The overcast sky strangely reflected Subaru’s current state of mind.

Six dragon carriages lined up in front of Crusch’s Mansion. Among them, the villagers from a place called Arlam, who had fled alongside Roswaal’s territory, had already boarded. The last unoccupied one was a special carriage prepared for Subaru and Emilia.

The journey ahead was long. Unlike the trip there, the children weren’t included this time, as Subaru had mountains of things to discuss with Emilia and couldn’t afford to be insensitive enough to have “her” alongside the children.

“It’s going to be lonely.”

A voice reached Subaru from behind as he quietly gazed at the line of dragon carriages.

Turning with just his neck, he saw Crusch looking at him, her long green hair fluttering in the damp breeze as her eyes fell to the ground. Subaru scratched his head and said,

“We’ve been here long enough without any progress, and it’s not good to keep imposing on your hospitality. I really should be resting quietly, but…”

He opened and closed his fist, giving a bitter smile as he considered his condition.

Reflecting back, Subaru had visited this mansion initially to recover from his worsening health. Roswaal’s hidden agenda had played a part in that, and while it was irritating, the clown’s wish had indeed been fulfilled. The pretense had collapsed, and what had been achieved was trampled.

“If you, Natsuki Subaru, have that will, our house wouldn’t mind how long you stay… but that’s not feasible, is it?”

“I appreciate the kindness, and I think I could learn a lot here, but I have my own problems that need dealing with. If we wait until things settle down, the business might snatch up everything regarding the White Whale and ‘Sloth.'”

Shaking his head at Crusch’s kind words, Subaru pondered the situation regarding Julius and Anastasia’s faction.

Looking simply at the matters of defeating the White Whale and ‘Sloth,’ it could be seen as a joint operation among three factions, which, when considering results and damages, had been a resounding victory for them.

The Crusch faction had accomplished the incredible feat of defeating the White Whale, a task that had taken four hundred years to achieve—but the losses that Crusch herself bore couldn’t be ignored as trivial.

The Emilia faction, which had been the primary force against ‘Sloth,’ was in a similar situation, and proceeding without Roswaal, who was familiar with the circumstances, wasn’t a good sign. The damages, while not fatal like those suffered by Crusch’s faction, had left Subaru with wounds too large to dismiss.

While they had lost some mercenaries, the candidate and knights, along with their other combatants from Anastasia’s faction, hadn’t suffered as much and had played a significant role in the efforts, rendering them high dividends despite not being the primary force in either hunt.

So far from the damages—due to the magnitude of the losses, the other two factions hesitated to publicly disclose their achievements.

Nevertheless, they needed to maintain close ties with the Crusch faction, also for the sake of keeping Anastasia’s faction in check.

Including these considerations in his judgment, Subaru found Crusch exhaling softly, and as he raised an eyebrow at her action, she shook her head slightly, her face tinged with embarrassment.

“I was being childish. Just the fact that I couldn’t be of much assistance to one who has done me great favors leaves me feeling inadequate…”

“It’s perfectly fine not to repay kindness immediately. It’s an easy task for the creditor but, you shouldn’t feel the weight too much during tough times. Besides, I made sure to get a proper reward.”

As Subaru spoke to the serious Crusch, he glanced towards the leading dragon carriage.

Compared to the other carriages, this one was more elaborately decorated, hinting at its VIP treatment, and the Earth Dragon pulling this prestigious carriage was—

“This is no selfish desire. You want to treat the injured Earth Dragon and take it back.”

“A life-saver… or rather an ‘Enlightened Dragon.’ Although we’ve spent a short time together, it’s no exaggeration to say that Patrasche has likely saved my life more times than I can count. In terms of accompanying me through my struggles, I’d feel guilty thinking about dragging Patrasche along any further.”

“Regarding that matter, there’s no need for concern.”

A soft denial came from Wilhelm as he glanced at Patrasche before checking the condition of the dragon carriages being pulled by it. He had refrained from interrupting the two’s conversation until now.

“It is rare for the easily irritable Diana breed among the Earth Dragons to protect their rider to this extent. It appears you have earned this dragon’s favor, Lord Subaru.”

“I don’t believe I did anything special. When I was told to pick a favorite Earth Dragon before the White Whale battle, I just trusted my instincts and picked the one that caught my eye.”

It was true that the compatibility had worked out. One could say he had been fortunate in that regard.

Had he teamed up with any other Earth Dragon besides Patrasche, he doubted he would have emerged alive from the battles against the White Whale and afterward against ‘Sloth.’ In other words, he was positioned such that—

“I wouldn’t be satisfied with any Earth Dragon other than you… Damn, Patrasche, you heartbreaker!”

Subaru brushed his palm against Patrasche’s smooth side, looking up at the Earth Dragon. Patrasche seemed to glare down at Subaru with a look of utter disdain, shaking its body as if to dislodge Subaru’s hand.

“That was close! Even as a way to hide your embarrassment, you went too far. This is the most nerve-wracking thing I’ve faced since my middle-school days, when I slipped while cleaning!”

“What, just a playful tease from the Earth Dragon? The fact that you can argue back like this shows that there’s a constant, unshakable trust.”

“You think this looks like arguing!? It feels more like I’m speaking, and Patrasche is rejecting me with body language!”

Even without words, trust can be conveyed through the tensions of a battle, but once pulled away from the confrontation, it manifested itself in this manner—a common thing while dealing with prideful ladies, who may act distant yet still allow for affection in the end.

In any case,

“We got the achievement of defeating the White Whale on record, and we protected Emilia-chan and co. We’re getting a favored Earth Dragon too, so the reward seems pretty good.”

“It would seem you’re rather oblivious to the significance of slaying the White Whale, wouldn’t you say, Lord Subaru? There shall undoubtedly be a day in the future when the world acknowledges that great feat in a more proper manner. I look forward to that day.”

“I’m just trying to be honest, but what I really did was run around in front of that whale waving bait, practically.”

Wilhelm looked on, as if seeing something reminiscent, at Subaru’s nonchalant humility while gently smiling. However, Subaru shook off the feelings coming from that warm gaze.

“Anyway, keeping Patrasche aside, it seems this will be our last parting with you, Wilhelm-san. Take care of your injuries.”

“I appreciate your concern. —It seems the distance has been favorable, as it appears that my bleeding has now stopped. There will surely come a day when I can stand by your side again. Until then.”

Wilhelm’s injury was from the unhealed wound inflicted by the previous Sword Saint, Tereshia. The fact that this old wound once again reopened caused the shine in Wilhelm’s eyes to sharpen. His focus turned toward the Archbishop of Sin, ‘Gluttony’ and ‘Greed,’ who attacked Crusch.

If something other than the White Whale were involved in the death of the Sword Demon’s wife, those two present would be the leading suspects.

Subaru harbored a strong grudge against ‘Gluttony,’ similar to Wilhelm.

Surely, he would have to confront that Archbishop of Sin sooner or later—a group he couldn’t bring himself to want to face but for ‘Gluttony,’ it was a different story altogether.

He must overthrow that Archbishop of Sin who only thinks of his own position and reclaim what must be taken back. That includes Crusch’s memories—more than anything else.

“Subaru-kun. I fixed Rem, so check on her.”

Out from the carriage peeked a cat-eared figure—Felix. Following the lead of Patrasche pulling the carriage, Subaru rushed over to investigate. Inside, one of the seats had been taken up by a girl laid upon a makeshift bed.

Not in the familiar serving clothes, but donning light aqua-colored attire, the blue-haired girl lay in a sleep from which she wouldn’t awaken.

A girl who had once loved Subaru and who also thought to love him again.

“She won’t be tossed around or anything right?”

“I have taken every precaution. After all, I’m technically a healing magician. Although, to be honest, all of Rem’s external injuries have already healed, meaning it’s hard to designate her as either a sick or an injured person.”

Staring at Rem’s peaceful expression, Felix kept his voice lighthearted. Yet, his profile differed greatly from his usual goofy demeanor, revealing he too bore the pain of his own inadequacy.

It seemed that his realization of powerlessness stemmed more from his master than from Rem.

“Are you truly taking her back?”

“Of course. She won’t heal by staying here… And no, I wasn’t being sarcastic toward you.”

“I get that. Subaru-kun isn’t that mean, you know?”

Felix let out a rueful smile as Subaru attempted to backtrack from having sounded harsh. Just then, Felix’s pupils dilated, and while pointing a finger at Subaru, said,

“More importantly, there’s an even bigger issue surrounding you, Subaru-kun.”

“Me?”

“Yes! You’ve stressed out that Gate, haven’t you? You forcibly flowed a large amount of mana into it while its treatment was still ongoing, and it must have incurred some damage to the Gate’s entrance. You don’t feel sluggish or anything?”

The question made Subaru twist his neck and shoulders, spinning around.

After examining his body for injuries, he did not find anything wrong with it. Even jumping around in place, there were no issues to speak of that he could feel; none of what Felix worried about had manifested itself.

“Nah, I feel fine. To begin with, those parts weren’t being used anyway. As for the Gate, well, magic isn’t something you use every day.”

“That’s a perspective one would expect from a non-magician. To Felix-chan, not being able to use magic is practically a state of emergency… But if that’s fine, then I’ll take it.”

Sensing that Felix had given up on pursuing the matter further, he shifted slightly to show he was still mindful. However, Felix turned his head and moved his big eyes around, looking focused.

“But, I’ll say this: overexerting yourself this way won’t do any good. I pushed out any toxins from your body, but that won’t repair the damages done to the Gate. We need to let it heal gradually… it’ll take at least a couple of months to monitor.”

“Two months, huh? For a human who hasn’t used magic in seventeen years, that’s a low hurdle.”

Joking slightly as he received the diagnosis, he recalled it hadn’t even been two months since he entered this world. While it felt like nearly four months in terms of actual time perception, it had only been about a month and a half in real-time—significantly far back indeed.

Considering how many events had unfolded in that time, he wondered just how high of a hurdle that two-month rest would turn out to be.

“Well, it’s not like I’m suddenly going to get caught up in any trouble… Wait, didn’t what I just say have a flag-like feel to it!? I could have sworn I heard a *ping!* sound!”

“Unfortunately, the treatment of your head is beyond my expertise,” Felix replied.

In reaction to Subaru’s panic when reflecting on his own words, Felix gave him a cold response.

That led Subaru to think it might be time to wrap up their talk; he shifted and extended his hand to Felix.

“What’s up?”

“I’m just realizing I haven’t properly thanked you for everything. You helped me with my recovery, and honestly, so many situations wouldn’t have gone well if you weren’t around during the White Whale and ‘Sloth’ incidents… About Rem, I’m thankful too.”

“…That doesn’t sound like sarcasm or mockery, but it still feels like it does.”

“My skill, ‘Not Air Reading,’ has been activated. Please endure it.”

His feelings of gratitude were sincere, yet they did not seem to resonate with Felix. Nonetheless, that sentiment was conveyed; Felix gripped back at Subaru’s hand, and they shared a firm handshake. As they felt each other’s hands, he remarked,

“Your fingers are so slender, and your hands are tiny. I thought we were about to have a rugged-man kind of scene, but clearly that wasn’t the case.”

“A perfect lady like Felix-chan shouldn’t have such a letdown of a surprise! Not a hair out of place and no skin roughness, I’m a natural beauty!”

Felix proudly lifted his other hand, revealing an enticing view of his shaped legs peeking from under his skirt. With a strikingly slender silhouette proudly on display, Subaru sighed, letting his shoulders droop in defeat.

“But you’re still a guy.”

“That’s right! Felix-chan is a man in body and spirit.”

“How can you claim that when you’re dressed like that? How’s that positive for a guy?”

Subaru expressed his discontent towards Felix’s fashion choices, which were the very antithesis of manliness, while Felix put a finger to his lips, swaying his hips with a perplexing demeanor.

“Well, Crusch-sama said that this look suits me best. Each person should wear what brings out their inner light the most. —To Crusch-sama’s words, I will respond with my all!”

“But that means…”

He intended to say ‘that Crusch doesn’t know about your current situation,’ but Subaru hesitated halfway through.

Even Felix understood that fact without Subaru’s suggestion, and mentioning it would only cause hurt feelings. Besides, he wouldn’t want to put Felix, who felt irked by reminding her about Rem, through similar discomfort.

“—No matter what happens to the Karsten family.”

“…Huh?”

Suddenly, those words struck Subaru’s eardrums sharply.

The voice was quiet, cold, and felt emotionally numbed. Although he had just heard it from the front of him moments ago, it took him an extra moment to comprehend.

With hair falling over her forehead, Felix’s expression remained obscured, but she gripped Subaru’s hand tightly and insisted,

“I will absolutely protect Crusch-sama.”

“Huh, Felix?”

“So,” she paused, her voice trembling as she looked up at him, “Subaru-kun must also keep his promise, okay? If not, the mana in your body will run wild and you’ll go crazy and die.”

“Don’t say such terrifying threats with a smile! And don’t threaten an ally beside you!”

“Would you call it more of a death sentence than a threat?”

“That’s worse! Seriously.”

Shaking off the handshake, Subaru turned his back to Felix. He briefly checked to see if Rem was stirring in the midst of the commotion, but that hope turned out to be over-optimistic.

He sighed softly, dismissing the feelings of betrayal and peered outside. Just then, Emilia was talking with Crusch, who had bags from the mansion in hand.

“Ah, Subaru. Did you prepare Rem’s bed?”

“Yeah, Felix nailed it. So even if I pull off this perfect duo act with Patrasche, I won’t fall out.”

“I don’t understand, but somehow, I have a bad feeling about this whole circus plan?”

“What a pity! I was going to hopefully expect the bridge effect by making my heart race with Emilia-chan.”

Named the ‘Make a Plan Where My Life is in Danger, And Will This Heart-Thumping Bring Up My Chances with Romance?’ plan—a bad mix of schemes.

Regardless, Subaru couldn’t stop the dull pain that pierced his heart every time he heard Emilia mention “Rem.”

Emilia’s eyes narrowed slightly at the moment she noticed Subaru suddenly become quiet.

However, before she could comment on it, Felix jumped down from the carriage, declaring,

“Well, it seems like the dragon carriages are fully prepared, so we shouldn’t linger around feeling sad. —Crusch-sama, do you have anything to say before we part ways?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

As Felix guided the conversation, Crusch stepped forward. To be polite, Subaru, who had dismounted from the carriage like Felix, moved beside Emilia. Then, taking a deep breath, placing her hand over her chest, Crusch began speaking,

“First and foremost, I deeply thank both of you. Thanks to your cooperation, I have managed to keep my life connected despite losing my memory. My desire prior to losing my memory continues because of you two. Thank you.”

“N-no… I haven’t done anything to deserve thanks from Crusch-sama. I was practically out of the loop during these days of chaos…”

“In reality, Emilia-chan is the one who didn’t do much, but rest assured that my achievement is also truly yours, given my contributions.”

To set Emilia at ease, who appeared flustered, Subaru thumped his chest in assurance. Hearing this, Emilia glanced sideways at Subaru and nodded subtly.

“Thank you. —I may not yet consider myself one of Subaru’s, but…”

“Guh. I got caught in the act of letting a third party hear me try to negate it…!?”

“Always on guard and vigilant, aren’t you? …Oh, I’m sorry that we’re straying off topic.”

Emilia drew a long breath, having diverted Subaru’s focus with a casual remark, before then turning towards Crusch.

“No, your bond is enviable. I must quickly develop a closer relationship with Felix and Wilhelm.”

“Felix-chan is always fully open with Crusch-sama, body and soul!”

Placing her hands to her cheeks, Felix began rolling his body around. As Subaru observed the flailing boy tied in the back, Crusch managed to keep her composure while flashing a lady-like smile, saying,

“We’ll definitely meet again soon. I wish to maintain close ties with Emilia-sama and Natsuki Subaru-sama for a long time.”

Subaru reasoned that there wasn’t a hint of pretense in her words. Even with a loss of memory, her high-mindedness hadn’t faded.

The sincerity embodied in her life shone through, leaving no room for lies or pretense.

Maybe it was the clarity with which this remark reached him that widened Emilia’s eyes in shock—her lips trembled slightly as she replied,

“I… am a competing candidate to Crusch-sama. Even though we’ve formed an alliance, there will come a time when we must be adversaries once again.”

“That’s true. If Emilia-sama is a competing candidate, then I too must do my best so that I do not lose.”

“I am after all a Half-Elf. And a silver-haired one at that… Isn’t that fearsome?”

“Emilia-chan, that’s…”

Subaru attempted to stop her from asking a question that didn’t need to be asked. But as the earnestness and desperation drifted from her profile, he couldn’t find the words.

Emilia genuinely perceived the weight of her question. Having personally glimpsed a fraction of her feelings, he hesitated to breach into her vulnerability lightly.

More than anything, he knew the one standing against her in this earnest discussion was Crusch Karsten. —There was no need to stop it.

“The essence of the soul determines its worth. Both for oneself and others, the most radiant life should be lived without shame of one’s soul.”

“——”

“I felt I used to say this as if it were a mantra. I must say… hearing those words now that I’m a bit more objective makes it seem rather condescending.”

Covering her mouth with her hand, Crusch struggled to keep a chuckle from escaping regarding her past. In response, Emilia fell silent, looking simply stunned.

“Emilia-sama, do you feel shame about how you’ve lived your life?”

“…I don’t. Regardless of others’ perceptions, I have always strived to live without hating myself.”

“Then, there’s no need to regret or live in fear. Continue to refine yourself, invest in steady努力, and uphold your genuine essence—your soul is truly remarkable.”

Smiling, Crusch extended her hand towards Emilia, who was startled to find tears brimming in her eyes.

“How wonderful it is to have met you, and there is no fear in that.”

“——!”

It felt as if Emilia had recalled a sharp pain to her chest, sinking her teeth into her lip as she gazed down at Crusch’s proffered hand. Unlike pushing her, Crusch quietly awaited Emilia’s response.

Eventually, Emilia hesitated, her fingers tenderly brushing across her palm, orchestrating a gentle handshake back.

“Please take care, and I look forward to seeing you again soon.”

“I will… No, I’ll ensure that I can stand straight in front of Crusch-san next time. Until then, please stay well.”

The two candidates of the royal selection exchanged a promise of goodwill.

Watching their exchange from the side, Subaru felt a sense of accomplishment swell within him. This was one of the results born from his own struggles, efforts, and wounds.

Despite not being able to gather everything and reach a perfect end, he didn’t regret having to endeavor that path.

“I don’t want to use your absence as an excuse to look gloomy in this moment.”

Glancing at the dragon carriages, Subaru envisioned the appearance of the sleeping girl within.

Using Rem as a reason for looking down in this celebratory moment would be something he couldn’t allow himself to do. She would never wish for that—wasn’t that pure self-centeredness?

“Natsuki Subaru-sama, please stay well. I pray for your future success and that… she regains consciousness.”

“It’s not like I want things to swing my way too much. To be honest, I’d prefer situations where I hardly have to do anything monumental. I mean, I can be the kind of guy that feels like he needs the help of a cat just to scrape by! Regarding Rem, Crusch-san, you’re concerned too.”

He extended the same hand toward Crusch that she had offered earlier. It felt somewhat embarrassing to reciprocate the offer, almost disguising it by placing his palm on top of hers.

A soft sound echoed, and their interaction came to an end. Crusch’s gaze widened as she noted the subtle playfulness in their connectiveness.

“We shall meet again.”

She bowed with a graceful composure, both master and servant, as they sent off Subaru and the others.

**

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

During the return journey, the dragon carriage was filled with a somewhat heavy atmosphere.

The dragon carriage pulled by Patrasche, gifted to Subaru as a reward from Crusch, was likely a token of their gratitude—which was apparent even beyond the lavish decorations as it showcased an expensive build, with soft seating that felt far too lavish.

The expansive interior could accommodate nearly ten people, and with only three of them using it, it made for an excessive amount of room.

Currently, the only ones remaining quiet in the carriage were Subaru, Emilia, and the deeply asleep Rem. Pluto, sitting beside the sleeping princess, felt disinterested in leaving, with Emilia seemingly keeping her distance out of concern for Rem’s unconscious state, leading to an awkward silence.

“——.”

This was not good, Subaru pondered, arms crossed in thought.

It was out of question to create a ruckus, yet there were many topics that needed discussing. The future stance on the royal selection was one among many. So, the arrangements made with Crusch regarding the alliance needed to be clarified, as he hadn’t agreed on everything during these past few days.

Regarding Rem’s situation, Subaru deliberated, feeling guilt over how she’d be treated in the mansion given no one but him remembered her. Every thought of what could be said to a beloved sister sleeping left him with chills swimming down his back. Naturally, it felt unavoidable, however.

“I know you’re mostly just worrying, but perhaps if those kids were back here, I’d feel a tad better…”

Among the dragon carriages returning to Roswaal’s territory, the carriages carrying the village’s children were also included. Those children were on carriages with their parents and there were likely stories they wouldn’t wish to recount, so the villagers looked after them well, resulting in a bittersweet success. That care seemed to have turned against them now, feeling bad.

What to do next—thinking that in a rare moment, Subaru raised his gaze at the space in front.

“Did you find yourself troubled due to the lack of anything to discuss? I really can’t stand this heavy silence any longer.”

“What the hell are you saying, you bastard? Where have you been all this time?”

“How rude! Of course I was here! Do you honestly not remember under what terms I agreed to help Natsuki-san!?”

An overly exuberant Otto retorted back, appearing through the opening at the driver’s seat of the dragon carriage. Noting the silence that fell over the balcony, he pointedly remarked on their responses.

Subaru tilted his head while letting out a few “ah” sounds and nods of recognition.

“Right, right, you wanted to meet Roswaal. …But, how to put it?”

“What is it?”

“It’s one thing if he’s just a guy, but having him be Roswaal complicates things.”

“Well, I’m not a pervert, but I do have Emilia-chan so the last thing I’d want is to be targeted.”

“That’s not the point!”

“But I do think you’re just here to tag along like a merchant.”

“Absolutely not!” Otto exclaimed in all seriousness, looking deeply offended by the insult.

Subaru shrugged off Otto’s indignation, but then Emilia, watching the exchange, gasped, wide-eyed.

“Wow… you two are really close. I’m surprised.”

“Come on, Emi-chan, don’t you say that! I can’t be seen with this starving ghoul! I’m a dude thirsting for your affection!”

“Isn’t he a ghoul! And I’m not a ghoul!”

“Shut up, Otto.”

Exhaling deeply at Otto’s tirade, Subaru decided to take a step forward and approached the opening.

“Ah, wait a moment! You can’t just dismiss me right away like that—”

“Okay, shutting you out!”

He shut the opening with a loud bang, stopping Otto mid-sentence, and now quite literally rendered him faceless. Emitting a sense of completion, Subaru turned back to Emilia, who gave him an astonished look.

“Pfft!”

“Heh heh!”

They exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.

There was a burst of laughter, and the sound soon faded to silence. Once the urge subsided, Subaru remarked,

“It wasn’t my style to tense up and fall silent.”

“Yeah, this isn’t like you at all. The Subaru I know is always so lively, reckless, and feels free to chat without caring how anyone else feels.”

“That kind of translates to being annoyingly energetic and not caring about anything.”

Regardless, thanks to Otto’s presence, the mood had undeniably lightened.

Despite his reluctance, Subaru decided to sit by Emilia, feeling thankful right next to her. She gave him an exasperated smile as he casually sat beside her, “You just sit here beside me so easily, don’t you, Subaru?”

“Well, it’s only natural that I’d want to stay close to a girl I like. It’s only right I want to be nearby and breathe in air she just exhaled.”

“At first, it was kind of embarrassing, but it really got weird. I didn’t like it at all towards the end!”

Emilia blushed as Subaru openly expressed his feelings, only to grimace at his later perverse words. He tilted his head, confused by her reaction.

“Well, I thought I should continue being me, so those sorts of comments can come out.”

“That makes sense, it’s something only Subaru would do. That’s why I can’t take what you say seriously.”

Emilia stared at Subaru deeply, uncertain of what she wanted to express.

Subaru scratched his head, debating whether he should make the leap and carry on her thoughts.

“You know, trying to pretend I’m joking when I really want to confess is the psychology of a guy. That I like Emilia-chan and see her in that light, while presenting my affection to help darling Rem in her trouble—that’s all true. You can trust me on that!”

“I’ll believe you, but trusting does not equal acceptance of your feelings, okay?”

“That’s fine. I’ll trust you, then make efforts for you to accept how I feel as best I can.”

Glancing back, Subaru realized how bold of a statement it was to even make. Emilia blushing heavily from what he just said reflected her surprise.

She fought hard to keep her calm, but her cheeks and ears were both an ungodly shade of crimson. Clearly, it seems she’d yet to experience exuberant affection expressed in such a manner before. In fact, he could say Subaru himself hadn’t really had this kind of experience either, and he was also likely blushing.

Regardless, he still wanted to say,

“It’s definitely more like myself to be cheerful rather than letting this sadness weigh me down. Right, Rem?”

“…Did you just say something?”

“I was thinking how I’d want to admire Emilia-chan’s beautiful hair, following the line of her neck.”

“You’re dodging the topic too easily. Come on, you care about Rem, don’t you?”

Emilia firmly shot through Subaru’s attempt to deflect, speaking clearly. He sat back with a wistful smile, turning his gaze toward the sleeping Rem.

“I care. I really care. I’ve been thinking that I have to do something and will keep doing so. While I want to prioritize thinking about Emilia-chan first… This isn’t something I can place in order. I’m sorry.”

“Getting angry or upset makes you a really nasty person, Subaru. I won’t be upset over such important matters… I can see how precious she is to you.”

While keeping her eyes on the sleeping Rem, Emilia squinted her eyes softly. Then her lips trembled, and after a moment of hesitation, she spoke again.

“She’s someone you really like, right?”

“Yeah. I love her, just as much as I love Emilia-chan.”

“While it’s kind of awkward to say, I would call you rather fickle, wouldn’t I?”

“I really intended to stay faithful, but if someone devotes themselves so ardently, it’s virtually impossible not to be moved.”

Remembering the loop of events from the past few days, he recalled all the unwavering love Rem had shown him. Given all that, who would reasonably think they could remain emotionally unmoved?

Subaru realized that Rem filled an overwhelmingly significant portion of his heart.

“You said you liked me but…”

“Let me make it clear that while I like Rem, she’s absolutely head over heels for me. She’s extremely devoted, which feels strangely foreign yet surreal.”

Crossing his arms, he pondered on all the affection he’d received unquestioningly. He couldn’t help but wonder whether he warranted the same kind of value that someone like Rem deserved.

Even now, he couldn’t dismiss those thoughts. He believed he needed to become a man deserving enough for Rem as well.

In the midst of contemplating his own self-worth, Emilia’s lips broke into a gentle smile.

“I can understand that.”

“Huh?”

“The reason Rem likes Subaru so much. She likely couldn’t help but be enchanted after experiencing so many of Subaru’s good sides up close. Subaru can sometimes display incredibly cool acts, after all.”

“A disease, you say? I’ll hold my objection back… no, I won’t be able to.”

Scratching his cheek, Subaru frowned, reflecting on how strange a position he had found himself in. Yet, Emilia seized the opportunity, employing a calm demeanor, closing her eyes as she said,

“I won’t just fall head over heels for you, that’s for sure.”

“That makes it all the more riveting. One day, Emilia-chan will have me head over heels for her, while Rem and I navigate the Herculean task of deciding who we’ll end up with. Just thinking about it makes me smile!”

To have had such feelings reciprocated—this was happiness, a softening of the heart in anticipation of such an encounter.

Surely, one day they would all surely share in such moments,—everyone involved.

“Until you tear it apart, will I be held tight like this?”

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I feel like I must say—there’s no way that would ever happen!”

**

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

Following that conversation, their dialogue smoothly progressed within the carriage.

They were granted nearly half a day on this journey, making the time available for sharing so plenty.

They exchanged information, and by the end, Otto joined in as they outlined their plans going forward.

As things solidified, they ultimately decided,

“Ultimately, we have to face Roswaal and discuss things properly to set any serious plans.”

No matter what, they were essentially back to square one in their conversation.

To summarize, only Roswaal knew the capabilities and military power the Emilia faction held. Without him, the Emilia faction simply wouldn’t be able to proceed.

“Well, as long as Ram makes her way to Roswaal at the Sanctuary, we’ll have no choice but to return to the mansion afterward. Then first, I’ll smack him across the face and then we’ll talk.”

“You certainly are quite aggressive toward the Count.”

“I think I have every right to do so, as my anger towards him still burns. There’s a lot he needs to answer for.”

Reflecting on the actions Roswaal had taken, it was clear how reasonable a single strike would be from Subaru’s viewpoint. Emilia showed no signs of stopping him; instead, she appeared accepting of his perspective, allowing for one punch.

In any case, they had come to such a conclusion in terms of talks, and upon steadily making their way back home through the forest toward the village—

They immediately recognized a disturbance.

The familiar village scenery drew none of the familiarity as it had just been hastily organized after residents had been evacuated in preparation for the assault on Petelgeuse and bore a dreary sight showcased by the absence of the hunting party previously stationed there.

To put it bluntly, they could find no sign of the villagers having returned.

“There is no one to be seen, Natsuki-san. It doesn’t seem like anyone was evicted; it’s almost as if no one has returned.”

Otto, who had dismounted from the dragon carriage, shared his conclusions after taking a brief look around with the villagers. Subaru, who had followed in a separate group, regrettably agreed.

The haunting quiet triggered flashbacks of the massacre inflicted upon the villagers by Petelgeuse’s hands, coursing shivers through Subaru’s body, but even he could confirm that it was merely an irrational fear.

Still, that left them with an entirely different set of problems.

“Ram mentioned that the ‘Sanctuary’ was supposed to be about seven or eight hours from here… How is it that they’re returning later than we were from those three days spent in the Royal Capital?”

“Perhaps they’re being cautious, thinking about what could have happened, given the situation they may have not comprehended in slaying the Witch Cult?”

“Roswaal would leave the territory behind? If he were to face ‘Sloth’ in a direct confrontation, I’d expect Roswaal would win it nine out of ten times. Though, typically ‘Sloth’ doesn’t engage in direct confrontations… Even still, he should at least scout the surroundings.”

If Roswaal could fly through the skies, it would naturally be easy for him to scout out his territory if it were assaulted. If he had any intention to spy, he should easily be able to see that the area around the estate had fully secured itself following the Witch Cult’s defeat. The lack of effort in doing this insinuated that—

“He’s being cautious…”

“Something must have happened at the ‘Sanctuary’…?”

Subaru and Emilia shared nods in understanding, their heads glancing at each other as their concerns were likewise mixed with worries for the villagers.

After all, of the villagers who traveled to the ‘Sanctuary’ alongside Ram, nearly sixty percent had been from their village. Only the remaining forty percent, mainly children who had insisted on accompanying Emilia, had returned alongside their parents and young people, leaving the village in such a state that its functionality was bound to take a hit.

The villagers’ conditions likely wouldn’t swing favorably.

“Regardless, we have to act… For now, let’s return to the mansion. We need to make sure Rem settles before anything else. Otto, you’ll be staying over with no place to go, so to the estate you go.”

“Whaaa!? You want me to stay at the Count’s mansion!? I’d rather sleep in the dragon carriage than find myself trapped in that kind of crazy situation!”

“Shut up, you’ll drag yourself into it. It’s already a matter of life and death. Just wait and see how hard I work you until you can barely take it.”

Ignoring Otto’s complaints, Subaru instructed Patrasche as they parted ways with the villagers and headed toward the mansion.

It was a fifteen-minute walk—or a mere five minutes in the carriage—to arrive at the nostalgic Roswaal Mansion.

Last time, they hadn’t really had the chance to appreciate the abode properly, but now that he paused to gaze up at it, a deep sense of nostalgia overcame him.

“Well, it doesn’t look like there’s much change. I can’t really tell if Ram has returned, though.”

“Although if things haven’t changed too much, Beatrice should still be around. I hope she knows where the ‘Sanctuary’ is located.”

“Ah, right. Shoot! Both Emilia-chan and I don’t know where the ‘Sanctuary’ is. Trying to check on Roswaal’s well-being is pointless unless we have a plan.”

Blinking rapidly as he faced a fundamental breakdown in their planning, Subaru furrowed his brow in anticipation of what lay ahead.

Emilia’s magnificent features fell into shadows of concern, while Otto remained busy gawking over their surroundings, lost in a world of wonder.

“Damn. In any case, we can only pray Beatrix knows something.”

“Did you just click your tongue while staring at me?”

“Maybe! You have a way too much self-importance to think other people might care about what you feel.”

“That’s a horrible thing to say!”

Ignoring slow Otto, Subaru parked their dragon carriage in the courtyard and approached the entrance.

First was to summon Beatrice. Then explore the estate to secure Rem’s resting spot, then from there, reevaluate their situation—

“We’re back, Roswaal Mansion. Ah, my beloved home…”

With that, he pushed open the entrance door and peered inside, only to choke on his words.

The hall was outfitted with an impressive carpet, complete with vases and blooming flowers alongside a grand staircase leading up. Crystals hung from the ceiling, and it could easily be described as a chandelier fit for this fantasy world.

However, the state of the hall stood in stark contrast to what he expected.

It was a much more surprising appearance than he had anticipated—

“It’s not disturbed… but it’s all arranged perfectly?!”

The carpet appeared impeccably flattened without a wrinkle, the flowers in the vase exuberantly fresh with brilliant hues, and the chandelier shone with the polished beauty amplified by meticulous care.

In the stark difference of this scene, Subaru found himself speechless, left standing still.

Having been so stunned by the display, his reactions became delayed in the moments that followed.

“—Who?!”

A small, faint sound nearly lost to the background made Subaru instinctively look around, led by an urgent anxiety. However, it was too late by the time his awareness caught on to the shadows.

The shadow had already closed in right behind Subaru—

Black shadows loomed over him, and Subaru realized what lay within the vague specter.

—Then the next moment, Subaru’s consciousness was engulfed in an inky void, having inadvertently slipped into darkness.

 

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