Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu web novel

"...You came home quite early."

　The tall maid who opened the main gate of the mansion to welcome Subaru back home muttered this to herself, her sharp eyes wide.

"I ended up in a situation where I had to suddenly return home. It's been two days... no, maybe three days? It was a quick reunion and we didn't even contact each other, but please accept it."

　Subaru, exhausted from half a day's travel, answered as he sat on the back of the out-of-breath Patrasche. Looking up at Subaru on the dragon, he was cracking jokes, but his complexion looked gloomy, and the maid - Frederica - covered her mouth, where her fangs were faintly visible, with her hand.

"That's fine. No matter when or what kind of visitor we have, if I can't provide the best possible hospitality, I'll be a disgrace to my master's servant. I'll return the earth dragon to the stables, so Subaru-sama should head to the mansion. I'll have Petra take care of it."

"You don't have to be so considerate... Ah, no, please."

　When I got off Patrasche and responded, my knees nearly gave way when I landed. I quickly grabbed the reins and managed to avoid any harm, but it seemed like the strain on my body was greater than I had expected.

　That was only natural - Subaru had flown here without sleep or rest from the Sanctuary, and when he'd left the Sanctuary his body had already been up all night.

　Even with the 『Wind Protection』 and Patrasche's consideration to not put too much strain on the rider, the six-hour journey had taken a heavy toll on Subaru's body.

　Realizing that his body was more worn out than he had thought, Subaru readily accepted Frederica's suggestion. He handed the reins over to Frederica and stroked the worried Patrasche's back.

"It's okay, it's okay. You're the one who should be grateful for putting up with my whims. I'll give you a brushing later when we get to the stables."

　Unlike horses, they do not have abundant fur, but earth dragons enjoy being brushed in a way that rubs against their hard skin. Patrasche was no exception, and excited by Subaru's assurance, she brought her nose closer vigorously, causing Subaru to lurch backwards with a "Guh!" as she received a nose attack from the front.

"Oh my, you're doing well. Well then, let's go, Patrasche. I'll lay out the straw and prepare your bed for you."

"Yes, please. --That's right, Frederica."

"yes?"

　Pulling on the reins of Patrasche, Frederica led the earth dragon towards the stables. Subaru called out to her, and she stopped in her tracks, turned around with just her head, and looked back.

　A kindhearted maid with long blonde hair and a fierce face. Subaru cracked her neck and then,

"--Are you not planning on going to the mountain hut today?"

"...? No, but is there something wrong?"

　Subaru asked in a low voice, to which Frederica replied in a puzzled tone. Subaru paid close attention to her response, her facial expression, and her gaze, then shook his head and said, "No."

"It's fine if you're not going. Once you've finished taking care of Patrasche, I'm sorry, but could you please return to the mansion right away? There's something I'd like to talk to you about, including the 『Sanctuary』."

"Okay. I'll be right back."

　With a polite bow, Frederica and Patrasche finally leave the place.

　After seeing her disappear from the mansion's front yard, Subaru stretched on the spot and looked up at the mansion. --The same imposing presence as before, the mansion he had returned to on the evening of the second day.

　The latest would be the night of the sixth day, but the earliest would be the night of the fourth day.

　Either way, the end comes in the form of a blade.

　Before that--

"We need to figure out how to end the end before the end comes."

　This time, too much has been sacrificed for that.

　Subaru needed to obtain something to make up for the sadness he was leaving behind in a disappearing world.

　Garfiel's lamentations, Emilia's unseen sadness.

　It gives Natsuki Subaru the resolve to turn away from the pain and continue fighting.

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"Wow! You came home pretty early!"

　Those were the first words Petra spoke to welcome Subaru back to the mansion, her face shining with loveliness.

　This is a clear and good example of how, even though the content and wording of the letter is almost the same as Frederica's, the affection expressed is different due to the bond that has been built up.

"You seem tired. Are you okay? No, are you okay? Right now, we can prepare the bath area right away, so you can take a bath first... what's wrong?"

"No, I honestly think that watching Petra is soothing. Thinking back on it, Petra is the only one I can interact with without thinking about the obvious and the hidden and the complicated stuff."

　Petra is full of energy and busily runs around Subaru, using a mixture of polite language and casual speech.

　When I put my hand through her chestnut hair and stroked her head, she purred happily and rubbed against me, which was really cute. As I said before, it was soothing.

　At the same time, Subaru's mind flashes back to the events of his previous visit to the mansion, and the brutal demise of Petra, whom he witnessed during that visit.

"Petra, this may be sudden, but... would you be willing to listen to my request?"

"...? Yes. No, yes. If it's a request from Subaru-sama, then anything is OK."

"Haha, that's very reassuring. You're right. It's something important to discuss. Frederica should be back soon, so I'd like to talk in the common room. Can I just have some tea?"

"Sister Frederica, too?"

"Yeah. It's a matter that could affect the future, and Petra isn't just not unrelated; she's not even related to it. I want her to be there."

"We're not unrelated..."

　Petra put her hand to her mouth and was in a deep thought state. Then, as if something had just occurred to her, she suddenly looked up, her cheeks turning a little red, and

"Is that something important to you and Subaru-sama?"

"Hmm, you could say that. It's definitely an important matter for both Petra and me. After all, it's not something that can be concluded between just the two of us."

"But in those cases, it's the feelings of the people involved that are important."

"Feelings? Feelings? Feelings are... well, they're important, aren't they? It's true that I don't want to do it if it's against my will, so isn't that wrong...?

　When Petra confirmed the answer, tilting her head in the affirmative, the girl's face lit up and she spun around on the spot. Then she ran into the mansion with dancing steps.

"Right away! I'll be back right away! Don't run away!"

"I'm not going to run away, but Petra, don't go in too fast and fall, okay?"

　Petra was in high spirits and looked as if she was about to run into the waiting room on the second floor of the mansion. Suddenly, Subaru remembered something and called out to her, "Petra!"

"Thanks for the handkerchief, Petra. I mean, it probably wasn't what you had in mind, but it helped."

"Really? Was I of any help to you, Subaru?"

"Yeah, I narrowly escaped death... it's not exactly the right word, but something like that."

　The white handkerchief he took out of his pocket was a gift from Petra, embroidered on it.

　It was also the weapon that Subaru used to commit suicide when he was about to be swallowed by the Witch of "Jealousy" during his previous encounter with her. Although it is undeniable that Echidna's intentions were at work in that regard, it all started with Petra's feelings.

　Thinking about it, as long as Echidna's will is still at work, will the handkerchief still function as a weapon? As for the trigger, going back to what happened last time, it would either be that Subaru finds his life in danger, or that he pours mana into it in the same way he would use magic. In the latter case, it's too difficult for Subaru to do.

"Anyway, it's all thanks to Petra. I need to thank her somehow."

"Well then! Let's do it once!"

"Did you hear that from Emilia?"

　It was in Aram Village that my first date with Emilia took place, as a reward for the beast incident.

　The thoughtful villagers and children had left Subaru and Emilia alone, but it seemed Petra remembered what had happened at that time.

"Okay. I'll be your escort. It's quite a luxury and an honor for me to be Petra's first date."

"That's a promise!"

"Yeeeesss."

　He said lightly as he raised his hand, and this time Petra, smiling like a flower, finally made her way to the other side of the aisle.

　Seeing her small back as she leaves, Subaru's thoughts turn to Petra's future. She's an adorable girl whose future is already something to look forward to. In five years, no, three, her limbs will have fully grown, and she'll have grown into a beautiful young girl beyond recognition.

　When that happens, she will probably have no more affection for Subaru, but the fact that she chose him as her first date will surely bring him a guilty sense of satisfaction.

"I will definitely make that promise again, Petra."

　The promises they made in this world that will surely disappear will no longer remain with her.

　But Subaru continues to remember that promise was made.

　When the time comes to choose the right future, let's make the same promise again.

　Thinking this, Subaru remembered Petra's smile and stepped towards the lounge.

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　Sitting across from him on the sofa in the lounge, Subaru watched with a wry smile as Petra, who was sitting across from him, puffed out her red cheeks in displeasure.

　Petra, swaying from her knees down on the sofa, finished listening to the story and didn't hide any of her dissatisfaction. Subaru found the girl's childishness endearing, but the senior maid sitting next to her didn't seem to like it.

"What's with that look on your face, Petra? Isn't that rude in front of Subaru-sama?"

"But, Sister Frederica..."

"But that's not the case. Even with people you're normally close to, you need to behave properly. If you don't pay attention to it on a daily basis, how can you expect to be able to do it at a crucial time? You're a good learner, but you still have a lot to learn in this area."

"Uhh."

　Petra looked down and bit her lip in frustration.

　Feeling sorry for the girl who was being talked into believing in such reasonable terms, Subaru tried to calm her down by saying, "Well, well, that's about it..." but instead he was glared at and shut up.

　After Frederica returned from the stables and Petra finished preparing tea, they met up in the common room, the three of them calmly sipping tea and then got to talking about what was really going on.

　Right now, Petra is in a bad mood because of the topic that Subaru first brought up.

"Why do I have to leave the mansion? I've only been working there for a little over a week now..."

　Subaru feels guilty as he sees Petra clinging to him with a tearful face. However, considering what will happen at the mansion in the future, it would be no good giving in to his guilt and pampering her.

　Subaru hardened his heart and shook his head,

"I'm not saying you have to stay away forever. I'm not firing you or anything, but I want you to come back to Aram Village... or rather, your home for about a week."

"You can't tell me why, can you?"

"…I don't know the details. But it's true that this mansion is in danger. You also told Frederica that it was recently targeted by the Witch Cult, right?"

　Frederica's expression changed when she heard the word "Witch Cult."

　Although she was away, it was about two weeks ago that the Witch Cultists led by Petelgeuse attacked the mansion and Arlam Village.

　Frederica, who had grown up in Sanctuary, should have a good understanding of the consequences that being a heretic, including Emilia's background, could bring.

　Just as Subaru had expected, Frederica had a difficult look on her face as she pulled her chin back,

"If that is true, then Subaru-sama's decision is reasonable. Petra still has no means of self-defense."

"It's okay! Subaru will protect you!"

"I want to be a man and tell him to leave it to me, but I'm aware of my own lack of power, or ability, so I can't just say what I want."

　Petra stood up to Frederica and tried to argue, but Subaru's childish argument was cut off by his own incompetence. Petra slumped in disappointment at Subaru's answer, but Frederica patted the girl on the head comfortingly,

"Petra, don't be so depressed. You're not so stupid as to understand how frustrating it is for Subaru-sama to speak of his own lack of ability, are you?"

"...Yes, Sister Frederica."

"Anyone can lament their lack of ability. That goes for you and Subaru-sama. Subaru-sama has acknowledged that, and is searching for what he can do. Petra, what are you going to do?"

"Uhh."

　Petra's eyes once again welled up with tears as she tried to suppress her frustration. She looked at Subaru with those tears in her eyes, then looked up and said,

"I-Isn't there something I can do...at the mansion?"

"...Um, sorry. This time, there is nothing the mansion can do for Petra. I am powerless and don't have the capacity to pay attention to Petra. I am sorry about that."

　As Subaru bows his head, Petra closes her eyes tightly and rubs her eyelids with her sleeve.

　Then, when she raised her face, there was no trace of tears to be seen. However, her red eyes were sharp, and Petra carefully picked up the edge of her skirt and bowed.

"Understood, Subaru-sama. Petra will be on leave from tonight onwards. Please call her back as soon as the issue has been resolved."

"Yes, I will. When the problem is solved..."

　It would be fantastic if all the members of the mansion, and if possible, the main characters of Sanctuary, were there, and the place was filled with smiles.

　Petra accepted Subaru's proposal, and that was the end of the first part of the story.

　--After Petra had cleared away the empty tea and was given the task of tidying up her personal belongings, she left the common room, leaving only Subaru and Frederica in the room.

　As he watched the door close with a clang, and felt Petra's footsteps recede down the hallway, Subaru reached for the baked confectionery to go with his tea, savoring its sweetness,

"May I ask you something, Frederica?"

"It depends on the content, Subaru-sama."

　Subaru gave a wry smile at the obvious response, while Frederica looked calm as she waited for Subaru to start the conversation.

　He took a deep breath and thought about what his first words should be. However, there was only one thing Subaru wanted to ask her.

"What do you think Garfiel wants to do with the Sanctuary?"

"--Did something happen with your unworthy younger brother?"

"There are many opportunities for us to clash over various things. I want to see whether these clashes result in us never being able to understand each other, or whether they are the kind of things we can understand if we talk."

　This would change Subaru's course of action.

　Is Garfiel an enemy to be defeated, or an ally worthy of submission?

"If you're not surprised, then you must have heard about our relationship from your younger brother."

"Lewes-san didn't deny it either. You know, don't you, Lewes-san?"

"Of course. In the Sanctuary, she was the foster parent of my brother and I, who had no one to call our own... considering the years we've lived together, I guess I should call her more of a grandmother than a mother."

"Garfiel was just being an old hag too."

　I can't get the painful cry of him calling me "Grandma" out of my head as we parted.

　Maybe that's what Garfiel used to call Ryuzu. Now that he's acting tough, it's a harsh way of calling him, but if that was his true nature,

"Could it be that Garfiel is really a mama's boy?"

"If you mean towards Grandma… then yes. My younger brother is a very affectionate person, so I think his affection for Grandma is very strong. He may be trying to hide it himself, though."

　Even from his sister's point of view, Garfiel's love for his family, Lewes, is particularly prominent.

　Although, it is unclear how something could have gone wrong and directly led to the protection of the "Sanctuary" and ultimately to that brutal act.

"Whether or not you can forgive that is a separate issue from his behavior."

"Subaru-sama?"

"It's nothing. I just remembered something and felt a bit hostile. I do think it's important to judge things without preconceptions."

　We still don't fully understand what Garfiel was thinking when he committed the tragic massacre of the villagers.

　However, there is no doubt that he was in charge of commanding Lewes Meyer, a by-product of the immortality experiments being conducted in the Sanctuary, and managing the facility.

　There are many things we don't know, such as why he would destroy the facility or why he has command authority in the first place.

"Frederica. I know that you were a resident of the Sanctuary. I also know that you, a quarter, were able to get outside without being caught in the barrier."

"It's already that far..."

"And Garfiel was in the same position, and he stayed inside even though he could have gone outside. Hey, Frederica. Do you know... what purpose the Sanctuary was created for?"

　In this timeline, only four days have passed since Subaru set out for Sanctuary. Frederica is surprised at the amount of information he has gained in that time, which seems a bit far-fetched, but her eyes widen even more when he asks her the next question. And then,

"No, I don't know the details. I understand that the 'Sanctuary' was a place created by the former Witch of 'Greed' for the purpose of conducting experiments, but..."

"You don't know? Really? Does that still change your answer?"

"I don't know what you're suspecting, but my answer remains the same. The 'Sanctuary' was the witch's experimental site, and now all that remains is the barrier she set up, and it can only be broken by overcoming the 'Trials'. That's all I know."

　Frederica finished by shaking her head slowly. There was no way to verify the truth of her words, but to Subaru it didn't seem like she was lying.

　In other words, Frederica does not know the true nature of the immortality experiment. This also means that she has little understanding of the by-products that arise from the experiment.

"Wait a moment. So, Frederica… you know nothing about command of clones?"

"Fukusetai... is that it? No, I've never heard of it."

　The negative words contain the same nuance as the previous ones.

　Subaru was stunned by that answer, and then let his weight weakly rest against the back of the sofa.

"I'm sorry. It seems that I gave you an answer that didn't meet your expectations."

"No, it's fine. It's not your fault. …How many years ago was it that Frederica left the Sanctuary? Have I ever heard of it?"

"It's been about seven years since I left the Sanctuary and started staying at the mansion. Ram came a little after that, so I guess I'm the longest-serving member here."

　Subaru sighed at the fact that Rem's name hadn't come up in her words as she reminisced about the past, and that the amount of information Frederica had when speaking of the "Sanctuary" was the same as in the previous loop.

　With this, the possibility that Frederica had some reason for hiding information from Subaru was almost zero. The fact that he had changed his approach and got the same response meant that this was the truth.

　Frederica doesn't know about the immortality experiment, or perhaps even about Lewes' clone. Either Lewes was very good at taking her place every day, or Frederica, who now behaves so resolutely, was a bit of a scatterbrained girl when she was young.

"But then, the one I don't understand is Garfiel. Since when has he known the truth about the Sanctuary...?"

　Having command over the clones means that Garfiel knew about the facility. Even if he didn't, it's likely that he will be the one to destroy it later.

　Garfiel knows about the experiment using Lewes Meyer. Did he learn the truth that his sister did not know after she left Sanctuary? Or was it precisely because he knew that he remained in Sanctuary?

"--a"

　And as he was thinking about it, Subaru suddenly realized that he had made a very serious oversight. The moment he realized it, he was honestly astonished at his own stupidity.

"If he had command over the clones, doesn't that mean he met the same conditions as me? In other words, that means he also has some incomprehensible status called Apostle of Greed..."

　In other words, isn't this proof that Garfiel has also met the Witch of Greed, Echidna?

　Subaru racks his brains, wondering why he hadn't noticed. If Garfiel had met Echidna, that would explain his command authority. He also had a prejudiced view of the Trials, and was sympathetic to Emilia, who challenged the Trials only to be defeated.

"Frederica. Garfiel, you've taken on the Trials before, right?"

"--! Why did you say that?"

"After considering a number of different factors, I came up with that. Of course, I think it failed, but… what were the details?"

　Frederica's affirmation made Subaru clench his fist, as he had finally grasped part of the essence of the matter.

　Frederica sighed at the excited Subaru, then closed her eyes as if retracing the past.

"...I wasn't the only one who wanted the Sanctuary to be liberated. There was a time when my younger brother was just as eager to show Granny the outside world. When he was still a child, he sneaked into the tomb and took on the Trial. I remember being envious of his recklessness."

"Have you never been inside, Frederica?"

"I didn't have the courage. Even though I knew that if I overcame the 'Trials' that took place there, I would be able to free the 'Sanctuary'. It was a place I had always been told not to enter. I was envious of my younger brother who was able to jump straight in there."

　It was an easy image to imagine.

　Even more reckless than his current personality, young Garfiel likely took on the Tomb's Trials with great enthusiasm, and with the sole desire to show the outside world to his beloved family.

　but,

"When my younger brother went into the tomb and didn't come out, I regretted not stopping him, so I called the grandmother... The grandmother was hesitant at first, but soon made up her mind and went inside. A little while later, she returned with my younger brother to where I was praying. However."

　--You must never enter the tomb again. And forget about today, and do not tell anyone about it.

　Yes, it seemed that Frederica had been firmly told by Lewes.

　Hearing this whole story, Subaru recalled the contradiction in Lewes' previous statements: Lewes who said he had been inside the tomb, and Lewes who categorically stated that he had never been inside.

　Now that I know that there are multiple Crowns and that there is a restriction that prohibits lying, I can understand this, as it resolves the contradiction of having experienced and inexperienced Crowns.

　And what I learned from this story is,

"Garfiel has undergone the Trial once. And he must have met the Witch of Greed there. Then, finally, everything will start to make sense."

　Garfiel's feelings towards the Trials. His reason for having command authority.

　The question is, what did he see in the "past"? Why does he refuse Subaru's attempt to free the "Sanctuary"? And why does Echidna not tell Subaru about Garfiel? The answers to all these questions lie within the tomb.

"I absolutely need to meet Echidna at least one more time."

　To uncover everything she's hiding from the witch who knows everything.

　As Subaru stood there, silently resolving himself, Frederica looked up in his direction.

　Subaru noticed her gaze and scratched his cheek, then muttered "Sorry,"

"A lot of things. I'm sure I asked some things you didn't want me to ask."

"No, it's necessary. My husband has also ordered me to do so. If what I have said here helps Lady Emilia… and ultimately liberates the 'Sanctuary', then I have no problem with it."

"I will definitely liberate the Sanctuary. There is a reason why I must do so, so I will liberate it by any means necessary. However, to be honest, how well I can reflect Garfiel's wishes is secondary."

"..."

"I have no idea what Garfiel is thinking. At worst, no matter what he's thinking, if it doesn't line up with how I intend to act, I'll crush him and get my way. I'll choose the happiness of the greatest number of people. Sorry, though."

　A disaster will befall both the mansion and the Sanctuary. If you get in the way of Subaru as he acts to avert it, prepare to be blown away.

　In response to Subaru's answer, Frederica closed her eyes tightly once,

"Please take good care of my unworthy younger brother."

　--Yes, he answered by bowing his head.