[ Natsuki Subaru raised the corners of his mouth: "I'm going to make you thoroughly experience the terror of having all your plans ruined by someone getting there first." ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"By the way, how do we prevent that suicide explosion from last time?"
Emilia asked.
After all, referencing the last loop, the insane Witch Cultists might look for an opportunity to commit suicide and self-destruct at any moment.
"Ah, there's no need to worry about that, nyan."
Felix paused for a moment, then continued:
"Ordinary cultists have magic stones implanted in their bodies that can turn into a deadly poison, while the 'Fingers' have had that poison modified into an explosion spell formula. Ferris-chan directly removed the entire formula, rendering the magic stones ineffective. And Ferrsi-chan remembers bringing that spy to the Royal Capital, nyan."
Emilia revealed an expression that said "I see," and nodded.
—
[ "So, how did it go? Did you finish the job entrusted to you?"
The operation was proceeding methodically.
Subaru asked Ricardo.
"I launched a surprise attack on guys whose hideout was already exposed and who didn't expect to be attacked at all. If I messed up something like that, I'd have to retire to the back lines. Everything went smoothly, really thanks to the map. You could say that bunch's organized and planned nature backfired on them. Lad, you've done a great service, y'know." ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Wait, this scene looks a bit familiar."
Otto, outside the screen, said.
—
[ "What's wrong, lad? Why the unhappy look on your face?" Ricardo asked.
"…Were there any guys who escaped from the destroyed stronghold? If we let even one go, all our efforts will be wasted."
"Don't you think about why folks with sharp noses like us were sent? Do you even need to ask? However…"
"I knew it! What happened? Did something go wrong? Is there some fatal… some shocking problem enough to overturn this operation, right? Damn it! I knew it was going too smoothly!" Subaru said hurriedly. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"If Bro keeps developing like this, isn't he going to turn into Seiya the Cautious Hero?"
Al couldn't help but retort, though the others couldn't understand his reference.
—
[ "What're ya doin', what're ya doin'? Why start having paranoid delusions all of a sudden? It won't do for the General to be so uneasy! Besides, don't assume that a 'however' always leads to bad news! But rather than explaining, it's easier to understand if you see it with your own eyes. Hey, bring over the guy we just caught!"
Then, a person hog-tied with rope was thrown over.
"Found him deep inside the Witch Cult's nest. I reckon he's just some unlucky guy who got caught by them, but… Hey, what's wrong? What are you doing?"
"Pfft." Subaru laughed heartily. "I was wondering why you hadn't shown up. Turns out you were captured, Otto!"
This bound man was Otto Suwen. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"So this is the first meeting with Bro in Green Hat Bro's memories?"
Felt said.
"While that is technically correct, this 'Green Hat Bro' really doesn't sound very flattering."
Otto responded with a bitter smile.
—
[ "Preparations are fully complete—Subaru, we can move out at any time." Yuriusu walked up to Subaru and spoke.
"…Everyone move out, start according to the original plan. Alright, this time we will definitely settle this—let's show 'Sloth' and the god of fate what we're made of."
.....
Then the scene shifted. This was…
"…Welcome, beloved believer."
It was that cliff again.
The madman Petelgeuse looked at Subaru with madness in his eyes.
Then he spoke: "I am the Witch Cult's Sin Archbishop representing 'Sloth'… Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti!" ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"I'm already sick of seeing this disgusting face. Although there's no problem with introducing yourself at a first meeting, looking at it now is genuinely annoying."
Felt said.
"You've triggered a passive skill, haven't you?"
Al followed up with a quip.
—
[ "What a fine day, what a wonderful day! To think that on the day of the trial, I would have the opportunity to welcome a beloved child of love! My chest is about to be torn apart by tears of gratitude, by emotion, by thankfulness!"
Facing the ecstatic Petelgeuse, Subaru's reaction was—
"…Nice to meet you, Lord Sin Archbishop!"
After speaking, he knelt at Petelgeuse's feet, performed a bow of the highest respect toward Petelgeuse, and said:
"I am deeply ashamed to have only joined up just as this trial is about to begin! However, to join the lowest ranks of the believers, in order to beg the Lord Archbishop to accept me as a 'Finger'! My body, my soul, has rushed here with all haste!" ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Mm-hmm, I wanted to know how Subaru acted back then. Looking at it now, he really looks like a devout believer."
Felix, outside the screen, said.
"As his understanding of the Witch Cult grows, he's really getting more skilled at it."
Otto said.
"Hmph, his acting is passable."
Priscilla said.
—
[ Then the screen fell silent for a long time. It was about ten seconds later that this silence was broken.
"…Oh, oh! What, what pure and fervent faith!" Petelgeuse was trembling in both voice and body, and even began to weep tears.
He raised his hands high, facing the sky:
"To think there is a believer who can sing of love with such clear eyes! A scene of cursing one's own sloth like this has never appeared in my memories before! Like you! Someone who loves the beloved child as devoutly as you! I, a man without virtue, have actually overlooked you until now! Please forgive my sloth!" Petelgeuse smashed his forehead against the ground, blood gushing out.
"Please stop, Lord Archbishop! Lady Witch would not be happy to see this either! Lady Witch surely would not wish to see a beloved believer hurt, but would rather see a way of life that strives with all its might to repay her favor, and the will to complete the trial."
"Ah! You are absolutely correct."
Petelgeuse stopped his self-mutilation and hugged Subaru.
"Ah, I was wrong, I made a mistake! That's right! The trial! What I should be pursuing right now is neither self-punishment nor self-sanction, but the trial! For me to forget the trial is truly slothful! Thanks to your words, I have awakened! Thank you! Thank you!" ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Geuse…"
Emilia, outside the screen, fell silent.
Even if you are Petelgeuse, and not Geuse… I still hope you would treat Geuse's body kindly…
"…There is no need to worry about that sort of thing, I suppose."
Beatrice said.
"Eh?"
As if understanding Emilia, Beatrice spoke:
"The Romanee-Conti clan, offering their flesh to evil spirits, modifying themselves generation after generation to become more suitable vessels. Over time, everyone starts to look similar."
"Does that mean…"
"It means that, whether spiritually or physically, that guy isn't Geuse, in fact. For someone so severely self-destructive, the body would have rotted away long ago. It's a simple logic problem; you'd understand if you just thought about it, I suppose?"
"But even though you say it's not him, you still reminisce, don't you?"
Puck said.
"B-Brother!"
—
[ "The words recorded in the Gospel, all the stories describing love, will guide me to the future! Therefore, everything is inside… inside are all my principles!"
After the conversation to fish for information, Petelgeuse frantically flipped through his Gospel, but— "…Please show the Gospel."
Sure enough, just like in the last loop, there was nothing recorded.
"…That is?"
Next, Subaru pulled out a conversation mirror. "As you can see, this is a 'Metia', Lord Archbishop."
Then, the conversation mirror glowed—
"Ah, there's an image, there's an image. Wow, this face is even scarier than I heard!" Felix spoke through the conversation mirror.
"What on earth have you… No! What have you done?"
"Our surprise attack was a success…" Subaru answered Petelgeuse with a smile.
Immediately after, a black shadow rushed in, knocking Petelgeuse flying.
It was Patrasche.
The second battle with Petelgeuse had begun. ]
.....