Awakening and Death
"I see, I see. So, because of how I acted just now, your impression of me dropped. What a blunder." Despite her disappointed tone, her expression was full of excitement.
"Although I'd love to give you a detailed method to overcome your predicament, it seems we're out of time. So for now, let me offer you some advice."
Just as Subaru was wondering what she meant, he suddenly felt dizzy.
Unable to stay standing, he slumped back into the chair. Blinking, he looked at Echidna, trying to understand what was happening. "The time to wake up has come." "Wake up—You mean someone outside is waking me?" "You could say that. This situation doesn't happen often. Looks like we've talked quite a bit this time."
—Who's waking me doesn't matter anymore.
"If you've got advice, spit it out quickly, Echidna. Also, if I want to come back here again, how do I do that?" Subaru asked urgently.
Even though he didn't form a contract this time, if her advice proved useful, he knew he'd want to rely on her wisdom again in the future—or even consider signing a contract.
"Being asked for help isn't so bad. No more jokes—currently, the Sanctuary we're in is a super-shelter I built when I was alive. It can protect you from the Witch Cult." "That's not enough."
"True. You've tried nearly every escape method, overcome countless challenges in those attempts, and still failed.
So here are a few suggestions: Emilia's memory issue can be resolved here.
The Witch Cult can not only block the communication mirror but also trace its location, and they value it far more than you think.
Petelgeuse's first target is Emilia, and his second is you.
He'll eliminate you both in order.
Finally, there's a secret passage between Roswaal's mansion and this place—only I, Beatrice, and Roswaal know about it."
Echidna smiled and took a sip of tea. "With your Return by Death ability, I'm sure you can handle the rest."
"As for meeting again, well—it's not impossible. But it'll probably be very difficult."
Echidna set her teacup down, face suddenly tense. "The conditions to be invited to this tea party will get more and more strict. The first time was just on a whim. But from the second time on, it won't be so easy.
The requirement for the second time is that your thirst for knowledge must be strong enough to reach me. For the third, your desire must exceed even that."
"So there's no reference standard?" "Given your personality and experience, I think the second time will be easy for you.
We'll form a contract then. After that, you can call on me anytime. But yes—it's just in case."
Stroking her white hair, Echidna stood up.
Her pale fingers reached toward Subaru's chest.
The dizzy Subaru could only watch as her hand gently slid across his chest.
"I hereby grant you the right to challenge the Sanctuary's trial." "The Sanctuary's… trial?" "There are three trials in the Sanctuary. You don't understand now, but you will. Once you do, you'll see their value. But most importantly, passing each trial means you'll get to meet me again."
"I see. Is the trial difficult?" Subaru clapped his hands.
He understood what she was offering—another means to talk with her, aside from the tea party.
"It's about time you head back. Let's have another tea chat next time."
Perhaps to get back at him, Echidna puffed out her rather average-sized chest and showed a terrifying smile.
Feeling defeated, Subaru waved goodbye and got ready to leave. At first, he had been on high alert, but surprisingly, the tea party with the Witch ended peacefully—
"Well then, since you're leaving the Witch's tea party, you must pay the price."
At the very last moment, Echidna suddenly demanded something unsettling.
Her words stirred his soul, and Subaru, gripped with fear, turned his head slowly. The Witch Echidna's smile wasn't malicious, yet it was utterly terrifying.
"...Just so you know, I'm a penniless guy with nothing to give." "Witches don't ask for money. What I want from you is an oath.
You must not speak of this tea party to others. That's my condition.
For someone bound by the same kind of contract, this should be easy, right?"
"The same kind of contract..." Subaru instantly understood.
"I won't spill everything, but still... some bad things might happen, huh. Well then, see you."
With Echidna's meaningful smile, the world began to collapse.
.
.
.
The moment he woke, he felt like he was flying through the air.
The sensation was so familiar that Subaru instinctively tried to adjust his posture.
A second later, his body slammed hard against a giant tree, then bounced back to the ground.
—If it hadn't been for his many battles with Petelgeuse, he might have died.
Coughing up blood, Subaru didn't know if it was because of the rough way he woke up, but his head throbbed with pain.
"What's your objective? Say it, and I'll give you a quick death."
The crude tone snapped Subaru back to reality.
He tried to roll over, but he might have injured his spine—he failed.
Straining, he barely managed to lift his head and saw a pair of eyes full of hostility.
Short golden hair stood upright, with a prominent white scar on the forehead.
Fierce emerald eyes gleamed with menace, and he wore filthy, tattered clothing, the kind you'd associate with a savage.
Despite his short stature for a man, his hunched body radiated an oppressive, indomitable aura.
"You look a lot like Frederica." Subaru muttered as he noticed the man's full set of sharp fangs.
"...Why are you saying that name? What happened to her?" "She's already dead."
The red-eyed man loosened his grip, and Subaru, dropped to the ground, finally understood the situation.
Under the moonlight, unseen hands were striking at a transparent barrier.
"A barrier? So what now? Are they the culprits?" "What do you mean they? We? Aren't you all part of the Witch Cult too? Don't mess with me." "Hey... it feels like this guy's got the wrong idea." "Wrong idea? I don't need your excuses or explanations. With that stench of the Witch all over you, how could I possibly be mistaken?!"
"I don't know how you got in here, but since you've attacked, then as the Shield of the Sanctuary, it's my duty to eliminate you. I'll protect everyone—because I'm really strong!"
The man roared, and his body began to grow—or rather, transform. Not into a leopard, but into a giant tiger roughly four meters long.
With a deafening roar, the massive tiger raised a paw nearly the size of half of Subaru's body—and slammed it down without mercy.