The Moment of Confession
In an instant, the girl freed Ferris's hand from Subaru's neck and then pushed Ferris into Wilhelm's arms.
"Put your swords away as well."
Upon hearing Reinhild's voice laced with anger, the bodyguards glanced at each other and finally sheathed their blades.
"You don't understand how great Crush is. She absolutely could not possibly—"
"How could that be impossible? This is a royal election, not child's play. The so-called king..."
Although the retainers suppressed their inner anger out of respect for Reinhild, the two parties involved, separated by Reinhild's strength, obviously had no intention of ending the farce.
Ferris spoke of how glorious Crush was, rescuing him from the dungeon, driving away the great rabbit at 17, becoming a duke at 17...
But Subaru firmly believed in his conclusion, partly because living in the internet era gave him a clearer understanding than anyone of what a king truly is, and partly because this conclusion was drawn from information he had obtained at the cost of three lives.
"What about Grandpa Wil? He is Reinhild's real grandfather, after all!"
Ferris understood just how stubborn Subaru's views on the king were, so she angrily pointed at Wilhelm and said, knowing how a few words from Subaru could make these awkward family members take many detours.
Ferris, who was on good terms with both, again felt murderous intent rising inside him.
If it weren't for Reinhild standing between them, Ferris would have succeeded already.
"So he's the Sword Demon, huh? Isn't he still resentful towards Reinhild because of the previous Sword Saint?
And judging from his expression, he hasn't let it go even now. To put it plainly, he abandoned five-year-old Reinhild..."
The furious Ferris was stopped again by Reinhild, but the rage in her eyes, nearly matching Rem's intensity, also frightened Subaru.
"Saving you was definitely one of the biggest regrets of my life. You better not be caught by me, even if it's nonsense, your words will hurt those who saved you, and your words are also an insult to Lady Crush."
"Nonsense?"
Subaru uttered a puzzled voice, and Ferris, realizing she couldn't get past Reinhild, stopped struggling.
She coldly looked at Subaru and said:
"Look around."
Subaru looked around.
The people gathered by Reinhild's overwhelming presence still surrounded the room, all staring at Subaru.
Coldness, anger, disdain, murderous intent, disgust, hatred...
These were familiar people, but their eyes were not filled with familiar kindness—they were full of malice.
"Why? Why don't you believe me? Did you use mind control on them?"
"Even I couldn't control so many people. It's simply because your words lack credibility. It's just delusion."
"How dare you say that!?"
Subaru roared.
The information he had exchanged three lives for—why wasn't he trusted?
Why was he treated like a madman spreading nonsense?
"Because people believe what I say about Crush's character.
Because Winston has served her since Reinhild was eight, he was Reinhild's first retainer, and he is more trustworthy than you; because Grandpa Wil has never laid a hand on Reinhild, even at his angriest, so he couldn't have really attacked her; and because the eight-armed giant you mentioned—the Empire's war god Kurugan—has been dead for over ten years."
Ferris mocked Subaru's words as ridiculous, and those around instinctively nodded, showing their agreement with Ferris's viewpoint.
At that moment, Subaru felt like he had been struck by lightning.
He looked to Eileen, his best friend from earlier timelines, but in her eyes was disgust; she deliberately avoided his gaze... Subaru understood — no one was on his side.
Finally, Subaru's gaze fell on Reinhild.
The girl closed her eyes and nodded.
At that instant, Subaru understood that everything Ferris said was true.
But—he couldn't accept it.
He couldn't accept that the intelligence he spent three lives to obtain was nonsense.
He couldn't accept that those he wanted to protect and whom he considered his determination doubted, suspected, hated him.
He couldn't accept that he had achieved nothing.
"Even so, you won't admit your mistake?"
"What do you even know?"
Six times in this world, Subaru had revived and suffered disgrace while alive; every death was harsh, and every time brought the same inexplicable sense of loss.
He could never get used to the pain and agony caused by time resetting; no one could understand the loneliness and despair left behind.
Nevertheless, he gritted his teeth and fought to live bravely.
He resolved not to yield no matter what hardship he faced, and to never admit defeat in his heart.
"I don't understand anything.
I don't understand why you're so arrogant to think others should believe everything you say without question.
Who do you think you are, meow? Unless you reveal your source, no one will believe you, meow."
Suddenly, a thought crossed Subaru's mind.
What if he confessed now that he had the power of return by death? Normally, people might laugh it off as a joke, but since they already considered him a madman, the situation couldn't get any worse.
So Subaru stood up straight again, looking at Reinhild.
Her sky-blue pupils reflected his own.
It was like the thick fog had cleared — the confusion and anxiety in Subaru's heart vanished without a trace.
Even if everyone else didn't believe him, the girl before him surely wouldn't treat him coldly; she would definitely help him.
This unreasonable hope was all that supported Subaru now.
He thought about how to start his first sentence.
About "Return by Death," where should he begin? Should he explain that he was not from this world?
"—Reinhild, I have something I want you to hear."
Finally, his first sentence was an unconfident request, but Reinhild met Subaru's expectation.
She straightened her posture, her worried face instantly turning serious.
Her aura changed, and those who had been criticizing Subaru stopped.
Even Ferris paused her mockery for the first time.
'Thank you so much for believing in me, for being willing to help me. Then, I'll start by telling you about "Return by Death." And if possible, please help me once again.'
Realizing how pitiful he was, Subaru began to speak.
To change this chaotic situation, to overcome fate, Subaru needed Reinhild's trust and power.
'Yes, that's right.'
"Actually, I can 'die and—'"
The moment he began to confess, "that" came.