The fall of the Castle City Gwararu; that is Abel’s next move.

Subaru processed the bold proclamation in his mind and immediately reached a conclusion.

It’s a reckless plan.

“A Castle City, no less… surrounded by massive walls on all sides, with gates that are always under surveillance. You can’t just say it’ll fall without a care.”

“Oh? Almost as if you’ve seen it firsthand… But no, you have seen it, haven’t you? Since you haven’t provided any useful information, I tend to forget.”

“Your sarcasm is sharp as ever. But that wit only works against someone sitting here to talk with you. It doesn’t apply to someone holding a weapon.”

In the center of the assembly hall, Subaru and Abel glared at each other over a fire.

Abel, behind his demonic mask, showed no emotions, and yet it was the sheer incomprehensibility of his intentions that left Subaru irritated and confused.

Subaru’s legitimate concerns should not have escaped Abel’s attention.

Yet, for some reason, he had the audacity to suggest the fall of a Castle City—

“…You’re suggesting we invade the city using a secret passage, aren’t you?”

Next to the silently breathing Subaru, it was Rem who spoke softly.

Seated with her knees tucked to the side, she gazed intently at Abel with her pale blue eyes. Rather than glare, her expression seemed to probe.

Receiving that, Abel shrugged, “Needless to say.”

“As Natsuki Subaru said, the checkpoint at the city’s main gate is the first wall. Bypassing that and infiltrating the city is essential.”

“Even if we can infiltrate, it appeared that a large number of imperial soldiers were inside the city. Even if we could ignore the checkpoint, I believe there are too many enemies.”

“Hmph.”

As Abel sorted through the obstacles to the fall of Gwararu, Rem methodically countered him. Despite Abel snorting in disdain, Subaru grew more confused.

The root of that confusion was undoubtedly Rem’s stance, opposing Abel outright.

Given the arguments at hand, Rem’s position could be seen as siding with Subaru against attacking Gwararu.

However, her perspective was unbelievably correct. It was as if she had keenly assessed that point during her brief stay in Gwararu.

“Natsuki Subaru, how do you understand the difference in troop strength between offense and defense?”

“Huh? The rule of three times more attackers, or something like that?”

“The rule of three times more attackers… well put.”

Responding instinctively to the question, Subaru saw Abel nodding in approval.

The “rule of three times more attackers” refers to the concept of troop strength in battle, which suggests that the attacking side should ideally have three times the troops of the defending side.

This difference stems from their differing sense of purpose—the attacker must defeat their opponent while the defender merely needs to repel or defend against the attacker.

In this instance, Abel’s “People of Shudrak” must occupy Gwararu; however, the imperial soldiers and guards stationed within the city can accomplish their objective simply by holding the city against the attack.

This disparity in success rates necessitates a corresponding troop increase—

“There’s no way we can muster three times the number of troops of the city. Mizelda, how many people are there in this settlement?”

“Eighty-two in total. Including Abel and that man… Flopp, it should be about a hundred.”

“I don’t understand how you calculate by including a handsome man, but only a hundred, huh? That city, even roughly estimated, must have more than three times that strength.”

Setting Mizelda’s calculations aside, Subaru estimated Gwararu’s troop strength.

The city size was just under ten thousand, so it must have a reasonable number of guards ensuring its safety. Moreover, those additional imperial soldiers congregated there after their encampment had burned down.

—Including that Todd.

“…”

“At the very least, you seem to have a basic understanding. However, your silence speaks more of another fear than concerns over the disparity in troop strength.”

“…It’s true I’m scared, but the power difference is real too.”

Caught off guard by the assessment of his inner thoughts, Subaru clicked his tongue.

In fact, the first obstacle that came to mind upon hearing about the siege on Gwararu was Todd. Just imagining confronting him again made his insides churn.

If you consider it using the “rule of three times more attackers,” it shouldn’t even equate to a legitimate discussion.

“There are no means to overcome this power disparity unless we gain a hero who could single-handedly take down a thousand enemies or if the enemy commander is remarkably incompetent.”

“I’m afraid I can’t expect either. While the strength of Shudrak could sweep aside generic soldiers, we’d still be overcome by numbers. Moreover, I’ve heard the enemy commander is Ziqru Osman. He’s practical and unremarkable in his strategies, but he is without flaw.”

“Ziqru… I’ve heard that name before.”

He recalled first hearing that name from Todd, back before relations soured.

Even though the imperial camp had already burned down, Ziqru was said to be the one directing the operations from there.

However, having the camp obliterated meant the man was defeated.

“The troops there were mere fodder. Originally, the information fed to them was minimal to disguise the main objectives of the military action… Against a few tribes in the forest, there’s no way two commanders would march to the frontline.”

“Then, does that mean the commander himself was still stationed in the city from the beginning?”

“Truthfully, had nothing happened, he would’ve achieved sufficient results. The distortion in that plan was due to my command and… ah, yes, yours truly, Natsuki Subaru.”

“Ugh…”

Maliciously, Abel confronted Subaru with the weight of accountability that Subaru wished to avoid.

Grinding his teeth, Subaru brought a hand to his mouth.

In any case, there was a high likelihood that this Ziqru would remain in Gwararu.

The imperial ranks go one commander, two commanders, and three commanders, but being second from the top is indicative of significant strength.

“So, what does that imply? We’re already outmatched in terms of force, and the enemy commander is a considerable talent. Moreover, we’ve raised their alertness by poking the hornet’s nest.”

“That is correct. Do you grasp the weight of this responsibility?”

“I keep saying it’s impossible!”

Abel relentlessly pressured Subaru on his superficial reasoning but, of course, the issue lay elsewhere.

With odds stacked against them, it’s Abel’s refusal to abandon the thought of fighting that seemed outright foolish. Subaru continued to assert that challenging him would be futile from the start.

To begin with—

“I absolutely oppose fighting at all. I clearly laid it out when we first stepped out of here. I want… I just want to return with Rem.”

“However, it has already been proven that is difficult. Do you think your only enemies are the imperial soldiers that have entered Gwararu? Can you write off the safety of other villages or towns?”

“…”

“No matter where you go, your safety has already been forfeited. I intended to give you enough time to realize this and to feel its implications. Or do you still find it inadequate?”

Abel’s scolding gaze preyed upon Subaru’s feeble spirit.

Enduring that painful sensation, Subaru took a long breath and reluctantly accepted the bitter truth in Abel’s words.

The hardships faced in Gwararu had built a mental wall within Subaru.

Henceforth, even if he attempted to escape the country with Rem, the same unease and vigilance would not disappear in any other area outside of Gwararu.

Subaru’s arrogance had been paid for by the five deaths he had endured.

“—In that case, what if I were to sell you out to the enemy?”

Having barricaded his escape and endured the mockery of being called foolish, Subaru grimaced as he shot the question.

For a moment, the air in the gathering hall grew taut. Clearly, he noticed Rem’s wide eyes in his peripheral vision.

However, at the mention of betrayal, Abel chuckled lightly.

“Hmph. It appears you’ve finally started thinking straight. But…”

“That’s not a request I can entertain, Subaru.”

In a flash, Mizelda had drawn a dagger and placed it at Subaru’s throat.

Caught off guard by the swift motion, Subaru gasped and looked up to see the tall chieftain’s face. Mizelda’s striking beauty held the cold demeanor of a ruthless hunter.

“We have already decided to fight alongside Abel. If that is the wish of the companions recognized by the Ritual of Blood, no one else’s opinions matter.”

“…I know it’s self-serving to say this now, but after getting my strength from Mizelda and her people, is everyone truly okay with this?”

Mizelda’s steadfast resolve was evident, but that question was dismissed without consideration.

As a chieftain, she must embody the will of the “People of Shudrak,” so she wouldn’t be persuaded. Still, others who were there, like Talitta, Kuna, and Holly, should have differing opinions.

“That one over there also said it earlier. The disparity in strength is glaring, and our opponent is a seasoned warrior. It’s clear there’s no prospect of winning even if we fight…”

“Subaru, you are misunderstanding…”

“Misunderstanding…?”

Seeking another perspective, Subaru looked for an opinion, but remarkably, it was Holly who answered first.

Listening from the edge of the assembly hall while gnawing on dried meat, Holly gazed at Subaru with her big round eyes.

“If we talk about winning and losing, we will lose merely by stepping back. Our souls will be stained with filth if we do not fight for our companions.”

“Stained with filth… Do you mean pride or keeping our ancestral spirits in mind, or something along those lines?”

“Exactly! You understand, Subaru!”

With a smile that seemed to radiate hope, Holly affirmed Subaru’s words.

Yet, it didn’t prove they were on the same page; rather, it underscored their differences.

Subaru acknowledged that these thoughts existed within him.

Feeling pride and valuing something invisible that does not directly contribute to one’s being—there’s reaffirmation that they hold such values dearly above all else.

However, that was fundamentally incompatible with Subaru’s belief that nothing should take precedence over one’s life.

“Kuna! Talitta! Do you two share the same opinion?!”

“…I don’t really think about things like Holly or the chieftain, ya know?”

“…I’ll follow elder sister’s decision. That is my will.”

“I see…”

The two he reached out to provided him no favorable answers.

Perhaps he expected some deviation from the usual stance from Kuna, but that seemed to have been a miscalculation as well. As for Talitta, her absolute obedience towards Mizelda was predictable.

Just as it seemed they would continue to remain in this stalemate with the dagger still pressed against Subaru’s neck—

“…Mizelda, please put down your weapon. That person has no intention of surrendering Abel to the enemy.”

It was none other than Rem who spoke, instructing Mizelda to lower her dagger.

Receiving Mizelda’s gaze, Rem narrowed her eyes.

“Are you directing me, Rem? You have not received the ‘Ritual of Blood.’ I will permit you to stay in the settlement for Subaru’s sake, but I will not stand for any insubordination.”

“Then you truly must put down your weapon. That person has received the ritual… That ‘Ritual of Blood,’ and been accepted as a companion. Hurting them is not acceptable.”

“Hmph…”

Mizelda tried to intimidate Rem, but Rem firmly rebuffed her, causing Mizelda to stumble over her words. In the end, she quickly sheathed the dagger at her waist.

Having released Subaru, Mizelda gazed intently at Rem.

“Your words were correct. However, should opinions diverge again between Abel and Subaru, I shall side with Abel. Don’t forget that.”

“Is it because this person’s gaze resembles a wicked villain befitting their scent?”

“A somewhat sharp gaze also carries charm. I prefer handsome individuals.”

With that, the tension in the standoff loosened, but the final exchange felt awfully deflating.

Regardless, Subaru was freed from the immediate danger of losing his head and gingerly caressed where the blade had pressed against him. Then he turned to look at Rem.

“—What is it?”

“…No, I was just confused about whether I should respond to being defended or the criticism about my appearance.”

“I didn’t mention your appearance. It’s about your gaze. And your body odor too. It’s making me want to turn away. Please sit further over there.”

“Why now…?!”

Rem’s attitude had entered an ice age, putting distance between them, and Subaru felt hurt.

However, internally, a more complex turmoil was haunting him. In truth, he wasn’t sure why she chose to defend him.

It was possible she was unhappy to overlook inconsistencies, or perhaps something else entirely. Was that merely a desire on Subaru’s part?

After all, she hadn’t unpacked at the hostel in Gwararu.

“The discussion has suddenly derailed. But even if you manage to slip past the eyes of Shudrak, selling me out won’t work.”

“…Thanks for piecing yourself back together after having broken. I’ll take the opportunity to ask, why is that?”

“You’ve spent even a short time in the city. Then, have you heard of how the Imperial Capital is governed?”

“The state of the Imperial Capital? Oh! That’s right, I forgot about that!”

In the midst of that, Subaru slammed his knee and involuntarily stood up. Shifting the attention of the room, he called out, “Flopp-san!”

Having been lost in a fog of confusion, Flopp turned around, “Huh? What? I’m honestly quite bewildered and agitated, and my feelings are all jumbled up! I can’t quite follow the discussion, yet it feels like the topics are heading for a climax!”

“Sorry for leaving you out of the loop, but I have to confirm something. It’s regarding the proclamations you discussed in Gwararu concerning the Imperial Capital… Or rather, regarding the Emperor’s statement.”

“The Emperor’s proclamation… about the issues at the Imperial Capital?”

With a snap of his fingers, Flopp’s understanding seemed to solidify as he met Subaru’s nod.

Moments later, the fierce skirmishes repeated with Todd’s involvement were etched vividly into his memory, but they had originated from conversations previously held with Flopp in Gwararu.

Recalling that, Flopp patted down his long bangs and began, “In our Empire, where tensions simmer, there has been some kind of uproar in the Imperial Capital. It’s been a long time since the current Emperor has taken the throne, and the populace had been enjoying peaceful days without any signs of civil strife. However, this incident has surfaced.”

“And it was about how the issues in the Imperial Capital would ripple outward, leading the Emperor himself to step in to resolve them. Such an announcement is unusual…”

“That’s right. In fact, it’s the first time this has occurred since the current Emperor ascended the throne. Nonetheless, given his track record for managing the Empire, he is reliable! Long live the Volakia Empire!”

As Flopp raised his hands in jubilation, he inadvertently struck an old scar within Subaru.

Those praises of the Empire, repeated so often in the encampment of imperial soldiers, now felt far too naïve for Subaru to get involved with.

Regardless, the pressing issue was not the praises but the Emperor’s impending actions.

For the Emperor to step in to quell the chaos in the Imperial Capital was unprecedented. Above all, if the Emperor ever found it necessary to rally in public—

“Then, where would that leave you? Wouldn’t you have to prove that you’re not some crazy lunatic?”

“Prove? Why would I need to do that?”

“Huh?”

With legs crossed, Abel sat up straight, chuckling at Subaru’s suspicion. With his hand against his chest, he soon embodied the essence of his being.

“Those who’ve recklessly turned against me, even in this situation, should they still treat me as the outside fool, then what excuse do you have for your position?”

“Well, that’s…”

“Cease your simplistic thoughts driven solely for the sake of your safety. By judiciously considering conflicting possibilities, those that remain will be pure fact.”

Though Abel’s words had a grating edge, Subaru acknowledged there was a grain of truth to them.

He vehemently understood that the man before him, wearing the demon mask, could be a fraud impersonating the Emperor and that both Subaru and the “People of Shudrak” were being duped by his falsehood. That would be a hopeless outcome, let alone what seemed unlikely.

Fact is, Abel had used Shudrak’s power and knowledge drawn from Subaru to claim victory with the imperial soldiers. Such could not simply be set aside as mere grievances.

“Yet, if so, what becomes of the Imperial Capital? If we’re talking direct command, it is impossible for the Emperor not to present himself before the public.”

“Then he will indeed show up. A cleverly contrived doppelgänger of mine… To prevent anyone from sensing the Emperor’s absence, using the finest shadow we have, it would be… Chisha Gold.”

“Chisha…?”

A name Subaru didn’t recognize but inferred it was Abel—no, the Emperor’s double.

In a nation brimming with a philosophy of imperialism that evolves on the principle of the strong overwhelming the weak, it was easy to visualize a scenario where the Emperor employs a double for dealing with assassinations.

However, the scenario of that double being used against him was entirely upside down.

“Shut up; I am aware of it.”

“I see. In any case, I’m here to deal with a large nuisance. It’s an irritating situation.”

Subaru was confounded at the prospect of crossing swords directly with the Emperor’s doppelgänger.

The indication was evident that the tension was rising, hitting an incredible height for both him and Flopp.

With distractions falling heavier by the moment, they both had to consider how best to enable their survival in this immediate danger.

In this mix of intense anxiety, Subaru’s own determination was finally spinning outwards, “I absolutely won’t sit down quietly.”

That much conviction burst forth from deep inside him.

A monumental shift in circumstance moving Subaru into the forefront, “I will win this!”

He would chase down every opportunity he could grasp between the two marked histories of Gwararu and the present impending acknowledgments of the imperial sphere.

Then, with keyboards pressed underfoot while taking those first steps, Subaru resolutely took them with prepared posture—

“Subaru will not become just another sacrifice! He’ll fight with all he’s got!”

And at the culmination of that thought, he bolstered himself against the absurd sights before him.

“Pass me my fate, to prevent the Empire from obtaining complete control. Let’s go!”

As a result of the deliberations shattered open, Subaru emerged brightly front and center before them and declared.

“I have a plan to let Gwararu surrender without bloodshed. If the battle doesn’t spill blood, then it would create room for both sides to find common ground.”