――Swaying, staggering, wobbling.

　My consciousness flickers slowly.

　It feels like I’m on a ship sailing the vast sea, swaying left and right.

　My wavering awareness feels heavy, and even though my eyelids are closed, I feel dizzy.

　Not enough. Everything is lacking.

　Blood, flesh, bones, tranquility, anger, joy, various things that make up a person are all insufficient.

　It feels like I’ve spilled them all somewhere along the way.

　I must gather them up again, I think dreamily.

　I need to collect them, pack them back in, and then stand up once more.

　There’s a place I must go, a wish to be fulfilled.

I have a reason to live and a wish that cries out to live.

　So, so, so.

Even though everything is lacking and incomplete, I must move forward.

For that purpose, Natsuki Subaru must――,

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△

“――Ube”

　At the moment just after my consciousness awakens, I grimaced at the sticky sensation on my face.

　The feeling of dampness from my face to my chest is there. The warm, wet sensation resembles the morning sweat of a bad dream.

　My head feels heavy, suggesting I might have had a fever.

“…I don’t recognize this ceiling.”

　As if fulfilling an obligatory utterance, my vision reveals a shabby wooden ceiling.

It’s far from sturdy construction, more like a haphazardly assembled shack. The clumsy craftsmanship leaves me puzzled for a moment.

How did I end up in this shack? I slowly try to pull my memories together.

“Sure enough, I blinked after leaving the convenience store and ended up in another world, where I met Emilia-chan—and the rest is too long to summarize.”

It’s a monologue meant for no one to hear, but as I crack a joke, my thoughts begin to clear.

Yes, the boy Natsuki Subaru, summoned to another world, met a silver-haired super beautiful girl, went on various grand adventures, and finally conquered the Sand Tower, only to be thrown into the neighboring country.

“Even I can’t make sense of it…”

Anyway, there’s a ridiculous situation spanning before me.

And as I dig into my memories, I realize there’s no recollection of this shabby ceiling.

“The only possible place I might recognize is the ‘Sanctuary’, but when I was imprisoned by Garfiel, the building was decent.”

Now Garfiel calls me “Major,” but I still have vivid memories of being tied up and imprisoned by him, despite it being a lost world.

I don’t hold a grudge against him, but being imprisoned is a unique experience that you really can’t just forget.

However, that terrible environment doesn’t resonate with this ceiling.

It’s all the same; I’ve lived in a place that feels relatively civilized, and Subaru, a modern individual, realizes this small fortune.

I wished I could have experienced that realization in a somewhat better environment――,

“――!”

With that, as I organize my jumbled thoughts, an impact hits me like thunder at an unexpected moment.

This isn’t the Lugnica Kingdom, but the Volakia Empire.

Thrown into the neighboring country unexpectedly, Subaru finds himself all alone――,

“Rem…!”

The girl I must protect no matter what came here with me.

On top of that, I’m separated from her, and Rem is still with those dangerous men――,

“Damn, what am I doing? No, this isn’t the time for this…!”

“――What are you making a fuss about?”

“――Ah.”

I was about to leap up in search of Rem when a sharp voice interrupted me, causing me to catch my breath.

Now sitting up, it seems I was laid down on a bed at the same shabby level as the ceiling, and there, next to me, I met the gaze of someone with blue eyes looking at me with a judging stare.

It was a girl with short blue hair, her beautiful eyes narrowed at Subaru.

“R-Rem…?”

“――Not really. I’m not particularly inclined to answer positively. I haven’t acknowledged that I am the Rem you speak of.”

Her tone was stiff, trying to freeze her emotions, and Subaru silently widened his eyes.

However, she’s right here, speaking, and there’s warmth, a gentle scent, the proof that this isn’t a dream or an illusion. Yes, even the warmth of her hand.

“Wait, a hand?”

“―――”

Then, Subaru suddenly realized that under the rags covering him, he was holding the girl’s――Rem’s hand, which left him astonished.

I have no recollection of what happened, but—

“Did you really hold my hand until I woke up?”

“Huh? Don’t say something disgusting. You can tell just by looking. You were the one who wouldn’t let go of my hand.”

“Ah, right, that’s true. I’m holding onto your hand…”

Not distinguishing between expectations and reality, I inadvertently increased Rem’s displeasure.

It seems during my unconscious moments, I had been tightly gripping Rem’s hand. Well, in a way, it’s somewhat meaningful that I wasn’t shaken off.

“What’s with that look?”

“N-No, nothing. Really.”

“I see. Let go already. Your hand is sweaty and slippery.”

“The devastating blow for a boy in the middle of puberty…!”

If it’s a cute girl saying that, some might feel they’ve received an everlasting scar from such a strike.

Luckily, Subaru was tough enough to get off with merely feeling faint. But as he hesitantly released her hand, he saw Rem pulling her hand to her chest and wiping it on her clothing, taking a second blow.

Regardless of Subaru’s inner turmoil――,

“Rem, are you hurt anywhere? If something is painful, please tell me without hiding it.”

“Huh?”

“Eh, what’s with that face…? Did I say something weird?”

Setting aside their initial exchange, Subaru wanted to confirm Rem’s safety. But Rem’s response was unusually cold.

Subaru, too, panicked, wondering if he had said something offensive, but he could not recall anything untoward.

It should have been a regular, concerned inquiry about Rem’s well-being.

“…You were the one who was in worse condition. You were almost dead, and you didn’t even realize that?”

“Realize? Well, that is…”

“Indeed, you didn’t know. —I still can’t trust you.”

Clearly rejecting him while looking straight into his eyes, Subaru swallowed.

With his “memory” lost, the miasma surrounding him helped enhance the bad impression, and Rem’s attitude remained hard and cold.

Moreover, this time, there were no opportunities to bridge the gap between Subaru and Rem.

Subaru could only desperately try to save Rem from the Empire’s territory――,

“――Ah.”

Another piece of the missing memory clicked into place in Subaru, sending a shiver through his brain.

This shock was special enough to rival Rem’s existence.

He was trapped in the Empire’s territory and had placed a high stake in a gamble to rescue Rem.

As a result, he encountered the tribe in the forest――“People of Shudrak” and, along with a man who happened to be in the same cell, underwent their ritual.

And――,

“…I have a right hand that isn’t black.”

Raising his right arm, he murmured as he looked at the missing sleeve and the arm visible beneath it.

An ugly black pattern had once bubbled up on Subaru’s right arm. A side effect from encountering the Archbishop of Sin of the Witch Cult in Watergate City Pristella, it seemed that the mark had vanished without a trace.

――That black mark had healed the wounds on his tattered right arm.

A horrifying memory, yet it apparently was neither a dream nor a nightmare. Well, it was a nightmare, but it seems to have actually happened.

Subaru’s useless right arm had healed, and Rem was at his bedside.

In other words, he had survived and completed the “Ritual of Blood,” and managed to reclaim Rem. —In exchange, at the cost of many sacrifices.

“――――”

“…You look pale. I think you should still be sleeping.”

Looking down at his unnaturally healed right arm, Rem voiced her thoughts as she noticed Subaru becoming silent.

Even if the person isn’t someone I feel positively about, if they look like they’re in bad shape, it’s common courtesy to worry about them, which is likely a reflection of Rem’s natural kindness. Or perhaps, Subaru’s expression was so pallid it resembled a corpse.

There was a desire to lean on that kindness.

But, this isn’t the time for that. I have far too many questions to confirm.

“Thanks for worrying about me. But I have to ask you a lot of questions. …I’d like to know, we’re in someone’s house in Shudrak, right?”

“Them, as a group, seemed to refer to themselves that way.”

“I see. …Then, I’d like to meet Mizelda and the others. Also—”

It was something he didn’t want to hear but could not avoid confirming.

If Rem was here, who should’ve also been held captive in that place, must be Louie—his fate worried him.

To be clear, he was anxious.

It wasn’t Louie’s safety that worried him, but the potential consequences of leaving Louie behind.

“Honestly, I need to ask: what about her… Louie?”

“――You looked bitter. Why are you keeping that girl away?”

“That’s hard to explain, and even if I did, I’m afraid she might not understand.”

Any talk related to Louie was sure to earn Rem’s displeasure.

Subaru felt discomfort about that but also thought it might not be something that could be conveyed.

“Anyway, what about her? Don’t tell me she’s in the camp…”

“――Look to your left.”

“Huh?”

What did she mean by that, and as Subaru blinked in confusion, he shifted his gaze to his left—the opposite side of where Rem was.

There, to his delayed astonishment, was――,

“Zzz, Zzz…”

“Wha…”

Louie, with an innocent sleeping face, was there.

She was on Subaru’s left side, bundled in the same shabby blanket as him. Her mouth was wide open as drool dripped down, and it was only now that understanding caught up to him.

The sensation of dampness on his chest and face just after waking was――,

“――――!!”

A voiceless scream erupted from Subaru.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△

“O-Subaru! So it seems you’ve finally woken up, huh?”

Welcoming Subaru, who made his face known in the plaza following Rem’s guidance, was Mizelda.

The young chief of the “People of Shudrak,” her hair dyed black and red, approached Subaru emerging from the shack and inspected him from head to toe.

Her bold attitude, either unconcerned or refreshingly spirited, earned a slight smile from Subaru.

“Thanks to you, I barely managed to survive. I’m sorry for worrying you, Mizelda-san.”

“Don’t worry about it. Once you die, the soul of a brave comrade returns to heaven, and the corpse is buried in the earth. If that doesn’t happen, then I’m glad your soul remains here.”

“Mizelda-san…”

Mizelda, with strong arms crossed and her tall, tanned frame puffed with pride, delivered those unadorned words, filling Subaru with quiet emotion. Honestly, when he was captured by the “People of Shudrak,” he had prepared himself for another death.

At that moment, Mizelda smiled, her eyes narrowing, “However, it’s a pity that you already have someone. How about adding one more person, like Rem and Louie?”

“Mizelda-san!”

In response to Mizelda’s slightly mischievous suggestion, Rem raised her voice beside Subaru.

Rem, now using a new wooden cane, looked stern, still struggling to regain her balance. She was holding Louie, who seemed surprised at Rem’s loud voice.

While stroking Louie’s blonde hair, Rem called out to Mizelda again, “You’re going too far. I still don’t trust or understand this person.”

“Then, may I have her?”

“Of course, I’m offering her.”

“My will is not reflected!”

“Aah-uu!”

With a haughty attitude, Rem supported the idea of transferring ownership, and panicking, Subaru hastily called for a stop.

Amidst the commotion, Louie also yelled out of sheer excitement.

Hearing that, Mizelda chuckled, “Just kidding, just kidding,” and Subaru couldn’t help but feel amazed at her unpretentious demeanor.

Things just after completing the “Ritual of Blood” were rather fuzzy even for Subaru himself.

Even afterward, he couldn’t distinguish how much was his memory and how much was his convenient wishful thinking. Mizelda’s attitude seemed real, not a dream.

“It seems rare for a good relationship to be established right from the first meeting. That’s good, but…”

“Your complexion looks bad. Is something wrong? Do you want me to cut off something painful?”

With the vibe saying that probably wasn’t a joke, Subaru decided against asking for such a thing.

As he usually would, he didn’t have time to feel grateful to Mizelda or recover his composure…

“Last time, I didn’t have the luxury to look around.”

Speaking thus, Subaru looked around the village of the “People of Shudrak.”

The settlement, deep within an expansive forest, from the shack where he woke up to the surroundings, seemed to belong to a world that had stopped developing.

To sum it up, it presented a perfect scene of a minority ethnic group living in an undeveloped jungle.

With few men around, they lived by hunting as amazons――the village showed no signs of civilization, looking very uncivilized.

“There are only a few of them, so they can live off their daily hunts… but for me—”

“――――”

As Subaru bit his lip, furrowing his brows sadly.

Next to him, Rem silently gazed at his profile, her blue eyes expressing a complex emotion he couldn’t decipher at that moment.

He was afraid of not being able to read her thoughts. He couldn’t easily return Mizelda’s smiles.

Thus, to break through such a situation――,

“Mizelda-san, I need to talk. …I think I need to talk to that person as well.”

“…That’s good. She should be in the gathering place with Talitta now.”

After hearing Subaru’s words, Mizelda nodded and gestured with her chin.

She pointed toward a large building that stood in the back of the plaza—the gathering place, as they called it. It seemed to serve the role as its name indicated, being the most significant building in the settlement, if not the most beautifully built.

“――Let’s go.”

Determining their destination, Subaru began moving toward it.

He extended a hand to assist Rem, but she refused it. She was determined to walk with Louie, showing her power.

Seeing Rem’s consistent attitude made Subaru smile bitterly and steel his expression.

Afterward, they passed through the entrance to the gathering place, stepping inside.

There――,

“Finally awake, I see. You’ve been living quite the charmed life, Natsuki Subaru.”

He was greeted by a man kneeling on the ground in the center of the gathering place, who was wearing a mask.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△

In the midst of the “People of Shudrak,” one man mixed in while surrounding the lit fire.

Subaru’s cheeks twitched as he welcomed this unexpected guest, rendered speechless.

“――――”

“What’s wrong? Did you lose your voice after barely surviving? If there was a price to pay, it may be that you paid quite the cost.”

“No, I still have my voice. It’s not that I’ve lost it, but I’m at a loss for words… What’s with that mask?”

As he said this, Subaru pointed at the face of the man with the arrogant speaking style.

The face that his finger pointed to was covered with a mask that looked like a red and white “demon mask.” However, since “Demon Clan” exists as a species in this world, it wasn’t just any ghostly mask.

Simply put, it was a mask resembling something quite fearsome.

To that, the man replied in a dull tone, “Ah, this was a presented item. I already intended to keep my face hidden. It’s convenient for me in that regard, as it gets tiring to rewrap it every time I wash my face.”

“Seems it might itch if it gets dirty… but that’s not the issue here.”

“Oh?”

Sporting a pained expression from the man’s unflappable demeanor, Subaru walked up to him confidently.

At that moment, one of the other men sitting in the circle, Talitta, attempted to stop him, “Oi—”

But――,

“Talitta, stop. This person seems to have business with me.”

“Y-yes… but…”

“If I say it’s fine, then it’s fine. Are there any other words needed?”

Talitta was silenced by the man’s command and stepped back.

In a short time, it seemed he had successfully gained a good amount of trust from the “People of Shudrak.” —No, that stance seemed more one of domination than trust.

Talitta’s demeanor had an admiration that was devoid of fear or suspicion toward him. This was mutual among the other Shudraks sitting with them.

What means he used was beyond Subaru’s imagination.

“For now, I want to talk to you one-on-one. —Vincent Abelkus.”

“――――”

Standing in front of the seated man and looking down at him, Subaru’s words left the man’s expression unseeable behind the mask.

Yet, the air in the gathering place grew tense, and the temperature felt as though it was dropping.

An instinctive pressure almost made Subaru gasp.

But Subaru bore it with determination.

And――,

“I’ll pardon the first time because you were in a stupor, but don’t make me repeat it. Thus, know that the third time is not allowed. You should refrain from recklessly uttering my name.”

“…What if I say no?”

“I will impose the appropriate punishment. I know plenty of ways to make you cry out.”

The man stood up and locked gazes directly with Subaru.

His manner of speaking and presence radiated sincerity. No bluff in such a presence either. Even with limited means, it’s clear he could carry out the promised punishment.

“You’re an infuriating guy…”

“Then perhaps, I should make you say it a third time?”

“…No, forget it. I didn’t come here to argue. —Abel.”

Taking a firm stance wouldn’t bear any consequence, so Subaru decided to back down first.

Choosing to address the man by the name he’d suggested, Subaru made that decision. Abel acknowledged his determination with a nod, saying, “Wise choice.”

“Had you not backed down, there’s a chance you would have seen blood.”

“Ha, keep blabbering. I’m not saying it, but if you and I had to tussle, I’d say it would be a close and thrilling match.”

“Then you should look behind you.”

“Behind…?”

Taking it as a provocation, Subaru furrowed his brow at Abel’s words. Turning around, he shuddered upon seeing Rem with a white look, watching the men.

“Uh, Rem? What’s with that face…?”

“I’m just saying that it seems you were barely alive, yet you continue to stubbornly act tough. At this rate, you might die out there.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to!”

Subaru desperately apologized as he was overwhelmed by Rem’s cold stare.

Although he couldn’t manage to return Rem’s expression to a smile, it suddenly hit him.

Even if it was a special remedy that allowed him to survive the near-death experience, the most likely means of that survival was healing magic.

If that was the case, then it was done by――,

“That too must be discussed with you.”

“Abel…”

Seemingly perceiving the state of Subaru, who fell silent, Abel shrugged lightly, then turned to Mizelda.

“Mizelda, have everyone step back. It’s just me and this man from here on.”

“Do as you please. I’d be mad if you weren’t a good-looking guy.”

“Please, sister, be angry even at a good-looking guy…”

Mizelda easily followed Abel’s command, causing Talitta to sigh.

Of course, considering the previous events, she cast no particularly persuasive look.

Once the chief Mizelda was swayed, none of the others from Shudrak would remain.

Soon, everyone turned to leave the gathering place. The issue was whether or not Rem and Louie would join that wave, but――,

“Having that girl present as I want to talk is troublesome for you, right?”

“Guh…”

He must have seen right through Subaru’s hesitation as his words made him hold his breath.

But in the end, he was correct. He didn’t want Rem to hear this conversation.

“Rem, could you step out with everyone? I can’t say how soon… but I don’t plan to take too long.”

“If you say it like that, it makes it sound like I am the one being unreasonable.”

“I didn’t intend for it to sound that way… Well then, will you leave?”

“…What if I say no?”

“Eh!?”

Subaru, who thought he was preoccupied with Abel, was taken aback by Rem’s words.

It was immediately evident that she was mocking the earlier exchange between Subaru and Abel.

Faced with Rem’s persistence, Subaru felt weak.

If possible, he wanted to grant Rem any desire she wished for.

But――,

“—I don’t want to share this with you.”

“You could be forced to be made to stay.”

“Then… then I’ll run away!”

At Rem’s speed using the cane, Subaru would easily be faster than her.

That was one clear point where the current Subaru surpassed Rem. To admit that he couldn’t think of any other area was pathetic.

“Uuh…”

As Subaru agonized, Louie, still gripping Rem’s arm, pulled her with a groan. It looked like Louie was trying to lead Rem out of the gathering place.

Watching that, Rem smiled gently.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you. I just felt like saying a few nasty things to this smelly person.”

“Aah~”

“A smelly person…”

No matter how nasty you put it, that single phrase pierced deeper than any insult, but that was fine for now.

Just as she had said to Louie, Rem smoothly withdrew, using her cane to depart with Louie.

Watching her back that refused to turn around, Subaru rubbed his cheek.

Was Rem genuinely unfazed by Subaru, or was she just saying that out of concern? That left him bewildered.

Of course, it would be more pleasing if it turned out to be the latter.

“I’ve come with the worst impression. I won’t be hoping for anything more than that; that’s my life style…”

“That’s a foolish resilience and arrogance. —Sit down; I’ll hear your story.”

And thus, alone in the gathering place, Subaru was ordered to sit on the ground by Abel, and he plopped down, legs crossed.

Across from him, Abel similarly sat on the ground, his knees raised, looking at Subaru over the mask.

The two faced each other across a fire burning in the middle.

“The first thing I want to know is, what of this was a dream and what was real?”

“Ha. That’s something only you would know. What do you want me to tell? That everything was just a fleeting dream, and events proceeded peacefully? Would that satisfy you?”

“Since there was a girl named Utakata, that’s quite a confusing dream…”

In the midst of the “People of Shudrak,” there was a young girl, who should have been Utakata.

Although the name is confusing in its description, Abel’s words had no essence.

—No, at this point, it could be said Subaru was avoiding the essence.

And this was the weakness that Abel would not let escape.

“I have no intention of accommodating your cowardice, Natsuki Subaru.”

“…Ah, I understand. —Um, was it indeed real that you attacked the Empire’s camp?”

“Of course, it was. The Empire’s encampment that was spread outside of Budhaheim was completely wiped out with Shudrak’s strength. What you saw was none other than reality.”

――Abel confirms that what he witnessed was indeed real.

Hearing this, a heavy weight sank deep within Subaru’s chest. Gritting his teeth tightly, he used the pain to halt his gradually fading consciousness.

It was unacceptable for someone like Natsuki Subaru to escape with such convenient excuses.

“…I get the gist. You led the ‘People of Shudrak’ and attacked the Empire’s camp. Thus you chased them away, correct?”

“Ah. But, that alone isn’t enough. Let me add a little more.”

“Add?”

“I led the effort, and Shudrak destroyed the camp. And we suffered no losses.”

“—So, you boast about how magnificent your leadership is?”

“No, it’s not that. —This is your merit.”

Turning his head sideways, what Abel said caused Subaru to blink in surprise.

The words were entirely unexpected. Not only did Abel acknowledge Subaru’s merit, he also questioned how that was occurring.

He never could grasp why such praise was being directed at him.

“What are you talking about…?”

“Can you not grasp it? The reason why I and Shudrak could emerge victorious unscathed was because we learned in detail about the enemy’s formation. From none other than your own lips.”

“—Huh?”

Abel’s comment made Subaru’s thoughts freeze mid-connection.

It wasn’t just unexpected, but it felt as if he were struck from an outside perspective. Unable to grasp the meaning, he opened and closed his mouth repeatedly――.

“If you can discern the formation and composition of the enemy, the chances of strategizing to defeat them increase. In reality, we achieved victory without suffering losses. That was your contribution. Your reward was granted.”

“Re-reward…?”

“We saved your lady. I will reward your contributions. I have no means to reward the dead. I thought to do so while you were still breathing. Well, you’re quite the lucky man.”

Even when told he was “lucky,” Subaru sat there in a daze.

Perhaps for Abel, that might have been a small compliment or a sign of praise. However, unfortunately, Subaru wasn’t raised in a culture to accept such sentiment.

Of course, he would wonder. —Why must he take joy in being a mere tool of war?

“Why would I know about the camp…”

“It’s the side effects from the herb. Having completed the ‘Ritual of Blood,’ you were on the verge of death. You needed to keep yourself alive until you could aid in attacking the camp and rescuing your lady. Therefore, the properties of the medicine dulled your senses. Thus…”

“Did I just blab everything asked of me……?”

Stunned, Subaru pressed his face with both hands, his voice trembling.

It was true; Subaru had a general understanding of what was within the camp. He had spent days there as a servant once.

He knew where everything was located and how many people were there. He also knew that by taking the initiative to attack the pertinent locations would grant overwhelming advantage.

He understood that, but so what?

“Using drugs like that, you can’t be serious! You did that on your own volition! You…!”

“However, without that, you wouldn’t have met your lady again and would have been dead. In other words, her healing magic could never have reached you. There’s no reason for you to complain about being saved.”

“That’s obviously unacceptable…! I didn’t want to get involved in any war! So many people die… still, you!”

“—You’re misinterpreting something.”

With heavy breath, Subaru, ready to admonish evil, heard Abel’s words sharply piercing through.

Such cold tones made Subaru’s cheeks tighten.

“Misunderstanding? You’re saying I’m the one misunderstanding?”

“Let’s say your mind hadn’t been dulled by the herb. Still, for the sake of rescuing that lady, you would have needed the might of Shudrak. It goes without saying that you would have unfurled all your knowledge, doing everything possible. …Therefore, you would have disclosed the details of the camp’s formation, wouldn’t you?”

“U-uh…”

“You should realize it. The result would remain the same. Whether you were on the verge of death or not, your knowledge would still be used to uncover the camp’s secrets, and they would perish.”

Faced with Abel’s sharp insistence, Subaru searched for some form of rebuttal.

However, what he said was true, and Subaru found a plausible flow emerging in his mind regarding that outcome.

In reality, even if he had survived the “Ritual of Blood” in much better condition, if it came to strategizing a plan to rescue Rem, Subaru would have revealed all the intel he knew about the Empire’s camp.

He would have conveyed their deployment and personnel for the purpose of formulating a strategy.

“But, in that case, I’d be part of the military council. I’d have absolutely opposed any plan that would lead to casualties. So…”

“Would you have convinced them? Without the means outside of killing, would you have persuaded those who are unaware to find a better way to rescue the girl without bloodshed?”

“That…”

“I’ll tell you. —That is a fantasy.”

Subaru’s soul screamed with blood, stabbed by Abel’s words.

He wanted to cry out that it was wrong; he wanted to deny Abel’s words. Yet, all that came out was unfounded emotions that could not shake Abel’s face, nor alter his expression.

What both were viewing differed. Their ways of life were fundamentally dissimilar.

The huge difference in their outlook on life and death lay between Subaru and Abel—the “People of Shudrak.” And that wall could not be dismantled.

At least, not until Rem was lost would he manage to break through.

Subaru himself believed that as well.

“…That doesn’t mean I wanted to give up.”

“By refusing to give up, someone else besides you dies. It may be a complete stranger, unrelated to you. Or it could be someone akin to your other half. Stopping to wallow in foolish thoughts means allowing for such outcomes.”

Gripping his teeth, cursing the harsh reality, Subaru still faced Abel’s perspective.

Yet perhaps that very intensity allowed Abel to reap results. But who gave him the right to choose lives in that manner?

“What makes you think you’re special? Do you think you’re now a god or something?”

“Fool. I am neither a god nor a hero. Of course, I am not a wicked spectator overlooking this world. —I am a king. The king of kings.”

“――――”

“The common folk refer to that which stands above as the emperor. —That would be me.”

Abel confidently pressed his hand to his chest, making that declaration.

Hidden behind the mask, his expression was unseen. Yet, the one time he had shown his face flashed in Subaru’s mind; he wore a bold and fearless grin, his eyes burning with a fierce light.

As the emperor was declared, Subaru even forgot to inhale sharply.

The ostentation with which he proved his existence through words was too overwhelming.

And facing the frozen Subaru, Abel――Vincent Abelkus continued with the same dignity in his voice.

“—I am the 77th Emperor of the Holy Volakia Empire.”

“――――”

“Although now I’ve been brought down from the peak, I’m a man who has descended to the wild.”