――The expression of the girl lying on the bed was peaceful, making it seem to Subaru as if she were just sleeping.

Looking at her closed eyelids, he idly thought they were quite long. Her usual expressionless face, kept intentionally devoid of emotion, was now overflowing with a softness that matched her age. Come to think of it, he had never had the chance to see her sleeping face.

She always woke up earlier than Subaru, and he never had the opportunity to go to bed later than her. The girl he knew was always dignified and disciplined, hiding her youthful softness. Yet, she often showed a more relaxed version of herself when she was with Subaru.

Surprised faces, bashful faces, sulking faces, tearful faces, and smiles after making up—there should have been countless more chances to see them.

“――Rem”

Calling her name and touching her white cheek, there was no reaction from her.

The girl lying in bed was not in her familiar maid’s apron but lacked the beautiful white prim that adorned her azure hair reflecting the sky.

Her work and combat style—things she no longer needed at this moment.

“Here you are.”

A voice called out to Subaru, who was spending time in the still room.

Turning slowly and sluggishly, he saw a woman standing there, her long hair gently swaying. Dressed in a deep navy gown that was neither extravagant nor plain, she walked over with an elegant demeanor.

However, despite her elegance, a flicker of hesitation and confusion was evident in her actions, creating a strangely mismatched impression when paired with her innate grace. Subaru felt that same sense of awkwardness as he approached her.

“She is…”

“Nothing has changed. I’m simply here, feeling useless and cowardly, despite being unable to help.”

“That’s not true. She is likely happy with you being here.”

The woman spoke comforting words, albeit a bit timidly, while Subaru bowed his head. Hearing this, his reaction was intense.

He raised his face, sharpening his focus on her words, and glared at her. Though he didn’t consciously try to have such a sharp gaze, he couldn’t help it. As a result, the woman placed a hand on her mouth, apologizing softly.

“I’m sorry. I spoke out of turn. I must have offended you, didn’t I?”

“No, I should be the one apologizing. I lashed out… it’s just misplaced anger. At this rate, Rem will get mad at me for real. Like, ‘You can’t hurt others with your words, can you, Subaru-kun?’”

Shrugging his shoulders, he mimicked Rem’s tone in a small voice.

The memory of her voice allowed him to replicate her words directly in his mind. Yet, it was a sad reality that no one but Subaru would understand that action.

Subaru’s hollow movements and empty voice drew pity from the woman before him, who lowered her gaze and clasped her left arm with her right hand in silence.

A silence fell within the room, casting shadows over their minds. Immersed in this familiar sensation, Subaru internally shook his head; this wasn’t right.

Continuing to wallow in despair was undoubtedly easier and would spare him any sharp pain. But that was not what Natsuki Subaru should be doing.

It was not something a man who was believed in and loved by Rem should do.

“Did you need something from me?” Subaru asked.

“Yes. I wanted us all to gather and have a discussion. They have gathered in the lounge, so if possible…”

As she began to bring up the topic and prompt the conversation, the woman nodded with relief. However, her words suddenly faltered, and she furrowed her brow at her awkward expression, realizing too late.

“Natsuki Subaru, right?”

“…I’m sorry. Natsuki Subaru-sama, correct? I’ve been told you’re someone I owe a great debt to, and I apologize for being so rude.”

“It can’t be helped. There’s a lot to remember right now, so don’t worry about it.”

The woman bowed her head sincerely, her apology palpable.

Yet, with every graceful move she made that was distinctly feminine, a sense of discomfort stabbed at Subaru’s heart. Even he, as a man, wouldn’t voice such rudeness.

Shaking his head, Subaru cast aside both her gratitude and his own discomfort as he stood up.

Finally, turning back to the girl on the bed, he gently brushed aside her bangs from her forehead.

“Well then, see you later, Rem.”

A faint breath and the presence that clearly existed there.

――For her, forgotten by everyone’s memory, that was the only thing left of herself.

Leaving her behind, Subaru faced the woman and indicated the door.

“Let’s go to the lounge. It wouldn’t be good to keep them waiting too long.”

“Yes, let’s. Natsuki Subaru-sama.”

The delicate woman, tilting her head slightly and offering a faint smile, let her long green hair flow gracefully, which greatly accentuated her femininity.

Unwilling to acknowledge that, Subaru turned his face away and, hiding his true feelings behind a strained smile, said,

“Sorry for making you come to get me…… Crusch.”

He called out the name of someone who had almost become a different person.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

――When Subaru arrived at the Royal Capital, everything had already ended.

The conversations he had with Emilia along the way barely remained in his mind.

Although he should have felt fulfilled in finally rescuing her, within the dragon carriage, Subaru’s consciousness was solely dominated by the presence of another girl.

‘――Who is Rem?’

Confused and perplexed, she tilted her head as she asked.

If there had been even a hint of her usual playfulness in her gestures and words, Subaru might have joined in on the joke and bantered back.

Yet, he could not find even a shred of hope in her demeanor, and Emilia never once jokingly said, “I was just kidding~,” before Subaru’s astonished eyes.

Petra and the other children didn’t remember her either.

After confirming just that with the people in the dragon carriage, Subaru urged the driver to hurry with a desperate expression, racing towards the Royal Capital.

He desperately wanted to believe it was all a mistake. He wanted to think that couldn’t possibly be true.

Because everything should have gone well. Subaru thought he had grasped the best outcome. He saved everyone, fulfilled his goals, and overcame various painful experiences while bearing indelible scars.

Yet――.

“Oh, it’s Subaru-kun. As expected of Crusch-sama. Finding a capricious cat is a piece of cake for you, huh?”

As Subaru approached the lounge, a voice called out as he spotted two figures walking down the corridor.

Felix, dressed in knight’s attire but with cat ears bobbing beneath his short skirt, approached with a light bounce in his step, gently taking Crusch’s hand.

“Felix…”

“Just Felix! After all this time being such good friends with Crusch-sama, calling me by my last name feels weird and lonely. Come on, don’t be like that~.”

With his free hand, Felix playfully poked Crusch’s shoulder. Despite her slight confusion over his familiarity, it seemed she basically accepted it, apologizing and bowing her head.

“I can’t just go back to how things used to be right away, but I’ll do my best, Felix… Yes, Felix.”

“No need to rush, Crusch-sama. I’ll always be on your side, no matter how long it takes. Besides, getting to enjoy this demure side of you is a brand new charm, right?”

Shaking the hand he was holding up and skipping playfully, Felix exuded an air of familiarity. Subaru could hardly suppress a small annoyance at the sight of it.

He couldn’t understand Felix’s way of engaging with Crusch, who had changed so drastically. Whatever internal struggles he might have had behind that smile, they were far from distinct to Subaru.

“Subaru-kun! Come to the lounge. Emilia-sama and Wilhelm-old man are already gathered there.”

“…Ah.”

His displeasure seeped through his voice, but Felix showed no sign of caring. He tugged on Crusch’s hand, leading her towards the lounge.

Noticing the strange atmosphere that flared between Subaru and Felix, Crusch furrowed her brow in confusion, but ultimately had nothing to say as she followed Felix.

Letting out a breath, Subaru bit his lip slightly and closed his eyes.

He was on edge. He could only face everyone with pent-up, rough emotions. He didn’t want to console himself with the thought that it was simply how things were.

He didn’t want to place the blame for these frayed emotions on her.

Following the two, he entered the lounge late.

Feeling all eyes on him, Subaru surveyed the room. Aside from himself, there were four others—Emilia and Wilhelm, along with Crusch and Felix who had entered before him.

It seemed he was the last to gather. Closing the door behind him, he naturally sat down next to Emilia, though he was not urged to do so.

“Subaru…”

“I’m alright. I’ve calmed down, Emilia.――I’m fine.”

At Emilia’s concerned call, Subaru smiled weakly in response. However, he didn’t face her or gaze directly into her eyes.

Every time he interacted with Emilia, he felt as though he was being confronted with his own unsettling aspects, which terrified him to no end.

“Well then, now that everyone is here, let’s start discussing,” Felix announced, clapping his hands to gather everyone’s attention.

With Crusch unable to act as a moderator under the current circumstances, Felix had no choice but to take on the role. He scanned over the individuals seated, then stepped forward, raising a hand.

“Since everyone seems agreeable, let’s confirm the situation, shall we?”

And thus, he began to guide the discussion that everyone had been eagerly awaiting.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

――The situation that Rem and Crusch faced was incredibly simple—the simultaneous attack by the Witch Cult’s Archbishops, and both appearing at the same time.

After the White Whale battle, while they returned to the Royal Capital with the head of the White Whale along with the injured, Rem and the others were ambushed by the Archbishops.

As a result of the ambush, half of the returning expeditionary force lost their lives. The beastmen mercenaries who had accompanied them chose to retreat immediately based on their own judgement and escaped unscathed.

“I’ve heard that by the time the Vice Captain returned to the highway with the knight order from the Royal Capital, the Archbishops were already gone. What was left were the corpses of our knights and…”

“Only those in similar circumstances as me,” Crusch concluded, biting her lip while furrowing her brow at Felix’s last sentence. The pain that surfaced on her face stemmed from her own feelings of inadequacy.

After all, she likely felt detached from the story being explained now.

Why? Because――.

“My memories have been erased… Do you think this is also the work of the Archbishops?”

“Most likely, yes. I’ve seen several patients with similar symptoms to Crusch-sama’s before. They suddenly lose all their memories, and Felix’s magic can’t restore them either. Until now, it has been labelled as unexplained, but…”

“The Archbishop of Gluttony—given their power, there’s no doubt about it.”

Vilhelm nodded gravely. The old man, with a stern expression, looked at Crusch with piercing eyes. When she shrank back under that gaze, seeing that reaction made Vilhelm apologize.

“I harbor no ill will towards you, Crusch-sama. I apologize for frightening you. I am still insufficient.”

“No… I apologize for being an inadequate lord. I am trying my best to remember you, Vilhelm-sama.”

The slight pain that crossed Vilhelm’s face when Crusch addressed him this way showed hints of the old knight’s loyalty to the mistress he had once served. Subaru could clearly understand the depth of Vilhelm’s emotions at that moment.

What perplexed him, on the other hand, was Felix’s lack of notable reaction towards such a transformed lord.

Felix completely ignored Subaru’s internal struggle and stated, “What’s even more annoying is that it seems the Archbishop of Sloth was taken care of, only for the Archbishop of Gluttony and Greed to pop up right after. It’s like they just have to work overtime or something. This is a rare occurrence, but it’s likely related to the strange phenomenon of Emilia-sama rising in prominence.”

“W-What about me…?” Emilia’s reaction was one of surprise as she glanced at Felix, who nodded sagely.

“Come on, it’s obvious that the Witch Cult wouldn’t overlook a half-elf like Emilia-sama. Even though they usually hide scarily quietly, when they go to town, it’s always related to something involving her.”

Listening to Felix, Subaru reflected deeply on the previous conversations he had engaged in. The night before the battle with the White Whale, he had discussed the possibility of the Witch Cult showing up with Felix and Crusch, and they both confirmed that possibility.

That conclusion was likely due to such precedents.

However,

“Um… I don’t know much about this Witch Cult… you’re talking about the ‘Jealous Witch,’ right?”

Emilia raised her hand shyly, voicing a shocking statement.

Subaru was taken aback by her words, and he could see the expressions of both Vilhelm and Felix stiffening. The only person who appeared just as lost as Emilia, caught in the current situation, was Crusch.

Seeing the reactions of the three, Emilia grew even more flustered and muttered, “I’m sorry. I realize from everyone’s reactions that I should know this, but nobody has told me. I swear.”

“But Emilia-tan was supposed to know about the ‘Jealous Witch.’ After all, I called her that back then…”

Subaru continued his thought, remembering that during their very first meeting, Emilia introduced herself under the alias of Satella. He recalled that he had called her by that name after dying, and that had provoked her anger. In other words, she was aware that the ‘Jealous Witch’ was indeed a cursed name.

However, Emilia shook her head at Subaru’s words.

“Back in the settlement near the forest I lived, I was disliked for resembling the ‘Jealous Witch.’ So while I think I know how the ‘Jealous Witch’ is treated… I don’t know about the people of the Witch Cult.”

“Let’s set aside what kind of life Emilia-sama has lived for now. Still… for the person at the center to know so little makes this all the more absurd.”

Felix shrugged, raising both hands in feigned innocence, and sighed. Subaru felt a surge of frustration at Felix’s attitude, hissing in annoyance before glaring at him.

“Don’t be a jerk about it. Do you even realize how much courage it takes for someone to admit they don’t know something? What’s wrong with asking for what we need to know?”

“Subaru-kun makes it sound convincing. Seriously, you both are quite the pair.”

Felix’s sarcasm did not evade Subaru’s annoyance, and he found himself nearly standing up in his outrage. But before he could do anything—

“Felix! That’s not something you can say so lightly. Apologize.”

Before Subaru could voice his complaints, the voice scolding Felix arrived even earlier. The voice belonged to none other than Crusch, who had maintained her silence while observing the situation.

Dressed in her formal wear, her face had shifted from one of weakness to one reflecting the resoluteness of her previous self, piercing through her knight with her gaze.

“As Natsuki Subaru-sama said, there’s no reason to be ridiculed for simply inquiring about things one doesn’t know. You have no right to mock that. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Crusch-sama.”

Following her intense words, the latter part of her sentence softened. In that moment, Subaru couldn’t help but feel surprised by hints of the old Crusch within her words and actions. Felix, too, couldn’t hide his own surprise, his eyes reflecting it clearly.

“I’m sorry, Emilia-sama. I apologize for my rudeness. Subaru-kun, I’m sorry too.”

“Forget it… No, that’s not important. More importantly, we need to discuss about the Witch Cult. Emilia-tan also wants to know, and to be honest, I don’t know the finer details either.”

With a resigned tone, Subaru guided the conversation back to the essence of their discussions. Felix replied with an easygoing “Got it,” then pressed a finger to his lips while shaking the hem of his skirt.

“First off, the Witch Cult is indeed the group that venerates the ‘Jealous Witch,’ as Emilia-sama pointed out. They’ve been active since the time of the ‘Witch’ rising to power, four hundred years ago, and they are hardcore fanatics. They’re so terrible that there’s a decree of instant extermination against them in the knight order.”

“Instant extermination… Are they really a bunch that’s that horrific?”

“They’re the type of people that, for the sake of their objectives, wouldn’t hesitate to turn against villages or cities. In reality, the village near the Count’s mansion was in danger this time, and a whole city in the Southern Volakia Empire was taken down by the Archbishops who showed up this time.”

Emilia blinked in disbelief at these words. Even though she agreed with the futility of the situation, Subaru had already felt the malice of these people firsthand.

From the example of Petelgeuse, he had witnessed the madness of the others firsthand. To top it off, reports suggested that the ‘Greed’ Archbishop was at least not as formidable in combat compared to Petelgeuse.

“Though I’ve skipped a bit forward, the Witch Cult has six Archbishops, each bearing the name of a Sin—essentially, the executives of the organization. Each one bears the names of six witches who were different from the ‘Jealous Witch’.”

“Six witches… The ‘Sloth,’ ‘Greed,’ ‘Gluttony,’ ‘Lust,’ ‘Wrath,’ and ‘Pride,’ right?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Particularly well-known are ‘Sloth’ and ‘Greed.’ The ‘Greed’ one is well-known for going on a rampage, destroying cities, while the ‘Sloth’ is usually the cause behind most disturbances of the Witch Cult. However, concerning ‘Sloth,’ this time’s expedition has successfully exorcised them, so there is that. Right, Natsuki Subaru?”

“Ah… ‘Sloth’ Petelgeuse is definitely dead. I witnessed it with my own eyes, from the moment he dispersed, so there’s no mistake about that.”

Responding with a nod of his chin, Subaru recalled the demise of the loathsome Petelgeuse. The screams calling his name, filled with malice, echoed in his mind, creating a terrifying point of obsession. That awful curse-like scream—was that not something forcing Subaru into harsh situations right now?

“The remaining five Archbishops are the culprits who attacked Crusch-sama and the others this time. The Witch Cult is ever-elusive, and their methods of hiding when they’re not active are completely unknown. Even after four hundred years, exterminating them hasn’t progressed at all. Their goal is said to be the resurrection of the ‘Jealous Witch.’”

“The resurrection of the Witch… !?”

At those words, Subaru shot up from his chair, kicking it back in shock.

As the women in the room looked surprised at Subaru’s sudden movement, he waved his hands broadly.

“Resurrecting her? How is that even possible? The ‘Jealous Witch’ died four hundred years ago, right? Bringing her back to life is…”

“Natsuki-dono, the ‘Jealous Witch’ is not dead. Her life is still bound at the edge of the world, unfortunately.”

Vilhelm quietly declared this as Subaru’s voice raised in panic.

As he locked his shocked gaze onto the old man, Vilhelm narrowed his eyes, containing bitterness.

“Near the Great Waterfall, there lies the Shrine of the Sealing Stone. The Witch is still sealed there, unable to be utterly destroyed. Even with the powers of the sage, the dragon, and the sword saint, we were unable to annihilate her existence.”

“Sealed… Wait, I feel like I’ve heard about that… but if that’s the case, then breaking that seal should make releasing her an easy task. Why don’t we just do that?”

Remembering hearing something resembling that opinion previously, more questions came to mind.

If she’s sealed, then simply breaking the seal and letting her loose should be the solution. But since that thought crossed his mind, he could safely assume that no one must have understood why the Witch Cult would seek to resurrect her while also committing acts of destruction and slaughter whenever a half-elf appeared.

Yet, his observation was cut off by a firm shake of Vilhelm’s head.

“For one, it is almost impossible to get near the Shrine itself. The mana responsiveness near the Great Waterfall is noticeably reduced. No one can withstand the corruptive aura of the Witch while in that realm. Additionally, it is also practically impossible to bypass the sage’s monitoring system.”

“The Sage…?”

“The Sage Shaura—a hero who contributed to the sealing of the Witch along with the first sword saint and the divine dragon Volcanica. There are rumors that he has gone into hiding near the Pleiades Watchtower. But the truth is, under the guise of hiding, he keeps watch for any individuals plotting the Witch’s resurrection.”

“Wow, he’s lived for quite a while…”

If he has been around since four hundred years ago, then he truly is a hero with an extensive lifespan.

Though a lingering feeling of skepticism remained, Subaru decided to put that thought on hold for the time being. He then turned to Felix again.

“I get that the Witch can’t be summoned. But I still find it hard to wrap my head around the claim that it’s related to resurrection and all of that…”

“Even if you say so, Felix isn’t part of the Witch Cult, so he doesn’t have a clue about the true ins and outs, right? Our only other option would be to rely on capturing any prisoners we could interrogate or torture to gain any potential advantage.”

Felix simply shrugged, dismissing Subaru’s inquiry as unimportant. Subaru felt unsatisfied but recognized Felix’s point, and thus refrained from pushing on.

At any rate, having listened up to that point, Emilia nodded.

“So, that’s how it is. So, that’s why I… But Pack hasn’t said anything about that at all.”

“Pack? What’s he saying now? I have a ton I want to discuss too.”

“He hasn’t responded to my call. He seems to be materialized somehow, but I can only tell he’s nearby…”

Subaru couldn’t not respond to Emilia, who was growing noticeably smaller. In reality, it was crucial for Subaru to have a discussion with Pack.

After all, it was a fact that Pack’s comments had affected the unavoidable outcome of the ‘Archbishop of Gluttony’ appearing.

“So, for now, we can put the matter of the Witch Cult to rest. Let’s talk about what happens next, shall we?”

“What comes next…?”

He lifted his head in conjunction with Felix clapping his hands and then blinking brightly at Subaru with a clear smile on his face.

“Honesty, let’s just drop the whole alliance thing… How about that?”

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

The air in the lounge froze as Subaru felt the heat within him rise.

Receiving and processing the words spoken in that moment, he wetted his lips and quietly repeated,

“Wait, what did you just say? You said to call off the alliance? What do you mean by that?”

“It’s exactly what it sounds like! Given the current situation, I really feel like there’s hardly any merit to keep the alliance going anymore.”

Felix seemed impressed that Subaru had not exploded into rage, but the expression itself also irritated him, which only intensified the pressure building within Subaru. He was already on the verge of boiling over.

“Setting mining rights aside, we agreed to cooperate with the expedition against the White Whale, and we actually achieved that. Just taking the good part and saying goodbye like that, isn’t that more than a little disgraceful?”

“The disadvantages have become scary big, that’s the only way to put it, Natsuki-kun.”

“Uh, what?”

Subaru had no choice but to be confrontational with Felix, who maintained his relaxed demeanor. Felix waved a finger.

“Listen up! Now that we have the precedent of the ‘Archbishops of Gluttony’ and ‘Greed’ both appearing, the chance of the Witch Cult targeting Emilia-sama’s camp, especially after defeating Sloth, has significantly increased. With Crusch-sama having faced harm this time… do you really think that anyone would want to involve themselves further?”

“That’s…”

Felix’s arguments made Subaru frown as he cast a glance at Crusch.

Seeing her altered appearance made it hard for Subaru to counter Felix’s assertion outright. For the same wounds, he too was suffering from the same strife.

Ultimately, it was not Subaru who rebuked Felix’s words, but—

“I disagree with that opinion, Felix.”

Vilhelm stated firmly while still seated, leaning forward to gaze steadily at Felix. In response, Felix squinted, the corners of his mouth twitching in a light smirk.

“What’s your intention, then? You want to continue the alliance with Emilia and the others despite Crusch-sama suffering from the attack of Gluttony? What’s the incentive there?”

“The opportunity to… seek revenge for our lord will soon come.”

“Is that more important than Crusch-sama’s life?”

Vilhelm’s remark met with Felix, who did not budge even an inch. Weight hung heavily between them, fueled by their feelings for the person they cherished.

“If we continue involving ourselves with the Witch Cult, this kind of situation will undoubtedly happen again. And, when that happens, Crusch-sama now wouldn’t even be able to protect herself. I can heal her wounds… but if she dies, that’s the end of it!”

“However, we absolutely cannot allow the one responsible for the current situation to escape unscathed. Besides, there’s a chance that Crusch-sama’s memories could return once we defeat that Archbishop. For us to just pull back now would be excessively reckless.”

“If we defeat whoever caused it, her memories will return? What are you talking about, old man? Do you really think that defeating the one who consumed lost memories means they’ll return? You’re just dreaming!”

“——Felix!”

An angry voice filled with sharp energy flooded the room, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a storm sweeping through.

As the sharpness of Vilhelm’s gaze held firm, everyone recoiled in surprise.

“Felix, you will never say that again in front of Natsuki Subaru.”

“——I’m sorry.”

Felix lowered his gaze, his usual playful demeanor replaced with a solemn expression.

The looks of the two men turned towards Subaru, who had stiffened in his chair. His hands gripped tightly, something warm and sticky seeping out while shaking.

Above him, a gentle touch enveloped the trembling hands.

“…Emilia-tan”

“I can’t say I totally understand, but I won’t act like I do, and I can’t say it’s okay, either. I want to understand how you feel, but… as someone who hasn’t remembered that girl, I can only express how cowardly I feel for even talking about it.”

When Subaru glanced up, he saw the flicker of deep sorrow in Emilia’s purple eyes.

Seeing his own weak reflection mirrored in her gaze stirred an uncomfortable frustration within him.

Feeling reassured by her concern for him, Subaru shook his head.

“I can’t say I’m okay, but for now, I’m fine. Felix, don’t worry about it. I… haven’t given up on hope.”

“Seriously, Subaru-kun, you really don’t know when to quit.”

Trying hard to look indifferent, Subaru plastered his expression as he responded to Felix in kind. Regardless of that, his resolve remained unchanged as he added, “Felix doesn’t want to continue the alliance. I’m sure Felix will restore Crusch-sama’s memories. So, we can leave revenge against Gluttony aside for now.”

“Whatever should be done is ultimately up to Crusch-sama to decide. It’s not something we should unilaterally survey or evaluate lightly.”

Ultimately, they concluded it could go no further.

As the two turned their gazes towards him, Crusch nodded back, having anticipated this outcome.

“Right now, I’m still unaware of so much. I can’t remember anything about the old me. I realize interacting with me is likely bewildering for all of you as well. But still, first, I must express my gratitude to all of you for respecting me. If possible, I want to meet those expectations. I intend to keep striving for that goal.”

Crusch Karsten, who continued to hold a resolute attitude despite losing her memories.

Subaru couldn’t help but wonder how much of a person’s will and essence could continue to exist within them, despite undergoing such a phenomenon of memory loss. Seeing her manage to maintain her composure, he found himself questioning.

In any case, the talk regarding the alliance would have to be put on hold.

“Regardless, the practical matters are best dealt with by someone who truly understands Emilia-sama’s surroundings… It’ll have to be someone like Baron Roswaal to make arrangements. Let’s set up a venue where we can discuss things while including him, and only then can we continue.”

“Yeah, that works. And regarding this incident…”

“It should remain undisclosed―and that’s the priority regardless of alliance matters.”

With a piercing gaze directed towards Subaru, Felix spoke in a surprisingly low voice.

Taking a sharp breath, Subaru nodded, having nothing to counter it with. Their reasoning was valid. If Crusch’s current condition were to leak, it would undoubtedly compromise her position as the “leading candidate for Royal Selection.”

That could lead to a disaster so colossal that it could tip the scales against the glory gained from the “White Whale Subjugation.” That was why they hadn’t included Anastasia’s faction in this discussion.

“Despite Julius being aside, it’s undeniable that Anastasia will make a play of this situation. It’s fortunate that no one from that side has caught wind of how Crusch-sama is faring.”

“…Even regarding achievements, those from that group will eventually have to be included. So how do we manage that?”

“We’ll say Crusch-sama’s condition is still not ideal, and Felix can improvise however he needs. If you all can remain quiet about it, then that’s enough. Understood?”

With that declaration, conveying a desire for no further involvement, Subaru felt a sense of stubbornness building up deep in him as he nodded in agreement.

Ultimately, the discussions concluded without making further headway.

With a reaffirmation of the grim circumstances and the unease looming over both factions regarding the future, they wrapped things up.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

“Thank you, Vilhelm, for earlier.”

Once the talks in the lounge had concluded and they stepped outside, Subaru halted Vilhelm.

Stopping, Vilhelm turned back and replied, “No, I should be the one feeling shameful for my lack of support. Above all, I was unable to be of help regarding this incident.”

“That’s not true. Without you, we wouldn’t have defeated the White Whale, and afterwards, I wouldn’t have been able to confidently leave things to Emilia and the others. I sincerely appreciate it.”

Subaru’s gratitude was sincere, without any reservations. However, Vilhelm’s expression was still somber.

He was a dutiful person who cared for the pain of others. That man was too kind-hearted. Subaru smiled again at him.

“The situation is still tense, but you’re going to visit your wife’s grave, won’t you? I can’t say it’s okay yet, but at least you’ve finally avenged her.”

“――…”

The moment Subaru changed the topic, Vilhelm’s expression collapsed dramatically.

Seeing the wave of conflicting emotions registered on his face left Subaru feeling frustrated. Realizing his bewilderment, Vilhelm bent deeply at the waist.

“Subaru, I must apologize to you.”

“W-Wait, don’t. I’m thankful for everything you did, so let’s not…”

“No, that’s not what I meant. The truth is that I didn’t side with you for your sake. I selfishly sought to maintain our alliance out of self-interest. The shameful self I hid away now feels unbearably embarrassing.”

Subaru couldn’t grasp what Vilhelm’s message entailed and could only furrow his brow.

When he straightened up, Vilhelm rolled up his sleeves, revealing bandages wrapped around his left arm near the shoulder. It looked like the wound from before was still there, oozing blood and faintly turning the fabric a deep red.

“That looks painful. But, if you’re hurt, you should let Felix tend to it quickly…”

“This wound cannot heal. It is the result of a strike infused with the protection of the ‘Grim Reaper,’ which prevents recovery.”

“Can’t heal… Then, Vilhelm!”

Subaru understood all too well what it meant to bear an unhealing wound.

If blood flows perpetually and the wound doesn’t close, that means time was limited on his life. However, unlike the frantic Subaru, Vilhelm calmly shook his head.

“At this point, my life is not the issue.”

“That can’t be true! What should we do… that wound…”

“It is not a wound I received yesterday or today. It’s one I sustained long ago, which has merely reopened now. And it has become far too great an issue for me now.”

Hearing Vilhelm’s calm tone caused Subaru to begin trembling slightly. He didn’t understand the meaning behind his body’s reaction. Instead, he found his teeth clenching, refusing to stay still, progressively tightening.

Vilhelm continued with his tranquil voice.

“The injury blessed by the ‘Grim Reaper’ grows stronger the closer their link is to the one who bestowed it. If I approach the one who inflicted this wound on me, it will reopen.”

“Then, the one who caused this wound, who’s near you…”

“The one who inflicted this wound on my left shoulder was the previous sword saint.”

As that word left his mouth, Subaru took a sharp breath, frozen in place while staring at Vilhelm.

The old man looked back at him, his eyes harboring a chilling fury.

“Tereshia van Astraea. My wife’s sword wound has reopened. —I must remain involved with the Witch Cult to confirm that truth.”

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

In a situation full of uncertainties, Subaru once again found himself drawn to the room where Rem slept.

Since returning to Crusch’s mansion, he had been visiting her whenever he had a moment to spare.

Even though he knew it was futile, a part of him had hoped she might wake up when he was there, revealing the weakness within him.

At the moment, he didn’t have the courage or energy to face Emilia. He knew that Emilia understood the turmoil he felt, so she allowed him the time alone when he didn’t ask for her presence except in his moments of need. He knew she must have felt uneasy herself too.

Leaning on others, he desperately sought solace for his own fragility.

While hating this weakness, he remained unable to find closure within it.

“You claimed I was strong, but… it seems I can’t show you that strength unless you’re here, Rem.”

Upon touching Rem’s forehead, her tranquil appearance remained unchanged from before he visited the lounge.

Her breathing was steady. Her heart beat. Yet, beyond that, there were no signs of life. She was present yet absent. Now, she only existed within Subaru.

Yet,

“――What kind of twist of fate has brought you here?”

“Is it so strange for me to be here? I had some connection to this girl, you know. Hence, isn’t it okay for me to just pop by and see how things are?”

Subaru frowned, glaring sideways at the gray little cat floating there that swayed its long tail in the air.

This spirit that had vanished from the lounge suddenly appeared here, causing an overwhelming sense of unease. As Subaru narrowed his eyes sharply, Pack feigned indignation.

“Why the glare? Did I do something?”

“…Right now, you’re not doing anything. Emilia’s been looking for you. Can you just wander around here?”

“Am I allowed to? It’s a bit ambiguous to say, to be honest. I’m not restricted by any constraints placed by Ria, but do I want to make her worry? That’s a different question altogether.”

Brushing his whiskers with a carefree demeanor, Pack casually murmured. However, he then added, “But…” bringing his face close to Subaru’s.

“Right now, I think it’d be better for me to talk with you.”

“…That whole ‘I know everything’ attitude really irritates me.”

Turning his gaze away with a tongue click, Subaru noticed that Pack was patiently waiting without saying a word. Exhaling, he begrudgingly stepped into Pack’s line of questioning.

“You haven’t told Emilia about the Witch Cult, have you? What are you planning?”

“It’s not really about planning. If someone can live without knowing, why should they bother knowing? I’ll answer if asked, but Ria didn’t inquire… If we don’t need to deal with those guys, it’s best to just not get involved, right?”

“Yeah, okay. Not getting involved is the safest thing to do when there’s no reason to know each other. But that’s not the case for Emilia now. She’s left the forest and has decided to step into the world to fight for the throne. So she will inevitably come into contact with them suddenly. —You knew that, didn’t you?”

With a lowered tone, Subaru confronted Pack regarding his intentions. Yet the little feline danced around Subaru’s intensity and easily dodged it.

“Well, I expected the Witch Cult might show up. But I still think it’s a different story whether or not to tell Ria about it.”

“Are you kidding me? You might be putting Emilia and everyone around her in danger! I don’t know what your perspective is, but if things went unattended, Emilia would…!”

“Ah, I see. So you helped out Ria, huh? Then there’s the child being used as a sacrifice. I should thank her for that, I guess…”

“――――”

In that instant, all of Subaru’s restrained emotions crystallized into a focused action towards Pack.

Without the slightest hesitation, he thrust his fist toward the spirit. Yet, the spirit evaded his strike effortlessly, astonishment coloring its face as it washed its face.

“Whoa! Why the sudden attack? What on earth are you doing?”

“Don’t ever touch Rem again. Not with your hands, not with your mouth.”

Surprisingly, Subaru managed to deliver that message in a calm voice.

His emotions had boiled over to a point of being beyond control.

Watching Pack’s round eyes gaze at him in shock, he stated, “I apologize for the careless words I just spoke. I shouldn’t have said anything that would cross any lines. Instead, to make it up to you, let’s talk about ‘Gluttony’ for a bit.”

“What’s the point of discussing it?” Subaru challenged.

“If you discover the being that consumed the girl’s ‘name’ and ‘memories,’ it might increase the likelihood of your hopes coming true.”

Subaru’s ears pricked up, enthusiasm igniting within him at those words. A spark of hope emerged.

What she lost were her memories; what had been consumed was her ‘name.’

This was nothing more and nothing less than the consequence of the power she bore.

That meant—

“If I defeat the Archbishop of Gluttony, can I bring Rem back…?”

“Honestly, who knows? It’s an uncomfortable metaphor, but can you ever really spit out what you’ve swallowed? That’s something you’d have to ask the individual.”

“But, there’s a possibility—a possibility to bring her back!”

Spinning around, he faced Rem once more, still sunk in deep slumber.

Her breath remained. Her heart continues to beat. Her body was alive. All that was consumed was her heart and name by the monster. So, if that were the case, then that meant there was still hope.

“I will definitely take down the Archbishop of Gluttony!”

“It won’t be that simple, you know.”

In that moment, Subaru let Pack’s last words be lost to him.

For now, that hope was the final fortress he clung to.

――Returning to the Royal Capital, learning of the situation that had befallen Rem, witnessing her state, and then realizing there was nothing he could do to bring her back, Subaru suddenly buried a dagger deep in his throat without hesitation.

He could not recall the emotions he felt at that moment. He had accomplished everything to the best of his abilities while fulfilling everyone’s expectations — he carried no regrets.

If it meant losing Rem, he thought, he would endure such agony again and again—only that he remembered.

The pain, blood, heat, and sense of loss that spread within him was engulfed as he faded into oblivion.

When that haze faded, what greeted him was the shape of Rem lying on the bed――.

The resurrection point updated. The scene returning once more. That was what plunged Subaru into a hell of despair.

Determined to end it all once more, he hesitated. It wasn’t that the pain or the thought of death frightened him. Rather, he finally understood.

Even if he returned to the previous scene, he would still fail to save Rem.

If he were to return to the scene right after finishing the battle with the White Whale, several hours would pass after parting with Rem and the others.

Even if he endeavored to rush back to them, he would be too late. More than that, turning back to save Rem meant abandoning Emilia. Even if he explained the situation clearly and returned, would they have a winning strategy against two Archbishops?

Both Subaru and Julius were indispensable for overcoming Petelgeuse. When it came to the scene where they helped Emilia escape, they relied on Wilhelm’s power to break through the dangers.

To save Rem would mean forsaking Emilia, and to save Emilia meant he would have to sacrifice Rem—he realized he would lose both.

Subaru recognized the cruel choice that lay before him and let his arm drop, the knife slipping from his grasp.

Unlike the mist of the White Whale, Rem was present, yet remained untouched by anyone’s memory. Standing beside her, he could do nothing but stare in confusion.

That dreadful and impossible time was coming to an end, and it would end here.

Taking Rem’s hand, Subaru resolved himself. This time, he swore to decide.

――I will surely bring you back.

“I will reclaim you, Rem. I will definitely bring you back.”

He declared to her—that her beloved man will become the ultimate hero before her eyes.

Then, he had yet to reach that destination.

“I will definitely… I will surely come to get you. —So wait for me!”

He lifted his head. He bared his fangs. This was a declaration of war against those who had dared to cross a line.

He would make them regret touching the things that must not be disturbed.

This wasn’t just anyone—it was Natsuki Subaru.

“Without fail. —I promise!!”

Within the days that would begin anew, he couldn’t bear the thought of memories absent of her.

So, he would definitely reclaim them.

The days that had been lost are the times spent alongside you, the moments walking beside you once more.

Once again, he would bring them into his grasp.