Even though we were traveling on an unpaved road, the impact of the shaking on the inside of the car was minimal. No matter how many times I have experienced it, or even when I have actually used it, I still believe that this "protection" has a mysterious effect.
Since this was only the effect of the 『Wind Protection』 blessing, if one were to unravel all of the other blessings, it might be possible to describe them in words other than mysterious phenomena.
"What? This is no time for escapist speculation."
Craning his neck forward from the driver's seat, Subaru stood beside Otto, staring straight ahead at the exterior of the Sanctuary they were about to arrive at.
We walked along the dirt, barely clear of any greenery that might have been a path, until we came to an open area in the forest just a hundred meters away. Several wooden roofs could be seen here and there in the distance, which led us to guess that they were the homes of the people who lived in the Sanctuary. From this distance, there were signs of a remote village, but nothing particularly eye-catching about it.
If I had to give my impression,
"There's a gloomy atmosphere in the air..."
The entrance to the "Sanctuary" is a gate made of very old stone which further emphasizes this image, and the village, surrounded by a low fence, gives off an impression of isolation.
Subaru's reaction was spontaneous, and upon hearing it, Garfiel slapped his knee forcefully,
"That's right. It's a depressing place, isn't it? I'll tell you, the people inside are even more depressing. Every single one of them has a gloomy look on their face, and they're dead even though they're alive."
"You're just trashing me, you know. But hearing that just makes me feel even more distant from the idea of it being a 'sanctuary'. That's what..."
Subaru sighed as Garfiel cheerfully confirmed his sarcastic remark, and recalled what he had said earlier. When Subaru and the others called this place a "Sanctuary," he had made no secret of his self-deprecating feelings.
"What do you mean, Graveyard of the Greedy Witch?"
It seemed that Emilia had come to the same question as Subaru.
Her eyes were resolute as she asked the question, but her outstretched fingertips gently entangled the hem of his clothes. Subaru felt a gentle sense of satisfaction knowing that she relied on him, but he had mixed feelings as he had an idea where her anxiety was coming from.
"Witches - basically, when someone is named a 'witch', it's common knowledge that they are the Witch of Envy. Witches with the other deadly sins are hardly known at all."
"Oh, really? But weren't they famous four hundred years ago?"
"What Emilia-sama says is correct. Ah, Subaru, it's not like the Witch of Envy is so famous that she overshadows everyone else. There are almost no records of other witches who were eaten by the Witch of Envy anywhere. But, well, there are exceptions."
"So this is it?"
Garfiel, who had taken up Subaru's question, shook his chin at Emilia's question. Emilia's eyes widened in shock, but to Subaru, who didn't have much knowledge of witches, it was understandable, "I guess that's how it is."
No, a sudden doubt blew away that carefree feeling. If there were multiple witches,
"Well, you don't mean there's a Witch Cult for each witch, do you? Do you know how much trouble I had to go through just to take out one Sin Archbishop? Give me a break."
I believe this is exactly the reason why I felt chills when I ran, and it is a factor that cannot be ignored.
As could be gathered from his words, it was safe to assume that Petelgeuse was a leader of the group that worshipped Satella, the Witch of Envy. The likes of "Gluttony" and "Greed", whom Subaru would have to defeat one day, were surely of the same type.
However, if there were a group that worshipped other witches――
"That sounds scary, but there's no need to worry, Natsuki-san."
But it was Otto, holding the reins and facing forward, who denied the chill that ran up Subaru's spine. Unlike Emilia, who knew nothing about the Witch Cult, or Garfiel, who couldn't be trusted, Otto was someone who could be trusted in terms of his civilian sensibilities. After all, it was safe to assume that the knowledge Otto possessed was that of an ordinary citizen.
"I don't really like to say it a Witch Cult, but the only one they worship is the Witch of Envy. Other witches are even more hesitant to mention than the Witch of Envy."
"Than the Envious Witch...? What do you mean? Does that mean she's worse than the Envious Witch?"
"When you hear the name of a witch other than the one you worship, it's scary because you don't know what the witch cultists are up to. Do you know about the turmoil in the southern Vollachia Empire that destroyed an entire city?"
When Otto brought up the topic, Subaru remembered a story he had heard before. It was something Wilhelm had told Subaru during the subjugation of Petelgeuse, when he spoke of the horrors of the Witch Cult.
"I heard that the Sin Archbishop of 'Greed' took down a city in that whatever empire all by himself. Even the heroes couldn't stop him, or something."
"The details of what they did were so flashy that it didn't leave much of an impression, but the reason why the Witch Cult did it in the first place is scary. That city was one of the most prosperous trading cities in the closed-off Vollachia… there were rumors that artifacts related to witches had been excavated there."
"A witch connection, you see."
"To this day it is unknown what that thing was. However, there are plenty of connoisseurs who would desire something like that. If it had belonged to the Jealous Witch, it would have been merely a case of bad taste... but in the end, it led to the destruction of a city."
It seems that Greed was at work, either to seek out the artifacts or to erase them. The Vollachia Empire had unwittingly provoked the Witch Cults, and as a result, they ended up suffering a terrible retaliation.
"Since then, any association with anyone other than the Witch of Envy has been taboo, as it tends to provoke them. ...But even so, there's still no end to shameless people making deals behind the scenes."
"You're being a bit venomous now. Is there something bothering you?"
"...It's nothing big. I just had relatives in that city at the time and they got caught up in it. That was over fifteen years ago, so it doesn't concern me as I was just a child then."
Otto closed his mouth and refused to pursue the topic any further. Seeing that attitude, Subaru had no choice but to give up on continuing, and scratched his cheek as he returned his attention back to the inside of the car.
In any case, Garfiel, who had been waiting for Subaru to sort out the discrepancy in their perceptions, touched his chin and asked, "Are you satisfied?"
"I don't know the details. But, this place is definitely the graveyard of the Greedy Witch because that old hag kept repeating it like, 'I'll burn like a pig the moment I hear it.'"
"I'm really curious as to what's causing the rot, but I guess you don't know much about it either."
"The only thing I'm interested in is that I'm the strongest. If you want to hear the details, you'll have to grab Roswaal by the collar and ask him for more information. Though I don't know if I can do that now."
"--? What does that mean...?"
"Excuse me. It looks like I've just arrived. Can I just come in?"
Garfiel's words were full of meaning, but before he could confirm them, Otto called out to him from the driver's seat in front. "Well, I guess there's no other way," Garfiel muttered in response, and hopped off the carriage.
"If we let them in without talking to them first, they'll attack us as intruders, and it'll all end up just like in the scene from 'The Hole-Filled Magmarine Laughs.' I'll go and explain, so just wait a little while."
"Yes, please. Actually, now that I think about it, you were in a position to patrol the Sanctuary or something like that. Judging from the situation when we encountered each other."
Despite that, it was puzzling that he seemed to have abandoned that role so easily. And also that he was on patrol alone. Of course, for someone as capable as him, it might be more efficient to act alone.
Garfiel simply waved his hand at Subaru's question without replying. Subaru frowned at the clueless Garfiel, and at almost the same time Emilia let out a small "ah" next to him.
Turning his attention to Emilia, who cried out in surprise, she instinctively raised her finger and pointed forward. Drawing her attention, Subaru also realised what she had seen and been surprised by. Standing there was,
"--You've returned, Garfiel. You seemed pretty early."
"There's no need to circle the forest anymore. It's strange to see you away from Roswaal. Have you finally died?"
"If that were to happen, this place would have been burned to the ground by a desperate Ram by now. You can be thankful that this has not happened, Lord Roswaal."
"That's a great theory, but I don't understand it!"
A girl in a familiar waitress' uniform, her pink hair swaying, faced Garfiel. Garfiel was laughing cheerfully, but the girl facing him had a cold, emotionless expression. Seeing this for the first time in a long time, Subaru's shoulders relaxed in relief.
"Oh, so that person is the older sister I heard about? I see. Of course, she looks just like the sleeping young lady."
Otto exclaimed in admiration as he saw her for the first time. Standing before his eyes was a person who looked identical to the Rem he had seen before, but who was completely different on the inside.
It was a long-awaited reunion with Ram, the idle servant at Roswaal Mansion.
"--Ram!"
Ram noticed Subaru leaning forward and waving from the dragon carriage. She narrowed her eyes softly as she looked at him, then shrugged her shoulders and shook her head,
"I don't know where you are from, Barusu, but I'm disappointed in your late arrival. I thought you would have noticed something was wrong and come here sooner… Ah, it was too late for you, Barusu."
"If you say you don't know, then stick to that claim and don't change your mind! Also, just like Roswaal, it's hard to understand what you guys want. I'll complain to him later though!"
Subaru pointed his finger at her unchanging attitude and retorted. Ram ostentatiously slumped her shoulders at Subaru's response, then looked at Emilia standing next to Subaru.
Just like Subaru, Emilia's cheeks relaxed in relief after confirming that Ram was safe. However, as Ram looked at her, Subaru saw a fleeting sentimentality flash through her eyes, which seemed ready to disappear. However, that sentiment disappeared in an instant,
"Lady Emilia, please come. Lord Roswaal is waiting for you, so please proceed to the building in the back. Garfiel, please guide the carriage and driver to an appropriate location."
"That's bad behavior, hey! Surely there's a better way to ask in order to motivate someone?"
"If you want to eat Ram's cooking, then do your best. If you're going to waste your one and only chance with your own mistakes and actions, Ram won't say anything."
「I got it! I got it! She's an elusive woman, that's what's good about her. Hey, coachman. I'll stop the earth dragon and the dragon carriage to the side, so follow me.」
「I think I introduced myself properly, but could you please stop calling me by such humiliating names?! I mean, if I were to go out one-on-one with this person, I'd be putting myself in extreme danger!」
Otto shows signs of rejection when Garfiel is beaten down by Ram, but Subaru gives him a thumbs up and flashes his teeth,
"I'll pick up your bones!"
「That's definitely not a phrase that would be used in a good way, is it?! Seriously, if anything happens, I'll demand compensation!」
With that, Otto let Subaru and Emilia off the carriage and followed Garfiel. The two led the way into the village, and as Patrasche rubbed her nose against him in reluctance to say goodbye, Subaru once again cracked his neck and said, "Well then,"
"There are a few things I want to ask you and talk about, but I think you'll be willing to put up with me for a bit of conversation."
"...Ram hasn't been given permission to say that myself. I recommend you ask Lord Roswaal directly. I don't know how much Garf has let slip, though."
"Gaph... Ah, you mean Garfiel. He gives off a completely different impression than I had when I heard his name. Now that I think about it, he said something that caught my attention."
"What are you talking about?"
Ram frowned sharply. She seemed to be glaring at him, imagining that Roswaal might reveal some information that he had not revealed. Subaru responded by crossing his arms and saying, "No."
"Does he like you? He said something along those lines."
"...I was wondering what you were going to say."
Ram sighed, not hiding her genuine astonishment. However, Subaru couldn't help but grin at her attitude, which didn't seem out of place.
"I won't say I'm weird or anything. You're cute after all… I think it takes guts to continue loving you for such a long time though."
"It's inevitable that there are males who are attracted to Ram's intelligence and beauty. However, Ram has already given everything to the person she deserves, so there's no hope for anything else."
Ram responds by shaking Subaru's shoulders with a hint of sarcasm, and bluntly explains her response to Garfiel's feelings for her. Then she turns away and quickly walks off, saying only, "I'll show you around."
It wasn't that he wanted to spark a love conversation, but Subaru was still disappointed by her nonchalant attitude. Though, perhaps he had no right to say anything since he was afraid to bring up the topic that needed to be brought up.
"Are you scared to bring up Rem's name at this point? Not that I have any expectations."
I was afraid to check.
Emilia and Petra had already told her that they did not know of Rem, and yet she was still questioning her own sister for forgetting her existence.
Even though the fact that she hadn't confirmed Rem's existence here already told the answer to the question she hadn't been able to ask.
Subaru: "There's no point in getting depressed over hypotheticals. For now, let's follow Ram, Emilia-tan. ーーWhat's wrong?"
Subaru then commented on Emilia's behavior, who had been silent up until then. Ever since they got off the dragon carriage together, she had kept her mouth shut, and was looking around restlessly. When she heard Subaru call out to her, she shook her head slightly and said, "No."
"For some reason, I can't calm down. I don't know, it's like I have a strange feeling... but I can't explain it well and it's frustrating."
"I just feel uneasy. I'm shy and don't like going out, so I think everyone in a new world feels that way... but I don't feel particularly uncomfortable here."
Following Emilia, I looked around, but it gave me the strong impression of an ordinary, deserted village. Compared to Aram Village, the houses here were a little older and less well-maintained, but this was merely a minor difference that could be dismissed.
However, that doesn't mean there wasn't a sense of unease. Subaru didn't really know what that unease was, though.
Subaru: "There's no point in being cautious, Emilia-tan. For the time being, Ram and Roz-chan are here, so we have no choice but to assume that there's no danger."
"It's not like I'm on guard or anything... No, it's fine for now. Honestly, I wish I could have talked to Puck about it."
Touching the crystal on her chest - the green stone hanging from her neck - Emilia looked anxious as she called out the name of the spirit trapped inside her. It was clear that the absence of the great spirit that had always been by her side was causing her great anxiety.
I hated her for her literal frailty and for not being able to be someone she could rely on.
Subaru:
"Let's go. If anything happens, you can leave it to Meat Shield 2."
Subaru instinctively took her hand, which was touching the crystal, and said as he turned his face away. He took her hand and started walking before she could say a word of denial. Naturally, Emilia ended up following Subaru's forceful attitude.
It was thoughtless and embarrassing, I know that, but it was the result of letting emotions take over from thinking. I hope it doesn't seem weird to me.
"--Yeah"
However, contrary to Subaru's rapid heartbeat, she only nodded slightly and didn't shake off his hand.
※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※
--The house was one of the most well-preserved in the Sanctuary.
The size of the stone building was equivalent to an ordinary detached house in the original world's standards. It was a single-story building with rooms divided into simple layouts, so it would be quite comfortable to live in.
Subaru, now immersed in a life above a certain standard at places like the Roswaal Mansion and the Crusch Mansion, felt it was a little cramped, but considering his petty bourgeois nature, he was sure that over time he would find this place more comfortable. It was a well-equipped place to make him think so.
"Hello, Emilia-sama and Subaru-kun. It feels like it's been a long time since we last met."
I was reunited with Roswaal, who was waving towards me with a relaxed smile.
This was the first time Subaru had met Roswaal face-to-face since the royal capital. Considering that they had not met even once during the previous loop, it had been nearly a month since then. A great deal of grievances against him had built up during that time, and he had thought that if they met again, the first thing he would feel satisfied with was to punch him in the face.
"I'm so glad that you're safe, Lady Emilia. Have you heard from Ram about the problems that have occurred around the mansion? I would have been in trouble if something had happened to you, I would have felt like I was dying."
"If you think so, you should have been a bit more prepared... No, more importantly, you're the one who should be the one in question. What happened here?"
They seemed relieved that Emilia was safe, but Subaru and the others were nervous. All the things they wanted to talk about just vanished in front of Roswaal.
He was lying on the bed, his whole body covered in significant injuries, his body bound in blood-stained bandages, making for a painful sight.
In response to Subaru's question and Emilia's silent gaze, Roswaal lightly traced the eyepatch over his left eye, which was covered by his less injured left arm,
"Oh, you're asking me that? I'm still a man after all, you know? Just exposing my disgrace like this is hurting my pride, so I wish you'd understand my feelings of wanting to be left alone."
"That can't be the case. What happened, Roswaal? You're so injured... and it's you, too."
Emilia retorts to the flippant remark, which is not to be concealed, and with trembling fingertips she reaches out to touch Roswaal, who is covered in wounds. Roswaal gives her a wry smile, turns his right eye to the ceiling, and mutters, "Well then,"
"I wonder where that came from. Well, I guess I can say that my injury was an injury to my honor, and I had no choice but to do it for the sake of appearances."
"Stop trying to get around it with roundabout excuses like that. I'm listening seriously. Roswaal, please answer seriously."
"…It seems that Lady Emilia is also not in a good mood. Although, that may be unavoidable in this location."
Subaru sensed something was off about Emilia's increasingly harsh tone, and at the same time Roswaal pointed it out. Emilia raised her eyebrows slightly at his remark, but bit her lip softly, realizing that what he had said was true.
"It's so unsettling, I can't calm down. What exactly is this place? They call it a 'sanctuary', but it doesn't seem like that to me at all. So then, this place must be..."
"Witch's Graveyard sounds a lot easier to understand."
"――!"
Roswaal spoke the words in a lowered voice. Garfiel had also said them, and now that Roswaal had said them, the words took on a new meaning.
Emilia's gaze quickly darted towards Subaru. Seeing the complex emotions swirling there, Subaru tucked his chin in and sympathized with her confusion,
"Wait, let's organize what we want to ask. If we continue like this, the conversation will just keep moving in all directions and we'll never come to a conclusion."
"Oh? It's been a while since I last saw you, but you've gotten a lot better at managing things. Subaru-kun, has something changed your mind?"
"If I start talking about that, it will become a long story, so I will summarise it and brag about it once I have finished what I want to ask you. Oh, by the way, just one thing."
Subaru raised his finger at the teasing Roswaal and glared at him,
"The alliance with Crusch-san has been formed. You must have heard from Ram, but are you satisfied with leaving me behind now?"
"-- I'm quite satisfied. You were a real find."
Subaru sighed and closed his eyes as Roswaal relaxed his lips in satisfaction. He had expected this, but it seemed that Subaru's actions had gone exactly as Roswaal had planned. Although he had taken advantage of that to some extent, it was no fun to be told that he had been used.
In any case, Subaru had sorted things out for now,
"First, the people of Aram Village. Ram was safe so I guess it's fine, but I wonder if the people who evacuated there are safe too."
「There's no need to worry. You may not trust me because of my poor condition, but I am also a lord. I have done everything I can to protect my people. Everyone is living in the cathedral of this village.」
"The cathedral, right? Let's put off that investigation for now, and next..."
First of all, it was a relief to be able to confirm the safety of the refugees. Since Subaru had made the decision to let them escape and where to flee, their safety could be said to have been the last concern in the previous loop. --After all, it was also something that could not be redone.
Subaru relaxed his shoulders in relief and gave Emilia a wink. In response, she pulled back her slender chin,
"Tell me the story of this place. Roswaal called it the 'Sanctuary.' But Garfiel called it the 'Graveyard of the Greedy Witch.' Which is true?"
"Both are true, Lady Emilia. This place is the final resting place of the former Witch of Greed - Echidna, and to me it is a place I should call sanctuary."
"--witch"
"Echidna..."
Subaru and Emilia simultaneously choked on the answer to their question.
Roswaal responded quietly, but in a voice that had lost all of his previous clownishness, so there was no mishearing in what he was saying now, it was true.
Taking a breath, Emilia blinked several times before saying again,
"You mean the other witch who was destroyed by the Witch of Greed... the Witch of Envy, right?"
"Yes, that's true. Her name no longer remains anywhere in the history of the world. Except in the memories of those who knew her personally."
"Wait, wait, wait, what you just said is strange."
Subaru waved his hand to interrupt Roswaal, who was speaking solemnly. Subaru felt a little intimidated by Roswaal, who was looking his way with one eye narrowed,
"If I remember correctly, the Witch of Greed... was killed by the Witch of Envy four hundred years ago. I can accept that this place is where the witch from four hundred years ago ended up... but the fact that you know her is quite something."
"I can't say that I know it myself. It's something that has been passed down through the generations of the Mathers family... it's something like an oral tradition that has only been passed down to those who will succeed Roswaal."
"Oral tradition... so that means a long-ago head of the Mathers family had some sort of connection with the Witch of Greed?"
"--Echidna."
"picture?"
Emilia's eyes widen as the name is mentioned. Roswaal turns his gaze to her, then mutters "Echidna" once more as if to confirm.
「Please, when you call her, use her name. Calling her the 『Witch of Greed』 sounds really evil, doesn't it? It's too long, too.」
"Um, I get it. So, the last place Echidna was found was this village, and it has been managed by the Mathers family for generations... is that right?"
"Yes, that's true. It's not like it took much effort to manage, though. Echidna's influence is still strong here, so you can't set foot inside without following the proper procedures. The only way Emilia-sama and the others were able to get in was... with the help of someone like Frederica, I think."
Roswaal nods in affirmation at the confirmation, and sees an understanding in his eyes. After seeing that, Subaru steps forward to ask for further discussion.
"I understand that this is Echidna's Graveyard and that it is under your jurisdiction. What I don't understand is the role of this place, and why you, the villagers included, haven't returned."
"It might be strange for me to say this, but you've accepted it so readily, even though this is the witches' graveyard and I was keeping it a secret."
"I can understand the Witch of Jealousy, but I don't know what the Witch Echidna did. To be honest, it's something that almost no one other than me knows, right? I think it's shortsighted to assume that a witch is evil just from the name. Can you imagine Emilia-tan being this cute just from the name Half-Elf?"
"... Don't say anything unnecessary. Surprise attacks are prohibited."
At the end of a serious conversation, a casual flirtation is thrown in, and Emilia, blushing, lightly pinches Subaru's side. As he laughs wryly at her cute counterattack, Roswaal, noticing, laughs nastily, "Ahaa,"
"It seems like you two have gotten a lot closer while I wasn't looking. I wasn't sure what would happen when you had that falling out in the royal capital, but it seems like you got along well."
"After many twists and turns, I finally got to have that love affair. I'd love to brag about it, but let's get back to the topic and have you answer me about the role of this place and the reason why I won't be returning."
"The amateurish feeling has gone and it feels more dependable now. So, as for the reason why the villagers and I can't go back… the simple answer is, it's because we can't go back."
"Can't you go back?"
Subaru frowned at the confusing reply, while Roswaal nodded.
Then, in front of Subaru, who had a questioning expression on his face, he laughed heartily and said.
"Right now, all of us are under house arrest by the residents of this village. Well, the moment you came here, you two were in the same position, you know."