“Uwoah!”

Just after I felt a sharp impact in my right hand, the grip of the whip I was holding was yanked away.

In a desperate attempt to resist, I gathered strength in my hand, but the force pulling it away was beyond my capability, causing me to stumble forward and hit the ground with a loud “Abeshi!”

“Ouch….”

“Every day, it’s only through diligence that we improve. You still seem to lack training. How poor.”

“I’ve got no retort for that…”

Falling flat on my back, I grimaced at the cutting remarks that rained down from above. Slowly rising my body, I locked eyes with a man looking down at me with a sharp, striking beauty.

His neatly trimmed dark blue hair and reptilian sharp gaze gave off an impression of someone diligent and polished. That monocle and butler uniform clearly showed he was a meticulous worker.

His name is—

“—Krlind! How dare you treat Lord Subaru like this!”

“—”

Yes, the young man called Krlind silently turned his gaze to the side. In his place, a tall woman approached, striding over.

With long golden hair swaying gracefully and beautiful emerald eyes, she was a well-proportioned beauty. Clad in a black maid outfit, she bypassed Krlind and walked up to Subaru on the ground, gently offering him a white handkerchief.

“Are you alright, Lord Subaru? From what I see, you’ve fallen face-first into the ground…”

“Yeah, I’m fine, Frederica. My clothes got a bit dirty, but that’s nothing unusual.”

As Subaru gratefully accepted the handkerchief and wiped his face, Frederica, looking worried, persisted, “But…”

Yet it was Krlind who shrugged off Frederica’s words.

“Just as stated, your training seems to follow its normal course, Lord Subaru. Rather, it’s you who is making a fuss and causing Lord Subaru embarrassment. Such meddling.”

“Wha—!”

Frederica’s face turned red at Krlind’s remark, baring her sharp teeth in irritation.

As the two began to glare at each other, Subaru felt an urge to bury his head in his hands, thinking, “Here we go again…”

—Krlind and Frederica.

Both are servants under the service of the Meizars family, donned in a butler and maid uniform, but I’ve heard their long-standing relationship isn’t that great.

Normally, they are both competent servants, well-mannered and considerate. However, whenever they interact, arguments flare up over the smallest things.

Sometimes it’s highly sophisticated discussions about Roswaal’s governance, or just trivial arguments over yielding the hallway to one another.

To put it simply, they just don’t get along—

“Frederica, I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine.”

“No, it’s not your well-being I’m concerned about. I’m just infuriated by the way this man carries himself, his aloof face, and his inconsiderate words!”

“It wasn’t about my well-being! How embarrassing!”

“Oh, no! I definitely don’t mean it that way! I’m worried about you, of course, Lord Subaru. Not just me, but even Petra is!”

Frederica, throwing out her words, didn’t leave Subaru any option but to scratch his cheek and chuckle awkwardly.

He’d been causing a lot of distress to the women in the mansion—especially Petra, aside from Ram.

Given that Frederica had come to check on him at Petra’s request, that perhaps was the truth of the matter.

“Still, it was me who made the request. I’m ready to endure this Spartan training… I’ve got to level up before the master returns to Annerose.”

“—That’s good determination. So I shall pour my efforts into your instruction. Let’s get motivated.”

As Subaru finished speaking, Krlind swung his arm, causing the ivory whip in his hand to crack through the air.

With that same weapon, Krlind was helping the blundering Subaru learn the ropes. Respecting Krlind’s skills and position, Subaru had taken to calling him “master.”

“Honestly, if I hadn’t been tutored, I’d have reached my limit on my own. It’s a relief to have someone who can use a whip close by.”

“I’m honored to be of assistance. Joy! However, there are others capable of wielding a whip as well. Potential candidates.”

“Eh, someone else can use it? I don’t mean someone like Ram who uses whip-like words, right?”

“Lord Subaru, that kind of thought is—… well, in Ram’s case, I can’t deny it.”

As Subaru picked up his fallen whip and prepared for the next round, Frederica grimaced at his lighthearted banter. Observing the exchange between the two, Krlind closed one eye behind his monocle.

“It’s quite simple. It’s your lord, you know. All-purpose.”

“Then I definitely don’t want to learn from him!”

Saying that, Subaru trampled over the options that didn’t suit him, swinging the whip.

With a speed that could surpass sound if he went all out, the whip’s tip whirled in a beautiful arc, aiming not at Krlind—but at the logs resting atop a round stump between them.

The task handed down from Krlind was to ensnare the log perched on the stump with the whip.

It was a high hurdle that Subaru had yet to clear even once until today.

This wasn’t simply because Subaru lacked the skills needed to catch the logs with the whip.

“Your aim is painfully obvious. Blocked.”

“Guh…!”

In an instant, Krlind’s whip struck the tip of Subaru’s whip with a terrible precision and sent it flying away.

Overcoming this interference was the main condition of Subaru’s challenge. This was the true reason he had never cleared this hurdle.

“Hitting where you aim, catching what you aim for, and delivering the desired outcome. If you chose the whip instead of relying on a sword or spear, then you must produce results. Anything less is meaningless.”

“D—Damn! Why do you have to block it so effortlessly? I know that already!”

Trying to pull back his whip, Subaru’s tip was captured once again by Krlind.

By the time he recognized the reality, it was already too late. In the next moment, Krlind, who didn’t seem to exert much force, easily toppled Subaru over.

“Ugh!”

“Quite a flashy fall. Don’t forget the importance of landing safely. Stay vigilant.”

“Sub… Subaru-sama!”

Once again, Subaru tumbled forward, and Frederica rushed over. This time, he landed face-first into the ground, blood dripping from his nose.

Frantically, Frederica pressed the handkerchief against the bleeding.

“Krlind, this is going a bit too far, don’t you think?!”

“For Lord Subaru’s sake, it’s unavoidable. Consider it necessary. You mustn’t obstruct the motivation of a boy.”

“Motivation for a boy, huh…”

Frederica looked utterly incredulous, yet Krlind shook his head. With a sharp gaze, he regarded Subaru, wiping blood from his face.

“Lord Subaru, I admire your willingness to seek my teachings. Splendid. As you stand beside Lady Emilia as a knight, you’ll need strength. To protect Lady Emilia and yourself. Essential.”

“…Yeah, I get it. That’s why I’m thankful for the harsh training.”

Even with a sniffling nose, Subaru’s spirit didn’t wane.

Taking note of that, Frederica pursed her lips tightly.

“Menfolk sure are like Garf—just a bunch of fools, aren’t they…”

“Not just a fool, but if we ranked strength, I could’ve used some help, but no such luck.”

Holding his nose, blood still dripped from both nostrils, desperately trying to stop the flow.

As he stood back up, Krlind gave a deep nod.

“Without stopping to look back… that attitude is quite commendable. Hopeful.”

“Thanks for that. …Getting better at handling the whip will broaden my options. With more options, not only for me but also for those around me.”

“Yes. However, don’t put too much faith in that. There aren’t many instances where Lord Subaru has to fight alone. Supportive.”

Krlind pointed toward Frederica, standing nearby.

Including her, Krlind, Garfiel, Otto, and most importantly, Beatrice were all there for Subaru. If he’s fighting to protect someone, of course, Emilia would be too.

Thus, Krlind’s words held truth.

Subaru’s battles wouldn’t be about him winning alone, but rather enabling someone else to thrive in those battles.

“By the way, if it happens that I end up alone, what do I do then?”

“You should run. Run like your life depends on it.”

“—”

Even joking lightly, Krlind didn’t smile.

It was an improbable situation, but one that wasn’t impossible either. In an extraordinarily desperate situation, Krlind’s advice was blunt.

“The thing to do is run, Lord Subaru. Run without a care for appearances, without looking back. That’s the best course of action. The only one.”

“That last line makes it sound less like a proper plan and more like I’ve got no other option…”

Krlind answered without changing his expression.

There was no need for him to reply. Ultimately, that was the point.

“Geez, my master’s got no mercy!”

“That man has always been harsh with promising candidates… but once he loses interest, he tosses them aside. Coldly and cruelly.”

“Frederica? Your tone just took a turn for the cold.”

Feeling a lethal vibe as if it were about to cut through something, Subaru cautiously asked, and Frederica replied with a disgruntled pout, “I don’t know!”

Then she dusted off her maid dress.

“I’ve made up my mind. I will support you through this intense training, Lord Subaru. Please, do make that ever-cool Krlind eat humble pie!”

“That’s quite the demanding request!”

“Oh dear, isn’t that the kind of thing someone asking Emilia to become a king would say?”

As expected of a capable maid, she’s a pro at provocation.

At Frederica’s words, Subaru’s eyes widened, and he nodded with a mischievous grin. Then, with determination, he gripped the whip tightly.

“Being told that and backing down would make me a pathetic man! I’ll show you, just watch!”

With heroic bravado, Subaru swung the raised whip with all his might.

It sliced through the air with a sharp arc, aiming straight for the log sitting on the stump—

“While the enthusiasm is commendable, your ability is lacking. Childish.”

“Guh, guaaaah—!!”

Once more, he was thrown face-first into the ground.

—

A tree above splintered and broke, sending shockwaves throughout his body.

Bathed in the aftermath, Subaru spat out the metallic-tasting blood that filled his mouth.

“—”

In his arms was the warm, soft body of Rem.

I still had my arms and legs intact, clearly having succeeded in dodging the arrow sent my way. Knowing that was enough to consider this moment a pass.

“What the—suddenly what’s going on—”

“Shut it, or you’ll bite your tongue!”

Caught off guard, Rem struggled to respond, but Subaru wouldn’t hear any dissent.

He pulled her body up and tumbled forward, then backward, rolling with Rem tightly in his hold.

Inside his arms, he felt her suppressing a scream, but it was drowned out by an even louder sound—the roar of a fallen tree crashing down.

Just moments before, the spot where Subaru and Rem had been lying was crushed beneath the great tree, causing other trees nearby to join in a chorus of devastation.

As a human born from nature, that fact sent pain through Subaru’s heart, but—

“—Right now, this takes priority!”

Amidst the dust kicked up by the fallen trees, Subaru kept rolling forward. Though Rem resisted, relying on sheer will, he pulled her along.

Continuing to roll, he suddenly felt the ground beneath him vanish.

“Gwaah!”

“Eek!?”

The floating sensation lasted an instant, and before long, the ground caught both of them.

Filled with fallen trees and loamy earth, it was a large pit—a trap set by Rem designed to ensnare Subaru.

By intentionally tumbling into it, he had cut off the line of fire from their attacker.

However, the price for that was not without consequence.

“Guh… Damn, broke my fingers!”

In a frenzy, he had pulled Rem close, but now the fingers she grasped were crushed. My middle, ring, and pinky fingers—all three lay shattered.

Avoiding looking directly at the awkwardly twisted fingers, Subaru writhed, while Rem crawled out of the same pit they had tumbled into, creating some distance.

“Of course! Under such sudden circumstances… what’s happening!?”

“…I forgot to mention, there’s a dangerous hunter in the woods. The chances of being shot by mistake while hunting deer now seem almost nil… dammit.”

Sweat beaded on his brow as Subaru straightened the three broken fingers. For now, he used a branch to stabilize them, tying it off with the handkerchief.

That it was just his left hand that took the break was fortunate; if it had been his dominant right hand, capable of wielding the whip, Subaru would have been reduced to the fighting prowess of an elementary school student.

“A dangerous hunter… they’re not on your side?”

“Who would fire at someone like this, especially if they’re an ally? Besides, what sort of support fire is this… Ugh!?”

As he gently peered out of the hole to survey the area, a tree right in front of him exploded.

It seemed the hunter had prioritized clearing his line of sight in order to target Subaru and Rem above all else. He must have figured there was no means to respond with long-range attacks.

“Normally, a sniper would change positions the moment they’re spotted… Damn, they’re underestimating me. I can’t even push back!”

“—Is this the power of a bow and arrow? Unbelievable. This isn’t normal.”

“Yeah! I think so too! If I got hit by that, it’d probably put a huge hole right through my chest!”

In fact, the previous time, he’d been shot with an arrow and nailed to a tree like a bug on display.

However, there was something a bit off about the situation. —Despite having entered the woods from a different direction, why was this hunter here?

“Why are you here…?”

The pain from his broken fingers throbbed in his brain like a drill.

Wincing and clamping his jaw tight from the agony, Subaru racked his thoughts furiously.

It was difficult to believe that this hunter and the one that had killed Subaru before were not the same person.

Both had launched an attack on him and shared the same powerful bow as their weapon. The issue remained whether this was an accidental attack or deliberate.

In either case, it was a mystery why this moment called for the hunter to come after Subaru.

The truth was, Subaru and Rem faced off, and he had been frozen in shock at her rejection, yet that didn’t mean they were all that easy to hit from afar.

Moreover, if someone were actively targeting them, it might mean they had been followed.

Surely the conditions were murky, but Subaru was unsure of how they had been transported from the Pleiades Watchtower.

Perhaps they had flown through the sky like a shooting star and crashed onto this patch of grass.

Of course, if that were the case, it wouldn’t factor in how Rem was laid out, but frail Subaru’s body should have been smashed to bits.

“Maybe they’re eyeing an intruder who fell into that place…”

Alternatively, this could be private land, causing an intruder to be chased away with extreme aggression. One could see the hunter as being reckless, but their aim was off.

“Then can’t we just negotiate?! Hey! I mean you no harm! We’re in this forest just by coincidence…”

“Wait a moment! Are you implying ‘we’ includes me and that girl? I don’t want to be associated with you!”

“What the hell are you saying right now—guh!?”

His attempt to call for a ceasefire was swiftly interrupted by an arrow that slammed into the ground, splitting it wide open.

The power of the shot was overwhelming enough to erase everything, even the quarrel he was having with Rem.

“Seems like he’s not someone who will listen to reason…”

“If the opponent is an archer, we have to think of the possibility that they could hit us from an angle… If they plan to wait for hours like a serious sniper… No, wait a minute, archery doesn’t work the same way as a sniper using a scope; they can’t keep it locked on for too long, can they?”

It’s common in films and manga to depict a sniper patiently waiting hours for their target to arrive, but surely archery would work differently.

Unlike a gun that only requires pulling a trigger, an arrow needs to be nocked on the bowstring and drawn. Even the extraordinary individuals in this world would reach their limits eventually.

Given that, it’s likely the enemy hunter would be looking to—

“—A quick duel.”

Subaru decided that sooner or later, the enemy would make a move, placing himself on a strict time limit.

As there was no sign that the enemy intended to negotiate, a fight became unavoidable. And despite that unavoidable clash, the odds were grim.

“Following the teachings of my master, my only option is to flee.”

Fortunately, having leapt into the pit, the opponent could no longer see where they were. Climbing up the opposite side would allow them to escape into the forest’s dense undergrowth.

Or perhaps—

“—”

“What? You suddenly went quiet; what’s up? You were just planning your escape, weren’t you?”

“…In this tense situation, it seems I’m more inclined to listen to reason for now.”

“Hmm?”

With her brows furrowing in a fine expression, Rem knelt on the ground, looking upset.

However, because she didn’t attack immediately, Subaru sensed that she likely realized she wouldn’t have the luxury to argue right now.

If a temporary truce could cause her hostility to hold back even for a moment, then it would hasten negotiations.

“Rem, hear me out. I’ll draw their attention, while you climb up the far side of the pit and escape.”

“Huh…?”

“I get that the power of their arrows is intense, but we’ve got plenty of natural cover here. I’ll buy you time; you just need to make your escape.”

When weighing the success rates of bringing Rem along versus having her escape first, Subaru believed the latter would yield a higher chance of success. Regardless of how skilled the opponent might be, this was a forest filled with trees, making it hard for arrows to pierce through.

“If I can buy enough time, I’ll escape too. Just, if you leave, don’t become separated from me; I need you to leave some kind of marker. I realize it may be unclear, but in my hometown, we use arrows as signs to point the direction…”

“—Don’t say such selfish things.”

“Rem?”

Going over his plans for escape, Subaru explained the situation to Rem. However, suddenly, Rem interrupted Subaru with a fierce glare.

Being met with such intensity made him pause, wondering what was going on. And Rem, seemingly even more agitated by Subaru’s confusion, shot back.

“You decide everything on your own… and now you say I should run? Are you really angry with me after trying to abandon me?”

In essence, she rejected his proposal for the very same reason that had led her to initially refuse Subaru.

That logic was understandable. It could be considered a noble response born from pure humanity. Yet, he hadn’t expected that in this situation, it would lead her to feel compelled to try and defend Subaru.

“However, I—”

“I don’t need excuses. There’s no time! Besides, I refuse to take orders to run by myself. Ultimately, it would be wrong to leave that child behind too.”

Eyes wide with surprise, Rem turned her gaze from Subaru and focused beyond the pit.

Her focus pushed towards the great tree that had been blasted away by the first arrow—not far from another tree.

“Though I didn’t think she was there, is she hiding there? In the middle of this uproar? How can anyone be so quiet…”

“…It was difficult to carry her around, so I rendered her unconscious. She shouldn’t wake up for a while.”

“You—”

Just uttering the name of their weight—Louis—who had turned into a burden at such a time, what could have boiled up into frustration faded upon hearing that classic phrase that was so typically Rem.

Such an instantaneous decision, absolutely something only Rem would do.

“…I’m aware that it was a poor choice.”

“Still, considering the current situation, it probably was the best option. —But can you leave her behind and escape with me?”

“I don’t know who I am, but I’d rather bite my tongue than leave her behind.”

Subaru briefly pondered if Rem might really die if she went through with it, but he didn’t want to put her in that situation.

Truthfully, the best option for Subaru here would be to ditch Louis and escape alongside Rem, but he didn’t think Rem would allow that.

“Curse the compassionate side of me that surfaced before being swallowed by the shadows…”

When the “Green Room” had been consumed by the darkness, he had clutched Rem instinctively, which had led them into this plight. There was no way to change what had already happened, but he would stand firmly on the fact that he regretted his decisions back then.

“What are you going to do?”

“…I’ll do it. I’ll bring her back. That tree over there, right?”

“—Yes. She’s nestled in a hollow of that tree. Do you have any chance of success?”

“Master told me that when facing strong foes, I should escape without hesitation.”

Not entirely about understanding the difference in their strengths.

Since in this world, most people were indeed stronger than Subaru, it was best for him to assume that everyone he met was above him in skill and strength for self-preservation.

And thus, making escape his absolute priority. However, if escape wasn’t an option—

“I’ll use everything I can. Rem, I know you’ll hate this, but I need your help.”

“—If it’s to save that child…”

Fixing her gaze on the offered hand, Rem didn’t grasp it.

Yet she nodded with a reluctance that spoke volumes.

—

With a strong swing of his left arm, Subaru tested the state of his three broken fingers.

It hurt. He couldn’t ignore the throbbing pain that stabbed into his brain, but he resolved not to let it hinder his movement.

And then—

“—Here I go!”

Gathering his strength, he pushed upward against a small fallen tree from the pit.

In the next instant, an arrow flew in at tremendous speed, piercing the lifted log. The shock tore the log away from Subaru’s arms, sending it hurtling violently behind him.

“Uoohh!!!”

Ignoring the spectacle, Subaru climbed out of the pit and planted his feet on the ground.

Even a proud hunter skilled in archery would reach a limit to how fast they could shoot. Unlike guns, where you could pull the trigger with your finger, you had to nock an arrow onto the bow, draw it, and aim.

That time lag presented the briefest glimmer of survival for Subaru—

“—Faster!!!”

Just at that moment, as Subaru ventured the first step out of the pit, he heard Rem’s voice behind him.

In terms of time, it was barely two seconds from when the first shot sent the decoy log flying and pierced the air—a mere blink in time to someone as practiced as a seasoned hunter.

“—!”

Immediately after hearing her voice, the ground behind Subaru erupted.

The hasty response didn’t allow him a moment to freeze or prepare a protective stance. In fact, if he hadn’t been as slow to react, it realistically would’ve been miraculous.

As he dashed toward the target tree, another arrow followed after him, released within two seconds.

If that arrow struck, Subaru would surely meet the same fate as the previous time he’d ended up skewered.

But—

“I won’t let that happen—!”

The hunter’s next attack was interrupted by a fierce projectile—a chunk of soil flung viciously from Rem’s position in the pit.

Backing against the slope of the pit, she threw a large, dirtied boulder with great force—it was akin to cannon fire.

“I would’ve been better off knowing how to use magic!”

When assessing the power available to her, Rem hadn’t been keen on utilizing her magic or the power from her demon kin. To be accurate, she had simply failed to recall how to use it.

Since time was of the essence, he couldn’t afford to squander moments hoping to reminisce on skills long-forgotten. Thus, Subaru had opted for a different approach, leveraging raw brute strength that lay dormant.

Employing the raw physicality of her demon blood, she hurled the weapon of nature towards the once arrogant hunter, who had taken them lightly.

“Cornered rats bite the cat! Enjoy it while you can!!”

Soaring over the vibrations produced by arrows hitting close to the ground, Subaru saw the seething rage of Rem’s thrown boulder closing in on the direction from which the hunter had shot.

“Wha—? AAAAHHHH—!!”

When it came to facing an enemy directly, Rem’s lack of moderation became the charm of her personality.

The stones she’d scooped and gathered as a precaution became incredibly dangerous weapons when flung by her slender arms.

“While Rem buys time for me—”

With a volley of rock projectiles crashing into the sniper, Subaru dashed on towards the designated tree.

Once he rounded behind the massive trunk, within the hollow that had decayed and opened, he caught sight of Louis’ body, peacefully curled up with her golden hair.

“—”

Her flushed, pink cheeks and lightly rising chest confirmed she was alive.

Just as he reached out for her body, a strong sense of rejection clutched his heart. Even with an intention to move on resolutely, his very soul screamed against Louis.

Even showing such an innocent sleeping face, she was still a significant sin bishop.

Unforgivable and heinous, she was—

“Don’t stop now!!”

“—!”

His hesitation was shattered by Rem’s desperate cry.

At that moment, it struck Subaru like the bitter end of reality, forcing him to swallow his reservations and lift Louis’ body. Clutching her lightweight form, he emerged from the tree hollow, returning to Rem—

“—Huh?”

Suddenly, as Subaru burst out, a shadow loomed unexpectedly in their path.

He had expected the same route back to the pit. This dark figure had been absent during their escape, thus looking up, Subaru found himself at a loss for words.

“—!!!”

Gliding silently through the woods, a massive shadow stood in Subaru’s way. The identity of that shadow, surging upwards, was a colossal serpent, nearly ten meters long.

Covered completely in green scales with yellow eyes, as the enormous beast entered the scene, Subaru noted a spiraled white horn protruding from its brow, recognizing its true nature.

“A Beast—!!”

Faced with its intimidating visage, Subaru regretted his previous oversight.

Subaru himself had been acutely aware since awakening in this other world. Since being summoned, the fragrance of the witch had been at its strongest.

That meant, just like when he had been at the Augria Sand Dunes, the beasts were naturally drawn toward Subaru, as had occurred in countless instances before.

In a place like this, with few travelers crossing through a shadowy forest, it was undeniably the perfect lair for such creatures.

“—”

The serpent opened its massive jaws wide, locking its sights on Subaru.

Glancing just at the enormous mouth, capable of swallowing both him and Louis whole, sent a ripple of dread coursing through him as his sense of time dulled.

—Oh man, this is bad.

Unable to shake off that feeling, Subaru felt his perception of the world start to slow down, akin to seeing a fading film reel. In essence, it felt like the thoughts racing through his mind simply slowed down near death’s grasp.

However, when hunting for past experiences, Subaru held none that would allow him to narrowly escape from such a giant snake. The closest memory he could muster was that of a herd of rabbits, which instead was a remembrance he would rather push away.

In this unproductive channel of thought, a fleeting moment of clarity arose, causing Subaru to shrink back.

Cursing his own body which instinctively stepped in to shield Louis—

“—!!?”

Just above Subaru’s head, something dripped down, splattering around him.

He dreaded imagining it might be the digestive fluids from a predator, but fortunately, that wasn’t the case. What enveloped him was the hot, black blood that flowed profusely from the behemoth.

The enormous serpent, previously struck by an arrow, ejected a mass of sanguine fluid heavily.

“`

 

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