So, with various discussions, squabbles over choosing traveling companions, and farewell greetings to those being left behind, problems multiplied left and right—but at last, the morning of departure arrived.
"Which is how it came to pass that we've got a bigger party than expected, huh…"
Arms crossed, Subaru surveyed the companions for this "Sage's Tower Subjugation Tour."
Two factions were involved:
If the goal had been a simple military operation, the force that had set out to retake
But purely as long-distance travel—to have eight key personnel on a journey of that length—that was an unusually large group that Subaru had little experience with.
"Honestly, is this really going to be okay…"
"Are you worried about something, Subaru?"
When Subaru furrowed his brow, mulling over what lay ahead, Emilia leaned into his line of sight. Dressed in light traveling attire, she drew a look from Subaru that was accompanied by a thoughtful hum.
"When I think about our destination, the worries just keep piling up. But if I put that aside… there's something nerve-wracking about heading into dangerous territory with such a big group. The more people I have to protect, the harder it is to keep everyone safe."
"That might be true. Ram and Rem are coming along this time too, and we also have to look after Meili, Anastasia, and protect you, Subaru."
"Wha!? I just got casually lumped in with the noncombatants!?"
"Oh, Subaru. I'm obviously joking. Honestly, you take everything so seriously."
As Subaru's voice pitched upward, Emilia clenched her fists in mock threat—then couldn't hold back and burst out laughing. Subaru laughed a beat behind her reaction, though his smile was slightly stiff at the edges.
It was, in fact, true that Subaru's combat ability fell far short of Emilia's. From Emilia's perspective, Subaru was someone to be protected—though that wasn't to say he intended to leave it at that forever.
"As for other concrete concerns…"
After a brief pause in his conversation with Emilia, Subaru glanced forward.
They were already in the front garden of the Roswaal estate, with preparations for departure proceeding in orderly fashion. Ahead of Subaru's gaze was a large passenger carriage that could carry nearly ten people. Two earth dragons were harnessed to pull the dragon carriage, both breeds well-suited for long-distance travel.
The problem was the figure standing beside the carriage—a pitch-black earth dragon in its lithe, unburdened state—and the small shadow it was pressing its snout against, the two glaring at each other nose to nose.
Subaru exhaled a sigh at the sight and stepped between the glaring pair.
"Beast Master, and yet you can't even get along with an earth dragon?"
"Oh, don't be like that, big brother. Don't get the wrong idea, okay? The only animal friends I can tame are the bad ones with horns! The other animal friends just can't bring themselves to like me, what with me stinking like those other kids."
"Is that how it works…? That's got to be rough in its own way."
Subaru shrugged at Meili's explanation and stroked the nose of
As if trying to overwrite the girl's scent standing before her with Subaru's own scent.
"It's rare to see Patrasche, who's usually so considerate and affectionate, be this openly hostile about something… They really don't get along, huh."
"The other animal friends are easy enough to deal with, but that earth dragon is way too attached to you, big brother. If you leave an opening, she'll probably bite me! So make sure you've got her properly disciplined, otherwise she'll turn me into her next meal."
"Don't say stuff like that like it's perfectly normal… Come on, Patrasche, easy girl."
Calming his somewhat agitated partner dragon, Subaru promptly herded Meili into the dragon carriage. Her belongings as the "Beast Master" joining the expedition were few—she was a girl who had never really possessed much in the way of personal effects to begin with. And yet, the fact that she'd brought along the panda plushie Subaru had made for her was a cute touch that warmed his heart.
"You've got your hands full being at all the girls' beck and call, huh, Natsuki-kun."
"If you think that, then it'd be great if you didn't cause me any trouble."
As Subaru pushed Meili into the carriage, Anastasia called out in a teasing tone. Anastasia—though the one inside was the white fox
In the twenty-odd days between Priestella and the estate, the differences between the two had mostly been bridged. At this rate, it wouldn't be long before even Anastasia's own people couldn't tell them apart.
"Don't look at me with such suspicion. I've told you over and over that this isn't what I wanted. That's exactly why I volunteered to guide you through such a dangerous route."
"That's exactly the kind of thing your creator might cook up, and that's my stance on the matter. I've said this before too, so remember it. It's not that I don't want to trust you—it'd be so much easier if I could."
"It's no fun being mistrusted for something someone I can't even remember did. It seems whoever made me did a real number on your goodwill."
"———"
"That's why I'm telling you not to be so angry. Come on, you're scaring me."
When Subaru glared at her for dropping back into her true self mid-conversation, the girl pouted her lips and resumed the Anastasia act. She then slipped past Subaru's side and stepped into the dragon carriage herself.
The remaining personnel— "Subaru-kun, could you come over here and hear me out as well, if you would?"
When Subaru turned at the voice, Roswaal had emerged from the estate's entrance.
Standing beside the Margrave in his garish costume were Emilia and Julius—an unusual pairing, Subaru thought as he walked over. Roswaal regarded the three of them, then closed one eye.
"First of all, the journey ahead is expected to take nearly two months. That much time on the road means unforeseen incidents are all but guaranteed. Handling problems as they arise should be manageable if left to Lady Emilia or Lady Anastasia—though…"
"Mm, leave it to me. I haven't been just sitting around idly, you know."
"A reassuring sentiment. Lady Emilia's growth is genuinely heartening. …Now then, I'll leave the individual concerns about the journey to each of you, but there is one important matter to raise. It concerns Ram."
"———"
At Roswaal's lowered voice, each of them reacted differently.
Emilia's long lashes trembled, and Subaru's cheeks tightened in deep thought. And Julius, the only one in the group with no direct ties to the matter, furrowed his brow ever so slightly.
"Is it appropriate for me to remain present for this discussion, Lord Mathers? If you have concerns about your camp's inner workings that you don't wish to share with Lady Anastasia's knight—even if the person in question is merely a servant—then surely you understand this is not the time for—"
"Oh, it's not as though I'm going around airing private matters to just anyone, Julius Euclius. Based on your conduct in the estate, and Subaru-kun's treatment of you, I've determined you're a person I can trust. Please consider this request in that light."
"You're being the most suspicious you've been in ages, Roswaal."
"Sorry, I was thinking the same thing a little…"
Julius voiced his concerns in a serious tone, and Roswaal responded in kind. Both Subaru and Emilia raised their hands in near-unison to poke fun at the exchange.
Setting aside Roswaal's track record, the remark was entirely out of character for him. He seemed aware of this himself, offering a wry smile.
"Well, I can't expect you to take me at face value, I suppose. In any case, I didn't think Julius-kun was the sort to busy himself finding fault with another camp's affairs. That's why I'm asking you to hear this as well. The matter concerns someone's life."
"Someone's life…"
Julius murmured with a serious expression, and Roswaal nodded. "Yes, someone's life."
"As Subaru-kun and Lady Emilia are aware, Ram's constitution is rather unique. Her body cannot properly receive the talent being poured into it. Or perhaps it would be better to say that her body cannot provide the fuel commensurate with the flame that is her talent."
"We may know the broad strokes, but I haven't really heard the details…"
"You haven't? Then what about the fact that she's oni?"
"Well, that much I know…"
Of course Subaru knew that Ram and Rem were sisters of the oni clan. He'd been saved by Rem more than once or twice, when she'd sprouted her horns and unleashed the full power of oni. And from Ram's own lips, he'd heard that she was a "Hornless" who had lost her horn.
So none of that was particularly surprising to Subaru—or at least, he'd thought so.
"Oni… clan?"
"Julius?"
The low voice, betraying shock, belonged to Julius. His refined features were contorted as he raised his brows, his yellow eyes betraying agitation.
"I was told the oni clan had already perished."
"Nearly ten years ago, the last settlement was burned, and Ram was the sole survivor… Ah, but thinking about Rem, the two sisters together were the last survivors."
"———"
There was something pointed about the way he'd said it, but Subaru held his tongue. Stronger than his irritation was his surprise at just how rare a species those sisters truly were.
"Is there a reason the oni clan perished?"
"…Please rest assured, Lady Emilia. The oni clan's extinction was the inevitable result of natural selection. They refused to adapt to the changing times and clung stubbornly to outdated traditions. It was decidedly not a case of their numbers being diminished by discrimination or prejudice."
"…I see."
At Roswaal's explanation, Emilia nodded with an understanding but somber expression.
Emilia herself was a half-elf—a member of a similarly rare lineage. It was only natural that she would feel both anxiety and sympathy for the oni clan, which had perished with only these two sisters left behind.
"So we've all established that those two are oni. What does that change?"
Sensing the conversation stalling, Subaru deliberately raised his voice to push it forward. Emilia and Julius looked up at him, and Roswaal touched his own chin.
"Setting aside Rem, whose body is at a standstill, Ram's body possesses the flaw I described earlier. That flaw is the result of her having lost her horn—an organ of paramount importance to oni. In principle, the horn is what supplies the immense mana needed to power the body. Because she can no longer do that, her body is constantly ravaged by pain and exhaustion."
"That's what's been happening to her…!?"
"It's only natural you'd be surprised, Lady Emilia. That girl puts on an exceptionally brave face. Not once has she ever let her expression cloud over from it, after all."
Roswaal slowly shook his head as Emilia choked up.
Subaru shared Emilia's shock. He'd known Ram had no horn. From fragments of Rem's words, he'd gathered that Ram's base strength before losing her horn had been extraordinary.
But he'd never realized that the penalty for having no horn went beyond a mere reduction in ability—that it was something still eating away at her to this very day.
"…I see. I understand Lord Mathers's proposal."
At this point, Julius—having heard only this much—suddenly nodded. Roswaal raised an eyebrow with an "Oh?" and Subaru and Emilia exchanged glances.
The conversation so far had merely established the nature of Ram's constitution. Subaru couldn't fathom what Roswaal's actual request was from that alone, and as the surprised pair watched, Julius smoothed his bangs back.
"The oni clan's racial characteristics are immense mana manipulation and the physical combat prowess to match. The organ that supports both of those—a structure that does not exist in any other species—is the horn. …If that horn can no longer fulfill its function and is causing suffering, then something must serve as a substitute for the 'horn.'"
"I almost regret not remembering your name, because—my, how perceptive. To grasp all of that from just this much is truly a relief."
"So that's what this is about…"
Roswaal marveled at Julius's explanation, and Emilia clapped her hands together in understanding. Subaru alone was left behind in confusion.
When it came to matters of magic, Subaru, an outsider, could only trail behind.
"Don't just go and skip ahead on your own like that. So what are you saying exactly?"
"It's simple. Ram's body requires mana from an external source to match the level the horn once provided. If the horn is gone and she can no longer do it herself, then she needs someone who can provide that external source. …And that is what she's asking of us."
"Though normally, I'm the one handling the supply at night, in secret…"
"…Wait, what!?"
Between Julius's lecture and Roswaal's words, the gears in Subaru's mind finally clicked into place.
It was the image of Ram trotting off to Roswaal's room every night. Honestly, Subaru had always averted his eyes from the sordid implications of what appeared to be a dubious relationship between master and maid.
But now, knowing the truth and looking back—it all made sense.
"Did you think of something, Subaru-kun?"
"N-No, nothing important. Please, go on."
"Is that so?"
Even discovering that his year-long misconception had been wrong, it wasn't worth correcting at this point.
The Roswaal family had, over many generations, been trying to reunite with the
"However, Lord Mathers, regarding your proposal—I'm afraid I lack the ability to fulfill the role."
Beside Subaru, whose thoughts had wandered into unproductive territory, Julius shook his head apologetically. Roswaal narrowed his eyes at the response.
"It doesn't seem like modesty, or an unwillingness to favor the opposing camp. Providing mana to Ram requires four elemental attributes: fire, water, wind, and earth. Rather, I thought you'd be more suited than Emilia—"
"Your expectations, Lord Mathers, are no doubt directed at the ones around me."
Julius said this with a faint, somewhat weary smile. As he did, a pale luminescence flickered to life around him, and six colors of light shimmered gently into visibility.
These were the six quasi-spirits bound to Julius—the familiar sight—except now, "My buds, as I call them—the connections between them and me have been severed. If I could still claim my former title, I would accept your proposal without the slightest hesitation, but—"
"Having lost your name, your contract with the spirits was also severed… And yet, the spirits still haven't drifted far from your side?"
"Whether the residual traces of the severed bond linger within them, or whether the contract still exists but has simply been bleached beyond my perception—in either case, that this unworthy self has not been abandoned is thanks solely to the mercy of my buds. What little remains in me is hardly enough to be of meaningful use."
Julius let out a sigh as he spoke of his bond with the quasi-spirits. Then, for just an instant, he turned his gaze toward Subaru. Unable to discern the intent behind that look, Subaru could only offer a troubled expression.
"…For now, I am simply a knight who serves as any ordinary one would. I apologize."
"That's a shame. It's a blow, certainly…"
"It's alright. If Julius can't do it, leave it to me."
Roswaal's tone dropped in response to Julius's somber admission, but it was Emilia who stepped forward with her chest puffed out. She moved ahead and summoned minor spirits to float around her.
"They're a bit different from the quasi-spirits Julius has, but I can borrow the power of minor spirits. My own magic skews too heavily toward fire, but if I borrow the spirits' power, I can use other elemental mana too. How about that?"
"Naturally, my intention was to ask you both, not just him. If you're willing, Lady Emilia, then there's no problem. I do, however, expect that the mana stabilization will be extremely difficult at first. To assist with that, I would ask you to borrow Beatrice's power."
"Beatrice's?"
"When it comes to mana theory and utilization, Beatrice is extraordinarily gifted. It's a shame—her connection is to Subaru now, which is like having a treasure and not knowing what to do with it—but she manages all sorts of things with a limited mana supply, doesn't she? I'd like you to lend that expertise to Lady Emilia."
"Don't say 'limited mana' like it's nothing. …But yeah, that works."
If a collaboration between Emilia and Beatrice could reduce the burden on Ram, there was no reason to object.
Subaru was almost convinced, but tilted his head just as he was about to nod.
"No wait, if that's the case, why not talk to Beatrice directly instead of me? I mean, I want to hear this too, but you should be going through her."
"Because if I spoke to Beatrice directly, she'd reject me at least once for no good reason. She's far harsher toward me than you'd imagine. Would you perhaps put in a word and ask her to go easy on me?"
"Ah, no can do. I'm completely on Team Beatrice over there, if anything."
Subaru flatly refused the request from the downcast-looking Roswaal.
What had been done had been done. It wasn't a rift that could be mended in a year. Besides, the world wasn't kind enough that you could easily become chummy with someone who, under slightly different circumstances, might have killed you.
"Come to think of it, the fact that I can travel alongside people I've either killed or beaten half to death… does that make me some kind of big shot?"
"Oh, Subaru, you've got that 'full of yourself' look right now."
"Do I really have a face like that!?"
In any case, Subaru had accepted Roswaal's request.
When it came to Ram, they'd be relying on Emilia and Beatrice. Emilia was willing, so as long as Subaru smoothed things over with Beatrice afterward, there shouldn't be a problem.
"I'm counting on you, Subaru-kun."
"Now that's surprisingly gracious. You don't usually talk like that."
"It was more than gracious. —It's the first time Ram has ever said she wants to leave my side."
"———"
That, at least, Roswaal said in a completely serious voice, with no trace of levity.
He averted his gaze from Subaru's face and looked up at the blue sky.
"She's a twin sister I have no memory of—nor does she, for that matter. But the person involved can still feel it, can't they? Seeing Ram defy me emotionally like that… it chilled me to the bone. —That's why I'm asking you."
"…Yeah. I'll keep it in mind."
Even after the events at the
Roswaal might declare with absolute certainty that everything except the one important thing was secondary, but Subaru still had his thoughts about someone who devoted herself to him so completely.
If this was a change, then it was far from a bad one.
At the very least, rather than harboring a monster he couldn't understand, it was much better for Roswaal to be the kind of person who was troubled by those emotions.
"…It seems it's almost time."
Before the conversation could continue, Roswaal turned around.
Behind him, the estate's doors opened, and four girls appeared from the other side. All bore the title of Roswaal estate maid, and their assembled presence was quite the sight.
Though one of them was lost in sleep, and the identical other was dressed for travel—so the display was one step short of truly spectacular.
"My lord, the preparations for both of them are complete."
"Good work. —Ram, be careful on the road."
Roswaal acknowledged Frederica's quiet report and addressed Ram, who stood ready for the journey. Ram received his words, then pinched the hem of her skirt and performed a graceful bow.
"Lord Roswaal, thank you for granting my selfish request. I swear to bring back results worthy of your kindness."
"I'm counting on you. That said, don't push yourself too hard. And make sure Emilia and Subaru don't push themselves too hard either. That's part of your responsibility as well."
"I understand completely."
Subaru wanted to quip about which mouth was saying that, but a look from Ram silenced him. Defeated by that gaze, Subaru turned to the small figure standing next to Ram.
That was Rem. She'd been dressed in traveling clothes and was now seated in the wheelchair Petra was pushing—a replica Subaru had crafted from memories of his original world.
A rudimentary wheelchair had already existed in this world, but this one featured improvements: caster-style front wheels that didn't obstruct turns, proper footrests, and a modified seat. Of course, a seatbelt and head-support cushion were also installed.
It was a one-of-a-kind piece, produced by commissioning Roswaal and funding it entirely from Subaru's wages.
"There's worry about maintenance on a long trip, but…"
"Given Subaru-sama's resourcefulness and the quality of materials used, I believe it will hold up for two months of use. Of course, you must not overexert it."
"Please be careful, Subaru… sama."
Receiving Frederica's stamp of approval and Petra's handoff of the wheelchair handles, Subaru took them and moved behind Rem. It was far easier than carrying her on his back.
It was designed for paved roads, though, so it wouldn't work on sand, grassland, or gravel.
"OK, looks like this'll work. You two take care of yourselves too."
"We shall look after the master's affairs."
"And Otto and Garfiel as well, right?"
Petra and Frederica nodded in response to Subaru's request.
With the journey lasting two months, Otto and the others in Priestella should have recovered by now and returned to the Roswaal estate.
Leaving things in the hands of maids he could trust during his absence, Subaru turned the wheelchair toward the dragon carriage.
"Well then—hate to say goodbye, but let's get going."
"Why do I have to take orders from Barusu? Don't get ahead of yourself."
"It's not really about orders, but fine—do you want to be in charge?"
"Do I really look like the kind of maid who'd be that brazen? A proper ladylike, caring maid like Ram wouldn't want to be put in such a position."
"What's your deal? Are you at that age where you just want to pick fights?"
"That's not what this is about. It's just—"
Ram cut herself off there and cast a meaningful glance toward Subaru's hands. Subaru's hands were, at that moment, pushing Rem's wheelchair.
Reading the intent behind her look, Subaru let out a deep sigh.
"If you want me to switch, just say so…"
"Given the meaning and purpose of Ram's participation in this journey, it's only natural that I'd step aside. …For figuring that out without being told, I suppose I can think slightly better of you."
When Subaru reluctantly yielded his position, Ram took over and pushed the wheelchair in his place. She moved slowly toward the dragon carriage, as though cradling her sleeping sister.
Watching Ram's retreating back, Subaru opened and closed his free hand for no particular reason. Then a small palm reached over from his side and gently took hold of it.
"Beatrice?"
"You don't have to put on a brave face. The fact that you're thinking of that girl doesn't mean you lose to her sister in that regard, so there's nothing to worry about. You just have to do what you can, Subaru."
"That's not exactly… No wait, is that what this is?"
It wasn't that he felt robbed of his role, but could he really have been wearing a face that looked that way from others' perspective?
Subaru touched his cheek with his free hand, tugging and pinching at it. Then that hand, too, was claimed by another white hand.
"Leave that face-pulling to me."
"Oof, Emilia-tan…"
"It'll be entertaining to see what Subaru does with both hands full when that girl wakes up."
"Oh, I'm curious about that too."
Sandwiched between Emilia and Beatrice, Subaru looked at both with a troubled expression. But all he got back was one pair of narrowed eyes and one pair of delighted ones.
To make matters worse, Petra's gaze was boring into him from behind, and when Ram turned at the front of the dragon carriage, her cold, contemptuous stare joined the barrage.
Surrounded on all four sides—Subaru noticed Julius watching the whole scene and giving a small, approving nod. At that dry reaction, Subaru's lips twisted dramatically.
"What?! If you've got something to say, say it! Come on, let's hear it!"
"If you insist? Then just one thing. —To be surrounded by such lovely ladies is, indeed, a man's ultimate fortune. Though whether your two hands can satisfy all those flowers… that I find highly questionable."
"What the—since when am I the one getting grilled!? Did I do something wrong?!"
Julius shrugged with an exasperated look as Subaru's pathetic wail rose into the sky.
Unfortunately, neither a domestic affairs official nor a chief military officer who could back Subaru up was present.
For the two-month journey ahead, Subaru would have to fight his lone battle.
Understanding this fact, a warmth transmitted through his two hands—trust and affection—surged alongside an equally powerful anxiety in Subaru's chest on that morning of departure.