Hearing Emilia’s tear-soaked words, a piercing sense of regret stabbed at Subaru’s entire being. He felt like he was being skewered by guilt for making Emilia dredge up sad memories, bringing tears to her eyes.

From the fragmented words of Emilia came a palpable sense of affection and gratitude towards the people she had spent time with in the Erior Forest. That affection, which had been there all along, shifted after the snowy day into a bitter memory filled with hatred and resentment.

He couldn’t fathom what those trapped in the ice were thinking amidst frozen time. All he knew was that Emilia’s once happy and warm moments were now cruelly sealed away within thick ice, showing no signs of melting.

“…Why did those people throw such words at Emilia? If what I heard is true, it makes sense that the one who turned the forest into ice was… Emilia. But did such an extraordinary phenomenon originate from the young you?”

“I… don’t know. Back then, I was even more naive than I am now, completely clueless about what I could and could not do, simply relying on everyone’s goodwill. But… even now, I don’t have the power to freeze the forest without Pack’s help.”

“What if Pack were here? Would that change things?”

“……”

At Subaru’s persistent questioning, Emilia subtly lowered her chin in silence.

Her passive affirmation likely stemmed from a fear that it would lead Subaru to mistakenly believe that she was the one who froze the forest. She didn’t wish for such misunderstandings.

It wasn’t about favoritism from the higher-ups; it was purely a matter of sequence.

“You don’t need to wear that worried expression. You won’t misunderstand. The time you met Pack was long after the forest had been frozen… I mean, at least a hundred years later, right? The order of ice, Pack, and Emilia is all mixed up.”

“Y-yeah… that is true…”

When Subaru announced that he understood, Emilia nodded, but her expression was tense, not quite conveying relief.

He struggled to suppress his instinct to furrow his brow at her reaction while reminding himself to maintain a calm demeanor before Emilia.

—There had been a minor sense of discomfort while hearing Emilia’s fragmented words before. But at this moment, the intensity of the discomfort was unlike anything experienced before.

It was only natural. Up until now, Natsuki Subaru had never once poked into Emilia’s inner world or past, content to admire her surface-level charm as if he was basking in it.

Therefore, this was the start of Subaru’s “Trial,” an examination for him to determine whether he had the right to stand before Emilia, beside her, as someone who had lost the qualifications for the “Trial” at the graveyard.

“I learned about the scenery you see within the Graveyard’s ‘Trial’… So, how do you think you can overcome it, Emilia?”

“Hmm, well…”

Emilia’s gaze drifted as she pondered. It wasn’t that she was having trouble formulating an answer, but rather struggling to pinpoint a clear name or form for the vague answer swimming in her mind.

Emilia lacked a clear vision for overcoming the “Trial.” This was merely her first challenge after years of turmoil, suddenly thrust into a position where she was expected to provide a perfect answer.

Originally, the primary “Trial” of the Graveyard was about facing one’s own past—the response one personally offers to what they’ve been avoiding—and through demonstrating that, Echidna had said one could clear it.

To affirm or deny, that was the key to breaking through.

Emilia had accepted the denied reality from those close to her as a painful memory. To shake that off would be a condition for overcoming the first “Trial.”

To release what had been left behind in the past—how could that be achieved?

Subaru found himself unable to present Emilia with a clear answer. However, having made it through the first “Trial” and brushed against the second, he understood something. Having caught slight glimpses of Echidna’s nature also lent him a fresh perspective.

—Perhaps the “Trial” does not present impossible problems to the challenger to overcome.

Considering Echidna’s intention in imposing the “Trial,” such reasoning was reasonable.

What Echidna sought was the treasure of satisfying her curiosity, which would shine brightest through clearing the “Trial.” At the very least, that was how the witch would likely view it.

Whether it be an affirmation or denial regarding that resultant outcome, either would suffice as an answer.

In other words, Emilia met the conditions for clearing the Graveyard’s “Trial.” If she could discover that condition and bring it forth, it would become her answer.

The problem, rather, lay not with the “Trial”—but with her.

“And if you pursue it without finding an answer, you’ll likely end up with the same result.”

“What does Subaru think?”

“…”

“Now that you’ve heard about the ‘Trial’ and my past… What do you think? Do you have any ideas on what I should do? I wonder what I ought to do…”

She must have been repeating that question, likely since last night, as they returned to this temporary shelter after completing the “Trial,” her sleep time robbed from her.

Within that whirlpool of thought, which was near the brink of fainting from mental exhaustion.

“Earlier, Emilia said she wanted to melt the ice and convey her gratitude, didn’t she?”

“Yeah.”

“Why do you feel that way?”

Emilia had indeed endured painful treatment from those she had felt close to.

Why did Emilia wish to find meaning in rescuing those suffocated beneath the ice?

“Isn’t the last memory remaining within you the memory denied by those people? Being struck by harsh words, being showered with resentments… So why do you want to help them?”

“—If right here, right now, Subaru were to hurl harsh words at me, would you not want to help me anymore?”

“…”

Subaru froze, taken aback.

Emilia’s deep purple eyes gazed steadily back at him. The wavering doubt she had harbored in her weakness was now absent from those eyes that declared their answer.

“Of course, being with everyone led to my final feelings being ones that hurt… But just because of that last experience doesn’t mean the times I spent with everyone vanished. I have so many good memories with all of them.”

“…”

“If I were to forget all of this and think that I only have painful memories because they hurt me, I wouldn’t be able to deny everything. I want to save them and to laugh together again… It might be greedy, but that’s how I feel.”

After saying that, Emilia covered her mouth with her hand, peering at Subaru’s expression.

Her face seemed to radiate a fear of being looked down upon for inadvertently revealing the ugly ambitions hidden within her heart.

Seeing the anxious Emilia, Subaru pondered.

—Was this way of living for her one where that desire was deemed greedy?

“—Subaru?”

“No, I was just thinking. You’re absolutely right, Emilia.”

Even if the last interaction had left one feeling as if they would be killed, the bonds and memories built up until that moment hadn’t disappeared.

Even having gone through a near-death experience with both Rem and Ram, Subaru still rushed to try and save them. Even in loops that originated from the Royal Capital, he kept running with that same intention.

As Subaru thought this way, so did Emilia—this was all that mattered.

“—”

Then, right after feeling a sense of relief, Subaru noticed the most intense discomfort he had experienced until now.

Why had he failed to notice this glaring oversight until now?

“—Subaru?”

Emilia’s eyes fluctuated in confusion as she looked at Subaru, who had suddenly hardened his expression. Even knowing he was causing her concern, Subaru struggled to regain his composure. This was because—

—The answer to the past events was already in Emilia’s mind.

“—”

In the ice of the Erior Forest, the elves with whom she had spent her days lay in slumber. Emilia reminisced about the day the forest was blanketed in snow and, despite facing the malice of those she had trusted, boldly declared her wish to save them and express her gratitude.

That was a decisive answer to the past she wanted to turn away from.

If Subaru’s acknowledgment of his foolishness in the past and the farewell to his parents constituted the necessary condition to pass the first “Trial,” Emilia’s resolution should also be seen as a noble decision worthy of recognition.

Yet, the “Trial” refused to recognize that she had met those conditions.

Or perhaps it was because Subaru had shaken her awake, interrupting the “Trial,” but even in past loops, after the very first day—besides the times when Subaru had interrupted Emilia’s “Trial”—she had never succeeded in passing.

Was Emilia’s answer to the presented “Trial” deemed inappropriate?

“But that shouldn’t be…”

If Echidna is the one passing judgment on the “Trial,” then whether or not she approves of the given answer lies solely within the witch’s whims. However, Echidna’s stance isn’t about favoring any particular answer, but rather focusing on whether an answer is provided at all.

Denying the challenge issued by the challenger is not her style. Yet, if—just if—Echidna sought to reject Emilia’s answer, Subaru had reasons to think so.

However, admitting that left him feeling conflicted.

To acknowledge that would inevitably lead to the conclusion that “Emilia alone” would never clear this “Trial.”

“I can’t accept that… please, Echidna.”

“Subaru, what’s wrong? Did I say something strange again…?”

“No, it’s not about Emilia. If there’s a problem, it’s with the one issuing the question. You said you wanted to melt the ice and help everyone, but couldn’t you have melted that ice? You lived in the forest with Pack until you were taken away by Roswaal, right? You must have had plenty of time to try.”

Recognizing how cruel that question was, Subaru still threw the words out there.

Forcing her into that realization, given what he had learned about Emilia’s past, was tantamount to suggesting that she should wield the power to break the ice seal herself, only to face the outpouring of hatred from released souls again.

There was no doubt that Emilia had grappled with that anguish many times before. She averted her gaze while digging her nails into her arm.

“Even though I sought Pack’s help repeatedly… I couldn’t melt the ice.”

“Was it an issue of your mentality? Or perhaps a physical barrier…?”

If it was a mental issue, Subaru had no intention of blaming her.

Anyone would find it difficult to act knowing they might get hurt emotionally.

However, Emilia weakly responded to Subaru’s question, “It was a physical problem, I guess.”

“That ice was special… It couldn’t be melted from the outside. I would have to do something about the ice’s caster, or find a more significant method… That’s why I went along with Roswaal’s proposal…”

“A proposal…?”

“Oh…”

Seeing Subaru frown at her reaction, Emilia’s expression turned to one that indicated she had spoken something she shouldn’t have.

But before Subaru, who continued to stare silently, Emilia soon dropped her shoulders.

“Roswaal… made a promise to me.”

“—”

“Bring the crest, let me hold that crest… and after confirming the gem was glowing red, he talked about the Royal Selection and then… said this.”

Emilia’s presence as a Royal Selection candidate, under the conditions of the crest glowing in the forest, was something that had also been recorded in the gospel.

As if conjuring an image of Roswaal’s sinister grin, the words fluttered in Subaru’s mind as he envisioned Roswaal extending a hand to Emilia, saying—

“—If you can obtain the throne, you will also be able to melt the ice in this forest.”

“…Did you believe that?”

“I did, with a desperate hope. I wasn’t told precisely how to melt it… But I accepted that proposal and left the forest with Roswaal. Pack… didn’t oppose me; he just came along quietly.”

“That’s why you decided to participate in the Royal Selection… When you mentioned your selfish reasons for joining before, that’s what you meant.”

Unlike other candidates, Emilia had chosen to participate for a deeply personal reason, but having avoided the details until now, the meaning of her earlier words finally clicked together.

“…You find that contemptible, don’t you?”

As Subaru reached a quiet understanding in his heart, Emilia suddenly murmured.

When he raised his head, Emilia was anxiously staring at him, her lips trembling.

“Everyone else… They all have grand goals, firm resolutions, taking part in the Royal Selection, while mine is such an incredibly, super personal matter…”

“I think wanting to help the village is a perfectly important feeling. The worth of what you do isn’t diminished by how many people need help. Besides… what you said in the Royal Selection hall wasn’t a lie, right?”

“What I said in the Royal Selection hall…”

“You wanted to be seen equally, right? I believe you weren’t lying when you said that.”

It might have started as a quest for resolution to an unresolved situation within herself. However, as Emilia learned about the outside world, the weight of a hundred years, and comprehended the state of the current world, she should have gained the chance to reconsider her thoughts.

Subaru felt that her words expressed in the Royal Selection hall lacked insincerity and were not merely superficial niceties.

If that feeling was true and the desire to win the Royal Selection still held strong, Subaru saw no reasoning to demean her.

“So don’t wear that worried face. It’s all right. I’m on Emilia’s side, and I haven’t changed my mind since last night about being a support you can lean on. Even if you say you’re okay while firmly refusing me to lean on you.”

“Oh… um, about yesterday…”

“Don’t apologize; it only makes you feel worse. Well, what I can say is that I’ll always be here in a position where you can rely on me, so please use that as you see fit. I think it’s great if Emilia is strong and stands on her own, but it’s also fine if you let yourself be weak just a little.”

Pounding his chest and smiling lightly, Subaru saw Emilia let out a relieved sigh. Suddenly, she seemed to sway, as if that relief spread throughout her body.

“I don’t know… feeling reassured all of a sudden…”

“I didn’t sleep well because I had nightmares. No need to force yourself; you can take a little nap. I’ll be right here, watching over you.”

“The part about not doing anything has me really curious, though…”

While she fretted over that unnecessary remark, Emilia continued to combat the pull of drowsiness, her silver hair wavering. Placing a finger on her forehead, Subaru gently pushed her down onto the bed.

“Just, sleep already.”

With Emilia lying on her back, he pointed at her without allowing for any rebuttal.

After draping a towel around her slender body, Subaru pulled the chair closer to the bed, settling in a position where he could gaze at Emilia’s sleeping face.

“After talking and organizing my thoughts, if you find some comfort in my words… then let’s take our time to rest. When night falls, the time will come when we’ll have to buckle up again.”

“…Is it okay to be this indulgent?”

“It’s perfectly fine. Keep indulging. I’ll spoil you to the point of getting cavities.”

Shrugging his shoulders, Subaru elicited a small laugh from Emilia in the bed. Then Emilia stared intently at Subaru, slowly stretching her hand out from beneath the blanket.

“—Hold my hand.”

“Hmm?”

“If you’re going to spoil me, can you… hold my hand? Just until I fall asleep, please?”

“Sure, leave it to me.”

Subaru took her small, slender hand, feeling its delicate and smooth texture in his palm as he smiled. Emilia returned his smile in kind and, as if acting on his words, gently closed her eyes.

It didn’t take long for the soft sound of her breaths to enter his ears.

“I hope you have good dreams…”

While gazing at Emilia’s tranquil face in the bed, Subaru brushed away the silver hair falling across her forehead, lowering his gaze to her hand still linked with his.

He wished that by feeling the presence of another, even just a bit, she could be freed from the loneliness within her dreams. It was far too cruel to have her suffer alone in nightmares.

“Speaking of which… I learned a lot just now.”

Sitting upright in the chair while still holding her hand, Subaru mulled over the conversation they just had.

Emilia’s past and the reasons she challenged the Royal Selection. Roswaal’s suggestion that led her out, circumstances that drove Emilia into a corner, and…

Above all, the “Trial” that weighed upon Emilia, and the true intention behind the “Trial” that wouldn’t allow her to find her answer—Subaru was present here now, still pondering those unresolved threads.

“—”

Quietly, he gazed at Emilia’s sleeping face.

Feeling pain at her utterly exhausted state, he hadn’t pushed things back out of avoidance—rather, there was a reason to have postponed the necessary answers.

That reason felt too dreadful to consider—there was no way he could do it in front of a still-awake Emilia.

“Except, given the situation… that’s all I can think of.”

The past loops, the nuances they snagged on, and other circumstantial evidence were pressing Subaru into this realization. The method to ascertain it was straightforward and easily executed now.

And if this thought proved correct, it would surely serve as a beacon of hope to unravel the situation—.

Taking a breath, he stilled himself.

Listening to the sound of his pounding heart through the flow of blood, Subaru reached out to verify the correctness of his thoughts.

With his right hand clasped in Emilia’s, he extended his left hand to her serene neck— that white, slender neck— and then he spoke.

“—You’re not really asleep, are you?”

The cold, hard sensation felt against his fingertips.

Subaru felt a stiffness in his own tone as he wove those words.

After a brief silence, just as his heart began to burn with anxiety—

“‘You noticed well. —I’m glad, Subaru.’”

From within the green crystal stone he touched, a genderless spirit’s voice resonated directly within Subaru’s mind.