Arc 10, Chapter 15 – "Together Unto Hell"
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――When the unfurling hellflame engulfed Natsuki Subaru, Beatrice had doubted her eyes.
Beatrice: [Why…!?]
The expansion of EMT was an illegal move that meddled with any Mana-based interferences that spawned within its field―― primarily, the composition of magic spells, into which it would forcibly insert the commands to cancel and disassemble. It was a form of cheat magic that, if born at an earlier time, would have undoubtedly been branded a forbidden art.
Of course, it was entirely possible for the mechanisms of EMT to be seen through and surmounted by formulating a technique that still functioned even when the composition of magic came unraveled. However, such a non-standard feat, akin to replacing a single part of a meticulously constructed Magicreation tool with something entirely different, yet still having it function all the same, would have been impossible if it were not either Roswaal or the Witch of Greed―― Mother.
Excluding such irregularities, it would have been impossible for anyone to invoke magic, whoever they may be.
That had been――,
Beatrice: [How in the world did you break through, in fact?]
???: [――. It's not anything quite so impressive as breaking through. I simply just racked my brains, and put my body on the line.]
Beatrice: [――――]
As the question left her lips, within Beatrice's sight as she narrowed her eyes, the one to respond, half-leaning against the wall as he propped himself up, had been Tiga Rauleon.
Amidst the tempestuous combat, the young man who ought to have been knocked out of commission after being kicked to the wall by the rampaging girl with the Dragon Eye―― Crusch, exhaled a long, weary breath. As Tiga gripped his beloved sword in one hand, he held his other hand over his side. ――In the vicinity of where he had placed his hand, the clothes around his abdomen were scorched; witnessing the carbonization of his skin, Beatrice shuddered.
That was not a wound he had sustained from Crusch's assault. Thus, that wound was precisely what had――,
Beatrice: […You, just what were you thinking, I suppose.]
Tiga: [I only did what was necessary, Miss Beatrice. This, the scriptures say. "Whilst the Dragon circles the heavens, people must till the fields. Those who let the time they hath been given fester in slumber, shall not tread upon even the Dragon's shadow when the season of harvest cometh"… or so it goes.]
Slowly shaking his head from side to side, Tiga recited a verse from the scriptures of the Church of the Divine Dragon, bearing a striking resemblance to Filóre. However, if he was trying to say that his thorough reading of scripture to the point of memorization substantiated the resolve behind his decision, Beatrice could not easily accept it.
The charred wound on Tiga's flank, was something brought about by the same flame that had engulfed Subaru and Crusch―― however, that flame had not scorched him externally, but from within.
The efficacy of EMT, was to dismantle the composition of magic being invoked within the field.
This condition of being inside the field, was something Tiga had forcibly overcome.
The method behind it was――,
Tiga: [――The magic invoked within my own body isn't affected by this forbidden art… It's not like I was entirely sure of it, but it seems like I was right.]
Beatrice: [――――]
Tiga: [I noticed it while fighting. I thought, "Huh, it seems like I can't use magic right now because of this, but my Flow Method is still working." And so――]
Beatrice: [Even so, neither slicing open your abdomen, nor using magic with the resolve to scorch your innards through that open wound, are easy choices to make, in fact… The only ones capable of performing such a feat, are humans whose hearts are enslaved to something far beyond a mere sense of duty, I suppose.]
Tiga: [Why, it feels sort of like you're calling me crazy, which is a little upsetting… I guess it's only natural.]
Even if his voice was heavy from exhaustion, Tiga's response in itself was matter-of-fact, causing Beatrice to feel an unpleasant chill in her non-existent liver.
Beatrice had only known Tiga for an exceedingly brief amount of time, just a day or two since they met at a chapel of the Church of the Divine Dragon. However, even in that short time, it was the truth that she had been fond of his good chemistry with Subaru, as well as the witty demeanor he displayed as they spoke.
She struggled to reconcile that initial impression of him with the Tiga now standing before her eyes. ――In particular, the mechanical decision that disregarded his own well-being in order to carry out the necessary task was a complete reversal from the impression she had held of him until now.
Just what had propelled him to go to such lengths?
An aberrant tenacity that far exceeded a mere sense of duty―― Beatrice knew of people who operated with such resolve. Tiga's tenacity, was of the same nature as Roswaal's.
Over four hundred years, he was a man who had derailed the fates of many, and yet even now still aspired to the state of a Warlock doing everything in his power to accomplish his objective. ――Was Tiga on his way to reaching the same place as Roswaal?
Tiga: [I just do what's necessary. ――So that I may reclaim my own life.]
To Beatrice's misgivings, Tiga quietly responded with a slight shrug of his shoulders. Then, he glanced deeper within the room, towards the rumbling blaze of the flames,
Tiga: [If you ask me, Miss Beatrice, I actually find your reaction to be the unexpected one, or rather, surprising. Honestly, I was also prepared for you to start firing magic at me. After all, I did what I did.]
Beatrice: […Is that to be taken as you saying it was not an error of judgment made while caught up in the moment, in fact?]
Tiga: [Yeah, there's no doubt about that. ――Duchess Crusch Karsten repeatedly failed to comply with my advice to surrender. I even gave her an ultimatum, and yet she cut it down and cast it away.]
Beatrice: [――――]
Tiga: [Having murdered Sir Miklotov, she even turned her blade against us; she wasn't sane. That's why I had to make the call on the spot, but doing so allowed me to thoroughly eliminate the threat… Is there anything I'm saying that's wrong?]
A stylish pretty-boy, with a mask of emotionlessness affixed over the handsome face that gave off such an impression, Tiga questioned Beatrice on the validity of his own actions.
Present there was not the face of a martyr seeking forgiveness in lament of his own deeds, but rather, that of an executioner detachedly ascertaining if he was truly responsible for the blood staining his hands.
Within Beatrice, her initial impression towards Tiga was already far beyond any hope of recovery.
Beatrice: [That which you say, is not incorrect, I suppose.]
Facing Tiga, Beatrice narrowed her round eyes and nodded.
In reality, that was so. Beatrice and the others had directly witnessed the tragedy of the McMahon manor, and in the chain of events following their confrontation against its perpetrator, Crusch, there had been no errors in Tiga's actions. To the maximum extent, he had acted in accordance with Subaru's intent, and had tried to help subdue Crusch, with the only one refusing that judgment altogether being unmistakably Crusch herself.
In order to defend himself from such a dangerous individual, Tiga did have the right to make a callous decision. Even if it was a decision that caused collateral damage to Subaru, with whom he had been fighting alongside, it was morally unacceptable to blame him for the matter without even asking for the reasons behind his judgment.
That was why――,
Beatrice: [Betty is not so obstinate as to selfishly blame you for that, in fact.]
Tiga: […I see. Then――]
Beatrice: [――However.]
Saying that, Beatrice cut off Tiga's words.
For a moment, what flashed through Tiga's yellow eyes was not surprise, but a hue of icy composure. Shoving her strong sentiment towards that into a corner of her head, Beatrice continued.
Tiga's conduct was justified, but even so――,
Beatrice: [――Betty will support the one who saved Subaru, I suppose.]
――That instant, the flames so scintillating they seemed to scorch any eyes directed towards them, were severed in twain from the opposite side.
???: [――――]
The flames, cut down with nary a sound, parted as they flickered, and standing calmly in the space opened between them, was the girl with the Dragon Eye―― having unleashed a knifehand strike with her right hand to split the flames, and carrying the unconscious Subaru in her left arm, was Crusch Karsten.
Crusch: [The heat… no, I cut the flow of power. So this is what is known as the "deadspot"?]
Touching the eyelid of her Dragon Eye with the right hand that had performed the strike, Crusch muttered as if having come to an understanding.
Shocked at the fact that she had cleared away that hellfire with a single swing of her arm, Beatrice ascertained the safety of Subaru in Crusch's arm, and felt an even greater sense of relief.
――In the immediate aftermath of Subaru being engulfed by the flames, the only reason Beatrice had been able to remain calm was because she had received no life-threatening reaction via the pathway that connected her to her Contractor.
Because of that fact, and due to what she had seen in the very final moments―― the fact that in order to protect Subaru from the incoming inferno, Crusch had pulled him down and jumped in front of the flames herself, Beatrice had decided on her stance.
That Beatrice, would support Crusch Karsten.
Beatrice: [At the very least, Betty will listen to what she has to say, in fact. The finer judgments can be made afterward, I suppose.]
Tiga: [――. I can't call that a wise decision, Miss Beatrice. You mustn't let the wool be pulled over your eyes just because your Contractor, Subaru, was saved. The Duchess is dangerous.]
Beatrice: [Don't treat Betty as a Spirit who neither thinks nor looks ahead, in fact. Ah, but if Betty were to be such a careless and indiscriminate Spirit, then it would of course be exceedingly natural to support that girl who saved Subaru, I suppose.]
Tiga: [Is this really the time for quibbling!? Before long, people will notice this fire and come rushing in. If you mess up on where you stand, it'll be too late even if you regret it later. What will happen to Subaru!?]
Beatrice: [As the person who attempted to scorch Subaru along with that girl, your words do not carry any weight whatsoever, in fact. However, just as you say, there does not seem to be much time, I suppose. That is why――]
With those words, Beatrice slowly raised up her right hand, to which Tiga held his breath.
The preparations for magic, it was not. It was the opposite. As Beatrice prepared to snap her fingers, Tiga sharpened his yellow eyes at her objective, and while pointing his shamshir at her,
Tiga: [Enough, give it up. I seriously won't be able to cover for you anymore.]
Beatrice: [In the past, Betty regrets having seen off a friend's final moments while only being able to pitifully cry, in fact. ――The same rut shall not entrap me twice, I suppose.]
Even if it was a situation where troubles inundated them like billowing waves, so long as she was permitted to do so, Beatrice would continue to forge her own path.
Never again would she cower before that which was precious to her, like when she had lost her friend while being able to do nothing but be pushed around by the waves.
For that purpose――,
Beatrice: [――Betty is siding with you here, in fact, Crusch Karsten!]
Snapping her fingers, Beatrice gave the cue, and released it. ――Released EMT.
That instant, the invisible field enveloping the office disappeared, a change that could have only been perceived minutely by those with keen senses.
And neither Tiga, nor the possessor of the Dragon Eye, were exceptions to that――,
Crusch: [――One Slash, One Hundred Felled.]
The explosive updraft that was unleashed quaked the McMahon residence, with the office as its epicenter.
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Beatrice: [――Afterwards, we shook off that man from our trail and ran to take refuge in the sewers, I suppose. It would have been preferable to run farther away, but we couldn't be excessive while Subaru was asleep, in fact.]
Nestled beside him and supporting his body, Beatrice's recount enabled Subaru to organize all the information in his disoriented mind, and he managed to mumble out an "I see…".
In all honesty, it was a pathetic showing for him to have been the only one to let his consciousness drop out amidst all that had occurred. But, even such self-chastising thoughts had to be set aside for later.
Subaru: [First of all… Beako, it was a nice call from you to not separate from Crusch-san. If we'd parted ways in that situation, then I would've regretted it to no end.]
Beatrice: [Giving utmost forethought to your partner's feelings is only natural, I suppose. Betty was confident that Subaru would have done the same, in fact.]
Subaru: [Though from a third party's perspective it really does seem like an unreasonable choice, so I can't just say "That's right!" without reservations.]
The situation was what it was, but a wry smile escaped him at the sight of Beatrice's nonetheless smug expression.
However, what enabled him to relax his lips, even if just a bit, was solely this portion of the conversation. ―Peering at the burns on his arm, stinging with ache, Subaru bit his lip.
Subaru: [Tiga, of all people, did this…]
Beatrice: [Unmistakably, I suppose. Either what he said about not being able to use magic in the middle of the battle was a bluff, or possibly… mm-mm, it's nothing, in fact.]
Subaru: [What is it? Seems like it'd make me curious, so I'm curious now.]
Beatrice: [Merely thought it is not something worth scrutinizing for now, when there are so many problems on our plate, I suppose. Anyhow, that man used magic under the assumption that you would be caught in the crossfire, in fact. Betty's impression of him has taken a nosedive, I suppose.]
Subaru: […Well, you really love me, so I guess that makes sense.]
Subaru's innermost heart found itself interminably tangled at Beatrice's rage, her cheeks puffed and eyebrows raised.
Of course, he did not intend to turn a blind eye to the attack that could have very well killed him. He did not, but this was the escape route discovered on the critical brink of life or death after being overwhelmed by Crusch. That gamble Tiga had made amidst such a high-risk situation was not something he could so arbitrarily repudiate.
Thereupon, the eyes with which Beatrice gazed upon Subaru turned a shade more strict.
Beatrice: [Subaru? Don't say you're…]
Subaru: [No, I'm not gonna turn a blind eye to it. I do plan on getting a proper apology out of him for the pain of these burns. I won't concede on that no matter what. Isn't it obvious?]
Beatrice: [――――]
Subaru: [Huh? Why are your eyes looking even more fed up? Even though I'm saying I'll make him apologize!?]
At Beatrice's firm gaze upon hearing his answer, Subaru's discomfiture only deepened.
Mistakes had been made on both sides, and both simply perceived the other's faults to be slightly greater. But still, Subaru had intended to come out with a fairly resolute attitude.
Furthermore――,
Subaru: [At the very least, I think that a large part of the friction between us and Tiga stems from a level of disconnect. If we can talk it out with him properly somewhere, we'll be able to clear up those misunderstandings and――]
Crusch: [――Unfortunately, I do not intend to permit you to do that.]
Choosing his words carefully, Subaru attempted to somehow persuade Beatrice. However, the one to impose an intermission to Subaru's words was not Beatrice, her brows creased, but Crusch, who had been walking ahead of them.
Guiding the way through the somber sewers by the glow of the Lagmite ore lamp, she took a clear stance of objecting to Subaru and Beatrice's discussion―― explicitly demonstrating it in the form of pointing the tip of her unsheathed poniard towards Subaru.
Subaru: […C-Crusch-san?]
Crusch: [I shall not authorize any contact with Tiga Rauleon. Not only did I cross swords with him, but that man is one of the individuals spearheading our pursuers. If you were to heedlessly rendezvous with him, you would only be captured.]
Subaru: [That's… but… with the position Tiga's in, he's kinda got no choice, or rather, the situation being what it is, you know…]
Crusch: [――――]
Subaru: [――――]
Locking with only Crusch's amber right eye, her left concealed with an eyepatch, Subaru was at an incredible loss for his next words.
First the murders at the McMahon residence, and now her pointing her poniard at Subaru right here. ――Prudent caution was necessary to converse with Crusch as she was at this moment. Thus, if Subaru were to inadvertently provoke her with some incautious comment, this time he would surely stain her hand with his blood.
With that thought, their interlocked glares lasted momentarily――,
Crusch: […Much to my surprise, there blows no wind in attempt to beguile me.]
Declaring so, Crusch was first to lower her poniard.
Subaru widened his eyes with a "Huh?" at her words, but Crusch returned the poniard to the scabbard by her belt, and,
Crusch: [No wind of deceit blows around you. From the time of our encounter at Miklotov McMahon's mansion, all the way until now. Thus, I had allowed Beatrice's accompaniment.]
Subaru: [――. In the end… in the end, what is it that you want to do with us, Crusch-san?]
Subaru exchanged a short glance with Beatrice who was by his side, and asked this of Crusch firsthand.
The wind of deceit―― as the proprietor of the Divine Protection of Wind Reading, Crusch could detect the opponent's thoughts and intentions as wind, functioning as a lie detector of sorts, as it were.
When Subaru had first met her, she had seen through all of the deceptions inside of him, compelling him to reckon with the realization of the immense depravity of his own nature. ――And now, it had become the basis for Crusch's speech and deeds.
Her belief in Subaru, was likewise a fruit borne by the Divine Protection of Wind Reading.
Therefore, did that mean her act of slaying Miklotov, as well as the thirteen people at his mansion, was also an outcome of the Divine Protection of Wind Reading?
Subaru: [Tell me, Crusch-san. About us… no, first let's talk about you, Crusch-san. What is it that you want to do, Crusch-san, that's making you do all this now?]
Crusch: [――. What I want to do… no, what I must do no matter what cost, is to save this Kingdom of Lugunica from the hands of traitors. That would be my final deed in service to the Kingdom.]
Subaru: [Traitors… and… when you say this is the final…]
Crusch: [Will you avow that it is not so? Capitulating to the Witch Cult's evil malice, I prostrated myself on a sick bed and squandered a long period of time in indolent remiss. On top of that, I arose gripping the hand of the Church of the Divine Dragon, completely contrary to what I touted as my pledge to the masses of annulling the Dragon's rule, and you claim I yet have a prospect of victory?]
Subaru: [That's… hk.]
Crusch: [A wind of understanding is blowing around you. ――You are a sincere man.]
Crusch cast her gaze down and engraved a self-deriding smile upon her lips.
Wearing a fragile smile, it must have been apparent to Crusch's eye through her Divine Protection: unable to deny her words, nor conceive of any promising break in the deadlock, Subaru felt utterly powerless.
For that to be called his sincerity could not possibly inspire any delight in him either.
Beatrice: [Enough, in fact. Betty will no longer overlook the way you feign being a tragic heroine only to snarl at Subaru, I suppose.]
Subaru: [Beatrice…]
Beatrice: [Subaru, you're also a handful, in fact. What are you doing by feeling so down for something you bear absolutely no responsibility for, I suppose. If this keeps up, you'll be blaming yourself even for some kid who fell on the roadside just now, in fact. If that happens, you'll be so busy that you'll no longer have any time to dote on Betty, I suppose. Vehement objections to that, in fact.]
Placing her hands on her hips, Beatrice allowed an out-of-place anger to peek through. Realizing that this was her manner of consideration to diminish the issues between Subaru and Crusch, he let a sigh escape him.
Crusch, too, nodded with a "Correct" in a meek expression,
Crusch: [Just as you say, Beatrice, this is no place to be showing obstinacy over trivial reservations. The more time we yield to our opponents, the greater our disadvantage. Therefore, Natsuki Subaru, from you―― no, from you and Beatrice, I wish to ask for coaction.]
Subaru: […Coaction?]
Crusch: [That is correct. Presently, we are in the middle of a crisis with the survival of the nation on the line, brought about by the shadowy maneuvers of a multitude of traitors, infested down to the Kingdom's very core. It is precisely in this situation, that I wish to borrow your strength―― you who once joined forces with my household and rendered monumental service in the White Whale Subjugation, Natsuki Subaru, it is your strength that I call on.]
Subaru: [――Hk.]
Returning the poinard to its scabbard, Crusch presented her vacant hand to him and expressed so, before whom Subaru unwittingly swallowed his breath, training a firm gaze directly upon her.
What surprised Subaru was not merely the requisition Crusch had vocalized. Of course, he was immensely astonished by her request too, but what came as an even greater shock was the way she retold of the great battle she had once unfurled against the White Whale as something she had experienced for herself with certitude.
Greeting this, Subaru finally articulated the ceaseless inquiry that had sojourned in his chest since he happened upon Crusch at the McMahon residence, up until now.
That was――,
Subaru: [Tell me, just one thing. ――Did your Memories… return? Crusch-san.]
Crusch: [――. But of course. Do you sense the vestiges of that contemptible, enervated Crusch Karsten devoid of Memories in my present self? That inquiry alone is tantamount to an affront.]
Subaru: [――――]
As Crusch irrefutably asserted the restoration of her Memories, Subaru's cheeks stiffened.
The burgeoning impact was something complicated, a blend of delight and indignation. The return of Crusch's Memories, that alone was truly joyous to the bottom of his heart. However, to show such disparaging odium for the Crusch during the period she was bereft of her Memories was――.
Crusch: [A wind of displeasure. Do not tell me, you endorse my self who was devoid of Memories?]
Subaru: [It's not something so simple. Both now when you do have your Memories, and back when you didn't have your Memories, both of you are Crusch-san for me.]
Crusch: [――No, you are wrong. It is inconceivable that the likes of a Crusch Karsten devoid of Memories, could ever be Crusch Karsten. That is why!]
Subaru: [――Hk.]
Crusch: […That is why… even Ferris… turned his back on Crusch Karsten.]
Subaru: [Th――!]
Before a trembling, quivering Crusch, Subaru grated his molars and attempted to proclaim "That alone is wrong!".
Not only in this moment, he had even conceived of an identical thought before they had started moving.
Crusch was misapprehending the meaning of the decision Ferris had undertaken, and the extent of his resolve.
Ferris had certainly reduced Crusch's vow, the vow for the departed Royal Family, to scrap paper.
Having merely heard about it, Subaru could only imagine how important it must have been for Crusch. However, the same also held true for Ferris.
Ferris, too, loved the departed fourth prince. Yet, he had made this choice.
His love for the living, over his love for the dead. ――Subaru did not wish for that to be repudiated.
Much less, when it was a tragedy between two fellows such that, while facing off with sentiments going both ways, it saw them failing to come to an understanding with each other due to a simple misunderstanding――.
Crusch: [――It seems, delaying the decision ends here.]
However, before Subaru could express his fiery passions, the situation did not permit him to resume.
The meaning behind Crusch's murmur, as she eyed the depths of the sewers behind Subaru and Beatrice that they had passed through, was demystified by voices and footsteps audible from far back. ――Their pursuers.
The pursuers searching for Subaru, Beatrice, and Crusch, had formed a squad and descended to the sewers.
Subaru: [If we could just properly talk…]
Crusch: [I told you before. You are already seen as a conspirator with me. The sword you had robbed me of through your queer technique was left back at the scene as well. Compiling that with the gashes on the corpses, my involvement would be patently evident. To add to that.]
Subaru: [Add to that? What? Is there anything worse left to be said?]
Crusch: [Despite the fact that Tiga Rauleon, who knew of your intentions, was present, you have also been deemed as a party to Miklotov McMahon's assasination. That man must have reported it as such.]
Subaru: [――――]
Crusch: [The rest is a choice that falls upon you two. If you believe I do not merit your faith, then you can seek refuge with the pursuers who will be arriving here later. ――Farewell.]
Stating what all she wished to say and transmitting that she bore no intention to move along with the conversation any further, Crusch turned her back towards them, before tossing the lamp into the sewage and breaking into a regal sprint.
As the faint glow of the light sinking into the bilewater slowly faded and obscured her back, the solitary notes of distancing footsteps pressed the choice upon Subaru as though a countdown.
To reject Crusch's postulation, meet up with the soldiers pursuing Subaru and the others, fess up everything to them and seek refuge with them. Or, to chase after Crusch's back, who melted into the black, travailing to fight against a large conspiracy all by herself; one of these two.
Subaru: [Shit! I want to believe you! I want to believe you, but does it even exist to begin with, that sorta conspiracy…!]
Her frame of mind was one where she had misunderstood Ferris's true intent, and had turned her sword at Subaru with no vacillation. Taking into account her fits of emotions as well, Crusch's temperament was in a state of instability.
The worst-case scenario would be one where Crusch, after slaying Miklotov and all things else, might go on a rampage without any justifiable righteousness after spiralling into a state of mind where all things appeared suspicious.
Under these circumstances, just what would be the correct thing to do――,
Beatrice: [Subaru, calm down and listen, I suppose. No matter what you choose, no matter who you ally with, Betty is Subaru's ally and will always be by your side, in fact.]
Subaru: [Beako…]
Beatrice: [Hard pass on being apart like that time in the Empire, I suppose. Subaru must stay within Betty's sights, or the throbbings and poundings of her heart become suffocating, in fact.]
Articulating so, Beatrice told Subaru, unable to discern the right answer, that regardless of what he chose, she would make it the right answer―― no, they would make it the right answer together.
His indecision cleared. That was right. It was exactly as Beatrice said.
Was it not Natsuki Subaru's forte to fight and struggle in order to turn whatever choice he made into the right answer?
Subaru: [I can't let Crusch-san go off alone. I'll have you accompany me unto hell, Beatrice!]
Beatrice: [So long as it's together with Subaru, Betty wouldn't even mind being sealed for four hundred years, I suppose!]
Subaru: [I would definitely mind so could you please stop saying such scary stuff!]
Bantering so, Subaru held his reliable, beloved partner up in his arms and pursued after the fading footsteps, bursting into an energetic dash amidst the dim light.
No matter if it was right or wrong, he could not let Crusch go off alone.
No matter if he would stop her or assist her, he must not be apart from Crusch.
Subaru: [Ah, shit, my arm hurts~!]
The stinging ache of the burns on his arms pulsated as though chastising Subaru's foolishness.
Continuing to harbor that, rather than lamenting his own situation that had so suddenly swallowed him up and driven him into a corner, Subaru was more concerned with how Emilia and everyone else would feel once they got wind of this.
He would cause them trouble, but the bitterness of causing concern for them outstripped the former.
For Emilia, for Rem, for Ram, for Petra, for Meili, for Garfiel, for everyone. Thus, whilst enduring the agony of his body and mind, Subaru earnestly focused his eyes amidst the dim light,
Subaru: [Please take care of it somehow, Otto!]
So, flinging this outpouring of a predicament onto his friend who was not present here, he dashed forth.
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――Concurrently, in the Royal Residence of the Royal Capital of Lugunica.
This day, for the Kingdom of Lugunica, and for the camp of the Royal Candidate Emilia, ought to have been a day that would set into motion events that bore a truly profound significance.
It was a golden opportunity that would enable them to extirpate the evil roots of misfortune that the Witch Cult had wrought upon the Watergate City of Pristella. Aided by the Church of the Divine Dragon, it would all come to fruition, and with Emilia and everyone else likewise in attendance for that moment, they would bear witness to the powerlessness of several months being terminated at long last―― or so, that had been the plan.
???: [――And yet, just what sort of situation do we have ourselves here?]
Having completed their preparations for departure, all that remained was to await the return of Subaru and Beatrice, who had ventured out from the residence on some business. Among the members of the camp who had been enjoying some tea time within the parlor until then, Otto Suwen questioned the sudden visitors in as composed a manner as he could.
With a horde of footsteps, gaudily marching into the Royal Residence was a group of royal soldiers, all of them equipped in official armor displaying their affiliation to the Kingdom―― due to the somewhat heavy air of urgency about them, Otto stepped in front to shield the women of the camp, Emilia included.
Of course, standing even further ahead than Otto,
???: [Ain't that gettin' a bit violent there? No matter how endearingly graceful Emilia-sama may be, that don't mean y'all suddenly got permission to act all rudely.]
Otto: [Garfiel, no need to act so menacingly. These are guests. ――For now.]
Garfiel: [Ahh, I gotcha, Ottobro.]
Standing at the forefront of the camp, Garfiel gnashed his sharp fangs, becalming himself superficially, with Otto then creating an interval to have the other party divulge the reason for their visit.
As to reap rewards from solving a problem of their own making, by yielding a move to the other party, he was setting up the long game.
At minimum, were he to be able to ascertain their reasons――,
???: [――All of you, cease your threatening demeanors. Have you any idea just whom you are standing before?]
Soldiers: [――――]
The moment that deep voice was uttered, the royal soldiers who had spread out in formation throughout the parlor all straightened their backs in unison. Then, passing through the encirclement of upright soldiers, giving rise to loud, lumbering footsteps, was a man so great and so large that it was necessary to look up at him.
Armored from head to toe in the luster of steel blue, was a man possessing a face that was as a boulder come to life, the Commander of the Royal Guard of the Kingdom of Lugunica―― that was to say, the man who stood at the pinnacle of the Kingdom's Knights, Marcos Gildark.
Emilia: [Marcos-san…]
Marcos: [For the abrupt visit, I offer a heartfelt apology, Emilia-sama.]
As Marcos stepped out to the front, Emilia blinked her amethyst eyes. In contrast to his brusque appearance, Marcos met her reaction with a bow that conformed to perfect etiquette.
Then, raising his visage, and while maintaining a careful watch over Emilia and all the members of her camp surrounding her, especially on Otto and Garfiel, who were regarding him with harsh gazes,
Marcos: [The purpose of this visit, Emilia-sama, is to request your attendance at the Royal Castle. There are doubts in urgent need of confirmation.]
Emilia: [So out of the blue, this is all quite surprising. Doubts? Just what in the world…]
Marcos: [――Regarding the background of your Knight, Natsuki Subaru.]
Emilia: [About Subaru?]
With perfect manners, and paying due respect, Marcos nevertheless displayed an uncompromising peremptory attitude. Upon hearing the doubts he mouthed, that they were doubts pertaining to Subaru, Emilia responded with words, while Otto, as well as everyone else, each reacted with their respective expressions and demeanors.
The fact that those reactions had birthed an interval for Marcos to follow up with his next words, was something Otto regretted.
After all, that which Marcos had declared, the doubts regarding Natsuki Subaru were――,
Marcos: [Knight Natsuki Subaru is under suspicion of bearing strong ties to the Witch Cult―― and of being something not so dissimilar to a Sin Archbishop.]
――They were the crossroads of whether or not Natsuki Subaru would be branded an enemy of the world.
-x-X-x-
Arc 10, Chapter 16 – "Foul Play"
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※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
???: [Subaru is――]
???: [――A Sin Archbishop?]
It was an absolutely incomprehensible suspicion.
Even when said aloud once again as if to confirm, it yet remained incomprehensible. Incomprehensible to an extent such that, were it meant to throw them off and nothing more, then he could only laugh at what a great success it had been.
However, the expression of the large man before him―― of the individual called Marcos, was far too austere to be able to laugh off that incomprehensible suspicion as a jest.
At the very least, for Garfiel, entrusted with the position of chief military officer of the camp, there was not even an iota of a choice to let down his guard before this man.
Garfiel: [――――]
Sniff, with a slight inhalation of his nose, Garfiel caught a whiff of the weighty tension enveloping the Royal Residence. ――What he sensed was a will to fight held in control, apprehension and distrust that shook emotions, and concealed behind that, feelings of fear that possessed an acrid and irritating scent.
Garfiel had come to know this feeling in the air, which he had most recently had the chance to smell on many occasions in the Vollachian Empire: an atmosphere like that of a warehouse jam-packed full of Fire Magic Stones approaching detonation.
In other words――,
Garfiel: [Ya wanna have a go with our amazin' selves?]
Marcos: [――Does that mean you are denying our request?]
Garfiel: [Huh? You're the ones who spat on us first, so don'tcha make a face actin' like we're the ones pickin' a fight!]
???: [Wait. Don't snap at him, Garfiel. Please.]
As his fangs gnashed in annoyance, Garfiel, who had been glaring up from below at Marcos, was restrained by those words coming from Emilia behind him.
Going so far as to append that "Please", Garfiel had no choice but to withdraw his hostility. Adding a "Thank you" for his understanding, Emilia then raised her head resolutely.
Emilia: [I apologize for this one of ours. I was reaaally surprised, so I couldn't find the words to speak, and he was just getting upset on my behalf.]
Marcos: [Then, are you just as angry as he is, Emilia-sama?]
Emilia: [That's… yes, that's right. After getting past my surprise over why you would say something so ridiculous, I'm feeling reaaally irritated. I think I might be about to get angry. But――]
Emilia cut off her words there, placing her hand upon her chest. She fiddled with the green Magic Crystal dangling there, as if doing so to arrange her thoughts via that hard sensation,
Emilia: [Losing my temper here won't help Subaru's situation. It'd just be me getting angry because I want to be angry. And I don't think that would do any good.]
Marcos: [――. You looked me in the eye and told me so quite plainly.]
Emilia: […Marcos-san, we haven't talked much since our last conversation. This is who I am now, just a tad stronger than I was before. That too, is thanks to Subaru.]
Marcos: [――――]
Faced with Emilia delivering an answer without being swept away by her emotions, yet also without allowing herself to be silenced, Marcos's eyes narrowed as he made a face that seemed conflicted.
On the other hand, Garfiel felt the blood that had risen to his head slowly descend as he listened to Emilia speak. Still, his body did not relax, nor would he allow it to.
???: [To begin with, these so-called suspicions seem to be nothing but nonsensical. Natsuki-san being connected to the Witch Cult? At the level of a Sin Archbishop? It is hardly funny.]
???: [That's right. Besides, just how many problems caused by the Witch Cult have been resolved by Subaru-sama. In particular, he even defeated a Sin Archbishop, saving me and everyone else in the village, and yet… Please don't say such strange things.]
Otto and Petra provided support, and Garfiel also agreed with a "Yeah, yeah".
The Sin Archbishops of Sloth, Greed, and even Gluttony, all had been slain or otherwise captured in battles led by Subaru, dealing major blows to the Witch Cult. Adding on to that, Subaru had contributed in great part to the subjugation of both the White Whale and the Great Rabbit of the Three Great Witchbeasts.
This made something like Subaru being with the Witch Cult seem far too absurd a tale.
Garfiel: [Surely y'ain't tryin' to say they got in a big scuffle as allies. Even if my amazin' self and Ottobro got in a fight, ain't no way I'd beat Ottobro to a pulp. We ain't gonna get in no fight in the first place tho'.]
???: [While I'm unsure whether that anecdote about Garf and Otto-san is relevant, I do think such doubts are reasonable… And I can't imagine that person is someone capable of bearing such malicious intentions.]
???: [I know, ri~ght. Onii-san certainly seems to want to take on lots of bothersome ta~sks, but I think the number one reason he does so is because he doesn't think about i~t.]
Adding in the zinger from Rem, plus Meili who followed up, the opinions of the camp were in accordance with Garfiel: it was the consensus of their side centered around Emilia.
In response, Marcos, without even the slightest tremor upon that stony expression of his,
Marcos: [I acknowledge the tremendous trust that every member of your camp has placed in Knight Natsuki Subaru. That aside, I must request that Emilia-sama return to the Castle once more.]
Emilia: [Should I tell the people at the Castle what I just told you?]
Marcos: [In addition to that, please answer our inquiries honestly. Out of consideration, I would like to impart upon you that the best means to dispelling the suspicions is to cooperate in any way you can in clearing them up.]
Emilia: [――――]
Rem: [――Excuse me, could I ask something?]
In response to Marcos repeating himself, making the same request he had at the outset, Emilia lowered her amethyst eyes in rumination; and there, Rem cut in.
While maintaining a relentless vigilance towards the surrounding soldiers of the Kingdom, just like Garfiel, she made an inquiry.
It was――,
Rem: [Is it okay… that the one most important in all of this… that Natsuki Subaru is not with us?]
――In an instant, the atmosphere surrounding the soldiers of the Kingdom changed completely at that question.
Soldiers: [――――]
The emotions directed by those surrounding them turned pointed, and Garfiel's hair stood on end.
Although no swords had physically been drawn, the domineering gazes of the soldiers upon the parlor of the Royal Residence still felt identical to staring down swords pointed at them. It had been a ripple of emotions, akin to water's surface remaining undisturbed just barely until it was trampled upon, leaving lingering undulations.
It was an explosive situation, in which even a single drop was liable to become the impetus for the bubble to pop――,
Marcos: [――Calm yourselves.]
The turbulent emotions of the soldiers, by only a single phrase―― nay, by a single phrase accompanied by an intense aura of swordsmanship, were swept away with a single explosion, compelling the ripples to yield by brute force.
Garfiel: [――Hk.]
Suddenly experiencing a hallucination like that of being struck by a colossal, mountain-like palm, was Garfiel. Every pore on his body opening due to the momentary sensation, he was forced into utilizing his rationality to suppress his instinct to activate his beast transformation.
At the extraordinary power possessed by the source of that vast aura of swordsmanship, beyond compare to that which had been directed at him by the soldiers of the Kingdom just before, shivers ran through Garfiel's instincts.
Marcos: [The soldiers were terribly discourteous. ――To your military officer, I apologize once more for my impoliteness.]
Garfiel: [――Ah? Just to my amazin' self?]
Marcos: [I had intended to focus it just on the soldiers, but I hit you as well. I can see you have forged yourself quite considerably.]
Meeting eyes with Marcos, Garfiel noticed that the rest of his comrades were frowning, wearing faces conveying their obliviousness to the aura he had felt just prior.
It seemed to be just as Marcos had said, that the only ones who had perceived it really had been Garfiel and the original target, the soldiers, and none else. ――Garfiel came to a realization anew.
Marcos Gildark―― hiding in the shadows of the exceptionality of Sword Saint Reinhard van Astrea, he was the apex of the Knights of the Kingdom of Lugunica, his true power no veneer.
Emilia: [Your reactions just now seemed reaaally strange. Can you answer Rem's question? Subaru and Beatrice, what are they up to?]
Ignoring Garfiel, whose twin emerald eyes harboured dismay and caution, Marcos's face further darkened as Emilia narrowed her eyes pensively.
Marcos: [――. Emilia-sama, what do you know regarding the movements of Knight Natsuki Subaru?]
Emilia: [Today, he's gone out due to a meeting with Miklotov-san. He went alone… Rather, Beatrice went as well, making it the two of them, but since he had an appointment to talk――]
Marcos: [――Sir Miklotov McMahon has passed away.]
Emilia: [Huh?]
The report which had interrupted Emilia's speech possessed a far greater impact than merely rebuking her for the bluntness of her words, cutting through the atmosphere of the parlor.
Naturally, Garfiel knew Miklotov McMahon's name.
Not only had Subaru and Beatrice gone to meet him, but he was also a famous individual involved in the Royal Selection. Being that he was a central figure of the Council of Wise Men, it was impossible to not be surprised when hearing of his demise.
However, the real shock resulted from the words that came after.
Toward Garfiel and the rest, whose confusion had yet to subside, Marcos pressed his onslaught further.
He said――,
Marcos: [Presently, the Kingdom is pursuing the whereabouts of Knight Natsuki Subaru, as well as the Royal Selection Candidate, Duchess Crusch Karsten, under suspicion of conspiracy and involvement in the death of Sir McMahon.]
Emilia: [Wait! What do you mean? Subaru and Crusch-san? Involved in Miklotov-san's death?]
Marcos: [The sword wound upon Sir McMahon's remains recovered from the scene of the crime were in accord with a comparison to a Knight's sword bearing the crest of House Karsten. There was also a report that Sir McMahon fell by the hand of Duchess Karsten, and Knight Natsuki Subaru assisted in her escape.]
Garfiel: [Wha… Hk.]
At the violence in that report, enumerated in an orderly fashion, Garfiel experienced vertigo for an instant.
Not only had this important individual named Miklotov been murdered, the perpetrator had been Crusch, with Subaru's assistance―― he could only feel that it was far too absurd a false accusation.
Garfiel: [That Duchess-san… Hk.]
Setting aside the ridiculous suspicions upon Subaru, Garfiel could not find it credible, suspecting Crusch of turning to such heinous violence.
The only time Garfiel and Crusch had interacted with each other was for but a mere day and a half in the Watergate City. However, they were comrades who had stood shoulder-to-shoulder in that battle, fighting together against the Witch Cult to save the city.
He knew that she was someone who truly could wield a sword in order to save another, and he had wholeheartedly wanted to do something about the price she had paid for it.
Garfiel had not been a personal witness to Crusch's body being restored by the power of the so-called Sacrament of the Church of the Divine Dragon, but regardless of the various circumstances surrounding the Royal Selection, upon hearing of that happening, he had simply felt relief.
――That Crusch had turned to violence, and Subaru had assisted in it? Such foolishness.
Otto: [――Allow me to confirm. By saying you are pursuing their whereabouts, does this mean that Natsuki-san and Crusch-sama are currently at large?]
Abruptly, a question flew out that attempted to appropriately verify the present situation, in a voice stifled of emotion. Needless to say, the one to do so was Otto, the foundation of wisdom within the camp.
Trying to subdue her discomposure, Emilia turned her amethyst eyes toward Otto.
Emilia: [Otto-kun…]
Otto: [It is important. The reason why the Commander of the Knights went out of his way to pay a visit here is probably less an indication of respect toward Emilia-sama, and more out of caution.]
Rem: [By caution, you mean they think Emilia-san or one of us will go on a rampage?]
Otto: [Likely, that is not entirely out of the question, but the primary cause for concern would be us meeting up. This detachment is here out of precaution, in case they were to join us and we sheltered them. Am I incorrect?]
Marcos: [――Since giving an explanation of the intent behind this deployment is a matter of military secrecy, I am unable to provide you with an answer.]
Otto: [I see. Not denying it is more than enough.]
As Garfiel tried to knead the fury and agitation churning within himself and transform it into something harmless, he could only feel reassurance from Otto, who nodded in agreement with Marcos's answer.
In times such as these, he was earnestly glad Otto was present.
Because he could trust Otto to skillfully sort out the game board, even one as intricate and full of many tangled motives as this, and pass along the necessary information, Garfiel could devote himself to his role as a shield.
Here too, Garfiel decided to stick to that trust, without being misled by superfluous emotions.
Rem: [The passing of the individual you call Sir McMahon and the suspicions that that person may be a member of the Witch Cult… They seem to be related, and yet at the same time, not. So then, regarding what you want to hear from Emilia-san, say what you like, but…]
Marcos: [I have already told you, the best means to resolve these suspicions is to answer our questions at the Royal Castle. If you refuse to do so, we would have no choice but to take that as Emilia-sama and her camp abandoning their accountability regarding the suspicions against Knight Natsuki Subaru.]
Petra: [Is that not coercion, ignoring Emilia-neesama's intentions and such?]
Marcos: [It is not coercion. That said, if you will not answer questions, then suspicions will remain suspicions, and the Kingdom will merely determine its stance toward Knight Natsuki Subaru.]
Everyone: [――――]
His low voice still bereft of emotion, Marcos continued to make the same unchanging request.
Whether one pushed or pulled, it was impossible to move him, he who stood stalwart as if truly a mountain.
Just as the air of such impatience was beginning to proliferate on both sides――,
Emilia: [――I understand. I will go to the Castle. Let me speak about Subaru there.]
Marcos: [A prudent judgement.]
Petra: […In that case, I will prepare immediately.]
Disliking the stagnation and the coming collapse of the situation, Emilia decided to comply with the request, yielding a nod from Marcos. With animosity toward that demeanor in her eyes, Petra tried to take action in preparing to go to the Castle.
However, with a "No", Otto stopped Petra. While he narrowed his eyes, after nodding at the wide-eyed Petra,
Otto: [We must carefully choose who to accompany her to the Castle… Is that right?]
Marcos: [You have keen insight. Straight to the point.]
Emilia: […What do you mean?]
The gazes of Otto and Marcos collided, prompting Emilia to raise her well-shaped eyebrows. In response to Emilia's question, Marcos, maintaining the straightness of his tall spine,
Marcos: [Emilia-sama will be attending the Castle, but everyone from your camp accompanying her would not be acceptable. The apprehensions befalling Knight Natsuki Subaru at the current time could very well extend to the entirety of Emilia-sama's camp. In order to maintain the independence of testimony, we would like to ask you to restrict it to one attendant to care for personal affairs.]
Emilia: [Only one attendant…!?]
Marcos: [We apologize for the inconvenience, however, I beseech you cooperate.]
Possibly anticipating their surprise, Marcos's demeanor remained unshakable.
Garfiel glanced at Otto, surmising that the latter had also expected this reply from the slight frown upon the face of the one he considered his older brother. The issue was that though predicted, it yet remained undoubtedly a serious blow to the camp.
Garfiel: [At the very least, my amazin' self can…]
Marcos: [I would not recommend that. I understand your desire to act as a guard as a military officer, however, you are more than capable of serving as an immediate asset in battle. If Emilia-sama, in the midst of a maelstrom of suspicions surrounding her, were to visit the Castle accompanied by a military asset, it would not be for the purpose of an explanation, but rather as a show of force.]
Garfiel: [That's a baseless accusation…]
Marcos: [I am saying that there are those who would take it that way.]
Stringing words together, the other party in the conversation continued to suppress Garfiel's intentions. He wished to evade it somehow, but since even Otto had not interjected, it meant his argument was sound.
However――,
Garfiel: [If we're talkin' attendants…]
With the current state of their camp, the only two options that came to mind were Petra and Rem. Had Frederica been present, the best option would have probably been to leave it to her, his elder sister, but that was asking for the impossible now.
It was difficult to entrust Emilia to Rem when the latter's Memories had yet to return, and although Petra was quick-witted, to leave her to a situation of this level brought him anxiety.
Just what in the world would be the best thing to do? ――Upon that thought of his, it happened.
???: [――Then it is settled. Ram shall go with Emilia-sama.]
Garfiel: [――Hk, Ram!?]
Saying this, Garfiel's eyes widened as he saw Ram appear at the entrance to the parlor.
Having changed into her familiar maid outfit and possessing her usual strong-willed expression, Ram appeared, causing not only Garfiel, but also Emilia and everyone else to be unable to hide their surprise.
After all, Ram had been purportedly resting, her state that of being practically bedridden due to the heavy workload she'd had, starting with the trip to Pleiades Watchtower. She was not supposed to join them on their planned trip to Pristella, and would instead wait for the return of Garfiel and the others in the Royal Capital.
She had risen to her feet and stood beside Emilia, looking shockingly dignified. Without pause, Ram lifted the hem of her skirt and curtsied before speechless eyes.
Ram: [Apologies for the tardiness. On account of Ram's duty to check the softness of the beds, there was a delay in noticing the arrival of our esteemed guests.]
Emilia: […Is the feel of the beds okay now?]
Ram: [Indeed. It's around a passing grade.]
Slightly shrugging her shoulders, Ram responded as such, lacking a hint of fatigue upon her countenance. However, it was plain to see that she was simply skilled at regularly hiding her burdens, and had not truly recovered.
Since the exchange just now with Emilia had also reworded Ram's physical condition as the condition of the beds, there certainly was some apprehension remaining.
And yet――,
Rem: [Nee-sama…]
Ram: [Rem, the group of leftovers is entrusted to you. All of them would not last without the cute and capable Ram and Rem sisters. Only Petra is somewhat better than the rest.]
Rem: [――Yes, I understand.]
At the words of Ram, who naturally decided to take on that role, Rem managed to grasp her elder sister's worry and apprehension, and while attempting to stifle tears from arising in her pale-blue eyes, she nodded.
During that exchange, Garfiel glanced over at Otto. To some degree, the act could be construed as an unilateral decision from Ram, but Otto's judgment――,
Otto: [I agree, I believe Ram-san is suitable. Can we entrust Emilia-sama to you?]
Ram: [Those words are needless. You are the one who needs to shape up, Otto. You too Garf, do your best at being put to work.]
Garfiel: […Ain't no need to tell me that.]
Emilia and Rem, as well as Otto, all respected Ram's judgment, and treating those words from her as being entrusted to them, they responded resolutely, yet Garfiel's voice was stained with weakness.
Of that, Garfiel was ashamed, but as Ram narrowed her light-crimson eyes,
Ram: [Truly a fool.]
And like so, she pushed away Garfiel's weakness with a sweet strictness.
Emilia: [――Everyone, we're heading out. I'll clear up these misunderstandings about Subaru real good, and explain things so that everyone will understand.]
And like that, once it became unanimous amongst the camp that Ram would accompany her as an attendant, Emilia, having gathered her resolve to visit the Castle, proclaimed thus, gazing upon the faces of Garfiel and everyone else.
In all honesty, the situation was utterly unparalleled in absurdity.
With such an atmosphere about, it was not a good omen that they were taking blows without getting any of their own in. If this were a fist fight, allowing one's opponent to do as they pleased meant immediate defeat.
In order to avoid such defeat, they had to figure out their opponent's designs, put a stop to those, and inversely, respond in kind by doing what they themselves wanted to do.
Emilia: [It's the same as always, but please let me borrow the strength of all of you. Please, I beg you.]
Saying so, Emilia bowed deeply, requesting this of the comrades in her camp.
Despite being leader of their camp, a Royal Selection Candidate, and holding a proper, laudable status, she could bow her head without hesitation and depend upon the strength of another regardless of that.
That reason itself was why Garfiel―― no, why all her comrades in her camp wished to devote themselves to helping Emilia and Subaru.
Therefore――,
Garfiel: [Yeah! Of course! Don'tcha worry yerself, Emilia-sama!]
At the very least, so as to dispel the anxieties of Emilia and Ram, who were now headed to the Castle, Garfiel intentionally used a rousing voice and hoisted his fist in the air.
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――Thus, the group sent off Emilia as she was escorted to the Royal Castle by Marcos and his men, taking Ram as her solitary attendant.
Otto: [Everyone, please pack your belongings, preferably the bare essentials will do. ――We leave in five minutes.]
With that, Otto hastily broke the ice facing everyone left behind at the Royal Residence.
After the soldiers left behind to guard the residence cleared out of the parlor, the immediate declaration to those of them left in the parlor, wishing to discuss matters privately amongst the members of the camp, caused Garfiel to unwittingly peel his eyes.
Garfiel: [Five minutes ya say, we ain't waitin' for Emilia-sama?]
Otto: [Indeed. The situation leaves no possibility of deferment. That goes for both the suspicions cast on Natsuki-san, and their stringent disposition of urging Emilia-sama's attendance to the Castle… their purpose is obvious.]
Petra: [――That would be, to eliminate her from the Royal Selection, right?]
Otto: [Almost certainly.]
Otto responded to both Garfiel's doubt and Petra's words, conceiving an astuteness in his normally soft features, hoisting a finger up with a "Please listen",
Otto: [The timing of it all aligns far too perfectly. On the very day Natsuki-san had a summon from Sir McMahon, there's an assassination that embroils him… and for the perpetrator to be Crusch-sama, a Royal Candidate, larger forces are at work here.]
Rem: [To eliminate Emilia-san and the other party altogether from the board… so what you're saying is that that person got used for that purpose, correct?]
Otto: [From the information currently at hand, we have no choice but to surmise so. As for Crusch-sama, the very moment she received a hand from the Church of the Divine Dragon, her continuation in the Royal Selection ought to have become difficult, but…]
???: [He~y, I get that you have a lot of things to go on and on about, but we don't have much time on our hands, do we~? Won't it be bad if that Rock-san comes ba~ck?]
Interposing with her words, it was Meili who called a halt on the conversation that was on the verge of dragging on.
Fidding with her three-strand braid, a word she had spoken had caused the tiny Crimson Scorpion perched atop her head to snip its pincers―― "Rock-san", perhaps referred to Marcos.
She was correct that Marcos was presently escorting Emilia and headed to the Royal Castle, therefore absent from here. At present, the Royal Residence was surrounded by the Kingdom's soldiers with orders to stand by, the fact of the matter being that Garfiel and the others had acquiesced to having house arrest imposed upon them, however――,
Otto: [There will be nothing we can do if we acquiesce to them. We move before Marcos-san comes.]
Rem: […We are going to search for that person, correct?]
Otto: [Natsuki-san and Crusch-sama alike. Until we learn what befell those two and what they witnessed at the mansion of Sir McMahon, nothing will progress.]
Rem: [Will it be alright? To rely on that person.]
Otto: [Even if Natsuki-san is no good, Beatrice-chan is alongside him. The child accompanying him is far too reliable compared to the man himself, after all.]
A tiny grin peeking through his lips, Otto smiled at Rem in order to assure her. The ends of her eyebrows lowered, while she may not have felt relief in the depths of her heart, Rem accepted his solicitude.
And, as everyone progressively smashed their own apprehensions, Garfiel slapped his cheeks with both of his palms,
Garfiel: [Got it. My amazin' self's made up his mind! Ottobro, even if our amazin' selves ain't here, Emilia-sama 'n Ram'll be…]
Otto: [Free from danger, I am sure. They will not be allowed to inflict any harm upon Emilia-sama, a Royal Candidate, by throwing all sorts of legal procedures out of the window. They will likely observe those rules. Either way, from the point they summoned Emilia-sama to the Castle, the only aim the other party could possibly have is to detain her.]
Garfiel: [Tch, aight! Then my amazin' self'll knock out all the guards, 'n in the meanwhile――]
Otto: [――It cannot proceed that way.]
Garfiel: [Hah?]
Cracking his knuckles, Garfiel augmented his fervor, only for Otto to shake his head before him.
Garfiel widened his eyes, stunned by the dampening of his ardor, as Otto stared at him with an austere expression,
Otto: [The guards are only here on orders, and are not our enemies. I would like to avoid wounding them. The ideal would be to not let them even draw their swords. What we ought to do is escape in order to prove our innocence, not to wage war.]
Rem: [If we cause casualties, Emilia-sama's and Nee-sama's… and that person's standing will worsen.]
Otto: [Precicely.]
As Otto adjusted the brim of his hat, Garfiel grated his molars at him.
He understood. He understood the reasoning. He understood the reasoning, but Garfiel could not envision what followed from that. Of course, should Marcos return, they would never be able to safely escape from the Royal Residence.
But, at the very least, at this moment they would be able to escape through sheer force. If even that were to be sealed off, then what in the world could they possibly――,
Otto: [I'll have the bugs and birds listen in on the guards to learn where they're short in numbers. I could ask them to distract the guards as well. It still is not a certainty, but…]
Petra: [――If that's the case, then I have an idea.]
Rem: [Really, Petra-san?]
Otto proposed his usual expedients through the use of his Divine Protection, and then did Petra raise up her hand, prompting Rem to widen her eyes and pose such an inquiry.
Receiving it, Petra responded with a "Yes", balling her tiny hands into fists,
Petra: [I'm really angry right now. About Subaru being suspected, about Emilia-neesama being scrutinized, and about Ram-neesama being forced to overdo herself. That's why, I'll absolutely never do as the other side says.]
Garfiel: [That's scary reliable… but what'dya plan on doin'?]
Petra: [Of course, I have a plan up my sleeve. It's Otto-san's specialty.]
Otto: [My specialty…?]
His name was incisively called, but Otto tilted his head with an expression lacking even the faintest clue. On the other hand, Petra's cheeks dyed red in excitement, appearing to be brimming in confidence for her plan.
Meili: [Petra-chan, what exactly are you planni~ng?]
Petra: [Meili-chan, Garf-san, you both know this too. Listen――]
Beckoning them closer, Petra had everyone draw their faces near, as she stoutly expounded on the particularities of the plan she had up her sleeve.
It was――,
△▼△▼△▼△
???: [It's a fire――!!]
There rose the alarmed voices of royal soldiers, a panic blazing throughout the Royal Residence.
That which they had sighted, was dense smoke flooding out from the kitchen with tremendous vigor. Faced with the large quantity of smoke spewing forth, accompanied by heat and the acrid smell of burning, many of the courageous soldiers moved to take action immediately.
Charging into the kitchen to ascertain the source of the fire, they made haste to pinpoint the cause of the smoke. Moving to put out the fire, their goal was to extinguish both the flames and the panic at once, depending on the situation.
However――,
???: [The fire started under the floorboards, and the origin of the smoke is the blocked off chimney… extinguishing it won't be easy.]
With those words, the one to propose the fire alarm strategy and devise the plan in detail, Petra, deepened her smile as she listened to the panic unfold exactly as she had intended.
It was a smile that would generally be described as sweet, but seeing it up close, Garfiel could not help but feel chilled to the bone for some reason.
In any case――,
???: [Though, I just cannot quite accept that you consider burning down buildings to be my specialty!]
Regardless of Otto's complaints, the fire alarm strategy had been a brilliant success.
In order to prevent harm from befalling the important facility that was the Royal Residence, as well as the relevant parties placed under house arrest within, the royal soldiers pursued swift countermeasures against the smoke, diverting their attention away from the movements of Garfiel and the others.
In the meantime――,
Garfiel: [Sorry 'bout this, but go 'n take a lil' nap, will ya!]
Rem: [I'm sorry. I bear you no grudges… aside from the matter with Nee-sama.]
???: [――Hk.]
Garfiel and Rem each took on one of the two soldiers who had been kept stationed on guard duty at the back door as a minimum precaution, choking them unconscious to secure a path. They would allow no weapons to be drawn. Satisfying the conditions Otto had set beforehand, Garfiel exchanged glances with Rem, before they shared in a nod.
Then, with Otto, Petra, and Meili in tow, they made their way out of the building.
Meili: [Though if you wanted to cause a rucku~s, I could have taken care of it with my Witchbeast-chans in any number of wa~ys.]
Petra: [That alone is an absolute no-go. If Meili-chan were to call her Witchbeasts here and have them run wild, it would only bolster the rumors about us. That Subaru is a Sin Archbishop of the Witch Cult, that Emilia-sama has ties to the Witch of Envy, that Meili-chan rampages with Witchbeasts, and that Otto-san burns down every building he sees…]
Otto: [As for that last one, though this was the case previously at the mansion too, I have the rebuttal that it was not solely my fault, since Petra-chan was right there alongside me!]
Meili: [Setting Otto-oniisan's disposition aside, I understa~nd.]
With her skirt fluttering in the wind as she dashed with pitter-pattering steps, Meili gave a shrug of her shoulders.
That being said, despite her airy attitude, Garfiel believed that her words just now were probably just Meili's own way of expressing her frustrations.
Meili possessed strength. However, were she to wield it, it would also end up jeopardizing the very people she wished to protect, a double-edged sword of sorts―― the existence of a blade she could not swing, was eating at her with a sense of vexation.
Garfiel: [Don't'cha worry. For whatever you're lackin', my amazin' self'll work even harder.]
Running alongside Meili, Garfiel reached over and patted her head. As soon as he did, Meili shot him a glare of reluctance, to which Garfiel responded with a gnashing of his fangs.
Garfiel: [With Ottobro's ears, and my amazin' self's nose, we'll manage to track down where Captain is one way or another. 'Til then, that's right… cheerin', we need cheerin'! How 'bout ya cheer us on!]
Meili: [Cheering… like, do your be~st?]
Garfiel: [Exactly. Fact is, 's actually really damn empowerin' ta be cheered on.]
Meili wore a look of skepticism, but for Garfiel, that was a sensation he knew well.
To be specific, in Pristella, the very place they were supposed to be headed, the only reason Garfiel had been able to trade blows against the corpse soldier-turned Eight-Arms Kurgan, as desperate as the battle had been, was thanks to the cheers of his little brother and sister present there―― that, and those of the citizens filled with hope, uplifted by the speech given by Subaru.
Indeed, that was so. Garfiel had emerged victorious there due to the power of those cheers. And, the willpower that had allowed them to cheer, had emerged due to none other than Subaru having roused the people's spirits.
It had been the result of Natsuki Subaru wielding hope to paint over the despair laid out by the Witch Cult.
Garfiel: [Ain't no fuckin' way Captain's a Sin Archbishop…!!]
Feeling as though the figure of the one he so respected was being tarnished by a notion too ludicrous to even suspect, Garfiel was truly, oh so truly infuriated.
It was not only Pristella. From the Sanctuary, where Garfiel had lived together with his grandmother and the others, to Petra's home of Arlam village, which had been saved from the Witch Cult, to all the people who had participated in the Subjugation of the White Whale alongside Subaru: there were a great number of people who knew the innate goodness of Natsuki Subaru.
――And among them, the one who most firmly believed in Subaru was none other than Emilia.
From what Otto had said, the summons for Emilia to the Castle had the objective of detaining her from the very start, with the hearing to clear up the suspicions surrounding Subaru being nothing more than a pretext.
And yet, supposing the other party truly did have the intention of trying to clear up the doubts regarding Subaru, nobody could pour the entirety of their soul into their words for it quite like Emilia would.
Garfiel: [Fuckin' shit.]
Frustrating. Frustrating. Just plain frustrating. Frustrating and frustrating, the frustration was unending.
Had Subaru not done his best? Wishing to stand by the one he had fallen for, Emilia, wishing to protect the hearts of everyone together with him, had he not earnestly and fervently tried his very best?
And yet, why would they not listen to the voices who knew of Subaru's efforts?
If they had just granted them that opportunity, it would have been made clear.
――The fact that Natsuki Subaru would always struggle endlessly onward in the attempt to make his own outrageous ideals come true, that he was the greatest, coolest big brother figure Garfiel could ever be proud to have.
Meili: [Garf-oniisan…]
Garfiel: [――Hk, 's nothin'! "Kurgan felled his foes even if it meant losin' his arms", ya know! My amazin' self can't keep bein' so hesitant either!]
He had intended on cheering up Meili, but instead had just ended up getting choked up himself, so clearing those sentiments away with a spirited voice and a gnash of his fangs, Garfiel looked straight ahead.
Observing his state, Meili narrowed her eyes slightly,
Meili: [Truly, you really are all Subaru-oniisan and Emilia-oneesan's companions, are'nt yo~u?]
And, she muttered words that resonated as naught but praise to Garfiel.
Rem: [――Otto-san, what is the plan from here?]
Leaving Garfiel and Meili to their exchange, Rem pulled up alongside Otto at the front as they ran forward, and posed him that question.
In response, Otto guided the group forward, saying, "This way",
Otto: [For now, I wish to lay low so that our trail cannot be pursued. It will not be long before our escape is discovered. We need to leave the Noble District immediately, and for that purpose, I am relying on their help.]
Rem: [――. ――――. I see.]
Selecting small alleys and routes with cover, Otto led the way after fleeing from the Royal Residence. Ahead of Otto's gaze, those familiar insects were sneakily scurrying once more.
Hearing that they were relying on such creatures, Rem paused before uttering words of acceptance. In the past, Garfiel had also gone through a bitter experience because of them, so regarding Otto, who did business with these insects―― primarily Zodda bugs, he had some quite unpleasant memories.
But then again, as allies, there were no people, nor insects, more reliable than these.
Otto: [If we get caught at a checkpoint, we are out. And so―― Garfiel!]
Garfiel: [Gotcha! The two of ya, hang on tight!]
Petra: [Kyaa――!]
At Otto's call, Garfiel scooped up Petra and Meili from beside him, and tucking one under each arm, he kicked off the wall in front of him―― the sturdy bulwark that separated the Royal Capital's Noble District from the Commoner District, and vaulted over to the other side.
It was a wall meant to serve a vital role in the security of the Royal Capital, but with Garfiel's leg strength, clearing it was a walk in the park.
Garfiel: [Keep waitin' here for a sec. I gotta go get Ottobro 'n Rem as well.]
Petra: [I understand the hurry, but… Garf-san, you can't just snatch up girls all of a sudden like that. You really gave me a fright just now.]
Garfiel: [Ahhn? Why're ya worried 'bout such dumb―― quit it with the scary eyes! Fine, I get it!]
With it seeming like quite a big deal to her, Garfiel felt a sense of dread from Petra's icy glare, and apologized. Then, getting a run up, staring upwards in preparation to cross over the wall once more――,
Rem: [――My apologies. We crossed it without your help, Garf.]
Saying that, Rem dropped down right in front of him, to which Garfiel's eyes widened. Part of that was at the fact that she had managed to surmount this wall, but what came as an even greater shock was,
Meili: [Otto-oniisan, you actually managed not to screa~m.]
Otto: [It came dangerously close to that, though… Rem-san, please let me down. Natsuki-san would murder me, after all.]
Rem: [Hah? Why is that person's name coming up all of a sudden? I haven't the slightest idea what you mean.]
Otto: [Although, that's exactly the kind of thing someone who does know would say!]
Being glared at by Rem as she carried him in her arms, Otto raised such a scream. Once she finally set him down onto the ground, Petra and Meili began to tease him. Looking over that, Garfiel heaved a deep sigh, before suppressing the surge of emotions that he felt moments before.
Beyond any doubt, the situation was bad. Perhaps, it was even worse than when they had been caught up in the Empire's civil war.
But, Subaru was surely safe together with Beatrice. Emilia too, would be acting to the best of her ability without being reckless thanks to Ram being with her. And, the ones present here, Otto, Rem, Petra, and Meili, were all dependable. ――He, would support them.
The situation, was bad. But, he could still smile. And as long as they could still smile, it meant they were not truly backed up against the wall just yet.
Garfiel: [Ottobro, my amazin' self'll carry ya next time we hafta jump.]
Otto: [Yes, I'd be happy to hold you to that.]
Garfiel: [Gotcha. So, where to from here? Ya said somethin' 'bout hidin' for a bit, but…]
Otto: [Indeed. For the time being, I will lead us somewhere without many pe――]
Shaking his head side to side, Otto, who had been surveying the surrounding area, cut his words off there. Blinking his eyes, his gaze darted frantically between all of the buildings and covers nearby the bulwark.
Smelling an unconceivable fretfulness therein,
Garfiel: [Ottobro?]
Otto: [――Gone.]
Garfiel: [Ottobro? What'dya mean gone…]
Otto: [The Zodda bugs. No, not just the Zodda bugs. Even outside the Zoddas, all the insects that had been guiding us until now, they are all gone… do not tell me!]
His eyes wide with realization, Otto turned not towards cover, but back around towards Garfiel and everyone else.
His expression was tense, and as his voice scorched with rising panic, he grabbed Garfiel by the arm.
And then――,
Otto: [I messed up! I do not know how, but… the insects deceived me!]
Petra: [The insects deceived… Otto-san? Is that even…]
Otto: [It is possible! We were lured here! If this continues, there will be no escape! We need to get out of here as soon as――]
With the safety he had taken for granted being utterly violated, Otto was in a state of utter disbelief, yet he raised the utmost worst-case scenario to his allies.
Hearkening that, Garfiel's mind on the brink of dumbfoundment was roused into motion, and immediately prepared to move in accordance with Otto's command――,
???: [――That will be as far as you go.]
――It was precisely at that moment, that the worst possible pursuer finally caught up to them.