Although I had the ultimate determined face, since coming to this world, I barely have any memories of that face fulfilling its role as a “determined face” in the truest sense.

The only moments I can recall was when I asked Emilia for her name, and that time when I said something so good to Rem that I felt embarrassed when I turned around.

—Well, I feel that I was able to use that face properly in crucial moments like those.

While coming to that internal realization, I look back and seem to think that my face wasn’t quite suited for the current occasion.

With a stiff smile, while freezing in the quiet hall, Subaru was nonetheless set to execute his barbaric act.

Once I started, there’s no way I could back down.

I steadfastly wait for the other party’s reaction and then prepare my next response; that’s Subaru’s flair as a comedian. Even though I’m not a comedian.

Without a doubt, Subaru’s decision, which benefits absolutely no one—

“Baru・Cero!?”

I was interrupted with a sharp and hard sensation slamming into the back of my head, making me cry out in pain.

Stars scattered in front of my eyes as my knees buckled from the sheer force of the blow. A heavy, solid object fell beside me, and my brain quickly concluded that I had been hit.

Then, Subaru forgot the pain in his anger and spun around, with tears welling up in his eyes, and shouted,

“Who the hell do you think you are!? I’m Emilia-tan’s foremost knight and under Roswaal’s care! Do you know about Reinhardt’s reputation?”

“All reliant on others—!?”

Subaru spewed out saliva in an utmost fury. Someone made a snide remark regarding the content of his outburst that was purely dependent on others, but that didn’t even make it to Subaru’s ears at that moment.

It included a lot of elements trying to cover up the fact that the situation had changed and he was riding on that flow. However, it wasn’t that he didn’t feel the anger of having his declaration of determination dampened.

It was Subaru’s own display of courage.

Even if the way I expressed it was slightly unhinged, and the reactions around me were far from what I had hoped, I still wanted to praise myself—there’s no doubt that I was resolute.

And the one who dampened Subaru’s spirit was—

“In the end, I’m the one pulling a Dempsey Roll combo from Shamaku, huh, Emilia-tan!?”

Spotting that silver-haired girl extending her palm toward me, Subaru stomped the ground with considerable force and jumped in.

Looking closely, I noticed a massive chunk of ice that had fallen right beside me, the size so large that it was a miracle my head wasn’t split open. It dissipated upon fulfilling its purpose, vanishing into the air.

Witnessing that unexpected turn of events, Subaru couldn’t hide his shock. However, Emilia looking at him had a much fiercer turmoil in her eyes.

She waved her hand erratically while saying to Subaru,

“N-no! It was just that, I thought I had to do something to calm you down, and before I knew it…”

“Then your idea of slamming the back of my head is dangerous! You’re like a heroine from an old manga! Though Emilia-tan is my eternal heroine!”

“Heroine…? Ah, anyway, this isn’t the time to be talking about that! Apologize quickly! I’ll apologize with you!”

“Are we doing this with my mom here or what!?”

Doing something wrong and requiring a parental figure to accompany for an apology just wasn’t sincere; Subaru thought. It felt somewhat similar to a maternal instinct being tickled, but being confronted in a completely protective manner was quite different.

The two continued their usual banter during a gathering of state officials.

Seeing those two, most of the audience stared in dumbfounded disbelief.

On the contrary,

“You really messed up—!!”

“Ah ha ha ha! Look, Al! There’s a fool, a big fool!”

The most arrogant pair was pointing at Subaru, one clutching their head while the other was rolling on the floor laughing.

“After witnessing the actual use of magic, the chanting to activation was surprisingly fast. She really is quite something.”

“Oh no, Crusch-sama, that’s amazing! A real man…!”

One side, the duo with reversed genders due to their personalities, one praised Emilia’s magical talents, while the other, ignoring that, was swooning over their master’s thoughts.

“Ah, I knew that guy was really out of it. Though I knew it from the start.”

“So it really is like that. Subaru, you’re Emilia-sama’s…!”

The two still not forming a duo as a knight and his master, one made a very rude comment about Subaru’s actions, while the other had an understanding look in his eyes.

And then,

“What the, I thought a weirdly dressed kid had slipped in, but turns out they were with that witch girl. …Wait, what’s happened to Julius?”

“No, well, it’s just that—yes, there’s something that’s concerning me.”

Responding to the distinctly speaking noble, the one renowned as the greatest knight quietly closed his eyes in contemplation. He remained silent, choosing to wait for the right moment.

Watching the candidates react without causing a stir, it hinted that they were all somewhat different from ordinary people when it came to their nerves.

Ultimately, Subaru and Emilia’s argument highlighted the difference in mentality between the candidates and the other people present.

Of course, neither of them was aware of this, continuing their usual dispute while disregarding the reactions around them,

“You always attempt to obfuscate things with words that make no sense. Just because I’m a bit unaware of the world doesn’t mean you can fool me all the time!”

“Accusing me of fooling you is really harsh! My heart is always on a true straight path, and it’s heading directly to you!”

“Ah, Emilia-sama and Subaru-kun…!”

Subaru, who was stamping his feet stubbornly while Emilia turned her head away with crossed arms, paused their verbal exchange upon hearing Roswaal’s elongated summons.

Upon noticing that the two responded merely with a glance at his call, he gestured silently to indicate the entire hall.

“Ahh.”

“U-uh….”

Only then did they realize the hall was in a rather chaotic state.

To Subaru, who was sensitive to the atmosphere when he had failed to read it, the current situation felt like a familiar predicament, leaving him with the sensation of “I messed up again, tee hee.” However, on the other hand, Emilia’s pale face displayed concern far beyond that.

Her fair skin losing even more color, she quickly looked up to the podium. While turning, she grabbed Subaru’s ear and pulled him to face the same direction as her.

“I apologize for the disturbance!”

“Ouch! Painful! My ear’s going to come off! It’s going to come off, when it comes off…!!”

With Emilia pulling on his ear while bowing, Subaru found himself forced to bow too.

Having been half-crying twice in such a short span, while Subaru struggled against her grip, he rubbed his sore ear quickly.

“You’ve got to be more careful! Ears are one of those spots that can’t be hardened! You should treat them delicately! It’s too late when they’re gone, you know!?”

“Seeing as you have managed to get to this point means you obviously weren’t listening to anything, right? If you’re not going to be of any help, it’s better for it to be gone!”

“It’s harsh just to be flustered! But I can confidently say that I would get double A ratings on my various sensory functions like eyesight, hearing, smell, and throat!”

Just, it was not that my brain and personality could act upon utilizing those skills.

Had Emilia determined that Subaru’s words were merely his usual babble based on his health check in the original world, she continued apologizing to the council without pressing the issue further.

She closed her eyes for a moment, then readied a serious expression before looking up at the elders.

“In any case, please forget my previous comment. This boy… He is a friend of mine, and while he is Roswaal’s servant, he doesn’t mean what he said earlier…”

“Hold on, hold on, hold on! You can’t just make that into a non-event!”

However, Subaru interrupted Emilia’s attempts to smooth things over once more.

Fixing her gaze on Subaru, Emilia directed a clear yet pleading look, filled with emotion, that underscored the need for him to be quiet.

“Please, just be quiet. I know how embarrassing it is for you to retract your words now, so at least for now, just be calm…”

“It’s not that I’m spouting things from despair or anger! I don’t have the guts to spew nonsense in a moment like this!”

To Emilia’s steadfast refusal to believe everything he just declared, Subaru loudly protested. Even Emilia couldn’t keep her steady demeanor when confronting Subaru under these circumstances.

Watching Emilia fall silent, it seemed that on the podium—namely, Microtoff had let out a small cough.

“It seems like that man’s resolve is quite strong. Hmm, what would Baron Roswaal’s perspective be on this?”

Now shifting the focus from the earlier two to Roswaal, who was laughing with dubious intent, responding, “Well, you see,”

“Each of the candidates has a knight they can trust. But among them, the one standing with Emilia-sama is the only one without such a position, which has been quite concerning for me. It’s a bit awkward for me to be in such a position myself, after all.”

“Right, right, see?”

“Roswaal!”

Responding to Roswaal’s verbose words, Subaru tightened his fists and cheered, “MOTTO MOTTO!” while Emilia scolded as if it were a casual comment.

Hearing that, Roswaal prefaced with, “But—”

“That’s not to say anyone will suffice. If one is to claim being a knight, especially if they might become king one day, they must show something deserving.”

“That’s quite right.”

“Roswaal!”

Now, Emilia displayed her agreement with Roswaal’s standpoint while using Subaru’s name to express her dissatisfaction.

Finding those two extreme reactions amusing in a way, Roswaal turned his attention to the council of elders.

“To qualify as a knight—loyalty to one’s master, or the requisite strength to protect them. One must possess something that can pave the way for their lord’s pursuit of kingship.”

“――That alone is not enough, Baron Roswaal.”

Cutting into Roswaal’s eloquent words about what he desired from Subaru, a voice interrupted. With one eye closed, Roswaal turned around to see standing a purple-haired young man—Julius.

While just moments ago, he had been pondering amidst the exchange between Subaru and Emilia, he now stepped forward, elegantly bowed, and said,

“I’m sorry for interrupting your conversation. However, I find myself compelled to ask him something.”

Pointing his palm directly at Subaru, of course, it was none other than him.

Subaru, the object of that unexpected interruption, grimaced at the refined young man’s gesture. Before any semblance of good impression could blossom, it was clear that Subaru disliked Julius. That sentiment didn’t improve during the royal selection, meaning he downright disliked his presence.

A smug and irritating aristocrat, that somehow couldn’t be shaken off—and with that, Subaru’s facial expression soured into a grimace.

Julius unwittingly ignored the change in Subaru’s demeanor, reacting as if it were a gentle breeze.

“No need to be overly cautious. I only have one thing I want to ask, and once I’ve done that, you may do whatever you need to do.”

While the tone of his words seemed to consider Subaru’s feelings, the seriousness etched in his expression pulled Subaru’s attention, almost like pulling him in a direction he hadn’t intended.

“What’s with the weird face? Is it not impolite to make that face when the other person is serious?”

“Right now, I’ve been painfully wounded—!”

With a completely unintentional remark that hurt Subaru, he felt as if he’d fall to the ground. Ignoring Subaru’s demeanor, Julius respected his composure with a graceful motion as he adjusted his hair.

“You don’t need to worry. This situation is unbecoming of a jester. If you truly claim to be Emilia-sama’s knight, then…”

“What… do you mean by that?”

“By precisely what I’ve said.”

With one eye closed, Julius looked Subaru up and down. Subaru fidgeted and instinctively covered his private area, but most people wouldn’t understand. Only Al, shaking his head to avert looking, would probably be aware.

Feeling the urge to remark on his fellow hometown person’s attitude, there was simply a greater concern behind Julius’s intention.

“Sorry, but I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed. Back home, I barely scraped an E rating in the Airread Test. Please speak clearly, in plain language.”

With a nonchalant tone, Subaru responded rudely to Julius. Julius brushed past Subaru’s impoliteness, merely touching his bangs exquisitely and continued,

“You see, just now, you declared yourself a knight. —And with care, you did so in the presence of the Royal Knights of the Lugnica Kingdom.”

Extending his arms, Julius spoke representing the knightly order standing behind him.

Following Julius’s statement, the lined-up knights simultaneously straightened their postures, stomping the floor in unison, ascend erected swords as a salute.

Overwhelmed by this sheer force, Subaru felt like leaning back while grumpily muttering,

“I don’t know; they sure don’t seem like the crowd that got scared by a lone girl’s walk just earlier.”

“You’re carelessly talking. Knights pay attention even to trivial matters, all because they understand the dignity and meaning of what they’re protecting. Do you have the resolve to uphold that?”

Even if Subaru’s unintentional remark may have tainted the knights’ dignity, Julius effortlessly covered for him with an exquisite follow-up.

Subaru felt displeased that he was getting trapped, but additionally, thought Julius’s inquiry bore deeper meaning.

Before the knights, Subaru called himself a knight.

Behind the dignity of those royal guards, Julius challenged Subaru, questioning the very essence of what it meant to be called a knight.

In essence, Subaru was being tested.

—Thus, how deep are his feelings for Emilia?

“So, why are you looking directly at me?”

“I’m just reconfirming my feelings and using the steeled resolve to prevent my knees from shaking as a trigger.”

Bewildered by his words, Emilia frowned, though she couldn’t completely hide the concern when watching Subaru face off against Julius.

Aiming to reassure her, Subaru patted his own chest and cleared his throat, then turned his attention back to Julius.

“Cough, in other words, what you mean is… cough! My resolve to…!”

“Take your time. Unfortunately, we have no water available here.”

With unexpected damage to his airways from a simple cough, Julius offered no reproach, merely granting a pause, allowing Subaru a moment. Gratefully receiving the moment of silence, Subaru rubbed his neck and again began churning over his response in his mind.

Given the current situation, since Subaru had already garnered attention as Emilia’s acquaintance, whether he elevated or downgraded her value hinged entirely on his actions henceforth.

Already feeling like emotions had perhaps seeped into detractor territory, now, he needed to be more cautious proceeding forward.

After all, Emilia had gone as far as to act unlike herself, showcasing her power and making a statement to set the scene.

By no means could Subaru, of all people, pull the rug out from under her.

All he could truly wish for was to continue being the best ally for her.

Now determined, Subaru cleared his throat, resolving to stop trying to delay. He slammed his hands on his cheeks to focus, summoning his power through sheer force of will and unsteadily turned back to Julius.

Waiting for Subaru’s movement, Julius retained a serene posture, placing a hand on his head as if adjusting it despite the still air indoors.

To counter that refined demeanor, Subaru took a small leap, widening his stance front and back, then snapped his fingers like a gun at him.

“Alright, I’ll fire off a precise and proper answer. Oh, and I sincerely apologize for making you wait!”

Subaru launched enthusiastically, but quickly hit the brakes feeling a little sheepish. Julius squinted slightly, but perhaps just to avoid falling into Subaru’s rhythm, he closed his eyes and shook his head.

“No, it’s fine. Let’s recommence with the questions and answers. I will inquire, and you shall respond. —Do you have the qualification to call yourself a knight?”

The question was a rehash of what had come earlier. But the knights gathered behind him sought answers even more fervently due to the time they had spent waiting.

Subaru, feeling the mounting pressure similar to a storm that had suddenly rolled in, wet his dry lips with his tongue and spoke.

“I fully acknowledge that my abilities are lacking. I can’t properly swing a sword, let alone utilize magic which is merely at a beginner’s level for me. I’m certainly not remarkable at financial management either, nor am I connected to any mysterious power. If you were to apply the criteria Roswaal set, then I’d clearly fall short.”

He owned the fact that he lacked in many areas and was fully aware of it.

Whining about it wouldn’t change reality. Natsuki Subaru was just a plain, ordinary human being, and aside from coming from another world, he had no noteworthy traits.

He had been keenly aware that all the skills he’d nurtured throughout his life were utterly useless as a guiding light on Emilia’s path.

Upon receiving his answer, Julius revealed a hint of bewilderment behind his composed face.

Of course, it was understandable. After building anticipation and stepping up to this occasion, the very individual who had made such a promise casually declared his own inadequacy, returning an answer akin to waving a white flag to a clear challenge.

A look of sheer dismay floated within his sharp eyes.

Yet…

“But there was mention of loyalty and allegiance. Yes, I indeed admit I am lacking in various capacities; it’s laughable. But still…”

Shifting his gaze to Emilia standing behind him.

Concern was evident in her eyes as she peered at him. Just when it seemed she was poised to murmur a response, her lips merely tightened into a frown, possibly looking like she was about to cry.

Drawing courage from her presence, Subaru turned back to Julius and proclaimed,

“I may not feel like it suits the word loyalty, but I want to make Emilia-tan… Emilia-sama a queen. No, I will make her one. Nobody else; I will do it with my own hands.”

“…Do you not think that’s a rather presumptuous response?”

At Subaru’s declaration, Julius sighed, as if hearing an outlandish fairy tale.

“You lament about your lack of skill, conscious of your shortcomings in various aspects. Furthermore, at this moment, your voice is not even welcomed here. And you intend to delve into the very heart of state matters? —Do you truly believe you are high enough to soar?”

“Understand this?” Julius raised his finger, addressing Subaru who was falling silent.

“Every person has an inherent role. Call it a capacity. One cannot gain anything beyond their limits, nor should they aspire to. Even that even fleeting title you’ve casually thrown around of ‘knight’ falls into that same talk.”

Julius unhooked the knight’s sword from his waist and struck its tip against the ground, producing a sound that resonated through the hall. The knights behind him seemed to replicate the sound moments later, their motions mingling with Julius’s projection.

As the dual sounds clashed, they lent him the weight of authority, casting a shadow of vigilance over Subaru.

“What is demanded from a knight is loyalty to their prince or kingdom, alongside the might to safeguard what they hold dear. Those are necessities. Both are indispensable in declaring one’s self a knight. However, I believe there are other crucial elements.”

“——”

Julius’s words seemed probing; however, Subaru remained silent in response.

He, too, was probably not looking for an answer from Subaru. He merely wished to express his thoughts. In truth, he hastened to shake his head, continuing his declaration.

“What I deem vital for a knight — is history.”

“History…?”

The word Julius vocalized drew a puzzled acknowledgement from Emilia, who tilted her head slightly. Julius answered her query with a courteous, “Yes,” stating,

“I am the scion of the Yuukuri family, who has served the Lugnica Kingdom for generations. We, the noble class, have a deep-rooted pride in supporting and continual safeguarding of our country.”

With a sweeping arm and a dramatic flair, he opened his sleeves, the sounds of fabric snapping as he showcased those behind him.

The knights standing behind him lifted their heads in pride, stamping their feet in unwavering support.

“The Royal Knights do not recommend those of dubious origins. It’s not due to an exclusive obsession with bloodlines, but rather because certain ties narrate the weight of history in serving the kingdom. The accumulated history is what sustains our knights’ dignity.”

Therefore, he continued.

“Thus in Lugnica, I do not recognize you, someone whose origins are uncertain, or the individual who came to be known as Al, as a knight. Not to mention serving as the prime knight to a king.”

“That’s not a matter up to the individual to handle!….”

“Indeed, that is precisely it. Hence, I stated; people have their own role from birth. As for one’s own lineage as well. No one is born to be truly equal.”

With a strained voice, Subaru echoed the judgmental dismissal from Julius’s affluent Aristocratic tone.

An uncrossable chasm of values lay between the two, too vast to leap over and reach each other’s perception.

Still…

“I will make Emilia a queen.”

“—Are you still saying that? For you, that position is far too elevated. Without the weight of blood, you are no match for someone like Priscilla-sama.”

Julius chuckled as he mocked Subaru’s whisperings.

Al remained impassive, adopting an attitude of indifference as he processed Julius’s remarks.

Unfazed by his cynical countryman’s demeanor, Subaru’s determination didn’t waver at all.

“Even so, I will make Emilia a queen.”

“You see—”

“If I lack the qualifications of a knight, then, yes, that might be true. As mentioned earlier, I’m a person that falls short in many respects. I’m well aware of whether I’m worthy of the honor of being a knight; whether I’m even a decent human is questionable.”

However, even with those shortcomings, his honest feelings for someone remained genuine.

Although he lacked the capabilities of a knight, he aspired to be a more significant support for her; a true force behind her success.

“Thus, I wish to stand by Emilia. To be her most prominent ally. I know that simply being a servant in this room isn’t enough. To stand here, I need to raise my head and wish to aid her. I must be a ‘knight’ for that. Therefore…”

Raising his head, he looked straight into Julius’s eyes.

A well-shaped face adorned with a noble uniform, magnificent sword with gallant bearing.

Truly, the embodiment of what’s described as a knight in stories.

Conversely, here was Subaru—dirtied and crawling in shabby servant garb, looking disheveled with appearance marginally unkempt. If he relaxed and had to let his posture slump, it would be an embarrassing state devoid of a respectable sword, lacking even a shinai at hand.

So distanced was he from that noble ideal. Yet—

“If that’s the case, then I’ll be a ‘knight.’”

Unequipped with clear methodology or even a precise awareness of his deficiencies, Subaru’s unrefined thoughts solidified around the fact that he’d fixed his desire.

“If I can’t stand beside her unless I become a knight, then I’ll go on and strive to be one. That’s the end of my answer.”

“And why do you wish to achieve that so desperately?”

Had he given up on persuading Subaru with words?

Julius closed his eyes and lightly shook his head, digging into Subaru’s motivations. For what reason did he desire to stand beside her?

Subaru drew a breath, feeling a strong gaze from behind.

Emilia, the girl with the silver hair standing behind him—she could see him.

He lacked the courage to turn around.

Yet he was aware of her presence behind him, providing him the courage to answer, albeit with hesitation.

“—It’s because she’s special.”

He offered that response.

Hearing that answer, Julius murmured the same words under his breath. He seemed to arrive at some form of conclusion and slightly lowered his jaw, giving off an air of concession.

“By the way, are you asking for clarification on what that means?”

If there was one thing Subaru positively declared, it was this.

“—In this place, I don’t want to say it.”

At that moment, Subaru wondered to himself about how foolish he might seem in front of so many people.

It felt like a level of embarrassment that was hard to tolerate. He could feel his face growing hot, warmth reaching his ears.

Whereas Julius appeared pleased or perhaps resigned due to Subaru’s vague yet definitive answer, he shrugged his shoulders as he turned his back on Subaru.

“Regardless of whether or not you have qualifications, I’ll accept the reason you wish to be there. In that case, there’s nothing more for me to say. —However,”

As he turned his back to face the line of candidates, Julius paused briefly, glancing back with only his head owl-like.

“I still I cannot recognize you as a ‘knight.’”

“What do you mean…?”

“I understand you’ve pinpointed who you wish to protect and what you value. However, that thought of yours… No, perhaps speaking more would be unrefined.”

Shaking his head, Julius observed Subaru with pity.

“What you desire to stand next to, you still make that face; such a person cannot be a ‘knight’ of worth.”

His words were soft in tone but bore a meaning all the more severe than ever before.

Subaru felt a shiver run down his spine as he slowly turned to glance behind him. There stood Emilia, but he could only wonder what expression she bore as she listened to his words.

Yet, it was terrifying to see; the silence from her only manifested his assumptions of her reaction, leading down a pathway of dread.

“The ‘knight’ business—what a saintly knight you are, huh?”

Thus did Subaru’s next words emerge, shaky yet laced with resentment.

It was apparent—he was aware of that judgment against him pulling away, urged only by the soon to retreat Julius’s footsteps.

Each step Julius made towards distancing himself cast shadows on the value of Subaru’s remarks.

He felt as though the world was opposing him, immersed in endeavors that bespeak futile bravery.

Even with single-minded determination pressed against foes of the entire assembly, here he stood, unable to move stationary just by making enemies of only the few present.

It was devastating, awfully shameful, and he could feel the heat behind his eyes welling up.

Yet, despite this state and surrounded by the perception of them all as enemies, he could at least hope that she would stay on his side.

—However,

“Enough, don’t you think, Subaru?”

Before he could conclude his decision to turn around, the soft sound of silver bells broke through.

As a hand touched his shoulder, Subaru found himself surprised by how much he trembled at that realization. However, Emilia, unperturbed by his shameful demeanor, looked to him without any indication of acknowledgment.

“I apologize for taking up unnecessary time. I’ll have us withdraw immediately.”

Pulling on Subaru’s sleeve, Emilia bowed to the council.

The categorization of “unnecessary time” pierced Subaru’s heart daggers. But to counter that with his defiance was hardly a present option.

His decisions had been crushed under the weight of his very own choices.

Gripping tightly, they had pulled him back, leading him from the stage Subaru could not bear to view Emilia in front of him.

He couldn’t see her face, primly kept self-absorbed, but could sense fury within her lack of regard towards him. At that moment, it merely struck a keen blow against Subaru’s heart.

But behind him came the words,

“There were indeed parts that could be deemed meaningful time from today, Emilia-sama.”

The hoarse, yet strangely clear voice of Microtoff reached him from the podium.

He continued while both Subaru and Emilia remained in motion.

“He demonstrated that, unlike the half-elf that the world fears, he is different. —You possess a good follower.”

“—Subaru is…”

There, Emilia paused her feet. She turned to face the sound of voices from the council.

While the gaze of hers fell upon the sages present, Subaru stood to the side and was frustrated not to appear within her field of vision. Though it was true that he clearly noted her countenance.

Her face wore a cold expression devoid of emotion, slicing through everything with her silver bell-like voice as she firmly stated,

“He is not my servant.”

It clearly rejected all that Subaru had expressed moments ago.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

Stumbling out along the corridor leading out of the hall, Subaru was utterly dejected.

He couldn’t recall how he looked after humiliating himself in front of Emilia, nor what he felt beside her. Besides the moment when the knight commander merely encouraged his withdrawal, he only remembered that Subaru was left with the judgment.

It was the final act of kindness from her for placing her faith in Subaru and giving him the choice.

The fact that she placed trust in him matters the most, even after his disgraceful display. She must’ve known he was now a liability.

Still, she never chose to reprimand him for his actions, and if Subaru had indeed chosen to remain, she likely would’ve respected that decision too.

That was precisely why Subaru couldn’t afford to continue standing in that place.

He couldn’t stomach the absurdity of his actions, not because of the sincerity he’d felt, but because he sought to spare Emilia any further embarrassment!

“I’m just making excuses here…”

Claiming he didn’t want to hinder her was merely a nice way of saying he could no longer endure the piercing gaze she cast his way.

“Why did I foolishly venture across that dangerous bridge to this place?”

Even with all the trouble he caused, luck had seen him through. Despite all that, when reaching the edge of the castle where he had stumbled, he’d become just an obstacle in Emilia’s path.

He came to protect her from those who might disrupt her. Even with great boldness, the result was nothing short of tragic; it surely would’ve been better off if he hadn’t ventured at all.

It was undeniable; Subaru grew repulsed with himself. Though he had always known this would come to pass.

“What’s the matter?”

Suddenly, a knight who had been walking beside him questioned with intrigue, having overheard Subaru’s self-deprecating murmur.

Accompanying Subaru, the knight had remained outside and had not witnessed the blunders inside the hall. Thus, the respect he felt toward Subaru was clearly palpable.

It was absurd to be treated with courtesy like this at that moment, leading Subaru to slightly curl the corner of his mouth in disdain.

“N-no, it’s nothing. Just that, you know, I’m sorry. During such an important task, I ended up making you do extra chores.”

“It’s no problem. Everyone knows what’s happening in the Throne Room is of utmost significance for the future of this kingdom. Very few knights could wait within, yet our duties for external guards and guiding important people are vital roles we must uphold.”

He declared clearly and confidently, leaving Subaru bewildered instead.

In honesty, his present feelings made it feel like something as simple as treating someone with respect caused him only discomfort. Coming off merely as frustration, it felt worse coming from the knight’s perspective than that of Subaru suffering disgracefully in front of a crowd of nobles.

That would only heighten the probability of his judgment about himself, turning pride into a liability.

“What’s going on?” He asked, as a loud commotion erupted around the corner up ahead.

Raising a brow in suspicion, the knight ventured forward to protect Subaru.

“It’s best you stay back for now. I doubt there’s anything wrong, but…”

“Huh? Ah, alright…”

Following the knight’s idea, Subaru pressed himself against the wall, breathing quietly. Suddenly, a group emerged around the corner.

Six figures, led by a young knight in armor, guided as they escorted someone from behind. The person being taken seemed distinctly out of place among the assemblage of similarly attired knights.

“What happened?”

Perhaps viewing it as an urgent situation, the knight escorting Subaru quickly questioned the leading knight. In response, visibly tense, the knight replied coolly,

“We found a suspicious individual who tried to infiltrate the castle. An exceptionally troublesome one at that.”

“A suspicious person…? Why are they being walked through the castle? Wouldn’t it be better to take them to the barracks quietly?”

“I mentioned troublesome, didn’t I? I need to consult the commander’s directives before deciding on how to deal with this.”

With those words, the knight bowed toward Subaru before returning to his duty, guiding the group onward. They headed toward the venue of the former royal selection meeting—the grand hall was similarly engaged in the most critical of state affairs.

Absorbed in recalling the snippets of conversation, Subaru observed the group of knights as they moved along, albeit quite close to Subaru.

Now, someone that might have exchanged places with him in a twisted sense walked before him.

One wrong move during this entire fiasco, and Subaru could very well have found himself within that exact predicament.

However, that thought was instantly obliterated upon realization.

“—Huh?”

Staring in confusion, before Subaru’s eyes was the sight of a bald elderly man he recognized well—Old Man Rom, the same he had parted company with back in the noble district.

 

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