Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu web novel

"Although my memories are fragmented, I have organized them in chronological order to my own extent. I believe it probably follows this sequence..."

"..."

　Subaru responded in silence to what θ spoke in a staccato manner.

　There is no choice but to remain silent. There is so much information being presented that it is impossible to form words without first sorting it out.

　The origins of the Sanctuary, the time when a girl named Lewes Meyer lived. In other words, it was a time 400 years ago, and it was natural for witches to exist in that place.

　The existence of Echidna, the ``Witch of Greed.''

"Honestly, I can't imagine a time when Echidnas are just wandering around like that."

"For you, Su-bo, who does not know about that era, the witches' existence may be something far away. No, for me too, they feel close to me, but I don't know them personally."

Subaru: "Talking about things you've only heard a little bit about as if they were real experiences feels like the first step of aging. So… does Echidna come to 'Sanctuary' often?"

"It's not like they're my actual memories. However, judging from the scenes I saw and the words exchanged, it seems like it happened quite frequently."

　Unlike θ, who had seen the memories, Subaru, hearing it from someone else, had little realisation.

　And of course, the other thing that bothers me about that earlier story about θ is--

"Beatrice and Roswaal were also in the Sanctuary 400 years ago..."

"Lady Beatrice is, as I just said, Lady Echidna's daughter. As for Rozu, the one I just mentioned was the first of the Mathers family... in the truest sense, the first Roswaal, who created the impetus for the growth of the Mathers family. The name Roswaal is a succession ceremony for generations."

"... Were you close with Beako?"

"From what I've seen, it seems like a happy relationship."

　The way θ spoke reminded me of the uncooperative Beatrice.

　I wonder if that girl hasn't changed in 400 years, and still has that cold, unkind attitude towards others. Is that why she's still like that even now, 400 years later?

　She never shows her true feelings to anyone, and hides her many thoughts within her small body.

　Remembering the girl standing in the Forbidden Library, a deep emotion crossed Subaru's heart.

　Subaru placed his hand on his chest and shook his head, trying to endure the pain.

Subaru: "I found it surprising that Echidna was carrying Beatrice around with her. From the way she talked, it didn't seem like she had any familial affection for Beatrice."

"I have never met the Witch in person. But from what I have glimpsed of Lewes Meyer's memories, I sensed something human about the Witch."

"I somehow agree with that."

　It was only natural that the statue of Echidna did not overlap with the one Subaru knew. Four hundred years, the difference between her life and death, was a great deal of time.

　Would it be strange to come to a philosophical view of life in that dream castle?

"Even though we had a decisive breakdown in our relationship, I still want to have hopes for him..."

　Even I think this is an intolerable weakness.

　It wasn't like Ram and Rem. Echidna had understood Subaru's feelings and hopes, but she still chose to trample them. There was no way they could ever hold hands again.

"Anyway, so far it's just a heartwarming flashback. I don't think there's anything so horrifying going on that θ-san would go out of his way to hide from everyone else."

"――――"

"Please tell me more. What will happen to this seemingly peaceful "Sanctuary"?"

　Subaru demanded in a low voice, and θ sipped his tea, which had gone cold.

　She muttered to herself, "This is bad..."

"What's going to happen...?"

"――――"

"It will collapse, then. And we'll know the true reason why the Sanctuary was created."

"The real reason...?"

　Subaru gasped at the sound, and θ tucked his chin in.

　Then, bit by bit, his eyelids narrowed again, as if lifting the lid on his memories.

"At that time, the Witch and the first Roswaal were in Sanctuary. There was an ominous atmosphere, and it seemed that something out of the ordinary was going to happen, which made not only me, but everyone in Sanctuary anxious."

※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※

　--The air was heavy and tense, and Lewes had the illusion of going thirsty.

"We must flee this place immediately. We are not yet ready. If he finds out the location of the 'Sanctuary' now, it will mean the failure of our plan."

"――――"

"Sensei! We don't need to waste time here! He... he's right there!"

　Inside the hut, a thin-faced boy was banging on the table and raising his voice.

　The boy's expression, which had always been calm and elegant, was now etched with a sense of urgent anxiety.

　Hearing his plea, the witch Echidna silently closed her eyes with her hands clasped. The boy leaned forward in front of the silent Echidna and made large hand gestures to plead with her again.

「There is no time to hesitate! His power is overwhelming! I am not yet able to be of any help to you sensei...! If you ask me to be a shield, I will gladly do so. However, since we have not yet established a means to counter him, even if I volunteer to act as a shield, it would be in vain...」

"It's not that I don't have the means. --I have a rough idea of ​​what to do."

　The boy - Echidna interrupted Roswaal as he opened his eyes and glared at the wooden boards on the desk.

　"Eh..." exhaled Roswaal in shock at her words, and Echidna quietly shook her head.

"I've visited the Sanctuary many times and developed a theory. There should be a fairly high probability that the conditioning of the barrier will also work."

"And, in that case...!"

"--However, we don't have enough "cores" to activate the barrier."

"――――"

　Roswaal, whose expression had shown hope, gasped at the sound of Echidna's pained voice.

"Without the "core", the barrier will not activate. Without the barrier, it is impossible to drive him away from this place. If we cannot secure a safe zone, he will eventually be found and destroyed."

"And so I took my time, carefully preparing this Sanctuary... and yet, I've come this far... we're just one step away!"

　Growling in frustration, Roswaal slammed his fist on the table.

　The legs of the old table creaked and blood began to seep out from Roswaal's hands.

　Silence falls in the hut.

　Time slowed down and the air felt heavy and slimy.

　Among them, there was a girl timidly raising her hand.

"Um, as for the "core" of the barrier... I wonder if I'm not good enough?"

"――――"

"I had heard about the possibility of this happening for some time. I also knew that I was someone who fit the conditions for the barrier that Echidna-sama was going to create. …And that's why she had her eye on me."

"--From Beatrice?"

"yes"

　The one with quiet determination, hunched chin, was Lewes Meyer, with her long, pale crimson hair.

　The girl's cheeks stiffened in resolve as she looked straight at Echidna, whose face remained expressionless.

"Lady Beatrice told me that Echidna-sama had been checking whether my conditions matched. It must have been because of this relationship that she had extracted mana from me several times over the past few months."

　In response to Lewes' question, Echidna was quiet for a moment and then bowed her chin.

"Indeed, your existence is highly compatible with the creation of the barrier. If we keep you within the 『Sanctuary』, it will be possible to maintain the barrier. The theory behind it has been constructed. If we take more time to let the soil of the 『Sanctuary』 and your mana blend together, it should be possible."

"I can't do that yet."

"It's not just a barrier. This barrier cannot be broken. We have been proceeding with the utmost caution. We have taken several years to gather these half-breeds, and have kept them within the 'Sanctuary' to condition the barrier. You are the decisive factor that will enable this. However..."

　Roswaal pauses, looking frustrated.

　Lewes doesn't know the details, but even with clever people like Echidna and Roswaal banding together, there seem to be difficult obstacles standing in the way of carrying out their plan.

　Is there really no way to do anything about this?

　--That's probably not the case, Ryuzu concluded from his short life experience.

"Isn't there some definitive way to do this?"

"――――"

"...I was saved by Echidna-sama and Roswaal-sama. I was happy to come to this land and live a life without being looked down upon or shunned by anyone. If I can repay the kindness I received for that time, then I believe that I will find the meaning of my life in that."

　Little by little, he reveals his true feelings.

　As Lewes's white hands clenched in clenched fists, turning even whiter, Echidna's black eyes froze, fading all warmth. Instead, the one standing next to Echidna was at the mercy of complicated emotions.

"S-sensei..."

　It wasn't a call to leave the decision up to Echidna. It was a call that contained a nuance of "no way."

　But either way, the trigger will be pulled.

"---If I crystallize your Aether and make it into the "Core" of the "Sanctuary," we can shorten the process of assimilating mana into the soil. The barrier will be complete."

"If we do that, will the Sanctuary be saved?"

"It should be possible to avoid being overrun by the threat that is approaching here. If we can just buy ourselves some time, we'll be able to come up with a countermeasure."

"――――"

　Echidna's answer is not a consolation. She doesn't offer wishful thinking or comforting words.

　If Echidna judged it possible, then it could be done.

　In other words, sacrificing my life here means protecting this place, and my dedication to repaying the favor will definitely be fulfilled.

"When will it start?"

"--If possible, I would like to begin preparations right away. I will prepare a vessel for the crystallization, then put together the magic formula. I will have to buy some time to counter the threat..."

"That's my role. I'll do my best as much as I can....Lewes-kun."

　Roswaal, whose face had been sad, raised his head. There was no trace of weakness left in his expression. He looked straight into the eyes of Lewes, who had steeled his resolve, and

"Sorry. I'm not strong enough to help you sensei."

"No, Lord Roswaal is also my benefactor, having given me irreplaceable time. I am grateful for that, but I have no grudge against him."

　Holding a hand over his chest, Lewes shook his head.

　Roswaal took a small breath, then exhaled and looked at Echidna.

"I'll be leaving immediately. Sensei, please get ready… and call Beatrice."

"...Wouldn't it be better not to tell Beatrice?"

Subaru: "If we don't call Beatrice here now, both myself and the teacher will be hated by that girl for the rest of our lives. …Even if we call her, that may be the case."

"Is that so? …Okay. I'll call you later."

　Seeing Echidna nod, Roswaal heads out of the hut. On the way, he places his hand on Lewes' shoulder and gives it a firm squeeze.

　Lewes closed his eyes, knowing that the faint strength of his claws was a sign that Roswaal missed him.

"... Lady Beatrice."

　The words were muttered softly.

　When Lewes thought of that girl who was not with him, her heart clenched terribly.

※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※

　Again, the scene changes.

"――――"

　When he witnessed the overwhelming force of it all, something even more terrifying than preparing for death began to grow in Lewes' heart.

"---huh."

　Roswaal roars and coughs up blood as his body flies horizontally above the ground.

　He fell to the ground from his shoulder and rolled away, kicking up a cloud of dust. Lewes was so shocked that she forgot to breathe.

　Roswaal L. Mathers, who wielded six colors of magic, had risen to the highest level of magic attainable by the human race by the time he was in his mid-teens.

　He can burn the earth with his overwhelming magical power, cut through rock walls with his wind blades, create water currents that can push back the flow of great rivers, and even construct castles by manipulating earth and rock.

　A being of such overwhelming power that even he, possessing such strength, cannot compete with it.

"...Are you still going?"

　The boy walked with a listless attitude, shaking his dull brown head.

　He was about the same age as Roswaal. His dark brown hair was long enough that the bangs reached his eyebrows, and his facial features were so well-formed that he could be mistaken for a woman. His sleepy, narrowed black eyes were a simple color, and he was dressed simply in a white shirt and black trousers.

　--And every time he takes a step forward and kicks a pebble for fun, Roswaal's body bounces, blood splattering everywhere. Bounce. He is thrown back.

"Ga! Guh! Guh!"

"Noisy. Intrusive. Annoying. Annoying. Depressing. Depressing."

　The boy muttered negative words in a low tone, but with every word he muttered and every step he took, Roswaal's cries grew stronger, and the sound of his bones creaking reached him even from a distance.

　Roswaal's body falls to the ground, sinking into the earth as if he were being crushed by the air from above. In fact, his limbs are already half buried in the ground, his flesh is torn, and tears of blood flow from his bloodshot eyes.

"Isn't it time to stop now? You tried your best, you know. You can't beat yourself, but you tried your best. You tried your best, so that's enough now. ...But trying your best is pointless after all."

"That's so stupid... I shouldn't have stopped you here... Why... Guh! Ahh! Ahhh!!"

"Ahhh... Those kind of things make my head feel heavy. My chest feel sick. And my mood sink."

　Seeing Roswaal refuse to surrender, the boy bends his knees and crouches on the spot. He sighs deeply and touches the ground gently. Following the movement of his fingertips, Roswaal's limbs bend and twist as he falls to the ground, screams rising and the sounds of flesh being torn apart.

Subaru: "I really don't want this anymore. I've fallen so far. It's been so long since I've fallen so far, it's really the worst. The worst, the worst, the worst the worst the worst of the worst. —Really, it's depressing."

"Gah――!"

　Just hearing the boy's words was enough to make you feel depressed, and the moment he muttered the final, crucial word, Roswaal's torso collapsed as if unable to withstand the pressure.

　His torso was flattened in the middle, and he vomited so much blood that it seemed as if his internal organs had been spasmed out of his mouth. Roswaal's eyes rolled up, and his limbs were in convulsions. The price of not losing his fighting spirit until the very end was the young mage's lifeblood being crushed.

"Ah, ah, ah. What is this? What is it? It's like this. It's like this. Ah, I really didn't want to do this. My chest feels sick. I feel depressed. My head is heavy. I'm depressed. Depressed, depressed ...

　Roswaal no longer even cried out in agony, making the sound of dripping blood. Staring at his battered body with a bored gaze, the boy muttered gloomy irritation.

　Roswaal's brutal end, and the incomprehensibility of the boy who had carried it out. Lewes could only watch, and at this point he remembered that he had forgotten how to breathe.

"--teeth"

　His lungs, squeezed to their limit, worked hard to get oxygen into his brain and body. He had to take a breath, take in oxygen, and then hide in silence again. It was frightening that even a single vibration in the air would stimulate the edge of the boy's consciousness.

　Even though his benefactor had been brutally crushed right before his eyes, he chose to protect himself rather than seek revenge. He couldn't even comprehend his own attachment to such a wretched life.

"Huh? Is there someone over there?"

"--!"

　As if to prove Lewes's concern, the boy tilted his head and looked in his direction.

　Lewes was peeking from inside a hut a short distance away as Roswaal and the boy fought in the square. His eyes were fixed on a joint in the wall, peering through a small gap.

　The boy's words, as if he had grasped that tiny gap from afar, made me shudder. There was no way it could be found. The gap was smaller than a cat's forehead. There was no way it could be caught.

　And yet, the boy walked towards me with unwavering steps,

"You know, I don't really want to do that. It's not like anything good will come from killing everyone... It would be a relief if it saved me the trouble."

"...fire"

"Hmm. Well, it's about there... No, I'll just get rid of it all. I really just want to drop everything and go home right now. I feel sick. I'm depressed. I'm depressed."

　The boy points his palm towards the hut where Ryuzu is and pronounces his death sentence in a gloomy voice.

　In an instant, a chill ran down Lewes' spine, and a sharp pain ran through the top of his head, as if a needle was piercing it. Tears welled up in the corners of his eyes, and an unbearable scream choked his throat.

　Just like that, Lewes' small body was crushed down to the bone by the invisible weight.

"Al…Goaa!!"

　A blood-spitting roar―― No, literally blood-spitting roar rose up, and an explosion of flames painted the plaza crimson.

　Even though they were far away, an immense amount of heat, enough to burn his face, appeared in an instant, and as Roswaal collapsed to the ground, his palms raised, it aimed at the boy's back, intending to scorch him.

"――――"

　Even the boy looked back in shock at the overwhelming heat wave. However, even if he looked back at the inferno, it was not a violent force on a level that could be understood by human beings.

　Without being able to do anything, the boy's body was swallowed up in the red light.

"Sweat is unpleasant. --It's annoying."

　The words muttered just before that caused even the concentrated crimson mana to be knocked to the ground.

　The red-hot sphere was supposed to burn the boy and vanish from the world without leaving even a shadow behind, but instead, it didn't spread its heat waves to the surroundings and instead turned into a small, round red lump that rolled on the ground.

"Ah, uh, huh..."

"It's still not gone? How much force must you be using? Don't make yourself use too much force. The more you do it, the more you want to die."

　Muttering to himself, the boy clenched his raised palm. As if following his gesture, the red sphere that had been shrinking on the ground suddenly imploded.

　The dry sound of heat bouncing off the air rang out once, and then the energy completely dissipated.

　Even a single blow from Algoa, the highest level of fire mana magic, doesn't reach it.

　Roswaal, who had been trying to make a comeback from his near-death state, was astonished to see the outcome. The result of his desperate efforts was right before his eyes.

　Although Lewes's death was averted in the nick of time, he is painfully aware that Roswaal's death, and his own death too, have only been postponed for a brief moment.

"Demon... No, demon...!"

"That's a nasty name, it makes me feel depressed. Do you think I became like this because I love myself?"

"No matter what, no matter how your way of life is twisted… from the limited options… you are the one who chose the present. Don't look like a victim… Hector of 'Melancholy'!"

"Your truth is painful to hear, and I feel embarrassed. Seriously, I just don't like you."

　Crouching down beside the fallen Roswaal, the boy reaches his palm out to Roswaal's head.

　If their fingertips were to touch, and the boy's invisible destruction were to be transmitted, Roswaal's body would be crushed to pieces, leaving no trace of its original shape.

"Ugh...Urgh..."

"It's too late, it's too late, and they won't let me do it."

　The boy spoke calmly, standing before Roswaal, who was preparing to conjure mana and activate the spell.

　And then, the fingertips of death reach Roswaal, bringing certain death to his dying body.

"--Ru, buu."

"My bones are rattling. My organs are a mess. My heart is cracking. What do you think about that?"

　A short cry of agony. That was Roswaal's death throes.

　Looking down at Roswaal, who had completely stopped moving, the boy shook off his knees and stood up. Then, this time, he turned to look at Lewes, who was also still motionless.

　This time, without any warning, he turns his palm towards me and releases that invisible force.

"--!"

　I couldn't endure it for even a second.

　The pressure was overwhelming, far greater than his own weight. He was lucky that he was able to fall forward to the ground, but if his posture had been different, he would have been forced to face the ground, even if it meant bending his joints in ways they weren't supposed to.

Subaru: "If she can't resist, then she's not Echidna. If she's not that girl, then I don't care anymore."

"--Ah, hi."

"Just collapse like this and be buried in the earth. Save yourself the trouble of digging your own grave――"

　He had the illusion of his entire body's skin being pulled by invisible hands and being torn off to the ground. Just as he thought the voice of a boy he heard in the distance would be his last words in this world, the weight suddenly disappeared.

　Breathing heavily, with tears and drool staining his face, Lewes looked up, wondering what had happened. And, in front of his eyes,

"It's hard to say we made it in time."

"No way. Your apprentice held me back and did an excellent job buying me some time. But thanks to that, things didn't go as planned at all, which made me feel quite upset."

"You really haven't changed. You're the same as when we broke up."

"Your way of speaking is still the same as always. How did you become such an unattractive person to talk? You used to be so cute."

　The boy shook his head in grief. Standing in front of him, blocking the space between him and Lewes, was a white woman in a black robe - Echidna.

　The Witch turns her eyes to the fallen Roswaal and narrows them slightly.

"It's a rather heartbreaking sight. It's a shameful confusion for me to be unable to remain objective about the outcome I've witnessed."

"I think in this case, it would be better to deal with it calmly and emotionally. I don't know, but if you want to cry, then take the time to do so. I'm not that cold-hearted."

"How dare you say something like that."

　The words they exchange are harsh, and although it is clear that the two know each other, it is clear to an onlooker that their relationship is by no means friendly.

　They faced each other slowly, measuring the distance. Lewes had no doubt about Echidna's strength, but even Roswaal, who believed so, was easily crushed in the face of her overwhelming power.

　Given that, it cannot be said with certainty that even her title is a source of comfort.

"--I wonder how long you'll be lying there in such a shameful state."

"...picture?"

　Suddenly, a hand grabbed Lewes from behind as he was holding up his head while lying face down. Pulled by the force, Lewes cried out in surprise and turned around.

　There was an adorable girl with a familiar frown on her face.

"Bea, Lord Toris..."

"This is not the time to make such a dumbfounded voice. I think we should get out of here while mother is buying us some time."

"But... Lord Roswaal and Lady Echidna asked me to wait here."

"That guy got wind of us because of Roswaal's mistake. Anyway, come with me, Betty. Mother told me to take you with her."

"Echidna-sama's..."

　Beatrice frowned in annoyance, but even her expression was tense. Even though she was normally strong-willed and full of confidence, she was being intimidated by the mysterious boy.

　Still, I am much stronger than the me that is just sitting here, shrunken and trembling.

"I'm ready. That's what your mother said. She meant that you would understand."

"--got it"

　Lewes held her breath and nodded in response to Echidna's message. Beatrice narrowed her eyes suspiciously at Lewes' reaction, but there was no time to comment on it.

　A torrent of mana was rising behind the two of them. It was only a matter of time before they would collide with Echidna and the boy. The outcome of the battle was unpredictable. To ensure victory, Ryuzu's decision was of utmost importance.

"Let's go. Lady Beatrice, where are you getting ready?"

"...I think it's in this old stone room at the back. Mother told me to carry it over, but even for Betty, it was hard work."

　While implicitly talking about her own achievements, Beatrice took Lewes' hand and began to move.

　Chasing after Beatrice's bouncing hair, Lewes looked back at Echidna and bowed to her back, who was unaware of her presence.

　--I'm sure they'll never exchange words again.

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　It was a transparent blue crystal, so beautiful it made me tremble.

"Don't get so fascinated that you accidentally touch it. If you do, you'll be swallowed up and become part of the crystal."

　Lewes let out an excited sigh, forgetting the situation. Beatrice was beside him, arms folded, admonishing him not to make any rash moves.

　Lewes, who was on the verge of doing what could be described as an accident, hastily withdrew the finger he had been reaching out to do after hearing her warning, and apologized, "I'm sorry."

"It's not something you need to apologize for… So, what are we going to do from here? All Betty was told to do was carry these crystals and call you here."

"Lady Beatrice, how do you intend to transport these crystals...?"

"For someone as skilled as Betty, it's probably easy to move something like this without even touching it. Mother should be able to praise you for the accuracy and distance of your door crossing."

　Although she had her usual composed expression, Beatrice looked somehow proud, which made her cheeks unconsciously relax.

　I've gotten used to talking to her like this. At first, I took everything Beatrice said literally and was often very embarrassed.

　After spending some time with her, I realized that the true feelings of this seemingly tyrannical girl were surprisingly easy to understand, and once I understood that, we were able to laugh together and realize that she was just as cute as she looked.

　How nice it would be if I could just keep talking with Beatrice like this.

　He could just forget about the disaster that had befallen the Sanctuary, and the fate that awaited Lewes, and continue on like this - but there was no way he could do that.

"...? You're laughing with a really unpleasant look on your face right now."

　Perhaps my sentimentality was showing, as the ever-eager Beatrice pointed it out.

　She was so aware of him that he could tell the difference in the quality of her smile from usual. As soon as he realized this, tears welled up in Lewes' eyes.

　Beatrice's eyes widened. Lewes hurriedly wiped them away with her sleeve,

"S-sorry... There's just something in my eye..."

"I don't think she's worried at all. Even Betty knows that it's difficult to tell her not to be anxious."

　Though misguided, those were undoubtedly words of kindness from Beatrice.

　My heart feels warm. Her words give me so much strength. I feel so proud of that.

"Lady Beatrice."

"I wonder. If your preparations are taking too long, then Betty will come and join mother. Roswaal was on the verge of death, so even someone like him has to be saved..."

"Thank you for your support over the years. But now, it's time to say goodbye."

"--Eh?"

　Beatrice let out a hoarse voice and blinked her eyes to show she didn't understand.

　In the cold stone room, Beatrice and Lewes - two girls - faced each other.

　Beatrice blinked repeatedly as she glared at Lewes, who was looking straight at her. Lewes, aware of the sharpness of her gaze, but also of its warmth, didn't move a muscle.

"What do you mean by farewell? Running away?"

"No, that's not true. If I had survived where I escaped to, I might have been able to reunite with Lady Beatrice. However, this farewell will only be for this lifetime. I will probably never have the chance to exchange words with Lady Beatrice like this again."

"..."

　With her lips pursed, Beatrice looked into Lewes's eyes, trying to find out his true intentions.

　Seeing Beatrice's first sign of confusion, Lewes quietly chose her words carefully.

"The preparations Echidna-sama was talking about were to create a barrier around this Sanctuary. Normally it would be necessary to take the time to let the barrier take root in the soil of the Sanctuary... but because of what happened today, there wasn't enough time."

"There's not enough time... the barrier won't make it in time? I wonder if that barrier was a necessary measure to keep that man away."

"That's right. I have clearly seen how dangerous that man is. He is dangerous. I can understand why Echidna-sama was so determined to defeat him, no matter what the difficulties. I'm sure Roswaal-sama's dedication was also because he knew that he would have to go to such lengths to save Echidna-sama."

　That's how impressive the boy was.

　If the barrier were to be activated, Lewes didn't know how it would ultimately benefit Echidna and lead to the eradication of that existence.

　However, there was one thing Echidna had assured me of.

"Echidna-sama has assured me that if the barrier is activated, it will be possible to protect this sanctuary. ...And so, I will dedicate myself to that end."

"Don't say stupid things. Offering your body... how can you, someone with no magical skills..."

　Beatrice spoke quickly, a sense of impatience in her eyes. However, as she was wise and put her words into words, she inadvertently arrived at the answer to her own question.

　She opened her eyes in shock and looked at the blue crystal standing beside them.

"If I bind your existence to the core of this crystal... then it will become the core Aether that permeates the entire Sanctuary... then there will be no need to take the time to familiarize yourself with it...?"

"Yes. Echidna-sama said the same thing."

　It was a conclusion that had been agreed upon in discussions with Echidna and Roswaal prior to the attack.

　Beatrice just stood there, speechless. Lewes came around so that she was in Beatrice's field of vision and smiled at her.

"The affinity between me and the mana of the Sanctuary... Lady Beatrice guaranteed that."

「――――!!」

　Beatrice raised her head as if struck by Lewes' words.

　She bit her pink lip, blood oozing slightly onto her skin.

"That's not true... Betty... Betty, did you mean to tell mother that... Wait, no, I wonder if you'll wait. I'll wait. I wonder if Betty will talk to mother directly. Mother is really soft on Betty, so she'll definitely listen to what you have to say..."

"There's no time for that right now. We need to make a decision right now."

"In that case, Betty should go and assist Mother right away. If Mother and Betty work together, I'm sure they can take out someone like that in no time. Even Roswaal should be able to heal quickly, and with the three of them..."

　Beatrice shook her head in disapproval and her words trailed off.

　Beatrice herself realized how unconvincing her statement was.

　Beatrice is certainly amazing. Lewes truly respects the fact that someone her age is able to use magic so skillfully and that she never stops training herself every day.

　She adored her mother, and even though she clashed with Roswaal, she always watched over Lewes as she devoted herself to practicing magic, while also doing the laundry, sewing, and cooking.

　Having spent such an intense time with her, Beatrice had a proper understanding of her own abilities, and so she clearly understood the difference in their fighting strength.

　She cannot make the decision to put her mother's life at risk for such a consolation that it is not even a consolation.

"---Betty can use the door to cross and get everyone out of here."

"..."

"Right? I guess that's what we should do. We'll have to push ourselves a bit, but I'm sure Betty can do it. While Mother is buying us time, we should gather up the people from Sanctuary and have them escape to Mother's mansion. We'll find an opportunity to retrieve Roswaal, and then Mother and Betty can go through the door and escape from him. ...Yup, this is what we should do."

"And so, in the place you fled to, will you live in fear of being chased by that person again? After being shunned by many people, you finally arrived at this place of peace, abandoning it... how long will it take to find a new place where you can spend time like this again?"

　As Beatrice tries to come up with an alternative plan, Lewes just shook his head and spoke calmly but sternly.

　Seeing the look of hurt spread across the girl's face, Lewes felt a sharp pain in his chest.

　Ryuzu has to trample on and kick the kindness of the girl who is so concerned about them and about Ryuzu, and get her way.

　What a cruel and selfish act that would be, a betrayal of all the days that had passed.

　--The accumulation of the days up until now has betrayed the feelings of the past.

"Lady Beatrice, I love the Sanctuary. I'm truly glad I can live here. I love the smiles of everyone who lives here. I don't want to lose it."

"――――"

"I've already had enough of this warm time. I don't think it's the kind of happiness I deserve, someone with such tainted blood running through my veins. So I'm satisfied."

"That can't be... I mean, whatever you all think about this place, the true meaning of this place isn't what you think it is..."

"Yes, I understand."

"----!"

　Beatrice looked as if she regretted what had accidentally spilled out of her mouth, and Lewes nodded.

　I understood the true meaning of this ``sanctuary.''

　He knew that Echidna and Roswaal had not gathered together a group of misfits like themselves out of mere goodwill.

　A paradise where even those who were shunned and despised could live with pride - although I wasn't living my life clinging to such superficial hopes, I wanted to believe so.

　It was a sentimental feeling, coming to the resigned realization that at this very moment, there was no point in just staring at shining things.

"This place is for our purpose of dealing with that person who is pursuing Echidna-sama."

"..."

"Now I know that this is what this place is for, and that this is what we are for."

"Well then... if you know that, why?"

　Beatrice shook her head, not understanding.

　Seeing Beatrice's pleading gaze, Lewes loosened his lips.

"It's fine. That may have been how it started. But not all of the time we spent here was entangled in Echidna-sama's intentions. Not all of the time I spent here, and not all of my conversations with Beatrice-sama, were like that."

"――――"

"It's not how it starts that's important. It's how it ends and what you feel at the end."

"――――"

"My time here was happy. That is why I am going to protect that time. I would like to express my gratitude to Lady Beatrice for all her kindness, and I have done so many times now."

　A roar echoed from far away, beyond the stone room.

　The ground shook and the air trembled; it was the aftermath of the clash between Echidna and the boy that had taken place in the center of the Sanctuary.

　It was faint, but certain, and it was slowly approaching, proof beyond a doubt that Echidna, who was fighting to keep them from getting close, was at a disadvantage.

"----!"

　Lewes closed her eyes in a calm, determined manner. In front of her, Beatrice was shaking her shoulders and frantically racking her brains to find the right words.

　Those were the magic words that would frustrate Ryuzu's resolve, change his mind, and completely overturn his opinion.

　However, such convenient magic does not exist anywhere in this world.

"Lady Beatrice."

"...something."

"Please be careful not to eat too many sweets."

"――――"

　She was the kind of child who couldn't stop reaching for the tea snacks during tea time, so if she gained weight, it would be a shame. I hope she keeps her teeth clean.

　She rarely shows it, but when she smiles she's a truly adorable girl.

　Turning around, Ryuzu silently approached the blue crystal - Crystal.

　The deep glow of the crystal is captivating. If you touch it, you will be completely engulfed in the light.

　Is there any pain or suffering?

　Even if you prepare for your end, you don't know how it will come.

　To put it simply, it's scary, that's the emotion I feel.

　When I am engulfed in this light, I can make this ``sanctuary'' real.

　If only everyone could live in that real world with kind hearts and in peace.

　As long as Echidna and Beatrice continue to watch over this "Sanctuary" from now on too.

"――――"

　Suddenly, I felt someone tug on my sleeve.

　When Lewes turned around, Beatrice was standing right next to him.

　This was the first time Ryuzu had ever seen her face, and she was tugging at his sleeve with unreliable fingers.

　The strength of her fingers as she grasped him was weak, and Beatrice herself was probably not sure what she wanted from her touch. But her unconscious reach seemed to express the true feelings of this girl, who could not honestly put her feelings into words.

"――――"

　Gently, Lewes removes Beatrice's fingers from her sleeve.

　As their fingertips touched, their warmth was transmitted to each other, and finally, Lewes smiled.

　and,

"Thank you. --Goodbye, Betty."

　With those final words, Lewes's consciousness was engulfed in a blue light.

　Disappeared.