Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu web novel

"Sorry for getting Lady Emilia excited, but Garf will be entering the tomb first."

　After finishing their discussion, Ram returned with Garfiel and said this first.

　Hearing this, Subaru's eyes widened, while Emilia and Otto also looked shocked.

"Garfiel said it was a 'trial'... are you serious?"

"I'm being serious. Right, Garf?"

　Subaru asked timidly, and Ram nodded, looking up at Garfiel who was standing next to her.

　There wasn't much difference in height between the two, but Garfiel was still slightly taller than Ram. Garfiel was still messing with his bangs, which were still dry and brittle with dried blood, and he turned his face away so as not to overhear their conversation.

　Ram tugged on that ear with great force.

"Are you listening, Garf? You've got a lot of nerve to just ignore me."

Subaru: "No! No!? Hey, Ram!? My ear just got stabbed right at the base, hey! It's on the verge of getting torn off…it's bleeding!"

"It seems you haven't learned your lesson after being mobbed and beaten by everyone else? Let me tell you, we still have Lady Emilia here who hasn't lost any of her strength. Do you know what will happen if you show a rebellious attitude?"

"I, I... I don't mean to do anything so violent..."

　Both of them were completely wounded, and all of them were at their limit of exhaustion――However, Emilia, who had not participated in the battle, was in perfect condition.

　Even so, Ram's courage in relying on Emilia's power to immediately launch a demonstration, even though he had just finished a battle that was meaningful in that it would not have involved her, is frightening.

「I know. Even if we were to have a rematch here and now, there's no way I would win. My strength has returned a lot thanks to the 『Divine Protection of the Earth Spirit』, but...it's not enough to put up a fight.」

"Hearing you say that makes me feel relieved. To be honest, I don't want to have to fight you anymore. I thought I was going to die. This was the second or third time in the past month."

"Natsuki-san, how many hellish scenes have you been through? It's scary."

　Subaru shudders as he remembers his fight with Garfiel, and Otto, hearing Subaru's thoughts, shudders as he imagines the brutality of it all.

　Incidentally, this was the second or third near-death experience I'd had - if I thought about the events that actually caused me to die, the true danger level might be even lower.

"...Me, second or third?"

"Yeah. Second or third... something like that. If you go out into the open, there's a lot more to it."

"Ha! I won't fall for that sweet talk. They say, 'Behind every profitable business lies a hidden treasure'."

　Garfiel snorts at Subaru's provocation and touches the white scar on his forehead.

　Then, he turned his sharp golden eyes towards the tomb standing leisurely behind Subaru and the others.

"Even if you lump it all together, using force and smooth talk… I still don't believe it. I'll see it with my own eyes and make a decision."

"Judgment what?"

　Emilia quietly asks Garfiel, who lowers his voice.

　Garfiel turned his gaze to Emilia, who in turn looked straight at him.

　Or perhaps this was the first time that the two of them had truly come face to face in this "sanctuary."

　Emilia was under Garfiel's terribly violent gaze, but even in the face of his gaze, her amethyst eyes did not flicker even weakly.

　As if they had seen something in the depths of each other's eyes, they both suddenly loosened their lips at the same time.

　Garfiel clicked his sharp canines, and Emilia reached out her fingers to her chest, then stopped as if remembering something.

　Seeing this gesture, Garfiel reached out to his right shoulder,

"Nu, zua...!"

　The blue crystal that had been sticking out of his right shoulder was pulled out with a dull sound.

　For an instant, blood trickled down Garfiel's right shoulder, but he tightened his muscles and forcibly stopped the bleeding. He lightly wiped the crystal he had pulled out and tossed it to Emilia, whose eyes were wide.

"Wa, ah..."

"Take it properly. It's yours... you should have it."

　As Emilia looks at the crystal she has quickly taken, Garfiel says bluntly.

　Emilia gasps at the blue glow of the crystal in her hand as she hears Garfiel's words. The crystal glows faintly, flickering as if in joy at Emilia's acceptance.

　Subaru, who was watching from the side, crossed his arms, thinking that it didn't make a difference even if he couldn't speak.

"Thank you, Garfiel."

"From my point of view, all I did was throw something disgusting at him. There's no reason for him to be grateful."

　Leaving Emilia, who expressed her gratitude, Garfiel casually looked up at the sky.

　The sky ahead was turning orange, and night would soon fall. Then, the Trial would be ready to begin.

"--I'll go and find out. Whether I'm the one who's wrong, or whether you guys are the ones who've made a mistake."

　Saying this with a show of determination, Garfiel squared his shoulders and turned around.

　The steps lead him towards a tomb - a nightmarish place where Garfiel would be confronted with the horrible memories engraved in his mind from his childhood.

　What will I see there as time goes by?

"Hey, Garfiel."

　Just as Garfiel had made up his mind, a voice called out to him from behind.

　Clicking his tongue, he turned around to see Subaru raising his hand and calling out to him.

"What?"

"Well, I don't want to spoil anything if I can help it. There's still a little bit of time before we enter the Trials..."

　Subaru scratches his head and stammers, doing nothing but pouring cold water on the mood.

　Seeing Subaru's expression of difficulty, Garfiel bit his fangs, urging him to go further.

　As if encouraged by this, Subaru sighed, and then,

"At least get changed. You're not wearing anything but a loincloth that's about to fall off at any moment."

　A barbarian style where you can feel the cool breeze directly on your crotch.

　Garfiel's forehead swelled with blue veins at Subaru's remark, while Ram sighed in exasperation.

"It's a never ending story."

※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※

　--The moment he changed and stepped into the tomb, Garfiel sensed from the air that the conditions of the Trial had been met.

　Damp air in the stone space. A chilly wind blows through, and the smell of dust tickles his nostrils, making him grimacing. For Garfiel, with his overly sensitive nose, the stench of the enclosed space is an unbearable assault on his senses.

"I don't want to stay long."

　The murmur echoed down the hallway, but no response came from anywhere.

　As I repeatedly feel the hardness of the ground beneath my feet, my body penetrates deeper and deeper into the tomb.

　Without realizing it, Garfiel noticed his heart beating faster.

　He will take on the Trial and see the results. He is prepared for it. But even so, his heart is unable to remain calm, for what awaits him brings back memories of a strong fear that Garfiel can never shake off.

　There is always the thought that if I touched it again, what difference would it make?

　What kind of change would Garfiel have if he witnessed that scene once more? In fact, he had never forgotten those memories even for a moment.

　A memory burned into my memory so vividly that it was almost too vivid.

　What other result would there be from looking at it again, other than reinforcing the memory?

"...How pathetic. You came all the way here just to find out."

　He comes up with plausible reasons and mocks himself for wanting to run away.

　It was no wonder that Ram yelled at him and made fun of him. He had no desire to know or even realize that he was such a timid man.

　--What would he have done if he had been a man who succumbed to this effeminacy and weakness?

"――――"

　Garfiel stops walking on the stone pavement of the passage and becomes aware of the presence of the earth.

　The power welling up from the soles of his feet is a warm vibration lent by the earth to Garfiel, who possesses the 『Divine Protection of the Earth Spirit』.

　Even when his body is wounded, injured, and worn out, Garfiel's body recovers and grows stronger just by being in contact with the earth.

　It would be one thing right after being defeated, but after a brief rest, he should be able to function at about 40% of the normal rate he would when in perfect health. If he wanted to, he should even be able to destroy the tomb.

　Subaru, Ram and the others, who sent Garfiel into the cave alone, are powerless to stop him from committing an act of destruction. All the meaning of their efforts to defeat Garfiel will be completely lost. Now they can make him disappear.

　Were they really that stupid to even think about something so trivial?

"Dammit."

　That can't be.

　Putting aside Emilia, who seemed to have no idea how to suspect people, and Otto, who seemed to be missing something crucial, Subaru and Ram, who acted so calculatingly, were not going to overlook that possibility.

　Even if Garfiel regains his power, he doesn't think he'll destroy the tomb.

　Do you think that's being viewed as cowardice, or do you think it's being completely believed?

　Right now, Garfiel doesn't know which is correct.

　Perhaps the answer lies beyond overcoming the "Trials."

"...Right."

　Spitting out in disgust, Garfiel resumed walking.

　I'm not good at thinking about complicated things. I'm not good at using my brain, whether in everyday life or in battle. But I still rack my brains desperately because someone told me to do so a long time ago.

"Think more before you fight, Garf. Ram will be happy if you do that."

"--ah"

　I suddenly remembered who had told me to live my life with thought.

　Is that why I continued to cling to it so desperately, so foolishly?

　In that case, Garfiel had been told by the person who had told him to think before he fought that it would be better if he fought without thinking.

"That's lame, hey...?"

　I couldn't help but burst out laughing.

　Just as he was about to stifle his laughter, Garfiel saw the end of the corridor.

　The passage ends, and Garfiel is greeted by a square space - the Chamber of Trials.

　The small room floats with a faint, ghostly paleness. Stepping into the room with a somewhat relaxed look on his face, Garfiel looks at the stone door at the back of the room.

　It is a door that is said to open after overcoming three "trials". I don't know if that's actually the case, because I've never seen it open. I'm not told what's inside.

　If they stopped walking and waited like this, the "Trial" would begin, but--

"--Huh?"

　Garfiel, who had crossed his arms and was looking around the small room restlessly, raised his eyebrows. With his keen night vision, something strange about the small room caught his eye.

　I strained my eyes to see what it was...

"First, face your own past."

　I heard a voice.

　Suddenly, my vision started to shake and my consciousness became unclear.

　The past is coming...

※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※

"I never thought you'd come here again like this. I'm so happy right now."

　When Garfiel's consciousness was awakened, he found himself standing in a forest.

　He turns his head and sees a familiar forest - except that compared to the scenery Garfiel knows, it's a somewhat "younger" forest. It's only been a few years, but it's a place he's been in daily contact with, and Garfiel can clearly see the changes.

　This is the past.

　And so, I take on the ``trial'' and find myself in that dream.

　Garfiel readily accepts this and checks the condition of his body.

　The limbs were there. From the neck up, the eyes, nose, and ears were all in place. I opened my mouth and clenched my teeth as hard as I could, making a high-pitched sound of the blades clashing together.

　There was no problem and I was safe. In fact, it even felt as if the injuries I'd sustained before entering the tomb had healed.

"The reason you are not dragging any injuries from reality inside is because this is a place that only draws in your mind. If your injury is severe enough to affect your mind, it will not heal even in a dream. This has already been proven; for example, if a person who is missing an arm in the real world is summoned to this world, that arm will remain missing..."

"Stop talking so much. Don't you know you're ignoring me?"

"I understand that. But even so, you still need to exchange words with me. I think you should respect my feelings of joy at our long awaited reunion."

　"I wonder," a woman with a doll-like smile plastered on her face stood in front of Garfiel.

　She was a woman with pure white hair and skin, dressed in black from head to toe, resembling a mourning outfit. Her smile was so captivating that it could entice any man, but just by looking at her, one could tell that she was empty inside.

　Her appearance hadn't changed an inch from how it was in Garfiel's memory.

"My limbs have grown, but yours remain the same."

"Unfortunately, I am a deceased person. After death, only my soul remains in this world. No matter how many years pass, I cannot walk the same path of time as the living. You're talking sentimentally. It's not like you."

"Only someone who knows me really well can say that. The only time we've met was once, a long time ago. And even then, we didn't really talk about anything important."

"That may be what you saw of me. But whether that's equal to the amount of time I saw you is another matter entirely, isn't it?"

"--Chii."

　I know that he is not someone who can be comforted with words.

　Garfiel resisted the urge to click his tongue as he glared at the witch, Echidna, who stood there with an innocent look on her face.

　Perhaps acting as the supervisor of the Trial, Echidna remains close to Garfiel as he looks back at the past, just as before. This is not out of human concern for Garfiel, who is distressed by the Trial, but out of vulgar curiosity, so as not to overlook all the events that will be affected by this scene unfolding.

　Losing the energy to continue the conversation, Garfiel looks towards the forest.

　If the performance of the past has already begun, it is only a matter of time before the performers make their appearance.

　Garfiel had no intention of pleasing the witch, who was happy just to talk to her.

"That's cruel."

　Echidna even accepted Garfiel's attitude as something pleasant, stroking her own long white hair as she stood next to him.

　As I followed her movements from the side, a change soon came over her.

"――――"

　Garfiel gasped slightly as he faced the scene he should have known would come true.

　The boundary of the forestーー that is to say, it was the watershed of the barrier that separated the inside and outside of the 『Sanctuary』.

　Those trapped within the barrier say that even just being in front of the barrier puts their consciousness at risk, and they experience an uncomfortable feeling as if their existence is being disturbed.

　Four figures appeared in a place close to the boundary of the barrier.

　One of them is Ryuzu, who has long pale red hair and looks exactly the same as he does now.

　The other was a girl around ten years old with beautiful, thin, golden hair like silk - Frederica.

　And standing opposite Lewes and Frederica was a woman with blonde hair tied up in a braid, drooping eyes and a calm look on her face.

　The woman was holding a young child in her arms, a golden-haired, evil-looking child.

"Ah... Mother..."

　The moment Garfiel saw the woman and realized who the child was in her arms, a weak cry escaped his mouth.

　However, the voice calling for her mother was not heard by any of the four people who had arrived at the scene.

　--Of course. No one can interfere with the past, after all.

"Even if you reach out your hand, you can't touch them. Even if you call out to them, they don't smile. I know it sounds strange to say it myself, but I feel sorry for them for being faced with such a harsh situation."

　It was exactly the sort of feeling a witch would have, wanting to yell at her and tell her not to say something.

　But there is no malice in the Witch's eyes as she gazes upon Garfiel's distorted, heartbroken face. This scene was not arranged by the Witch with any malicious intent.

　In truth, this Witch is a natural disaster, seeking the result that those who challenge the Trials will have to drag out the regrets they harbor in their hearts, and how they will face them.

"――――"

　Right in front of the trembling Garfiel, the four of them were having a conversation.

　The content, the words, the tone of her voice - none of it reaches Garfiel.

　The mouth is open and sounds are being spun.

　But when it passes through the air and vibrates Garfiel's eardrums, it takes on no definite meaning.

　Lewes had a sorrowful expression on her face, Frederica bit her lip to hold back tears, her mother had the corners of her eyes drooping in a troubled manner, and Garfiel in her arms was smiling innocently.

　The painful scene was accompanied by no sound because this was Garfiel's memory.

　Young Garfiel has no memory of this exchange, and so the words exchanged do not reach his ears.

　However, there is a vague memory that lingers here and there in the corners of my mind.

　Because the scene is being recreated, the scenery is staged in a way that seems to titillate the viewer.

"I wonder what they're talking about. Can you guess?"

"Don't talk to me. --It's bound to end up being a pointless back and forth anyway."

　Considering what happens next, you can imagine the conversation that follows.

　His mother is trying to head out into the world, while Lewes and Frederica try to stop her. Young Garfiel is unable to take part in the discussion, and simply savors the joy of being held in his mother's arms.

"--Guh!"

　Suddenly, an irresistible urge hit Garfiel and he took a step forward.

　Before Echidna could even raise her eyebrows, Garfiel, stomping through the forest, came right up to the other four. The four of them didn't even notice Garfiel, even though he was next to them. They came to face their sister, who was shorter than them, and Lewes, who hadn't changed at all, and looked directly at their mother and themselves.

　A young Garfiel smiles innocently in his mother's arms.

　This is extremely irritating. Not knowing what will happen next, and feeling that I have no right to participate in the discussions to keep my mother, I can only laugh.

　How much regret and despair will simply come from laughing at this moment?

"Ahh! Gahh! Aahhh!!"

　He raises his arm and cuts through the air with his extended claws.

　I want to sink my nails into the innocently smiling face of a young child and paint his or her face one of despair. I want to make that child realize how foolish a choice they have made.

　And yet, the claws that were swung down passed right through the baby's face and even penetrated the mother's arms holding it.

　He stomps his foot on the ground, trying to blow it away with the power of his divine protection, but nothing happens. Gradually, his arm swings get bigger, even the illusion of his mother gets caught up in the destructive impulse, but nothing changes.

「Why! Me! Why are you showing me such a sight!!」

　He raised his arm, unable to reach it, and slammed it into the ground.

　However, the destructive impulse does not reach the world where memories are recreated, and the world remains firmly there.

　Unable to vent his anger or erase the past, Garfiel's voice trembled as he turned around and bared his fangs at the Witch staring at him.

「It's the same! Nothing has changed! The fact that I couldn't stop my mother, and what will happen to her after this, are all the same! Are you satisfied with this, eh!?」

"You're free to vent your frustrations blindly, but isn't it a bit selfish to conclude that it's my fault? I've no doubt that the unfolding of the past as a 'trial' was my intended result… but you knew that this place was like that, and yet you were the one who returned. If you were hoping that something would have changed, then I'm not the one to blame for the fact that nothing has changed. You are."

"You mean me...?"

"Exactly. The reason this place hasn't changed is because you haven't changed. The reason you can't see the past as different from before is because you haven't accepted that you can change. If you accept that you can change, or choose not to change, you can overcome the 'Trials'. In fact, one boy who chose to change was able to overcome his past."

　As Echidna recounts the success stories, Garfiel is speechless.

　It would have been easy to dismiss it as just a lie by Echidna, but what if it wasn't a lie? The thought filled Garfiel with fear.

　Some have overcome their past.

　The Sanctuary has not been liberated. Someone who has overcome their past before has not been able to overcome the subsequent Trials. Even so, if they have overcome this past...

"N-no... I won't be fooled! The qualification to take on the 'Trials' is to have some demi-human blood mixed in! There's no one other than me and my sister who has more diluted blood than a half-breed to have entered the 'Sanctuary'! In other words! Anyone who is qualified is still within the 'Sanctuary'! And anyone who has taken the 'Trials' in the 'Sanctuary' and been able to overcome their past..."

　Garfiel was about to declare that there was none, but he hesitated on his final statement.

　Just as he had fallen for the witch's provocation and was on the verge of doubting his own beliefs, Garfiel jumped at something that would refute them. But was that really the right thing to do?

　At Garfiel's rebuttal, the Witch's mouth corners twisted in a somewhat pleased tone.

　This was not a welcome gesture at his lie being exposed, nor was it a welcome gesture at Garfiel pleading his own theory.

　Her expression seemed to be waiting for something, something that would pique her curiosity more.

"Who's the one who managed to break through?"

　Echidna asks in an innocent voice, and Garfiel realizes from her attitude.

　What is the Witch seeking? Echidna waits to see if Garfiel can arrive at the answer she is offering from the information she has provided.

　And then Garfiel noticed.

　Who on earth was the witch, Echidna, talking about?

"No way..."

　What Garfiel mentioned was the condition for challenging the tomb.

　However, exceptions do exist.

　This wasn't directly said by the witch, it was merely Garfiel's guess.

　Perhaps being an Apostle of the Witch of Greed would qualify you to take on the Trials.

　And Garfiel knows of only one person who fits that description.

　Well, didn't he tell Garfiel that?

　--He had undergone the "Trials" and seen the past.

"But, that guy himself said that he couldn't overcome the past, that he couldn't overcome the 'Trials'..."

"By saying so, was it possible that you were avoiding the creation of unnecessary conflict? Or was it going to be inconvenient if people found out that you had overcome the Trial?"

"Shut up, I'm not talking to you. Don't cut me in!"

　Echidna's words flashed through Garfiel's mind, confusing his thoughts.

　There is no doubt that he acknowledged that Natsuki Subaru had taken on the Trial. Before Garfiel could say anything, he understood that the Trial was in the past.

　He remembered how he had said that he had been unable to surpass it. At the time, Garfiel had also been shaken by the knowledge that Subaru had the qualifications, and so ended the conversation without asking the questions he should have asked.

"----!"

　Was Subaru's expression at that moment that of a man devastated by a past he could not overcome?

　Although it was a face of regret for not being able to reach something, it was not the face of a man with inner problems. That was the face he saw reflected in the water every day when he bathed.

　And when he had defeated Garfiel, he did not have the face, voice, or assertion of a "man stuck in the past."

"That guy...had he gotten over his past...? Can you get over your past...?"

"If, hypothetically, there was a scene where he was out there preaching to you in a condescending manner, wouldn't it be logical to think that it was because he himself had something that enabled him to do so?"

　In his hazy state, he recalled the memory of his and Subaru's exchange of blows.

　Subaru and Garfiel had reached the limit of staying conscious. It was impossible to pick up all the words that had been shouted at that time. No, they must not give up. Here and now, they must pick up what they had dropped and dig into themselves.

　What were they saying? What were they shouting?

　The past, things that have stopped, things that do not change, barriers, ``sanctuaries'', family.

　He stopped and said what would happen to things that were beyond his control.

　Didn't I say that as long as you have the desire to start something, you are free to start anything?

"--Are you sure you want to go?"

　Suddenly, a familiar voice struck Garfiel's earlobe.

　However, that was a voice that should not have been heard here.

　This was because it was not the voice of someone who could interfere with Garfiel here, nor was it the voice of someone Garfiel could interfere with here.

"Yes, I'll go. I'm sorry to cause you trouble, Lewes."

"I don't really care about that. The issue is how these kids feel."

　The words exchanged are those of familiar family members and those of unfamiliar family members.

　Ryuzu's mouth moved with a stern look on his face, and then his mother's mouth moved as well, and sounds slipped in.

　For the first time, Garfiel heard his mother's voice, a voice that should not have existed in his memory.

"――――"

　Garfiel held his breath, his consciousness stolen by the sight before him.

　His mother gazed lovingly at Garfiel in her arms, rocking him to sleep. Looking up at her mother, Frederica clutched the hem of her skirt and choked out a cry.

"M-mother... I-I... I-"

"I'm sorry, Fu-chan. I'm sure I've caused you a lot of worry."

"It's fine. I'm fine. But I feel sorry for Garf..."

"If we take her with us, Mommy is clumsy. Gar-chan will probably have a hard time. Fu-chan, even though you're Mommy's little girl, you're very responsible, so please take care of her."

　Although feeling lonely, Frederica sends words of farewell to her mother.

　Garfiel learns for the first time that his sister has been supportive of their mother leaving the Sanctuary. Lewes also seems to respect Frederica's wishes, putting her arm around her trembling shoulders.

"Gar-chan. Mommy's off now."

　Calling out to him, Mother lifts Garfiel up.

　The raised Garfiel smiled innocently, seemingly unaware of his mother's decision. Mother pulled him close and gently kissed him on the forehead.

　That spot is the same place where Garfiel's white scar now resides.

"I'll definitely come back with your father. Wait until then."

「――――!!」

　Eyes filled with love and words full of compassion.

　In order not to let go of the memories that are hard to part with, his mother kisses Garfiel again and again.

　After doing so, he finally handed the young Garfiel over to Lewes.

　Holding Garfiel tightly, Lewes and her mother nod to each other. Mother then embraces Frederica, showering kisses on her daughter's forehead just as she had done with Garfiel.

"--Ha. Ah, ahhh... ahhhh..."

　Witnessing this, Garfiel suddenly found himself on his knees.

　I don't know what I'm looking at.

　I have never seen anything like this before. I have never seen anything like this before.

　When he was still young, when he didn't understand anything, when he challenged the past, Garfiel must have seen memories of far more hopelessness and heart-wrenching despair.

　Garfiel has nurtured a stubborn belief that such memories, even those that make him feel abandoned, are precious.

　The bravado that had been put up up until then to cover up the depression and misery was peeling off, crumbling, and being replaced by something entirely different.

　What is this memory?

　Hadn't my mother abandoned me and my sister and gone out to pursue only her own happiness? Hadn't she been trying to cut herself out of life, to get rid of the things that were getting in the way, and to walk her own path?

　Isn't this the opposite of what we should be?

　His mother had abandoned him and his sister. That was why Garfiel was able to firmly shape the existence of "Garfiel Tinsel."

　When he realizes that this was a misguided deception, the impregnable barrier turns into a flimsy wall of earth, and Garfiel's world crumbles beneath his feet.

　Now unable to even stand upright, Garfiel's past farewell to his family comes to an end.

　Mother was deeply reluctant to say goodbye, and after a final touch to Frederica and Garfiel, she left everything in Lewes' care and headed out of the forest with just her bag in hand.

　Along the way, he stops many times to look back and see Frederica waving goodbye. Seeing Garfiel, who is being held by Lewes' hand and waving goodbye to his mother, he waves back.

　I pull myself together and start walking again, but then I stop. I turn around and wave.

　This process repeated over and over again until my mother left the forest.

"--Wha, a!?"

　As I was about to stand up to follow my mother, my vision suddenly became distorted.

　The blurring of the world's contours isn't just due to the tears in Garfiel's eyes. The world is becoming blurred for a much clearer, more obvious reason.

　From the edge of my vision, a white light enveloped me and the forest disappeared.

　It was as if the world was ending - at this unintended end to the story that was unfolding, Garfiel turned to look at the witch standing behind him and shouted.

「Why?! Why are you trying to end it like this?! There is still the most important part…」

"No, it's over. There's no need to look any further. It's you who have admitted that the dream is over, not me. Congratulations, Garfiel. You have rewritten your past."

「What...?! Don't make fun of me! I'm the one who has to do something about this from now on...!」

"There's no need to see into the future, and even if you had a vision for what's to come, there's no room for you to interfere."

"Ahh――"

　Is that the witch's answer that the past cannot be changed?

　Garfiel's face, which had been flushed, changes color and he falls to his knees as he begins to stand up.

　I knew how my mother really felt.

　Does this mean that my mother's fate will remain unchanged even after she leaves this place?

　For the sake of Garfiel and Frederica, Mother left the Sanctuary to search for Father. But that journey would soon be shattered, along with Mother's life.

　--Isn't it just that the hopeless memories have led to an even more hopeless outcome?

　The memories that only added to despair, and hope, have simply been replaced by memories that are covered in despair. What am I supposed to change about myself now?

"Mother loved both me and Garf."

　Garfiel lifts his head as if he's been bounced, and looks straight ahead.

　His younger sister spoke as she looked down at him as he knelt. Her eyes were fixed on Garfiel. The past, which should be invisible and inviolable, began to interfere.

"Mother left Sanctuary for the sake of her family. Are you unhappy about that?"

"Fuck, don't mess with me! So what if I was loved?! I just have some unnecessary memories hanging on to me. Me...!"

"It would have been easier if I hadn't been loved."

　The young Frederica dismisses Garfiel, who objects, in a mocking manner.

　The height difference between them is literally that of a child and an adult. However, the older sister doesn't seem to care about her height at all and instead runs head-on against him as if he were a troublesome younger brother.

"If you think your love is one-sided, you can justify yourself."

"That's not it...!"

"I loved you, and you loved me... If I realized that that was the case, I would no longer be able to justify myself for not going out and staying in my 'sanctuary'."

"No! No, no! You don't know anything about what happened to my mother!"

"--There's no way you wouldn't know."

　Garfiel was about to shout in anger when the blow hit him.

　Frederica before him had her expression blank, and was looking at him as if trying to contain her emotions.

　--What did your sister just say?

"There's no way you wouldn't know. If mother had stepped outside of the Sanctuary and immediately suffered some misfortune... there's no way you wouldn't have heard about it."

"If that's the case, then why...?!"

"You know there's no way I could tell you that, Garf. You're not a little kid anymore."

　Frederica knew what had happened to her mother.

　And even Garfiel can understand why he couldn't tell young Garfiel this.

　Who could tell a young boy about his mother's cruel end?

　If Garfiel had never caught a glimpse of the Trials in the tomb, he would have remained ignorant. The reason this did not happen was because he overstepped many considerations to prevent this from happening.

"You remember that your mother loved you."

"..."

"So you hurt the place where your mother kissed you, the place where you last touched each other, in an attempt to make it disappear."

　I touch the white scar on his forehead.

　This scar did not exist on my forehead when I was a child.

　This scar appeared immediately after Garfiel had attempted the Tomb's Trial. In his confusion, Garfiel slammed his head into the wall and the ground, hurting himself so much that he received permanent scars.

　The wound from that time is this scar. And the true intention behind inflicting that wound was surely exactly what Frederica had just said.

"It's almost over."

　Frederica's murmur.

　Before I knew it, the world of the past had already lost most of its shape.

　The forest was already gone, his mother had walked away, and Lewes had been standing there motionless. The witch who had been watching over the situation was also nowhere to be seen, and only Garfiel and Frederica, the siblings, were left in the world.

"Even if you hide the past with scars, it won't erase it. That doesn't erase the fact that you were loved."

"My dear... what should I do?"

　Garfiel asks Frederica in a weak voice.

"If my mother's ending doesn't change, then the outside world will remain a scary place for me. I'm scared of going out into that world, and of having to send grandma and everyone else out."

"You have to rely on even a little girl like me to give you an answer?"

「I know it's pathetic! But, Nee-chan is the only one I can rely on. Hey, tell me... why are you out there...」

"What do you want to do, Garf?"

　Interrupting him, Frederica tilts her head to the side and asks Garfiel.

　For a moment, Garfiel was at a loss for words. It wasn't about what he wanted to do. What he should and had to do was what he wanted to know.

"What do you want to do, Garf?"

　As her younger brother stammers, the older sister looks helpless and repeats the same question.

　So Garfiel held his breath.

"Do what you're asked to do."

"Whose request?"

"I want to do what is asked of those who need me... those who need me."

"Why do you think that?"

"Because they... reminded me."

　"What?" her sister said without saying anything.

　But those golden eyes, the same as his own, were asking him that question.

"--That my mother loved me."

　--In the next moment, the dream world was shattered into pieces, and the past vanished far away.

※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※

　When Garfiel emerged from the tomb, his expression looked as if he had been liberated from a curse.

　I waited for the results for about an hour with my arms crossed and fidgeting.

　Subaru and the others waited anxiously, neither looking at each other nor exchanging a word, just waiting in silence for the results.

"What if they break their promise and destroy the ruins?"

　Otto, who was probably trying to make a joke to lighten the mood, made a comment that was out of line with the mood, and ended up getting kicked by Ram, but for the most part the situation was observed calmly.

"... Garbo."

　With an anxious look on her face, Ryuzu clasped her hands together and busily looked around the tomb.

　The Ryuzu that is here right now should be θ, but no matter what Ryuzu is, his feelings for Garfiel will not change.

　The story of how the three people and the two dogs beat up Garfiel, and how Garfiel then made a fresh start and went into the tomb - both stories must have had quite an impact on Lewes' heart.

"..."

　Emilia, standing next to Subaru, was also anxiously looking around the tomb.

　In her case, she will of course be interested in Garfiel's results, but after Garfiel appears, it will be her turn.

　The argument in the tomb and the subsequent fight between Subaru and Garfiel.

　It is unclear what changes in her state of mind may have occurred after these two experiences. However, her expression seems anxious, and Garfiel's concern is strong, and there is no sign of her being reluctant to take on the Trial herself. That can't be a bad sign.

"--a!"

　As Subaru was thinking like this, he heard Otto's voice, pointing at the graveyard.

　Subaru frowned, thinking, "Another insensitive remark," and Ram cracked her knuckles and stood up. However, it seemed that this time she had jumped to conclusions.

"Gar-bo!"

　Ryuzu stood up and ran towards the tomb.

　Following her gaze, Subaru noticed a figure appearing at the entrance to the tomb.

　He has short blonde hair, a white scar on his forehead, sharp eyes, and blade-like white canines.

　His small, hunched frame was inversely proportional to the ominous, demonic aura that emanated from him.

　Garfield Tinsel.

"See, you did exactly as I said... byaaah!"

　Ram had jumped the gun and landed a direct knee kick, sending Otto tumbling across the grass.

　However, there is no mention of Otto, who was the victim, and Subaru and the others rush to Garfiel, who has just completed the Trial.

　Subaru flies up the stone steps and makes his way to Garfiel, where he finds Lewes already there, standing before him and fumbling about what to say.

"But, Garbo. Well, I..."

"That doesn't suit you, old hag. Sorry for worrying you."

"Gabo"

　Garfiel said bluntly and placed his hand on little Ryuzu's head.

　Although patting his grandmother on the head may seem extremely inappropriate, it seems natural given the stature of the two of them. Above all, if Lewes doesn't scold her, it would be the height of uncouth to point it out.

"Gaaf. How was it?"

　Ram, who had arrived upstairs after Subaru and the others, called out to Garfiel.

　It was Ram who gave Garfiel the direct impetus to take on the Trial. Knowing the background to the situation, she could see a glimpse of concern on her face, which was rare in front of Subaru.

　In response to Ram's question, Garfiel groaned thoughtfully and said,

"There aren't any visible results. I guess that's about it though."

"That sounds like something a middle school kid would say bragging about shoplifting, but if you're saying something like that... does that mean you actually did it?"

"--- I thought I'd put a separator here."

　In response to Subaru, Garfiel exhaled deeply through his nose.

　Those words caused everyone to hold their breath for a moment, but a different emotion soon took over.

　In other words, Garfiel has overcome the Trials and made amends with his past.

　It marked a step forward towards the liberation of the Sanctuary, and also proved that the Trials were not an impossible task that could never be overcome.

"Well then, you. Keep up this momentum and complete the remaining Trials..."

"Don't make fun of me. This is the only Trial I'll take on. The rest aren't up to me to do. Isn't that right?"

"Yes, that's right. The rest is my job. I can't take it."

　Garfiel and Emilia deny Subaru's words, which are meant to get him to get carried away.

　Garfiel glares at Emilia, and Emilia meets his gaze head on.

"The witch is as evil as ever. At best, you should have paid attention."

"Oh? You're giving me some advice? Thank you. I'll keep that in mind."

　Garfiel had probably intended it as encouragement, mixed with sarcasm. Emilia only took in the encouraging part, and happily ignored the sarcasm.

　Subaru relaxed his cheeks at the disappointed look on Garfiel's face, and Garfiel then turned his gaze to Subaru.

　As Subaru raised his eyebrows, Garfiel scratched his cheek,

"Oh, and also..."

"What's wrong? Even if you fidget, it doesn't suit your character. You're the type that has dead stats when you hesitate or think too much, so let's play as a barbarian."

Subaru: "I don't know what you're talking about, but I know you're making fun of me, hey. I'll teach you a lesson… Ah, no, that's fine."

　Garfiel raises his arm, then lowers it without doing anything.

　Subaru tilted his head at Garfiel's suspicious behavior, which was rather confusing. However, Ram was the only one there with a smile on her face as if she knew everything,

"Gaaf"

　" , he said, poking Garfiel in the waist.

　Garfiel sighed at Ram's attack and shook his head in resignation.

"It's probably thanks to you that I was able to overcome the 'Trial' inside. Thank you."

"...Did you say thank you?"

"I won't say it twice. However, I was able to remember what I wanted to remember. So, it was… worth going in. Damn it!"

　Perhaps his sense of embarrassment grew as he spoke, as Garfiel's face turned red with irritation and he pointed his finger at Subaru, whose eyes were wide.

"Listen? It's true that I lost, and the results of the ``Trial'' have changed. But still! That doesn't mean I've admitted that all of you were right, raised the white flag, shown my guts, and surrendered! You boasted, saying you would change this ``Sanctuary''! If the people inside become distressed or in pain after that change, then I won't show any mercy!"

"Oh, oh... of course..."

　Subaru was overwhelmed by the fierce anger he was hearing, but he somehow managed to speak up.

　There's no absolute guarantee against Garfiel's opinion. But I can promise that I'll definitely try to improve. That's all I can say for sure, I tried to say.

"So, I'll be watching closely to see if you guys don't turn into all talk. --Do your best, 『General』!"

"――――"

　Smacking Subaru roughly on the shoulder, Garfiel spoke decisively, looking his way.

　Subaru was taken aback by the unexpected way he was addressed and the man's attitude, and was slow to react.

　Meanwhile, Garfiel quickly passes by Subaru and takes Lewes down the stone steps to the tomb, almost as if he is afraid of being seen.

"Garfiel's face was really red just now."

　Emilia spoke with a look of suppressed laughter, as if she had seen his face as he walked through.

　The fact that she said it like that meant that she hadn't misheard.

"Boss... the head of this group is Emilia, not me."

"It was Subaru and the others who defeated Garfiel. He was recognized as the result of a man-to-man clash, so Subaru is Garfiel's leader. That's impressive, leader."

　Subaru had no idea how to respond to Emilia, who smiled innocently at him.

　Ram poked Subaru in the side, who had a troubled look on his face, and shrugged her shoulders, saying, "Accept your fate."

"She's so excited, she doesn't know what to do. Let her do what she wants."

"Even though I say that, I'm much weaker than you, so..."

"Apart from fighting strength, Barus is older, so you should at least give him some leeway. Garf, even though he looks like it, is still a child. I'm sure he feels like he has a new brother."

"Wait a minute."

　Ram looked at the back of Garfiel's head from downstairs with an astonished look on her face.

　Something she said caught Subaru's attention, and he stopped him.

"what?"

"What did you just say?"

"Where do you mean?"

"Did Garfiel say that he's younger than me?"

　In response to Subaru's question, Ram nodded as if she understood, saying, "Ah."

"I didn't know. Garf, you're younger than Barusu."

"How many?"

"If I remember correctly, she's fourteen this year."

"Fourteen?! Fourteen?... Aren't you in your second year?!"

　Subaru's voice cracked in surprise at this information that was outside of his imagination.

　And somehow it all made sense why he was called "General" and why Garfiel had been so stubborn, like a child.

"A middle schooler in the midst of his rebellious phase... it's going to be hard to tame him..."

　He muttered, sounding even more tired than when the battle had ended.