“How amusing that you’re the last visitor today.”

Despite her plans being thrown off, Crusch seemed to be in a rather good mood, laughing as she sank deep into the chair in the reception room.

Facing her, sitting directly opposite were Subaru and Rem. Behind Crusch stood Wilhelm and Felix, creating a scene that Subaru felt he had seen before.

The first time he declared he would return to the mansion, the faces were the same. And this time, the topic that Subaru was bringing up promised to be even more chaotic than back then.

After all, the matter wasn’t just about Subaru and Rem returning to the mansion.

“Fortunately, there’s no longer a reason to have dinner outside. Until the meal is ready at the mansion, I have time to accompany you.”

“You shouldn’t say that out of nowhere; this time is something no one would normally have. Subaru-kun should be grateful for Crusch-sama’s deep pockets, right?”

“Well, it’s true that I have extra time because my negotiation partner just dropped out.”

“Oh dear, Crusch-sama, you’re so wonderfully masculine for not trying to maintain appearances…”

While the master and servant engaged in their usual farce, Subaru considered how to begin the conversation in his mind.

Given the time limit, he couldn’t afford to hesitate too much. Yet, if the conversation didn’t flow well, he wouldn’t achieve his goal.

“Well, it’s better to keep the conversation simple.”

Drawing out the conversation with unnecessary verbosity would likely displease Crusch, given her personality.

He had set topics to discuss, so there was no point in hesitating to bring them up.

Resolving to change his mindset, Subaru adjusted his expression, and Crusch corrected her sitting posture, saying, “Now then,” as she extended a hand toward him.

“You requested this meeting. Let’s leave the starting to you. — What is your desire?”

Truly, Subaru thought, she was quick to the point.

Licking his dry lips to moisten them, Subaru took a deep breath in front of Crusch, before diving straight in.

“The Witch Cult is plotting an attack on Roswaal’s territory. I want your strength to crush it.”

Direct as an arrow, Subaru stated his necessary conditions to achieve his goal.

To annihilate the Witch Cult, certain military strength was essential — since it couldn’t be expected from Roswaal’s territory, he had no choice but to pull it from elsewhere. Moreover, Subaru knew from his short stay that Crusch had that kind of strength.

As Subaru’s words hit, the other four responded in their own ways.

Wilhelm merely moved his eyebrows slightly. Felix looked surprised, peering at Crusch with a worried expression. Next to Subaru, Rem pursed her lips tightly, glaring at him.

And then,

“I see, the Witch Cult.”

Crusch leaned forward on the reception table, resting her chin on her clasped hands while smiling.

Her graceful smile was laced with allure, offering a new side to Crusch, who had previously given Subaru a consistently gallant and striking impression.

Anyway, the game had begun.

Since he had abruptly dived into the main topic, he could only go forward without stopping. Calming his quickening heartbeat, Subaru awaited Crusch’s next reaction.

However, she did not release anything beyond her initial words. As Subaru raised an eyebrow in confusion, she asked,

“What’s the matter? I told you it was your turn to speak.”

“Y-yeah, well… I mean, that’s what I said, but…”

“Surely you’re not going to end things by merely presenting your demands? You need to explain why you’re making those demands, the basis for those requests, and what benefit we would gain from complying. Without those, it can’t be called a negotiation.”

Seeing Subaru sputter for words, Crusch, with an air of boredom, closed one eye.

Just from that gesture, Subaru realized she was a different breed of performer altogether, and he chastised himself for almost falling into her rhythm, pushing himself to continue.

“Right, right. My bad, my apologies. To be honest, I don’t have much experience with negotiations like this.”

“Understanding your own inexperience is also an important thing. Don’t worry about it. However, we are set on a time limit until dinner. — Don’t forget that.”

While showing her leniency, she struck with the reminder of the time limit, balancing sweet and harsh.

Subaru reorganized what he needed to say and continued.

“To start with, the reason I want your help is simply, well… we’re lacking military strength. We’re insufficient compared to the numbers of the Witch Cult. As a result, we can’t defend against the attacks.”

“That’s a simple enough request. However, wouldn’t it suffice to rely on Lord Meisters? His power to annihilate groups is unmatched in Lugnica. Just a matter of numbers.”

“If they come as a single mass, that might work, but it’s not that simple. With Roswaal’s singular presence, if two locations are attacked at once, we’re doomed.”

Inevitably, the Witch Cult was confirmed to attack both the village and the mansion. It was also hypothetical, but it felt like they had launched attacks on passing merchant carts before. The term “clearing the way” had fallen from Petelgeuse’s lips multiple times as evidence.

“I see, I can’t quite disagree with that. However, wouldn’t that be the negligence of Lord Meisters as the lord? It’s a lord’s duty to maintain military strength to protect their territory. If he overestimated his own capabilities and neglected that, wouldn’t he deserve to be judged accordingly?”

“Well, you’re absolutely correct on that. Anyway, due to that, we can’t withstand the whimsical actions of the Witch Cult. The reason I need the military strength in numbers is precisely that.”

If the locations for the attacks could only be divided into two, military strength that could respond to both at the same time was necessary. Given the possibility of Roswaal’s absence, if he entrusted one side to Rem and Ram, he would need another reliable ally for the other.

Casting a glance at Wilhelm, Subaru pleaded with Crusch. If he could secure Wilhelm, he definitely wanted that military strength.

Yet Wilhelm, despite likely catching on to the meaning of Subaru’s gaze, didn’t react at all. Crusch looked slightly down, turning her gaze to Felix beside her as she waved her hand.

“But the Witch Cult, huh? They seem to have started making moves.”

“Yeah. Well, it was anticipated once half-elf Emilia made her appearance on the stage.”

Felix agreed with Crusch’s words, prompting Subaru to furrow his brow.

But rather than asking about that, what caught Subaru’s attention was the ripple of intense emotion rising from beside him. Turning his gaze there, he saw Rem silently pursing her lips, looking down.

Her expression, which intentionally masked emotions, made it clear that her inner feelings were anything but calm.

The first time Subaru heard the term “Witch Cult,” it was from Rem’s lips. Apparently, the Witch Cult was an object she loathed, and now it had become Subaru’s greatest enemy as well. He was certain that he wore a grim expression similar to hers.

Seeing the enraged Rem cooled Subaru’s head. As Crusch observed him, letting her long green hair cascade down her back, she tilted her head and said, “So?”

“I understand the situation. Next, I want you to explain why you chose our house as allies… and provide your grounds for it.”

“The reason I choose you, Crusch, as allies is simply the highest probability given the current situation. You’re taking care of me and Rem, and compared to other Royal Selection candidates, I believe you’re in a position to work together more easily.”

This was something Subaru had prepared for in anticipation of such questions.

To be honest, while there might be others who would be easier to work with than Crusch, the result of prioritizing current ease of contact led to Subaru initiating negotiations with her first.

“Easier to work with, you say?”

Receiving Subaru’s answer, Crusch murmured softly, smiling meaningfully. Subaru, unable to gauge the intention of that smile, watched as she raised a finger and corrected him.

“You may have misunderstood because I’m treating you as guests, but I want you to revise that notion.”

“Uh, what do you mean?”

“I’m not treating you as enemies. However, Emilia is already a political adversary for me. Listen closely: I am already in opposition to her.”

Emphasizing unexpectedly harsh words, Crusch clarified her position.

Faced with that attitude, Subaru revisited the first world.

“No, but right now you’re…”

“That’s because a contract exists. I am welcoming you due to the pact between Emilia and myself through her attendant. If that agreement is removed, the position becomes clear, and in matters unrelated to that pact, we would only be in opposition.”

Cutting off Subaru’s desperate voice, Crusch did not back down on that point.

In the first world, too, she had clearly declared her opposition to Subaru when he broke a contract. It could be seen as being honest or inflexible.

In other words,

“So there’s no chance of creating an alliance, then?”

“The matters don’t intersect,” she stated. “I told you this, Natsuki Subaru. If it is a negotiation, then you must present sufficiently appealing merits that can be mutually acknowledged and agreed upon. So far, we’ve only clarified reasons and prerequisites. I still need to hear the justification and purely why it would benefit us to lend you military strength.”

That said, she continued midway,

“Regarding the justification, it’s not necessarily needed. Once Amelia’s lineage was publicly known, it was entirely predictable that the Witch Cult would make its move. Whether the source of that information is reliable or a product of your imagination, either way, it’s close to certainty.”

Crusch displayed no doubts regarding the condition that the Witch Cult had moved. It seemed to be a common understanding among those living in this world, which was a stroke of luck for Subaru, who was making a naive negotiation.

The fact that the existence of the Witch Cult was so widely recognized made him feel a deep sense of disgust.

“In other words, what’s essential for a negotiation is mutual benefits. In your case, you would eliminate the threat of the Witch Cult by borrowing our strength. Then what would we gain by helping you? I want to hear that.”

“Uh, purely, helping people or something…”

“That’s quite a funny joke. So funny that I almost want to joke around and tell Wilhelm to draw his sword.”

Given that only Wilhelm and Felix were armed in this situation, it’s telling of the power dynamics that he would invoke his knight rather than Wilhelm.

Nevertheless, this wasn’t a situation where one could evade with a joke. Subaru spun his brain with all his might and continued.

“Uh, so, like, if you help us out in this crisis, it would create an enormous favor for us…”

“—If I accept that proposal, it means relinquishing Emilia’s position in the Royal Selection. Are you aware of what you’re implying?”

“Huh?”

As his words were interrupted by a sharp pointer, Subaru stared blankly. But when he turned to face the piercing gaze of Crusch, the mood was akin to a sharp blade, and she continued,

“Isn’t it obvious? To throw your own territory’s crisis onto another lord is mere incompetence before even being a king. If you cannot protect and command your subjects, how could you shoulder a nation? Natsuki Subaru—let me correct one more misunderstanding.”

With her finger poised like a dagger, Crusch pressed it toward the silent Subaru.

“You are conducting this negotiation on behalf of Emilia. The validity of all your words rides on her, and your words are essentially the weight of Emilia. Judgments should not be made lightly, and what you voice cannot be easily retracted.”

“Ah, uh…”

“With that in mind, let me ask you again. — If you create a favor out of this incident, it will mean Emilia’s camp’s downfall. Are you sure you’re fine with that?”

There was no way he could agree to that.

Subaru was just starting to realize the location he was in.

He wasn’t in a leisurely debating ground where he bore no responsibility. A single word from him could sway many people’s positions and sway the fate of the kingdom.

He had willingly entered a stage where such heavy pressure was the norm.

“But even so…”

As the weight on his shoulders threatened to crush him, Subaru bit his lip, his voice trembling.

As Crusch stated, if he were to borrow her strength under the current conditions, it would grant Emilia an irreparable delay.

How much could they turn the tide back in a competition that was already decided at this early stage?

If he proposed this to Crusch now, it would spell the end for Emilia’s Royal Selection.

But then, without her strength, the only fate awaiting Roswaal’s territory was the brutal ravaging by the Witch Cult’s fanatics.

The scale tipped, and Subaru’s mind filled with pain and creaking noises.

With those thoughts jamming his every consideration, gritting his teeth, the conclusion he arrived at was,

“Even so, I want you to help me.”

“—Even if it means Emilia’s defeat in the Royal Selection?”

“Having a life is already better. — If I die, it’s all over.”

With his shoulders slumped, Subaru responded in a manner riddled with disappointment and despair.

Once he was dead, it would all be over. He couldn’t bear to witness once more the disastrous scene of that village and the gruesome death of Rem, who stood beside him.

If he could lower his head and endure humiliation to save his life, then he would do it.

And then, Crusch responded to Subaru’s answer, pulling her chin back.

“—Then, the Karsten House will not lend you any military strength.”

She distinctly declared.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

— For a moment, Subaru froze, not comprehending what Crusch had just said.

“—Huh?”

The voice that escaped him held a question mark, yet due to his lack of understanding, it was merely a sound with no meaning. However, Crusch took that in stride, smoothly crossing her long legs.

“I’ll repeat myself. Our house will not assist you in the demands you made regarding the Meisters territory — essentially, we will not lend support to Emilia.”

Once again, she clarified it even more simply.

Her well-structured manner of speaking felt as though she was mocking Subaru, who remained lost.

“How preposterous—!”

The next moment, Subaru nearly exploded with anger at the surging frustration, managing to suppress that impulse at the last moment.

He would only raise his voice, crying out in emotion, proving there was never any good result. Moreover, the other party was much more seasoned and calm than he was.

By tapping his knee to find a rhythm, he tried to ease his ire.

“Why did it turn out this way…?”

He pushed out a question that felt so obvious.

Before appealing to emotions, Subaru first needed to hear the other party’s reasoning. From there, he would explore compromises and find points of alignment. It was the basic tenet of negotiation—one he couldn’t afford to throw away.

His situation was tied to Petelgeuse’s murder— the life of a whole village was hanging in the balance.

To Subaru’s quiet inquiry, Crusch raised two fingers, saying, “First of all,” before continuing.

“The fall of Emilia’s Royal Selection, as you have presented it as a benefit, cannot count as a card in this negotiation. Do you understand?”

“W-why not? Reducing rivals is more than enough of a return for you…”

For that very reason, because it couldn’t be exchanged for life, he had placed it as a weight on the scales against the very thing.

Knowing Emilia aimed for the throne, yet weighing that against the lives of so many.

With clenched teeth, Subaru pressed on, but Crusch shook her head.

“Do you not realize what you just said? As for Emilia’s defeat, that will occur regardless of whether I have any involvement.”

“Wha—”

Just as he was about to respond, Subaru realized.

As the realization hit him, Subaru’s face hardened in shock, and Crusch nodded.

“As you said, if she receives no assistance, Emilia will not be able to protect her territory. That directly leads to Emilia’s downfall. There’s no need for me to reach out.”

Moreover, Crusch waved her remaining raised fingers.

“If I clumsily get involved, then the knowledge of my faction being related to Emilia’s downfall becomes more significant than anything. As you know, our house currently holds the most advantageous position in this Royal Selection. I want to avoid being targeted by other factions for knocking off a rival this early.”

By observing, she could simply capture all the benefits from what Subaru proposed. There was no need for her to purposely delve into dangerous territory, doing the equivalent of picking up a chestnut from a fire.

But if that was her line of thinking—

“Are you going to abandon those in Roswaal’s territory… that village? Just leave them to die!?”

“Let me correct your misunderstanding. And do not change the subject, Natsuki Subaru.”

Shooting a cold gaze at Subaru, Crusch bore a sharp expression.

“The one unable to protect their territory is Emilia, and it is ultimately her incompetence that will lead to the loss of her people. It is absolutely not my fault.”

Weakness and incompetence—those words struck Subaru like a thunderclap.

He wanted to argue against Crusch’s assertion. But all he could think of were naive emotional arguments, and he found himself lacking the strength to counter her rational truth.

“It seems your words have come to an end.”

Watching Subaru’s mouth open and close repeatedly, Crusch murmured, closing her eye with a hint of pity. She then opened her right eye to glance outside the room at the sky.

“It will soon be the time of the earth—dinner time. Right on schedule.”

With that, she cut off the conversation, attempting to rise from her seat.

Subaru panicked, feeling there was no chance left to dive deeper.

“W-wait!”

Holding his hand to stop her as she stood, Subaru rose, moistening his lips and desperately trying to think of some way to continue negotiating.

“Are you really going to abandon them? Those villagers haven’t done anything wrong, nor have they caused any trouble!”

Yet all that emerged from Subaru’s mouth was a string of weak words that clung to the other party’s goodwill. Hearing those, Crusch’s eyes shimmered with a hint of disappointment.

“I told you before. It’s not I who is lacking power…”

“If you know and still abandon them—then isn’t that evil!? If you possess the strength, and you can help, then why won’t you? What’s so wrong with helping?! If it’s another territory, don’t play ignorance!?”

Interrupting, he shouted with reckless abandon.

Confronted by Subaru’s overwhelming passion, Crusch knitted her eyebrows, while Felix stepped forward with anger blazing in his eyes, “Just a moment—”

“Felix, no.”

“But, Crusch-sama… that was a bit too much!”

“A display of raw spirit. If I were to give in, my standing would diminish.”

Felix grumbled in dissatisfaction but obediently stepped back at Crusch’s command. Crusch’s gaze revealed her resolve, as she turned the conversation back toward Subaru.

“To overlook or to abandon is not considered evil—at least not on my part, Natsuki Subaru.”

With a deep sigh, Subaru grasped at any potential last possibility.

“That’s right! You’re aiming for the throne, right? You want to bear the entirety of a nation, so how can you abandon even a single village and still call yourself a king!?”

Rising in excitement, spittle flying, Subaru pounded his fists, passionately declaring.

As he piled more words onto Crusch, she closed her eyes as if lost in thought, and then slowly voiced.

“First, let me correct my perspective.”

She held up two fingers, glaring at Subaru with piercing eyes.

With those piercing gaze, Subaru wavered, but when he noticed the discrepancy between her fingers and her words, he frowned.

“Regarding the two reasons, here’s the second one. This should clear up the majority of your questions.”

The first reason—meaning the reason Crusch would not assist Emilia.

“The answer is—as I said, your account holds no credence to compel my house into action.”

That one line quite literally floored Subaru, shaking the very foundation of their earlier exchange.

With “no credence,” she disregarded all their dialogue.

“Huh?”

“The Witch Cult, I see. It’s certainly possible for them to take action; that is clear from their tenets and activities thus far. But the issue lies beyond that.”

“What lies beyond…?”

“It’s quite simple. Can you pinpoint their next target?”

Pointing at Subaru with her raised fingers, Crusch spoke in a voice and gaze that pierced through.

“Their elusive nature is worryingly thorough. They have survived for nearly four hundred years without being wiped out—a testament to that fact. How can you know what their next move will be?”

“That’s… but you said something along those lines earlier.”

“The darkness of their intelligence network has been proven by history. If you’ve gleaned such knowledge, I need evidence. Otherwise, there is only one reason you should know it:”

Crusch slowly articulated the words for Subaru, placing her finger firmly on him.

“You might also be part of the Witch Cult.”

“How dare you—!”

This time, rage crescendoed, and the scream built in his throat.

But once again, he managed to hold it back at the last moment.

This time, it wasn’t the result of his conscience or self-control.

—But rather, the chilling aura that Rem, who had silently observed throughout their back-and-forth, now radiated.

Beside Subaru, Rem sat upright in her chair, poised with her hands on her knees. Yet, from her impassive expression, an aura overflowing with potent force was visibly distorting the air around her, clearly stemming from the previous exchange.

“Crusch-sama, please cease your jest.”

Drawing attention from everyone in the room, Rem directed her unwavering voice toward Crusch, tipping her head slightly.

“It’s impossible for Subaru-kun to be affiliated with the Witch Cult.”

“—Is that so? Reflect on Natsuki Subaru’s statements and if you can’t name a reason for knowing, I may just have to conclude that way. Do you have any thoughts on that?”

“—I don’t.”

For an instant, a hesitation flickered across Rem’s face. Subaru wondered if Crusch noticed it.

Only Rem, who sensed the lingering stench of the Witch on Subaru, would pick up on Crusch’s casual probing.

Regardless,

“In any case, due to the two reasons cited, our house cannot lend Emilia assistance. — Besides, you haven’t been granted authority as a negotiator, have you?”

“—Uh.”

“Earlier, I mentioned that Emilia’s fate rests on you, but that’s not even the main issue. You carry nothing to bear here.”

Subaru pushed forward without care, forcing a grip to protect those he deemed important. The ensuing failure of a contradiction to save herself put her in a particularly dismal position.

Crusch carried her words coldly, as if eviscerating Subaru’s raw emotions.

Anger converted into somberness, leaving him grasping desperately as his mouth flopped open and shut like a fish seeking air.

Crusch watched Subaru as if pitying him.

“At this point, you lack the power to sway me. Accept your fate and remain protected.”

“—!”

Those words had been thrust into him repeatedly.

They forced Subaru to concede his impotence, filled him with despair, and mocked his desperate attempts.

Nothing was going according to his wishes. Why does everyone try to prevent him from achieving his dreams? What was going wrong with him? He was only trying to do what was right. Surely it would be right to help; he believed firmly that he could help.

“The Witch Cult is coming! They’re going to massacre everyone in that village…!”

With a voice breaking through the churning emotions, Subaru raised his voice laden with such sorrow and fury.

He had witnessed the horrid scene. He had touched the dead.

Beloved people, cherished things, everything froze and transformed into white crystals.

This was no mere possibility; it was the ruthless reality that would unavoidably occur if allowed to fester.

Why couldn’t she understand? Why couldn’t she help, or at the very least stop this? Why would no one interfere, letting Subaru twist his fate however he needed?

“They can kill them! They could just slaughter them! If they’re taken down, everything will be fine! You understand?! They shouldn’t even be allowed to live! Kill them, grant me that power, let me kill them!”

Subaru sank to his knees, crawled helplessly on the ground, begging.

If bowing down on the floor could earn sympathy or pathos in her eyes, he’d play the fool for her to lend him power.

He would imitate a dog or take up the part of a beast. If that meant fulfilling this desire to kill—

“—So that’s the source of your actions.”

Yet, such an embarrassing outpouring of need led Crusch to voice,

“Is that the reason you got close to Emilia? Because of your hatred for the Witch Cult?”

—To a figure of authority who never swayed emotions, not a fragment of pity was delivered.