Chapter 61. Arrival
Time rewinds to several minutes ago, in the sacred ground just after the battle ended.
"What's wrong? Subaru, did I say something strange just now?"
Otto immediately noticed the expression mixed with terror and despair, and quickly tried to think about what the problem might be.
"Could it be that I actually know that person called Reinhild? And we're very close!"
Looking at the incredulous Otto, Subaru also knew Otto wouldn't joke about something like this, but he himself couldn't convince himself to accept this fact.
He pushed Otto away and began to frantically question the people around him.
Whether it was Garfiel who admired Reinhild, Ferris who was a friend of Reinhild, Wilhelm from Reinhild's family, Beatrice the great Spirit, or Geuse the Sin Archbishop — all showed expressions of doubt when hearing that name, and at the same time, showed worried looks towards Subaru.
"Ha~~ ha~~ ha~~"
Panting violently, Subaru felt as if his heart was being squeezed by a demonic hand.
He finally accepted the fact that something had happened on Reinhild's side.
—What should I do, what should I do… right…
Subaru's chaotic mind was filled with thoughts of an impending Return by Death. He instinctively moved one hand, but felt his movement was blocked. He moved the other hand, still blocked.
He instinctively looked over.
Rem hoped Subaru could stay calm.
No matter what happened, Rem was by Subaru's side and willing to help him.
Holding Subaru's right hand, Rem said worriedly:
"As Betty's contractor, your behavior makes Betty look useless. So don't hesitate, rely on Betty as much as you want."
Beatrice, holding Subaru's left hand, snorted and said:
"You can understand it that way."
Seeing the two's worried eyes, Subaru lifted his head and found himself surrounded by concerned people.
He took several deep breaths.
"Ah, thanks, and sorry about earlier. I've calmed down now, I'm fine."
Finally calming down, Subaru recalled the traits of Return by Death that Echidna had told him, and also remembered the scene from the second trial.
—The save point of Return by Death is probably around this time after the big battle.
Suicide wouldn't save Reinhild, and might even cause another tragic world line to be born.
Subaru pondered what might have caused the current situation. He felt his own calmness was a little frightening.
The White Whale was still alive and launched a surprise attack, but it would be impossible to defeat Reinhild. Echidna's fallback — she probably didn't have that kind of ability.
While desperately thinking, Subaru suddenly saw Geuse and sharply reacted, grabbing Geuse by the collar.
"Geuse, are there other Sin Archbishops participating in this trial?
Also, is there a Sin Archbishop who can destroy a country alone?
One who has the ability like the White Whale, to make people be forgotten by the world?"
Geuse showed a thoughtful expression, then his face twisted fiercely, but when he saw Emilia, he calmed down again and said to Subaru:
"There shouldn't be.
Just thinking about the questions you just asked makes me angry at their laziness. As for one person against a country, [Greed] Regulus should be capable of that. To be honest, I have no idea what his power is. The ability to erase existence should belong to [Gluttony]."
"How likely is it that they act together?"
"Probably zero. Because [Gred] is an extremely selfish being, even killing other Sin Archbishops without hesitation over a single word's offense."
Subaru pondered deeply.
What came to mind was Reinhild's horrifying record, which was the main reason Subaru could think so calmly.
No matter how he thought, he couldn't imagine the possibility of Reinhild's defeat.
—It must have been a sneak attack using Gluttony's power.
"The expedition team might be in trouble. The person I just mentioned, you should know her."
Subaru said this.
"That seems right. I just reviewed, and it feels like four people's names are missing from my memory."
"Same here." ×2
Wilhelm and Julius both confirmed Crush's words at the same time.
"Don't worry, Hetaro is still alive and in very good condition."
Mimi, lying on Garfiel's head, spoke.
"I'll explain it here. I, my elder sister, and Hetaro have the 'Threefold Divine Protection'… something like that."
Seeing the confused crowd, Beatrice sighed and stepped forward.
"That is to say, you have a three-person version of the [Sympathetic Divine Protection]."
"You could put it like that."
"Well, no time to waste. Wilhelm, who still has fighting power, should ride the earth dragon to provide direct support. The rest will be arranged by Lord Otto."
With Crush's command, the expedition team, just finished with battle, started their third round of activity.
.
.
.
Although Subaru went to the graveyard to be cautious, he didn't find Echidna.
Subaru even had a feeling that no one lived in that graveyard.
He vaguely understood that Echidna might be doing something astonishing.
But thinking of Reinhild's situation, Subaru chose to leave the graveyard and join Crush and the other high-level forces who were ready.
"Well then, I leave it to you."
"Leave it to Mimi, let's go."
Led by Mimi, the group rode the earth dragon and left the sacred ground.
The journey afterward was much safer than Subaru expected.
Before the sun had completely set, Subaru and the others finally joined the wounded soldier team in a town.
At that moment, looking at the unconscious soldiers, Subaru finally felt that the attack really had happened.
"Did you see a red-haired girl? Or rather, a girl who gave you a sense of pressure?"
Rushing into the command room, Subaru grabbed Hetaro and asked urgently.
"Calm down. Around noon, that person you mentioned really came here. Honestly, it was the first time I had that kind of feeling — feeling so close to death."
Ricardo said as he patted Subaru's hand.
Subaru, overjoyed, grabbed Ricardo's shoulders and asked about the girl's whereabouts.
"Ahem, she's already left."
"Huh?"
Understanding what happened at noon, Subaru stared at Ricardo and the others.
"Lord Subaru, Ricardo and the others acted correctly."
Noticing the tense atmosphere, Crush inserted herself between the two groups and said. Subaru was silent for a while, then relaxed his clenched fists.
"I understand. There are some things I want to confirm."
"Beatrice, Rem, don't worry, I'm calm now. Can you let me go alone?"
Subaru said to the two who wanted to follow him.
After hesitating, they said "Be careful" and stopped.
—Knowing Reinhild's personality, she's probably secretly protecting the team somewhere.
Leaving the room alone, Subaru thought this while observing the surroundings.
—Is it that building?
After scanning twice, Subaru decisively locked onto a medium-height building he had no memory of whatsoever.
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