[ "You know very well why Emilia can't leave the 'Sanctuary,' don't you? There's no need to act anymore. I brought back quite a lot of things, probably more than you imagined. But thinking about it this way, it's as if I've sworn to expose all your siblings' secrets. I really am a super obnoxious guy."
"Huh? Subaru?" Cheerful footsteps rang out, and Petra ran toward Subaru step by step. "Wow! You're back so early!" ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Petra is as energetic as ever,"
Emilia said.
"A very cute junior. But…"
But this was not a loop that broke the deadlock.
Frederica thought of Petra's severed arm from the previous loop.
To think that before long, this smile will be torn to shreds, I…
—
[ "Subaru-sama?" Petra noticed that Subaru had been staring at her.
"It's nothing. I just feel healed just by looking at Petra. To be honest, being able to see Petra's face—I mean it, I'm really, truly relieved. Looking back, this is the only time I've been able to talk to Petra without any reservations."
This time.
"Subaru-sama, let's put that env—heartwarming interaction aside for a moment. You have something to say, don't you?" Frederica said.
With that, they decided to head to the parlor. Petra led the way, holding Subaru's hand, while Frederica was to prepare tea and follow shortly after.
"By the way, I have something I must tell Petra."
"What is it?"
"Thank you for the charm you gave me. It was a huge help. Though, in practice, it was probably a bit different from what Petra originally intended." Saying this, Subaru showed Petra the handkerchief wrapped around his right wrist. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"That's way too different, isn't it?"
Garfiel said.
"But we also have to thank this handkerchief. Otherwise, Natsuki-san would have been completely doomed,"
Otto said.
—
[ "Really? Did I help Subaru?"
"Yeah, you saved my life… Saying it that way is a bit inaccurate, but that's basically how it felt."
"Ah? But that's wonderful! I'm so happy!" Petra showed a brilliant smile. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Sigh, if she knew the real use of that handkerchief, could that child Petra still be happy…"
Frederica sighed outside the screen.
( Translator-kun: Im also glad that currently she isn't one of the people who are watching here... But who knows, maybe Author-san will add her here. )
—
[ "Leave the mansion and hide in the village for the time being. Will that be alright?"
"Yes, please. I'm sorry for making things difficult for you."
"The Witch Cult incident only happened a few days ago. Since your reasoning is based on that, I do not argue against it. I won't refuse. After all, Subaru-sama has entrusted both his beloved ground dragon and an important lady to me."
On the screen, the three of them arrived at the parlor. Subaru lied that remnants of the Witch Cult were attacking and wanted them to take refuge in Arlam Village. At the same time, to hide their identities, they had to dress as village girls.
And Subaru—
"Rem, Petra, and Patrasche are all entrusted to Frederica. I will join up with you as early as possible…"
Subaru handed Patrasche and Rem over to them. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Even in a world like this, he still doesn't want to see them get hurt, nya?"
Ferris said.
Is that why Subaru wants to face the assassins alone?
"That is one aspect. On the other hand… perhaps facing them alone makes it easier to gather information,"
Yuriusu said.
—
[ However, Petra was very dissatisfied with this proposal, believing that Subaru should at least take refuge with them instead of leaving him alone.
"So, can Petra please stop being mad at me? Being disliked all the time feels awful."
"Hmph, then… Subaru, you said earlier that you were saved thanks to me, right? Then give me a return gift! Give me a return gift, and I'll forgive Subaru. Go on a date with me once!"
"A date? Where did you learn that word… I understand. If that's enough, I'd be glad to accompany you. It's an honor to be Petra's first date partner. I'll put my all into it."
"Okay! It's a promise!"
Her dissatisfied expression vanished, and her face instantly brightened up. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"But the reality is…"
Emilia showed a sorrowful expression.
In this worldline with a predetermined ending, their promise, their date, could not possibly happen.
"Really, even if he didn't want to hurt her feelings, he shouldn't have made this promise. It's a promise destined to be broken,"
Ferris said.
—
[ "Then I'll go call little Patrasche." Petra happily ran toward the backyard of the mansion.
And Subaru whispered: "I'll definitely make this promise again in the future, Petra." ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"…So that's how it is. Subaru is keeping the promise in his heart, intending to fulfill it in the future,"
Ferris said.
"Only Natsuki-san remembers the promises made with them…"
Speaking of this, everyone realized something.
Perhaps some seemingly ordinary interaction they had with Subaru in the past was actually a promise he had made and carried over.
—
[ Next, Subaru asked Frederica for information about Garfiel.
He confirmed that Garfiel had indeed taken the trial.
"What does my brother say about me?"
"I'm a bit reluctant to say, but it's basically bad things. Garfiel said you abandoned your hometown and left, never to return."
"…"
"Ah, oh dear, but when he says things like that, he might just be talking tough…"
Noticing that she was somewhat hurt, Subaru tried to comfort her.
"It's alright. Thank you for your concern; I'm fine. It has been over ten years since I left the 'Sanctuary.' Since leaving, I haven't spoken to my brother… Garfiel, even once. So, we've never been able to mend the rift." ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Ah, Sis, I'm really sorry—"
"Garf, I already said it's fine. And it was completely normal for you to think that way back then. I had my faults too. So there's no need to apologize."
Frederica covered Garfiel's mouth.
—
[ "May I ask why you left the 'Sanctuary'?"
"Well, yes… I suppose I really wanted to create 'that' for him."
"Create 'that'?"
"The barrier will be lifted sooner or later; I've always been sure of that. Or rather, perhaps that is my wish. Once the barrier is lifted and the 'Sanctuary' is liberated… the residents inside will eventually come to the outside world. When that time comes, they, like the current Garfiel, won't know what to do."
"Does that mean what you created is 'something they should do'?"
"It is something close to it, something equal to it. For those who used the 'Sanctuary' as their emotional support, this thing can become the catalyst for them to step into the outside world. It can replace courage—a place to belong." ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"If demi-humans, who have a relatively low social status, come to the outside world, where should they go? Lady Frederica, was your main purpose in coming to the outside world to solve this problem?"
Yuriusu looked at Frederica.
"Yes,"
Frederica nodded.
This was Frederica's wish.
—