Chapter 100: Sooner or Later…
After leaving the library, Subaru Natsuki was walking toward the outside of the mansion.
It wasn't that he hadn't thought about asking Beatrice if there was any feasible way for everyone to escape.
But after going through several loops, Subaru Natsuki had come to understand—this Beatrice in front of him could not possibly leave the library.
If Beatrice wouldn't leave, then he would not abandon her and leave her behind alone.
Besides, if there really was some kind of magic that could help everyone escape, Puck would have definitely mentioned it.
Since Puck didn't say anything, that meant either such magic didn't exist—or the cost to use it was unimaginably high.
Given the current situation, it was impossible to use it.
Only those two possibilities existed.
Either way, Subaru Natsuki had no path of retreat left.
Now, all he could do was wait—wait for the Witch Cult and the White Whale to arrive, and then fight to the death.
Subaru Natsuki gripped the sword in his hand tightly.
The Witch Cult members were people, but they were also lunatics. If the time came when he had to fight them—maybe even kill them—could he truly swing his sword and take their lives?
The moment he imagined himself possibly having to kill, Subaru's hand began to tremble uncontrollably.
He could kill demonic beasts, because they weren't human—they were just wild animals, and there was no way to communicate with them.
But against people… against the lunatics of the Witch Cult, Subaru Natsuki didn't know whether he could actually go through with it.
"If it was Kamijou, what would he do... Would he kill? No… he wouldn't kill. Even when facing enemies filled with murderous intent in the game, he never killed anyone."
"But it's different… Those people weren't all evil… But the Witch Cult members are all lunatics… Yet, that's only what the books say. Are they really all lunatics…? What am I supposed to do!?"
Subaru Natsuki, having stopped in his tracks, stood on the lawn, took a deep breath, and swept away the chaotic thoughts in his mind.
Then, he drew his sword and began swinging it with serious focus.
As he swung the sword, Subaru clearly felt his strength had increased.
Whether it was the power or speed of his sword swings—everything had improved dramatically.
'Return by Death…'
He swung the sword again.
'Suicide.'
The speed and force of the sword swing weakened.
'Grow stronger.'
The sword completely stopped moving. Subaru's gaze fixed on the longsword emitting a cold white light in his hands.
'As long as I return by death, I can use that ability to grow stronger. If I do it enough times, I can solve anything. As long as I'm strong enough…'
Smack! A heavy, loud sound rang out, and the heat in Subaru's head finally cooled. He began to swing his longsword again.
'Don't think about it. Haven't I already decided? I know this! I should know this! That kind of thinking is wrong! My life is not a tool!'
'But… this is a necessary sacrifice. Yes, it's a necessary sacrifice. Isn't that how it was in the game…? If Kamijou died, I'd die with him too.'
'Now that there's no one left to protect me, it's my turn to protect those around me. In this situation, rationally using my own ability isn't wrong at all.'
'"Rem will ensure Subaru-kun's safety!"'
"…Heh… I really am an idiot beyond help… I'm not alone."
Mocking himself slightly, Subaru Natsuki calmed his mind and resumed swinging his sword seriously.
Perhaps it was an illusion, but the speed and force of his swings had clearly changed.
No—it wasn't that the strength or speed had changed.
It was that the one wielding the sword had changed.
That's why it felt like the sword's power and speed had improved.
While Subaru Natsuki was training his body, Ram and Rem stood at a second-floor window corridor of the mansion, quietly watching Subaru swing his sword.
"The White Whale, huh… This is really troublesome. Actually, even before you and the others returned, Ram already felt something was off. Just didn't expect you'd come back at this timing."
"Mm. Rem didn't notice anything on your side either, onee-sama. It was Subaru-kun who suggested we return earlier."
"Hmph, I suppose Barusu is at least somewhat useful.
But right now, Ram can't get in touch with Lord Roswaal. He's in the Sanctuary, and even if contacted, he wouldn't be able to return immediately. Looks like we're on our own…"
"It's alright, onee-sama. We still have Subaru-kun. As long as Subaru-kun is here, everything will be fine."
Ram turned her head and glanced at the Rem beside her.
"Even though I know how you feel, and Ram admits Barusu does have some ability—he's not that strong."
Hearing that, Rem shook her head and replied:
"Onee-sama, Subaru-kun is strong."
"Is that so? If my beloved little sister says so, then Ram will just have to expect a little more from Barusu."
"Really? But hasn't onee-sama always felt at ease with Subaru-kun?"
With doubt in her voice, Rem asked, but her words were met with a merciless blow from Ram.
"Let's go. No matter what, we should do what we can for now."
"Mm."
Time passed quickly.
By nightfall, after finishing dinner, Subaru Natsuki didn't stay in the mansion. Instead, without telling anyone, he went into the village.
Since it was nighttime, everyone in the village was already asleep.
Only Subaru was patrolling alone through the village. Tonight was when the White Whale was supposed to appear.
Though the White Whale's appearance location was still some distance away, since Puck said it would appear, that meant the Witch Cult wouldn't be far behind.
Not knowing whether the Witch Cult would act tonight, Subaru Natsuki couldn't let his guard down. He could only go out and patrol.
As time slowly passed, Subaru made several rounds around the village perimeter, but he didn't sense any unusual movements.
He also checked the boundary stones around the village to make sure there were no issues.
Come to think of it, before entering the forest last time, he didn't even know those boundary stones existed.
If he had known back then, it would've saved a lot of trouble.
Only after everything had ended did Subaru learn about them.
After checking everything, Subaru didn't find anything wrong.
Despite completing his patrol and discovering nothing unusual, he couldn't shake off a deep sense of unease in his heart.
"This feeling is seriously irritating…"
Subaru Natsuki stopped in his tracks and looked in the direction where the White Whale would appear, his face filled with anxious frustration.
And elsewhere, the White Whale was mercilessly attacking a group of heavily armed enemies without discrimination.
Tonight, many people would vanish from this world.
Many would also die on this night.
Completely unaware of this, Subaru Natsuki left the village after staying for a while.
His nerves were still taut.
If this continues, the boy named Subaru Natsuki will sooner or later collapse.
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