Four Questions (Part three)
Sitting across from Subaru, Echidna spoke in the most indifferent tone, delivering the cruelest truth.
In that instant, Subaru understood — it was impossible for him to cooperate with her.
"Now, ask your final question."
Echidna showed no sign of understanding, or perhaps simply didn't care about the anger burning in Subaru's heart.
She took a sip of tea and urged him along.
"Was everything that happened arranged by you?"
"What are you referring to?"
Subaru didn't miss the instant stiffness in Echidna's expression.
That moment confirmed his suspicions, sending a chill through his heart.
Still, he took a deep breath and looked directly at her.
"You just said no matter how broken my body and spirit are, no matter how miserably I die, I can always start over."
"Hm? Did I say that? I don't recall."
Subaru sighed and ignored her evasive reply.
He took a moment to gather his thoughts and then spoke.
"At first, it sounded like you were summing things up after they happened.
But— yeah, that's right — I kept thinking about it.
Minerva can still use her healing Authority, the Witch of Lust can still use her transformation powers, and Typhon can judge sins.
There's no reason you, Echidna, wouldn't be able to use your own Authority — the Book of Wisdom that sees the future.
Yes, if we look at it that way, then what you said wasn't a summary after the fact, but rather the expected outcome of an experiment."
Subaru pointed at Echidna.
Now that he thought about it, the way she looked at him — it was the gaze of a researcher observing a lab rat.
Facing this cold-hearted witch, Subaru voiced his suspicion.
"Whether it was the Witch Cult's attack, the Great Rabbit's assault, or even the collapse of the second trial — they were all arranged by you to confirm the ability of Return by Death."
Echidna was silent for a moment… then she began to clap.
"The Return by Death you possess is such a powerful Authority. But you still haven't fully grasped its potential.
For someone like me, a seeker of knowledge, it's nearly the ultimate ideal.
So of course, I wanted to know: can you come back after complete mental and physical collapse? Can you revive after being torn to shreds? What determines the timing of revival? What are its limits...?
But you're wrong about one thing.
When I first met you, the first time I read your memories, I already witnessed what happens when you're broken completely.
So I started a second experiment.
The Great Rabbit is a mindless calamity, but once you understand how it works, it's easily manipulated."
Subaru already understood what she meant.
He'd noticed it when Daphne described the Great Rabbit's traits.
The reason the creature appeared was simple: the spatial magic ripple that swept the Sanctuary, plus the clash between the invisible hands and the Sanctuary's barrier.
For a predator of mana, nothing could be more enticing.
"But the second trial was unexpected for me too.
I didn't think you'd break down so quickly after all those loops.
You'd already abandoned your humanity — so why mourn the past?
Of course, I genuinely intended for Carmilla to save you.
But I didn't expect Reinhild would be so hard to replicate.
By the way, it's true that I noticed Carmilla's anger toward me and thus gave up trying to pull you into another tea party.
Thanks to that, we learned even more about Return by Death, didn't we?"
Hearing Echidna admit everything, Subaru slumped into his chair like all strength had left his body.
The Echidna in his memories was now shrouded in darkness. After who knows how long, Subaru finally looked at her again.
"Since when...?"
"Hmmm... if I had to say, since I agreed to Roswaal's bet with you.
Don't think I'm cruel.
Even though I had the upper hand, facing Reinhild's power and your Return by Death, Roswaal's defeat was practically destined.
Didn't you say it yourself when facing the past? Now I can confirm your suspicion.
Go through it a few more times and you'll definitely overcome that hell — because Return by Death is just that absurd.
So from his point of view, that was his only chance of winning.
But for me, whether he brought you here by winning or by losing and sending you at the time I wanted — both outcomes were acceptable.
Subaru, you and I are both rational people who pursue results.
You should understand who should wield Return by Death to make it truly invincible.
So, form a contract with me."
Echidna reached out her hand.
Her words were logical, undeniably so.
But Subaru, without hesitation, slapped the witch's hand away.
"You're right. Return by Death can only be fully utilized by someone who can disregard everything."
Echidna narrowed her eyes, as if she couldn't understand what he meant.
"But I can still feel it in my hands — the warmth of Otto, the trust he gave me, the bonds I have with everyone."
"Are you saying you're giving up on Return by Death, this blessing?"
"No. I understand my limits better than anyone.
I know how dangerous this other world is.
I'll definitely have to use it again. But that doesn't mean I'll abuse it.
I won't build an ideal future by dying alone over and over.
I'll work with everyone in every world to build that perfect future together.
I will not take the hand that symbolizes sacrifice as a prerequisite."
After a short silence, the witch spoke again.
"Foolish and pitiful Garfiel, so afraid of the outside world."
"Huh?"
"What he saw in the first trial has shackled his heart. If you want to break the current situation, you must release him from that."
"Echidna...?"
"I don't want you to think 'all witches are good except Echidna.' That would be a terrible misconception.
Besides, I'm very interested in your fate. So go ahead, struggle as hard as you can."
Echidna gave a chilling smile. Before Subaru could speak, she continued.
"It's almost time to wake up. Now let's talk about this tea party's price.
As a guest of a witch's tea party, you know you owe something, right?"
"Last time, you made me promise to keep the tea party a secret. And this time?"
"This time, having again accepted my hospitality, the corresponding price is — no matter what means you use, you must not allow Reinhild to set foot on the territory of the Mathers family until this crisis is resolved."
"Wait, you saw..."
Before Subaru could finish, Echidna suddenly stepped in front of him and gave him a light push.
Instantly, Subaru was sucked into a door that appeared behind him.
"Well then, until we meet again. I hope you're just as lively next time."
Read ahead (60 chapters) by supporting me on buymeacoffee / VarieTL