[ "Did you also save me… because… that book ordered you to do so? Saving me, the cursed one, was also because of that! Extending a hand to me when I couldn't stand on my own was also because of that! Our bickering, our shouting at each other, messing around like idiots… could it all be the book's doing?"
"I ALREADY TOLD YOU! THAT'S EXACTLY HOW IT IS!!"
This time, it was Beatrice's turn to roar. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Natsuki-san looks like he can't believe it."
Anastasia said.
Not only can he not believe it, but he looks hurt, too.
"It's not like that; don't say things like that!"
Beatrice was a bit flustered, wanting to explain.
But no matter how she explained, Subaru couldn't hear it.
Why is Betty always unwilling to tell the truth?
"Those things—helping Subaru-dono, and joking around with Subaru-dono—those were all independent of that book, carried out by the Great Spirit's own will, weren't they?"
Wilhelm said.
The look in her eyes at that time was nothing like the eyes of someone obeying orders.
"I think so too. The kindness Great Spirit-sama showed before all came from her heart."
Yuriusu nodded.
"That's right, that's exactly it. It was just Betty wanting to do those things. Since that's the case, for Betty to still say such things…"
—
[ "Everything Betty has done, everything she has seen, and everything she has said up to now, is all recorded in the book! You, just by you, there's no way you could ever shake Betty's heart. Don't get ahead of yourself, you mere human!"
"Ah…"
"Everything about Betty exists for Mother-sama. Only the connection with Mother-sama is everything to Betty… Just by you, just by you… human, human, human… Don't touch Betty, human. Don't come over here, human. Betty doesn't care about you, human. HATE IT, HATE IT—I HATE YOU THE MOST!!" Beatrice sobbed and shouted. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Compared to a knowledgeable Great Spirit who has existed for over four hundred years… Beatrice-sama right now is more like…"
Otto said, then continued:
"A little girl."
Throwing a tantrum because of something she cherishes.
"Sigh, Betty really is…"
Puck said as he flew to Beatrice's side.
"Not only lying but saying such terrible things… I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Subaru."
And even so, Subaru still insisted on saving Betty…
—
[ "…" Subaru remained silent, his face twisted.
"At that time… I was really… so happy…" Subaru said, trembling.
Next—
"Ugh…"
The screen twisted and shook violently, and then the sound of someone collapsing followed.
Subaru spat out an unknown liquid and collapsed to the ground.
His life was fading away.
"What a pity…" At this moment, a familiar voice came.
Elsa opened the door, looking down at Subaru lying on the ground.
Then, as if having lost interest, Elsa left Subaru and walked step by step toward Beatrice. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Hmm… it seems the Bowel Hunter enjoys the prey's struggle. For prey that has given up struggling and lost hope for life, the Bowel Hunter loses interest. Especially in this situation, where if she just leaves it alone, the prey will die anyway."
Otto speculated.
In Natsuki-san's terrible state, he would die if left alone.
"…It seems everything has ended. Subaru will die and loop. Betty will die under that girl's blade… Subaru?!"
Beatrice looked at this scene in front of her in surprise.
—
[ "My, my." Elsa looked down.
Only to see Subaru reaching out and grabbing Elsa's leg.
"Bea…trice…"
"Wonderful. You are highly valued."
SWISH!
The sound of a blade came, and the screen froze on Beatrice, who had forgotten to breathe in her grief.
The screen went dark. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"To do this much for Betty… to do this much for Betty…"
Beatrice's small body trembled slightly.
"…What a pity."
Anastasia looked at Emilia, who was filled with heartache and envy.
If only Natsuki had pledged his loyalty to me.
—
[ "Ah… ugh, cough." The screen lit up, and Subaru began to retch.
"Cough, huah! Did I… die… ah… Emilia…" Subaru turned around and noticed Emilia lying on the ground.
"The restart point… hasn't changed…"
The loop had begun, and Subaru had arrived at the restart point, the Witch's graveyard.
"Phew…"
Subaru let out a breath of relief, checking his own body.
Intact.
"Haaa—"
He let out another long breath, and looking very relieved, he stroked his chest—
"Ugh! You've got to be kidding me…"
Subaru suddenly looked as if he had realized something was wrong, his expression stunned.
He looked at the suffering Emilia, then at his own relieved self…
"This… is… not… a normal person's thought…" ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Little brother is relieved because the restart point didn't change, and his body is intact. But the young lady is still there, suffering in pain."
Felt said.
"…Subaru has finally realized something."
On the other side, Yuriusu said.
Subaru had gradually begun to disregard his own life and had gradually begun to break the cycle just for the sake of breaking it.
As long as he could reach a beautiful future, the process didn't matter at all.
As long as he was safe, as long as the restart point didn't change, nothing else mattered.
Whether Emilia was still suffering or something else, it didn't matter; he could solve it all through Return by Death anyway.
Subaru's previous behavior reflected this mindset, but he hadn't noticed it himself. But now, even Subaru had noticed this dangerous thought.
"Subaru… our lives are our own; isn't your life just as much a life too…"
Yuriusu frowned and said in a low voice.
—
[ "Anyway, let's let Emilia handle things properly, one step at a time."
....
"Barusu, why are you staring at Ram's face?"
"It's nothing. Just thought your face was really beautiful."
"How lewd."
On screen, Subaru woke Emilia up, and after a brief interaction with Ram, he took Emilia's hand to comfort her. Then, he led Emilia to the bedroom.
"Ah…" Subaru let go of Emilia's hand, and Emilia looked uneasy.
"Leave the rest to Ram. I still have a conversation scheduled with Roswaal tonight." ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Barusu really is intentionally looking for a scolding to gain a sense of security. Is he a masochist?"
Ram said.
Standing from a god's perspective, Ram could see that Subaru was doing this on purpose, to confirm that Ram was alive and to gain a sense of security.
"Boss didn't even notice Emilia-sama's hurt expression."
Garfiel said.
"If this continues to worsen, he might forget his original intention… the original intention of loving Emilia-sama."
Yuriusu said.
Natsuki Subaru's mind was now entirely filled with how to break the cycle.
—
[ "Natsuki-san? Natsuki-san, are you listening?"
The scene shifted, and Subaru was waiting outside the building to talk to Roswaal.
And Otto called out to him. ]
.....