"What's with that crazy look on your face, as if you've seen something impossible, as if you've worshipped the depths of a dream where you can't believe your own brain's workings."
"...That's pretty much how I feel, so there's no need to correct your exaggerated statement."
Before his eyes, Otto placed his hands on his hips and sighed. Subaru sat on the floor, turning his freed wrists as if to check, and looked up at him in response.
Having been restrained for over three days, simply moving my body caused both pain and discomfort. Because my position was so difficult even for me to turn over in bed, I was turned over periodically during meals, and there were many problems that only became apparent when I moved, not just with my blood circulation but with everything else as well. In particular,
"Otto, it might be because I just took off the blindfold, but… my right eye's visibility is bad. Not just bad, I can't see. What's going on?"
"When you ask me what's going on, I hesitate to answer as well... but would you rather give me a polite excuse or tell me the truth as it is?"
"Please explain it in a polite way so that they won't be shocked, and then give me some honest feedback so that they can accept the reality."
"How greedy…Erm, to the starboard side of Natsuki-san's face, the light is blocked from view by an unavoidable veil of darkness."
"Oh, I didn't ask for it to look like a chuunibyou so that's fine."
Otto began his explanation in a way that made his evil eye tingle, so Subaru held out his hand to stop it midway through, then he placed his outstretched hand over his own right eye, timidly checking the sensation.
--The position of his right eye, it was as if it had been cut off, and he could not see. When he touched it, he understood why that organ was sabotaging its work.
Far from sabotaging the situation, it seems she packed up her things and went back to her parents' house. To put it bluntly, there was only a cavity where her right eye was,
"I thought that was the story that it was cured."
"I stopped the bleeding and healed the broken bones. However, healing magic is not an all-purpose magic, it only works if the user is qualified to use it.... I can't bring back dead parts, though."
Otto was unclear on what to say, and looked at Subaru with a pitying expression. Seeing his gaze, Subaru loosened his lips weakly and said, "Well, it can't be helped," and then,
"My head got crushed and I nearly died. I think I should have accepted the death of my right eye… If both my eyes had died, I would have lost the will to live too."
"Rather than being positive, aren't you being a bit resigned? Please. We can't get ahead without you, Natsuki."
Subaru's emotions right now were surprisingly calm, even though he had lost a vital organ - his right eye. Perhaps it was because it hadn't really dawned on him yet, and there was no pain or bloodshed like when he'd lost most of his right arm in Elsa's attack.
What Garfiel said was both a lie and the truth. The bleeding had stopped, the wound had closed, and there was no pain. Subaru had simply placed too much hope in the all-purpose healing magic, and if you think of it as Subaru recovering from a fatal injury, he had only given him the treatment he said he would.
"I wonder if he's honest or not. He's also a guy with a mysterious side."
He kills Subaru when he attacks Roswaal, but he also treats him. He also imprisons Subaru until the end of the Trial, using it as a condition for coercing Emilia into helping him.
She heals him so he doesn't die, and even assigns someone to look after him. She hates the "witch smell" that emanates from Subaru's body, but she never stops coming here. And even though she never stops coming, she never asks Subaru anything.
It was as if he knew that Subaru wouldn't say anything, that he had no information to share, or that he had no interest in what Subaru had to say.
"If they do know, is that also 'good news'…? Everyone does too… If this is a witch's experimental facility, isn't it only natural that they do?"
If everyone involved has a book that tells them the future and is following it, then surely it would be better if the world were simpler for Subaru to move forward.
Everyone is united toward one goal, striving for a happy ending. I wish the story would be more linear and royal once in a while.
Even though Subaru has the ability to know the future, for some reason he has to start all over again, groping around from scratch, shouldn't there be more help for him?
"... Complaining won't get us anywhere and no one's gonna help us, damn it."
"You look really depressed. Well, it can't be helped considering the situation you're in, Natsuki… but isn't it a bit disappointing that no one is going to help you? What do you think I came here for?"
Otto, who had heard Subaru mutter, offered a sympathetic comment, but then began to deny the last part of what Subaru had said.
Seeing Otto's smug expression up close, Subaru looked puzzled, then,
"Oh, that's right, what happened to you? Seriously, for the past three or four days I've had so many things to think about and time to think about that it feels like an infinite number of things have come to mind, but you are the one thing that hasn't even crossed my mind, and I'm not exaggerating at all."
"This guy is amazing! Even I feel so refreshed when he says it so decisively!"
"Honestly, I had completely forgotten about you. Even when I saw your face, I couldn't tell for a second whether you were Otto or the old man from the Ringa shop."
"Who are you, the old man from the linga shop?"
"For me, this is where it all began. You could call me Mr. Save Point."
So far, Kadmon has appeared the most as a resurrection point in "Return by Death."
Remembering the scarred, handsome man and cracking jokes, Subaru was gathering his thoughts about the loss of his right eye and the sudden change in the situation.
First, I need to find out what Otto is really thinking.
"Let's leave the jokes here... there are a few things I want to ask you."
"Well, I suppose so. I'm also curious as to what Natsuki-san did that led to her being held captive in a place like this."
"--? Isn't it Roswaal's orders that I'm like this?"
According to Garfiel, it was he who imprisoned Subaru after he assaulted Roswaal. He placed him under house arrest and then forced Emilia to take the Trial. However,
"I don't know to what extent the Margrave is involved, but at the very least, the Sanctuary is currently divided and in a difficult situation."
"Split? What does that mean?"
"As it is. There's chaos between the camp led by Lewes who believes that the evacuated villagers, including Natsuki, should be released, and the camp opposed to that. As for Natsuki-san's custody, she's in Garfiel's custody, so that's off the main focus of the discussion, though."
Speaking with a tired look on his face, Otto briefly explained some of the troubles that had occurred over the past few days.
Basically, just as Subaru had feared, friction between the refugees and the residents of Sanctuary had deepened, causing discontent to erupt and resulting in skirmishes. It seems that this small crack had caused the residents of Sanctuary to split into factions, leading to the Sanctuary falling into disintegration.
Subaru held his breath at the situation he had been dreading, and added, "But..."
"Why did that suddenly happen? From what I've seen... No, it's just a prediction."
In the first world that Subaru had seen, the split in question hadn't occurred until at least the fifth day. Therefore, Subaru's proposal to free the refugees had been accepted, and on the morning of the sixth day, that promise had been fulfilled.
The situation is getting worse too quickly. Subaru concluded this, but Otto shook his head and raised a finger, saying, "You see,"
"It's not like anything has happened suddenly. If that's what you're thinking, Natsuki-san, which is one of the causes, then I'm seriously troubled."
"One of the causes?"
"I don't know what kind of relationship Natsuki had with the people of Arlam village, but... it seems certain that they had a good relationship. The moment Natsuki was assaulted by Garfiel and disappeared, the atmosphere in the Sanctuary became the worst."
"――――"
"From the villagers' perspective, Ram-san and the Margrave himself would be in a position where they would hesitate to approach them, so Natsuki-san's easy-going nature was probably ideal as a liaison with the higher-ups. But having seen how angry everyone was, I don't think there's just that."
Subaru's mouth dropped open at Otto's words, expressing pure surprise.
Certainly, in the changes in the situation in Sanctuary between now and the previous one, Subaru's health or not is one of the changes. It can be counted, but he hadn't imagined for a moment that his existence could have such an impact on the feelings of the people of Arlam Village, much less that it could be the catalyst for dividing Sanctuary.
Subaru glances at Otto, wondering if he's joking or exaggerating, but he merely frowns at the suspicious look in Subaru's left eye and shows no particular reaction. In other words, he's serious. The only thing that remains to be determined is whether his eyes are blind, but...
"Regarding that part, I would like to have more discussions and reach a conclusion."
"I feel like I'm being treated unfairly again, but oh well. Anyway, Natsuki-san, the reason I came here is related to that split."
"Splits and relationships... Ah, if it caused a fuss because I was gone, does that mean that if I return, it might be possible to settle things? No, that's a bit too much expectation on my part, or perhaps too much pressure..."
Subaru's tendency to repeatedly underestimate others gets in the way, and he is unable to accept Otto's words honestly. Even if Subaru had a strong influence on the peace of mind of the people of Arlam Village, it seems unlikely that anything can be done now that the situation has already exploded.
If anything, Subaru's current state, having lost his right eye, was only adding fuel to their anger.
Subaru shook his head at Otto's suggestion, but Otto repeatedly denied it with a "No, no" and made a gesture with his hands.
"There's no way I would have thought that you had that kind of power, Natsuki-san. That's just being too arrogant."
"I won't say anything since we're both in the same boat, but you're going too far. …Then why are you taking me out?"
"I really want to avoid a large-scale clash between all of you who have evacuated and the Sanctuary. That's why I was hoping that Natsuki could help us escape from the Sanctuary."
"Did it play a role in the escape?"
Subaru narrowed his left eye at the threatening sound of the word that had come out, rolling it around in his mouth as he pondered. Then, a sudden thought occurred to him about what Otto was thinking.
Subaru moistened his lips and said to the shrewd Otto, "No way,"
"You're planning to use the chaos at the 'Sanctuary' to help the villagers escape, while things are still chaotic and out of control? You want me to help them escape, is that what you want?"
"Your insight is excellent, and I am glad that we were able to get this done quickly. We are pressed for time, so I would like you to cooperate unconditionally, Natsuki-san, if possible."
"…After I confirm the flow. If they're going in without any plan, I can't agree with them so easily. It certainly feels like there's a chance, but if the opposing side finds out, then there won't be any excuses."
Above all, if they inadequately provoke the faction opposed to the liberation of the Sanctuary, they could endanger the safety of Emilia, Roswaal, and the others who are drawn into their midst. They don't care what happens to Roswaal, but they want to avoid any harm coming to Emilia, Ram, or Patrasche.
"I wish I could add my name to the list of people I don't want to get hurt."
"It's natural for a man to get hurt in a dangerous situation. I'm the type of person who has an old-fashioned way of thinking about that. I prefer my husband to be healthy and away from home."
"It's the first time I've heard this word, but I think I might be using it in the wrong place."
Subaru makes a displeased face at Otto's correct retort. He then clears his throat and returns the conversation to its original state,
"If you're not a desperate idiot, tell me your plan. Then I'll decide whether to cooperate or betray you."
"It's pretty scary that there's an option to inform on us... but the plan is simple. I've already made an arrangement with the moderates of the Sanctuary, so I'll break through the barrier with my dragon carriage while they hold back the extremists. Then I'll say goodbye."
"Isn't that a bit too violent? And who on earth is he cooperating with...?"
"I'll tell you about it if Natsuki-san clearly says he'll cooperate. I want to leave it to you to persuade the villagers and deal with Garfiel, whose movements are unpredictable. Between the villagers and Natsuki-san, I think they'll take the bait."
"I guess I'm just good food, I won't deny it."
As for Garfiel, as Otto had predicted, if Subaru and the refugees were there, he would undoubtedly go crazy and attack Subaru. However, it would be quite difficult to get him to that point.
"To begin with, I don't understand where Garfiel stands. He's like a relative of Lewes's, so he should be a moderate."
"Apparently, that was the intention when they were counting, but it became difficult to judge based on the way Natsuki-san and Emilia-sama were treated. They all agreed that while they don't actively consider them enemies, they should treat them as passive enemies."
"That collaborator has a good eye for this. Including me. By the way, what will happen if I don't cooperate?"
"In that case, I think they'll just spread the word about freeing Natsuki, and remove at least Garfiel, who seems like a potential enemy, from the list of obstacles."
"It's perfect, dammit. The moment my arms and legs were free, I was definitely going against Garfiel's wishes. Shit, I have no choice but to go along with it."
Scratching his head, Subaru had no choice but to accept the reality that he was already in the hands of Otto and his allies. At this point, he had no choice but to dance to their will.
However, I'm not as upset about the situation as I express.
Because, if the actions taken by Otto and his group would lead to the evacuees escaping from the Sanctuary, then the answer to the situation might lie in the deserted Sanctuary that Subaru had seen.
If this plan were to succeed, it would at least allow the refugees to disappear from the Sanctuary without Subaru's help. However, the problem was that it wasn't a mystery that could be solved that way.
"In the end, it doesn't explain why not a single resident of the 'Sanctuary' was to be found, even though it's supposed to be impossible to leave..."
The conclusion that those who could go outside did go outside, whatever the process, is convincing. But there is no answer to why those who shouldn't be able to go outside are nowhere to be seen. Either way, it is necessary to leave here in order to keep an eye on how the situation develops.
Following Otto and the others' suggestion and seeing this through to the end would not be a waste.
"Now that I think of it, I'm surprised you were able to find me. This place is probably treated as a hidden room within the 'Sanctuary'."
After Garfiel's words and spending a long time there, Subaru was finally able to see the interior of the room. Looking around, Subaru cracked his neck.
The only source of light in the dimly lit room was a dimly lit crystal lamp, and since the room didn't even have any windows, no outside light could be let in. The building was made of wood, and was poorly constructed, with damp spots in places that seemed to be leaking rain. The dripping sounds that constantly grated on Subaru as he was blindfolded were likely caused by these defects. What a disturbing story.
"Well, it would certainly have been hard to find this place using legitimate means. Rather than a hidden room, it feels more like a secret base to me."
"I looked around the room again and remembered the same impression. To be honest, the handmade feel around here doesn't seem like the work of a professional carpenter. It feels like a building forced together by a youngster with nothing but excess strength, relying on intuition and the atmosphere."
The image Subaru had of a confinement room was far from what he had in mind, this shabby hut was just a tiny, cramped room.
Subaru had this impression, and Otto made a gesture to put the matter aside, saying, "That's a different matter."
"It was my achievement to find it. I think this is a situation where I can honestly be praised, but I wonder what Natsuki's reaction will be."
"I'm honestly impressed and think you were a big help. How did you find it?"
"Hehehe, do you want to know? You want to know, don't you?"
"Yes, I'd like to know. I hope you didn't use your 'Divine Protection of Words' or something to gather information from the insects, lizards, and plants in the forest and come here."
"Exactly. Can you please somehow give me back that feeling of superiority that was brimming over me?"
Otto laments having his story crushed, but Subaru can't hide his surprise at having his joke confirmed.
Even though he knew about it, the power of Otto's 'Divine Protection of the Spirit of Words' had far too many applications.
Previously, Subaru had followed his divine protection and used Patrasche to rescue Emilia and the others from a difficult situation. At that time, he had also managed to pull off the amazing feat of listening to the stories of insects and flowers, taking a series of shortcuts to bridge the distance that should never have been bridged.
"Your blessing is really useful."
"...It's not that good though."
Subaru let out a sigh of admiration, but Otto's tension suddenly dropped. Subaru frowned at his reaction, but Otto didn't let him pursue it further, clenching his fist and saying, "Anyway,"
"In a little while, Lady Emilia's Trial will begin. In the meantime, Garfiel will have no choice but to leave here and head to the Graveyard. In other words, now is the time."
"The preparation time until the operation is carried out is too short. … Although, it can't be helped that the scheduling is tight since I couldn't be found and they're in a pinch."
Subaru, already ready to cooperate and complaining to Otto who was rushing him, turned around to check on his condition. Although he wasn't satisfied with it, he was still given food and his waste was always taken care of. Thinking back on it now, it was extremely embarrassing not knowing who it was, but it reminded him of the time he was hospitalized after breaking his leg.
In any case, other than the creaking of his body, Subaru could not find any other problems. As Otto looked his way, Subaru nodded and took a step forward, ready to move――,
"Oh, can I just have one more thing?"
「...What is it, seriously? Can we really end this here? If we take too long, the plan will move on to another stage and we'll just end up looking like fools.」
"Sorry, sorry. Why are you cooperating with me to cross such a dangerous bridge?"
"――――"
Otto's face, his excitement dampened by the moment he heard Subaru's question, went blank.
First of all, I think that was the question that should have been asked first. It is true that for the refugees and the residents of the Sanctuary, avoiding conflict between the two sides is a win-win situation. It would also be desirable for Subaru, and it would also help Emilia and Roswaal. However,
Subaru: "I don't see any situation where you would benefit from this. Maybe I'm just stupid and can't imagine it, but… if I don't understand that, it just makes me feel uncomfortable."
It's not that he wants to doubt Otto, but it's true that this is something that doesn't make sense to him. In reality, to Otto, the issues surrounding this "Sanctuary" were merely a passing involvement. Normally, the disputes here, and even the royal selection, had nothing to do with him.
The moment he found the complicated situation troublesome, he had the option of abandoning all involvement and escaping on his own. Even if you take into account his goal of having a connection with the Margrave, the current situation was such that "even taking a gamble is too unfavorable."
Though not to Subaru's extent, even he couldn't see any ray of hope for a breakthrough in the situation.
That was why Subaru didn't understand why he was willing to take such risks to be on his side. As mentioned earlier, during the three troubled days, Subaru had truly forgotten about his existence. He saw no problems or doubts about him. In a way, it could be said that this was a sign of his trust in him.
With so many bad situations piling up right now, there couldn't be "anything" that would require her to worry about Otto, an escapist trust.
So now I wanted to know his true intentions, which could overturn that.
If there was a secret that even Subaru couldn't believe, then that was――
"Tell me, Otto. Why are you trying so hard?"
A quiet question. It was a small but definite watershed moment.
Holding his breath, Subaru waited for Otto's reply. Swallowing Subaru's question, Otto stared back at Subaru while choosing his words.
"What kind of person do you think I am, Natsuki-san?"
"I picture him as someone who reaches out to pick up the coin in front of him, then spills whatever he's holding in his other hand... That's the kind of absent-minded person I imagine."
"That's a terrible way of thinking in itself! It's not like I've never done it before, but it makes me angry because it's like I've seen it again!!"
This was Otto as Subaru imagined him - or perhaps it was the image of Otto he wished he had.
Otto was quick to complain about that rather excessive assessment, and after shaking his head wearily, he said, "Exactly."
"Well, you see, Natsuki-san."
"...ah"
"Is it really that strange to try to help a friend?"
--For a moment, time stopped for Subaru, as he didn't understand what had been said.
It was probably a few seconds before time started to move again. But even after it did, Subaru still couldn't quite grasp the meaning of what Otto had just said. What had Otto just said?
Eugene? What's Eugene? Is there someone like that around here?
"Wh, why is he frozen with such a shocked look on his face?"
"Well, suddenly a name I didn't know popped up so I couldn't follow the conversation. So, who is this Eugene-san, um?"
"I don't know how you've come to that conclusion, but it's completely wrong! Not Eugene, but a friend! A friend!"
"Friends?! Who and who?!"
"With me! Natsuki-san!"
Subaru's eyes widen in disbelief, and Otto gasps, shocked as well. He stomps his feet on the floor and waves his hand, "Is it okay?"
"I was captured by the Witch Cult and my life was in grave danger, but Natsuki and the others rescued me. After that, I helped out by making various deals. I also came here to get in touch with the Margrave, so in that sense, my relationship with Natsuki may have been due to our positions."
"――――"
"Still, if we set those troublesome issues aside, I think of you as a friend, Natsuki-san. There are many things I want to say about the way you usually treat me, but the reason we can call each other foolish and impossible is because we're so close."
Perhaps he became embarrassed midway through, as Otto averted his gaze and scratched his nose with his fingers.
Subaru remained silent as he listened to Otto's words. When Otto reached the end of the conversation, he looked at Subaru with a suspicious look, noticing his lack of reaction.
The reason he seemed a little uneasy was probably because Subaru didn't seem to agree with what he was saying. Perhaps he thought of it as a forced sale of friendship.
Imagining what he was thinking right now, an emotion welled up in Subaru's heart. And the reaction that was brought about by that emotion was,
"--Pfft."
"yes?"
"Wahahaha! So, friends? Friends! Ah, I see. Otto, you wanted to be friends with me!"
"Hey!?"
Unable to contain himself, Subaru bursts out laughing and roughly slaps Otto on the shoulder as his face turns red. But the urge to laugh still doesn't go away, and Subaru stomps his feet on the floor, clutching his stomach.
"Hahaha, my friend. Ah, damn it. Otto, you bastard."
"Ouch, ouch! What are you doing! Ah, I was stupid to say that! I know that Natsuki-san doesn't think like that. But, no matter what, you shouldn't laugh that hard!"
"No no no no, how can you not laugh? It's not you that's the funny one.... I have no choice but to laugh at how stupid I am."
Wiping away the tears that had welled up in his eyes from his laughter with his left hand, Subaru somehow managed to control the endless urge to laugh and straightened up. He looked directly at Otto.
He looked as if he regretted ever saying "friend." But seeing him like that, Subaru felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and appreciation.
--What could Otto be thinking? What could be the hidden meaning? I don't know what or what to believe.
Otto had called Subaru a friend, and had come to his aid out of concern for him. But in the face of him, he had been so foolish that he had started to doubt him rather than trust his true feelings.
How base of me to assume that there must be something going on, and then to imagine that "something" was something malicious.
They are so at the mercy of the situation that they lose sight of the feelings of those around them, believing only in the existence of malice and forgetting the existence of unconditional goodwill; how ungrateful they are.
―What did Natsuki Subaru know about the world that made him give up and throw it away?
What did he think he had realized after dying and restarting the world just a few times? He didn't even realize the loyalty of such a close friend.
Subaru was self-deprecating and self-reproaching, and Otto, not understanding this, still had a questioning look on his face. Subaru smiled at him, took a breath with a somewhat cheerful mood,
"Sorry. You're my friend, Otto. Thank you for coming to help me."
※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※
The building where Garfiel had been holding them captive was located in a forest far from the settlement where the Sanctuary's inhabitants lived, and the route was so complicated that it seemed likely they would get lost and be unable to escape without Otto to lead the way.
"When I think about it like this, I guess there's nothing I can do without your blessing."
"Don't shout too much. I don't remember the path either, so I'm relying on flowers, frogs, and lizards. If you upset them, they'll think you're reaching the exit and lead you to the cliff."
"Nature's creatures are scary!"
Otto listened carefully as he chose his path. Subaru followed behind him, not used to the vision in one eye, and drove shaky-eyed through the gaps between the trees.
It's painful not being able to see in depth and not being able to see the right side of my head. I'm sure the full impact of the loss will come soon, but it's not enough to impede my activities.
However, strangely enough, he harbors no resentment towards Garfiel, who inflicted this wound on him.
Subaru knew that he had done something that deserved to be done to him, and Garfiel felt a strange contradiction. His speculations about such things prevented Subaru from doing it.
If there was just a little more room for imagination, I might be able to give shape to my thoughts about Garfiel.
"I need a bit more information, including about the unconfirmed 'Gospel'."
There's no choice but to put it on hold for now.
Though he felt annoyed, Subaru cried out softly at the pain as the branch grazed his right ear, and, struggling to stay on the ground, he jumped over the roots. And then,
"I can see it. I'll be heading towards the village soon."
Hearing Otto call out, Subaru strained his blurred vision and looked ahead. Between the gaps in the trees, beyond the dark greenery, he could see the scattered lights of a village.
Then, as we leave the forest, the light of the stars and moon suddenly shines in from the sky, and the previously dark view becomes a little clearer.
Taking a breath and looking around, Subaru confirmed that he and Otto had returned to the Sanctuary village. It was a moonlit night, and Emilia's challenge to the Trial had likely begun at the tomb.
Subaru felt the urge to run over to her and be by her side, but he suppressed that emotion and turned back to Otto,
"If we're in the middle of the Trial now, then now's the time to escape. I wonder what the arrangements are, and where we'll meet up with our allies?"
"If you're a collaborator--"
Otto looked up at Subaru's rapid-fire questions and tried to reach out his hand towards the village. However, his movement was interrupted midway. The reason was a voice.
"--Don't worry, it's already here."
Their conversation was interrupted by a single person stepping forward with footsteps making a noise.
The apron dress is a precious black color. The white apron shines under the starlight, making her adorable, yet childish, appearance even more fantastical.
"First of all, I'm glad you returned safely… well, I'll congratulate you for now, Barusu."
With her pink hair shaking and spitting venom, Ram - Otto's ally - greeted Subaru and the others with a cool look on her face.