—A lightning operation to prevent the destruction of the Volakia Empire by the Great Calamity.
Now that it had been made clear that clashing head-on with the ever-resurrecting army of the dead would only hasten ruin, what was needed was a swift resolution through a rapid assault.
Since they couldn't exactly throw two great armies at each other in a massive showdown between the living and the dead, it was only natural that the plan selected would be a small, elite strike team to punch straight into enemy lines.
The question was— "So who's going to be the one to charge into the enemy's main stronghold?"
Arms crossed, Subaru sat squarely on the floor in the middle of the room, sweeping his gaze around.
The fortress city of Garula's massive citadel, a large hall perfect for gathering a crowd, was packed with Subaru's allies—all except those from the Empire's side.
Among them were those who had been absent from the previous meeting due to treating the wounded—
Of course, since they didn't count as Imperial affiliates, Anastasia and Julius were there too— "I'm glad you made it back safe and sound,
"Oh, how sweet of you to worry about me like that. You know, the way Ana-bou treats me so harshly, it really warms my heart to get some genuine appreciation."
Leaning against the wall with a pipe clamped between his teeth, Halibel grinned in response to Subaru's praise.
The strongest wolfman in this city-state was a hero of their victory—in that chain carriage battle, he had held back the black dragon that appeared before the undead's assault, the Dragon Zombie.
Because he prevented the Dragon Zombie from reaching the carriages, damage was kept to a minimum. And on top of that, he'd single-handedly managed to slay the dragon. What an outrageous fellow.
At Halibel's remark, Anastasia—though she'd been the one teased—pulled a displeased face.
"What's that supposed to mean? Talk like that and I'll come across as some heartless employer. I told you I'd pay fair wages for honest work, didn't I?"
"See, that's exactly what I mean. Reducing everything to coin counts—that's what turns you into a girl with no charm. Isn't it Ricardo's permissive parenting that's made you so headstrong?"
"Haaariiibeeru."
"Fine, fine, I surrender."
The exchange of
Even though they were old acquaintances, the easy comfort of their banter was reminiscent of an uncle and his favorite niece. Though Anastasia was small and child-faced, she had a personality diametrically opposed to anything childish, so it was rare for her to give off that kind of impression.
With that impression of hers aside, Halibel—who'd been bested by Anastasia—didn't let the conversation end with just a loss. "Anyway," he continued.
"Having fought them, I can tell you—Volakia's zombies and Kararagi's zombies are a little different. I've got a terrible matchup, probably."
"Different zombies between Volakia and Kararagi? What's that supposed to mean? Don't tell me another zombie outbreak is happening for a completely different reason at the same time?"
"I don't think that's the case. From my impression... the Imperial zombies are tougher. The kid who started all this was messing with the Empire's Great Spirits, right? It might be a distance thing."
"Distance..."
Bobbing his pipe up and down between his teeth, Halibel laid out his impressions.
The subtle nuance of that difference was lost on Subaru, who'd never encountered Kararagi's undead. Still, if someone of Halibel's caliber felt it, there had to be some real difference.
He really didn't want to consider the possibility that zombies were being used simultaneously for two separate reasons, though.
"More than distance, I'd say it's a matter of completion," Julius offered.
"What do you mean, Julius?"
"If Halibel rates them as formidable, then it's a fact that the zombies appearing in the Empire are superior in ability. However, timing-wise, the city-state's zombies appeared first. So what we can deduce from this is..."
"Kararagi's zombies were practice dummies, and Volakia's are the real thing? Is that what you're saying, Sir Julius?"
Asked by Anastasia, Julius touched the scar beneath his left eye as he expanded on his reasoning. At Ram's question, he nodded with a "That is correct" and continued: "If my current theory is right, it would also explain Halibel's impressions. With that in mind, Halibel—might I ask why you feel you're at a disadvantage against the Imperial zombies?"
"I haven't seen them directly, but the zombies that came out of the carriage seemed to multiply, right? The black dragon did the same thing. See, my attacks are all-or-nothing death curses—so opponents who don't stay dead are the worst matchup for me."
"..."
"Hm? Why the silence?"
"Sorry, I was just startled that Halibel casually said 'death curses are my specialty.'"
So casually revealing his trump card, Halibel left even Subaru doubting his ears. But at Subaru's remark, he nodded with an "Oh yeah" as if it were perfectly obvious.
"It's not exactly a secret. Besides, even if someone knew about it, there aren't many people who could take a hit from me and still be standing, right?"
"Hmm, humble without being humble. Reinhardt and Cecilus are like that too—I feel like the strongest in every country all share that trait..."
Subaru sighed with genuine admiration at Halibel's brazen declaration of strength.
The embodiment of approval-seeking that was Cecilus went without saying, and even Reinhardt—who practically wore humility and sincerity as clothing—had absolute confidence in his own abilities.
In truth, when you were that strong, saying "oh, I'm nothing special" carried zero conviction, so Subaru much preferred the ones who were upfront about it.
Anyway— "I get that Halibel doesn't match up well against 'zombies,' but... so what do we do? Who should be charging into the Imperial Capital?"
"That was un-Kararagi-of-me, but I'd still vouch for Halibel's skills on my honor. Let's not pamper him and put him on the assault team."
"Well, it's not like I'm going to cry and throw a fit about it."
Even without exchanging words, Anastasia was harsh, and Halibel managed a wry laugh.
In any case, even if death curses didn't work on zombies, it was undeniable that Halibel was a combat asset capable of fighting a black dragon solo. Subaru figured his inclusion on the assault team was a given, so he raised his hand on the spot and said, "Hey, can I say something?"
Then— "I'll say it up front—I'm joining the assault team."
Yes, faster than anyone else could volunteer, Subaru staked his claim.
"..."
All eyes turned to Subaru, the volunteer, and a moment of silence fell.
Seizing that gap, Subaru bought himself the opportunity to explain why he needed to be there.
"First off,
Spica had contributed to their victory against the formidable enemy from the chain carriage battle—the Poison Princess,
If she could fully wield the Authority of Gluttony, it would sever the endless cycle of the undead 'dying to escape.' Against
"Neither Spica nor I can be replaced. ...So inevitably, Betty, you'll need to come with me to the Imperial Capital."
"Betty would expect nothing less. I refuse to be separated from Subaru any longer."
"Sorry—much appreciated."
Beating Subaru to it, Beatrix—who had plopped down beside him—grabbed the hand he'd raised and confirmed she too would accompany the assault team.
Feeling encouraged by his partner's answer, Subaru turned to the crux of the operation—Spica, and the Rem clinging tightly to her.
Spica had her arms wrapped around Subaru's waist, and Rem, supporting her shoulder, received his gaze— "...Why are you looking at me with such nervous eyes?"
"Well, if I'm taking Spica somewhere dangerous again, and Rem ends up hating me for it, my heart will absolutely shatter..."
"—If that happens, you can just go find comfort with
"What?"
At Subaru's weak-kneed response, Rem averted her gaze and muttered.
Unable to properly digest the meaning of her words, Subaru was left bewildered as Ram—standing beside Rem—narrowed her pinkish eyes.
"So? Should we tear Barusu into eight pieces?"
"Sister, don't start saying scary things out of nowhere!"
"I'm joking. Even if we tore him apart now, he'd just resurrect, wouldn't he? A corpse that keeps multiplying... how grotesque. Truly horrifying."
"Don't casually kill me and then act all grossed out by the result!"
At Ram's typically Ram-like remark, Rem offered a wry smile and shook her head. Then, thanking her sister with a bow, she said: "I appreciate your concern, Sister. But as you said, anything we do now he'll just come back from, so let's put that aside. More importantly..."
"Hm?"
"Spica-chan—do you think you can do your best together with that person?"
The smile fading from her face, Rem looked down at Spica in her arms and asked. At the question, Spica's blue eyes went wide, but she quickly composed her expression into one of determination.
Asked about her role, and recognizing what she needed to do, the girl nodded firmly over and over.
"Aa-uh!"
—and gave a powerful, wordless affirmative.
Taking that inarticulate voice as affirmation, Rem's expression mixed with loneliness and frustration. As if to make that feeling unmistakable, her voice trembled as she continued.
"If it were possible, I'd want to go too. ...But I know that if I go now, I'd only be a burden. Still..."
"—Then, don't you worry, Rem."
An earnest plea from Rem, cut off by a reassuring voice.
Rem let out a startled "Huh?" and opened her pale blue eyes wide—it was Emilia who had spoken, thumping her own chest.
Her beautiful purple eyes filled with determination, Emilia gave Rem a nod.
"I completely, totally understand how worried you must be about Spica and Subaru going with her! So I'll protect them no matter what happens!"
"Emilia... san..."
"Trust me. I'm actually super strong, you know!"
Flexing her arm to show off her bicep, Emilia beamed at Rem.
At those impossibly reassuring words, Rem's eyes darted about, at a complete loss for what to say.
But— "No, no, no! What are you saying, Lady Emilia?! There's no way we could allow you to go! Are you out of your mind?!"
"Huh!? Why not?!"
"Why not—doesn't the 'no' part make it pretty obvious?!"
It wasn't Emilia who was flabbergasted—it was Otto, who was even more shocked.
Since joining up in the Empire, Otto had been wearing a sour expression almost the entire time, but at last his trademark panicked face made an appearance—though nobody would find it funny.
In truth, this time Otto's opinion was more reasonable than Emilia's.
"This is a mission to assault the most dangerous location in the entire Empire! We can't just send Lady Emilia into that!"
"But still, Otto! If you're talking dangerous, haven't we already passed that point by coming to Volakia in the first place?"
"Granted, but there are still degrees of danger. Like Natsuki-san said—the Imperial Capital is the enemy's main stronghold. There's no way its defenses are on par with a strategically insignificant village. The capital is unquestionably the most hazardous zone."
"Well... I guess that's fair."
Met with a proper counterargument, Garfiel withdrew his objection.
Riding that momentum, Otto turned his gaze toward Subaru and Beatrix.
"Honestly, I'm opposed to Natsuki-san and the others going too. This is fundamentally an Empire problem—it's not right to risk your lives for another country's sake."
"My, my, there's the honest man. But listen, I've told you a hundred times..."
"I know. Whether it's the Kingdom or the Empire, it doesn't matter where it happens. As long as there's a chance the
"You've gotten pretty shameless about revealing how possessive you are of your own people."
Otto had always had a pragmatic side, but the cost-benefit of getting involved in the Volakia Empire's problems simply didn't balance out for him. That was why he'd been halfhearted about it the whole time.
But as Otto himself had understood, this wasn't a matter of territory for Subaru.
Sure, Subaru didn't like the Volakia Empire either. But even in an empire he disliked, there were people Subaru had come to care about. He wanted to do everything he could for their sake.
And for that— "—It's not just Spica. I need to be in the Imperial Capital myself."
Subaru volunteering for the assault team was, of course, partly about going along as Spica's guardian to fully unleash the power of her Authority.
But the greatest reason was the Imperial Capital—what would become the Empire's fiercest battleground. The unavoidable 'death' of someone that awaited him there. Subaru wanted to overturn it with his own hands, to rewrite destiny.
To win every last gladiator to his side in the Gladiatorial Island, Subaru had gone to reckless lengths.
But it had been worth it. If a reward had been promised, Subaru wouldn't hesitate to claim it.
"Betty feels the same—she doesn't want Subaru doing anything reckless."
There, Beatrix spoke up in Subaru's place, addressing Otto with her own thoughts.
The distinctive pattern floating within her blue eyes, Beatrix met Otto's gaze as she continued: "But that girl's power would be useful in dismantling their 'Undying King's Relic,' wouldn't it? And in the worst case, if Sphinx needs to be sealed, Betty's strength would be necessary."
"Seal, you say?"
"If Spica's Authority doesn't work, the only option left to stop Sphinx's rampage would be to seal her. If she kills herself to escape, it's the start of an endless chase with no conclusion. Betty's magic may be needed to prevent that."
One hand gripping Subaru's, Beatrix extended her other free hand.
Seeing that small, rounded hand characteristic of a young girl, what surfaced in Subaru's mind was a scene reminiscent of the word 'seal' that Beatrix had just mentioned—the fate of
His entire body had been solidified like wax through shadow magic, Roy had been restrained in a state where he could move, let alone think.
"I'm pretty sure the same kind of seal is being used on the Witch of Envy, too..."
"That's right. The 'Witch' with the most proven track record and trustworthiness. If Sphinx's seal becomes essential for resolving this situation, I'm sorry Petra, but Betty and Subaru are indispensable."
Assessing Beatrix's magical support, Subaru glanced toward Otto, and beyond him, toward Petra, who was standing beside Frederica.
Seemingly grown even more reliable and promising since last he'd seen her, Petra was naturally not happy about Subaru charging into the Imperial Capital with his diminished stature.
However, the perceptive girl understood the validity of Beatrix's argument—and that if they couldn't stop the army of the dead here, the damage would increase exponentially.
With that in mind, she let out a very reluctant sigh.
"So it's come to this after all, huh..."
"Petra..."
"Just like Rem, I'm not in a position where I can go along. ...The only silver lining is having Beatrix-chan there to keep an eye on him."
The girl was far too understanding, and the source of her anxiety was none other than himself—something that made Subaru's chest ache. Entrusted with that faith, Beatrix nodded as if accepting a responsibility.
"Betty understands how you feel, Petra. As long as Betty is around, she won't let Subaru come to harm."
"Mm, thank you, Beatrix-chan."
"That's right. I feel relieved knowing Beatrix is with Subaru, and I'm glad about it too. But if the three of them were with me as well, I'd feel even more at ease..."
"Lady Emilia..."
"Uuuu..."
Following the touching friendship between Beatrix and Petra, Emilia tried yet again—with none too elegant persistence—to press her case, only to be shot down by Otto's stern glare.
As mentioned earlier, though, Subaru also considered Otto's position the rational one here.
He'd love to grant Emilia's wish—any wish of hers, really. But doing so would mean bringing Emilia to the most dangerous place in the entire Empire.
Still, Garfiel had a point too.
They'd already come this far into the Empire, so it was undeniably dangerous to begin with, and even staying in Garula didn't guarantee safety.
In that sense, having everyone he knew by his side would be ideal— "—I, for one, am in favor of including Lady Emilia in the Imperial Capital assault team."
"My Lord!?"
But then, without warning, an opinion diametrically opposed to everything said so far was thrown out.
So shocked by it that she questioned her own ears, Frederica raised her voice. But she was simply the first to react—virtually everyone present was unable to conceal their surprise at that opinion, at Roswaal's statement.
Among those stunned, Anastasia recovered the fastest. She stroked her fox fur collar and furrowed her brow.
"Well now, that's unexpected. I was sure everyone on your camp's side would be unanimously opposed to Lady Emilia going—minus Lady Emilia herself."
"That the camp's representative, Lady Emilia, should have her opinion ignored is too pitiful... that's just a joke. I'm not being contrarian for the sake of it."
"...Let's hear it, shall we?"
Otto, his voice and expression carefully composed, gestured for Roswaal to continue.
Subaru, and Emilia herself, along with everyone else present, held their breath waiting for Roswaal's reasoning. Surrounded by those stares, Roswaal closed his eyes, leaving only the yellow one visible.
"It's not complicated. In terms of our alliance with the Empire, Lady Emilia's strength is a significant asset we can propose from our side. If this were Lady Anastasia insisting she go, we should all be stopping her. But Lady Emilia is not the same. That much was already acknowledged when we allowed her to participate in the great war before the zombies appeared."
"Yes, exactly! See, back then too, we fought Madeline and
"The situation is different. What's called for is a small-team surgical strike—Lady Emilia's... broad style of combat isn't exactly suited to—"
"It's well within the range of things that can be compensated for. Besides, with Lady Emilia, even if the operation fails, she can be factored into the contingency plan for regrouping. She could probably freeze half the city, no?"
Roswaal's outrageous suggestion, one finger raised, was actually not as unreasonable as it sounded.
Emilia's irreplaceable unit performance, combined with an absurd amount of mana she could generate on her own, and the super-wide-range attack capability that came with it.
In short, Emilia could turn an entire battlefield into a winter wonderland and then dash around in it adorably and energetically amid the freezing cold. To make maximum use of that overwhelming sustained combat ability, Subaru had devised the 'Ice Brand Arts'—and even Roswaal had acknowledged it.
In truth, there was no question that Emilia was one of the camp's supreme fighting forces.
Having already dragged her through the Pleiades Watchtower and the Imperial Capital battle, arguing she couldn't be sent because it was too dangerous lacked any credibility.
On top of that, Roswaal possessed a certainty that only he had.
And that was— "Subaru-kun, you'd also be more fired up if Emilia-san were there, wouldn't you?"
"You..."
At Roswaal's grin—one brimming with malice—Subaru instinctively bit his lip.
That carefully worded insinuation was unmistakably a jab at the secret only Roswaal knew—Subaru's 'Return by Death' Authority.
Roswaal didn't know that the trigger for Subaru's time regression was 'death,' but he did know that Subaru had such a trump card.
And he was certain that Subaru would not hesitate to use it for Emilia's sake.
Roswaal's calculation was correct.
Subaru would 'Return by Death' no matter what happened to anyone else, but in Emilia's case, his desperation and tenacity would become exactly what Roswaal was looking for—or something beyond even that.
However, this kind of reasoning could only persuade someone like Roswaal.
"My Lord, I must oppose Lady Emilia's going just as Otto does."
In truth, hearing Roswaal's argument had done nothing to sway the opposition.
Even Frederica, who tended to side closer to Roswaal within the camp, prioritized situational risk and opposed Emilia's inclusion on the assault team.
But— "Of course, I understand that Lady Emilia is far stronger than I or Otto, but still, to risk her precious—"
"—Then I shall accompany her as well. Would that put your mind at ease?"
"Huh?"
The ever-protesting Frederica's eyes went wide.
Roswaal's short but unmistakable declaration. He raised both hands, displaying them to everyone present, and continued: "I think I shall join Lady Emilia's group for the assault on the Imperial Capital. Fortunately, now that there's no longer any need to conceal my identity, I shall put on a grand display of both my big and small tricks."
"Wait—Roswaal, you're coming? No, you'll come with us?"
"Are you surprised?"
"Well, I always had this image of you relaxing at the mansion..."
At Emilia's candid surprise, Roswaal smiled wryly.
'Relaxing' was perhaps too Emilia-like a way to put it, but the reason Roswaal was often absent from problem-solving scenarios was twofold: the problems were frequently caused by Roswaal himself, and he was fundamentally an ally you couldn't trust.
However, in this situation, there was no reason for Roswaal to betray their trust.
Considering the low likelihood of Roswaal making any covert moves within the Empire, this was, in a sense, a situation where he could be trusted more than when he was back in the Kingdom.
"When an ally becomes more trustworthy the farther they are from home... what does that even say about us?"
Aside from Beatrix, whose cheeks were puffed out in a pout, Subaru felt the proposal offered only benefits.
When talking about the camp's top combatants, Roswaal was indisputably one of them.
"I'll also—"
For a moment, Otto opened his mouth as if about to say something.
But whatever he started to say was choked off between gritted teeth before it left, and Otto took a deep, heavy breath before exhaling.
"Garfiel! Please accompany Natsuki-san and the others!"
"—. Izzat really okay? If 'the Three Knights ride out' goes ahead, all the heavy hitters are gonna be deployed at once."
"At this point, a half-measure would be the real blunder. Though I'd prefer not to be in Roswaal's palm, I must admit."
"Otto-kun, you always overestimate me so."
Roswaal's easy smile, Otto pressing his hand to his forehead—then, catching sight of his older brother figure's anguish, Garfiel clenched his teeth and slammed his fists together before his chest.
A dry crack rang out as Garfiel stomped the floor with force.
"You got it! Otto's worries, Petra's worries—and for good measure, I'll throw in big sis's worries too! I'll carry the whole lot!"
"Garf, you left out Ram's worries."
"I don't give a damn about Roswaal's worries, you hear me?!"
"What a fool. I don't need you worrying about Roswaal-sama. I need Garf to worry about you."
Having made his decision with gusto, Garfiel wilted under Ram's blow, letting out a groan.
With that display of wretchedness, Ram turned to look at Roswaal—the one who'd volunteered for the assault team.
"By all means, do show us your power. Let the Empire see what Roswaal-sama is capable of."
"Yes, indeed. The Empire has been rather too dismissive of magic, I'd say."
At Roswaal's smile, Ram pinched the hem of her traveling skirt and curtsied.
Watching an exchange that carried neither excess nor deficit of trust, Emilia—who'd been left behind by the flow of the conversation—blinked in confusion.
"So, in the end, Roswaal and Garfiel are going too, and I'm going to the Imperial Capital together with Subaru and the others... is that right?"
"Mm, that should be everything covered. Like Otto said—we've got the strongest lineup."
With the camp's three top fighters—Emilia, Garfiel, and Roswaal—joining the party, one could say they were delivering the ultimate performance as allies.
Subaru worried they might end up dragging down the team, what with him, Beatrix, and Spica.
"So Halibel joins too, and then—"
"—Subaru."
Right as he was about to declare this the definitive strongest lineup, he was summoned. Subaru turned around.
The one who had called him was a man who hadn't been named among those assembled—a man Subaru would unquestionably want on the team if they were only picking the strongest.
But that kimono-clad man, his refined features sharp and his piercing eyes undaunted, spoke plainly.
"I will remain by Lady Anastasia's side. Drawing the enemy's attention to the fortress city will also serve to aid your assault."
"..."
"Of course, the ones the Emperor trusts will likely be tasked with the city's defense, but I intend to lend my support as well. Above all..."
He paused there, then—the man, Julius—turned to look at Anastasia beside him.
Anastasia had pushed herself to rush all the way to Volakia in order to find Subaru and the others who had gone missing. Along with his gratitude, Subaru was absolutely certain she needed to return home safe.
That was why Julius stated clearly: "I am Lady Anastasia's foremost knight."
At those words, delivered with such radiant self-assurance, Subaru silently held his breath.
It was both a declaration of Julius's own position and, as Subaru understood, a challenge to him—as someone who occupied the same role.
—Just as Julius would protect Anastasia, Subaru should protect Emilia.
"Fair warning—staying behind doesn't mean an easy ride. Let your guard down and it'll be the shame of the Royal Selection all over again."
"Terrifying, that. I still shudder every time I catch a glimpse of that facial scar in the mirror."
"Cheeky bastard!"
Laughing off Julius's quip, Subaru sprang to his feet with vigor.
Surveying the assembled group, he confirmed the roster one final time.
"So it's me, Betty, and Spica going. Emilia-tan, Garfiel, and Roswaal join us, and Halibel's on the team too."
"Mm, let's do our best. You lot staying behind—Ram and the rest—make sure you watch out for 'zombies' too."
"Getting that from Lady Emilia's group is really something. But how well we put on a show out here changes how hard it gets for you lot inside. It's my time to shine."
As if her merchant's instincts had been stimulated, Anastasia answered with a wicked grin.
Feeling reassured by that, Subaru clenched his fists tight toward the decisive battle in the Empire looming before them.
He would do everything in his power to stop the Great Calamity.
And for that, he needed to hurry to the Imperial Capital.
Because— "—If we leave Cecilus alone, he might accidentally pull off some thousand-man or ten-thousand-man slaughter, and then the Great Spirit's mana will run dry and the Empire will be destroyed. Nobody wants to see that."
And if that happened, would it be Subaru's fault for bringing Cecilus along, or the Empire's fault for leaving Cecilus unsupervised until today? The blame would be impossible to sort out.