—A crisis of unprecedented magnitude for the
"..."
Sitting up on his bed, Subaru heard this and first pinched his own cheek. It hurt. Meaning this was definitely reality, not a continuation of some dream.
In other words— "You might as well tell me this is a continuation of a nightmare—that's how much this stuff keeps piling on. Seriously, am I cursed or something? There's way too many shocking things happening..."
"If that's the case, then it's not just you who's cursed. You can relax."
"I can't relax at all, but thanks for being cursed with me. I love you."
"Betty, too."
He lowered the hand that had been pinching his cheek and instead used it to stroke
His reliable partner at the bedside who insisted they were in this together—she didn't seem to have received much more explanation about the current situation than Subaru had.
That being the case, what he really wanted to do was drill the "White Sheep" and Russell for as much information as possible— "'Shocking,' was it? You mean surprised, or shaken up?"
"Huh? Yeah, that's right—wait, why do you ask? Nobody around here gets my homeland's slang on the first try except Otto."
"Oh, it's nothing important. It's just that the letters Roswaal has been sending lately have been full of unfamiliar words like that. ...Even code-breaking takes a bit of extra effort, so I wish he'd cut it out."
"Roswaal... and letters... you say?"
At Subaru's words, Beatrice narrowed her round eyes and heightened her wariness slightly. Normally, hearing a familiar name should provide some comfort—but that was exactly the kind of thing one couldn't take at face value when it came to Roswaal.
As it happened, Russell seemed to think the same thing, and gave a resigned shrug.
"I can't help but worry about how Roswaal treats you, Natsuki-sama, and your allies—though I suppose it's not really my place. Allow me to state for the record: he's an old friend of mine. Our association spans about fifteen years now."
"Fifteen years...! That's quite a long time. So then, when the
"Oh, you needn't worry about that. Commerce and friendship are entirely separate matters. My decision to cooperate with you during that affair was entirely my own—Roswaal had no involvement. If anything, I might have refused if he'd asked me to."
"Hmm, sounds like you've got Roswaal pretty well figured out. If he'd called him a best friend or something, I would've walked out right then and there."
"There's something very Roswaal about having to badmouth him to earn Beatrice's trust..."
Even so, Russell's answer was a welcome one from Subaru's perspective.
The White Whale subjugation that Crusch and the others had planned—Subaru had been the one to voluntarily propose and recruit Anastasia and this Russell as allied participants.
If the deal that brought Russell on board had been orchestrated by Roswaal, then even if the result was the same, it would have put a small dent in Subaru's self-esteem.
"Um, um, 'Silver Fox'... shouldn't we be moving on with the discussion?"
It was the "White Sheep," who had been standing on the periphery of the conversation, who interjected at that point. She cast an anxious upward glance at Russell, apparently trying to steer the conversation along smoothly—but her words only added another element of unease.
"'Silver Fox,' huh. Does that mean I can expect the full story on all that?"
"Of course. Now that we've welcomed you here, Natsuki-sama, it falls upon us to open our hearts and demonstrate that we're seeking your cooperation. However, before that..."
"Before?"
"I'd like to confirm that you're not a dangerous element. —Yes, what was it called in your homeland... a 'check.'"
Whether this too was something he'd learned from Roswaal's letters, Russell ran his fingers along his neatly trimmed jaw beard and deepened his smile as he looked at Subaru.
Without realizing it, Subaru's throat made a sound—a reflexive response to the sudden dryness in his mouth. Being called a dangerous element, the first thing that flashed through his mind was what "Black Dog" had told him: the suspicion that Subaru was connected to the
But— "Russell, I don't know how to prove it, but that suspicion is wrong. Me being a Sin Archbishop or whatever—that's..."
"Words are meaningless. That's what makes the Witch Cult so terrifying. You should know that."
"...!"
"Therefore, please—take this."
The unwavering, cold assessment made Subaru look down. And into his field of vision, Russell—who had approached from the entrance of the room—held something out.
Seeing it, Subaru held his breath. There, in Russell's hand, was— "...A cell phone?"
He let out a hoarse whisper. Subaru stared blankly at the phone that had been handed to him.
Without question, it was a cell phone. His own cell phone, the flip phone he'd cherished—one of the few items he'd brought from his world, which he had parted with a long time ago.
He would never forget the circumstances under which he'd given it up. It was the very item he had offered to Russell in exchange for his cooperation in the White Whale subjugation. He had even deftly reframed it as having a sensor that could detect approaching mabeasts, so it wouldn't come across as a hollow gesture.
"No, wait, Russell... I mean, there's no room for excuses here, I guess. I didn't do it with any ill intent—it was out of necessity, and whether it was right or wrong, I'm definitely the one in the wrong, but..."
"W-What's wrong, Subaru? You're all over the place."
"I never thought I'd run into the symbol of my guilt, abandoned in a place like this... B-But! Calling me a Sin Archbishop over this is going too far! Unlike them, I'm fully prepared to apologize!"
"No, that's quite all right. The verification is complete. You are indeed Natsuki-sama."
Sin Archbishops can't apologize. —No, there were some who would mouth the words "thank you" or "I'm sorry," but none who could offer a genuine, heartfelt apology.
That was precisely the reasoning Subaru had been about to use to deny the Sin Archbishop theory—so Russell's unexpected answer caught him completely off guard.
"What verification? I just got handed a cell phone... Ah, because you knew the word 'cell phone'? That's my proof of innocence?"
"No, that's not it. Before it came into my hands, I have no way of knowing how many people Natsuki-sama showed it off to or spread its name among. So rather than any external factors—I confirmed it with my own eyes."
"Your eyes... like a merchant's instinct?"
"Not entirely incorrect. It's a Blessing. I have what's called the 'Eye for Quality'—my eyes can discern the true value of what they see."
Russell pointed at his own eye as he revealed his "Eye for Quality," then directed that finger at the cell phone in Subaru's hand, and continued— "That 'Metia' only soars in value when it's in Natsuki-sama's possession."
"...!"
"Perhaps it's something that only you can make full use of. Whether it's in my hands or anyone else's, that 'Metia' gives off no light whatsoever. But while it's in your hands, it's different. Of course, it's been silent for quite some time now..."
"...Probably out of battery. But it still glows when it's in my hands?"
"Yes, blindingly so."
"Is that so. If it can be revived, maybe I'm the only one who can do it..."
Savoring the familiar feel and weight in his hand, Subaru turned Russell's words over and broke down the logic behind how Russell had used it as a litmus test.
The phone was unusable by anyone other than Subaru. Therefore, if it shone in his hands, that was proof he was the same person he had been back then— "...Wait. Does that mean, Russell, you already knew from the start that you wouldn't be able to use the phone yourself?"
"I became certain of it after you transferred it to me as payment. It held absolutely no value in my hands or those of my subordinates. I had intended to surprise you with it if the opportunity ever came up."
"I'd say the blame falls on the person who got swindled... but that probably doesn't work on Subaru, does it?"
"As expected, you understand well."
In the negotiation on equal footing, Subaru had never lied—he had simply convinced Russell of the phone's value. That much could be attested to by Crusch's "Windreading" Blessing, which had been present at the time—but as Beatrice pointed out, that was a separate matter from any sense of guilt on Subaru's part.
Still, he never imagined that the phone, reunited with him by chance, would serve as proof of his identity. That was what he wanted to say—but this didn't mean the problem was solved.
"I don't want to say this, but what this proves is that the me from that negotiation and the current me are the same person. But what if, before that, I was already... I was already... I was with the
"Oh no, he sounds really distressed just talking about a hypothetical!"
"That's how deeply his mind and body are rejecting the possibility. I can understand the feeling."
"Anyway! What if I was with the Witch Cult before that? What if, worse yet, I was a Sin Archbishop?"
It was a grim hypothesis even for himself, but to clear away suspicion, complete innocence was what was needed. Even in the worst-case scenario, there was meaning in Subaru being the one to voice it.
And if Russell could take even a shred of it as grounds for trust—all the better— "Before that, you say... That would be around the time the Royal Selection was announced."
"Yeah."
"And when it comes to the Royal Selection, that would be the occasion when Natsuki-sama delivered quite the bold speech at the Royal Castle."
"Ah... yeah."
"I hear it earned considerable hostility from many who were present, but fortunately there was no eruption from those around, and in the end it simply lowered your reputation further."
"That's... right...?"
"And you're suggesting that the Witch Cult had already gotten their hooks into someone in that state?"
"Well... the me from back then would have been rejected by the Witch Cult, too..."
When Subaru tried to appeal to sentiment, a merciless barrage of logic crushed his spirit.
In truth, after learning what Subaru had pulled at the Royal Castle, any Witch Cult member who thought he could still be useful was an idiot. And if they had contacted him before the incident, then Subaru was the idiot for pulling that stunt. —In other words, Subaru had proven his own innocence through the sheer stupidity of his own actions.
"The only thing I'm grateful for in terms of my personal growth is that that event happened!?"
Moreover, based on what he'd just heard, the mock battle with Julius that followed the incident had apparently been erased from the record—because Julius's "name" had been consumed by Gluttony. If that were the case, the hatred from the Kingdom's knights toward Subaru would have been astronomical.
Was it possible that this current pursuit was partly rooted in that as well?
In any case— "So, from your perspective, Russell, I'm innocent?"
"Yes. From my perspective, Natsuki-sama—including your many exploits—is without exaggeration the most valuable asset in the Kingdom of Lugunica today."
"O-Oh... ohhh... I'm saved...! My heart has been saved...!"
"Why are you so moved by just this man's words?! Beatrice is the one who believed in Subaru most of all, right here beside him! And so do
"Of course, that makes me so happy I could die, but there's a different kind of weight to being believed by someone on the outside versus someone on the inside. It's like a difference in difficulty level."
"Hmph, Betty is offended. The next time Subaru is suspected of something, there will be a five-minute penalty before Betty takes his side."
"Five minutes without Beatrice on my side...!? I don't know if I can survive that..."
Beatrice turned her face away, cheeks puffed out, and Subaru pulled her onto the bed, settling her into the crook of his crossed legs. Then he looked at Russell and said, "So."
Russell's assessment of Subaru was complete. Then it was time for Subaru to go on the offensive.
"It's about time you told me. The kingdom being in danger is important, but before that—tell me about who you really are. You're not just some big-shot merchant in the capital, are you?"
Of course, up to this point, everything could just barely fit under the umbrella of "competent merchant." But Russell had said it from the start: the kingdom was facing an existential crisis, and it was caused by their long-standing nemesis.
"A nemesis capable of destroying the nation and a long-standing enemy—those aren't things a mere merchant would talk about. And the fact that you're called 'Silver Fox'... Same goes for the 'White Sheep' here. You really have a different line of work. And that is—"
"
"—!?"
Leaning forward, about to pry open Russell's mouth, Subaru was startled by a voice coming from an unexpected direction and turned toward it.
The voice belonged neither to Russell nor to "White Sheep." It was from someone who had been silently listening to their conversation all this while, biding their time— "Lachins, how long have you been awake?"
"Been a while now. With all this chatter, how was I supposed to keep sleeping? I almost spoke up when I heard that
The one who answered was Lachins, sitting up on the long sofa. His sewer-soiled clothes had been removed, and his body was wrapped in a blanket over his undershirt. Subaru was relieved to see he appeared unharmed.
"I'll let the fake-sleep eavesdropping slide... but what was that you said earlier? Six...?"
"Six Tongues. Long story short, it's an intelligence outfit that's been operating in the shadows behind Lugunica... I never doubted they actually existed, but I sure didn't expect the head of the Merchants' Guild to be running them."
"An intelligence outfit... you mean a spy organization!?"
Once Lachins's explanation sank in, Subaru couldn't help but raise his voice.
Spies—while they appeared frequently in fiction, they were at the top of the list of things one would never encounter in real life. Ninja were in a similar category, but he'd actually seen one of those and even experienced their terror firsthand.
But to think he'd encounter them here— "So you're saying the shadowy leader pulling the strings behind Lugunica's underbelly is none other than Russell!?"
Subaru's eyes went wide as he stared at Russell, who now stood with perfect posture.
At Subaru's overblown reaction, Russell raised an eyebrow slightly, then slowly shook his head.
"I'd appreciate it if you didn't spread that around so loudly. It could be a matter of your life."
—He'd just given Subaru yet another taste of just how terrifying spies could be.
△▼△▼△▼△ "Originally, Six Tongues was established to serve the kingdom's counterintelligence efforts, using the Demi-human War as a catalyst. The prolonged civil war had, in part, been due to underestimating the intelligence capabilities of the demi-humans."
"Yeah... that tracks. One of my friends can camouflage himself into walls and stuff."
"Yes. A specialized organization was needed—one equipped with the knowledge to handle such traits and Blessings, as well as Metia, and possessing the operational capability to respond to them. Six Tongues was founded for that purpose, and I currently hold the position of director."
"Director...! That's the first time I've heard that title on this side of things!"
"Why does Subaru have to get so emotional about everything? These people are just as suspicious as ever. If anything, even more so."
"No, you're right about that. But in cases like this, the deeper the mystery, the more it adds to the charm—that's just how special agencies work, isn't it..."
While poking at Beatrice's puffed cheeks, Subaru snuck a glance at Russell.
He responded with the same composure and the same expression as always—but knowing now that his true identity was the head of an intelligence organization gave his bearing and air of authority a new weight.
The history behind Six Tongues' founding also made sense. —Subaru's camouflaging friend was from the Pleiades Watch, but the Demi-human War had seen many demi-humans fighting against the kingdom. And in war, what proved useful wasn't limited to combat strength.
"By the way, Lachins—did you know about Six Tongues? Perhaps from your father?"
"Huh? You think that old man would spill the kingdom's secrets just because family's asking? I just figured an organization like that had to exist, and some rumors I'd heard here and there finally clicked. I never in a million years thought you were the head, though."
"I see. As expected, Riekert Hoffmann is a model of loyalty. Have you been in contact with your father since?"
"Hey, your spy habits are showing. Right now, you're the one who should be talking—not me going on about things. Don't get carried away."
"You're quite right. Forgive me."
Russell offered a theatrically deep bow to the sharp-eyed Lachins. But even from that exchange, it was confirmed that what Lachins had revealed in the sewers about his background—that his family truly were Lugunican nobles—checked out.
Accepting the answer, Russell turned his gaze back to Subaru with a "Now then."
"I can't divulge details pertaining to classified matters, but our paramount objective is national defense. Myself included, every member of the organization operates in hiding—concealing their positions and fabricating their identities in service of counterintelligence. The title of president of the capital's Merchants' Guild serves as a cover to hide the truth."
"That seems a bit too high-profile for a cover, don't you think? Guild president?"
"It was the result of balancing the outward authority and influence that would be necessary. You needn't worry—all the prominent figures in the capital aren't members of the organization."
"—Though it would've been better if they were, given the current situation."
"Yes... I'm embarrassed to admit that, too."
Russell slowly shook his head, wearing a solemn expression in response to Beatrice's observation. Whether that expression truly reflected his inner thoughts was anyone's guess—but it seemed they could finally get to the heart of the matter.
The crisis currently plaguing the Kingdom of Lugunica—it had to be connected to the fact that Subaru and his allies had been driven into a corner, and that the Witch Cult's hand had reached even Emilia and her people.
And the one at the center of it all was— "Beloved Children. That is the name of our... rather, the kingdom's greatest enemy at this moment."
"Meaning they're the ones trying to wreck the Royal Selection?"
"That's not incorrect. But more precisely, it's not the Royal Selection they're trying to destroy—it's the kingdom itself."
"The kingdom itself... and the chaos in the capital right now stems from that influence. ...Come to think of it, you mentioned a long-standing enemy earlier. What did you mean?"
"According to our records... there are entries indicating they've been operating in the shadows for over thirty years."
"Thir...ty...years!?"
The number, delivered so matter-of-factly, made Subaru's eyes go wide with shock.
Five years, ten years—he could have anticipated. But thirty years was beyond him. If Six Tongues had been established after the Demi-human War, it had only existed for roughly forty years.
"That means from nearly the start... you've basically been fighting them the whole time."
"Yes. In that sense, one could say the history of Six Tongues is the history of our shadow war against the Beloved Children. However, the Beloved Children were an enemy whose true nature we couldn't grasp, and we were perpetually on the defensive... barely managing to prevent them from doing as they pleased within the country."
"And the organization the kingdom pinned its hopes on was getting steamrolled the whole time. How pathetic."
"I have no rebuttal. In truth, across the kingdom, there were countless instances of lords and influential figures suddenly changing their allegiances, or committing acts of treason by passing information to foreign powers. In the decade-plus since I assumed the role of director, there was no effective strategy to turn the situation around, and we were reduced to band-aid measures. —But then, things changed."
"Changed?"
"Yes. Because of 'White Sheep' and 'Black Dog.'"
At his words, Subaru silently looked at "White Sheep," who had been standing behind Russell this whole time.
"Black Dog," who had been named alongside her, was not present—but apparently these two had freed Six Tongues from the dead end it had fallen into.
As Subaru silently questioned how that could be, "White Sheep" placed a hand on her chest, her cute features taut with slight tension— "I was originally one of the Beloved Children. 'Black Dog' was in the same situation."
"...! You turned one of the enemy into a double agent!?"
"There were several fortunate coincidences, yes. But as a result, we gained the opportunity to learn the truth behind the Beloved Children—the ones we'd been opposing for so long."
"Yes. ...Though, I didn't get to learn everything—there were things I could talk about and things I couldn't."
"No, even so, that's a huge gain. That took real nerve..."
"White Sheep" appeared somewhat sheepish, but that didn't match Russell's assessment of her.
After all, she was the key to breaking a thirty-year stalemate—she must have been an oasis in the desert for Six Tongues.
At Subaru's observation, "White Sheep" lowered her gaze slightly.
"...Yes, even I was surprised. That I had that much courage. If only I'd done it sooner..."
"Huh?"
"Oh, no—it's nothing! In any case, that's my background."
She waved her hands frantically, and Subaru furrowed his brow slightly, pressing his lips together.
But before he could dig into what had caught his attention, Lachins's rough voice cut in.
"How can we trust this so-called defection? For all we know, it could be a trap—those enemies of yours who got in the way might have sent her to manipulate you."
"If that were the case, we'd have been destroyed long ago. 'White Sheep' and the others have been with us for over a year now—and in that time, the number of Beloved Children schemes we've foiled would exceed one hand. It makes no sense to invest that much effort into a double agent."
"...Maybe they'd do exactly that. I say you're not being careful enough."
"—Please rest assured. We have measures in place to prevent their betrayal. It was through that that they earned my trust—no, they won it."
Lachins and Russell locked eyes, their sharp gazes clashing as wordless judgments passed between them.
Subaru understood where Lachins was coming from, but he had a strong impression of Russell as someone who left no gaps. With Lachins, he just couldn't shake the first impression of him as a back-alley punk—which only made Russell's difference in class all the more apparent.
"...Would it be ungrateful of me to think that way when they've been helping me out...?"
"If we're just counting instances, then we were rescued by the beard more times than not. Even counting the sewer, it's an even split between the punk and the beard."
"True that. As expected of my Beatrice—she can do math—"
"Um,
While being jostled together with Beatrice in the crook of his legs, Subaru was wavering over whose side to take when "White Sheep" called out to him, prompting a strange "Huh?" from him.
But she looked at him with a serious expression, then bowed deeply.
And then— "We were only able to escape from the Beloved Children because of all of you. I've wanted to thank you for so long... Thank you so much!"
"Huh? You're welcome, but which specific thing is the reason for the gratitude?"
"Why, the subjugation of the Witch Cult's Archbishop of Sloth, of course!"
"...Petelgeuse's?"
Wide-eyed, Subaru asked for confirmation, and "White Sheep" nodded vigorously.
Between the Royal Castle incident—the dark chapter from his past—the White Whale subjugation involving the cell phone, and now this—it was turning into quite the day of digging up events from the dawn of the Royal Selection.
But to think he'd receive direct gratitude from "White Sheep" for defeating Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti—while being praised was nice enough, he didn't understand the specific reason.
"You weren't, like, one of his fingers, were you?"
"Fingers? No, but... because of his absence, Mama was running around frantically, and we seized that chaos as our chance to..."
"Huh? Huh? Huh? Wait, wait—I'm confused again. Mama running around because Petelgeuse was gone? What kind of chaos are we talking about...?"
"I didn't know the truth for a long time either. Whenever we met, she always looked different, and I could never have a proper conversation with her... But I finally figured it out."
Subaru expressed his confusion, but "White Sheep," who was speaking with growing excitement, also seemed unable to contain her surging emotions. Rather than answering Subaru's question, she was like someone prying open a sealed secret she'd carried inside herself for ages, her eyes blazing— "The one we... the one all of us Beloved Children had been obeying all this time was—"
"Wait, hold on—my emotions haven't caught up yet—"
"...Huh?"
The moment that ominous sound struck his eardrums, Subaru's scattered thoughts froze over in an instant.
The avalanche of information and emotions he hadn't been able to process fell silent, as if doused with water. Holding his breath, Subaru stared fixedly at "White Sheep."
She met his gaze with a nod, moved her thin lips once more, and spoke clearly— "The Archbishop of Lust, Capella Emerada Lugunica. She's the wicked person who made us Beloved Children call her 'Mama' and kept us under her control."
"... ... ... ... Seriously?"
It took a considerable amount of time for Subaru to absorb and process the name "White Sheep" had uttered.
Chewing it over. Digesting it. Swallowing it. Ruminating on it. And repeating the cycle.
While Subaru sat in stunned silence, Russell called out—"'White Sheep.'"
His voice carried a faint note of reproach.
"I intended to broach this in an orderly fashion. Dropping that name was a bit premature, wasn't it?"
"Ah, I-I'm sorry! I-I just got ahead of myself..."
"I did intend to tell him, but information must be handled with care. Your hand is only as valuable as your life. Over this past year, I've taught you that many times, haven't I?"
"Y-Yes..."
"White Sheep" drooped her shoulders and cast her eyes downward at Russell's words.
But while Subaru felt sorry for the dejected "White Sheep," the brief lecture had actually done him some good—his brain, stunned into temporary paralysis by the shock, was beginning to function again.
—The Archbishop of Lust, Capella Emerada Lugunica.
Every one of the Witch Cult's Sin Archbishops could be described as the worst of the worst, but Capella's particular brand of malice stood out as the one Subaru despised most.
He'd encountered her exactly once—at the battle in the Water Gate City of
And now, of all times, he had to hear Capella's name.
"Mama... and the Beloved Children..."
"Stacked together, those are the kind of words that just make you want to go 'blegh,' aren't they."
"And the fact that she's exactly the type to call herself that... I can picture it. ...No wonder 'White Sheep' wanted to escape."
Subaru's brow furrowed and his lips twisted, and Beatrice gave him a look of concern.
Fortunately, Beatrice had never seen Capella in person—and Subaru wanted to keep it that way. Every Sin Archbishop was bad for Beatrice's moral development. Capella most of all.
"Mama... Capella would gather children from all different places, and treat every single one of them as her own. She told them to think of her as their mother. But..."
"Evil, messed-up, morally bankrupt—I can imagine all of it. ...Are the habits hard to break?"
"Quite... They've all had it beaten into their bodies."
The smile "White Sheep" wore was too pained to be called a wry grin as she spoke of the past.
The fact that she still called that figure "Mama" even after defecting from the Beloved Children and escaping Capella's control was proof of just how extreme the suffering had been.
And if defeating Petelgeuse had played a part in escaping that hellish situation— "I'm glad. I'm glad you got out, 'White Sheep.'"
"Natsuki Subaru..."
"Ah, but 'Black Dog' still owes me some gratitude. That girl was planning to burn me and my cute Beatrice to a crisp. She's trying to repay kindness with hostility. She needs to apologize."
"She absolutely does."
Beatrice pointed her finger in sync with Subaru's emphatic gesture, both aimed at "White Sheep." Looking at those two pointed fingers and the simultaneous wink from Subaru and Beatrice, "White Sheep" blinked in surprise, then let out a small laugh— "Yes...! I understand. I'll make sure 'Black Dog' apologizes, I promise!"
"You do that. But still... Capella. The 'Beloved Children'—is that like a unit name within the Witch Cult? Like Petelgeuse's 'Fingers' or Regulus's 'Brides'...?"
"If you phrase it that way, Sylphie might punch you. Don't be so careless with your words. Subaru's already not in Sylphie's good graces."
"I contributed quite a bit to taking down Regulus, though... Well, more Emilia supporters is always welcome, so someday we should get together over our shared love and really get going."
Sylphie, one of the members currently stationed at the Roswaal mansion, had originally been one of Regulus's brides, but was now a staunch supporter of Emilia. Thinking about it that way—with Subaru being hunted and Emilia captured—the people left behind at the mansion worried him: Sylphie, Ryuzu, and Ryuzu's clone, Meilins.
As for that side of things—he could only place his hopes in the one person who could move outside the capital: Roswaal.
"Not to change the subject, but what about your own understanding of the Beloved Children, 'White Sheep'?"
"...At the very least, I didn't think of myself that way. And I never met any other Witch Cult members."
"So they're a separate unit from the Cult proper, like private soldiers assigned to each Sin Archbishop? Either way, 'Beloved Children'—what a nasty thing to call them."
It wasn't quite "hate the monk and hate his habit," but once Capella was involved, Subaru found himself wanting to pick faults in everything.
While Subaru was thinking this, he reflexively glanced toward the neighboring bed where Crusch lay sleeping.
Setting aside his own arms and legs, the "Dragon's Blood" that had been poured into Crusch's body was also one of Capella's marks. In Priestella, there were countless people who had been transformed by her hand and now slept encased in ice. —Like Gluttony, Lust destroyed people's lives far too thoroughly.
"And Russell's people not being able to catch her tail for thirty years makes sense too. She can change her appearance at will. So..."
"Until now, she had never been properly identified. The breakthrough came when, in Priestella, the Archbishop of Lust revealed her true form and used her Authority—and the profile of that individual finally matched the person known to 'White Sheep' and the others."
"Conspiracies, manipulation, running amok without anyone stopping them..."
"Yes. The lords and nobles changing their allegiances, the acts of treason—it all comes down to one thing. —They had all been replaced."
"That's exactly the kind of thing she could do. The most truly wretched—"
Russell nodded at Subaru's assessment, and Subaru was about to spit out his disgust at her depravity when he caught himself.
If this line of reasoning was taken to its conclusion, it would confirm something truly terrifying. And that was nothing less than a quiet, thoroughgoing invasion—and an existential crisis for the kingdom.
"Hey, hey, hey—no way..."
"—It's the worst."
At precisely the same moment that Subaru reached the realization, Lachins—his face rigid—trembled as he spoke, unable to bring himself to voice the full possibility.
Beatrice, too, huddled into the space within Subaru's crossed legs, her shoulders shrinking as a shiver ran through her.
"Russell..."
"Yes. Your imaginations are all correct. That is why this is the greatest crisis the kingdom has ever faced."
Even as he dreaded the answer, Subaru had no choice but to ask—and Russell, who had already finished wrestling with the shock and moved on to the next stage, nodded deeply.
And the man who was both director of Six Tongues and the bearer of the mission to protect the kingdom declared— "A majority of the Kingdom of Lugunica's Council of Wise Men and high nobles have been replaced by Capella Emerada Lugunica's Beloved Children—and there is a high probability that the Dragon Stone is in the hands of the Archbishop of Lust."