[ "Very well. It is all my fault. I have been indecisive about this one matter. It is a bad habit of the elderly."
Next, Ryuzu seemed ready to reveal the reason.
Everyone grew curious.
"Frederica leaving the barrier was, after all, an exception. That child did not meet the conditions to be trapped by the barrier, so she was able to leave. That is all."
"The conditions to be trapped by the barrier? What are they? Are there any other conditions besides being a half-blood?"
"No. Those are the only conditions for being trapped by the barrier. There are no others. Strictly speaking, the barrier's standard for judging a half-blood is 'blood concentration.' If the concentration of human and demi-human blood is equal, one will be trapped by the barrier. However…"
"If the blood concentration is less than half… for instance, a quarter-blood or something, they won't be trapped? That means…"
Subaru pondered.
Then, Garfiel curled the corner of his mouth and said:
"That's right. I'm different from Frederica's father—my name is Garfiel Tinsel. As for that person, the surname she claims should be different." ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Garf."
"Hm? What is it, Sis?"
"Do you just call me by my name and 'that person' when I'm not around?"
Frederica pouted, raised her hand, and reached toward Garfiel's ear—
"Whoa, Sis, that was the old me… that was the past me. Now, even if you aren't around, I'll call you Sis!"
Garfiel dodged Frederica's hand.
Frederica gave a wry smile and placed her hand on Garfiel's head, stroking his hair.
"I was just pretending to be angry. It was normal for you to think that way back then; after all, I just left without offering much explanation. I can understand why you hated me at the time."
"Sis is as understanding as ever."
—
[ "Frederica's blood is quite diluted… so that's why she could leave the barrier." Subaru said.
"That child was born to a human mother and a half-blood father, so she can freely enter and leave the forest."
As soon as Ryuzu finished speaking, Garfiel said indignantly:
"Ha! Freely enter and leave? Don't make me laugh! What kind of damn 'entering and leaving' is that? For ten years, didn't Frederica return even once? That woman abandoned this place, so she has nothing to do with it anymore." ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Ah, sorry, Sis! Let's just say that the old me had a screw loose… eh?"
Frederica pulled Garfiel into a hug and patted his back.
"I'm sorry, Garf."
"W-what is this. It was me who was sorry to you, Sis. It was me who kept harboring resentment toward you—"
"If you two siblings keep apologizing to each other, it'll never end. Garf, just accept Frederica's apology."
Ram said.
"O-okay. I forgive you, Sis. Actually, I forgave you a long time ago."
—
[ "In the end, it still comes down to the 'Trials.' Ryuzu-san, Garfiel, actually, I have a suggestion. I need to tell Roswaal about this, and I have to tell Emilia as well… but I want to talk to you two first. This matter is extremely important, and I hope you won't tell anyone. So, can we make a promise?" Subaru said.
"…I understand. I will not speak of it. Feel free to say what you must, Suba-san."
"That helps a lot, thank you. What I want to talk about is the 'Trials.' My opinion is the same as before; I still don't want Emilia to participate. I hope you two will agree. Let me be the one to take the 'Trials.' How about that?"
"Huh?"
"I entered the tomb to save Emilia, but I was unharmed, right? That's because I have the qualifications to take the 'Trials'… furthermore, it's because I cleared the 'Trials'." ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Does this look like it's going wrong?"
Otto said from outside the screen.
Because the atmosphere within the image had shifted subtly.
It seemed as if Subaru had said something wrong, something he shouldn't have said.
"Uh… I've got a bad feeling about this."
Garfiel said.
"Subaru-kun!"
"Subaru!"
Rem and Emilia watched the scene before them in shock.
—
[ "Suba-san, I also have something important to say."
"What is it?"
"I must keep Su-boy here."
"Huh? What are you… ngh?"
"Don't struggle. That will only cause you pain."
Garfiel grabbed Subaru by the neck and lifted him up.
"I imagine Suba-san is wondering why this is happening. However, I will not beg for forgiveness. I will keep my promise and never speak of this—I swear by the name of Ryuzu Meyer."
The next moment, the screen went dark. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Hey, hey, Natsuki-san isn't dead, is he?"
Otto panicked.
"B-Boss? No, that shouldn't be it. The old lady just told me to capture the Boss."
"W-what is this all about?! Garfiel-sama."
Rem looked at Garfiel, demanding an explanation.
"…The reason should be the same as yours, sister-in-law."
"The same… is?"
Faced with Garfiel's strange answer, Rem tilted her head.
"It's the scent of the Witch. Just like how you suspected the Boss at first because of the scent of the Witch on him. The old lady also started to suspect the Boss because of the scent of the Witch on him. But regardless, I'm damned for causing harm to the Boss!"
Garfiel explained further.
—
[ Drip, drop, drip, drop…
The sound of water droplets echoed.
"Ngh…"
The screen was pitch black, with only sound.
Then, footsteps approached…
"I came to check on you, and to think I'd catch you waking up just in time. You're lucky."
"Ah, ngh, mm…"
"Though I can't understand what you're saying, I guess you're probably calling my name. Wait a second, I'll take the gag off. Just a warning, it's no use screaming for help." ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Wow, it's really the 'no one will come to save you even if you scream your throat out' trope."
Al said.
"What kind of place is this? Ram has never heard of it."
Ram looked bewildered.
"Judging by the sound of water droplets and footsteps… is he imprisoned… or rather, tied up in a place like a cave? As for the pitch black, there are three possibilities."
Anastasia said.
"The first possibility is that the environment is too dark; the second is that his eyes are covered; and the third possibility… is the worst one."
Yuriusu paused, then continued:
"He has been deprived of his sight… to put it more directly, his eyes have been destroyed."
"Boss… should… should just have his eyes covered, right? No matter how you look at it, we still need to give the Boss a complete body."
Garfiel thought this way rationally, and emotionally, he hoped for it even more.
He was already feeling guilty enough; if he had done such a thing…
—
[ "Somebody help! I'm here! Help me!"
"Huh? Damn it, didn't I tell you not to scream?"
After the gag was removed, Subaru ignored Garfiel's threat and immediately screamed for help.
What should Subaru do? Can he be saved? ]
.....