The journey that began with a heart full of anxiety wasn’t particularly eventful over the month-long trek. Though the distance was long, nothing specifically noteworthy happened along the way.

Heading straight down the highway to the east, a journey without incidents wasn’t anything less than boring.

“Traveling back and forth to Pristella was one thing, and the Leaf House Plains too, but… the security along the roads in the Lugnica Kingdom is surprisingly good, isn’t it?”

“The maintenance of the highways and patrols for security is essential to uphold the kingdom’s peace. Lugnica, compared to other countries, is particularly thorough in this regard. The incidence rates of bandits or beast attacks are kept quite low.”

“Does that mean it’s not the same for other countries?”

“In the Gusteco Holy Kingdom, covered in eternal snow, highway maintenance is pretty much nonexistent. Just as they’re being fixed, they get buried in snow. In the Volakia Empire and the Kararagi City-State, the mixed races lead to many cultural differences, and differing customs can give rise to disputes. So, it might be hard to say that their security is stable in that sense.”

“Hoh.”

With two Earth Dragons lined up, Subaru and Julius conversed, breezy as they cut through the wind. Leading the way were Subaru’s Patrasche and Julius’s blue riding dragon in front of the large dragon carriage they were pulling.

Everyone being inside the dragon carriage could lead to a delayed response in case of emergencies, so they had arranged it this way, but as indicated by their boring banter, the journey was absolutely peaceful.

“Yawn…”

“Subaru.”

When boredom stretched on and the unchanging scenery continued, a yawn inevitably escaped. Covering his mouth, Subaru felt sleepiness creeping in, and Julius shot him a reproachful glance.

Leaning his weight on his beloved dragon, he swiftly swept his bangs aside, which were safe from the wind due to the “Windshield Protection.”

“I understand that it’s hard to maintain tension, but the moment your guard drops is when things get the most dangerous. I’m not saying to be overly tense, but letting your guard down to that extent in plain sight isn’t advisable.”

“Is it really that big of a deal to yawn? You do it too, don’t you? Right?”

“Of course, I have such physiological reactions too. However, if one is conscious of being a knight, it’s possible to suppress it enough not to display it in public, isn’t it? You still lack that.”

“Okay, okay.”

Even with Julius’s pointed remarks coming at him like stings, Subaru has learned how to deal with this. It’s been nearly twenty days since they’ve been traveling together. From Pristella to the mansion, and now aiming for the Augria Sand Dunes, he figured he would pick up how to respond to him while they’ve been side by side.

“I believe it’s polite to look at the other party when serious matters are being discussed, don’t you?”

“If the other party looks away while discussing something serious, that means the moment isn’t right for those serious conversations. You should just relax a bit. You’re too tense.”

“And if neither I nor you are on guard, then—”

“Even with us not being on high alert, it’s unlikely that they would attack us. If they were to ambush us, they wouldn’t do it in a wide open area like this.”

“———”

Cutting in, Subaru cracked his neck as he said that. Julius blinked in surprise at Subaru’s words.

Soon after, the handsome man let out a small sigh.

“Am I that obvious when I’m anxious?”

“I have a hunch about it, yeah. But I think everyone thinks you’re a bit too tense. It might not be too much of a stretch, but…”

“The only one who knows what ‘normal’ is right now is you.”

“…Sounds about right.”

As Julius’s tone grew solemn, Subaru instinctively dropped his voice as well.

The conversation of the women in the dragon carriage behind them was inaudible, and conversely, their exchange shouldn’t be audible to them either.

Between the men, with their complex positions, they were in a cooperative relationship for now.

Perhaps it was a scene where they should talk more frankly about things that needed discussing.

“I talked to Roswaal, but how’s the condition of the semi-spirit?”

“Just as I mentioned before. The buds are gathering around me, but they don’t land on the outstretched arms to rest. It seems my words aren’t reaching them either.”

With Subaru’s question, Julius raised his arm and visualized the semi-spirits.

The six-colored semi-spirits, glowing faintly, floated around Julius as he rode his Earth Dragon. However, they swayed as if confused by the outstretched arm, wanting instead to drift away.

Indeed, it seemed the bond between Julius and the semi-spirits had been severed.

“Can’t you re-contract with them? Being nearby means that your spirit-attracting ability is still working, right?”

“My ‘Spirit-Inviting Blessing’ appears to still be intact. But that very fact is part of the confusion for them. They’re likely left with a great, indiscernible emotion that they can’t wrap their heads around.”

“Sorry to put it bluntly, but what about using other spirits?”

“If I were a spirit user like Emilia-sama, who could borrow the power of minor spirits at every turn, that would be a feasible idea… However, that method wouldn’t allow me to fully draw out the spirit’s powers. It took years to forge a bond with the buds of the semi-spirits.”

“Well, Emilia can’t draw out powers on the level of Pack either. It seems the spirit that becomes a partner is indeed special.”

“Emilia-sama and the Great Spirit, as well as you and Beatrice-sama.”

What a troublesome matter it is. Being in the same position as a spirit user, Subaru couldn’t just suggest hunting for a new spirit. That would essentially be asking whether one could let go of Beatrice after severing their bond. Naturally, that would be a big fat no.

For Julius, the relationship with the six semi-spirits posed precisely the same issue.

“Thus, right now, I can only fulfill my duties as a knight with my sword. Of course, I don’t believe that swords are inferior to spirit arts, but the truth is that I lack in both skill and ability.”

“And this is a journey to regain that, and besides, saying that with your skill in swordsmanship comes off as a cheeky remark. And especially with me as the opponent, that makes it doubly cheeky.”

The lack of skills in spirit arts that Julius mentioned was exactly why Subaru had been reduced to a rag doll at the training grounds in the royal capital a year ago. Subaru had improved since then, but it wouldn’t be right to say he’d caught up.

From Julius’s perspective, Subaru at that time was merely a noob. The current Subaru would at least be at a level to spar with a five-year-old—there was that much of a gap.

“Linhardt is the same, but you have this bad habit of underestimating yourselves, don’t you? Excessive modesty can be poisonous! I think that applies in any situation.”

“I’d love to return that compliment, but when it comes to you or me, Linhardt’s seems to be something entirely different.”

“Different from modesty and underestimation…?”

Though they both pictured the same red-haired hero, Subaru tilted his head at the discrepancy in their impressions of him.

From anyone’s standpoint, Reinhardt was the embodiment of a superhuman, unbeatable being; he couldn’t believe their evaluations could be so varied.

To Subaru’s confusion, Julius shook his head.

“When it comes to Reinhardt’s abilities, I think we’re both on the same page in high regard. Rather, I believe everyone who knows him shares the same sentiment. He is regarded as either the pinnacle of humanity or an otherworldly entity.”

“And the fact that it isn’t an exaggeration is impressive.”

“Not only in abilities, but his way of being is also embodying self-awareness. The first time I met him was when I was under ten, and… he hasn’t changed a bit.”

“Seriously? He was like that at ten? No way!”

Gripping the reins of Patrasche, Subaru was flabbergasted at Julius’s reminiscing about Reinhardt.

When exactly did Reinhardt turn into the Reinhardt of now? It felt like such a philosophical question, but apparently, he had reached that point close to ten years ago.

If that was the case, it meant that boy had an inherently daunting destiny on his shoulders.

“Was Reinhardt ‘the Sword Saint’ even back then?”

“He received the ‘Sword Saint’s Blessing’ when he was only five years old. The previous ‘Sword Saint’ was Tereshia van Astraea… Reinhardt’s grandmother, who died during the Great Expedition fifteen years ago, when the blessing was transferred to him.”

“Right, that was the case.”

The previous ‘Sword Saint,’ who died fighting the White Whale and was shamed even after death. The soul of the woman, who was Reinhardt’s grandmother and Wilhelm’s wife, finally returned to the heavens in Pristella.

However, the blessing had already been inherited by Reinhardt fifteen years prior.

“I can’t imagine what that must feel like.”

“Huh?”

“From the age of five, carrying the blessing of Grandma, plus the blood of a legendary hero? I can’t even begin to imagine how he spends his days.”

—Subaru could sort of grasp the weight of parental expectations.

He could understand the pain of almost being crushed by the load of expectations from the surroundings.

Of course, the weight of what Subaru and Reinhardt bore was vastly different, and comparing the two might be rude.

“To be honest, I’m weak. I feel frustrated for not having enough power, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t dream of being strong enough to overwhelm everything at least once at night.”

“That sounds pretty hollow.”

“Shut up.”

Subaru clicked his tongue, annoyed at being interrupted during such an important conversation.

“Anyway, I feel like the troubles I have are the complete opposite of what you’re going through. I don’t think Reinhardt was just Reinhardt from the moment he was five, but I’m curious what it must have been like for him.”

“I can’t say what he thought back in those days either. Just—”

Julius took a brief pause then lifted his gaze.

Gripping the reins tightly, he stared ahead, squinting against the sunlight.

“—Seeing Reinhardt back then was a huge turning point for me.”

Those words sounded almost proud in a sense.

Though Julius squinted at the bright sunlight, perhaps it wasn’t just the sun making him squint.

When he had seen that Reinhardt back then, he too had likely sported the same gaze.

“That means you and Reinhardt have had a relationship for almost ten years? I’d say you’re barely meeting the requirement for childhood friends; is that right?”

“Not really? I became aware of Reinhardt at that time, but he only learned of my existence much later… probably after I was appointed a knight. That was when I was sixteen, so we’ve been on friendly terms for about six years now.”

“…That is quite a gap.”

“At that time, I lacked the qualifications to stand alongside him, who had inherited the ‘Sword Saint’ title. I learned the hard way just how far beneath him I was as someone younger, and that was the beginning for me.”

Julius’s calm words were laced with deep, burning feelings.

Nodding toward the word “beginning,” Subaru acknowledged.

That day, if it was indeed the start, then it must be quite vivid in Julius’s memory.

If that was the beginning for Julius, then Subaru knew well what the notion of a beginning was etched into his soul.

When he was saved by Emilia in this other world, when he was supported by Rem while he was crumbling, when he took Beatrice’s hand in the fire, each of these was a “beginning” for Subaru.

“By the way, if that’s the definitive beginning, did you get up to some mischief as a kid? Like a wild noble or a laid-back son?”

Swimming against such a tide of emotions that didn’t quite feel distant, Subaru decided to jokingly shift the subject.

He really didn’t think Julius was that type, but he could hardly deny that when they first met, he had that impression of him—some irritating noble youth. In stories, you’d expect that kind of noble character to live lavishly and highhandedly during their childhood.

Determined to inject some levity to change the topic, Subaru threw that line out, and Julius turned the corners of his lips.

“I would appreciate it if you could be more tactful with your expressions… but there’s a non-negotiable side to that.”

“Seriously!? You were in the noble brat position, weren’t you!? Did you kick commoners off their horses or relentlessly bully your servants!?”

“I can’t fathom why you’re suddenly so excited.”

Looking at the pumped-up Subaru with an icy stare, Julius turned to glance behind him.

He was probably concerned about the women in the dragon carriage. Naturally, there was no need to verify whether they could hear the conversation, but it was more about feeling uneasy.

“You know how much do you know about my, the Euclius family’s history?”

“I don’t know a thing.”

“That was an exceedingly blunt response.”

In reality, Subaru had zero background knowledge.

With Subaru proudly standing there on the dragon, Julius couldn’t help but smile wryly, then touched the knight’s sword at his waist. Perhaps an heirloom in Julius’s family. From his profile, it seemed he was contemplating whether he was worthy of his current self.

“I’m technically not the legitimate heir of the Euclius family.”

“———”

“To be more precise, I should say that I am not the official heir. The current head of the Euclius family is Albiello Euclius. My father was his younger brother, Klein Euclius. He has already passed away and adopted by the current head.”

Suddenly faced with an unexpected admission, Subaru found himself momentarily speechless.

It was hard to gauge how the feudal system of this world aligned with Subaru’s social knowledge, but certainly, Julius’s position was complicated.

Then what would that make his brother, Joshua Euclius? The young man, who admired Julius as an older brother, was now lost from memory in this world.

“I have no idea about the actual relationship with Joshua left in Pristella. Whether he is my real brother, sharing blood with my real father, Klein Euclius—or if he’s the legitimate son adopting ALbiello Euclius, I don’t have the answer.”

“…What if they’re different?”

“Then our title as brothers would merely be a figure of speech, and we’d only be cousins. In that case, the house of Euclius would belong to Joshua Euclius.”

“———”

Julius spoke flatly, and in that simplicity, he presented the unvarnished truth.

The complexity in his words lay in the fact that Julius himself didn’t have a complete grasp of his actual situation. If he and Joshua were genuine brothers, then Julius would inherit the house of Euclius. However, if they are not brothers, it was clear that Joshua would inherit it.

And the way to ascertain that was something Julius could not determine, as Joshua’s existence had been erased from the world and he himself had lost his memories and sense of belonging.

“It’s pointless to ponder, but considering that makes my position incredibly complicated. The idea that I don’t even know my own tomorrow is more than a little unnerving. Still, I should prioritize stabilizing my own footing more than concerning myself with the fate of the Euclius family.”

“———”

Perhaps Subaru was more shaken than he anticipated, and Julius delivered his words with a hint of jest.

Feeling dry in his mouth and tension in his stomach, Subaru bit his lip in frustration. He felt that it was utterly stupid to make Julius worried for him.

“I had a shaky time because of such a background. I was guided to the royal castle by my adoptive father and was about to display the clumsy manners he taught me, when I first saw Reinhardt, who was still only eight years old. —That just about sums it up.”

Forcing the conversation to a close, Julius seemed eager to wrap things up.

He didn’t have the courage to delve deeper into the topic or return an equally clever remark. Subaru watched as Julius faced ahead, looking left speechless.

Then, a question slipped out.

“What made you decide to share that with me all of a sudden?”

“I thought you were the one who asked, but maybe it’s just my misunderstanding?”

“No, that’s not it… I mean, I guess I could be at fault for that, but isn’t it weird for you to bring up something like this with me?”

“Not really. It’s common knowledge among Reinhardt and Ferris, as well as with the knight order. Naturally, Anastasia-sama knows too—this isn’t anything special.”

“———”

Subaru wasn’t entirely satisfied with that, and his mouth puckered in response.

Even if it was a well-known fact, that didn’t mean it was something you would parade around. It still felt like an unnatural conversation.

Perhaps Julius caught on to Subaru’s dissatisfaction from that frown.

He tugged on the reins and sped up his dragon, just a little.

“Indeed, it’s common knowledge. —So, perhaps, I wanted you to know. Among the current people in this world, you’re the one who reminds me most of myself.”

As the blue dragon flicked its tail and picked up speed, Julius’s expression vanished from sight.

However, it wasn’t at such a staggering speed that he would leave Subaru behind. It was all just Julius’s way of making a point with an undeniably slick line.

“———”

“Yeah, it’s all good. Thanks for being considerate, Patrasche.”

The sleek black Earth Dragon lifted its head and glanced at Subaru. The gesture seemed to ask, “Shall I race up beside the front dragon?” Subaru affectionately stroked the lady’s neck to show his gratitude.

“…So like you.”

A small, sulky remark slipped off Subaru’s tongue.

Whether he was feeling weak, or just acting like a tragic hero was hard to say.

It was utterly infuriating, that much was clear.

“Ah, damn it. Why am I such an idiot? No, I’m definitely an idiot…”

Scratching his head, Subaru reflexively vented his frustration silently.

In the end, no precise response to Julius’s words stirred up in his head.

And this thought eluded him until they reached the brink of the Augria Sand Dunes.

Even when they arrived at the nearest town to the dunes, Milura, those thoughts still didn’t surface.