Arc 9, Part 43: "True Name"

—God, Buddha, Od Laguna. I swear that for the rest of my life, I will never play with children.

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"For example, if someone else... if I could use the Witch Factor Clind-anisama has, would that mean I could 'Teleport' as much as I wanted without paying a price?"

That was the first malicious use Petra had thought of when Clind told her about the existence of the Witch Factor of 'Melancholy' and its relationship to the Authority of 'Compression.'

Clind had explained that he was not compatible with the Witch Factor, and as a result, he had to pay a price—a compensation—to use the Authority of 'Compression.' At the same time, he told her that the Witch Factor of 'Melancholy' was a one-off factor created for a specific individual and would never be compatible with Petra.

Because of that, the prospect of a special tag-team consisting of Natsuki Subaru, the 'Fiend' with the power of 'Return by Death,' and Petra Leyte, the 'Witch' who assisted him, was disbanded before it could even form. To be honest, while she felt relieved, she also felt a twinge of disappointment.

From there, the matter of the Witch Factor of 'Melancholy' was pushed to the side, and it was settled that Clind would use 'Compression' to gather their allies and plunge into the final battle with the enemy. However—during the process of uncovering Al’s Authority of 'Time Reversal' and crafting a plan to surely stop Al’s group, the spotlight fell upon the Authority of 'Melancholy' once again.

Clind had told Petra and the others that as a result of his incompatibility with the Witch Factor, it was impossible to exercise the Authority without paying a price. However, looking at it from the other side—

"—If someone can pay the price, that means someone other than Clind-anisama can use 'Compression,' right?"

At Petra’s confirmation, Clind’s expression did not change. That, in turn, made Petra certain of her deduction. If he had truly wanted to hide it, Clind should have acted surprised, as if he "hadn't even thought of it."

"To deal with Al-san and the others, it's absolutely essential to scatter them all. Aside from Al-san, the hardest opponent is the 'Divine Dragon,' but... Clind-anisama is going to handle that, right?"

"I can guarantee that point as well. Clind is a key person who could be the trump card against the 'Divine Dragon' Volcanica—da. Did I use that right?"

"—. You did."

During the strategy meeting, it was Clind who had boasted that he could suppress the 'Divine Dragon.' Honestly, between the Witch Factor of 'Melancholy' and everything else, Petra felt a bit exasperated wondering just how many secrets he and Roswaal had been hiding, but having him be reliable was for the best. However, just because he was reliable didn't mean they could spoil him and rely on him for everything.

"But if Clind-anisama is busy with the 'Divine Dragon,' he won't be able to move people in and out with 'Compression,' right?"

"I will not deny it. Affirmation. Of course, I shall do everything in my power to ensure everyone is delivered to the battlefield, but..."

"No. If we do that, the strength of 'Compression' will go to waste. The best part about 'Compression' is how it can move and swap forces in and out, like teleportation."

The words Clind swore with a quiet expression, yet filled with certain heat, were likely not a lie. He could surely deliver their maximum fighting force to the enemy camp. That alone was an extraordinary result. However, if they could hope for more, this was a battle where they should hope for as much as possible.

"And so, we come to the talk of transferring the Authority. I would like to confirm if this is a feasible plan before we consider it further, however."

"—. Regarding that. Hesitation."

"Clind-anisama, please put all the ingredients on the table."

"————"

"I think this is the stage where we discuss what cards everyone has and how much we can use them. So, no secrets."

Petra clearly demanded this of the hesitating Clind. She understood why he didn't want to talk about it, and why he agonized over whether to disclose the information. She understood, but this discussion was a consultation to save the Kingdom, the world—and Natsuki Subaru and the others. Meili glaring at Petra for saying "no secrets" was just a little charm of the moment.

"...If we are speaking of whether it is possible or impossible, it is possible. Admission. The Witch Factor of 'Melancholy' is not compatible with me either; I merely possess it. Responsibility."

"If that's the case, you're just changing owners? Ha! That's handled quite casually. It would be a catastrophe if Clind just misplaced it."

"Misplacing it is one thing, but it's also scary to think of someone stealing it or taking it away. ...In that sense, it makes sense that Clind was the one made to hold it."

Unexpectedly, it seemed the Witch Factor of 'Melancholy' had been managed in a precarious state. Petra agreed with the opinion that it made sense for Clind to be entrusted with its management. Clind, who was always brisk and handled everything tactfully, was likely the perfect manager. However—

"That role might be better passed to someone else this time."

"Someone else... but a Witch Factor is a veeeery dangerous thing. I've seen one before in the 'Sanctuary.' It wasn't something that could be handled safely at all."

"...There are definitely risks. But, if it can be used well..."

"—Tch, Petra-chan, I’m against this, you know!"

Petra lowered her eyebrows at the voice that opposed her most emotionally, with a sharp tone. She knew Meili was constantly worried about her, and it made her happy. After all, shortly after Petra met her, she had tried to make Meili like her. She thought affection would be the best weapon to dull murderous intent. That had been a huge success.

"Maybe the effect was a little too strong, though."

『I’m telling you, I agree with Meili. You didn't let me hear it, but Petra, you’ve already paid Clind-san something. I can't let you give any more than that.』

A phantom voice that no one else could hear gave Petra the feeling of being cherished. She could say with certainty: while "Imaginary Subaru" was just a convenient delusion of hers, the real Subaru would undoubtedly have said the same thing; the reproduction was that high.

"I'm glad Frederica-anesama and Beatrice-chan aren't here."

Meili alone had made Petra’s heart waver quite a bit. If the double-punch of Frederica and Beatrice had been added, even Petra might have been knocked out. What if Garfiel and Otto were here? Garfiel would probably get angry and shout, but she felt like Otto would understand. After all, Otto was the one being the most reckless in the camp right now anyway, so she didn't think he had the right to complain to Petra.

While embracing the awareness of being such a happily loved girl, Petra spoke—

"—Let’s divide the roles properly. So that everyone can do their job best."

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—God, Buddha, Od Laguna. I swear that for the rest of my life, I will never visit a place of memories.

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While confirming the sensation of the square box tucked tightly into her bosom, Petra focused on the Witch Factor of 'Melancholy' that she had successfully taken custody of by using her words to persuade those around her.

"—I have to... concentrate."

By putting it into words, Petra strongly admonished herself to maintain her sanity. —To be honest, until today, Petra had thought she possessed a resilient spirit. She hadn't broken her heart even after reading a 'Book of the Dead,' and even though her beloved didn't show the slightest interest in her, she had never once thought of giving up on making him look her way. She was aware that for her age, she had been through many life-or-death situations and battlefields.

Even for someone like Petra, the destructive sense of omnipotence brought by the Witch Factor made her head spin.

"No, no, Petra... Subaru, cheer me on."

『Petra, do your best! Don't lose! If you end up losing after doing the gambling I told you not to do, that'll be it! I'll hate you!』

"Then, I definitely won't lose..."

Having her beloved encourage her in her mind felt like she was in a fairly terminal state, but since it was actually effective, the power of love was great. What is a Witch Factor before a maiden's love? Since the struggle with a Witch Factor was ultimately a matter of mentality, it was only natural that the power of one's feelings would be a specific medicine. —And Petra, who could no longer be just a simple village girl because of it, understood the effectiveness of that medicine better than anyone. Therefore—

"—Fire Eight, Noble! Flower Three, Warrior-ja!"

At the hoarse voice that struck her eardrums forcefully, Petra opened her eyes wide and gritted her teeth. 'Compression' activated, and within Petra’s mind, she slotted the designated personnel into the designated positions on the battlefield, which was partitioned the same way as an 8x8 Shatranj board. Sure enough, two people from the Felt Camp who were brought to the battlefield in an instant—Felt’s servant Gaston and the fierce-looking Pigman known as the 'Pig King,' Doltero—swung their powerful arms, punching away 'Gluttony' and Heinkel, who were each about to launch an attack.

"Eh? Really? Is that even possible?"

Roy, who parried the impact of the punch with an acrobatic movement, lifted his irritating face, shifted his gaze from Ram—whom he had been focused on until then—and looked toward Petra. He looked at Petra, who was positioned to grasp the entirety of the battlefield at a distance from the direct combatants Ram, Meili, Flop, and Glace, and Old Man Rom, who carried her on his shoulder.

"—Petra-chan, since when did you become a Sin Archbishop?"

As expected of a Sin Archbishop, he could sense the location of the Witch Factor—no, if that were the case, he would have noticed this trick sooner. He probably guessed that 'Compression' was an Authority and figured out who was in the best position to use it appropriately. Not "as expected" at all.

"That sounds really bad. If you're going to use a name that sounds bad anyway, call me this."

Without showing any sign of her wariness toward Roy’s insight, Petra placed her hand on her chest, and while confirming the sensation of the small black box she had received from Clind, she stuck out her tongue and said:

"—'Witch of Melancholy,' Petra Leyte."

Claiming that title was, in most cases, not welcomed. Naming oneself so was out of the question, let alone being called that by others. It was a title like a curse, loathed by everyone in the world, regardless of whether one was prepared for it. However, Petra claimed it boldly, as if it were something to be proud of.

Because the master Petra served was the 'Witch of Ice,' and her beloved was a kind and noble knight who gave his heart to such a Witch.

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—God, Buddha, Od Laguna. I swear that for the rest of my life, I will never pick a beautiful flower. —God, Buddha, Od Laguna. I swear that for the rest of my life, I will never eat my favorite food. —God, Buddha, Od Laguna. I swear that for the rest of my life, I will never return to my hometown.

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—'Witch of Melancholy,' Petra Leyte.

At Petra’s declaration of herself, Roy Alphard felt a sense of climax. —At the surprise that she would go that far, and the joy that she had gone that far for him. Taking in a Witch Factor and voluntarily becoming an owner of an Authority—a 'Witch,' a 'Fiend,' or what is called a Sin Archbishop—was nothing short of insanity. In the fact that she could make such an irrational decision, Roy felt their thoroughness in choosing any means necessary—that is, the spirit of hospitality that was affection, felt strongly, deeply, largely, and hotly.

"This is the beeeest...! I'm glad I came out!"

Spreading his arms, Roy choked with delight as he thanked them for this hospitality and encounter. Since she claimed to be the 'Witch of Melancholy,' Roy’s deduction that the opponent's Authority originated from 'Pride' was wrong. However, Roy had heard from the monster who claimed to be his mother that the Witch Factor of 'Melancholy' was a special, defective product that was incompatible with anyone. The Witch Factor of 'Melancholy' was one of the things that mother wanted, so if he told her its location, she would surely be delighted. Of course, he had no intention of giving even a single bite of such a special treat to his mother.

"It's the cute selfishness of a hungry child, so I'm sure she'll overlook it."

She was the incarnation of the desire for approval, a mother who loved being respected above all else. If she knew Roy had prioritized himself over her, it was obvious what kind of tantrum she would throw. In the past, Roy found his mother's selfishness and egotism unbearable, but now he felt slightly different than before. —He felt as if he could treasure even his mother's selfish, self-centered, and pathological self-love as an irreplaceable individuality.

"Earth Six, Queen! Sun Six, Hunter! Shadow Five, Noble!"

Responding to the instructions of the Giant old man, a faint light dwelled in Petra’s eyes. It didn't actually shine. It was more like the moment she strained herself as a result of devoting her consciousness to using an unfamiliar Authority became apparent. Normally, it was a trivial habit that didn't need to be minded, but in the midst of a battle where a split second determined victory or defeat, even that became information directly linked to life or death.

In Roy’s field of vision, the figures of Ram, the Pigman, and Meili astride the Hungry Horse King vanished. —And as soon as they vanished, they appeared as if surrounding Roy from three sides, launching an attack. The timing was as clear as day from the light in Petra’s eyes.

"Yes, yes, excuse me for a moment."

Just before the attacks landed, Roy clapped his hands together in front of his chest. —In an instant, the earth heaved up like a sandcastle being squeezed from both sides, cutting off Ram and the Pigman’s line of sight to Roy. Leaving the two of them to that, Roy concentrated his consciousness on the most annoying sound of a crying baby. In the vision behind his head that jumped in even without turning around, there was the bone spear of the Hungry Horse King carrying Meili—and, sent along as a set, the monstrous arm of the Guiltylow was swung. Leaning his body heavily, dodging, dodging, and dodging again, Roy licked his lips.

'The Compressor' Figdol was a professional assassin specializing in live burial who used an anomaly that squeezed everything from both ends of his vision to the center, and the 'Thousand-Faced Saint' Yerna was the owner of a wide field of vision and a heart that didn't miss the tears of the weak wailing in 360 degrees—up, down, left, and right. —But the ability of the 'Beast Queen' Meili was second to none of them.

"————!!"

A pack of Wolgarm, the Hungry Horse King of the Sand Sea, and the Guiltylow, renowned as the 'Jet-Black King of the Forest'—Roy couldn't catch his breath from the emotion at Meili’s skill in bringing out one demonic beast after another. He had already "previewed" Meili’s methods of controlling demonic beasts whose horns hadn't been broken through 'Memories,' but at the Pleiades Watchtower, he had been forced to wait to experience its true value, so he was extremely excited to see the real thing.

"If you were born with such a Divine Protection, wouldn't you have had a life full of ups and downs? Tell us how you've lived, Meili!"

"...You're asking me to tell you how I've lived? Subaru-onichan and Emilia-onechan said that to me before, too."

"Heh? And then, and then?"

Glaring at Roy, who was drooling while nimbly dodging the Hungry Horse King’s bone spear and the Guiltylow’s sharp claws, Meili made a face full of hostility and disgust, stuck out her tongue, and said:

"It's the same as that talk about love from earlier; in the end, what's important isn't what is said, but who says it!"

To that unassailable truth, Roy had no words to give back, saying, "Taha!" Behind Roy, the earth wall was smashed by the Pigman, and from above, Ram, who had vanished and reappeared again, came falling down. Front, back, above—the space under Roy’s crotch and at both his sides, which were surrounded three-dimensionally, distorted, and the magic of the 'Demon Manipulator' Yardley, who had been buried in the shadows of history and eventually eaten, activated—spears of fire, ice, and earth were created by magic, and their aim was set in an instant. The targets were Meili, the Pigman, and Ram—but she wasn't there.

"Losing sight of Ram over and over. Why don't you throw them away? Those eyes of yours."

—She was there. Ram’s slender figure appeared at such a close distance it was almost like an embrace.

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—God, Buddha, Od Laguna. I swear that for the rest of my life, I will never cry in front of people. —God, Buddha, Od Laguna. I swear that for the rest of my life, I will never wipe away someone's tears.

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"'Witch of Melancholy'...!"

—'The Compressor' x 'The Thousand-Faced Saint' x 'The Demon Manipulator.'

Even the combined power of the new "out-of-this-world" people was surpassed, and Roy’s throat rang high as he realized whose hand was behind the three approaching from multiple angles. It wasn't anger that made his voice tremble. It was joy. From the excitement, the fluttering of his heart wouldn't stop. Leaving it to that fluttering, Roy re-aimed the three elemental spears he had once targeted, clashing them against each other. The resulting blast and steam forced Ram and the others to reset the field—

"—Na."

"Did you think I would 'Teleport' to avoid getting hurt?"

The hot steam that should have covered his vision and forced a 'Teleport' via the Authority of 'Melancholy' was torn apart by brute force, and from beyond it, the owner of light pink eyes leaped out. Roy, who had removed the option of choosing to be injured from his mind, was caught off guard by her posture of diving headfirst into a heatwave that would surely cause burns. Immediately, an option was born to use the 'Leaper's' 'Teleport' to perform a forced reset under Roy’s lead. —However,

"—The beeeest!"

The moment he acknowledged the excellence of his enemy, Roy Alphard’s 'Bizarre Eating' awakened. A shout of delight exploded in his head, and countless options branched out and shone within Roy’s brain. He opened the treasury of stored 'Memories,' seeking the shining ones from among the countless treasures tossed in haphazardly—the birth cries of sleeping wealth that had been waiting for their turn at this very moment.

—Currently, the biggest focus was the true identity of the "hospitality" that had caused 'Eclipse' to fail.

"————"

Roy had failed in his 'Eclipse' of Ram, the opponent whose soul he had reached out to in order to eat her 'Memories.' But she was undoubtedly Ram. That was clear even from the freshly eaten 'Memories'; the source of the 'Memories' called her Ram, everyone else around her called her Ram, and even she herself used "Ram" as her first-person pronoun—she was thoroughly Ram.

Despite that, the activation condition for 'Eclipse' could not be cleared with the name Ram. In this case, the most likely reason for 'Eclipse' to fail was—

"—A change of, True Name."

What was necessary for 'Eclipse' was the preparation to snatch the target from the register of souls managed by Od Laguna. Therefore, the target's name must be the one Od Laguna had recorded as "this." In most cases, that was the vow made during the naming at birth—when that prayer reached it, the True Name was recorded in Od Laguna, which could be called the Great Void. Basically, once a True Name was fixed, it would not be changed regardless of the person's self-recognition. The few exceptions where Od Laguna would permit that change were—

"—Ram Mathers."

"—!"

Roy touched her first, as Ram burst through the steam, trying to deliver a blow. The most common reason for a True Name change was 'Marriage.' —And Ram had made Meili call her "Madam." From the 'Memories,' there was no room for doubt as to whom Ram cared for. Convinced of this, Roy activated 'Eclipse' on the soul of Ram—no, Ram Mathers—who opened her light pink eyes wide, intending to eat her 'Memories' and understand her completely—

"ITADAKIMA—bueh."

In an instant, Roy’s eyes bugged out at the sensation of having filth stuffed into his open mouth. That was proof of the failure of 'Eclipse.' His entire body trembled with intense rejection, and Roy’s thoughts, whose readiness to welcome a feast had been torn apart from within, were dominated by an irrational question.

Why, how, understanding, marriage, Ram, True Name, loves her sister, bad taste, Margrave, devoted, spiteful, excellent, reliable, only his taste is bad, also spiteful, marriage, passion—.

"—Did you peek into Otto’s 'Memories'? How foolish."

"Ah—?"

"Did you think that, taking advantage of such an emergency, Ram would settle in as Roswaal-sama’s spouse? —If you truly knew Ram, that's a misunderstanding you wouldn't have made."

At the mockery from Ram, who slightly parted her lips, Roy understood. Making Meili call her "Madam" was also a misdirection to lead him to a false conclusion by relying on the 'Memories' of those close to her—in fact, Roy had skipped the low-risk 'Leaper' option and reached out his tongue toward Ram’s soul, which he was certain was a high-return meal. It was a judgment he wouldn't have made if he hadn't eaten 'Memories'—if he hadn't eaten Otto Suwen.

"This is for Otto, for now."

The fist clad in Ram’s wind, the Pigman’s rock-like fist, and furthermore, the burning bone spear clad in explosive heat and the beast’s powerful arm all pierced Roy Alphard simultaneously.