CHAPTER 97: BEFORE THE DAWN
Roswaal: “Do speak. Be it a long discussion or a short consolidation, why not let us see a hearty coooooooooonversation.”
Roswaal closes one eye, his yellow gaze piercing through the two standing in the doorway. Subaru can tell that, entangled in the cloying gaze, Otto gulps as if drowned in devilishness. The demonic hand does reach for Subaru as well, but he had already braced himself, and with a single cough manages to maintain his position without swallowing his breath.
Subaru: “Coming to greet us in perfect makeup means you got all dressed up on us, gonna blush.”
Roswaal: “Nooooooo need for it toooooooo bother you, now. Were you not the one whoooooo told me? To wear my cosmetics aaaaaaaagain.”
Subaru: “Right, yeah actually I did say that.”
After finalizing the contract and bet, before leaving the room, Subaru indeed had said that to Roswaal. He hadn't expected that surprise Roswaal would actually do it.
Roswaal: “These facial cosmetics, for me, are much like a preparations for battle. There was necessity to never be lax as I acted to spur events tooooooo follow the gospel. I wore the cosmetics as a means to constantly keeeeeeeeeeep myself primed.”
Unexpectedly hearing the background behind this, Subaru finds himself unwittingly staring at Roswaal's face. A visage painted white, with strange, mysterious eyeliner. Red drawn at his lips, and a characteristic signature over his left eye. Apparently all of this held more significance than just in mocking his conversation partner.
Subaru: “Or actually you could just be saying things to say them.”
Roswaal: “There's no harm in sincerely beeeeeeeeelieving me. Weeeeeeeell, I'll task the matter up to your imagination. Being that the gospel had diverged, and I had given up on the world's continuance, I had already stopped applying cosmetics... the significance of myself wearing them aaaaaaaaagain, I will aaaaaaaaalso task to your imaginings.”
Subaru grits his teeth, endeavouring to keep his expression stable. If Roswaal's statement about the make-up being his preparations for battle was true, then it's obvious why he has it on again as he faces Subaru and Otto.
Likely, he has regained his lost will to live, and his motivation. Meaning his ideas of ending this world and entrusting his wishes to his next self, this backwards hope identical in nature to what Subaru had harboured, has been triggered.
Roswaal: “Would it have been better for you that I remained wiiiiiiiiiiithout motivation?”
Subaru: “No, actually. Emilia-tan needs your name and your pedigree and your influence and your power for becoming Ruler. You being an empty shell's a problem. Now that your motivation's back I'm gonna be crushing it, showing you a new hope and dragging you onto our team.”
Roswaal: “Promising words. ...If you're capable of it, dooooooooo attempt it.”
Roswaal's mouth twists into a cheery smile, him keeping the expression as he looks beside Subaru.
Roswaal: “Regardless,”
Roswaal: “This man beside you staring into nothing would be the Otto-kun previously introduced toooooooo me. Compared to how spirited he was before, he truly looks raaaaaaaather disconsolate.”
Subaru: “Less disconsolate, more like he's just freaking out. Next time he sees the guy he was thinking to butter up to, the guy's started wearing clown paint. Peeing yourself in surprise's natural, yeah?”
Otto: “He is truly attempting to make it so that other people have peed themselves, this man! And please stop unabashedly saying that I'd been thinking to curry favour! It's going to worsen his impression of me!”
Subaru: “Worsen his impression like goddamn whatever, the instant you started cooperating with me and opposing him you stopped having any hope of a good impression. At least try establishing yourself as a fierce opponent so that when the popularity polls happen you'll have a chance at the upper tiers.”
Otto: “I have not even a fraction of a clue of what you are talking about!!”
Causing a ruckus in his usual way, Subaru watches as some of Otto's tenseness slackens. Otto himself also recognizes that this back-and-forth was done to relax him, his expression complex. Watching how Subaru and Otto communicate this only by eye contact, Roswaal creeps his fingers over his cheek as he gives a meaningful laugh.
Roswaal: “Communicating by your eyes alone, hooooooow great friends yoooooooou must be. Your relationship with me is supposed to have been the longer one, too. Jealous.”
Subaru: “Stop saying gross stuff. The #1 and #2 places in my heart are permanently sold out. You think I'd stand there being any gaps for you guys... and especially for this ass to slip in, you ass.”
Roswaal: “Unfortunate. But, thaaaaaaat would mean... that Beatrice is not going toooooooo be repaid. Your thoughts on her?”
Subaru: “—”
The word exhibits unparalleled effects of conversation control on Subaru. Subaru had not been on guard that Roswaaal could say Beatrice's name here, and with Roswaal's know-it-all expression making him uncomfortable, the shock is as if being slapped across the face.
Subaru: “Beatrice is...”
Roswaal: “She is following the gospel's guidance. Iiiiiiiiiiiin that sense, you could safely call she aaaaaaaaaaaand I kindred. Although, considering how I am active toward the gospel's writ, and she is passive, we have our differences in how weeeeeeeee face it.”
Subaru: “If you can get results just by waiting, there's no fuss, is what you mean? I mean I agree with that, but... that curse ordering her to wait is way too strong.”
Roswaal: “Reason stands to that, would perhaps beeeeeeee the case here.”
In accordance with the orders of her creator, Echidna, Beatrice has kept waiting in Roswaal Mansion's Forbidden Archive for the non-existent THEY. For this girl, spirit, given no other objectives since her birth, clinging to this command with stupid sincerity is the only thing which gives her life meaning. Beatrice is similar to Roswaal again, in the sense of stubbornness.
Her pleas to Subaru of let me die remain vivid in his memory. As does her expression, when at the end of the happens in the mansion afterwards, she protected Subaru. And so—
Subaru: “I'm going to undo that curse. I'm dragging her out of that stinking room, and hanging her and the books and her dress all out to dry in the sun together. —Whether or not she's repaid is up to her, afterwards.”
Roswaal: “—”
Roswaal narrows his eyes, his expression one of witnessing something radiant. He then gives a small sigh, directing his gaze to Otto, who has been waiting for a chance to enter the conversation.
Roswaal: “Aaaaaaaaand? Considering that you've called for his presence here, and the talks you've been having with him through this conversation... it would be safe to consider Otto-kun aaaaaaaaaas your side's card.”
Otto: “N-no, I am only a something of an executive to equalize the terms. I surely would never act with such perfidy as to dissent against your stance, Margrave...”
Subaru: “Stop chickening out when it's this late! Just say it! You don't like his clown make-up, and the second he's defeated you're painting him up in kumadori red and white!”
Otto: “I don't remember saying that, and what on earth is kumadori!!”3
Subaru flashes Otto a pointless thumbs-up. Roswaal closes one eye, in thought, as he gazes meaningfully at Otto.
Roswaal: “My impression... your presence contributed to the change in Subaru-kun's moooooooootivation. It surely must have been something embarrassing tooooooo watch.”
3 It's kabuki makeup.
Subaru: “I can't exactly deny that, but... thinking about it, story-wise it is pretty weird that I recovered from a male character's help. Usually this's where the main heroine would get me back on my feet, right?”
Otto: “You're open to criticise me, but I have nothing to say about it.”
Replying to Otto's defiant gaze with a wave of his hand, Subaru convinces himself that well nothing to do about it. It was from outside sources that he borrowed the strength he needed to stand. Now was Subaru's turn to pull the main heroine up to her feet. Or, to attempt so was what his heart had decided, at least.
Subaru closes his eyes once, opens them. Perceiving that the sharpness of Subaru's gaze has changed, Roswaal corrects his posture as the atmosphere in the room shifts. Upon the bed, Roswaal twines his fingers together as he gets the talk started:
Roswaal: “Noooooooow then,”
Roswaal: “When undergoing isolation carrying the appellation of convalescence, you simply must find things toooooo do. Inevitably you get bored. That is the way of it... and so I have been keeping my ears very open.”
Subaru: “Tasteless hobby there.”
Roswaal: “Now, your nefarious plot is proceeding along. ...Have you managed to experience keenly how intermingled and complex the circumstances surrounding this SANCTUARY are, owing to its origins?”
Subaru: “The swarm of intermingled complex circumstances've got my head addled, yes. If you got involved here with Emilia's TRIAL, saying 'all doors barred' wouldn't be enough to describe it.”
Subaru plainly accepts that the situation is an arduous one. But he's already taken the low chances into consideration here. Subaru raises his finger, again announcing his lack of intention to give up on improving the situation.
Subaru: “The time limit for the contract, for the bet, is in three days. I'm intending to get things moving significantly over tomorrow and the day after, but... seriously don't get in the way too much.”
Roswaal: “Iiiiiiiiii'm afraid that I'll have to. The realization of the gospel is my dearest wish. I had thought it somewhat unnecessary to repeatedly explain this toooooo you.”
Subaru: “Within three days I'll have Emilia beating the TRIAL, and have persuaded Garfiel. The faction fattening up shouldn't be a bad deal for you either. I'm gonna be maintaining a future much brighter than what relying on the gospel would.”
Roswaal: “When you are the one saying it, most likely that future wooooooould highly valuable, as well.”
Subaru piles up the probably-useless persuasion attempts. Roswaal lowers his eyes, muttering as he imagines what Subaru's proposed future would be like. But by the time he looks up again, his odd-coloured eyes host no indecision.
Roswaal: “It isn't assured. —That is all the reason I require to reject your proposed future. Should I abide the gospel, my desired future is guaranteed. Supposing hypothetically that the sacrifices required to attain that future are many, I regardless care not. Because there is only one thing I desire.”
Subaru: “And for your one precious precious thing, you'd abandon everyone else who watches over you. What's going to happen to the people backing your current position, and to Ram?”
Roswaal: “Nooooooow now, best you place an end to that, Subaru-kun. —What do you think questioning my resolve wiiiiiiiiiill achieve, this late? My answer remains unchanged, as do the tasks you ought to conduct.”
Subaru: “—”
An anticipated outcome. Roswaal is not paying Subaru's words any mind. Just like how Subaru rejected Roswaal's proposal and Echidna's contract, Roswaal's heart has already conceived of the OPTIMUM.
Subaru: “...Yeah, I'm never going to be you, Roswaal.”
Roswaal: “Really. ...That is truly a regret, Subaru-kun.”
Roswaal leans back on his pillow as he slips a quiet sigh. The melancholy thing must be resultant from the hopes Roswaal held for Subaru. The hopes of Roswaal, who would abandon even his life during his devoted and solo battle, believing that should Natsuki Subaru be barred from all potential options, he would unmistakably acquire the same mentality as Roswaal himself.
Otto: “Let us return the conversation to the central topic. Would this be acceptable, Margrave?”
Says Otto, stepping forward to break the silence of the room. Roswaal's yellow eye gazes at the grey-haired young man, his wordlessness constituting acceptance. Otto glances back to Subaru, nodding.
Otto: “I judge that our recognition that three days from now constitutes the absolute period for this —well—for these circumstances of us manoeuvring SANCTUARY, is mutual. Identical to how you, albeit coincident to your steering of Natsuki-san, confer us your passive supervision of our processes.”
Roswaal: “Passive supervision... I'd say I lack memory of making any such commitment.”
Otto: “However, surely I may regard my failure to have presently become burnt cinders as just such a statement, correct? Should the might considered be that of Margrave Roswaal L. Mathers, Foremost Magician of the Imperial Court of the Kingdom of Lugnica, fully should it be capable of transforming myself into fragments of mana within the space of an instant. Such would be the simplest method for impeding Natsuki-san's objectives, while simultaneously remaining within limitations of what will not undermine the bet.”
Roswaal: “Hum.”
Subaru holds his breath as he watches Otto speak his polite and fluent logic. This was a gab so on fire that they hadn't even arranged for it. Even Roswaal looks surprised, as he reads the intentions behind Otto's words.
Roswaal: “You're an intriguing one. I'm sure that I had appraised you in exactly this same manner before, but allow me to revise. —Your personage is far more intriguing than I had imagined.”
Otto: “I humble myself with your praise... actually, is it correct to consider that praise?”
Roswaal: “It was indeed a genuine complement. Ahaaaaaaaa, excellent. By standing here with Subaru-kun, by risking your life, you have proven your argument. That determination is precious, and truly tooooooo my liking. Not everybody could dooooooo what you've done.”
Otto: “That... thank you.”
While there is some sense of him being overwhelmed, Otto nevertheless faces Roswaal without fear. Indeed, Roswaal was fully capable of turning Otto to ash with just a flick of his finger, and Otto was under conditions where that exact thing was quite liable to happen.
If Roswaal wanted to establish his contract with Subaru, and truly gave no care to how it'd look, then all he had to do was play foul in the way Otto had said. And even if he didn't do that, Subaru had no means to protect against it if Roswaal pre-emptively burnt SANCTUARY itself to a crisp, or summoned snowfall to lure the Hare in ahead of schedule. The bet would be assured as Subaru's loss. While Otto does not know about RETURN BY DEATH, and appears to be thinking that Subaru's survival is an essential condition of the bet, Subaru and Roswaal who are both aware of RETURN BY DEATH know that Subaru's survival is not even required in the terms. Subaru's biggest point of panic had been just after forming the contract with Roswaal, and wondering whether he would be burned to death from behind.4
What to call Roswaal's neglect to conduct this violence, but passive supervision?
Otto: “Regardless, we would be gracious for your promise, Margrave. That no matter what we plan or do... you will not utilize any extreme measures until three days' time, the end of the absolute period.”
Roswaal: “Once again you talk larger than you are, ordering me tooooooo make promises.”
Otto: “I highly doubt we can fully complete our gamble if we're simultaneously minding our backs,
4 I can't tell if this paragraph happened on Tappei's end or on Subaru-narrator's. wondering whether you will interfere or will not. If you are confident that Natsuki-san will fail, and are wagering everything with that conviction, surely an abstinence of action would amount to no great issue?”
Roswaal: “—”
The corners of Otto's mouth rise as he speaks, his talk accompanied by gestures. Roswaal's gaze sharpens. Swallowing his breath while he watches over the negotiations, Subaru senses that Otto has made an action to greatly dictate the contest. His tone was provocatory, and if Roswaal rises to it, they lose. A heavy silence falls upon the room. However,
Roswaal: “Iiiiiiiiiii see. Subaru-kun, you're blessed wiiiiiiiiiith great friends.”
Subaru: “...Yeah, you're right. When I'm about to make mistakes, I got a good buddy who'll punch me out of it.”
Subaru answers the grinning Roswaal, for the clown's gaze to go slightly distant. And Subaru thinks. Probably, Roswaal had no Otto. Who, just when Subaru was about to err, punched him back onto the correct path. Probably, Roswaal had had nobody who would correct his stubborn, twisted ideas for him like that.
Subaru: “Nothing doing then. —It's four hundred years late, but we're gonna be doing it.”
Roswaal: “—”
Subaru: “Roswaal! Safe to call that attitude from before agreement, right!”
Roswaal smiles wryly, tilting his head.
Roswaal: “Yes, and I will promise. I need to refine the mana for bringing snowfall in three days regardless. And I will mention, it takes quite the laborious effort even for persons aaaaaaaaas powerful as myself tooooooooo manipulate the weather. Even when temporary, and in liiiiiiimited location.”
Subaru: “So now's your mediation time, then. Just for reference's sake, it'd be a huge help if you could tell us what bad things happen when you meditate.”
Roswaal: “Iiiiiiiiii make no hobby of being charitable to my enemies toooooooo that extent. — There is no necessity for me to do anything at all, because I know your plan wiiiiiiiill not succeed.”
No concessions to be had on that, apparently. Subaru snorts, Otto sighs with his expression exhausted. But, they have safely managed to secure their biggest reason for coming here.
It is an essential requirement that Roswaal does not interfere on or around the Big Day of the bet. Just getting him to promise not to is a yield. That Otto's oratory was even better than they planned was huge.
Roswaal: “Incidentally, Subaru-kun.”
Subaru: “—Hm?”
Roswaal: “I happened to have heard that the Great Spirit has split froooooom Emilia-sama's side.”
It's a change of topic like a punch from above, just when Subaru's thoughts had relaxed. He straightens his back.
Subaru: “Yeah.”
Subaru: “A problem cropped up in Emilia and Puck's contract, and their slate's been wiped. If you're going to consider Emilia a spiritualist, then she wouldn't be qualified to be called one right now.”
Roswaal: “I heard that she was in great sorrow, although... with these things liable to fracture her wounded mind piling up further at this eleventh hour, will it be alright?”
Subaru: “...Who really knows. But our only option for tonight's TRIAL is to skip. We can't tell how that's going to affect tomorrow onward until Emilia wakes up.”
Even though Puck did warn Subaru about how anguished Emilia would be, the grief was so abundant that he had wanted to cover his eyes. Cornering Emilia like that when there's only two days left means taking a challenger with poor odds in the first place, setting them on a different bet with low chances of winning, and tightening the gate. It is only the fact that some wind blows through the hole in the supposedly-shut gate that affords Subaru his present, faint hope.
Subaru: “That said, my head does feel leaden. But, I'm wondering what would...”
Roswaal: “There's something of a sliiiiiiiiiight mystery here.”
Cutting in to interrupt Subaru, Roswaal flicks his raised finger left to right. Subaru unwittingly falls silent at the gesture.
Roswaal: “Looking at you now, you definitely would appear to be taking strenuous efforts as you ruminate on how to get Emilia-sama back on her feet, but... you don't seem especially surprised about the contract between the Great Spirit and Emilia-sama beeeeeeeing severed. What cooooooooould it mean?”
Subaru: “—”
Roswaal's almost casual question prompts Subaru to hold his tongue for an instant. Subaru's lack of apparent shock is because he already knew about it. If Puck hadn't told him about it beforehand, and given him a locus for imagining what would happen, Subaru probably would have only been capable of watching on while Emilia screamed and wailed. That said, that's not exactly a huge difference from what actually happened.
Roswaal: “Did you... perhaps already know about this situation? About the Great Spirit leaving Emilia-sama's side. This would be leaving aside just how you caaaaaaaaame to learn it.”
Subaru: “Even saying hypothetically that I did... doesn't make sense for you to be complaining at me about it. I'm putting in everything I possibly can to win the bet. No reason for that to be criticised ex...”
Roswaal: “Noooooooo, there's enough. —Those words were all I wanted to hear.”
Roswaal nods, satisfied, as he raises his palm at Subaru. The attitude forces Subaru silent, and he sighs out his nose, still feeling that he is not on his best game.
Roswaal: “Reeeeeeeegardless.... assuming the course is established for the Great Spirit to leave Emilia-sama, theeeeeen this presents something ooooooof a problem for me.”
Subaru: “...Really? Going from your plans, wouldn't this be a good turn for...”
Roswaal: “Absolutely not. While Emilia's mind snapping is appropriate kindling your heart, which cannot bear to witness the sight, Emilia-sama losing her ability as a spiritualist means that she cannot bring snowfall tooooooooo SANCTUARY. That is a raaaaaaaaather large blow for me.”
Subaru: “Ah...”
Roswaal is talking about inconsistency with the gospel. In three days, snow will fall in SANCTUARY to lure the Sizeable Hare. Solely for the sake of following that writ, Roswaal must cover SANCTUARY in snow. But, that means—
Subaru: “Roswaal, I've kinda been thinking this for ages now...”
Roswaal: “Hm? Whaaaaaaat is it?”
Subaru: “It's about your perfected gospel, and its failings.”
Roswaal: “—”
The thin smile disappears from Roswaal's face. The air goes dry, and the feeling of goosebumps on his skin is originating from the gaze of the warlock before him. Otto huddles his shoulders up slightly, Subaru also feeling a momentary pressure sticking against his throat. The warlock's odd-coloured eyes focus intently on Subaru.
Roswaal: “Continue, Subaru-kun. About these, failings of the gospel... thaaaaat you mentioned.”
Roswaal reaches into the pillow at his back, his hand when he pulls it out now clutching a black-bound book—the gospel. Just by having this thing appear, something strange and daunting steadily weighs the atmosphere of the room down.
Subaru: “T-there's always... been something off about you said, about following the gospel's writ. But I had so many other things weighing on me that I've been overlooking that offness until now. ...But, after taking the time to calm down and think about you and the gospel, and probing into that strange feeling... there's something I noticed.”
Roswaal: “Why don't we hear it.”
Subaru: “Right now we'll leave aside how the Witch Cultist gospels... it was imperfect and this was the case for it, but it wrote unfriendly writs. What we're talking about is the definitive defect in the gospel you have.”
Roswaal: “—”
At the word 'defect', Roswaal's eyebrows tremble. That he nevertheless remains silent is maybe because he holds unending interest in what Subaru is talking about. For Roswaal, the gospel is literally the lifeline propping up his plans. He has no reason not to listen when he hears words like 'defect' and 'failing' said in reference to it.
Taking in a small breath, his guts trembling from the pressure clogging his throat, Subaru glares, forcefully, at Roswaal.
Subaru: “Going from what you've said, your gospel has written about the events happening here in SANCTUARY, following the path until they all resolve. To you that goes down a route where I conquer the tomb in place of Emilia, who fails to beat it. As a requirement to corner her and make her fail, you bring snowfall and have the Hare attack SANCTUARY. You press the mansion with a predicament to spur my resolve, and pare away the USELESS elements of me. —Is this right?”
Roswaal: “For the most part, eeeeeeeeexactly right. Now, the defect?”
Subaru: “...You didn't know that bringing the snowfall would usher the Sizeable Hare. Your gospel hasn't written so far as to mention what bringing snow results in. The only thing it says is IT SNOWS, and because that's necessary writ you actualize it—you're the book's puppet.”
Roswaal: “I am aware. Even supposing that is correct, I care not. By following the book, I can achieve my desired future. In such a case, what hesitation is there to be had in being made to dance to heartless and formless letters?”
Roswaal's eyes waver, uncertain of what Subaru will say next. But, having his theory validated this far grants his hypothesis a definite sense of reality. —Speaking hypothetically, if this is the case, then,
Subaru: “We really are both clowns.”
Roswaal: “—Hm.”
Roswaal narrows his eyes, the heavy atmosphere in the room steadily compounding. Perhaps this sensation Subaru felt of the temperature dropping was because the warlock's wave of quiet emotion was depriving the atmospheric mana of its hideaways.
Either way, iring Roswaal and touching on the awriness of the gospel was necessary. Both for solving a question of Subaru's—and for making Roswaal doubt his own condition and practices.
Subaru: “Let's return to the topic. Your gospel has a writ saying IT SNOWS. We'll assume that fundamentally it means for Emilia to cause the snow. Emilia can't, or otherwise won't do that, and you cause the snow in her place. Following, the gospel's writ.”
Roswaal: “You are repeating yourself. Hasten to the conclusion. Where is the failing, the defect in...”
Subaru: “Meaning that basically, should Emilia not cause the snow, you would not cause the snow either, if you didn't have the gospel. Snow would not fall in SANCTUARY, is also what it means.”
It's a clean conclusion. Roswaal brings the snowfall because there is a gospel writ saying to. If the gospel had not writ it, or if the gospel had not existed, then Roswaal would have no reason to enact it. It's unclear why Emilia would make it snow in SANCTUARY—but if the gospel is truly correct, then for some reason or another Emilia would have to cover SANCTUARY in snow. Ignoring the SOME REASON and just making it snow carries no significance at all. And that is without mentioning that this is history which would not occur absent of the gospel.
Subaru: “Prophecies that don't occur unless prophesied—what exactly is prophetical about this?”
Roswaal: “—”
Subaru: “It's because they predict events, no matter how unbelievable or seemingly impossible they are, that they're prophecies. The imperfect Witch Cult gospels append the writ. So with them, I can understand the principle of building up the text to counter changes in history. But what about your gospel? This guy, crowned with that wonderful appellation of perfect.”
Roswaal: “—”
Subaru: You match only to the conformity of the text of the pre-written information, for the sake of making whatever error cohere in the end, and achieve what? You ushered those results, ignoring absolutely everything else, and how can you believe that time is ticking according to the writ? You're smart, you have to had noticed it.5
Roswaal: “—”
Subaru: “This is just absence of thought, Roswaal.”
Declares Subaru, jabbing out his finger. Roswaal had preserved his silence through the speech. But now the pressure encasing the room abruptly disappears, and Subaru can tell that Otto is taking quick breaths in an attempt to settle his pulse.
Roswaal closes his eyes, descending into thoughtful silence. That his red-painted lips appear to
Frustratingly unsure about theses lines. twitch slightly is likely Subaru's bias, in his desire for his words to have influenced Roswaal.
Roswaal: “History... presumes the existence of the prophecy, of the gospel. It heeds that there is someone who will act exactly according to it, as the gospel's writ comes to proceed on, is the natural conclusion...”6
Subaru: “Yeah. Actually I had thought of that rebuttal. —And so I prepared my rebuttal as well.”
The statement is rather faltering for Roswaal, and the words are basically nothing like him. And so they are easily destroyed in the wake of Subaru's voice. Closing one eye, Roswaal stares at Subaru with only the yellow. It's often that Roswaal's yellow gaze and its mysterious glint pierce through Subaru, like this.
This might be the weakest gleam Subaru has ever seen of that yellow light.
Subaru: “Show me your gospel. If I can see what kind of writing's in it, I'll agree with your argument.”
Roswaal: “—hk. I highly doubt I can do that. The gospel would never attempt to display its text to someone who is not recognized as its owner. I am the owner of this gospel. Even should you see it, you would not be able to understand the text, and there is even possibility for the brains of unrecognized persons to be scorched should they touch it...”
Subaru: “You're getting really talkative here, Roswaal. Is it seriously that much of an issue for you if I see that book?”
Seeing Roswaal get stuck for words, Subaru's eyes widen in surprise. While the white cosmetics prevent the colour of Roswaal's face from showing through, Roswaal's refusal of Subaru's proposal is so intense it could even be called an overreaction. The rapid change in Roswaal's attitude informs Subaru that his statements locked on to Roswaal's weak point far more than he had imagined.
In the gospel's text, or otherwise the writ, there is something Roswaal is hiding which he cannot let be known. Was his stubborn adherence to the prophecies also something originally spurred by that hidden something? If not, then how could someone on the level of Roswaal have not noticed the contradiction of the gospel?
Otto: “Natsuki-san, any further would be...”
Subaru prepares to delve in deeper, judging it about time to start lambasting him, when Otto reaches out to interrupt any further reference to it. Subaru glances back, about to reject Otto's checking of him, but seeing the seriousness in Otto's eyes as he watches Subaru back, he decides to cancel on any unruliness.
This hadn't been visible for Subaru, but Otto is seeing it clearly. That reflection in his eyes announces that right now, they have hit their favourable peak in this discussion.
Also unsure.
Subaru is not reckless enough to overstep that, and ruin everything they have made of this conversation.
Subaru: “—Roswaal, three days left. Tomorrow, the day after. And, the final day. We'll be settling everything before then. Please try thinking over what I said.”
Roswaal: “Are you thinking to put me in your debt, I wonder? —You should thank Otto-kun, your friend. He ascertained a watershed which would have been unfavourable for both of us.”
His expression still absent, Roswaal hides the gospel behind his back again. He then gives his last statement to Subaru and Otto as they head for the room's exit, their shoulders hunched.
Roswaal: “I will now start preparing the algorithm to manipulate the weather. To canonize the gospel's writ. —Doing so is is my compass.”
Subaru: “Do whatever you want. If you're gonna keep clinging to it that stubbornly then that's what you'll do.”
His hand on the doorknob, Subaru turns around to catch Roswaal in his vision. The warlock's gaze and Subaru's gaze collide, directly opposite.
Subaru: “Once everything's cleaned up, I'm pouring ink all over your gospel until the whole thing's ruined and black. —And then for the first time, you'll be able to perceive what you see with your own view.”
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Done with that conversation with Roswaal, difficult to determine whether it was useful or pointless, Subaru parts with Otto as he arrives at Emilia's lodgings. Ram: “—You're here, Barusu.”
Subaru: “Yeah, I'm here. Sorry for making you deal with this for ages.” Ram makes a bored expression upon witnessing Subaru's arrival as, inside the room, she watches over Emilia. The expressionless look is completely the regular for her—but, perhaps the slight tenseness in her face amid the darkness is just Subaru's misconception.
Subaru: “We're done talking to Roswaal. I'll watch Emilia, so you're okay to go.”
Going without touching on the topic, Subaru pulls out a chair and positions it like Ram has, in a spot where he can watch Emilia. Ram glances at Subaru, seated beside her. Ram: “It's worrying, wondering whether you will commit anything filthy while Emilia-sama is sleeping.” Subaru: “Rather not think your trust in me's so low you'd suspect me as doing anything inappropriate in this situation.”
Ram: “My trust would be low. You've revolted against Roswaal-sama, your master, and have taken an oppositional stance while inside this constrained SANCTUARY.” Subaru: “...” It's rather obvious, but apparently Ram knows about the contract between Subaru and Roswaal— knows about their bet. This was Ram, who possesses such great loyalty that she would not hesitate to devote her everything to Roswaal, to the end of the very end. To Roswaal she is a pawn for actualizing the gospel's writ, and the only person he can use without any suspicion.
Subaru: “What do you think?” Ram: “—” She doesn't reply. Just turns to face Subaru, waiting for him to continue.
Subaru puts his emotions in order as he chooses his words. Subaru: “I don't know how much of the gospel's text you're aware of. But if Roswaal makes things go according to that book, SANCTUARY will be a shambles. It's not clear if Garfiel or Lewes, or everyone else will safely...” Ram: “If you are attempting to use that to persuade me, how truly shallow, Barusu.” Ram sternly interrupts Subaru's statements. Her cerise eyes reflect Subaru, the unwavering light in her gaze piercing through him.
Ram: “There is only one precious person highest in my order. That will never waver. Nothing will ever sway that position. You cannot expect for those words of yours to change my mind.” Subaru: “...” Ram: “Besides—my end has already been fully entrusted elsewhere.” Subaru raises his head, intending to ask what that means, but Ram stands up before he can.
Ram looks one last time at Emilia's face as she sleeps, before turning back toward Subaru. Ram: “I'm charging Emilia-sama to you. I'll visit again in the morning to wait upon her.” Subaru: “R-right.. got it. Um, what did you mean just...” Ram: “Now, what could I?” With that epitome of I'm not going to answer answers, Ram exits the room. Subaru attempts to call out to her, but coming up with no words, can do nothing but watch her leave.
She closes the door, leaving Subaru and Emilia alone in the room. Being that Emilia is still asleep in bed, all Subaru can do here is watch over her as she sleeps.
It's been around ten hours since Subaru held a disoriented, wailing Emilia until she practically fainted out of consciousness—the only relief had been that her expression as she slept was not one tormented by nightmare. If her past hounded and pained her even in her dreams, then she truly have nowhere for mental reprieve.
What's waiting for her once she wakes up is the reality that her bond with Puck has been severed. And how much time will she need to come to grips with that? Subaru does not know to what extent his presence can alleviate the pain. He wanted to be her strength—unmistakably he was thinking that, but truly, to what extent?
Emilia: “...rhu,”
Subaru: “—Hm?”
Subaru's consciousness as he submerges in a sea of thought reacts to the faint call. He looks, to find Emilia with her head softly tilted, her amethyst eyes slightly open and gazing at Subaru. —She's awake.
Subaru: “You're, up... Emilia, are you alright?”
Emilia: “—Subaru.”
Subaru: “Yeah, it's me. Does everything feel okay? You were sleeping the whole time... hold on, I'll come back with some water.”
Emilia: “It's fine.”
Subaru stands up, intending to dash outside, when Emilia's call stops him. The surprising strength of her words astonishes Subaru, himself unwittingly sitting back down hard on the chair.
Subaru: “...Emilia?”
Emilia: “It's fine. I'm okay. ...Stay here.”
Subaru lowers his voice, for Emilia to give a firm reply. Events over the past few days have led Subaru to understand that Emilia is of low blood pressure, and is not a morning person. Emilia's mind works exceedingly slowly when she has just woken up, and situations like this where it's been a long sleep should be no exception—but Emilia's amethyst eyes give not any sense at all of that tiredness.
Subaru: “Do you know what's happened?”
Emilia: “...Mm. I slept the whole day today. I'm already making everybody wait during normal times, and, what am I doing... I'm sorry.” Subaru: “No one! Is going to fault you for that. But anyway, the problem is...” Subaru hesitates on whether to bring up the topic of Puck. He had thought this subject would be the first thing coming up once she woke up and grasped the situation. She's putting this off, and is concerned for everyone else. Not possibly, the shock was so much that she forgot the contract was broken—
Emilia: “Don't worry, Subaru.” Subaru: “e, ue?” Emilia: “I haven't... forgotten that Puck's gone. I remember it. I'm not going to forget it and run.” Subaru: “Aren't, you?” Emilia: “Mm...” Emilia gives a small nod, and Subaru comes to understand that Emilia has not lapsed on the situation. But in that case, how is Emilia's expression so calm right now? For a Subaru who knew what she had been like after learning of Puck's disappearance, seeing Emilia calm like this barely feels real. He is having trouble swallowing these circumstances, when,
Emilia: “I'm sorry, Subaru. I showed you so many bad parts of me. ...I worried you sooo much.”
Subaru: “No, it's okay for you to worry me as much as you want. I don't mind that. I don't, but... actually, it's you right now that's...” Emilia: “—There were so many. Things to think about. They happened. In the dream.” Emilia quietly interrupts, her eyes downcast. Subaru unwittingly gulps in the face of it, his gaze fixing on her. Her long eyelashes quiver, and again Emilia sets her gaze on Subaru. Emilia: “I'm sure I'll be okay tomorrow. I want to believe that. ...Subaru, please.” Subaru: “...au, mmhm.” Emilia: “Hold my hand. Can you please say here until morning? If you do, then I'll definitely...” Emilia's white fingertips reach timidly from under the covers.
Seeing the offered hand, Subaru immediately grips it in his. He firmly cases her slender, dainty fingers. Subaru: “If that's all you want, no problem at all. But, Emilia...” Emilia: “I'm sorry, Subaru. I know there must be so many things you want to talk about and ask about. But... please, wait for morning. Because then, I can do my best.”
Subaru: “—”
Emilia: “Stay like this until morning—Subaru.”
Subaru can say nothing further in response to Emilia's near-pleading voice. He brings the chair closer to the bed, placing Emilia's grasped hand beside her pillow. Emilia looks at him with her eyes wavering. He nods.
Subaru: “All right. —I will, Emilia.”
Emilia: “Mm... thank you.”
With that short exchange, Emilia's eyes again close. Unlike her continued forfeiture of consciousness from this morning, this is self-willed sleep, for the sake of resting her wings. What words will she speak when she wakes?
The worst case scenario that Subaru envisioned has been conquered by Emilia's own power. Feeling saved by this fact, Subaru watches over Emilia's sleeping visage.
Emilia: “...I trust you.”
Hearing Emilia's half-asleep mutter, Subaru slips a sigh. —The situation will start moving again, come morning.
The big morning is pressing in, only a few hours away. And—
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Ram: “How proceeded your conversation with Barusu?”
Roswaal: “A painful tie, is perhaps whaaaaaaat to call it. It alternated in favourable and unfavourable turns for both he and I. I had already wanted to avoid taking too much action.”
Inside the dark room, at closer range to each other than necessary, the master and servant converse. Roswaal holds bedside Ram close, hugging her head to his chest as he looks back on the previous conversation.
Nothing mundane would be enough to shake Subaru's will once he had hardened his resolve. While Roswaal lacked a clear, definite future outlook of him yet, he had perceived the iron will at his core. Otto's presence, too, had been a serious blow for Roswaal. Otto, who had grasped the situation objectively and reigned Subaru in at an effective moment had, in both the sense of keeping the conversation from collapsing, and in the sense of ensuring neither Subaru nor Roswaal went too far, firmly fulfilled his role as a balancer.
Had Otto not been present, potentially, Roswaal could have practised his eloquence and twisted
Subaru's thinking. Roswaal: “He looked like a spectator, never to take the stage... but he was suuuuuurprisingly shrewd aaaaaaaaand capable. Subaru-kun has a good friend.”
Ram: “...If he is interfering, would you like me to do something about it?” Roswaal: “Let's not. If I was to make that decision, I ought to have made it during that conversation.
The moment that I neglected to do so, that option lost its significance. More importantly... about my request?” Closing one eye, Roswaal looks down at Ram with the yellow. In her master's arms and embrace,
Ram shakes her head, looking up from his chest. Ram: “Without problems. I have ferried it exactly as you desired, Roswaal-sama.” Roswaal: “I see. I had been hoping for the timing to align. …Now, just what will happen?” Roswaal responds to Ram's affirmation with a satisfied nod, stroking her head with his free hand.
Ram accepts it, her expression intoxicated and spellbound.
For an instant, Roswaal's eyes as he casts his gaze on the adoring girl is commiserating. Roswaal: “Don't think badly of me, Subaru-kun. I did promise not to take any direct action. Did promise, but... I'd like to at least be permitted to utilize plans from my bed liiiiiiiiiiiike this.”
Ram: “—” Roswaal: “Now, I wonder what will come out of this.” A joyous smile creeps onto Roswaal's face. Roswaal: “When he learns that that virtue-loving girl had heard that conversation and all its underhanded plotting... just what in the world will Subaru-kun's expression beeeeeeeeee?”
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
—The room was dark.
With the lights out, the room interior descends into darkness. The footsteps of twilight and dreams abound in this space, and would until dawn visited through the window.
The closed door severed this room from the outside world. Silence overwhelmed this chamber. There amid the darkness, in the centre of the room stood a bed, where there lay a girl with her eyes shut. A silence mute of even sleeper's breathing—broken now by sound.
Being, Girl: “...Liar.” A weak, hazy whisper.
Voiced by the girl in the bed, resentment recited in faintest verse. Girl: “Subaru, you liar.” Again, the murmur repeats.
Clenching her empty hand and left alone in the room, Emilia denounces the lies of the absent boy. —The morning of the big day presses in, with only a handful of hours remaining.
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