After declaring that she would pass the chief position, Mizelda wore a resolute expression.

　Her beauty, characterized by a raw wildness and powerful eyes, showed no sign of waning—it was exactly as it was the first time I laid eyes on her. She truly exuded the impression of being a strong woman.

　True to that impression, Mizelda decided to step down from the position of chief after losing her right leg.

「――――」

　The sense of profound regret was not with Mizelda, but rather with those around her.

　The ‘People of Shudrak,’ who had witnessed Mizelda’s strength up close, could not easily shake off their feelings of loss and frustration.

　Kuna’s usual lack of cheerfulness intensified into an emotionless expression, and even Holly, who usually maintained a laid-back demeanor, wore a somber face. Utakata, with tear-filled eyes, bit her lip and looked down, while the other Shudraks similarly exhibited gloomy expressions.

　However, among them, the most disturbed was—

「あ、姉上、無理でス。私に族長なんテ、務まるわけガ……」

「――タリッタ」

「姉上だから務まった役目でス！　私にそんな器はありませン……っ」

　Talitta desperately pleaded, shaking her head in refusal.

　As Mizelda’s younger sister, selected as the next chief, it was clear from her daily behavior that she held a deep reverence and almost worshipful feelings for her sister.

　It was precisely because of this that Talitta, unable to accept the reality of Mizelda losing her leg, was in a state of utter bewilderment. Her distress seemed to surpass even that of Mizelda herself.

「……私の、力不足です」

　In response to Talitta’s heartfelt appeal, a weak voice laden with self-blame emerged.

　It came from Rem, who was standing at the edge of the floor, using a cane and showing signs of exhaustion.

　As the only person capable of using healing magic, Rem had been invaluable, running around to save many injured people. The extreme toll of her efforts was evident from her blood-stained clothes, disheveled hair, and visibly fatigued expression.

　However, she refused to acknowledge this, sticking to saying “I’m fine” even in response to Subaru’s concern.

　Nevertheless, no one had the right to blame Rem for her powerlessness.

　Without her, there would have been casualties from Arakia’s attack. Everyone understood this fact.

　Thus—

「レム、お前が気に病む必要はなイ。帝国の『将』と戦イ、片足で済んだのは運が良かっタ。……いヤ、お前の助力あってのことダ」

「ミゼルダさん……ですが」

「私はお前に感謝していル。それ以上の言葉はなイ」

　Mizelda expressed her gratitude once more to Rem, leaving her with nothing else to say.

　Beside silent Rem was Lui, whose long golden hair was disheveled. Gently placing a hand on Lui’s shoulder, Rem quietly averted her gaze.

　Subaru could painfully feel the guilt and helplessness Rem was experiencing. However, before he could utter anything, the handsome man with black hair stepped forward.

「ミゼルダ、考えを変える気はないな」

　At Abel’s question, Mizelda, who was sitting on an object, nodded.

　Touching the severed end of her bandaged leg with her fingers, she said,

「あア、変える気はなイ。シュドラクとヴォラキア皇帝との盟約は守られル。この先のことハ、私ではなくタリッタ……いヤ、族長に聞くがいイ」

「――。わかった。ミゼルダ、大儀であった」

「フ」

　Mizelda, firm in her intent to resign, received Abel’s understanding and, with a small sigh, relaxed her expression.

　She smiled faintly and looked up at Abel, saying,

「どうせなラ、微笑んでみせロ。それが美形の務めというものダ」

「――。ふん」

「それでいイ」

　Despite just losing her leg, Mizelda was incredibly strong.

　Her resolve allowed even the arrogant and impertinent Abel to refrain from any disrespect, and he smiled back at her.

　It was a testament to the respect shown by the dethroned emperor towards the warrior woman living in the forest.

　And then—

「――聞ケ、我が同胞たちヨ！」

　With a serious expression replacing her smile, Mizelda called out, raising her voice.

　Responding to her fierce tone, the Shudraks all corrected their postures, falling into attentive stances.

「先ほども告げた通リ、私は族長の務めを果たせヌ！　よっテ、我が妹であるタリッタに族長の役目を譲り渡ス！　皆、タリッタに従エ！」

「――――」

「これが私ノ、族長としての最後の命令ダ。――父祖の誓イ、祖霊の誇りに感謝ヲ」

「「――感謝ヲ！」」

　In response to Mizelda’s command, the Shudraks echoed, “Thank you!”

　Subaru may not be knowledgeable about their customs and traditions, yet he instinctively understood that this was a rite of succession.

　It was a brief yet profound blend of practicality and concept.

　Thus, the position of chief of the ‘People of Shudrak’ was passed from Mizelda to Talitta.

「姉上……」

「沈んだ顔をするナ、族長。お前の迷いは我らの迷イ。お前の躊躇いは我らの躊躇イ。お前の死ハ、我らの死となル」

「――――」

　Mizelda encouraged the newly appointed chief, Talitta, who was struggle with a troubled expression.

　Although it didn’t immediately ease Talitta’s feelings, she likely understood that clinging to her fears would not change the situation.

　After a brief silence, Talitta silently nodded, albeit nervously.

「――――」

　The complex emotions that flickered in Mizelda’s eyes as she observed Talitta were something that wouldn’t be seen by anyone else. —And that was a sacred realm that shouldn’t be mentioned by anyone other than them.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△

「……正直、意外だった」

　As the transfer of the chief position and the damage report concluded, Subaru spoke to Abel.

　Stopping and receiving the vague comment, Abel frowned, asking bluntly, “What do you mean?”

「考えねばならぬことが多い。貴様まで俺を煩わせるな」

「いちいちきつい言い方するなよ。……ただ、意外だったんだよ。お前がミゼルダさんの戦線離脱をあっさりと認めたのが」

「――――」

「てっきり、片足をなくしたぐらいでなんだ。俺のために死ぬまで働け、って言い出すんじゃないかと思ってたもんだから」

　Though it was an extreme opinion, Subaru honestly shared his feelings with Abel.

　The emperor, looking to reclaim his throne, had plans to enlist the ‘People of Shudrak’ as his men, and even considered poisoning the Castle City Gwararu in the worst-case scenario.

　Abel—no, Vincent Volakia wouldn’t hesitate to adopt such an attitude.

「たわけ。斯様に強いて、いったい何の意味がある」

　However, Abel’s answer, given in a calm manner, was something Subaru had anticipated.

　He stared blankly as Abel watched the Shudraks conversing from a distance and continued.

「そも、俺は部下にできる以上のことを望まぬ。己が最善を尽くせと命じても、己の限界以上を吐き出せなどと妄言の類であろう」

「――――」

「評した以上の働きなど、こちらの計算が狂うだけだ。部下には以上も以下も求めん。そして、ミゼルダは己が領分を果たした。ならば、俺が与えるのは褒賞だけだ」

　By encouraging them with words, drawing forth their best efforts with rewards, and promising future support with gratitude, Subaru had believed that was the way of power.

　Thus, Abel’s response starkly contrasted what Subaru thought.

　He would not demand more than his subordinates’ true capabilities.

　That might create a working environment conducive for them, yet it also felt like a lonely atmosphere.

「無論、評価に値せぬ働きには罰を以て報いる。信賞必罰、意味はわかるな」

「……それ、俺には罰を与えるって意味か？」

「貴様が俺の部下であれば、そうだろう。だが、貴様は俺の部下か？」

　With Abel looking straight at him, Subaru was taken aback by his words.

　Of course, Subaru held no attachment to being Abel’s subordinate. While Abel had treated Subaru as a military advisor in his discussions with Priscilla, he had no intention of being accepted in that role.

「軍師って肩書きに惹かれないわけじゃないが、お前の部下なんて願い下げだ」

「であろうよ。貴様は俺の部下ではない。故に、信賞必罰の範疇に当たらん」

「そう考えると、お前は俺のなんなんだ……」

　Though they were forced into companionship, there had never been a master-servant relationship between Subaru and Abel, nor had they forged a relationship with more humidity.

　It was merely a shared fate due to circumstance, and once obstacles were removed, they would go their separate ways.

　They were neither allies nor comrades. If anything, they were just cross-dressing buddies.

「勝手に俺を友呼ばわりしたものもいたが、貴様はそうではあるまい」

「ああ。俺は人見知りだから、簡単には友達にならない」

　Given the current situation, anyone calling Subaru a friend would be either a saint or a con artist. Flopp precisely fit the former description.

　And then—

「俺はプリシラと話の続きがある。貴様は貴様の領分を果たせ」

「俺の領分……」

「言われずともわかっていよう」

　Subaru averted his gaze from Abel’s piercing eyes and glanced to the corner of the room.

　There, he spotted Rem, who had slumped down on the floor. He couldn’t discern her expression from a distance, but it was unmistakable that he couldn’t leave her be.

　Though it was somewhat irritating that Abel had mentioned it first.

「プリシラと揉めて、また戦いが始まるのは勘弁だ。口の利き方に気を付けろよ」

「多くのものは、その言葉は俺ではなく貴様が弁えるべきだと忠告するだろうよ」

　With Subaru receiving Abel’s retort, the two parted ways as Abel returned to the meeting hall.

　With Mizelda’s injury altering the standing of the ‘People of Shudrak,’ Subaru would need to approach his talk with Priscilla considering those circumstances as well.

　However, there would be little room for Subaru to interject into the celestial conversation happening between Abel and Priscilla.

　What should take priority was the communication that only Subaru could handle.

「――レム、今いいか？」

　Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Subaru approached Rem.

　As he folded his knees and leaned against the wall to sit beside her, her gaze briefly shifted at his words, reflecting his image in her dim blue eyes.

「……あなたですか。いつになったら着替えるんです」

「着替えよりレムの方が優先だ。この話が終わったらすぐにでも着替えるよ」

「そうですか。では、話は終わりです。着替えてきてください」

「そんな大雑把な！」

　With Rem’s cold response, Subaru protested. At that, Rem sharpened her gaze and commanded, “Be quiet.”

　Then she pointed her chin towards the girl leaning on her left shoulder.

「眠っているルイちゃんが起きてしまいます。気遣ってください」

「それは……」

「それとも、そのぐらいの気遣いもこの子にはかけたくありませんか？」

「嫌な言い方するなよ。俺が悪かった」

　Lui, nestled against Rem and breathing softly, had her white clothing stained with blood. Subaru heard she had helped Rem treat the injured despite her frailty. She had apparently followed Rem’s instructions even if her actions were still a bit awkward.

　Naturally, Subaru’s inner feelings were somewhat complicated.

「その姿で険しい顔をされると、調子が狂いますね」

「あ、ああ、悪い。化粧もぐちゃぐちゃだし、見苦しいよな」

「見苦しいのはお化粧がちゃんとしていたときからそうです」

「とほほ……」

　Faced with Rem’s unrelentingly sharp comments, Subaru feigned dejection with a slump in his shoulders. He then slowly sat down beside Rem, to her right, opposite to Lui.

　He noticed Rem’s protestive gaze but deliberately ignored it.

「レム、よくやってくれた。お前のおかげでみんな助かったよ」

「……力不足も痛感しました。本音を言えば、不甲斐ないです」

「レム……」

　As Rem responded to his words of praise, she gazed down at her hands with regret. Watching her delicate fingers, she bit her lip weakly.

「不甲斐なくなんてない。記憶だってあやふやなままなのに、立派に治癒魔法も使えるようになって大勢助けてくれた。なのに……」

「わかるんです。本当なら、この魔法はこんなものじゃなかったって」

「こんなものじゃなかったってのは」

「治癒魔法、です。今、私が使っている魔法は感覚的なもので、言い換えれば独学です。ルイちゃんが補助してくれて、何とか形になっていますが……」

　Rem’s words trailed off, unspoken.

　It was understood without saying that continuing on could wound herself, and she realized that even a slight amount of pain could comfort her.

　Venting weakness only serves to hurt oneself and others. And Rem found herself reluctant to alleviate the pressure in her chest.

　It was proof that she truly felt her inability to save others.

「――――」

　Subaru could painfully grasp Rem’s heartache all over again.

　The regret of wishing they could have done more felt far worse than the frustrations caused by unreachable walls. Especially when it involved someone else’s future, not their own.

　——The incident with Mizelda losing her leg weighed heavily in Subaru’s chest.

　Though not a life, the magnitude of losing one of her limbs wasn’t too difficult to imagine.

　Just recently, Al had lost his left arm, now a one-armed man. In Watergate City Pristella, Ricardo had lost an arm during the battle against Gluttony.

　It was a truly shocking event, yet not so distant a tragedy as to be implausible. If anything, for those engaged in battle, it could be considered a close and real tragedy.

　Still——、

「きつい、な」

「……はい」

　Responding to Subaru’s dry mutter, Rem nodded subtly beside him.

　Her honest agreement felt almost unprecedented, but Subaru couldn’t rejoice in it at all, burdened by the weight in his chest, when Rem glanced over at him.

「以前の……以前の私なら、どうだったでしょうか」

「……記憶があるときのレムなら？」

「はい。そのときの私の治癒魔法なら、ミゼルダさんの足は……」

　The words that should have followed—Could I have saved her leg?—led Subaru to shut his eyes.

　While he could understand Rem’s feelings, determining just how much the presence or absence of her memories affected her healing magic was a difficult assessment for someone like Subaru, who was merely an outsider.

　Even if healing potential could somehow be quantified, evaluating it would be a steep challenge for Subaru.

　However——、

「――――」

　Rem gazed at Subaru with serious emotion in her pale blue eyes.

　Whether the answer she sought was within Subaru’s reach or not was unclear. He faced a binary choice: If the old Rem had been present, would it have been “possible” or “impossible”?

　Which of those answers would save Rem from further pain?

　——No, which answer would prevent her from enduring more suffering?

「……記憶があっても、どうにもならなかったと思う」

「――――」

「治癒魔法だって万能じゃない。その中で、レムは最善を尽くしたはずだ」

　After several seconds—felt longer to Subaru—a sigh escaped him, and that’s what he managed to answer.

　Even had Rem had her memories, and even if she had wielded absolute healing magic, it wouldn’t have saved Mizelda’s leg.

　It wasn’t about the facts.

　When you begin discussing “what-ifs,” there are endless possibilities. It was true that Rem couldn’t save Mizelda’s leg, but she managed to save many other injured lives.

　That achievement should be praised, and there was no reason for her to blame herself at all.

　Instead, if anyone were to be blamed—

「俺の方が力不足だった」

「え……」

「考えが足らなかった。もっと、色々と真剣に吟味すべきだったんだ」

　Upon hearing Subaru’s declaration, Rem widened her eyes in surprise.

　In front of such a shocked Rem, Subaru clenched his jaw tightly, covering his face with both hands.

　If anyone should be cursed for their inadequacy, it ought to be Subaru himself.

「全部、俺のせいだ」

　Boasting about a “bloodless capitulation”—how far removed he was from the reality that followed.

　With Arakia’s intrusion, many were injured, and after securing her capture, several deaths occurred among the city guards as well. Though there hadn’t been any casualties among his companions, how could he even dare to speak of a “bloodless” event, seeing Mizelda’s lost leg?

　He messed up. Failure compounded with failure, and he missed the opportunity for redemption while accruing further failures.

　What he sought was the optimal happy ending, yet what lay before Subaru was either a mediocre happy ending or something one might more accurately label as a mediocre bad ending.

　Following Abel’s earlier words, it was winning hearts and punishing transgressions—he ought to be punished.

　Had Subaru been Abel’s subordinate, it wouldn’t have been surprising for him to have lost his head over the disastrous situation.

　——At worst, “return by death.”

　As that thought crossed his mind—

　He recognized that the most likely point he would return to would be during the bloody skirmish with Todd in Gwararu. —Just remembering the fear from that moment sends shivers down his spine.

　Yet, even if he were to revert back to that terrifying instant, if he could still recover what he had lost—

「……どうして？」

　Suddenly, that thought was interrupted by an unexpected voice breaking through Subaru’s isolation.

　Startled, he lifted his head to find Rem’s gaze locking onto him, her eyes unsparing.

　Those eyes of Rem’s, once filled with self-recrimination, were now fixed on Subaru, filled with a stronger sense of guilt.

「どうして、これがあなたのせいになるんですか」

　With her gaze firm, Rem layered her words over Subaru’s frozen state.

　She reached out with her wet eyes, pointing at the wreckage of the city hall.

「ミゼルダさんの足も、ルイちゃんやウタカタちゃんのケガも、ミディアムさんやフロップさんの傷も、何もかもあなたのせい？」

「それは、そうだ。俺がもっと、入念に準備してたらこうはならなかった」

「あなたは策を考えて、無謀に見える計画でちゃんと成果を出しました。二将の方をしっかりと押さえて、誰も戦わせずに都市に入れることができた。計画通りに」

「でも、そのあとが……」

「――そのあとのことなんて！」

　As Subaru pushed back, Rem raised her brow and raised her voice. In her haste, Rem’s sudden movement caused Lui, resting on her knee, to slip.

　Lui stirred slightly but didn’t wake. Supporting Lui’s shoulder, Rem inhaled slightly and fixed her gaze back on Subaru.

「そのあとのことなんて、誰にも見通せませんでした。あの半裸の女性が現れるのも、それが大暴れするのも全部、予想のできないことでした。それなのに」

「――――」

「それなのに、どうしてあなたがその全部の責任を負うんですか」

　Subaru felt as if he had been struck by her words.

　If he was asked why, he would say it was the responsibility of those who wield power and influence; as Rem lamented her inability to perform healing magic, Subaru also lamented his own inability to utilize his authority. “Return by Death” carries a greater scope of responsibility.

　When wielding power, creating a better or worse future is in one’s hands.

　However——、

「それは……」

　—That was a truth he could not express, even to Rem.

　This wasn’t just about Rem.

　It was a truth regarding the powers Subaru possessed and one he could never reveal, no matter how open-hearted the other person was. —No, it was precisely because they shared a bond that he could not.

　To speak of it could lead to her demise.

　Pain is frightening. The pain inflicted from revealing “return by death” is terrifying.

　No one could ever grow accustomed to the intense agony that grips one’s heart.

　Yet what is truly terrifying isn’t the pain, but the loss.

　Is there anything more terrifying than losing something?

　This power was bestowed upon Natsuki Subaru precisely because he feared losing everything.

「……どうして、あなたは私を庇ったんですか」

「え……？」

　Feeling that she was spinning her wheels in front of Subaru’s silence, Rem pressed on.

　For a moment, Subaru didn’t understand what she meant, blinking in confusion.

「あなたの前に立ったとき、あなたは私の前に立ちました」

　When Arakia attacked Rem, Subaru had stepped in front of her without thinking.

　Spreading his arms wide, he desperately tried to keep all dangers at bay from Rem, and in that instant, he wouldn’t have minded if Arakia had taken his life.

　He wanted Rem to live one second longer than him.

　That was——、

「無血開城を献策した結果も、あの場で私を庇ったことも、ミゼルダさんが足を失ったことさえ、あなたは全部、自分で抱え込もうとして……」

「――――」

「その全部ができるほど、あなたは強い人間じゃない。……最初こそ、そのおぞましい臭いで警戒していましたが」

　Rem paused there and directed her gaze to Lui resting on her lap.

　Gently stroking her golden hair, Rem took a deep breath and quietly regained her composure, turning her eyes back towards Subaru.

「私も、ルイちゃんも、アベルさんやミゼルダさんたち、ミディアムさんやフロップさんもみんな、意思のある人間で、あなたが守り抜こうと息巻く必要なんてありません」

「ぁ……」

「そんな何もかも、一人でやり切ろうなんてしないでください。私たちの行いの責任を、あなたが取る必要なんて」

　Overwhelmed by the relentless stream of words, Subaru fumbled with his response.

　His brain could not quickly grasp what she was saying. Yet, he felt he shouldn’t allow himself to hear more; a mysterious urgency burned in Subaru’s heart.

　Rem thus pressed on, wielding her heartfelt emotions toward Subaru.

「あなたは特別な人間じゃ――」

「言わせてはならないとわかっていたのに。」

「――あなたは、英雄じゃないんですから。」

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△

　Wandering aimlessly, Subaru stumbled through the city hall.

　He had no destination in mind. In fact, he wasn’t even sure when he started walking. All he knew was he had found himself moving forward, with consciousness hazy and foggy.

「――っ」

　Suddenly, he collided with a hard surface.

　Looking up, it appeared he had bumped into the wall, having kept his eyes on his feet all this time. Hitting his forehead against the solid wall, Subaru pressed his aching head and exhaled.

　Then, out of the blue, he swung his forehead back to collide with the hard surface again.

　The dull sound echoed in his mind as a soft ache pulsed in his brain.

　In this way, Subaru continued to slam his forehead against the wall repeatedly.

　Banging, banging, banging――、

「――おいおい、やめとけよ、兄弟」

　As he prepared to slam his forehead once more, a voice rang from behind him.

　Turning around, Subaru’s eyes met those of a steel-helmeted figure who had grabbed his shoulder. The figure cracked their neck and said,

「死にてぇ気持ちはわかるがよ。何べんやってもキリがねぇぜ、そんなもんはよ」