Volume 4 - CH 72.4

The next moment, a wall of ice of incredible density and height emerged in front of Emilia.

[Petelgeuse: That’s――!]

[Puck: I’ve finally remembered the most important thing of all…… In order to protect it, contracts and constraints can go to hell for all I care. What a worthless thing I’ve been bound to… now, I finally remember]

Hearing this rare sign of hesitation in Petelgeuse’ voice, the little cat floating in space quietly proclaimed.

The aura of bewilderment had vanished, as the spirit glared at the madman with a liberated air.

[Puck: I remember now, why I’ve become like this. It was to protect my daughter, at last―― if the price to do so was such a constraint… that vile wretch…]

[Emilia: Puck――a]

Emilia extended her fingers towards the rueful Puck, when her throat froze.

At her breast, was a crystal glowing with green light. It was Puck’s spiritual residence, the vital stone tying him and Emilia together.

But suddenly, without the slightest touch, the stone shattered into dust.

[Emilia: What…… wh-why……!?]

[Puck: I…… I have broken the constraint, and the consequences have begun. Perhaps even this was foreseen from the start…… but still]

Turning around, Puck floated down to the level of Emilia’s eyes.

A flicker of doubt flashed through Emilia’s pupils at Puck’s gesture. But, gazing into her, Puck’s expression was that of someone gazing at something precious and beloved.

[Puck: Lia, this is goodbye――]

[Emilia: wh……]

[Puck: The constraint has been broken. I cannot be tied to this body anymore. As much as I wish to stay by your side, that too is part of the price. ――I’m sorry]

[Emilia: No, don’t, Puck…… everyone… everyone’s gone…… Subaru is… he’s…… everyone’s… gone! Puck… if you leave me too…… I… I’ll be all alone…… I don’t… want…to…]

Like a whimpering child, Emilia pleaded as tears poured from her eyes.

Puck used his long tail to wipe away her tears, and gently touched his lips to the tip of the crying girl’s nose.

[Puck: Don’t say such things, and listen well. There’s still Ram in the Mansion. Betty is also around. If you ever need to, you can rely on Betty. That child… would never refuse you. Though, knowing this, it is rather mean of me to ask this of her]

[Emilia: I…! Puck, other than you, I’ve no one……]

[Puck: ――Go now. My most cherished in this world, my loveliest, most beloved Emilia]

[Emilia: Wai――]

Before Emilia could say a thing, Puck’s little body pushed hard against her forehead.

Unable to withstand the unexpected force, Emilia’s body was sent swimming backwards―― when instantly, a tear in space swallowed up her slender frame,

[Emilia: Wh――]

In a blink, Emilia’s figure vanished from the village.

――Watching this to the end, Puck spilled a long, drawn out sigh.

[Puck: Sorry for forcing you to do this, Beatrice]

Puck thanked his accomplice in the abrupt disappearance.

Then, he turned around, and looked to Petelgeuse, who had been staring at him,

[Puck: You just sat there quietly watching…… pretty good manners for a religious fanatic]

[Petelgeuse: It looked like if I did anything, you’d have crushed me in an instant, desu. Either way, it’ll be all the same once I make my way to the Mansion, desu. No point stepping on the tiger’s tail… desu]

[Puck: I see. You may look deranged, but you’re surprisingly thoughtful. ――Scum]

Spitting this out, Puck flew over the wall of ice to Petelgeuse’ side.

Not even Petelgeuse did anything as foolish as use his Unseen Hands to stall the approach.

Then, they faced each other with a certain distance between them,

[Puck: There is no time. ――Hurry up and start, so we can get this over with. The rest… I will leave to my trusty little sister]

[Petelgeuse: Something’s changed about you, desu. For a spirit, you stink of human]

[Puck: ――Yeah, I guess I do]

Puck rubbed his little hand against his pink nose with a cynical smile.

[Puck: I may look like this now, but my limbs used to be a little longer, and my face would’ve been rather handsome, too. When my daughter is that cute, isn’t that only natural?]

[Petelgeuse: ……I’m having trouble understanding you, desu]

[Puck: Well, nevermind. I wasn’t expecting you to understand…… since you are about to die here, anyway]

Saying this, Puck pointed his arms towards Petelgeuse while his body began to turn white.

He was running out of mana, and losing his ability to keep hold of this body. Perhaps, this was partly because his bond with Emilia was severed, and partly because he had broken the constraint he mentioned earlier.

Either way, the contours of his form began to fade――

[Puck: Before I am extinguished, I will extinguish you first. Who would’ve thought my companion in death would be religious fanatic. Gross]

[Petelgeuse: Sorry to tell you this, desu, but even if you destroy this body, that won’t st――]

[Puck: I will freeze your soul alongside it. ――If I do that, what would happen, I wonder?]

The dauntless smile on Petelgeuse’ face up to now abruptly froze.

Watching the madman’s eyes widen, Puck smiled an utterly delighted smile,

[Puck: Aaah―― now there’s the face I wanted to see, fool]

In an instant, simultaneous with the unravelling of the spirit’s contours, a white radiance blasted forth, and――

※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

――Forced to witness the endings of worlds one after another, Subaru lay collapsed upon the ground.

He could no longer tell where he was anymore.

Was this reality, or was he inside a dream? Could it be one of those cycling nightmares? And if it was a nightmare, would he be absolved so simply?

Were they really just possibilities? Or were they worlds that actually existed? Could they merely have been convenient worlds that Subaru’s mind had invented? If so, then how does he explain the previously unknown information contained within them?

Were they worlds born out of delusion? Were they alternate realities feeding on each other? Whichever it may be, the torment to Subaru’s heart was colossal.

So much so, that he could not stand, or raise his head, or do anything at all.

And so――

[Rem: Are you no longer able to stand? Subaru-kun?]

He heard someone at his side, gently uplifting his heart with those words.

He thought it was the voice of someone he loved.

[Subaru ――――]

The hot streaks of tears that should no longer be spilling drew their trails down Subaru’s cheeks.