The Gradually Collapsing Script
—"This book's personality is truly nasty."
This was the first thought that surfaced in Subaru's mind after Roswaal agreed to his condition.
It was not long after Subaru had come to the realization yesterday that he might be nothing more than a puppet acting according to a written plan.
Then came a sudden flash of insight—Subaru suddenly realized that Roswaal, like himself, was also a puppet.
A puppet of the book he spoke of, the black book before him.
Then Subaru began to recall the events of the previous loop.
It was because he followed Reinhard that the trial happened—meaning the book updates.
Then Roswaal said he could foresee the future, meaning the book shows future events.
And finally, Roswaal knew about Return by Death.
It was all very contradictory.
If he had the ability to foresee the future, if he knew about Return by Death, then theoretically, clearing Subaru shouldn't have been so troublesome.
And this trial—within the despair, there is always a sliver of hope, but every time one overcomes despair, only a deeper despair awaits.
—Was the other party just trying to see how Subaru would act?
That thought suddenly flashed through Subaru's mind.
Roswaal had said he had changed Emilia's fated death.
If each of Subaru's actions could alter a predetermined destiny—if the one behind the book was truly omniscient—if Subaru's choices were the only thing that person couldn't predict—then how interesting must Subaru be to an omniscient observer?
But to arrange such trials filled with twisted amusement… the author of this book must be a curious, fun-loving person with a wicked sense of humor!
That's exactly why Subaru had the idea—could he seal his trump card together with Roswaal?
Subaru would give up the trial-and-error power of Return by Death, and Roswaal would give up his so-called out-of-bounds tactics.
If Roswaal was a normal person, he would never accept such a condition.
After all, Roswaal didn't want to end up like Dormammu, who remembered all the previous loops, and Subaru was no Doctor Strange, a true hero who didn't fear death.
But if Roswaal really was a puppet, if there really was a fun-lover pulling the strings behind him—then rather than countless challenges within a fixed framework, wouldn't they want to see this drastically different future?
Compared to a confrontation where the ending is nearly visible, wouldn't they rather witness a battle with a real chance of reversal?
So Subaru chose to take the gamble.
His psyche was already near its limit anyway, and things couldn't get any worse.
Why not bet on it? Of course, even he couldn't say whether this bet was truly to increase his chance of winning—or merely to give himself an excuse to stop trying.
A contract carved into the soul—according to Roswaal, Subaru's memories are continuous, meaning his soul is unaffected by Return by Death.
While Subaru doesn't understand the relationship between soul and memory, he decided to accept it as another otherworldly common sense.
Since the soul and memory are bound, and Return by Death returns the soul, the contract could still retain its binding force even after Subaru returns.
From this moment, both parties lose their trump cards. 2. Subaru must clear the trial with fewer casualties than the previous loop to be considered victorious. If he wins, Roswaal must no longer target the Felt camp. 3. If Roswaal wins, Subaru will enter into the contract Roswaal proposed in the previous loop.
Though there were many details to the contract, Subaru summarized it into these three points.
At the same time, he finally understood that the book likely had knowledge of his loops.
As the flames burned the pages, Subaru faintly felt that something had been added to his mind.
"The contract is established."
Roswaal smiled as he spoke, then stood up without hesitation.
"Then let's end it here for today. I look forward to signing that other contract with you soon."
Roswaal ended the discussion just like that.
Perhaps, deep down, he didn't believe Subaru could limit the casualties at the Astrea mansion to the number specified in the gospel.
Signing a contract with Roswaal was something that had never happened before.
Many small things had now changed.
After all, he was no longer the man who rejected the Great Spirit for the sake of mansion life.
But Subaru no longer paid these small obstacles any mind, because in the first three days of the sixth loop, he had already done a detailed investigation into everyone with decent combat power—their likes, worries, and strengths.
After all, these weren't exactly secrets.
The "reward" he gained from Roswaal at best changed his starting favorability from 70 to 60. As long as it didn't become hostile, Subaru was confident he could "coincidentally" win everyone's support again.
Still, starting with high favorability would indeed make things a lot easier.
Helping a maid clean up after her mistake, watching the smiling face of the captain of the guards—
—Mood: bad.
Helping the vice-captain scrub his back while praising his scarred body in the bath—
—Mood: uncomfortable, deeply uncomfortable.
Telling Japanese urban legends to Eileen once again, listening to her familiar reactions—
—Mood: annoyed, very annoyed.
Waking up early to train with Winston—
So annoying, so annoying…
Wearing a comically forced smile, Subaru tenaciously collected everyone's goodwill, seizing every rare chance to boost their favor toward him.
He cannot fail.
He must succeed.
This is the final challenge.
Not a second can be wasted.
Every possible variable must be considered.
He must simulate every route to ensure everyone helps him.
This isn't a game. There are no save points at crucial moments.
He has only one chance, and he must make the best decision based on experience.
—He must maintain a smile, a more natural and clever smile.
Subaru's mind felt chaotic, but he knew he couldn't stop thinking.
If results differed from expectations, he wouldn't waste time fretting over the contradiction.
He would think first about how to act, but even before taking action, he had to first consider the consequences.
He constantly monitored his own behavior for anything unnatural.
He couldn't afford to be careless—not even for a second, let alone a moment.
—He cannot fail, because there's no retreat, because this is his only chance, because this is something only he can do.
Repeat it, repeat it again. He repeated that phrase in his head to warn and push himself.
—What am I good at? What can I say? What should I not do? What must never be said aloud? I only need to make these judgments—this is something even I can manage.
Comforting himself like that in his heart, Subaru continued moving with a smiling mask that never rested.
But Subaru was no god.
So the world wouldn't follow his script.
And in that instant, Subaru realized—the script had already begun to collapse beyond his control.