Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu web novel

　Seeing the smile she gave him, Subaru thought for the first time that Echidna was truly cute.

　The smile that loosened her lips contained no negative feelings such as calculation or sarcasm; it was born out of pure affection for Subaru.

　If there is no doubt that the person is good-looking and treats you with kindness, that alone is enough to make a man's heart open up.

　Of course, she wouldn't let him push aside the feelings of Subaru, who already held the important space in his heart for the two girls.

"But even so, I was a little excited, to be honest..."

"Did I just say something?"

"I said that even if I had a talent for wooing witches, it would be troublesome. I'm obsessed with someone I don't even remember wooing... Ah, I'd be happy if the Six Witches would stop doing bad things and lend me their strength outside too."

　Subaru turned his face away to avoid any confusion and said such convenient things.

　Subaru had only seen glimpses of their power with Typhon and Minerva, but I'm sure they would be more than capable as attackers and healers.

　It's a bit strange to have your arms ripped off or punched every time this happens in order to heal.

"Unfortunately, I can't interfere with reality after death, unlike when I was alive. Inviting you to my castle in the dream world like this is an exception."

"I know. I was just trying things out. To be honest, just having someone listen to me has been a great relief."

　At the very least, it seemed that by letting out everything he had been holding in, he was a step away from a mental breakdown. He had also managed to dispel some of his doubts about the Witch of Jealousy.

　As for the parts of the mystery I couldn't solve, I'll try not to think about them for now.

　Rather,

"Can I ask you another question about 'Return by Death'?"

"Based on my knowledge, I can only speculate. If that's okay, then yes."

　Echidna prefaced her statement with a pretentious tone.

　His expression showed an important attitude, but deep down he seemed to be enjoying the format of answering questions, his feet tapping rapidly on the grass as if unable to wait for Subaru to speak, his fingers busily playing with his own hair.

　Considering she is the embodiment of a desire for knowledge, this is quite easy to understand, but in the back of my mind I wonder if this is okay from a witch's perspective.

"When I 'Return by Death', the point at which I'm resurrected from that 'death' can change. So far…six places, I think? I've been resurrected in different places at different times. Um, I'd like to know the conditions under which the save point changes."

"Save point...changing the respawn point, huh?"

"Basically, once you slip, you can't go back to the previous point. If the save point was the day before yesterday, and it slips to yesterday, you can't go back to the save point from the day before yesterday. Do you understand how that works?"

　Subaru faced this problem with the same seriousness, if not more seriousness, as he was facing the limit on the number of times he could use "Return by Death."

　Changing save points---even to Subaru, who found some usefulness in "Return by Death," this was an unclear part that he could not find the slightest bit of relevance or condition for.

Subaru: "Even if I die, I can come back… I don't intend to rely on that and think that it's okay to die as many times as I want. I don't intend to, but… if it becomes the only thing I can rely on, then I will rely on it without hesitation. However."

　But what should Subaru do when he finds himself in a situation where he can't recover?

　The image of Rem, still unconscious, lying on the bed in the mansion flashes through his mind.

　They were supposed to have parted ways after the battle with the White Whale and reunited after the battle with Petelgeuse, but Subaru's Return by Death did not bring her back.

　Subaru will never forget the moment he held a knife to her throat as she slept.

　I still can't believe that I could have been so rash and had the strength to kill myself out of sheer despair. No, I killed myself because I had lost all motivation.

　With blood spilling down his throat and in pain and shortness of breath, Subaru died.

　When I opened my eyes, I was back to just a few minutes before it had taken my throat.

　I have never hated the save point updates in Return by Death as much as I did at that moment.

　If it meant he wouldn't lose Rem, Subaru would have challenged the White Whale and the madman again and again.

　No matter how many times I died in the end, no matter how many times I was defeated, I would have fought.

"Could you please tell me in detail about the situation when your save point changed?"

"Ah, yeah... that's right. Well then, let's start with the first save point."

　Recalling his memories in response to the question, Subaru briefly explained the circumstances of his previous "Return by Death" experiences, and the time and place he had been sent back to each time.

　That essentially means the majority of the otherworldly life Subaru has experienced up until now.

　Even though we cut a lot of space between talks, it still felt like we spent nearly an hour talking about the past two extremely intense months.

"So, now we're inside the tomb… the save point is fixed at the point right after we overcome the first 'Trial'. From what you said earlier, that seems to be the case this time as well."

"..."

"Do you know what I mean? At one point I went crazy and came up with the idea that some old guy was a save point."

　For some reason, Kadmon, the scarred-faced owner of a fruit shop in the royal capital, has been chosen twice to serve as Subaru's save point in this world.

　Although, doing it in front of Rem might count as two times.

"Somehow, it doesn't seem like it fluctuates based on people, things, time, or any other conditions. If it is time, the number of days or duration varies, and I can't find any commonalities between people or events. The conditions are completely vague."

"Indeed, from my perspective, there is no commonality between the conditions you have described. If that's the case, perhaps what's needed is a change in the way we think."

"Change your way of thinking?"

"I can't find the answer by thinking that there is some reason why I go back to that place. So, how about thinking that I overcome it because I have a reason to overcome it?"

"Have you found a reason to overcome this...?"

"That save point, depending on how you look at it, is not a 'point to return to' but rather a 'wall to which you are returned'. A wall that pulls you back in the form of 'death' until you overcome it. A hole would be fine too, though."

　Subaru frowned at Echidna's words, then pondered the meaning of those words.

　A wall, or a hole. By using "Return by Death" to return to his point of resurrection, Subaru has been able to change many situations that he could not overcome. Without "Return by Death" there were many situations that he would not have been able to overcome and would have ended.

　And the save point in "Return by Death" changed its location every time the situation changed.

　That means,

"Does 'Return by Death' fluctuate every time I change a situation that cannot be changed...?"

"In this case, 『Return by Death』 is merely a means to an end. What motives are attached to that means is entirely up to the thinking of the being that commands it."

"An entity that can make that happen..."

　Echidna nodded to Subaru, who was at a loss for words, then she curled her lips in disgust,

"There is only one witch, the Witch of Jealousy. The witch who gives you Return by Death wants to change the situation that you can only overcome by facing Death. And each time you overcome that situation, she changes your save point."

Subaru: "But… there are things… that I can't accept. Because, then… what will happen to Rem? I haven't been able to save that girl. If 'Return by Death' is the power to change the situation, then why did it happen at a time when I couldn't save Rem…"

　It was also "Return by Death" that overwrote the save point, causing him to lose the chance to save Rem.

　It was for this reason that Subaru was so particular about the timing of save point updates.

　In response to Subaru's question, Echidna continued, "Unfortunately,"

"I don't think the Witch of Jealousy took into consideration the person you're talking about, Rem."

"...!"

"The Witch of Jealousy's ultimate goal is for you to escape the dead-end fate you're stuck in. Return by Death is just a means to that end, and she has no intention of harming anyone other than you. Using that power to save someone is ultimately your wish. The Witch has nothing to do with it."

"ah..."

"So let me state this very clearly."

　Subaru was overwhelmed by the shock, but Echidna continued speaking.

　Subaru looked up at the White Witch with a faint light in her eyes. Echidna closed her eyes just once, as if to endure the pain, and pierced Subaru with her black pupils.

"Unless you overcome the problems that stand in your way and change your future death, your soul will surely return to my grave. However, if you were to accept many sacrifices and change the future…"

"---There will be no chance to recover what was sacrificed."

"...That's what it comes down to."

　The only person the Witch of Jealousy takes into consideration is Subaru himself.

　If Subaru could overcome the fate of "death", then everything else was trivial to her. No matter how hopeless he was, she believed that with countless retries, Subaru would eventually find a way to survive. No, even if it didn't work, Subaru couldn't be allowed to give up.

　All of the conditions for "Return by Death" were in the hands of the Witch of Jealousy.

"Fine... if that's how you're going to treat me, then I've made up my mind."

"..."

Subaru: "The benefit of 『Return by Death』 that you gave me… I'll make full use of it. In the end, I'll reach you without missing out on anything. Yes, it's decided. It's decided. I'll do it. I'm the best when it comes to betraying the intentions of others."

　If "Return by Death" is something the Witch wills, then Subaru's will determines how it is used.

　So let's build up, overcome it, embrace it and run through it.

　If the witch's love can only save Subaru, then Subaru will save everything else.

　Only then will Natsuki Subaru be able to strike back at the witch.

Subaru: "A change in the situation… In other words, breaking through the problems with this 'Sanctuary' and the mansion. If that is cleared, then no matter how much damage has been done, 'Return by Death' will be changed from this point on. In other words, if we are to clear it, it is an absolute requirement that we must embrace everything and overcome it."

"That's a pretty harsh thing to say, if you ask me. You seem to have accepted it with great ease."

"It just makes clear what I had vaguely suspected. Rather than being disheartening, it gives me motivation. It really makes my rebellious spirit burn."

　Subaru's assertion left Echidna speechless.

　Subaru watched with glee as the Witch was at a loss for words, then he cracked his neck, and,

"As for 『Return by Death』, there's nothing more I can say. Anyway, that was helpful, thanks."

"…I was also able to share some valuable information and my curiosity was satisfied. In that regard, there is no debt. Rather than showing off my knowledge, I was merely expressing my theory."

"Well, this time I'd really like to rely on your knowledge."

　There were many vague parts about "Return by Death" that didn't fit into her knowledge, but the next question Subaru asked was different.

　This was something that needed to be clearly explained by her.

"This time when I "Returned by Death", how did I die... do you know?"

"I haven't read that part, so I haven't seen it. Your story of experiencing multiple ways to die is very interesting, but… it doesn't seem like you're in the mood for that right now."

"It's impossible to talk about your wounds, the way you died, or any other heroic tales without some alcohol in the air. And since all we have here is Donna tea, I can't grant your wish."

"That's unfortunate. Judging from the state of your body outside, it appears that your death was quite painful, both mentally and physically."

　Was it her way of being considerate in stopping using the expression "way of death"?

　Subaru's cheeks relaxed slightly at the thought, then he quickly tightened his expression and nodded, "Yes."

"Just remembering it makes me shiver... but this time, he was eaten alive."

"..."

"It was a stupid little rabbit that could fit in the palm of your hand. It seems to be an omnivore, and was very hungry. It devoured my entire body, leaving nothing behind."

　Although the words have been replaced with gentler expressions, the horror of the incident is difficult to describe.

　The memory of fangs biting into his entire body, flesh, bone, blood, being trampled upon, continues to claim wounds deep within Subaru's psyche.

　Subaru tried to forcefully suppress it and somehow managed to remain calm. Echidna placed the back of her hand over her lips,

"...So you encountered many rabbits."

"Big rabbit?"

"It's not 'big', it's 'many'. The word 'many rabbits' is a derivative of the word 'large rabbit'. It's one of the three negative legacies left behind by Daphne, the witch of 'gluttony'."

"Big rabbit..."

　It was the name of a demonic beast that he had heard from Julius before, and also from Echidna here.

　The White Whale, the Black Snake, and the Great Rabbit. All of them are magical beasts that have threatened the world for the past 400 years, and they were all under the command of Daphne, the witch of Gluttony.

"Just when I thought we'd captured the White Whale, please spare us another giant rabbit..."

"If the opponent is a giant rabbit, then they are a terrible opponent."

　As Subaru holds his head in his hands, Echidna's expression darkens as she learns the true nature of the threat he has faced. Seeing her expression, Subaru has a bad feeling about it.

"I had similar concerns during Moby Dick... but which one do you think is harder?"

"If we were to compare pure combat power, the White Whale would be far superior. But if we're talking about which one is harder to destroy, it's definitely the Great Rabbit."

"Hard to destroy..."

　Subaru was thinking of how to defeat it, just like he had done with the White Whale. Echidna raised her finger in response to Subaru's question, saying, "Are you sure?"

"You all seem to think of them as ordinary magical beasts, only slightly more troublesome."

"Well, I know that they're not the kind of people who would suit such cutesy descriptions, but..."

"The Great Rabbit is truly a natural disaster. It always acts in groups, a mass of instinct driven only by an insatiable appetite. Every living thing is food for them, and they do nothing but devour it. After the Great Rabbit passes, all that remains is an uninhabited field. There is no damage to crops or fruit whatsoever. That's because it only feeds on living things."

　Subaru gasped as he heard Echidna describe the giant rabbit.

　Echidna had a stern expression, and Subaru already knew that her words were no exaggeration.

　A deserted "sanctuary", and a swarm of small rabbits eating his entire body.

　If that was a giant rabbit, then the reason the Sanctuary was deserted was because a magic beast had devoured all of the residents there.

　Emilia, Ram, Ryuzu, Roswaal, and even Garfiel who had transformed into a great tiger were no exception.

　Locust plague--the word suddenly crossed Subaru's mind.

　Locust plague is a phenomenon commonly referred to as a locust outbreak. Strictly speaking, they are not locusts, but swarms of specially mutated grasshoppers, and the mass outbreaks of these swarms are said to be a disaster that destroys rice fields, destroys crops, and causes famine.

　The rabbit's actions were similar to those Subaru knew.

　However, unlike grasshoppers, rabbits eat living creatures, and their insatiable appetite poses a much more direct threat to life than a locust infestation.

"Is there any way to repel them?"

"Individual strength is not that great, but that's because they are meant to move in groups. No matter how many times you chase away an individual, it's meaningless, and above all, once they find prey, they won't stop unless they have to eat or die. It's all about their 'appetite'."

"Wait wait wait. Right, there's also something else... For example, if the Great Rabbits act in groups, there must be a boss that controls the group. If we defeat that boss, won't the group fall apart?"

　According to the rules of the human world, taking the leader would destroy the group. If we think along the lines of the animal kingdom, it might just mean that the second place would rise to first place.

　That being said, Subaru is not very knowledgeable about the ecology of magical beasts. He has no choice but to rely on Echidna, who knows. However, she shook her head,

"You seem to be mistaken, but although the Great Rabbits live in groups, they don't have the concept of a boss. All they really have is an instinct called 'appetite'. They don't have any other mechanisms to satisfy their hunger, other than eating other creatures. They multiply by splitting from one another, and when there is no prey they stave off hunger by cannibalising each other. They don't even have a sense of camaraderie."

"Cannibalism...why did you create such a monster?!"

"Well, that's something only the person who gave birth can know. At the very least, Daphne herself has never been as obsessed with food as the Great Rabbit."

　Subaru shudders at the horrifying ecology.

　Certainly, it is the law of all living things to follow their instincts and survive by eating other living things. In that respect, there is no difference between humans, animals, and even magical beasts.

　However, the Great Rabbit does not have any of this, as individuals do not divide and reproduce, nor do they mate to produce offspring.In fact, they reproduce to increase their numbers, and then, in order to satisfy their hunger, they eat the divided individuals, which is completely abnormal.

　The rabbit is a monster whose potential as a living creature has been completely eradicated.

"If... well, if we were to destroy the Great Rabbit, what do you think we should do?"

"To be honest, that seems like a similar question to me to how to make all the falling raindrops evaporate."

　I guess that just means it's an enormous undertaking.

　Echidna's response made Subaru put his hand to his forehead, feeling dizzy at the height of the challenge he had to overcome to defeat the Great Rabbit.

"If we kill them all, we can destroy even the biggest rabbit."

"But that would be an extremely reckless act. As far as I know, the only ones who could do that are Reid Astrea and Sekhmet. Reid would kill them all with his overwhelming sword skills. As for Sekhmet... it's a matter of compatibility, but I'm sure she would have wiped them out in a second."

"I've heard about those two before, but they really are monsters..."

　I think of Sekhmet, who once sat on my lap.

　From what Subaru had seen, she gave off a gloomy, reluctant impression of doing anything, a witch truly worthy of the title ``Sloth.''

"Wait, hey."

　Then, remembering his encounter with Sekhmet, a light suddenly dawned on Subaru.

　It was a faint and fleeting light, but it was enough to illuminate the darkness of the dead end, and above all, it was something that could only be done here, with the help of Echidna.

"Echidna"

"What's with that serious look on your face? ...It's no good. I'm the dead and you're the living. Our destiny here is just a momentary illusion, a fleeting dream. So no matter how passionately you look at me, I..."

"Well, I know I'm getting a little excited, but it's completely different. It's completely different, really."

　Subaru was taken aback by Echidna's seemingly disappointed look, and once again brought up the main subject.

"Echidna, I want to meet Daphne, the Witch of Gluttony."

"..."

"You previously introduced me to the witches of Pride, Wrath, and Sloth at this tea party. At that time, you said that you were keeping all five witches or something."

"...Collecting, you see. The tracks of those five girls while they were alive are certainly within me. If I can bring them into the vessel that is me, then it is certainly possible for them to appear in this world. It is possible."

　Echidna frowned in confusion at Subaru's suggestion.

　Her eyes wandered, then she glanced at Subaru with an awkward look on her face,

"I think it would be best for you to stop meeting with Daphne."

"Why? I've certainly had my fair share of witches' bad tempers lately, but I'm prepared for whatever comes my way. No matter what happens, I won't hold a grudge."

"Before I even think about resentment, I think you and Daphne don't get along very well. I would even say it's the worst. So even if we did meet, I don't think we'd be able to have a useful conversation…"

"Let's give it a try. Trial and error, that's your favourite word."

　Echidna said that she affirmed the importance of taking action in order to obtain answers.

　Echidna looked as if she'd been hit in a sore spot by Subaru's words and said, "Uh..." Subaru scratched his head and said, "Besides, you know..."

"You were the one who gave me the thumbs up that, for the time being, there's no need to worry about my life in this place. I'm not being optimistic, but if I don't have to worry about losing my life at the very least, I decided that there's no harm in trying."

"I'm not denying the possibility that my mind will break and I'll become a wreck, you know?"

Subaru: "Before that happens, I trust that you'll back out. I'm counting on you, Echidna. I'm the best when it comes to relying on others, you know?"

　Subaru cast his trust over with flippant words and gave a thumbs up, flashing his teeth.

　Seeing Subaru's endlessly frivolous attitude, the rebellious look in Echidna's eyes gradually faded away,

"...Okay. I'll let you meet Daphne."

"Oh, thanks."

"But I will tell you this. Do not release her restraints under any circumstances. Also, you are forbidden from touching her. If possible, please avoid making eye contact with her."

"If I keep all of that, I'll end up being such a jerk!"

　To begin with, there were some words mixed in that couldn't be ignored.

　Subaru was about to ask about this, but before he could, Echidna had already finished her preparations.

　Just like the last time, when Echidna put the Witch down there were absolutely no preparatory movements or signs of that sort.

　In the blink of an eye, another person appears in the space where she was.

　And the same was true this time.

　Howeverーー,

"Oh my... this is too much..."

　Subaru muttered as he watched the being appear before him, his cheeks twitching.

　Right in front of Subaru was the Witch of Gluttony, Daphne.

　--The witch girl had been placed in a coffin, her whole body bound in restraints, and both of her eyes were tightly sealed with a black blindfold.