――When the smoke cleared, Ram was overwhelmed by an uncommon sense of helplessness.

「――――」

　With her pale pink eyes wide open, she stared into the still smoky space.

　However, even as she sought something amidst the emptiness, she found nothing of her desire.

　Searching for something moving, or perhaps a cute little black or blue creature, she couldn’t find any of them in the gaping void――,

「――Ram!」

　As she tried to take a step forward, a hand grabbed her shoulder from behind, pulling her consciousness back. Looking around, she realized she was on the brink of stepping through the cracked floor, and if not stopped, she might have fallen.

　Truly, how incompetent was she not even to see her own feet.

「Ram, I’m so relieved… Is Patrasche okay too?」

「Emilia, my lady…」

　Biting her lip, Ram realized it was Emilia, who should have been on a higher level.

　With a slight pant of breath, Emilia checked on Ram’s well-being and then on the black Earth Dragon, Patrasche, crouching behind her.

　Seeing that, Ram finally regained the composure to understand the surrounding situation.

　Around her, the fourth layer of the Pleiades Watchtower was in a dire state.

　The sturdy stone tower had seen its corridors collapse, with ceiling and floor shattered to pieces. Beyond the hole-ridden walls, the sky and sea of sand were visible, with the dry wind blowing in, adding to the calamity.

　However, the most severe damage had been taken by the room where Ram and Patrasche had just been――the one commonly known as the “Green Room.”

「――――」

　The room, which had been covered with grass and vines up to the walls and ceiling, had seen all its long-standing natural erosion stripped away, leaving no semblance of its original form.

　Beds woven from grass and vines, and the gentle light emitted by the spirits, were all gone.

　And the biggest problem was――,

「Ram… Where are Subaru and Rem? They’re safe, right?」

　From beside Ram, Emilia peered into what had been the “Green Room.” Ram couldn’t respond immediately to Emilia’s question.

　Even though she knew that the painful silence was indeed the answer to that inquiry.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△

「――First, let’s sort out what happened. Otherwise, we won’t be able to discuss anything calmly.」

　So said Anastasia, surveying everyone gathered, taking control of the scene.

　With a white fox fur collar around her neck――even still wrapped in Echidna, Anastasia brushed off the faint dust from her fur with her fingers.

「That black shadow that attacked the tower earlier…」

「For now, it has vanished. I believe it was the power of the “Divine Dragon,” Volcanica.」

「The shadow and the dragon’s movement both came suddenly, leaving us bewildered, you know.」

　As they began sharing the events of what had happened, those who had survived in the tower followed Anastasia’s lead, including Julius and Echidna.

　Anastasia and Echidna both bore significant dirt on their white knight uniforms, but it wasn’t solely due to the fierce battle in the tower; a heavy influence from the earlier events was also clear.

　However, all three were without significant injuries—a small relief in this dire situation.

　After all, it was thanks to Volcanica, who had been on the top floor of the tower.

「That shadow rushing in was swept away with Volcanica’s breath. Without that, Betty and the others wouldn’t have come out unscathed.」

　With her short arms crossed, Beatrice nodded at the statement, mirroring Anastasia’s remarks.

　Honestly, when Volcanica had unleashed its breath suddenly, Anastasia had, rather absurdly, braced for death. The situation had been so abrupt that there had been no time to react.

　Of course, that single breath didn’t mean the danger could be completely dismissed.

「While the response to the impending crisis was commendable, Volcanica’s condition remains concern… For now, it seems it’s obediently following Lady Emilia’s orders.」

「Considering Julius’s feelings, I won’t say Volcanica is stupid… but it’s just as scary. Nonetheless, the events are as Betty says.」

「Indeed.」

　Only Volcanica had been able to respond to that abrupt situation. If that dragon hadn’t blown away the encroaching shadows, who knew what may have happened.

　However, the underlying reason for this restrained joy remained――.

「Such a terrifying force! But for that much to come at once against these knights…」

「Meily.」

「――Oh, forgive me!」

「――――」

　Anastasia scolded Meily, who had chosen her words poorly perhaps out of excitement. Meily then sincerely apologized, her gaze directing towards Emilia and Ram, who kept their silence.

　In hindsight, it was evident that the ones affected by that shadow were Emilia’s faction two—Subaru and Rem—while the damages for Anastasia’s faction remained virtually zero.

「But it cannot be said that as there is a bond in traveling together.」

　Muttering under her breath, Anastasia subtly gazed at Julius and Echidna.

　While she had exchanged places with Echidna, slumbering deep within her consciousness, the two had been together with Emilia and her group.

　Being longtime acquaintances with Echidna, and even Julius, who had memories still fresh, it was clear their unease.

　Interestingly, it was more surprising to Anastasia that Beatrice, who should have shared an intimate bond with her, was keeping up with their conversation.

「Are you okay, Beatrice? No, that’s not the right word. Still, you seem calm.」

「……Even if Betty panics, it wouldn’t change the fact Subaru and the others won’t return. Right now, being flustered and acting out instinctively is more of a problem. That’s what we want to avoid.」

「Acting out? So you mean…」

「――To bring Subaru and Rem back. That’s what we need to do, right?」

　As Anastasia tried to press for a clearer answer, she was interrupted by Emilia, who supported Ram’s shoulder.

　Emilia, with her deep purple eyes, cast a straight gaze, momentarily widening Anastasia’s eyes, prompting her to lick her lips.

「Oh, I thought you were down but look at those cool eyes! What’s up with that?」

「It’s not a complicated story. Subaru and Rem were consumed and taken by that shadow… Volcanica drove it away, but just a bit too late. However…」

「But they’re not dead. Absolutely.」

　While still supported by Emilia, Ram opened her eyes, responding.

　Exhaling a fatigued sigh, she softly touched her forehead――where one would assume a horn would be on an Oni.

　That was the basis of her conviction.

「Oni’s… or rather, a sisterly synesthesia? So you mean you’re connected to Rem?」

「Yes, that’s correct. Rem is alive. …As for Balus…」

「I wonder if Subaru is okay too! I can guarantee that, at least!」

　Ram’s comment, indicative of her character, managed to make Beatrice shout, her face turning slightly red. Nevertheless, as Beatrice was a spirit contracted to Subaru, her words carried considerable weight.

　In other words, both lost individuals had been confirmed alive from different perspectives.

「Subaru has Beatrice’s contract connection, while Rem is connected to Ram’s synesthesia… That’s worth believing. Besides, I want to pin my hopes there.」

「How honest. …Well, I’d prefer to have Natsuki-kun and the others safe as well.」

　Finding the prospect of getting too friendly with one faction precarious, Anastasia smoothed out her collar.

　Indeed, her temporary alliance with Emilia and her group had not fundamentally changed the nature of their rivalry in the Royal Selection. She had no desire for misunderstandings to cause further complications.

　Though, due to the very rivalry they shared, it was essential to accurately settle any debts owed.

「So? While it’s wonderful to hear that the brothers are alive, where on earth did they go?」

　The perennially air-headed Meily inquired, while playing with the little red scorpion perched on her head.

　Julius opened his mouth to respond, saying, “That’s…”

「We haven’t figured it out in detail, but that shadow was Dark Magic… At the very least, it was of the shadow attribute. It’s likely of the same nature as that which binds Archbishop Roy Alphard and the Witch of Envy’s shrine. If that’s the case, the expert would be…」

「――Betty, I suppose. Betty’s insights align closely with Julius’s. That thing was an amalgamation of dark attributes. Moreover, it was akin to a directional Shamak.」

「Shamak? That’s a basic shadow attribute magic, right? For it to have that kind of power?」

「…I thought there were many humans who misunderstood that since few could use it. But to have you, a spirit, share the same misconception is troubling.」

　Beatrice’s words, accompanied by a disgruntled look, made Echidna nervously shrug her fox-like shoulders. Sighing at her reaction, Beatrice raised a finger.

「The properties of Shamak lie in “separation.” A low-grade Shamak can separate body and consciousness; the upper levels can divide spaces from spaces. Betty’s “Door Crossing” is an application thereof, connecting rooms and nearly achieving teleportation.」

「That was the device Beatrice utilized in the previous mansion, wasn’t it? Honestly, it made it a hassle to call you to meals.」

「Now that you have spoken so frankly, I wonder how flustered Betty must be. I apologize for that; I’ll put off the apologies for later… to put simply, if Shamak could elevate the separation between spaces, it could divide even the most robust of objects. That’s a favored technique of the Witch of Envy.」

「If that’s the case, doesn’t that mean Natsuki-kun and the others have been separated?」

　If that shadow truly was that vicious a weapon, saying it sounded grim for the survival of Subaru and the others was an understatement.

　However, Beatrice shook her head in response to Anastasia’s concern.

「What was just said was a metaphor. At the very least, that shadow wasn’t meant to tear Subaru apart. Still, it did seek to consume them and carry them off somewhere.」

「Carrying them off somewhere, across spaces… In this case, to its own territory?」

「――With Balus’s miasma situation, that’s a problem.」

　Echidna digested Beatrice’s explanation further, and Ram concluded with a decisive tone.

　The miasma surrounding Subaru――the one that had greatly occupied magical beasts during the journey to the watchtower was now a fact known among the candidates for the Royal Selection.

　Though the specifics of this miasma, including its cause and detailed nature, remained largely undisclosed.

「What is known is that the miasma attracts magical beasts, and often, things related to the Witch Cult emit it strongly… That’s about it.」

「Um, Subaru is usually chased by magical beasts, but he’s unrelated to the Witch Cult. I can totally tell it’s extremely suspicious but…」

「Don’t worry, don’t worry. I’m not doubting that part of you, Emilia.」

「Is that so? Then I’m relieved. Subaru is a good boy…」

　With that, Emilia sighed deeply in relief, but that alone was a deeply rooted problem.

　As she had said, there were no doubts in Anastasia’s mind regarding Subaru’s relationship with the Witch Cult. However, the uncertainty surrounding Subaru’s origin still lingered in her mind.

　She did not believe Subaru to be an ill-intentioned being. Yet, the notion that subconscious malevolence may exist was a concern.

　――The very existence of Subaru could be seen as a bomb, with benevolence running underneath it.

「Let that be unnecessary worry… Now that the preamble is done, we understand that the shadow that swallowed Natsuki and Rem was going to take them somewhere. The question is, where?」

「And as a result of Volcanica’s breath intervening, what has become of it?」

　Ram and Beatrice, each connected to Subaru and Rem respectively, likely had a fairly good idea of the destination.

　If this only confirmed their survival, but left the exact whereabouts unknown, the search would be arduous. After all, none of those present could afford to ignore the search.

「Please, both of you. Where are Subaru and Rem? Tell me.」

　Emilia’s earnest plea directed at Beatrice and Ram led them to exchange glances.

　After a few seconds of silence, they replied.

「――To the south.」

「I feel the same direction, Ram. I don’t know precisely, but it feels quite far.」

「To the south? From here south, that would mean…」

　As both Beatrice and Ram spoke of “south,” Emilia furrowed her shapely brows. She was seemingly trying to picture the world map in her mind, but Anastasia then raised her hand.

　They were located at the Augria Sand Dunes, the easternmost point on the world map. If they were to go south, one could speculate one of the Five Great Cities, such as Pictat or Flanders, might be their candidates—but then――.

「Given that, what’s perplexing is that both of you seem uneasy.」

　It seemed Julius also arrived at the same conclusion, voicing what was on Anastasia’s mind.

　As she evaluated his thought process speed, she knew him to be an admirable knight, and Anastasia narrowed her eyes, replying casually.

「Though there’s distance, if they get captured around there, we’d say the damages are minimal. Yet, if their expressions are ill, doesn’t that mean… it’s more south?」

「More south? You can’t mean…」

「――That they have ventured all the way down to the Volakia Empire?」

　Compared to Emilia’s astonishment, Meily’s surprise was much less.

　However, this was a reaction stemming from a lack of understanding of the situation’s gravity. If that were true, the reactions of Beatrice and the others were understandable.

　If Subaru and company had crossed national borders――and into the southern empire, there would be trouble.

「The Volakia Empire and the Lugnica Kingdom maintained a non-aggression pact during the Royal Selection… that should be the case, right, Julius?」

「Indeed. I thought you might not know, but I accompanied the negotiation for that pact. Together with Reinhardt and Felix, I met directly with the Emperor of the Empire.」

「I heard that relations were drastically sour with the Empire. Given that, is it safe now? Would we be able to seek Subaru and others?」

「――No, it’s not that simple.」

　Julius, who had hesitantly responded to Emilia’s question, lowered his eyebrows, shaking his head.

　He gently lowered his sparkling yellow eyes, which were akin to jewels, to the ground.

「The Empire has been temporarily prohibiting travel to and from the kingdom for several months now. There have been similar occurrences with the Gusteco Holy Kingdom related to the Royal Selection, but those have already been lifted…」

「So it means that the one with the Empire has not been lifted. Considering the journey to the watchtower, this is not the latest information, but… Unless the situation has changed,」

「So your conclusion is, it would be quite difficult to go help Subaru and his group?」

「Unfortunately.」

　After considering various thoughts, Julius came to a conclusion full of regret.

　Anastasia found herself constrained to the same conclusion, that if they were to enter the Volakia Empire, a frontal breakthrough would be impossible.

　They could only resort to exploring alternative routes, which would require time and contacts.

　There was no quick solution. Knowing that the two were missing, Emilia must have been anxious――.

「――Then we have to act quickly. Let’s get some blood from Volcanica to bring back to Pristella… And we’ll take the captured “Gluttony” to the Royal Capital, right?」

「Emilia…?」

「I understand, Beatrice. I feel extremely, extremely restless. But even if I panic here and there, we can’t save Subaru and the others. …I have to calm down.」

　Contrary to the expected frantic state, Emilia’s cool-headed decision surprised Anastasia again. Beatrice, too, received the same shock, prompting Emilia to offer an encouraging nod.

　Her eyes trembled slightly, with her voice quaking, but she was steadfastly exercising self-restraint.

　Not a single second could be wasted in returning Subaru and Rem to safety.

「Both of you, Subaru and Rem must be together, right?」

「…Looking at it alongside Beatrice, I believe that’s likely.」

「Yes… If so, Subaru will surely do something reckless to protect Rem. So there’s no need to worry about Rem. Subaru may be a bit scary, though.」

　Though Emilia trusted Subaru completely, Anastasia couldn’t help but agree with her worries.

　After all, it was Subaru who once lost his memories in this tower. That self-flagellating boy often neglects himself to protect those he holds dear.

　While that could sometimes encourage others, it also created significant anxieties.

「Nonetheless, we can only rely on Natsuki-kun’s cleverness. As Emilia said, what we can do now is not mope around the tower but take action.」

「Understood. …If there are any concerns, Beatrice, it should be about…」

「……Subaru’s body. Since the gate in Subaru’s body is broken, he can’t release mana himself. If we leave it too long, he might experience mana entrapment and explode.」

「I see. Given that I am in a similar predicament, I can feel a kinship with Natsuki-kun.」

　Anastasia was born with a defect in her gate.

　A defect like that would critically hinder a mage from effectively taking in mana. However, it had no relation to complete lack of skills necessary in commerce, meaning it never caused any serious problems.

「Ana…」

「I know, I know. We can discuss this issue between me and Echidna later. ―Now seems no time to dawdle.」

　With Anastasia clapping her hands, Emilia and the others nodded in response.

　The primary action was to seek out the missing Subaru and Rem, and to prepare a search party they must promptly depart the Pleiades Watchtower.

　Moreover, part of the purpose they had arrived at the tower for must also be fulfilled.

「I feel like I’m going to be busy and lose track of time…」

「Yeah, truly so. But Subaru and the others must be going through something even more intense.」

　Emilia thought of Subaru, who had been flung far away, tightening her fists. Beside her, Meily, with the little red scorpion on her head, narrowed her eyes, shrugging her shoulders.

　The group was about to start their preparations for action――but then.

「By the way, did Ram-neechan mention that story?」

「――Not yet.」

「――? That story?」

　Ram grimaced at Meily’s unexpected question. At her reaction, the gazes of Anastasia and the others—all those who had not been informed—turned to Ram.

　Thereupon, after a brief hesitation, Ram said.

「Emilia-sama, while this isn’t certain yet… The ones who were swallowed by that shadow may not be just Balus and Rem.」

「Not just two… But Ram and Patrasche, plus Meily are right here, meaning everyone who was in the Green Room was accounted for, right?」

「But before all that shadow rushed in, a girl suddenly appeared. Moreover, that little brother was calling her the third “Gluttony.”」

「The third “Gluttony”?!」

　Hearing a sentiment that couldn’t be ignored, the expressions of Anastasia and the others turned astonished.

　The details of that fact and whether they should adjust their next actions became a heated discussion.

　Thus, the scene at the Pleiades Watchtower grew increasingly frantic, as Emilia peered out from the large hole that had once been the green room, hands clasped before her chest as if in prayer.

「Please, Subaru. ―Please be okay with Rem.」

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△

　――In a distant land, at the same moment Emilia’s prayer was swallowed by the dry sky above the sandy sea.

「――――」

　On a grassland caressed by the wind, a boy was lifting a girl from the ground.

　The boy had black hair and sharp eyes. His large white sclera gave him a distinctive tri-ocular glare, and he always looked as if he could kill someone on a whim.

　However, the boy’s eyes softened and relaxed now, his lips drawing a gentle arc. In the depths of his tri-ocular gaze, there was barely the hint of tears, and he fought to keep the blur from his sight.

　For this moment, he had awaited with bated breath.

　Recalling the days that weighed down his chest, he couldn’t think to avert his gaze from the girl before him, not even for an instant.

　Lifting her in his arms, they locked eyes; the girl had bright blue hair.

　With her large round eyes blinking, the angelic expression on her face bore signs of weak will. She looked as if she were still half-asleep, but that description wouldn’t be far from the truth.

　As a matter of fact, she had just awakened from a long, long slumber. It was only natural that her head doesn’t work right away and that her grasp on reality was slightly delayed.

「…Eei, you.」

　Her trembling lips repeated the words the boy had just spoken, as if trying to digest them.

　In response, the boy――Natsuki Subaru nodded repeatedly.

「That’s right. That’s it, Rem. I am your hero. Always…」

「――――」

「Rem?」

　Trying to suppress the quiver in his voice, Subaru sought the girl――Rem’s voice.

　If her tongue were tied or her lips unable to form words, he would lean closer, striving to catch her utterance in its entirety.

　The mere fact that Rem tried to convey something sent a pulse of exhilaration through him.

「――U」

「What is it? You don’t have to rush. Rem, what do you…」

　As he attempted to say more, his words faltered.

　As he leaned in to catch the sound of her lips, a hand came from nowhere, grabbing Subaru’s head and chin.

　In an instance, “Ueh?!” the startled Subaru was flipped upside down by his voice.

　It was then――.

「…R-Rem?」

　Overwhelmed by sudden events, Rem mounted Subaru, straddling him.

　Her unexpected action left Subaru dazed, hesitating to respond, and above him, Rem peered down at him, her blue eyes scanning him thoroughly.

　Then she exhaled quietly,

「What on earth is your aim? What do you plan to do with me?!」

「――――」

「Hero? You suddenly mention that… And who is Rem? Please answer me!」

　Kneeling on both of his shoulders, Rem’s hands wrapped around Subaru’s neck, applying pressure. He struggled as her weight pressed him down, vexing him as he gasped for air.

　But Rem’s skill in this hold was exceptional. He simply couldn’t find a way to fish for freedom.

「Kua, bua…」

「If you don’t talk, I’ll just keep going until you do. There’s no meaning in prolonging this. Now, answer me. Your true purpose is…」

「――Koa.」

　Whether intentional or not, Rem’s resilience and strength were overwhelming; without the chance to respond, he felt himself sink into unconsciousness.

　As the pain surged through, another sharpness came with it.

　The feeling of a void enveloping him, darkness amidst his consciousness, closed in.

　He desperately called out Rem’s name, pleading not to die here.

　Yet, his voice was soon swallowed by silence.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△

「――Ram!?」

　An abrupt awakening jolted Subaru upright in a jump.

　Instantly finding himself seized by pain in his throat, he coughed, sputtering out the mass he choked on, gazing around.

　This place was the grassland, with Subaru tossed in disarray.

　Recognizing this state, he soon realized it was not the déjà vu triggered by “Return by Death.”

　――The absence of both Rem and Louis unmistakably indicated that fact.

「This is… the place I was whisked away to; I know that much.」

　Recalling the events leading up, as he touched his neck, pain brought back the dreadful memory.

　He had been throttled by Rem, and then his life was claimed. ―No, that wasn’t true.

「My neck hurts… so that means Rem didn’t kill me.」

　He had been throttled, and that much was certain. However, she had chosen not to go that far.

　Astonished by Rem’s cold voice and her judgment, he breathed a sigh of relief. It was followed closely by a realization that relaxation was the last thing he could afford now.

　He had survived. Thus, from the worst development that had transpired earlier, life continued.

　Yet Rem, because of the lingering scent of the witch around him, had come to doubt his humanity and thus looked at him with the worst impression.

　――It was likely she was fleeing this spot following the last scene where Subaru had regarded her with disdain.

　She must have found him to be someone even worse than a cold-hearted man when he resolved to leave her behind.

「They might misinterpret that, saying I’m leaving behind a child in a strange grassland, how cold-hearted could I be?」

　To be met with the consequences of his choices, Subaru lamented for his judgment lapses. He slapped his cheeks to regain composure, then stood up.

　Looking at the sky, he could tell from the sun’s angle that not much time had passed. It was also fortunate or unfortunate, as Rem was unable to escape far with her immobilized legs.

　The mere fact they were still in the same place paired with the traces left in the grass confirmed they had not vanished from this location entirely.

「There are marks in the grass! If I follow this, I can catch up!」

　Without hints, chasing the two through a sprawling forest all around would be an impossibly hard game of tag to win.

　However, by tracking the trail in the grass, Subaru could determine where they had entered the woods. From there, continuing the search beyond that would be a gamble, but:

「If I’m going to play bad odds, I’ve done that plenty of times before!」

　He shouted, accepting the daunting prospect and sprinted after the tracks in the grass. His legs moved swiftly, soon marking the spot where they had entered the forest.

　The dense overgrowth felt hauntingly reminiscent of tropical rain forests to Subaru.

　For a moment, he recalled how television depicted the Amazon jungle as a treacherous place for humans, but――.

「If Rem ran into a spot like that, I can’t let this slide.」

　Both he and Rem had arrived here completely unprepared for a trek into the woods.

　The thought of her struggling on legs that hindered her survival left Subaru cursing every impulsive judgment he had made all over again.

「――Rem! Come out! I’m sorry!」

　As he treaded over soft earth and tall grass, Subaru lifted his voice high, calling out to the woods. Naturally, the act of shouting now increased the possibility that his voice would scare Rem and her companions away as they quaked in fear of whatever threat lurked here.

　Still, this was better than wandering with absolutely no clues or support.

　Keeping on with such activity, pressed by guilt and self-loathing, he couldn’t turn his back from acting on behalf of Rem.

　So many people had worked hard for her sake; if anything happened to her, how could Subaru apologize to them?

　There was no way he could even seek to repay them with his own death.

「Rem—! Where are you? Please respond! I’m begging you to stay near me!!」

　With each call, he grew hoarser; his voice was swallowed by the dense thicket, and exhaustion increasingly darkened the shadows around him. As should be noted, Subaru had only taken a short nap after all that erupted in the Pleiades Watchtower.

　Even with the spirits’ healing provided in the “Green Room,” it barely mended his ailing body.

　If he were to find Rem and breathe a sigh of relief, he might collapse right there and then.

　Cautiously aware of this absurd possibility, he continued to stumble through the forest――.

「Rem—! Please answer! I’m sorry for what I’ve done!」

　With hands to mouth, he kept calling out to them.

　That was a plea from the depths of his heart, and yet Rem didn’t return his voice, only deepening Subaru’s despair.

　He pushed ahead, relentlessly searching for the lost figure of Rem amidst the trees――.

「――――」

　As he prepared to call out her name again, he caught a glimpse of something in his peripheral vision.

　It was a subtle shift seen through the foliage, a slight flutter different from the grass swaying in the wind――.

「Re—」

　Hope surged as he turned to face it.

　――In that very moment, an overwhelming impact crashed against Subaru’s chest.

「――ッ！」

　Unable to let out a cry, the impact lifted his feet and blasted him backwards, slamming his back against a tree, the breath knocked from him.

「Guh… what, the…?!」

　With his thoughts bewildered by the scene, he desperately pieced together the fragments.

　Before him, from the opening between trees, he had barely seen a rush of something darting forth towards him. It was unmistakably an attack.

　In the blink of an eye, Subaru’s thoughts raced to react and avoid taking damage, but movement was swallowed up in the impact when—

「――Eh?」

　Incredibly, the thick arrowhead that pierced into his chest lodged deeply enough to spear through his back and pin him against the tree.

「Guh—buh…」

　The instant he realized, a gush of blood spilled from his mouth.

　Gurgling in despair, he spewed forth a deluge of life essence, a torrent from ruptured entrails and beyond, drowning his lungs in blood. Gagging on the flowing crimson, he desperately tried to draw breath.

　Wrenching at his breast, he grasped the arrow, attempting to detach it.

　It wouldn’t budge. That arrow remained firmly embedded in him, pinning him to the tree.

「What the hell is this arrow?」

　Completely horrific, incomprehensibly thick; it wrecked his body, holding it fast as if he were an insect specimen pinned through.

「Aah, uuh…」

　Amidst the blood spilling from his mouth, he continued to call out the name of the one he’d lost in the forest. His voice morphed into a desperate warning against the unseen malevolence lurking within.

　Someone was hiding in the thicket, aiming with their bow and arrow at him.

　For Subaru, this was the last scene in a heartbreaking twist of fate.

「—Muu…」

　What was happening? Where was he, and what was the course of action to take?

　Heat surged, piercing pain arrived too late to register, slithering its way through his body, pouring blood from his eyes, nose, and ears.

　With the sensation of losing everything overwhelming him, Subaru felt the cold grip of death edge ever closer, fretting, straining his vision through blood-covered lashes, he called her name as fiercely as he could reach.

　――At the very end, he called out her name.

　Bloodied and gasping, he kept calling, calling, calling.

　Calling out until the end――.

“`

 

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