Chapter 22 - Gambits and Rejection

――At the very same time that, at the hideout of 『Six-Tongues』, Natsuki Subaru was being told about the colossal calamity afflicting the Kingdom of Lugunica, this was a scene from the commercial district of Royal Capital Lugunica.

「――By some means or other, the enemy has already secured the Dragonstone and seized full authority. That is the situation the Royal Castle is now in. I’ve patched the moth-eaten gaps in the information with my own conjecture, but even so, I doubt I’m far off.」

「…Right. That also explains why we’re being chased around right now. At the very least, we should assume the Royal Castle’s chain of command has been taken over.」

「――――」

「Garfiel, are you okay?」

「Huh? Y-yeah, I’m fine… No, honestly, this was on a scale I never even imagined, so… I don’t even know what to say.」

Garfiel shook his head no, laying bare feelings that were a little too honest. Even so, that was only natural, and Otto took his junior’s feelings into consideration.

「…Given the situation, after all.」

Frankly, Otto too was racking his brains with confusion and bewilderment. However, due to the difference in their roles within the camp, Otto was the one person not permitted to shut his mind down. Cornered as they were, Garfiel had carried out his role well—no, not just Garfiel. It was the result of everyone joining as one and giving it their all. The only one who had failed to deliver was the pathetic one who’d had his weapons taken away: himself.

「――Tch.」

Leaning his back against the wall of the room, sitting with one knee hugged up, Garfiel let out a pained groan from his throat. For the harsh signs of exhaustion and pain to refuse to leave his face was unthinkable for someone as absurdly tough and quick to recover as Garfiel. That alone spoke to how out-of-bounds and unreasonable the power of the one who had landed a single blow on Garfiel—Reinhard—was.

――Some time had passed since Reinhard had stood in the way before Otto and the others, and they had just barely broken through after throwing in every card they had.

The battle hadn’t even lasted a single minute, yet by the time it ended they were all beaten black and blue. In particular, Garfiel, who had fought Reinhard head-on, was in a wretched state; even if he had deliberately lured the man into letting his guard down, the fact that he was unable to move just from having his chin grazed made him feel pathetic. The victory they somehow tore away—made possible only thanks to unexpected reinforcements—and the very fact that they had been forced into that situation left Otto with far too much to reflect on. And the only reason they could even hold this sort of postmortem was because the reinforcements they’d linked up with had led them here and secured, for the moment, a safe zone.

「――To have shaken him off and made it here at all is no small feat. Even if it was a task forced upon him, a hundred ordinary soldiers wouldn’t have been able to so much as lay a finger on him.」

「But to do that, we made her play a card that should never have been played. What she’s had to let go of from her own life is enormous. I can’t forgive that man.」

「…Your indignation is justified. He’s prepared to be hated for it. That is what 『Sword Saint』 is. Even I have never lost my anger toward 『Sword Saint』.」

「That’s…」

At the man who had placed his large palm atop his own bald head, Otto quietly narrowed his eyes. Whether he’d been about to ask a question or offer a supposition, he shut his mouth either way, aware that he was on the verge of saying something he shouldn’t. However—

「――That anger is not toward Reinhard, but toward my wife, is it not?」

In Otto’s stead, the old swordsman who opened the door—Wilhelm—stole the words away with a tone full of conviction. As Wilhelm entered the room, he had Rem and a short-haired elderly man in tow at his side. He first let Rem into the room, then turned toward the man and said,

「Conwood, I’m sorry to trouble you. Thank you for sheltering us; I owe you.」

「Hah. To think I’d be receiving such a humble thanks from Mr. Wilhelm Trias—the very embodiment of high-handedness and self-will back in the day—maybe it’ll even rain tomorrow.」

「You…」

「I’m kidding. —And besides, it’s only natural. It’s only natural, Wilhelm. Me lending you a hand is the sort of thing that doesn’t even call for thanks—it’s the obvious thing to do.」

「――――」

After that easygoing tone, when the man’s voice quavered like that, Wilhelm’s face tightened. The man relaxed his own cheeks as if amused by the reaction of his old acquaintance, then looked over at Otto and Garfiel in the room and said,

「We owe your comrade, Natsuki Subaru, for the time of the White Whale Subjugation. It’s a debt so big we’ll be repaying it for a lifetime. No one gets through here—rest easy.」

「…Proprietor, thank you.」

「Told you. Our side’s gratitude is far greater. …No one’s going to believe Natsuki Subaru is Witch Cult. Lady Crush is of the same mind.」

Saying that, the man gave Wilhelm a pat on the shoulder, closed the door, and left. Watching his back vanish behind the door, Otto called out to Rem, "Rem." Guided there by Wilhelm, this was a private room in a tavern that had been offered up as a shelter. While Otto and the others were explaining the situation in this room, Rem had been in a separate chamber. The reason being—

"Were Petra and the others alright?"

"For the time being, they're resting. Petra lost her composure, and Meili was the one calming her down, but... both of them have fallen asleep."

"I see... Understood. Thank you."

"No, I didn't do anything. More importantly, your report?"

"—We’ve just finished taking stock of the situation, I suppose."

So said Otto, turning his pale-blue eyes toward the back of the room as he answered Rem, whose expression was tense. Following her gaze, the figure standing there— even seated on the bench of the private room, his head still rose higher than Otto’s and Wilhelm’s— was a large man. An elderly giant with a bald pate and sun-browned skin; his name was—

"—Valga Cromwell. One of the chief causes who once fanned the flames of civil strife in the Kingdom."

"Alas, I’ve no idea who you’re talking about. I’m Old Man Rom—just a big-bodied old coot who used to live in the slums."

"How brazenly disingenuous. What of the wound in your chest that I gouged out? Are you hiding it beneath that magnificent white chest hair?"

"I understand you less and less. Not that it’s my affair, but I’d prefer not to grow old. Even that famed 『The Sword Demon』, it seems, can’t keep his wits from dulling with age."

"You—"

"…Both of you, stop fighting. Petra and the others are resting upstairs. We don’t have the time to be squabbling among ourselves, do we?"

Taking a step as if to wedge herself between the two as they glared at each other, Rem shot alternating glares at both sides. Under her stern gaze, Wilhelm bowed his head, and the towering figure—the old giant who had called himself Old Man Rom—cleared his throat and showed he would heed Rem. While grateful for Rem’s judgment in stepping in to mediate, Otto, for his part, couldn’t help but feel a certain sense of understanding at the two men’s present hostility.

――Otto, too, is a citizen of the Dragon Kingdom of Lugunica. He knows that 『The Sword Demon』 Wilhelm van Astrea is a hero of the 『Demi-Human War』, and that Valga Cromwell was one of those who led the Demi-human Union in that civil war. Never would he have imagined that that Valga Cromwell had survived. Of course, Old Man Rom denies any connection to Valga and will never admit it. Be that as it may—

"I’ll call you Rom, if I may… and I’m grateful you sent Wilhelm as reinforcements. Without that, we’d have been wiped out by now."

"I wouldn’t call that an exaggeration. In our current state, if they seized our persons at the castle, anyone who’s neither a Royal Selection candidate nor a knight could be erased and the story papered over any which way."

"They could just make us disappear, like that…?"

"You have to assume the worst possibilities. Shying away from that and fleeing into optimism won’t make the other side pull their punches. …All the more so if マイクロトフ is dead."

Rem was struck speechless by Old Man Rom’s grave words, but Otto agreed with him. Possibilities must always be considered at their worst. In the end, that’s what leads to finding life in the midst of death. He knows it’s pessimistic—he thinks so himself.

"Yo, Wilhelm, you really saved my hide back there."

At that, Garfiel, seated by the wall, lifted a hand to Wilhelm. In response to the call, Wilhelm turned and said, "Garfiel,"

"I am sorry that my skill fell short there. Had I not caught him off guard by cutting at you as well, I could not have reached Reinhard with my blade."

"Don’t sweat it—I took it knowin’ what I was in for. Your wound’s pretty much closed up already. …That 『Sword Saint』 hand-chop, though? Not even close yet."

"――――"

"More to the point, what happened with you, Wilhelm? I heard our boss and The Duke on your side ran off together…"

"Indeed. I’ll tell you what happened on my end."

With that, Wilhelm quietly began to recount what had happened to himself and to his liege, Crusch, up to this point.

"After Subaru and Emilia came to visit the manor and Lady Crush saw everyone off, she shut herself in her room—allowing neither me nor any of the household near, and barely taking her meals."

"That is… cause for concern."

"Yes. Everyone understood that things could not go on like this. So I left the mansion to make arrangements to seek the assistance of Lady Crush's father, Former Duke Meckart Karsten. But in that gap—"

"—Lady Crush left the mansion alone and headed for Lord Miklotov McMahon's residence."

"Exactly. By the time it reached my ears, it was already too late."

With an expression that did nothing to hide his regret, Wilhelm lamented his own lack of strength. Still, if Lady Crush had deliberately chosen the moment of Wilhelm's absence, then whether it happened sooner or later was all that differed, and there was no reason to blame him. Even so, given that it led to this situation, The Sword Demon's self-reproach was understandable.

"Of course, I couldn't imagine Lady Crush committing such a reckless act. I immediately went up to the Royal Castle and appealed to my old acquaintance, Lord Bordeaux Zergev. But not only would he not lend an ear, I ended up being chased by soldiers on my way back. And there—"

"—I called out. To be plain, it was a bitter choice to make, though."

"...Nor was it my intention to cut down and force my way through soldiers of the Kingdom. When I saw this man in broad daylight, I doubted my own eyes."

"You two."

Indelible anger and old grudges inevitably laced their words with poison. With Rem giving the men a sharp rebuke for it, Otto, for his part, found himself satisfied with the account of how they had joined up—how Wilhelm had come to join them as well.

"In that case, what about you, Rom? You seemed awfully well prepared—quick to make the call, I mean."

"It's no wonder you'd be suspicious, but I only started moving at the last minute myself—no different from you lot. I caught the scent of it... I've always had a nose for danger when it draws near. I'd gone a bit rusty for a while, but all the recent bustle seems to have knocked the rust off."

"I see. Very well—understood."

Rolling his broad shoulders as he answered so matter-of-factly, Old Man Rom gave Otto no reason to pry further. For now, they were merely facing the same direction; in terms of positions they were on opposing sides—keeping one's cards face down was only natural, and faulting him for it would be small-minded. At the very least, Old Man Rom's actions had saved Otto and the others from a tight spot. For now, that deed deserved to be weighed more highly than doubting his true intentions.

"Scary youngster, aren't you. Your eyes aren't smiling."

"Sorry. A merchant is supposed to smile on the surface and smirk behind the scenes, but lately I haven't been much of a merchant. I disgust myself for it. —All the same, if a softhearted merchant lets his own people die, then such a person is unnecessary right now."

"——"

"...Sorry, I spoke out of turn."

After answering with a shrug, Otto chastised himself that what he'd just said was unnecessary. It's one thing to only think it; once you speak it aloud, it's no different from a weapon. If you suddenly draw a weapon while facing someone, you can hardly complain if you get stabbed to pieces. As he suspected, being outdone in Divine Protection of the Soul of Language had left deeper marks on him than he'd realized. He had warned himself—almost like a curse—that entrusting his identity to that blessing was dangerous, yet he'd been relying on it too much of late. This was the price.

"—In any case, our position here is the same. Our masters have been unjustly tarnished, and the Royal Castle is condoning it... no, taking the lead in it. The aim is to eliminate the Royal Selection candidates, destroy the very rules of the Royal Selection, and seize control of the Kingdom."

"So that's why Emilia and that person are being maligned... and the ones supported by Wilhelm and Rom as well, right?"

"That makes Emilia, Felt, and The Duke... which would leave only Anastasia and Filore, the Church's new candidate?!"

"Who can say. If the Council of Sages and the participants of the Half Round Table don't care about the means, there are countless ways to smear Anastasia. Since Anastasia is from Kararagi, they could claim a city-state is preparing to invade the Kingdom... or that she conspired with Emilia in the Vollachia Empire to assassinate Priscilla—"

"—Don't be ridiculous!"

At that, Rem raised her voice at Otto, who was laying out the vile scenarios he could imagine. Her pale blue eyes glistening and her breath coming fast, she clenched her fists tight, laying bare her anger at the notion of using—and belittling—Priscilla's death as Otto had posited.

"I will never let them degrade and exploit Priscilla—her death. If anyone seriously tries to say such things, I will not forgive it...! If that reaches Abel's ears, it will mean war with Vollachia!"

"In fact, it's not exactly a joke. Treating Emilia coldly after she brought back the achievement of concluding a friendship treaty with the Empire would be no different from smearing mud on the face of the Empire that recognized her. It's a foolish reason to start a war, but history has plenty of foolish causes for war. And besides..."

"—Even if it comes to war, there's Reinhard. Seizing the Royal Castle also means being able to move the 'Sword Saint.' Up until now, to prevent that, the authority to issue orders to the 'Sword Saint' was strictly controlled... but the other side has gotten their hands on it."

"Th-that could... be..."

It was, of course, only the very worst possibility, but Old Man Rom did not deny Otto's line of thinking; if anything, he paved the road of the nightmare by filling in what was missing. At the sheer horror of it, Rem and Garfiel—who had, just moments ago, barely slipped past a single exchange with Reinhard with their lives—were at a loss for words. Only one—

"—So it is, after all, the 'Divine Protection of the Sword Saint'?"

Yes—murmured only The Sword Demon, in a voice so faint almost no one could make it out.

"...From the situation, it's clear the enemy intends to attack the Royal Selection. In that case, it's safe to regard Filore, who has just taken the stage, and the 'Divine Dragon Church' that supports her, as being on the enemy side. Let me confirm: the Princess who disappeared fifteen years ago—"

"—Felt is Felt. There is no other answer."

Disliking how silence was causing the discussion to stall, Otto tried to organize the situation and confirm the facts, but Old Man Rom cut him off, firm and clear, with those words. Perhaps thinking it would be too unkind to leave it at a flat denial slapped over a question, he added, under the weight of everyone’s eyes on him, "However—"

"I can only think the story that the 'Divine Dragon Church' sheltered the missing Princess is dubious. Even if they kept their distance from the Royal Castle, to have kept that hidden for more than a year since the Royal Selection began would be unthinkable in a crisis threatening the very survival of the Kingdom."

Old Man Rom, who managed to couple a firm opinion with an uncertain demeanor, was clearly hiding something. Naturally, the gaze of The Sword Demon fixed on the old giant grew all the sharper.

"——"

Back then, fifteen years ago, Wilhelm, who was the commander of the Imperial Guard, is said to have been responsible for the search for the vanished Princess. His desire to learn the truth behind the suspicions now cast on Felt and Filore about being the Princess would be stronger than anyone’s. Even so, the guts of a man suspected of being one of the three chiefs of the Demi-human Union were not so flimsy that he would be cowed into talking by the obsession burning in that gaze. In any case—

"...I understand how bad the situation is."

Letting out a small breath, Rem straightened her back with a snap, as if forcibly switching her mindset. Then she swept her gaze in turn over Otto and the others in the room, and—

"To be frank, I'm very worried about the person who isn't here right now, too, but Emilia and Sister at the castle are in danger, right? How exactly are we going to get the two of them—no, Felt as well. How are we going to get them out?"

"If they've got Reinhard and the captain of the Knights over there, then a head-on breakthrough ain't happenin' no matter what. It turns into a 'Gadgy-Guadzead's Mountain Seclusion' kinda story. We need a way, Bro Otto."

Burdened heavily by the fight with Reinhard, Garfiel agreed with Rem’s view and turned expectant eyes to Otto for a plan from here. Naturally, the two of them were worried about Emilia being confined at the castle—and even more than that, about the safety of Ram, who had accompanied her as an attendant. It pained him deeply to tell those two this, but—

"—No, we're going to prioritize getting out of the royal capital. We don't have the leeway to extract Emilia and Ram at the Royal Castle, or Felt, either."

""Wha—!?""

Eyes widening in shock, Garfiel and Rem shouted in unison. Garfiel then planted a hand on the wall and sprang to his feet, barking, "Bro Otto!"

"'Escape'... what do you mean we're not goin' to help 'em!?"

"It’s exactly what I said. As we are now, we have neither the preparation nor the strength to extract Emilia and the others imprisoned in the castle. With a half-baked plan, we'd be overpowered and all of us would end up in the enemy's hands together. We can't fight a losing battle like that."

"A losing battle... but Sister is there, and Emilia..."

"I know. But even if the enemy has already seized control of the Royal Castle, they can't lay hands on a Royal Selection candidate so lightly. Even a compliant Reinhard wouldn't be able to overlook a move like that. Their freedom will be constrained, but so long as they're in the castle, there's a high chance Emilia and the others won't be harmed. That's how I see it."

"B-but still..."

Otto did his utmost to stay calm and keep any emotion out of his voice, while Garfiel and Rem, wearing their hearts on their sleeves, were deeply shaken. But as Otto and the others traded words, Old Man Rom raised his big hand and cut in, "May I?"

"I’m of the same opinion as that youngster. Even if we stay in the castle, Felt and the others will manage somehow. What scares me more is giving those folks a pretext by making a move ourselves. After that magical beast affair, the wind is already against us. I’d like to avoid adding to it."

"Old Man Rom, you think the same as Otto? ...What about Wilhelm?"

"— I understand how you feel, Rem, worrying about your master and your Sister. But to challenge a fully prepared opponent while accepting a disadvantage would be folly... Vexing as it is, I’d say Valga has a point."

Wilhelm slowly shook his head as he answered, and Rem bit her lip. Her chagrin—Otto felt it keenly as well. And there was something Otto was deliberately leaving unsaid to avoid further pushback from her and Garfiel. Even if the Council of Sages had fallen into enemy hands, they could not harm the Royal Selection candidates. — However, the safety of attendants and escorts would not be guaranteed. And Ram, who had volunteered to serve as attendant, had never yielded that position to Rem or ペトラ from the outset precisely because she had steeled herself for that possibility.

"...Bro Otto, you’re sayin’ we’re leavin’ the royal capital—what about the boss and the others?"

"— Meeting up will be difficult. My Divine Protection isn’t reliable right now. If we talk to the wrong person, everything about our side will be an open book. I can’t take that kind of risk."

If only the "Divine Protection of the Soul of Language" were in full working order, we could have relied on numbers to search for Subaru and the others, deliver a message, or inform them of a rendezvous point. With that option taken from us, searching for Subaru and the rest with no foothold is impossible.

"Valga, I won’t pry. But if it’s you, you could reach Lady Crush or Subaru..."

"You seem to rate a mere old codger from the slums quite highly, but regrettably I can’t live up to that expectation. I’m not being coy, nor am I holding back. The flimsy thread has already frayed, and I see no prospect of tying it back together."

"Useless right when it counts... no, I’m the same, I suppose."

He was about to let a bitter retort slip, but Wilhelm checked himself and hesitated. A glance at Old Man Rom’s eyes showed the same frustration, the kind that said those words weren’t a lie. As expected, there was no move to make. In that situation, Rem gripped the hem of her skirt tightly,

"I can trust Sister and the others in the castle. And I can believe that those of us here can pull together. But he alone... he’s sure to do something reckless. I know it."

"Rem..."

"No, it’s not just me. Garfiel, and you too, Otto, you know it, don’t you? In times like this, he always tries to do more than he’s capable of. And then he’ll end up badly hurt again. And yet..."

She couldn’t be at his side. Rem’s voice bled with heartfelt frustration, and no one could say anything to her. Surely it was because everyone here had, in some way, been involved with Subaru, had been saved by the very sort of actions Rem described, and had actually seen him get hurt.

"...We’ll be putting a burden on Beatrice."

By now, only Beatrice—presumably the one still by Subaru’s side—could serve as his safety net, the hope of their entire camp; or so Otto and the others thought, when Wilhelm stepped forward and said, "No." He stood before the downcast Rem and gently placed a hand on her shoulder,

"It is only natural to worry. But it is not only Beatrice who is with Subaru. Lady Crush is there as well."

"—And yet, rumor has it the duke has taken leave of their senses. In fact, I hear that person slipped out of the manor right under your nose."

"Silence, Valga. What could you possibly know of that lady?"

"——"

"As you say, perhaps I was deceived. Even so, Lady Crush must have her reasons. Until I hear it from her own lips, I will not jump to conclusions."

It was not a mere exchange of barbed words; Wilhelm’s voice carried a firm core, and his blue eyes held loyalty toward his absent liege as he looked over Rem and everyone in the room.

"Even if she has lost her memories, the righteousness of her heart is not diminished. It is not merely because I owe her for my wife. — I have resolved, with my entire being, to set that lady upon the throne."

"Wilhelm..."

"Lady Crush is there. Subaru is no ordinary man. And Beatrice—though she may look like a guileless little child when she’s with Subaru—is, I have heard, a great spirit who has lived for many long years. I am certain they will shatter our worries."

Spun out slowly, it wasn’t something meant to talk Rem into it; it was a way of speaking that forcefully scrawled his wish across the world, willing it to be so. It even carried a kind of arrogance, and yet, when The Sword Demon—who once felled the Sword Saint with his own hands and wrested a marriage from fate—said it, it had the persuasive power to make you believe. There was an inexplicable force that made you think it really might turn out that way. And that—

"...That's the kinda way the boss would say it."

"If so, that is a most flattering assessment."

When Garfiel voiced what Otto had felt as well, Wilhelm gave a deep nod. Bathed up close in The Sword Demon’s appeal, Rem let the strength loosen from her shoulders. There was still unease lingering in her eyes and expression, but even so Rem lifted her face bravely,

"I'm sorry, I lost my composure. You're right. If Beatrice and Karsten are dependable, then one or two of that person's reckless stunts... will it really stop at just one or two?"

"We were just about to be able to accept that, and getting hung up there isn’t great, you know..."

"Even if it’s three or four, Beatrice’ll work somethin’ out! ...Right now, believin’ that’s about all we can do."

Even as he said it, Garfiel—who still hadn’t shaken off his own unease, but hid it and gnashed his fangs—got a faint smile in return from Rem. The same went for Otto. No one could move forward in this situation with all their anxieties dispelled. If an unwanted outcome showed its face later, they might regret today. Even so, they had no choice but to choose, so they could step over the hesitation of this very moment.

"Then, once again—we will withdraw from the royal capital."

He cleared his throat, then Otto looked around at everyone in the room and restated that course. The Royal Castle had already fallen into enemy hands, and they had become wanted fugitives targeted by the soldiers of the royal capital. If they made a wrong move, the Sword Saint would be sent after them; if they were caught, even their lives would be in danger—utterly desperate. To leave the royal capital in such a state would naturally be seen as tucking tail and running. However, I’ll say this anyway.

"This is by no means a defeat. It is a stepping stone toward victory—so that next time, we will surely hit back and win."

"Heh! That’s just like ya, Bro Otto—a hell of a hot-blooded spiel!"

"I can't agree with that evaluation at all!"

Raising his voice in reply to Garfiel, who, among the nodding faces, rubbed his own nose with a finger, Otto then gave Rem a nod and turned his awareness beyond the wall—to the royal capital. He didn’t know where they were. But in this royal capital, he thought of Subaru and Beatrice, who were probably flailing about in a dead end just like Otto and the others. The anxiety was endless. Because, just as Rem had said, he would do something reckless.

—He didn’t want to let him. That was Otto’s true feeling.

"...Even so, you’re going to do something reckless anyway, aren’t you."

Letting the murmur that could never reach him be swallowed by the wall, Otto pulled his hat low over his eyes again. Otto knew all too well that the human named Natsuki Subaru, if it was to answer someone’s expectations or wishes, would readily put his own life and heart on the scales. That’s why, in truth, he didn’t want to rely on him, and shouldn’t. Because counting Natsuki Subaru as "the one who’ll somehow make it work," like everyone else, felt the same as feeding on his kindness and his weakness.

So—so at least. So that that recklessness wouldn’t eat Natsuki Subaru alive and crush him. Even if they were far apart, to resist this absurdity and injustice, they would do what they had to do—that was what Otto thought, with a bitter feeling.

△▼△▼△▼△

"Achoo."

"Did you catch a chill? Are you all right?"

"Nah, my nose just suddenly got itchy. ...Though yeah, I did go a bit pale."

After a sudden urge deep in his nose made him sneeze, Subaru softened his lips at the worried Beatrice, but then couldn’t even keep a wry smile and let out a sigh. That was how shocking the story they’d heard from Russell had been—the secret maneuvers of Capella of Lust and how bad the situation facing the Kingdom of Lugunica was.

"It’s a given that someone with the ability to transform is trouble... but this much, huh. No wonder they’ve been harassing Russell and the others for thirty years."

"Strictly speaking, the one being harassed was the Kingdom, and we were the ones trying to stop it. Though in our present sorry state, I can hardly speak so high and mighty."

"I get that you were containing it at the source. But it doesn’t sit right with me. Why did that thirty-year tug-of-war suddenly tip like that?"

"That’s... probably because of us, I think."

Lowering the corners of her eyes and hanging her head, the『White Sheep』 declared as much. Before Subaru and the others, who looked at her suspiciously, guilt and self-reproach dwelled in her eyes,

「We left the『Beloved Child』and, like this, joined up with the『Silver Fox』, which gave us multiple chances to trip up the enemy’s plans. So I think Mama realized it.――That the『Six-Tongues』had gotten hold of their tail.」

「Well, if a traitor comes out of your own ranks, it’s only natural to think that way… or what? Is Capella the type who, once something’s out of her hands, forgets it and never remembers it again or something?」

「No, if anything, she’s the sort who remembers that forever.」

「Figures! That tracks. Man, she’s the worst…」

With his view of Capella’s warped personality further reinforced, Subaru spat the words out. As if to add to that exchange with the『White Sheep』, Russell raised another finger and said,

「As she says, the enemy must have realized that our side’s hand has grown stronger. When the Witch Cult launched their simultaneous assault on Priestella, the『Lust』who had never shown themselves openly until then brazenly revealed themselves as well; I believe the aim was to make us acknowledge their existence.」

「Acknowledge their existence—what’s the point of that…?」

「――The『Six-Tongues』has already disposed of seven Capella Emerada Lugnica.」

「Huh?」

「It’s a fact. If there are reports of sightings whose outward features match the『Lust』confirmed in Priestella, we have no choice but to move to verify them. Of course, in the meantime, other schemes using the『Beloved Child』are also put into play. This time, it was my failing for having too much of our effort tied up responding to those.」

「…Needless to ask, those seven were fakes, right?」

「Yes. Needless for me to say.」

Ever composed, Russell explained without emotion that they’d been outmaneuvered, but Subaru doubted he could keep from exploding with a “give me a break” if he were in Russell’s place. Even that brutality in Priestella that birthed so many tragedies—was it, for Capella, nothing more than a mere stepping stone to toy with the『Six-Tongues』later and seize control of the Kingdom? After wrecking and twisting the lives of so many people like that.

「――」

「…Subaru, I understand how you feel, but calm down, would you? You’re only hurting yourself.」

「Eh? Ah, sorry. I just…」

Grinding his teeth and looking down, Subaru felt Beatrice, sitting in his lap as he sat cross-legged, give his chest a light bump with her back. The place she touched softly was his right arm, which Subaru had unconsciously been digging his nails into. Looking, he saw that the handkerchief wrapped around the burn he’d suffered at McMahon Manor had been removed and replaced with a clean bandage. From over that bandage, he’d just about to dig the nails of his left hand in. As he started to apologize for that unconscious act, he suddenly realized— the pain from the burn had completely vanished.

「Was this Russell… no, the『White Sheep』?」

「Eh? Ah, that’s not it. That was the『Blue Serpent』…」

「The『Blue Serpent』?」

「――One of my subordinates. A highly skilled healer. Presumptuous as it was, while you were asleep we went ahead and gave you a full round of treatment. Assuming you feel no discomfort.」

「Ah, yeah, none at all. So little it’s almost uncanny.」

He rolled his wrist and swung his arm lightly; it felt, indeed, in perfect condition. Even given the shortage of mana, to heal a burn that had pushed even Beatrice’s power to only first aid—Russell’s subordinates seemed quite the talented lot. If there had been any wounds, then Crusch’s and Rachins’s should have been treated too. That said――

「――Dad」

With a hand to his mouth and sunk deep in thought, Rachins had other things on his mind now. If it’s true that Capella’s sinister reach has extended to the Royal Castle and that the upper nobles, beginning with the『Council of Sages』, have been replaced, then Rachins’s father is likely among them. Rachins’s words may suggest a rebelliousness toward his father, but in the unexpected intelligence he shows in flashes, there did seem to be a backbone founded in his birth. And that that backbone was not unrelated to the father in question, either.

「Rachins, you okay?」

「…They only stripped me half-naked. Like that’s anything.」

「――…I see. Got it.」

Even though he surely understood what the question was getting at, Rachins answered that way, and Subaru respected it. It’s only natural to feel anxious. And at this very moment, Subaru had no way to resolve it, and Rachins didn’t seem inclined to open up either. Worry for family weighs heavy. In his experience, talking doesn’t necessarily make it easier, so he couldn’t force it. Of course, if the other party wanted to talk, he’d listen—but――

「――Hey, hey, are you about done with the gloomy, pain-in-the-neck talk?」

And then, as if to shatter that delicate mood, the infirmary door was flung open. Tramping in with shamelessly heavy footsteps came a dangerous figure in black with a jester's mask—'Black Dog,' carrying a large sack in one hand. Since Subaru and the others were safe, he had assumed the same of him, but—

"Way to cut in... We're in the middle of an important talk here."

"Well, well, sounds like your life is oh so busy—good for you. You're living so desperately you'd probably claim there's not a single fleeting instant when you're not having some important talk!"

"'Black Dog,' please stop! Natsuki Subaru is our benefactor!"

"Oh, playing the goody two-shoes, are we? For a treacherous vixen who's so good at making others wag their tails, the fact you can't wag your own enough means it's your backside, not your head, that's drooping—kuhahahaha!"

"—ngh!"

Having scolded 'Black Dog' for his rude behavior, 'White Sheep' flushed red at the counterattack. It seemed the two of them, despite both having slipped out from the 'Beloved Child,' did not share the kind of close, trusting bond that Subaru and Beatrice did. Naturally, Subaru intended to side with 'White Sheep'—but—

"You run your mouth too much, 'Black Dog.' Keep it brief."

"Tch. We're just about ready to move, so you fine folks all get yourselves ready too!"

"Eek, I suppose!" "Whoa, what the hell!?"

Barking his order, 'Black Dog' suddenly heaved the big sack he was carrying at Subaru and the others. Subaru and Beatrice jerked back on reflex, and the bag thudded down on the bed at their feet. When 'White Sheep' quickly opened the mouth of the bag, inside was—

"—Robes with a 'recognition-inhibiting' effect. We procured them through Roswaal. There are ones for Lord Natsuki and Lady Beatrice, and for Lady Crush as well. Ah, and a spare for Lord Rachins."

"Thanks for the afterthought treatment!"

While Rachins spat that out at being handled so offhandedly, Subaru raised his brows at the words 'recognition inhibition' he hadn't heard in a while, and spread the robe he'd taken out over Beatrice's lap. The fabric was white. Subaru couldn't tell by touch, but Beatrice gave a little "mm" and nodded,

"Indeed, there's no doubt Roswaal's hand is in this. This will end up making it all the more convincing that that bearded man is Roswaal's friend, I suppose."

"You make it sound like bad news... Anyway, these robes are a big help for wanted folks like us, but did you say we're moving? Isn't this 'Six-Tongues' base?"

"No. This is nothing more than one of several small staging points. It's insufficient to oppose the current power of the 'Beloved Child'... We'll vacate quickly."

"But that... no, you and the others, Russell, understand how scary the enemy is far better than we do. We're just along for the ride here—sorry. We'll follow your lead."

He had just thought they'd finally settled down when he was told they'd be moving again right away, and he reflexively started to object—but Subaru quickly swallowed the words. The enemy's terror and thoroughness had been explained more than enough. If they hadn't been able to link up with Russell and the others, they would no doubt still be being chased by an unseen foe even now. So Subaru decided to defer to Russell's judgment here. However—

"So are we moving right away? I mean, is the next place we're heading far from here?"

"Yes. It will take a while. After all, we'll be leaving the royal capital."

"...Huh?"

The words struck his eardrums, and Subaru, unable to process them, went wide-eyed. Thinking he must have misheard, he waited for Russell to choose different words, but to Subaru's disappointment, Russell's expression did not change. Inevitably, Subaru had no choice but to take his time and swallow what he'd just heard—

"—I can't nod along so easily. From the way you're talking, you're leaving Emilia at the castle behind, aren't you?"

"Yes. To put it bluntly, we cannot spare the effort to link up with those factions currently fleeing within the royal capital either. We are already in the enemy's palm. If we don't act before that hand closes and leaves no gaps, it will become irreparable."

"Th-that... but—"

"Let me say it again. We will abandon this base and escape the royal capital. By now, this city is a demon's den ruled by the 'Beloved Child.' —For us, defeat is not an option."

—With firm resolve and pride seeping through his voice, Russell rejected the very notion of defeat, leaving Subaru speechless.

"——"

Subaru's understanding was naive. Shallow. Insufficient. The situation was even worse than he imagined; they were on the verge of losing—already hauled up to the scaffold without realizing it, moments away from having their heads cut off. That, no doubt, was how it was. But—

"Subaru, Subaru, look at Betty. Betty is right here, I suppose."

Beatrice turned and pulled the trembling Subaru into a frontal embrace. Feeling the small palm stroking his back, Subaru remembered how to breathe again.

「Russell’s argument, I get it, I do. But Emilia…」

Leave the royal capital that has fallen into the enemy’s hands, refuse defeat, and create an opening to rise again. I understand the intent. I understand the logic. As the royal capital is now, it’s nothing but dangerous; unless we take bold measures, we’ll be dancing to the enemy’s tune.――Are we going to leave Emilia in that place? Abandon the idea of reuniting with our scattered companions and run? Such choices, Natsuki Subaru――,

「――『White Sheep』」

「…y-yes.」

As Subaru clung to Beatrice, at a loss for what to do, Russell suddenly called out to 『White Sheep』. At his call, 『White Sheep』 faltered slightly and nodded. Then she walked over to the bedside and gently took Subaru’s hands in both of hers.

「『White Sheep』-chan…？」

「I understand how you feel so much it hurts. Choosing to be separated from someone precious is a pain like being torn in two. But that doesn’t mean we say, ‘Then let’s die together’… does it?」

「――――」

「Please believe in us. With Duchess Karsten’s strength, and with Natsuki Subaru here, we surely won’t lose. Please, I’m begging you…」

With desperate earnestness, her eyes quivering as if she might cry, 『White Sheep』 tried to persuade Subaru. It was pretty talk, idealism, nothing more than the off-the-shelf conclusion Subaru had already repeated to himself ten, a hundred times to make himself accept it.――Even so, for some reason, when he heard it from 『White Sheep』’s lips, it moved him.

「――Russell, what about Emilia and the others at the castle?」

「They will likely refrain from laying hands on a Royal Selection candidate. They may be forced into inconvenience, but their personal safety will not be violated. I have collaborators keeping watch.」

Russell answered Subaru, who drew a deep breath, let it out, and asked. One could feel in his words the intent to remove as much of Subaru’s anxiety as possible; it was, in all likelihood, the utmost consideration and concession Russell could offer. Emilia’s safety rests on the enemy’s decency, their companions’ well-being on each one’s own strength――considering who they’re up against, none of it feels like favorable odds. Even so――,

「――I will definitely save Emilia. Everyone will. Remember that.」

Even as a black flame seethed deep in his chest, scorching him from within, he made his resolve. At Subaru’s answer, Beatrice stiffened, and 『White Sheep』, still holding his hand, let out a feeble breath. Watching in silence, Rachins stuck out his tongue when Russell glanced his way, as if to say he was plenty dissatisfied but wouldn’t object. Only one person, 『Black Dog』, leaning his back against the wall and bringing a hand to the mask he wore――,

「――Kuh, drop dead, you piece of shit.」

Muttering thus, resentfully to no one in particular, the words fell to the floor of the medicine-scented room and faded away.