Arc 10, Chapter 17 – “To Ashes”

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Translated by:

• Archbishop of Transportation
• Archbishop of Valiance
• Archbishop of Gluttony

Proofread by:

• Archbishop of Dragons
• Archbishop of Transportation
• Archbishop of Angst

Art Sources:

• damuda08h
• wori_haberi

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――Not good.

Having accompanied Emilia and ascended to the Royal Castle, that was Ram’s brief summation of the current situation.

First of all, Ram’s condition was not good.

As far as she could remember, her current condition was the worst it had been within the past year.

Even under normal conditions, the times when her body was in truly good condition were few and far between, but by keeping a tight hold on her willpower each and every day, she had forcibly anchored her base status in order to preserve her performance. ――And only recently had she allowed herself a gap to slacken those threads.

Ram: [Returning to the mansion for a spell was a mistake.]

With the sisters having reunited in the Empire, she had escorted the awakened Rem back home to the mansion as quickly as possible. She had gotten overeager for the potential result of doing so, thinking that it would perhaps lead to a clue to returning her Memories.

Thanks to that, she had been able to lay eyes upon the long-awaited figure of Rem dressed in the maid outfit of the Roswaal manor, which instead had caused Ram’s willpower to slacken. The corollary of that, was the current predicament.

In a situation where the camp all needed to come together in order to combat the baffling suspicions that had been cast upon Subaru, she ended up needing to expose herself in a far from perfect state.

Ram: [――――]

Silently walking down the long corridor, Ram surveyed some of the Castle guards as they passed by.

Same as the soldiers who had come to call upon Emilia at the Royal Residence, they harbored a sense of tension and duty emanating from their expressions and body language; after a silent bow of respect, they proceeded past Ram and Emilia, and she watched as they moved away. ――However, shortly after they passed through, the closing of the doors to the hall could be felt through the atmosphere.

The significance of those doors, which conventionally were always kept wide open, being closed, was as clear as day.

――Not good.

The doors to the hall being shut, the atmosphere around the soldiers that was more tense than usual, and above all, the summons delivered personally by the Commander of the Royal Knights: what was on display was utmost vigilance. That was to say, the impression that the other party held of them had already significantly slanted towards a negative one.

Separate from Ram’s physical condition, this was the second circumstance that was truly not good.

Emilia: […It feels somewhat like we’re being imprisoned reaaally politely, doesn’t it?]

Ram: [――. That comes as a surprise. Emilia-sama, it seems that even you have the sensitivity to perceive that.]

While slightly slowing the pace of her steps, Emilia aligned herself next to Ram and vaguely murmured. At her alert perception of the Royal Castle’s atmosphere, Ram slightly raised her eyebrows in response.

And receiving that, as Emilia lowered the ends of her shapely eyebrows,

Emilia: [Rather than the atmosphere being tense, I just thought it felt sort of like that. Back when I lived in the forest with Puck, whenever I would go out to the nearby village, everyone there had this kind of attitude… maybe they’re all just reaaally scared of us.]

Ram: [Indeed. It seems like Barusu reaaally messed up this time, after all.]

Emilia: […Subaru and Beatrice, I wonder if they’re okay. Though, Crusch-san also seems to be with them.]

With a slight flicker in her amethyst eyes, Emilia voiced those words, prompting Ram to fall silent.

In all honesty, the outlook of the situation was not good. From all the information she had heard, a member of the Council of Wise Men, Miklotov McMahon, had been murdered, and the perpetrator behind that act had been Crusch Karsten, who, along with her conspirators, Subaru and Beatrice, was currently being pursued.

Since she had been resting in bed due to her poor condition, she only knew about the trouble surrounding Crusch and the Church of the Divine Dragon on a surface level, but having been backed into a corner as a Royal Candidate, Crusch would have ended up committing a tormented act of violence, and present at the scene, Subaru would have protected her out of emotion―― it was a conceivable progression of events.

Ram: [All with Beatrice-sama accompanying him… no, that personage is too easy on Barusu, so it’s no use. Barusu is far too lacking in self-restraint. Even though it would be much better were he to think only about Rem… and Emilia-sama.]

It was complicated as the older sister, but she had no choice but to recognize the fact that Subaru did indeed treasure Rem, and the fact that he indeed did perhaps served as some form of solace to her. For Rem too, her Memories yet to return, although she might say this and that on the surface, it was completely obvious that she had special feelings towards Subaru within her heart.

That was precisely why it was necessary for Subaru to keep the reins tight on himself, and firmly narrow down exactly whom he would treat kindly. ――After all, the consequence for trying to be a friend to everybody, was being incurred at this exact moment.

Emilia: [Ram, are you perhaps angry?]

Ram: […For a long time already, Barusu’s fickle impulses have appeared to be beyond salvation. However, that is a separate matter to the allegations currently being leveled against him.]

Emilia: [Yes, that’s right. We’ll have to talk properly, and make them understand about Subaru. In a way that no matter what they ask us from here on, it will turn out fine.]

Ram: [Firstly, Emilia-sama, please prepare around ten positive things to say about Barusu.]

Emilia: [Huh, ten? I can only say ten things? I wonder, can I really narrow it down to just ten…]

As Emilia became apprehensive for a different reason to herself, Ram was impressed that she could even manage to get up to ten positive things about Subaru. Aside from his timing, what was there to even praise?

In any case――,

Ram: [――Do-or-die, isn’t it?]

Looking back, it felt like they had been encountering nothing but do-or-die moments, but setting aside that worthless sentiment, Ram gazed to the fore alongside Emilia. ――There, Marcos stopped in his tracks, pushing open the doors at the end of the hall, and ushering them to enter the room.

Abiding by him and passing through the doors, Ram and Emilia were greeted by many of the gazes within the room alongside a strained, solemn atmosphere, the swell of silent tension immediately apparent.

――The location where Ram and Emilia had been guided was not the grand hall, but a conference room within the Castle used for discussions between distinguished individuals.

Just the other day, it was the room where Emilia had accompanied Filóre, standing witness to her declaration of intent to participate in the Royal Selection, and her nomination of Knight. Without much of an intermission, she was revisiting the room before even a few days had passed, and with the reception being vastly different from the last time, the attitude of those around them was just as if watching as criminals were being dragged in.

Ram: [――――]

Looking around the room they had been brought into, Ram first ascertained the arrangement of the soldiers.

Two on either side of the doors, four along the walls, and on the other side of the ebony round table that wrapped around the center of the room as a semi-circle, several figures were standing on guard.

All with their swords yet sheathed, and with their hands away from their hilts. ――Even so, the fact that this environment had been envisioning even the most unlikely event from the start had been conveyed.

Ram: [A polite invitation, isn’t it?]

They were putting on a facade of courtesy, but this was by no means a warm welcome.

Putting a lid on a box of the finest quality, it was the uppermost class of cornering, elegantly forbidding any path of escape. As if to reinforce that, the sound of Marcos closing the double doors behind them overlapped. ――The significance of isolating the room from the hallway with those two doors, was to thoroughly prevent the conversation within from leaking to the outside.

However, at this moment, Ram felt that rather than simply being to prevent others from hearing what was being discussed in this conference room, that isolation was being imposed in a more physical sense.

???: [――Emilia!]

While Ram was evaluating the room’s atmosphere, the one to abruptly raise their voice was a figure sitting at the edge of the round table―― a woman with characteristic long, golden hair, and crimson eyes, dressed in a nun’s habit.

Without a care for the surrounding gazes, she clamorously kicked back her chair and leapt over the round table, flying straight towards Emilia’s chest as the latter stood at the entrance to the room.

Emilia caught that vigor head-on, and while blinking her eyes,

Emilia: [Filóre, I see you came here too.]

Filóre: [Of course! This is a problem concerning both you, Emilia, and your Knight, Subaru, after all. I was thinking that if anything were to happen to you, I would need to stand by you, so I came rushing here in a great hurry!]

Emilia: [Filóre…]

Filóre: [Don’t worry! I’m here with you all the way! This might be a situation where everything is incomprehensible and you don’t know what’s what, but there’s no way that Emilia’s in the wrong! No matter what happens, I’m your ally!]

Pronouncing so, the woman in nun’s clothing clinging to Emilia―― having been called Filóre, Ram identified her as the new Royal Candidate who had played a large role in the recent tumult within the Royal Capital.

She had heard from Rem that Emilia had become friends with her, but this was quite the level of attachment. The sight of her getting so emotional that her crimson eyes became moist to such a degree that it seemed like her nose would start running, gave off an impression that she truly was worried for Emilia, alongside a sense of uncertainty for how much she could truly be relied upon in this situation.

As a matter of fact, Filóre’s attitude was not particularly well-received by the many individuals within this conference room―― the members of the Council of Wise Men in attendance, several upper nobles, some of whom Ram knew, as well as the soldiers of the Royal Guard.

Basking amidst the downpour of harsh gazes and clearing of throats, the one to call out “Filóre-chan?” to her, was the woman sitting in the chair next to the one Filóre had kicked away.

With a gentle enunciation and countenance, looking over Filóre as she clung to Emilia,

???: [Haven’t you just gone and startled everyone nooow? Why, you mustn’t act so spiriteeed.]

Filóre: [Spirited!? I’m not acting spirited or anything, rather, I’m lamenting from the bottom of my heart! If only I had just clung to Emilia always, I could have been there for her worries right from the start! This too, is in the scriptures. “The salvation of but one, is according to the prayers of the many. When thou sharest in the Dragon’s blessing with thy neighbor, thou becomest the truest of grace, granting solace to their solitary soul”!]

???: [You’re free to interpret it however you pleeease, but delaying the discussion does not leave a good impression, you knooow? Filóre-chan, won’t it only cause more harm to Emilia-chan the more grumbly you make them?]

Filóre: [Uggg… Sakura you dummy…!!]

Sakura: [Oh myyy, it seems I’ve incurred your distaaaste.]

At Filóre’s childish rebuttal, tears in her eyes, the woman who had been called Sakura shrugged her shoulders. It had been an exchange with quite the difference in ability between actors, but as Filóre had been talked into a corner, Emilia gently caressed her head,

Emilia: [Mm, thank you, Filóre. You’re reaaally dependable. Keep watch over me, okay?]

Filóre: [Emilia… yes. Yes! I’ll watch over you so attentively that my eyes give me a splitting headache!]

Marcos: [――Well then, Filóre-sama, please return to your seat posthaste.]

At Emilia’s words, Filóre firmly wiped her teary eyes, and nodded several times over. As she did so, Marcos, finally securing an opportunity to interject, urged her to take her seat.

At that command, Filóre reluctantly parted from Emilia, and hurriedly returned to the chair she had kicked over, and upon sitting in it, she turned her face away from the adjacent Sakura in a pouting manner.

And just as that scene was wrapping up――,

Marcos: [Emilia-sama, please proceed forth to the seat in the center. As for your attendant――]

Ram: [Ram will stand behind Emilia-sama.]

Marcos: [――――]

Ram: [Is there a problem?]

Marcos: [No, there is no problem. Very well, proceed.]

With a small act of resistance, she refused to separate from Emilia, standingly obliquely behind Emilia as she sat down at the witness stand in the center. For a moment, she exchanged glances with Emilia, and receiving those eyes housing anxiety and gratitude, she responded by slightly drawing in her chin.

???: [Emilia-sama, allow us to express to you our deepest gratitude for coming all this way.]

The one to solemnly broach the discussion, among the members sitting around the semi-circular round table, was the bald old man clad in an especially striking air―― Bordeaux Zergev.

Sitting in one of the seven seats provided for the Council of Wise Men, he was a hero of the Kingdom, who in the past had fought with his own halberd in the Demi-Human War. And, due to those experiences, he was known for being an individual with a firm stance regarding demi-humans, and it could likely be said that his affinity with Emilia was the absolute worst.

While displaying respect towards Emilia through lip service, could the fuse he had lit indicate that his true feelings on the matter were entirely different?

However, even without such contemplations, the first thing Emilia took notice of was not Bordeaux, but rather the vacant seat to his right,

Emilia: [Usually, Miklotov-san would be sitting there.]

Bordeaux: [――――]

Emilia: [Miklotov-san… did he really…?]

Bordeaux: [Without any doubt, the fact of the matter has been confirmed. It is a severe blow to the Kingdom of the utmost degree. Since the passing of the Royal Family, this is by far the greatest catastrophe to befall the Kingdom.]

Slowly shaking his head from side to side, Bordeaux answered in a hoarse, subdued voice.

In reality, considering the duty Miklotov had served in the Kingdom of Lugunica until now, Bordeaux’s answer was likely something that all of the Kingdom’s citizens would be obliged to agree with.

But, in regards to that response, the impression Emilia harbored seemed to be different. As she narrowed her eyes, framed by long lashes,

Emilia: […Is that all?]

Bordeaux: [――. And by that, you mean?]

Emilia: [Of course, I also think that it’s something awful for the Kingdom. But, Bordeaux-san, you and the others have all known Miklotov-san for a long time, right? In that case…]

Bordeaux: [Do you believe I ought to be struck by grief, shedding tears? However, if it was the Miklotov-dono we all know, he would not have desired any such thing from us. He was not an individual who would have ever approved of his own death eroding the minds of the Kingdom, gradually spreading that necrosis to its limbs.]

Emilia: [――――]

Bordeaux: [The manner in which we mourn our fellows, simply differs to that of yours. That is all.]

Emilia: […I see. I’m sorry. It must have been reaaally tough for you all as well, Bordeaux-san.]

Receiving his curt response, Emilia released a quiet sigh.

Upon being told that it was a difference in how they expressed sorrow, Emilia backed down, but having observed that from a step further back, Ram harbored a different impression to that of Emilia, kind to the core as she was.

Certainly, it was the most plausible thing to say. If they were to inherit the intentions of the wise man who worried continually about the Kingdom’s future, they did not have the leisure to stand halted in their tracks.

But, as for whether there was truly absolutely no room for any lament whatsoever, was somewhat doubtful to Ram. ――At the very least, as things continued to accumulate, her distrust towards this situation only continued to grow.

Bordeaux: [Once more, Emilia-sama, the reason you have been summoned here―― we would like to commence the hearing regarding the suspicions that have emerged surrounding Knight Natsuki Subaru.]

Emilia: [The suspicions about Subaru, those are…]

Bordeaux: [Indeed. ――The suspicions that Knight Natsuki Subaru is involved with the Witch Cult, and furthermore, that he bears an influential position within its ranks, tantamount to that of Sin Archbishop.]

In a low, but well-projected voice, Bordeaux presented the established doubts once more, causing Ram to knit her brow.

Personally, Ram found it to be an absurd suspicion, and as a camp, the only thing they could do was to deny the doubts, but it was still unclear what exactly these suspicions were founded on.

In all honesty, Subaru had a history of sheltering Spica, formerly the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony, and it would be naught but a troublesome pain were that to be discovered, but the Imperial side ought to have been thorough in classifying any information on that matter.

So long as they required Spica’s Authority, the Empire would find it undesirable for her identity to be propagated. ――Ergo, there should have been no way for that to be connected to the suspicions cast upon Subaru, and yet.

Emilia: [Regarding those doubts, I can provide a definite answer. Subaru is unaffiliated with the Witch Cult. Subaru holds the position of being my one and only Knight, and he is an irreplaceable ally.]

Filóre: [That’s right, that’s right! The two of them share a strong bond! Even I have clearly observed… mgamga!]

Sakura: [Filóre-chan? Why don’t we be silent for a biiit?]

Emilia was resolute in her response to the doubts that had been cast, and though Filóre’s mouth was sealed by Sakura as she cheered her on, the results brought on by the both of them had been the same―― an unmoved atmosphere.

Though perhaps natural for Filóre’s advocacy that verged on hollering, even Emilia’s firm denial of the suspicions cast on Subaru was met with nary a fluctuation in the cold gazes directed at her.

As the person at the center of it all, that was likely something Emilia had also perceived. Before the other party could broach their next words, Emilia cut in with “May I have a moment”,

Emilia: [To begin with, I’d like to hear exactly why Subaru is being suspected of affiliation with the Witch Cult. I told the same thing to Marcos-san earlier at the Royal Residence, but Subaru’s great efforts until now should be something that the rest of you also know about, Bordeaux-san. Even Regulus, thanks to Subaru…]

Bordeaux: [The subjugation of several Sin Archbishops, and of the White Whale and the Great Rabbit of the Three Great Witchbeasts, yes? The matter concerning the Great Rabbit is still unverified, but it is the truth that the others are supported by witness testimonies from third parties.]

Emilia: [Right? And yet――]

Bordeaux: [――However, those very achievements are yet another focal point of the suspicions.]

Emilia: [――――]

A focal point of the suspicions: at these embers of doubt smouldering at the center of the topic at hand, Emilia held her breath.

It was most certainly an irrational argument. For the very achievements that Subaru had leveled against the Witch Cult to be labeled as suspicious, was absolutely unbearable.

Ram: [In other words, you’re saying that Barusu’s feats are far too convenient?]

Bordeaux: [Apologies, but your attendant bears not the right to speak. Have her abstain from hereon.]

Ram: [That was going too far. It just slipped out, given that my ears could not be believed.]

The gazes upon her grew harsher as she appended an unnecessary comment, but it was how Ram truly felt.

Be that as it may, their line of argument was a false pretext―― at the very least, as it currently was, the other party would have been aware that it was nothing more than simply an unjust suspicion. But, given that they were forcing Emilia into a hearing like this, there ought to have still been more foundational evidence coming.

And, that was――,

Emilia: [Sorry about Ram. However, when you say Subaru’s efforts are suspicious, what do you mean?]

Bordeaux: [We suspect that it all may have been something deliberately manufactured. That perhaps, his subjugation of the several Sin Archbishops, and his subjugation of those among the Three Great Witchbeasts, were all part of a larger plot to infiltrate the inner circles of the Kingdom.]

Emilia: [That’s…!]

Bordeaux: [An irrational argument; is that what you mean to say? But, considering how each nation has suffered countless hardships at the hands of the Witch Cult until now, the progress he has made in all but one and a half years is simply far too much. The same goes for the Three Great Witchbeasts. It seems almost by design that Knight Natsuki Subaru is being provided with so many opportunities to contribute.]

With Emilia at a loss for words, Bordeaux showered her with even more. And, riding off Bordeaux’s momentum, those filling the seats of the semi-circular round table began to nod one after another,

Wise Man: [Successfully subjugating the White Whale, which escaped even the Great Conquest, and consecutively defeating the Sin Archbishop of Sloth… a man considered to be a living calamity, is simply too good to be true.]

Wise Man: [Per the testimonies of those involved at the time, Knight Natsuki Subaru accurately predicted the date and time of the White Whale’s appearance, and further went on to completely preempt the plans of the Witch Cult and impede them in advance.]

Wise Man: [It is even said that he had completely shut down that Sin Archbishop with nearly zero casualties. Considering the damages that usually accompany the incidents caused by the Witch Cult, it is exceedingly unbelievable.]

Wise Man: [However, though it is the Witch Cult we speak of, would they really cut someone in such an important position?]

Wise Man: [There is also the matter about how the Sin Archbishops of the Witch Cult all bear mutual hatred for each other. It is also possible that he was utilizing the internal conflict within the Witch Cult for this opportu――]

Emilia: [――WAIT!]

Wise Men: [――――]

At the raging waves of doubts that poured out as if a breached dam, Emilia’s voice forcibly interjected.

Likely, those were various arguments that the other party had been waiting for an opportunity to bring up, but they were all too weak to serve as the decisive blow for the suspicions, and were all insufficient to cause the seeds of doubt to fully bud.

Emilia understood that too. Hence, while being jostled by the raging waves, with an unshakable faith towards her Knight sojourning in her eyes,

Emilia: [To me, everything you’re saying right now just seems like it might appear that way because you’re thinking about it with your preconceived notions that Subaru is suspicious. Certainly, Subaru is reaaally perceptive, and he always finds the best method for things, and thanks to that he’s even able to do something about the Witch Cult, but…]

Ram: [That might have the opposite effect…]

Emilia: [However! Whether it’s the Witch Cult or the Three Great Witchbeasts, don’t only focus on those aspects when it comes to my Knight! Even in the Pleiades Watchtower, even in Vollachia… no, that’s wrong. Even further back, at the beginning, when I ran into danger here in this very Royal Capital, Subaru saved me. In a matter completely unrelated to the Witch Cult!]

Ram: [Emilia-sama…]

As Emilia desperately stated her case, a flush coming over her cheeks, Ram slightly widened her eyes.

While Emilia’s objection was certainly marred by an unskilled manner of speech, it was something that directly conflicted against the suspicions that Bordeaux and the other Wise Men had leveled against them.

The singular aspect of good timing that Ram could praise Subaru on, was not something limited to only being displayed at scenes pertinent to the Witch Cult. If she had to say, Subaru’s timing was simply always good. The dubiety of that, did not equal to suspicion of him being a Witch Cultist.

That was why――,

Bordeaux: [――We understand what you are saying, Emilia-sama. We, too, have no intention of tarnishing the reputation of Knight Natsuki Subaru on such pretexts.]

Emilia: […Is that true? In that case, it’s fine. Then…]

Bordeaux: [――However, your Knight is deeply suspected of being the successor to the Sin Archbishop of Sloth. In regards to this matter, what do you have to say?]

At the fact that everything up until now had been naught more than a preliminary skirmish, Ram grinded her molars.

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――Successor to the Sin Archbishop of Sloth; that was the true doubt being cast upon Natsuki Subaru.

Emilia’s amethyst eyes greatly flickered, confronting a question that came from outside the realm of her anticipation. On the other hand, standing behind her and hearkening to the same, the hue of perplexity in Ram’s pale crimson irises saturated.

Ram: [Though, it was told that Barusu and Otto worked to kill the Sin Archbishop of Sloth..]

When it came to Ram’s cognizance, she felt Otto would perhaps interject with an “I would like to object to that!”, but at this moment she wielded no ears to lend to the retortful man absent from this place.

Merely, albeit not directly, even Ram was in a position where she had indirectly been involved in the battle against the Sin Archbishop of Sloth. The demise of that personage who was the utmost renowned Sin Archbishop across the world, indisputably became the beginning of intertwined destinies between the Emilia Camp and the Witch Cult.

However, the reason why Subaru was being suspected of bearing a connection to that Sin Archbishop of Sloth――,

Ram: [That too, was because Barusu conveniently played a role in the Subjugation of Sloth?]

Marcos: [Your right to speak is no――]

Bordeaux: [No, it is fine. That is also a component. However, the greatest thrust is on certain testimony.]

Ram: [Testimony?]

Substituting for Emilia, whose thoughts were suspended, Ram prompted the conversation’s resumption, when Marcos attempted to reprobe her but was commanded to stop by a gesture of Bordeaux’s hand, the latter going on to disclose the following progression.

The greatest thrust of suspecting Subaru, that was namely――,

Bordeaux: [――The testimony of the captive Sin Archbishop of Wrath.]

Emilia: [――Hk, Sirius’s?]

Bordeaux: [As we speak, the Sin Archbishop in question remains incarcerated in the Prison Tower as a captive. She does not passably comply with us when we subject her to questioning, but including her journey from the time she was apprehended at the Watergate City, she seems to have made such a statement multiple times. ――That the Sin Archbishop of Sloth, lies within Natsuki Subaru.]

Emilia: [――――]

Bordeaux: [The Commendation Ceremony that was held at the Royal Capital… the time when the distinguished deeds of subjugating the White Whale, and extirpating the Sin Archbishop of Sloth were lauded, I recall there being a detailed report. Within, it was stated that the Sin Archbishop of Sloth was an Evil Spirit that possessed the flesh bodies of others, and that he had gone through a countless number of bodies. ――What would you say of that?]

Narrowing the eyes beneath his thick eyebrows, so did Bordeaux enquire of Emilia, her cheeks tensing up in response.

Within her, misgivings toward Subaru had been born―― naught. Merely, faced with the pieces falling into place in a manner most detrimental to Subaru, she remained unable to form her flooding emotions into words..

To sum up this proposal, Natsuki Subaru was being suspected of having had his body hijacked by the Sin Archbishop of Sloth, and of being an act continuously maintained by another person from that day all the way until now.

That was perhaps an unbearable affront to Emilia, who had welcomed Subaru as her Knight.

Above all, for Ram, those misgivings were――,

Ram: [――Absolutely preposterous.]

For the first time, upon hearing her erupting voice, Ram realized the unwitting sharpness of her own tongue.

However, even upon being conscious of this truth, she was unable to constrain the emotions infused into her ensuing words. ――After all, that doubt upon Subaru, that affront, was a deed akin to averring that even Subaru faithfully visiting the asleep Rem each and every evening, was factitious.

Ram: [It is unbelievable that all of your esteemed selves, who bear the name of the Council of Wise Men, have constructed a scene like this founded on such misgivings. The source of information poses a problem prior to even touching upon the substance of these misgivings.]

Bordeaux: [Then, do you assert that this matter is wholly baseless, and naught more than our meaningless, unwarranted distrust?]

Ram: [Naturally. To place faith in a Sin Archbishop’s say is lunacy. It is said that the captive Wrath has the power to affect the hearts of others. Perhaps it effected――]

Emilia: [――Ram!]

Her inadvertently flaring tenor dashed with cold water, Ram held her breath.

She looked to find Emilia turned towards her, risen up from her seat at the witness stand, a sharpened gaze of her orderly beauty and an ire towards her discourteous attendant―― being feigned. Upon compelling Emilia to enact this poor performance, and becoming so emotional as to incur her reprimand, Ram’s heart self-reflected to the maximum.

Not good. ――The stringent status of her body was conferring a negative influence onto her feelings as well. If this kept up, then for what purpose had she vouched to be Emilia’s attendant?

Emilia: [Again, I’m really sorry about Ram. If need be, I shall command her to leave.]

The introspecting Ram to her rear, Emilia turned around towards the semi-circular round table and offered this proposal.

Her uncharacteristically austere timbre was her way of an attitude to cover for the error Ram had committed. With the responsibility of her actions usurped from her, her chagrin was merely exacerbated.

It was delightful to witness Emilia’s growth. If only it were not a circumstance such as this. ――If only it were not at a hearing with a predetermined conclusion such as this.

Bordeaux: [――. There is no need for you to be shown the door. Abstain from making remarks hereon. Should this repeat, it would be nobody else but Emilia-sama, whose way would come into question.]

Ram: […It shall be borne in mind. Humble apologies.]

Whilst vocalising her gratitude, Ram could not help but taste the bitter sense that her conjecture was supported by the fact she had not been pressed to leave the room.

That was because Ram sensed their intent of keeping Emilia and herself bunched up in this place.

Emilia: [Thank you, for not making Ram leave… Then, allow me to ask something as well. Do you think Subaru might be the Sin Archbishop of Sloth, because it’s what Sirius is saying?]

Bordeaux: [Naturally, at first, it was disregarded as nonsense. It would instead be foolish to take something like the remarks of a captured Sin Archbishop seriously. However, that was not the case for Miklotov-dono. That man was the proprietor of a discernment that never mistook between asinine ramblings to be disregarded, and omens of calamity that were not so.]

Emilia: [Miklotov-san did… ah, if that’s the case, then could it be.]

Whilst Emilia unwittingly placed a hand on her mouth, Ram arrived at the same thought.

Today, after completing the preparations for departing to Pristella, Subaru took Beatrice and left for an appointment with Miklotov after boasting about wanting to have some secretive conversation. The details of what transpired afterwards eluded her, but it was doubtless that the manslaughter and the present situation were connected.

Possibly, the very reason why Miklotov summoned Subaru was――,

Bordeaux: [The specific purpose of the meeting remains unshared even with us. However, with Knight Natsuki Subaru having been present at the scene, and in addition to him, Duchess Karsten, who once coacted with him in the White Whale Subjugation and the subsequent battle against Sloth, this suspicion becomes inexorable. ――That due to the occurrence of some unfavorable circumstance for Knight Natsuki Subaru, Miklotov-dono was killed.]

Emilia: [That’s――]

Bordeaux: [Then, how do you expect us to trust one who renounced his opportunity to explain himself by his own volition!!]

Emilia: [――Hk.]

That instant, Bordeaux’s deep voice thundered, petrifying Emilia who was smited by it head-on.

In the backdrop of Emilia’s reaction, Ram once again endured a vexation towards ill happenstance―― or rather, towards the very situation that had been devised to be as such.

Indeed, the opposite party had summoned Emilia whilst having consolidated irrefutable bases for argument from the outset.

Ram: [――Our worst imaginations have been borne out.]

From the flow of events since the royal soldiers had entered the Royal Residence, the worst possible scenario that at least Ram and Otto envisioned in that place―― a summon to the Castle that could not be declined, and incidentally, their camp being splintered into fragments.

Whoever it was that had painted this picture, had been pulling the strings quite scrupulously so far.

Furthermore, Bordeaux’s interrogation persisted.

Bordeaux: [Knight Natsuki Subaru, together with Duchess Karsten, fled from the scene of Miklotov-dono’s assassination. According to witness testimony by one who had happened to be there, Knight Natsuki Subaru employed inexplicable techniques, forbidding the magic of others, and withal, he allegedly manipulated “something” invisible to the eye. Going back to the report received at the time of conferring commendations, it would appear that the Sin Archbishop of Sloth commanded arms of invisibility.]

Emilia: [That’s… magic that Subaru and Beatrice came up with…]

Bordeaux: [Inquiring furthermore, it is known that those who became sacrifices for the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony suffered the loss of their existence from the memories of others, or conversely, suffered the loss of even their own memories. However, it is said that Knight Natsuki Subaru remembered what was forgotten. Why is that?]

Emilia: [For both Rem and Julius, it’s because Subaru remembered them, that they didn’t have to become all alone!]

Bordeaux: [Due to atrocities perpetrated by that Sin Archbishop of Lust, Duchess Karsten sustained injuries beyond recovery. Despite being victim to the same ravaging, what is the explanation for Knight Natsuki Subaru being unharmed? Are you even able to provide one?]

Emilia: [Subaru was the one most frustrated about that!]

Bordeaux: [Then, just who is Knight Natsuki Subaru and from where did he come!? There are no records of that individual anywhere before he stepped ahead and named himself as your Knight at the Royal Castle! Why!!]

Emilia: [Subaru is――!]

???: [――Please stop it already!!]

In a tempest of bludgeoning inquisitions, even her answers intercepted partway through, Emilia attempted to shout in a voice so poignant as to be on the verge of crying. ――In that juncture, the one whose voice outstripped that and resounded across the conference room was that of Filóre, risen from her seat at the room’s edge and pounding the semi-circular round table.

A singular stream of tears poured from her crimson eye, and as her lips quavered,

Filóre: [Stop ganging up and being so harsh to Emilia… She’s the one who’s in the most turmoil, and she’s the one who’s yearning to speak with Subaru the most.]

Bordeaux: […Even we, are not raising our voices with no due cause. Above all, the one who recovered Miklotov-dono’s remains and detailed what had transpired at his residence ought to have belonged to the Church of the Divine Dragon, your associate, Filóre-sama.]

Filóre: [Of course I know that! Even that Tiga was injured… but, it could also be that Tiga accidentally mistook something after losing too much blood, right?]

Sakura: [Truly, that would be far too pitiful for Tiga-chaaan.]

Filóre: [――Hk, anyhow! I’m opposed to this way of doing things! This too, is in the scriptures. “Nary a soul beneath this sky doth reside beyond aid. Regard upward to the heavens and behold the Dragon’s everpresent shadow, for therein lies the commensurate salvation promised to all the children”!]

Bringing out the scriptures, Filóre set them atop the semi-circular round table as if slamming them down.

Her emotive objection did throw a damper on the argument, but Subaru’s arid prospects remained without change. And what Ram feared was a proposal for further suspicion annexed to these misgivings toward Subaru.

That was――,

Bordeaux: [――Were you, Emilia-sama, your backer, Margrave of the Western Lands Roswaal L. Mathers, as well as the members of your camp, all abreast with this issue?]

Emilia: [――――]

Bordeaux: [Supposing your camp internally conspired to conceal this, then in the case that the suspicion of Knight Natsuki Subaru being successor to the Sin Archbishop of Sloth holds true, Emilia-sama, it would make the reason for having you participate in the Royal Selection, as well as all the achievements you have amassed until today, instead be…]

Ever since the day the Royal Selection began, the fruits of all the labors accreted by Emilia, by Subaru, and by everyone in the camp, their entirety would be deemed to be counterfeited fakes.

All of what everyone had forged, with their blood, their sweat, their tears, everything would become――.

Filóre: [――Emilia?]

As Ram tightly clutched her fists, a foolish voice abruptly knocked her earlobes.

It belonged to Filóre, yet stanced as pressing the scriptures onto the semi-circular round table, her eyes opened round and wide. Blinking her large eyes, she gazed toward the center of the room in dumbfoundment.

Lured by it, Ram looked in that direction as well, at the witness stand. ――She saw Emilia, standing there.

She had been told things such that none would have found it strange for her vision to be fogged in pitch black.

She had been cudgeled with despair that seemed it would make her underfoot fissure, making her lose sight of her place to be.

Swept away by the storm of absurdity and irrationality, it would not have been an oddity for her to have wept and wailed.

However――,

Emilia: [――My name is Emilia. Just Emilia. The Witch of Glaciation, of the Great Forest of Elior.]

Making this assertion, remaining stood up in the witness box, Emilia declared so with one finger hoisted toward the heavens.

Ram had seen it several times before, the pose that a youth reckless to no end would strike when he proclaimed the utmost foolish thing in this world and embarked onward.

Emilia: [This is not the first time that I am being looked at with such gazes by all of your eyes. Until now, time and again, when those eyes were turned towards me, I would be dejected, yet I would always raise my face thinking to push through it.]

Bordeaux: [――――]

Emilia: [That’s why, even if we return to the very beginning, it’s no problem at all. I―― we, will not lose, after all.]

Ram: [Emilia… sama…]

Emilia: [We won’t lose, we won’t. ――Isn’t that right, Ram!]

Her finger yet lancing the heavens, Emilia called to Ram without turning back.

For her to not turn back to ascertain, infuriatingly enough, was naught but proof of trust. Emilia placed complete trust in what Ram would respond with, in what expression Ram would be making.

That was precisely why. That was why, she did not turn. To that trust, Ram must live up

By her own will, she had come forward and vouched to be Emilia’s attendant.

Brushing aside everyone who wanted to live up to Emilia’s trust right here, Ram had done so, by her own will.

Ram: [――Hah! Naturally.]

Ram endeavored for her visage, her timbre, to harmonize to that trust.

With gallant certitude, powerfully dignified and debonair, with Ram’s essence just as what Emilia placed her trust in, such that she could devote her support from behind whilst Emilia braced herself to endure, refusing to be vanquished by any crisis.

Ram: [Kindly behold, you fools.]

It was unfathomable that Emilia, as she was now, could have been completed by just diffidently sauntering atop a road paved with deceitful, predetermined achievements.

Oh fools who harbor such distrust, all of you be scorched, and turn to ashes.

Shall I gouge out those eyes of yours suspecting this as forgery, and instead jam glass marbles in their place?

After all, this radiance honed by weeping, by wailing, by shedding blood and tears, and only thereafter tempered, is precisely the calibre of a ruler that Emilia has fervently labored to attain.

Wise Men: [――――]

Nobody could immediately utter any words of rebuttal.

Scorn, suspicion, and the interrogation masquerading as cogent arguments alike, faced with Emilia giving her name, for that singular juncture alone, all of them were lost of their trajectory.

???: [――Report! There is a report!]

The conference room had fallen under a regime of silence conceived with heat from the out-of-place remarks that the master and servant duo of Emilia and Ram had put forward, which was subsequently cleaved by the voice of a soldier scampering in.

Standing on the ready beside the entrance, Marcos had been watching over the hearing up until now, but with the soldier having barged into the room, he stood before the latter and bellowed with a “You idiot!”.

Marcos: [We are in the midst of a crucial hearing! What are you thinking!]

Soldier: [I am terribly sorry! But there is a pressing matter of which I must urgently inform you!]

Marcos: [Urgently? What is it?]

Upon the soldier’s entreaty, imbued in the hue of impatience, Marcos leaned over and lent his ear. Upon listening to the soldier’s hushed voice, Marcos’s forehead was carved with deep wrinkles as a hefty murmur of “I see” escaped him.

Apprehending a resonance of understanding in his mutter, Ram narrowed her eyes.

Thereupon――,

Bordeaux: [Commander Marcos, what happened? Is it something that concerns this hearing?]

Marcos turned around upon Bordeaux’s query and glanced towards Emilia. He then slowly shook the head that was placed atop his colossal build,

Marcos: [It is not unrelated.]

Bordeaux: [If so, do apprise us. The soldier’s manner of disconcert was not trivial.]

Marcos: [――The members of Emilia-sama’s camp who were remaining at the Royal Residence have parted from the mansion by outmaneuvering the guards. There are no casualties among the soldiers who stepped in to restrain them, but their whereabouts are presently being pursued.]

Bordeaux: [Heavens…]

Upon the low-toned report that Marcos imparted, Bordeaux set a hand upon his mouth. The wise old man thinned of his former bulk then expelled a long sigh as though in lament, and fixed his eyes onto Emilia,

Bordeaux: [Whilst the master is explaining herself at the Royal Castle, in the background, her subordinates seek to deceive the eyes of the Kingdom. Surely you understand that it would be quite unreasonable for us to apprehend this favorably?]

Emilia: [I don’t think so. If everyone has chosen to go through with that, then that means it was what everyone thought was the best thing to do.]

Bordeaux: [Unfortunately, that answer stands to no persuasion whatsoever. ――Including the suspicions pertaining to Knight Natsuki Subaru, Emilia-sama, we shall have you remain confined within the Castle.]

So commanded Bordeaux, with merely the surface of his words blotted with disquietude, to which Ram gritted her teeth.

He was quite infamous for his antipathy towards demi-humans, but combined with Miklotov’s loss who was seen as a political moderate, it was hard to believe he would be this forcible in seeking to eliminate Emilia.

The skillfulness of these preparations, and perhaps even Miklotov’s death―― regardless, his demeanor feigning regretfulness was nothing if not shamelessly disingenuous.

For this was the conclusion that had long since been determined for this hearing from the very beginning.

That was precisely why――,

Ram: [――Rem, kindly give a firm spanking to Garf and Otto. Counting on you.]

Their parting of ways had been built upon the resolve that Emilia and Ram would be detained, their movements forbidden, with no option but to entrust it to Rem and everyone else who were left behind.

△▼△▼△▼△

???: [Emilia-neechan!]

???: [Felt-chan?]

It was as she was being led from the conference room where the hearing had been held, en route to another room within the Castle.

With the sound of pattering footsteps, the one who ran up to Emilia with a frantic look on her face was Felt, a fellow Royal Candidate.

Running up to Emilia, Felt glared in turn at the royal soldiers flanking her at the front and back.

Felt: [Oi, the hell’s going on here? Why’re you treating Nee-chan here like she’s some kind of criminal? We’re Royal Candidates. Is this sorta behavior really okay?]

Emilia: [Felt-chan, it’s fine! I accept it… well, I reaaally can’t accept it at all, but I’m doing something like accepting it.]

Felt: [The hell’s that supposed to mean! You can’t both kinda and kinda not accept it! You either do, or you don’t! If you say you don’t, then you don’t!]

As Felt furiously bared her anger, Emilia’s eyes widened, and then her face softened.. Seeing Felt get upset on her behalf made her happy.

She instinctively felt the urge to hug Felt, but since doing so might make it seem like she was trying to take her hostage, she firmly restrained herself.

???: [Felt-sama, your consideration is greatly appreciated; however, Emilia-sama is Emilia-sama, so you may rest assured, she already gave the gentlemen inside quite a piece of her mind.]

Felt: [Gave them a piece of her mind, huh… ah, guess that makes sense. Ain’t no way Nee-chan would let it end with them walking all over her… No way, you aren’t being arrested for that, are you?]

Emilia: [No, that’s not why. But, there isn’t anything I can do right now.]

Felt: […It’s about Crusch-neechan and Subaru-niichan, huh?]

Emilia nodded to Felt, who had clicked her tongue after nodding at Ram’s response.

It appeared that matters regarding Subaru and Crusch had reached her ears as well. However, now that she carefully thought about it, today they had been scheduled to enlist the help of none other than Reinhard to hasten to Pristella.

Since neither Emilia nor Filóre and their respective camps had shown up at the appointed time, it was only natural that Felt would worry something had happened.

Felt: [It’s one thing that the gramps with the long beard was killed, but suspecting Nii-chan and Nee-chan are the culprits is a damn joke.]

Emilia: [Felt-chan, you think so too?]

Felt: [Ain’t that obvious? I’ve been in debt to Nii-chan ever since I was targeted by that bowel-loving bitch. Besides, I met some genuine Sin Archbishops back in Pristella, and even helped escort Wrath, y’know? Ain’t no way Nii-chan is in cahoots with those crazy bastards.]

Emilia: [――Hk.]

At that unwavering response from Felt, Emilia once again had to desperately resist the urge to embrace that petite frame.

Still, that was it. That was exactly how it was. It was not only Emilia and the comrades in their camp. In this way, Felt from another camp, and surely others too, would truly understand.

Surely they would all understand, just how persevering, how tenacious a guy Natsuki Subaru was.

???: [――Emilia! I’ll go as well! I’ll be locked up right alongside you!]

Just then, the sound of the conference room door bursting open with great force, as well as the voice of the girl who leaped through it, rang out.

Startled, they all turned to see Filóre on the verge of tears, rushing over toward them with her hair becoming disheveled as it fluttered about.

Throwing herself headlong into Emilia’s bosom without slowing down,

Filóre: [Th-th-th-there’s no way they could have such a one-sided hearing! I object! I will! I’ve become a Royal Candidate! Influence! Yes, I’ll use every ounce of influence I possess to rescind Emilia’s unfair treatment…!]

Emilia: [C-calm down, Filóre. You mustn’t do that. I’m reaaally glad you feel that way, but if you do that, it’ll just cause trouble for you too.]

Filóre: [If I wouldn’t be dragged through the mud with you, what kind of friend would I be!? If it’s with Emilia, I don’t mind getting muddy!]

Suddenly raising her head up from within Emilia’s chest, she said so without hesitation. Despite being bewildered by that vigor, Emilia strongly felt something profound welling up inside her.

She had gone to such great lengths to resist embracing Felt, yet due to Filóre jumping onto her like this, all her restraint had been for naught.

And, as she was held fast in Emilia’s embrace like that, Filóre let out an “Ah” as she noticed Felt standing right next to them, scratching her head.

Now that it came to mind, Emilia expected the two of them had a highly complicated relationship.

If that was true, Emilia needed to act as a mediator, however――,

Felt: [――You don’t gotta stress about it, Emilia-neechan. Right now, just worry about Nii-chan and his lot. Don’t burden yourself with my problems too.]

Filóre: [I-indeed, I think that is for the best. I was just about to say the same thing. It seems we get along somewhat!]

Felt: [Well, we might end up fighting over a single seat for a second time, y’know? Whether we get along or not, seems like that’s our destiny.]

With one eye shut, Felt observed Filóre inquisitively, and Filóre also looked back at her, whilst clinging to Emilia and acting flustered.

Emilia was worried about the matters regarding the two of them, she was worried about Subaru, Beatrice, and Crusch of course, and she was worried about Otto and everyone else who were said to have fled the Royal Residence; she was overcome with one worry after another.

Emilia: [I want to believe that everyone will definitely be okay, but…]

Ram: [――Indeed. By the way, Felt-sama, a moment?]

Felt: [Huh? What’s up, maid-neechan?]

Ram: [Earlier, you mentioned that you owed Barusu a debt. Would you care to pay it back ahead of schedule?]

Felt: [Hmmm?]

At Ram’s words, Felt raised an eyebrow and expression of keen interest twisted her lips.

Seeing Felt’s reaction and Ram’s demeanor, with a “Do you mean…?”, Emilia came to a realization. If it was about paying back a favor to Subaru――,

Ram: [――Is the esteemed Sword Saint here with you today?]

Felt: [Well, I figured you’d ask that. It’s a frustrating situation. I can’t just let it be either, and I’d be more than happy to lend him to you… is what I’d like to say, but…]

Emilia: […It’s difficult?]

Felt: [Nah, he’s been summoned to a different part of the Castle regarding a separate matter. Same goes for me.]

As Felt gave her answer while scratching her head, Emilia and Ram exchanged glances. And then, Filóre, still timidly between Emilia’s breasts, tilting her head,

Filóre: [You too… you were summoned as well? It wasn’t because you were worried about Emilia?]

Felt: [I’m saying it wasn’t entirely out of worry. Sorry, alright?]

Emilia: [You don’t have to apologize at all, but a summons…]

Felt: [――I’ve been called into that room too.]

Saying that, Felt motioned with her chin toward the chamber that Filóre had leaped out of and where Emilia had undergone her hearing―― the conference room.

Upon closer inspection, Emilia noticed that those surrounding their group halted in the corridor included not only the soldiers there to escort herself and Ram, but also those guiding Felt. Emilia believed the circumstances differed from when Ram and herself had been brought in by Marcos, Commander of the Knights, and yet――,

Felt: [Whether it’s a Dragon or a Witch waiting in there―― either way, doesn’t seem like I can expect anything good, huh?]

Unable to find the same sense of reassurance she usually did in that characteristic smile of Felt’s, Emilia felt an overwhelming wave of frustration.

△▼△▼△▼△

――At the same time, having been summoned to a separate room of the Royal Castle, Reinhard van Astrea was overlooking a map of the Royal Capital rolled out over a tabletop.

Reinhard: [――――]

The piece placed on the center of the map, was one marking the Royal Residence located in the Noble District.

And from that center, red markers had been set up that traced several paths extending toward the outer edges of the Noble District. Although it was the depiction of the Royal Capital he was used to seeing, it had now been altered to a coldhearted diagram displaying escape routes and encirclement lines.

Thus, the meaning behind that was――,

???: [Following Emilia-sama’s departure from the Royal Residence, we assess that the remaining members of her camp are attempting to slip past the surveillance network, and escape the Noble District.]

The one to report that, was a civil officer dispatched as an envoy of the Council of Wise Men.

With an expression and tone that betrayed no emotion whatsoever, the envoy displayed a conduct of performing his allotted duty to perfection, to which Reinhard made no comment. Merely, he would lend his ear to the reason he had been summoned.

Reinhard: [――――]

Civil Officer: [Their objective is believed to be a convergence with Knight Natsuki Subaru, and possibly to make preparations to recover Emilia-sama from the castle. Of course, at present, this is currently nothing more than conjecture, but it is a severe truth that they took advantage of the disturbance of a fire at the Royal Residence, which had been placed under surveillance, in order to escape.]

Reinhard: [Fire?]

Civil Officer: [Reports indicate that the smoke rose from beneath the kitchen floorboards. There was no confirmation of the actual fire spreading, and the majority of the smoke was caused by the stoppage of ventilation from the chimney being blocked.]

Reinhard: [I see.]

Revealing that the soldiers on guard had been deceived, the civil officer unfolded the decree in his hands. Gazing back and forth between that in his hands, and the map on the table,

Civil Officer: [A pursuit is underway, but given that they harbor individuals possessing extraordinary strength, any attempt to haste their suppression risks casualties on the sides of both the soldiers and the targets. Therefore――]

Reinhard: [――The order has fallen to me.]

Civil Officer: [Yes. Sword Saint Reinhard van Astrea-dono, you are hereby ordered to pursue, as well as apprehend these individuals. Take this.]

Upon the decree handed over with those words, the details of everything the civil officer had just told him was indeed written down word for word, a testament to just how firm he was in his stance towards playing his part through and through.

Reinhard: [――――]

Usually, Reinhard would scan the contents of the degree before immediately accepting them and moving to take action.

However, right now, at this moment, the Sword Saint’s response was slightly delayed. That hesitation was certainly not something entirely disconnected to his master, whom he had accompanied to the Royal Castle――,

Civil Officer: [――Valga Cromwell.]

The name abruptly uttered by the civil officer, caused the temperature in the narrow room to plummet by a noticeable margin.

Reinhard: [――――]

A name, saying that and that alone, the civil officer offered no further explanation. And, from Reinhard’s side too, no words were uttered to question the meaning of that.

After a brief silence, Reinhard folded the decree, and returned it to the civil officer.

And then――,

Reinhard: [――Understood.]

Imparting that and nothing more, Reinhard turned his gaze away from both the map and the civil officer.

Then, as he turned on his heel to leave, the civil officer left him with one final remark.

Civil Officer: [Apprehend the targets.]

Reinhard: [They shall be stopped.]

――With naught but those words, the Sword Saint left the small conference room of the Royal Castle behind him.

 

 

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