Blown by the impact, his body was thrown off the dagger's trajectory.
He wasn't in a position to dodge the blade, and even if he blocked with his broken knight's sword, a deep wound would be unavoidable. An outcome anyone could see—so Julius quickly realized he had been shielded.
But whether he felt relief and gratitude about that was another matter entirely— "Ricardo—!"
"No good, it's done for...!"
Ricardo, who had groaned and shoved Julius aside, eyes wide. At the same moment he screamed that name, a spray of blood mist filled Julius's vision.
The blood was spurting from Ricardo's thick, muscular right arm—from a wound that had lost everything below the elbow, exposing a smooth cross-section.
The fur-covered arm hit the cobblestones with a thud, and the large cleaver that had been gripped in it rolled across the floor with a dull sound.
"What have you done...!"
"You fool! This isn't the time for that, Julius! Lift your face and look ahead..."
Ricardo tried to rally Julius, who had instinctively caught his breath. But the turning dagger's strike hit him in the stomach, and a solid knee smashed his nose, making it impossible.
Ricardo was flung backward, crashing to the ground spread-eagle, and "Gluttony" sneered.
"Ha ha! Like I'm gonna let you say everything!"
"—!"
The sight of Alphard exulting, and Ricardo collapsed on the ground. Looking at both of them, two options simultaneously surfaced in Julius's mind.
A moment's hesitation arose over which to prioritize.
And "Gluttony's" appetite never overlooked such a gap.
"Looking away during a meal—that's bad manners, dear brother—!"
"You—!"
Like a spring-loaded doll, Alphard leaped with dizzying agility. Julius's reaction was a fraction too slow against those unpredictable movements.
A palm thrust and his broken knight's sword crossed, and he felt a palm trace across his chest—his own thrust had been dodged, and what followed immediately was a mysterious sense of loss.
"Oh—it's been a pleasure."
Those were the last words before his consciousness inexplicably faded, drifted away, and then— ※※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ "I hate to say it, but I had my 'name' taken during the fight with 'Gluttony.' That's likely what my current situation is."
With that one statement from
Smiling wryly at the fact that he had been forgotten by his acquaintances, Julius shrugged.
"So his 'name' was eaten... so that's what happened? But—"
The blasphemer who devoured the "memories" and "names" of people—the Archbishop of Sin, "Gluttony."
The threat of having one's "name" eaten and all connections severed—Subaru believed he fully understood how terrifying that was. But seeing Julius standing before him in apparently good condition, he couldn't help but painfully realize how shallow that understanding had been.
"His victims all end up like
Crusch, whose "memories" were devoured, completely losing sight of who she once was.
Rem, whose "name" was devoured, erased from the memories of all people except for exceptions, sleeping on in that state.
These two—the symptoms of "Gluttony's" victims—were what Subaru knew best.
However, Julius had fallen into a different state from either of them. He had not lost his own memories, nor had his consciousness been taken.
—However, from the memories of those around him, his very existence had vanished.
"Does nobody really remember? If I tried them one by one..."
"I've already met face to face with both Anastasia-sama and Ricardo. I must say, being treated like a stranger by those two was quite the experience. —Not being able to even thank the person who shielded me is incredibly frustrating."
"......"
Julius replied in a flat, emotionless tone, but the slight stiffness at his temples and the edges of his words struck Subaru as somewhat painful to witness. Of course. No matter how strong Julius's sense of identity as a knight might be, he couldn't possibly endure this kind of mental burden with ease.
The terror and despair of relationships built over time crumbling, of cherished days together being lost.
It was the same sense of loss Subaru himself had painfully experienced when he first came to this otherworld.
"
"I think I know what you're trying to say. But unfortunately, Betty doesn't recognize that man either. Betty is outside the Forbidden Library now, after all."
Sensing his intent from a single call, Beatrice shook her head with a complicated expression.
What Beatrice said, and what Subaru had wanted to confirm—was whether Beatrice remembered Julius.
Since Emilia didn't remember, it stood to reason that Beatrice wouldn't remember Julius either. That should have been the case, but there was a possibility Beatrice was an exception.
Because Beatrice was— "She remembered Rem, though."
"I've said it many times, but rather, you should consider that to have been the exception. And now, with the man before us, that's become certain."
"So in the end, your memory works just like that theory said."
It was a while back.
There had been a time before when Beatrice, in the Forbidden Library, had mentioned Rem after her name was eaten by "Gluttony." Subaru recalled this and pressed Beatrice on it after their contract, after the Forbidden Library was lost—and the conclusion from that discussion was singular.
"While sealed away in the Forbidden Library, Beako wasn't affected by anything outside the room. So when Rem's name was eaten, she wasn't affected by it at the moment it happened... that was the theory. So once she leaves the room, she wouldn't get special treatment anymore... right?"
"The way you say that, it sounds like you're complaining about Betty leaving the Forbidden Library."
"N-No way! Walking under the sun with you makes me mega happy!"
"Hmph. Indeed."
That exchange, where Beatrice had turned away in a huff, had actually happened.
And indeed, Beatrice's special nature did not apply in Julius's case. Beatrice's theory was correct—it had been the Forbidden Library that served as the barrier against memory alteration.
Rather, in this case, the issue wasn't Beatrice's special nature, but— "But why does Subaru remember Julius? The same way he remembered Rem."
"That's exactly it."
The question that anyone would eventually reach—Emilia finally pointed it out.
Subaru, the only person in this world who remembered Rem after her "name" was eaten.
The fact that he maintained memories even
Perhaps because watching Subaru interact so devotedly with Rem, it didn't seem like he was making things up about the memories, nor did it seem like he was delusional.
But it wasn't just that—it was also because not a single person existed who could refute Subaru's memories or produce definitive evidence to the contrary.
But this time was different.
In this case, there was another person besides Subaru who remembered—the person at the center of it all, the very person the world had forgotten: Julius.
Naturally, questions arose about reconciling their mutual understanding and the reason Subaru alone was treated as an exception to "Gluttony's" authority.
"Don't you have any idea, Subaru? No keeping secrets, okay?"
"I'm not trying to hide anything at all... but whether there is or isn't, I can't really say."
"Isn't that exactly keeping secrets?"
"Avoiding a definitive statement because I can't be certain isn't the same as keeping secrets."
Dodging Emilia's question, Subaru contemplated the possibility of why he was an exception.
The very first thing that came to mind was the influence of the witch factor sleeping inside Subaru. If the authority that devoured "memories" and "names" was the power of "Gluttony's" witch factor, then the possibility that it didn't work on Subaru—much like the "Unseen Hand"—was somewhat understandable.
Perhaps because Subaru was using "Return by Death" through the power of the
And there was one more possibility that came to mind from Beatrice's Forbidden Library example.
The possibility that it was because Subaru was a traveler from another world. Subaru was a human whose origins were in another world, not a being born purely within this one.
Because he didn't exist in this world, the authority that interfered with the concepts of this world wouldn't affect him—how about that hypothesis?
"However, if it's the latter case, the way to confirm it is simple. Just have Al meet Julius."
Al was the only person in this world who shared Subaru's circumstances.
Regarding the exception to the authority, if the latter hypothesis was correct, then both Al and Rem should remember Julius. However, since Al and Rem in this world had never met, it couldn't be verified.
"But I can't exactly say that this time, huh."
"Subaru?"
"About Emilia-tan's question—before I answer, there's something I need to confirm. Julius, you'll have to come along with me."
At Subaru's first words after collecting his thoughts, Emilia made a displeased face.
She might think he was keeping secrets from her, but this was something that needed verification.
Though if his hypothesis proved correct, he would have to give some vague explanation about the commonality between him and Al—that being a traveler from the other side of the Great Waterfall meant one was not affected by the authority—something nobody would really understand.
"Surely you won't refuse? It's you we're talking about."
"—I have to say it's unavoidable. It seems you're currently better informed about the situation I'm in. I'll comply."
"Why are you being subtly arrogant about this?"
Having regained his composure through the conversation, Julius's posture—chin slightly tucked—had returned to its familiar elegant bearing. It was quintessentially him, but mentally tough to an extreme given his situation. You could even say he lacked any sense of vulnerability.
"I'd rather you be overly cooperative than difficult to deal with... Anyway, we're heading back to the shelter. The others should be gathering by now... Speaking of which, Ricardo? He was with you at the control tower. He's okay, right?"
"...He was injured shielding me, but there should be no danger to his life.
"...I see. That's good, then."
Julius's response left Subaru half relieved and half self-reflective.
The breakdown was relief that Ricardo's safety was confirmed, and self-reproach for the insensitivity of asking Julius—who had been forgotten by the very person who fought alongside him—directly.
Julius sighed at the quieter Subaru, and then— "I don't expect delicate consideration from you. Acting as you normally would is less confusing for those around us and easier for me. Now, let's return to the shelter."
With that, Julius casually patted Subaru on the shoulder.
"It's not exactly pleasant, but I have no choice but to leave my introduction to you. I'd appreciate it if you could set aside the overreach you displayed in the Royal Selection hall for this occasion."
"Don't dig up my dark history! Shit, I worried for nothing."
Shrugging off the hand on his shoulder, Subaru turned his back to Julius and headed for the shelter. Of course, he didn't mistake Julius's words for his true feelings.
He had simply judged that a clever response was needed to ease Subaru's guilt.
Subaru knew that. And because he knew that— "What an idiot I am. No, I really am an idiot."
Why—why could he do nothing but act in a way that made Julius worry about him?
In a situation where Julius himself was surely feeling the most helpless loneliness, how could Subaru keep getting his words and judgment wrong?
His own insensitivity infuriated him, and Julius was equally frustrating.
The strength to maintain a facade of normalcy in a situation where anxiety was perfectly natural—that too was his strength.
It was a strength that Subaru could never possess, no matter how much he wanted it.
Subaru felt a definite sense of resolve—he could not leave Julius be.
※※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ Watching Subaru march off toward the shelter with his shoulders squared, a faint smile touched the corner of Julius's lips.
It was a feeble smile—one he would never let Subaru, who had turned his back, see.
"Are you planning to hide that face from Subaru?"
Into that faint gap in his heart, a voice like a silver bell suddenly intruded. Turning, he met a pair of deep violet eyes gazing at him.
Julius hid his smile and shook his head at those sorrowful eyes.
"A petty bit of pride—a hollow resistance from a defeated man. Please don't point it out."
"Defeated man..."
"We headed to seize the control tower, and we're probably the only ones who were overlooked. We're left in a state where we've been shown our inadequacy and even our right to live in shame has been denied. A complete defeat."
With a stubborn posture, Julius forcefully proclaimed their defeat.
His attitude made Emilia's eyes waver with anguish. Perhaps the current Emilia could see through to the weakness in Julius's heart.
"I'm sorry."
But Emilia's words were not what Julius had intended.
Looking up at him, Emilia hugged her own slender shoulders and— "Honestly, I don't know what I should say to you right now. I'm sure I was supposed to know you, but I don't remember, and I can't be of help like Subaru..."
"...In Subaru's case, he's not much of a reference. He's the exception, after all."
"Even so, I know I'm hurting you. So all I can do is apologize, and... thank you for Subaru."
"......"
He couldn't understand why she was thanking him about Subaru.
Emilia sighed at Julius's furrowed brow, and— "Julius's face just now—if Subaru had seen it, I think it would have hurt him even more. So thank you for trying to hide that. I'm sorry."
"Please stop, Emilia-sama. This isn't something to be thanked for, and moreover... you're overestimating me. It wasn't that kind of consideration."
Truly. Julius felt uncomfortable even under Emilia's kind-hearted gaze.
It wasn't with such noble intention that Julius had hidden his true feelings from Subaru. The matter was simpler, and more mundane.
"I don't want to be pitied by him... by Subaru. That's all."
"......"
Gazing straight ahead at Subaru's back as he approached the corner, Julius declared it as such. Subaru, being tugged at the sleeve by Beatrice who walked beside him, wore a troubled expression.
He didn't want Subaru to see his weakness.
And the reason why—that was— "I think I just heard Julius's true feelings for the first time."
Walking forward, Emilia offered that assessment of Julius's words. When Julius's eyes widened in surprise, Emilia held up a single finger and— "I might not be of much help, but I'll make sure to speak to everyone at the shelter so they'll believe in me too. So believe in us, along with Subaru. Let's go."
"...Yes. And, Emilia-sama."
"What?"
At Emilia's turn in response to being called, Julius gave an elegant bow.
Though it might not exist in her memory, it remained firmly etched within himself—etiquette that had become habit, as both a knight and a noble.
"Being called 'Julius-san' by Emilia-sama feels rather unnatural. Please, just call me Julius."
"So that's how I used to call you. ...I understand, Julius."
Pressing a finger to her lips, Emilia nodded. Then she thought for a moment, raising her gaze slightly above Julius's into the void. And— "Can I ask one thing too?"
"By all means."
"Right beside you, lesser spirits... no, quasi-spirits, maybe. There are little ones flying around nervously... can you sense them?"
"—Yes, I can. They were buds that would one day bloom by my side."
At Emilia's observation, Julius closed his eyes.
Closing his eyes, he could sense the quasi-spirits carrying six-colored power fluttering nearby. However, those buds seemed not to understand why they were there.
And so, to them— "My words do not reach them. Just as my words to my lord and comrades do not."