[ "Roar—" Frederica let out a low growl and leaped indoors to intercept Elsa. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"BE CAREFUL, BIG SIS!!"
Garfiel shouted.
Damn it, if only this Great Me were there.
—
[ "…" Subaru seemed dazed by those agile movements.
"Stop spacing out! While Frederica is buying time, Barusu, go make good on the boast you just bragged about!"
"Ah, yeah! Right, first is Rem in the east wing! Don't hold me accountable for the property I break!" Subaru reached the outer wall of the east wing.
This was the shortest route to get to Rem.
He grabbed a shovel, smashed the glass, and jumped inside.
Then, he noticed something strange. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"…That kind of operation again, huh."
Beatrice spoke in a heavy tone.
"Regardless of the purpose, the thought of Elsa opening the doors one by one is almost amusing,"
Al said.
—
[ Subaru discovered that all the doors had been opened.
"The doors… are open? If they were just left open, there are too many of them. Petra?"
"I-I would never do something so strange! Frederica-sama wouldn't either."
"Last time, the doors were open like this too… If it wasn't Petra, and it wasn't Frederica…"
It had to be Elsa; who else would do such a thing?
"Re—Rem! Rem is in danger! Hurry to the second floor!"
Then… ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"That big guy…"
Garfiel narrowed his eyes.
"This… this is…"
Otto panicked.
Then he shouted its name:
"Guiltylowe!"
—
[ "Roar—" Guiltylowe entered the mansion with heavy footsteps.
It blocked the stairs leading to the second floor. And on the second floor was where Rem was located. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Which means…"
Yuriusu thought of the girl who could manipulate mabeasts.
"Meili is here,"
Otto said.
The situation had grown even worse.
—
[ "Fra!" Ram unleashed wind blades at Guiltylowe.
But every single one was dodged.
"Subaru! This way!" Petra grabbed Subaru's hand and pulled him into a nearby room.
Ram followed them in and slammed the door shut.
Could this stop that monster?
As it turned out, it was completely useless.
Guiltylowe swung its claws, smashing through the walls block by block, forcing its way in.
"Petra, the window!"
"O-Okay!"
Petra opened the window.
"Elfra!"
Launching one final strike that hit Guiltylowein the eye, Ram ran toward the window, saying irritably: "To have to run away from such a brainless thing. What a disgrace…"
Subaru, Ram, and Petra jumped out the window, returning outdoors. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Is that useful… no, definitely not,"
Otto thought.
Even though the wind blade hit Guiltylowe's eye squarely.
But Guiltylowe still possessed immense attack and defense, and Meili was controlling it. Even if it were blind, Meili wasn't.
"Though, saying that guy is completely brainless might not be entirely accurate…"
Garfiel scratched his head randomly.
Because he, or rather many of them, recalled that particular worldline.
The world where Subaru claimed to be the Archbishop of Pride.
Even though Meili had died, even though Guiltylowe was gravely injured, it had still insisted on carrying Subaru away from danger.
Even without a brain, it had feelings.
Guiltylowe had no sense of morality or right and wrong, but it would protect those it cherished.
Still, at the time, it was quite surprising; they thought a brainless Guiltylowe would flee from danger by instinct after losing Meili.
But the result was that it didn't run away; it tried to save Subaru.
—
[ "Could it be that child is manipulating mabeasts for an attack again? If that's true, then this is…" After the three of them analyzed the situation, Subaru reached this conclusion.
"No, I can't… letting them escape while I run… I absolutely can't… Petra, let's go. Just as you said, we'll get everyone out together."
"Mm!"
Subaru gripped Petra's hand with his left hand.
"Now all that's left is to let Frederica or Ram teach it a lesson—"
The next instant, a thunderous crash and impact came from directly above.
The vision shook violently, and a massive spray of blood splattered across the screen.
The screen went black. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Subaru-kun! What happened?!"
Rem clenched her fists, her heart leaping into her throat.
"…An explosion caused by magic or the aftershock of a battle… anything is possible in this situation,"
Otto sighed.
"This is outrageous… what about the others? Ram and Petra?!"
Garfiel roared.
—
[ "Ah…" The sound of galloping echoed.
"Cough… ugh…" Subaru coughed up a large mouthful of blood.
"I… exactly where…" Subaru's consciousness gradually returned, and the image cleared.
He saw a figure desperately searching for a way to survive while carrying him.
A ground dragon was carrying Subaru in its mouth, its entire body covered in wounds and blood. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Pa… Patrasche…?"
Emilia softly called out the ground dragon's name.
"Third sister-in-law… really…"
Garfiel's voice choked up.
"She's… she's such a good girl. Right, Brother Otto!"
"Yeah, mm. She really is a good girl."
Otto was also deeply moved.
"Her condition is terrible…"
Wilhelm said.
The injuries on Patrasche's body could be described as extremely severe.
To save Subaru, Patrasche was running on her last breath.
Without such conviction, these injuries would have likely killed Patrasche long ago.
—
[ "Patra—" Just as Subaru was about to call her name, a towering figure stood before them.
It was Guiltylowe.
Guiltylowe raised its massive claw and slammed down violently upon them…
Patrasche used the last of her life to thrust her neck forward, tossing Subaru into the air.
Subaru dodged the strike.
But Patrasche was reduced to a spray of blood. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Patrasche!"
Emilia bit her lip hard.
"Third sister-in-law! Dammit… the trap you set is just too…"
Garfiel glared at Roswaal.
"I deeply regret the self-sacrificial death of such an excellent ground dragon. However, the harder part is still to come,"
Roswaal said.
What do you mean, the harder part is still to come?
What else is there?
Is he trying to drive Subaru insane?
—
[ "This place… is…" After a series of tumbles, Subaru arrived on the second floor of the mansion.
In his blurred consciousness, he realized his left hand was still gripping something…
Looking down…
He saw an arm.
Subaru's left hand was gripping an arm.
Recalling it now, Subaru had grabbed a young girl's hand…
"AAAAAAAAAH!" Subaru screamed in despair.
Patrasche had sacrificed herself to save Subaru.
Petra had undoubtedly died as well. ]
.....