here right now is a scene for the Dragon Sword to be drawn, has been judged by the sword."
That never-drawn, never-needed Holy Sword that was passed down through the Astreas, the Dragon Sword Reid with white light shone.
That blade, in this castle, against whom had he wielded it? Against whom would he wield it in the future?
Reinhard: "Anyway, that Emilia-sama is safe is fortunate… Depart from here alongside me. There is a dragon carriage waiting outside the castle. With it, to Lugunica――"
Emilia: "To Lugunica… Where is this?"
Reinhard: "This is at the edge of the Kararagi City-States, a hidden castle at the Crimson Hills Girall… Finding the organization took great effort, but through the efforts of a competent spy and an insider, it was somehow discovered."
While answering Emilia's questions, Reinhard was regarding his surroundings warily.
That even now the shaking continued meant that somewhere in this castle a battle was continuing to take place. In Reinhard's case, he would wish to head towards his allies to support them.
No matter how covered in wounds he was, he was still the Kingdom's strongest―― no, the world's strongest man.
With him, Pandemonium's fall was only a question of time.
If he were not here――
Reinhard, "Emilia-sama, right now, we must――"
Hurry from this place, Reinhard might have been trying to say.
However, those words were suddenly interrupted by Emilia's actions, who had spun in place.
Emilia: "――――"
It was but an instant.
From the back, through Reinhard's abdomen, a sword of ice had pierced. Blood flowed through the blade of frost, his insides being destroyed by the invading cold. The Sword Saint, at the shock he had never felt before, coughed up blood.
Reinhard: "Emilia, sama."
Emilia: "Ah."
Reinhard, still unable to understand what had happened, fell onto his knees. Watching that appearance, Emilia blankly stared at her own white fingers.
What she had done, she was realizing that it really had been an unexpected act.
――If this had been a betrayal from Emilia's true heart, Reinhard could have blocked it.
Were it an attack holding hostility and intent to kill, Reinhard's intuition would not be evaded. Or, in the case his Divine Protections were working properly, sure enough Reinhard's defense would not have been pierced either.
But this place was Pandemonium, and Emilia herself could not make up her own mind―― That had, in Reinhard, left a fatal gap.
Emilia: "I, can't…Not that. Subaru is, no. Reinhard, no. Subaru, I won't let him be hurt. Subaru, needs me…"
Shaking her head in refusal, Emilia's own actions now corroborated her true intentions.
The reason for that instantaneous act, for the instantaneous assault on Reinhard, was she had instinctively realized that his existence would destroy Pandemonium and target Natsuki Subaru.
And, knowing that, she instinctively did not stop herself, that was what was thinking.
Unconsciously, Emilia, for the sake of protecting Subaru, had no choice but to kill Reinhard.
Emilia: "Subaru is my…"
Only at this point, did Emilia understand her own feelings.
Again and again, Subaru had come looking for her, and she had watched his form on as he had tried to attain peace of mind. During that time, Emilia had also been saved.
――Just as Subaru needed Emilia, Emilia also needed Subaru.
Emilia: "I will, protect him. If, I don't protect Subaru, then…"
Reinhard: "Emilia-sama, that is…"
Emilia: "――Puck! Please!"
A roar, and a cold wind blew, and her silver hair fluttered beautifully amidst the white hallway.
His body bathed in an extremely frigid wind of sublimated intent to kill, at his flesh freezing as it was subjected to severe wind, Reinhard drew a line of blood in midair as he flew far to his back. And, with his coughing mixed with blood, he lifted his sword.
Those blue eyes that reflected the sky regarded the Witch of Glaciation and the Beast of the End, standing side-by-side.
Puck: "Sorry, Reinhard. Lia's wishes are my own. If you're that weakened, even I might win―― you can think of it as catlike cruelty."
Emilia: "Please, Reinhard. Return like this. Leave me and Subaru alone."
Reinhard: "――That, is not possible."
With Emilia having caused this situation, yet still trying to find a satisfactory solution, Reinhard shook his head.
Already, negotiations had broken down. He had been taken by surprise from behind―― no, perhaps Reinhard himself, even considering his wound, may have accepted the offer of reconciliation if the situation allowed.
But Reinhard's belief, however, was that this was already a situation which did not allow for that.
Reinhard: "As the head of Pleiades, the Purge King, Natsuki Subaru, starting with the murder of Margrave Roswaal L. Mathers, among the people of the Kingdom, as well as of the Vollachian Empire and the Kararagi City-States, and among the subjects of the Holy Kingdom of Gusteko, has already had one-hundred-twenty-six-thousand-seven-hundred-and-two [12] people killed in total."
Emilia: "――――"
Reinhard: "That number only goes for direct damage. When including the indirect damage, the number of victims who have lost their life increases even more. No matter what, it is not an evil that can be left ignored."
Reinhard's words held a serious resonance and held a plea.
From listening to his words and learning of Natsuki Subaru's evil deeds, there was a feeling that he was hoping for a change of heart to be born in Emilia from that.
In truth, Emilia had received a shock. Stuck in her private quarters, having been left only to the role of watching over Subaru's sleeping face, she had not known of any of his wrongdoing. That Roswaal had been killed when she had been pulled out of that mansion, she had vaguely guessed.
Struck by that shock, Emilia bowed her head.
Shock, there was definitely a shock. However, the shock Emilia felt to her core was not from disappointment about the weight and number of sins Subaru had committed――
Emilia: "――Sorry, Reinhard. Still, Subaru is dear to me."
Even having learned about those evil acts her obsession with Natsuki Subaru had not wavered at all, learning that had been the source of her shock.
Emilia's feelings, even knowing the truth, had not changed.
Reinhard: "――Kh."
Faced with such a declaration from Emilia, Reinhard bit his lip. And soon raising his face, and directing the drawn Dragon Sword,
Reinhard: "Reinhard van Astrea, of the Sword Saint bloodline."
Emilia: "I'm Emilia. Just, Emilia."
Having each named themselves, at that next moment, a white shock destroyed the uppermost floor of Pandemonium.
The captive princess, who had been supposed to be rescued, and a Knight in shining armor who had come to rescue her, would end up killing one another.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Subaru: "Damn, it… Fucking… That, damn… bastard…!"
Cursing, Subaru ran, his steps faltering.
Beneath those swaying feet, with a tip-tap droplets of fresh blood trickled―― a knife had been stabbed by his left armpit by an assassin at the time of his assault. The pain was performing a Dempsey Roll [13] on his brain non-stop.
Subaru: "That black and white asshole… If there's a next time, I'll definitely kill you…!"
Sweating profusely, Subaru leaned on the corridor wall to continue moving along. At the end of it all, the assassin had run away, without delivering the coup d'grâce―― the man who was supposed to have disappeared in the reception hall came to mind.
Bastard: "More than this is beyond the scope of my work. So, be careful, Natsuki-san."
Killing the general lying in the midst of the enemy, then speaking some and escaping could be called splendid―― Yet Subaru did not have giving praise to his enemies as an hobby.
To be precise, that man had been doing work he did not wish to have to do. That sense of pure humiliation due to having overlooked a troublesome enemy out of carelessness had his disappointment turn to fury.
However, it was unlikely that this situation would allow him to vent his anger.
Subaru: "Something suitable for the end, something suitable for these last moments…"
Prick-prick, while touching that left armpit that hurt as if burned, Subaru murmured gloomily.
Given what he had done, he knew for certain that someday he would receive his just deserts. Despite that, to postpone that moment of meeting retribution all the way to hell had been the plan, such was this ordinary person's petty wisdom―― it was a shame that he had gone not three years before having found his limit.
Such was how the dictator would welcome his end.
His distrust at the end had been excessive. There was no doubt that it had spurred on this destruction.
However, he held no regrets.
If he had done this, if he had done that, those kinds of obvious mistakes did not come to mind.
He had known from the start that it was wrong, and never thought to correct it. Merely thinking that his way of life had been mistaken or something of the sort, Subaru had done nothing but flounder.
Much like if he were drowning. As if he had fallen in, only desperate for breath.
Just from that――
???: "――Subaru."
Subaru: "――――"
Leaving a trail of blood, crawling through that hallway, someone called out to that Subaru.
For a moment, Subaru furrowed his brows, not understanding that voice―― It was not that he did not know it. But, because he did not comprehend why he was hearing that voice at this place.
Because her private quarters were on the opposite side of this place, and there would no reason to be here if her intent were to escape. Therefore――
Subaru: "Uh, whoa!"
???: "I'm relieved, Subaru… I can meet you properly."
Subaru: "Emilia…?"
It was not until he looked into her beautiful face from up-close, her having rushed towards him and knocked him down within that corridor, that Subaru came to grips that this was reality.
Together with that world of black and white, there was silver, and there was amethyst, and there were cherry-colored lips.
As if to inform that Emilia, and Emilia alone, remained with color in the world.
Subaru: "――But, why?"
Emilia's figured was tinted, yet Subaru could not comprehend as to why.
From Emilia, Subaru was receiving definite warmth, her embrace such that it could even be called painful.
After all, Subaru had always sought Emilia out one-sidedly; for what reason, what conditions had made her become so that she would come to Subaru――
Subaru: "…Emilia, you're hurt."
Emilia: "――It's fine, really. Truly, nothing happened. No need for concern."
Emilia, still embracing him, looked at him again. Smiling, putting on a brave front, she was covered in wounds all over.
Her wonderful silver hair was disheveled and portions had been cut, giving it an uneven appearance. Her thin white nightgown had been torn and bloodied, and on her bare feet several painful lacerations could be found.
To prevent it from being like this, innumerable defensive measures should have been applied to her private quarters.
Furthermore, there should have been a Spirit alongside her, one that would have not permitted her going through any of this suffering.
Subaru: "What has Puck been doing…"
Emilia: "Puck is… Hmm, about that, everything's fine now. Everything's fine now…"
Subaru: "――?"
For a moment, hesitation flashed within Emilia's eyes, but it was hidden quickly, beneath shutting eyelids.
Subaru held suspicions regarding that reaction, but the next time Emilia opened her eyelids, the faintly-visible hesitation was nowhere to be found.
Emilia: "Subaru, let's run away together. If we do it now, nobody will be chasing after us."
Subaru: "――Run away, with me?
Emilia: "Yes. Who else would it be with? Don't say such weird things."
Her demeanor becoming slightly tinged by anger, Emilia poked Subaru's nose with a finger. Due to that seemingly way out-of-place act, above Subaru a question mark floated up.
To begin with, Emilia was supposed to be shunning Subaru.
Subaru: "And yet, all I did was presume upon you because you're kind…"
Emilia: "――Really, did you? I've been thinking about something like that too."
Subaru: "Emilia?"
Her hand on her chest, Emilia ephemerally lowered the corners of her eyes, appearing lonely.
Were the times she had passed alongside Subaru ever since he had taken her away flashing through her heart, through her mind? How many times had she gazed at that abominable companion's sleeping face?
In those times, Subaru had received salvation, but to Emilia they would have been filled with humiliation――
Emilia: "I do believe I was angry with you, Subaru. But, it truly only at the beginning… After that, I thought I was definitely receiving Subaru's help."
Subaru: "Receiving help, from me…?"
Emilia: "Because, Subaru, you had been needing me. Nobody would ever need me, that was how I had felt, and you had freed me of that, and so…"
"Codependency", a word of that sort surfaced inside Subaru's mind.
Subaru had required Emilia's presence for peace of mind, and, much in that vein, Emilia's mind too had arrived at a conclusion of that ilk at the time, that she herself desired those times, that she needed them.
And so, the pair had fallen into a codependent relationship, each in turn relying on the other.
Emilia: "Subaru, I want to be with you. So, let's run away?"
Subaru: "…You putting it like that makes me happy, but…"
Responding while stuttering, Subaru could not accept Emilia's confession yet.
His heart was overwhelmed with shock, but taking little notice of that, his mind reached a more realistic answer.
What Emilia had said, running away with her, was not possible.
Reinhard was coming. Even if Cecilus was attempting to hold him at bay, outside the castle a massive crowd of enemies would be gathered to subjugate the Purge King.
No longer did Subaru possess a single ally outside the castle. His numerous tricks for the sake of keeping potential enemies in check, would not function in this situation. Those potential enemies had become concrete ones blocking his path.
Taking Emilia and running away, it was not realistic at all.
Natsuki Subaru was to meet his end here. Here, he would come to an end――
Emilia: "――Then, I'll die together with you."
Subaru: "――――"
At that moment, Subaru was stunned. More so than when he was stabbed, or when Reinhard first appeared, or when he realized that this was the end.
The smiling Emilia gazed on at Subaru, and spoke words containing love and definite affection.
If Natsuki Subaru was to meet his end, Emilia as well, in this place―――
Emilia: "We'll meet the end together. I don't want to stay in a place where you won't need me."
Subaru: "――Ah."
Emilia: "Please, Subaru. I, need you. I want you to be with me."
Emilia clung closer to his chest. Relishing in her warm droplets and the feeling of her sighs, Subaru got the strong sense that the feeling he needed was the exact opposite of what he usually felt.
Just as he had clung onto Emilia, Emilia was now clinging onto Subaru.
All along, Subaru had been needing Emilia, having been receiving salvation from her.
And now, Emilia needed Subaru, seeking salvation.
Now, Emilia was in need of Subaru, calling for salvation of her own.
That a moment like this would come now, such a thought had not even―――
Emilia: "Subaru…?"
Grabbing Emilia's clinging shoulders, Subaru shoved her away.
And, standing up in front of her, motionless, her eyes opened wide in shock, Subaru then stepped back.
Emilia was looking upwards, towards Subaru.
And to Emilia, his lips trembling, Subaru uttered.
Subaru: "That's, a lie…"
Shaking his head horizontally in refusal, Subaru stared at Emilia―― with fearful eyes.
Emilia: "Suba…"
Subaru: "No, please stop, stop it. Why me, why now, why! Stop it! Stopit stopit stopit! PLEASE STOP!!"
Fear, it was fear.
There was fear. There was nothing but fear. There was only fear. Certainly, only fear.
Fear, fear, fear, fear, fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear fear――
???: "――With so much of the Witch's stench drifting from you."
He covered his ears.
He held his head.
Trying to run away from that voice, from that raised shriek, from that audible voice.
???: "――There's a limit to how much you can pretend to be unrelated to her!!"
As to cover his ears.
As to hold his head.
As to try to run away from that voice, from that raised shriek, from that audible voice, but unable to do such a deed.
???: "――Nee-sama is too kind." [14]
Subaru: "Do you think I would be aware of such a thing, AHHHHHH―― Hk!!"
Screaming loud enough to the point of vomiting blood, Subaru retreated backwards.
Emilia stood up, asking him what was going on. He could not hear it.
With sweet, sugary, tender words, she tried to nestle closer to Subaru. He could not hear them.
Her words, her voice, were not being heard. He did not want to hear them.
Don't be kind to me. Don't treat me gently.
For what reason, are you trying to snuggle up to me?
Such a thing should be impossible.
Just how many evil deeds do you think I've piled up?
Emilia shouldn't have forgiven them.
She really shouldn't.
Was I the one to change that?
Had Natsuki Subaru's foolishness, by having leaned on Emilia, by having relied on Emilia to sleep at night and get through everything, snot pathetically running from his nose, Subaru leaning, his pathetic nose running, on that pajama-wearing Emilia's nights having relied on to overcome, been what had changed Emilia?
Did Emilia change as well?
Subaru: "It, would've been fine if you hated me! It would've been fine if you shunned me!"
Emilia: "――――"
Emilia, was fading to gray.
Color faded from Emilia, washing away, plunged into the world of monochrome.
It was a lie, it had been a lie. That deception had caused Subaru's world to fade in tonality.
The silver, the amethyst that composed Emilia, the colors that made up the beautiful Emilia Subaru believed in disappeared from her, her deception causing her to be tainted by black and white.
That reality, he could not accept. Emilia was noble, and that would never change.
Even if she hated them, she could not keep someone who clung on to her away.
Because he had believed that her kindness was the materialization of her inner heart, and that she would never forgive Subaru, Subaru had been able to indulge himself in Emilia [15].
But, comprehending that Emilia too, changed――
Subaru: "Don't, act kindly towards me…!"
Subaru: "No matter what, you'll come to hate something about me, won't you? You'll come to doubt me, won't you? Because I'm an obstacle, you'll think of murdering me, of hating me, of cursing me, and you'll come to betray me!"
Subaru: "Then, please keep hating me, like it was at the start! If you'd just stayed like that, without changing, it would've been fine! Just do as you did, and hate me. Just do as you did, and hate me …!"
Suddenly welling up, was anger.
He was proceeding to drown in anger, at anything and everything in the world.
In trying to save his drowning self, he had struggled desperately as to try and take repeated breaths. But having finally at this juncture, even Emilia had betrayed Subaru.
――Something that changed would one day come to betray him, and because of that, it was similar to having been betrayed already.
Subaru: "Please don't you pretend to be in love with me when you'll just betray me one day!!"
Emilia: "――Hk."
Shakily, Subaru thrusted away the monochrome Emilia extending a hand towards him.
Pushed back with resolve, Emilia fell over in the hallway, having lost her support. For a moment, hesitation brushed against his chest, but Subaru fully painted it over with fear.
Even Emilia was no longer tranquil.
That this would come to pass someday, it was the very last possibility he had considered―― He had not been thinking that she would be in such need of him.
――That Emilia could, someday, forgive Subaru.
That such a day would never come had been his hope, and that was fine, but sure enough, it had surely materialized.
Therefore, Subaru, left in this world of only black and white, could only rely on his last resort, the only thing in his possession.
Emilia: "――!!"
That fallen Emilia, was shrieking something.
Leaving it behind his back, Subaru began sprinting.
He could not feel any pain in his side. He no longer cared about such a thing.
There was merely a wish to end everything. Subaru's world of color was disappearing entirely.
What remained was, just that.
The last straw on to which the drowning Natsuki Subaru clung onto, was merely――
――An existence with hatred that would never change, which would not forgive Subaru.
Emilia: "――!!"
That half-mad Emilia's voice did not reach that half-mad Subaru.
The collapse of that den of wickedness, Pandemonium, much like the collapse of its master's mind, advanced at increasing speed.
Within that world crumbling, that world devoid of color, Subaru had finally arrived.
Subaru: "――――"
He arrived at Natsuki Subaru's office, still whole.
Firm protections, like those that had been used for Emilia's private quarters, had been applied to it―― Because, in this room, there was something which absolutely should never be damaged there, much like Emilia.
He had kept Emilia away out of a wish for harm not to befall her, but this was the opposite.
That which had been set up at the place closest to himself, was what Subaru opened up.
The door concealed behind the bookshelf, was truly a door that no one, with the exception of Subaru, would be able to open.
Without haste, Subaru opened it.
On the other side of the open door, the sound of chains, the sound of chains linked to the wall, reverberated.
And, while playing that sound of chains, pink-colored eyes gazed at Subaru, and spoke.
???: "――Finally, did you come wanting to die, Barusu?"
――Solely because of her hatred, the girl that desired to murder his own self held a minute smile, with the color of blood.