[ "Wha, what's wrong? What happened… What happened, my ass, you bastard!" Subaru's consciousness was temporarily reclaimed. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"…Truly astonishing."
Outside the screen, even the knowledgeable Beatrice exclaimed in surprise.
Whether it was the world shown previously or this one, Subaru was able to temporarily regain control of his body through sheer mental strength and willpower.
Although he had the assistance of the purple-haired knight, it was still shocking.
"Having experienced death so many times, Subaru's mental fortitude has reached an inconceivable level."
Puck said.
—
[ "Subaru!"
"Subaru-kyun!"
"Subaru-dono!"
Yuriusu, Felix, and Wilhelm called out his name as if grasping at hope.
"I am… Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti… Shut up, I am, Natsuki Subaru… Don't make such a racket right next to me… Just like this, suppress it… Do you think you can defeat me just by relying on the strength of your ego…" Subaru shouted. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"This scene?"
Beatrice was stunned for a moment as she looked at the incredibly distorted image.
The image had become extremely twisted, and it carried a peculiar sensation.
It was a feeling of wanting to destroy everything.
It was the feeling of wanting to unleash the Unseen Hands and destroy everything utterly.
"At least… that's what I think,"
Otto said.
This screen conveyed exactly that kind of feeling.
"The world in his eyes is so chaotic… In order to maintain his reason and calm, he chose self-harm…"
Just as Emilia spoke, a voice coming from the screen surprised her greatly.
—
[ "I never sought understanding." It was Petelgeuse's voice, devoid of that usual madness, sounding completely emotionless.
Presumably, Subaru was thinking the same thing, and Petelgeuse's inner self spoke this sentence.
But this line, which at first glance seemed to break the "fourth wall," still startled the audience.
"…Kill me, Yuriusu."
This moment was just like that other moment.
That Subaru, approaching middle age, and the current Subaru; their actions were remarkably similar.
Only one could destroy himself, taking his own life with a Life Sword, while the other could not destroy himself and requested his friend to kill him.
Both were seeking death.
"What are you saying?"
Hearing this, Yuriusu's eyes widened, his lips trembling.
"Sorry, but… It's only a matter of time. Right now, if you don't stop me, we can't win. Before that happens…"
"No! You should think this through properly, Subaru! I am a Knight, and also a Spirit Arts User. I am a Spirit Knight who formed a contract with you to assist you in achieving your goals. Are you asking me to break that contract? That is absolutely impossible! Don't you still have things you want to say to her later?"
The always composed Yuriusu had a distorted expression on his face.
And the 'her' mentioned here, without a doubt, was Emilia.
"…Sorry. It looks like I won't get the chance to say those words. Wilhelm-san, please don't force yourself… If you don't face the difficulty now, when will you?"
However, Wilhelm remained unmoved. Judging by his silence, it was clear he couldn't bring himself to do it either.
"…Felix, I'm begging you."
With tears in his eyes, Felix extended his fingers toward Subaru and said:
"Go ahead and hate me, Subaru—because I will hate myself too."
Then—
"Aaaaaah!"
"Aaaaaah?"
The screen quickly darkened until there was no light at all. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"There were two screams! One was Natsuki-san… the other was Petelgeuse,"
Otto said from outside the screen.
"Bro is really…"
Felt sighed.
The only silver lining in this misfortune might be that Bro left in time, sparing Emilia from seeing this scene.
If Emilia had been present as well…
"Subaru!"
Emilia called out in heartache.
"Subaru-kun…"
Rem clenched her hands tight.
—
[ Meanwhile, on the screen, a muffled voice rang out.
"Felix! Why…"
"Apart from me, no one else could do it, right? This is Subaru's wish, after all."
"Even so, there was absolutely no need to subject Subaru-dono to such torture…"
"…Do you think I wanted to do this?! This power exists for Crusch-sama's sake; it is power meant to keep my promise to Her Highness! To make me use it in a place like this…" Felix lamented with a roar of grief.
Patrasche pressed her body against Subaru, seemingly mourning him.
.....
"Sorry." A voice rang out. It was Subaru's voice.
Was this the voice of Subaru's heart? And what was he apologizing for?
"Your power is meant to heal others, yet now I've asked you to use that power to hurt someone… Sorry." ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Really, don't say things like that."
Ferris said, and the corners of his eyes were moist.
—
[ "…Subaru." Yuriusu's voice came through.
"Forcing you and Felix to make such unwilling decisions is due to my own lack of virtue and ability. Sooner or later, I will receive my punishment."
.....
"Don't take boring things to heart." The voice of Subaru's heart came again. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"My friend… I am sorry."
Yuriusu took a deep breath and lamented.
—
[ Then, cold steel pressed against Subaru's neck.
It must be Yuriusu's sword.
"…Subaru-dono, I am truly, deeply sorry."
"…Emilia-sama will definitely cry."
Then, the sounds from the outside completely vanished.
But the inner voice rang out clearly.
"Is it ending here? Impossible! I do not accept such an ending… Such an ending! A suitable vessel is right before my eyes! The ordeal was on the verge of completion! Give me the 'Fingers'! As long as there is a new vessel, I cannot be destroyed…"
It was Petelgeuse's voice.
And Subaru gave his final response within his heart—
"Shut up, and go to hell." Without a single sound, the scene ended completely. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Boss… was really too gentle."
Outside the screen, Garfiel couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
Even at the very end of his life, before his life concluded, he was still saying sorry.
"And in the end, he dragged Petelgeuse into hell with him,"
Otto added.
"In the next loop… You must break the deadlock, my friend,"
Yuriusu said.
—
[ "…Bro?"
"Huh?"
The screen brightened.
"…Awoo."
His ear was wet, as if someone had licked it.
"Wah-yayayayaya?" Natsuki Subaru covered his face.
The person playing tricks on Subaru's ear was Felix.
He pressed a finger to his lips and said:
"I played a trick on you because you were spacing out. That reaction is way too delightful, nyaa. Ferri-chan is so excited, I might get addicted." ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Yuriusu-sama."
Outside the screen, Rem looked toward Yuriusu.
And Yuriusu naturally knew what Rem wanted to do.
He couldn't help but smile and said:
"It is the same as in my memories. This time, Subaru will completely defeat the Witch Cult's Sin Archbishop representing 'Sloth', Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti."
—