Chapter 38: Re: Starting a Life of Oboreru from Zero - Part
~Inside, the Theater~
"Hold on, this doesn't look like a story with me as the main character. Why does it seem like the boss is the protagonist? That's weird, right? If I don't show off a bit, it'll be boring."
Just as Cecilus finished speaking—
[[ "'Sword Saint Family,' Reinhard van Astrea." The hero makes a shining appearance.
Even though it's in black and white, it's still so dazzling.
"—You understand me, right? Isn't there anything more adorable than a capable opponent?"
Cecilus in the image transforms into lightning, attacking Reinhard.
Reinhard blocks the fierce attack with the sheath of the Dragon Sword.
As a result, Reinhard is sent flying by the massive impact.
"You really haven't changed, still not very human... I'm so happy, Mr. Reinhard, you haven't changed at all."
"I don't particularly like this meeting, Lord Cecilus." ]]
.....
~Inside, the Theater~
"The Sword Saint... was sent flying..."
Julius is amazed by Cecilus's terrifying strength once again.
"Finally... finally, it's the protagonist's... um, what did the boss call it again? Oh right, the protagonist's highlight moment!"
Cecilus is very excited.
"Although this guy isn't my favorite, his combat power..."
Garfiel recalls how he launched a surprise attack on Reinhard in Kararagi, but Reinhard easily dealt with it.
"This strike..."
Too beautiful.
Wilhelm sincerely thinks.
Just like... back then... no, perhaps only when I dedicate my entire being to the sword can I reach this level.
[["—I saw that attack of yours in the stolen goods warehouse. I would definitely be on guard."
On the screen, Subaru is behind Hellibel, saying safely.
Although Reinhard's slash upon his appearance was very powerful, Subaru seemed to have prepared in advance, preventing himself from being harmed by Reinhard's first attack.
"Subaru...!"
Reinhard calls out his name.
"You drew a bad card, Reinhard. If you hadn't saved me in the stolen goods warehouse, things wouldn't be like this now—but if that were the case, you wouldn't have been able to see your beloved master, so it's not a bad thing for you?"
Then, Subaru sticks out his tongue at him.
"—What's with that? You, you're still black and white."
"—Black and white? What do you mean..."
"Shut up, liar—how can I be killed by you in this state. Cecilus, do as you please. I'm no longer interested."
"I don't quite understand, but it seems like what I see and what the boss sees are different. Then allow me to gratefully accept this formidable enemy."
"See things differently... haha, no wonder. You're still trying to make me laugh when you're about to die. You actually make me quite happy, Cecilus. You have no weaknesses, I can't stand you."
"I'm that thing—afraid of mayonnaise."
"Haha!"
Subaru laughs and escapes with Hellibel.]]
.....
~Inside, the Theater~
"Subaru..."
Reinhard is heartbroken by this.
In that world, Reinhard must be heartbroken to see his former friend become like this, let alone this Reinhard, who has a deeper connection with Subaru.
"Even in front of the 'Sword Saint.' Subaru~ still sees black and white. Doesn't even believe in the 'Sword Saint'~ huh."
Roswaal says.
"Oh, now I can focus on fighting that guy."
Cecilus is satisfied to see Subaru leave.
"But... mayonnaise is really disgusting... and after Alaraki found out, he keeps making it for me for no reason, it's disgusting."
Cecilus adds his dislike for mayonnaise later.
"Hey, hey, I don't dislike mayonnaise. You're going to upset mayonnaise lovers, you know."
Al says softly.
[["Stop! I haven't finished speaking..."
On the screen, Reinhard wants to stop the escaping Subaru.
"—It's already over. 'Sword Saint.' If you don't want it to end, please chase after us and start over. Until then, the 'Purge King,' who is still a loyal subordinate, will stand in your way. So, I'm still on the way to the summit. Although I feel like I only need to take one more step."
Cecilus's bursting sword energy seems to tear the surroundings apart.
It seems that Cecilus is referring to Hellibel as the "still loyal subordinate."
"To where?"
"Of course, to the Heavenly Sword. I've been looking forward to it for a long time—to be able to compare swordsmanship with you."
"...Lord Cecilus, I believe we have already fought before. That battle was very meaningful to me. Why are you looking for me now?"
"Of course, to seek the unity of man and sword, only in life and death can the truth be revealed. You know it too, Mr. Reinhard, there is a wall in front of us. People who reach a certain realm will be blocked by a high wall that cannot be crossed, no matter what. Some may have already given up. But I can't give up. If I don't surpass that wall, I will not be me. And at that time, the boss came to invite me. Said there was a way to cross that wall... that is, how to fight you to the death, to kill each other with swords. It can be said that—a drowning man grasps at straws, that is to say, I am that drowning man."
Cecilus straightens his posture and announces his name:
"—Swordsman, Cecilus Siegmund."
Then, he rushes towards Reinhard...]]
.....
~Inside, the Theater~
Hmm, I don't dislike him. Just like before I met Theresia, a sword, a sword pursuing ultimate sharpness.
Wilhelm recalls the past.
For him, there are two walls. The first is to surpass Theresia and take her sword, which has already been successfully broken.
And the second wall...
What Cecilus seeks to break is the second wall that Wilhelm has not tried to break.
"He's like..."
Wilhelm glances at Cecilus next to him, who is watching with great interest.
Like me, who dedicated my life to the sword without my heart being taken by Theresia.
Of course, it is impossible to regret being devoted to Theresia.
"Wow, the whole hall is shaking!"
Otto is surprised by the image presented on the screen.
[[The battle between the two peerless swordsmen shakes the hall.
"Felt, I should have captured her as a hostage first... but playing the role of a yakuza boss is quite fun... as long as I can grasp the weaknesses of everyone in the world—"
The scene changes, Hellibel leads Subaru away from here, and Subaru mutters to himself like this.]]
.....
~Inside, the Theater~
"What the little guy is saying is just like Heinkel!"
Felt outside the screen recalls when Heinkel held her hostage with a knife.
"Hey, hey, where's my scene? The moment I broke the wall and reached the Heavenly Sword!?"
Cecilus is very dissatisfied.
"Seeing that Subaru doesn't look flustered at all~ it's all within his expectations, right~? Perhaps he's just waiting for this moment to end everything~."
Roswaal says.
"It's me!"
Frederica is surprised—
[["Master, please die—!" Frederica stabs Subaru with a short knife... ]