I can hear the sound of a flood-like current.
The sound of intense water. A waterfall sending up violent splashes of water from top to bottom, following the flow of gravity.
Subaru's consciousness was led from loss to awakening as the endless roaring sound echoed in his ears, and inside his skull, shaking his brain.
I saw the light, and then...
"--Ah, hu."
Subaru feels a lump in his throat, his breathing rhythm becomes disrupted, and he begins to vomit.
Subaru's breathing, which should have been regular, became blurred as he inhaled and exhaled, and with his body deprived of oxygen, he opened his eyes, drooling as he went.
"Gah, ahaha!"
Subaru lay on his side on the ground, face down. With his arms on the ground in a kneeling position, he placed his right arm over his chest and took repeated breaths to soothe his aching lungs.
The pain subsided, and I spat out the spit that had nowhere to go. As my body regained composure, oxygen began to seep into my brain, and I was able to catch my breath. And then, I remembered.
"Ahhh, ahh!?"
I felt a sense of loss, as if a cavity had opened up in my chest and all the contents of my body were spilling out.
He touched his own chest with the palms of his hands that had been against his chest, and, confirming that there was no cavity there that had caused the sense of loss, the stiffness in his entire body disappeared for the time being.
Shocked, his limbs went numb, Subaru rubbed his forehead against the ground to gain friction, and the pain of the friction gave him the sense of his own physical existence.
"What... is that... the end..."
As the blood drained from his body as he collapsed to the ground, Subaru certainly felt a sense of an end, as if he could feel his soul being sucked out through the same hole. But that wasn't the source of the sense of loss that was eating away at his body. The real fear was what came just afterwards, reaching death, and the faint embers of life that remained before being led to death.
Even my consciousness was hazy and my memories were vague, but there was one thing I remember clearly.
ーーThe only thing he knew was that he had been "devoured" by something, something unknown.
"I've been slashed to death, beaten to death, frozen to death, fallen to death, and died in many ways, but... this is the first time I've been eaten... by something in the end."
As I eat it, I become aware of what will ultimately happen to my body and feel frightened.
The direct cause of death was blood loss in the chest cavity, and I do not mean to belittle "death" itself. However, I had actually tasted a glimpse of the possibility that "death" does not end there.
Could the feeling of one's body being devoured by something really be accompanied by such a sense of loss? Subaru had actually experienced losing fingers and legs, but this feeling of disgust was on a completely different level than those――
"Finger...?!"
Thinking this far, Subaru suddenly felt angry at the poor circulation in his brain.
There was no room for doubt that "Return by Death" had occurred. He had sustained wounds that could not be cured, and now he had experienced the reality of "death". There was hardly anyone in this world with as deep a knowledge of "death" as Natsuki Subaru. He had died and returned, that was certain.
What is unclear is in which timeline Subaru was able to return to after his death.
If, hypothetically, this irretrievable time had become a restart point, then where would Subaru's resolve and vows lead?
"a..."
His bloodshot eyes scanned his surroundings, desperate to confirm his location and the current time. However, what stopped Subaru from getting too excited was the sensation in his fingers as he roughly wiped the sweat off his forehead. --The three fingers he thought he had lost were definitely still attached to his right palm.
"You have fingers... so that means..."
He lifted his right arm to check it, and looked down from his fingers to his elbow. Looking closely from his wrist, through his elbow, and up to his upper arm, he could not find any missing parts, let alone any scars. Although the white scars from the monster incident were still visible, that was a different story.
After making sure his arm was fine, Subaru next touched his shoulder and waist - the places that had been hit by Elsa's throw. There was no tightness in his skin, and with that, Subaru was certain that he had at least made it back to where he was before he had made contact with Elsa, and he nearly collapsed with relief.
"Tori... for now, yeah."
Fortunately, I was spared the experience of dying and then having my despair compounded.
Feeling relieved and weak at this, Subaru lowered his eyes and thanked his bad luck. Then, he suddenly looked to the side and noticed something.
--In a corner of the dark room, there was Emilia writhing in pain.
"Emily...ah"
In an instant, Subaru ran over to her body, but realized that the place he and she were in was a moldy, dimly lit cave. And as far as he could remember, there was only one other time when Subaru and she had spent time alone together like that.
"No change to the restart point...!"
The tomb immediately after overcoming the Trial - this was the scene to which Subaru, having died this time, had returned, a second chance where he had gained nothing, but had also lost nothing.
※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※
--I'm sure there are still some ways to fix everything.
As Subaru became certain where he had returned to, the thoughts that passed through his mind were so positive it was hard to believe that this was the same person who had been trembling in his final moments.
It was now the second night since he had arrived at the Sanctuary. Taking into account the information from the first loop and the previous one, he sorted out the conditions and events, and searched for a solution.
The content is as grim as ever, to the point that it could almost be said to be an annual event, but the initial feeling that I can't get started and the frustration of feeling hopelessly stuck are all completely normal things.
"But this time it's not going to be as easy as it used to be."
After all, it seems they still don't have a full grasp of the loop surrounding Subaru. And despite the obvious threat, they still haven't found an effective solution.
Currently, Erza is a clear threat, and there is no way to counter her purely in terms of fighting power. Since there are no effective ways to counter her with tricks, she may be even more troublesome than Petelgeuse.
Dealing with her attack on Roswaal Mansion remains the most important matter. However, it seems that the problem is not going to be solved by that alone.
"At the end of the last episode... why was the 『Sanctuary』 empty? Why..."
It was puzzling that he'd been transported to the Sanctuary by Beatrice's own hand, but the mystery of the deserted Sanctuary that followed was even more puzzling. Despite running around inside and calling out to everyone, there was zero reaction.
And then, as Subaru headed to the tomb in search of answers, a final disaster struck.
Even though a hole had been opened in his chest, Subaru had no choice but to die without any idea what had caused the wound. Even now, as he vividly recalled the scars, all that came back to him were the pain and fear, and there was nothing that could be salvaged from them.
What on earth happened in the Sanctuary at that time? What happened to Subaru? What are Beatrice's intentions? And Emilia...
"...That's a lie."
Thinking that far, Subaru's face stiffened in shock at the contradiction between his own thoughts and actions.
It is important to organize the situation so far. It is also important to set future goals and make a plan to achieve them. Gathering scattered information and forming it into a form that will help you reach the future you desire is also something that should be prioritized.
"――――"
But should he do that while disregarding Emilia, who is fighting against this nightmare right in front of his eyes?
"I am."
Emilia has undergone the Trial and is now tormented by suffering. Her past is assaulting her, and the weight of the cross she bears is intensely tormenting her body and soul.
The painful hours last a long time and end without any relief.
Subaru knows this. How sad it makes her, how worn down it makes her, how much it weakens her heart.
I couldn't bear to see that, so I resolved to go through the Trials on her behalf. I tried my best to remove all obstacles from her path and pave the way for her.
That should have been the case, but now Subaru felt a sense of relief as he witnessed her pain.
He was glad that he had returned now, when she was suffering. And because he knew the outcome of that pain, he was cruel enough to prioritize his own thoughts over her.
The moment he realised this, Subaru became aware of how ugly he had become.
The foolishness of being able to turn a blind eye to the suffering of a loved one, knowing that that child is suffering unbearably in front of you, and yet remain selfish.
To Subaru, this was an abhorrent and disgusting weakness.
"anyway..."
He had no time to be tormented by the guilt and the contradictions in his heart. He had to wake Emilia up as soon as possible and get out of this place.
She could take the time to gather her thoughts outside. There was no reason to prolong her suffering. Besides――
"At this point, there's someone here that we can't help but find out."
I was angry at myself for being too warm towards him up until now. Even though there was a person at the core of the situation, I had been so vague and evasive.
The result was the tragedy at the mansion and the unjust deaths that followed in Sanctuary.
If Subaru continued to shrink like this and that was the future he could have had――
"Whatever you do, I'll repaint it."
As he spoke, he reached out his hand to wake Emilia up.
Subaru himself was unaware that his profile was distorted with uncontrollable passion.
※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※
"--What do you know, how much do you know, Roswaal?"
Seeing Subaru open the door and say those words first, Roswaal, who was leaning back on the bed, narrowed his eyes. Seeing himself reflected in those different colored eyes, Subaru stomped boldly into the room and slammed the door shut, succinctly expressing his current feelings.
--After nursing Emilia back from the Trials, Subaru left the Tomb and headed to Lewes' house to put her to bed. He left Emilia in the care of Ram, refusing to let her wait until she woke up, and came to the building where Roswaal was recuperating.
While they were leaving the house, Subaru was worried by Garfiel, who silently glared at him, but thankfully he didn't attack him on the way there and they arrived safely.
However, all of those feelings of caution were completely dispersed the moment they saw Roswaal.
"Hmm."
Looking up at the restless Subaru, Roswaal sighed deeply. Then he raised his finger towards Subaru in front of him, and shook the tip of it,
"You seem a lot angrier than before. That's a good sign."
"Don't make fun of me. Besides, I don't have the mental capacity to go along with any practical jokes or pranks right now. I'm prepared to use force."
Subaru spoke as if to snap at Roswaal, who remained in a relaxed position, and stood next to the bed, palms on the floor. Then, looking down at the clown from up close,
"I've just returned from the Trial. I have a mountain of things I want to ask you."
"...I see. You are the one who took the Trial. I see. I see, I see."
From Subaru's point of view, the Trial that led to his separation from his parents had already felt like a few days ago. But in real time, the experience had only occurred a few minutes ago. And it was the third time that he had experienced Roswaal's somewhat puzzling reaction when talking about the Trial.
The first time, it was a momentary passion I had never seen before. But in the second world, he seemed to accept it calmly. Still, it was true that he showed a sense of loneliness and sentimentality that didn't suit him.
How would he react this third time? Subaru would prefer the world to be enraged the first time. Even Roswaal would be a little more tongue-tied when he was dominated by anger.
However, contrary to Subaru's wishes, Roswaal gave a small smile and,
"Well then, let me ask you a question."
"Huh? What are you talking about? You? A question? …If you keep messing around, I'll get seriously angry and start yelling at you, you bastard."
"I understand that your anger is justified. I'm asking this question knowing that. If it's in line with my wishes… then there's no reason for me to hesitate to cooperate."
"If I answer that question... no, wait."
Roswaal seemed as if he was about to make a suggestion to Subaru, who was trying to suppress his anger. For a moment, Subaru tried to appear receptive, but he immediately rejected the decision. He realized that, just like the previous times, he was being swept away by the atmosphere created by Roswaal.
If you want to change the way things are going, you need to start from that point on.
"I'm not going to answer your question. I'm the one who wants to talk. I'll speak first."
"...Oh, isn't that quite arrogant?"
"I'm not saying I won't answer your question, but I have a strong feeling that things won't go well if I give you the turn first. I'd like to nip that in the bud first."
Seeing Subaru maintain his firm stance, Roswaal closed one eye and sighed softly. He then held out both palms to Subaru, and said, "Here you go," pushing the turn towards him.
"You can ask whatever you like. It's true, I don't have to initiate the conversation."
Subaru: "It's actually a bit strange that you're so understanding… but well, there's no point in prying, so I'll accept it. I have a question. —What kind of contract do you and Beatrice have?"
"――――"
The silence that ensued was proof that the question had taken Roswaal by surprise.
Though it was only a slight sensation, seeing his cheeks tense up made Subaru inwardly convinced that what he had said had been critical.
On the path to the previous loop, new facts had come to light and mysteries had arisen. In order to deal with these intertwined facts, he knew that he would have to prepare new facts and answers to these mysteries. Among them, he could not ask anyone other than Roswaal about Beatrice, either in the Sanctuary or the mansion.
Above all, the conversation I had with her as we were leaving, and the Gospel she was holding in her hands, are burned into my mind and I can't get them out.
This is something that will have a direct impact on my future interactions with her. I can't just let it slide, I have to make an informed decision.
--The way you interact with Beatrice is unavoidable in this loop.
"I'll have to answer that, Roswaal. No boring answers like, "I haven't answered your question, so you won't answer either." I'll let you hear it."
Subaru grew impatient with Roswaal's continued silence, and repeatedly demanded a response.
He felt a sense of unease asserting its presence in his chest. It was the flip side of his wish for his bad premonition, his expectations, to be overturned.
As Subaru waited for a reply, with each second of silence feeling like a full minute, Roswaal finally spoke slowly,
"--Do you recall that this question comes up here?"
However, that was not the answer Subaru had hoped for, and instead he repeated his own question over and over again. Subaru became irritated by that attitude, and then he waved his hand at Roswaal, saying, "Shut up."
"Why are you responding with a question? Even if I were to give you a hundred steps and let you ask me a question, you should answer my question first. I have no intention of giving up my turn."
"I see. Now, let's take turns asking questions. Your question was about 'the contract between me and Beatrice'. There is no contract between me and her. That's all."
「Wha――?!」
Subaru was left speechless as he was seized by the fast-paced, flowing speech. Roswaal reached out his hand to help Subaru, who was at a loss for words, and continued with, "Now..."
"Now it's your turn to answer my question. --Do you remember?"
「...What are you talking about? Let me just say that our relationship isn't deep enough for us to understand each other easily. Don't think that a sentence without a subject will connect the points.」
"With that reply, I know your answer to my question.... What a shame."
He tries to get revenge for what he's done, but even that goes overboard and Roswaal is better at it. He lowers his eyes sadly,
"Apparently, I can't reach it."
"...what"
"Now it's your turn to ask a question. Next time, ask it better, so that I can't get around it."
Subaru's irritation at Roswaal's unawareness of his excuses, as well as his interruption, did not subside. Subaru took a deep breath to calm himself down, then placed his fingers on his temples and thought hard.
"I told you that I have no contract with Beatrice. Then why is Beatrice in your mansion? I don't understand your relationship with Beatrice."
Subaru: "You've asked two questions, and you've only been talking about Beatrice for a while now, but are you okay with Emilia-sama? Or do you like girls with such young looks?"
"I don't have a younger attribute, and I don't have the slightest intention of conquering her in a romantic sense. I do think that I have to conquer her somehow, as a way to break out of my current situation, though."
When Subaru thinks of Beatrice, there is certainly something throbbing in his heart.
However, this was something completely different from the ache that arose when Subaru thought of Emilia or Rem, and Subaru didn't quite understand the meaning of this emotion.
However, even now, after seeing Beatrice with the Gospel in her hands, Subaru still thinks the same way.
--He didn't want to admit that the relationship between Beatrice and Subaru up until now had been a fake, just like what had been written in that incomprehensible book.
"In order to do that, I need to know more about him. And it seems you're the only one in his family who is deeply involved in his affairs. So I have no choice but to ask you."
"If you get too excited about picking up everything that catches your eye, won't that hinder you when it comes to choosing what's important to you? I think that kind of naivety is only a hindrance to looking at the most important things from your true heart."
"I know my hands are full. So I'm just taking in the money I get for that guy. Do you have any complaints?"
"I really, really don't want to complain. I know I'm saying cool things, but I think it's okay. --The answer is what happens when it actually happens."
Although Roswaal agrees with what Subaru has said, he ends up muttering something unsettling. As he sharpens his gaze upon us, he adds, "Well..."
"That's the reason why Beatrice is staying at the mansion. The reason she's staying at my mansion is because of her relationship with the Mathers family. To put it simply, she's been entrusted with the care of the mansion's Forbidden Book Archive thanks to the kindness of the head of the family from a few generations ago. I guess that tradition continues in my generation."
"So you're a hired manager? Is that different from a contract?"
Subaru: "The question format is different from the premise, but… well, never mind. My question probably doesn't have much meaning now. You should already know that Beatrice is a spirit, right?"
Subaru nodded his chin in agreement with Roswaal's words. He had never actually seen Beatrice in a spirit-like form, but her self-proclaimed presence and presence backed that up.
After seeing Subaru's nod, Roswaal raised his finger.
"For spirits, contracts with humans have a very important meaning. That is exactly what the relationship between Emilia-sama and the Great Holy Spirit is like."
"…Yeah, Emilia has had a hard time with all the troublesome agreements. Even the Great Spirit hasn't shown his face much recently though."
Subaru still has lingering feelings towards Puck due to him having been killed three times and their differing views on the sleeping Rem. Because he was spirited away before he could resolve these issues, Subaru's feelings towards the kitten remain complicated and fixed.
"Apart from the Great Holy Spirit's difficult temper, Beatrice is no exception. Although she and I have a certain degree of cooperation, it is merely a non-interference agreement based on our mutual interests. There is no way she would lend a hand to achieve my goals, and vice versa."
"I get that you and Bearko seem to get along and I'm indifferent, but that doesn't connect to the contents of the contractual relationship."
「Oops, pardon me. Contractual relationships are a separate matter. Beatrice is a spirit and therefore places great importance on contracts. For her to mention a contract, that would be a whole other rather big problem. That child, after all, is still bound by a contract from 400 years ago.」
Subaru leaned forward at the remark, and as he approached Roswaal, he shouted, "That's it!"
"I would like to know the details of that contract from 400 years ago."
"I don't like spirits who talk so much about the details of the contract. There's no way anyone involved from back then is still around, so there's no way we'll know unless Beatrice speaks for herself."
"Damn, it's useless! If we could find out what that contract from 400 years ago was..."
Maybe then I'll understand why that girl is always alone in that room, all secluded and small.
"But there's one thing I can say."
"--?"
Echidna: "Beatrice is bound by a contract from 400 years ago. There's no way she'd make a new contract on top of the one she already has. If we want to pull the child out of that place, we'll have to make her break that contract first."
"You want me to break the contract?"
"I'll fulfill the contract, but that's ok. Given the high possibility that the person I made the contract with has been lost, I think it would be much wiser to let them break it, you know?"
Miraculously, Roswaal continues to offer constructive feedback to Subaru's thoughts. Subaru, who had a puzzled look on his face at his words, gradually looks as if the scales have fallen from his eyes,
Subaru: "--Did I even say one word about wanting to let Beatrice out?"
Subaru spoke in a low voice, his eyes sharp as he shot straight at Roswaal.
With his hands still on the bed, his fingers tap the sheets as if to keep time. Roswaal looks down at his movements, closes one eye, and reflects Subaru in his yellow eyes.
"You really are a man who notices things you don't want him to notice."
"What do you mean..."
"Anyway, this is just a pointless time for me. Is it okay if we stop the conversation here?"
"Damn -- are you kidding me!?"
Roswaal's eyes now showed a look of disappointment, a stark contrast to how he had looked before. He sighed, his attitude completely different from before, and his face was clearly showing he had lost all motivation.
"I don't think anything you say now will change my mind, but… I think you should just do what you like."
「What's with that ridiculous attitude you're taking?! We're about to talk about something important… important, and that's the way you're acting! There's still something I want to ask…」
"So, if there's something you want to ask, then just ask. Whether I answer properly or not depends entirely on my mood, though."
In contrast to the enraged Subaru, Roswaal's emotions were gradually fading. As Subaru's face turned red, he stroked his own indigo hair and tilted his head,
"Are you not going to ask me any questions?"
"--. I understand that Beatrice is bound by a contract and is staying at the mansion. That detail is enough. There's something else I want to hear. That black book that she had... Tell me what it was."
"Oh, so you saw it. What did you think? What do you think?"
"Don't answer me with a question. --I just thought that it looked similar to the book the Witch Cult members had."
Subaru's broken words expressed an emotion he wanted to be denied. However, hearing it, Roswaal looked as if he was trying to stifle a yawn,
"The Gospel possessed by the Witch Cult. A magical book that mediates the will of the witch and describes the path to the future that the possessor desires. Well, if you ignore the fact that it has a directional nature, it's a prophecy that took quite a bit of effort to create."
"--! Did you know?"
"It's not like they're anything unusual or anything. Witch cultists are all over the place, and the witches they worship are related facilities to different witches. For me, who manages the 'Sanctuary', it's not like I've never had a skirmish with them before."
"Can you really see the future?"
If one could see the future without dying, then it could be said to be a superior version of Subaru's "Return by Death." I don't mean to be jealous of that or anything, but if all the Witch Cultists were equipped with such an extraordinary skill, then it would be a problem.
However, as Subaru trembled in fear, Roswaal shook his head,
"It's not that useful. For one thing, the number of entries varies depending on the believer, and there aren't many. The contents are often vague, and there are many different ways to interpret them. Above all, the Gospel can only be read by the person who possesses it, and strangely enough, when someone else reads it, the contents don't stick in their head. All it gives is an incomplete picture of the future."
"Incomplete..."
He couldn't help but feel relieved at this information. However, if the Gospel truly had the power to predict the future, then it should have been impossible for Subaru to defeat Petelgeuse. In that sense, it was understandable that even the Sin Archbishop's Gospel had not reached that level. However,
Subaru: "That is a different matter. That book Beatrice had…"
"If you're asking whether that is the same as the 'Gospel' held by Witch Cults, the answer is yes and no."
"Don't dodge the question! It's an important point!"
"There's no evading the question. Although Beatrice's is a 'Gospel', its roots are different from those of the Witch Cult. The Witch Cult's is an incomplete one, but Beatrice's 'Gospel' is a complete one."
"Completed...?"
"Yes, it's a finished product. It's not a defective product whose contents are unstable and subject to an uncertain future."
Subaru is confused, but Roswaal's expression is somehow bright in front of him.
His expression and tone were as if he was boasting about something. Subaru was left speechless by the transformation he had undergone, but it was moments later that he was truly lost for words.
"--!?"
Roswaal's right hand, which had been behind his back, was now in front of him, clutching a black-bound book.
It is the Gospel itself, so clear that there is no mistaking it from this close distance.
Subaru: "There are only two completed copies of the Gospel left in existence. The only ones who possess them are myself and Beatrice… that's how it goes."
"――――"
Right in front of him, Roswaal shook the book in his hand from side to side, but Subaru had no time to pay attention to his movements.
Subaru was certainly surprised to find that Roswaal had the same book in his hands as the Witch's Cult. The book Beatrice had in her hands was the Gospel, and Subaru's parting words were unintentionally confirmed by this, which was also one of the reasons that shocked him.
--However, it wasn't those things that dominated Subaru's mind right now,
"Is that... the 'Gospel' that describes the future?"
"Exactly. This is the real 'Gospel.'"
"Do you know the future? Is what is happening now also in that book?"
"It's written there. I guess you can't read it though."
That doesn't matter.
Whether Subaru can read it or not doesn't mean anything at this moment. There is only one thing that matters. There is only one thing that he must hear. That is,
"What will happen from now on... is it written?"
"It doesn't describe everything in the world, but it does allow the holder to see part of the future."
"Did you know that this would happen now?"
"It's going to be a lot of work to create the situation exactly as described, you know? I'd like you to praise my efforts in the shadows at least a little."
I can't stop my voice from shaking.
The cause of the trembling was an expression of an extremely intense emotion. I could immediately tell what this emotion was and in what direction it was directed - it was,
"If only I had known what was going to happen..."
"--Hmm."
"--You, did you know and still leave Rem to die?"
"Who the hell is this Rem?"
"--I'll kill you! Roswarrrrrrr!!"
At that moment, Subaru was driven only by unbearable rage.
He leapt onto the bed and wrapped both his hands around the neck of the lying Roswaal, tightening his grip. Subaru's grip, which was stronger than that of an ordinary human, had never been used before, making the slender neck creak and a look of pain etched on the pale clown's face.
"You know everything, yet you――!!"
If he had known, if he had only known, if he could have avoided the tragedy――If he hadn't put Rem through such a thing.
"The one who made me leave Rem to die was you!!"
The helpless rage and the regret that erupted from his eyes turned into murderous intent towards the man in front of him, propelling Subaru forward. The impulse made him forget reason, and his emotions and love were transformed into power.
Roswaal couldn't even utter a sound, and could only wait in silence for Subaru to break his neck.
"--'No matter what I disguise myself as, I can't erase the smell of Urgarm'!!"
--impact.
Subaru felt a hard, sharp impact from the side, and was sent flying as the right half of his face was crushed.
Without even a chance to catch himself, he crashed into the wall from the bed and fell headfirst onto the floor. All thought was lost in an instant, and his whole body was motionless.
I was bleeding from my ears and nose, and my right eye was completely black. My eye may have been destroyed.
"--When it came out of the tomb, the smell got even worse. I kept an eye on it, not expecting it to be the case, but it was just as I thought, huh!?"
Footsteps. He felt the messy footsteps approaching close beside him. His body would not allow him to crawl. Unable to move forward or backward, Subaru was lifted up by his head,
"What were you planning to do, you stinky witch? Let me ask your body, hey. Even so, you're a necessary bastard in this place. Don't mess with me, dude."
A blonde young man. Garfiel. Subaru's consciousness fades away as he is hit with a voice that sounds like a mixture of anger and murderous intent.
I felt like half of my head had been crushed, though I couldn't confirm it. I might die. If this was how I was going to die, it was the worst way to end it all.
But, if he returns by Death with this sticky mess still in his arms, will he really be able to hold on to the hope that he can save this place?
"I don't understand... Rem."
With those final words, Subaru's consciousness suddenly fell into darkness.