Re: Zero The Great Sage Chapter 45 45: 44) The Sanctuary's barrier

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{3rd Pov}

The following day, Subaru prepared to depart for the Sanctuary, especially considering that Emilia and the others had yet to return.

Before he left, Frederica handed Subaru a special necklace—an artifact designed to guide him safely into the Sanctuary's bounds. After exchanging a few final words with the Regulus' wives, who all tilted their heads cutely and listened to his instructions like obedient little children, Subaru set off. Accompanying him on this journey were Beatrice and Reina.

As they traveled, Beatrice clutched Subaru's hand tightly, her usual composure slightly disturbed.

"Is sothing troubling you, Betty?" Subaru asked gently, noticing her discomfort.

Beatrice didn't respond verbally. Instead, she sent him a telepathic ssage, her voice soft and vulnerable within his mind.

'The Sanctuary… it is the graveyard of my mother. I'm not sure how to feel, now that I've broken the contract that bound .'

'Don't worry about it!' Subaru replied reassuringly, with a ntal grin. 'If she dares try to push you around from beyond the grave, I'll make sure she gets a proper punishnt—for being a very bad girl!'

(A/N: *Smack* *Smack*)

Beatrice gave a small nod. She believed Subaru was simply trying to comfort her with humor, but his sincerity still ward her heart.

anwhile, Reina was at the reins, guiding the carriage skillfully. As they approached the entrance to the Sanctuary, she suddenly pulled the reins, bringing the vehicle to a halt.

She peeked through the curtain into the carriage and reported calmly, "Lord Zero, I'm detecting a barrier directly ahead of us."

Subaru stepped down from the carriage, Beatrice beside him, and surveyed the path.

"This must be the Sanctuary's protective barrier," he concluded.

He extended his hand toward the invisible wall and his hand passed through without any hindrance.

Then to test the limits of the barrier, Subaru summoned his Yin Sword, the blade manifesting with a shimr of dark energy, and made a clean cut in the space before them, slicing through dinsions.

Yet the barrier healed imdiately, the spatial wound closing itself, nding as if it had never been hard. Subaru frowned.

He returned the Yin Sword to its place, and in that instant, a portal materialized at his chest. A hilt slowly erged from within the swirling vortex.

With a firm grip, he drew out the Life Sword, its aura thrumming with power. This ti, he slashed at the barrier again.

Unlike before, the effect was drastic—the magical wall shattered like fragile glass, the pieces dissolving into the air, leaving a wide gap.

"I understand now," Subaru said, studying the fading fragnts. "This barrier isn't spatial—it's spiritual. Attacks based purely on destruction or elental magic won't affect it. You need to counteract it at the source, on a spiritual level."

"Tch... If only I could draw my sword from its sheath, I could have obliterated this barrier myself," Reina muttered with frustration, her voice sharp.

"There's no need for such tension," Beatrice interjected, stepping forward. "I am well-acquainted with the nature and chanics of the Sanctuary's barrier. In fact, allow to explain."

She raised a hand, pausing for dramatic effect before speaking.

"Firstly, this barrier makes it incredibly difficult for outsiders to enter the Sanctuary. Secondly—and more importantly—it prevents anyone with mixed blood from leaving the Sanctuary's confines," Beatrice explained with precision.

"Wait a minute, Are you saying that even soone with the slightest trace of demi-human ancestry will be trapped inside and unable to leave?" Subaru asked, brows furrowing with concern. He had been vaguely aware of this detail, but he never knew the full extent of it.

Beatrice nodded solemnly. "Yes, that's correct. Only those who are fully human or fully demi-human can cross the boundary unimpeded. Any individual with even a minimal amount of mixed heritage would be unable to exit—and attempting to do so would result in their death, in fact."

Reina gasped as realization struck her. "Wait... That ans many of the villagers won't be able to leave! Lugunica's population is largely mixed-blood—many citizens have both human and demi-human ancestors."

Subaru nodded. "Yet Roswaal believed this place was a suitable refuge. He must have had so other motive in mind."

Reina narrowed her eyes, her suspicions growing.

"I believe I may have so insight into that motive," Beatrice said hesitantly, drawing the attention of both Subaru and Reina. She hesitated for a mont longer, then decided to reveal the truth.

"Beatrice—myself—is an artificial spirit of Yin, a construct created by none other than the Witch of Greed, Echidna," she revealed with quiet gravity.

"Witch of Greed?!" Reina interrupted abruptly, her expression turning wary as she took a cautious step back and eyed Beatrice suspiciously.

"Reina," Subaru called her na gently but firmly. "I already know the truth about Beatrice—at least, most of it. I trust her completely. Please don't make this difficult for her."

Reina looked at Subaru for a mont, then slowly let out a breath. The coldness in her eyes lted slightly. "Forgive for my outburst, then. Lady Beatrice, please do continue."

Beatrice gave a small nod and continued. "Mother—Echidna—gave us two Books of Wisdom. They were the original prototypes of what later beca the Witch Cult's Gospels. These books provide us with the events of the future—though not always complete."

Reina was visibly stunned by this revelation, though Subaru remained composed, having heard part of it before.

"Roswaal A. Mathers—the current head of the Mathers household—is descended from Mother's disciple, the original Roswaal. Each generation has inherited the goal the original Roswaal set for them. I was given one of the Books to guide in finding 'that person'—the one destined to inherit the Forbidden Library and beco my contractor," Beatrice explained, glancing at Subaru.

She hesitated once more, then added softly, "But… he never ca. Perhaps it was a test that I failed. Still, I'm glad that in the end, I ford a contract with Subaru."

Subaru reached out and gently patted her head to comfort her.

Beatrice smiled back and resud. "On the other hand, Roswaal's family had a different mission passed down through the ages. His plan is to resurrect Mother, Echidna. That purpose has persisted for generations."

"Resurrect her? How would he even do that?" Reina asked with a deep frown.

"I'm not entirely sure," Beatrice admitted. "The thod is likely recorded in his own Book of Wisdom. However, if I'm not mistaken, both Subaru and Lady Emilia should be crucial part of his plan."

"To involve My Lord in his evil sche... It is absolutely unforgivable!" Reina exclaid, her fists clenched with fury.

"Calm yourself, Reina," Subaru said, his tone steady. "I have a plan. For now, let's play along—act unaware of everything. We'll assess the situation inside the Sanctuary. Once everyone's safety is confird, we can decide how to proceed."

Beatrice nodded in agreent.

Reina looked at Subaru, then suddenly knelt before him. "Forgive , My Liege. I've been acting recklessly lately."

She had always been calm, calculating, and composed. But ever since she encountered Subaru, sothing had changed within her. The emotions she had long bottled up seed to erupt uncontrollably. Worry for Subaru's well-being had made her impulsive.

"It's alright," Subaru said with a warm smile. "Also… when we're in private, just call 'Zero.' You may be my knight, but you're also my dear and precious friend."

Reina bowed her head slightly and smiled. "Understood… Zero."

"And one more thing!" Subaru added, raising a finger. "Don't call by my real na anymore—not even in private. Until the threat of Gluttony is eliminated, I can't afford to expose any weakness."

Beatrice blushed, mildly embarrassed as she was getting comfortable with calling him by his real na.

"Got it… Zero," Reina replied, steeling herself. She resolved then and there to regain her composure. Reacting emotionally to everything was putting a strain on her Lord—and she wouldn't allow that anymore.

After finalizing their plan and discussing a few contingencies, the trio resud their journey toward the Sanctuary.

To be continued…