[ "No one here is allowed to die. Let's achieve a complete victory; everyone comes back alive. We've already defeated that monster, the White Whale, so how can we lose to something like the Witch Cult? None of us will die. Let's go take them down. It's too absurd to die for those bastards."
In the scene, Subaru said his concluding remarks. Then he paused, and continued: "So, I'm counting on all of you—let me rely on you, depend on you, and let's go all out!"
..... .....
The scene changed, and the crisp sound of "rustling" grass leaves being stepped on could be heard.
Just now, they had discussed their tactics.
Subaru also informed the subjugation team about the "Unseen Hand."
Simply put, Subaru would lure out Petelgeuse, while Wilhelm would surprise attack Petelgeuse, and Mimi and Tivey would deal with the Witch Cultists beside him.
"...Thank you all for coming to meet me." Subaru walked through the forest, and then a group of Witch Cultists appeared around him.
"Even if I ask this question, you won't answer, will you, Witch Cultists? Hmm, it's rare for you to come out to greet me, but I'm sorry, I need to discuss the details with your boss. So, don't block the way."
The Witch Cultists showed no reaction.
He spoke again: "To be honest, there are too many things I don't understand, and I'm in a very bad mood. But in terms of status, I should be above you, right? So, if you all would just step aside."
Subaru waved his hand, and the next moment, the Witch Cultists bowed and retreated.
"Sigh, I should just pack my bags and go back home... If they would even obey an order like that, I'd have a much easier time."
Just then. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Speaking of which, here..."
Otto said.
He recalled whether he was captured by Romanee-Conti at this time.
Next, Ricardo-san will save me... I hope so, because according to the memories of Yuriusu-san and the others, this place is already different from our world.
"Similar to then, but different."
Yuriusu said.
According to my memory, I was responsible for dealing with Petelgeuse here, but in this loop, it's Wilhelm-sama.
...Hmm.
Yuriusu frowned.
If it's Wilhelm-sama, then it might be impossible to prevent the "possession" of Subaru.
—
[ "...I've been waiting for you, beloved believer." With bright eyes, yet a crazy man as thin as a skeleton, Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti twisted his body, spread his hands, and welcomed Subaru.
This place was a cliff.
Petelgeuse bowed deeply to Subaru and said:
"I welcome you, beloved, dear child! How wonderful... Ah, how wonderful! How profound is the love that entwines your body! How noble is the love that envelops your body! How fervent is the love that embraces your body! Thank you! I offer you overwhelming gratitude!"
"Yo, I'm flattered by this unexpectedly warm welcome. But I always feel like the 'love' you speak of lacks any real sincerity."
"That's not your fault! For many, the beginning comes too suddenly. Everyone, from a certain day, will realize that they 'are loved.' And once they realize it, they can never let go of that love—that's right, because love is everything!" ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"How did this Witch Cultist even come to be?"
Garfiel couldn't help but wonder.
So many people unconditionally obeying Petelgeuse, does he have some kind of brainwashing ability?
If he were preaching properly, who would listen to that madman?
Forget it, this big guy is too lazy to think.
—
[ "Then you can't continue to be slothful. To sincerely repay this love, you must be diligent." Subaru went along with the conversation.
"That's—right!"
"Ah, um, what should I do next? Reunite with you... Is that all? Besides that, do I need to go through procedures, stamp a personal seal on documents, or something? I don't have an official seal. Can I use a thumbprint?"
"Hmm... Your thoughts, your opinions, your intentions—are indeed commendable." ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Hmm, no wonder I heard someone say that compared to the other Archbishops of Sin, 'Sloth' is the most normal one. As long as you go along with his words, you can at least have a conversation. The others are just talking to themselves."
Ferris said.
"But things don't look good next, Natsuki-san doesn't have that thing."
Otto said.
"But isn't it time now, nyaa? In the previous battle discussion, it was said that if the negotiations break down, a surprise attack would be launched."
—
[ "Please show me the Gospel, show me the symbol of love..."
After a period of frantic rambling, Petelgeuse flipped through the Gospel and then suddenly calmed down, speaking to Subaru.
He pulled out the Gospel and said, "The Gospel has no mention of you. If that is the case, why do you visit, appearing here? And what good fortune can you bring me?"
"Ah! That book is called the 'Gospel,' right? I see, I see, I understand, I understand. Um, if that's the case, you should have said so earlier."
Subaru fumbled for something on his body, but naturally, he pulled out nothing.
"Oh dear, my bad. Sorry, sorry. As for my 'Gospel,' well—I used it to prop up a pot, and then it got dirty. I saw it was filthy, so I threw it away."
"...The symbol of love! The Authority of Sloth! 'Unseen Hand'!" Petelgeuse said, and several black arms burst from his body.
"I said before—as long as I can see it, it's not impossible to avoid!" Subaru flashed backward, dodging the black hands.
Petelgeuse looked utterly shocked. "You, just now, saw my 'Unseen Hand'... How is this possible? It makes no sense, no basis... Impossible, impossible!" ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"He should just change his name to 'Hand Visible to Everyone,' disgusting old man. We all saw it."
Felt said from outside the screen.
But it was only visible through Subaru's perspective; otherwise, it would indeed be unseen.
"Since we're here, Wilhelm-sama, Mimi-san, and Tivey-san's surprise attack team should appear now."
Yuriusu said.
—
[ "Wah!"
"Ha!"
Mimi and Tivey, the siblings, roared, causing the rock wall to shatter, and chunks of rock crashed down in one spot.
"This is what we wanted—to bury you alive! You shall painfully repent for all your past evil deeds!"
It seemed that those were Witch Cultists on that side; this blow crushed them to death.
Petelgeuse looked up at the sky and said: "To mercilessly, unfeelingly, disorderly, aimlessly, effortlessly, meaninglessly kill, murder, and destroy my fingertips like this... Ah, ah! My brain is trembling, trembling, trembling!" ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"That's why Ferris sometimes envies the Witch Cultists' vocabulary, nyaa."
Ferris said with a laugh from outside the screen.
—
[ "...Ah, that's right, ah—good, that's it! Good. I understand now! Let's compete, let's compete, let's fight! It's time for you and me to compete, to see who is more worthy of love! For love, yes, for love!"
"...Seeing you so excited, but I'm sorry."
"Eh?!"
"...Your opponent has been entrusted to someone else."
The next moment—
"Hraaaaaah!" The Sword Demon charged, and after a full-force swing, Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti split in two. ]
.....