——When the spreading hellfire swallowed
"How...?"
The E.M.T. she had deployed was a forbidden art within the field — one that forcibly inserted commands to unravel and decompose the very structure of magical formulas. In any other era, it would have been designated a forbidden spell without question. An overpowered cheat, plain and simple.
Of course, if someone saw through the mechanism of the E.M.T. and wove a formula that could still function even with its composition undone, there was a possibility of breaking through. But to swap out a single component from a magically constructed device of that precision with something entirely different — and have it still function the same way — was beyond the pale. Unless you were Roswaal or the 'Slothful
Aside from such irregulars, no one within the field could activate magic.
And yet— "How on earth did you break through?"
"—. Breaking through is putting it far too grandly. I just twisted my head, risked my body, and that was that."
"——"
At Beatrice's narrowed gaze and probing question, it was Tiga Laureon — leaning half his body against the wall and pushing himself upright on the spot — who responded.
The young man who, amid the fierce exchange of blows, had supposedly been sent crashing into the wall by the rampaging 'Dragon Eyes' girl — Crusch — now exhaled a breath heavy with exhaustion. Tiga held his beloved sword in one hand, the other pressed against his side. —And Beatrice trembled, for she could see that the fabric around his midsection was scorched, the skin beneath carbonized.
Those were not wounds from Crusch's pursuit. And those very wounds were— "...What in the world were you thinking?"
"I only did what was necessary, Lady Beatrice. The scriptures say: 'While the dragon roams the heavens, man tills the earth. Those who let their allotted time rot in slumber shall find, in the coming season of harvest, that they cannot even step upon the dragon's shadow'... or so they say."
With an easy shake of his head, Tiga recited a passage from the '
Tiga's scorched wound — it was the same fire that had swallowed Subaru and Crusch. Only, that fire had not come from outside. It had burned him from within.
The effect of the E.M.T. was to dismantle the structure of any magic activated within the field.
Tiga had forced his way through that condition by brute strength.
And the method he had used— "The magic generated inside my body wouldn't be affected by this forbidden spell. ...I wasn't certain, but it seems I was right."
"——"
"I realized it mid-fight. Hey, it seems I can't use magic right now, but the Flow Arts' effects are still applied, right? So then—"
"But even so, cutting open your own stomach and using magic knowing your innards would be burned from the wound — neither of those is an easy choice. ...I suppose only someone whose mind has been taken hostage by something beyond a mere sense of duty could do something like that."
"I feel like I'm being called crazy, which I find rather unfair. ...Can't say I blame you, though."
His voice was heavy with exhaustion, but his answer came in a flat, detached tone. Beatrice felt a phantom chill creep through her liver — or what would have been one, had she possessed such a thing.
Beatrice had only known Tiga for a day or two at most — the briefest of encounters since meeting him at the 'Divine Dragon Church.' But in that short time, she had noticed the good chemistry he shared with Subaru, and she had taken a liking to his light-hearted manner and easygoing attitude.
That impression did not mesh well with the Tiga before her now. —This mechanical willingness to set aside himself entirely for the sake of completing a necessary task was the polar opposite of everything she had observed.
What had driven him to this point?
A fixation that surpassed duty, an obsession that had veered far off the rails — Beatrice knew of people who moved on the basis of such resolve. And Tiga's obsession was of the same substance as Roswaal's.
The man who had spent four hundred years distorting countless destinies, yet still pursued the pinnacle of the Witch's path, striving to achieve his goal. —Was Tiga now heading toward that same place as Roswaal?
"I only do what's necessary. —To reclaim my life."
Beatrice's doubt and silence prompted Tiga to give a small shrug as he answered. He then turned his gaze toward the back of the room, where the inferno raged.
"As far as I'm concerned, it's Lady Beatrice's reaction that's unexpected — even surprising. Honestly, I was bracing for you to start lobbing magic at me on the spot. I mean, it wouldn't be the first time."
"...Unless that was a mistake made in the heat of the moment, I'm inclined to take it at face value."
"Ah, you're not wrong there. —Duchess
"——"
"Having killed Lord Micloft and then turned her blade on us as well, she was not in her right mind. So I made a field judgment and had the danger eliminated as thoroughly as possible. ...Is there anything wrong with what I've said?"
On that handsome, charming face — the sweet mask that gave the impression of a dashing gentleman — Tiga had pinned an expression devoid of emotion as he posed the question to Beatrice.
What stood before her was not the face of a penitent seeking forgiveness for regretting his actions, but that of an executioner, calmly confirming where responsibility lay for the blood on his hands.
At this point, Beatrice could no longer recover her original impression of Tiga.
"Everything you've said... isn't wrong."
Facing him head-on, Beatrice narrowed her round eyes and nodded.
In truth, she was right. From the moment Beatrice and the others had witnessed the tragedy at the McMahon estate and encountered the perpetrator, Crusch, Tiga's actions had contained no errors. He had cooperated to the fullest extent with Subaru's intentions to subdue Crusch, and the one who had categorically rejected every attempt at negotiation was Crusch herself.
Tiga had every right to make a ruthless decision to protect himself from that dangerous individual. Even if that decision had also dragged along Subaru — with whom they shared an alliance — it could not be condemned on moral grounds as indefensible. And so— "Betty isn't so willfully blind that she'd blame you without cause."
"...Is that so? Then—"
"—However."
Beatrice cut Tiga off with that single word.
For an instant, something other than surprise — something cold and hard — passed through Tiga's yellow eyes. Beatrice shoved the weight of that observation into a corner of her mind and continued.
Tiga's words and actions were justified. And yet— "—Betty will take the side of the one who helped Subaru."
—In that very instant, a searing flame so intense it could scorch the gaze was cleaved in two from the other side.
"——"
The soundlessly severed flame wavered, parted, and through the gap that opened at its center, standing with regal composure, was the girl of the 'Dragon Eyes' — right hand still extended from the knife-hand strike that had split the fire, left arm cradling the unconscious Subaru. Crusch Karsten.
"I cut... no, I severed the flow of power. So this is what's called 'Death Strike.'"
Crusch touched the lid of her 'Dragon Eyes' with the hand that had delivered the strike, murmuring as though satisfied.
Beatrice was shocked by the fact that a single swing of that arm had swept aside the hellish inferno. But what brought her even greater relief was confirming that Subaru, cradled in Crusch's arm, was unharmed.
—The reason Beatrice had not lost her composure the moment Subaru was swallowed by flame was that the path between her and him, between contractor and contracted, had reported nothing critical.
That fact, combined with what she had glimpsed in the final moment — Crusch, in order to shield Subaru from the approaching fire, had pulled him down and leaped before the flames herself — had settled the matter for Beatrice.
She would side with Crusch Karsten.
"At the very least, she'll get to tell her side of the story. Detailed judgments can come after."
"—. I wouldn't call that a wise decision, Lady Beatrice. Just because Crusch saved your contractor Subaru doesn't mean you should let your eyes be clouded. The Duchess is dangerous."
"Don't treat Betty as some reckless, thoughtless spirit. Though, if Betty were truly the impetuous and indiscriminate spirit you make her out to be, then perhaps siding with the girl who saved Subaru is the most natural thing in the world."
"This is no time for splitting hairs!? Before long, someone will notice this fire and come running. If we take the wrong position and then regret it, it'll be too late. What happens to Subaru!?"
"Your words carry a bit less weight when you nearly burned him to a crisp along with the girl. But you're right — there doesn't seem to be much time. And so—"
As Beatrice slowly raised her right hand, Tiga drew a sharp breath.
Not preparing magic. The opposite. Tiga narrowed his yellow eyes to a keen edge, raising his shamshir as Beatrice prepared to snap her fingers.
"Don't — stop! You really won't be able to protect him anymore!"
"Betty once regretted simply watching a friend leave with nothing but a pretty cry. —She won't make that same mistake again."
Even in the midst of chaos that surged like a tempest, Beatrice would, within the bounds of what was permitted, make her own choices and choose her own path.
She would never again crouch before what mattered most, having lost a friend simply by being swept along.
And so— "I'm on your side, Crusch Karsten!"
She snapped her fingers, and on that signal, Beatrice undeployed the E.M.T.
Those with keen senses would have felt, in exquisite detail, the invisible field that had enveloped the office dissipating in an instant.
Tiga was no exception, nor was the owner of the 'Dragon Eyes'— "—One Blade Against a Hundred."
The explosive gust of wind that erupted shook the McMahon estate to its foundations, centered on the office.
△▼△▼△▼△ "...And then I shook off that man and escaped into the sewers. I wanted to get further away, but with Subaru unconscious, I couldn't push too hard."
As Beatrice spoke softly, nestled close to support his body, Subaru tried to整理 his muddled thoughts and managed a quiet, "...Is that so."
Honestly, it was pathetic that he had been the only one to drop out of consciousness so early in the midst of all that. But he set those self-punishing thoughts aside for the time being.
"First of all... Beatrice, nice call on not leaving Crusch's side. If we'd gotten separated in that mess, no amount of regret would have been enough."
"Naturally, one considers their partner's feelings to the fullest extent. Beatrice was certain that Subaru would do the same."
"It's the kind of choice that looks reckless from the outside, so I can't just cheerily go, 'Yeah, totally!'"
Despite the gravity of the situation, Beatrice puffed out her cheeks with a hint of smugness, drawing a bitter smile from Subaru.
But that was the only part of her account that had eased the tension, even slightly. —He turned his gaze to the throbbing burn on his arm, and bit his lip.
"Tiga did this, huh..."
"Without a doubt. Though, whether his claim during the fight about not being able to use magic was a bluff, or... no, never mind."
"What? Now I'm curious."
"With all the things you're already worried about, I just thought it wasn't worth examining at the moment. Regardless, that man used magic fully prepared to drag others down with him. Betty's impression of him has fallen through the floor."
"...That's because you love me so much, isn't it?"
Beatrice's furrowed brow and puffed cheeks radiated fury, and Subaru's feelings on the matter were deeply conflicted.
He had no intention of glossing over the fact that he had been hit with an attack that could have killed him. He didn't. But this was a lifeline they had found at the razor's edge between life and death, after being overwhelmed by Crusch. He could not flatly condemn the decision Tiga had made in the heat of battle.
And then Beatrice's gaze toward him sharpened.
"Subaru? You're not..."
"No, I'm not gonna brush it off. I'm going to get an apology for this burn — proper and sincere. That much I won't budge on. That's only natural, right?"
"——"
"Huh? Why do you look even more exasperated? I said I'm going to make him apologize!"
Subaru grew more confused at Beatrice's withering stare in response to his answer.
Each of them had their own share of fault, and each tended to magnify the other's shortcomings. Even so, Subaru believed he was being remarkably even-handed about it.
Besides— "At the very least, most of the friction between us and Tiga comes down to misunderstandings. If we can sit down and talk properly somewhere, we can clear that up—"
"—Regrettably, I have no intention of allowing that, Baratsuki."
As Subaru carefully chose his words, trying to persuade Beatrice, the one who interrupted him was not Beatrice — with her furrowed brow — but Crusch, who had been walking ahead of them.
Leading the way through the dimly lit sewers by the light of a Lagmite ore lamp, she made her disagreement with Subaru and Beatrice's conversation abundantly clear — she had drawn her dagger, its point aimed squarely at Subaru.
"...C-Crusch?"
"I will not permit contact with Tiga Laureon. Beyond the swords we crossed, one of those directing the pursuit party currently on our trail is that man. If you go meet with him recklessly, you'll only end up in chains, Baratsuki."
"But, I mean, given Tiga's position, it's unavoidable, isn't it? Given the circumstances..."
"——"
"——"
Facing only Crusch's single amber eye — the other hidden beneath her eyepatch — Subaru struggled greatly with how to choose his next words.
Her atrocity at the McMahon estate, and now the fact that she was pointing a dagger at him — to speak with the current Crusch required the utmost caution. One careless remark, one thoughtless provocation, and Subaru would, this time, truly have her hands stained with blood.
From that thought, a tense standoff persisted between them for a time— "...Surprisingly, I sense no ill wind blowing from you."
It was Crusch who spoke first, lowering her dagger.
Subaru blinked, taken aback, but Crusch returned the blade to its sheath at her belt.
"From you, Baratsuki, no wind of deceit blows. From the moment we met at Micloft McMahon's estate, and all the way to now — it has always been so. That is why I permitted Beatrice to accompany us as well."
"—. So in the end... what is it you want from us, Crusch?"
Glancing briefly at Beatrice beside him, Subaru posed the question directly to Crusch.
The wind of deceit — as a bearer of the 'Blessing of Wind Reading,' Crusch could sense the thoughts and intentions of others as wind, functioning like a kind of lie detector.
Subaru had experienced this firsthand when they first met, when she had seen right through his deceptions and forced him to confront his own twisted nature. —And that was now the basis for Crusch's words and actions.
Her trust in Subaru was also a product of the 'Blessing of Wind Reading.' If so, then was the fact that she had cut down Micloft and the thirteen others in the estate also a result of the 'Blessing of Wind Reading'?
"Tell me, Crusch. What do you want from us... no, the most important thing is what you want yourself. What is it you're trying to do right now?"
"—. What I want to do... no, what I must do, is save this Kingdom of Lugnica from the traitors' hands. That will likely be the last thing I can do for the kingdom."
"Traitors... and the last thing—"
"Would you insist otherwise? I was broken by the
"That's—"
"I can feel the wind of understanding blowing. —You are an honest man, Baratsuki."
Crusch slightly lowered her eyes, a self-mocking smile carved into her lips.
The weariness in Crusch's gaze likely reflected what she could see through her blessing — Subaru's inability to deny her words, and his complete absence of any promising plan.
Being called 'honest' was nothing to celebrate.
"Enough of this. Betty won't stand by any longer and watch you play the tragic heroine while latching onto Subaru."
"Beatrice..."
"And Subaru too. What are you beating yourself up over when you bear no responsibility? At this rate, soon you'll be blaming yourself every time a child stumbles on the roadside. If that happens, you'll be too busy to spend any time doting on Betty. She protests vigorously."
Hands on her hips, Beatrice revealed a strangely incongruous anger. But Subaru saw through it — it was her way of making light of the tension between himself and Crusch, a gesture of care — and a sigh escaped him.
Crusch, for her part, nodded solemnly.
"What Beatrice says is correct. This is no time to cling to trivial grievances. The more time we give the enemy, the more disadvantageous our position becomes. And so, Natsuki Subaru — no, you and Beatrice — I ask for your cooperation."
"...Cooperation?"
"That's right. The kingdom is now in a state of existential crisis, with countless traitors having infiltrated all the way to the heart of the state, secretly pulling strings. It is precisely in this situation that I want your power — the power of Natsuki Subaru, who worked alongside my family and made such a great contribution to the
"—!"
Crusch sheathed her dagger and extended her free hand toward them. Facing her outstretched hand and her declaration, Subaru instinctively held his breath and stared at her directly.
What had caught Subaru off guard was not merely the request. Naturally, the enormity of what she was asking had shocked him greatly. But what surprised him even more was how she had spoken of the great battle against the White Whale — referring to it as something that had certainly taken place in her own history.
Taking that in, Subaru finally — after carrying the question within him ever since he had run into Crusch at the McMahon estate — voiced it aloud.
And that question was— "One thing — tell me. Your 'memories'... are they back, Crusch?"
"—. Of course. Do you sense, in the current me, even a trace of that despicable, spineless Crusch Karsten from before my 'memories' returned? I find the very question insulting."
"——"
When Crusch clearly affirmed the restoration of her 'memories,' Subaru hardened his cheeks.
The shock that hit him was complex — a mixture of joy and indignation. The fact that Crusch's 'memories' had returned was something he welcomed from the bottom of his heart. But that didn't mean it sat well with him to hear her so contemptuously disparage the Crusch who had existed without those 'memories.' "I sense dissatisfaction in the wind. Could it be that you would have supported the Crusch who had no 'memories'?"
"It's not that simple. Whether you have your 'memories' now or didn't have them before — either way, to me, you're still Crusch."
"—No. Without her 'memories,' Crusch Karsten could not have been Crusch Karsten. That is why!"
"—!"
"...That is also why
"Wh—!"
Grinding her back teeth and trembling, Crusch heard Subaru clearly declare: "That much is wrong!"
Not only in this moment — even before they had started moving, he had thought the same thing.
Crusch was fundamentally misunderstanding the meaning behind Ferris's decision and the resolve behind it.
True, Ferris had broken Crusch's vow — the vow she had made for the sake of the late royal family.
Just how precious that vow had been to Crusch was something even Subaru, who had only heard the story, could readily imagine. But it had been the same for Ferris.
Ferris, too, had loved the late Fourth Prince. And yet, he had chosen.
Love for the dead over love for the living. —And Subaru refused to let that be denied.
Especially when two people who harbred mutual feelings for each other could not share them because of a misunderstanding — he could not accept that kind of tragedy.
"...It seems even the luxury of postponing a decision has come to an end."
But before Subaru could pour out that passion, the situation itself would not allow it.
Crusch's murmur — her gaze fixed on the depths of the sewer behind them — told its meaning, confirmed by the voices and footfalls now audible from far behind. —The pursuit party.
Subaru's group and the soldiers searching for Crusch had descended together into the sewers.
"If we just talk it out properly—"
"I already told you. You've been identified as an accomplice to me. The sword taken from you by your peculiar technique was also left at the scene. My involvement is unmistakable when matched against the wounds on the corpses. And moreover—"
"Moreover? What, there's something worse than all this?"
"Tiga Laureon — who knows your intentions — nonetheless identified you as a participant in the murder of Micloft McMahon. He must have reported it that way."
"——"
"The rest is up to you. If you believe I'm not worth trusting, then by all means seek protection from the pursuit party coming after us. —Farewell."
Having said everything she wished to say and with no intention of continuing the conversation, Crusch turned her back, tossed the lamp into the sewer, and broke into a swift run.
When the last faint glow of the sinking light source could no longer reach her retreating figure, it was only the sound of her footsteps fading into the distance — like a countdown — that pressed Subaru to make his choice.
Refuse Crusch's argument, link up with the soldiers pursuing them, spill everything, and beg for protection. Or plunge into the darkness and follow the back of Crusch Karsten, who was attempting to stand alone against a vast conspiracy. One or the other.
"Shit! I want to believe you! I do believe you, but is this conspiracy even real in the first place...!"
She had misunderstood Ferris's true feelings and was even willing to turn her blade on Subaru. Her emotions ran unstable, prone to sudden outbursts.
Worst of all, there was the possibility that everything — including the killing of Micloft — was nothing more than an unjustified rampage on the part of a Crusch consumed by paranoia.
In such a situation, what was the right thing to do— "Subaru, let me ask you calmly. No matter which option you choose and which side you side with, Betty is on your side, and she'll always be right beside you."
"Beatrice..."
"I never want to be separated from you like in the Empire ever again. If Subaru isn't somewhere Betty can see, she can't even breathe from all the anxiety and excitement."
Saying this, Beatrice told Subaru — who had no idea what the right answer was — that no matter what he chose, she would make it the right one. No — that they would make it the right one together.
And with that, his doubts were dispelled. She was right. No matter what choice he made, struggling to turn it into the right answer — that was what Natsuki Subaru did best.
"I can't just leave Crusch be! You're coming with me to hell, Beatrice!"
"Even if it means being sealed away for four hundred years, as long as it's with Subaru!"
"That part's the scary part — could you not say things like that!?"
As he spoke, Subaru scooped up his reliable, beloved partner and chased after those fading footsteps, breaking into a desperate sprint through the dim darkness.
Whether it was the right call or the wrong one, he could not abandon Crusch.
Whether to stop her or to help her, he could not walk away from her.
"Ugh, damn, my arm hurts!"
The burn on his arm throbbed with a dull, persistent pain, as if punishing him for his stupidity.
Clutching that arm, Subaru lamented the whirlwind of events that had swept him up and hounded him here. But more than that, he worried about how
Causing them trouble was one thing, but the pain of making them worry was worse still.
Emilia,
—and, hurling his predicament at an absent friend, he ran.
△▼△▼△▼△ —At the same time, at the Royal Villa in the capital of Lugnica.
This day was supposed to mark the beginning of something of immense significance — both for the Kingdom of Lugnica and for the camp of Royal Selection candidate Emilia.
The Witch Cult's catastrophe at the watergate city of
"—And yet, can someone please explain to me what exactly this situation is?"
Having finished preparations for departure and with nothing left to do but wait for Subaru and Beatrice to return from their errands — the time had been spent enjoying tea in the parlor —
Striding boisterously into the royal villa was a contingent of soldiers of the Kingdom, all clad in gear that marked their official affiliation. There was a tense, heavy air about them, and Otto stepped forward to shield Emilia and the other women behind him.
Of course, standing even further ahead of Otto was— "That's awfully rough, ain't it? I know Emilia-sama's all soft and gentle, but that don't give you lot the right to be so damn rude, does it?"
"Garfiel, don't be too intimidating. They're guests. —For now."
"Gotcha, big bro Otto."
Standing at the very front of their camp, Garfiel gnashed his sharp fangs. Otto gestured for restraint — even if only for show — then held his ground, creating space for the visitors to state their purpose.
A staged routine, yes — but by ceding a step, he had created the impression of lending goodwill.
At the very least, if they understood that much— "—All of you, sheathe your killing intent. Do you understand whom you are standing before?"
"——"
The instant that low voice rang out, the Kingdom soldiers spread throughout the parlor snapped to rigid attention in unison. Straightening their backs and standing at attention, they parted to let through a towering figure — enormous even when looked up at — who approached with heavy, deliberate footsteps.
Encased in steel-colored armor from head to toe, with a face like chiseled granite, the man was none other than the Captain of the Royal Knights of the Kingdom of Lugnica — the man who stood at the apex of the kingdom's knights:
"Marcos..."
"I offer my sincerest apologies for the sudden visit, Emilia-sama."
As Marcos stepped forward, Emilia's violet eyes widened. In response, he executed a bow of flawless propriety — a stark contrast to his rugged exterior.
Raising his head, he fixed his gaze on Emilia and every member of her camp — particularly Otto and Garfiel, whose expressions remained hard.
"I have come to request that Emilia-sama accompany us to the Royal Castle. There is a matter of urgent doubt that must be clarified without delay."
"All of a sudden, just like that? Doubts, you say? What exactly—"
"—Regarding the background of the knight, Natsuki Subaru."
"Subaru's?"
Marcos bowed with proper etiquette and respect, yet his bearing left no room for argument. The moment he uttered the name and the fact that his doubts concerned Subaru, Emilia reacted with her voice, while Otto and the others all responded through expression and posture.
That opening was what gave Marcos the opportunity to deliver his next words — and Otto cursed himself for it.
Because the doubt that Marcos had announced — the one entangling Natsuki Subaru — was this: "There are suspicions that the knight Natsuki Subaru has deep ties to the Witch Cult — specifically, that he may be connected to an Archbishop of Sin."
—It was the watershed moment that would determine whether Natsuki Subaru was deemed an enemy of the world.