[User] "Don’t give me that crap—! !" As the echoes died, the hall was silent once again. The only sound left in the hushed chamber was the ragged breathing of Subaru. With his face red with anger, the back of Subaru’s mind announced, Now you’ve done it. But it was too late to back out now. He could not retreat.

[Assistant] Roswaal turned his head and gave Subaru a cold look. "I did not think you were this obtuse. This is not a place for the likes of yooou to speak. Apologize and leave."

[User] "Don’t give me that crap. I said what I meant. And I’ll add this. You all should be apologizing."

[Assistant] Gone was Roswaal’s aloofness. In its place was an overwhelming, bloodcurdling aura; just looking at him chilled one to the bone. Perhaps the wavering of the air around him was from a vast quantity of mana. "I am all the more surprised—at your disregard for your own life."

[User] Subaru clenched his teeth.

[Assistant] "If you grovel on your knees this instant, I shall permit you to simply leave. But if you insist on being stubborn…"

[User] The royal selection was the gravest issue for the entire nation. For disgracing it with individual feelings, Roswaal would sentence Subaru to the flame on behalf of the dignity of the kingdom.

[Assistant] His shrill voice quivered. "I-I said, it’s not me who should apologize, it’s all of you!" But even so, Subaru would not kneel. He couldn’t kneel, for Emilia had not done a single thing wrong.

[User] "Veeery well. One can do nothing without power. I shall drill this lesson into you. Though it cannot serve you in this world, perhaps it shall in the next." With his final ultimatum ignored, the power flowing from Roswaal manifested in the form of a flaming sphere, so bright that its light dazzled the entire chamber. The mass of fire on top of Roswaal’s hand burned with intensity like a miniature sun, enough that Subaru, standing at a distance, felt his skin start to burn.

[Assistant] "Behold, fire mana of the greatest power.—Algoa." With one cruel, final word, Roswaal turned his hand toward Subaru. The fireball launched from his palm, with the heat slowly approaching Subaru to burn him to a crisp.

[User] Subaru immediately tried to dodge, but his body simply wouldn’t move. Perhaps it was because his legs were shaking, or perhaps it was because the knowledge of impending death had spread from his eyes to the rest of his body.


[User] It was because Emilia was standing behind Subaru. That was why, that very moment, he could not move from that place…

[Assistant] "—!" Instantaneously, everyone held their breath at what followed. The instant the fireball collided with Subaru, it was wiped out by a pale blue glow that covered his entire body. The powers of red and white jostled with each other—and vanished into nothing more than white steam. And as the onlookers gaped, a voice, clear as a bell, spoke with the same frigid tone.

[User] "—That is enough. I shall permit no further violence in my presence. If you wish to continue this—" Emilia’s resolute voice was followed by a more neutral one.

[Assistant] "—Then I am prepared to wield my power as my beloved daughter demands." Dubious eyebrows rose at the source of the voice, but the next moment, everyone noticed it—the biting cold spreading throughout the chamber manifesting the Great Spirit’s frigid anger.

[User] The little gray cat folded his arms, making a small snort with his pink nose as he slowly floated down. His black eyes were frozen in an expression of unprecedented coldness. "You lowly humans are saying quite some things in front of my daughter."

[Assistant] "—" As Puck’s emotionless gaze swept the area, the strongest reactions came from the knights. Their swords were already drawn as they raised their guard toward the small cat floating above their heads.

[User] Subaru, left behind by the shift in events, hadn’t entirely grasped what was going on. "—Ah? Er, what?" It was a moment after he was certain Roswaal would really burn him to death. He had thought he was shielding Emilia, but she stood in front of him, and everyone was warily eyeing Puck, poised in a position to defend her.


[User] Miklotov’s hoarse murmur struck the silent gallery like a thunderbolt. “—The Apocalypse Beast of Eternal Frost.”

[Assistant] Puck’s ears twitched as he answered the old man. “Ah, that’s right, some people have called me that. Seems you’re informed for a youngin.”

[User] “To be treated like a youngster at my age is an experience I ought to treasure deeply.” Though everyone else was tense, Miklotov’s razor-sharp wit permitted him to maintain his cool in Puck’s presence.

[Assistant] Puck responded to the old man’s attitude with a pompous flick of his tail. “You are free to call me whatever you like. But if you want details about who and what I am, you should ask him over there, not me.”

[User] At Puck’s suggestion, Miklotov called out to Roswaal. “I suppose so… Lord Roswaal?”

[Assistant] Accepting the call, Roswaal solemnly lowered his head before motioning to Puck and Emilia with one hand each. “As you have surmised, Lord Miklotov… This is a supernatural being, one of the Great Spirits of yore, known to our forefathers as the Apocalypse Beast of the Eternal Frost. And currently, he is Lady Emilia’s contracted spirit.”

[User] Bordeaux’s fixed Puck with a stare, his voice hoarse from the extent of his shock. “It can’t be! One of the Four Great Spirits in someone’s service…and that of a half-demon at that!”

[Assistant] “That youngin included, the lot of you should all be grateful to Lia that I’m not turning this place into a glacier right now. My cute, beloved daughter pleaded to me, so I will behave.—If she wasn’t stopping me, you’d all be icicles right now.” The casual way he said it only made the threat seem that much frostier, chilling all those in the chamber to the bone.

[User] The sight of Miklotov jubilantly slapping his thighs seemed enormously out of place. “—Ho, ho, ho! Even my heart skipped a beat. Allow me to call this a most amusing presentation.” When the lives of everyone present were at the mercy his supremely powerful paw—the sudden sound of an inhalation sounded awfully loud.

[Assistant] Miklotov’s words caused Puck to drop his expression and shrug his shoulders. “Mm, we’re busted. See, Roswaal? I told you it wasn’t good to overdo things.”

[User] Amid the bewildered onlookers, Roswaal lightly smacked his own forehead. “Oh myyy, and I had such confidence… It is so dispiiiriting.”

[Assistant] “W-wait…! What in the world are you talking about?” It seemed only Puck, Roswaal, and Miklotov were in on this elaborate joke.

[User] Roswaal finally shifted his gaze to the bewildered Bordeaux and said, “To put it simply—this exchange was the speech from Lady Emilia’s camp.


[User] I understand that the format somewhat differs from that of the other candidates, but…” Under Miklotov’s gaze.

[Assistant] Roswaal raised both hands in a show of surrender.

[User] Subaru stomped on the floor, glaring at Roswaal as the latter adopted his familiar, clownish expression once more. "So you’re saying this was all a performance to show everyone Puck’s power and pound into them that he can do more than this?! Is that it? !"

[Assistant] As Subaru shouted the explanation, it was Bordeaux who had the strongest sense of being had. “That was acting… Acting, you say?! Then all this was a farce from start to finish! Roswaal! Damn you, what do you think this place is? !”

[User] Puck began with an apology. “Yes, yes, of course you’re upset. I apologize. I deeply apologize. Forgive me. Sorry. My bad.—But everything I said was the truth.”

[Assistant] The little cat circled around the old man and added, “—The reason I’m not freezing you right now is Emilia’s benevolence. Don’t forget that.” Puck’s voice was tranquil, yet somehow threatening.

[User] Bordeaux rebutted with an old man’s stubbornness. “A-and now you make threats. These words and this show of force convey, ‘Do as I say or you shall be an icicle.’ If this is not blackmail, what is…? !”

[Assistant] “—Yes, I am threatening you.”

[User] She continued, “I shall make my case to the esteemed members of the Council of Elders once more. My name is Emilia. I spent a long time in the Great Forest of Elioor, the World of Eternal Frost, and am served by Puck, the Great Spirit that governs fire mana. I am a silver-haired half-elf. The people of the nearby villages called me…” Emilia paused, surveying the faces of the Council of Elders on the dais. “…the Freezing Witch, born in the Frozen Forest.”


[Assistant] Witch. At that word, the atmosphere in the chamber shifted. Everyone’s mouths snapped shut, unable to speak; all save one, Miklotov, who was apparently made of sterner stuff than the rest.

[User] “You displayed your power, and now you state your demands. Truly this is the way of a witch.—Then, what does the Freezing Witch seek in threatening us so?”

[Assistant] “I have but a single demand.—I simply want fair treatment.”

[User] “…Fair?”

[Assistant] “I understand I am regarded with prejudice, both for being a half-elf and a witch. But even so, I completely reject that this should rob me of this possibility.”

[User] “And so you desire to be treated fairly as a candidate for the royal selection?”

[Assistant] No doubt her memories were filled with the inexpressible malice she had experienced on a daily basis. Surely being persecuted because of the circumstances of her birth had not occurred only once or twice. “Fairness is an exceedingly valuable thing to me. That is the only thing I demand of you: to be treated impartially.


[User] "In turn, I shall do nothing unjust, such as use my contracted spirit as a shield with which to usurp the royal throne.”

[Assistant] “Compared to the other candidates, I am inexperienced and lacking in too many areas. There is a mountain of things I do not know and that I must study. Even so, I believe my effort to reach my goal is no less than that of any other.”

[User] Subaru had seen for himself how Emilia took her studies at the mansion very seriously. That was why he knew the truth behind her assertion more than anyone else present. He couldn’t hide his shaking. It was strange how his throat was so dry, yet his eyes stung, ready to shed tears. He desperately held back from bawling his eyes out.

[Assistant] “I do not know if my efforts are worthy of the throne. But my desire to make my efforts equal to the task is genuine. I believe these feelings are not unequal to those of the other candidates. Therefore, please look at me with unbiased eyes. Look at me as Emilia, of no family name, and see not the Freezing Witch, nor a silver-haired half-elf. Look at me.” The final murmur echoed like a solemn plea. But the strength of the will behind it did not diminish the power of her request.


[User] Bordeaux, bathed in the gazes of all assembled, sighed at great length. “My view shall not change. It is unmistakable that your appearance, reminiscent of the Witch of Jealousy, will have ill effects upon the populace. It would place the royal selection in a precarious state.”

[Assistant] A faint shadow formed around Emilia’s violet eyes.

[User] “However—sentiment is an area where none may intrude. Furthermore, it is something no one can do anything about, no matter what he may think. Even so, I apologize for my earlier rudeness.—No, I deeply apologize for my rudeness, Lady Emilia.” Bordeaux knelt then and there, displaying the greatest respect he could. “You could freeze me where I stand if I do not submit to your will. Yet, even so, you have not, asking only for fair treatment.—This is an act worthy of respect.”

[Assistant] Subaru now understood why he was on a Council of Elders.

[User] Her reply drove the shadow from Emilia’s eyes, replaced by a brighter, more natural expression of joy at being accepted. Her lips curled in a pleasant, flowery smile.

[Assistant] Bordeaux, under the full force of her gaze, lost his breath and turned red in the face.


[User] “Though that was a rather stormy digression, enough has been said, I believe. Lady Emilia, Marquis Roswaal, do you have anything left to say?”

[Assistant] “No.”

[User] “I have not spoken suffiiiciently. What to do, what to…”

[Assistant] “—Thank you very much, then.” He gave Roswaal’s tall back a light pat before Emilia turned toward Subaru, still standing right behind her.

[User] Her violet eyes betrayed a whirlwind of conflicted emotions. Her red tongue poked out of her mouth as if she was about to say something—

[Assistant] From the dais, Miklotov raised an eyebrow and looked down at Subaru. “Incidentally, what is that young man’s position?”

[User] “Ah, err, this is my, ah… Err…” All her prior composure went flying out the window.

[Assistant] Relieved by the sight, Subaru patted Emilia’s shoulder as he stepped forward. "It’s all right, Emilia.—I’m ready for this, too.”

[User] “Ready for…? Hold on, Subaru, what do you think you’re…? Wait a…” As she called from behind, Subaru boldly stepped forward.

[Assistant] Beneath the gazes of the Council of Elders up on the dais, the boy grit his teeth and briskly raised his head. As he had learned by observation, Subaru bowed on one knee like the knights had and opened his mouth, his heart racing as he spoke with the highest respect he could muster. “Pleasure to meet you, members of the Council of Elders. First, I’d like to apologize for the late introduction. My name is Subaru Natsuki! A servant at Roswaal Manor and knight of the royal candidate, Lady Emilia!” Subaru, feeling the weight of the hall’s silence upon him, grit his teeth to beat back the tension. “I am extremely pleased to make your acquaintance,” he continued.


[User] Subaru Natsuki had shrugged off Emilia’s efforts to stop him and declared himself her knight.

[Assistant] Seeing the conflicted gazes of onlookers, Subaru realized that something was going deeply, unexpectedly awry as Miklotov asked, “Mmmm. A knight, are you. Marquis Roswaal… Who is this?”

[User] “Ahhh, a somewhat ignorant boy, is he not? …This is a poor showing, even for him.”

[Assistant] “Indeed, what is the status of Lady Emilia’s actual knight?”

[User] “Unlike the other candidates, Lady Emilia currently lacks a knight that she can place her trust in. That is most certainly a matter of concern. Howeeever, that does not mean simply aaanyone can be a knight, particularly one claiming to be a knight of someone who may become king someday.” Roswaal continued to speak in his normal tone, seemingly for Subaru’s benefit.


[User] "Fidelity toward one’s master is one of the qualifications of being a knight. Furthermore, the power to defend one’s liege is required. He must have some special quality enabling him to blaze the path for his master to become king. If he does not, then…" Roswaal's speech was interrupted.

[Assistant] "—That alone is not enough, Marquis Roswaal." A voice hailed from the line of candidates, and all eyes fell on the handsome young man with violet hair. Julius elegantly bowed. "Forgive my intrusion. However, there is something I must ask him." Julius indicated Subaru.

[User] Remembering the former’s hostility from before the royal selection, Subaru scowled.

[Assistant] "You need not be so defensive. I have only one question. Once it is done, you may do as you please."

[User] "Do I look tense to you? Why not let me relax a little, ditch the question, and save it for tomorrow?"

[Assistant] "Cease with the clown act. At least, if you truly wish to be Lady Emilia’s self-declared knight."

[User] “…What do you mean by that?”

[Assistant] Regarding Subaru with exasperation, as if he was a complete dunce. "It seems you do not understand. Just now, you announced yourself as a knight before the entire body of Knights of the Royal Guard of the Kingdom of Lugunica." Julius slowly motioned to indicate the knights lined up behind him.

[User] Prompted by his words, the knights in their rows stood at attention without disturbing a single thread of the carpet, saluting with their swords raised.

[Assistant] "Th-that’s pretty good stuff there. Did you all practice that just for today?" Subaru was sniping to keep his wits under the pressure.

[User] Julius’s calm composure did not falter. "Indeed we did, for we are highly aware we embody the dignity of the kingdom on a daily basis. We train in body and spirit, including how to behave in a ceremonial place. Are you prepared to learn all this?"

[Assistant] Only then did Subaru truly appreciate the true intent behind the question posed to him.

[User] Julius was asking him if he was prepared to shoulder the weight of the title of knight, like the Knights of the Royal Guard behind him did.

[Assistant] Subaru had called himself a knight to demonstrate that he was Emilia’s supporter and the person who held her the foremost in his thoughts—to her rival candidates, to the knights, to the Council of Elders, and everyone involved in the royal selection. "I…I want to…make Lady Emilia king. No, I will make her king."

[User] "Do you have enough resolve, and enough strength, to do this?"

[Assistant] "Resolve isn’t everything, and I know I’m not strong enough. The feeling in my heart may not be the same loyalty and fidelity that other people have…but my answer won’t change." Subaru took a deep breath, wet his tongue, and braced himself as he stepped forward. "—I’ll make Lady Emilia king."


[User] “…Do you not think that this is an exceptionally arrogant reply?”

[Assistant] Dismay entered Julius’ expression, as if he were listening to a tale of an empty dream. “Do you understand? People are divided according to their birth. Perhaps it is best to use the term capacity. Nothing is gained by attempting to surpass one’s own capacity. Furthermore, you will never gain what you seek in doing so, especially not the title of knight, which falls so frivolously from your lips.”

[User] Julius drove the scabbard of his own sheathed sword into the floor with a thump. On cue, the knights assembled behind him produced the same sound a moment later. The hard, heavy echo displayed that he had all the knights behind him. “Those who pursue knighthood require loyalty to lord and kingdom and the power to protect their liege by force. No one may call himself knight without either one of these things.—Can you still say there is the will, the power, the resolve within you?”

[Assistant] “Don’t get all high and mighty on me with your buddies. I know I don’t have the power to follow through on how I feel as I am now…”

[User] “You say that you accept your current lack of power? I see; that is a precious thought. If you had not acknowledged your weakness, I might have been forced to reduce myself to your disgraceful level.” Subaru was helpless to respond as Julius, unable to conceal his contempt, heaped scorn upon him.

[Assistant] “You understand that you are lacking in strength? Did you declare it so loudly in expectation of a reward? Weakness is a matter of shame, not pride.”

[Assistant] “Next you will no doubt say your feelings will carry you through. I see. Your emotions conquer all. Fine and well. Did you strive to earn the right to stand in this palace with the might of your strong and lofty feelings? Did you come here in an effort to insult us, the Knights of the Royal Guard, to the highest degree possible?” The stern words bit into him. But even then, Julius did not sheath his verbal blade.

[User] “Only those of certain birth may be recommended for entry into the Knights of the Royal Guard, the pinnacle of knighthood. This is not out of deference to lineage, but because their ancestors have displayed their loyalty to the kingdom, down to the very blood that flows through their veins. I do not accept that you, nor the mercenary calling himself Al, have any qualifications to call yourselves knights.”

[Assistant] “Bloodline… It’s not like a person can do anything about something like that…!”

[User] “Indeed. It is just as I have said. People are separated by birth. It was the same in your home. Just because two people have been born does not make them equal.”

[User] “Of course, not all born to knightly households become knights. Many lack the will."


[User] A knight eternally strives for greater heights, ever willing to cast his life aside, coughing up blood, to protect whatever greatness stands behind him. That is the ultimate honor of those qualified." With classical nobleman’s thinking, Julius stomped on Subaru’s feelings, rejecting the essence of his very existence. And every knight there felt the exact same way. Not a single person in that place acknowledged Subaru as a knight.

[Assistant] "—Even so, I’ll make Emilia king."

[User] "I do not understand. In the face of such rejection, why are you still even here?" Cold glances from throughout the chamber watched Subaru’s recklessness with scorn and contempt.

[Assistant] But Subaru couldn’t feel any of that. He felt something far stronger—the gaze of the silver-haired girl behind him. He felt Emilia. He couldn’t look back. He didn’t have the courage. Feeling her presence, he hesitated for a brief moment, and then answered. "—Because she’s special."

[User] Julius’s eyes widened slightly in apparent surprise. However, the surge of emotion was immediately concealed when his face calmed again. "You are obstinate. I accept that you have a reason for standing here regardless of whether you are qualified or not. In that case, I have nothing more to say to you." Julius turned his back to Subaru as if he was returning to the line of candidates. But his very first step halted, and his head alone turned back toward Subaru. "—However, do not think that I accept you as a knight, or ever will."

[Assistant] "What are you…"

[User] "I understand that you esteem her enough that you wish to protect her. However, your thoughts are… No, it would be ugly to elaborate deeply upon it." Julius shook his head, pitying Subaru. "A man who brings such an expression to the one he wishes to stand beside…is not a knight."

[Assistant] Subaru’s thoughts shifted behind him. Everything felt cold. He wondered what kind of look was on Emilia’s face. He was too frightened to find out. That was why the next thing out of Subaru’s quivering lips was a transparent attempt to get in the last word. "Y-you’re saying that whether you can be a knight or not is settled from birth? What, every one of you was a golden child, the best at everything? Don’t make me laugh. You’re not the one who gets to be called the knight among knights around here. Don’t think anything you say can get to me."

[User] It was a cheap insult. But Julius did not display his emotions as he casually replied. "Subaru Natsuki, you said? You should know that speaking such cheap insults to others diminishes not only your own worth, but damages the worth of everyone around you. Subaru Natsuki.—There is no beauty in it." And so, Julius summarized Subaru’s words and actions to date, rejecting them, and him, in one fell swoop. That single remark made Subaru realize that he, and his own conduct, had hit rock bottom.


[User] The candidates gave Subaru blank stares.

[Assistant] Behind the dignified Julius, many of the knights seethed with resentment at Subaru’s rude statement.

[User] For their part, the rows of civil officials had no love lost for Subaru, who seemed unable to make any argument not based on sentimentality. He didn’t even have the courage to look up and see what the Council of Elders thought of him.

[Assistant] Even if it meant making an enemy of the whole world, he’d be in Emilia’s corner. Until that moment, his resolve for that part, at least, had held strong, but… Before Subaru summoned the nerve to look back, a voice, clear as a bell, moved around to his front.

[User] "Subaru, that’s enough." The trembling of the hand touching his shoulder shocked him enough that even he wanted to look away. Emilia took hold of Subaru’s wrist as she bowed her head to the Council of Elders.

[Assistant] "I apologize for the waste of your time. He will leave immediately." The words waste of your time sliced into Subaru’s heart sharper than any razor. But he could say nothing. He had indisputably taken his resolve, determination, and himself, and trampled on them all. Subaru did not resist as he was led away from the stage by his arm. As Emilia pulled him forward, he still couldn’t look at her face.

[User] From the dais, Miklotov sounded hoarse, yet mysteriously, his voice carried far. "I judge some of this to have been time well spent, Lady Emilia." Neither of the two stopped walking as Miklotov continued. "He showed us that, at the very least, you are not a half-elf like the one the world fears.—You have a good vassal."

[Assistant] Emilia paused and looked back. "—Subaru…" She was watching the Council of Elders on the dais. Subaru, standing beside her, was not in her field of vision whatsoever. But when she turned, he could clearly see her face. Her expression was frozen over. Her eyes were frigid with the readiness to emotionlessly cast something aside, when her tranquil, clear voice stated plainly—

[User] “…is no vassal of mine.” Thus, she spurned Subaru’s words and feelings up to that very moment.


[User] “Did something happen to you?” He hadn’t seen Subaru’s humiliation because he’d been stationed outside the huge double doors. Furthermore, his demeanor showed respect toward someone he believed to be involved with one of the royal candidates.

[Assistant] “It’s…nothing. Sorry for all the trouble in the middle of a really important job.”

[User] “I don’t mind. Inside the throne room, they’re deciding the future of the entire nation. Even if I’m not qualified to be inside, I’m proud just to be on the edges of it.” The irony of the words, spoken with a clear voice, left Subaru with an uncomfortable awkwardness.

[Assistant] “—” Unable to stand still, Subaru shifted his gaze when he suddenly noticed a ruckus at the end of the corridor.

[User] Just as he turned his head to look, a guard popped in, apparently in a hurry.

[Assistant] “Pardon, open the way! We’ve captured an intruder. We need orders from the captain!”

[User] “Wait, they’re still in the middle of the conference! Hold the intruder in the barracks until…”

[Assistant] “The circumstances do not allow us to do that. Either way, we cannot make this decision ourselves! !” Ignoring the urgings of his comrade, the guard shouted back down to the corridor.

[User] Several men were dragging forward the intruder that’d snuck into the castle. Subaru, wondering what was so bad they needed to interrupt the royal selection, glanced at the intruder.

[Assistant] “—Ah?” He stared dumbfounded as four men dragged the man along by his hands and feet, desperately trying to move forward with a balding old man Subaru knew well. It was Old Man Rom, who had no business being there whatsoever.

[User] “—” He’d left a message at the fruit seller’s place for him to wait.

[Assistant] What was Old Man Rom doing there— Subaru’s mind went blank, but then, for once, he instantly found the answer to his question.

[User] “W-wait… Don’t tell me, he…” He followed me. At first, Subaru doubted himself, but then certainty welled within him.

[Assistant] If Old Man Rom had tried to sneak into the castle there and then, the trigger could have been none other than the message Subaru had left at Cadmon.

[User] The sharp old man had deduced that Subaru had reason to think Felt was at the royal palace. And he’d tried to enter by any means necessary. No doubt Old Man Rom’s own clumsiness had led to his discovery and capture. But Subaru was the one who’d brought that result about. Subaru knew how precious Felt was to Old Man Rom. He should’ve known Rom might lose his head over it…

[Assistant] “—!” The guards passed before his eyes.


[User] By the time he reached out, Old Man Rom was already too far away. Subaru froze in place, watching them go in silence.

[Assistant] "Hey, wait a…!" Subaru called out to stop them, but a foul-mouthed shout buried his words. Quietly, his eyes went wide as he realized the torrent of insults was coming at him from Old Man Rom himself.

[User] "Ha! You high-falutin’ nobles have some awful taste! Is one bumbling old captive something to stare at?! If you’re going to laugh, laugh, you filthy-minded youngin!" Old Man Rom, watching Subaru holding his breath, made a disgusting grimace with his bruised face.

[Assistant] "If you wanna stare, take a good, hard look at this dirty old man from the slums!"

[User] The guard, offended at the rude words from the intruder toward Subaru, a VIP, swung his fist down in punishment. "—Watch, your, tongue!"

[Assistant] "Ugh!"

[User] "Wait, please! There’s no need to go that fa—"

[Assistant] "You are very kind, young one. Heeey, how about it, knights? Your beloved master’s giving you an order. Why don’t you just wag your tails and do what he sa—ugh!"

[User] "Haven’t you said enough, vagabond? !" The knights responded to Old Man Rom’s continued verbal abuse with even harsher strikes than before.

[Assistant] "—Don’t butt in, youngin." The small, faint murmur was followed by insults like those from before for the benefit of the guards.


[User] "—" Subaru fell into silence.

[Assistant] He shook his head, driving the images off.


[User] "What am I…doing this for…?"

[Assistant] Murmurs spread through the throne room. The uproar had begun when Marcus, receiving a report from the guards, dragged a vagabond who had infiltrated the castle into the throne room. At first, many doubted the judgment of the captain of the guard, but one look at the intruder made numerous participants understand the reason for his decision.

[User] "I told you, let Old Man Rom go. That’s all I’m asking."

[Assistant] "—Unfortunately, I cannot comply."

[User] In the center of the chamber, a tense deadlock continued, with Felt and Marcus squared off against each other. A vein bulged on Felt’s forehead at the way Marcus dismissed her demand.

[Assistant] Reinhard raised his voice in an attempt to mediate. "Captain, I believe that explanation is insuffi—"

[User] Marcus rebuffed his intervention. "Silence, Reinhard. I understand you wish to support the master you have sworn your sword to, but her acceptance of your sword is premised on her willingness to become your king. During the proceedings of this conference for the royal selection, Lady Felt publicly announced she has no intention of participating in the selection process. Abandoning her qualifications means abandoning any right she might have to give commands to us Knights of the Royal Guard… Do you understand?"

[Assistant] Marcus laid out the logic of his refusal to comply with Felt’s demand. His words brought a scowl to the former thief’s face as she furiously clawed at her own blond hair.

[User] "This is getting annoying, so let’s sum it up, ’kay?—In other words, you won’t do as I say because I don’t wanna do this royal selection thing?"

[Assistant] "—That is indeed the crux of it."

[User] "Ohhh, I see. I get it… You are so annoying." Felt’s catlike eyes glared fiercely at Marcus.

[Assistant] Marcus easily maintained his usual poise under the pressure of the young girl’s near murderous gaze.

[User] "Never mind all that…!—Hurry up and save me!! Felt, it’s me! The Old Man Rom you lived with in the slums! I don’t really get all this, but you can save me now, right? Then save me! I don’t wanna die! !"

[Assistant] Kneeling on the carpet spread across the floor, the old man made the most amicable smile he could as he pleaded to her. The shameful display left Felt speechless. Even the attendants showed hints of disgust at the miserable old man.

[User] "I always saved you when you were in trouble! Many, many times over! Pay those favors back, now! Now, I say! Quick, quick!! Do something, will you? !" The old man sent spittle flying as he cried out for a quick rescue, flailing around with self-serving logic.


[User] Reinhard, sensing danger in the old man’s behavior, instantly began to step forward. “This is bad—” The red-haired knight instinctively realized the old man’s true intent and judged he needed to adapt to the circumstances. “—Do not move, Reinhard. ’Tisn’t good to do anything untoward here…”

[Assistant] Priscilla, smiling craftily as she hid her mouth with her fan. “Why do you act in such haste, Reinhard? …It almost looks as if you wish to silence this elderly man before he says something troublesome for you. Simply frightening…”

[User] Reinhard, clenching his teeth as he realized his mistake.

[Assistant] Priscilla shrugged her shoulders in a manner more typical of her.

[User] “Did you see? How unsightly.”

[Assistant] “And that face is even worse. I cannot even feel sympathy. It is the spitting image of a thief.”

[User] “He shouldn’t be released, though Lady Felt defends him…”

[Assistant] Even the knights hoping to have the crime dismissed began to faintly scowl at the old man. “Lady Felt was raised in the slums…where people like him live?”

[User] “Even if she really does have royal blood, can someone with such an upbringing handle royal duties…?”

[Assistant] “We need to rethink this. Or just do what the Dragon Tablet says in name only…”

[User] Reinhard bit his lip as the spreading murmurs confirmed his worst fears.

[Assistant] Finally, unable to listen to any more, the young girl let loose with a high-pitched, foul-mouthed shout, “—Would you all shut up, you ball-less jerks! !” Felt's shoulders slumped, marching forward. Her red eyes filled with grief. “What’s with you here? That’s the worst-looking, most pathetic plea for your life, ever, and I really, really hate it.”

[User] “—” The old man’s amicable smile at her approach froze over.

[Assistant] "Hey, Old Man Rom. We people from the slums, there’s no help for us, right? We know the people above us look down at the poor lives we lead, and we all have rotten personalities, me included.


[User] "It’s a terrible place to live.” Having rated so many things so lowly, including herself, Felt paused for breath and added,

[Assistant] “But…Yeah, we’re a pile of garbage at the bottom of the trash heap…but even if we do live in a place like that, we’ve come this far by having at least a smidgen of pride in ourselves. No matter how lowly other people see us, we don’t lower our heads.”

[User] “Felt…”

[Assistant] "I wish I could show you your face in the mirror right now. Looking all meek and submissive, wagging your tail and eager to please, just to save your life… You can’t call that living!” Many of the attendants gravely nodded at Felt’s words, with Crusch among their number.

[User] The small girl put her hands on her hips and bluntly stated, “If you wanted me to spare your life, you went about it all wrong. There’s no way I’d give up my right to run from a crummy place just to save you, if that’s how you’re gonna be.” The red-haired young man watched.

[Assistant] “…Lady Felt.” Reinhard couldn’t bear the pain that her declaration sent running through his heart. He’d seen it coming. He’d guessed what reaction the proud girl would display when she saw the old man’s behavior.


[User] The knight pulled on the old man’s manacles, sending the clink of the chain echoing through the chamber. “I deeply apologize for causing this uproar before the throne. I shall immediately remove this—”

[Assistant] "Or something like that, I guess. I was waiting for someone to jump to conclusions…”

[User] Marcus’s mouth closed with a rare look of shame.

[Assistant] Seeing his solemn facade crumble, Felt beamed, feeling very proud of herself. She twirled before the dumbfounded audience. “Sooo, get his hands loose, captain. Those shackles are way too small for him.


[User] "It hurts just to watch.”

[Assistant] “I have already informed you several times over, Lady Felt, I cannot comply with your comma—”

[User] “Because I didn’t wanna do this royal selection thing, right? Then it’s simple.—I’ll do it, the royal selection. I just gotta try to be king, right?”

[Assistant] “—!” The declaration, accompanied by a laugh showing off her snaggletooth, sent a shudder throughout the entire chamber. Many of the onlookers seemed aghast at how lightly she made such a critical decision. But naturally, the old man’s reaction was even greater, his feelings about her announcement plain on his face.

[User] “Wh-what are you saying, Felt? I-I accepted it. What you said is right. You can’t live by losing your pride. Having you cut me loose couldn’t be hel—”

[Assistant] “Cut the crap, you shitty old man. What, you’ve lived this long without knowing you can’t act worth a damn? I’ve been with you long enough to know all sorts of things about you, like—when you tell a lie, the swirl on your forehead turns backward!” Felt raised her cheeks and drew a little pattern on her head to demonstrate. Her gesture made Old Man Rom’s face go pale.

[User] “You’re lying!” and touched his bound arms to his own head in haste.

[Assistant] Felt watched him and said, “Yep, I’m lying. Wow, do you look stupid. No sympathy from me.”

[User] “—Ah? !” Old Man Rom was beside himself at falling so easily for her trap.

[Assistant] Felt shook her head. “So there you have it. Get those shackles off him. Everything up to now was just the wild fantasy of a senile old geezer.”

[User] “We cannot simply let him go on such flimsy grou—”

[Assistant] “—This old man’s my family,” Felt resolutely stated. “Let him go, now.” Hearing these words, Marcus’s face registered surprise for a brief instant. The next moment, the hesitation vanished.

[User] “As you command.” Marcus stood at attention and let go of Old Man Rom’s shackles. Then, he ordered the guards behind him, “Unlock the manacles.”

[Assistant] Felt raised a hand to stop them. “Too slow—Reinhard!”

[User] “Here.” Reinhard responded instantly to the girl’s sharp voice, his tall frame advancing to the chamber’s center. As the red-haired young man stood at Felt’s side, Felt didn’t even look at him. Instead, she crossed her arms and motioned with her chin.

[Assistant] “Do it.” It was the world’s shortest command.

[User] “Yes, my Lady—” Reinhard raised a hand up to the sky, fingers straight, slicing down through the air like a knife. The old man’s wrists were bound by metal shackles, but the knight’s hand sliced through them as if they were paper. The manacles, cut clean in two, slid off as if they melted, falling to the floor. A high-pitched clink echoed in the chamber. In a true sense, this sound announced this was the moment the two had become lord and vassal.

[Assistant] Felt remarked, “So this all went the way you wanted, didn’t it?”


[User] “This was guided by the hand of Fate.”

[Assistant] “Ha! Fate again. What, are you a slave to fate?”

[User] “No—I am, more than anything, your knight, Lady Felt.”

[Assistant] Felt seemed to yield in the face of his unrelenting support as she murmured, “You’re no fun…” Old Man Rom was still prostrate as the two bantered right in front of him.

[User] “Why, Felt… I—I wanted you to…”

[Assistant] Felt replied, “I have a pretty good idea why you said all that embarrassing stuff and what you were after—You saw how I hated being here so much I couldn’t stand it, right? So you thought you’d give me a helpful nudge.”

[User] “If you understand that, then why—” When the old man tried to pose the question, Felt broke into an awkward laugh.

[Assistant] “What, you think I can sneak back into the city after abandoning my own family? There’s no way I could be that shameless.”

[User] When Old Man Rom heard these words, his face broke into an expression different from bitterness. He turned his back to her, rubbing an arm over his face to hide it. “I-I’ve lost! And all because…” Old Man Rom looked up to the heavens, his hoarse voice quivering with chagrin and something powerful and inexpressible. “…I raised her too well—! !” 9 Rom’s plaintive cry about how he had raised the girl resounded in the hall.

[Assistant] Miklotov, perhaps moved by the lament, cleared his throat, seeking to clear the air in the process. “Well, then, Lady Felt, Sir Reinhard, may I conclude that you both intend to participate in the royal selection?”

[User] “Sure, go ahead.”

[Assistant] “Yes, as my Lady wills it.” Felt’s behavior was insolent to the end, with Reinhard following her. The lenient sage let the incongruity pass without comment, quietly replying, “Understood,” as he nodded.


[User] He continued, “Though there have been some minor uproars, I judge that all the preliminaries have concluded. Lady Felt, do you have anything else to add?” Surely he thought it proper to give Felt the same chance to give a speech that the other candidates had received.

[Assistant] She answered the prompt with a, “Hmm,” and thought about it a bit. “One thing, then.” Landing on a proposal, Felt raised a finger and looked up, bathed in gazes from the dais. Her red eyes flared as they surveyed the faces of those assembled. Finally, she took a deep breath and smiled buoyantly as she swept one hand toward the Council of Elders. “—I hate nobles.” She kept that smile on her face as she pointed at the Knights of the Royal Guard with her other hand. “—I hate knights.” Then, with both arms still spread wide, she said, with a spectacular smile and maximum venom… “—I hate this kingdom!” She continued. “—I hate all of you in this room, I hate the structure you built, I hate every little thing here. That’s why I think I’ll break it all. How ’bout it?” Felt inclined her head.


[User] For a single moment, her behavior brought time itself to a halt. Then, the chamber exploded. “Wh-what is she saying? !” “This is where the king is selected, and she says she’ll destroy the nation? !” “What have we spent all this time for! !”

[Assistant] Felt blew off the vociferous, angry shouts of the onlookers all at once. “Ohh, where’s all your high-and-mighty talk now? What about that proud history? Now look, when I become king, I’m breaking all of it. I’m smacking down the lot of you knuckleheads who still can’t see the floor crumbling underneath. You all need a breath of fresh air.”

[User] Miklotov, listening to the proclamation that was reckless without precedent, nodded generously, his expression unchanged as he glanced at the knight standing beside the girl. “Your lord is quite a feisty one. Having heard her words, what do you think of them?”

[Assistant] “—Truth be told, I believe Lady Felt’s wishes are, unfortunately, still in the realm of fantasy.”

[User] “Hey, you!”

[Assistant] “However, someday, Lady Felt’s words will reach everyone. It is my duty to give her my full support until that day comes.”

[User] Miklotov countered, “But Lady Felt counts you among those things she intends to destroy, does she not?”

[Assistant] Reinhard bowed deeply on one knee toward Miklotov, showing no sign of relenting. “Surely after destruction, there will be renewal. If she will have me, I have no greater desire than to be at her side during that time.”

[User] Felt furiously scratched at her hair as she watched his chivalrous profile. “So in the end, which one are you, my ally or my enemy here?”

[Assistant] “Your ally. Yours, and yours alone.”

[User] “…Fine, then. I’ll put you to good use.” With her acceptance, the final candidate for the royal selection declared them lord and vassal.


[Assistant] Miklotov dipped his head as he gazed at the radiant row of royal candidates. “Finally, all the candidates have been assembled. I ask the Council of Elders, do we have a consensus?” As Miklotov closed his eyes, the atmosphere around him shifted.

[User] “—My brethren, I ask for your consent to announce that this royal selection shall begin with the five candidates assembled to date.”

[Assistant] “—By the authority of the Council of Elders, I assent.”

[User] “And I.”

[Assistant] “I assent as well.”

[User] Listening to them until the end, Miklotov finally rose from his seat, walking beside the empty throne before opening his eyes. “—Then, I shall announce the rules for the royal selection!”


[User] The mercenary Al, one-armed wanderer from another world. “The day shall be one month prior to the Dragonfriend Ceremony in three years, renewing the pact with the Dragon!”

[Assistant] The young company president from a foreign nation, Anastasia Hoshin.

[User] Anastasia’s foremost knight, the Finest of Knights, Julius Juukulius. “The selection shall be made according to the guidance of the Dragon via the radiance of the Dragon Jewels and the combined will of the nation’s people!”

[Assistant] Felt, of the lost royal bloodline (unconfirmed).

[User] Felt’s foremost knight, Reinhard van Astrea, the Sword Saint. “Until the appointed day, all candidates for the throne shall work to uphold their own lands and the kingdom to the greatest possible extent!”

[Assistant] The silver-haired half-elf, Emilia, the Freezing Witch.

[User] And absent from that place, her self-declared knight, Subaru Natsuki.

[Assistant] “With the minimum conditions fulfilled, I hereby announce the royal selection has begun—!” Miklotov’s great shout filled the chamber with an incredible fervor.

[User] Feeling the waves of excitement rolling against him, straightened from his stoop and declared—

[Assistant] “Let the royal selection—commence! !”


[Assistant] Subaru awoke, his brows furrowed as he stared up at an unfamiliar ceiling.

[User] "I…remember…" He remembered the disgrace he had endured before he ended up where he slept. He raised a hand to his forehead, but his eyes were drawn in by the discovery of a serious scar near his wrist that he didn’t remember.

[Assistant] "—I didn’t…die." Touching his presumably cracked forehead and most likely fractured wrist, he let out a sigh, lamenting that the healing had removed all physical pain.

[User] No— Now that Subaru had regained consciousness, the betrayed look she gave him was something no spell could heal.

[Assistant] "—Subaru."

[User] Emilia sat on the side of the bed, her violet eyes full of melancholy. For no reason he could discern, she’d folded the white robe she’d been wearing over her lap while watching over Subaru.

[Assistant] "—The royal candidate discussion’s over already?"

[User] Emilia apparently waited for him to make some kind of excuse before she opened her eyes a little wider, caught off guard by how he tried to pretend nothing had happened.

[Assistant] "Yeah, it’s finished… Most of what everyone wanted to say came out in the throne room, so the rest was mainly working out the minute details about the royal selection. Most things were settled by Roswaal approving them." Emilia shook her head, a subtle lament in her voice at her own powerlessness.

[User] "That so. Then you probably wasted a lot of time waiting for me while I overslept. Anyway, let’s get straight back to the inn."


[User] “Gotta pick up Rem and work out plans for the royal selection, right?”

[Assistant] “Subaru.”

[User] “Here in the castle you don’t know who’s watching or listening, so best to save the deep talk till we’re back at the mansion, right? Or do you have to talk with high-ups in the capital here first?”

[Assistant] “Subaru…”

[User] “Errrr, maybe it’s best to make non-aggression pacts with some of the candidates here instead? It’s tough when you don’t know who’s coming at you and when…”

[Assistant] “—Subaru!” Emilia sharply shouted Subaru down amid his rambling, cutting off his excuses.

[User] He turned his averted gaze back toward her.

[Assistant] She spoke to him quietly, but gravely, not to be swayed. “—Let’s…talk.” Emilia rose from her seat, her arms tightly hugging the fabric of her folded robe. The stiffness of her cheeks conveyed better than any words that the coming conversation was not about anything good. “There are things that I want to ask you… Truly, many things.” Her lips quivered, as if in hesitation, groping for exactly what subject she should broach.

[User] “…Yeah, I, suppose so.” Subaru had a pretty good idea why she was hesitant. Everything Subaru had done until then had been completely unexpected.—Therefore, Emilia was seeking the right way to ask about Subaru’s true intent behind his actions that day. He had only a single, unabashed reason to give. But the question on Emilia’s lips was not what he wanted.

[Assistant] “Err, then… Why did you…come to fight with Julius?”

[User] This answer was much harder to come by. What significance did that battle have—?

[Assistant] “You had a reason for it, didn’t you? It’s you, so I’m sure you had an important…” Already beaten down, Subaru had been waiting in the corridor when Julius appeared before him. When Julius invited him to the parade square, Subaru immediately deemed it would be payback for the rudeness he had shown in the throne room. He certainly tried to appreciate the difference in the power Julius wielded compared to him. He knew from the start he had no chanceof victory. And yet, Subaru had taken the wooden sword, challenged him to the hopeless battle, and had been pounded into the dirt. Why did he do all that? The answer was—

[User] “I wanted…payback.”

[Assistant] “…Ah?”

[User] Subaru lifted his face. Looking up at the bewilderment in the silver-haired beauty’s eyes, he continued, “I wanted to show him that…I’m not something to throw away on the side of the road. I thought I could pay him back, and show him I could…stand by guys like him even if only a little.” His words were all jumbled. He resented himself for not being able to put it more clearly. If not for the emotions smoldering in his chest, ramming against his heart, he wouldn’t need to endure such conflicted thoughts.

[Assistant] “Subaru…”

[User] “I was…stubborn. I hated him.


[User] "For saying I’m disgraceful, powerless, how I’m in the way…how I’m not worthy of you, how he tried to push me away from you… So I took him on." He figured the last one was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

[Assistant] Yes, Julius had been sternly rebuking Subaru, telling him he wasn’t worthy of Emilia. But he didn’t even have to say that. Subaru himself knew that more than anyone.

[User] To gloss that over, he had desperately worn a mask, feigning ignorance, but that man had easily called his bluff.

[Assistant] So unable to forgive him, Subaru had taken him on, leading to the inevitable result. The boy’s listless reply, spoken with a hung head.

[User] "That’s…why you…?" No doubt it was not the concrete reply she had been searching for.

[Assistant] Whatever lofty ideals she had held onto, the truth behind Subaru’s banal stubbornness betrayed them.

[User] "...Emilia...tan, you…" Her quivering words had scolded the powerless-feeling Subaru into a confession.

[Assistant] Emilia hadn’t intended to do it. She did not understand how cruel and relentless her act was.

[User] "—You just don’t understand." Subaru spoke with a frail voice, he was unable to even look at her.

[Assistant] The moment he said it, Subaru realized he’d been lashing out. To deny that someone understood was the worst kind of excuse, cutting off that person from your heart. Subaru was unable to keep his face raised when he heard a breathless-sounding voice.

[User] "—You’re right." Her agreement, spoken almost like a sigh, made it sound like she grasped what he had said, that she was agreeing not to push the issue any further. Her reaction made Subaru’s shoulders ease with a sense of relief.

[Assistant] "Tomorrow, Roswaal and I will be returning to the mansion. You will remain in the royal capital to focus on medical treatment."

[User] "Huh?" Subaru couldn’t make sense of her words as he tilted his head in confusion.

[Assistant] Stroving to hide her heavy emotion as she turned toward him. "That’s what we agreed to in the first place, yes? You came to the royal capital so that your depleted gate can be healed. Ferris agreed, so you will be healed by him, then recuperate."

[User] "W-wait a minute."

[Assistant] Emilia stated the plans for Subaru at a rapid clip. "While staying in the capital, you will be in Ferris’s…or rather, Lady Crusch of the House of Karsten’s care. Rem will be staying with you, so you won’t need to worry about a thing."

[User] "I said wait!" His fingertips immediately reached out, taking hold of her sleeve as if that would stop her from pulling away.


[User] "Why are you…all of a sudden…I…" Subaru speaks in a frail voice.

[Assistant] "...You push yourself too far when you’re around me. Don’t you?" Emilia looks away.

[User] Subaru held his breath at her words, straining to get her to look at him. "You don’t have to…put it like that…"

[Assistant] "I’m not wrong, am I? It was like that when we first met, and like that at the mansion. And it was like that today… All of it’s because you were together with me, wasn’t it?" Her way of speaking was thick with discontent.

[User] Subaru could only shake his head. "That’s not what I was trying to say… I just…"

[Assistant] "Just?"

[User] "I just did those things…because I wanted to give you something…"

[Assistant] "For…me?" When she echoed his words back, Subaru sent a determined nod back her way.

[User] "—It was all for your own benefit, wasn’t it?"

[Assistant] "—" Beyond the silence, Subaru’s brain was a complete blank.

[User] "I…I just…wanted…to give you…" Sadness? Suffering? Regret? Anger? Sorrow? —I want to give you happiness. —I want to help you get what you desire. —I want to protect you from everything that makes you sad. Those were the pure feelings Subaru had for Emilia that formed the foundation of his every deed.

[Assistant] "—Mff!" The dazed Subaru yelped in surprise at the sudden impact of soft fabric on his face. When he immediately pulled the material away, he realized it was the white robe with an embroidered hawk that Emilia had been holding in her hands and that she had struck him with it.

[User] Emilia’s violet gaze quivered with a wave of emotions. Her face was tense as she bit her lip, which seemed to tremble from fierce emotion.


[User] He understood how out of place the sentiment was, but he thought that she was…beautiful, like this.

[Assistant] The wave of emotions turned to tears that filled her purple eyes. “Stop lying about doing all these things for my sake—!” With a small shake of her head, she seemed to be venting about every last thing eating at her. “Coming to the castle, fighting with Julius, using magic… You’re saying it was all for me? I didn’t ask you for any of those things!”

[User] “All I wanted was for you to do the things I asked you to do!”

[Assistant] “Hey, do you remember? What I asked?”

[User] “I-I…” Hearing her reject his actions so clearly froze Subaru’s mind with terror. That was why he couldn’t produce an answer to her question from within his jumbled head.

[Assistant] With Subaru unable to answer, Emilia firmly closed her eyes. “I asked you to stay at the inn with Rem and wait.”

[User] “Using any more magic would be very bad for you, so I asked you not to use magic.”

[Assistant] He remembered that she’d used the word please for both. Both times, Emilia had strongly urged him to behave out of concern for his health. But Subaru had trampled on her words each time based on his own selfish delusions. Somewhere deep down inside, he had thought of things so frivolously, as if good results would always let him smooth over his broken promises. But as a result, Subaru had not only disregarded her pleas, but didn’t have a single proper thing to show for it; indeed, he’d only disgraced himself and held her back. But even so, he at least wanted her to understand that the underlying motivations were genuine.

[User] “I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you. I’m really, really sorry. But! But you’re wrong, I, I didn’t do them for my sake…” But Subaru’s tongue cramped like it had gone numb, rejecting his efforts to put feelings into words. As he flailed for words, Emilia stared at him with sadness. His words were unforgivably selfish. He never should have said them.

[Assistant] “Emilia, don’t you…believe me?” Someone who had just denied that she could understand him had no right to say any of it.

[User] “I want to believe you… I want to believe you, Subaru.” She sounded like she wanted to cry. She might have already been crying. But Subaru didn’t have the courage to find out. He couldn’t bring himself to look at her, even though she might be in tears; even though he might have been the reason why she was in such a state. Subaru had continued running forward trying to avoid that, but at the most critical moment, Subaru Natsuki just—

[Assistant] Her emotions exploded. “I wanted to believe you…but you’re the one who stopped me, Subaru!” Though she had sometimes lost her calm and logical demeanor to anger before, this was the first time he had seen her cast them aside, like shackles on her emotions.


[User] “You didn’t uphold a single promise, did you, Subaru? You…promised, but you broke them all like they were nothing and ended up here, didn’t you? !”

[Assistant] “You haven’t kept your word, but then say you want me to trust you…? However you ask, I can’t do that. I can’t…”

[User] No!, he wanted to cry out in a loud voice, but in reality, Subaru’s trembling throat made no sound; his head felt as heavy as lead, too heavy to lift from its lowered, face-down position.

[Assistant] Subaru chose to turn his back to her, and thus, continue to betray her.

[User] “...Hey, Subaru. Why do you want to help me so much?”

[Assistant] If Emilia didn’t let it all out there, if she kept her misgivings forever deep inside, not understanding why Subaru kept doing his utmost for her, it would only bring her more pain. The question was Emilia’s final offer of salvation to Subaru.

[User] “I want to do everything I can to help you because you saved me…”

[Assistant] “I…saved you…?”

[User] “That’s right.”

[Assistant] “I don’t think you understand how…much you helped me. But that…saved me, more than words can express.”

[User] What Emilia had saved back then was not his life, but Subaru himself. It didn’t start with Subaru. The first time, it was Emilia who did the saving. Everything he’d done since was nothing more than repaying her for what she had given him.

[Assistant] “Subaru, I don’t understand…”

[User] “That can’t be…helped. But it’s true. You saved me. That’s why I tried to…pay back the favor…but now, it’s…”

[Assistant] It’s not just that, were the words that should have followed.


[User] But Emilia exploded in emotion, her silver hair violently swaying as she shook her head, so the words never arrived. “—I told you, I don’t understand!! I saved you? I did no such thing. The first time I met you was at the loot cellar. I’d never seen you before in my life!”

[Assistant] “No, listen to—”

[User] “If I’d met you before that, if that was true, I’d… I’d…!” Burying her face in her hands, Emilia rejected Subaru. She would listen to him no longer.

[Assistant] Subaru quickly pulled himself together and said, “Maybe you don’t understand, but listen to me anyway. It’s the truth! The first time we met when I came to this world—”


[Assistant] “…Once again, you’re not saying anything.” Her cold, hard voice battered his eardrums. It sounded like despair—like she’d given up.

[User] “Why…don’t you understand…?”

[Assistant] “…Subaru.”

[User] “I thought, you… You of all people would understand…”

[Assistant] “The me inside your head is really something, isn’t she?” That one sentence was filled with enough distance and isolation to make him cry. When Subaru lifted his face, astounded, Emilia averted her eyes and faced away from him.


[User] He wondered whom the lonely smile that came over her lips was meant for…him, or her?

[Assistant] “She understands it, all of it, without even having to ask. Your pain, your sadness, your anger—she feels all of them as her own.”

[User] “……Huh?”

[Assistant] “—If you don’t say it, I can’t understand, Subaru.”

[User] He’d been rejected. He’d been smashed to bits. His illusion crumbled into dust. The one thing he truly thought he could believe in since falling into that world vanished. “I…” He’d risked his life, endured the pain of being bitten all over, wiped away his tears and surpassed them, all to continue to protect the idol he had erected in his mind. And so, his arbitrary utopia, one that had never existed, crumbled without a sound. His lips quivered. His eyes were hot inside. His tongue was twitching. His heartbeats were so fierce he could hear them. “Everything…I’ve done…” He lifted up his face and met Emilia’s violet eyes. They were filled only with sadness. When he saw his own face reflected there, it was truly pitiful and beyond salvation. He raised up his shrill voice in anger, so much that the room seemed to shake with it. “—You got this far because of me, didn’t you?! Like at the loot cellar when your crest got stolen! I saved you from that uber-dangerous serial killer! I put my body on the line! All because you’re important to me! !” His fingertips trembled as they gripped the sheets. His nails dug into his palm and slowly drew blood. He continued, enumerating every deed to his credit that he could think of as he tried to chase after her shadow, far in the distance. “Like at the mansion! I barely hung on there! My skull got cracked, my head went flying, but everyone in the village got saved anyway, didn’t they?! And things turned out the best way possible with Ram and Rem, I’m sure of it! That’s because I was there, right? !” The fact that he had saved everyone at the loot cellar, and at the mansion—all that had been possible because of him. These were the deeds Subaru ought to be proud of, and rewarded for. He’d come that far. He’d done so much. He added, “You have to owe me something for everything I’ve done for you—! !” He shouted because the meaning of all his actions, and the thoughts behind them, had been refuted. Subaru’s vainglorious search for praise, his gnawing desire for satisfaction, and his egotistical wish to be wanted, had been the unconscious extremes that had led him down his path. And all were summed up in a single, defining word.

[Assistant] With a halting, shaky voice, Emilia said to Subaru, who was breathing roughly with sweat on his brow, “…Right.” Her words had a tone of acceptance, of resignation, of resolve—in other words, it was the end.


[User] "Subaru, I owe you a huge, incredible debt for many things you’ve done, so…"

[Assistant] "Yeah, that’s right. That’s why I—"

[User] "So I’ll repay it all to you. Then we can end this." Her statement, incredibly clear, raised Subaru’s face like he’d been kicked. And when he saw that Emilia’s gaze was even hollower than before, he realized that his hasty words should never have been spoken. In a childish tantrum, he had trampled even his purest thoughts underfoot, throwing it all away.

[Assistant] "—That’s enough, Subaru Natsuki."

[User] She stated, “Rem will come later. Do as she says. Everything else, I will arrange afterward, so…”

[Assistant] He couldn’t even reply. Nor was there anything he could ask of her.

[User] Emilia began to walk, putting distance between them—physical distance, but an emotional distance that was far greater.

[Assistant] When Emilia reached for the door, she abruptly stopped and murmured.

[User] "I…" She spoke in a soft voice, like she wanted to say it less to Subaru than to herself.

[Assistant] "…got my hopes up. I thought, just maybe, you…you wouldn’t give me special treatment, Subaru. I thought you could look at me like an ordinary person, like an ordinary girl, the same as any other…"

[User] Subaru replied with a faltering, quiet murmur of his own. "I can’t…do that."

[Assistant] Mulling over Emilia’s words, Subaru weakly and limply shook his head.

[User] "Even if you tossed out every other person in the whole world, I couldn’t do that. I can’t look at you the same as everyone else, I just can’t." That, at least, was the unmistakable truth.

[Assistant] He heard the door close. The air became still again. Left alone in the room, Subaru curled up on top of the blankets, his gaze wandering. Abruptly, he pulled himself to the corner of the bed. He reached out, pulled it close, and embraced it. As he hugged it, he felt like a trace of human warmth remained in it when all others had vanished.


[User] Subaru squeezed it against his chest, as if trying to bind that warmth to himself.

[Assistant] —That day, for the first time in that other world, Subaru Natsuki became truly alone.


[User] “And last, stretch your arms high in the sky for the big finish—Victory!—Victory!” He listened to the giddy voices as he wiped the sweat off his brow. Subaru raised both hands high as he spoke his trademark phrase.

[Assistant] A chorus followed, ending another morning’s workout. The people who joined him in his exuberant radio calisthenics were residents of Earlham Village, the one closest to Roswaal Manor. Probably half the village was present. Subaru’s cheeks softened without him realizing it at the sight of the familiar buoyant faces. He wordlessly lowered his gaze a little, unable to watch them for a few moments.

[User] Subaru had suggested teaching Japanese radio calisthenics to help the village, where scars from the recent demon beast crisis were still fresh. This had improved his reputation among the otherworldly residents and exploded into a village-wide movement. At first, Subaru had been worried about the lack of participants. But seeing the children who had been victims of the demon beast attack enjoy themselves made him feel it was all worth it. The customs of his homeland were not to be underestimated. Radio calisthenics weren’t the only popular tradition…

[Assistant] “Okay, you brats, line up! It’s stamp time!” Subaru raised his voice while taking out a raw potato with one end sliced flat.

[User] Subaru dipped the flat end into an ink container, then pressed it onto the sheets of paper that the queued-up children held out eagerly. The very in-demand “potato stamp” recorded that day’s fruits of labor.

[Assistant] “So how about it? In another week we’ll start the long-awaited, much-requested event, Monday Puck. The highlight will be those floppy ears.”

[User] “The kitty’s so cute!”

[Assistant] “He’s wonderful!”

[User] “He’s adorable!”

[Assistant] He’d stolen the potato-stamp idea from radio calisthenics during summer break back home. A lot of kids had fun guessing what was going to be on that morning’s stamp. Subaru thus used his oddly dexterous fingers to engage their young minds. After a time, his pleasant chat with the villagers came to a close. Subaru waved to them and went on his way. He approached a tree at the edge of the village square, wearily calling out to the girl leaning against the trunk in the shade.

[User] “Ahh, that wore me out. Anyway, sorry to keep you waiting, Emilia-tan.”

[Assistant] “No, it’s all right. I see you worked hard, Subaru.” Emilia smoothed her silver hair with a charming smile, readjusting the hood she wore low over her face.

[User] “The villagers seem much happier these days, and it’s all thanks to you, Subaru.”

[Assistant] “It’s no big deal. I just showed them how to do some healthy exercises that get the blood flowing. But I feel bad making you come with me every morning, day after day.”

[User] “That’s okay. You’re not in tip-top shape yet, and Ram and Rem can’t come because of their work at the mansion.


[User] “Besides, I really don’t mind doing this.”

[Assistant] “As in, you don’t mind spending your mornings with me?”

[User] “Pfft, not that. More like…I like being even a tiny bit involved with the villagers I never used to come in contact with. I think maybe…I drew a line between us until now.” He could make out a small blush on Emilia’s face under her hood.

[Assistant] The lovely sight warmed Subaru’s cheeks before he even realized what was happening.

[User] “I have to say, though, you really get along with the villagers, Subaru. You’re probably more famous than Ram and Rem by now.”

[Assistant] “Well, I am kind of the hero who saved them. Plus, I’m the ultimate gentleman who never asks for thanks, never brags about my deeds… I’m sure you’ll fall in love with me all over again!”

[User] “I wasn’t in love to begin with, mind you… Also, I think your assessment is slightly off.” Emilia put a finger to her lips, tilting her head slightly with a conflicted look.

[Assistant] For his part, Subaru was a little dejected at her brushing off his favor so easily.

[User] “I think that the villagers see you as oddly perceptive rather than a hero who saved everyone. I mean, you know some very mysterious things.”

[Assistant] “So they’re treating me like a well-educated professor, huh… But, um, besides aerobics, I don’t know all that much…”

[User] “There’s the games you play with the children, potato stamping… Also, mayonnaise.” Emilia clapped her hands together as her eyes sparkled.

[Assistant] “I think they’re underselling my hard work a bit, if they think mayonnaise and rescuing children from demon beasts are on the same level. I mean, I put my body on the line and everything…”

[User] He’d gone into the forest to save the children, and got bitten all over. When Rem went out to save him from certain death, he protected her and got bitten, and he was about to be bitten some more when Roswaal showed up to save him…

[Assistant] “Huh?! Come to think of it, I did, like, almost nothing!” Thinking back on his exploits, they amounted to considerably less than he’d originally thought.

[User] “Sheesh.”


[User] “Don’t worry about silly little things like that.”

[Assistant] “But, Emilia-tan…”

[User] “Everyone knows you worked very hard, Subaru. Roswaal, Ram, and especially Rem, right?”

[Assistant] Subaru’s expression remained pathetic in spite of Emilia’s encouragement.

[User] She ran a few steps ahead of him and turned around. The sudden movement sent her hood falling back, letting her long, silver hair flow down her back, sparkling in the morning sun. “And me, too.”

[Assistant] “—Huh?”

[User] “I know very well how hard you worked. That’s why we will have no moping. Understand?”

[Assistant] Emilia tilted her head and asked, “Your answer?”

[User] The dumbfounded Subaru vigorously nodded his head.

[Assistant] His reaction prompted a beaming smile from Emilia. “What was that? You were moving like a broken toy. You’re always like that.”

[User] “Er, this time it wasn’t on purpose… And besides, you’re a hundred times more unfair. No matter how much I struggle, I just keep falling back in love…”

[Assistant] “Yes, yes. I think you have very bad habit of glossing things over, like just now.” Emilia wore a charming smile, oblivious to the sincerity of his words. Watching her put her hood back on and walk beside him once more, Subaru thought again that he’d never find a better girl than this. The gate of Roswaal Manor had come into view during the course of their conversation. A few meager minutes remained until they arrived—and the regretful end to his morning bliss.

[User] “There’s a…dragon carriage parked in front of the mansion.” When Emilia paused beside Subaru and murmured, he stopped, too, looking in the same direction. There was indeed something like a horse-drawn carriage parked at the gates. It was “something like” because the vehicle was clearly not horse-drawn. After all, the creature pulling the carriage was a lizard as large as a horse.

[Assistant] Subaru was so surprised at its sheer size, compared to lizards back home, that he wound up clapping his hands together. “Oh, right, I saw those passing through the royal capital here and there. Dragon carriages, you say?”

[User] “…? Yes, the land dragon pulls the carriage that’s behind it, so it’s a dragon carriage. Wait, don’t tell me it has a common name I don’t know?”

[Assistant] “No, no, I’m the one who knows nothing about it. I’m sure you’re right, Emilia-tan. Have confidence in yourself.”

[User] “Really? You’re not teasing me? You’re not going to embarrass me by letting me use the wrong words in the wrong place, are you? If you’re pulling my leg, I’ll clobber you!”

[Assistant] “Nobody says clobber anymore…” When Emilia raised a hand in mock anger, Subaru clutched his head and pretended to recoil. Their antics continued as they made their way forward, arriving in front of the dragon carriage. "Whoa… Damn, this is impressive. It’s, like, so huge it’s unreal.” He’d seen these several times back during his time in the royal capital, but this was his first good look at one up close.


[User] The lizard that Emilia had dubbed a land dragon was indeed as large as a horse, but thinner and lighter. It looked like it’d beat a horse in a footrace. As the two approached.

[Assistant] “My, my. Please look out below.” The man stood up from the dragon carriage’s box seat and announced.

[User] Subaru’s breath caught a bit when he noticed he’d barely made a sound upon landing. The box seat was around Subaru’s eye level—not a height to casually leap from.

[Assistant] “Welcome back. Please excuse me for currently occupying the front of your gate.” The old man bowed and spoke with eloquence befitting an aged gentleman, politely stroking back his solid white hair before donning an immaculately tailored black suit.

[User] Thinking this, Subaru shifted his gaze back to the dragon carriage.

[Assistant] “The envoy is already inside the manor and possibly engaged with Marquis Mathers.” The aging gentleman seemed to read their minds and answered their question preemptively.

[User] “Envoy…? Could this be…?” Emilia, standing beside him, stepped forward and faced the old man.

[Assistant] “As you have no doubt surmised, Lady Emilia, this concerns the royal selection.”

[User] The way Emilia’s expression tensed had Subaru furrowing his eyebrows, suspicious about this turn of events.

[Assistant] “I believe the envoy has an official message for you. Please return to the mansion to receive it in person.”

[User] “…Am I being summoned?”

[Assistant] “Please ask the messenger personally.” The old man’s discreet reply caused Emilia’s face to harden as she lowered her head.

[User] “—Let’s go.” She began walking without even looking back at Subaru.

[Assistant] He broke into a short jog to catch up. At the last moment, he glanced back, and saw that the driver was still bowing low, silently watching them go.


[User] "Welcome back, Lady Emilia." After the driver saw them off.

[Assistant] “Thank you. I’m sorry for leaving the mansion. It seems that we have a guest?” The two arrived at the mansion’s foyer and were greeted by a girl in a maid outfit—Rem. Strangely, emotions were absent from her high-pitched voice, replaced with calm formality. It was Guest-Greeting Mode.

[User] “An envoy from the royal capital is visiting. Master Roswaal is engaged with the guest. Do you wish to join them?”

[Assistant] “Of course. It’s my problem, so we can’t have me out of the loop.” Rem nodded in response. Emilia began up the stairs.


[User] Subaru walked by her side, joining the conversation like it was a normal thing. "All right. Just because the pressure’s on doesn’t mean I can let it get to me. I better pull myself together and not do anything stupid.” He was pumping himself up.

[Assistant] But seeing Subaru so enthused, Emilia halted. “Err, what is it, Emilia-tan? Suddenly all stressed out? Need a massage?”

[User] “Err… Sorry, Subaru, this is an important meeting, so…”

[Assistant] “…I know that. That’s why I’m getting my head in the game and…”

[User] Emilia was finding it hard to let him down easy, so Rem dispassionately cut him off for her. “Sister is already attending in the reception room. There is no place there for other servants. Understand?”

[Assistant] Subaru took in Rem’s words and looked back at Emilia. “You’re kidding, right? I’m the one who’s out of the loop?”

[User] “Sorry, Subaru. Rem, lead the way.”

[Assistant] “Yes. Subaru, please return to your room.” Rem walked off to the upper floor with Emilia behind her.

[User] After Emilia’s small apology, Rem spoke kindly to Subaru even while in Work Mode. Subaru stayed in place and clicked his tongue. “Well, I don’t know much about this world, so I probably wouldn’t be of much use anyway…” He wondered if it was selfish that he still wanted to be a part of this. “I’m being left behind here—literally and metaphorically.”

[Assistant] “But accepting that and giving up are two different things. What should I do, huh?” Subaru Natsuki wasn’t meek enough to simply wander back to his room and sulk in bed. He sank into thought, trying to cook up an approach to deal with the situation his way.

[User] Finally, Subaru’s face twisted into an evil grin as he thought of something and snapped his fingers. “—Ding.”


[Assistant] “Isn’t it boring waiting out in front all this time? Maybe take a breather?” The old man on the box seat widened his eyes in surprise as Subaru came with some tea. The dragon carriage was still parked by the front gate of the mansion.

[User] “Forgive my rudeness. This is somewhat unexpected, and so, please watch out below again.” With that, the aged gentleman leaped down from the box seat. Just as before, his landing was nearly silent. "I shall do as you suggest. Certainly, my throat has become slightly parched.”

[Assistant] “Well, then, here you go.


[User] "I didn’t know what you liked, so I just brought the most expensive tea I could find.” The aged gentleman had a mild smile on his face as he accepted the tray. The expression deepened the age-appropriate wrinkles around his mouth.

[Assistant] Subaru noticed, studying him intently now that he was close. "Whoa, what the…?” Suddenly, a light impact from the side took him by surprise. He quickly found the culprit—the land dragon was poking its snout into Subaru’s shoulder. The jet-black creature regarded Subaru with sharp, reptilian eyes. Its gaze felt strange, but not uncomfortable. Perhaps he simply didn’t feel any hostility in those gentle eyes.

[User] “M-my apologies. This land dragon is the finest one in our house, but…”

[Assistant] “Ah, no, don’t worry about it. Actually I feel lucky to get so up close and personal.”

[User] “I am relieved to hear that. I must say, it is rare for it to react in this manner.” After apologizing for the animal’s discourtesy, the aged gentleman turned his blue eyes on Subaru as well.

[Assistant] The boy’s body tensed, as if he were suddenly at knifepoint.

[User] “—If I may ask, are those battle scars?”

[Assistant] “These? Well, a bunch of things happened, but I wouldn’t go as far as calling them battle scars…”

[User] “They are from the claws and fangs of beasts. That is why you are favoring your left side, yes?”

[Assistant] “……” Subaru was surprised the old man could tell exactly what had left the white traces exposed by the rolled-up sleeves of his track jacket. It was true that Subaru had been favoring his left side ever since he had been injured.

[User] “—I am deeply sorry for my repeated offenses. It may not be a question you wish to answer.” Apologizing in response to Subaru’s silence, the aged gentleman took a cup of black tea and brought it to his lips. He commented, “A fine taste. It has a considerable kick to it, I think.”

[Assistant] “…Well, I didn’t exaggerate. It seriously is the most expensive tea in the mansion. I’ll have a pink-haired maid on my case if I get caught for this…” That was no hyperbole, either. Ram would have quite the lecture waiting for him if she found out he used the “Do Not Touch” top-class tea without permission.

[User] The aged gentleman kept one eye closed as he appraised Subaru with the other. “Now then, what do you want from this old fossil after buttering me up with such wonderful tea?”

[Assistant] Faced with the man’s calm demeanor and shrewd discernment of his ulterior motive, Subaru could only tense up. As a youth, he knew he was sorely outmatched in this war of words, so he promptly raised the white flag. "Ya got me. My name is Subaru Natsuki. At the moment, I’m an apprentice servant here at Roswaal Manor."


[User] "I’d at least like to ask what your name is.” Acknowledging his status as a novice, he hoped to get his senior to offer a shred of mercy.

[Assistant] Seeing Subaru meekly bow his head, the aged gentleman relaxed his expression. “My, that is polite of you. I am called Wilhelm. I currently serve the House of Karsten, and that work has brought me to this place.”

[User] “Wilhelm, is it? Thank you very much… I’d be really grateful if you could at least tell me what brings you here… Ah, er, would you like to come inside?”

[Assistant] “I believe that the envoy is speaking about the matter?”

[User] “Well, yeah, but they won’t let me in on that. It’s no fun to be left out of an event and not advance the story, so I figured I’d approach it my way.” He knew this was not a man to spill secrets about important matters. But gradually growing on people was Subaru’s specialty. He wasn’t just a delinquent without any talent for reading the mood.

[Assistant] For a brief moment, Wilhelm was at a loss for words at Subaru’s ambitious behavior. “You remain levelheaded at unforeseen developments, and when your motives are exposed, you do not cower but only grow more defiant—Such a personality will assuredly incur displeasure.”

[User] “…So you’re saying I can’t even take a hint?”

[Assistant] “As I do not know your position within this manor, I cannot carelessly run my mouth. I hope you understand.” Wilhelm’s expression sharpened for a brief moment, then softened as he politely brushed off the impudent request.

[User] If things continued this way, Subaru would just wind up making Ram angry. “I will say, you do seem very close to Lady Emilia. It does not look like you are a mere servant.”

[Assistant] “R-r-really? Emilia-tan and I don’t look like an odd pair to you?”

[User] “‘Tan…’?” Wilhelm raised an eyebrow at the odd manner of address. Then, he smiled thinly as he realized the nature of Subaru’s feelings. “You walk a treacherous path indeed. She may become the next queen of Lugunica one day.”

[Assistant] “Right now, we’re just a super-cute girl and a dull servant boy. With the infinite future ahead, you never know what’ll happen. When you asked your wife to marry you, Wilhelm, did you think she was the loveliest woman in the whole world?”

[User] “My wife—” Subaru’s radical assertion made Wilhelm slip for a brief moment. He immediately nodded. “I see. Certainly, it is just as you say. I think of my wife as the most beautiful in the world. I felt like everyone was staring at her, and I needed to woo her while I could. Pathetic, yes?”

[Assistant] “You see? I’m like, if she has to end up with someone, might as well be me, even if I’m ‘unworthy.’ It might take a lot of persistence, but that’s my win-win ideal.”

[User] “You certainly act according to some very amusing logic. Fascinating, really. However, in the end I am a mere driver.


[User] “I do not think I shall be of much service.”

[Assistant] “I wonder. If you could tell it was Emilia-tan under her hood, I don’t think the ‘I’m just a driver’ excuse works very well.”

[User] Subaru’s flippant statement wiped the expression from Wilhelm’s face and silenced him.

[Assistant] “The robe Emilia-tan wears is supposed to stop bad magic users from figuring out who she is. Plus, because of some stuff recently, a hooded mantle was added that makes it even stronger… People can’t see who she is unless she wants them to, or they can break through the magic.”

[User] It was to protect her from the unfair handicap she had to bear, being born in her world.

[Assistant] “—And you realized all that from the beginning. Very cunning.”

[User] “Oh no, it was total dumb luck. When I was pouring the tea inside the mansion, I was like, ‘Wait, wasn’t that kinda odd?’”

[Assistant] The color of Wilhelm’s gaze changed as he watched Subaru smile very casually.

[User] “I suppose I cannot call myself a mere driver, then… As you surmised, I am indeed related to the royal selection—or related to someone related, I should say.”

[Assistant] “Related to someone related… That’s pretty much the position I’m in here.”

[User] “You and I are different, I believe, because my reason for involvement is not so romantic.”

[Assistant] “Well, of course not, when you’re married to the most beautiful woman in the world. I think Emilia-tan would beat her out for cuteness, though.”

[User] “No, even in loveliness, my wife has no match.”

[Assistant] Subaru had meant to make light of things, but the firm reply left him without a comeback. Wilhelm’s cheeks seemed to slacken again as he successfully drove the riposte home.

[User] “However—it would seem we are out of time.”

[Assistant] “Ah?” Subaru blurted like a dimwit as Wilhelm silently motioned to the mansion.

[User] “That’s Rem coming out with… Who is that?”

[Assistant] The familiar blue-haired maid was leaving the mansion with someone unfamiliar.

[User] “I guess, objectively, this fantasy stuff is extraordinary…”

[Assistant] Perhaps he said that without thinking because the object of his attention didn’t look like an “envoy” at all. The visitor noticed Subaru’s gaze and responded with a teasing smile.

[User] “Hey, it’s normal to fall in love with a beautiful person at first sight, but don’t you know it’s rude to stare?”

[Assistant] The speaker was a girl with a lovely face, her flaxen hair cut semi-long.

[User] However, her figure was terribly delicate, and her every action terribly feminine—everything just screamed girl at you.


[User] A white ribbon adorned her hair, and the sparkle in her wide eyes gave her the impression of an adorable cat. Indeed, atop her head were…

[Assistant] “Seeing them in person, I have to admit, cat ears do have a certain magic to them.”

[User] “Meow, meow?” As if responding to his murmur, the animal ears, the same color as her hair, quivered.

[Assistant] Subaru had never felt such anguish before at keeping his inner fur connoisseur in check. Subaru drifted off into the clouds.

[User] The girl turned to Wilhelm as he greeted her. "Hey, Grandpa Wil. Sorry to make you wait outside like that. It was boring, meow?”

[Assistant] “Not at all. This kind individual deigned to engage these old bones in conversation, helping me pass the time pass quite enjoyably.”

[User] “Fumyu?” At the old man’s reply, the girl put a finger to her cheek and tilted her head. Her catlike pupils narrowed as she observed Subaru. After a supercilious inspection, she clapped her hands together and announced,

[Assistant] “Oh-ho. You’re the boy Lady Emilia meowntioned.”

[User] “Uh, eh, ehh? !”

[Assistant] “Don’t move. It’s time for a little inspection.” Subaru was dumbstruck as the girl wrapped one arm around his neck, embracing him with her slender body. Since their heights were similar, her face pressed up to the side of Subaru’s. The whisper of her voice in his ear made his body tingle all over, and he blushed in acute embarrassment. The soft sensation was accompanied by a curiously nice scent. The sudden turn of events froze him solid as he devoted every ounce of willpower to keeping his cool.

[User] “Nom!”

[Assistant] “Hyaa!” His efforts crumbled when he felt a single nibble on his ear.

[User] Laughing at Subaru’s adorable yelp, the girl released him from her embrace with satisfaction. He hastily backed up, tumbling down onto his bottom. “Tee-hee, what a cute reaction. Anyway… The flow of water mana inside your body really is stagnant. If only there was time to do something about that, meow.”

[Assistant] “Wh-wh-what were you doing? !”

[User] “Checking your body out a little. The bite was complimeowntary.” Her glossy eyes locked on him as she provocatively bit her own pinkie finger.

[Assistant] Even knowing that she was teasing him, Subaru was still agitated and couldn’t dismiss it as mere humor.

[User] “Oh, don’t blush so much. Anymeow, I guess nobody’s told you anything, have they?”

[Assistant] "What do you mean? About what?"

[User] “About your body, and the deal, and things like that.”


[User] “Um, Emilia-tan… I’m a little conflicted saying so, but shouldn’t we cut this out?” Subaru wore an amicable smile, but cold sweat ran down his face as he made the suggestion.

[Assistant] “Absolutely not. This is you we’re talking about, so you will do something strange as soon as you’re out of my sight. I won’t permit a single step unsupervised while we’re in the royal capital. Understand?”

[User] “I’m really sorry for my stupidity in the dragon carriage! But this is treating me too much like a little kid! !”

[Assistant] The gaze Emilia leveled at Subaru was sharp and cold.


[User] “—Hey, can you stop flirting in front of a man’s shop like this?”

[Assistant] Emilia’s face stiffened.

[User] “You’re driving my customers away. Buy something or get moving already.”

[Assistant] “Well, that’s rude and inconsiderate. Here I came all ready to keep my promise. The shock alone could’ve made me forget completely, you know? Makes me wanna cry.” As Subaru slumped his shoulders.

[User] The man, resting his elbow on the counter, indelicately snorted back at him.


[User] “Here I am returning the favor to the first guy I met in a new world, and this is the thanks I get?”

[Assistant] “That’s overstating it. It was almost a month ago, and we only spoke a few words, right? I mean, I vaguely recall it, but…”


[User] "—Ehh?! You’re leaving me behind? !" Early in the morning at the inn, Subaru raised his voice in shock as he learned the day’s schedule. Subaru was stunned while Emilia and Rem sat before his eyes at the table.

[Assistant] "Of course I am. Subaru, the reasons you’re here in the royal capital were to see if your acquaintances are all right and to get you treated. That was the deal."

[User] "Er, but, since I’m feeling pretty well, you could loosen up the interpretation a little…"

[Assistant] "Absolutely not. Today really isn’t fun and games, and outsiders are forbidden to enter. I can’t even bring Rem with me." Emilia’s atypically strict instructions were hard for Subaru to argue with given how he’d wandered off just the day before.

[User] He looked to Rem for salvation, but the blue-haired maid shook her head.

[Assistant] "This time, Lady Emilia is absolutely correct. Please listen to her."

[User] "Crap, isn’t anyone on my side here?! And I can’t say anything because of what happened yesterday, either. Ugh!" Even if Rem was fundamentally biased toward Subaru, priorities were priorities. As a result of his failing to uphold Emilia’s instructions and wandering off on his own the day before, he was totally grounded. With Subaru directing his lament skyward, Emilia put her hands on her hips and exhaled.

[Assistant] "It won’t be that long… Or I’d like to say that, but I don’t really know when I’ll be back. So go ahead and eat supper together with Rem. Otherwise I think it might be a rather long wait."

[User] "Pfft. If you’re going to be that mean about it, I’ve got my own ideas, Emilia-tan. Hey, Rem. Let’s have a feast all by ourselves!"

[Assistant] "No, today’s menu is abble chips with abble salad, abble pie filled with abble jam, and I have freshly squeezed abble juice ready for dessert."

[User] "Abbles all the way down?! Damn you, Scarface!" Apparently, since he’d returned with nine abbles in his bag, it meant the evening’s menu would be a veritable abble festival.

[Assistant] Subaru laughed desperately as the image of the scar-faced shopkeeper smiling and giving him a thumbs-up came to mind. "Well, that’s fine, abbles are my favorite fruit, anyway! Being surrounded by abbles is heaven itself! Okay, Rem!! Let’s eat the whole thing up between the two of us! !"

[User] "Oh, I couldn’t. If you like it so much, I’ll let you have all of it."

[Assistant] "You act like you’re cozying up to me, but sometimes you just chuck me over the cliff, you know? !" Subaru was aghast at how Rem acted less out of concern for his position and more out of how to use his position to her advantage.


[User] Emilia slumped her shoulders at the interaction between the two before focusing on the maid. "Anyway, I’m trusting you with this, Rem. I think Roswaal has told you this, too, but… Be strict… Really, be strict, okay?"

[Assistant] "The way you repeated yourself after that pause—Emilia-tan’s super trusting of me, huh?" Subaru gave a thumbs-up at Emilia’s earnest reminder.

[User] Emilia, already accustomed to the sight, gently rested a hand on his face.

[Assistant] Subaru’s breath caught at the sudden contact.

[User] "Subaru, I’m not asking much of you…"

[Assistant] "R-right…?"

[User] "Please, let me trust you, okay?" For a moment, the sound of Emilia’s plea froze Subaru’s thoughts solid. Then, he caught her meaning, chewed it over, and swallowed with a nod.

[Assistant] "Y-yeah! I’ll do just that! I practically live to meet Emilia-tan’s expectations!" He still didn’t understand the cause of the lingering unease in her eyes when he reflexively agreed to all her conditions. He’d just accept them for now and take them into account when he shifted to action.

[User] In contrast, Emilia’s violet eyes darkened. Then, she quietly added… "Yes—I trust you."


[Assistant] It was probably less than an hour after Emilia had left for the royal palace. Subaru was spending his time studying the world’s writing system under Rem’s tutelage at the inn. He was mechanically copying characters, his thoughts consumed by just one thing. Namely, how he could be at Emilia’s side as she competed in the royal selection. Emilia was right to worry about how he would take her entreaties for him to wait. Subaru hadn’t considered patiently waiting at the inn for her return in the slightest. He felt a little guilty about disregarding his promise to her. Even so… "There’s definitely people here in the royal capital who have it out for Emilia…" The last time she had been to the royal capital was the first day Subaru had met her. Apparently she had snuck her way in to visit. In spite of this, enemies had targeted the emblem she carried, attempting to rob her of her qualification for the royal selection, and even her very life. Thinking back upon their fateful encounter, Subaru could not endure the burning in his chest. Having been suddenly summoned into another world, he’d lived until that day without a single word from anyone. He still had no idea who had summoned him or why. He didn’t have any leads. That was why Subaru was thinking about how to blow the current situation wide open. If no one was going to grant him a purpose, he’d decide his purpose for himself. "—I’m gonna…help Emilia." Subaru had probably been summoned to that world for that very reason. And if not, he’d do it anyway. That was the thought that animated Subaru Natsuki and gave him strength. "And that’s why…"

[User] "—?" Rem just happened to catch a glimpse of Subaru’s eyes as he hardened his inner resolve.


[User] With a slight blush of her cheeks, the maid stood firmly in his way, forming an impassable barrier in front of the door. He’d tried various methods to get her to leave her post already, but she’d even brought a chamber pot in with her. "Stare…"

[Assistant] "What is it, Subaru? Those intense eyes are making this a little awkward…"

[User] "Stare…"

[Assistant] "Y-you may not. Even if you look at me like an abandoned puppy, you may not."

[User] "Stare…"

[Assistant] "I-I promised Sister that I would fulfill my duties. So you may not." The power of Subaru’s silent stare was backing Rem into a corner. She seemed increasingly agitated as she endured Subaru’s gaze, glancing back at him with reproach. "Are you…worried about Lady Emilia that much? The royal palace is filled with numerous privileged guests besides Lady Emilia, so I imagine security is very tight."

[User] "It’s not how good the security is… I hate being left behind when Emilia has something really important happening."

[Assistant] "Subaru…" What Rem was saying made complete sense. He was acutely aware of his own deficiencies. The power Subaru possessed was meager and useless, and could only lead to pain and sorrow. But he didn’t care if he was useless. "If something happens, then I probably won’t be any use. And if it isn’t likely to happen, it’s great if it doesn’t. I get that."

[Assistant] "But if something does happen, maybe it won’t get resolved if I’m not there. I don’t know when that something might come, so I want to be there with Emilia when it counts." If some events could not be undone save through Return by Death, a tactic that only Subaru Natsuki could use, then that was a stage he ought to be fighting on. —Subaru did not realize that his thought process, taking his own “death” into the calculation, was warped to begin with.

[User] "...My goodness, Subaru, you really are incorrigible." Rem’s halting murmur sounded like surrender, making Subaru lift up his face in the hope that his wish had been granted. "Then you’ll…"

[Assistant] "No, you may not. Even so, I cannot permit you to pass, Subaru."

[User] "Wait, what’s with the way you were talking just now?! It totally sounded like…" As Subaru chewed her out, Rem dodged his question and raised a finger. "However… I will be working on a new abble dish that I suddenly thought of. As this requires great concentration, I will be extremely busy in the kitchen. It is highly probable that someone could slip out of this room without me realizing."

[User] "But you must not do anything untoward. Please continue your studies until I return. When everything is settled…I will treat you to the finest abble cuisine anyone has ever made." Subaru was cowed into silence as Rem gave him a motherly smile before standing. Just as she’d announced, she tied on an apron and left the room.


[User] Subaru listened to her light footsteps go down the stairs before he slumped back heavily in his chair. “Ahh, Rem’s so adorable… I’m the worst for taking advantage of her.” Closing his eyes, he thanked Rem for her clumsy idea and rose from his chair. Before leaving the room, Subaru reconsidered for a moment, took a pen, and tore out a page from the workbook.

[Assistant] Rem returned to the empty room, touching the table as she murmured offhandedly, “…I am slightly disappointed that he did not say, ‘Come with me.’” He’d left behind a note on the table with “Sorry, and thanks” written in crude I-script.

[User] “Subaru, you truly are incorrigible…” As Rem gazed at the note, her expression betrayed the true meaning of her words.

[Assistant] Rem picked up the note, pressing it against her chest and closing her eyes as she treated it as a precious gift from Subaru. “—But I wonder what Master Roswaal is thinking?” She inclined her head slightly as she voiced her doubts about the instructions her master had left that morning. “He said, ‘Do not stand in Subaru’s way no matter what Lady Emilia may say to you.’” It was as if he’d anticipated Subaru’s actions and had instructed her accordingly. She also wondered why he was valuing Subaru’s opinion above Emilia’s. But at any rate…

[User] “—Please come back to me safely, Subaru.” She did not think he had run off without any plan, but she knew he was a boy who would do such a thing for the sake of another, putting the safety of others before his own. All Rem could do was fulfill his request and pray he would be unharmed. For a time, Rem closed her eyes, picturing Subaru in her mind as she offered up a prayer. She then finished the tidying up of the half-completed study materials Subaru had abandoned before she retreated to the kitchen.