Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu web novel

　Emilia walked leisurely with practiced steps along the animal trail surrounded by tall trees.

　She stepped on the grass, her feet firmly planted on the ground, careful not to step on any of the roots of the large trees or hidden flowers. Emilia thought it was strange to feel the hard earth under her feet, even though she was in a dream.

　Unlike normal dreams, in this world you can feel the rough texture of tree bark, the scent of nectar, and the warmth of the wind.

"How can you feel so many different things even though it's a dream world?"

"The dream world is merely a metaphor. In reality, this is a space that recreates the memories of the person taking part in the Trial; it is a different world that draws in only the consciousness of the person taking part. Since it draws out your memories as the challenger, it is only natural that you yourself have a sense of contact with the world. In exchange, however, I cannot feel anything, whether I touch the ground or a tree."

"That's right. ... What if I go on a rampage and wreak havoc on this forest?"

"That's a truly barbaric, witch-like way of thinking. I can certainly feel the sensation of touching them, but I can't interfere with them. What's more, I can't even come into contact with the creatures that are recreated in this world. Although that's possible if there was another form of the Trial."

"What's another one?"

"You just listen. Learn to think for yourself a little. If you ask, you will receive. For you, who have lived your life pampered and subservient, this may be impossible, though."

"Hmm..."

　As Emilia walked ahead, the "Witch of Greed" followed behind, keeping a certain distance.

　Echidna gave a poisonous lecture, sneered at Emilia's ignorance with a blank look on her face.

　Emilia puts her hand to her mouth and thinks.

　The difference between untouchable memories and tangible memories that Echidna had spoken of. A way for Emilia, who had only been pulling her spirit along from now on, to come into contact with the people who walked within their memories.

"I thought about it but I don't know. Tell me the answer."

"..."

"What's wrong? Do you have a stomach ache?"

"That's a disgusting attitude. Although it makes me feel uncomfortable, you're probably the only one who evokes this kind of emotion from me, other than him and his friends."

"Echidna, I have friends."

　Emilia muttered something that sounded like she thought it was nice, and Echidna let out a sigh.

　Apparently, that hadn't been taken in a very positive light, and Emilia hesitated as to how to rephrase it in a way that would convey the message properly.

"The regrets from the past that we get a glimpse of in the 'Trials' are not just a passing moment for some people."

"Um?"

"A past is one in which a certain moment is cut out and regretted. In contrast to that, there is also a past in which one continues to regret... for example, one's relationship with a certain person. In the latter case, the past that is recreated is not a cut-out scene, but a recreation of 'that person' within the subject of the 'trial.' It would be possible to exchange words, touch each other, and even love each other."

"...I see. That's how it is."

　Emilia nodded in understanding to Echidna's explanation.

　Certainly, "regret" is something that can be distinguished in this way. Some people regret having had a fight with someone, while others regret the time that passed while fighting.

　Which one to overcome is a matter of personal choice.

"But he still answers my questions, even though he hates them."

"Please don't make the mistake of thinking I'm a really nice person. There's nothing more humiliating to me than having you think fondly of me. If I'm asked I'll answer, that's just my nature."

"Yes."

　Although I didn't feel like laughing, I roughly understood how to interact with Echidna while maintaining a distance.

　There's no doubt that she hates Emilia like the plague, but Emilia can't bring herself to hate Echidna. She doesn't know her that well.

　On the other hand, this meant that Echidna knew Emilia well enough to hate her this much - but the opportunity to find out was not to come, at least not here.

"--Hehe! Ahaha! Over here! Over here!"

"Kyaa!"

　Emilia, whose consciousness had shifted backwards, was startled by the sudden high-pitched voice of a girl.

　As Emilia stopped in her tracks, a small girl circled around and passed her. Emilia was shaken that she hadn't noticed the girl so close, but she soon realised that it wasn't because of her own carelessness or arrogance.

　The girl who passed Emilia was running around with disheveled silver hair that reached down to her back.

　Amethyst eyes, worn children's clothes. Running safely through the forest and smiling innocently is a familiar face.

　There was her younger self - the Emilia of the past, who had yet to know "regret".

"Even though you don't know anything yet, your face looks so carefree it's shocking."

"Don't go and blame me when I was younger. Besides... we'll see if that's a bad thing or not."

　Echidna, leaning against a tree, commented with open prejudice on the excited young Emilia.

　Emilia complained, grimacing as she felt a numbness running through her temples while still conscious.

　With her contract with Puck now severed, Emilia's sealed memories began to return one after another to her mind.

　The days she spent with Mother Fortuna. The group led by Juice bringing supplies to the village. About the sealing and the "fairy" who helped her escape from the princess room. And about meeting Juice, whom she should never have met, and becoming friends with him.

"Why did I forget about this and act like it was normal...?"

　Even though her memory was full of gaps and parts had been lost, Emilia managed to fill in the gaps and live her life without thinking that there was anything strange about it.

　What would have happened if he had noticed the hole without any connection to the Trial and started to doubt himself? It would have been irreparable. Puck, who would have known more than anyone that Emilia was abnormal, knew this, so he probably didn't say anything.

　The memories that are beginning to come back to life still lie dormant within the half-open door.

　Although I wasn't able to get a full glimpse of it before taking on the Trial, it was enough.

　Now, in this Trial, all of Emilia's sealed memories would be revealed.

　And I can imagine that seeing that will cause something inside me to change drastically.

"But I'm not scared of it anymore."

"Crying and screaming and clinging to your father or a man. Are you going to stop making the decisions that you, a dirty woman, are making?"

"I'm sure he'll forgive me if I do that, but… I don't want to do that and disillusion either me or Subaru. I don't want to be the one to admit I'm weak and remain weak."

"...Do as you like. At best, I'll just remember one of the outcomes."

　No matter how much malice he pours over her, he will not be able to shake Emilia's mind.

　Perhaps realizing this from the previous exchange, Echidna gave up and shut her mouth.

　Once the witch's meddling had subsided, Emilia let out a sigh and focused her attention on the past.

　In front of him was Emilia running around with an innocent look on her face. And then,

"Please wait, Lady Emilia. It's dangerous to run around like that."

"It's not dangerous, I'm fine. I'm sure Juice is the one who's going to scrape his knees."

"I don't care how much I get hurt. Lady Emilia's injuries are more important. If I were to injure your skin, I would never be able to make up for it, even if I died."

　Chasing after the mischievous, bouncing Emilia was a tall man in a fluttering black robe - Juice. With a stern face and a look of gentleness and kindness on his face, he gently scolded the playful Emilia, who hadn't listened to warnings.

"Juice. The way you said it just now makes it sound really naughty."

"I didn't mean to do that... but I would never look at Lady Emilia like that."

　The one who called out to Juice was a woman who was following him from behind as he was chasing Emilia - a beautiful woman with sharp eyes, pushing back her short silver hair.

　Seeing her, Emilia took a tight breath,

"Mother Fortuna..."

　Seeing the woman who was like a mother to her, alive and well, Emilia couldn't help but feel the urge to cry, even though she knew it was just a memory.

　She loved her. She respected her more than anyone else. Even now, Mother Fortuna is just as important family to Emilia as Puck.

　As Fortuna stood next to Juice, who had a troubled expression on his face, she looked up at his tall profile,

"Not just to Emilia, but to everyone. Juice is getting to be quite old, isn't he?"

"Age doesn't mean much to me. In the sense of living a long, long time, even Lady Fortuna and Lady Emilia are just young children to me."

"Am I a child to Juice...?"

　In response to Juice's answer, Fortuna lowered her eyes and muttered in a sulky mood.

　Juice frowned in confusion at her attitude, but Fortuna didn't respond. Instead, Emilia trudged back and puffed out her cheeks at the two of them not chasing after her.

"Oh come on! Why aren't Mother Fortuna and Juice chasing after us? We're in the middle of a game of tag right now! That's no good!"

"Ah! I'm sorry, Lady Emilia. This Romanée-Conti is the biggest mistake of my life…"

"Don't spoil her like that, Juice. — Emilia, it's not like you don't remember why Mother and Juice ended up chasing you in the first place, do you? Mother really hates children who don't show remorse, you know?"

"Mew!"

　Fortuna's smile hinted at a hint of anger, causing young Emilia to shrug her shoulders.

　Remembering the reason why she was being chased, she realized that she had taken advantage of something. Emilia's face turned pale, and she gave a deceptive laugh, "Hehehe," before turning around and running.

"Too bad. Emilia has been captured by Mother Fortuna."

"Ha! I'm sorry Mother Fortuna! It's not that, it's not that. The fairies wanted to play, to go outside, so…"

"Mother also dislikes children who blame fairies instead of other people. Do you understand, Emilia?"

　Fortuna's voice whispered to the panicked young Emilia as she was embraced from behind. The thrashing about stopped and slumped.

"I'm sorry, Mother Fortuna. It's boring to stay in my room, and since Juice and I are already friends, I wanted to see him, so I came out."

"And then, you ran away because your mother found out about it, right? That means you were aware that you had done something wrong. That is really wrong."

"yes..."

"It's wrong to break a promise. It's important to keep a promise. A promise is a sign of trust, so breaking it is a betrayal of that trust, so it's wrong."

　Fortuna spoke to the young Emilia, who was on the verge of tears. As Emilia tried to look down, she took her face in between her hands, and while they looked firmly into each other's amethyst eyes,

"Emilia, promise Mother that you will keep your promise from now on."

"Yes... yes, I will protect you. I'm sorry, mother."

"Okay then."

　Hearing Emilia's teary-eyed vow, Fortuna embraced her beloved daughter close to her chest.

　Gently stroking the silver hair of the sobbing Emilia, Fortuna accepted the growth of her child's heart with a gentle sigh. And,

"Juice? What are you messing around with?"

"For me... it was too dazzling a sight... I couldn't hold back the tears..."

　Juice was squatting in the shade of a tree, crying and holding a towel to his face, as Fortuna looked at him in shock. He had apparently been overcome with emotion after hearing the exchange between mother and daughter.

　Seeing Juice crying, even in the revived memories and during the Trials, Emilia felt like she was remembering how easily he would cry, and she felt a warmth in her heart.

"Even so, Emilia. Fairies are…"

　Ignoring Juice, who had begun to blow his nose into tissue, Fortuna picked out some interesting points from young Emilia's testimony earlier. When the topic of "fairies" came up, young Emilia looked up from within Fortuna's chest and said, "Ah, well..." with red eyes, laughing,

"Come on, fairy."

　Young Emilia reaches out her hand and speaks to the world.

　And then, as if using the young Emilia's white fingertips as a perch, numerous pale glows began to emerge and sway around her.

　Fortuna and Juice looked shocked at the sight.

"Could it be that there are micro-spirits... and so many of them... how?"

"...? As I was talking, a lot of them came. They started coming while I was playing alone in the princess room."

"To have so many micro-spirits under your command at your age... It seems that Emilia-sama has an extraordinary aptitude as a spirit user."

"Spirit user, Tekise?"

　After the emotional moment, Juice returned to his usual self. When young Emilia tilted her head at what he said, he nodded with a gentle smile and said, "Yes."

"The ones Emilia-sama called fairies are beings known as micro-spirits. They are beings who can communicate with these spirits, which exist all over the world, by speaking to them and making contracts with them. Those who are favored by the spirits and can use their powers to perform supernatural acts are called spirit users."

"Can I become that?"

"Yes. If you continue to grow healthy and stay as you are, and remain the beloved Emilia-sama you are… I'm sure you'll be able to command many more spirits, even more powerful ones."

　Upon hearing the explanation about the juice, young Emilia's face brightened up.

　However, Fortuna, who had heard this, stood up and nudged Juice in the waist with her elbow.

"Hey Juice. Don't say anything unnecessary. Just because you have a few micro-spirits under your command doesn't make you a spirit user... Emilia doesn't need that."

"That is what Lady Fortuna says, but Lady Emilia will not remain a child forever. There may come a time when Lady Fortuna cannot be by your side. When that happens, I believe it will be necessary for you to take care of yourself."

　Fortuna and Juice argue over Emilia's educational policy.

　Watching this exchange from the sidelines, Emilia couldn't help but think something.

"They look a bit like Mother Fortuna and Juice, like Mom and Dad."

"Huh!?"

　Young Emilia said what Emilia was thinking with a harmless look on her face.

　Seeing Fortuna's face turn red, Emilia realises that the old me must have thought the same way.

"Look, Emilia, don't say weird things. Mother and Juice have been friends for a long time, so we're not the kind of people who should be saying things like that."

"That's right, Lady Emilia. Lady Fortuna and I have been friends for a long time… Ever since your mother and father were together…"

"--juice"

　Fortuna, who seemed to be desperately trying to explain herself, called out to Juice in a low voice, who had let something slip. Juice, realizing his mistake, put his hand over his mouth and apologised, "I'm sorry."

"Father and mother...?"

"I'm sorry, Emilia. We'll talk about that later. Anyway, it's about time you returned to your room. I didn't give you permission to sneak out on your own, after all."

"Mmmm... Mother Fortuna is so mean..."

　Feeling that she had been deceived, young Emilia puffed out her cheeks to express her dissatisfaction, but Fortuna seemed adamantly unwilling to accept this, placing both hands on young Emilia's puffy cheeks and letting the air out.

　Fortuna met the young Emilia's gaze as she sighed and wrinkled her cheeks.

"Be a good boy and behave yourself. This won't be the last time you see Juice. Well... we'll definitely create another opportunity."

"Really? Will you promise me? You won't betray me?"

"Oh dear, this child. I wonder where he learns these nonsense."

　When young Emilia brought up the topic of their promise, Fortuna gave a wry smile and gently embraced her.

"Yes, a promise. A very important promise between Mother and Emilia."

"...Okay then. I see you're back in your room."

　Since Fortuna had made that firm promise, young Emilia believed it and nodded.

　Releasing her embrace, young Emilia ran over to Juice before returning to the princess room. Reaching out to Juice who was looking down at her, young Emilia smiled.

"See you soon, Juice. A promise to see you again."

"--Yes, definitely. Let's meet again. I look forward to that time."

　Juice takes the outstretched small hand and shakes it.

　The young Emilia, whose smile was returned, nodded repeatedly, then let go of his hand and said farewell.

　And just like that, young Emilia was about to return to the princess room.

"Looks like it's here."

　Echidna had been silently watching the events unfold until then, but then she quietly murmured.

　Emilia raised her head as she heard her voice so clearly, and, trying to figure out what her words meant, she found it.

"――――"

　It was a white young man.

　He has white hair and fair skin. He is an unassuming man wearing a simple shirt and pants. His facial features are good, but he has a mediocre appearance that lacks anything particularly eye-catching.

　He is a faceless mass that would instantly blend in with the crowd, but here and now he seems like an outsider with a strange presence.

"...who!?"

　In her memory, Fortuna also noticed the young man looking at them, and quickly embraced young Emilia and spoke in a wary voice.

　Hearing this, the young man touched the trunk of the large tree and brushed back his white hair.

"When asking someone's name, isn't it normal to give your own name first?"

　Fortuna's eyebrows twitched in response.

　When the young man saw this, his mouth twisted into a somewhat gruesome expression.

"I know it's a bit cliched to reply like that when someone asks you who you are, but if you actually find yourself in a situation like that, it makes sense that you'd want to say it. This is the first time we've met. We're definitely on equal footing in terms of building a relationship, so why do I have to be asked my name in a unilateral, condescending manner? I wonder if you're even aware of that. You've unconsciously and insensitively treated me with condescension, and that's just how you feel."

"...For a man, you seem to enjoy long conversations."

"The comment "even though you're a man" gives a glimpse of prejudice, as if you don't know the man you're comparing yourself to. In the first place, what right do you have to compare me to the countless "men" out there in the world? That attitude... is just something that can't be overlooked. It's extremely disrespectful. It's belittling me as an individual, and my rights."

　With every word Fortuna said, the young man's tone seemed to grow more insane.

　This was an increasingly dangerous opponent, and Fortuna became increasingly wary, but Juice, who was standing next to her, stopped her.

　He looked up at the young man in white and spoke with a stern look on his face.

"Regulus Corneas! Why are you here?! I promised you that I would not involve anyone else in this matter!"

"It's nothing more than a promise or anything, it's just an agreement you arbitrarily decided on your own. Forcing others to submit to your pushy demands is just the result of you being some high and mighty spirit. Restricting my actions is already unacceptable, and yet you're a spirit? Stop violating my body and mind."

"That's not an answer! If you don't like the agreement, you should discuss it at the church! What are you doing here? And who told you about this place in the first place..."

"--That was done at my command."

　The young man spoke in a sulky mood - Regulus - and Juice's voice trembled with anger.

　However, what interrupted their argument was the voice of a woman, the voice that had never shook the air up until this point.

　Everyone watching this scene responded to that voice in their own way.

　Juice had fear in his eyes, Fortuna's eyes were burning with rage, young Emilia was in her mother's arms, her eyes were teary and she was shaking her head, and Regulus gave a sinister smile.

　Emilia, who had a glimpse of the memory, gasped at the presence of that voice, while Echidna simply closed her eyes.

　A girl steps forward.

　Standing next to Regulus, looking down at the young Emilia and the other three, was a girl so beautiful that she made everyone tremble at the sight.

　Her long, transparent platinum hair shines sweetly as if given shape by the sunlight pouring down on it, and flows draped over her slender shoulders and down her back.

　Her eyes framed by long eyelashes are a deep blue that seems to trap the world, and her facial features are so perfectly shaped that even God would hesitate to lay his fingers on them.

　Her petite body was so delicate that it seemed dangerous even to be embraced by the wind. The only thing covering her body was a single piece of white cloth, convincing the viewer that the world was refusing to let anything else touch the girl's bare skin.

　He has an extraordinary presence and a presence that is beyond ordinary.

　The voice that was spun had a magical power that bound the body and mind of all who heard it, and in that sudden moment no one was able to continue speaking on the spot.

"What happened, Bishop Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti?"

　The girl tilted her head and asked a question.

　She looks at him, she calls out to him. Just having that one action from the girl directed at him is enough to make him feel so happy he wouldn't mind dying.

　Looking up at the girl, Emilia felt her mouth dry up rapidly, even though she knew it was in the past.

　--That's dangerous.

"Why are you here... No, Regulus Corneas...! Why did you bring this person here...!"

　Juice's voice was clenched as he tried to reject the emotions swelling up inside him.

　--That's too dangerous.

"There's no way I would do something like taking her out, violating someone's will, right? It was her own will that she decided to come with us. It's really too prejudiced to try to blame everything on me. I hope you don't judge me based on who I am."

"Bishop Regulus. He is also confused. Please try not to blame him too much."

　As Regulus accepted the juice, the girl beside him scolded him.

　At those words, the corners of Regulus' mouth trembled, and he bowed respectfully, trying desperately not to let his happiness show.

　That's abnormal.

　Regulus was an overwhelming foreign element. The fact that she was able to command him to her will was proof enough of just how abnormal that girl was.

　Looking up at the girl, Juice shook his head with confusion and shock in his eyes.

"This is... too cruel... Lady Pandora..."

　Juice's breathless voice made the girl smile faintly.

　The smile of a girl who is a blessing to the world, brings even greater happiness. The girl known as Pandora responds to the gazes of those around her with an all-forgiving tolerance.

　Open your arms wide and embrace everything in your little arms.

"Now, shall we begin? --To fulfill the wish of our Witch Cult."

"Pandoraaaaaahh!!"

　The girl's calm declaration was joined by Fortuna's fierce shout.

　With young Emilia shielding his back, Fortuna thrust both arms forward, and a blue magic circle appeared in front of him. Stakes of ice appeared with incredible force, aimed at Pandora from the front with overwhelming density.

"fault"

"Get impaled and apologize to your brothers!!"

　Pandora absentmindedly puts her hand over her mouth, and Fortuna's magic attacks her.

　There were nearly twenty ice stakes in total, each as big as an adult's arm. They were generated with relentless speed and shot out one after another - piercing the body of the dazed-looking girl, exploding in white steam.

　The chain reaction of sounds of shattering ice continued, and even as white smoke continued to rise, Fortuna did not let up on her attack. As young Emilia stood there with her mouth open, her beautiful face distorted in rage, Fortuna raised both hands.

"This is it――!!"

　As if following the swing of both hands, a massive block of ice fell, mowing down the trees of the forest from above. Without missing its target, it smashed the spot where Pandora had been from above, leaving a white demise marking the forest earth.

　Even Emilia was speechless in the face of Fortuna's incredible magical power.

　Even with the help of Puck, was Emilia really capable of refining magic to that extent? She had never looked down on her mother, but she was shocked to see that her powers were even greater than she remembered.

　Howeverーー,

"You see… you completely ignored me just now, didn't you? Even though you didn't even notice me, what's the point of attacking in a way that would drag me down as collateral damage? That means… you've trampled on my life, my existence, my rights, right?"

　Immediately after hearing a long-winded complaint, a huge block of ice was shattered into pieces from directly below.

　In the fantastical scene of powdered ice crystals scattering across the forest sky, Regulus stood calmly, a completely different figure. Next to him was Pandora, similarly unharmed.

　Regulus lightly brushed off his jacket, and despite the attacks he had received, far from being scratched, there was not even a speck of dirt on his clothes. Pandora used her hand to slightly fix her bangs, which had been messed up by the wind.

　Regulus was probably standing in front of Pandora to protect her, but this was simply too unusual. Emilia had no idea what had happened.

"So that's the greed of this generation. It's quite interesting to see this, considering it's an impossible encounter."

"Did you know what that was just now?"

　Emilia called out to Echidna as she left the shade of the trees to get a better view. Echidna glanced at her sideways and narrowed her eyes slightly.

"I can imagine, but it's far from certain. I'd like to say that if we could just wait and see what happens, we'd know what happens, but… the situation doesn't seem to allow that."

"What are you doing...?"

"It works."

　Emilia felt a sense of irritation at Echidna's short words and looked ahead.

　Past conflicts have been instigated by Fortuna but have not produced any results.

　Seeing Regulus take a step forward with a displeased look on his face, Juice stretched out his arm.

"Lady Fortuna, please take Lady Emilia and step back! We are currently powerless against Regulus Corneas."

"What the...! With that woman right in front of you, you're telling me to stand down?!"

"Please consider the situation! Who are you protecting right now?!"

「――――!!」

　Juice yelled at Fortuna, who was preparing to put up a fight to the end. Shocked, Fortuna's cheeks stiffened and she looked behind her to see young Emilia clutching the hem of her mother's dress with an anxious look on her face.

"M-mother..."

"Emilia――!"

"Please step back. And immediately send aid to the village. The believers who came with me are those who share my thoughts. I'm sure they will be of help to you."

　Juice spoke in a calm voice to Fortuna as he held young Emilia close to his chest.

Hearing this, Fortuna stood up, picked up young Emilia, and looked at Juice with anxious eyes.

"If we do that, what will you do?"

"--Don't worry. I'm not staying behind without a plan either."

　Juice was nervous, but he still smiled in response to Fortuna's sad eyes.

　Seeing his smile, Fortuna closed her eyes as if to shake it off,

"I'll definitely come back to help."

　With that said, Fortuna took young Emilia in her arms and ran out of the forest.

　Struggling in his arms, young Emilia popped her head out from beside Fortuna's head,

"juice--!!"

"――――"

　Juice turned around at the young Emilia's cry and raised his hands with a look of relief on his face.

　With that, Fortuna and young Emilia rush into the depths of the forest, and Juice disappears from sight.

"...That's strange. I was just taken away like that, so I shouldn't have seen what happened after that."

"Don't underestimate the world of memories I've constructed. It's based on your memories, but I've used my own magic formula and the descriptions in the Book of Wisdom as references to construct it. To a certain extent, it's easy to complement the scenes your consciousness doesn't see. However…"

　Echidna responded to Emilia's question. Next to the bewildered Emilia, she followed Fortuna and the others with her eyes,

"In terms of overcoming your 'trial', there's no doubt that pursuing them would be the right thing to do. What do you want to do? Would you like to see how things go here?"

　Echidna implicitly tells him that he should pursue Fortuna. Her words are logically correct. Indeed, the Trials are connected to Emilia's past, so what should take priority here is what young Emilia will see and do next. However,

"Echidna... it sounded like you wanted me to go away."

"..."

"I'm overthinking it... I don't think so. The way you said it and your attitude just now were strange."

"...You're free to think what you want. Besides, I'm going to start moving now."

　Without answering Emilia's question, Echidna steps back slightly, expressionless. She steps back, likely to avoid being exposed to the aftereffects of the battle that is about to begin.

　No matter how great the damage, it won't affect Emilia or Echidna. However, if the terrain were to change, it would be unavoidable that their footing would be affected.

"That's pretty cool, Petelgeuse. But who did you ask for permission to do that? What do you think I'm here for? No matter how you look at it, I have no business here. Not with you, but with that place. By interrupting me like this, you're preventing me from doing what I should be doing. It's an infringement of my rights."

"Say what you like, Regulus Corneas, but I swear on my very existence that I will not allow you to go any further than this!"

"Well said. I don't know if you're one of the founders of the Witch Cult or whatever, but you're sitting in your current chair because of some contribution you made in the past. You were duly selected to be in this position, so how do you think you have any chance of competing with me and winning?"

"Well... let me show you now."

　As Regulus's selfish theory grew more and more furious, Juice responded quietly.

　He put his hands inside his robes, and with a look of resolve on his face, it looked to Emilia like the expression of someone preparing for death.

"Oh no...Juice, what are you doing...?!"

　By reliving the past, Emilia is reminded of her affection for him.

　As he prepares to die, Emilia reaches out to stop him, but there is no way for the present Emilia to interfere with the story of the past.

　His outstretched hand slipped through, and the palms of his hands that must have shook hands when he was a child never touched.

"it is..."

　Juice pulled out a small black box from his pocket.

　Regulus frowned at this, but then his eyes widened as he realized what it was. For the first time, the young man's face showed signs of surprise, and Juice pierced him with determined eyes.

"You should feel it. You've had this in your hands once."

"I know that, of course. And it's precisely because I know that that I'm still astounded at your stupidity. You may have been hiding it, thinking it was a trump card or something, but how could you not realize that when you had it in your hands? You! You have no right to have it! That, more than anything, is what decides it!"

"...It's true, I don't fit in with this. Therefore, all this time I have only held on to what was entrusted to me. However, that is for times like this."

"Bishop Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti"

　Juice calmly replied to the enraged Regulus.

　Their conversation is interrupted by Pandora, who has not moved from her starting spot.

　Juice looked up upon hearing his name being called, and saw Pandora with a calm expression on her face.

"have a nice trip"

"――――"

　There was no malice, ill will, hostility or ulterior motive whatsoever; they were simply words of blessing.

　So when Emilia heard that, she couldn't help but feel scared, and the same went for Juice.

　Juice endures the pain, his face looking as if his whole body has been cut up by the blessing, then he turns the box in his hands and removes the lid.

　Inside the small box that fits in the palm of your hand, there is something black and wriggling.

"Please forgive me, Lord Flugel."

　Saying that, Juice pressed the box of that black "something" against his chest.

　The next moment, the "something" exploded on Juice's body where it touched it, scattering water everywhere, and its volume exploded, enveloping Juice's entire body.

　The sight of Juice being absorbed by a viscous creature made Emilia let out a voiceless shriek. "Something" enveloped Juice's body, squeezing him tightly.

"You idiot."

　Spitting out those words, Regulus made his first succinct assessment in a few words.

　Under his scornful gaze, Juice's whole body was enveloped in "something" and he raised his hands to the sky, opened his mouth and screamed in excitement. It was neither pain nor pleasure, it was as if his very existence was being disturbed by some other emotion.

"――――"

　Suddenly, a mysterious sound was heard among the screams.

　It was the sound of someone clapping their hands.

"wonderful"

　The one who muttered and applauded was the platinum girl, Pandora.

　Looking at Juice, who was still panting and engulfed in a torrent of emotion, her cheeks flushed with ecstasy.

　The slight rapidity of breath was only due to the excitement of the sight.

"Lady Pandora?"

　Not only Emilia, but Regulus too was suspicious of that attitude.

　The young man in white frowned at Pandora, who was clapping, but Pandora turned to look at Regulus with a blush on her face, stopped clapping, and pointed at the juice.

"Bishop Regulus Corneas"

"yes"

"I'm coming."

　Immediately afterwards, Regulus' body was suddenly hung upside down and hurled high into the air.

"teeth--?"

　It was a childish act of violence, like grabbing a doll by its feet and roughly throwing it into the air.

　Regulus himself, the one who was thrown, did not seem to understand what had happened, as he let out a gasp and, just as he reached the peak of his height, he plummeted to the ground at a rapid rate. He was clearly falling at a speed faster than free fall, and it looked as if he had been thrown by "grabbing at the feet".

　Helpless, Regulus was thrown headfirst into the ground.

　The earth exploded into pieces with a thunderous roar, trees caught up in the impact falling one by one to the point where Regulus had landed. Regulus was crushed by the ensuing shockwave, and silence fell over the forest.

　Emilia loses her voice, and her mind goes blank as she desperately tries to trace the events that had just occurred.

　I couldn't see anything. The only thing I knew was that

"I told you...Death."

　A man in a black robe was kneeling there, looking ahead with tears of blood streaming down his face.

　Staring out through the gaps in the trees, clouds of dust rising from them, and breathing heavily, was a man who had won a bet, at the cost of his resolve.

　He escapes the agony of being covered in the black "something" and stands up.

　Juice - No, that man, Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti.

「I won't let those two be pursued... I absolutely won't let them pass beyond this point――Death!!」