Arc 6 – 77, 'Beacon of Counterattack”

Arc 6 – Chapter 77, “Beacon of Counterattack”

Mind racing and running at full speed, Subaru reached his destination.Visitt novelbin(.)co/m for the latest updates

Heart pounding, his breath turned crisp and white due to the cold world surrounding the person he was looking for.

His heart was about to explode as the sight of her thin, slender back came into view.

As a feeling of overwhelming love poured into his chest, he could barely endure his impulses. But right now, there was no time to risk death because of the feelings that were choking his chest, which felt as if it was going to explode.

Gritting his teeth, over her back he saw the face of the enemy.

He had long, dark brown hair and a rough appearance that was wrapped in tattered clothes. The most impressive part about him was the sight of his horrible eyes, which Subaru could see as only seeking prey to destroy and literally devour their lives.

Subaru: “Ley Batenkaitos!”

Shouting at the top of his lungs, making himself known, Subaru tried to attract his attention.

Even if he could only distract him for a brief moment, it could still prove helpful. Of course, there was the possibility that an attack could still reach her, but it wasn’t pointless if the damage to her could be reduced due to his interference.

Fueled by feelings of love, he felt as if he could even take flight.

Subaru: “So, even if the chances of winning increase only by a little.”

He stopped in front of the frozen floor and mustered strength into his body. He was staring at Ley, and with all his might he was focused on any sudden movements when-

Subaru: “Aah...”

Subaru’s mental alertness was smashed by the amethyst eyes looking at him.

Black and amethyst eyes intersected as the two crossed each other’s line of sight.

At that moment, tears that flooded the girl’s eyes due to her emotions grew bigger and bigger. At any moment, they could indulge her heart, drown her and make her unable to breathe.

In some way or another, by expressing these emotions through her eyes, she was getting some sense of respite.

Therefore-,

???: “Wait, stop, it’s dangerous! Well, you may not know me, but he’s an enemy! Leave this to me! You may not know me, but...!”

Confused for a moment, she waved her hand. Her eyes were blinking while being cautious at the same time.

Slowly, Subaru understood the meaning of her words. He recalled there certainly was a “memory” of her saying the same thing before. He grasped the situation.

Subaru was really happy that he got here first.

He knew exactly what he should say.

Subaru: “It’s okay, Emilia-tan!”

Making her nervous by keeping her waiting, and then potentially getting her into trouble because of it would be bad right now.

Thinking this and thus speaking, he nodded his head. Then, realization washed over Emilia’s face as Subaru continued staring at the silver-haired girl.

He was pointing at the sky with his right hand while striking a pose on his hip with the other.

An unnecessary action, but his determination was decided. For that reason,

Subaru: “My name is Natsuki Subaru. Emilia-tan’s one and only knight!”

Emilia: “Subaru!”

Subaru: “Woah!?”

He had made his decision, and his face showed only readiness. Emilia quickly rushed towards Subaru with great momentum.

Jumping at Subaru with her momentum, Subaru managed to somehow support Emilia’s weight while leaning backwards. Although there was nothing to worry about; she was light as angel’s wings. Yep, no problem.

If there was a problem,

Subaru: “Eh, Emilia-tan!? I was surprised, but you smell so good! Did you change your shampoo?”

Emilia: “Idiot! You are so stupid, Subaru! I was very worried! Nevertheless, to say that... Stupid, stupid!”

Subaru: “I’m often told that I’m stupid! No, I guess I can’t really make any excuses...”

Being scolded by Emilia while in her arms and with her large eyes staring at him, Subaru was overwhelmed by her presence.

Reluctantly, he grabbed Emilia’s thin shoulders, releasing her body,

Subaru: “Sorry for making you worry, but I’m back now... Revived? Stuck back together? My body completely belongs to Natsuki Subaru, or not? Anyways, I’m okay.”

Emilia: “Aah...”

Subaru: “Leave ‘Natsuki Subaru’ in the past. Natsuki Subaru: here with a blast.” (I think he’s making a joke or pun)

Continuing to talk vigorously, he was trying with all his might to keep Emilia’s mind at ease. As those thoughts ran through Subaru’s mind, Emilia blinked her eyes and gently touched his chest with her fingers.

Gently being touched, his whole body unintentionally quivered as Emilia spoke,

Emilia: "Your memories, were you able to get them back properly?"

Subaru: "..."

Emilia: "You were still yourself, even when you didn't have your memories. So even if you've remembered everything, well, you know, even if it was for a short amount of time, the you who was giving his all was..."

Subaru: "Ah, yeah. It's okay"

Touching his chest, Emilia awkwardly checked on Subaru's footsteps (she looked back on everything he had done up until this point). When his “memory” consolidated, the other ‘Natsuki Subaru’ may have been integrated into Subaru, or in a sense disappeared, but Subaru did have time to communicate with him.

Subaru: “Ah, then it’s easy.”

Subaru: “I was always inside myself, and in Emilia-tan too. So, it’s really okay, Emilia-tan.”

Emilia: “... yup.”

Subaru: “So from now on, please, look forward to ‘Perfect Natsuki Subaru’. Let’s use the frustration from all of this and aim for a bright future!” (he may be making a reference to something, and like always, Emilia-tan doesn’t understand)

Emilia: “Sorry, I don’t really understand what you’re saying.”

Emilia answered the smiling Subaru who was showing a thumbs up with a shake of her head.

Even receiving such an indifferent and cold attitude, Subaru wanted to continue flirting with Emilia every minute, hour and day.

Ley: “... well, are you satisfied with your face-to-face meeting?”

In the middle of their conversation, while Subaru and Emilia were touching each other timidly, came a voice with an insidious grin belonging to the Sin Archbishop, “Gluttony”.

At that moment, Subaru raised his eyebrows at the fact that he hadn’t yet attacked them,

Subaru: “Ah, I didn’t think you’d bother to wait so patiently. You regret having done so?”

Ley: “I would never regret “eating”! To us, that’s part of being a “gourmet”. Isn’t that what you’d call a gourmet too? You should know the pleasure of eating, you have to be attentive to the food. I don’t like when the table is dirty. Isn’t that right?”

With a shrill, laughing voice, Ley talked about concepts of table manners that were difficult to comprehend. Hearing this annoying laughter, Subaru nodded his head deeply.

Then,

Subaru: “Well, well, I see. I certainly agree...”

Ley: “You do?”

Subaru: “Since your sister suffered so badly, I was wondering if you were afraid.” (I think he means the reason why Ley remained quiet for so long before interrupting)

Ley: “...”

Immediately, Ley’s grinning expression changed.

His smile disappeared instantly, and instead was replaced with burning rage. With his intense anger, Ley’s body kicked through the frozen passage and plunged towards Subaru in the blink of an eye.

Ley: “You bastard, you know something about our Louis!”

Subaru: “I don’t know anything. She was the one who entered my body without permission. I don’t know what she was thinking, bastard, and I don’t want to find out.”

His sister was the only person Ley cared about, and so his raging dagger was approaching Subaru. However, Subaru was not afraid of the footsteps of the approaching “death”.

Ley, dominated by rage, ignoring everything but Subaru, was moving towards his target with determination,

Emilia: “I’m here too, don’t forget!”

Ley: “Ahk-!”

With her beautiful voice, Emilia’s well-proportioned and long legs created a beautiful arc. Using centrifugal force, she kicked straight into Ley’s face.

At the moment of impact, Emilia’s ice-fighting technique “Ice Brand Arts” activated and ice boots reinforced her feet and pierced the opponent.

Ley: “Uuh...!”

Emilia gathered strength into her white feet and shattered her opponent’s front teeth. Ley’s small stature could not withstand her power and was sent flying, sliding over the frozen floor and rolling into the back of the passage.

There Emilia, turning her palms further, ruthlessly chased after Ley with freshly created ice that piled onto him and succeeded in damaging the “Gourmet”.

Subaru: “It’s decided! This is a combination technique of my words and Emilia-tan’s cute and murderous killing intent!”

Emilia: “Is that a compliment?”

Subaru: “I’m praising you! You are the best! Very cute! I want to marry you!

Emilia: “Keh!-.. E-enough joking around!”

Emilia’s reaction was a bit unexpected, blushing a little and staring at him. Just as he didn’t want her expression to be washed away, Subaru’s own embarrassment rebounded back onto himself.

Beatrice: “Do you really remember everything, I suppose? Even about Betty, about the time you spent with Betty, everything, in fact?”

Subaru: “I do, no need to make such an anxious face. I remember everything and I can make up as much as I want. Everything that happened or didn’t happen between us!”

Beatrice: “There is no need to make up anything, I suppose! O-oh, my-, in fact!”

Subaru lifted Beatrice into his arms while she took his face with both hands. Looking closely at his smooshed face, Beatrice sighed deeply.

Then she rolled her distinctively patterned eyes,

Beatrice: “You really just do as you please with Betty, in fact.”

Subaru: “A contractor that would not bore you – that was the deal. And you said that I wasn’t Superman, but...”

Beatrice: “- ?”

Subaru: “Looking objectively, I am Superman, aren’t I?”

Subaru laughed at Beatrice, while winking his eye. For a moment, Beatrice’s eyes rounded and her cheeks blushed.

Beatrice: “I think you’re getting carried away, I suppose!”

Subaru: “That’s right. Those who get over-excited are the type of people who can get the job done. And...”

Subaru took a sideways glance at Ram, who was standing there with a pitiful face. Narrowing her crimson eyes, she pierced Subaru with her gaze.

Subaru: “Ah, Nee-sama?”

Ram: “It’s been a long time since the snow melted (I think it’s a metaphor for it being a while since he’s acted like his original self). Making such a huge fuss just like the real Barusu.”

Subaru: “... well, ‘all in a day’s work.’ ”

Subaru had no choice but to smile at her calling it a huge fuss.

Actually, given the nearly twenty deaths that Subaru experienced and the mental burden that came with it, one would think that it wasn’t just a single day's worth of work.

From Subaru’s point of view, it felt more like he had lost memory for several years.

Subaru: “But, I’m back in full force. Say hello to a man who can produce 150% of his power for everyone’s sake – Natsuki Subaru!”

Ram: “Ha! Good, say whatever you like. Just don’t let the Merciful Ram miss it.

Subaru: “How could you miss it? Bangladesh!” (Random words being spouted as he’s blown away, thanks aratinga for the correction)

Beatrice: W-whaaa?!

While Ram was parsing the meaning of his words, and tilting her, Beatrice and the others were blown away by the tail of the earth dragon.

Subaru and Beatrice were thrown and spun until something soft stopped them. Looking at what stopped them, they recognized Emilia, who was also blown away. She was softly supporting Subaru’s body from his back and smiling “fufu”.

Emilia: “Patrasche is very happy about your return too, Subaru.”

In Emilia’s line of sight, a dark, black majestic creature was standing.

After that intense tail-blow, Subaru held Beatrice in his arms, whose eyes were spinning from surprise,

Subaru: “Sorry for the tsundere-like treatment. I worried you a lot too. After all...”

Supported by Emilia, Subaru, standing back up, faced Patrasche who glanced at him with sharp eyes. And, recalling her unchanging devotion to him despite having no “memory”,

Subaru: Really, I was saved by you. I love you.

Subaru: “... You’re not going to knock me down like usual, are you?.”

When confessing his love, he always got scolded by Patrasche in a lady-like manner but this time it was different. Or it’s,

Subaru: “Whether I’m joking or serious, does this earth dragon understand that too?.”

Beatrice: “... that’s right, in fact.”

How they suddenly got so close, to the point that Beatrice was speaking for Patrasche’s inner feelings was unclear. But, since there were no more tail attacks to refute her assertion, Beatrice’s interpretation was quite right.

Now that Beatrice acquired the ability to translate for Patrasche, at last Otto could be relieved of that burden.

***

Subaru: “Rem!”

Rem was on the back of Patrasche, her body lying over the saddle.

Of course, because she was still asleep, she couldn’t hear the joy caused by Subaru’s memory coming back. However, seeing Rem’s profile, different feelings arose in Subaru’s chest.

In the white world, having been beguiled by Louis Arneb’s poisonous, sweet nothings, at the moment when he would have definitely become the victim of “Gluttony”, there was no voice that could kick away his cowardice.

But she was someone who wouldn’t let Natsuki Subaru forget himself.

So again, overcoming death for forty times, he still returned.

Subaru: “These feelings need to be postponed for later. Some way or another, my memory is back. I’m happy that everyone wants to celebrate that but first, let’s fix this situation.”

Ram: “A celebration for you is a very high estimate of yourself. I don’t know what happened in this short time... and..”

Emilia: “Ah, me?”

Snorting at Subaru who changed the tone of his voice, Ram’s eyes turned to Emilia. What her eyes reflected was the usual arrogance and sense of discomfort.

As it was clear from Beatrice’s reaction too, still,

Subaru: “It’s Emilia. You don’t remember her, I guess.”

Ram: “I know you helped us escape earlier. But I can’t remember anything more. Beatrice...”

Beatrice: “It’s the same for Betty too, I suppose. The result of “Gluttony’s” power, in fact.”

Agreeing with Ram, Beatrice had the same expression on her face. The same thing that happened to Julius in Priestella also happened to Emilia in this tower. The whole situation had become a painful wound that tailed off, and,

Emilia: “Yes! I’m Emilia, just Emilia. I have a lot to say, but we’re all like a family looking in the same direction!”

Emilia: “I’d be fine if you could at least understand that much. After finding out that Subaru remembers me, I’m feeling really good.”

Emilia bravely flexed her bicep on her white arm – no, that was not courage, she was really smiling with no fear inside herself.

Over that extremely magnificent act, not only Subaru but Beatrice became speechless too. Unusually, even Ram had her eyes open with surprise.

Emilia: “What? Did I say something strange?”

Subaru: “Well, that was a little bit weird, but it was really cool.”

Answering Emilia’s reaction, which was a little hasty, Subaru stretched his mouth open and smiled. After Subaru spoke, it was Ram who exhaled deeply, saying “well”.

Confirming Emilia’s appearance,

Ram: “So, you said your name was Emilia. Curiously, when I look at you, one side of my head feels uncomfortable, like an itchy burning sensation. The same happens for Rem too.”

Subaru: “That’s...”

Ram: “Having disappeared from my head, it seems that filling that space is difficult. Other than Rem, it’s hard to think that Ram had such a relationship.”

Ram, narrowing her eyes, was making sure to trace Emilia’s presence that disappeared from inside her head. Hearing her words, Subaru felt uneasy.

Ram said all that, but there was no doubt in Subaru’s mind that she cared for Emilia, as he was able to watch their relationship from the side. All that accumulated time was lost, so it was only natural that Ram had no idea what to expect.

However-,

Ram: “Just by looking at you and this feeling of pain in my head is the answer to our relationship. So, don’t worry. Ram hates being left alone.”

Emilia: “ It’s the same for me too. Definitely, I’ll never give up!”

Ram: “Yes, never give up 100 million times!”

Emilia: “That’s a lot!”

Subaru was reminded of how reliable Emilia and Ram are, who were exchanging fearless smiles.

Her “name” should have been taken away, she should have been isolated and the relationship should have been broken down. However, Emilia was not defeated by isolation, and she kept her heart strong. Thanks to that, the cascading destruction that could have started with Emilia could not break the foundations of Subaru, Ram and the others.

Moreover,

Ram: “Barusu, I just remembered that I had forgotten, but it’s not like I’m going to remember absolutely everything.” (I think Ram is saying this in a very mean/rude way, which is typical of her)

Subaru: “I understand even without being told, but what a way to say it!”

So, without the need for persuasion, he was thankful for them being cooperative.

Anyway, having regained trust, the situation having been explained, tackling each issue while bonding, the dilemma in the tower in the dunes was still tough.

Therefore,

Subaru: “Let’s tear down those three sibling’s “Eating Festival” with the power of our bonds!”

Emilia: “Yup!”

Beatrice: “Of course, in fact!”

Ram: “Ha!”

Having received replies from three sides, Subaru nodded his head to all of them.

Then,

Subaru: “I’m still scattered, but I feel like I’m home!”

That was a small but important and certainly deep emotion.