--She had watched countless choices with those blue eyes.

From an empty, void-like space, a sense of self emerged, drawn to a large light nearby. As she touched its warmth, she slowly began to shape the contours of his vessel.

At first, she was harshly pushed away. However, his inherent kindness did not allow him to fully retreat, and so she continued to remain close, overlooked time and again.

Eventually, not only was she overlooked, but a hand was actively extended to her. Finally, she was acknowledged as a new existence and was given a name.

Rejection and compromise, conflict and acceptance, trust and confidence, forgiveness and pardon--

He always made choices.

He kept choosing, from innumerable choices, from an inexhaustible array of choices, with his own will and steps. He witnessed them sometimes up close, sometimes from afar, and sometimes transcending both physical and mental distances.

Not all of his choices led him to the place he desired.

Even so, he never stopped choosing, using all his available strength.

Without any support, he continued to watch that form as a model. Even if a painful prayer led to a conclusion that made him want to cry, he never halted his steps.

How could it be surprising if someone admired such a figure and way of being?

--She too must make choices.

From a fortunate position that allowed her to know his rejection and compromise, his conflict and acceptance, his trust and confidence, and his forgiveness and pardon, she wanted to follow in his footsteps.

She has apparently committed many errors and mistakes.

Those scars that were indelibly engraved, instead of being closed or covered, she would remember and not pretend they didn't exist.

Rather than whether it's correct, she believes in wanting to be correct, just as she chose her path.

To not make Subaru Natsuki's choice to choose her a mistake.

"--I never thought you'd be the one to ask to talk with me."

Not physically, but mentally heavy, she pushed open the door. A black-haired man sitting at an impressive desk, looking through a stack of papers, said this.

With those sharp black eyes, he too gazed upon many choices, selecting the one and only choice which has brought him to where he sits now.

All of that was the result of the man’s choices, and it was also the result of her choices.

And then—

"As you can see, I am busy. I took some time because Medium O'Connell put in a word, but I cannot spare more. If you desire something, as long as it is worthy of your efforts, I can arrange it. But—”

At this point, the man paused his words, lifted his gaze from the stack of papers before him, and looked this way. A very wise king, his deep black eyes swirling with various schemes.

He, still gazing intently at this person standing by the door, slightly parted his thin lips and said,

"There are no words from me for his current state. At the very least, I cannot and should not make a move from this side. —If that is your wish.”

Asked that, he shook his head vehemently.

There is something she wants to request from the man in front of him, but it does not directly concern him.

Probably, there is nothing he can do for her now. Just like the many others surrounding him. Thus, her reason for coming here is different.

Surely, he will choose to stand up in the end.

The reason she has come here is to prepare for when he stands up.

When he chooses to stand up, she too, to be someone who can properly make choices—

"So, what is your objective?"

Meeting the gaze of those black eyes, she returned the stare with her blue eyes, and took a beat.

Probably, in this vast empire, the ones who have seen most of his choices are her own blue eyes, the gentle light blue eyes of a certain someone, and the black eyes of the man before her.

Precisely so, she speaks to them, who understand the weight of choices.

And then—

"—Ah!"

From an empty self arose a single life, stepping forward to choose.

△▼△▼△▼△

On the day Subaru and the members of Emilia’s camp were leaving the Vollachia Empire, it was uncharacteristically raining in Vollachia, a place where endless clear skies had been the norm.

“Honestly, I hate the Vollachia Empire…”

Subaru twisted his lips as he lamented that he couldn't get used to the culture of the empire that wouldn't even let him leave with a pleasant feeling from start to finish.

Although he disliked the Vollachian Empire, the encounters he had in this country weren't all that bad.

Rather, it could be said that was the worst part of his time spent in this country.

"Danna-kun, thank you so much for everything! Please stay well in the kingdom too!"

"What are you talking about, Flop-san? I'm the one who should be grateful for all the help I received. I haven't done anything to repay you yet..."

"Haha, that's nonsense. Do you know how much fortune my sister and I have received thanks to what you did for us? Both Medium and I even got partners. It's fantastic!"

With these words, Flop vigorously pounded his thin chest.

Subaru was surprised and in awe, as he showed his manliness while Subaru was down, successfully proposing to Taritta.

Originally, much like her sister Mizelda, Taritta was attracted to Flop's personality and appearance, so hearing that everything worked out made Subaru happy as well.

Subaru had nothing but gratitude for both Flop and Taritta.

"Danna-kun, thank you."

"..."

Even so, when Flop embraced him head-on like that, Subaru gasped. As Subaru stiffened reflexively, Flop, with his usual—or more than usual—emotional voice, said,

"That day, when you appeared before Medium and me, carrying your wife on a chair, I felt it was an extraordinary fateful encounter. And I wasn't wrong. From under the distant sky, I wish for the happiness of you and your loved ones."

"Ah..."

"If you ever come back to the empire, please contact me anytime. Conversely, if I ever go to the kingdom, I'll definitely rely on you! I'd love for you to help me!"

Flop O'Connell detached himself and smiled brightly, like the midday sun.

From their very first encounter to this moment of parting, Flop never once lost his cheerfulness, and Subaru's heart was deeply moved by his presence.

In the Vollachia Empire, the first person he encountered was the emperor with a hidden face, followed by the constant companionship of the 'People of Shudrak' who continued to fight alongside him. – But probably, undoubtedly, the most fortunate encounter for Natsuki Subaru in the Vollachia Empire was with the O'Connell siblings, Flop and Medium.

Realizing this once again, strongly and deeply –

“ – Ah, no, thank you, Mr. Flop! I love you!”

Subaru responded with a smile, expressing his utmost gratitude within the Vollachia Empire.

△▼△▼△▼△

“...I think it's better not to say 'I love you' so easily to just anyone. It makes all your words seem light.”

“No, I don't say it to just anyone. Only to people I truly love.”

“Really? Even to Emilia-san and Beatrice-chan?”

“I tell Beako morning, noon, and night, but it's a bit hard to say to Emilia-tan... Oh, but I might have said it to my sister.”

“What?”

“I'm sorry, it was in the heat of the moment, but it’s still important.”

Subaru apologized profusely, shrinking back as he was sharply glared at by the light blue eyes.

Even though he had just had an emotional farewell with Flop, the change in atmosphere was too stark. Nevertheless, he managed to keep his tearful eyes from shedding any tears during the farewell to his friend.

“A man can't cry so easily... A man can only cry three times in his life in front of others.”

“Is that so.”

“Yes, that’s right. ...Huh? Don’t you usually ask what those three times are?”

“Your face looked like you wanted me to ask, which I found unpleasant...”

“Isn't 'unpleasant' too harsh!?”

Subaru raised his voice in response to such harsh words, which made Rem sigh. Seeing this natural exchange with Rem, Subaru also exhaled deeply.

In the past few days, mostly due to his own issues, Subaru had been clumsy in his interactions with Rem and their companions. He probably, undoubtedly, worried them quite a bit, and from now on, he intended to change his attitude and make up for it through his actions.

“How about you, Rem? Did you get to talk properly with Katua-san?”

“I don't know if it was properly but... yes. She said she would send me a letter. I would like to send one as well, but I'm not sure what to write.”

"A letter to a friend, right? It's probably about how you’ve been doing recently, or just asking if they’re doing well. I’ve never exchanged letters with a friend either, so I’m not sure."

"Is it really okay for it to be something so trivial?"

"I think it is. Something so trivial is just fine."

Responding to the anxious-looking Rem, Subaru, rather boldly, imagines what Katya might be feeling.

As Todd's fiancée, having witnessed his final moments, Subaru hasn't had the chance to sit down and properly talk with Katya. Even so, he felt nothing but gratitude and goodwill towards Katya, who had spent time with the abducted Rem and become friends with her.

Subaru didn't think that Katya would be expecting some dramatic story to unfold in the letters she exchanged with Rem.

"The important thing is the proof that you're connected, that you care. I think what's important is conveying that, even if you're not within arm's reach, you still have a place in someone's thoughts."

"――――"

"W-Was that weird or didn’t make sense?"

"N-No. Actually, for once, I was just agreeing with you."

As Subaru timidly asked, Rem gently shook her head side to side. Then, her lips relaxed as she continued, "That's right,"

"I think, as you said, there is no need to worry. If the roles were reversed, what I would expect from Katya’s letters wouldn’t be anything special; it would be just the fact that I would receive a letter from her."

"Exactly."

Subaru laughed, giving a thumbs-up in response to Rem’s agreement. Although the gesture itself was ignored, Rem walked beside Subaru without any displeasure.

Considering the way their relationship had begun in the Empire, even this felt like a dramatically miraculous change.

"――――"

And so, having wrapped up their respective farewells, Subaru and Rem walked together towards their next destination—where they had another farewell to make.

The person they both needed to speak to together was—

"Spica."

"Uaau! Eu!"

Upon being called, Spica turned, her face lighting up. With her golden hair tied at the back like a tail, she vigorously ran towards Subaru and Rem.

Subaru spread his arms wide, ready to catch the falling body—

"Whoop."

"...wait, that's the wrong way!"

Beside Subaru, who had swung his arms in vain, Rem caught the flying Spica in her arms.

Though she was initially surprised by Spica rubbing her cheek and head against her saying "Euu," Rem soon smiled tenderly, patting Spica's head and responding to her affections.

Watching the two of them, Subaru clasped his futilely outstretched hands behind his head and sighed.

"Clinging to Rem as always, huh? If I tried to do the same thing, Rem would give me such a cold look."

"Huh? What's with stating the obvious all of a sudden?"

"See, there it is! Spica, help me!"

"Ooh! Ooooh!"

"See, even Spica is... Wait, is she angry at me? Is Spica siding with Rem too? I'm completely isolated!"

Clinging to Rem's waist, Spica gave Subaru a sharp look. Rem sighed and remarked, "What are you doing?"

Feeling strangely reassured by Rem and Spica's interaction, Subaru scratched his head.

In retrospect, the incredibly tough days they had faced in the Vollachia Empire had begun with just Subaru, Rem, and Spica present here.

Subaru was weak to Rem, Rem was weak to Spica, and Spica was weak to Subaru—a rock-paper-scissors-like power balance that had brought them this far.

Their relationship had changed over time, and today marked another change.

After all—

"You really don't want to be apart from Rem, do you? Why not give up on staying in the Empire and come back to the Kingdom with us?"

"Ooh!"

"Oh, have you decided? Of course! The Empire is the worst!"

"She's shaking her head. Stop twisting Spica-chan's will."

Glaring at Subaru with half-closed eyes, Rem silenced him, making his cheeks stiffen. Leaning against Rem's chest, Spica nodded repeatedly with a serious expression.

From that look, it was clear she had no intention of changing her mind.

It was a decision so difficult for Subaru to accept that it pained him deeply.

――Spica remaining in the Vollachian Empire.

Parting ways with Subaru and his group, who were returning to the Kingdom, she stayed in the Empire to undertake a certain duty.

This decision was something Spica had made after discussing with others while Subaru was preoccupied with the 'Sparka' from the Pleiades Squadron.

"Staying in Vollachia to send back all the resurrected dead brought to life by the Great Calamity to Od Lagna with 'Star Eater'... I want to support that idea."

Many of the dead who were resurrected by the 'Witch' Sphinx and used as soldiers for the 'Great Calamity'. Even after the 'Great Calamity' was resolved, those who were not destroyed had fled and continued to remain in the Empire. Spica determined that it was her duty to devour every one of these resurrected dead.

However――

"Unlike before, the infinite revival of the resurrected dead is no longer possible. You should be able to just defeat them without using 'Star Eater'. You don't have to do this, Spica."

"Aa, au. U! Uu, u!"

"Doing that won't properly return the souls used for the resurrection to their original places? Well... More than me, you feel it instinctively, don't you? Is it that important?"

"U!"

From Subaru's persuasive words, Spica nodded firmly with a determined expression.

This conversation had already occurred nearly ten times, with Subaru trying various methods to change Spica's mind, but until today he had not achieved the results he wanted.

What frustrated him was that Abel, who had been consulted about Spica's decision, had fully encouraged her while Subaru's hands were tied with 'Sparka'.

Of course, even if the myopic Subaru had been consulted, it was unlikely that he could have had a constructive and positive discussion for Spica's sake.

Unlikely, but――

"That bastard's way of getting everything to go his way behind the scenes really pisses me off."

"I don't think it's fair to put all the blame on Abel-san. This was Spica-chan's own decision, and she initially consulted with Medium-san."

"I get it! I get it, but it's only natural to feel frustrated about it...!"

To Subaru, who could only speak from an emotional standpoint, Rem gently shook her head side to side.

However, even as she did so, Rem's expression couldn't hide her sense of loneliness, as she, like Subaru, was one of the people who eagerly discussed Spica's future with her.

That being said, for Rem, whose 'memory' had yet to return, Spica played a significant role in shaping her current self. It would likely be much harder for her to part with Spica.

And yet—

"Why is it that you and I can move towards realizing our own thoughts and wishes, but Spica-chan can't? …This child has always been so considerate of us."

"Rem…"

Gently patting Spica's head, Rem respected the girl's significant decision.

Unlike the reluctant Subaru, she had resolutely decided in her heart to see Spica off. Her stance was impressive, and of course, Subaru understood Rem's point.

"Even so, it hurts…"

Even if he was called reluctant, unyielding, overprotective, over-involved, or gross, it still hurt.

While Spica's decision was remarkable, if Subaru were to honestly speak his mind, he thought it was more important for Spica not to do anything dangerous, rather than seeking peace for the souls of the dead who had been used in the 'Great Calamity.'

In Subaru's true feelings during his current state of depression, he wanted to put all his precious people in a box and carry them around himself, never parting from them.

"But, neither Spica nor Rem will get into my box…"

"…How did the conversation turn to boxes from there?"

"The boxes don't matter! The boxes! What's important right now isn't the boxes, it's Spica. Right?"

"You… Mr. Abel also takes this matter seriously. That's why he decided to assign the two strongest people in this country to Spica-chan."

"Ceci is just strong! It's bad for Spica's education!"

Subaru vehemently insisted that Rem's counterargument wasn't a valid counterargument.

To accompany Spica, who had decided to embark on a journey to devour the undead, Abel proposed assigning none other than Cecilus Segmunt and Arakiya.

Indeed, if it was a situation that required combat prowess, there would be no reason to worry about Spica.

"But that's about it. In fact, the disadvantages seem to outshine the strengths, making it highly suspicious that Abel just dumped his troubles on Spica."

"That's overthinking it, Arakiya-san... The spirit that woman absorbed has become the source of power to resurrect the dead. So, she has the ability to sense the whereabouts of the escaped corpses, as Abel-san explained..."

"I even have trauma from Arakiya! How many times have I been hurt by water! Ceci, who seems to understand but doesn't, and Arakiya, who clearly doesn't understand... My anxiety is escalating! Spica! I can't make you a beast tamer—"

Subaru's words, "I can't let you—" were cut off mid-sentence.

That was because Spica, who had left Rem, jumped into Subaru's chest. As Subaru caught her light body and gasped, Spica looked up at him from below.

And then—

"Ua."

With that one word and Spica's smile, Subaru couldn't continue.

"...Abel, you damned bastard. You settled things with Spica while I was busy. You're really a cowardly, filthy person."

"That's too much. Let's just say he's a sly and cunning guy with a problematic personality."

"Isn't that basically what I said?"

"...I don't want to be separated from Spica-chan either."

Rem responded to Subaru's weak, raspy voice of resentment, trying to hide the tremble in her own voice.

Understanding Rem's sad feelings, Subaru swallowed his own weakness. Then, holding Spica tightly in his arms, he said,

"Listen, don't rely on Abel or Ceci. If you run into trouble, rely on Midium-san and Flop-san. Get their help to write letters too."

"Uu."

"It's important to have goals and objectives, but don't overdo it. Take your time and go at your own pace. Rushing and taking reckless actions is the most dangerous thing. That's my golden advice."

"Aa, uu!"

"It's not a matter of having clear deadlines or definite due dates. So neither of us can say exactly when, but still... I'll be waiting."

"Uu, eau, aua, a-uu."

"...You have properly decided how to use your power. Well done, Spica. I have to learn from you, too."

He truly, sincerely thought so.

Spica made a conscious decision to use the terrifying power of "Gluttony" correctly. By using that power, she aimed to help alleviate the considerable distress of the empire.

This was Spica's way of breaking away from her dreadful past self and from Rui Arneb.

"—Uao!"

It was unclear whether Subaru's heartfelt respect reached her.

However, Spica quickly turned around, slipped out of Subaru's arms, grabbed his hand, and started pulling him. Pulled by her momentum, Subaru was forced to start walking.

As Spica pulled Subaru, she extended her free hand to Rem.

"Euh!"

"Yes, Spica-chan."

Called with a smile, Rem took Spica's offered hand.

With Spica in the middle, holding hands with Subaru and Rem, the three of them started walking side by side. Although they were together as three, they had never walked side by side like this.

Honestly, he didn't think it could ever happen. But, on the last day in the empire, they did this.

"U!"

With her weight on Subaru's and Rem's hands, Spica swayed her body happily. Over Spica's head, Subaru and Rem's eyes met.

Then, spontaneously, both of them burst out laughing.

"Pfft."

"Hehe."

"Aah, uao!"

Including Spica, the three of them laughed together as they walked to the meeting place.

That was a moment of closure for the story of the Vollachia Empire that the three of them embarked on together.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△

"—You can now rid yourself of the troublesome title of being a Sin Archbishop. You must feel quite relieved."

"You..."

With far fewer belongings than the number of events they had gone through, Subaru loaded up the dragon carriage and patted Patrasche's neck, who had come all the way to the empire with him. The Emperor of Vollachia said this with a very grandiose expression.

To top it off, he made sure to include a snide remark as he specifically came out to see them off.

"Please, I'm begging you, don't go pulling a coup and getting beheaded for a regime change. I'm sick of running around saving your ass."

"Fool, I no longer require your services. Return to the kingdom at once."

"You bastard!"

"You have your own duties to fulfill. Do not, by any means, neglect them."

"——"

Those were the sarcastic words Abel uttered like it was second nature, but they carried nuances far beyond simple spite.

The emperor, who had to pick up on such subtle clues, might cause worry about his capability to manage the empire in the future—

"Well, as long as Medium and her group are around, it should be fine."

Hearing the prophecy of the coming 'Great Calamity' and the loss of the emperor, Abel had imposed upon himself days with no separation between public and private affairs, dedicating himself so far.

Now that his restraint was lifted, Abel would go on as Vincent Vollachia, leading as an emperor unbound by anything other than preparing for the 'Great Calamity'.

He might be confused at first, but surely, in time, he would begin to reflect on his surroundings a bit more.

As evidence—

"In this crisis, that girl took on a significant role. Additionally, she has pledged to strive to eliminate future concerns for the empire. —She will add honor to her infamous name."

"——"

That decision was the true motive behind Abel's support for Spica, who had resolved to stay in the empire.

The tale in the empire started with Subaru, Rem, and Spica. —This was Abel's way of repaying Subaru, being one of the first to intervene in that story.

No matter how many words are used, the fact that Spica was once an Archbishop of the Sin of Gluttony cannot be changed, and many people will criticize and reject her for that past.

One cannot, and should not, deny the people who hold such negative feelings.

Still, if one wants to affirm Spica's existence and put it into form, all they can do is build up from there.

—To achieve accolades that surpass her infamous name, allowing Spica to live as Spica.

"Remember this, Natsuki Subaru. The Sword Wolf of the Holy Vollachia Empire does not forget the wounds it receives. Whether those wounds are born of hatred or friendship, it makes no difference."

"Abel..."

"Say something if there's a problem. Both you and those who share the path with you are equally sword wolves."

With that single remark, Abel – Vincent Vollachia, a man who must never lower his head or bow to others – revealed his inner thoughts, Subaru felt.

Feeling that sensation and trembling from the root of his soul, Subaru watched as Abel nodded.

"Well done. – Tread firmly on the ground both on your journey and from tomorrow onward."

“…You too. I won’t lend you a hand if you fall again."

"Fool."

Saying that, the man who scolded Subaru had a smile on his face, albeit not one of mockery.

Watching that,–

"–––"

Turning his back, Subaru began walking toward the dragon carriage.

Subaru, feeling the Emperor's gaze on his back, was awaited by Emilia and the others near the dragon carriage. Observing those who had come to see him off, Subaru's breath caught slightly upon seeing the presence of the Pleiades Battalion, who were naturally there.

"–––"

The ‘Spica’ initiated at Subaru’s request, with six hundred seventy three hits remaining out of nine hundred thirty one, was far from over. Everyone had refused to listen to Subaru's plea to end it prematurely.

That everyone now gathered, as Subaru made eye contact, they–

"––ah"

––One by one, the members of the Pleiades Battalion raised their hands, creating a road decorated by rough hands as if it were a flower path for Subaru to walk through.

Understanding their intent, Subaru looked up once. Struggling to keep the rising emotions from spilling out of his eyes, enduring, enduring, enduring, and then––

"I love you all!"

Repeating once more what had previously angered Rem, Subaru began to run.

Reaching out to the many hands extending from both sides, he slapped his hands against theirs. The sounds of palms meeting echoed continuously, as if they were raindrops.

Not only were hands slapping together, but some were also slapping Subaru’s body. Amidst the bustling crowd, forgetting about the six hundred seventy three remaining hits, those who knew Natsuki Schwarz lent their strength to Subaru’s 'Spica'.

"My original job was quite enjoyable."

Four thick and large hands firmly patted his back.

"Thanks to you, a mere miller’s son could dream!"

He clapped his hand firmly and gracefully with a man whose appearance did not match his sturdiness.

"Damn it, damn it! Thank you, Schwartz!"

As usual, with teary eyes, he touched his fist to the tail of the lizardman who was shouting with a trembling tongue.

"Don't forget... We are... your... comrades...!"

As he passed by, a strong punch landed on the side of his face, and holding his jaw, he nodded with an "I understand."

And then—

"—Schwartz-sama."

Maneuvering through the crowd that had swarmed around him, he finally arrived in front of the kimono-clad girl who was waiting. She had been waiting alongside a woman also dressed in a kimono, Yorna.

Stopping before the two of them, Subaru first made eye contact with Yorna.

"Yorna-san, thank you for everything. And..."

"Apologies are unnecessary. That matter with that child is between that child and me."

"——"

"Come show your face anytime. We will welcome you with open arms as the master."

With a gentle smile from the madam of the demon city, Subaru deeply nodded with an "Ah."

Then, turning properly to face the girl next to Yorna, Tanza—

"You called me Schwartz-sama again."

"—. That is the most familiar way for me to address you."

"I also feel it would be odd if you didn't call me that."

With a softened smile, Subaru squatted down on the spot.

Where once they were of the same eye level, now he had to bend his knees to align their heights. In this moment, as they returned to this height difference, he wanted to speak to her at the same eye level.

Because Tanza was Subaru's irreplaceable benefactor in the Empire.

"This time, I surely won't lose."

"—? What do you mean?"

"The magic you cast on me. Because of that, I didn't have to give up."

With her dark eyes blinking, Tanza searched her memory for the same words. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't find them.

That great favor from Tanza, which he could never fully repay, remained only within Subaru.

That was fine. Whether it happened in this world or not, it was fine.

Because within Subaru, there was unmistakable gratitude and joy that would never fade—

"I love you, Tanza."

"...If you keep going like that, you'll surely regret it, Schwarz-sama."

"Rem said something similar. If we had more time, the two of us might have gotten along... Instead, am I going to die under cold stares!?"

"Please don't get excited on your own and die on your own. Besides, your current demeanor as if saying farewell for life will come back to choke you later, Schwarz-sama."

"Huh? What do you mean by that?"

"You'll understand eventually."

Tanza didn't give an answer to Subaru, who tilted his head in curiosity.

She merely lightly clasped her hand with Subaru's offered hand in the same manner as the other members of the battle team in 'Sparka.' After that, she gently held his hand with both of hers and said,
"I've been able to serve you longer than expected. Please stay well."

"There's a shorter way to say that long goodbye, you know."

"I refuse. Please go back."

Tanza pulled her hand away from Subaru with a cold attitude, and Subaru smiled wryly, patting her head with that hand.

He took her attitude, which didn't completely push him away and left a bit of a mystery, as a gift from her.

And then—

"U!"

When he turned around, Rem and Spica were waiting in front of the dragon carriage.

He had already said enough lingering words. Even so, he wanted to express once more his desire to take her with him, but he was completely interrupted by Spica's embrace.

Hugging Spica tightly as she jumped into his arms, patting her head, Subaru raised his face and said,

"I'm seriously counting on you to take care of Spica, Ceci."

"Got it, boss!"

With a reliable but still worrying reply from the caretaker, Subaru gave him a final high-five.

Then he turned around.

Looking over everyone present, taking a deep breath, Subaru then—

"Let's meet again, everyone! —Victory!!"

"—Victory!!"

Raising both hands to the sky and shouting, Subaru echoed across the Pleades battle team.

The fervor surprised those unfamiliar with the team's custom, while the team members laughed heartily, cried, and shared in the loud, foolish, noisy farewell scene.

"—Until the very end, such an impudently foolish person."

So commented the Emperor of Vollachia on the absurdly noisy farewell scene.

"...Spica, is she going to be okay? Can she manage without us?"

"Oh, you're just being constantly noisy! There's no need to worry! That girl can see reality much better than Subaru!"

Inside the dragon carriage on their way home, Beatrice, sitting on Subaru's lap, tugged at his cheek as he continued to gaze out the window with his chin in his hand.

While twisting his lips at Beatrice's reprimand, Subaru couldn't argue back.

In reality, it was true. Just as Beatrice said, Spica had a more realistic perspective.

Bearing the heavy weight of her past as a Sin Archbishop, Spica had started to move in order to dispel her notorious reputation, even if it was for crimes she herself had no memory of committing.

"Because you were so cold to Spica, she had the opportunity to understand her position."

"My, oh my, even counting the circumstances, he is indeed Barusu. His narrow-mindedness is still intact, even toward the girl who is so attached to him."

"Ugh."

From across, the sharp tongues of the Oni sisters, who sat side by side with their hands together, lashed out.

This too was an undeniable point about Subaru's past behavior. Although the sisters' synchrony was charming, their words were painfully precise.

"Personally, I'm relieved by her decision. In the first place, if we were to bring her back, we would need crisis management as tight as locking her in a box."

"Is it just my imagination, or does the function and comfort level of your box seem different from mine?"

"I wonder. Either way, we are co-conspirators on this matter—both with the Empire and Anastasia's faction. I think it's a decent compromise."

"I don't get the complicated stuff, but once all the zombies are cleared up, she'll come back from the Empire, right? Then, the sooner it's all settled, the better."

Subaru was grateful for Garfiel's straightforward eagerness for Spica's return, despite Otto's harsh and realistic perspective.

Garfiel probably had his own feelings about the Sin Archbishop as well—

"I've also had run-ins and almost deadly fights with the top dogs. 'Second Dipping in Vinuel,' even if I get the chance, it might not be so bad."

"Your generosity knows no bounds. Compared to that…"

"Let me just say, when it comes to Natsuki-san and Garfiel's generosity, it's not so much that they're generous as it is that they irresponsibly let things slip away!"

As Otto shouted this with a raised voice, Subaru and Garfiel bumped their fists together.

It had been a while since they heard Otto's vigorous voice. Now liberated from the heavy burden of having to save the empire, Subaru's spirit was also returning to its former state.

Of course, this didn't mean that he worried any less about his companions or the distant Spica——,

"——We are all together."

Emilia, sitting beside Subaru and narrowing her eyes, spoke these words in a soft voice as she grasped his hand gently. When he turned around, her soft, violet eyes gazed at him with tenderness, and his chest tightened.

No one asked Subaru.

If he was alright now or if he wasn't feeling down, those kinds of obvious things.

Feeling down, being hurt, not knowing if he'd ever be okay. They understood Subaru's feelings without him having to say a word.

"Thank you, Emilia. ——For coming to save me."

"Mhm."

"Thank you, everyone. ——For coming to save us."

Subaru expressed his gratitude to Emilia, who had come to save them by crossing the border into the war-torn Vollachia Empire, and to everyone else.

To Subaru's gratitude, everyone responded in their own way——,

"——"

There were things that had slipped through his fingers, never to reach him again.

It was characteristic of her way of life. Nothing ever went as Subaru or anyone else intended. Right to the very end, no matter how far you went, truly.

Maybe that’s why, despite all the regret——,

"——Now, I can only remember your smiling face."

He mourned her, someone who had burned her defiant and arrogant self deeply into Subaru's memories.

That was Natsuki Subaru's way of sincerely thanking and apologizing to her, who had spent her final moments conversing with him.

And——,

"——"

Blessed with companions who stay close, Subaru is concerned about the other dragon carriage heading towards the kingdom—the one carrying those left behind from the late Priscilla's faction.

Regarding the future of Priscilla's domain, Barielle, Roswaal, who is accompanying them, will likely provide counsel, but Subaru's mind is occupied with another issue.

That is—

"—Al."

Al, who was present at Priscilla's final moments and held her in his embrace until the very end.

While Subaru challenged 'Sparka,' and Abel threw himself into work determined not to forget his sister's will, and many struggled to fill the void she left behind, Al secluded himself alone in his room.

Overwhelmed by such a sense of loss that it seemed he might disappear altogether, Al is now on his way back to the kingdom.

The purpose for Al returning to the kingdom is—

'—Brother, I have a request. I heard a rumor. The story of the 'Sage's' Tower. I want to read the book there that contains records of the dead.'

"…Priscilla's 'Book of the Dead.'"

Even Subaru has reservations about whether obtaining this would be a violation of Priscilla's noble departure.

Nevertheless, it is precisely because Subaru was present in that moment, witnessing the parting between Al and Priscilla and Al's subsequent despair, that he wants to help.

So—

"Can I ask for your help again, Shaula?"

Embarking once more on a pilgrimage to that tower at the end of the sea of sand is Subaru's way of responding to Al's needs, other than 'Return by Death.'