——Leaving behind the city of
Their destination was the
Miasma that drove explorers mad, warping their sense of direction.
Swarms of magical beasts, wicked vanguards that toyed with and devoured human lives.
And the "Sage"
"Just knowing what's ahead makes this lineup feel like a suicide mission…"
Simply picturing the obstacles that awaited them was more than enough to leave one drained.
In truth, according to those who knew the details, only people with impaired brain function — volunteers for death or Cult followers — ever attempted to go there.
But they were neither, and they had no intention of dying. Quite the opposite.
To give a path of survival to those who had none.
That was why they had set out — to obtain that seed of hope.
"…Still, it's a funny thing."
While pretending not to feel the swaying of the dragon carriage, Subaru murmured to the group seated across from him. Every pair of eyes in the passenger cabin turned his way.
Four gazes in total — meaning everyone was looking at him, all five people present counting himself.
"Funny? Did something happen?"
"Nah, it's nothing major,
Subaru shrugged at Emilia's question and replied.
To his left and right sat Emilia and
"Well, sure enough, it's no wonder it'd feel that way. Truth is, I find it a mite surprising meself, too. It's natural that you'd feel something off, Master Natsuki."
"…Yeah, that's right."
It was Anastasia who spoke, laughing lightly in her
"Then again, if it's just about feeling uncomfortable, Julius might have you beat?"
"That's rather harsh. But please rest assured. —I am a knight as well. One night is more than sufficient to sort out one's feelings. And this time it has already been several days… I give you my word, I will not present such a sorry sight as I did before."
"How elegant. Then I suppose I'll take you at your word."
The manner in which Julius replied with a bow — perfectly matching his old self — stood in contrast to Anastasia's teasing tone.
It went without saying, of course. The one affected by the authority of "Gluttony" had not been so much Julius himself as everyone around him, everyone but Julius.
If so, the ones whose attitudes had changed were not Julius but those around him. He had been visibly shaken by their reactions, but as he had stated, he had apparently come to terms with it fully.
"…Seriously, what a guy."
Subaru didn't say it aloud, but he was impressed. That strength of character was, frankly, something to take one's hat off to. The sensation of having one's very existence left behind while memories of oneself were erased from everyone else — Subaru knew that feeling all too well.
Natsuki Subaru, who turned back time with "Return by Death," did indeed possess memories of a world where no one in this one remembered him.
Of all the experiences of having bonds severed and being treated as a stranger by people he had grown close to, the closest parallel within Subaru's heart would be those early days at the Roswaal mansion — the repetition of those days.
Summoned to another world, rushing to save Emilia in the royal capital, and as a result being invited to the Roswaal mansion — after four repetitions, Subaru had traversed the fifth iteration of the world.
The memories of the previous four worlds remained now in Subaru alone.
The shock of having the people of the mansion treat him as a stranger during those looping days was still unforgettable. That anguish and sorrow had never faded, not one bit.
"…What is it, I wonder? Subaru, why did you suddenly start stroking Betty's head?"
"Don't worry about it. I was just feeling sentimental about how much you helped me back then — that's all. Thank you, thank you."
"I don't understand. And stop — it messes up my hair. …Well, I suppose you can, but be a little more careful with how you do it."
Beatrice tucked herself half a seat's width closer and rested her head against him. Subaru stroked it as instructed, and was once again reminded of how he had felt at that moment.
During the looping days at the mansion, the only one whose attitude toward Subaru hadn't changed was Beatrice. She had met him before the starting point of "Return by Death," and she alone had never altered the way she treated him.
He had been saved by that — and he would probably keep that a secret from her for a long time to come.
"After that, I was saved by you, Emilia-tan."
"Hm?"
Subaru's words drew a puzzled look from Emilia.
It was her kindness — her voice, her demeanor, the warmth of the knees she had offered him — that had saved Subaru. And it was because of that, that he stood here today.
"……"
That was precisely why he could understand, through lived experience, how incredible it was that Julius had endured it alone. Subaru had borrowed the help of so many people, taken four retries, and spent that much time to overcome what Julius had faced on his own.
Or perhaps there had been someone who lent Julius a hand, too.
Someone, when Anastasia had forgotten him, when not a single person in his camp could help him, when his connection to the quasi-spirit he had contracted was severed, and when he couldn't even recall his own brother by blood.
If that was the case — well, Subaru thought, that would have been a good thing.
"You've been staring at my face for a while now… Is something the matter, Subaru?"
"Nothing. I just found it annoying that you're grinning so elegantly and refined-like after people kept calling you that."
"Elegant and refined — a fine combination of words. I never expected to be praised by you. I'm somewhat pleased… No, that's going too far. Well, perhaps it's only natural?"
"I wasn't trying to compliment you, but that's exactly what pisses me off!"
Julius fired back with the same old tone — no, if anything, his tongue seemed even smoother than before — and Subaru was the one who ended up on the back foot.
The weakness on his face in Priestella, in his brother's sickroom, seemed like a lie now. Subaru had vented all sorts of complaints at that composure back then, driven by impulse, but that whole episode was pure dark history.
"So you and Julius are friends, huh? Like, have you been this way even before what happened earlier?"
"Emilia-tan, that's a total misunderstanding. There's no way I'm friends with this guy. Did you see my expression just now? I'll say it myself — it was the nastiest glare I've ever had."
"Really? I don't think it was that bad… Oh, but that wasn't about your glare — I meant your relationship. Your glare is always terribly nasty, same as always."
"Always terribly nasty!?"
"But I like your glare, Subaru. I really, truly do."
"Oh, damn — I wish I'd been recording so I could cut out the glare part and play it back later!"
Emilia smiled wryly at the frustrated Subaru, then turned a scrutinizing gaze toward Julius. Julius glanced at Subaru, then — "I'm in no position to deny his words. In fact, saying the two of us are on good terms is a bit misleading. Even so, I'd like to think I'm making concessions here."
"Making concessions and reaching halfway — even the characters already sound condescending. Bow lower. …That'd be even more irritating."
"What a difficult thing to ask. What am I supposed to do with him?"
Julius sought Emilia's agreement, but she simply brushed her silver hair aside and said — "See? They really are super close, aren't they?"
"Like I said, look for yourself!"
"Hm? So that means you actually are friends…?"
Despite the discrepancy in their sensibilities, Subaru and Julius exchanged their usual deadpan. Emilia grew ever more confused, while Anastasia stifled a giggle behind her hand.
Seeing that reaction from Anastasia, Julius relaxed his lips with a faint sense of relief. —To Subaru, who knew what lay behind it, that superficial lord-retainer dynamic felt awfully off.
The Anastasia sitting here was not the real
Currently, the contents of Anastasia's body had been replaced by the artificial spirit
"…Subaru, that's enough."
In the midst of his silent brooding, Beatrice's voice reached him. During all that time, Subaru had continued stroking the girl's head, so her hair was thoroughly disheveled and her cute face wore an irritated scowl.
"Oh! Sorry, Beako! Your cute appearance is all ruined — you look like a mess now!"
"Betty's cuteness isn't ruined by a single hairstyle! More importantly, you've got a scary face on!"
Beatrice moved half a seat's width away from Subaru, desperately smoothing her hair with her hands as she spoke. When Subaru froze with a choked "Ugh," Beatrice made an exasperated face and added — "Making that kind of gloomy, worried face won't accomplish anything. …Betty will keep an eye on it. If anything happens, she'll notice far sooner than you would."
"…Yeah."
Beatrice offered those words in response to the unease Subaru harbored inside. Apart from Subaru, Beatrice was the only one who knew about Echidna having replaced Anastasia.
In principle, Subaru had promised to keep the fact secret for two reasons: to avoid unnecessary confusion, and because Echidna had no intention of stealing Anastasia's body. But he had told Beatrice, because waiting until something happened would be too late.
Both were artificial spirits, and both were connected to the
Though thinking about Beatrice's feelings, Subaru hadn't thought it wise to involve her with Echidna too much — "Rather than worrying about unnecessary things, Subaru should do as Subaru does and go around asking everyone for help like he always does. But be sure to tell Betty first this time. I'll let you off with a pat on the back for now."
—was what she had told him, and well, that was that.
"We've arrived."
Just when silence had settled over the dragon carriage, Emilia spoke those words suddenly.
Gazing out the window, Emilia could no doubt see their destination in the distance. Subaru noticed that the scenery outside had become familiar to them as well.
"Nostalgic, this road. We'll be at the Roswaal mansion soon."
He muttered this to himself, steeling his resolve as the first checkpoint loomed ahead.
The party's ultimate destination, as stated at the outset, was the Augria Sand Dunes, where they intended to seek an audience with the "Sage" Shaula. But the journey called for a stopover at the Roswaal mansion along the way, both as preparation and as a midway rest point for the long trip.
There were countless things Subaru wanted to discuss with his allies who would be at the mansion — regarding the events in Priestella and the upcoming audience with the Sage.
And then there was something else. Another reason.
"It's not just a detour."
Stopping by the Roswaal mansion on the way to see the Sage held meaning.
From a wide perspective, a small meaning in a small world. But seen through the eyes of a small man named Natsuki Subaru, it carried a meaning full of tremendous possibility.
"……"
In the distance — where the Roswaal mansion was not yet visible — Subaru narrowed his eyes as if conjuring it into his mind's eye.
The other four people in the carriage each turned their gazes toward him. The colors and emotions behind those looks varied — but Subaru had no leisure to notice any of them.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ The dragon carriage arrived at the Roswaal mansion roughly an hour later, just past noon.
The long journey since departing Priestella — some ten days — had finally come to an end.
"Subaru!"
"Oh, Petra, wa—Whoa!?"
After bringing the ground dragon to a stop at the mansion, thanking the driver, and stepping down from the carriage, a small maid came fluttering straight from the house and threw herself at him in the same breath.
Braced against the force and momentum of the young girl, Subaru stumbled backward but managed to catch her. Then he patted the head of the girl who had launched herself into his arms.
"You startled me, Petra. I was gone for almost a month — you doing okay?"
"I'm doing fine, obviously! But Subaru… you must have had a terrible time, right? A letter arrived the day before yesterday and I've been worried sick. You got hurt a lot again, didn't you? You're not hiding any pain, are you?"
"Tickle tickle."
Petra shook her rust-colored hair as she patted Subaru's body all over to check on him. While Subaru smiled wryly at her hands-on approach, the rest of the party climbed down from the dragon carriage.
"Come now, Petra. Act your part as a proper mansion maid. Otherwise
"…Yes. You'll tell me all about it later, okay?"
Even so soon after their return, Petra's trust in Subaru had apparently taken a hit.
When you set out to negotiate having a crystal stone transferred to you and instead get caught up in a city-wide uproar, it was only natural that Petra would worry. That said, the Cult's actions hadn't been caused by Subaru intentionally — but that excuse was pointless, really.
A good portion of the Cult's schemes had been connected to Emilia's camp. That was simply a fact.
"Welcome, and thank you for the long journey. My name is
While Subaru reflected on all this, Petra stood before them and delivered her greeting in perfect form.
Julius and Anastasia, who had borrowed his hand to disembark, looked impressed. And if Subaru wasn't mistaken, Emilia and Beatrice were wearing slightly smug expressions.
"What a well-mannered little girl she is. Such thorough training she's had."
"She really was a different person from the one who threw herself at Subaru, wasn't she?"
"——How embarrassing."
Anastasia smiled and Julius nodded in agreement, which made Petra blush. Looking down at the girl, Julius then turned to Subaru and — "I see… This further confirms why you're so popularly known as the 'Lolicon User.'"
"For the record, Petra isn't exactly little, and even if I were to grant that point, the only little girl I'd ever use is Beako. Don't get the wrong idea."
"Betty doesn't consider herself working so conveniently at your beck and call, either. Don't get the wrong idea about that, either, Subaru."
Beatrice's sharp retort to Julius's quip was met with an even sharper rebuke from Beatrice herself. Subaru pressed his lips into a tight line and fell silent, and with a sigh, Beatrice moved to Petra's side. Standing next to the girl in question, she delicately pinched the hem of her maid outfit.
"And besides — look, the gap between Betty and Petra isn't that— wait a moment. Petra, I think you've grown taller. And your hair seems a bit longer…!"
"It's been a month, and I'm going through a growth spurt right now. Of course I've gotten taller, and my hair's grown too since it wasn't cut. You're still the same tiny size, Beatrice."
"H-How can this be…!"
Beatrice was stricken, and the laughing Petra pulled her into a tight hug. After holding the pouting Beatrice close for a good while, Petra released her and said, "Well then, I'll show you inside," before walking off.
"Right, let's finally head into the — hnk."
As Subaru moved to follow, the back of his collar was grabbed by a hand. Choking out a startled sound, he turned around to find it was none other than Emilia.
Still gripping his collar, Emilia tilted her chin toward the dragon carriage behind them.
"Subaru,
"Mmm… what a stubborn creature."
Looking where Emilia indicated, Subaru saw that of the two ground dragons that had pulled the carriage, the jet-black beauty was glaring at him with an especially hostile look.
It was Patrasche, Subaru's beloved dragon. The ground dragon conspicuously averted its eyes the moment Subaru tried to meet its gaze, letting out a small, disgruntled sound.
"She really did have ten whole days to make up with you, huh."
"I know, but I don't think it's really my fault this time…"
Scratching his head, Subaru agonized over how to handle the sulking Patrasche.
Patrasche giving him the cold shoulder like this went all the way back to their departure from Priestella — no, a little before that. After the battle against the Cult ended, Subaru had gone to the stable to meet Patrasche and found the ground dragon in a foul mood already.
Otto had been sidelined by injuries, so Subaru hadn't been able to exchange words with Patrasche. But after so long together, it was high time he figured out what exactly his beloved dragon was angry about.
"I mean, I get that you were upset about being left out during the whole commotion and feeling anxious because of that — but gnk!?"
"Subaru?!"
With a flick of its tail — almost as if to say "that doesn't cut it" — Patrasche struck Subaru square-on and sent him tumbling into the dirt. As always, the ground dragon's aggressive responses held no tenderness. If Subaru gave the wrong answer, Patrasche would strike without the slightest hesitation.
"I-I can't believe it… I even dodged Regulus's attacks, and yet I can't dodge this…"
"Are you okay? Patrasche started wagging its tail again — I think if you don't give the right answer, it's going to do the same thing again, isn't it?"
As Subaru clambered to his feet, Emilia offered a terrifying observation. He looked at Patrasche, and sure enough, the ground dragon was swinging its long tail, slicing through the air with the tip as if to intimidate him. It looked like every miss would double in power.
A chill ran down Subaru's spine, and his throat tightened — no wrong answers allowed.
"There's no need to worry so. Your ground dragon is brimming with affection for you."
It was Julius who cut in, fed up at having his guiding duties preempted. Subaru pointed at himself and then at Patrasche.
"For real? I'm literally covered in dirt. This is affection?"
"You can tell from the look in its eyes, can't you? It's a dragon with deep emotions. Most likely, it's furious about not being able to help you during that ordeal, and not being able to ask for your help. That self-directed anger may be even stronger than any anger toward you."
"What kind of heroine-level emotional depth is that — cut it out!"
Subaru didn't know how close to the mark Julius was, but Patrasche's tail had stopped moving at those words. When Subaru looked again, the ground dragon still turned its face away — but — "Looking at it now after hearing that… it does seem a little bashful."
"Even you, Emilia-tan? Same here. It's making my heart flutter. Give me a break, Patrasche."
As Subaru spoke and cautiously reached out a hand, Patrasche finally lowered its head and allowed him to touch its hard, scale-covered body. After ten days of cold war, it seemed like things had finally, somehow, settled.
"Is that it? Are we good now?"
Petra was growing restless, still unable to leave the mansion's front garden.
She had come out offering to show them in, only for all this time to have been eaten up.
"If I don't get back soon, Lady Ram will scold me again…"
"——If you're capable of worrying about that, you were lacking just a bit more effort before, weren't you."
"Pya—?!"
The fidgeting Petra let out a shriek at the sound of that voice and snapped her spine straight. Turning around, she saw approaching from the direction of the mansion a maid with pink hair.
Undeniably, unmistakably, it was Ram. After glaring at Petra so intensely the girl turned to stone, Ram slowly surveyed the guests and the rest of Subaru's group.
"I was thinking Petra had been improving in her work lately, and just as I was about to acknowledge her, she presents me with this… Ram is truly disappointed."
"I-I'm sorry, Lady Ram… You were about to acknowledge me?"
"Yes. Her cooking is better than Ram's, her cleaning is more attentive than Ram's, her laundry is more skilled than Ram's, and she goes to bed and rises earlier than Ram's. Ram was on the verge of acknowledging her."
"That's where you should be questioning yourself!"
For a veteran maid to be outshone by a girl with barely a year on the job — even considering Petra's aptitude, the bar was so low it was absurd.
At Subaru's outburst, Ram let out a familiar, derisive "Hmph."
"Why would Ram need to question herself? The only things Ram holds toward herself are expectation and confidence."
"That aspect of yours is genuinely worthy of respect, Ram. I've always thought so."
Ram's magnanimous declaration was met with Subaru's exasperated but sincere reply.
In truth, there was something admirable about Ram's forward-looking, unshakable nature. Though he did wish she would occasionally take a moment to reflect on herself.
"If I did that, I wouldn't feel like myself anymore."
"That's a terrifying thought. And besides, we can't keep our guests standing outside forever. Let's get inside, already."
Subaru agreed with Ram's words.
They had certainly lingered at the entrance long enough. If they stayed any longer, eventually even Frederica or Roswaal himself might come out.
The last thing they needed was a royal selection candidate and a border count showing up to ask what on earth they were doing.
"Is Roswaal actually at the mansion?"
Emilia called out to Ram as the pink-haired maid began walking ahead, patting Petra's shoulder on the way to unfreeze her.
"He is. Fortunately, he happened to be at the mansion when the letter arrived and has remained here since. The gist of Priestella is covered in the letter… but I'm sure you have plenty of accumulated stories."
"Yes, quite a lot happened…"
"The people heading out and the personnel have shifted considerably, after all. —Garf and Otto are dead, aren't they?"
"Don't say that! They're not dead! They're just delayed coming back because of their injuries!"
Subaru's retort came out flipped, not sure whether to take Ram's voice's deliberate pause as a joke. Ram shrugged without a trace of remorse.
"A man without composure shows his true depths. And the bottom of Barusu's barrel has a hole in it through which everything spills out — so be careful. An empty barrel with a hole in the bottom — the absolute worst."
"You cut right to the heart of it — stop! And more importantly…"
A letter had been sent from Priestella to the mansion ahead of Subaru's departure — if its contents had been shared, then Ram should already know that their return was anything but a simple homecoming.
As Subaru chose his words to confirm the letter's latter contents, Ram preempted him by raising a finger. Then — "I told you, rest assured. Lord Roswaal is home, and — the 'Sleeping Beauty' and the 'Stockade' are both prepared and ready. Mind you—"
She cut herself off as Subaru fell silent, then lightly wet her lips with the tip of her red tongue.
Her crimson tongue-tip moistened pink lips in a gesture that was somehow bewitching, and she spoke.
"Neither was my doing — it was Frederica and Petra who handled both."
"Why are you looking so proud of yourself there?!"
And so it was — even after a month-long reunion, well, that was just how she was.