Chapter 96: Even a monkey could hunt the Witch Cult
[ "So, the simple explanation meeting for hunting the Witch Cult, something even monkeys can do—is starting now." Subaru said this amidst the Witch Cult subjugation team. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"So what was that super weird scene just now?"
Otto asked.
But naturally, everyone shook their heads.
Previously, Subaru had been sleeping and dreaming, and the previous scene appeared, so many people thought it was Subaru's dream.
But Petra wasn't a maid back then, so how could Subaru have dreamed about her as a maid?
If it were another world, the familiar line "Take a good look at the possibilities of other worlds" wasn't there either.
Moreover, judging from the current scene, things seem to be back on track, and Subaru doesn't appear to be sleeping.
It's strange, too strange.
And there were so many embarrassing scenes; let's just pretend they didn't happen, sigh.
—
[ "So, what kind of plan is it?" Someone asked Subaru.
"To be honest—it's pretty much relying on a preemptive strike to seize the enemy leader's head and victory together."
"But, the premise is that it must succeed. Anyone can talk big, but if it's just big talk, then you're just dreaming." Ricardo said.
"Of course there's a plan. I'm not so reckless as to go fishing for the White Whale without a hook. First, the Witch Cult is approaching Mathers Domain. Before our actions are exposed, we must first defeat the Witch Cultists lurking in the forest. We don't need to consider their chance for a preemptive strike; we just need to crush them with a superior preemptive strike."
"Ferris appreciates your enthusiasm, but how do you find the Witch Cultists hiding in the forest, nyaa? For four hundred years, those people have been all over the world without anyone catching their fox tails, nyaa. Conventional methods won't work, right?"
"Ah, about that... Simply put, it's the same method as fishing for the White Whale. When attracting the White Whale, didn't I use my scent? Just like then, this trick of mine also works on the Witch Cult." ]
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〜Inside, the Theater〜
"It's this method again, huh."
Otto said.
Should he call this luck or misfortune now?
No matter what, being able to attract both Mabeasts and Witch Cultists is truly a headache.
"Please be sure to stay safe, Subaru-kun. Let Rem see Subaru-kun's heroic side."
Rem said.
At this time, Rem had already set off with Crusch-sama on the road back to the Royal Capital.
And based on her Elder Sister's description, Rem would...
Rem wanted to properly witness the heroic deeds she had never seen before.
"Wait, something is wrong."
Yuriusu frowned tightly.
Although it was very similar to his memory, it was different from what he remembered.
Yuriusu, Ferris, Wilhelm, and the others who were present at the time looked at each other and nodded together.
There was only one explanation: Subaru had used Return by Death. And the starting point for this restart was here.
"C-Could it be?"
Rem and Emilia said in unison.
"...Yes."
Yuriusu nodded.
—
[ "Oh dear, this constitution thing is terrifying, isn't it? It's really giving me a headache, haha..." Subaru forced a laugh.
Silence fell across the grassland.
"I know very well that what I just said wasn't convincing. These are indeed inexplicable words, and it's natural for everyone to react with disbelief. But... I hope everyone can believe me. I've done a lot of stupid things in the past, but everything I'm doing now is serious. I've decided to go all out, so I really hope everyone can help." After speaking, he bowed his head deeply, pleading. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"Looking at this scene now, it's exactly what I suspected before: he went from one extreme to the other."
Yuriusu, outside the screen, said.
At this moment, Subaru seemed to have forgotten that besides self-interest, there was also trust in the world.
Now that he had earned everyone's trust, there was no need to act like this.
"However... this is also due to Subaru's experiences..."
Emilia said tenderly.
"Ferris actually thinks it's fine, nyaa. All those things happened because of Subaru's foolish actions, so he deserves it."
Ferris said.
—
[ Everyone was silent. It was Ricardo who broke the silence.
"There are as many questions as there are. That being said, since we've come this far, how could we doubt the young man? In other words, we've already skipped the recollection stage."
"Eh?"
Then, Wilhelm also said: "Subaru-dono, a man should not easily bow his head, let alone ask for help without looking at the other person's face. That's simply absurd—lift your head. In doing so, I'm sure you will notice."
"..." Subaru lifted his head.
There were no suspicious glances.
"I'm really too uncool... It seems I'm still the same, unable to read the atmosphere." Subaru's cheeks flushed, and his eyes were moist.
Composing himself, he continued: "As for why I judge that the Witch Cult is lurking in the forests around the mansion and village, it's because they have no other suitable hiding places. Other places are blocked by the 'mist'. But the White Whale was almost immediately subjugated after it appeared. Before those people receive the news, our sharp sword must strike first."
"Considering this, this battle is a race against time. As long as our sword can reach the heads of those villains hiding in the forest, the rest will be a pure head-on confrontation. With the subjugation team and my meager efforts, plus the 'Iron Fang' and Yuriusu-dono over there, it's hard to imagine us losing." Wilhelm said.
"That's right. We can launch an excellent surprise attack, so we have an overwhelming advantage." ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"It seems Mr. Yūkuriusu's memory is correct. Time is indeed very tight. How could there be time to sleep?"
Otto said.
In that case, the previous scene, which was suspected to be a dream, was too strange.
Seriously, let's just pretend it never happened.
—
[ "After entering the Mathers Domain, I'll use my body odor to smoke out the Witch Cultists lurking in the forest. However, the Sin Archbishops are cunning. That guy divided his subordinates into multiple small teams, a total of ten, and arranged them very dispersedly. As for how the information came, it was learned when I encountered 'Sloth' before. That guy calls his subordinates 'Fingers'." Subaru said.
Then he spoke again: "The rest is to send Miss Crusch's messenger to arrive at the mansion before us. After all, Emilia needs to be informed beforehand about the alliance and the situation of reinforcements, otherwise, it will confuse her."
"Ah, it's a personal letter. By the way, it's already written." Ferris clapped his hands and said. ]
.....
〜Inside, the Theater〜
"..."
Ferris, outside the screen, fell silent.
At this point, that personal letter was a blank sheet of paper.
And a blank sheet of paper was practically equivalent to a declaration of war.
At the time, they thought some organization was trying to sabotage the relationship between Crusch's faction and Emilia's faction by interfering.
But when they reviewed the incident later, it was actually because of "Gluttony"...
The personal letter was written by Rem, and the person who wrote the letter had their memories and existence devoured.
"..."
Yuriusu probably guessed what Ferris was thinking and also said,
"Moreover, Subaru's intelligence at this time is insufficient. He doesn't know that the madman can possess others... Was this indeed the reason for the defeat this time?"
Everyone's hearts leaped.
What was the reason this time? Was it the Witch Cult or something worse...
Worse still, Subaru was judged by Emilia's faction to have betrayed them, and thus he was killed.
Everyone remained uneasy like this.
Meanwhile, Subaru was about to start the Witch Cultist subjugation battle.
—