“The despicable Witch Cult that had occupied the four Control Towers and threatened the city has been completely repelled. Thus, the safety of the city is secured—Victory for Watergate City Pristella!”

Subaru heard that announcement echoing throughout the city while he was in a hurry to the City Hall with Emilia.

The joyful proclamation was delivered through a magical device that transmitted the voice across the city.

Despite some distortions in the sound, it was nothing more than a slight pitch shift from the speaker’s voice. There was no room for doubt regarding the welcome news.

“Subaru! Did you hear that?!”

“It seems that way. It feels like we’ve managed to settle things, at least for now.”

Seeing Emilia’s face light up, Subaru relaxed his shoulders with a smile.

The reason for his relief was mixed with a hint of anxiety.

“…after all, it’s about who we’re dealing with.”

As long as there’s Capella, who possesses the power of metamorphosis and transformation, the voice on the broadcast could, at worst, be malicious intent intended to mislead the residents into a false sense of joy. The nature of the Archbishop of Sin was such that it couldn’t be completely ruled out.

However, the voice on the broadcast—the declaration made by someone who introduced himself as Kiritaka Muse was laced with a hint of excitement and pleasure that he couldn’t completely hide, even while trying to sound formal. Hearing such a voice gave the impression that there was no immediate need to worry about being “manipulated” by a nefarious plot.

“So, that means everyone did well, huh…”

The broadcast stated that all four Control Towers occupied by the Archbishop of Sin had been reclaimed.

At the very least, it suggested that the complete annihilation of the city due to the flooding caused by the Great Watergate had been averted.

In that regard, he could afford to feel some genuine relief. If there was a problem, it was the other half of Subaru’s worries—the human casualties.

“Thankfully, no victims from Regulus…”

Though they had a strong lineup, their opponents were none other than the troublesome Archbishops of Sin. The reason they managed to get through the fight with Regulus without any deaths was entirely because the opponent wasn’t very skilled in combat.

Cunning opponents like Lust or the ominous and unpredictable Wrath. And, of course, the deeply rooted troubles posed by Gluttony—mentioning the difficulties and perils they represented was an understatement.

Even if they managed to win, there was still the fear of casualties.

“According to Subaru, there were Archbishops of the Witch Cult at the other Control Towers too, right? I wonder how everyone else is doing…?”

Emilia expressed her shared worries, unable to wear a completely bright expression.

Seeing Emilia cast her eyes down, Subaru shook his head, biting his lip.

“I’m anxious about that too… but for this, we just have to trust the others. I really want to confirm that they’re safe soon.”

“Yeah, you’re right…”

Simple words of comfort wouldn’t erase the anxiety Emilia felt.

Given the POWERFUL strength of the enemy, the possibility of casualties among allies couldn’t be avoided. Even so, it wouldn’t be an acceptable outcome if it required significant losses just to save the city.

Thus, depending on the situation, considering “Return by Death” as one of his options had been Subaru’s resolve since the operation began.

Generally speaking, Subaru did not favor incorporating his “Return by Death” into his strategies.

It wasn’t just a resistance to choosing self-inflicted death; the trials he witnessed within the Sanctuary—what awaited him after he met death—was also relevant.

In fact, it was uncertain whether the world continued after Subaru’s death, but the “Trial” had illustrated the possibility of such scenarios. Therefore, Subaru was adamantly against using “Return by Death” just to increase the number of attempts.

Yet if Subaru were ever to voluntarily choose to “Return by Death,” it would only be under circumstances where he couldn’t accept moving forward without those he lost.

And now, he was considering just that.

The Royal Selection candidates and their knights, who vowed to challenge the Archbishops of Sin and reclaim the city.

A readiness to endure pain and suffering for the sake of not losing the precious people he cared about.

“…Subaru, you’re really furrowing your brow.”

“Huh?”

Emilia was looking at Subaru head-on, who had a serious expression on his face. Taken off-guard by her piercing gaze, Subaru widened his eyes.

Noticing Subaru’s serious expression, Emilia continued, her purple eyes filled with concern,

“After all, it’s only natural to worry. I’m sorry. It was such a difficult time, and because I was captured…”

“No, it’s not like it’s your fault, Emilia. Even without your capture, it was necessary to take down Regulus. If you hadn’t been there, who knows if we could’ve saved the brides.”

In order to save the brides of Lust, it was essential to stop their hearts momentarily, which had been forced upon them by the “Heart of the Lion.”

Among the existing forces, it was likely only Emilia could have accomplished it. Felix might have been able to do it in a pinch.

If that wasn’t possible, the brides might have had to become necessary sacrifices for the sake of defeating Regulus.

“Well, I don’t want to make such choices either, and Reinhardt wouldn’t allow it, I suppose.”

Even if it was a necessary sacrifice to defeat a great evil, it wouldn’t likely be accepted.

That righteous young man spanned the line they could not cross, and if that were the case, the resolution against Regulus may not have come so quickly.

“Or, I might have died somewhere along the way.”

In the first place, if Emilia hadn’t been kidnapped, the assembling of the assault team against the Archbishops of Sin would have been drastically different. No one can discern what the right answer is, so worrying about that was futile.

However, if only to wish—

“I want to believe that after we parted ways, Reinhardt went to join everyone else, and that it reduced the casualties…”

“Yeah, you’re right. —We need to confirm that quickly.”

Emilia nodded seriously in response to Subaru’s remarks.

As she resumed her pace towards the City Hall, Subaru gently rested his hand against his chest. He felt his heart racing slightly—the growing concern he held on top of his resolve about “Return by Death.”

Right next to his heart lingered an inexplicable dark sensation.

It was the vile impurity that slipped into Subaru alongside the certainty of Regulus’s death. He vaguely understood the nature of that impurity.

—”Witch Factor.”

The impurity linking the Witch Cult and Subaru was likely referred to as such.

Even right after defeating the Sloth, Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti, Subaru had found himself hosting a similar unpleasant feeling. The first to inform him of the nature of this foreign sensation was none other than the Witch Echidna.

The Witch Factor has deep connections with both the Archbishops of Sin and the Witches of Sin.

And somehow, that too started to influence Subaru in a corrupting manner.

If that were the case, it surely wouldn’t be unrelated to the “Witch of Envy” who caused his “Return by Death.”

It was never something he could consider positively or look on favorably.

“No matter how eerie the things that cling to me may be, I’m still me. …And that should be enough.”

No matter how much the influence of the Witch Factor increases, he would never waver.

Even if every time Subaru vanquishes an Archbishop, the Witch Factor eats away at him.

Besides—

“When Beatrice wakes up, she’ll definitely get mad if I don’t tell her about this.”

Regardless of the Witch Factor, Subaru didn’t have to ponder alone.

He had a partner who would listen to his fears and help him seek solutions.

Surely, they would find a way out of this.

“Subaru? Is something wrong?”

Naturally, noticing Subaru speak to himself, Emilia turned to him with a worried expression. Subaru shook his head, saying, “No,” and after a brief pause, he continued,

“Speaking of which, hearing that broadcast just now made me think Kiritaka was safe. If she knows that, Liliana will surely be happy.”

“Kiritaka-san was missing?”

“He was treated as missing in action after protecting Otto. For some reason, I didn’t feel like he had died, so I wasn’t too worried.”

“Then we should be sure to celebrate more; it would be a shame otherwise.”

Emilia pouted, as if kicking away the encroaching anxiety.

It’s better to rejoice in the facts of someone’s survival rather than dwell on the potential of someone’s injury.

Maybe it was a necessary mindset for this moment.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

Thus, the two hurried on while trying not to directly acknowledge their lingering fears, but the scene that awaited them was far from optimistic.

“…This is terrible.”

Looking at the City Hall, which had turned into a mountain of rubble, Subaru was at a loss for words.

The words that slipped out from his dry lips were a succinct summary of what he witnessed.

The City Hall, a five-story structure—a rarity in this world of architecture—lay in dire ruins.

The marks of destruction extended even to the foundation of the building, where the land had sunk significantly, creating a massive hole as if it was opening its mouth.

Subaru could infer that such a collapse wouldn’t occur without significant impact to the building’s foundation.

As he speculated about the remnants, Emilia glanced around anxiously.

“The broadcast earlier should have been using the magic tool inside that building, right? But why is it in such a state…?”

“—! Now that you mention it…”

Realizing Emilia’s concern, Subaru began to scan the area frantically.

The collapse of the City Hall was no trivial matter. It was undoubtedly a result of the Witch Cult’s malice. Moreover, not only the magical tool but also Otto and the victims of Capella who hadn’t joined the Assault Group were likely inside.

With the City Hall sustaining this level of damage, it was certain that a battle had occurred here. If so, what had happened at the hall, where only non-combatants remained?

Kiritaka’s announcement became a precarious uncertainty.

Yet, as Subaru and Emilia’s anxieties intensified—

“Oh! When I thought someone came, it turned out to be you two at last.”

“B-Beatrice?”

A familiar girl’s voice suddenly reached Subaru and Emilia as they stiffened in place.

Standing atop the mountain of rubble was Beatrice, fluffing the hem of her frilly dress as she walked down to them. She gazed curiously at Subaru, looking him over from top to bottom.

“Humph. I’m relieved you’re not hurt. If you had gotten injured while I wasn’t around, I could never let you wander off alone to the bathroom again.”

“I don’t think I’m that much of a troublesome kindergarten kid… but why are you here, Beatrice?”

Standing defiantly with her arms crossed, Beatrice acted just like her usual self.

“You were supposed to be out of commission due to your mana banking, right? At least, the talk was that you wouldn’t be participating in this fight.”

“Stop making it sound like it’s my fault! If it wasn’t for my efforts, Subaru’s legs would be skinnier than they are now. I should be receiving some gratitude and respect, you know!”

“I get it, I get it.”

With customary familiarity, Subaru ruffled Beatrice’s head as she puffed her cheeks in dissatisfaction. Even though she pouted, she remained close to him, silently enjoying the affection.

Amidst their moment together, Emilia gently interjected.

“Beatrice.”

“…I’m glad to see you’re okay too, Emilia. If something happened to you, big sis would be sad. Because of that, Subaru would have to do something reckless without me. After all, don’t get captured again, you hear?”

“Yes, thank you. Sorry for worrying you.”

“It’s not like I was worried too much about you!”

Beatrice turned her face away, while Emilia watched her with a smile. Then, as Emilia looked up and down at Beatrice, her round eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

Her luxurious dress and carefully styled curled hair were both specked with a trace of blood and dirt—evidence that this spirit girl hadn’t merely awakened from a peaceful slumber.

Subaru’s absence and the destruction of the City Hall—these unforeseen circumstances and Beatrice’s awakening were surely connected.

“—”

Having felt this connection through Emilia’s gaze, Subaru turned his gaze toward Beatrice.

“Seems like you’ve done quite a lot while I was gone. Sorry for always putting you in trouble.”

“Subaru making trouble for Beatrice is a given, so you don’t need to worry too much. But oh, I’m still a bit concerned. More gratitude and nursing would suffice!”

“I got it. If that’s the case, then this is a bit much. Destroying an entire building is going overboard.”

“Eh, did Beatrice do this?”

Pointing towards the rubble, Emilia stared at Beatrice in shock.

“I wonder how long it would take to fix a building this size… Subaru, you got any idea?”

“With Beatrice’s pocket money, it would probably take decades for that kind of project.”

“What are you two talking about so seriously?! It’s not like Beatrice smashed it or anything! I only saw this place after it turned into ruins!”

“I know, I know. You sure do take things too personally. Adorable little thing.”

As Subaru laughed at Beatrice’s defense against being falsely accused, Emilia was left uncertain by their banter, asking, “Huh, where do you two stand on this?”

For the time being, that was fine.

If Beatrice was here, then worries about the Witch Cult causing trouble around here seemed less significant. That raised the question about the situation of Otto and the others, who should have been inside the City Hall.

“Well, that’s a complicated explanation. But the ones who were inside the hall are…”

“We’re all just fine, so you can relax!”

A voice interjected, not in a Kansai dialect but in the dialect of Kararagi.

Turning towards that voice, they saw a small figure approaching while avoiding the rubble. At first glance, there was something about this person that felt off; her hair was dyed a different shade than what they recognized.

“Anastasia-san, is that you?”

“What’s with that question mark when you call me? Ah, right, now my hair color is different.”

Her soft lavender hair was now a dark green color.

That alone gave a drastically different impression of Anastasia, who was dressed in a kimono. She made eye contact with Subaru, Beatrice, and Emilia and nodded with satisfaction.

“Well, Natsuki-kun seems to have brought Emilia back safe and sound. I wasn’t too concerned since I heard it from the Sword Saint.”

“Reinhardt managed to regroup after all.”

“He came zooming through the sky. Right now, he’s supposed to be looking for remnants of the Witch Cult, or rather, he’s with Felix visiting evacuation sites.”

“Visiting evacuation sites… That means showing the prowess of a healing magician, huh?”

Even after driving away the Archbishops of Sin, considerable effort was needed to recover from the damage done to the city. Reinhardt likely found himself carrying Felix’s weight as he moved about.

“I’m sorry for causing you some trouble as well… But could you tell me what happened to you, Anastasia? Your hair color and the state of this building…”

“Right, right. Did you change your hair to a more soothing color? It does suit you, but it feels oddly different since I know the original Anastasia.”

“Natsuki-kun, you possess such a keen eye. But this was just for an operation; the result was a complete loss… more like, I ended up in a terrible situation.”

As she wrapped the ends of her hair around her fingers, Anastasia sighed, gazing at the ruins of the City Hall. Her words implied she must have had a hand in the collapse of the City Hall.

“Felix is alright, right? What happened, and how did the others fare?”

“To keep it simple, after everyone left to deal with the Archbishops of Sin, some nasty folks took their chance to attack. And we just gave them a good twist.”

“Twist? It certainly doesn’t look light from the sound of it…”

There was no mistaking that it must have been a hard battle, judging from Anastasia’s casual tone.

The attack on the City Hall—an insidious tactic aimed to exploit the absence of combatants, likely either Lust or Wrath was behind it, with Lust having the higher probability.

“Was it Lust who came after you?”

“Just as you predicted, that prima donna was terrible! I was shaken to the core upon running into her.”

She displayed remarkable composure in recounting a run-in with an Archbishop of Sin.

It was commendable, but Subaru felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility.

“I’m sorry. I should have realized and informed you about the Control Towers, and then launched a surprise attack on the City Hall.”

“Don’t worry about it. Natsuki-kun had been focusing on matters elsewhere while we acted as we pleased. In fact, it’s rather embarrassing that we ended up with nothing.”

From Anastasia’s tone, it seemed she expected the surprise attack. The dark green hair was likely a facet of that scheme.

Considering the link between the green hair and the person Capella might have been fixated on gave Subaru a weak understanding of the strategy they had set in motion.

“Disguised as Crusch, with Anastasia acting as bait? If she and Felix managed to repel Lust together, it would put us in a bit of a pickle.”

“It would be way cooler if it turned out that way, but there was one more person aiding us. It’s that knight from Priscilla’s entourage.”

“…Al?”

Hearing an unexpected name, Subaru widened his eyes.

Al had been one of the ones least enthusiastic about the city-reclaiming battle. After all, wasn’t he supposed to be teaming up with Priscilla and Liliana against Wrath?

If he stayed behind to defend the City Hall, it would indicate some serious questions about the assault squad against Wrath.

“Just so you know, the assault force against Wrath returned without a scratch.”

Realizing Subaru’s concerns, Anastasia added. She wore a wry smile as she looked towards the direction of the Control Tower seized by Wrath.

“Priscilla returned unscathed. As for our songstress Liliana, everyone was surprised when she came back with the prince.”

“The prince…? You mean Kiritaka? For those two to challenge it and return with an endangered human, what in the world could have happened?”

Priscilla returning from Wrath unscathed and the meeting between Kiritaka and Liliana raised too many questions. Still, the overarching narrative was the priority.

“About that broadcast by Kiritaka from earlier, we can trust it, right?”

“—”

“The reclamation of the Control Towers was successful. What about everyone who challenged it? What happened to them?”

The City Hall lay in ruins, yet the magic items had likely been carried out.

So, the chances of the broadcast being a trap were questionable. The remaining concern was, essentially, the fallout from the battles fought.

In response to Subaru’s query, Anastasia assured him:

“Rest easy. You guys are the last to come back.”

“We’re last… so where is everyone else?”

“Rest assured.”

Anastasia smiled and nodded at the anxious Subaru and the worried Emilia and Beatrice.

“Everyone has safely returned. Not a single casualty.”

It was indeed a response that eased their worries.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

“Captain! You’re finally back safe!”

The nearest evacuation shelter served as a new meeting place, taking the place of the collapsed City Hall.

As Subaru and the others converged there, a golden-haired boy—Garfiel—ran over with an exuberant shout.

“Whoa, Garfiel…wait.”

Reaching out his hand, Subaru had a shock when he noticed Garfiel coming toward him, upper body bare and covered in blood. Despite that, his expression was surprisingly bright, suggesting he had been through quite a battle but had managed to fulfill his role.

Recognizing that, Subaru quickly shifted from shock to a broad grin.

“I can’t say you look fine either. Your face looks terrible.”

“Not like I wanted to hear that from you. But you look like you’ve shown some masculine spirit out there, huh? Well done saving Emilia.”

“Of course!”

Subaru popped his fist out, and Garfiel met him with his own.

Exchanging a fist-bump was enough to celebrate their mutual efforts.

“But I heard Lust showed up at the City Hall, where were you fighting?”

“Come on, it was with that ‘Eight-Armed’ Kurgan. …But I’m not too sure if that’s the name to call him by.”

“—? What do you mean?”

“I’m talking about how the one I fought was just a corpse. There’s no way it’d be anything like what he was when he was alive. So it doesn’t really feel like I won at all.”

Utilizing the deceased’s body and commanding them as warriors—this dark magic was clearly pivotal in the Witch Cult’s schemes. However, it suggested that the warriors’ prowess deteriorated from their previous living selves. For someone like Garfiel, he might be keenly aware of that discrepancy.

It seemed like he was wrestling with that frustration, feeling somewhat incomplete despite achieving victory.

Subaru wondered if Garfiel was feeling down about fighting weak opponents.

“You’re feeling down because the enemy wasn’t strong enough?”

Hearing him, Emilia tilted her head in confusion.

Pleased with Subaru’s inquiry, Garfiel responded with relief that they had returned safely and then raked his fingers through his short blonde hair roughly.

“It’s not like I’m down about the enemy being weak. I just don’t know how to explain it. You wouldn’t get it, being a girl and all.”

“Is this something girls wouldn’t understand? So, do you think Subaru gets it?”

“Kind of, but I think there’s an unspoken barrier between strong and weak, even for men. …But I think Garfiel’s excellent. Perhaps you’re overthinking it?”

“Overthinking…huh.”

Emilia and Subaru exchanged puzzled looks as Garfiel lowered his head with a bit of melancholy.

Questions of “strength” must be a constant source of internal turmoil for Garfiel. Encountering Reinhardt solo and subsequently suffering a painful lesson from the Witch Cult must inform those feelings.

This sort of existential problem was the type that had no clear answer, no matter how much one thought about it.

Therefore, it seemed to Subaru that—

“Hey, Garfiel. Even while you’re thinking and overthinking like that…”

“Oh! Garf, there you are—wham-bam-bang!!”

“Guah?!”

Right when Subaru was about to offer some guidance, Garfiel’s body went flying with a loud noise as a small figure collided with his waist. Just barely, he caught a glimpse of a tiny shadow hitting Garfiel’s midsection before he couldn’t stop from rolling away in pain.

As he looked to the downed Garfiel, he saw a catgirl smiling widely, her tail wagging cheerfully while sitting on Garfiel’s chest.

Perking her ears, the girl joyfully exclaimed,

“Hoo-ha-ha! What a violent encounter, Garf! Your true enemy lies within your heart! And within your heart are always the important people! In other words, it’s your heart!”

“You’re being noisy while lounging on someone’s chest…”

“Hehe, I’m being told this kind of stuff by her ladyship! It’s said that the way to draw in someone is to place a man under your tail! That’s something like seduction, I think? Just what her ladyship said!”

Garfiel was pinned beneath the ecstatic Mimi, whose deep wounds and pale skin from earlier had vanished. Now, her face radiated with her regained health, prompting a relieved sigh from Subaru.

“Mimi, you’re feeling better!”

“Yup! Big bro! Thanks for the support! It seems like while I was sleeping, a lot of stuff happened, so I appreciate the hard work! I had such a good sleep! But Garf also put up a good fight, didn’t he? Good job!”

“S-somehow, I’m just relieved to see you okay. Right, Garfiel?”

Subaru had heard that Mimi had sustained her injuries while protecting Garfiel.

Carrying her in a precarious state, Garfiel must have been shaken by the dreadful reality of her injuries. Seeing Mimi now completely healed must offer him a great sense of relief.

“Unfortunately, it’s just that things haven’t changed so much. Every time I mention it, you just keep goin’ on and on about how bad I am. I can’t take it anymore.”

“What? Garf said something? …Oh!”

Getting closer to Garfiel, Mimi then suddenly looked into her own pocket. After confirming the inside of her white robe, her round eyes blinked in surprise.

“Garf, that’s bad! You opened up your wounds again—there’s blood everywhere!”

“Damn it! That’s why I kept saying it! I need to rewrap the bandages and hit you with some healing magic! Let’s go this way!”

“Eek! It hurts! It hurts!”

While Mimi succumbed to her injuries, Garfiel rushed toward the back of the evacuation shelter, pulling her along in an uproar. Their lively exchange made Subaru momentarily dumbfounded.

“Pfft… Garfiel, it seems like you don’t have time to be moping around.”

Right as Subaru was taking it all in, Emilia suddenly put her hand over her mouth and burst out laughing. She looked at the two of them, departing into the distance, and reflected on Garfiel’s earlier troubles.

I see, Subaru nodded in agreement with her sentiment.

“All things considered, they’re a pretty good pairing, huh?”

“Mimi is adorable, and it seems like she really likes Garfiel. Plus Garfiel seems to have a soft spot for Ram, so while it’s not straightforward, it’s definitely complicated.”

“Yeah, that’s right… wait a minute, Emilia, you’re commenting on romance?!”

Although it was a fairly obvious scenario, Subaru was surprised they could discuss it like that.

Emilia, who still didn’t quite understand the nuances of love, at least enough to postpone things with Subaru, was now able to refer to other people’s romances.

“Hmph, Subaru, I feel like you just said something unbelievably rude right now.”

“You have a keen sense of insight, I think. …Could it be that something changed with Emilia while I wasn’t paying attention? You’re pulling off the bride’s outfit just fine!”

“Though it’s quite tattered now.”

They were still going about ripping the bride’s costume under the excuse of how cumbersome it was, indicating perhaps she didn’t need to worry about that sort of thing.

“You kids look like you’re reaching far beyond your years.”

“You look the most juvenile; I wouldn’t want to hear that from you.”

As Beatrice provided a punchline to the conversation, Subaru coughed.

Next, he let his gaze wander throughout the evacuation shelter, searching for any implications from Mimi’s recovery.

“—”

In a corner where people gathered to reunite, he spotted the stoic figure of an older swordsman.

With the weighty silence enveloping the swordsman, Subaru inhaled quietly.

“Subaru…”

“Sorry. I just need to check on something.”

Responding to Emilia’s concerned phrase, Subaru left her and Beatrice behind as he slowly moved towards the stoic figure.

The initial question swirling in his mind was what to say. Yet that pondering turned unnecessary.

“—Is that you, Subaru?”

“…Yes, it is.”

As he approached, the one-eyed Wilhelm caught hold of Subaru’s hesitance, and recognizing the meaning of his silence, Subaru understood the futility of holding back.

Leaning against the cold stone wall, Wilhelm blended seamlessly into the scenery. Standing beside him, Subaru stole a glance at the battered figure.

He was covered in wounds, his body bearing marks of past battles.

His lightly dressed form showed traces of slashing wounds, and the white hair that had been tied back now hung loose across his back. Most painfully, a bloodied cloth was wrapped around his right hip—evident of a grave, perhaps life-threatening, injury.

However, what caught Subaru’s attention wasn’t Wilhelm himself.

It was the careworn garment placed lovingly beside him, enveloping something within.

“Wilhelm-san, that is…”

“——”

Instinctively, Subaru attempted to confirm what was wrapped within the garment. Hearing Subaru’s query, Wilhelm directed his gaze towards the package.

The old swordsman lapsed into silence for a moment before parting his dry lips.

“As you might’ve guessed, it’s my wife.”

“——”

“Immediately after her passing, her body turned to ash. It would have been too cruel to expose her to the wind, so while it is rather unsightly, I wrapped her in this cloth. …I want to properly inter her ashes and pay my respects.”

Using necromantic skill to manipulate a deceased body only to have it refuse to rest in peace—what a dreadful outcome that was.

Treading the line of respecting the soul after death’s gate, one could only imagine the grief bestowed upon Wilhelm, once a companionita.

“I’m so sorry. What a foolish and petty attachment this is.”

“What?!”

“——”

Subaru gasped at the somber tone reflecting self-reproach.

Realizing this intensified the warmth of his own emotions, Subaru fixed his stare upon Wilhelm as he continued to listen quietly.

“I don’t think Wilhelm-san is wrong at all; I respect you for it. To cherish the ones you love—is there anything wrong with that? There’s nothing embarrassing about it. Being ashamed of those feelings is what is truly wrong.”

“Subaru-dono…”

“You are an admirable person, Wilhelm-san. Wanting to properly lay your wife to rest is certainly not wrong. I struggle to find words, but it’s truly honorable.”

These were sincere words.

There was no way to misinterpret the authenticity pouring from Subaru’s heart—the words were unmistakably heartfelt.

Both the incident with the White Whale and this tragic reunion were brutal blows dealt by fate against Wilhelm.

Even so, the swordsman braved against fate with all his might, steering his will, and sought out love. The fruit of that end wasn’t always favorable.

He might harbor regret and remorse without end, yet it was the right thing to do.

The love that Wilhelm had for his beloved wife—each and every bit of it was undeniably righteous.

“There is nothing ugly in that. Please carefully inter her in the burial ground. And if the opportunity arises, I’d like to pay my respects as well.”

“——”

“I want to do that, and I think silence would be a fitting tribute for someone deserving of that.”

Subaru was confused.

It was awkwardly difficult to express his sentiments, and he felt a deep sense of shame within himself.

Imposing his self-serving emotions upon Wilhelm would be worthy of ridicule, but simply rejecting the offer would be entirely justified.

Regardless, Wilhelm gave such thoughts no ear as he allowed himself a faint smile.

With the tension in his face softening slightly, he said:

“…Yes, please do, Subaru-dono. I too wish for you to speak with my wife. You’ve always had that kind of grace.”

“—! Y-yes. I’m honored.”

It was more of Wilhelm’s magnanimity than mere permission.

Taking Subaru’s rash request into account, Wilhelm released a hushed sigh.

Realizing that Wilhelm’s expression did not invite further conversation, Subaru bowed his head.

For now, it would be best to leave Wilhelm and his wife in solitude.

Yet, before stepping away, there was something he simply had to confirm.

“Wilhelm-san… did you… end it, with her?”

“——”

Had he found closure? Was it an outcome he felt satisfied with?

Of course, there was no way he could have anticipated facing his deceased wife, nor was it a desired result on any front. Nevertheless, he wouldn’t allow anyone but Wilhelm to face such a moment, and having consumed such a weighty moment, he sought closure.

If only, it was something others wished for.

“My wife…”

Wilhelm paused and turned his gaze toward Subaru. However, he faltered, as though his words had stumbled.

There was a flicker of overwhelming emotion crossing his eyes as he turned to the bundle containing his wife’s ashes.

For a moment, the overwhelming rush of feelings engulfed him, and then he finally uttered,

“—Yes. I spoke with my wife and said my farewells. I confirmed that.”

The term “words” was likely exchanged metaphorically.

For Wilhelm, the former Sword Saint, engaging in a battle with his wife must have embodied the ultimate communication and resolution.

Thus, such closure would become a choice driven by Wilhelm’s will.

“I love my wife. — I’m confident she understood.”

“Is that so…”

The quiet confession of Wilhelm’s enduring love reverberated in the air.

Though soft in volume, the profound warmth carried the molten energy that ignited Subaru’s own heart, filling it with heat. He let out a deep breath as he closed his eyes.

Emotions surged forth like roaring waves. He pressed down on each one before finally opening his eyes.

Before him, Wilhelm wore a mildly melancholic yet warm smile, and it felt as if he were being offered a way out.

“D-Thank you for your hard work, Wilhelm-san.”

“——”

“I think things will likely become chaotic again soon. Until then, please get some rest. I need to go chat with others a bit longer.”

The last words came out unsure and in a rush. Feeling awkward, Subaru scratched his cheek before turning his back to Wilhelm.

As he walked away, he noticed Emilia and Beatrice watching him with relieved expressions. Evidently, his demeanor had shifted significantly since he had first approached Wilhelm.

Even Subaru was aware of the vast difference in his expressions during his departure and return.

It wasn’t inherently about a beloved reunion with the dead.

Even so, the fact that Wilhelm sought closure through his own hands and accepted the outcome was a small comfort in itself.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

The swordsman quietly gazed at Subaru’s retreating figure with narrowed eyes.

His lips pressed together tightly, as if suppressing something.

It was the breaking point of a disguise that had kept his true feelings hidden behind strong will until just moments ago. Losing focus could easily cause him to bite his tongue, fuming with relentless passion.

He had concealed his innermost feelings from that boy, no doubt—

“Subaru-dono… you are…”

Murmuring the name of the boy to himself in a raspy whisper, the swordsman continued,

“If you were my—”

At that point, he stopped speaking, shutting his eyes tightly to sever the thread of his emotional struggle.

What remained unvoiced would never be heard by anyone.

And that part of him would never allow those whispers to reach the swordsman’s lips.

 

---