Subaru Natsuki, who returned from the new Three Kingdoms

Parker hovered above his chest, using magic to sustain the last vestiges of his life.

Emilia knelt by the bed, her hands stained red with blood. Ram stood on the other side, constantly changing the cloths used to press on the wounds.

Betty remained where she was.

She felt as if all the sounds around her had vanished in an instant.

"How could this be..."

"They were perfectly fine when we parted..."

Chapter 73: 071. Capturing the Heinous Bishop Alive, Eliminating a Major Scourge for the Kingdom

"how so..."

Betty's voice was no longer as arrogant as before; instead, it trembled slightly.

Subaru Natsuki's chest injury was clearly visible and terrifying.

A penetrating wound remained between the left ribs, leaving the ruptured heart directly exposed to the air.

The dark purple veins that sustained its vitality were swaying in the wind and rain, extinguishing one by one.

This was the magic [Stagnation] that she had personally taught Subaru Natsuki a few days ago.

She repeatedly emphasized that this procedure could only buy time for the dying, but could not save someone who was truly dying.

But unexpectedly, just a few days later, Subaru Natsuki actually used this move.

Rem grabbed Betty's hand and pleaded with her in an almost begging voice.

"Lady Betty, please save Subaru!"

"Lord Roswaal is not at the manor; only you can save Subaru!"

Betty did not answer immediately.

She just stared blankly at Subaru Natsuki, her gaze fixed on the wound that pierced his chest, her fingers trembling slightly in Rem's palm.

Betty knew exactly what her healing magic could achieve.

Water magic is the only magic truly suitable for healing.

It can harmonize the body's internal magic, promote the recovery of flesh and blood vessels, and allow the damaged body to return to a normal state.

The effects of Yin-attribute magic are completely different.

It is better at freezing changes, fixing the status quo, and isolating external things.

Using it to keep a dying person alive is already close to the limit of Yin-attribute magic.

Trying to repair a damaged heart with it is almost as difficult as cleaning the teeth of a beluga whale...

Especially since the heart in front of me has almost stopped beating, and the damaged blood vessels have lost their original shape.

Once she begins casting the spell, she will inevitably destroy the last bit of the [Stagnation] effect.

The real challenge will come then.

She had to keep Subaru Natsuki's life force running while completing the repairs before Subaru's last bit of life force disappeared.

One wrong step and the person lying in front of her will die completely.

Betty couldn't believe her hands.

Over the past four hundred years, she has witnessed far too many things that cannot be undone. She also knows very well that the higher the expectations, the harder it is to shake off what remains after the disappointment.

Krem was still begging her.

Subaru Natsuki on the bed seemed to be waiting for her.

When Rem saw this, she thought Betty was still hesitating, and her face turned even paler, thinking that Betty was still angry because of the argument that morning.

He continued to strive:

Is Lady Betty still angry with Subaru?

"What happened this morning was all Rem's fault. Subaru didn't continue studying magic because he had to accompany Rem on a last-minute shopping trip to the village."

"It wasn't his own intention!"

Betty's eyelashes trembled slightly.

Rem gripped Betty's wrist tightly, as if afraid that if she let go, Betty would turn and leave.

"Please, save Subaru. Subaru... he kept thinking about Lady Betty on his way back."

"What did you say?" Betty's eyes widened.

Rem tried to be concise: "On the way back, the spell began to gradually collapse. Rem told Subaru not to sleep."

"After Subaru barely opened his eyes, he was still thinking about Lady Betty."

Betty slowly turned her head, her voice trembling.

"He...is still thinking about me?"

"Yes."

Rem lowered her head, tears dripping from her chin onto the floor.

He said that his mastery of [Stagnation] was still somewhat lacking. He would have to ask Lady Betty to continue teaching him after they returned to the manor.

Betty opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

She felt as if her heart was being torn apart...

I was just in the forbidden library.

She has unilaterally decided to stop teaching Subaru Natsuki magic and sever their relationship.

But unexpectedly, that shameless guy, whose heart was already shattered and whose magic was about to wear off, could die on his way back at any moment...

However, even at the end of his life, he still thought about going back to see Betty.

It all seemed perfectly normal.

It was as if they would definitely meet again.

It seems Betty will continue to teach him magic, just like before...

It was as if the rejection and argument that morning had never happened.

It was as if Betty would definitely be waiting for him to return in the forbidden library.

"What an arrogant and conceited fellow..."

Betty's sobbing had already taken on a tearful tone.

It felt as if the harsh words and reasons I used to push Subaru away that morning had all turned into sharp blades piercing me.

He may not be the one his mother is waiting for.

But the one lying here is indeed Subaru Natsuki.

It was the person who would call her teacher, pat her head, and earnestly invite her out of the forbidden library even after she refused.

Betty had originally intended to end the relationship this morning.

She was unwilling to admit that she was already looking forward to their next meeting, nor that she wanted to leave the mansion with him.

So she made the decision for the two of them first.

But now, when Natsuki Subaru is about to lose even the chance to meet him again, she realizes that she has no right to so easily decide to leave for him.

Betty is in a lot of pain and her mind is in a mess.

I also...regret...

Natsuki Subaru had invited her to leave the mansion together that morning.

She refused.

If I had agreed then, I might have been able to block that blow, or perhaps he could have healed him before his magic weakened.

Subaru Natsuki wouldn't be the way he is now.

Tears welled up in Betty's eyes and slid down her chubby cheeks.

"Your Excellency Beatrice..."

A faint sound suddenly came from the bed.

Betty opened her eyes wide.

Subaru Natsuki had regained some consciousness at some point. He struggled to raise his cold right hand and wiped away Betty's tears with his fingertips.

"Why are you crying?"

"It's nothing more than death. The more people die, the more powerful our magic becomes."

"Nonsense!"

Betty grabbed his hand, crying and yelling:

"Who told you that the more people die, the more powerful the magic becomes? Betty told you long ago that [Stagnation] can't save anyone!"

"Besides, what use is superior magic if you're about to die?"

"Of course it will work. My magic is superb. If word gets out, others will naturally know the good name of my teacher, Betty."

"By then, you will surely have many visitors coming to the Forbidden Library."

"You won't have to... always read by yourself anymore..."

Natsuki Subaru's voice was weak and listless, but his face was full of smiles and anticipation.

"Why...why do you still care about Betty even knowing things have come to this point..." Betty gradually broke down in tears.

"Didn't we say before that reading too many books... makes you pedantic..."

Subaru Natsuki's weak voice continued to come through.

"By then, Ms. Beatrice, you should be able to forgive me, right..."

"I forgive you?"

"Forgive me for not practicing magic this morning..."

Natsuki Subaru's voice was like a kite with a broken string, ready to stop at any moment...

Emilia's breath hitched for a moment, and her eyes quickly reddened.

Kind people find it hardest to accept the passing of another kind person.

What's more, she still hasn't remembered this man and her past...

Rem raised her hand to cover her mouth, trying to suppress the sob in her throat.

Ram silently turned her head to the side, her fingertips tightening at the edge of her skirt.

"do not want!"

These two words were uttered almost the instant Natsuki Subaru finished speaking.

Betty didn't have time to think about why she had said those words.

She jumped to the bedside and placed her hands on Subaru Natsuki's chest.

"Brother, Emilia, continue to use ice magic to maintain his life and stop the bleeding."

"Rem, go get the crystal that can replenish your magic power."

Betty gave a series of orders, her voice still trembling with tears, but her movements had already regained their composure.

A massive amount of Yin-attribute magic surged into Subaru Natsuki's body along her palm.

She first used magic to reattach the damaged heart, and then tried to channel magic to heal the wound.

But the magic had barely touched that heart when the [Life Stagnation] completely failed.

Betty realized more acutely how serious the situation was.

The heart almost stopped beating, and the damaged blood vessels and tissues lost their original shape.

If she were to deviate even slightly from her position, Natsuki Subaru's last vestiges of life would vanish completely before her eyes.

Betty's fingers went cold instantly.