Chapter 130 - x

CHAPTER 6

THE RESULTS OF THE BATTLE FOR PRISTELLA

1

The broadcast echoed across the entire city while Subaru and Emilia were guiding Regulus's ex-wives to the municipal building that had been their base.

"All four control towers have been recovered, and the foul cultists who held the city hostage have been defeated! The city is safe once again—

Pristella is victorious!"

A joyous voice echoed across the entire city through the metia broadcast.

There was no problem beyond the broadcaster's voice cracking a bit and a slightly unstable signal. There was no sense that the person was being forced to say it.

"Subaru! That was…!"

"Yeah. Sounds like things managed to turn out okay…"

Nodding at Emilia's growing excitement, Subaru let some of the tension drain from his shoulders.

At the very least, they had dodged the bad end where the flood gates opened and the whole city was drowned. The only small worry that was currently occupying his mind was that he recognized who was speaking on the broadcast, and if he was not mistaken, it was the voice of Kiritaka Muse, who had been missing.

It was his voice that gave the daily broadcast telling the people of the city to seek shelter in the event of emergencies, so it was a familiar voice to them and would reach their hearts without any problem.

But it wasn't out of the question for someone as vicious as Lust to take advantage of that in some nefarious plan.

"There'll be no end to it if I open that can of worms, though. Either way, we should hurry back. I won't be able to relax until I see it with my own eyes."

He urged Emilia and the rest of the women to speed up. It pained him to push them any further after all they had been through, but they couldn't afford to stop yet. He wanted to clear the unease lurking in the back of his mind as fast as possible and earn a real moment of relief.

Of course, the concern plaguing his heart would not be so easily resolved

—

" "

Subaru's unease was utterly annihilated the moment they reached the building.

Of course, it first reared its terrible head as they were approaching the structure. It should have been visible from a distance, but nothing remained standing and it was easy enough to guess what had happened.

The whole thing had collapsed, leaving a mountain of rubble.

Subaru was immediately gripped by fear at the thought of all the wounded and noncombatants now trapped beneath all the debris.

But that concern did not last long.

" "

Many other residents of the city had come after hearing the broadcast.

They also wanted confirmation that the danger had truly passed. And just like Subaru, they had surely been shaken by the sight of the collapsed symbol of the city.

The panic that had gripped Pristella before might have even spread in the renewed confusion and fear.

But those concerns were all blown away by the lilting notes of a lyulyre and an enchanting voice.

" "

The diva was singing from atop a stage of rubble.

A gentle voice and a beautifully strummed song. Her serious expression was filled with an unusually earnest emotion. There stood a true diva whose voice shook everyone within earshot to the very core of their being.

As he listened, the tension that had plagued Subaru's heart soon faded, and he let out a long, deep sigh.

Standing next to him, Emilia gently rested her hand on his.

Regulus's ex-wives, whose emotions had been locked in stasis for so long, were gradually beginning to cry.

The voice of the diva brought a return to the tears that had flowed when they were released from the ice.

They were not the only ones whose emotions erupted, though. It touched everyone in the crowd. Tears and sobs quickly spread as the people were swallowed up in the emotions evoked by the music.

It was a kind, gentle trespass in their hearts.

As the song neared its end, the chords of the lyulyre grew sweeter. Subaru and the rest of the crowd felt the urge to let it continue longer, to resist the ending—

But there was an end to all things. That was why people loved fragile, fleeting things.

Because—

" "

The song finally ended, and the diva atop the rubble bowed politely.

Time began to flow again as the crowd started to applaud. The cheering was thunderous, praising the diva blessed by the goddess of song.

And as the rain of applause fell around her, raising her head, the diva— "Thank you for your gind addendshun!"

—Liliana Masquerade tripped over her tongue.

2

"Subaru! You've finally returned!"

"…Beatrice?"

The concert on the rubble was still ongoing when Subaru swung around at the familiar girl's voice.

Beatrice was holding up the hem of her dress as she picked her way around the edges of the crowd that had gathered by the remains of the government building.

Reaching Subaru and Emilia, she looked up at them with her round eyes.

"Mm, it looks like neither of you sustained particularly bad wounds. Betty was worried when you took so long to return. If you had been badly hurt while Betty wasn't around, you wouldn't be able to go to the restroom without a guardian for quite some time."

"What am I, in kindergarten? And speaking of, what about you, Beako? Weren't you supposed to be out of commission from using up all your mana?"

"That sounds problematically close to criticism! It's thanks to Betty's efforts that you still have your leg! Betty senses a distinct lack of requisite gratitude and carrying!"

"I got it, I got it."

Subaru picked Beatrice up as she puffed out her cheeks in anger, and then he rubbed his cheek against hers. And just like that, Beatrice's mood gradually recovered.

"It looks like you were hard at work while I was gone. Sorry for making so much trouble for you all the time."

"It's only natural for you to cause Betty problems, so there's no problem…is what I would say, but that is a lie. Betty does mind it a bit. So be grateful."

Accepting Subaru's apology, Beatrice demonstrated her benevolence while also giving him an endearing warning. Then she turned to Emilia.

"It is a relief to see you are safe as well, Emilia. Puckie would be sad if anything were to happen to you."

"Mm-hmm. Thank you for worrying about me, too, Beatrice. I'm fine thanks to Subaru and Reinhard coming to help me."

Beatrice turned away with a huff when Emilia flexed her biceps to show she was all right. The spirit's cheeks were just a little bit red, though. It's adorable how she tries and fails to pretend she isn't embarrassed.

"Anyway, a question for my adorable Beako: If Liliana's performing here, that means we must've scored a big win…so where's everyone? The building was evacuated before you tore it down, right?"

"Eh? You broke it, Beatrice? I wonder if we can cover the costs with our allowances…"

"What do you think you're saying?! Betty didn't do this! It ended up like this on its own after Betty left!"

"Kidding, I'm kidding."

Subaru laughed at Beatrice's reaction as Emilia looked back and forth between them in confusion. But if Beatrice was going along with such a silly conversation, then—

"Everyone must be doing well if you're this relaxed…"

"—Yeah, yeah. Eeeeveryone was moved out first, so don't go gettin' worked up."

"Whoa now, that voice is… Huh?"

The three of them turned to see who had confirmed Subaru's suspicions.

There was a small figure who was avoiding the large crowd and mountain of rubble—for a second, there was a little confusion, though, because her hair was a different color from what they remembered.

"Anastasia…right?"

"Why the surprise…? Oh yeah, my hair's a little different, right."

Anastasia, who was wearing a kimono, ran a comb through her hair. Her light-purple hair had been dyed a dramatic green, and Emilia's eyes shot open at the impact of such a major change.

"What happened to your hair?"

"Hmm, does it not suit me? I kinda like it…"

"Ah, no, it suits you! But it was so sudden; I was just surprised, is all…"

Emilia frantically shook her head while earnestly answering Anastasia's question.

"Well, aren't you sweet?" Anastasia smiled at that response. "It's a biiit of a long story, but this was part of our plan. We can save the catching-up for later, though… For now, I'm glad you're safe, Emilia. And you're a right, proper man, aren't you, Natsuki?"

"I'm a bit worried about that evaluation…but that aside, can you tell me if everyone else is okay, Anastasia?"

" "

"Given Liliana's concert, I can guess we got all the gates back under control and saved the city. So next is the people who fought. Did everyone make it back?"

Subaru turned to Anastasia with a serious look on his face, his real intent still deep in his heart.

As a general rule, Subaru was not okay with forming a strategy that was dependent on using his ability to die and come back to a save point.

Part of it was just a natural aversion to dying, but a big reason was the worlds after his death that he'd seen in the Sanctuary. He had no way to know if they were real or not. They could have been just the cruel manipulations of a nasty Witch— Either way, though, he could not bring himself to just rely on his ability after that.

But if there was a time when he might choose to die and go back of his own volition, it would be because of a result that he considered unacceptable.

And this time, Subaru had steeled himself for that possibility.

The royal candidates, knights, and everyone else who had joined forces in order to challenge the Archbishops and retake the city—he had made up his mind to endure that pain and suffering as many times as he had to in order to avoid losing them.

"Subaru…"

Emilia and Beatrice grew anxious when they noticed his dangerous determination.

Glimpsing the frightening resolution in Subaru's eyes, Anastasia softened her expression.

"…You can take it easy. You and Emilia were the last ones to make it back."

"We were last…meaning everyone else is…?"

"Don't worry."

Subaru was dying for confirmation as Anastasia's smile deepened and she gave him a wink.

"Eeeveryone made it back—we won without losing anyone."

3

"General! You're safe!"

The shelter closest to the wreckage of the government building had turned into a field hospital overflowing with patients.

Wanting to see everyone, Beatrice had directed them there. The first one to notice them was a blond boy who called out in a booming voice. "Oh, Garfiel… Wait, are you okay?!"

Seeing Garfiel wave at them with a smile, Subaru opened his eyes wide in shock.

Garfiel was topless, but his skin was black and blue all over from horrific bruises. But his face was clear and untroubled, brimming with selfconfidence after overcoming a terrible battle.

When Subaru saw that expression, the shock on his face quickly turned into a smile.

"Are you really in a position to be asking about other people's safety? You look terrible."

"I don't wanna hear that from you… But that's the general for ya. Looks like you proved yourself a real man. Good job savin' Lady Emilia."

"Damn straight."

Subaru flashed an audacious grin as he held out his fist and Garfiel met it with his own. That was all they needed as two men praising each other for a battle well fought.

Seeing their exchange, Emilia and Beatrice glanced at each other. "It sort of feels like Subaru and Garfiel are acting really boyish."

"Dear me, that's a world Betty cannot begin to understand. It is far too heated for Betty's tastes."

Emilia smiled, while Beatrice was entirely uninterested. Garfiel's eyes took on a keen edge as his fangs clinked together at her reaction.

"Heh, it might be something you girls wouldn't get. After all, I—"

"Ohhh! Garf! Dun-da-da-dun!"

"Gah?!"

Before he could finish talking, Garfiel was sent flying by a sudden unexpected blow. A little cat-girl with her tail wagging was sitting on his chest. Her ears were standing up, and an adorable smile was plastered over her face.

"Ha-ha-ha! Don't let your guard down, Garf! The true enemy is in your heart! Also, important people are in your heart, too! In other words, your heart is full!"

"Don't just start sittin' on top of people like that…"

"Ha-ha-ha, the lady told Mimi! Something about showing a boy who's on top? She said it was a kind of tactic! So I decided to try it!" Mimi laughed as she sat on Garfiel.

Mimi had been badly wounded, so seeing her healthy was a relief for Subaru.

"Looks like you're doing okay now, too, Mimi!"

"Oh, hey! Welcome back, mister! Apparently, things were pretty crazy while Mimi was sleeping! Thanks! Mimi slept suuuper well! And now

Mimi's fine!"

"Still the same even after all that, huh… But I'm sure that's a relief for

Garfiel, too."

Subaru had heard that Mimi had been grievously injured while protecting Garfiel.

He had carried her to safety, and he had been badly shaken when he found out her wound could not be healed. So it must have been a relief to have her back to her free-spirited self.

"Ha. It's kinda concernin' that she's so unchanged. I told you before, didn't I?! Don't go makin' a fuss right after gettin' healed…"

Garfiel glared at Mimi, who was grinning atop his chest. He was trying to lecture her, but before he could finish, Mimi's eyes went wide.

"Uh-oh! Garf! The wound opened again! It's bleeding!"

"Dumbass! That's what I told you! Damn it! Let's get you to a healer!" "Gaaah! It hurts! It hurts!"

Carrying Mimi, Garfiel frantically ran farther into the shelter. Subaru could not help being taken aback by the uproarious whirlwind of events.

"Hee-hee…from the looks of it, Garfiel doesn't have time to worry."

Emilia commented with a smile as she watched the two of them disappear.

"Yeah." Subaru grinned. "They make a pretty good pair."

"Mimi's cute, and it looks like she really likes Garfiel… Garfiel seems to like Ram, though, so it probably won't be that simple, either."

"Yeah, I know what you mean… Wait, since when did you start noticing relationships like that?!"

It was a pretty obvious example, but still, the unexpected comment caught Subaru by surprise.

Emilia had put her response to Subaru's confession on hold because she didn't really understand those kinds of relationships, but here she was, talking about other people's love lives.

"Well now, how cute it is to see the children growing up."

"It must be embarrassing to be told that by the one who looks the most like a little kid here."

Beatrice shrugged, at ease watching the two of them from a distance. It was a response that did not quite match her appearance, and the one who reacted to it was—

"Oh, you were here, too, Otto?"

"I've been here all along! Also, all of you gathered where I was to begin with!"

—the very same Otto who overreacted to Subaru's comment.

As he implied, he had been there the whole time, even before Subaru and Garfiel fist-bumped. After all, everyone had met up in front of the bed where he was recovering.

"Beako told me all about it, Mr. Wartime Planner. I heard how you were

out prowling the city in search of prey. You've really taken a liking to that sort of thing, haven't you?"

"Please spare me the utterly unfounded stories before you start another baseless rumor!"

Otto shouted in his usual tone, but his face was pallid, and he did not look like he was in good shape. Both of his legs were tightly bandaged. There was no mistaking he had been badly wounded.

"How are you holding up, Otto?"

"Walking will probably be difficult for a short time, but it seems they should properly heal… It's a bit pathetic that I was so terribly hurt when you were surely in the more dangerous situation."

"It's not pathetic at all. It happened because you were fighting so hard, right? Fighting isn't even your job. I'm glad at least it wasn't any worse than this for you."

"You're still the only one who has a common-sense understanding of what being an adviser means, Lady Emilia…"

Otto must have been badly starving for any kind of sincere concern, though the emotion in his response left Emilia a little unsure of how to react. But his previous visitor Garfiel's reaction had probably been basically the same as Subaru's, so it was easy enough to guess how he must have been feeling.

Still though, Subaru was not exactly unconcerned about how Otto got those wounds.

"—I heard you ran into that Gluttony freak while getting the book?"

Subaru's voice was wooden as he mentioned what he had heard from Beatrice.

Otto had gone out of his way to separate Subaru and the rest from anything to do with the Tome of Wisdom. He could understand Otto's worries, but he had the same sort of concerns, too.

"You should have said something at least. We're friends, aren't we?"

"I should have added one more dangerous burden to the load when Lady Emilia had already been abducted and with you having to bear the fate of the city like some fairy-tale hero? No, thank you. I have no intention of pushing all my problems onto my friends' shoulders like that."

"Ha."

He had tried to feign some lighthearted banter, but Subaru barked a short laugh before looking away in exasperation at that unexpected response.

"You two just can't be honest with each other, can you…? I suppose this is another thing that only men would understand?"

"But I do think it's just like them."

Emilia giggled with her hand over her mouth while Beatrice shrugged.

Seeing that, Subaru glanced over at Otto—and Otto nodded slightly.

Subaru did not really want to let Emilia hear about the Tome of Wisdom, and it looked like Otto shared his thoughts on the matter, so they silently agreed to drop the subject for the moment.

The tome was a strictly better version of the Witch Cult's Gospels, a shady book left behind by a certain Witch. Not letting Emilia get involved with any of that if at all possible was one of the silent, steadfast resolutions Subaru had made for himself.

"Either way, the important thing is that you're fine. You've got the tenacity of a weed."

"I'd like to register a complaint if you believe 'fine' is an adequate description given what happened to my legs…"

Subaru said it half out of concern and half out of a desire to change the topic. Otto's words petered off partway through, though.

It looked like he had another concern aside from his legs and the tome.

"What is it? Something else you need to get off your chest?"

"Yes, a rather difficult problem in fact—Mr. Natsuki, please be careful around the neighboring shelter."

"The neighboring shelter…?"

Subaru cocked his head, and Emilia and Beatrice had the same reaction. Looking up at them, Otto nodded sharply.

"There is an Archbishop tied up there."

4

"—Yo. So it was you, Bro. I was wondering who was coming here."

On their way to the problematic shelter, they were greeted in the passage by a man in an iron helm leaning against the wall—Priscilla's retainer, Al.

He turned his gaze to Emilia.

"Oh? Looks like you made it out safely after all, young lady. Seriously, good job out there, Bro."

"Yes, thank you for worrying about me. You passing my message onto Subaru and everyone was a really big help, too. Thank you, Al. You're a good person."

Al had been a messenger bearing crucial information that Emilia had gathered after getting abducted by Regulus. Al scratched his neck bashfully at being thanked so directly.

"…I'm gonna break out in a rash. You're exaggerating. Tell her for me,

Bro."

"Yeah, you're exaggerating, Emilia-tan."

"You're really gonna say that, Bro?! After all the work I did?!"

"Sorry, sorry, just kidding."

Though, Subaru definitely had a few bones to pick about what Al had done during the mess that had happened. There were a lot of shady activities going on, and then there was his advice to Subaru—a lot of questions were still hanging in the air.

"What are you doing here, Al?"

"I'm playin' lookout. More like a scarecrow, though. The princess said it would be bad if no one was watchin'. And then she went off to change clothes."

"…But you don't look like you mind that much, Al."

Al groaned like he had been hit below the belt by Emilia's innocent comment.

In truth, if he was willingly serving someone like Priscilla who led everyone around by the nose, then he had his own sense of fealty. And that was not something that others could easily weigh and measure.

"Man, that really throws me off… It's probably a safe bet to assume she's the reason why you came here, right?"

"What other reason might there be? We aren't so unoccupied that we would come all this way just to chat with you."

"That's a harsh way to put it. No need to get so annoyed, Beako… Gah."

"…Subaru is the only one allowed to call Betty that."

There was a flicker of anger in Beatrice's eyes at Al's flippant attitude.

"Say it again, and the most fearsome retribution imaginable will await you."

"Fine, fine, got it. Sheesh, so cold."

Al grumbled as he fiddled with his helmet. But it was definitely unlike Beatrice to snap so much.

But before Subaru could comment on it, Al cleared the way for them.

"The Archbishop is inside. She's tied up so she can't do anything, so there shouldn't be any need to be at each other's throats— I should warn you, though."

"What?"

"Nothin' good'll come of getting mixed up with these cultists. You should just turn back and leave without talkin' to her."

"…Like I can afford to do that."

Al's voice dropped and took on a more earnest tone, but Subaru shook his head before stepping forward.

The air was electric, and he felt the goose bumps rising on his skin—the Archbishop was just behind the last metal door.

"Not after everything she's done. Besides, no matter how much I hate it, we're gonna have to deal with the cultists whether we like it or not, so might as well take the reins for once."

"…I see. If your mind's made up, then say no more."

Getting the measure of Subaru's resolve, Al relented. He just nodded toward the metal door behind him.

"Just to check, but are you two going, too?"

"Mm-hmm. Of course. I can't let Subaru do something dangerous all by himself."

"Gotcha… That's a lot more reassuring than Bro goin' by himself."

"Who asked you?! And if something does happen, feel free to come help, too, jerk!"

With that last bit of banter, they went through the passage while Al watched. The closer they got to the tightly closed metal door, the more the incomprehensible, overawing aura twisted around their bodies.

It was almost as if Subaru's instinct, his very soul, was rejecting the being on the other side of the door.

"…Subaru…"

Emilia was worried when Subaru stopped and stared at the door.

Beatrice was silent, but she took Subaru's empty hand.

"Sorry, I'm fine— Let's go."

Taking heart from having the two of them with him, Subaru shook off the feeling and tightly gripped the doorknob.

The door opened with a creak—

"Aha, so you came. I apologize for dragging you out here. And thank you."

The monster tied up in chains to a chair in the middle of the dimly lit room—the Archbishop of Wrath, Sirius Romanée-Conti—greeted Subaru with a smile.

" "

Subaru could feel his heart being stirred up by that degenerate smile.

They found themselves in a dusty, deserted room deep inside the underground shelter. She was sitting in a chair at the very center of the room, tied up in her own golden chains.

Priscilla and Liliana had returned with a live Archbishop after concluding their battle.

"I'm glad you came to see me. I wondered why no one had come to visit, but it was for this, wasn't it? Thank you, and sorry… However, it seems there are some nuisances, too."

Her excitement bubbled over the moment she spotted Subaru, but there was a dark animosity aimed at Emilia and Beatrice.

It was the jealousy of a woman determined to keep the person she loved from being stolen away from her, and apparently, she was still under the mistaken belief that Subaru was possessed by Petelgeuse.

"Barking at the two of them in a situation like this? You sure are calm. I should warn you: We're not going to just let you go now that we have you tied up."

"But you can't just carelessly finish me off, either, right? Thank you, I understand you are worried for me. But unfortunately, your generous concern is unnecessary."

Through her twisted perspective, Sirius interpreted Subaru's confident bluff as thoughtfulness.

"You understand, don't you?" She cackled in a cracking voice. "There reside thoughts of others in everyone's hearts, a desire to be loved by others. And so long as that is true, it is impossible for anyone to deny me. Not even that arrogant girl."

Obliquely referencing Priscilla, whom she had fought earlier, Sirius looked at Subaru with loving eyes. Subaru struggled to find the right words to respond—

"—Subaru, this is a waste of time. Expecting reflection or empathy or any sort of human emotion from the likes of them is just a waste of time. This is simply the type of creature they are."

"Stay away from my beloved Petelgeuse, you spirit clad in the form of a woman."

Sirius's anger swelled at Beatrice, who was right next to Subaru. Drawing the Archbishop's prickly ire, Beatrice grabbed tightly onto Subaru's arm.

"How unfortunate, as Betty is Subaru's spirit and is here at his request.

On the other hand, you should stop addressing Subaru by the wrong name."

"Don't get ahead of yourself, brat. Don't cling to that man with your filthy, one-sided emotions. Shall I send a pillar of fire up your ass to scorch your insides and burn out your Odo Ragna?"

"Both of you, calm down. Don't go picking fights, or I'll get mad, too."

Emilia broke in as a dangerous mood crackled between Beatrice and Sirius.

It seemed like everyone had suddenly gotten amped up all at once. Perhaps it was because of Sirius's power? The danger of her monstrous ability to disrupt emotions and warp minds only grew the longer people were exposed to it.

"Subaru, I think it really is too dangerous to talk with her…"

"—Even so, I'm begging you. It's not every day that a cultist drops into our laps like this. We should take advantage of the chance to question her while we can."

They might never get another opportunity to interrogate a cultist. And this was not just some random cultist, either, but an Archbishop— They might be able to glean something about the other Archbishops' powers.

"…I'm going to intervene the moment I think it's getting dangerous…"

Emilia accepted Subaru's request and took one step back from Subaru with Beatrice.

With that, Subaru looked back again at the monster who was bound hand and foot to the chair.

"Just like you wanted, I'm the one talking to you now. I should warn you

in advance: All the other cultists are either dead or long gone, so no one is coming to save you."

"I never expected any help. You are really adorable saying something so obvious to hide your embarrassment."

Despite her restraints, Sirius was rapturous now that Subaru was finally talking with her.

She had apparently chosen not to acknowledge that Emilia and Beatrice were there anymore. Deciding that this was good enough, since it meant the two of them were not in danger, Subaru attempted to pry information out of her.

"What do you mean it's obvious that no help would come? The reason we won is because you don't have any sense of teamwork, but there has to be some limit to that, right?"

The successful defense of Pristella had been predicated on the fact that the Archbishops were not working together, and it was, effectively speaking, the reason why they had won. But there was still something about it that did not make sense.

"You and the other Archbishops attacked Pristella at the same time. That makes it seem an awful lot like you guys were working together, no? And the demands for the Tome of Wisdom or the artificial spirit or what have you…"

"It was not I who wanted those things, and I've no desire to understand the foul thoughts of the others. The reason we all gathered in the city is because our Gospels guided us to do so."

"…The Gospels again?"

Everyone in this world believed that the Gospels were what led cultists astray and turned them onto the path of evil.

The story went that they were prophecies that led their owner toward the future they should tread, but they were not omnipotent tomes, either, judging by Petelgeuse's fate.

Subaru understood better than anyone that knowing the future was not everything. So the Gospels being incomplete was not shocking to him. However—

"Why are you cultists doing what those books tell you? Because they'll help you revive the Witch…your beloved Witch of Jealousy?"

"—Please do not misunderstand."

"Misunderstand what?"

"You are the only one I love. You and you alone. I don't care one way or the other about the Witch. Everything I do is whatever's necessary to arrive at you."

To Subaru's surprise, her delight dissipated at his question. A deep, dark brew of negative emotions, obsession, and delusion that had been stewing for ages swelled in its place—

"The others are similar. They are all just clinging to their powers in the grips of one abhorrent desire or another. They are different from you and I, whose goal is simply love— They are different in every way."

—The Witch Cult's goal was supposed to be the revival of the Witch of Jealousy.

Subaru had never had reason to doubt that belief given Petelgeuse Romanée-Conti's actions and speech and what he had heard of the cult's rituals and atrocities. But her statement shook that fundamental assumption.

"What are the other Archbishops' goals? What is the cult's endgame?"

"Who knows? Sorry, but I have no interest in anything other than you, so I don't have an answer."

"Is there a base the cult operates out of? There must be someone who's a leader or director or something!"

"No, there is not really anything like that, as you well know."

Hiding her fiendish smile behind the bandages, Sirius answered Subaru's questions evasively.

She wasn't trying to dodge the questions. It was probably the truth. She twisted the entire world around her for the sake of her obsession without thinking or knowing anything about anyone else.

That sort of singular focus was why they had become Archbishops.

" "

Subaru's head was filled with incomprehension.

That instant, there was a sound of the chair tilting over, and Sirius's face suddenly appeared right next to his.

"Ah—"

"—You were swallowed up, weren't you?"

Subaru's throat clenched as he stared straight into her bloodshot purple eyes.

She had been bound all the way to her ankles in chains, but she had tilted the chair forward with just her toenails to keep herself balanced against Subaru's chest.

"Having your spirit subsumed by the body you intended for your possession and losing your freedom… You really are hopeless without me."

There was a heavy heat in Sirius's voice as she sweetly ran her tongue over Subaru's neck.

Goose bumps covered his body at the coarse, alien feeling running across his skin. His vision turned red as he felt bile rising in his throat. His thoughts were engulfed in a wave of heat— "—Icebrand Arts!"

"Gah, hbngh!"

An ice hammer struck Sirius in the side and knocked her into the wall, chair and all.

"Don't do anything weird! I'm not the most precise at this sort of stuff, so

I can't hold back very well!"

Emilia issued Sirius a warning after unleashing a merciless blow.

Meanwhile, Beatrice supported Subaru as he wobbled, her eyes carefully watching the Archbishop.

And this is what happened even when we never let down our guard at all. Sirius is entirely bound and cornered, but even so, she can't be contained. Just more confirmation of how dangerous she is.

It tended to get lost in the fiendishness of her power, but Sirius's combat abilities were top-tier even among the Archbishops.

At first glance, Regulus might have seemed like the strongest of the cultists with his invincibility, but in actuality, Greed was the least threatening of all because of his pure reliance on his power. When it came to strength that was not dependent on their Authorities, the other Archbishops were far more challenging than Regulus.

"Talking with her any more is just a waste of our time, Subaru. This woman is nothing more than a risk."

This time, Subaru could not shrug off Beatrice's warning.

The dangers outweighed the returns. Sirius's power was too optimized for screwing with people's minds.

It was a shame, but the risk was too great to interact with her anymore.

" "

"…Wait…"

Subaru gulped, deciding to heed Beatrice's opinion.

Sirius was breathing raggedly through her nose, her face against the cold floor— No, it was not that.

It was humming. Sirius was humming while lying on the floor.

"Stop the music. What are you doing?"

" "

"I said stop it! That song is giving me a headache!"

"Oh, sorry? But songs are a nice thing. I just learned that. Songs are so wonderful. That's why I was just in the mood for some music."

"Liliana…?!"

The simple statement that songs were a wonderful thing would not get an objection from him. But that did not mean any song could earn a compliment. And Sirius's fundamental feelings about music were far, far different from Liliana's.

The diva was gently saving the people who had gathered after cautiously emerging from the shelters, bringing their hearts together in joy. That beautiful, precious song and Sirius's twisted, hair-raising sounds were not the same.

"Don't compare your music to hers. Whatever you're doing, it's something entirely different."

"—I could say the same of you. You are different. Different on a fundamental level from the man I love. The same…and yet different."

"What?"

"Petelgeuse is inside you. Soul and soul blend. Body and body merge. It will take time before that lovely man reaches the surface. What I should do is help that process along. To watch and wait close at hand for the moment he awakens."

Still lying on the floor, Sirius twisted her neck to look up at Sirius.

There was a madness in her eyes, a raging storm of emotions. Anger, joy, sadness, and an impossible-to-hide yearning were all swirling there.

"I will drag him out from you— Thank you, and sorry. Please take care of your body and heart until that day comes."

There was a genuine and attentive affection for Subaru in her words.

Sirius understood that he and Petelgeuse were different. But even understanding that, she was overwriting reality with a convenient delusion.

Swearing to be there to greet Petelgeuse, who was sleeping inside Subaru.

"A word of warning— Beware of Gluttony. Gourmet, Garbage, and even Gorging will surely try to steal you away."

"…Gluttony?"

"If you are eaten by them, no one will remember you. I would hate for that to happen. If you have the opportunity, please do kill Gluttony. They're a nuisance."

Still lying on the ground, she saw Subaru off with a smile twisted by tormented love.

To the very end, there was not a trace of mutual understanding or compatibility.

It was etched into his heart by that point that this was just how Archbishops were, though.

" "

And Sirius continued humming her twisted tune to the moment the door slammed shut behind them.

The rhythm was irregular, a vicious song that tormented the ears, as if making a mockery of the very concept of music.

—The monster continued humming her new discordant curse.

5

"How was it? All it did was put you in a nasty mood, right?"

Al shrugged as they walked out from their conversation with Sirius.

In truth, his warning had been spot-on. Just talking to her had drained Subaru terribly. But they had actually gotten something in return for their troubles.

"Don't assume we came out empty-handed. I'll have you know that we happened to learn something."

"Oh? You got something out of an Archbishop? Seriously?"

Al glanced over at Emilia and Beatrice in surprise. The two of them looked at each other, and Emilia nodded.

"Yes. It got kind of dangerous, so I was a tiny bit violent, though…"

"Ahh, so that was the big crash I heard… You didn't kill her, right? I can't say I really care, but I can't guarantee the princess wouldn't mind."

"I could care less about Priscilla's mood, but we didn't kill her. Just prisoner abuse. We had a reason, though."

Subaru followed up with an iffy response while Emilia looked sincerely upset about it.

Subaru didn't know the standards for handling prisoners in this world, but it was true that Emilia had sent Sirius flying while she was tied to a chair. And they had left her there lying on the floor, which was probably considered mistreatment, too.

"Either way, if it just ended with a bad mood, then that's the best you can hope for. You might just be on the same wavelength as them, Bro."

"Don't say something like that… I'm content to be on the same wavelength as Beako. Ain't that right?"

Shaking his head at Al's terrifying comment, Subaru patted Beatrice's head. Naturally, he was expecting a spirited response from her, but— "Beako?"

"…Subaru, we've done enough here. Let's go."

—Beatrice tugged at his sleeve with a wooden look on her face. Subaru was suspicious of that response, but he nodded.

"Then let's head back and meet up with everyone else. What are you going to do, Al?"

"I'll pass. Someone's gotta watch the Archbishop, right? Not like anything revolutionary is gonna come from me being part of the conversation, so I'll stick with my faithful-servant shtick."

Al sat down in a relaxed, cross-legged position. Looking at him, Emilia clenched her fists in front of her.

"In that case, be careful, Al. It's a reeeally important job, so thank you for taking care of it."

"Yeah, yeah, I'll do my best— I'm glad you made it out okay, missy." With that last exchange, they left Al to watch Sirius's jail.

Once they left the passage and could no longer see Al—

"So what was that about, Beako? It looks like you really hate Al."

"…It's not really anything of the sort. Just your misunderstanding, I suppose."

"No, you're not going to get away with just that. I'm not Emilia-tan."

"Huh? What does that mean?"

Still holding his hand, Beatrice looked away, feigning ignorance while Emilia cocked her head at Subaru's follow-up.

"Did something happen between you and Al? …Did he have something to do with you waking up?"

"…Always at the worst moments. A perceptive girl really is a dangerous thing."

"Which means she's right? Did Al do something that helped you get moving again, Beako?"

With a bitter expression on her face, Beatrice was forced to nod at their question. Then she felt around in her cloak and pulled something out to show them.

"That's…"

"The crystals that we came here to find—he brought them."

She held a special, faintly glimmering crystal atop her small hand—the very thing that was the reason why they had come to Pristella in the first place.

It was supposed to be the property of Kiritaka Muse and stored at his company, but with the building destroyed, it was going to be difficult to recover it.

"But Al dug them up instead? How?"

"—Betty doesn't know. And was told not to ask as well."

"Told? By Al? He said not to ask him about it with a pretty please on top?"

"I doubt it was that cute of an ask… He's getting harder and harder to understand."

Emilia's thoughts were fairly positive, but Subaru's doubts were focused on how inscrutable Al's actions had been throughout everything that had happened— Honestly, Al's actions behind the scenes in Pristella had gone too far.

I'm going to have to be on guard around him if the shady stuff keeps up

—

"But I don't think Al is a bad person."

With a finger on her lip, Emilia shattered the tension that Subaru and Beatrice were feeling. Beatrice gurgled in frustration.

"Saying something like that without any evidence is too much. There's no denying the fact that he woke Betty up with a crystal and has done all sorts of suspicious things…"

"But thanks to that, you were able to wake up, and Otto and Felt were saved, right? And he even found the crystals that we absolutely needed."

"Mghhh. I suppose."

Beatrice's response dropped off, overwhelmed by Emilia's unshakable belief in people's fundamental goodness. And in truth, her theory was persuasive in its own way.

Al's actions were undeniably shady. But Subaru could not sense any hostility toward them, either.

In fact, his choices had worked in their favor throughout. There was no doubt that he was one of the key people who had contributed a great deal in the battle for Pristella.

"We have to confirm with Kiritaka about this crystal later. Then we can discuss negotiations again and get him to trade it to us."

"…Even though he would never know if we just took it."

Beatrice muttered at Emilia's line of thought but did not voice a strong objection. In that sense, they were both fundamentally good, trusting people. It was a heartwarming sort of scene.

Either way, though, they put dealing with Al on hold and decided to negotiate directly with Kiritaka regarding the crystals. With that settled, they returned to the shelter.

Subaru reprioritized confirming the safety of all their comrades, which had been his original goal.

" "

Looking around, Subaru noticed someone who stood out in the shelter.

There were many people running in and out of the shelter-turned-fieldhospital and residents rushing around to find their family and friends now that the menace had finally passed.

—And in the midst of all that commotion, the Sword Devil's melancholy aura stood out like a sore thumb.

"Subaru."

"Sorry, Emilia. Can you let me go alone for a little bit?"

Emilia's concerned tone was proof that she had noticed the same thing Subaru had. Nodding to her, he let go of Beatrice's hand and headed over.

The Sword Devil seemed cut off from the world around him and difficult to approach.

And—

"—Sir Subaru?"

"…Wilhelm."

While Subaru hesitated, unsure what to say, Wilhelm noticed him walking over. Looking into the blue eyes that turned to him, seeing the stillness in them, Subaru could guess the answer to the question he had wanted to ask.

Wilhelm was covered in wounds, signs of a genuine battle to the death.

His coat removed, visible cuts covered his entire body, and the white hair he normally kept tied back was undone, spread across his back. And the deepest wound, the hole in his leg, would clearly have been life-threatening without treatment.

But what stood out even more to Subaru was not the wounds. It was the coat at his side that seemed to be wrapped around something.

"Wilhelm, is that…?"

He could not help himself trying to confirm what was being so preciously kept in that neatly folded coat.

Wilhelm turned his gaze to the coat. He was silent. Five, and then ten seconds passed.

"…As you surmised, it is my wife."

"—Ah."

It was the expected response, but Subaru was still at a loss for words.

Averting his eyes, Wilhelm continued in a hoarse voice.

"The corpse became ash. I felt it too pitiful to simply leave it exposed to the wind like that. It is shameful, but I wrapped the ashes in my coat and brought them back… Even if it is only ashes, I wanted to lay her to rest in her family's grave and have a proper memorial for her."

The corpse had been animated in violation of the natural order. The cruelty of that fate had to be difficult to bear. Considering the feelings of those she left behind, considering Wilhelm's feelings, Subaru could not begin to imagine how terrible that blow must have been.

"Apologies. It is a terribly meaningless and temperamental fixation."

"—Wha?! That's not true at all!"

Subaru suddenly raised his voice when he heard the self-reproach in Wilhelm's voice. He could feel himself getting heated as he looked straight at Wilhelm, who was slightly taken aback by the impassioned response.

"I didn't think you were wrong back with the White Whale, and I don't think you're wrong now. I respect you and think you're an amazing person, Wilhelm. There is nothing wrong with caring about the people who are most precious to you. It isn't anything to be ashamed of, and I think shame is the wrong way to think of it."

"Sir Subaru…"

"You are outstanding. There's nothing wrong with wanting to give your wife a proper burial and memorial service. I can't really explain it well, but you're a good person."

That was how Subaru felt from the bottom of his heart.

He had thought it before during the battle with the White Whale, and again during this sad reunion. Fate had been terribly hard on Wilhelm. But even so, the Sword Devil had resisted fate, persisting in his love until he finally achieved what he set out to do.

It was true that not everything had turned out wonderfully. He would probably be plagued by feelings of regret and remorse for the rest of his life. But he had still done the right thing in Subaru's eyes.

Wilhelm had loved his wife with every fiber of his being. Nothing was wrong with that.

"It's not disgraceful at all. Please give her a proper memorial. And if the opportunity arises and it isn't a nuisance, please let me also pay my respects at her grave."

" "

"I would like to do that. I believe she deserves at least that much."

Subaru was chagrined at the awkward and emotional idea that just rolled off his tongue. He had no real connection to her, and Wilhelm would have been well within his rights to reject him then and there for such a selfish request.

But Wilhelm's expression suddenly softened. There was a small opening in the tension and strain that gripped his face.

And—

"…Yes, please do, Sir Subaru. I would also like for you to say something to my wife. If it were you…"

"—Ngh, y-yes, sir! It would be an honor."

He had been forgiven for his outburst, which was probably most attributable to Wilhelm's generosity.

After hearing Subaru's unreasonable request, Wilhelm exhaled slightly. Guessing from his face that he did not wish to talk about it any further, Subaru lowered his head.

It would be better to leave him alone with his wife for a little while.

But before he could go, there was one last thing he felt he should confirm. "Umm—were you able to…?"

Had he been able to find some closure? Was there any chance it had all ended terribly?

Of course, it wasn't as if Wilhelm had ever once wished for something like a reunion with his wife after she'd been turned into a corpse soldier.

But even so, a proper conclusion could only come at Wilhelm's hands.

"My wife…"

Wilhelm fell silent for a moment. Looking away slightly, Wilhelm let his gaze fall to the coat holding his wife's ashes.

For a moment, there was a tremendous swell of emotions swirling in his blue eyes—

"…Yes, I was able to speak with her to my heart's content and shared a final farewell."

Subaru was sure he meant that metaphorically.

Wilhelm's wife was the previous Sword Saint. Crossing blades with her was undoubtedly the ultimate form of conversation to the Sword Devil, and the decisive blow would be the final farewell.

So Wilhelm had no doubt said everything he wanted to say in those last moments.

"I love my wife. I am sure I conveyed that to her." Quietly, Wilhelm confessed his love.

There was an intensity in those soft words that made Subaru's heart burn.

Exhaling deeply, Subaru got a grip over his torrent of emotions and nodded.

Subaru smiled, feeling a sense of relief from seeing Wilhelm like that, a faint smile on his lips.

"Thank you for everything."

" "

"I'm sure things will get busy again soon, but for now, please take your time resting. I'll see you later."

Getting the sense that he was acting awfully high-and-mighty, Subaru sped up toward the end, embarrassed that he was speaking out of turn. Scratching his cheek, he turned away from Wilhelm, feeling awkward.

"Sir Subaru."

"Yes, Wilhelm?"

Subaru turned back around, looking a little puzzled. Wilhelm seemed a little surprised himself and then shook his head.

"No, my apologies. It was a trivial matter; please pay it no heed."

"—? Oookay. Um, right then, I'll see you later."

Subaru felt a little strange at the response, which was out of character for Wilhelm, as he walked away.

Emilia and Beatrice looked relieved when they saw Subaru return. That was probably just how different his face had looked when he went over versus coming back.

He had already known the truth of it—a reunion with someone who had passed away was not necessarily a happy thing.

But even so, at least Wilhelm had found closure at his own hands and could accept the result.

It was a trivial thing, but he also felt like it could also be a saving grace.

" "

The Sword Devil's eyes narrowed as he watched the black-haired boy walk away.

His lips were tightly pursed, as if desperately holding something in.

It was the collapse of the facade he'd constructed with a stubborn will in order to hide his true feelings. An intense emotion that threatened to make him bite down hard on his lips if he let his guard down.

What had allowed him to hide what he was feeling from that boy was surely— "—Sir Subaru."

It was a hoarse whisper, barely audible.

"If you would, please, my—"

Having said that much, the Sword Devil closed his eyes, cutting off his weak heart.

The words that went unspoken were words that none should hear.

And they were especially not words to be spoken by the Sword Devil.

—The Sword Devil would never allow himself that.

6

"Was he all right?"

"Yeah, he should be okay. The physical wounds aside…it looks like he was able to take care of his emotional wounds himself."

"I see… It's stating the obvious, but he really is strong."

Emilia's purple eyes turned to the corner of the shelter where Wilhelm was standing. Subaru didn't make the tactless mistake of looking back, but he nodded repeatedly at her statement.

Wilhelm was strong. He was awe-inspiring. As a fellow man, Subaru had nothing but respect for him.

Watching Subaru as he thought that, Emilia put her hand to her lips and giggled.

"When it comes to Wilhelm, you always get reeeally serious. It's almost like you're smitten with him."

"You know, no one really says that anymore…"

He played it off like normal, but he understood what Emilia wanted to say. Subaru had noticed it about himself as well.

"He's special. I can honestly respect him. And I'm happy to just do that."

"Mm, I think that's reeeally great. I'm sure it is a good thing for him, too."

"Huh? I doubt it…but still, when I get older and turn into an elegant old man, I hope I have the same sort of dignified presence he does." "Yes, yes, I get it. You don't have to get so bashful about it."

Subaru couldn't say for himself whether that was a joke to hide his embarrassment or not, but either way, it made Emilia smile. And that smile was cute enough to help Subaru set aside the vaguely gloomy feelings hanging over his heart.

Those feelings were the kind that didn't need to be put into words.

"Betty thinks a beard like that wouldn't suit you at all."

"I don't think that was really what we were talking about! But okay, I understand. I'll hold off on a beard until you think it'll look good on me."

"Well, we will just have to wait and see if that time ever comes. Without at least Puckie's level of talent, it might not be possible to maintain both charm and fur. You will have to do your best."

"Aye, aye."

Both Emilia's natural response and Beatrice's concern helped Subaru cheer up. Feeling blessed to have them by his side, Subaru took a long, deep breath and looked ahead.

" "

Like before, there was still a large number of people coming and going, and there were joyous reunions aplenty.

He could hear the music and cheers from outside the shelter as Liliana's performance continued. She was surely driven by her own belief in the power of music to encourage people.

Of course, the city had been struck by a terrible disaster.

Both Liliana's feelings and Subaru's happiness at the scene before him were maybe just their own little efforts at finding a silver lining.

But even so, there was meaning in going through the motions. Both the joy and the grief people felt were real.

The reason for everything they had done was all around them in that moment— "—Hmm?"

Just as he was thinking that, Subaru noticed a figure peeking in the entrance of the shelter.

Someone who was tall and slender, wearing nice white clothes. There was no mistaking that disgustingly handsome face and that alluringly lustrous purple hair.

Julius. One of the people he had been wanting to check on had shown his face.

"Hey! Jul—"

"—Ngh."

He raised his hand to wave and call out, but as he started to say something, Julius immediately spun and fled the shelter. "Huh?"

Subaru stared in shock at Julius's unexpected reaction.

Julius had reacted with sarcasm and snide remarks before, but he had never straight up ignored Subaru.

He had not been worried about him, of course. But there was something wrong with that response.

"Subaru? What is it?"

"That jerk Julius just ignored me. Give me a sec, I'm gonna go catch him!"

"Eh?"

There was a bubbling anger in his voice as Subaru left Emilia behind and chased after Julius.

Running through the bustle of the shelter, he gave chase as Julius tried to disappear into the street. It was almost as if he was trying to avoid being seen. What was going on?

"Hey, you asshole! What are you doing hanging back here when everyone's busy?! People'll worry if you don't at least show your face!

That's just common sense."

" "

Turning the corner into an empty alley, Julius stopped. Only moving his head, he looked at Subaru, who shouted angrily at him.

Subaru felt something off about the knight's silent gaze, but Julius remained unchanged.

"…Apologies. I was looking for someone, but they do not appear to be here. I want to check the next shelter as soon as possible. If you'll excuse me."

That response sounded an awful lot like brushing off a stranger, so Subaru grabbed his shoulder before he could get away.

"Wait, wait, wait. What are you saying? You're looking for Anastasia, right? Everyone's back there. You just didn't notice them. This isn't like you at all."

"...…"

Julius jerked dramatically and his yellow eyes shot open as he spun in shock toward Subaru.

" "

Subaru gulped, seeing an expression he had never seen on Julius's face.

Shock—no, it wasn't just shock. It was grief. Desperation. A plea for some sort of support.

It was a feeling so utterly alien coming from Julius that it made Subaru's face tense up.

"…Subaru. You…remember me?"

"Wh-what do you mean? It's only been a couple hours, and Mr. Finest Knight Julius Juukulius is not that forgettable. What a dumb thing for you to ask about…"

Subaru shrugged and fired back with a sarcastic response. But partway through, he realized just how stupid he was being.

Julius's question was clearly strange. And if Subaru had stretched himself to just imagine a scenario that was only a single step removed from the worst-case scenario he had envisioned, he should have been able to notice it.

"Wait, di—?"

"Subaru! Don't go running off by yourself like that!"

Subaru shuddered as he looked at Julius, who suddenly seemed so unsteady on his feet.

Meanwhile, Emilia and Beatrice, who had chased after them, burst into the alley. Watching the two of them standing silently there, Emilia blinked in confusion.

"Ummm…you're busy, I guess?"

She noticed the strange mood and tension; her eyelashes trembled slightly. Judging from her reaction—especially the way she looked at Julius—Subaru had a sinking feeling.

Wanting to reject it, he pointed at Julius.

"…Yeah, sort of, but also not? Emilia-tan, Beako, umm…"

"—?"

Emilia and Beatrice had question marks hanging over their heads at Subaru's awkward response.

He had to ask the decisive question. The sort that couldn't be taken back or undone.

Julius had a look of resignation in his eyes as Subaru gazed at him and asked:

"I found Julius, so you don't mind if I bring him back to talk, right?"

"—Julius?"

Beatrice looked at Julius. Beside her, Emilia's beautiful purple eyes were filled with unease—

"Is Julius a friend of yours, Subaru?"

—and Subaru experienced an old nightmare once again.

CHAPTER 7

RIPPLES ON THE SURFACE

1

"First of all, on behalf of the city of Pristella, thank you all for your extraordinary efforts to protect our home. Words cannot express our gratitude."

As the representative of the city's administration, Kiritaka Muse bowed deeply.

Before him stood the royal candidates and their various followers who had participated in the defense of the city. All told, there were fifty-odd people gathered for the after-action report.

Of course, every group had a few empty seats, just like how Otto and Garfiel were absent from Emilia's side, too. But still, most of those involved had gathered.

Amid that illustrious gathering, the first to respond was Subaru.

"The gratitude is greatly appreciated, but you did well to make it out safely, Kiritaka. I heard that you were carried off when Sirius attacked the

Muse Company…"

"I was resolved to die there myself. In truth, if the Archbishop had intended to kill me, I would surely have been dead since long ago."

"Sirius didn't intend to kill you?"

Subaru wasn't the only one caught off guard by that. About half of the people in the room looked surprised. Waiting for the wave of murmurs to subside, Kiritaka nodded with a confused look on his face.

"My life itself is proof that she had no intention of killing me. Of course, it was also aided by the spirited fighting of my subordinates and Lady Anastasia's Iron Fangs, but…"

"But that's not enough to get away from an Archbishop."

"Indeed."

Kiritaka lowered his eyes in chagrin at Subaru's conclusion.

Subaru could understand that feeling of powerlessness painfully well. Self-reproach was like a poison that ate away at the heart.

"But why did Sirius let you live? If that was the case, she could have just not attacked…"

"It's because he was the last member of the Council of Ten left, right?" "Eh?"

Liliana, who had been behaving herself for once, answered Emilia's question. Realizing that she had drawn the attention of the room, Liliana waved her hands awkwardly.

"I mean, if all the members of the council died, then no one would know the location of the Witch's remnants, right? So they took him because they couldn't let him die…right, Lady Priscilla?"

"Fool. Do not bring me into this. And it is nothing more than supposition. I could not begin to know the machinations of those who, in addition to their imbecilic tendencies, are possessed of such mad frenzy."

"Eeeeeh?! You're going to kick the ladder down now?!"

Priscilla was fanning herself, obviously ignoring Liliana's gaze as she scanned the room with her crimson eyes before sighing languidly.

"Trying to understand the thoughts of those sorts is a waste of time. If you have time to waste on such meaningless reflection, then just think of a means of extracting the answer from the Archbishop herself."

"I can't say I don't get where you're coming from…" Anastasia put her hand to her cheek in response to Priscilla's extreme opinion. "…But if I'm bein' honest, I'm against keepin' that Archbishop alive. She's a scourge… It would be better to finish her off as soon as possible."

"—But then we won't have any clues left!"

Ferris reacted vehemently to Anastasia's proposal. It was a natural objection considering his position and the problems he needed to solve. Crusch was not present at the meeting because she was still suffering from the dragon's blood curse that Lust had inflicted upon her. Sirius was the only potential clue they had left for how to undo that curse.

"I feel bad for Duchess Karsten, but I can't imagine any reason why Wrath would know anything about Lust. It's a fool's errand."

"That's just a guess! Don't act like it's a given!"

Ferris raised his voice as he rejected Anastasia's conclusion. It was just an emotional argument by Ferris, but Anastasia recognized it was a difficultto-accept proposition, so she did not try to argue it.

"May I?"

As the mood continued to fray, Subaru raised his hand.

"I don't think trying to learn something from Wrath is necessarily doomed to fail. But I also understand the concern about what might happen if we try to keep her alive."

"Spare me the balancing act! Whose side are you on, Subaru?!"

"I don't think this needs to be that heated of a debate. If worse comes to worst, I don't mind taking every bit of the black mess that's hurting Lady Crusch if I can just absorb it all."

"…Hah…"

Ferris was dumbfounded by the extreme proposal of dealing with Crusch's affliction that Subaru had just suggested. Meanwhile, several other people were looking at Subaru in shock, too…

"Subaru." Emilia glared at him. "That is absolutely the last resort. You have to take better care of yourself…"

"It's not like I particularly want a nasty-looking tattoo. But Crusch is a lady and we know that I can at least lessen her pain."

" "

"What I'm trying to say is, we don't have to rush to a conclusion one way or the other because of Lady Crusch. I can understand the anxiety, but if push comes to shove, we can use my back or butt or whatever to help her. That's all."

As long as there was something that he could do, Subaru didn't want to just sit back and watch. More importantly, he respected Crusch and owed her a great deal. If at all possible, he wanted to help her any way he could. If lessening her burden meant pulling that strange contagion into his own body, then that would be a small price to pay.

"Ferris, sit down. For the moment, Sir Subaru is correct."

"…I know… I know…"

Touching Ferris' shoulder, Wilhelm bade him to stay calm. Ferris's eyes were damp, and he looked like he was about to say something to Subaru, but in the end, he sat down without another word.

Either way, the tension had slackened a little, but the situation itself had not actually changed.

"We still don't have any consensus on how we should handle the Archbishop, though—and it's all thanks to the last person I would have

expected to capture a cultist alive strollin' back with one in tow."

Anastasia turned her gaze once again to Priscilla. Priscilla paid her no heed, pulling her fan from her bosom and using it to cover her sneering lips.

"You think her life or death is my responsibility? Do not make me laugh, she-fox. It was some plebian searching for the songstress who recovered her from the waterway where I sank her. It was no concern of mine."

"In that case, why isn't she already dead?"

"You have gravely misunderstood. I swung my sword with the intention of killing her. However, if she nonetheless failed to die, that means her not dying by my hand is to my benefit, and so I simply refrained from attempting to kill her a second time."

"…Haaah, that juuust barely makes a twisted sort of sense."

Anastasia gave up trying to argue with Priscilla's pet theory of how the world worked. Priscilla's logic was difficult for anyone else to understand. It was doubtful whether even those closest to her like Al or Schult fully understood it.

Meanwhile, there was a difference of opinions within another faction.

"With your permission, I am against executing Wrath. There is, of course, the issue regarding Lady Crusch, but this is also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the kingdom as well—a chance to interrogate her and learn more about the Witch Cult."

"…I say just kill her already. Those guys are pieces of shit. I don't think you can talk to them, and there's probably nothing lost killing them before they can try anything."

"Lady Felt…"

"I'll be clear, this ain't the usual arguin' just 'cause I don't like you tellin' me what to do."

Reinhard and Felt were not in agreement on how to handle Wrath. Felt tended to disagree with Reinhard no matter what he said, but this time, it was not simple rebelliousness. Felt's instincts were telling her not to let Wrath live.

"Nonetheless, custody of the Archbishop should be entrusted to the kingdom. She should be quickly transported to the capital and handed over to the Knights of the Royal Guard."

"Sure, but that's pretty darn dangerous, too, right? This is an Archbishop. We have no clue what she might try to pull."

"If that is your concern, then I will personally escort Wrath to the capital myself. In the unlikely event that the Archbishop attempts something, I should be the best suited for dealing with it."

"I won't deny that, but what about Felt? Your camp has some people injured, right? Would the two of you split up, or…?"

"—If Reinhard's goin', then I'm goin', too. There's no helping it this time."

It was none other than Reinhard who looked the most surprised by Felt's statement. He probably expected to be left hanging since he had disagreed with his lady.

Looking up at him, Felt gave him a full-faced frown.

"Don't get the wrong idea, dumbass. I ain't agreein' with you, but I can't leave you alone like this."

'You can't…leave me alone?"

"If you don't get it, try asking your heart. 'Cause mine sure ain't soft enough to answer."

Thrusting out her relatively underdeveloped chest, Felt stuck out her tongue at Reinhard. Blinking at her reaction, Reinhard ended up nodding nervously.

No one besides the two of them could understand the true meaning behind that exchange, but it looked to Subaru like Felt's decision was a bit of a relief for Reinhard.

"…Very well. Then what of Lachins, Camberley, and Gaston?"

"Lachins and Gaston are injured, and Camberley's down in the dumps after getting tricked by your dad, so just have him go back to our place and look after the two of them for now."

Reinhard nodded respectfully as Felt quickly hammered out the plan for her crew.

"It's decided, then." Felt clapped her hands. "Me and Reinhard'll drag the

Archbishop to the capital. No complaints, right, cat-ears? Red lady?"

Ferris reluctantly nodded, and Priscilla leisurely ignored the confirmation, not registering herself as "red lady."

Either way, having Reinhard oversee the transfer made Sirius a lot less concerning. All that remained to be seen was if a specialist at the capital could get some more useful information out of that monster.

"As the representative of the city, do you have any objections, Mr.

Kiritaka?"

"None. I may be the city's representative, but an Archbishop is beyond my pay grade. If the capital and the royal guard will take her off our hands, then that seems to be the ideal solution."

The matter of Sirius had been settled. And with that, Kiritaka continued:

"However, we still have other troubling issues at hand. The victims of the

Witch Cult around the city…"

"The fly-people and the nameless—the victims of Lust and Gluttony."

Anastasia picked up where Kiritaka's melancholic words trailed off. Everyone in the room fell silent.

The flies and the nameless—they were the thorniest issues that had to be dealt with.

For simplicity's sake, all of Lust's victims were being referred to as

"flies," but…

"It's not just flies; many have been transformed into other creatures as well. There's too many to list…"

"That terrible woman's handiwork. They've all been transformed in grotesque ways."

There was a hideous reality lying beyond Kiritaka's muddied words.

Every survivor inside the government building had been transformed by Lust's malice. One into a black dragon, dozens into flies. And there was no telling how many more were still out there around the city.

"Ferris, healing magic isn't going to do anything for those who are affected, right?"

"…Yes, that's right. Even I can't heal them. It's not even really a question of healing. They were reconstructed into entirely different creatures. Healing can fix wounds and deal with sickness. But it can't do anything about transformation… Sorry."

Ferris responded apologetically to Reinhard's question, an awful grief filling his eyes.

Just seeing him like that was gut-wrenching. It wasn't just Crusch's condition that was the cause. The events in Pristella had inflicted countless terrible wounds on Ferris's heart.

A sense of powerlessness could easily lead someone into despair. And despair was a fatal affliction.

It was the same for those people who had lost themselves—

"Those transformed into repulsive insects surely wish to die. If there is no plan for returning them to their previous forms, then the merciful decision is to grant them that wish."

"…Priscilla, that's…"

"Silence, commoner. Idealism backed by nothing more than words is of no value at all. What is needed is a plan of action to actually address the situation. If that cannot be provided, then I will grant them mercy by mine own hands."

Priscilla answered Subaru's reflexive response with a fierce gaze and an even fiercer opinion. But for once, he did not have an argument.

As much as it pained him, she was speaking the truth.

Words alone wouldn't change anything. And the person there most earnest about the victims of Lust's power was Priscilla, the person who had the resolve to dirty her own hands for their sake.

So—

"—Please wait. Can you leave this problem to me?"

"Lady Emilia?"

All eyes turned to Emilia, who raised her hand as she interrupted the conversation.

"Ha," Priscilla snorted provocatively as she wrapped her arms under her voluptuous bosom. "Interesting. And what does the likes of a half-demon have to propose? Can your answer satisfy me?"

"I don't know whether it will satisfy you. And I don't have a method that can resolve the problem immediately."

"Hmph, then what will you do? Some of your patented whining? Do you think that can save those people who are at this very moment suffering? Do you think their hearts can endure for as long as you need to find some answer?"

Priscilla firmly stood her ground that it was a problem of time.

How damaging was it to be physically transformed into something strange and alien?

Honestly, Subaru, who had experienced death many times, could still not begin to imagine the fear and despair those people were feeling. But he could understand the logic that the longer they spent like that, the more their spirits would die.

"Therefore, I will grant them mercy before that happens. So then what is your proposal?"

"—I believe I can buy the time needed to search for a method for them to be restored."

"What?"

"I can put the people who have been transformed to sleep in ice. I just did it a little while ago, so I believe I can do it for them as well… No, I know I can do it! Please let me take care of this."

" "

Emilia stood up, looking not just at Priscilla, but around the room.

While everyone looked stunned at her proposal, Subaru snapped his fingers.

"Right! Cryonic storage! We can buy some time with that!"

"Put them to sleep? In ice…? Is that possible? Aren't they just going to freeze to death?"

"It's okay! I slept for around a hundred years in ice myself before!"

"A hundred years…?!"

Emilia's proud statement caused some unnecessary chaos. But the moment he heard her suggestion, the plan's merits dawned on Subaru almost instantly. And not only that, but she had also thought of a means of using her power in an affirmative way, which was a happy coincidence as far as Subaru was concerned.

It was true that it wasn't a true solution to the underlying problem, but it could buy them some time to search for a better answer. If nothing else, not having such an immediate time limit would allow them to come up with more possible plans.

"And…"

And in the worst case, Subaru could think of one possible solution. He could kill Capella and steal Lust's Witch Factor.

" "

Subaru currently possessed Sloth's and Greed's Witch Factors.

So if he was able to reproduce Lust's power like he could reproduce the effect of Invisible Providence, then he might be able to return those people to their original form.

Of course, it was still hypothetical since he had not even reproduced the effects of Greed's Witch Factor yet. But it was at least a possibility. The long shot was worth a try, if nothing else.

"What are you worrying about, Mr. Kiritaka? It's fine, isn't it? Let her try!"

"L-Liliana?"

While Subaru was lost in thought, the discussion had kept moving.

Kiritaka was pondering Emilia's proposition when Liliana slapped him on the back. She strummed her lyulyre rhythmically as she encouraged him.

"If Lady Emilia would go that far, then it is surely a proposal with a chance of success!"

"Of course, I would like to believe in it. But there are many lives riding on this topic. Without any other members of the council, I cannot come to a conclusion so simply…"

"You needn't worry! Lady Emilia will not fail! And why, you ask?! Because the great people whose names are destined to be left in history are those who overcome these very sorts of challenges! What obstacles?! This is how the tales that thrill and enchant everyone are made!"

The room was filled with music as the story-obsessed Liliana puffed her flat chest out with all her might.

It was truly nothing but baseless idealism, but there was an odd sort of persuasiveness to her pet theory. And it was apparently not just Subaru who felt that way, either, because Priscilla soon broke into a smile.

"That's quite the bold claim, songstress— On the off chance that your judgement is mistaken, what will you do? What if the outline of the story you love so much is wrong?"

"Then I shall offer up my own neck. Liliana is only as good as her word!"

Liliana responded without hesitation, truly uncowed in the face of Priscilla's question. Hearing that almost refreshingly boastful response, Priscilla nodded.

"Very well, then. I shall forgive your warbling and stay my merciful hand.

In exchange…"

"Please leave it to me— I will take care of it."

It was far removed from self-confidence or assurance, but Emilia clenched her fists with strong resolve.

"Hmph," Priscilla snorted. "Do so if you can— Prove yourself worthy to be my opponent."

Priscilla brought the topic to a close with those powerful words.

2

The issue of Lust's victims had been settled. The fact that this was not enough to take care of everything, though, spoke to what a terrible situation the city was facing.

The remaining big problem was just as difficult, if not more so.

"Moving on to the nameless victims who have been found so far…it is believed that they are the work of Gluttony."

That pathetically vague statement alone was proof of just how fiendish Gluttony's power was.

Several nameless victims had been found around the city after the battle concluded.

The reason they were referenced so vaguely was because there was no one who could confirm their identities. The victims of Gluttony had their names and very existences erased from the memories of everyone who knew them. In addition, they generally had no knowledge of themselves, either, so there was not a single clue about who they really were.

There were certain conditions—uniforms, surroundings, and the like— that could be used to guess at a basic identity, but that was all they had to go on.

"Gluttony's strength and the general lack of information was our downfall. And because of that, there are victims around the whole city…"

The multiple confirmed Archbishops of Gluttony—because of that missing information, the groups that fought Gluttony suffered terrible losses, and there were many more victims than expected as a result.

One of the worst off being the big beast man sitting cross-legged next to

Anastasia—

" "

"Don't gimme that pathetic face, Bro. I screwed the pooch, but I'm still alive. Considering what happened, it's a miracle one arm was all it cost me." Noticing Subaru's lingering gaze, Ricardo waved the stub of his right arm.

The bandage was soaked in blood. It had been one of the Gluttonies who had taken it. Ricardo had managed to dislodge the enemy from the control tower according to plan, but he had returned missing an arm.

They had been unable to recover his severed arm, and healing magic could not regrow a missing limb.

He had suffered the grievous wound protecting a comrade in the middle of the fighting, which was undeniably the sort of thing that Ricardo would do.

Even if Ricardo himself could not remember the fact that he had done so.

And Subaru accidentally tormented a certain knight by glancing at him.

"I have something important to discuss with everyone— Is there anyone who recognizes the guy next to me?"

" "

Silence filled the room.

The silence was not because of confusion at the question. It was because every one of them guessed what he was getting at and looked at the unknown man standing next to Subaru.

And the prevailing silence was answer enough to the question.

"Is there really no one? Anyone with even an inkling of familiarity…"

"That's enough, Subaru. Just leave it be."

The knight himself stopped Subaru, who could not bear that there wasn't any answer at all.

The handsome man wore a grim, lonesome smile as he shook his head. It was a familiar face to Subaru, but there was no one else in the room who remembered him. It was something the knight had already learned painfully well when he first reunited with everyone.

The reason why Subaru had called him to this meeting anyway was because his ability to remember Julius was an outlier, and he hoped that the people who were closest to the knight might have a different reaction.

But—

" "

—the heavy shroud of silence told the story painfully well.

No one remembered Julius Juukulius, the Finest Knight.

His existence had been wiped from the memories of everyone in the world.

"But he's also different from the other victims of Gluttony."

Gritting his teeth, Subaru pointed to Julius as he looked around the room. Again, Subaru was the exception to the rule and able to remember the victims of Gluttony. However, that was not the only thing that made Julius different.

"He is Julius. Julius Juukulius. I'm sure you can guess as much, but he is one of the nameless victims of Gluttony. But he is still conscious."

Previously, every victim of Gluttony had either their own memories eaten, like Crusch, or had their names and memories eaten, like Rem.

However, Julius only had his name eaten, making him a different sort of victim.

"So he's an exception? Forgotten by everyone, but he can remember himself… Was he connected to some of us here?" Ferris looked at Julius with surprise.

"It would appear so." Reinhard nodded. "From the looks of it, he…Julius is a knight of considerable ability. I'm sure Ferris and I were at least acquainted with him. Quite possibly, we were closer. Friends, even."

"…At the very least, I counted the two of you among my friends."

Reinhard and Ferris looked troubled at being called a friend by someone they couldn't recognize. And it was painful to look at Julius, who accepted with sad resignation that their reaction was understandable.

Subaru didn't know when the three of them first met. He had never heard any details about how their friendship had grown, how they had come to be more than mere colleagues.

But they had certainly been friends. There had been a clear bond between them.

And now there was no trace of it to be seen.

"…Damn it…"

When Rem had her name stolen and no one remembered her, Subaru had thought there was nothing sadder than that. But Julius was there to experience it. To be left behind by the world, all alone.

Suffering was not something meant to be compared. But what Julius was going through qualified as a heartrending tragedy.

"…It's not just two friends, either."

Anastasia suddenly spoke up, having watched the friends' heartbreaking first meeting.

There was a gentle thoughtfulness in her gaze as she touched the scarf around her neck. Caressing the white fox fur, she glanced over at Ricardo.

"It was Mr. Julius there who brought Ricardo back here when he was wounded. I wondered a bit when he just up and disappeared right after, but… that's what it was, right?"

"Lady Anastasia…"

The memory of being treated like a stranger by the master he had sworn to serve with his sword and the impossible second first-encounter between lady and knight… There was an intense devotion in Julius' voice.

Hearing that, Anastasia caught her breath.

"—Everyone, I've got a proposition."

With Julius's eyes on her, Anastasia turned her focus back to the subject at large.

"A proposition?" Kiritaka responded. "What sort of proposition might it be, given this development?"

"Everyone's got the same broad problem, right? The people transformed by Lust and the people made nameless by Gluttony. But the Archbishops are gone without a trace, and I doubt they'll just fess up and tell us how to fix things. We're stuck."

"What is the point of bringing that up now…?" Ferris winced.

"The reason she's bringing it up is because she's thought of something, right?"

Emilia cocked her head toward Anastasia.

"That's right." Anastasia shrugged. "There's no point askin' those nasty Archbishops. In which case, why not just ask someone else who might know the answer?"

"Someone else who might know…like someone who knows a lottt of stuff?"

"Yeah, exactly. There's someone who fits that description perfectly in this country. Someone who knows a lottt of stuff."

"…You don't mean…"

Anastasia's leading statement drew a hoarse murmur from somewhere in the room.

However, unlike everyone else, Subaru had no idea what she was implying.

If there was someone who knew how to undo the powers of the Archbishops—

"Oy, I dunno what you're talking about, but quit mincing words and spit it

out already."

Felt, who had the same level of understanding as Subaru, glared at Anastasia.

"Sorry, sorry." Anastasia grimaced. "Shaura, the Sage."

"Huh?"

Felt cocked her head, scrunching her face up in thought. Subaru was furrowing his brow with the same confusion.

"In the Kingdom of Lugunica," Julius interjected, "there were once three great champions who achieved a great feat. The Sword Saint, the Dragon

Lord, and the Sage. They became known as the three heroes."

"The three heroes…"

"Right. And one of them is the Sage, Shaura. The keeper of knowledge who foresees all that will come to pass in this world."

Continuing off Julius's explanation, Anastasia softened her expression into a smile.

Anastasia looked around the room with her pale blue-green eyes.

"The Pleiades Watchtower across the Auguria Dunes at the far eastern edge of Lugunica. The legendary Sage in seclusion there might just know the answers we are trying to find."

3

"Put bluntly, I'm against it."

"…Well, I had a feeling you would be."

Subaru laughed wryly as he scratched his cheek at Otto's forceful rejection.

Otto's battered legs were still painful to look at, but he had been moved from the shelter to a proper hospital, where he was receiving attentive treatment befitting someone who had worked so hard to resolve the crisis that gripped the city.

Those were his first words after hearing what was discussed at the meeting he had missed. And it was the reaction Subaru had expected.

Because Otto Suwen knew Subaru Natsuki well.

Most people seemed to overrate him, but Beatrice, Otto, and maybe

Patlash were the only ones who really had a solid evaluation of him.

Possibly Ferris, too, though he was not really in a position to notice much given the issue with Crusch.

So Subaru knew all along that Otto would be against it.

"But since you know me that well, you should know my answer, too."

"…Lady Emilia aside, didn't Beatrice get upset, too?" "My Beako is cute even when she's miffed." Otto put his hand on his forehead in exasperation.

Subaru glanced at his legs.

"So your legs are going to be out of commission for a while, yeah?"

"It will be difficult given the state of things in Pristella. There are too many casualties, so the healers need to triage everyone. Mr. Kiritaka is apparently working to gather every healer he can find from neighboring cities, but…"

"But when your legs get this bad, only top-tier healers can really do anything?"

"And Ferris has his hands full caring for Lady Crusch."

Ferris was entirely out of the question given how precarious Crusch's situation was. And all the other healers were busy trying to treat a city's worth of patients.

"Meanwhile, our healing specialist is out running around the city and leaving his senior here in a sorry state."

Garfiel was not there. The healing specialist of Emilia's faction was using healing magic on Otto's legs at regular intervals, but he was spending the rest of his time helping rebuild the city. He was always a kindhearted kid, so it wasn't particularly strange seeing him running around aiding people in need, but—

"There's probably another reason why. As long as he doesn't push himself too hard, I think it's fine."

"It's Garfiel; he'll bring it up himself before long once he's ready. And Mimi is with him. That should help rein him in a bit, too, so he doesn't go too hard."

"Despite how she seems, Mimi has a good grasp of what's going on around her. I guess that's an older sister for you."

"I think you mean, that's a woman for you. But either way—"

Otto's expression tensed, and Subaru straightened up as he met Otto's gaze.

"—we still have to retrieve the Tome of Wisdom from Master Darts. I'll have to remain in Pristella. But my stance on this plan is firm—even if my objection will ultimately be a waste of time."

"Don't be so prickly. It's not just you. Garfiel is going to stay to protect the city and help out with the recovery. I don't expect the cultists to attack again, but it is a possibility."

It would be just like them to fake a withdrawal only to come storming back like an extra-large, double-fried serving of evil.

Subaru was not the only one on guard against that, though. Everyone involved was being cautious. The cultists were just that dangerous, making everyone nervous whether they were there or not.

"However, it turns out we need more eyes to watch how things develop.

Once my legs mend, I will investigate a few things myself as well. So…" "Yeah, I know. Please do be careful, right?"

Subaru winked as he stole Otto's line. Otto sighed heavily and slowly lay back down in the bed.

"Sorry," Subaru added with a troubled smile. "I'll be goin' to meet this wise sage guy with the great merchant as a guide."

4

Subaru knocked on the door to be polite.

"—Come in."

There was a quiet response from inside. It was a familiar voice, but it was downcast, which rubbed Subaru the wrong way.

"Ah, it's you."

"Were you hoping for someone else?"

"It's an odd feeling, but seeing your face is quite the relief."

"Gah, bngh!"

Stepping into the room, Subaru literally gagged at the first thing Julius said.

Despite that, though, he was being considerate toward Julius in the way he shut the door behind him. Closing the door quietly was the least he could do for the people sleeping there.

"Though, it would be far easier if they actually woke up from the noise."

"If they could, would you reveal some great act and wake them up to a round of thunderous applause? That would be a valuable skill… I didn't know I could hate Gluttony more than I already did."

"Ha."

Turning away from that deflated laugh, Subaru looked around the room at all the people lying on simple beds. They were arranged in an orderly fashion, but it was by no means a peaceful scene.

They were not sleeping. These were the people who had been left behind — Forgotten from memories, walled off from everyday life, incomplete beings who were not dead, but not really alive, either.

"Julius, I know I'm one to talk, but you shouldn't just hide away in here."

" "

"It doesn't matter how much you stare; you aren't going to suddenly remember. It could be a beloved little sister…someone you thought of as

your other half, but you still wouldn't remember."

Subaru didn't attempt to offer any cheap consolation.

Julius was sitting on the corner of one of the beds closest to the wall. There was a grief he could not hide in his expression. His yellow eyes were locked onto the face of the person lying on the bed.

The slender boy with long purple hair—one of the ranks of the nameless who had fallen into a coma—was nowhere to be found in Julius's memories.

But he did know the boy's name.

"Joshua…Juukulius…"

"…Yeah…"

"It's a strange thing. From what you've said, there are more than enough commonalities to believe he really is my flesh-and-blood sibling, and yet I do not have even the slightest fragment of a memory of a younger brother."

Julius closed his eyes, not letting the pain he was feeling show on his face.

The only reason he knew that name and their relationship was because Subaru had told him.

Among the number of unconscious, unidentified victims of Gluttony's power—Joshua was the only one whom Subaru could identify. The other thirty plus victims were sleeping without anyone worrying about their fates.

Compared with that, Joshua was perhaps a lucky one, since he still had an older brother thinking about him.

Even if the older brother he had looked up to so much could not remember him. Even if it was just a hollow impression of sibling love. Forgotten, unremembered, all that remained was the fact of his loss. All that remained was pain— "…Damn it all…"

He should have known already. He had learned it already.

Every last one of the Archbishops was unforgivable, an accumulation of the worst possible malice. And there was none worse than Gluttony, who desecrated every life they touched, running roughshod over every being they encountered.

Gluttony's power was the worst and most loathsome ability in the world.

"They're breathing, though. They are undoubtedly alive. It's a mysterious thing."

"That's how it goes. But they don't eat, they don't go to the bathroom, they don't need to bathe. And they don't smile…"

"And they don't grieve being forgotten, either— That one point at least might be a blessing."

"A blessing…?"

Subaru raised his eyebrows at that. Julius looked at him, the edge of his lips faintly softening.

"If they don't realize they have been forgotten, they don't have to experience the anxiety and fear of being left behind. Having the bonds with people who were once so close forcibly severed…it hits rather hard."

" "

"Subaru, forgetting and being forgotten…which do you think is worse?"

Subaru's voice caught in his throat at that pointed question. Not because he didn't have an answer. The answer was obvious. What silenced him was not surprise, but anger. Rage at Julius sitting there with that cynical smile on his face. An unending torrent of wrath boiled up inside him.

"Like I would know. Get a grip and quit wallowing in self-pity."

"Subaru…?"

"They're both shitty, miserable fates! But what gives you the right to try to rank suffering?! Are you just gonna sulk in it forever?! Lookin' like you