Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu web novel

　The sound of the amethyst stakes piercing flesh echoed around, and purple crystals shattered on impact, filling the passageway with diffused light.

　Countless stakes were aimed at Elsa's slender body from all directions, turning her into a beehive.

　Victory was certain. Beatrice's overwhelming magical power took his breath away, but even as he watched the power of the girl who was able to ignore the murderer before his very eyes, he couldn't completely kill the bad feeling that exploded in his chest.

　--I feel like I'm forgetting something, something. Something that must not be left out.

　Various emotions get in the way of me being able to recall what it is from my memory.

　What purpose did Elsa have in coming to the mansion? After Frederica's death, whom she suspected, she feels remorse for her and the cause of her death, and her heart is in a mess. She hasn't even gotten over what happened to Petra, and deep inside her emotions are screaming out to her to make sure that Rem, who should be on the other side of the door, is safe. What should she do about Beatrice, and what should she talk about with her?

　None of the questions that were confusing Subaru's mind could be answered.

"――――"

　And so Subaru regrets missing an opportunity that he could have avoided.

"--Huh?"

　Something flew through the light and dug deep into Subaru's right shoulder.

　Looking down at the pain, his thoughts turned red as he saw the wound slowly oozing blood. A throat-rending scream burst out of him, and Subaru arched his back, clutching his wound, and fell on his bottom in the corridor.

"Why...?! Was it supposed to be a direct hit?!"

　Beatrice yelled as she saw the injured Subaru.

　With his thoughts seared by the pain, Subaru heard Beatrice's scream and realized. He realized. That wasn't it. It was a direct hit. There was no doubt about that. But,

"Elsaaaa!!"

"I can hear you even if you don't call me that enthusiastically."

　The intense pain stimulated his hatred, and in addition to a scream, rage overflowed from Subaru's mouth. A voice responded from the other side of the corridor, where light was dancing wildly――a gentle voice, with such seductiveness that it was hard to believe that a life was at stake.

"There's no way you'd be unscathed."

"If I had been naked, I would have died right now."

　Beatrice shook her head, and Elsa replied, her long braids shaking. There was no sign of a direct hit from Beatrice's magic on her face. She looked exactly the same as she had a moment ago.

　No, there was one thing that was different. He had thrown off the black cloak he had been wearing until just a moment ago, and now he was wearing only the black clothing underneath.

"Magic nullification coat!"

"I believe this was the second time you've seen me. Considering that, it seems you were quite late in telling the girl."

"Damn it...!"

　This blunder, which cannot be excused even by words like "forgiveness," pushes aside the pain and causes anger to bubble up.

　The cloak worn by Elsa neutralizes magic just once. Subaru should have seen that when he bumped into Elsa in the royal capital.

　Considering the unexpected attack and his lack of coordination with Beatrice, this was a blunder that should never have happened.

"Once the seed cracks, it's nothing to be surprised about."

"--That's good. It's really good. Strong and lovely. It seems like it would have a different warmth to that of a crying girl."

　As Beatrice once again raised her magical power, Elsa smiled, twirling the kukri knife in her hand. That bloody smile and those words - Subaru immediately boiled over when he realized who the "simple crying girl" she was referring to.

"You have no right to belittle Petra!"

　The small knife stuck in his right shoulder - a throwing tool with a hooked tip that made it difficult to pull out. Subaru bit into the flesh with his molars and pulled it out in one go.

　The area in front of his eyes turned red with pain, and it felt as though the entire function of his right arm had been dealt a fatal blow, but he ignored all of this damage and aimed the drawn knife at Elsa.

　The throw was done without any restraint, but it was a wild style that showed no training whatsoever.

　It was almost a miracle that it flew straight towards Elsa. It was also very fast. However, that had no effect against the killer whose skills were beyond human comprehension.

"I appreciate your determination, but this is all---"

"I'll squeeze you dry! Shamak――!!"

"--!?"

　As Elsa prepared to intercept, Subaru shook his head and used Shamak for the third time.

　Gathering up the mana from his body that had been nearly depleted the first and second time, he released magic along with his own life force from the unforged gate.

　His eyes were bloodshot, his nose was bleeding, and the cry from his soul came to fruition.

　Darkness spread across the center of the passage, covering the space between Subaru and Elsa. And flying ferociously into it was the small knife that Subaru had thrown. It flew into the incomprehensible darkness, passing through its interior and heading towards Elsa - but Elsa couldn't see its trajectory.

"Hit――!"

"I was a bit surprised. But if it doesn't deflect, it's just that it's out of the line of fire."

　Leaving that statement behind, Elsa spun around, lowering her body to the ground.

　Subaru's move to escape the trajectory of the knife was a decision he made because his Shamak had not yet reached Elsa.

　The knife shot out from the jet-black curtain and went to the other side of the hallway without piercing the owner's flesh. Subaru's attack was in vain - or so it seemed, but...

"Bearko!!"

"I suppose you would call him that on impulse--!"

　If Subaru had been the only one present, the attack would have ended in failure.

　However, there were two of Elsa's enemies here - and that other girl had completed her next incantation in the brief time that Subaru had bought her.

"I'll show you. Real shadow magic."

"What are you—"

　Was it Subaru or Elsa who started to ask if they would do it?

　Even that becomes unclear with Beatrice's next action.

　Beatrice clasped her small arms together in front of her chest and glared at Elsa, her lips trembling. It was just one word, but it would repaint the world.

"--Urshamak."

　--The mansion was enveloped in genuine darkness, on a completely different level to the fake darkness magic Subaru had unleashed.

※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※

　When Subaru came to, he was in darkness.

"---?"

　No, it's not even clear whether he noticed or not.

　I have no idea where I am, whether I'm standing or sitting, nothing.

　Up and down, left and right, front and back are unclear. Are they breathing in and out? Is the blood circulating? Is their heart beating? Are they alive or dead?

　He didn't understand anything. He couldn't find an answer to anything. Subaru's Shamak could feel the sensations from the soles of his feet and at least sense the changes inside his own body. It was impossible to understand interference from the outside, but in return his eyes had become more alert to what was going on inside.

　But in this darkness there is not even that.

　It was as if I had melted into the shadows, and I had no idea where I was.

　I don't know if I can still form a human shape. I don't know how to move my hands, so I can't even touch my body to check. Even if I want to check where I am, I can't start walking because I don't know how to move my feet. What does it mean to walk? What does it mean to check?

　--First of all, who exactly am I?

　The boundaries between self and others become blurred.

　The boundary between myself and the world becomes blurred.

　The ability to think melts away. It disappears. It vanishes.

　Just like this, just like this, just like this.

　It's over.

　Finished.

　The end.

※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※

"...Maybe it's time to wake up."

　The slap across the cheek made a dry noise, and Subaru was brought back to consciousness.

　He blinked, and a yell of agony escaped from him as the brightness of his vision suddenly returned. Hearing this, the pain that had woken Subaru was hit once again across his cheek. Twice, from both sides.

"Don't hit me again!"

"I was just trying to make him more aware. The second time, I don't know why, but maybe it was just a reflex."

　Glaring at Beatrice's scornful face, Subaru belatedly realized that he had collapsed onto the hallway floor.

　I sat up and checked to make sure my body was in good shape. I felt a sharp pain in my right shoulder. I looked over and saw a fresh wound oozing blood.

"Ahh, that hurts... Can't I just apply Shamaku to just a part of it?"

"It's not impossible, but even if I do, you'll just forget about the wound, it won't go away. If you wander around without getting treatment, you'll probably die from blood loss."

　Beatrice spoke of a not-so-horrifying future. Subaru narrowed his eyes as if he had just remembered something, "More importantly..." as he covered the wound with his palm.

"Elsa, what's wrong? If you're taking your time like this, does that mean you've retreated?"

"What on earth are you on about?"

"What the hell? If he's still there, this isn't the time for this. It's true that Shamak wasn't even comparable to mine, but that was enough..."

"Even a blind person like that is pretty pathetic when it comes to this."

　Beatrice's exasperated words made Subaru frown in irritation.

　Beatrice seems to be quite optimistic, but that is because she does not yet know how tenacious and terrifying Elsa is. If she knew the abnormality of that murderer, Subaru's caution would be understandable.

　Seeing Subaru expressing his true feelings, Beatrice sighed, this time clearly exasperated.

　Subaru doesn't understand the meaning of her reaction. In front of him, Beatrice slowly moves to the side,

"If you don't understand, maybe you should just see it clearly with your own eyes."

"--Uh, oh."

　Beatrice stepped to the side, and the view that had been blocked by her body came into Subaru's view. Seeing this, Subaru couldn't help but groan.

"What's wrong with such a frightening opponent?"

　I was unable to respond to Beatrice's triumphant voice.

　Behind her - hanging on the wall of the corridor was the corpse of Elsa, her limbs impaled on purple stakes and crucified, the stake driven into the center of her chest like a vampire's.

　A corpse――Yes, without a doubt, it was a corpse.

"He's dead...right?"

"If you're still alive after I blew a hole in your chest and left you covered in wounds... then you're no longer human, you're something else."

　Shaking his head, Subaru stood up, still feeling exhausted.

　The moment I stood up, I was hit by an overwhelming wave of dizziness, and my upper body swayed. A hand was gently extended from my side to support me.

"S-sorry..."

"Nothing in particular..."

　Beatrice turned her face away and didn't look in my direction. She placed some of her weight on her palm and dragged her feet towards Elsa.

　Elsa's head was dropped and one of her long braids was cut off in half by a stake. Her limbs were pierced through the elbows and knees, and the pain and cruelty of the act made me want to look away. Still, I got close enough to feel the breath of the faceless killer, and checked to see if he was really not breathing.

　No breathing. I reach out and touch the motionless body. It's still warm, but there's no reaction typical of a living thing. I touch the back of his neck and there's no pulse.

　Above all, even if Subaru behaved this defenselessly, there was no surprise attack.

"I, is he really dead...?"

"So that's why I keep saying that."

"As someone who knows his potential, it was hard for me to agree to it so easily. I never thought he'd actually be able to do it..."

　Standing before Elsa's corpse, Subaru is stunned by his victory and feels no sense of accomplishment.

　He knew he was an opponent he would have to defeat eventually, but he didn't expect Beatrice to defeat him so easily on her own. Without Garfiel, he had predicted that victory would be impossible.

"Even Puck and Emilia failed to kill this guy."

"...If Nii-cha was serious, he wouldn't have taken on such a guy. And now that Betty is in top condition, she's not going to lose to a mere human."

　Puck's true state - that was probably what could be called a giant lion state. If it was a state that could freeze the world just by existing, it was hard to imagine that even someone as strong as Elsa could hold her own. Beatrice must be a spirit with a similar power.

　Four hundred years - the difference in the years they have lived is huge.

"That's right. Rem!"

　Once he had confirmed that Elsa was dead, he turned towards the room, as if he had been bounced back, to see Frederica's corpse still leaning against the door.

　Subaru somehow managed to remove her stiff body from the door and placed his hands on the door, which was covered in a great deal of blood. He took a breath, steeled himself, and peered inside.

　and,

"--Rem."

　There was no voice from the girl in response to her call.

　However, as Rem lay in bed, breathing evenly as she continued to sleep, there was no sign of even a trace of the carnage that had happened outside.

　Elsa hasn't stepped inside the room.

　This was proof that Frederica's dedication in defending the room from the door outweighed the murderer's hideousness.

"...I'm truly sorry for doubting you, Frederica."

　Stroking the sleeping girl's forehead with his hand, Subaru apologized again to the woman he had laid down in the hallway.

　Her soul is no longer anywhere in this world, so there is no way that Subaru's words will ever reach her.

"So, what are we going to do now?"

"I can't just leave Rem here like this. Frederica and Petra are too... so I'm planning on leaving her in the care of the people of Aram village."

"You should do that. I think the girl would be happier that way."

"I'd like to continue doing the same if I could just take care of Rem. But that's not possible. I have to… take you to the 'Sanctuary'."

　Subaru turned around while still touching Rem, and found himself facing Beatrice, who was looking his way from the entrance to the room. The girl snorted softly,

"You're being selfish. In fact, we only stopped talking earlier because someone interrupted us, so the problem is still ongoing."

「I know that. So, here's my answer to that. I absolutely will not kill you, and I will drag you out of the mansion and take you to the 『Sanctuary』. That's decided.」

"That's so selfish. You ignore what Betty has to say and try to get your own opinion across. How dare you say such nonsense, and who do you think you are?"

"I might consider it if what you're saying is really what you really think."

"--What do you mean?"

　Beatrice spoke in a low, almost intimidating voice. Subaru shook his head slightly, feeling goosebumps on his skin.

"I don't know the exact details. I just feel like there's still something missing to bring out your true roots."

"--No, I suppose."

"Your relationship with Sanctuary is still in limbo. Your relationship with the testing grounds that Echidna created...Honestly, I don't have a very good feeling about it."

"Don't pry, okay?"

"I refuse. … If not me, who else would dare to step on you with their dirty feet? You've been staying locked up in that place all this time."

　Beatrice was at a loss for words, as if she had choked on something.

　After witnessing this, Subaru turned to the bed and picked up Rem. He took Rem to Arlam Village, left her there, and headed to the Sanctuary with Beatrice.

　It would be easier if they could help me cross the door, but I can't ask for too much. I'll probably have to ride Patrasche back and it'll take half a day.

"Even if you don't want to come to Sanctuary, I will question Roswaal, Ryuzu and the others about you. If possible, I'd like to hear from those closest to you."

　When Subaru truly desired to know, the Witch of Greed answered.

　Now. With even more information than before, and the accompanying hypotheses. And with new mysteries in hand, he felt as if he might be invited back to that castle of dreams.

　At that time, I feel that the secrets of the ``sanctuary'' and the inner workings of those involved, which no one has spoken about, will be revealed.

"It's just a matter of whether it's quicker or slower. I understand your feelings of not wanting to speed things up with your own hands."

"Just how far will you go in making fun of people like that...!"

"You're making fun of me? I don't mean it like that..."

"You casually step into places where people shouldn't step in, causing havoc and mayhem, yet you have the nerve to say something like that. Can you please stop mocking me? And yet you so casually leave the two dead behind?"

"----!"

　At the end of Beatrice's words, Subaru grimaced as he experienced an intense pain.

　Seeing this, Beatrice seemed to think that she had said too much, and for just a moment, a look of hesitation appeared on her face, but this was quickly hidden under her cool, calm demeanor.

"Petra and Frederica... I'll make sure to mourn properly once I leave Rem with the village. I can't just keep quiet about Petra, after all."

　Realizing that he had blurted out something that sounded like an excuse, Subaru walked away, trying not to let Beatrice see his face.

　Beatrice's words pierced Subaru's heart.

　While Subaru was shocked by the deaths of Petra and Frederica, he was already ready to start this world over. Although he had achieved one goal, defeating Elsa, the sacrifices he had made to achieve that goal were too great. There were too many painful things in this world to continue.

　Having told Beatrice not to die, he certainly felt some shame. You're no good, but I'm fine - this was the height of selfish reasoning.

"Whether I go to the Sanctuary or not is up to me, but I need to settle the issue at the mansion first. I'll talk with you after that."

　Subaru passed by Beatrice, who was standing at the entrance, and entered the hallway. Beatrice was silent, but it seemed she was ready to follow him silently.

　Since suicide is not permitted, Beatrice has no choice but to ask for the help of others in order to reach her "end." Since she cannot seek it out herself, she has no choice but to be within Subaru's reach, regardless of her stated wishes.

　Knowing this, I felt so guilty that I began to mock myself, thinking that I had become a terrible person by behaving in this way.

"--oh?"

　Subaru, disgusted by the filthy nature of his own thoughts, suddenly spoke up.

　The cause was a light impact. He felt a hand pushing him away from behind, and Subaru, still holding Rem, instinctively lurched forward.

　He stomped his feet and turned around to see that it was Beatrice who had done it behind him. Subaru frowned, wondering if it was some kind of revenge for his earlier remark, and was about to complain when――

"--ah"

　He noticed a thin girl's voice and a dull glow protruding from her chest.

"--picture?"

　The blade that entered through his back protruded from his chest, slowly working its way down the wound - from the top of his chest down to his lower abdomen.

　Following the movement of the blade, Beatrice's small body trembled.

　Subaru simply stared at it in amazement.

"...This is it."

　Suddenly, Beatrice muttered something.

　As Subaru stood there frozen at the sight before him, Beatrice raised her head and looked in his direction.

　Her expression, her eyes, told of the immense depths of her emotions.

"at last..."

"Wait..."

"---uh."

　Subaru himself didn't know what he was trying to say.

　However, before that incomprehensible emotion could take shape, Beatrice let out a hoarse breath.

　And with that sound as the end, Beatrice's body became a mass of pale light, and after a blink of an eye, it dissipated into yellow particles of light.

　Her small body, her cream-colored vertical rolls, her pesky yet charming face, and the luxurious dress that suited her so well that it seemed difficult to move in - everything, everything, just disappeared――

"--Oh, what a shame. It was the first time I'd ever cut open a spirit's stomach, and yet it just disappeared."

　Where Beatrice had been standing before she had vanished. Half a step behind her stood the woman holding the weapon that had pierced Beatrice.

　Subaru knew the woman's true identity the moment he heard her voice and saw her prey. Even though he knew right away, he couldn't immediately separate them because his brain refused to understand that it couldn't possibly exist. However, after a few seconds, Subaru's consciousness recovered from the shock and he gritted his molars.

　His teeth cracked with a sound. Tasting blood, he glared at the place in front of him and screamed.

"--Elsa!!!"

"There's nothing more you can do, right?"

　As he yelled, he was hit hard on the side of his face with the tip of the kukri knife.

　The hard impact split his head open instantly, and Subaru's body was slammed forcefully into the wall, unable to resist the force. The only thing Subaru could do to resist was to not throw Rem away from his arms.

　A large amount of blood gushed out from the split head, and the shock was so great that everything before his eyes went dark, and he lost all fighting spirit in his limbs. Still, Subaru managed to catch a glimpse of Erza with just his flickering vision, and spat out hatred at her as she deftly juggled the kukri knife with both hands.

"What, but... you're still alive. I've definitely confirmed that you're dead...!"

"Yes, that's right. He was dead. If he had been burned to ashes, he wouldn't have been able to live like this."

　Subaru was shocked by Elsa's nonchalant statement.

　The crucified Elsa had certainly ceased all vital functions. She was dead. There was no doubt about that. So what was this Elsa in front of his eyes? Or was it possible that, like Ryuzu, he was having a nightmare about having a duplicate body?

　But Elsa, who had sent Subaru flying, was still dripping with blood from her limbs, and the area of ​​her chest that had been pierced and torn was being reinforced with cloth cut from her cloak, which was no longer capable of fulfilling its function.

　Looking at her, with traces of the battle still visible, there is no doubt that she is the same person as before. The only question is whether she lives or dies.

"You're not going to tell me you're immortal, are you?"

"That's impossible. He's just a little dirtier than most people. But that girl is quite reckless. I can't remember many times before my body has been destroyed to this extent."

"...What a coincidence. I've only had a few experiences where I've been hurt as badly as you and died."

　Subaru's sincere words were sarcastic, not a joke. However, Elsa seemed to take it as a joke, as she deepened her smile and spun around on the spot. Holding her fingers sadly at her braid that had been cut off in the middle, Elsa quietly looked down at Subaru,

"That girl isn't listening."

"...Then, can you just pretend you didn't see it and let it go?"

　Subaru suggested this to Elsa, knowing that it was a terrible thing to say. He didn't think she would accept it, but it would take a little more time for her limbs to start listening to what Subaru was saying. He needed to buy time with this stupid conversation.

"That was unexpected for me too, so I don't mind, but... a spirit girl and a big maid. The little maid is an addition."

　There are three targets. Does that mean Beatrice, Frederica, and Petra are being added?

　Even though his mind was white-hot, he listened carefully to the parts he couldn't miss. The reason why Rem wasn't on the list of targets was probably because Elsa's employer had forgotten about her existence. He had assumed that Frederica was the same, but her death meant that theory was back to square one.

"Yeah, you lied too."

"lie?"

"It was Frederica. —You spoke as if you had only killed Petra in the Forbidden Library, but that's not what happened."

　He pointed his gaze at Frederica, who was lying at the end of the corridor, and Elsa, looking in that direction, nodded as if understanding, "Ah." Then she turned to Subaru,

"It's not a pretty way to end it."

　He muttered just that.

　There's no way I could understand the aesthetic sense of a murderer. How dare he say something so frivolous after taking someone's life. Anger welled up in me, but it all vanished as Elsa readjusted the kukri knife in her palm.

　He wanted to strike back, but his body had not recovered enough to attempt a counterattack against Erza.

　It was almost foregone conclusion that he would fall before Elsa's murderous blade like this.

　--Is that all for now?

　As Subaru is aware of his imminent death, the things that come to his mind are the many pieces of information he has gained from this loop, the new and puzzling mystery, his conversation with Beatrice, and the expression on her face at the end.

　"I want to die" "Please kill me" she kept repeating, but in the end, why did she push Subaru away? What was the meaning behind her action of being the first to notice Elsa was alive, and pushing Subaru away? I don't want to be so stupid that I don't understand that.

"I don't like those eyes."

"Ahh? --Gulp!?"

　After he said that, he was immediately hit in the face again with Mine.

　His left cheekbone was shattered, and several broken teeth fell to the floor. Just as he was about to collapse, another shot came from the other side. A sharp pain ran through the fundus of his right eye, and the blade's flick chipped his left ear diagonally.

　Afterwards, Elsa alternated between the blade and the ridge, carving, shattering, and torturing Subaru's body. Instead of granting him the "death" he thought would soon come, Subaru was repeatedly inflicted with pain, and he continued to crawl on his hands and knees, bleeding and screaming in agony.

"What is the point of living otherwise?"

"...I don't want you to interfere with my views on life and death."

　One blow. His forehead is split open from above, and he falls, experiencing the illusion of the contents of his skull spilling out.

　The hard impact caused Subaru to lose consciousness, and he felt his body being pulled deeper and deeper into a colder world.

　I guess I'm going to die like this.

　Even if he merely lost consciousness, there was no way he wouldn't understand what it would be like to lose consciousness in front of the "Intestine Hunter."

　This is it. That's all for now.

　Next time, I won't mess up. Next time, for sure.

　I can't forget the expression on his face the last time I saw him, so I will definitely do it.

"--Beatrice."

　The girl who supposedly said "Kill me" had tears in her eyes at the end.

　With that scene burned into his mind, Subaru's consciousness was slowly swallowed by the darkness and disappeared.