Suddenly, Priscilla appeared, stirring a whirlwind of words.

“——”

In that instant, a certain silence and emptiness took hold of the great hall, leaving everyone with the sensation that time had stopped.

It was an unmistakable statement, yet the meaning behind it was somewhat elusive. I felt as if I couldn’t quite grasp it correctly, as if the essence had slipped through my fingers.

A moment was born where I frantically searched my mind for the meaning of ‘Hahaue’.

However—

“——? Yorna is Priscilla’s mother?”

As I tilted my head in confusion, another sound, ‘Kaasama’, unexpectedly came flying from Emilia, and suddenly ‘Hahaue’ and ‘Kaasama’ were linked, taking form as ‘Mother’ and ‘Mom’.

Suppressing the flurry in my mind, Otto compared the two who were drawing everyone’s attention—Priscilla and Yorna. Yorna, wide-eyed and frozen, stared blankly at Priscilla, who looked back with a calm demeanor.

Their hair colors and eye colors were different, and they were of entirely different races.

Of course, in the case of mixed blood, which parent’s traits are dominant varies by individual, yet Priscilla and Yorna bore no resemblance.

If anything, both possessed a sultry beauty, but—

“If that’s how you consider family, this world would be filled with large families.”

With that conclusion, Otto held back his confusion.

That said, learning about the relationship between Priscilla and Yorna did provide some clarity—Priscilla’s fierce demeanor and personality felt distinctly imperial.

“I feel a displeasing gaze sizing me up, but very well.”

Interpreting the intent behind looks cast at him, Otto held his breath at Priscilla’s warning gaze. Meanwhile, Priscilla turned her attention to Emilia and said—

“Half-Demon, you speak true. Who would have thought you’d become one of the ‘Nine Divine Generals’? I suspected this since your childhood, but it’s quite the bizarre arrangement.”

“Really? I’m surprised. But now that you mention it, they do look somewhat alike.”

Priscilla, with her fan resting on her chin, received Emilia’s answer with a nod.

Just moments prior, while Otto internally rejected the notion of any physical similarities, Emilia made a complete opposite judgment, but let’s set that aside for now.

The problem was—

“——Wait a moment.”

Yorna herself interrupted Priscilla’s statement with an unexpected remark. She closed her eyes for a moment and attempted to wipe the previous unease from her expression.

“Though I was a bit surprised, such words are unacceptable. Why would I be your lord’s mother…?”

“Stop with these trivial denials. If you intend to scheme against me, you must change the essence of your soul first, or there’s no point. No matter how your form changes, my crimson eyes cannot be deceived.”

“——!”

Yorna, who had been pretending to be calm, stiffened again at Priscilla’s determined response.

Priscilla’s words were conceptual and held no willingness to approach others, making it challenging to grasp their exact meaning. Yet they clearly struck a fatal chord with Yorna.

Yorna was evidently distressed by Priscilla’s gaze and cutting tongue.

However, Yorna wasn’t the only one who showed strong signs of agitation—

“——Ridiculous.”

A clear expression of astonishment spilled forth regarding the situation.

A faint utterance, so slight it could be missed, but it was certainly from none other than Abel, a figure initially thought calm and collected, showing no signs of agitation.

“Priscilla,” he called out, concealing his earlier shock behind a composed facade.

“Are you serious? Yorna Mishigure is Sandra Benedict?”

“——I see, so you were unaware of that, Abel. It’s no surprise. There was no way to know otherwise without self-disclosure.”

“But Priscilla, you noticed without being told, right?”

“Don’t interrupt. Half-Demon, keep quiet.”

“No need to be rude…”

Priscilla responded nonchalantly to Abel’s question, silencing Emilia with a glare.

Regardless, the exchange left Otto and those from the Kingdom, who had no grasp of the situation, feeling utterly lost. Otto was curious about the details behind Priscilla’s internal affairs, as a fellow candidate in the Royal Selection, but—

“——Let’s put the unexpected reunion discussion aside for now. Right now, this child’s situation takes priority.”

Garfiel, undeterred by the shift in atmosphere, growled.

His piercing green gaze fixed on Lui, still being protected by Yorna and Midiamu. Indeed, decisions regarding her needed to be made before they could proceed.

Otto’s determination to restrain Lui and deprive her of freedom remained unwavering, however.

“I’m not saying to end her life. But… my bottom line is to bind her and keep her rolling away—that’s ‘The hands and feet of Tinos are far removed,’ you know.”

“——That’s probably a conversation the brothers don’t want to have.”

“Ah?”

Garfiel, in agreement with Otto, bristled at that remark.

The one who interrupted was Al, who had accompanied Priscilla to the high level. His usual flamboyant appearance was accompanied by a somewhat reluctant demeanor as he scratched his nape with his lone arm.

“First off, I need to apologize to the girl. —Even though we went all the way to Chaos Frame, I’m sorry I couldn’t bring the brothers back.”

“Al… No, thank you for apologizing. But I’m not the only one disappointed not to see Subaru; Beatrice is affected most.”

“Ah, then my apologies go to her, and all the others too.”

Al bowed his head, sincerely apologizing for Subaru’s absence.

Despite his usual frivolity, his apology seemed genuine. However, a sincere apology does not always guarantee forgiveness or a good impression.

“In fact, a simple apology just creates more chances for them to take advantage of it. Honestly, if you feel sorry, I think you should refrain from speaking at all.”

“You’re harsh. But as I said earlier, whatever happens to this little girl isn’t something Natsuki Subaru would want.”

“Why? You spouting nonsense…”

“——I also tried to kill that kid but was stopped by the brothers.”

Garfiel’s flare of anger was instantly subdued by Al’s dry retort. Noticing the response, Al shrugged and pointed to Lui with his chin.

“You guys are the ones who look at her with suspicion. It’s only natural I’d consider taking her out, isn’t it? Yet…”

“Did Natsuki reject that?”

“Honestly, I couldn’t believe my ears. Initially, I thought she was just holding onto a stranger, and then to find out she was the Archbishop of Sin? He would go to any lengths to protect her. I thought I understood the brothers, but it exceeded my expectations.”

As he spoke, Al’s gaze pierced through his helmet toward Lui. Under that scrutiny, Lui let out a soft, “Uu…” but held her ground, staring directly back.

The light in her blue eyes was neither subservient nor weak.

“——”

Watching this unfold, Otto scrutinized Al’s testimony.

Those familiar with Subaru would nod in agreement that his words were not mere fabrications. Otto himself saw Subaru’s inability to act against Lui as a form of “softness.”

That “softness” possessed by both Subaru and Emilia was, at once, both a weakness and a strength.

Once something is released, it cannot be reclaimed, making it seem burdensome, yet Otto would never wish for its loss.

“It’s our job to make decisions without that kind of ‘softness’ influencing us.”

“I get it, big bro. But it’s gonna be tough. I mean, we’re discussing this in front of a huge crowd. We can’t turn back now.”

“…Otto-sama.”

With a creaking sound, Frederica stepped up beside Otto, worry and anxiety flickering in her beautiful eyes about making a move here.

Otto also felt he had erred in mentioning Lui’s identity. —No, the problem was that Lui had already been accepted by the involved parties.

The conclusion reached by Talitta and Mizelda had already been accepted in the Castle City.

Therefore—

“Are you suggesting we let her roam free?”

“Of course, if she does something, I won’t spare her either. But…”

“Lui-chan has been trying to protect Subaru all along. She never did anything wrong while with us. She won’t do anything in the future!”

Midiamu interrupted, raising her voice desperately.

Her argument was rooted in hopeful assumptions, and past behavior could not guarantee future conduct. That precisely was the crux of the matter.

“I saw my husband do it, so I might be able to create a contract seal…”

“——Let’s not. For a moment, I thought it was a viable idea.”

Pleased with the idea she tentatively suggested, Otto swiftly rejected it.

The “seal” Petra mentioned referred to binding the soul to ensure promises are kept. It was one that Roswaal had inscribed upon himself, breaking it would lead to his death.

In the aftermath of the incidents at the ‘Sanctuary’ and old Roswaal’s mansion, it was he who had voluntarily branded it to demonstrate surrender to the camp.

As the name suggests, a seal is distinctly a ‘curse.’

It’s a superstitious notion, but there’s also talk that curses will eventually rebound on the caster. If one persists in binding others through curses out of convenience, eventually the binding will consume one’s own soul.

Otto had no intention of placing such a burden upon Petra, nor did he believe that even if executed, a curse binding Lui’s actions would hold any meaning beyond insurance.

“Because we cannot ascertain what binding would purchase peace of mind.”

The extent of the Archbishop of Sin’s powers was unknown to anyone.

Without knowing what hidden traps lay ahead, ultimately Otto’s vigilance toward Lui would remain unyielding. He couldn’t relax his guard unless he were to take her life.

If that were the case, not having a seal that could lead to complacency would stabilize his vigilance.

“I regrettably conclude that this is my position.”

“Otto bro! Is that really okay?! She’s the Archbishop of Sin!”

Hearing Otto’s thoughts, Garfiel shouted like he was screaming.

It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed by the atmosphere threatening to suffocate him, insisting he was right. Otto also wanted to acknowledge his brother’s pained sentiments.

“However, discussing this here will yield no agreement. Given there are still stories to be heard, I want to avoid breaking off with you all.”

“Therefore, if we’re to use force, let’s do so after hearing the story, huh? That shows strength.”

“I don’t intend to do anything violent, but I’ll take that as a compliment, Priscilla-sama.”

Otto half-heartedly tried to put on a brave face for Priscilla.

In any case, he bitterly accepted speaking to Garfiel.

There was no way to undermine the influence of Abel in this city and the unyielding stance of the ‘People of Shudrak’ concerning Lui.

Given that he was the Archbishop of Sin, there simply wasn’t a basis to exclude her.

At the point where that argument ceased to hold, their only remaining option would be to resort to force. But would it truly be worthwhile to kill Lui, knowing it wouldn’t necessarily erase the influence of “Gluttony” while risking the wrath of the entire Empire?

“In any case, even if we fight, it would only lessen our worries just a little. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“——”

Garfiel ground his teeth while Otto closed one eye.

Tracing the conversation’s flow, Emilia’s amethyst eyes wavered as she concluded. In her arms, Beatrice uttered the name “Emily.”

“I’m sorry, Beatrice… my lady. I know you’re worried about me.”

“…If you truly understand, that’s good.”

As their gazes and words exchanged at close range, Beatrice lowered her round eyes. Understanding her feelings, Emilia nodded and turned her face toward Lui and Midiamu.

The girl, who was leaning against Midiamu like a sister, gazed back.

“That girl… Lui might be extremely dangerous. And I know you guys said the same thing, and you understand that, right?”

“…Yeah, I understand.”

“But you haven’t seen Lui do anything dangerous or bad. She was trying to protect you and Subaru?”

“Yeah, she really was. I’m not lying. Abel and Al, and Talitta and Yorna know, right?”

Emilia’s unwavering gaze compelled Midiamu to carefully choose her words, seeking agreement from their returning companions from the Magic City.

Though Abel and Yorna were still processing the previous exchange with Priscilla and their responses were delayed, Al shrugged, and Talitta nodded in affirmation.

“Y-yeah, Lui is definitely trying to protect everyone. Especially, she really liked Subaru, that’s what I think.”

“Just like the ‘young girl manipulator’ has lived up to his name, though it wasn’t a very cheerful atmosphere.”

“…Beatrice doesn’t like that nickname much. Should I be careful?”

Beatrice’s discontented tone slightly softened her previous resolve. She seemed to have decided to leave the handling of Lui’s situation to Emilia.

Despite reaching the same conclusion as Otto and Beatrice, Emilia delicately reshaped it into softer terms.

So, Emilia looked toward Lui and said,

“You’ve been worried about Subaru. I can’t believe that’s a lie. So, just like this child who’s earnestly believing in you, I also want to believe in you too.”

“——, Emilia-sama, that’s…”

“Even Garfiel bit us pretty hard at first, didn’t he? But now we’re all friends, right?”

Emilia’s statement felt somewhat underhanded since the circumstances surrounding Garfiel and Lui were fundamentally different. Yet, when Emilia firmly stated it, it became difficult to counter that sentiment.

The situation lent a hand to that conclusion, weakening Garfiel’s tense expression. At his reaction, Emilia softly whispered, “I’m sorry,” as if to apologize.

“It might be difficult. But I think starting from calmly talking rather than charging in is the best way. Of course, there might be times when we have to confront right away…”

“——”

“I hope to get along well with everyone here. To do that, I want to openly express my desire for friendship. So, I have to open my tightly held hand.”

Saying this, Emilia looked down at Beatrice in her arms. The look drew Beatrice’s wide eyes, which then slightly nodded.

Seeing Beatrice’s nod, Emilia slowly stepped forward.

Passing beside the glaring Garfiel, standing before Yorna, she moved toward little Lui, shielded by the small Midiamu.

And then—

“It’s very roundabout, but… I believe in Zikuru and Mizelda, who treated Subaru and Rem so kindly. I want to trust Midiamu-chan and the others who believe in them. So, I want you to allow me to trust you, whom Midiamu-chan trusts.”

“…Ah, uh…”

“It’s a huge joy to know there are people who care deeply for you, not just us.”

As she spoke, Emilia gently extended her right hand toward Lui.

Bending down with Beatrice clasped in her left arm, Emilia reached out to Lui. Midiamu, who had been protecting Lui, also turned to her and said,

“Lui-chan.”

With that call as a trigger, or perhaps Emilia’s words touched even the emotionless Archbishop of Sin, Lui hesitantly reached out her hand.

Lui placed her right hand on Emilia’s extended one.

For a brief moment, Otto felt a knot of concern that the power might be wielded against Emilia, but he realized he should deeply scorn himself for being so suspicious.

In any case—

“Uau…”

“Mm, I worry about Subaru too.”

Hand in hand, Emilia smiled as she answered, and for Otto and Emilia’s group, that smile became their conclusion. Ultimately, it was a conclusion noted as ‘on hold.’

—Yet, despite reaching the same compromise, Otto couldn’t help but feel proud of Emilia for the way she approached it differently.

△▼△▼△▼△

“—I won’t take my eyes off you.”

Regarding Liu, the decision to put it on ‘hold’ had been reached.

Consequently, Garfiel, who insisted on remaining unconvinced, fiercely glared at the girl who shook hands with Emilia.

Garfiel’s concern and vigilance were natural, and Otto refrained from intervening.

“I can’t imagine even the Witch Cult, especially the Archbishop of Sin, realizing the error of their ways.”

Otto’s dry, realistic thought concluded thus.

Even if there had been a moving, historical exchange between Emilia and Lui. Yet, Otto simultaneously thought it was unlike him to think that way.

—The extermination of the White Whale, the Great Rabbit, and the Archbishops of Sin ‘Sloth’ and ‘Greed’ had also seemed unimaginable.

It was Natsuki Subaru who had made those impossible feats a reality over the course of just a little over a year.

The world viewed those accomplishments as the merits of Emilia’s faction, but within the faction, everyone understood that Subaru’s contributions were immense. Thus, the door to possibilities began to open.

Moreover, it made Otto wonder if Natsuki Subaru had committed acts that were extraordinary beyond measure.

“Ugh…”

When that possibility eventually hit home, Otto felt heavy at the thought of how the world would perceive Subaru upon the event’s realization.

He thought others should quickly learn Subaru’s true nature; however—

“Is it alright if I speak now, once things have settled down?”

When Zikuru raised his hand to speak, the atmosphere of the argument loosened in the great hall.

Drawing attention to himself, Zikuru prefaced, “Pardon my impertinence,” and proceeded.

“I have great interest in the relationship between Lady Priscilla and General Yorna, but I have a few clarifications to confirm with Lord Abel.”

“—Go on.”

“Very well.”

With the topic of discussion directed his way, Abel, who had kept silent until now, nodded.

He hadn’t interjected regarding Liu’s treatment, but it seemed he wanted to break the previous jarring silence. Zikuru cast a glance at Abel, his black eyes encouraging the continuation.

“I understand that securing General Yorna’s cooperation and the collapse of Magic City Chaos Frame has brought danger to Lady Natsumi. With that in mind, I would like to inquire about the rumors that have spread over the last few days—”

“—Rumors?”

“Yes. —The rumor that His Majesty the Emperor has a son, a black-haired prince.”

Bowing respectfully, Zikuru conveyed that to Abel.

This rumor—that the Emperor Vincent Volakia had a son—had also reached Otto’s ears.

Moreover, the word was that this prince was part of the rebel army—meaning, he was the banner bearer for the group gathered here in Castle City Gwararu, opposing the Emperor.

However, he had never laid eyes on anyone that fit such a description within this city.

“Reports indicated that this rumor originated from the eastern territories. It has already spread throughout the Empire, but the source of this rumor is…”

“Just as you deduced, it was spread from the Magic City. —To threaten the throne, one requires power. And power gathers under the banner of righteousness.”

Shaking his head slowly, Abel responded in a calm manner.

While that answer was convincing, the endeavor to threaten the Emperor’s seat was an issue Otto wanted no part of.

Otto focused on how to suppress Emilia from voicing her potential decision to abandon those she had once met.

As a result, he had been slow to recognize possibilities he would have normally noticed.

Therefore—

“…The black-haired prince.”

Petra muttered as if lost in thought.

She furrowed her brows, creating a small crease between them as she contemplated something. Hesitantly, she voiced her thoughts.

That is—

“Um, according to Midiamu and the others earlier, Subaru has shrunk, hasn’t he? Like, to my size or Beatrice-chan’s size.”

“That was mentioned, yes. Though it’s hard to picture, given it’s Subaru-sama, the possibility does exist…”

“——!”

Nodding along with Petra’s words, Frederica’s eyes grew wide in realization. Almost simultaneously, Otto understood the implications of Petra’s thoughts.

And he cursed the most painful truth—how off-base his previous assumptions had been.

“Could it be that the rumored child of the Emperor is… Subaru?”

With that potential revelation, it was Petra who boldly stepped in, cutting directly to the point.

Staring intently, the girl’s eyes locked onto Abel, and through the demon mask, his black eyes took it in stride. Abel, unflinching, softly nodded his head in acknowledgment.

“Indeed.”

“——That’s impossible!”

Petra sharpened her gaze at his brief response and raised her voice.

However, before Petra could erupt—

“——Kuhahahaha!”

A joyful, uncontrollable laughter echoed throughout.

An inappropriately cheerful sound disrupted the ambience of the great hall. Yet, no one could voice their confusion before the laughter, for it belonged to Priscilla.

Covering her mouth with a fan, she subtly suppressed her grin, ensuring nobody saw her teeth as she continued.

“Can you believe it? To think they’d call that foolish one a prince! Ah, Abel, are you trying to kill me with laughter? Your tactics have surely changed remarkably.”

“Lady?”

“What? You can laugh too, Al. No, you’re complicit in this scheme, aren’t you? In that case, you’ve thoroughly entertained me. I must say, your laughable antics are truly commendable.”

Priscilla looked over at the surprised Al, her eyes narrowing in delight as she offered her praise. The unexpected nature of her reaction momentarily stole away the heat from the great hall.

Of course, it didn’t dispel all the confusion.

“Um, what’s going on? There’s no way Subaru could be the Emperor’s child, right? Because Subaru came from across the great waterfall…”

“Emily, that was Subaru-sama’s joke.”

“Is that so? So it’s really…?”

“About whether he’s the Emperor’s child? Then that’s false. It’s a fabrication.”

“Huh? Huh? Huh?”

Emilia spun in confusion, eyes swirling.

Her bewilderment was understandable. After all, the situation about Subaru’s regression into infancy uncoiled neatly with the goals of Abel and his group.

“More accurately, I’d say it’s about leveraging the situation to make it appear so.”

Frederica’s phrasing echoed Otto’s sentiments—this was about skillfully exploiting the situation.

Abel and his group sought a plausible justification to instigate rebellion, and with the prince being a better-than-average mascot, it carried enough weight.

Certainly, naming someone who didn’t exist as a banner could prove a double-edged sword.

“Natsuki-san is real, after all. So, even a double-edged sword can be useful now.”

“That’s quite rude but also catchy, which I like. In that case, you’re aware of this, aren’t you?”

“—Regrettably so.”

Under ordinary circumstances, being outraged by having Subaru’s situation exploited would have been Otto’s proper reaction.

However, he felt no deceit in the statement he made, acknowledging that the flow orchestrated by Abel held a certain merit.

The reason being—

“—The likelihood that Subaru, whose whereabouts are unknown, could lose his life has significantly diminished.”

“…True.”

Frederica’s realization prompted Otto to nod with a bitter sentiment.

The comprehension of Otto and Frederica’s line of thought, however, evolved slowly for Emilia and Garfiel. Both looked puzzled, scratching their heads.

“I don’t understand what’s going on at all…”

“I got that the general gained a ridiculous title. But isn’t making him the rebel leader a far greater danger?”

“No, it will draw attention, but the immediate threats to life will lessen. This ‘prince’s’ value derives from his being alive.”

The “prince,” a threatening figure to Emperor Vincent Volakia, represented the core of the rebel’s cause, holding value to both friends and foes of the current Emperor.

The rebel party could reap the benefits, and retaining the prince’s life would also serve as an asset for the Emperor’s side, enhancing the options available.

Whether executed to quell the rebels’ momentum or courted to deprive them of their purpose, the living ‘prince’ would be of paramount importance.

“In other words, no matter where Natsuki may have been sent off or who claimed him, the chances of him being killed on the spot are slim. Instead—”

“Instead?”

“…The path to escape the throne dispute of Volakia has closed.”

To gain benefits meant being burdened with responsibility.

Regardless of the wishes of his heart, Subaru was to be placed right at the center of the upheaval within the Volakia Empire, occupying the highest, most precarious riser.

Therefore—

“——What? Can you not help but laugh?”

For Priscilla, having reached the conclusion before others do, was now aware of the mischievous grin that would emerge.