Arc 10, Chapter 23 – "Search for the Best Course of Action"
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――No matter how many times he gazed up at it, the Royal Castle of Lugunica was ever so distant, its chalky white walls nearly swallowed up by the evening sky.
Subaru: [――Emilia.]
Those words escaped him as a mutter, a profound sense of sorrow sojourning within Subaru's heart.
Within the Castle situated at the highest point of the Royal Capital, Emilia was being held captive. Ultimately, it was Subaru's wish to seat her upon the throne of that place, and absolutely not to chain her to a prison cell.
Beatrice: […Emilia is a Royal Candidate, in fact. At the very least, they ought to treat her hospitably on the surface, I suppose. There is no way they would confine her in a cell, in fact.]
Subaru: [I know. I know that, I really do. But, that's not what…]
Beatrice: [――――]
Subaru: [Ah, sorry… I see that you were just trying to cheer me up.]
Beatrice: [It's fine, I suppose. Being able to encourage a hard-pressed Subaru is the special privilege of being his partner, in fact. Petra and Rem would be crying in frustration, I suppose.]
Subaru: [Setting Petra aside, I do wonder about Rem. Would she really be frustrated?]
Flashing a wry smile, Subaru was astonished that he had even been able to put on such a smile.
Until this very moment, as he reflected both on his own powerlessness, and on Emilia, whom he had been left with no choice but to leave behind, his heart had been on the verge of bursting apart; despite all of that, Beatrice simply being here with him was tremendously impactful.
Glancing at her, the Spirit in question shot him an adorable smug look, and let out another small sigh.
――Subaru and Beatrice, along with the agents who had been present at the Six Tongues outpost, were making preparations to depart on schedule in accordance with Russell's instructions.
Rather boldly, this outpost was located among some of the largest warehouses within the Commercial District. Standing near the bulwark sectioning off the adjacent Noble District, it gave but a glimpse into the approach the Six Tongues took to concealing themselves―― blending into the scenery of the Royal Capital, and existing as a natural part of it.
At present, Subaru and Beatrice had circled around to the back of the outpost, gazing up at the Royal Castle of Lugunica where Emilia remained until the very last preparation for escape ready.
Subaru: [――――]
Unlike Subaru, Beatrice, and Crusch, the latter having continued to slumber with her consciousness having yet to return, Rachins did not oppose the idea of escaping the Royal Capital. Along with him, the primary members included White Sheep, Black Dog―― and the man leading them all, Russell; however, outside of them, it seemed like there were also multiple personnel engaged in undercover operation and the disruption of information.
Just as one would expect from an intelligence agency in direct service to the Kingdom, everything they did was on an enormous scale.
Beatrice: [Regardless, even with that much power, we have been completely outplayed, in fact.]
Subaru: [But, we're not gonna keep getting outplayed forever. That's why we're escaping now, it's a running start for our comeback later.]
Beatrice: [A running start, I suppose. ――It was a bit surprising, in fact.]
As Subaru vocalized his unyielding resolve, Beatrice, holding his hand, suddenly muttered those words. Hearing that, Subaru inclined his head and uttered "Surprising?", causing Beatrice to slightly frown,
Beatrice: [Subaru, your decision to leave the Royal Capital was made far too quickly, I suppose. Both to leave Emilia behind, and to not converge with Otto and the others, ought to have been difficult decisions, in fact.]
Subaru: [That… isn't wrong, and the same's true even now. Before we left to go over to Miklotov-san, I was talking with Emilia-tan about what we'd do for lunch. Today, she was looking forward to making packed lunches together with Rem and Petra… but now, this happened.]
Beatrice: [Subaru…]
Subaru: [It pains me, and it weighs on me heavily. Even so, Beako, the fact you weren't against it either, means that you also understand that this is the best course of action, right? You get it too?]
The tone of Subaru's voice fell into a pitiful manner, and a bit afterward, Beatrice deeply nodded her head.
Though she had not said it back there, Beatrice had also known that staying in the Royal Capital would have meant engaging in a dragged-out losing battle.. Regardless, the fact that she did not try to rush Subaru's decision was both due to her consideration, and for the sake of Subaru's own conviction.
It had been to ensure that Subaru would be able to make his own choice, rather than giving up because someone told him to do so, leaving him with no other option.
Subaru: [Adorable and strict as ever, that's my Beako.]
Beatrice: [Moreover, this adorableness and strictness is guaranteed for life, I suppose.]
Subaru: [What a bargain. It's a good thing I'm contracted to Beako Insurance.]
Ruffling her hair Subaru's heart was purified by his partner's reliability.
Even though she would have usually been trying to escape while saying "Stop it, in fact~!" by now, this was likely another one of the considerations Beatrice was taking for Subaru's heart.
And, thereupon――,
???: [The final preparations to depart will be ready shortly. Are the two of you good to go?]
The voice that called out to them had belonged to White Sheep.
A woman dressed in a white robe over a black suit―― like Subaru and Beatrice, she too was clad in that article of "cognitive disruption", and with her hair now let down, she exuded a bit of a different atmosphere.
By combining "cognitive disruption" with a light disguise, the resultant style was that of concealing identity.
Subaru: [Heh?]
White Sheep: [W-what is it? Do I look strange somewhere?]
Subaru: [Ahh, sorry, sorry, it's not that. It's just that you're giving off quite the different impression compared to when you were just wearing the suit. Between the two, this current outfit feels much more in line with your personality, White Sheep-chan.]
White Sheep: [That's… that might be the case. Before Silver Fox took me in… when I was still with Mama, I would wear these kinds of clothes most of the time.]
Subaru: [Ah, sorry. I brought back those memories.]
Having caused her to recall unpleasant recollections, Subaru tried to apologize, but White Sheep replied "no" with a faint smile. Stroking her long, indigo hair,
White Sheep: […I should be the one apologizing. I'm sorry.]
Subaru: [――? What are you apologizing for?]
White Sheep: [Even though it was our own circumstances, I ended up rushing you… that's the reason. I'm sure you would have wanted more time to make your decision, Natsuki Subaru-san.]
With her eyes downcast, as White Sheep seemed to have a harder time speaking about it, a wry smile subconsciously emerged on Subaru's face.
Having escaped the Beloved Children under Capella's dominion, White Sheep was now a member of a Six Tongues headed by Russel, but her inherent good nature was certainly not suited to being the subordinate of a villain or being a spy. After all, she was even willing to take responsibility for the time Subaru had been given to make his decision.
Subaru: [You don't have to burden yourself with my problems. I don't believe that you rushed me either. If anything, I'm grateful to you for giving me the necessary information needed to make my decision.]
White Sheep: [Natsuki Subaru-san…]
Subaru: [But if you're still going to feel daunted either way, then, could you at least stop with that?]
White Sheep: [Huh?]
Subaru: [The way you're calling me "Natsuki Subaru-san", with my full name. Either "Natsuki-san" or "Subaru-san" is fine, though I wonder which you'd prefer. I'll be ready for it, so don't worry.]
Shrugging his shoulders, Subaru attempted to dramatize as much amiability as possible through his request, and receiving that, White Sheep widened her eyes, her lips repeatedly opening and closing for a short while.
Witnessing White Sheep in such a state, Beatrice let out a heavy sigh from beside Subaru,
Beatrice: [There is no need to read too deeply into it, in fact. The words mean exactly what he said, I suppose.]
Subaru: [The hell's with that unnecessary warning note… what else could I have possibly meant?]
Beatrice: [Betty doesn't know, in fact~, Betty won't tell, I suppose~.]
Subaru: [Now that's what a person who does know would say!]
As Beatrice covered her ears and turned her face away, Subaru pouted his lips with sullen feelings. Perhaps due to being utterly dumbfounded by this exchange between Subaru and Beatrice, White Sheep had been left completely taken aback, all the tension suddenly vanishing from her shoulders.
And then――,
White Sheep: [――So, it's fine for me to just call you Subaru-san and Beatrice-san, right?]
Subaru: [Yeah, that's fine. If you'd like, you could even call her Becchin.]
Beatrice: [Becchin!? Not even Subaru has ever called Betty that, in fact!?]
White Sheep: [I-it doesn't seem like I would be able to get a response out of her with that, so I'll just stick with this…]
With an exceedingly humble response, White Sheep gave up the historical privilege to call Beatrice "Becchin". However, White Sheep did not appear to harbor any regrets about that, and instead gazed at Subaru with eyes afflicted by an entirely different anguish.
At the same time that Subaru furrowed his brow at her demeanor, she began to move her lips――,
White Sheep: [Um, Subaru-san, about Ti――]
???: [――Oi! You fucks, how long are you gonna keep dawdling! Get your asses here now!]
But thereupon, Rachins barged in with a rowdy voice.
At the extra-honed glint in Rachins's already sharp shihaku eyes, White Sheep hunched her shoulders with a frightened "Hiyu-!". Shielding White Sheep behind him, as Subaru trained his gaze upon Rachins,
Subaru: [Man, that robe really doesn't suit you, you know?]
Rachins: [Shaddup, leave it be! Rather, why the hell do I gotta be bossed around by Russell Fellow of all people. Get the damn people with slave contracts to do the work instead.]
White Sheep: [I-i-it's not something like a slave contract!]
Subaru: [White Sheep-chan, when you get that worked up it makes it seem like it's really the case…]
After rebuking White Sheep for taking Rachins's nasty comments so seriously, Subaru once again looked in the direction of the distant castle, and heaved a long sigh. ――All he prayed for was her safety.
Beatrice: [Emilia is also praying the same thing for Subaru, I suppose.]
Subaru: [For the both of us, rather. That would make me happier than if it were just me, and it also seems more like Emilia to do so.]
Responding to Beatrice who guessed his innermost feelings at a single glance, Subaru turned away from the Castle as if to try to shake away from his lingering regrets, and took the first step forth.
From there, they proceeded to walk through the interior of the outpost, and would go on to board the dragon carriages waiting out front.
Then, within the outpost that was nearly entirely cleared out in such a swift fashion, he caught sight of a robed figure attempting to carry out a large box in their arms.
Though the contents of the box were unbeknownst to him, he saw that they were having quite a bit of difficulty with the weight,
Subaru: [This should be brought out to the dragon carriages outside, right?]
???: [Ah…]
Quickly extending a helping hand, Subaru nimbly heaved up the box in their stead―― no, it would be a lie to say he did it nimbly. It really was quite heavy, so it had required a heave-ho's worth of power.
Fortunately, he was able to keep up appearances by successfully lifting it up by himself, and as Subaru internally felt relief from that, the person who had been struggling with the crate―― the individual wearing their hood deep over their eyes, gave a bewildered reaction.
Subaru: [――? Are you okay?]
Seeing the perplexed demeanor of the individual, Subaru inclined his head.
Though he could not see their face under the hood, they were a slender person. Be that as it may, Black Dog was far more suspicious when it came to having his true face obscured, so that would not serve as an especially strong reason to be suspicious of this person here.
So rather than being suspicious, that which Subaru found dubious was the person's awkward reaction. However, he did not have the time to question that right now, and so the individual lowered their head and ran off in a hurry.
Beatrice: [To say not even a single word of gratitude, what a rude person, in fact.]
Subaru: [Nah, you run into shy people every now and again, you know?. Not everyone can be as sociable and charming as Garfiel.]
Beatrice: [Why bring up Garfiel there… well, it is not completely incomprehensible, I suppose.]
Charm was not something that stemmed solely from outward appearance, but also manifested in one's demeanor and conduct.
As Subaru and Beatrice nodded in agreement of their mutual view of the camp, White Sheep noticed Subaru carrying the cargo, and called out with a "Forgive me",
White Sheep: [Making Subaru-san carry it instead… I will have a word with Blue Snake-san later.]
Subaru: [No, no, this is no big deal… but, the person just now was Blue Snake? If memory serves me right, that was the person who had healed my burns, right?]
White Sheep: [Eh, ah, that's right. They are an extremely skilled user of healing magic.]
When Subaru reacted to hearing the codename―― Blue Snake, White Sheep affirmed his thoughts. After getting a sheep, a dog, and a fox, the healer being a snake was quite the nice stylistic choice.
According to Subaru's knowledge, snakes and medicine went hand-in-hand, completely inseparable from one another. One example could be found in the rod of Asclepius, a serpent-entwined staff wielded by a physician in Greek mythology.
Of course, the name Blue Snake would have been but a coincidental relation.
Subaru: [In that case, I gotta be the one doing the thanking. Just carrying cargo around isn't nearly enough to repay them.]
White Sheep: [Ah, though, that might be difficult. Blue Snake-san doesn't seem to like talking to other people… Silver Fox has also told us to respect their wishes.]
Subaru: [Hmm? A doctor who dislikes people…? They're seeming more and more like an excellent physician.]
Capable yet stubborn: those seemed to be the prerequisites for the great doctors that one would often see in anime and manga.
Regardless, accepting what White Sheep had pointed out, Subaru decided against making further contact with Blue Snake. Instead, he decided that if he ever saw them struggling to carry cargo again, he would help them as a way of steadily repaying the favor.
In any case――,
Subaru: [――Onward it is. So that we may return anew.]
Indeed, as if to inform none other than his own self, Natsuki Subaru declared those words, and with Beatrice in tow, nestled close they set foot outside of the outpost.
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Russell: [――The principle of "cognitive disruption" is to slightly alter the impression and presence that one naturally exudes, and suppress the resultant unease to a minimum. In other words…]
Subaru: [In other words?]
Russell: [In the midst of a rigorous surveillance net, it is nothing more than temporary peace of mind. Do not rely on it too much.]
Receiving those words while sitting opposite to Russell in the dragon carriage, Subaru gave a small nod, and pulled the hoods of both himself and of Beatrice beside him down a little lower.
With the Six Tongues' preparations in order, they were amidst a caravan of dragon carriages masquerading as a merchant collective departing the Royal Capital.
The provisioned dragon carriages were not anything fancy, but rather kind of the general model that eliminated all the unnecessary extravagance, something peddlers would use to traverse highways, much less the streets of the Royal Capital. In order to disguise themselves as a band of merchants, the caravan was comprised of not one, not two, but ten carriages, so while he felt apprehensive that this might actually lead to them drawing more attention――,
Russell: [Please rest assured. At present, the Royal Capital is enveloped in a bit of an air of tension. There are many who find that unfavorable, and have thus elected to leave the Royal Capital for a time. We will be following suit.]
Subaru: [When you say an air of tension…]
Russell: [Of course, it is out of fear for the possibility that there are dangerous wanted fugitives lurking within the city. The Kingdom's soldiers are being mobilized to no small degree, and there are overbearing investigations being carried out. The death of Sir McMahon is still being hidden from the public, but the atmosphere of emergency cannot be concealed.]
Subaru: [That… would make sense… I'm sure everyone must be filled with anxiety.]
With the affirmation of how he had envisioned the atmosphere of the Royal Capital, Subaru took pity on the people of the Royal Capital who were getting wrapped up in Lust's conspiracies. Upon doing so, Russell slightly narrowed his eyes,
Russell: [Natsuki-dono, could it be that you are not only worried for Emilia-sama and the members of your camp, but even for the citizens of the Royal Capital?]
Subaru: [Huh? Nah, well, I wouldn't say I'm worrying for them, but I guess I do wonder if they'll be okay. Even if it's Capella, surely she wouldn't go as far as using her Authority to replace even the citizens for no reason… I guess the fact that I really can't say that for sure, is the root of how I'm feeling.]
Given that they were the individuals possessing the right of decision-making within the Royal Castle, it could be said that replacing the Council of Wise Men and the upper nobles was unmistakably the optimal method for hijacking the country. In comparison to them, using her Authority on mere citizens would not escape the classification of mere harassment, but Capella was also quite capable of performing such atrocities with glee.
Of course, her actions in Pristella had propagated knowledge of her existence and of the effects of her Authority of Lust, a deliberate act aiming to keep the Six Tongues occupied, but――,
Russell: [――――]
Subaru: […Or, Russell-san?]
Suddenly, when his thoughts reached that point, Subaru noticed that Russell had been keeping silent.
Receiving Subaru's call, Russell stroked his goatee, and with a single eye closed he briefly followed up with "No",
Russell: [Your fears are completely justified, Natsuki-dono. I know not if it shall serve as any consolation, but it is not the case that the Six Tongues is withdrawing from the Royal Capital altogether. In order to both maintain a grasp on the situation and to manufacture disruptions, a non-negligible number of us will remain behind. I hope that you can place your faith in their labor.]
Subaru: [Yeah, sorry, but I've got no choice but to leave that to you all, Russell-san. If I had ten or twenty more arms, and five or six more bodies, I might be more useful, but…]
Beatrice: [That is a preposterous hypothetical, in fact. Subaru is perfectamundo as he is now, I suppose.]
Subaru: [Well, I appreciate your evaluation… Anyhow, the only ones we can rely on for that side of things are Russell-san and his people. Go ahead and show me the hidden strength of the Six Tongues Intelligence Agency!]
Flashing his firmly tightened fist, Russell drew back his chin as if to acknowledge it. While finding that response heartening, Subaru directed his attention to the back of the dragon carriage―― toward another dragon carriage behind them,
As previously mentioned, the Six Tongues had disguised ten dragon carriages as a merchant convoy, but the one that Subaru and Beatrice were riding in was right at the forefront, with the personnel dispersed throughout. The one weighing on Subaru's mind above all else was Crusch, who had not reawakened even a single time at the outpost.
Ever since she had fallen into a slumber in the sewers, her consciousness had not returned.
Just before she fell asleep, Crusch had stated that it was the influence of her Dragon Eye, but that had merely been a self-diagnosis, and in reality, he still had no idea whatsoever as to what that Dragon's Eye really was.
Although Beatrice had also said that the only cause had been fatigue――,
Russell: [Are you concerned regarding Crusch-sama?]
Subaru: [That's… yeah. But, you ought to be too, right? If you want to borrow Crusch-san's strength in order to fight against the Beloved Children, shouldn't you be feeling uneasy?]
Russell: [There is certainly a worry. However, a talented individual without peer when it comes to medical diagnosis has certified that there are no fears regarding Crusch-sama's body itself. Of course, there are some concerns about the Dragon's Eye you spoke of, Natsuki-dono, but…]
Subaru: [Right now, there's no choice but to handle her carefully, and patiently wait for her to wake up, huh?]
Russell: [Precisely.]
As his concerns received a polite response, Subaru lamented just how many things were beyond his own capabilities.
In actuality, the Six Tongues were prioritizing Crusch's well-being above all else. There was no doubt that they were exhausting all of their efforts for her sake. For that purpose, they had even gotten a talented practitioner of healing arts――,
Subaru: [Come to think of it, was it Blue Snake-san? I briefly encountered them earlier, but is that person keeping Crusch-san company?]
Russell: [――. Did you meet Blue Snake?]
Subaru: [Huh? Ah, yeah, just on the level of passing by right before we left. Couldn't get a peep out of them, though. White Sheep also told me, but I guess they're a bit of a shy person.]
Russell: […Indeed. By and large, that is not mistaken. Crusch-sama is also being handled by Blue Snake. Rest assured.]
Perhaps because he had been quite taken aback by the fact that Subaru had encountered Blue Snake, who was either shy around strangers or just disliked other people, the fact that this was the first time Russell had needed to take a moment before answering was somewhat refreshing.
Merely, while on the one hand he was relieved to hear that Blue Snake would be attending Crusch――,
Subaru: [Ferris must also be pretty worried.]
Dismissed from his position as Crusch's one and only Knight, Ferris had turned a cold shoulder to Subaru's proposal to mediate things between the two of them. ――Subaru did not know what he had done after they parted at the cemetery in the Royal Capital, but there was certainly no doubt he was still within the Capital. Of course, news of the current turmoil ought to have reached his ears by now.
At the very least, it would be best if he had managed to join up with Wilhelm, and refrained from taking any hasty actions, but―― and, just when he hit upon that thought.
Subaru: [――We stopped?]
Suddenly, assailed by the sensation of the dragon carriage coming to a standstill, Subaru reflexively stiffened his body. He promptly put his arms around Beatrice's shoulders, and attempted to prepare for any unexpected circumstances.
But, at Subaru's reaction, Russell faced him with a smile, saying "Rest assured",
Russell: [It seems we have arrived at the inspection queue before the main gates of the Royal Capital. There is usually a bit of congestion, but it looks like we will have to wait quite a while.]
Subaru: [Wait for quite a while… even though it's about to be nightfall, are there really so many people leaving the Royal Capital?]
Russell: [Those with quick ears, those with snap decision-making, and those with a sharp eye for discerning profit and loss; while it is limited to that specific sect of individuals, whether it is night or day matters not to them. If this atmosphere were to amplify even a bit more on the morrow, an even greater number of people would begin to move.]
Beatrice: [It is a total reenactment of the Empire, in fact. Back then, people were fleeing from the Imperial Capital in great droves, I suppose.]
Subaru: [I remembered the same thing. Naturally, I don't want things to turn out like the Imperial Capital.]
Nodding to Beatrice's statement, Subaru recalled the events of Vollachia's Imperial Capital of Lupugana.
The events of the Imperial Capital being transformed into the Undead Capital at the hands of Sphinx, spearheading the Great Disaster, and the mass evacuation of imperial citizens that took place under Abel's command, was still fresh in his memory. But, that was only something that succeeded without a hitch since Vollachia was structured by might from the top down, so it would likely be difficult to seek the same feat within Lugunica.
All the more when, unlike the undead, there was no method to visually discern Capella's Beloved Children.
Russell: [That is the purpose of Crusch-sama's Divine Protection, and the purpose of us supporting her. ――Natsuki-dono, I believe it already goes without saying for you, but by all means, always search for the best course of action.]
As Russell slightly lowered the tone of his voice, Subaru stared right back at him. The countenance Russell now wore was not that of a merchant, but of an intelligence agency's leader―― with the face of the Director of the Six Tongues, he delivered those words.
Words that were likely also meant to warn to his own self that such conduct was more important than anything else.
Subaru: [Search… for the best course of action…]
Russell: [Indeed, that is correct. For the sake of the Kingdom, the sake of the future, and the sake of your precious allies, in order to arrive at the final destination, please always pursue the best course of action, no matter what. If it is for the purposes of accomplishing that goal, then even if it is a choice that may be accompanied by pain, I hope that you select it.]
Subaru: [――――]
It was a dispassionate manner of speech, one conveying no warmth whatsoever. However, that did not mean that it did not strike a chord in Subaru's heart.
Certainly, it was true that words laden with ardor, appealing to emotion, could be moving. But, the reason why Russell's conveyed no such zeal, was because he had already tempered them so thoroughly, forging them into a shape that could no longer be changed.
To strike while the iron was hot, would allow one to forge it into their ideal shape. ――However, to deliberately heat the iron anew after it had cooled, to strike it and distort its fixed shape, would be meaningless.
Russell: [――It would appear we have arrived at inspection. I will handle this, so please wait.]
Stopping, moving, and stopping again. Alerted by the coachman through the small window of the dragon carriage that had been repeating that cycle, Russell stood up and exited the vehicle.
Seeing him off, Subaru heaved a great sigh. Then, next to him, Beatrice,
Beatrice: [Good grief, in fact. That man… it is no wonder that he is Roswaal's friend, I suppose.]
Subaru: [As expected of you, Beako. I thought the same thing. It's just that he's facing in a bit of a different direction, but the way they push their vectors is completely the same… Search for the best course of action, huh?]
Beatrice: [Subaru is always doing that, in fact. Betty can give her stamp of approval, I suppose.]
Beatrice was properly offended, just as if Subaru had been told that he had been slacking.
Of course, that was likely not Russell's intent, and Beatrice would have also understood that. At the same time, she also knew that people capable of doing so would always be saddled with such frustrations.
Subaru: [――Inspection seems like it's pretty strict.]
Standing up, he peeked through the small window to the coachman's seat, and glimpsed the state of things outside. As Beatrice lined up alongside him and peered through with an "in fact", what they saw was the general reception window installed at the gate of the Royal Capital, and a separately constructed provisional lookout post.
It seemed like the counter just required a permit for passage and a catalogue of all the cargo being transported, so usually, merely entering and exiting the Royal Capital was not too strict. What pushed it over the edge―― was that the level of security employed at the entrance to the Noble District was now being enforced even in a place like this.
Russell: [Yes, we are exceedingly apprehensive. Hence, I believe you could even say acting quickly is but a given for a merchant. We have the necessary permits and inventory in order here. All of the cargo is already tagged with seals of approval, but would you like to take a look over here to verify everything once more?]
At a glance, the inspection was well underway, as Russell spoke such words to the guard in charge.
White Sheep was standing by his side, clad in a "cognitive disruption" robe, and carrying several documents, which Russell presented to the guard in rapid succession.
At that silent, yet undeniably aggressive and threatening act, the guard appeared to be overwhelmed.
Guard: [You do not seem to be missing any documents, and the stamp of the Commerce Guild appears to be legitimate. As for the items catalogued… are they primarily medical supplies?]
Russell: [The faster this delivery goes through, will be directly tied to the survival of human lives.]
Making use of his title as chairman of the Commerce Guild, Russell went even further to appeal to a moral standpoint by leveraging the contents of the inventory, leaving the guard no room whatsoever to find any fault.
And finally, as the pièce de résistance――,
White Sheep: [I beg of you. Without this medicine, all the people of my village will…!]
Clutching the guard's hand, her voice trembling, White Sheep made an earnest request in a way that did not seem like she was acting in the slightest. Pressured to that extent, the hesitation that had existed on the guard's face finally flaked away.
With his hand being held by White Sheep, the guard cleared his throat with a dignified expression,
Guard: [U-understood. There were no issues to be found in particular. You are cleared for passage――]
???: [――Not so fast! Who deemed it fine to just throw all the proper procedures out of the window!?]
White Sheep: [――!]
As the person in charge attempted to grant them clearance, just before White Sheep could be moved with a surge of emotion, a halt was called. Reaching an arm out from the side, and wedging in between, was an elderly individual.
Likely, it was someone superior to the person who had been in charge. That superior officer, rushing out from the outpost, snatched up the documents from the hands of their subordinate, and while scanning over the written contents,
Superior Officer: [A certificate of the Commerce Guild, and the payload has been stamped as approved, hm? Regardless, the rules are the rules.]
Russell: [That is an admirable way of thinking, but is this a situation to be sticking to procedure so rigidly?]
Superior Officer: [You seem to talk like a merchant, but just as how merchants have a merchant's way of doing things, us guards have a guard's dignity.]
Russell: [Is that so? ――Very well.]
As the individual in charge straightened himself at the superior officer's words, Russell received and assented to them. In the peripheral of his vision, it was also clear that White Sheep had gotten nervous, but the same held true for Subaru and Beatrice.
He knew that they had all the necessary documents, as well as dummy dragon carriages, and yet,
Subaru: [T-this might be bad… Beako! Hurry up and get into my pocket!]
Beatrice: [You're panicking too much, I suppose! No matter how minimum pretty Betty is, she won't fit, in fact! More importantly, act more dignified――]
Panicked by the possibility of this dragon carriage being examined, Subaru and Beatrice got into a big kerfuffle.
Perhaps having perceived such undulations of Subaru and Beatrice, Russell suddenly turned around, and gave a small wave of his hand as if to reassure the entire caravan.
At that gesture, Subaru felt a wave of relief, believing that he must have a countermeasure ready―― it happened immediately as he thought that.
――Great tremors, echoes of destruction, and a multitude of screams rang out from behind the line of traffic.
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At first, Subaru had nearly mistaken that shaking for the dragon carriage setting off, those sounds for the frame of the carriage creaking, and the audible voices for some sort of cheering.
That was just how sudden, just how out of left field, these events had been.
Subaru: [What happened!?]
His expression distorting in shock, Subaru leaped onto the seat of the dragon carriage with Beatrice in his arms, and through the large window at the back, he went to confirm what had happened behind the caravan―― toward the direction where the commotion was coming from.
Upon doing so, the sight before his eyes was that of a line of carriages in disarray, erupting with pillars of smoke, as well as several people bolting out from amidst the fumes in a confused panic, which also shrouded a building that appeared to be half destroyed.
Subaru: [Was that… an accident?]
Beatrice: [It appears to be so, I suppose. From the looks of things, something happened to one of the dragon carriages, like perhaps the axle snapping, causing an accident with a pileup of collisions, in fact.]
Subaru: [And then, crashed into the building by the roadside, huh? This is bad, seems like there'd be tons of people injured.]
Just as Russell had said, the cause likely stemmed from the fact that it was more congested than usual due to the chaos in the Royal Capital. With a single accident that occurred amidst the largely delayed traffic line, it gave rise to a great chain reaction of crashes.
He did not know just how many people had sustained injuries, but he had to go help people get out of the crash site immediately――,
Russell: [――Natsuki-dono, we have acquired clearance. The dragon carriage will be leaving. Please take your seat.]
With Subaru and Beatrice in a panic, Russell bluntly declared that announcement to them upon returning inside the carriage. Hearing those words, Subaru started to call out to him, saying "Russell-san",
Subaru: [Eh…? What did you say just now? The dragon carriage is leaving?]
Russell: [Yes. The individuals in charge headed off to deal with the accident back there. Given that we are not missing any documents, they have deemed it acceptable for us to pass. There is also a need to clear out the congested array of carriages.]
Subaru: [No, but…]
Beatrice: [People have been injured, I suppose. There was talk of us possessing medical supplies amidst our cargo, in fact.]
Russell: [A pretense, I assure you. We are not merely carrying items in accordance with the catalogued inventory. If we were to open the cargo, that too would be exposed. I believe I informed you already. ――To always search for the best course of action, yes?]
His expression and voice were devoid of harshness, however the blade's edge of the content itself was far too sharp.
As those words sliced into his body, Subaru's cheeks stiffened at the opportunity to put what he had been told into practice, an opportunity that had arrived far too soon. ――He understood Russell's point. Even here, he understood it, but still.
Russell: [――White Sheep, please explain to Natsuki-dono here.]
White Sheep: [――Hk.]
As Subaru hung his head, gritting his teeth in silence, Russel sighed, and called out behind him. And the one present there, who had just peered into the dragon carriage, was White Sheep.
Stifling the breath in the back of her throat, she turned her moistened, round eyes toward Russel. However, without turning back to face her, Russell once more called out to her with "White Sheep".
Harkening that, White Sheep heaved herself up into the carriage, and layered her hand on top of Subaru's hand resting on the window frame――,
White Sheep: [Subaru-san, please listen to me here. It will be fine. The guards will properly handle it, assuredly. ――Everything will be fine.]
Subaru: […White Sheep… chan.]
Obeying Russell as he attempted to pass a callous decision, White Sheep made such an appeal.
For a moment, a vehement refusal attempted to emerge forth from within Subaru, however, from the trembling in White Sheep's hand and voice, it was firmly imparted that she did not truly wish to overlook them either.
Desperately, earnestly, and even so, she was still doing her utmost to adhere to the best course of action. ――In that case, just what was it that Subaru ought to do here?
Beatrice: [――Subaru.]
From within the embrace of his arms, Beatrice called out to Subaru.
What lay within her eyes was the light of resolve, and her trust in Subaru. That radiance was the exact same as when she had promised to venture together unto hell with him in the sewers, and to go along with whatever Subaru chose to stand for, no matter what it was.
Even if it meant sharing the burden of sin alongside him, Beatrice would not waver.
Subaru: [Right now, we need to move…]
Russell: [Indeed, that is correct. It is a wise decision, Natsuki-dono. That is the best course of action here.]
Layered over top, the hand of White Sheep slowly lowered Subaru's hand which had been resting on the window frame. Perceiving Subaru's movement, Russell spoke with a sense of relief.
Yes, that was right. Russell's words were correct. Here, in this place, they were what he ought to follow.
Subaru: [――――]
This accident could even be described as a blessing of sorts.
It had occurred just when the dragon carriage was about to be inspected, moments before Subaru and Beatrice would have been discovered.
With the guards diverting their efforts to rescue, they would be able to escape this place.
――Everything, was in order to save the Royal Capital, to save the Kingdom.
That was why――,
Subaru: [――Ah?]
The moment he tried to force himself to compromise, to accept that withdrawing here was the right thing to do, Subaru saw it, in the scenery outside the window upon which his eyes had continued to linger, too reluctant to tear them away.
――He saw the figure of Blue Snake, white robe fluttering by the hem as they sprinted straight for the crash site.
Subaru: [――――]
――.
――――.
――――――Are you an idiot, Natsuki Subaru?
Subaru: […To search for the best course of action, you told me to hold that act in the highest regard, didn't you, Russell-san?]
Russell: [――? Indeed. Your judgment is correct. We will be leaving immediately. We are…]
Subaru: [Then!]
White Sheep: [――Hk!?]
Subaru: [Then my best course of action… is to not abandon anyone who can be saved here!!]
Asserting so in a loud voice, Subaru placed the hand he had been about to lower back onto the window frame.
Then, flinging away the hand that had been layered over his, he left behind a curt "Sorry!" to both the astonished White Sheep and Russell beyond her,
Subaru: [Let's go, Beako! Lend me your strength!]
Beatrice: [That is already fully accepted as a matter of course, I suppose!]
Still embracing Beatrice, Subaru threw himself out of the dragon carriage through the window. Behind him, Subaru could hear Russell calling for him, but he did not stop. He could not stop.
The accident is a blessing? Ridiculous. Accidents are tragedies. They absolutely aren't anything like a saving grace.
Subaru: [You're right! I was wrong!]
If he had not glimpsed the back of Blue Snake breaking into a sprint, he would not have even noticed such a thing.
One-hundred percent, Blue Snake was correct. Laying eyes upon that back, he felt nothing but shame surging up within his heart.
How big of an idiot are you, Natsuki Subaru?
Why don't you get it, Natsuki Subaru?
Even if there are people willing to throw away their lives, it doesn't change your own standards.
――It doesn't change, anything at all.
???: [What!? Hey, it's dangerous here! Anyone who isn't a guard needs to――]
Subaru: [People are injured, aren't they! I'll lend a hand! We'll pull everyone out!]
With the crash site, enshrouded by a veil of dust, right before his eyes, a guard with their hand over their mouth―― the elderly superior officer who had impeded the passage of the dragon carriage earlier, widened his eyes as Subaru came rushing in.
A man appearing out of nowhere, carrying an adorable little girl in his arms. It was only natural that the other party had been bewildered.
But, that bewilderment would not serve as a reason to restrain Subaru and Beatrice.
Subaru: [We can use magic! It should be useful! Let us help out!]
Guard: [――Hk, you can never have too many hands. Come!]
After a moment's hesitation, it was naught but a paper wall before the elderly guard's disposition of valuing human life. Directed by the guard who smashed through that hesitation in the span of a single breath, Subaru and Beatrice stepped onto the crash site.
The area, with its plumes of smoke, groans of pain, and tearful cries of children, was just as they had ascertained from a distance: a chain reaction of a pileup accident that commenced when a single dragon carriage's axle had broken, and a building that had collapsed after getting caught in the damages, leaving it in a half-destroyed state.
There were people shedding blood, and people laying limp and motionless. With ground dragons stomping their feet in agitation, and voices calling for help and angry shouts flying left and right, it had become quite the terrible uproar.
With the site of the accident right before his eyes, his gaze wandered around as he contemplated where he ought to begin lending a hand――,
???: [――Over here! Come help over here!]
That was a particularly loud voice; cutting through the cacophony of voices blending together, it pierced Subaru's eardrums.
Taking a look, it was someone crouched down on the floor amidst the drifting dust, clad in a white robe as they held their hand out towards an injured person trapped beneath the rubble―― it was Blue Snake.
Rushing over to Blue Snake, Subaru beheld the state of the injured―― part of the fractured beam had pierced their torso, sustaining a serious wound that was spilling copious amounts of blood.
And then――,
Blue Snake: [Use Beatrice-chan's magic to make the beam lighter and get it out! You can do that, right!?]
Subaru: [Yeah, we can! We can but, how did you…]
Blue Snake: [Ahh, enough already! You're so obtuse!]
Speaking in a rough, frustrated manner, the next instant, Blue Snake, while still applying healing arts to the wound of the injured party, violently removed their own hood. Appearing underneath, with flaxen hair reaching down to their neck, and demi-human cat ears that pushed aside that hair as if to assert their existence――,
Subaru: [――Ferris?] [1]
In utter shock, Subaru's lips called out that name.
After all, the familiar face he never imagined would have been there―― the person who had rushed to the side of these dying lives faster than anyone else, Ferris the Blue, was desperately exerting himself.
Translation Note:
[1] – While translated as Ferris for many years, it feels pertinent here to note that フェリス can also be rendered as Felis. Felis is the Latin word for cat, and was also the name of a constellation depicting a cat created by French astronomer Jérôme Lalande in 1799. The constellation is now obsolete, but its brightest star, HD 85951, was given the name Felis in 2018 by the International Astronomical Union, and resides as part of the constellation Hydra. This connection between Felis and Hydra felt noteworthy as it pertains to Ferris now functioning under the codename "Blue Snake".
-x-X-x-
Arc 10, Chapter 24 – "The Best Person"
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Having leapt out of the window, Natsuki Subaru dashed behind the caravan where the site of the crash had transpired.
There had been no hesitation in his stride, and it could have even been described as gallant. ――It was the silhouette of a man who believed that helping someone whose life was in danger to be the most natural thing in the world.
Russell: [Ludicrous…]
Pulling away as he called out to him, the black haired companion had passed judgment with no consideration for the consequences, and Russell Fellow could do nothing but see him off with a look of disbelief.
That was also because he could not understand what that companion had been thinking. He would have liked to believe that he had thoroughly informed him of the gravity of their actions, and exactly what it was they needed to prioritize.
But, to an even greater extent――,
Russell: [――White Sheep, why did you not stop him!?]
In order to make sense of the situation, Russell questioned the true intentions of White Sheep, who had displayed an attempt at gentle persuasion.
White Sheep had certainly layered her hands on top of Subaru's. She had uttered the words to hold him back. In spite of that, he did not obey―― nay, his heart had not been moved.
Russell: [You also ought to be keenly aware of what our greatest priority is at the moment. Not even a single second of our time should be squandered on any other purpose. You――]
White Sheep: [――Did.]
Russell: [What?]
Knitting his brow at the blurred voice, which he had failed to hearken in certainty, Russell gazed at White Sheep.
And facing the window out of which their companion had leapt out, and pulling the hand that had been shaken off by the other party close to her chest, White Sheep glanced back. ――All the while, large drops of tears had been filling her round, golden eyes.
White Sheep: [I… did. To Subaru-san, I did do it… but, the fact that Subaru-san still rushed out… means he's just that kind of person.]
Russell: [That kind of…?]
White Sheep: [I'm sure I told you as well, Silver Fox. All I am capable of, is leveraging feelings that are already present… I cannot make him do something he never would have done!]
Russell: [――――]
White Sheep: [L-let us chase after Subaru-san and Beatrice right away. We can also help them with the injured――]
As White Sheep pleaded out with misty eyes and a tearful voice, Russell brought his hand to his lips.
Deep within his narrowed eyes, his Divine Protection, which ascertained the "value" of all things in this world reconstructed the various plans he had assembled, fabricating them anew.
He could not see the right answer in itself. ――Merely, he would locate the option closest to the right answer.
???: [What's this, what's this, this situation's pretty cherry and even chipper, ain't it? If you're gonna lodge a complaint either way, then speak with actions instead of words. Instead of quibbling with words, you can have a fight to the death if you so please. Kuhahahaha!]
White Sheep: [Black Dog… hk.]
Black Dog: [Oh? What's this, what's wrong, that damn face of yours. Don't tell me you've become capable of persuading people with just your tears, not even needing to touch their skin, have you? That'll only work on men, you know. Though, I'm an exception.]
Spitting those words, the person who boldly entered the dragon carriage was Black Dog―― having taken off his mask and black robes, the man's bare face was now complimented by a black suit as he contorted his strong, fierce facial features.
Black Dog shrugged his shoulders at Russell and White Sheep as they faced him, and messily sat himself down on a nearby seat,
Black Dog: [So, here I was wondering what we were still doing dawdling and dilly-dallying, but to think you got your hand bitten by that brat! And this is after I went through such troubles to ensure we'd be able to leave, don't you go and make others' efforts meaningless.]
White Sheep: [Ensuring we would be able to leave…? Don't tell me…]
Black Dog: [Oi, quit it, stop that, what's with those eyes? All I did was break a single axle. The big uproar that happened was the doing of the frightened ground dragon! That and this and all of it and everything, I did for your sake. Kuhahaha, I lied.]
White Sheep: [――Hk, Silver Fox!]
White Sheep diverted her gaze away from Black Dog, who was flashing a crude smile while crossing his legs in his seat, and directed her eyes burning with righteous indignation toward Russell.
On the receiving end of her sincere ire, Russell lowered the hand he had placed to his mouth,
Russell: [――Let us depart.]
White Sheep: [A-are you serious!?]
As White Sheep widened her eyes in disbelief, Russell affirmed her thoughts.
Russell: [From the outset, our greatest priority was securing Crusch-sama. I had wanted to secure others as well if possible, but with our outstretched hand rejected, it is all for naught. ――Though, it is a shame that by relinquishing Blue Snake, I will no longer be able to test something I had wished to verify.]
Black Dog: [Like I saaaaid, didn't I tell you, didn't I let you know? There wouldn't have been any future troubles if I had just scorched them to crisps in the sewers.]
Russell: [I have no intention of returning to a discussion for which there is no room for argument. Time is of the essence.]
Deciding on their course of action, Russell turned his back to White Sheep. In that back of his, he had visibly pruned away any excess focus toward their companion who had run off to the crash site.
And to that back, White Sheep reached out with a resolved expression――,
Black Dog: [Wait, hold off.]
With those words, a long leg stretched out to block White Sheep's path.
As White Sheep bit her lip and glared at that obstruction, Black Dog, sitting boorishly in his seat, waved his hand,
Black Dog: [Didn't you say so yourself? You can't make that guy do what he wouldn't do.]
White Sheep: [But, this sort of…]
Black Dog: [So don't you cry about it, it's a pain in the ass. It's not like I'm being careful to keep that piece of shit in a good mood or anything. It's just that maybe, you might not even really need to do anything.]
White Sheep: [――――]
Shrugging his shoulders at White Sheep, whose eyes flickered with a lack of comprehension, Black Dog raised up a hand with his leg still thrown out, and gestured behind the dragon carriage―― nay, in the direction of the crash site.
And then――,
Black Dog: [――The nature of the clamor and tumult has shifted. In that case, what becomes of our course of action? Kuhahahaha.]
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Dust and dirt adrift at the crash site, there yet remained the threat of the half-destroyed building collapsing.
The ceiling had fallen through, and a person had been injured, impaled by its lumber, and was thus stripped of their consciousness, the wound mortal by anyone's measure. ――That was, had it not been for him, who remained there continuously applying healing magic.
Subaru: [――Ferris?]
Removing his hood with a single hand, the person who had revealed his face―― Ferris, left Subaru bewildered with his presence.
Just a little while beforehand, he had been weighing on Subaru's mind. He had gone through a terribly hard time, and yet he had still turned down Subaru's outstretched hand, calling it prideful, so what he was currently doing had been a mystery.
Never had Subaru imagined that they would now be in the same group together, with him operating under the name Blue Snake.
Ferris: [What are you doing!? Are you even listening!?]
Subaru: [――Hk.]
Ferris: [Don't just stand there while lives are on the line! If people die here, it will be our fault for not being able to rescue them!]
The shock of this reunion was utterly demolished by the words of none other than Ferris himself.
That desperate outcry returned Subaru to his senses, and to follow Ferris's directions from a moment prior―― to remove the wooden beam piercing the body of the wounded, he placed Beatrice down on the ground from his embrace, and,
Subaru: [Good to go, Beako!?]
Beatrice: [Leave it to me, in fact. ――Murak!]
Due to their successive battles at the McMahon residence and the sewers, they were amidst an undesirable interval. Albeit her condition would have been in the worst possible state, Beatrice gave no indication of such whatsoever as she activated her Yin Magic, and lightened the target.
Subaru: [We're lifting it! You ready!?]
Ferris: [I'd be an idiot if I said I wasn't!]
Subaru: [That's some mouth you got! ――Ngh, ghghghgh!]
Yelling back and forth with Ferris, Subaru carefully raised up the lightened lumber, extracting it from its point of entry into the wounded person's body. An unpleasant sensation and sound it brought forth, causing even greater volumes of blood to spurt out.
But, the moment it was removed from the open wound, Ferris began to exhibit his true mettle.
Ferris: [It's alright. I'll make it better now.]
――That instant, overflowing in excess, was an exceedingly kind, blue light.
Beatrice: [Incredible…]
Laying eyes upon that light, a wordless whisper spilled from the lips of Beatrice.
That which made even Beatrice, a Great Spirit capable of healing magic herself, be so taken aback, comprised the entirety of the reason for Ferris to be dubbed the Blue, and a prodigy beyond all compare.
His healing arts were the same as ever―― no, very clearly, they had reached miraculous heights far greater than his previous expertise.
Subaru: [――――]
The ones bearing witness to that sight were all the good samaritans who had rushed onto the scene while prepared for tragedy.
Whilst all of their eyes were simultaneously being captivated by that miracle, he understood their feelings. A fatal injury believed to be beyond saving, a deep gash that surely would leave lasting, lifelong effects, and an utterly cruel ending to it all, everything was painted over by that light.
It was a sight that seemed as if it could persist into the world to come as a religious altarpiece――,
Subaru: [――Everyone! Evacuate all the injured who can be evacuated, and gather them in one place! Prioritize those who've been severely injured and those who got hit on the head! Anyone who can still move on their own, get outside the building!]
Those who had been stunned by the miracle were pulled back to reality by Subaru's raised voice.
Ferris was here. This was a miracle. A jackpot. And that, he would utilize to the fullest extent.
Subaru: [Everyone can be saved! We've got the world's greatest healer here!]
Widening their eyes at the do-or-die spirit in Subaru's voice, they exchanged glances, and responded with a reassuring "Yeah!". Thus did they begin the relief effort to save those who had collapsed, and the people whose legs had been trapped beneath the rubble.
Ascertaining that, as Subaru wiped the skin by his eye with the back of hand,
Subaru: [Ferris, everyone's a go! We'll assist! What should we do!?]
Ferris: [Don't get in the way! Do as I tell you! Hold this person down!]
Subaru: [Man, you dickhead… after this is all over I'm gonna give you a real piece of my mind, just you wait!]
Speaking as if Subaru's persuasion of everyone did not matter to him, Ferris remained entirely focused on the lives at hand―― in fact, his rough words aside, Ferris's skills and the accuracy of his judgment were outstanding. Assigning priority to each of the injured by discerning what was most urgent at a single glance, and outputting an applicable level of healing magic, he saved one life after the other.
Subaru: [A restaurant at dinner time… checks out that tons of people got caught up in it.]
Finally able to perceive the situation of the damaged site, Subaru spat out saliva mixed with dust.
The road was also crowded with dragon carriages, and there would have been a lot of people who had been within the establishment. It would thereby stand to reason that many people would have been injured, but fortunately, there did not appear to be anyone who had died instantly as far as Subaru could see.
And, if there was nobody who had suffered an instant death――,
Ferris: [――Don't you die. Please, come back to us.]
The outpour of convalescent light healed all the wounds imperiling their lives, removing them entirely.
Everyone would be saved. That was not just his enthusiasm, it would be brought to fruition as the response in reality for certain――,
???: [――Hk! Oi, over there!]
Abruptly hearing a voice running counter to that hope of his, Subaru's head snapped up.
It was one of the guards helping out with the rescue, his finger pointed toward the half-destroyed restaurant―― to the partially crumbled upper floor, barely being held up by a pillar with cracks in it.
The roof's support beam was raising its death throes, balancing on a precarious equilibrium as the building's second floor began to tip over―― and underneath that, Ferris and the injured still remained, the healing process still underway. Were the upper half of the building to come crashing down, salvation would reach none.
Immediately after that thought, Subaru―― no, it was not just Subaru who broke into a sprint.
???: [――Hk!]
The elderly guard, his subordinates, and a townsman who had been assisting in the relief effort, had all begun sprinting. Others had also gotten up, raised their bodies, and attempted to take action.
With that in his peripheral, Subaru gritted his molars oh so firmly, and recklessly cried out――,
Subaru: [――Beatrice!!]
Beatrice: [With this, we will seriously be out of gas, in… fact! ――Murak!!]
By way of Beatrice, as she held both her hands out, the collapsing part of the building was enveloped in a faint purple light.
Ruefully so, as per the universal laws of gravity, even supposing weight were to be changed, the falling speed of the wreckage, and the peril it presented, would not abate. Its mass was of such dimension, that the eventual result would be the same. ――Therein, he would interpose himself.
Subaru: [Nghaa…!!!]
Having just barely made it in time underneath the wreckage, Subaru took on a pose to support the falling rubble as if having been caught in a suspended ceiling trap. By himself, it would have been impossible for Subaru. The guards who had sprinted together entered underneath the rubble a moment later, all supporting it in a united effort.
Subaru: [Kghi…! Right now, before it's too late, get the people underneath out…!]
Feeling as if he would cough up blood, Subaru exclaimed the collective will of everyone supporting the wreckage. And hearkening that, those who had been delayed in their start began pulling Ferris and the injured people out from below.
Until all were evacuated, this had to be endured, by any means necessary. ――Indeed, as Subaru roused himself,
???: […Though, you're always shouting in a loud voice, aren't you now, kiddo!]
Subaru: [Ah? Wait, you're…!]
While exerting his utmost strength to brace himself, Subaru was shocked upon noticing the person supporting the same wreckage beside him.
It was a face he knew―― the owner of a fruit stand in the Royal Capital with whom his destiny often intertwined, Kadomon.
Subaru: [――――]
Widening his eyes at that unexpected reunion, Subaru simultaneously felt a sense of panic.
The efficacy of the "cognitive disruption" robe was not all-powerful; he had immediately infringed on the warning provided by Russell. For Kadomon, who knew Subaru, his identity had been exposed by asserting himself here.
However――,
Kadomon: [Don't make that sorta face. The fact you're helping people here, kiddo, is the truth about you that I've seen with my own two eyes.]
Upon those words, Subaru almost unwittingly let the strength slip from his arms. Because of that, Kadomon and the others cried out "Nwoahh!?" at the increased load, so he hurried to carry his weight once more.
He was shocked. He thought that once his identity was exposed, it would all be over. ――But, he was glad he had come back.
Subaru: [Everybody's out! Alright everyone, on the count of three we'll raise it up in a banzai! Drop it inside!]
Gritting his teeth in endurance to the point that his molars were creaking, everyone cried out "One, two, aaaand three!" in unison.
The wreckage they threw onto the ground with their full-force banzai, was nearly the entirety of what had been above the second floor of the building. As soon as it left the hands of everyone, the efficacy of the magic was lost, and it regained its original destructive weight.
Subaru: [GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT――!!]
An explosive, weighty sound of destruction echoed to their backs, and the group who had been supporting the wreckage evacuated with all their might. As if tumbling, Subaru fled from that which had felt almost murderous, and rolled over.
Rolling like that, he sprawled out onto the ground, and gazed up towards the dust-clouded heavens.
Subaru: [Haa, haa… n-no part of me, got crushed… did it?]
Kadomon: [Relax, everything's fine, ain't it? We got the greatest healer in the world here, don't we?]
Subaru: [Even if it can be healed, I don't wanna see any of my limbs torn off!]
Beside Subaru as he raised his voice, Kadomon, having also rolled away, laughed "That's for sure". Such laughter could also be heard from the others around them, and it seemed like the unit who had held up the wreckage had all made it out alright.
For now, they had somewhat managed to complete a single difficult task―― but they must not get ahead of themselves.
Subaru: [Ferris is still exerting his efforts all by himself. I've gotta go help…]
Beatrice: [――That might be a bit difficult, I suppose.]
Forcing his slackened body up, Subaru turned to face that voice with an "Ah?".
The owner of the voice had been Beatrice, and Subaru immediately understood why it had contained a feeling of tension. On the street outside the restaurant where the accident had occurred, all injured individuals had been carried out.
In the center of them all, Ferris was still endeavoring to heal their wounds, and yet――,
???: [――First Knight to the treacherous Crusch Karsten, the Blue, Felix Argyle. There is an active subpoena for you to present yourself to the Royal Castle. At once, you shall abide by these orders.]
After all, a company of Knights had encircled Ferris, holding him at the ends of their swords in an act of intimidation.
Ferris: [――――]
The company of roughly thirty Knights, all were clad in white uniforms demonstrating their affiliation with the Royal Guard. Bearing witness to that sight, one that went against all reason, a white void was birthed in Subaru's mind.
Just before the site of an accident, would a patrol of Knights really turn their swords against a healer engaged in relief efforts? Impossible.
Kadomon: [Idio… what the hell are you saying!? Orders!? Look at the situation!]
Elderly Guard: [That's right! That person is treating the wounded! If he wasn't here…]
Knight: [――Your protests shall not be acknowledged! This too is a matter of utmost importance for the Royal Capital. The guards here remain responsible for dealing with the accident. Us Knights, shall fulfill our duty!]
In Subaru's stead, Kadomon and the elderly guard raised their voices in protest to that abnormality. But, they were drowned out by the deafening bellow of the long-haired commanding officer of the Knight squadron.
During the momentary lapse yielded as a result of that, the commanding officer turned a sharp glare toward Ferris―― toward the back of he who had not even given a single glance in the direction of the squadron of Knights while continuing to cast healing magic,
Knight: [These are orders! Cease your operations, Knight Felix! Along with your master, you are an individual suspected of harboring treasonous intentions against the Kingdom, so how could you possibly be trusted to carry out medical care!? You might very well be doing something to those undergoing treatment――]
Subaru: [――Hk, don't fucking joke around!!]
That instant, at the unforgivable comments hurled toward Ferris, Subaru exploded.
Rushing into the midst of the scene without thinking, Subaru wedged his way between Ferris's back and the company of Knights. Then, glaring at the Knights brandishing their swords―― nay, at those who could hardly be called Knights,
Subaru: [Just what feelings do you all fucking think motivated Ferris to refine his skills in healing magic!? Do you think it was just talent? It's obviously because he wanted to save people!]
Knight: [――――]
Subaru: [You're saying you don't know what Ferris will do to the people who got injured? Of course you fucking know! It's healing! Saving lives! He's rescuing the people who seem like they might die even now! It's the most obvious thing to anybody with a pair of eyes, he's clearly just doing what the best person here would do, to the point that nobody could do better if they tried!]
Shouting himself hoarse, eyes running bloodshot, Subaru howled, questioning why they failed to understand something so simple.
To the extent it was unbelievable that he had used up all of his bodily strength just a moment prior, he gestured with his whole body, exploding with completely reasonable emotions, and fixing his gaze on each and every one of the Knights' faces as he poured out his very soul.
Kadomon: [Kiddo…]
Watching over Subaru's indignant outburst, Kadomon softly muttered so.
For him, the gate guards, and everyone else present at the crash site, it was something that had gone without saying. Thus, among the squadron of Knights too, hesitation began to emerge in some of their eyes and faces, and the tips of some of their swords here and there could be seen wavering.
But, those honestly wavering emotions――,
Knight: [――Look at who we have here, if it isn't the traitor's accomplice, Natsuki Subaru.]
Were completely suppressed by a single line from the commanding officer of the Knight squadron, his eyes clouded in hatred.
As soon as the commanding officer vocalized the name Natsuki Subaru, the Knights blinked their eyes several times over, and correctly perceived the presence of Subaru standing before them. ――The "cognitive disruption" had been overcome.
Thus, once they understood that the person who had spoken such plausible things was a wanted fugitive, the hesitation of the Knights was brushed aside by their sense of duty, and just like before―― no, to an even greater degree, an air of tension was borne.
Beatrice: [Subaru…]
His identity exposed, Beatrice nestled close to Subaru and clenched his hand as the swords were pointed to him. But, with them having used up all their Mana during the collapse of the building, they now lacked any means by which to tide this encounter over.
Subaru: [At best, I guess I could pummel the leader's face with Invisible Providence, huh… My bad, Ferris. Looks like I just added fuel to the fire.]
Ferris: [――. Shut up. I wasn't expecting anything anyway.]
Subaru: [Tahaha.]
Ferris: [But, you're a skilled talker, aren't you? Keep saying ridiculous things and stretch this out to the utmost limit. Even if it's just a single person more, I'll save as many people as possible.]
Without looking back at each other, they exchanged such words with their backs turned, and as a wry smile came over Subaru's face at Ferris's bitter proclamation of his innermost heart, he steeled his resolve.
The opponent desired information on Crusch. Thus, they would not be killed here. In that case, eloquently and skillfully, while having lost the ability to wield magic, Natsuki Subaru's battle would――,
Knight: [We are sufficiently aware of just how dangerous you can be… no, of how dangerous you are. In order to save the Kingdom from needless disorder, Natsuki Subaru, here, you shall be…!]
Subaru: [Hey, hold on hold on hold on! You're way overestimating me! To begin with, something like treason…]
Knight: [Silence! All is for the sake of the Kingdom! That talkative mouth of yours, I shall――]
???: [――A wind of deceit is blowing around you.]
――That instant, a dignified gust of wind swept through.
△▼△▼△▼△
???: [――Ferris.]
Ferris: [――. Yes.]
???: [Treat all of the wounded. Ensure that all shall be able to return to their previous lives without any grave incident.]
Ferris: [Even if you didn't tell me, that was what I had intended.]
???: [I see. Then it is fine. ――I shall provision the time for you to do so.]
They did not exchange many words. However, that was enough for the two of them.
For those two, who both knew the capabilities of the other better than they did, that was enough.
Subaru: [――――]
The golden hue of the Dragon Eye painted a streak of light through the air with its radiance, making fools of the squad of Knights through nimble movements. The Knights spread out in order to avoid striking each other, displaying a high level of coordination, but――,
???: [I perceive it.]
The storm of swords closed in on her, and ought to have left no openings, but by thrusting the tip of her slender sword into an opening the size of a needle's eye, a path was forced open by the Valkyrie―― by Crusch, whose blade's shimmer capered, dispossessing the Knights of their own swords.
Crying out in pain, the Knights clutched their arms as they fell back, all having received shallow cuts to the base of their wrists or fingers, causing them to withdraw by stripping them of their ability to continue fighting.
That, was the non-lethal sword that would not pilfer life in vain―― and just as he thought so,
Crusch: [Are the lot of you real? Are you fakes?]
Knights: [――Hk.]
Crusch: [The two on the sides are fine, the one who has fallen back to the center, you are vile. ――There is no escape.]
Directly following the heartless verdict, the Knight who had fallen back held up his non-sword wielding hand toward Crusch, and in that moment, signs of magic being invoked began to distort the atmosphere.
However――,
Beatrice: [It is no use, in fact.]
As Beatrice muttered from the side, her words were verified by the flash of Crusch's blade―― a special technique that would dice the magic apart before invocation, which thus showered the wide-eyed Knight in the severing light of an oblique slash, felling him to the ground.
For a moment, Subaru had been about to call out words to hold her back, but looking at things carefully while understanding the situation, it was clear that Crusch had a clear basis for the mercy and the lack thereof that she dished out.
Intermixed amidst the company of Knights, were those whose intent had been to subdue Crusch, and those who harbored clear intent to kill her. ――And until now, the ones whom Crusch had cut down had entirely belonged to the latter category.
Likewise, in the reckless behavior of the commanding officer of these Knights, there had clearly been the influence of a certain someone―― of Capella.
Thus, the influence of that horrid Authority, was something that could be discerned by Crusch's Divine Protection with precision.
Subaru: [Moreover, if I'm not mistaken… she's gotten stronger than she was in the mansion?]
Beatrice: [You're not mistaken, I suppose. She has acquired a greater command over her eye compared to then, in fact.]
Swinging her sword bereft of futility, bereft of mercy, and bereft of play, Crusch classified whom among the squad of Knights had been influenced by Capella and those who had not, further selecting even the means by which she felled them, therefore demonstrating exceedingly preeminent swordsmanship as she did battle.
She was getting increasingly familiar with her Dragon Eye. ――As for what that signified, he remained unable to wholeheartedly rejoice.
Ferris: [――Hk, that's everyone! All done!]
As Crusch continued to hack and slash her foes down, she succeeded in buying Ferris enough time to finish healing everyone.
Sweat on his brow, Ferris attempted to stand up on the spot. His body staggered, and he was about to topple when Subaru promptly reached a hand out to support him.
Then, taking Ferris's slender body in his arm, he kept the former in a firm hold by lending him a shoulder.
Ferris: [You sure don't let any opportunity to shine go by, do you now, Subaru-kun…?]
Subaru: [Don't say it as if I was just waiting for an opportunity! Man, you're the absolute coolest, you know!?]
Ferris: [Your voice is loud. Try to prop me up better. It feels like I might collapse.]
Subaru: [You complain too much. But… Crusch-san!]
Ferris had accomplished his job. It was thus time for Crusch to also withdraw from her battle against the Knights.
To be honest, with her strength, it might have also been possible to break through this encirclement head-on, but――,
Beatrice: [If she falls asleep halfway through again, it will spell the end for certain this time, I suppose.]
Subaru: [Actually, that's what I'm scared of! Crusch-san, tell me you've got some sort of countermeasure!]
Crusch: [Regrettably, I lack anything of the sort.]
Subaru: [Hyehhhh!]
Crusch: [Ergo, I have arranged for it. ――Black Dog!]
Just when he believed their hopes extinguished, Crusch called out a name far too dangerous to place their hopes in.
Immediately after Subaru, Beatrice, and Ferris all reacted "Ugyeh" to that vocalization――,
Black Dog: [Kuhahahahaha! Don't hate me like that, don't love me like that! It's showtime for the headliner!]
A cackling voice that gave rise to unpleasant feelings to any who heard it echoed far and wide, causing the Knights and those in the environs, all of whom completely unfamiliar with the voice, to look around the vicinity in shock. However, the proprietor of the laughing voice was nowhere to be found.
Instead, what blanketed their vision was a tremendous quantity of black smoke.
Crusch: [A smokescreen. There is no harm.]
Amidst the voices of shock and confusion rising up at the black smoke, Crusch's voice informed them so as she ran over. However, though he was not suspicious of Crusch, if this was the work of Black Dog, his apprehension would win out.
Ferris: [It's alright, I think. If not, me and Subaru-kun would end up being left behind here again, right?]
Subaru: [You're right about that! Got it. Then right now, from here―― Invisible Providence!]
That moment, as Subaru nodded in agreement to Ferris's comment, an invisible black magic hand emerged from his chest, and driving through the black smoke, it slammed into the face of the Knight squadron's commanding officer, who had been attempting to charge toward them.
The commanding officer's nose erupted with blood as he exclaimed "Kah!", falling over on his back. Glancing at that, Crusch,
Crusch: [That person was fine.]
Subaru: [You're kidding!? He wasn't someone who's been replaced!?]
Crusch: [I sensed he harbored a strong ire and hatred toward you. ]
Ferris: [It's Knight Zeolle, right? He was in the castle at the time of the Royal Selection. Isn't that why?]
Subaru: [Enough, please just settle on a single rating for that episode already!]
Whether it served as proof of Subaru's innocence, or as the reason for him being targeted, the ratings were all over the place.
Setting aside that lamentation of his, disappearing into the black smoke screen, Subaru and the gang escaped the situation. ――Behind them, several members of the company of Knights attempted to follow after, but,
Kadomon: [I won't let you chase after the kiddo and the rest. After all, I don't like the way you Knights have conducted yourselves today one bit.]
Standing in the way to obstruct their path, was Kadomon and the gate guards.
At that unexpected assist, Subaru called out "Unc!?" in surprise, to which Kadomon smiled,
Kadomon: [Go on then, kiddo, I'll be cheering for you! You, and Emilia-sama both!]
Subaru: [――Hk! Ahh, I'll be coming back to collect your honest vote!]
Hearing that encouragement from Kadomon, who had acknowledged Natsuki Subaru as Emilia's Knight, Subaru responded while on the verge of tears, and exerted strength in his legs to cross into the black smoke once more.
As he went off, the angered bellows of the squadron of Knights, and the ardor of the gate guardians defying them all flared up in a large uproar――,
Elderly Guard: [――Inspection's finished! Let 'em pass, you Knights! And let us guards do our jobs!!]
△▼△▼△▼△
???: [――Yo, so you're back? I thought you'd die for sure.]
Subaru: [Chin, man, to think you were such a useless guy to have as an ally…]
After Subaru and co made it out of the enshrouding black smoke which had permitted their escape, Rachins had been waving at them as they rushed to board the dragon carriage waiting outside the gate, welcoming the four of them.
With there having been such an uproar, Subaru was shocked at Rachins's apparent heartlessness, as he had not shown any willingness to take action.
Subaru: [Do you not have a human heart? Are you a Witch Cultist?]
Rachins: [Don't fucking cast suspicions on people like that! Saying I didn't do anything's also a false accusation! I handled all the negotiations for you. Ain't that right, Duchess-san?]
Rachins stuck out his tongue, and cued Crusch to weigh in. At that addressment, Crusch, her eyepatch reaffixed over her left eye, nodded a "That is correct",
Crusch: [Rachins Hoffman does have a way with words. In fact, it was he who enabled negotiations to take place.]
Subaru: [Negotiations? That'd be…]
???: [――Of course, that would be with us, Natsuki-dono.]
At the voice that felt somewhat like a surprise attack, Subaru and Beatrice's shoulders jumped with a "Pyo".
The proprietor of the voice was none other than Russell, who had entered the dragon carriage a bit later than Subaru and the rest.
Accompanied by White Sheep and Black Dog, he shut the door to the dragon carriage, and signaled to the coachman to depart.
Instantly, the dragon carriage began to move, transforming it into an inescapable post-mortem meeting room.
Russell: [First of all, the fact that everyone returned safely is the most optimal outcome for our course of action. Of course, it was merely the result of having been blessed with good fortune, and I harbor many reservations, but―― Blue Snake.]
Ferris: [Mm…]
Russell: [You were the one to append the condition of keeping your presence among us hidden. If you take such actions regardless of that, it becomes impossible to keep it a secret. You shall not proclaim it a fault on our part, correct?]
Ferris: [I understand. I won't call it a breach of our conditions. This isn't the place for me to speak on my personal interests either.]
Being the first one to whom Russell had spoken out, Ferris glanced toward Crusch from the corner of his eye. However, even though Crusch had likely noticed his gaze, she gave no reaction in Ferris's direction.
The atmosphere adrift between the two them was something extremely complex, and so――,
Subaru: [What should we do, Beako. Might I be able to do a good job of churning the atmosphere, I wonder? Should I give it a try?]
Beatrice: [For now, for now you should hold off, in fact. This is a scene for us to sit back and "observe", I suppose. More importantly…]
Russell: [Natsuki-dono, from hereon, please refrain from taking such actions.]
Subaru: [Guh… I guess, you're mad at me, right?]
He cautiously examined Russell's expression, but, perhaps to be expected, the head of an intelligence agency was unreadable.
Russell's expression was a calm sea of emotion, but there was no way that he was not angry with Subaru, who had directly disobeyed his orders, and rushed onto the scene. ――This face, was something he ought to count as indignation.
Russell: [I am not mad, just disappointed. After all, I believe I had thoroughly instilled exactly what ought to be prioritized. ――If not for Crusch-sama's comments, I would not have risked remaining in that place.]
Subaru: [Crusch-san's, words? Those would be…]
Crusch: [It is nothing extraordinary. ――As the situation stands, I have no intention of placing my trust in anybody here other than Natsuki Subaru. Without you here, I would refuse to cooperate with the likes of the Six Tonuges.]
Subaru: [That's…! That's an extreme honor, but…!]
Depending on how it was interpreted, that assessment could be a rather extreme one, and thus, Subaru fervently took mind of the surrounding gazes―― in particular, that of Russell, who'd had an unnecessary condition levied upon him, and Ferris, who bore quite a complex relationship. But then again, Russell's expression remained unchanged, and Ferris, due to exhaustion, remained seated while averting his face.
Regardless, the Six Tongues could not afford to relinquish Crusch, so it was due to her opinion that they had been unable to abandon Subaru, Beatrice, and Ferris after they had gone back to the crash site.
Subaru: [But, this would mean, Russell-san…]
Russell: [What is it? If your mind has changed over the course of this incident…]
Subaru: [Rather than my mind per-se, this is just a hypothetical, but if something like this were to happen again, I think Ferris and I probably wouldn't be able to leave it alone. Hence, I have a request.]
Russell: [――. Let us hear it.]
Subaru: [From here on out, I'd like to go with strategies that, well, cause as little harm to others as possible. ――Is that no good?]
Russell slightly widened his eyes at that plea, and behind him, Black Dog laughed a "Kuha".
He was aware that he was saying something unreasonable. But, as a matter of fact, nobody had died during the incident on this occasion. It would be difficult when it came to dealing with those whom Capella had gotten her hands on, but they should still be able to oppose that to the very end.
As Subaru thought so, before Russell could even say anything――,
White Sheep: [M-me too! I also think… that Subaru-san's way of doing things, is good…]
Crusch: [There is nothing more ideal than concluding things with minimal casualties. Of course, I believe that we ought to follow a certain order of priority in order to get things done, but… lives rank quite highly in my personal order of precedence.]
White Sheep and Crusch were in agreement with Subaru's opinion, and there was also no way that Ferris would object. Black Dog's sneer went without saying, but surprisingly, Rachins snorted his nose but did not repudiate it.
And, as a matter of course, Subaru's like-minded best partner was――,
Beatrice: [Of course, Betty's view is the same as Subaru's, in fact. After all, Subaru has always silenced everyone by recklessly doing the impossible, I suppose. This time shall be no different, in fact.]
Subaru: [You're sorta making me sound like a terrible troublemaker, but, thank you.]
Articulating so with a smile, Subaru hugged Beatrice by his lap, and plumped himself down into his seat. He was to the left of Ferris, who had sat down before him. Then, on his other side, Crusch took her seat.
Sandwiching Subaru and Beatrice, Crusch and Ferris had aligned themselves to his sides.
Subaru: [Shit. I picked the wrong seat. Um, I guess I'll just move…]
Ferris: [Hey, Subaru-kun. Could you pass a message to the person by your side? "That strange power might place an unexpected burden on your body, so it would be best not to overrely on it~", kay?]
Subaru: [No, err…]
Crusch: [Natsuki Subaru, pass the following message onto the individual by your side. "It is likely that I will once more fall asleep for a short while. If you are concerned regarding my body, you are free to inspect it whilst I am slumbering", that is all.]
Subaru: [Come on, does that really need to go through me!? Let's all just speak honestly! Both of you seem like you can talk!]
However, neither Ferris, who rested his chin in his hands as he looked to the day after tomorrow, nor Crusch, who shut her eyes as she folded her arms, were willing to lend an ear to Subaru's cries.
Although it was extremely reassuring and joyous that Crusch and Ferris were both part of the promising ensemble to save this Kingdom, the pattern of their relationship was not yet ready to openly express their gratitude.
Subaru: [The road ahead… the road ahead will be fraught with difficulties.]
As he slumped his shoulders, crestfallen, he placed his chin on the head of Beatrice in his lap. While Beatrice felt that weight, she began to pat Subaru's head from below without reservation.
――The battle to save Emilia, to save his comrades carving their own path, and to save the Kingdom of Lugunica all in one go, commenced. A battle that would surely be no less rigorous than any that had come before.
Indeed, in the background of that strong resolve and determination donned by Natsuki Subaru, while gazing out at the shrinking sight of the Royal Capital,
Russell: [You hadn't written about anything of this sort in your letters, Roswaal. Did you not provide the necessary Knightly training to ensure Emilia-sama would prevail, as per your desires…?]
Thus grumbled the man of the intelligence agency forced to deal with a responsibility outside the scope of his calculations, utterly stunned as he was.