[ "And this opponent seems quite troublesome." Halibel walked towards (Fake) Zarestia step by step.
Subaru showed a worried expression, and Rem said:
"Leave it to Halibel-sama. 'The Praised One' Halibel is revered as the most powerful being in all the city-states of Kararagi—that is Halibel-sama."
"—You silly girl, what do you think Subaru will think if you say that? What are you trying to do?" Halibel shielded Subaru and Rem behind her. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"So that's how it is."
No wonder I called Halibel-sama a benefactor. Rem had wondered about the reason before.
"The young man and that person named Ha-something have a good chemistry. Both 'Purge King' and this one."
Felt said.
"If I get a chance to meet him..."
I must get to know him properly, Boss Number Two, no, Second Brother!
Garfiel thought.
—
[ "Die." (Fake) Zarestia's words were still simple and direct. A spherical gust of wind rushed towards Halibel.
Halibel reached into her kimono, quickly pulled out something, and dispelled the wind.
"Don't think I can handle moves you can't see with your eyes. My nose is quite sharp... Ah, but don't misunderstand, alright? I'm not a dog-person but a wolf-person, that's very important."
"Die, die, die, die, die."
Continuous winds rushed towards Halibel, and Halibel blocked them one by one with the same move.
"Since you're so interested in me, I'll grant your wish! But which one of me do you want to die?"
Halibel's body swayed left and right, and four Halibels appeared at once.
"Die."
"...I say, can't you say anything else besides that? It seems your family situation is quite complicated."
Halibel dealt with (Fake) Zarestia easily while teasing her. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"This old man thought it would be an intense, back-and-forth draw..."
But Second Brother played with her as if it were a game.
Garfiel was a bit stunned.
"Her attacks have no method, relying solely on pure damage."
Wilhelm said.
Reize's wind attacks were simply aimed at the target and then released wildly, with no technique whatsoever.
"Ah, that's a stat-monster, right? So Halibel is a movement-bro?"
Al stated.
"And then... Rem can't remember anymore."
Natsuki Rem fell silent.
Because next...
—
[ (Fake) Zarestia jumped onto the rooftop and watched them.
"—Rem?!"
Subaru hastily hugged Rem.
Rem collapsed into Subaru's arms as if about to faint.
Halibel was distracted by this and turned to look at Rem.
(Fake) Zarestia took the opportunity to sway her body, wanting to leave.
The remaining three Halibels rushed to chase her. One of them threw a dart, injuring (Fake) Zarestia. (Fake) Zarestia cried out in pain but still managed to escape.
"Halibel! Ahh! Rem, she!"
Rem had already fainted. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"What happened to Big Sister-in-law?! B-Big Sister-in-law."
Garfiel looked at Natsuki Rem.
Natsuki Rem's reaction was somewhat unexpected.
Her cheeks flushed, and she became shy.
"Uh... Big Sister-in-law, what's wrong?"
"Um... that... this... please... continue watching... but it's definitely not a bad thing."
Natsuki Rem was a bit too embarrassed to speak.
—
[ "Did she fall for that black-clothed woman's trick?"
"I checked! But she has no injuries anywhere on her body! She just suddenly fainted like that..."
"Sigh, I'll carry her back to the longhouse..."
The longhouse, Halibel's house, had many rooms.
Subaru and Rem rented one of them.
"No, no need, I'll... I'll carry her! I'll take her back to the longhouse..."
"I understand."
Subaru didn't dare to stop, rushing to the longhouse and putting Rem on the bed.
"Please, you must save Rem... Rem, Rem... Please answer me, Rem... Please... Rem..."
Subaru held Rem's hand and prayed.
Then, the sound of a door opening was heard.
"—Huh? What's with that miserable expression? I can't stand to watch it anymore, you know?" ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Damn it, that woman's here again. What does she want? To kill us all?!"
Garfiel said angrily.
Natsuki Rem immediately recognized her. It was the real Zarestia.
"No, it's not... That's the real Zarestia-sama."
Natsuki Rem said.
It's... been a long time, hasn't it?
Natsuki Rem showed a lonely expression.
—
[ "—If you all died before I even got to lay a hand on you, wouldn't that ruin my reputation as the 'God of Death'?"
"Ahhhhh!"
Subaru picked up a bucket and threw it at Zarestia, who dodged to the side.
Then, Subaru pounced on Zarestia.
"You can't just hug me because you think I'm cute, can you?"
Zarestia easily dodged with a slight movement.
Subaru still wanted to attack Zarestia, but Zarestia easily controlled him, pushing him down and stepping on his head with her bare foot.
Seeing Subaru still trying to resist, she kept stepping on him. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Why is it always feet again..."
Can't she treat her opponents with more respect?
Yuriusu frowned in displeasure.
—
[ "Don't touch me, pervert. I'm not here to play games with you. Understand? Just go to sleep obediently."
Zarestia said, then released her foot. She then walked towards Rem.
Subaru, with all his might, grabbed Zarestia's ankle.
Although it was useless.
Zarestia walked to Rem's front and reached out to Rem...
"Ah...?"
The next moment, Zarestia stopped.
"Ah! Oh dear! What kind of situation is this! This won't do! I can't do this!"
She said this while also scolding Subaru, who was still grabbing her ankle.
She kicked Subaru away and then left. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
Natsuki Rem finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Why did that woman leave again?"
Felt asked.
"Perhaps because..."
Natsuki Rem said, her face flushing again.
What on earth happened?
—
[ "—Subaru? Are you alright? What happened!?"
In the scene, Halibel rushed over in a panic and saw the chaotic scene.
"...Rem, I'll, leave her to you."
Subaru said, then fainted.
The screen darkened.
When it lit up again, Subaru saw a healer.
Subaru woke up after treatment.
Then the healer went to treat Rem.
..... .....
"—Sorry to keep you waiting."
The healer walked out.
"Doctor! Rem, how is Rem!?"
"Quiet down, it's late at night, and someone else is sleeping. I have something to tell you. Come in. Ah, you fool over there, extinguish the fire in your pipe. It will affect this young lady's body."
The healer motioned Subaru to come in and told Halibel to extinguish the fire.
"First, let's start with the good news. The reason this girl is unconscious is not because of injury, nor illness. It has nothing to do with curses either, you heard that from that fool just now, didn't you? In other words, there's no abnormality."
"Doctor, Rem suddenly fainted. She looked quite distressed. Please examine her more carefully!"
"It seems not only that one over there, but you, too, are a fool. You're jumping to conclusions too early. Let me finish. What I'm about to say next is very good news."
"Good news?"
The healer looked at the solemn-faced Subaru, paused, and then spoke:
"She's pregnant." ]
.....