Chapter 26. The "Great Saint Sword"
[[ This time, Subaru chose the same route as before.
The same conversation, the same choice of male servant, the same work. ]]
...
~Inside, the Theater~
"Why is Little Bro replaying everything exactly the same? Won't that lead to the same ending?"
Felt asked, puzzled.
"Perhaps he wants to stay up all night on the day of his death to find the culprit or the cause of death, or perhaps he has other plans, but the time for action hasn't arrived yet..."
Julius tried to understand Subaru's behavior and offered an analysis, then took a deep breath and continued:
"If it's the former, then this could mean... Subaru intends to exchange his life for information, he's going to sacrifice himself."
Although it's unknown if Subaru really thinks that way at this moment, Julius's idea is not without merit.
Because if Subaru could clearly recognize his own strength at this moment, he might not think he could defeat the culprit that night.
He wasn't aiming to defeat the culprit, but just to learn the truth about the culprit.
"If that's the case..."
Beatrice recalled the Subaru from the previous different world, who called himself "Pride," and couldn't help but feel fear.
"Of course, this is just speculation. Subaru may think the time hasn't come, so he's temporarily taking the same actions as last time."
Julius said this to comfort Beatrice, then thought of Subaru's words and actions on the day the King candidates gathered:
"Or... Subaru hasn't objectively recognized his strength yet."
"Ah, Subaru-kun!"
Rem blushed as she watched Subaru soaking in the bath.
[[ "I don't know why, but this is completely different from last time. It's like preparing a cheat sheet, but when you look at the exam paper, you realize the subject is wrong, it feels like a waste of effort... What exactly am I redoing this for? Although it's still chores, the difficulty is completely incomparable to last time.
Last time I was exhausted, this time it's also very difficult... Damn it, I thought it would be easier if the work content was the same."
Subaru soaked in the huge bathtub. ]]
...
~Inside, the Theater~
"Ah, this... Should we ladies excuse ourselves?"
Anastasia said half-seriously, half-jokingly.
"Yes, please excuse yourselves. Gentlemen, too."
Rem responded to Anastasia's half-joke very seriously.
"Subaru's body is quite sturdy, isn't it?"
Felix looked at Subaru, then at Rem, and smiled mischievously.
"Fe... Felix-sama!"
Rem was a little embarrassed by Felix's meaningful smile.
"But speaking of which, Natsuki-san's work difficulty has increased... It seems..."
"Because Barusu learned the work in the previous loop, he's not doing basic chores this time, but an advanced version. However, the degree of suspicion is also..."
"It seems so. In the previous loop, Natsuki-san gave the impression of being poor, so poor that no one would think such a person would pose a threat to the mansion or Emilia's camp. But this time he's not that bad, and he's also familiar with the layout of the mansion, and understands the schedule... Too suspicious."
"It's very suspicious. I don't deny Barusu's tragic experience, but this is too stupid. he could have realized he was suspicious from the beginning, why did he forget now? And he was planning to replicate the last time, he should have stuck to it..."
Otto and Ram said back and forth.
"Not only that, but also the scent..."
Rem said softly.
[[ "Especially this time, I don't even know the reason for the return... Since the difference is so big, I can't rely on memory alone, right?"
Subaru in the picture muttered to himself while soaking.
"...Hello, can I join you—in the bath?"
The "magnificent" Roswaal appeared. ]]
...
~Inside, the Theater~
"Wow, how magnificent,"
Al remarked with a laugh, commenting on Roswaal's "Great Saint Sword."
"Ah... It appears we must excuse ourselves, ladies,"
Anastasia reiterated.
"Yes, please excuse yourselves. Gentlemen as well,"
Ram responded this time, repeating the sentiment.
Subaru, at least, was in the bath with bubbles obscuring the view, but Roswaal stood there unabashedly.
"I'm not—that—shy—so, everyone, please take a good look,"
Roswaal declared with playful laughter, showing no sign of embarrassment.
"What would Natsuki-san say if he were here..."
Otto muttered, rendered speechless.
"What's magnificent? Let Mimi see!"
Mimi exclaimed with curiosity. However, Garfiel and Anastasia swiftly covered her eyes, one shielding the left and the other the right.
The group demonstrated their vigilance, ensuring that scenes unsuitable for children were shielded from view, as Anastasia and Garfiel exemplified.
"Hey, Puck, why are you blocking my eyes again?"
Emilia protested, pouting at Puck's repeated intervention.
Apparently, the definition of "not suitable for children" also encompasses mental age.
[[ "I've booked this place, I refuse."
Subaru in the picture not only refused Roswaal's request, but also seemed to think his eyes were dirty.
"This is my bathhouse, it's my property—everything, of course, I can do—as I please."
"Then don't ask me. Just come in if it's just a small matter like taking a bath."
"Oh—my, you're really unforgiving. And you don't understand, this bathhouse is indeed my property..."
Then, to the bewilderment and shock of everyone outside the picture, Roswaal knelt on one knee and used his hand to lift Subaru's chin:
"As a servant, you could also be said to be my property—right?" ]]
...
~Inside, the Theater~
At this moment, everyone outside the picture looked at Roswaal inside and outside the picture with strange eyes.
"Roswaal-sama..."
The two Rems puffed out their cheeks and said softly.
"There have been women among the many generations of Roswaal... I hadn't thought about such a boring thing before, but now it seems..."
Roswaal, who had been a woman, had already changed his sexual orientation from heterosexual to bisexual.
Beatrice didn't dare to continue her inner speculation, but looked at Wilhelm and showed a hint of pity.
"This..."
Rem looked worriedly at Rem, who showed a "don't worry" expression.
"That guy finally got into the bath."
Garfiel saw Roswaal enter the bath, and lowered his hand with Anastasia and Puck.
[[ "So do you think you can get along—harmoniously with Rem and Ram? Those two have been working here for a long time, they should know how to treat their juniors—right?"Roswaal in the picture asked Subaru.
"I'm not very familiar with Rem yet, but I get along very well with Ram. On the contrary, I think Ram is a little too familiar. Not to mention senior or junior, that girl's attitude hasn't changed since I was a guest."
"It's noth—ing, Rem will make up for any shortcomings. The two sisters must help each other. From this point of view, those two are really—doing a good job."
"In my opinion, Rem is always smoothing things over, and Ram is a degraded version of her sister. But Rem says, 'Because Ram is the older sister, so Ram is more amazing,' that reckless attitude really scared me." ]]
...
~Inside, the Theater~
"Ram just seems casual. Barusu really didn't see the suspicion hidden beneath the casualness. Speaking of..."
Because Ram is the older sister, Ram is more amazing.
This sentence made Ram very concerned.
How could she not want Rem to have a true self?
In this regard, I should thank you, Barusu.
Ram smiled and continued to look at the screen—