[ "Ha! First thing in the morning, and you're already so energetic. That's one gutsy Earth Dragon."
"After all, Patrasche is a perfect lady, except for her lack of taste in men."
"You better take good care of her—too bad you're different from the Earth Dragon; you're just a pure bastard." Garfiel stepped closer to Subaru, one pace at a time.
"It seems there's a misunderstanding between us. I think we should clear it up." Subaru raised his hands while still sitting atop Patrasche.
"Misunderstanding? Where would a misunderstanding even come from? It's all because you bastard tried to run away with your tail between your legs in the middle of the night! How could you be so heartless! Or maybe…" Garfiel paused, gnashed his teeth, took a deep breath, and wrinkled his nose—
"You stink of the Witch's scent, bastard. Are you planning to go out and do some evil deeds?!" ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Just as I thought, at this point in time, I had already been told by the old hag that the boss was covered in the Witch's miasma,"
Garfiel said.
"However, Garfiel can't actually smell the scent at all, yet he inhaled and wrinkled his nose. Was it really necessary to put on such an act?"
Ram looked askance at Garfiel.
"Because it's cool! It gives off the feeling that I've seen through everything! Right, Brother Otto?"
Garfiel looked at Otto, hoping for agreement.
Otto could only chuckle nervously,
"Ahaha…"
—
[ Subaru dismounted from Patrasche and looked Garfiel straight in the eye.
"Regarding the Witch's scent you just mentioned, quite a few people have told me about it before."
"Oh, really? I don't care what others think, even though the smell is clearly this strong."
"Putting body odor aside, other people decided how to treat me only after seeing my actions. It would be a huge help if you could do the same. At least when I first left the graveyard, you let me off, didn't you? If that's the case, as long as you tell me, I'll definitely apologize with all my heart."
Garfiel grew even more irritated, and the dangerous aura around him intensified.
"'I've been asked something I shouldn't have'—that's written all over your face, Garfiel." ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Did Natsuki deduce that Tinsel actually can't smell the scent?"
Anastasia said.
After all, if that was the case, it could explain Garfiel's fickleness to some extent.
Why was it that at the start of every loop, Garfiel's attitude toward Subaru wasn't particularly terrible, but later on, his attitude shifted?
It was because, at the very beginning, he had no idea Subaru carried the Witch's scent.
"Not only that, but he's also testing the blond kid's bottom line,"
Felt said.
—
[ "Shut up… Don't push me to get even more irritated." Garfiel looked increasingly displeased.
"I can't do that, because this is just too convenient. If you hadn't run out, I would have put this matter aside for now. But since you're here, I have to make good use of this opportunity—Garfiel, let's use the look on your face to check the answers." Subaru raised his index finger.
"Regarding your irritation, there are three reasons I can think of. The first is the miasma… but I have a question about that. If your nose is really that sharp, then your actions yesterday don't make sense. The second is how you managed to spot me leaving so early. I am indeed suspicious… but it's strange. Unless you've been tailing me all along, it's as if someone has been monitoring me."
Garfiel's pupils constricted. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"He's indicating that he deduced Garfiel cannot smell the Witch's scent, as well as the existence of a monitor, and is constantly testing his limits,"
Yuriusu said.
Using reactions to indirectly gather information, is it?
—
[ "And finally, the third reason, which is connected to the first two, is the girl I saw in the forest who looks exactly like Miss Ryuzu. That girl—"
Speaking up to this point completely enraged Garfiel.
"Ugh!"
With a sudden movement, Garfiel pinned Subaru forcefully against a thick tree trunk. Pressing a single palm against the center of his abdomen, he lifted Subaru completely off the ground.
"Where did you bastard see her, huh?"
"Where… else? In the forest. At the time… she was completely off her guard."
"That's impossible! If you don't want to be crushed to pieces, speak the truth!"
"Roar!" Patrasche let out a roar.
"Don't move, Earth Dragon. Lest your precious master turns into minced meat."
"Haha…"
"You bastard, what is it? What were you smirking at just now?"
"That's… because I… thought of… a funny memory. Sorry about that, ah—"
"You bastard, there's definitely something wrong with your head!" Garfiel suddenly let go of Subaru, letting him fall to the ground. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"His eyes…"
Wilhelm noticed the change in Garfiel's eyes.
At that moment, Garfiel's eyes lost a bit of their oppressive force, replaced by a sliver of fear.
"Is Garfiel afraid?"
Otto saw it too.
"He was frightened by Barusu's attitude. Barusu was frantically testing him, and under those circumstances, he could even laugh. From Garfiel's perspective, Barusu completely disregards his own life—though that is indeed the case,"
Ram said.
Subaru was completely unafraid of death, so the threat of "being crushed to pieces" held no weight at all. Thus, Garfiel let him go.
—
[ "So annoying, you lunatic. Are you kidding me! You bastard were testing me, weren't you? You knew full well just now that you could have been killed. Are you the kind of bastard who can gamble with his life so casually? You're completely insane!"
"If using only my life can yield results, then it's a very good bargain."
"I know a bastard with the exact same eyes as yours, someone I absolutely detest. To be honest, I'd love nothing more than to crush your head right now." ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"My eyes, is it?"
Roswaal said.
The current Subaru really resembles me so much.
I constantly discard my life, constantly restarting my life, all to realize my long-cherished wish.
Ignoring everything else.
Subaru is the same.
—
[ "I don't think either of us would like that outcome. If possible, show some generosity and let me go."
"If I let you go now, who can guarantee you won't harm us in the future—"
"I won't betray Emilia, nor will I harm the 'Sanctuary'. Trust me."
Then, Garfiel hesitated, withdrew his hand, and took a step aside to clear the path.
"Since you've let me go, would you mind answering those three questions from earlier while you're at it?" Subaru mounted Patrasche.
"I told you not to get ahead of yourself, bastard. 'Gorgel never repeats himself,' get it?"
"I see. Then there's no helping it. You're unwilling to speak, and I have no way to pry your mouth open. Right now, it's also not convenient to gamble on crying and begging, so let's give up for now. Let's put your matter aside for this time." Subaru said to Garfiel from atop Patrasche.
"This time? Put aside? What on earth are you talking about…"
Garfiel had absolutely no idea what he meant.
Of course, they weren't even in the same dimension.
It was shifting; the offense and defense between the two were gradually shifting.
This conversation was gradually being dominated by Subaru. ]
.....
( Translator-kun: For real, where did Garfiel learn those proverbs? )