〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Life Sword!"
Yuriusu, outside the screen, exclaimed.
This missing treasured sword had actually been found...
Yuriusu glanced at Old Man Rom.
It was Old Man Rom who told Subaru about the Life Sword.
Who exactly was he?
The Life Sword, named "Zeam." It was one of the Ten Great Swords.
It could cut souls.
"So that's—it."
Roswaal murmured.
"So that's how it is..."
Beatrice suddenly understood.
No wonder it was called the "Spirit Killer."
After Petelgeuse died, his soul would remain and then possess another body.
But the Life Sword Zeam could directly cause damage at the soul level.
Therefore...
"It's enough."
Yuriusu said.
He had previously thought that, in terms of combat power alone, it was indeed sufficient, even excessive. But the Authority of Sloth was still difficult to break.
Now there was no need to worry.
Subaru could see the Unseen Hand, and the Life Sword Za'am could prevent possession.
The combination of Subaru and the Life Sword was simply the perfect bane for Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti.
Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti was finished.
—
[ On the screen, after everyone found the Life Sword, Subaru led the team back to the slum and went to the Loot House.
They got information about Petelgeuse's whereabouts from Old Man Rom.
Mimi drove Patrasche, while the others sat behind, and they set off.
And the night before they set off...
In the inn, Subaru looked at Beatrice's room, wondering what he was thinking.
"..."
Subaru opened Beatrice's door.
"Really, you're an annoying fellow. Can't you knock before coming in?"
"Sorry. A bad habit from twenty years ago."
Then Subaru and the audience noticed the doll Beatrice was holding...
It was a Puck doll, but it was full of holes. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Huh? Is that my doll? Did Subaru make it? When? It looks quite similar."
Puck, outside the screen, said.
"But unfortunately, it's already like this."
Otto said.
"..."
The silent Beatrice remembered the Puck doll Subaru made for her, which she collected.
It was identical, only the one on the screen was more tattered.
Her doll would be regularly mended by Subaru.
But this Betty, this me, had no one to mend it for her.
In that world, after everyone and her brother died, the only two thoughts she might have had were waiting for "that person" who would never come, and this doll of her brother.
....
Beatrice remained silent, showing a sad expression.
—
[ "That's..." Subaru, on the screen, said, looking at the doll.
"You still carry it..."
"——"
Beatrice on the screen was speechless, immediately hiding the doll behind her back.
"——How could this be..."
Subaru was momentarily speechless.
"——Fix it."
Beatrice spoke first, but her voice trembled.
"I want you to help me fix it."
Beatrice spoke again.
The two were silent for a long time.
"Sorry. I can't fix it anymore. I can't control my strength well with this. I no longer have... sewing skills. Sorry, Beatrice."
Subaru extended his prosthetic left arm.
"——Then, then..."
Beatrice grabbed Subaru's sleeve, looking like she didn't want him to leave.
"Then, Betty will fix it. You teach Betty."
"—Ah, I understand. Tomorrow, after everything is over, I'll teach you."
"It's a promise. If you forget, Betty won't forgive you. In exchange, Betty will also help you get revenge. If you want to protect Betty, Betty will protect you, too."
Although she said this, her pupils, lips, and tone trembled, looking very uneasy.
The two hooked their pinky fingers.
Natsuki Subaru and Beatrice made a promise.
....
"Then, let's start the strategy meeting."
Back to the present, on the way before the decisive battle, Subaru spoke from his seat.
"What I want to ask Elsa is to eliminate the Witch Cultists around Petelgeuse with Mimi. In short, weaken their combat power to make Petelgeuse appear."
"What do you want me to do?"
Ferris asked Subaru.
"I'll leave it to Ferris to support the two of them. Although Mimi and Elsa are fine by themselves, there are also skilled individuals among the Witch Cultists."
"——What are you going to do?"
Beatrice looked at Subaru.
"I will directly fight the appearing Petelgeuse."
"Generally speaking, wouldn't it be better for me to support Subaru?"
Ferris made a more rational suggestion.
"You're right. But this is just my selfishness. I have a countermeasure; I have a chance of winning. I want to have a one-on-one showdown with him. Only Beatrice needs to follow me. After I kill his physical body, I hope you can open a barrier to trap him."
They arrived at the decisive battleground, around the old Arlam Village. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Although I don't know what countermeasure he has, it's still a bit reckless."
Yuriusu said.
"It has a beginning and an end. What a strange fate."
Otto spoke.
The Witch Cult annihilated Emilia's faction in Arlam Village, and this was also the site of the decisive revenge battle.
—
[ "After the operation begins, everyone except Beatrice can act on their own judgment. This might be the last time we see each other, so I'll say it now. Thank you for accompanying me this far."
"Alright. Since we've come this far with you, let me accompany you to the very end."
Ferris spoke.
"I don't recall doing anything that needed thanking for. I just do my job and collect my corresponding reward."
Elsa said.
"Big Brother, try not to die!"
Mimi said.
"——"
Beatrice was silent.
"Beatrice, the final success or failure rests on you. I'm counting on you."
"You're the one who shouldn't forget your promise with Betty!"
Beatrice finally spoke. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Whoa, is this a death flag?"
Al said.
"Hmph! Don't know what the heck that means, but don't go ruinin' the mood, ya know, Helmet Man."
Garfiel said.
—
[ An explosion sounded, possibly a fire bullet released by Mimi at the Witch Cultists.
"AH...! I HEAR IT, I HEAR IT! THE CRIES, ROARS, AND UNFULFILLED VOICES OF MY DILIGENT COMRADES, STARVED FOR LOVE, DEMANDING LOVE, RESPONDING TO LOVE! TRIALS ARE CRUEL THINGS... NO! THEY ARE TRIALS PRECISELY BECAUSE THEY ARE CRUEL! THEY ARE 'SLOTHFUL'! MY BRAIN IS TREMBLING!!"
Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti shouted frantically.
"Sorry to interrupt your enjoyment. Can you stop your disgusting rhetoric?"
"That voice, I know it. Ah, of course, you are——"
"——Natsuki Subaru. The man who is about to end your life."
Natsuki Subaru stared at Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti. ]
.....