Subaru:「――hk, hhaa」
Subaru let the book that he had grasped in both hands drop the instant his consciousness spiralled back to reality.
His knees trembled, and his breaths had become ragged. An unbearable sense of dizziness, like the sort you'd get from standing up too fast, overwhelmed him despite him sitting on the ground.
――It felt like he'd never get used to it no matter how many times he experienced it.
Subaru:「Hhaa, hhaa...」
Brusquely wiping away the cold sweat dripping down his forehead with his sleeve, Subaru kept taking deep breaths and calmed his heartbeat down. Was the cause of his irregular heartbeat the chaos that came from the dissonance between his soul and body?
Each time he tackled a book, one after the other, he'd find that within the book, the thing he called 『himself』had become hazier.
A sane human being probably wouldn't be able to know the boundaries between themselves and others if this kept being repeated, and they'd melt together. Or rather, they'd probably lose sight of their very self.
Shaula:「Master, are you alright?」
Subaru:「...Yeah, I'm okay, I'm fine. More importantly, have you found the next book?」
Shaula:「Lemme see…I'm still looking. It's like matching pictures, they're difficult to find~. I'm really not cut out for this kind of menial work…..」
Voicing out her concerns for the roughly breathing Subaru, Shaula crossed her fingers at her own disappointing lack of progress. However, Subaru had no intentions of blaming such a fragile girl.
That was because he was making her help with something unsuited for her, just like she herself was aware of. On top of that, there were bounds even to his inhumanity in going as far to rebuke the girl who'd been doing his bidding without getting anything in return.
What she did, was more than enough. There was a line that should be drawn even for Subaru, who kept running on the path of inhumanity.
Subaru:「I know that you're not cut out for this, but I'm counting on you Shaula. There's no one else who can lend me their strength besides you.」
Shaula:「It'd be nice Master, if you could say it as….. just me.」
Subaru:「...Right now, the one I'm counting on, is just you.」
Shaula:「Hehe, now that makes me satisfied.」
Puffing out her cheeks, Shaula once again dove back into the sea of books with a satisfied expression on her face. Although presumably she wouldn't hold onto that good mood for very long, her eyes were indispensable for finding the books.
Her presence was a matter of life or death for Subaru, even insofar to the meaning of her being simple manpower.
Subaru:「――――」
Subaru picked up the book that had dropped to his feet that he had been reading before, and ran his finger across the title written on its spine.
The title of the black book was plain and simple;『Regin Suwen』was written there.
That youth, who had happened to meet『Natsuki Subaru』in the past, had unluckily lost his life by meeting the current Natsuki Subaru―― Subaru had experienced his life in the book as if he was him.
The memories of his chance meeting with『Natsuki Subaru』had also certainly been there within that vicarious experience. But.
Subaru:「...They weren't that well acquainted. From Regin's perspective,『Natsuki Subaru』was a guy that came along with his older brother and it seems he didn't know him well.」
Perusing the memories that had become part of himself, Subaru sighed, feeling as if he had wasted effort. In all honesty, he did think that the one who most wanted to sigh was Regin who'd ended up as the victim in this. However his disappointment amidst his feelings of wasted effort were also something that he couldn't avoid.
Regin:『Hey, no matter how much you look at it, things aren't like that, wouldn't you think so, Natsuki-san?』
Subaru:「...Sorry. Even though I've snatched away all of your memories, the relationship is still far too thin, and reproducing it has become lower. It doesn't seem like there are going to be many chances where I am going to pay attention to you.」
Staring reproachfully at the book with his own name written on it, between the bookshelves, Regin gave Subaru a rather profound look. Although it was to be expected, a hint of blame lay thick within his eyes.
After all, just about anyone would be in an awful mood if their death was lambasted as having been useless after being killed.
Being aware of that, Subaru gave him an honest apology and said "Sorry." However――
Regin:『Either way, I've got no choice but to accept that I've died. Besides, if your objectives are fulfilled, Natsuki-san, then everything will go back to how it was, right? Let's hope for that.』
Subaru:「Ooh, you have the tolerance of a saint. I'm sorry to be taking advantage of your generosity, but I'm depending on it. I will pay back this debt when I put things back exactly to how they were.」
Regin:『Then let's not hope for it, instead, let's await it.』
Shrugging his shoulders, Regin waved and then started to fade from Subaru's sight like mist. After he watched him disappear, Subaru put Regin's『Book of the Dead』back on its shelf. And then, he picked up a paper that was nearby and crossed something out with his quill. ――The paper was a register which had a lot of names written on it. And just now, he had drawn a horizontal line where Regin's name was.
Subaru:「...And that makes 23.」
As he counted the numbers he had squiggled out, Subaru cracked the bones in his neck, knowing he had a long way to go.
The library which had the『Books of the Dead』on show――『Taygeta's』hostility was still going strong. And no matter how many times he'd visited it, it wouldn't give Subaru a in-library search feature or the like.
Since he used it so frequently, he thought it wouldn't really hurt if the service improved even a little bit. But, it sure was really annoying.
Beatrice:『Betty's forbidden library was quite big too, but it's not at all comparable to this one, I suppose. No one ought to complain about that again, in fact, Subaru.』
Julius『I agree. It looks nearly impossible to find a specific book in such an enormous library. You have to sit yourself down and deliberately apply yourself to the task. You'll just keep exhausting yourself if you keep on going in blindly.』
Just as the complaints had crossed through his mind, Beatrice and Julius had given him their suggestions as they looked around the library. Their words were kind to Subaru, but that was why he stubbornly shook his head.
Of course, if he chose to devote time to it as had been suggested to him, then perhaps his feelings of wasted effort and anxiety would be eased just a little, but――
Subaru:「Trying to ease them would be a luxury in the first place. I don't have any free time to sit around doing nothing. I have to reach a solution as soon as I can…..」
Ram:『What if you don't reach it? Will something change if Barusu hurries up a little?』
Subaru:「It'll change! ――Everything will change!」
Ram glared at Subaru as he declared that with clenched fists, with her cold, pale crimson eyes. Turning away from her gaze, Subaru stared down at the list of names he held within his hand.
The list had all of the names of each person from the same village as Regin written down. Judging from what he consulted from Regin's memories, the likelihood that they'd be helpful in getting anything conclusive was quite low. Low, but not zero.
Then, if that was the case――
Emilia:『Will what Subaru wants to do come true if you read the books of those people?』
Subaru:「Emilia-tan...」
Subaru hesitated for a split second at Emilia's question, worry adorning her eyes. But, Subaru nodded at Emilia like he was saying it to himself above anything else.
Subaru:「Of course it will. Ever since…. Ever since I forgot everything, I've just been causing everyone unimaginable trouble. This is the only way I can get everything back.」
Emilia:『I didn't even consider that…..』
Subaru:「――That's not good enough!」
Emilia's expression grew gloomier as if she were unable to bear to look at the angered Subaru. Subaru had raised his voice at her without meaning to.
And as he stared straight at the shocked Emilia's eyes, Subaru continued to speak.
Subaru:「For crying out loud, please don't say that. No matter what it takes… I will try and get『Natsuki Subaru』back. And after that...」
Emilia:『...And after that?』
Subaru:「And after that I'll meet you all once again... I'll meet you all and start anew.」
It was after losing everything, that he realised everything was important, far too late. Why didn't people realise that what they had in their hands was irreplaceable until the load they carried on their back got lighter?
Unless losing everything and recovering didn't go hand in hand, then why――
Emilia:『――――』
Emilia stared at Subaru with somewhat feeble eyes, as Subaru forced those words out into a mutter. Complex emotions filled those amethyst eyes which even Subaru couldn't read.
He should have been able to clearly see everything about her. And yet, his anxiety would be cruelly stirred up in the instances where he didn't understand what lay in her heart.
What did Emilia think? What did Emilia feel? And how did she receive the current Subaru?
Those answer were――
Shaula:「――Master! I found the next book! Praise me Praise me!」
Subaru:「Ah, aaah, well done. You did great, Shaula.」
Shaula:「Huhehehehehe~」
Shaula, who had come jumping in, had forced his dialogue with Emilia to come to an end. Subaru gave Shaula a head-pat; as a result, her face relaxed and she gratefully accepted it.
The book she held in her hand definitely matched the name written on his list.
Subaru:「...How long has『Natsuki Subaru』been sleeping inside you?」
Receiving the book from Shaula, Subaru posed this question at the book that couldn't answer him back.
Even though it was to be expected, the books didn't concisely answer Subaru's questions. However, answers did indeed lie within the books. All of his barbaric acts were necessary sacrifices for this purpose.
Subaru:「Fragmented, objective information is good enough. I'll scrape it all up, and bring it closer to its completed form…..」
Evaluation was something that was assessed and decided by the measure of others.
If that was the case, then if he was able to check everyone's assessment and if the individual that was being assessed could be checked by the measure of everyone, then he should be able to reconstruct that person.
――And recover『Natsuki Subaru』
That was Natsuki Subaru's highest priority; his entire journey had been for this purpose.
Of course, all of the sacrifices that had been made, along with all the sacrifices which would be made in the future, were all necessary actions so that Natsuki Subaru could get『Natsuki Subaru』back.
If he could get『Natsuki Subaru』back. If he at least came back.
Subaru:「...If it's you, I know you would take care of everything possible.」
The memories of Emilia, Beatrice, Ram, Meili, Julius, individuals other than them and in general, all the individuals who had some relation to him. He desired memories like those.
Because, that strength should be in『Natsuki Subaru.』
Because, with that strength――
Subaru:「――Save me」
I'm counting on you,『Natsuki Subaru.』If you're a hero, then save me.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Patching together, patching together, continuing to form its shape.
Patching together, patching together, continuing to mould its shape.
Patching together, patching together, continuing to fill in the colours.
Patching together, patching together, patching together, and continuing towards bringing himself closer to completion.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
――『Murder becomes a habit.』
That was one of the phrases the famous detective, Hercule Poirot, left the world with.
The meaning of this phrase didn't refer to a person who had killed a human being and then suddenly woke up with a preference for murdering people, who then kept repeating the crime to satisfy their cravings.
It referred to someone who once solved their problems by murder, and for them, whenever another problem arose, they would think about trying to break through the problem through murder again.
――『Murder becomes a habit.』
But, if killing really was linked to the solution of the problem, could it even be said that it was the result of murder becoming a habit?
Couldn't it be said that it wasn't that murder became a habit, but rather that unavoidable circumstances sprang forth.
The situation wasn't that of adding murder as an option because it had become a habit, but rather such that there was no option other than to murder. Perhaps saying things like murder had become a habit wasn't possible anymore.
――『Murder becomes.』
To hell with Hercule Poirot. Fictional detectives needn't talk so pretentiously.
How could he have said it as if he saw through everything!? The reasons behind every situation, behind everything, are tangled together in various complications, with multiple layers of complexity to them.
Don't disregard those things and make light of them by trying to apply those words to everything.
――『Murder.』
This was the only way when there was no other. It was the most logical when there was no other way to reach the correct answer.
That's why it wasn't murder becomes a habit, but rather…
――『Only murder becomes the answer.』
Yeah, that's right. Of course it was. Only that was the answer. Only that was the correct answer. Only that would cut through the hopelessness of this dead-end; it was a last resort.
Emilia:『Subaru is always helping me out; you'll end up finding a solution no matter what… My esteemed knight.』
Beatrice:『If Subaru hadn't been there, Betty would still be completely alone in the forbidden library, I suppose.』
Ram:『Ah well… Barusu is a man with good timing. Even Ram will admit that much.』
Meili:『If Onii-san wasn't so anno~ying, then I'm sure he wouldn't have messed up his wo~rk.』
Julius:『Subaru, though perhaps you aren't aware of it, but I was also saved by you. Your being was a path of hope for me as well.』
Subaru:「I know.」
I know that you all love『Natsuki Subaru』a lot.
I know that you all really care about『Natsuki Subaru.』
I know that the『Natsuki Subaru』that saved you all is a Superman.
I'm aware that everything that the『Natsuki Subaru』that saved you all did has been ruined.
That's why I have to get him back.
If I can at least get him, if I can at least get『Natsuki Subaru』back.
If I can at least do that, everything will turn out well. It'll all turn out well.
I have to keep going.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
???:「――Natsuki Subaru has gone mad, and has killed Emilia, Julius and everyone else who accompanied him. I barely escaped with my life and somehow managed to run away and make it here.」
Everyone gathered frowned as they received the report Anastasia had brought back. The meaning behind what was shown on their faces was quite clear.
"Anastasia":「It's natural that all of you would judge this as hard to believe. I also deeply regret that I had to bring back this report. But, if we take into account the danger he poses, we cannot afford to look away from reality.」
???:「Anastasia-sama, even if you're saying that, I don't thi...」
Echidna:「――I am Echidna. Ana is still sleeping inside this body even now. Though, perhaps staying like this may be a blessing for her.」
???:「...It sounds like such a far-fetched story.」
The one who had cast his eyes down and then replied as he stood in front of Anastasia―― No, Echidna, was a red-haired knight; it was Reinhardt van Astrea.
They were in the Watergate City Pristella―― Those that had gathered there were those who were involved in the Royal Selection. The battle for the city had ended quite some time ago, and each one present was awaiting the report regarding the return of Subaru and the others who had headed to the east.
Emilia and the others had headed to the east to borrow the『Sage's』wisdom to find a means of restoring the calamitous damage the Witch Cult had caused as a result of the Sin Archbishops having appeared in Pristella.
They were embroiled in anxiety. But, they were awaiting good news.
The grounds to make them believe that lay in one of the members that headed to the east. Those grounds were in none other than Natsuki Subaru himself. ――That would show how he had gone mad, amongst other things.
Reinhardt:「If I completely understood everything you said, then I can't just nod my head at this story.」
Echidna:「Even if you can't believe it, it's the truth. He is not the same person you all knew. Natsuki Subaru has lost his memories, and is obsessed with getting them back. He has chosen the worst way to get them back.」
Reinhardt:「What would the worst way be...」
Echidna:「The『Books of the Dead』that are in the Pleiades Watchtower….. Within them are the impressions and memories of those who have died. The books can be read and understood. Unfortunately, since I haven't read any of them, I don't really understand the full extent of their power.」
Further confusion ensued after they received Echidna's reply informing them of the strange power that the books held.
Of course, the threat that memories could be lost had been shown more than enough already. That too was one of the effects that Subaru and the others had gone to try and do something about.
But, who would have been able to predict that their journey to find a solution to that had ended up causing something of the same ilk.
???:「――I didn't think Natsuki-san could do it alone. If his aim is reading the『Books of the Dead』, then how is he going about it?」
Reinhardt:「Otto, do you believe this?」
Reinhardt widened his eyes and turned to look at Otto who had let loose this coldly resounding question. With a glance at the『Sword Saint's』blue eyes, Otto nodded with an「Indeed」
Otto:「Anastasia-sama….. or was it Echidna-san now? There's no reason for her to lie to us like this. It's too abnormal, and it doesn't make sense. In fact, I can only think that something unexpected must've happened for her to have came back alone like this.」
Reinhardt:「That's...But」
Otto:「I don't want to believe it either. I don't want to believe such a thing.」
Clenching his fist, Otto said this with a trembling voice to the persistent Reinhardt. Anyone who heard that trembling voice would grasp just how much emotion was overwhelming the pit of Otto's stomach.
Seeing the regret etched on the one he viewed as a big brother's face, Garfiel, who was standing next to him, anxiously said:「Brotto...」
Echidna:「...Otto-kun's guess is correct. Even if in losing his memories, Natsuki Subaru's behaviour pattern changed…. If he was alone, Emilia and Julius and so on should have been able to restrain him with ease. What got in the way of that plan was the one who was helping him… Shaula.」
Garfiel:「Shaula...? Isn' that th' name of th'『Sage』who oughta be in th' watchtower? Did that guy do somethin' to captain…..No, this's confusin'. It's like in『Osmund's Hesitation』…..」
Echidna:「Sorry, but I can't afford to wait until your confusion has calmed down. As you guessed, Shaula is the name of the watcher in the watchtower. Borrowing what she said, she kept saying that the『Sage』was her Master all the time. She ended up not being the『Sage』though…」
Reinhardt:「There are various things I want to ask, but…. just to make sure, is this Shaula collaborating with Subaru?」
Reinhardt posed this question to make sure, and Echidna nodded. The place went into an uproar at her confirmation.
It was an unexpected betrayal from the hero who had tried to save the Watergate City from the Sin Archbishops. And the one that accompanied him in his transformation was the『Sage』, one of the three great heroes of yore.
Who wouldn't try and lament the world in this cruel situation which was like a nightmare within a nightmare.
Echidna:「...It isn't because I want vengeance that I brought the truth back here.」
Suddenly, Echidna, with her face pointed down, muttered those words amidst the confusion that was unfolding at her report.
Catching her reply, Reinhardt raised his eyebrows and said:「Echidna?」As the gazes of several individuals collected on them, Echidna let out a short sigh.
Echidna:「Given Ana's feelings, and the time I myself spent with Julius, I guess it would be justifiable to embroil myself in anger at Natsuki Subaru who killed him ... But, I'm exhausted.」
Reinhardt:「You're exhausted?」
Echidna:「It may be true that I detested him, and that he detested me. But, even if he's just a desperate child who's approaching me shaking his fist, I'm exhausted.」
Shaking her head feebly, Echidna slowly stood up.
She had Anastasia's face and spoke with Anastasia's voice, but if she had really been her, then such a frail look would have never floated across her face.
Echidna:「I will leave this stage. The cruelty of ever bringing Anastasia back to this stage is unbearable. We have made undoable mistakes.」
Reinhardt:「Doing that would...」
Echidna:「I know you have no bad intentions. But sometimes, giving up is the best thing you can do. Persuading me not to give up will only lead to anguish. I am… quitting here.」
Following that, not a single person had any words that would stop the completely heartbroken girl. Echidna of course knew that no one here had anything which would stop her.
Since she knew that, she faced away from those who had gathered, and left the place. ――And just as she had stated before, she left the stage of the Royal Selection itself.
Echidna:「I'm praying for your good fight, all of you. ――Please, I want you all to be careful.」
That was the final report that the only member that had returned back safely from the expedition to the Pleiades Watchtower left behind. All it did was stir up a heavy anxiety.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
???:「...What're ya gonna do from here?」
Ricardo, who was walking next to her, asked her that question as they walked on the way back. To that, Echidna closed her eyes.
The wound where Ricardo had lost his arm was serious; the part which he had lost that had once been a thick and burly arm was not attached there anymore. Instead, what had been attached there was something like a hook-hand. It could be said that the attitude of not giving up the fight even as he was now was rather like him, but――
Echidna:「It's as I said. I give up. It's wise. From this point on, I don't think I will try and pretend to be Ana in her body....Though, at the very least, I will fulfill the minimum responsibilities towards the Hoshin Company.」
Ricardo:「What're ya sayin' the minimum responsibilities arrrrr….?」
Echidna:「The breakup of the company, and I have to try and help out the Employees with their next job. The company itself will probably do fine if it's left to Vice-President Chuden.」
Ricardo:「――――」
Echidna:「I get that you're dissatisfied. But, it's something that can't be helped.」
Though her true colours hadn't been revealed then, Echidna and Ricardo had been together for a long time. Though it had been a one sided acquaintanceship, she did have an appreciation for the strong emotions that Ricardo directed at Anastasia.
And that was because they were the exact same emotions that Echidna held for Anastasia.
If Ricardo held emotions like of a father's for Anastasia, then Echidna was the same as well; she probably held emotions like of a mother's for Anastasia.
That's why――
Echidna:「I think that I will part with the『Iron Fang』as well. From now on Ricardo, you are free to do as you like.」
Ricardo:「If I'm free ta do as I like, then I'm gonna search for a way ta wake up Miss.」
Echidna:「...If you still have your eyes set on that in this situation where our best chance was cut off, then I can't say anything against that. It'll be best if the young ones of the『Iron Fang』accompany you, right?」
Echidna couldn't fling away Ricardo's attitude as stubbornness like that. He too was serious about protecting the ones he wanted to protect, and not giving up on the ones he couldn't give up on. There was nothing more cruel than judging his plight as meaningless before he started anything.
There was no need for Ricardo to give up just because Echidna had.
Nevertheless――
Echidna:「Even I don't know whether Ana would be delighted by your attitude.」
Ricardo:「...If she scolds me, then ah well. And what's more, how can I give up without first makin' sure!? I'm doin' this because…. I'm Ana-bo's actin' foster father.」
Echidna:「――――」
Ricardo:「Can a father who abandons his daughter really be called a father? No matta' what anyone says, I will… NEVER give up.」
There wasn't a single hint of sarcasm towards Echidna in the resolute Ricardo's declaration. However, being well aware of her own weaknesses, it stabbed deeply into Echidna's chest. As a result, Echidna let a dry smile float across her face in admiration of Ricardo's strength.
And then――
Echidna:「――Ricardo, you are really」
Echidna was about to continue her words by saying, "strong, huh."
Or, if she had the time for it, she may have wanted to ask whether it was possible for her to get that kind of strength as well.
――But, there was no time for that.
Echidna:「――――」
A feeling like a tremor shook underneath their feet, and in an instant, Echidna saw Ricardo stretching out his arm. His thick, hook-handed arm grabbed Echidna by the scruff of her neck and her feet were lifted up into the air.
With Ricardo having hooked her up, she was able to see what was going on, and that was the last thing she did.
The very next instant, a torrent of water rushed towards them with tremendous force, engulfing Echidna, Ricardo and the city, and then continuing on to wash away absolutely everything.
――The flood which the Witch Cult had botched up, now once again assailed the Watergate City which had previously escaped disaster.