Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu web novel

"So it must be just my imagination or some other mistake..."

　Placing his hand to the crystal in front of him, and confirming that he could not sense any signs from it, Subaru pressed his forehead against the cold, hard crystal and cried out in disappointment.

　The girl sleeping within the crystal - the original Lewes Meyer - gives no response to Subaru's lamentations. In the first place, she is in an eternal slumber and would never respond to Subaru's calls, but there is also no reaction that should have occurred.

　That is,

"Because my qualifications have been revoked, even if I touch the crystal, I cannot be given the authority to control Lewes' clone..."

　Only the "Apostle of Greed" has the authority to command the clones of Lewes Meyer.

　Having rejected Echidna and deprived her of the right to take on the Tomb's Trial, Subaru was likely deemed unworthy of the role.

　Entering the facility, filled with a sickening atmosphere, and seeing it, Subaru holds his head in his hands, as the light he thought he could see seems to be receding into the distance.

　At worst, at the very worst, until he had confirmed this, he could have thought that the trauma of being shown the second Trial was what was making Subaru hesitate to step inside the Tomb. If that was the reason, then the only problem was Subaru's own mind. He could have tried again and again with drastic measures, and overcome his weak mind.

　However, once the situation became beyond Subaru's control, he was helpless.

　The fact that he can barely enter the tomb also means that he can't even negotiate directly with Echidna to regain his qualifications.

　Before that, Subaru wondered whether the witches he had parted ways with would ever appear before him again - and he instinctively understood that this was no longer the case.

　And understanding this meant that Subaru's chances of breaking through the Trials had vanished, and the liberation of Sanctuary was now left to someone other than Subaru.

　In other words--,

Subaru: "You want me to let Emilia do that?"

　Having once again mentioned the situation he had most feared, Subaru felt the urge to yell abuse at Echidna's cruelty.

　Echidna was able to read Subaru's memories. She alone should have been able to observe the world Subaru had been repeating over and over again. So Echidna should have known how Emilia had been crushed, broken by continuing to challenge herself alone.

　But she should have known that Subaru was desperately trying to avoid that, and was even willing to sacrifice his life for it.

　And yet, the ``Witch of Greed'' still continues to force hardship upon Subaru and Emilia?

"What to do, what to do, what to do, what to do, what to do, what to do, what to do..."

　Subaru's thoughts burn, his brain white hot, as he searches for a solution. But no matter how hard he strains his brain to the point of burning his synapses, no workaround comes to mind as soon as the ray of hope he's just grasped on falls away.

　The situation is getting worse and worse, and there are fewer people we can rely on.

　A person who is understanding enough to listen to Subaru with sympathy, knowing his circumstances.

　Someone who can swallow a lot of information that you can't reveal and still be able to have a conversation with.

　I won't find anything by thinking about it alone. I can't rely on Echidna anymore.

　If that was the case, there was only one other person Subaru could find with whom to share this problem.

※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※

"I never expected you to come visit me so late at night."

"...But considering that, you seem fully prepared. It's as if you just replaced the fire, not even turning out the lights to go to sleep."

"Haha, that's harsh. Well, you're not wrong though."

　Roswaal sat up in bed, leaning back against the pillow, and relaxed his cheeks as if to welcome Subaru. Though the lights in Roswaal's bedroom had been turned off, the candle on the small table beside the bed had only just been replaced, and its flickering orange light brightly illuminated the room.

　The bewitching color of the fire cast an eerie shadow over Roswaal's sickly white face. Witnessing this, Subaru held his breath softly as he prepared to continue the conversation.

　If what Subaru knows is true, then his conversation with Roswaal was――

"So that's it? You came all the way out of your way to sneak into my room at night. Maybe you had some kind of pick-up line to catch my interest?"

"...I suppose the part about persuading him isn't wrong. Roswaal, is there a way to leave the Sanctuary without going through the Trials?"

"――――"

　With just those words, Subaru felt Roswaal's smile take on a chilling quality.

　In fact, the clown's smile grew larger as his lips parted to the side, and Roswaal stroked his own indigo hair. He nodded repeatedly and gazed at Subaru with his yellow eyes.

"Subaru-kun. --How many times has this happened to you now?"

　The question served as a check that each party knew only the surface level of the other's information.

　Roswaal learns that Subaru has "Returned by Death", and Subaru learns that Roswaal is in a position to know this.

　With that in mind, Subaru must correct the information Roswaal had and extract a concession from him.

　Letting out a short sigh, Subaru shrugged his shoulders in a deliberately pretentious manner.

"Sorry, but it's so ridiculous to even count the number of times. I've already lost track of how many times I've probed you like this."

"I see… I see. I see. If you're talking about it in such a matter-of-fact way… can I take it that way?"

"Well, I wonder."

　Subaru averted his gaze, impatient to hear what was going to happen next.

　However, Subaru hadn't missed the way Roswaal's cheeks had stiffened at what he had said during the conversation, and he'd likely been the one to take the initiative in making the first move.

　--Even though Roswaal knows that Subaru is orbiting, he doesn't retain his memories of the orbit like Subaru does.

　That was the information Subaru learned in the loop where it was discovered that Roswaal knew about "Return by Death." He also learned of Roswaal's incomprehensible obsession with using Subaru's "Return by Death" to achieve the result he desired, even after understanding his own death and end.

　Even now, I cannot help but feel disgust and rejection towards his way of thinking.

"I'm still in the midst of trial and error. I'd like you to cooperate."

　His resigned attitude, which could be said to be a disregard for himself, led him to come up with the idea of ​​acting in a way that would give Subaru the illusion that he was acting according to Roswaal's wishes.

　At this stage, there is no doubt that Roswaal knows more about the inner workings of Sanctuary than Subaru. As for what will happen from now on, it is difficult to reconcile the details as it is unclear how much of the Gospel Roswaal possesses is recorded, but recalling what he muttered when he saw the Great Rabbit, he speculates that it may not contain that much detail.

　In other words, as long as he didn't choose his words incorrectly, it would be entirely possible for Subaru to deceive Roswaal and extract information from him.

"Perhaps part of that trial and error is leaving the Sanctuary without taking on the Trials...? If so, isn't that a bit weak-hearted? With the Authority you possess, you should be able to overcome the difficulties at the end of countless challenges. I don't know how many times you tried, but... giving up and seeking a different method... doesn't that show a lack of resolve?"

"I don't think being stubborn and fixated on just overcoming 'Trials' is a smart approach though. If there is a smarter way, choose that, that's all there is to it. It's foolish to get hung up on form and lose sight of the essence. What's important is that Emilia is given the credit for being able to escape this situation… Am I wrong, Roswaal?"

　While remaining cool and calm on the surface, Subaru thinks about every word he says in real time, carefully examining each word before it comes to his tongue, and the act of weaving it out is nerve-wracking, but without putting his body and mind to the test, it would be impossible to deceive Roswaal.

　A cruel compromise - perhaps exactly what Roswaal wanted from Subaru.

　There was no doubt that Roswaal wanted Emilia to become king, and that Subaru would help her achieve that. The more painful his methods were, the more likely it would be viewed as desirable.

　And sure enough.

"I see... that's certainly the answer I like."

　Roswaal smiled in satisfaction at Subaru's answer.

　Subaru bit the inside of his cheek to keep his expression steady as the white mask, covered with clown makeup, took on a ferocious look.

　The intimidated Roswaal looked at Subaru as if he were one of his own kind. In other words, it meant that Roswaal had judged Subaru to be on the same stage as him, the person he most could not understand. -A physiological revulsion welled up inside him.

　Even though I am aware of my own distortions, I wonder where the difference lies that would make me think that way.

"While I'm happy about Kiimi's change of mind, that's a difficult question to answer. There's no precedent. After all, the barrier has never been broken since it was set up. I've never even considered whether there are any cracks in it, and considering the being that set it up in the first place, I think we should abandon any optimistic thinking that there was any sloppiness."

"Echidna's barrier, huh...?"

"Exactly. The tomb in the 'Sanctuary' is her gravestone, and the barrier is there to prevent the half-humans she used in her experiments from escaping. ...I'm sure you've figured this out by now."

"Well, of course. I know about Lewes Meyer at the facility in the forest. I also know about the clones, and that Garfiel has command over them."

"Haha, that was quick."

　As Roswaal reveals more and more information, Subaru carefully turns over the cards he holds in his hand. In response, Roswaal closes his eyes, sighs, and thinks deeply.

"Liberation of the Sanctuary is a necessary achievement for making Lady Emilia king. If we go against the rules, we'll never be able to convince the residents of the Sanctuary, the villagers of Aram Village."

Subaru: "As long as we can escape, there are plenty of ways to cover that up. Before that, this isn't the only chance we have to make a name for ourselves. We could decide that this was a bad opportunity and wait for another chance…"

"Another time? Why would you do that again?"

　Seeing Roswaal's confused, eyes wide with confusion, Subaru realised his mistake.

　Subaru is able to start over again and again, and has made up his mind to wear himself down - that is the way Subaru is acting now.

　With Subaru's bleak way of thinking, if there was a chance in front of him to gain some merit, there was no reason not to seize it.

　To prevent his regret from showing on his face, and before Roswaal could continue his suspicions, Subaru spoke the words, "Just think about it."

"As you are aware, I can work hard to make Emilia king as much as I want. That's because I can prepare and bring back all the information about the future. I shouldn't say it, but something like the liberation of the 'Sanctuary' is a small event with few people involved. We should be concentrating our efforts on dealing with events with a bigger impact, like the White Whale or the Witch Cult. —This is not a stage worth putting that much effort into."

"…No, the liberation of the 'Sanctuary' is essential. That's the line I won't compromise on. I have to say that I'm still skeptical of your power."

"Skeptical...?"

　Subaru tilts his head at the unexpected turn of events, and Roswaal nods, "That's right."

"I can't see with my own eyes your power to redo things, after all. There's no guarantee that I haven't been manipulated by your words. Of course, if there were consequences, I'd be forced to accept it."

"..."

"I can state with certainty that in order for Lady Emilia to become king, my power... and the cooperation of the Mathers family are essential. By liberating the 'Sanctuary', you will make me believe that your power to aid Lady Emilia is genuine, and that will lead to a good relationship going forward... that's what I want you to think."

　Subaru was speechless at Roswaal's reasonable argument, his eyes narrowed.

　Everything Roswaal said was true, and Subaru couldn't think of any effective counterargument.

　To carry Emilia, a candidate for king, onto the stage of the royal selection process, she needs a backer, and there is no one else around who could do that other than Roswaal. It is also true that Subaru's current attempts to do something about it are merely trying to get by on the current situation, and there is no way to continue.

　Following instructions so as not to upset one's patron was the right thing to do. Considering the legitimacy of Roswaal's opinion and the urgency of the situation, it was all too right.

　However, even as Subaru was being tossed about by these waves of reasoning, he felt something was off.

　It seemed to him that Roswaal was too concerned with the liberation of Sanctuary itself.

"I think that might change the plot a bit..."

"Hmm? What is it?"

　Subaru holds up a finger to get his attention, and Roswaal raises his head.

　Staring into his different colored eyes, Subaru spoke.

"Do you have a reason why you want to liberate the 'Sanctuary' at all costs?"

"――――"

　Roswaal was silent in response to the question.

　Without a word, her smile slowly deepens, and her yellow gaze pierces Subaru.

　--Once again, Subaru sensed a change in the atmosphere.