"It's an interesting idea that you are the last visitor today."
Despite the disruption to her plans, Crusch seemed somewhat in high spirits as she laughed and sat back in a chair in the parlor.
Sitting opposite her at the front were Subaru and Rem, and Wilhelm and Ferris stood behind Crusch, a sight Subaru felt he'd seen before.
The first time, when he had declared that he was returning to the mansion, the place and the people around him. And the topic that Subaru had brought up this time was likely to be even more contentious than it had been then.
After all, this matter wouldn't end with Subaru and Rem returning to the mansion.
"Fortunately, there is no longer any reason to have dinner outside. I have time to keep the lord company until the meal at the mansion is ready."
"You don't have to say anything in advance, it's impossible to find time like this. Subaru-kun should be grateful to Crusch-sama for her generosity."
"Well, the truth is that I had some free time because I was turned down by the person I was negotiating with."
"Oh my, it's amazing how Crusch-sama is such a man, he doesn't even think about falsifying appearances…!"
While the master and servant were engaged in their usual farce, Subaru considered in his mind how to bring it up.
Considering the time limit, you can't afford to be too confused. On the other hand, if your speech flow is too poor, you won't be able to grasp the objective.
"Well, it's better to keep it simple."
If the conversation was drawn out in a roundabout, redundant way, it would only incur Crusch's displeasure.
There are certain things that need to be said, so hesitating to do so will get you nowhere.
Subaru regained his composure and changed his expression. Crusch adjusted her sitting posture, prefaced her speech with "Now then," and held out her hand to him.
"This is a meeting that you requested. I will leave it up to you to decide how to begin it. --What do you want?"
Subaru thought that she was truly someone who was quick to talk.
Licking his dry lips to moisten them, Subaru took a deep breath in front of Crusch. Then,
"The Witch Cult is plotting an attack on Roswaal's territory. I would like to borrow your powers, Crusch-san, to crush them."
Subaru got straight to the point and outlined the conditions necessary to achieve his goal.
The fighting force necessary to annihilate the Witch Cult - and as that could not be expected from Roswaal's territory, it would have to be drawn from elsewhere. And Subaru knew from his short stay that Crusch had that power.
The other four people each showed their own reaction to Subaru's words.
Wilhelm's reaction was merely a slight twitch of his eyebrows. Ferris's eyes widened in shock as he anxiously surveyed Crusch's condition. Rem stood next to Subaru, lips tight, piercing his gaze into his profile.
and,
"I see, the Witch Cult."
Crusch laughed as she rested her elbows on the table in the reception room and rested her chin on her folded hands.
Her sweet smile was tinged with sensuality, and to Subaru, who had previously had a strong impression of her as dignified and striking, it offered a glimpse of a new side to her.
Anyway, the battle has begun.
Having cut straight to the point, he had no choice but to continue nonstop. Calming his racing heartbeat, Subaru waited for Crusch's next reaction.
However, she refused to say anything more than the first sentence. Finding this suspicious, Subaru frowned slightly, and,
"What's wrong? I told you, it's time for me to speak."
"No, I mean... it's just like I said..."
"Are you really thinking that just presenting a demand is enough to end it? Why are you making that demand? What is your justification for bringing it up? What benefit will we gain by complying with that demand? If you can't show us that, then it can't be called a negotiation."
Staring at Subaru, who was choking on his words, Crusch closed one eye in boredom.
That gesture alone made him realize that they were different actors, but Subaru scolded himself for getting sucked into the other person's pace and continued speaking.
"That's true. Sorry, excuse me. But I don't have much experience with these kinds of negotiations."
"It's necessary to understand that you are still inexperienced. Don't worry about it. However, we have set a time limit until dinner. --Don't forget that."
While showing generosity, he also knows how to use both the carrot and the stick when it comes to the time limit.
Subaru reorganized what he had to say,
"First of all, the reason I'm asking for your help is… quite simply, because we lack sufficient fighting power. Our numbers are far too low compared to the numbers of the Witch Cult. As a result, we can't resist their attacks."
"Indeed, it's a simple matter. But wouldn't Lord Mathers be enough? His mass annihilation power is the best in Lugnica. It's not just numbers."
"If the enemy was one solid piece, that would be possible, but that's not going to work. Since Roswaal only has one body, if he's attacked in two places, he'll be screwed."
At the very least, it was certain that the Witch Cult would attack the village and the mansion. And, although this was hypothetical, I had a feeling they would also attack any dragon carriages that passed by. The evidence for this was that Petelgeuse had repeatedly used words like "scare people away."
"I see, that's understandable. However, isn't this a case of negligence on Lord Mathers' part as a lord? It is the lord's duty to maintain military force in order to protect his territory. If he was overconfident in his own power and neglected this, then I have no choice but to lower his opinion of him."
"That's absolutely true. Anyway, that's why we can't resist the Witch Cult's haphazard methods. That's what we want in terms of military strength, in terms of numbers."
If the locations of the attack could be limited to two, then they needed the forces to defend both locations simultaneously. Since there was a possibility that Roswaal would be absent, if they were to leave one side to Rem and Ram, then they needed someone else they could rely on for the other side.
Glancing briefly at Wilhelm, Subaru pleaded with Crusch that if it went through, Wilhelm was a valuable asset he would definitely want to borrow.
Wilhelm must have understood the meaning of Subaru's gaze, but he didn't react to it. Crusch, watching Subaru lower his eyes slightly, waved to Ferris beside her,
"But, the Witch Cult. It seems they have begun to make their move."
"That's true. Well, that was to be expected the moment the half-elf Emilia-sama stepped onto the stage."
Ferris agreed with Crusch's words, and Subaru frowned at her attitude.
However, before he could question her, what caught Subaru's attention was the aftermath of the rage rising from beside him. Turning his gaze in that direction, he saw a silent Rem, her lips pursed and her head bowed.
Looking at his face, which was intentionally void of any emotion, it was clear that inside he was rather uneasy.
The first time he'd heard the phrase "Witch's Cult" had been from Rem. The Witch's Cult, which seemed to her to be something to be abhorred, had now become Subaru's greatest enemy. He was sure that his own face was as grim as hers.
Subaru cools his head as he sees the indignant Rem. Crusch, who has been watching the whole thing, lets her long green hair flow down her back and tilts her head, asking, "So?"
"I understand the situation. Next, please tell me the reason why you chose our family as your ally... the basis."
"The reason we chose Crusch and the others as our allies is because, given the current situation, they are the most likely to do so. They have been looking after me and Rem, and compared to the other candidates for the Royal Selection, I think they are in an easier position to join forces with."
This is a question I knew I would be asked and had prepared an answer for.
Although, if Subaru was being honest, there were others who would be easier to deal with than Crusch, but as a result of prioritizing who would be easiest to contact, it just so happened that they were the ones to approach for negotiations first.
"Easy to give, huh?"
Hearing Subaru's answer, Crusch muttered softly and laughed meaningfully. Subaru was unable to figure out the intention behind that smile, so she raised her finger and said, "Let me correct one thing."
"It may be that treating you as guests has led to a misunderstanding, but I would like you to reconsider something."
"...What is it?"
"I do not treat you lords as enemies. However, the fact is that Emilia is already a political opponent to me. You understand? I am already at odds with her."
Crusch emphasized her unexpectedly harsh words, clearly stating her position.
Seeing that attitude, Subaru recalled the first world,
"No, but now that we're here..."
"That's because of a contract. There is a contract between Emilia and me, through my servant, with a fee in return, and that is why I am welcoming you all. If that agreement were to disappear, our position would be clear, and in areas unrelated to the contract we would simply be at odds."
Cutting off Subaru's pleading voice, Crusch refused to give in.
In the first world, she had clearly declared her hostility towards Subaru when he broke the contract. This could be seen as sincere, but also as inflexible.
In other words,
"So there's no one willing to join hands?"
Subaru: "That matter and this matter are unrelated, that's what I'm saying. I told you, Natsuki Subaru. If it's a negotiation, you have to present benefits that are convincing and agreeable to both sides. Up until now, we've only confirmed the reasons and prerequisites. I need to hear the basis, and the pure benefits of lending our forces to you."
However, she continued,
"As for evidence, I wouldn't say that it's necessary. The moment Emilia's background became known to the masses, it was expected that the Witch Cult would take action. Whether the source of the information is reliable or just the product of imagination, in any case, it's close to certainty."
Crusch didn't seem to have any doubts about the premise of these negotiations, that the Witch Cult had taken action. This was a common understanding unique to this world, shared by all who lived there, which was a blessing in disguise for Subaru, who was naively negotiating.
The fact that the Witch Cult was so widely known was, to put it bluntly, almost disgusting.
"In other words, what is necessary for negotiations is mutual benefit. In your case, you can eliminate the threat of the Witch Cult by borrowing our family's power. So, what will our family gain by lending you a hand? Let me hear it."
"Ju, purely to help people..."
"That's a funny joke. So funny that it makes me want to joke with Wilhelm and make him pull out his sword."
At this moment, Wilhelm and Ferris were the only ones wielding swords, but the fact that he gave the order to Wilhelm rather than his number one knight shows the balance of power.
In any case, this was not a situation that could be avoided with jokes. Subaru put all his energy into thinking,
"Ah, well, you see. For example, if you could lend us a hand in this difficult situation, we could do our camp a huge favor..."
"---If that proposal is accepted, it will mean Emilia withdrawing from the royal selection, but is that something you are saying with full knowledge?"
"picture?"
Subaru's mouth dropped open at the sharp remark, interrupted by his words. However, Crusch's gaze as she looked at him was as menacing as a blade,
"Isn't that obvious? Leaving the crisis of your own territory entirely to another lord is a problem that goes beyond your ability to be a king. If you cannot protect and make your subjects obey, how can you shoulder the weight of your country? Natsuki Subaru――let me correct one more misunderstanding."
Raising her finger, Crusch pointed it at the silent Subaru, threatening to pierce him.
"You are conducting these negotiations with Emilia's camp on your shoulders. The merits or demerits of what you say all depend on her, and your words carry weight with Emilia. Your decisions should not be made lightly, and you cannot easily go back on what you have said."
"match..."
Subaru: "With that in mind, let me ask again. If you owe us a debt because of this incident, it will mean the defeat of Emilia's camp. Is that okay?"
There's no excuse.
Only now did Subaru begin to understand where he stood.
Subaru was not in a relaxed forum where he didn't have to take any responsibility. A single comment could shake the position of many people, and even affect the fate of the kingdom.
The place where Subaru willingly stood was a stage where such pressure was inevitable.
"But still..."
Feeling almost crushed by the weight on his shoulders, Subaru bit his lip and his voice trembled.
As Crusch had said, if she were to borrow her powers under the current conditions, it would mean allowing her a delay that Emilia would never be able to repay.
How much can they hope to achieve, such as a comeback in the King's Selection, given the gap they've fallen behind at this stage in the early stages of the match?
If he were to approach Crusch with this proposal, Emilia's royal selection would end here.
However, if he were unable to borrow her powers, the only thing that awaited Roswaal's territory would be overrun by the Witch Cult's fanatics.
The scales were tilted, and Subaru's brain was constantly filled with pain and grinding.
With all of this noise bombarding every corner of his thoughts, Subaru gritted his teeth and came to the conclusion,
"Still, I need your help."
"...Even if it means being eliminated from the royal selection process?"
"It's better to be alive. If you die, it's all over."
Subaru replied, his shoulders slumping, unable to hide his disappointment and dismay.
Once he dies, it's all over. Subaru doesn't have the courage to witness once again the devastation in that village, or the horrific death of Rem, who stands beside him.
If bowing your head, enduring the humiliation, and doing so will save your life, then so be it.
And, upon hearing Subaru's answer, Crusch bowed her chin and said, "I understand."
"---In that case, the Karsten family will not lend you any of their military strength."
", he declared.
※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※
--For a moment, Subaru was frozen in time, not understanding what Crusch had said.
"--teeth?"
Although the voice contained a question mark, it was nothing more than a meaningless sound due to it being beyond the scope of her understanding. However, Crusch accepted it, crossed her long, slender legs, and,
"I repeat. Our family will not support the Lord's request to aid the Mathers territory, nor will we lend our military forces to Emilia."
Again, the statement was made in a more understandable way.
His orderly way of speaking seemed to be mocking Subaru, who had little understanding.
"Damn it!"
The next moment, Subaru tried to spit out the anger that had been welling up inside him, but he managed to suppress his short-sightedness at the last moment.
Raising your voice and yelling with all your emotions has never made the situation better, especially when the other person is far more experienced and calm than you.
Slap your knees and take the rhythm to ease your momentum.
"Why is that so...?"
He asked the obvious question as if squeezing it out.
Before appealing to emotions, listen to the other side's side of things. Then, find a middle ground and come up with an answer. This is the basis of negotiation, and it cannot be thrown away.
Subaru's decision would determine whether or not Petelgeuse was killed - and the survival of an entire village.
In response to Subaru's low-key question, Crusch held up two fingers and prefaced her answer with, "First, one thing."
"You presented Emilia's withdrawal from the royal selection as an advantage for us, and after much anguish we accepted it… but this will not be a card in our hand in these negotiations. Do you understand?"
"Wh, why? Reducing your rivals is a sufficient reward for you..."
That is why, precisely because it cannot be exchanged for one's life, he chose that, the heaviest of the two, as the price.
He knows that Emilia is aiming for the throne, but he is weighing it against the lives of many others.
Subaru gritted his teeth and continued to press on, but Crusch shook her head,
"Don't you realize that when it comes to Emilia's dropping out, it's something that will happen regardless of my involvement?"
"what--"
As he was about to continue, Subaru realized something.
And when Subaru's face stiffened in shock at this realization, Crusch nodded,
"Just as you said, without anyone's help, Emilia will not be able to defend her territory. That would mean that she will be eliminated from the royal selection. There is no need for me to help her."
Rather," Crusch said, shaking her finger,
"If we make a wrong move, it will only make the other camps realize that my camp was involved in Emilia's elimination. As you know, my family is currently in the most advantageous position in this royal selection. I want to avoid making an early move to knock the other camps down and becoming their enemy all at once."
If she just waited and watched, she would be able to obtain all the benefits Subaru had presented to her. There was no need for her to take the trouble to risk it, or to try and pick up chestnuts from a fire.
But thenーー,
"The people of that village in Roswaal's territory are being attacked by the Witch Cult. Are you going to just leave them to die?!"
Subaru: "Let's correct that misunderstanding. And don't try to change the topic, Natsuki Subaru."
Crusch pierced the screaming Subaru with a cold gaze, her expression turning sharp,
"It is Emilia who is powerless to protect her territory, and it is also Emilia who will lose her people due to her incompetence. Definitely not me."
Powerless, incompetent――those words hit Subaru hard over the head.
He wanted to refute Crusch's argument, but all he could think of were childish, emotional arguments, and he couldn't muster the strength to argue against her reasoning.
"Apparently, that's all you have to say."
Crusch muttered, closing one eye as Subaru repeatedly opened and closed his mouth. She then opened her right eye and looked out the window at the sky outside,
"We are nearly at the Hour of Earth - time for dinner. Right on schedule."
Having ended the conversation like this, Crusch prepared to stand up.
Subaru was irritated by her unapproachable attitude.
"Wait!"
Subaru put his hand to stop her as she tried to stand up, lifted her hips, moistened his lips, and racked his brains frantically as he tried to continue negotiating with Crusch.
"Are you seriously going to abandon them? The villagers have done nothing wrong and there is no reason for them to do so!"
However, all that came out of Subaru's mouth was a string of effeminate words, as if he was relying on the other person's kindness. Hearing this, Crusch's eyes lit up with disappointment,
"I told you. It's not me who lacks strength..."
"Knowing about it and still abandoning them? Isn't that evil?! If you have the power, if you can help, why don't you help them?! What's wrong with helping them?! If it's about a different territory, are you just ignoring it and saying it doesn't matter to the number of votes?!"
He interrupts, shouting in anger despite knowing it's rude.
Crusch frowned at Subaru's angry attitude, and Ferris's eyes flushed with anger at his rude behavior as he tried to step forward, saying, "Hey!", but,
"Ferris, it's okay."
"But, Lady Crusch... no matter how much you said that,
"That's a naked spirit. If I don't comply, my status will be diminished."
Ferris growled in dissatisfaction, but quietly followed Crusch's orders and stepped back. Seeing this from the corner of her eye, Crusch sat back in her chair,
"Isn't it evil to overlook something, to let someone die?"
She sighed deeply as she mulled over Subaru's words.
I jumped at that attitude as if it were my last chance to grab something,
"That's right! You want to be king, right? You want to shoulder the weight of the whole country, right? If that's the case, then how can you be king if you abandon an entire village?"
Enraged, spitting, and clenching his fists, Subaru asserted.
Subaru's words piled on her, and Crusch closed her eyes in thought, then slowly,
"Let's get one thing straight."
Saying this, he raised two fingers and glared at Subaru with a penetrating gaze.
Subaru flinched at the sharpness of her gaze, but grimaced at the discrepancy between what Crusch was saying and what she was saying, and Crusch loosened her lips provocatively,
"That is the second of the two previous reasons. That should clear up most of your doubts, my lord."
The reason mentioned earlier――that is, the reason why Crusch won't help Emilia.
"The answer is... because your story does not have enough credibility to move our family."
The statement struck Subaru, completely overturning everything he had said up until then.
The previous exchange was cut off with the words "not credible."
"teeth?"
"The Witch Cult, huh? I see, it's possible that they will take action. That's clear from their doctrine and their actions thus far. However, the problem lies beyond that."
"And beyond that...?"
"Simple. Can you identify why and where they might target next, Sir?"
Pointing her finger at Subaru, Crusch said with a piercing voice and gaze,
"Their mysteriousness is inexplicable. The fact that they have survived for nearly four hundred years without being eradicated is proof enough of that. How could you possibly know of their next foolish act?"
"That's true... but you said the same thing just now."
"History has proven the shady nature of their information network. If you have it, you must provide evidence. If not, there is only one way we can know."
Subaru remained silent, and Crusch slowly took stock of what he had said.
"That is if you are also a member of the Witch Cult, Sir."
"You're kidding me!"
This time, a scream rose from his throat, ready to explode with rage, but once again it was stopped at the last moment.
This time it wasn't the result of my own conscience or self-control.
"――――"
--Rem had been silently watching the exchange between Subaru and Crusch for so long, but now she was giving off a dense, demonic aura.
Next to Subaru, Rem was sitting upright in a chair with her hands on her knees, but despite her expressionless face she was exuding such energy that it seemed to distort the atmosphere, and it was obvious that it was caused by the conversation they had just had.
"Crusch-sama, please stop messing around."
With the eyes of everyone in the room on her, Rem's voice remained the same as usual as she modestly tilted her head towards Crusch,
"There's no way Subaru-kun is a member of the Witch Cult."
Subaru: "—Is that so? Considering what Natsuki Subaru said, if he cannot give a reason for knowing, then I have no choice but to conclude that's the case. Do you have any idea, sir?"
"--there is no"
I wonder if Crusch noticed his momentary hesitation.
Only Rem, who could smell the witch's scent on Subaru, flicked her tongue, noting something that had caught Crusch's attention.
Anyway,
"In any case, for these two reasons, our household cannot lend a hand to Emilia. —And in the first place, have you not been given the authority to act as a negotiator?"
"--cormorant"
"Earlier, I threatened you that Emilia's future would rest on your shoulders, but this is a problem that goes beyond that. There is nothing here that you are carrying on your shoulders right now."
They rush ahead on their own, try to protect things on their own, and end up making a selfish mistake.
Crusch's words were cold, digging into Subaru's bare heart and ripping it apart.
The rage dissipated, and the heat in Subaru's heart began to turn to cold, and his mouth opened and closed ungracefully like a fish searching for oxygen.
Crusch looked at Subaru with pitying eyes,
"You have no power over me right now. I need to be quiet and be protected."
"----!"
It was a phrase that was repeated over and over again.
It was a rotten kind of sympathy that made Subaru admit his powerlessness, forced him to accept his ignorance, compelled him to feel pathetic, and mocked his reckless and foolhardy patheticness.
Nothing was going as planned, and Subaru was overcome with feelings of embarrassment.
Why, why does no one, not even one person, let Subaru achieve his wish? What is wrong with him? He is trying to do the right thing. He is doing it because he believes it is right, and that he can help.
"The Witch Cult is coming! They're going to kill everyone in the village...!"
Subaru pleaded with rage and sadness so strong that it felt like his throat was about to burst.
There were sights I had seen, deaths I had experienced.
The people I love, the people I care about, everything freezes and turns into white crystals.
It certainly does happen. It is a cruel reality that will inevitably occur if we leave it alone.
Why didn't anyone understand this, why didn't they let him stop it? Why didn't anyone get in the way and just let Subaru twist his fate?
"Kill them, just kill them! All those Witch Cult members, just kill them all! If we do that, everything will be fine! You understand, right!? Those guys can't be left alive! Kill them, kill them, lend me your strength!"
He dropped to his knees, crawled on the ground and begged.
If I rubbed my head against the floor and pleaded, I would have been willing to be a clown or whatever, as long as he just looked down on me with sympathy in his eyes.
I'll even take on the role of a dog or an animal, whatever it takes. If that means my murderous intent can be fulfilled...
"---Is that the source of your actions?"
However, Subaru's actions, not hesitating to expose his shame,
"Hatred for the Witch Cult, is that why you approached Emilia?"
--The man in power, who did not let personal feelings influence his decisions, left him with not even a shred of pity