Chapter 143: Lady Emilia, I Leave Him to You, Great Spirit
"Subaru!" Just as Julius had finished settling Wilhelm down and was about to rush to Natsuki Subaru's side, he saw a red micro-spirit fly into Subaru's body.
"Subaru!!" Felix's shout snapped Julius out of it. Gritting his teeth, he moved his legs and, together with Felix, rushed to Subaru's side.
"Thank goodness, he's still breathing. If we start treatment now, we might make it in time." While Felix treated Subaru, Julius stood beside him, staring at Subaru's face. An unshakable unease loomed in his heart.
"Are we too late? You there, little one—can you save Subaru's life?" Julius looked up at the floating little cat in the sky.
After hearing Felix's assurance, the cat scanned the battlefield. In the sky behind him, countless ice lances began to appear.
"Then wait just a moment. I'll clean up the rest of these guys." Under the hail of ice lances, the remaining Witch Cultists were all effortlessly slaughtered.
Having finished, Puck landed beside Subaru and prepared to assist Felix in treating him. But just as he was about to begin, he froze.
He stared at Subaru's face—now twisted in a grotesque grimace.
As Felix continued treatment, Subaru suddenly opened his eyes and silently sat up.
"Subaru! You idiot—lie back down!" Felix reached out to push Subaru back down, but stopped mid-action as he saw a mad grin spread across Subaru's face.
Subaru looked down at his hands, then covered his face with one of them.
The eye visible through his fingers caused Felix to freeze.
"How wonderful! A body this perfect—I haven't found one in years! Ahhh!! So diligent! This body, already falling apart and seconds away from death, still overexerts itself to fight! Ahhh~~ this sensation, this pain—it's the mark of diligence!! Hahahahaha!!"
"Subaru?"
"That's not Subaru... That's the Sin Archbishop of Sloth! I had a bad feeling when I saw the witch factor leave his body earlier."
"Correct! I am Petelgeuse, the Sin Archbishop of Pride!" As Subaru tried to stand, he lost balance and plopped back down to the ground.
"......" Puck said nothing, but his face twisted with rage. The air around him began to drop in temperature.
Noticing this, the thing inside Subaru glanced at Puck, then at Felix and Julius, and grinned.
"This body can't move anymore. It looks like certain death—but it's also the best chance to escape. You're all slothful~~~ unable to save Pride, unable to strike down your enemy, and forced to let my life continue. Such sloth!"
"Madman! Get out of Subaru's body!!" Enraged, Julius drew his sword and placed it against Subaru's cheek.
In response, Subaru leaned into it, letting the sharp edge slice into his face.
"Madman? Indeed, I am a madman for love. For—" Subaru's voice suddenly cut off. The next moment, his face twisted in agony as he grabbed his head.
"Ahh!! Don't look!! That's not how it's supposed to—no...!"
His hands trembling, Subaru slowly reached for the broken half of a sword lying on the ground.
Seeing this, Felix quickly grabbed Subaru's hand to stop him.
"Subaru?"
"Let... go..."
"It's really you, right, Subaru?! What are you trying to do?! Just hang in there—we'll find a way to save you. So please, don't do anything reckless!"
"Great Spirit, do you have any way?!"
"...No. Even though I've lived a long life, when it comes to matters of the soul, I'm powerless. All we can do now is see if Subaru can win this battle himself."
"...Really? There's no way at all?!"
"..." Puck remained silent for a moment, then under Julius's gaze, he finally spoke:
"Believe in him."
Upon hearing that, both Julius and Felix understood what it meant: there was nothing they could do.
Grinding his teeth, Felix tore the broken sword from Subaru's grasp and looked at him, still clutching his head in pain.
At that moment, Subaru spoke in a small voice:
"Sorry... Overdrive Burst: All-Out Strike."
Before anyone could react, Subaru's speed suddenly surged as he bolted toward the forest.
The three stood frozen in shock, unable to comprehend how he was still moving. Then, realizing the situation, they rushed after him.
Subaru, now deep in the forest, slumped down against a tree. His ability would remain active for just a little longer.
Once it ended—death was certain. Yet Subaru smiled.
"Let's talk properly this time..."
No, it's not like that... Really... I'm a sinner...
"Mental collapse, huh...? Ugh, what a pain. Now how am I supposed to finish the job...?"
Subaru sighed and turned to face Puck, who had just landed in front of him.
"Yo, long time no see."
"Yeah. It has been."
The two exchanged a greeting. Without another word, Subaru raised his bloodstained hand. Understanding his intention, Puck stepped into his palm.
Feeling Subaru's gentle touch, Puck bowed his head.
"I'm sorry... I couldn't do anything."
"It's fine... This was my choice. Don't make that face. When we meet again, everything will be okay. So—until next time..."
After saying this, Subaru let go of Puck and slowly closed his eyes.
"Is Lady Emilia okay?"
"Lia is safe... Subaru, I'll absolutely, definitely protect her! I won't ever let something like this happen again!"
"Is that so... Then I can rest easy. I really wish I could've apologized to her... Then—I leave Lady Emilia in your hands, Great Spirit..."
"—Subaru?"
Puck called his name in confusion, but there was no answer. The Subaru leaning against the tree— was no longer breathing.
Puck turned to Julius and Felix, who had arrived at the scene. His sorrowful expression faded.
"Sorry for making you two come all this way. I'll take Subaru with me. You two handle the rest."
Saying this, Puck expanded his body, cradled Subaru in his arms, and created an ice coffin before him.
Placing Subaru's corpse inside, he sealed the lid and shrank back to his usual form, flying toward the village with the coffin in tow.
Julius and Felix, left behind, stood still as the coffin faded into the distance— Their faces full of overwhelming sorrow.
The battle had ended in complete victory.
But no one felt like they had won.