At the moment of impact, my cheekbone creaked as my tall body effortlessly flew through the air and was slammed against the wall. Not stopping there, the shock penetrated the fragile wooden wall, sending my battered body flying outside, covered in splinters. My body skidded over the snow, kicking up white smoke as it rolled around.

“——-”

My body lay face down on the ground, not moving even a twitch, filling the space with an unsettling silence, making one wonder if I had died.

I glanced between the tall figure that had been blown away and the one responsible, who remained inside. Receiving that gaze, the blaster exhaled contentedly and said,

“Ah… I did it, right, hey?”

The blonde boy with sharp canine teeth—Garfiel—grinned while saying this. Watching Ram rush to the aid of Roswaal, who had been hit by him, Subaru scratched his head and barely managed to reply,

“Y-yeah, that’s true.”

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

The group of Garfiel and the others who had separated at the mansion rejoined at the “Sanctuary” about half a day after Emilia’s “declaration of procreation,” just the next morning after the Great Rabbit Battle.

Having drawn the dragon carriage with Patrasche, the group arrived at the “Sanctuary,” including Garfiel, totaling six members.

Relieved to know that Rem, Petra, Frederica, and the other women who went to rescue at Roswaal’s mansion were safe, as well as the two who remained behind, Garfiel and Otto.

However, along with them came a surprising addition,

“Oh, dear brother, we meet again!”

Tied up in the corner of the dragon carriage was a girl with twin tails—Elsa, along with Meily, the orchestrator of the beast attacks that had assaulted the mansion.

Seeing Subaru speechless from the unexpected reunion, Meily, with the same carefree attitude she had upon their first encounter in the mansion, spoke with familiarity.

“Could you listen to my story a bit? That blonde brother is a bit rough in handling girls, you know. Leaving me all tied up and abandoned like this is just too cruel, don’t you think? You agree with me, right?”

“Well, I suppose so. I’d keep my mouth shut if I knew what was gonna happen to me… Now that you’ve been caught, what happened to Elsa?”

“I have no idea. But I doubt Elsa could survive that big fire, right? If so, at least that girl finally got to die, and I think that’s just fine with me.”

Meily showed little concern about the fate of Elsa, who was supposed to be her comrade, causing Subaru to furrow his brow.

“You sure are confident in asking for a prisoner treatment, but chances are the future doesn’t look too bright for you. What you’ve done isn’t exactly minor.”

“Well, that’s true. But hey, I think it can’t be helped since I messed up. And besides, even if I go back, Mama would just get mad at me, won’t she?”

“Mama, huh. I’ve heard that a few times in the mansion, so there’s someone who’s kind of your boss, I guess… Well, I could ask Roswaal about that when the time comes.”

“Three meals a day, and make sure to keep Piemal out of it, okay?”

With that gesture indicating the end of their conversation, Meily turned her back to Subaru casually. Treating her could wait until later. In any case, she was a valuable witness to the assault on Roswaal’s mansion.

It was surprisingly impressive that Garfiel had the mind to capture her.

What followed was confirmation of the safety of the residents of the “Sanctuary,” as well as the villagers of Araham. Hearing news that refugees who escaped the “Sanctuary” were safely protected in nearby towns, everyone checked on each other.

Just as they let out a relieved sigh together, the dramatic first strike had been dealt with.

“I think I’m pretty generous for letting it slide with just one punch,” Garfiel remarked while looking at the hole in the wall, still swinging the arm he had used to hit Roswaal. Subaru, having many things he wanted to say to Roswaal, thought Garfiel’s anger was quite justified, though he couldn’t help but feel…

“If that one punch has more power than over ten of mine, it makes me want to question that kind of gentleness…”

“You’re talking real slow there, General. Hey, General, why don’t you go say it yourself?”

Snorting at Subaru’s shy response, Garfiel offered him something. Subaru looked down, curious about what it could be, and found that it was a branch he must have picked up in the forest.

It was quite a respectable, thick, and long stick—just like a wooden baseball bat.

“…What the hell do you want me to do with this?”

“I ain’t got the personality to swing multiple times. One punch is one punch, but if I swing this to hit ya, nobody would have any complaints about it.”

“After what I just saw, if you’re telling me to follow up with a hit like that, then that’s just being downright nasty!”

Let alone using a weapon. If he were to argue that with one hit could also count as just one, then it was pushing the limits of reasoning. However, Garfiel tilted his head at Subaru’s response and pointed outside with his chin.

“But hey, even if you think so, it seems like the others don’t see it that way.”

“Huh?”

As if drawn in by Garfiel’s sigh of disappointment, Subaru turned to look outside, and there was Frederica standing in front of Roswaal, who was made to stand by Ram, raising her fist.

“Master, prepare yourself—!”

Frederica’s strong arm sliced through the air, crashing her fist into Roswaal’s left cheek, the same as Garfiel’s hit. Tragically, the tall figure was blown away once more, this time slamming into a tree a few meters away, coming to a stop. The impact caused snow that had accumulated on the tree to fall, burying Roswaal under the snow that caved in.

Frederica observed it, nodding in satisfaction as she clapped her hands.

“Wow?! Everyone seems to be on board with this revenge visit now?!”

“General, it’s a must to set things straight. If you don’t pay up for what you’ve done, it’s just gonna be awkward later on. Of course, I don’t plan to heal his wounds or anything either. After all, Emilia’s holding back too.”

Roswaal’s situation was now under the attention of Petra and Otto, who were waiting in line. Ram pulled Roswaal out after he was struck, and Emilia was prepared to act as the healer should the situation call for it.

“By the way, is Emilia-chan a healer? I mean, she could backside wait in line there, but there’s nothing that says she needs to be standing there.”

“Who knows? Might be a tricky part in terms of personality in that regard. Either way, it’s just as you see. So, General, go for it—”

As he was pushed forward again, Subaru received the wooden bat hesitantly.

“I gotta do it too, huh? That’s the only way I can join the conversation, huh?”

“Well, I won’t go as far as saying that. But you, General, you want to hit the guy too, right? That’s all there is to it.”

Being nudged from behind, Subaru stepped out of the house.

Garfiel was giving him a thumbs up from inside the hole in the wall, mimicking Subaru’s gesture. Receiving support from a quirky yet endearing younger brother, Subaru slowly joined the back of the group to deal with Roswaal.

As a side note, right then, Petra had just swung a wet cloth at Roswaal’s face.

The satisfying sound echoed through the “Sanctuary.”

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

“Well then, let’s begin again. I’d like to talk about our shared understanding of the events this time and discuss our future plans now that we’ve finalized the initial matters.”

After clearing his throat, Subaru took on the role of moderator, surveying the faces around him.

Present in the cathedral were the key people involved in this recent turmoil: Subaru, Emilia, Beatrice, Roswaal, and Ram, along with Otto, Frederica, and Petra—all members of Roswaal’s household. Additionally, Garfiel and Ryuzu had joined as major constituents of the “Sanctuary.”

Currently, Rem, who had been resting, was entrusted to Ryuzu’s home, where multiple Ryuzu replicas were involved in her caregiving.

“Subaru, you look a bit distant, is everything okay? Is your health still not at 100%?”

“Nah, I’m fine. Just lost in thought for a moment. The group backing Emilia doubles up at once. Considering the people from the ‘Sanctuary’ and the youth from Araham Village, she’s gaining even more support than before.”

“…Sounds about right.”

In response to Subaru’s words, Emilia similarly pulled her chin, lost in thought.

In the “Sanctuary,” Emilia’s demonstrated determination, resisting, and standing her ground against the Great Rabbit must have gained her high regard, especially from the residents of the “Sanctuary” and the youth of Araham Village. It wouldn’t quite be the quality of a king, but it was a world apart from the time when she was kept at arm’s length.

As long as she continued to interact with them, they’d come to know Emilia’s character, and Subaru hoped that understanding would gradually spread, even just a little bit.

“Anyway, let’s get back to the main topic. For now, we’ve shared what happened in the ‘Sanctuary’ and the mansion, right? Now I’d like to hear about the instigator behind the situation and some finer details…”

As Subaru spoke, every gaze in the room turned to the culprit.

At the edge of the cathedral, Roswaal, slumped against Ram’s knee and appearing exhausted, noticed he was the focus, opened his eyes and remarked,

“Oh, wow? After you all had your fun torturing this helpless guy, do you still not feel satisfied in your punishment?”

“You’ve brought it on yourself. You even made Emilia-chan cast healing magic on you, so don’t act all innocent now. What surprised me more was Ram.”

“…What do you mean?”

With Roswaal’s unyielding tone, Subaru turned the topic to Ram, who was holding his hand with visible concern.

“I thought you would definitely blow up after seeing Roswaal getting beaten like that.”

“That’s a foolish question, Balus. I don’t think for a second that Roswaal-sama is someone who would apologize for his actions. It’s just that, despite being in the wrong, I still want to support him. That’s just how it is. Is that so hard to understand? How foolish.”

“Don’t treat me like a fool twice, once in the beginning and again at the end! But if that reasoning applies to you…”

“Yes. Roswaal-sama deserves to be hit for his actions at the hands of Garf and the others. If that’s the case, it’s only natural to be struck. How he is treated afterward is left up to me.”

As ever, Ram’s affections towards Roswaal were dignified and consistent.

There were no objections to how devotedly she treated him. Only Garfiel wore a face that reflected a dilemma, unable to say anything as he’d been skillfully persuaded by that same approach for a long time.

“What a curious girl. To have that kind of burn on your stomach… If Betty and that silver-haired girl hadn’t been around, the scars would definitely have remained.”

The one to respond to Ram was Beatrice, who had been quietly sitting next to Subaru.

With her legs folded, the girl leaned against Subaru’s shoulder, working together with Emilia to treat Ram, healing her wounds and bringing her back to where she was.

“I’m grateful to Lady Beatrice and Lady Emilia. However, regarding what I love with that connected life, I don’t want your input.”

“Betty isn’t such a kind spirit. Even after all she’s done for this man, if it means getting hurt again, that’s your choice.”

“—That much I shall never do again.”

Words exchanged, both women stopped talking, and it was Roswaal who spoke up given that they were all silenced by Roswaal.

Having revealed his face without the clown makeup, Roswaal covered one of his left eye with his hand, looking around at the people in the cathedral with his right blue eye before bowing deeply.

“I shall never again pursue any scheme that requires sacrificing anyone present here to achieve my goals. —I swear upon the soul of my mentor.”

“——”

“In addition, I would rather not be subjected to being struck thrice by Beatrice.”

Lifting his head and glancing at Beatrice, Roswaal said it half in jest. Hearing those words, Beatrice turned her head away.

“The second time was for that foolish remark. The third I know nothing of.”

“I hope it stays like that. I too would rather avoid having to suffer from another retaliation from everyone all over again, as even my life was on the line.”

“Do you put my punch on the same level as that? It wasn’t nearly as powerful!”

That being said, it’s true that if he were to hit, he wanted it to hold some effect.

The sight of Roswaal, swaying as his jaw was grazed, was something decent to observe.

Regardless, Roswaal’s proclamation had a seriousness that was clear as day. Therefore, I might as well give it a shot.

It’s true I wouldn’t have preferred to have Roswaal’s cooperation, but after what I witnessed, I could see that it was unavoidable.

“I maintain my resolve, but my resolution now is not solely mine alone. It’s the resolution we all chose together.”

This was a debt, and it only made sense to ensure it dealt out correctly. Accompanied by the presence of the others, he needed them to shoulder this together.

“Still, I must say that Roswaal’s power is essential to us going forward.”

“General…!”

“To see Emilia emerge victorious in the Royal Selection, Roswaal’s support is indispensable. Then, if I were to abandon him, Emilia could be left utterly helpless in that selection. It’s only right that we make him face the consequences, but I can’t very well say goodbye and leave him behind.”

“Can you really forgive a man who tried to kill your family!?”

“——-”

Garfiel’s emotional words pierced Subaru, underscoring each point as he struggled to counter.

Even if the words intended to soothe him, for Garfiel, they held no value since he had nearly lost Frederica and Ryuzu on two occasions.

To a boy who had honed himself for over a decade to protect his family, Roswaal had to be seen as an unforgivable arch-nemesis.

“I… forgive him, Master.”

“…Sister!?”

Yet, the one who diverged from Garfiel’s assertions was none other than Frederica, his own blood, who had also nearly lost her life.

Looking at her older sister with her long golden hair swaying, Garfiel’s eyes widened in shock.

“What on earth are you saying!? That man would’ve turned our mansion into a ruin…!”

“Despite that, I’m here alive now, thanks to Garf.”

“That’s just hindsight! He tried to kill! Sister! Granny! That! It’s all of it!”

“…For more than ten years, I have been indebted to Master.”

Frederica’s gaze softened at Garfiel, who trembled from his shoulders upward. There was a sense of love reflected in her eyes that considered Garfiel’s anger almost inspiring.

“I took the hand offered to me by Master for my own purpose. Throughout that time, I learned much and stand here now. In simpler terms, I utilized Master’s goodwill for my own goals. Therefore, in terms of debt, it isn’t zero, is it?”

“This isn’t the same as a kindness or a life! What if he betrays us again…!”

“Ah, sorry to interrupt while you’re heated, but may I interject?”

As Garfiel tried to keep the argument going, it was Otto who interrupted.

Directing his hand toward Garfiel filled with rage, Otto gently deflected the glare, saying, “Calm down, it’s okay.”

“Set aside your emotional reasoning for now. There’s no need to think of the likelihood of Baron Roswaal pulling something like this again…”

“Huh? What the hell are you saying, you bastard? You think I’m tired? I’ll make you sleep, alright?”

“It’s about the contract—there was a deal made between Natsuki-san and the Baron regarding how to view this resolution. Isn’t that right, Baron?”

In the face of a near-boiling Garfiel, Otto maintained his composure.

Instead of confirming the contract with Subaru, he did it directly with Roswaal. Roswaal caught onto Otto’s aim, his eyes slightly widening.

“You’re right, Otto. The contract that exists between Subaru and me means I can’t go against his decisions.”

“What do you mean by ‘decisions?’…”

“To abandon my gospel and support Emilia in becoming queen. That was what I contracted Roswaal to do. Therefore, he can’t pull any more stunts like this again.”

Subaru built off Otto’s statement, growing agitated as Garfiel ground his teeth.

The terms of the wager were a victory for Subaru. The contract shackled Roswaal, and having lost the gospel, he would no longer be able to make the future fall into its written confines.

Of course, it didn’t mean Roswaal had become harmless.

“Nevertheless, having gone this far, does it simply wash away everything you’ve done? Saying ‘I won’t do it anymore, I’m sorry’ doesn’t justify anything! If it could be resolved just like that, then the ‘retribution of logos wouldn’t just take one hand!'”

Garfiel’s cries echoed, declaring that the attitudes toward Roswaal remained divided.

Those who would swallow their anger include Subaru, Otto, and Frederica.

Those who would refuse included Garfiel and Petra.

Those indecisive would be Emilia and Ryuzu reflecting clearly how they felt.

Beatrice and Ram remained silent observers, undecided how they would proceed. Their relationships with Roswaal were different from either camp.

“Petra…”

In line with Garfiel, Petra expressed her outrage towards Roswaal without holding back.

Grasping the hem of her skirt, she looked up at Subaru, her face flushed with frustration.

“No matter what you say to me, I don’t want to. Lord… the lord, he tried to do terrible things to everyone here, right? Everyone believed in the lord. I thought the lord was a good person too…!”

“…How piercing.”

Even Roswaal, for all his claims, narrowed his eyes at the young girl’s accusations.

When it came to expressing the residents’ feelings, Petra’s words adequately reflected that. It wasn’t merely due to her youth; her straightforward evaluation of Roswaal as a lord and her anger at him for betraying that trust spoke loud and clear.

Currently, the fact that Roswaal was the mastermind of this uproar had not yet been conveyed to the residents of Araham Village or the “Sanctuary.”

Petra had taken part in this meeting as a representative due to the reports and fragments she had pieced together from their interactions in the mansion. Had she shown the naïveté of a child by prying for too many details here, he might have coerced her words gently, but that was not the case.

“I’ve said it many times, but Roswaal’s power is necessary for us. If we cut ties with him here, it would mean closing the path for Emilia. Even if I might be told that I don’t want any cooperation, I need to grab onto whatever’s available.”

“General, that leaves us at a stalemate, you know!”

“A stalemate it is. Then we need to seek a compromise. What would it take for Roswaal to make you back down? Unfortunately, killing him must be off the table.”

“—Tch.”

As Garfiel prepared to explode, Beatrice, sitting next to Subaru, stood up as if to keep him in check. Despite her small figure, she was plenty intimidating enough to look down on the sitting boy.

Shooting a tongue click at Garfiel’s emotional outburst, he glared up at Roswaal, saying,

“First up, guarantee the clothing, food, and shelter of the elderly who live in this ‘Sanctuary.’ You have to assure safety equally both for those who stay here and those who leave. This is just the first major step we were going to undertake through Sister.”

“I see, I will take care of that.”

“The mansion burned down, so spare me your excuses.”

“The one that burned down was the Meiastars’ villa. The main estate is separate. I won’t expose myself to the shame of falling into financial trouble.”

Subaru was surprised by how confidently Roswaal responded. He had never heard that the burned mansion was a villa belonging to Meiastars before, making him wonder where they would stay after this.

“Along with those conditions, you need to guarantee two additional things… No, let’s call it a ‘contract.'”

“—”

Raising two fingers, Garfiel looked steadily at Roswaal, who remained silent.

Garfiel folded one of those fingers, continuing,

“First, the one that General mentioned earlier. Swear in front of everyone gathered here that you will abide by those conditions. No more messing around, okay?”

“…Alright, I’m good with that. And the other is—”

“Simple. —If you break that promise, I will crush your head.”

A chill ran through the air at Garfiel’s ominous assertion.

The gazes of those in the cathedral shuddered, the tension hanging in the air like ice.

“That works for me. —We’ll make that contract as well.”

Thus, the moment Roswaal smirked and accepted Garfiel’s terms, the pressure seemed to dissipate, enabling Subaru to breathe deeply, releasing the tension that had gripped him.

With an annoyed face, Garfiel crossed his arms over his knees and muttered, “That’s my deal for now. You, get comfortable with this.”

“But…”

“Don’t you realize? Talking to your parents or friends about this will not lead to anyone being happy.”

Petra, who had looked as if she wanted to add something, closed her lips at Garfiel’s words. She then turned to Frederica with a face that looked like she would cry, pressing her cheek against Frederica, who began to nod, comforting her.

Everyone there was touched, seeing the heartbreaking scene.

“All in all, we’ve reached an agreement concerning the guarantee for the residents of Araham Village and the ‘Sanctuary.’ Though there are still issues to address following the aftermath of the mansion burning down, I think we’re at a point where we can share responsibility for the recent uproar.”

After waiting for Petra to calm down, Subaru gathered himself to summarize.

If everyone here had no objections, then the first stage concerning the issues surrounding the “Sanctuary” and the mansion had concluded. Next, they would deal with various individual issues—

“Yes.”

However, amid the silence from everyone, only one person raised their hand.

It was none other than Emilia, who had yet to voice her opinion regarding Roswaal’s treatment as the leader of the group.

As her eyes gathered upon her, Emilia looked towards Subaru, seeking approval to speak.

“Go ahead, Emilia-chan. Now’s your chance to say anything you want.”

“Then as you’re permitting me, let me express this.”

With a nod to Subaru, Emilia turned her gaze towards Roswaal. In response, he raised one eyebrow, clearly surprised as he awaited her words.

Then Emilia said,

“Roswaal hasn’t done the most important thing yet. Until he does that, we can’t finalize this discussion.”

“The most important thing…?”

Roswaal feigned confusion and couldn’t recall anything, while Subaru scratched his head, trying to guess what would come next in Emilia’s direction.

In the meantime, Emilia took a small breath and continued,

“When someone does bad things, it’s essential to say ‘I’m sorry’ first. No question!”

“——-”

“Everyone has been telling Roswaal that he needs to do this and that to prove he’s reflecting on his misdeeds. Roswaal has sworn he won’t make mistakes again to the professor, but before anything else, don’t you think he should say that to all of us? Roswaal, have you even said that to everyone once? I haven’t heard a thing.”

Pouting, her cheeks flushed, Emilia scolded Roswaal.

The sheer childishness of her demand left a stunned silence among the group. However, Emilia was completely serious, angry and pointing out his oversight.

Emilia was angry. It was rare for her to genuinely lose her temper, but currently, she was seriously mad.

This was something everyone had neglected—the fundamental requirement to be a decent person.

“Roswaal.”

Subaru called out Roswaal’s name.

Caught off guard by the surprise, Roswaal’s gaze swung towards Subaru, whose expression softened almost despite him.

Then,

“Apologize, Roswaal. If we’re gonna move forward together, then that’s just the most basic of human decency.”

“——-”

Subaru’s affirmation of Emilia conveyed his intentions to the entire cathedral.

Understanding the meanings and implications behind Roswaal’s gaze, he caught his breath.

“—Yeah, that sounds good.”

Roswaal’s expression shifted before he nodded at Emilia, and the moment Emilia smiled upon hearing his forthcoming apology was strikingly impressive.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

—Staring down at the woman sleeping in the coffin, Subaru couldn’t help but wear a face of mixed emotions.

“You have quite the audacity to look at my teacher that way.”

Peeking at Subaru from the side, Roswaal criticized his expression.

In the burial chamber, the two of them—Subaru and Roswaal—stood face to face across the coffin, exchanging the words that couldn’t be said to anyone else.

But before that,

“Is this really, seriously, your ‘Witch’ Ekidna in her prime?”

“Indeed. Preserved in the same beauty as in life, she continues to rest in this magical stone. To have the chance to unite again like this, I feel a sense of fulfillment from living.”

“From my perspective, it feels more like you’re a stalker who takes over the bodies of your descendants – what kind of creepiness is that?”

“Someone threw that same line at me before, you know?”

Roswaal’s lively tone belied the dreadful truth for Subaru.

This was what he had heard from Beatrice—which spoke of Roswaal’s life-extending soul transfer techniques. He never dreamed such a thing could be true.

Subaru came to terms with the idea that this infatuation with Ekidna was more about Roswaal as an individual than an entire family lineage.

“The guilt of having taken over those descendants… should I even ask?”

“The Meiastars line was originally founded for that purpose. I began it, I continued it, and I built it up. No one can blame me; it doesn’t sting.”

“Quite the emblem of a stalker, I see.”

“Not particularly. But more importantly, I too want to confirm something. The one you encountered in ‘the trial,’ claiming to be Ekidna, is a different person.”

Focusing intently, Roswaal examined Subaru’s comparison concerning the differences between the Ekidna that Roswaal spoke of versus the one Subaru met in his dreams.

This was precisely the moment that had stunned him when he discovered the female figure lying in the coffin.

The long white hair, translucent skin, and beautiful face—all aspects of the wrapped in black dress solidified her connection to the Ekidna he knew.

However, she was clearly someone else—a different person.

Subaru was of a similar age to the one lying in this coffin and realized the Ekidna he had known was marginally younger, projecting more of an aura of delicacy, her white hair cut shorter than this version.

It was perfectly possible to believe she was a sister.

However,

“My teacher was supposed to be utterly alone. Not just a sibling but also, save for Beatrice, anyone who could be called a daughter never existed. I know this better than anyone.”

“Then who was that Ekidna in the trial? It wasn’t like she appeared rejuvenated. They were two distinct individuals. Age isn’t the determining factor here; I see that.”

“There’s no way an unrelated being could have infiltrated ‘the trial.’ If the one sitting there held that position, they should have been someone involved in it. If not, then someone manipulated things from the outside without my knowledge… but.”

Roswaal didn’t carry on with that line of thought, but Subaru sensed he dismissed the idea entirely. There were no tangential reasons why he would infer that someone would sneak around, disrupting things protected by his watch until all connections would lead to chaos.

“I get the feeling you’re imagining some outlandish thoughts.”

“It’s rather more your fault than a fanciful notion. Plus, Emilia’s story aligns with mine—she also saw a different Ekidna in ‘the trial.’ At the very least, it wasn’t this woman.”

The moment Subaru had first verified the identity of the woman in the coffin, Emilia had been by his side.

That was the first time in which they all realized the woman Beatrice called her mother wasn’t the same as the Ekidna they knew.

Who was the version seen in the Dream Castle—no definitive conclusion had been drawn between these two thoughts, and thus the conversation with Roswaal began.

“Is there any way I can enter the ‘trial’ system and find the Dream Castle again?”

“That’s impossible, as the functional aspects of the burial chamber were dismantled through a destructive means. Those techniques are long-relayed, exceeding complexity. Moreover, the miasma that once lingered here has escaped. This place has legitimately become a mere historic graveyard.”

“Is that so…”

The frustration at not being able to check the truth, alongside the despair of never meeting the Ekidna he encountered in his dreams, hit Subaru simultaneously.

No matter what, he would treasure the experiences shared with her and the witches that surrounded her.

Thus, that loss cast an empty shadow over him.

“…Let’s put aside what we can’t change. Now, what will you do with this woman in the coffin? Will you bury her?”

“I neither intend to bury her nor burn her. Subaru-kun, please do not misunderstand me. While I seek to reunite with teachers, I have no longing only for the meeting of her remains. That reunion is merely a step in the process.”

“What do you mean?”

Roswaal’s words filled Subaru with suspicion and foreboding.

He had thought Roswaal’s desire to reunite would be mainly focused on the remains resting in this burial chamber.

Hearing that there was a living woman among them, however, amid all the hopes of meeting the teacher, Subaru imagined that it must have been an idea he couldn’t even consider.

“However, the aim of my pursuit is to converse once more with a teacher brimming with life, a soul that breathes in moments of recollection. Regaining the corpse is merely the first step.”

“Bringing back the dead…?! Is there some kind of magic allowing for resurrection in this world?!”

“Do not get carried away. There’s still nothing saying that she retains her vision. Normal souls cannot be returned to the living, neither can any life recovering from natural death. I don’t think Odoraguna would permit such conveniences.”

“Odoraguna?”

Subaru’s expression spoke of confusion at the unexpectedly foreign term.

“Odoraguna is… let’s say it’s a treasury of mana, existing at the root of this world. No, if we consider the world an organism, it’s called the core of the world, or ‘the od’ of the world. Clearly locating its existence, whether there’s conscious intent or not remains mere speculation.”

“The ‘od’ that belongs to the world… and that doesn’t allow resurrection?”

“To explain that, we must delve into the history of magic leading up to today.”

“Just sum it up in three lines.”

“That’s a tough order.”

As Subaru requested a simplified explanation, Roswaal stroked his chin as he deliberated. He soon began to deliver an explanation in simple terms.

“All magic existing in this world results from the abilities cultivated by mages from ages past. Those that are exceptionally skilled in the handling of mana come to wield magic suited to the attributes they embody, prompting the birth of initial types of magic. As the number of mages increased and differentiated skillset emerged, classifying them by names or categories became challenging.”

“Thus, it leads to naming magic and categorizing it by attributes.”

“Precisely. As these techniques and knowledge widened within the realm of magic, exceptional talents began to surface. Such figures developed new applications for mana apart from the magic known beforehand, discovering entirely new forms of magic. The advancement of this craft typically relies upon the new and astounding discoveries fostered by a handful of geniuses, which is then utilized by countless, lesser magic users.”

“We’re still working with the handful of geniuses here, huh…”

” That’s not an uncommon experience, I would say.”

In every age across all worlds, the extraordinary was often resented by others.

Perhaps Roswaal once fell victim to similar jealousy and harassment during his less mature years, a period during which he must have struggled to cultivate his human side. Under different circumstances, he might have even taken it lightly before the situation had passed.

“And how does Odoraguna connect with this?”

“The source of power from magic and mana both present. With growing research, new approaches emerged, yielding outstanding magic that dared to introduce methods unseen prior and producing even more powerful magics, capable of reshaping scenery by employing a singular mage’s will. – They inevitably came to gaze upon the same thing.”

“……?”

“Softly, something they felt they could manipulate as it had always belonged to them, yet they beheld in its depths a staggering mass of power, one quite different from their previous experience with mana—the so-called forbidden magic. Those who realized such power inevitably lost their minds, their faculties, and in part, their humanity.”

“That’s Odoraguna… a cornerstone of the world?”

“Just as people shun disease or injury, the world reacts defensively in the presence of disruptions to the fine fabric of its essence. Those who first presented insights to Odoraguna would mention this approach. Those who witnessed Odoraguna often found themselves haunted by the knowledge of magic reaching a point where their very understanding threatened the magic they wielded.”

What kind of incalculable magic must have been witnessed for them to lose foresight of the universe?

All magic had presented itself halfway through revealing its secrets, but magical completed procedures, just before engagement, were often obliterated alongside the sorcerer’s very sanity.

“Is resurrection included among those?”

“The common hope among many is to reunite with your loved ones. A desire that truly resonates with everyone wishing to embrace the extraordinary. However, those whose hearts have been stirred by such emotions find themselves rejected by Odoraguna before they could fully grasp it—a cruel fate befalling many talented individuals who pursued the unattainable.”

“….”

The situation had become unbearably ironic.

Regardless of Odoraguna’s existence, whether it really did destroy heart and mind, it probably didn’t matter to them. They merely yearned to push the boundaries of their talents and achieve their own hearts’ desire.

“There’s a notion that Odoraguna serves as the governing principle of this world. Though it’s suspect, it’s theorized that the ‘blessings’ showered upon us could operate under Odoraguna’s jurisdiction.”

“Handling the ungraspable before going back and forth makes it all convoluted.”

Roswaal let out a laugh, amused by Subaru’s remark equating Odoraguna to a deity. Having heard unexpected tales, he remained focused on the true topic at hand.

Roswaal shifted back, refocusing on his initial aim.

“Thus, your reunion with your teacher won’t infringe upon Odoraguna’s sensitivities.”

“Indeed, that is true. I don’t mean to trigger any forbidden magic or call for special powers or techniques. Rather, I would fear for you raising irrelevant interests in Odoraguna’s ire instead.”

“…I tend to think about that too.”

Having reportedly enjoyed a well-fortified final reservation, Roswaal proceeded to clarify what he had sought.

“So, what’s the master plan you’re not inclined to share right now with me?”

“Unfortunately, I have no intention to reveal that method to you just yet.”

Roswaal sharply interrupted Subaru’s train of thought, making the boy blink in momentary quizzical confusion.

“Eh, wh-what? What the hell are you saying?”

“Just what it sounds like. As for achieving my ultimate purpose, I won’t demonstrate those methods to you. As outlined in our contract, that simply is not included.”

“I guess that stands to reason… But still!”

“I want to make something very clear now, Subaru.”

As Subaru pushed back to argue, Roswaal’s voice remained cold. He detoured just enough to walk around the coffin to look down at Subaru, raising a finger.

“Having severed ties with the gospel, I lost sight of how things ‘should be.’ Yet, I’m not giving up on achieving my purpose. Back in the days following the same practices, I’m now bound to your contract. Should I attempt to forcefully intervene in matters, I’ll find Garfiel dismantling me, which wouldn’t be possible either.”

“…Yeah, that appears to be the logical path. So what can you bring to the table? Outside of just revealing your mission, anything else would be more beneficial would it?”

“That’s a simple answer. —I’ll keep watching you.”

“——-”

The idea conveyed pushed Subaru into silence.

Gazing down upon the boy, Roswaal’s differing hues sparked the same emotion held within his eyes.

“Fortunately, your aim to make Emilia a queen perfectly overlaps with my own purpose. Ideally, you were meant to gain total unwavering resolve here and evolve into a knight causing the greatest possible performance to bolster Emilia’s cause.”

“…”

“Inevitably, that path was cut short. But in its stead, you have opted for a far more painful trial.”

Roswaal’s words painted a picture of deep veneration tinged with sadness.

A sufficiently infuriating outlook to Subaru.

“Are you even thinking? Do you really comprehend?”

The light in Subaru’s eyes glimmered with tension as Roswaal gracefully responded with an absent shake of his head.

“You should have learned by now that at any moment, losing means accepting the pain of loss, with nothing remaining. You need to become a ‘sage’—one who can guard what’s truly precious.”

“Failure is not something you can easily brush aside. You can’t just abandon it.”

“Refusing loss marked you as stubborn. You aim to obtain everything while others step aside even to the point of suffering irreparable damage. This continuous cycle of loss leads to a rush of impatience to reclaim everything lost, only to amplify your scars endlessly. Yet these traits are lamentable.”

“—!”

“Refusing to remain a ‘sage’ yet choosing to embrace a ‘fool’s’ path spurns my desired expectations. It’s only natural? You brought this on yourself.”

Subaru couldn’t find words to speak. Roswaal then reached out, placing a hand on Subaru’s shoulder.

As a result, trembling slightly, Subaru lowered his eyes to the floor while Roswaal brought his face closer, softly whispering in his ear.

“—If, in the time ahead, you lose someone dear to you—or anyone important to you—I shall quickly incinerate those who remain, even if I must turn to ashes myself.”

“…!?”

“You resolved to gather all. No room for error. The lost world should never carry on into the future. As long as your acceptance of loss leads me towards an undesired future, I will reject it. The gospel lost means only you or your journey can direct me forward, Subaru-kun.”

As Roswaal drew away, he gave a slight shove to Subaru on his chest.

Though it hardly held any force behind it, Subaru staggered as if forcefully shoved backward, hitting the wall behind him with his breath escaping.

The man standing before him, Roswaal L. Meiastars, terrified him.

His perspective shifted radically. No longer pinned on the gospel, he must not put Emilia and Subaru at risk pushing for impossible achievements. If Subaru desired it, he should commit to helping become a queen oneself.

Yet, the moment he displayed a hint of uncertainty, Roswaal would turn everything upside down, sabotaging his plans effectively.

This wasn’t a lie or deceit—it was a very real possibility.

“Now, you don’t need to worry too much, huh? Therefore, as long as you keep being you and keep on fulfilling your obligations, I will support you genuinely. —That is our contract.”

“…Perhaps I should comprehend the arrangements of contracts this time precisely.”

“Make sure to keep everyone present safe; your mission, Subaru-kun, is to lead everyone, including Emilia, to glory without losing a single person. Then I, too, will finally attain my goals and reunite with my teacher.”

Roswaal exhaled long and nodded, almost as if reassuring Subaru.

Then with a click of his heels, he stood up straighter.

“The moment we return to the main estate, I’ll formally appoint you as a knight—under the name of Roswaal L. Meiastars. —I have to keep my promises.”

“….”

Knighthood.

For Subaru, it was the ultimate desire; a qualification to stand beside Emilia.

Even if the joy of hearing this was diluted due to circumstances, having stated it birthed a certainty that he would uphold that promise. Roswaal, without a doubt, would honor this as there was no advantage in denying Subaru cooperation.

As Subaru silently lowered his jaw, Roswaal prepared himself to leave the burial chamber.

Indicating there was a wrap-up to their conversation.

However, just as his footsteps reached the exit, Roswaal turned to glance back.

“Ah, by the way. Because I just told you that I would wholeheartedly assist you, I should also formally report this to you as well.”

“…What is it?”

“—Having commissioned the ‘Intestine Hunter’ to assassinate Beatrice was my doing, but the attacks in the capital, both times, were entirely beyond my deliberate intentions.”

“—What?”

When he was on the verge of asking what more nonsense Roswaal had to offer, he froze, unable to comprehend the implications behind Roswaal’s words.

The mere fact that he had ordered the hit on Beatrice prompted an immediate reaction from Subaru.

“…But… Elsa was his partner! So that means that—!”

“What I’m saying is, the ‘Intestine Hunter’ was just one factor. In the matter of the mansion assault, other motivations apart from my own were at play, you get what I’m saying?”

“—.”

“There will be a multitude of troubles awaiting you, a rather challenging lot to take on, wouldn’t you say?”

With those sardonic parting shots, Roswaal’s shoes echoed as he departed.

As the noise faded, Subaru remained standing, nestled against the cold stones of the burial chamber, his mind racing from the upheaval of emotions as he embraced the chilling atmosphere.

The issues they thought were resolved still had embers smoldering.

Amid the heat of that invisible fire midst conversations, Subaru clasped his head with both hands, releasing a deep sigh.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

“You look so gloomy.”

Such was the sullen sound of soft yet serious voice that pulled Subaru from his thoughts.

Having sat down without his noticing, he was now met with the sight of a frilly dress swinging before him. Following the luxurious fabric upwards brought him face to face with a graceful figure looking down on him.

“Beatrice?”

“I don’t know what that scoundrel Roswaal said to you, but seeing Betty’s contractor wearing such a glum face is simply unacceptable. You’re going to overshadow Betty’s prestige.”

“I shouldn’t carry such weight. I just wanted to show off a bit.”

With a gentle slap on his cheek, Subaru shook his head.

Beatrice knelt down, merging her height with his, narrowing her eyes.

“You must have heard something terrible. It’s okay, I’ll lend an ear for your grievances. This special service goes above expectations.”

“Honestly, I can’t afford such disgrace. If it goes south, and I tumble back to square one, I’ll eat humble pie without hesitation.”

“Well, if it comes down to that, I won’t mind sharing the burden with you.”

Sniffing in a pompous manner, Beatrice stood upright, allowing Subaru to rise from his slumped position.

Shaking his rear and turning his attention forward, he bumped into Beatrice’s profile as she gazed intensely at the coffin.

“…So, that’s your mother, huh?”

“And the one you know, Ekidna, is not the same as this one, right?”

Neither Subaru nor Beatrice fully grasped what that entailed.

Still, the fact that Beatrice could be reunited with her mother, regardless of her state, was a relief. If the woman making her abode here had been the Ekidna that Subaru recognized, it would undoubtedly be a heartbreaking moment for both Beatrice and Roswaal intertwined. While it somewhat saddened him to think Roswaal would feel sorrow for himself, he couldn’t bear to see Beatrice grieve anew.

For Beatrice had already lost what had long been her heartfelt reunion.

“I wonder what happened to Ryuzu Meier’s crystal?”

“…I have no idea.”

In response to Beatrice’s murmured response, a mood of bleakness began to engulf Subaru.

Deep within the forest of the “Sanctuary,” the abandoned research facility of Ekidna had been the location where the original Ryuzu Meiarl—the key component of the barriers enveloping the “Sanctuary”—was expected to have been housed.

She was consequently presumed to have lain in a crystal, much like the one that now resided in front of them.

—But the crystal containing Ryuzu Meiarl had mysteriously vanished.

Having followed him, Beatrice came here intending to reunite with the friend she once knew, only to be left speechless at the scene that awaited her.

Regret hung over Subaru as he wished that he had gone to check first.

The room where the crystal rested had large holes in the floor; the ground where the crystal had been supported had vanished along with the meat of Ryuzu Meiarl.

The stench of decay plagued the room, leading Subaru to suspect whether it had collapsed underground, which had him summoning micro-spirits from Emilia for an investigation—but there were no signs.

The facility had tunnels venturing into the woods below, where the existence of the crystal must have been known to whoever had carried it away and had used that knowledge to steal it away at the opportune moment, having waited for the wards to fall.

What their motives were in the heist mattered little behind this cruel truth.

The heart of the matter was that Beatrice’s reunion with her friend which should have happened was stolen from her. Even through her sturdy appearance, Beatrice could not hide the hurt feeling beneath it all, and thankfully, the boy Subaru took that moment and gravitated toward letting it pass.

“While I lecture you for being philosophical, it’s clear I can’t bring about change alone.”

Exhaling deeply, Subaru took pause from recognizing his limitations alongside Beatrice.

Muscle was hardly even needed, and along the way, he’d rely on the powers of Beatrice, Emilia, Garfiel, along with Otto; there would be an abundance of forces such as Frederica and Petra readily lending him support.

As always, the full extend of Subaru’s reach was still short and narrow.

“Subaru, just what are you chuckling about?”

“Huh, nah. It’s just that sometimes weakness seems to get to me, but other times, not so much. It’s not as though I have another option but to count on you from now on.”

“I understand neither the way you speak, nor how far you stray from meaning.”

Subaru’s comment was unclear to Beatrice, yet she grasped that her presence was being relied upon, which caused her lips to break into a soft smile of appreciation as Subaru gave her a closer look.

To that response, he nodded and added,

“I didn’t expect you to puzzle it out completely. If you were to see right through, that’s just sad. Still, spirit users sure are amazing. I wasn’t prepared for all this magic firepower after all!”

“…Is that how you see it?”

“Well, even if you’re saying you’re a spirit user now, it’s still uncertain, right? I mean, I did manage to gain your help, which was a massive makeover for me.”

Beatrice had merely obtained Subaru’s aid, sent spiraling forth by the unexpected circumstances of the collapsing Forbidden Library.

That said, that connection resulted in meaningful recognition, as the fame echoed in the revivals they shared made him think they’d wind up distinguished partners.

“Subaru— I need to have a serious talk here.”

“Oh?”

Unexpectedly, Beatrice’s demeanor flipped solemn as she somewhat tenderly directed her gaze toward Subaru’s direction.

Perplexed, Subaru waited curiously for her to continue.

“First, while Subaru became a spirit user by contracting with Betty, the rank held by Betty, when compared to most spirits, is considerably distinct. Hence the notion of handling yourself as an average spirit user is a bit unusual.”

“Well, I’m only aware of the other spirits being non-human yet being communicative like Pack, who was one of the few.”

It was akin to the only prominent examples Subaru referred to in Emilia or Julius’ cases.

Emilia was the one who made the adjustments to contract with Pack while adapting seamlessly to lower-level spirits, while Julius had multiple contracts in play with the stronger semi-spirits, yielding commendable outputs.

Otherwise, one might pinpoint the rogue spirit, Petelgeuse— yet for Subaru, recalling the meeting was unwelcome enough to neglect. He concluded that was indeed complicated territory.

“Betty and her sister are fundamentally different beings from the rest. That is, they are artificial spirits created by our mother: the witch Ekidna. To clarify, it’s technically tricky to produce more of them through precise methods; thus, they are incredibly powerful compared to standard spirits but come with certain flaws.”

“Flaws?”

The weight of the word spawned an expression of indignation across Beatrice’s features.

Both prideful and thoroughly devoted to her mother, admitting any imperfection anchored in her own existence would be uncomfortable for her to claim.

Yet, Beatrice stifled a sigh and regained her composure to say,

“While the flaws vary between her sister and Betty, what defines my flaws is a tendency to monopolize my contract holder.”

“Monopolize the contractor?”

“In plain terms, merely by maintaining the contract with me puts all your capabilities as a spirit-user to near entire exhaustion. Therefore… well, you see, Subaru, having me as your contracted spirit means you cannot bind with any other spirit. Not for micro-spirits or even semi-spirits.”

“…Oh, I see.”

That control led to Subaru’s immediate understanding, arriving at a concluding stage of reasoning.

So, having a contract with Beatrice forced him to forgo any association with another spirit.

That he couldn’t seek agency through other means, unlike Emilia who could craft connections with low-level spirits.

“Eh, that’s kinda disappointing, but I guess I’ll just have to deal with it. Because this contract with you brings big enough rewards to merit overlooking whatever downside its failing may have. Instead, abandoning you for a petty reason would just be wrong on my part.”

“Right… exactly.”

Upon hearing that, Beatrice saw the hint of tension dissolve and slowly looked a bit relieved, almost smiling. However, it didn’t last long as she cleared her throat to refocus.

“There’s still more to say, but it should boil down to a trivial issue. You can feel free to hear me out comfortably.”

“Alright. I’m down for whatever challenges come, just lay it on me.”

“Um, just… you know, Betty’s rank as a spirit to begin with may draw more focus on being artificially created compared to the regular spirit spectrum. That is to say, she’s considered high-ranking among spirits.”

“Like I said earlier, you’ve repeated the point about how unique this is, huh.”

Spontaneously, it seemed rather condescending, but even so, he aimed to treat her as gently as possible.

“Hold on! But didn’t you burn up that stick like all the magic you were hurling just the other day with the Great Rabbit guys? Didn’t you throw out an amp of light magic that would have cost a lot of spirit energy even then?”

“That was solely from long-stored mana on Betty’s behalf. If I’d pulled from it during my first skirmish, Subaru would, no joke, have run dry after several bouts. All thanks to that bit of gratitude I extend.”

“Yeah, well, that’s true enough. Had I tried using that much power, I’d end up bone-dry drained fast.”

The rush from Minya yielding high-caliber resolve—the final demonstration punctuating the ultimate ‘Al-Shamak.’

Subaru’s reserves couldn’t adequately handle such intensity to provide.

“But, I can’t keep relying on that method consistently; you know? Now that I’m a contracted user, I can’t be content to drain everything on you.”

“I might depend on that reality, though. Both myself and my sister can’t naturally intake mana beyond that originating purpose. So I have to draw from the sky and/or the contractor themselves. That means I’ll need to exhaust the energy I have stored with, well, only you.”

“Is that it? Well, how did you manage the earlier situation at the mansion?”

“…Eh, well, I absorbed some from the gathered team surrounding the mansion slowly over time.”

Particularly, given hints of shame intermingled with Beatrice’s glance, she revealed her past actions.

Realizing the gravity of the extent she had weighed in on while dodging eye contact, Subaru regarded the strange cultural norm that surely introduced a state successfully.

“Then with that considered, while I will certainly keep it in check moving forward, when it comes to the backup for daily operational activities, how much do you have remaining stocked?”

“—None.”

“What?!”

“Thus, there’s none at all. All the mana I stored through four hundred years flowed through the initial battle. Plenty was lost in the crumbling Forbidden Library… That final Al-Shamak proved fatal for what remained. All my reserves are gone.”

As it was expressed, the representation echoed credibly through these comprehension bounds.

Subaru realized she now drew towards emptiness; Beatrice stood drained of her storied supply.

Subaru’s own mana now encompassed the support of sustaining Beatrice throughout the daily commitments.

“Effectively… I’m left with a newbie duo that can’t even use magic at this point?!”

“Well, it sounds like a valid way to express it.”

“That’s all that needs to be said! Is this true?!”

Finally deducing his conclusion: as it stood, what had truly transpired was for Subaru to have secured yet another spirit user alongside him.

“You’ve completely thrown me left behind with that bombshell! Is everything alright?”

“Well… analyzed truths can at least reward my spirit when sentiment leads towards upward trends.”

“Sure it can’t be seen otherwise!”

In the case of two disparate spirits at a half-driven backfire regime, their verbiage mixed together long into the horizon—both shots resonated, sounding through the shrine with bursts of scandalous faces flaring across the scene.