[ "Emilia-Sama has been backed into a corner, and on top of that, the villagers taking refuge are extremely anxious. If they find out at a time like this that Natsuki-san has been imprisoned, there's going to be a massive uproar!"
"Is the situation really that dangerous?"
"Natsuki-san is a very important emotional pillar for the people around him. You should be a bit more self-aware of that. I don't know the exact details, but I do know Emilia-Sama can't get in touch with her contracted spirit, and the villagers have been saved by Natsuki-san twice, correct?"
The sky had already grown dark. After leaving the place of imprisonment, Subaru and Otto were discussing what to do next.
Subaru originally wanted to trigger a return right away, but Otto did not recommend it and gave his reasons.
"Once they find me, there will be total chaos in the 'Sanctuary'… Then why on earth did you come looking for me? Even if you found me, doesn't it solve absolutely nothing?"
"That's because if I hadn't looked for you, you probably would have died, right? Is there something wrong with that reason? Ah, ow, ow, ow! What are you doing? Why did you hit me without saying anything? Can you not do that?"
Listening to Otto's words, Subaru couldn't help but pummel Otto with his fists. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"If saving oneself is useless, he cannot comprehend why others would want to save him. Subaru might not realize it yet, but his disregard for his own life has already become incredibly severe."
Yuriusu spoke in a heavy voice.
"But it is indeed true. Natsuki returning too early would overall do more harm than good. So, what will they do?"
Anastasia was curious.
—
[ "Revealing the truth right now isn't the best move. There's no helping it, let's go with Plan B," Subaru said.
"What? What is a Puran Bi?"
"Actually, I'm asking you. You look like you've already thought of a Plan. After all, you're the guy who saved his friend. There's no way you thought of nothing and just charged in blindly, right?" ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Puran Bi?"
Rem was confused.
"Puran?"
Emilia was puzzled.
"Barusu really is always saying such strange things."
"Ha! You foolish commoners, it is not 'Puran', it is 'Plan'. 'Plan' means a scheme or project, and 'Plan B' means a backup plan. You commoners should gratefully accept the knowledge bestowed upon you by this princess."
Priscilla said, puffing out her chest proudly.
"Well, the pronunciation is fine, Princess. But is my bro going to be a master planner too?"
Al recalled the man who always had "I have a plan" on his lips.
—
[ "Whoa! Whoa! What sudden nonsense are you talking about, honestly! That goes without saying, how could I not have thought of anything! First, we send Natsuki-san escaping outside the barrier. As long as the barrier is there, the residents of the 'Sanctuary', including Garfiel, won't be able to pursue us. Once the barrier is lifted and the conditions are ripe, we can settle everything. And at the same time, we have a reliable collaborator."
Otto laid out Plan B.
"A collaborator?"
"Yes, thanks to the collaborator, I was able to gather information about the 'Sanctuary' while on the run. Although I can listen to other creatures talk, there's no way I could know about the complex human relationships and shifting situations on my own."
A collaborator? Who was this collaborator?
Just as everyone was thinking this, in the very next moment—
"So painfully slow. I was getting so tired of waiting, I thought I'd turn into an old hag." Ram parted the bushes and walked toward the two of them.
Then, she dusted the hem of her short skirt. "But then again, even if Ram grows old, she will still be adorable." ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"That's just like the captain's jokes, haha."
Mimi was amused by Ram's words.
"…It was requested by Margrave Mathers, wasn't it. Does this also mean Margrave Mathers already knows what is happening? But he simply sees through it without speaking out."
Yuriusu said.
"Hmm… then what about the conversation with Margrave Mathers?"
Anastasia asked.
—
[ "Then how do you plan to get me out of here?" Ram informed Subaru that her role as a collaborator was indeed requested by Roswaal.
Subaru then asked for the specific plan.
"It is very simple. While Emilia-Sama is challenging the 'Trials', Garfiel cannot leave the graveyard. Barusu only needs to take advantage of Garfiel being too busy to monitor us right now and ride the ground dragon across the barrier."
"That is simple. But… Ram, there's a change of plans. Put the escape on hold for now."
"What does Barusu intend to do?"
"Next, I'm going to continue doing what I was prevented from doing three days ago."
What was he prevented from doing three days ago? That was naturally…
...
"Roswaal, this time, I'm going to make you spill everything!"
The scene shifted. Subaru kicked open the door and spoke to Roswaal, who was lying in bed covered in wounds.
The two formally began their conversation.
However, the content of their talk was actually about only one thing—the fact that Beatrice possessed a 'Gospel.'
Subaru desperately wanted to know the answer and did not want to make an enemy out of Beatrice.
Roswaal, on the other hand, provided the information that Beatrice was not a Witch Cultist and that the book was not a Gospel, but rather a Tome of Wisdom.
After the talk ended, Subaru had to escape the Sanctuary under the cover of night. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Hey, at this time, Emilia-Sama should be in the middle of the trial, right? This great self has a bad feeling about this."
Garfiel said.
"A bad feeling?"
Emilia asked.
"Wasn't the original plan for the boss to leave the Sanctuary while Emilia-Sama was taking the trial? Because at that time, this great self would have to guard the front of the graveyard. But now the boss has chatted with that Roswaal guy for a while. In case the trial ends and this great self is freed up…"
This great self's favorability toward the boss in this loop is extremely low. If this great self finds out the boss is escaping, maybe…
No, no, there are so many eyes and ears in the Sanctuary. Even if Emilia-Sama is in the trial…
—
[ "If we go together… there's only one ground dragon, but there are three of us." Subaru was in a dilemma.
Subaru and Otto were on the wanted list, so they naturally had to run.
Although Ram didn't need to, she had the mission of protecting Subaru, so she had to go as well.
"Barusu and Otto are both half-baked in terms of ability, but your weights are still full-sized. Three people riding one ground dragon is simply unrealistic."
"Was that 'half-baked' part really necessary?" Otto lamented.
"Considering safety, Otto and I would have to sandwich Ram like a piece of bread… I guess?" Subaru pondered.
"By the way, there is also the option of having one person run on the ground instead of riding the ground dragon."
"In that case, considering fatigue and physical stamina, we can basically lock in Otto…"
Ram and Subaru bantered and mocked Otto as usual, but this time, Otto didn't complain or object. Instead, he stared fixedly in one direction.
Looking in that direction— ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Ah, this great self's bad feeling has come true. This is really bad."
Garfiel couldn't help but click his tongue.
—
[ Looking in that direction—
"You guys sure are having a friendly stroll and chat. Since it's a rare occasion, how about taking this great self along?" Garfiel bared his teeth, smiling as he walked over step by step.
Blocking their path.
Though he wore a smile, it was definitely not a friendly one. ]
.....