Subaru’s experience riding in a dragon carriage was four times—just enough to count on one hand.

First, two trips back and forth between the royal capital and the mansion. Then, once when he was unconscious, being carried into the mansion after being defeated by Elsa’s deadly blade on the day he was summoned.

And the last opportunity was—

“It was the cargo dragon carriage we used to sneak into the castle thanks to Kadmon’s wicked schemes… so that’s the fourth time.”

He recalled being crammed into a stinky, fishy cargo bed during the illegal castle invasion.

All memories from the castle were nothing but repugnant for Subaru, but it was that experience that helped him come up with this idea now.

In other words, if there wasn’t a shop that officially rents out dragon carriages, then—

“I just need to find someone who moves around using dragon carriages and see if I can borrow one from them.”

Even Kadmon, who ran a fruit shop that wasn’t popular in the royal capital, handled dragon carriages. He remembered that it was said to be a shared dragon carriage among the shop owners of that street, but it wasn’t unlikely that merchant sellers who didn’t own shops had their own dragon carriages.

“In fact, I’ve crossed paths with dragon carriages multiple times in the street filled with stalls. In the light novel I read in the past, merchants without a shop mostly did manual labor or sold goods while pulling a cart,” he thought.

And the idea was confirmed by the innkeeper, who nodded in agreement.

According to him, it seemed there were a few people in this village who owned dragon carriages for private use.

The existence of these individuals barely kept the flickering hope of Subaru alive. However—

“Dragon carriages are essential for their lives, and for merchants, they are literally their lifeline. I think negotiations will be quite difficult,” the innkeeper said, still implying that it would be a challenging proposition.

But for Subaru, he had no other means to take. Thus, he shook his head at the innkeeper’s concern and said,

“No, I’m going to try it anyway. Please tell me which houses have dragon carriages.”

So he made this earnest request and chose the path of negotiation.

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—However, the negotiations proved to be much more difficult than the innkeeper had predicted.

First, the households that had stores in the village and used dragon carriages for procurement and trade with other villages were extremely resistant to the unexpected use of their precious dragon carriages.

For them, dragon carriages were tools for their trade and not something they could lend out easily. Moreover, with their daily business ongoing, not a single one of them stepped forward to accompany Subaru on his journey as some whimsical act.

After being turned down by all the store-owning candidates, things became even tougher when dealing with the merchants who operated their own dragon carriages.

Subaru had thought that their mobility would make them the perfect candidates for such requests, but—

“They’re from the Meisters Territory, right? Sorry, but it’s impossible for me to go there at this time,” declared a thin, lanky man who abruptly cut off negotiations with Subaru.

He was accompanied by two slender earth dragons pulling a covered cart, and as he looked down at Subaru with reptilian-like eyes, he continued,

“Let me be clear, it’s not just me who’s declining this. In my case, it’s purely about my cargo.”

“Cargo?” Subaru asked.

“My cargo consists of iron products meant for weapons and armor. Apparently, prices have shot up significantly in the royal capital right now. Tomorrow, I have to hurry to join in on a lucrative deal,” he said, lightly tapping his cart.

With a gaze directed towards the setting sun—probably towards the direction of the royal capital—he spoke.

Seeing Subaru’s silence, he scratched his head and added, “Not to mention, this village of Fleur is somewhat thriving because there are many characters like me coming back and forth to the royal capital. So you should have no shortage of candidates for negotiation… but they’ve all turned you down, haven’t they?”

“…Yeah, you’re the sixth person to reject me,” Subaru grimly admitted.

Feeling frustrated at the repeated failures, Subaru bit his lip.

Indeed, he could spot a few potential candidates who met the prerequisites for negotiation. As the man had mentioned, this village was on the way to the royal capital.

Taking that as a pleasant surprise, Subaru had confidently approached them with the proposal that had been dismissed by the shop owners.

“Right now, it’s that time of year when the merchants who were away keep heading back to the capital. You can’t blame them. After all, there’s a stir because of the Royal Selection. The scent of gold is irresistible,” he said.

“So that’s how it is…,” Subaru muttered, experiencing the repercussions of his naivety again.

Ultimately, considering why merchants engage in trade is obvious. They are not merely wandering merchants. Their mobility is vital for seizing profit opportunities, and the burdens they carry translate directly into earnings.

In this situation—where the entire kingdom was in a fiery uproar due to the Royal Selection—there was no way any merchant would let the opportunity in the royal capital slip through their fingers.

Feeling demoralized by his oversimplified outlook, Subaru couldn’t help but feel pity for himself as he mused.

Just then, the man seemed to contemplate something and scratched his beak-like nose as he said, “Additionally, there are some rather fishy rumors floating around the Meisters Territory. Even if the opportunity for profits in the royal capital slips away, there won’t be many keen on going there.”

“Fishy rumors… Could it somehow involve the Royal Selection?” Subaru asked.

“I think they’re just rumors. Something about a half-demon being a candidate, supported by someone or other… As for the Royal Selection, it’s still filled with conjectures,” he replied. “You know about this, right?”

“…No, I’m not too clear about it,” Subaru replied, evasively.

He lied instinctively to dodge the question, and the man seemed to accept it without disappointment.

Reflecting on just how chaotic Emilia’s surrounding environment was, Subaru could sense the downward spiral that now laid in front of him and Emilia.

And as feelings of annoyance surfaced for the immovable obstacles blocking his path as well as Emilia’s, the man suddenly clapped his hands and exclaimed, “Hey, cheer up! I might just have thought of someone who could be tempted by your proposal!”

“—! Seriously! I was just about to give up and look completely defeated here!” Subaru exclaimed.

“I don’t quite understand what you’re saying, but it’s true. I’ll call for them right now,” he said.

As he roughly patted Subaru’s shoulder, the man dashed across the road toward a shop that was barely within view. Subaru looked up at the shop’s sign and thought,

“…It looks like some tavern or something?”

He couldn’t entirely confirm it, but some of the inscriptions carved in it were using the “Roman letters” he had just started learning, which he barely managed to decipher. Furthermore, from the slightly ajar double doors, a faint whiff of alcohol wafted out, raising suspicion about the character of those who were lounging about during this early hour.

Given that the man had just dashed inside with enthusiasm, he presumed the person he was after would be someone inside.

“What if he brings back an alcoholic with a severe dependency? Is it even safe to drive a dragon carriage while drinking in this world?”

Subaru pondered if there were even penalties for drunk driving, or if the concept of needing a license for driving a dragon carriage even existed.

Deciding that if an intimidating, boozy figure showed up, he’d just toss some gold coins around and make a run for it, he steeled his resolve.

Just then, the door swung open, revealing the lanky man with a surprised expression on his face. “What? I told you to wait, but you came over here instead?”

He laughed in disbelief while holding onto someone’s clothing as he entered the tavern.

Peering into the inner sanctum, Subaru focused his gaze on the newcomer and asked, “You shouldn’t have made me ask so hard. The rudeness is off the charts! So, who have you brought with you?”

“Oh right, right! This is the one! Hey, Otto, greet him!”

Roughly tugging at the man’s arm, he stepped aside, revealing a gray-haired young man.

He stood slightly shorter than Subaru, with a slim build. His age was around twenty, just slightly older than Subaru. When he straightened his back and put on a composed expression, he had a rather handsome yet unremarkable appearance.

“I’m Natsuki Subaru. Sorry for dragging you here. I thought you might take up my request… wow! The stench of alcohol! Ugh, I’m getting nauseous just from the smell!”

Trying to initiate friendly negotiations, Subaru was instantly knocked out by the overwhelming odor. The rich scent of alcohol emanated from the gloomy-faced young man right before him.

As predicted—not just expected, but worse—he appeared to be thoroughly intoxicated. He stumbled forward, wobbling precariously, and managed to stand in front of Subaru and said,

“I’m back! I’m Otto and… ugh, that’s all I have to say… ugh! Whew, excuse me… ugh!”

He burped three times during his short introduction.

The young man introduced as Otto scanned Subaru and the man who brought him, his formerly handsome features now red from intoxication.

“What was the, uhh, business end of your proposal again? I’m guessing it’s something about business, right? Ugh, how ridiculous, haha, ugh.”

Finally squatting down, he burst into laughter without a discernible reason.

Subaru felt the slumping hope entirely exhausted as he glared at the man who had introduced him with resentful eyes. Noticing this, the man quickly raised his hands in a panic and said,

“Wait! I swear I didn’t deceive you!”

“If you’re introducing him so seriously, I doubt your judgment. This isn’t just drunkenness; it’s a whole other level. With this condition, he’d attract attention even in a pedestrian zone!”

It seemed unforgivable to introduce him to Subaru, whose thought processes were completely impaired by drunkenness.

Noticing Subaru’s doubt, the now-cowering man recklessly shook the slumped-over Otto’s shoulders, shouting, “Otto! Wake up! You said you’d present something that could change everything, what happened to that, huh?! You’re just ruining everything with booze!”

“A game-changer—!?”

Otto’s previously lifeless eyes suddenly lit up as he shrugged off the grip on his shoulder, rising as if the previous state of drunken stupor was all an illusion.

“I sincerely apologize! My name is Otto Suwen. I’m just a humble merchant trying to make my living from traveling sales!”

He struck a pose as if it made a dramatic sound effect.

Subaru stared at Otto, speechless from his transformation. Otto scrutinized Subaru before exclaiming, “Hmm, I see you have a certain standing. You might actually be a good client. Thank you, Katie!”

“Yeah, yeah. With that, the deal should be sailing smoothly, right? Then I’ll take my leave. If I bump into you, do give me a favor. Also, Otto, don’t forget to return what you owe next time.”

With Otto demonstrating enough attitude to clear any doubts, the man dramatically relaxed, chest heaving in relief as he raised his hand at the departing figure.

Once he was out of sight, Subaru turned his attention back to the young man. Looking straight at him, Otto was already so sober that there was no trace left of his earlier drunken state.

“Now, let’s talk business. What can I do for you, kind sir?”

Otto clapped his hands and waved his fingers with a broad smile.

Subaru finally briefed Otto about the situation, wrapping up his explanation with a worthy summary.

“I don’t mind taking it on, no problem at all.”

After hearing Subaru out, Otto said this with all the sincerity of someone who didn’t expect a serious response.

Thus, Subaru’s astonishment didn’t last long before he found himself clutching Otto’s hands tightly.

“Thank you! So you’ll do it! I’m saved! This is such a relief!”

“Ow! Ouch! Hold on a sec! Please ease up! I’m really glad you’re happy, but I’ve got conditions too!”

As Otto struggled to free his hands from Subaru’s brutal grip, the latter queried, “Conditions?”

Waving his finally liberated hands lightly, Otto made a faint grimace as he remarked, “Well, since I’m using my dragon carriage, a key asset of mine, it’s not something I could just lend out easily. Of course, we can negotiate a fair price—especially for a trip to the Meisters Territory has various uncertainties.”

“That’s only fair. I’d be a fool to cut corners on that,” Subaru replied as he glanced down at the bag hanging from his hand, feeling apprehensive about the sums Otto might propose.

Should the requested payment exceed the amount he had left, he could be left high and dry. Whatever the case, agreeing to any other terms would be a risky venture.

Sensing Subaru’s evident distrust, Otto winked as he said, “Let’s talk a bit more plainly, shall we? What do you think about giving me all you have?”

With raised hands and a shrug of shoulders, he delivered the words playfully.

For him, it was just the opening gambit in their negotiation—a tactic meant to set the stage for a future discussion. His burning eyes betrayed that he had every intention of directing the conversation where he wanted it to go.

The battle of words began—countering sentences, racing intellects, all unfolding like a scripted play.

“So, is that your final offer? I understand. I’ll leave this bag with you then. Will we be all set to head out soon?”

Well, that was not how it played out.

As Subaru extended the bag he was holding, Otto received it with a look of utter shock, responding, “W-wait! This isn’t how it’s supposed to go! This is when we start hammering out our respective requests! You can’t just end it like this…!”

“This is a waste of time, and I’ll surely lose if we get into a war of words. So it’s pointless to engage in a fight I’ll lose anyhow, and if we can settle this matter with that bag’s contents, then it’s a match made in heaven.”

Worst case, the contents of the bag could all be lost, leaving him empty-handed. So, to actually get a ticket for his trip would cost him too little in the grand scheme of things.

Thus, Subaru’s decision took shape, leading Otto to place a hand on his forehead, exclaiming, “Oh no… have I perhaps introduced someone truly troublesome here?”

“Relax, I have no intention of causing any hassle down the road. At least, in spirit.”

The assertion lacked an ounce of conviction, a fact that neither Subaru nor the not-so-familiar-with-him Otto could possibly ignore.

“I understand. You’ve already agreed to the terms, and I was swept away by that confidence. I still pride myself as a merchant. No matter how meager the sum, I intend to see this through… ugh!? Wh-what is this huge amount?!”

As Otto peeked into the contents of the bag, the sight triggered a wave of nausea, and Subaru braced himself against the coming storm as Otto sputtered, “Ugh! Excuse me!”

Ignoring Otto’s choking fit, Subaru steeled himself for the opportunity he had painstakingly grasped.

Barriers kept rising before him, but he would somehow push through them all. For now, he lacked the clarity of what was obscuring Emilia’s path, but he trusted he would find out once he stood beside her. And he firmly believed he could make that happen.

“Just wait a little longer. I’ll be there soon… I’ll be there soon.”

Subaru’s lips curled into a smile unconsciously.

Whether that smile came from achieving his goal or envisioning the girl he cherished, he himself didn’t know.

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“Now, let’s confirm the details of the contract. The destination is Roswaal L. Meiastars’ territory, the Meisters Territory. The condition is to minimize time to the best of our ability and run through the night… I’m accepting this since the payment is substantial, but these are ridiculous conditions,” Otto disclosed.

“Don’t complain after seeing the gold! Please! My future is on the line!”

“I think my future is interconnected at various locations all at once too…”

While directing the reins, Otto maneuvered the earth dragon with bravado.

His dragon carriage was a large, canvas-covered one, and the earth dragon pulling it was a sturdy beast that matched the carriage’s power. Although Subaru was concerned about how heavy it looked for speed,

“That means it offers impressive endurance. Among long-distance types, they’re particularly resilient species, so they could run for three days without collapsing.”

“If you push it for three days, the human on board will probably collapse first, right?”

“I had a similar experience two years ago trying not to miss a business opportunity. If a person puts their life on the line, it’s amazing how far they can go. I collapsed immediately after the talks wrapped up and spent a week in and out of consciousness.”

“You say that like it’s all about trying hard,” Subaru thought while catching Otto’s gaze as he curiously inquired, “What’s on your mind?”

Noticing Subaru looking at him, Otto challenged him with a silent “What’s up?”

Waving his hand, Subaru shifted the topic as he peered down toward the earth dragon, “So it’s alright if we don’t have to change it midway. That means we can skip right by the village of Hanumas, right?”

“That’ll work. While Hanumas is a superior stopover compared to Fleur, if you have a dragon carriage with ample supplies of food and water, it’s not worth stopping. Given the urgency of the commission, we’ll go right past,” Otto explained unfazed, despite how utterly impulsive the plan seemed.

As Subaru listened to Otto a level of confidence seemed to emanate from him, suggesting he had traveled this path multiple times before. Although they should be around the same age, Otto seemed to exude an unmatched confidence.

Still, he agreed to Subaru’s reckless wish. Certainly, he was entitled to a reward. But that fact nagged at Subaru.

“Hey, why are you agreeing to my request? Honestly, the fact that you were that drunk is also a puzzle,” Subaru queried.

“You’re quite forthright, Natsuki-san,” Otto replied with a pained smile.

Subaru straightened up as he stood before Otto, one of the few people in this world to address him by his family name. A sudden sense of self-awareness kicked in for Subaru regarding his own social skills.

“Well, I did ask the question outright, and now you have to spill.”

“That’s rather bold of you… Well, to put it plainly, I may have made a mistake based on some misinformation,” Otto admitted, sighing slightly.

Subaru raised an eyebrow at the mention of a “mistake,” prompting Otto to glance toward the cargo stacked in the back of the carriage.

“What do you think is in those cargo containers?”

“At a glance, it looks like jars, or something. Were you going to trade pottery?”

“Close but no cigar. The product isn’t about appearances; it’s what’s inside those jars. They’re filled with oil. I was originally supposed to take it up north to Gusteco…”

Shrugging, Otto chuckled self-deprecatingly about his misfortunes.

“Thanks to all the fuss around the Royal Selection, the routes to Gusteco are temporarily closed. When I realized there wouldn’t be a market for selling it, I tried desperately to resist, but… well, I was ultimately turned back.”

Having missed an opportunity for making good profit with the oil meant he now had to get rid of it within Lugnica. Otto further lamented that, in addition, he had traded for iron products that had recently been worth almost nothing, further compounding his loss.

Ultimately, he would miss out on that chance to sell iron products with skyrocketing prices, and the oil that replaced it would simply drown Otto’s failures in alcohol.

“I’m sure no one will quickly buy out this amount of oil in the royal capital… Otherwise, if I try to sell it for a lower price, that would mean financial ruin. It was right then that I felt as if I’d lost the essence of a merchant’s pride and sense of worth when your offer came in, Natsuki-san.”

“With the gold I offered, can this loss be covered?”

“I could buy all this oil at the regular market price and still have change left over. That’s how I’m staying afloat now. Thank you, thank you!”

As Otto bowed appreciatively in a way that made him look as if he was worshiping Subaru, the latter waved his hand, reciprocating the gratitude.

After exchanging thankfulness, they shared extravagant tales—it felt as if time molded them into a tighter bond.

Suddenly, silences fell between them, and Subaru’s gaze shifted from the running route over to the expansive plain that lay ahead.

“Hey, Otto. Do you think there’s any way to cut through this plain quickly?” Subaru murmured softly.

Otto chuckled delightfully and slapped his knee as if he had heard an exquisite joke, “Now that’s certainly not funny! When the fog rolls across the fields, it brings the White Whale into view. It’s the most notorious beast of all Magic Beasts… If you encounter one, you won’t live to tell the tale.”

“Is it that dangerous? Has anyone ever been able to take it down?”

“As long as you steer clear of the fog, you’ll be fine. In the past, when expeditions were organized to hunt it down, they often suffered significant casualties. Considering the White Whale’s persistent existence, you get the idea.”

So it implied that the hunting expeditions in the past had failed, which had subsequently deterred further attempts.

Hearing Otto speak of “Magic Beasts,” Subaru couldn’t help but feel mixed emotions. For him, the term conjured memories of the Juggernauts that had roamed around Roswaal’s mansion.

In the end, he had felt some sympathy for the beasts whose nests were torched and obliterated in the area. Of course, Subaru had his experiences of being killed by them, and there was undeniable truth about the impossibility of coexisting with such chaotic creatures.

“The White Whale, huh… does it actually look like a white whale?”

“Judging by accounts from the few who have witnessed it and lived, it’s so massive that no one can quite agree on what its true form really is. Surrounded by destruction, they were ever so desperate to salvage their lives,” Otto said, exhaling heavily.

He seemed hesitant to share any further details about the White Whale, such was the terror surrounding the subject.

For a traveling merchant like Otto, who passed through various locations, being forced to detour for days around the White Whale—an intersection of panic and trauma—was certainly wretched.

He felt grateful if someone successfully took it down, but at the same time, he wished not to be involved. That trepidation echoed in Otto’s demeanor, prompting Subaru to rescind any further probing.

In any case, without Otto’s cooperation, Subaru couldn’t return to the territory. There was no point in saying anything that might upset Otto, leading to an unfriendly relationship.

Engrossed in his conversation while Otto was focused entirely on guiding the earth dragon, Subaru remained blissfully unaware.

Neither did he recognize the weighty glint that flickered in his eyes, nor how the affairs of fate were bending towards disruption.

—And so, resulting from the relentless journey without a pause throughout the night.

“It’s coming into view! Just over that hill, we’ll enter the Meisters Territory,” Otto announced.

About half a day and three hours had passed since they had taken off.

Subaru and the others arrived at the desired Meisters Territory when the sun began to rise at dawn, illuminating the world once again.

“Since we kept running without a pause… I might have even surpassed Rem,” Subaru thought.

“Nah, it’d be tricky to catch up to someone who set off half a day earlier,” Otto replied. “Speaking of which, we’re heading to…?”

“Ah, the mansion of Lord Roswaal, the Count of Meisters. Do you know the place?”

“I’ve got a general idea, so trust me on this.”

Responding assuringly, Otto deftly maneuvered the reins.

While Subaru had managed to snatch a few shallow moments of sleep during their journey, Otto, who dedicated himself fully without rest, was now slightly fatigued but his answer rang with resilience.

“Ha ha ha! Go! Go! I see a shining path before me!”

The utterance came with the high spirits of someone whose sleep deprivation was finally showing. It struck Subaru as a tad heartwarming.

For the moment, putting aside the state of his travel companion, Subaru grew increasingly aware of the mansion that had come into view, conjuring up memories of the upcoming reunion.

He suspected that it wouldn’t be an easy reception. He was returning to the mansion where he’d left behind a wounded spirit, having freshly brought back the recollection of his recent misadventures.

Still, he fortified himself with thoughts:

“I’ve returned to do what I need to do. There’s nothing at all to be embarrassed about. Right, there’s nothing.”

In repetition, hoping to self-justify his actions or perhaps make excuses to someone who wasn’t present, Subaru repeated those magical words that had kept him going.

Saying them provided temporary relief from the weighty unease that pressed down on his chest. Thus, although it felt absurd, Subaru continued chanting those words.

While a multitude of thoughts, which he was supposed to remember, swirled within him, misunderstandings and uncertainty hounded Subaru, along with an identity that felt fragile, teetering on the edge of collapse.

In such a fragile confidence underpinned by half-hearted reassurance, Subaru’s resolve fell apart suddenly at Otto’s voice, “Natsuki-san… Would you allow me to stop here?”

Having driven into the outskirts of the mansion and paused just after racing through the forest, Otto’s sudden halting punctured through Subaru’s thoughts.

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“What’s going on? Don’t tell me you’ve decided to cancel the contract just because we’ve entered the Meisters Territory! That’d be bordering on fraud!” Subaru practically lunged for Otto, who had abruptly halted their progress.

Grabbing his collar and pulling him closer, Subaru was about to hurl some indecorous words, but Otto’s pale face made him swallow them.

With Subaru’s grip relinquished, Otto settled back onto the driver’s seat, silently adjusting his clothes. He then bowed deeply, “I sincerely apologize. I intended to see this through with you, but I now lack the courage to advance any further.”

“Seriously, what are you talking about? Courage isn’t the issue! We’re almost at the mansion, and it’s not like the road is problematic. Please, Otto,” Subaru implored.

“I can’t comply with your request. I won’t accept the full payment either. I’ll return half. So please, let me turn back here,” Otto earnestly pleaded while maintaining light contact with the driver’s seat.

His overly grief-stricken expression startled Subaru, who instinctively gasped.

“Just what happened to suddenly reach this point?”

“The earth dragons… they’re terrified. This has never happened before! It’s precisely for this reason that merchants use dragons for transport—because they can sense threats before we do,” Otto urged, hands shaking on the reins as he looked down at the trembling creatures.

Looking carefully, the earth dragons were there, inhaling in explosive bursts, waiting for commands from their master while glancing nervously toward their destination, alerting Subaru of impending danger.

From the earth dragons’ reactions and the trust Otto had for them, Subaru read the signs.

A fearsome threat awaited them ahead.

He couldn’t bring Otto and the others into danger. Subaru had no choice but to face it alone.

“Thanks for everything you’ve done. I’m sorry for putting you through this scare, Otto.”

“Excuse me?”

Otto’s astonished question fell on deaf ears as Subaru leaped off the driver’s seat. He landed right next to the earth dragon, shaking off the numbness in his legs before glancing up at Otto. “I’m walking to the mansion from here. It’s not too far off. You’ve done more than enough, so take the money.”

“You can’t be serious! No! Natsuki-san, we must turn back! Right now, there is fog enveloping this place!”

“Does that mean the White Whale is nearby?”

“That’s the ominous sign for merchants! The appearance of fog signifies an impending existential crisis for us!”

“Are you saying this is danger!? Otto shouted, watching Subaru’s intent gaze.

Otto barely stammered, desperately urging Subaru, “If you know it’s dangerous, please reconsider…”

“Sorry, but…”

Seeing Subaru smile gently despite Otto’s frantic concerns, he felt a bit of pity for how ill-suited Otto was for the merchant’s role, always caught between deceit and good faith.

Though he questioned the practicality of a genuinely good person like Otto handling this role, Subaru raised his hands before turning his back on the dragon carriage and Otto.

“Just as you value your life and coin on a scale, I’m doing the same for something equally precious to me. What I really value lies ahead.”

“Natsuki-san!”

“I won’t think any less of you for turning back. In fact, you’re making the right decision by recognizing the danger and retreating. Your foresight alone makes it worth it.”

In the path ahead of him lay the dangerous uncertainties that made even dragons tremble.

He needed to hurry. He needed to rush—to unearth answers he desperately sought.

“Natsuki-san!”

Ignoring Otto’s final plea, Subaru rocketed across the ground, kicking off the mossy forest floor.

He ran, continuously moving toward his goal, abandoning those who were genuinely concerned for him to pursue his own destination.

Subaru had no clear grasp of the distance to Roswaal’s mansion.

But he recognized the familiar clusters of trees surrounding the hills and mountains that enclosed the mansion grounds. The path remained clear throughout, leading confidently toward the estate.

Ideally, he should have welcomed the nearby village—the same place he’d penetrated many times before—but at that moment, he felt no urge to invest his thoughts there.

One way or another, he had to reach the mansion without delay.

Because he believed that getting there would resolve the turbulent emotions clawing at him. Whatever form that resolution might take—be it welcomed or not—he now wished for change.

He thought of Emilia. He thought of Rem. He thought of Emilia. He thought of Ram. He thought of Emilia. He thought of Beatrice. He thought of Emilia. He thought of Roswaal. He thought of Emilia. He thought of Pack. He thought of Emilia. He thought of the villagers. He thought of Emilia. Emilia, Emilia, Emilia, Emilia, Emilia—

With a chaotic mixture of intent and distraction, Subaru continued his desperate sprint.

His feet finally stopped, not because he had reached his desired location, but—

What halted Subaru were the overwhelming feelings of discomfort that suddenly pervaded his mind.

In the midst of acutely focusing on running, the surrounding aberrations and odd turns of fate struck him hard.

“Too quiet, right?”

Sound, outside of the whistling wind, had vanished from the world.

Surveying the surroundings revealed nothing but towering trees, with nothing there making any discernible noise. Yet, after spending nearly a month in this land, Subaru recognized the madness contained in the unnerving quiet.

Not so much as a cicada buzz could be heard; the overwhelming silence became an evident anomaly in this forest.

And then, exploiting the gaps in Subaru’s attention, it suddenly appeared.

“Wha—!?”

Surprise led Subaru to recoil backward instinctively.

Pale and incapable of accepting the bitter reality before him stood a mysterious individual clad in black robes.

But that wasn’t the end of Subaru’s shock.

“This person… no, these people…!”

As he twisted his head around and found words fizzing past his trembling lips, shadows emerged, black figures slowly materializing across various spots along the path.

Within moments, those forms multiplied, circling Subaru in an unyielding ring of ten.

What was even more absurd was that, despite their unsettling emergence, silence continued to reign supreme.

Not even a hint of breath escaped from the array of figures robed in black, studying Subaru tenderly with their gaze.

Understanding they weren’t friendly due to the very air that encased him, Subaru found himself at a standstill, left waiting to see what would happen next.

Time stretched on in that locked gaze, its passage becoming frustratingly confusing to Subaru.

His heartbeat raced painfully, though he realized the thumping rhythm had quieted to naught amidst the suffocating silence—until it shattered.

In unison, the figures in black suddenly lowered their heads graciously in a manner that befuddled Subaru entirely.

At that moment, his mind chose to relinquish understanding the entire sight unfolding before him.

The mysterious figures who had popped out of nowhere bowed in a perplexing display of courtesy, then unceremoniously abandoned Subaru to disappear into the void once more.

Unable to articulate a single word, Subaru stood agape, unable to comprehend what unfolded in front of him as the black-clad figures slid alongside him, as effortlessly as smoke, walking seamlessly and silently out of his peripheral vision.

Like when they first appeared, they must have slipped through gaps in awareness. Furthermore, grasping such realities left him without a substantial conclusion.

A chilling silence lingered in the air, pressing heavily against Subaru’s spine, demanding he forget everything and resume his tumultuous sprint.

So entirely did he renounce any understanding of the darkly-clad figures that he scarcely noticed their exodus direction—back toward the area Otto had been ignominiously left behind.

Subaru didn’t take a moment to revisit that particular thought or ever glance back.