Deafening cheers, like a tidal wave, abruptly pulled Subaru's consciousness back to reality. She blinked her sore eyes, the dazzling sunlight blurring her vision. Her ears were filled with the ecstatic shouts of soldiers, the excited neighing of ground dragons, and the flapping of banners in the wind.
"...Huh? Where is this...?"
Subaru looked around blankly, the scene before her making her momentarily disoriented. In the distance, the enormous corpse of the White Whale lay scattered on the ground, the air thick with the smell of blood and scorched earth. Lady Crusch stood on high ground, her long sword raised above her head. Felix moved among the wounded, the light of healing magic constantly flashing.
Subaru's fingers unconsciously touched her neck. She should have returned to an earlier point in time, to the fruit stand in the Royal Capital. At that time, she hadn't even confirmed her relationship with Carlisle. "It's changed... the return point... which means..."
She suddenly turned her head, and the blue-haired knight stood less than a meter away. The sunlight gilded his handsome profile, and his sapphire-like eyes gazed at the celebrating crowd with a warm smile. His left arm, completely unharmed, hung naturally by his side, his cape gently swaying in the wind.
"What's wrong, Subaru? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Carlisle noticed her intense gaze and turned his head in confusion. The sunlight danced on his eyelashes, reflecting the concern in his eyes.
"You...!"
Subaru suddenly threw herself into his arms, her hands tightly gripping his back. Her face was buried deep in his chest, her voice muffled, with a hint of a sob. Carlisle's familiar scent made her eyes well up. She had been mentally prepared to return to the very beginning, but she hadn't expected to get a do-over at this point in time.
"Subaru! No more running off!"
Rem's clear voice suddenly exploded from behind them, carrying obvious jealousy and panic. Subaru felt her shoulder grabbed by a pair of slender yet strong hands, followed by a tug, as the blue-haired maid tried to pull her out of Carlisle's embrace.
Subaru turned her head and looked at Rem's anxious expression, remembering Rem's heartbroken sobs in the last loop when she uncovered that blood-stained white cloth. At that time, she seemed to have had her soul ripped out, the whimpers from her throat more heartbreaking than any words... And the Rem standing before her now didn't know that this world offered a chance to restart. She simply, persistently loved this blue-haired knight with all her passion and loyalty.
"Rem..." Subaru's voice suddenly softened. She released one hand from Carlisle and extended it towards Rem, "...You can join too."
This sentence brought Rem's actions to a halt. Her clear blue eyes widened slightly, as if processing the meaning of the words. After a moment of stunned silence, those always-clear eyes suddenly lit up.
"Really! Thank you very much!"
Rem cheered and pounced, unhesitatingly wrapping her arms around Carlisle's other side, pressing her face against his firm chest, rubbing it happily. A sweet curve lifted the corners of her pink lips, and the blush on her cheeks deepened.
"Wait... wait! So many people are watching!"
Carlisle's face instantly flushed crimson, and he stood awkwardly. He wanted to push the two away but didn't dare to use force, only stammering his protests. The tips of his ears under his blue hair were so red they looked almost ready to bleed.
The surrounding soldiers immediately burst into a chorus of good-natured teasing.
"Hey, hey, Carlisle, this is a battlefield!"
"As expected of our Perfect Knight, even something like this is outstanding!"
Amidst the jeers, a teasing whistle came, and Felix walked over with light steps, his cat tail wagging happily from side to side. His eyes sparkled with mischievous light, and a sly smile hung on his lips.
"Oh my~" He deliberately drew out his words. "Carlisle-san certainly has a lot of admirers~"
Felix suddenly leaned closer. "But something like this... how about doing it back in the tent?" He then winked suggestively.
These words were like a basin of cold water poured into hot oil; the three instantly separated as if shocked. Subaru's face was as red as a ripe apple, and she fumbled to straighten her clothes. Rem lowered her head, nervously twisting the hem of her maid outfit, even the tips of her hair trembling with embarrassment. Carlisle, meanwhile, was completely frozen, his face so red it looked almost ready to bleed.
Seeing this, Felix sighed dramatically, his cat ears drooping in disappointment. "What's the matter~ You're all too innocent, aren't you? This isn't fun anymore, Nyaa~"
The surrounding soldiers laughed even harder, some even starting to jeer. "Felix is right! Carlisle needs to be bolder!"
Subaru vigorously patted her burning cheeks, taking a deep breath to suppress the rising embarrassment. "Fi... First, stop!" She raised her voice. "I have something important to discuss with Lady Crusch!"
— — — — — —
Lady Crusch's expression was serious as she processed the information Subaru had given her. "Subaru, you're saying... if we return to the Royal Capital now, the convoy will be attacked?"
"Yes, that's right." Subaru swallowed with difficulty, "The attackers are the Witch Cult's Greed Archbishop and gluttony Archbishop, and the strength of Greed Archbishop..."
The horrifying hollow in Carlisle's chest flashed in her mind, "...even Carlisle is no match."
Upon hearing this information, Lady Crusch subconsciously looked at the blue-haired knight in the distance who was assisting with treating the wounded. The kingdom's second-strongest knight was no match? A terrible premonition spread through her heart.
"It seems... she isn't lying." Lady Crusch murmured softly. She thought for a moment, then slowly nodded. "I understand. So, what is Subaru's suggestion?"
"Please, Lady Crusch, first lead the soldiers to Roswaal's border for a short rest. After we defeat the Sloth Archbishop, we will gather all our forces and return to the Royal Capital together."
...
Re@d adv@nce ch@pters on p@t
guilt_free_daoist
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