Chapter 56. Pre-War Division of Roles
"You've worked hard. Looks like things are going well on your end. I've got everything pretty much ready over here too."
Otto looked over the people Subaru had brought with him and smiled as he spoke.
"The time is about right. Otto, could you please go inform everyone?"
Subaru looked up at the clear blue sky as he spoke.
Now that the Witch Cult had temporarily withdrawn due to the threat of the Great Rabbit, this was the perfect moment to lift the barrier on the Sanctuary.
Before long, all key personnel remaining in the Sanctuary had gathered in Subaru's former room.
He clapped his hands to gather everyone's attention.
"The Great Rabbit should be arriving soon. But Crusch and Ferris will probably intercept it on the way, so Otto, we'll go with Plan B.
Get everyone who can't fight into the temporary ice fortress Emilia created. Rem, you go with Otto too. I'll go clear the trial, and then—"
Subaru hesitated. Taking over for his pause, the village elder, Ryuzu Mayer, stood up and looked at Garfiel.
"I'll be the one to lift the Sanctuary's barrier."
Before she could speak, however, a white-robed Ryuzu entered and interrupted.
This Ryuzu Shima was the same one Subaru had first met, the only white-robed clone with wisdom. Over ten years ago, she had lost her qualification as manager when she saved Garfiel, who had intruded upon the trial.
"Ah..."
"No need to try to talk me out of it or feel guilty.
These past few days, I've had the rare chance to speak with the people in the Sanctuary.
Even if this weren't about Lady Emilia, since both Gar-bo and the villagers have made up their minds to go out into the world, I believe it's only a matter of time before the Sanctuary would've been dissolved anyway."
Ryuzu Shima raised a hand to stop Emilia from saying anything, then looked toward Garfiel, who was biting his lip.
"I always believed I had been excluded from my duties. But now, to be able to fulfill the role of manager at the very end, is a form of salvation for me. That's why the others left this
opportunity for me. Gar-bo, don't make such a miserable face—celebrate for me. Thanks to you, these past ten-plus years have been full of joy."
Ryuzu Shima spoke her final words—yes, her final words.
To lift the Sanctuary's barrier, not only must someone complete the three trials, but one of the four Ryuzu clones possessing wisdom must sacrifice themselves to become the key.
And the chosen one was Ryuzu Shima, who was now patting the weeping Garfiel's head.
"Subaru, thank you as well. Because of you, I got to see Gar-bo grow, and I'll get to witness the fulfillment of the original's wish.
I'm sorry that Gar-bo targeted you because of the Witch's scent you carried in the beginning. Please take care of him."
Shima bowed deeply, then slowly left the room.
Subaru, seeing Garfiel hesitating, suddenly thought of his own past.
He walked over and patted Garfiel on the shoulder.
"Go after her, Garfiel. Make sure you say your final goodbyes properly. Don't end up with regrets like I did."
"General!"
Garfiel was silent, then smiled.
He wiped his eyes with his hand and shouted loudly as he ran out of the room:
"I got it! I'll definitely be back before the fight starts!"
Subaru turned his gaze back and looked at Beatrice, who was holding onto his sleeve.
"No. That trial is important, right? If you mess up, I need to be there to back you up.
And based on my analysis, Crusch and the others won't be taken down so easily.
And our opponent is the Great Rabbit—it's an incredibly tough foe.
So hurry up and finish the trial, and I'll fly you over. Spirits can only use their full strength when their contractor is present."
Subaru looked toward Julius, who hesitated briefly but then nodded.
"Lady Beatrice is right.
Having a contractor nearby really does let a spirit draw out more power.
If the goal is to annihilate the Great Rabbit, we'd better play it safe.
Plus, Lady Crusch and the others have ample experience—stopping the Rabbit shouldn't be a problem."
"Got it. Beatrice and I will go clear the trial.
Then, Lady Emilia, put yourself in a conspicuous position to lure out the Witch Cult.
According to the plan, I'll leave the 'fingers' to you, Wilhelm.
Worst case scenario, we're up against nine of them.
Their abilities are as I described.
Petelgeuse will be your opponent, Emilia. Can you handle that?"
The warriors nodded, and Emilia raised her clenched fist.
"No problem. My mana's almost fully recovered. I'll be the one to free Geuse."
"Alright then—let's go create the perfect ending together!!!"
"OOHHHH!!!"
Riding Patrasche, Subaru sped toward the tomb. Beatrice finally let go of his sleeve, only to gently grasp his hand instead.
"Subaru, don't push yourself too hard. If there's danger, call for me. You're my contractor now, so rely on my power as much as you want."
Subaru was momentarily stunned, then realized his hand was trembling.
Yes, deep inside he still feared the trial. But when he looked around—at Beatrice, at Patrasche's concerned eyes, and at the ice fortress in the distance where so many friends were working for the future he hoped for—
——There was nothing to be afraid of anymore.
He patted Beatrice's head and smiled.
"Thank you. I'll be back soon."
Subaru stepped up the stairs, walked down the familiar dark hallway, and entered the stone chamber of the trial.
The familiar voice spoke, the familiar sensation returned, and Subaru was plunged into the vortex of "possibilities."
He still had regrets, still felt guilt—but there was no longer fear, no despair.
Because Subaru now had a clear goal, trustworthy friends, and had decided his own future.
"I see. So I really have no chance now. Congratulations on passing the second trial."
"Echidna… Though there were many unpleasant things, to be honest, I still can't really understand you. But at least… I should thank you."
Subaru couldn't understand the witch standing before him, nor could he empathize with her actions.
But understanding and gratitude were different matters.
He took a deep breath, looking at the surprised witch.
"Even though everything started because of your thirst for knowledge, it's also true that thanks to your help, I made it this far.
Thanks to you, I let go of the past, faced myself, and realized what's truly important. For all of that… I'm grateful."
"How composed you are, even though you still have the final trial ahead of you. And your thoughts have nothing to do with me.
But yes—rejoicing in the unknown, in what can't be predicted... I'm happy. So go ahead—do your best."
Subaru sat up again and hesitated briefly.
"…Forget it. Let's just move straight to the next one."
"Face the calamity that will inevitably come."
As if responding to his resolve, the witch's voice echoed in the stone chamber. The familiar dizziness struck Subaru again—he knew the final trial was beginning.
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