—Use every tool available, and reclaim the throne of the Vollachia Emperor.
Just as Subaru was confirming this with a nod, Abel gave his assent.
"It seems we've reached a conclusion."
Priscilla murmured, seeing the council's resolution, and hid her mouth behind her open fan.
As she said, the council had come to a general consensus. They shared the victory conditions, decided on their future course of action, and established their next destination and objective.
The only thing left was— "If we're heading to Chaos Frame with just a small elite squad, what happens with everyone else? Right now it's just me, Abel, Taritta, and Medium—four of us..."
"—Mind if I say something about that?"
"Al?"
As Subaru was about to select the final members for the expedition to their next destination—the Magic Capital Chaos Frame—Al interjected from the side.
Raising his one arm, he scratched the back of his neck with that same raised hand— "Hey, Princess—mind if I loosen the reins for a bit? I'd like to tag along with Brother here."
"Huh!?"
"Whoa, your voice cracked there, Bro. It's that surprising?"
Caught off guard by Al's proposal, Subaru's voice shot up an octave. Al chuckled in amusement.
But even if Al said it so casually, Subaru couldn't just nod along.
"W-Why would you..."
"What do you mean, 'why'? I already said—I'm pitching in to help my Brother. Even a washed-up old geezer like me's gotta be good for something."
"You... you were actually serious about that?"
Al shrugged his broad shoulders at Subaru's question. Subaru recalled their exchange before the council and was genuinely surprised that Al was sticking to what they'd discussed.
He had been encouraged—that was true. He'd been emboldened—that too. He'd been given a push forward. But he never actually thought Al would be serious about "helping."
"Huh? You freeze up on me? My offer really touch you that much?"
"...No, once I got over the initial surprise, it's not like anyone's ever said you were strong, and when you add me and Abel to the mix, the gender ratio of our fighting force is pretty rough."
"Sorry to disappoint, but I'm way weaker than that Amazone lady over there!"
Al pointed decisively at Taritta while cheerfully admitting his own inadequacy.
Taritta's strength was undoubtedly among the top ranks even within the People of Schudrak, and having witnessed her fight against the Nine Divine Generals, Al's addition was hardly a game-changer in terms of combat power.
But still— "But... I'm happy just hearing you say that. I'll take it to heart."
"Heh, don't mention it, Bro... Wait, huh? Just the sentiment? Don't tell me this is a polite rejection? Like, 'Sorry, this time it wasn't meant to be'?"
Despite Al's endless doubts about Subaru's response, his interpretation wasn't wrong.
Subaru genuinely appreciated the offer, but this was the
"And, Princess."
Just as Subaru reached that conclusion, a beautiful voice suddenly called Al's name from his side.
The speaker was, of course,
Toward her own retainer, who had just declared his next move.
"Was it not you who offered to accompany me to the fortress city? And now you would leave me behind to go frolic with your circus friends?"
"I don't think it's gonna be the fun-filled jaunt you're making it out to be, but yeah, that's the plan. Or what—Princess, you gonna miss me without me around? If you wanna give me a hug to make me stay..."
"Fool."
"Yeah, figured."
Al's light jest was shut down flat, and he drooped without much disappointment. Priscilla stared down at the top of his helmeted head, then let out a soft sigh.
"Then dance as best you can."
"Oh, I know. And Princess—you better not let yourself go just 'cause me and Schult aren't around. Your beauty is the world's beauty."
"As if I need you to tell me. And whom do you take me for?"
"Why, the center of the world herself—my Princess, Priscilla Barielle, of course."
With a playful tone, Al delivered his flamboyant line and bowed with exaggerated nonchalance before Priscilla. Then, turning around, he gave Subaru a proper wave. "Take care, will ya."
"Wait—was that exchange just now the final verdict? What about my input!?"
"Geez, you're really resistant about this, huh. That stings. Or maybe—without me even noticing—I've started smelling like old man or something? Am I really that hard to be around?"
"That's not what I—Look, why does she get the final say—"
"Sure, you're free to refuse, of course. But—can you really refuse? —It's the Princess, y'know?"
Al tilted his chin up with a click and gestured toward Priscilla, who was fanning herself.
That brazen confidence was the overwhelming basis of Al's words. The terror of going against something Priscilla had decided.
That said, if it led to anxiety down the road, he couldn't just accept it either.
"Priscilla, I—"
"It does not matter. Come along if you must."
"Abel, you bastard—aren't you supposed to be treating me as your strategist!?"
But just as Subaru was about to voice his objection to Priscilla, he was shot in the back once again.
When Subaru glared at Abel for cutting in, Abel stood there with arms crossed, facing him with equal composure. Like Priscilla, he was stubbornly intent on carrying through with his will.
But Subaru had to point out that this made the terms of employment rather different.
"If my input isn't going to be taken into account, what's the point of having me as a strategist?"
"Don't get ahead of yourself. If your opinion is worth hearing, I'll hear it. But the final decision on all matters rests with me. I will not hand that over to you."
"Grrr... Are you one of those bosses who steals your subordinates' work...?"
"Don't make me repeat myself. —The credit is yours. That's how it has to be."
"..."
—A fallen emperor had gained a shrewd advisor at his side.
What Abel wanted was exactly that kind of reputation for Subaru. He was saying he'd go so far as to give up credit for victories, to embellish the truth a little, if that was what it took.
But that was no different from piling fiction on top of fiction.
"Being a fake isn't good enough. I have to be the real deal if I'm going to take back what I lost."
"—. Then convince me, the world, and yourself with your own hands. Until you can do that, your ambitions are nothing but the ravings of a fool."
"Damn right I will. I'll make use of any bad debt I have to."
Gritting his back teeth, Subaru stared into Abel's cold black eyes as he answered.
Even facing the same direction, they could not trust each other. That wasn't because of the difference between the Kingdom and the Empire—it felt like something far greater separated them.
As long as that existed, there would come a time when Subaru and Abel clashed on something critical.
And when that time came, Natsuki Subaru would— "...Don't tell me 'bad debt' is how you see me, Princess."
"Fool."
Al muttered dejectedly. Priscilla's reply was short and curt.
*** —The expedition members for the Magic Capital Chaos Frame were decided, and events began to move.
"By the time I return, have the fortress city's soldiers organized. It won't be long before word is sent out."
"Even at the cost of my life, I will see it done."
Accepting Abel's order, Zikr knelt on one knee and respectfully acknowledged it.
Zikr, who had found himself suddenly standing against the might of the Empire, showed not a shred of hesitation—but of course, not every soldier and officer in the city would share his resolve.
Unifying that will and forging them into a single army required the efforts of a "general." In that sense, Zikr's presence was nothing short of a godsend.
"Zikr, I know it's going to be tough, but..."
"No—this is the role I'm supposed to fulfill as a 'general.' Compared to that 'bloodless siege,' this is a trivial matter."
"..."
Chest puffed out, Zikr smiled strongly at his own words. Subaru lowered his gaze.
The one who had proposed the "bloodless siege," sworn it could be done, and then spectacularly failed—those were Subaru's credentials. In the end, he had betrayed
But seeing Subaru's expression, Zikr softened his eyes— "Don't be so discouraged. You proposed the 'bloodless siege,' and His Excellency authorized its execution. And the truth is, my officers and I did join your ranks without shedding blood."
"Without shedding blood... But you..."
Glancing at the bandages wrapping Zikr's injuries, Subaru's voice caught. The words felt like an exaggeration. But Zikr smiled gently, then forcefully tore off his own bandage.
The blood-stained bandage came away, revealing the wound carved into his arm—but— "This is nothing to a soldier—a scratch, at best. More importantly, you should be proud. Because of your efforts, the soldiers who fight for His Excellency were not reduced."
"..."
"All you need to do is fulfill your duty. —Miss Natsumi."
Subaru didn't know if he gave an adequate response to Zikr's words.
But he found himself once again appreciating Zikr's character—the kind of man who could find something praiseworthy even in a half-baked result. And the fact that he hadn't had to let this man die—that, too, was an achievement.
And then— "Are you really going?"
"..."
"No—I said something foolish. Please forget it."
It was Rem who shook her head and said that, her eyes unable to hide their fatigue.
Standing at the entrance of the city hall, leaning on her cane. Her outfit was not travel clothes but the light gear of a healer, rushing about to tend to the wounded.
Rem would remain in Guaral.
For now, she and Subaru, heading to Chaos Frame, would be taking separate paths.
Facing that parting, Subaru managed a wry smile at Rem's words—even knowing they came from genuine concern, he couldn't just shrug them off.
"I mean, it's not like everything's great or whatever, but telling me to forget about you is rough, you know?"
"Ah, that's not what I meant—"
"Getting choked, getting my fingers broken—everything I got from you, all of it, they're irreplaceable memories to me."
"What?"
He hadn't meant to be teasing, but Rem's cold stare pierced him through.
Since being transported to Vollachia, when he thought back on the events that had hit him hardest, it just so happened that the most vivid memories involved pain and suffering.
Of course, the memories of reaching out to Rem, of being cared for by her—memories of hope and joy—were also stored in abundance deep within his heart.
The most painful memories, too, were stored in that same place.
"Without any tension at all... Are you really going to be okay?"
"Staying on edge all the time is tiring too. ...If you're asking if I'll be okay—there's a lot to think about. Ideally, I'd stay by your side the whole time."
"Hah."
"What a lukewarm response! Well, at least you didn't ignore me..."
Brushed off, Subaru's heart sank—but the words he'd spoken to Rem were his honest, unvarnished feelings.
Keeping Rem in Guaral had been a source of tremendous anguish right up until the very end. Honestly, even now, he wanted to take back every word, grab her slender arm, and drag her along.
If only he could keep Natsuki Subaru close enough to shield Rem from every hardship, every spark, every terrible thing headed her way.
"Truth is, I wish I could tie you and me together with a bond that can never be severed."
"Are you being serious...?"
"Pretty much."
"..."
She couldn't even manage a "What?" anymore.
Of course, he'd known she'd reject him if he said it outright—so it was more of a hopeless wish. If he could tie Rem and himself together with a string, always able to know if she was safe—that would be ideal.
In fact, he'd even consider using the power he'd awakened at the
The new Authority Subaru had awakened at the Pleiades Watchtower—Cor Leonis. It allowed him to vaguely sense the positions and conditions of his allies, centered on himself. Additionally, it had the aspect of allowing Subaru to bear the burdens of his companions and keep them in peak condition.
If he used that power, perhaps he could take on the burden of Rem's injured leg and let her run freely through the wilderness.
But if he did that, there'd be no keeping Rem in one place—she'd be able to go wherever Subaru was— "..."
"W-Why do you suddenly look so down?"
"Self-loathing."
When Rem pointed it out, Subaru pressed his hand against his own deflated face and sighed.
He'd caught himself thinking it. That Rem's inability to walk properly was what had kept her in a place where Subaru could reach her. That her inability to escape was one of the things that had kept their relationship from ending.
That he'd been lucky because Rem wasn't at her best.
"No wonder even Rem can't trust me."
Subaru was always thinking only of himself.
He'd wanted to become gentler. Gentle, clever, and strong. He'd been telling himself he was working hard for everyone's sake—and reexamined himself in the tower—only to find it still wasn't enough.
He couldn't recover the Natsuki Subaru that Rem had believed in.
"Um...?"
"Sorry. I was getting a little sentimental."
"'Senchi'... what's that?"
"Don't worry about it. It's an expression only my hometown and... maybe Al would understand."
Shrugging his shoulders, Subaru gave that answer. Rem furrowed her brows slightly. But as if pushing down the feelings budding within, she rubbed her eyes and smoothed out the wrinkles.
Rem, too, must have had her own inner conflicts. Even just coming out to see him off—she must have had reservations about that much.
"I don't plan to be gone long. Without you there, I won't be able to hold it together."
"...There you go saying things like that again."
"I-I'm being sincere, though... If it makes you uncomfortable, I'll try to hold back."
"But you won't stop, will you."
Rem gave him a deadpan look. Subaru slumped his shoulders in a show of remorse.
Of course, he didn't want to upset Rem. He didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable. But these feelings of his toward Rem just kept overflowing regardless.
That said, coming from the Subaru who had disappointed Rem, what could any of his words possibly mean?
"I'll do my best and come right back. I'm planning to bring home some good news."
"...Right. You can count on Abel, Medium, and Taritta."
"Al aside, what about me—"
"..."
He asked just to be sure, but the warmth in Rem's gaze didn't change.
But the answer—or rather, Subaru's dejected expression at receiving no answer—must have struck Rem, because after a moment of silence, she let out a small, resigned sigh.
"If we're talking about whether or not I trust you—it's gotten considerably better."
"We weren't even talking about trust or not—"
"Your evil stink hasn't gone away, as always, but that's not the issue."
"The issue isn't that...?"
Rem continued, her pale blue eyes still carrying that light of distrust that refused to fade.
They were about to be separated, even if only temporarily. Her distrust—Subaru knew it stemmed from his failure in Guaral—but he wanted to do whatever he could to chip away at it.
Not so much for his own sake, but for Rem's sake, waiting back in the city.
"Tell me, Rem. If there's anything I can do, I'll do my best. What would it take to ease your anxiety—or whatever it is?"
"...If that's the case, then why are you still dressed like that?"
"Huh!?"
When Rem said this with her deadpan stare, Subaru looked down at himself.
The long black wig, the white powder smeared to cover his wounds, the outfit designed not to show his body's contours, and the accessories that were ornate without being gaudy— "Was something off...?"
"The fact that nothing is off is what makes it weird—that's point one. And point two: you're leaving the fortress city, and you're still in that getup. How do you explain that?"
"I already told you—this is necessary!"
Watching Rem's eyes grow even colder, Subaru let out something like a scream while maintaining his Natsumi Schwartz disguise.
He never expected this outfit would contribute to her distrust—that was completely out of left field—but as he'd told Rem, there was a genuine reason for it.
"Rem, I told you yesterday too—we're from the country next to this one. And if my real name gets around, it'll cause problems across national borders. That's why Natsumi Schwartz—someone who isn't the real me—has to exist!"
"I see."
"That reply does absolutely nothing to dispel my distrust!!"
Rem's deadpan gaze didn't waver. If anything, her skepticism seemed to deepen.
But this was a countermeasure Subaru had come up with after seriously weighing his situation and the role he'd been assigned.
In this Vollachia Empire, "Natsuki Subaru" could not be used.
Natsuki Subaru was already a knight of
"Well, maybe 'flagrant' is a stretch for foreign interference, but..."
Regardless, the critical point was that the consequences of Subaru's actions wouldn't stop at him alone. —To put it bluntly, he could bring trouble upon Emilia.
As her knight, as someone who had sworn to help her on her path to becoming king—there was absolutely no way he could allow himself to be the one dragging her down.
"That's where Natsumi Schwartz comes in. As long as it's the name Natsumi, it doesn't matter how widely it spreads. As Natsumi, I'm nothing more than a black-haired beauty who suddenly appeared in the Vollachia Empire."
"Are you finished?"
"Not yet! Also, as a rough estimate... if the name Natsumi Schwartz gets out, there's a chance my people back in Lugunica might pick up on it."
In fact, the biggest reason for limiting his alias to "Natsumi Schwartz" was exactly that.
This wasn't the first time Subaru had cross-dressed and gone by the name Natsumi Schwartz in the Vollachia Empire. At the Roswaal estate, there had been an occasion—though calling it "entertainment" would be misleading—where he'd been compelled to cross-dress, and everyone except Emilia knew his true identity.
The alias he'd used then was the same. That meant that if, as Abel had planned, Subaru's name were to gain recognition within the Empire, the name that would spread would be "Natsumi Schwartz"—giving Emilia and the others a chance to learn that Subaru and his companions had been transported to the Empire.
Therefore— "I'm in this outfit because I have to be."
"—...—...—. Understood."
It took quite a while, but Rem finally understood, and Subaru felt relieved.
In any case, Subaru's cross-dressed state would be maintained for a while longer. He didn't want it to drag on too long and erode Rem's trust, but that depended on how things played out.
"Rem—if anything comes up, talk to Flop or Zikr. If it's something tricky that a man can't handle, Mizelda and the others are around too. Don't try to carry everything on your own."
"Hearing that from you doesn't sit quite right, but I'll keep it in mind. ...As for you—try not to burden Abel and Medium."
"I'll be sure to watch my back."
Medium and Taritta aside, he had no intention of holding back on Abel. It was about time that guy had to sweat for once instead of looking cool.
With all the necessary warnings exchanged and the reluctance to part lingering, the time to depart was finally approaching.
Suppressing his reluctance, before setting off— "Rem—what about her?"
"Louis? She should be with Utkata right now..."
"Right..."
"...You're not going to ask me to call her over, are you."
Rem's tone dropped. She looked at Subaru, probing.
She'd guessed his intentions—but her tone was far from agreeable. If anything, it was laced with irritation and bitterness.
Since the battle at the city hall, they'd barely had any contact amid the chaos, but Subaru's wariness of Louis remained fully intact. If anything, his suspicions were unlikely to be dispelled.
Even if Louis had gotten close to Rem and Utkata and seemed to get along with the People of Schudrak—there was no telling when or where she'd bare her true nature.
In that sense, leaving Louis behind did carry its own risks.
But— "Haven't we already had our eyes off her this entire time during the operation to capture Guaral?"
"..."
"It's too late now."
Rem said this, and Subaru had no response.
If Louis was going to make a move, she'd already had countless opportunities to do so. In that case, continuing to maintain constant vigilance toward her might be pointless.
"I did at least tell Kuna and the others to stay on guard."
"Stubborn..."
Rem murmured softly. Hearing this, Subaru paused to think.
The reason he hadn't told Rem about Louis's true nature or her dangerous Authority from the start was that there had been no ground for Rem to trust him. In that situation, telling her about Louis would have meant losing whatever sliver of trust Rem had left and being pushed further away.
But what about now?
Their relationship had improved. She was cold, but she listened. If he told her about Louis's true nature now, surely she wouldn't dismiss him outright.
"...No. Don't do anything stupid."
He shook his head and rejected the idea that had just surfaced.
She might listen, she might even believe him—but what then? Louis had kept her tail hidden this entire time. It was hard to imagine she'd suddenly bare her true nature just because Subaru told Rem about it. Nothing would change.
All it would do is ease Subaru's own mind while amplifying Rem's anxiety.
There was no need for that.
"...What's with that expression?"
"Ah—I just wish nothing but happiness would pile up in your life, Rem."
"What?"
As Subaru struggled to contain what was welling up inside him, Rem's gaze grew sharper.
But if he tried to put it into words, they'd just keep flowing endlessly— "Brother! Let's get going already!"
Al called out, leaning against a carriage and waving.
Behind him was the carriage and a massive horse-like creature standing alongside it—a creature called a Gale Horse, said to pull them on their journey.
"It's a rare animal even in Vollachia, and supposedly only given to 'generals'..."
"Zikr lent it to us. She's a proper mare, too—very consistent."
"Consistent...?"
Rem tilted her head, puzzled by Subaru's words.
This was how things were between them—Rem responding to Subaru's words, whether good or bad. That kind of happy environment would also have to wait.
"Hey, Bro?!"
"Um, Al is calling for you."
"Yeah, I know. I know that, but—"
"—?"
"My shoe soles just don't want to leave your side—they're stuck to the grou—ow ow ow!"
Poked in the back by the tip of Rem's cane, the soles that should have been stuck to the ground finally lifted. Two steps, three steps forward—he was pushed along, widening the gap between him and Rem.
The distance between them—truly now.
"Rem, I've said it a hundred times, but..."
"I'll be careful. I'll stay on guard. If I'm in trouble, I'll ask someone for help. Goodbye."
"Ugh..."
Rem's halfhearted farewell sank Subaru's shoulders completely. Watching him deflate, Rem sighed deeply with a "Honestly."
"Take care of yourself. I'll be waiting for you to come home."
"Ah..."
"I won't suddenly disappear. ...I trust everyone else, at least."
She added that last part. Subaru took it in, savoring the weight of her words.
Then he nodded, over and over—even as Rem scowled at him— "I'm off!"
—and with a big wave, he was sent on his way by Rem.
*** "..."
The carriage grew more distant, passing through the main gate of the fortress city before vanishing into the horizon.
Its destination lay to the southeast of the city—the Magic Capital Chaos Frame, base of one of the Empire's most formidable powers. Whether they could win that person over would be the crux of the expedition.
Honestly, if the goal was recruitment, bringing Subaru along was questionable at best.
"...I'm sure everyone would acknowledge his dedication, though."
Leaning on her cane, Rem watched the tracks of the now-invisible carriage fade from sight.
Right up until the parting, Subaru had been acting like a buffoon. He'd made all sorts of excuses, but to Rem, it all just seemed like he didn't want to stop cross-dressing.
Of course, she didn't think every excuse he'd given was a lie.
"They've finally gone, have they? With that noisy bunch out of the way, the air in this city might finally clear up. Though whether what they bring back is good news or Abel's head—who can say."
"...Priscilla."
Suddenly, a voice called out from behind the standing Rem.
She didn't need to turn. The woman who had casually stepped up beside her was the beauty who made red a vivid impression—dressed in an extravagant gown, flaunting her violent beauty without a shred of modesty. Priscilla.
Since Arakia had attacked the city hall—and Rem had been saved, her life included, from that rampage—Rem had not had anything resembling a real conversation with her.
So being addressed so suddenly only deepened her bewilderment.
"...Thank you."
"Hm? And what is this gratitude for?"
"Yesterday—at the city hall. You saved me from that woman called Arakia. Not just me—everyone else, too. Thanks to you."
"Many lives saved, is that it? If you ask me, the credit for their survival belongs to you. You used your own talent and training to save those who were on the brink of death. I had no intention of showing such mercy. Don't twist my actions to suit your narrative."
"That wasn't my intention..."
Rem was about to say she hadn't meant to—but stopped herself.
Jumping to conclusions about other people's thoughts and actions, forcing their intentions into her own frame of reference—that was a bad habit. Not just with Priscilla, but something she'd done time and again.
When she thought about her lost memories, it was as if she'd only been alive for two short weeks.
"..."
"What's this? Nothing to say back? That's a terribly boring decision."
"...I'm sorry. I think you're right. But—the fact that I'm grateful to you... even you can't twist that, can you?"
"Oh?"
Interest flickered in Priscilla's eyes. She drew her fan from the valley of her bosom, snapped it open with a sharp sound, and gently hid her well-formed lips behind it.
But the pleasure in her eyes—gleaming with the light of opportunity—could not be concealed.
"I'd heard you'd lost yourself, and yet... to think you'd talk back to me."
"The expression 'lost myself' isn't quite right. It's not that I've disappeared—I just can't remember."
Pressing her hand to her chest, Rem pushed back against Priscilla's words.
If she had simply ceased to exist, she'd be no different from an unreachable phantom. But Rem's lost memories hadn't vanished. Even if they were gone from inside Rem, they still existed within Subaru, who was desperately trying to recover them.
If his words were true, she apparently had a twin sister.
Would her pre-memory-loss self still exist within that sister? And among the friends and family Subaru had spoken of—those people she'd yet to meet—would she be there too?
If Rem could accept that everything about her had been erased, that she was building from absolute nothingness—then she could just cut ties and move on.
"If I could accept it that cleanly, my heart wouldn't hurt like this."
"..."
"Always, constantly, every second—I'm reminded. Every time I'm in his eyes, I see that I keep betraying his expectations."
Of course, Subaru had never intended that.
The stench of negativity—so thick and dark it was hard to even glimpse him at times—every time Rem had peered through it, his face had always been nothing but desperate.
And that desperation was directed toward the version of her that no longer existed within her.
"How selfish I am. I'm disgusted with myself..."
That was why she couldn't tell him—couldn't tell him how relieved she'd felt when she learned they'd be separated. And that she was reluctant to part.
And the ugly emotions that went beyond mere relief— "You. What did you say your name was?"
"Hm?"
"Your name. You didn't lose your name along with everything else, did you? And yet, you're not nameless—you've clearly been called by a name. I'm sure it was..."
Priscilla raised her gaze slightly, searching the air for the answer.
She probably remembered Rem's name. Even in their brief acquaintance, Rem had sensed that Priscilla possessed extraordinary intelligence.
Along with that—she was a person of deep malice.
Therefore— "Rem."
Before Priscilla could call her by the wrong name, Rem offered it herself.
Her memories were gone, with no sign of returning. She'd been separated from the people who knew her past self. But at the very least, for these past two weeks—the name she'd been called, the name she'd acknowledged as her own—was the real thing.
"Interesting."
At Rem's answer, Priscilla murmured a single word.
Then, snapping her fan shut, she gently lifted Rem's chin with its tip. Rem was pierced by those crimson eyes from the front, the heat of that gaze scorching her throat.
But even without words, she met Priscilla's stare with all the will she could pour into her eyes.
"Rem—I'll keep you by my side for a while."
"...By your side?"
"You may have the aptitude and the ambition, but your ability falls far short. That ugly healing magic of yours—I'll beat it back into shape for you. That should bring it to a usable level."
"—! You'd teach me healing magic?"
"Fool. I have no aptitude for healing arts. All I have is a refined eye. I can see what's missing just by looking."
"..."
The answer she received wasn't what she'd expected, but in a way it exceeded those expectations—or perhaps veered wildly off course.
But if it meant Rem's only skill—her ability to heal others—could be put to better use, it was worth relying on Priscilla's guidance.
She'd already been cursed by the thought "If only I were stronger."
"But Priscilla—aren't you going back to your base?"
"Change of plans. Part of it is sending Al to shadow Abel. Whether he can meet the conditions I've set—we won't have to wait long for results. I'll stay here. It may be inconvenient... but in that regard, I'll summon Schult to sort things out."
"O-Oh..."
Something had struck a chord—Priscilla had decided to remain in Guaral. Either way, having her as a mentor would be a tremendous help.
There were still plenty of people in this city who needed Rem's fledgling healing magic. She couldn't just abandon them and leave.
"Now that it's decided, prepare my room. Schult can handle the details, but I'll need a place to stay for tonight and tomorrow."
"Y-Yes, of course. I'll have it arranged right away."
Commanded as if it were the most natural thing in the world, Rem found herself obeying without resistance.
Part of it was Priscilla's inherent ability to compel others without question—but Rem herself also felt no reluctance at being told what to do.
Hurrying back into the city hall with quick, cane-assisted steps, Rem thought she'd need to consult Zikr about Priscilla's stay and room preparations.
The People of Schudrak weren't accustomed to operating in an urban setting, so it would fall largely on Zikr—a fact Rem felt guilty about.
He was the type of man who wouldn't refuse or complain if a woman asked for his help, though.
"Ah—found ya!"
"Utkata."
Inside the city hall, on her way to the executive office where Zikr would be—Rem encountered a girl gazing out of a hallway window.
Utkata.
When Utkata spotted Rem, she smiled warmly with a friendly expression. Unable to help it, Rem relaxed her cheeks and smiled back.
"Sorry I've been so busy and scattered lately."
"Utkata fine, don't worry! More worried 'bout Taritta. She's all wobbly."
"Taritta... yeah, I know."
Newly appointed as chief and accompanying Subaru on his journey—Taritta had been thrust into an enormous role.
Even through young Utkata's eyes, Taritta must have looked unsteady under the sudden weight of responsibility. Still, she was admirable for taking that first step forward, searching for her own way through and building confidence.
Even as Rem stood there, telling herself she had nothing, the world around her kept moving on without her.
She never wanted to cry and curse the world, dragging everyone down with her.
"Taritta will be okay, I'm sure of it. So... Utkata and I—we'll protect the place she comes back to."
"Mhm, got it! Rei, you're real dependable."
"Am I? ...Hearing you say that gives me a little confidence."
At Utkata's guileless words, Rem allowed herself a small smile.
Then, noticing something off, she shifted her gaze. Utkata had been standing in the corridor alone, looking out the window—there was no one else around.
It still felt unsafe for a child to be wandering alone, but that wasn't what Rem meant to point out. —Something far more fundamental.
"Utkata, are you alone? Um—where's Louis?"
She'd left them to their own devices for too long, but Louis had grown quite attached to Utkata.
As peers, the two had built an easy relationship—which was exactly why Utkata being alone felt so jarring.
Of course, Rem knew she might be overthinking— "Louis isn't with you?"
"Yep! Lou went along!"
"...Huh?"
Rem froze, still tilted in the posture she'd been listening from.
She stopped her thoughts from going white, desperately working her brain to grasp the true meaning of Utkata's words.
Louis wasn't with her. Utkata's words meant— "L-Louis—"
"Mhm, she went along! Helped her climb right into the carriage!"
And with that, the fierce girl of Schudrak puffed out her chest and declared it to Rem with the same utterly unrepentant, matter-of-fact attitude she'd shown all along.