Chapter 317
This time, I was lazy.
One was so arrogant that he didn't care about the other's obedience, and the other was so furious that he lacked a sense of security and was twisted. This frightened him so much that he began to imagine what other twisted and impossible things the remaining great sins were.
But surprisingly, a lazy life is... so normal.
So normal, as if that's how he was supposed to be.
But...
Do you love me?
She was indeed the only one he could think of.
Rem, his oni maid sister who still remains unconscious after the Battle of the White Whale, is in love with him.
I actually have a chance to marry Rem.
... Indeed, it's an impossible possibility.
Despite Emilia's continued painful whispers during the Trial beside him, Natsuki Subaru showed no intention of changing his mind.
He would only choose the white-haired half-elf girl beside him.
There is only this one option.
So, let's move on to the next point.
Pride, wrath, sloth... if we were to describe it in chapters, these are the places where fatal turning points occur in every decisive event you experience.
In other words, the above IF statements can also be referred to as turning point 1, turning point 2, and turning point 3, respectively.
Doesn't it feel like a tribute?
Laugh.
Although I've already wasted enough ink on you, and today's diary entry is actually way over the limit—in fact, I should have been addressing everyone else—this time, I've chosen to expend extra breath on you, especially by choosing to do so alone.
So, let's have a little more.
What you are about to face is the 'turning point 4' that you are about to confront.
The beginning of the Royal Capital, the distortion of the Mansion, and the escape after the White Whale Extermination War.
The future of 'greed'.
Yes, that's right. This is the future that may happen to you, because everything from now on is an unfinished story.
So-called strong desires naturally refer to the desire to know everything, to obtain everything, and to become everything.
The thirst for knowledge is the greatest manifestation of ambition.
Why does one become obsessed with desire? Why does one veer towards obsession with desire?
Needless to say, you should be able to think of the reasons.
That's right, because of Echidna, because of the Witch of Greed, right here, within your reach.
In the Trial grounds of this tomb.
Originally, she would have been there now, after you Return by Death, when you were thinking about who else to turn to and choosing to turn to her.
I have a suggestion for you.
They made a vow to overcome difficulties together in the future.
'From now on, if you encounter any insurmountable obstacles, I will overcome them with you; if you desire someone's response, I will strive to ensure you hear the words you wish to hear; when you are overwhelmed by your own sins, I will support you.'
Oh, such perfect words.
If she weren't Echidna.
The price she failed to specify in the contract, the verbal trap she skillfully created by concealing the truth.
Its true purpose.
'What you feel, what you think, what remains in your heart, the future you know, everything you seek, the possibilities you have conceived, the fruits of your existence bearing the name of the "unknown"—I want to experience all of these things.'
That's exactly right.
That's all.
If you failed to see through this, if you saw through it but still chose to accept the contract, if the other witches didn't choose to interfere, if Satella didn't appear.
You will then become driven by lust.
Try it; everything in the world is possible.
Experience everything that Return by Death can offer.
If what you want is the ultimate, perfect ending, then what Echidna would want is the 'read' status of the 'full text'.
Have you ever played in the corner of the wood?
In the settings, text that has been read once can be highlighted in color, and you can choose to skip it.
What she wanted was to turn all the text gray.
I read it, I experienced it, and then I lost interest.
Only in this very last moment.
Only then will she be able to lead you to the perfect ending you desire.
But... when that time actually comes, will you still expect such a thing?
This journey ended with an unfinished story.
The new text hasn't fallen after the page has been turned, so there's still time for a buffer.
Natsuki Subaru's breathing paused slightly.
He was still lingering on those last words.
This is greed.
It's not Natsuki Subaru a thirst for power, but Echidna with a thirst for power.
This witch, with her overwhelming presence, corrupted 'Natsuki Subaru,' who seemed to embody original sin in all other routes.
This should clearly be his path, this should clearly be his possibility, this should clearly be his "what if," this should clearly be his original sin that he rightfully deserves to exist.
But all of it all of it--
But it became Echidna's possession.
If.
Fortunately, we haven't reached that "what if" point yet.
This is something to be thankful for... perhaps.
His emotions were once again stirred by the words before him.
The calm yet gentle line of indolence acts as a buffer, merely giving him time to calm down, and revealing the truth to him at this moment through this path of intense desire.
The true face of Echidna, the Witch of Echidna.
... No, it hasn't reached the point of revealing its true nature yet.
Natsuki Subaru could sense how powerful Echidna's desires were, deep within the words, in the stone chamber where he was, on the other side of the Trial, and at the witch's tea party.
That is something that cannot be fully expressed in simple words at this moment.
So.
There are three deadly sins remaining.
Gluttony, jealousy, and... lust.
My lust...?
Just as Natsuki Subaru couldn't help but think about it...
After a long hiatus, I've started writing in my diary again.
[Stop posting in heat, I'm sick of it, I'm not writing anymore if you keep doing this.]
Damn it, even a dog could tell what you were thinking.
Forget about the erotic line; it doesn't exist. That stuff is terrible, as terrible as cheesy erotic fantasies, completely lacking any semblance of rationality. If you had to say what might lead to the erotic line, it would be if you suddenly found a hypnosis app.
So get lost.
Who told you there would definitely be seven paths, seven deadly sins, and seven possibilities?
I never said that.
This is merely a possibility that will not happen; it is a possibility that is absolutely impossible.
It's not Natsuki Subaru's Seven Deadly Sins.
Although each possibility may be somewhat related to a serious crime, you should avoid getting involved.
You are by the roadside.
"Cough cough..."
Here it comes, the familiar insults. Although he had just been insulted today, after reading the descriptions of the four IF scenarios, Natsuki Subaru actually felt a little happy about the insults directed at him.
He admitted he was being overly optimistic, but there was nothing he could do about it; every man has those kinds of thoughts!
Moreover, it was just a thought, a fleeting thought, and absolutely did not mean that he intended to betray Emilia.
He was devoted to Emilia!
"I'm sorry, I was wrong. Please, Godfather, keep writing. Don't mind this idiot whose brain was temporarily filled with lust."
He slammed his palms together and then bowed his head heavily with a sharp thud.
Actually, speaking of the "desire line," I'd really like to play you a song.
<Willing to serve>
But whatever, you're not a possessive person. This stinking jealousy is just pretending to understand others, and it makes me want to vomit.
So that's how it is.
I've removed the erotic lines for you.
What remains is gluttony and envy.
Without a doubt, you are currently walking the path of jealousy.
You are the witch's darling, you are the one Satella loves, and there is no one else who can be called 'jealous' except you.
Each Return by Death is a practice of the Witch of Envy's creed; each Return by Death brings her one step closer to becoming the Witch of Envy.
But it's okay, it's okay.
This is the most correct route; this is the direction without any turning points.
Therefore, there is no need to worry.
As for binge eating, oh, binge eating.
I won't go into detail about binge eating; it's something that can be covered in a few sentences.
In the distant future, after transcending the Sanctuary and overcoming the present tribulations, when you are able to advance your story into the next chapter, and the chapter after that.
You will face "Turning Point 5" in the Sage's Tower, a turning point known as "Gluttony".
Oh, gluttony, gluttony that devours memories.
You will lose all your memories.
Returning to the state of mind one had when first arriving in this other world.
A bewildered self, an empty shell, yet existing within the interpersonal relationships established there.
Who is the person they are hoping for? Who is the person they trust? Is the one who has achieved such success really a man named 'Natsuki Subaru'?
You need to find yourself again; you want to regain your memories.
So.
When a book called the Book of the Dead falls into your hands, and you can use it to begin reading about the lives of others, you can glimpse a corner of the man named 'Natsuki Subaru' in their past.
Then the binge eating began.