――Sphinx is a failed product of the Witch of Greed’s research on immortality.

　She is the core for creating a miniature garden known as the “Sanctuary,” based on the body of the girl, Ryuzu Meier, to whom she dedicated herself—an entity constructed as a replica utilizing the same mechanism as that of spirits.

　It was believed that if they could fuse an existing soul to this hollow creation, they could achieve a pseudo-immortality through soul replication.

　However, this plan crumbled before the reality that the vessel of life and the soul differ greatly in size and shape.

　The soul of the Witch of Greed could not be contained within the replica of Ryuzu Meier.

　The resulting failure from this outright absurdity gave birth to Sphinx, a failed product of the Witch of Greed, which would later leave a significant legacy of misfortune in the world.

　The entity named Sphinx was meant to be disposed of, as she did not meet the original purpose for which she was created, but due to the whims of fate, she survived.

　And like many created lives, Sphinx also began her activities to fulfill the purpose for which she was made.

　The purpose of the created “Witch”—to be completed as the Witch of Greed—would lead Sphinx to accumulate many disasters.

　△▼△▼△▼△

“—You idiot.”

　With that curse, blood flowed from the mouth of Jamal as he collapsed on the spot.

　The released white light aimed for Subaru and the others’ heads. Thus, it was Jamal, who had shielded them, that took the blow, injuring him severely.

“Jamal—!”

“Did the intended target escape unscathed? Nevertheless, it falls within the realm of what we can handle.”

　Pushed aside, Subaru was instinctively protected by Jamal. Unfazed by it, Sphinx, the perpetrator, showed no concern over her failed attack.

　In response to the calm and icy words from the leader of the undead, Subaru gritted his teeth.

　Continuing the battle was impossible for the fallen Jamal; in fact, his life was in grave danger if he did not receive treatment immediately.

“Subaru! Focus on what’s in front of you!”

“—Ugh!”

　At that moment, Beatrice yanked on Subaru’s arm, her sharp voice cutting through.

　As she called out, Subaru shifted his gaze from Jamal to Sphinx, with Beatrice, Spica, and Abel all fixing their sights on Sphinx as well.

　The three, now on high alert, concentrated their awareness on the enemy, Sphinx.

　Jamal’s treatment had to be postponed.

　And that was the right call. Absolutely, it was right.

　Yet—

“I thought you were the foreign element that would disrupt my plans, but was I mistaken?”

　Though Subaru could detach his gaze, he couldn’t divert his consciousness from Jamal as Sphinx tilted her head and spoke. Glaring into Sphinx’s golden eyes only further unsettled Subaru’s mind.

“—Sphinx, let’s synchronize!”

“Ah, ugh!”

　In place of Subaru, Beatrice and Spica moved in unison.

　As Beatrice called out, Spica, her long blonde hair flying, jumped at Sphinx. Correspondingly, Beatrice manifested purple crystal arrows to the left, right, and rear of the stationary Sphinx, blocking her escape routes.

　Though Sphinx was surrounded by their coordination, she was not left defenseless.

“El Jiwald.”

　In stark contrast to the quiet incantation, the ensuing destructive effect was overwhelming.

　Against the looming threat, Sphinx opened her empty palms, and just like when she had attacked Jamal, this time she unleashed white laser beams from her five fingers.

　However, this time it wasn’t a fleeting heat ray like a laser gun, but rather a continuous beam of light akin to swords.

　Ten fingers unleashed ten blades of light, slicing through the area from Sphinx’s center, wielding an attack that held greater range than any average sword.

　Bathed in that white light, all of Beatrice’s purple arrows were cut down, and the fury fell upon Spica, who charged from the front.

“—Ugh!”

　Right before that attack could cleave through Spica’s body, she vanished from everyone’s sight.

　Teleportation. Activating short-range teleportation, Spica escaped the beam’s line of fire and appeared atop the remains of a building away from the street.

　And, as if by coincidence, Subaru and Beatrice, who had been in the beam’s path, were—

“You imbecile, are you dazed at the sight of the enemy commander?”

　As he pinched Subaru and Beatrice’s heads down into a crouch, Abel did not miss a beat with his cutting remark.

“Don’t expect Jamal Aurelie to stand up again. Your actions are crucial.”

“I know that without being told! Just watch, I’ll make it up to you later for this quick thinking!”

　Angrily puffing up her cheeks, Beatrice shoved Abel aside and stood up.

　With a snort at Beatrice’s brave rebuttal, Abel glanced down at Subaru, still sprawled on the ground.

“What’s the matter? Your partner has the spirit, but you—”

A probe to see if he would rise, Abel’s words caught in his throat as he noticed a change.

“Subaru?”

　Next to him, Beatrice also blinked in surprise at the same abnormality.

“——”

　Subaru lay face down at their feet. Spica, who had teleported a distance away, too, noticed, bewilderment filling her eyes.

　In a flash, they didn’t understand what had happened.

　Thus, as understanding eluded Beatrice in the face of the unfolding event, it was ironically Sphinx who first sensed what had occurred to Subaru.

　With her lack of emotional depth, Sphinx’s pale undead face showed the confusion and suspicion clearly in her eyes.

“…Why did you poison yourself? —Explanation required.”

“—Y-you!”

　Immediately after Sphinx’s question, Abel grabbed Subaru by the neck and hoisted him up. Despite the rough action, Subaru made no protest.

　—Because at that moment, Subaru was experiencing the hellish agony leading to “Death,” having already ruptured the poison pouch hidden in his molars.

“Noooo! Subaru!? Subaru!?”

“Uugh—!?”

　Coughing up blood and convulsing, Subaru’s state caused Beatrice and Spica to scream in horror.

　As Beatrice tried to cling to shaking Subaru, Abel shoved her aside, inserted his fingers into Subaru’s mouth, and yanked out the poison pouch, his face transforming into a mask of rage.

“What are you planning!? Have you lost your mind!?”

“B-b-b-b…”

“You say you’re fighting fate, yet is this what you do!?”

　Amidst Abel’s furious voice, Beatrice’s sobs, and Spica’s desperate return, Subaru could only hear it all amidst the overwhelming sense of loss consuming him.

　In the face of their angry voices, crying voices, and despairing voices, he could not respond in words.

　Yet it had meaning. It was necessary—this was the best option.

　To reach a future where no one dies, this was the absolute best method.

“B-bu…”

“Explanation required.”

　Without being able to convey this to anyone, the Witch’s question remained unresolved, and his breath dwindled away.

Natsuki Subaru perished. —As he had done in this final battle countless times before.

　△▼△▼△▼△

　――In the first few years, Sphinx’s journey of inquiry was fraught with hardships.

　The body of Ryuzu Meier, the prototype for the replica, lacked the adaptability to survive in a harsh world, easily threatened by extreme weather changes, magic beasts, and malicious humans, while also having too few means to counter these threats—flawed from the start in the selection of its vessel.

　Since the mana body had no concepts of growth or training, there were no hopes for improvement either.

　While knowledge and skills could be acquired independently from bodily reliance, there were many opportunities presenting threats to her life during the journey to learn them, resulting in constant days spent on the edge of danger.

　Moreover, being a half-elf, Ryuzu Meier’s physical characteristics allowed Sphinx to inherit a significant degree of discrimination, often exposing her to persecution and strange gazes.

　However, altering her appearance significantly from the original form was to be avoided.

　These traits were what Sphinx was initially endowed with, and changing fundamental conditions could risk failing to fulfill her original creation purpose.

　Thus, Sphinx sought other means to survive, without adopting a deceptive facade.

　As long as her life wasn’t taken, she sometimes resorted to becoming a sideshow or a slave. Given her good looks, she occasionally became the servant of generous masters.

　Being gluttonous for knowledge and learning, Sphinx was valued for her abilities wherever she went.

　Once her ability to learn was recognized, various situations opened up possibilities for her. In time, Sphinx realized that preserving her life was accomplished through this means.

　To traverse the world with a frail body lacking the strength to live, it was best to create her own utility value, offer it to those who seek it, and enter their protection.

　Thus, until she could protect herself, Sphinx chose to live under the protection of others.

　Such days continued for nearly a hundred and fifty years.

　△▼△▼△▼△

　――Since being summoned to another world, what has been the primary cause of Natsuki Subaru’s death?

　When posed with that question, Subaru would confidently answer, “poison-induced suicide.”

　In the Magic City, Crimson Lapis Castle, he experienced countless “deaths” during the hellish game of tag with Roswaal, but unless labeled as “death by Roswaal,” the methods of dying varied widely.

　Barring those hopeless eleven seconds, undoubtedly the most frequent cause of death was poison.

　It’s a rather dishonorable tale, but one might say the person who most often killed Subaru in this other world was the old man Nur, who concocted that poison.

　Nevertheless, to escape from Gladiator Island Gnunhaive without any casualties—a lone struggle to form the “Pleiades Battalion,” the poison frequently utilized is still present in Subaru’s mouth.

“—Everyone, be sure to bring them back safely.”

　That became Subaru’s unyielding absolute condition in facing this final battle in the Imperial Capital.

　Originally, his posture and mindset had existed even before his body shrank and he was brought to this Empire, but through all the days spent in the Empire, the resolve had strengthened.

　Significantly, it was a rebellious spirit against the Volakia Empire, which had been imposing “death” through various means against him.

　――If the Empire imposes “death,” then without a doubt, I will reject it.

　He would do everything within his power.

　Even if it meant tasting hellish suffering again and again, dozens of times, hundreds of times.

“—Giiugh!”

　As his crimson vision opened wide, Subaru’s throat screamed in agony, as if every bit of blood, flesh, bone, vein, and cell had been collectively blended in a blender.

　Yet, what had truly just been a momentary surge of lethal agony and the louder screams and cries receded into the distance. —”Return by Death” activated.

　Having instigated “Return by Death” through poison-induced suicide, Natsuki Subaru rewound time.

　In that moment, Subaru attempted to switch his consciousness to the very moment he had washed his face at the Imperial soldiers’ camp just before storming into the Imperial Capital, thinking he had come back to that scene—and—

“—You idiot.”

“——”

　Feeling as though his chest had been shoved, hearing a curse squeezed from someone’s lips, it was made glaringly obvious to Subaru that the restart point for “Return by Death” had been updated.

“Did the intended target escape unscathed? Nevertheless, it falls within the realm of what we can handle.”

　As Jamal bled profusely and fell with a sword, Sphinx calmly analyzed while coolly observing.

　Both the spectacle and the words were merely what he had witnessed and heard a short while ago.

“Subaru! Focus on what’s in front of you!”

“—Ugh!”

　Beatrice sharply called out to Subaru, who was distracted by understanding reality.

　Her voice shattered his thoughts, letting the moments of suffering and the shock of the restart exit his mind. He needed to adapt to the new situation before him.

　There was no time for dawdling.

　So much could be lost during this brief moment.

　――The point of “Return by Death” updated.

　That implies that during the already initiated final battle in the Imperial Capital, the replacements for the ‘Saviors from Destruction’ could no longer be swapped out.

“——”

　He believed that the best personnel were already positioned in the optimal battlefield.

　However, he regretted not being able to verify the conditions that would yield the least casualties. Particularly, the untested outcome if Emilia paired up with Tanzer weighed heavily on his psyche.

　Of course, there was no absence of anxiety and worry over other members’ safety—

“You were the foreign element to disrupt my plans, weren’t you? Or am I mistaken?”

　At Sphinx’s tilted head, Subaru gazed at the undead before him.

　The tower of blocks he had built in his mind crumbled with an audible sound.

　The blocks, painstakingly assembled through trial and error towards an ideal completion, shattered without a trace. —No, it was a destruction he necessary.

　Beside the toppled tower of blocks, the idea of Natsuki Subaru materialized in his mind and violently smashed those blocks to bits, demolishing them to a point where their original form was unrecognizable—until he no longer cared to think about them.

　Once sufficiently destroyed and entirely forgotten, only then could Natsuki Subaru begin embarking on a new trial and error.

“—It’s not wrong.”

　After what felt like a lengthy pause, Subaru, his hands held by Beatrice and Spica, narrowed his black eyes at Sphinx and replied.

　Still, he hadn’t found a solution to change the situation. He had no knowledge of his friends’ fates. Jamal continued to bleed profusely.

　His determination to address all those issues remained unchanged.

　To defeat the Witch Sphinx and bring an end to this “Great Calamity.”

　To achieve that—

“I am your enemy, the calamity that will disrupt your plans.”

　△▼△▼△▼△

　――Though now referred to as the “Witch,” Sphinx lacked the power fitting that title for several centuries after her creation.

　This was something Sphinx only realized after coming into existence, that the “soul” and the “vessel” were interrelated, and mismatching them posed a significant flaw in life.

　In essence, the vessel is optimized to suit its soul. Simply put, the skills and talents of the Witch of Greed could only be adequately utilized with the body of the Witch of Greed. Sphinx, having only received a partial infusion of the Witch of Greed’s soul into the vessel of Ryuzu Meier, was obstructed from fulfilling her creation’s purpose since her birth.

　As a result, it took Sphinx one hundred and fifty years to attain power befitting the title of “Witch.”

　The mismatched flaw between the vessel and the soul necessitated Sphinx to relearn how to walk, breathe, and have a heartbeat from the ground up.

　This effort took nearly a hundred times longer than what it would typically take for a person of exceptional talent to become a magic user.

　Moreover, during this period, Sphinx’s endeavors to fulfill her purpose were impeded by excessive obstacles.

　Due to her physical characteristics, she was treated as a half-elf, often becoming the target of feelings of resentment and anger directed at the “Witch of Envy.”

　Sphinx was also plagued by continued suspicion regarding her existence, a product of the Witch of Greed’s research, pursued relentlessly by individuals who claimed to be her disciples.

　There were other reasons as well, but primarily these two factors prevented Sphinx from staying in one place, forcing many setbacks in her quest to fulfill her creation’s purpose.

　At the end of those days, when she finally succeeded in casting magic by her own effort, Sphinx remembered feeling a profound disappointment as she gazed at the small flame lit at her fingertips.

　—Was this all that the presumed heir to the Witch of Greed could accomplish in magic?

　△▼△▼△▼△

“—You idiot.”

　With that curse uttered, blood spilled from Jamal once more as he collapsed.

　As he pushed Jamal away, in the instant Subaru braced himself, his hands intertwined with Beatrice and Spica, he confirmed the reactivation of “Return by Death.”

“Did the intended target escape unscathed? Nevertheless, it falls within the realm of what we can handle.”

　As Sphinx misfired while focusing on the battle, her expectations remained unwavering.

　The purpose of the “Witch” was the extermination of Subaru and his companions present. In that regard, dropping Jamal, a capable ally, in the first strike was enough of a gain.

　However—

“Subaru! Focus in front of you—”

“Beatrice! Heal Jamal!”

“—Ugh, got it!”

　As Beatrice was about to raise her voice, Subaru jumped ahead with instructions for her to heal Jamal. Beatrice’s eyes widened in surprise, but she wasted no time hurrying to Jamal’s side.

　Receiving Beatrice’s quick reaction, Subaru exchanged glances with Spica, still holding her hand.

“Spica, I’m counting on you!”

“Ah-ugh!”

　With vigor, Spica leaped at Sphinx like a bouncing rubber ball.

　To meet that Spica, Sphinx unleashed ten beams of light from her fingers. —Thus, before that, Subaru picked up the sword dropped by Jamal and hurled it at Sphinx.

“El Jiwald.”

　The swirling sword from Jamal was swept away by the heat rays emitted by Sphinx.

　The blade, akin to a light sword, split into six pieces in midair, but served to buy enough time for Spica’s teleportation. Without this assist, Spica wouldn’t have made it in time.

“—Ugh!”

　With a short yelp, Spica teleported onto the rubble beside the street.

　And while the heat beam intended for both Spica and Subaru was violently deflected by Abel’s arm pushing Spica down, forcing her evasion.

“Imbecile, did you underestimate the enemy commander?”

“Can’t deny your incessant taunting, Emperor…!”

　Pushing himself onto the ground, Subaru barely averted being squashed, quickly rising to retort at Abel’s snide comments.

　Without any rebuttal, Abel remained alert on Sphinx.

“Don’t expect Jamal Aurelie to rise again. It would be wise to leave him.”

“I don’t think so. He has a sister waiting for him.”

“I’ll ensure ample rewards for the bereaved.”

“Even if family members die, the holes they leave can’t be filled.”

　Beatrice placed her hands over the injuries, casting healing magic on the incapacitated Jamal.

　It’s frustrating, but Abel was right. Even if Beatrice’s intelligence maximized her healing magic’s effectiveness, Jamal’s chances of returning to battle were nearly zero.

　However, if he could rescue Jamal from the brink of death, one worry of Subaru’s would vanish.

　That carried a significant psychological meaning as he pressed forward in the fight against Sphinx.

　So—

“Sphinx! It’s me who can kill you!”

“——”

　With her gaze shifting, Sphinx turned to Subaru, who boldly declared.

　If her focus shifted from Beatrice and the others towards Subaru, it would be a success.

“You undead, thinking you’ve conquered ‘death’ is a fanciful delusion. No one can live forever; there are no exceptions.”

“…There’s some convincing sentiment. In reality, you’re rewriting my ‘Secret of the Immortal King’ and interfering with the souls of the dead. I cannot hold the exception, but—”

“But?”

“—No, there’s no need to voice it purposely. —Required verification.”

　At Subaru’s deliberate provocation, Sphinx slowly shook her head. However, as she responded, Subaru felt a slight tension in his cheeks.

　It wasn’t due to any inconvenience in Sphinx’s reply.

　It was because Sphinx, in giving such an answer, slightly relaxed her lips and smiled.

“…Ryuzu wasn’t good with expressions either.”

　Given her being revived as an undead, Sphinx, who bore little emotional expression compared to Ryuzu, possessed a smile that sent a chill down Subaru’s spine.

　It felt like there was something more significant and fundamental behind that dread than just repulsion at the sight of a charming being turned undead.

　And that notion became clearer with Sphinx’s next words.

“I wanted to confirm one thing. —You are Vincent Volakia the Emperor, correct?”

　Next, Sphinx’s words directed towards Abel beside her.

　Raising an eyebrow at the unexpected focus on Abel in their conversation, Subaru thought it was natural for the Emperor to be in the spotlight, yet he had not anticipated Sphinx’s concern for him.

　A situation where Abel should theoretically carry the least reason for caution, added uncertainty loomed.

“How do you respond? —Required response.”

“`

**”I have no intention of concealing my name or title. — Correctly, I am Vincent Volakia, the Emperor of this Empire.”**

“Thank you for your answer. However, I have something to confirm again.”

With a sharp gaze directed at him, Abel found the courage to continue his words against Spinks.

Realizing that a “Great Calamity” was upon the Empire, Subaru found himself struggling to figure out his next move as he watched Spinks confront Abel, the Emperor of Volakia.

If any dialogue lingered even slightly, it would grant Beatrice more time to tend to Jamal’s injuries.

Subaru understood the benefit of utilizing that time effectively and refrained from interrupting their conversation.

At that moment—

“I won’t promise an answer. But go ahead and say it.”

“—Priscilla Barielle, or perhaps Priska Benedict.”

“…Eh?”

Suddenly and unexpectedly, the mention of Priscilla’s name caught Subaru off guard.

Priscilla, who had seemingly gone missing during the retreat that commenced due to the appearance of the “Great Calamity” while participating in the battle in the Imperial Capital. Confirmation of her well-being had come through an ongoing use of the “Soul Marriage Technique,” which she shared mysteriously with Yorna, who had also disappeared.

Yorna, who was one of the Nine Divine Generals, along with Priscilla, who cast the “Soul Marriage Technique” on Schult, was proof that they were still alive.

Subaru had certainly assumed that Priscilla, who had been present in Castle City Gwararu, had some connection with Emperor Abel and the Volakia Empire, given their deep-rooted histories.

However, the mention of Priscilla from Spinks, especially in the context of questioning Abel, was unexpected.

Indeed, from the timing of Priscilla’s involvement in Castle City Gwararu, it had been suggested that she had some link to the Volakia Empire and Abel. The enigmatic atmosphere surrounding Priscilla had led to speculation regarding her tumultuous past involving her former husbands.

That was—

Subaru glanced at Abel as he considered the connection between Abel and Priscilla, catching sight of the subtle narrowing of his black eyes.

He knew that the slightest reaction was indeed a sign of considerable disturbance from Abel.

Perhaps it was Spinks who had noted that as she addressed the silent Emperor—

“—You are undoubtedly her brother, correct? I need confirmation.”

Thus, Spinks threw an unexpected bombshell that defied Subaru’s expectations.

—

Even when one was able to use magic themselves, Spinks’ way of life had not dramatically changed.

After successfully casting a spell for the first time, the use of gates with Ryuzu Meier’s mana stabilised, and she achieved a fair reproduction of most of the magic that the Witch of Greed’s soul had mastered.

However, this did not alter the dangerous position Spinks found herself in, and her days remained spent eluding sight and avoiding threats.

The only change was that she became somewhat better at staying hidden and escaping dangers than before.

Thanks to this improvement, after 150 years since her birth, Spinks finally began her long-desired research to reproduce the “Witch of Greed.”

The first century was spent getting to know the “Witch of Greed.”

Despite originating from the same soul, there was too much she had missed from the soul of the “Witch of Greed,” and her ultimate goal had become too blurred.

Thus, to understand the long-lost “Witch of Greed,” she commenced a journey tracing various local legends and literature, yet the Witch Cult, whose original intention was not to erase witches from history, hindered her progress significantly.

As a result, after a hundred years with minimal progress, Spinks decided to change her course and sought alternative methods.

The next hundred years were focused on compensating for her own deficiencies regarding the “Witch of Greed.”

After traveling the world for a century with negligible results, Spinks concluded that her greatest clue to understanding the “Witch of Greed” lay within herself, who shared the same soul.

She had failed to reproduce the “Witch of Greed” and was born a flawed copy.

If she could fill in the missing pieces of that soul and reclaim its original form, it would fulfill her purpose of recreating the “Witch of Greed.”

However, this endeavor soon revealed itself to be just as challenging as the previous one, leading to a stalemate after another hundred years.

Even after changing her strategy, her search for data to understand the “Witch of Greed” wavered, resulting in Spinks losing sight of her destined summit.

It seemed the “Witch of Greed” possessed an incredibly complex personality.

According to documents she found, the “Witch of Greed” conversed with many and exchanged the knowledge and wisdom they desired, repeatedly interfering with history for better or worse.

Conversely, within Spinks’ vague memories, the “Witch of Greed” tried to avoid contact with others as much as possible and refrained from getting involved in others’ lives unless absolutely necessary.

These opposing images of the “Witch of Greed” birthed confusion in Spinks’ research.

By this point, over three hundred years had passed since Spinks’ birth, and while she longed to advance her research to fulfill her purpose, she was again faced with another decision.

And Spinks made her choice. — To change things from this point onwards significantly.

—

The realization that Abel and Priscilla were siblings came as a shocking revelation from Spinks, yet it connected with a certain understanding within Subaru, and the many questions he had began to unravel.

Priscilla’s involvement in the Empire’s internal conflicts, her connections with people like Selena, and her occasional ambiguous conversations with Empire associates hinted at a deeper relationship with Abel.

Moreover, just like Abel, Priscilla exhibited an excessively haughty demeanor.

While Abel’s arrogance could be explained by his status as Emperor, one had to wonder why Priscilla was equally presumptuous. The answer came just as easily: Because she was a member of royalty.

—No, more accurately, because she had been royalty.

“Wasn’t the Emperor’s decision-making process all about having siblings fight each other to the death? Isn’t that a crazy rule?”

“I have no intention of debating the merits of the ‘Royal Selection’ ceremony with you.”

“Debating or not, the fact that you are Emperor while Priscilla is still alive tells me how you siblings think about that rule.”

Subaru was start to see the absurdity of the sibling relationship between Abel and Priscilla, yet he also grasped how utterly inconceivable the current situation was for the Empire.

Typically, within the Volakia Empire, those with rights to the throne must engage in a deadly contest until only one remains. — Abel had violated this.

This meant that both Abel and Priscilla were complicit, having strayed from the “Royal Selection” protocol.

“We are not conspiring. I made the decision and executed it. Priska is dead, and Priscilla remains. That’s all there is to it.”

“That’s all?! —! Wait, if that’s true, then could it be that Priscilla was never meant to return to the Empire at all?!”

“In Castle City, can you even begin to imagine how much stress I endured? If you want to talk about it, we can start from when I heard about the Royal Selection and its candidates.”

“If that’s the case, I can understand your plight…”

Subaru could not fathom the extent of Abel’s sacrifices made to save his sister, Priscilla. Surely, even now, if this information were to leak, Abel’s position as Emperor would be jeopardized.

Much effort went into ensuring the safety of a sister who, for just a moment, was nominated to become the queen of a neighboring country and then later jumped into the mix during the Empire’s internal strife. It must have sent Abel into a panic behind that menacing façade.

Nevertheless—

“Aside from the fact that you two are siblings, the intel about Spinks being interested in Priscilla isn’t bad. If Priscilla is kept alive in the Crystal Palace, that supports the validity of the ‘Soul Marriage Technique.'”

“—It seems that, from what I gather, Priscilla and the ‘Witch’ do not have a positive relationship.”

“You might not realize it, but both of you should work on being more approachable. It’s not just about allies; it’s even more crucial for enemies.”

“Such disrespect. Even if I were to overlook it, Priscilla would not.”

As soon as the fact of their siblinghood was revealed, Abel wasted no time in broaching the subject.

Truthfully, it could be more frightening to anger Priscilla, who would strike down anyone she deemed unpleasant, than to fear Abel, who lacked the will to act against rude parties.

“Speaking of which, that sword that Priscilla swings around so wildly is—”

“—The ‘Sun Blade’ Volakia.”

Although Subaru had never had a close look, he knew well that the sword Priscilla often pulled from thin air harbored incredible power.

In response to Subaru’s mention of it, Abel provided a definitive answer.

“…Could it be that this ‘Sun Blade’ is a relic handed down in the Empire?”

“That’s correct.”

“Then she shouldn’t even possess it, regardless of whether she’s hiding her identity or not!”

“—Correct.”

Abel replied in a severe tone, causing Subaru to feel an encroaching headache from Priscilla’s reckless behavior.

This made perfect sense. — As a former highborn of the Volakia Empire, her existence was a bomb that could threaten the Emperor’s reign if known, yet she boldly stepped onto the public stage as a candidate for the kingdom’s royal selection while frequently wielding a fabled sword of Imperial origin.

No wonder those who recognized the past Priscilla always adopted a demeanor hinting at her history, as she had failed to conceal anything about her identity.

“Like Emilia, who thinks she can just introduce herself as Emily…”

While Emilia was naturally cute and an unparalleled beauty, Priscilla, by contrast, should have known better than to adopt such an attitude given her standing.

In any case—

“Realistically, should you—”

“—”

In response to Subaru’s query, Abel fell into silence.

He should have provided a lengthy explanation to clarify his position if he had one. The fact that he remained quiet meant something else was true.

So—

—

“—Fools.”

When she thought about it, who was Spinks directing that insult towards?

Was it Subaru and the others, whom she had pushed aside to protect, or perhaps the merciless Spinks who targeted even children? — Or was it Jamal himself, whose actions had limited their choices afterward?

Surely it must have been one of the former, and the last option couldn’t even be considered.

Of course, while Jamal’s intention to protect Subaru and the others was ultimately pointless, it did seem useless from Subaru’s perspective, especially with his ability to “Return by Death.”

Had Jamal not intervened, guess what? Spinks’ ambush could have resulted in Subaru’s vaporization, firing off a “Return by Death” activation, and actions could have consequently resumed from the prior situation.

As it currently stood, it could have been at the same point in time he made contact with Spinks or even prior.

However, by that token, if Jamal hadn’t gotten injured, they could have avoided a confrontation with Spinks, broadening their strategic opportunities.

Unfortunately for them, due to Jamal’s sacrifice, Subaru and the others had lost a valuable asset, and now Beatrice was bound by her healing magic to save him.

From the mere occurrence of events, Jamal’s actions seemed to add to their suffering.

Yet—

“—”

Jamal, as one of the sword wolves, was proud of his identity and dedicated to opening a path toward his sister’s future. He would not let his selfless defense of Subaru and the others go unrecognized.

Things like life, instinct, and hearts do not simply exist for nothing.

“Did the assumed targets escape unscathed? However—”

“I had a shoe in my mouth! But we’re even now!”

“—”

Subaru shouted at Jamal, who had avoided Spinks’ attack, just as his admonishments began to flow out. His loud exclamation cut through Spinks’ words like a knife.

Whether that loud proclamation reached Jamal in his dire state was uncertain.

However, upon arriving in the Volakia Empire, in that first camp, Subaru had received a terrible treatment from Jamal. And now, he forgave him. — Because Jamal was undeniably one of them.

“Beatrice! Heal Jamal!”

“—Understood!”

With Subaru’s continued instruction, Beatrice rushed to Jamal. As her slender fingers slipped away, Subaru then pulled Spica, who had been holding his hand.

“Spica, please!”

“Ah—uh!”

Spica, bursting with enthusiasm, leaped toward Spinks like a bouncy ball.

Her long golden hair flew as she took flight, but in the moment prior, Spinks raised both hands.

A flurry of light swords materialized around her—At that moment, Subaru tossed Jamal’s sword into the fray.

“El Jiwald!”

“—Ugh!”

The white light melted Jamal’s sword and turned its attention toward Spica. Before it could reach her, Spica’s form shifted, teleporting to the side of the street. At that same instant, Abel forced Subaru to bow his head, successfully avoiding Spinks’ retaliation.

“You switched tactics quite effectively. However, it’s pointless if you fail to follow through.”

“I know! Let me just say this, I won’t abandon Jamal!”

“—I will reward the family of the deceased handsomely.”

“That doesn’t help the people I want to save!”

Rebutting Abel’s rational perspective, Subaru stood his ground, narrowing his gaze on the evasive Spinks.

“Spinks! The one capable of killing you is me!”

“—”

“I can kill you, the undead. Even resurrection magic isn’t infallible. Do you think I’m joking?”

“…That is quite convincing. After all, you are interfering with my ‘Secret of the Undying’ concerning the souls of the deceased. It would be naive to think I’m the only exception here. However—”

In an attempt to provoke Spinks to draw her attention, Subaru sensed the weight of her reactions. The “Witch” was captivated yet nonchalant.

“The feeling of pressure and urgency can wrongly lead judgment astray. You must understand the dangers of emotions, even in minute detail.”

Spinks replied calmly, right hand ensnared by the Guilty Whip.

However, she intentionally extended that right hand. Spinks had trapped Subaru’s whip with her right hand while grasping Spica’s right sleeve with her left, leading to both her hands being effectively bound.

Yet—

“Ah, ugh…”

With a pained groan, Spica knelt as the white light penetrated through her thigh. — All thanks to Spinks, who was unable to use her hands, now wielded the power imbued in her golden eye.

“Spells require hands or tools to be activated. This is a classic misconception among those unaware of magic.”

“Spica—Whoa!?”

With an anguished gasp, Subaru shouted out as he was forced to hurl the whip at Spinks, thrown down violently to her feet.

Clenching his jaw against the pain, he could clearly see Spica’s distressed face beside him, with Spinks towering over them both.

Their eyes met—cold, detached yellow ones boring into him.

“—Why do you smile?”

“Because everything has unfolded as I engineered.”

Subaru lay on the ground, staring up as Spinks puzzled over his expression.

In response to her inquiry, Subaru deliberately kept hold of the whip and with his free hand formed a finger gun aimed at Spinks.

And then—

“—Minya!”

As his fingertip sparkled, a purplish-blue crystal arrow was released.

Surprise, close distance, carelessness, a performance worthy of an Academy Award—All these factors intertwined, leaving Spinks with no means to evade Subaru’s surprise attack.

“—That’s a point I’ve got to reflect on,” she muttered as she abruptly tilted her head.

The purple arrow struck her right eye, piercing through it. Immediately, crystallization began at the point of impact, encroaching upon Spinks’ pale skin.

It was established that dark magic could effectively target the undead, and this was a prime example.

“Did you think of me as just a clever little brat? It’s a common misconception.”

—Subaru was a spirit mage who had contracted with the charming and overly competent Beatrice.

Even if his body had shrunk, the bond between him and Beatrice had not been severed. Through the gate, Subaru’s mana was utilized by Beatrice to cast spells.

The converse was also true. With Beatrice’s power, Subaru was capable of casting magic. In fact, during his inaugural battle with Beatrice, he had showcased unparalleled prowess against the Great Rabbit.

Naturally, the immense mana Beatrice had stored over four centuries was depleted in that first skirmish, leaving Subaru with a single ace up his sleeve for use within her visible range.

Nevertheless, what mattered was that he had that one trump card and was able to utilize it correctly.

“Spica, one more push!”

“Ugh!”

As Spinks staggered from the magic’s impact, Subaru swept through the moment to tighten the offense.

With her leg injured, Spica, despite her determination, felt the strain but prepared to spring up as Subaru’s hand reached out.

**He stood up straight, taking a deep breath.**

The wounds were painful, but no matter how many times he tried, he couldn’t sustain anything less severe.

So this was the best outcome for everyone to survive and move forward—Subaru would take the place of Spica’s left leg and head towards Sphinx.

Carrying Spica’s “Star Eater,” they aimed to defeat Sphinx.

“Your insight into Balga’s plan is commendable. A necessary commendation.”

With the crystallization expanding from his right eye, Sphinx praised Subaru.

The “Witch” formed a smile with a stiffening face, placing her left index finger precisely under her chin, making it look like a finger gun aimed at Subaru for a revenge strike.

“—!”

In that instant, Subaru sensed that it was the prelude to “Dead Escape.”

Intending to blow his own head off and reset the situation—if he committed suicide here, he would bring back Subaru and the others’ knowledge, ensuring Sphinx would never appear before them again.

The chance to deliver “Star Eater” would vanish.

Before he could move to stop it, a faint light ignited at Sphinx’s fingertips—

“—You fool!!”

A slash, accompanied by a spitting sound of blood, severed Sphinx’s left arm at the elbow.

“——”

Spinning through the air, Sphinx’s eyes widened at the flying arm.

Jamal, with bloodshot eyes and wielding a sword that had a slice taken from its blade, was the one who thwarted Sphinx’s planned “Dead Escape.”

Jamal, heavily injured, was supported by Beatrice as she activated healing magic on him, following up on his throw.

For a moment, Sphinx and Beatrice, who had said it would take time to heal, exchanged glances,

“It’s a lie.”

Beatrice stuck out her tongue, revealing that Jamal’s miraculous comeback was no miracle.

Still, losing one arm, Sphinx could do the same with her remaining right arm—as long as there wasn’t that brief moment of hesitation with Beatrice.

“You had me worried.”

Contrary to the content of her words, Sphinx’s tone remained as cold as usual.

Yet, there might have been genuine danger—Jamal’s sword had far too much momentum, to be thrown away lightly.

“Commendable.”

“Unnecessary.”

As Sphinx gawked at the aftermath of the event with her unscathed left eye, Abel coolly responded. The black-haired emperor swung the sword he had received, severing Sphinx’s right arm at the shoulder.

“Ah…”

Having lost her left hand, now her right hand was severed too, Sphinx threw off balance, falling to the ground with a tremendous crash.

As she landed face-up on the ground, Subaru sighed deeply, looking down at the “Witch.”

To get to this point involved countless cunning strategies and even more trials and errors. Subaru stood before Sphinx, having reached this stage.

“We win.”

“…Indeed. I admit it. My loss.”

Given the heavy injuries to Jamal, as well as Subaru and Spica’s wounds, the outcomes of Beatrice and Abel’s safety lay within realms of results and understanding, and Sphinx nodded at Subaru’s declaration.

Even without both arms, she could unleash something from her eyes like she had attacked Spica. Already, the right half of her face had begun to crystallize, but preventing her from doing anything was paramount.

“Sphinx.”

Sphinx understood that it wasn’t a mere call.

It was a prompt to Spica, organizing the path for her ability, “Star Eater.” With Subaru lending her shoulder, Spica reached out toward Sphinx.

Trying to interact with the “Witch’s” soul, she aimed to end this “Great Calamity”—

“—Jirwald.”

In the next moment, just before Spica’s fingers could reach, Sphinx’s face, with its path of crystallization, vanished—a released white light blew off the head of the “Witch,” shattering their plan.

“——”

Caught off-guard as Sphinx was killed from the side, Subaru and the others gasped. Sphinx disintegrated into pieces, quickly turning to dust.

And the one responsible for that was—

“Judging from the circumstances, it appeared to be a very dangerous situation. Necessary—response.”

“The effects of the ‘Undying King’s Secret’ are useful, but experiencing that usefulness makes one feel frustrated about not being able to share information at the moment. Necessary—improvement.”

“Before that, we should prioritize their elimination. Necessary—countermeasure.”

Amid the continuous voices, Subaru distinctly felt Spica’s body stiffen against him. She must have felt it too.

It was no surprise to experience such a shock.

“「「「—Necessary—combat.」」」”

The one who finished off the cornered Sphinx was the numerous unharmed “Witches,” Sphinxes, who had gathered up.

—

**Now, the intervention in the “Subhuman War” was incredibly convenient for Sphinx.**

The rising tensions between humans and subhumans within the Parent Dragon Kingdom Lugnica flared into a raging fire for the slightest reason, shattering the long-held fragile peace.

Regardless of involvement in the civil war, simply being subhuman meant they became targets of persecution, which cleanly erased any unnaturalness for Sphinx in her contact with the subhuman alliance. Claiming to be a half-elf, no greater justification to join the alliance was necessary.

There, meeting Balga Cromwell and Libere Huermin, the two main leaders of the subhuman alliance was also a stroke of luck for Sphinx.

Especially Balga, the giant, despite his fierce appearance, was an excellent strategist. Recognizing the usefulness of Sphinx’s knowledge and magical prowess, he boldly incorporated it into their strategies, generating victories for the subhuman alliance across many battlefields.

Sphinx also disclosed numerous pieces of knowledge that she had never previously revealed as the “Witch of Greed,” collaborating with Balga’s schemes or inversely gaining assistance.

**—The “Undying King’s Secret” was a forbidden technique successfully reproduced thanks to the subhuman alliance.**

While she had knowledge of the spell itself, Balga conducted the research to fill in the details necessary for its implementation and orchestrated strategies using the spell, effectively guiding the “Subhuman War.”

Sphinx had no vested interest in the subhuman alliance’s victory; she merely utilized that environment, yet she greatly benefited from Balga and his companions’ existence at that time. To be certain, the snake woman Libere, who stood alongside Balga as a leader, was wary of Sphinx’s endeavors, and their relationship was not particularly amicable.

Nevertheless, the “Subhuman War” granted Sphinx many of her desires.

Among them, the thing she most wished to observe was “Love”—something that seemed most lacking in the incomplete Sphinx to fulfill her creation purpose. Having frequent opportunities to closely encounter what is generally defined as obsession was a significant harvest.

It was present in Balga, Libere, and many subhumans along with humans.

That its existence was indeed lacking within herself constituted Sphinx’s greatest harvest.

However, perhaps having stirred the stagnant situation that hadn’t moved in over 350 years had fueled Sphinx’s greed. She reunited with a forgotten threat.

She was Sphinx’s disciple, one who knew that Sphinx was created to replicate the soul of the “Witch of Greed,” harboring a relentless desire to obliterate that existence.

**—Ultimately, Sphinx would find herself defeated by that disciple of the “Witch of Greed.”**

—

**The feared situation arrived precisely at the feared moment.**

That was reminded to Subaru by the chilling sensation of cold fingers being thrust into his mouth and the feeling of accustomed vials being pulled away.

“Poison for suicide, perhaps? An incomprehensible preparation.”

“Not so incomprehensible, is it? One typically prepares for death when heading into battle. Also, eliminating the possibility of being captured by an adversary and extracting information is effective.”

“Isn’t the battlefield in which that generalization is inappropriate? They certainly know that losing life here doesn’t necessarily equate to closing one’s mouth.”

Same voices, same tone, all considered, until multiple eyes turned to Subaru.

The identical faces of the “Witches” simultaneously peered into Subaru’s black pupils—

“「「「Necessary—response.」」」”

As they stripped Subaru of any means of suicide, they inquired.

**—The newly appeared Sphinxes swiftly overwhelmed Subaru and the others, who had struggled against a single one in just a minute’s time.**

“Ugh, u…”

Spica, pinned to the ground, desperately struggled to rescue the trapped Subaru.

But her foot injury hadn’t been treated yet, making it impossible for her to shake off the Sphinx holding her down. It wasn’t just Spica; Beatrice and Jamal were also crumpled on the street, battered.

Especially Jamal, who had continued hurling insults at Sphinx until he completely lost consciousness, which led to him being bullied even more.

Then—

“Coming one after another, they seem unceasing in their wandering.”

“I’m impressed with your relentless spirit in not yielding even under such pressure. You certainly seem related to your sister… Priscilla Barielle.”

“Hmph, do you think I’ll waver at the mention of Priscilla? It’s quite petty of the ‘Witch’ to play such tricks, pretending to be a Lamia.”

With a hostile gaze, Abel spat blood from his mouth as he glared at Sphinx.

Now, the only ones still standing before the Sphinxes were him and Subaru, who was being restrained. Even then, Subaru had been forced to kneel, leaving Abel alone.

Three Sphinxes stood in this gathering.

One was restraining Subaru, one was pinning Spica, and the last was free.

Confronting them was Abel, injured yet still standing, having taken numerous wounds during his brief resistance. His clothes were soiled, torn, and he wiped the blood trailing down his cheek with his sleeve, a sword lacking a blade discarded at his feet.

Despite being this thoroughly beaten, Abel hadn’t received a fatal wound.

It wasn’t thanks to any extraordinary swordsmanship that had blossomed in this dire moment—it was purely because the Sphinxes intended to keep him alive.

“I did indeed learn from Lamia Godwin. Her ability to see her essence was certain. She was, by far, nearer to the truth of ‘Soul’ than I.”

“Thanks to her, I successfully reproduced the parallel version of the ‘Undying King’s Secret.’ The result is somewhat different than hoped, but it is true I have progressed a step forward.”

“Without that, it would have been difficult to appear before you like this.”

Sphinx continued speaking, the feat of multiple identical corpses emerging was a misuse of the “Undying King’s Secret,” wielded by Lamia Godwin, Abel’s sister.

Honestly, if Spica’s “Star Eater” was in perfect condition, the proliferation of the undead merely created more targets. Understanding that, Sphinx separated and restrained Subaru and Spica.

And the reason only one Sphinx remained alive was—

“—Your ‘Solar Sword’ as a member of the Volakia royal family was a threat. Necessary—caution.”

“——”

At the words of the unarmed Sphinx, Abel narrowed his black eyes slightly.

Sphinx’s caution toward the “Solar Sword” was a national treasure, possessing immense power within the empire. Subaru had witnessed the “Solar Sword’s” exceptional strength before.

However, at that time, the owner of the “Solar Sword” was not Abel—

“—Priscilla Barielle. Or perhaps, Priska Benedict.”

“Ugh, Abel…!”

“He must be Vincent Volakia, the Emperor of Volakia. Is your informal nickname ‘Abel’ inappropriate for that? Necessary—correction.”

Pointing out the slight in Abel’s wording, Subaru’s face was forcefully pressed to the ground. Groaning as his cheek scraped against the dirt, the Sphinx, indifferent, tilted her head towards Abel.

“It appears you truly do not hold the ‘Solar Sword.'”

So clearly, she stated to Abel—yes, to Vincent Volakia—declaring he had no ownership of the “Solar Sword,” the proof of an emperor.

“—!”

At that Sphinx’s assertion, Abel kept silent, while Subaru swallowed hard.

He had no understanding of how humbling that was for the Volakia emperor.

However, it was unacceptable and much worse than the fact that he kept alive the sister he should have killed in the “Ceremony of Selection.”

To verify that was Sphinx’s true purpose for keeping Abel alive.

“Will you accompany me, Emperor Vincent Volakia? If it pleases you, perhaps you could meet your sister, Priscilla Barielle. Necessary—consideration.”

“Meet with Priscilla? What are you plotting?”

“I refuse to answer. Necessary—thought.”

Proposing something strange to Abel, who lacked a deciding factor to resist, Sphinx offered a peculiar suggestion. It wasn’t explained what the true intention behind it was. But complying meant Abel might live a little longer.

Yet, such a charming proposition held no appeal to the pinnacle of the empire.

“Do not toy with me, ‘Witch.’ If I need to speak with Priscilla, I shall do so without your permission. Who do you think I am?”

“——”

Abel responded boldly, crossing his arms and rebuffing the “Witch’s” suggestion.

Bloodied and flowing with dirt, his life hanging by a thread in someone else’s grasp, he maintained a resolute posture, unmistakably resembling the sword-wolf that the Volakia Empire esteemed.

“—Necessary—reflection.”

There was no change in her expression or tone, yet Sphinx’s voice clearly contained disappointment.

The reason for that remained undisclosed, but Sphinx lamented not being able to bring Abel to Priscilla.

And turning away, disallowing the disappointment, Sphinx proposed,

“Perhaps exchanging these lives would be adequate? Necessary—reconsideration.”

It was a question directed toward the restrained Subaru and Spica, pointing toward the two.

To give that inquiry more persuasive weight, the pressure placed on Subaru by the Sphinx holding him intensified.

“Auugh! Ugh—uuh!”

“Spica…!!”

Undoubtedly, Spica was enduring similar pressure. Struggling, she had clearer means to escape restraint than Subaru, attempting to rebel against the Sphinx on her back.

Before that resistance bore fruit—

“Gah—gu—waaaah…!”

“—Necessary—reflection.”

With a dull crack resonating, the crushing sound of bone shattering echoed painfully. It wasn’t Spica; it was Subaru’s right arm that had been bent backward at the elbow.

Searing pain pierced through his brain, instantly jettisoning any other aches and bruises. Blood bubbled from the corner of his clenched mouth, and unbearable tears flowed freely.

Neither the Sphinx who broke Subaru’s arm, the one who almost broke Spica’s, nor the one giving those commands showed an ounce of emotional sway.

Simply observing whether or not their show of force would yield the desired results.

However—

“—Repetitive.”

Abel’s response remained untouched by emotions, even as Subaru’s arm was being broken.

In response, Sphinx finally let out a small sigh,

“I had hoped you would remain alive as I took you.”

“Stop toying with me. If you truly wish to fulfill that, make me a corpse and take me along.”

“That is difficult, as has been concluded from the discussions so far.”

At Sphinx’s response, Abel squinted as if in contemplation. However, before that thought could progress, the Sphinxes sprang into action.

The Sphinxes pinning down Subaru and Spica raised a finger. That finger was shoved against the back of Subaru and Spica’s heads.

“Ah, Abel…”

In agony from his broken arm, Subaru, barely able to catch his breath, called for Abel. Struggling beside him, Spica was in a similar situation; the Sphinxes’ intentions were clear.

Yet, it was futile. The show of force had not worked.

“Hostages are meaningless. Or does the ‘Witch’ truly lack the understanding of such matters?”

“Is that so?”

“What?”

“The concepts of protective instincts and emotions are rather tricky to handle. They are not exceptions for you at the pinnacle of the empire. —Necessary—motivation.”

The one free Sphinx delivered that line to Abel, slowly raising her hand.

Then, lifting one finger, she aimed it at Abel’s chest,

“Do not move. Unless you value their lives.”

“—You lowly cur.”

With a terse and gritted response, Abel’s words birthed a crooked smile on Sphinx’s lips.

In that moment, light ignited at the tip of Sphinx’s finger—not just the one aimed at Abel, but also the fingers pressed to the back of Subaru and Spica’s heads.

**—That “Witch” awaited the wicked choice.**

“Jump, Spica!!”

“Huh?”

Just before the lethal light was unleashed, Subaru, thrusting the pain aside, yelled that out. As a result, one of the Sphinxes, bewildered, vanished from that position—caught in Spica’s teleportation.

With Spica having jumped as a cue, movement also occurred on Subaru’s side. He himself wasn’t moving—

“Am I really pushing it too hard?!”

That was Beatrice, who had been dormant, waiting patiently for Subaru’s signal.

Enduring through the moment Subaru’s arm was broken, she contained her impulse to leap out and channeled it into a purple crystal arrow, striking the Sphinx that had attacked them.

“——”

The situation changed chaotically.

The Sphinx attack that was meant to restrain Subaru and Spica failed.

Certainly, Beatrice obstructed this for Subaru, but the defense for Spica came from the Sphinx herself.

**—Teleporting Spica had intervened in the line of fire aimed at Abel, causing the Sphinx that had been targeting him to wound herself.**

“What’s this—”

The remaining Sphinx blinked with astonishment at the unexpected infighting.

One had been shot down by her magic and exploded into nothingness, while another had been struck and transformed into a purple crystal statue.

Still, there was only so much one could do by catching them off guard.

“To think the last one wouldn’t rise again.”

Both Subaru, with the broken arm, and Spica, whose movements were restrained, attempted counterattacks, but unfortunately, Jamal, who had been savagely beaten, did not rise.

Watching this unfold, the last standing Sphinx swiftly readied both hands, summoning ten luminous swords from her ten fingers, preparing to slice Subaru and the others.

**In doing so, she had unwittingly let her guard down against the most important opponent.**

“—Draw, ‘Solar Sword’ Volakia.”

A calm yet solemn voice rang out, annoyingly strong, striking Subaru’s eardrums.

No matter the uproar, no matter how many people were present, nor how harsh the battlefield of conflict became, that man’s voice effectively reached its intended target.

That, in essence, exemplified the royal disposition of one with the destiny to stand above all and lead.

And just to confirm that, a glowing red light illuminated the eyes of everyone present—

“—You should not possess that.”

“Fool. —Did I ever claim to have relinquished the ‘Solar Sword’ even once?”

A crimson treasure, never unsheathed despite the numerous hardships faced to seize that fleeting opportunity, was drawn from its empty sheath.

And—

“The tricks are ours to claim victory.”

“Look down on me? —On my strategies and those of my two commanders?”

Enduring the pain, Subaru boasted in triumph, and Abel claimed that the “Witch” was convinced of his losing trump card, putting faith in the unseen commanders’ prowess.

**—In the next instant, Abel, wielding the ‘Solar Sword,’ kicked the ground and leaped.**

It was an astonishing, powerful movement, unparalleled to anything that had come before. The “Solar Sword” elevated its chosen wielder to a fitting dimension.

As if the world itself flooded with sunlight, Abel swung the treasured sword high—

“—The ‘Solar Sword’ cuts that which I decree to cut, and incinerates that which I decree to burn.”

“——”

A single slash of crimson raced diagonally, effortlessly incinerating the ten beams of white light aimed for Abel that the Sphinx had just unleashed.

The absurdity of light blazing forth felt so natural due to the transcendent power infusing the ‘Solar Sword,’ rendering the subsequent outcome equally inevitable.

“—Ah.”

As a hoarse breath escaped, the Sphinx staggered back, staring at her own form.

The “Witch,” who had retreated with swift movements, found a lock of her pink hair severed by the light of the “Solar Sword”—and in that heartbeat, her entire body combusted.

And this spread not only to the Sphinx who had been cut but also to the one who had been rendered to dust and the one crystallized into the purple hue.

—

**The “Solar Sword” Volakia had been purposed to burn away the “Witch” Sphinx.**

The result was witnessing the burning figures of the Sphinxes.

“——”

Cautious of the Sphinx wrapped in flames, one preparing for a last-ditch effort—but—

“Futile. To be consumed by the flames of the ‘Solar Sword’ is simply that.”

“…Is that so? I find myself doubting the nerves you’ve displayed, subtly hiding that until the last moment.”

Abel, with the ‘Solar Sword’ still at hand, pointed out Subaru’s fears as unnecessary. As Subaru returned a remark laced with sarcasm, Abel offered no reply.

Instead, he fixed his gaze upon the Sphinx enveloped in rising flames, focused—a determination etched into his demeanor.

Looking closely, Abel—no, Vincent Volakia—the one he was mustering with such pride, said:

“Your strategy this time. —It was noble, Cheshire Gold.”

 

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