Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu web novel

"The two most famous ones in the Witch Cult are probably 'Sloth' and 'Greed'."

　Julius said to Subaru as they rode side by side on their earth dragons.

　Subaru was straddling Patrasche with great effort, but Julius, who was used to riding a horse, was riding with aplomb. Looking down on him, he felt miserable and didn't want to be next to him, but Julius, whether he knew about Subaru's dilemma or not,

"The names of the Sin Archbishops are well known, but those two are the ones that actually come up in the documents on their activities. Sloth is more common, but Greed causes more damage."

"It doesn't seem like much... how well known is it?"

"I don't know that many details."

　Subaru reluctantly agreed, and Julius stroked his swaying bangs and gave him a sidelong glance. He looked down at Subaru, who was enduring the shaking with a stiff expression,

"Is it okay if I continue the story?"

「There's no reason for you to be concerned. In my hometown, this is how we ride earth dragons. Hey, Patra... don't shake me, you lizard!」

"Maybe you don't have enough trust with the earth dragon. The earth dragon is your leg, but it is not your property. You can't work in unison with it unless you trust it and let it take over..."

"Enough with the excuses. Anyway, tell me the rest of what you were saying earlier."

　Subaru stuck out his tongue at Julius, who was constantly staring down at him, and tried to match his breathing with Patrasche as he urged him to continue. Seeing Subaru's hesitant attitude, Julius took a deep breath, then shook his raised finger from side to side,

"The Sin Archbishop of 'Sloth' has an extremely high participation rate in situations where the Witch Cult is active. The name 'Sloth' is involved in roughly half of the damage caused by the Witch Cult in various places."

"So you're a loudmouth?"

"It is speculated that he has an extraordinary obsession with being the first to step in. Considering that he calls himself "lazy", he is a very diligent worker -- provided that his energy is not directed towards heretical acts."

　I remember how Betelgeuse was single-mindedly hardworking, and forcing others to do the same.

　Although he was in charge of "Sloth", he himself even seemed to despise "Sloth" in the true sense of the word. Could it be that a manifestation of that rebellious spirit be the reason for the abnormal frequency of "Sloth" activity in the Witch Cult?

"But even though he shows up so often, you don't know the details? Didn't the knights corner him or anything like that?"

"Basically, you can't even sense the signs of the Witch Cult's activities. It's only when you're at the scene of a crime that you realize it was the work of the Witch Cult, it's a gathering of those kind of people. Even just being there and surviving is not an easy matter."

"But that won't be the case this time."

　Julius looked frustrated at Subaru's question, but the one who forcefully denied the gentleman's answer was another rider, flanking Subaru from the opposite side to Julius - Wilhelm.

　With a quiet fighting spirit in his eyes, the old man slid the sword from its sheath at his waist.

"If we can hold back the initial attack, then it will truly be a contest of strength. With myself, the rest of the corps, Ricardo-dono, and Julius-dono joining us, I don't think we will be inferior to them."

"Yeah, that's right. I think so too."

　Calmly analyzing the difference in their military strength, Subaru replied in the affirmative to Wilhelm.

　If we were to compare pure strength, the fighting power of the Witch Cult led by Petelgeuse would be no match for our superior numbers. In addition, Petelgeuse's own fighting power is not that high.

　If he got close enough to him, even the amateur Subaru would not be able to dodge his attack. If it was Wilhelm who had jumped in, he would likely have been able to cut off his head in an instant.

　--The biggest problem in defeating him is, of course, his "invisible hand."

　Whether or not he could slip through the black mist-like palm that stretched out endlessly and get close to him would be no exaggeration to say that this would determine success or failure. And the only one who could stand up to that "invisible hand" was Subaru.

"That's part of the plan. I'm counting on you, Wilhelm."

"As you wish."

　Wilhelm solemnly pulled his chin in and replied briefly, exuding nothing but reliability.

　Subaru was overcome with the urge to entrust everything to him, and Julius, standing next to him, nodded several times and said, "That's right."

"In reality, I have no intention of losing if we can actually get to the stage where we cross swords. Up until now, I have missed those opportunities and it has been frustrating… but this time, that won't be the case."

　A quiet anger bubbled up in Julius' eyes.

　As a member of the Royal Guard Knights, he too must have had some uneasy feelings towards the Witch Cult, which had so far managed to evade opportunities for capture.

　Subaru was in complete agreement with that.

"By the way, we've been talking about laziness a lot, but what about the other famous one, 'greed'?"

"Greed is different from laziness in that there aren't many reported cases. However, the damage caused by the incidents that left their names behind was far too great."

"The damage is too great...?"

　Subaru's words didn't resonate with Julius, and as the wind blew across his face, he closed his eyes in deep thought,

"The Vollachia Empire is to the south of the kingdom. He captured a city called Garkura, which was known as a fortress city due to its fortress--all by himself."

"He dropped it?! A city?! By himself?!"

"Soldiers must always be strong - that spirit lives on in that country, where even a single soldier is considered an Asura. The Sin Archbishop who calls himself "Greed" singlehandedly took down the fortress city protected by such soldiers. He even defeated the Vollachia hero, "Eight-Armed Kurgan."

　Subaru's mouth was hanging open in shock, and Wilhelm added insult to injury. As he spoke the name of the hero who was said to have been defeated by greed, his eyebrows suddenly turned white and a nostalgic look appeared in his eyes.

　Subaru noticed that and went quiet, and the old swordsman glanced at his reaction and shook his head slightly,

"I have crossed swords with Kurgan on a number of occasions -- he was a skilled swordsman. He cut off six of his eight arms, and impaled me through the stomach in return. We both nearly died, so it ended in a draw."

"A tragic tale from the past just came out!"

　The episodes from the Sword Demon's active days were, to be honest, quite light novel-like and unsettling. He wanted to delve deeper into them, but even Subaru didn't have the insensitivity to do so when Wilhelm told him the truth about the defeat of his worthy rival.

　Even so, the topic of "greed" was a heavy burden for Subaru.

"Sloth and greed. Plus four more to go... No, three if you exclude gluttony. The road ahead is difficult."

"---You are already looking ahead."

"I'm reluctant, but I feel like the possibility is quite high."

　With the scene of confrontation with the Witch Cult looming before him, Subaru looks off into the distance, gazing into the future.

　The final battle with Petelgeuse in "Sloth" is unavoidable, even if the other side will try to interfere. And the showdown with Petelgeuse means a decisive confrontation with the Witch Cult.

"Inevitably, there will be a clash with the next deadly sin or whatever. ... It's an infuriating plot twist, but after defeating one person, another one comes along bringing his friend, which is a standard pattern in delinquent manga."

　The reality is that it's not as simple as clashing, settling things and then being done with it.

　If it wouldn't end until one of them was completely destroyed, then as long as Subaru continued to think about moving forward with Emilia by his side, the opportunity to face the Sin Archbishop would surely come.

"My hands are already hurting from hearing about greed. Help me."

Emilia: "It's hard to put into words when you're feeling that depressed over something that hasn't even happened yet. Subaru, you need to focus on what's in front of you now."

"I'm awake. I'm just a little nervous about the prospect of laziness."

　Subaru pulled his chin in response to Julius' reprimanding words and steeled himself.

　Just before that, Subaru had heard Julius mutter softly, "Laziness...?", but Subaru dismissed it, saying it was not a big deal.

　The night is beginning to lighten and a faint ray of sunlight is beginning to rise from behind the dark sky.

　They had already set foot in their destination, the Mathers territory, and the Anti-Witch Cult Alliance, a merger of the extermination force and the beastman mercenary corps, were riding their mounts in high spirits.

　At the end of their path was the mansion of their lord, Roswaal - but that wasn't it.

　One plan Subaru had considered was to head straight to the Roswaal Mansion and have everyone there guard the villagers and Emilia, who had remained behind at the mansion.

　Perhaps it was possible to calculate that this would be a lower risk option in order to protect the girls. However,

"I'm the only one who knows it's definitely coming, and the timing will be off if we join the guards. If that happens, the future is uncertain."

　If an armed group were to enter the mansion, even Petelgeuse might reconsider his plan. It seemed to me that the fanatic would even swallow that and push through, but even that was different from the future Subaru knew.

　Having defeated the White Whale, the morale of the alliance is now very high. However, it is difficult to know how long that morale can be maintained in the face of an enemy that may come at any time.

　Morale would weaken if they continued to fear the enemy, and it would also place a corresponding burden on Emilia and the villagers who were being protected. It could no longer be called certain.

"Then, there's only one way to make this work in line with the future I know - to take it all in one go with a preemptive strike!"

　Being afraid of an unknown enemy that might come at any time was not something Subaru, who had seen the future, should have done. He should have found a way to make the most of the opportunity he had been given through Return by Death, which should never have happened in the first place.

　So, what is the possibility of that method?

※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※

　Feeling the fallen grass leaves under his feet, Subaru walked slowly.

　Stepping onto the uneven ground, Subaru traverses a dimly lit forest.

　The sunlight had already risen high into the sky, filtering in through the gaps in the trees. The wind blowing through was humid, and Subaru, conscious of his quickening heartbeat, felt the coldness of the sweat on his forehead.

　--Now, Subaru was alone.

　Subaru was walking alone in the cold, windy forest, without even Patrasche, who had run along the highway with him. His hands were empty, and he looked unreliable as he walked, his shoulders shaking in a weary manner.

"--I left Patrasche behind. It doesn't look like she can keep up with this battle."

　Subaru said this with a small chuckle, and was slightly out of breath.

　He had been walking alone like this for quite some distance now. Passing through thin trees, breaking fallen branches with his steps, he carefully made his way down the slippery slope so as not to trip. He hesitated to even call the road an animal trail, as he simply and purely got in Subaru's way.

　This must be my third time walking through this forest.

　Considering that the first and second times he had been holding someone in his arms, he should have felt much lighter than he did now. And yet, his steps felt much heavier now than they did then. Could it be a matter of his feelings towards the tip of his foot? Or was it because the person in his arms was someone who made Subaru forget his fatigue?

"Both, I guess... but I'm not really proud of it."

　Both the first and second times, it was the result of failing to protect someone who was in my arms.

　And if this third time has brought about empty-handed results, then it is absolutely necessary to avoid repeating it any more. For that is what the now is for.

"――――"

　Avoiding stepping on the poisonous-colored mushrooms, I took a small leap, using the nearest tree trunk for support, and as soon as I landed, I felt the air change.

　It was different from the tension that had been building up before the battle with the White Whale, which felt like it was bouncing off his skin. The air now was not bouncing, but was instead accompanied by a sticky gloom, which made Subaru inevitably feel the sweat all over his body, something he hadn't noticed until then.

"That's disgusting... It's like when you're in a quiet corner of a room and suddenly notice a cockroach."

　He silently glares at the motionless black object X. At the end of this lonely battle with no end in sight, one feels a sense of eternity, as if time is being stretched out.

　A simply unpleasant sensation, similar to the one I had felt then, was crawling all over my body.

　When I looked closely, I saw similar forest scenes on both sides - and I was struck by a mysterious sense of familiarity, as if I had seen this place before.

　No, really, I came across a familiar scene.

"I've had to walk down so many unrealistic paths to get there every time, so my sense of direction, or intuition, has become so refined it's almost laughable."

　Or perhaps it would be better to say that my nose has become more sensitive.

　A hound specially trained for the Witch Cult――calling it that would make it sound cool, but it's the kind of role she would rather decline if possible. She wants to give it up this once and for all.

"--Thank you for coming to welcome us."

　Subaru spoke his appreciation, squinting into the dim light ahead.

　There is not even a shred of familiarity in the words, but I know for a fact that the people being addressed are not human enough to care about such things.

　Like a mindless puppet, it continues to writhe without saying a word or asserting itself. What is its true intention?

"I doubt you'll answer even if I ask you about that, Witch Cultist."

"――――"

　Roughly speaking, Subaru was surrounded by men dressed in black clothing that blended into the darkness.

　Before I knew it, the sounds of the wind and the chirps of insects had disappeared from the world, and the ground was already perfectly prepared for their appearance. Therefore, there was little surprise in their encounter. There was only relief that, although they were out of place, they had made their appearance as planned.

"I'll ask you guys for the details... for now, just get lost."

"――――"

"I don't really understand, but I'm the one on top, right? I'm counting on you."

　He tells them to raise their hands and go somewhere.

　The men in black then bowed their heads to show their respect to Subaru, then glided away into the darkness once more. This was also the reaction he had expected.

　Although it was a little complicated, they did not bear any hostility towards Subaru. As long as he showed no ill will towards them, or as long as he received orders from Betelgeuse, there was no need to worry about them attacking him.

"It would be easy if she would just follow orders to retreat to another country and never show her face again."

　Subaru sighed and slumped his shoulders, knowing that things probably wouldn't go so smoothly.

　Without a chain of command like Petelgeuse, there's no way to say there's zero chance of it getting through - that's the unfathomable nature of those who can't be seen, but in their current order of priority, Subaru is probably below Petelgeuse. He will continue to be a thorn in their side.

　In any case, it was good news that they had retreated obediently. The preparations were excellent - if the plan had failed, it was possible that the start of war would have happened right then and there. They had acted calm about the current contact, but it could be said that they had been on the very edge of their seat.

　He felt a little amused at the change in his timid self, thinking that he had become bold enough to step forward without fear even in such a situation. However, he analyzed himself and said that rather than being determined, it was more like desperation.

"Well, this isn't a bad trend. A little more, please, my liver."

　After confirming that the men in black had disappeared, Subaru stepped onto the ground once again.

　As I walked through a world dominated only by my own breathing and footsteps, I even got the illusion that time had stopped and I was walking alone in endless darkness. However, this feeling soon came to an end as the trees cleared and the sheer cliffs came into view.

　A high, sheer cliff spread out before him, and the forest ended as if it had been carved by a giant claw mark. A large rock blocked off the ground just below the cliff, and for some reason, if Subaru touched it, a path to a hidden cave would open up, leading him into the cold, dark wall.

　However, before he could touch the rock, a shadow greeted Subaru and turned towards him.

"--- I have been waiting for you, des. My beloved disciple."

　There was a man with his arms outstretched, a look of joy on his face.

　Sunken cheeks and sunken eyes. His dark green hair had an unhealthy sheen to it, and his limbs peeking out from under his black robes were as thin and weak as dead wood. He looked to be in his mid-thirties, but his overall appearance conveyed a frailty so it would not be surprising if he was in his fifties.

　However, the only thing that remained unchanged was the shining of those glaring eyes, illuminating Subaru with an insane light, pouring out as if licking him up.

"I am the Witch Cult's Archbishop of the Deadly Sin of Sloth. Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti... Death!"

　With drool dripping from the tip of his outstretched tongue, the madman - Betelgeuse - greeted Subaru with a loud laugh.

※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※

　In front of his sworn enemy, Petelgeuse, Subaru realized how incredibly calm he was.

　There's probably no one I've ever hated more in my short life than this man.

　All he could think about was killing this man, he hated him so much that his eyes turned red and his thoughts were consumed with murderous intent.

　A terrible disaster that mercilessly and cruelly kills important people, people who are close to you.

　He had been determined to snap that neck with his own hands, but in front of that withered tree-like ferocious expression, Subaru only felt a modicum of relief.

　--It was the same kind of thing that he'd used recently when he'd successfully made contact with the Witch Cult.

"You are welcome, beloved child of the witch! Wonderful. Wonderful. Wonderfullllll! How deep the love that surrounds you! How lofty the love that envelops you! How passionate the love that embraces you! In this place! A like you, like, oooooooo oooooo! For a new disciple of the favorite to show up! How wonderful!"

　While Subaru was feeling this way, Petelgeuse was already in top gear. Shaking his head wildly, clawing at the backs of his hands where bones were exposed, and bleeding profusely from self-inflicted injuries, Petelgeuse could not contain his ecstatic passion.

　The first time it was fear, the second time it was hostility, and the third time he witnessed it he finally felt the natural emotion of disgust. All Subaru felt towards Petelgeuse's way of life was an unknown loathing towards an existence he could not understand.

　Subaru took a deep breath in front of Betelgeuse, trying to hold back the tingling sensation in his cheeks. He calmed himself down and gently raised his hand,

"I'm grateful for the warm welcome. It doesn't really feel real though."

「That's understandable! It all started suddenly for me too. Everyone, at some point, realizes that they are 『loved』. And once you realize that, you can never let go of that love. ーーLove is everything!」

　When Subaru brought up the topic, hoping to get a handle on the conversation, Betelgeuse gleefully joined in. He held out his outstretched hands, hands dripping with blood and trembling, and, without regard for himself, who so easily tramples on the lives of others, sang of love. A terrible, twisted affection.

"To the love! To the love that has been given! I, we, must respond with diligence! And so I will give you trials, trials. I will hurl trials at you. In this world, this era, these days, this time, this moment, this instant, in order to find meaning in the fact that I have received the Witch's favor, love love love love love love love love love love love love love love grin grin grin grin grin grin!!"

"You can't be lazy. You have to be diligent to repay love honestly."

「That's right――Death!!」

　Betelgeuse looked up with an expression of absolute joy, at the realization that he had understood what was being said.

　Subaru didn't want to agree with or understand the madman's opinions, but he continued to confront them, biting back the rising feeling of disgust. For the sake of time and to gain something, even if just a little.

"Ah, well, I'll join you here... is that okay? Are there any formalities or documents I need to stamp? I don't have a real seal, so can I just use my thumbprint?"

"I feel that the favor bestowed upon you is too strong for you to join my side in this situation… I have not even been given such a mellow witch scent. If you had 'Lust' or 'Wrath', I'd be envious… but perhaps you are not 'Prideful'!?"

"arrogance...?"

"Of the six seats of the Sin Archbishop, only that of 'Pride' is still vacant! The Deadly Sins would not be complete until a worthy candidate appeared… but the Witch Factor should have already reached the position of the next Archbishop of Pride. ――Have you received the 'Gospel'?"

　Petelgeuse took one step closer to Subaru, tilted his head at a ninety degree angle and asked.

　The only thing Subaru could answer in response to that question was confusion. Subaru had no answer to the question of whether it was "arrogance." And yet, the very idea of ​​the "gospel" he spoke of was also beyond his understanding.

　Subaru was unable to give a poor answer, and was also not allowed to let the situation go by in silence either, so he fell silent. Petelgeuse frowned suspiciously at him,

"--My brain is shaking."

　Petelgeuse muttered in a small, husky voice.

　However, there was a trembling in that frail voice, and all of the joyful passion from moments ago had disappeared, leaving only an extreme emptiness that made the listener feel anxious and frightened.

　Just facing her caused a sense of unease to well up within him, and Subaru realized that his own breathing had suddenly become faster.

　My heart was pounding so hard it was hitting my sternum and it even hurt.

　His legs began to tremble and the wind of intimidation made him unstable if he wasn't conscious of just standing up straight - in the midst of this, Betelgeuse tilted his head the other way and thrust the fingers of his raised right hand into his mouth, chewing them down.

"Present the 'Gospel'. Proof of your favor---"

　He put his left hand inside his black robe and took out a book with a jet black binding.

　The book, about the size of a dictionary from his original world, was opened deftly with one hand, and as the pages were turned, Betelgeuse's bloodshot eyes darted to the pages. And then,

"There is no mention of you in my gospel. So, why did you appear here, why did you come here, and what meaning does it bring to me?"

"If the title of the book is 'Gospel', then you're right. Due to some circumstances, I don't have the book with me right now."

"A lot of things, huh?"

"Yeah. I used it as a trivet and it got dirty, so I threw it away."

　--This is the watershed moment.

　The moment he heard Subaru's silly reply, Petelgeuse's expression turned fierce.

　Immediately afterwards, the madman's shadow exploded, and countless black demonic hands reached out into the sky. Each palm was a nightmare manifestation, with enough strength to tear a human body apart with ease.

　It soared high into the sky, glared at Subaru like a snake with its head raised, then accelerated in one go and leapt at him in an attempt to entangle him.

　--Just before,

"Follow me!!"

　He took the magic ore out of his pocket and threw it into the air.

　The magic stone was dyed red, an attacking color, but its destination was not Betelgeuse, but the sky. It rose high into the sky, bursting into flames and emitting light.

　At the same time, Subaru's body took a full backstep, putting even a little distance between him and Betelgeuse in front of him, and getting out of range of the black palm that was closing in to try and tear at his limbs.

"It's sweet! Sweet sweet ...

　And so, as Subaru prepared to flee, Petelgeuse stepped forward and extended his "invisible hand" to attack him.

　The seven demonic hands swirled around Subaru from above, below, left and right, ready to exact divine punishment upon the traitor who had disregarded the witch's favour.

　Howeverーー,

"circle--!"

"teeth--!!"

　The overlapping howls rumbled the air and caused immense destruction across the earth.

　The rocky ground was turned up, clods of earth were blown up by the wind, and the resulting fissures created spider web-like cracks in the earth, leaving claw marks on the cliffs.

「Wha――?!」

　Before Petelgeuse's eyes, the pair of beastmen, sister and brother, combined their powers to shatter the huge rock piled high at the bottom of the cliff. --In other words, this was an act that blocked one of the Witch Cult's meeting places hidden behind the rock.

"I'd be happy to be buried alive. Make you apologize for your actions and suffer."

　Subaru raised his middle finger, bared his teeth and slammed his words into the air.

　Before the trembling Betelgeuse's eyes, the rock wall was no longer able to withstand the destruction from the cracks that had appeared, and most of it crumbled away, crushing the entire Witch Cultists who had been hiding beneath it.

　As dust rose and the impact rumbled beneath their feet, the isolated Betelgeuse opened her mouth wide and tears welled in her eyes.

"What the...what a thing to do...!!"

　He raised both hands and started to tear at his own head, digging his fingers into it and pulling out his hair. His hair was torn apart by his violent actions, blood spilled from his scalp, and he stomped his feet in rage that was still unending.

Subaru: "To have my fingertips… so cruelly, mercilessly, disorderly, random, carelessly, meaninglessly, murdering, murdering, annihilat- ing… Ah, ah, ah! My brain! My brain! My brain… it's trembling, errrrrrrrrrr."

"Wow, that old guy is kind of scary."

"That's what witches do to each and every person, Sis."

　Looking at Petelgeuse, who was grief-stricken like a child, the beastkin siblings Mimi and Tibby hushed to each other in an eeriness.

　The two who had been accompanying Subaru from behind had erased their presence, and, upon seeing the light of the magic stone that Subaru had thrown, had taken off, and, just as they had planned, had instantly blocked the path for the reinforcements.

　Betelgeuse slowly glared at the two who had just accomplished a priceless feat.

　Subaru couldn't see what Mimi had seen in his face, as he was facing away from him. Mimi had never once shown any negative feelings until now.

"Wow..."

　" she said in a small voice, her shoulders trembling as she shuddered and her eyes widened.

　Her younger brother Tibby, standing next to her, looks a lot like his sister, but his intelligent gaze is a mixture of disgust and fear, and he freezes up, unable to make a sound.

"Be lazy--"

　The moment Betelgeuse spoke, a black mist exploded across the world.

　With no way to resist the force and speed that obscured his vision, Subaru's throat froze as the jet black before him closed in as if to crush him.

　Surely, there is another hidden secret besides the "invisible hand"?

"a?"

　A silly voice escaped his throat, and Subaru tilted his head at the sight of his raised palm.

　The black mist that should have been slamming into his entire body, should have undoubtedly brushed over Subaru's entire body, yet he could not sense anything unusual.

"What is it?"

　Confirming that his limbs were unaffected, Subaru blinked and expressed confusion.

"--Ah."

　Then, letting out painful cries, the two beastmen collapsed on the spot.

　Mimi and Tibby had tense faces, sweat was pouring down their faces, and they were gasping and opening and closing their mouths as if they were having difficulty even breathing.

　This is the damage caused by Betelgeuse's actions just now.

　And then, as the two stopped moving, Betelgeuse's rising shadow began to wriggle again, its black demonic hands pointing their fingertips towards the two of themーー,

「ーーHey you, you idiot! Don't just ignore me! I'm your opponent!」

"...Ah, that's right, that's right."

　Subaru roared, stomping the ground and spitting. Hearing this, Betelgeuse turned around as if to reflect on his own immediate reaction, and stared at Subaru with a blank, vacant gaze. His empty eyes reflected Subaru vaguely,

"As I thought, it doesn't work."

"Huh?"

　Unlike Mimi and the others, Subaru is unaffected by Petelgeuse's sentence.

　Petelgeuse looked at Subaru with a calm expression, all anger gone, and

"It's fine. It's fine. --So, it's fine! Death death death death death death death death death deeeeeeeeeesss!!"

　He dropped his head and leaned his back, then let out a loud cry and burst out in laughter. After a burst of laughter, Betelgeuse pointed at Subaru with unprecedented vigor, blood spilling from the crushed tip of his finger,

"Very well. I get it! Let's do it, I'll do it. Let's compete between you and me to see who is more worthy of receiving the favour, the love, and the passion of the witch! Ahh, love, love, loveeeee!!"

"...I'm sorry for interrupting you while you're having fun."

　Smacking the ground with his toes, Subaru looked towards Petelgeuse, who was loudly declaring his victory.

　He narrowed his eyes suspiciously at Subaru's attitude, which was far from fighting spirit, and,

「What is it?! Right now! Right now! I! was about to risk my fate and take on the trial――」

"I'll leave your opponent to someone else."

　As Petelgeuse pointed his finger at him and continued to argue, Subaru told him coldly.

　Betelgeuse's eyes widened at the answer, and at the moment he was about to voice a question――

"Jaaaaaaahh--!!"

　Leaping through the gaps between the trees, the blade fell in a slash that entered Petelgeuse's right shoulder - and then shot out from his left side, the old swordsman's slash cutting his body diagonally in half.