Chapter Text
From Zero
Void. Darkness. Shadows.
That was what Natsuki Subaru woke up to.
A world of darkness and shadows.
A familiar sight he knows well.
A place he always visits when "Death" comes for him.
It's a place deprived of hope and dreams, existing outside of Od Laguna's grasp.
A place where he and "her" meet.
A place called the Shadow Garden.
He looks around with caution, but he doesn't bother trying to escape from this place.
Although the Shadow Garden is a dangerous place, for the man known as Natsuki Subaru, it's the safest place in the world.
No one can kill him here. No one can harm him here. No one can touch him here.
The only one allowed to be here is Natsuki Subaru and…
Then he felt it.
She came.
As if the realm of darkness sensed the presence of its creator.
A shadowy figure appears before Subaru's eyes.
She walks toward him slowly, carrying an overwhelming presence, carrying an overwhelming love.
And he hears her.
"I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you…"
Her words are like sweet poison to Subaru's mind. Each declaration of "Love" is filled with gentleness and obsession.
Anyone who saw her would scream in fear.
Because her very existence left a scar upon the world.
Before Natsuki Subaru is none other than the one called "The Witch."
She who destroyed half the world in the name of love.
She who brought Subaru into this world.
"I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you…"
The Witch of Envy keeps declaring her love toward Subaru as she closes the distance between them.
Anyone with their right mind would scream in fear and try to run from this calamity…
Unfortunately, Subaru is not a sane person.
"It's been a while… are you Satella, or Envy?"
Subaru looks at her with a gentle smile and waves warmly.
The Witch of Envy's declarations of "Love" stop.
Then Subaru hears a soft voice, lingering with care and sweet affection.
"It's me… Subaru… it's good to see you well."
The voice of Satella answers him instead of Envy. This surprises him a little.
He didn't expect Satella to gain control, but he smiles at this outcome.
"Yeah, and I'm happy to see you too. Although getting sealed like you was an experience, for sure."
Subaru jokes a little to try lifting the mood for himself. After all, he didn't expect his "friend" to seal him.
After everything that happened, this was the closest Subaru has ever come to losing.
That's how terrifying the individual known as Aldebaran truly is.
The closest "monster" to Subaru.
When Satella hears his words, her face shows a hint of sadness, and she says:
"Sorry for what happened… I didn't think that Echidna's scheme would exploit the loophole of your Authority."
Seeing Satella's sad expression, Subaru tries cheering her up.
"Ah… don't be sad. We both know how bad Echidna's personality is. In the end, everything turned out fine."
Satella looks at Subaru with a gentle smile tinged with sadness. She quickly closes the gap between them and hugs him tightly.
Subaru is surprised by the sudden embrace, but he smiles and hugs her back gently.
For Satella, this embrace is everything she wants. All her love for Subaru explodes in her mind and tries to consume her, but she endures — just a little — for her beloved.
She loves everything about him. His voice. His face. His body. His scent. His soul. Everything about him is hers. Hers.
…But he loves other women too.
Ah, how lustful — to think of making "love" in this sacred place.
Ah, how greedy of her — to wish his love belonged to her alone.
Ah, how wrathful she feels — toward all the women trying to take him from her.
Ah, how slothful she is — for not helping him more in his journey.
Ah, how gluttonous she is — for wanting to consume all of him.
Ah, how prideful she is — for thinking only she could satisfy his love.
Ah, how envious she is — of anyone closer to her beloved who receives his love.
Each of these feelings that dwell within her drives her crazy. They consume her mind. They make her want to kiss him, bite him, feel him, love him.
LOVE HIM! ONLY HIM! NOBODY ELSE BUT HIM!
THIS LOVE! Unquestionably. Undoubtedly. Undeniably. Indubitably. Incontrovertibly.
Certainly. Definitely. Absolutely. Assuredly. Surely.
THIS LOVE!
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!
"Your hand is crushing me, Satella-tan."
—Ah.
Satella snaps back from her heavy love when she hears her beloved's voice. She quickly backs away and looks at him with a hint of guilt and embarrassment.
"Sorry… my envious side consumed me a little."
Subaru looks at her with a hint of enjoyment, but his face turns serious as he asks:
"So what's going on? Not to be rude or anything, but my stay here is longer than I expected…"
Satella understands what her beloved is asking. Why hasn't Return by Death activated?
So she explains.
"Your previous… save point has been cut."
The instant those words leave her lips, Subaru's blood runs cold. His face instantly turns pale.
For Natsuki Subaru, the power of Return by Death was a curse, but ultimately a blessing.
Because it's the only thing Subaru has. The only weapon against the harsh reality this world brings.
As if sensing Subaru's worry, Satella smiles gently and says:
"Don't worry… your power is still working. The problem is… your last save file was cut short… I don't know why."
Satella's explanation calms Subaru a little, and he asks:
"Then what should I do now?"
And then Satella drops a bomb on Subaru.
"You will return to… your first checkpoint. The first time you appeared in this world."
Subaru's eyes open wide in shock as Satella's words sink into his mind.
The implication of these words is far heavier for his soul to take…
"That's a phrase I didn't expect, haha…"
Subaru laughs sarcastically at himself.
All of his journey, an entire two and a half years — all of it gone in the blink of an eye.
It was heavy. But it was nothing new for Subaru.
"Maybe starting from zero is not bad after all."
Subaru murmurs to himself in deep thought.
If he goes back from the start, he could change some things. Like helping Crusch and Rem before Gluttony strikes.
Or saving more people in Priestella.
Shaula wouldn't have to sacrifice herself for him…
And he could have more time to prepare for the Vollachia Empire crisis.
…And save Priscilla.
The thought of the Sun Princess alone was enough to tighten his chest.
He could still see her — standing proud, burning bright, never bowing to anyone. And then… gone. Because he wasn't enough.
If Priscilla had lived, Al would never have—
If Priscilla had stayed alive, Al would not have sealed Subaru.
The only reason Al began his attack on the world is because Natsuki Subaru failed Priscilla Barielle.
After collecting his thoughts, Subaru regains his determination. With his knowledge, he will save everyone this time.
He looks at Satella with eyes full of resolve and asks:
"When do we start?"
Satella gazes at his determined expression with love and fondness.
"We can start now… but I have a present for you…"
Subaru stares at her in confusion.
In front of him, Satella holds a black orb.
It radiates such a dark and ominous aura.
Subaru knows what the orb is.
An Authority.
As a holder of three Authorities, Subaru can easily recognize them.
But he is confused. Why is Satella giving him this?
"This is your Authority… 'Return by Death.' I changed it a little bit… and Od Laguna helped me with it. Although it took a threat to destroy the world for him… to help."
Satella explains to Subaru.
"…No, the fact that you asked 'the world' to help you with this is absurd! But I'm so moved to know that it was for me…"
Subaru is moved by Satella's pure willingness to help him.
He didn't expect her to ask her enemy for his sake.
"But… I'm surprised Od Laguna helped you."
Od Laguna. The entity that governs this world. The same entity that gives Divine Blessings to every human and non-human in this world.
This world exists because of Od Laguna.
To this world, Od Laguna is a god.
And the enemy of Od Laguna is what the people of this world call "Witches."
They possess a power called Authority — a power that defies all concepts and logic, rewriting even mana and Divine Blessings.
A power that has no cost except its user's sanity.
A power that causes destruction to "the World" itself.
"Od Laguna wants your help… after you absorb this, you will… understand…"
After hearing Satella's words, Subaru nods and takes the Authority from her.
The moment the Authority touches him, it immediately disappears.
And what Subaru feels is completion.
Like a part of him has returned.
Then he sees it—
[WELCOME, USER. AUTHORITY: 'ETERNAL BOND' ACTIVATED.]
And he stares blankly.
And he turns to Satella and asks:
"…This is a system?"
Satella looks at him cluelessly and asks: "I don't understand what that word means…?"
"No, NO, that's clearly a system! You know, the cheat power that the MCs of other worlds get! But isn't it a little late for it now???"
Subaru is confused.
Satella is confused.
And Envy is confused — and obsessed with Subaru's confusion.
"Sorry, I don't understand what… you're saying. This Authority took the shape of the power you desired most…"
Satella explains with a smile.
As Subaru is about to ask more questions, he feels it…
The sensation of his body leaving this place.
Satella understands immediately what is happening and says:
"Now… your power is activating. But don't worry… although you are returning to zero… I can still speak to you sometimes through your Authority."
Subaru takes a little breath of relief. Although returning to the beginning is hard, with Satella's confirmation, he is thankful that someone will remember him, at least.
"Thanks for all you did for me, Satella. With 'Return by Death' and even now, a new power to help me…"
Satella is happy that her love appreciates her efforts.
"Anything… for you… my love…"
Each last word from Satella feels so far away. Then Subaru's vision is consumed by darkness.
His Authority, 'Return by Death,' has activated.
And so the adventure of Natsuki Subaru begins — from zero.