Chapter Text
…
“So what now Warden-sama? Are you going to send us home?”
The screen went black after showing pleasing moments of Subaru’s hard work rewarded. They all would cherish watching this viewing be happy for once. However, after it ended they all were met with the question “What now?” and Emilia was the first one to take the lead.
“That would most likely be the case. If I remember correctly Beatrice-sama said nothing deserving attention happened after the events of Sanctuary”
Crusch Karsten was speaking steadily with her thoughts clear and her fortitude recovered and boosted by nasty-eyed boy’s recent victories. Her speech firm, but her face soft as she thought about him.
“That is indeed true, in fact. Betty didn’t sense her contractor’s miasma to fluctuate in that period of time, which excludes the probability of Subaru dying, I suppose”
Beatrice sat on sleeping boy’s lap as always. She pressed against his chest delighted by the fact of his serene sleep, which was very uncommon for her to see. He would usually mutter something in his sleep restlessly or harm himself just to alleviate his state.
She never knew why he would do that before she got here, hence her self-reproach now exceeded any scopes.
”So we’re going home now?”
Tivey, mostly tired by this viewing and jaded by the drama occurring periodically in here was relieved to think they’re finally going home. He felt for Subaru but it was still exhausting and hard for him to watch these horrors.
“Not quite right”
“What is there more to watch? Is it going to be something not related to bro?” Al grumbled in confusion and distress.
He didn’t oppose the situation but he was slowly getting exasperated of it. The only thing that caught his attention during this arc was Echidna, but that’s it. He understood Subaru more than everyone else here combined, but if he had to choose he would rather restrain from watching it further.
“No, the screenings will continue according to the events happened to Natsuki Subaru”
“I thought we figured out for them to not be so significant for us?”
Anastasia’s dismay was obvious. Things they were showed before proved themselves to be crucial and intriguing, but watching peaceful daily life of Subaru would be a waste of time for most people here, including her.
“I never said I was going to show you the time period after arc 4”
“Tch. Quit speaking in riddles and tell us already what else you are going to show about big bro!”
Felt’s wrathful tone was justified. She always like it when people were straight with their mouth, but Warden wasn’t fitting in that category.
“You are going to be shown certain events of future arcs”
Silence fell as they all needed some time to process what was just said.
“Future? You can do that Warden-sama?”
Julius spoke in complete astonishment since he never considered that option to be possible.
“Yes, I can do and will do that. You will be seeing random events from arcs 5 to 7”
“7 ARCS? THAT MEANS WE’RE ONLY HALF DONE” Otto stumbled out in pure shock of the realization. All they’ve seen was only the beginning of his friend’s story. Even if it’s future he has 3 more arcs of trials and hardships ahead of him.
“Shit, kid’s got even more challenges to go thru” Ricardo grunted in his seat sourly.
“You said random events Warden-sama, what is this supposed to mean nya?” Felix inquired in perplexity. He wasn’t that eager to watch further but his interest sky rocketed after he heard about the future possibly being viewed.
“Exactly what you think, there won’t be any coherence in what you will see. For instance, I can start with arc 7 and then suddenly switch to arc 6”
“So we have to find out what is happening on our own? Rem finds it unfair and wrong to do it that way”
Rem’s determination to watch and comprehend the future awaiting her beloved was admirable.
Even if it would take a lot of time to glimpse into the future she would do it. Even if she would have to witness every gruesome and terrible horrors Subaru had to go through she would do it.
Not because she liked seeing him like this, it was the other way around. She would watch it to prevent it. But if she was given no context and no consistency in the events being shown, would she still want to see it?
“It is sissy, however Warden doesn’t seem to care about that at all” Ram displayed her complaint openly while making a grimace. She was really annoyed of this notion.
“Not to mention this will be very difficult to figure out what are we seeing and can cause a lot of turmoil here” Reinhard’s voice calm as always, but his mind distressed by the fact of Warden’s immense disregard towards all of them.
”That’s exactly the thing I need. Randomness will spice it up even more”
“That’s cruel Warden-sama. Are we some form of entertainment for you?”
Frederica’s remark was clearly right. Nevertheless it seemed to have no effect on the person it was addressed to.
“So you’re going to give us a brake and then we will proceed with these future events?” Otto spoke up again asking Warden as most started to stand up to head to their rooms for rest.
“Nope Otto, we will be starting right now”
“Isn’t that trivializing us and our needs Waaaaarden-san~?” Roswaal spoke with a smirk on his face. He wanted to rest now for a little but he was no where near being tired, so he just found Warden’s uncaring demeanor amusing and interesting.
“It sort of is but it doesn’t matter right now. All of you should sit down and watch obediently. It’s starting soon”
Those who were already moving towards the direction of their rooms stopped and resigned as the screen started to flicker and some sounds started to play. They moved back to their seats and readied themselves for another watch.
“Mimi doesn’t understand what’s wrong with Warden today. Why is he so mean and neglectful?”
“I have no clue too, can’t lie here. But ya can’t deny with the fact that he gave us a lot of possibilities and opportunities if he can really show us the future”
Anastasia gently stroked her scarf and patted Mimi’s head once to calm her. She was waiting for the screenings to start with eager anticipation.
“That is true. Nonetheless I will not deny the fact that Warden-dono’s attitude was deplorable today” Wilhelm’s stoic voice rang across the theater.
Priscilla refrained from commenting the situation, yet she resonated it to be quite vexing. She only “Hmph”-ed once in a while each time she was irritated by Warden’s indifference.
“Look! The title is appearing” Petra’s childish voice took out many of them from deep thoughts as they gazed at the screen.
Arc 6, chapter 48 “Murder becomes a habit”
Eyes of everyone was glued to the screen as they started to read it. Shivers ran down their spines.
“That is a reaaally eerie title. I hope it will be okay”
Emilia’s concern was understandable. While being here they were mostly shown unpleasant scenes of their friend tortured and tormented by cruelty of this world. And none of them would like to see it again.
But here they are, watching it. There was no backing off now.
The screen lit up and the scene finally became visible.
…
Subaru: 「――――」
Subaru was silent whilst he looked at the black cover of book he was holding. Title of the book was 「Meili Portrute」
“Subaru-dono? Where is he?”
Wilhelm observed the scene shown, but didn’t seem to recognize the place Subaru was in.
“What is this place? His clothes are different too”
Felt looked closely to see any similarities to places she knew, but nothing came to mind. The architecture of this place was unknown for everyone here, except for one person.
Reinhard stayed silent when an insane suggestion formed in his mind.
«Pleiades Wathctower!?»
But he wasn’t sure yet, so he kept quiet for now. He needed more proofs, the composition of a place Subaru was in Reinhard deemed similar to Pleiades Watchtower’s one, however he wasn’t certain if it was the case.
“Why is Meili’s name on the book?” Petra asked in confusion, hoping to at least hear a suggestion or a quick guess from someone.
However the only one to speak up was Julius, shattering child’s hopes.
“We don’t actually have any ideas, so I suggest keep watching in order to find out”
Beatrice nestles closer to him, and feeling her worried and strange gaze, Subaru doesn’t dare to move.
“I’m glad you’re here Beako” Emilia patted spirit’s head whilst she pouted.
“Don’t call me that, I suppose! Only Betty’s contractor can do that!” She tried to resist the pats, despite the fact of it is being utterly useless. Many found that scene cute and adorable.
“All that sweetness aside, bro doesn’t look to be in the best state” Al commented carefully. It was the fact none could deny, Subaru on screen looked hectic and odd, but no one knew the reason for this behaviour.
Knight’s comment made everyone tense as they also noticed Subaru’s condition.
Subaru doesn’t disrupt the silence still diving deep into his thoughts. He was seemingly conflicted, laughing at some points and stiffening at the moments almost like he acknowledged something crucial.
“Subaru-dono is actually not looking great. Something is bothering him deeply” Crusch stayed calm but state Subaru was in on the screen beared down on her.
“Mini-boss usually freaks out like that only in one scenario” Mimi’s commentary made everyone recall the dreadful reactions Subaru had after some of his deaths.
If this child is right then…
“Subaru died again..?” Emilia spoke on the verge of tears while clinging closer to the sleeping boy.
Rem was not the exception. She hugged Subaru from the other side caressing her beloved, while muttering to herself words of apology.
Beatrice sobbed mildly pressing harder against her unconscious contractor’s chest.
«What else did they expect? Bro died in every arc before so why would they think he wouldn’t die in the future?» Al thought failing to understand true feelings of these people.
Realization made Julius and Felix lower their heads in guilt and remorse. Some were lost in self-reproach, such as Reinhard and Beatrice, and some were just getting tense and sorrowful knowing that, such as Anastasia and Ram.
He kept drowning in his thoughts when Beatrice started to get concerned about his odd behaviour.
Beatrice: 「…Subaru, you really look terrible, in fact. If you are feeling uneasy here, it’d be better if we went somewhere else for you to rest, I suppose.」
Touching Subaru’s shoulder, who was immersed in thought, Beatrice gives her suggestion. Subaru was rendered breathless for a minute, being trapped by the gaze of her characteristic blue butterfly pattern in her eyes. Looking at it, the girl’s tiny, tiny palm rested on Subaru’s shoulder.
He didn’t glance away as he kept staring at the Spirit’s little hand, clearly reflecting about something.
«What would happen if I took her hand, grabbed her head and smashed it on the floor with all my strength? Would she die?»
Some people say misfortunes never come alone, maybe they are right? Before inhabitants of the theater could get over the fact that person they cared for the most died again, they were hit with an absolute horror of a scene.
They were speechless. They all froze in terror in disbelief, shock completely consuming them all. Their eyes widened while their body stiffened and froze up.
They couldn’t breathe for a moment let alone process or believe what they just heard. Heavy silence was established in the theater as no one could speak. They all tried to, but it wasn’t possible.
No one could comprehend what nasty-eyed boy’s thoughts were. They were horrifying. He was thinking about killing Beatrice - someone he cherished and valued the most in his life.
That’s why it felt so wrong. Subaru never had even an ounce of malice in his thoughts until this moment. He never openly showed anger or wrath toward anyone, excluding the Witch Cult.
All of Emilia’s camp stayed still, not daring to move a muscle. All their brainpower was used to deny or defy what was just heard by them.
Otto didn’t move, didn’t even flinch. He couldn’t process all of this. He deemed everything happening as a delirium and complete nonsense. He laughed hysterically.
“Am I mad? Is this some joke, what is even happening? Must be some sort of a delusion or Warden’s bad joke. Hah, yeah that’s… Just a joke right?»
Garfiel winced and twitched when he saw this sacrilege. His Cap’n thinking about killing Beatrice? He denied it, despised the very idea of someone suggesting that it was even possible.
That’s why his jaw dropped when he heard Subaru’s thoughts. They were real, as well as his killing intent towards the spirit. That fact crushed him. Destroyed him, tormented and shattered his composure. His mind was fighting to keep him standing and not fall to the ground from sheer shock.
Emilia was sitting in her seat, fidgeting in utter disbelief and stupidity of a situation she was. Her Subaru wanted to kill Beako? His beloved and dear Beako? She will not fall for this. This all doesn’t make sense. This is a lie. Everything is a lie here.
She murmured something unintelligible under hear breath, shaking restlessly. Her voice trembled, as well as her body.
Beatrice was the worst one. She felt like her heart was crushed. Her mind shattered. Her condition worsened. She couldn’t breath.
«No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no… NO! This can’t be, no… This isn’t real… Nonsense, complete nonsense. Betty’s contractor would never… He would… never want to hurt Betty.. why?»
Even Priscilla kept her mouth shut. She was surprised and intrigued.
Frederica embraced shocked Petra who tried to say something vainly, but her attempts were futile. Her shock was too strong.
Anastasia’s and Crusch’s camp were dead silent, disbelief and confusion mixed up with gape and concern were their feelings. Their astonishment was indescribable.
Roswaal’s smile immediately left his face. He also kept quiet disturbed by this notion. Ram who was sitting beside him, tensed the second she heard this, she can’t jump to conclusions just yet. Nonetheless it still felt so wrong to her. This has to be some misunderstanding. They lacked context, there must be something else here. Just something.
“What the hell..?”
Al’s voice broke the deadly silence in the theater. He was NOT expecting this from Subaru. He put his hand on his mouth in shock.
“... We have to proceed with the viewings”
Reinhard was never this serious before. His voice took his lady out of trance as she turned to him.
“Rein..?” Felt’s voice was shaky.
“I agree wi-with Reinhard nya..”
Gazes turned towards the feminine knight who stood up with his body trembling slightly.
“Can’t disagree with ya… This isn’t like Natsuki-kun at all. We don’t have any context nor do we know the situation at all, so we have to continue in order to gain something” Anastasia spoke with her accent dying mid-speech.
Nods of agreement was the response from the most in theater, even members of Emilia’s camp were admonished by this speech. They were slowly starting to calm down, and their eyes streamed in the direction of the screen as it started to play again.
Subaru:「How, small…」
Beatrice:「Wh… what are you suddenly starting to say in fact? This smallness is exactly the reason behind Betty’s loveliness, I suppose. Subaru has also said that in fact.」
“This is so fucked up if we consider what were the kid’s thoughts just a moment before” Ricardo’s comment made the atmosphere even more uneasy.
“That is right, but we will not extrapolate just yet. We need to figure out the occurring first” Crusch’s attitude was stoic, her words calm. That knocked some sense into certain ones who were unsure about the happenings.
Subaru reflexively relaxes his cheeks, as Beatrice sullenly blurts this out. His contemplation doesn’t stop as he is continuously pondering upon something.
“Why are we hearing only part of his thoughts?” Tivey wondered. They in fact only heard one line of his thoughts despite Subaru reflecting upon something so vigorously.
“No clue little one, but if I had to guess it’s something about Warden’s indifferent attitude today” Al spoke adjusting his helmet’s position.
Boy’s reflections were interrupted by a voice only he was able to hear.
???:『Just like you did with me, n~o.』
“Meili?” Petra asked greatly surprised.
“Something is not right. She’s not even nearby and it sounded like—”
“She was a voice inside Subaru” Julius completed Ram’s note at which she nodded.
“But how is that possible?” Emilia asked in confusion. Half-elf was still shocked after hearing the horrendous thoughts of her beloved knight, but she also knew something crucial: there is more to it than it seems. That’s why she asked the question in spite of her current state
“It could be an effect from the book. If I’m not mistaken book’s title is this girl’s name” Wilhelm suggested not turning away from the screen.
Whispers were heard all across the theater with them guessing what could that mean.
Beatrice:「Your face looks really pale, I suppose. Indeed, we should go somewhere else in fact. But before that…」
Subaru:「―ah」
Beatrice:「I must return that where it originally was, I suppose. It’s no good for Betty too, to be in the haze, in fact.」
“This looks like some sort of library” Rem observed closely to recognize the place. It was useless since she never saw a place like this.
Beatrice was comforted heavily by what was happening now. She was by his contractor’s side when he needed it. She helped him calm down and offered him help. That fact warmed her heart as she discarded all her contemplation about the terrifying line of Subaru’s thoughts and let it be for now.
Saying that, Beatrice takes the book from Subaru’s stiff hands. She holds it cautiously to ensure the book doesn’t open, and places it where there was an empty gap in the bookshelf; the place where it originally was.
Beatrice:「It’s easy to understand and remember where I positioned it, I suppose. However, it’s possible that the books in this library will just start moving on it’s own…」
Subaru:「A safety measure, huh… that’s, mhm, yeah, I suppose that’s right.」
Beatrice:「You ought to think that bringing it out is pretty dangerous in fact. This is safer than throwing them out onto the floor because —— is worried about that, I suppose.」
Subaru:「I feel like being in this library is a once in a lifetime opportunity.」
Subaru dryly spits these words out as he replies to Beatrice.
“At least Subaru-sama seems to be settled down now” Frederica said still alarmed.
“I’m more perplexed by the fact they’re talking about this book being somehow dangerous” Otto spoke up scratching back of his hat.
“Maybe that book was the cause of big bro’s scary thoughts?” Felt suggested
“There’s definitely something ‘bout these books ‘n the library” Garfiel spat out seriously, agreeing with Felt’s notion.
Everyone was watching carefully and thoroughly with the intention to not miss any vital details. They were all highly alarmed right now.
Whilst warily looking at Beatrice’s back as she struggles to arrange the books, Subaru immerses himself deeper and deeper into his sea of thoughts.
Meili:『So you want to try and kill them because you want to check if they can be trusted, or if they should be doubted; Onii-san truly is wa~rped.』
The voice of the little girl interrupted him, causing Subaru to inwardly click his tongue.
“This doesn’t make any sense..” Julius angrily commented.
“How does killing someone tests if they are to be trusted..?” Reinhard said in complete lack of understanding the happenings.
“This assassin girl is right though! Wanting to kill someone to check their trust is really warped!” Mimi started to talk pointing at the screen “And it feels so wrong when the one wanting to do this is mini-boss”
Demi-human’s remark apparently was the collective thinking of most present here, as it was met with approval.
“This clearly is wrong” Otto said gravely “Natsuki-san always refrained from violence, and his intent to kill Beatrice-sama… Must be something else here. Perhaps he is possessed by something?” Merchant presumed while looking towards them.
“I doubt that is the case here. Despite Subaru-dono’s appalling thoughts he acts like himself. His behaviour and manner of speaking is similar to what we have seen” Crusch inferred whilst shaking her head.
This dreadful conclusion made the distress and worry increase exponentially as most of them gasped or grit their teeth.
Meili:『Enough with the excuses… I wo~nder, can’t you just tell me what you’re going to do?』
―It would be very easy to get rid of Beatrice.
Emilia flinched at this hideous phrasing. She wasn’t unique in that way of reacting. People close to Subaru also quivered in terror. He was actually planning to kill her precious Beako.
However what united all these people was the unrequited question “Why”
The last line of Subaru’s thoughts made them all especially stiff and restless. No one dared to speak, but internally they were all hoping and wishing for the best.
Subaru stares at Beatrice’s back, he contemplates his further actions.
Her back… So defenceless, unprotected and completely unguarded. You can even say her life’s safety solely depends on my flawed reasoning. And when the “rationality” surpasses reason, I will most likely take her life.
“You can’t tell me this is actually bro…” Al grumbled in his seat perturbed by the absolute horror of a thoughts of someone he considered his bro.
Beatrice couldn’t hold her tears anymore, her beloved and the most precious contractor wanted to kill her. But she didn’t know why, she doesn’t have the answer.
«I failed him again didn’t I? Useless, stupid doll… Betty’s contractor would never want this… It’s clearly something else, it’s my fault… I failed. I failed him. Betty is useless, utterly useless and meaningless doll…”
She denied and balked the very notion of Subaru having any killing intent towards his friends and comrades, but how is she supposed to do that? Everything they were shown before was true and actually occurred in reality, so how?
Maybe it wasn’t the real future?
Maybe it’s just some twisted timeline completely impossible in their reality?
Maybe—
“BEAKO!”
She was taken out of the trance by Emilia. Beatrice didn’t even notice how she started to pluck her hair because of the panic attack she was having. She stopped after hearing half-elf’s silver-bell-like voice calling out her name.
Emilia worriedly looked at the turbulent spirit who was breathing heavily.
“Beako calm down. It’s alright. W-we don’t know what is happening yet b-but it’s going to be okay” Candidate blurted out queasily.
Emilia herself wasn’t feeling well after seeing her knight like this, however she knew Beatrice was much worse right now.
Priscilla looked annoyed because of the boy’s intentions. She let out a “Hmph” turning away from the screen for a second, she felt dissatisfaction watching this.
Frederica didn’t even blink not to miss anything. Petra beside her hugged demi-human to calm down, she was scared. Never ever she imagined she would actually be frightened so much by none other than Subaru.
“This is not like you Subaru-dono…” Crusch muttered to herself, cursing silently inside.
Meili:『We~ll, what a~bout the half-witch Onee-san?』
The likes of Emilia would be even easier… a piece of cake. Once, I had even seized her by the neck after I woke up. In the past, she hadn’t shown any signs of resistance. As long as I put all of my strength into my arms, I could easily break that fragile neck of hers.
“No, no please… This isn’t Subaru… That’s not…” Emilia struggled to finish the sentence whilst her body and voice trembled intensively.
Her knight wanted to kill her. Why? Did she lose his trust? She was a failure. She couldn’t help him and lost his trust, must be the case. It’s not his fault, he would never want this. This would never happen if she weren’t that useless and stupid.
Emilia took all the blame on herself. She started to cry quietly as she heard Subaru’s thoughts. Her breath shaky, her fortitude shattered, her face wet from the tears. Sobs were the only sounds she was making now. Half-elf was too shocked to speak or move.
Rem gasped when these thoughts were heard by her. She didn’t exactly like Emilia since they were rivals, but she didn’t dislike her either. She would never wish her or Beatrice to die, especially from the hands of the person they cared about the most. From the hands of a person she cared and loved the most.
“Subaru-kun…” Oni lowered her head fretting.
Felix squeezed his armrests harder with each line of Subaru’s horrible contemplation.
“Subaru-kyun is not a violent person nya. He would never even think about doing this! Maybe it’s the cause of this damn book?” Felix didn’t filtrate his speech even letting a curse word through, but no one seemed to care right now.
“It’s highly possible that this book somehow corrupts or in other way affects the mind of a person who read it” Ram spoke grimly.
“It surely does! Big bro would never want to kill big sis” Felt agreed vigorously.
“Why…” Emilia finally found willpower to speak, forcing everyone to turn towards her.
“I know this is hard for ya, but we have to continue” Garfiel said morbidly, looking at the candidate with compassion.
“This is hard for all of us Garf, for you too” Otto said shaking head.
“...” Half-blood young man kept quiet, silently approving merchant’s words.
Ricardo and the triplets also stayed silent in order to understand everything. Anastasia stroked her scarf worriedly.
Meili:『Hee hee hee, it’s your speciality, e~h?』
―Ram, despite her sharp tongue, is in essence also merely a weak girl. It reminded me about the time she cried while pressing her head against me, entreating me for the memories. With her thin arms desperately embracing me, weak, she was just a girl after all. Echidna is also the same way. Come to think of it, they’re all weak girls. I really made the wrong selection of people if the mission was to cross the desert.
“Okay, you can tell me I am exaggerating but this is the most confusing thing I ever heard in my life” Al stretched out his arm pointing to the reflecting boy on the screen “Desert? Memories? Echidna? And the most confounding: Ram crying while pressing her head against bro!? What the actual hell is happening!?”
One-armed knight’s comment didn’t help lighten the situation as he hoped, but it was a signal for a discussion to begin.
“Ram doesn’t know why would a lowlife like you highlight this nonsense Barusu thought about, but it’s definitely impossible” Ram said strictly.
She was the least shocked among the ones Subaru planned to murder. However she still felt betrayed and awed by this, dread growing inside her.
”That’s clearly not the most important part right now” Wilhelm interrupted the talk, hoping to shift the focus towards something more significant
“Echidna…” After Emilia said this, calmed down a little from her last panic, gazes immediately turned towards Roswaal, who was sitting with a blank expression.
“I might have no idea what our dear Subaru-kun meant by the name of my teacher, but I doubt it’s her” He said closing his eyes in distress.
“I ain’t happy to agree with ya, but your words make a good point ‘ere” Ricardo spoke giving him a hostile look. All people agreed with Roswaal reluctantly after what they have seen him do in the sanctuary. They do not trust him anymore.
“I guess we have no clue why did the boy mention Witch of Greed in his thoughts, or do we?” Tivey summarized inspecting the theater with his eyes, in hopes to find someone to know the answer.
No one lifted his hand or stood up to answer the child’s question, however one person knew something.
«Was Natsuki-kun talking ‘bout “my” Echidna? If that’s the case then she might’ve took control over my body because of something. And in order to our agreement she needed to get into the—»
“I’m sorry but I don’t have the answer for your question Tivey” Reinhard said standing up and interrupting the thinking process of Anastasia “But I do have an insane assumption about Subaru’s whereabouts”
Eyes streamed in his direction quickly. Sword Saint stood calmly and steadily, but inward he was twitching. His strength he put on the grip of his sword was absolutely enormous.
“Spill it already, Rein” Felt said pulling his arm.
“My theory now aligns with what Subaru was thinking. The word “Desert” he mentioned, must be referring to Augria Sand Dunes, and Subaru is inside the—”
“PLEIADES WATCHTOWER!?”
Before he could finish myriads of people who’s minds were somewhat clear despite the screenings completed his hypothesis. Eyes widened and voices shouted when they realized it.
“This is surprising to say the least” Julius spoke in bewilderment.
“Well if it’s ma amazin’ Cap’n it ain’t that shockin’ y’know” Garfiel remarked proudly. He always knew Subaru was a master to pull of feats no one before even dreamed of achieving.
It seemed like discovery of such specifics made uneasiness in the theater somewhat less noticeable, but it totally didn’t go away. However knowing that information definitely forced most of them to smile lightly.
“Then what about the memories Subaru-kun mentioned?” Rem asked with worry she can’t shake off yet.
“I don’t think we have anything here. Might be a dead end” Al inferred sourly.
«I just hope It’s not what I think it is» Ram was scared for what this might be referring to, she begged for it to be something else. She hoped that it wasn’t about Subaru losing memories. And if it was—
«Enough» She gathered her own thoughts and turned back to screen, dismissing bad insights.
Slowly the talk died and their eyes strived to the screen once again, they reassured themselves and the screen proceeded the viewings.
In the middle of a thoughts process Subaru suddenly seemed to recognition something as he twitched a little.
Subaru:「―Julius.」
The man cited flinched at the face of Subaru on screen.
“Me..?” Julius blurted out.
All gazes turned in his direction this exact moment, he leaned back in surprise and unexpectedness of such notion. He felt too abrupt about it happening.
“Looks like ya are also in the tower Juli” Anastasia said, her voice with a hint of worry.
“It also seemed like he realized something, but what is it?” Hetaro followed up with a question.
“My guess, he realized that Julius won’t be that easy to kill” Reinhard’s haunting suggestion made some of them feel unwell since it reminded of Subaru’s awful plans.
Subaru stood in silence for a few more second pondering actively until this process was disrupted by a childish voice.
Meili:『With the amount of time it takes to search for the books, however much time you have, it’s not going to be enough r~ight?』
“She is implying that searching for books in this library isn’t that easy?” Otto said scratching his chin.
One certain spirit felt dissatisfaction knowing the uselessness of a library where the books aren’t even sorted. She frowned at this idea.
He continued to stare at the shelves with many book whilst still consumed by endless reflections upon something.
Beatrice:「Subaru, that’s enough books for the moment, in fact. Let’s get far away from here… like the Spirit’s Room or somewhere like that, I suppose. You should calm down there, in fact.」
Subaru:「Spirit’s… room…」
They all exchanged nods in deadly silence, quietly coming in conclusion no one has any ideas what a Spirit’s room is.
He stayed still for a second before calling out a name.
Subaru:「Patrasche…」
Beatrice:「…You’re saying that earth dragon’s name again… Jeez, there’s no point worrying about a partner like you, I suppose. I was the worried one…I cant believe this, in fact.」
Subaru:「… So- sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.」
“The dragon is also in this tower” Priscilla said uninterested.
“I’m glad she’s by Subaru-dono’s side whenever it’s possible” Crusch was geniuenly happy to know this fragile boy has someone who is there for him.
«Patrasche… She’s the only one I trust in this tower, she even ran risk of death to defend me and remained by my side… She really is—»
Meili:『Really? If she knew that Onii-san isn’t 『Natsuki Subaru』, I still wo~nder if she would do the same thing.』
“What..?” Rem was extremely confused now, it’s not like she wasn’t before but now it exceeded any limits.
As well as her was feeling the entire theater right now. They mostly frowned and grimaced in complete lack of understanding anything.
“This makes less sense with each second we watch it, nya” Felix grumbled in annoyance.
No one overheard what the knight said since they were preoccupied with using all their wit to come with suggestions about what was just said on screen.
“Any ideas?” Al broke the awkward silence casually.
“I have one, but it is definitely not something you want to hear” Julius said lowering his head.
This made the tension rise exponentially, especially because of the finest knight’s serious tone.
“Please Julius, if you know what that means please tell us” Emilia asked nicely in despair. If something happened to her knight in the future she needed to know. Even if it would be mere guesses, she has to know all the clues and ideas to prevent it.
Julius inhaled regaining his composure. He slowly stood up, making sure everyone payed attention to him in passing.
“Subaru in the tower he… he might have lost his memories” Knight said gravely.
This mortifying assumption made them shiver, because most of them considered this a nightmare scenario no more. Moreover majority of them didn’t even take this option in account as a possible one.
Sadly for them Julius’ words had a point. First: Subaru was acting odd but not entirely out of his character. Second: he mentioned his “memories” while thinking. They started to realize that everything was lining up. Something clicked inside them. Terror consumed them entirely
“N-no… S-subaru…” Emilia stammered violently while trying not to scream.
“Tch” Reinhard wrathfully clenched his fists, while looking down in disappointment. Disappointment at himself.
Felt muttered something under her breath with eyes full of frustration and compassion towards this unlucky boy she cared about a lot.
“Useless I suppose. Useless as always, you let down your contractor again, in fact… So useless” Beatrice cried cursing herself for her immense worthlessness and vanity.
Subaru:「――――」
Meili:『After all, on Onii-san’s side… there isn’t anyone, is there?』
Anastasia covered her mouth with her hand in dismay and pity for how unjust the poor boy’s fate was.
Julius grit his teeth vigorously after his guess found approval. To be honest he wanted it to stay just a guess, but it seemed to line up too perfectly. His repentance was incomparable now.
Frederica just looked at Subaru on screen, sadness and ruefulness filling her. He didn’t deserve any tiny bit of suffering he went through, but it wasn’t all to it. There was more struggles he needed to overcome.
«Why is it always you suffering Subaru-sama» Frederica inwardly cursed this injustice.
Petra, hugged by her mentor broke off sobbing.
“Why… This is *hik* so unfair to S-Subaru…” She stuttered and whined.
Priscilla seemed the most unaffected by all of this, however even she got intrigued by this situation.
Al opt not to open his mouth, but his armrests were crushed unbeknown to him.
Ricardo was mumbling something to himself with an irate expression. Tivey adjusted his monocle and empathized for Subaru. His fate was indescribably cruel.
Mimi fidgeted in her seat nervously with a sad look on her face. Hetaro tried to calm her down.
Crusch gazed towards the sleeping boy with compassion and sorrow. Wilhelm stayed silent, but his grip on his sword was immense. He was ready to mangle whoever did this to Subaru. Old man was feeling this way because he understood something crucial.
«These eyes… They were almost the same when I first met them, that means Subaru-dono has died at least a few times»
Garfiel was doing his best not to transform right now. He was barely holding his urge to kill, mutilate and torture whoever did that to Subaru. But that person obviously wasn’t there. He was somewhere on the screen, but young man already learned one harsh truth: he can’t do none about what is happening on the screen, or hurt whoever is appearing there.
*CLICK*
Suddenly screen went black and the viewings stopped, with the Warden’s voice following up.
“Ahem, that’s the end of this chapter for now. You have 10 minutes to calm down and we will proceed with another one. You will find out which one exactly after the break time is over”
(P.S I know this isn’t the end of the chapter but I got kinda lazy here. Plus nothing important happens later in the chapter)
There were no response to his words since all their willpower was redirected to handling this arduous truth.
“Subaru… h-he lost *hik* his memories” Emilia still stammered badly. She tried her hardest to accept this cruel truth “It means… Subaru f-forgot me” Half-elf was in catatonic state struggling to breath. She closed her grip on sleeping boy’s hand harder with each second she understood the whole thing.
Rem just sat with a blank expression. You could think this fact didn’t affect her. However that’s not even close to being the reality. Inside she was empty. Subaru was everything she had. Maid was selfishly relieved to know, that due to the Return By Death ability her beloved can’t die. But it seems fate is too merciless.
Oni was still trying to process this, that’s why her reaction was delayed heavily. Inward she was falling apart. Tears rolled down her cheeks, but her eyes were dead, her soul was hollow.
“Yeah these guys certainly need a break” Al said to himself, whilst leaning back in his seat.
Otto was heavily doubting Julius’ assumption. It lined up perfectly but that’s exactly what fazed the merchant. So he decided to speak up. This was his method of coping: denying the reality. It wasn’t his choice in all moments, but in this - it was perfect for him. Because as long as it’s not confirmed he won’t collapse.
“H-hey, are we sure that’s true, Julius-san?” Otto said nervously.
“I never said it was true. It’s just my assumption, but-”
“It all converges too well” Anastasia concluded with a thoughtful look.
“That’s not wrong. But we can’t jump to conclusion just yet. Subaru-dono’s loss of memories is not confirmed” Crusch said not showing her discompose.
These words served like a slap forcing them to come to their senses. It wasn’t confirmed for now. There might be hope for them.
This surely did reassure them a lot. Slowly they started to calm down. Uneasiness inside the theater partly faded away, not entirely obviously. But at least it was something. Maybe Subaru didn’t forget them all?
“Not confirmed…” Rem muttered to herself in a hopeful tone.
“Sissy, are you alright?” Ram worriedly addressed her sister.
“Yes, sister, Rem is feeling better now” Rem said with her sobbing slightly going away. She wiped her tears putting a quick smile on her face. Hope warmed her heart greatly.
Beatrice hasn’t stopped embracing her contractor despite the hope supposedly reviving. The spirit stopped crying but didn’t let go of her precious Subaru. She can’t lose him again.
“Fools. Clearly you rushed with inferences here. This commoner although his miserable nature would not allow something like that to happen” Priscilla said denouncing them. This surprised some of them since baroness discreetly commended the boy.
“By the way, ‘bout this loss of memories, we all know who might have done that..? If that’s true of course” Ricardo asked carefully.
“Gluttony” Ram and Felix spoke in unison, wrath filling them.
“But how did he even get in the tower? Isn’t it hard to reach it?” Petra wondered, concern flowing inside her.
“That’s where it diverges” Otto spat out wryly.
“I guess the chance that Subaru-san actually lost his memories is not so likely now” Tivey smartly concluded.
Slowly the atmosphere settled down even more. Their restlessness vanished almost completely.
“Hey, B-Beako” Emilia spoke to Beatrice, who were still hugging Subaru tightly “It’s okay now” She comforted the spirit patting her head.
“Betty knows, in fact” She blurted out resisting the pats from the candidate “It’s just that Betty needs her contractor right now, I suppose” She explained somberly still clinging close to the boy.
Frederica looked compassionately at this scene. Rem just hugged the boy from the side, not disturbing Beatrice. Blue haired Oni understood spirit’s feelings perfectly right now.
Felt sat with a light smile. Reinhard beside her was fidgeting in his seat. He couldn’t shake off the fact that Subaru losing his memories is still a possible option.
Julius couldn’t do anything about his wistful exterior right now. Wilhelm just gazed at the screen contemplatively. Felix had a faraway look examining peacefully sleeping boy.
Silence established in the theater. The only sounds that could be heard now were whispers and quiet fidgeting.
—————————————————————————————————————
Their break time was almost over when the omnipresent Warden finally spoke up, noticing that 10 minutes had already passed. Apparently this time was enough for them to calm down a little, but they still wanted to rest since mental fatigue was wearing them down completely.
“The next chapter is starting. Eyes to the screen”
As these words rang across the theater all gazes streamed in the direction of cited object.
Emilia looked at the screen with pure determination. Her eyes were still wet from tears, but they were filled with resolution now. She needs to see it in order to prevent any unwelcoming thing that can happen in the future. That’s why she was ready to watch now.
Whilst some of them moved in the seats lights flickered and sounds could be heard. Slowly the title started to appear on the screen.
Arc 5 Chapter 61 “Victim of the Territory”
“Just as warden said, no consistency in what we are seeing” Otto said grouchily, crossing his arms in discontent.
“It’s arc 5 now, hmmm” Roswaal looked at the screen inscrutably. None could tell his emotions now, but he clearly was interested greatly in these viewings.
“Seriously, arc 5?” Anastasia complained. She was hoping to glimpse farther into the future, but now they were showing her arc closest to them. Who wouldn’t complain in her place?
“What does “Victim of the Territory” mean anyway?” Felt asked in dimness of such words.
One certain person tensed slightly seeing this title. One-armed knight hoped for the screen to have mercy for him, because he could not do anything about it showing the truth - the territory that his authority creates. Al just begged for it not to reveal everything.
Felt’s question wasn’t answered by anyone, so her chance to ascertain some information before the screenings start was ruined.
The screen cleared up and finally the scene could be seen.
The girl lightly tilted her head towards the man chattering without rest, dao wielded in his one hand.
Al was sweating bullets after he saw himself on the screen. His only thought was terse, but it described his situation perfectly.
«Shit»
“Jester?” Priscilla wasn’t expecting for her knight to show up, however she found that idea quite amusing. He could definitely entertain her a lot.
“Al?” Myriads of voices spoke in unison. They were caught off guard by his appearance on the screen. He was a rare guest here. Last time he was shown during third arc, but even there he was a background character.
“Who’s that girl, nya?” Felix asked about the quirky looking maiden on the screen.
“No idea, but im standing in a fighting stance so she’s probably an enemy” Al was good at hiding his emotions, that’s why no one noticed his nervousness.
A braid composed of three strands of hair, long and dark, spilled upon her white shoulder. With arms folded as if to emphasize her plump chest she bent forward, casting a mesmerizing gaze towards the helmeted man. Using that bewitching gaze to tempt a man’s eyes, it would drive a man’s instincts wild, even if he knew it was a trap.
However, whether such a demonic scheme would be effective would depend on the opponent.
All of them frowned at this scene. Some of them even made grimaces expressing sheer confusion.
“What the hell? She’s tying to seduce this guy?” Ricardo said laughing slightly “Al, ‘r ya aiming to take the title of the Lolimancer?”
Chuckles could be heard all across the theater, some gazes turned towards the helmeted knight.
“HELL NAW” Al blurted out standing up “I have NO CLUE why she is trying to seduce me, but look at her. This girl...” He made a quick pause pointing to the screen “Something’s off about her” Knight spoke seriously.
They turned towards the screen again and looked closely. You don’t even have to be perceptive to see this girl doesn’t seem to be just a normal one.
This put most of them on alert. Al’s remark was not a deniable one.
Al: [That erotic pose is indeed quite something, but if your goal is to seduce me, it’s useless, ya know. For a hardcore virgin… making me thirst after a passerby onee-chan’s got such a high difficulty that I’m practically laughing.]
Ricardo despite still being highly alarmed let out a quiet giggle, as well as some of the other in the theater. Al was known for making fanciful and comical situations and statements.
???: [Of course I’d say it. In any case, from this lovely lady’s perspective, absolutely everything that exists in this world is just a way to pass time. You’re all, in entirety, ultimately, objects of this lovely lady. The lovely lady’s love is boundless, filled with mercy, because everything aside from seeking love from this lovely lady is unnecessary… Anything else, do with it as you like.]
Spreading her arms, girl smiled with the sweet expression of a poisonous flower.
“See?” Al said sitting down “I won’t be surprised if she’s some wicked archbishop” He finished with a grim face.
«And that’s definitely will take plenty of attempts if this girl actually is an archbishop»
Emilia flinched hearing such manner of speaking: it was inherent to all the archbishops they knew.
“Al-kun might actually be right heeeeere” Roswaal spoke deserving several gazes “Her way of speaking is just as weird as the rest of the archbiiiishops”
“Ya ‘r the one to talk, huh?” Garfiel glanced with condemn at the clown.
“Roswaal-sama is right here. Ram heavily agrees that this girl’s speaking manner is characteristic to one of an archbishop” Ram agreed firmly.
“Apparently her sin would be Lust” Reinhard chimed in the discussion, making a confident conclusion.
“That ain’t wrong” Anastasia said looking at the screen with disgust.
However that was the dead end of this discussion. They knew nothing about the Archbishop of Lust. Not even her name was known.
Al, looking at this smile, lowered his dao with a whoosh. Twisting his neck so that his bones made a crack, he spat out a long sigh, “Ah—―”.
Al: [That’s it. You’re rather different from the other sins I’ve known.]
“That confirms it” Rem looked at the screen angrily. Follower of the organization she hated and despised the most was on the screen right now. Not just a normal follower but also a greatly devoted one. Her wrath was exceeding all limits now. She wanted to tear that girl apart.
Most of them tensed hearing the confirmation from the on-screen Al. Now he will obviously fight the cultist.
However some of them were unsure about one thing.
«Will he win?»
They never saw helmeted freak in a real fight, some of them even doubted his strength. But now they will finally see him fighting, will he put up a decent fight or lose miserably? Most favoured the second option as a likely one: it was the archbishop we are talking about here, so losing against such enemy wouldn’t be that surprising.
Lust: [Oh my, you’ve seen other meats rotted beyond rot? That perverted female meat who resents her own longing? That virgin bastard with miniscule ability? That low-life brat of Bizarre Eating with vile character? Or was it that sick in the head, sick in consciousness, sick in thought, self-entitled Spirit? No matter which, for companions, they’re the absolute worst choices! Haven’t your parents taught you? Choose your companions carefully.]
Al: […Unfortunately, my current friends are the type my parents warned me about.]
“What is that supposed to mean Al-san?” Emilia asked strongly disconcerted about such statement.
“Eh, it’s nothing” Al brushed off the talk.
Some people gave him quick sights curious about his weird phrasing.
“Do you know that place you are in, Jester?” Priscilla said with her usual demanding tone.
That was also a crucial question most of them wanted to knew the answer for. What was shown looked like some sort of severs with a crazy girl and a freakish knight confronting each other. If this was a hideout of the cult then knowing it’s place would help a lot.
“Sorry princess, no clue here” Aldebaran spoke crushing their hopes.
Lust: [That still deserves condolences. Even if you’re like that, will you embrace this lovely lady’s august love? Remove that helmet and reveal your face, embrace and devote love to this lovely lady!]
Al raised the dao that he had just lowered, slowly shaking his head.
Al: [Apologies. I’m happy you feel that way, but the two of us are still unfamiliar with each other, and it’d be embarrassing if any odd rumors spread amongst my friends. Please accept my refusal.]
“Why the ‘ell ‘r you talking to this bitch so freakin’ casually!?” Garfiel roared at the man.
“Whoa, chill dude. It’s just how I am. By the way, wasn’t bro doing the same with Sloth?” Al shifted the focus highlighting something that was also important in this situation.
“Ghk—” Young man backed off hearing the knight’s answer. He had to comply since he couldn’t oppose Al’s remark.
Lust: [Something like giving regard to the gazes of outsiders, don’t you still have quite the cute aspects. Is this lovely lady that lacking here—— I didn’t think this would be outside the sexual preferences of a garbage, masochistic male meat who enjoys being ordered about by women.]
Al: […Huh?]
Lust: [Disregarding of others, harsh eyes. A body which could even be said to be filled with both sensuality and violence. A stature shorter than this lovely lady currently is, showing plenty of lovely skin. One whose words changed along with mood, yet never grew meaninglessly arrogant. An inner character always held up with logic and self-confidence. One who handed many tasks over to subordinates, but rarely became reliant on them. Not likable but not dislikable, the position and the woman both.]
While chattering on endlessly, girl’s figure metamorphosed.
“What is she doing? Is that her authority?” Crusch stared at the screen analyzing everything about the occurring on screen.
“Seems like it. She can transform if I understood what is happening” Tivey spoke pretty confidently, making a smart assumption.
Most got uncomfortable seeing the metamorphosis happening on the screen. It was an unpleasant sight, somewhat even disgusting and ugly
Still maintaining her plump body, she shortened her height and transformed her clothing into a dress which boldly revealed her shoulders and back. Her eyes shifted from sleepy to sharp, and from her keen gaze overflowed an atmosphere of confidence. What appeared was a beautiful woman with long golden hair hanging loose.
Although not the appearance of any particular person among his associates in the city—— to some extent, she resembled a woman whom Al associated with.
“What the hell? She replicated pal’s type by just looking at him and his behaviour, no way…” Ricardo stumbled in shock.
They were all greatly surprised by this girl’s actions. She transformed in Priscilla almost perfectly leaving only hair as the wrong detail.
“So this is the authority of Lust” Julius wrote something in his notebook whilst most of them frowned at such power.
If becoming an another person doesn’t let you use the abilities of that person then it’s basically useless in a fight. However it was obvious that’s not everything to that authority. It’s clearly capable of a more dangerous things.
Al: [————]
Lust: [Oops, not blonde? If it’s someone from Lugunica, this should be most likely… In that case, hmmhmmhmm, red—— Hm, orange it is.]
Observing Al’s subtle reactions, girl’s hair color changed bit-by-bit. Testing black, brown, green, blue, hesitating for a moment when it became red, then becoming orange.
With just this, she had assumed an impression ridiculously similar to a very familiar woman.
“That’s actually insane” Anastasia muttered.
«Just how perceptive and shrewd you’ve gotta be to pull of such feats?»
Priscilla Bariele looked furiously at the screen. The moments she felt her anger was exceeding the limits an instant punch was thrown to the stomach of her jester.
“Oh—ouch Princess” Al yowled, trying to stand up from the hit that sent him flying.
Al: [How hair-raising… Where have you met Princess?]
Lust: [Never seen her, never spoken to her, never even realized her existence? I merely deducted the type of woman you like from your reactions. This lovely lady is a woman who will give her all, you know? I want you to like it, so it’s a matter of course I’d do my best to be liked by the party I want to like me.]
“She is not normal in the head, but I can feel she could be a great threat” Otto said shivering in his seat because of girl’s uncanny behaviour.
“That’s what all the archbishops are from what we have seen” Reinhard inferred steadily.
“Besides her perceptiveness strains Rem greatly” Blue haired Oni said wincing a little.
“That’s *cough* not wrong. To figure out Princess’ appearance just based on my demeanor is astonishing and scary” Al stood up coughing his answer. The cause of this was surprisingly strong punch from Priscilla.
Restlessness increased exponentially inside the theater considering current situation on screen. Main reason for it to rise was the enigmatic Archbishop of Lust with a heavily wicked nature.
Al: [Speaking of reactions, my face is…]
Lust: [Voice, movements, speech patterns. Angle of neck and line of sight, attitude. From chatting, understanding your attitude, nature, preferences.]
Al: [————]
Some of them fidgeted in the seats. This scene was uncomfortable to say the least.
“That’s actually scary if she ascertained it by these details” Emilia stated worriedly.
“Mimi doesn’t like her! She scares Mimi” Mimi huddled up in the seat, hollering because of the girl on screen.
“I ain’t gonna blame ya for that Mimi” Anastasia said stroking her scarf seeking for calmness vainly “This girl is distressing to see, and her abilities only make it worse”
Queen of the merchant’s statement deserved nods of agreement all over the theater.
Lust: [One twitch or one movement, not missing a single one. Putting in the entirety of her heart and soul to be loved, this is the way this lovely lady utterly devotes her all. This lovely lady has already utterly devoted her all like this so… Look at this lovely lady. Look only at this lovely lady. Don’t look at anyone else. This lovely lady’s face, body, voice, attitude, gestures, all of it, all of it! They should all be totally completely in line with your preferences!]
Al could not respond with a shake of his head or with words, instead only able to ready his entire body’s will to fight as a response to the girl. At this silent answer, on Lust’s face grew discouragement and contempt.
“Seems the fight is going to take place now” Julius observed firmly. He saved his composure despite the obnoxious and displeasing person on the screen.
“Good luck, Al” Ricardo spoke poking the person mentioned with the elbow.
Al was already sitting, fully recovered from the last punch he received.
«Thanks for wishing me luck, pal. I’ll need a hell of a lot of it for this fight» Al thought not only about the fight itself, but also about the possibility of screen revealing his authority.
Lust: [You, a selfish scum male meat… which aspect of this lovely lady are you dissatisifed with?]
Al: [Don’t misunderstand. I neither like you nor dislike you, either way is fine… Sorry, that’s a lie. As expected, you’re disgusting, so I really don’t like you.]
Lust: [——Hk! You adulterous, rotting male meat!!]
Stomping her feet, maiden’s right arm began to transform into the huge head of a wolf, starting from her shoulder. The ferociously howling, beastly head flew towards Al, who was frozen in place, at speeds beyond what the eye could process. In a moment, the fangs of that head, sharp as blades, gnawed on the entirety of Al’s upper body with a single bite—— the instant before that could transpire, Al’s body flew forward into the gap of the approaching canine fangs, flying horizontally to escape by a hair.
“Nice dodge Al-kuuun” Roswaal complemented without much enthusiasm.
“Her authority… It looks like some form of metamorphosis. Lust can transform parts of her body as she wishes” Crusch spoke emphasizing the vital specifics of the authority.
Indeed, that was what the screen showed. Archbishop of Lust could transform her entire body in whatever she wanted. This made most of them uneasy, unsettled and even queasy.
“That will be a handful to deal with, tch” Ram complained out loud.
But one person focused on something else. Al saw himself freeze for a second before the fight started. That could only mean one thing - the screen will not show his deaths, so his authority won’t be revealed like that. But the problem didn’t go away entirely.
Al knew he used to talk during the fights. You could easily expose his authority if you can hear between the lines and take knight’s words seriously.
Now he hoped for his counterpart on screen not to be an idiot and give away hints about his secret.
Lust: [Don’t think you can escape with just that!]
Al: [Like I’d think that! The side! And next, the back!]
Over Al’s head as he rolled on, a powerful attack from a hand slammed down. It was a giant hand, each of its five fingers comparable in size to a human torso. Being caught in its grip would be akin to being caught by a snake.
However, this attack too was evaded by Al with a backstep. And then the wolf’s head returned, its fangs looking to crush Al’s waist, but it was stopped by the dao, wielded behind his back.
This sight was a surprise for many. Al almost effortlessly dodged Lust’s attacks. Moreover he knew where she is going to aim for. How is that possible?
«That will cast plenty of suspicion towards me but it’s not going to be enough for them to figure out everything»
“How did he knew where the attacks will hit him?” Hetaro mumbled to himself, confused by Aldebaran’s ability to somehow foresee coming attacks.
“Al-dono, your fighting skills and speed are commendable, but I must ask, how did you know about the upcoming attacks?” Wilhelm asked stoically.
Al kept quiet for a second thinking about what to say. He really was in a dead end. He can’t lie here because of Crusch and Reinhard being present, and if he won’t answer Wilhelm’s question that will cause suspicion around him rise even higher.
«I won’t tell them the truth. However I can’t lie either. So my only remaining options are to answer vaguely or discard the question…» He reflected actively, picking the right option for the answer.
Finally he came to the conclusion discarding the question for now was the best choice. He stood up to answer the question.
“Sorry old man, can’t tell you that” Al replied scratching the back of his helmet.
“Huh, and why is that Al-kun?” Anastasia meddled with a leery gaze at the knight.
“Commercial secret” He answered calmly, without his usual looseness in the voice.
The theater went silent for a second glancing at the knight with skepticism. Some frowned at such words, why wouldn’t he tell them? That question lingered within them but it seems no one knew the answer for it.
“Why won’t you tell us, nya?” Felix asked straightening his ears. He inquired for the answer from Al who was standing in front of the others on the last row.
“Ah well, I can’t tell you the reason, but just know I won’t tell you anything” He said undisturbed. He was level head on the outside, but inward he was cursing the situation. Sweat was forming non-stop underneath his clothes and on his face, luckily helmet hid these details perfectly.
It was quiet for a few more seconds with the cast looking at one-armed knight incredulously. Nevertheless it made no contribution to figuring out Aldebaran’s secret. Silently they realized futility of their staring strategy, hence the gazes slowly turned to the screen once again.
Al: [Whoa, whoaaaa, Dona!]
Without completely dispelling the momentum of the attacking beast, and all the while maintaining his blocking stance with the dao, Al’s body slid forward. Midway through the canto, a wall of earth rose from the ground, slamming directly from below into the right arm that had become a beast.
The wolf whose lower jaw had been struck let out a wail, and the shift in mass of her right arm led Lust’s entire posture to collapse. Seeing this, Al, having dodged the left arm’s onslaught as well, rushed forward.
Al: [Dona! This side too, Dona!]
Lust: [——Hk.]
They quietly watched as the fight unfolded with Al dodging attacks almost effortlessly. Some of them noted jester’s agility and quick thinking despite being in a fast battle.
But one thing bothered them: he somehow knows the attacks, like he had already seen them. He knows where they will aim and how to counter them. He anticipates them like he already lived through them.
Anastasia analyzed thoroughly, trying not to miss any details.
«Foresight? Possible but I think it’s something else. He’s moving like he already knows what gonna happen… no like he had lived through it, how’s that possible? Time related ability?»
She was always clever, smart lady pieced everything together incredibly fast. That was her best guess. But she still needed to prove it somehow. Anastasia decided to refrain from suggesting this notion out loud for now, but when she will find more evidence she will comment on it.
Children looked at the screen cheerfully seeing that Al wasn’t losing yet, even keeping up with the attacks and making a good use of magic.
Warriors looked at the screen clearly admiring knight’s skills, however mistrust lived inside them. His movements were way too smooth, like he did this for dozens of times already. Surmises about him were made in their heads, but in the end they all ended up with nothing. They had no clue about jester’s ability.
But he wasn’t the only one to pay attention for. Archbishop of Lust also fought on screen. And she was dangerous. If Al was hit by any of the attacks launched at him, he definitely would have died. Her ability to transform was insanely powerful.
Petra clung closer to her mentor seeing the scary lady on the screen. Her power was terrifying and frightening to say the least and her manner of acting was just adding to it.
Al: [DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!]
A solidly formed wall of soil hindered the movements of Capella’s distant right and left arms. In addition, girl’s body itself was assaulted by a wall of dirt that obscured her frontal vision. Then, with the preparations in place, Al rose into the air—— using the speed and momentum from the earth rising from the floor, he launched forward as if he had been ejected by a spring.
The moment she heard these shouts, Lust glanced overhead, and a flash appeared upon her slender neck, her head flying away.
“!!!???”
Shocked they were. Archbishop was decapitated. Al was the winner.
For mere seconds it was deadly silent inside the theater. Most of them were still processing what happened.
Al just killed an Archbishop of Lust. They were also surprised by the blood’s unusual purple color, but apparently it wasn’t the thing that mattered now.
“AL, BRO YOU ACTUALLY DID IT!” Ricardo cheered hoping off his seat “YOU KILLED THAT BI—”
“Don’t rush. I have a bad feeling about this” Al spoke sullenly.
Demi-human’s attempt in encouraging the man resulted in him grimly declaring it’s not over yet and that something else is coming.
They tensed after these words portending something bad is on the way, but didn’t argue with the knight.
Priscilla smiled seeing this enjoyable scene - her clone being killed mercilessly.
A face similar to Priscilla’s own danced through the air, a tremendous amount of blood spurting from the wound.
Of course, even having been warned to not brush the excess of blood——
Al: [Who do you think you’re fooling, you damn liar!]
Stepping into this pool of blood without mercy, Al stuck out his dao.
The tip of the blade did not hesitate in the slightest to reach through the back of maiden’s headless body, penetrating through her body and coming out through her cleavage, adding another fatal injury to an opponent who was supposed to have died. However, it could not stop at this.
Emilia’s camp winced at such scene. Making sure the enemy died was smart, but not when their head was cut off already. However they remembered Al’s words about bad feeling he had about this.
Most of them shared the same feeling about this being somehow foreboding. Lust was supposedly dead but something still was wrong, it felt like the battle wasn’t over yet.
Al: [Take this! El Dona!]
Sweeping up the pierced body, Al flew forward and incanted with momentum—— one level higher than Dona, El-tier magic using the dao as a pivot was activated within Lust’s body.
Of course, girl’s body was unable to suppress the mass that swelled from inside, and scattered in an explosion.
“Bang”, with a foolish sound as if it were a joke, Lust’s body turned to shreds. Hands and feet scattered and flew away, pink viscera and bright red staining the entire underground space. In that frigid air, those pieces of meat even seemed to give off warmth, finally resulting in a result that one could walk away from.
Fredrica closed Petra’s eyes at such sight, Ricardo did the same with the triplets.
This was a brutal scene. But knowing who the person killed in it was, gave them some relieve. Still the gruesomeness made them feel sick.
Al: […How’s, that! Hah, hah, this much should…]
Shoulders heaving as he caught his breath, Al spoke to Lust, who had become pieces of meat.
“Ensuring she’s dead is wise, but was there any need to go that far?” Felt asked seeing this ruthless scene. Her stomach twisted as she witnessed such cruelty. She felt unwell even knowing who the victim was.
Al didn’t move. He stared at the screen consumed by his thoughts.
After this, after something like this, a creature able to survive after being destroyed to this point simply could not exist. Towards Al’s declaration of victory, an existence that could respond did not exist. Or at least, that was how it should have been.
Lust: [Ah, how excessive—— Ah. No matter what, ordinarily things wouldn’t go so far.]
“Th’ bitch actually survived..?” Garfiel was in complete shock. There was only blood and pieces of meat left of the Archbishop of Lust, yet she survived “How the fuck?” He muttered to himself.
Al tensed seeing the fight isn’t over yet.
Others were in sheer disbelief witnessing this scene. What level of regeneration and endurance you need to have in order to survive being wiped out completely and leaving no rack behind?
That notion horrified them greatly. Agitation grew inside them.
“How are you even supposed to kill someone with this level of vitality, in fact?” Beatrice wondered in apprehension.
They couldn’t speak. Shock and terror controlled them, not letting them say anything intelligible.
Al: [Fuck.]
The one that had received Al’s insults of disgust, responded in that airy, yet wicked voice.
The voice came not from the dismembered flesh, but from the direction of the head that had been severed at the start—— In other words, it came from the place where maiden’s head had landed. Her head remained on the ground it had rolled to, joyously witnessing Al’s reaction.
Al: [Sending your head flying and destroying your heart isn’t enough. Isn’t that breaking too many rules…]
Lust: [Head flying and heart destroyed would pose no problem to this lovely lady… But it is rare that you’ve suddenly become so devoid of a trace of tolerance. This lovely lady, right now, should be tempting you with your favorite face, could it have been a slip of the eye? Or could it be that you’re the type who expresses love by inflicting pain?]
Before Al, who was revealing his feelings of helplessness, girl’s head righted itself.
The severed head moved sluggishly, black flesh that could not possibly have been present gushing out. Forming a neck as a pedestal, quivering flesh became limbs, the black surface hidden from sight by white skin, turning back to—— No, completely transforming into a golden-haired maiden.
Their jaw dropped. Viewing such scene would be shocking for anybody, but if you knew who was the person with such enormous regeneration you would be horrified and despaired beyond any comprehension. That was their state right now.
Rem and Ram looked at screen lividly with disgust and some form of horror.
“Abhorrent animal” Priscilla let out words, condemning the wicked girl on screen with an absurd level of regeneration.
Reinhard watched closely clenching his fists. He knew he wasn’t near this monster to kill her. He cursed his uselessness yet again.
Felt froze at this atrocity. Head that had been cut off returned to it’s initial place. What kind of nonsense is this?
«How’s that even possible?» That frightened and astounded the young maiden heavily.
Many others were stunned as well by this part. But none of them dared to speak a word, waiting for the outcome of this battle.
Al: […And the pieces of meat scattered here?]
Lust: [Since they’re unnecessary, they can dissolve.]
Al looked on with amazement, as the scattered pieces of flesh that had formed her body started dissolving with a noise. The organs and limbs became a substance like black mud, bubbling as they disappeared. Even their method of disappearing inspired disgust to the point of aesthetic fatigue.
“Something like this can’t live another day” Wihelm stated gravely with his grip on his sword tightening.
Roswaal looked with amazement on the screen. This type of villain was like a show for him, especially because—
«If Subaru-kun will deal with her, I wonder how he will handle her? Hmm»
Felix was strongly unsettled viewing such abomination. Even he, The greatest healer in the kingdom of Lugunica, would not be able to pull of such healing abilities. He wasn’t feeling jealous. It was rather repulsion and aversion by such filthy worshiper of the cult.
“Impossible…” Julius gazed with utter disbelief in his eyes. He never saw anything like this, he couldn’t believe this. It seemed like Lust’s authority, whatever it was, gave her the ability to fully control her body including transforming into different animals and beasts. Not only that but it also gave her unbelievable regenerative capabilities.
«That shouldn’t be possible. She can possess an immense threat if we won’t get rid of her in the future»
Despite his shock, mostly coming from the scene where Archbishop’s head righted itself after being cut off, Julius looked down to see notebook in his hands. His reaction to girl’s abilities was delayed because of his slow processing, yet it still hit him hard. But slowly he got over it and started to write down all the information he had.
Lust: [Anyway, no hesitation in severing my head, hmm? The one from above… seems to have been a fake, but wasn’t there someone whose comrade couldn’t fight anymore, after taking this lovely lady’s blood? Soaking in it like that, wasn’t it scary?]
“That reminded me, what is even this place they’re fighting in? Some kind of sewers?” Emilia asked after recovering from the last couple of seconds of the chapter that left them shocked.
“Princess already asked me, but again I don’t recognize this place” Al said gloomily.
“This brat also told him about certain comrade being harmed by her blood” Anastasia noted with a thoughtful look. Her accent was fading in the moments of her active thinking happening, that’s why she wasn’t forcing it now.
“She did, but it didn’t hurt Al-kun for some reason” Rem also wondered why nothing happened, if Archbishop’s words about blood’s harmful nature was true of course.
Al: [It wasn’t some kind of bluff. Though I didn’t know what conditions needed to be filled, the knowledge that being dripped on wouldn’t be my end is something I’ve already tested. It was a waste of time to dodge it.]
Lust: [——? But you haven’t shown even a trace of an attempt to avoid it.]
“Being overconfident can lead you to a lamentable state one day, Al-kuuun” Roswaal reprimanded knight’s uncaring attitude.
Some nodded in agreement in spite of the speaker being the hateful clown.
One phrase repeated in Anastasia’s head, since her theory started to align with helmeted knight’s words.
«It lines up perfectly well… “I’ve already tested it” Oh you totally did if I ain’t wrong»
Al: [It’s something you couldn’t know about. Head, heart, if both don’t work, next time, that severed head will be crushed. No matter how many tries it takes.]
For all of them it looked like a normal phrasing in a fight, but only two people reacted to it.
Al’s mind raced. He was getting more and more strained with each second.
«Crap, I just said it—but wait, if they don’t have any context it looks like a normal thing to say when your opponent is extremely enduring, so they won’t suspect anything»
Relieved surged within his body as he relaxed a little. His secret wasn’t being uncovered yet. The fight was obviously just starting. Nonetheless it didn’t bother Al as much as his authority being exposed.
While Al relaxed, one person connected more and more dots finding the proofs ludicrously fast.
«That’s definitely a time travel ability, but what kind of? Is it similar to one Natsuki-kun wields?» Anastasia fully dedicated herself to figuring out Aldebaran’s true ability, that was the reason her thoughts were so keen on it even somewhat ignoring the dreadful Archbishop of Lust.
Al’s extraordinarily tired sigh was even more pained than it had been before the battle had begun. This should have been due to the effect of her tricks, but it seemed that further burden had been placed upon his shoulders after this exchange.
In any case, not a trace of damage was left on girl’s freshly regenerated body.
“It’s hard to believe something like that is possible” Crusch flinched lightly, repugnance and doubt growing inside her.
They recoiled seeing Archbishop’s body being perfectly intact, regardless of her pitiful state a couple moments ago.
Priscilla just glared at the screen with disdain overflowing her. He rage towards this disgusting inferior zealot of the cult was ineffable.
Triplets and Ricardo all snuggled from the screenings. It made them extremely uncomfortable seeing a supposedly invincible enemy. Her crazy behaviour only made it more haunting and concerning.
Otto sat with fear flowing inside him. Frederica winced at this sight. Petra was terrified. She didn’t even think something like that existed.
Al himself wasn’t in the best state seeing this. His enemy was a really tough one.
«She’s strong… But I doubt it will take too many deaths before I figure out the way to defeat her» He reassured himself, even taking in the account the power his enemy possessed.
Al: [There are also methods like freezing the entire body to seal it, or some method like tossing it into the Great Waterfall.]
Lust: [With an unkillable opponent, despair is only natural, but you don’t give up at all. Aren’t you truly an incorrigible trash meat? Being motivated is well and good, but can you actually do it? Seems like you’re good at petty tricks like dodging and escaping, but aren’t you lacking a way to actually kill this lovely lady?]
Al: [Indeed, even if I died a hundred times, I wouldn’t be able to kill you. In fact, I’ve already gone half of the way… But, aren’t you forgetting something?]
And with that the screen went completely dark.
“That was the end of this chapter. We’ll proceed in 10 minutes”
Heavy words rang all over the theater. Many of them turned in the direction of a certain one-armed knight who was sitting in a weird pose.
«Ah, fuck me. I’m totally done for» Al leaned back in his seat exhaling. His hands covered his mouth as he looked at the ceiling in resign.
“What..?” Beatrice was perplexed by this notion, turning slowly to the one-armed knight who was awaiting his end.
Before anyone could ask him about anything, he decided to take the lead himself.
“Before you guys will interrogate me, just know that it’s futile. I ain’t gonna tell you none” he spoke in solemn and graving tone.
Priscilla gave him a side look, but didn’t oppose her jester. She wanted to know what he was hiding, but if necessary she can ask about it later.
“So that DOES mean something then” Otto concluded by Aldebaran’s reaction. From his words he obviously knew what his counterpart meant, but for some reason wasn’t going to tell them.
“Yeah, and it seems jester won’t tell us” Mimi grouched in her seat giving the man mentioned a bitter glare. Triplets and Ricardo weren’t clinging to each other, since the very uncomfortable chapter ended.
Most were still confused and puzzled greatly by knight’s words. His on screen version was talking in riddles about him somehow… dying? Isn’t that—
“Al-dono, regardless of your request not to ask you anything about this situation, I have a conjecture i will not be able to brush off” Crusch spoke with her tone dead serious.
“...” Al didn’t say anything waiting for duchess to finish the question.
“..Do you possess an authority similar to the one Subaru-dono has?” Crusch asked with a hunch about the mysterious man living inside her
Her question clicked something inside them. Al, obviously stayed silent, but most of them started rethinking what was shown to them.
“Clown won’t answer since he knows he can’t lie” Ram spoke up in an irritated manner “But that just digs his grave even more” She scoffed at the hopeless situation Al got himself in.
“If you think about it… Al-san was indeed acting odd during the fight” Emilia looked at the man with mistrust and commented her honest opinion.
“Totally right ‘ere princess, freak‘s been sayin’ weird shit since th’ fight started” Garfiel growled staring at the knight inimically.
Al was silent. That wasn’t characteristic to him, but the situation forced him to be like that.
«My stars are shitty today» He looked at the people discussing and getting closer to his secret, detesting the viewings and the Warden who decided to show that.
“That also explains how Al-san was able to foresee the upcoming attacks during the fight” Reinhard noted how the things added up. That made their certainty about the man’s ability unshakable.
“And him not answering the question Crusch-sama brought up basically tells us it’s probably true” Hetaro followed up making a good point.
For some seconds silence established in the theater. Helmeted man wasn’t willing to speak.
Al still pondered, immersing into his thoughts deeply.
«They ascertained I’ve got an ability similar to the one bro has. But they don’t know it’s an authority. Also they won’t figure out how it works—unless the warden hates me» Al hoped for Warden’s mercy, scared of what he’s going to show next.
“If all you said is true, doesn’t that make you kind of a daaaangerous enemy Al-kun?” Roswaal smirked at the reflecting knight.
Lack of response was the only answer the clown received.
“Stop here clown. I know pal got that broken ability, but he’s still on our side, don’cha see?” Ricardo opposed the margrave, defending his buddy “He literally used it in the fight against that crazy archbishop. Al’s fighting on our side”
Roswaal backed off a little, with his smile still on his ugly face. Demi-human’s words knocked some sense into those present here. Most started to consider Al a threat or even fear him in some way. But they clearly forgot the crucial detail of him being their comrade.
“He did. However he also mentioned him dying fifty times during the fight” Rem reminded them blankly.
“Fifty… Times..?” Emilia was shocked no less. Subaru died at max 20 times, maybe a bit lower, and Al died more than twice as much in a single fight.
That made her genuinely wonder.
«How does he seem so undisturbed by that» She wasn’t only thinking about the fight itself. Obviously, Al got that ability a long time before the battle, so he must have died even more than that. This fact alone made her uneasy.
“Fifty times— that’s concerning Al-san” Julius said worrying for his “friend”’s mental
state.
That attempt of care didn’t seem to affect the man at all. He just sat there thinking about his further actions.
«Is there any point in hiding it now? They are like one hundred percent sure I have an ability similar to RBD—keeping silent won’t make any real difference» Al reflected carefully. Then he finally decided it was no use to stay quiet now.
“That’s actually not that much, Juli” Al broke the silence he maintained for a while.
“You’re going to speak now, jester? When your position is so pitiful and your look is so pathetic?” Priscilla threw these words filling with contempt. She was in a huge distaste. Her OWN jester hid something as significant as this from her. He neither deserved a single moment of appreciation nor understanding now.
“Well, I just realized something vital in my situation, that’s why I spoke up now” Al clarified, regaining his usual carefree attitude.
“So you aren’t going to deny the fact of the awful ability you have?” Ram interrogated, raising her eyebrow.
“You know what? I’ll embrace it” He said not caring about anything at all anymore. He continued in resign of the situation “I have an authority similar to bro’s one”
The words echoed gravely across the theater. Some of them shivered hearing this word, because it was mostly associated with the—
“Witch’s Cult” Rem roared in a frightening way.
“Huh, Rem?” Emilia recoiled hearing her rival speak in a horrifying tone.
“Rem is sorry Emilia-sama, but Rem has one question I need to ask him” She turned to the half-elf bowing her head lightly. Moments later she turned again in the direction of an enigmatic man, who’s face was covered by a helmet “Al-san—are you apart of the Witch’s Cult?”
Most gasped or winced hearing this. Al being in the Witch’s cult? That sounded ridiculous. He was trying to kill that Archbishop on screen just minutes ago. How can he be in that Cult?
…
But maid’s query had a point. Only Archbishops wielded authorities - antithesis of Od Laguna, and this freak somehow had one—Isn’t that suspicious?
“Heck no. These guys are not okay in the head, and I would never consider joining them” Al crossed his arms absolutely disagreeing with this suggestion.
Gazes streamed towards the green haired duchess immediately, whom only nodded, confirming knight was telling the truth. Relieve was their collective feeling.
“...How did you even get that authority in the first place?” Felt asked. Her exertion to keep up with all the information dropping on her wasn’t enough, but she still managed to choke out the question.
“Apologies, but I won’t answer that question. That’s kinda personal. But I can assure you it’s not correlated with the cult in any way” Al replied, his tone lowering mid-sentence.
Red haired knight and Crusch approved his words silently.
“And how does it work, nya?” Felix wondered in his usual playful tone. Since chance of Al being the bad guy was dismissed everyone’s attitude eased lightly, including the “Blue” knight.
“Well, unlike bro I can choose my spawn point, but my authority only works in a fight” Al replied in a somewhat unconcerned attitude “That means that after my death I only go back to the start of the fight, which is usually a few seconds”
These words made them all dazed completely.
Natsuki Subaru’s authority allowed him to return in time to a certain point, usually being several days. But what Al is saying—
“—You can only return in time to a couple moments ago..?” Anastasia spoke without her accent. Her shock and dread about that thought was relatable for many of them now.
“Yeah, that was the reason I said dying 50 times isn’t that big of a number” Al was frightfully calm when answering the question “Usually the number closes on thousands”
His tranquil tone made them shiver. He was talking about dying thousands of times in such a casual way. Is he insane?
Awkward silence drenched in dread stayed for a good minute with everyone staring at the man in helmet with utter shock and disbelief.
“Ugh, guys are y’all okay?” Al asked in confusion. He didn’t understand the reasoning behind such reaction.
“Al-san that’s—” Crusch spoke up still recovering from the revelation. However she quickly got interrupted.
“ ‘R WE OKAY, ‘S THAT A DEADASS QUESTION?” Garfiel shouted spreading his arms and gesturing “Ya freak said ya died thousands of time, ‘r you fuckin’ insane?” He continued.
“Language, Garf” Frederica reprimanded with the young man glancing at her with reluctant surrender.
“Wow kitty, calm down” Al tried to appease the tension “I know you may be worried how I lived so many deaths and still sane, right?”
“That notion concerns us severely Al-dono. Explaining it is rather clever for you” Wilhelm advised solemnly.
“Okay, okay I get it” Al said taking a breath. Stares were still fixated at him “Bro’s deaths were much more brutal compared to mine. I usually died not even feeling great pain. Most of the time I die from one deadly blow without much suffering, that’s why I’m still sane”
His explanation made sense. However something was still wrong.
“Isn’t dying still painful, Al-kuuun? Shouldn’t you be at least affected by it?” Roswaal couldn’t take his smile off the face while asking.
“Well, yeah it’s not nice or sweet at all” Al lowered his head “And I am kinda affected by it, I’m just good at hiding it y’know? Just like bro”
Sharp pain twinged in the chests of Emilia’s camp members. Sudden pang reminding them what they wouldn’t notice, despite it being on the surface.
No one dared to speak after Al finished clarifying his situation. Silence established yet again.
People’s reactions were varying a lot.
Emilia’s camp sat in awe, dread filling most of them. They considered Al a good guy, though a somewhat weird and goofy one.
Anastasia’s camp were shocked. Another person inside their environment ended up having a time travel ability, that had a great cost. Wouldn’t be surprising if they started to suspect everyone to have that ability now.
Crusch’s camp were dealing with a lot of uneasiness within them.
Felt and Reinhard just looked at Al in silence. Concern and distress being their feelings.
Priscilla fanned herself, looking at her kinght’s miserable state. She was extremely surprised finding out her knight has an authority so powerful. She will talk it out with him when another break is gonna arrive.
Time slowly passed with everyone still being silent. The reason for that was the mess in their head they tried to sort out. They all understood well that these breaks between chapters were unfairly short, hence they all used this time to rest, spending only a few minutes discussing the chapter.
Break time was gradually reaching it’s end, with everyone turning to the screen slowly when it started to flicker and sounds played with the chapter starting.
“All right, break is over. Next chapter”
They began searching for a comfortable pose when the voice announced the end of break time.
“Oh wait I forgot something. You’ll be meeting new guests now, then we will start with the next chapter”
“New guests?” Rem called out in perplexity.
This definitely caused great turmoil inside the theater. They got used to the fact no new people were added during the viewings, and now it wasn’t a case anymore.
“And who would that be Warden-sama?” Otto tried to lure more information.
“You should figure out it yourselves if you are all that eager to meet them”
«What the hell is this guy’s problem today?» Al thought to himself whilst others looked at the two beam of lights near the screen.
This sight was fascinating. Light wasn’t blinding, rather magnificent, even stunning. None dared to open their mouth as they gazed at this captivating scene completely mesmerized.
Suddenly the glowing halted. Three figures stood beneath them, seemingly not realizing that they got transported…