Cut through by the cold gaze, Subaru's shoulders trembled silently.
Whether it was anger or sadness, Subaru was caught up in a torrent of mixed emotions and no longer knew.
just,
"That's not true... I'm, everyone's..."
Crusch's assertion was completely off the mark.
To say that she is motivated by hatred towards the Witch Cult is nothing but a misguided and cynical view.
Subaru's feelings, their source, should always, always be for someone else. That's how it has to be.
But the words did not follow clearly, and Crusch shook her head when she heard it.
Subaru: "You cannot deceive others with a lie that you cannot even deceive yourself with. What else can you call the light dwelling in your eyes right now but insanity and murderous intent? Do you realize that, Natsuki Subaru?"
"――――"
"You've been looking at me like that ever since you returned to the mansion, sir."
Was there pity or sympathy contained in that dry remark? Either way, Subaru's reaction upon hearing it was dramatic, and he instinctively reached up to touch the object with his fingertips, trying to confirm it with his eyes.
The moment he did so, it would only serve as proof that he was unable to completely deny Crusch's words.
"I don't know why you are so attached to the Witch Cult. Many have had their lives twisted by the Witch Cult. You are likely one of them. Your anger and hatred may be justified. However, that has nothing to do with the negotiations."
"Suppose--"
"Yeah?"
Subaru continued to press Crusch, who had declared the end of the negotiations, not wanting to reopen them after they had already ended. She closed one eye and held her breath, waiting for Subaru to continue.
"Suppose I hated the Witch Cult, what would that mean? Yes, they are pests to the world. It would be much better to kill every single one of them. That's what I think. I do, but as you said, that has nothing to do with this."
The hatred that would never fade, the despair that would never be lost, the desire for Betelgeuse's death that dwelled within Subaru's heart, filled his entire body with negative energy.
He knew that this was not the kind of thing that would impress others, but right now, it was an emotion that Subaru needed to maintain his sanity.
I believe that I am able to assert what needs to be done without being swayed by those emotions.
that's why,
"That cannot be a reason to break off negotiations...!"
"You're going off topic again, Natsuki Subaru. The fact that your actions are rooted in hatred is irrelevant to the merits of the negotiations. However, it does have a major bearing on the fact that you are unfit to be a negotiating partner. Although, it may be difficult to say that it is unrelated to the negotiations."
"What do you mean by 'ineligible'...?"
Subaru literally gritted his teeth and continued to ask questions as if squeezing them out.
Crusch folded her arms and answered Subaru's question with the same tolerance as if she were treating a disobedient child,
"If we assume that the origin of your actions is your hatred for the Witch Cult, then your approach to Emilia in the first place is nothing more than a stepping stone to that end."
"Okay," Crusch said, raising one finger on her right hand as she crossed her arms.
"If Emilia puts her name forward for the Royal Selection and her origins are revealed to the public, it's clear that the Witch Cult will begin to move as per its doctrine. There is hardly a more effective decoy to keep the heads of those who normally wouldn't even be able to get a clue about their activities."
"Me! Are you trying to get revenge on them by using Emilia as an excuse?!"
"Do you really think your cries of refusal will be convincing, given the way you are behaving right now? There is hatred in your eyes, and murderous intent in every word you speak. It's the kind of thing that is hardened and solidified, and will never peel off or fade, much less be forgotten."
No, no, no, no, no.
Crusch's words definitely did not capture Subaru's true nature.
Subaru's feelings stem from his desire to save someone. His murderous intent towards Petelgeuse is merely a necessary step to achieve that goal.
Moreover, it is a highly suspicious assumption that they are confusing means with ends and only focusing on that.
Since the only way to resolve this is to kill, what is wrong with seeking out the means and methods to do so?
He should die. He shouldn't be allowed to live. He is right. He is trying to do the right thing, and everything should work in his favor.
"My hatred and their evil are unrelated! Those guys! They shouldn't be alive! That's why we should kill them all! That will save everyone! Everyone will be saved! No one will have to die, so they should die..."
"I told you, Natsuki Subaru. You can't deceive others with a lie that you can't even fool yourself with."
Subaru was breathing heavily and his eyes were bloodshot as he argued, but his voice was cold.
Crusch narrowed her eyes and looked up at Subaru, who was breathing heavily from where she was sitting, and,
"It's not convincing to say that you're not driven by hatred, murderous intent, or hatred towards the Witch Cult."
"Why..."
"Don't you understand?"
Subaru asked again in a husky voice, and Crusch's eyes were filled with a clear look of pity.
However, Subaru, not understanding what she was trying to say, merely frowned, and in response she lowered her eyes, unable to hide her disappointment and dismay,
"---Sir, you have never once spoken of wanting to help Emilia."
"--a?"
"Your words are about wanting to save someone, wanting to protect others, but underneath that superficial appearance is a dark emotion boiling inside. At the very least, it doesn't overlap with the image I saw in the throne room."
Unable to comprehend the meaning of what was being said, Subaru's eyes wandered.
--You don't want to help Emilia?
That can't be. Subaru has always lived for Emilia, ever since he fell into this world and she first saved his life.
The incident in the throne room, the incident at the parade ground, and now too. If he leaves the situation as it is, she and the village will be lost. That is why he must be taking action.
Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely, he must not let his heart be seduced by hatred――
"You're not allowed to go any further than that."
Suddenly, the voice broke the silence and was thrown at Subaru.
The moment Subaru's consciousness was brought back to reality, he saw a straight-legged old man standing before him - Wilhelm. Standing next to Crusch across the table, he looked in his direction with a hint of pity shining through the wrinkles that showed his age.
His condescending gaze, his attitude, and the look of pity on his face were somehow irritating.
"--Subaru-kun."
As my raw emotions grew irritated, I felt someone tugging on my sleeve, and when I turned my gaze to look, I saw Rem, still sitting, clutching the edge of her dress with her fingertips.
Her beautiful face was filled with frustration and a hint of sadness.
"Please calm down. Going on a rampage here won't solve anything. Even if you did go on a rampage, Rem would be no match for Wilhelm-sama."
"...Going berserk? What are you talking about? Going berserk, that's not it..."
"Hey, hey, that's not good no matter how much you say it."
"But," Subaru was about to continue when Ferris shrugged and sighed heavily. He looked up at Subaru, who then pointed to the arm that wasn't being held by Rem, and said,
"What are you trying to do, holding a teaspoon in your clenched fist? Maybe your parents didn't raise you well, but I just can't accept the way you're holding it."
It was only when Ferris pointed it out that Subaru realized that his right hand was gripping the spoon that came with the cup of tea that had been served to him. He was holding it roughly, with the handle upside down, as if he was going to slam it against something.
--When on earth did this happen?
"Just because you've been hit with the truth doesn't mean you should go on a rampage. If you go on a rampage here, you'll get cut in half by old man Vil while Rem-chan is holding you back, you know?"
"And I really don't want to give such an order. We've been together for a few days now, and it could cause political problems. On top of that, it could make the room a little dirty."
Despite being the one who had almost shown him rudeness, Crusch looked up at him with a composed attitude. It was as if she was showing the magnanimity of her character, and also as if she was mocking Subaru's weakness, who could only channel his anger into such a tiny piece of metal.
All of this is awful and irritating.
"No matter what, you won't lend me your strength?"
So rather than an apology, he made some tough remarks.
Ferris responded with an unpleasant look, and Wilhelm closed one eye and looked at his master. However, Crusch herself responded to the question with a "Yes," and
"The credibility of your statement is low, and even if we cooperate, what we will gain is not attractive. ーーTherefore, I will wait and see."
"The Witch Cult is coming. When that happens, you will be the one who kills the people of that village. Your "laziness" will kill that village by knowing about it and doing nothing."
"That's a very arrogant thing to say. Then, just one thing."
Subaru glared at Crusch, using the term for a despicable man. Seeing his glazed gaze, Crusch stood up and looked straight into Subaru's eyes.
Her penetrating gaze gave Subaru an unpleasant feeling, as if she was peering deep into his eyes and into his soul.
"I can generally tell if the person I'm talking to is lying or not. I've never been deceived by others, and I'm proud of that."
Crusch suddenly started talking about such things.
She peered into the depths of Subaru's suspicious eyes, and,
"I can say from experience that you are not lying."
"Then..."
Subaru: "You don't even think it's a lie, you stubbornly believe your delusional words to be the truth. ーーThat's just insanity, what a madman is, Natsuki Subaru."
At this very moment, Subaru realized that the negotiations had clearly fallen apart.
I couldn't imagine accomplishing anything important with someone who treated me as being of the same nature as that madman, that hateful man.
Above all, my heart just doesn't seem able to bear the humiliation any more.
Subaru clenched his teeth and bit the corner of his lip, blood running down his chin.
Seeing the painful scene, Crusch,
"Ferris, I'll fix it."
"turn down!"
Subaru refused far before Ferris could act, and turned around and left his chair. He was heading towards the exit of the reception room,
"It's almost dinner time. Do you want to join us?"
"Isn't it horrifying to share a table with a madman? I don't know if you're a man of refined tastes or a kabuki actor, but this is a bit too much."
Responding to the sarcasm with another sarcasm, Subaru put his hand on the door to the reception room.
When she suddenly turned around, she saw Rem, who had straightened her posture, bowing politely to the girls.
"Although it was only for a short time, I apologize for the inconvenience. On behalf of the head of the household, I would like to express my gratitude."
"That's your... no, Lord Mathers' answer."
"Yes. I have been instructed to respect Subaru's wishes in all matters."
It was an exchange that made no sense, and Subaru couldn't see Crusch's face, but there was no small amount of regret in her voice as she bade Rem farewell.
It was a different emotion to the clear sense of estrangement she felt towards Subaru, and even that felt somehow irritating.
Seeing Rem quickly approaching, Subaru opened the door.
It was a stranger's house and I knew exactly how to get from here to the front door, and then outside the gate to the noble district of the royal capital.
"Do you have any idea?"
"At best, be a good king. A dictatorial one."
He spat out the last words that were spoken to him behind his back and slammed the door shut.
Thus, the negotiations with Crusch came to a disastrous end.
※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※
The negotiations broke down and it was past dusk when Subaru set foot into the noble district.
The sun had already sunk far into the west, and night was slowly beginning to fall upon the world. As the light of the crystal lamps lit the road at regular intervals, Subaru crossed his arms, leaning his back against the iron fence as he waited for Rem to come out.
"Damn it, every single one of them..."
Subaru tapped his fingers on his crossed arms and let out a groan of frustration.
All he could think back to was his conversation with Crusch that he had just had, and he ruminates on the humiliation of having been so easily fooled.
The feelings of regret at not being able to get cooperation were swirling in my heart.
"You ignorant people... why do you get in the way of what is right..."
It was an emotion similar to an insatiable hatred towards those who stood in his way.
Subaru's idea of trying to wipe out the Witch Cult must not be wrong. In other words, it is their reaction of refusing to cooperate that is wrong.
They do not understand because they have not seen, heard, or experienced the tragedy, the cruelty, or the laughter of the vicious men.
They are pests not worth keeping alive.
"It's enough, it's enough. Forget about your failure and how heartless you were. For now, prioritize what's in front of you..."
Rather than being held back by feelings of embarrassment, we should value making at least a little progress.
Of course, asking Crusch for help was merely a second-best option for Subaru. There were other candidates with a higher chance of annihilat- ing the Witch Cult.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Subaru-kun."
Just as Subaru was tapping his feet in frustration, Rem appeared through the gates. As she approached, she was holding in her hands the various items she had used during her stay at Crusch's mansion over the past few days - she couldn't just leave them behind when she left, so Subaru had been waiting for her to come out and collect them.
It would be embarrassing to come out like that and then come back saying you forgot something. Subaru couldn't come back, so Rem was greeted with her belongings in both hands.
"Sorry. Give me your luggage. I'll carry it too."
"It's fine. It's not heavy, and Subaru-kun is still recovering from his illness."
However, she firmly refused Subaru's offer. Normally, Subaru would have persisted, but with his thinking tasks now being diverted to other things, it wasn't something he cared about that much.
I immediately lowered my outstretched hand,
"Now that I think of it, Rem isn't opposed to me leaving Crusch's place."
"Yes. If that's what you chose, Subaru."
Subaru: "Well, it's too late now though. After all that mess, there's no way I could continue the treatment. I did something bad to Emilia-tan, like borrowing something or other."
Emilia had given them something in return, entrusting Subaru with their treatment. She felt some guilt at having to show her kindness so often and so unexpectedly. She would need to have a proper discussion about that once the matter with the Witch Cult was over and they had made peace. Don't worry, she would surely talk to Subaru about it after he had saved her from a difficult situation.
To achieve that, we must ensure that Betelgeuse dies.
"Subaru-kun. Regarding your negotiations with Crusch-sama…"
"He's just babbling all this complicated stuff about credibility and profit and all that. He has no heart for people. Who's going to follow him like that?"
Subaru interrupts Rem, who seems to want to say something, and then curses, ending the conversation there.
Rem seemed to be considerate of Subaru's feelings and didn't try to pursue the topic any further. Instead,
"What should we do now? If what Subaru says is true, we don't have any more time to waste."
"What if it's true?"
"--. There is no time to waste. Will Roswaal-sama's mansion... return?"
Subaru interjected, taking issue with the question. Rem didn't take him seriously, so Subaru put his hand to his chin and shook his head, "No."
"We won't be able to accomplish much if we go back by ourselves now. We need to come back with a force that can compete with them. Even if that's not the case, we need to have an alternative method."
If only Subaru and Rem returned, it would just be a repetition of events from last time.
Alternatively, if they left earlier than before, they might be able to reach the mansion without encountering them, but――
"In the end, I'm still worried about fighting them with the forces remaining in the mansion."
The only ones who could actually fight were Ram and Rem. Emilia, who had cooperated with Puck, could also be counted among those who could fight, but the rest were just the villagers and an amateur called Subaru.
The Witch Cultists led by Petelgeuse were all armed, and although their fighting strength was not on the same level as Rem's, it was still on a level that Subaru could not match. The chances of the villagers and Subaru being included in the fighting power comparison were quite slim.
"We don't have enough numbers, we don't have enough fighting power. What the hell is Roswaal doing..."
If he was alone, and used well, there was a chance that he alone could wipe out the Witch Cult's fighting power. And yet, he hadn't been seen in the last two episodes. The same goes for Emilia, but where were he and she in that mansion――
"Subaru-kun, about Lord Roswaal... if things go as planned after we leave the royal capital, it's highly likely that he won't be at the mansion right now."
"--! Did you know? That Roswaal wasn't at the mansion as planned."
"Lord Roswaal is going to visit an influential person in Garfiel's...erm, in the territory, and is expected to stay for a few days."
"Damn, what bad timing! Is that the reason we can't deal with the attack?"
Rem's answer was as he had feared, and Subaru scratched his head and spat out curses.
As expected, it seems that perverted lord is reluctant to come to the mansion at a crucial time. If this becomes a fatal cause and the territory is overrun,
"There's no room for excuses for Crusch, there's a problem with the lord's abilities..."
Subaru frantically racks his brains as his impression of Roswaal - that he's a pervert but a competent one - is rewritten into that of a hopeless pervert and incompetent.
In other words, now that Roswaal is no longer a potential force, the situation of overwhelming lack of forces will continue as planned. This will be the same even if Subaru and Rem return safely.
"After all, there is no other choice but to bring back our fighting forces."
Subaru declared as he looked up and nodded to Rem, who was looking his way with bated breath.
The plan had been decided. And the two of them had no time to waste. If they wanted to surpass the results of the previous two trips, they had to leave the royal capital by tomorrow at the latest.
Considering that it was now beginning to get dark, there was only about half a day left.
"Anyway, we have no choice but to contact someone else who might be willing to cooperate. Rem, are you familiar with the geography of the royal capital?"
"I've been there a few times, and I've been patrolling with Subaru for a few days, so it's not too bad… But, who?"
"That's obvious. -- The most likely candidate is a good-looking man of justice."
※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※
It would not be an exaggeration to say that Reinhard van Astrea was the ideal person for Subaru.
He has military strength that can only be attributed to the love of the gods, and a beautiful appearance that was bestowed upon him by the goddess. He has a gentle personality and treats everyone equally, and above all, his honesty is beyond doubt.
A symbol of absolute justice, and one who would never overlook even the smallest of evil, Subaru was certain that he would receive cooperation.
The Witch Cult's and Petelgeuse's wickedness is an affront to human dignity.
That would never be forgiven, and Subaru would never forgive that, nor would Reinhard.
Also, he figured that unlike Crusch and Ferris, he wouldn't come up with some clever reason about it being in their mutual interest or something.
It would be foolish to try to negotiate with him while holding up such vested interests in front of him, who is honest and whose righteousness shines deep in his heart.
If that was justice, then he would not tolerate the sacrifice of the kingdom's citizens. Therefore, the breakdown in negotiations with Crusch did not even seem like a blow to Subaru.
Reinhard would definitely be on Subaru's side.
With his incredible sword skills, he will surely chop off Petelgeuse's head.
Feeling his lips twist in anticipation and a sadistic sense of fulfillment that went even further than that, Subaru walked slowly towards himーー,
Upon arriving at the deserted villa, he was informed of the fact that his hero had "left the royal capital two days ago."
Night is coming.
There were roughly twelve hours left until the time limit for leaving the royal capital.
Approximately four days had passed since the mansion was attacked and the tragedy unfolded.
--Dark clouds were beginning to gather over this challenge to annihilate the Witch Cult.