――In the shelter, a somber silence had fallen.

Faint breaths like sobbing and the sound of someone restlessly tapping the floor with their fingers echoed uncomfortably in the quiet space.

As she listened to those discomforting sounds, the girl hugged her knees, feeling the cold wall against her back.

A petite girl with golden hair.

She set her chin on her small, white knees, crouching down as she gently pulled the weight beside her closer.

Resting on the girl’s left shoulder was a still-young boy—her younger brother. He had been crying incessantly but had now cried himself to sleep.

Tear-streaked cheeks bore marks from his tears, and his eyes, puffed and red from weeping, were a sorrowful sight. She longed to gently stroke his head, but the thought of waking him made the girl hesitate to act.

Surely, if he could sleep, it was far better for him to remain asleep.

Listening to her brother’s peaceful breaths, she wished that at least in his dreams he could find solace, knowing that reality outside their dreams was far too harsh for her still-young brother.

And it was the same for the little sister who worried for him.

――Hours had passed since the announcement that the Control Tower of the Great Watergate in Pristella had been taken.

On the morning they made the broadcast, the girl had been out with her brother when they heard it in the town square. The shocking content made her doubt her own ears, accusations filled with malice slippery than ice. Unable to fathom the harsh announcement, and fearing for her parents, she took her anxious brother’s hand and fled to the shelter alongside the surrounding adults.

――When unforeseen events occur, rush to the shelter.

That was the emergency response method emphasized every morning during the routine broadcasts from the City Hall.

The girl, who honestly remembered nothing serious apart from the divine songs of the songstress, had at least retained enough to recall the warning in a moment of crisis.

However, how to proceed once they reached the shelter appeared unclear not just to the girl but to the adults surrounding her as well.

――Witch Cult. Control Tower. Great Watergate. Demands.

The vile laughter of a wicked woman tore through the hearts of the terrified people, raining down a hail of curses.

Amidst the unbearable array of insults lay unsettling words, potent enough to entwine the hearts of the girl and the adults with fear.

Trapped in the dim shelter, they had no clear grasp of the outside situation. Spending time without signs of improvement warranted the natural rise of their anxiety.

At first, voices had encouraged one another, but gradually the tone weakened, and silence begun to be tinged with unease and irritation. Before long, signs of discontent became evident among them, and the atmosphere, thick with hostility, spread, turning dissatisfaction and resentment into thorns in their gazes and attitudes.

Once that happened, it became unstoppable.

Staring and hurling abuse at one another. Worst case, it could spiral into physical confrontation.

That tension loomed within the shelter, teetering on the brink of explosion.

“Ah――――!”

In a moment just shy of witnessing bloodshed, the dangerous atmosphere was shattered by her brother’s wailing.

With his short golden hair in disarray, the weeping child had enough weight behind his cries that the adults, who were on the brink of boiling over, clung to a semblance of dignity and decency rather than roughly shoving him aside.

Children’s cries possess a curious power.

The girl’s younger brother, whom she often thought was merely noisy, had inadvertently been helpful in halting the quarrels. She embraced her brother, who had stopped fighting, and let out a small cry.

After that, no further skirmishes broke out in the shelter.

However, everyone understood that even this fragile peace rested on a precarious balance.

Next, the bickering would no longer cease at the sound of a child’s sobs.

Knowing this, the people in the shelter, who should be a community bound by fate, kept their distances. They insisted on a relationship where neither words nor glances nor breaths reached one another.

To avoid encroaching on others’ consciousness, they shut out everything from the outside world. No one knew what might trigger another’s anger or pull the trigger of conflict.

Thus, for themselves and for others, they shrank back, holding their breaths as they waited solemnly for time to pass. They entrusted themselves to the fleeting hope that if they waited, things might change.

“――――Ah.”

Suddenly, the girl raised her face with a hushed voice.

A slight change in the previously still atmosphere snagged her senses.

Responding to what she felt, the heads of those around her stirred slightly for the first time in hours. A subtle vibration in the air, one that every resident of the city had felt before—a precursor to the broadcast.

In that world of silence, there came a sound, as if a breath swept past her ear. Now, being able to sense this herald of the broadcast felt more troublesome than anything else.

The change she hoped for was for the better. But the broadcasts only conveyed the malice of the Witch Cult.

What kind of unreasonable demands would that shrill voice inflict next?

However, the girl’s pessimistic expectations were proven wrong.

“—Um, okay, can everyone hear my voice? Mic test, mic test, one-two, one-two.”

What reached her ears was unexpectedly the voice of a somewhat dorky young boy.

A voice that carried a lack of confidence, starkly different from the authoritative tones heard in previous broadcasts. It was a voice she had never heard before, a youthful voice.

The girl’s eyes widened in surprise. The adults around her exchanged puzzled looks, unsure of what was going on.

Such sentiments were not transmitted to the boy beyond the magical instrument. After verifying that he was indeed broadcasting, he cleared his throat.

“I’m really glad you can hear me. And I’m sorry for starting the broadcast like this all of a sudden. I’m sure many of you are now thinking, ‘What is he going to say next?’ So let me assure you, please be at ease. Right now, as I’m broadcasting, I’m not a member of the Witch Cult. Just understand that first.”

“……Not a Witch Cult member?”

The volume of the boy’s voice fell slightly with the strange magical instrument he used.

Yet the shock from what he conveyed outweighed any realization of that fact, and no one commented on it. Looking up from heads below, the expressions of the previously darkened faces began to change.

There appeared a budding flicker of a possibility—a glimmer of hope.

Someone muttered softly.

“So, if that’s the case… does that mean we’re saved?”

Everyone in the shelter came to understand the meaning behind that sentiment of hope.

That’s right. If someone other than the Witch Cult was using the magic instrument, that could only mean one thing—someone had reclaimed the City Hall.

If someone had driven the Witch Cult away from the City Hall, perhaps they might also be able to drive the Witch Cult away from the Control Tower and the city.

“The Witch Cult has been driven out of here…!”

“But I have to apologize for raising your hopes; the threat of the Witch Cult hasn’t disappeared yet. While we managed to retake the City Hall, they’re still holed up in the Control Tower. The risk of the city sinking still exists due to their demands.”

“――――”

However, such fragile hope was easily shattered by the young voice of the broadcast.

The way he spoke seemed as though he could read the minds of the people within the shelter. To instantaneously nip any budding hope in the bud was a shocking cruelty.

Someone who had started to rise with expectations dropped back down, as the realization that the signs of liberation may have been a mistake washed over them. No one could bring themselves to blame those who fell into despair. Instead, their anger turned its focus onto the boy.

“Sorry.”

Yet the boy anticipated even this misdirected animalistic rage.

“By the way, where is everyone listening to this broadcast from? Perhaps there are those in the shelter, but maybe there are also people unable to reach the shelter. Everyone must be filled with anxiety. I understand the feeling of wanting to curl up and hug your knees in fear. That’s why I don’t want to stir up undue expectations.

“——”

“I am, at the end of the day, no one special. I’m just like everyone else, being tossed about by the situation and feeling overwhelmed. I’ve taken on this role of speaking to everyone just because I happened to pick it up along the way. It’s something I truly believe is far too heavy for me. There are certainly others much more suited to speak to you all. I am convinced of that.”

The voice representing the residents fell heavily upon their hearts.

What the boy spoke next was the boy’s own thoughts, laced with a cowardly fragility.

Taking the girl and the audience’s expressions, complete suspicion and disappointment turned solely to doubt.

Everyone now sought hope in their hearts. Yet a boy standing before the magic instrument left them feeling more confused than ever.

They all believed there must be someone more appropriate for this role. Why was this boy the one speaking to them?

“However, right now, it’s me talking. It’s those greater and more esteemed individuals than I who have encouraged me to take the stand and say that it is meaningful. Can you hear my voice? Isn’t it shaking? I’m not the kind of person who belongs up here speaking. I can’t say anything dignified, nor do I have any charisma to lead you all. I’m weak, hopeless, wanting to escape this situation even now…”

His voice gradually fell silent, drawing the listeners’ hearts down into an abyss.

With every fragile quiver of that voice, the girl felt a tightening of her chest, almost as if suffocating, desperate to silence that voice.

“Big sister…”

Somehow, her younger brother, who had been sleeping, awoke.

Hearing him call her, the girl hugged her brother tightly, trying to shield him from the weak voice trying to penetrate his ears, working hard not to be swallowed by its fragility.

Thus, in lieu of protecting her brother, the tremor of the voice echoed in the girl’s ears, carrying her weakness along with it.

The boy’s voice continued.

“I don’t know what I can do, and I truly wish I could just cover my ears and have everything resolved while I’m crouched in fear…”

“—No!”

She squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head in denial against the disappointment and sorrow threatening to crowd her.

She understood. It was an understanding that didn’t need voicing.

The boy’s words were nothing more than words representing the hearts of everyone in the shelter and all those trembling in fear from the Witch Cult in the city.

It was the weakness dwelling within her. The deeper-rooted cowardice hidden within the hearts of the adults. The unbearable terror besieging her little brother’s still-fragile mind.

Surely, it was something no one could overcome.

However, to face that insurmountable reality, to look directly at it—was something she could never—

“—But we can’t escape; we’ll fight. That’s all I can do.”

When he boldly claimed that, a vibration of certain resolution coursed through the boy’s quivering voice.

“…What?”

The girl blinked, as if unable to hear correctly. She opened her eyes, gazing up.

The voice’s owner was nowhere to be found. The people surrounding her, too, were astonished, their eyes wide with surprise.

A moment’s pause presented the chance to select words, to collect themselves before speaking.

And then,

“Let me ask you again. To those listening to my voice, where are you now? Are you in the shelter? Are you hiding in your own homes? Are you alone and trembling? Are you able to be with someone? That someone, are they someone important to you? Even if they’re unfamiliar, have you at least shared faces with them during these past few hours?”

“——”

“Even though I speak recklessly about this and it may seem difficult, please, don’t be alone. When you are alone, only the worst thoughts will arise. That’s based on experience. I know that. So, don’t be alone. Stay with someone. And――”

He inhaled deeply, his voice now carrying a hint of hesitation on his tongue.

“If possible, look at the face of the person you’re with.”

“——”

Guided by his words, the girl knowingly let her gaze fall delicately into her arms.

Her brother was gazing up at her. Those shimmering, uncertainty-filled green eyes met hers.

“Who did you see just now? Someone important, or perhaps someone unfamiliar that you’ve spent these last few hours with? Maybe a friend…? They might be making the most pitiful expression right now. A face of tears, a face contorted in pain—probably no smiling faces. Though perhaps there are those forcing themselves to smile, determined not to worry anyone. If there is, that person is truly wonderful. If a dear someone is trying their hardest to smile despite it all, be proud of that. And when you’re able, compare that with the familiar smiles you know.”

Her brother’s face was tear-streaked, scrunched up, and about ready to cry again.

The girl, seeing the vacant expression in her brother’s eyes reflected in her own face—one that had lost all emotion—struggled within.

“—Can you accept that?”

“No… I can’t.”

The soft whisper slipped from the girl’s lips, so quiet it could scarcely be heard, even by her.

Yet,

“I cannot accept that. I don’t want to.”

The boy’s following words resonated as if he had caught wind of her thought.

“I have precious people. I have dear friends. I will not forgive those who bring sorrow to them, nor will I allow anyone to force a smile upon their faces. Don’t take me for a fool. This child’s beautiful smile—one I know to be more than mere cuteness—I want to shout that!”

“Otōちゃん…”

Her younger brother quietly called for her, and she instinctively drew him close, putting their foreheads together.

A palpable heat flowed between them. A warmth—an all-consuming warmth of life.

Uncertain of whether it was from her brother or her own, she felt that warmth flourish.

“I want to run, but I can’t escape. I want to cry, but I can’t shed tears. The enemy’s dangerous, but I don’t want to lose. So, I’m going to fight. I know I’m weak and stupid, but I will fight. Those who cause my precious people to wear sorrowful faces are in the wrong. Therefore, I will fight. I want everyone to fight.”

“――”

Her breath caught. She instinctively choked on her words, feeling embarrassed by her own weakness.

Listening to the trembling of the voice a moment ago had erased her doubts, making space for the raw power of the boy’s words to surge forth.

She understood the feelings he conveyed. The weight of his words resounded painfully true to her.

Her true sentiment resonated alongside the boy’s resolve. She wanted to fight. If they could expel the evildoers attacking the city, she’d do it. But both she and her brother were small and immature, unable to reach out.

Powerless, ignorant, cowardly, and pitiful—therefore—

“Please understand, I’m not asking for everyone to fight with sticks and stones against the Witch Cult. No, I’m specifically hoping for you to avoid such foolishness. Rather, as a community, I ask you to refuse to look down.”

“Don’t look down…?”

“Staring at your feet changes nothing. The ground won’t open up a way forward, and even if it does, it won’t lead to solutions… So, lift your face and move forward.”

She raised her eyes. Instead of her own kneecaps or her brother’s golden hair, she could see the shelter around her.

She noticed that, like her, the people surrounding her were also looking up.

Their eyes met, opening wide in astonishment.

Everyone unconsciously willed themselves to follow the boy’s urging, raising their heads as she had.

“Take a look around and you’re sure to meet someone’s gaze. That person also carries the same anxiety and desires to flee, but they also hold dear feelings of not wanting to lose. Together with someone precious, you locked eyes with them. So, with yourself included, that makes three. If you look around enough, there must be even more people there.”

Just as the boy had instructed, the girl locked eyes with many others.

The gleam in their eyes shimmered in a mix of complexity, and she couldn’t help but feel she reflected that complexity too. But somewhere along the way, she realized—there existed more than just fear.

“It’s a comforting realization that you are not alone. That awareness, itself, fortifies you a lot more than you’d think, right? Not wanting to see the sorrowful faces of those who are precious to you. Not wanting anyone to witness your flaws. Doesn’t that mean I’m not the only one being stubborn in such trivial pride?”

“――――”

The urging voice, the callborne cry, sought to bolster the spirits of the people.

Yet, to the girl, it sounded as though the boy were seeking help and support for himself too.

And with this realization, she came to understand anew.

From the instant the broadcast began, the boy’s heart had not shifted even once.

Deep-rooted regrets over being weak, despising inadequacy—yet never giving up.

That was the only weapon he possessed, and he spoke of it all as if it bonded them together.

“Let me believe. An inadequate coward still has not surrendered. And let me believe, there’s no way I’m the only weakling unwilling to give in.”

Mentally weak words rang out. A cowardly cry for aid.

Even amidst such desperate circumstances, in a moment when everyone sought assistance, here he stood, brazenly bold, calling out for unwavering support.

“Or is it just me?”

The voice lost its confidence. No, from the start, it never possessed any confidence.

Rising unease churned within. Stop him! Even if she didn’t know how to shout it.

“…That’s not true.”

A small, mosquito-like voice slipped from her throat as if powerless.

That meek message struggled to resonate. She needed to shout louder, to answer back.

To that cowardly voice paralyzed by being alone—

“—That’s not true!”

Opening her mouth wide, the girl roared.

Her voice echoed within the shelter. It was not just her voice that rang out.

Along with her, others who had likewise looked up raised their voices in unison.

That was the voice rebelling against sorrow, weakness, and fear.

If the boy’s intention was to elicit such response, he had most definitely succeeded.

If it had been part of some calculated scheme, even if that were the case, it mattered not. If that trembling voice, that frail encouragement, that pathetic cheer, that desperate trust were merely an act—she couldn’t let that go unanswered.

But if this was the honest belief of an unrefined coward, she simply could not allow him to face this battle alone.

“That’s not true, right?”

“No!”

“Everyone is still fighting, right? You’re not going to let yourselves get swallowed in weakness?”

“I won’t lose… I don’t want to lose!”

A fire ignited within the girl’s chest. The energy running through her veins was not born of rage, but something more profound, a fervor.

That feeling belonged not only to her, but also enveloped the hearts of everyone around her, burning suddenly as one passionate flame.

Not long ago, the shared anxiety among them transformed under that overwhelming heat.

“Hold the hands of those you’re close to tightly, and trust in them. If the person beside you is a stranger, nod along and assure one another you’ll get through this together. You can both endure and resist.”

“If everyone remains steadfast, I too won’t give up. I will fight—fight and show the world we can win!”

“——”

In the end, this shelter was just a singular refuge separated from the City Hall.

No matter how much shouting and sharing such feelings would echo out, it would not reach the boy.

Yet, even so, the boy’s voice seemed to absorb the girls’n and the townsfolk’s vehemence, capturing the emotions excellently.

—Fight and show we can win.

Could it be done? She had no doubts.

She believed it could, for sure.

Just as the boy expressed faith in them, the girl and the townsfolk placed their trust in this boy to triumph over trials looming ahead.

Why could they believe it? Because underneath it all—

“—My name is Natsuki Subaru. I’m the Spirit User who defeated the Archbishop of Sin—Wrath.”

“――――!”

With that name revealed, a stir echoed through the gathering.

What the boy had kept hidden until now was unveiled, and while it was an incomprehensible declaration to the girl, it was anything but to the people around her. They were filled with shock, but this shock bore no negative impression.

To start, there was astonishment—followed quickly by recognition, and soon, hope and belief exploded forth, enveloping the girl’s heart within that wave of emotions.

“The Witch Cult in this city will be handled by me and my friends! So, I want everyone to believe and fight alongside me. Grab onto the hand of someone dear to you, and let go of those weary hearts that falter in fear. After that—”

“――――”

“—Leave the rest to me!”

The excitement built as a shared cheer resonated through the shelter.

Where expectations once resided in the hearts of others, hopes burgeoned into a multitude.

Looking down at her brother nestled in her arms, she saw a glimmer of light welling up within his green eyes.

Reassured, she tightened her embrace around him. Hesitantly, her brother wrapped his arms around her, feeling the warmth of their shared embrace, while the girl looked upward toward the ceiling.

Despite her daunted feelings and all her worries, she now bore the expectations and optimism of the many people in the city. She prayed and closed her eyes, wishing for every drop of luck to bestow upon that boy.

—After all, that boy was surely just an ordinary young man who resisted unreasonable circumstances for the sake of someone precious.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

Drawing away from the gramophone-like magical instrument, Subaru slowly backed away.

The sweat trickling down his forehead stemmed from anxiety and tension. Leaning against a nearby workbench, he roughly wiped it away.

Breathing deeply repeatedly, he worried whether the sound would be caught by the magical instrument.

However, seeing Anastasia manipulate the magical device assured him that the power had indeed been shut down. A relief washed over him.

“…Haah, that was exhausting.”

He exhaled heavily, turning his neck, overwhelmed by an exhaustion far greater than he had anticipated.

Honestly, while speaking, he was lost in a moment of frenzy, unable to clearly remember all that he had said. Not everything had slipped away, but parts of it felt hazy.

Even though he had given Anastasia a memo outlining exactly what to convey.

“――――”

Wiping the sweat from his chin with his sleeve, Subaru realized the room fell oddly silent.

The faces of those who had been watching the broadcast were mute. In attendance were Anastasia, Garfiel, and Al. Julius and Ricardo had joined them in a corner of the room, their normally talkative faces now muted, leaving only an uncomfortable void.

Could it be that he completely bungled the broadcast?

“Natsuki-kun…”

“Whoa, apologies! I’ll do better next time!”

“Why are you apologizing? You’re such a strange one.”

His heart having pounded heavily from anxiety, Subaru found himself reflexively apologizing upon being addressed. Anastasia chuckled at his response, tilting her head playfully.

“Speaking of peculiarities, are you perhaps an ex-con artist of some sort?”

“What in the world are you even saying!? As you can see, I’m an utterly normal and unremarkable student… well, in a way, even less than a student!”

“Ah, no. That’s not it. It’s not an insult. The way you spoke was far too composed… Your skilled rhetoric of putting down and uplifting was completely spot-on.”

As Subaru responded incredulously, Anastasia waved her hands dismissively, chuckling lightly.

“By saying that, you mean the memo I wrote you about, then? I can’t believe you ignored it entirely, starting a completely different conversation from what we discussed while I was beside myself.”

“Sorry for that! But I followed the memo as best I could, didn’t I? Had things gone downhill, you would’ve stepped in and called me out, right?”

The notes in his possession—the all-important cheat sheet that had been completely forgotten in the middle of the big event—listed beautifully crafted phrases to ease the anxiety of the city’s inhabitants.

A confident culmination of Anastasia’s negotiation skills, Garfiel’s proverbs knowledge, and Subaru’s straightforward modern knowledge wrapped into one neat package.

Though he couldn’t read his memo in the important moment, as long as some part of it remained in his head, he operated within the framework of that structure as he spoke.

“If I say this, it might be a bit rough, but you didn’t even touch or skim over any part of that memo during your speech.”

“—Huh?”

Anastasia bluntly delivered that critique, dismissing Subaru’s speculations.

Momentarily paralyzed, he glanced at the expressions on the faces of the others for confirmation. Yet the other four had each donned solemn faces, offering no real follow-up to his view.

Stepping forward among them, Julius twirled a finger through his hair.

“Just as Anastasia-sama said, Subaru. You spoke of elements not included in earlier conversations. I would especially love to ask why you delayed mentioning your accomplishment of defeating the Archbishop of Sin, ‘Wrath’, until the later half.”

“Seriously? If I hadn’t mentioned that, then I’d essentially merely be some random nobody! If that had been the case, you should have interrupted me at some point! Even if it came to that, I’d have rather tried to restart it than carry on like some weird thing!”

“Restart? That’s an absurd notion,”

Julius shook his head gravely, eliciting a thought-provoking response from Subaru.

That expression now seemed to carry a degree of regard.

“—That was a wonderful speech.”

“…Huh?”

“Your forgetting the content of your memo is hardly an issue. You achieved something beyond expectations with your own abilities. That merit deserves nothing but praise. What you felt then when faced with the White Whale and the ‘Wrath’—that same feeling somehow resonates strongly with who you are now.”

Seeing Subaru’s evident confusion, Julius placed heavy weight behind those words.

Underneath that veneer of disbelief, Subaru sensed heightened excitement radiating from “The Greatest Knight.”

Upon realizing this, Subaru couldn’t help but wonder what on earth could cause such a drastic change in Julius, so steadfast a knight.

“Stop messing with me. I’ve thought this before—your jokes aren’t that amusing.”

“Thinking of them as a joke arises because you underestimate yourself. However, in fact, the spoken content was truly an expression only you could offer. Hence, it was a speech only you could give.”

“Seriously, you must be teasing me.”

In this key moment of desperation, Subaru merely lingered in exasperation at the excessive praise from Julius.

He was used to sarcasm from Julius, but this wasn’t the time for such trivial back-and-forths. If no effect could be expected from his speech, he needed to devise a new plan urgently.

“If instead of being helpful, I’ve instead instilled absurd doubts in them, that’s not any better. Maybe it’s time for someone else to take over next time…”

“Now, Natsuki-kun, enough with the self-deprecation! It’s hardly pleasant to listen to.”

Anastasia interjected, cutting in from the side.

Her lovely features now tightened in displeasure as she glared at Subaru.

“Let me tell you bluntly: your speech was more perfect than anything we could have envisioned. You have the makings of an excellent speaker.”

“I agree with the lady! I’m genuinely in awe! What the heck was with all that phrasing! Seriously, your villainous act has left quite the mark, brother! When it came to charming Emilia-sama and Crusch, you fully showcased your talent!”

“Quit narratively exaggerating on both counts! I didn’t charm anyone and I’m not a speaker!”

Subaru raised his voice in retort to the ludicrous evaluations of Anastasia and Ricardo.

However, both glanced knowingly at one another with no malice. Their unison conspired oddities, though it seemed they weren’t merely fooling around.

This was all revealed in Garfiel’s face, who crouched beside them and watched Subaru carefully.

“Captain…”

“Garfiel. And you, what did you think?”

“You’re still the Captain, aren’t you? After I left the ‘Sanctuary’ and followed behind you, it wasn’t wrong… I truly felt that,”

“…How great of a burden your expectations can be.”

“However, that too is a result of your actions.”

As Garfiel rose, he sauntered closer with a toothy grin. Subaru released a long sigh through his nose.

“If that’s the case, I suppose I’ll give up on trying to dodge responsibility. Previously, I think I did mention I wouldn’t try evading the issue this time.”

“You did say that,”

Scratching his head, Subaru resigned to accept it while Anastasia smiled brightly. She puffed her chest proudly and smoothed her collar.

“Honestly, I’d be more worried that we might get too hyped up and someone does something foolish. Even we here seem particularly buoyed up by the influence of ‘Wrath’.”

“Such sentiments only raise my suspicion of its authenticity… If it’s true, then what about my instincts or my worth as a producer or admiral?”

Being lifted continuously made it all the more bothersome to absorb.

Shaking off those warm gazes, Subaru shoved away from the magical instrument, stating,

“Regardless, if we managed to pull off a talk that shows promise, then that’s what really matters. If this stops a riot or something of the sort within the shelter, that’s just perfect… Is there anything else that needs to be done?”

“Regarding the residents of the city, there is nothing left but to eliminate the root of the issue itself. After all, from the broadcast delivered just now, the Witch Cult has since grasped our intentions…”

“If they scuffle with something about how they will act, we can only hope their unreasonable behavior comes into play. Simultaneously, we need to resolve this as quickly as possible.”

Regardless of Subaru’s speech quality, the situation remained unchanged. They faced off against deranged foes looking to wreck the city by taking perilous steps.

Optimistically gazing forth would be a mistake; giving way to no later than the chime of midnight, the Great Watergate would be breached, and the city would drown beneath waves of water.

That must come to a resolution beforehand.

“For that, we’ll have to capture all four at once…”

“We have the Four Archbishops of Sin and that unknown pair of powerful enemies. We need to have discussions on how best to approach controlling our strength.”

The four Control Towers stood as a fundamental requirement to save the city.

Just as they had done at the City Hall, concentrating their combat power in one spot wouldn’t be likely. If they attempted to capture the Control Towers, there would be a chance one of the others would release the Great Watergate.

They could have the same luck four times in a row without knowing for sure.

Facing off against six primary enemies with their limited strength—

“There’s barely any room for maneuvering. It’s scarily like repeating the farce of the City Hall. If only I had another card to play…”

“—If you are still seeking others, how about one ace?”

Just as he was counting his remaining strength, a voice suddenly interjected.

Turning in surprise, he saw a figure standing at the doorway.

“Looks like you’ve got quite the inflated evaluation of yourself since we last met.”

“You hold the honor of being able to speak to the masses, Natsuki-san. It appears, however, I had misplaced expectations of not having a hero among my friends.”

“I’m well aware that I’m not cut out for this.”

With a sly smile, as the figure exchanged greetings with Subaru with their fist-bump, Garfiel, who had been watching them, brightened with exuberance.

“Otto! You made it!”

Returning the gesture, Otto looked unshaken though somewhat dirty—no injuries in sight.

“Well, I survived against the odds. Not without some struggles, but I’m glad to see you two are well! I wasn’t overly concerned about you. You’re much better at this than I am.”

“Such confidence! Honestly, I wasn’t too worried about you either. Wonder why?”

“Don’t you think my charm brings it all together, wouldn’t you?”

“Can’t you worry for me just a little?! Single-handed means plunging straight into danger!”

But the situation suggested they had reunited, casting doubt over such reasoning.

As Subaru and the others took joy in their reunion, Anastasia interjected, clapping her hands to intervene.

“Okay, okay! First and foremost, it’s great that you’re safe, Otto-kun! I have a mountain of questions about what you’ve been through so far.”

With that, her words trailed off as Anastasia focused her sea-green eyes on Otto.

“About what you said earlier, that ominous sentence… Might I inquire as to what it meant?”

“About the Ace, correct? It was simply a metaphor. If I revealed it too quickly, my survival may have become a mere sidetrack, so I needed to play coy about it, but don’t worry—I brought it with me.”

Otto’s mention of the sooner or later required aid indicated a signal to someone beyond the door.

The sound of footsteps echoed as a new figure joined them in the room, and that:

“—Apologies for my delay.”

Just a single phrase spoken radiated a strength matching that of ten thousand supporters.

The strong winds of presence clawed at their consciousness, merging with the hallucination of a blazing flame before their eyes.

Yet, indeed, this reunion possessed that much power.

That coveted strength, had finally arrived.

“Reinhardt Van Astraea—though delayed, I’ve now joined the fray.”

With those words, the Red Flame, “Sword Saint,” signaled his intent to join the battle.