The world was a landscape of plains bathed in the heat of the zenith sun and the gentleness of a cool wind that made the grasses rustle. A young man with crimson eyes, looking determined, was climbing a hill. At the summit, an elegant tea party table was set, and a woman with long, white, cascading hair, Echidna, was sipping her tea with studied grace.
The young man sat down abruptly on the chair, exhausted by the weight of the events he had to manipulate again and again to finally break free from his contract and solve the problems of this arc.
Echidna: (She smiled slightly, but her eyes remained vacant.) "Calm down. You can't sit like that without an invitation. It looks like you've never been offered a tea party. No woman will ever risk loving you, you know?"
Trizz: (He frowned, his voice cold.) "Stop playing games. Your gestures and your way of speaking are superficial. I know very well that you're trying to pry into my memories by talking. (With a mocking smirk.) You won't find anything. My mind is forbidden to you."
Echidna: (Her gaze betrayed slight confusion, but her smile remained icy. She brought her cup to her lips.) "I see that our dear Pride is reasonable... I am used to discussing with people unworthy of my time and inferior to you. I am flattered to find a person capable of such intelligence to speak to me inside. Your presence excites me, I might blush."
Trizz shot her a cold, crushing look, refusing to play the charming roles he usually used
Trizz shot her a cold, crushing look, refusing to play the charming roles he usually used.
Trizz: "Do you really think this false flattery will work on me? I am not fooled to that extent, unlike all those naive people you've manipulated in the past. I know very well what you are trying to do. I use that very kind of language on the most arrogant person in this kingdom myself. Spare me the comedy."
Echidna's gaze intensified, as if she were trying to pierce his soul with a needle.
Echidna: "I see. I don't need to play a role either. Let's get straight to the point. How did you manage to master your Authority? The Witch Factor of Pride has two direct consequences on the host: either the destruction of their soul or madness. (She paused to stare into Trizz's crimson eyes.) Yours chose you, and you show no visible psychological consequences on your mental health... It's improbable."
Trizz: "Me, stable mental health? Did you even look at me properly? I don't look like someone who has a normal life, much less a stable mental health. I'm practically used to being used as a slave. For example, your crazy apprentice who used me, then tried to assassinate me... What a coincidence, he's just like you."
Echidna: "An apprentice?... Ah, I see. You're talking about Roswaal Mathers, aren't you? He's still alive, that surprises me." (She let out a dry laugh, the sound like breaking glass.)
Trizz: "Let's just say he's trying to resurrect you, or the original Echidna. What do you think, Sorceress? All your students, and your capricious loli whom you imprisoned for 400 years waiting for "that person," are raving lunatics who need to be kept on a leash."
Echidna: "You know a bit too much about my past and my old plans... as if you were present during those moments. That's terrifying, even for a person like me, Pride. My Greed dictates that I must know where you got this knowledge."
Trizz: "Let's just say I have a glimpse into the universe around us. My presence here is simple: I'm here to warn you, Sorceress."
Echidna: "A warning? And about what? I'm just a young woman imprisoned in her own Castle of Dreams, watching time flow. (She licked her lips alluringly.) Waiting for the one who will feed my Greed."
Trizz: (His tone became fatalistic, sharp as a blade and icy.) "Your stupid Greed will get nothing and will rot in your castle with you, Sorceress. The Return by Death belongs to me, and I will share it with no one, especially not with a manipulative bitch like you!"
Echidna: (She tilted her head, her eyes finally showing genuine fascination.) "You're starting to intrigue me. With all this knowledge you hold against me... and how do you know about Return by Death without being killed by Envy? You remember past loops? The only way to have... (She cut herself off, looking up at Trizz.) Tell me, Pride, does your Witch Factor allow you to modify reality? Your so-called 'glimpse into the universe' hides something enormous."
Trizz: "I owe you nothing and I will tell you nothing. You are already warned. Do not touch Subaru or try to make a contract with that impulsive idiot. If you try, (his crimson gaze darkened slightly and settled on the Sorceress's emotionless eyes) I will burn this Sanctuary with all its inhabitants. I have already sacrificed hundreds of people to advance my plans. I am ready to do it again without hesitation."
Trizz pinched his nose as if sensing a foul odor.
Echidna: "I see I have no choice. I must be a good girl. You are very serious, Pride. But at least, drink this tea on the table, it would help you resist the Miasma of this place."
Trizz: "I don't need to drink your drool to resist your poison. This place isn't the cause of the Miasma. It's you. Now, I'm leaving. Don't forget my warning: at the slightest temptation, I will burn this place and all your precious experiences."
Trizz walked down the hill towards the exit. Echidna's voice stopped him, but Trizz did not turn back.
Echidna: "I am used to being wrong about those two Sins. You represent Pride in its purest sense, the one who dominates everything by sheer will, and not Vainglory (artificial Pride). That is very rare, but also... very dangerous, my dear Pride. And please avoid creating chaos in my Sanctuary. That would be so kind of you."
The world fractured. The feeling that the danger represented by the Sorceress had not completely vanished.
Trizz straightened up, his hand pressing his temple to mask the effort his Authority of Pride required to suppress the memory of his encounter with Echidna. The smile he wore was cold and satisfied.
Trizz: "I'm not surprised. My brain retains all the information despite the fact that I left her stupid Castle of Dreams. Wonderful. I have a brain more stubborn than the Witch of Greed herself."
Subaru stood up in turn, groggy and staggering, rubbing the back of his head.
Subaru: "What the hell just happened, seriously? I really hurt!"
Trizz: "Nothing. I just had a chat with a Witch who wanted to invite me for a cup of tea. Nothing more. Let's go."
Subaru: "A Witch? What do you mean a Witch? I thought all Witches were dead, even if they left behind Miasma."
Trizz: "Yes, they are all dead, but their souls are stuck here. But... (Trizz gave Subaru a serious look) ... if you see a white-haired Witch, never accept her contract and warn me if she tries. Understood?"
Subaru: "A white-haired Witch? Who is this Witch and why a contract? You look more serious than usual, Frizz."
Trizz: "I'll explain later. For now, let's go to the village. I think I know the way."
Subaru, although brimming with questions, followed his friend with blind trust. After several minutes of walking through a dense forest, they emerged onto a small dirt road. In the distance, a cluster of small houses formed a village.
Trizz stopped abruptly. Around them, the inhabitants-a mix of humans and demi-humans-were watching them. The contrast was striking: some displayed an air of calm security, but many others, especially the demi-humans, stared at Trizz with undisguised suspicion and terror because of his blood-stained cultist attire.
Trizz: "Barusu, I have a bad feeling. Wait here, I need to check something. I won't be long."
Subaru: "Check what?! We need to go find Emilia-tan and the others, do you hear me, damn it?!"
Trizz ignored Subaru's exasperation and moved quickly. He hid behind a wooden house, his expression becoming serious and focused again.
A few moments later, Ram, in her usual maid uniform, approached Subaru. Her gait was polite and icy. However, a slight confusion pierced her gaze, as if she had expected to find Subaru weaker or totally broken, which was clearly not the case.
However, a slight confusion pierced her gaze, as if she had expected to find Subaru weaker or totally broken, which was clearly not the case
Ram: (Her tone is flat and disdainful.) "The fool Barusu survived? What a disappointment. I expected the ordeal of the journey to at least leave you with some decency. What bad luck for the camp."
Subaru: "Seriously, why are you insulting me?! And where is Emilia-tan? She disappeared when we arrived at the Sanctuary."
Ram: "Still so loud. Emilia-sama is fine; she is changing clothes. As for you, Roswaal-sama requires your immediate presence."
Trizz stepped out of his hiding place with a small, mocking smile, his crimson eyes fixing on Ram.
Trizz: "What a surprise! Would Roswaal have already forgotten me, Ram? I who thought I was his so-called strategist... He prefers the idiot Barusu over me? My Pride is hurt, Ram. What do you say?"
Ram's eyes widened in surprise, mixed with a quickly contained fear. The information given by Roswaal was contradicted by Trizz's physical, arrogant presence.
Ram: "But... but Frizz, you were supposed to... be at the mansion, recovering." (She replaced dead with recovering to camouflage the plan.)
Trizz: (He cut her off, his sarcastic tone emphasizing Ram's embarrassment.) "Recovering? Yes, it's true I should be at the mansion to rest. But don't worry, I'm here to see Roswaal. And stop looking at me that way, as if I were an aberration. Your lack of decorum is flagrant."
Ram: (She regained her composure, her face turning back to ice, but her eyes still betrayed her.) "Roswaal-sama only wants to see Barusu. Frizz, stay here. Your condition and attire are not appropriate for an audience. Your presence is unexpected."
Trizz: "Hmm... I'm afraid that won't be possible, Ram. I must see Roswaal to inform him that I officially accept the role of camp strategist. He will be so happy to see me... alive."
Trizz advanced toward Ram, his smile growing colder and darker. He had just confirmed to Ram that Roswaal had made a mistake and that his elimination plan had failed.
(Jump in Time...)
Trizz, Subaru, and Ram arrived in front of the house where Roswaal was staying. The interior was vast: a small library, a desk, and a few windows. In the center was a large bed where a man covered in bandages rested, the motionless body of an invalid. His eyes, however, were still piercing. Strangely, he was not wearing his usual clown makeup.
Roswaal: (His voice was weak and drawn out, but tinged with surprise. He elongated the syllables.) "Wel come, Su ba ru-kun... and Trizz-kun. You are more a live than ever. It's... incredible.
Trizz's crimson gaze settled on Roswaal's body, analyzing him with deep disgust.
Trizz: (An authoritative, non-negotiable tone.) "Barusu and Ram, out. I need to discuss something important alone with our dear clown."
Ram: (She straightened up, her voice icy.) "You have no authori-"
Trizz brutally cut her off. He threw the black book (Gospel) recovered from Petelgeuse directly onto Roswaal. The latter, despite the appearance of his serious injuries, caught it with disconcerting agility, his eyes fixed on the black cover.
Trizz: "Ram, listen to me. I am your superior now. Execute my orders without questioning them. Understood?"
Ram let out a look of contained rage at Trizz, but Roswaal signaled her with a wave of his hand, a slight smile forming on his makeup-less lips. He was too fascinated by Trizz's unexpected return to object.
Roswaal: "Leave us, Ram. Subaru, go take care of Emilia-sama. Now."
Ram and Subaru, obeying both Trizz's sudden authority and Roswaal's order, left the room. Trizz found himself alone with the bandaged man. Trizz approached the bed, his expression a mix of fatigue and anger.
Trizz: "So, my dear Mentor. The assassination plan failed. I am not dead."
Roswaal: (His drawn-out voice expressed controlled surprise, but fascination remained.) "It's fascinating how destiny always works on your side, Trizz-kun. But what will you do now? Have you come for new orders? It was much smarter to stay hid den, don't you think?"
Trizz: "Let's just say your assassination plan backfired on you. That's the very essence of irony."
Roswaal: (His piercing eyes turned toward Trizz, analyzing the implication of his words.) "What do you mean by 'backfired on me,' my dear Trizz-kun? Be pre cise."
Trizz: "Not only did you draw the eyes of all the candidates and knights of the kingdom onto me, but you made the mistake of attracting... (He took a dramatic pause, his scarlet gaze penetrating Roswaal's) ... the head of the Witch Cult onto me. Pandora, the Witch of Vainglory. Bravo, Roswaal. This is chaos well deserved."
Roswaal: (His eyes widened, the name Pandora clearly unforeseen and disturbing his composure.) "You know the head of the Cult... that doesn't surprise me from you. The capabilities of your Authority and the information you hold still remain a mystery to me. But tell me, Trizz-kun, how did you sur vive this attack?"
Trizz: "Let's just say my will is stronger than death. My Pride refuses to bow. But were you even able to calculate the risks if Pandora asks me to join the Cult as an official Archbishop? Imagine what I could have done to this kingdom with that title."
Roswaal: "The risks were well cal cu la ted, Trizz-kun. But... the fact that she asked you to join the Cult was un expected in my plan. That shows that even the great est men can be wrong... or that you are ananomaly even greater than I thought."
Trizz: "You, a 'great man'? You make me pity, Roswaal. To perpetuate a woman who has been dead for 400 years, you're not a great man, but the greatest fool I've met. You are just a slave to the past."
Roswaal: "You know my goal too. I wonder if it wouldn't be better for me to kill you my self... but I fear you would find an other way to return to life. Listen to me, Trizz-kun, let Subaru-kun solve the problems of the Sanc tu ar y. Don't help him. He must suffer to grow."
Trizz: "Hmm... why should I listen to you? I'll do as I please. The assassins you sent to the mansion, I'm going to kill them with my own hands. Don't get in my way."
Roswaal: "I think you are mistaken. In our Soul Contract, it is stated that I can give you or ders when and where I want. You are a danger to my plan and to the scenario of my Gospel. If you're fuse to obey... (Roswaal smiled, a sadistic, stretched-out smile) ... the price will be your soul. It will be torn a part. Obey, my dear Trizz-kun."
Trizz left Roswaal's house, his fists clenched by the confirmation that the mage would let Subaru die again and again. Outside, Ram was waiting, her face masked by annoyance, but her red eyes betrayed anxiety.
Ram: "Wait, before you leave. Tell me what you know about Rem. Barusu explained to Ram that she had a twin sister whose identity and memories were devoured by the Archbishop of Gluttony."
Trizz felt guilt, cold and bitter, replace the anger he felt toward Roswaal. Rem had been victimized because his loop plan had failed. He ran his hand through his hair, trying to mask the emotion.
Trizz: (He forced a light tone, but failed to hide his discomfort.) "Rem is the maid of the mansion, and your sister. She was good at taking care of the manor... when you were skipping tasks."
Ram: "Your tongue is still as sharp, Frizz. Ram asked you for information about her sister, not a free insult. Speak truthfully, or don't speak at all."
Trizz: (He let out a sigh, resigning himself to the truth.) "Alright. Rem is strong, Ram. Her magical domain is Water, mainly for healing and protection. She... she loves you more than anything in the world and was devoted to the mansion. There. Now, I'm leaving; it's getting late. We'll talk again tomorrow."
Ram: "Ram forgot to warn you, Emilia-sama is taking the Trials in a few moments. You should be with her to resume your role as... a friend."
Trizz: "I had forgotten. I'm following you, Ram. Barusu is probably waiting for her in front of the ruins."
Trizz followed Ram to the Trials building. He broke the icy silence and the distance she maintained between them.
Trizz: (His voice became grave, a whisper of confession.) "I apologize for not being able to protect your sister from that monster. I failed again."
Ram: (She paused, her tone slightly cracking, closer to bitterness than ice.) "Ram is astonished that you still have a heart since the forest event. Ram admits that you did not deserve what Barusu put you through. He was a coward."
The voices of agony repeated in Trizz's head, feeding his cynicism
Trizz (Internal): Why not use others to avoid suffering myself?
Trizz: "Let's avoid talking about what happened in that forest. It's difficult, and the past must be forgotten, Ram... (He stopped abruptly, fixing his red eyes with an intensity unique to his Pride.) I promise you I will bring Rem back, even at the cost of my life. I will stop at nothing."
Ram: (She met his gaze, a trembling flicker in her eyes. It was the first time she had received such a solemn commitment.) "A 'promise'? If you say so, Mr. Man of His Word. But know this Ram will never forgive you if you break this one. Do your best to bring my sister back, even if you have to sacrifice yourself again."
The moonlight illuminated her silhouette. The wind began to pick up slightly.
Ram: (She did not turn around, her tone devoid of sarcasm, filled with a fragile softness.) "Ram thanks you for bringing her sister back alive, Frizz."
Trizz remained motionless watching her disappear, guilt and Pride battling in his mind.
Trizz (Internal): I hate their hypocrisy and their dependence. But... should I still continue to hate them?
Trizz snapped out of his thoughts and noticed Emilia near the threshold of the stone ruins. She gave him one last joyous look, reassured by his presence, before entering the Tomb to take the Trial.
Trizz approached the others. His gaze immediately fell upon a demi-human with golden hair, like Frederica's, but whose attitude was far more aggressive. Trizz recognized him instantly: it was Garfiel Tinzel, the Shield of the Sanctuary.
Trizz recognized him instantly: it was Garfiel Tinzel, the Shield of the Sanctuary
Garfiel noticed him in turn, his face twisting into a menacing sneer.
Garfiel: (His tone is aggressive and familiar.) "Hey! You, you bastard! Who are you, huh?! And why are you stuffed into that Witch Cult outfit?! You smell even more disgusting than the other wimp (Subaru)!"
Trizz: (His crimson gaze is cold, his tone becoming authoritative and condescending.) "So you're Garfiel? The one Frederica told us about? You're much stupider than I thought. Anyway, before you act impulsively, I am the strategist for Emilia's camp."
Trizz paused, letting his Yang aura subtly manifest.
Trizz: "Avoid attacking me, Garfiel. Otherwise, it might cost you a long and painful agony. Your muscles are nothing compared to my determination."
Garfiel: (The demi-human's face tightened with anger. The mention of Frederica stopped him, but Trizz's tone was a direct provocation.) "You know my sister?... And don't talk to me in that tone! I'm Garfiel Tinzel, the Shield of the Sanctuary! I'm the strongest here, and no one, especially not a stranger who stinks of the Cult, comes here to give me orders!"
Trizz: (A mocking smile appeared. He had obtained the confrontation he desired to establish his dominance.) "The strongest? You are arrogant. Let me show you what real strength is, little guard dog. You think you rule the world? Your world ends at this damn barrier."
Garfiel could not stand the insult. His muscles tensed, and he roared, preparing to transform.
Garfiel: "You're going to regret it, bastard!"
The tension mounted between Trizz and Garfiel, both ready to clash to establish dominance. However, Ram's voice, cold and authoritative, cut the air like an ice blade.
Ram: (She calmly stepped between the two men, her tone firm and emotionless.) "Idiot! What the hell are you doing? Save your energy to protect the Sanctuary! And you, Frizz, since when do you fight to show you're the strongest? Ram is disappointed in your behavior. Did you just want to take out your frustration on Garfiel?"
Trizz: (His cold, calm mask instantly returned, wiping away all traces of rage. He replied with cold indifference.) "He shouldn't have provoked me, Ram. Besides, he's the one who wanted to fight. I was only putting him in his place, no more, no less."
Trizz (Internal): I see I have to wait until later to fight Garfiel to earn his forced respect and have him accompany Subaru to the mansion. Patience is a virtue my Pride must learn.
Subaru arrived running, panting, to check what was happening.
Subaru: "But Frizz, why is Garfiel so angry? What did you do this time, damn it? It's not like you to fight unnecessarily!"
Trizz: (He shrugged, ignoring Garfiel and turning to Subaru.) "I didn't do anything unnecessary, Barusu. Simply, your new guard dog friend doesn't like people who won't be intimidated. It seems he's not used to real danger."
Garfiel growled in rage at Trizz's remark, but Ram's silent authority forced him to maintain his distance.
The next moment, the intense light emanating from the threshold of the ruins suddenly went out, plunging the entrance into shadow. This clearly signaled that Emilia had failed the Tomb Trial.
Subaru, panicked by the silence and darkness, immediately began running toward the ruins without thinking. As he crossed the threshold, the interior of the Tomb lit up again with a blinding blue/cyan glow, this time imprisoning him in the challenge.
Trizz (Internal): Our save point has now been updated. Roswaal got what he wanted: the idiot is trapped. I have a few hours' time.
Trizz approached the ruins, but stopped short. He had no desire to confront his own past; the memory gaps regarding his previous life, combined with the horror of the loops, made the prospect unbearable.
Trizz (Internal): I must sacrifice this loop to figure out how to break this soul contract. I am powerless against events if I don't find the solution. I cannot afford to start dying without control again.
A few minutes later, the light of the ruins went out again. Subaru emerged, shoulders slumped, holding a trembling, weeping Emilia. But Subaru himself looked more disturbed than before, his gaze clouded by the visions of his past. This confirmed that he had succeeded in the Trial in Emilia's place, thus accessing Echidna's Castle of Dreams.
Emilia rushed toward Trizz, her arms squeezing him violently, knocking him onto the cold stone of the ruins. Her grip was desperate.
Emilia: (Tears streamed down her cheeks, her voice was broken and weak.) "I... I failed. I'm sorry... It's my fault! (She clung to him, her voice becoming a plea.) Promise me you will never leave me again, Trizz. Promise me you will always stay with me, please..."
Trizz: (His arm tightened around Emilia. The lie came naturally, smooth and firm.) "I will always stay with you. I promise you. Calm down, Emilia, breathe. It's not your fault; next time, you will succeed."
Emilia fainted the next instant, her body pale but her spirit calmed, like that of a child soothed.
Trizz gently rose, supporting Emilia's unconscious body. He signaled Subaru to approach. A faint golden light (a light reinforcement Aka) briefly illuminated Subaru's silhouette.
Trizz: "Barusu, hold her tight. She is now your responsibility. Take her to her room. Make sure she is warm."
Subaru: "Is she okay, at least? She was trembling all over and muttering weird stuff..."
Trizz: "She's fine. It's just the shock of the Trial, in my opinion." (His voice became a sharp whisper, demanding an answer.) "Explain to me what you saw during the trials, tomorrow morning. Don't lie, and don't hide anything."
Subaru nodded, then took Emilia into his arms with unexpected ease, "Aka" having amplified his strength. He headed toward the houses.
Ram approached Trizz, her disconcerted expression breaking her usual coldness.
Ram: "Why did you stand in front of the Tomb without entering, Frizz? Do you have traumas in your past that stopped you?"
Trizz: (His gaze became cold and final.) "Ram, that is none of your business. Go take care of Emilia; she is your main priority. My past is my private life, and you have no access to it. Deal with your own wounds."
Ram: (Her tone was surprisingly soft, almost maternal, without any trace of sarcasm, revealing a deep understanding.) "The more you ignore your wounds, the more they will grow, Frizz. No one can definitively run away from their past mistakes. Even Roswaal-sama is learning this the hard way."
Trizz ignored the stinging truth of her words and headed toward the houses without another word. Garfiel, who had witnessed the scene, watched him leave, looking annoyed and suspicious.
Garfiel: "Why are you still talking to that guy, Ram? He's just an arrogant jerk who stinks of the Witch!"
Ram: "Wounds from the past can become a handicap when they are not healed, Garfiel. Ram knows this very well."
Garfiel calmed down slightly, but his gaze did not leave Trizz's silhouette, which was gradually disappearing into the night.
Garfiel: "If you say so. A piece of advice: avoid him. He's not right."
Then, he walked away from Ram, not without having cursed under his breath.
(Time Skip...)
Trizz was lying on an surprisingly soft and pleasant bed, a comfort that brutally contrasted with the turmoil of his mind. Scenarios flashed endlessly the loops to take, the traps to avoid.
Trizz (Internal): I must destroy this contract, even if this loop is sacrificed to give me more time. I must find a way, but even if I find it, what would be the price of my liberation?
He abruptly turned over in bed, his body feeling weak. His crimson eyes glowed with crushing fatigue. He had to rest.
Trizz: "I need more information, but I also need more energy. I'll deal with this tomorrow..."
He immediately closed his eyes, fatigue sweeping away all his calculations and doubts.
Suddenly, someone gently knocked on the door, the gesture polite and soft.
Trizz (Internal): It's surely no one. Just my tired brain. No one would knock on the door at this hour, it's impossible!
The person knocked again, slightly louder, but still with astonishing softness.
Trizz got up from his bed, looking annoyed and helpless in the face of this interruption. He walked towards the door, insults already formed on his tongue, ready to be launched at the idiot who dared to disturb him.
Behind the door was a woman with silver hair and amethyst eyes. It was Emilia, looking visibly disturbed, but mostly embarrassed by the request she was about to make.
Emilia: (Eyes fixed on the ground, nervously playing with a lock of her hair.) "Sorry to have disturbed you... at this hour... but I just wanted... just..."
Trizz's intense fatigue made him lean heavily against the door frame, his impatient crimson gaze and furrowed brows pressuring Emilia to speak faster.
Emilia: (Panicking slightly, awkwardly waving her hands in the air.) "Sorry again for... for keeping you awake! I just wanted to ask you... (She blushed slightly, her voice becoming a barely audible whisper.) Could... could I spend the night with you? I haven't been able to close my eyes for hours, because of the Trial..."
Trizz: (He put his hand over his eyes to hide his annoyance, but also the unexpected pang of guilt from his promise. He removed it, looking resigned.) "You can come in. I made you a promise, and I am a man of my word, Emilia. But don't expect anything more than sleep. I am not a cushion."
Emilia thanked him in a relieved tone and timidly entered the house. She quickly slipped into the bed, finding a peace of mind she would never have had alone. Trizz initially intended to sleep on the chair, but the constraint of his promise and his exhaustion forced him to join her.
Fatigue took over the moment he closed his eyes, sweeping away his calculations for the first time in the loop. He fell asleep immediately, the weight of Emilia beside him being strangely comforting.
(Time Skip...)
Trizz woke up earlier. The fatigue from the day before had dissipated like a bad dream, and he was about to get up to resume his calculations where he had left off. But something soft and warm stopped him. He was practically cuddled in Emilia's arms, who was still sleeping like a serene child.
Trizz (Internal): I knew accepting that promise was a bad idea, but no! I continued to play the decent, benevolent man... This is the result!
He tried to gently pull away, removing his arms from her torso, but Emilia tightened her grip with unexpected strength.
Emilia: (She mumbled in her sleep, her voice soft.) "Puck... stay here... It's cold outside... We are much better here. It's warm..."
Trizz frowned, helpless. He had to let Emilia wake up on her own and especially not rush her.
It was at that precise moment that someone delicately opened the door. It was Ram, the pink-haired maid, her red eyes sweeping the room.
Ram: (She observed the scene, a subtle, mocking smile stretching her lips.) "Ram did not know that you already had such an intimate liaison with Emilia-sama. Ram is reassured that you will not end your life alone and frustrated."
Trizz: (Panic overwhelmed him. He spoke quickly, hands raised to justify himself.) "Ram! This is not what you think! It's just... she's the one who wanted to sleep in my bed because she couldn't fall asleep! Listen to me, please, I'm telling the truth!"
Ram: (Her tone was surprisingly relaxed, and full of mischief.) "Ram will not tell anyone and will keep your secret safe from prying eyes. You can continue where you left off, Frizz. But don't go too hard; Emilia-sama is fragile."
Trizz: "YOU-!..."
Ram left the room, looking proud and victorious in the verbal sparring, gently closing the door with exaggerated softness.
The sound of the door slamming immediately woke Emilia. She opened her eyes and realized her position, her arms hugging Trizz. She instantly blushed like a tomato.
Emilia: (She stammered, quickly pulling her hands away.) "I-I'm so sorry, Trizz! I didn't know... I didn't mean to... I just felt like it wa-was Puck..."
Trizz remained lying in bed, his eyes empty, an aura of depression surrounding him. His status as a respected strategist had collapsed, reduced to the rank of a skirt-chasing pervert. He had become Subaru's weird and embarrassing friend again.
Trizz (Internal): Roswaal... You are avenged. I didn't even need to die to be humiliated; Pride fell not by force but by ridicule...
(Time Skip...)
In the dining room, Ram, Trizz, and Emilia sat in a deathly silence. Trizz had both hands pressed against his face, a desperate attempt to hide his shame and despair. Emilia, her eyes fixed on an assortment of croissants, caramel/honey crepes, and chocolate coffee (a dish prepared by Trizz, a sign of his sophisticated cuisine), touched nothing, her cheeks crimson. Ram, sitting near the window, sipped her tea, a mocking and satisfied smile floating on her lips while her gaze was ostentatiously fixed on Trizz.
A few moments later, Subaru entered, visibly relieved, displaying a hungry look and ready to devour his friend's special dish.
Subaru: "Good morning, everyone! Something smells good! Hey, Frizz, what's going on? You look more like a low-level boss who got dismantled by a full-exp speedrunner. Are you hungover?"
Trizz: (Still with his hands on his face, his voice is muffled and irritated.) "Barusu, shut up... Just shut up. I'm not in the mood for idiocy."
Subaru: "'Calmose amigos'! Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed or what? You look like you're carrying the world's problems on your back, man."
Ram: (She delicately set down her cup, deliberately accentuating each syllable to stab Trizz.) "Our dear Frizz-sama... (ironically adding "sama", a title Trizz despises) had a restless night. Frizz-sama, you should avoid making noise late at night. Please, don't disturb others' sleep with your personal activities."
Emilia: (She looked up from her plate, totally confused.) "What... what noise late at night? I didn't notice anything strange last night, Trizz. Can you explain?"
Emilia's complete ignorance was the final blow. Trizz got up from his chair with brutal speed, his aura of depression (and shame) pouring over him. He headed for the door.
Trizz: (His face masked by the shadow of the doorway. His voice is dry and non-negotiable.) "I'm going to train in the forest with the new spell Beatrice taught me. Don't look for me. Leave me alone."
He left the house without a backward glance, leaving behind a perplexed Subaru, a confused Emilia, and a radiatingly malicious Ram.
(Time Skip...)
A few days had passed. Emilia had restarted the Trials, failing systematically and finding comfort with Trizz after each failure. Garfiel, still suspicious, watched Trizz closely, but refrained from attacking him. Roswaal, for his part, remained bedridden, playing the victim.
This day was special, Subaru had to escort the non-mixed-blood humans (the villagers of Arlam) out of the Sanctuary. Garfiel had given his authorization.
Subaru: (His face streaming with sweat, he wiped his forehead.) "That was the last crate, Garfiel. The villagers will be home soon and reunite with their loved ones."
Garfiel: (He placed a barrel in the carriage, his tone contemptuous.) "If you say so, shrimp! The sooner they leave the Sanctuary, the sooner I'll find my peace. My cool self is helping you this time, but don't ever come back here!"
Subaru scratched his head, looking annoyed and embarrassed. From afar, Ram, dressed in her maid uniform, approached them with a polite and formal gait.
Ram: (With her usual sarcasm.) "Ram hopes that your chronic stupidity won't cause problems at the mansion. Barusu is notoriously gifted at that."
Subaru: "Haha! Very funny. But take care of Emilia-tan for me, and keep an eye on Frizz. Lately, he's been a little too... passive/distant. Do you think he discovered something strange in the Sanctuary?"
Ram: "Frizz is always strange, but Ram grants you that point. He's been much too passive since Emilia-sama first failed the trials... But if there is a problem, Ram believes he would take care of it alone. He's much too arrogant to ask for help."
Subaru was not reassured, but he climbed to the front, where the driver was already seated. It was a medium-sized man with blue eyes and gray hair, dressed in a merchant's uniform: Otto Suwen.
Subaru: (He widened his eyes in surprise.) "Otto! You're still alive? I completely forgot about you! When did we last see each other?"
Otto: (Embarrassed and annoyed by Subaru's lack of memory.) "Subaru! I was here yesterday! I spent the night here after Emilia-sama's trials with you. Did you already forget?"
Subaru: "It's true... But seriously, do you have a curse or something? Everyone forgets you, even Frizz!"
Otto: (His expression became slightly more serious.) "But where is Trizz, by the way? Isn't he coming with us? I haven't seen him during the day for days. He appears during the evenings at Emilia-sama's trials and disappears immediately."
Subaru: "I know, it's strange. But he told us he was going to train in the forest to learn a magic called... huh... right! 'Ul Aka'. Frizz remains a mystery to all of us, but trust him. He remains reliable despite his strange stuff."
Otto had many questions to ask, mainly about the magic "Ul Aka" (an extremely complex Yang magic spell, known for its irreversible drawbacks if used incorrectly), but he remained silent. The caravan was ready to leave.
The weather was nice. The chirping of birds, the sounds of animals, and the gentle wind caressing the dead leaves were the only sounds. Butterflies were also heading toward the Arlam village garden. Subaru and Otto, followed by the other carts heading toward the mansion, were in full swing.
Subaru: (He rubbed his eyes, looking bored by the monotony.) "We've been on the road for four hours. When will we arrive? We've already separated from the other carts heading toward the village, now."
Otto: (Eyes fixed on the road, nervous.) "Don't worry, Subaru. We're almost there. We only need a few minutes before we can see the mansion in the distance."
Subaru: (His gaze fixed on the ground dragon carrying them.) "Otto, it's really strange that Patrasche let you drive. She selects the people to guide her, like me, Frizz, and... Rem."
Otto: "Who is Rem? Is she an acquaintance of yours? I've never met her."
Subaru: (Looking helpless and frustrated by the generalized forgetting.) "She's one of the maids at the mansion and Ram's twin. She was really talented and so kind to me and Frizz, but... (He squeezed his palm.) ... the Archbishop of Gluttony stole her memories and identity. She's in a coma."
Otto: (He caught himself after asking the sensitive question.) "I'm sorry I asked you that... But we are almost at the-" (He cut his sentence short, his eyes fixed on the horizon.)
Subaru: "Don't worry, it's nothing. But why did you stop suddenly before finishing your sentence?"
Subaru looked ahead. The air was now obscured by ashes. The forest was on fire. A rabbit, fatally burned, dragged itself away from the flames, its flesh melted by the heat and smoke pouring from it.
Then, he saw the total horror the path was cleared by trees knocked down by a monstrous force. In the distance, the mansion was engulfed in flames. Many strange creatures were entering it, destroying everything in their path. But the most terrifying thing was the ground, in the midst of this chaos, there were burnt human organs and limbs, the hot, smoking blood being devoured by these monstrous creatures.
But the most terrifying thing was the ground, in the midst of this chaos, there were burnt human organs and limbs, the hot, smoking blood being devoured by these monstrous creatures
Subaru and Otto had their eyes wide, chilled by the scene unfolding before them. Otto fell from the carriage and vomited yellow bile, unable to keep his composure. Subaru, for his part, was paralyzed by fear and anger.
Subaru: (His voice was a broken whisper, his body trembling.) "Who could... do this?... It's... it's horrible. I don't want to start over...! I don't want to die again..."
Otto was still on the ground, vomiting the bile that burned his throat, ignoring Subaru's frightened whispers. Suddenly, something hot and luminous, taking the form of a demented circle, streaked across the sky and headed straight for them. It was the concentrated power of one of those creatures.
Before Subaru could even react, Patrasche, with a roar of animal terror and determination, projected him with a powerful headbutt onto the trunk of a charred tree. The magical fire projectile crashed where the carriage had stood a second earlier. The shockwave pushed Patrasche away with a dry violence, leaving behind a nauseating smell of cooked flesh and a trail of blood in the sand.
Subaru: "PATRASCHE!"
He ran towards the ground dragon that had just saved his life. Otto, his face smeared with vomit, but driven by the shock, followed him, his heart pounding wildly, his brain filled with questions, but running without stopping.
They arrived in front of Patrasche. The horror made the air stagnate in their lungs. The ground dragon had gotten up, but one side of its body was gaping and charred. Under the cracked shell, part of its flesh had fallen to the ground, revealing half of its skeleton and its vital organs, strangely visible and still functional. The magical fire had passed through her skin without killing her, leaving her agonizing and in tatters.
Subaru: (Eyes wide with horror.) "Patrasche?... We... we're going to treat you... Aren't we, Otto?"
Otto was speechless, his mouth open and his eyes fixed on this unbearable sight. He stared at Patrasche, unable to say a word or make a gesture.
Suddenly, Patrasche's gaze emptied. The pain. Seized by unbearable agony, she charged at them, a primary survival instinct driving her to flee the pain.
Subaru dove onto Otto to help the paralyzed body dodge. Patrasche struck her head against a cinder tree, then started again, over and over, in a desperate movement to end her suffering. Her skull began to fracture under the repeated impacts, blood flooding the ground. She crashed one last time, her brain splattering. Patrasche collapsed, definitively silent.
Silence returned, only broken by the distant crackling of the burning mansion. Subaru stood up, the horror of Patrasche's death mixing with the vision of the mansion fire. He was alone again, and the smell of burnt flesh was now the only memory of his loyal beast's brutal death (after the reset).
Otto, who had managed to regain control after his initial shock, pulled Subaru's arm with new strength, brutally bringing him back to reality.
Otto: (His voice is high-pitched and trembling, trying to establish a semblance of logic.) "Suba... Subaru! We have to leave! Now! We are in mortal danger, someone wants to kill us! We have no chance here!"
Subaru did not take his eyes off Patrasche's half-charred body, lying in her own blood, her shredded organs mixing with the mud and ashes. His voice was hoarse and filled with a sadness that had to bow to survival. He forced himself to make a decision.
Subaru: "O... Otto. Let's run."
They plunged into the cinder forest. Their run, initially disorganized, soon found a frantic rhythm, contrasting with their gasping breaths. They had to flee the scene and warn the villagers of the danger.
Subaru's lungs began to feel the combined effects of fatigue and the toxic air. The acrid smell of smoke, mixed with that of animal corpses and burnt trees, was the smell of death and nothingness. No form of life was visible in the surroundings, only devastation.
Running on, Subaru and Otto stopped near a charred tree, which seemed more stable than the others; the rest of the woods was so weak that a simple touch could make everything collapse. Staying in the vicinity was too dangerous.
Subaru: (His voice is a mixture of despair and incomprehension.) "Who could have done this? Why attack the mansion and burn the forest? Otto, what should we do now?"
Otto: "Calm down, Subaru! We need to find the others at the Sanctuary... We don't have time to get lost with questions, we have to move forward!"
Subaru: (Anger and despair suddenly welled up in him.) "Calm down?! Frederica, Petra... Rem! Everyone is dead! They are all dead, burned or dismembered by those monsters! We sent the other half of the villagers toward Arlam village! They're going to get massacred!"
No sound came from Otto, only the sound of water droplets falling onto the muddy ground. Subaru, terrified by the silence, dared not turn around to see what was happening and why Otto wasn't answering. The silence was absolute.
The blood droplets fell with even more accelerated sounds onto the ground.
Subaru (Internal): What's happening? Why isn't Otto answering? I don't want... to turn around. Otto is fine... He's perfectly fine, he's jus... just joking with me...
The droplets stopped, but the sound had become like that of a river, the blood soaking Subaru's sneakers. He then saw an Otto eyeball lying in the blood behind him.
Subaru: (A muffled scream of horror.) "Otto?... Otto no... OTTO, I'M SO SORRY!"
He ran, without looking at Otto's body, fleeing further and further into the forest, ignoring the fatigue and the throbbing pain in his lungs. Panic had totally overwhelmed him.
Subaru: "I have to survive! I have to survive! I don't want to die! I don't want to die! Death is painful! I don't want to suffer!"
Subaru collapsed into the mud. His body, weakened by shock and panic, was paralyzed.
Subaru: (His voice is a panicked moan, struggling to get up.) "I have to move! Damn it! I have to get up! Someone wants to kill me! I have to escape!"
He tried desperately to get up, but in vain. He couldn't feel his feet. He turned his head, his eyes wide with pure terror: his feet had disappeared below the ankle, and his thighs were completely frozen. Strangely, he felt no pain; his nerves were in shock, the toxic air perhaps having anesthetized him.
Someone emerged from the shadows. A man with blue hair and golden eyes, looking annoyed and filled with cold hatred. In his hand, a bloody axe was firmly gripped, strands of yellow hair stuck to the soiled metal (probably Frederica's).
Blue Man: (His tone is filled with contempt.) "Is this him, the famous client Elsa admired so much? Mr. Perfect, you look like an insect, you bastard."
He approached Subaru, violently kicked him in the head, then started again mercilessly.
Blue Man: "You're pathetic, little one. Why was she so interested in you, huh? She wants you alive, apparently. You're lucky, trash."
He brutally gagged Subaru with a piece of soiled cloth before grabbing him by a rope, dragging him through the mud and debris of the cinder woods.
In front of them stood a girl with blue hair and emerald eyes, sitting on a terrifying abomination, the Centaur (or Sand Sea King), the grotesque body of a horse surmounted by a human torso, with a deformed horn in place of the head.
Meili: (In a cheerful, childish voice.) "What?! You managed to catch Onii-sama without a scratch? Seriously, you're really strong! Or maybe Onii-sama is just weak, but with a big brain!"
A woman with black hair and violet eyes approached the man, a predatory smile stretched across her face. Her body was stained with fresh blood. It was Elsa Granhiert.
Elsa: (Her tone is doubtful, tinged with morbid curiosity.) "You managed to catch him without getting killed? Are you sure it's really him? Normally, you should have lost your head the very moment your eyes fell upon him."
Blue Man: "You're talking nonsense! Supposedly, he managed to commit a mass murder, which means he's infallible?! Here is your so-called demigod."
He threw Subaru down in front of them with such brutality that it twisted his finger. Subaru let out a cry of pain muffled by the cloth in his mouth.
Elsa's gaze shifted from anticipation to pure disappointment and profound disgust at the sight of Subaru.
Meili: (Her voice was disappointed and sulky.) "But that's not Onii-sama! That's just Scary-Eyed Onii-san! I take back everything I said about you! You're not strong, just a perverse idiot who spends his time looking at Elsa's boobs!"
The man tried to justify himself, but Elsa stopped him with an icy stare.
Elsa: "Enough! You were supposed to bring a man with black hair and tall in stature! You just brought back trash that should die, like the other merchant you killed with a trap!"
Blue Man: "But he has black hair! And you know he's not tall! But he has black hair, which is very rare in this country!"
Elsa: (Looking annoyed, her violet eyes flashing.) "Black hair, tall in stature... and crimson eyes..."
Blue Man: "By the way, are you trying to kill the Emperor of Vollachia? No one in this kingdom looks like what you're describing! Are you going crazy or what?!"
The Mabeast under Meili began to glow an orange color, the heat in the surroundings increasing dangerously.
Meili: "I told you Onii-sama exists! He's just well hidden... or busy with the other kingdom candidates! We crossed the Sand Sea to collect tons of new Mabeasts, and it's not for nothing!"
Blue Man: "What are you talking about? The Miasma is making you delirious! If your so-called perfect man was surrounded by royal candidates, it's normal that he wouldn't get lost in the middle of nowhere in the mansion of the most hated half-elf in the kingdom."
Then his gaze returned to Subaru, whose gasping breath was the only sound audible.
Blue Man: "Good. Time to clean up. Let's say goodbye to this trash."
He raised the bloody axe in the air and struck violently at Subaru's head. Subaru died instantly.
Trizz suddenly appeared in the ruins at the start of the day. Everyone was there, attending Emilia's first Trial. It was the undeniable sign, Subaru was dead. Trizz violently entered the Tomb, under the confused gaze of Ram and Garfiel. After seeing Subaru and Emilia, motionless as in the first loop, he felt the cold ground give way. Trizz collapsed in turn.
He instantly woke up. Before him stretched an endless plain, bathed in the eternal noon sun. A gentle wind blew through his hair. He was back in the Castle of Dreams. Echidna, sitting at an elegant table, maintained her expression of infinite curiosity.
Trizz climbed the hill, looking annoyed but confident in his plan. He put his hand over his nose to mask his discomfort from Echidna's thick Miasma. He sat down violently on the chair, making the wood creak.
Trizz: (His tone is direct, without preamble, every word a command.) "Let's get straight to the point, Sorceress. I'm here for a soul contract with you. I don't have time to waste with your teas and trivialities."
Echidna: (She delicately set her teacup down on the table, her black eyes lighting up with interest.) "A soul contract? Interesting! Why would you need a contract with me? And most importantly, what would I get in return? I don't work for free, even for the arrogant."
Trizz: "Information about my world of origin. You love knowledge, emotions, extreme sensations. You will have everything you want: the contents of my memory, as well as all the past loops I've lived through with Barusu. It's a Pride library."
Echidna: (She pouted like a spoiled child, taking a sip of tea.) "Why would I accept? After you insulted me as a 'manipulative bitch'? I have standards, you know. Respect for my titles is a prerequisite."
Trizz: (He lost patience, leaning forward, his crimson eyes piercing Echidna.) "Listen carefully, Echidna. If you don't accept this damned contract, I'll just call the Witch of Pride herself. She hated you when she was alive, but she'll be delighted to make a pact with her own Archbishop. She would gladly accept my offer, believe me."
Echidna: (Her gaze lit up, sarcasm vanishing before the pure interest of Greed.) "All right! All right! I understand. I accept... on a purely... stylistic condition."
Trizz: (His eyebrows slightly furrowed, tired of her games.) "Yes, which one, Sorceress?"
Echidna: (She displayed a malicious smile.) "You call me by my name now: Echidna. And not Sorceress. In return, I will give you a nickname that I will use in place of Pride. That's my entrance condition."
Trizz: "Are you done playing the child! Now, accept this cursed contract! I don't have time to waste, the world is crumbling outside!"
Echidna: "Calm down, calm down. I understand. What will be the exact conditions of the contract? Let's detail the escape."
Trizz: (Calm returned, cold and calculated. This was the critical part.) "Our Contract will not be unlimited. I want a contract of seven days maximum in real-time, during which you have access to my memory in exchange for your advice. But most importantly ,you cancel my contract with your sadistic apprentice, Roswaal. I will no longer be his pawn."
Echidna: (She snapped her fingers.) "Seven days? No, I want three full months of access to the Pride library. As for the contract with Roswaal, it's done. You are free. But you don't want my knowledge? Access to all the wisdom in the world to succeed?"
Trizz: (He shook his head with disdain.) "I don't need your knowledge to understand how I'm going to succeed the loop. You are the one who benefits the most. Three months, if that's the condition... I accept, Echidna."
Echidna, with an air of absolute victory on her face, placed her hand in the void and signaled Trizz to do the same to seal the soul contract. A wave of information and emotions surged into Trizz's mind.
The contract sealed, Echidna's eyes widened with pleasure, absorbing all of Trizz's knowledge. But one piece of information piqued her curiosity more than all the time loops or strategies:
Echidna: (Her voice sparkled with insatiable interest, tilting her head.) "You have... a professional pillow career? Can I buy you for your services, Frizz? I'm curious about the sensation of a living cushion."
Trizz: (Fatigue, rage, and horror united in a cry of distress.) "Bu... BUT DAMN IT, ECHIDNA!"
End of chapter