“I happen to love books more than I look.”

The girl, seated in an extravagant chair with one hand resting on the armrest, spoke those words.

In her opposite hand, she held a beautifully bound book, her eyes running across the pages as she approached the latter half, a sight that was oddly different from her usual demeanor.

Clad in a thin garment resembling a nightgown, with a light white cloth of the same color draped over her shoulders, her voluptuous body was shamelessly displayed before her. Yet despite the male gaze upon her, the girl appeared completely oblivious to it.

She was so engrossed in the world of her book that one might forget she was welcoming a guest.

Stepping awkwardly on the carpeted floor, Subaru was left in despair.

Though he had been ushered inside, the room’s host showed absolutely no interest in him. If he tried to start a conversation, all he received back was a single line of indifference.

Could it be that she was telling him to wait until she finished her book?

“Isn’t that a bit…”

Subaru denied the growing thought in his chest, but as he watched her elegantly flipping through the pages, his unease only amplified.

Indeed, he knew that she might be the type to say something unreasonable.

Her orange hair reflected the sunlight, and her crimson eyes seemed to burn away everything they gazed upon. With her translucent white skin and curvaceous figure, it was hard to find any words to express the beauty of the scene in front of him as she quietly focused on her book.

If that personality wasn’t nurtured to vex others, then how unfairly had the gods dealt with her?

The girl’s name was **Priscilla Barielle**.

She was one of the candidates for the Royal Selection and the next person Subaru sought cooperation from.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

Subaru learned that **Reinhardt** was absent from the royal capital while staying in the mansion he was utilizing during his time in the royal city.

It was a separate residence used by the **Astrea** family, Reinhardt’s home, and according to the elderly couple managing it,

“In preparation for the Royal Selection, Lady Felt and her family have returned to the main family mansion. While we can communicate with a dialog mirror between here and the main mansion…”

The crucial details revealed that traveling between the royal capital and the Astrea family’s main estate took around four days by dragon carriage. Given that Reinhardt left the royal capital two days ago, he hadn’t yet reached his family home.

After inquiring about his family’s location, it turned out that making it to the **Meisters Territory** would take at least five days—no matter how one looked at it, his participation seemed hopeless.

“Both **Roswaal** and Reinhardt… They’re useless when it counts…!”

After bidding farewell to the elder couple, Subaru held his head in despair as the separate mansion faded from view.

The unfortunate timing of these events felt almost divinely orchestrated. Losing candidates who seemed ready to lend their strength left Subaru with no real sense of security.

He hadn’t even anticipated Reinhardt’s absence, which turned out to be detrimental. Even considering his ability to “Return by Death” hadn’t been enough time.

If he sought Reinhardt’s help, it meant he could only cover the two days prior, making it impossible to bridge the gap as he couldn’t anticipate the tragedy awaiting him.

“Even if wishing for what isn’t there yields no results… Think, think, think, think, think, think, I… I’m short on strength, numbers, and time. The only thing left for me is to rack my brain.”

Desperately churning his thoughts, Subaru tried to devise a plan B.

With **Crusch** out of the picture and Reinhardt absent, options for allies in the royal capital were scarce.

Regarding the emergence of the Witch Cult, if **Crusch** doubted its credibility as suggested, storming the knight’s barracks might still yield little chance of support.

Moreover, in the current situation, Subaru’s position was such that direct talks with the kingdom’s knights were impossible, and considering his terrible reputation with them, it wasn’t favorable.

He couldn’t forget how they had cheered while he was beaten to a pulp in the duel against **Julius**. The notion that those brutes might help him was utterly beyond belief, and he wouldn’t want to rely on them even if they did.

—Until now, having been spurned by **Crusch**, someone he thought was sincere, doubts festered within him regarding others.

As it turned out, during the ruckus at the training grounds, there hadn’t been any cheers amongst the knights; quite a few had frowned upon **Julius**’ actions. However, there was no way Subaru could have known this back then, nor had he had the luxury of confirming it afterward during his exchanges with **Emilia**.

The knights remained dishonorable scoundrels in Subaru’s mind who deserved to be ridiculed, and no amount of humiliation would make him believe they would listen to him sincerely.

Subaru was unaware that he had limited his own choices by his past actions. Instead, he desperately struggled to come up with a plan.

If he couldn’t rely on the kingdom’s knights, there were only two familiar faces left in the royal capital. One of them, for the same reason as the knights, would be impossible to approach for help.

Thus, he was left with only one candidate.

“**Subaru-kun**, what will you do from here? **Rem**…”

“Don’t worry. Leave it to me. **Rem**, you don’t have to do anything. Just stay behind me.”

Seeing the pondering **Subaru**, **Rem** seemed about to say something but was cut off as he offered her a weak smile while continuing to think.

It was dangerous to put **Rem** on the front lines.

He knew she’d throw herself into danger for his sake, not hesitating to make the ultimate sacrifice.

It was a result of Subaru’s actions that saved her and fostered her dependency on him, and he had to willingly accept that. Above all, he had to prevent her from falling into any predicament.

To achieve that, Subaru resolutely rejected any attempts from **Rem** to step forward.

He had to be the one to take action. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to protect **Rem**, and any efforts to save **Emilia** or the villagers wouldn’t mean a thing, not to mention the anger he felt towards **Petelgeuse**—.

“Huh, what…?”

In a fleeting moment, a disturbingly sinister thought crossed Subaru’s mind.

What if it sounded like he prioritized killing **Petelgeuse** over **Emilia** and others’ survival? What kind of madness was it to feel that **Emilia**’s safety had to be achieved by his own hand?

It was mere momentary confusion. Being aware of it meant that his musings aligned with **Crusch**’s statements being off the mark.

“Everything’s fine. I’m fine. I’m doing what’s right.”

In assurances to himself, he tried to ignore visible faults and attempted to close the lid on the abyss, reaffirming his belief.

If he didn’t, he feared he’d lose his sanity.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

The following morning, after spending the night in an inn, the two visited **Priscilla’s** residence on the edge of the royal capital.

Located on the outskirts of the noble district, it was the **Barielle** mansion, formerly the home of **Lipe Barielle**, **Priscilla**’s deceased husband.

An individual said to have held a decent station within the palace, **Lipe** was well known even to **Rem**—.

“At least this isn’t the hobby of that dead grandpa,” Subaru thought.

Even from a distance, the mansion’s grandeur reflected the morning sun so brightly it burned into his retinas.

The recently painted golden roof gleamed as if gold leaf had been scattered upon it, it sparkled radiantly. Maintaining such a shine would require frequent repainting.

The walls visible beyond the gates were adorned with equally extravagant decorations, and the windows facing them were crafted to resemble exquisite pieces of art.

While Subaru had never personally encountered wandering goldspending nobles’ taste, he figured this was the way they squandered their wealth.

“Well, this is actually more the lady’s taste. It was done rather hastily, you know? She moved from the territory to the capital just a month ago. I sympathize with those who worked tirelessly through the night, but when slapped with gold coin bags, they can’t really complain.”

“Slapped with gold coin bags amounts to the same as being hit. Don’t brush it off so lightly.”

In a world teeming with mysteries, there were even absurd tales of socks stuffed with sand utilized as bludgeons. To be killed by gold-filled bags? Sounds a bit too much for a dying rich guy.

“Well, that’s that,” **Al** said, scratching the back of his neck peeking through his helmet. A mercenary hired by **Priscilla**, it appeared he had also been summoned to this world from Earth, just like Subaru.

Given his modern slang and unusual sense of fashion, the consistency aligned well, but hearing that his summoning had occurred nearly twenty years prior, a generation gap was undeniable.

Anyway, amidst Subaru’s internal musings, **Al**, who greeted them at the entrance, was as lackadaisical as could be, yawning.

“So, what’re you doing here at this early hour? You can see I’m not a morning person, right? I’m basically the King of Sleep.”

“I don’t care about you being the King of Sleep; that ‘Super Dangerous’ guy shooting beams is a different story. Sorry for barging in uninvited, but I need to talk to your lady.”

“To the Lady?”

Slow and languid, as if lacking a bone, **Al** stretched and scrutinized the pair of **Subaru** and **Rem**.

From behind the black helmet, it was difficult to gauge his scrutinizing glare, but that sort of judgment felt uncomfortable. It appeared he had stared solely at **Rem** for a long time; having turned his helmet’s joint, he remarked,

“Ah, I’ve had my fill of maidens; no drama there. Guess I’ll connect you.”

“There’s gotta be maids in this mansion, right? And your reaction is so casual.”

“Hey, hey! You just don’t understand **Priscilla**. A lady who thinks she’s the cutest won’t hire maids! The only ones around here are short butlers.”

“That sounds downright terrible… Ratings are plummeting. Just get us in to see her.”

“Got it, give me a sec.”

Using an aloof tone, **Al** ambled into the mansion, leaving **Subaru** and **Rem** behind. Silent and expressionless, **Rem** took a step back. Yet her grip on **Subaru**’s hem betrayed her anxiety, and he, too, was overwhelmed by the same trepidation.

Despite having no alternative allies in mind, he realized the anxiety stirred up from just an encounter with the servants preceding the lady’s entrance was unexpected.

Given there was no room for choosing how to approach this, it felt like their last chance.

“However, arriving at this hour might’ve been a bad idea. **Priscilla** might go ranting about how we’ve disturbed her precious sleep—”

Before he could finish, his words were drowned out by **Al** emerging halfway from the mansion entrance, waving his hand.

“Hey, hey! We’re set to meet up!”

Subaru, momentarily stunned by the abrupt disruption to his thought, cautiously approached the gate, walking toward **Al** beckoning.

“Wow, you got an appointment rather easily.”

“Surprising, huh? **Priscilla** is surprisingly good in the mornings. Of course, she goes to bed early, but hey, this way!”

**Al**, most likely chuckling behind that helmet, beckoned with a carefree air as he guided them in. Stepping inside, it turned out that the interior had undergone equally extreme renovations akin to the mansion’s exterior.

The corridor was cluttered with numerous art pieces, obstructing movement, while the illumination and frames were adorned with precious metals, largely bordering on insanity.

“Brace yourself, you might find it a bit overwhelming at first. It’s fine now since it’s morning, but the hallways at night are downright terrifying.”

“I’m not a child, I shouldn’t be scared of hallways at night.”

“Those stone statues’ eyes glow in the darkness, you know?”

“That’s your master being crazy.”

Looking up, Subaru realized, indeed, there were gemstones embedded in the eyes of the stone statues lining the corridor. Likely, they would glow once darkness set in. Pure madness.

As **Subaru** silently observed this artistic horror, **Al** tilted his head, wondering if something seemed off, but refrained from making a comment.

Trying to take care so **Rem** didn’t feel anxious, he noticed that she had been sniffing since earlier, continuously observing **Al**’s back as though assessing a suspicious figure.

Then,

“The lady resides on the top floor of this mansion, which has been lavishly transformed into a full suite.”

“It feels like a starlit suite somewhere. Is it okay if we go up?”

As they reached the staircase, **Subaru** asked **Al**, who gestured upward with his thumb, and he nodded, adding, “But remember, only blood relatives are allowed in.”

Subaru shot a skeptical look toward **Al**.

“Hey, I’m not saying it maliciously. **Priscilla**’s only set to meet family. For the lady, you’ll be taken to the guest room.”

“Do you honestly think I’d trust someone saying they’re a maid…?”

“I’ve also been instructed to wait outside the room, so you’ve got nothing to worry about. I hate to admit it, but it would be a shame if the maid fixed you up.”

A blonde boy wearing butler attire appeared, resembling a beautiful boy straight out of a fairytale.

“I’ll ensure the guest speaks appropriately.”

**Al** said as he lightly patted his shoulder with a relaxed demeanor. The young boy attempted to escort **Rem** with graceful actions. **Rem** hesitated, casting a momentary look toward **Subaru**.

“Wait, please stay here until I finish my conversation. I’ll secure this dangerous person, so feel safe to wait here.”

“Dangerous person? How rude, brother! I’m often called suspicious, though.”

“That’s just the aspect of being suspicious is a lower rank.”

**Al** retorted lightly, and **Subaru** shot him an icy glare before turning back to **Rem**, reassuringly stroking her head.

As **Rem** felt the sensation of fingers entangling in her hair, she squinted her eyes in delight, reluctantly accepting, muttering, “Understood.”

“Especially be careful of that person,” she whispered into **Subaru**’s ear, inching closer to him.

Her gaze briefly flicked to **Al** – the very one warning of danger – yet he appeared more dangerous than any **Al** acknowledged.

Recognizing that he couldn’t fully trust anyone else, **Subaru** nodded to **Rem** because if anyone here had to be cautious, it was **Al**.

In a flash, **Rem** was led down the corridor by the young butler. Holding on to **Subaru** until the very end, she was leaving with a lingering attachment, and **Al** exclaimed,

“Way to go! Looks like she really cares about you.”

“If you’re going to do this, at least whistle a proper tune. Can’t you manage even that?”

*The sound of an attempt at whistling was so cold it was almost embarrassing.*

After years of trying and still failing at whistling, **Subaru** felt a hint of connection with that action, but **Al** responded roughly, “Ah, my lips aren’t in great shape,” drawing him back.

At any rate,

“I can’t keep the lady waiting, nor can I toy with her patience too much. Let’s head up fast.”

“Quick decisions are helpful. So, how’s **Priscilla** feeling right now?”

“It’s crucial to avoid starting negotiations when the other person is in a bad mood. I’d think it would matter less with other characters, but with **Priscilla**, her mood would seemingly carry a cosmic weight.”

With this concern weighing on **Subaru**, **Al** groaned, his head slumping,

“Honestly, I think she’s neither good nor bad; then again, that might not guarantee anything? **Priscilla**’s mood sways back and forth like the tides, and her taste can be a gamble, so just adapt on the fly.”

“Rolling with the punches, huh? That’s my worst nightmare.”

Receiving encouragement from **Al**, **Subaru** stepped up the staircase with a frown.

Upon reaching the top, he found a doorway ahead and said,

“Inside lies the lady’s excessively grand private room. I haven’t been called in, so you go on ahead.”

**Al** said with a carefree tone, sitting casually down on the stair steps before the door. He adjusted the blue dragon blade set at his back atop his knee and continued,

“Just don’t offend her mood. I’d prefer not to be the target of her rage, and if she’s in a foul mood, there’ll be reckless tasks handed out like candy.”

“… Sorry, but I’m here to hand you a rather reckless proposal myself.”

Responding coldly to **Al**’s warning, **Subaru** inhaled deeply before pushing the door open.

And so—

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

Time returned to the moment **Subaru** confronted **Priscilla**.

After **Al** sent him off, he found her waiting in the spacious hall, sitting in a chair elevated by a step. She was reading a book, not even casting a glance at **Subaru**.

If she didn’t kick him out, it meant she recognized him as a guest, but her complete lack of action left Subaru uncertain about how to proceed.

However, time kept pushing forward regardless of his hesitation.

Realizing indecision would only breed stagnation, **Subaru** steeled himself to break the silence.

“—Well, then.”

Just as he began to speak, the dry sound of a book closing echoed throughout the room.

**Priscilla**, closing the book in her hands, shut her eyes for a moment, savoring the sensation while reveling in the aftertaste of reading.

“What a dull story.”

“Yet you seemed totally absorbed in it…”

“When reading, one should immerse oneself fully in the book’s world. The proper way to read is to delve into the story and then give feedback. One cannot simply declare a book boring without reading it.”

To Subaru’s feeble jab, **Priscilla** surprisingly responded as a true literary enthusiast.

It seemed there was little deceit in her claim of loving books. Having confidently asserted she would not criticize without reading, she tossed the book into the air,

“—Ah!”

Before an astonished **Subaru** could react, the tossed book reached its peak, burst into flames, and instantaneously turned to ash.

The cover and pages were utterly incinerated by an astounding display of fire, leaving only a cloud of black ashes that fluttered down.

“Now look what you’ve done! You’ve stolen my precious morning reading time— You brought a story interesting enough to steal my attention, right?”

With a lewd and malicious grin, **Priscilla** crossed her legs, pointing her delicate finger in **Subaru**’s direction.

The heat radiating from her fingertip felt like it was pressed against his forehead, inducing cold sweat down his back while **Subaru** managed,

“—I want to ask about the candidate **Emilia**, and the situation surrounding her, asking for your strength in breaking through.”

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

“The Witch Cult, huh…”

**Priscilla** supported her head with one arm resting over the armrest, using her other hand to tap her knee.

Having just relayed a similar story to **Crusch**, she seemed lost in thought as she pondered her feelings.

“If left unchecked, they’ll harm the people in our territory. I want to deal with them before that happens, and for this, I seek your strength—”

“Pfft, ha!”

“—?”

Before **Subaru** could press for agreement, **Priscilla** trembled with suppressed laughter, her head bowed, then suddenly shot up.

“Ahahahaha! How entertaining! How very entertaining, you! Indeed, much more engaging than that last book. If the fool is at this level, it’s truly a form of art!”

She laughed and mocked **Subaru**.

It was the kind of grinning face no one would mistake for a friendly expression. A savage smile of a carnivorous beast, reminiscent of a cat toying with the fate of a mouse.

“What exactly is so funny?”

“The idiocy of your very act, you foolish creature. You do realize just how paradoxical this predicament you’ve stumbled into is, right?”

Using her fingers, she tousled her orange hair, curling it around her index finger, all the while playfully interrogating **Subaru**.

That manner— it felt oddly familiar, reminiscent of the condescension **Crusch** once displayed, suggesting an assumption of his unintelligence.

Frustration began to kindle in **Subaru**, but **Priscilla** merely snorted at him.

“I know not what lack of allies has put you in this position, but what you are doing is foolishly sharing your own faction’s weaknesses with other factions. The way you plead is hardly commendable. Do you truly think it wise to surrender every last vulnerability like this?”

She tapped her temple as if mocking him.

With her blatant dismissal, **Subaru** found himself losing coherence. Quite the insult here wasn’t what he had expected, and being openly derided in front of his face caused his thoughts to falter.

As **Subaru** fell silent in his confusion, **Priscilla** continued looking down at him from her elevated position.

“While I understand the urgency of acting without regard, your thoughts lack depth. Assuming you’re trying to aid us, instead you lead us into greater peril. Your behavior reflects that of a pitifully inept worker. It would be better for you to simply die.”

Having spoken her thoughts freely, **Priscilla** stood from her chair, bending forward condescendingly, looking directly into the stunned gaze of **Subaru** as she added, “I wouldn’t mind slitting your throat myself.”

In the next moment, the fan that had been resting upon **Priscilla**’s chest lightly grazed **Subaru**’s neck.

He hadn’t even seen her make her move; it all happened in a blink.

The edge of the fan, warmed by her body heat, barely brushed against the right side of his carotid artery; it was not a sharp blade, yet the moment it moved, **Subaru** felt as if his head would fly off.

Instinctively gasping, **Priscilla** muttered, “Can’t even track me with your eyes, can you?”

“The height of foolishness; ignorant and inept, devoid of blessing—and thus a fool trapped in foolish acts! A fool who can only wish for the hands of fate to grace them—”

With a dismissive wave of her fan, she swung it wide, exposing her toothy grin.

“So, should I take it upon myself to slice your throat?”

Countless emotions churned within **Subaru**, rippling through the chaos with heartfelt rage and wrath,

“Your loyalty is neither devotion nor affection. It’s instead a wretched sort of dependence—like a pig wallowing in its own desire. Desires no more beautiful than that of a lazy pig. How ugly the desire of a pig can be.”

Pound after pound, agony curled like storm clouds within his skull.

While **Priscilla**’s voice echoed around him, **Subaru** could not comprehend her words.

All he heard were echoes;

“Even if you conquer the Witch Cult, I will destroy any faction backing a scoundrel like you when they’re exhausted. Your reckless actions have forced my hand in such a determination.”

With a sharp tug, a tiny hand pulled at his collar, yanking **Subaru** upwards.

With blood streaming from his nostrils, **Subaru** choked out a cough, and **Priscilla** unleashed a steady stream of unyielding words upon him.

“Revel in this, then! You’ll cause **Emilia** to spiral into ruin!”

Cast aside with ferocity, **Subaru** slid across the floor to the door, leaving a trail of blood behind him, but **Priscilla** wore a face that suggested **Subaru** himself was the greater annoyance.

“—**Aldebaran!**”

With a sharp, commanding voice, **Priscilla** called, opening the only door leading outside.

From beyond the doorway, a silhouetted figure clad in a pitch-black helmet appeared.

Upon surveying the room, the moment he spotted **Subaru** bleeding on the floor, he placed a hand atop his own head.

“Yo, what on earth happened here…?”

“Chuck that wretched refuse away from me. If need be, you may sever his head without hesitation.”

“That would be troublesome on several levels, you know… Hey, what’s up, my brother?”

**Al**, without challenging the master’s authority, reached down and effortlessly hoisted **Subaru** onto his shoulder.

“Don’t rage so fiercely, Lady! I mean, look at your adorable face, and you might just freak out.”

“If you wish for your shattered visage preserved, take him away immediately. I won’t warn you again, **Aldebaran**.”

“Hey, don’t call me that!”

**Al** grumbled dismissively while he carried **Subaru** out of the room.

As he quietly closed the door behind them, **Al** began to hastily descend the staircase.

“First and foremost, you’d best exit quickly. Given her mood, **Priscilla** could easily change her mind and call for a head. Better to escape while intact!”

“Ah, uh…?”

“No good—I’ll call for your lady. Just buy some time ‘til then, alright?”

With **Subaru** still wrestling with disorientation, **Al** shrugged and groaned, rapidly increasing his speed.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

“—**Subaru-kun!**”

**Rem** rushed toward the sight of **Subaru** slumped against the gate, her face going pale upon seeing him.

Gingerly touching his limp body, assessing his injuries, she began chanting healing magic.

“Water mana, grant your power!”

“What happened?”

With soft light illuminating **Subaru**’s face, she turned her attention to the suspicious one-armed figure beside her.

As **Al** received the inquiry, he awkwardly tapped the ground with his foot.

“Uh, you could say I messed with the lady’s mood a bit. I warned you to avoid that… but expecting a person to predict a cat’s mood is pretty unreasonable.”

There was a glimmer of remorse, but not a hint of guilt in **Al**’s words.

Although sympathy lingered for what had happened to **Subaru**, there wasn’t a glimmer of regret over **Priscilla**’s outburst.

Seeing this, **Rem** turned shocked, about to protest, but

“—**Rem**, it’s fine.”

“**Subaru-kun**. Are you conscious?”

Focusing as clarity began to return through the fog of his concussion, **Subaru** called out to **Rem**. Upon noticing, her face lit up, and she continued to chant to apply concentrated treatment as she closed her eyes tightly.

“**Subaru-kun** is truly a man who keeps you on your toes. Just a little over an hour apart, and you’ve returned with such injuries.”

“Oh, it’s not like I wanted this to happen…”

Surging blood restored to normalcy brought fresh wounds, causing another flow as **Subaru** instinctively raised a hand to stop it.

**Rem** gently pressed a cloth from her pocket against his face.

“Keep pressure on it. Once the wound heals, the bleeding will stop naturally.”

“—Alright.”

Following **Rem**’s instructions, he pressed down on his nose, feeling the warmth seeping in as he welcomed the magic’s healing.

Meanwhile, the figure of **Al** still glancing down at **Subaru** noted, “Lookin’ good,”

“There’s no point in hanging around. I think I’ll head back. Whatever you were talking about didn’t seem to go well, huh? It’s best to skedaddle before Lady says to cut him down.”

“Cut **Subaru** down…!?”

“Easy there! I’m merely warning you she might come up with something crazy! I’d rather avoid that, trust me.”

**Al** threw up his hands in exaggerated defense as **Rem** reacted in alarm.

While he dismissed her shock, he relaxed, taking a slouching step back.

“Take care, brother. And your lady—ah, was it **Ram**? Please send my regards.”

“—**Ram** is my sister’s name. My name is **Rem**, **Al**-sama.”

After giving a light-hearted farewell, **Rem** addressed **Al**, who had already turned his back to leave.

Abruptly, **Al** paused.

With a glance upward, he turned slowly back around.

“Don’t say stupid things. It’s **Ram**, right?”

“**Rem**. Sorry, where are you going with this?”

**Al**’s face displayed confusion, as he touched his helm, mumbling “What’s the meaning of this…”.

**Subaru** felt a shiver go down his spine upon hearing their exchange’s implications.

In the midst of that conversation, **Subaru** realized that his instincts hollered for something to be fearful of.

A sense of danger loomed in this space, and somehow **Rem** sensed it too.

“**Subaru-kun**, can you stand if I lend you an arm?”

As **Rem** questioned with visible caution, **Subaru** nodded.

Matching her movements, they’d have to leave this place together.

But just then,

“Relax. I won’t do anything.”

Would you look at that—**Al**, shaking off the ominous vibe.

Suddenly, the air lightened, and **Subaru** understood he’d been holding his breath until now.

**Rem** also slightly relaxed her expression of concern.

Then, amid all this, **Al** stated,

“Though I hate to break this tension, you should leave. You saw those things happen, so I’m not exactly in high spirits either.”

“—Understood. Please deliver my thanks in your absence.”

“I’ll let her know. Take care.”

Exchanging brief, moody pleasantries, **Rem** assisted **Subaru** as they walked outward.

As he leaned against her slight frame, **Subaru** made his way away from the **Barielle** mansion.

Going downhill, distances between them widened from the mansion’s gates, prompting **Subaru** to glance back over his shoulder.

**Al** stood, fixated, still locking eyes on the duo as they left.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

“Don’t fuck with me; is that what it was all about…? I’m disgusted.”

That muffled murmuring echoed within the depths of his obsidian helm.

 

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