[ "Then, let's talk about the transfer issue." Ram said.
She had asked many questions just now; some Frederica didn't know, and others she couldn't answer due to her vow.
"To explain in detail, the magic stone you handed to Emilia reacted to the barrier and activated a transfer spell while inside the dragon carriage. It meticulously transferred everyone to the vicinity of the graveyard." Subaru explained.
Then, Subaru continued: "But you were unaware of this. Then why did you hand the magic stone to Emilia? According to Roswaal, what is needed to head to the 'Sanctuary' is the correct route; it has nothing to do with qualifications or items."
Frederica fell silent.
"Restricted by a vow and can't say it, right? If that's really the case, then that's quite negligent, Frederica." Ram's expression was cold.
"That is correct. It cannot be spoken from my mouth."
"So you intend to be negligent to the very end—but, this way, we really can't talk." Following that, Ram stood up and pointed her staff at Frederica.
"Hey, wait! Hold on, Ram! We were just having such a peaceful conversation, why all of a sudden… have you gone crazy!" Subaru was confused. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Hey, seriously. It was fine just a moment ago. Why did it suddenly become so tense?"
Felt was just as bewildered as Subaru.
"…I see."
Yuriusu muttered to himself.
"Hmph… I think I've got it."
Garfiel said.
"So what's actually going on?"
Felt still looked confused.
Am I the only idiot here?
"Felt-sama—ah, please look at the screen."
Yuriusu was just about to explain when he saw Ram on the screen explaining the situation to the oblivious Subaru.
—
[ "Barusu is the one being too calm. Frederica has no intention of answering questions; her intent to betray is obvious. That's why Ram is going to capture Frederica and take her to the 'Sanctuary.' That way, we can ferret out the person giving Frederica all these orders. This is more accurate than just talking, and it saves trouble."
"Even so, I don't want to cause a bloodbath. Frederica! You shouldn't just stay silent…"
"If you intend to take me to the 'Sanctuary,' then I will not resist. However, whether you two can achieve your goal remains to be seen." Frederica said calmly.
"Huh? You won't resist… why? What's going on…"
"Barusu is such an idiot. Frederica cannot break her vow of her own volition, so she needs Barusu to use brute force to break it… she needs a reason like that."
"…Sigh, you two didn't even discuss this beforehand, yet you're truly in sync…" ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"…Oh—I get it now. How did it end up that just me and the guy are the only idiots!"
Felt and Subaru realized at the same time.
"It seems everything is proceeding smoothly. There's still a long time before the Bowel Hunter strikes. If we take this opportunity to escape…"
Yuriusu's ominous premonition grew stronger.
—
[ "Regardless, Frederica's help… even if it was secret, it was a huge help. Thanks to this, I feel like I can discard the unnecessary doubts in my heart." Subaru said.
"Unnecessary doubts?"
"Yeah, I was assuming that if you were an enemy, you might attack the mansion and cause a huge disaster. For that reason, it's best to leave the mansion as soon as possible. Frederica will be taken with us, and Petra will come along too. As long as we bring Rem and Beatrice, who I don't know where is…" Just as Subaru was thinking this, the next moment—
"My, I'd prefer it if you didn't say such cold things."
Subaru spun around, only to see the Bowel Hunter, Elsa, holding a blade to Petra's throat.
"Alright, shall we fulfill the contract?" ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"You really are obsessed with siblings. Why are you like a lingering spirit?"
Al couldn't help but say.
"Tch… I had a bad feeling about this earlier. Why did she come so soon… It's not even the third day yet."
Yuriusu clicked his tongue.
"Hmm… It's slower~ than I imagined. Are you all not up to~ standard, or was that 'me' notified too late?"
Roswaal whispered.
"…Petra!"
"Subaru-kun!"
"Big Sister, watch out!"
Calling out to the people they cared about, the battle was about to begin.
—
[ "El Fura!" Ram extended her staff and released a wind blade.
This attack had once easily slit Subaru's throat, but Elsa twisted her body to avoid the wind blade.
"What a refreshing breeze. However, the sunlight is gentle today, so there's no need to trouble yourself."
Ram continued to release wind blades, and everyone could see that the blades were deliberately avoiding Petra, who was being held hostage.
"If you had attacked even this little maid, perhaps the situation would be different."
"Unfortunately, the servants in our house help each other; that's our principle!" Frederica roared, her hands thickening and elongating, transforming into sharp claws.
A thin, golden tail also grew from behind her.
"Partial beastification… You have demi-human blood, how wonderful!"
"Thank you for that complicated compliment… I can do this too! Petra!" Following that, Frederica's golden tail extended.
Seeing this, Petra hurriedly grabbed the tail.
Frederica retracted it, pulling Petra to safety. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Hmm… I thought the blonde lady would become a huge hunk like the blonde guy after beastifying."
Felt said.
She hadn't expected her body size to remain largely the same.
"Such a dexterous tail. Can Dinsell do the same if he beastifies?"
On the other side, Anastasia looked toward Garfiel.
"Ah… My tail isn't as slender as Old Sister's. But it should be possible."
Garfiel responded.
—
[ "Shatter into pieces!" With Elsa having lost her hostage, Ram began to frantically unleash wind blades, forming a containment net.
Then…
"Ah, it hurts, it hurts… I thought I was going to die." Blood dripped from Elsa's hand.
She had sacrificed her hand to escape the containment net of wind blades.
"I've taken a liking to you. Medium-sized maid." Elsa looked around and said: "There are large, medium, and small maids, and men and women too. I'm going to lay out what's inside your stomachs on the table and have a good comparison."
"Your pick-up lines are even worse than Garf's. So—Barusu!"
"I understand!" Subaru extended his right hand—
"Shamak!"
The next instant, black mist surged from Subaru's right hand, covering the area and engulfing Elsa. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Is it useful?"
Otto asked anxiously.
"It is quite useful against beasts. But against an opponent of this caliber, I fear…"
Wilhelm said in a low voice.
No, the Bowel Hunter was likely encountering this attack for the first time, so it might still buy some time.
"Seriously, I told you not to use it again. Whatever, given the special circumstances, this doctor will permit its use."
Felix said.
And then…
"Forget it, don't use it, meow!"
Felix retracted her previous statement.
—
[ Because, regardless of whether it truly stalled Elsa, there seemed to be a more serious matter at hand.
"Eh? Ughhhhhhh!" Subaru screamed. ]
.....