Riding Patrasche, Subaru sighed helplessly. The Earth Dragon's warm scales gently rose and fell with her breathing as she stroked her mount's neck, her gaze fixed on the two Earth Dragons trotting side-by-side ahead.
Carlisle and Julius's Earth Dragons were almost shoulder-to-shoulder, the blue-haired and purple-haired knights conversing animatedly about something. Julius gestured elegantly, while Carlisle nodded occasionally, and the atmosphere of mutual appreciation between them made Subaru involuntarily purse her lips.
Convincing Lady Crusch to change their marching route was smoother than she had imagined. Now, the main force was turning towards Roswaal's border. Then, just like last time, they would meet Julius, who was coming to provide support, halfway.
Subaru narrowed her eyes. That purple-haired knight was using the ridiculous alias 'Yuri' and was mixed in with the team as a mercenary. Even stranger were the glances he occasionally cast her way. When Subaru once again caught Julius looking at her, she finally confirmed it wasn't her imagination.
That gaze clearly held... admiration?
Subaru was utterly baffled. Logically, Julius hadn't participated in the White Whale subjugation, and she hadn't done anything admirable in front of him... had she?
"Could it be... because I managed to win over Carlisle?" But then, she herself was amused by this absurd thought.
When the team reached the edge of the forest, Lady Crusch ordered them to set up camp. The soldiers skillfully erected tents, and the medical team began to care for the wounded. Subaru watched the busy crowd; this was also something she had requested. Remembering the Sloth Archbishop's pathetic state after his ability was deciphered in the last loop, too many people would only alert the enemy.
Her gaze swept across the camp, and Subaru clapped her hands. "Well then... let's hold a strategy meeting."
------
On the plains, the subjugation team members sat in a circle. Subaru had deliberately controlled the number of attendees, but those sitting there now were undoubtedly the most elite fighting force of the entire team.
Carlisle sat upright, Rem beside him, Julius elegantly crossed his legs, Wilhelm held his sword, silent as a statue, Felix was uncharacteristically serious, his cat ears perked up vigilantly, and the Iron Fang trio, Ricardo, Mimi, and Hetaro, sat close together.
Subaru cleared her throat, her voice exceptionally clear in the quiet morning. "I'll repeat again, the Sloth Archbishop of Sin's ability isn't terrifying... what needs attention is that he has an ability to possess... that is, to take over a body."
Her gaze swept over everyone's faces. "Simply put, it's the ability to overwrite someone else's consciousness with his own, to mentally seize another's body."
"Sloth's backup bodies are his ten close associates, referred to as the 'Fingers'. To defeat him, you only need to kill all of his close associates."
Julius suddenly sat up straight. "I see... I've read about similar magic in ancient texts. I never imagined Subaru would not only discover this information but also deduce a method to break it..." His voice held undisguised admiration. "Truly remarkable."
Subaru nodded slightly, but there was one thing she hadn't mentioned: in the previous loop, she herself had become a target of possession, and the memory still sent shivers down her spine. Fortunately, it was successfully resolved, but what concerned her most was the abnormal situation that occurred at the end of that subjugation battle... "The specific plan is as follows..." Subaru pointed to several key points on the map, "First, I've already asked Lady Anastasia's merchant caravan to assist the villagers in evacuating. In exchange... Roswaal will purchase all goods at a high price."
At this point, she couldn't help but glance at Rem. Thanks to the maid's information, she knew that the Mansion's financial power was actually in Ram's hands, and that clown woman had no real authority.
"Lady Crusch's messenger has already departed with the news of the alliance." Subaru's finger traced the route on the map, "After all, if not notified in advance, an army from another faction suddenly entering the territory would certainly cause unnecessary chaos."
"Just like last time... ahem, Julius and I will be responsible for dealing with the Sloth Archbishop's main body, while the others will be divided into groups to eliminate his 'Fingers' and ordinary cultists." She emphasized, "Remember, you must ensure that every 'finger' is completely annihilated, otherwise Sloth will be able to continuously transfer."
Subaru's gaze slowly swept over each face. Her throat suddenly felt tight, but she still forced out the words.
"The most important point... those fanatics of the Witch Cult fight without regard for their lives. No matter what happens... please prioritize your own lives, you must survive..."
"Hahaha!" Ricardo suddenly burst into thunderous laughter. "Miss, this level of combat is already commonplace for us Iron Fang!" As he spoke, he rubbed the heads of the two orange cat beastmen sitting on his lap with his large hand. "I never thought we'd get to deal with the Witch Cult right after finishing off the White Whale, this really gets the blood pumping!"
Mimi was jostled around but excitedly waved her small fists. "Yay! Big Sister is so amazing!" Her fluffy ears trembled like dandelions in the wind. "We're going to kill all the bad guys from the Witch Cult! We'll tear down their strongholds until not a single brick is left!"
Subaru looked at Mimi's innocent smile and couldn't help but sigh with a wry smile, rubbing her forehead. "Don't say such scary things..."
Wilhelm slowly stroked his sword hilt, his hoarse voice carrying the calm of one who had seen through life and death. "My long-cherished wish has been fulfilled... The White Whale is dead, even if this old life is sacrificed on the battlefield, it would be..."
"Hey, hey! Old Man Will!" Felix's cat ears suddenly perked up, and he jumped up, interrupting him directly. "Can you please wait until after the battle to say such inauspicious things!"
Carlisle turned to the purple-haired knight beside him, his eyes filled with solemnity. "Julius... I'm counting on you with the Sloth Archbishop of Sin." He paused. "Of course, if you encounter any insurmountable problems, call for help, and I will rush over immediately."
"Oh my, oh my~" Julius elegantly brushed a strand of hair from his forehead, a playful smile on his lips. "Though I can't compare to the 'Perfect Knight' himself, if even I, as a reinforcement, need to be rescued by the one I'm supposed to be rescuing... then I would truly be too useless."
Subaru looked at the group of people before her... a sudden warmth surged in her chest.
"Thank you, everyone..." Her voice was a little choked, but she quickly put on a bright smile. "After everything is over, we absolutely must have a grand celebration together! We'll make that Roswaal fellow bleed profusely!" She suddenly stood up. "So, please, all of you must come back alive! Now, move out!"
Note- Regarding Julius nickname yuri
Alias "Juli" (Yuri): This is a temporary nickname often used for him.
Pronunciation/Transliteration: His Japanese name is spelled Yuriusu Yūkuriusu (ユリウス・ユークリウス), which is frequently transliterated as Yuri or Yuriusu, sometimes causing confusion with his full first name, Julius.
...
Re@d adv@nce ch@pters on p@t
guilt_free_daoist
Jo!n d!sc0rd I!nk in synops!s.
GIVE ME YOU POWER STONES.