Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Emilia tossed and turned in bed, trying to enjoy more of her sleep, having a rather pleasant dream. She thought, as she woke up, that she would be in her room at the Mansion and could start her day.

But upon awakening, she found herself in a room that was almost a copy of hers, yet different, for they were not really in her world or anyone else’s.

In truth, they were in a place unlike anything some could imagine.

A place that was supposed to be a kind of Theater, but was also called, by its owner, a “Cinema”—the Absolute Cinema—which existed outside their world. A place to which they had been summoned against their will to watch the story of her knight.

Natsuki Subaru.

A young man from another world, summoned to theirs, who had faced great difficulties since the moment he first set foot in this land. Hardships that would have broken any ordinary person.

And, on certain paths, he had been broken.

From what the figure, Alpha, who had brought them to this place, explained, these were paths that could have been followed if Subaru or other versions of herself or the others had made different choices. And they had witnessed many such paths beyond the seven arcs up to that moment: Route of Pride, Wrath, Sloth, Vengeance, Greed, Gluttony and the Void.

And she had said there were infinite Routes across the infinite multiverse of possibilities!

The half-elf could hardly even imagine what it meant to have infinite possible paths.

She even wondered if there were versions of herself that had met her knight earlier or later in life. If she had understood her feelings and expressed them to him sooner or later. If she had lived happily with him and even built a family together.

Such thoughts filled her chest with warmth—and her cheeks as well.

Such thoughts began to flood her mind as she wondered how much time she still had to make up with her Knight, so they could live happily, together.

A knock at her bedroom door caught the attention of the woman as she finished getting ready.

[Alpha: Hellooo~~]

[Emilia: Alpha-sama.]

[Alpha: Uh~ Awake already? I came to wake you up gently, what a shame.]

[Emilia: Hmm—.]

Emilia thought of saying that Alpha’s usual way of waking her was anything but gentle.

Either Alpha blasted music so loud it made her leap face-first onto the floor, or she had the bed toss her out, or similar tricks. Sometimes she even dumped water on her. Or pulled other stunts—never lethal, but always meant to annoy her or the others.

But if anyone tried to resist this treatment, it was useless, because the Witch of Time seemed to get more excited the more she irritated them.

[Emilia: What are you doing here, Alpha-sama?]

[Alpha: Well, I came to wake you up for the next screening. But since you’re already awake, I just have to drag you out and take you to the hall. So don’t take too long, let’s go.]

[Emilia: ... another screening...?]

[Alpha: Yep, suck it up and let’s go.]

Answering directly and indifferently, she called the half-elf to follow her after she finished getting ready.

Even though Emilia was somewhat displeased, she had to accept it.

Emilia finished putting on her clothes and followed the Witch of Time out of her room into the corridor of bedrooms.

Several others were there: people from other Royal Camps, her own Camp, and some belonging to no Camp at all—Rem, Ram, Roswaal, Garfiel, Otto, Frederica, Petra, Meili, Crusch, Felix, Wilhelm, Anastasia, the triplets, Ricardo, Julius, Felt, Reinhard, Priscilla, Al, Heinkel, and Schult—as well as others, the Witches: Echidna, Sekhmet, Typhon, Camilla, Daphne, Minerva, Satella alongside her counterpart, Envy, and the so-called Sage’s apprentice, Shaula.

A rather mixed group, who until then had been sharing the screening room since the very beginning. Each one leaving their rooms.

Emilia even glanced down the long corridor that seemed endless—where Alpha’s room should be, yet no one could reach it no matter how much they tried. Shaula, like some others, had tried to go to the end of that hallway and simply failed. It was as if it were an infinite corridor, preventing them from doing anything except staying confined to that place.

But this did not matter much to the candidate. What mattered was the room beside hers, which was probably already empty: Subaru’s, which he usually shared with Beatrice, his Great Spirit, who should already be in the screening room.

[Rem: Emilia-sama, I hope you rested well.]

[Emilia: Yes. I hope you did too, Rem.]

The two exchanged the first kind words of the day, the silver-haired girl smiling.

The two—like others—shared a love for the dark-haired boy.

[Alpha: No time to waste, everyone! Today we’ll begin a special screening unlike any other!]

The Witch of Time cut short any further interaction between the two, as the others waited for the little Witch’s announcement at the front.

[Al: Could it be the legendary Route of Lust?]

[Ricardo: Our sweet and amazing hostess will finally show us the grand Route we’re missing~?]

The two jokesters teased with grins on their faces. This drew a snort from Heinkel, who didn’t even want to be there to witness the other Routes—much less one with such a lewd tone.

[Alpha: No, no. That Route is already being screened in another hall...]

[Al: Hm?]

[Alpha: YOU AREN’T GOING TO SEE THAT ROUTE!]

[Al/Ricardo: Awww.]

The two lowered their heads in “sadness,” disappointed at missing such an opportunity.

The others around them could only let out small chuckles.

[Shaula: Uh~ Are we going to see the Route of the Great Disciple of the Master? The first-class lady, Shaula?]

[Alpha: No. We aren’t, scorpion-girl. Even if it would be mildly interesting, I admit.]

[Shaula: OwO]

[Alpha: Don’t make that face at me.]

The Witch of Time pointed at her, slightly frustrated at seeing the scorpion-girl’s pleading expression.

And they continued walking until they entered the hall.

In the seats at the very front, the second main row, sat the figure of Natsuki Subaru, seated at the center, while Beatrice was perched on his lap—the definitive spot of the drill-haired little loli. Beatrice cast a sharp look at anyone who might think of stealing her place. Some of the younger children wanted to, but it would have been a hopeless battle against the Great Spirit.

[Alpha: Take your seats.]

So, without asking further questions, they knew they shouldn’t waste any more time at that moment. They all took their places.

Fifth Row: Heinkel, [Empty Seat], [Empty Seat], Alpha, [Empty Seat], [Empty Seat], Ram, Roswaal, [Empty Seat].

Fourth Row: Al, Schult, Priscilla, [Empty Seat], [Empty Seat], [Empty Seat], Felt, Reinhard, and Wilhelm.

Third Row: Ricardo, Mimi, Hetaro, Tivey, Julius, Anastasia, Crusch, Felix, [Empty Seat], Shaula.

Second Row: Otto, Garfiel, Rem, Subaru with [Beatrice], Emilia, Frederica with [Petra], and Meili, [Empty Seat], [Empty Seat].

First Row: [Empty Seat], Daphne, Camilla, Minerva, Echidna, Satella, Typhon, and Sekhmet, [Empty Seat].

Everyone was in their properly chosen seats.

Sometimes, of course, they switched places, but most of the time the members of the Cinema had pre-destined seats. The Witches, for instance, always sat at the front, while Beatrice had her “special throne,” with the other two—Rem and Emilia—taking their places around Subaru.

Some changes were worth noting as examples: Wilhelm, who gave up his seat to Shaula after everything that happened in the first four Arcs of the Anime version, so he could stay closer to Reinhard. Or Meili, who had originally sat in the back, but moved to sit with the Camp starting directly from the Pride Route when they began watching the Novel version—at Petra’s own request, as she had “claimed” Frederica as her throne—so Meili could get closer to the others and start integrating into the group. Another was Heinkel moving far away from Wilhelm and Reinhard. And sometimes there were minor shifts, like when Subaru ended up surrounded by members of other Camps, such as Anastasia’s or Crusch’s, or even Priscilla’s.

Meanwhile, Alpha always remained in her special seat at the top center, in a mighty metal chair, ready to smack the heads of the girls who dared try—or ended up breaking Subaru’s hands out of jealousy—especially Emilia, who held the record for most hits to the head.

But these were just small trivialities.

[Alpha: NOW THAT EVERYONE IS HERE, WE CAN BEGIN OUR NEXT SCREENING!]

The Witch’s usual words left a bitter taste in everyone’s mouth.

The next screening could only mean one thing: more suffering to watch.

[Heinkel: Tsk! What is it this time, huh?]

[Alpha: You could ask more politely, you know? What? You want me to give you a little lesson in manners? Want some practical education?]

[Heinkel: ——!!!]

[Reinhard: Alpha-sama, please...]

Reinhard pleaded with a sad and desperate look when he saw her raise a finger in a threatening manner, accompanied by a faintly cruel and terrifying aura that made everyone tense up.

The Witch glared at him for a few moments, then withdrew her aura.

[Alpha: Fine, fine. Let’s not start with that. —— Today, in our screenings, I decided to show you yet another Alternative Route—one of what could have happened.]

[Echidna: Is it a divergence from Arc 7 or 8?]

[Alpha: No. We don’t have many divergences in Arc 7 or 8. Though one does exist, I don’t find it very interesting—not compared to the one I wish to show you right now. That’s the one we’ll see.]

[Crusch: Then, from which Arc does this Route we are about to watch come?]

[Alpha: From our beloved... ARC 3!!!]

She spoke while spreading her arms dramatically, which only gave everyone a fresh bad taste in their mouths.

[Alpha: The most intense Arc, with the best divergence in my opinion. I love it when my father abandons all of you to die facing the consequences of your own decisions, while he goes off to live a happy life with his own family. Truly, Sloth is one of my favorites.]

Her words felt like blades stabbing into the hearts of those who might have died in that situation.

Both Crusch’s Camp and especially Emilia’s. Even more so because of Alpha’s clear indifference, her animated tone as she so excitedly described their deaths in that scenario, and the chaos that would have ensued had Subaru and Rem fled at that moment. This left everyone with a look of resignation and faint anger toward the Witch of Time for the tone she used to describe it.

Alpha, however, remained indifferent, even briefly pondering whether or not she should break their arms out of obvious spite—but decided to let it go.

[Alpha: Let’s begin our screening.]

[Priscilla: Wait.]

[Alpha: Hm~?]

[Priscilla: You usually say the name of the Route we’ll watch, but you didn’t this time.]

[Alpha: At least someone noticed... Well, I’ll reveal the name of the Route at the end of the chapter——at the end of the first episode’s screening.]

Correcting herself, she cut herself off mid-sentence in a way that made everyone frown at her odd phrasing.

[Felt: Wait a sec, “first... episode”?]

[Alpha: Uh~ I forgot to mention it. —— This Route is an extremely long one, longer than the others. That’s why we’ll be watching it the way we do with the Arcs, since there are so many. So we’ll be spending quite some time watching it, and I hope you’re ready for everything we’re about to see... Though actually, it doesn’t matter to me whether you’re ready or not—you’ll watch it because I want you to, so you have no choice.]

[Felt: Urgh, don’t you have a shred of kindness in your heart?]

[Alpha: Hm? I disabled the sensation of pain in the Routes and left it only in the main one... Do you want me to enable it so you can experience all the pain from every death you and Subaru suffered in this Route?]

[Felt: N-No. No need, seriously. Sorry.]

Felt grew quite worried—like the others—when she realized they might lose the special treatment that kept them from feeling the pain during the screenings.

All that remained for them was to watch what would be shown, without complaining about what would be presented.

Then the screen lit up as a title appeared...

{The Ordination of Vainglory}

...which unsettled them a bit as the episode began.

Subaru tossed and turned within his bed, groaning as his sleep was still tormented by nightmares.

Twenty seven times, he had died twenty seven times. He had died at the hands of friends, enemies, and monsters.

And many of his deaths were slow and painful.

He was abandoned by a person he was willing to dedicate everything to.

Discarded by those who acted like they would be his friends.

He died, over and over again.

Many people's eyes widened at what they began to see.

They began to wonder what exactly was happening at that moment. Because so far, despite seeing the various loops Subaru had faced, up until this point in Arc 3, he had only died about ten times—in both versions.

Three in the Capital in Arc 1. Four in the Mansion in Arc 2. And another four in Arc 3.

Could this be the divergence that the divergence at this point in the story was about, as in the other Routes?

The Sloth Route was Rem accepting Subaru's hand, while the Revenge Route was Subaru not going to the Mansion in the second loop and then beginning his quest for revenge against Petelguese without dying once more.

Could these twenty-seven more deaths have come from what was supposed to be this Route?

He remembered being frozen, his body turned painfully and sadistically into ice. The freezing winds that tore apart his skin, crept over him like a rot, and shattered him like broken glass.

He remembered being ripped apart and torn to pieces by shadowy hands. The cold fingers digging into his skin, breaking his bones, bending his arms and limbs around in impossible directions.

He remembered being devoured by the White Whale, captured within its maw. He still heard the tearing of his own flesh, the crunch of his bones, his own screams of agony as he was slowly crushed within the gut of the whale. His body’s blood mixed with the thick saliva of the whale as it drowned him.

He remembered the cold steel of Crusch Karsten’s blade as it severed his head from his body. It was swift, cold, merciless, and remorseless. Blood spilled forth from his neck, and he remembered her firm pitiless gaze as he drowned in his own blood.

He remembered the agony of Priscilla Barielle’s sword. Conjured within her hands it was a blade that blazed like the sun, much like she did. The slash that decorated his chest was not that deep, but ceaseless flames erupted forth from that singular wound. He did not know for how long he burned, until the flames consumed his entire body, all the while the Sun Princess watched on contemptuously and cruelly. Every nerve, every muscle, every drop of blood in his body was set ablaze until nothing was left of him.

He remembered the feeling of his neck snapping when Mimi’s own blast knocked him away into a nearby wall. It was instant, quick, and callous. A death that represented his own pathetic insignificance. Maybe he was a bit loud but he certainly felt like he didn’t deserve that death!

He died, over and over again.

He died twenty times, just because he wanted to help people. He wanted to help those that had abandoned him.

But the world decided to teach him a cruel lesson.

That it didn’t matter if you saved people.

That it didn’t matter if your intentions were noble and pure.

That it didn’t matter how much you begged and pleaded.

He learned that if you were weak, if you were insignificant, that the world would discard you if it had no use for you.

That people were callous, cold, and selfish.

People were lustful in the pursuit of their own desires.

People were gluttonous as they sought to consume all from the world that they could.

People were greedy as they would simply take from those weaker than them.

People were slothful, unwilling to lift a finger even for a righteous cause unless they would personally gain.

People were envious, as they would seek what others had.

People were wrathful, quick to destroy, hurt, and kill others for offense.

People were proud, valuing themselves too much and others too little.

People were vainglorious. They did not really care what sort of people they were, they only cared about their precious noble image.

It was for that reason that Subaru found himself abandoned.

It was for that reason that he found himself killed.

He did not view himself as an exception to these emotions in the slightest.

He wanted to be a hero, he wanted to save people, to mean something, to be valued. But very few people gave him that due. He felt he was owed at least that much.

He felt that Emilia owed him at least that much.

He tried to trust others, but he discovered what people were really like, all that he really amounted to.

He only received rejection, pain, and death.

Over and over again.

Rejection

Pain

Death

Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death, Rejection, Pain, Death,

It always ended in death. 

[Petra: N-N—No... no...]

With her hands over her mouth, the young maid’s face showed the same shock as the others in the room. Wide eyes, mouth open—covered by her small hands—while a few tears threatened to fall at that moment.

What exactly was this that they were seeing?!

That Subaru had been killed by Puck was something some already knew to expect.

But the changes began to appear when he started speaking about Petelgeuse’s Invisible Hands.

He hadn’t died to the invisible hands, he hadn’t been devoured by the Whale, but above all... Subaru had never been killed by Crusch’s or Priscilla’s blades! And even less by Mimi’s tiny hands.

[Crusch: S-Subaru-dono...]

[Priscilla: —— what exactly are we watching?]

[Mimi: M-Mini-B-Boss... Mimi didn’t, no...]

The little girl was quickly comforted by her brothers, as well as by Anastasia and Ricardo, who were just as shocked as the other two. Hearing from Subaru himself that he had been killed by those three—especially the little cat-girl—was something utterly startling!

[Daphne: Here, Subarun ended up finding the end from the Fish before the Bunny, tsu~.]

[Minerva: DAMN IT! DON’T MAKE COMMENTS LIKE THAT, DAPHNE!]

[Daphne: Relax, Nerva. I’m not saying it’s a good thing. Just that it’s impressive it happened to him in this world just like it happened in ours, don’t you think, tsu~?]

The Witch of Gluttony pointed out a fact, even if some disliked it.

But it truly was real.

[Ram: What exactly is this timeline, Alpha-sama?]

The Witch of Time remained silent upon hearing the pink-haired oni’s question.

[Beatrice: S-So if we count those twenty-sev—seve—seventy d-d-deaths, Betty’s S-Subaru d-died... N-No...]

[Roswaal: Counting with the seven previous deaths, and if he’s already couuunting the three we all remember so vividly, this version of Subaru-kun died twenty times in the Capital.]

Finishing the Great Spirit’s thought, his words seemed to put everyone more on edge with that perspective.

[Rem: T-That doesn’t make sense. A-After dying those three times, Subaru-kun would try to propose to Rem that they run away together... not keep trying.]

[Priscilla: That would only happen if his will had been completely broken by the Spirit and he gave up entirely—but perhaps that wasn’t the case in this timeline.]

The baroness’s words caught everyone’s attention.

[Julius: What exactly do you mean, Priscilla-sama?]

[Priscilla: I am only deducing, but though it is only that, I believe I am correct. And the Witch will confirm it once I demonstrate my line of reasoning.]

[Alpha: —— Of course, go right ahead. My duty is just to show the screening. Only if you’re wrong, I’ll twist Al’s testicles.]

[Al: WHAT?!]

[Priscilla: Feel free with such trivialities.]

[Al: HUH?!]

The one-armed knight looked uneasy behind his helmet, glancing back and forth between his princess and the Witch of Time.

[Priscilla: Well... The commoner had given up completely after being killed by the half-demon’s Spirit for the third time, realizing nothing he did would bring about the expected result. He ended up accepting that no matter how much he acted, he couldn’t achieve anything, and the best he could do in that moment was to offer his hand to the maid and flee.]

[Ram: Except...?]

[Priscilla: Except at that junction, he most likely chose to ignore that thought. He chose instead to try other ways to earn our trust, desperate to prove his own worth, and also to save the lives of those around him. He tried once again to seek our aid, as he had in the third loop. But this time, with his desperation mounting along with the number of deaths, at certain points he must have lost control, and our versions saw him as disgusting and attempted to eliminate him—like Karsten when he “threatened” her with a spoon. Which only drove him further into desperation, to the point where he was no longer capable of acting properly, or at least acceptably enough to hold a reasonable discussion with any of us. —— I should be correct in my deduction, shouldn’t I, Witch?]

[Alpha: Phiiiu~! Damn. Sometimes it feels like you’ve got the script in your hand. —— Basically, almost. You only missed one part of your theory. It wasn’t about proving his worth anymore, it was simply that he was truly desperate not to see anyone he cared for die again. —— But yes. For the rest, you’ve correctly guessed what happened.]

With the Witch confirming part of Priscilla’s words, some couldn’t help but sigh in surprise.

The Subaru of this timeline had not given up.

So desperate to find a way to save Arlam Village, the Mansion’s people, and Emilia, he had pushed aside his own thoughts to keep trying to overcome the difficulty before him. But since he hadn’t spoken with Rem, he hadn’t begun to think clearly nor could he vent his frustrations, which resulted in the deaths caused by the women. Mimi felt less amazing and, for the first time in a long while, felt disgusted at having done something so terrible to someone in such deep despair; and while Schult admired his lady, even he couldn’t help but cast her a doubtful look, afraid that something like that could happen and that she might really kill him—something noticed by the baroness, who couldn’t help but accept that for a child—even one so loyal to her—it was impossible not to think such a thing after all they had seen.

Otto even suspected that in some way he might have been connected to the Whale’s kill. Up until that point, he had shoved and abandoned him to die to it once, hadn’t he? What would have stopped him from being the cause of Subaru’s death by that beast’s fangs, just as he had been in the Sanctuary with the Great Rabbit’s fangs?

Was Otto’s fate to bring about Subaru Natsuki’s conflict and death at the hands of the Great Beasts?

[Emilia: S-Subaru... please... forgive me...]

The half-elf grieved deeply, realizing how much of it had been her fault.

Others also shared that sorrow, alongside great frustration.

How many times would Subaru have to die before somehow achieving victory?

One of the most guilt-ridden, even if neither his lady nor Subaru himself blamed him, was Reinhard. Once again, it showed just how far he was from being able to do anything to help his friend—who was constantly sacrificing himself to protect others—while Reinhard was always too far away to do anything meaningful. The strongest in the world, too far away to protect those who could not protect themselves.

And so, they too wondered: to what fate was this Route leading?

The memories of his deaths, of freezing, of burning, of being cut, of being devoured. They all played again and again within his mind.

He began to claw at his own arms, trembling in his bed, his own nails digging into his flesh.

Desperate for release, for relief.

The cat, the whale, those swords they…

“I see, I apologize. I should not have left you.” A voice spoke, gentle and warm like a summer morning. A soft hand touched his own, calming him, quelling the nightmares that plagued his soul. Bringing his heart back to serenity, back to stasis.

Opening his eyes he saw a familiar figure, one he had grown to know earlier that day.

“Pandora… right?” Subaru questioned.

Sitting on his bed was a platinum haired young woman, girl? He couldn’t quite place her. She was about as tall as Anastasia, though her features made her seem almost divine in nature rather than a mortal being. Meanwhile her blue eyes seemed to radiate a near perfect serenity. She wore a simple piece of white fabric with blue string lace, and a blue ribbon upon her head.

If they thought the people's expressions of surprise couldn't get any worse, they'd be wrong.

For at that moment, everyone's expressions were a mixture of astonishment and surprise beyond anything imaginable. Because despite having heard that voice and seen its face only a few times, at least most of the room, everyone perfectly recognized the figure that was presenting itself at that moment.

A figure that made Emilia's expression freeze and Wilhelm grit his teeth.

[Emilia: P-Pandora...]

Before them, as before Subaru, stood the figure of the Witch of Vainglory and leader of the Witch Cult.

Many also reacted with shock, surprise, and some, anger.

But among them were the Witches, who, surprised, began exchanging knowing glances upon seeing the Witch with Subaru. Something none of them expected, even if not all that surprising—given the history they knew. [Rem: What is this damn thing doing with Subaru-Kun?!]

The blue-haired Oni indignantly expressed what everyone was wondering at that moment.

What was the Witch doing with Subaru?

Had she kidnapped him? If so, was she part of the divergence from this unknown route?

She softly took his hands as she nodded her head. “That is correct my beloved. I have finished the preparations, but you must make your choice soon.”

“My… choice?” Subaru slowly sat himself up, “Ri..right.” He hung his head low.

“You’ll help me, you’ll save them?” He asked.

She nodded her head. “I truly believe that you do not need my help to do so. That you are strong enough to rise above this trial the world has placed before you.”

Subaru scoffed and shook his head. “What good can I do? All I can do is get myself killed.”

She shook her head, placing another hand upon his and holding them up. “If the world has led you to believe that, has led you into that pit of despair, then it shall fall to me to teach you otherwise.”

Subaru blinked a few times, and reflected upon their prior conversation.

He had already learned that she was the effective leader of the Witch Cult though her role, as she explained, was above it.

She explained how Betelgeuse’s actions were his own, that as an Archbishop he had the right to direct the cult as he saw fit. That she had no part in his actions beyond observation.

He wanted to hate her, understanding that she was apparently the ‘true enemy’ in this world but…

She had also saved him, given him a chance where practically everyone else abandoned him.
And while Rem had not, he still has complicated emotions given her prior actions towards him in a past that no longer existed.

She was given a choice by him.

She would save him, save all those he wished to save.

But in turn he must become hers, serve as an archbishop in the Witch Cult. If he did this, she would dedicate everything to him.

It was a simple choice, his life, for her full support and everything she could offer.

He felt that the axis of not only his life, but of the lives of everyone he knew in this world, would hinge upon that choice.

He needed time to think, so she left him alone while she made the preparations.

[Emilia: N-No...]

It seemed that what was being shown on that screen was increasingly crushing the silver-haired girl's heart.

[Otto: Is she trying to recruit him?]

The merchant, like many others, were focused as they tried to comprehend the path being shown. First, Subaru dying seventeen more times in Arc 3; second, Pandora had taken him and was offering to end the attacks and save Arlam along with Emilia if he would become a member of the Cult.

Begging the question: Why?

And what he had realized, like almost everyone else, was something else...

[Anastasia: She... knows?]

Does Pandora know about Return by Death? Could the Witch of Vainglory know about Return by Death?

Laying in his bed, he considered everything, his path since arriving in this world that led him to this point.

How he had already managed to lose everything he sought to work for, how he had been abandoned because of one mistake.

Because he simply wanted to stick up for the girl he loved.

But she would not stand by him.

She would not love him.

He began to understand that now.

In a quick leap, Emilia rose from her seat, shaking her hands with clenched fists and a look of sadness on her face.

[Emilia: No, Subaru! I love you! Please...!]

But it was useless, they knew. Shouting from a movie theater wouldn't change the events on screen.

Sinking into such thoughts he drifted back into his slumber, until awoken by Pandora again, just now.

“If you are ready, we should be on our way.” She extended out her hand to him.

Staring at it, at her pure and radiant form for but a moment, he then took her hand.

With that touch, he felt it, peace, serenity, and above all relief.

Relief, which had become the most precious emotion to him in this world. 

She led him by the hand, out of that white room and into the dark corridors of whatever complex they were in.

“Where are we?” Subaru asked.

“Underground, one of the bases of the Witch Cult. This one is near the capital, only an hour or two away.” she explained.

Her smile was soft and ethereal, her body delicate yet perfect. She seems almost like an inhuman goddess, a being not of this world.

“So, have you had the time required to think?” Her voice was like a melody of silver bells that might ensnare his mind and pull him into an eternal realm where only she existed.

But she was not a goddess.

And he was not under her spell.

He still had enough of his bearings, even at the edge of his sanity, to be wary of the woman before him.

To him, despite her otherworldly air, some part of her still seemed human.

Some part of his mind refused to be utterly dominated by her being.

So his expression, while that of a smile, contained that reluctance, hinted at that barrier still existing despite their prior physical intimacy.

She stared at him, curiously for a moment. That everpresent smile of hers widened slightly, becoming a bit less perfect, but far more human, and far more beautiful to the young man.

"I see, I should be grateful, that you still treat me as you do." Her voice retained its soft and ethereal tone.

"I still don't get why? Why did you save me when..." Subaru hung his head, shaking it lightly. He was still confused by all this. The pain and fury of the prior ‘weeks’ were reduced to echoes, but they remained etched into his heart.

"...I am the leader of the very cult that is the architect of your misery?" 

"..." He nodded his head.

"Why did you save the half-elf? Answer that question and you shall understand my own position on you.

"!!!" His eyes widened a bit.

She continued to stare at him, her eyes gazing into his.

"Because... she saved me..." Subaru's voice was unsteady, unsure, uncertain.

"And then she abandoned you. But I suppose our situations are similar then. You may not understand why, I see that now, but you saved me as well." She spoke plainly, her tone direct and honest. She truly believed that she was saved by Subaru Natsuki.

Subaru didn't understand, couldn't understand how this girl knew him, why she adored him.
"I don't..."

"You don't have to, not now. If you cannot recall then I cannot expect it to hold sway over your heart, but the truth and feeling within my heart remain." She then grabbed his hand, they were soft and delicate.

Leading him out of the hallways, they entered a new chamber, a church.

It was draped in darkness, barely illuminated, but Subaru could make out rows of pews, leading up to a ceremonial altar that seemed to depict the visage of the Witch of Envy, the crimson eye symbol of the Witch Cult, the moon, and the stars.

Occult statues and symbols decorated the wood and stone walls, but their meaning was lost upon Subaru.

Despite being underground, a soft light radiated from behind the glass back wall, dimly illuminating the ceremonial altar.

[Anastasia: Julius. I know we're all in a very... intense situation... But try not to miss any details of what we're witnessing.]

[Julius: I understand, Lady Anastasia. I've already thought about it.]

As if one step ahead of his lady, the Knight of Knights already had a notebook ready to jot down as much information as possible about what he was visualizing, thinking of using any knowledge that might give them a better advantage against the Witch Cult.

This thought seemed to be shared by others who were also trying to maintain rational thinking amidst so much happening: Ram, Otto, Crusch, Wilhelm, and, of course, Reinhard, who were visualizing everything and recording it in their minds. While they still had to deal with the weight of the feelings that gripped their hearts and flooded their minds, they still needed to think about facing the Witch Cult. While some of the members seemed to recognize this place...

[Echidna: So, you took him to this place...]

[Sekhmet: It seems Yawn that Yawn we're seeing something Yawn that's going to go Yawn very wrong...]

The two then proceeded towards the altar, their footsteps soft and purposeful.

"The Witch Cult exists for several purposes. For myself, it is a tool to be called upon when I require or desire it. It also exists to fulfill several tasks from centuries ago... though some of that is irrelevant now. For those who are at its apex, the Archbishops, it exists to facilitate their desires, so long as they obey the Gospel when required. Just as it is a tool for myself, it is a tool for those at its apex to use as well."

He nodded along, she had already explained all this but there was one thing, one obvious critical thing that the boy named Subaru Natsuki could not ignore.

"Why kill..."

"People are cruel, ugly, sickening, and disgusting, savage things. Most are slaves to their desire, their primal instincts, letting their lives twist and pollute themselves. You have already seen it, those who pretend to be better, who vaingloriously place themselves above others. Humanity is a wicked, corrupt, and ugly thing." She said, an almost bored and sorrowful tone sneaking into her melodic voice.

He stared back at her, blinking a few times. “That's…”

"Do you disagree?" she asked curiously.

"I..." He remembered his deaths, at the hands of those who he thought would help him, those he thought were friends. He remembered Puck’s ice, Crusch’s blade, and Priscilla’s fire.

He remembered the knights and nobles from the royal capital, how they mocked him and looked down upon him.

He remembered every indignity that he had suffered since arriving in this world, how he had to claw and fight his way even for the simplest scraps of happiness.

Happiness that the girl before him now offered.

"No... I don't. I can’t… I..."

"Can only live for what you desire, just as all others do." She gently gripped his face. "That is all I ask of you, if you devote yourself to me. You do not need to fight for others, everyone only fights for themselves, only struggles for their own sake so please. I ask you, simply do as you wish."

"Then..."

She smiled. "I gave you some time to consider what you wished for, what you wished to do. Time is running short though. Already the Valkyrie's army is set to collide with the White Whale, and Archbishop Romanne-Conti closes in on that village and the half elf. You know that in both cases they will be annihilated, that the half-elf, the oni maids, and the village will die. You can choose to keep facing it alone, or you may utilize me if you are willing to pay the cost.”

He paused, considering if he truly cared about the outcome still. Emilia and Crusch had both forsaken him, but he still didn’t want Emilia to die. but... He didn't want his efforts, his cycles of pain and death, over and over again, to be for nothing.

He at least wanted to save the village.

He at least wanted to save Rem.

And despite it all, he didn’t want Emilia to die.

He felt that if he did this much, that if he could accomplish this, then he could do what he pleased after it was all said and done with.

He understood he was broken, after all this pain and death that he suffered, he could not longer bring himself to care about the rest.

Everyone else had abandoned him.

The world had proven itself to be a cruel and disgusting place that was cruel and disgusting towards him.

So, maybe she was right.

Maybe he should simply do as he wanted.

Maybe he did deserve better.

He stared into the eyes of the Witch of Vainglory.

The one who not only saved him, but offered him everything.

She was willing to give him everything, she was willing to truly believe in him without judgement, without requiring his death.

He recalled Emilia giving him the false name of Satella.

He recalled Rem torturing him within the forest.

It was only her, only Pandora, trusted him from the start.

Maybe she led the witch cult.

Maybe she was responsible for unspeakable and horrific tragedies.

But it was Pandora, The Witch of Vainglory, who cared about the well being of Natsuki Subaru unconditionally.

He sighed and then nodded his head. "Please, call it off." 

She smiled. "So you have decided then. That your own desires shall stand at the summit of the Witch Cult?"

He stood before the altar and the Witch, and bowed his head. "You said those at the Witch Cult's apex are free to pursue their own desires right?" he asked

She nodded her head. "That is the privilege, the authority, of an Archbishop. That is the promise I make to them when I deliver to them their gospels, though it does not mean that one may not be subject to the desire of another stronger force. That is the law that we live by."

“Its all about strength then, isn’t it?” Subaru remarked with grim resignation. “The strong, they are the ones that make the rules. Weaklings like me can only scrape by, get trashed around, and die.”

Pandora nodded her head. “It is the ugly truth of the world we live in. The Witch Cult embraces and reflects that truth. It brings out the true sinful nature of humanity that lays within us all. It is the promise of a world where such truths may not lay in the shadows. That the vainglorious false light that humankind currently lives by, may die.”

Subaru nodded along, something about what she said felt right, it felt correct it felt real.

She promised him true honesty, true devotion, and true strength.

She promised him salvation.

I really was an idiot, for thinking that someone pathetic like me could be a hero.

He stared back at the witch.

But at least… at least someone believes in me, someone believed in me from the start. I was not alone.

He smiled and then got on a single knee.

"Then... I... Subaru Natsuki, pledge myself..."

Pandora’s smile remained plain upon her face, unchanging, pleasant, serene.

"Not to the Witch Cult, or to the Witch of Envy, or to some Gospel, but to you, Pandora, the Witch of Vainglory. The girl who saved me."

Her eyes went slightly wide at that statement,

It was bold.

It was direct.

It was honest.

It was pure.

A statement born from true affection, not adoration.

Born from his want and his need.

Born from the deepest and pure longing of his soul for salvation.

Her smile widened, becoming more real, more genuine.

“Truly you are wonderful, Subaru Natsuki.”

She let out a breath. "In that case, I shall name you as an Archbishop, as an archbishop reflecting my own sin. Thus shall be the terms of our contract, you shall devote yourself to me as my archbishop and serve within the Witch Cult to fulfill my desires, and I shall take you and you shall become mine. In exchange, I shall grant you salvation, and salvation for those you wish to protect, I promise to devote myself to fulfilling your desires, to lend you my power and all that you will require to find joy in your life and value within yourself, I shall become yours as you become mine." She extended her hand for him to kiss.

“These are the terms I offer to you. Do you accept?”

He stared at her, processed the weight of her words, of all that she promised, and all that it would cost.

And he found it an acceptable trade.

“I do. I devote myself to you, Pandora, Witch of Vainglory. I’ll be your Archbishop, and you’ll be my Witch.” He kissed her hand, and then took it.

As his lips graced her hand, a surge of feelings swelled within him.

Peace, warmth, affection, and love.

All these feelings bloomed within him, for the Witch who saved him, for the Witch who promised to devote all that she was to him, if he did so in turn.

It was as simple as that, for Subaru Natsuki to fall in love again.

Within the deepest pit of pain and despair, it was the light of Pandora that saved him.

"Now, I bid you to arise, Subaru Natsuki, Archbishop of Vainglory. I pray that we have a pleasant journey together into the future." Pandora’s smile was bright, cheerful almost.
Subaru looked upon her face, and was entranced by the emotion she showed.

As if all the dreams she had in life had now become reality.

As if she too had been saved.

When he saw her face, when he looked into her eyes, he felt like he was the only think that mattered to her.

Subaru rose to his feet, and locked eyes with the diminutive witch. Serenity, bliss, love, affection, joy, and stasis pervaded within his heart.

For the first time since he arrived in this world, he was at peace.

When the screen turned off, everyone who had been watching until that moment could only stare wide-eyed, some with their mouths open, but almost all, if not all, stunned by everything they had just witnessed on the screen since the moment it was turned on earlier that day.

[Alpha: And with that, I can reveal to you that we will be following along from today...]

Like an excited announcer, the Weather Witch leaped up, floating in front of the screen, while with a snap of her fingers, she added a name to the screen.

[Alpha: The... VAINGLORY ROUTE!!!]

And what appeared on the screen was the name...

[—{VAINGLORY IF}—]

—————

Our dear Zero_Haven has given me permission to post the first chapter.

The posting days for this story will be: Friday. One at a time, posted at times like this.

I didn't lengthen the prologue by adding those cliché reflections from them about having seen the other Arcs, as it would be redundant, as I'll be presenting some of their reflections throughout the story. What this version of the Cast has seen so far is:

-The Main Route (Arcs 1 to 8).

-Pride Route.

-Wrath Route.

-Sloth Route.

-Greed Route.

-Gluttony Route.

-Void Route (the route of what it would have been like if Subaru hadn't been summoned).

Well, that's it. I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. And yes, we will have some chapters where the Witch Cult Theater will appear.

Chapter Text

No one spoke for a while.

Each of them was trying to absorb the information they had just received.

Meanwhile, the Witch of Time stood motionless in front of everyone.

[Alpha: What a tough audience... What’s wrong? Weren’t you excited about the news I just gave?]

As she asked this, she tilted her head to the side while closing her left eye, puffing her cheeks slightly, and crossing her arms.

That seemed to stir them, or at least part of the audience.

[Ram: Do you really have to ask that?]

[Alpha: ——? Hm? What?]

[Otto: Alpha-sama... Don’t you understand that——]

[Alpha: That all of you were extremely shocked by the fact that the next route we’re going to see will be the Vainglory one, and that it won’t be something short and quick like Sloth in terms of overall screen time?]

Interrupting the merchant, she clearly pointed out everyone’s emotions.

It wasn’t just a simple surprise, but almost a violation for them.

Just from what they had seen in the first chapter of that Route, Subaru had been killed nearly six or even more times than in their own Route.

And then they discovered that Subaru had become a member of the Cult as Pandora’s Archbishop, a figure hated by everyone there, as the main culprit behind the suffering in Emilia’s life and the Astrea family’s.

Regardless of Alpha being terrible at social skills, she could still understand that much.

[Crusch: If I may ask: Why would you show us such a Route? And why exactly now, when we’ve already passed Arc 3 such a long time ago?]

[Alpha: Arf. Good question. A fine question; This is a much longer Route than all the others I’ve shown so far. To the point that it spans more than one Arc, with several chapters for us to grasp its story, and that’s why I decided to only show it when I felt you were ready.]

[Anastasia: I believe by that you mean: We are all absolutely certain that no matter what is shown, even if it leads to a bad ending for everyone, we would still keep our trust in the loyalty and kindness of Natsuki-kun from our own timeline. Am I right to assume that was your intention, Alpha-sama?]

[Alpha: Once again, correct. That truly is the reason.]

The Witch’s gaze wandered over them.

She still had a smile on her face.

[Alpha: The Route we’re going to see may be... complicated... and the fate of some may be quite dark. That’s why I needed all of you to be ready for what you’re about to watch. —— So, prepare yourselves. The next chapter begins now.]

Leaving no room for them to say anything else about it, she declared that the next showing would begin. Whether they liked it or not.

Emilia didn’t seem to want to be there, nor to see what was about to be displayed.

But holding Subaru’s hand, she gently rubbed it, gazing at him for a few moments. She had already seen many difficult things in that room and through that screen, so could she endure if she still had Subaru’s presence as support? Emilia wished so, because she had no choice.

The screen lit up...

{A Lesson of Power}

That seemed to spark their interest in what it could possibly mean.

After his ordination, Subaru and Pandora spent some time together, calmly and gently enjoying each other’s embrace. A sense of completeness, of rightness, washed over them both as they were in each other’s arms.

Right after that, Emilia let out a small groan of irritation, not wanting such an image in her head.

Subaru found himself awoken in another cultist base, he did not recognize the ceiling. It was less pristine, a rock and brick ceiling that was above his face now. He figured Pandora must have moved them in his sleep.

“That is going to take some getting used to…” he muttered to himself.

Looking himself over, and looking around, he groaned.

“Ugh, did she really leave my clothes behind? What am I supposed to wear!”

He whined to the heavens, though considering what he just agreed to become, he figured the heavens had nothing kind to say to him. 

He had not met any of the other cultists since 'semi officially' joining. He wasn't sure how official it was. 

Right after the ceremony, Pandora left him for a few minutes to collect himself in the chapel, before returning and informing him that the new orders had been given to the Archbishops to stand down. 

He was then invited back to bed by Pandora, and the two spent some time there together.

As he was reflecting on the events of the day, Pandora appeared again, that serene smile still plain upon her face.

“Here you are, my beloved.”

Some could hear a few figures, especially the women, grinding their teeth upon hearing Pandora call Subaru “beloved.” Among them were particularly the two silver-haired half-elves and the blue-haired oni.

She presented him with some robes. They were of a refined cut, black with orange accents stitched into the trim. It also came with black gloves and a cape.

“Huh, going for the whole supervillain look I see.” 

He commented as he threw the robes onto himself.

“Do they displease you?” she asked, motioning to a nearby mirror.

Subaru checked himself out in the new robes, even performing an overly dramatic flourish with the cape. 

“Of course not! They look great! They just will take some getting used to.”

She smiled warmly at him, “I am glad you are pleased. There is one more thing I must give you, far more important than mere clothes.”

A book appeared in her hands, a copy of the gospel of the Witch Cult.

Though it seemed different to him than the gospel that Petelgeuse had, it was a darker shade, and had a violet etching around it, and a moon & star symbol on one side in place of its typical sigil. Also rather than a pristine new book, it seemed like it was slightly worn, slightly damaged. As Subaru stared at the book in the Witch’s hand, he could tell it had a weight to it that the other gospel did not have.

Such a thing was noticed by them even though they weren’t in the scene.

That Gospel seemed different from all the other Gospels they had ever seen.

This perception, however, was more strongly felt by those who had held similar books before, like Roswaal and Beatrice, and by the one who had owned the original book, Echidna, from which all the others had been copied.

It looked heavy.

It was calling him.

It felt like it belonged to him.

It felt like it always belonged to him.

“Is that…”

“Is it the gospel? Yes, it is your gospel.” Pandora answered. “Do you wish for it? Or shall I prepare a different one for you. Like I have for the other Archbishops.”

“No… it's just… I feel like…”

“It belongs with you.” she said plainly, as if it was an obvious truth. 

“Yeah, like that.” He slowly reached out, his found his fingers trembling, everything in the world around him began to fade away as he reached for it, until nothing was left but himself, that girl, and the gospel in her hands.

Subaru gently grabbed the Gospel and took it within his grasp. 

He slowly opened it up, fingering through the pages.

“It seems... different? Than the ones the others were using.” he remarked to the witch.

Pandora shook her head. “The Gospels are not all of the same quality. Those held by bishops and archbishops have more care placed into them.”

“And… mine?” Subaru asked

“Yours is of a higher tier than even that. It should be similar to the original books of wisdom, crafted by the Witch of Greed, with a few unique features.” she explained. 

“Like?"

“The ability to implement orders through the gospel. Besides just their mutual goal to fulfill their personal desires, the gospel unifies the Witch Cult in direction, a part of the complication is unifying the conflicting desires of the members. Thus hierarchy is managed in part by the gospels to ensure the cult operates with minimal discord. Your gospel is one that can override the minutia of that vision. You could call it the ‘command’ copy as it were.”

“So I can command the Witch Cult?” he asked, his tone one of near disbelief.

That left everyone particularly interested in what they were hearing.

[Priscilla: So, apparently that abomination possesses a Book capable of controlling the rest of the aberrations and giving them orders.]

[Anastasia: If that really is the case. Pandora may all this time have been the one giving orders to the Archbishops during our showings. Dictating what she wanted them to do.]

[Petra: But... that doesn’t make sense. She doesn’t want Emilia-sama to open the door to the Elior Forest, according to what was presented in Emilia-sama’s memories in Arc 4. So why would she order Petelgeuse to attack and kill Emilia-sama to serve as a vessel for the Witch of Envy?]

Pointing out what could be a flaw, a hole in the theory, based on what had been shown on the screen, Petra tried to demonstrate her reasoning.

[Otto: Not necessarily. As we all know, the Gospels show the path to fulfilling their bearer’s wishes. Perhaps not everything the Archbishops did was ordered by the Witch, but rather by their own personal desires, and sometimes they follow the orders given through the commands of the main Gospel.]

[Felt: But it still doesn’t make sense. Why would she let the attack continue if her wish is for big sis to open that stupid door?]

[Roswaal: And what if she knew Emilia wouldn’t die?]

The question raised left some confused.

[Felt: And how would she know that big sis wouldn’t die?]

[Priscilla: Your incompetence once again proves itself as something to be admired, sewer rat. For it seems you have failed to notice the important point presented in the previous chapter of this filthy world.]

[Felt: Tsk! Do you always have to talk in such an annoying way about everything all the time, you bitch?!]

Casting a dirty, furious glare, Felt was ready to leap over the seats and start a fight against the fiery baroness.

[Priscilla: For you, as well as for those who stupidly failed to pay proper attention... That aberration showed she knew about the commoner’s ability to return in time through his own death.]

Her words shattered Felt’s expression, as well as that of some others — like little Mimi — who hadn’t realized it.

[Priscilla: She implied it, when she spoke about how the world seemed to be shaping the commoner into believing his only worth to everyone was by dying, by using his power. Which apparently... left her dissatisfied. But it leaves room to understand that, yes. She does have the ability to know the world is being reset by Natsuki Subaru’s power, and she knows that through all those loops he tried to save the half-demon and the people of that village.]

[Anastasia: Which also explains how Natsuki-kun ended up in her hands. She was, the whole time, watching him during his struggles back then. If this is a Route that diverges from ours... She chose to interfere when Natsuki-kun fell into even greater despair after failing to find a way to overcome the Whale and the Archbishop of Sloth.]

[Emilia: T-Th-That, th-that means she had her eyes on him... this whole time?]

[Anastasia: Perhaps she did.]

[Félix: B-B-But, wh-what about the Sloth Route? She didn’t seem to stop the attack back then.]

[Anastasia: Which raises another question: Was that... influenced by Natsuki-kun?]

That remark left everyone even more curious.

All eyes turned toward the lilac-haired merchant.

Everyone seemed intrigued.

[Anastasia: She treated him kindly as if she had known him for a long time, she offered him help as if she were truly moved by all the things that happened to him, and she even offered both to stop the attack and to make him her Archbishop in order to fulfill his wishes. Which makes one wonder if she had met him in the past... And that could only be answered by one person, or by a certain group of people.]

The merchant’s gaze fell upon the Witches of Sin in the front row, who so far had not turned to face her since she began speaking.

The women in the front exchanged some meaningful looks. But none truly turned to face the group staring at them. For even after gathering in this place, they had found no answers to the many questions that had plagued them since the beginning of Natsuki Subaru’s journey, not even with the Witch of Envy present.

This raised the question: Did Pandora know Natsuki Subaru in the past, just as the Witch of Envy also knew him, and was acting based on that?

[Anastasia: But apparently we won’t be getting answers from them... And you, Shaula-chan, do you have anything to say about this matter?]

[Shaula: Hmm~~ I can’t say much, because Master entrusted his beloved disciple only with the duty of taking care of the Tower, and if Master’s lover doesn’t want to say anything, then Shaula won’t either. Sorry about that.]

[Anastasia: That was expected.]

Sighing with a tone of acceptance, it seemed expected to them, since no one from the past revealed any information regarding the events from 400 years ago.

[Anastasia: And you, Alpha-sama? Do you plan on revealing something that could sate our doubts?]

[Alpha: I do plan to... through our dear big screen~... so we’ll have to watch for you to get your answers.]

[Anastasia: Once again... that’s nothing surprising.]

So many people, with so much experience and possibly all the answers, yet they were still in the dark about everything.

The beginning of that conversation at least yielded the understanding that: Pandora truly knows about Return by Death, and she has the ability to control the Archbishops’ Gospels to a certain extent.

Clearing the doubts of those who had no clue.

Those who did know about Pandora’s intentions grew increasingly worried. For she was placing great power of control in the hands of a Natsuki Subaru who was in a delicate emotional state. Even so, they still wanted to see what would come of it.

“On a small scale strategic and tactical basis, yes. However your effect on the macro strategic operations of the cult with that alone will be limited. You will have to assert that level of control yourself.” She explained. 

Subaru frowned. “Easier said than done! Those guys are monsters! And you're saying Petelgeuse is the weakest?” His tone rose higher and louder, getting close to that of anger.

Pandora nodded her head, her expression did not change, that serene calm look. In some ways that look of hers infuriated him, like his anger did not matter.

But it did matter to the vainglorious witch. To see that the world had wounded him so, that he is so quick to lash out in anger and assume the worst of other people’s intentions and meaning. It angered her that it had driven him to this point, and she felt all the more affirmed in her decision to intervene.

“I shall assist you” She began. “The archbishops are ruled by their desires, hence their compatibility with their witch factors, which grant them their authorities. Such powers are not without flaws, or weaknesses. But in order to properly manage them you must augment your own strength.”

Subaru stared at her, locking eyes. He was almost transfixed by the purity, the earnestness in her tone. But still... he maintained his somewhat reasonable sense.

“I tried but... I don't know?” he choked out the words, the bitter taste of defeat and death still fresh on his tongue. “No matter what I tried I just couldn't be strong. My gate is pathetic and so is my body. I'm not that smart or cunning, I'm just an idiot who doesn't know when to give up.”

Even in those moments, even with Subaru standing by the Cult’s side, the people who cared about him couldn’t help but feel sad about Subaru’s way of thinking.

He truly had his limitations, but he knew how to overcome them.

But that had begun precisely in the Royal Capital, in Arc 3, when he started feeling unworthy of standing by Emilia and the others. That’s why he pushed himself in areas that weren’t his strengths, and began to see himself as a tool only useful if he died to help others — something that worsened in Arc 4.

[Julius: In the end... That’s what that duel cost.]

The most faithful of knights, the Knight of Knights, lowered his head slightly in shame at the thought that he had been the one to cause this in Subaru through his own failed attempt to stay true to his ideals of honor.

[Anastasia: You didn’t know this could happen. Don’t take responsibility for everything as if it were your sole duty.]

[Julius: I appreciate your words, Anastasia-sama. But even so, I must take my own share of the blame for letting things reach this point.]

Partially rejecting his Candidate’s words of comfort, Julius did not allow himself to completely push away the pain in his chest for having been one of those responsible for setting Natsuki Subaru down that path.

Pandora softly gripped his face, her touch was gentle as her fingers caressed his cheeks. “You are strong, far stronger than you realize. Your strength lies beyond that which others value. It is the strength of your spirit, your tenacity, your radiant and unyielding soul that shall allow you to bend this world to your will. All you need do is find what levers to push, what paths to follow, what weapons to use. Then you shall be invincible. And one such tool you can utilize is....”

She took his hands in her own, holding them between them.

“Myself, my beloved.”

Subaru nodded his head “So... a contract of some kind? You are going to lend me your strength? Just like that?”

She nodded her head. “In several ways. You have already bound yourself to me in a contract. In it, we became one. As such I can carve off a part of myself, or I have rather, and shall let you utilize the power I myself hold.”

Subaru blinked.

“Wait, wouldn't that weaken you? If you ‘carve a part of yourself’ off that has to cause you some problems”

Pandora shook her head.

“Less so than it would with others, your nature makes the process surprisingly easy, though the power I can provide through that method alone is of a reduced potency. I may also be able to determine, with better precision, the ‘points’ by which your power may operate.”

[Al: Hey. Hey, hey, hey! She’s talking about...!]

[Ricardo: Sharing her Authority and...?!]

[Heinkel: Boosting that brat’s power?!]

The three of them voiced exactly what seemed to be implied in the words of the Witch of Vainglory.

She was offering to share her power with Subaru — and also to enhance his control over Return by Death?!

That seemed to shock everyone, while also slightly irritating the Witch of Envy at the thought that her rival Witch might be considering tampering with the power shared between her and her beloved.

She had already deciphered his power to a large degree, if not the entire thing.

She had observed him for a while now and understood much of his nature, and the nature of the Witch of Envy.

She was confident in her own ability to modify his power with her own contract.

“Though, if your power functions in the way I believe it to be so, my ability to grant you greater control over it will likely be limited in regards to time. My supposition is that of a week.”

Subaru thought about it.

“Well, if I could go back further than a week I'd try to redo everything, make it perfect hmmm. It should be enough to work with at least. Probably keep me from going totally insane again.”

He then nodded his head.

“So... what do we have to do then?” Subaru asked. “For both the things you are suggesting.”

“First, I must explain to you how I wield the Authority of Vainglory. It is a rather complex ability, based in perceptions, falsehoods, and the alteration of reality itself.” She explained. 

[Otto: That's it... We'll finally discover how her Authority works!]

The merchant's words, despite pointing out something obvious to everyone, were a trigger that left some partially excited. Not only out of curiosity, but because they were about to get what they wanted: Ways to deal with the Authority of Vainglory.

During those demonstrations, they took the opportunity to learn about the Archbishops' powers and their apparent weaknesses:

—Regulus could be invincible with his active power; but only for 5 seconds if he were without his wives.

—Sirius could share damage and control the emotions of others; but there were ways to circumvent such control and defeat her like Priscilla did.

—The power of the Gluttony brothers: Not revealing their true names and using false names to leave them defenseless.

But they still didn't have ways to circumvent the powers of people like Capella and Pandora herself, with seemingly invincible abilities at first. All because they didn't fully understand how their abilities worked. And at that moment, they were about to receive a detailed explanation of that ability.

Normally, they would rely on Subaru finding the flaw in this power and allowing him to use it against the Authority users, but this time, they could gain the upper hand and, in a way, avoid having to watch him die or suffer from these powers, thus understanding them.

Everyone from all the Camps immediately adjusted their postures to pay closer attention to what was happening on the screen. Emilia seemed the most focused of all, as did Reinhard, Wilhelm, and, surprisingly, Heinkel. The group focused on understanding this power and finding a way to circumvent it to eliminate the Witch of Vainglory, somehow.

“So... reality warping? Based on illusions or something?” Subaru’s otaku brain already began to consider what sort of power she wielded.

Certain degrees of illusionism were already overpowered, but he could tell that this girl could outright change reality. 

He didn’t have as much familiarity with western comics, but he knew well enough that reality warpers were bullshit. 

“Similar to that, yes, but there are limits, restrictions, and methodologies that must be adhered to and you must understand in order to utilize it yourself.” 

“Yeah, I mean. If you are willing to trust me with that. Sounds like the type of power where knowing how it works will cause you problems.”

“It is more than fine, I am not worried. To begin with, the Authority of Vainglory is rooted in ‘perception’ as its fundamental aspect. All manifestations of the authority must adhere to that aspect.”

Subaru nodded along. “And the limits there are…”

“I can render myself invisible but that precludes most other powers when in use. I may only observe in such a state. The primary limitation of the authority is that with that one exception, I must be observed in some capacity in order for my changes to take effect.” 

“So people have to 'see you' to do anything besides not be seen?” Subaru asked.

“Yes but an illusion in my visage can prove to be just as effective.” As she spoke a second Pandora appeared from behind him  wrapped her arms around his neck, floating lightly off the ground.

“Can you tell which is the real me?”

Subaru paused, looking between the two, but then shook his head.

“No, I really can't.”

Pandora smiled, the Pandora before him vanished and the one with her arms wrapped around him remained.

“This is only the basic aspect of my power though. The true core of my use of the Authority of Vainglory, is the creation of a counterfeit reality around myself, within a territory that becomes mine own world.”

“Okay, you’ll need to explain more about that.” Subaru began, already getting a bit lost.

“My authority's core function is the revision and editing of reality and my own role in relation to others. By willing it to be so I can change things based on my own action and interactions, revising anything that has already occurred and preventing an 'effect' from taking hold by removing the 'cause' from the perception of Od Lagna, thus altering reality itself. As my ability revises Od Langa's records changes occur across any distance.”

Subaru nodded along, “Okay so you effect the past and your relationship with others. How?”

“When I proclaim a connection I control reality, perception, and phenomenon. Specifically I can ‘remove’ things, undo actions, remove  ‘cause’ of my own actions so that ‘effect’ does not take place. If I declare an event not to happen, then it did not happen. And there is no limit on distance for this ability to take effect.”

“So… you pick and choose what ‘events’ take place related to you so when when you declare something not to happen…”

“It simply has never happened in regards to how the world perceives it, and Od Lagna’s perception is reality. When I make my declarations, the counterfeit reality I create is recognized by Od Lagna and becomes the true reality.”

“So you're basically lying to reality, and that lie becomes true. So the teleportation is....”

“Teleportation is a result of me altering my spatial relationship with another being, I declare I am beside them so I am beside them. Perception manipulation happens in much the same way, I can simply declare how I wish to appear as before any other being, or I can make others look like me but I must be involved directly in the illusionary process. My power fundamentally is rooted in the perception and connection I establish with others. It is my relationship with others that defines my power, the greater my influence upon them then the greater my power.”

“So... someone who shut their eyes, nose, ears, and mouth even would be immune to your power.” Subaru concluded, if it relies upon perception.

Pandora shook her head. “They'd have additional resistance, but I simply require a single viable witness to make my revisions.”

Subaru nodded along, “And I am guessing by how you explained it, you are ‘limited’ in the changes you can make?”

“My ability is based around 'removal' and ‘falsehood’ based upon my own actions. I 'remove' events from occurring that I have caused. I can remove damage done, damage to myself and other such phenomena. I must make a statement related to myself in some capacity for the more dramatic uses of the authority to activate. Death automatically triggers the revision of reality to revive myself, I simply declare that the person has not killed me, that and a few other minor effects can be done without me uttering a specific statement. I can revise connections but I cannot fabricate new realities. Anything that comes from a relationship between myself and another being I can simply 'remove' and render it a ‘falsehood.’"

“But you can't make things happen?”

Pandora nodded her head “Not directly, no. Though the scope of my removal can undo the effects of entire battles and such. Though I cannot undo the ancient past that did not involve me. Fundamentally the authority is useless for altering events I played no part in. If I am excluded from something, it is beyond me since it is unrelated to my 'record' in this world. It must be tied to me in some way and the relationship I have with another soul-bearing being.”

“So its 'self centered' to a degree? Altering your relationship with others.”

“Befitting the Witch of Vainglory.” She smiled. “In my hand it allows for the removal of events that I find displeasing, undoing what has been done by my hand, rendering the old reality false and making what I say to be the true reality. I shall make no mistakes, and pieces within my world are moved to my liking. It allows me to act with perfection.”

"You said it requires a soul-bearing being to activate? But it can effect actual 'things' too not just people."

Pandora shook her head, "I can only 'target' soul bearing beings with my ability. But I can effect non-sentient matter, I simply cannot target it. It is a collateral effect. The requirement for a relationship with a living being could be considered the 'weakness' of my authority, and my lack of ability to create, I can only remove and revise."

“But can you change things?” Subaru asked.

“To a more limited degree, but such illusions are tricky to manage and spatial manipulation requires coordinates be defined by my spatial relationship to another, but given the nature of my powers, at their fullest expression, reality around me becomes as I please. No action I take shall have an effect that is outside of my will.”

[Felt: So wait... her power works by “affecting people’s relationships with her.” How the hell do you beat that bitch then!? You’d have to be, like, blind, deaf, and everything else!]

[Otto: Based on her explanation... it seems she can change reality just from people’s relationship with her, erasing whatever she dislikes.]

[Roswaal: Hmm, she said she needs a connection... maybe there’s a way to stop her from forming a connection?]

[Felt: Sounds like we just have to pray some random lightning will strike her!]

Felt’s frustration was understandable at that point in the discussion.

On one hand, they’d discovered how Pandora’s power worked, but on the other... HOW COULD THEY OVERCOME SUCH A POWER TO TAKE THE LIFE OF THE WITCH OF VAINGLORY?!

Pandora’s ability seemed to have fewer limits than almost any other Authority.

[Mimi: But... wouldn’t it be enough to hate her instead of liking her? Mimi wouldn’t want a relationship with her.]

[Anastasia: Mimi, it’s not about liking her or not. It’s simply about the relationship you have with her. —— Let’s take Fortune-san. She despised — really, hated — Pandora. Even so, Pandora was still able to use her Authority to nullify what was happening to her. So it isn’t about whether a person likes her or not. Relationships aren’t just liking someone; even when you dislike someone, you still form a relationship.]

[Mimi: So Mimi not liking that woman... creates a relationship between Mimi and her?]

[Tivey: Basically, sis. Even not liking her still creates a relationship, because it’s based on the deep feelings you have toward her.]

The explanation made things clearer for everyone.

How could they overcome such an ability? Would it simply be a power with no weakness?

No — every Authority must have a weakness. Even if it isn’t obvious.

[Roswaal: Note that she said she cannot “create”; she can only “revise.” Fundamentally, her power is limited to erasing and repositioning.]

[Crusch: That still means nothing if there’s no way to attack her and inflict permanent damage to eliminate her.]

[Roswaal: But... maybe that’s the answer. After all: there are bonds we have with things, but those aren’t relationships.]

That made them curious, intrigued by the line of reasoning he was following.

Echidna gave a small smile as she looked at him over her shoulder.

Roswaal’s smile widened slightly when he saw the look from the copy of his teacher. Even if she wasn’t the original, he still enjoyed receiving the gaze of someone who looked like her.

[Emilia: What do you mean, Roswaal?]

[Roswaal: Emilia-sama, answer me one thing... Did I have a relationship with my Tome of Wisdom?]

[Emilia: Hmm. Uhmmm. I... I think so?]

[Roswaal: Don’t feel guilty about that. At first glance, based on what you’ve seen of me, it makes sense to think that way. But the answer isn’t that simple. After all... I never had any relationship with my Tome of Wisdom.]

Interrupting the blonde boy, his words left some of them even more confused about what he was implying.

Then a sharp sound caught their attention as they saw Priscilla close her fan and smack the chair.

[Priscilla: Objects don’t have souls.]

[Roswaal: Well put, Priscilla-sama~.]

Her words sounded delighted, since the Fire Princess seemed to have arrived exactly at the conclusion he was trying to present. Some of the others seemed to reach the same conclusion, though a few were still puzzled.

[Emilia: I still don’t understand. Please... Roswaal, Priscilla.]

[Priscilla: Hmph! Normally, your naivety would irritate me at a time like this, half-demon. For even after we’ve witnessed your stupidity so many times and expected you to change, you remain unable to fully learn to form your own reasoning.]

[Felt: And you’re still the same arrogant bitch! Just say it or shut up!]

[Reinhard: Felt-sama.]

[Priscilla: And obviously the Sewer Rat proves as incapable as the stupid, incompetent girl who pretends to lead her own group.]

Speaking in her usual haughty, proud tone, she didn’t seem to care about the insults hurled at her.

Priscilla’s gaze stayed fixed on the silver-haired girl.

[Priscilla: If someone had a contract with a spirit that lived inside a crystal... would that person have a relationship with the crystal or with the spirit?]

[Emilia: Hm? Of course with the spirit.]

[Priscilla: Yes. That’s basic reasoning. —— The difference between them? The crystal is just an object, something that serves as the spirit’s dwelling, but it is not the one you have a relationship with. You can feel attachment to it, but your true feelings are directed at the being inside. You can become attached to an object, but you don’t form a relationship with it. Because objects don’t have a soul or consciousness to respond the way a living being does.]

[Petra: And does that mean... Pandora can be hurt by soulless things?]

[Priscilla: Exactly. The little maid arrived at the correct answer.]

With a small satisfied smile at the young maid, Petra couldn’t help but puff out her chest with a little pride.

Meanwhile, Emilia’s eyes seemed to shine as understanding struck her.

[Emilia: So...! All we have to do is——]

[Otto: “All we have to do is attack her with some inanimate object”? Emilia-sama, I thought the same when I finally understood the words, but it didn’t work.]

The ex-merchant’s words cut off the hopeful thought of the half-elf.

[Felt: Huh?! Why not?]

[Priscilla: It seems you are as dumb as you look.]

[Felt: What?!]

[Priscilla: A knife has no soul, so it won’t form a relationship with the one who wields it. But the person who wields it will. And thus, by using it, they create a “relationship” between themselves and the weapon they used against her. —— If you took a knife, stabbed and cut her throat, she could use her Authority to reverse that. Because it was you who created a “relationship” between her and the weapon you used against her.]

Her answer clarified the line of thought about the ability’s weakness.

To wound or kill Pandora, it would be necessary: for something soulless to attack her directly and kill her without being wielded by someone who had any kind of relationship with her.

In other words, it would require someone to attack her with a weapon without really intending to hurt her — or even without knowing she existed.

[Garfiel: TSK! WHY DO ALL THESE PEOPLE’S POWERS HAVE TO BE SO COMPLICATED?! HOW DO YOU OVERCOME SOMETHING LIKE THIS?!]

[Felt: Hey, Rein! You have some Divine Protection that can deal with this, right?!]

[Reinhard: I’m afraid... even I don’t possess a power that allows me to completely overcome such an Authority’s skill, at least not entirely.]

[Felt: Argh!]

The girl clenched her teeth, frustrated by the Sword Saint’s answer.

“...” Subaru stared at her

“Is something the matter?” Pandora asked.

“So... what can I do?” He cut straight to the point.

Pandora stared at him and considered what the ‘limited’ effects of her authority would be.

“You will be able to edit your own relationships, but smaller in scope. So long as you declare it you shall never suffer a true error. Within that you should be able to twist and guide perception, as well as teleport yourself and those you are in contact with freely, provided you have a proper connection established. You can likely undo or remove your own actions, but it will be less selective and refined than my own. Should you remove your own action you likely will not be able to pick and chose the ‘effects’ that remain. Given the relationship based nature of my authority, we can function as 'nodes' for each other's power, I am effected by you and you are effected by me, this cyclical bond shall be what allows for the maintenance of your power. As such you can always teleport to me, and myself to you. Will that power suffice to begin with?” She asked, explaining what she considered his power to be.

Subaru thought about it “Yes... along with my… other power, I can work with that.”

A faint “Tsk!” sound could be heard by some, and a few people were nibbling their nails — like Otto — worried about the combination of both powers for Subaru’s use.

With his planning abilities, as was his habit for dealing with such situations, he would have an undeniably greater advantage in handling any kind of situation.

Being able to erase his deaths, being able to die and return up to a week in time to create more elaborate and perfect plans to crush the enemies before him. And the problem in this case was that those enemies could be them; they might have to face Natsuki Subaru after he had already done several loops to crush them all at once.

Pandora's smile brightened. “Good then. In order to compensate for your weak gate and lack of personal power, we shall pursue other methods of power, other weapons for you to utilize.”

“Like? I still don't get why you think I can be so powerful, on my own I've accomplished well... nothing.” he let out a deep sigh.

She shook her head.

“To be alone, to be isolated, that is your weakness.”

She touched his face softly

“All beings face weakness, flaws and faults. I am Vainglorious, dependent upon the perception of others. Yours is the most beautiful weakness, in that you cannot shine by yourself. You are the star that brightens the world, let others take the burden while you remain pure.”

She explained.

“And I do mean this, you draw strength from your ability to support or utilize others. You yourself shall not contain power, shall not taint yourself with it. You shall wield it and wield me as such.”

Subaru paused and bit his lip.

“So I'm meant to be like a command sort of unit?”

She smiled, laughing lightly. “Exactly. Others are pieces for you to wield.”

That made more than one person swallow hard.

Natsuki Subaru really is a great strategist. Not only because of his power with Return by Death, but also because he naturally possesses great leadership skills to overcome hardships. He truly is a leader with charisma and planning ability, not just relying on his power to try and try again.

And now, him receiving power from the Witch Cult and their support?

What made it all worse?

If they didn’t have Subaru’s support, that world was doomed. Their version of that world wouldn’t know how to overcome the Archbishops’ abilities—especially with the Archbishops and the Witch Cult possibly under his command to face them.

“So... what do you think we should do?” Subaru asked.

“Your body will never be strong, but neither is mine. We are both ill suited for such strain. Luckily our powers compensate for that physical weakness. We shall regale you with metia and cursed tools, and the innovations in magic that I am sure you can discover shall be used by mages under your command. We shall also arm you with a spirit, or several, who you can bend to your will and raise up in strength. I shall guide you along this path. Remake yourself as you see fit. Remake your image into that of strength, so that all may see.”

She gripped his face

“How bright you may shine.”

***

After their conversation Pandora brought Subaru before a single cultist with a blade at her side.

She had a blank expression, blue eyes, and long red hair.

[Wilhelm: N-No… Please…]

Wilhelm’s eyes glistened with deep sorrow as he saw who had appeared on the screen.

As did Heinkel’s, whose pupils shrank smaller and smaller with every passing instant as he looked at the woman’s face, and Reinhard’s, with the same feeling—instinctively placing his hand on his sword’s hilt.

The members of the Camps turned their eyes toward the Astrea family.

“So who is this? She seems a little bit familiar.” Subaru asked, mildly creeped out by her blank eyed stare. 

“Theresia Van Astrea, the former sword saint, before Reinhard Van Astrea. She is his grandmother and the wife of Wilhelm Van Astrea. You have met them both correct?”

Subaru nodded his head, shuddering as he remembered his death at the hands of Crusch’s blade. “Honestly, mostly bad memories at this point. But what is she doing here exactly?” 

“She is a corpse soldier, under our control. When she fell in battle fighting the White Whale, I took her. I had to slay her first but that was of minor concern.  She has since served the cult as a Corpse Soldier, revived via our magic.”

“So you can add the dead to our ranks?” Subaru asked, not realizing that he’d be playing with necromancy. If it wasn’t morbid he’d find the idea pretty cool.

“At a reduced ability yes, but for exceptional individuals, such as a Sword Saint, they still are worthwhile pieces in battle. She could likely contend with her husband, as he is in a similarly reduced state due to age.” she explained. 

“Alright that gives me a good idea of the power reduction, about equivalent to an age debuff. Guessing a lot of the cultist soldiers are actually corpse soldiers then.” He filed that concept in the appropriate places within his brain, he knew he’d have to do a lot of strategic and tactical thinking in the future. 

“A few.” Pandora began. “Given your own powers I am entrusting her to you as your own tool. Please do with her as you will, just keep in mind that the nature of the spell prevents us from reviving her in such a quality should she die again. Then again, you now have several methods to undo such a mistake, if she is worthwhile as a tool for you to preserve.”

“That's one way to put it…” Subaru remarked, still finding it awkward to refer to a person as a tool, even if dead. Then again, everyone else around him treated him like a tool, so that’s how it had to be. “So... how do I actually command her? I doubt she'll just take commands from anyone.”

The sorrow of Wilhelm and Reinhard could not have been clearer as they saw Subaru’s thought process. At least, in some small way, grateful that he still had a shred of kindness left in him at this point—not wanting to use Theresia as a tool… at least not yet.

[Heinkel: Damn brat… damn witch…]

The patriarch stood with arms crossed, frustrated. Wishing he didn’t have to see that—or at least not while being forced to stay sober.

But he wasn’t the only one with such thoughts.

[Anastasia: The abilities of the Former Sword Saint, used at will… I can already see how problematic this is becoming. It would be preferable if he did not have such a weapon under his power.]

[Felt: Hey! Can’t you show a little more consideration when talking like that?!]

The small blonde-haired Candidate shouted in anger.

Others too shot equally frustrated and irritated looks at the mauve-haired merchant—especially the elder men of the Astrea family.

Anastasia sighed, still keeping her composure.

[Anastasia: What I meant was not out of malice or lack of respect for the late Sword Saint. Far from it, since we’ve seen her abilities firsthand. But I’m speaking logically right now. —— At this moment, Theresia van Astrea is nothing more than a tool, a weapon for them. A weapon that, even far from her prime, is still powerful enough to be a deadly threat if used correctly. And not only her… there’s also the Undead body of Kurgan and many others they may have in their possession right now, ones we don’t even know about. What I specifically meant was: “It would be preferable for the Witch Cult—especially with Natsuki-kun at their side—not to possess her strength as one of their own.”]

Explaining her words at that moment calmed their anger—though a little still lingered in the hearts of some.

But there was truth in what she said.

Theresia, even as an Undead, was powerful enough to face and defeat Wilhelm, as well as surpass many others—inside or outside that room. With her skills alone, she would already be difficult to crush.

And now with Subaru commanding her, using her powers however he wished?

That thought again sent a chill down their spines. For it meant he truly held a powerful sword in his hands, even if he wasn’t the one literally wielding it.

[Julius: Anastasia-sama, were you trying to become as hated as Priscilla-sama?]

[Anastasia: I have no intention of destroying my relations with the other Camps that way. That wouldn’t be beneficial. —— What I did was simply voice a thought and make everyone understand the risk that those versions of us are facing. That was all, just to make them see it.]

[Julius: And you spoke exactly like Priscilla-sama…]

[Anastasia: Julius… Has Natsuki-kun really rubbed off on you to the point you make such provocations now?]

The merchant huffed, puffing her cheek in irritation at Julius’s behavior. But it was obvious the Knight was simply trying to lighten the mood, even if only slightly.

“There is a method to go about activating her, she has a programmed command hierarchy within her, set handlers and a hierarchy there of. Mine own self stands as its apex, as such…”

Pandora turned to Theresia and touched her head.

“You shall serve Subaru Natsuki, the Archbishop of Vainglory, as your primary master from this point forward.”

The empty eye'd corpse soldier nodded her head.

Pandora turned back to Subaru. “It is done, she is yours to command.” 

“Okay.... this is already more firepower then I think I've ever had before. I might need to practice.” He chuckled and awkwardly rubbed the back of his head. 

“You will have the opportunity. Now then let us continue along.” Her tone was polite, but spurred with a sense of haste.  

She took his hand and that of Theresia's as they suddenly warped away

Subaru found himself in a new location, another cult hideout.

“How many of these places are there?”

“They are scattered throughout the world, though we do have a higher concentration in the kingdom, it's easier to hide some of our largest bases in the other nations.” She explained.

[Petra: Meili-chan——]

[Meili: Before anyone asks me, my answer would be: No. I don’t know enough about the Cult’s bases, since most of the time I just listened to what Elsa-nee-chan asked me to do or what Mama told me to do~ So even though I could point out the location of some of the smaller places, I don’t know where the bigger, more important ones are, sorry~~]

Quickly cutting Petra’s thought before she could finish it, Meili answered.

Some really had thought they could question Meili about the location of some Witch Cult bases, thinking they could gain some kind of advantage. But they should have guessed it wouldn’t be that simple in the end—she wouldn’t have the same level of information other members had.

At least if she knew the locations of smaller sites, they could start from there as a basis to search and completely eradicate the Witch Cult.

[Meili: I wouldn’t mind handing a few people over to die. They were pretty rude to me in the past, you know~~?]

[Petra: That’s good! But… you could’ve said it in a different way, Meili-chan.]

Petra let out a small sigh at the little ex-assassin’s way of expressing her motivations to rat out her old comrades.

Still, it really filled them with a bit of hope.

Meili seemed genuinely ready to betray the Cult members and the assassins associated with Capella. Showing just how comfortable she now felt with them—or perhaps her courage, imagining that Subaru could crush Capella.

“I guess I could see why. So what is here?” he asked as he looked around.

He was in a long dark hallway, doors lining either side. Several cultists stood at attention as they appeared. 

“An armory. While you are not strong in the physical sense it always helps to keep tools at your disposal.”

“Equipment then! Alright then finally getting some gear!”

He said, with an almost childish glee. 

Emilia, Rem, and Beatrice, along with a few others, couldn’t help but smile faintly at Subaru’s playful behavior.

It reminded them of how he always had that mischievous energy.

What would it have been like if he had actually arrived on his first day with some kind of power or equipment to help him? Of course, they loved their Subaru, but they also wished he had had the chance to wield a power of his own beyond Return by Death.

A smile crossed Pandora's face, seeing him return to this state was comforting, even if he had committed himself down the path to atrocity.

Not that she cared, she committed herself on the path to end this world long ago.

And that thought struck them back to the reality of what they were watching.

Subaru was preparing, in some way, to take revenge on them and strike them down.

Such preparations were being made by a Witch to help him crush them like insects through whatever means possible.

 “Firstly a weapon.” she declared.

She motioned to a cultist standing nearby to grab something. 

The cultist bowed, and entered the nearest door, before returning less than a minute later with a case, opening it to reveal a black sword.

“This is a replica of one of the Ten Enchanted Swords, You could call it the Replica Plague Sword.” She motioned to the blade. “This particular sword is filled with a myriad of rotting curses that will activate upon contact with the target. You may find a weapon that best suits you later, but for now I believe that this will do.”

Subaru looked it over.

“Useful, guess I just have to be careful with it then. Makes sense for me, I don't have much striking power so a sword that lets me injure with a slight touch helps. You put some thought into this.”

He took the sword and placed it at its side.

[Al: That really is a useful weapon.]

[Alpha: When you don’t have the confidence to kill your opponents with raw power, always rely on skills that work better in the long run. Poisoning should always be part of a good RPG player’s build.]

[Al: Eh?! You’re one of those who loves spamming all kinds of buffs and poisons to face your enemies in battle?]

[Alpha: Wouldn’t you use that too?!]

[Al: Of course I would! If it’s in the game, it’s meant to be used!]

In a quick exchange between the two—one that almost no one else could follow—the others grew uneasy about the weapon in Subaru’s hands.

[Julius: Even though Subaru doesn’t really know how to use a sword, it could still be quite useful to eliminate weaker enemies.]

[Reinhard: And it could help greatly if he chose to strike stealthily at opportune moments.]

It was obvious to everyone how well that weapon suited Subaru.

As he himself explained, he doesn’t have the brute strength to immediately defeat his enemies in direct combat. So he’s left finding long-term methods to bypass those differences, crushing them over time.

It even reminded them of the Pride Route, with the schemes he devised to crush the Archbishops and Emilia’s rivals with his cruel strategies. Julius had been one of them. And this version of Subaru could be just as cruel—or even crueler—than that Subaru from the Pride Route.

“What next?” he asked.

Pandora smiled and led him further into the complex, a mixture of hallways and doors leading to what appeared to be a myriad of storage rooms.

As they passed by, cultists bowed to them both.

“Huh? they already seem to be expecting me.” Subaru asked as he looked at the genuflecting cultists.

“The gospels of those who will be on our path have likely all been updated to tell them to expect the arrival of the Witch and the Archbishop of Vainglory.”

Subaru nodded, “If they work like that, I can see why the Witch Cult has been such a hassle for the kingdom.” He considered. “Oh by the way, about that, Petelgeuse called me Pride before. He mentioned that was the only seat available?”

“Yes, our last Archbishop of Pride, Stride Vollachia, died many years ago. The authority has not been recovered. He presumed you would be the new Pride.”

“Well, that's not exactly right… but it seems like he was right about one thing.” Subaru muttered. 

“True, though as Archbishop of Vainglory you will occupy a similar but more exalted role.”

That... Can I even do that?” he asked, his doubts creeping back into his voice. 

Pandora stopped, turning back to face him. “Provided you have assistance, then yes, you can certainly reach that height. And as long as you remain at my side you shall never be alone. And I promise as long as you dedicate yourself to me, that I shall never leave you.”

Subaru stared at her, and smiled. “... thank you... Pandora.”

She smiled warmly back at him, and then motioned to a nearby door.

“We are here.”

Entering the room it looked almost like a jewelry store, with a cultist taking the role of the clerk, as glass cases containing various odd looking rings filled the room.

[Petra: These are just like Abel-sama’s rings!]

Even without Petra’s words, everyone recognized them.

[Priscilla: I believe I understand. Since the commoner has a damaged Gate and is unable to use magic properly, she plans to give him a way to circumvent that defect. Just like with my brother.]

[Al: Well… it’s a smart strategy. If he can’t fight through conventional means, then he needs to adapt in order to at least become a threat.]

Al spoke in complement to his princess’s thoughts.

If Subaru had those rings in question to cast magic instead of using his Gate, he would gain a better advantage in combat. It would also help that he wouldn’t strain his Gate to the point of breaking it and risking a death related to it.

That way: with the Gospel of Control, control over Theresia, the sword, and the rings, he could indeed have a good means of self-defense strong enough not to be immediately killed by his friends. In fact, he could even give some of them trouble in a fight, even if far from winning against most.

[Emilia: Wouldn’t it be good if Subaru had some of those rings…?]

She asked out loud, drawing the others’ attention.

[Emilia: I-I mean… We saw how useful they can be. It would be nice if he had at least one of those rings for self-defense in case he needed it, don’t you think?]

[Beatrice: The girl is correct. Betty’s contractor really could benefit from having another means of self-defense, kashira.]

The great spirit nodded several times in agreement with the idea.

It wasn’t a bad plan if they could really manage to get one or two of those rings to equip Subaru with something similar.

“To your left are 'magical' rings that contain spells that can be used, in limited quantities and such, before needing to be recharged. To your right are cursed rings that obey similar rules. I can explain the function of any of these rings. I recommend you pick those which you feel will be most useful to you.”

Subaru stared over the glass cases with an expression of awe. “Wow, you really are stacked up. Ugh though if I can't fight properly can I really be an Archbishop? Feels like there is no way a cheap trick like ‘rings’ can make up the difference.”

She nodded her head. “The aforementioned Stride Vollachia, the former Pride piece, had no real combat ability of his own either. He operated much like you did. His manifestation of authority was his 10 rings, which functioned as tools of mine control and curses. Your power is greater than his already, I would say. He alone was able to engineer calamity, I trust you to go far further still.”

Subaru paused and nodded his head. “So even a guy who can't fight could threaten a nation huh... alright then that gives me some ideas!”

As he went about selecting his rings, carefully inspecting them and inquiring with the cultist standing watch over them as to the function of each.

By the time he was done, Subaru had a ring on each of his ten fingers, having removed his gloves to look them over.

“So what do you think?”

Pandora looked over each ring, inspecting each as much as he did. “I see you took proper inspiration from my words. Only one of these rings effects your attacking power. A ring with an El Fura spell that you can fire, enhanced with some increased potency for greater cutting power. It is not a poor option. And another ring with yin magic that lets you manipulate attractive forces to telekinetically move objects to a limited degree. The rest however seem to be cursed rings focused on affecting the minds of your targets or debilitating them in some other fashion?”

Subaru scratched his own head. “Well you mentioned that Stride guy, I figured I could take some inspirations, even if I don't have a direct mind control powers like he did. If the ‘character build’ for an Archbishop like me already exists, I must as well work from that to start with. Or should I be more original you think?”

Pandora shook her head. “No, your reasoning is sound, this suits you well. Hmm I believe we have some tools related to dream magic, I may be able to prepare some properly for you in the future. Allow you to mentally condition people into pawns, at least certain individuals.”

“That's.... we'll see, maybe.” A bit of reluctance crept back into his voice. 

“It feels wrong to you still? I understand.” her tone was soft, understanding. 

“Taking a life is one thing, messing with people's heads in battle is similar but. I don't know, just taking over someone's mind feels off to me, like I am not even giving them a chance.”

Pandora smiled and gently gripped his head. “You do not have to explain, only take what you feel you can bear within your own heart to use. Just remember that these same people never gave you a chance.”

She touched his face with her other hand, smiling at him, hoping that would calm him and still his heart. 

“Thanks... I feel like you are spoiling me though.” he laughed. 

“Nonsense, I am only giving you what you can best use. I am giving you an opportunity, one you deserve after all you have been through.” Once again, the genuine belief in her tone was not lost upon him.

She was not saying he could become a powerhouse like Julius or the other Archbishops. She was not even saying he could do this alone.

But despite this, she seemed to understand what he was capable of, what he could do, what he needed to hear.

She understood his weakness, and still believed in him fully.

[Rem: Damned, wretched, heartless monster, abomination…]

Rem didn’t stop cursing the leader of the Cult. If everything had happened the way it had with them, the Rem of that world would have been the one to encourage Subaru and support him to see his true potential. But that chance had been stolen from her.

Now a Witch was doing it, taking her place, the affection meant for her, Beatrice, and Emilia being monopolized and twisted into turning Subaru into one of the monstrous Archbishops who acted to destroy the world in order to get everything they wanted without caring about the people they would hurt in the process.

 “I see... thank you again Pandora, even if I don't understand why.” he returned her smile with his own. 

She nodded her head, and began to lead him along by the hand. 

“Come, we must arm you with one more thing of use. It would be wasteful to ignore such a talent in you.”

She grabbed him again, and teleported with him away yet again.

Subaru looked around, getting a bearing for his new surroundings. They were in a cave, cold and dark save for some torches that lined the walls. 

“This feels... different.” Subaru remarked. 

“Your perception does not fail you.” Pandora replied. “This is far beneath one of our bases, where the miasma is less thick. Most spirits find miasma as a poison almost, they cannot normally consume it. But as you saw, Petelgeuse himself is a spirit and yet is a member of our cult. There are exceptions to every rule.”

“So... this is a place where you house spirits?” he asked.

Beatrice’s eyes widened in perceptive horror at what was about to happen.

[Beatrice: No, please, don’t take it away… don’t take that away from Betty, kashira.]

The great spirit’s grip on her unconscious contractor tightened a little more.

Others looked at her with pity and sympathy, especially the members of her Camp like Emilia, who understood the strong bond they had with one another. And what they were about to see was all too obvious.

 “For cultists to use yes. We can mostly only keep lesser spirits down here, though this one houses quasi spirits as well.” She began to walk with him deeper into the cave

“Okay I get you so far. And you said I have a high spirit affinity, despite my miasma?” Subaru followed along. “I think I heard that mentioned back at the manor.”

“That is correct. See if any of the spirits here wish to contract with you. Even the lessers may be willing to follow you around.” She stopped before a metallic door, motioning towards it.

Well I'll try.” A bit of uncertainty crept into his voice as he entered into the chamber, closing the door behind him.

Pandora had to only wait for a short period of time before the door opened again. “oh?”

Subaru emerged with two spirits, shining masses of mana and light, one red and one black

“So you have contracted with a spirit of fire and a spirit of yin? Yes that fits.” She smiled. 

“Yeah, that's right! I've named them Sol and Luna. They seem really friendly.” the two lights orbited happily around him. 

Pandora studied the two spirits that hung affectionately around him. “I see... they shall be worthy rivals for myself in the future then, as long as they remember their place.” 

Subaru stared at her, a confused look upon his face. “What... do you mean?”

Pandora’s smile returned. “Nothing you need worry about, I hope they serve you well. They have already been trained to tolerate Miasma, so it should not be a problem. Though I will inquire about the details of your contract later.”

“Not a problem.” he declared, his confidence now returned with his two spirit companions.

Beatrice could not help but feel even sadder now.

Not only was Subaru far from her in that world, but now he might not even try to approach her to make her his contracted spirit.

Right before her were two spirits who had taken her place.

[Alpha: For those who are curious: that pseudo-spirit is from the Pride Route, you know? The one that helped set fire to the Capital and the entire Kingdom! Fun fact, isn’t it?]

The Witch of Time drew everyone’s attention to herself and received hateful glares from most, especially from Beatrice.

[Beatrice: You take pleasure in seeing Betty in this state and like saying these kinds of things just to hurt her even more? You don’t have a shred of decency talking that way, kashira.]

[Alpha: Don’t judge me. I honestly don’t care about seeing you sad, even though I appreciate and respect you to a certain degree. What I meant is… that spirit is from one of the… “negative” routes for you all. Since personally, I don’t mind seeing the universes where he massacres all of you.]

Speaking honestly, pressing her fingers together, she cast a look around at them.

Beatrice kept the same expression.

[Alpha: What I MEANT to say is… That world is not your world. Remember that. Just because that Subaru didn’t choose you, just as that you didn’t choose that Subaru, doesn’t mean the bond between you here doesn’t exist, you know? You can be sad all you want, but if you want to show that you’re better than that spirit… just wait until you leave my theater and prove it’s worth it that he chose you. —— Or do you want to break your contract and chase after that spirit for him?]

Alpha slightly changed her expression and way of speaking at that moment, seeming almost gentler…

Beatrice opened her mouth a little to speak. But stopped. Alpha’s words actually made sense in that moment.

[Beatrice: Of course Betty won’t hand her contractor over to any other spirit who doesn’t deserve him! Even if I don’t like how that Subaru’s life is turning out, even if I understand it, I won’t judge him for making a contract to defend himself. Even if that Betty lost the chance, I won’t fail to cherish the best contractor any spirit could have, kashira.]

Speaking with more determination, she held Subaru more firmly, casting a more confident look toward Alpha. Even if that Subaru hadn’t chosen her, Betty’s Subaru in her world had chosen her, and that made their bond all the more special!

Some couldn’t help but feel glad that Beatrice was feeling a little better.

Though they still felt sorrow for what they had seen and had to keep watching.

[Alpha: And don’t think I’ll be cheering you up all the time! I only did this because I wanted to point out a curiosity and it happened to fit.]

[Crusch: ——]

Crusch could feel the wind of lies blowing from the Witch of Time.

Alpha in turn cast a look at the green-haired woman that carried the exact message: “Say anything and I swear I’ll mess your life up worse than the Archbishops already did!” And that silenced her… for now.

[Alpha: Let’s get back, there’s still more suffering for you all.]

Commenting shamelessly, the screen resumed its display.

Beatrice remained with resolution and determination on her face, even if she faltered a little.

She would have to swallow the bitter pill that once again she wouldn’t have her Contract with Subaru in another world, but that would be the least of it. Because she also wished for his safety, even if someone else was doing it for her.

And as Alpha had made clear, she wouldn’t waste the contract she already had with her Subaru!

She wouldn’t hand him over to some phony fire spirit who only got lucky finding him!

Pandora took his hands again as they warped out of the cave, arriving in a new location. This time it was one that looked like a church again.

The black and crimson spirits orbited Subaru happily, pleased to finally find a proper master.

Pandora continued to study the two orbiting spirits. “They have taken a liking to you quickly, good. I trust you to train them up quickly but we shall have to employ some methods to accelerate their growth if we can.”

“Alright, I'll follow your lead there. I am still a newbie at this.”

“And yet you shall excel in no time.”

Pandora escorted him towards the main chamber, an arrangement of cultists standing in rows before the both of them.

The cultists all bowed.

Pandora motioned to them. “These are several of our cultists, A mixture of corpse soldiers and some of our more devoted followers. While the entire cult is yours to do with as you will, for now these shall serve as your direct tools. Use them as you see fit. I shall grant you a moment to assess them, after which we must take action.”

She motioned to them, and then vanished, leaving Subaru with the Witch Cultists, who all stared at the new archbishop.

Subaru stared back at the cultists. He felt their gazes on him.

They weren’t ‘expecting’ anything from him, it was not a pressure that felt like judgement but rather… They were waiting.

Waiting to hear the words of their new master, words that were unquestionable. 

Subaru stood before them, he couldn’t see their faces, he couldn’t clearly feel their eyes but… he searched within himself.

“If I am going to be the bad guy, then I must as well make the most of it. For her sake at least.”

Subaru then dramatically flourished his cape. “Listen up, I am Subaru Natsuki, the Archbishop representing Vainglory, appointed by the Witch of Vainglory.”

There was no response from the cultists. 

He took a breath. “Now then I may be new around here and my body may be weak, but…”

He considered, what would he do with these guys, what would he do with the cult.

He thought about it for an instant. He’d do whatever Pandora wanted obviously but, what were his goals even now.

His mind drifted to the past week.

To the nightmares he suffered.

To the deaths he endured.

How the people around him shunned him, betrayed him, abandoned him, killed him.

He wanted to forgive them for a while, to understand them but…

“It wasn’t my fault that they killed me. They… should not have killed me. They all…”

It was a thought that would have been vile to Subaru Natsuki before but…

He understood that people could not be trusted.

That people were ugly, awful, selfish, vainglorious things.

And a part of him wanted to make them see that, wanted to make them pay.

Crusch bit her lips, clenching her fists in sorrow. Anastasia stroked Eridna and tried to stay focused, but at the same time felt some of the same sadness as the others. Priscilla had her fan in front of her face, unconcerned with how that version of the commoner thought, observing him with a critical and judgmental gaze. Emilia’s eyes lowered and her heart began to ache intensely, though she still held Subaru’s hand in hers.

Felt stood with arms crossed, watching everything.

How was she reacting particularly to this?

She wouldn’t blame her older brother for holding a grudge against the other Candidates. Just knowing that they really had caused his death already made her furious, and even more so because they abandoned him. But she couldn’t help but feel sorrow and compassion for the others too.

Even if she understood, because she too would have held a grudge against them.

Only she didn’t want him to join the Cult and become the enemy of the entire world.

Meanwhile, the Knights of each lady began to worry about their respective mistress’s safety. At the same time, they worried about everyone else’s counterparts in that world.

Reinhard even wondered if he could save or stop his friend. Julius too felt guilty for being part of the problem in that world.

At the same time, another person was deep in thought. Al cast a look at Echidna, who didn’t turn, but knew and felt his gaze upon her. Because if things kept going the way they were, for the sake of the world, there would be only one person who could stop him and be the only chance to save everyone.

But whether he alone would be enough was another matter.

[Al: —— his stars look bad…]

Muttering under his breath, he received a look from Priscilla who didn’t question him.

Subaru Natsuki clenched his fists. “You are all going to be my arms, my eyes, my sword. When I tell you to fight you fight, when I tell you to jump you jump… and when I tell you to kill.”

He took a breath. 

“You kill.”

His gaze surveyed them all and then threw out his arm towards them.

“You are my tools to wield, follow me, follow my gospel and realize my desires, the desires of the Witch of Vainglory, the desires of the Witch Cult. Follow me and perhaps your own desires will be fulfilled, your own purpose be realized. That is the promise of the Witch, that is the promise of the gospel! Be my swords, be my shields, be my tools to wield and then…”

He clenched his fist. 

“Then we’ll have victory! That is the promise of Subaru Natsuki, the Archbishop of Vainglory!”

The cultists were silent, and then they bowed.

One by one they genuflected before the newly ordained archbishop.

There were no cheers or challenges, no shouts or scorn.

Just acceptance, validation that he was acknowledged as an Archbishop of the Witch Cult, that he was now their master.

Silent and unseen, Pandora stood off to the side to watch her beloved find his resolve, and she found his resolve beautiful. 

He was now Subaru Natsuki, the Archbishop of Vainglory.

She was now his.

And he was now hers.

Almost none of the members of the Camps could hide their horror at witnessing that scene, at hearing those words, at seeing how that Subaru was acting in such a way.

As if he were a true… villain. A frightening and monstrous villain.

An irony. Because in Arc 3 he could have become: a hero, an anti-hero, abandoned everyone, and now it was being shown that he, like in the other cases of Pride, Wrath, and Gluttony, could have become a great villain as an active part of the Witch Cult with Pandora as his ally.

Because everyone knew the latent potential Subaru had.

As a user of Spirit Arts. As a brave fighter. And more than that, as a capable leader with absurd power that could cause the destruction of the entire Country or even the world if he so wished.

[Alpha: After the next display, I’ll give you all a break. Until then… endure the next episode, please.]

Saying this, she snapped her fingers for the exhibition to continue.

Chapter Text

[Alpha: After the next screening, I’ll give you all a break. Until then… endure the next episode, please.]

Saying this, she snapped her fingers for the screenings to continue.

{Diligent Condemnation}

Why did it feel like every title should fill them with dread?

As Subaru exited the room with the cultists, Pandora appeared before him once again.

“An excellent beginning.”

Subaru rubbed the back of his head. “I’m not so sure about that. I feel like I was floundering like a fish at the start.”

“Internally yes, though you found your voice by the end. What thoughts guided you there I wonder?” She asked with a clear look of curiosity.

He let out a sigh, his shoulders slumping a bit.

“I… thought about what happened to me. What I experienced. How it felt. Everything that you said. All of it.”

He shook his head. “I’d rather not dwell on those thoughts unless I have to, its still not a pleasant place to look.”

She nodded her head. “I understand, I am sorry that I placed you in a position like that then.”

“Oh no no! Nothing was wrong with what you did! Itss something I needed to do if I am going to be the Archbishop you want me to be!”

She smiled softly, “I simply wish you to become someone who shall pursue all your own desires, while keeping me at your side.”

He laughed a little bit. “It’s that simple huh?”

“In some ways yes.”

The two stared at each other for another moment, lost in each other’s eyes.

Emilia, Rem—well, all the girls who liked Subaru, whether they would openly admit it or not, clicked their tongues when they saw a scene like that.

A romantic scene between Subaru and Pandora? Just that alone left a bitter taste in their mouths, making everyone’s stomach churn at such a vision. None of them could wrap their heads around the simple fact that they looked like they were in love with each other.

And one of the most irritated ones…?

Strangely enough: Julius, Wilhelm, and Frederica—supporters of the couples with Subaru’s potential partners in the room—were simply irritated, considering that “ship” horrible.

“Now…” Pandora began. “We have called off the attacks but you must redirect the Archbishops. Tell me, for the Gluttony piece, is there another target you may consider for him? It would be rude to deny him his meal after all.”

Subaru froze. “Someone too...”              

He considered, and even bit his lip  as he stared back at the girl.

Her expression did not change, the soft smile on her face did not leave or falter even once.

She awaited his response, the proof of his resolve.

Subaru thought back to his previous deaths.

He thought back to The Whale.

He remembered the feeling of his body being crushed, of being devoured, compressed within its teeth. He remembered the crunch of his own bones as they splintered and broke. Blood and saliva began to drown him.

It was an agony, not the quiet release of death or the simplicity of vanishing into a void.

It was having your entire body crushed, even as the whale devoured your very identity.

He died in agony with no one to care or remember him.

Such a description made almost everyone shiver.

They had deeply hated Subaru’s death at the hungry mouths of the Great Rabbit. A terrible death that made them tremble and want to vomit every time they thought about it again.

But they forgot how their Subaru had almost died to the Whale.

This Subaru had no such luck. No escaping the teeth of that terrible beast that had reaped perhaps hundreds of lives throughout its existence.

Thinking about it, Otto felt a sharp pain in his chest, his mouth drying up.

Because he remembered being the one who had pushed Subaru toward the Whale in the past—even if it was due to the fault of his Divine Protection, he still felt guilty for having done such a thing to someone he considered a friend and a brother, even if not by blood.

He then thought back to the merchant, to Otto.

“Was I an idiot for trusting him so many times?”

Subaru shook his head. 

Whenever Otto threw him off the carriage, there was always a look of complete terror and madness on his face.

It wasn’t just panic from the Whale. There was clearly something else going on, something had compelled Otto to kill him, to sentence him to a hellish death by the whale over and over again.

Three times, he died due to Otto's actions.

But even so, even with the fact that Otto almost certainly died to the cult shortly after abandoning Subaru each time.

It did little to ease the sense of injustice within Subaru’s heart.

Otto agreed to help him.

Subaru never wronged him.

Otto left him to die over and over again.

Otto couldn’t help but sigh in a kind of resignation at what he was witnessing, feeling frustrated, as well as sad and disappointed in himself. How many times might he have pushed him to be killed by the Whale during those cycles of this reality? Just the description of what had happened also reminded him of the death Subaru had suffered at the hands of the Great Rabbit in the Sanctuary.

Then he felt a hit on his shoulder.

[Otto: Hkk! Why…?!]

[Garfiel: Brotto, ya had an expression that reminded me of the Cap’n.]

[Otto: I know… it’s just that… I don’t like remembering how I abandoned Natsuki-san to the Whale…]

[Garfiel: Otto-nii said th’ past couldn’t be changed when I felt horrible ‘bout what I ‘d to the Cap’n an’th’others in th’Sanctuary. Compared t’ me, ya’ done more t’ make it up t’ th’Cap’n than I ever di’. N’ besides, it wasn’t completely yer fault, was ‘t?]

Garfiel reminded him, also recalling how he had sunk into his own shame upon seeing his behavior in Arc 4 of both versions.

How he felt like the biggest piece of trash in the world for killing the others, including Otto, as well as hurting his Captain in that situation and even imprisoning him after gouging out his eye with a strike. And also remembering how the Whale had been able to influence Otto even through the screen because of Otto’s Divine Protection.

The merchant let out a small sigh, accepting Garfiel’s words. Truly, he couldn’t change the past and had to accept the present.

But without either of them realizing it, they also received the gaze of two figures: a small girl with white hair and a blazing baroness.

[Otto: Even so…]

He murmured in a way that the blond-haired youth didn’t hear.

“There is… a merchant. Otto, who should be staying nearby, and maybe a few other merchants. I think…” Subaru’s voice was soft, weak, unsure of the statement he was making “I think… they would be good… targets.”

Pandora smiled, “It shall be done then.”

And with that, Subaru condemned someone who had yet to do anything wrong to a fate akin to death.

[Petra: No…]

Petra, like some others, cast a sad look at the merchant.

[Otto: I was already expecting it, but… it still hurts a little…]

Otto said with an expression of both sadness and even a hint of self-mockery.

Because with the line of thought up to that moment, he imagined Subaru might try something in revenge against him.

[Garfiel: Damn it… Damn it!]

Slamming his fist against one of the chair’s arms, he lightly broke it with the impact, and it regenerated.

[Emilia: Subaru… no, that’s not how Subaru would act…]

[Rem: Rem’s hero wouldn’t take revenge in such a monstrous way…]

The two said in deep sorrow as they realized the revenge Subaru had taken against Otto. Without noticing that their words had also been overheard by a few figures who couldn’t help but sneer slightly at the way they expressed themselves about Natsuki Subaru.

“What about Petelgeuse then?” Subaru asked.

Pandora smiled. “Actually the Gospel has already provided guidance there.”

Subaru blinked.

“He shall go to the Sanctuary. The Archbishop Greed shall meet him there.”

Roswaal’s expression turned mortified.

[Roswaal: NO!!!]

With a jump, the clown-painted man instantly spoke up amidst everything. The mage who had remained silent until that point now had a livid expression.

Why?

Because up until that moment, all the damage seemed, to a certain extent, indifferent to him. After all, this Natsuki Subaru wasn’t his, and he felt blessed not to have him as an enemy as his counterpart now did, but even he had a limit. For the simple fact that they were heading to the Sanctuary meant only one thing: they were heading to his Teacher’s tomb.

And regardless of the world, he would not allow such insolence against his Teacher. Not even from his strongest piece!

With his poorly restrained fury, he cast a glare at the dark-haired boy, but at that very instant, he also received the glares of all of Subaru’s allies. Roswaal gnashed his teeth to the point of almost breaking them. With only a one-in-a-million chance of victory, he sat back down, knowing he shouldn’t draw any more hatred from those around him.

Ram at his side gave him an understanding and grateful look for giving up on such an idea, for not even she could defend him if they attacked.

But her concern was not only for her Master and beloved—it was also for another figure. One who also had a horrified look on his face upon seeing what was about to happen: Garfiel. The youth had a look of pure disbelief, horror, and worry, because if he had heard correctly, not only Petelgeuse but also Regulus were heading straight for the Sanctuary!

[Garfiel: Granny… th’ people…]

[Frederica: Garf…]

Without realizing it, the young man had started breathing heavily with the realization of what he might be about to see. Frederica quickly left her seat and ran to where Garfiel was, grabbing him, placing a hand on his shoulder, and giving him a side hug while he tried to catch his breath.

[Frederica: Otto-san, would you mind if…?]

[Otto: No, I… understand.]

Otto left his seat beside Garfiel, standing up and moving to where Frederica had been before.

He knew that in a situation like this, the siblings needed to be together if what they feared was truly going to happen. Based on what they knew of the Archbishops from what they had witnessed, it would be something drastic and terrible. And he sat down next to Petra, who also seemed to understand.

Frederica took Otto’s seat, staying close to her brother.

[Garfiel: Sis… do ya… think they…?]

[Frederica: ——]

The older sister didn’t know how to answer her brother’s worries as the possibilities began to appear before them.

[Frederica: I don’t know… all we can do is watch and… maybe trust that Subaru-sama can do something about it.]

The only thread of hope was if Subaru would have mercy on those innocent people who had done nothing to him in the Capital. And internally she prayed desperately for the safety of her little brother, her grandmother, and the people of the Sanctuary.

“Wait huh what? I thought that it was a secret place that Roswaal had? Are you saying that you know where it is?” 

She shook her head. “Not exactly, however we are aware he is there now, and that the pink haired half-oni maid is going to fetch him. As such she will be followed. The barrier shouldn't repel you but even if it does, the Archbishop of Greed is immune to such defenses.” 

“And what am I going to do then?”

She motioned to his gospel. “If it helps, understand that Roswaal himself is the architect of much of your misery so far.”

Subaru slowly took out his gospel. “What, do you mean exactly?”

Pandora shook her head. “It is better that you discover the truth on your own, in this matter. While it pleases me in many regards, I do not wish for you to take my words as absolute alone in this world.”

Subaru slowly nodded his head but thought…

“But I want to…”

He then opened his gospel, seeing the plans that the accursed tome had laid out for him.

He stared at the pages, raising an eyebrow. He flipped through the next few pages before closing the book.

“I guess, I am heading to the Sanctuary with Petelgeuse and the Archbishop of Greed.”

Roswaal clicked his tongue.

Garfiel seemed to shrink further into his sister’s arms.

Frederica, like many others, wished not to see again what they had witnessed in Arlam Village. Not only at the hands of the Archbishops, but also at the hands of Natsuki Subaru.

***

Subaru made his way through the woods. He was clad in his cultist robes, armed with his rings and two jewels that hung around his neck containing his new spirit friends.

Still, his nerves were at an all time high.

Petelgeuse was insane.

Petelgeuse was his enemy.

Petelgeuse had killed him.

But…

Petelgeuse was now an ally.

And unlike the rest, Petelgeuse owed him nothing before.

Even the other candidates owed him basic human decency.

But the Witch Cult maintained no such vainglorious delusions.

“He was honest at least… does that make him lesser scum than everyone else?I'm not sure…

Crusch clenched her fists, her expression falling into sadness. Those comparative thoughts felt like knives driven straight into her heart, especially with the obvious tone of anger Subaru was using to refer to her at that moment.

Felix noticed and wanted to feel outraged at the insult of comparing her to a monster like the Archbishops. But he stopped himself. Imagining he might once again say something at the wrong time and embarrass his lady, he limited himself to placing his hand over Crusch’s, squeezing it tenderly to give her support. Just as Wilhelm would have done the same if he had been closer, merely casting a look of understanding and kindness from where he stood.

[Anastasia: That really can wound a lady’s heart.]

The lavender-haired candidate commented in a personally offended tone. Being considered worse than a Cultist? If it were with Guese before the forest attack, she might even have considered it a small compliment to a certain extent, but Petelgeuse, the monstrous Archbishop?

[Priscilla: Hmph! Such repulsive thoughts. That version of the commoner should be punished for comparing my divine self to a Sin Archbishop, for mistakes of his own making! Such nonsense is truly irritating.]

Speaking more openly than the merchant and so that all could hear.

It earned her some resigned looks, but also no response.

Subaru composed himself, steadying his breath.

At worst he would die again.

He wondered if his checkpoint had reset at all or stayed the same.

“If I die… would I go back to the capital?” He stopped where he stood“Would Pandora find me again? If I called out to her… would she come?”

He trembled a bit more.

He wasn't as afraid of dying but…

“I don't want to lose my time with her…”

Taking another breath to calm his nerves, Subaru ventured deeper into the woods.

As he took another step he found himself surrounded by hooded figures, members of the cult.

They encircled him, staring at him.

Subaru looked around, and let out a faint chuckle.

“How many times has this happened now?”

He wondered to himself.

Rolling his arms to loosen his muscles, he waved at the nearby cultists.

“Hey, you all. Thanks for coming to meet me and all but I need to be talking with your boss. Take me to Sloth.” 

“Just act casual, you are the boss and when they are like this they never attacked me randomly. They thought I was one of them from the start.” The cultists bowed and most vanished, a few remaining to lead him through the woods. “I guess I am one of them though. I just needed the right loop for me to realize it.”

As he came to a forest clearing, he met a sickeningly familiar figure.

A man with green hair and discolored skin, wearing dark priestly robes.

"I've been waiting for you, believer in love." The crazed voice of the man sounded out as he bowed theatrically.

"I am a Sin Archbishop of the Witch's Cult, representing sloth," the man flashed a crazed wide smile, his eyes practically bulging out of his skull 

"Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti! TES~”

He boldly declared his status and name to the world.

That made everyone who remembered the Sin Archbishop shudder upon seeing his familiar behavior and mannerisms.

Instinctively, Rem passed one hand over the other, checking her wrists. The mere thought that she could have met her end in a cold cave, fighting against that monster, her limbs twisted and bleeding while her every bone was broken. It sent a shiver down her spine. And while she thanked Subaru for saving her from such a fate, she preferred to never again to see him close to that monster in any way.

Emilia, Beatrice, Roswaal and even Echidna, cast saddened and pitying looks at the gentle spirit who had once been Guese and who was now Petelgeuse, an Archbishop spreading chaos across the world and causing monstrous massacres.

The half-elf lightly squeezed Subaru’s hand, seeking comfort to feel better. Even Sekhmet felt a bit of empathy for the sickly-faced man, who had long ago become that way after he was forced by circumstance to take the Authority of Sloth into his body.

The reception from everyone else was far from welcoming at that moment.

Being far from Frederica, Petra sought a bit of support from Meili at her side, who kindly gave her hand so Petra could squeeze it and feel safer.

Subaru approached the man, stopping only a few paces before him.

“Alright Subaru, play it casual this time. Don't lay down the law just yet. Let's see how this goes.”

“Welcome. Welcome! WELCOME! Oh child blessed by love! How wonderful! WONDERFUL!” The Archbishop of Sloth wriggled and shook in an almost erotic fashion, an energy seeming to surge through his body as he looked Subaru over.

“Ah hey, I'm Subaru Natsuki. It's good to meet you.”

Subaru forced a smile and casually waved at the madman before him.

Petelgeuse stared back at the boy, his own form freezing with his arms outstretched, while his eyes remained glued to Subaru.

“And yeah, guess I am blessed by love in a sense.” Subaru let out an amused chuckle, considering the irony of the entire situation.

“Ah yes, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love! You are truly blessed by love! The wonderful and stupendous love of the witch!”

He threw his arms out towards Subaru, as if presenting him for the world to see.

Everyone grew more and more tense at that point. The presence of Petelgeuse and his mannerisms always left them that way, given how unpredictable and sadistic he could be in his actions.

[Alpha: Honestly… technically he was never wrong when he said he was blessed by the love of various Witches up until now, wasn’t he?]

That topic had been brought up earlier by someone during the previous ambitions, but it was still amusing to talk about when it came to Natsuki Subaru and the Witches.

Loved by almost all the Witches.

But above all, he was the one truly loved by the Witch of Envy. Loved by every version of the Witch of Envy! Both her rational and irrational sides, which made Petelgeuse’s words at this point reality—and loved also by Pandora, as the screening was showing.

Subaru stared back at the man, truthfully now that they were sort of on the same side, Subaru found the guy a bit funny.

“Ye-yeah that's me.” He said with a smile towards Petelgeuse.

Petelgeuse looked him over and then asked.   "You wouldn't happen to be Pride, would you? Of the six Sin Archbishops, only Pride's seat remains vacant.”Petelgeuse lowered his arms and stared at Subaru unblinking, waiting for his answer.

Typhon couldn’t help letting out a small huff at that. She wouldn’t want an Archbishop if he were to do terrible things to people without ever thinking about how he was hurting innocent lives in the process. Typhon at least had the notion to punish wicked sins and leave the innocent alone so they could live their happy lives.

Which was ironic to think about, since part of the massacres of the Witch Era four hundred years ago had been caused by the little Witch of Sin herself. But such a thing was not mentioned by the others around. Nor did the young witch have the rationality to make that connection.

Meanwhile, people continued theorizing about the matter at hand. Where was the Authority and the Archbishop of Pride? Stride Vollachia had died in the past at the hands of Wilhelm and Theresia. Was his Authority wandering the world? Or had someone else inherited it? Some speculated between Al and Subaru, the latter imagined to be sharing his Authority with Satella. And no one gave the Camps any clear answer, which filled them with frustration.

Subaru felt the other cultists also stare at him.

Subaru scratched his head. “Ah sort of? My position hasn't been made official yet. This is sort of my trial run.”

Petelgeuse's grin widened. “Ah I see I see! So you are Pride! Or you shall be Pride! Then welcome welcome! How diligent of you to work to earn your position! With such a love leveled upon you I am certain, that so long as you are not slothful, you shall rise to be worthy of your position!” he raised his hands to the air and spun himself around as he spoke, as if praising the heavens.

“Ah, but, the Gospel. The proof of love. Have you received it?” Petelgeuse tilted his head, wrenching it a bit too far horizontally to be natural.

Subaru smiled, this is where normally Petelgeuse would turn hostile.

But things were different this time, Subaru had the gospel.

Subaru pulled out his gospel and presented it to Petelgeuse.

“Oh oh oh what is this? Such a gospel? It is different, unique, peculiar… but it is indeed a gospel! My my how lucky you are devotee of love most pure!”

His grin widened and he almost seemed to be hyperventilating.

[Ricardo: ——why did I just think of something with a double meaning?]

[Al: I won’t blame you. The guy asks to show his “gospel,” says it’s a beautiful “gospel.” Honestly… it really sounds like something else.]

The two perverted men commented in a more playful tone, trying to lighten the mood.

It really did sound as though Petelgeuse was praising Subaru’s “gospel: different, unique, peculiar” and comparing it with the others.

Which made the atmosphere slightly more bearable at that point.

[Priscilla: Stop that nonsense, fool!]

The Sun Princess said, striking the helmeted man on the head.

Subaru slowly pulled his book away.

“Anyways, shouldn't we get going? We got a mission after all? It would be slothful of us to waste more time on greetings… right?” Subaru asked.

Petelgeuse froze and then gripped his head. “Ah YES YES! How foolish! How slothful of me! How disgraceful! I was so enthralled by your love that I had forgotten to diligently carry out my duties. Ah my brain! It trembles it trembles it trembles! No wonder the gospel directed me away from the ordeal! Truly I am not fit to carry out my own duty! How slothful! How slothful!”As he rambled on he made his way over to a nearby tree and repeatedly bashed his own skull onto it, smearing the tree with his blood.

[Beatrice: G-Guese…]

[Emilia: Father Guese…]

Seeing someone they cared about—no, two people they cared about—like this, filled their hearts with pain, as they wished everything would end as quickly as possible at that point.

While others might feel pity for him and for the figures, those same people couldn’t help but also feel apprehension and anger directed toward the kind of atrocities he had committed against innocents around the world for so many years.

“Ah its umm alright? I mean we needed to at least introduce each other.” Subaru sighed and shook his head.

Considering Petelgeuse was bashing his brains into the tree.

“Maybe I should take command…”

Subaru motioned to the nearby cultists. “Hey, we are going to get moving. Follow my lead and that of Petelgeuse… when he is done flattening his own skull. We'll be raiding the hidden sanctuary of Margrave Roswaal Mathers. Greed should be meeting us there.”

The cultists bowed and so they began to make their way to the sanctuary.

***

The cultists followed the path laid out for them, both by the gospel and by the cultists who tailed Ram, but even they were blocked by the forest’s barrier after a certain point.

The cultists bowed before the two archbishops as they gave their report.

“Ah but correct me if I am wrong, but did not I assign four of you to follow the maid? Where is the last of our beloved compatriots?” Petelgeuse asked.

“Lord Sloth, they managed to breach the barrier, but they are trapped within.”

The Archbishop opened his gospel and looked through it. “Ah I see I see his blood hmm tell me, what is different about them, compared to yourselves.”

Another cultist of the group, a female cultist, spoke up. “They were a demihuman sir. A halfblood.”

“AH! So only those of certain blood may enter without issue. How fascinating, such a barrier that diligently sorts who may and who may not enter. It shall not matter against Greed but…”

Subaru was looking at his own Gospel. “It’s saying I should approach. I think you should stick with me Geuse. Have the other cultists stand watch while we take the demihuman cultists in with us?”

“Oh and what of our own? Neither you nor I are demihuman Subaru Natsuki?”

Subaru shrugged and pointed at his own gospel. “It says that you and I should try to enter? Maybe because we are Archbishops it will work? I’m not going to question it without at least trying!”

[Otto: Why wouldn’t the barrier stop them? Couldn’t something have been done about it?]

The question was directed at Echidna, who wasn’t too far from her seat.

[Echidna: The Barrier was specifically designed to prevent the attack of certain individuals in particular. Few could pass through. Among them were half-bloods and those who had aproval from people like Garfiel or Roswaal. Others could not enter the Sanctuary, for its protection. —— For Geause and Subaru... I never revoked Geause’s permission to enter and Subaru already had it. And Regulus could bypass it using his Authority in his invincible state.]

[Otto: Wasn’t there any other way to prevent their entry in that case?]

[Echidna: Unfortunately, no. The only thing that could be done was to prevent their exit through the Trials in my Tomb. And that would only trap the half-bloods inside while still giving Subaru and the other Archbishops the freedom to leave.]

The Witch of Greed explained the matter as best she could.

Unfortunately for them, their entry into the Sanctuary was inevitable, and they could not be stopped.

“AH Yes yes absolutely! If it is the gospel’s wisdom then we must carry it out! Come now, take your positions as directed! We proceed onward for the sake of the Witch!”

A cheer went out among the cultists. “Sloth Sloth Sloth Sloth!” As they each took their positions, dividing among those who could enter the sanctuary, and those who could not.

In the end, only a dozen cultists could remain with the pair, and none of them were Petelgeuse’ fingers, but Subaru figured it should be enough.

And so the group of sinners continued their trek through the woods. 

“I wonder what Greed is like.” Subaru considered as they drew closer to the sanctuary. “Pandora mentioned how he had a troublesome personality, and how he was the strongest Archbishop. I need to keep my guard up around him.”

Near the barrier, at its very precipice, they met another man.

Subaru’s first thoughts about him were how plain and unassuming he was. His face had no features that stood out to Subaru, save for his golden eyes which were dulled by a murky air. His hair was neither too long or too short, his face was neither attractive or unattractive, his skin had no tan, no markings, and his hair had no color. 

All in all he looked remarkably plain to Subaru, especially by the standards of this world.

His arms were crossed and there was a look of slight annoyance upon his face.

Emilia frowned, irritated at the sight of that man. She held great anger toward that figure who, in the past, had been one of the causes of the greatest losses in her life. And she was frustrated with herself for having forgotten that person, at least until she returned to the Theater.

Forget one of those who ruined her life? Who attacked the Elior Forest?

To think that at the end of Arc 5, even with the death he suffered, Emilia didn’t remember who he was. She couldn’t relish in the justice for the damage he caused to Guese and Fortuna, which disappointed her, seeing that her possible self didn’t even remember him.

When she left the Theater, she would bring him to justice.

She would end him and save the women who were forced to become his wives!

The man who Subaru presumed to be Greed scoffed. “Archbishop Romanee Conti it is about time that you showed up? You have had me waiting here for several minutes! How is it acceptable to keep me waiting for such a time. I strive to be diligent and to simply live my life, but now you have managed to waste my precious time where we might otherwise be working towards our mutual or personal aims. What do you have to say to this violation of my rights to spend my day as I see fit?”

The man retained an elegant demeanor and posture, but his face and expression was that of an annoyed child.

Everyone present groaned in disdain and sheer weariness at once, just from seeing again the Sin Archbishop of Greed.

He was simply… irritating.

Was his power truly tremendous? Yes. He was easily the most powerful Archbishop of all, thanks to his abilities if he had his wives unwillingly supporting him. But without that? All that remained, in their perception, was an extremely pathetic and infuriating man who spoke arrogantly only when he believed he would defeat his opponents, and who called it “injustice” whenever someone held an advantage over him.

If one had to describe everyone’s reaction in that moment, it was simple disgust, as they wished the Archbishop wouldn’t get too much screen time.

But at the same time, the worry of the demi-human siblings only grew stronger upon seeing him on the screen, as it did for others who tried to mask it with the anger and frustration they felt toward the white-haired, white-clad man. For they were facing another monster that Garfiel could never defeat — especially the Garfiel of that time — as he would never be able to overcome the difference in power or uncover his weakness, just as he wouldn’t with Petelgeuse.

From what they were witnessing, they knew what they were about to see would be, at the very least, an aboslute massacre. Frederica even cast a look toward Alpha, as if pleading with her eyes for her to not show anything too dreadful as a kindness to them.

And how did the Witch react?

Alpha gave a small smile and wave to Frederica. She might have seemed like a sweet child, if it weren’t so obvious she was saying she would show everything that happened without bothering to make it any less visceral for the siblings. To the point that the older maid knew if she dared ask not to see such things, Alpha would go out of her way to make the show even bloodier, just to spite them for their audacity.

A new way of showing just how vile that Witch was, by not caring at all for their feelings.

Frederica returned her attention to Garfiel, trying to comfort him as much as she tried to receive comfort from him, as they prepared themselves for what they would have to face in that moment. For they had to confront a fate that could resemble either the Elior Forest or the Oni Village.

Emilia and Rem felt both great pity and great concern, thinking of what might soon happen.

Subaru blinked and stared at the man, a bit dumbstruck.

“Well… he makes a bit more sense than Petelgeuse but seriously! He’s this worked up about waiting only for a few minutes?”

Subaru took another breath to compose himself, this was a new Archbishop, someone he’d have to ‘subdue’ when this was all over.

For now he’d play nice.

The word “subdue” left a bitter taste in the mouths of those watching the show.

Of course, they knew Subaru would never get along with the Archbishops in any way. Not unless he brainwashed them as he had with Rui Arneb through her memories.

The truth was, they thought he would act alone, or else find allies like his Pride counterpart — maybe Elsa or Meili, who might even accept it as long as they could keep away from “Mother.”

And now he showed that he had the intent to “subdue” them?

Could he really pull off such a feat against those terrifyingly powerful monsters?

Petelgeuse nodded his head, though his expression was notably stiffer than Subaru had seen before. “Ah Archbishop Corneas! I humbly apologize! I understand how much your time is valuable to you! As are all things to your humble existence! However I had to properly induct and greet our new member! The gospel did not foretell of his coming so I failed to account for the time that it would take. I was truly slothful and I do apologize.”

There was a certain tension between the two, Subaru could tell that much.

“Guess that they don't like each other, but Petelgeuse sort of passes for ‘polite’ among them since he apologized.”

No one would particularly blame the Archbishop of Sloth for having issues with the Archbishop of Greed, given their past, even if his memories were distorted.

Regulus had attacked the Elior Forest with Pandora, bringing chaos into Emilia’s life.

And yet, now the two were on the same side, with nearly the same mindset.

Only Regulus remained unchanged, still the same monster he had always been in the past, while Guese had been transformed into Petelgeuse due to that attack, by the Authority he contracted and the Witch of Vainglory.

Subaru turned his gaze back to the Greed Archbishop.

“Oh so it is because of you that my precious time has been wasted?” The man looked Subaru over. “How arrogant to presume you, on apparently what is your first day, that you can infringe upon my time and force me to miss more of my normal life. What is it that you have to say for your arrogance?! Such a habit will most certainly infringe not only upon my rights, but the operations of the cult as a whole.” the man took a step towards Subaru.

Subaru’s entire body stiffened, while the man retained a relaxed posture, Subaru could sense that he was in danger when dealing with this man.

“Ah I am really sorry about that. I guess I am still getting used to this. I came here as soon as my gospel directed me. I will be really grateful for you both having me along for this mission.” Subaru bowed lightly respectfully towards the two Archbishops, as a sign of respect more so than submission.

He refused to lose face now, he had spent too many loops in a hell where all his dignity was trashed before a certain girl lifted him out of the muck.

He would not sacrifice his image so readily.

Priscilla stopped fanning herself for a few moments then. In front of her, Subaru was showing his willingness not to let his image be destroyed before the other Archbishops. It made perfect sense if he wanted to place himself on their level, so they wouldn’t spiral out of control when he needed to use them somehow.

[Priscilla: Hmm maybe this version of him has learned at least one lesson of value.]

“I’m Subaru Natsuki, the newest Archbishop of the Witch Cult. The sin I represent is still being decided."

Subaru smiled and decided to adopt one of his dramatic poses, pointing right at himself 

Regulus scoffed. “An Archbishop with a Sin not yet settled. How laughable since only the seat of Pride is yet vacant, it is an insult to my intelligence to presume that it will not be yours. At the very least you had the sense to respect my own self by apologizing and introducing yourself first Subaru Natsuki. I am Regulus Corneas, Archbishop representing Greed.”

“And as you both know I am Archbishop Petelgeuse Romanee Conti! Representing sloth” Petelgeuse declared, as if compelled to introduce his own self. “Now my compatriots in sin and love! Let us be off to carry out the will of the witch!” Petelgeuse pointed the way forward.

Regulus rolled his eyes. “Yes, let us get this errand over with so that we might all return to our humble existences.”

Subaru followed along, saying nothing.

“These guys really are insane…”

As they passed into the forest, through the barrier, most were able to pass through without issue.

 The dozen or so cultists with them were all demihumans, able to be ensnared by the barrier. Though they felt sluggish and uncomfortable as they approached, they were able to make it through.

Regulus had no such issue, his own power made him immune to the barrier’s effects.

Petelgeuse also had no issues, because he was designated as one who could enter long ago, long before he fell into his current madness.

The only person truly affected by the barrier was…

Subaru Natsuki felt faint, rubbing his head he felt the world blur around him and then…

***

“How interesting, is that your desire?”

A cold and cool feminine voice broke through the haze.

The Theater’s Echidna couldn’t help but curl her lips into a faint smile as she crossed her legs.

Despite knowing the chances were slim, might there still be a chance this reality could be salvaged through her intervention in the Sanctuary Trials? Was it possible that through them, Subaru could change his way of thinking and return to the form expected of him?

And that thought was shared by others.

At the same time, it deeply worried them.

Couldn’t things get even worse through Echidna’s intervention?

The Greed Route could serve as a good example of that. And some even silently prayed nothing would happen to make everything worse.

Subaru found himself sitting at a table in an open field, sitting across from an elegant looking woman in a black dress that contrasted with the pale white of her skin.

Her hair was of a snow white color, contrasting greatly with her black pupils. She sat in a chair across from him, both of them beneath an umbrella mounted to the table.

Overall, an unnatural beauty.

The Witch of Greed couldn’t help but let a small smile slip, noticed by the other witches.

[Echidna: My~~ When a lady receives such a description, she can’t help but know she is beautiful enough to captivate others despite the title she has borne since birth. Especially when it ends up pushing everyone else away, you know~?]

Speaking in her usual manner, it exhausted some. But it only inflamed the others’ worries about her interaction with him even further.

[Shaula: I wonder if Master would describe me like that if he met me in this Route…?]

The scorpion girl wondered aloud with curiosity, while Felix at her side gave her a small, weary look.

In some ways it reminded him of another girl that he knew.

“How interesting, that this is where your desires led you.”

“How are…” Subaru began, looking at her warily.

She giggled. “Ah my it has been too long since I have spoken with someone. I suppose I was too eager considering the situation. My name is Echidna, but you might better know me by the name ‘The Witch of Greed’”

Her smile was soft and unchanging.

But Subaru now understood the weight of that name, and those words.

He tensed and stared back at her, but the witch continued to smile, acting nonchalant about the statement she just made.

“Ah you know that it hurts when one stares at a young maiden like myself with such a fierce and wary expression.” 

Subaru shook his head and stared back at her, his eyes were not quite glaring at her but his expression was intense. “Sorry but yeah, there is no way I am not going to be on my guard when you say something like that.”

She let out a feigned laugh, “I see. Well that is quite the fair point.”

Subaru studied her motions. She was feigning her emotions clearly, but at the same time Subaru could tell that she was rather tense.

“So… where are we, where did you take me?” he asked, his own tension apparent in his voice, but he buried his own outrage.

He had to keep himself calm and composed.

He had to maintain his own image. 

She chuckled and poured some tea for him. “I moved you nowhere, physically. You were merely invited to my tea party. You could consider it a dream world, or mental world, under my command.”

“A tea party?” Subaru asked, his tone confused. 

She smiled, “A witch’s tea party. Now then, would you like to have a drink? It will get cold before long”

Subaru stared down at the cup, then back up at her, and took a sip.

People swallowed hard, knowing full well what that tea truly was.

[Tivey: Seriously… it’s impossible not to feel disgusted by this…]

[Mimi: Mimi wouldn’t taste it even if she got paid…]

[Hetaro: Looks nasty…]

The triplets commented from their seats, voicing the shared thought of many.

Echidna, for her part, couldn’t help but let out a small sigh at their words.

[Petra: I just hope Subaru-sama never finds out what that disgusting, incredibly awful tea is made of.]

[Echidna: Despite being a Witch, and having heard similar things in my past… Honestly, it frustrates me to hear such words from you all, you know? Couldn’t you be a little gentler on a lady’s heart, please?]

[Petra: My apologies. As a maid, it was my mistake not to insult you behind your back as everyone else ought to do.]

[Echidna: —— how cruel…]

The Witch of Greed cast a “hurt” look at the little trainee maid with the red ribbon on her head, but also surprise at the way she had spoken.

In that situation, Roswaal threw a small furious glare at the young maid.

And the other maids? They couldn’t really disguise their proud looks toward the young girl. Rem and Ram, in particular, seemed deeply proud of the little girl who had spoken such openly offensive words, showing she wasn’t the least bit regretful.

Frederica even thought of going to her to reward her for her graceful manners!

Echidna continued to smile. “My, I don’t think I saw any hesitation there. How curious”

“Well if you really wanted me dead, I don’t think we’d be having this chat.” His tone was level, but confident.

She nodded along, “Not bad reasoning skills, but there are other things one can do, worse things, than simply kill you. Perhaps I am scheming something even more sinister.”

“Then I'll take you on and beat you.” Subaru declared.

Subaru noticed a slight tension in her face, but only for a fraction of a second. “Confident, are we?”

“Maybe, but I refuse to just lay down and let myself be tossed around by others, Witch or not.”

Subaru leaned back, crossing his arms. “So why did you bring me here?”

Echidna chuckled, letting a bit letting out a flirty laugh. “Ah~ truly you are a fascinating individual. Talking to me so confidently, so frankly, but also so honestly. Standing here in front of me like it’s normal.”

He grinned, “Hey I think I got my hands on the prettiest girl in the world already. My own eyes are so blessed that when I look at you there is no comparison, so don’t expect me to be swooning over you any time soon.”

Most of the girls let out a small, restrained guttural sound from deep in their throats, filled with frustration and anger at Subaru’s words directed toward the Witch of Vainglory. Thinking about how quickly she had already won all his affection.

Emilia was the most affected of them all at that moment — since that woman was stealing the love of the one who should be her Knight, just as Satella felt the same as the half-elf from the frozen forest.

She had attacked her home, driven Guese insane and turned him into a Monster, caused Archi’s death, brought chaos to the Elior Forest, frozen the elves and caused them to lose over a century by self-freezing, and now she was stealing her beloved Knight right in front of her on that cursed screen. Was there anything left for her to steal?!

If there was someone she most wanted dead, it would be Pandora.

She clutched Subaru closer, keeping him near as if the Witch of Vainglory might snatch him from her at any moment. She had to keep him close, feeling her chest ache at the thought of no longer being the target of Subaru’s praise.

Unaware of Alpha’s gaze…

[Alpha: Look at little Satella Jr.,… going to cry?]

Alpha wanted to ask the half-elf this, but felt that no one there would understand the reference.

The witch continued to smile, her expression not breaking. “Well, truth be told, most people vomit when they stand before me. Isn’t that a funny thing?”

“Huh? How’s that funny?” Subaru looked at the Witch of Greed like she had grown an additional head. 

She laughed, “Simply one of the burdens of the Witch a poor maiden like myself is cursed with.” She motioned to herself in mock sorrow.

Subaru sighed, letting out a groan. “I swear you Witches all have screws loose.”

“Perhaps, it's our nature.” She smiled calmly back at him. 

“So what is it you want with me, Echidna?” Subaru asked, relaxing a bit but maintaining his serious tone. “I am a bit busy after all.”

“Ah yes, here with the Witch Cult to plunder a young maiden’s lonely tomb. Really now shouldn’t you consider that rude?”

Subaru sighed, rubbing his temples. “Well you don’t exactly expect to be talking to the person that you’ll be grave robbing.”

[Al: Looking at it this way… it must be one of the strangest experiences, right?]

[Alpha: That never stopped Brendan Fraser in three films or Harrison Ford in five films.]

[Al: Yeah, um… Wait! Five?! Weren’t there just three?!]

[Alpha: They made two more. “The Crystal Skull” and “The Call of Destiny.” They tried to reboot it and pass the torch to younger characters.]

[Al: Seriously?! Why?! I know the guy was old, but wouldn’t it have been better just to let the franchise rest? Damn capitalists. —— At least were they good?]

[Alpha: Meh. For someone who isn’t such a hardcore fan of the franchise, you can watch if you don’t give it too much importance. But compared to the original trilogy? And if you’re a big fan… Yeah, no. You wouldn’t like it. Especially because they overused CGI, like in “The Mummy 3: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor,” though the CGI Dwayne Johnson was at least somewhat acceptable at the time of release.]

[Al: Damn… such disrespect for a classic saga.]

The two talked before crossing their arms — in Al’s case, just one arm — while shaking their heads in clear disappointment over what they were discussing.

But now they were receiving tired, even irritated glances from everyone else in the room.

Were they really having a comedic conversation in the middle of one of the most serious situations they could be in at that moment? With Subaru invading the tomb of the Witch of Greed wanting to loot it?!

[Priscilla: Stop talking nonsense with that Witch, court fool.]

[Al: Hm? What’s with that annoyed face, princess? I was just venting a bit of stress with a cinephile colleague.]

Trying to justify himself, he realized her irritated look wouldn’t allow such an excuse.

It made him sigh. Even though he hadn’t received any strike for the conversation.

“A truly unique situation, is it not?” She leaned in, resting her hands on the table. “Still, your greed has brought you here. I am curious to talk, that is all I ask of you. It isn’t every day one can share such words with the Archbishop of Vainglory right?”

Subaru felt a chill in the air as she referred to him by his new title. He stiffened, staring back at her. His tone became far more cold now, “What is it that you want Echdina, really?”

“To ask questions, and to answer any you might have. It is truly that simple.” She retained her calm, and clearly false, smile. “An opportunity to talk with the Witch of Greed is something that just anyone, other than you, can earn. Let us be frank with each other, and cast away everything that is unnecessary.” 

The table and umbrella vanished, leaving only those two on their seats

“Any answers you seek, I shall provide. For answering one question of my own first.”

Subaru stared at her. “And that would be?”

“Why did you go with the Witch of Vainglory?” Echidna asked, her smile faded away, an emotionless and honest expression now crossed her face.

That caught more than a few people’s attention at the moment.

Could they obtain more fragments of the Witches’ and the Cult’s past?

This could really be worth seeing.

“Ah, so that’s why.” Subaru looked her over. “You have a history don’t you?”

“An unpleasant one, yes. We don’t get along.”

The eyes of those unfamiliar with this story settled on the Witches in the room, who remained indifferent or neutral, although some even showed slight discomfort. The one who disguised herself best among them was, of course, Echidna. The rest seemed to avert their gaze to avoid commenting on the subject, and they knew they wouldn’t get any answers even if they begged.

Subaru thought about it for a few moments. “The answer you want is personal.”

“But is it something that is dangerous for me to know?” Echidna asked.

“No, it's just…”

“I am the Witch of Greed, who hungers for all the knowledge in the world before anything else. I also find your existence personally quite fascinating, and your choices so far most interesting. You are a desirable person, so I wonder why you chose the path she offered you. If you do that I promise not to oppose you, if I find the answer interesting.”

Subaru stared at here, noticing that as Pandora was mentioned, a tension had seeped into the Witch’s voice, into her body.

Subaru let out a sigh. “She was honest with me, from the start. She picked me up when I was at my lowest, she saved me and helped me without me having to actually do anything. She didn’t ever try to kill me, I didn’t have to go out of my way for her love she…”

He tensed up. “She saved me, and she loved me, without any cost to myself. So its only natural that i’d do the same for her.”

He declared his feelings to the Witch of Greed.

Most, if not all, had lowered their gaze to fix on the floor of the exhibition room.

Who among them hadn’t needed proof to trust him enough to treat him with at least minimal respect, or at least not try to attack and kill him like he was livestock ready for slaughter?

Shame wouldn’t be enough to truly describe what they were feeling at that moment.

[Priscilla: Hmpf.]

All but one, she crossed her legs.

To her, in her opinion, it was shameful to see the commoner submit so easily for just a small display of love. He was once again surrendering like a greedy pig who believed he deserved everything.

[Priscilla: This is truly pathetic—— Hkk!]

A small shiver ran through her body. She looked back but saw nothing that should make her feel that way until her burning eyes landed on Alpha.

The girl waved slightly at the baroness as if it didn’t matter — as if she hadn’t just passed a small ice cube across her back suddenly.

This made the woman narrow her eyes defiantly while placing her fan over her face.

[Al: What’s wrong, princess?]

[Priscilla: Nothing that concerns you at this moment.]

[Al: Hm?]

Aldebaran even found her behavior strange.

She stared at him for a few moments, and then sighed, placing a hand upon her own head. “How ironic a situation this is. That Envy Bitch truly and deeply screwed everything up.”

Subaru frowned, “What do you know about her?”

Echidna stared back up at him. “Ah, yes I do owe you answers. The Witch of Envy is obviously the source of your power, I think you figured that out by now.”

“But… why?” Subaru asked.

“You could ask your own Witch that.” She retained her soft smile, but Subaru could tell the tone was almost mocking.

“Hey, I’m asking you! We had an agreement.”

“So we did, and it should be obvious. She has a great affection for you, the power she gives you is fueled by her own delusion. Though apparently she has proven to be as impotent as ever when it comes to achieving her goals, as she has driven you into the arms of another.”

“So what, do you think she’ll take away my…” Subaru stopped himself.

Echidna raised an eyebrow, grinning a bit before sighing. “I suppose now is not the time to test that particular limit, however I would guess that she shall support you, in whatever you decide. That is her nature.”

Subaru shook his head, rubbing his arm. “If I knew that then…”

“Oh? Reconsidering your chosen path already?” she asked.

“... No… I’ve made my choice and I am happy with it.” Subaru stared back up at the Witch of Greed, meeting her gaze.

Their eyes locked, before she sighed. “Yes, I suppose you have. That’s rather annoying, but fascinating. Truly you were surrounded by utter incompetence.” She shook her head.

Strangely, more disappointment spread and filled everyone’s hearts.

Especially Beatrice’s and Roswaal’s, who had the deepest connections with Echidna. Receiving such words from the woman who was their mother and teacher truly had a profound effect on them, even Beatrice, who thought she no longer had such deep ties to the woman who had left her in that library for over four centuries with a book that would never work.

And it was because the Witch, who seeks any answer, had been disappointed by one.

Subaru stood up. “I think we are done here.”

“Oh? Is that all? I imagined we could talk some more. Perhaps you could get another perspective on everything that the Witch of Vainglory has told you?” Echidna asked.

“Maybe but, I trust her, and I don’t exactly trust you.” Subaru declared.

“My, how brazen.” Echidna leaned back and pressed her palm against her face. “In that case, let me leave you with at least one thing to help. I’ll allow you to take the sanctuary trials.”

“Huh?” Subaru blinked but then gripped his chest and staggered onto one knee. “Ah Bitch! What did you…”

“You’ll understand why that is important later. But it appears we are out of time for right now.” she smiled back. “I do hope we have the opportunity to talk again, Subaru Natsuki.”

***

Subaru awoke within the forest, Petelgeuse and Regulus were both staring at him.

“My my how slothful! To simply stand still while we have been given a mission from the witch!” Petelgeuse declared.

Regulus scoffed. “Tell me, are you quite done waiting all our time? Or shall you continue to be a burden upon us? How inconsiderate of you.”

Subaru blinked a few times and shook his head. “S-sorry about that. When we crossed the barrier I… had a vision, I think I was caught up in some sort of spell?”

“Oh? Ensnared by the magic of the barrier were you? Yet you made it through just like the rest of us did?”

Subaru nodded his head, “The Witch of Greed’s consciousness remains within the Sanctuary, within her grave. She knows we are coming.”

Regulus scoffed, “So my predecessor sought to satisfy their own hubris by waiting our time speaking with you? That dead bitch should learn how not to infringe upon the rights of the living.”

Subaru nodded along with Regulus. “I agree, still… I have a bad feeling about this. Let’s keep moving, I'm not sure if there won’t be any other nasty surprises for us.”

Subaru pulled up the hood of his cultist uniform, he did not want his face known to the wider world, just yet.

“Indeed! We must tarry no longer.” The Archbishop of Sloth declared. 

And so the trio of Archbishops, followed by a procession of a dozen cultists, proceeded into the sanctuary, set upon its destruction. 

And within the confines of The Castle of Dreams, the shadow of the Witch of Greed cursed her hated rival, herself, the half-elf dragon candidate, the artificial spirits she created, and her own apprentice.

They had already utterly failed, and she knew that many of them were already doomed.

With that final consideration from the Witch of Greed, the screen turned off in front of everyone.

Everyone exhaled, most of them unaware they had been holding their breath. Even now, when it had stopped, they still felt tense and worried about what they had seen so far. What they had witnessed from the beginning had been difficult to process.

A clap drew their attention.

Alpha was standing in her seat, in a slightly strange pose, but with a smile adorning her face.

[Alpha: Very well! Up to now, we’ve had the screenings of the first three episodes! So, I’m giving you a one-and-a-half-hour break to eat, drink a little, and breathe. A short commercial break! After that, we’ll continue with at least four more episodes, and then you’ll be free to rest in your rooms!]

Speaking animatedly, she declared this without giving them a chance to disagree with what she had decided they would do at that moment.

Happy to announce the upcoming screenings, they had grown accustomed to her ways.

Everyone stood to act as they pleased during the free time granted after the horrors they had seen on the screen that the Witch made them watch.

[Alpha: But first… I wanted to ask someone something.]

Her gaze swept across the room before disappearing from everyone’s sight.

[Crusch: EHH!?]

[Alpha: Can we talk, please, hm? I’m really interested in talking to you about something, please, okay?]

And in an instant, Alpha appeared behind the green-haired woman and grabbed her breasts while wrapping her legs around her waist, clinging to her like a child hugging a tree.

This surprised everyone.

[Ricardo: This girl acts in such a strange… but so enviable way.]

The wolfman couldn’t help but feel envious of the girl’s skills and the courage — or idiotic audacity — she had in doing something like that in front of everyone.

—————

(I had to post today because I might not be able to post tomorrow because of my schedule. I hope you enjoyed the chapter, I had help from Zero_Haven to edit this chapter, thank him.)

Chapter Text

Emilia was taking a sip of her tea while seated in one of the resting chairs in the lounge near the corridors leading to the rooms.

The rest area looked quite different depending on when people used it.

It was an open space, with a table surrounded by chairs where everyone could sit. A place to set teacups, to enjoy snacks. It had been arranged perfectly as a temporary spot to rest between exhibitions — usually, for the shorter breaks, they used this space or stayed inside the exhibition hall.

Some of Emilia’s Camp had come out to catch some air and relax with tea. These were: Emilia, Rem, Otto, and Garfiel. Of course, others had left earlier but returned; not only members of Emilia’s Camp, but of the others too, such as Felix and Wilhelm, who were waiting for their lady and had settled a little apart, drinking tea from their own cups. No members of Anastasia’s or Felt’s Camps were visible at this moment, nor the Witches or Shaula.

Among all of them, the merchant was the one who most needed to recover his strength.

In truth, they all did, for none of them were handling properly what they had just witnessed.

[Garfiel: I... still can’t believe that… that happen’d with th’Captain… An’ I can’t believe he’d do somethin’ like that t’Brotto either.]

[Rem: Rem also cannot believe what she saw. Not only worse than the Pride Route and the Wrath Route, but also just as bad, or worse, than them and the Gluttony Route. And it saddens Rem to think she should have been there to help prevent it, and likely failed.]

[Garfiel: Don’t beat y’self up so much, Rem. I bet y’did yer best!]

[???: Even so, the best of that maid in that world meant nothing.]

The cutting words caught the attention of the quartet at the table, who turned toward the owner of that sharp voice.

To whom did they belong? Who else but Priscilla Barielle, accompanied by Schult, who had gone to prepare his lady’s tea.

The harsh words of the woman in the crimson dress, with a fiery aura about her, made Garfiel let out a strangled growl.

[Garfiel: What’s that s’posed t’mean, huh?!]

[Priscilla: If the maid had truly done her best, as you so arrogantly claim, the commoner would not have fallen into that Witch’s clutches.]

[Garfiel: As ‘f ya had nothin’ t’do with what happen’d t’th’Captain, DID YA?! YA WERE ONE O’TH’ONES WHO MADE TH’CAPTAIN SUFFER IN THAT ARC!]

[Priscilla: Even now, members of your Camp behave so recklessly and speak so foolishly. —— I regret neither the words I spoke nor the acts I committed concerning the commoner. He acted no different from a greedy pig, his head never in the right place. He kept his mind shut, unable to go beyond fleeing desperately to seek comfort in the arms of others.]

Countering Garfiel’s aggressive tone, she showed no guilt whatsoever.

That only pushed the tiger-man closer to lashing out, and he even thought of standing up.

[Otto: If you’ll allow me a question, would you like to say something further, Lady Priscilla?]

The merchant quickly cut in, stopping what could have been the start of a conflict between the two. His words earned him a grateful glance from Emilia and Rem, but also a sharp look from the baroness herself, who closed her fan and rested it on her shoulder. Otto brought both hands together in front of him, holding his teacup with both.

[Priscilla: Indeed, I have nothing more to say on this matter with you right now. —— Perhaps only to correct another foolish remark your little wild beast just made. The commoner may have acted somewhat rightly in sacrificing him to the Archbishops of Gluttony.]

[Garfiel: WHAT DID YA SAY?!]

That was the last straw for the blond teenager, who stomped against the table as he stood.

[Wilhelm: Garfiel-dono.]

[Rem: Garf!]

Both moved to hold him back, while Priscilla remained indifferent.

In contrast, Otto’s eyes grew somewhat distant at her words.

The half-elf also rose to her feet.

[Emilia: Priscilla! Take those words back, now!]

[Priscilla: Why should I apologize for what I said regarding such a conversation?]

[Félix: To say something like that is——]

[Priscilla: The foolish half-devil claimed the commoner would not act as he did, throwing those filthy Archbishops of Gluttony onto himself and the other merchants. Just as she claimed the failed merchant would not act as he did, shoving him away when pursued by the White Whale.]

[Emilia: That… Everyone knows Otto acted that way because of his Divine Protection, we all saw how he was affected by it. We saw how much pain it caused him.]

Everyone remembered what it had been like for Otto.

How he had struggled against the mighty voice of the Whale even through the screen.

All because of his Divine Protection, like the power of the Great Beast itself.

[Priscilla: And the commoner… was he supposed to know about that?]

[Emilia: What…?]

[Priscilla: I ask, was he meant to have that information, as you all have now?]

Challenging her, Priscilla’s words carried a trace of disappointment that she even had to ask.

[Otto: —— I think I understand what you mean.]

[Priscilla: During all the loops, his only perspective was that the merchant shoved him from the carriage out of sheer fear while being chased by the Whale. From his point of view: he begged the merchant for help, they traveled together, they faced the monstrosity ahead, the maid died and the merchant forgot her, and the moment he revealed he was the cause of the chase, the merchant pushed him away to escape. That is what we know.]

[Otto: Because there were also extra loops in this Sin Route. It’s possible that, under the Whale’s roar, I may have shoved him even without him revealing he was the reason we were being hunted. So, the only thing he knew the first time was thinking himself the cause of being shoved… but in the later times, he could only see it as my version acting cowardly to save my own life by throwing him into the monster’s mouth.]

Completing the Sun Princess’s line of thought, Otto’s reasoning aligned with hers, making clear their shared conclusion. Garfiel halted his attempt at attacking, and the others ceased restraining him, turning their attention to the merchant instead. With the words exchanged, they understood.

[Priscilla: Among the options that could have determined the merchant’s end, the commoner was, in some way, merciful. For his name was eaten, and he could still have the chance to return should that version of the commoner ever decide to order its return.]

[Schult: Here you go, Lady Priscilla!]

Schult handed her the teacup, which she accepted calmly.

Taking it by the handle, she lifted it for a small sip, all while keeping her gaze on the group.

[Priscilla: Not that you should have any hope. For with the foolish way that version of the commoner behaves, still clinging to his weak vengeful mindset, you should expect him to sink even deeper into his own way of thinking before ever considering forgiveness.]

With nothing more to add, she dismissed any futile attempt to make her stay, and began walking back toward the hall, only a few minutes remaining before the next exhibition began.

Garfiel sat back down, though still displeased.

[Wilhelm: Lady Priscilla truly has a unique way of expressing herself.]

[Garfiel: More like she jus’ enjoys makin’ everyone mad.]

[Otto: And you’re the one who tends to fall for her words. Not that I wasn’t upset myself, but at least I know how to keep control.]

[Garfiel: Wouldn’t say yer entirely… in control.]

Garfiel’s gaze fell to Otto’s hands, which had squeezed the cup too tightly, causing small cracks to appear.

That surprised the merchant.

[Emilia: Are you okay, Otto?]

[Otto: Even if her words were cruel, they’re still true. —— I can’t help but think I should still be grateful to Natsuki-san for the kindness he showed in leaving me merely as one of the victims of those disgusting brothers, instead of dead in some other cruel way. And her warning was also necessary.]

[Emilia: ————]

The half-elf’s expression still looked downcast, and she averted her gaze, as did Rem.

That exchange between them made the already tense atmosphere a little worse for the group there.

[Felix: I hope Lady Crusch-sama is safe…]

He wished aloud, hoping at least something good was happening in that moment.

***

There are two doors in the Theater room where everyone was.

The upper door leads to the living quarters: their rooms, rest area, bathrooms, etc.

It was their place of residence during the time they had spent, were spending, and would continue to spend inside that theater. The very existence of this place was the reason they were still alive there, even during what felt like such a long time.

Then there was the door below—one they had only accessed once, in an isolated case, when the awakened Knights investigated that vast place. From what they had reported: it was enormous, with dozens and dozens of doors, all locked. Not even Reinhard could open them. That was all they knew, and Crusch knew it was true thanks to her Divine Protection—one of the few still functioning, since it didn’t cause physical or structural harm—and thanks to what the Witch of Time herself had revealed in the past.

The punishment for having done such a thing without her permission?

She threatened to throw Subaru, awake, into the Great Rabbit, and make them watch over and over, feeling the same pain he did—or all his pain—while they kept watching. And Crusch knew full well she wasn’t lying. The terrifying part was simply that she was willing to do such a thing, without hesitation, if she so much as felt like torturing them to punish such a small rule-breaking.

Imagine Crusch’s surprise when Alpha wanted to speak with her in private—and then imagine her greater surprise when she asked to cross through that forbidden door.

She found herself in a gigantic corridor lined with many, many doors identical to their own.

[Crusch: Alpha-sama, what are you… doing?]

[Alpha: Hmm~~? Hm~~? Haaam~~? Ah, what are you referring to…?]

[Crusch: Hm——!]

Crusch felt disconcerted as the little Witch clung to her.

Alpha was on Crusch’s back, wrapped around the green-haired woman, her legs around her waist and her hands resting on her shoulders—no longer pressing against her chest as she had in the theater room, which had been uncomfortable.

Clinging to her back, she wore a mischievous smile as she gazed at the duchess’s face.

[Crusch: Could you please let go of me? I’d appreciate it if you did.]

[Alpha: Ah, of course. I could. But I like being carried so I don’t have to walk. Honestly, if I could, I’d choose to be carried forever so I wouldn’t have to set my feet on the ground more than necessary. —— Thank you.]

[Crusch: I would have preferred you asked beforehand, but… no problem, I suppose.]

[Alpha: Really, I’m not that heavy. I used my Yin magic to make myself lighter than usual. If not for that, your back might have broken under my real weight… though I’m not exactly fat, even if I am rather heavy in reality.]

As she spoke, she ran her hands along her waist.

Not that she particularly cared about her weight.

That earned her a puzzled look from the green-haired woman.

[Alpha: Sorry, I digressed. But in my defense, you were the one who brought up the subject of weight.]

[Crusch: And you were the one who clung to me.]

[Alpha: Ah, but those are just details. Extremely important details for our current situation. But those details shouldn’t matter right now, correct?]

[Crusch: I’m afraid not.]

Crusch reluctantly agreed with a nod at Alpha’s words, while the little girl smiled at her, tongue sticking out and left eye closed.

[Crusch: What is it you wanted to talk to me about right now, Alpha-sama?]

[Alpha: —— As you well know, we’ve begun a rather interesting performance. Really interesting, I must say, given the great divergence it has created, like in the other Routes, only this time with longer details, like in the Sloth Route.]

[Crusch: Which would lead everyone to ask: why would you choose to show such a Route?]

[Alpha: If you have to ask me the reason for showing the Routes… then you never fully understood from the beginning. And the lesson I tried to teach was wasted.]

The Witch of Time began to hop lightly around the woman, enjoying herself.

Which only left Crusch more uncertain about her behavior.

[Alpha: As I said: We’ll be seeing a very interesting and long performance, one that may redefine many things for you from here on out, just as everything has until now.]

[Crusch: Except this one seems to interest you more on a personal level—enough that you’d want to speak openly with me in a forbidden area until now.]

[Alpha: You’re quite right about that, yes. —— Understandably, you may have doubts since I’m acting differently. Yes. This performance may be the last one I show you before releasing you all back into the world. I may be feeling rather emotional, about freeing people I’ve kept imprisoned against their will for so long.]

[Crusch: Your words don’t sound like someone expressing sadness… and calling us prisoners is perhaps exactly what we are.]

Crusch commented with a weary tone as the little girl suddenly stopped mid-hop, feet together, facing her again. Her hands were clasped behind her back, head tilted, wearing a neutral smile, her eyes faded, colorless—as if washed out, not even a tenth of the vibrancy they should have had.

[Alpha: I have a proposal for you.]

[Crusch: —— What proposal would that be?]

[Alpha: What a suspicious look. Well, I don’t blame you. After all, you’re dealing with a stranger with phenomenal powers who could threaten you. And that’s sad. —— My proposal is connected to your dream with the Royal Selection, and it also involves Subaru to some extent, as well as the death of the royal family.]

[Crusch: Hm!!!]

The woman’s eyes instantly widened at those sudden words from the little Witch.

That was simply not something she had expected, even in a situation where she should expect nothing at all.

[Crusch: Alpha-sama, I know your thinking is usually rather bold, and you don’t even realize when it borders on sadistic at times——]

[Alpha: No. No, don’t worry. I’m not speaking lightly or joking this time. I’m being serious with you right now.]

Even without her Divine Protection, she had to believe it based on the posture of the one she was facing.

The faded glow, the more serious demeanor—it all pointed to sincerity.

Crusch sighed, crossing her arms as she met Alpha’s gaze with a similar posture, her eyes glinting faintly.

[Crusch: What exactly is this proposal you’re offering me, and how does it connect to the royal family, my goals in the Royal Selection, and Subaru?]

[Alpha: As you know, the royal family perished. The cause? An unknown deadly disease to some, of unknown origin.]

[Crusch: But… that wouldn’t be the whole truth, would it?]

[Alpha: Certainly. —— What if I told you they were murdered by someone close to them? Very close.]

Asking, he tilted his head to face her more directly.

Both women stared openly at one another, neither breaking eye contact.

[Alpha: You know I’m telling the truth. Even with your power, you know my words are the plain, raw truth about what may really have happened to the royal family.]

[Crusch: I imagine the way you obtained such information was through Subaru’s memories, if I’m not mistaken?]

[Alpha: Such information was obtained previously in another timeline by an alternate Natsuki Subaru. Yes, they really were, but they should be available to any other version of him after all the effort that version put in to obtain them—and it was a lot, a great deal of effort.]

[Crusch: You don’t need to put into my mind the kinds of efforts he had to make, but what intrigues me is his reason for doing so. What interests me right now, however, is the more important matter: why would this relate to my goal? In this case, my goal of severing the kingdom’s contract with the Divine Dragon? To end the dependence we have.]

[Alpha: It’s quite simple! Have you ever heard of the “Law of Equivalent Exchange”?]

When she said this, she struck a pose, briefly transforming her arm into a strange mechanical arm. But the woman gave no reaction. That made the Witch sigh dramatically, returning her arm to normal and assuming her serious posture again.

[Alpha: The Law of Equivalent Exchange says this: to obtain something of value, you must first give up something of equal or even slightly greater value. Take, for example: to buy an Appa, you need to exchange a few copper coins—that’s an exchange. Just like when someone completes a task and receives a reward for having carried it out satisfactorily.]

[Crusch: Such thinking is precise when speaking on this matter. To obtain something, sometimes we indeed must give something in return. —— Are we talking about something similar?]

[Alpha: Correct! Look: the version of Natsuki Subaru who obtained this information shed quite a lot of blood in the process, and I won’t give it to you without receiving something in exchange. That exchange should be something that, for me, is sufficient. —— So. I’ll offer you a deal: I’ll give you all the information you need about this matter, but in return you must never, EVER, under any circumstances, undo the pact that the Divine Dragon has with Lugunica, the pact that’s lasted four centuries.]

As she spoke of what she desired, she raised her hand, closing three fingers to make a peace sign with her left index and middle fingers.

This clearly made the duchess more intrigued, as well as interested.

[Crusch: Once again, it leads me to question: why would Natsuki Subaru seek information related to the royal family?]

[Alpha: He wasn’t seeking it, but ended up involved! He discovered it. Now, those future pieces of information he obtained in another timeline can be used by me—and by you, if you’re interested!]

[Crusch: —— If he can obtain such information in that other timeline, what would stop him from obtaining it again?]

[Alpha: As you well know, he obtained it through effort using his ability of Return by Death. Not intentionally, of course. It was through hardships beyond comprehension and needless suffering—including having precious shared memories taken from you all. And I know you, like the others, would despise him trying to obtain such information, especially without even knowing where to begin searching for the right answer about what happened to the Royal Family. —— The trade is far more advantageous for you: you’ll learn the truth about the royal family’s end, you’ll prevent Subaru from dying needlessly, and you’ll gain justice through this knowledge. So… I’d say it’s more of a reward.]

[Crusch: ——————]

Alpha’s words began to sink into Crusch’s mind more than before.

Not that they hadn’t earlier, but now the shock seemed to strike her firmly in a single powerful blow. It wasn’t something simple, suddenly revealed by a powerful figure like the Witch of Time.

No.

Not comparable to Return by Death.

At least, for her it felt comparable in that way.

For Crusch, such information struck her the same way as when she first learned about Subaru’s power to return to specific moments in time after dying.

Now, discovering that the royal family—the family of someone who had been so important to her, to Felix, and to the entire kingdom—had been assassinated by someone close to them, with every member eliminated by some unknown force that even Felix could not heal…

Could such a thing be possible? Could it really be that the royal family’s deaths were the result of a deep conspiracy, one that Natsuki Subaru would someday be forced to become involved in? Could it be to the extent that she truly didn’t understand the depth of the world she thought she knew?

Her gaze turned toward the Witch of Time, still standing in the same position as before, watching her. Thinking. Now, strangely, Crusch realized how much she herself was thinking and… how tightly she was clenching her fists, to the point that her nails might tear her hands if not for her gloves.

Was this how Subaru felt when he acted while mentally distracted? When he sank into his deep reveries, not even realizing he was caught in them?

Within them, she realized something interesting. ——

[Crusch: May I ask… aside from the equivalent exchange, why does the agreement include abandoning my dream? My goal? Or is there no particular reason for that?]

[Alpha: Hmmm~~ I do have one~~]

[Crusch: Could you tell me? Or would that be something impossible for you to reveal?]

[Alpha: I can… but not now. After all, I didn’t plan on making such a contract immediately after we finish talking.]

[Crusch: What——!!!]

[Alpha: A contract with me is the same as Subaru’s and Roswaal’s—or even much worse if you tried to break it, far worse. So I won’t let you make a contract with me without time to think it over. That’s one thing I’m doing out of respect for the person you admire, isn’t it?]

Speaking in a tone as if she knew more about everything, she explained why she was being gentle—though never in depth regarding her connection to the figure admired by Crusch.

The green-haired woman bit her lower lip with her brow furrowed.

She hadn’t even realized just how close she truly was to throwing herself headfirst into a contract with the Witch of Time the moment she learned of such a possibility to obtain those secrets about the royal family. But could anyone blame her for such a rash decision?

Given the emotions they had been forced to handle daily up until then, it wouldn’t be unusual to think that way.

But… something was wrong. Something felt wrong the moment she realized it. That “something wrong” seemed, could, and would be connected to Natsuki Subaru.

[Alpha: In a few minutes we’ll return to our lovely exhibition. You and the others will see four more episodes of this world, and then we’ll have a recess so you can go back to your rooms to rest. After that, I’ll come to you—with tea and sweets—I’ll make the proposal again and give you the chance to decide whether or not you want a contract with me to obtain that information. I’m sure the visions will give you enough to understand my reasons without me needing to explain them in such deep and detailed terms.]

[Crusch: ————————— apparently, I’ll have to accept your request, won’t I? Even though such things only make me more doubtful about why you want me to wait until I’ve seen more of your exhibitions, Alpha-Sama.]

[Alpha: To understand me completely? It’s simple, really quite simple. My decisions only seem complicated because of my simplistic view, which isn’t so easy to grasp for those who look from outside my perspective.]

Speaking as if it were obvious, she joked.

She made a few small hops toward the door they had come through.

[Crusch: Alpha-Sama, before we go, could you please tell me what’s in those other rooms?]

[Alpha: You don’t want to know, Crusch-Chan. You really don’t. For now, I won’t spoil life’s surprises.]

Playfully, she went to the door and grabbed Crusch’s hand, pulling her against her will—who could do nothing against the superior strength of the Witch preventing her from resisting—and thus forcing her out of the grand hallway lined with doors to places unknown, for the Royal Candidate who had just received a revelation that could change her life.

As they reentered the room, they instantly found all the members of all the groups already gathered there, each seated in their own places.

[Alpha: How nice that everyone’s back already~~!]

Waving cheerfully at them, Alpha let go of Crusch while locking the door to the corridor filled with many other doors.

And Crusch climbed up to take her seat, sitting between Anastasia and Felix.

[Felix: Lady Crusch-Sama, are you all right? What did Alpha-Sama want?]

[Crusch: I… will speak about it later with you and Wilhelm. —— I don’t want to talk about it openly for now, not with so many people around.]

[Anastasia: Hm? Ah, my apologies.]

Anastasia gave a small smile to the woman sitting beside her, knowing full well the merchant would try to pry into the matter. It made sense to everyone that the duchess would handle such things privately—matters concerning her Camp and her candidacy. Felix nodded, as did Wilhelm behind her.

[Shaula: Alpha, Alpha! Are we going to watch Master’s story again now?!]

[Alpha: Yes, yes, yes, Shaula.]

[Shaula: A——]

[Alpha: No, you’re still not getting involved.]

Cutting off the thoughts of the girl in the bikini top, this left the scorpion-girl a little saddened.

Meanwhile, most of those around grew nervous.

Alpha bounced lightly as she walked over to her seat until she reached her place.

[Alpha: All riiight~~~~! Let’s go!]

The Witch of Time then switched the screen back on so they could continue watching.

—————

(My commitment worked and I managed to write and post this new chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. From these interludes... each Candidate will face some of their worst moments in the Theater. And don't worry. It won't take until 2026 for us to reach the current Vainglory IF.)