Chapter 649 — Arc 9, Curtain’s Close – “Reweave”

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TL Note: The original title of this chapter is “Reweave” written in English.

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While looking at the servants of the Barielle Residence work from afar, Frederica felt a sense of restlessness beyond her control.

Frederica: [I am used to being treated as a guest when traveling with the Master, but… it is a bit unusual with how things are in this mansion, especially with the current state of things.]

Reflected within the gaze of Frederica’s emerald eyes as she said this, was the hectic atmosphere of the mansion.

Swift and well-led, it was clear to see that the staff were a team of extremely capable people, managed by efficient leadership. Even when they became aware of the terrible news brought by Frederica and the others, they did not fall into dysfunction. ――That alone was worthy of admiration.

Frederica: [Priscilla-sama, it seems she was truly adored by everyone here.]

The tragic news the servants were informed of―― the notice that the head of this mansion, their mistress, Priscilla Barielle, had lost her life in the Vollachian Empire.

Frederica: [――――]

Letting out a heavy sigh, Frederica cast her hazy eyes downwards, as she observed the garden from the balcony.

Frederica, due to her position, knew how it must have felt to have those she served, such as Roswaal and Emilia, to leave her behind at the mansion and to have no other option to pray for their safe return. If she found out at that time that her prayers had not been delivered, just how devastating a blow to her heart would that be?

In truth, many of the servants were grief-stricken, and many of them were shedding tears. When they became aware of her death, not a single person had left the duty in the mansion, which could only be seen as a testament of their relationship with Priscilla.

But, it was not just due to Priscilla being loved by everyone――,

Frederica: [――I believe that Schult-sama’s resolute demeanor touched everyone’s heart, too.]

Frederica was deeply moved by the young servant, who had accompanied Priscilla to the Empire, and with her death, had to bear the responsibility of conveying her dying will, a task that he had accomplished splendidly.

Schult looked as undependable and skinny as a small animal, however, he did not entrust the unenviable duty to Frederica and Roswaal, and instead used his own mouth and words to accomplish this great task.

Though the servants had not left the mansion and chose to stay in their current jobs due to their adoration for Priscilla, there was no doubt that their faith in Schult had been another large contributor. Whilst being an outsider, Frederica wholeheartedly agreed and could not bear the heat that prickled at the corner of her eyes.

Then――,

???: [――Oya, here you are, Frederica. I’ve been searchiiing~ for you.]

Frederica: [Master…]

Raising his hand slightly, the tall figure stepped onto the balcony―― Roswaal greeted her, as Frederica bent her knees and gave a small curtsy.

Frederica: [For making you search for me, I humbly apologize. What business do you need me to attend to?]

Roswaal: [Business, I wouldn’t go so far as to call it something like that buuut~. The preparations are nearly completed, so I just wanted to speak with you for a moment.]

Frederica: [Preparations…]

Roswaal: [Yes, the preparaaations~]

Roswaal smiled faintly, leaving one eye closed ―― his yellow eye, a mismatch to his right eye, was left open, as he stood beside Frederica on the balcony and leaned against the railing.

Roswaal: [There’s quite a lot of land that’s worth the effort. I don’t have many acquaintances in the South. Priscilla-sama’s late husband Lord Leip Barielle was nooot~ a man that left behind a good reputation.]

Frederica: [For the Master to say that, he certainly must have been quite an unpleasant person.]

Roswaal: [Oya, how harsh. Has Petra-kun also poisoned you and made you lose your obedience to meee~? Or maybe――]

Roswaal tilted his head, and as he looked into the eyes of Frederica beside him,

Roswaal: [――You don’t like my plan to use Schult-kun, do you?]

Frederica: […I do not think that what you  are doing is wrong, Master. Also that it is for the Royal Selection… and by extension, ultimately for the sake of Emilia-sama and her Camp.]

Roswaal: [Though easy in theory, it’s not easy to convince the heart is iiit~?]

Understanding this yet still saying it, Roswaal’s crooked personality was unassailable. If Emilia were here to speak, she would probably say that it was just a sign of his mischievous side and that he deserved a proper scolding for it.

Frederica: [With my relationship with the Master, it is very difficult, Emilia-sama…]

If Emilia or Petra were here they would attack using a straightforward approach, if Ram were here she would use unorthodox methods to make Roswaal reflect, but perhaps because he had anticipated this, Frederica was here by her lonesome.

Frederica, even omitting the debt of gratitude she bore which could not be repaid, knew that when it came to Roswaal’s actions, despite his evil ways, he worked for the sake of the camp.

――The goal that unified the Emilia Camp was ultimately that of the Royal Selection.

In the Royal Selection, the time they spent in the Vollachian Empire had made them fall behind. Even without this Emilia had been lagging behind since the start. If they wanted to catch up, if they wanted to gain some momentum, then they could not rely solely on conventional means.

Towards that end goal, to gain the support of the Barielle Domain which had lost its absolute pillar that was Priscilla Barielle, Roswaal moved forward with devoted and dispassionate maneuvers behind the scenes.

Roswaal: [Since Priscilla-sama has died, and the next fief’s lord has yet to be elected, an acting provisional governor will be appointed. Fortunately, I can produce a candidate from my associates. I would just have to appoint one of the Ryuzu-dono’s ――someone from the Meyers as a liaison.]

Frederica: [Grandma’s, is it not premature to get them involved?]

Roswaal: [Spare the rod and spoil the child, isn’t that what they say? If you continue to gallantly keep them locked away in a birdcage, they will never have the chance to learn to spread their wings. I also agree with youuu~ though.]

As Roswaal steadily and dispassionately filled in the holes in his plan, Frederica doubted if Emilia’s criticisms of Roswaal were true, if his evil actions were just a pretense or if he truly was as much of a villain as he appeared to be.

Perhaps, since he could flawlessly devote himself to being the villain, he was not able to properly open up his heart to his fellow Camp members. He was too diligent.

Frederica: [Master, at least show a bit more consideration――]

And, just as she was about to point this out, and not let this misunderstanding sow great doubts in not just the Camp, but also the Barielle Domain, and in Schult’s heart, a voice interrupted her.

???: [――T-th-th-thi-thi-thi-this is very much terrible! Margrave-sama, where might you very much be!?]

Frederica: [What is it, Schult-sama?]

Abruptly, Schult’s panicked voice could clearly be heard from below, causing Frederica and Roswaal to exchange glances with each other. Roswaal raised his eyebrows as he also seemed to have no idea what was happening, so the Master pushed away from the railing and looked down, raising his voice to yell out “Schult-kun” as Schult ran into the garden down below.

Then, once Schult had been called, he opened his eyes wide and raised his voice,

Schult: [Margrave-sama! You very much must come down immediately! Someone claims they very much need to see you, that they have to report something to you!]

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???: [――That which you are now viewing, is the will left behind by the late Madam.]

Saying this, the contents of the sealed letter were revealed by a girl of crimson hair―― a maid who introduced herself as Yae Tenzen, whose words caused Roswaal to widen his eyes in shock, motionless.

Roswaal: [――――]

Up until this point it had been unusual to see her master display his discomposure so openly, but that reaction was only natural. Having ascertained the same contents, Frederica, and all other parties present were struck with astonishment.

Above everyone else, as the central figure addressed by the written contents of that letter, Schult experienced the greatest shock.

The contents of the letter were――,

Yae: [――The head of House Barielle, Priscilla Barielle, hereby declares that when it comes time for her official successor to be determined, the following personage, Schult, is to have his name altered to Schult Barielle, and he is to be ushered in as the legitimate son, and rightful heir to House Barielle.]

Schult: [Priscilla-sama, me…?]

Schult blinked at the unforeseen event, his face seemingly unsure if this was a dream or reality.

However, placing her hands on Schult’s shoulders from behind, Yae, who had revealed the location of the letter, smiled and said “You’re getting way too surprised.” as she rubbed her cheeks against his.

Yae: [Considering how much the Madam doted on Schult-chan, doesn’t this totally make sense? ――Though in truth, I think she had intended to keep it hidden during the Royal Selection.]

Schult: [Yae-sama… Yae-sama, how long have you known about this? You left the mansion so many months ago, and I am very much glad you are finally home, but…]

Yae: [――. I found out just before Schult-chan and the Madam left for the Empire. After all, it was around that time when she had prepared the letter.]

At Yae’s quiet answer, large tears began to well up in Schult’s eyes.

If one were to ask, they would discover that Yae was a maid who had previously worked at the mansion and had been on leave for quite a while, but upon receiving news of Priscilla’s passing, she had come rushing here.

As one could see, Yae seemed to be quite close with Schult, and it also appeared that Priscilla had held great confidence in her, entrusting her to guard the important letter she had left behind.

The revelations that came forth as a result of all that were a great disruption to Roswaal’s plans――,

Frederica: [――However, thinking of Schult-sama, it might be for the best.]

Roswaal: […Frederica?]

Frederica: [It might be a bit different from what you had in mind, Master, but… For Schult-sama, and the spirits of everyone in the mansion, it will surely be a salvation. ――Truly, she was an incredible individual.]

Despite having been Royal Candidate and an adversary of Emilia, Frederica had had little contact with Priscilla, however she could only describe her as an incredible person.

After all――,

Frederica: [To derail your schemes to such an extent, Master, without a doubt, she must have been a worthy adversary to Emilia-sama, correct?]

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Yae: [――――]

Embracing Schult from behind as his small body trembled, looking over the letter that had been left behind once again, Yae breathed a sigh in response to her own decision to return to the Barielle Mansion.

――All of her judgments had been for the sake of helping Al accomplish the objective he was aiming for.

Yae: [The fact that he didn’t give the signal, means that his plan at the Tower must’ve failed~.]

Originally, Yae was supposed to converge with Al at the nearest town as he set course for the Pleiades Watchtower, and by helping him accomplish some duty that he had no choice but to fulfill, the promise had been that she would then ascertain his last moments as his life came to naught.

However, without any signal given at the established time, Yae judged that Al’s plan had failed, and withdrew from the nearby town―― straight from there, she made her return to the Barielle Mansion.

Yae: [For me to be openly returning to the mansion like this, is it the first time since Al-sama prevented me from assassinating the Madam?]

But then again, in the cases when it was not out in the open, she had visited the mansion rather frequently in order to maintain communications with Al. ――The letter she had used as a pretext to return to the mansion, too, was information she had obtained on one of those non-overt occasions, while she had concealed herself in the roof.

Though, to Schult, and to the nasty aristocrat―― Roswaal L. Mathers, who had attempted to prey on him alongside his maid, she had pretended it was a letter entrusted to her by Priscilla.

Yae: [In reality, I just caught a glimpse as the Madam prepared and stored it away in a secret safe.]

Thanks to the fact that the letter had been stored within a secret safe, its whereabouts had been revealed to her without anybody else learning of its existence, lending credence to the notion that Yae had simply been entrusted with the secret. For that reason, she felt a little guilty capitalizing on Priscilla’s death, but――,

Yae: [――But, Madam, were you truly not aware that I had been watching?]

In all honesty, even Yae could not find a clear answer to that mystery.

Priscilla had prepared the letter to officially adopt Schult just before venturing to the Empire, storing it in the safe at around the same time, but regardless of having been Yae’s master for a period of time, her perception was not to be made light of. That fierce woman of character, possessing eyes that seemed to peer into the hearts of others, had she truly believed that Yae had not been present?

???: [――Utilize this letter skillfully, and have it serve your own interests. Take the opportunity to save Schult as well.]

Perhaps it was with such an arrangement in mind that Priscilla had hidden that letter in a secret safe, one that nobody, save for Yae, having concealed herself in the roof, would have been capable of finding without turning the mansion inside out.

Either way――,

Yae: [I shall do so, Madam. ――I must wait for Al-sama, after all.]

Choosing to take advantage of Priscilla’s kindness, Yae had returned to the mansion for that purpose.

As mentioned previously, Al had not given the signal to go ahead with the plan; likely, he had failed at the Watchtower, and the plan had fallen into a state where it would be difficult to carry out. But, Al would not die. He was alive.

Yae: [After all, Al-sama is a monster.]

Al would not die, he could not be killed. Because he was such a monster, Yae obeyed him.

It was all in order to ascertain that he fulfilled his objective, and died in satisfaction; to ascertain the disappearance of the being who had taught her dread. ――For that purpose, she would keep Schult at a distance from the Emilia Camp.

If something had happened to Al, the Emilia Camp, who had accompanied him to the Watchtower, would have been involved. She had no choice but to prepare for when he broke free, remaining in a location where mobilization was possible at any time.

Hence――,

Yae: [Schult-chan, let’s carry on the Madam’s wishes together. It’s alright. After all, from now on, I’ll also return to the mansion, and help you however I can, Schult-chan.]

Schult: [Yae-sama… yes. Yes, of course…! I will very much try to live up to Priscilla-sama’s expectations! I very much wish for Yae-sama to help me with that!]

At the determination of the upfront and adorable Schult―― no, of the boy who had become Schult Barielle, Yae showed an exaggerated look of delight in her eyes, and the other servants were deeply moved to the point of tears. The maid accompanying Roswaal also wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, touched by his courageousness.

The Margrave was making an indistinct expression, as if his expectations had been off the mark, but taking that as proof that Priscilla had still managed to exceed someone’s expectations post-mortem, it was quite satisfying.

Indeed, Priscilla had been a worthwhile master to serve. ――That alone, was the truth.

Schult: [I’ll very much do my best! After all, when Al-sama and Heinkel-sama finally return, I very much wish to present them with an admirable appearance!]

But, as Schult got red in the face with such enthusiasm, Yae hesitated on how to respond.

Al’s return was something that Yae was also awaiting.

But, when it came to Heinkel――,

Yae: […For Heinkel-sama to return, it might be a little bit difficult~.]

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Heinkel: [――Gwoaahhh-!!]

Crashing to the ground following a feeling of suspension, Heinkel raised a deep shout.

After groaning for a bit, he slowly moved his limbs around, undoing his restraints. Gaining freedom from the fine threads that had bound his wrists and ankles, he grasped a sense of liberty for the first time in a while――,

Heinkel: [Piece of shit…!]

In a manner most loathsome, he spat out words as if to curse the misfortune that had befallen him.

――The one who had tied Heinkel up, leaving him in a small hut in a forest that nobody would visit, was a girl named Yae who had declared herself to be one of Aldebaran’s accomplices.

There was some incomprehensible history about her being a former maid who served Priscilla while simultaneously being an assassin sent to kill her, and she had tempted Heinkel, saying that if he helped Aldebaran, he would get the chance to obtain that which he desired most―― the Dragon’s Blood. She had tempted him, and yet.

Heinkel: [Gotta be fucking kidding me, saying the plan failed the moment there was no contact from that Aldebaran guy…]

In the end, as Heinkel sought explanations and the continuance of the plan, she mercilessly kicked in his knees and elbowed him, tying him up as he bled from the nose, before promptly disappearing on her own.

From Heinkel’s perspective, he had done nothing to deserve being left hanging like this.

Heinkel: [Each, and every, one of them… hk.]

Upon the death of Priscilla, whom he had been counting on, he turned to Emilia as his next recourse, only to be rejected, and when he reached out to grasp the hand Aldebaran had offered him, the hand shook him off, casting him down into Hell.

As a result, Heinkel’s prospects had circled back to the dead end they had been at before the start of the Royal Selection.

Heinkel: [But, even so…]

He could not give up. He could not bring himself to give up. Not once had he ever been able to give up.

Heinkel: [――SHIT!!]

Shakily standing back up, he wiped his dried nosebleed on his sleeve, and began to walk. He knew not where those legs would take him, but even without a destination, he could not bear to halt his tracks.

――After all, Heinkel Astrea was a husband, and a father.

Heinkel: [Just you wait, Louanna, Reinhard. I’m… I’ll…]

Falteringly dragging his feet along, with his hand placed on the hilt of the sword hanging by his waist, Heinkel pressed forth.

He had no destination. ――All he had were his prayers, worn out and rusted over after many long years of endurance.

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Subaru: [――In the end, I’m sorry about all this commotion, Ezzo-san.]

Ezzo: [No, it was unavoidable. I also understand that your circumstances have changed. For now, I shall remain here until other personnel arrive as a replacement, but if necessary, I can always provide a testimony.]

Subaru: [That’d be a huge help… Truly.]

Speaking these words softly, Subaru bowed his head to Ezzo’s gentlemanly reception.

The location was the fifth floor of the Pleiades Watchtower, the expansive area just before the grand gate. There, Subaru―― no, Subaru’s group had completed their preparations to disembark once again, seeking to depart from the Tower as soon as possible.

After a meager half-day sojourn, it was an early morning departure awaiting the dawn outside the Tower.

Meili: [It seems a little like you guys are always in such a ru~sh, Onii-san. I wonder, couldn’t we return from the Tower a bit more qui~etly?]

Beatrice: [You can say that again, I suppose. Last time, he was sent to the Empire, and this time, it’s such an abrupt roundtrip, in fact.]

Petra: [That isn’t Subaru’s fault. The one who’s to blame for everything is Al-san… geez, what are we even going to say to Schult-kun… Stupid Al-san.]

Quietly exchanging those final comments, were the girls of the returning group.

Naturally, each of them had their own reservations about things having turned out like this. About this mere half-day sojourn, about the situation of them needing to hastily depart, and about the one who had caused those circumstances.

Only, for Subaru, it was painful that the person who had caused it kept receiving blame.

Garfiel: [Captain, I’ve gone ‘n loaded all the luggage into th’ dragon carriage. We can get goin’ whenever.]

Thereupon, slightly opening the grand gate, Garfiel returned from outside and called out. Having gone a step ahead by loading up the dragon carriage with all of their belongings, he knitted his brow at Subaru, who had raised his hand.

Garfiel: [Yer mug is lookin’ real stingy, Captain. Tho’, I get that you’re frettin’, same like “Rauraji’s Deep-Cut Nail”.]

Subaru: [Mm, I know that you’re trying to encourage me, but I don’t really get it. Deep-cut nail? Rauraji?]

Garfiel: [It don’t really matter! Ya can’t change somethin’ once it’s happened. ‘N so, it’s a matter of what ya can do from here on out, yeah? My amazin’ self’ll help ya in any way I can.]

Flashing his fangs, Garfiel vigorously clapped Subaru on the shoulder.

Under that force, Subaru thought his frail shoulders might shatter, but those sentiments filled him with joy a hundred times greater. Besides, it was as Garfiel had said―― what mattered was what he had decided to do from this point forward.

Subaru: [――I’m going to find out. Just what exactly it is that I’ve decided to carry.]

With those words, Subaru placed his hand over his chest―― touching the magic orb hanging around his neck, he declared his resolve.

――When Subaru and Beatrice had been sealed in a magic sphere similar to this one, it was not as though he had clear knowledge of all the details concerning the massive, colossal battle that Al had incited.

Subaru: [――――]

The interior of the magic orb had been dark, difficult to maneuver inside, and kept him in a dream-like state of mind that made it unclear whether he was conscious or not, as if he had returned to being a fetus submerged in the amniotic fluid of his mother’s womb.

Inside, Subaru’s sense of what was reality or dream was hazy, leaving him unable to say anything for certain. As expected of the adorable Beatrice, she had admirably devoted herself to reverse-engineering the technique behind the forbidden art that had sealed them, but the only thing Subaru could do when he found himself in a state of being consciously aware, was to invoke the Authority of Greed―― Cor Leonis, to gather the presences of his nearby allies, and perceive the intense changes in their emotions.

Even so, thanks to the reiteration of longing, desperation, and violent fluctuations in the powerful emotions of his allies, he had been able to perceive the shifts in the extraordinary circumstances through his soul.

Particularly distinctive were the intense hues of resolve and determination within Petra, and the monolithic swell of emotions that Rem harbored towards Subaru. ――Due to having received those, Subaru expressed his intent to depart the Tower in the early hours of the morning with utmost conviction.

Originally, their purpose for visiting the Pleiades Watchtower had been for the sake of Al, so upon finding out that it had just been a pretext from him, any reason to remain there was lost; but, not only that――,

Petra: [――There’s a way for the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony to properly throw up the things he’s eaten, right?]

Subaru: [Yeah. And present within, are the people who’ve been devoured until now… including Rem’s Name and Memories.]

In response to the words of Petra, who had likely gotten the best use out of the Authority of Gluttony in her strategy during the loop before he had Returned by Death, Subaru gave a deep nod.

In that moment, without even the chance for words to be exchanged, Rem, with eyes which seemed to comprehend it all, had driven her Morningstar into Subaru. ――Splendidly wielding the spiked iron ball that Subaru had kept polished every day, she had certainly regained her sense of self. Beyond any shadow of a doubt, that was the result of Gluttony’s involvement.

That was the conviction he held, and furthermore, Gluttony had already been apprehended. There existed no reason to not thoroughly pressure him, and force him to vomit up everything that had been eaten.

And so, for the sake of those direct negotiations as well――,

Subaru: [――Let’s get going, off to the nostalgic Royal Capital! We’ll confront Gluttony, and make him hurl everything up! And besides, it seems like I can’t keep remaining indifferent to the history of the Kingdom, and to the history of this world, for any longer.]

Clutching the magic orb in his fingers, and thinking of Al sealed within, Subaru admonished himself.

In response to Subaru’s declaration of resolve, Beatrice held his hand as she stood by his side, Garfiel stroked his fang with his finger, and Meili shrugged her shoulders with the small crimson scorpion sitting atop them.

Then, as Petra donned a dignified and resolute smile, Subaru received her gaze.

For the sake of Aldebaran, the one who called himself the “Following Star of the Pleiades”, an opposing force who wielded the same power as Subaru, yet still one whom he had resolved to definitely save no matter what, Natsuki Subaru pressed forth to the Royal Capital.

He would find out. After all, he knew that remaining in ignorance would be insincere, and he would never be able to forgive himself for doing so.

Hence――,

Subaru: [――Bring it on, oh inevitable fate!]

Carrying those feelings upon his back, Natsuki Subaru declared his intent to surmount any accursed shackles that might stand in his way.

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――It coincided with Natsuki Subaru’s declaration of resolve.

At the current moment, in a far distant land, the very destination Natsuki Subaru had announced his departure for―― in the Royal Capital of the Dragon Kingdom of Lugunica, a certain incident was unfolding.

???: [――――]

In this early hour of morn, the majority of the Royal Capital’s citizens were still asleep, letting the break of dawn go by from within their dreams, the Royal Castle Lugunica, which ordinarily ought to have been enveloped by an extraordinary tranquility, was enshrouded in a peculiar atmosphere.

The source of that atmosphere, was the very heart of the Royal Castle―― the throne room.

The impetus for the Royal Selection, had been the extinction of the Royal Family at the hands of a disease. And so, in the absence of a sovereign, the throne room of the Royal Castle was firmly closed off, with the exception of holding monumental ceremonies.

However, on this day, on this morning, the doors to the throne room were flung wide open, and there, the leaders of the Kingdom―― the Council of Wise Men, the faithful vassals who had won the trust of the deceased King, as well as even the royal soldiers, emanating a solemn air of tension, were all gathered.

???: [――――]

In this Kingdom bereft of a Monarch, each and every one of them bore a heavy responsibility in their individual positions.

Despite being an early morning summons, nobody had arrived tardy, and there was not a single person present who displayed drowsiness in their eyes, nor any miscreants who dared to exhibit an attitude lacking in concentration.

Ergo, no matter the time, the weight of the attention poured into this place was no less than that of the Kingdom itself.

――Taking all of that in by her lonesome, a woman maintained an air of silence.

Woman: [――――]

Kneeling down on one leg atop the blazing red carpet laid out across the marble floor, was an individual clad in robes of indigo blue, bowing her head with her hands clasped before her chest. That posture of prayer was so polished, it caused the military officers to recall their martial training, and the civil officers to recall their etiquette training, spurring them all to reflexively heave sighs.

That was the extent to which the woman, with a mere gesture of offering a prayer, had completely overwhelmed her surroundings.

???: [――Hrrrmm. Could you please raise your visage?]

Only one man amongst the crowd did not find himself captivated by the woman’s prayer, letting his voice reverberate through the chamber.

Calm and intellectual, it was the kind of voice that would naturally lend that impression to any who heard it, and its owner was one of the people involved with the castle as it received the kneeling girl―― no, his position could even be described as their representative.

Miklotov McMahon. ――In the Kingdom of Lugunica, bereft of a Monarch, he was the central personage of the Council of Wise Men who steered the nation’s politics, and even in this situation that had been prepared in great haste, he was the utmost important individual whose voice held the greatest influence and sway.

A sagacious individual known for his outstanding ingenuity, and his extraordinary faith and devotion towards the Kingdom, he possessed so great a presence that none other than the King himself had joked, “The nation shall not waver even if the Lugunican King dies, but if he were to die, the Kingdom would fall into ruin”.

His gentle appearance and mild manner of speech may have been deceiving, but in reality, the King of Lugunica was a remarkable man, the most reliable to make an ally of, and the most fearsome to make an enemy of. ――Miklotov was an individual who, over many long years, had exploited that reputation to the fullest.

Woman: [――Yes.]

Receiving Miklotov’s words, the woman slowly lifted her downcast visage. Then, when she opened the eyelids that she had kept shut, Miklotov’s breath caught slightly upon meeting her gaze.

That reaction Miklotov gave had not been solely limited to him. Present in this chamber as another member of the Council of Wise Men, Bordeaux Zergev; standing here as the representative of the military officers, the Commander of the Royal Guard, Marcos Gildark; the central figure of the civil officers, Rickert Hoffman; and all others standing in attendance in the throne room at this very moment, all reacted.

This was a woman whose mere presence had harbored enough allure to naturally draw the attention of everyone present. But, in this moment, everyone’s shared reaction was not merely caused by the way she conducted herself. ――It was her appearance.

Long, elegant golden hair, and crimson eyes blazing with dignified intent; possessing a meaning far more significant than simply being beautiful, they were striking to all those present here―― nay, to all who lived in the Kingdom of Lugunica.

Thus――,

Woman: [――To begin with, allow me to express my thanks for your graceful reception of my sudden visit. Considering our positions, this was likely far from ideal.]

As if she was accustomed to all those gazes, the woman, still down on one knee, gazed over all the wise and important individuals that had congregated here, and uttered those words.

Receiving her words, which had neither excessively abased herself, nor had failed to bear her position in mind, those present there suppressed their momentary surprise and turmoil, entrusting their response to their representative, Miklotov.

Taking in their intent, Miklotov, sitting in his chair as he caressed his long, long beard, he interposed a “Hrrrmm” as a sigh,

Miklotov: [My my, you seem to be one willing to say things where most others would hold their tongues. Be that as it may, I suppose there is no meaning in pretending otherwise. After all, you have spoken nothing but the truth.]

Woman: [When you phrase that in such a frank manner, it does place a burden upon my shoulders, too. As you can see, I am quite young and lacking in experience, so I had been fearful that I may not be able to muster words in front of you all like this.]

Miklotov: [Hrrrmm, though you might say that, you seem rather dignified. It is as if you are well accustomed to all eyes falling upon yourself. As for why that is so… I can come up with quite a few ideas.]

Woman: [Indeed. I shall not deny it.]

The pair had a difference in age enough to be grandfather and grandchild, but there existed nary a falter in the exchange between Miklotov and the woman, nor did it seem like things would devolve into a one-sided probing on account of one actor falling short of the other.

As both of them grasped that neither would be the case, they simultaneously smiled as if letting out a breath,

Woman: [In this early morning, I could not possibly waste everyone’s precious time, given how busy you all must be. Without further ado… may I begin the main subject?]

Miklotov: [Hrrrmm, very well, you may do so. At this age, getting up early is of no issue to me, but when it comes to important matters, I find it painful to defer them no matter how old I get. ――That is especially so when it is a subject broached by the Divine Dragon Church, which has placed itself at such a distance from the Royal Castle.]

Everyone: [――――]

He had generously prompted her to continue, but Miklotov’s words caused the atmosphere in the room to instantly grow tense. That response was immediately slackened, recognizing it as a discourtesy to the woman who had visited the Royal Castle all by her lonesome, but the reason behind it was something that nobody present could have done anything about.

――The name Miklotov had raised, the Divine Dragon Church, was, as the name implied, a religious group that worshipped the Divine Dragon Volcanica, founding their faith in the grace of its power and the protection of the Covenant.

As the Kingdom of Lugunica christened itself the Dragon Kingdom, the exceptional depth of its ties to the Dragon was well known, and to a greater or lesser extent, the citizens of the Kingdom considered themselves to be receiving the favor of the Divine Dragon.

Due to that self-awareness, even if they were not officially part of the Church, the majority of Lugunica’s populace harbored feelings of reverence concerning the Divine Dragon. Within that sort of environment, the potency of faith that those who officially adhered to the Church harbored towards the Divine Dragon went without saying.

In order to avoid shaking the nation with that immense influence, the Divine Dragon Church refrained from drawing near the Royal Castle, which bore responsibility for the nation’s politics, and they each contributed to the well-being of the citizens within their own domains. ――That was the unspoken agreement.

That was how unprecedented an event it was for a nun of the Divine Dragon Church to visit the Royal Castle, attempting to speak on a matter before a group that included the Council of Wise Men.

Only――,

Woman: [――There is value in doing so.]

Precisely because there was an understanding of how unprecedented it was, there existed a reason substantial enough to break that unwritten rule.

The woman’s declaration, proclaiming that, indeed, this was meaningful enough to gather Miklotov and the others in the throne room, and have them hear what she had to say, succeeded in its purpose of filling them with expectations.

Hence, following the silent encouragement from the wise men, the woman spoke. ――Of the reason, for her visit.

Woman: [All adherents of the Divine Dragon Church mourn the recent perils of the Kingdom from the bottom of our hearts. As per the unspoken agreement, we have remained at a distance from national affairs concerning the battle for the throne… the Royal Selection, but ever since news of the catastrophe at the Watergate City reached our ears, we could no longer remain still.]

Miklotov: [The Watergate City… Pristella, and the incident with the Witch Cult. We too are pained regarding the damages to that city, but surely the Divine Dragon Church does not intend to admonish the Royal Candidates involved with the incident?]

Woman: [Under that assumption, the significance of hastening to break the unspoken agreement, and the fact that I said prior there would be value in hearing what I had to say’d be contradicted… It would be contradicted.]

Revealing her true colors with the sudden counterpoint, the woman’s youthfulness showed itself as she corrected her speech. As if to cover up the awkwardness of it, the woman cleared her throat with a small cough,

Woman: [At any rate, I have no complaints to present regarding the Royal Candidates. It is not as though I harbor no reservations towards any of them, but that would be a matter of my own opinion, and not the consensus of the Divine Dragon Church.]

Miklotov: [If it is not the opinion of the Church, that would be your modest view as a citizen of the Kingdom. In fact, I believe we ought to proactively lend our ears to it, but… hrrrmm, that would likely veer this discussion off course.]

Woman: [Indeed. I shall bear in mind that you are a talkative personage, Miklotov-sama, but, let us proceed to the main topic. ――That which we wish to discuss, is not the attribution of responsibility, but on the matter of the damages.]

Miklotov: [――. Let us hear it.]

Woman: [In the Watergate City of Pristella, those who fell upon harm at the hands of the Witch Cult… it seems like several cases have been identified, but the Divine Dragon Church can offer a means to provide aid.]

――That instant, at the meaning contained in those words, the atmosphere in the throne room underwent a great tremor.

However, as the source of that tremor, the woman’s dignified posture remained undisturbed, continuing to stand up straight while basking in the gazes of the wise men. She had not exhibited any wavering in her gaze or demeanor, and there was an assurance in herself that would not permit her to speak without thorough conviction.

Miklotov: [――Hrrrmm.]

With that single interjection, Miklotov cut through the stirring atmosphere.

Nevertheless, even Miklotov, a man of preeminent wisdom within the Kingdom, could not help but be surprised by the woman’s proposal. And so, as the wise man caressed his beard with a slight amount of restlessness,

Miklotov: [Supposing that is indeed true, we could not hope to ask for anything more. Bringing the matter up with the Royal Castle was…]

Woman: [If we had gone ahead and proceeded to act without permission, it would not have been received all too well, correct? Moreover…]

Miklotov: [The ones who would not receive it well would not just be limited to us at the castle, but the Witch Cult, too, after all.]

To the fact that went without saying, the woman drew back her slender chin in agreement with Miklotov.

Naturally, if they were able to neutralize the harm that the Witch Cult had dealt, it would certainly be an undesirable event for the Witch Cult. Ergo, the Divine Dragon Church wished for something.

Miklotov: [――The Kingdom’s certain protection. Due to the distance between we who govern national politics, and the Divine Dragon Church that governs religion, something of this nature has never truly taken shape over the many years.]

Woman: [Yes, indeed. On this occasion, we wish to actualize that. That is the collective will of the Divine Dragon Church. ――In order to push in favor of that decision, I have a proposal.]

Miklotov: [Hrrrmm, a proposal, is it? And that would be?]

Woman: [First of all, allow me to present to you. A demonstration of the relief we are capable of providing.]

Placing a hand over her chest, the woman declared so, causing Miklotov to raise his eyebrows.

That was a welcome request. As she said, it was a proposal to provide a basis for their decision, so they could not object to it. Merely, to bring a victim from the Watergate City all the way to the Royal Capital would be――,

Woman: [There ought to be someone you have in mind. Let us make that person the first.]

Miklotov: [――. Very well. First, I grant you the permission to propose this matter. ――Commander Marcos.]

Marcos: [Yes sir!]

His name called out by Miklotov, that titan of a man clad in armor from head-to-toe, the Commander of the Royal Guard, Marcos, responded with a booming voice and stepped forth, bowing before the seats of the Council of Wise Men.

Miklotov: [Could you please escort her? This shall be regarded as a matter of great importance to the Kingdom. Be prudent.]

Marcos: [Understood. ――I shall be accompanying you.]

Woman: [Yes, your face is… no, your whole body is rather large. I look forward to working with you.]

With a small bow of her head, a degree of gentleness dwelled in the woman’s expression. Perhaps that was because the discussion proceeded in accordance with her wishes, and the purpose of the Divine Dragon Church’s visit seemed like it would be fulfilled.

Understanding that it would thus catch her a bit off guard, Miklotov decided to ask her a certain question.

Calling herself a messenger from the Divine Dragon Church, the woman had gathered Miklotov and the other leaders of the Kingdom at the castle in the early morning; and so, he asked about the aspect of her that had attracted even more attention than simply her involvement with the Divine Dragon Church.

That was――,

Miklotov: [Excuse my terrible impoliteness, but may I ask to hear your name, Miss Nun?]

△▼△▼△▼△

Woman: [――I am a nun sent by the Divine Dragon Church.]

Brought there directly by Marcos, the woman paid a visit to the Royal Residence―― faced with the person who called herself a nun, Ferris could not hide his puzzlement.

The reason why Ferris and Wilhelm were staying in the Royal Capital, was to make a direct request to the Royal Castle―― to enlist in the survey team en route to the Pleiades Watchtower now that it was cleared for entry, and by using the wisdom of the Sage, extolled as being all-knowing, to learn of a means to save Crusch, who was still suffering even now.

Of course, from the letter sent by Emilia and the others, who had already returned from the Pleiades Watchtower, it was made clear that the Sage’s existence and wisdom were nothing so convenient. But, even so, it was a greater possibility than the stagnated developments in healing magic.

Ferris: [Really, how stupid. No matter how much I improve on any preexisting healing magic, all it does is make it so I can’t die, while doing absolutely nothing to relieve Crusch-sama’s suffering.]

Amidst his feelings of desperation, the research of the Blue had elevated the field of healing magic existing in the Kingdom of Lugunica by not one, but three whole levels in this short period, but at this time, that did not make Ferris feel anything other than worthless.

At present, he was unable to save the person he wanted to save the most. That fact pressed Ferris into a corner, plunging him into darkness.

And so, even though he had wished to try relying on the Sage’s wisdom at the Pleiades Watchtower――,

Ferris: […Save, Crusch-sama? The Divine Dragon Church can? R-Really?]

Woman: [My faith forbids me from speaking falsehoods, and I am not interested in further tormenting those who are already astray. Even if you do not believe me, it seems like your Commander does.]

Responding to Ferris’s trembling voice, the nun gestured to Marcos, who had accompanied her. As Ferris raised his voice, exclaiming “Commander!” to Marcos, he nodded with his boulder-like expression,

Marcos: [I’ve heard that the Divine Dragon Church possesses magic and techniques that haven’t been unveiled to the public. Starting with Miklotov-sama, the rest of the Council of Wise Men also believes that there is value in lending her credence.]

Ferris: […B-But, if anything else were to happen to Crusch-sama…]

Woman: [――“None can lift the Quain Stone alone”.]

Ferris: [――Hk.]

Silently, as the nun spoke those words, Ferris’s breath caught reflexively.

As Ferris’s eyes welled with tears from turbulent emotions gushing forth within him, the nun gently reached her hand out towards his, and with her slender fingers, she softly undid the firm clench of Ferris’s own.

With her doing so as she pleased with him, Ferris suddenly took notice of her beautiful golden hair, as well as the earnest illumination filling her crimson eyes, and widened his own eyes in surprise.

That realization spurred on by confusion, he failed to understand its significance――,

Woman: [I beg of you. Please, allow me to aid the one you hold ever so dear. The Divine Dragon Church prays night and day for the well-being of the Kingdom’s citizens. No matter the doctrine they embrace, there are no exceptions to that.]

Ferris: [W-Who… who, are you?]

Woman: [――――]

She held her breath at Ferris’s question; however, keeping that brief hesitation contained to the blink of an eye, she gently held his hands in her own, and replied.

That was――,

Woman: [――Filóre. That is my name.]

――Fifteen years ago, the daughter of the King’s younger brother had been abducted, her whereabouts unknown ever since. With the same name as that vanished princess, and bearing the golden hair and crimson eyes emblematic of the Royal Family, the nun introduced herself.

Author Note:

Here ends Arc 9! Thank you for accompanying me this far!

What I wished to accomplish with Arc 9, was to portray the light and the darkness of Return by Death.

What could the light of death be…??

To everyone who has finished reading, which did you think was the Return by Death of Light and which did you think was the Return by Death of Darkness?

Either way, we will be plunging into Arc 10 from the next chapter onward!

There were many parts that did not go as planned, but overall, I think the gamble in storytelling is whether or not what you actually end up writing will end up being more enthralling that what you had imagined before writing!

The plot of Arc 10 is interesting, and I think some parts will be even more interesting than the plot! Look forward to it!