―― Below the clouds and above them, light appeared almost simultaneously.

If there were something that could observe the two battlefields separated by thick clouds and even greater distances, it could only be an observer from the outer world.

The conflict originating from the assault on the Pleiades Watchtower was finally reaching its climax.

In that situation――,

“Uoohhhh――!!”

The sandy ground erupted from the impact of a strike, and amidst the swirling sand and shockwaves, Subaru shouted.

The destructive force colliding with him could pulverize Subaru’s body in an instant. Still, the reason Subaru wasn’t turned to dust was――,

“――E・M・M!!”

One of the three original magic formulas forged by Subaru and Beatrice.

To put it simply, it was an absolute defense magic that stopped the flow of time for Subaru and Beatrice’s bodies, preventing any external influence.

“Right after we developed it, I was super hyped, but that jerk using similar abilities made it feel like I’m fighting to survive without any options!”

“If that’s the case, we’ve talked enough about it already! Beatrice decided long ago to close her eyes to it!”

Hearing Subaru’s lament, Beatrice, who was being carried on his shoulders, shouted back angrily.

Regulus Corneas, the Archbishop of Greed, and the performance of his “Invincible” ability was a powerful force that could be considered an upper version of this E・M・M. While the user was the worst, its practicality was top-notch; the aim should be that level, but honestly, one didn’t want to aspire to it.

“Just thinking about that disgusting guy makes me sick…!”

Living by devouring experience sounds a lot better, doesn’t it?

However, that thought reminded Subaru of the Archbishop of Gluttony, and he became utterly fed up with the hindrances surrounding him.

Without it, neither he, nor Beatrice, nor Meily could be protected.

“――ah”

In Subaru’s arms, Meily, with closed eyes, let out a breath that sounded like murmuring.

Although her expression was pained, the fact that she was breathing meant she was still alive. The damage flooding into her seemed to be gradually alleviated due to Beatrice’s healing magic. It was probably in the range of error, but it should be improving. Surely, or probably.

“Using both healing magic and E・M・M is tough! If it weren’t for Beatrice, all three of us would’ve been dead by now!”

“I know! It’s just…”

Thankful for Beatrice’s encouragement, Subaru questioned himself inwardly.

There was nothing left to do but grit his teeth in agony. The issue was the amount of mana left within him— in the first place, he was only useful as a mana tank, and Subaru’s tank capacity was around average, maybe slightly below passing.

Now, using E・M・M was draining his mana at a speed like water flowing from a bucket that had holes.

At this rate, either E・M・M or the healing magic would run out soon.

And then,

“There’s no option to stop Meily’s healing magic…!”

“Then there’s no choice but to cut E・M・M. The timing and what to do afterward will be up to you, Subaru!”

“Yeah, leave it to me. Beatrice, you’re responsible for treating Meily and being the conveniently obedient spirit that reacts immediately to my commands!”

“Your choice of words! Is terrible!”

They bickered, exchanging glances, and without missing a beat, Subaru and Beatrice synchronized to deactivate E・M・M— leaping out from that very spot.

Behind them, the crowd of red scorpions and beasts was fighting amongst themselves while targeting Subaru and the others.

Still burdened by the inability to distance themselves from the watchtower, what complicated things further was that the red scorpions were actively aiming for Subaru.

If that situation did not change from the worst case――,

“――Invoke the ‘Witch’”

By revealing his ability of “Return by Death,” Subaru released miasma, attracting the surrounding beasts towards himself. It was a simple tactic but one he often relied on.

The current state was dangerously precarious, yet if the red scorpions were fixated on Subaru, it might be worth trying to make them fight amongst themselves.

However, that gamble was too great given what might be sacrificed in the process.

If Subaru, Beatrice, and Meily fell, then even Ram, who was sharing the burden, would collapse, leading to a domino effect of destruction.

The effect of “Cor Leonis” increased that sense of shared fate. How could Regulus’s way of living have made him so lonely despite the power of that authority?

“―――”

“――E・M・T!!”

At the end of his futile thoughts, sensing a future where white light would evaporate his head, Subaru, while drying his throat from the premonition of “Death,” activated the second of his original magic.

“E・M・T” was an anti-magic that eliminated the weakness of the immobile “E・M・M,” successfully negating any magic directly in its path— in principle, if the magic was infused with mana, there was nothing it could not negate.

However――,

“I deactivated E・M・M, and five seconds later, I laid down my trump card!”

It was beyond merely paradoxical; it left him completely cornered with no means to respond.

As Subaru and the others were targeted, the tail spikes of the red scorpions, the flames of the starving king, and attacks from various magic beasts were all unleashed, aiming to turn them to ash.

With bated breath, Subaru braced himself. Unless he used his third and final original magic, this situation would not break. But that spell was still incomplete.

There was a possibility that if he failed, it could result in the three of them drifting in a void, however――,

“At the last moment, I can’t bring myself to trust in a breakthrough—!”

While Natsuki Subaru recognized that he was quite the individual, he wasn’t blindly believing he would overcome anything.

He simply had a bad habit of not giving up. Even if he was overpowered, he just stood up more than others. Meaning, he had been overpowered more than most.

“I can’t be showing my losing tendency here. It’s a bad gamble, but…”

“――Are you trying to pull through with pride and vanity? That certainly is a very ‘you’ decision.”

Just as Subaru resolved to try, an unexpected voice fell from above, intercepting the attack veering toward him; a figure emerged in the wake of a fierce beam of “Death.”

That figure was dazzling, and Subaru involuntarily shut his eyes.

No exaggeration; it was blinding―― for that figure glowed with rainbow colors.

“――Al Krauselia”

Immediately after that, a light was unleashed to repel the incoming attacks.

The shockwaves of destruction, the engulfing flames, and the all-out charge for one’s life—all were diminished by the black light, swallowed up by rushing water, and their momentum diverted by the rising sandstorm.

Truly, it was as if one were wielding nature itself, and this was accomplished by the elegant back of a figure who landed on the sand and gracefully swung a knight’s sword――,

“――For reasons, I came running. It seems you were in a tight spot.”

As he said this, glancing back at Subaru was none other than the famous “Knight of the Highest Honor,” Julius Euclius.

Although his white attire was soiled with blood and dust, he stood there with an aura of tranquility.

With the radiance of a rainbow wrapping around him, he looked even more magnificent than before.

Upon that grand appearance, Subaru trembled, “Julius…”

“You were supposed to send word saying to help the others when you’re done!”

“Ah, I heard that. So I came here. I’m sorry, but I’ve determined this to be the most dangerous situation compared to the others.”

“Shut up! What happened to your face?! Regulus!?”

“Complete defeat. He won and fled gracefully.”

“How lame! You should’ve at least won! If you hadn’t shown up, I’d be dead right now, I’ll say it just this once, but thanks!”

Hearing Subaru’s gratitude intertwined with insults, Julius smiled softly, the white scar beneath his left eye.

His attitude was somewhat pretentious, but it seemed he had gained something after finishing his battle with Regulus. As proof――,

“Did you reconcile with the spirits?”

“To be accurate, they have blossomed from buds into spirits. Also, saying it’s reconciliation isn’t exactly appropriate, since we weren’t on bad terms.”

Surrounding Julius were six faintly glowing spirit-like entities, no, spirits.

These spirits had their names stolen by the authority of “Greed” and had lost their connection, lingering in confusion while following Julius.

However, that gap had been bridged, and a bond stronger than before was cultivated.

To have smoothly renegotiated with the six spirits was quite the stroke of luck.

“I can barely manage to flirt with Beatrice, and yet you’re way ahead of the curve!”

“Unfortunately, I was consumed by them.”

“Not funny! You seem a bit too liberated, don’t you?!”

Subaru’s eyes widened at Julius’s ability to turn even the damage he suffered into humor.

Having expressed it was a graceful retreat, that meant there was a resolution with Regulus. Regulus’s body should be Roy Alphard’s, hence it was natural to assume a resolution had occurred with one half of “Greed.”

And since Julius did not mention the danger, he most likely succeeded in neutralizing Alphard.

“Julius! Just in time! I need to borrow Kua!”

“—Understood.”

Above Subaru’s head, Julius nodded instantly at Beatrice’s call. He grasped that Meily, held by Subaru, was desperately in need of help.

The blue Kua, the spirit controlling water, burst forth from the six spirits; that gentle power combined with Beatrice’s healing magic, flooding healing mana into Meily’s body.

Then――,

“It is necessary to buy time.”

“Yeah, it’s obvious. The red one is furious, but can you handle it? You just faced defeat against it, didn’t you?”

“That’s reasoning incorrectly, such an attitude is disrespectful toward a lady.”

Taking a stance to face the red scorpion—Shaula, Julius held his knight’s sword straight.

However, from the position of the knight who had leveled up to spirit knight, there was no intent in the red scorpion’s multiple eyes. Its murderous intent was still directed at Subaru, seeing everything else merely as obstacles.

“Subaru, I’ll take care of Lady Shaula. Everything else…”

“Means I should handle it myself, got it.”

“No, collaborate with Beatrice to achieve it.”

“My self-reliance in situations like this counts Beatrice at about 70%.”

Honestly, even 70% was a rather inflated figure.

Being a contractor for Beatrice, Subaru should pride himself only on his clever head and small tricks, so 95% would not be shocking.

Either way――,

“Thanks for coming back…”

“It seems you’ve reflected on your own worth, which is good to see.”

After that brief exchange, Subaru and Julius focused on their respective roles.

Julius advanced, exposing himself to rain-like magical beast blows, shielding Subaru and the others from the incoming attacks.

Meanwhile, Subaru aimed to distance the near-death Meily from the harm of the beasts, concentrating on buying time until the victory condition was met, when suddenly,

“――”

A sensation of surprise hit Subaru, and he abruptly lifted his face.

The reason was the disturbance that transpired at the Pleiades Watchtower. It was――,

“――Ram’s reaction has disappeared?”

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△

――A breath released by Volcanica surged as a blue light and struck the top layer.

“――――”

Emilia, using all her strength, defended against it with an ice shield she had created, attempting to forge through.

The ice shield, which had been used to withstand the white light falling from the tower during her journey across the sandy sea to get to the Pleiades Watchtower, melted in an instant against the dragon’s breath.

Multiple layers of ice shields dissolved in moments, and the magnitude of the attack that would barely shrink even if reduced in power showered down upon Emilia.

“――――”

In an instant, Emilia’s mind flashed to the black monolith that shielded her from behind.

Sturdy and possibly unyielding to the dragon’s breath. However, if that were to be lost, she had a premonition that the “Trial” would be ruined.

Additionally, this had no relevance to the “Trial” but,

“If that gets destroyed, I’ll be super lonely…”

A strange sense of déjà vu traced the handprint left on the monolith.

She didn’t know what relation that had to her, or if it was merely her imagination. Yet, she wanted to ascertain that sensation’s identity.

Thus, she couldn’t let go of it. She had to hold on to it.

“――――”

Emilia unfurled her mana, bringing it together into one concentrated point.

Emilia possessed mana in amounts that would astonish even herself, but that didn’t mean she could control such immense power all at once.

No matter how much mana she accumulated, the amount she could release at one time would be only as much as her gate allowed.

Even so, Emilia boasted an output ten times that of an ordinary mage, and her experience over the years as a spirit practitioner boosted this potential even further.

A mage uses the mana stored within them through a gate to influence the world.

A spirit practitioner uses the power of spirits to harness the mana present in the atmosphere, thus influencing the world.

So then, Emilia, who possessed both traits could achieve something unique.

The amount of water that flowed from a faucet was fixed, but if all that water were stored in a bucket, one could use much more water. Emilia was able to enact that with her body and the world around her.

Seizing the excess mana overflowing from herself, disregarding the gate, she was about to apply a grand magic technique――,

“――Absolute Zero”

That which Subaru had labeled as nearly impossible to realize, he had called it a theory on a whim.

As she yelled, coincidentally mirroring what Subaru had stated just before, it was indeed a moment where Emilia decided to put her faith in an endeavor she had never successfully undertaken.

And she succeeded.

If the original power of Emilia’s magic was one, the might of this spell utilizing the overflowing power would be ten or possibly even close to a hundred.

In an instant, the overwhelming white void consumed the world, not merely freezing the atmosphere but possessing the force that could stop the unavoidable passage of time itself.

The dragon’s breath, which should have been inevitable “Death,” was not exempt from this.

As the blue light clashed head-on with absolute zero, a blankness was created in the world from their collision.

“――――”

In that fleeting moment, the two massive powers annihilated each other without a second of balance.

There was truly an astonishing silence where neither sound nor shock accompanied the disappearance, and when time, which should have stopped, began to move again, Emilia found herself lunging forward with an ice spear readied.

“Ta, yahhhhh――!!”

Shaking her slender throat, Emilia charged toward Volcanica.

Having had her strength sapped away, her body felt incredibly heavy. Although she was using the mana expelled from her body, the burden on Emilia became incredible.

To flip over a bucket full of water, naturally, one needed strength for it.

Emilia had used the might needed to flip over a spring, so it was natural she would feel completely exhausted. Yet, she spoke aloud.

“I can’t afford to give up!!”

By shouting like this, Emilia instilled motivation within herself.

Though spirit and mana were different, by yelling as if she had strength, she felt the power dormant within her surge forth. It might have been a misunderstanding, but if it was she herself being deceived, occasionally telling herself a lie wasn’t necessarily bad.

“――Satellaaa!!”

Blocked from the breath, Volcanica thrashed its front legs and tail.

The shockwaves coming from beyond perception were defended by Emilia, who relied on the senses of the ice shards spread around her― seven ice soldiers were sacrificed to aid Emilia’s advance.

With a side leap to avoid a downward strike, an oncoming front leg was halted by the body of an ice soldier, and with their support, Emilia executed a massive leap. The tail swipe aimed at Emilia mid-air was halted by ice soldiers, who used their own bodies to boost her height.

“Ha, tah! Eat this!!”

With the valuable sacrifice of the ice soldiers propelling her, Emilia spun while pounding her ice spear into Volcanica. It might not be enough to breach the exterior of the “Divine Dragon,” but it was more than enough to draw its attention.

Ducking to dodge the annoyance of the flailing front legs, Emilia accomplished her life-risking rush into Volcanica’s embrace.――From that position,

“Now, if I can just touch that white scale――”

If she could touch it, if her attack could strike, Emilia raised her gaze skyward.

Close enough for a second contact with the “Divine Dragon,” its white scales, which had been dauntingly distant, she widened her eyes in astonishment.

The reason for her surprise was not that the scales were white. It was something else.

There lay a giant white scar that could be mistaken for a scale.

“An old, wound…”

The injury was already closed, and even if touched, there would be no pain.

However, the “Divine Dragon” had vehemently recoiled from just merely touching that wound. It had writhed in agony, suggesting a connection to Volcanica’s unerasable ancient memory, causing Emilia to hold her breath.

Taking advantage of that fleeting hesitation, Volcanica flapped its wings.

“Ah――!”

Climbing abruptly, Volcanica’s massive form swiftly ascended, leaving Emilia, who had reached out with her hands.

How reckless, Emilia thoroughly regretted her failure.

This was the worst situation one could be in when clashing with something possessing wings.

If struck from an unreachable distance, the debts would accumulate in an instant.

“Not good――!!”

Immediately, Emilia placed her hands on the floor, and from beneath her, ice surged upwards.

With an impromptu makeshift ice platform shooting high into the air, Emilia desperately reached out towards the soaring Volcanica.

However, even as she stretched the ice platform to ten or twenty meters, it reached its limit, and extending any further would leave her unable to catch up――,

“――Everyone! Please!!”

Emilia’s cry echoed, and ice soldiers rushed up the icy platform.

The ice soldiers reached the peak of the platform and jumped, using their uppermost brothers as a launchpad, repeating the leap six times. The last remaining soldier’s back was the last aid for Emilia to leap.

“Sorry!”

In that moment, as she pushed off with all her strength, the soldier underneath her broke upon impact.

Nevertheless, the seven ice soldiers that plummeted all fell with cheerful thumbs-up. Using their supportive boost, Emilia launched her final jump, her hand reaching for Volcanica’s tail――,

“――Foolish”

With those words, the tail recoiled, grazing Emilia’s fingers.

Then, for the surprised Emilia, the now-recoiled tail shot back with tremendous force.

In midair, where there was no escape, if she were to hastily form an ice shield, it would be shattered before reaching her at such power, which was ample enough to deliver lethal destruction.

“――ah”

Failure, immense trouble, what to do, a myriad of thoughts danced in Emilia’s mind.

The passage of time slowed, and she scrambled to seek countermeasures, bringing forth everything within her head and body, summoning whatever she could. Yet, the option of giving up was never a choice.

Because those she loved most had chosen not to give up.

Thus――,

“I also won’t give up!”

However, mere words filled with determination wouldn’t save anyone.

As if to teach that harsh reality, the tail strike of the ancient “Divine Dragon” approached Emilia――,

“――Emilia-sama!!”

In that instant, a fierce gust rose from directly below, offering Emilia a glimmer of lifting aid.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△

With the upward push from the gust of wind, the situation for Emilia slightly improved.

From a scenario where she could not avoid “Death” entirely, it shifted to a place with only a 90% chance of dying.

In that moment, she seized that 10% chance of survival, refusing to know the meaning of surrender.

“――”

The tail of the “Divine Dragon” was swung above in a precise strike meant for Emilia’s head.

Due to the enhanced momentum, its strike was aimed at her torso instead of her head. Understanding this through intuition rather than perception, Emilia crouched low.

Minimizing her size, she sought to evade the range of impact. The swinging tail barely skimmed the tips of Emilia’s toes, and the tremendous shock spun her body around at high speed.

“――――”

A harsh sound echoed, and while hugging her knees, Emilia was blasted upward.

Overwhelmed by the force that threatened to eject her insides, Emilia bit down hard on her molars, projecting an ice platform high into the air, forcibly stopping her momentum.

A loud crash resonated, and with her body containing the shock, Emilia glanced tearfully downward.

Visibly atop the ice ceiling she had created, from that vantage point, she noted Volcanica’s head and a figure appearing from the floor of the upper stairway.

But that shape was not truly a figure. It was the shadow of both a person and the Earth Dragon.

“Ram and…!”

Reaching out to Emilia, Ram, who had barged in, aided her ascent.

From afar, Ram appeared bloodied and battered, and it was hard to suppress astonishment that she had arrived in such a state.

Yet, thanks to her help, Emilia narrowly avoided being struck and dying.

Using that assistance, Emilia concentrated her strength within her knees once more.

This time, with that ice ceiling providing a foothold, she aimed to launch another surprise on Volcanica. But Volcanica was exhibiting unusual behavior in front of Emilia.

It didn’t look at Emilia, keeping its body poised with the tail still raised, but fixated on something below.

Was it now targeting Ram, who had come to aid Emilia as the next victim? This was the initial thought. However, that was not the case. The ancient “Divine Dragon,” with its golden eyes, was not looking at Ram.

It was――,

“――Patrasche?”

“NOOOOOO――!!”

With a force that drowned out Volcanica’s murmurs, Emilia was propelled towards the ground.

In a half-instant, the tail of Volcanica swung fiercely, and the illusionary image of Volcanica looked upwards. Too slow. Emilia was no longer there, nor was she now aiming straight for its throat.

The airborne Emilia constructed another ice platform— no, a made-up ice “slope.”

During her escape from Regulus with Subaru in Pristella, it had been an object made to maintain speed while accelerating. This was forged in midair, and Emilia took off sliding down the icy slope.

Emilia’s speed increased in midair, dodging the incoming strike of the tail.

The ice slide produced in the air accelerated Emilia, and with a flourish, her final leap propelled her forward towards Volcanica’s throat.

“Chayaa――!!”

As Emilia leaped off the slide, her kick accelerated swiftly towards Volcanica’s throat.

Avoiding the closure of its front legs trying to grasp her, her kick flew straight to that white scar on Volcanica’s neck.

“――――!!”

Emilia’s white-soled foot made contact with the neck, drawing a deafening wail from Volcanica.

As a sound rippled through the heavens, “Kyaaah!” Emilia covered her ears as she plummeted rapidly. Down, down, down――,

“Thank you!”

The ice soldiers that had been used as a foothold caught Emilia upon her fall.

Gently cushioned by their soft impact, Emilia rose on the spot. Then, she recognized that she had returned to the summit and observed Volcanica writhing above her.

After that, she urgently sprinted towards the central monolith.

Running, running towards that monolith, towards that handprint she had felt déjà vu as she ran――,

“I knew it!!”

Upon reaching the monolith, she pressed against it without obstruction for the first time.

That force and impact shook the monolith, and Emilia’s hand precisely matched the significant handprint. Who knew how many people in the world had hands identical to hers, yet at the very least, the handprint on this monolith was indubitably made by someone with her hands.

And then――,

“――You, who have reached the summit of the tower. Step forth, all-powerful petitioner.”

“Ah…”

As Emilia’s hand touched the monolith, the descending “Divine Dragon” appeared before her.

Still hovering above, Volcanica, which had seemingly reverted to its previous state of confusion, again posed the same question as before.

However, this inquiry felt different from when it first originated from the depths of total oblivion. It―― rightly felt like the questioning would begin.

“――I, Volcanica. By the ancient pact, I shall question the will of those who reach the summit.”

Those words had been repeated countless times.

I will question the will of those who reach the summit.―― In other words, it asked for the feelings of those who reach the top.

What do you desire? What do you wish for? What did you come here to achieve?

“――――”

In response to that question, Emilia had many answers.

What she wanted to do, what she intended, why she had come here; a multitude of answers existed.

But in this moment, at this instant, what Emilia desperately wished for was――,

“――I won’t question. Your, will!”

The questioning lay anew as Emilia’s eyes widened, and she opened her mouth.

And loudly proclaimed her answer.

“――Everyone, just get along!!”

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△

In that moment, an overwhelming wind howled, and the sandy sea was engulfed in its force.

“Whoa!?” Subaru, evading the fierce onslaught of magical beasts, shrieked, while Beatrice, who was struggling to heal Meily, exclaimed, “What is it!?”

That was obviously the same for Julius, who was now engaged in a superhuman battle against Shaula.

―― No, the magnitude of his astonishment was probably beyond that.

Because a tremendous dust cyclone obscured his vision, leaving him to sense his imminent peril but no pursuit followed.

Then, seeing that answer before him, Julius’s astonishment deepened.

“――This is. Subaru!!”

“Eh!? What?! I can’t see with all this sand blowing around—!”

“Just come this way!”

Hearing Julius’s frantic call, Subaru shifted his gaze while spitting out sand from his mouth.

When he did, he understood why Julius was so desperate, his eyes widening in awe.

It was――,

“――Shaula!?”

“～～ッッ”

An astonished scream escaped Subaru as the red scorpion lay overturned in the sand, its multiple legs thrashing in the air amidst the dust storm.

Until that point, it had shown no reaction whatsoever toward any attacks, mechanically trying to corner them as the tower’s custodian―― it had manifested the very error it claimed to be.

“Did something happen!?”

“No, nothing special was done. I was focused on evading attacks. The moment that dust storm blew…!”

“The dust storm… right, that wind is…!”

Swallowed by the violent wind that engulfed Subaru and the others, he noticed the oddness of labeling it a “dust storm.”

The waves of sand that mercilessly snatched away those traveling through the Augria Sand Dunes had never blown with such intensity around the area of the watchtower after crossing the boundary of the barrier.

In fact, there had never been anything that could be classified as a dust storm at any point. But now, it had blown――,

“――Subaru! Look! Up at the sky!”

“――――”

Betty’s cute voice broke through Subaru’s frenzied thoughts. Hearing her, Subaru looked up and saw.

The change that had occurred atop the Pleiades Watchtower, a visibly striking transformation.

“――The clouds have cleared.”

The Pleiades Watchtower, piercing through the clouds, stretching upwards.

Its topmost part, which had previously been completely veiled in clouds, could finally be glimpsed from below. That strange cloud that had enshrouded the tower vanished entirely.

And then he finally realized.――That gust of wind was an aftershock meant to disperse those clouds.

With the clouds cleared, the top of the tower became visible.

For Subaru, this could only mean one thing.

“――Did you do it, Emilia?”

Subaru whispered, feeling his senses intertwining with his power, and his instinct acknowledged that Emilia, who was thought to have vanished, had returned with Ram and Patrasche.

Most likely, Ram and Patrasche had gone to support Emilia, and that resulted in their current advancement.

In other words, if Subaru’s analysis was correct――,

“The rules of the tower have been rewritten… Shaula! Hey, Shaula! Listen!”

“～～ッ！”

As the red scorpion rolled away and writhed in torment, it was suffering due to the ancient pact that had been ingrained within her being now being severed. The finer details of the situation were unclear.

But it was okay. She didn’t need to suffer any further――,

“Hey, Shaou――”

“――! Subaru!!”

Just as Subaru approached to call her, the collar of his cloak was grabbed tightly. In an instant, with a sweeping motion, a sharp tail shot through the space vacated.

Feeling the rushing air almost brushing against him and the burning scent hit his nose, Subaru gasped.

If Julius hadn’t stopped him, he would have taken the brunt of that.

Yet what tormented Subaru was not the sensation of “Death”――,

“Hey, Shaula! Shaula! What’s wrong? Get a grip!!”

“～～ッッ”

As Subaru’s frantic shouts reached her, the red scorpion slowly regained its footing in the sand.

Returning to her upright position, the red scorpion’s multifaceted eyes trembled slightly as they seized Subaru once more, drool spilling from its vicious fangs.

That behavior did not seem to belong to a being of rationality――,

“――Subaru, I’m afraid but—”

As he spoke, Julius grabbed Subaru’s shoulder, attempting to step forward.

Yet sensing Julius’s intention, Subaru firmly held his arm to stop him.

Julius understood he was ready to shoulder the dirty role.

However, he couldn’t let that happen.

“I’ve decided to save her.――I will rescue her.”

“A selfless sense of duty as her mentor?”

“No.”

Shaking his head, Subaru responded to Julius’s remark.

That wasn’t it. The reason Subaru wanted to save Shaula wasn’t merely because he was her mentor.

“I’m not doing this because I am her mentor. It’s because she has bonded with me that I will do this.”

“――――”

“Just like with Beatrice. To stay alone in this sandy tower, and afterwards we had such enjoyable days that made her weep with joy; how can I ignore her?”

Clenching his molars, Subaru stated resolutely while still gripping Julius’s arm.

Meeting Subaru’s intensity, Julius exhaled softly.

“…You’re stubborn. But that’s the right thing to do.”

“――Julius?”

“No, I’m truly impressed. You put on a show once. Then, you must continue to maintain that act until the end.”

A subtle smile spread across Julius’s face as he traced the scar on his left cheek with his finger.

At that response, Subaru’s eyes narrowed, noticing that his empty left hand had been gripped by something soft. Turning to look, he saw Beatrice holding on.

Staring at Subaru with her adorably round, earthly eyes, she said,

“Has Meily made it through her crisis? After that――”

“Will you help me get her out?”

“If saying ‘no’ means I would be a savage to turn down a chance to help, then I wouldn’t dare to argue with you. But really, Subaru, you’re such a hopeless partner.”

Upon receiving Beatrice’s reply, Subaru chuckled wryly and scratched his head.

Then, taking hold of the small hand of his beloved contracted spirit, he turned to face the red scorpion—Shaula.

The two spirit knights stood side by side, facing the weeping girl they needed to save.

And then――,

“I’m completely wiped out, both physically and mentally.――So hurry and let’s get saved, Shaula!”

— The final act of the assault on the Pleiades Watchtower now begins.