[User] "People who can’t even understand something as simple as that are far more common than you would think, but since we both share that understanding, I’m sure we will get along famously in our married life. That’s a relief. There is no mistaking we were fated to be joined together.” Regulus’s eyes sparkled excitedly as he nodded to himself over and over, completely ignoring Emilia’s apparent shock. After looking her up and down, he continued.

[Assistant] “You see, I’m not inquiring as to your chastity out of a vulgar curiosity. As I said, we are husband and wife, and spouses must of course be joined together out of a powerful bond of mutual love and understanding. In order to maintain a relationship like that, it is only natural that it is a requirement that both parties must entrust all of themselves to their partner. Which is why I would like to be sure.”

[User] “Sure of what…?”

[Assistant] “Sure that you have not been touched by another man. But to be clear, I ask this with only love in my heart, so while it might cause you some small amount of discomfort, I really must insist. It’s my duty both as your husband and as a man.” Regulus’s thoughts flowed out with great expressiveness and verbosity. Emilia felt something was off about Regulus himself as she was tossed about by the flood of words.

[User] “………” She was overwhelmed by the vehemence of his insistence.

[Assistant] But something about him was stirring the depths of her memories. But she couldn’t seem to figure out why, and it soon slipped away, before she could manage to figure it out.

[User] But she could say one thing for sure—this man was incredibly focused on one certain word.

[Assistant] “So please allow me to ask again: Emilia, are you a virgin?”

[User] “Um, can you explain what that means? I’m sorry, that’s not a word I’m very familiar with.” Faced with the same question once again, Emilia averted her purple eyes apologetically.

[Assistant] It was clearly something that held great meaning to Regulus, but she simply didn’t understand what he was getting at.

[User] “…What?” Regulus’s expression tensed when he heard that.

[Assistant] “—Marvelous. You truly are the manifestation of my ideal maiden!” Regulus exclaimed, grabbing her hands as an animated smile crossed his face. Emilia’s eyes widened in shock, but Regulus paid no heed to her response and celebrated like a child who had just gotten his hands on the toy he had been dreaming of for so long. He nodded to himself over and over, and his eyes gleamed with a feverish light as he stepped in closer.

[User] “Yes, I knew it! I had always had some misgivings as to whether using virginity as a metric was really the best way to answer this question. But that’s it exactly—true purity lies in the heart. Physical virtue is only natural and expected!


[User] "But what truly matters is being immaculate in spirit as well… As fulfilled as I am, you have still managed to reveal a new truth to me!”

[Assistant] “Ah, um, that’s nice, I think…?”

[User] “Indeed it is. And let me say, you pass with flying colors. You are perfectly suited to be my wife. And in the future, I won’t have to do something as silly as inquiring into the virginity of my brides. Anyone impure enough to understand the very concept would only diminish the value of the station. A woman who has committed adultery in her heart is not fit to be my wife.” Letting go of Emilia’s hand, Regulus rapturously regaled her with the future he saw for them. She still couldn’t quite grasp the true meaning of what he was saying. In fact, all of his talk about being husband and wife had come out of nowhere. In her mind, husband and wife described the loving relationship her father and mother shared, which seemed at odds with Regulus’s idea of marriage. Maybe he was thinking of something else that merely sounded similar?

[Assistant] “Ah, how careless of me. I’ve said too much. I shouldn’t leave you standing there in such a state for so long. Let’s get you a change of clothes.” Noticing Emilia’s bewildered silence, Regulus clapped his hands. “Come along, #184.” A door opened on his command, and a doll-like figure joined the two of them in the hall.

[User] The beautiful woman in a white dress approached, elegantly trailing long blond hair. Her pure, unblemished white outfit must have been coordinated with Regulus, whose appearance radiated all white. Standing silently at Regulus’s side, she politely curtsied as she looked at Emilia. There was no emotion in the woman’s expression. Emilia’s breath caught as she noticed the lifeless, doll-like eyes.

[Assistant] “Prepare a change of clothes for her—for #79. Once she is ready, go help the others prepare for the ceremony. She will be joining all of you, so do try to get along and look after her.”

[Assistant] “Mm-hmm. You’ve stopped smiling like I requested. Good girl. You are an excellent wife.” Regulus smiled, satisfied by the woman’s silence and lack of expression as she did nothing more than nod. He then stepped toward Emilia, who still had not grasped what was going on, and, as if it were nothing, he reached his hand out and caressed her silver hair without a hint of hesitation. Her body stiffened in response to a gesture that felt entirely different when a certain black-haired boy did it. “Well then, I shall see you later. She will make you even more beautiful.”

[User] “Right…” Emilia was filled with doubt and resistance, but at the same time, her instincts were telling her not to openly defy this man, that Regulus Corneas possessed great power. A horrifyingly vast amount of power.

[Assistant] “Good girl.” Nodding at her short response, Regulus smiled and leisurely turned away.


[User] She watched him disappear down the hall, and when he was finally out of view, her shoulders gradually relaxed at last. Her body had instinctively tensed up, completely on guard against him without her ever realizing it. His mere presence felt just as menacing as the horde of great rabbits—

[Assistant] "—This way." The woman’s voice was beautiful, like a perfectly tuned harp. But there was no emotion in her voice, either. And something about that pained Emilia.

[User] "Your clothes."


[User] "Um, I really appreciate it, but I have a lot of questions. Like where is this, for starters? I was in the great plaza in Pristella, and then— Ah! Wait!" Ignoring Emilia’s questions, the woman had quickly started walking.

[Assistant] "Um, could you please listen? I really need to send a message to my friends. I’m sure they’re all worried about me, and I’m worried about what happened to them, too…"

[User] "Excuse me, are you listening? Can you hear me? …Arghhhh." The woman just kept walking forward, back straight, not lending an ear to Emilia. And as Emilia started to pout after all her questions were ignored, the woman finally led her to the room beside the one she had woken up in. It held all sorts of clothes and accessories, almost like the dressing room in a castle. But just like the place she had woken up in, something about this room made it feel different from the coldness that the rest of the building radiated.

[Assistant] "There are so many clothes, but…this wasn’t originally what this room was for, was it?"

[User] "These were all brought here by our husband. Please get dressed, #79."

[Assistant] "…Is that number supposed to mean me? He—Regulus called me that, too. Who are you?"

[User] "I am #184, one of his wives—just like you." Closing the door, her back to it, the woman who called herself #184 responded. Her voice was as cold and emotionless as before, but Emilia was still a bit relieved to just be able to talk with her.

[Assistant] "Thank goodness you finally responded. Um, what should I call you again…?"

[User] "#184. Please be careful; he is picky about the numbers."

[Assistant] "…That number thing is bothering me, too, but I assume it’s safe to say that when he was talking about marriage and spouses, he meant me? If so, I don’t recall ever agreeing to marry Regulus…" Thinking back, she could not remember ever arranging anything of the sort.

[User] Narrowing her eyes ever so slightly. "You may not have such intentions, but he most certainly does. And your will has no bearing on his desires."

[Assistant] "That’s strange, though. Marriage is something two people who love each other do together, right? I don’t even know him." This discussion about marriage didn’t mesh at all with how Emilia understood the concept. And from what #184 was saying, Regulus sounded less like a good husband and more like…

[User] "—It’s like he’s one of the wicked kings I’ve read about." Emilia was still busy studying for the royal selection, and the names of many kings filled the pages of history, including some whose names were recorded for not particularly flattering reasons. Dictators, for example—rulers who refused to listen to others and insisted on obstinately following their own course above all else.


[User] "That’s a perfect description of him.”

[Assistant] “Huh?”

[User] "His bearing is undoubtedly that of a king… He is well deserving of the title ‘the little king.’” #184 murmured softly.

[Assistant] Emilia could not catch what the woman had said, so she asked her to repeat it.

[User] #184 tightly pursed her lips. “……Your clothes.”

[Assistant] “What? Wait…”

[User] #184 was even more unyielding than before to cover up her momentary slip of the tongue. She stepped forward to remove the blanket Emilia was using to cover her body—

[Assistant] “—Gh? !”

[User] Without warning, a loud noise and violent tremor rocked the town.

[Assistant] “Watch out!” Emilia caught #184, who had stumbled from the sudden jolt and blast. Emilia swung her head around and then leaped to the window of the changing room.

[User] “That’s…the floodgate? !” Her lips quivered, and her purple eyes opened wide as she watched a huge floodgate—one of the massive devices that controlled the flow of water in all the city’s waterways—open with an ominous groan. With nothing to hold it back any longer, the water rushed into the city all at once. Pristella was laid out like a bowl, designed so that water would flow toward the lower levels—to the center of the town. In the distance, the heart of the city was visible—city hall. And that tall structure was already being swallowed up by water.

[Assistant] “That’s…” The roads were flooded as a rolling wave swept away people and goods alike. Emilia clutched the windowsill in shock, hearing the imagined pandemonium in the back of her mind. It was beyond anything she could imagine, and while she watched in shock, all the people were tossed about, desperately struggling to survive. What had happened? The city’s residents and her fellow candidates who had also traveled here—were they safe? And there was another who came to mind.

[User] “Subaru…” Her knight was somewhere out there, too. Was he safe? She closed her eyes, imaging his smile as she prayed for his safety. Praying, pleading, Emilia kept her eyes shut tight.


[Assistant] Voices were echoing far, far in the distance. Voices that he could not identify. Male, female, young, old? Were they coming from above him or below him? He couldn’t say. It sounded like a battle cry. Then it was more like a grieving wail. A scream, a sob, an enraged bellow, a jagged lamentation. All these sounds rained down around him like a waterfall, crashed over him like a giant wave, swirled around him like an inescapable vortex. It was almost like someone he had finally met after a long, long time was opening up about everything they had held back for years. And, swallowed up by the unending deluge of voices, he lost track of where he even was.

[User] Hands, legs, head, bottom, chest, back—it all blurred together. In that enormous swell of voices, his sense of self was gradually melting away, losing shape.


[User] He was becoming indistinct, fading and scattering until the countless voices were all that remained. The voices became dark and stagnant, intent on breaking down his identity, reducing and draining it. He was sinking into that darkness, unable to resist. But right when he was about to resign himself to merciful oblivion, he realized there was a thread bound inextricably around his core that rejected the stagnation around him.

[Assistant] “” There was something writhing deep inside him, a thread that refused to stop fighting the black stagnation—the two forces claimed ownership of his self, fighting, each trying to steal him away, to kill the other off. And then finally…finally—


[User] "—Imbecile. How long must you insist on imposing your clueless, carefree face on the world?"

[Assistant] “Gh, aaaaaaaah!! !” Subaru Natsuki awoke with a scream as he experienced the feeling of his face being gripped by a crimson flame. He jolted up at the intense heat enveloping his face, and the pain of it scorched his eyes, groaning as he flailed on the ground while cradling his face. His heart was pounding, and it felt like all the blood in his body was boiling from the heat—

[User] "Wh-what—what happened…?"

[Assistant] “Ohh, what a pitiful creature. Such an ill-kept head to begin with, and now that it has been bleached out by all the water, apparently nothing remains on the inside. At this rate, you won’t even be fit for your role as a jester.”

[User] “That outrageous arrogance and lack of consideration for others…” Subaru wiped away the tears welling up as he turned toward the source of the caustic voice verbally lashing him. His blurry vision gradually cleared.

[Assistant] "So it is you, Priscilla."

[User] Priscilla sniffed haughtily, crossing her arms, almost like she was deliberately emphasizing her well-endowed chest. "Who else would I be? As if another as beautiful as I could exist in this world. If your eyes fail to detect something that obvious, it would be best to spoon them out and at least save yourself the trouble of carrying around such useless appendages.”

[Assistant] “There’s no way that would be better! And I feel obligated to point out that when it comes to beautiful women, the other royal-selection candidates are all top-tier knockouts… Not that that matters anyway!” Subaru had gotten sucked into Priscilla’s pace and reflexively retorted before he got ahold of himself. He had been unconscious and had woken up to discover Priscilla was with him. His first thought was that he had died and restarted another loop at the park, which would’ve placed him just before the Archbishop of Wrath, Sirius, was scheduled to start her atrocity in the plaza by the time tower. Right as Subaru started to wonder why he had been returned to that point after dying…

[User] “Where is this…?” That guess went out the window as he realized he did not recognize his surroundings.


[User] He was in a narrow alley. And for some reason, it was muddy and filled with puddles. "And it’s not just the ground, either… I’m practically dripping here." Grabbing the sleeve of his tracksuit, Subaru was baffled by his waterlogged condition. His whole body was wet. As if he had cannonballed into a bath with all his clothes on. Had there been some torrential rainstorm while he was out? If not, then—

[Assistant] "Did I fall into the canal? Or was there some terrible flood…?"

[User] "—Yes, sirree! That’s exactly what happened! Your humblest Liliana was trembling so much in awe at it all that it’s almost like I’ve invented a new dance! See!" Subaru’s fearful guess was affirmed by the surprise entry of a voice that came with musical accompaniment. The source of both suddenly appeared from behind Priscilla. Dark skin and an oddly aggressive manner of speech marked her as the city of water’s peerless Songstress.

[Assistant] "Liliana! I’m glad you’re safe… Turns out you were with Priscilla!"

[User] "I mean, you and Lady Emilia and the little lady all left me behind with Lady Priscilla in the park! And with the whole town gone topsy-turvy like this, I was so scared, I couldn’t bear to move a single step away from the oh-so-reliable Lady Priscilla’s side." She didn’t hesitate at all to whine before latching on to Priscilla’s waist.

[Assistant] Liliana was trembling like a fawn as Priscilla nodded and patted her head.

[User] "As the diva said, soon after you left the park, a boorish rabble defiled the waters of the city. Exceedingly merciful as I might be, even I cannot forgive such an outrage. I was on my way to relieve them of their heads when I noticed a certain foolish commoner floating in the water."

[Assistant] "Ahh, I see. And this foolish commoner floating in the water… Did you perhaps mean me by that?" Subaru asked, pointing to himself.

[User] Priscilla just sniffed as if to say, Who else could it be?

[Assistant] "I was floating in the water…? Why? That doesn’t make any sense…" He thought back to the last thing he could remember: Subaru had been on the top floor of the city hall building. He had been defeated by a dreadful monster, the Archbishop of Lust. Capella had used Lust’s Authority to freely transform herself into a beastly form, and unable to withstand her fierce barrage of attacks, Subaru’s right leg had come free. After losing a lot of blood, he had been writhing in pain…

[User] "But I’ve still got my leg. It’s still connected. The bandage is coming undone, but… Ugh?"


[User] “!” The wrap around his badly wounded leg had gotten filthy from being drenched in blood and fetid water. But as he removed it to check his leg, he shouted in disgust at what lay beneath. “Wh-what happened?! Ugh?! Wh-wh-wh-what is that? !”

[Assistant] Drawn by Subaru’s response, Liliana came closer out of curiosity and immediately turned pale.

[User] Beside her, Priscilla peered down, eyes filled with revulsion.

[Assistant] All three of them were looking at Subaru’s right leg, which should have been torn off during the fighting with Capella. But despite his remembering differently, it was still attached—and covered by hideous black flesh.

[User] He felt no pain in his foot. Caught up in the shock of seeing the condition of his limb, he rolled up the leg of his pants, revealing the full extent of the black, wriggling, vein-like protrusions extending up from his foot. A cautious touch confirmed the leg had some give to it, similar to that of normal human flesh. Ignoring its appearance, he could even call it fully healed.

[Assistant] “To be clear, your limbs were all attached when we found you. That hideous leg has nothing to do with us. And judging from the look on your face, it’s clear you weren’t born this way.”

[User] “…Thanks for catching me up while I was dealing with the shock of finding this nasty stuff that someone embroidered on my leg without my permission… There’s no way this is the result of healing magic, right?”

[Assistant] Nodding along to Priscilla’s response, Subaru ruled out what seemed to be the most likely way it could have happened. As far as he knew, healing magic operated under the basic principle of increasing the natural recovery ability of a patient’s body. It was not regeneration, so scars would be left after healing. In fact, there were plenty of those on Subaru’s body already. But the dark mass on his leg was nothing like those scars. He could confidently say it was not the result of healing magic. The healing magic he knew was a gentler, warmer, miraculous power that saved not only bodies but even souls. The sort of thing that Ferris was proud of, that Beatrice had mastered as if it came naturally to her, that Garfiel had studied for the sake of his wish, that Rem had so earnestly offered freely. This black mark on his leg was a blasphemous desecration of that sort of miracle.

[User] “Just to be sure, commoner, am I correct in assuming that your leg was not originally some sort of oddity that could reattach itself even after being violently removed?”

[Assistant] “That sounds like you’re asking just to ask, but yeah, my body doesn’t work that way. I’ve had my leg torn off before, but I died… Almost died that time.”

[User] “You’ve had a body part torn off before?! What a life!” When Liliana heard such an absurd answer to an absurd question, her excitement bubbled up.


[User] But when he thought back to what had happened before, at least during that first loop, there had been no sign of his body gluing itself back together. And there hadn’t been any situation later in which he’d ever displayed any kind of hyper-regeneration, either.

[Assistant] Priscilla nodded and simply said “I see” at his response.

[User] “Don’t raise your voice.” She ordered curtly as she swung the fan in her hand with the flick of a wrist.

[Assistant] Subaru and Liliana peeled their eyes in an attempt to figure out what was going on.

[User] “—Gh!” There was a faint numbness, and then Subaru’s leg was struck by a burning heat.

[Assistant] The edge of her fan had grazed his leg, leaving a sharp gouge in his thigh. Subaru was hit by two different shocks: The first came from the realization of how skilled she must be to do something like that with a fan, and the second came from the realization that she was the kind of person who could slice open someone else’s leg with zero hesitation. But both thoughts were erased by the even greater shock of what happened next. The cut on his leg was deep enough to reveal bone—until the black flesh swallowed it up. Within seconds, it was as if it the wound had never been there at all. “” Subaru gingerly touched the spot with his finger, at a loss for words at the revolting miracle that had just taken place. The site of the wound was completely fine. The pain had disappeared, too.

[User] “Ummmmmm, I could be wrong, but there might be something wrong with your leg…” Liliana commented nervously.

[Assistant] “It’s weird how normal it feels. What is even going on with my body…?” Subaru was shocked by the unnatural healing. Something is wrong with my leg. What the hell happened?

[User] “—Wait, is it because Capella dripped blood on my leg…?” It had happened when his consciousness was fading from the pain and the loss of so much blood after he lost his right leg. It was not a clear enough memory for him to be absolutely sure, but he was fairly confident he remembered her cutting her own wrist and dripping the blood over his wound. Capella had said something about it while he was suffering from the unbearable pain. “Something about becoming a hideous lump of flesh and doing the same thing to Crusch…”

[Assistant] “Sharing her blood, you say? That sounds rather like some sort of curse. I’ve heard that many of the rituals that northern practitioners of such arts are fond of using involve such roundabout rites. Perhaps it’s something along those lines?”

[User] “Curses, curses… Right, a blood curse. That’s it! A dragon! She said something about dragon blood!”

[Assistant] Priscilla’s low voice triggered something in the foggy recesses of Subaru’s memories.


[User] “Dragon blood… That’s one of the three great treasures left to the royal family of Lugunica by the Holy Dragon.”

[Assistant] “I dunno any details, just that something like that exists…” Subaru furrowed his brow.

[User] “—It grants abundance to lands withered and barren, rejuvenates all destruction that has been wrought, heals the most incurable illnesses in an instant, and becomes a light to wash away indelible despair. Those are the properties of the blood of the great and Holy Dragon.”

[Assistant] A lyrical response reached Subaru’s eardrums. There was a mysterious look on Liliana’s face as she plucked her lyulyre and softly sang. Acknowledging Subaru’s gaze, she bowed solemnly. “It’s a verse from the fellowship of the Holy Dragon Volcanica as passed down in the Kingdom of Lugunica. The great treasures bequeathed to the kingdom were the dragon’s blood, the Dragon Tablet, and the Covenant.”

[User] “…That dragon blood sure sounds like it could do just about everything.” Subaru was a bit taken aback by how different Liliana could be when it came to songs and folklore, but he was more concerned with what her verse had described. Rejuvenated destruction and healed illness came pretty close to describing his leg’s strange condition, but the parts about treating barren lands and light that washed away despair felt more questionable when he looked at the hideous black pattern on his body. And when he considered that this hunch was based on something Capella had said, it became even more dubious.

[Assistant] “I don’t know what caused it, but considering the wounds I had before going into that fight were healed, too, I guess I should count it as a plus… Gh! Hey, that hurts! What do you think you’re doing? !”

[User] "You really do insist on being noisy. Don’t make a fuss over something so minor,” Priscilla responded in a bored tone after grazing the nape of Subaru’s neck with her fan. She looked at the edge of her fan and flicked it with her finger. “Hmmm, wounds to other parts of your body don’t appear to be affected. If we were to tentatively accept that leg of yours as the blessing of the dragon’s blood, it would seem the sacred dragon is a far cry from the legends that have been passed down.”

[Assistant] “What?! What are you saying, Lady Priscilla?! No matter how voluptuous and beautiful and buxom you are, there are certain things that cannot be said! No matter how voluptuous you are!”

[User] “Oh, you would dare oppose me? Disdain for the Holy Dragon must sit quite poorly with you.”

[Assistant] “Naturally! The Holy Dragon Volcanica is a living legend!


[User] To we who sing to preserve the legends of the past for the future, to us bards, the Holy Dragon is our greatest benefactor! If I let contempt for the Holy Dragon pass without comment, I and my honor would both cry!”

[Assistant] "That spirit is admirable. But now what? How will you make me retract my words?"

[User] “Please remove Sir Natsuki’s head from his neck! Right here and now! Then watch and behold as the Holy Dragon’s blood and its miraculous power rejoin his severed head with his body where he stands! If you would please!”

[Assistant] "There’s no way that would work!" Subaru howled at the absurd one-act play unfolding before him. Unfortunately, the nape of his neck was still hurting. As Priscilla had said, it looked like the healing was limited to his right leg, and it would probably be safer to assume it was really just the parts around the black flesh.

[User] “Anyway, this isn’t the time for experiments. The authenticity of the dragon blood aside, if my leg is like this, I’m more worried about Crusch. If she suffered something along the lines of what happened to my leg…and also, before that…” Setting aside the oddity of his leg, Subaru finally returned to his first question. The one that the weirdness with his leg had made him forget—why had he been floating in the water?

[Assistant] “What happened to everyone? Garfiel and Wilhelm and the others were fighting with me…”

[User] “Ah, um, as to the reason, you see, the truth is…” Liliana raised her hand.

[Assistant] “Wait, you know what happened? !” As Subaru leaned in, she pointed out into the distance. Following where she was pointing, Subaru was baffled by the sight. He could not see anything particularly special or out of the ordinary. It was just the wall surrounding the city and one of the four floodgates that held back the water around the city—

[User] “Wha—?” After getting that far, Subaru remembered that both he and the ground were soaking wet. Liliana had even said it at the start. The canals had overflowed.

[Assistant] "No matter how dull a fool you might be, even you should understand by now.” The crimson-eyed girl nodded when she saw Subaru’s ashen face. Priscilla opened her fan with an audible crack and covered her lips with it as she spoke. “It is as you suspect. One of the great floodgates was opened, and a torrent of water surged into the city. You were floating because you had been caught in the flood.”


[User] It was miraculous that Subaru had survived the flood and was simply plucked out of one of the canals.

[Assistant] “The one silver lining is that the gate that was opened was quickly closed again, which is way better than just leaving it open. And almost all the residents managed to escape to the shelters, too…”

[User] “…But not all of them.”

[Assistant] “…Most likely, yes. It’s sad and unfortunate and heartrending to say, though.” She says, nodding in response to Subaru’s regretful murmur. Thanks to her, he had a general grasp of what had happened to the city while he was unconscious.

[User] A massive flood from the gate being opened, which would have required access to the control towers that controlled the gates. The only ones who could have done it were the members of the Witch Cult, who were currently occupying the towers. Meaning the flood had been their doing, and—

[Assistant] “It was revenge for attacking city hall, then. Makes sense.”

[User] “Ngh.” Subaru grimaced.

[Assistant] “What, do you mean to tell me you didn’t expect your actions to have consequences? If you act, so will your enemy. Making an example early on is just standard practice.”

[User] “If anything, this feels almost half-hearted.” She continues, fanning herself gently as she tried to deduce the Witch Cult’s aims. “I would have expected something even more despicable if they are as disgraceful a rabble as the rumors say. I suppose I should assume they value the items they demanded on the broadcast as too important to allow themselves to get too carried away.”

[Assistant] Hearing her cold, calculating deductions, Subaru was chagrined to realize that his actions were likely what had brought about the current situation. Ever since coming to the city of water, he had suffered a string of complete and absolute failures: He had been killed by Sirius three times; Emilia had been kidnapped by Regulus; Beatrice was in a coma after saving him; he had gone to city hall in order to face Capella with his friends, only to end up being toyed with by her; and to top it all off, the town had been almost totally flooded by the cultists in retribution. He was on the verge of exploding in anger at how pathetic he was. Subaru covers his face with his hand and stares up at the sky.

[User] “Um, um… Please don’t brood, Sir Natsuki. The situation is definitely awful, though—almost ‘What’s next, tying my arms and legs and throwing me in a lake? !’ levels of terrible!” Liliana was waving her hands and legs as she held her lyulyre against her scrawny body, and her twin tails flapped around on either side of her face. That she still did not give in to despair, even in this dire situation, was splendid, truly worthy of praise. And—

[Assistant] “Aaaargh! Damn it! You think I’ll let it end like this after losing this much? !”

[User] “Wah?


[User] "!” The hand covering Subaru’s face clenched into a fist as he howled.

[Assistant] Liliana, who had been intending to raise his spirits, leaped backward instead to cling to Priscilla in shock at the sudden shout.

[User] Priscilla dodged the bard and casually knocked her aside. Ignoring Liliana’s cute cry as she hit the ground, Priscilla looked at Subaru with something akin to interest for the first time. “That’s unexpected. So you refuse to break over something so trifling, I take it?”

[Assistant] “Setting aside the question of whether this is trifling or not, that’s the general idea. This is nothing compared to that nasty Witch’s trials. It’s way too early to be giving up on anything.” Every battle had been a loss, his right leg was covered in some alien black substance, and the city was headed downhill fast—but he wasn’t about to give in just because of all that. Now that he had a firm grasp on the current situation, he steeled his will as he came to a conclusion about what he should do first. “—I need to meet up with everyone who stayed back at the Muse Company. Once we regroup, we can kick those assholes out of the city for good.”

[User] “Can you really do that?”

[Assistant] “That isn’t the real question. It’s whether we do it or don’t. And I’m not about to choose don’t. Whatever we do, though, priority number one needs to be rejoining the crew. What are you going to do?”

[User] There was a flame dancing in Priscilla’s eyes. She stood there silently, waiting for Subaru to continue.

[Assistant] “You know, I still haven’t forgotten what happened back at the Water Raiment Inn—if anything, I’m still holding a grudge about it—but this and that are two different things. But being with someone you know is good for peace of mind, and Al was with us, too, not long before this. It might be easier for you to find him if we stick together.”

[User] “Al was with you?”

[Assistant] “Yeah, though he left before the fight. He was wandering around the city looking for you.” Al had split off from the group before the assault on city hall, but Subaru was still a little worried about whether he had gotten caught up in the flood. He wanted to assume Al was safe, what with how aloof and perceptive he seemed to be, but…

[User] Hearing that, Priscilla thought for a moment. “I understand your line of thought, but I have something I must see to first. And I have no intention of accepting your invitation if it means putting that off.”

[Assistant] “What could be so…?”

[User] “But your show of resolve wasn’t half bad. So I’ll grant you a reward.”

[Assistant] “A reward?” Subaru cocked his head at the unexpected response.

[User] Priscilla reached out and grabbed Subaru by the shirt and pulled him to the ground, where he fell down next to Liliana with a grunt.


[User] He looked up in order to give Priscilla an earful for suddenly throwing him down. "What the hell was that for all of a…? Wha—?! " —until he saw a misshapen silhouette leap out violently at Priscilla. "—! !"

[Assistant] The grotesque being howled sinisterly as it launched itself high into the air.

[User] "That’s…not a demon beast! What is that? !"

[Assistant] "Ahhhhhhh! That’s a demi-beast!" Liliana screamed as she crawled across the ground.

[User] The grotesque monster that Liliana called a demi-beast took aim at Priscilla’s pale neck.

[Assistant] Priscilla easily deflected it to the side with the fan in her hand, forcefully knocking it down.

[User] A shout froze in his throat as he saw how sharp and dangerous it was.

[Assistant] "Well? Unsightly, isn’t it? These hideous, inferior brutes are rampant in the city right now. Not even beasts, and yet insufficient as tools. Incomplete from birth, a botched job from creation—thus demi-beasts." Priscilla stood there calmly, having knocked aside the demi-beast with her fan as Subaru watched stiffly.

[User] He was shocked by how at ease she appeared as he pulled Liliana away from where the demi-beast had fallen.

[Assistant] The demi-beast writhed in agony as it leaped up, its spit-flecked jowls twisting around as it searched for the one who had attacked it.

[User] "It doesn’t have any eyes… Did something blind it? Wait, did it just never have them to begin with? What?"

[Assistant] "Look closely, commoner. If you would wander this city, you might encounter one of these monstrosities at any time. They are coarse and incomplete creatures, but they have enough strength to easily hunt down one or two helpless fools."

[User] "Hey, who’s supposed to be helpless?!"


[User] I’ve…” Subaru reached for his trusty whip to drive home his point, but he had lost it either in the fight with Capella or else when he fell into the water. Farewell, Guilty Whip.

[Assistant] Priscilla intentionally made a sound with her shoe, drawing the demi-beast’s attention toward her.

[User] "Look how it clings to sound. It is comical how inexperienced they are in dealing with their world without sight. That shows this is not their natural state. But that is just the sort of being they are."

[Assistant] "What are you saying…? Hold on a second! You said they’re all over town? There are more like this out there? !"

[User] "They have spawned everywhere. Without eyes, without ears, without a mouth…like a mockery of a living creature, they are all flawed in some form or another. One can only assume their creator’s sense of beauty is catastrophically broken."

[Assistant] The demi-beast launched itself into the air again. Unable to see, it relied on its ears to leap toward her approximate location. Naturally, she swayed out of the way of such a clumsy attack with ease. When the demi-beast’s fangs caught only air, it quickly turned after landing and prepared to attack again—

[User] "—What a truly pitiful existence. In my great mercy, I shall grant you rest." And, having said that, Priscilla slowly drew a crimson sword from the sky.

[Assistant] Subaru was shocked by the sudden appearance of the sword, but more than that, he was enchanted by the sword’s beauty. The bright-red blade that appeared was gilded with strange and beautiful ornamentation. It was radiant enough to be easily worthy of being called a treasure sword. From the hilt to the blade, it was entirely scarlet, and in Priscilla’s hand it glimmered brilliantly, like she held a living flame.

[User] "—Ah." Cloaked in an inferno that enchanted all who beheld it, the sword flashed as Priscilla allowed the blind demi-beast to experience the blade firsthand in all its glory. The creature split down the middle and then burst into flames. There were no dying cries as the single crimson slash transformed the demi-beast into cinders.

[Assistant] "The gleam of this sword of sunlight and the knowledge that demi-beasts abound are my reward for your determination."

[User] Subaru watched the demi-beast’s death with eyes wide open. Looking over at her, he saw that the crimson sword was already gone from her hand, replaced by her usual fan.

[Assistant] It almost felt like it had been an illusion, but the demi-beast’s ashes were proof enough that it had been real.

[User] "That’s quite the foolish look on your face. Don’t tell me you missed your opportunity to see something you will never see again?


[User] “If so, my whim shan’t visit again, so you have only your own unworthiness to blame.”

[Assistant] “…There’s so much to comment on there that I’m not even sure where to start. What even is your actual power?”

[User] “What an empty question. I can’t even work up the will to answer.” Priscilla fanned herself leisurely as she openly ignored Subaru’s question.

[Assistant] “Come on, Sir Natsuki!” Liliana, whom Subaru had forgotten he was still holding under his arm, started flapping her arms and legs.

[User] “Huh? Ah, my bad. Did I touch somewhere inappropriate? Though where would that even be on you?”

[Assistant] “How rude! They may be small, but they are there! But this isn’t the time for that!” Twisting her body, she slipped free from Subaru’s arm, hit the ground with a thud, and quickly leaped to her feet. She left Subaru and Priscilla behind and ran to the intersection up ahead.

[User] “I knew it! Look! There is someone hurt here! Help! Please help him!” Peering around the corner, she waved at them to come over.

[Assistant] “There is?! Were they attacked by that demi-beast? !” Subaru frantically rushed over to Liliana.

[User] “Are you okay?! Hey! Crap, he’s totally out of it. The wounds aren’t too deep, but…” There was a young man lying facedown in a pool of blood. He had wounds on his shoulder and back. There was no response when Subaru called out to the young man. After checking his wounds, Subaru quickly tore the man’s shirt and performed simple first aid.

[Assistant] “You seem quite familiar with how to deal with this sort of thing…”

[User] “It’s the product of my mentor’s spartan training. I’m amazed you noticed he was here, though.”

[Assistant] “Yes, I was sure I heard something. Like a heartrending voice pleading for aid.”

[User] “What are you, some hero of justice…? All righty, that’ll do for first aid.” Subaru sighed in relief after stopping the bleeding and tying off a splint. The wound did not look life-threatening, at least.

[Assistant] “But we can’t just leave him lying here, either. What do we do…?”

[User] “Then carry him, commoner. My goal is the shelter down this street. If you take him there, they should be able to stabilize him.”

[Assistant] “There’s a shelter nearby? Right, you mentioned having some errand or other when you turned me down…”

[User] “Let’s go. Do not slow me further.” Paying no heed to Subaru, Priscilla said whatever she pleased and then started walking away.

[Assistant] Subaru silently shook his head and then lifted up the unconscious man. He felt a dark irony that he was practically relying on his blackened right leg to brace himself as he followed Priscilla. Liliana tottered along behind them, still full of concern about the young man’s fate.

[User] “Time and again you really do seem to be a man with good timing.”

[Assistant] “What?”

[User] Priscilla flashed a dark, crimson smile.


[User] "You should etch into your eyes one more time just what the current state of this city is." Subaru could notice almost immediately from the way his skin crawled.

[Assistant] When they stepped into the shelter carrying a wounded person, they were met by many different gazes. A moist, cloying, depressing emotion rested within those eyes. An oppressive, vague negative feeling that was uncomfortable to be around and made it hard to breathe.

[User] "This is bad for the heart. What is this feeling…?" Leaving the injured man in the care of the healer on duty in the simple medical room setup at the shelter, Subaru slowly looked around the underground area, gulping bitterly.

[Assistant] "I see, he’s not here, either." Priscilla was cast from a different mold, though, able to carry herself without any hesitation even in this uniquely oppressive environment.

[User] Priscilla was always so full of arrogant self-confidence, and he felt a sudden urge to tear at her face, to peel away that haughty mask—

[Assistant] "At the end of the day, a mediocre man remains a mediocrity. You’ve been completely bewitched after such a short time."

[User] "Wh-what are you talking about…?"

[Assistant] "There was a barbarous gleam in your pupils. It is only natural that the mere sight of me ignites lustful passion, but the desire to harm beauty is mere brute savagery. Can you truly say you know not of what I speak? Well?"

[User] Interrogated by the woman whose face he had just considered clawing off, Subaru was suddenly dumbfounded.


[User] It was not that odd for him to feel antagonistic toward her, but there had been no reason for it to suddenly get so intense and violent. —It was almost like he had lost control of his emotions.

[Assistant] “No way…” As that thought occurred to him, a chill ran up his spine. The discomfort grew and grew until his arms and legs were trembling, and he couldn’t keep his teeth from chattering. The way his emotions were unnaturally shifting in a way he could not control reminded him of something.

[User] “Sirius… Wrath’s Authority…? Is that what’s causing this? !” Subaru pinched his cheek, clearing his head with a dose of pain as he gritted his teeth. Naturally, Sirius was not in the shelter. Subaru could not hear her voice, either. But he could not escape that sense of gloom, that unpleasant sensation of being tossed into a pot of simmering emotions until they were all scorched black. The moment after Subaru realized what was happening and how dangerous it was—


[Assistant] “—What’s your problem? The hell do ya think you’re staring at? !” A middle-aged man near the back of the shelter shouted, teeth bared and face red. His rage seemed to be directed at a younger man near him. His anger still obvious on his face, the older man approached the younger man and gave him a hard shove in the chest.

[User] “If you’ve got something to say, then say it! Well?! What’s your problem? !”

[Assistant] “—Ngh! Fine, you really want to know?! Take a look around you! You aren’t a boy anymore! Have some self-control! We don’t all need to know how pissed you are! It’s a pain in the ass for the rest of us, you washed-up piece of shit!”

[User] “Stop it! Stop it! Please, just stop it!” The woman beside him started crying as she cradled her head. Unable to hold back her emotions, she started sobbing uncontrollably, which only stoked the older man’s anger and the younger man’s righteous fury. And the explosion of emotions did not stop there.

[Assistant] “This isn’t good! The other people are getting affected…” It was slow at first but quickly picked up speed—a wave of intense emotions spread throughout the shelter. The explosive increase in noise after the previous silence made it feel like pandemonium had broken out in the blink of an eye.

[User] “This isn’t good! Priscilla! If we don’t do something, people are gonna die!”

[Assistant] “Fool. You’ve lost your calm as badly as they have. Just sit down and shut up.”

[User] “Is this really the time for that?! Even in a situation like this, you’re still… Gh.” Impatience turned his vision red, and he tried to grab Priscilla, but she evaded his hands with a simple sway

[Assistant] Priscilla grabbed his hair, pulling his face close to hers.

[User] "Gah? !"

[Assistant] "Listen, commoner. Your fears will become reality."


[User] "The unpleasant feeling that corrupted this city’s water will warp people’s hearts, steal their rationality, and rob them of their kindness. However—” Priscilla coldly explained the tragedy that would befall the shelter as Subaru’s face tensed and his lips quivered. But as she trailed off, she looked to the center of the room.

[Assistant] Subaru naturally followed her gaze.

[User] "Hark. Lend me your ears—Pristella wavers, reflected in the water’s surface." The plucked strings of the lyulyre created clear, high-pitched chords that pierced the pandemonium. In an instant, that sound shattered the rage and grief that had gripped the shelter. Everything paused for a brief moment. And into that split-second gap, something slipped: Music. Right as feverish emotions were about to boil over, an ephemeral melody emerged from the lyulyre’s strings. And everyone who heard it was shaken to the soul by the voice that accompanied it. Liliana’s tongue danced, giving form and shape to the song welling up inside her. That strain of music struck the people, Subaru, and even Priscilla alike, captivating the crowd from the moment the sounds hit their ears and making their bodies, their minds, and their very souls tremble. Her song had stolen their hearts. There was no other way to put it. They were taken back and returned to their rightful owners. Subaru could feel himself being set free from the confining emotions of Wrath’s invisible web. This was the power of song. The brilliance of Liliana’s music, the music the Songstress unleashed, was a power beyond reason capable of shaking people to their very core—

[Assistant] "—Thank you very much for your kind attention." Liliana said with a bow. By the time she finished, the dark emotions that had dominated the shelter were long gone.


[User] "Thank you! Thank you! My apologies for such an embarrassing sight."

[Assistant] With her performance over, and after the ripples of her singing voice had faded, and she had finished introducing herself to her tearful audience, the Songstress faded away and Liliana took her place, winking awkwardly and giving Subaru a thumbs-up.

[User] His shoulders slumped—not because of some inexplicable emotion but because of his own exasperation.

[Assistant] “So you’ve returned to your senses. That is quite the accomplishment by the diva.”

[User] “I don’t really have room to argue. You seemed fine even without the song, though…and for some reason that actually makes sense to me. Wrath’s Authority was creating a resonance with everyone’s emotions.”

[Assistant] For Priscilla, whose ego was so strong and whose sympathetic impulses were so limited, it made sense that the effect of Wrath’s Authority would be weaker. At least that was how Subaru interpreted it, given the calm demeanor she had projected both before and after the song. The pandemonium in the shelter was unmistakably the effect of Sirius’s ability. The worst possible outcome had been avoided thanks to Liliana’s song, but it gave Subaru chills to think of what might have happened without her. Most likely, the original impetus had been something trivial, but everyone in the shelter was under intense stress from the oppressive, closed-off atmosphere and the presence of a dangerous group in the city. And when they were unable to fully manage that pressure, darker thoughts started to slip into their hearts, which Sirius’s Authority then amplified until even the most minor friction with someone else in the shelter could set it all off. And when it exploded, the resulting damage created a pandemic of intense emotions that could lead only to tragedy. And that was—

[User] “That is the unsightly, meaningless reality currently occurring everywhere around the city.”

[User] “You described this unpleasant atmosphere as an Authority, did you not? ‘Wrath’s Authority.’”

[Assistant] “…Yeah, that’s right. This is the work of one of the Witch Cult Archbishops.”

[User] Priscilla’s crimson eyes narrowed in distaste. Even without the effects of any Authority, Subaru could sympathize with the ire resting deep within her gaze. Subaru had thought he had a sufficiently healthy respect for how dangerous Sirius’s ability to amplify and propagate emotions was, but his understanding had been too simplistic. It seemed all too possible now that Wrath’s Authority had extended its reach across every part of Pristella. And the majority of people in the city had fled to the shelters. If they felt the effects of that ability with so much fear and unease in their hearts, the potential for disaster would be unimaginable.

[Assistant] “The careful training to always go to the shelters if anything happens has totally played into their hands here.” If Wrath’s ability could share and amplify people’s emotions, the strength of the effect should be proportional to the number of people inside the area of effect.


[User] The people around you became mirrors for emotions, and you in turn became a mirror for them, accelerating and amplifying the effect. People being near others strengthened Wrath’s ability and increased its potential to infect more people and spread. This observation spoke to the lie Sirius was hiding. Hers was not a power for allowing people to understand one another at all. It was a nightmarish power that forced people to isolate themselves and remain alone in a situation where fear and unease dominated the mood.

[Assistant] "That makes me a tiny smidge vexed, so I believe I shall have to hold out a bit longer."

[User] "Liliana…" Subaru absorbed Liliana’s words with quiet surprise as she pointed to the deepening furrows in her brow. It was clear now that her music had the ability to free people from Sirius’s Authority. And she, fully aware that it had that effect, had been traveling from shelter to shelter, singing as she went.

[Assistant] —When she had been staying at Roswaal’s manor and her music had invited trouble, she had gone so far as to say “I don’t want my singing to be used as a tool,” even when her life was hanging in the balance. For that same Liliana to use her singing like this—

[User] "What the situation calls for is captivating people with song, which is right up my alley!" Liliana said with another lousy wink. There was no denying she was the city’s Songstress.

[Assistant] "So then that goal you mentioned before is helping Liliana go around to all the shelters?" Subaru asks Priscilla. If that was the case, that would mean Priscilla was also acting out of concern about the chaos that had struck the city. Right as Subaru was on the verge of reconsidering his view of her and realizing that perhaps he had badly misunderstood what lay in her heart, that train of thought was suddenly interrupted.

[User] "Fool, as if I would bother with something so inconsequential as that."

[Assistant] Subaru pursed his lips at the textbook Priscilla response. "Inconsequential? …Fine, then what is your goal? Why are you visiting all the shelters?"

[User] "I’m looking for Schult. If I don’t, he will almost certainly cry. And I cannot stand seeing a child’s teary face."

[Assistant] Subaru’s mind froze at the unexpected response. It was something only Priscilla would say.

[User] Not noticing his reaction, Priscilla shrugged as if to indicate she had little choice in the matter. "Al can take care of himself. The fate of another fool is of no concern to me. But Schult’s charm is irreplaceable, so I have to recover him personally. He’s quite the troublesome retainer."

[Assistant] Considering there were no stronger emotions in her voice, it was a fair guess that was how she really felt. But the reason she gave for moving around a city embroiled in such trouble—to search for her lost young retainer—was not something Subaru had expected. It was surprising, but he could accept it.


[User] It was indisputable that she was busily walking around looking for her servant.

[Assistant] “What’s that look on your face?” Priscilla looked over at him suspiciously.

[User] Subaru waved it off with a vague “It’s nothing” and a sigh.

[Assistant] Taking a deep breath and filling his lungs, Subaru looked out at the now-stable mood of the shelter. "This shelter should be fine now. I’m going to go now like I said before. I need to meet back up with everyone.”

[User] “Aye-aye! Lady Priscilla and I are going to another shelter now. Music is still needed… I am grateful to be a bard, so now’s the time to cash in and earn some more self-respect!”

[Assistant] “Phrasing!” Despite the grave situation, Subaru could not help laughing and latching on to how she put it.

[User] He turned to Priscilla again. "Thank you for all your help. Let’s meet again after all this is over. And you should really look for Al, too.”

[Assistant] “As if I would lend an ear to anyone’s instructions. I will simply do as I please. You should run along now and worry about cleansing this city’s befouled waters. If you manage to actually accomplish something, I shall personally reward you.”

[User] “Just so you know, unlike your retainers, I don’t have any particular interest in licking your boots.”

[Assistant] And with that, Subaru turned away from them as Liliana saluted, and Priscilla was not even bothering to look at him anymore.

[User] He departed from the shelter and started racing through the city. "First is Muse… If everyone is still okay, then that’s where they would go.”

[Assistant] All that was left was to steel his nerve. "This isn’t even close to being over. Not by a long shot. And I’m going to prove it."


[User] A blind, bloody-smelling demi-beast was sniffing at the ground in front of him.

[Assistant] Holding his breath to keep from being noticed, Subaru examined it, feeling a sense of righteous anger as he compared it to the other demi-beasts he had come close to encountering.


[User] “Capella, you piece of shit…” Subaru thinks of the Archbishop of Lust, Capella as the parent/creator of the demi-beasts. And asks himself where she is getting the ingredients for the demi-beasts.

[Assistant] “—! !” When he gritted his teeth, he inadvertently twisted his foot slightly, grinding a pebble against the ground beneath his heel.

[User] "Ah."

[Assistant] "And up we go!" He leaped aside as the blind demi-beast dashed toward him. His right leg was in disgustingly good shape, and he could move better than ever because of it. He easily leaped over the demi-beast and left that stretch of road behind as it frantically spun around searching for him.

[User] “—Girrrrrrrrrrrah!” All of a sudden, an awkward shout rang out.

[Assistant] “…Crap…” Subaru evaded the surprise attack by jumping straight up and spreading his legs, but lost his balance when he hit the ground and rolled. Right in front of him was another demi-beast, quietly standing there, barring his path. They were surrounding him front, back, and to one side, cornering him.


[User] The way she had run, leaving Subaru behind begging for help with Larry, Curly, and Moe surrounding him—thinking back on it now, he could not help feeling an odd sense of fate that those four had ended up in the same camp. Soothing his nerves with some pointless thoughts, Subaru crouched.

[Assistant] "—Please don’t move, Subaru. I don’t want to miss."

[User] A voice that was far surer an option than trying to get out of the situation on his own made him abandon that desperate plan. My apologies, but his continued survival is necessary for this city. I humbly request that you withdraw!

[Assistant] The elegant knight Julius Juukulius attacked the three demi-beasts simultaneously with sword and spirits.

[User] "You need not worry." The eyeless beast’s head was sent rolling by an elegant, arcing slash.

[Assistant] This was not the time nor place for idle thoughts, but it was truly a beautiful slash, one that held Subaru’s gaze.

[User] Subaru felt a strong sense of pity for the demi-beasts as they fell.

[Assistant] Flicking the blade that had cut down the demi-beast, Julius turned to Subaru. "Are you unhurt, Subaru?"

[User] "Yeah." Subaru nodded. "That was a dangerous spot to be in, though. Thanks for the help. And from the looks of it, you’re doing okay, too."

[Assistant] "I cannot deny that. In the end, I was swept up in the flood from the gate opening, which left the battle at city hall unsettled. I was concerned when I saw you fall into the water and lost track of you." Julius shook his head slightly as he placed his hand on Subaru’s shoulder. Surprisingly, there was an unconcealable trace of relief in the gesture. As if he was still processing the fact that Subaru had returned alive. "What happened at the tower?"


[User] "Honestly, I can’t really remember much of the back end of the fight with Capella…with Lust."

[Assistant] "You don’t remember? A black dragon attacked the upper floor and carried you and Duchess Crusch away. I immediately went after the black dragon to try and retrieve the two of you when the floodgate opened…"

[User] "And in the chaos, I ended up falling into the water and getting washed away?"

[Assistant] "If I was to be honest, I had thought your chances of surviving were fifty-fifty at best. You did well to make it back safely." Julius kept nodding to himself, his hand still on Subaru’s shoulder, welcoming his return.

[User] Hearing that, Subaru realized his situation had been far more dire than he realized. But against all odds, he had returned safe and sound. And now he had been reunited with Julius. "What about everyone else? Are they safe? I remember Crusch was in trouble. I was hurrying to get back to the Muse Company just now…"

[Assistant] "I understand the feeling, but for now calm yourself, please. Allow me to alleviate your first concern: Everyone who went to take back city hall returned alive… Knowing that you have survived and are safe, I can now say that confidently."

[User] "Everyone made it back alive… I see…" Overcome by relief after hearing that news, Subaru slumped down to the ground. He had been more anxious about that than he had realized, and for a moment he could not force his quivering knees to carry his weight.

[Assistant] "After facing so many powerful enemies, I’m glad everyone survived… And there weren’t any losses to that flood, either?"

[User] "It was a perilous situation. From what Sir Wilhelm said, they were close to being overwhelmed by the enemy when the water hit, and it was entirely possible we would have suffered losses if the battle continued. It’s ironic to think that was the Witch Cult’s doing."

[Assistant] Subaru furrowed his brow. There was more scorn directed at himself than regret in Julius’s voice. "There are several other things that I have to tell you, but for now, it’s good that we did not miss each other. Currently, the Muse Company is empty, and no one is there. You were about to waste a trip."

[User] "No one? Why?"


[User] “Anastasia, Ferris, and my Beako should still be there…”

[Assistant] “Regarding that, try to remain calm while I explain.”

[User] Subaru gulped as things took a disquieting turn.

[Assistant] “…While we were attacking city hall, the Muse Company was also attacked. Their aim was the gentleman Kiritaka of the Council of Ten, but in the end, Lady Anastasia took command, and those who remained were forced to abandon that base.”

[User] “It was attacked?! But it was a shelter! There were lots of wounded people there, right? !”

[Assistant] “They succeeded in just barely getting all the wounded out safely at immense personal effort. Lady Beatrice and Mimi and her brothers were also safely carried away. However, the whereabouts of Mr. Kiritaka Muse and the members of the White Dragon’s Scale who stayed behind with him at the Muse Company are currently unknown… We don’t know whether they survived.”

[User] “Wait! What happened to Beatrice? To everyone? !”

[Assistant] “Damn it! I’m sure Liliana would be sad if she heard that…” Even hearing that Beatrice was safe, Subaru could not really be happy given the losses that might have been incurred.

[User] “Having lost the Muse Company, we have shifted to using city hall as a base. We should head there. Everyone is worried about you, and Garfiel in particular is running himself ragged.”

[Assistant] “That’s not good, but we’re heading to city hall? We took it back?”

[User] “When the gate was opened and our battle there was cut short by the massive surge of water, our enemies abandoned the building. However, they broadcast one final message before they did so. Did you hear it?”

[Assistant] “…That was right around when I was bobbing in the water.” Subaru pursed his lips.

[User] “It was after they caused the canals to overrun and were wreaking havoc in every part of the city. I was struggling to grasp the chaotic situation myself when Lust’s voice rang out from the sky.”

[Assistant] “” Subaru quietly urged Julius to continue.

[User] Seeing that, Julius nodded and took a long, deep breath.


[User] "Lust…or perhaps I should say the Witch Cult placed additional demands in order to free the city as punishment for attacking the tower. In addition to the Witch’s bones, they had three new demands."

[Assistant] "…Which were?"

[User] "—A book called the book of knowledge. An artificial spirit. And also…" He pauses even after he’d said that much.

[Assistant] Seeing him hesitate, Subaru steeled himself as he wondered just how repulsive the final demand could possibly be.

[User] Because the final demand was the most absurd, the most out of place, and the most impossible for Subaru to accept. "…the wedding of the silver-haired maiden. Something you would surely never allow."


[User] Looking out at the flooding city, Emilia gripped the windowsill tightly enough to warp it.

[Assistant] There was another booming sound as the opened floodgate closed again. It was over in the blink of an eye. The city had escaped being completely flooded, but the damage was still massive. Buildings had been destroyed, and there was no question that people must have gotten hurt or worse. Thinking of the damage the water was causing, Emilia frantically started to go out the window—

[User] “Whatever you might be thinking, it would be wiser to stop.” A cool voice stopped Emilia, who had already stepped onto the windowsill and was getting ready to leap down. It was the cold beauty #184, who seemed entirely unshaken by everything that was going on.

[Assistant] Faced with her piercing gaze, Emilia narrowed her purple eyes sharply. "Wiser how? You saw what just happened, didn’t you? I have to go help!"

[User] “Your feelings are understandable, but were you to leave now, it would only cause even more suffering, since he…our husband does not wish for you to leave.”

[Assistant] “That again? !” Emilia bit her lip in irritation that Regulus could overtly restrict her freedom. It was clear from their interactions up to that point that #184 was entirely subservient to Regulus, but that was not how Emilia felt. She was resolute that she was not his wife.

[User] “Even if you disagree, can you truly not imagine what he might do if something he found undesirable was to come to pass?”

[Assistant] “That’s…”

[User] “First he would punish the wife who acted against his wishes. Then he would punish whatever or whoever motivated his wife to act against his wishes. I am absolutely confident that is how he would respond.”

[Assistant] Hearing that, Emilia thought back to her brief encounter with Regulus. He liked to talk, but that by itself was not necessarily bad. The boy Emilia knew so well also often had a lot to say. But unlike him, Regulus showed absolutely no regard for the person he spoke with. His speech and actions and focus were all one-sided—because of his sense of omnipotence. Regulus Corneas was stronger than almost anyone else Emilia had ever encountered before. He might even be a match for Reinhard. And now #184 was earnestly warning Emilia not to upset him. And yet—

[User] “—That isn’t enough of a reason for me to stop.”

[Assistant] “…Even if your life is in danger?”

[User] “There are people out there who are in danger right now. If I just secretly slip out and then slip back in, wouldn’t that still be fine?” Emilia’s magic should be useful in dealing with flooding. She could freely shape ice, manipulating it in such a way that it would not cause any problems when it melted. If it would be a problem for Regulus to find out, then she could just do it stealthily, even if that was not really her forte.


[User] #184 paused for a few seconds and then let out a long sigh. “…Are you actually serious?”

[Assistant] “Huh? I was really serious… Did I not sound serious?” Emilia asked in shock. She had been trying to plead as earnestly as she could, so if it had come across as a joke, that would be a problem.

[User] Seeing Emilia’s reaction, #184 looked outside. “If you are concerned about harm befalling the residents due to the flooding, you needn’t worry. The vast majority of people should have already fled to the shelters and should have escaped the worst of the flooding.”

[Assistant] “Shelters…? Right, the morning broadcast mentioned that! Then everyone is hiding out there?”

[User] “Since several hours ago.”

[Assistant] “Oh, I see… That’s a relief, then.” Emilia placed her hand on her chest. Of course that would not make the physical damage of the flooding disappear, but it was fortunate. At least that meant there would be no tragedy of countless people getting swallowed up in the floodwaters. “…You trust what I just said?”

[User] “Eh? Should I not?”

[Assistant] “I am his wife… Do you really think I wouldn’t lie for my husband’s sake?” #184 was clawing away at Emilia’s heart, as if testing her.

[User] “—But you seemed sincere, so I’m sure you weren’t lying.” Emilia shook her head, choosing to believe in #184’s sincerity rather than assume malice. And if she was going to lie, there would have been easier, more convincing lies, but she had responded without any doubt at all in what she was saying. Because her conscience did not trouble her about it.

[Assistant] “—Ah.” #184 opened her eyes slightly in surprise.

[User] Seeing that reaction, Emilia felt like it was the first time she had gotten a glimpse of her natural range of expression. “So you can actually look surprised. Maybe we can finally have a proper conversation.”

[Assistant] “…That was unbecoming of me. Anything more will incur his ire.”

[User] “Getting upset that his wife showed a little emotion when she would be so much more beautiful if she could smile just seems really weird.”

[Assistant] “Weird doesn’t begin to describe it… Ngh— I should warn you.” Her emotional control fraying in the face of Emilia’s smile, #184 quickly caught her breath before continuing. “What he likes is your normal face, that exact expression. I suggest you not change it in front of him—do not get visibly happy or sad, things like that. It would probably be best if you don’t open your mouth as well.”

[User] “I shouldn’t talk? Why not?”

[Assistant] “Because no one knows what might draw his ire.” #184’s behavior around Regulus was dictated by her fear of crossing one of his lines. Fear was limiting her emotions. Emilia wanted to do something to help her. She could tell from talking with her that she was wise and the sort of beauty who could light up a room with a smile. “You mustn’t furrow your brow, either.


[User] "It upsets him.”

[Assistant] “I’m thinking as hard as I can about what I can do to keep Regulus from getting between us having a proper conversation." Emilia responded earnestly.

[User] Hearing that, #184 caught her breath slightly. There was the slightest hesitation in her cool eyes. “Ummm…” Something about what #184 was starting to say was different. But—


[Assistant] "Hello, all you meatbags! I hope this finds you in good health as you tremble in the fetal position! In my deep and praiseworthy benevolence, I’m broadcasting my beautiful voice for you little shits to cling to for comfort! Are you happy now? Are you having fun? Are you dancing and singing and writhing in agony? Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!” A shrill voice rang through the air, cutting #184 off.

[User] “—Wah! Wh-what’s that? !" Emilia looked around in shock as a callous voice suddenly filled the sky above the city. Instinctively looking up, Emilia realized that it was a broadcast using a metia. The same one that had been filled with concern for the people of the city in the morning, and the same one that had carried Liliana’s singing across the whole city. The impression the broadcast imparted could change dramatically depending on how the speaker used it. At the very least, Emilia certainly did not believe that the person speaking now had much claim to deep and praiseworthy benevolence.

[Assistant] “Well then, I have an important announcement for all you twisted sacks of shit! Somehow, even after all the warnings you were given, a swarm of incompetent meatbags came after me in a good old-fashioned raid! Well, not that I expected any less, so I had already made arrangements to greet them. But it’s still annoying, you know!” The voice was light, and the broadcaster almost seemed to be indulging in the moment, but there was also a clear irritation mixed in as the sinister proclamation continued. “Anyway, I was honestly thinking, Ah, whatever, screw it. Just open the floodgates and sink the whole place to the bottom of the lake, and them’s the breaks, you know? I mean, it’s hurtful when people just straight up ignore everything I make the effort to say! In fact, I’ve still got some wounds aching from it all. It’s an affront and an assault on my goodwill and on me personally!”

[User] “—Ngh.” Emilia shuddered at the threat of opening the floodgates. The massive flood that had just happened was from just one gate being open for just a few seconds. If they were all flung open it would cause far, far more damage. The shelters were currently still safe, but if the entire town was completely flooded, they would surely not escape the destruction. For such a sadistic broadcaster to have that sort of power was immeasurably dangerous.

[Assistant] “But…” Emilia noticed that the broadcaster did not seem to have any intention of actually following through on that threat at the moment. If they were really serious, they could have just left the gates open to begin with.


[User] "But I’m not some witch, after all. I’m magnanimous. Like the loving mother you never had. So in light of my generosity, I decided why not give you shitheels one last chance."

[Assistant] Emilia was thinking there must be more they wanted.

[User] "Hooooowever! Out of consideration for how you’ve hurt me, damages have to be considered, too. Just accepting the previous ask won’t be enough! So in addition to my first request, there are three new ones…ah-ha-ha-ha-ha! Three more things we want!" The voice continued huskily. "—The first is the charitable donation of the book of knowledge, which I’m sure someone has brought into this city." The voice continued mockingly. "—The second is the charitable donation of the artificial spirit that’s wandering around this city." The voice continued sneeringly. "—And the third is… Huh? Ah, the wedding of the silver-haired maiden… In other words, just don’t get in the way of it happening. As if I know what that’s about, though." The voice continued detestably. "And finally, the Witch’s body that I requested before makes four! Fulfilling these four requests is the one and only thing you mooks can do to survive! Everything else is pointless! Impossible! Mad! As proven by how that little attack on city hall failed!" The broadcaster’s voice one-sidedly and abusively assaulted all corners of the city.

[Assistant] Emilia thought that there was no way they would honor their end of the deal. They would surely open all four of the floodgates around the city the moment they got everything they wanted.

[User] "Aaanyway! That’s all the happy news from me! I suggest you start your unsightly scramble to find the things we want so you can beg for your lives! Every one of them is definitely somewhere here in this city! Figure out which of your neighbors or which of the bigwigs or whoever is hiding them so you can steal them and present them to me! Ah-ha-ha-ha!" High-pitched laughter was the final sound anyone heard before the broadcast abruptly ended.


[User] “That voice just now…”

[Assistant] Emilia touched her hand to her throat.

[User] “—That was the Archbishop of Lust, Capella Emerada Lugunica,” #184 responded coldly. Looking over at her, just an arm’s length away, Emilia saw that all emotion had disappeared from her expression and eyes. Emilia felt both frustration and shame when she saw her emotionless gaze. Just before the broadcast, she had been about to tell Emilia something, but—

[Assistant] “As you heard, currently the town is at the mercy of the Witch Cult. They will not hesitate to punish careless actions. I’m sure you understand that, yes?”

[User] “Wait… I understand about the Witch Cult, but before I came here, I ran into someone else who called themself an Archbishop. Not Lust though, Wrath…”

[Assistant] “Yes. There are multiple Archbishops here in this town currently. Our husband is one as well,” #184 said, averting her eyes. “—Regulus is…an Archbishop.” When she heard that, it all clicked for Emilia. The pressure she had felt from him was similar to what Sirius had radiated when Emilia had encountered the Archbishop of Wrath in front of the time tower. If that was true, then there were at least three Archbishops in Pristella, and they had the ability to control the floodgates. And the broadcast just then as well as the current situation were demonstrations—

[User] “So do you finally understand now what a precarious position you are currently in?”

[Assistant] “—? My position?”

[User] “…Please recall the four demands that Archbishop Capella mentioned.” Emilia thought back to the broadcast. Setting aside the Witch’s bones and the book of knowledge, which did not ring a bell, she could think of a connection for the artificial spirit. And the other one, which did not make any sense…

[Assistant] “‘The wedding of the silver-haired maiden’… That one seemed weirder than the others.”

[User] #184 stared at her silently. “—Wait, you don’t mean… Is that last one about me?” Emilia finally realized what that demand might mean and went wide-eyed. She had never been called something like a silver-haired maiden before, and she had no interest in getting married, so she had been slow in realizing she was part of the Witch Cult’s objectives. But if the broadcast’s demands were for the things the Archbishops wanted, then the only person who would be planning a wedding had to be Regulus. And Emilia was the only person to whom he was proposing marriage. So if Emilia ran away without a plan—

[Assistant] “—Pristella will be turned into the bottom of a lake.”

[User] “It seems you now understand the situation. Let us take care of your clothes. Fortunately, I took your measurements while you were sleeping. A bridal outfit matching his tastes has already been prepared.” #184 reached out to the blanket Emilia was covering herself with. For a second, she froze, but thinking back to the broadcast, she stopped resisting.


[User] Besides, her running around with nothing but a sheet for clothing would have deeply bothered Puck and Annerose.

[Assistant] “So then, you were the one who undressed me?”

[User] “Did you think he did that? He would not touch a woman’s skin in that way. He just wants to assert his ownership… That’s the reason why he inquires about his wives’ virginity, too.”

[Assistant] “There’s that virginity thing again. What does that mean?”

[User] “…I could hardly believe it before, but do you really not know?” Apparently, it was entirely standard knowledge, but Emilia in her ignorance was hit by a cool response from #184. She made a note to herself to make sure to look it up later. Once everything was over.

[Assistant] “I wonder if Subaru and the others are okay…” If the entire city was under the control of the Witch Cult, then she was certain Subaru and Beatrice were doing their best to take back the town. And there were other candidates for the crown besides Emilia in the city. It would be nice if they were all safe…

[User] “—You mentioned that name before as well. Is it the name of a male?”

[Assistant] “Yes. He’s my knight. I’m sure he’s really worried about me. But I’m at least as worried about him… I hope he isn’t doing anything too reckless.” Or so she said, but she still knew he almost certainly was pushing himself terribly hard. And she had definitely made him really worried by disappearing like that. —The worry that Subaru might have died did not even cross her mind. He had Beatrice with him, and she could not really imagine him ending up in a life-threatening situation in the first place. He could probably manage to find a way out no matter what happened around him. But that did not keep her from being worried about him or feeling guilty for making him worry. Emilia was badly disappointed in herself for troubling him.

[User] “……” #184’s eyes opened slightly as she watched Emilia thinking about Subaru. "Please be careful never to mention that man’s name in front of our husband.”

[Assistant] “…Just to be sure, why?”

[User] “To put it in his terms, because he will start to doubt whether you truly are a virgin at heart.”

[Assistant] “There’s that word again…” Having that used as a reason without any explanation of what it meant was bothering Emilia. But #184 just picked up the white dress she had prepared for Emilia and held it up to her body before nodding in satisfaction. It looked resplendent while feeling refined to the touch. It was a truly beautiful dress that was very obviously of high quality.

[User] “It looks a little hard to move in.”

[Assistant] “It would be wise not to say complaints aloud. Now, let’s get you dressed.” Emilia did as she was told as #184 helped her with practiced ease, slipping Emilia’s arms into the sleeves. For now, she decided to do as #184 and Regulus said.


[User] A thoughtless attempt to escape would only expose the city to further danger. She would need to carefully plot her actions.

[Assistant] When he entered city hall, the first thing Subaru heard was grief-stricken rage.

[User] "—You useless—!" His ears were assaulted by a cracking, agitated voice. It was a familiar voice, but that was the first time he had ever heard such raw emotion in it. The shout was filled with unbearable resentment and accompanied by a sharp, dry slap that filled the room.

[Assistant] "Quit it! What’s the point of tryin’ to pin the blame like this! It’s not any one person’s fault, and you know that as well as any of us!" A heated argument was taking place in the lobby, fracturing the mood.

[User] Seeing that, Subaru bit his lip, feeling pathetic as a twinge of regret hit his chest. The lobby was big, with a reception counter and a waiting room. There were still signs of the struggle, broken chairs and tables pushed up against the walls, but it had at least been cleaned up some. And in the very center of the lobby were three people: a teary-eyed Ferris, Ricardo, who had grabbed his arm and whose fangs were showing, and Wilhelm, whose cheek was red after he’d stood there and taken Ferris’s slap to the face. The old swordsman looked down weakly, his blue eyes remorseful as the other two argued.

[Assistant] "...I have no excuse."

[User] "Make one up! Tell me there was some reason, any reason why there was no other way! Give me something so I can accept what happened! Apologizing won’t change anything!"

[Assistant] "I get how you feel. We’re all feeling rotten about what happened. But…"

[User] "'Feeling rotten'…? How is that supposed to help anyone? You’re useless! Spineless cowards! Every last one of you! Why…why didn’t anyone help Lady Crusch…?" Ferris was breathing raggedly as he glared at Wilhelm and Ricardo before falling to his knees. Neither of them had any response to his tearful reproach. Ferris clawed at the hard floor as they—Subaru and Julius included—could only watch. His beautifully kept nails and fingers warped painfully, almost like he was punishing himself.

[Assistant] "...What’s the point of fame and title if I’m useless in a moment like this…?! Worthless! …Worthless, worthless, worthless!" Tears poured from his eyes as he cursed himself. It would almost have been easier if he had pointed his rage at any of the people around him, but knowing that his rage was directed at his own powerlessness, no one could do anything to ease his grief. Everyone in the room was already regretting their own weakness, their own failures.

[User] "...You made it back, Bro. And you too, Julius." Unable to say anything to Ferris, who was collapsed on the ground, Ricardo called out when he noticed Subaru and Julius standing at the entrance.

[Assistant] Subaru nodded slightly and walked over to the three of them.

[User] "Sir Subaru…it’s good to see you safe."

[Assistant] "You too, Wilhelm. Ricardo."


[User] “Apologies for such an unseemly scene… Ferris…”

[Assistant] “—I know, I know.” Nodding to Subaru, Wilhelm called to Ferris. He violently wiped his face with his sleeves and stood up, acting like nothing had happened. He reached his hand out to Subaru’s body, examining him as he stood there, still shocked by the scene he had walked in on.

[User] Ferris peered into Subaru’s eyes.

[Assistant] “…Yeah, you seem fine. Nothing strange or out of order. What’s your name and where are you from?”

[User] “Huh? Oh. The name’s Subaru Natsuki, and I’m from Japan.”

[Assistant] “It must be deep in the countryside, because I’ve never heard of it… Anyway, I’ll be with Lady Crusch.” Ferris listlessly brushed off Subaru’s answer as a bad joke before turning away and departing from the lobby.

[User] Subaru could not think of the words to say as his slender frame moved away.

[Assistant] “Sir Subaru, apologies, but I’ll be taking my leave. I’ll also be with my master,” Wilhelm said before following Ferris. When the two of them left, the tense air of the lobby softened ever so slightly.

[User] “I got word from Julius that he went out to get you. The lass there and Wilhelm happened to get into an argument, and, well…”

[Assistant] “It’s understandable. Ever since we joined back up, Ferris has been concentrating on healing the wounded and caring for Lady Crusch above all else… Though, it has been a particularly harsh time for Sir Wilhelm,” Julius said as he tapped his conversation mirror in his pocket. He had used that metia to give Ricardo a heads-up that he was coming back with Subaru while they were on their way. Ferris had come down to check out Subaru, which led to starting that scene.

[User] “Haaah, what a shit show…” Subaru couldn’t get Ferris’s voice, or the grief and rage he directed at himself and everyone else, out of his head. But he also felt uneasy, wondering what about Crusch’s condition could be that bad.

[Assistant] “By the way, you dropped this, Bro.”

[User] “Hmm? Wait, what?! This is…” Ricardo tossed something over to Subaru, whose expression had started to cloud. He caught it only to realize it was a shiny black whip—Guilty Whip, his trusted weapon that he thought he’d lost forever.

[Assistant] “You found it for me? Thanks. That gives me a couple more cards I can play if needed, at least.”

[User] “You don’t have to thank me. You were the one who used it to tie the duchess girl and that black dragon together. All I did was just untie it and hold on to it.”

[Assistant] “If I tied the black dragon and Crusch together, then…? What happened…?” Ricardo’s response just left Subaru with more questions as he hooked the whip back on his hip.

[User] “Exactly what it sounds like. The black dragon that sped out of the top floor flew you and Lady Crusch away from Lust.


[User] "The duchess was unconscious, so you tied her to the dragon using your whip to keep her from falling."

[Assistant] "And then, after managing that final act, I ended up falling myself? If she ended up okay in the end, I’d call it a pretty clutch play if I do say so myself, but…" Julius paused slightly before affirming Subaru’s suspicion.

[User] "Ferris has been trying everything he can, but the duchess’s condition remains poor."

[Assistant] Crusch had been bathed in Capella’s blood, just like Subaru—remembering the fleshy black pattern on his right leg, Subaru felt his mouth dry out. "Can you be a bit more specific?"

[User] "...I’m sure it has to do with something Lust did. A foreign substance has taken to Lady Crusch’s body and is afflicting her. Ferris’s lack of composure is the result of her current state. It is unbearable to see." Julius’s tone dropped.

[Assistant] Judging from that, Crusch’s condition was very serious. Subaru had experienced the terror of something foreign eating away at him right after he was splashed with Capella’s blood. It was not just pain or distress—it was repulsive on an entirely different level. If Crusch was suffering the same torment that Subaru had felt in that moment, then…

[User] "—Right! Dragon blood! Capella said something about dragon blood!"

[Assistant] "Dragon blood? You mean the Holy Dragon’s blood passed down in the kingdom?" Julius asked, furrowing his brow.

[User] "I don’t know if it’s anything as showy as some sacred dragon or whatever. Did Crusch say anything herself?"

[Assistant] "No, the duchess has yet to regain consciousness, so I’m sure Ferris has not heard anything about it."

[User] "So she hasn’t woken up… Do you think the blood thing might at least give us a clue?"

[Assistant] "I could not begin to say, but Ferris might be able to figure something out, so we should let him know as soon as possible."

[User] "Ah, yeah, that’s right. I’ll hurry…"

[Assistant] "—Hold up, Bro. I’ll go for you."

[User] It was something that might be able to change the situation. Subaru leaped at the mere possibility, but Ricardo stopped him short. The massive dog-faced man who was like the dictionary definition of a kindhearted person had folded his arms with a rather gentle look on his face, shaking his head with a depth of consideration fitting for a man of his age. "You haven’t seen her yet. Better off stayin’ that way."

[Assistant] "...What do you mean by that?"

[User] "Exactly what I said… She’s a beautiful lass, which makes seein’ her like that all the harder." It was an answer that not only fanned Subaru’s unease but actively made him imagine an even worse situation—but Ricardo was not trying to hide anything, either. He was simply telling Subaru to accept and understand the situation. He was a nice guy, but he was not trying to protect some youngster’s heart from everything bad in the world. In that sense, his was a fittingly wild way of living that respected strength.


[User] "I’ll take care of this. You take him to see my boss." Ricardo scratched his head before grabbing Julius’s shoulder with his big hand. "—And this ain’t like you. Straighten up, ya blockhead."

[Assistant] "—My apologies. I’ll leave Ferris to you." Julius furrowed his brow in self-reflection.

[User] "See ya later, Bro. I’m glad you made it out okay." Ricardo said before heading deeper into the building. "We are using a large room upstairs as an infirmary. Lady Beatrice and Mimi, Hetaro, and TB are there, too, naturally. But Duchess Crusch is…"

[Assistant] "In a different room, right…? Do you agree it’d be better for me not to see her?"

[User] “…Unless the duchess herself desires it.”

[Assistant] "Over here. You should speak with Lady Anastasia." In the end, Julius brought him to the center of the building without his being able to say anything.


[User] "Julius, about Gluttony…"

[Assistant] “…Both sides suffered casualties, but there was no decisive blow. Like the battle on the ground, the chaos of the black dragon’s appearance and the flood made escape possible.”

[User] "I see…," Subaru murmured faintly.

[Assistant] “…My apologies, I failed to accomplish the task you entrusted to me.”

[User] "Stop it. If you keep apologizing for everything, it’ll turn into a habit. Ricardo already mentioned that you’re not yourself lately.


[User] "Don’t make me call you a blockhead, too.”

[Assistant] "We all screwed up here, so all of us are going to have to work together to fix it—or is the Finest Knight going to call it quits after one little blemish on his record?" Subaru shrugs provocatively as Julius’s eyes opened wide.

[User] “…You really don’t hold back. Talking so big even in a situation like this… You really don’t know the meaning of fear, do you?” Julius’s lips quivered.

[Assistant] "I know the meaning of fear. I know the scariest thing there is in this world. I’ve experienced it, too. Which is why I’m always struggling so hard to avoid going through it again." Subaru was painfully aware of what had gone wrong, blaming himself and reflecting on his own failures.

[User] "There are still things we can do." Putting his renewed determination into words, Subaru nodded to Julius.


[Assistant] "Well, you look better than I expected. That’s a relief." Anastasia's voice called out from the other end of the hallway, prompting Subaru to look up suddenly, breathing a sigh of relief on seeing the woman at the other end.

[User] "What, were you listening? That’s not very nice.”

[Assistant] "I was walking around a bit to clear my head when I happened to hear your voice. I thought it’d be rude to interrupt y’all in the middle of such an important conversation.” Anastasia elegantly touched her hand to her cheek before turning her pale-aqua eyes to Julius and thanking him for his service. "It’s good you managed to bring Natsuki back. Now Garfiel will finally be able to calm down and talk some when he gets back.”

[User] "From the sound of that, I guess Garfiel isn’t here."

[Assistant] "He’s running all over the place out there, hardly taking a break at all. Checking the situation at nearby shelters, hunting down those odd brutes who appeared in the center of the town…and more than anything, searching for his precious general.”

[User] "He was looking for me…?" Subaru realizes this after thinking about it.


[User] “But with the situation being what is, even Ricardo said the scent was gone or too muddled together with everything else. It’s funny that Julius was the one to find you when he was originally just going to the Muse Company.”

[Assistant] “So then Garfiel’s still running around town without knowing anything?”

[User] “I told him to come back and check in here once every hour to be sure, so the next time he comes back, you should be able to see him. But more importantly…” Anastasia slipped into a deep silence as she looked Subaru over.

[Assistant] Subaru instinctively straightened his posture, feeling like his body was being appraised by her intellectual gaze.

[User] Anastasia’s expression suddenly softened a bit when she saw his reaction. “Yeah, it doesn’t look like you’re forcing yourself. There’s no hiding from my eyes.”

[Assistant] “I’m not trying to hide anything. So now that you’ve decided I’m healthy, what of it?”

[User] Anastasia stepped closer to Subaru. “—I was kinda hopin’ to have an important conversation with ya, Natsuki,” she said quietly.

[Assistant] Subaru lightly deflected both the close range and the pressure behind her voice with a simple “What kind of important conversation?”

[User] “You heard it, too, right? Before she left the tower, the Archbishop of Lust changed the deal and added a bunch more demands— You aren’t planning to just give in to them, right?”

[Assistant] “Damn straight. I’m pretty pissed. About ready to snap, even.” When he realized she was referring to the unacceptable marriage demand, a vein practically popped out on Subaru’s forehead.

[User] Hearing that, Anastasia nodded, satisfied. “Julius, I’m going to have an important conversation with Natsuki now. Can you manage things while I’m doing that?”

[Assistant] “If those are your orders. However, what might be the nature of this important conversation?”

[User] “You don’t have to worry; I won’t do anything bad to him—honest.” A not-very-cute, impenetrable smile crossed Anastasia’s face as she puffed out her chest.

[Assistant] Acknowledging his master’s clear-cut orders, Julius did not question her any further.

[User] Looking away from her knight, Anastasia turned back to Subaru. She smiled as he caught his breath, lost in her pale-aqua eyes. “So then, let’s have a little chat. This is a big one, since it’ll affect the fate of this city.” Anastasia casually stated this as she put a hand to her white fox scarf.


[User] “—After I split off from Priscilla and Liliana, I headed for the Muse Company by myself. And along the way I met up with Julius, which is how I ended up back here.” Subaru took a little breath after briefly explaining what had happened to him. The two of them were talking in a conference room on the second floor of the building. A map of Pristella was spread out on the table in the center of the room with various characters and signs written on it. The floodgate control towers at the four edges of the city, the floodgates, and even more precise details—

[Assistant] “All the shelters, too? No surprise a city this big has a ton of shelters… That really minimized the damage from the flooding, but they’re causing their own problems, too.” The chaos he had encountered at the shelter flashed through the back of his mind as he looked at the map.

[User] “—Mm-hmm, mm-hmm… Yeah, thank you. That explains a lot. I wouldn’t have guessed the missing princess gallivanted off to do that, but if anything, I guess that’s very much her kind of thing.”

[Assistant] “Ah, yeah, I get you there. She’s reliably unpredictable.”

[User] Anastasia’s mouth curled into a vague smile when they briefly mentioned how Priscilla’s insane drive for action was often directed in an entirely unpredictable way, but her expression tensed again just as quickly. She looked straight at Subaru. "So about that leg of yours that got torn off and then stuck back on… Is it really okay?”

[Assistant] “Fortunately, there haven’t been any issues even when I’m running or jumping around. It looks terrible, but I can show you if you want.”

[User] “Yeah, let me see it.” Anastasia immediately nodded.

[Assistant] Subaru was a little surprised, but he rolled up the right leg of his pants.

[User] Seeing the blackened flesh consuming his leg, Anastasia winced slightly. “It really doesn’t hurt? It looks like it should be aching.”

[Assistant] “I won’t ask if you want to touch it, but yeah, it really doesn’t hurt. It feels the same when I touch it, too. But anytime I get injured here, it seems to heal faster.”

[User] “…I assume that isn’t the greatest feeling, either. But if it doesn’t cause you any issues while running or jumping, then I guess that’s good, since we’re going to be needing you to do a lot more before this is over.” While she still had some hang-ups, Anastasia had accepted the situation as it was and come to the same conclusion Subaru had. There was no way to get rid of the blackened flesh, but it was not affecting his ability to act.


[User] "—The victims of Lust’s Authority, the people working here who were turned into flies… For now, they’ve all been gathered in one place here on the third floor."

[Assistant] "How did you find out about them without me or Crusch…?"

[User] "The black dragon that was carrying the duchess. We managed to figure out how to communicate. And the people who were turned into flies were still conscious and willing to follow our directions… I can’t really say whether it was the right thing to do, though."

[Assistant] Subaru did not have an answer for her doubts, either.

[User] "They can’t even control their bodies freely, which has at least prevented any suicides. But I’m sure some of them still haven’t accepted what has happened to them… It was at least good that we could protect them before it came to that."

[Assistant] "Suicide? That’s just…"

[User] "Do you really think that’s something we don’t need to worry about?"

[Assistant] "Ugh…" Subaru did not have an easy answer for that question, either.

[User] "As long as you’re still alive, there’s still hope. But if your body or spirit dies, then hope dies with it. Don’t stop, no matter how grim things seem. Just stay alive," Anastasia murmured, more to herself than to Subaru.

[Assistant] "There’s a mountain of other problems to deal with. Wrath’s Authority running rampant, Lust’s victims going through hell, Gluttony wherever they are and whatever it is they want, and Greed, who doesn’t make any sense at all…"

[User] Subaru clenched his fist.

[Assistant] "All we can do is take it one step at a time and crush them one by one." Anastasia looked up at him from her seat in front of the map on the table.