"Madelyn?"

Emilia called out in surprise, eyes wide, when she spotted Madelyn Eschart walking confidently through the fortress.

The girl, who stopped at the call, turned her head with black horns towards her and made a face as if she had eaten something bitter.

In reaction, Emilia gestured with her hand to show that no one else was around.

"There's no need to make that face. It's just me here."

"...That doesn't make me feel any better. It's because it's you that I'm making this face."

"Huh, really? Why?"

"Did you forget how you kept making it snow and kept fighting dragons and Mezoreia? Of course, you wouldn't leave a good impression!"

Madelyn's golden eyes sharpened as she raised her voice. Reacting to Madelyn's retort, Emilia nodded and looked back on their relationship.

Indeed, Emilia had clashed with Madelyn twice during the battle in the fortified city and the imperial capital. Both were at the capital during the "Great Calamity," but they didn't happen to meet there. Come to think of it, this was their first calm conversation.

"So, the last time was when I froze you solid."

"—! That was you after all! I couldn't move at all, it was so cold, I almost... You're a terrible person!"

"Uh, I'm sorry. I intended to properly thaw you out later, but you and Mezoreia ran away..."

"Don't blame it on the dragon, human!"

Madelyn bared her sharp teeth and seemed ready to bite. Emilia, a bit surprised at her vitality, also felt relieved.

At one point, she'd heard Madelyn had sided with Mezoreia and the "Great Calamity."

"But, in the end, you did help us. Garfiel told me."

"...That tiger demi-human?"

"Yes, my reliable ally and almost like a little brother. He's really strong."

——

Madelyn went silent with a complicated expression in front of the proudly puffed-up Emilia. It wasn't because she doubted Emilia's words; there was a deeper meaning to her silence.

For example, it felt something close to frustration or embarrassment.

"――Madeline, you're going to stay here as a 'general' of the Empire, right?"

"――Is there something wrong with that?"

"No, not at all. It's just that I heard Mezoreia, who was with you, returned, so I thought you chose not to."

Emilia averted her gaze from Madeline, who was sitting across from her, and looked at the sky outside the fortress.

Emilia did not fully understand the relationship between Madeline, a very rare dragonkin, and Mezoreia, the ‘Cloud Dragon’. However, she thought that if they cherished each other deeply, their relationship might be similar to that of a spirit and a spirit arts practitioner.

If that were the case, then Mezoreia was to Madeline what Puck was to Emilia. Deciding to part ways with someone so important couldn't be easy.

"I've felt the same way. In my case, I wasn't given the choice of whether to stay together or not... So I think Madeline, who chose for herself, is incredibly brave.”

"Of course. Don't compare humans and dragons."

"Maybe that's true. But maybe it isn't. Even though you’re a dragonkin, does it mean you’re tough enough not to be hurt by parting from someone important? Is that it?"

"What a bothersome woman...!"

Being told with a bitter expression, Emilia clutched her chest with an “oh”.

She had never been called a ‘bothersome woman’ before, so it felt fresh to be pained by it. Lately, being called a 'half-demon' had also become rare, and even when she was called that, it no longer hurt her.――Only that the person who boldly called her a 'half-demon' was no longer anywhere.

"――――"

"Don't suddenly go silent. It's disrespectful in front of a dragon."

"Yes, you're right. I'm sorry for making you feel lonely."

"～～!"

When she apologized, stopping herself from falling into deep thought, Madeline blushed.

For a while, still red-faced, she seemed about to say something, but after taking a big breath, she glanced sharply at Emilia again and said,

"Talking with humans tires me, but I especially feel that way with you."

"That's probably because you feel nervous when talking to me. Subaru said that before."

Hearing Subaru's story, Emilia felt frustrated that she couldn't do anything herself, but it seemed that Emilia had a tendency to make the people she faced feel nervous. Subaru would brush it off for various reasons like saying it's because of 'E.M.T.', but it was probably because she was a Royal Selection candidate and also a half-elf.

"That's why I try to relax my cheeks as much as possible so that it doesn't happen."

She couldn't change her status as a Royal Selection candidate, her half-elf origins, or her silver hair and violet eyes reminiscent of the 'Witch of Envy'. At least, she wanted to soften her facial expression.

Emilia asked Madeline, "What do you think?" with this intention in mind. In response, Madeline took another deep breath and said,

"Talking to you makes me feel like it was a mistake for the dragon to decide to stay here."

"Um, it's okay? We will leave the empire in a few more days..."

"It doesn't matter whether you are here or not!"

Madeline yelled in short bursts, and Emilia widened her eyes in surprise. Before Emilia, Madeline put her hands on her hips and glanced outside the fortress as if to return a favor,

"This country is a place where the dragon's mate... Balleroy protected with his life."

"――. Yes."

Emilia nodded briefly to Madelyn's whisper-like words.

Emilia had heard that a corpse-like person named Balleroy had worked hard. When the sky was enveloped in an incredible light, he was in the clouds that covered the imperial capital.

Emilia was fighting a Sphinx that looked just like Echidna at that time and couldn't focus on it. So, she had no idea what kind of person Balleroy was.

"It's really disappointing that I can't say thank you properly."

"Don't give the dragon's mate any amorous glances."

"Amorous...?"

"Even without any gratitude, the dragon's mate fulfilled his duty... To the very end, he didn't let the dragon accompany him in his own desires."

Hearing Madelyn's faint, sorrowful voice, Emilia narrowed her violet eyes.

Emilia felt that she could understand the heavy, gloomy feelings filling Madelyn's small body. Or rather, she did understand them.

Because Subaru often makes various decisions on his own without consulting Emilia.

"But it's not because he thinks I'm unreliable or that he doesn't like me; it's because he cares about me so much, which is incredibly problematic."

"You..."

"Being cared about like this makes it hard to get mad, it's a bit unfair."

If she wasn't cared about, if he thought she was unreliable or disliked her, she would want to try changing that perception for the better. But since she is already thought of positively, wanting to improve that further is very difficult.

"So it's unfair. What should we do?"

"...Unfair."

Upon hearing Emilia's words, Madeline looked down as if deep in thought.

Although Balleroy didn’t know them well, Emilia somehow sensed that the frustration Madeline felt towards him was similar to what she felt towards Subaru.

However, despite their shared concerns, Madelyn's conclusion was far from Emilia's own.

Because—

"I cannot stay in the country that Priscilla protected."

If it was said to be a life or death matter, Priscilla was undeniably one who fulfilled that role. Days had passed, but the reality of her death had not sunk in for Emilia, who considered her a 'friend.'

"..."

She wished they could have truly called each other friends. Before that could happen, Priscilla was gone, and now Emilia wanted to call her that one-sidedly.

Just before disappearing, Priscilla had appeared while Emilia and Anastasia were talking and had a brief conversation with them—an exchange that Emilia would long, long cherish with deep regret.

That gentle and kind time could have continued much longer, deeper, and more abundantly if circumstances had allowed, a future Emilia couldn't help but dream of.

As Emilia envisioned the continuation of that vanished dream—

"Huh?"

Her arm was suddenly pulled, and without being able to steady herself, she was dragged down. Emilia, who was almost about to fall, was softly caught by Madelyn's shoulder.

The two people who have a height difference are in a position where Emilia's head is resting on Madelyn's shoulder. If she had moved just a little bit, Madelyn's horn would have stabbed Emilia in the face.

"Um, Madeline? You startled me suddenly…"

Emilia tried to chastise Madeline for doing something like this.

But—

"Don’t cry."

"――――"

With those words, Emilia blinked and then noticed that droplets of water were soaking into Madelyn's shoulder, where she had rested her head. For a moment, she didn't realize what they were, but Madelyn's words made her understand. ――They were tears.

They were very clear tears shed for a very specific purpose, for someone.

"I thought we could be friends."

"――――"

"I got along with Anastasia… I was able to properly talk with Felt and Crusch… I thought Priscilla was the most stubborn, but I finally got to talk with her too, and from now on, many more…"

"――――"

"I thought I could come to love Priscilla. I wanted to love her."

Like chasing after the tears that had fallen once, words and feelings overflowed.

Always dignified, sometimes very mean, pretending to know everything with logic that Emilia couldn't understand, but in truth, possessing a very kind heart.

Such a Priscilla, who showed both her good and bad sides, Emilia wanted to cherish even more. She wanted to cultivate those feelings over a long period of time.

Whether she was feeling regret or sorrow, emotions overflowed from Emilia—

"The dragon—"

"Huh?"

"The dragon will protect you."

Suddenly, placing her hand on Emilia’s head, from which tears were falling onto her shoulder, Madeline said this. Emilia, her eyes brimming with tears, was surprised by Madelyn's words.

They were so close that they could almost touch each other’s faces, but they couldn't see each other's expressions. Emilia was crying, but what kind of face was Madeline making?

Without showing her face, Madeline continued.

"The Empire is a country protected by Balleroy. The dragon has a reason to protect this place. —The reason for your tears, too, lived and died for this country. So"

"… in that case?"

"The dragon said, 'I'll protect you. Unlike humans, it's a trivial matter for a dragon.'

Emilia had always thought that it's crucial to look someone in the eyes when having an important conversation. This was a non-negotiable rule for such discussions.

However, at this moment, she was glad that she couldn't see her own tear-streaked face, nor the face of Madeline who had boldly made that statement.

Even if it's something very significant and important, there are times when you can't say it if you're looking directly at someone's face.

There are surely words that you can say precisely because you're not looking at the other person's face, and Madelyn's words at this moment seemed like they were truly said because of this.

'...Yeah. Thank you very, very much.'

'It was just convenient. I'm not doing it for thanks.'

'Yes. But I want to say it. Thank you, Madeline.'

Madelyn's snort in response to Emilia's repeated thanks could be heard.

Whether it was genuinely out of annoyance or a way to hide embarrassment, Emilia couldn't tell without seeing her face. There was a certain joy in conversations without seeing each other's faces, she realized.

She had the chance to cherish such trivial matters.

And then...

'Ah! Look, Madeline!'

'Ugh!?'

Yes, it was just as she was holding onto deep, important feelings in her heart.

Emilia, who had spotted a small silhouette walking in the passageway directly across from the fortress, grabbed Madelyn's horn in her surprise and made her turn in the same direction.

While Madeline let out a pained cry, Emilia's attention was entirely absorbed by the silhouette. It was Schult, Priscilla's young attendant, with his pink hair.

'Schult-kun...'

When she caught sight of him, a pang of pain squeezed Emilia's heart.

Priscilla's death had deeply shaken Emilia, who had been envisioning their future together. However, the sorrow felt by those who deeply admired Priscilla was even greater.

Even though she knew that comparing sorrows and misfortunes would only make her feel lonelier.

'...!'

'Ah! You!'

The moment she realized it, Emilia kicked off the ground and started running toward the passageway where she had seen Schult. Madelyn's voice, calling out in a hurry, reached Emilia's back, but she didn't stop.

Emilia, as fiercely as she could, passed through the fortress and rounded the corridor on the opposite side.

"Schult-kun!"

"――Is that you, Lady Emily?"

The momentum in Emilia's voice made Schult, with his small, thin shoulders, shiver as he turned around.

Facing that young boy head-on, Emilia took a small gasp. His fluffy peach hair and his neat, clean attire were both in order. However, the fatigue and the redness around his eyes could not be hidden, and his complexion looked somewhat pale.

But instead of staying in his room crying, he had come outside.

"…You've come outside. That's really…"

At that moment, Emilia hesitated whether to continue with words like "noble" or "brave."

Though she had rushed over, unable to just stand by, she still couldn't find the right words to say. What Schult needed now—was it comfort, encouragement, or perhaps—

"You don't need to apologize to me, Lady Emily."

"――Ah."

"Because Lady Emily fulfilled her promise."

Schult lowered his gaze as he murmured, his eyes downcast, and Emilia regretted her own behavior.

Schult had seen through Emilia’s hesitation to apologize. Before the battle with the 'Great Calamity,' Emilia had promised Schult that she would surely return with Priscilla and reunite them.

Emilia couldn't fulfill that promise. It was Priscilla who accomplished it.

But she shouldn't apologize for that. If she did, all of Schult's efforts and every word Priscilla had spoken to him would become lies.

"Hey, don't be so down."

"…Utakata-chan, you were with Schult-kun."

Suddenly, Emilia noticed a girl—Utakata—peeking up at her from her side.

A contemporary of Schult and an important friend, it seemed she had stayed with him instead of joining the other 'People of Shudrak.'

In response to Emilia's words, Utakata gave a small nod and said, "Everyone else is busy. Only I can stay with Schu."

"Yes, that's right. Thank you for not leaving Schult-kun alone."

"I accept your thanks."

Utakata pointed her fist towards Emilia with a slight motion, and feeling the same behavior as Subaru’s, Emilia gently touched her own fist to the offered one.

Then, Emilia turned back to face Schult again.

"Aren’t you supposed to still be resting in your room?"

"...I’ve already had enough rest. From the beginning, I’m small and weak, so I barely did any work... That’s why I want to do various things now."

"Shoo works very hard. That way, Puu’s soul will surely be at ease."

"Indeed."

"..."

Utakata said this naturally, and Schult nodded in agreement, which surprised Emilia.

Seeing Emilia’s surprise, Utakata tilted her head and asked, "What’s wrong?"

"Life circulates. The same goes for prey, humans, enemies, and allies. That’s how we think. Uu's mother and Shuu's Puu also circulate. They will surely circulate."

"...If it keeps going round and round, what happens then?"

"They are born again. In a different form. Perhaps as prey, humans, enemies, or allies. But that’s the way it is."

The souls of the deceased circulate and come back again.

For Emilia, this idea didn’t quite resonate. However, it felt better than thinking that when someone dies, everything ends right there.

When a person dies, the Od that should have been in their body disperses, completely merging into the mana across the world. Even if the reality is like that, if there’s still a form or a remnant of that person in what was dissolved...

"...That’s the ‘Book of the Dead’?"

Muttering this, Emilia recalled that she had a personal experience proving what Utakata had said.

In the Pleiades Watchtower, in the library of the ‘Books of the Dead’ where the memories of the deceased are stored, there are clear traces of many people from this world. The fact that this could be preserved implies that time to transcribe from the souls of deceased individuals into a book has been provided to someone.

"..."

For the first time, Emilia felt a strong attachment to the 'Books of the Dead.'

It was a genuine attachment to the original meaning of the 'Books of the Dead,' different from the time in the tower when Subaru’s ‘memories’ were lost.

Emilia, too, has faced farewells she will never forget. ――People like Fortuna, Juice, and those she'd never see again, even after the thawing of the Elior Forest.

But with her parting from Fortuna and the others, even though it saddened her, it had been resolved.

Therefore, what held Emilia back was a sorrow she hadn't yet managed to overcome.

If it were possible, she wanted to know what Madeline had thought in her final moments; whether she, in that moment of conversation, had wanted to see the same future as Emilia.

If she hadn't talked to Madeline about her farewell with Priscilla and how to find closure, surely,

"I was taken in by Lady Priscilla. Lady Priscilla chose me."

"Schult..."

Before the silent Emilia, Schult tightened his cheeks and slowly raised his downcast face, stammering but with a certain heat.

The boy, his round eyes brimming with tears, continued.

"Lady Priscilla loved beautiful and amazing things. If I were worthless, it would tarnish Lady Priscilla's name...!"

"――――"

"I can't allow that."

Schult answered strongly with all his might, leaving Emilia wide-eyed.

Whether it was a delusion or some kind of mistake, even if just for a moment, it seemed to Emilia that a dazzling light shone from Schult.

And it was the same as the light that radiated from the fiery life of none other than Priscilla herself.

――Emilia realized that this was the moment Schult had decided his own future.

In the coming days, Schult would certainly face many hardships. But Schult would never falter, nor would he be daunted.

Schult had decided to always harbor the flame he'd held so close, to keep the fire within him burning strong.

"I still have so few things I can do myself, and even though I’m studying hard, I have so many shortcomings."

"Lady Emilia?"

"Even now, and surely from here on, I am constantly being helped, supported, and filled in by everyone around me for all the things I lack. I know it's extremely presumptuous of me to say this. But, please, let me say it."

"――――"

"I will continue to be of help to Schult-kun from now on. I will definitely be of help."

Placing a hand on her chest, Emilia tells the short boy this straightforwardly.

It was a decision made by Emilia, disregarding the promise to bring back Priscilla or the sympathetic stance towards his uncertain position after losing an important presence.

It was a manifestation of her desire to support Schult's attitude and way of being.

"...Thank you very much, Lady Emilia."

After taking a bit of time to digest Emilia's words, Schult slightly eased his lips and responded.

With Schult's reply, Emilia thought she would have to apologize to Roswaal or Otto later for making such a promise on her own, but she felt glad she said it.

"If you say so, then that’s good. I need to talk to other people about this too... Are Al and Reinhard's father around?"

In reality, with Priscilla gone, the most immediate issue was what would happen to the Barielle territory in the Kingdom of Lugunica. However, it would be difficult to fully discuss this while they were still in the Empire of Volakia.

Especially Al, who like Subaru, had witnessed Priscilla’s disappearance firsthand.

"――Subaru."

Emilia felt very frustrated calling Subaru's name when she herself had her hands full.

Before Emilia and the others reunited in the Empire, Subaru and Rem had already made contact with Priscilla and spent time unknown to Emilia, which left Subaru even more hurt than her.

Ideally, even if enduring her own pain and sadness, she wanted to be by his side.

"But now that I'm finally ready, after talking about this here..."

She decided to talk to Subaru, Rem, and the others who bore sorrow in their hearts.

In front of the determined Emilia, Schult continued hesitantly,

"Lord Al has been holed up in his room. Lord Heinkel was just about to bring him some water..."

Saying that, when Schult looked at Utakata beside him, she was holding an empty water jug. It seemed she was planning to fetch water and head to Heinkel right afterward.

　Emilia felt she had made them stop for quite a long talk, and was about to say something to help keep their initial plans when—

　"—Oh, ah."

　Suddenly, from deep in the corridor, a low groaning voice was heard and Emilia looked up. She blinked repeatedly when she unexpectedly locked eyes with someone.

　The person who was there was none other than the one who had just been mentioned—

　"Heinkel-sama! Have you come outside!"

　Schult raised his voice in surprise as he called out to Heinkel, who had messy red hair and a face shaded with stubble. He looked even more exhausted than when the battle with the 'Great Calamity' had ended, likely having had no time to freshen up.

　His eyes were heavily shadowed, indicating lack of sleep. Yet, his sunken blue eyes were glaring intensely not just in this direction, but directly at Emilia.

　"I'll bring you water immediately..."

　"Emilia-sama...!"

　Saying this, Schult tried to support Heinkel's staggering body earnestly. However, Heinkel paid no attention to Schult and called out Emilia's name.

　Emilia frowned at his behavior but nodded, saying "Alright,"

　"Hey, you look unwell. Like Schult said, you should drink some water and rest. If you haven't eaten, I'll get you some food too..."

　"No, no, that doesn't matter... no, it doesn't matter. More importantly, Emilia-sama, I have something to talk about!"

　"—"

　As Emilia reached out to touch his shoulder to calm him, Heinkel grabbed her hand. Startled by his grip, Emilia choked up as Heinkel brought his face closer.

　His eyes, the same blue as Reinhard's, were shimmering greatly as he said,

　"Please allow me to serve you, Emilia-sama. I swear it! I swear I will be of use in the Royal Selection...!"

　"W-What are you saying? So suddenly... aren't you Priscilla's attendant?"

"I can be useful! I will become a deterrent! To win the Royal Selection, there are opponents that must be dealt with, no matter what. As long as that person is around, no one stands a chance. But if I'm here, even Reinhard won't be able to interfere—"

"—"

Emilia was momentarily at a loss for words due to the intense pressure exuded by Heinkel.

Recently, she had come to think of herself as someone who could act to solve problems faster than she could think about them, but Heinkel's obsessive demeanor rendered her silent.

If this over-the-top, indiscriminate self-promotion was Heinkel's way of coping with Priscilla's disappearance—

"I am so very sad..."

"I understand, but it's the truth! No one can defeat Reinhard. Not if I'm not here. That's why Lady Priscilla took me in. Yes, Lady Priscilla's actions are the guarantee. Lady Emilia! Let's overcome Lady Priscilla's regret together!"

"——"

If there had been even a fragment of genuine mourning for Priscilla, Emilia might have listened.

But in Heinkel's plea, there was no sense of such feelings toward Priscilla. If there were, he would have seen Schult's sorrowful face properly.

Thus, Emilia bit her lip in response to Heinkel—

"Stop right—"

"Silence!"

In the next instant, an intense punch cut into the space before Emilia, striking Heinkel's jaw from below with such force that it would not be odd for a normal person's head and neck to snap apart. Heinkel let out a momentary grunt of pain and collapsed, eyes rolled back, in a spread-eagle position.

"Ma-Madelyn!?"

"There's a deplorable fellow here. Don't sympathize with someone like this."

Shaking the hand with which she had hit Heinkel, Madelyn spat out angrily.

Madelyn, who had caught up after Emilia rushed to Schult's side, had silently observed the situation until her patience had worn thin at this point.

"Lord Heinkel! Lord Heinkel! Are you alright!?"

"Don't shout. This scoundrel, he's a person who didn't die even when hit full force by a dragon. I just knocked him out."

Madelyn speaks to Schult, who leaps toward the sunken Heinkel out of concern for him. But given the sheer impact, it's only natural to worry.

Still, Emilia certainly understands why Madelyn did that.

"Madelyn, I..."

"The dragon protects the empire. But it doesn't intend to protect anything else. Get that worthless human back quickly. There won't be a next time."

"...Okay, got it."

Emilia understood that Madelyn's words, simmering with suppressed anger, were the best compromise she could make. With that, Emilia knelt beside Schult and looked down at the fallen Heinkel.

He had been struck on the jaw with such force that he had completely lost consciousness. She gently held her hand over him.

"I’m not very good at it, but let me at least give him some first aid before we get to the healing chamber..."

Emilia activated healing magic, worried that there might be lasting damage from Madelyn's blow. As Emilia did this, Schult, still concerned about Heinkel, said,

"Um, Lady Emily... Lord Heinkel was, well, very tired."

"Schult-kun..."

"Lord Heinkel is also mourning Lady Priscilla. It seems he had a promise with her, and he was just overwhelmed by it all..."

"It's okay. It's okay, really."

"...Okay."

Emilia tried her best to smile at Schult, who hung his head. She hoped it would offer him some comfort and encouragement.

As Emilia continued her healing magic on Heinkel, Utakata, who had a water jug balanced on her head, stared at her with round eyes.

"Amazing."

Emilia gasped softly at Utakata's casual, unfiltered comment. It was the innocent remark of a young girl, free from any ulterior motive—yet it made Emilia realize something.

She had gained the right to be not just someone who mourns Priscilla's death, but also someone who supports those who mourn her.

And though she had wanted this desperately, thinking of Subaru and Rem—

"Priscilla, you fool."

It signified the end of the time when she could simply lament for her very mean friend, and that filled her with a profound, inner sorrow.