Arc 10, Part 16: "Foul Play"

“Subaru is—” “—a Sin Archbishop?”

It was a suspicion that made absolutely no sense. Even hearing it spoken aloud again to confirm it, it still didn't register. It was so nonsensical that if it were meant to catch them off guard, it was a grand success—one almost worth laughing at.

However, the face of the giant man before them—the man called Marcos—was far too grim to laugh off such an absurd suspicion as a joke. At the very least, Garfiel, who was entrusted with the position of the camp’s primary military officer, didn't have the slightest intention of letting his guard down in front of this man.

“————”

With a small snort, Garfiel quietly sniffed the heavy tension permeating the Royal Guest House. He sensed suppressed fighting spirit, the agitation of anxiety and distrust, and hidden behind those, the sharp, pungent scent of fear. Garfiel knew this atmosphere well; he had smelled it many times recently in the Vollachian Empire. It was the air of a fire magic stone warehouse on the verge of exploding. In other words—

“You lookin’ to pick a fight with us or somethin’?”

“—Does that mean you are refusing our request?”

“Hah? Don’t you go actin’ like we’re the ones startin’ trouble when you’re the one spittin’ in our faces!”

“Wait. Don’t snap at him, Garfiel. Please.”

Garfiel, gnashing his teeth in irritation and glaring up at the much taller Marcos, was held back by Emilia’s voice from behind. Since she added a “please,” Garfiel had no choice but to pull back his metaphorical horns. Emilia added a “thank you” for his compliance, then raised her head with resolve.

“I’m sorry for my boy’s behavior. He was just so-o surprised he couldn't find the words, so he got angry on my behalf instead.”

“Then, Lady Emilia, are you saying you are as angry as he is?”

“That’s… well, yes. I’m wondering why you’re saying such strange things, and now that the surprise has worn off, I’m feeling super-duper uneasy. I think I’m about to get angry, too. But—”

Emilia paused there and placed a hand on her chest. She toyed with the green magic crystal hanging there, using its hard sensation to organize her thoughts.

“Even if I throw a tantrum here, it won’t make Subaru’s situation any better. That would just be me getting angry because I want to. I don’t think that’s right.”

“—. You look me in the eye and speak so clearly.”

“...Marcos-san, we haven't talked much since the last time we spoke, have we? This is how I am now. I’ve gotten just a little bit stronger than before. And that’s thanks to Subaru, too.”

“————”

Marcos narrowed his eyes with a look of contemplation as Emilia answered him without being swept away by emotion, yet without being intimidated. Meanwhile, as Garfiel listened to Emilia, he felt the blood that had rushed to his head slowly recede. He didn't, however, release the tension in his body.

“In the first place, this so-called suspicion seems like nothing but nonsense. Natsuki-san having a connection to the Witch Cult? And at the level of a Sin Archbishop? That’s not even a funny joke.”

“That’s right! Besides, Subaru-sama has solved so many problems caused by the Witch Cult until now! He even defeated Sin Archbishops and saved me and everyone in the village… Please don’t say such weird things!”

Otto and Petra provided covering fire, and Garfiel nodded along, grunting, “Yeah, what they said.” ‘Sloth,’ ‘Greed,’ and even ‘Gluttony’—the Sin Archbishops had been defeated or captured in battles led by Subaru, dealing massive blows to the Witch Cult. On top of that, Subaru had contributed greatly to the subjugation of the Great Mabeasts, the ‘White Whale’ and the ‘Great Rabbit.’ To say Subaru was part of the Witch Cult after all that was simply too ridiculous.

“Don’t tell me you’re tryin’ to say we’re havin’ some big internal brawl. Even if I got into a fight with big bro Otto, I wouldn’t beat him to a pulp. Well, it wouldn’t even be a fight to begin with.”

“I’m not sure if the analogy between Garf and Otto is appropriate, but I think the question is valid. …I don’t believe that man is capable of harboring that kind of malice.”

“That’s true. He certainly seems to love taking on a lo-ot of trouble, but I think the main reason he does it is just because he doesn’t think things through.”

Despite a sharp jab from Rem, the camp’s opinion—including Meili, who followed her—matched Garfiel’s. This was their collective consensus, centered around Emilia. In response, Marcos’s stony expression didn't waver in the slightest.

“I understand that the members of this camp place absolute trust in Knight Natsuki Subaru. That being said, I must once again request Lady Emilia’s presence at the castle.”

“Should I tell the people at the castle what I just said?”

“In addition to that, we ask that you answer our questions truthfully. As a word of caution, I will tell you that cooperating to the fullest to resolve these doubts is the best way to clear his name.”

“————”

“—Um, may I ask something?”

As Emilia lowered her amethyst eyes in thought at Marcos’s repeated request, it was Rem who spoke up. Like Garfiel, she asked while keeping a sharp eye on the surrounding Kingdom soldiers. Her question was—

“The person in question… Natsuki Subaru. Does he not need to be with us?”

—In that instant, the atmosphere among the Kingdom soldiers shifted completely.

“————”

The emotions directed at them from the surroundings turned sharp, and the hair on Garfiel’s neck stood up. Though no physical blades were drawn, the room was dominated by a gaze equivalent to having sword points leveled at them. It was a ripple of emotion, as if a previously still surface of water had been trampled upon, creating waves that wouldn't vanish. It was a touch-and-go situation where a single bursting bubble or a stray spark could trigger an explosion—

“—Quiet.”

A single word—no, a single word accompanied by a fierce surge of killing intent—swept away the wavering emotions of the crowd, suppressing the waves by force.

“—!”

Garfiel felt an illusion as if he had been struck by a palm as massive as a mountain. The momentary pressure forced his pores open, and he had to use all his reason to stop his body from partially transforming into a beast. His instincts were bristling at the extraordinary power possessed by the source of that killing intent—a surge far more massive than anything the soldiers had directed at them just moments ago.

“My soldiers have been very rude. —And to the military officer there, I apologize once more for the disrespect.”

“—Hah? Just me?”

“I intended to focus it only on the soldiers, but it seems I hit you as well. I see you are quite well-trained.”

As Marcos bowed his head slightly, Garfiel noticed that the other members of his camp were merely frowning, looking as though they had no idea what that surge of killing intent was. It seemed that, just as Marcos said, only Garfiel and the intended soldiers had actually felt it. —Once again, Garfiel was reminded.

Marcos Gildark—he was hidden in the shadow of the outlier that was the ‘Sword Saint’ Reinhard van Astrea, but his position at the top of the Lugnica Royal Knights was no mere decoration.

“...The reaction you all just had felt very, very strange. Could you answer Rem’s question? What’s happening with Subaru and Beatrice?”

Ignoring Garfiel, who held both dread and vigilance in his emerald eyes, Emilia asked her question with narrowed eyes. Marcos’s facial shadows deepened as he replied.

“—. Lady Emilia, what do you know of Knight Natsuki Subaru’s movements?”

“Today, he went out to talk with Microtov-san. Alone… well, Beatrice is with him, so the two of them. He said he had a promise to talk—”

“—Lord Microtov McMahon has passed away.”

“Eh?”

The report, inserted as if to cut off Emilia’s words, struck the air of the drawing room with an impact far greater than any breach of etiquette.

Naturally, Garfiel knew the name Microtov McMahon. He wasn't just someone Subaru and the others had gone to see; he was a big name involved in the Royal Selection. A core member of the ‘Council of Sages.’ Hearing of his death was bound to be a shock. However, the true shock came with the words that followed.

As Garfiel and the others remained in a state of confusion, Marcos continued to press them. That is—

“Currently, the Kingdom is pursuing Knight Natsuki Subaru and Duchess Crusch Karsten, a Royal Selection candidate, on the suspicion of conspiring in Lord McMahon’s death.”

“Wait! What do you mean? Subaru and Crusch-san? Involved in Microtov-san’s death…?”

“The sword wounds on Lord McMahon’s body recovered from the scene match the knight sword bearing the Karsten Ducal House crest. There are also reports that Lord McMahon fell by the Duchess’s hand, and that Knight Natsuki Subaru aided her escape.”

“Wha…!”

Garfiel felt a momentary dizziness from the sheer violence of the organized information. Not only had an important figure like Microtov been killed, but Crusch was the one who did it, and Subaru had helped her—it seemed like nothing but an utterly ridiculous accusation.

“That Duchess…!”

Even setting aside the absurd suspicion toward Subaru, Garfiel couldn't believe that Crusch would resort to such violence. Garfiel’s only contact with Crusch had been for a day and a half in the Watergate City. But they were comrades who had fought side-by-side to save the city from the Witch Cult. He knew she was someone who could truly swing her sword for the sake of others, and he had sincerely wanted to do something about the price she had paid for that. Garfiel hadn't seen it personally, but when he heard that Crusch’s body had been healed by the power of the ‘Dragon Church’s’ miracle, he had felt relieved, setting aside all the complications of the Royal Selection.

—To say that Crusch had committed such a crime and Subaru had aided her… what a load of nonsense.

“—Let me confirm one thing. If you are pursuing them, does that mean Natsuki-san and Lady Crusch are currently fugitives?”

Suddenly, a question flew out in a voice that suppressed all emotion, attempting to grasp the situation accurately. The one who spoke was, without a doubt, Otto—the intellectual pillar of the camp. Emilia’s amethyst eyes, trying to contain her agitation, turned toward him.

“Otto-kun…”

“This is important. The fact that the Knight Commander himself came here is likely less out of respect for Lady Emilia and more out of caution.”

“Caution? As in, thinking Emilia-san or we would go on a rampage?”

“That might be part of it, but the biggest concern is likely them regrouping. This formation is to prevent Natsuki-san and the others from joining up with us and being hidden. Am I wrong?”

“—Explaining the intent of our deployment involves military secrets, so I cannot answer.”

“I see. If you don’t deny it, that’s enough for me.”

Garfiel felt nothing but reliability as he watched Otto nod at Marcos’s non-answer, all while Otto kneaded his own rising passion and agitation into something harmless.

In times like these, he truly felt glad Otto was there. Even in a complex situation where various motives were intertwined, Garfiel could focus on his role as a shield because he believed Otto would organize things and provide the necessary information. Here, too, Garfiel decided to stick to that role, refusing to be misled by unnecessary emotions.

“The fact that Lord McMahon has died, and the suspicion that Natsuki-san might be a member of the Witch Cult… they feel related, yet also unrelated. To want to hear from Emilia-san because of that is, no matter how you look at it—”

“I have already told you that the best way to resolve these doubts is to answer questions at the Royal Castle. If you refuse, the Kingdom will have no choice but to assume that Lady Emilia and her camp have abandoned their responsibility to explain Knight Natsuki Subaru’s suspicions.”

“That’s just forcing us, regardless of Emilia-neesama’s will!”

“It is not forced. However, if you do not comply, the suspicion will remain as it is, and the Kingdom will simply decide its stance toward Knight Natsuki Subaru.”

“————”

Without letting any emotion into his low voice, Marcos continued his unchanging request. Whether pushed or pulled, he stood firm like a mountain and could not be moved. Just as the air was about to reach a breaking point of frustration on both sides—

“—I understand. I’ll go to the castle. Let me talk about Subaru there.”

“A wise decision.”

“...Then, please prepare immediately.”

Marcos nodded at Emilia, who had decided to comply to avoid further stagnation or a total collapse of the situation. Petra moved to prepare for the trip to the castle, her eyes filled with resentment toward his attitude. However, Otto stopped her with a “No.” He kept his eyes narrowed and nodded to the wide-eyed Petra before speaking.

“We will choose the companions for the castle carefully. …Right?”

“You are perceptive. This makes things quick.”

“...What do you mean?”

Emilia frowned at the exchange of glances between Otto and Marcos. To her question, Marcos straightened his tall frame and replied.

“Regarding Lady Emilia’s visit to the castle, we cannot allow the members of your camp to accompany you. Currently, the suspicion surrounding Knight Natsuki Subaru could extend to Lady Emilia’s entire camp. To maintain the independence of the testimony, we must limit your attendants to one person to handle your personal needs.”

“Only one attendant…!?”

“It will be a burden, but we ask for your cooperation.”

Marcos’s attitude was unwavering, likely having anticipated their surprise. Garfiel glanced at Otto and saw from his slightly scowling face that he, too, had expected this answer. The problem was that even though it was expected, it was undoubtedly a blow to the camp.

“At least let me go…”

“I would not recommend that. I understand your desire to serve as a guard as a military officer, but you are more than a match for an immediate combat force. If Lady Emilia, who is in the midst of suspicion, goes to the castle with such military power, it will look like a show of force rather than a plea for understanding.”

“That’s just an excuse…”

“There are those who would take it that way.”

By piling up words, the opponent was suppressing their intentions. Garfiel wanted to dodge it somehow, but since even Otto wasn't interjecting, it meant the opponent’s logic was sound. But—

“If it comes down to an attendant…”

In the camp’s current state, the only options were Petra or Rem. If Frederica had been here, leaving it to his sister would have been best, but that was wishing for the impossible. It would be difficult to entrust Emilia to Rem, who hadn't regained her ‘memories,’ and although Petra was sharp, the anxiety of leaving such a major situation to her outweighed everything else. What exactly would be the best course of action—just as he thought that.

“—Then it’s settled. Ram will go with Emilia-sama.”

“—! Ram!?”

Garfiel’s eyes widened as he saw Ram appear at the entrance of the drawing room. Dressed in her familiar maid uniform and wearing her usual expression of strong will, Ram’s appearance shocked not only Garfiel but Emilia and the others as well.

After all, Ram was supposed to be resting in a state nearly equivalent to being bedridden due to the heavy strain that began with the journey to the Pleiades Watchtower. She was supposed to stay in the Royal Capital and wait for Garfiel and the others to return, skipping the planned trip to Pristella. Yet, she had stood up and was now standing boldly by Emilia’s side. Before the stunned group, she pinched the hem of her skirt and performed a curtsy.

“I apologize for the delay. I was busy confirming the softness of my bed, so I was late in noticing the arrival of guests.”

“...Is the feel of the bed okay now?”

“Yes. I suppose it’s at a passing grade.”

Ram shrugged slightly, and there was no sign of fatigue on her face. However, it was clear that she was just as good as ever at hiding her burdens, not that she had actually recovered. Even her exchange with Emilia just now, substituting her physical condition with the state of the bed, meant that concerns definitely remained. However—

“Sister…”

“Rem, I’ll leave the care of the leftovers here to you. Everyone would fall apart without the power of the lovely and talented Ram and Rem sisters. Only Petra is somewhat decent.”

“—Yes, I understand.”

Rem, having swallowed her worry and anxiety for her sister, nodded while holding back tears in her pale blue eyes as she accepted the role Ram had naturally decided on. During this exchange, Garfiel looked at Otto. It was a move that seemed like Ram’s own independent decision, but Otto’s judgment was—

“I agree. I think Ram-san is the right person. Can we leave Emilia-sama to you?”

“You don’t even need to ask. Otto, you’d better pull yourself together. Garf, you’d better let yourself be used well.”

“...Don’t gotta tell me twice.”

Emilia, Rem, and Otto all respected Ram’s decision and responded firmly to the words she entrusted to them, but Garfiel’s voice had a hint of weakness in it. Garfiel felt ashamed of it, but Ram softened her pink eyes slightly.

“Dummy.”

With that, she pushed aside Garfiel’s weakness with a sweet sternness.

“—Everyone, I’m going. I’ll make sure to clear up the misunderstanding about Subaru and talk so that everyone understands.”

Once the decision for Ram to accompany her as an attendant was unanimous, Emilia, having solidified her resolve to go to the castle, made her declaration and looked around at all the faces of her camp.

To be honest, the situation was beyond unreasonable. In this kind of atmosphere, being one-sidedly pushed around was a bad sign. If this were a fistfight, you’d lose immediately if you let the opponent do whatever they wanted. To avoid losing, you had to see through what the opponent wanted to do and stop it, then do what you wanted to do in return.

“It’s always like this, but please lend me your strength. I’m asking you.”

Saying so, Emilia bowed deeply and asked her comrades for their help. Even though she was the head of the camp, a Royal Selection candidate, and held a properly grand title, she could still bow without hesitation and rely on someone else’s strength. That was the reason why Garfiel—no, why all the members of the camp—wanted to do their best for Emilia and Subaru. That’s why—

“Yeah! Of course! Don’t you worry, Emilia-sama!”

Garfiel raised his fist and shouted with extra spirit, hoping to kick away the anxiety of Emilia and Ram as they headed for the castle.

—And so, the group saw off Emilia as she was taken to the Royal Castle by Marcos and his men, with only Ram as her attendant.

“Everyone, please pack your things, the bare minimum is fine. —We leave in five minutes.”

As soon as they were alone in the drawing room, having chased away the soldiers left to guard the mansion, Otto spoke to the remaining members. Garfiel’s eyes widened at the sudden statement.

“Five minutes? You ain’t gonna wait for Emilia-sama?”

“No. We don’t have a moment to lose. The suspicion cast on Natsuki-san, the aggressive attitude forcing Emilia-sama to the castle… the goal is obvious.”

“—It’s to remove her from the Royal Selection, isn't it?”

“Almost certainly.”

Responding to both Garfiel’s question and Petra’s words, Otto held a sharp look on his usually soft face and held up a finger.

“The timing is just too perfect. On the very day Lord McMahon called for them, Natsuki-san gets caught up in a stabbing… and the one who did it is Duchess Crusch, another candidate. There’s a massive force at work here.”

“Removing Emilia-san and the other lady from the board at the same time… and he was used for that purpose.”

“With the information we have now, that’s the only way to look at it. As for Lady Crusch, it would have been difficult for her to continue in the selection once she sought help from the ‘Dragon Church,’ but still…”

“Hey, I know there’s no end to the talking, but I don’t think we have much time to spare. It’ll be bad if that Old Stone-face comes back, right?”

Meili interjected, putting a stop to the conversation that was threatening to drag on. As she toyed with her braid, making the small red scorpion on her head snip its claws, her term ‘Old Stone-face’ likely referred to Marcos. It was true that Marcos was currently heading to the castle with Emilia and was absent. Currently, the Royal Guest House was surrounded by Kingdom soldiers ordered to stand by, and effectively, Garfiel and the others were in a state of house arrest—

“If we just stay quiet and obey, we’ll run out of moves. We move before Marcos-san returns.”

“...We’re going to look for him, aren't we?”

“Natsuki-san and Lady Crusch. We won’t even have a starting point until we know what happened to those two and what they saw at Lord McMahon’s manor.”

“I wonder if it’ll be okay. Relying on him.”

“Even if Natsuki-san is hopeless, Beatrice-chan is with him. The girl stuck to him is far more reliable than the main body.”

With a small smile, Otto spoke to Rem to reassure her. Rem lowered her brows; it wasn't true relief, but she accepted the consideration. In that flow of everyone breaking down their anxieties together, Garfiel slapped both his cheeks with his hands.

“Got it. I’m ready to do this! Big bro Otto, even if we’re gone, Emilia-sama and Ram…”

“They should be safe. It’s not permitted to harm a Royal Selection candidate like Emilia-sama by skipping all the procedures. They’ll follow those rules. Either way, the moment they pressured her to go to the castle, the opponent’s goal was solely her detention.”

“Tch, got it! Then I’ll knock out all the guards, and in the meantime—”

“—You must not.”

“Hah?”

Otto shook his head in front of Garfiel, who had cracked his knuckles and raised his fighting spirit. His momentum thwarted, Garfiel blinked as Otto looked at him with a serious expression.

“The guards are just following orders; they aren't our enemies. I want to avoid injuring them. Ideally, we won’t even let them draw their swords. What we need to do is flee to prove our innocence, not start a war.”

“If we cause casualties, it will make things worse for Emilia-sama, sister… and his position as well.”

“That’s exactly it.”

Garfiel gritted his teeth as Otto nodded while adjusting his hat. He understood. It was logical. He understood the logic, but he couldn't think of a way forward from there. Of course, if Marcos returned, there would be absolutely no guarantee they could safely escape the Guest House. But right now, at the very least, they could force their way out. If that was forbidden, what could they possibly do—

“I can ask the insects and birds about where the guard is thin. I could ask them to draw their attention, too. It’s still not certain, though…”

“—In that case, I have an idea.”

“Really, Petra-san?”

As Otto proposed his usual method using his Protection, Petra raised her hand, causing Rem to ask in surprise. In response, Petra squeezed her small fists tight and said, “Yes!”

“I’m very angry right now. Angry that Subaru is being suspected, that Emilia-neesama is being glared at, and that Ram-neesama is being forced to push herself. So, I absolutely won’t do what they say!”

“That’s scary but reliable… so, what’re we gonna do?”

“Of course, a special strategy. It’s Otto-san’s specialty!”

“My… specialty…?”

Otto tilted his head, having no idea what she meant after being pointed out so directly. Meanwhile, Petra, her cheeks flushed with excitement, looked completely confident in this so-called strategy.

“Petra-chan, what are you planning to do?”

“It’s something Meili-chan and Garf-san already know. You see—”

Saying so, Petra beckoned everyone closer, and she boldly explained the contents of her special strategy. That is—

“Fire—!!”

The voice of a panicked Kingdom soldier rang out, and panic spread through the Royal Guest House. What they witnessed was smoke billowing out of the kitchen with incredible force. Faced with a massive amount of smoke accompanied by heat and a burnt smell, many of the brave soldiers immediately moved to respond.

They rushed into the kitchen to confirm the source of the fire, hurrying to identify the cause of the thick smoke. Their goal was to extinguish it depending on the situation and immediately suppress both the flames and the panic. However—

“The source of the fire is under the floor, and the cause of the smoke is a blocked chimney… putting it out won’t be easy.”

Petra, who had proposed the fire alarm strategy and even planned the details, deepened her smile as she listened to the panic that had erupted exactly as intended. It was a smile that should have been called cute, but Garfiel, seeing it up close, couldn't help but feel a chilling sensation for some reason. At any rate—

“I really don’t appreciate having ‘burning down buildings’ treated as my specialty!”

Ignoring Otto’s protest, the fire alarm strategy was a brilliant success. Unable to risk the important building that was the Royal Guest House and the people detained within, the Kingdom soldiers were preoccupied with dealing with the smoke, and their attention drifted away from Garfiel and the others. In the meantime—

“Sorry, but you’re gonna have to sleep for a bit!” “I’m sorry. My grudge… is only for my sister’s sake.”

“—!”

Garfiel and Rem each took care of the two soldiers who hadn't left the back entrance, choking them unconscious to secure a path. They didn't let them draw their weapons. While fulfilling the conditions Otto had set beforehand, Garfiel exchanged a glance with Rem and they nodded to each other. Then, they headed outside with Otto, Petra, and Meili.

“If you wanted to cause a scene, I could have done something with my Mabeasts.”

“That’s the one thing we absolutely can’t do. If Meili-chan calls Mabeasts and lets them go wild, it’ll just support the suspicions against us. Subaru is a Sin Archbishop of the Witch Cult, Emilia-sama is related to the ‘Witch of Envy,’ Meili-chan goes on a rampage with Mabeasts, and Otto-san burns down buildings one after another.”

“Regarding that last suspicion, I have counter-evidence that Petra-chan was there too, not just me, like with the previous mansion!”

“I understand, regardless of Otto-onii-san’s nature.”

Meili shrugged as she ran, her skirt fluttering. However, although she maintained a nonchalant attitude, Garfiel thought her previous statement was likely born from Meili’s own frustration. Meili had power. But it was a double-edged sword that, if swung, would put even those she wanted to protect in danger—the existence of a blade she couldn't swing was making her feel frustrated.

“Don’t you worry. I’ll do enough work for the both of us.”

Garfiel patted Meili’s head as he ran beside her. Meili immediately looked at him with a look of annoyance, and Garfiel gnashed his teeth.

“Big bro Otto’s got the ears, I’ve got the nose, we’ll find the Captain somehow. Until then, well… just cheer us on! Cheer us on!”

“Cheering… like, ‘do your best’?”

“Yeah. Actually, being cheered on really gives you strength.”

Meili looked at him skeptically, but it was a sensation Garfiel remembered well. After all, the reason Garfiel had been able to hold his own against the eight-armed Kurgan, who had become a corpse soldier in Pristella, was thanks to his younger siblings who were there—and the cheers of the citizens who were pushed by Subaru’s speech and found hope.

Yes, that was it. The reason Garfiel won there was the power of cheers. And that will to cheer existed because none other than Subaru had inspired the people. It was the result of Natsuki Subaru overwriting the despair prepared by the Witch Cult with hope.

“There’s no way that Captain is a Sin Archbishop…!”

The fact that it was even being suspected was so stupid that Garfiel felt like the back he respected was being defiled, and it was truly, truly infuriating. It wasn't just Pristella. There were many people who knew Natsuki Subaru’s goodness—the people of the ‘Sanctuary’ where Garfiel lived with his grandmother, Petra’s Arlam Village which was saved from the Witch Cult, and those who challenged the White Whale alongside Subaru.

—And the one who believed in Subaru most strongly among them was none other than Emilia.

According to Otto, the request for Emilia to go to the castle was for her detention from the start, and the questioning to clear Subaru’s name was nothing more than a pretext. However, if the opponent truly had the intention of clearing Subaru’s name, there was no one but Emilia who could weave the words for that with all her soul.

“Damn it.”

It was frustrating. Frustrating. It was just so frustrating. It was so frustrating he couldn't stop. Subaru had worked so hard, hadn't he? He had worked so desperately hard just because he wanted to be of help to the Emilia he loved, and because he wanted to protect the hearts of everyone he was with.

So why wouldn't they listen to the voices of those who knew of Subaru’s hard work? If they would just give them that one chance, they would understand.

—That Natsuki Subaru was the coolest person, Garfiel’s proud big brother, who struggled with all his might to make an impossible ideal come true.

“Garf-onii-san…”

“—It’s nothin’! ‘Even if Kurgan lost his arms, he still took down his enemy’! I can’t be mopin’ around either!”

He had intended to encourage Meili, but he ended up getting emotional himself. Garfiel brushed it off with a spirited voice and a gnashing of teeth, looking forward. Seeing this, Meili narrowed her eyes slightly.

“Everyone really is a comrade of Subaru-onii-san and Emilia-onee-san.”

She muttered something that, to Garfiel, was nothing but a compliment.

“—Otto-san, what do we do next?”

Running behind Garfiel and the others, Rem pulled up alongside Otto and asked her question. In response, Otto led them, saying, “This way.”

“For now, I want to hide so they can’t track our footsteps. It won’t be long before our escape is discovered. I want to leave the Noble District immediately. I’m currently borrowing their strength for that.”

“—. ———. I see.”

Otto led the way through shadows and alleys after jumping out of the Guest House. Ahead of Otto’s gaze, familiar insects were scurrying about. At the words that he was borrowing their strength, Rem simply uttered a word of understanding. Garfiel had also had painful experiences in the past, so he had some rather unpleasant memories of Otto using insects—mainly Zodda bugs—as negotiation partners. Of course, as an ally, there was no human or insect more reliable.

“If we get caught at a checkpoint, it’s over. So—Garfiel!”

“You got it! You two, hold on tight!”

“Kyaa—!”

At Otto’s call, Garfiel pulled Meili and Petra, who were right beside him, close and held them each in one arm. He kicked off the wall in front of them—the sturdy defensive wall connecting the Noble District and the Commoner District of the Royal Capital—and leaped over to the other side. It was a wall that should have played an important role in the capital’s security, but with Garfiel’s leg strength, it was a piece of cake.

“Wait here for a bit. I gotta bring big bro Otto and Rem over, too.”

“I understand that, but… Garf-san, you can’t just pick up a girl like that. You really startled me.”

“Hah? What’re you worryin’ about such a trivial—don’t look at me with those scary eyes! Fine, I get it!”

It seemed to be a serious matter, as Garfiel felt a chill from Petra’s glare and apologized. Then he took a running start, looking up to leap over the wall again—

“—I’m sorry. I was able to cross even without Garf.”

Garfiel’s eyes widened as Rem landed right in front of him. He was surprised she could jump over the wall, but even more surprising was—

“Otto-onii-san managed to avoid screaming, I see.”

“It was a close call, though… Rem-san, please put me down. Natsuki-san will kill me.”

“Huh? Why does that man’s name come up? I don’t understand.”

“That’s the way someone who does understand says it!”

Otto let out a scream as he was glared at from up close by Rem, who was holding him. As Otto was finally put down on the ground and teased by Petra and the others, Garfiel let out a long breath, suppressing the emotions he had felt just moments ago.

Without a doubt, the situation was bad. Perhaps even worse than when they were caught in the civil war in the Empire. But surely Subaru was safe with Beatrice. And if Ram was with her, Emilia wouldn't do anything reckless and would do her best. And everyone here—Otto, Rem, Petra, and Meili—was reliable. —He would support them.

The situation was bad. But he could laugh. If he could laugh, they weren't completely cornered yet.

“Big bro Otto, next time I’ll be the one to carry you and fly.”

“Yes, I’ll be counting on you.”

“Yeah. So, what’s next? You said somethin’ about hidin’ for now.”

“That’s right. First, I’ll guide us to a place with no people—”

Otto, who had been slowly shaking his head and looking around, cut himself off. He blinked and began frantically looking at buildings, shadows, and everywhere near the defensive wall. Sensing an unhideable agitation there, Garfiel spoke.

“Big bro Otto?”

“—They’re gone.”

“Gone? What’s gone…?”

“The Zodda bugs. No, not just the Zodda bugs. All the insects I entrusted with guiding us here are gone… No way!”

Otto’s eyes widened, and he turned back to everyone instead of the shadows. His expression stiffened, and his voice was scorched with panic as he grabbed Garfiel’s arm. And then—

“I messed up! Somehow… I was tricked by the insects!”

“Tricked by insects… you, Otto-san? That can’t be…”

“It happened! We were guided here! At this rate, there’s no escape! We have to leave here immediately—”

Naturally, having the territory he thought was a safe zone invaded, even Otto, the party involved, seemed unable to believe it, yet he appealed to his comrades with the worst possibility. In response, Garfiel woke his stunned heart and tried to move immediately as Otto said—

“—That’s far enough.”

—The worst possible pursuer arrived at that very moment.